#''laurie is just settling for her''

[gayofthefae]

The real reason I want Byler is because I am an unhealed Lucaya shipper actually.

[amymarch-defender]

i am so tired of hearing everyone’s terrible little women hot takes on tiktok when it’s clear they’ve only seen the 2019 adaptation and not read any of the original source material like the day a LW adaptation comes out and its COMPLETELY and WHOLLY faithful to the novel and its characters is the day i will be happy and at peace

[strawberriescherrieskiwi]

HC of Timmy characters accidentally hurting you/scaring you. Give me the angyst

Let me know if you want me to turn any of these into full fics.

Paul

Paul didn't mean to. He was upset and over people trying to pull him every which way and you happened to try to comfort him.

He was annoyed and just wanted to be alone. You were trying to talk to him. To get him to talk to you.

In his anger, he loses his cool and uses the voice on you. "Just Shut up."

He regrets it the moment that he realizes what he did. Your eyes tear up and you are heartbroken. When Paul goes to grab you, you pull away from him.

"Please. I'm sorry," he whispered brokenly. You scoffed and walked out of the room.

Laurie

To say you were insecure when it came to the March sisters. They were so beautiful and talented and they had known Laurie a lot longer than you had.

You always worried that he would pick them over you and your fears came true when you were in need of Laurie and he was nowhere to be found.

You had just had your second child. Having a toddler and a newborn was stressful enough without your husband gone at the drop of a hat when one of the Marches needed him.

It was a particularly rough day with your toddler whining for Lauire all day and your newborn refusing to lack on to your nipple. You were overwhelmed and you needed Laurie.

He didn't come home until later that evening after the two children were finally settled down. You were exhausted and upset with him And you started fighting. You complained he was never home. He said you were overreacting and that Jo had needed his help and he couldn't abandon her.

"So you can abandon me? Your wife and your children?" Laurie just rolled his eyes and continued to get undressed. But you weren't done you. You continued to fight until you asked him if you cared more about them than he did your family.

In a fit of anger, he shouted "Of course they. Are they my family? I've known them my whole life."

His shouting woke the baby and you shut down. A tear rolled down your face. "Fine, if they are your family then leave and be with them." and then you walked out of the bedroom to tend to your baby.

Hal

Hal was not himself. He was meaner than normal. Everyone walked on eggshells around the King.

You never walked on eggshells. You liked how harsh he was. It was one of the reasons you loved him. And he never turned that harshness onto you.

Until he did one night. He was upset and yelling at everyone. He came into the room throwing things and shouting. You were getting out of the tub when he started.

You had never seen him this upset before. He flipped the table over and tossed his crown to the floor. He didn't know you were in the room.

"Useless staff, useless couriers, useless wife," he ranted tossing things around. You were hurt by his words and before you could argue with him, he tossed a glass vase against the wall and a piece of glass cut your face.

You gasped cupping your cheek. "Hal," you shouted, pulling your hand back and seeing the blood drip down.

Hal is frozen when he sees your bleeding face. He doesn't know what to do or say. All his frustration melts away when he looks at you. His Queen. Hurt and bleeding because of him and his temper.

"My love-" he starts, but you cut him off. "No. Just get out. Now," you ordered.

And for once he listens.

Lee

"Lee?" You questioned in horror as you saw your boyfriend tear into the throat of the man who catcalled you earlier today. Lee froze and turned to face you dropping the now dead man to the ground.

"Baby... what are you doing here?" He asked trying to hide the panic out of his tone.

"I-I-," you couldn't even get your words out. You couldn't stop looking at the blood on his face. Or the body at his feet. Fear froze your blood and you started to shake.

Lee took a step closer to you only for you to take a few to get away from him. "Please," you begged.

"Don't be afraid of me," he begged in return. He could feel his heart breaking looking at the fear in your eyes.

"Don't come any closer," you said tears not running down your face. You couldn't believe what was happening. You had been with Lee for years and you never thought. You felt bile rise in your throat.

"Baby don't be upset with me. Let me explain."

You shook your head and took another step back. And another, until you were running down the street as fast as you could.

Wonka

He didn't mean to upset you. He never wanted to hurt or upset you. You are his life. Everything he does is for your future. So you two can have your dream lives.

So he gets a bit obsessed with his work sometimes. He gets in the zone and does not like to be disturbed. His chocolate making is important to him and he took it very seriously.

