#that in the middle of the chapter I found myself praying to. | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

lily-fics-11 · 14 days

Text

The Girl Next Door: Chapter 6 (Hazel Callahan, Bottoms)

Fic master post here

Tag list: @avocifera, @academiareid, @fictionalgap @dynsdiary @sndixz @athenalive @lamoobsessions @eloud12

(feel free to comment to be added to taglist)

The Girl Next Door

You hadn't been close with your neighbor Hazel for years. But you find her beat up in the locker room after fight club and all of that changes

Chapter 6

Isabel and Brittany question you about Hazel. Your best friends can’t help but try and push you and Hazel together, and it seems to be getting to your head. It almost seems like Hazel is treating you like more than a friend?

Word count: 4.2k

CW: Profanities, not beta read

It’s Saturday night, at Brittany’s house, with her and Isabel. Brittany is painting your nails your favorite color when she notices the beaded bracelet on your wrist.

“H?” she questions. “Why the letter H?”

“Oh. The H. It’s for Hazel, actually,” you explain, avoiding eye contact and praying your face isn’t flushed.

“Are you guys like-” Isabel starts with clear excitement but you cut her off. “No, it's not like that. Like at all. Not even a little. We were always best friends, and now we are again.”

“Ok, fine, I guess. But we had no idea you two even knew each other until like a week ago. What happened between you guys because I’ve literally never seen you two interact with each other before now? Did you do something? Did she do something? Was it the both of you? Whatever happened had to have been bad, so why are things ok all of the sudden?” Isabel looks both confused and concerned. It makes sense why your best friend would be unsure of what to make of this confusing situation. You don’t even fully understand it yourself.

You take a deep breath before coming clean. “I’ve been in love with Hazel since middle school. But right when I realized I had feelings for her, she pushed me away, and I never knew why. I was in so much pain so I forced myself to move on. Make new friends, and eventually get into a relationship. But even though I had convinced myself otherwise, I’ve been in love with her the whole time. I found her bloody in the locker room after fight club one day and I couldn’t just leave her there like that. We ended up talking and reconnecting. I eventually confronted her, so she explained everything to me. I don’t want to share stories that aren’t mine to tell, but I will say that she just thought she was doing what was best for me. She apologized and I couldn’t help but forgive her. I know that Hazel never meant to hurt me, and I love her too much to pass up the opportunity to have her back in my life. All those years it felt like a piece of me was missing, and I finally had a chance to put things back together. I don’t have her the way that I want her, but it’s so much better than not having her at all.”

“Oh, wow.” Brittany takes a deep breath. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea you had been through all of that. But are you sure that this is worth it? Hazel is a sweetheart, and she would never do anything to hurt you on purpose, but are you going to be hurting yourself?”

You run a hand through your hair and take a moment to think about it. This is kind of insane. You could potentially do some major damage to yourself. But there is nothing you want more than Hazel. “That’s a risk I’m willing to take.”

“Well if that’s the case I’m really happy for you. You guys would be so cute together.” Isabel claps enthusiastically.

You shake your head no at her. “Isabel, please, don’t get my hopes up like that. I have no reason to believe that she feels the same way about me. If anything I’ve got far more evidence for her not seeing me like that. I think she’s just happy to be friends again.”

“Hazel mentions you in the notes like all the time. Like way more than anyone else.” Brittany grins mischievously. You raise an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

“The notes she takes every meeting and emails to everyone. Do you not get them?”

You wrinkle your nose and furrow your eyebrows. “I get them. I never noticed it. I'm sure you guys are exaggerating and didn’t even think about it until now.”

Brittany laughs. “We have been suspicious since the first time we saw you guys together. Do you not know what you look like when you look at her? Haven’t you seen the way that she looks at you?”

Isabel is quick to add “you guys started driving to school together even though you love your alone time, and remember that night you hung out at her house? You didn’t answer your phone for hours and that is so unlike you.”

Before you even get a chance to defend yourself Brittany throws at you what she believes to be some hard hitting evidence. “I have seen you guys fight each other. The sexual tension is so obvious. I have never seen two people pin each other to the ground so much. Especially not with that hungry look in their eyes.”

You are at a loss for words, so you close your eyes and flop backwards to lay down. Isabel pokes your leg. You don’t open your eyes but that doesn’t stop her from asking “were you there the day we were talking about celebrity crushes?”

“Nope.” You hear her giggle. “Well I didn’t make the connection until now, but you know that actress that everyone says you look like? That’s Hazel’s celebrity crush.”

You open your eyes and sit up, feeling defeated. “I’m sure it is just a coincidence.”

“You can believe what you want, but I’m still going to be shipping you guys so hard!” Isabel squeals.

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

Isabel and Brittany were not kidding when they said they would be rooting for you and Hazel. You appreciate their enthusiasm, but you would be mortified if Hazel noticed them giggling and watching you stand next to each other at the next fight club meeting. Isabel and Brittany’s eyes light up when you and Hazel are paired up for a fight. Your friend's stares were burning holes into the back of your head when you were on the ground straddling Hazel’s waist. This is only going to feed into their delusions. It seems useless at this point to hope they keep their eagerness in check.

It didn't take long for them to try and set you and Hazel up with each other, they took the first chance they got. You were unaware of their scheming until they approached you and Hazel at the end of fight club to see if you guys would want to get ice cream all together. “A little sweet treat before we all have to study for that math test tomorrow,” Isabel offers with a smile.

Brittany makes an excuse to take you with her in her car. “You forgot your shirt at my house, I need to give it back to you.” There was no shirt. Brittany just wanted to prepare you for what definitely isn’t a date, even though she seems to think it is.

Brittany glances over at you while she is driving. “Do you want to fix your hair?” She asks.

You squint your eyes at her. “Uhh.. why?”

She playfully rolls her eyes. “Don’t you want to look nice for your date with Hazel?”

That makes you laugh. “Brittany, it’s not a date if she doesn’t know that it’s a date.”

“You know what I mean. I have a hair brush in the glove box. There’s also some lipstick in there if you want to use it.”

“I’m not going to try and impress a girl who doesn’t want to be impressed”

“But isn’t it worth trying?” Without answering you pull the brush and lipstick out of the glove box and flip down the mirror.

Upon arrival, you and Brittany meet up with Hazel and Isabel before going inside. You enter first and approach the counter to order. After scanning your options you tell your friends “I can’t decide between cookies and cream and chocolate chip cookie dough.”

“Hey same!” Hazel smiles at you.

“If neither of you can decide between them, why don’t you just get both and share?” Isabel teases. God Isabel, right in front of Hazel?

“Oh… I, uh…” you begin but Hazel cuts you off. “Sounds like a good idea, right?” she asks expectantly. You just nod and force a smile. As much as you have protested it, you would love for this to be a date. But it's not, and you need to keep your expectations in check. Once the ice cream Hazel had ordered for the two of you is ready, you pull out your wallet only for her to step in front of you and pay for the whole thing without even asking. You blush and look away, accidentally making eye contact with Brittany who mouths “date” to you. Your palm meets your forehead. You really are grateful that your friends are trying to help you out, but you are going to have to explain to them that getting your hopes up will only make things worse in the end.

You intentionally sit next to Hazel, it will feel less romantic than being across from her. Not being able to stare longingly into her eyes is for the best. However, that didn’t keep you from questioning Hazel’s every move. Yes you were sharing food, but why did she sit so close to you? Seats nearly touching, practically shoulder to shoulder, knees brushing up against each other if moving more than an inch. Even worse, why did she put her arm around the back of your chair everytime she sat back to talk? Hazel talks a lot. If you weren't paying attention she would do it without you realizing and her arm would end up slung around your shoulders. You would sit there, absolutely mortified, while Isabel and Brittany failed to contain their excitement, though Hazel was none the wiser. You did your best to avoid looking over at her, that award winning smile and warm gaze far too easy to get lost in.

About halfway through the bowls of ice cream Hazel excuses herself to the bathroom.

Once Hazel is out of earshot Isabel slams her hands on the table and leans forwards. “Sooooooo…”

“So what?” You sigh.

“Come on, you know what she means,” Brittany crosses her arms and grins.

You put your hands up in the air like you have been cornered by the police. “I can’t say that I know what you guys are talking about.”

“This date!” The two yell in unison.

“Oh my god guys, could you please keep it down? I hate to break it to you, but if Hazel and I are on a date, then you two are on a date with each other. Just two best friends, eating some ice cream, that's all.”

“You are sharing ice cream!” Isabel exclaims, gesturing to the bowl in front of you.

You run your hands through your hair. “Because you suggested it.”

Brittany points to Hazel’s chair. “You guys are sitting so close together.”

“Well we're sharing the ice cream.”

“She keeps putting her arm around you!” Brittany sounds exasperated.

“You can’t ignore the way she looks at you!” Isabel pleads.

You put your hands down on the table in an attempt to further assert yourself. “If you keep getting my hopes up it's going to hurt even worse when she finally gets a girlfriend or in some other way makes it clear that she doesn't feel the same way.”

Brittany looks so disappointed. “We wouldn’t be trying to set you guys up if we didn't think there was something there.”

“I want this so bad,” slips out of your mouth as wild fantasies dance through your head.

“Maybe it's time that you give this a chance,” Isabel timidly suggests.

“I wouldn’t be opposed to it, but only if she took the lead,” you admit, nervously twisting your bracelet and averting your eyes.

Isabel and Brittany’s eyes wander behind you, so with panicked eyes you sharply run your hand past your throat, signaling that this conversation is officially being cut off.

Even though there is no way she could have known what had been discussed while she was gone, you are paranoid that Hazel somehow heard everything. You worry that the feelings left behind are written all over your face. Fortunately, nothing goes wrong as you all finish eating.

After cleaning up you are the only one to sit back down at the table. The other girls look at you, confused. You tilt your head back and groan. “I do not want to go home and study for this test. It's going to be miserable.”

“Well how much have you studied so far?” Hazel questions.

“Not enough,” you sigh. Hazel steps towards you and takes your hand. You can’t even imagine how unfortunate the look on your face is right now. She pulls you up to your feet. “Just think,” she tries to encourage you,”by this time tomorrow it will be over, right?”

“Yeah, I guess you are right.” You concede, expecting her to let go of your hand at that point, but she doesn't. Hazel holds your hand all the way to the car, and doesn’t let go until she has opened up the passenger side door and you have made yourself comfortable.

You can hardly believe it, but maybe Isabel and Brittany are onto something? Like this is absolutely mind boggling and insane. Is this even possible, or a mere delusion? Furthermore, are you actually starting to get your hopes up? You are playing a dangerous game, but you reap what you sow.

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

Last night you studied like your life depended on it, and it was exhausting. In the morning you hit the snooze button as many times as you can without the risk of being late, sacrificing a part of your morning routine each time you slammed on the button to make the blaring noise stop. In the end you walked out the door without a stitch of makeup in the sweatpants and sweatshirt you wore to bed.

You meet Hazel in your driveway. When you unlock the car’s doors she gets in right away. You open the door but stop to groan and pout. “I really don’t want to do this,” you whine to Hazel and she smiles and shakes her head. “Oh neither do I.”

“Then why don’t we just skip? We could stay home and binge watch something,” you suggest, half serious and half not.

Hazel sighs. “I literally couldn’t want anything more.” Your breath hitches. “But, we both studied so much that it would be a waste to miss the test. Not to mention that your mom would kill the both of us if she found out that we skipped school.” Hazel leans over the center console and reaches her hand towards you. You take it and let her pull you into the car. You are very aware of how you keep finding your hand in hers. Are you unhappy about this test? Obviously. Are you slightly exaggerating because it means Hazel might hold your hand? That’s not even a question.

You hesitate to start the car, so Hazel gently places her hand on your thigh. She tilts her head to the side, carefully observing you with a dreamy look in her eyes. Her hand placement was more than enough to snap you out of your mood. But the way she was looking at you? That just might make you risk it all. You fight off the urge to lean over and steal a kiss from the girl you love.

When you turn the key in the ignition you are expecting Hazel to pull away, so you are pleasantly surprised when she doesn’t. Previously, you would have shied away from moments like these, but Isabel and Brittany have really gotten inside of your head.

“If you want you can come hang out at my place after school. We can watch an old movie.” Hazel proposes.

You look over and meet her gaze and a smile spreads across your face. “I would love that.”

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

Hazel catches up with you on the way out of class after your test, putting her arm around your shoulders, causing a shock to your system. Though it’s a pleasant surprise, it isn’t easy to play it cool.

“So, how do you think you did?” Hazel smiles at you, looking at your… lips? You look down at your feet because you fear internal combustion, though still able to feel Hazel’s lingering gaze.

You are so nervous that you stutter when you answer her question. “I-I um think I actually d-did well. How about you?”

“I’m going to be honest, I was a little distracted. I was thinking about, well, things. But I still think I managed to pull it off.” Despite her claims of having been distracted, she sounds rather excited and you can’t miss the opportunity to see that look on her face, so your eyes wander back up to meet hers. That cute goofy smile is more than enough to put all the stress from this test behind you. In all honesty, Hazel could erase just about anything from your mind. You know that your own expression must be mirroring hers. “Well I’m glad that you made it through okay.”

Hazel nods at you. “I’ve got to go but I’ll see you later?”

“Yeah of course.”

Hazel pulls away from you, running her hand down your arm. The light graze of her fingertips momentarily lingers on your hand before finally drifting away and waving as she walks off. Hazel continues to look back at you until she stumbles into someone and has to turn her attention ahead of her.

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

When you get to Hazel’s house Mrs. Callahan is delighted to see you, and invites you to sit down with her. Hazel rolls her eyes and leans against the doorway with her arms crossed. You smirk as an image of what Hazel would look like doing THE lean crosses your mind. When you sit down next to Mrs. Callahan she slides a magazine over to you.

“I want you to have this. You don’t have to look at it now, but there is a spread that starts on page 17, it’s from one of my favorite designers and every outfit would look absolutely amazing on you! Check it out when you get the chance and definitely keep this in mind the next time you want to do some shopping.” Mrs. Callahan is beaming at you. Hazel has always been a tomboy so she loved talking about fashion with you and would join you and your mom on shopping trips.

You thank her and then Hazel clears her throat, so you start to get up.

“Can I ask you a quick question?” Mrs. Callahan asks.

“Of course.”

She leans and whispers, just low enough for Hazel not to be able to hear, “you’ve put that ex girlfriend of yours behind you, correct?”

Your eyes widen, taken off guard by the personal question. “Oh yeah, she's no longer a part of my life,” you explain, doing your best to keep your voice down because it’s clear she wants this conversation to be private.

Mrs. Callahan looks satisfied and you can only assume that your mother had divulged the details of your tumultuous relationship. She continues with her hushed tone “you deserve much better than the way that girl treated you, honey. I don’t think you will have to look too far to find the right girl for you.”

“We should head upstairs,” Hazel calls over impatiently.

“I’m actually heading out now. I won’t be back until pretty late.” Mrs. Callahan informs you. Hazel grumbles a goodbye and you wave before she walks out the door.

“I’m going to put my stuff in my room, I’ll be right back,” she tells you before disappearing up the stairs.

After entering the living room a feeling of nostalgia washes over you. There are so many memories here of blanket forts, movie nights, and playing games. After leaving your things in the corner you sit down all the way to the side of the couch, right up against the arm rest. It’s not long before Hazel appears in front of you, “Do you know what you want to watch?” You suggest a movie and Hazel thinks it’s a great idea.

She takes a seat in the center of the couch, as if to give you some space, while also testing the waters of trying to get close to you. You aren’t quite sure how you feel about this yet, but decide to live in the moment. While looking at the tv, out of the corner of your eye, you see that Hazel is watching you. She looks a little dazed, eyes soft, biting her lip. When you look over to her she quickly snaps her head towards the tv.

The movie is lighthearted but anytime you and Hazel look at each other the eye contact is intense. Whether you are laughing at a joke or reciting a quote in unison you kept getting caught up in the moment. The part of the movie you were reacting to would pass, but you would still be gazing into her beautiful eyes, and she would be staring right back. Then, the two of you would realize what you were doing and regain your composure.

You start to feel cold so you get up to get the sweatshirt you have in your backpack.

“Where are you going?” Hazel questions, and you peer over your shoulder at her. There is disappointment in her eyes, seeing you walk away.

“Just grabbing my sweatshirt,” you reassure her.

“Are you cold?” She asks, looking concerned, and you nod your head.

“I’ve got a blanket right here, if you want to use that instead,” Hazel offers, gesturing to a blanket hanging over the back of the couch.

“Uh, sure. Thanks.” You take your spot back on the couch and Hazel passes you the blanket.

“I think I’m actually cold too, would you mind sharing?” She inquires, fixing her hair even though it looks fine.

You blink rapidly, a little taken back. “No, not at all.”

“Is it ok if I, uh, sit a little closer? It would be easier to share,” Hazel asks, looking down and fidgeting with one of her rings.

You nod your head at her once again, feeling nervously excited. Hazel slides over and when she said close she meant close, she left no space between the two of you. Shaky hands drape the blanket across your laps. You feel your heart pounding in every part of your body. Isabel and Brittany’s idealistic thinking has infected your brain. Should you make a move to see how she reacts or wait and see if she does? You decide to wait and see if she takes any initiative. You meant it when you said you wanted

Hazel doesn’t leave you waiting for long. She rests her arm behind you, on the back of the couch, like she is inviting you into her. You obviously take the bait. There was no space to close between you but you lean your weight into her and rest your head on her shoulder. Hazel then wraps her arm around your waist, holding you against her. It all feels like a dream, breathing in her scent, feeling the warmth of her body next to yours. You are buzzing from the way her hand is firmly planted on your waist. Her voice is like a melody and her laugh is like a warm hug. You savor every moment with her.

After the movie is over, and you are getting ready to go, Hazel puts her hand on your arm. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to, but what did my mom whisper to you earlier?”

“Oh, she just asked about my ex.”

“She asked you about what?”

“My ex.”

“Sorry, I heard you the first time, I just can’t believe she would bring that up, I told her not to.” Hazel sighs.

“What do you mean that you told her not to? Have you been discussing my love life Hazel Callahan?” You laugh at her. You aren’t mad, just intrigued.

“Your mom had told my mom about your break up, so she came to me to try and get more information. She was really worried about whether or not you were ok. I told her that I wasn’t totally sure, because we hadn’t talked much about it. But she knows that I wanted us to be, uh, friends again, so she was very hopeful that you were in the right place for us to start a- I mean start over. My mom would bring you up from time to time over the years, hoping we would be friends again. When I explained to her that it was hard to tell whether or not you were also in, uh, the right place for that, she told me that we are meant to be, I guess friends, so the opportunity would present itself.”

You smile, feeling a flush across your face, knowing that Hazel has always intended to get you back in her life.

“Well, I am doing ok. I know a lot has happened between us, but I have a feeling that things are going to work out the way they are supposed to.”

#hazel callahan #hazelcallahan #bottoms hazel #hazel bottoms #hazel callahan blurb #hazel callahan bottoms #hazel callahan brainrot #hazel callahan x you #hazel callahan fanfiction #hazel callahan imagine #hazel callahan x reader #hazel x reader #hazelfanfic #hazel callahan fic #hazel callahan fluff #hazel callahan x fem reader #hazel callahan x fem!reader #hazel from bottoms #hazel callahan headcanons

51 notes · View notes

shinyfire-0 · 4 months

Text

In chapter 5 of The Phantom of the Opera - The Enchanted Violin - Raoul and Christine meet at Perros and spend some time together talking in the moonlight on the heath overlooking the sea. The text is from the de Mattos translation, available online.

‘Raoul walked away, dejectedly, to the graveyard in which the church stood and was indeed alone among the tombs, reading the inscriptions; but, when he turned behind the apse, he was suddenly struck by the dazzling note of the flowers that straggled over the white ground. They were marvelous red roses that had blossomed in the morning, in the snow, giving a glimpse of life among the dead, for death was all around him. It also, like the flowers, issued from the ground, which had flung back a number of its corpses. Skeletons and skulls by the hundred were heaped against the wall of the church, held in position by a wire that left the whole gruesome stack visible. Dead men's bones, arranged in rows, like bricks, to form the first course upon which the walls of the sacristy had been built. The door of the sacristy opened in the middle of that bony structure, as is often seen in old Breton churches.

Raoul said a prayer for Daae and then, painfully impressed by all those eternal smiles on the mouths of skulls, he climbed the slope and sat down on the edge of the heath overlooking the sea. The wind fell with the evening. Raoul was surrounded by icy darkness, but he did not feel the cold. It was here, he remembered, that he used to come with little Christine to see the Korrigans dance at the rising of the moon. He had never seen any, though his eyes were good, whereas Christine, who was a little shortsighted, pretended that she had seen many. He smiled at the thought and then suddenly gave a start. A voice behind him said:

"Do you think the Korrigans will come this evening?"

It was Christine. He tried to speak. She put her gloved hand on his mouth.

"Listen, Raoul. I have decided to tell you something serious, very serious ... Do you remember the legend of the Angel of Music?"’

(the photo shows heath and the pink granite rocks looking down to the sea at Perros-Guirec. But it was taken on a bright sunny day, not a moonlit night in winter)

Christine then tells Raoul all about the Angel of Music who visits her in her room, and who has been sent by her father. When Raoul is sceptical about this, Christine runs away into the night. Raoul follows her but instead of going back to her room at the Inn she goes to the church where, as Raoul tells M Milfroid, the commissary of police, a few weeks later:

‘“She knelt down by her father's grave, made the sign of the cross and began to pray. At that moment, it struck midnight. At the last stroke, I saw Mlle. Daae life{sic} her eyes to the sky and stretch out her arms as though in ecstasy. I was wondering what the reason could be, when I myself raised my head and everything within me seemed drawn toward the invisible, WHICH WAS PLAYING THE MOST PERFECT MUSIC! Christine and I knew that music; we had heard it as children. But it had never been executed with such divine art, even by M. Daae. I remembered all that Christine had told me of the Angel of Music. The air was The Resurrection of Lazarus, which old M. Daae used to play to us in his hours of melancholy and of faith. If Christine's Angel had existed, he could not have played better, that night, on the late musician's violin. When the music stopped, I seemed to hear a noise from the skulls in the heap of bones; it was as though they were chuckling and I could not help shuddering."’

