#this is SO LONG omg

[that-smallinjured-bowylamb]

National Showdown!

Summary: In which, the students of RSA had caught a rumor of a magicless prefect from another world staying in... NRC!?!?!?? Now you, reader are about to experience a whole ass Rollercoaster with these guys. So much chaos running around, declarations of love being thrown around, and unspoken yearning from their hidden heart almost boils over and accidentally spills over. Which, you almost caught them. (But, you didn't. Since you're too busy holding in your sanity from being thrown into an RSA boy and another so forth.) [💋VERSION1]

A/n: Okay, so idk what I'm doing. My writing is ass. Please forgive me, my angels. 🙏🙏🙏 like this is prolly my second post abt Twst (the other posts are just me talking random sht) and although, it isn't as good as the other writers I look up too, please note this is my first time writing and that expectations make me nervous 🙏 Again, forgive me for my dumbass that may get lost in this fic.

💋⚠️⁉️(Warnings!): Too much love and jealousy in the air, OOC (maybe), some bad Grammer (I just KNOW that ima write smth wrong here), Vil probably internally losing his shit bc the reader got kidnapped, Floyd is abt to fcking implode Royal Swords Academy, Jade is prolly thinking of hiring hitmans (but ultimately decides not to, bc he maybe one himself), everyone at NRC is plotting assassinations for the RSA students (excluding scarabia, Kalim might get ptsd from this, mb gang), ima add my own RSA characters bc I don't wanna use other people's RSA OCs without permission (but if you don't mind, I want to add the princesses' and princes' and other side characters that ppl had already taken as inspiration if you don't mind), this sht is getting long so, LOTS OF CUSSING BC I DONT HAVE A CLEAN MOUTH (or I just can't go without it), lots of fluff, no suggestive sht allowed in this account (Maybe in other accs if I'm up for it), good luck, reader. (USE OF [NAME] ‼️‼️)

🪷Angel of the beginning (your here) Angel of Journey 🪽->

Okay so maybe it wasn't a good idea to take a selfie with Cater and let him post it in Magicam. Why? One (if you haven't read this then I'm pretty sure you should! Or not, and you can ignore this, bby🫶), you decided to remove your mask and take ONE selfie with him, ONE. Second, you didn't know he'd send this in PUBLIC, with so many pretty photos of women and men alike in that God-forsaken social media platform. Third, you already had Night-motherfucking-Raven COLLAGE to deal with. Like college boys who r still immature (exception for a few [maybe] and we'll be good), dealing with their bullshyte, while dealing with a headmage that refuses to take the big ass responsibility called "Overblot prevention", 5 missing essays, assignments, homework, paperwork that clearly should be dealt with by an adult, and having friends that acts weirdly around you whenever you do something nice for them.

But, in the end. You still cared, sure, you may not love them (or do you?), but you don't need to love them in order to care for them. Maybe, that's why they all (love) like you so much, so protective, and so caring in the end. (I'd like the twst characters to give the same treatment as the MC treated them yknow? A sweet treat for the Ramshackle Prefect) And on the other hand, they all loved and cared for you! I mean, who wouldn't? They want you to step out of your shell every once in a while, even if it's just for a breather. Your beautiful, inside and out. You don't need to appeal them physically, just your company is enough for them. But, oh, that photo that Cater posted on magicam? Yeah, everyone saw it, the entirety of NRC. Even Vil Scheonheit himself liked the post. It can't get crazier from then on, right?

...

WRONG.

You checked your old ass phone (and let's say you're mutual with Cater in Magicam, besides Ace and Deuce), to, not only to see your face ONLINE IN PUBLIC, but also seeing the amount of likes that specific photo of you, received. THAT IS A SHIT TON OF VIEWS OH SWEET *Mentions of your religion or a random ass word*. WHY? Okay, it can't be that bad! Like, at least your in a school, where no one from outside of it will get you, but you doubt that someone will kidnap you. Cause' like, for what? Ransom or smth? So, for funsies, you decided to check the comments that has like... 23.7k comments... holy gates that's a lot...

In the comments there were:

isukballz: Yoo, who's that pretty GAL/LAD/PERSON???

WifeyC0ll€cter: Wifey material, SPOTTED. ima kidnap this hot stuff, what's their @???

Fiendriding: Honey wake up!! Cay-cay just posted!!... WHO'S THAT PRETTY MAIDEN? (Ik it's suppose to be kept as gender neutral, but just pretend their calling you a Maiden despite your gender)

Snipping-Mens-banana: YO CAY-CAY HOW'D YOU PULL THIS BADDIE? MOVE ASIDE ITS MY TURN.

And so on with the topic being you and cater in this post only. And a shit ton of conspiracies and possibilities that maybe you and Cater might be dating. And speaking of Cater...

Someone just barged into your dorm.

"Heyy!~ [Name]-chan! Look at the amount of likes you got! See?? I told you that you'd get popular within seconds! And look! Your face is trending as well! Doubling your luck in social media, eh?~" a singy-songy voice comes scraping your ears like cheese cheddar. It was Cater. So of course, like the 'good' friend you are you greeted Cater (Maybe in a panic or not, you just need to make sure who liked that post containing your face with it prolly) and asked if he could show you the people that had liked the post (but I'm not letting 'you' say anything since I want YOU to imagine how YOU say it), so Cater showed you the likes from different user names. And most of them seemed terrifyingly familiar...

For example...

[Ace's username]

[Deuce's username]

Is that mf TREY? (Let's say Cater pestered him into getting the app in his phone so they can talk all the time. Oh, and yes Trey rlly did see the post and smiled. 🤫)

...And maybe when Cater snuck in Riddle's phone to get him an account as well... IS THAT RIDDLE'S ACCOUNT?

Leo0onak1ngsch00lar... (TF IS HE DOING HERE?)

__Howl_ [<- just pretend he places his last name in there along with random usernames]

Bucch1__shishi (I'm not good with these names bro, HELP)

Monstro_lounge-Official (Azul, wrong acc bro)

MushroomLoversClub🍄(Insert Jade's username bc I can't find anything creative)

I-will-dunkyouintothe-basketball-hoopLeech (Floyd what fucking name is that.)

[Imagine the rest of the main casts usernames, bro. I need to waste my energy on writing the rest of this fic.]

What the fuck. You really thought, that you wouldn't be that popular in just, JUST a few fucking minutes. But, I mean a logical part of you thinks that since this is a post from Cater, of course, everyone would be nice to you as well. Being his friend and all. And, just maybe, your friends liking this post because they wanted to show you some support (but Malleus can't use Magicam and was only shown that photo by Lilia) so, I guess it's not that bad that your quite popular online? (Atp your starting to believe your pretty by some chances since the comments was just boosting your [if non-existent] ego, so you were slightly happy from this) And actually? Maybe you liked the attention (or nah, your choice).

And, maybe. People do think you're pretty, in a romantic- platonic way(?).

Meanwhile, at Heartslabyul...

So maybe as soon as Cater had left (after a few chats and hangouts with you, just imagine bonding off-screen) he's just scrolling through the comments of the recently popular post he sent, with you in it. Of course, you can attract people online! Who even said you were ugly in the first place? You're not! It's okay not to be humble every once in a while. And maybe if he jussstt stare at your face a littlee longer...

...Is that an RSA student in HIS comment section?

Oh no. Oh, nononnonononononononono-

Breath. Calm down Cater. Maybe, they just liked it for coincidence?

EinEnchanté: Why, is that a fair maiden I see? Why are they in a villain's school? If I may ask, what made you think you could take a photo of their glorious figure? I knew you, nefarious villains, were terrible. How could you hide something from the world!?

... I think Cater fucked up. This wasn't supposed to happen, like, at all! That photo was meant for NRC. And NRC only. Not with these prissy do-gooders, No! Oms, he can feel the headache plummeting into his head like a needle being stabbed at the side of his skull already! Prefect was already popular as they were, now he made them extra popular by sending it to the whole world! No point in deleting this photo, because tons of people had already saved it and sent it to the others! Spreading quick... and soon, it might reach... those guys.

Cater barges into the heartslabyul kitchen, in a panic, since the RSA comments are on the rise. They need to do something! "Cater!- what in the great sevens are you doing?" Sighed Trey, slightly startled. "It's an emergency! Okay, so I may or may not have-" "CATER! NO RUNNING IN THE HALLS!" Shouted Riddle, interrupting Cater's panic rambling, "What made you think it was a good idea to run in the hallways!? Do you know you might slip-" "Not the point rn, Riddle! RSA students had commented on my posts with one of the prefects in them and now they're assuming we kidnapped them or something!" Cater quickly retorts with haste.

... both of the dorm head and vice had gone silent.

...Cater stared back.

Trey's face was unreadable, blank. Riddle was dead silent.

"....Just, check the comments, again." Cater breathed out, the tension thick. Both the vice and head took out their phones to check.

... there's more comments from RSA now.

...Shit.

"Guys? What's up with you all? Why are you so silent -" Ace paused, feeling the tension thickening the moment he stepped in, alongside Deuce, "Housewarden...?" Deuce said in a hushed tone. The red-haired leader and green-haired vice looked up from their phones to turn to the two freshmen, with Cater looking slightly panic and pale.

Wtf happened here? Is some war about to go on? "Uhhh, guys? Are you alright? What even happened in here, like, seriously? You guys look like something died in here-" "Yes, Cater is brain-dead for posting that photo." Riddle sighed, exasperated. "Photo? What photo? You mean, the prefect and him? What about it?" Deuce questioned, confused since he just looked at the new post a few hours ago, now taking out his phone to take a peak on what had happened, even Ace.

What could've possibly happened in that post? Did someone hate on them? Cyber-bullied? Doxxed? Or something else entirely worse?

...

It is something worse.

There were so, so, so many RSA comments and other schools from different districts. Ace was silently reading every comment that belonged to an RSA student, even Deuce.

All five of them were in complete silence.

Riddle Rosehearts

Was just in complete silence. Like, he just heard his execution date. The moment he saw the last name "Wondre" in the comments, he knew this person. That untidy boy from the other school.

xXAllieeeeWndresonXx: woahhh who's that person? They're so pretty! Riddle-San won't mind if I hung out with them, right? :D

....

This little shit- who does he think he is!?

Trey didn't hold back a sigh, knowing that this was going to cause trouble. Ace is already complaining about people stealing his crush- best friend away. Deuce is muttering incoherent shit to himself like he's having a crisis. Cater was just stunned to see these guys care so much (like he is), but on the other hand, maybe he shouldn't have sent that selfie at all. But, mistakes can happen and Cater sure did learn a lesson.

And all this just started because of a photo on Magicam.

...

.... what the fuc-

Meanwhile, in Savannaclaw...

