#i need to be kinder to myself when it comes to creating ocs

[idlingmoons]

creation is your only redeeming trait

[hestzhyen]

Just an untagged vent rant/confession. I don't like who I am when I talk about het ships…

I know my teasing sass and dismissal comes from a place of frustration. Queer stories in media are only going backwards for the foreseeable future. Heck, life as a queer person is pretty damn scary right now. So to see M/F pairs everywhere… I'm just tired of it. Oh man, a guy and a girl met and fell in love, who cares. Happens everywhere all the time. Why would you want to ship a M/F pair in your free time when it's inescapable? How can you feel compelled to create a het ship when the same exact dynamic can be found just a stone's throw away in hundreds of other works?

I'm so sick of het love I can't even appreciate the well-told stories any more. I avoid all romance now- which is an unhealthy attitude to have. People just like the characters and the works they appear in and think it would be neat if they kissed- that's the exact same reason so many M/M and F/F ships exist too. Good romance does exist and deserves to be praised. I know this but I can't feel it.

I never wanted to be this petty, I never wanted to feel so frustrated. I just want stories for and about people like me to be allowed to exist in the same way that het couples are. But when I'm inclined to hide that I'm trans IRL... it feels like I'm stuck in a hopeless paradox.

I see shipping as a desperate last resort option since I have to survive on scraps and what creators dare to show. I'd rather have a canon M/M couple outside of BL, porn, and my own delusions! I exist and fell in love too, you know… my story's complicated by being transmasc and gay, but still! It deserves to be told, and I tell it one fan fic at a time. I've done the worldbuilding for a completely OC fantasy novel with a planned M/M romance for two of the guys in the ensemble cast too. I want to scream "I'm here!" and be recognised as a man who loves other men.

But at the same time, clinging to obscurity offers safety. By not being in the limelight I feel safe. Dealing with my father's displeasure about my "lifestyle" is enough, I don't need strangers having a go at me too. I can't even get comfort from thinking my mom would have accepted me if she was still alive any more because what does it matter? Merely existing causes so many people to hate me. It feels like no one wants to hear my story unless it can be fetishised.

Yet nothing changes without the bravery to step forward and at least make a quiet introduction to the world at large.

I'll keep the vitriol to myself as I always have and slowly work on making what I want to see. It's not time yet, but when I have the courage, I want to put myself out there… to tell a story that happens to have a guy and a guy meet and fall in love. Hopefully the world will be a kinder place by the time I'm ready.

[crimeronan]

hi, i wonder if you have advice on something?

i wanna get into writing but i have a huge mental block on writing characters/getting into their heads. like it always seems like i'll just come up with a copy of myself, or to avoid this i could shoot for the character to be nothing like me, but then it's boring - i still want to explore stuff that's relevant to me, just in moderation.

another solution could be to come up with plot first, and then characters would naturally fit around it, but i'd also be too bored with just plot without characters to come up with it lol

i'll be real, i think it's perfectly fine to explore characters who are a lot like you. there are some authors who have "writing transparent self-inserts into Situations" down to a science. like, stephen king did it enough times in a row that now he's famous enough to just write famous author stephen king into his books. unbelievably funny.

in some ways, i think the best (and maybe only) way to get around this mental block is to just write through it. your hangup is pretty specific but also echoes the same thing i feel whenever i try anything creative other than writing, in If I Do Not Execute This Exactly How I Want To Immediately Then I'm A Failureeee

it's okay to not know how to create completely unique, original, compelling, & well-written characters right from the get-go. this is a skill that takes trial and error!

as for my own process, i do consciously add and subtract character traits that are a lot like me when making OCs. sol is a transparent self-insert who gets to do a lot more murder than me, devin is a transparent self-insert who's just as sick but imo a lot kinder than me, nova is a transparent self-insert who's exactly what i Could be if i funneled a pathological need for attention into Being Awful, ruby ISN'T very much like me but DOES have the traits i most admire in other people, i feel about her the same way i feel about the ganseys and luzes in media.

distilling all of this Looks effortless, and it does come naturally to me NOW -- but it's built on a bedrock of Decades of writing, and reading, and media analysis, and learning. i've spent a really really really long time obsessively psychoanalyzing myself, and an equally long time picking apart exactly what i love about my favorite stories. it's taken a lot of practice!

aside from sheer practice, my other best advice is to look at the fictional characters and real people that you don't relate to At All..... and figure out what THEIR traits are. i know i'm less inclined to care about or analyze characters that i don't see myself in. but it's helpful to me to then figure out WHY i don't see myself in them -- and why some other people DO. that gives me a much better sense of the things that differentiate me from various peers! and it gives me a much better sense of how to write characters i don't relate to on a personal level, like ruby.

and even ruby shares some character traits with me. like the big big big feelings about language and diaspora and helping marginalized people. she just also deals with these feelings in ways that are different from me, and her flaws and fears and emotional bedrock are different from my own.

i think it's totally fine to write what you know, and it's totally fine if your stories are based around your own personal experience, and it's totally fine if you look to yourself for your initial OC inspiration. ESPECIALLY when you're just starting out. over time, you sort of naturally start to figure out what stories you like telling and how to build different characters. it's something that's Very Difficult to do if you're only studying without any practice.

you do not need to get everything perfect on the first try!

[lauraluna98]

Bernadette's Photograph [Diakko one shot]

Pairing: Diana Cavendish /Akko Kagari, Bernadette Cavendish/ Laura McLaren (OC), Amanda/ Constanze/ Jasminka, Hannah/ Avery, Barbara/ Lotte

Words: 18K

Laura and Bernadette art made by my friend chek out her awesome stuff: https://www.wattpad.com/user/-Diana_Cavendish

Summary \/

Four years have passed since Akko arrived at Luna Nova. In the previous year, the girls she had befriended graduated from the academy and each one went their separate ways, just like Kagari, who had to go through a lot during her studies, including meeting a girl named Diana Cavendish, whom she began to date. When she graduated and was sure she would return to Japan, she received an invitation from the Scottish girl to live in the family's mansion and an affectionate proposal from the beautiful blonde who asked her to marry her.

Akko spent a long time adapting and experiencing many ups and downs, sometimes having to deal with Daryl and her daughters' disrespect, but this the girl got used to, even more so with the fact that Diana was a lesbian, shocking the entire noble class.

One day like any other Akko was rummaging through Bernadette Cavendish's old bedroom until she found something that had been a huge family secret until then.

Upon discovering this secret Akko, decides that she wants to make a surprise involving the photograph she eventually found, but why is a photograph a secret and why does it get to the point of creating so much?

Read this story and find out.

It was a winter morning in Edinburgh, it had been a few months since the girls' graduation from Luna Nova, the year 2021 had started a few days ago. Akko planned to start her career as Shiny Akko, but she still faced conflicts within the mansion, as well as no from many witches who didn't want to have their reputation linked to something comical and funny, even with Kagari saving everyone, the conservatism in society still remained. Diana was the leader of the Cavendish family, after going through Daryl's proposal for a marriage of interest with James Mark II, the girl was getting colder and sadder, after all she remembered something, starting to ignore little by little Kagari, which was quite strange. Diana used to be cold, but not at that point. Akko was waking up next to Diana and soon noticed that the Cavendish had already gotten up.

POV Akko:

Diana has been very cold lately, colder than this place, holy shit, for the nine witches... I thought it would be wonderful to move here, but we can barely get along... What the fuck? Ever since that James Mark II showed up here, she's been like this... More like she's being forced to marry him... But Diana is the head of the family Ahh... I'm getting up from here.

I get up and go to the bathroom of the huge suite, brush my teeth, take off my crimson robe with "Akko" written on it, put it next to my fiancée's cyan robe, open the shower and start to take a bath, the drops of water washed my body as if they were washing my soul, it was really nice to take a bath in that bathroom, the water was always at the ideal temperature. As soon as I get out of the shower I take a towel, dry my body, wrap myself in it and go into the huge closet of our room, I put on a t-shirt, an overcoat, since it was very cold, "New, as if it wasn't cold every day here in Scotland" and a pair of sweatpants, when I finish getting dressed I put on my bunny slippers and walk through the corridors to the dining room, where I find Anna waiting for me outside the door.

- Good morning Miss Kagari, Miss Cavendish told me to stay here waiting for you to wake up, she is waiting for you in the dining room, let me take you there- Anna said always with her softness of speech, "The handmaids and the butlers were the only nice people in the house.

- Ah, yes thank you Anna, I was just leaving, I appreciate you waiting for me so long... I'm sorry if I overslept," I say, being gentle as always with the sweet lady.

POV Diana:

I woke up that morning down, after another week of having that conversation with Daryl, that snake is still the same, I knew she had only let her guard down since Akko and I saved her from that ritual interference, at least she has no authority at all, I can decide on my own who I marry.... Only that James Mark... He was one of the Appleton students who hang out with Louis Blackwell.... Not to mention he has my father's name on him... Although he was no example of a person, he abandoned me and my mother, since I was a little girl... just because the family was starting to have financial problems. That damned conversation with Daryl... I can't leave Akko... But I have to have heirs or heiresses... Ah Saint Beatrix Lesbian... The Cavendish family only allows to succeed children conceived here by both people.... And how am I going to make one with Akko, being that we are two girls.... Ah... What am I going to do... I can't allow Daryl's lineage to be the dominant one...

While I was in my mental monologue, I was approached by my second cousins, Amalie and Alicia, Merrill's daughters.

- Lesbian cousin! Lesbian cousin! Look what Grandma wrote for you," say the two children handing me the envelope.

- Oh thank you - I say, faking a positive reaction.

"Keep on with your scissors, I don't like your girlfriend, but she guarantees me my lineage ahead, besides teaching a pure lineage, without this talk of turning lesbian witches. Remember that fingers do not reproduce. With love and affection your Aunt Daryl".

Really? It was kind of just sending a message, what's the need to write an envelope, I won't argue any further, let her keep these silly little letters.

I take the letter, crumple it with my hands and throw it into a trash can, using my wand to move the crumpled paper into the container, when I finish throwing the trash out, I notice that my girlfriend had just arrived accompanied by Anna.

POV Akko:

- Good morning my love! - I say all radiant and go towards my girlfriend.

We come close to each other, exchange lips with a seal, soon after we both stare at each other, I as usual am faced with that emotionless and cold face of Diana, colder than Scotland itself I would say. I sit down on the chair facing my girlfriend and start to eat, attacking the pancakes as usual.

- Love Harajuku pancakes! How cute, I love it - I say dipping a pancake and dousing it with maple syrup. I end up remembering my first time with Diana and almost burst out laughing, but I held back as much as I could.

- Akko! What's so funny - said Diana trying to force a refined accent, being that I know how she spoke in a totally different way to me.

- Nothing no my love, I just remembered when I held your breasts that day and said they looked like Harajuku pancakes - I say starting to laugh, while Diana let out a slight laugh, seeing my girlfriend laughing makes me even a little happier, it was rare to see the cute cabbage look like that, even more after that guy came here.

- Akko! Don't talk that kind of dirty talk, someone might hear it - she said with the Scottish accent she used to hear a lot, she thought it was quite cute.

- It's pretty cute cabbage - I say trying to get more laughs out of Diana, but I end up making her blush, but right after that my girlfriend starts to laugh and snort a little, it was cute; she looked like a little pig.

- Akko! Akko! Stop it! I'm not in the moment for this - she said again with her Scottish accent, it was really nice to see Diana giggling a little.

POV Diana:

Oh crap, Akko is getting me, she knows how to lighten my mood... But I have to be careful, she has become very attached to me... What do I do...? Is it worth it...? Daryl wants me not to leave any offspring or else I can make this plan of hers turn against her.... I can do what she wanted to do to me.... But the difference is that Amalie and Alicia will have a kinder upbringing.... I don't know, I have to talk to Akko about this, I can see how she is getting upset about all this.

As I was sinking in my thoughts, I end up coming back with two clicks of a finger, it was Akko, as usual, she kept talking my name, so I decided to answer her.

- Huh? Akko. What is it my love? - I say, coming back to reality, I used to sink too deep into my thoughts.

- Again Diana? Every day you are sinking into these thoughts... What's going on in your head so much? - She said worriedly, trying to find out about me? I think I should open my mouth at once, I don't want to stall her until the last minute like Chariot did to her four years ago...

- Eh... Love... I... I try to say, but... Damn I'm not ready, how can I tell her... - I... We need to talk more... I want to talk about something that ails me... Something that made me like this... - I say as Akko looks at me worriedly, but then puts her hands on my cheek.

- Really? It's okay honey, I was getting agony... You are already cold as Scotland, this way it seems like the North Pole - She said as always talking about Scotland being too cold, this girl never gets used to the normal climate here. As always she reacts this way as if she were a child.

I just nod my head and take Akko with me to one of the offices in the house, where I used to work and study, since I became a leader, I stay there day after day, negotiating about how to deal with the riches, but I have to stop running away from the subject, I will get straight to the point with Akko.

- Ah the office - said Akko inflating her cheeks, she hated the place because I spent too much time there, working and barely paying attention to my love, but what can I do? I have responsibilities, I'm an adult, not like my aunt.

- Love... I... A... Reason - I say with much trepidation, damn Diana, come on girl, where is your stature girl - The reason why I was like this was because of that boy, more specifically about a conversation I had with Daryl, she has been pressuring me, or I would marry this James and save the family financially at once, or else continue with you... Of course I decided what was best for me... That would be to stay with you, even if it didn't give me heirs... - I said almost in tears, but soon Akko comes and starts looking at me confused, as if she thought it was a bit silly, as if I was making a drama.

- Are you dying because you can't be a mother? Is that right? Diana, what about Violet and Sarah? Nothing is impossible for magic, we just have to use the fertility stone," she said shrugging, as always believing that children's story, honestly, my mother used to tell me this a lot, but I'm sure it was just a nice way for her to say that it was okay to be a lesbian. Akko never understands things... I will have to be realistic with her, this is not a joke.

- Akko... This is a children's tale, my mother used to say the same thing when she was alive... The difference is that I was 5 years old... The fertility stone is a metaphor for artificial insemination... Chariot and Croix used it to make their twins... Do you happen to know that Croix is Trans? She froze her sperm before starting the treatment, maybe they said that to cheer you up... - I end up saying it in a too cold way, I shouldn't exaggerate too much, but when Akko believes in something she becomes very attached to it.

- Ah... I forgot this detail, but they told me it was the fertility stone, Chariot even said that in her family's residence there is one of the relics to be made and the other one is in yours... - She said until I finished completing it.

- And the stone of love, which is made with a kiss of love in a cave north of here... I know, I know, I know this story very well my love... No need to repeat it... If there really was such a thing, don't you think it would be full of lesbian witch couples? Or that I wouldn't be in this dilemma right now? Sorry for the words, my love... But I don't want to break your hope... Love even if we used artificial insemination, there is still something that gets in my way, here in the Cavendish family residence only children who are manufactured here and born here can take the place of the family, so even if we had a daughter, or adopted one she and the whole lineage would never take my place... It could even cause a death; she would risk her life love.... So sorry - I say almost in tears, I even put my hand on Akko's shoulder, but she just seemed to ignore all that, as if she didn't give a damn, it didn't even seem that this girl with eyes like rubies, would turn 20 years old?

POV Akko:

Ah, what a drag! Diana is still stubborn and closed-minded and doesn't believe in things! Nothing is impossible for magic, if we even managed to turn even other animals temporarily, saved the world from a missile that was going at a speed that could kill us, went to space and the radiation up there didn't kill us and yet she still thinks it's just a legend... Holy shit.

- Nothing is impossible for magic Diana! Believe it! Stop being so annoying and stubborn! - I said, inflating my cheeks and getting angry.

- The only boring and stubborn one here is you! Akko, honestly stop being so stubborn to think that magic changes everything... If it did, I wouldn't be in this situation... Ah... What the hell... Why... Why are you so Akko, why don't you think a little more realistically? - I said to Cavenboring trying to leave my dreams aside, but you know what, I'm not going to fill the patience of the perfect and correct lady.

- Oh you know what? Fuck it, I don't want to argue over nonsense like that, keep up this lack of belief in things, I still think the fertility stone is real, I won't change your Cavenboring thinking and you won't change mine, um! - I say turning my face and leaving the office, until the boring cabbage opens its mouth again.

- Akko, you can't keep turning your face to the problems like that, you're already 19 years old, how will Shiny Akko be if you keep behaving like a child - said Cavenboring being Cavenboring as always, I just ignored and left the office, as soon as I passed by the door I got a fright with the door, I have no doubt that Diana has used a spell to knock with force and got angry, play nice, but gets angry too.

I inflate my cheeks and lean against the doors with my arms crossed, all I could think about was how boring Diana always was, she wanted to be neat and methodical with everything, it didn't even seem like we saved the world together, it didn't even seem like she really believes that with magic she can do anything, she even seemed like boring Finnelan.

POV Diana:

Oh, what the hell! Because I had to fight with Akko... I didn't want to be so hard on her, but it seems that Akko doesn't mature, this way it's hard to help her with this dream of becoming Shiny Akko, I think I'll try to relax a little, then I'll talk to Akko... I'll try to relax, I can't work with my head like this... I still have to see how I'm going to maintain my savings...

I sit down in my armchair, open my laptop, where I start to open on the bank's website, but I was not in the mood to even think of any smart way to get more money, we were only with enough to maintain the huge mansion and pay the employees... I didn't want to rent it because it is a traditional place and it has a lot of things that can break and are precious... Oh fuck, I'm not in the mood to think about that right now.

On an impulse I decide to procrastinate a little, I open the internet and immediately go to the video site, where on the home page there was a video that interested me a lot on the official channel of the World Broom Racing Championship competition... I remember that as a child I dreamed of one day being a broom racer like Laura McLaren... How ironic to see that there is going to be a replay of the 1991 Irish GP, I think I will watch it to cheer up the nerves, Laura McLaren was amazing in that race, she became champion with 5 races to go.... I don't know why, but every time I talk about her I have good memories... As if she was someone familiar... I don't know, maybe it's just me having memories from when I was a kid, I know my mom liked broom races...

POV Akko:

I had been leaning against that door for a long time, I don't have to waste my time... Diana must have gone to relieve her nerves, if she did that I should do it too... I take a deep breath, look at one of the paintings in the corridor, being one of her mother, and start to talk to myself, I don't know why. I felt like I wanted to talk to the painting as if it was going to answer me.

- Ahh... My mother-in-law... Why is your daughter so complicated like this... So much we learned in Luna Nova, so much we learned, but she doesn't want to believe in the fertility stone... What do I do? Give me some sign - At the moment I say this the picture of Diana's mother disassembles the bottom part and the part that was her picture starts to fly.

It could only be a ghost, not surprising since this mansion is full of them, would this be the one of Diana's mother, I don't know... All I know is that I better get this picture right away or someone will notice that if it's lost I could be in trouble, if someone realizes that the picture of Diana's mother has been damaged... I don't want to go two weeks without loving my wife.... Diana always takes her punishment hard...