I took these photos of the church at Perros-Guirec (Église Saint-Jacques) in a hurry. I was with some people who kept getting in the way! and I was trying to look calm and collected while I took in the atmosphere of the place. I think all the graves in the graveyard were removed many years ago.

Finally, did Leroux take inspiration from the noseless Saint Guirec, whose shrine can be found just around the headland?

(from Wikipedia!) 'L'Oratoire de Saint-Guirec stands in the bay at Ploumanac'h with a chapel on the facing beach. Female pilgrims have come for centuries to call upon the prayerful intercession of the monk saint for their seafaring husbands' safety. Young women also come to ask Guirec's prayers that they would soon find a husband. The tradition of putting a pin in the nose of the saint's statue is said to encourage Guirec to acquire the blessing of a marriage within one year for the young pilgrim.'

(thank you to @paperandsong who made me go and find him!)

There is a beautiful beach at St Guirec's shrine and I imagined Christine having a little swim there.

Here is a map to show you where all these places are in relation to each other

#phantom of the opera #poto #erik x christine #gaston leroux #le fantôme de l'opéra #scenes from poto #perros-guirec #the enchanted violin #perros

52 notes · View notes

theewokingdead · 1 year

Text

Morning Sickness - Din Djarin x f!Reader (Another Way Universe)

Pairing: Din Djarin/The Mandalorian x f!Reader (Another Way Universe) Summary: Din learns some things about pregnancy while helping you through a bout of morning sickness. Word Count: 800+ Rating: No rating, blog is 18+. Content: Nausea/vomiting. Pregnancy. Tooth-rotting fluff. The usual teasing/banter. A/N: I found some stuff that I had written but didn't make the final cut when writing the main story. This takes place in the middle of Chapter 8 of "Another Way" but it can be read on its own. I miss writing for these two. I'll get to the epilogue eventually, I swear, so don't yell at me @pedropascalsx

Masterlist

Eyes fluttering open, you wake to find Din gone. Intent on finding him, you swing your legs over the edge of the bed. The second you sit up, your head starts to spin. Your stomach turns over, and it feels as though the contents of your last meal are now fighting their way back up through your throat. Taking steady breaths, you pray it will subside soon.

Mouth filling with saliva, and the taste of bile rising from the back of your throat, you know it's past the point of no return.

You stumble out of bed, barely able to keep your balance as you make your way to the bathroom. Your stomach convulses and you heave, emptying the contents of your stomach into the toilet. The retching is violent, and you feel like you're going to cough up your insides. Finally, the spasms subside, and you slump against the cool porcelain of the bowl, panting heavily.

You hear a rustling behind you, and you turn your head to see Din standing in the doorway, concern etched on his face.

"Are you okay?" he asks, crossing the room to kneel beside you.

You shake your head, unable to speak, and he rubs soothing circles on your back as you try to catch your breath. After a moment, you manage to sit up, and he hands you a damp washcloth to wipe your mouth.

"I'm sorry," you mutter, feeling embarrassed and weak.

Din shakes his head. "If anyone should be sorry it's me. I did this to you."

“Pretty sure we played an equal part in it.” You offer him a weak smile, which he returns. “I just hope this doesn’t last much longer.”

“Me too. Not sure I can stand to see you sick for another year or so.”

“Another year or so?” you repeat, your eyebrows screwed in confusion as you look at him. “What do you mean? We only have seven more months before the baby comes - if that.”

“What?” Din immediately question, his voice filled with shock and confusion.

“What do you mean ‘what?’ Pregnancy only lasts 40 weeks.”

“What?” he repeats.

You can’t help but laugh. “Haven’t you been around pregnant women, Din?”

“Yes, but I’ve never had a reason to care about the length of their, uh…”

“Gestation?” you question.

“Yeah. I just assumed it’s a long time, like banthas.”

“Wait a minute. You’re telling me you know the gestational period of a bantha, but not a human being?” you question, laughing. “Maker, Din. You never cease to surprise me. I mean, fuck, do I like a seven-foot-tall hairy beast that will someday drop a hundred-pound newborn?”

Din chuckles, his expression softening as he wraps an arm around your shoulders. "No, you're much more beautiful than a bantha," he says, pressing a kiss to your temple.

You lean into him, grateful for his love and support. “Good answer.”

“You think the little tadpole will let you get up?”

“Little tadpole?” you question.

“Better than bantha. Or ‘parasite’ as you so lovingly refer to our child.”

With a smirk, you reply, “Ah, is it because Gungans are born as tadpoles?”

Din sighs. “I set myself up for that, didn’t I?”

“You did.” You stand up, using the sink for support. “I just hope that doesn’t mean I have to give birth in a bog.”

Din chuckles, standing alongside you. “I'll make sure to find the most comfortable place for you to give birth, even if it means taking down an entire empire to do it."

You roll your eyes but can't help the fond smile that tugs at your lips. "You know, for a guy who claims he's not romantic, you sure do know how to make a girl feel special."

He stands up, towering over you, and leans in to press a gentle kiss to your forehead. "You are special, and I'll do anything to make sure you and our tadpole are safe and happy."

You wrap your arms around his neck and pull him into a deeper kiss, feeling a warmth spread through your body. In this moment, you forget the nausea and the discomfort, and all you can think about is how lucky you are to have this man by your side.

As he pulls away, he brushes a strand of hair behind your ear and gives you a mischievous grin. “And who knows, maybe giving birth in a bog will be a new experience for us. We can add it to our list of adventures.”

You laugh and shake your head. "I think I'll pass on that one, thank you very much."

Din pulls you in for another kiss, his hands sliding down to rest on your waist. You feel a familiar heat building between your legs, and you can tell he's feeling it too. “Maybe we should continue this in the bedroom," he suggests, his voice low and husky.

You nod, a flush spreading across your cheeks. “Lead the way, Mando.”

As he takes your hand and leads you back to bed, you can't help but feel grateful for this man, for this life you've created together, for the little tadpole growing inside of you. You know there will be more challenges ahead, more moments of discomfort and fear, but as long as you have Din by your side, you know you can do anything.

#din djarin #din djarin x reader #din djarin x you #the mandalorian #the mandalorian x you #pedro pascal #pedro pascal character fanfiction #pedro pascal characters #pedro pascal fandom #pedro pascal fanfiction #the mandalorian fic #the mandalorian fandom #the mandalorian fanfiction #the mandalorian x reader #pedrostories #another way #catie writes

182 notes · View notes

lovesickonmybed · 6 months

Text

all you had to do was stay | (1/?)

eddie Munson x OC | chapter 2 | series masterlist

summary | vivian and eddie were best friends until he betrayed her. she decided to get revenge, but it went too far.

word count | 4,156.

warnings | swearing, alcohol, underage drinking, sexual content, themes of abandonment, smoking, and bullying.

a/n | i don't have anyone to edit for me or anything like that before posting so please feel free to give me some feedback about this first chapter!! also listen to all you had to do was stay (taylor's version) while reading this!

Nobody spends their spring break praying for it to be over…except maybe for me. I used to spend my spring breaks at Eddie Munson’s trailer playing D&D and listening to whatever metal albums we had all put enough money together to buy. Now I spend them at endless parties praying that whatever is in my cup will be enough to drown out my hatred for the people I now surround myself with. I would kill to be back at Eddie’s trailer playing D&D and listening to Black Sabbath, I would kill to be anywhere but Lovers Lake with a beer I didn’t even want in my hand.

Eddie became my best friend in 6th grade when I moved to Hawkins. Back then, I was pretty awkward and pretty angry at absolutely everything. My dear old dad had packed up everything and left me and my mom to try to survive on our own, so we moved back to my mom’s hometown of Hawkins, Indiana. It was nothing compared to back home in New York. I hated it, I hated my dad, I hated everything. But then I met someone who understood my anger, someone who knew exactly how I felt. His name was Eddie Munson. He was dorky as shit but also the coolest kid I had ever met. His hair was buzzed, he wore band tees, and he hung out with a girl who was just as cool as him. Veronica Ecker, or just Ronnie for short. She was tall with dark hair and a baseball cap she refused to ever take off.

I remember walking in on my first day of 6th grade at Hawkins Middle. I was oh so lucky to be a new student on Halloween day. Everyone was in costume, I was just in an orange sweater and black jeans. I couldn’t afford a costume and we had thrown out all my old ones in the move. We couldn’t bring too much with us to Hawkins. There were already rumors about me before I had even stepped foot on school grounds. Rumors that I moved there because I got kicked out of every school in New York for starting fights. Another rumor spread that I was somebody from a government experiment that they had planned to plant at the school for research. It’s impressive just how creative 6th graders can get. The truth was too boring for them and nobody had cared to hear it, well, not nobody. Eddie Munson had waltzed up to me as I sat on the bleachers, he was wearing a pair of devil horns, a big grin spread across his face. “You’re the new girl, right?” He had asked.

“If you’re gonna ask me about the rumors then they’re both true and you should definitely avoid me,” I said sarcastically. I couldn’t help being defensive after having kids whisper about me all day, giggling to one another about how weird I was.

“Nah, they’re bullshit. You don’t look like you could win any fights against anybody,” Eddie joked.

I liked him from that very moment.

“You don’t know that, I bet I could take you, shrimp,” I joked back. It was the first time in a while that I had smiled, the first time in a while there was anything in my eyes besides anger.

“You know, maybe you could…but just think of all the people we could take on as a team,” he smiled. His smile is infectious and the grin on my face got even wider.

“You’re right…we’d be a great team…I’m Viv, by the way,” I said, sticking out my hand for him to shake. I had cracked royal blue nail polish on my nails and a variety of different rings I had found in my mom’s things littered both hands. His hands weren’t much different than mine, his nails had clearly been chewed short and he also had his own assortment of rings.

“Eddie, Eddie Munson…”

From that moment on we were friends. He introduced me to Ronnie and then in 7th grade we met Dougie and he joined our group. We had all even performed together in our school's talent show. They had me on vocals because I couldn't play any instruments and I would say that I killed it but half of Hawkins wanted us dead or expelled after that so maybe it’s for the best if I forget it ever happened. Or if I forget that anything had ever happened with that group at all. It’s so strange to know that the people who had taken me in and became my first friends here are the ones who hate me most now. I can’t say I blame them though…

When high school started we were all losers, I mean we were losers in middle school too but it became even more obvious once we hit high school. Jocks hated Eddie and Dougie, targeting them constantly. The cheerleaders and preppy girls had it out for me and Ronnie as well. Nothing says ‘Loser’ like getting trash dumped on you or having to memorize your friends' locker combinations for every time they were stuffed into their own locker and needed you to get them out. For all of Freshman and Sophomore year, I was called ‘Pizza Face’ or told that I was ‘flat as an ironing board’ y’know just all the best things you could say to a deeply insecure teenage girl whose hormones had favored developing acne over developing breasts.

We had taken our love for D&D with us into high school and created a safe haven for people like us, the freaks and the outcasts. Eddie called them his ‘lost little sheep’ and it became his mission to find them…but it turns out a lot of those other freaks and outcasts had believed the lies fed to them about D&D being satanic so attendance was lacking. Nonetheless, we had somewhere we felt safe and it was exactly what we needed. Eddie became our leader, which sadly meant he’d get the most shit from bullies like Tommy H.

There was nobody worse than Tommy H. His father owned the biggest and most successful car dealership in town. On top of that, he was also a star athlete (which is shocking considering how awful he is at pretty much everything I’ve ever witnessed him do) and that meant he could get away with whatever he wanted. He’d always go after Eddie, he’d start shit with him and then go crying to Principal Higgins about how Eddie had started it and there started Eddie’s record of so-called bad behavior. Being a Munson means it’s practically impossible to do anything and not get shit for it, Tommy knew this and used it to his advantage. He used Eddie as a punching bag and would get away with it, hell most of the time Eddie was the one taking the blame when Tommy would walk away without a scratch on him. And all of this makes me hate myself even more for what I did to Eddie…what I did to all of them…

It was the summer right before the start of junior year. I had been in New York visiting family for June and most of July. I had called Eddie almost every day to let him know about my trip, I did leave out a few key details though…the details of how I had gotten my braces off, how I had finally found something that fixed my acne problems, and most importantly I kept it a secret that I had finally started to develop. I had always had a bit of a crush on Eddie, as we had gotten older it had only gotten worse. I’ve never been good with relationships, my first kiss came from a game of Spin the Bottle in 8th grade. It was awkward, messy, and something I’d pay thousands to erase from the minds of all who witnessed it. I had a boyfriend at one point too, I’d use the term boyfriend very loosely though. It was Charlie Stump, he was a loser like me and we ‘dated’ Freshman year. Our relationship consisted of holding hands and sharing one kiss before he broke it off because he thought metal music was satanic. He was just something to fill the void that I had hoped Eddie would fill instead.

Ronnie had told me about the time Eddie had tried to kiss her when they were 13, I remember wishing it had been me instead, I would’ve let him kiss me whenever he had wanted. Me and Eddie were complicated…we were flirty with one another but whenever someone would address it we’d both claim it was a joke. I lied every single time. I cherished every single touch I got from him, they all felt electric. I cherished every time we’d hold hands to cross the street or to lead one another through a crowd, I cherished the kisses he’d give me on the cheek or forehead whenever I had saved his ass from his bullies, I cherished how he’d hold me against him when we’d watch horror movies. I was never really scared, but he never had to know that. I was lovestruck, but I knew he’d never feel the same. I saw how certain girls would catch his eye, preppy cheerleaders, good girls, girls that were nothing like me. Girls with perfect skin, perfect teeth, perfect bodies, perfect lives. I couldn’t compare.

When I had finally started to look like the girls that caught his eye I was overjoyed. It was stupid, I felt good because I thought I would finally have a chance with my best friend. My best friend who had been designated as the freak of Hawkins High. His house was my first stop when I returned from my trip to New York. It was late but his trailer was only about a mile from the apartment complex I lived in with my mother. I had put on my best outfit, something that would surely make him swoon. It was a black denim dress, it buttoned up and the skirt flared out at the bottom, it was cute. I had even learned to do nicer makeup when I was visiting my cousins. I switched out my heavy eyeliner for something more soft and subtle. Something that girls that he likes would wear. I walked over with a smile on my face and hope in my heart. This would be the night I would win him over…or so I thought.

When I arrived at the Munson residence I was met with the site of an unfamiliar car parked in front of the trailer. It was way too nice to belong to Wayne or Eddie, it was out of place for Forest Hills Trailer Park. My heart was beating faster as I became anxious. Every step I took towards his door felt heavy, it was like my body was slowly becoming filled with lead. I took a deep breath and I finally was at his door. I knocked and waited. It took him a minute to answer the door and when he did I was shocked. He was shirtless and his hair was a mess, there were a few hickeys scattered across his neck and collarbones, he looked hot. But once I got over how good he looked I was overtaken by jealousy. It looks like somebody beat me to it.

“Holy shit…I was not expecting you, Viv,” He chuckled. He was almost unaware of his appearance, unaware that it’s pretty obvious what he’d been doing.

“I-I just got back into town…I wanted to surprise you…I guess you’re busy…”

Before Eddie could respond I saw a girl walk up behind him, I recognized her instantly and became filled with rage. Nicole fucking Summers. The goddamned bitch who had been tormenting me since 6th grade, she was the one who made up the rumors about me moving to Hawkins for getting expelled from every school in New York. She’s the one who cut off a chunk of my hair in 7th grade, the one who told everyone I still wore a training bra in 8th grade. She was the one who started calling me ‘Pizza Face’ in Freshman year, going as far as to get all her friends to throw slices of pizza at me at lunch. Sophomore year she had stolen my clothes after gym when I was in the shower and I was forced to find them in just my underwear. Out of anyone he could’ve fucked, out of anyone he could’ve lost his virginity to why the fuck did it have to be her. Sure his options are slim but I was right there.

I was beyond stunned when she began to speak. “Vivi, is that you? You look…different. I guess you grew out of your ugly duckling phase, huh?” She teased. She was in one of Eddie’s shirts, her makeup smeared and her neck was covered in hickeys just like Eddie’s. It took everything in me to not break both of their noses right then and there.

“I’m just gonna go. Clearly, you’re busy,” I spat out at Eddie. He was lucky I was holding back my anger. I didn’t even let him respond before I was marching off and away from his door, once I was a far enough distance away I started to run. I screamed and I cried and I ran all the way home. My mascara burned my eyes but I ignored it. Eddie’s betrayal had hurt me worse than anything physical ever could. He didn’t notice that I changed, he didn’t care, he fucked the girl who had made my life miserable. At the time I didn’t know it was a one-time thing. She had wanted to brag to her friends about ‘taking the freaks virginity before his loser little friend got a chance.’

I locked myself in my room for days, I was beyond angry. I wanted to tear them both apart and then put them back together again so that I could do it all over again. I didn’t know what to think and I didn’t know what to do…until I did. I ignored any calls from Eddie, Ronnie, or Dougie. I told my mom that if they came looking for me to tell them I was sick. I couldn’t face any of them, if I did I wouldn’t have been able to hold myself back. I devised a plan, a plan to get Nicole back for fucking Eddie and one to get Eddie back for fucking Nicole. It was a plan that would go too far for too long. The few times I had gone out in public I had overheard something about there being a party at Steve Harrington's house. His parents were always gone and he hung out with just the people I needed for my plan.

On a Saturday night in August, I found myself on the front doorstep of the Harrington residence. I was in an almost sheer blouse, my lacy red bra showing through the material, and a mini skirt, it was nothing like I had ever worn before. My makeup and hair were perfect, I knew what these guys liked, it was exactly what Eddie liked. I took a deep breath before waltzing in, heads turning as soon as I walked in the door. I had never been to a party before and I had certainly never looked like this before. “Do you have a staring problem or something, Caleb?” I asked one of Tommy’s cronies. He was closest to me and a perfect target for my plan.

His eyes were glued to me, raking up and down my body slowly. “When Nicole said you got hot I thought she was kidding…” He said as he licked his lips. I rolled my eyes and walked towards the kitchen to find something to drink.

As I made my way into the kitchen I bumped into none other than Steve Harrington himself. He did a double-take when he saw me. “Holy shit…w-what are you doing here?”

“Can’t a girl go to a party, Harrington?” I replied. He was still sputtering and his face was all red, it felt great to fluster a man like this for once in my life.

“B-But…you…you’re-”

“I’m what? I’m a loser? An outcast? A freak? Not anymore, Harrington.”

He cleared his throat and got a hold of himself, “Where’s Munson? Aren't you two inseparable or something?”

“Not anymore…I umm…let’s just say I outgrew him.” I was totally bullshitting.

“Really?” Steve asked. He was looking at me the same way that Caleb was when I walked in.

“Really. Now do you mind showing me where you’ve got some vodka, I really need a drink.” What I needed was liquid courage, courage for the idiotic bullshit I planned to do that night. Steve led me to the vodka and I took a shot, and then another. I was on a mission but fuck I needed that to be able to succeed.

I look over at Steve and bat my eyelashes, “Hey, Stevie, do you know where Tommy’s at?”

He scratches the back of his neck as he tries to think, “Last I saw him he was outside in the pool.”

I get on my tip toes and kiss him on the cheek, “Thanks, Stevie.” His face is flushed when I walk off to go find Tommy. It doesn’t take me long, he’s lounging on one of the pool chairs with a beer in his hand. He’s not somebody I find particularly attractive but I’ll have to fake it for my plan. I smile down at him. “Hey Tommy,” I say as I bite my lip. He looks up at me with wide eyes that get even wider as he takes in my appearance.

“No fucking way…Nicole wasn’t lying…” He’s taking his time to admire me, I hate how his eyes feel on me.

“It’s amazing what a few months can do, huh? Do you…do you mind if I sit down with you?” I bat my eyelashes at him and he crumbles beneath my gaze.

“Be my guest…” His eyes are glued to my body, more specifically my chest.

“So, how was your summer?” I ask, I sit across from him with my legs uncrossed, he has a perfect view of my lacy little thong. It’s red and leaves barely anything to the imagination, it’s ideal for a creep like him. His eyes trail down to the spot between my legs and he smirks.

“It would’ve been a lot better had I known you were spending it turning into this, fuck…” He groans. I’ve got him right where I want him.

“It’s amazing what a summer away from Munson could do to a girl,” I giggle. It feels awful coming out of my mouth, worse than the vodka taste going down.

“You’re done with him, huh? Wanted to join where you should’ve been the whole time…fuck if we had gotten our hands on you sooner just imagine what you would be Vivian…” He marvels, “I knew you weren’t like them…like those freaks. Bet Munson dragged you into all that satanic shit, you’re better than that, better than him…” Tommy rambles.

“He did…I-I’m not like that anymore,” I lie through my fucking teeth.

“Yeah? You a good girl now?” Tommy teases.

“I am…can I show you just how good I am, Tommy?” I flirt.

“Harrington’s got a guest room upstairs that’ll be perfect, baby. Think of it as your initiation into the good side,” Tommy says. I think he’s exaggerating that last part, that he’s being dramatic, but after what we did that night he had no plans of ever letting me return to Eddie again.

In Sex ED they don’t tell you how needy a guy can be after a one-night stand. This was supposed to be a one-time thing that would get spread around to Eddie so that he’d hurt as bad as he had hurt me. But instead, Tommy got attached, and I became his little project. He planned to mold me into his little homecoming queen. And Eddie…Eddie was more than hurt, he hated me. I can’t blame him, I hated myself for it. I expected an angry phone call or an aggressive confrontation but instead, I was met with radio silence, not only from him but from every single one of my old friends. I went too far and had no other choice than to stay with my new ‘friends’. On the first day of Junior year I walked into school a completely different person. People had heard about my transformation and they had also heard about me hooking up with Tommy, I was already the talk of the school and first period hadn’t even started. When I said that Tommy planned to turn me into his little homecoming queen I wasn’t kidding. He made Tina and Carol take me shopping at the goddamn Gap. They picked me out new outfits, told me how to do my hair, who to talk to, what music to listen to, who to be. The worst part is that I kind of…liked it. I liked how I looked in my new outfits, I liked how my hair framed my face, hell I even liked the music they picked out. It turns out Madonna isn’t too bad when you don’t have somebody trying to shove down your throat that enjoying her music is the worst crime someone could commit.

