#poor malcolm is having a heart attack!

[bunnithechubs]

who's the father?????

[rabbitblackx]

Bubs,Nubs,Chops and Brahms with a typically sweet and quiet s/o but is very protective and hot headed when it comes to them. Like if someone insults the slasher they literally have to hold their s/o back from attacking the person(or not and just let them go ham 🤷‍♀️) bonus points if the person insulting Brahms is Malcolm

Slashers when Sweet!Reader gets overprotective

Includes: Nubbins, Bubba, Chop-Top and Brahms

Nubbins Sawyer💖

You made Nubbins melt. He was in a fit of giggles as you littered his red face with little kisses. He often told you that he did good, and that you were a nice one. He was very proud to call you his own

Though you were a sweet little angel, sometimes your nice nature was challenged. Like when one of Nubbins victims tried to escape. She tore herself free from the dining chair and made a run for it. Just as your boyfriend grabbed ahold of her, she bit down hard on his hand

You launched yourself at the girl, throwing her roughly to the floor. You went to attack her some more, but Nubbins grabbed your wrist

“It’s okay! I’ll handle this.” He stuttered

Before you could rip into her more, you forced yourself to go into the living room to blow off some steam. It wasn’t long until Nubbins’ victim stopped screaming. He entered the room covered in her blood, a crooked smile on his face

“Are you okay, honey?” You asked sweetly

You walked over to Nubbins and gently looked over his bitten wrist. You then grabbed his face, placing soft kisses all over. You were the perfect balance for him. One moment your violent and possessive, the next showering him in affection

Nubbins wrapped his lanky arms around you, hearts in his eyes

Bubba Sawyer💖

You were the love of Bubba’s life. Every moment spent with you was a blessing. He wasn’t afraid to give back any affection you threw at him. You both gave each other many, many sweet kisses during the day

Bubba chased a trespasser through the house, readying his loud chainsaw in the air. You were hot on his trail as they ran into the dining room. The victim panicked, snatching a sledgehammer from the table. Just as Bubba charged him, he threw the hammer. It spun in the air before hitting your boyfriend dead in the forehead

“Honey! Are you okay?” You gasped

As you set your sights on the trespasser, all you saw was red. You ran around a dizzy Bubba to tackle the man to the floor. How dare he hurt your precious boyfriend? That wasn’t very nice!

After finishing off the trespasser, you stood from his bruised body and raced over to Bubba. You kneeled down where he sat against the wall. You lifted a bloody hand to carefully touch his sore forehead

“You poor baby. Does it hurt real bad?” You cooed

Bubba rambled some gibberish, shaking his head furiously. He was only concerned about you. He took your hands in his, blood getting on him but he didn’t care

Chop-Top Sawyer💖

Chop-Top was always trying to rile you up. You were so sweet and quiet, he just wanted to tear that from you. He got off on you going crazy. He loved your two sides. One minute you were cuddling into his side, making him giggle. The next, you were strangling some poor girl for hurting him

Chop-Top’s victim got loose within the abandoned amusement park y’all called home. It wasn’t long until he found her, running after her with his knife ready. You watched from across the way as she screamed and bashed her fists against him. She screamed profanities, digging her long nails into his wrists

You stormed over to the pair, snatching Chop-Top’s hammer from the table in the process. You shoved the girl off him, and threw the hammer down onto her head. Chop-Top laughed hysterically as you slammed it over and over into her mushed skull

“Whoa, baby! You got her good!” He exclaimed

You loomed over her corpse, your chest heaving as the bloody hammer hung limply from your fingers. You carelessly tossed it next to her, slowly turning to face Chop-Top

“How’s your wrists, dear? She didn’t hurt you too bad, did she?” You huffed

Chop-Top didn’t answer. He crept over to you with a big grin, snaking his arms around your waist and pulling you close

You were so hot to him

Brahms Heelshire💖

Brahms was so soft for you. You never denied him any kisses. Which was honestly all he could ever ask for. Every little kiss you gave him made him melt. Your kind and gentle nature was so appealing to him. He wrapped his arms around your waist as you cradled his face. You offered the cutest smile, before planting a warm kiss to his mask

Brahms hid within the walls while Malcom delivered your groceries. It was obvious that he was trying to befriend you, but you were much too busy with Brahms. He was also still under the impression that he was just a doll, and not a six foot three guy in the wall

Malcom was trying to convince you to leave the manor for a bit, and get some fresh air. He offered to take you out into the village, but you politely declined. He asked you why you were so bent on caring for the doll, and even poked at his porcelain cheek

You had to bite back your anger as he made jokes about Brahms, calling him harmless names. But it still hurt you. Before you could snap at Malcom, you simply strolled over and scooped Brahms’ doll up from his seat

“Okay, that’s enough.” You said, feigning politeness

You felt a bit silly as you exited the kitchen, placing the doll onto the couch. Malcom didn’t even know that Brahms was still alive. It wasn’t like he was insulting him, but still. You were very protective of your boyfriend, and even his doll at times

You waved off Malcom dismissively, offering a rushed goodbye as you forced him out the door. You walked back into the living room with the doll, calling out for his human counterpart

“Brahms, honey?” You cooed

Brahms crept out of the walls, slowly lumbering over to you from behind. You whirled around, a hurt frown on your sweet face

“Oh, honey. I hope you didn’t take what he said to heart.” You lifted your hands up to cradle his mask. “I think you’re just lovely.” You smiled softly

Brahms didn’t care nearly as much as you did. He kind of liked that you got riled up over him like that though. He threw his arms around your waist and tugged you close. He hid his masked face in the crook of your neck, emitting a deep hum of affection

[scotianostra]

On November 16th 1093 St. Margaret of Scotland died.

Margaret of Scotland was a truly liberated woman in the sense that she was free to be herself. For her, that meant freedom to love God and serve others.

Not Scottish by birth, Margaret was the daughter of Princess Agatha of Hungary and the Anglo-Saxon Prince Edward Atheling. She spent much of her youth in the court of her great-uncle, the English king, Edward the Confessor. Her family fled from William the Conqueror and was shipwrecked off the coast of Scotland. King Malcolm befriended them and was captivated by the beautiful, gracious Margaret. They were married at the castle of Dunfermline in 1070.

Malcolm was good-hearted, but rough and uncultured, as was his country. Because of Malcolm’s love for Margaret, she was able to soften his temper, polish his manners, and help him become a virtuous king. He left all domestic affairs to her, and often consulted her in state matters.

Margaret tried to improve her adopted country by promoting the arts and education. For religious reform she encouraged synods and was present for the discussions which tried to correct religious abuses common among priests and laypeople, such as simony, usury, and incestuous marriages. With her husband, she founded several churches.

Margaret was not only a queen, but a mother. She and Malcolm had six sons and two daughters. Margaret personally supervised their religious instruction and other studies.

Although she was very much caught up in the affairs of the household and country, she remained detached from the world. Her private life was austere. She had certain times for prayer and reading Scripture. She ate sparingly and slept little in order to have time for devotions. She and Malcolm kept two Lents, one before Easter and one before Christmas. During these times she always rose at midnight for Mass. On the way home she would wash the feet of six poor persons and give them alms. She was always surrounded by beggars in public and never refused them. It is recorded that she never sat down to eat without first feeding nine orphans and 24 adults.

In 1093, King William Rufus was killed in a surprise attack at Alnwick Margaret, already on her deathbed, died four days after her husband.

The oldest surviving building in the Scottish capital is St Margaret’s Chapel, nestled within the walls of Edinburgh Castle. It was built around 1130 by her son David I and dedicated to his mother. The chapel fell into disuse after the Scottish Reformation. In the 16th century, it was used as a gunpowder store. It was restored to its former glory in the 19th century.

Today there are always fresh flowers in the chapel. These are provided by St Margaret’s Chapel Guild whose members all share the name Margaret! The statue in the pics is at Lourdes in France.

[weerd1]

ENT Rewatch Starlog, 27 April, 2024: Episode 3.21 “E2”

An elderly Vulcan woman sits in her quarters as a younger Vulcan man comes in to report they failed to stop the probe. The woman laments that 7 million people are going to die and we see this is T’Pol, old beyond old. She looks to the Vulcan man and says, “We must find Jonathan Archer.”

On the NX-01 we know, Trip confronts T’Pol about avoiding him, and wants to be supportive, knowing something is wrong. She resists his efforts. Soon after, as Enterprise gets closer to the Kovaalan nebula, which contains the subspace corridor Degra has said to use to get to the Xindi Council; they see there are far more Kovaalan patrol ships than they anticipated. They are suddenly approached by another NX class vessel which they realize is a heavily modified version of Enterprise.

The Vulcan man, Lorian, introduces himself as Captain, and his first officer as Karyn Archer; when Enterprise enters the subspace corridor, the composition of their engines will cause the ship to be thrown back to the year 2037. The crew will decide not to contaminate their timeline, and they become a generational ship trying to themselves prevent the Xindi from completing their mission. It’s why the Xindi have believed their are multiple Starfleet vessels in the Expanse. Lorian offers to instead upgrade the NX-01’s engines to allow them to travel fast enough to not need the subspace corridor, and work begins with him revealing to Trip that his parents are in fact Tucker and T’Pol.  

The elder T’Pol asks to see Archer, and gives him data for her younger self. Checking the numbers, she has realized that the modifications Lorian suggests won’t work, and has instead worked out a method to allow Enterprise to pass through the corridor as intended. When confronted Lorian resists, to the point of planning to disable the present Enterprise and go to the council himself. Archer comes out on top in the fight, and they begin to proceed with a plan where the past Enterprise will help defend the current against the Kovaalans. 

The two T’Pols meet and the elder tells her younger self that she does get over the Trellium addiction, but she NEVER loses the emotions she has awakened.  The elder recommends T’Pol seek support from Trip Tucker, a human who cares.

The two NX-01s enter the nebula flying close so the Kavaalans thing one is a sensor shadow and are taken by surprise fighting two ships. Lorian maneuvers to hold off an attack while Archer takes his ship through; they are successful and not thrown back in time.

They wait for Lorian’s ship, but it never emerges. Archer and T’Pol debate whether the second ship was destroyed by the Kavaalans, or ceased to exist because THIS NX-01 broke the cycle. Degra’s ship arrives to escort them to the Xindi Council.

This may be the best episode of the season. Great character studies, intricate science fiction plotting, moral conundrums, and some terrific performances. You immediately feel for Lorian and our crew’s decedents, and the show has a little fun revealing who would eventually end up with whom (sad moment though for poor Malcolm as he finds out he dies alone…kinda broke my heart). 

The performance by David Andrews as Lorian is thoughtful, stoic enough to believe he has Vulcan blood, and nuanced enough to sell the Tucker connection. The stubbornness I will assume the character gets from BOTH parents! Jolene Blalock as always kills it, but her elder T’Pol under layers of makeup is sold not by that effect but by her manner and demeanor. The modifications on the older NX-01 look great, and it’s just all around a well produced episode. 

An interesting connection here (and please know, I did NOT notice this myself then or now, but saw the call out on the Wiki): The Kavaalan ships are the same ones used by the “Silent Enemy” in season 1, indicating that the Xindi are NOT the first Expanse aliens to trouble the Earth Starfleet.  I don’t recall seeing that expounded on in any of the Beta Canon sequel novels (most of which I love) but I would love to see it addressed somewhere. 

Something else I’d love to see: That the E2 made it. That she was neither destroyed nor erased from history (because let’s face it, modern Trek shows us the timeline on Trek is MUCH more malleable that we previously believed) but just knew they had to be careful not to now influence the corrected timeline…Maybe another Enterprise a century later could find Lorian and Karyn Archer’s child commanding a sturdy old starship, nearly unrecognizable after a hundred more years of cobbling together, but still emblazoned with “NX-01.”

NEXT VOYAGE: It’s time for Archer to stand before “The Council.”

(Images taken from the main website for @trekcore; I am happy to remove the images if asked.)

[forensicated]

05x26 - Procedure

During the morning briefing, Alec bollocks the PC's for not making sure the police cars are full of petrol before handing them back in at the end of the shift. Bob has had to head out early to fill one up - a job not made easier by Customs and Excise pulling into the carpark alongside the Fraud Squad and all parking wherever they want. Malcolm points out that it can't be them because they're only just starting, which means it's B Relief he should speak to. Alec warns him to put his brain in gear before his mouth - he's giving them a heads up so that it stops happening across the board. There has been a gang of boy racers in Sun Hill recently stealing high-speed cars and backing them into the front window of electronics stores. They fill the boot with what they can and outrun the police cars. Last time the police almost caught them but they ran out of petrol! Tony complains that it's not just the petrol, it's the cars too - they're not fast enough to keep up! "You can borrow my Porsche." Nick drawls. "Not at your prices, Ramsey!"

An unimpressed Derek grows at Christine about a notice from the CPS knocking back a case because of lax paperwork. Christine points out that the case is CID's and nothing to do with her team. Derek continues that paperwork is everyone's responsibility - after all they've had assorted Custody Officers called to court repeatedly over the last few weeks. Christine reasons that that is a standard line of defence to make sure there are no errors according to the PACE guidelines. Derek is concerned that the paperwork isn't checked over enough before the cases reach court. He also complains about how jovial Alec's briefings are. Christine gently explains that that is Alec's style. "It's not mine. This is a disciplined force!" Thankfully, Viv interrupts his tantrum to let them both know that the Fraud Squad are in - and Inspector Maitland of Fraud wants to see Christine. This isn't great news for Christine as they're a day early. The DI, Maitland, tells her that it was brought forward. Allegedly a message was sent but didn't reach her. She tries to send them upstairs to work in CID but Ken informs her that he is up there with CID and Customs and Excise on a VAT raid. She places them in the Collators Office instead.

Viv takes the opportunity to sit in the back of the Area car with June and Tony because of how cold it is. Tony recalls having to arrest an elderly lady for stealing £1.50's worth of sausages the day before on the insistence of the store detective.

As Bob returns, the Fraud Squad are still extremely poor parkers and are now blocking the carpark with seized vehicles too. Maitland does not see the problem when Bob pulls him up on it.

In the Sergeant's office, Christine is gently warning Alec to improve his handling of the relief's paperwork. He suggests he's too busy to get it done that day - she 'suggests' he make time - lest he make an enemy of the Chief Inspector. Before he can get started, he has to go out and meet Malcolm. He doesn't miss the chance to bore poor Malcolm about how the police force now runs on paperwork!

June isn't surprised that Conway is on the warpath about Uniform's paperwork - she reckons Ramsey has at least half a dozen notebooks of unfinished cases with outstanding paperwork. Before she can continue, they hear breaking glass and follow the sound. The boy racers are at it again, having broken into Rouge's Electronics. The BMW speeds off as Viv leaps out of the Area Car to deal with an injured suspect left behind. Unfortunately, a white arctic pulls out in front of the Area Car, letting the BMW speed off ahead. Thankfully, the man who Viv arrested and followed to the hospital only has a damaged leg. Christine asks Tom to call Burnside and let him know they've arrested one of the boy racers.

Alec and Malcolm are shouted over by a man who has found a man collapsed in a carpark, it appears as though the victim has had a heart attack and it's unknown how long he'd been lying there. The officers get into the ambulance with the paramedics and the unconscious man and drive off without collecting the man's belongings.

The opening shot of part 2 is a hilarious piece of direction...

Poor Viv stuck in a hospital waiting room rather than a beautiful forest! 🤣🤣 A male nurse, Terry approaches Viv and takes her for a cup of tea, reassuring her that the patient is going nowhere because he's still being stitched. It turns out that she and Terry have been going on a few dates and that she didn't call him back when she said she would. She promises she will, as overheard by Alec and Malcolm.

"I'm guarding that chap from the boy racers!" "I can see that." Alec smirks. Malcolm's expression is hilarious! I love him and Viv together!

Viv leads the way to the Boy Racer. At the same time, Tosh and Frank arrive to interview him. A Doctor approaches Alec with paperwork for him to sign about the property of the heart attack victim. Alec tells the doctor they never brought any property in and the doctor asks him to sign the paperwork so that procedure is followed. Mindful of his earache about paperwork that morning, he does so. That's not going to end well...