I go running after that damn picture, but it kept flying and very fast, sure it was a ghost.... I didn't have my wand in hand, I didn't even learn spells without a wand, I still have things to perfect. Fucking fast picture... I have to get there soon or I will be lost.... Come on Akko take it.

I kept following that fucking picture through the halls of the mansion, I even suspected it might be a prank by Amalie or Alicia, but they barely knew how to use a wand and were two years old, maybe it was her mother or her copy sister? Or even the cow of the grandmother of those two wanting to make me look ridiculous. Whatever it is I feel I have to get this damn picture.

Until the picture makes a turn, and a very strong wind hits a door that opens and through it the picture of Diana's mother comes in, I followed what I could, until I jumped on the bed that was in the room and caught the air, only I didn't realize that I was right in front of a closet, this makes me bump into everything in the closet, and right after that a photo album falls on top of my head and along with it one of the pictures comes out of that album, getting right in front of my face.

When I took that picture of the face, I went into shock, it was Diana's mother, with a redhead and a baby, I think it must be little Cavenchata, I'm sure, the two of them had rings on their fingers, they were similar rings from what I noticed, I was just thinking that it was just bullshit, since Diana's mother had to have only one friend, I remember she already showed a picture of her father? By the way, what a scurvy little fellow... Sorry Diana, but he abandoned his mother when she was sick and depressed, just because the Cavendish family was struggling? A shame, but at the same time no... Who died the following year... He had a daughter and a wife and didn't take care of...

I stopped thinking about Diana's family, since I didn't want to waste my time with this kind of nonsense, so I made sure to look at the back of the picture, since it was quite common for this kind of album picture to have some text, since it was in a place it shouldn't be... Why not take advantage of my curiosity to read and go through these things. Let's hope that nobody catches me at least...

"Goodbye Bernadette... I love you so much my love.... Daryl went too far, she shouldn't have done that.... Save this picture at least for the day we are healed, take good care of our daughter Diana... This will be our last photo before my return... This will never be a goodbye, but a goodbye... With all the love in the world L.M 01/09/2001."

I turned white, I turned a stone, I was in shock, I was without reaction.... L.M.... This redhead must be L.M, it can't be Diana's father, since his name is James and so who would this L.M be? What do you mean daughter? Our daughter on top of that! Does that mean that... Ah Diana... She has a lot of explaining to do now... Wait a minute... That makes Diana the fruit of a couple of women... But was L.M. trans? Just like Croix? Or is the fertility stone real? Ahhh! I don't know... I'm going to believe the second one a lot.... May the second one be real.... I really want to be a mother! I want Diana to come to me and tell me that she was right... But is this L.M. alive? Neither of Diana's parents are alive...

I could even make a surprise for Diana.... If L.M. is alive I might actually get a point out of it... Oh, let's go through this photo album some more while I'm here... Ah... Now that I noticed, it is the room of that hideous carpet that Diana loves, it even looks like it was made by a seven year old child, that unicorn, Beatrix looks beautiful, but that unicorn looks like a skinny horse with one horn... Hahahaha... Let's stop fooling around... I want to see if there are more pictures.

I stay for a few minutes looking at each picture, I didn't even have a notion of time, but I knew that at some point I had to stop, that L.M. is very beautiful, very cute, she is even familiar, I remember that Diana has already watched a very boring broomstick racing documentary movie with her... Bleh, now I remembered, it is just a broomstick race around a track, it doesn't have a maneuver or anything, what's the fun of seeing the same thing you have with a car on a broomstick? What was the name of it again? I don't remember... It was something to do with cars, that I am sure, but I have to say that they are very cute together, I never thought that Diana had another mother, I will believe it, but I really need to know who she is, it can help me with my plan.

I close that album and take a picture using my cell phone, of that picture where the two mothers of Diana and the little Cavenboring were, after taking the picture I put the cell phone in my pocket, besides also putting everything in place, I take out a wand that was in that room and use a spell that repairs all the shelves in the closet, besides also taking the picture of the cabbage mother of my little girlfriend so cute, but as soon as I leave the room, I end up unintentionally running into Diana's aunt's cow, she as always with that slutty look of hers.

- What are you doing here? - said the snake that kept looking at me with disgust.

- Nothing, nothing that is of interest to you... Diana just asked me to come... - I said trying to lie, but that damn thing completes me.

- To my sister's room? What would be in Bernadette's room that would interest Diana? And you have no respect for someone who has died, you don't just walk into the room of a person who has died here, have more respect for... - Said Diana's aunt trying to act saintly and correct, but I quickly retorted that snake.

- Just as you had respect for her when she was alive? Or when you wanted to sell the family's things, without even respecting your sister's memory - I retort in the best way, leaving that snake clenching its fists in anger.

- Listen here, you little brat! Who do you think you are to talk to me like that? Just because you have the protection of my niece, that doesn't give you the right to retort like that. If it weren't for her I'd poison you until you regret saying such things. - Said that cow trying to scare me, I just walked away ignoring her, returning from where I had seen the picture of Diana's mother flying away.

POV Diana:

These minutes watching the 1991 Irish GP really made me feel better, even more seeing how Laura McLaren is an amazing racer, she outdoes herself at every turn, it made me have a nostalgic feeling, when I was a kid and watched it with my mom... She would always put on these races that she liked to watch, and I would watch along because it was always nice to see mom smiling and getting out of bed every once in a while, she would rarely crack a smile or two...

Well, I guess I'll go see Akko, she must have eased her nerves, I just really hope she doesn't come out and talk about that fertility stone thing again, but if she does that's fine, I'll just ignore Akko's childishness.

I get up, close my laptop, go to the door and as soon as I open it, I am faced with Akko putting a picture, I think it was of my mother, back into a frame, I would get angry due to my girlfriend being clumsy, breaking a picture, even more so of my mother, but I will leave it aside, Akko being Akko....

- Ah... Diana! I... A ghost, a ghost knocked over your mother's picture and ended up making it fall - She said trying to invent some excuse, but I believed her a little, after all I know there are ghosts around here, I just don't understand why Akko stayed all the time here in front, poor my love.

- Ah yes a ghost, but I appreciate you trying to tidy up this mess, let's have some lunch love.... Sorry for being a bit thick.... - I said trying to make Akko feel better, who smiled at me and hugged me.

I go with my girlfriend to the dining room where we stayed for lunch, there was my aunt, cousins and the two pests, I mean... Amalie and Alicia... They are not pests; they are just influenced by their mother and grandmother... Poor things... Why do you have such an upbringing... It's a sin, really...

The minutes go by, I was eating normally next to my girlfriend Akko, she always being sweet and giving me food in my mouth, sometimes we even exchanged a few kisses, as always, my aunt being a killjoy, or she stopped the kisses telling us not to do it or she kept covering the faces of the two girls so as not to influence them. I don't understand why this is necessary, we are in new times, she was just being retrograde. This made me nervous, those two are children, they have to be influenced to think in a new way, not like this...

POV Akko:

Lunch was like every other lunch at the mansion, I always tried to be affectionate and cute, sometimes exchanging cuddles with Diana, but that snake of Diana's aunt was always a pain in the ass, getting ahead, stalling any kiss from us... I was getting pretty tired of this, it was every lunch and dinner, I just wish I could slap that old woman in the face, make her swallow that awful green lipstick she wears every hour, even at lunchtime.

When lunch was over, I went with Diana through the hallways, taking her to the office again, I gave my girlfriend a kiss and then went to my room, where I started going through my cell phone, I had the picture of that L.M. in hand, all I needed to do was use the image search. I used an editor cropping that photo, where I left only the redhead and then I used the search.

"Laura McLaren"

"Former Broom Racer"

It was the one, I was already suspicious, the initials and the person in the picture really matched, but how would I find this Laura and talk to her, surely she must be an important person in the world of witches? Four feet ten! How short hahaha, this woman is shorter than Constanze, how did such a short woman make Diana, people, Diana is almost a pole...

"Laura McLaren is a former broom racer, known as the flying irish, shortie, designer racer, the queen, raced from 1991 until 2001 in the World Broom Racing Championship, Eight time champion winning titles in the 1991, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001 seasons, she was quite remarkable for how dominant and extremely skilled she was on a broom, she is known to be many times the greatest broom racer in history.... Worldpedia"

"Birth: January 14, 1972 (Age 49), Dublin, Ireland"

"Height: 1.47m"

"Victories: 109"

"Titles: 8 (1991-1995-1996-1997-1998-1999-2000-2001)"

"First race: Brazilian GP 1991"

"Last race: Australian GP 2001"

"See more..."

After a quick read of that information I realized that this was a very important witch, not for nothing that Diana had admiration for her, but how am I going to talk to Laura McLaren if she is such an influential witch? When I was younger I tried to talk to Chariot on the Internet, but I just kept talking to myself. Famous people like that don't use the profile with the most followers to talk to people. Well, let's have a look, maybe this Laura McLaren is not that famous.

I went on Witcher, Laura McLaren's profile had about 4 million followers, and it's still a verified profile, outside that the DM is not open, so you don't even have a chance to get it on the Witcher profile. Let's look at Istagraph... It's also the same thing, she has 800,000 followers on that one and still has the DM blocked... How the fuck am I going to find this woman's personal profile?

Ah! That's it Akko, I'm great! The girls! I'll talk to them and see if they can help me with this! Maybe Constanze will know a way, she is so clever with this kind of thing...

I get my cell phone, go to the Witchsapp application, I keep running my finger through the contact bar, I soon notice that Constanze's contact, was without a profile picture, I assumed it was blocked, I imagine Constanze is not one to talk to me much... Luckily I could talk to one of her girlfriends. I was sure that they would talk to me, especially since they were both closer to me.

"Amanda"

This I will talk to Amanda, she is online as far as I can see, I really hope she will help me, I don't waste any time and immediately take care of sending her a message.

[Akko: Sup].

[Amanda: What’s the matter Akko?]

Akko: Sorry, did I get in the way of something? I need a little help].

[Amanda: Kind of obvious, you wouldn't end up calling me unless it was to ask for a favor. What did you get up to this time?]

[Akko: Gee, you think I call you just to ask for favors?]

[Amanda: Oh fuck, just say what you want].

[Akko: I won't waste time here, but I wanted some help more specifically from Constanze, can you find this woman's personal profile here].

I send the cropped photo of Laura to Amanda, I don't doubt at all that she was in shock, even more so since being a witch, she must have known that woman.

[Amanda: Laura McLaren? Seriously Akko? Hahahahaha! What's so interesting that you want to find the personal profile of a famous witch? I don't know if Cons will make it, but if she blocks you it's not my fault].

[Akko: Ah thank you so much for the strength Amanda].

[Amanda: Ah you're welcome, but tell me, what made you interested in wanting to find Laura McLaren's personal profile?]

[Akko: It's a secret Amanda, a very personal secret].

Amanda: ah so if that's the case I won't ask Cons to help you.

[Akko: Fuck you old man, it's very personal indeed].

[Amanda: Akko, I'm going to ask Cons to invade someone's personal life, it may be a famous person, but it's still a person, did you know that we can even go to jail for giving out someone's personal number? So don't give me that little secret, I promise I'll keep it to myself].

Seeing Amanda's message makes me a little afraid, but I think for a moment, I think I'll trust her this time, I hope she doesn't spread the word to anyone about it.

[Akko: Amanda, that woman is Diana's other mother].

[Amanda: Hahahaha! What? Another mother? What kind of story is this? Where did you get this nonsense from Akko, how ridiculous, do you still believe that fertility stone thing that Professor Chariot said when she had Sarah and Violet? Akko Professor Croix is trans, they used Croix's frozen sperm].

[Akko: This is serious Amanda! Oh fuck you, bitch! I thought I could trust someone with this].

I was bubbling over with anger and all Amanda would answer me was three little dots, but right away she tells me that she will help, no matter how ridiculous I thought this idea was, or what I ended up thinking, I would finally get help for my plan. All that remained was to wait.

After talking to Amanda I decide to start a Live Stream playing Super Mario World, it was a silly challenge to finish the game 100% without dying, but I always failed for one silly thing or another, it was nice to interact with the public, sometimes donations came out and that helped a lot with my project of becoming Shiny Akko, besides guaranteeing a livelihood in case things get tight, it was not because I was dating a noblewoman that I have to be dependent on her money, I do very well on my own.

POV Diana:

The time at work went by, it was a real bore I would say, nothing to do, just trying to find ways to get some extra money, but that Home Office service was spending me a lot, I knew that in the end it would only be enough to pay the salaries of the employees and maybe the food... My aunt doesn't even help, she only lives at the expense of others, thinking that she will still catch a rich man and get money... Her daughters are not much different... Maril already got the rich guy, but for how long? I don't doubt that they will divorce soon, I never really liked that guy...

After an exhausting day of work, it was already eight o'clock in the evening, dinner time arrives, I stop my work for the day as well, I am greeted by two knocks on the door, I soon allow this person to enter.

As usual it was Akko, holding up his cell phone and showing me the time and that it was 8:00 PM.

- I know, Akko, I know, it's time, I have to stop. All that's left is for you to pull me out of this chair. - I say as Akko comes over to me and sits on my lap, it doesn't take long and our lips soon meet, she was all needy and cute, I loved to see my Akko like this, so cute.

- Ah if you stay longer I'll do it anyway, I don't care, you have to pay attention to your little love, if it wasn't for this adult life shit I would want to spend the rest of my days dedicated only to be by your side giving you love - She said giving me affection, I admit I really wanted this, but unfortunately real life is not like that, we have our responsibilities.

- Who wouldn't want love? Obviously we have more important things, if I could stay all day just cuddling next to you, while we watch reruns of Shiny Chariot shows in our pillow fort eating caramel popcorn... - I say, causing Akko to get a gleam in her eye, to think that we actually did that the first few times she visited me, I admit it was pretty cool.

- Love I got nine very large donations today, three of fifty dollars, one of seventy pounds, four of one hundred pounds and one of 250 Euros, today yielded enough, failed well in the world of stars that anger! I even spent the whole Tubular without dying, without blue yoshi, but that damn plant hit right on the edge, I feel like throwing the control to the wall - she said, passing the frustrations of Super Mario, she is still playing this game without dying, it would be funny to get it first time, but I'm not one to lose the whole day playing.

- Oh good baby, soon, you can do it, I believe in you, how about we go to the bedroom, do a little something we haven't done in a long time huh? - I say blushing trying to give an extra mood to Akko.

- Are you going to make a pillow fort and caramelized popcorn? Are we going to watch some cartoons too? Can I choose? - she said, stalling the whole mood and my desire for something more intense. I still wonder how she is 19 and how we did it the other times...

- That's almost it... But it could be too, but let's have dinner before that, Anna must have prepared some delicacy for us - I say trying to make Akko forget that nonsense.

We went to dinner, Anna prepared some macaroni and cheese for us, it was as phenomenal as ever, I love her food... I really hope I can raise enough money to keep her working here, even if it means selling something or other. After dinner I went with Akko to the bedroom, still wanting something more, since I was very much in the mood.

The two of us went into the bathroom together and the next thing really happened, Akko was always very strange, I never knew when she was in the mood for it, but she clearly knew every time she was in the mood for it, after our bath was too hot, we both lay down on the bed and I went to watch some television, luckily there was something that interested me a lot, it was recommended a video about the Top 10 highlights of Laura Mclaren's career, as you can imagine Akko wouldn't want to watch it, so much so that I saw her soon get her cell phone.

Akko POV:

From the looks of it she is going to watch more boring broomstick racing videos, wait a minute.... Laura McLaren... I remember I mentioned her earlier today... Oh yeah! Holy lesbian Beatrix! I can't be that dumb! The fucking plan I made earlier! Did Amanda make it? Well, let's see.

I glance at Diana, she looks back at me and smiles, I return the smile, it looked like she wanted to say she wanted another round of what happened in the shower, I love to use my naivety to make her think I'm silly hehe, she'll never find out. I unlock the cell phone screen, and start to look through the messages.

As usual normal messages, from my mother, Diana... Oh I didn't even do what she asked today, I forgot to get her coffee... It was love... Chariot, Dad, Amanda! That's the one I wanted to know about... Hmmm let's see what she answered me.... It was three hours ago, apparently.

[Amanda: Hey bootleg Shiny Chariot, Constanze got Laura McLaren's personal number, she told me it wasn't that hard, but look, be careful with the messages, she might block you and this idiotic plan of yours go down the drain, I don't know if you know her well, but Laura McLaren was also known for being a little thick, so much so that I used to mirror her a little when I was younger].

[Amanda: +353 01 919 7281]

[Amanda: Remember that it is always good not to risk too much, if she blocks you there is no problem, just ask Cons to give you another chip, I will not charge for this one, since I imagine it is a surprise you have planned for Diana... Enjoy your adventure, then tell me if it worked out. Bye sis].

Fuck, I am even impressed, they got it so fast, if she is that fast to find the number of a famous person, then imagine to get mine, or imagine just to hack our things ... Holy shit, I'll never call Constanze a tampon again, after this I'll think twice even... Well... Come on Akko. The long awaited moment has arrived, Diana is too busy with her boring documentary...

I copy the number and put in Laura McLaren's contact name, as soon as I get this number I notice that there was no picture, but she really did have an account on the app, I take a deep breath, since that would be my moment.

[Akko: Hello]

I have never in my life felt so nervous about sending just a meager "Hello", I don't know why, but it seemed very intimidating, as if I had destroyed the entire Cavendish family mansion and had to explain Diana... I just hope everything works out.... I hope she answers me too, since I'm too far away.... Let's go!

[????? Hello? How the fuck did you get my number? If you are some crazy fan know that I'll give you 2 minutes before I block you, explain if well, surprise me].

Holy lesbian Beatrix, she comes right out with this bucket of cold water on me, I better answer soon if I don't want to throw all this progress in the trash, but what do I do? For the first time in my life I really have to think before I act... I'll explain to her in a quick way.

[Akko: Please, I really need your help Mrs. McLaren, my name is Atsuko Kagari, better known as Akko, I am Diana Cavendish's girlfriend, and I have a very big suspicion about you, I found this picture here and I'm thinking that... You are Diana's mother].

I send the message along with the picture of her next to Diana's mother and also the little cabbage cub, I hope it really works out, because I couldn't think of a better way to respond....

POV Laura:

What the fuck is this? Fuck! I... Fucking hell... For the fucking nine Lesbian Witches... How come a bomb like this comes today? Wait a minute girlfriend? My little girl is a lesbian just like her mother! That's so cute! But wait a minute... How did she find this out? How did she find this picture? By the nine lesbian witches... Does Diana know? Does she come here? Fuck! Now that the house has fallen for me... I've waited years for this moment, but I didn't imagine it would come so fast... I really wanted to keep this secret... Especially since Bernadette died... She would never be accepted in the Cavendish mansion, even with the curse broken and also Diana will never accept a mother who abandoned her for so many years? Better answer this girl soon.