So on the first day of school I walked in wearing a pink turtleneck, a light washed denim skirt, and a pair of knee high white boots. I felt pretty, I felt confident, I felt fucking amazing. Well I did until I saw my locker. Eddie had taken the liberty of breaking into the school and defacing my locker, in blood red spray paint the word ‘TRAITOR’ had been written for all to see. It didn’t take a genius to know it was him. He watched me walk up to it with a proud smile on his face, leaning against the lockers right across from mine. Ronnie and Dougie were beaming with him. I was raging, I wanted to punch him in the face. I wanted to yell that he was the traitor for what he did with Nicole Summers, but instead I walked up to him and simply said, “The same could be said for you. At least I wasn’t a pity fuck.” That set him off. Before I know it he’s dragging me down the hall by my arm and into the janitor's closet, he slams me against the wall and for a second I smile. Maybe in some other universe he’s dragging me in here to confess his feelings for me and to kiss me, not in this one though, in this one I ruined any chance of that I could’ve possibly had.

He glares at me like he wants me dead and I’m sure he does. He has me pinned against the wall, his face only inches from mine as he begins to speak. “You may have new friends and a new look but you’ll always be a fucking loser!” He spits. It’s an anger I’ve only heard reserved for people like Tommy. “Your new friends used to treat you like you were nothing, don’t think they won’t drop you once they get bored of you. They’ll throw you out and you’ll have nobody because you burned any bridges you could’ve had back to us. You’re fucking pathetic, Vivian.” Eddie spits in my face and walks out, leaving me to process really how bad I had fucked up. He’s right, but I can’t go back now. I don’t have that choice anymore, I lost my chance when Tommy unbuttoned my blouse upstairs at the party.

So here I am, senior year, still unfortunately friends with Tommy, Carol, and Tina. Carol had the grand idea of throwing a party at Lover’s Lake and was ready to have my head if I skipped out on one more party this week. I didn’t bother showing up in a swimsuit, I have no intentions of swimming. I’m in a red tight fitting t-shirt, black denim cutoffs that show off way more of my ass than my friends thought was acceptable, and a pair of beat up black converse. I’m standing away from most of the crowd sipping on a beer that tastes like actual piss and regretting giving into Carol's whining about how I just had to come tonight. I scan the crowd and attempt to pick out somebody who I might not hate spending my night with when I see him. He’s in a white t-shirt, ripped light wash jeans, and a pair of boots. His hair is tied up and he’s lighting a cigarette. Fuck.

#eddie munson #eddie munson fanfic #eddie munson fic #eddie munson smut #eddie munson x female reader #eddie munson x oc #stranger things #stranger things fanfiction #stranger things fic #joseph quinn #eddie munson x original character #Eddie Munson x original female character

81 notes · View notes

rickmymanrick · 1 month

Text

one rule | chapter seven

[rick grimes x original female character slowburn]

series masterlist

summary: the plan goes wrong. daphne and glenn find themselves in a precarious situation, but at least they have each other, right?

notes: double update. i couldn't help myself. i love this chapter so much for some reason. it just flows together so nicely to me. scratched my brain the right way.

also if you’d like to read a little bit of rick’s pov in the last chapter (6), be sure to check this out.

Glenn's POV

The plan was simple. It wasn't my walkie-talkie lying abandoned in the middle of the intersection, but I was the fastest out of the group.

If we wanted any chance at succeeding, it would have to be me.

And things were going as smoothly as possible, up until I turned into the alley I planned to meet Daryl in, finding a group of strangers instead.

"Who are you?" One of the men snapped immediately.

"Uh—um—" I had no idea what to say, wondering how to stall until Daryl got here. If shit hit the fan, the odds of me winning against three of them weren't high at all.

"He asked you a question, pendejo," said another one.

"He's got a gun," one of them observed quietly, nudging the burliest dude in interest.

Yeah and I'm about to use it on you fuckers if you try anything.

The fence behind me rattled dangerously and I twisted instinctively. The walkers had caught up, pushing against the gate in a chorus of groans.

The next movements happened too fast.

The back of my shirt was seized aggressively and I was thrown into the brick wall, my gun grabbed from my pocket and pointed against my temple.

One of the other guys grabbed my radio and showed it to the other curiously.

"Where did you get the gun, huh?" The guy who held me against the wall by the collar asked.

What the fuck do I say? What do I say? I panicked, a nervous sweat breaking out on my hairline. Where's Daryl?

"Where did you get the goddamn gun? There's gotta be more wherever they came from!" He clicked the safety off.

"Uh, I found it. On—on the road. There was just one." I lied horribly.

"He's lying," the guy with the radio sneered.

"Are you alone? Are there others?"

I thought of Daphne and how she had no clue how badly shit just hit the fan. "It's just me." I said quickly.

"I don't believe you, puto. Tell the truth before I blow your goddamn brains out!"

The fence creaked dangerously. I side-glanced, hoping it wouldn't collapse.

"I am," I winced at the harshness of the barrel.

"Glenn?"

Fuck. We all looked at the CB in the dude's hand, my heart dropping to my feet.

"Glenn, can you hear me?"

"Alone, huh?" He pressed his gun even harder and grabbed the radio from his friend. "Who the fuck is this?"

"Glenn, I'm at the store. We missed some things. Are you guys finished?"

Daph, for the love of God, shut the fuck up. Please.

"The store? Y'all found a place that hasn't been ransacked?"

I stayed silent.

"Listen to me, boy. I want you to answer her. No funny business. You understand me?" He curled his finger around the trigger.

"Okay," I gasped, watching as he brought the radio close to my mouth. He pressed the button.

"Daphne?" The first sign I hoped would give her a hint thatsomething was not right. I usually called her Daph. "Daphne, uh, we-we found Hector. Um, but I think he's with Shane."

We didn't even know a Hector. Before the fall or now. But these guys didn't know that.

"What?" She responded.

I made tense eye contact with the gunman.

"The signal must be cutting out. He's with S—Shane."

"Um, okay... can you meet me here? I think there's a good amount of things we can take back."

"Ask her where she's at," the buzzcut demanded.

"You're on the corner of Penn and Seventh, right?" I prayed to any force above that she wasn't a complete idiot.

"No, on the corner of Peachtree and Third. What the fuck is going on?"

I cringed instantly. She is an idiot.

The three men all stared at me blankly.

"I'm geologically challenged?" I winced, hoping he wouldn't shoot.

Keeping the gun pressed to my head, they began to drag me to the opposite end of the alleyway where there was a running car.

"HEY!"

Daryl came running down the alley all of a sudden, crossbow at the ready as he tried to figure out which guy to shoot at.

"Let's go!" The burly dude yelled, slamming the back door open.

Daryl got tackled by one of the smaller guys, a tussle breaking out on the concrete.

Quickly, I was thrown into the car before Daryl could break free. I watched as they willingly left the kid behind, shifting into drive.

"Let's check out this store."

Daphne's POV

I'm scared shitless.

I wasn't afraid to admit it. At least not out loud. I had no idea why I thought this would be the best option, and had less of an understanding why Glenn agreed with me.

At least Rick had the sense to disagree with the plan. Looking back, I should've just listened to him instead of being petty.

Still, I forced myself to hustle, crossing the empty streets of Atlanta with my heart in my throat.

I was alone. At first, it wasn't my preference but I didn't want to drag anyone on my side mission to retrieve our supplies we'd put aside yesterday. I knew exactly where to go and Glenn was the only one who could safely take the rest of the group back to Merle's rooftop.

I almost dropped to my knees in relief once I safely made it into the mini market tucked at the bottom of a large corporate building.

There was bound to be a few dead stragglers. They did invade this building yesterday. Creeping silently, I held my knife up (Rick gave it back to me before I left) and counted my breaths.

At 3, I lunged out behind the first aisle, ready to stab into walker skull.

There was only three and thankfully, they'd been dead for a while now. Slowly limping with flesh barely clinging to the bone. I could see their skeletons staring back at me, wasted away and rotting. Suppressing this morning's breakfast, I made quick work of the first one, stabbing into its head swiftly before the second one set its sights on me.

Its long hair swung as it turned towards the noise, limping at me with a broken leg. I grunted as it tried to grab onto me, forcing me to back away into the aisle, cans of food rolling by my feet.

"Shit," I hissed, its nails scratching the air beside me. I swung my bloody knife into its temple and grabbed one of the cans, chucking it at the last walker.

It smashed into its forehead, a chunk of skin and brittle bone falling off and effectively knocking it to the ground. Quickly, I stomped on the head without thinking, the crunch giving away to brain matter as it died beneath my foot.

I gagged as I pulled my foot out, shaking the slimy stuff off my shoe. After waiting in silence for a minute, I finally moved again. There was no sound but the rushing wind between the skyscrapers.

Fortunately, our pile of stuff was untouched. Piles of diphenhydramine, ibuprofen, antibiotics, vitamins. Packs of non-perishable food items.

I grabbed my CB, simultaneously stuffing all the medicine into my pack. "Glenn? Glenn, can you hear me?"

I was met with staticky silence. Undeterred, I readjusted some knobs.

"Glenn, I'm at the store. We missed some things. Are you guys finished?"

Dread began to fill me the longer I waited for a response.

"Daphne? Daphne, uh, we-we found Hector. Um, but I think he's with Shane."

I let out a sigh of relief before realizing what the fuck he just said.

"What?" I answered, wondering if he was on drugs.

"The—the signal must be cutting out. He's with S-Shane." Glenn's voice sounded distorted, shaky. Why did he sound so nervous?

Something definitely wasn't right. Unless I'm losing my marbles, Shane definitely threw a hissy fit and stayed at camp and we don't know a single person named Hector.

"Um, okay..." I tried to think of what to say. Were we being listened to? "Can you meet me here? I think there's a good amount of things we can take back."

It took a little longer for Glenn to respond this time. I clutched the walkie in confusion.

"You're on the corner of Penn and Seventh, right?"

"No, on the corner of Peachtree and Third. What the fuck is going on?" In hindsight I probably should have went along with what he was saying, but I got fed up and I'm clearly an idiot.

Silence.

"Glenn?"

I looked at the CB, banging it against my thigh but still there was nothing but static. I rolled my eyes, knowing Glenn can handle his own if nothing else. He'd meet me here.

I went back to the aisle where I'd left the corpses, stepping over the mess of guts and brains. I did two rounds, making a nice pile of Chef Boyardee next to the rest of our supplies.

My arms were aching as I looked down at all the stuff proudly.

"Hands up."

I jolted in surprise, feeling the cold barrel of a gun at the base of my neck.

I did as I instructed, heart pounding against my chest. I didn't know what was worse— finding another walker in here or this.

"Turn around slowly. I wanna see those hands."

I tried not to make any sudden movements, not wanting to die at 23.

Standing before me was a man with buzzed hair, tanned skin and a scowl etched on his lips. He stared at me behind his pistol, just as another man came through the broken windows on the other side of the store.

"She gave herself away," the other one snickered, stepping over the walkers and heading toward the pile behind me.

A horrible thought crossed my mind and I was paralyzed in fear of what they'd do to me.

"You play nice and I won't have to pull this trigger, preciosa."

We waited in tense silence as the other guy stuffed all the canned food in a large sack.

"Other guy had a gun. Check her too."

Other guy? They must have Glenn, Rick or T-Dog.

I made the connections in my head as he patted me down for any weapons, taking my trusty knife that was covered in walker blood.

Glenn sounded nervous, not at all his usual self minutes ago. These assholes must've taken him and tracked me through the CB. Fuck.

Fuck fuck fuck.

"Alright, lights out, princess."

Alarmed, I looked up at the gunman before he swung the gun against my temple hard enough to knock me out.

My head was throbbing as I regained consciousness.

"What the fuck just happened?" I groaned, rubbing my temple and trying to adjust my sensitive eyes to the brightness of wherever I found myself.

"Hey, welcome back to the world of the living."

I pushed myself up into a seated position, giving myself whiplash as I spun to look at Glenn.

He was on the ground next to me, looking as roughed up as I felt.

"What happened?" I demanded, bringing him into a quick embrace. At least he was alive. "Where are we?"

We were in a room with four white walls, empty aside from an empty medical cart and a window that was barred up. The floor was surprisingly clean.

"We ran into some guys. They took my gun. I guess their plan is to lure the others so they can steal the rest of them."

"Fuck," I threw my head down into my hands. "I practically baited them over the walkie, huh? Guns and supplies."

"Yeah," sighed Glenn. He looked utterly defeated, staring at the wall with pure regret.

The door suddenly swung open and in came the same guy that knocked me out. Two other guys came in after him.

My muscles tensed.

"Your little friends are here," he sneered at us before turning to one of the dudes. "Hermano, get them tied up."

I knew better than to try to fight back. I'm pretty sure I'm concussed.

Hastily, they put sacks over our heads and tied cloth over our mouths, the world becoming distorted and incredibly itchy on the eyelids. They tied around our hands, hoisting us up and dragging us out.

I tried to gather as much information as I could, listening for any unusual sounds but the men who were dragging us were too damn loud. Talking about a kid named Miguel and 'some hillbilly.'

Daryl.

I didn't know whether to feel relieved or even more terrified that they were here. God knows how many of them were in this group. How many were loaded with weapons.

A door slammed open ahead of us and suddenly the piercing Atlanta sun beamed onto our bodies, wind whipping my air around. The hand around my arm tightened, halting our walk.

"Oye!" I heard from... below?

I was dragged a few paces before the bag was roughly snatched off my head, a few strands of my hair along with it.

The sun beat mercilessly into my eyes but it wasn't the first thing I noticed.

It was the three story fall that awaited me half a step away.

I gasped against the gag, feeling the man behind me push me forward threateningly. My eyes scanned the scene below.

Daryl and Rick stood in the courtyard, weapons raised, across from a large group of armed men. I found Rick's gaze first, his eyes wide in fear. His grip on the pistol slipped the tiniest bit before his eyes hardened in anger and his lips twisted into a scowl.

He turned back toward who I assumed was the guy behind this entire operation.

"I see two options. You come back with Miguel and the rest of your arsenal. Everybody walks. Or you come back locked and loaded, we'll see which side spills more blood."

The leader looked up and I followed his gaze to find T-Dog on one of the rooftops, aiming a long-distance gun at his head.

Rick kept his gun up, his gaze once more flickering between Glenn and I before resting on me.

I wanted to shake my head and tell him to go back to camp. But my captor was holding the back of my head steady.

Our eyes remained locked for what felt like minutes before Daryl began to tug the back of his collar, slowly retreating from the courtyard.

His eyes stayed on mine until they reached the doorway and the doors were promptly shut.

"Alright, the theatrics are over," the guy who held my arm said with a sigh and loosened his grip significantly. I threw him a confused look over my shoulder as he walked me back toward the door, leading me down a staircase and taking us back to our empty room.

"I'm sorry for all the manhandling but we needed to make sure y'all weren't a threat."

Glenn and I both looked up with a startle, the leader of the group was standing in front of us looking genuinely apologetic.

"Nope," I said weakly. "Just mildly concussed."

"And you?" He looked at Glenn.

"Uh, mildly terrified."

The guy laughed and the hairs on my body stood up. It wasn't common to hear something like that nowadays.

"Look, my name is Guillermo, but everyone around here calls me G. We don't wanna hurt you guys."

"Didn't seem that way earlier," I said. "I got smacked in the temple."

"You know how it is. If you've stayed alive this long, you know you gotta protect your own."

I did understand. But I didn't believe we were in the clear here. This is the first group we've encountered since the world went to shit. Who knows what they've done to survive?

"Look, if your friends make the deal or not, you can stay here. You seem like decent people." He said with a shrug. "We need the muscle. You'll see what I mean soon enough."

I shared a glance with Glenn.

We in fact did see what he meant. My throat went dry as he led us out of the room, our hands finally untied. I stuck close to Glenn, keeping a hand wrapped around the bottom of his shirt.

This was a nursing home. Elderly people lived in each room, some in hospital beds, some playing board games with each other, others knitting.

"Are you kidding?" I asked without malice. "You had us thinking you were all some mafia."

"Appearances," Guillermo shrugged. "Hey, Judy. You doing alright?" He asked an older lady as we passed by. She waved at him with an adorable toothless smile.

"I'm hoping we can talk about those weapons you got."

We stopped at the end of the hallway, all three of us facing each other and I made brief eye contact with Glenn. Out of the both of us, I was the better liar.

"Look, what you've seen is what we've got. The guy in the cop uniform brought a small bag of weapons with him from his precinct. A few pistols, a revolver, and a rifle." It wasn't the complete truth but it wasn't a complete lie either. That was what we brought with us on this mission. Everything else was at the camp.

"That's it?" He looked unimpressed. "He didn't grab anything else?"

"It was just him. I guess that was all he could take on him."

"Where were you?"

"He joined us later on. He's from the outskirts of Georgia. He was looking for his family."

"Did he find 'em?"

"No," I lied, not fully trusting this random man. I made it a point to look disappointed, like I felt bad for Rick.

He looked disappointed as well, but likely not for the same reason. I felt a little bad for them. I could see that they weren't bad people, they'd stayed behind to care for the elderly. I could respect that.

"Y'all can make yourselves useful for now. We could use the extra help," he said.

"Uh, sure," Glenn glanced at me. I nodded at him in agreement. "What can we do?"

We ended up on housekeeping duty— checking in on the patients and making sure they weren't missing things like clean towels, soaps, blankets. Anything of that sort. I could tell we weren't being threatened anymore. In fact, the elderly seemed delighted to see us, even more so when they realized I also spoke Spanish like some of them.

My heart felt lighter than it had in weeks, my cheeks aching from how many smiles I'd handed out to all the grandmas and grandpas that greeted us warmly. No one was giving us strange or mean looks, there was not a weapon in sight.

Everything was going smoothly until one of the abuelitas came running down the hall, clutching our wrists and pulling us along with a panicked look.

"Can you help us? Mr Gilbert, he's having trouble breathing! Carlito can't find his asthma stuff!"

"We'll try, ma'am," said Glenn politely. She took us into a large room, people huddled around a hyperventilating man. We rushed over.

"I'm going to find Felipe! He—he knows where the medicine is!" She hobbled off quickly.

She returned in a few minutes, but it seemed like it had been seconds. I'd been distracted looking in every nook and cranny for an inhaler.

Felipe, the asshole that took all our chef boyardee, stood by Mr Gilbert, whipping out an inhaler and bringing it to the elderly man's lips.

Glenn and I gave each other a relieved look.

"What the hell is this?"

My head shot over to the back of the group, finding Rick standing there with a perplexed look. My eyebrows rose in confusion and surprise.

"An asthma attack," Glenn answered, barely sparing him a glance. "Couldn't get his breath all of a sudden."

"I thought you were being eaten by dogs, man," exclaimed T-Dog angrily.

Rick scanned me from head to toe before turning toward Guillermo. I tuned out most of their conversation, walking over to T-Dog and placing a grateful hand on his shoulder.

I knew it couldn't have been easy getting in here. Despite these people being mostly passive, they were still heavily armed. I don't even know why they want any more guns.

I gave Daryl a nod and then walked over to Rick, staying close as he followed Guillermo to the same room they put us in before.

"What about the rest of your crew?" Rick asked.

"The vatos trickle in to check on their parents, their grandparents. They see how things are and most decide to stay. It's a good thing too, we need the muscle. The people we've encountered since things fell apart. The worse kind— plunderers. The kind that take by force."

"That's not who we are," said Rick firmly.

"How was I to know? My people got attacked and you show up with Miguel hostage. Appearances."

"I guess the world changed," T-Dog mumbled.

"No, it's the same as it ever was. The weak get taken. So we do what we can here. The vatos work on those cars. Talk about getting the old people out of the city. But most can't even get to the bathroom by themselves so that's just a dream. Still, it keeps the crew busy. That's worth something. So we barred all the windows, welded all the doors shut, except for one entrance. The vatos, they go out. Scavenge what they can to keep us going. We watch the perimeter night and day and we wait. The people here— they all look to me now. I don't even know why."

"Because they can," Rick said, handing Guillermo a rifle and a pistol before turning around and unexpectedly grabbing me by the wrist. I startled, looking up at him in alarm. He didn't even spare me a glance, instead leading me out into the hallway where we encountered Felipe and the other guy that knocked me out.

Just the reminder made me glare at them, rubbing my temple with my free hand. My other hand was hyperaware of Rick's warm grip.

It was silent for a moment as we stared each other down. Then he reached back and the guy who knocked me out handed him my pack. Felipe offered it to me slowly and I took it. In it— the children multivitamins and about half of the medicine we'd scavenged.

None of the cans of food though.

"Fine, keep all the chef boyardees," I grumbled, instantly annoyed once again.

"Oye, yo no te crié así!" Felipe's grandmother cried, appearing all of a sudden to give him a solid whack in the side. "En mi hogar se..."

The man gave her a halfhearted glare, rubbing his ribs tenderly.

She raised her little wrinkly hand again.

"Se comparte," he said quickly with a sigh as he took the small plastic bag she was holding. I could see the fondness in his eyes as he looked back at his abuela.

"Thanks," Rick said, his grip on my wrist tightening ever so slightly as he leaned forward to grab a few cans. He shoved them into my bag.

"Alright, well this was cool but I'd rather we go now," I quietly told Rick, leaning up on my toes to get closer.

"Yeah, yeah," he finally looked at me now. His eyes dropped to our hands as if he hadn't realized he'd been holding on the whole time. Slowly, he dropped my arm, looking back up into my eyes. My breath hitched in my throat, cheeks burning slightly as I looked at his pale blue eyes. I'd never been this close to him other than the hug he'd given me yesterday.

"I'm glad you're okay," he told me as we let the rest of the group lead us out, falling to the back easily. There was this underlying need for privacy, as if our conversation was sort of intimate.

"Thanks for coming back for us," I told him with a serious look. "You could've just gone back to camp but you stayed."

Rick gave me an incredulous look. "Like I'd leave you."

We weren't anything to each other. We weren't even friends. Just former coworkers. But the way he said that made my heart flip in my chest.