Frank instantly asks the boy racer, Lawrence, for the names of the other people who were with him. Lawrence immediately clams up. Tosh tells him he's about to carry the can for all 7 burglaries on his own as well as over £50K in stolen cars. He quickly tells them that it was his first time. Frank and Tosh discuss how long they think he'll get in prison with Frank posturing that he once knew a suspect get 10 years inside for 5 burglaries. Lawrence tells them that the men they're looking for frequent the Manor mews and asks them not to tell them that he informed on them.

Frank takes a group of uniform with him and they burst into the first lock up they hear music inside of. A group of men scatter and a fight begins with Frank literally dragging a suspect down the stairs.

Frank asks his suspect where Patsy is and the man just laughs in his face before pretending to realise who Frank meant. "Patsy Miller? Gone to see a geezer." He tells Frank he'll take him to find them. Interesting fact: the man Frank questioned is played by Mark Billingham, now a famous crime novelist.

The Fraud Squad have brought in 8 prisoners to hold at Sun Hill. DI Maitland tells Bob he wants them all kept apart. Bob has to check with Christine as they don't have enough cells for that - and he lectures the DI on not telling him - before anything else - why he's arrested them, as per PACE guidelines. Maitland practically rolls his eyes. "Suspicion of fraud. £3 Million pounds worth."

Frank's suspect, Pete Johnson, sits in the back of the car with Ramsey, telling the officers that he's not sure which house Patsy is in but he's sure he'll come out of one of them soon (!). "He better!"

Taffy takes a complaint from the son of the man who suffered a suspected heart attack in a carpark that morning. He demands to know where his father's money is.

Christine and Bob attempt to process the suspects from the Fraud Squad as Tosh brings in the other suspects from the boy racers burglary gang. Burnside also wants the suspects kept apart until interview. Malcolm has to stop Lawrence being assaulted by another member of the gang and Christine reminds him to fill in an incident report.

Frank and Pete are still sitting outside the houses. Johnson thinks it's all hilarious until Frank pulls his usual trick and warns him how 'upset' he'll be if they're being lied to. Johnson points to a man coming out of the house so Frank tells Pete to stay in the car as he approaches the man. Obviously it's a wild goose chase and the man can prove through his ID that he's not Patsy Miller. Frank apologises and returns to the car.

Derek has taken the complaint of Mr Morrison's son. It appears his father sold a car that morning and so should have £10,000 with him. Derek tells Christine that they are checking with the man who bought the car but he believes the report is above board. He's not impressed to find the corridors full of paperwork seized by the Fraud Squad and even less impressed to hear Custody is full of their prisoners. "Perhaps they'll bring their own resources next time, hey?" He says - pointedly loudly so they can all hear.

Taffy interrupts them to say he has a solicitor creating merry hell in the front office wanting to see a client called Peter Johnson, however there is no record of said Peter Johnson being in the station. That would be because he hasn't been processed yet and he's out with Frank... Christine tells him to send the solicitor through to her office.

Derek questions Malcolm about what happened when they were called over to the man who had collapsed in the carpark. He explains that they just went with him to the hospital in the ambulance. He asks Malcolm to talk him through the incident word by word.

Tosh hears Christine asking Bob for details of a Pete Johnson and tells her that he is still out with Ramsey and Burnside to pick up the ringleader. Christine warns Tosh that they'll need to bring a result in on it given that he hasn't yet been processed. Bob tells Christine that Derek has just rung down to ask for her. It's a busy day in Sun Hill!

Frank brings Johnson back to the station and struggles to find a parking space. He knows the DI from the Fraud Squad and gets him to agree to remove all their cars and those they've taken possession of - but not until tomorrow! "Happy?" " I will be - tomorrow!"

The solicitor for Johnson tells Viv that someone has stolen 10K as told to him by Mr Morrison's son whilst waiting to see his client. She jokes that the Inspector is probably staking out Thomas Cook to find the guilty party and that's why she's delayed in returning to her office to speak to him.

Christine sits in on the conversation between Derek and Alec about the missing money from Mr Morrison. Alec knows nothing about it. Derek explains he definitely had the money when he collapsed - and definitely didn't have the money when booked into hospital. Alec signed the paperwork to confirm this. Malcolm told Derek that he was the only one in the back of the ambulance with him (what about another paramedic?!!!) - and so the inference is that he had the chance to take the money. Alec inists he didn't take the money and is obviously insulted - pointing out the villains downstairs get the benefit of the doubt and have to be proven to be guilty unlike the officers themselves. Alec tells him he has to approach him with proof and he'll speak to him with a solicitor present. Derek orders him to co-operate. Alec glares at him and walks out of his office, telling him he doesn't have to stand for that after 20 years of service.

Viv tells Pete and Malcolm that the Patsy Miller they were after was ringing the police station to speak to the solicitor [the one called for Pete Johnson]. He wanted to come in and give himself up and was requesting his presence when he did.

Christine tells Derek that she trusts Alec and that if he'd seen the money, let alone handled it, she knows he would have done the right thing. Derek agrees, but because Alec lost his temper they still don't know what he did and the money is still missing. She tells him that he should have followed correct procedure and investigated the matter rather than accuse Alec and Malcolm. Derek admits he didn't handle it well and assures her that he'll apologise if it turns out to be a mistake. Alec is in the Sgt's office and is on the telephone to the Federation for advice.

Taffy shouts over to Burnside to let him know that Patrick 'Patsy' Miller's parents are in the front office with their son who was the driver of the Boy Racer gang.

The man who called over to Alec and Malcolm to bring their attention to the man collapsed in the carpark is buzzed into the Front Office. He places the carrier bag he tried to hand to the officers as the ambulance drove off and tells Taffy who it belongs to and why he's bringing it in. Thank goodness for Alec, he's a very honest man given that one glance inside reveals a LOT of cash!

[spxnnets]

𝒕𝒍𝒅𝒓 + 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒔 ;

control freak jock, gryffindor quidditch player, mum friend.

competitive, loud, passionate, arrogant, manipulative, selfish - and so deeply deeply afraid that someone might see the truth in her that she would rather spend her whole life pretending to be perfect than admit that sometimes, occasionally, she just wants to have a really long nap.

it's not that she means to intimidate people, it just comes naturally to her - she likes the spotlight, and likes to be in control. if things are going her way, alicia is the life of the party - but be assured, it's organised fun. she knows how this night is going to end, and you'd better follow her script. or else.

a natural leader. unfortunately there are a fair few of those in gryffindors, so she has to compete. luckily, competition is lish's favourite past-time. just as long as you let her win.

𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐬 ;

name: alicia lynn spinnet nickname(s): lish birthday: september 7th birthplace: hoxton, hackney, london house: gryffindor sexuality: bisexual gender: cis female, she/her blood status: muggleborn wand: hawthorne, dragon heart-string, 10 inch, firm star sign: virgo alignment: lawful good face: sharon alexie

parents: linda spinnet, a nurse ; andrew spinnet, former construction worker siblings: nicola anne, elder sister, soliciter. malcolm thomas, younger brother, failure to launch. wanted connections: gryffindor quidditch team (worst jock clique on the planet) ; angelina johnson, katie bell ; the weasley twins, lee jordan ; the weasley family ; others

talents: making others laugh, an excellent chaser (formerly) for the gryffindor team, a true, warm-hearted friend, a brilliant cook, and a good judge of character. excels in charms, whether they be medical or domestic, with an inherent knack for twisting a spell to her uses. weaknesses: appalling at potions, which effectively closed off her original plans to become a healer. a poor dueller, whose attacking spells lack strength. cannot sing and refuses to try. a terrible judge of her own feelings, cannot bear to be proven wrong, so competitive it's obnoxious.

pinterest !

[wolken-himmel]

In which Lilia tells a little bedtime story to (Y/n) who just can't seem to fall asleep.

This tale as old as time is about The Princess of Ramshackleria getting abducted by King Malcolm of Insomnia. Now, her faithful knight Adeus has come to save her!

The characters' names seem familiar to (Y/n), although she can't really place them. In the end, this however might just be one big scheme by Lilia to set (Y/n) up with Malleus.

Request by @nickson-lol.

"What is my dearest child doing out here at this hour?"

A scream escaped your lips as Lilia's familiar face suddenly appeared in front of your face, upside down, of course. He was dangling from a sturdy branch of the tree under which you were sitting, trying to sleep but unable to do so because of the horrible nightmares that plagued you every night. You had thought that fresh air might do you some good, not having expected to encounter Diasomnia's vice dorm leader at such an hour.

"Lilia... you just gave me a heart-attack..." you huffed out as you crossed your arms, watching as he landed on the ground in front of you, and shuffled over. A big grin was on his lips as he sat down next to you, humming to show you that he understood very well.

"Nightmares?" he inquired curiously, that mischievous grin like always on his lips. He extended his hand to pat your head, and you would have slapped his wrist away if it weren't for the peace that his gesture brought you. "Is there a specific reason for you being plagued by nightmares?"

"Not sure...." you said, yawning even though you didn't feel the slightest tired. Leaning your head against the old bat's shoulder, you closed your eyes in an attempt to succumb to slumber. Surprise: it didn't work. "It might be the stress getting to me. It's harder than it looks to always have to make sure Ace and Deuce don't burn down the school."

"My poor little child..." he cooed as the grin on his lips widened. He put a finger to his chin, playfullying tapping his bottom lip. "Luckily for you, Lilia knows just the right remedy!"

"A cup of hot milk and honey?" you asked lazily, not bothering to sit up. Lilia exhaled dramatically as he wagged his finger in front of your eyes, not bothered by the fact that your droopy eyelids were preventing you from seeing.

"Uh... no... it's a bedtime story! The children always used to love those when they were little — even Sebek, hehe." Nostalgia flashed across Lilia's face as he put his hands to his chest, exhaling in utter fondness with a certain sheam over his glowing eyes. For a moment, his youthful face showed wisdom of centuries before that little spark quickly disappeared again. "Malleus' favourite were stories with dragons, Silver's were ones with animals, and Sebek always loved tales with knights!"

You pried one eye open, realising that you had nothing to lose if sleep wouldn't come to you, anyway. Maybe listening to one of Lilia's stories would take care of the horrible boredom plaguing you. "That sounds great, Lilia! Thanks so much..."

"It's nothing, dear! Now, come to me," he cooed as he patted his lap, prompting you to lie down and put your head into his lap. The fabric of his pants wrinkled up, but he didn't really care. "Are you comfortable?"

"Yes..." you trailed off as your eyes fluttered close at the feeling of his delicate hand running through your hair.

"Good good... now..." Lilia's chest rumbled for a moment. "Which fairy tale do I tell you?"

"Tell me your personal favourite."

"Oho, this is going to be interesting! Okay... I know just the one!" A giant grin on his lips, his glowing eyes stared down at your peaceful face. Giggling to himself, he asked, "Ready?"

You merely hummed, feeling the soothing effect of his presence already.

"This tale is as old as time... In my very early childhood, I vividly remember someone telling me this exact story!" Lilia took a deep gulp of air, and adjusted the way his legs extended before he began telling, "A long time ago, a beautiful princess lived in the Kingdom of Ramshackleria. Her name was— uh... I forgot her name; let's just call her The Princess!"

"Was she kind?" you asked, your lips moving sluggishly.

Lilia started to grin as he took in your peaceful face. "Oh yes, very much so! Throughout the continent of Nox Corvus, she was well-liked and admired. She made friends everywhere... even managing to befriend a mysterious individual whom everyone was afraid of!" He paused dramatically, before he continued in an even more mysterious tone, "This individual was a strange one, always quiet and shying away from other humans — and others kept their distance from him, too... because they knew he was powerful."

"Oh? Poor guy..." you mumbled, your lips pulling down into a frown.

Lilia nodded energetically as he continued running his hand through your hair. "Yes, very poor guy, indeed. But! He found a good friend in The Princess since she was not afraid of him in the slightest bit. The Princess knew her worried parents would never allow her to interact with such a feared individual, so they kept their friendship a secret."

"I see..."

"The man whom she quickly grew fond of was a powerful sorcerer — but that wasn't everything! He possessed a pair of beautiful horns, and pointed ears! His name was Mal—" Lilia cut himself off before he could continue, stammering out, "Uh... Mal..."

"Malcolm?" you asked, causing Lilia to hum happily.

"Yes! Malcolm!" A relieved sigh escaped his lips before he returned to the tale at hand. "Sorcerer Malcolm was an outcast during his visits in the Kingdom of Ramshackleria... and everyone hated him — everyone but The Princess!"

"That's so cute..." A smile appeared on your lips, one that made Lilia happy, too. His heart was bubbling with excitement! Oh, this fairy tale was simply too good to be kept to himself...

"It gets even cuter! Their friendship eventually blossomed into romance, and they loved each other dearly. Malcolm was very fond of The Princess, and he couldn't ever imagine living his life without her — she felt the same way as he."

Sighing, you knew tragedy was going to strike — or else this would be one very short story. "Something's gonna happen, right?" you asked, perking up, only to be gently pressed back down again by Lilia's hands.

"Yes, soon tragedy struck! The Princess' parents, Queen Sleeps-A-Lot and King Screams-A-Lot, soon caught onto her relationship with the enigmatic man." Lilia gasped loudly, causing your heart to sink in dread. "What would the public think once they found out that their precious daughter had fallen for some shady sorcerer? So, they forbade her from ever seeing him again! Oh no!"

"Oh no!" you repeated, feeling too excited to fall asleep now. In your chest, you heart was thumping heavily. "Are they gonna run away together?"

"Well, it turns out that Sorcerer Malcolm wasn't just any sorcerer... he was the King of Insomnia, a powerful kingdom on the far other end of Nox Corvus! There were six other countries separating the Kingdom of Insomnia and Ramshackleria!" Lilia continued patting your head, hoping to calm you down. You were the farthest from sleeping right now with the way your hand clutched onto the fabric of his pants in anticipation. "In King Malcolm's rage that he was forbidden to see his beloved again, he turned into a scary dragon and made his way to abduct his treasure."

You furrowed your eyebrows. "...King Malcolm abducted The Princess?"

Lilia began to giggle as he nodded sheepishly. Exhaling in fondness, a dreamy smile appeared on his lips. "Oh yes! The very genius and handsome General Lilius of Insomnia advised him to do so, and of course King Malcolm listened to him. Why wouldn't he?"

"Does General Lilius have short black hair with pink streaks?" you asked, mischief written all over your face. Lilia's breath hitched a little bit at your inquiry, and his fingers curled around a particular strand of hair to tug at it, as if he was scolding you. You winced slightly as you began to grin, burying your face in his lap.

"Yeah! How did you know?" Lilia asked, his tone not having changed one bit. Yet, you couldn't see the grin on his lips. "Anyway, let's go on... so, King Malcolm of Insomnia — also known as The Dragon — abducted The Princess of Ramshackleria and brought her back to his kingdom, so that she could marry him."

You weren't sure whether to swoon or to shudder in fear. "How did Queen Sleeps-A-Lot and King Screams-A-Lot react to their daughter going missing?"

"King Screams-A-Lot screamed a lot and Queen Sleeps-A-Lot slept through the whole ordeal." Lilia shrugged, laughing softly before he adapted his story-teller voice again. "Still, they sent out their most legendary knight to retrieve their daughter! This powerful warrior was Adeu— Adeu..." He came to a stutter, stuck on these two syllables.

"Adeus?" you asked innocently.

Again, Lilia nodded in utter relief at your creativity. He really was horrible with coming up with names despite telling these sorts of stories since centuries already. "Yes! It was the almighty and powerful knight Adeus, riding on his trusted steed, a big monster-cat creature called Jim!" He pulled his hands away from you to raise them to his lips to form a cone. He started to imitate the sound of thunderous horns and triumphant trumpets, and he was remarkably good. You laughed along, but still, the cat's name irked you a little bit.

"...Jim?" You furrowed your eyebrows, chortling. "A legendary monster cat is called Jim?"