[Laura: I don't know how the fuck you found this picture, I don't know who the fuck you are, I don't know what the fuck you want... But holy shit, you are very smart little girl, yeah... If you are really Diana's girlfriend then send me a picture].

[Akko: Ah you answered me, nice, okay I'll send you a picture, she's on my side now].

The brat takes a picture of her next to Diana, I almost cry when I see my daughter, the girl was big, she was no longer the little baby I used to hold in my arms... Wait a minute... Damn this girl is the same one that was flying with my Diana that day of the missile! I remember it well! It was on TV! Holy shit... She is very cute and cute even, she looks like she is clumsy and silly, I don't know why, I felt that about her.

[Laura: Okay, brat, I'll trust you not to block your number, I just want to know one thing... Are you treating my daughter well, because if not I'm going to come over there and pull your ears. Fuck you if you saved the country with the fucking Claiomh Solais].

[Akko: Hahahah! You are quite funny, but relax; Diana is very well with me, she is very happy by my side.... And I'm honored to see that you know about that].

[Laura: Is quite obvious, how come nobody was seeing two crazy girls on a broomstick flying towards a nuclear missile? Only a fucking person who lives in a fucking cave, which is not my fucking case, so yes, I fucking saw you, I also saw my daughter's psycho beating your fucking ass that day, I already suspected something, but I didn't know you were fucking girlfriends... I am happy for you guys... But answering your theory is... I am Diana's biological mother, just like Bernadette, you want to know how? Simple the fertility stone].

POV Akko:

I started to have a panic of joy, that woman sent right to the can, old cock, I've known this Laura for two minutes and I already consider her my best friend... I love this mother-in-law... Oh shit, I hope Diana hasn't noticed my sudden reaction.

I look to the side and notice that in fact Diana had practically fallen asleep, how cute, I think the day was very exhausting for my love... I cuddle her and, besides making her more comfortable in bed, I give her a little kiss on the forehead, just as I start talking to Laura again. I wanted to know more, who knows also my plan would work out.

[Akko: So the fertility stone is real?]

[Laura: Fucking sure, I know step by step how to do it, I have one now on my necklace, I always treasure it...]

Laura takes a picture and shows me the fertility stone, as well as her face... Holy lesbian Beatrix, she is not 49 years old, she is well preserved... Woah... That's why Diana is so beautiful! The eyes are Laura's... I always knew, Bernadette is the only Cavendish different, she had green eyes... While everyone here has blue eyes... Besides Diana's eyes are the same as hers... They are quite different from the eyes of the others.... I have to say that this Laura and Bernadette made the real divinity... If the fertility stone is real, then it really means that it is not a metaphor for artificial insemination.

[Akko: I don't know what to say Miss McLaren... You killed all my doubts at once, I knew that the fertility stone was real, if Diana is the fruit of the fertility stone and is the current leader of the family... That means that you made her here in the Cavendish family residence].

[Laura: Of course, where do you think I would make out with Bernadette? A girl like you is 19 years old? Forget it, I want to know why you called me, your motivations... And also how you got to this point].

This Laura has a coarse way of being... Like Amanda was mirrored in her, holy shit, she's like Amanda only ten times sharp tongued... She is literally all of Diana's crude side... It makes sense now, but a Diana who cusses ten thousand words a word, I've never seen someone so foul mouthed like that.

[Akko: Miss McLaren... I was this morning arguing with Diana when a wind takes a picture of Diana's mother, so I kind of followed, that picture led to her room, where I bumped into a closet, the picture fell on my face and I was in shock to see that picture, Bernadette, you and Diana together, plus a whole album where the two of you were together.... I also read your entire message that was behind the photo.... It was very cute... But what did Diana's aunt do that was so bad?]

POV Laura:

What a mess... So it was a photo... Bernadette obviously played with this girl, there is no other, but that was not her room, Bern did not keep these things in her room, the room where the tapestry was actually the first room of Diana ... I guess you made those aren't you my love... I have to stop thinking about these things... I'll go crazy, but I'm already crazy... Do I trust to explain to this brat what happened? I don't want to explain this by message... I think I will have to take this measure.

[Laura: Do you want to know what really happened? I'll only tell you if you come here in Ireland, it's something that's better told in person.... Before all this... Does Diana know? Does Daryl know anything?]

[Akko: I haven't told Diana yet, I intended to surprise the lady by revealing myself to you being her mother, plus it would show that the fertility stone was real all along... Daryl only saw me leave Bernadette's room, I managed to disguise it well... No one but a friend of mine knows that you are Diana's mother... And even that friend of mine discredited me, so kind of yes, that secret is safe].

Great! Things will be better this way... So I can really trust this girl... Probably her friend is the person who got my number, I don't doubt it at all, I hope no one expose my number; otherwise I'll be mad as fucking hell...

[Laura: Great, so come to the Mclaren family residence tomorrow morning, don't arrive before 10 o'clock in the morning, otherwise I'll make you swallow your magic, I won't miss my beauty sleep].

[Akko: Okay, I'll come, just send me the address, I'll find a way to go alone, after all I don't want any suspicions to come my way].

I send my address to the little brat, although I don't even need it, all I had to do was look it up on the Internet for the location of my house, since everyone knows where McLaren lives, but I am relieved that the girl is so naïve.

POV Akko:

After this conversation with Laura McLaren I felt relieved, I have to admit that she is very nice and a bit sharp tongued, I could see that a lot, I really hope that everything goes well... Now I'm going to play for a while, maybe sleep... I am one step away from making this surprise real...

I was playing Minecraft until about two o'clock in the morning, I practically lost track of time, playing in a world that I made with Diana, I was kind of mining a little and adventuring, when I least realized I was getting sleepy. So I decided to stop playing, turned off our video game and went to sleep, giving Diana a little kiss on the forehead as usual.

It was nine o'clock in the morning, I got up, this time Diana was beside me, she was getting changed, and I patted her on the butt just to let her know I was awake, hehe.

- A slap on the hotness! Yes baby thank you! - I say after slapping that hottie ass, Diana quickly turns around and puts her hand on her face, a bit flushed.

- Akko! - she said embarrassed.

Soon I stand up and give Diana a hug from behind as she finishes changing, when she finishes changing I get a little kiss on the forehead, after this little kiss I point to my mouth, signaling that she should kiss my lips, which Cavenboring does, after the kiss I go to the closet where I choose an outfit.

A white T-shirt, shorts, an orange overcoat, a scarf and finally a pair of boots, an outfit very similar to the one I wore the day I went to Luna Nova the first time.

- Where are you going so dressed up? - She said, already suspicious that I was going out, while I was thinking of a way to answer Diana, I had to be very spontaneous.

- Ah love I'm going... To Ireland... Yes! I'm going to Ireland to visit someone... - I say, still trying to think of how to wind Diana up, but she stared at me as if I were lying. - I sort of got called to go there, it's a sewing friend of mine from... Luna Nova! - I say this until she completes me.

- Akko, in all those years it doesn't have an Irish student in Luna Nova, if you're going to lie about leaving without me, at least lie properly... Let me see something... Are you going out with your friends to fool around... Or with him? - She said talking as if Andrew was a real criminal, I really don't understand how she has this jealousy of Andrew, he is fucking gay.

- That's it, I'm going out to prepare a surprise for you, but as you always ruin surprises, it's no fun... What a shit - I say inflating my cheeks, fucking Atsuko Kagari, every day you excel in acting, I really deserved an Oscar after this.

- Awwww, don't be like that honey, I know you try these surprises, but you don't have to react like that, try to act better... - She said, caressing me. That's all I needed, Diana believed in my acting, I kind of accidentally made her believe in something else, perfect.

She gives me another little kiss and we go to the kitchen where we go for breakfast, as usual it was pancakes, I love pancakes. We eat for a while until after breakfast I give Diana a kiss and tell her I was leaving, she waved at me and said goodbye.

I take my broom and start to float, saying the spell "Tia Freyre". With the broom floating, I put on the cell phone holder and activate the GPS, setting the destination to the McLaren family's residence, according to the address I entered.

"7h 13 min"

"470 km"

How absurd! This is all by car, but I'm on a broom, so I'd better change the route format here to broom. Yes, the distance has been greatly reduced! Now it's just flying towards Dublin in Ireland.

"350 km"

I think it will take a bit of broom time, I think maybe an hour.... That's the most I can fly going on a broomstick without being scared to death or using up all my magic, so let's go! From Edinburgh to Dublin! Farewell Scotland and hello Ireland!

Diana POV:

Akko left, but said in a very dirty way that she was going to Ireland, I really think she just went to Germany to Constanze's house, maybe to visit Amanda or else she went to visit Lotte in Finland, or maybe she went to Loperèc to visit Chariot and Croix, it's been a while since she visited the two twins... I don't know, I just hope Akko is okay, at least this time she will let me know before she leaves... I have taught this girl well.

Without Akko at least I could work in peace, take advantage of the fact that today is a Friday and I only work until five o'clock, so today is perfect... Well, let's go, today is going to be a day of rest, I really hope Akko doesn't get into any trouble. As soon as I go up to the office I take the opportunity to check my cell phone, to see if anyone has sent me any messages.

[Hannah: Hey Diana, Avery and I are going to Karaoke tonight, do you want to come? Just come down here in England, we'll have some fun, have a cold one, you know... Call Akko, she's funny, even if she doesn't drink, she's a comedian... I have called Barbara and Lotte to come, Amanda, Jasminka and Constanze will also come, even the weird Sucy will come, only you and Akko are missing].

That would be nice, but I'm not really up for it, I want to use this Friday for a more private surprise between me and Akko, you know? I want to do something we haven't done in years, that pillow fort gave me a great idea, it's very childish, but I'm sure my Akko will love it, and I don't know, I won't enjoy it that much. Even more I don't like that Avery girl, I never really did.

[Diana: Ah Hannah, thank you so much, but I don't think it's going to work out, friend, these days are very exhausting for me, also Akko left this morning, I don't know where she went, but it must be some surprise, so I think I'll stay here in Scotland].

[Hannah: Ah Diana, come on stop being such a pain, take advantage that Akko is not here and go out with us, I'll buy drinks for all of us including pizzas as well... So what do you think?].

[Diana: Hannah, you know I don't drink, I will refuse friend, my sincere apologies, but enjoy the day with you guys out there, it's not as if our presence is the most desired thing in the world].

[Hannah: Okay, Diana, okay, but tell me... Do you have the number of that handsome guy, your cousin? It would be interesting to call him here].

[Diana: Hannah, you're engaged to Avery and Andrew is gay, you're not going to get anything out of this, by the way, I don't have his number, you know I don't like that guy, Akko does.]

Hannah after that message just sent me an emote with her thumb sign up, I bet she was a bit mad that I didn't agree to go out with her and the girls, now great, they'll think I'm an asshole because I refused to go out, but I don't care, Hannah has been very annoying lately, she has been since the time she picked on Akko.

After answering Hannah the best way I could think of, I decided to start working for today, I knew I was going to have a full day filling more and more spreadsheets, just thinking about it makes my wrists hurt, but what can I do... This is the way I found to give a little more money to the Cavendish family.

POV Laura:

I was waking up in the morning, got out of bed and looked at myself in the mirror, I was a little bit disheveled, looking at the mirror, my long red hair needed to see a comb, so I tried to really comb it, I imagine I would have a long day, I make sure to check my messages and soon I notice an interesting one.

[Akko: I'm coming to Ireland; I'll be there in an hour].

Oh great, the little brat will be here in half an hour, it seems she didn't obey me much with what I said about not coming here before 10 o'clock in the morning, at least today I woke up a little earlier, but how stubborn this girl is, well come on, I can't go out in a robe with these tits waving around.

I take a T-shirt, pants, and my light blue slippers, as well as my necklace with the fertility stone. If Bernadette hadn't left this would be the stone that would make our second daughter... Hellene... Why... Why did you have to leave my love... I miss you so much... Bern...

I hugged nothing as always, thinking that one day that hug would lead to something... But it always came to nothing... All I wanted most was to be with Bernadette now... But let's keep our posture, after all that girl is going to come, I have to show her that I am strong...

I go downstairs and soon run into my sister Chelsea and my niece Holly, they were both in the kitchen eating waffles, I soon sit down at the table with them...

- Good morning girls! - I say until they both smile at me and answer.

- Good morning sis," Chelsea said.

- Good morning Aunt Laura," Holly said.

- So girls, today we are going to have a visitor - I say while they remain unresponsive - Atsuko Kagari, she is my daughter's girlfriend... Diana... I think you have seen her, that little brunette girl who was on the broom with my daughter with Bernadette." I say until they both stare at me dumbfounded, Holly holding a piece of waffle and Chelsea almost overflowing a cup of coffee, which I had to use magic to keep it from spilling all over the table.

- What is it? What the fuck is this Laura? You're kidding, aren't you? - Said Chelsea as if a truck had run over her. What an honor to finally have the courage to reveal yourself to Diana, I thought I would stay 20 years without doing anything.

- Yes Chelsea, but only Diana's girlfriend is coming.... - I say, answering her.

- Wait a minute, Auntie... You mean the brunette who was on the broom? She is amazing! She's a great friend of mine in Witcher! We always talk about the Shiny Chariot... She's awesome! - Said Holly, as usual that girl was a fan of the little Chariot... Lucky for us we went to her concerts during the beginning of her career, before all those crazy concerts where she was suspected of stealing magic.

- That's her... But yes Chelsea, it is very likely that this girl wants to push me to go to Diana, I don't doubt it at all... - I even say that Chelsea completes me.

- You can't spend your whole life sitting on the couch sucking your tits, Diana will fight with you anyway, your daughter was abandoned for 20 years... There's no use in waiting... What would Bernadette do? Besides, you can save the Cavendish family, I know they are in a bad way financially... That bitch Daryl will have to accept your help or not. Why didn't you have her arrested when she did that nasty shit to you? - She said again, going back to that subject.

- Don't fucking fill me up! I know that, I know I could have done all that.... But I just want to forget it and move on.... - I say trying to make Chelsea stop bringing this up, but she was kind of right, even after 20 years I never stopped thinking about Bernadette for a day... I still have the ring on my finger and always will, my one true love is Bernadette Cavendish...

POV Akko:

I was arriving in Dublin, with only 10 more minutes to go, I was already getting very tired of flying at 350 km/h in a straight line, the icy wind, the pain in my arms... How can a witch who races with brooms stand this, it is much worse to fly a broom when you are at high speed... When I was flying with Diana I always stayed behind and didn't feel all this... Actually this is the first time I have traveled this far alone on a broomstick...

The time went by and I could see the city from far away, after flying so much I was finally close, what a relief... It doesn't take long and soon I am getting closer and closer until I was in Dublin, I follow the GPS to where it was indicating the McLaren family's residence, little by little I get closer and I find myself in a more rural area of the city, also with a wall around it, I pass by it, since my interest was only in the house.

I am even perplexed, the woman was eight times world champion and practically considered a local heroine and lives in a big house, but nothing on the castle level where the Cavendish live, it was a big house with about four or five floors, it looked a lot like big houses in American movies, I soon approach the door and ring the bell, as soon as it rings I wait a little.

Who attends me is a redheaded girl and she was quite short, about Constanze's size I would say, she nods to me smiling, as if she knows me before, so I nod back.

- Hi Akko Kagari! I don't think you know me that way, but you must know me from Witches, I'm Holly Chariot Stan! - she said smiling at me... And wow, she is Holly, I recognize her now, from her profile picture which was a drawing you could tell she drew herself and pretty true to how she is in life I would say.

- Holly? Ah yes! Holly! Girl... Wow! You are amazing Holly, you are one of the few people we can talk about Shiny Chariot without anyone disturbing us, what a coincidence that you live right here. - I say answering her and right after giving her a hug, I wanted so much to hug that girl, I blush a little because I felt her breasts a little, which were not small at all under mine... Wait a second... If Holly is related to Laura McLaren that makes her related to Diana! What a fuck up! Now that I stopped to think about it.

After this hug we looked at each other for a while and soon Holly took me to the kitchen, where when I arrived I found two familiar faces, one was someone I had seen on television before and the other was Laura McLaren... I am in the middle of a family of famous people and I didn't even know it.

- I am Atsuko Kagari, but you can call me Akko - I say, trying to create a good impression.

- Ah hello Akko, I'm Chelsea and this is my sister Laura, I wonder why you came here, I was talking to my sister how she should stop hiding from her daughter and reveal herself, it's been twenty years and this woman is still hiding - Chelsea said.... I have heard that name before... Chelsea McLaren! She is an actress! She plays lesbian characters in all kinds of movies and TV shows! Now that I remembered! I love her performances, especially in Love yourself... How incredible the moments Diana and I were theorizing about how Layla would be with Hannah... Now I am facing Layla herself here. Diana would love to be here.

- Hey there, brat, you finally came. You could have come a little later, couldn't you? Well, let's leave it aside, I'm glad you came, but tell me what are your real intentions? - Laura said with her "gentle" way of being, now I am sure where did Diana's rudeness come from.

- Ah hello Mrs. McLaren... I came here to really talk to you, I want to know what happened to abandon my girlfriend. I am not here to judge you, I am sure you had a reason for that - I tell Laura, I just remembered a little bit about my reaction with Professor Ursula when she revealed all that to me? I really hope that this Laura McLaren has a strong motive, just by talking about Daryl having some involvement makes me more confident, I never liked that snake.

- I will explain everything, but first feel the will brat, do you want to eat some waffles? - Said Laura, as they were waffles I didn't refuse, I found it funny how that house had lower chairs, all of them were so low, I felt like a real pole to be there, I sit in one of the chairs and soon I start to eat.

POV Laura:

Holy shit the brat is here, she could take a little longer, she had to arrive right on time for lunch... Imagine just to explain to her everything that happened... Even more with Chelsea and Holly here... Out of nowhere this little Japanese girl comes and shows up... I am sure that she will make me go to the Cavendish family mansion... I'm sure... I swear that if I go there I don't know what I'm going to do... Whether I'll die of panic or not...

After we eat a little, it doesn't take long and soon my sister decides to open her fucking mouth... I knew that this idiot would want to make me confess, holy shit...

- So Laura, are you going to tell us? Or are you going to stay there without saying anything? - Said my sister as always pressuring me, damn it, here comes the bomb, but also I will not tell anyway, so I will try to show with the best details.

- I will! Come with me to the TV, I think it's something I have to show how everything happened more clearly, using a bit of the crystal balls too - I say, snorting a little already, I get up and go to the living room together with the girls, the day has come apparently? Here we go.

I arrive at the room together with the girls, I begin to use my magic on a crystal ball that soon was showing everything on a television, as I didn't want to show the whole story I decided to summarize it in a clearer way without wrapping it up too much and going straight to the point.

POV Narrator:

Laura begins to show flashbacks of her memories, starting with one from June 1990, just as they were returning from the McLaren family residence after they had both graduated. They first stop by the redhead's house where she passed the family's leadership position to her younger sister Chelsea.