Stupid emotions. Stupid, stupid crush. I felt like a giddy teenager.

Feeling a little brave, I placed a hand on his forearm. "Thank you," I looked him in the eyes, trying to convey just how grateful I was.

Maybe Guillermo would've let us go with or without Rick's interference but without any weapons or a vehicle, there was little chance we'd have made it back to camp alive.

I couldn't stay here and leave Shane, Lori or Carl behind. Even if Glenn was with me because I knew he felt the same. We'd all grown to care about each other, despite how many times I deny it. Glenn isn't the only important person in my life anymore.

We were all, like it or not, a family now.

"You don't have to thank me, ever." He grabbed a pistol tucked into the back of his belt loop and offered it to me smoothly.

I eyed it and then accepted with a small smile. "Tha—"

I cut myself off as Rick rose his eyebrows. His previous words repeated in my head.

"Sorry," I whispered, pocketing the gun with a wider smile and taking my hand off his arm.

Both smiling like blithering idiots, we rushed to catch up with the rest of the crew, heading back to reality.

"Hey, wait," I said loudly as we walked outside. "Where the fuck is Merle?"

taglist: @lovelyygirl8 @aleemendoza2425-blog @catlalice @ho3forchr1sevans

i wrote a little rick pov for chapter six if you'd like to check it out :)

#the walking dead #rick grimes x reader #twd #glenn rhee #rick grimes x daphne ayala #rick grimes x oc #rick grimes x original female character #the walking dead fanfic #rick grimes #shane walsh x original female character #daphne ayala #the walking dead x reader #original female character twd #twd fanfic #twd rick #shane walsh

17 notes · View notes

dindjarinandlysakane · 1 year

Text

The Sweetest Taste | Chapter 18 - So you're in love?

When Din Djarin meets a beautiful cake seller from Nevarro, do you think he’s just going to stand back and let her suffer at the hands of her abusive boyfriend? After a lifetime of heartache and pain, Lysa Kane realises she’s not on her own any more and finds an unlikely friend in the Mandalorian. And Din Djarin does not like men who treat women like that, not one tiny bit. Friendship/comfort and maybe something more…

Masterlist

Chapter 18

----

“What’s up with you?” came the smooth voice of Bo Katan.

Din was sat on a large rock with Grogu at his side.

The moment Din had returned home, tired and aching from Lysa’s doorstep, he had found a communication from Bo Katan and the other Mandalorians, asking him to join them off planet and help with rounding up several more of the Creed than they had had word lived within the Outer Rim.

And almost immediately Din had jumped into his N-1 and flown away, that evening. Barely giving the planet of Nevarro a second look.

For he had to go...just for a while.

Hurt. Ego bruised.

Still in utter angry disbelief about what had happened.

After everything Crix had done, Lysa still stood there and defended him. Remaining loyal to him in spite of everything.

What more could Din do now?

He had pleaded with her to leave with him and be safe.

And for a moment Din had seen a flash of hope in her eyes. And yet somehow Crix had still snaked his way back into her head, blackmailing her, convincing her that there was and only ever could be him.

Din felt like giving up. For what more could he do?

And yet he still felt that tug at his heart when he thought of her. Yearning for her with every fibre of his being.

He prayed it would pass.

For Lysa had seemed certain in her choice.

A choice that did not include him.

For the last two days, Din had been notably subdued, listening to what Bo Katan needed, but providing little-to-no idle conversation.

His mood and his mind elsewhere…

Even Grogu had been aware that his father was not his usual self, sitting closer to Din that normal, providing a silent comfort, which Din appreciated.

For two days Din, Grogu, Bo-Katan and a small group of Mandalore natives, had tracked the rumour of the hidden Mandalorians, with no avail.

Now on the second night, tired and exhausted, the Mandalorains had decided to make camp for the night in the middle of a dusty desert. This was the fourth planet they had been to in two days and Din had already lost track of exactly where they were. His mind far from on top form.

The sky had grown dark and the planet colder than the group were used to, meant that a fire had been lit.

The majority of the Mandalorians had already taken off their helmets, deciding this was a good a time as any to eat.

But of course Din, still following the ancient ways to the letter, kept his helmet firmly on his head. Not feeling hungry, his stomach still twisted into knots as he stared into the fire.

At his side, Grogu had stared up at his father, giving a concerned croak, drawing the attention of Bo-Katan who was sitting on Din’s other side, nursing a hot cup of broth between her cold hands.

Her sharp eyes had lingered on Din’s beskar covered face and slumped shoulders for a long few seconds, before she had asked him the question.

“What’s up with you?”

Din Djarin had never been the life and soul of a party, always far more quiet and reserved than your average.

But that didnt mean he didnt have a big heart and wear his emotions on his sleeve the same as everyone else.

He gave a heavy sigh.

“I’ve just had a few things going on in Nevarro,” he uttered, the detail still feeling too raw for him to go into.

But nevertheless, Bo pressed him.

“Something i should know about?”

Din shook his head. “No. Its just a tricky situation I don’t know how to get myself out of. But at the same time I don’t know if I want to.”

At his words, Bo-Katan gave a smirk, leaning forwards with interest.

“Go on.”

Din gave a hard swallow. The fire dancing in front of his eyes as he stared into its abyss.

He was silent for a few long seconds before he finally spoke. His voice low and quiet.

“There’s a….woman-“ he began, giving a huff as he tried to find the right words.

At this, Bo-Katan looked mightily intrigued.

“So you’re in love?” she commented eagerly, her grin widening.

But Din looked her way, his breath catching in his throat at the accusation.

Was it love that he felt for Lysa?

He knew that his feelings for her were strong, but surely it was a mere concern for her welfare that made him feel like that.

But would concern alone make his heart pound and his chest restrict in a tortuous yearning every single moment he thought about her?

“No, I-“ he began, but again Bo cut across him.

“There’s no point in denying it. I can hear it in your voice,” she uttered, shooting him a knowing look.

Behind his helmet, Din pursed his lips irritably. “She’s a friend. Back on Nevarro,” he said promptly. “I just wanted to make sure she was safe-“

“And you overstepped the mark?” Bo Katan uttered.

Din gave a frown as Bo Katan interrupted.

“No,” he replied in a firm tone. “The man she’s with. He’s got some kind of control over her…I saw the bruises he gave her.”

“And let me guess. You just went barging on in there, all blasters blazing?” snipped Bo Katan, glancing away from him and giving a roll of her eyes.

“I wanted him punished for what he’d done,” said Din a little heatedly, getting defensive.

“And I’m guessing it wasn’t appreciated?” she murmured, looking back at Din now, reading him like the pages of a book.

“No,” said Din, sounding annoyed, both by his actions and the feedback they were getting. “I gave her the choice to come with me. But in the end she still chose him.”

“Well what did you expect?” said Bo, raising an eyebrow and giving a shallow laugh. “That she’d run into your arms and thank you for saving her? If she’s being controlled by this man. Do you really think that ends when you show up and act the hero?”

Bo gave a shake of her head causing her red hair to bobble slightly around her.

“It isn’t your fight, Din,” she said meaningfully, turning her attention back to her broth. “It’s hers.”

Din stared at Bo-Katan for a few long seconds before gazing back to the fire once more and letting out huff of air through his nose.

Maybe Bo was right.

Maybe he had overstepped the mark. Gone in when Lysa had explicitly told him not to.

All Din had been trying to do was protect her. Attempting to provide her with some sort of grand gesture of how much he truly cared about her, in the form of violence.

Din had only known Lysa for a matter of weeks but had already seen how strong and capable she was. And she certainly wasn't stupid…perhaps in this case just blinded by Crix and his persuasive words.

“That’s the last of it,” came a sudden loud and jovial voice to Din’s left, on the other side of Grogu. “So you’d better savour every mouthful.”

He glanced up to see Axe Woves, talking to a couple of unmasked Mandalorians beside him.

But it was what he was holding in his hand that drew Din’s attention suddenly. As he noticed Axe pass around a small piece of dark and syrupy-looking sweet bread wrapped in a familiar cloth.

Din gave a frown before he could help himself.

“That cake,” he said suddenly, drawing their attention, and the attention of Bo-Katan who glanced up from her meal. “Where did you get it?”

Axe Woves gave a smirk, glancing at his comrades before looking back to Din.

“Why? You going to take your helmet off to try some?” he said in a mocking tone, as the small group all chuckled.

“No, I meant where did you buy it?” asked Din in a clipped voice, his patience waning.

But Axe Woves merely shrugged easily, taking a bite of the cake.

“We get a delivery at our camp on Nevarro a couple of times a week,” he said matter-of-factly, talking with his mouth full. “Pretty girl, she comes to us selling all sorts of goodies. Never managed to catch her name though-”

“Lysa,” said Din quickly, his voice heated, saying her name before he could stop himself.

The group all stared up at him, all falling silent.

And behind his beskar, Din felt himself redden.

“Her name’s Lysa,” he said, a little quieter this time, giving a nod.

From his other side, he could feel Bo-Katan’s eyes on him, but he didn't say another word, merely turning back to the fire.

And it was a moment before Axe Woves spoke again.

“Well I’ll be sure to say hello to her next time, if she ever shows up again. Bloody good stuff this.”

And with that, he popped the last of the cake into his mouth and turned back to his friends once more.

Again Grogu looked up at his father before exchanging a meaningful look with Bo-Katan.

Not that Din Djarin noticed, his mind back on Nevarro….hoping with every fibre of his being that Lysa was ok.

For who else could ever make him feel like this? An excruciatingly beautiful agony, burning at his heart. An agony that Din knew didn’t want to be without for as long as he was living…

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

Let me know if you would like to be added to the tag list

@its5-15wakeup @thecraftyartist @crazypaine

#din djarin #din x oc #pedro pascal #the mandalorian #din djarin oc #din djarin imagine #din djarin fic #din smut #din djarin gif #din djarin fluff #din x reader

50 notes · View notes

guess-my-next-obsession · 2 years

Text

Peña’s Anatomy — Prologue

pairing: doctor au!javier peña x resident!reader

series warnings: reader has a vagina and presents as a woman, no use of Y/N, work relationship dynamic, age gap (10 years), enemies to lovers trope, future explicit content (this chapter is tame but others will not be so 18+ only), hospital stuff (injuries, illnesses, mild gore, trauma)

word count: 1.6k

authors note: after rewatching greys for the sixth time, i found myself imagining my favorite of the pedro boys as a doctor and decided it was too good of a fantasy not to write 🙈

series masterlist

The stupidest mistake you could have ever made for yourself was to switch hospitals in the middle of your surgical residency. Though your last hospital’s rank was quite mediocre and the town you’d been living in was far too small for an ambitious woman like you, it was familiar.

It was the same hospital you were born in, the same hospital you were stuck in when your tonsils were taken out as a kid, the same hospital you found yourself praying in when your grandmother passed away, and it was even the same hospital you did your clinicals at in med school. Hate it or love it, it was your second home—especially for the last three years of your residency.

But all good things had to come to an end at some point.

You needed to get out of your small midwestern town. Needed to explore and grow. So, when the opportunity came around for you to take a spot at a nicely ranked hospital in San Antonio, Texas, you (very) nervously accepted.

One month later, you found yourself sitting on a city bus, rain pouring down around you as if you were in the middle of a hurricane. You clutched your lunch box tightly to your stomach as you bounced your knee, the nerves of your first day on the job settling in with each passing mile.

You thanked the heavens that the public transport delivered you right at the doorstep of the hospital, only forcing you to have to jog the short distance from the bus to the sliding doors of the surgical department in the pouring rain. Somehow, even though you were only in the rain for less than five seconds, you were absolutely drenched when you stepped inside the building.

The air conditioning immediately hit you, your body shivering as you made your way to the nurses station. The young woman sitting on the other side of the counter typing away on her computer paid you little mind as you stood in front of her with a nervous smile. After a few beats of her actively ignoring you, you cleared your throat and gave her a friendlier smile as her eyes met yours.

“Can I help you?” Her tone was laced with irritation, quickly reminding you of all of your old high school mean girls.

“Sorry, uh, I’m here for my first day. I’m a surgical resident, I just had no idea—“

“Dr. Peña,” she perked up as her eyes locked with someone over your shoulder. You turned your head around to take in a very handsome man in a white coat walking over to the counter, his eyes crinkling as he smiled at the nurse.

“Jessica, how are you doing this morning? I hope you got some much needed rest over the weekend.” He winked at the young woman, the two of them ogling each other in a way that made you feel like an involuntary voyeur. You lowered your eyes to the lunchbox in your hands and waited for your turn to speak, not wanting to start your residency off by pissing off a nurse and a doctor.

“You know I didn’t.” She winked back at him, the two smiling at one another knowingly. You cleared your throat again, this time drawing the doctors eyes to yours. “Oh, yeah. She’s the new resident. Could you show her to the locker rooms and get her set up for the day?”

“Not like I have life-saving surgeries to prep for or anything.” He chided while giving your entire form a once over.

“I’m sure I can find my own way if it’s an inconvenience—“

“No, come on. I’m already walking that way anyways.” He both looked and sounded physically pained by your presence as he started off down a long hall, your footsteps speeding up as you tried to keep up with his long strides.

“What, uh, what’s your specialty?” You knew he didn’t want to talk—you knew that—but for some inexplicable reason, you couldn’t stop yourself from trying to ease the awkward silence.

He shot you a pointed look from over his shoulder and scoffed at your question with a chuckle, quickly turning a corner and weaving through the hallway traffic like an expert. You whispered apologies to the nurses you ran into while trying to follow the doctor, suddenly finding yourself regretting the decision to leave your old hospital.

“Peña, you look like a sack of shit today. Spend all weekend juggling nurses again?” A fellow white coat teased your guide as the two of you passed her in the hall. He chuckled and held up his middle finger without turning around.

“Alright,” he sighed as he gestured to a locker room at the end of the hall, hardly making eye contact with you as he stood by the door. “This is the resident’s locker room. Scrubs and stuff are in there. What’s your name again?”

He reached for a clipboard that sat in the basket hung on the door, plucking it out and scanning his eyes over the paper. You stumbled over your words as you studied his stern face, his jaw clenching as he read.

“I hope you’re not always so hard of hearing.”

“S-sorry, sorry. Just a little overwhelmed.” You watched as his eyes lifted from the paper to yours, softening just the slightest bit as he took in your anxious state. You told him your name and he nodded, dropping his eyes back to the sheet he was holding.

“Well, lucky for me, you’re on Dr. Neil’s service for the week. Have you been on an OB service before?” His eyes found yours again and demanded an answer, but you couldn’t get over the fact that he’d just insulted you to your face. After a moment of you not responding to his question, he sighed and hung up the clipboard. “I’ll take that as a no.”

“N-no, I have plenty of experience on OB. I have plenty of experience on every service.” You had to dig deep, but you managed to find your confidence—the same confidence that earned you the top spot in your class in medical school and the same confidence that got you the job at this very hospital. “Perhaps it’s lucky for both of us that I’m not on your service, Dr. Peña.”

You didn’t stick around to take in his reaction, mostly out of sheer fear than anything, instead choosing to walk right into the locker room.

“Oh, hello. You’re new.” A man your age passed right by you as you stood in front of the door, studying the layout of the locker room. He smirked at you cockily and leaned against the lockers, his eyes combing over your form. “Need help finding your way around?”

“I’d rather remain lost.” You gave him a condescending smile and walked past him, a girl sitting down on the bench behind him now snickering as you neared her.

“I think you and I are going to get along well.” She stood up and held her hand out, offering you a friendly smile. “I’m Mickey, you must be the transfer.”

“I am,” you smiled back at her and shook her hand. “Are, uh, are all the lockers open or do I get assigned one, or…”

“No, they’re a free for all. You can take this one by me if you want.” She pointed at a grey locker besides the one with her name on it. “Hope you brought a lock. We’ve got a real thievery problem around here.”

“Oh, yeah?” You chuckled and opened up the locker, stuffing your bag and lunch box inside of it before walking over to the shelves where fresh scrubs sat. After changing, you locked up your locker and slid on your work shoes, Mickey filling you in on the residents to avoid—like Michael, the man who so kindly eyed you up when you walked in—and the ones who were safe.

“Who’s service are you on this week?” She asked you as she walked you out of the locker room and into the hall.

“Dr. Neil? I think that’s what that asshole doctor said.”

“Who’s the asshole doctor?” She asked, turning her head to look at you as she walked with the same pace as Dr. Peña from earlier.

“Dr. Peña. He’s the one who brought me to the locker room.” She chuckled and raised her eyebrows, giving you an amused look. “What?”

“Dr. Peña is the Chief’s golden boy. I hope you didn’t get off on a bad foot with him. He’ll make your life a living hell.” You winced at her words, turning your eyes forward as you cursed yourself internally for giving him a taste of his own medicine earlier.

You knew it was a dumb idea to get off in the wrong foot on your very first day, and yet the man had drove you to the point of stupidity with his blatant rudeness. Now you had to walk on eggshells around the Chief’s right hand man for the next four years of your residency.

Great. Really worth it.

taglist: @joelmillerscoffee @ajeff855 @wildemaven @axshadows @sherala007 @browneyes-issac @tooflef @mariasabana @tae27 @kimm4710 @stxrrylunatic @sara-alonso @paulalikestuff @jbh-castaway @oceandolores @mandomover @chxpsi @auberosier @mashomasho @vanemando15 @wickedmunson @marvel-sw-lover @jediknight122 @harriedandharassed @star-wars-fan-2005 @alwaysdjarin @jalobro @trickstersp8 @mccn-bcys @manuymesut @tanzthompson @jlmaddinson (sorry if your tag isn’t working!)

#javier pena #javier peña x you #javier peña angst #javier peña fluff #javier peña x y/n #javier peña x reader #javier peña smut #javier pena fic #javier peña #javier pena x reader #pedro pascal fic #pedro pascal #pedro pascal fanfiction #javier peña au #javier peña series

380 notes · View notes

fantasies-fairytales-n-fics · 3 months

Text

Thranduil and Josie Pt. 171- Sisters

Summary: Josselyn finishes her story but this time it is of her own free will. She and Haldir seem to mend fences in the process as they begin to see each other in a new light.

Chapter Warnings: language, angst, mentions of rape, death, graphic depictions, murder, blood, violence, kidnapping, brainwashing

Chapter characters: Haldir, Josselyn, Julian, Zeddicus, Sara(with no H), Narcisse, Darken Rahl, Sebastian, Alice, Lola, Charles, Sarah, Harker, Jemma, Sisters of the dark, Thaddicus, Josie, Magnus

Chapter word count: 12,170

Stories Stories Stories Masterlist:

An hour had swept by since the first half of Josselyn's past was forcefully revealed by Haldir's power of truth and now, upon a fallen tree, the Marchwarden sat beside the witch doctor with patience and perfect posture while she placed her hand upon his to show him the memories and voluntarily resumed her twisted tale. Haldir knew it would now be the beginning of Lola and Sarah's entrance which is what he had been anticipating. As the story unfolded, Rumil and Orophin stood watch for any threats of Darken Rahl, Harker or any of the walking dead that the goblin king had reanimated.

"So, I guess I will start from when I told the pendant to take me here. I...I had immediately stopped and lifted it from my chest. I couldn't just leave Julian without saying goodbye and as scared as I was of Caroline, I was even more angry, so instead....I decided to try something and prayed it would work. I asked the pendant to take me to where Julian was.

I found myself inside the edge of a forest, in the middle of the night with no clue as to where I was and then....I heard music and people. I followed the sound and came up to a clearing to see a funfair. I panicked at first, thinking it was one of Harker's and I hid and watched for awhile. I did not see his trailer or any of his people but I did see Julian's trailer and then I saw my grandfather. I ran to him and we embraced. I told him I came to find him, which was true. I didn't want to leave without him. I asked him where Julian was and he pointed to a very large trailer with a sign on it that said "The Oracle." I went inside and through a crystal beaded curtain, I saw him sitting at a table with his back to me and there was a woman sitting across from him. She was reading his palm.

As I peeked through the beads, I think he sensed me or smelled me. He looked up into the mirror on the wall in front of him and locked his eyes on my reflection. The joy on his face caused a frenzy of butterflies to swarm through my stomach.

He quickly stood up and turned to me, but his smile faded. I could tell by the look of concern in his wandering eyes that he was looking for Caroline. I told him I came alone and his smile grew right back. He scooped me into his arms and we both laughed as he spun me around. He said he and my grandfather were on their way back to the cabin and apologized that they had not been able to locate Harker and my mother in the month that they had been gone. They had been delayed by a snowstorm in the East. He wanted to know about his daughter and if that is why I came alone. I did my best to keep most of what I told him true. I could not bear to look into his eyes and lie to him. I told him his daughter was born, appearing happy and healthy only hours ago. His eyes, they gleamed so brilliantly blue in that moment. I knew then, for certain, that I could never tell him what I knew and shatter his happiness. Oh how I wished it was me that was the mother of his child. I know he did too. He never once even asked how Caroline was.

Our conversation was cut short when I heard the woman at the table speak my name. I leered around Julian's tall frame and I saw her face. I...I knew her! Her name was Sara, with no H like she had always told people for some reason. She was a soothsayer that had traveled with me and my family for many years. She was my mother's good friend and I always adored her. She helped raise me, but I hadn't seen her in years. Haldir, I swear she was an immortal witch because she had not aged at all. I kind of always suspected it, I mean, she was into more than just fortune telling. Her room always smelled of burning sage, I guess to ward off evil spirits and there were so many books regarding the witchcraft and such. There were crystals, potions, candles, and strange objects. One caught my eye that day on the bookshelf because it really stood out. A figurine of a crowned elf that instantly reminded me of the Elvenprince, Legolas, that I had encountered, for it looked a lot like him. It was definitely an elf of royalty. Maybe his father?? Why she had it, I do not know. She collected so many things in her travels."

Haldir raised a brow, for he knew exactly which statue Josselyn referred to. The one of King Thranduil, carved by his mother that had went missing many years ago, but he did not relay that information to Josselyn.

"I know Prince Legolas very well. You will meet him again soon enough, for I was informed that he is at the castle with Jo."

"Great. I don't think he liked me."

"Most elves are like that with strangers, especially one of his stature. He will soften."

"Like you did?" Josselyn jested with a smile.