"We could have gone with Kim or Tim or Hrim, too. But I liked the name Jim more— Anyway!" His way of overly pronouncing 'anyway' caused you to forget all of your suspicions as you hung to every word the bat was about to utter. You were completely at his mercy, and he knew it. "They sought out to retrieve The Princess from The Dragon's clutches. They had to travel through all other six countries of Nox Corvus! First, Adeus and Jim fought a tyrannical and maniacal queen, then they defeated a lazy emperor..."

"Wow, how interesting!" you said, in awe of his abilities of making a story seem so lively.

"Third came a greedy merchant who had ensnared the whole Kingdom of Atlantica with his charm! On their fourth stop, they defeated a powerful wizard who attempted a coup to overthrow the Sultan of Agrabah!"

"Wow..." you cut him off. Your finger impatiently drumming against his outstretched legs, you let out a little hum. "And what happened to The Princess and The Dragon?"

Lilia let out a little chuckle at how impatient you seemed to be. "I still have two kingdoms to go through, but okay... if you're so curious as to what happened to The Princess all this time, I shall be merciful!" For a moment, Lilia was left pondering about where to take the story next, although he knew how and where it would end. "At first, The Princess did not realise that The Dragon was actually her precious lover, King Malcolm. She didn't even know that he was King of Insomnia! She only knew him as Sorcerer Malcolm."

"How did she deal with it once she found out?" you asked in utter excitement as you bundled up some of the frills on his clothes to twirl them between your fingers.

"The Princess at first felt very betrayed..." Lilia whispered, almost as if he was a little bit sad. Keeping his voice low, he brought his lips closer to your ears, as if hypnotising you with his words. "But she did understand why she was taken from her kingdom. After all, she still loved King Malcolm with all her heart, and was happy that they could be together now."

"Aww, how cute!" You closed your eyes, and a smile formed on your lips. "So, they stayed together?"

Lilia hummed happily as he straightened his back again, softly running his hand through your locks. "Yes, King Malcolm was very happy that he no longer had to be alone, and The Princess of Ramshackleria was very glad to have been reunited with her soulmate again."

"What happened to Adeus and Jim?"

Lilia shrugged, and his tone turned a little bit bored. "Eh, they're unimportant... they died somewhere on their adventure—" he said, his voice turning slightly demonic at the end. "And if they didn't, General Lilius would make sure that they returned to the Kingdom of Ramshackleria empty-handed."

"...That's meek," you murmured, frowning. Seeing your expression, Lilia began to tickle you to get that scowl off your face. It worked, and soon you were flopping around in his lap like a fish on land.

"Well? At least The Princess — now The Queen of Insomnia — and King Malcolm had many children and lived in a happy marriage!" Lilia's smile turned into a grin that seemed overly excited — to the point where it gave off scary and predatory vibes. "And most importantly out of all, this resulted in a lot of precious grandchildren for General Lilius!"

"General Lilius really wants those grandchildren... huh..." you mused obliviously, not realising that your words held more meaning to them.

Lilia let out a satisfied hum with deeper intentions. "Oh, you won't believe how much he wants them and what he'd do to get them."

[yourheartonfire]

Hi! Your an amazing writer and I often stalk your page. I was wonder if you could do a civilian x villain prompt? Have a great day/night!

Thank you! I do have at least a couple 'villain x civilian' snippets around here somewhere, but it's a fun dynamic and I'm happy to do more...

The villain slammed through the front door at full strength, out of breath and just barely shy of panicking. "Leo!" he screamed.

Okay. Maybe he was panicking.

There was a long, horrible moment of silence. And then in a rustle of throw pillows Leo's head poked up over the back of the couch, blinking owlishly as he pulled his headphones off and pushed his laptop aside.

"Mal? What're you doing home at...?" His eyes widened. "What happened to the door?!"

"Oh thank god!" The villain sprang at him to grip him in a hug. Leo made a surprised umph noise as the villain pulled back just as fast. "You have to go. Now. I'll pack your bag." He darted off to the bedroom.

The villain's go bag was under the bed and he cursed himself bitterly for not making Leo one too. "I'll get your clothes!" the villain yelled. "Grab any personal items you want. You've got two minutes -"

He turned from the closet and smashed full speed into Leo. Sweaters went flying and Leo grabbed the villain by the shoulders.

"Malcolm! Slow down," he said in that voice that brooked no nonsense.

The villain grabbed Leo's wrists. He could break the grip. Hell, he could toss Leo across the room and through a couple walls too. But this wasn't an attack. Breath ragged, the villain hung on to his partner's arms and held still.

"Good, babe. Okay." Leo was doing that little stoop in his knees and his back, to bring himself down to eye level with the villain. "Talk to me. What's happening?"

"You..." The villain swallowed. "Have to get out of the city. Like, evacuate. There's gonna be, uh, weather?"

Leo blinked again. "Weather," he repeated, in a carefully neutral voice.

"Fine, not weather, but danger!" the villain snapped. Reluctantly he brushed the warmth and safety of Leo's hands away and bent to pick up clothes. "I can't explain - I'm sorry - but you are in very real danger and I need you to get away."

Slowly, Leo crouched beside the villain, sitting himself on exactly the pair of pants the villain wanted. "Because someone cracked your secret identity?" he asked softly.

"Because someone..." The villain stopped dead. Leo was looking at him sideways, giving him room to not answer. The villain flung down a sweatshirt and sat back on his heels. "You knew. How long have you know?"

"Well, I wasn't completely sure until just now when you smashed in our door like it was balsa wood," Leo said wryly. "But, yeah. I started putting things together after you moved in. How all those work emergencies lined up with cape battles around the city -"

"Technically, work emergencies," the villain could stop themselves from muttering.

"- the many, many grevious training mishaps, at your boxing gym," Leo went on. "And I started thinking how I almost died in thst [hero] on [villain] crossfire, except somehow I was inexplicably transported to an ER 5 miles away." He glanced over, almost shy. "It was you, wasn't it?"

"Civilians aren't supposed to get hurt," the villain said automatically. It was a Rule. He felt himself going shaky again, remembering the feel of the lanky body half buried in the rubble beside him, the terror that this poor rando was going to die because he, the villain, hadn't ducked hero's heat blast fast enough...

Hesitantly he looked up. To his shock, Leo was still looking at him with love and understanding in his eyes. "You're not... mad?"

Leo shrugged. "It was obvious why you'd guard that secret. I figured you would tell me when you were ready." He threaded his fingers through the villain's. "I'm here for you. Or..." Leo looked up sharply, as if remembering what started this. "I guess I'm gone for you."

"I'm sorry," the villain started. "But he knows who am I... "

Leo waved him off, started gathering up clothes. There was just the slightest tremor in his hands. "And if he knows you then he'll find me and I'm an obvious leverage point. I get it. I can go upstate, stay with Javi and Kay a few days..."

"Leo -" Leo glanced up. The villain grabbed his hands, stared into his soft eyes. "I won't let him hurt you again. I'll burn the world before I let that happen."

"Oh babe." Leo swallowed, smiled so bravely. "I know."

The villain pulled his lover closer and Leo pressed against him, solid and gorgeous and so unbelievably real. "I trust you," he whispered in the villain's ear. "I'm proud of you. I love you so so much, [hero]."

"Oh," was all the villain said, as Leo buried his face trustingly against the villain's shoulder, right next to where the villain's heart had just shattered.

Slowly, the villain brought up his arms around Leo's back, careful not to squeeze too tight around all those delicate nerve endings and internal organs and spinal columns. "Love you too," he whispered, "Angel."

[sincerly-kate]

Shattered Glass (Malcolm Bright/Whitly x gn!reader)

A/n: This story is inspired by two things; a two-part series by @wreckofawriter​ and also my experience with family . If you want me to remove it (wreckofawriter) then I will, but I don’t mean to copy your amazing work.

Warnings: Angst to fluff, Malcolm trying his best (not really a warning but that needed to be put out there, HE ONLY TRIES HIS BEST), also talk about poor mental health! (Such as Anxiety, description of an anxiety attack (this is based off MY experiences I’m not trying to generalize them!) and slight depression)

Don’t read if you’re not done season one! All spoilers are under the cut just in case (Eve is mentioned, iykyk)

Summary: You and Malcolm have been dating for a few years now, you share with him all of your sides- or so he thought. How will he react when he sees you crying when you think he can’t see you? How will he feel when he realizes that you guys are more alike than he originally expected?

Y/s/n = Your Siblings Name

Y/m/n = Your Mothers Name

y/n = your name (just in case this is your first fic)

Words: Just over 3,000 (😅😅)

I was listening to this song as I was writing this: If the World Was Ending- JP Saxe, Julia MIchaels

You always knew that Malcolm could see the real you better than anyone else, he could see straight through your facial expressions and little habits. It was his job after all as a profiler, he couldn’t just turn it off when he was with you and that was understood between the two of you. The last thing you wanted was for him to change in a world that treated him differently already (no thanks to his father).

But there was one part of you that you tried to keep from Malcolm at all costs, and that was your family.

It wasn’t because you didn’t trust him with that knowledge, but it was just a side of you that you’ve never been able to let anyone see. To see how hurt you were by their words, how little you were respected by them, how small you felt anytime you tried to be yourself around them. You couldn’t tell him any of it, you hoped that he would believe your lies, cause you knew that his family was way worse than yours; so you just kept it all inside for no one except yourself to see. The last thing you wanted was for him to feel guilty for confiding in you after all these years.

You felt him nudge your shoulder, which brought you back to reality. You were a Reporter, and a very god one depending on who you asked, and Malcolm needed you to help him drag out a killer for a case. He was profiled as overly confident and a borderline narcissist, so Malcolm was certain that if you talked about him on the news, saying that they had him in custody that he would contact either you or the station to say you had a fraud. Malcolm was going to be by your side the entire time, just to make sure they wouldn’t go after the most important person in his life-,not again; he wouldn’t know what he would do if you were taken away from him like Eve. He would do anything in his power to make sure that he wouldn’t go after you, since you matched most of his previous victims.

“You alright?” He looked at you slightly worried, he was always concerned when you got too deep into that head of yours, he wasn’t sure what caused you to be constantly thinking that you’re not good enough, but he wasn’t going to press the matter. He rubbed your thigh as he sat next to you, to keep you grounded.

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be? It’s not like I’m about to be indirectly talking to a serial killer on live television, and possibly get a target on my back for doing so.” You nervously laughed as you looked down at your feet, your leg bouncing up and down to the rhythm of your rapidly beating heart.

“You don’t need to do this; you know that right?” He placed his hand on your cheek, caressing the side of your face with his thumb repeating the motion to calm your nerves. “I can ask Ainsley; she’s done this before-”

“Malcolm, I’ll be alright. I always am.” You gave him a tight-lipped smile; you knew it wasn’t very convincing but that’s all you could muster up at the moment.

He wasn’t convinced, you could tell since he gave you his doubtful that he’s given you on more than one occasion but he was cut off by another voice before he could call you out on it.

“C’mon Bright, they’re about to go live.” Gill said as he lightly grabbed his arm to get him out of the shot, and he complied.

“Live in 3,2,1...” You were given the cue as you took a deep breath and put your ‘TV face’ on as you liked to call it. “Breaking news tonight, the NYPD have confirmed that they have someone in custody who’s been known to the public as The angel of death, nothing has been said by police if this truly is their killer but after the past week of The angel of death terrorizing the city, police are led to believe that this is him.”

You took a pause to make it look like you were listening to someone through your earpiece, that was intentionally visible to the camera, then carried on with the broadcast.

“I’ve just gotten a confirmation from our sources that it has been officially confirmed that they have The angel of death himself in custody and will be setting a court date to be announced later. Now back to Ryan with politics.”

The second you heard the ring that signaled you were no longer on air, you slumped over in relaxation. You crossed your arms on the table in front of you and leaned your head, that now felt lighter than air, on top.

“You did amazing darling, that should get the killers attention for certain.” He said to you as the sound of his shoes got closer to the desk the kissed the top of your head and slowly rubbed your back to release more tension that he knew you were holding.

“I didn’t really- “You tried to correct him as you lifted your head, but Malcolm refused to let you get close to finishing that sentence of yours.

“Nope- you just brought us our killer baby; you did a hell of a lot more than most would’ve in your shoes.”  You loved how he was always able to reassure you, and how he did it without a second beat.

You turned to look up at your loving and supportive boyfriend in admiration and a warm smile slowly painting your features, “Whatever I did in a past life was so worth it.”

“What?” He slightly laughed at your statement, looking at you now with a mixture of curiosity and confusion.

“To deserve someone like you and be lucky to call them mine.” You stood up from your chair and moved closer to him to close the distance between his lips and yours, you could taste the slight cherry flavor of the candy you knew he had earlier. As you two break apart, you can still taste it on your own lips.

Unfortunately, this moment doesn’t last as long as you two wanted it to, because both of your phones go off. His from an unknown caller, and yet yours is somehow worse.

You look down to your phone saying Mom, you sighed at this and then looked at Malcolm, or where he was, already on his phone, most likely talking to the killer himself next to Dani, Giles and JT.

You excused yourself to another room for some privacy that you knew you were going to need. You were only halfway to the quiet room when you answered your phone; you knew that was going to be a bad idea.

“Why in the hell did you think that was a good idea y/n?!”

You sighed and with a tight-lipped smile replied with, “Hello to you too mom, haven’t heard from you in a while.” You then slowly closed the door behind you.

“Don’t give me that lip! I am your mother, I deserved to be treated with respect! I never get this from y/s/n.”

You dropped your head down in defeat, you always considered the problem child, ever since your sibling came into the picture. Before that everything was relatively fine, but you never blamed y/s/n though; it’s not their fault your parents decided that you could fend for yourself at the age of 8.

“Yeah I know, but it was for a case- “Once again, she decided to cut you off.

“A CASE?” she shrieked into the phone, making you pull the device away from your ear.

“Yes- “

“Now I knew were selfish, but I never thought it was this bad. I could tell that it was staged, are you seriously putting yourself in danger so they could contact you for some ink?”

You were absolutely shocked by her words; she thought that you risking your life was selfish? So, you could save others, that made you selfish? You felt the pressure of tears build up as a sickening pit was building in your stomach; she always knew the words to say and never in the good way. “No, that’s not- “

“No, I get it, you’re too damn stupid to see past your own needs. I have no clue where I went wrong with you.”

The minute you heard that, you hung up the phone. You couldn’t care less about what she would’ve said after that.

You hit your back on the wall as you slowly walked backwards and slid down to the floor. You pulled your knees up to your chest and placed your head down.

You must’ve been sitting there for a while as there was a rough knocking behind your back, on the door. ‘They must’ve been knocking for a while’ you thought.

“Y/n! Are you in there?” Malcolm. You must’ve scared him to death, without even thinking you stand up and open the door for him.

Behind the door was Gil, JT and Dani accompanying Malcolm. “Shit guys, sorry if I scared you.” You laughed humorlessly but stopped once you saw all their concerned faces.

“Y/n, you alright?” Gil asked, who was more of a parental figure than your own, but you couldn’t ever tell him that. Not because you were scared it would go to his head, no, he wasn’t like that. You just didn’t want it to become awkward since he already needed to worry about Malcolm, you didn’t need him to constantly worry about you on top of it.

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” You said then realized you still had massive tear stains on your cheeks and puffy eyes from your previous phone call, you forgot to wipe them away before you opened the door.

‘Dammit y/n’ you scolded yourself for making the four of them all worry.

“Um you got somethin’ right,” JT then motioned to his whole face, Dani then elbowed him in the side for his unhelpful comment.

“Oh!” You wiped the sides of your face, “I’m fine guys, just got something in my eye.” You smiled at all of them.

Your head then turned to Malcolm, who squinted his eyes at you. You could tell didn’t believe you at all; he knew all your tells. You could tell that he was going to ask later, but you were sure as hell going to avoid it if you could.

Unable to deal with the silence anymore, you pushed by all of them, apologizing as you went, and walked out to your car. You were done for the day anyways, so you wanted to go home to Malcolm and yours’ apartment.