After solving this problem they go to the Cavendish family residence and it was there where things started to get problematic, as soon as they arrive they are welcomed by Clarie Cavendish (Diana's grandmother, Bernadette and Daryl's mother), that is until the time the woman brings up the subject of marriage, telling Bernadette to marry the son of a family friend, this one called Paul Hanbridge.

Bernadette obviously refused, but she could no longer refuse using the age argument, which she had always used with her mother since she was 14 years old, this time the girl was 18 years old, because of even that Cavendish decided to hit the table and assume once and for all. She had been dating Laura McLaren since December 1987 and would never part with that girl for anything in the world.

This causes Clarie to end up slapping the girl and getting disgusted, she even tried to lock her in her room and kick Laura out, but since the authority in the Cavendish family was with Isabella (Diana's great-grandmother, Bernadette and Daryl's maternal grandmother), she did not allow Clarie to do this at all, but in a way Bernadette had to obey her mother's demands, but she did not want to anymore, she needed to do something.

A week later the opportunity arrives, it was the perfect day to perform the ritual to become head of the Cavendish family, Bernadette felt in the mood to perform this ritual, since it had been weeks since she had laid in bed with her girlfriend, it had been days since they could even kiss in peace in the ritual.

POV Laura:

I decide to pause that part, because I had to explain what was going to happen next, as I was not present at the ritual part I would kind of just show myself waiting while listening to some music.

- Why did you stop, sis? And what does something that happened eleven years before Diana was born have to do with her abandonment? - said my sister who still didn't even know that much about what happened.

- So, I don't know very clearly what happened, but according to what Bernadette told me, she was going normally until someone interrupted the ritual in the halls, she was alone and was shot down by Clarie and her grand aunts, Marie and Amelia, after she woke up, she was alone in the middle of all that room. Bern continued on and soon came across three trees, they seemed to be covering the three which was really true, at that time Bern didn't know it was them and just continued on normally, coming to get the title of head of the family - I say until Chelsea again raises her hand.

- Okay, but what does this have to do with what happened 11 years later? - Chelsea says, getting on my nerves, until I answer her.

- Fuck you Chelsea, pay attention to this shit, or I won't explain it to you - I say answering my wonderful sister, wonderful is my ass, fuck you... Laura focus, let's go back to showing what happened.

POV Narrator:

After the ritual Bernadette came back and was realized that she was head of the Cavendish family, but things were not that much better, from the moment they started to miss Clarie, Marie and Amelia, with that disappearance Bernadette called the police two days after she disappeared, in this case the magical police since normal people could end up getting hurt.

When the police arrived where the ritual was being performed, they noticed that there were three lifeless bodies, they were the bodies of Clarie, Maria and Amelia, as soon as Bernadette explained everything she was taken as the main suspect and was almost arrested, when she explained everything that had happened and in the crystal ball it appeared what really happened.

As soon as she returns home, Laura was waiting for her, as was Daryl. Cavendish was cleared and the whole case was closed as a murder, but because of this Daryl ended up placing all the blame for these deaths on Laura.

"It's your fault Laura McLaren! Because of you my mother and my aunts died! You had to show up in my sister's life! You ruined all the family's plans! You damn Irish bitch!"

POV Laura:

- Of course, this was pure falsehood on Daryl Cavendish's part, she had little empathy for her mother and aunts, after all, she herself had told them that Bernadette had gone to perform the ritual to become the leader of the family, she intentionally wanted to make her mother the leader of the family, because then she would manipulate Bernadette into forcing her to marry Paul Hanbridge... Daryl told me this before the fateful day. Clarie's death was not a feeling of daughter losing her mother, but for her it was more because it got in the way of her plans... That woman was never any good - I say until Chelsea answers me again.

- Laura McLaren! You are dumb! Look what you tell me, look what a piece of shit this woman is! Daryl should have been arrested! I will always say that. But instead the big tobacco girl there preferred to keep it quiet! - She said as always insisting on this subject... And fuck, even the other two were agreeing with her.

- That bitch could have killed my girlfriend, she had no qualms about using poison spells on me when I tried to save Diana's life... - Said the brat, causing me to go into shock.

- Wait a minute," I say, pausing the TV, "you mean you tried the ritual and... What part of respecting the traditions, didn't you hear? Anna didn't let me interfere even though I heard some screams and magic shots, and I also felt Bern's magic weakening... - I say until the little brat completes.

- I know, but I kept pushing in every possible way, until I saw Diana on the floor, I tried my best to fight Daryl and their daughters... But there are three of them... When I woke up I found Diana, we were in a laboratory, I tried to make her feel better and encourage her not to give up the ritual, since there was time, we went... Daryl and her clones almost died, but during the ritual, Diana kind of sacrificed being the leader of the family in exchange for being able to save the lives of the three - Akko said, which impressed me, but at the same time I hoped that Daryl had died in this attempt to stop the ritual.

- Daryl doesn't learn his lesson anyway, she lost her mother for that very reason and 27 years later she makes the same mistake, if it wasn't for Diana she could have died... If that's so then it means that Daryl kind of owes one to Diana's side - I say until Chelsea completes me.

- You see Laura, it is your time to move, it is your time to stand up for yourself, Daryl can't do anything, she had her life saved by your daughter, let her dare to touch a finger on you... – Said Chelsea completing me so I just shrug my shoulders and decide to go back to showing what happened, skipping many years on television, since they were the best years of my life next to Bernadette.

POV Narrator:

Laura jumped to the year 2001, more specifically on September 1, 2001, Diana was already 3 months old, she had hair a little bit evident since she was born with hair. On that day Laura is called by Daryl. Where she reveals all her intentions.

"Laura I never blamed you for the fact that killed my mother and made me lose my much loved mother, in fact I hated her, I even appreciate you coming along and making Bernadette's head to continue in this lesbian shit, but I was angry anyway, your person was not supposed to be so influential, Bernadette being a lesbian was fine.... What I didn't want is for her to date someone like you.... An imposing person, a moral person, because of your presence, Bernadette became stronger, she wasn't like that before, she was more submissive... But why am I saying this? I wish my mother had succeeded in becoming the leader, not because I wanted to see her alive? but because I wanted to see Bernadette forced to marry Paul. He is the same one who is my lover today.... Poor little Eleanora who thinks she is in a stable union.... But let's get back to the point... With you ruining my first plan where my mother could possibly trust me more, I had to change the course of things... That's when you made the fertility stone and I discovered a wonderful little book Written by a witch named Margaret Ford, this book was about the curse of the metal spheres.... Do you know it?"

At that moment Laura was just oblivious, but she recognized the name Margaret Ford because of her late great-grandmother's past and how she was a criminal witch accused of killing none other than Diana Cavendish III, the great-great-grandmother of the current Diana Cavendish.

"So, I'll be very direct to the point Laura McLaren, you and Bernadette are under this curse, I put on you yesterday, you have one week to leave this house.... If you don't want you and Bernadette to die... In a week the effect of the metal balls will start to work, if you are close to them... The metal balls will move faster and faster inside your stomach, piercing you both... Look, either you give in, or you and Bernadette die together in a romantic and beautiful way... Poor little Diana who would have to be alone in this cruel world.”

After telling all that Laura had connected the dots, she remembered something her great-grandmother told her years ago, that until then it was a curse with no cure, to the point that Daryl didn't even know the cure either, which causes her to have to change her plans.

Laura and Bernadette talk one last time, take a picture together with little Diana in the middle, using a Polaroid camera, McLaren takes a pen and starts to write a message to leave on the picture, it was not a goodbye, but a goodbye, she believed very much that she could find the cure.

POV Laura:

I started to cry... That moment always broke me... Remembering that I would come back... But that coming back never came.... I paused because I couldn't stand crying, I needed to be trimmed by my sister, niece and Akko, they started to do everything to make me feel as good as possible.

- Mrs. McLaren... It is not your fault... It is that bitch Diana's aunt, now I understand why she did all this... It was not your fault... You don't deserve to be like this... We are going back to the Cavendish family residence and I will make that snake swallow its teeth. Please Mrs. McLaren come to the Cavendish family residence, go back to your daughter, I am sure that there you will make that Cavenboring stay cool - Said the little brat trying to convince me ... But if of one thing, she is right, I think I have to stop staying in the comfort zone.

- You are more than right, brat! I'm going to the Cavendish family mansion! I'll face Daryl head on if I have to and let her hold me back! Because I'm coming back! If she tries anything, I've got what's coming to me. I have the cure for the curse of the metal spheres! I got it at least five years ago... If Bernadette were alive... - I say until Akko trims me again, the little brat is kind of nice, she knows how to motivate someone, now I know why Anna let her go.

- You don't have to worry about whether Diana will accept you or not, because you are my guest and Diana should accept, because I'm sure the Cavenboring will be very angry, since on her side you abandoned her - said the brat, quite rightly, that really was what made me postpone my return year after year.

- Okay Akko, I will go! Wait for me next week! I will come! I'll even come with my car with all my bags! And this time I'm not stalling, I'm really going back to the Cavendish family mansion! - I say with all motivation I'm really going.... No more waiting 20 years for this.

POV Akko:

When I heard Laura saying that I started to jump and celebrate and the other two celebrated together with me, the three of us even lifted the McLaren lady, holy shit she might have been short, but she was a little heavy too, after I let her down, I stayed there a little longer, until the sun was going down. When the sun sets I say goodbye to the McLaren, they are a nice family.

- Bye Laura McLaren, I hope to see you next week - I say hugging my mother-in-law.

- Bye brat, good luck dealing with my girl, let's keep it a surprise shall we? - said Mrs. McLaren.

- Bye Akko - said Mrs. McLaren's sister.

- Bye Akko, take good care of my cousin... Oh and do you have a cousin or sister who is as cute as you? Or does Diana have any single friends? - Holly said, wanting to get some hot chicks. Apparently McLaren is full of lesbian witches.

- Bye girls... Oh and Holly, I don't know, we can talk when I get home, a pretty girl like you can get a girl really fast - I say motivating Diana's cool cousin even more.

After talking to them I take my broom and fly back to Edinburgh, Diana must be waiting for me now...

POV Narrator:

The days went by quickly as Akko went from Dublin to Edinburgh, the Kagari managed to hide very well from Cavendish everything she was planning, no one from the Cavendish family residence suspected, which was great.

After this week passes without much happening, Friday arrives where Laura McLaren and her daughter Diana Cavendish were to meet again after almost 20 years, the long-awaited day has arrived.

It was a Friday morning, Laura had already left Dublin at five o'clock in the morning, possibly arriving at noon in Edinburgh, leaving with the Lotus Carlton 1990 that was one of her cars, this one in particular was McLaren's favorite car. Some of the other cars were bizarrely stored in the Cavendish family residence, so it would also be an opportunity for the redhead to review her old cars.

It was eight o'clock in the morning on a winter Friday, it was -2 degrees Celsius that day, but no snow, just a chilly morning as usual. Akko and Diana were waking up together in the bed of their bedroom.

POV Akko:

You don't have to wake me up together, Diana, just give me five more minutes... Oh yeah... Holy shit today is the day! Diana's mother will be here soon... I really hope Diana doesn't react with anger about finding out the truth.

- Good morning my love... Hmmmm... - I say grumbling as Diana kept moving.

- Good morning love, so... Are you going out today? - she said suspiciously.

- I will, but I have a surprise for you... - I say, already making Diana more suspicious.

- A surprise is, if it's like the surprise you gave me at the pillow fort last week I'd love it, but let's do it after work," she said, already hinting at something else.

- You will know what this is all about," I say in response to her.

I go to change with Diana, we put on matching clothes, she with a cabbage print t-shirt with "I'm her cabbage", and me with a white cabbage print t-shirt with "I have a cabbage girlfriend", I put on a pair of red plaid sweatpants, as Diana also put on a pair of blue plaid sweatpants, I almost go barefoot, but Cavenboring throws me a rabbit slipper that catches my head.

- You can't go out barefoot - said Cavenboring, already starting to get on my nerves.

- All right, all right, Bleh, you Cavenboring - I say holding out my tongue and taking my slippers and putting them on, while the cuddly cabbage put on her kitten slippers and put on a plaid jacket, while I went without a jacket.

- Where are you going without a coat? - Again the Cavenboring implies me, this time throwing an orange coat to me, and it wasn't even cold, inside the room it was even warm.

I put on my coat because I didn't want to see Cavenboring pick on me and as soon as we leave I notice why she gave me the coat, I already feel the icy wind in the halls of the mansion, which were not heated so as not to spend on heating, so only in the bedrooms I leave the heater on.

We went to breakfast, this time I was smiling too much, very excited about the surprise that that cow of Diana's aunt would come across, little does she know what is waiting for her... Since I went to Ireland I have been even more careful that this snake doesn't do anything to Diana and me, because she is not crazy to do anything.

- Why are you smiling so much girl, what's so funny that you would look at me and still find it funny? - said the snake in the creeping way it always used to say... Ew.

- You will know Daryl - I say, leaving a mystery in the air, Diana was also looking at me and was finding my overconfidence strange.

- Why are you so excited about what I'm about to see? May I know? Are you by any chance going to give me some lipstick as a present? Or are you going to get out of this house at once? My niece has been tarnishing the family's reputation for far too long by insisting on this lesbian thing, this is all just a phase. Either she marries James or she remains infertile and unable to have a lineage that will continue the family? Oops, I hesitated, I ended up talking too much,- said the crawling snake, which did not intimidate me a bit, in fact I continued to show confidence, while Diana hit the table and stood up angrily.

POV Diana:

- Atsuko Kagari! Stop picking fights with my aunt! And Aunt Daryl, you're already here with me! If you insist on pushing me around James, I swear I'll make a fuss, I love Akko! I don't care if it makes it impossible for me to be a mother! Love is stronger than any barrier - I say in answer to both of them, "I don't know why Akko invented to create intrigue out of the blue, I was so angry that right away I left the table, I no longer had any appetite.

- Diana! Don't go now! Sorry love! - Said Akko, which I just glanced back signaling that I had forgiven my love, she always understood my body language, so I left there to go towards my office.

Arriving at the office I kept thinking and pondering... What is the surprise that Akko wants to give me so badly? Is it something warmer? Or could it be that the something warm that she gave me last week was actually not the surprise and she has something bigger in store? I don't know... All I know is that this week she asked me several questions about my father... She even came up with an absurd theory about my mother being a lesbian... Not that I think it could be a lie... She clearly felt repulsed by my father... I am sure my mother married just to have me My father James was never a good person Besides saying about a hypothetical situation where the fertility stone is real and I am actually the daughter of two mothers.... I admit I really wish this was all real.... She even made a whole theory involving my aunt casting a curse to stop all this.... I have never seen Akko think this much....

Anyway, let's focus on what to do today... I'm going to have a very full day apparently.

POV Narrator:

The hours went by that morning, Akko was waiting playing some video games, so much so that she opened a live stream, this time playing some Yu Gi Oh Forbidden memories, playing in a challenge she called no Free Duel. Which was much more complicated since she couldn't lose since she was also competing in story mode the whole time.

Laura was arriving in Edinburgh, driving as fast as she could, sometimes slowing down in case there were speed cameras nearby, but that didn't stop her from going as fast as she could to reach the Cavendish family residence.

By the time 11:55 arrived, Laura was already at the door of the Cavendish mansion.

POV Laura:

I arrive at the gate of the Cavendish family residence, press the button of the gate control and soon I notice that they open for me, which already impressed me, it was the same moldy control from 20 years ago... Someone could break into this place if they stole my car. Luckily they didn't try, or they would swallow their teeth. I would go inside, but as soon as I start to drive forward I am interrupted by a security guard. I roll down my window and then lower my glasses.

- Frederich let me through, man! It's impressive that you've been working here since 1995, and please, don't say anything to anyone that I'm here, only to the house staff, I want to surprise them - I say until Frederich recognizes me and then releases me.

- I am sorry Miss Laura McLaren, we have not seen you for 20 years, what happened to your disappearance? I missed you around here, this mansion has a very heavy atmosphere since you and Mrs. Bernadette left this place? - Said Frederich, which I just agree and then climb the car window entering the mansion of the Cavendish family.

I go with my car along the path that led to the garage, surprisingly they still had my other beauties, very well kept and hidden in a cloth, as soon as my car parks I am greeted by Anna, possibly she has been warned of the arrival of a visitor.

- Hello Miss Laura McLaren, what brings you here? - Said Anna accompanied by other maids.

- Hi Anna, I am definitely back this time, I have a few things to take care of here... Have you taken good care of my Diana these years? - I say until Anna nodded her head in agreement.

- Of course, I'll take your things to the former mistress's room... May I? - Anna said.

- Please, Anna - I tell her until she and the maids walk past me, I hand them my car key, just as I take my cell phone.

POV Akko:

Lunchtime was approaching, I took the time to procrastinate a bit on Wticher and have fun with some memes, until I get a message from Mrs. McLaren... She arrived that early? So fast almost at lunch time?

[Laura: Hey brat, I'm home, come here we need to play our plan, I'm in the hallway past the garage, make sure you're not seen by Daryl].

[Akko: Okay Miss McLaren, I'll be right there]

I go quickly through the corridors and come across Miss McLaren, she was taking off her sunglasses and also the jacket that she tied around her waist, that almost made her tits fly, I don't know how that woman doesn't fall down with a thing that size.

- Well, follow my plan, we are going to make a shocking surprise for everyone, but before you make this surprise, take this - Said Laura handing me a bottle.

- What is it? - I say confused.

- This stuff makes you immune to the curse of the metal balls, Daryl can never do anything to you. – Said Laura

- And what is the plan? - I said.

Laura tells me in detail how she would follow the plan and how I should prepare the surprise, with a little bit of magic to make the scenario perfect, then after hearing everything, she pats me on the back and I go towards the dining room, where everyone was there having lunch and waiting for me, apparently.

- You were late love - Cavenboring said only because I had more important things to take care of.

POV Diana:

I wonder if Akko is late because of the "surprise" or if there is another context... What is my girl planning? Well, I don't know, maybe she is just late... I don't know, I only know that she is so cute eating with her full cheeks, my little cheeks, after that discussion earlier Daryl even kept quiet, how nice.

I was eating normally, until a piano song started playing... Oh no I can't believe Akko did that, she made a point of playing the theme song from Jojo's Bizarre Adventure... Why I deserve this woman... Hey smoke, why is there smoke? Shame on me...

Until the music reached its climax, the door opened, but the smoke was still very thick, and the moment the piano started to play again, I came across a person. It was a redhead with long straight hair, a little fat, arms crossed, she had very pale skin, freckles everywhere... Wait a minute, that face is familiar... Laura McLaren? What is she doing here... Eh... A... ghost behind her.... Mom? My mother is appearing behind her...

I was stunned at the time, I looked around and my aunt was in shock, she was a stone, I had never seen her like that... I was also trying to understand why my mother's spirit appeared.

- Hello - Laura said in a way that seemed threatening, but at the same time comforting.