Haldir smiled back and then she continued.

"So, I sat and talked with her while Julian went to inform my grandfather he needed to leave. She offered me a tarot reading. I reeeeallly wanted to know the future without waiting till the spring equinox to use that pendant and she had always been spot on. Everything that she said would happen always happened. The things she saw, were real.

She drew 6 cards and began explaining them all, and that reading changed everything, or I should say, verified without a shadow of a doubt what I needed to do, for it was all dark and I could see it, the fear and shock she was trying to conceal under her smile. She clearly did not expect it, but no matter what she drew, she always told the truth so warnings could be heeded.

Her vision went as follows. The Ten of Swords, meaning I would suffer an unwelcome surprise or already have by someone I cared for. The Death card. For me, she saw it to be both literal and the end of something but she assured me it did not mean I would die...but it still meant someone would. The Five of Pentacles, she saw an illness, adversity and solitude. I would suffer many losses. Three of Swords. She told me every word that it represented and it was a warning that some or all were in my future. Rejection, despair, sadness, loneliness, heartbreak, betrayal, separation and grief. The Devil. To put it simply, negativity, control, fear, lies, deceit, destruction and temptation. The Tower, the worst card to receive. Overall destruction of happiness.

When she finished, she was quiet and her eyes kept scanning over the cards. She said she kept seeing the color red and she smelled pepper. A dark and powerful masculine force. Controlling and dominating. Preying on the weak. I had no clue at the time who it was. She also saw another dark force. Wolf like. She saw children in despair. It had to be Harker. She mentioned a fiendish feminine of fiery hair....obviously Caroline. She said all three were attached to me. She saw more children, babies to be exact. Four of them, all to be of great power and then she whispered "earth, air, fire and water. North, west, South and East." She then stared at me and said the man that was just here is also connected. "Earth". After that, she could see no further and ended with saying that love, hatred and lies will fuel my future.

I...I ran out. I couldn't breathe. Julian found me and took me inside his trailer. I told him I should not have come, that my future held nothing good and he would be hurt because of me. I was honest to an extent and warned him that Caroline knew of my feelings for him and his for me, that she witnessed our encounter through the pendant and she made me leave. He held me and told me he meant every word he said to me. He said he did not fear her and he did not want to speak of her. He only wished to tell me one thing. He....he told me he loved me and that no matter what the future held, he would love me for all eternity. I cried and told him I loved him too and then we kissed. He made me so weak that, in that moment, I didn't care about the consequences and gave into him and...all through the night, we made love.

I awoke at dawn and watched him sleeping so peacefully. My mind was clear again and I knew what I had to do. It was the hardest thing I had ever done. I broke my own heart to keep Julian's safe. He was my first love, in "every" way and would be my last as far as the love of my life, my soulmate.

I snuck out and woke my grandfather. He and I headed into the forest and from there, we left, using the pendant to take us to Dorwinion for refuge.

It was only a few miles from here that the pendant had brought me to 25 years ago at this exact time of December. As my grandfather and I walked through the snow filled forest, I told him the truth about everything. I trusted him with my life and I had to tell someone or I was going to go crazy. He understood and believed I was doing the right thing. Shortly after, I began to smell the smoke from the chimneys of Narcisse's castle.

It wasn't long until we were reprimanded by warlock guards and later escorted to the castle after I explained to them that I knew Lord Narcisse and needed his help. Needless to say, he was extremely surprised to see me. I wanted to tell him everything too, but as soon as I saw him, I completely chickened out. I couldn't risk Julian's life or Narcisse's because I knew Caroline already hated him. So, I just simply told him that Julian and Caroline had a child and I felt it was time to move on so they could be a family....and that I wanted to find my mother, which was true. I didn't tell him about what Harker had done in fear of starting a war. I just wanted to live a normal life like I used to and while I still could. He offered us room and board in exchange for me to become one of his servants and my grandfather could entertain the children with his puppeteering acts and aid the healers with his magical herbal remedies. He would also be a stableman since he had the power to speak with animals. So we agreed since that seemed pretty normal to me. We had no other choice....and I felt safe with Narcisse....at least I believed that at the time.

Narcisse was very good to me and we became close very quickly over the first few months. He never treated me like a servant and I began to deeply care for him. He even gifted me a gold bracelet on my birthday that had the letter J on it to represent my name, but I secretly wore it in remembrance of my one true love, for I knew I would always love Julian and no one else. I had stopped looking into the pendant to see if Julian still spoke to me at midnight. It was just all too painful to know I could and would never be with him.

There came a time when I developed a slight crush on Narcisse but I did not act on it because Catherine was still an issue as well. Not long after my return, I witnessed an argument between them. She told him she was going to work things out with her King and took her son Francis and left. I tried to comfort him that night and he kissed me.

He had been drinking and was vulnerable. So was I and...we...we made love. He became distant after that and was always traveling about. I truly felt he feared love because he had never experienced it and did not want to. I also think he felt guilty, as if he had taken advantage of me, but I feel I took advantage of him....possibly even used him to forget Julian....but that was impossible, and not for obvious reasons either. 3 days after being intimate with Stephane, I became aware that I was with child and obviously, there was no way it was his. I told him right away so he would not believe otherwise. He was respectful and did not ask me who the child's father was. Whether he suspected Julian or not, I do not know, but I still swore him to secrecy about the baby. He agreed and again, did not ask my reasons. He was so kind and understanding. He told me I was still welcome to stay and raise the baby since he loved having children there.

7 months later, Sarah was born on the autumn equinox, September 22, but that was not her given name at that time. I later changed it for protection purposes that I will explain soon enough. I named her Isabella Julianna, but I called her Bella like my father always called me as a child because he said it meant beautiful....and to me, Isabella was the most beautiful sight I had ever seen besides her father.

4 months had went by and I later learned that on Narcisse's travels, he had been visiting with Julian. He told me he seemed well, but exhaustingly unhappy with Caroline. He said Julian truly loved Josephine though. I guess Caroline returned while he was there and not only heard their conversation, that to Narcisse, unexpectedly included Julian's feelings for me, but also caught him holding Josie. Narcisse said she was enraged by it and still very angry that he knew Julian had slept with Cassie. She was sick of their secrets and spewed threats at Stephane and...I think she did something to him because shortly after he had returned home, he....changed. His personality at first, then later, his image....both dark...like what we all witnessed last night...Lord Darken Rahl.

Bash and I had become friends as well and later...best friends. We told each other everything, which included my love for Julian. When Narcisse changed, Bash told me of his brother's troubled past with their dead father, Lord Panis Rahl Narcisse, and how because of that, Stephane's mind became broken. He split into a version of his evil father, but much more wicked. Enough so that Bash believed Rahl was behind their father's death and later learned of his suspicions to be true when Narcisse was able to remember. And when that happened, Narcisse found the strength to fight Rahl and lock him away in his mind. It was soon after that conversation with Bash that he was forcefully banned from the grounds and I was left at the mercy of Lord Rahl.

Unlike Stephane, Rahl did not like Julian because he was of light and he knew how Julian pined for me. Rahl wanted a queen and he chose me, feeling it was the perfect way to rub salt in Julian's wounds. When I refused him and his sexual advances, he threatened Julian if I did not comply. He grabbed my hand and showed me what he did to his own father. He said if he could kill his own flesh and blood without a care, he could easily kill Julian.

I felt a burning rage in me, as if my blood was boiling. It was then that the powers I took from Ravenna came to life. Maybe some of it was from my grandfather as well because I once saw him throw fire from his hand and it...happened to me in that moment. A beam of fire sprayed from my hand, heading straight for Rahl, but he was quick to my amateur magic and blocked it with a flash of blue fire. It knocked the wind out of me and the next thing I knew, Rahl was racing towards me and locked one of those collars around my neck and then he activated it with just a sway of his hand. I felt his eyes upon me but I wouldn't even look at him. I asked him what he wanted from me and all he could say was "my understanding."

The only thing I could feel after that was my anger, but no power. He told me he knew where my power came from, for a witch could always sense another witch. He said the power was from evil and was destined to be used in that way, but until I embraced the darkness at his side, I would remain powerless by the Rada'han and submit to him. He told me I would be his wife...in every way. Through all of my anger, all I could do was submit. Like with Harker, I was a prisoner all over again."

Haldir's eyes lowered as his mouth gaped in shock.

"Josselyn...you do not have to tell me what he did to you. I think that I understand what took place after that."

"Well you thought right. He took me many times and it wasn't long before....I was with child again. Month after month, my stomach grew bigger while I remained trapped within the collar and his tower chamber like fucking Rapunzel. The only time I was allowed to leave the room was to be at his side for any gatherings and for those, I was dressed in his image. With a red dress and my dark hair, I had become a carbon copy of him as he said I would represent him in the public eye, but really, I believed he was just infatuated with himself and the twin thing.

Otherwise, the only company I was permitted to be around besides him was Alice, the midwife, to care for me. She was rather sweet and I befriended her. She had served Narcisse and became trapped there like me when Rahl appeared. I was not allowed to see my grandfather who was caring for Bella. Rahl wanted nothing to do with her.

I did get to attend my grandfather's puppet shows with Rahl but I wasn't allowed to speak to him. For being the evil, sadistic man Rahl was, he certainly loved the childish entertainment and would just look at me and laugh. It was if for a moment, his light had returned. I believed it was Stephane's persona shining through.

All Hallows' Eve came and I went into labor. The pain was unbearable and I was passing out after every contraction. Rahl was not even with me, just Alice and some servants. At some point, I blacked out and when I regained clarity, Rahl was standing at my bedside holding our child. A girl. He called her, young Mistress Rahl. The sight of him touching her made my stomach turn. I quickly reached for her in panic that he was not going to let me hold her, but surprisingly, he did and I immediately bonded with her. She was perfect and innocent. As I held her, Rahl raved about how she was a spitting image of us both with her dark fine strands.

He then proceeded to tell me that during my delirious birthing state, I was panicking and let it slip about Harker taking my baby. Rahl said that would never happen, not to the child I was holding anyways. He reminded me that one does not take from a warlock and for a warlock to take from a fellow warlock was the sin of all sins....but since the arrangement was only for one child, Rahl said he was going to give Bella to Harker and my debt would be paid in full. He then pried my newborn daughter from my arms.

I pleaded and cried so hard for him to let me at least see and hold my other daughter. He cruelly told me no, that this is the only child I will be raising. He said she will be molded into his image as she grows and become the dark princess of Dorwinion. I then fell onto my knees before him, begging and bawling. I told him he can shape them BOTH to be of his image, that I could live with that, for at least I would have both of my children. He wouldn't budge and said the other must be given to Harker and then he just left me there all alone to later watch and reel from the balcony as he entertained his people with a Samhain festival in celebration of his daughter's birth."

Haldir's free hand was now placed softly on Josselyn's shoulder.

"Would you like to relax for a moment? You may have more of my water. I can bring you some more of the spruce bark if you would like?"

"Why are you being so nice to me now?"

"I am hoping to prove that I am not a wicked little elf man as you characterized me as...and I really do not desire to be strung up in the tree by my...manhood as you threatened. Also...I do not believe you as wicked...well...not anymore."

Haldir's slight smirk brought a smile to Josselyn's face which was the elf's intentions.

"You know what Haldy? You're not so bad...for an elf. I..I am sorry I slapped you. I mean, I am the one who...kissed you...thinking you were Julian of course...you know...the hair and all?"

Haldir grinned and handed her the canteen of water.

"I understand. Apology accepted. Josselyn, I am so sorry for what you have endured. It is all shocking to hear so I cannot imagine what it must have been like for you, especially with two young daughters at Rahl's mercy and one of those being his. Lola I would presume."

"Yes. My sweet Lulu, Lola Louise. I named her after my late grandmother. At least Rahl allowed me that much. Right after I learned of his plans for Bella, I was able to convince Alice to help me. I instructed her to have my grandfather take her far away to the mundane world and I would come for her when I could. I had given him the pendant when Rahl first surfaced so he wouldn't know about it and take it from me. I had Alice explain to my grandfather why I had to stay. For Lola. I had to protect her too. I could not let Rahl turn her evil. I had to stop him somehow and help Stephane defeat him once again, but I didn't have a clue as to how. It turned out I didn't need to because while Bash was away after being banned by Rahl, he had sought out Julian to do it. It took him some time to find him though, for he and Caroline had moved once again.

But before Bash and Julian arrived, something really bad happened. When Rahl learned that my grandfather had taken Bella and disappeared, he soon figured out that Alice had assisted me in making that happen. He had her beaten and then....he killed her. Right in front of me.....and her son whom he had dragged from his bed. Rahl slit her throat.

Everything was happening, just as Sara had said it would and I knew it was far from over, that things would only get worse."

Josselyn began to sob. "Haldir, Alice died because of me. I'll never get that image out of my head or stop hearing her screams. And I do not know what ever happened to her son. I never saw him again. I have to wonder if he killed him too."

Haldir squeezed her hand that held his. "It was not your fault. If anyone is to be held accountable for such malevolence, it is Rahl himself and Caroline for conjuring him. You had to protect your child."

"But I still knew what could happen if she were caught. I think I knew deep down that he would figure it out. It was only her and two other servants that I was able to speak to. And Rahl, yes, he is responsible, but not Stephane. I never held him accountable for anything Rahl did and I never will."

"Once again, you had to protect your child and that meant doing whatever was necessary to acquire that and...I did not accuse Narcisse."

Josselyn's eyes widened and then they lit up with happiness.

"So you...like Narcisse then? You won't hurt him?"

"Just because I do not place blame upon him does not mean I enjoy his putrid existence. I too will take all means necessary to protect Jo, Leean and my own and if that means I have to kill him, so be it."

Josselyn's eyes fell. "I...I understand....it's just that..."

"You love him...too?"

"I..I do, but not in the way that I love Julian, if that makes any sense."

"It does, yes. I understand that all too well. Now...please tell me what happened when Julian and Sebastian returned?"

Josselyn could see that she had accidentally struck a tender nerve concerning you and him and that he wanted to avoid the conversation of it, so she respectfully but sorrowfully continued on.

"It was late at night. I was in my tower chamber as usual, and alone. Rahl always slept separately after my betrayal and kept Lola with him to further punish me. There was this tapping on my balcony doors. It was Julian and Bash! Julian instantly freed me of the collar with his own powers and then he unlocked the door and subdued the guards with his magic as well. We followed Julian down to the cellar and he led us down a long dark and never ending passageway, almost like a tunnel and he stopped at an bolted iron door. Once again he used his power to open it by speaking a single word, a password I assume and inside was a small room with old wooden shelves full of books. It was like some hidden library. He said they were all books of great importance, but it held one that was the most important of all books in existence. Ashmole it was called but it was referred to by many names. The book of life, the book of the dead, and the book of shadows were the ones he named. It was his mother's and it contained every spell ever created, even to bring the dead back to life. It's power could be detrimental as he once learned the hard way by resurrecting Jareth. It could not be destroyed, for Julian had tried. He said it's power could also be used for good. It depended on the heart of the one who held it, for as Julian would always say, true magic is in the heart of the beholder. It was greatly desired by many, but only a witch would it reveal it's true identity to and only a witch could open it. That's when Julian held his hand out and all of a sudden, this large hardback book slid out of the shelf and came floating across the room to him and then from under his waistcoat, he took out three pages. He opened the book and placed them inside and this light formed as they molded into it."

Haldir was taken aback. "You know where Ashmole is??"

"I...I do."

"You will show Jo when we return. It is needed for the dead that will come on the winter solstice. So is your amethyst. It is one of 6 runestones that are also needed. Where is it now?"

"I...I gave it to Bel...Sarah long ago. When I realized Harker had taken her, I looked for it so I could try to look for her, but I could not find it. I fear Harker may have taken it from her... unless she had hidden it, but I searched her belongings, her room and the entire house from top to bottom. All I found was her silver ribbon ring among the porcelain shards of her shattered body.

With my own magic, I was able to turn the ring back to it's original form and I put it in her box of special treasures. She never took that ring off. My grandfather gave it to her. It was pure silver, crafted by his own magical hands and it was supposed to ward off spells of any kind. The ribbon symbolized binding the spells in a knot. A lot of good it did her huh? I'm sorry, can I just please get on with this story? I relive that night every single day as it is, so I really don't enjoy speaking of it."

"Certainly. Please, go on."

"Julian opened the book to a spell that would break the hold of Caroline's black magic and send Rahl back to solitary confinement inside the locked box of Stephane's mind. The writing was nothing that I could read and there was a drawing of a witch, engulfed in flames that coincidentally resembled Rahl.

I panicked and asked Julian if that was what was going to happen to him. He assured me he would never risk harming Stephane, that he would not burn. The image was a metaphor so to speak, but he said there would definitely be a light show of Rahl's persona being sucked out of Stephane's body. That's when I had to tell Julian and Bash about Lola before they went and exorcised the demon when she was right in the room with him. I knew there was a great possibility that Stephane would not recall the things he had done as Bash had once explained, so I swore them both to secrecy that he would never be told he was her father in fear of what it would do to his mind once more in learning how she was conceived. They both agreed it was best and Bash...my dear sweet Bash offered to step up as her father because he knew his brother would want to know where she came from, plus, since Bash was a warlock, he felt she would still be highly protected from Harker. If Stephane did remember, then I would just deal with it when the time came.

Julian decided to lure Rahl outside by baiting him. We all snuck out to the main lawn and Bash and I stood in the distance behind Julian as he made his presence known. He shouted over and over for Rahl and it wasn't long before he arrived with guards in tow. The two warlocks shared unkind words and Julian challenged him to be a man and come to him alone, just as he was alone. Rahl was hesitant until Julian flaunted the book that all desired and laid it before him at his feet. What Rahl didn't know was that Julian set a witch trap. He had drawn a circle on the forest green lawn with black salt which made it barely visible in the dark of the new moon night. Rahl took the bait of the book and came forward alone. He stopped just before the circle and ogled the book like a kid in a candy store. Julian told him if he could take the book from him, it was his to keep. Rahl took the step forward and laughed, telling him that would be too easy. Julian laughed too and told him that it wasn't as easy as trapping him. Rahl's confident expression vanished as he quickly realized he could not move. Julian opened the book that was merely inches away from Rahl's feet and scanned it with his eyes, so fast that it was like he took the words right into his mind. He then grinned at Rahl and said..."Goodnight Darken Rahl. Rest in Hell."

Rahl's eyes and mouth both gaped as Julian opened his arms out wide and began reciting the spell. I couldn't understand a word of it. Suddenly, blinding light burst out of the book and jolted right through Rahl. The light was coming out of his mouth and eyes as he screamed.

Just like that, in mere seconds, Rahl and his dark image were gone and there, on the ground was an unconscious Stephane. Bash quickly took control of the guards and they submitted when they saw Lord Narcisse was back. We took Stephane inside and when he awoke, he did not remember anything as we suspected. Of course, he demanded to know everything that happened and what Rahl had done, so to start, I went and got Lola. I feared he would remember when he saw her, but he didn't. He took right to her as she did him. It was a bittersweet moment watching him hold her hand. If he were to ever notice any resemblance of himself in her, it could easily be explained based on the lie that his brother Bash was her father.

It broke my heart to have to lie to him like I had to lie to Julian too about our Bella, but Caroline could never know about her, nor Harker and Ravenna. Narcisse and Bash kept their promises and did not mention her and I later explained to them where she was and why.

All was then revealed to Narcisse about all the events that took place while he had been a prisoner in his own body, except what Rahl did to me of course. Needless to say, he did not take it very well. He humbly apologized to me and Bash, then went off to be alone.

It was then the moment I dreaded. I had to say goodbye to Julian all over again. He knew that I could not go with him and that he could not stay. Josie was going on 2 years old and his responsibility was to her and mine was to Lola. I had to remain at the castle to protect her. Julian understood why I had left him without a word, for he admitted he would have never let me out of his arms. He also understood why I had moved on with what he believed to be Bash. He had never expected me to remain alone. We both hugged, kissed and cried, said our I still love you's and always will...and then...he was gone.

10 years. 10 whole fucking years had passed. I was still at the castle with Lola. I missed my grandfather and Bella dearly but it was too risky to go to them or for them to come back here. No one knew where Harker was and both of my daughters were safe where they were and I intended to keep it that way as long as I could. I knew my grandfather would make sure Bella knew who I was for the day I did return to her....and I knew he was watching me through the pendant and possibly letting her watch sometimes too. I spoke to them at random times hoping they would hear me. One good thing happened though. 7 years prior, I found out from Narcisse that Caroline had died. In all the things that could have killed her, it was a car fire? Regardless, that was one less threat to worry about, but it did cross my mind, which I'll soon explain, if she possibly placed a hex on Narcisse before she kicked the bucket, in retaliation for Julian saving him. I also wondered why Julian hadn't come around after that. I guess I had this stupid delusion that Julian and I could live happily ever after and that he would just magically forgive me for all my lies. I also wondered why Narcisse had stopped going to see him. I didn't find out until much later that Narcisse had lied to him and told him we had married and were deeply in love and of course Julian would believe what his best friend told him but Stephane and I, we had never been a couple or even intimate after Rahl's rampage....Bash and I fooled around though." Josselyn bashfully giggled.

"All was going well otherwise. I still did my job as a servant. Lola was a happy normal child and a lot like Stephane, mostly with her love of animals. She had found an injured crow once and brought him to me, wanting me to "fix" him. She did not know of my magic but she believed I could make his boo boo all better like all children think their mothers can do. His wing was broken, but of course, I healed him for her and then she took him outside and he flew away.

Stephane though...he wasn't normal and happy. He slowly became withdrawn and very different after the trauma of Rahl's reign of terror. He still didn't remember everything, but knowing what he did know, it ate at him. He had become somewhat bitter and rather bossy over the years. Everyone walked on eggshells around him. His arrogance was at an all time high and he drank a lot. I think he was suffering from depression and possibly loneliness. But that wasn't the worst of it.

Word spread fast through the servants that Harker's World of Wonders was arriving for a funfair. I went straight to Narcisse and confronted him. When he said it was true and to let him explain, I saw red. There was nothing to explain. He knew Harker was a threat to Lola. I hadn't aged much at all over the years due to Ravenna's power, but her magic sure did. It had finally come to full fruition shortly after Lola had been born and I also discovered I had the power of healing. I think that was passed to me from my grandfather. One day Stephane and Bash were fencing for sport and Stephane was accidentally cut and I was able to heal him. Ironic that I had mended the man I then wanted to hurt.