~

Once you got through the door, you let the dam in your mind open. The flood gate of tears rushed, and there was nothing you could’ve done to stop it; not that you really wanted to anyways. Your hands shook from the rush of emotions going through you, but you forced down the inevitable panic attack until you got to the couch. Your hands continued to uncontrollably shake, and you curled up in a fetal position with your favorite blanket wrapped around you like a tight hug. The words of your mother echoed throughout your fogged mind.

“I knew were selfish… you’re too damn stupid to see past your own needs…”

It just wouldn’t stop. It was like a massive wave going over a surfer; nothing could be done about it, you just needed to ride it out.

You heard a muffled noise coming from behind you but being so caught up and immobilized in your thoughts, nothing could’ve dragged you out of this one, not this time.

 A pair of arms grabbed your shoulders, and there was enough fight left in you to push them away and run into the corner of the apartment. You could slightly see a male figure coming near you, and all you were capable of doing was whimpering and curling up in what you had deemed your safety blanket.

“Y/n… talk to me… happened at… were worried…”

You tried to make out the familiar voice- Malcolm; that’s the only person it could be right? It didn’t matter to you right now; the voice of your mother was stronger than your own thoughts, it always had been.

You felt a thud right next to you, and smelt the subtle sent of his cologne, it brought you back to your senses slightly, but not enough to stop your uncontrollable shaking and tears. He nudged himself closer to your body, and you instinctively laid your head on his shoulder. You could feel yourself calm down, but you knew it was because he was here. Yes, he was helping you ground yourself through the small gesture, but it was mainly that you were embarrassed of him seeing you like this and could feel your body force away the attack.

As you begun to trust yourself to speak, you turned slightly towards Malcolm, a numb look coated your features. “Sorry you had to see that; you shouldn’t have had to.” You spoke meekly, looking down at your still slightly shaky hands in your lap.

“Y/n, you have nothing to be sorry for.”

It was once he said that sentence that you knew you needed to come clean about the one secret that you had left from him.

“But I do, I’ve been selfish.”

“How darling?” He said while slowly petting your head, the way you’d comfort a child.

“I didn’t want to tell you, cause you already had so much on your plate, with this case, your family, and I- I just didn’t want to add my family on top of it.” He understood that this must’ve been eating at you for a while, because you normally bottled all your feelings until it broke; unfortunately, that’s why you both got along so well. He never wanted you to feel like that was necessary when you were with him, but how do you bring that kind of thing up?

“What about your family?” he spoke softly. You never spoke about them, hell he’s never even met them but now he felt deep down that he was about to find out why.

“Am I selfish to you? Am I someone you really see yourself with in the long run?” Tears begun to fill your eyes again, and a crack in your voice was evident to Malcolm that you believed in what you were saying about yourself.

He felt a pang of sadness for you in his chest, that was quickly turning to anger at whoever made you feel like you were any less than worth the universe. He composed himself before he responded to your question.

“Far from it, you are the most selfless human being I’ve ever met. There’s now way that a selfish person would’ve done what you did today; going in front of thousands of people and calling out a killer like that, like a badass.” He nudged your shoulder, where he got a slight giggle out of you. It wasn’t a lot, but it was better than nothing.

“And absolutely can I see you with me later on,” He took a deep breath before he continued his statement. “I love you y/n, and if I ever lost you… I don’t even want to think of who I would become. You’re the greatest thing that has ever happened to me.”

You immediately rushed into his arms and embraced him so tightly, afraid that this was all some massive cruel dream, and you’d wake up another day without him knowing. You stayed like this for a moment before Malcolm piped up,

“So, you wanna tell me why the most beautiful person to ever walk the earth is currently crying on our apartment floor at nearly 9 pm?”

You both chuckled at this, as you unwrapped yourself from his arms to look him in his beautiful blue eyes. His eyes were still filled with an underlying anger, but mainly held concern towards you.

“You know when we were at the news station today? And you got a call from the killer?” He nodded, encouraging you to continue.

“Well I also got a call, but it was from my mother. We got into an argument, since she saw the broadcast, and words were said.” You knew that the fine details were going to be said eventually, but you couldn’t bring yourself to say it.

“And, what did she say baby?” He answered in a voice that was barely even a whisper, he looked you up and down; most likely looking at your body language to see if you were going to try and lie, but he could tell that you were going to be honest.

“That I was selfish, dumb, questioning where she went wrong with me.” You sniffled and looked to your hands, terrified to see Malcolm’s reaction. Not because he might yell at you, but at what he might do to your mother now that this was his first impression of her.

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Was all he said after some silence.

“You have your own family shit to deal with, I didn’t feel like it was fair on you to dump mine on top of it. I didn’t want you to lose anymore sleep than you already do over something that I need to deal with.”

“…”

“Malcolm? You’re scaring me.” You looked up at him to see him looking out the window, his face glowing from all the nightlife neon lights across the street; he looked so angelic, more than he normally did.

“How didn’t I see this any sooner? I don’t care that you didn’t tell me y/n, I don’t care that your family is screwed up as well. I do care about the fact that I couldn’t help you through it.”

“But Malcolm it wasn’t your fight-” you tried to defend your reasoning, but alas he needed to correct you once more before the night was through.

“You’re right; it’s our fight. To hell with our parents, we’re not our parents; we are our own people. So, from this moment on, I promise to be completely transparent with my baggage as long as you are with me. We can break our constantly bottled-up feelings together.” He gently picked up your hand and laid a kiss on top.

“turn them into shattered glass.” You nodded as you spoke, a smile slowly coming back to your face.

“Just like shattered glass.” He nodded back, returning your smile.

And just like that, the two of you sat down on the couch, cuddling and watching movies as dusk carried on into dawn.

A/n: I hope you guys liked this, I always loved Malcolm’s character and Prodigal son, and with my life being slightly hectic at the moment this was a nice change of pace. Hope you have an amazing day or night, depending on where you are! 💙

-Kate

[notgonnarememberthis]

find your way (back to me) - chapter seven

This update is a little more toned down than usual but don’t worry, this isn’t the end. This is only a bridge to act 2. My best friend and I have come up with a handful of devious ideas to still throw into the mix. I’m super excited to jump into the next portion and even more so by Prodigal Son returning in less than a week. Let me know what y’all think!!

“It doesn’t make sense.” Gil moves his gaze from Jessica in her hospital bed to Malcolm, pacing across the small room. Ainsley sits on the chair, eyes trained on mother and chewing on her nail but she nods almost absentmindedly at his statement. He’s been on this rant for an hour. Each second he grows more agitated. “When she came in she was angry Gil. Ask Ainsley, she was screaming ‘where is he’ and waving the knife.”

The unspoken sentence lingers between the siblings with a single gaze. I’ve never seen her like that. It’s not a shock, Jessica composed her anger around them, he remembers one instance. Where a poor reporter thought that ambushing her for an exclusive was a good idea. All while he had taken them out one lonely Christmas only 2 years after Martin’s imprisonment. She’d been icely polite until the man turned to Malcolm, asking him how he felt. Still her smile remained, at least until Gil coaxed the children away with the promise of hot chocolate and sweets. 

That night she looked lighter than she had in months.

“She didn’t see me.” Malcolm admits, maybe for the first time with the fear threaded in his voice. Ainsley’s eyes flash to him, concern twisting her brows. Gil knows that sight will haunt his nightmares for a while. “It wasn’t hallucinations. She knew where she was.”

“How?”

“I don’t know. But she sidestepped the divet in the tile that she almost twisted her ankle on last month.” Malcolm rakes both hands through his hair in frustration. “She knew she was at the precinct.”

“What about when she collapsed?” Gil speaks up now. “She begged me to find ‘him’ and said she got him out.” Malcolm pivots again, his pace picking up as his mind races. “She had to be talking about another victim.”

Ainsley’s breath catches then, a light flashing in her head. “What if she was talking about two different people?”

Malcolm gapes, Gil sees him swallow the lump that formed in his throat. “You think she saw the killers?” She nods turning back to Jessica. She takes her mother’s hand pressing her lips to her knuckles.

It’d been hours since the surgeries. The surgeons had successfully removed the bullet from her abdomen but infection was their main concern. The warnings of the extent of brain injury lingers on all of their minds. They won’t know more until she wakes. 

If she wakes.

Gil shakes his head at the thought. He won’t allow himself to think like that yet. Not with Malcolm and Ainsley in the same room, minds haunted all the same. “You two, go get food.” They both protest but he shuts them down with a single look. “Get me-”

“Black coffee.” The two nod in unison bringing a small smile to his lips. As they leave Gil allows the events to weigh on him. He runs his thumb across her scraped jaw biting the inside of his cheek. “Come on Jess.” He whispers into the room. “You gotta help us now. We can’t do this without you.”

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The incessant beeping is what pulls Jessica above the surface again. The first thing she realizes is that she feels very heavy. Her eyes don’t want to open, distantly she hears Gil’s voice calling to her.

It comes back all at once. Her escape, Freddy, collapsing into Gil’s arms. She hums, testing her voice. It aches and makes her feel like she needs to cough but she feels it rumble in her chest. Finally, her eyes open. It hurts like hell, blinking the dimmed room into focus. He leans over her, a smile on his face.

“Hey Jess.” He looks to the door. A thought crosses his mind before turning back to her. “Do you know where you are?”

“Hospital.” Detest laces her tone even through her slurred speech. She hated hospitals as a kid, then Martin came into her life. She grew an appreciation, and then hated them again in a twisted cycle. She cranes her head searching the room, “Where?”

“Ainsley and Malcolm went to get food. They’ve got Dani and JT with them as details.” She relaxes, tempted to fall back into the darkness knowing they are safe. “Do you want me to call them?”

She shakes her head, knowing Malcolm he’s been working for days straight, hardly a meal in between. If he’s getting food, then he needs to eat. “How long have I been out?”

“About 9 hours.”

“That’s the most I’ve slept in 20 years.” She jokes. The fogginess clears a little and she remembers. “Freddy.” She turns to Gil who immediately puts his hands on her shoulders.

“Hey easy.” His eyes jump to the heart monitor, the beeping increasing significantly. “Take it easy Jess. Is Freddy who you were trying to tell me about?”

She nods frantically. “I woke up and he was there. I cut us both out but he wanted to split up.” Guilt punches her in the chest. “We split up. I didn’t want to but he said it was our best chance. I heard a man scream and I ran.” The air feels too thin suddenly and the beeping just keeps getting louder.

“Jessica, look at me.” Her jaw snaps shut and she does. “Breathe with me.” He takes a deep breath in. She would laugh if panic wasn’t gripping her ribcage painfully. “Remember?” She nods slightly following his steps.

Panic attacks had become a frequency after Martin. Gil had found her stuck in the middle of them more than she cares to admit. She holds her breath, her head swimming. Letting it out ebbs the panic though the guilt still gnaws painfully. 

“Do you know where they held you? Do you remember?”

“Beverly Construction. The apartment complex being built, the one I was telling you about that I was thinking of bidding on.”

“Good.” He runs his thumb over her knuckles. “Do you remember anything else?”

“Yes.” She opens her mouth but the thoughts won’t piece together. There are images in her head but none of them make sense. The wreck, glass flying everywhere and the smell of smoke burning her nose. The darkness before being overwhelmed by white light. The glint of the knife reflecting her terrified gaze back at her.

“It’s ok. You’re still coming out of sedation. It may take a while.” She wants to cry. She knows she saw more. She knows more. “I’ll text Colette and her men will scan the construction site. They may not be there anymore but they may have left something behind.” She wishes it was enough.

“Mom?” Ainsley’s voice makes her head whip to the door. Her daughter’s lower lip trembles, “Mom?” In three steps she’s to her bed, the box of food thrown carelessly into the chair as she kneels by her side. Jessica tries to reach out to her but her arm only flips, the meds still battling her every effort to stay awake. Ainsley grabs her hand guiding it to her cheek so that Jessica’s fingers tangle into the blonde curls.

“Mom.” Malcolm’s whisper is almost immediately after Ainsley’s. Gil scoots aside allowing him room. He takes the food and coffee out of her son’s hands before they can slip to the floor in his rush to get to her. He mimics Ainsley’s actions but pulls her other hand to his lips, she feels his smile on the back of her hand. Tears of relief sting her eyes. 

“Hi.” She smiles at them both, her fingers brushing their skin. They’re safe, they’re here with her. She did it, she made it back to her family. She wipes away Malcolm’s tears as they come down his face despite his careful control. Ainsley tips first burying her head into her shoulder. Her hand is pinned, caught in her daughters grasp but she can’t bring herself to care.

Over their shoulders she spies Gil. With one look he comes closer, with one hand on Malcolm’s shoulders and the other on her head he joins the family embrace. Her guilt still weighs on her. She’s missing something, something important is gone.

Right now, though, her family is enough. They are enough.

[theonlinemuse]

R E B I R T H  A N D  R E C O L L E C T I O N — [ co-created with @incorrectprodigalsonquotes ]      A Brightwell AU

I've got sunshine on a cloudy day When it's cold outside I've got the month of May Well I guess you'd say What can make me feel this way? My girl (my girl, my girl) Talkin' 'bout my girl (my girl)

sofia wylie as young dani powell | levi miller as young malcolm bright  

This AU came about when thinking of how small things cause big changes as a result of reading too many Chinese rebirth webnovels. The idea of the rebirth is for a character to live their life for a second time; a little bit like time travel except that the character is reverted back to the age they were at the time. We both liked the idea of Malcolm and Dani growing up together because they definitely would have been friends given the chance. This was also a way to be able to change some things we didn’t like the show did, including not giving Dani enough screen time. It’s very interesting to think about what could’ve changed about the whole story if Dani had grown up with Malcolm. It’s also a chance to give our favourite detective (sorry JT) some much needed backstory. This is a chance to make this not just Malcolm’s story but both Malcolm and Dani’s story. 

After being fatally shot during a case, Dani is sent back in time to when she’s five years old and ends up becoming Malcolm’s childhood friend. 

Dani didn't even really intend to reach out to Malcolm so early, she had been more interested in connecting with Gil in addition to making sure her father and aunt, Dinah Senior didn’t die early this time around 

The first time that Dani met Malcolm after being reborn, there was a public performance for her ballet class in the park that day and it was also Dani's first solo performance

So Malcolm ends up seeing this tiny girl with her curls flying while she dances to “My Girl”

She was wondering how to approach him because he's just so young, but he's not much different than the Bright she got to know as an adult

His eyes are still the same in any lifetime

Malcolm wanted to approach Dani too because he thought her dancing was great and they ended up meeting in the middle

It’s also the day Malcolm tries ice cream truck ice cream for the first time

Dani thinks the way that Malcolm's eyes go wide at his first taste is cute

She tells him that the twist is the best flavour because you get both chocolate and vanilla

She gets hers dipped in chocolate and Malcolm ends up ordering the same thing because he's curious about it

He ends up loving it. He's never had so much sugar in his life and he loves it

Ainsley is attached to Dani from the start and she's clinging to Dani and going “no” when the nanny tries to separate them

And they end up talking for so long that the nanny tells him they have to go in order to be home in time for lunch

And Ainsley is not even close letting go

Malcolm tries to convince her to let go for all of two seconds. "Ains, come on, you have to say bye to Dani." "No!" He just looks at the nanny with a look that says, ‘well, I tried’

Dani just finds the whole thing funny and she even encourages it by hugging Ainsley tighter

Dani's mom, Zipporah is giggling in the background

And that's when Malcolm decides to ask Dani if she wants to have lunch with them. "We have a pretty good cook, plus Ainsley likes you."

Which is good because Ainsley was glaring at everyone for daring to take her away from Dani

Ainsley gasps when she hears Malcolm invite Dani and turns the puppy dog eyes on Dani and the nanny and clings to Dani even more

Zipporah finds it hilarious because Dani is maybe a foot taller than Ainsley but the toddler is clinging to Dani like a baby koala

Ainsley is practically on Dani's hip. Dani doesn't really mind, but she looks at her mom to see if she can go. Dani knows that it's gonna be a disaster, but she kind of wants to talk to Malcolm more

He’s still weird, but she likes him

When Jessica allowed the nanny to take Malcolm and Ainsley out to the park, she didn't expect them to come home with a ballerina

"Malcolm, who's your little friend? And why is Ainsley clinging to her like a limpet?"