- We got Miss McLaren they are in shock - Akko said... Akko? Who stood up and shake Laura's hand as if they were two friends... What is this thing? What do you mean? They have met before... Akko's surprise was to bring Laura McLaren here? That's why she told me she went to Ireland last week.

- La... Laura... What are you doing here? - Said my aunt who was scared, but soon she changes her expression to a more confident one, why is my aunt reacting like this? - In reality, you arrived late, I would say at least 15 years late, how can you simply arrive here and on top of that have the shamelessness to come here thinking that your Diana is going to come to your arms, that she is going to put her hand on your head? - My aunt kept saying... What? What do you mean "your Diana"? I was startled looking at my aunt - That's right Diana, this girl here is actually - Said Daryl until Laura ended up answering her.

- Nothing more, nothing less than Albert Einstein! - Said Laura as if she didn't care about that situation, while my aunt stared at her in disgust - Look Diana, I am sorry for everything that happened 20 years ago, but I will tell you... Your mother Bernadette was married to me, we used magic and then we had you.... That was long before she married James.... Your aunt may even try to stay on top, but what about Daryl? Why don't you talk about what you did to me? Why don't you confess that you controlled your sister by forcing her to marry James? Why don't you talk about when you left Bernadette to die? Why won't you talk about when you put the curse on the metal balls? - Did you say Laura? Is she my mother? What's going on? It can't be... I'm very confused...

- Wait! What are you saying? What do you mean Laura McLaren is my mother? What do you mean she used magic? What did my Aunt Daryl do? Mom... - I say, starting to get weepy... I had memories of my mother Bernadette and I started to run out of there, it was an impulse I never had in my life.

I ended up doing this trying to get away from that situation, many things were going through my head, Laura McLaren my mother? Curse of the iron balls? That James was not my father I already knew, he already did the DNA test... I just want to be alone... So I ran to the room where my mother was staying, I sat down on the floor and cried, it was the only thing I could think of... Traumatic childhood memories came back... Those days when my mother died... If I could go back in time and heal her.... I would give her all my magic...

POV Laura:

My apologies Diana... I wanted to make a triumphant entrance... But I couldn't, I don't think I should pull this argument the poor thing must be in need of someone to make her feel better.

- Do you see what you have done? You think this is going to be okay? I won't let you come back so easily - said my slutty sister-in-law, while I just walked straight ahead, until the brat tapped me on the shoulder as I was approaching the door.

- Where are you going Mrs. McLaren? Are you going to let Daryl say these things about you? I know the real story, I know what happened, she has to shut up - said the brat, until I took her hand off my shoulder.

- Fuck what is more important is the love and care that I must give my daughter, Daryl of little do I care, I'm shitting and walking to that snake - I say leaving that room while Akko was even quiet to hear me, Daryl kept talking and talking, but only ignored, the brat is very brave to stay in this house with that cow.

POV Diana:

Alone in the room, crying, until I feel something touching my shoulder, I thought it was just Akko, so I just ignored it again, until I hear a voice... I had heard it before... I raise my head and am faced with the ghost of my mother.

- Diana... I understand your pain... It seems that your mother Laura has finally decided to go back to where she should be... Taking care of her daughter... Please... Don't be angry with her. Accept it, Laura. This is my last wish as a mother. Laura has given me so much love and care all these years - Said my mother's spirit.

- Why should I accept her? Laura abandoned her just as I did. She didn't even interfere when you married James - I say until she answers me.

- Your mother Laura had a reason; she would never abandon us... This reason she will explain to you, I'm sure... You have no idea how she waited so many years for this moment. Laura tried to find a cure for what caused her to leave us. But it was too late... Please Diana... If you can't do it for yourself... Do it for your dead mother...- said my mother's spirit, which made me a little touched... This time I really think I should forget about this armagure... I wonder if all that theory Akko told me is true.

I just nod my head and smile at the spirit that starts to disappear, when it disappears completely I see that the door was being opened, as I see the door opening I am faced with my mother Laura.

- Diana - said my mother Laura.

I get up and go running to hug my mother Laura, I was still crying, only this time the crying of sadness was changed to one of comfort, I was kneeling and hugging her, since my mother was a little short, I rest my head on her chest and soon I am caressed.

- I have waited years for this moment, my little Diana," she said as she kept giving me affection, while wiping my tears.

- You called me Mom? - She said, all excited, until I looked at my mother's face and she was crying.

- What else would I be yours? - I say to my mother who starts to hug me tighter to the point of making me sink my face inside her huge breasts... But soon after she lets the hug go lighter.

- Now things will be all right Diana... Your mother Laura is here... I will never leave her... I'll never leave you again I will make up for all the 20 years I spent away - She said until I look at her and start wiping my mother's tears.

- Just in these few seconds the lady is already making up for it... My mother Laura - I say this while Akko was watching everything, she was bursting into tears, my mother immediately looks at her and starts laughing.

- Come here little brat, you're family too - said my mother calling for Akko, who joined in a family hug... Brat? I like that nickname, I guess I'll have to get used to the idea that I have two mothers? It seems that Akko was right all along about the fertility stone... Who knew it would be under my nose all the time.

See you, lesbian witches, someday, somewhere!

[justathoughtfulangel]

The One Who Was Lost (Draco Malfoy Mini Series, Part One)

Hiya! This is the first part of my Draco Malfoy mini series, The One. If you’d like to see more details about the series as a whole and a summary of this part or the parts to come, you can do so here. If you’d like to read more about my OC, Amara Grimaldi, you can do so here.

Word count: 6,868

People who would like to be tagged: @proxyeccoslytherin​

Please don’t hesitate to message me if you have any questions/comments/concerns or if you’d like to be tagged whenever I post a new part :) 

Whenever you see “~~~”, I’m transitioning to a different scene. If you see “~” instead, we’re in the same scene but different characters are being shown. 

It was midwinter, but Amara wasn’t very cold. She was rather lost in her thoughts to care about the cold anyhow. She didn’t realize how quickly her life had changed. Just a few years ago, the castle was her home away from home, filling her life with light and hope for her future. Now, Hogwarts was dark, lonely, and… no longer welcoming like home. The cool air began to sting Amara’s face, bringing her back to the real world. Her hands came up from the balcony to hug her cloak around her body tightly. As she turned to leave, she saw she wasn’t alone. “Draco?”

Draco couldn’t find it in him to sneer at her, not this time. No matter his cruelty or harshness, Amara seemed to see right through him. They hadn’t exchanged many words in their time at this school, but Amara knew how he was feeling without him saying anything at all. Perhaps it was a gift of hers, or perhaps the past they shared had created an unbreakable bond between them.

“Hello, Amara.” Amara smiled as she stepped away from the balcony of the Astronomy Tower; Draco’s face remained passive, but the kindness radiating from Amara was something he desperately needed. Amara could sense how much Draco had changed. He no longer took the time to tease younger students, make comments about the blood status of others, or even to joke around with his friends. As they grew up, Amara was one of the first to realize that Draco only did these things out of his loneliness, out of his desire to be loved and wanted like Harry was everywhere he went. Other things he said or did was simply because he hadn’t learned any better. He had the views of his father shoved down his throat, and they changed him from the inside out.

Draco was just born on the wrong side of it all. Come to think of it, Amara’s childhood environment couldn’t have differed too greatly from Draco’s. They were both from pureblood, wealthy families whose ancestry could be traced back for eons. They were both the only child their parents had. They knew each other before Hogwarts, having been thrown into the same social settings on countless occasions. They may have been different on the outside, but Amara knew Draco when he was much younger, sweeter, and kinder. She knew that Draco, the real Draco, was hiding. He was too afraid of being himself. Draco feared that he wouldn’t survive in this world, especially without Amara by his side.

Having sensed that they had settled into an uncomfortable silence, Amara stepped aside and began to make her way back to Ravenclaw Tower. “I was just leaving. Goodnight, Draco.” Brushing some snow off of her cloak, she began to step past Draco and down the staircase, but he very gently grabbed her wrist as she did. His face was anyone but Amara wouldn’t have been able to read. Except for his eyes: they always gave him away. Somewhat perplexed and also intrigued, Amara questioned him. “What is it?” 

Draco hastily dropped her wrist. He, too, remembered the days when they spent hours together... when everything was easier. Once upon a time, Draco couldn’t imagine a life where Amara wasn’t his dearest friend. She hadn’t been in years, and Draco knew it was his fault. Yet, she was the only one he could trust entirely, even after all this time. “You should have given up on me a while ago. I’ve been horrible to you. To Potter, Granger, and Weasley. Why haven’t you stopped being so kind to me?”

Amara smiled sadly, reaching for Draco’s hand and giving it a soft squeeze. “Because I know you.” Without saying anything else, she turned away and began descending the winding staircase. She had to turn away before he saw the tears welling in her eyes. She did know him. She saw how he no longer ate well, his suits began to fall loosely around him, and the bags under his eyes were like bruises. Amara wanted to be there for him, but he had made it clear he didn’t want her to be long ago. That didn’t mean she would stop caring about him. Not now, not ever.

Draco watched her walk away, her steps echoing in the silence around him. He cursed his childish decision to push her away and hit the balcony in frustration once Amara was out of earshot. His envy of Harry Potter and the pressures his father put on him had driven him to make the worst decision of his life. Draco’s eyes stared blankly out into the frigid night, ignoring the snowflakes as they settled on his dark suit. Nothing could compare to the cold building inside him, the cold that was threatening to destroy him...

~~~

Amara and Hermione stood in Slughorn’s classroom. It seemed to let in more light than Snape’s did, and Slughorn seemed welcoming, albeit a tad strange. He lifted the lid of one of his pots gingerly, waving his hand toward the class to let the pink fumes waft towards them. 

Draco stood lazily, not quite paying attention. Granger answered the professor’s questions as usual, and Amara added on to those responses. Before he could zone out any further, he straightened up and his eyes moved over to Amara. She was still across the room from him, but he could smell the light, floral scent of her perfume. He could smell a crackling fireplace, not unlike the one they sat by in the Grimaldi Manor. Above all, he smelled hot chocolate with cinnamon, something Amara adored even on blistering summer nights. He remembered opting for ice creams instead, and they ended up making a concoction of the two every time.

“That’s a perfect answer, Miss. Grimaldi and Miss. Granger. I couldn’t have said it better myself. Enlighten us, Amara. What do you smell in this potion?” Amara closed her eyes and took a deep breath, more so to steady herself. She had brewed Amortentia whilst practicing over the summer; she knew exactly what it smelled like to her long before now. 

“I smell a warm, spicy cologne… like ginger and sandalwood. I smell a hearth and its smoke…. I smell vanilla ice cream, caramel, and chocolate…” Letting herself get lost in the scent once more, Amara opened her eyes and shook her head clear soon enough. Draco swallowed hard, his eyes falling to the floor. Amara also avoided his gaze. Did he smell their memories in the potion like she did?

“How unique, Miss. Grimaldi. Today, I’ll have you brewing the Draught of Living Death. It’s desperately tricky and disastrous should you make a mistake. In all my years, I’ve only had one student brew it successfully. Whoever can make the best batch shall win this… Felix Felicis.”

The small golden vial glimmered in Slughorn’s fingers. “One sip, and you shall find that you’ll succeed in any endeavor.” Out of the corner of her eye, Amara saw Draco glance up, his eyes transfixed on the vial. “You have one hour.”

~~~

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Amara were lounging in front of the fire in the Gryffindor common room. “Amara,” Ron began, “ you spend most of your time here with us. Are you sure you don’t want to ask Dumbledore to transfer you to Gryffindor?” She laughed and shook her head no. “I’m quite content with being in Ravenclaw, Ron. You three just need me around, so I stay here.” Hermione smiled and came up to the couch where Amara was sitting to lean against her; Amara quickly wrapped her arms around Hermione’s shoulders. “That we do, Amara. That we do.”

“Besides… being in Ravenclaw, having Potions be my best subject… Those are things that connect me to my mother. I wouldn’t want to ever let go of them.” At this, Harry glanced up. Amara was the only one who understood the pain of losing a parent; she was the only one Harry could talk to about it. He gave her a soft smile, finally tearing his eyes away from the ratty Potions textbook. 

“Merlin, Harry. How DID you manage to brew a potion better than Amara’s today?” Amara raised her eyebrows at this. “I’ve been curious about that as well. The instructions said to use the juice of twelve Sopophorous beans. How did you know to use thirteen instead?” 

At this, Harry began to fidget in place. Amara lunged forward from the couch and grabbed the old copy of Advanced Potions Making out of his hands, flipping through it and reading all of the edits and notes. “This book belongs to the Half-Blood Prince. Who’s the Half-Blood Prince?”

~~~

“Why is it that whenever anything happens, it’s always you four?” Professor McGonagall questioned. Amara almost laughed. “Believe me, Professor. I’ve been asking myself the same question for six years.” Ron was silenced by Professor Snape entering. He levitated the necklace and they all watched it turn in the air. “I think… Miss. Bell is very lucky to be alive.” 

Harry blurted, “It was Malfoy,” without thinking. Snape lowered the necklace back to the case and turned towards him. “That is a very serious accusation. Do you have any proof?” Amara sighed internally and waited for Harry to try to get out of this one. “I just know.” Hermione glanced at Amara from the corner of her eye and both girls were very obviously biting their tongues. “You just… know? How wonderful it must be to be you, Potter… The Chosen One.”

~~~

Amara was glad that Harry had asked her to accompany him to Slughorn’s Christmas celebration. Both of them were dreading asking others until Harry suggested they attend together as friends. They were greatly amused by Hermione’s attempts to dodge Cormac McLaggen and were having a genuinely wonderful time. When Professor Snape relayed Professor Dumbledore’s message of absence to Harry, she lingered close by, conversing with Neville and making sure he wasn’t feeling lonely either. 

Harry and Amara were considering calling it a night and heading back to their dormitories when Filch dragged Draco Malfoy in by the collar. “Found this one lurking nearby. He claims he was invited.” Before Draco could say anything, Amara immediately stepped forward. “There you are, Draco! He’s my date Professor Slughorn, he’s just running VERY late.” Professor Slughorn looks at Harry, shifts to look lingeringly at Draco, and then settles his gaze on Amara. “Very well Amara. Happy Christmas, my boy.” 

Draco manages a smile that much more resembles a grimace, while Harry glares towards Draco and questions Amara with his eyes from across the room. She mouths, “I’ll explain later” to Harry before grabbing Draco’s hand and pulling him to the side. Inside of expressing the hint of gratitude he was feeling, he stifled it. It was easier to hide under the false sanctuary harsh words provided. “Why did you do that? I didn’t need your help, Grimaldi.” 

Amara winces internally but only smiles externally, a smile that doesn’t reach her eyes. “I just wanted you to stay out of detention, Draco. My mistake. Anyhow…” Her voice trails off as Draco’s voice rings in her mind. He had never called Amara by her last name, not even in the six years since their relationship had become strained. “Do whatever you need to do here. I was just about to leave. Goodnight.”

Draco doesn’t stop her this time. He watches her walk over to Potter who leaves the party along with her, not before glancing back to glare in his direction though. Before Draco can beat himself up over how awful he was to the only person he trusted besides his mother, Professor Snape grabs Draco by the arm and pulls him out into the hallway roughly...

~

By the time Amara and Harry reach the corridor where they part ways to go to their separate common rooms, Amara walks with Harry. “I think I’ll wait for Hermione in her room. I want to talk to her about this.” Harry opens his mouth and closes it again. “Spit it out, Harry.”

Harry sighs softly, stopping in front of the portrait of the Fat Lady. “Amara… why? You know as well as I do that Draco Malfoy is most likely a Death Eater. Then why would you help him? Why would you help someone who would kill without flinching?” 

This time, Amara winces visibly. “Harry, trust me. Draco is not like that. You may not trust him… but you trust me, don’t you?” Her breath hitches in her throat as it threatens to close up with emotions, making it harder to keep speaking. “Has it ever occurred to you that Draco may not have had a choice in these things? Have you considered that Draco is paying for the sins and mistakes of his father?

“I knew who Draco was before all of this. Before everything went to hell. I know the true Draco is in there somewhere… One day, Harry, you’ll see the same Draco I do.” With that, Amara mutters the Gryffindor common room’s password and enters, wordlessly making her way to the girl’s dormitories. 