But you were his sweet tart and he never meant to yell at you. To imply that his work was more important than you, but that is exactly what he did.

He missed dinner. Not just any dinner but your anniversary dinner. And left you sitting in a restaurant by yourself for an hour. You weren't angry when you left the restaurant. You weren't angry when you arrived at the factory and he was completely shocked to see him.

You were defeated and disappointed. Your tears didn't start to fall until he dismissed you and told you he had a lot of work to do. You cried when you reminded him of your anniversary and he only stared back at you blankly.

It was too much. You asked him if thought about you even once today. Willy was nothing if not truthful and told you no. Not to hurt you, but because it was true. He was in the lab all day and thought of nothing but chocolate.

It was only when you were walking out of the factory and ignoring his pleas did he realized how much he messed up.

Kyle

Kyle was an asshole. That was never in question. He was aloof and rarely thought about other people. You were the only person he truly cared about.

You were his best friend. And unknown to him, the love of his life. He wished he knew that before he fucked up. Before he hooked up with you and then ignored you for two weeks.

He was selfish. He cared about himself and for two weeks he couldn't understand the feelings he felt for you. So he shut down. He refused to talk to you and when you approached him he just turned and walked away.

Your friendship was non-existence and only worsened when he showed up to your birthday party like nothing happened between the two of you with a date.

You took him outside, screaming at him. Calling him every name under the sun. And for his part, he stood back with his arms crossed and smoked a cigarette.

"You are a monster, Kyle Scheible. I love you. You have to know that right? Everyone knows that. But you don't care. You don't care about anyone but yourself. I am done with you and all your selfishness. Don't ever speak to me again."

It was as your tear-streamed face turned away from him that he realized that he loved you and he ruined everything.

[babyflorencee]

Peach Boy

Timothée Chalamet x fem!Reader

As the set buzzed with activity, I found myself in the midst of the action, watching my best friend Timothèe embody the character of Laurie in the scenes of "Little Women." His transformation was captivating to me; the boy that I had known for years seemed to dissolve into the persona of a charming, albeit sometimes aggravating, young man.

I couldn't help but admire Timothèe's talent. Each gesture, each inflection of his voice, painted a portrait of Laurie, distinct from the Timothèe I knew off-screen. His portrayal was captivating, drawing me in despite my best efforts to keep my emotions in line.

Throughout the filming, Timothèe's occasional glances in my direction sent ripples of warmth through me. His winks and smiles, though brief, reassured me of our undeniable connection.

As the hours flew by, a chill settled over the set, causing me to grab Timothèe's abandoned jacket, draping it around myself, as I was enveloped in the scent of his perfume, making a familiar comfort surge through my body.

Then, as abruptly as it began, the director's voice rang out, signaling the end of filming. Timothèe approached me, a mixture of exhaustion and amusement dancing in his eyes as he saw my motionless figure, wrapped up in his jacket.

"What's up, Peach boy?" Florence quipped, slightly messing up Timothèe's hair with a playful affection.

Her glances spoke volumes, and he couldn't help but wonder if she saw what he dared to not admit.

Timothèe's laughter filled the air, a melody I knew by heart. "Oh, you know just hanging," he replied awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck, shooting an awkward grin in my direction.

Florence looked at my figure, then back at Timothée, a smirk immediately going on her face as she leaned in close, pressing her mouth against his ear, before whispering, "have fun," and sending him a wink, causing a light shade of pink to take over his face.

Feeling a presence surrounding me, I opened my eyes. Letting a sigh of relief once I realized who the presence belonged to. "Hi," I said, tiredness evident in my voice, as Timothée's attention immediately became directed at me.

"Hey, thought you'd never wake up" He teased, his lips quivering into a smirk.

"Oh hush up," I said, rolling me eyes

"Am I just that boring to you, that my acting, that my JOB put you to sleep?"

"Yeah, I hated it," I joked laughing at his shocked face.

In that moment, our playful banter was a shield against ou unspoken truths lingering between us. As Timothèe's gaze met mine, a rush of anticipation coursed through me. His proximity was intoxicating, like there was a silent invitation hanging in the air, as the tension crackled between us, a palpable energy begging to be acknowledged.

"No, you were amazing. Your acting skills could never keep me away," I said softly, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips.