Leona is just sleeping in his bedroom, Ruggie doing chores and making extra money from part-time jobs, and Jack is doing his regular laps around the dorm. Everything was going great. Until-

"Hey, are those RSA students commenting on Cater's new post?" A stupid fucking Savannaclaw NPC said.

...Cater's latest post was with the prefect..

Huh?

Leona checked his phone, Ruggie wanted to do it too but was absent (and missed the convo), and Jack stopped mid-jog. Taking out his phone (from wherever he placed it in), and checking the comments. Said nothing. And sent it to Ruggie. Safe to say, none of them (or the entirety of NRC - Scarabia) are happy to hear abt RSA's delusional comments.

Leona Kingscholar

Man's look like he just witnessed his wife getting killed (spoiler alert!!: u r the wife/hj) just sayin', herbivore. Wtf made you think it was a good idea to show your face in public like that? Not that he cared, but the fact those personified heroic-syndrome disorders came to a fake-ass conclusion that they kidnapped you because of this school's reputation. What the fuck.

...And the fact he saw a familiar but annoying name in that comment section did not make it any better. This guy had the full-on audacity to even set his eyes on HIS herbivore.

No. He doesn't need more competition. He already has more than enough in this entire fucking school with these lil' shits. Do NOT make this worse for him.

...

What if you'll be better off without him? They are sooo much better, right? Surely, there's no use in keeping you here when all he and everyone else here made you suffer. So, why should he stop you? But, then again, you DID stay here and have yet to go home... Why should he let them take you?

.... What if they find your home quicker? Then what he'll do? What is the point if they can treat you so much better? What is the point if they can do it better? What is the point because they are so much more recognized and appreciated than him? What is the point-

...Do you like those RSA princes? Thinking about it, you haven't even met them. And, some of their personalities might rub you off the wrong way (Maybe, or it's just the fact that you told [<-if you did] Leona that you had a bad relationship with men in general and needed space whenever you get uncomfortable, so he's secretly and indirectly protecting you by placing rules to respect you and your boundaries), some might disturb you in a way since SOME *Looks at prince Wintergreen.* are... persistent with their catch.

Nonetheless, he's going to bury all these feelings underground (like his dream) and just look out for you as usual.

Ruggie's phone vibrated with a notification, he checks it. Only to be met with Jack's name with a photo attachment, it's the same post Ruggie liked recently, but Jack texted:

"Check the comments."

... Why the fuck is he so ominous about it? Nvm, Ruggie goes to check-

...aaannddd- he knows somewhere deep into his heart, the prefect's ass is gonna get into some uninvited trouble.

Sigh... wait. Is that- ZAPHY RETRO? HIS CHILDHOOD RIVAL? [And the one who keeps taking his donuts for the "fun" of it]...

...

No.

Ruggie shuts his phone off with an [???] Expression, he's not saying a word. But he's doing his job a bit faster now and it's scarily efficient.

What is he planning?

Jack is probably the most normal one here (besides Silver), and is still contemplating on what the fuck is happening with his dormmates? Suddenly, they're all about plotting murder against RSA??? He thought they were talking abt the recent photo- oh, nvm he's a dumbass. He just remembered the comments.

Yeah, your going to really need that protection. Like man's people from other schools had spotted you.

...

...this is going to be a big mess...

At Octavinelle, in the Monstro Lounge...

The Lounge was busy as usual, with customers talking about the recent post an upperclassman from Heartslabyul posted. Jade was taking orders from table 3, Floyd wanted to ditch but was reluctantly serving table 10, next to table 8.

In Table 8 the group of Heartslabyul students gathered in a gossip talk, "And like, it was crazy! Riddle-senpai was just dead silent! After checking the recent photo that Cater-senpai posted. He was like- ten times scarier with that expression! And, ngl if I were in his heels, I'd also react that way after seeing those comments of those goody-two shoes!"

Eh...? What did this guppy say? Kingyo-chan's silent expression instead of bursting red? Whaaaat??? And, it's all about a recent post from Hanadai-kun. Hmm, but the recent post was with Koebi-chan...

Floyd places the tray down on table 10, puts his hand in his pocket, taking out his phone to check what all this is about, in the middle of his work. Checking the comments, he saw... Florence?

Fl0underf1sh: Wahhh! They are so beautiful! Who are they? I wanna see them in real life! Too bad they are at NRC... :( Oh well! I can always take a visit with Rielle and Sabasty [<- Sébastien] !!!

Hell nawh.

*Cue to Floyd leaving the Monstro Lounge, running straight towards Ramshackle. [And add some discord sound effects like leaving the chat]*

Jade just watches in amused silence as Floyd bolts out of the Lounge.

Azul, doing his usual work with the papers and students he had recently made deals with for the past few weeks, had his phone kept on while he stared at it from time to time. A post about you and Cater. But besides Cater, you.

...And he can see the odd growing numbers in the comment section.

But there was no time to rest so-

*Knock knock knock* a familiar rhythm tapped gently on his office door, "Come in, Jade." Azul permitted. Jade enters with an amused smile, "Where's Floyd?" Azul questioned before Jade could say anything. "Fufu~ Floyd ran outside the Monstro Lounge," Jade said with amusement, eyes gleaming with intentional mischief. "Sighh, for what?" "I do not exactly know. But, if I could guess, it could be the topic the.. customers were talking about recently, about the Prefect and Cater-senpai's post. From what I know, they were mainly talking about the Prefect before Floyd took out his phone and went outside in haste." Jade explained, putting his hand on where his heart should be.

...What..? Azul takes his phone out of curiosity, not before "Go and get Floyd back here, he has unfinished tasks to do." "As you wish." Jade leaves to fetch Floyd.

Azul Ashengrotto

The moment he checked the comments, his brain was instantly thinking of a plan. No hessy (<-Jay reference).

He looked through the comments like he's peaking through government files.

Then that comment hits him.

RielleAtlantic!!!: woahhh! They're such a fairytale! Are they human? They look super pretty like a princess, maybe Florence should take me to NRC sometime!

......

NOT HIM AGAIN-

*Cue to an internally panicking and screaming Azul*

Meanwhile, with Jade, he had gone out to look for his brother, suspecting he might be in Ramshackle's since that is where the dear prefect is usually located (or probably chilling in there since you could be an introvert and prefer to stay at home rather than going out all the time), while Jade is strolling down the rocky pathway (to other students: jogging, mf is THAT tall) he checked his phone to see what chaos you had started (unintentionally or not) and was met with a ton of chaos in the comments specifically. Some RSA students are basically declaring war, while NRC students had commented to defend themselves and prevent the RSA lads get any closer to the prefect, and what's this? Other schools have also taken notice of this post you. My~ you really do attract trouble anywhere, even in media's where you can socialize from far distances by using these cellular devices. But he sees-

Forward reply to RielleAtlantic!!! <- Sébastien_Warford: Rielle, you've just met them online, there is no need for you to write poems about them now unless you want us to take a small visit to Night Raven. But I must say, they do look stunning. A shame that they are still single. Maybe we'd get a chance with them if they'd get to know us first.

...ah. Well, that was quite an... unpleasant surprise. But it's not surprising when you can attract even the most prominent figures in some other countries and sea.

At Ramshackle...

Jade arrives and enters the gate to Ramshackle's. It was already opened, Jade noted. Floyd had definitely gone in here.

And the front door of the Ramshackle's is opened as well, with no damages either, hm.

"KOEBI-CHAN????" yelled out a confused eel inside the dilapidated house, Jade mused.

He explored a little in the house, it looked quite habitable despite its poor appearance. So he went upstairs to where his brother is, since it was just Floyd looking for dear prefect and would probably skip his shift again, "Floyd, it's time to go back to the Lounge, Azul is looking for you, let us not bother the prefect-"

As he walked in he only saw his brother, no sign of the dear prefect. Huh...?

"Koebi-chan isn't here... you didn't find them either, Jade?" Floyd said, still looking around at for the said absence of prefect.

Oya?~ Well, this is quite the predicament. Very amusing if the... Royal Swords Academy students just foolishly decide to kidnap the beloved prefect in this school, without knowing the consequences afterwards.

Floyd looked irritated, first he heard those guppies yappin' about Koebi-chan about that dumb (but pretty) post and now Koebi-chan is gone!? Where tf did they go?? Unless...

"They were taken by those little shits were they..?" Floyd said calmly with a blank face, a sudden 180 turn from his previous mood, he couldn't find his Koebi-chan in the house nor the school, he couldn't even smell their cologne, except...

Except for this annoying flowery scent that does not belong to Koebi-chan, more likely, its smell is intertwined with Koebi-chan's scent, and it irritates him.

Jade smells it, too. And so, he sighs, "Let us go inform the others, shall we?" Jade said ominously, with a big, fat, shit-eating grin.

Floyd looks like he's about to commit homicide with that frown and glare painting his darkened face.

He did not enjoy this one bit. Taking what's not theirs.

Meanwhile, with Vil...

After a photoshoot session, he received a notification, from Rook.

Hunt: Mon dieu! Monsieur Prémédite had informed the Vices- that mon Trickster/Étoile went missing!

Vil Scheonheit

... WHAT.

Just RIGHT AFTER his PHOTOSHOOT? Seriously! Can't sweet potato catch a break already?

Wtf happened anyway?

Wasn't it a FEW HOURS ago they were with Cater?

... well WAS before they just vanished!

...Rook sent an attachment. And it's the recent post everyone saw today.

Why the fuck are there RSA students in there?

Until he sees that ONE username.

NeigeLeblanc: Oms! It's the VDC manager I saw before in the event! Can I get their @?

NeigeLeblanc Replied to NeigeLeblanc: Nvm! They're here now! Omss! They look like they came straight out of a fairytale! Stay tuned for our selfies later!

... DAMN SEVENS NEIGE-

Vil then returns to his dorm, calling out for a housewarden meeting tomorrow.

To be continued... (it took too much energy outta me but I'll make a part two for the rest of the main cast!)💋

Until then. Prefect.

[i7lovesyou]

could i mayhaps request something with uh

Gaku mutual pining with an actor he's working with? (male or gn reader pls)

i think i know who you are. 👀

also this became twice as long as my sogo one, it's what happens when you're stuck in a long car ride, so enjoy !

format: hcs

⛧─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───⛧⛧─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───⛧

- first time writing gaku here, i hope it'll be good

- okay so. before I get into the whole mutual pining situation (which is a whole Thing bc well, it's gaku), let's talk actors.

- gaku is generally a really honest and sincere person, and adding to all that, he stars in plenty of plays.

- he just holds so much passion in his body, that it just feels natural to express and release it in acting.

- maybe that's why he's a sought after actor in the industry, his entire body's just so damn expressive.