She did think that Dani was precious and was amused at how Dani already seemed so used to Malcolm and Ainsley's antics

Jessica immediately saw that she was a very calm and mature little girl

And Malcolm knows that look in her eyes means that she wants to keep Dani with them too. "She has a mom already, you can't keep her." "Malcolm dear, there are plenty of other ways to keep her around."

Malcolm was pretty attached to Dani despite the age difference. He could tell that she's supposed to be younger than him because of her round cheeks and small hands

It's her eyes that make him think otherwise

Dani called him ‘Bright’ since they were kids because that was she was used to calling him before the rebirth happened and she called him sunshine boy and says that's when he's ‘Bright’

Dani and Malcolm's family end up catching Watkins much earlier

He still kidnaps Malcolm, but here's a twist, he didn't just threaten Jessica and Ainsley, he also threatened Dani's safety. So Dani knows that the camping trip is coming up, but she knows she can't stop it from happening without Martin getting suspicious

So she prepares. She talks to Ainsley about her "imaginary friend" and slips Malcolm a walkie talkie so they can at least stay in contact

She's ready to arm him to the teeth to help get him out of there relatively unscathed. She gets him a collapsible baton that he can easily hide on him.

She plays it off as just some things her dad always has ready for a camping trip (even though they have never been camping)

It's what he uses to knock out Watkins in the end

And she makes him promise that the next weekend, they go to see Tarzan in theatres so that she can kind of reassure herself that he'll come back and she knows that in a couple months, Malcolm will find out about his father and call the police

And then Malcolm accidentally starts talking about Dani to Martin and Watkins because he's saying things like "Me and Dani usually like to go to the movies on Saturdays. She showed me this cool trick of when you buy popcorn and candy and mix it in the popcorn bag so every bite is a surprise. Dani likes the sour lemon lime gummies and M&Ms so we usually get those."

He doesn't realize that talking about Dani is making Martin and Watkins curious about her, he's just a kid talking about his friend

And when Watkins kidnaps Malcolm, he taunts him with; "Once I'm done with your mother and sister, I'm going after your little girlfriend.” And Malcolm just flies into a blind rage, shouting things like getting Watkins arrested if he so much as looks at Dani wrong and, "If you even get close to her, I won’t think twice about calling the police!" 

He didn't even want Watkins to know what Dani looked like

Unfortunately, Martin told him in very good detail what she looked like. "Oh, she's this pretty young girl that Malcolm's quite taken with." And when Watkins starts describing Dani in perfect detail, almost as if he's been watching her for some time and Malcolm has never been more terrified

In reality it was Martin, who's amused by Dani most of the time

So Watkins gets caught after the camping trip. He kidnaps Malcolm because Martin didn't go through with killing him and takes Malcolm to the little room under the Whitlys' house

Malcolm escapes similar to how he escapes in the original timeline

Only thanks to Dani preparing in advance that he doesn't need to break his hand this time

Dani gave him a lock pick set disguised as a Swiss Army knife

Malcolm managed to hide it up his sleeve before Watkins kidnapped him

Dani was relieved to hear that Watkins hadn't been able to hurt him because he managed to escape

He managed to find Ainsley and Dani in the living room and told them to find Jessica

Dani managed to call Gil right before Watkins cut the power

Watkins had an axe with him and was aiming for Dani. Cue young Malcolm flying into a rage and knocking him out. Dani and Malcolm shove Watkins in the box together

Gil shows up and is like, "Should I ask how he got in the box?" Dani and Malcolm look at each other and eventually go, "He's not as heavy as he looks"

Gil doesn't say anything because he can tell that Watkins tried to hurt them, particularly Malcolm

Both of them are a little bruised, but they both have fighting spirit

Gil reminds Jessica to get them checked out in the meantime, giving poor Zipporah another heart attack

Poor Ainsley was clinging to Dani and Malcolm the whole time. She doesn't understand why police were showing up at their house or why Dani and Malcolm got hurt 

And Jessica fusses over Dani and Malcolm. She even allowed the kids to have breakfast in bed

She has the chef make all their favourites like Dani's cinnamon and brown sugar waffles with strawberries and maple syrup. Malcolm let her convince him to eat some of her strawberries. And then Ainsley wants to be fed strawberries and it leads to the siblings fighting for Dani's attention

It was one of many instances where Malcolm and Ainsley were competing for Dani's attention

Dani forgets that she's been reborn for a little while and just enjoys her friendship with Malcolm until she meets Martin

She makes sure she's never in a room alone with him

Instead she invites Malcolm and eventually Ainsley over for sleepovers

She always hugs Malcolm's arm if Martin enters the room, even if he's just picking something up

Martin can tell that Dani is more than meets the eye, but he still underestimates her

She does impress him by keeping up with Malcolm and sussing out details and she's not happy about it because she doesn't want him to like her

Malcolm is a little amused at Dani treating Martin as if he's her nemesis

He's horrified when he learns the truth and immediately tries protecting her from Martin

He thinks that she'll stop being his friend now like his other friends did

Dani is creeped out by Martin because not only is she meeting pre-arrest sweater vest Martin but he's much taller than her

It's the eyes that creep her out, especially since he reminds her of a sociopathic Mr Rogers with the sweaters, but it's Dani's steady and knowing gaze that starts to unnerve Martin

She wasn't there the night The Surgeon was arrested, but she was there early the next morning. She had her grandma drive her to his house and Dani ends up being the first thing Malcolm sees when he wakes up

She ends up waking him from a night terror much like in the pilot

Jessica was horrified and didn't notice how calm Dani was about it

She was about to pull Malcolm off, but then he wraps his arms around Dani and starts calming down after she sings to him. And Malcolm just slowly wakes up, not realizing what just happened, though he does question why they're in the hallway

He's bewildered over why he's in Dani's arms. Then he sees a scrape on her cheek and reacts in horror

That's the incident that prompt him to seek help earlier than in the original timeline and it's the first time he cries since the arrest

He does go nonverbal for a shorter period of time, but he's more eager to communicate

They both learn sign language so that they can understand each other

If Malcolm doesn't want to talk, that's fine but she's not going to lose her friend and he writes constantly so he's communicating just fine, he's just choosing not to talk at the moment

Jessica thinks this is better than Malcolm shutting everyone out

She also appreciates Dani for sticking with her son when she had no obligation too

After a month, after Dani sleeps over for the tenth time, Malcolm finally talks

It's only one word, "Dani", but it still almost makes Jessica cry

And Malcolm laughs when Dani all but tackles him with a hug

It releases the floodgates and he keeps repeating her name as he buries his face in her hair

Later, Jessica squeezes Dani tight. She keeps stroking her hair and thinking that it's a miracle that Malcolm brought Dani home that day

She makes it clear that while she hopes it will never happen but if Dani ever needed her, she would protect her the way she'd protect her own children

Jessica is even more fond of Dani in the new timeline. She thinks she's adorable and that her friendship with Malcolm is precious. She's always gushing about Dani's maturity and intelligence

Malcolm isn't jealous. It's the first time he and his mother really agree on something

Malcolm and Dani had matching Halloween costumes when they were growing up together

Throughout Dani's childhood, she had dreams where she and Malcolm have odd conversations while dressed as characters from children's books

One dream had her dressed as Alice and trying to get a straight answer out of Mad Hatter!Malcolm. MH!Malcolm tells her that the answer she’s looking for will appear after she finishes her Earl Grey and when she drains her cup, she finds two words painted at the bottom

She can’t remember when the words were, but it shocks her to the point where she doesn’t even realize that Malcolm has practically flipped the overly long table that was between them and he slowly and deliberately walks up to her. She wakes up just as he’s grasped her chin in his hand and tips her face up to look at him 

Gil and Jessica have a long standing bet on when Dani and Malcolm will finally get together

Malcolm talked to Dani when he came home to visit from college and told her that he was thinking of applying to Quantico because by the time he told Martin, he had already applied. And he asks what she thinks of it

He shares his fears about being told that he's his father's son and she tells him that Malcolm Whitly is his own person

She gives the idea of changing his last name and he chooses Bright because she calls him that all the time. She said that he was old enough to change his name without anyone's approval

He didn't call himself Bright for her approval but he did it because Dani's the only person he has in his life where he doesn't have to pretend that he's someone he's not

Jessica is a little miffed at the name change at first. She suggested that he take her maiden name, but then Malcolm talks to her about his discussion with Dani and she now thinks it's sweet

Malcolm is the first to realize his feelings for Dani. She comes by to congratulate him and they talk until late at night. Dani ends up falling asleep on his shoulder and Malcolm stares at her as if she'll disappear if he looks away for a second. Dani has him promise not to drop off the face of the earth before she ends up falling asleep and he kisses the top of her head

During his first year in college, he comes back for Christmas with his Walking Dead look.

Dani and Jessica are a little horrified, but Malcolm just wants his hug and he playfully chases Dani

They're both laughing and they nearly fall over when Malcolm has her in a bear hug

Dani's dad, Christophe died when she was sixteen in the original timeline, but he lives in the new one

Christophe and Dani's sister Naomie were riding home from her swimming lessons one afternoon when a truck ran a red light and hit them in the side. Naomie survived, but she was traumatized to the point when she had night terrors for months afterwards

Dani and her oldest sister Mona took turns sleeping with her to take care of her whenever she had one

This time, Dani was with them and helped them avoid the accident in the nick of time, but she didn't come out of it unscathed

Dani got a bad concussion and was unconscious for two days. That was the first time she caught glimpses of the original timeline

Malcolm came running after Jessica called him in hysterics, especially since he had literally been away for a few weeks because his second semester of college had started

He was a mess when he arrived and he practically collapsed in Christophe's arms

He was half-demanding to see Dani and Christophe let it slide because he knew that the demands were coming from grief and worry

Christophe still had to tell Malcolm to calm down and rubbed his back until Malcolm was somewhat calm before he went in and all the while he was sobbing that he can't lose Dani and it was heartbreaking for Christophe to see

That's when he knew (though he always suspected) that Malcolm loved Dani

Jessica, Christophe, and Gil had to force him to eat and for him to go home for an hour to get cleaned up. Jessica makes a comment about Dani would be complaining about his stench and that earns a watery chuckle

He keeps talking to Dani hoping that she's listening. He gets hopeful when he's talking and he feels her squeeze his hand the tiniest bit. "Are you just trying to get me to shut up?"

And even while unconscious, Dani still has a sense of humour because she squeezes his hand again

Malcolm falls asleep in the chair next to her and Christophe is on guard because he knows Malcolm has night terrors too

He's still surprised when Malcolm actually sleeps through the night

He chalks it up to it being the effect that Dani has on him

Dani wakes up eventually and is surprised to see him

Her voice is still croaky from disuse, but she manages to rasp out "Malcolm"

Malcolm almost lunge-hugs her and he presses his forehead against hers and cries tears of relief. "Sorry," He wipes away a tear that fell on her cheek. "You're awake for one second and I get salt water all over you."

She just smiles at him. She looks tired and worn and she's covered in bandages, but he can still feel her breathing under his fingertips

And he always liked her eyes, but he's never been so grateful to see them open. He swears there's no more beautiful sight than in that moment

At one point, Dani falls into a coma and she sees glimpses of the original timeline where she died. She bleeds out in his arms while he's yelling for an ambulance and begging her to stay awake

In the aftermath of everything, Malcolm takes to talking to Dani whenever he's particularly stressed or sad. He talks about her family and Gil and Jessica getting together and how much everyone misses her. And how he wishes he had been selfish about his feelings for her and admitted it when she was still alive

“I’m still mad at you,” he says one day, “for dying. You didn’t have to, you know. If you weren't always looking out for my selfish ass--maybe you'd still be here. You weren't supposed to leave us. You weren't supposed to leave me… I would’ve switched places with you in a heartbeat..."

In the new timeline, Malcolm does think that Dani has some sort of secret with how she came into his life

He looks at her for a second and thinks that her eyes are still the same as they were twenty years ago and he thinks that with all the coincidences and how knowing Dani has been in the last twenty years and realizes there's something going on. But it's not dark like Dr. Whitly's secrets. It's warm, bright, and gives him hope. He's okay with not knowing

Because Dani is not Martin and her eyes are still the same as ever. It's those eyes that make him think that instead of growing up, Dani just grew into who she was all along

[canadiankazz]

The Adventures of Haiku the Tiefling Bard

So, I have a bard, Haiku, who goes on adventures with her sister Moku (played by @cravatfiend ) They are tiefling orphans who grew up on the streets and are trying to get enough funds together to open a tiefling orphanage. haiku named herself after her chosen method of giving bardic inspirations through haiku poems.

Their first adventure was in Barovia taking on the famed Shrahd von Zarovich. They were traveling with a halfling ranger named Tosswinkle, a grave cleric named Malcom, a paladin named Bethan and a barbarian dragonborn named Kava.

Tonight, Haiku and Moku join a new group to take on The Dead in Thay. :)

Below the cut are all of Haiku’s bardic inspiration poems for that first campaign. (Contains spoilers for the Curse of Strahd module.)

Strahd Campaign Inspiration Poems:

1. Monsters under ground I am way too scared to fight Malcolm, kill that thing!

2. Tosswinkle is brave I am still too scared to fight Kill all the ghouls, please

3. Shambling mound fight This dungeon sure is creepy Hit the mound better!

4. We have to kill this I think it's nearly dead Come on, sis, kill it!

5. Now we are fighting These stupid things, God dammit I hate this house a lot!

6. In the church basement Is a hungry vampire. He will die hungry.

7. Werewolves can suck it. Surprise attack on the path. Wizard wine can wait.

8. Fuck these fucking trees Druid shit at the winery Tosswinkle, finish it!

9. Kava is on fire. Going to finish this shit soon. Burn, you stupid trees!

10. Wizard wine battle Druids and tree things, oh my! Hope this job pays well.

11. Thunderwave again? Damn these druids and their sticks! Thunderwave's a bitch.

12. Strahd cast polymorph Turned me into a squirrel. Hey, Mal, fight better!

13. Tosswinkle was great Shooting all the druids dead Best halfling around

14. Moku's new stick Biter I thought it was cool at first, But it's evil. Oops!

15. Kava, back from death Chopping fools with her great axe I pity them not

16. Strahd shouldn't have put So much investment in twigs Twigs make poor bad guys.

17. Fighting scarecrows now I knew those scarecrows were suss Always trust your gut.

18. Arrows going through Straw makes a sound like crunching Scarecrows hard to kill.

19. Time to put to rest The zombie horde wandering Outside the small yurt

20. Zombies, oh zombies The dead still walk, that's not right We shall make them sleep.

21. Spooky dragon house We are here for a good cause Fighting the good fight

22. This is a hard fight But we have fought hard before And will win somehow

23. Who ya gonna call? Ghost bustin' makes me feel good. Da-na-na-na-na

24. You want to kill Strahd And we want to kill him too But now we're fighting

25. Vlad, just F.Y.I. You suck serious balls, dude Get a life, asshole.

26. Some call her a hag Others may call her a witch Either way, she's toast.

27. I can't believe this. We are fighting a witch house. But which house is which?

28. Scarecrows come marching Like stupid goons made of straw They burn up real good

29. How can anyone Get a decent night's rest with These god damn vampires?

30. Apparently, we Are the worst thing to happen To vamps since sunlight

31. Round two of hag fight We are not going to let Them get away now!

32. Hey there, Tosswinkle Looks like *spelling* was these hags' Best subject in school

33. Hey Vallaki folks, The burgermeister's not great, but hags are worse, yep.

34. We thought the giant Goat was bad, but now we are Gonna Roc and roll

35. Yet another day, Another awful castle Trying to kill us.

36. Little cowardly Hiding and shooting In your statue tomb.

37. Tosswinkle is the Best archer in the party Aim true, Tosswinkle!

38. I can not get through So this poem will have to Suffice. Gooooo Bethan!

39. Ugh, yet more spectres. I've had it up to HERE with Spectres and the like.

40. Hey, guess what I found? It's the golem they mentioned Now we fight it... yay?

41. Strahd is dashing, true. But he is also evil And will kill you soon.

42. Had it up to here! Fuck this invisible thing! Someone kill it, please!

43. Sythe through the heart, and You're to blame! Darlin' you give Love a bad name, yeah!

44. Gotta keep one jump Ahead of this duche, and one Skip ahead of death

45. Castle Ravensloft is full of dust, cob webs, and Bitch ass vampires.

46. Strahd would like you to Think that he's a tyrant king I'll show you a king

[graveyard-in-the-void]