His laughter was a familiar symphony, a melody that resonated deep within me.

In the hush that followed, our eyes locked in a silent exchange, the unspoken becoming increasingly louder, then, in a daring move, Timothèe closed the distance between us, his lips brushing against mine in a tantalizing caress.

In that moment, time stood still, the world falling away as our hearts beat in unison.

But our moment was interrupted by the sound of an applause, a gentle reminder of the world outside our bubble of intimacy.

As Florence's voice broke through the silence, her joyous laughter filled the air, a testament to the bonds that bound us together.

With a shared glance, Timothèe and I embraced the inevitable, our laughter mingling with the echoes of our newfound connection.

"About time! Tim, I'll trust that you won't mess this up," Florence said, a hint of teasing evident in her voice.

"Fucking asshole." Timothèe's laughter echoed through the air, as he looked down at me, shaking his head.

"Do you want to go back to the hotel?" I nodded in agreement, "But, can you carry me to the car, I don't want to walk," I said with a pout.

Timothèe gave me a small smile before he lifted me effortlessly into his arms, I couldn't help but smile as well, the weight of our shared secret had finally been lifted.

Once we made our way back to the familiarity of the room, the only sounds to be heard were the sounds of our footsteps ringing through the quiet night, as I smiled to myself, looking up at Timothée, then down to where our hands were connected, and in that moment, as the world finally faded into the background, I knew that our journey was only just beginning.

[disappointmentofthefam]

Love? Love. (part one)

(Andy Barber x reader)

summary- recently split from his wife, Andrew Stephen Barber, aka, Mr hotshot ADA daddy dilf, lives with his 14 year old son Jacob. All he has known since the tender age of 17 is Laurie, and their baby boy. Will his life change when a bright eyed and bushy tailed y/n moves in the house right opposite to his? More importantly, will it change for the better or the worse?

*contains adult themes, smut and age gap (reader is a senior in college, Andy is in his early thirties)*

Andy's sleep is rudely cut short by the whirring engine of packers and movers mixed with the commotion of workers walking back and forth, setting up the furniture.

His face grimaces as soon as he opens his eyes,

at seven fucking am on a sunday! fuck off!

Apparently-as he later finds out-a new family had just moved in the house opposite to his. From what he had heard from his best friend(and neighbor), Sam, the family had a son of around Jacob's age which was about perfect since Jacob was a shy kid and wasn't exactly Mr. popular with kids his age. maybe he would find a friend in the new kid

By the next weekend, Jacob and the kid, Tyler, were already friends and today Jacob had invited his friend to play video games together.

"Daaaaddd", Jacob whines, "Please don't embarrass me!"

Andy gasps dramatically ,"Are you ashamed of your old man!", he even goes as far as to clutch his chest, right where his heart is, "i knew this day would come, i just thought it would be fifty years from now when i am bound to a hospital bed and shit my pants every time i try to say a word with more than three syllables"

As Jacob rolls his eyes, laughing, the doorbell rings, "whatever old man, just behave or i won't buy you diapers when you're all old and 'bound to a bed'".

Tyler shyly greets Andy and the boys disappear into their boy cave. Andy decides to settle down for a movie from the comfort of his couch. He can already imagine what Sam would say if he found out about Andy's weekend plans

are you seriously wasting all that good-good on a couch? Let's go out man , find you a pretty girl, you need to get out of this 'grandma' routine

Sam wouldn't get it ,he was married, happily so, and had a baby girl with the woman of his dreams. "Between the two of those pretty girls, i don't stand a chance"- he'd say

It wasn't that easy for Andy to navigate the modern dating world, there were too many 'what ifs' and not enough 'why nots' for him to fall in love again

what if he's a one night?

what if he catches feelings and she doesn't? what if he finds someone perfect only to find out he's incapable of feeling love again?

oh shit, worse yet- what if he was a reboun-

His thoughts are interrupted by the ringing doorbell, jesus can't a man watch the godfather for the millionth time in peace?

"Hi, Mr. Barber"

Andy's breath hitches, "Hi there"

"I would shake your hand but mine are full", she giggles.

Andy's heart does a backflip at her laugh as he shakily reaches out to take the four tupperware boxes from her.

"I'm y/n", she gives him a sweet smile, "I'm Tyler's sister and we just wanted to thank you for inviting him over, god knows we needed the break! Teenagers, amirite", she looks up at him with those big doe eyes.