- his public image, especially those to the fans, is pretty much the "sexy and cool" type. so many magazines slapped that specific phrase onto his face, everyone was used to it by now.

- the second you got on set though, it's clear that he wouldn't be like that. quite the opposite actually.

- despite being a dancer on top of everything, you watched with raised eyebrows as he tripped over a camera wire, frantically trying to fix the objects he toppled over. Plastic food props bounced and rolled off the ground, and apologies tumbled out of his mouth to the amused staff.

- seriously?

- the "cool, uncaring and sexy" gaku you thought you'd meet was actually caring, polite, and occasionally clumsy.

- greeting him soon after the mess is cleaned, (you helped pick everything up some teasing), he's seems pretty eager to meet you.

- before the scene starts, the both of you start discussing the part you're about to perform.

- talking with him about this is surprisingly easy, and he has plenty of knowledge on the subject. obviously he doesn't know everything, which is why he eagerly listens to you when you explain this and that about the parts he doesn't understand.

- it's like he's absorbing what you say like a sponge, complete with focused eyes. the time you spend just talking passes by like the wind, and soon after, you have to get up to perform.

- for your first take, the both of you do amazing, and it's like you're enveloped in your own little bubble together, lines just falling off the tip of your tongues.

- after, you're a little out of breath, and so is gaku, but soon after, you're animatedly chatting about what could be improved, like the background music, props, line delivery, everything.

- weeks, maybe even months pass by, and you're looking forward to see him more and more.

- your conversations branch into more than only acting (but you still talk about it plenty with him), and occasionally you spend time together after filming at a local cafe.

- every time you see him down, you casually invite him to another cafe outing. platonically of course! ..obviously.

- he does the same to you, providing his company when you need it, when you need someone to stay by you.

- mutual pining? more like mutual respect.

- no but really! he admires you so so much, all your abilities, skills, and everything you are.

- occasionally you'll catch him leaning on his hand, staring at you like you hung the stars.

- he'll look away though, maybe he's afraid of making you uncomfortable. gaku thinks about you so much, maybe you can hear his thoughts if he stares too hard, they're just so loud in his mind.

- to be honest, his acting improved ever since he started talking to you, but that's a bit embarrassing is it? his groupmates won't stop teasing him if they found out. and he wouldn't want to embarrass you, that's his first concern.

- the rest of trigger will find out though, he's just so obvious. they'll even offer to play cupid for him, but he refuses.

- he'll confess to you properly, and by himself.

- you deserve only the best, that's all.

[writing-whump]

Would love a part 3 of fevered Isaiah!! (psst. they’ll have to call seline and Matt at some point, right? Maybe something about them picking zaya up when he’s a bit better and taking care of him until he’s fully recovered?)

Also he’s breaking my heart with the mom thing :(

But also “ow” was so cute <3 🍄

Thank you! I really liked this idea cause I didn't see it coming at all and then it kind of fit together...emotional stressed out Hector, Arnie with a headache, Isaiah still very weak.

I managed to put in as many requests as I could! Big thank you to everyone who send their ideas!!✨️

Isaiah sick part 3

Arnie woke up in the morning on the couch, freezing. He rubbed at his eyes, trying to identify what could have woken him up and how he got there.

The flashes from last night flooded his head in a rush, making him stagger as he got up. Ah right.

The door closed softly which alerted him to further movement.

Hector got out from their guest room, currently occupied by Isaiah. He didn't move at all, rooted to the spot, eyes downcast, shirt all crumpled.

"Hex?" Arnie whispered.

Hector didn't lift his head.

Arnie tiptoed closer to put a hand on his elbow. "Hey..."

Hector let out a heavy sigh before suddenly pulling him into a hug. Arnie's head went back a little as he was crushed against his brother's chest unexpectedly. "That bad, huh?"

Hector said nothing, but breathed in, all loud and shaky near Arnie's ear.

This must have been the longest hug Arnie had gotten from Hector in a while. And it was for a change for his sake more than Arnie's. "I'm sorry. You could have woken me up-"

"No. You got the first half, I got the second," Hector mumbled, still holding him like he barely kept himself from breaking Arnie's bones.

"How is he?"

That was when Hector finally loosed his grip. "Asleep. Still feverish, but nothing like before. I will hear if something comes up."

Hector trailed towards the living room though like he craved nothing more than to put a bit of distance between himself and that room. He collapsed on the coach into the mess of blankets Arnie slept in, rubbing at his forehead with both hands.

Arnie felt torn for a second, but figured Hector wouldn't have left Isaiah alone if he wasn't semi-stable. He sat down next to him. Waiting for whatever would bubble up. It wasn't like Hector to suppress his feelings.

"I fucked up real bad."

Arnie perked up, eyes narrowing. "Whatever do you mean?" There was a lot to choose from.

"With Isaiah."

"He said something in his sleep?"

Hector hesitated. "He said a bunch of stuff that he wasn't aware of. But did you see...his look in the bathtub?" Hector carded a hand through his hair, his face still pressed against the other one. "How scared of me he was?"

"He was just panicking cause he didn't understand what was happening."

"He must hate me so much." Hector looked up to Arnie, his expression crumbled and heartbroken. His amber eyes were shimmering. "He would really believe I would- but why wouldn't he, right? He could never rely on me back at home- I told him when we saw each other- such horrible things- and he-" Hector broke off, breathing picking up as he spiraled himself into a panic.

Arnie put a hand on his shoulder, shifting closer. "Hex."

"You never gave up on him. But I did. I hated him for so long, I played right into father's hands, into every self-destructive, self-loathing martyr illusion Isaiah wanted-"

"Hex," Arnie said, more firmly now as he own stomach somersaulted at the words.

Hector made a strangled sound at the back of his throat, then looked away, burying his face back into his hands. "He is right to hate me for that."

"He doesn't hate you," Arnie sighed, climbing behind Hector's heaving back.

"But he should. How could I have ever thought- ever believed- ever given up on him like that?"

Arnie leaned against Hector's back, wrapping his arms around his broad chest. Just holding him as he fought with the air in his lungs. He was trembling all over in Arnie's hold.

"You didn't give up," Arnie said into the silence when he thought Hector calmed down enough to listen. "You followed after him. Trained like crazy to get a branch position in the city he was at. Went to the same school. Did missions around his neighbourhood. You kept obsessing and hating him, wanted to defeat him, overcome him - don't you get it? You were always trying to stay connected to him. The opposite of love isn't hate, it's indifference."

The trembling was dying down. Arnie propped his chin on the top of Hector's head, the curls tickling against his cheek.

He dipped forward as Hector folded over his knees with a quiet gasp.

Arnie understood before Hector. Just like he usually did when it came to Hector's emotions.

"Take deep breaths. It's gonna be alright. Don't worry about anything, okay? I'll check on Isaiah."

It was a testament of how badly Hector felt, still bend forward guiltiling himself into a stomachache, that he let Arnie take over.

...

"You look pale."

Arnie almost jumped out of his skin when Isaiah said that. It was the most coherent sentence since last night.

"I look pale? You should look at yourself, man." He was so happy to hear Isaiah speak he jumped up onto the edge of the bed. A bit quicker than he should have, maybe. There was pressure building behind his eyes.

"What happened?" Isaiah still lost lost beneath the covers, hair sprawled around his sheet white face. But his eyes were clearer now, getting back their worried edge.

"Not much," Arnie said nonchalantly. "You got sick and feverish. Hector watched over you at night."

Arnie picked up the glass of rehydration solution, inserting the straw with a hint of satisfaction that it was proving useful. He held it against Isaiah's lips until the older man took a couple of hesitant sips.

"Where is Hector now?" Trust Isaiah to pick up on that.

"Taking a breather. Didn't get a wink of sleep."

Isaiah's frown deeped into something hurt and guilty.

"Not that that's a problem!" Arnie added quickly. "He was happy to do it."

Isaiah stared at him in a way that made him shiver. "Something's wrong." It wasn't a question.

"No, you are just sick." Which was technically the source of the problem. Arnie put his hand against Isaiah's cheek and then forehead. Still low-grade fever, but getting better.

"Get some more sleep. Everything’s fine." They could get into the drama tomorrow.

Isaiah looked like he wanted to protest, blinking rapidly to get himself awake.

Arnie took his hand, rubbing over his knuckles. The effect was surprisingly strong and almost immediate. Isaiah's body relaxed although he didn't, eyelids falling shut.

Arnie could tell when he went under by the frown clearing away.

...

Isaiah woke up rapid pounding in his chest.

He was sweaty all over again and his heart was racing as if he was running or in the middle of a difficult spar. He felt every beat against his ribs, the muscles straining. Was he supposed to be so aware of where his heart was and what was hurting about it?

Lifting himself up proved to be a challenge. His arms were shaking from the strain, but he wanted to see if sitting up would help with the fluttering sensation of something big and angry trapped in his ribcage.

As the pressure eased slightly, a new problem emerged—dizziness. The room spun wildly, preventing him from focusing.

He swayed on the bed and threw his legs over the edge of the bed blindly. Giving the walls time to get back into place and stop waving.

Nobody was in his room. But at least he recognized where he was, so he wasn't hallucinating from fever anymore.

When the waving on the floor and walls receded, Isaiah took a couple of deep breaths in preparation to drag himself to his feet. The room swayed and swam again, but he was braced for it, leaning on the wall for support.

The apartment was too quiet. Hector should have heard his out of the bounds bearing heart, but didn't.

Something more serious must have been happening and he wanted to see what it was, damn it.

He struggled with the door handle and had to go at snail pace. A hand against the wall at all times. He took frequent stops to just breathe and blink the blacks spots from his vision.

Isaiah reached for his shadow on instinct. He was hurting so he wanted it fixed. His shadow obediently rippled up and through him. Focusing on his chest, trying to ease the painful papilations. The hopeful anticipation made it better for a couple of seconds, but by the time his shadow pulled back, the pounding was back the same.

Ah. So this was the heart issue then. Made worse by the fever strain?

At least he wouldn't have to worry about it being serious. Gridding your teeth and powering through was his specialty, anyway. He was more frustrated by the slow pace he had to take and the several dizzy spells that forced him to take breaks.

By the time he made it to the living room, his legs were shaking, muscles randomly twitching. The thudding of his heart got worse, more intense, pounding loudly in his ears. This was exhausting as hell.

Hector was sitting curled up on the sofa, head in his hands. Arnie was on the floor by his side, head leaning on his forearm with a pained line between his eyebrows.

They both looked up as he shuffled nearer in shock. Truly too preoccupied to have heard him. "Alright, what's going on?"

"Why are you standing up?" Hector said, shoulders jumping as he glared at Isaiah. Then he winced as if the mere sight hurt and looked to the side.