In my fit of rage, I tried to use my power on him which was a big no no. No one was allowed to use magic there with intent to harm, let alone use it on him. He deemed it a crime. I was punished by being reprimanded and locked in an iron barred dungeon cell while the party commenced that day and into the night. Lola was left with a servant to care for her while Bash was ordered to do his deputy duties. I knew Rahl had not returned, but Narcisse was certainly not himself. To simply put it, he had become a cold hearted asshole. It was like he was punishing everyone to release the weight of the guilt and anger he suffered with. I had sympathy for him in the past, but after allowing Harker on his grounds and what happened next because of it, that sympathy was long gone. I didn't give a damn if he had possibly been cursed.

Bash released me the next morning and the look of fright on his face told me something was terribly wrong. He tried to tell me but I ran straight for Lola's room as he followed, shouting at me to wait. When I got there, the servant that had been with her was being carried out of the room with a bloodied sheet covering her. She was dead. Narcisse stood staring at Lola's empty bed with despair all over his hungover face. The sound of the ajar balcony door banging in the wind hammered like drums through my head. All I could do was scream and I raced off to find Harker, but when I got outside, their trailers were nowhere to be seen....and then...I heard Lola scream's for me from the forest.

I had run so far and so fast, but all was quiet and there was no sign of them. When I turned around, there Harker was, holding her close against him. She was still in her nightgown. The monster had taken her right from her own bed.

I shouted at him. You cannot take her! I was the one given to you, NOT her. She has to be given to you!

He said... And you WILL give her to me in place of you....for now that is..... or I will rip your heart from your chest where you stand right in front of her and then I will be free to take her. Wouldn't you rather be alive for your....OTHER daughter's sake? Bella is it? One of them has to come to pay your debt to Ravenna.

He knew about Bella!! I don't know how, but he knew and I was now trapped, for he was right...I didn't want to die and let him take her too. I needed to live and fight for my children. I had to do the unthinkable. I told him he could have her...but then I panicked and recanted my words and told him he would never have her... but I knew it was too late. He held her right in front of him with his hand tightly gripping her mouth. He could have easily snapped her tiny fragile neck, so I could not use my power against him....so I tried to grab her from him, but all I got was the doll from her arms that Stephane had given her as Harker shoved me to the ground and rode off with her on his horse....and when I looked down at the doll...it's eye began to bleed.

I ran hard and I ran fast in the direction he rode off. I was going after my children and I wasn't looking back. I never saw Narcisse or the Dorwinion castle again.

Needless to say, Lola had been lost to me. Harker was on horseback and I certainly could not fly, still cannot. But I kept trekking on through miles of forest, clutching Lola's doll to my chest and constantly calling out to my grandfather. I knew at some point he would see and hear me and come get me....and he did.

We went back to the mundane world and continued to do what we had always done when I was growing up and what he had been doing with Bella....traveling with our people. Although Bella was 11 years old, we bonded as if we had never been apart. She understood about the "bad man." Grandfather had told her that's why I had to stay away for awhile. She called Harker the big bad wolf. She said she had dreamed of him and described him to a T. I tried using the pendant to see Harker so I knew where he was, but it would not show me anything. I think Harker used some kind of black magic to hide behind, unless he were dead and I feared the same for Lola too since I could not see her either.

All of my hope had been lost, until...2 years later. I decided to check on Narcisse. My anger had subsided towards him and I truly did miss him. Maybe it was the time heals all wounds thing, but I couldn't say all. I still blamed him. But what I saw changed everything. He had Lola at the Dorwinion castle! She...she looked so beautiful with her longer licorice locks and...she was happy. I had to wonder how Narcisse got her back. I...I didn't care at the time, I was just so relieved she was alive and safe. And..."

Josselyn burst out in laughter, actually startling Haldir, for he had been so engrossed in her story.

"She was doing a magic trick for a crowd outside of the castle and they all loved it. Go figure huh? Like grandfather, like granddaughter...AND she was telling them a story about gypsy legends! I was pretty sure that it was Stephane's doing to make sure she knew about us. Her apprentice was a younger boy with dark hair. He looked about 10.

She called him Charles so I assume he is the young man, Stephane's son, that I met last night. Just wow, Lola has a brother. Sorry, it's just mind blowing."

"It is even more astonishing that Charles is Catherine's son. Of course, he did not know Charles was his until the boy was much older." Haldir added.

"What??? Hmmm, well then I guess that explains why I soon saw Catherine with Narcisse in the crowd. I guess the old hag flew back to him on her broomstick."

Haldir chuckled. "Fine analogy indeed. What did you do then?"

"I watched Narcisse for a few days and he didn't appear tainted anymore. I...I didn't know what to do. Of course I wanted to use the pendant and go get Lola but my grandfather warned that we did not know where Harker was and that we were already hiding one child from him. He said Lola was better protected with Narcisse than us. I was torn on that because of how she was taken from the castle once before and Narcisse was the cause of it. Lola seemed so happy though and...she was with her father even if neither of them knew it, which clearly they didn't and still don't considering Charles' reaction last night to learning Lola was his sister.... and Stephane seemed himself again and I could tell he was trying to make things right by Lola because I could only imagine what he believed happened to me when I ran into the forest and never returned. Most likely that I had suffered the same fate as my mother and I'm sure he blamed himself for all of it. I have never forgotten the look upon his face as he stood at her empty bed the day she was taken. He was devastated. I think that is what snapped him out of his mental breakdown of sorts. I wish I would have let him explain why he did what he did. I wish I would have just told everyone the entire truth about Harker. If Narcisse had known what he did to children, that funfair would never have taken place. Harker would have been hunted and could have been handled long before that night and my grandfather could have returned with Bella, so...I was just as much to blame. If only I had known then what I later learned. Narcisse was cursed alright, but not by Caroline. It was by me...I was cursed when I healed him. Harker did something to me and everyone I heal pays a price, which is why I fear putting my hands on Josie. Besides, once she learns who I really am, I may be the one in need of healing.

I saw Bash there too and he adored her....and Stephane had cared enough for her that he rescued her somehow and it was then that I had forgiven him and I had decided that as long as Harker and Ravenna were a threat, I had to leave her there and pray Narcisse would eventually kill Harker if he hadn't already. I had thought about taking all of us there, but...Catherine was back for one thing and second, I could still hear Harker's words when he said he would take Lola in place of me...for now....meaning he still wanted me back....and since he did not have Lola anymore...he would eventually come for me and Bella. I couldn't bring all that baggage back to Narcisse again like I did all those years ago. It wasn't fair to him. I know I sound like I was making all kinds of excuses...and I was because I was just so fucking scared. Like little ol me and one wizard could ever take on Harker, his men and his sisters of the dark, or Ravenna too. I had my grandfather telling me to let things be. I had power, yet I was entirely weak. AND let us not forget what Sara had told me in her reading! Because of that, I felt I should not tempt fate, let sleeping dogs lie, don't fix what isn't broken, ya know? I wanted to find Julian, but how was I going to explain my lies, especially that of Bella?? Merely like I am to you now? That I was just scared?? How lame was that? I had never been so confused in my life. It was all just so complicated. And then it became even more complicated because that's all it ever did. The Tower card was upon me.

We traveled for two more years. Just kept going North. I constantly watched Lola like a hawk, multiple times every single day. If one thing had seemed off, I would have went for her.

Bella was now 13. One more year and she would be of no use to Ravenna but that wouldn't stop Harker from coming after me. He had found us in the mundane world once before, so I knew he could do it again....and he did.

We had set up camp for rest and during the twilight hours, like a thief in the night, the wolf's howl came. Literally. Everyone heard it. A pack of them. Their howls echoed from every angle. I hid with Bella in the trailer, watching from the window. Grandfather had told me that if anything ever happened, I was not to worry for him and take Bella and leave with the pendant....and go to his estranged brother, Thaddicus Zorander. He too was a necromancer and lived like a hermit in the Scottish highlands.

All of our men armed themselves with rifles or knives, but I knew it wouldn't be enough. These wolves were not normal wolves. Their faces morphed into something demonic. Grandfather called them wargs. They tore many of our men apart.

Sisters of the dark soon appeared. They were everywhere, hurling fire and silver dacras, a star shaped weapon of three blades that also killed many of our people. One of them was my mother! She was leading them. She saw my grandfather and I heard her say "kill the old man." They went after him, but he fended them off with his power and then he even turned on his own daughter and whipped her through the air.

And then....Harker appeared and with his command, they all backed off, but stood surrounding my grandfather. Harker told my him he had had enough and he was taking Bella. He spoke about how Narcisse found out about his operations and he and his men raided his camp, killing most of his men and freeing all the children, Lola included, so now I owed him my other child, for Ravenna was growing impatient as time was short on Bella's age restriction. He said he would either take me or kill me, he couldn't decide and that it wouldn't really matter since everyone believed I was either dead or lost into the sisterhood. He said he would kill my grandfather too, for the only good wizard was a dead one. I...I panicked and stupidly screamed. Harker's fiendish claws came out and he bee-lined straight for my trailer.

He taunted us with his strength, rocking the trailer with his hand and chanting "little pig, little pig, let me in."

Bella was angry and stood up. She screamed at him "not by the hair of my chinny chin chin." I heard him chuckle and he began to rock us harder as he said "then I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow your house in!" I had to think fast because he was going to tip us. I had no choice but to grab our pre-packed bags and leave my grandfather there as he told me to do. We crawled out the escape door on the floor and snuck off from the back of the trailer into the woods where I quickly opened the portal. In the blink of an eye, we were in a large open field, looking at a small farmhouse in the middle of it.

Since it had only been seconds, I had to see if my grandfather was alright. I was so scared at what I would see, but I had to know. What I saw though, was confounding, and apparently it was for Harker too, for he was on his knees with tears running down his cheeks. I didn't know such a menacing man even had tear ducts to be able to cry. Standing before him...I...I didn't see my grandfather anymore...I saw....Ravenna!!

It was him! My grandfather was working his hocus pocus by taking on the form of another person. Harker called her his love, if he were even capable of such an emotion, since it was forbidden in his world. My grandfather must have recently discovered it and waited to use it, hitting Harker right where he was vulnerable. It all began to make sense, why Harker was helping her and why he had killed Jareth once upon a time. No wonder he was so angry at Julian...because he resurrected him. I think Harker even feared her which is why he lost his shit over my age, fearing she would blame him and retaliate....but she never did, which made me wonder if she felt something for him too?

Bella had run up to the cottage, so I ran after her and didn't see what happened. I was taken aback when I saw a man through the window. He could have been my grandfather's twin with his uncanny resemblance. I was too caught up at his vision that I didn't notice Bella walk right in, startling him. He clearly didn't know us as he stared us down, fearfully asking us what we wanted.

I apologized for barging in and explained that we were his nieces and we had nowhere else to go. At first he thought I was my mother and he oddly looked at Bella, saying she was too young to be Josselyn. Bella laughed at told him he was silly for not knowing his own family. I apologized to him again but he smiled and said it was not necessary, that she was merely being a child with no filter. He relit the candles and brought food and drinks to the table, saying we looked like we needed it....and then, we sat and ate as I told him our long tale as I'm telling you Haldir.

Thaddicus told me not to worry for Zeddicus, that he was a wise old coot and most likely hoodwinked Harker with his hocus pocus. I laughed since that's exactly what happened and I had great confidence in my grandfather that he had escaped, but I would look later, for I didn't know what Thaddicus thought of the pendant. Did he desire it like many others? Family or not, he was still a stranger and for some reason, he and his brother were at odds....but yet he had trusted him enough to have us go there.

It was morning. I laid awake all night, too wired to sleep. I checked on my grandfather but I couldn't see him or even Harker anymore. And then I did something I hadn't done. I looked in on Julian...just to make sure he was happy, even if he had moved on with another. I didn't know if Narcisse had been in touch with him after Lola and I disappeared, so I didn't know if Julian believed me dead or still believed me to have moved on with his best friend like Narcisse had told him. That's when everything changed.

Julian was sick. I didn't know how sick, but he was bedridden and Josie, who was only less than a year older than Bella, was caring for him and they appeared to live in the mundane world when I saw Josie going into what I assumed was their house. She looked so grown up for 13. I suppose she had to be with what she was dealing with.

I could only presume Julian took her there to protect her from the dangers of middle earth. She was constantly at his side, bringing him tea and feeding him. Sometimes, he seemed to not know her. I didn't know how she was doing it all by herself. She was still a child...and god did she look like Caroline, or I should say Cassie. I found out later that Caroline had eventually killed her. I felt so guilty. I wish I could have helped Cassie, but I was no match for Jareth and his dark realm of goblins or Caroline's wrath.

I...I had to go to Julian. I believed Caroline was no longer a threat with being told she had died, but I didn't know how I was supposed to just show up there. Josie didn't know me and I had Bella to explain. Neither girls knew of the other and Julian didn't know of his other daughter. I couldn't just tear up their life. With Julian sick, what would it do to him to learn of my lies? I wanted to try and heal him, but I was reluctant to try after what happened to Narcisse. It could of harmed Julian even more or even worse, ricocheted onto Josie, or Bella. My healing is basically a game of Russian roulette because it is not known when or who it will strike. It was just before I found out Lola was alive and with Narcisse when I first discovered my healing powers were tainted. One of our gypsy travelers was suffering from an infected tooth. Normally, my grandfather would have healed him since he too has such power, but he was away, so I healed the man. All was well for a few days and then his wife's teeth, that were perfectly fine, began to rot and fall out, one by one, all in a 24 hour period. When my grandfather returned, he verified that it was indeed Harker's doing and even my grandfather himself could not undo it. Harker had to be killed or I personally had to take something of his for the curse to be lifted. The night Bella disappeared 8 years ago, I was able to take his silver knife during a struggle before I got away, but I didn't believe it had worked. I still don't.

I had made my way back to middle earth after that and changed my name. I felt it was the better of both worlds to be in when I encountered Harker again and I still dreamed of getting my grandfather, mother and Lola back one day. Through my travels, I never stayed in one place too long. In the summers, I slept in barns, bathed in ponds, stole food from the rich and in the winters, I would work in gin mills to get by. And one thing I always, always did was keep my powers to myself out of fear of what could happen. It was only a few years ago that a terrible pestilence plagued a vast portion of the Southeast and I came across a very sick boy. His mother was pleading with people to help him. I...I couldn't imagine if it were my child suffering like that so...I told her I could help....and sure enough, my healing caused the boy to go blind and nearby, all of a farmer's live stock perished. I didn't trust anything anymore, so I never used my healing again, and like the Black Plague, news of what I did spread like wildfire and I was hunted. They said I was a demon witch doctor and they wanted to burn me alive.

I eventually crossed paths with Bash. He had been looking for me all along and he had a very strong feeling I was the rumored witch doctor. I told him what my healing was doing, but he didn't believe it was my fault. He believed it was due to the Black Plague. He secretly aided me for awhile and gave me shelter in one of Narcisse's unoccupied remote villa's. He was someone I knew I could trust and I told him everything that happened after my disappearance and he swore he would keep my secrets to protect me...because he...loved me. He told me all about Lola, who had become a beautiful young woman and he understood my reasons for keeping my distance from her. He begged me to come back to the castle with him, that Narcisse would protect me too and help me search for my family, but I refused. I didn't want him or Lola involved in my messes anymore.

We stayed together, undetected for about a month and then one night...the people found me. They raided us and detained Bash, making him watch as they tied me to the stake that they had quietly assembled and then they lit it. I...I began screaming out of fear and not of pain...for there was none. I...I couldn't feel it!! It was not burning me! The roped burned trough and I was freed. The look on their faces was priceless as I purposely lunged and hissed at them...and then I ran off into the forest.

I never saw Bash again until last night. It was my choice. I didn't want him to be accused of evil as well and from the things I heard after that, Bash was deemed my victim. That I had witchnapped him and was going to sacrifice him. I was ok with that, for it kept him safe and since I was already accused of the devil's work, what was one more charge?"

Josselyn exhaled heavily, then lowered her head and began to softly weep.

"I...I am so sorry Haldir. I understand now why you believed me to be wicked. I can only imagine what you must think now."

For a moment, the elf was silent and then he raised his hand to gently tuck one of her long dangling tresses behind her ear.

"What I think now is that you are a very selfless...and rather powerful woman. You have suffered greatly and have sacrificed so much for the people you love. Do not apologize for that. I should apologize for being a credulous fool as they were."

Josselyn was frazzled by Haldir's compassion and understanding and even a bit cynical of it, in which she scooted a few inches away from him.

"You...you really shouldn't touch me. You might lose a finger. Well gosh, I have gotten so far ahead of myself and I haven't even told you about Julian yet. I would like to finish this please. I'm so tired."

"As you wish my lady."

Josselyn softly gasped and momentarily stared at him in shock of being addressed with such respect, and even more so... by him, the elf that blatantly harassed her merely an hour ago....then she continued.

"As I was saying before I went of course, I wanted to go to Julian. After watching Josie some more, I realized they were in the United Kingdom...coincidentally and ironically Scotland to be specific, right where Thaddicus lived...but strangely, they were in the city world instead of somewhere remote like I would have guessed him to take her. So once again, I presumed he wanted her to have a normal life with friends and school and all.

The other thing I noticed was that beside their house was a beautiful old stone house for rent. After expressing my thoughts to Thaddicus, I then knew why my grandfather sent me to him. Thaddicus told me he could get me everything I would need to fit right into the civilian world and he did. My uncle had some serious hookups because he came back with a box full of cash and all the fake, but very legit looking documents that were necessary for us to get by. He watched over Bella while I used the pendant to go and handle everything and in roughly a week, we were set. I had a home for my daughter, right beside her father and sister...but they couldn't know who she was. That's when she became Sarah according to her birth certificate, but to Julian, she was the daughter of one of our travelers who died because of my cursed magic and I told him I felt guilty, so I took her in as my own. What was another lie to keep him from hating me and possibly worsening his condition from the shocking truth?? Our last name changed as well...which Bella believed it was solely to hide from the bad man, so she gladly went along with it. I even cut my hair and made it a lighter shade of brown, all by magic of course.

Sarah and Josie became best friends right away. They did everything together, even school. I don't think Josie had any because of Julian's illness. I helped her out with her father every now and then to give her some relief and free time. Seeing him again was just so overwhelming. His appearance was the same on the outside, but inside, he wasn't Julian anymore. His memory had become compromised and most days, he didn't know me, or even Josie. I think he even forgot who he was, powers and all. He spent most of his time either in a chair by the window with his tea and watched the girls ride bikes and stuff, or he was in bed. Just a trip to the restroom exhausted him and he complained of a burning sensation inside of him. I knew it certainly was not cancer like Julian had told Josie before he became so ill.

I wanted to heal him with every ounce of my being, so I attempted other ways that didn't involve my powers. My uncle Thaddicus had given me the name of a well known and trusted powerful warlock he knew from all of his world travels. His name was Magnus and he resided in the states. Manhattan to be exact. He specialized in magic potions and had a lab full of everything imaginable to cast his spells. Using my pendant, I tracked him down and brought him back with me to try and cure Julian. Everything failed. He was then able to validate that Julian had definitely been placed under some very potent black magic and that it was coursing through his blood like acid rain. Nothing more could be done. He told me Julian's hair had to be placed upon the witch who cursed him to break it. That's when I told him about Caroline and that she was dead. Magnus then told me that within a few more years, Julian would die. Little did I know, until I heard the scream, that Josie was listening and watching.

She ran to Julian's side and shouted at us to get away from him, that she was going to call the cops. Magnus waved his hand and the phone went flying out of her hand and then...I had no choice. I grabbed her and tied her to a chair while I figured out what to do. She was so confused and scared and I felt so terrible, but she could not keep those memories, so I told Magnus to block them. It broke my heart when she looked at him and asked him if it was going to hurt. He assured her she would feel nothing and then with a little hocus pocus from his hand, all that she had seen and heard had been erased.

4 years had went by. The girls were going on 17 as it was almost Halloween, Sarah's true birthday and it would be Josie's in December. Julian was still alive, but much worse. I had stayed by his side and made him as comfortable as I could, but he didn't even know I was there. He could barely even speak anymore. Josie was stressed, so I let her come over more often to take a break.

Halloween came and I was making dinner and a cake. The girls were in the living room all dressed up and handing candy out. Just as I walked into the room, the doorbell rang and Josie ran to answer it. I was carrying a bowl of popcorn that ended up on the floor when I heard Harker's voice. He had this huge smile on his face and introduced himself to her as Phillip Covington.

He proceeded to say that he was my boyfriend and he was invited for dinner and cake. He looked at Sarah and said "Isn't that right...Sarah?"

He knew her name. He knew everything. I knew that day would come.

Sarah remembered him, but she politely went along with the charade for all of our safety. He came in, helped me clean up the popcorn and then sat down at the table, still grinning. He was fucking pleased with himself for finding us.

After a dinner of Harker leading the conversations, Josie had to go. Harker told her he was sorry to hear of her father's illness, but he wasn't the least bit sorry. He was thrilled. I told her I would walk her out and when we got to the porch, I took out a powder potion that Magnus had left with me and blew it in her face. It would do the same thing to Josie once more that he had done to her. I didn't want her going back to Julian and telling him about Harker, or Phillip I should say. As sick as he was, I couldn't risk that he still understood things that were going on.

Sarah and I were clearing the dishes and she began apologizing to me. I asked her why and she said she knew something was wrong before he showed up. She said she saw a strange dressed man outside talking to Josie on her way over and she sensed he was not a trick or treater, but someone evil. After she described him to me, I knew then that Jareth had been there too and I had to wonder if Caroline had finally told the lie to Julian that Jareth was Josie's father. It was a good thing that I gave her that potion because she wouldn't remember Jareth either.

Sarah told me she was going upstairs to get the amethyst so she and I could leave. She snuck up there as I did the dishes and Harker sat at the table with his wine...at least I thought he was. When I finished, I went in and he was not there. I panicked and ran upstairs and that's when I found Sarah gone and there was no sign of Harker or the pendant.