Snapping out of the trance, Andy invites her in, "Come in............uh",

"Y/n"

Andy's chest is filled with a warm, fuzzy feeling

Names are so intimate, Y/n, while he asks her to come in, Y/n, he asks her to sit, Y/n, as he brews her a cup of coffee.

Andy, as her eyes sparkle when she realizes the movie he has on, Andy, as she tells him she cooked all the treats she brought him tonight

"So", Andy strikes up the conversation as they settle on the couch, "i've heard that you tutor children?"

"Oh, yes, It's just to earn a little before i graduate, besides, my god complex is fulfilled while teaching people", she jokes.

Andy doesn't remember the last time he was so interested in a conversation that wasn't about work or crime, or both, really.

An hour later, they are way past formalities, talking about everything and nothing, as if they were old friends.

Her mouth agape, she looks at him in utter disbelief, "He got away with it?" ,Andy can't believe she's so engrossed in his work stories, Laurie had always told him to keep his work where it belonged-in his office.

"Tyler and i should leave now, it's getting late, mom will be mad if we're late for dinner"

Andy's heart sinks why did she have to leave

"Alright sweetheart", he says lowly, "it was a pleasure to have your company".

Y/n smiles bashfully 'sweetheart'

did he mean it? no way! he must have a thousand women worshipping at his feet, he's the fucking ADA, he's single, he's hot and don't even get me started on that smile-

Focus Y/n!!

Andy notices the hitch in her breath, the sudden tint on her cheeks and the way her shy eyes try to look anywhere but at him

a straight up filthy image crosses his mind-

you, laying naked on his bed, all spread out for him, whining as he sucked between your petals

you, closing your eyes bashfully as the head of his thick cock lines up with your wet, tight hole

he would have no qualms with slapping your face lightly, "look at daddy while he's fucking you open"

"look at me baby, look at who's making you feel so good"

he'd kiss your pouting lips, "my dumb little baby can't think with daddy's cock inside her, ca-

okay Andy, She's a smart and beautiful twenty-one year old girl, she must have boys falling at her feet, the last thing she'd want is you.

As she and Tyler leave, Andy can't help the stupid smile on his face

"dad?, you good there?"

Andy snaps out of the trance, "yeah kid"

"phew! With that shit eating grin, you almost had me convinced that you had shat you pants"

OH THIS LITTLE ASSHO-

author's note: heyyyyyyy girlies, i purposefuly made the first chapter short and vague so i can take the story forward as you'd like me to! Please do leave suggestions!!! nothing is off limits to me

[llovelyclouds]

notes on alecto

hii!! so a few months ago i did a full reread of the locked tomb and took note of anything i thought seemed particularly relevant. I want to share what I have but I'm not sure exactly how i want to format everything quite yet- but im just gonna go for it so bear with me if its a little disorganized!

throughout the process i've started coming up with some of my own theories, but i thought it would be cool to post everything i've compiled, so people could use that to make their own conclusions as well :D

I have sections for anything that seemed important about all the original lyctors & their cavaliers, so I'm going to start off with all my information gathered about alecto! buckle in, folks, there's a lot :-)

you can find links to the other posts in the project here!

(also ofc spoilers for the up to the end of nona ahead!)

ALECTO

titles:

Also referred to as “A.L.”, “Annabel Lee,”or “Annie Laurie”  John’s cavalier, the soul of the Earth. (And of course, nona <;3)

Annabel Lee poem  (mentioned htn. pg. 196)

Annie Laurie poem (mentioned htn. pg. 345)

notes from harrow the ninth:

Harrow's psychosis seems to begin after seeing Alecto for the first time (htn. pg. 51)

Augustine describes her as "more lucid" than Mercy as an insult to Mercy (htn. pg 168)

"'God, who did you bury?' [...] 'I buried a monster,' he said." (htn. pg. 195)

(depending on how much of The Body is real) Agrees that Harrow should kill G1dieon (htn. pg. 226)

“Augustine said, ‘To sisters, and to the women we‘ve left behind.’ God’s mouth was cheerful as ever, but his eyes were not when he said, 'Do I have to drink to that?’ For the first time, you were witness to the Saint of Patience discombobulated. ‘Apologies, John. Wasn’t meant as a jab.’ ‘It doesn’t hurt anymore- most of the time,’ said God, and he was still smiling.” (htn. Pg. 277)