"Because," Isaiah grunted, leaning his whole side and shoulder against the wall to keep his balance. "What's wrong with you two?"

"No one was there, when you woke up," Arnie realized, clumsily climbing to his feet. "I'm sorry. How's the fever? I'll get you more aspirin and water, okay?" He hurried away apologetically.

Isaiah focused his swaying gaze on Hector. "You look worse than me."

"You wish," Hector murmured instinctively, but the playful bite was missing. "You are barely keeping upright. Sit down at least." But Isaiah noted that Hector didn't move to help.

"You couldn't have caught it so quickly," Isaiah mused as he eased himself on the ground. Everything was spinning again and he was getting light-headed. His heart was fluttering and jumping painfully and he felt like he coud pass out any second. "What happened last night?"

Hector pressed his lips together together, hands balled into fists.

Isaiah's head pounded in synch with his heart as he tried to focus. The clarity from sleeping was leaving, his thoughts sticking together at random places. His heart made another painful flip.

"Your heartbeat is weird," Hector said suddenly, tilting his head in his direction.

"I noticed," Isaiah said dryly. He was getting frustrated. There was nothing he could do to help. Physically or mentally, he couldn't even grasp whatever the problem was. "It's fucking exhausting," he said quietly, face twisting as he rode out another flutter. His hands and feet were tingling.

Hector's eyes widened and he sprang to his feet this time. "All the more reason to get you back in bed. Come on."

Hector's hands were stiff and cold as he helped Isaiah back to his feet and to the room. Isaiah was barely registering at that point, the way back so much faster than his long stride to get there.

The whole time, Hector didn't look him in the face or meet his gaze. Something about his was closed off, upset, like knives under his skin. Hurting, but buried too deep to be visible.

Hector was about to hurry away from Isaiah's reach, knowing he couldn't follow a second time.

"Arnie looks like he is in pain," Isaiah croaked.

Hector stopped in his tracks, but didn't turn back.

"You look like you are too. Please. You gotta tell me what's wrong," Isaiah insisted, voice trailing away.

Hector's hand gripped the doorframe. It creaked from the force. "Go back to sleep and get better. That's enough."

Isaiah's eyes were burning and he knew it was from the fever and the constant fluttering pain. But not being able to help, solve or get involved? He could not imagine anything worse.

So he reached for his phone, thoughtfully prepared on the nightstand by Arnie.

...

"Is this the right place?" Seline asked, looking around even with her heavy bag filled with groceries. "It's such a fancy building."

"That's Wolfson pack for ya," Matthew grumbled. He was carrying two even bigger bags. "Definitely the right one. I can smell Hector all the way from here."

"Won't we get in trouble with his pack?"

Matthew took a careful breath through his nose. "He is the only wolf on the floor. They must be scared shitless to live any closer."

Seline nodded. That was good. Hector and Isaiah being on good terms was still not quite in the open, considering the truth about Isaiah's father wasn't known to the rest of the pack.

"I still can't believe he allowed us to come," Matthew said, eyebrows furrowed as they moved forward.

"He outright asked us," Seline said, agreeing with the sentiment. It was highly unusual for Isaiah. All the more because they have never been to Hector's and Arnie's place before.

She opened the door first since Matthew's hands were full and she wasn't sure about his reaction. Matthew and Hector could be considered allies, right? Since they have helped each other before and because of Isaiah...

Yeah, better she went first. No wolf would harm a witch. They could actually make use of that natural calming effect here.

A slim blond kid was just exiting the kitchen, when they came in. This had Hector jumping to his side that second.

They weren't expected then.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Hector growled at Matthew. He looked pale and sickly green. Like he was the one sick. It was a bit hard to take him seriously, stripped down to a white undershirt and shorts.

"Saving your sorry ass, as usual," Matthew said, puffing his chest out with a grin.

"I didn't ask you to-"

"Hey, you must be Arnie," Seline interjected, looking at the smaller blond. Arnie looked so much like Isaiah she was still gawking. Like a perfect mini-copy, minus the blond hair that was longer, more tousled and therefore wavy. His wide green eyes stirred something protective in her.

18 years old. Her brother Dylan was 19 and she knew the age didn't change anything about the teen being a big buff, but stupid and childish just the same. It was one trouble after another with him. But Arnie looked young. It made her heart ache to think Isaiah was this age when he left the pack behind.

"I'm Seline. Nice to meet you." She offered her hand hesitantly since she had to reach beside Hector to do so. "Isaiah told me so much about you."

Arnie looked a bit awed but took her hand. "Hello." He looked at Hector for directions like a lost puppy. The older put himself protectively between Matthew and Arnie, glaring daggers at the redhead.

Matthew shook his head. "Chill out, man. I wouldn't do anything to Isaiah's little brother."

"But to a random human kid you would?"

"Fuck you."

Hector growled.

"You are on his territory, you know," Arnie said quietly. "You shouldn't open your mouth at him like that."

Matthew narrowed his eyes at Arnie. "You are pretty mouthy yourself."

Arnie stood his ground, despite the wolf being much taller than him. His green eyes glinted with spite. "I'm not gonna cower in front of you just cause you have a shadow and a temper, mate.

Seline cleared her throat. That was worse than she expected. "Isaiah said we better come because you aren't doing so well." Both brothers seemed pale and strained to her.

"We are fine," Hector hissed. "We don't need help and we didn't call you and what the fuck is this supposed to mean-"

"It means you managed to stress Isaiah out. Again." It sounded like a joke, but Matthew's expression was anything but.

Hector's face reddened and he actually winced like he got punched. Arnie scowled. "Who do you think you are to-"

"Okay," Seline said. Matthew was way too protective and strung up to not react to Hector, who seemed way too unsteady on his feet to her. "Matt, would you be so nice and go check on Isaiah. Thank you."

It was strange to her that he was alone in the room while the two were roaming here. Something was off. "I got a bunch of groceries, so maybe one of you could show me where to put them?"

Matthew moved to sidestep Hector, but the other wolf didn't budge out of the way.

"Hector," Seline amended, kicking herself. All that stuff about hierarchies and shadows that Isaiah tried to explain came to her mind. "You guys have been doing a great job helping. Can we help too? You know how seconds get with their leaders out of commission." Nobody minded she was Isaiah's girlfriend and dying to go check on him herself. "May we?"

Hector huffed, but something in him deflated at the formulation, his shadow satisfied. Matthew quickly walked through to Isaiah's room, leaving her alone with the brothers.

"He's an asshole," Hector growled, then swayed and braced against the wall. One of his arms snaked around his stomach.

Seline frowned, not sure if she should call him out on it or not. "Hector-"

"I'm fine," he grumbled, no heat in his voice. Her witchy magical aura was doing its job. He didn't mind her talking back or being there. She wasn't sure if she would dare to come if that wasn't an effect she could count on. "Help Arnie, he's got a headache."

He turned away. Seline was about to ask more questions, but when she noticed he went into the bathroom, she stopped. She would check on him later.

"Headache or migraine?" Seline said, looking at Arnie. The kid was still pounting, looking between Isaiah's door and the bathroom where Hector had just disappeared to.

"You know about that too? Geez," Arnie said with a wince. "What groceries?"

Seline shrugged. "It sounded to me like Isaiah wanted you taken care of. I got things for a soup, meds, all kinds of things for stress, digestion, fever,...painkillers..." she said, looking at him.

Arnie sighed. "It's nothing. I'm used to it."

"What number?"

Arnie frowned at her. "How do you know about the numbers?"

"You are not the only one with migraines in the family. If it's just the onset of a migraine, maybe we could stop it from developing further. What about you lie down, get some painkillers, and relax? Would that be possible?"

Arnie shuffled his feet. "I should help Hector, he is..."

"Taking it hard, isn't he," Seline said gently. "I heard he gets sick when emotional."

"I don't know if I like that you know so much," Arnie said with a grimace.

"It's not my fault Isaiah can't shut up about you two," she said with a wink. She felt another wave of affection and protectiveness, looking at how undecided and lost Arnie was.

"Did you have any breakfast yet?"

Arnie looked away, hands going into his pockets. Was he boycotting her?

"You have been helping a lot, haven't you. But you won't help anyone if the headache gets into a full blown migraine, right?"

He looked at her sullenly then, biting into his cheek.

"You don't have to feel bad about it. Just let me take care of you so you can be back to worrying full stop. Did you have anything to eat yet?

Arnie shook his head no.

"Then maybe eating could also help with the sugar low. What are you in the mood for? Ham and eggs? Croissant? Cucumber salad?"

"Cucumber salad?"

"Just cut cucumbers and yogurt and salt. Best food for warm summer days."

When Arnie didn't immediately say no, she took it as a yes.

...

Isaiah couldn't really sleep. He just drifted in and out from a pained haze. There were flashes of memories and the faces of his brothers. A feeling of dread. His chest hurt, like something was pressing on it.

There were sounds coming from the door, but he wasn't sure he wasn't just dreaming it up.

Until light came from the opened door, the only source since the windows were covered.

"Hey, Zaya, don't pretend you are asleep, I can tell."

Isaiah opened his eyes at Matthew's playful tone, immense relief washing over him. "Hey."

Matthew invited himself inside, perching on the edge of the bed. "Dude, you look rough. It's somehow hitting you worse than me."

"I'm sorry I had to call you," Isaiah whispered, slowly lifting himself up on his arms.

"I'm sorry you caught the plague from me," Matthew said back, waving off his apology. "And I'm glad you called. I would be fucking pissed if you didn't, to be honest."

Isaiah snickered feebly, finally managing to sit up. The room was spinning again. His head felt floaty, like it was about to fall off.

"Okay, spill it. What's wrong and what can I do?"

"Oh, you know. Feverish, dizzy, scaring the crap out of everyone."

Matthew seemed to have picked up on how hard it was for Isaiah to move, cause he shifted out of the way, leg bent on the bed to be closer. "Still with the fever?"

"It's better. But I really wanna get out of here." He hung his head, blinking at the black spots in his vision. "Please."

"Man, if you aren't feeling good yet, we can just stay here. Don't think your two hosts are very eager to let you go."

Isaiah gulped down uneasily. "I never should have stayed. Shouldn't have come. They never should have seen me like this-"

"Zaya, come on. You can't give yourself such impossible goals. Everyone gets sick sometimes. They will get over it."

Isaiah fought hard against the pressure in his throat. "B-but they are so broken down by this - look at what it does to them." Arnie was on the edge of a migraine, Hector barely standing from how nauseous he felt, and neither being able to look him in the eye. "Must be so disappointing-"

"Cut that crap," Matthew said sternly. "They are not. You just scared them a little."

"Then let's leave here already," Isaiah all but whined, swaying forward. Matthew turned so Isaiah could lean into his side, taking his weight.