Harry stands outside the door for a moment longer, thinking over Amara’s words before somewhat ignoring them. Amara was too kind; she couldn’t recognize the darkness in people because she saw good in even the most despicable human beings. It annoyed him (along with Ron and Hermione) at times. Yet… there had never been one time when Amara had misjudged someone in their lives. Was it possible that she was right again?

~~~

Amara had a splitting headache. Ron and Hermione were no longer talking to each other since Lavender jumped on Ron after the Quidditch match. Harry was trying to prove Draco was a Death Eater. She just wanted to sleep. Amara and Harry hadn’t discussed Draco any further; she no longer had the energy to dissuade him. She didn’t exactly know how she would react if Draco was truly a Death Eater, all she knew is that she would still love him the same.

She had always known she loved him. Even when he began ignoring her letters in first year. Even after they spent months without seeing each other across the crowded corridors of the castle. Amara had loved Draco since they were children; the way Amara loved… it would never go away. Draco probably didn’t remember his childhood promise to marry Amara one day, but she did. It had been reduced to a memory and nothing more, but it was a memory she’d cherish forever. 

Hermione was the one who understood Amara the most, despite Draco’s cruelty to her. She saw reason before being carried away by emotions, and Amara appreciated that greatly. Hermione saw Draco through Amara’s eyes simply because she stopped to listen to the truth about Draco’s past. 

As Amara excused herself, Hermione asked if she wanted her to come with. Amara smiled gratefully and shook her head, giving Hermione a quick hug before heading to the Room of Requirement. She was planning on having it take the form of her bedroom at home, needing its comforts. Hogwarts didn’t feel like home… not like this. 

As she turned the corner, she made out a head of platinum blond hair entering the Room of Requirement. Draco had paused momentarily before he entered, the doors promptly disappearing behind him.

Amara stopped where she stood, weighing the options before her. She knew she needed to help Draco, but she didn’t know how. She didn’t even know if she should. This was a decision she couldn’t make on her own. She was going to write to her most trusted confidant above her friends… her father.

~

Dear Dad,

I hope you’re safe. I know I’m not home to make sure you’re taking care of your health, so please do so on my behalf. Things must be immensely hectic with the Order these days, Daddy; I’m so proud of you. I hope whatever you’re doing isn’t too dangerous.

While I’m always worried for you, I’m also worried for Draco. Since his father was imprisoned… he’s changed. This change is different from the ones I’ve mentioned before. When he stopped being my friend, I knew that was his front: the facade he had up. Now… even that has vanished. I can see that Draco doesn’t sleep or eat properly, and he won’t let me or anyone help him. 

You know I care for him, Daddy. I can’t watch him like this and let him suffer alone. I want to help him, but how? I don’t want to become the catalyst to the storm brewing inside him… I don’t want to bring about his destruction. 

Please tell me what I should do. I love you and trust only your opinion on this. You know me and you know Draco so well… help me, please.

Your loving daughter,

Amara

~

Amara didn’t comprehend just how strongly she was feeling about this until she wrote it out in the letter to her father. The tip of her quill nearly snapped in her grip and the parchment crinkled harshly as she clutched it. As she signed her name and let go of her letter, Amara’s body slumped forward onto the desk. Her father’s response would bring her peace; his wisdom always did. 

~

Ambrosi Grimaldi had just returned home after a few days. He, along with other members of the Order, were bringing families in danger of persecution to safehouses. As Ambrosi sat down with a cup of tea, his daughter’s owl, Artemis, swooped in and dropped a letter onto his lap. 

He soothingly stroked Artemis with one hand as he held Amara’s letter with the other. As he read it, a smile formed on his face. The similarities between Amara and Lucianna were astounding. She was just like her. Ambrosi could tell how Amara was feeling and by the telltale crinkles in the parchment. Quickly getting some leftover bread for Artemis to munch on, Ambrosi wrote back to her, encouraging her as much as he could.

~

A few days passed before Amara received his response. As soon as Artemis dropped the letter near her plate at breakfast, she opened it eagerly, reading its contents within seconds.

~

My dear daughter,

I’m taking care of myself, darling girl. I promise. One day, you won’t have to worry about my safety. We’ll be safe, and this will all be over. Unfortunately, just this once, I cannot tell you what my current mission is (in case this letter falls into the wrong hands). Trust me when I say that I am safe. No harm will befall me. I’m working with Moony and we’re looking out for each other.

I often think of Draco too, Amara. His life must have turned to utter chaos after Voldemort’s return. Now, with Lucius in Azkaban… he’s become the man of the house at 16. I would not be surprised if he has been forced to become a Death Eater. However, I believe you can save him. Dumbledore can keep him safe. Convince him to go to Dumbledore for help. I don’t think he’ll listen to anyone but you.

Angel, you could never bring about someone’s destruction. If anything, you may be what he needs. As you’ve told me before, you know him better than anyone. Trust yourself and believe in your goodness as I do. He may push you away at first, but he needs you. You are the light he needs in these dark times. You will be his light just like you are mine.

Above all, take pride in the love you give. Before you were born, I was a simple man who loved his wife. After you were born and we lost your mother, I was a hero in your eyes but felt like a failure myself. No one taught you how to love, yet you did so wholly… so purely. This ability of yours is one you inherited from your mother. Your love saved me in the darkest time of my life, as hers did once. Your love can save all. Remember that.

Always here for you,

Dad

~

Her father knew exactly what to say, exactly what she needed to hear. Running her fingers over the words “Always here for you” once, Amara folded up the letter and headed to the Room of Requirement. If Draco wanted to put walls up, she would bring them down.

~~~

Draco held the bird in his hand gently, running the tip of his finger across its feathers. He had managed to get an apple to return whole, but he didn’t know if a living thing would fare just as well. He set the bird into the cabinet, closing the door and ignoring its chirps as they became more frantic. “Harmonia Nectere Passus.” He barely whispered the incantation but opened the door to find it was gone.

Amara was in front of Room of Requirement, pacing past the entrance a few times. “I want to enter the room that Draco Malfoy is in.” She whispered these words both out loud and in her mind, pausing when the doors revealed themselves. She took a deep breath before she walked in, searching for Draco and not paying attention to the doors disappearing behind her. 

When Draco called the bird back, he heard no chirping. His hands shook as he reached for the door. When he opened it, he inhaled sharply. The bird lay on the dark wood lifelessly, its neck snapped and resting at an unnatural angle. He picked it up, seeing it laying on the palm of his hand. One of Draco’s tears slid down his cheek and fell onto the bird’s tiny body. 

He broke. It was too much. Draco had killed this precious thing. How many more would he have to destroy? How long before this absolute cold consumed him? He was lost. He didn’t know who he was anymore.

Amara heard soft sobs coming from her left and rushed over to them, pausing when she saw Draco and the dead bird in his palm. Amara caught Draco before he fell to his knees. The cabinet loomed above them threateningly. Draco set the bird down before throwing his arms around Amara and clinging to her for dear life. Her heart thudded painfully as his anguish echoed against every object around them. “Amara... I can’t… I don’t… I’m so sorry…” 

She held Draco close and let him cry into her neck. Her hand came up to smooth his hair comfortingly. “Shhh, I know. It’ll be okay Draco. I promise.” As she said these words, Amara knew maintaining such a promise would bring her to hell and back; it may be the one promise she made that she wouldn’t be able to uphold. She would try her hardest though. For him, always.

~~~

“Stop it, Ron, you’re making it snow!” Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Amara sat at the Ravenclaw table. Ron repeatedly looked up to glance at Lavender, who seemed to be digging a fork into the table. “How did I break up with her?” Harry, Amara, and Hermione shared a look. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad to be rid of her. It’s just… she seems a bit put out.” Hermione cleared her throat. “When you were in the hospital wing, you… talked. I don’t believe it was a particularly long conversation.” 

Ron pondered over it and laughed awkwardly. “I do remember something. But it can’t be… I must’ve been completely boggled.” Hermione barely veiled the disappointment in her voice. “Right…. Boggled.” As Amara reached into her bookbag, her eyes fell to the doors of the Great Hall. “Harry… it’s Katie Bell.” Harry immediately shot up and went to go talk to her. Amara began gathering her things and was about to leave when she saw Draco enter. His face went white as he saw Katie speaking with Harry. 

The air seemed to have thinned around him. Draco immediately turned around and all but ran out of the Great Hall, his hand anxiously tugging at his tie. 

He tried to breathe evenly but he couldn’t. Bursting into the deserted bathroom, he stared into the mirror in front of him. Draco couldn’t recognize his reflection. The tears wracked through his body. He clung to the cool porcelain sinks, letting them support weight entirely.

Harry had followed Draco, but he didn’t realize Amara had followed him from a distance. The sound of Malfoy’s pained whimpers momentarily rooted Harry to the ground. “You hexed her, didn’t you? Katie.” Something in Draco snapped. All of the guilt, anger, dread, and frustration he was feeling bubbled up and boiled over. Without thinking about it, Draco whipped around and cast “Stupefy!” in Harry’s direction, which Harry blocked and countered seamlessly. 

 Amara stayed outside of the bathroom, but she could hear the fighting. She didn’t want to go in. If she did she’d be forced to side with one of them. She couldn’t betray Harry’s trust in their friendship; she couldn’t betray the love she felt for Draco. Yet, she didn’t have to make a decision. It was made for her. When Harry shouted, “SECTUMSEMPRA!” she burst into the bathroom to see deep gashes forming on Draco’s body, the clear water being overtaken by maroon. 

 Rushing to his side, Amara had her wand in her hand, though it was of no use to her. She didn’t know how to save him. “Amara…” Draco looked up into her frantic but loving eyes. “I-I lo-” Before he could tell her, Professor Snape entered to see what had happened just as Draco’s airway closed up with a rush of blood; his eyes drifted close from the blood loss. Amara stood up wordlessly. She didn’t trust her voice right now. Professor Snape ordered them to leave as he muttered a song-like incantation that drew the blood back into Draco’s body, the wounds closing up one by one. 

Harry felt guilty above all. He knew the spell was labeled for use on enemies, but he had no idea just how powerful it was. It was Harry’s first time using such dark magic. Amara’s reaction made things so much worse. They exited the bathroom silently, neither knowing what to say. “Amara, I-” 

Amara closed her eyes in pain. The image of Draco lying in a pool of his blood was not leaving her mind. “Get rid of it, Harry. The book. Today.” She walked towards the Hospital Wing, wanting to be there when Draco was brought up. “I’ll be in the Hospital Wing.” Harry watched Amara walk away, not knowing of anything he could say to make it better. “I’m sorry.”

Amara froze in her steps. An apology seemed so unbelievably inconsequential. Draco almost lost his life. Yet, Amara knew Harry as well as she knew herself; Harry would not have used such a spell if he knew what it truly did. She turned around to smile as reassuringly as she could. “I know you are, Harry. I’m not angry with you. I just… someone should be by his side right now.” 

Harry didn’t know what to think. Just a few weeks ago, Harry had considered Amara’s kindness to be her naivety. Today, he realized it wasn’t that. Not at all. Harry admired Amara’s ability to be able to calm others around her even when she may have been breaking on the inside. Whenever he lashed out, Amara was the one who wouldn’t leave him alone, no matter how much he wanted to be rid of her at that moment. It took immense strength to love someone when they did not return that love. Harry knew Draco and Amara had been friends in their childhood; he knew Amara couldn’t walk away from him. 

“Oh, and Harry.” Amara came back towards him, making sure no one was eavesdropping on their conversation. “To get the memory from Slughorn, it sounds like you need some luck. Exactly like the luck Ron thought he had his first match as Keeper.” With that, Amara turned to head up to the Hospital Wing, waiting by Draco’s bedside until he woke. 

~~~

Draco didn’t wake until the next day, and Amara had sat by his bedside. She hadn’t been able to sleep all night, but she had dozed off by the time Draco woke up. It must have been around one in the afternoon when Draco’s open eyes fell to Amara sleeping in a chair beside his bed, her knees hugged to her chest and her disheveled hair framing her beautiful face. He didn’t want to wake her, but when Draco sat up and groaned softly to reach for some water, Amara’s eyes fluttered open.

She was fully awake within seconds and very gently brought Draco back to the bed, pouring him a glass of water and handing it to him silently. Draco took a deep drink, his eyes not leaving her. Amara sat back down, neither of them saying anything, just looking at each other. So much was being said in the silence. They didn’t need words to speak volumes.

“How are you feeling, Draco?” It was the first question that came to Amara’s mind, but it was possibly the most complicated for Draco to answer. Physically, he was a little achy but alright otherwise. Mentally, his mind was racing with thoughts of Amara and the thoughts he didn’t want to pay any attention to: the thoughts reminding him of the task he had to complete tonight. Emotionally, the numbness he had been feeling had been assuaged momentarily, but he knew it was waiting to take over him the second Amara walked away. 

Draco didn’t know how to answer, so he asked her a question instead. “How long have you been here?” Amara took his glass from him and set it on the table, sitting on the bed next to him. “Since yesterday. You’ve been sleeping for around 20 hours.” While Amara had noticed Draco’s health deteriorating weeks ago, Draco saw Amara clearly for the first time tonight. She, too, had bags under her eyes that mirrored Draco’s. She had also lost some weight, not being able to eat well while being anxious about Draco. 

“And did you sleep?” Amara shook her head, extremely grateful to the curtains surrounding Draco’s bed, courtesy of Professor Snape. “Just a bit. I wanted to stay up in case you woke up.” Draco clenched his fist by his side, wanting to embrace her but holding himself back. “Why?”

“Because I love you.” It was the first time Amara had said the words aloud in a long time. It was the first time Draco heard those words from anyone besides his mother. He hardened, his face turning to stone. “Don’t.” He couldn’t feel. It would ruin him. He would fail, and he couldn’t fail. Too much was at stake. 

When Draco felt the blood draining from his body, he would have welcomed death. He saw Amara and wanted to tell her he loved her before he was gone forever, but he was saved. If her face was the last he saw, he would have left this world happily. 

Amara was more hurt than she would admit by this reaction, but she didn’t let it show. “Draco, you get to decide whether you love me or not, not if I love you.” She stood up, running a hand through her long locks. “I’ve loved you since we were kids, Draco. It may mean nothing to you, but you should know.” Draco didn’t know what to say. He wasn’t exactly surprised by this; he knew she loved with unwavering resilience. How she did it was a mystery, but it was her greatest strength. 

Draco was lost, and he didn’t want her to get lost with him. She just couldn’t love a monster like him. His greatest strength was pushing people away, and that’s what he tried to do. He placed a fake sneer on his face and spit venomous lies out through his teeth. “That’s pathetic, Amara. I haven’t wanted you in my life for years. Get out, and leave me be. I don’t love you, not even a bit.” Amara smiled sadly, infuriating Draco.

“You’re lying, Draco Malfoy. To me and to yourself.” His eyes had grown dull and almost lifeless, but when he looked at Amara, she saw a spark in them. It was the smallest of flames, desperate to shine… desperate to be saved. Draco scoffed, but his act was slipping through his fingers. He resorted to telling Amara one thing he wished she never found out. Draco’s pale fingers curled around his dark sleeve and tugged it up harshly, revealing the Dark Mark imprinted into his skin. 

“Do you still love me, Amara?” Bringing his voice to a whisper and casting Muffliato quickly, he covered the Mark and growled angrily. He wasn’t angry at her; he was angry with himself. “I cursed Katie Bell. I was the one who poisoned the bottle of mead which put Weasley in the Hospital Wing. I’ve been mending the cabinet to… do something much worse.” Here, his voice faltered. Even when he was trying to push Amara away, he couldn’t tell her he had to murder a man she looked up to. He couldn’t tell her that he would be bringing Death Eaters into the castle, not the castle that was like home to her.

“So, I ask again. Do you still love me?” Amara took a long, deep breath. “Yes.” Her voice was barely above a whisper. “I love you because you have no choice in these matters, Draco. Something is forcing you to do this, likely the love you have for your mother. I love you because even though you bear Voldemort’s mark, it is not one you would have willingly taken.” She stood up to leave. “I will always love you, Draco. Because I know you. You deserve to be loved.”

With that, Amara headed out of the Hospital Wing, tears streaming down her face unabashedly. She broke out into a run, barely avoiding people in the halls. Her feet thudded to a halt in front of the Gryffindor common room and she entered quickly. “Where’s Harry?” Ron and Hermione shot up from the couch. “Amara?” “What’s wrong?” “Are you hurt?” “Why are you crying?” They both asked her question after question; Amara wasn’t sure who asked what. 

“Harry’s gone to search for a Horcrux with Professor Dumbledore.” Hermione whispered to her, bringing Amara to the couch. Amara dried her tears. “Something will be happening. I don’t know what… but something terrible will happen. And it’ll be soon.”

Ron and Hermione looked at each other wordlessly while Amara hugged her knees to her chest once more, resting her forehead on them. She felt like a failure. She hadn’t been able to convince Draco to go to Dumbledore for help. She never had the chance to. Even if she had… Draco wouldn’t have listened to her. His self-loathing had grown so unbelievably much. It killed her from the inside out. How could he hate himself so?

“What do we need to do, Amara?” Ron shifted his weight awkwardly, not knowing what else to say. “I don’t know, Ron. I don’t know.”

Meanwhile, Draco stared up at the ceiling of the Hospital Wing. Amara’s last words to him ran through his mind like a song on repeat. She loved him when she shouldn’t have. It would have been easier if she hated him, if she yelled at him. Her acceptance was threatening to save him. But he wasn’t worth saving. He wasn’t deserving of her love, no matter what she thought.

~~~

“Harry, no matter what happens or what you see tonight, promise me that you will stay below. Promise me that you’ll stay hidden.” Professor Dumbledore’s voice was calm as always, but this time there was a slight edge to it. What it was, Harry didn’t understand. 

Harry was about to hesitate but he heard the sound of a door shutting closed. “Trust me.” Harry nodded and hid below just as Professor Dumbledore asked. He watched Malfoy walk in. Within moments, Harry’s suspicions were confirmed; Malfoy had disarmed Professor Dumbledore. He admitted to everything. 

“Draco… Years ago, I knew a boy who made all the wrong choices. Please let me help you.” Malfoy was crying, his hand visibly shaking. “I don’t want your help! Don’t you understand? I have to do this. I have to kill you. Or he’s going to kill my mother. He’s going to kill…” Draco couldn’t finish his sentence. Dumbledore was the second person wanting to save him, and it was too much for him. Tears streamed down his face relentlessly, his voice nearly garbled by the emotions.

“Amara.” Draco’s wand almost slipped from his hand at the mention of her name. He made no move to confirm it, but both Dumbledore and Harry understood. “She would want you to hide, Draco. She would want you to save yourself.” Draco began to lower his wand. “I know that! But I can’t. Saving myself would only bring destruction to her. To my mother.” Before Draco could say anything else, other Death Eaters burst into the Astronomy Tower, forcing Draco to straighten his wand again.

Harry was tempted to go up and to protect Dumbledore, but he had promised. He couldn’t break that promise. From behind him, Snape showed up and pressed a finger to his lips, gesturing for him to be silent....

~

Amara was worried. She began to make her way to Dumbledore’s office but heard a commotion from within the Great Hall. She froze in her steps when she heard Bellatrix’s cackle. “You coward!”

Harry’s voice broke through even the shattering glass as he ran after Snape. Amara followed it to see Harry casting curses at him, which Snape only deflected. “He trusted you! He trusted you, and you killed him!” The true meaning of Harry’s words didn’t register in Amara’s mind until she saw the tear stains on Draco’s face from a distance, illuminated by the fire on Hagrid’s hut.

Dumbledore was dead. Amara joined Harry in throwing random spells at Snape, faltering slightly. Even in the darkness, the pain in Draco’s eyes shone brightly. Snape ordered him to run, but Draco looked at Amara for just a bit longer before listening to him, wanting to show her he wasn’t the one who killed Dumbledore. He couldn’t do it. Amara nodded very slightly, before wrapping her arms around Harry, trying to pull him back. When she looked up again, Draco was gone.

“Sectumsempra!” Snape deflected one last spell before he finally snapped. “You dare use my OWN spell against me?” Amara stepped in front of Harry, making sure Snape couldn’t hurt him. He ignored her, glaring directly at him. “I am the Half-Blood Prince.” 

~~~

The Dark Mark loomed above them all while Harry fell to his knees in front of Dumbledore’s body. Ginny went to hold him while he sobbed. Amara took a silent moment to look around. Hogwarts had stopped feeling like a home to her a few years ago, but it had never felt unsafe. Hellfire was coming, and it was going to consume all. 

Amara stood near her father, who had arrived with some other members from the Order. He had his arm around her and had silent tears streaming down his face. Ambrosi Grimaldi was not one who shed tears often; in fact, Amara couldn’t remember the last time she saw her father cry. Yet, as Ambrosi’s deep blue eyes swam in oceans of grief, Amara’s throat welled up with emotions and they too spilled from her eyes. 

Professor McGonagall’s wand was the first to rise. She sent a light towards the Dark Mark, and many others followed suit. Soon enough, every student, Professor, and Order member had their want raised, aiming to destroy the darkness encroaching over them.