"Even the devil bent for God to put a leash around her neck… and the disciples were scared! I cannot blame them! I was terrified! But when the work was done- when I was finished, and so were they, and the new Lyctors found out the price- they bade him kill the saltwater creature before she could do them harm… Oh, but it is a tragedy, to be put in a box and laid to wait for the rest of time." - Teacher (htn. pg. 328)

Says she has to go away for a while immediately after Varun appears (htn. pg. 334)

John says that G1deon doesn’t talk about her, but Augustine and Mercy still feel guilty about what happened (htn. pg. 345)

“When I first met her I just called her First, One. She had a real name, but I buried it with her, and nobody says it anymore.” - John (htn. Pg. 345)

“Annabel Lee was my- what do I call her? Guide? Friend? I’d hope so… [...] She was the first Resurrection. She was my Adam. As the dust settled and I beheld what was left and what was gone, I was entirely alone. The world had been ended, Harrowhark. One moment I was a man, and the next moment I was the Necrolord Prime, the first necromancer, and more importantly, a landlord with no tenants. [...] I was dazed… I was bewildered… and she was my defender and my sole companion, and my colleague in the scholarship of learning how to live again. It was bloody difficult. I had never been God. [...] She lived to see what happened at Canaan House. Not that she took much interest. My first Resurrection was not a normal human being, Harrow, and she struggled to pretend. Anger was her besetting sin. We had that in common. And when the cost of Lyctorhood was paid, when the emotions were at their peak… we found out the price for our sin. The monstrous retribution. To be chased for our crime to the ends of the universe, to have our deed stain our very faces and follow after us like a foul smell. She died after that first terrible assault.” - John (htn. pg. 346)

"That freak would have gone for me already… she could never act human." -Mercymorn (htn. pg. 408)

the lyctors knew some amount of truth about Alecto's resurrection, likely that shes essentially a resurrection beast (htn. pg. 478)

"'A monster, John!' Augustine barked. "She was a bloody monster in a human suit! She was a monster the moment you resurrected her, and then you went and made her worse!'" - Augustine (htn. pg. 478)

Gideon & Pyrrha liked Alecto despite the fact that the other lyctors (at least Mercy and Augustine) didn't (htn. pg. 479)

One of the reasons the lyctors wanted her dead was because the RBs were partially coming for her (htn. pg. 479)

Appears to claim Harrow's body after Gideon "dies" in the river (htn. pg. 500)

notes from nona the ninth

"Sometimes, [...] I don't like when you do- the necromancy word- [...] -but it feels nice at the same time. It's mixed up. It's like when you do that, it makes me sad- not sad that you did it, but sad that you can do it." - Nona, to Palamades (ntn. pg. 65) 

"Nona loved the blue sphere as much as she loved everything else. She, and nobody else, could hear it sing." (ntn. pg. 125)

"'And I'm not scared of dying. Really truly, Cam, I'm not…' 'Why not?' said Camilla. Nona thought about it. 'Because I like letting go of the pull-up bars and falling off,' she said. 'I don't like the part just before you let go and I don't like the part where you hit the floor, but I like the letting go.'"- Nona and Cam (ntn. pg. 125)

"Dust of my dust- such similar star salt- what they did to you and what they wrung from you and what shape they made you fill- we see you still- we seek you still- we murdered- we who murder- you inadvertent tool- you misused green thing- come back to us- take vengeance for us- we saw you- we see you- I see you." - Judith, (as Varun) to Nona (ntn. pg. 164)

Nona likes Gideon's (originally Pyrrhas?? maybe?) sunglasses, but only so long as nobody wore them (ntn. pg. 165)

"then she told herself sternly, Stop it! If she was going to do it, she thought, she might as well do it. She had some vague notion that when you committed to a thing you had to do it all the way. Who had said that to her? Who had taught her that? Once you've stepped in, said the voice in the back of her head, you're in. This isn't the Hokey Pokey. She had remembered something- she had finally remembered something! Only she didn't have anyone to tell." (ntn. pg. 203)

"Nona had thrown exactly two tantrums in her entire life. She couldn't remember anything about the first one, but Pyrrha had told her about it. Pyrrha had been laughing with her mouth, but not with her eyes: her eyes had been very brown and distant and uneasy, as though this tantrum had reminded Pyrrha of something her brain didn't want to bring back." (ntn. pg. 275)