"Nope. I think this is good, actually. They need to see this. That you are human too." He draped his arm around Isaiah's sweaty back, pulling him closer. "Just maybe portion it a out little more next time."

Isaiah chuckled, then coughed when that limited his oxygen a bit more than he wanted. He pressed his forehead into Matthew's shoulder. His chest felt tight and he was dripping with sweat from how much his heart struggled to be visible and on his mind at all times.

"Your breathing is all off," Matthew said, eyebrows knitted together in concern. He rubbed Isaiah's arm up and down. "And why is your heart doing that?"

Isaiah clenched his jaw, plastering up a crooked smile. "That's a new one."

"I don't think you should be feverish for that long with...that."

Isaiah was just happy he could let go so completely in front of Matthew. He was basically slumped against him, the pressure from his chest and his breathing coming a little easier when upright.

"Anything I can do? Aside moving you, that is."

Isaiah took a shuddering breath, closing his eyes. He didn't understand this at all. It wasn't like Matthew could take away from the crushing pressure, the way his chest seized and let go or the tiredness of the fast pulse. But leaning against him like this, him being all concerned and eager to play a support pillar made it feel more manageable. Warmth was spreading over his chest and his hands weren't trembling so much anymore.

When Isaiah didn't say anything, Matthew sighed. The hand around his back went up into his hair, brushing the sweaty strands away from his face. A trickle of perspiration ran down the side of Isaiah's face. He shuddered at the sensation.

Matthew grabbed one of the drying up towels from the night and gently nabbed at his face and neck. "Christ, you are giving your body a run for it."

"Wasn't like this yesterday...chest hurts all over," he said quietly, daring to rub at his left side where his heart was pounding against the flesh and his skin with a vengeance.

"Okay, shhh. Relax. Breathe and relax, everything is fine."

"Feels like I'm gonna pass out. Since morning. Just..." he motioned at himself, hiding his face against the spot between Matt's neck and shoulder.

Matthew tensed, but his voice was steady. "Yeah, I got you, man. It's fine. You know if you feel like...passing out, then just...ehh...do it? I'm right here."

Isaiah had to smile a little at the reassurance. He turned his face to the side so he could breathe more freely, still leaning against Matthew's shoulder. He fisted his hand in Matthew's shirt like he could hold onto him when he started to fall.

"I hate seeing you like this," Matthew growled in frustration. "I wish there was something more to do. Like pills or something that would make it better."

"I'm inclined to agree with you today," Isaiah whispered, letting his eyes fall shut. Whether he fell unconscious or just asleep, he was too tired to fight it.

And he knew Matthew would be there either way.

...

"How is Arnie?" Hector said tiredly.

When Hector didn't immediately bite her head off, Seline slipped inside the bathroom, closing the door gently behind her. "I got him to eat, lay down and take some painkillers. If he manages to sleep, he will should feel better soon."

Hector peered at her with dull eyes. He was curled up on the floor, between the toilet and the bathtub. Sweat was beading on his big eyebrows and he was hugging his knees to himself.

She stood there awkwardly, watching him. She was not good with the soothing words and hand-holding. But she could be practical. "Did you throw up?"

Hector turned his head away. There was a long minute of silence where she could see the muscle in his jaw clenching and relaxing. "...No. Still feels like I might."

"Stomach hurts or just nauseous?"

He lay his head on top of his knees. "Kinda both."

"Okay." Selined went out and returned quickly with a small bottle of coke. "Take a sip of this."

He glared at her. "For real? Why?"

"Phosphoric acid, caffeine and sugar. All really good against nausea." Especially when it comes from the mind, she added to herself.

Hector gave her an indignant look, but she just knelt by his side, waiting. Finally, he took the bottle, screwing it open to take a small sip.

"There. It works like a charm, I swear."

"Not the kind of charm I expected," Hector grumbled. He tensed a little after the first sip, but then relaxed and took a few more.

"Ice cream also helps. I got a bland one with me." When Hector gave her another weirded out look, she shrugged. "Something about the coldness is soothing."

Hector uncurled his legs, taking more daring sips from the coke as he leaned against the wall.

"You know," Hector said after a while, "this is a pretty crude invasion of privacy."

Seline sighed. "Look. I can leave you alone if you prefer, but sometimes just having someone around helps. Mind if I sit with you for a bit?"

Hector was quiet again, before clenching his teeth together and giving a tiny little nod.

Seline suppressed a smile and sat down on the floor next to him. She stretched out her hand. "If you want, you know, the witchy kinda help..."

It wasn't entirely comfortable to be touching a strange wolf and she would be having contact with his shadow...which was pretty damn intimate kind of contact. But she knew the magic in her skin was humming to him, that he was able to react more calmly around her and if the contact itself helped clear his head and stop feeling so shitty...she was willing.

Hector recoiled from her. "No." He balled his hands into fists, glaring angrily at the opposite wall.

He was upset, but suppressed his shadow's reaction. He was polite or brought up strictly enough to not take a witch's offer of contact lightly, even though his shadow must have been singing to touch her.

Seline could tell he had a temper going and he was quick to raise to Matt's provocations, but his shadow never moved. He was more like Isaiah that way.

Seline settled more comfortably against the wall, wondering what else to say. Silence was a good tool though. People were so uncomfortable with it they often started talking just to fill it.

"I'm so lame, aren't I," Hector said into the quiet echoing off the bathroom tiles. "He is sick and I'm-" he broke off, pressing his closed fist against his forehead.

Seline didn't say anything, mirroring his position of hugging her knees and watching him with bright blue eyes.

"During...during the fever, he got scared. Of me," Hector admitted, talking slowly. "And I get it. He doesn't have a reason to trust me. I was the one who-...but he acts like he does and he shouldn't, cause I don't deserve it anyway." His throat bobbed audibly at the end and he pressed his lips together tightly.

"Are you upset he trusts you or that he doesn't?"

Hector shook his head, head leaning more against the wall as he squeezed his eyes shut. "I made a mistake. I shouldn't- he shouldn't be even giving me a chance."

Seline leaned her head back just as he did, looking at the wall, parallel to his gaze.

She was starting to see the trick. Hector figured out a balance of not letting his shadow go, but expressing his feelings openly. It was completely different from Matt or Isaiah. Expecially in contrast to the latter, it was very refreshing.

"Your shadow," she said. "You are angry, but it doesn't react. Matthew can't do it. Usually, his emotions and shadow are too tightly linked."

Hector's forehead creased as he opened his eyes. "What?"

"But I still trust him. Love him, you know? It's not like that stops just because you make a mistake."

"That was the biggest mistake of my life."

"Well, at least you can make sure you won't do it again," she said.

"But what if I don't deserve another chance?" Hector whispered.

"I don't believe that's your call. He should decide if you are worth the effort. And he obviously decided you are. Don't doubt what strength he puts into that choice."

"So what am I supposed to do?"

"Don't leave him. Don't do it again. Act like you deserve his trust until you do." She looked at him and added more gently: "Prove it to him and to yourself."

Hector met her gaze steadily, before breaking off with a sudden burst of hoarse laugh. "Jesus, that's heavy literature. Do you have an answer for everything?"

"Well..." she blushed, looking away. "You asked."

[apoptoses]

JESS i’m having louis/armand/daniel brain rot again, i wanna know your thoughts 🥺 specifically like, are there any things that armand and daniel enjoyed during their DM years that you think they might pick back up with louis at trinity gate? i feel like in my head, daniel is always kind of the third wheel (at trinity gate, at least), but i’m really fascinated by the idea of LOUIS being the one to step into their world for a change

oh man oh man, I LOVE this question!! and i have so many thoughts!!

Movies: we know Louis watches movies from how he kept showing up at Lestat's in body thief to stare at his tv lol But I think Armand and Daniel have so many inside jokes from all of the weirdo movies they used to watch, or quotes that they repeat and Louis doesn't get it. So I think they'd really enjoy sitting him down and subjecting him to the Worst Hits of Armand's Movie Phase.

And Daniel especially would enjoy the validation that some of these are fuckin terrible films LOL They could mind gift back and forth about how insipid Louis finds the plot until Daniel is sitting there choking back laughter because finally, someone who agrees Time Bandits isn't that funny.

Video Games: I don't mean modern console games, I mean like classic arcade games and pinball machines. Which Armand probably has a whole room of them in the basement somewhere, lovingly restored and in perfect condition. And I think Louis would be a little hesitant- he seems like the type who acts 'above' certain things just because if he tries it and sucks at it he'll feel humiliated. But even he can't resist the siren call of PacMan and eventually he's knocked them both down on the scoreboard and taken the top spot.

(Also they like to go out a lot so sometimes they end up at like, Dave n Busters LOL Which is far more contentious because ugh, it's noisy and tacky and smells like that radioactive 'cheese' mortals cover their nachos with. But your jock!Louis headcanons have bewitched me and I think they could soothe him by getting him to shoot hoops on the basketball game)

Going Out-Out: Louis is such a homebody when left to his own devices and now that they've got Trinity Gate, home to whatever vampires want to stop by, what's the point in spending time among mortals?

So they'd ease him in with some random one-off classes ("Come, Louis, we've an appointment to learn to make fresh pasta tonight" "Yeah, I know, what's the point when we don't eat, just don't argue with him, it'll be fun" And you know what? It is). And then they'd take him to random stuff from the meetup app (or not so random, because both of them know Louis wouldn't be able to resist debating strangers at a weekly book club).

And then they're back to running around strange apartment buildings to meet up and coming artists, and accepting invites to follow their classmates down to a local bar, and crashing the sets of night shoots around New York. It goes better when it's the three of them because when someone is over it and ready to go home there's no obligation to stay and keep their partner company. No pressure to do anything but enjoy existing together out in the world for a few hours.

Special mentions:

board games (the more obscure the better)

travel (this time Louis and Daniel are more mentally present lol)

letting armand play sugar daddy and picking their outfits for the ballet (which leads to some altercations that have armand feeling like that post about 'help my subs have unionized')

weird 70s/80s craft nights (louis ends up gifting his tie dye shirt to lestat, armand and daniel send theirs to marius)

'treasure hunting' aka scamming the wealthy out of their art collections (louis doesn't care about the value, he does however feel some righteous indignation over important historical pieces being kept in vaults as some tech bro's 'investment'; daniel is just happy to finally understand how armand does it, and take part in it himself)

abusing kitchen gadgets (doesn't matter who you are, playing 'will it blend' can catch the fascination of even the most arrogant, erudite vampires)

[phoenixkaptain]

Random thoughts time! Splinter of the Mind’s Eye edition~

1. I’ve already said how much the novel changed my perception of Luke, but it did the same to my perception of Leia. She tells Luke that she joined the Rebellion because she was bored and she discovered that the Empire didn’t allow art because it could so easily be used to create free thinkers and she wanted those free thinkers to be allowed, encouraged even, to create. She likes arts and she likes people and she likes people’s art.