(Last of the batch of my writing frenzy, I swear. Just some good old serious Mal reflecting on his psycho lantern. I kinda wanted to write about the transition he’s doing from “good boy” to “murderous monster”, that the manga IMPLIES he might be going towards... ... but yet again, I didn’t do it satisfyingly enough. So that will come again. For now have this I guess!) --- Will-o-wisp ----

Slowly Malcolm weighted the lantern in his hand. It was heavy. So, so heavy. And it was always cold. Even when it was active. Even when his blood was boiling in his body. Frankly, it was so cold, it caused burns all by themselves. He could feel it. In the battlefield, it was there as a constant pain. Freezing. They call it frostbite. Biting. That was the truth about the cold. The heat was the tongue, licking off your skin, muscles, bones- And ice were the teeth, hard and sharp, shattering you. The lantern, indeed, was a set of teeth, designed specifically for Malcolm’s use. Slowly he raised it up to his face, looking into the locked shutters, as though he could see inside of it. No light was escaping from between the blinds, only a hint of purple were visible, merely reflecting the bit of outside light that made it inside. A hint of purple… What was the will-o-wisp inside, really? He had heard so many stories from others, about the will-o-wisp and the men he carried them. And of course, with that came the question of the relationship between them. There weren’t many people who had made it through an actual meeting with them. Hell, in some cases, thing went… wrong. The ATTs went rouge, continuing killing even after the battle had ended. The issue was, how was anyone supposed to turn off the lantern of this kind of monster? It was easiest to neutralize them And THAT was what impressed the most, certainly. Impressed. Imprinted. Trauma. Even the people on site, the doctors who had CREATED this creature preferred to put it down instead of trying to approach it, calm it- surely, it was because this creature was beyond saving, beyond reason, nobody’s friend and the creature you had to PRAY it would not deem you an enemy… because if it was… there was no choice, nothing that could stop it, nothing that could even slow it down- You would have to try and kill it. TRY was the right word. The soldiers KNEW it was some sort of- ghast, a creature that kept shambling, could face down a tank with its reckless disregard for anything. How many bullets did it take to take one down? Too many. What even aim for? Bust out the knees, it CRAWLED. Shoot the head? Did these monsters even use their heads anymore? Didn’t one kept moving even after- A new rumor was born and spread. For these creatures, the Gespensterjäger, it wasn’t the mind, or even the heart compelling them to move forward- The control was alone with the lantern. When one carried it- It would consume the soul and replace it with its own will. Of a captured, lost soul, screaming for nothing but blood. The lantern in Malcolm’s grip switched hands, as he kept looking at the roughed up metal that didn’t allow for any sort of reflection. Only the light itself would be reflected by this. Making it seem even more unreal. A rough surface area… … maybe… perhaps… they didn’t want the troopers to see their own face anymore. Maybe the reflection of a monster could be jarring enough to rip even THEM out of their trance. The only polished thing was the inside of the lantern… probably. Frankly, Malcolm wasn’t brave enough to check inside. Who would be? Quietly he sighed to himself, putting down the metal lantern. A demon inside of a cage, a soul that fed off anyone’s blood… the blood of the enemy and even the blood of the host. No matter what happened to the body… the being was shortly satiated, tasting the lifeforce. But this wasn’t the favorite story, not really. Because that would excuse the humans carrying the lantern. Some stories were about the deal with the devil. These people have lived such a wicked life, that they had been denied by the devil at hell’s gate, and given nothing but their ghostly lantern, a coal that was their burning soul, pale as all the vibrancy had been sucked out by their terrible deeds. It was a well-liked one- But there were things that didn’t quite add up. The faces were… … empty. Scarred, eyes wide, cold and seemingly barely recognizing anything other than attacks. Once more the myth transformed. Forsaken bodies. Empty minds. Machines out of meat. The stories came and went. Malcolm had early learned to not listen and question anymore. Just trying to imagine they weren’t talking about him… about what he was… It could become a story like any other. Eventually. He stared at the lantern, feeling tired, spacing out. Oh, he was the wearer of this lantern. And he feared it, despised it. Hated it with all of his soul. Or at least tried to. But without it, he was so utterly useless, so in some way he was doomed to be grateful- Who would he be without it? Who could he protect? What could he ever do? Maybe… Maybe he actually was a slave to the will-o-wisp. He stared at the grey an silver surface in front of his eyes. It didn’t reflect his face, his eyes, his hands, his surroundings… … but it reflected something. Something. The will-o-wisp. It was just another lost soul. A part… of him. When the lantern light lit up, it- It TOOK something from him. Not to burn it, but to cage it, restrain it… To let the useful part of him go free. Doubts, fear, pain, sympathy, his foolish desire to keep EVERYONE save and alive- And his eyes saw clearly. His mind shut up, the thinking came in from of deep, pre-made knowledge. If he wanted to turn off the lantern again quicky- Then he had to kill. If he wanted to keep people save- Then he had to kill. If he wanted to prevent any further evildoing- Then he had to kill. If he wanted to be of any use… … then he had to kill. Maybe some part of him wanted to. It was so easy. So handy. So straightforward. Either they ran or they died. He wanted them dead, that much was clear, because it was the way to go for a long-term solution. And it felt good. So good. In a sea of his own incompetence, in a world where everyone looked at him with disgust or pity- or already with fear anyways- in a world where he could never make anything happen, where he was used and then shelved, where he was abandoned and suddenly thrown into the battlefield again, where no decision seemed to ever be his own- In a world where he was property- Killing was the only thing left to give him a taste of power, a taste of responsibility. A life killed was a life that nobody could ever take from him. Something HE made happen, he alone, as his brain screamed in utter joy and satisfaction- Something he made happen… ‘It may be a small act… but this is an act of war relief YOU made happen.’ Words so oddly gentle, coming out of a mouth, paired with eyes so cold. What Henry did… It wasn’t… some sort of- Sympathy work. He didn’t see himself as a generous god, gracing the poor and wounded with his presence. No. What Henry saw in the war relief unit was… … an act of resistance. Against the elites, who wanted them to be nothing but smoke and mirrors. Against the people, who stubbornly wanted to keep ahold of their miserable world-view and self-pity. Against war and pain itself. It was- So peculiar to Malcolm. He knew that what Henry did always- ALWAYS was something good. People suffered, died, were apprehended and he handed them over for interrogation without batting an eye. Destroying livelihoods, the good names of people, he took the hope from people in their friends and families, risking people under his care… … but it always fair. It was always right. He never used more force than necessary. At most he simply… demonstrated. This bad, bad human being- Doing GOOD deeds, deeds that left the world around him in a better place- Was that really possible? Was there a chance for people, no matter what- to matter? To make things better? A discarded tool, worn down and faulty and constantly messing up- Could such a tool be made useful in the right place? Even without using it for… killing? Gently, almost lovingly he brushed over the side of the cold metal. Meeting Henry Miller… has changed things inside of him. But he couldn’t tell if for the better or worse. Ever since they met, he used the lantern more often. Maybe almost regularly. These things that happened, they didn’t happen because of Henry- yet there seemed to be something about them teaming up that drew… trouble. Ever since he met Henry Miller… and the rest of the Pumpkin Scissors… Something was shifting. Moving. His heart and his mind… ��� and the lantern. It all came flickering together. Him using the lantern to save lives instead of murder. Him laying in hospital, completely stripped of any of his tools, yet still burning with the desire to kill. Henry’s nonchalant attitude to him and all he did- There was one thing Malcolm had faith in. If Henry saw him become a demon, an immoral danger… … he would punish him, as much as was appropriate. To the point of him wishing to be dead all by himself. It gave him faith. But this faith, it- Changed things. Henry’s eyes watching him as he was covered in blood. The small smile on his lips that made his heart skip a beat. What did Henry want him to be? Did he just want him to ripe, to turn worse and worse, until it was time to brutally rip him apart? Or was he simply accepting the fact that blood was to be spilled and proud of him for doing so? … did he WANT to become what Henry wanted him to be? Something about this sentence made him shudder, and his breath quicken. Something- Something about it- Wanting. For the first time, the tool was asked what it wanted to do with itself. For the FIRST time, he wasn’t thrown out and merely TOLD. … even if he liked receiving Henry’s orders- He COULD say no! He COULD do that! He- If- Now- he could think! Think about himself, too! His fingers slowly wandered to the mechanism of the lantern, playing with it, never pushing it though. While with Section Three, it didn’t matter what anyone thought of him. It didn’t matter WHAT choice he made… it was his own. It was the right one. Slightly he smiled. The lantern being his mirror was a little less scary like this. At least… he was allowed to have this choice. To twist and turn HIMSELF. Or at least, he hoped so. Retracting his hand, he quietly shook his head. No, he didn’t know what he would become. But at least this time… … there was some solace in it.

[walaw717]

To the Most Saintly Father in Christ the Lord, the Lord John, by divine Providence, Supreme Pontiff of the Holy Roman Catholic Church, from his humble and devoted sons,

 Duncan - Earl of Fife, 

Thomas Ranulph - Earl of Moray, 

Lord of Man and Annandale, 

Patrick Dunbar - Earl of March, 

Malise - Earl of Strathearn, 

Malcolm - Earl of Leven, 

William - Earl of Ross, 

Magnus - Earl of Caithness and Orkney, and 

William - Earl of Sutherland; 

Walter - Seneschal of Scotland, 

William Soules - Butler of Scotland, 

James - Lord of Douglas, 

Roger Mowbray, 

David - Lord of Brechin, 

David Graham,

 Ingram Umfraville, 

John Menteith - Guardian of the Earldom of Menteith,

 Alexander Fraser, 

Gibert Hay - Constable of Scotland, 

Robert Keith - Marischal of Scotland, 

Henry Sinclair, John Graham, 

David Lindsay, 

William Olifaunt, 

Patrick Graham, 

John Fentoun, 

William Abernethy, 

David Wemys, 

William Montefix, 

Fergus Ardrossan, 

Eustace Maxwell, 

William Ramsay, 

William Montealt, 

Alan Moray, 

Donald Campbell, 

John Cameron, 

Reginald leChien, 

Alexander Setoun, 

Andrew Leslie, and 

Alexander Stratoun, 

along with the other Barons, Freeholders and all the common people of the kingdom of Scotland, 

we send every filial reverence with devoted kisses of your blessed feet.

Most Holy Father and Lord, we know from the deeds of the ancients and we read from books -- because among the other great nations of course, our nation of Scots has been described in many publications -- that crossing from Greater Scythia, via the Tyrhennian Sea and the Pillars of Hercules, and living in Spain among the fiercest tribes for many years, it could be conquered by no one anywhere, no matter how barbarous the tribes. Afterwards, coming from there, one thousand two hundred years from the Israelite people's crossing of the Red Sea, to its home in the west, which it now holds, having first thrown out the Britons and completely destroyed the Picts, and even though it was often attacked by the Norse, the Danes and the English, it fought back with many victories and countless labours and it has held itself ever since, free from all slavery, as the historians of old testify. In their own kingdom, one hundred and thirteen kings have reigned of their own Blood Royal, without interruption by foreigners.

The merits and nobility of these people, even if they were not obvious from the other signs, shine out openly enough from this, that even though they lived at the furthermost ends of the Earth, the King of kings and the Lord of lords, Jesus Christ after His Passion and His Resurrection, called them nearly the first to his most Holy Faith. Nor did He want to confirm them in the said Faith by anyone but the first to be an Apostle, despite being second or third in rank, the brother of the Blessed Peter, gentle Saint Andrew, whom ever since, He has asked to protect them as their Patron.

However, the Holy Fathers, your predecessors, considering these thoughts with a careful mind, bestowed on this very kingdom and people many favours and countless privileges since it was the special charge of Blessed Peter's brother. Thus, obviously, the result was that until now our people lived free and untroubled under their protection until that mighty prince, Edward, King of the English, the father of he who now reigns, came with the appearance of a friend and ally to harass like an enemy, our leaderless kingdom and our people who were accustomed neither to evil or treachery nor to battles or ambushes. He committed injustices, killings, attacks, robberies, arson, the imprisonment of priests, the burning of monasteries, the looting of churches, and countless other enormous outrages, on the said people sparing no one on account of age or sex, saintliness or rank, to an extent that no one could describe nor fully believe unless they had experienced it.

From these countless evils, with His help who afterwards soothes and heals wounds, we are freed by our tireless leader, king, and master, Lord Robert, who like another Maccabaeus or Joshua, underwent toil and tiredness, hunger and danger with a light spirit in order to free the people and his inheritance from the hands of his enemies. And now, the divine Will, our just laws and customs, which we will defend to the death, the right of succession and the due consent and assent of all of us have made him our leader and our king. To this man, inasmuch as he saved our people, and for upholding our freedom, we are bound by right as much as by his merits, and choose to follow him in all that he does.

But if he should cease from these beginnings, wishing to give us or our kingdom to the English or the king of the English, we would immediately take steps to drive him out as the enemy and the subverter of his own rights and ours, and install another King who would make good our defence. Because, while a hundred of us remain alive, we will not submit in the slightest measure, to the domination of the English. We do not fight for honour, riches, or glory, but solely for freedom which no true man gives up but with his life.

It is for these reasons, Reverend Father and Lord, that we beg your holiness with humble hearts and every urgent prayer, knowing that you will review everything with a true heart and a saintly mind since before Him in Whose name you reign on Earth there is neither bias nor difference between Jew or Greek, Scot or Angle, and considering the trouble and anguish brought on us by the English, that you will warn the king of the English, that he ought to be satisfied with what he owns because once it used to be enough for seven kings, and that you will think it right to encourage him to leave us Scots in peace, living in poor Scotland beyond which there is nothing habitable and nothing we desire. For this, we will effectively do whatever we can to gain peace, bearing in mind our situation.

For this concerns you, Holy Father, since you see the raging ferocity of the pagans against Christians, which the sins of the Christians deserve, and the borders of Christendom being pushed back every day and you must see how much it will hurt your saintly reputation, if (which let it not) any part of the church is overcome or induced to sin during your time. Therefore let Him rouse those Christian leaders who say that they cannot go in support of the Holy Land for no reason although they pretend that the reason is wars with their neighbours. The reason for their difficulties is actually because they expect better rewards and weaker resistance in warring with their smaller neighbours. But the omniscient One knows well enough with how light a heart we and our aforesaid lord and king would go there, if the king of the English would leave us in peace.

If your Holiness, trusting too much in the English version of these events, does not truly believe us, or does not stop supporting them to our disadvantage, then, we believe that the slaughter of bodies, the loss of souls, and all the other things that will follow, the injuries that they will do to us and we to them, will be blamed by the Most High on you.

Thus, as if your sons, we are and always will be ready to do for you, His vicar, whatever you require insofar as it is our duty; and so, we commit the upholding of our cause to the Supreme King and Judge, entrusting our worries to Him and completely confident that He will fill us with courage and reduce our enemies to nothing

May God grant you holiness and health in His holy church for a long time.

Sent from the Monastery of Arbroath in Scotland, on the 6th day of the month April, in the year of Grace 1320, the fifteenth year of our abovementioned king's reign.