I left everything that night in search of my daughter, including Julian without even saying goodbye and now he's dead. I eventually found my grandfather and we made our way back to middle earth.....and now...here I am 8 years later."

Josselyn's hands covered her face and she began sobbing again.

"Oh Julian. I am so sorry my love."

Haldir gently took her hands, pulled them down and tenderly looked her in the eyes as he told her the shocking truth.

"Josselyn. Your Julian...he is very much alive."

@redeemer46

youtube

9 notes · View notes

foreverforgally · 1 year

Text

In The Garden

a Gally Fanfic; Chapter 2

The Bonfire

Summary - You, The reader, are the first female ever to grace the presence of the Glade. At first the tensions between you and keeper Gally are high, the enemies to lovers trope creeps through your life. Will you give into the trope? Or will you chose the love triangle?

Warnings - Maybe smut in different chapters or hints of sexual activity. Fluff! Angst! I am definitely not a good writer!

Hollers of celebration filled the air as the boys surrounded the pit. “Tonight, we honor a new greenie, a girl!” The boys around Alby shouted in salute to my existence, it made me giggle and holler in acknowledgment.

“Light it up!” the stakes they all held were thrown into the fire and the wooden statue lit up so bright. The feeling it gave me was exhilarating, everyone cheered on and smiled through their conversations.

“Fun right? it’s like the family you got stuck with.” newt slid down to my side, a jar of suspicious yellow liquid in his hand.

I turned and looked at his boyish smile, “ I wouldn’t say it’s my happiest moment, I once found ten pounds in my pocket and it was amazing.”

He laughed, “How do you remember that and not your name.” He leaned in closer.

“I’m lying out of my ass.” I giggled and grinned, his matching mine from ear to ear. “You’re really something, aren’t you greenie?” He got closer and I could feel his breath on mine.

“I don’t remember being told so, so I’ll take your word for it.” I pulled away from the moment, feeling shy out of my mind and eager to change the topic.

“So, do I want to know what the hell is in that jar?” I said, grimacing down at that suspicious jar of liquid again.

Newt beamed and offered the jar in my direction. “Want to try it? It’ll knock you off your boots and take the edge off.” he swished the liquid around to try and make it more appealing

The jar made me nothing but uncomfortable, Newt swished the jar at me again with a stupid smile plastered on his face. it probably wasn’t even that gross so I took the jar from his hands and took a swig.

Immediately I gagged and swallowed the substance as hard and fast as I could as Newt completely laughed his ass off at my choking.

“Oh my fuck what the hell is that?” I coughed so hard I couldn’t breathe. “Can’t handle your alcohol newbie?” God I could wipe that grin off his british mug.

“Yeah well I was going to give you a nasty look but I see you already have one.” I choked off my words as he laughed out again. “Please greenie I’m beautiful, you just can’t hold your own.”

“Ok get up, there’s a few people I want you to meet.” Newt stood to his feet, exhaling his laughter as he he reached his hand out to help me up from my seat on my log.

Newt walked me over to multiple groups, introducing me to everyone of them. He told me that starting tomorrow I will work in every department to see where I fit best. Hopefully I won’t have to bust my ass to prove myself.

The group gathered in a circle behind us, was this another part of the bonfire? “Cmon let’s go check it out.” Newt lead me towards the circle, letting us have front seats to the show.

It was brutal, in the middle was none other than Gally and he looked.. so good. If I didn’t have a vendetta against eyebrows i would definitely say the warm light of the fire kissing his skin made him look knee bending. But of course why would I ever say that.. where would my self respect be?

“Gah!” he threw the other guy out of the circle with an ease of a grunt, like the weight was nothing to him. The crowd around us cheered him on yada yada, is this why his ego is so massively inflamed? Someone oughta put him on his ass.

“See, this is a game we play every bonfire, if you remember our rules i told you earlier you’d remember no glader can physically hurt each other. The point of this game is to push the other bloke out of the circle. Currently however, that shuck is undefeated.” Newt pointed towards Gally as he stalked around the circle, looking for his next pray.

His eyes locked on mine, and a one sided smirk crept onto his face. His pace around the circle stopped and he lift his finger to point at me.

“Greenie! Come, show us what you got.” Everyone around us oohed and laughed as I looked towards Newt who shrugged.

“Gally.” Alby gave him a look. “What i’m not gonna hurt her.” Gally brushed off his warning and turned his attention toward me.

“What, too chicken? Too scared little girl?” The word girl sos off his tongue like venom, his tone was threatening and i so needed to gouge his pretty eyes out.

All I had to do was kick his ass out of the circle, that should be easy enough.

I stomped one foot into the circle, “Please, you’ll never be the man your mother was.” This had him going. The reaction from the crowd combined with his embarrassment, you could see the smoke spilling from his ears.

“Alright greenie, rules are simple. I try to push you out of the circle, and you try not to cry like a girl.” Gally smirked at me, his stance widening as he grounded himself.

If looks could kill, he’d be ebliterated. Huffing, i waited for him to make a move. The guy was a big but he was such a bigot.

He grunted as he sprinted at me, arms held out to grab me but I ducked. Last minute I darted quickly under his arms and ran behind him, sliding to the ground to carry me out of the way.

He turned around prepared, but I swept my legs below his, knocking Gally to the ground. He got up quicker than he was on the floor and was back to strategizing. He ran towards me, barreling in a heat of rage to catch me.

this time he caught me and took me down with him. I struggled but i got him on his back. The crowd roared as I slid my legs on his sides and pinned him down. "Not bad for a girl, huh?" I smirked, huffing at his defeat. His eyes glazed over, and he placed his giant hands on the sides of my thighs.

"Yeah, but you haven't won yet." And he flipped us over, so he was on top. The both of us were winded, our chests heaving in synch and the eye contact was heavy. it felt like people were maving slowly, the cheers drowning out. "C'mon Greenie!" I reached my hand up slowly, placing it on the side of his jaw.

His movements faltered and his gaze grew softer. A smirk grew on my face, I got him right where I need him. I quickly slammed his head to the ground next to our bodies. I grabbed his shirt and successfully kicked him out of the circle.

The Crowd cheered me on, screaming my glade given name. Being in the center of cheers like this felt normal, I was used to being in the center like this with my arms up and the energy boosting my ego.

"C'mon Quinn, get his legs!" The trainer paced across the training mat as me and another person wrestled. My arms and legs were at their limits, and I ran towards A-9 and ducked under their swing, I pushed their back down and swept my legs under theirs, their head slamming into the ground.

I panted hard, struggling to catch my breath. "And that’s a match, you need to improve your swings, Quinn. You cant rely on your fists all the time." The trainer let out a breathy chuckle and laid his arm over my shoulders, my white jumpsuit darkening in areas l've sweated. "I’ll work on it Jansen, can't be a weapon if I cant fight, huh?” smirked and nodded my head towards him.

"Quinn! My name is Quinn!" Alby ran over and grabbed my hand, raising it towards the sky. “To Quinn!” He bellowed out and the other Gladers crowded around, taking turns shoving me and patting my back, cheering my name.

I never felt more belonging.

#gally maze runner #gally imagine #gally #tmr gally #gally x reader #newt tmr #tmr x reader #tmr alby #the maze runner #fanfic #famfiction #oc story #original character #foreverforgally;itg

55 notes · View notes

apolloanddaphnis · 1 year

Text

Poppies in October

DISCLAIMER: This story is fanfiction, names you recognize I do not own. Thems of tragedy are throughout the story, this chapter has mentions of suicide, self harm, smutty scenes, maybe bad judgment. The childhood background of the Black Brothers is influenced by @sufferingstarlight . Not proofread.

Pairings: Eventual Jegulily, right now it's Regulily.

Do not read if you're under the age of 18.

"It is no night to drown in:

A full moon, river lapsing

Black beneath bland mirror-sheen"

Lorelei by Sylvia Plath

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

Chapter I

I felt so dizzy with anguish, I felt like teeth and fangs tore at my flesh ripping it clean off of my muscles and bones. I felt as though my blood dripped from my heart down the corridors, I couldn't see, tears blinded my vision. I couldn't breathe, oxygen was stolen from my lungs.

Everything felt meaningless, not even my usual comforts from Sylvia Plath or Anaïs Nin's words could save me from my own suffering.

I didn't even desire to pray at my altar to Cerridwen, for I think no one, not even the great Goddess, had a cure for heartbreak.

I've loved Marley since I was thirteen.

She used to always ask me what I was reading, I told her about my muggle books I carried with me everywhere as she would play with my auburn hair. She'd lay her head in my lap and I'd recite poems from Sylvia word for word from memory, as I played with her cropped hair.

When that bludger hit her, I healed her, not Madame Pomfrey. She kissed me under the bleachers and carved our initials in the wood, and I lost my virginity to her that night when Gryffindor beat Slytherin. We snuck out and she surprised me with a tent by the lake. She knew the squid wouldn't harm us, no creatures attacked when I was around.

Things did begin to get a little rocky after a bit, like when I asked her why she wouldn't tell her parents I was her girlfriend. Despite being perfectly nice people, and tolerable of me as just a friend of their dear Marlene, Malcolm and Elspeth McKinnon didn't like the idea of their youngest daughter having romantic ties to a Muggle-Born. It would ruin their perfect image as Scotland's strongest Wizarding family.

Yes, Slytherins aren't the only prejudiced wizards. Everyone else is just very good at hiding the arsenic in the sugar, most wizard folk aren't very comfortable with any sort of connections to the Muggle realm, they're terrified of exposure. As if there weren't superstitious muggles, my Nain used to tell me all sorts of Welsh folklore and superstitions. She lives in an old cottage in Gwynedd, a pagan lady who taught me of what people call the old Gods, Gods I know to still exist.

This world acts as if muggles are so ignorant of the existence of magic, clairvoyance is even something that is passed down from my mother's side of the family, The Castells are even rumor to have lineage that goes back to Pelleas, Nimue, and Rhiannon. My middle name is Nimue and my sister Petunia's is Rhiannon.

Marley didn't let anything convince her to go against her parents, I should have known then she didn't love me. I stopped hanging out with Sev for her, I started being mean to James Potter for her, and Cerridwen, did I feel guilty for that. Even though he was never nice to Sev, I found myself getting along with James and the Marauders, it's not as if Sev jumped to my defense when his friends called me a mudblood. For Arawn's sake, why am I always the one to have to make all the compromises and sacrifices?

Marley made me feel like a slag for finding James attractive, never did I think more than that or try anything, and James never tried to seduce me, just flirty comments here and there. But tonight, tonight I learned from her own lips, the lips that used to console me and make love to me, that she and Dorcas, my friend Dorcas, slept together. And to add insult to injury, she dumped me in front of all the girls in our dorm.

Two years I pledged my love to that fucking quidditch obsessed, Don Juanita.

I leaned my body against the castle wall, only to have one of the bloody paintings bitch at me that my crying is keeping them awake. What do they need sleep for? They're dead.

I threw myself off the wall and headed up to the Astronomy tower, desiring deeply to suffer and lick my wounds alone.

I didn't even want to sleep there anymore, I felt homeless.

I ascended the tower, tears flowing freely the moment my senses touched the fresh air of the sky. I ripped off the amethyst bracelet with a delicate M charm dangling, Marley got me that for our first anniversary. I stomped on it and watched it shattered into a thousand pieces like my heart.

What about me is so hard to love? Was I not supportive enough? Was I not always available whenever she wanted me? Am I not pretty enough? I thought of Dorcas's smooth, chocolate skin, her wide bedroom eyes the color of pure caramel, her waist length, dark coils and her elegantly slender body as if she were part elven. I can't compete with her, she's so even tempered and cool and elegant. I'm strange, erratic, crazy is what Marley called me after I just decided to chop off my red locks to a bouncy bob. I hate being called crazy, I can't stomach it. She prefers her girls to have long hair, well I'm not her girl anymore.

"Crucio!"

My heart stopped, my blood froze. Hearing one of the unforgivables was like nothing you can prepare for. My instinct was to stop it, stop that person from inflicting pain on the other. But when I ran to the scene of the crime, my eyes widened in horror for there was no one inflicting crucio on another, but none other than Regulus Black, inflicting pain on himself.

Crumpled on the ground, hunched over, sleeves of his black jumper rolled up to expose his arms, his distinct dark curls falling over his face. There was no mistaking the prominent cheekbones, his wand pointed to his wrist where blood dripped from slashes and now the word empty was brutally edged and woven into his alabaster skin.

Tears splattered and mixed with the seeping blood from his wounds. I held up my hand "arresto!"

Messing around on my own, I have discovered I can perform a little wandless magic. I have also discovered my ability to simply create the spell arresto , which can stop movement.

I was glad to see Regulus drop his wand with a gasp, shock colored his gray-green eyes as his head snapped up to stare at me in astonishment and then anger. I panted, that particular spell takes a lot out of me.

"Why?" He spat, his eyes darkened. "What in Merlin's name possessed you to do that?" He growled. "And how-"

I'm friendly with Sirius, and Sev, meaning that Regulus has always been around. I've attempted many times to greet him but he shied away from me often, probably because of my blood Status. Blood supremacy couldn't stop me from empathizing with the younger Black brother.

I understand what it's like, to feel the need to harm yourself to make you forget about the horrors of your reality. During the dark days, I'd burn myself by any means, there would be freedom in pain. But that isn't right, and to see him so unhappy and desperate enough to crucio himself….I felt protective of him, whether he wanted it or not, I will protect him, even from himself.

I made my way over and fell to my knees, taking his arm in my hold. "Evans, what the hell do you think you're doing? You stupid bitch, you've ruined everything!" He snapped.

I know he's upset, but my emotional wounds from Marley were still raw, and I selfishly wallowed in them. "I know." He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.

"Vulnera Sanentur." I spoke it softly, watching the word heal and gashes disappear into faded scars.

Regulus stared at me in bewilderment, his lips fallen open in awe. I felt myself blush. "Please, please don't tell anyone I can do that." I begged in a whisper.

His eyes bore into mine, his wet and red and glassy. "As long as you don't tell anyone I used an unforgivable." His voice was hoarse, no doubt from his screams of pain.

"How did you find me?'' He asked suddenly.

"I heard you." I said softly. His eyes widened. "That's not possible, I used muffliato, I'm no novice at charms."

"I know, you've earned the reputation as brightest of your year.'' He's a year below myself but i know what hes capable of, everyone does, plus I'm in the Slug club with him.

His eyes narrowed into slits in suspicion. "Not possible…"

"Well I heard you." I pointed out before inspecting His slender arm. "I understand, maybe that's why…maybe I heard you when no one else has or will because…I used to…"

His eyes searched me. "Go on." He urged.

Surprisingly I did, I couldn't stop myself tonight. "I used to burn my thighs…with enchantments, I can make my fingers hot enough to do it..smelling my burning flesh satisfied me like it was confirmation or something…"

I couldn't look at him as I said it.

"Why?" His voice was pained, I saw his hands reach, but I don't know for what. "Why would you ever do that to yourself?"

"Same as you, pain I couldn't possibly expose…" I swallowed salty tears and took a deep breath. "I missed Wales so much that first time, when…well, this woman would watch me while my parents were at work. She never paid attention to Tuney, my sister…just me. Always touching my hair, telling me how pretty it is, how pretty my eyes are, she liked giving me baths too much." It physically pain me to say this. I risked a look at Regulus, his expression horrified as if he knew what I was going to say. "Lily…"

I took a deep breath. "She did it all the time, touched me all the time. Guilted me saying my parents can't afford most sitters, she's the cheapest one…if I told them they'd feel like horrible parents. So I didn't say anything…" I choked out the last word. "Tuney was supposed to be at her friend Kim's, but she forgot her roller skates. She walked in on me on the couch, my knickers around my ankles…she was on top of me." I felt myself crumple just remembering it. Suddenly Regulus gathered me in his arms , I felt too clogged to cry. "I begged her not to tell mum and dad, she didn't but we had to get rid of her. " I looked up at him "Petunia told her if she ever returned she'd tell the police. We never saw her again but Regulus, I wish we told the police." I sobbed out.

"Oh Lily…" somehow, the sound of his voice, his long, dexterous fingers stroking my hair, and the smell of him calmed me. He smells like wintergreen, rose geraniums likd my Nain grows in her garden, and freshly fallen snow. I rubbed my nose into his jumper further. I balled my fists in the cable knit material that he no doubt spent galleons on, only to have the tears of a poor Muggle-born dampening it.

But he seemed to not mind, his lanky arms enveloped around me pulling me closer, making me feel warm and safe when I should be comforting him. "I hate…hate my life so much. My parents make it very clear that they never wanted children, that the purpose of having Sirius and I was only to prolong the noble house of Black." He sneered. "One toe out of line, any inkling of disappointment…you think this is my first time I felt the white hot pain of crucio? Mother has done it so many times its almost her way of giving a maternal kiss on the cheek." He spat.

My mouth fell open in horror to know a mother was capable of something so…evil.

I felt his body shake as he held back a violent sob. "Regulus…" I had forgotten all about my pain, looking up at this beautiful boy in so much anguish, I lifted my head and gently, slipped my fingers up his jaw, cupping his face gingerly. Our foreheads pressed together, his prominent nose brushing against my smaller one. His tears and mine dripped onto one another's skin. I took a deep, shaky breath. "You don't have to–"

"No, you shared your tale…you deserve to hear mine--y-you're the only one...who deserves…" I blinked back tears as he struggled to get the words out. I tenderly stroked his cheek with my thumb to wipe away the falling diamonds of tears. I licked my lips because the salty drops spilled onto my mouth, we were that close and Regulus seemed to notice. His eyes flickered to my mouth before looking down into my eyes. "I don't blame Sirius for leaving me behind. I'm angry at him for it, so angry that it consumes me as I watch him move on with a new family leaving me behind to deal with them." He hissed as more tears spilled. I wondered if Sirius was aware of his brother all alone and left behind. I felt angry for Regulus, this boy I hardly know but empathize with bone deep.

"But I don't blame him because…because I saw" he choked out. "I saw what my father did to him." I furrowed my brows in confusion, my lips parted. His eyes fell to my lips again and he parted his.

"Make me forget Lily, make us forget." He begged his ghostly verdant eyes pleading in desperation and distressed beseeching.

"What do you mean–" he cut me off with a desperate kiss, his mouth on mine so desperate it was almost violent in its mission.

It was the strangest thing but I felt like I could breathe again, as I inhaled this boy, as he swallowed me whole in the process of consuming me. I ached suddenly for something I've never had, his lips were bruising mine despite them being so soft. I tasted sweet spearmint on his tongue, and although it was slow it didn't make the kiss any less demanding.

His large hands grasped my hips and held my lower back, his fingertips brushed beneath my blouse, eagerly stroking my skin and I shivered violently. I moaned as he had me on my back and suddenly he was on top of me but it felt like he was everywhere all at once. His teeth gnashed on my lower lip, tearing at the skin releasing oozing red blood staining my teeth and spilling into his mouth. He moaned loudly and it was muffled by our starving mouth. I felt inhuman like some wolf-girl, sucking my own blood off of his tongue with ravenous behavior. I liked it, no, loved tasting myself on him, I did something to me.

I squeaked into his mouth as his large hands sank into my leggings to cup, possess, grope, my backside. I was too inspirit to feel my usual lack of confidence with my bum, it's known to be ample and I hated it. But The way Regulus almost painfully grasped and fondled it, while using it to leverage me closer to his body, convinced me he didn't mind in the least. I felt light headed, dizzy, like I my consciousness was fading and my breath was robbed from me. With a gasp from us both, he tore his mouth from mine panting heavily, looking feral, his eyes as wild as his curls that were usually tamed and slicked back. He looked like a man on the verge of what… I do not know..

He released my backside reluctantly, now palming my buxom breasts through my oversized blouse. His nostrils flared and he kissed my neck emitting a squeal from me, going right for my weakness, straight to my Achilles heel. I made the most embarrassing of moans as his tongue, teeth, and lips made a meal of my poor sensitive neck. My eyes rolled back and he murmured almost in tears against my skin. "Merlin, you smell so good. Why do you smell so good?" He begged.

I couldn't give him an answer, I didn't know or understand. I just tugged in his Apollonian ringlets with another pathetic cry from my lips as I felt his teeth clamp down on my flesh as if he were a vampire and not Regulus. He made me feel desired and wanton when I wasn't, making me forget the ugly characters of my supposed childhood, replacing my thoughts, my senses with just him.

Suddenly, he had ripped my blouse off, the loud clatter of buttons hitting the wood made me painfully aware that my breasts were no longer hidden and that there was something hard and large pressing into my inner thigh. I've never done anything with boys before, James Potter was the first boy I felt attracted to and thought of when alone. I usually feel attracted to girls more, soft, pretty girls and hard handsome girls. But when I pushed my hand beneath his thick jumper, and I slid my hand up his flat stomach, stealing a shiver from his throat, and there were no peaks, no breasts blossoming there, but flat plains of pectorals. It piqued my sexual curiosity. "Oh…" I made a soft sound of wonderment. "I've never….not with a boy…"

He looked down at me, his angelic curls falling in his statuesque face,a thick and beautifully arched brow bent elegantly up in an intrigue arch before a soft, rakish smile stretched across his mouth attractively. Was it strange to find it pairing so nicely with his bloodshot eyes? Scarlet veins appeared from the result of bloodcurdling sobs…just like me. "I've never been with a girl before…" he gently brushed my blouse off my shoulders, the crisp October Scottish night kissed my skin, leaving behind paths of goosebumps. My sun-kissed color of summer is fading away into my peaches and cream complexion. His gaze hungrily gobbled up the sight of my exposed flesh, eating the appearance of my large breasts that never are bound by a bra. He grasped them, his breath tickling them causing my rosy nipples to harden and pebble. "So perky and…" he squeezed, ripping a gasp from me. "Soft." The word disappeared in my bust, his soft, wet mouth buried my cleavage. I wrapped my legs around his waist rocking my hips against his, our groins rubbing eagerly together in desperation. His pink tongue licked around my breasts, sucking now as if he were starving for months. He rutted into my clothed center. I heard a tear and looked down to see where his hidden hardness was, the material of his trousers now had an obvious rip and revealed the gray of his briefs.