They raised their wands in unity, in memory of their beloved teacher, friend, mentor, and so much more….

~~~

“Do you think he would have done it? Draco?” Amara swallowed hard, resting her head against Ron’s shoulder, who wrapped an arm around her comfortingly. Harry glanced back at Amara, remembering Malfoy’s hesitation and why he was standing in front of Dumbledore that night. “No. No, he was lowering his wand.”

Amara felt a flicker of relief. She got up with Ron and the two of them joined Harry and Hermione at the balcony. “Next year, I won’t be back. I’ve got to finish what Dumbledore started. This Horcrux is a fake… but I won’t let it be for nothing. It’ll be tough, but I’ll let you guys know where I am when I can.”

Hermione nudged Harry and spoke up. “Harry, you really can be quite thick sometimes. We’ll be coming with you. All of us.” Harry’s eyes glanced at Ron who nodded solemnly and then shifted to Amara, who managed a small encouraging smile. 

“Of course, Harry. From Quirrel to the basilisk, from the second task last year to forming Dumbledore’s Army, we’ve done everything together. And that’s how we’ll end this. Together.”

The four stood side by side, staring out onto the Black Lake. Above them, Fawkes sang mournfully, soaring the skies in its grief…

With that, 6th year has come to a close for Amara, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Draco. 

If you made it all the way here (that was a lot to read, I know!), I’d love your feedback/comments/reactions/constructive criticisms :)

Until next time, JustAThoughtfulAngel <3

[minyoonmeme]

Redolent

Word count: 1494

Pairing: Jhope/Jung Hoseok x reader/OC 

Description: Redolent - strongly reminiscent or suggestive of (something)

Genre/Warnings: very sad and very angsty (I got a little emotional writing this, oh gosh)

[See author’s note as the end, please] 

masterlist

To, My Sweet Angel

I feel dull. My ears ring from the grey static bouncing off the walls. My hands ache from the cold, no sufficient source of heat able to insulate the missing warmth. Had the cold always stung? My eyes and head are dotted with dizzying spells as I sway and attempt to clear the fogginess of my sadness. My feet, although stiff and pained, continue to dance. It’s a forced two-step filled with hiccups and short fits of uncontrollable sobs. A slow regression of minor notes has taken over the once lively accompaniment. My ears ring, but I can hear the haunting cadence of D minor. A key so soul-stirring, Schubart, a German Poet, once claimed it was a key “of brooding despair, of blackest depression, of the most gloomy condition of the soul.” Oh, how correct he was.

My suffering is not all for naught, for eventually, with time, I will learn that my feet will only add to the despair around me. Any melody was better than none at all, perhaps.

Eventually, a routine is set and so the dance continues.

My lips sip at the same mug filled with coffee every morning. The carpet still receives the same brutal dragging of feet as I force myself back and forth between the empty apartment, trying to ready myself for another day. I learn to memorize a routine from before. It’s new and familiar all at once. 

Months go by and the dance becomes easier. My feet no longer remain planted and instead have found a slow progression of turns. But turning makes my body ache and creates a dizzy haze. My feet have twice now developed rug burns as I get excited and twirl more than I am able to do so. Eventually, however, I collapse. There are hands set to catch me, but they remind me of you too much and I find myself wishing they would’ve just let me fall. Let my bones feel the same burn my feet do everyday. 

I expect their hands to retreat and for me to stagger, but they stay. Firm and sure despite everything. They hold no pressure, but serve only as a gentle reminder of company. Of care. I try to shake them off, but they are firm and steady. My faint grip proves fruitless, and I continue to let them guide me. I am delicate within their hold, as they never push nor pull too hard on my frail form. They’ve given me a new dance and are kind enough to guide me through it as I stagger. Eventually, I’ll grow attached to the feeling of someone being near, and find the strength to return their hold. One day, may we hold each other up. One day, I will not be a dead weight for their arms. One day, I will them and myself in a waltz set upon marble where we may glide with the burn.

Times proves me correct once again.. 

I do learn to stand on my own… only to feel my knees collapse once more beneath me.. 

What would you think of me? So weak and helpless, nothing like the person you had once known. My appearance has faltered from what you once knew, from what you had once deemed beautiful and kind. The dancing has halted to a complete stop, and the only sound that echoes from me is the sound of my own deafening sobs and painful hiccups. It causes a pain in my chest too deep to just be from my wailing. The dissonance continues once again as I claw numbly at the hollow spot where my heart used to lay. Rain swallows my form as I wallow in the bitter saltiness. 

I feel hands return once more in my time of need, and I try this time to keep them from me. I cry harder and swing wildly at the pressing form. Do they not understand that I don’t want their hands? They’re too large, too warm, and too suffocating. They are not your hands. They will never be your hands. Never again. 

“Let me go!” I beat against them screaming. “Didn’t you hear me? I said, let go! You fucking piece of shit…” My voice chokes and I find myself heaving against their chest desperately. My throat aches from screaming, leaving my mouth to silently open and close as I let the rain pour once more, this time over the two of us. How long had it been since i last heard another’s heart beat? How long has it been since I last heard yours?

Their strength proves to be enough for the both of us once again as they lift my drenched form onto wobbly legs. they know that I’m weak, that if I try to stand I will fall, so they hold me; but, it feels wrong. Everything feels wrong. The air feels too harsh, children’s cries overpower laugher and the sun sets too earlier. Every cliché feels real and everything is too much once again. Every color has faded to match my dull mood despite the copious amount of stimulation running through my mind. 

Someone runs their hand through my hair and hushes over my silent crying. The night greets me sweeter than the sun, and I gladly retreat under the stars. 

“I’m sorry.” I whisper to no one after they’ve left for but a moment. “I don’t want to be weak anymore.” I need you. 

My shoulders shake as I begin to cry again, but my upper body is stuffed between a pair of arms around me. They know the dance well, but my shoes have filled with the bitter rain and weigh down my legs. My bare feet still feel the rawness from my previous lonesome dance. But together, we move. It’s different from before and my body screams in agony, but I let him lead. I let the dance continue because I do not know how to. 

Would you scowl and disapprove of our clumsy movements? It’s nothing compared to your skillful movements of grace and love and care. It’s nothing compared to our dance. A waltz unlike another other filled with hundreds of sympathies and years of practice that if I look hard enough, can still see our tracks along the carpet in the living room. Perhaps, if you saw our dance, our flimsy excuse of a dance, you could come back under some miracle. I always thought you had some sort of magical ability with the way you smiled fluttered about our home. They are not you, no one could ever compare my dear, but they help me live and keep me afloat. I can continue with them. I hope you can forgive me for continuing without you with another. 

The music changes when they hold me upright once more, and I can keep the rain at bay longer than before. Together we shift from a minor to major and raise the tempo to something more lively. It’s not entirely too happy of a melody, but it leaves me humming nonetheless. 

Inside I am sure they know I am comparing the two dances, but they say nothing. I stumble in our new dance, falling into our old forgotten one by mistake, but they only gather my hands while silently guiding me back to them once more. They are kinder than I deserve, but I say nothing selfishly absorbing every contact and movement.

They remind me of you in many ways and I suppose that’s why I let them linger for so long. they care for others just as you had, and smiles for my sake despite my actions inflicting their pure heart at times. I don’t mean to hurt them, but you’ve strung yourself deep within the walls of my heart that it’s hard to look past the intricate woven patterns. One day I will back and apologize for using their kindness to better myself. And one day I know they will respond with only more love. Love I am not sure I am deserving of, but love I will accept nonetheless. You would want that wouldn’t you?

With time I know I will improve. I will continue to dance for you, but this time with someone else. I hope you will forgive me for this, but know that I am happy. That one day I will be very happy. I will smile for you, showing the world what was once a smile as blinding as the sun. My eyes will continue to search for you as I hold onto someone else, and I hope you don't hold too much hate in your heart for me when we see each other again. I can not wait to see you. I can not wait to hold you and see your smile without feeling as if I am piercing my own chest. I miss you. I will always miss you, my dear. 

With more love than you could imagine, 

Your Love.

Notes: Hey guys, Happy New Year! This one was a little sad, but I wrote this to cope with a lost loved one who committed suicide in January a couple of years ago. January has been a little hard for me ever since then, so I felt like I needed to express that somehow rather than keeping it in. This is meant to be a little vague and open for you guys to imagine who is writing this and what’s happened, however. I wanted this to express the pain of trying to “move on” and cope with losing someone or something. If you or someone you know is having a hard time, please reach out to someone let them know they’re being thought of and loved or that you need someone. 

[bolbianddolanhouse]

Book 3 FAQ!

Need to catch up? Heres all the previous FAQs 1 * 2 Heres the master post of all three books 1 * 2 * 3

Wow...you would think that with the whole pandemic that I’d get these chapters out faster. But alas this year got the best of me too. I’ve been a lil vulnerable in the tags with y’all and the check-in messages really touched me. So thank you very much to everyone that has checked up on me and enjoyed the chapters! I appreciate all of you :3 So lets roll out the questions!

Q: Who is Iwata based off? A: Iwata is based off my self-insert, which is also me. I know that sounds a lil narcissistic but it’s that real life reference that you’re a spitting image of your parent. Iwata was designed to look and act very similar to his mother based off that. What made him a little more original and not a copy of my self-insert is the tropes I added. I mirrored the trope of that of the relationship between Steven and his mom in Steven Universe; where he adored, then hated but then came to terms that he is not his mom but someone better. A whole journey of self-discovery and self-worth.

Q: The representation is amazing! How did you come up with these queer characters? A: Glad you liked them! Like I’ve said in previous FAQs and in the tags, all these characters were dreamt and I just build upon them in writing. So yes, most of my characters were created queer in my dreams but I make them more in depth by setting up how they discovered they’re queer. I did a bit of research on coming out stories and self-discovery epiphanies to have these characters more relatable so a fellow queer reader feels seen in a way. There’s already too much hetero works out there, I just want to gay it up in a respectful way. 

Q: The culture mixing is really good and consistent, how do you do it? A: For starters, I am latina. But the culture mixing stems from my knowledge about other cultures through language. I’ve been studying Japanese for almost a decade now and Chinese for about 4 years, so it’s no surprise that I’m referencing them in my work. Maybe what I depict isn’t what other half-Japanese half-Latinx families do, but it’s what I’d do if I started such a family. Plus there’s some overlap within those cultures and it makes it easy to put into writing.

Q: So. much. drama! Why is this book more dramatic than the previous two? A: Book 3 is were main on-going plot gets picked up more and shows signs of resolution. In book 2, it was to focus on not only Lili and the family dynamic but to remind the reader that life moved on with little resolve for the self-insert character. Iwata has a HUGE role in the resolution but in his own special way. And I’m not saying the answer is love...but it’s leaning there. 

Q: You reference specific food and snacks in this AU/ what are your favorite Cheetos? A: Like I said, I’m latina! Of course I write in the food of my home culture. Mainly the home cooked meals my mom would make for me and my siblings. It might not seem like much to the reader, but those simple meals add to the narrative of being home and traditions that help them embrace their mixed heritage. The reference of Cheetos are all over this AU because they’re my favorite hot chip. Naturally, my favorite Cheetos are the Hot con Límon with chamoy. 

Q: Love that there’s no canon character deaths in this book so far, but are there any major deaths planned? A: Just one but it’s not a tragic, hero fallen type death. It’s a natural death but it’s gonna be a tear jerker. That death won’t come until the WAY end of this AU, so I’m not gonna spoil anything yet.

Q: Can’t believe you predicted Dabi’s true identity. A: It was obvious tho. I didn’t really predict anything canon if you’re an anime only for BNHA. In this AU (without spoiling too much) there’s no Endeavor redemption and Dabi doesn’t cause that big drama on live TV. So if you’re an Endeavor hater like me, you’re gonna love what I have in store for them in the next book!

Q: I love Tenya being a dad and loving husband in this AU! Will we see more dad moments? A: Glad you like those snippets of dad Tenya! I love writing them for my own indulgence since there isn’t enough love for this character in the fandom. Plus I see a whole lot of consistent readers are Iida-stans and that makes me want to write more married fluff whenever I can.

Q: Beizu is best boi/Who is Beizu based off of? A: Beizu is the genius trope in this book. I made his character a more chill version of his mom but with that ‘who is my dad’ trope. Beizu is part of a trio that’s to mirror the agent trio of Ita, Jin and Mimi. The third member is yet to be revealed but they’re a BIG plot device in the coming book. But Beizu is one of my favorite OCs, maybe I’ll do a ranking of my OCs when everyone is introduced. 

Q: The villains and Hawks plot has me SHOOK! What’s going to happen to hero society when this case gets solved? A: Without spoiling it, the truth is going to expose the corrupt higher ups in hero society. The kids in the household has a part in taking down hero society as well but in their own, special way. Iwata has the biggest part in closing the case (but it’s spoiler if I say how), Lili and twins help tearing down minor things like education systems and laws. I will say though, the case gets resolved after the trio retires because Ita gets to return to America and found an heir to the company before they could draw to a conclusion. Which is a happy ending at the end of the storyline, no major deaths!

Q: Confirmed weddings? A: Yes :) because Lili and Iwata deserve good things and love. The twins have it easy in the coming book. Lili’s comes first and Iwata’s comes later than expected (can’t say why yet, gotta keep reading :3). I guess I can say that all of them get married but Lili’s and Iwata’s are the only queer ones. All the spouses that marry into the family take the Iida name, so Lili and Hanaka don’t change family names when they get married! Y’all already know those wedding chapters are gonna be lavish and take up most of the chapter, you’ll love them.

Q: But are the kids Joji stans? A: Oh jeez...they are the same way we like 80′s music. It’s pleasant to listen to but kinda cringe when you see your parents dance to it. I don’t really portray it, but the family digital library has all of Joji’s music in a playlist called ‘Sad hours Soundtrack’. If you ask Mr Muffins 2.0 who last listened to the playlist, they’ll snitch who and how many times it has been looped. That’s how Tenya knows who needs cheering up.

Q: I love the little references to their childhood, what else can you tell us about their pre-book childhood? A: As I said a few times in the tags, I cut a ton of stuff that isn’t relevant to the plot. Most of it was their childhood and how they manifested their quirks. Lili really liked to scream before she learned to talk, a very fast learner and at 3 years old got her engine quirk and later that year showed signs of a second quirk. Iwata was very quiet child, hardly cried or gets upset but latched on to mom a lot. His first words were in Spanish but struggled a bit with Japanese before entering kinder. Tensei was born first, then Hanaka followed 10 minutes later. Hanaka’s fire quirk manifested after the first breast feeding when she was getting burped by mom in the hospital. Mom likes to believe Tensei came out first to warn everybody that Hanaka can breathe fire. Tensei didn’t manifest his metal quirk until the age of 7, making him a very late bloomer. Though very different in personalities, Hanaka and Tensei get along and get very creative when it’s playtime. Up until the age of 5, mom would place Hanaka in kindling to get the BBQ grill or bonfire started. Hanaka has been known to randomly burst into flames as a baby, so Tensei had to sleep in a different crib for his safety. Tensei spent more time reading as a child because everyone was focused on managing Hanaka’s flames, thus making him a very studious boy.

Q: Not an AU question, but how are you doing?/ We don’t mind waiting for the chapters! Please take your time. A: I’ve been getting check ins and validation in my asks for the inconsistent schedule. Too many things came at me this year, both good and bad. I was doing well in speech and debate that I went to nationals and prepared myself for some serious competition, leaving no time to do chapters. Then I fell in and out of depressive episodes during lockdown where I’m from. In the summer my grandmother passed away from the virus in Mexico, then my beloved dog Mr Muffins passed away of old age. Those deaths hurt me and my family the most that I was having a hard time trying to cope plus trying to be responsible by adhering to CDC guidelines (I’m in the immune-comprised group). In my want to get over my grief, I trained and received my certificate in ordained ministry (yea I know that’s not the best first step, but I just needed to feel like I’ve achieved something being cooped up at home). I’ve very grateful that theres some readers that see the tags and check up on me. All your kind words gives me a little strength to write and finish every chapter at my pace.

Q: More art please? A: Yes :3 I have one coming up real soon! After the end of this book is where I’ll be releasing some art as a sort of place holder.

Q: Is the the estate drama eluding to the ending? A: Yup! And it will show up every now and then in the next book.

Q: This is a really good self insert AU! There’s complexity to your character and others...how do you write these interactions/relationships really close to actual ones? A: Thanks for the complement :3 When I first started this AU, I was in the middle of my semester of a creative writing course. Near the end of book 2 was when I finished the course work for it and by then you could see the progression in writing. ALSO, I’m a communications major as well! Writing these relationships and other social things were things that I remembered learning in my interpersonal communications class. I was a bit on fence on whether or not to start this AU because I didn’t think my writing skill was at all that good. With some encouragement from my classmates and friends, I pushed myself to write this whole AU out. I don’t plan on stopping until I finish the storyline, plus I hate leaving things unfinished.

And that wraps up this FAQ! Hopefully I got everyone’s questions since most were check-ins for me. But expect the last chapter for book 3 in the next few days. After Book 3, I’m going on a lil hiatus until the end of February. I have so many life events happening in the upcoming weeks that I’m gonna need time to recharge before resuming this AU. Y’all know I bounce back as promised, in the meantime, I have some art things queued to remind y’all that Book 4 is in the works. Only 2 more books to go! Thanks again for reading and I’ll talk you y’all again later in the tags~

-Love, Palma-sama

P.S. Heres the end of Book 3 for your connivence :3 other links are at the top of this post! 

[magnoliawhetstone]

g, m, y from abc's of your oc.

This got so long, I am so sorry. It’s under the cut for dash etiquette, there is no trigger warnings.

G: Gorgeous

1. what is their most attractive external feature?

“My most attractive external feature?” Lia repeated and took a breath. Tonya said this would be a good exercise, just go with it. Stop overthinking and just...say what’s on your mind. “I like my eyes. I think they’re a really pretty shade of blue and I’ve always  thought they looked nice. They’re the one thing I can’t change no matter how hard I try, but I also don’t think I’d want to.” 

2. what is the most attractive part of their personality?

“Oh, well I think I’m really compassionate and thoughtful, and I always find that attractive in others. It’s a really hard thing to do, and that takes strength, so I guess strength is something I have too.” She blinked, surprised at her unexpected self compliment. “Uhm, well--yeah, I think those are attractive. But I feel like you’d get a better answer if you asked someone that wasn’t me. I like those parts about who I am, though.”

3. what benefits come with being their friend?

“Oh, well you always get, like, a million baked goods. Because I’m a chronic stress baker, I always have overflowing piles of cookies and brownies and tarts. Just ask nate, I’m sure being my roommate is a laborious task.” She laughed. “But I also think I’m pretty kind, like I said earlier. And I take great care to get to know my friends and what they like and then surprise them later on. Plus I’m loyal--” She takes a breath. “Or, I try my very best to be.”

4. what parts of them do they like and dislike?