[malcolmwhitly-bright]

Malcolmnapped

@shut-up-im-jay... I love you too ;) 

“What,” JT mumbles upon seeing Malcolm has arrived for the day,” no therapy suckers?” JT frowns into his coffee, obscuring his face from Malcolm’s view. Something he does frequently, Malcolm’s come to understand it’s protective. JT doesn’t mean to alienate Malcolm so much as keep him at bay. Remove certain things from Malcolm’s ‘mind-reading’ eyes. “It’s Thursday, isn’t?” There is a hint of worry. The implication that if Malcolm doesn’t have suckers then he hasn’t gone to therapy. Fear… strange enough, JT has a small amount of fear for Malcolm. He hopes there’s another explanation. 

Malcolm nods him an affirmation, pressing a sucker into JT’s hand. Even offering a small explanation,” I accidentally grabbed two cherries.” As a means of clearing up why JT has a red-covered sucker instead of his usual. Not that flavors matter while JT’s brain is trying to cover and distort his concern. Luckily, Malcolm doesn’t think much of the weird glances from JT anymore.

He’s in content and safe with them. Until he’s not.

“You good?”

Malcolm schools his features, smiling as his left-hand cramps painfully around the strangely conducted letter he has just found on his desk. ‘To my greatest love’ it was dedicated. The words strangely loving but his name was attached at the bottom, ‘I love you, my dearest Malcolm’. “Me?” He shoves the paper into one of the already too full drawers of his desk. He motions a waving motion,” always.”

Dani glances at JT but her old partner is already tucking himself behind his desk, unconcerned now that his suspicions have been disproven. The kids going to therapy, that’s good enough for him. Dani sees through Malcolm’s ploy, his voice too assured. “Right,” she clears her throat. “Gil wants us all in the conference room. Edrisa’s got something.”

They always come on Thursdays. It’s a pattern, one he can only suspect and roll over in his mind by himself. He doesn’t dare air it to the others. He can only imagine the soft, playful smile JT will give him. He’ll brush it off, tell him to turn that profiling brain off for a minute. Give it a rest. Dani will give him sad eyes but she’ll probably reassure him it’s probably nothing. 

And it probably is nothing so he brushes it off.

There are six half-ruined letters in his desk drawer when he starts to feel watched.

“What’re you looking for?” 

Malcolm flinches, so caught in his self made fear that he lost contact with his surroundings. “Uh,” he scratches his cheek, hair growing where he hasn’t shaved in several days. “Just thought I heard something,” he shrugs, a small smile forcing its way on to his cheeks. He glances behind himself again, forcing his eyes forward after to stop further worrying Dani or JT who have both noticed now his odd behavior. 

But he’s Malcolm and they’re always secretly worried.

“He’s late.”

Dani looks up from her work, looking at her dimmed computer screen. She can hear the clear distress in JT’s voice and she finds he’s right. “It’s only two,” Dani tries to reason,” he can still come in.” Except, they’ve got an active case and it’s Thursday which means Malcolm should have been in hours ago. She stands from her desk and JT is right behind her, both of them making their way to Gil.

“Hey-”

Gil is on the phone, mouth twisted into a frown. He hangs up,” that was Jessica.” He looks at the two of them and it becomes abundantly clear what they are barging into his office for. “No word from Bright?”

JT shakes his head,” radio silence since he left early yesterday.”

Gil runs a hand over his goatee, fingers trailing through the peppered hair. “That’s not good.”

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

He wakes up in the dark. 

He’s an adult so it would be safe to assume that is how he wakes up most nights. However, he learned years ago that having a nightlight may be childish but it’s also helpful. The complete lack of light is his first sign that something is not right.

The next is the way his mouth tastes, like drugs. He struggles to clear his throat, his throat raw.

A light overhead it suddenly clicked on, a woman descending stairs he wasn’t able to see in the dark.

“What did you give me?” Malcolm tries not to let his fear overpower his ability to think clearly. Fear, he’s starting to realize, isn’t his only danger. His arm throbs where she stuck the syringe in and his profiler brain concludes she isn’t a nurse but his civilian brain is freaking out. 

She smiles sweetly,” just something to calm you down.” She points to his hands, both trembling with the full effects of his nerves,” there’s no need for you to be so nervous, sweetheart. I love you. You’re safe.”

Malcolm squints in the low light, attempting to put a face to the woman. She looks vaguely familiar like someone he’s seen in the mall or at a shop. Obviously, he did something to attract her attention but he can’t think of a single thing he’s done to ‘wow’ anyone lately. Last week, he tripped and spilled tea on some poor barista. Two days ago he ran into a display at some store Ainsely pulled him through. 

“How,” Malcolm pauses to think about how he wants to word his question. “How did we meet?”

She smiles softly and Malcolm thanks his lucky stars that at least she’s not hostile. “The coffee shop, silly.” 

He didn’t spill the tea on her, that girl was brunette and short. So…

“I was behind you in line,” she is clearly waiting for him to connect the dots. Mercifully, she grins and retells the romantic adventure that brought them together. “I dropped my credit card and, you being such a gentleman, you picked it up for me.” She places a hand over her heart,” I just knew. You smiled at me and I knew you needed me to save you.” She motions around them,” so I did!”

“Right,” Malcolm agrees. “Can-Can you unlock me then?” Her immediate reaction sends a spike of fear down his chest. “I-I have sensitive skin,” he motions his head to the straps tightened just a little too tight. “It hurts.” 

She thinks for a moment but shakes her head. “I can’t trust you yet.” She winks playfully,” but don’t worry, my love. Our devotion to one another is strong, you’ll be out of those straps in no time.”

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

“Jesus.”

Dani keeps pulling out the letters. She’s not looking at the words, her eyes scanning through his desk drawers for all the letters addressed to ‘My Love’. By the time they have emptied his drawer, there’s a sizable pile on the top of the desk. Each one declaring this person’s undying love for Malcolm. 

They read through them, more or less able to put them in order. The first few are shy but the last ones are serious. The writer talks about ‘the curly-haired bitch’ Malcolm needs to be careful of. Warning him that ‘the bitch’ will break his heart and ruin his life. The writer escalates, threatening Gil, they call him ‘the goateed man’, and JT the ‘big idiot’. The writer offers to take care of Malcolm and through implication get rid of the others. 

“Leave it Bright to get a creepy potential killer stalker,” JT mumbles, flipping through the letters. 

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

He tries not to flinch each time she touches his arm. If he wants to get out of the restraints he needs to make her believe he trusts her. It’s hard. She touches him for generally no reason. She throws her head back when she laughs at a joke she’s told, hand running down his bicep. He can handle most of it but occasionally her hand brushes his jaw.

“What’s wrong?”

He’s trying hard to swallow his panic but after all this time he knows what his symptoms mean. Rather than pushing down his flinch, he pulls away from the hand she places on his knee. He wraps his body around himself as well as he can, counting in his head. 

“Malcolm?”

She’s genuinely worried, which is thoughtful but she’s to blame for his current anxiety attack. 

Tears squeeze out of the corner of his eyes, his chest impossibly tight.

“It’s okay.” There’s a sharp sting on his bicep and cool pain spreads in his veins. Drugs. “I know how to fix this.”

He blinks heavily, too familiar with the effects of sedatives for the ones she’s just used to work their full effect immediately. “You don’t love me,” he whispers. Her hand still drags down his jaw, gently lifting it so his eyes are forced to meet hers. “You don’t even know me.”

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

“It’s a phone number.”

Everyone glances up, Edrisa’s soft voice catching them off guard. She points to the digits they ruled out. They knew they weren’t for an address but they didn’t look like a phone number. There was no area code. There weren’t enough digits.

“It can’t be.”

Edrisa shakes her head and points to another letter, a single line. “No, it probably is. See?” She reads out a line vaguely referring to how the writer and Malcolm met. “They met in a shop, probably the one Malcolm goes to when he gets us coffee.” She pushes the paper across the table to Gil when he crooks a curious eyebrow. “So, she’s probably from the area, like Malcolm and us.”

JT shakes his head in disbelief,” you’re really on your A-game, aren’t you?”

Edrisa blushes,” I mean, I didn’t solve it. You still have to find him.”

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

Malcolm’s stomach cramps painfully. He isn’t hungry in the least but Becca, as he learned her name was, managed to force-feed him several spoon fulls of soup. Helpfully adding she knows about his sensitive stomach. He couldn’t spare the nerve to tell her that the Campbell’s tomato soup she gave him would upset his stomach more than anything else she could have selected.

She left him after he struggled with a fourth bite, frustrated. Leaving him to vomit in the dark, acidic soup burning his throat as it makes its way back up.

“Kid!”

Malcolm’s heart speeds up, his eyes frantically looking in the dark around him for the owner of the voice. Despite only knowing the detective a few short months, hearing the other man’s voice brings a rush of relief. “JT?” He pulls against the restraints, the sound of the metal loud enough to cue JT in the right direction.

“Bright!” JT stumbles into the room and he can hear the presence of another person but he can’t see past his own hand. “Bright, man, if you’re in here you better tell me because Gil or Dani will kill me if I accidentally shoot your dumbass.” There’s a rustle in the corner and JT fumbles with his left hand for the flashlight in his pocket, fingers scaling over it. He can’t find it.

“JT?” A soft voice calls and JT knows it’s Malcolm. “I-I’m not sure if you’re actually here or if-”

A soft click sounds through the room and JT directs his flashlight at Malcolm, both of them letting out similar sighs of relief. “Kid,” JT clears the room quickly, aiming the flashlight at the corners of the room before making his way to Malcolm. “It’s good to see you.”

Malcolm sags bone-tired into JT, letting the other man shoulder his weight. “I thought…” his voice trails off. He didn’t think they would be able to find him. He clears his throat, attempting to push away his blind fears. “W-Will you tell me what the J stands for now?”

JT chuckles softly but shakes his head. He pulls away, glancing over Malcolm and eyes momentarily shifting the small puddle of watery vomit. “No.” He pulls Malcolm’s hands from where they are secured to the wall behind him, unclipping the simple clasps. They look exactly like the ones Malcolm uses for bed. “After this shit?” JT shakes his head but pulls Malcolm back against him. “Man, you’re in so much trouble.”

Malcolm laughs softly, tears streaming down his cheeks. “Will you take me home,” he asks, face pushed into JT’s shoulder.

JT grits his teeth, pushing down his own tears. “Yeah, man,” he clears his throat,” of course.” Helping Malcolm to his feet, shouldering most of the kid’s weight as his legs tremble beneath him. “One thing though?” Malcolm leans heavily into him and looks questioningly up at him. “No more coffee shop girls, yeah?”

Malcolm shakes his head,” I promise.”

JT reaches up and gives Malcolm’s hair a teasing rustle,” good.”

[knives-out21]

I Love You/Back To Me - The Huntsman x The Pied Piper/Sheriff Graham Humbert x Robin Fifer (OC) - Once Upon A Time

Fandom: Once Upon A Time (2011-2018)

Pairing: The Huntsman x The Pied Piper/Sheriff Graham Humbert x Robin Fifer (OC) 

Word Count: 4093

Warnings: Swearing, OUAT Season 1 Spoilers, Alcoholism, Speaking In Shakespearean,

Notes:  Hi! I Know, I Know, This Isn’t The Next Part Of Wake Up Call, Nor Is It Another Oneshot Of Malcolm And Harlan. It Also Isn’t Part One Of That Promised General Hux x Harvo, My OC, That I Told You All About. But! Sheriff Graham Humbert In OUAT Got Me In My Feels, So I Made This. I Hope You All Enjoy This Long Piece That Took Me Like, Four Days To Make. Just A Heads Up- Piper’s/Robin’s Faceclaim Is Hayden Christensen, Specifically Him As Anakin Skywalker, With His Curly Hair. And, His Enchanted Forest Persona (The Pied Piper) Speaks In Shakespearean. If You Wish For Me To Translate It, Message Me And I’ll Gladly Do So. Anyways, Again, Enjoy!

"Who are you after?".

The Huntsman turned around, sword out and pointed...At some skinny male with a red hood over his head."Who're you?" He asked, hair falling over his forehead."Why do you want to know?". When the hooded one didn't answer, he stepped closer, the tip of the blade closer to the stranger's neck."Answer me." The Huntsman hissed.

The stranger slid his hands through his hair, the hood falling back. This revealed an oval jaw, light blue eyes, and scraggly, chin-length hair."Sayeth not thee remember not me, yond'll just did hurt mine own feelings" he pouted."Cometh anon, ti's me. Thy gentle forest Pied Piper"

"It's you" the Huntsman breathed, putting his sword back in its sheath."Don't...Don't do that, okay?" He asked, slowly approaching the Piper and cupping his cheek. 

The Piper smiled slightly."Did miss me much, Huntsman? Who is't or what art we after?".

The Huntsman cupped both of the Piper's cheeks now, lips parted slightly as he looked into the Piper's eyes."I did...I missed you. And I'm wandering for deer. Want to help me?".

The Piper's eyebrows jumped, as he slowly ran a hand through the Huntsman's untamed hair."Well, I wouldn't be crossed" he teased, acting as if he was taking it into serious thought."I'd followeth thee to the ends of the kingdom, mine own Huntsman. I'd square any beasts, battleth any duels, and leadeth hence any rats yond commenth between us. Never forget yond" he explained, a hand brushing over the pipe instrument attached to his belt.

The Huntsman nodded, that action speaking enough words so that he didn't have to verbally say anything. He pulled away, holding one of the Piper's hands in his."Right. Come along then, Piper. I need you with me, forever".

***

Robin turned a corner, his hand on his belt as the other hung at his side. He didn't jog, but he'd describe what he's doing as a speed-walk. To Mr. Gold's Pawnbroker & Antiques Dealer- he heard Mr. Gold is good with deal-making. Robin also heard that Mr. Gold is not to be trusted when making said deals, or something along the lines of how it's a bad idea. After a long night of drinking the previous night, Robin has waited far too long to make a good deal with him. And with Graham gone, he needs a deal more than ever. 

Robin stood at the front door of the pawn shop, only now having second thoughts. Graham has been dead for a while now, would it be any use trying to get him back, now? He started nervously playing with the silver chain around his neck- Graham bought it for him, and Robin hasn't willingly taken it off for a second. Robin glanced in through the windows to see if Mr. Gold was even in- and, sadly, he was, behind the glass table. Taking a deep breath, he walked in, the bell ringing above his head.

Mr. Gold looked up immediately, flashing Robin a toothy grin."Ah, Mr. Humbert" he teased.

Robin closed his eyes, gulping thickly."M-Mr. Fifer, actually. Graham's heart a- heart a-attack prevented us from, uh, from going that far, I- I thought that you'd be aware of that, M-Mr. Gold, sir" he corrected, slowly advancing towards the desk that separated him with the shop owner."You do seem to be everywhere around town and nowhere at all, Mr. Gold".

"As are you, Mr. Fifer. I hear children humming your tunes all over Storybrooke, either that or they attempt them on their silly, colourful toy flutes and such" Mr. Gold recalled, eyes trailing down to the dark, wooden pipe instrument on Robin's belt.

Robin followed his gaze, huffily covering the pipe from sight with his long coat. He flipped his hood off, revealing his chin-length scruffy hair, deep blue eyes, and the scar over one of them.

"Scar still haunting you, hmm?".

"Scars d-don't disappear, Mr. Gold. Physical or, uh, or- or not" Robin crossed his arms, the store lights shining off of his chain.

This caught Mr. Gold's eye, as he quickly put the pieces together."Ah, so that's why you're here...A deal is what you're in for, eh? What do I have the pleasure of doing, exactly?" He asked, his grip on his cane tightening.

Robin turned behind himself, to make sure no one was watching, or coming into the pawn shop. He turned back to Mr. Gold and leaned in."I want Graham back".

"As Sheriff?" Mr. Gold joked, leaning away."And risk Emma losing her job?".

"Mr. Gold, I- I didn't drag myself out of my house and- and all the way down here for j- for jokes. I don't want Graham back as Sheriff, I want- I want Graham back, that's it. I- I need him back." Robin scowled, glaring at Mr. Gold.

"What makes you think I can do anything about it? You can't just bring people back from the dead, whether you want them or need them. It just can't be done".