But I didn't have much time to look, I cried out his name when he suckled my nipple into his wet, hot mouth as he twisted the other. The pain that had me cry out turned into a euphoric sensation that reached my core. He switched his mouth to the other, his teeth clamped down on my sensitive buds and I let out a sob of a mix between pleasure and pain. I rolled my hips feeling such intense throbbing and electricity betwixt my thighs.

"Oh, oh, oh!" I couldn't even form words.

"No!" He growled and before knew it he flipped me over, onto my stomach. "Not yet, you're not going to cum yet." He pulled up my hips so that my arse was in the air and with his bare hands, he ripped open my leggings revealing my lack of knickers. I could feel my click dripping down my folds down my inner thighs and I heard him whine, actually whine, fuck it was so hot. "Merlin, you're dripping, you're actually dripping." I gasped with a cry feeling two long fingers one with a ring, rubbing and swiping against my slobbering bits.

"Hngh!" My tongue lulled out of my mouth, I was drooling and my eyes rolled back.

Regulus gripped my backside and spread my cheeks before burying his tongue inside of me. "Fuck!" I whined. With that he penetrated his tongue deeper inside of me, wiggling it around inside of me. I grasped for something anything to hold on to as he sucked my labia inside of his mouth, slurping lewdly. My breasts scraped against the floor as I screamed in wild abandon. I felt like a maenad at a bacchanal, participating in hedonistic rituals to please her God. My very own Dionysos was drinking and slurping my essence like it was the wine of the Gods. Not even. Marlene ate me out with this much enthusiasm, he was going so fast. I felt his aquiline nose nudge inside of me and his teeth grazed my bundle of nerves. "Fuck, i-i can't!" I choked out.

He rolled my clit around in his mouth and I was begging in a language I didn't understand and neither did he, it was informable words after all. My eyes crossed and he didn't stop torturing my bud as he sank two ring-wrapped fingers knuckle deep inside of me. He went right for it, pounding deeper and and deeper hitting my spot, his fingertips grazing that spot aggressively almost painful. "Ow-ugh-yes! Yes! YES! PLEASE!" I begged. I was actually begging for his permission like my pleasure wasn't mine, but completely his. It felt so nice to have someone else responsible for me.

"I'm going to let you cum Lily, you know?" His voice was soft but had an edge to it, like he was doing everything in his power to restrain himself. "Because you deserve to feel good for once, we deserve to feel good for once." He hissed, angry for us, someone was angry for me. He grasped my throat with his other hand, the cold metal of his rings hit my throat and he squeezed gently. My heart raced as his other pair of fingers pounded faster inside of me as he rubbed every part of me down there. With his grasp on my throat he forced me to look up at him. I stared up at his intense expression, high on the emotional rollercoaster of the night and the pleasure of this moment, intoxicated by him. "Open."

I knew he meant my mouth and I did so. "Such a smart girl." He gently squeezed my throat and I fluttered around him, squeezing his fingers at his gentle praise. He hovered his mouth over mine and dripped his spit into my mouth. I swallowed and he brushed his lips against my ear. "Cum." As if I was imperio'd, I released on command, flooding his fingers. It was like a spillage, a waterfall, so much spilled I could hear it make a mess on the floor.

I collapsed, falling into the comfort of darkness.

---

@sufferingstarlight @meetmyothersouls

#jegulily #regulily #james x lily x regulus #james potter #lily evans #timothee chamalet #regulus black #timothee fanfic #the marauders

23 notes · View notes

the-duke-of-nuts · 11 months

Text

The Florist and The Tattoo Artist

Day 1: Tattoo Shop/Florist @dukexietyweek

Author’s Note: It’s Spooky Gays week bbs! You all remember last year when I said I'd write a fic to this exact prompt based on my post? Of course you do! I of course did not write it yet B U T don't scroll away just yet I promise there's something. I've written a little snippet (I say snippet as if it isn't literally half of one of the chapters) on one of the scenes that happen in the story but I made sure to write in a way where you don’t really need the whole fic to understand what’s going on. With that being said enjoy I guess!

Summary: Pretty much just Remus coming up with a tattoo design for Virgil and asking him out on a date.

Pairing: Dukexiety

Word Count: 1018

Warnings: Food Mention, I guess Remus mentioning his ass I don't know there's not really much here so I think just those should be fine

"Y'know for a tattoo artist I'd expect you to have at least one." Virgil commented as he started watering the beautifully grown plants in the shop. "Oh I do I gave myself a tentacle sword one on the right side of my ass." Remus answered casually. "How did- Y'know what I don't wanna know." The tattoo artist cackled at seeing Virgil shake off the impressive yet disturbing thought.

"Trust me I'm gonna get more soon. So what about you, have you ever thought about getting a tatt?"

"I mean... I wouldn't mind getting one I just don't know of what." The florist shrugged as he finished watering the plants and walked back to the counter. "Well for starters where do you want it?" Remus asked. Virgil thought about it for a moment. Despite the florist's appearance he never thought that far ahead about where'd he even get a tattoo let alone hoped for one in the first place but knowing the tattoo artist, the mustached man would probably come up with a big or possibly suggestive kind of design for him so he went the safe route.

"I don't know probably like..." Virgil started rolling down his sleeve and pushed his wristbands and bracelets out of the way and pointed to his wrist and forearm. "On my wrist or forearm or somewhere around there." "Hmm..." Remus suddenly took Virgil's arm and started lightly tracing the design he had in mind on the emo's wrist area. The florist fought back from shivering at the touch already knowing the smug words that would come out of the tattoo artist's mouth if he did or looked back up and saw how much he was blushing but luckily Remus was still distracted with figuring out the design.

How did we get to this... One moment we're working across from each other and I'm trying to kick you out of here as much as possible on the daily and next thing I know I can't get enough of your stupid flirting...

"Got it."

Virgil immediately snapped out of his thoughts once he heard Remus speak again. "I think something like a stormcloud with patches on your wrist would look good. Something like... OOH! Do you have any paper?" Virgil looked under the counter and found his sketchbook and handed it to Remus with a pencil. The florist mentally hoped and prayed the tattoo artist didn't carelessy flip the pages too fast and see the drawing of him on the very last page.

If he asks or says anything just tell him it's Freddie Mercury but edgy.

But Virgil instantly relaxed when Remus thankfully started sketching the design on the first empty page he spotted which was in the middle of the book.

Remus was known to be fast with his sketches but he made sure everything was detailed and perfect to the point where he didn't even need to use the eraser. After a minute or two Remus finally finished the drawing and looked at it satisfied. "Like this."

Once the tattoo artist flipped the sketchbook over to reveal the design, Virgil stared at it amazed. When Remus said a stormcloud with patches he certainly delivered. It was so detailed that the emo even immediately knew what colors he wanted it all to be.

"Woah holy shit that actually looks pretty badass!" "Thank you! I tend to give only the best for my Muses~" Remus winked smirking as he put the sketchbook back down.

Wink at me with those damn pretty eyes one more fucking time and I'll give you something to be smug about

Virgil cleared his throat blushing. "I'll think about it." "Cool just let me know and I'll give it to you for free." The florist went wide eyed at hearing that. Normally people would be grateful for not having to pay for a tattoo but the thought of Remus possibly needing the money one day just didn't sit right with Virgil.

"What? Ree no no no I can't but what if-"

"No butts except yours getting the tatt for free Vee Vee!" Remus booped Virgil's nose to which the florist sighed defeated trying to swat the tattoo artist's hand away. "Fine." Virgil playfully huffed and crossed his arms looking away. "Good..." Remus suddenly smirked. "Fair warning though tatt's on the wrist hurt like a bitch but I'll gladly hold your hand if you need me to~" He teased wiggling his eyebrows. "Shut up." A flustered Virgil playfully hit a cackling Remus' shoulder.

"But if you really wanna pay me back I'll also take a date as a form of payment~"

"Not that I'm immediately saying yes or anything but what did you have in mind?"

"There's an Italian restaurant down the street... I know how much you love pizza and bread sticks~" Remus took Virgil's hand and kissed it smirking as the emo's face became even redder.

Can you stop making me wanna fucking kiss you for 10 seconds!?

"Alright fine you had me at the pizza and bread sticks." Virgil said not letting go of Remus' hand. The tattoo artist beamed at hearing that. "Really? Well how does tonight after we both close sound?" Virgil couldn't help but smile at Remus' eagerness. He missed seeing that pretty spark of excitement in the tattoo artist's eyes. "I'd like that." "Yes!" Remus fist pumped whispering victoriously to himself.

"You won't be disappointed-"

The tattoo artist was cut off by his phone alarm ringing to which he dramatically sighed and turned it off.

"Looks like my lunch break is over... Meet back outside of here later?"

"Sounds good."

Remus smiled at the approval and before he could turn away and leave Virgil tugged him back to him and kissed his cheek causing him to freeze and blush. "Now go before I change my mind and you mess up your schedule and if you do, that won't be on the lips tonight." Virgil teased. "Yes Sir~" Remus smirked and quickly ran out of the shop and back to his job. Virgil chuckled and shook his head.

I'm in love with a dork.

#dukexietyweek2023 #dukexiety #virgil #virgil sanders #remus #remus sanders #ts virgil #ts remus #sanders sides #thomas sanders #dukey writes

27 notes · View notes

mrsaguapapi · 1 year

Text

Ch 1

Chapter 2

Strange Discoveries

The Vibe:

Exploration

I Step through the portal and enter the city streets of Merida. This city is beautiful; lively colors cover the unique buildings, and the busy people quite literally fill the city with laughter and joy. The air is fresh and warm; everything here is just full of life.

Slowly looking around, I whisper happily to myself "The energy here is immaculate."

I find my way to a farmers market and find the first street food I could see. I ended up getting, Salbutes, a local dish. It's a fried tortilla topped with shredded turkey, cabbage, pickled red onion, avocado, and pickled jalapeños. I ate 3 in a matter of minutes. Before I could get more, I hear a hushed whisper in my ear.

"Come to me, In ch'ujuk paal (my sweet child)"

The voice this time was clearly female; she spoke firmly but gentle. I whisper "Hey lady, I'm getting pretty sick of the whispering."

I'm gonna take a wild guess and say the beach in my dream is real and here somewhere. I find a bench to sit at and grab a map of the Yucatán Peninsula from my bag.

A little locator spell should do the trick.

I grab some dirt from the ground and place it on the map; holding my hand over it I close my eyes and focused on my intent. I pictured the beach from my dream and take a deep breath to begin the spell,

"Earthly spirits I ask your charity, lend me your focus and your undying clarity. Lead me to the one I cannot find, restore that and my peace of mind. I pray for it to be found, bring me where my soul is bound"

I feel a gust of wind pass my hand and I open my eyes. The map was evenly covered by dirt except for a small patch of land up north on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.

"Gotch ya" I laugh to myself.

Quickly, I find a secluded alleyway and open up a portal to that location. As soon as it opened I was immediately hit with the same sweet and fresh ocean air. I step through and close the portal immediately behind me. Looking around I find myself in the middle of the forest; I close my eyes and center myself once again, focusing on the sounds of the waves hitting the shore. The sound is not too far from me so I begin to walk toward it. As I make my advance to the beach I receive a call from an old friend and answer it.

"With whom am I speaking with today; Marc, Jake, or Steven?"

"Millie!" He says so cheerfully

"Steven! You handsome little cinnamon roll, how are you love?"

"Oh you know how it is, tired; feeling a little annoyed due to our cramped quarters. Jake and Marc have been fighting for days at this point and I haven't had a lick of sleep, but I digress. I was wondering if, you know.." He clears his throat, "wanted to pop by and cheer the three of us up."

Okay, I see you, Steven.

"Oh my word," I gasp, "Steven Grant are you booty calling me? I am not that kind of girl." I Tease.

A new deep and lower voice speaks up this time, "You are very much that kind of gal, mi conejito de choclate."

I roll my eyes, "Jake call me a damn chocolate bunny again and I swear I will beat your ass up and down the streets of London"

"He'll never admit to it, but I'm like 95% sure he'd be into that." From the softer more serious tone I can tell this is Marc, "How are you, Mills?"

"Hey, Marc." I smile to myself, "Oh I'm great, on a little personal mission in Yucatan; same old, same old."

"Yucatan? Personal? You finally find something about your past?"

"Nah had a weird dream, started hearing voices who were telling me to come to them. You know, just a normal day, in my not-so-normal life"

"Well, I can relate to the voices part; not sure if it's the smart move to follow them. You'll call us if you need us right?"

"Of course" I answer truthfully

He pauses, ".. So umm.."

"SOOoo Umm..." I mockingly say in return "I'll meet yall tomorrow, 8 pm your time. I take yall out for some drinks and dancing, you take me home and have your way with me? How does that sound?"

He chuckles, "It's a date"

I walk through the last of the forest and end up on the beach. "Alrighty toots, I gotta go. Kiss the boys for me."

I swear I hear him roll his eyes, "Be safe, see ya soon" he hangs up.

I take a long look around.

The same beach.

The Vibe:

Camille - Waves

I make my way to the mysterious entrance, eventually reaching it after a few minutes. I, once again, crouch down to my hands and knees and look at the underwater cave. I notice that same light coming from further in.

sighhhh, I guess I am Jacques Gusteau.

Standing up I call Peter and hold the phone with my shoulder and ear as I begin to undress to my 2 piece.

"Hey, Millie!" He practically shouts, "What up, everything okay?" I hear a bunch of noise in the background.

"I'm fine just updating you real quick; is this a bad time you sound like you're in the middle of something"

"No it's not a bad tim- HEY YOU PUT THAT CAR DOWN!" I hear a very loud crash in the background, "REALLY DUDE, I MEANT GENTLY. Okay, so I may be a little bit busy, give the TLDR."

"Still Hearing Voices, Found the entrance, I'm about to go in"

"Wait, right now? Alone!? You should wait til I'm done and send a portal to me, so I can help you." He pleads

"Peter no, I can handle it. Besides, looks like this will be a long swim and you are shit at holding your breath"

"I don't know Mills, I don't like this one bit. Everything about this seems sketchy"

"I'll be fine I promise. This shouldn't be long at all; I'll be home just in time to cook you some dinner."

"But Millie-"

"What's that Pete? crsssh crsssh You're breaking up I can't hear yo-" I abruptly hang up the phone.

He is going to kill me. Oops, oh well, hehe.

I fold my clothes, tie my sneakers together, and triple-bag my belongings in zip-lock bags. I put my protected items inside my sling bag and tightened it on myself. Suddenly I felt someone in my presence I quickly turn around in a defensive stance and scan the area. I see no one.

"If someone is out there, I suggest you come out now. I don't take kindly to being watched"

No response.

I repeat myself this time in this country's native language, Yucatec Maya, "Wa máax yaan te'elo' náachil, a sugiero u jóok'ol bejla'e'. Ma' teen kin machik yéetel amabilidad in vigilen."

Silence follows. Before I could inspect further I hear the voice again,

"Millaenyia, Daughter of Ororo, walker of clouds. Come to me." It was the same woman's voice, This time was different though. The energy in the air was so heavy I couldn't move.

I yell back "HEY! WHAT ARE YOU, WHO ARE YOU, AND WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?"

Daughter of Ororo, walker of clouds. Did she just tell me the name of my mother???

"Fuck this" I turn around and position myself accordingly and dive deep into the water. I float for a bit in the water so my body can adjust to the cold. Fortunately, I can hold my breath for days at a time, kinda like a whale; and the intense amount of water pressure doesn't affect me.

I only know this because Tony took me to the North Atlantic once to Swim with the Giant Squids; he was helping test my strengths to see how long I can endure certain conditions. We were out there for a week; one of the few things I enjoyed during the blip.

After getting acclimated to the water I head towards the glowing light. As I get closer to the light source I look up and notice an opening in the water. Swimming upwards I find myself in an air pocket of the cave. I look around and see that this part of the cave system is huge; the mysterious light I was following came from the 1000s of glow worms hanging from the top of the cave. I get out of the water to observe my surroundings further.

I give my long silver box braids a really good squeeze to get the excess water out and begin to walk around there's not much to see until I turn a corner and find some kind of shelter in the center of the cave. Advancing closer to the structure I make my way to the opening and slowly enter. The outside was tattered, rundown, and dingy. But the inside, the walls, in particular, were covered in vibrant paintings and stone carvings. There was colorful drapery everywhere and in the center of the room, there were 2 chairs and a table with a few items on it.

"Did- Did I just discover a Temple?" Moving closer to the paintings I recognize the art style. "16th Century Mayan."

No way this is authentic, the color would have faded by now.

I go to the table and see that there is a quill and an assortment of ink on it as well as a beaded bracelet.

"All mesoamerican artifacts, all 16th century, and in great condition." I reach for my bag to retrieve my phone. Just as I was about to take pictures I stopped myself.

"This feels wrong. If I report this place, its beauty will undoubtedly be destroyed" I whisper to myself.

While putting my phone away I take out my shirt and wrap my hands in it. This is so I can pick up the bracelet without damaging it from the oils in my hand.

It's so beaut-

"Beautiful isn't it?" It was a man with a mild accent; he had a calming but, assertive voice.

I was shaken to my core. Gently I put the bracelet down. Never, have I been so caught off guard like this.

NEVER.

Natasha is probably rolling in her grave.

Standing there was a man; he had short silky black hair and some facial hair as well as ears that are pointed. He was dressed in nothing but a pair of tight-fitted green shorts. His neck and various parts of his body were covered in royal jewelry and his golden brown skin was glistening as if he had just got out of the water. I look down and notice he has a set of wings on both of his ankles.

Honestly, not the weirdest thing I've seen.

Like the bad bitch I am, I refuse to let my possible adversary, know of my anxiety. So I turn around and play it cool.

"You should be proud, not many people can sneak up on me"

He chuckles, "No, You should be proud, not many people can make it here without drowning. I believe you're the 5th person to discover this cave but the 1st to make it to my temple"

"And what happened to the other 4?"

Smiling he says, "Fish Food"

"Hm. Funny." I say blankly

We pause for a long time, just staring at each other. He was sizing me up just as I was him. His gaze shifted from my eyes only once, stealing a glance at my chest. I forgot I was in a wet 2 piece with my long braids clinging to my neck and breasts, not to mention the giant lighting scar I have on my body. Suddenly I feel exposed.

I do a short whistle to pull back his focus.

"Eyes up here friend"

He swiftly met my gaze, it felt like he was trying to read me.

"So if the other 4 are fish food," I pause and take a step forward "Then how did I manage to get here without issue?"

"It's simple, I let you in"

"Why? Are you the one who sent the voices?"

He looked confused like he had no idea what I was talking about.

"I had a dream of me finding this place. I started hearing voices calling me to come here; It was a woman. I think she may know something about my mother, Ororo?"

"The walker of clouds? My people used to tell stories about her, The woman who could control the weather. My mother said that once she had a broken heart and wept for days; This caused a week-long thunderstorm." He looks me up and down a bit, "You look like what they described. Hair like our sands, and beautiful skin the color of cacao"

Interesting. Weather control isn't something that I've tried before, I'll be sure to test that later. Wait, Did he say beautiful?

"You still haven't told me why you let me in"

"Well I saw you from the water on the beach"

So I was being watched

"I wanted to see what you came here for, you walked here with determination on your face; like you knew something. I planned to observe and kill you, but my curiosity got the best of me." He moves forward and takes a seat at the table and gestures for me to join him, "So tell me, why did you decide not to photograph my temple?"

Accepting his offer I take the seat across from him. "I work at a museum and I take care of what's left of temples like yours. Morally my place of work is awful; most of the historic pieces we have, are stolen from war-torn or minority countries. I work there because at least I know I'm doing my best to understand and educate myself on that culture and properly take care of its history. History is meant to be nurtured and preserved; if I told anyone about this place it would be ruined." I look around again and smile, "this place is truly beautiful" looking back at him I ask, "So this is your temple; forgive me for asking but who are you?"

"My people call me K'uk'ulkan, but my enemies call me Namor."

"K'uk'ulkan? The feathered serpent god. Interesting... So where do I Iand, a friend or a foe?"

"I haven't decided yet. What do I call you?"

"Milleanyia but my friends call me Millie or Mills. You can call me Dr. Parker"

He laughs pretty loudly, "Okay Dr. Tell me, is your mother truly Ororo?"

Sighing I sit back in my seat," I haven't the slightest clue."

"You don't know your mother?"

"I don't know anything"

"Elaborate"

"9 years ago I was buried at the bottom of a lake, not dead just comatose I guess. I was found after a major lighting storm. Hence this lovely scar." I point at my large scar."

"Buried underwater & struck by lightning, yet you are still alive. Juntuul bruja? (a Witch)"

"Essentially yea."

"Hm, You are a very strange girl. How old are you?"

"Oof I hypothesis at least 350"

We sit in silence for a while, just staring at each other.

"How old are you?" I ask

"453"

Without skipping a beat I say, "You look Great by the way"

He smiles and shakes his head. I swear there is a tension here and it's fucking me up and I'm getting kinda anxious and antsy because of it.

Standing up I begin to speak "Well I'm gonna go. I've got places to be, and mouths to feed. I will tell no one of this place your secret is safe with me."

I suddenly feel 4 other people's energy outside the building.

I knew it wouldn't be easy, it never is.

"I take it, you'd like me to call you Namor then"

"Nothing Personal Ki'ichpan (beautiful girl), my priority is to protect my people at all costs. I don't have the luxury of trusting strangers, no matter how charming you are. For all I know, the Wakandans sent you to get more information on me."

Did I just get profiled?

Before I could respond I felt something coming for my back at full speed. I turn and quickly one hand catch it, it's a spear.

That's weird, this feels like vibranium.

I stare daggers at Namor before I take the spear and exit the building. Outside Were 4 people dressed in traditional tribal gear and headpieces. Their skin is blue and they all have strange face masks, with water inside. After looking a little more closely I notice they have gills, so I'm assuming those masks help them breathe on land.

I step forward a little more closely, drop the spear and raise my hands "Ma' talk in ba'ate'el ta wéetel. (I don't want to fight you)" They do nothing but laugh in my face and raise their spears.

Shit.

52 notes · View notes