"'But you see, Palamades, I don't mind dying,' said Nona, trying to make him understand. 'I've been doing it for ages. I'm not scared.'" (ntn. pg. 289)

"'I am glad you did not tell us this. We had no idea there was any recourse from Varun the Eater's effects, nor any beast.' 'Its pure theory,' Camilla said curtly. "Something's being transmitted through the light spectrum. Absorption through the eyes is worse for the brain.' This made Nona think of something. It tugged at the edges of her memory and stayed there, nagging.'" - We Suffer & Cam (ntn. pg. 322) 

Nona says that she never liked her hands (ntn. pg. 357)

"She wanted to shout. She wanted to be listened to. She wished the barrier had taken her hands. She wished she had thrust herself into it- become that big seething mass of flesh and meat and tendrils- ruined her body, just melted it; come back messed up, so that nobody could want her body but her, so that it would be hers and nobody else's. This was a horrible thing to think. Nona hated herself immediately and fervently." (ntn. pg. 358)

She hates having just two feet (ntn. pg. 390)

“You were the noise that was everywhere. It was like trying to talk to someone down a phone line with someone screaming through a megaphone in the same room. You drowned everything out. You were so huge and so complicated, and you were screaming, You wouldn’t stop screaming, You were so scared. You were so goddamn mad.” (ntn. pg. 405)

“You were screaming. I wanted you to stop, I wanted… I wanted you. I wanted you like a caveman wants a wildfire… or the sun. I thought you were going to take me, somehow. Purge me. Use me as an instrument. But you didn’t say anything…I was babbling, Show me. Come on. I’m ready. You kept screaming and screaming… like a baby in pain. So I tried to hurt you- I did hurt you. I reached out for you, and it hurt you… but I wasn’t strong enough. The caveman. The wildfire. The Neolithic priest staggering in front of the falling star.” (ntn. pg. 407)

“I wanted to make you the most beautiful body I could think of. He paused and said: “But I was stressed, okay? I was insane. Most of what had made me John had gone somewhere else. There were a few little thoughts left…a handful of things that made me me… a couple scraps of id. It’s not fair to judge me, right? I didn’t do this thinking… I didn’t do it like art. When I was seven, you know, all Nana had to play with in her house was some of Mum’s old toys. And my favourite out of all of them…” He gave a long, shuddering sigh. “My favourite was her old Hollywood Hair Barbie,” he murmured. “I loved her little gold outfit and her long yellow hair. She was the best. She got to have all the adventures. [...]” He said, from my blood and bone and vomit I conjured up a beautiful labyrinth to house you in. I was terrified you’d find some way to escape before I was done. I made you look like a Christmas tree fairy… I made you look like a Renaissance angel… I made you Adam and Eve… Galatea. Barbie. Frankenstien’s monster with long yellow hair. He said, As the world went up I remade us both. I hid me in you… I hid you in me. And when we were together… once the shaman had claimed the sun… I became God.”- John (ntn. pg. 408)

“Do you remember what you said to me once I had done it? When we stood here together?” She looked at him and she said, “Yes.” He said- “You said, ‘I picked you to change, and this is how you repay me?’” She said- “What else did I say?” He said: “You said, ‘What have you done to me? I am a hideousness.’” She said- “What else did I say?” He said, “Where did you put the people? Where did they go?” She said, “I still love you.” He said, "You said that too.” - John & Alecto/Harrow (ntn. Pg. 410)                                                

Nona has some kind of blackout on top of the truck and something happens in that time that convinces Pyrrha of her true identity (ntn. pg. 413)

Also based on Nona’s reaction at that point, maybe Alecto didn’t like Pyrrha even though Pyrrha liked Alecto (ntn. pg. 413)

“She’s scared to die. You’re afraid of so many things, but she’s only afraid to die. Then when the disciples come to you and say the word Lyctor, she does not understand that they want the thing you did to her- she watches as you watch… watch them misunderstand the process.” - Harrow, to John, (ntn. pg. 434)

“In [Aiglemene’s] hands was a huge black-metal pike about the same height as her, with an edge that gleamed in the light. Nona couldn’t stop herself looking at that edge: for some reason it made her palms sweat, and the back of her neck itch again.” (ntn. pg. 454)