2. Leia is the best combatant. In one book alone, she: kicks a guy so hard in the face she almost decapitates him, manages to sweep the legs out from beneath someone, claws a man until he passes out, goes toe-to-fucking-toe with Darth Fucking Vader with Luke’s lightsaber and actually manages to hold her own pretty well, throws an axe into a person’s shoulder while she and her target are both running. She’s so cool in this book, and every time you think “oh they’re gonna do the sexist damsel thing again” it turns out that Leia was just biding her time. So. Fucking. Cool.

Also, my favourite Leia scenes because they’re funny:

“”That should give them something to think about,” she announced with satisfaction. “Let them think we dematerialized the bars. It won’t bother Grammel, but it might make the troops uneasy. I want anyone trailing me to be as nervous as possible.””

“Leia moved closer, reached out uncertainly to touch his arm. He eyed her, then coughed. She sat back. Suddenly she began screaming. Luke looked around but there was nothing in sight.

Bending over, the Princess screamed into clasped hands. The muffled wail continued for several minutes. When it ended, she looked back up at him again without apology.

“I’m all right now, I think,” she said with forced steadiness.”

3. Love how eepy Luke is.

“Hin bared sharp canines, grabbed Luke by the neck. Luke stared resolutely at his furry visage. Abruptly, the hand moved away and Hin nodded slowly, giving out an apologetic grunt.”

-

“Luke was looking past her. On the other side of the stream they’d been following grew a small forest of water plants, apparently stimulated by the steady flow of fresh nutrients here. The huge leafy pads floating on the black surface were a dull, yellow-brown color. They were round and pointed slightly at two ends where the upturned edges met.

“You can’t,” Leia commented, “be thinking of traveling on one of those.””

-

“”I’m going to cut this one loose,” he announced.

The Princess looked skeptical. “With what? Your saber? I didn’t know they operated under water.”

He gazed back at her solemnly. “They’d better.””

-

“A voice sang fancifully in the back of his mind. It was exorting him to relax. Well, that was simple enough to do, he reflected pleasantly. Relax he would. He was tired, so tired now.”

-

“What had riveted his attention was not the Coway’s continuing methods of medication, nor the vanquished warrior’s convulsive reactions to them, but a large rock. As big as a man’s head, it lay in the water close by the Coway’s head.

His fingertips retained the memory of that stone. It was the one he’d encountered prior to passing out. Or had he passed out? It seemed as if something deep inside him, some resource of which he was unaware, had reacted on the brink of asphyxiation to help him raise the rock, turn and fling it at his tormentor.

Yet he couldn’t recall even placing both hands around it, let alone lifting it clear of the water and throwing.

“How did I do it?” he asked the Princess.

She eyed him uncertainly. “Do? Do what?”

“Beat … him,” he added exhaustedly, gesturing loosely toward the Coway fighter.”

-

“Suddenly his hand opened as if he’d been shot. The pink bulb fell to the ground as Luke stood bolt upright, eyes open and staring. The Princess rose, tried to make something of the gaping expression on his face.

“Luke… what’s wrong?” He took a couple of unsteady steps.

“Was it the fruit, boy?” Halla looked equally concerned. “Boy?”

Luke blinked, turned slowly to face them all. “What?”

“We were worried, Master Luke. You…” But Threepio broke off as Luke turned away to stare eastward.

“He’s coming,” he murmured, every letter resounding. “He’s near, very near.”

“Luke boy, you’d better start making some sense of I’ll have Hin hold you down and feed you dipills,” Halla said. “Who’s coming?”

“There was a stirring,” Luke whispered by way of reply. “A profound disturbance in the Force. I’ve felt it before, weakly. I felt it most strongly when Ben Kenobi was killed.”

Leia inhaled in terror, her eyes widening. “No, not him again, not here.”

“Something blacker than night stirs the Force, Leia,” Luke told her. “This Governor Essada must have contacted him, sent him here. He’d be especially interested in locating you and me.””

-

“”I guess I’m probably the cause of that.” They all turned to face Luke. “Just as I sensed Vader, he no doubt can sense me. He’s had a lot more experience in the Force than I have, so his senses are probably stronger. Don’t forget, he was a pupil of Obi-Wan Kenobi.” He glanced back toward the shaft-tunnel leading to the surface of Mimban.

“He’s coming for us.”

-

“Luke felt a wild sense of elation as he brandished his father’s weapon. “I’m not worried about anything, Vader. Not now. I have no more worries and only one concern.” His voice held an unaccustomed hint of conviction. “I’m going to kill you, Darth Vader.”

That humorless laugh again. “What a high opinion you hold of yourself, Skywalker.”

“I’m… I’m Ben Kenobi,” Luke whispered in an odd way.

For just a moment, Vader seemed shaken.”

-

“Luke’s motionless form was enveloped in a rich, red bath of light. In his hands the crystal shone with a brilliance unnatural. Nor was the light still. It shifted, fluttered, ran over him like a live thing. It sought out every extremity, each finger and follicle, like the St. Elmo’s fire of old on the rigging of a sailing ship.

After several long, rapturous moments the radiant envelope shrank, sucked up by the crystal which resumed its normal coloring.

Luke sat up so abruptly that Halla was unable to repress a short screech. He blinked once, looked at her.”

-

“”I don’t understand,” Luke murmured. But he hefted the crystal again in both hands, closed his eyes and tried to concentrate and relax at the same time. The glow from the crystal intensified.

“I understand,” came a voice out of Luke’s body that might or might not have been Luke’s.”

-

Like Luke spends half the book scaring people and making them uncomfortable. He’s perfect. I love him.

And some more Luke scenes because these could go in wildly different directions and I need someone else to see them:

“”Oh no, Captain-Supervisor!” Luke cried, dropping to his knees and clutching desperately at Grammel’s trouser legs. “Please don’t do that. They’ll have us executed. Please, we’ll work till we drop, but don’t send us back there!” He was sobbing openly now.”

“Wiping tears conjured with difficulty away from his eyes, Luke tried not to appear too hopeful as he regarded Grammel.”

“Reaching with both arms, the Coway warrior clasped Luke around the shoulders and pulled. Luke thought he’d have to use the saber after all, when the native pushed him away gently. Then it slapped him on one cheek.”

“”Well…” Using his right hand, he belted the quiescent Coway hard enough to rattle the native’s teeth. Despite Halla’s assurances, he braced himself for some sort of violent response. Instead, the native displayed a satisfied expression and dropped to his knees before Luke as the crowd howled its approval.”

“Only his neck still bothered him. It ached at the back, where the Coway’s unyielding fingers had pressed.”

-

And, finally, here’s a collection of Leia lines that I can perfectly hear in Anakin’s voice:

“Turning serious, the Princess told him, “One learns to accept whatever events life has in store with the best possible spirits.” She stared straight ahead.

“That’s just what I’m doing,” Luke confessed, “accepting them in the bets possible spirits—nervousness and fear.”

“Well, you needn’t look at me as if this is all my fault.”

“Did I imply that? Did I say that?” Luke countered, a touch more tightly than he intended. She glanced sharply at him and he cursed his inability to conceal his feelings. He would have been, he decided, a rotten card-player. Or politician.

“No, but you so much as…” she began hotly.”

-

“”Do you have any idea who I am?” the Princess started to tell her. She caught herself just in time. “Not that it matters. What does matter is that you can’t do it, can you?”

Halla started to object but the Princess cut her off challengingly. “Can you?”

-

“”Temples, gods, crystals,” the Princess murmured. “Okay, suppose this legendary place does exist,” she hypothesized, jabbing an accusing finger at Halla. “This Kaiburr crystal, just what is it supposed to be… a big gemstone of some kind?””

-

“Still skeptical, the Princess sat back and looked in askance at Halla. “A small fragment of radiant glass or plastic, or an ordinary silicate treated to glow. You expect me to accept that as proof?””

-

(Honestly, the entire scene of them talking with Halla in chapter 4 is just filled with Leia being Anakin.)

-

“The Princess noticed her one victim recovering consciousness and kicked him soundly.”

-

“She concentrated her stare on the middle of the sergeant’s back, trying to drive him insane. The sergeant showed no hint of being affected. Probably solid bone under the helmet, she mused.”

-

“She whispered back tightly, “You have this wonderfully evocative way about you, Luke, of reducing the most excruciatingly uncomfortable circumstances to the merely mundane.”

Luke looked hurt.”

-

“”That’s funny,” noted the Princess, “because you strike me as having a particularly limited capacity for learning.”

-

“Thanks to the tactics being employed by the Imperials, Luke discovered that the Princess was too furious to be really frightened.”

-

(A lot of the earlier quotes also have this vibe. I love Leia so much.)

All in all, would I recommend Splinter of the Mind’s Eye? Sure. It’s 12 chapters, 298 pages, not too long, and it has the first lightsaber throwing, the first instance of Luke lifting anything in the Force, it’s the first mention of kyber crystals (spelled “kaiburr” but still), it’s one of the only times in the entire series Leia wields Anakin’s lightsaber (and she’s really cool doing it), it has if not the worst then a very poor portrayal of Darth Vader, and Luke and Leia both come back from the dead because of space magic. Really, it’s a rollercoaster of a read and I highly enjoyed it, somehow.

[galacticdoodles]

hi hello I am INSANE over the hc/theory that Doomed!Svetla deals with some MAD chronic pain (and other medical issues that she has never really looked into because why would you when you're only trying to survive and plot evil things)

AND I HAVE NOTES TO BACK THAT SHIT UP

By no means am I a medical professional/expert, I'm just a bitch with chronic pain projecting onto this little trencher and going solely off of scars/thoughts on her life for the last few thousand years

Before diving into her scars I'd like to go more into her environment/upbringing and how that could have a major impact on her current physical abilities

By no means is this canon, this is my rat brain being a rat and biting the bars of my cage (very excited for Zagreus and the Titans if you couldn't tell)

First up I want to get more into how she had to raise herself for literally THOUSANDS OF YEARS

Also important to note that YES, while she is 20% hexcore biomatter AND a born mage, she's still 80% human, and that pesky 80% has a lot to say about how she's been living her life

General living/diet

It's very clear that she's malnourished/not eating a balanced diet whatsoever.