"Yes, it can't be done by- by me, Mr. Gold. Which is why I- I came to you. If anyone in this town could- If anyone in this town could help me, I knew right away it could be you, no matter the- the price. You can do anything. Please, Mr. Gold, I- I can't go on by myself with just my p-pipe".

Mr. Gold looked at Robin, as if inspecting him, psychoanalyzing him."You must be reading little Henry's magic fairy tale book, haven't you?" He concluded, chuckling."This is real life, deary. I can't snap my fingers and bring anyone back from the dead, just like that".

"Then- Then don't do it 'just like that'. What's your price? Name it. My- M-My coat? My- My record label? What is it?" Robin pleaded, shrugging his coat off so that it was holding on by his elbows, now.

Mr. Gold's eyes trailed down from Robin's desperate face, to his coat, and landing on his now-visible pipe.

Robin followed his gaze, eyes going wide."You- You can't be serious- Mr. Gold, my pipe-" Mr. Gold cut him off by raising his hand to silence him.

"Aye, I don't want your silly wooden stick, lad. Though, it would be of a worthy price..." Mr. Gold leaned in, a hand leaning in on the table. He watched Robin squirm nervously, quite liking the suspense he was building up on the poor, grieving piper."Your chain".

"W-..." Robin furrowed his eyebrows, head tilted a bit."What?".

"I believe I said that fairly clearly. Your chain, deary. That's my price".

Robin raised a shaky hand to his chain, gently tugging on it."But-" he started, unaware of how much he should let follow. Graham had gifted that chain to Robin, out of the kindness of his heart- a heart that Graham deemed he didn't have. Graham said it was for Robin to wear and keep him company, whenever Graham would be off doing whatever it is that Sheriffs do. Robin remembers the adoration Graham held in his beautiful eyes when he put the chain around the piper's neck, under a full moonlight outside his house. He remembers the chaste kiss that followed after, the smiles on both of their lips. Robin remembers every moment he's ever shared with Graham, in painful detail, but now Graham's nothing more than Robin's favourite fantasy.

And right now, Robin was destined to change that. It's not like Graham couldn't just buy him a new one, right? If Graham were to even come back after this deal.

Robin looked down at the silver chain, the touch cold against his fingers."I- I give you this necklace...And Graham Humbert c-comes back to- to life?" He reaffirmed, suspicious eyes on Mr. Gold, who just smirked at him.

"At your doorstep tomorrow night or your chain back, Mr. Fifer. I never let anyone down on their deals".

Robin had both hands delicately on the chain, still unsure on if he should take it back. Mr. Gold did say he could have his chain back if not, and it seems pretty sketchy that Mr. Gold is only asking for his chain. But, after night after night of drinking, morning after morning of a hangover, and depriving the people of Storybrooke of any new pieces of music since before Graham died, he's desperate. Robin nodded, slowly taking the chain off, savoring the feeling of it on his person. He dangled it with one hand, looking at it in an apologetic way. 

One of the last people that Robin ever thought of giving this chain to was Mr. Gold. But, here he was, making a deal to get his handsome muse back to him.

Mr. Gold smiled, eyes tracing over the chain in his hands."You won't regret this deal, piper. Trust me".

***

"Mine own loveth!" The Pied Piper called, running at full speed to his Huntsman in the distance. He jumped over a couple logs, dashed past a few trees, and stopped in front of the Huntsman, who held onto the Piper to keep him steady."Mine own loveth, I haven't seen thy grace in what hast hath felt like forever" he panted, cupping the Huntsman's scruffy cheeks.

The Huntsman looked at the Pied Piper's whimsical eyes, leaning in and kissing him in a needy manner, feeling the Piper's growing smile against his lips. He pulled away soon after, "I never meant to worry you. Seems your townspeople pulled you away from me, in need of your musical power".

The Piper chuckled, a bright smile on his face."Those gents art lunatics if it be true those gents ever bethink they could keepeth me from thy beauty forever. Nothing can, remember?" He asked, kissing the Huntsman's cheek, hands now on his broad shoulders."Thy eyes shineth liketh majestic lakes on a summer day, thy hair the same colour as bark on wood, perfect for keeping us warmeth by fireth on harsh nights. I feeleth safe in nowhere in this kingdom other than thy arms, mine own haven. Mine own loveth, I could playeth an eternity of songs for thee to coequal tryeth to sum up what I feeleth for thee, doth understand".

The Huntsman put one of his hands over the Piper's, nothing but love in his eyes are the man's words was music to his ears.

"Mine own travelling lamp, mine own moon, mine own stars, all mine own air, yond is what thou art to me. A Huntsman thee may beest, aye. But just a Huntsman after mine own heart and soul. Thee hast enchanted me, from the moment we first did cross paths. I can't beareth to beest did part from thee again, mine own lief. Calleth me as cheesy as thee'd like, but I speaketh nothing but the sooth to thee, mine own lighteth".

The Huntsman wasted no time to kiss the Pied Piper once he stopped talking, his hands trailing down to the Piper's hips and pulling him closer."I love you" he confessed against the Piper's lips. The Huntsman pulled away to continue."I love you, I'll say it again, and again, and again, doesn't matter if you believe me or not. I'll always love you, my Piper. I never want you to leave my side, ever again, not even for your townspeople. Stay with me in these woods".

"I loveth thee, Huntsman. I'll sayeth it backeth to thee with just as much meaning as thee sayeth it to me. I loveth thee, I loveth thee, with every breath, every song, every noteth-" the Piper ceased from another rant when his eyes lit up from a sudden idea- this intrigued the Huntsman.

"What? What is it, my Piper? What do you know?".

The Pied Piper locked eyes with the Huntsman, bouncing excitedly."We could runneth hence together, Huntsman. Just thee, me, thy arts, and mine own pipe. I can playeth thee mine own songs by a fireth, we can protecteth each other from beasts. Just sayeth aye, and it shalt beest done".

The Huntsman opened his mouth to answer, gulping as he stood up straight, backing away a bit.

"What? What is it, mine own loveth? Doth thee not wisheth to spendeth thy infinity with mineth?".

"No, no, no, that's not the problem. It's just...It can't be now" The Huntsman protested.

The Piper took a step toward his love, sliding his hood back."If be true not anon, then at which hour? Wherefore wilt we stall any longeth'r, just to truly be together? Some may calleth me a madman," he chuckled, spreading his arms out to his sides for a second."But I yelleth backeth yond I hast hath found true loveth within us, Huntsman. Thee were madeth for me, and I for thee. What is holding thee backeth, mine own dearest?" The Piper asked, looking at the Huntsman with puppy-dog eyes.

"I have been assigned to track down a girl. Sadly, I can't bring myself to bring you with me. It's...Quite the brutal mission. Despite any protests you may be thinking up, it's best for you to wait for me somewhere. Like...Firefly Hill, are you aware of Firefly Hill's whereabouts?" He smiled when the Pied Piper nodded.

"Those fireflies shineth not nearly as bright as thee doth, but I am all too acknown of where the Hill is".

The Huntsman blushed."Wait for me there, my Piper. I will be there soon, and then we shall run off together. Alright?".

The Piper smiled and nodded, pulling the Huntsman in to kiss him. This kiss was longer, and truly meaningful. The Piper knows the taste of the Huntsman's lips all too well at this point. When he sadly pulled away, he whispered to the Huntsman."I loveth thee, Huntsman. Truly, very much, deeply. I shall waiteth for thee, and then we shalt maketh our escapeth. I loveth thee".

"I love you too, my Piper. Now go, go to the hill. I'll be there soon" the Huntsman ordered, softly nudging the Piper away.

The Pied Piper grinned, stealing another kiss from the Huntsman. He took one last look at the Huntsman, up and down, then turned and started running."I loveth thee, Huntsman! I'll bid it to thee, and anyone who is't harks. I loveth thee, I loveth thee, I loveth thee! I shall waiteth for thee forever! One word from thee shall silence me forever. I hast to bid you- thee hast bewitched me, corse and soul. And I loveth, I loveth, I loveth thee. I never wisheth to beest did part from thee from this day on! I loveth thee!".

The Huntsman had a smile of true adoration on his face as he watched the Pied Piper run off, into the distance, towards the hill. He watched until the Piper was no more than a speak in the distance. Once his Piper was out of sight, the Huntsman sighed, and continued on his journey to find and kill Snow White. This will all be over with soon.

***

Robin flipped the page of The Great Gatsby, taking a swig from his bottle of Jack Daniels whiskey. He was awaiting for Graham to come back from the dead, as Mr. Gold had promised, but he wasn't exactly holding up the highest expectations. 

Then the doorbell rang.

Robin shot up from his couch, putting the bottle down, and putting his book down, drunkly forgetting to mark his page. He quickly wiped his eyes and fixed his hair (through he put on hos hood, ultimately covering it), taking a few deep breaths as he stumbled his front door."This is- is it..." Robin mumbled, opening the door.

And there stood Sheriff Swan."Robin" she greeted, giving him a quick smile.

Robin's expression faltered."Em-" he hiccuped, "Emma. Hi". Robin offered a lazy smile, leaning against the doorway for support."Sup, Sheriff?".

Emma furrowed her eyebrows, taking a quick whiff of Robin."Are you-...Robin, are you drunk? Seriously?" She asked, hands on her hips.

"Ah, drunk, schmunk. I'm barely even tipsy. Y'know, I was just reading The Great Gatsby, This is like, my, uhh, my third time reading- reading it and i still can't tell if- if it's about how the 'American Dream' is a sham or if Nick's plainly in love with Gatsby. I'm telling you, Emma, if that book was written nowadays? Nick and Gatsby's romance would be c- be crystal clear" Robin explained, waving his hand."Jack Daniels is filtering it all out, though".

"Okay, well..." Emma nodded, glancing around the inside of Robin's house, from what she could see over his shoulders."You haven't been at the playground playing to the kids like usual, so I just decided to come check up on you. I haven't even seen you all day today, not even at Granny's".

"'Like usual', more like before my- my muse died" Robin corrected, a hand over the pipe on his belt."And I-" he thought for a second, "oh, yea, no, I- I- I haven't come out like, once today". Robin giggled, shrugging."I appreciate the concern, Sheriff, bye-bye" he hummed, closing the door on Emma, who used her hand to put it back.

"Robin, I'm worried about you-".

"And I'm expecting somebody, so please-".

"Robbie, you're drunk, vulnerable, and alone, just let me-".

"What? Let you what? Help me? How? Magically bring Graham back to life? Take us all back in time, to a few weeks ago, back when he was still alive? He was alive, and I was happy, and making songs off of my pipe for him, but he'd let me release them to the general public. The light of my life, the muse to my art is gone, Emma. The most you can let me do is grieve in my own way" Robin snapped, huffing."You're making this a bigger-" he hiccuped, "bigger deal than it needs to be, Ems. So...Please, Sheriff-" saying 'Sheriff' to someone who wasn't Graham always felt like poison on Robin's tongue."Leave".

Emma took a deep breath, ready to say something. She looked Robin up and down, before finally nodding."Have a safe night, Robin. See you soon" Emma waved, turning and walking away.

Robin sniffed as he watched Emma walk off, hooded eyes filled with a void as he closed and locked the door, trudging back to his couch and flung himself onto it, only grabbing the bottle of alcohol. He brought a hand up to his neck, the ghost of his chain around it. Robin scoffed, drinking away the rest of the Jack Daniels. He pouted when he finished the bottle, putting it back on the table and closing his eyes, finalizing his decision to fall asleep on his couch. Again. Hood over his eyes like a sleeping mask. He took his pipe from his belt, tossing it onto the carpet and turning onto his side, his reflection staring back at him on the black TV screen. 

"This was- was stupid..." Robin mumbled, feeling tears starting to form."I should-  I should go get my chain back from Mr. Gold, first fucking thing t-tomorrow morning" he added, not taking to anyone in particular, but not to himself, either. Robin was just talking. About how stupid it was that the shady owner of a pawn shop could miraculously bring back the love of his musical life, after a sudden heart attack.

A heart attack that didn't even make sense, Graham was perfectly healthy. But that was for another drunk night. He's spend pretty much every night like this- reading Shakespeare or classic literature, drinking away until he falls asleep on his couch if he can't make his way all the way up to his bedroom, and not fall asleep on the stairs or in the hallway on the way. It's been like this, this has been his way of grieving every night if not brood in a corner booth of Granny's, or play sad tunes on his pipe at home, in attempts to make a song. But his creativity died along with Graham, and he needs Graham back with him more than anything.

Graham was his rock, his sun, moon, stars, and air. Graham was Robin's love, the only love of his life.

There was no one else Robin would dance around his living room with at night, no one for Robin to lose himself in the sight of. If he never heard Graham say his name again, Robin knows he'll go mad like a hatter. Graham is the only think Robin feels he got right, the only thing Robin would never give away, but he's clearly involuntarily made that mistake. He'll never truly be happy again, clearly. Just him, his alcohol, his classics, and his damned pipe.

And another damned ring at the doorbell.

"I said go away, Emma!" Robin called roughly, groaning in frustration."You gonna run me in? I- I don't feel like talking, I'm distraught" he told, draping his arm over his covered eyes.

Another ring.

"Kindly piss off, Emma. P-Please." Robin pleaded, wiping his eyes quickly.

Another ring, followed by two more.

"Fucks sake" Robin hissed, standing up. He staggered over to the front door, unlocking it and opening it."You're stubborn, Emma, and usually, sis, I-I'd praise that, but tonight, I don't wanna-" Robin stopped when he saw that it wasn't Emma.

Instead, there stood ex-Sheriff Graham Humbert, in all his leather-coated, doe-blue-eyed, curly-brown-haired glory. There he stood, at Robin's doorstep, alive, and breathing.

"I-..." Robin stared at Graham, confused."Graham...?".

"Robin" Graham breathlessly returned, gulping."Robin, oh my..." He had his hands on his hips.

"You're alive" Robin uttered, putting his hands on Graham's shoulders, then his cheeks."You're alive, y-you're alive, you're so fucking alive, o my god" he repeated, pulling Graham in for a hug.

Graham willingly hugged back, sniffing Robin."You smell like whiskey".

"Yea, it- it's Jack Daniels. After you...Y-Yea, I went down a sad, alcoholic, music-less hole, a- and- and I, I really just missed you. I didn't know how I could go on, hell, e-even if..." Robin stopped when Graham pulled away at that, hands on Robin's cheeks as he stared into the piper's eyes, inhaling sharply. Robin's eyes started sparkling with tears, as he put his hands over Graham's."I- I just...I couldn't, i dunno how to, uh, explain it. i missed you like hell, I had to get you back".

"Well, I won't ask how, but...I'm glad I'm here with you. Mind if I come in? Stay the night?" Graham asked, leaning in and kissing his forehead, pushing Robin's hood off to do so.

Robin nodded, stepping aside and closing the door behind Graham, locking it when the ex-Sheriff took his shoes off. He led Graham over to the couch, sitting down awkwardly and having his boyfriend sit next to him."I still can't- can't believe your back".

"Where's your chain?".

Robin raised his hand to his neck, remembering the absence of the silver jewelry."Oh, I-" he cleared his throat, "getting you back to me costed the- the chain. I- I'm sorry, I was desperate, and I was ready to give- give everything for you back. I love you, Graham, you know that. It was the only option I- I- I got".

Graham's eyes flicked up from Robin's neck to his sad, blue eyes, and sighed."Love me that much, eh?".

"I never want to be away from you from this night on, Graham, c-c'mon" Robin offered Graham a small smile.

"I'm buying you a new one, okay?" Graham chuckled, puling Robin into a hug."I love you, Robin Fifer. I'll never leave you, ever again".

Robin's smile grew when Graham said his name."I love you too. Now kiss me, I- I taste like whiskey, and I remember how much you love whiskey".

Graham pulled away, eyes trailing down to Robin's lips."Not nearly as much as I love you, but I do love kissing you" he replied, slowly leaning in and properly kissing Robin.

Robin slowly closed his eyes, savoring the kiss with Graham, a kiss he's been aching for, for weeks. And now he won't have to ache for it, ever again. Because Graham's back to him, and by Robin's pipe if he isn't here to stay.