“Parts I like and...dislike about myself?” Lia repeats, playing with her fingers. Just say what’s on your mind, Magnolia. Try what Tonya said. “I like that I am people oriented and I care very deeply about them and their happiness. Especially my people. I like that I am a good baker and that I can crack an egg one handed. It makes me happy when my baked goods make other people smile. I think I’m a diligent worker who’s dedicated to her job and what she’s doing. And I like the way my hair looks today.” One down, here comes the monster. “I don’t like...I dislike that I am very attentive to how people perceive me and their opinions matter more than my own. I don’t like that I don’t always know how stand up for myself when I need to or don’t always ask for help. And I absolutely hate that I am not always strong enough to avoid unhealthy habits. Also, I don’t really like my thighs.”

5. what parts of others do they envy?

“I am most envious of those who are so sure of themselves. That they know exactly who they are and are so confident in that that no one takes it away from them. Or they can thwart off attempts to steal that peace. They just...exist and the world around them acknowledges them. It doesn’t mean life is easy, but they aren’t always battling themselves along with the rest of the world.” She sighs. “I like to think I have that within me, but sometimes it feels the opposite.”

M: Maternal

1. would they want a daughter or a son?

“I want both. At least.” She laughs--it had been a long time since she thought about having children. “A son and a daughter.” For all the woes her family had, she did like that she had a sibling--and a brother. Lia had never thought about what her life would be like if she had a sister--but she imagines it might have been even more intense.

2. how many children do they want?

“Oh, at least two. Maybe like three or four? I mean I don’t know if I could go much more than that.” Another grin stretches across her face. She loves children--they instantly make her day better. “I think siblings are really special and I’ve always imagined having a large family.” Maybe because it was different hers and she wanted to distance herself as far as possible from that. Or maybe it was because she envied the bigger families for some unknown reason. “Yeah. no more than four, but like--I like imagining having a big family. It feels...right? is that even something I can say?” She giggled slightly. 

3. would they be a good parent?

Lia immediately feels her body tense at this question. It’s actually one of her biggest fears--apart from being afraid she’d never be worthy of love. She absolutely loves children, but the idea of being responsible for their growth? What if she messed up? What if she said something wrong and they’d hate her? What if she became her mother? The thought send shivers down her back and she took a deep breath. “I hope so. I’d try my best to be the best mom I could be. I just want my kids to know that no matter what, I love them. And they don’t have to do anything to earn that and they’ll do nothing to change it.”

4. what would they name a son? what would they name a daughter?

“If I had a boy, I love the name Parker. I don’t know why, it just has always kinda stuck with me.” She said, her mind traveling back to the days where Lia thought about her children’s names and the meaning. “And I love the name Eloise for a girl. Elle for short. Isn’t that just pretty?” Lia notices their surprise and she laughs loudly. “Oh, you thought I’d name them Darcy or Elizabeth or something, huh? No, no. I love Pride and Prejudice, I do--but I don’t think I could name my kid those names. I have too many emotions about it and honestly, neither one of them are exactly amazing role models. Besides, I’m not that predictable.”

5. would they adopt?

“Of course! I don’t see any reason why I wouldn’t.”

Y: You

1. how old were you when you created them?

Oh, well Magnolia exists today since March and I’m 24. So yeah, she’s kinda of a newbie.

2. what inspired you to create them?

Well, quarantine really. I knew I was gonna need to find a community and fast because Spring Break had nearly destroyed me being stuck alone in my apartment all day. But actually creating Lia was part of me trying to explore some of these similar feelings and fears in a safe way. I don’t know if that makes sense, but while Lia and I are not the same completely, she holds a lot of ideas and thoughts about things that I do so it was a way to see how these thoughts look outside of my own brain. Also, I had the idea of a pageant queen in my head for some time and I love Set It Up so the personal assistant thing worked out well. 

3. were they different when they were first created?

I mean, she’s still an infant in that regard, so yeah but that was before all the character development we went through. She’s gone through some stuff, but I think that where she is right now is leagues above where she was in March.

4. do you enjoy writing them more than other characters?

Are you asking if I have favorites? Ahah, well yeah, I do have favorites but she’s tied with Nic. They are just so different from each other that its hard to put one above the other. I think Lia and I share a lot of things that I am currently working through so it can be easier to write her at times. She’s also been in my head a lot longer than Nic (Nic was a REALLY new OC) so I think she and I have a different dynamic. But I don’t love her more than Nic, she just is a little more constant on the muse side of things. 

5. what’s your favorite thing about them?

My favorite thing about Lia is absolutely how she’s actually growing. Like I think sometimes it’s easy to throw an OC in therapy and then magically they’re better--I’ve seen it in different areas of my life. But I love writing out her process of growing through it. How she hates some of her assignments from Tonya or how she relapses and fails--but how she’s learning to forgive herself in that. I’ve really really enjoyed writing out this for her and I think, in some ways, it’s kind of a cool way for me to reflect back to myself the ways I can and should be kinder to myself. This got really weird and meta and I’m so sorry.

[k-liight]

News, Updates, and Other Stuff

so I've been pretty inactive lately, as you can probably tell. my apologies for that; I don't want getting life in the way but it has to sometimes whether I like it or not. that being said, this period of inactivity might continue until the rest of the month (year... LOL), and there will be many more to come. to elaborate on what's been going on with me lately: this month, I finally completed community college. I had to make sure I passed this one last class I needed to take, and I was kinda worried, but thankfully I got an A on the final and a B in the class overall. so I'm hugely relieved to get that part of my life out of the way. took me three damn years, but better late than never lmao. but, as it's December and all, I've been busy with Christmas stuff haha. I'm working on the two art trades that I still owe, and my friend and I are also working on a double meme for our joint account that we created ages ago but haven't done anything with lmao. that, my friends, is what happens when two procrastinators decide to collaborate. LMAO anyway, I'm hoping I can get a couple Christmas drawings in, since there's only ten more days now lol. and then comes the new year. I've already got my New Year's resolutions planned out for 2020. 2019 was "the year of me" as I call it; a chance to start being kinder to myself and improve my mental health. in some ways it worked, in others it completely backfired, but at least I did change some things. but 2020 is going to be the year where I try to straighten out my life in general. now that I've finished community college, I'm going to take an indefinite hiatus from schooling until I figure out exactly what I'm going to do with my future. I'm going to try to push myself forward and learn how to make it in this world on my own. I'm going to finally get my goddamn driver's license, force myself to learn about boring finance shit, stuff like that. but I'm also going to work on my art stuff more, like developing my OCs and their stories, creating a portfolio, and maybe even looking at art schools. I'm also going to start demanding more independence from my mom. I'm going to be 22 soon, she NEEDS to start letting me do things on my own whether she likes it or not. I think I had another point I was going to make, but I don't remember anymore ^^; but I at least wanted to give y'all an update, so here we are lol. hopefully everyone has a merry Christmas or any other holiday they celebrate if I don't get back here before then XD"

[simonxriley]

Any questions from Q or Y for Skylar

I’ll answer 3 of the questions from Q and all of Y! And nice to see you back!!

ABCs of your OCs

Q: Questions

1: Do they ask for help?

Yes she does. She doesn’t shy away from it and it’s best to ask for help (especially in her line of work) than do it on her own and have something go wrong. 

3: Do they answer questions that make them a little uncomfortable?

Sometimes, all depends on what it is. 

5: Are they curious?

Very. Skylar was born with curious mind and is always hungry to learn more. When she joined Rainbow she was surrounded by people of many different cultures and backgrounds and she’s learned a lot of Russian, Polish, German and Spanish culture from some of the other ops she’s closest with. 

Y: You

1. How old were you when you created them?

I was 23

2. What inspired you to create them?

Back when I was getting into the fandom and reading up on the bios of the Operators, I gravitated to a lot of the female ones, Ash, Ela. Mira for example and how badass they were and thought. I want to create a character like that, thus Skylar “Phoenix” Jackson was born. 

3. Were they different when they were first created?

Yes they were, to a point. Some smaller things I changed was she was supposed to end up with Thermite after the Outbreak, but decided against it when I knew her and Tachanka had better chemistry and they just love each other. Their relationship was only supposed to be friends with benefits until the Outbreak. And giving her a gadget. The more major things were making her ex more abusive and not making her leave the Marines unscathed. Skylar has had a few hookups here and there and wouldn’t have to think twice on sleeping with Tachanka, so when she did and freaked out over it and avoided him for a few days I needed to figure out why. And since I know Skylar I knew it would have to be someone completely tearing her down to nothing for her to be so nervous on getting attached to anyone, hence the abusive boyfriend. Then I added in her being the sole survivor of an ambush that messed with her pretty badly, but also got her away. 

4. Do you enjoy writing them more than other characters?

I do, actually. Skylar comes more easily to me than a lot of my other ocs and canon characters’. I don’t find myself struggling with her, whether it’s her background and life or just writing for her in general. 

5. What’s your favorite thing about them?

Her kindness and compassion. She has been through so much in her young life and the world has done everything it could to turn her the opposite. And that she’s a survivor. She’s been through so much, and after it all she comes out stronger and kinder and most importantly she finds true love and lives a happy life with Tachanka and their 8 kids. 

[joohoneyhoe]

Push and Pull| Thirteen

|Chapter One| |Chapter Two| |Chapter Three| |Chapter Four| |Chapter Five| |Chapter Six| |Chapter Seven| |Chapter Eight| |Chapter Nine| |Chapter Ten| |Chapter Eleven| |Chapter Twelve| |Chapter Thirteen| |Chapter Fourteen|

pairing: Jimin x oc x Jaebum genre: angst, regret word count: 2k a/n: Isolde spent three years with Jimin after meeting him by chance in a dance studio. He was perfect and he loved her, she thought he was the one she’d spend the rest of her life with. That all crumbles when he decides he wants to please his parents and leave her so he can be with someone like him. Isolde is plummeted into turmoil and leaves her job as a choreographer to move back home to the states. A mutual friend named Im Jaebum reaches out to console her, lift her back up from her fragile state. It’s a push and pull tug between what she thought she had and what she could have.

Stiff over-the-top clothes, camera flashes, people calling my name, fans shouting and endless streams of interviews. These are just a few things that I’d use to describe The Seoul Music Awards. I enjoyed coming every year, I always had. This year felt very different for me though. Different in a way I didn’t understand or like. It all came down to just one person who wasn’t here with me, when I knew she should be.

Isolde.

Instead, I had my fiancè Soomi at my side. She was just as well dressed as the rest of us, maybe even more so. Her deep red lace dress matched the embellishments on my suit jacket perfectly. Her now auburn hair was perfectly styled, parted perfectly down the middle and straight, framing her delicate shoulders. She looked absolutely stunning, her smile lighting up her entire face as she stood alongside me, her arm linked with mine. She was beautiful and happy to be next me. So, why wasn’t I happy to have her there?

We made our way inside after countless interviews, finally finding our table and taking our seats. I placed Soomi in the seat to my left as Taehyung took the seat on my right, bouncing excitedly. Yoongi took the seat next to him, Suran sitting down on the opposite side, taking his hand into hers. My eyes locked with Yoongi, and he gave what appeared to be a look of sympathy, making me quickly avert my gaze.

“Do we know who’s preforming first this year?” Jin questioned, leaning forward past Soomi in order to see the rest of us. Taehyung shook his head, resting his elbows on the table.

“No idea. I’m assuming it’s whoever’s table that is next to us. I only see a few other empty ones and there are so many people here, I can’t even guess who it is.” he replied with a grin. Yoongi smacked his chest lightly to make him sit back.

“Does it really matter? For once it isn’t us who has to preform and miss everything.” he pointed out, taking his hand from Suran and wrapping it around her shoulders before planting a kiss to her hair. 

Yoongi had never been an affectionate person by any means, not until he met Suran. He was so gentle and kind to her, a side of him that any of us rarely saw. Suran brought out a whole new Yoongi, a kinder, gentler one. Watching the two of them enjoy each other at these types of things, just made my heart ache for Isolde even more. 

A soft hand carefully grabbed mine under the table, squeezing it gently and pulling me from my pity party. I looked over at Soomi’s smiling face, her red plump lips pulled back and showing her pearly whites. She was beautiful, kind and she loved me. It was time to stop feeling sorry for myself and love her the way she did me. Isolde wasn’t coming back. Period.

I gave her a wide smile, leaning over to kiss her temple carefully before pulling her into my side. I could feel her whole body relax into me, almost like she knew I was feeling the way I was. I enjoyed her warmth radiating against my form, her small body fitting next to me almost perfectly. She was wonderful and it was time I showed her that.

Just then, the lights dimmed and the stage went dark. Taehyung began hitting my shoulder excitedly, pointing ahead of us. We watched seven figures file onto the stage, taking their positions before the music began to start. Hard Carry rang through the speakers as they all spun to face us, lights shining on them. Taehyung and Jungkook jumped up excitedly, happy to see their friends on this stage for the first time in their career.

I watched them carefully, my eyes not wanting to wander from Jaebum for some reason. He moved so fluidly, never missing a beat, face always composed. I found myself feeling jealous of him, knowing he was like that off stage too. As I got wrapped up in my thoughts, the song hit it’s breakdown, a single figure making their way to the now barely lit stage.

“Jimin, look, look!” Tae shouted, smacking my shoulder as he watched with baited breath. My eyes immediately focused on the figure, staring as all seven members formed a circle around them. Right before Jackson’s line, himself and Jaebum ripped off the person’s baggy sweatshirt, the individual spinning around and yanking the baseball cap from their head, long hair cascading down.

“Hard Carry, hey.” Jackson sang, a grin on his face. 

Isolde. 

It was her dancing in the middle of all of them. A dark smirk on her face as she lead the choreography she herself had created. Her hair was black as night with hues of deep blue, bouncing freely as she danced center stage, between Jaebum and Jackson perfectly. I felt my body stiffen immediately at the sight of her next to Jaebum, but I couldn’t pull my gaze away from her. My eyes following her every move as a smile brightened up her face and the two men beside her.

She was as gorgeous as ever, her arms and the exposed skin from her gray crop top practically glowing in the flashing lights. Her makeup was subtle, yet fierce all at once. Her holy black jeans tight on her thick thighs, showing every curve of muscle there as she danced. I know the other members were just as shocked as I was seeing her, all of us freezing as we looked on.

I was snapped from my trance the moment the song ended, an eruption of applause ripping through the crowd. I looked around the table at my fellow bandmates, eyes all wide as they stared from me to them. I struggled to swallow the lump that had formed in my throat, my chest tightening. Jackson’s voice rang out in my ears, eyes snapping back to the stage.

“We want to thank Isolde for all the hard work she put in to make this routine for us. We thought the best way to welcome her back home and into JYPE as our lead choreographer, was to have her come up here and do it with us! Wasn’t she fantastic?!” Jackson shouted with a Cheshire cat like grin, wrapping an arm around her neck and pulling her into him for a hug, her covering her mouth as she laughed. The room thundered with applause again, people getting to their feet as they did. I watched as she covered her face with her hands, all of Got7 surrounding her in a group hug.

“It’s such an honor to be on this stage for the first time in our careers and we thank you.” Jaebum said calmly after they all had pulled away before turning to Isolde.

“And thank you, Isolde. Thank you for coming back and agreeing to put up with us. This song would have been nothing without your help. Welcome to the JYPE family.” he swiftly walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her waist, hers flinging around his neck as he lifted her from the ground with ease. Anger pulsed through my veins, my knuckles turning white as I clenched my hands into fist. 

Who the fuck does he think he is, touching her like that in front of everyone?

I watched as they said a few more things, then started to make their way off stage. My eyes trained on Jaebum, him never parting from her side as they retreated. I saw his hand take perch on her lower back, her reaching around his waist as he tugged her to his side. I instantly stood, but a hand grabbed my bicep, gently pulling me back into my seat. Looking over, my eyes met Yoongi’s, his flashing me a warning to sit back down. I obeyed, my blood boiling, fingernails digging into my palms so hard, they left deep marks.

I took in long breaths, hands folded in my lap as the noise in the large room seemed to go silent. I swear I could hear the rushing of my blood in my ears, it was deafening. I was so washed up in my own anger, I didn’t even realize Yoongi had switched seats with Taehyung. His hand clasped around the back of my neck, pulling my ear closer to his lips.

“You need to get a hold of yourself, Jimin. I know this is a little unnerving for you, but you’ve got to calm down.” he whispered to me, fingers tight around my tensed neck.

“You’re here with Soomi, you start behaving and becoming distant the way you are right now, you’ll upset her. You don’t want that, do you?” he questioned, his grip slowly loosening. I shook my head no, eyes trained straight ahead.

“Okay, take a deep breath, calm down and fix it.” he gave me a pat on the back and stood up, gesturing for Taehyung to return to his seat next to me. Taehyung’s hand landed on my knee, tapping it reassuringly. I took in a few long deep breaths, trying to get my heart rate back down. Reaching over, I placed my arm back around my fiancè’s shoulders, returning her body flush against mine. She seemed stiff, uncomfortable beside me now. I leaned down, my lips brushing the shell of her ear.

“I love you, Soomi.” she turned to look at me, giving me a faint smile.

“I love you too, Jiminie.” I quickly leaned in and planted a kiss to her lips, cupping her face in my hands. After I pulled away, returning to our original positions, she was visibly more relaxed, making me sigh in relief. 

Much more time must have passed than I realized, because all of a sudden, Got7 was coming in the main doors to take their seats. Everyone in the room turned in their seats, watching as they came strolling in. They were all dressed in black suits and shirts, hair styled perfectly, smiles on their faces. I tried not to look for Isolde, but my eyes immediately fell on her anyway.

She was the last to come in and she came in with him. Her arm was linked around his, a smile plastered on both of their faces. She had on a floor length black sequin dress with a slight train. It looked just like the jacket Yoongi had worn in one of his photo shoots a year ago. It hugged every single curve perfectly, but it was modest with a boat neck and capped sleeves. Her black hair was parted down the middle, curled loosely, framing her neck and shoulders as it fell down her what I now realized was her exposed back.

Jaebum pulled out her chair, helping her sit down before taking the seat beside her, making me fume with jealousy. Once he had settled in his seat, he draped his arm over the back of her chair. I watched his fingers skim along her arm slowly, her leaning into him, whispering into his ear. His head flew back as he laughed, her smile radiating on her face as she looked at him. My heart hammered in my rib cage, that rage bubbling up in my chest once again.

Then, I watched him lean over and kiss her forehead, his hand that had been on her arm now intertwining into her hair carefully. My chest was heaving, body trembling now as I watched them interact with each other that way. The way her and I used to, how we still should be.

Two hands landed softly on my shoulders, startling me. I looked up behind me to find Suran, her face gentle and reassuring.

“I know this is hard for you, Jimin. But, you need to calm down. One, we’re in front of cameras and everyone will see you like this. Two, your fiancè is right next to you and can sense your emotions. You’re with Soomi and Isolde is happy now. Doesn’t she deserve that after everything she went through?” she pointed out, her voice quiet in my ear.

I didn’t care that she was happy and I knew how wrong that was. I had left her, I had done all of that to her. But, all I could think about was how badly I wanted to rip Im Jaebum from his chair and beat the living hell out of him. How dare he come in like that, hands all over her in front of everyone. In front of ME. He knew what he was doing, I was sure of it.

“Jimin?” Suran repeated in my ear, her fingers squeezing my shoulders slightly, feeling me shake with anger under her. I fixed my eyes back to the stage in front of me, composing myself.

“I’m fine.”