Just a few examples of what can happen due to malnutrition, it's pretty obvious why when she's in her human form that magic is her biggest advantage. Otherwise it'd be like fighting a wiry skeleton. Not only that, she's got her big bird size which is more fit for combat/travel

Judging by her physical appearance, there's clear muscle/weight loss, the growth stunt could also be a possible effect (or she's just the short mage that everybody hates lol)

A few more things to tack on here would be the fact if she didn't use magic to heal herself, there would be a significantly longer healing time for any injuries she has, leaving them more susceptible to infection if not treated properly (which they never really were, so it was either leave them to be infected or take care of them with magic)

While being 20% Hexcore could leave her immune to a few things/less affected by, they will still find a way to leave their mark...

Her diet seems to mainly consist on whatever she can hunt/forage, however it clearly was not consistent/stable enough to stay a proper diet, leading to malnutrition.

Overall, it's safe to say that if she didn't have her Herald form or the arcane to back her up, she'd be left as someone who is skin and bones with a lot of anger and a big smart brain.

Now onto her scars!!

(psssst art and character belong to @threeoffucks)

Definitely a lot going on here, so I'm gonna try and interpret them the best I can!!

Arms: obvious self harm going on here, a bad habit of skin picking (most likely a nervous habit/repeated action that could be a form of self soothing despite its harmful nature)

That plus the blast marks left from the Herald in Singularity (STILL HURTS TO THINK ABOUT BTW)

Overall just an eyesore for onlookers, BUT I do want to point out her elbows

Could be another form of skin picking that went too deep, OR could be similar to the knee injuries resulting in repeated abrasion, which could lead to a numbness or tingling, or overall weakened state in the elbows and making moving her arms difficult

Chest: DIY mastectomy (I AM SO GLAD YOU LOVE THE IDEA BTW RAGHHHHHH I LOVE TOP SURGERY SVETLA)

While incredibly badass she did that herself, also incredibly concerning as to recovery time- if there was any -and possible use of the arcane to just heal the wounds instantly

Because let's assume here that Doomed!Svetla does NOT have a medical degree and does not know jack shit about medicine and just went at it with whatever knife was available to her

This one we can say she used the power of the arcane to heal her wounds, leading to an instant recovery (but leaving ugly scars in its wake)

Stomach: now THIS one is interesting because it isn't just directly in the stomach, it's stretched to the sides, and going up towards her lower chest cavity and down her abdomen

TW for guts n stuff (scientific diagram nothing gorey)

It looks like she could have been stabbed in the intestines (by what and who??? No clue) or this could have been another one of the injuries she sustained from just general survival (though highly unlikely due to injury placement AND shape of the scar afterward)

Once again could possibly be another injury that was just miracled better, OR this could be a lasting scar from one of her "resets" (cause of "reset" could be abdominal trauma, severe damage to vital organs)

Knees: repeated abrasion

But what happens to an area of flesh that's subjected to repeated abrasion?

First off it's like

The skin just gets worn down due to continuous scrapes/rubbing, so it's wearing down the skin and it becomes easier to rip open, more likely to leave to infections and takes longer to heal

Unless you're Doomed!Svetla

Then it can be as easy as slapping a magic bandaid on it and BAM you're back

Again, this could just be another eyesore (although colorful), there's essentially just no skin left on those knees and it's just the arcane holding all that together (and spite, a lot of spite)

BUT

A side effect to such things could also lead to chronic pain in this area (especially in the knees, because it's like tattooing your knee, the layers of skin are thinner so it would be like tattooing your bones)

So there is a chance this girl could be suffering from chronic pain in her knees because of this repeated abrasion, because look at this

those knees are fucked and they got no meat to them

They are BEGGING to be put out of their misery

That's not even diving into how old she is, the repeated "resets" and what that could do to her physical body

Like imagine you're just walking around and then one day your fuckass knees decide they want to give out on you because they haven't known proper treatment in millennia

Me too knees, me too

Give her a cane this girl is tired

Nowwwwww onto my favorite part (and the most mysterious)

Back: I have no fucking clue what caused this, honestly this could range from some kind of self experimentation, to an attack from behind

Anything could have happened here

BUT

Looking at the scar, and how it spans out from not just her shoulder blades (muscle AND bone), but it also goes down most of her spine, but mainly the thoracic section of her spine

Because the main point of the damage seems to be on her spine, this could lead to a multitude of things, including (but not limited to):

back pain (general sharp pains/dull aches, worsened with movement)

numbness and tingling in arms and legs

muscle spasms and stiffness

difficulty breathing (because come on that's like real close to the lungs)

radiating pain (mainly in the chest cavity, spine, and arms but could also go down to her legs due to how far down the injury seems to go)

headaches (because it's also so close to her neck and head, there's a chance there could be frequent headaches she's been passing off as dehydration and sleep deprivation)

Now with all of that sciency stuff out of the way

now I can explain my hcs a little better and hopefully they make more sense!!

- she uses the staff as a mobility aid

With all the injuries she has and just a very long time of medical and general self neglect, it's fair to say her body doesn't cooperate with her (unless she's got some kind of arcane boost going on)

Staff would help her with balance, keeping upright when legs start to go numb (or as my roommate calls it "shutting down")

Constantly staying layered up/wrapped in a cloak because she's always cold

This is mainly due to the malnutrition, could also be from previous "resets" and just generally leaving her constantly feeling cold/fatigued

she could not hold her own in a one on one in her human form, thus always going Herald (that and size for ego)

While still incredibly intimidating and still posing a VERY big threat, a lot of her threat points come from her arcane proficiency and Herald form

So you try fighting this peanut she's folding like a lawn chair

That and the fact she's a literal fucking genius with the whole world that she could learn from

Tldr: Doomed!Svetla dealing with malnutrition, chronic pain in spine, shoulder blades and knees, always cold, just get her a place to sit and catch her breath because her ass CANNOT breathe sometime

Edit: thinking more on this

If she doesn't know what's wrong with her, she's using all this magic to just heal herself

How long has she just gone around overworking herself, how many times she's had to walk long distances before just deciding to fly everywhere she could?

The damage done to improperly healed wounds is NASTY

Like somebody takes a look at her and the damage done and lack of proper healing

"Why didn't you come here sooner?!" Would be the biggest question she's faced with and she would sharply snap back with "because I hate you and the entirety of this institute. Give me my bill of health and I'll leave" "okay stand up and walk without the staff for 5 minutes" "how about go fuck yourself"

It would be... difficult to get her to see a doctor and when she finally gets in she's getting a mile long list of things wrong with her (mental illness aside)

And she gives the vibe that even if she's hurting in a bad way, she pushes forward. Like she's too stubborn to just say she needs a break, or needs to sit down. She thinks that's weak and says "I'm fine fuck off" and limps on (everybody is a little disturbed by this sight)

Like girl you have numerous injuries and are littered with scars on top of scars you're actually making things much worse for yourself (and given if she prefers to sleep anywhere BUT a damn bed which is not helping her back in the slightest)

I know her back cracks are loud and gross

Edit 2:

I'm gonna say this now

Scars on both her abdomen and back??

Those look fatal

Like you have a VERY slim chance of surviving the amount of damage she's got to her gut

And her chances are even slimmer given her situation

Her back???

That again

Looks fatal

Like she DIED from sustaining an injury like that

And neither of them look like an accident

Or if they were, they didn't come from her just having a bad fall, or hitting something hard

There was another party involved that was the cause of death (potentially)

Like if the abdomen scar went any higher she'd look like a walking corpse that just got out of her autopsy

[xjulixred45x]

Now MCL x Dead Plate has the makings to be a very a dramatic, tragic, and horror-esque crossover, specifically if Vincent still decides to kill Manon (since you said that the kids love Manon and vice versa) and the entire canon of Dead Plate still happens.

I have so many questions!! BUT I MUST know your takes on the following—if you want to answer these, of course:

1) Consider: Klaus and Karin meeting because they either go to the same school (before Solheim incident) or it's just a random moment; Manon is still alive in this one. What would the dynamic of the kids be (in your version, would they be separated twins from birth? or are they not related and are simply friends?)? How would Rody and Vincent (before or after Rody becomes an employee) react, especially since Vincent has extremely high standards?

2) AU within an AU (unless you make this canon): How would Klaus and/or Karin react if Manon does disappear, and if they(separated or together, depends on you) discover what had actually happened to Manon? Especially Karin if she finds out who did it.

The second one is very dark considering their ages, so if you don't want to do it, you don't have to. Your ideas for this crossover are just very interesting to me, and allows us to expand on how good, bad, and complex these characters are outside of what is canon! (I love both games)

OMG!!!! I LOVE THIS ASK!! and don't worry! I have no problem i'm answer this!

Dead Plate x My Child Lebensborn: IN CANON

1) First of all, I can totally see Klaus and Karin getting to know each other. Both for the ironic factor (boss father/employee brother lol) and for logical factors. Klaus is a very intelligent child despite being young and from humble origins, so he could go through recommendations to a more prestigious school, that is, a school to which Vincent would send his daughter.

Now that I have the opportunity to cause even more DRAMA, YES, KARIN AND KLAUS ARE TWINS. However, they were adopted by very different families as you can see (Rody's parents definitely couldn't adopt Karin due to financial problems, if they had had a better situation, they would have adopted them both. Vincent still would have only taken Karin lol ).

Klaus and Karin are very good friends, each other's only allies when school starts and the other children bully them. They share several common interests such as a love for animals (especially Foxes) and I honestly think that them discovering that they are siblings could be an adventure in itself in this AU (Karin sneaking into Vince's room to look for his birth certificate which reveals that YES, she was a twin), which would make their bond even stronger. They become inseparable in a short time, they protect each other, they tell each other everything.

Vince and Rody have quite different reactions (what a surprise).

Rody is very happy that Klaus has a friend, he wants to chat with her every chance he gets and he DEFINITELY notices the insane resemblance between them, not only in appearance, but in attitudes (did you know that separated twins still share attitudes /habits? That happens here!), so when he finds out that she is not only his friend, but Klaus' twin sister, RODY IS EXCITED! And he definitely wants Karin to feel like part of the family as soon as possible.

Vince, on the other hand, the first time he sees Klaus, acts like he's seen a GHOST, and while he's happy that Karin now has a friend (who's on her level) he's definitely not that excited when he finds out that Karin has a twin who is ALSO “related” to RODY of all people. More than by his standards, Vincent doesn't like this because it would give Karin free rein to have another family (the Lamorees, who already wanted to adopt her first), and in general I don't think he would be very happy at the idea of share his daughter with RODY.

Of course, I think Vince could be more cooperative if he and Rody talk shit together about the children's original family (the racist grandparents, the abandoned father) and MAYBE there Vincent would be more willing to make an agreement for the children to interact as twins (say, a child spends a weekend with one of them and they change). Here Vincent cares more that Karin doesn't leave him, while Rody cares that Klaus has his complete family.

2) This could be considered Canon, or at any rate one of the endings depending on what you choose (just as all DP endings are canon, so are all What If cases here).

I definitely think Karin and Klaus would notice almost immediately/at the same time when Manon disappears, Klaus because Manon would at least call to check that he's okay, and Karin because Vince being so picky about babysitters wouldn't waste a free one (aside from that she stopped coming to their house out of nowhere…), so they both talk about it to each other and think “suspicious….” And they decide to investigate.

(If anyone is uncomfortable imagining them as their canon ages (8 years old), we can say that this takes place after the incident with Solheim and the children are older (maybe 12 years old)).

Karin, even though she knows he is someone harsh, has no reason to distrust her father, so she asks Vincent if he knows what happened to Manon and/or if she has contacted him, which Karin does not know what she expected was for Vince to tell her that Manon was (supposedly) with her parents...lying to her. And Karin KNOWS when Vincent is lying, she pays attention when he thinks she isn't, he was talking to her in a similar way to how he talked to clients, when he didn't say what he thought, with that face...

(it's worse if Karin overhears Vincent at the party telling Rody directly that he doesn't know Manon, making her feel WORSE). And every time she insists on calling Manon or Vincent tells her something different, she doesn't get it, it's the same response. Although Karin could use some manipulation tactics to get something.

For example:

-“Did you fire her...?...or would she no longer want to see me...?”- STRAIGHT TO THE HEART---

With this, Vince could say that Manon hasn't contacted him, but it's DEFINITELY not because she didn't love Karin, but to stop asking because she wasn't going to get a different answer.

So, Karin and Klaus investigate on their own (Klaus asking Rody, taking notes on clues and the last time they saw Manon, etc).

IMAGINE WHEN THEY CHECK VINCENT'S APARTMENT WHEN HE AND RODY WORK, Klaus probably finds Manon's hair in the bathroom trash can, which is pretty weird (assuming Manon hasn't been there in weeks) and the kids rake EVERYTHING in the department, in every place looking for something more, but nothing. the only places missing are the refrigerator, and Vince's office (which Karin has access to because she can take out drawing sheets there).

IMAGINE THEIR REACTIONS WHEN THEY FIND MANON'S LETTERS AND THE PHOTO OF HER AND VINCE IN THE TRASH.

Karin wouldn't know what to say, she would try to justify Vincent, saying that maybe he was hurt by her disappearance and didn't know how to process it, that maybe they were at enmity and didn't want to say it, but Klaus was completely blank, and Karin knew she couldn't defend it. They both know, Vincent has something to do with everything. Something happened to Manon and they are going to find out...

Taking the keys to the refrigerator would be difficult, since Vince's room is off-limits unless Karin has a nightmare (not very likely now that she's 12), but if they do it when Vince is working and go downstairs when he's smoking, well…there is an opportunity.

AND BOY, THE KIDS ARE TERRIFIED.

I think in a scenario where Vincent doesn't catch them in the act, they take the necklace and lock themselves in Karin's room at the restaurant (like that scene in Coraline), get under the covers, and try to convince themselves that everything is a nightmare, this can't be real, MANON HAS TO BE WELL—

By the time Rody goes to pick up Klaus and Karin for THEIR weekend together, and Vince wants to find the key to the refrigerator, it's already too late as he sees the kids' rolling eyes...

THEY ALREADY KNOW.

And if we talk about whether Vince catches them in the act like in the game...

First of all, PAN, but unlike with Rody, Vince is not willing to kill the children, much less Karin, but he also couldn't let something like that come to light, let it be seen that way- let KARIN see him that way. Maybe he could leave them in their beds until morning and then they'd think it was a bad dream (Vince would spend all night cleaning up the remains left in the freezer and probably gave them painkillers so they wouldn't notice the blow), maybe he could feign ignorance and pretend he didn't know Manon's necklace was there.

(Or if there was a confrontation like in the game, Vince would most likely try to explain his twisted reasoning (the kids maybe being shielded by Rody), it was SUPPOSED to be for THEM, they loved Manon SO MUCH, he was supposed to THEY WILL ENJOY (and they did, depending on the ending)) THIS WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN!

(Lowkey, Vince would be trying to blame Rody/Klaus for this, for making Karin HATE him without taking into account that he caused this. And yes, the dish made with Manon was served to Karin and Klaus here, not to Rody. There is more but this is already super long).

AHHHHH THIS IS SO GOOD BUT I WANT TO EXPLORE IT EVEN MORE WITH OTHER DRABBLES AND ASK!!!! THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR INTEREST AND PLEASE IF YOU HAVE MORE QUESTIONS SEND THEM!!!

Shares, reblogs and comments are very welcome!

[sergeantpixie]

my thoughts after watching episode five of the Artful Dodger:

1. SARDINES

2. “the whale’s wife” oh fagin can turn a phrase

3. “being spurned by a woman is a great boon to our profession” DON’T REMIND ME

4. “i want a win” 😭😭😭

5. “i keep seeing these in my dreams” FANNY 🤭

6. Belle’s red coat is Stunning, i envy her wardrobe

7. “WHY” Belle is so funny pls

8. NUTMEG

9. Jack is only thinking of Belle 🥺

10. BUTT - 2/10 not juicy enough

11. i know fagin is just lying to buy them more time but it’s so nice of him to throw jack an interesting case and give him an excuse to talk to belle after their fight 🤭

12. “we all thought that that smell was coming from you” CHILDISH but so funny

13. Fanny is actually a great sister, we stan

14. THROUGH THE WINDOW, YAS

15. he’s eating her soup, i love them

16. “apparently a tree” HIS FACE

17. they’re in love, your honor

18. “it is so dangerous.” “yeah, but you love that, don’t ya”

19. “but i don’t really know how to talk to women, i’ve never really found the need to” “i am similarly rarely interest in what a man has to say” and that’s on soulmates (also same @ belle)

20. “not all of you.” i think they should kiss 😊

21. “tell me why you like being a navigator?” god belle’s bedside manner has improved so much

22. jack being honest with him and letting the man decide if he wants to take the risk!!! what a man!!!

23. i love the quiet scenes after surgeries between them, it’s so intimate

24. “i’d never had my own bed before” 😭😭😭

25. “it was the best and the worst times” love these fanfic writers for letting the dickensian character quote dickens lol

26. the way he looks at her 🥺

27. THEY SLEPT THERE ALL NIGHT!!! THAT’S MY SHIP!

28. the glove slap, i snorted 🤣🤣🤣

29. Belle’s mama is a savage

30. Sneed saying “christ” and stumbling back when he says Belle coming at him at least says he’s not a complete fool

31. SHE SEASONED HIM, I’M DYING 💀💀💀

32. the wink, this idiot lmao

33. “oh.” THAT’S ALL YOU HAVE TO SAY JACK

34. “hmm, lobster bisque.” PLS SHE’S SO FUNNY

35. i don’t trust youuuuuu fagin!!!

36. fagin trash talking sneed is funny tho

37. the tears in jack’s eyes when fagin has to take his place in the duel, a soft boy 🥺

38. HE SHOT SNEED THAT IS SO FUNNY PLS

39. the navigator mocking sneed 💀

40. sneed being put in the position of begging jack to save his leg is delicious, pls sir i want some more

41. belle, jack, and hetty working together is everything i’ve ever wanted, ot3?

42. ngl i kinda enjoy hetty calling jack out

43. THEY SHOULD SHAVE OFF HIS EYEBROW

44. THEY KISSED!!! FINALLY!!!

[haruniki]

Under the Mistletoe + Kobeni please :3 I've become quite the Kobeni enjoyer!

Also happy holidays <3

a/n: first rq yippee!!! :3 i hope i get back into the writing spirit and into writing better link to post for prompts

under the cut

An office party. That would be the last thing you would except coming from the public safety division, but here you are in a room with a bunch of loud individuals. Denji and Power running around with tinsels and lights wrapped around them, Aki looking stressed with a drink in his hand. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Except for one person. You hadn't really gotten the chance to speak with her before. You remember Himeno talking about how timid she was, maybe you could chat with her. Standing off to the side with her hands folded in front of her, she looks around the room. A nervous look spreads around her faces as you approach. "This party sucks, doesn't it? These are usually way quieter than this. I'm (y/n). You're Kobeni right? It's really nice to meet you." A warm smile stretches across your face. You see Kobeni's flush a little before she gives a nod. You both stand and make idle chitchat before you both wander over to the probably spiked by Himeno punch bowl. "I can't imagine working with that blood fiend or that chainsaw guy, I bet the rush in without much thought. I heard it was nice working with Aki thoug-" Cut off mid-sentence by a drunk Himeno, her words slurring as she speaks.

"Look, you both are... un'erneath that plan'...whassit called again...oh, I remi...remem...ber... the mistletoe! You gotta kiss or else...you'll...get bad luck?" You really doubt you get bad luck if you don't kiss. You look up and see the mistletoe hung up, you wonder why you didn't see it before. Glancing at Kobeni, you give a small laugh. Her face goes red and it's audible to hear her breath being sucked in. "Don't listen to her, Kobeni. She's drunk and you don't have to kiss me. Besides I don't think you get-" You're again cut off by lips being pressed against yours. Though as soon as they're pressed against you they leave. A bashful Kobeni looking away and playing with her hands , the sensation of where her lips were tingle a bit and after lightly running your tongue against your lips you can taste cherry chapstick. "Th-there's no sense in g-getting bad luck, pl-pl- plus, it's a t-tradition, right?"

[lrndvs]

compliments from girls go hard

[candycatfalls]

Yeah

[hinamie]

growth // decay

[soaked-doors]

happy birthday zoro 🎉🍾

[chrisrainicorn]

this is canon btw

[coquette-baguette]

why did i not get a notif. from this :(

ok

fave color: obnoxious purple, bright red and neon green

last song: listening to The Age Of Man on repeat rn

currently reading: Pride and Prejudice

currently watching: nothing really,,, however scott piligrim is high on my "oh ive BEEN MEANING to get into it" list

craving: a WALK outSIDE but its raingin a lot soooooo. also maybe some bubble tea

tea or coffee: coffee

uhh @lukadjo @iralthegreat @plushiapersonally @grainhoarder @potatocut3 @melllrlrlrl

get to know your moots tag game!

✶ answer the questions, then tag six people

Thanks for the tag @kiraandhervibes

Favourite colour: blue and purple

Last song: the challenge from EPIC

Currently reading: I just started Silverborn

Currently watching: rewatching Series of Unfortunate Events

Currently craving: nothing in particular rn, but I’m always craving iced tea

Tea or coffee: tea!

Npt: @somanyquestions-featuringanxiety @shelbeforgotten @sparkleylittlepoo @stars-and-leather @ravensncrowsx @permetutotheworld + anyone else who wants to

[vervielle]

★

☆

sobs