“I might not help you when.. I'm back," she said, not quite understanding I. “I'll be different. I'll remember everything. I'll remember the thing I'm trying to forget. And Palamedes-  I won't love him. I won't love Camilla, or Pyrrha, or Hot Sauce, or even Noodle. I won't love anything… I won't know how. I won't be me at all, or.. I'll be the me who knows the thing, and knowing the thing means I'm not Nona- I'm someone else." (ntn. pg. 460)

she recognizes the tower, and the devils (ntn. pg. 440, and 447, respectively)

“You let that monster out of its box," said Ianthe, "and you start us down a path nobody can save us from. If God truly wants her out… if Teacher set this all up… if he wants her…"  “Wants her? He told me to kill her. He said Make it quick, but kill her, said me with my blood could do it- said me with my blood, I was the only one… " [...] “He loves her! " Ianthe howled. “John loves Alecto - John needs Alecto! Without that piece of Goddamn fridge meat, he's nothing- and we need to keep him that way!” - Ianthe & Kiriona, accidentally prompting nona to remember everything (ntn. pg. 470)

“She had been taken down this corridor: she had squeezed through this crack in the rock- not a passageway, not at that point. John had told her he had something to show her. He had said, It's very pretty. You'll like it. [...] John loved her. She was John's cavalier. She loved John. For she so loved the world that she had given them John. For the world so loved John that she had been given. For John had so loved her that he had made her she. for John had loved the world. [...] She hadn't come on purpose; the scrap of black-eyed meat had asked for it- the chain of a kiss: the ice that burnt the flesh of the mouth that had stuck to the mouth that was frozen.The teardrop on the hand. The hand that John had fashioned. [...] John had said, It's so beautiful. Come and look. She had said, There are almost no beautiful things left. where is Anastasia? Let me talk to Anastasia. [...] Glowworms, she had told John. Technically beetles, said John, but I always loved them. Narrow beetles with long strands hanging off them- a carpet of shifting, dead, winking lights at the top of the grave. Greenish, orangish, yellowish, moving over one another silently with those long filaments hanging down. [...] And the water- the huge pool of real salt water, where she had knelt and drank- [...] John and she had swum to the centre hummock rising out of the pool. Not an island, not really. An outcropping. With the marble pillars, and the marble top, and the long low marble table. He said he thought it was a nice place to be. To lie down. She had liked hard things to lie down on. It was hard to endure having a spine.” (ntn. starting page 471)

“There she was; John had made her so ugly, so unbearably ugly. The terrible face, with the terrible arms and legs and the terrible middle part, and the terrible hair, and the terrible ears: the nose too short, the ears too brief. But there she was- and within her the child, asleep, with the strange sword. The sword- her sword- her own edge had been pushed out, her swinging edge, her toy. Her plain bladed sword. And her body was chained up…” (ntn. pg. 474)

“Then Alecto remembered the vow, and turned back upon the altar to face the second child and raised the sword with wrath in her heart, for they meant to bring destruction upon her. But when the black-eyed infant showed her countenance to Alecto, Alecto recalled her, for it was a face one dreamed in Alecto's dream. and Alecto stayed the sword.” (ntn. pg. 476)

“And Alecto said, Pyrrha, he laid me down as an appeasement to them; he fed you to them as an appeasement to them; but he has never appeased me, and now all he has done was teach me how to die." (ntn. Pg. 476) 

"Alecto said, I am very sorry about Samael. The child made no answer. Alecto said, I remember my vows. As I swore to Anastasia I swear to you. I am in your service until you bid me the favour, and whatsoever you appoint I shall perform, and consider the vow rendered. This is what I promised, until such a time as you deal with me as you see fit.” (ntn. pg. 477)

[thesecrimsonstrings-if]

Are the ROs onboard with getting married to the MC, both the versions of them. What about having children?

lawrence/ronan: definitely on-board with marriage and children. laurie will be a bit more reluctant than ronan on the children’s part because of the circumstances of his family, but once he’s reassured about you wanting a family with him, you’ll need to get ready though cause he’s not only going to settle for just one or two 💀

juliette/célia: célia? 100% okay with marriage, and although she’ll need some convincing on the children part, she’ll eventually come around. juliette is tricky because of the whole situation with viscount phillipe. but in the end, she’ll wholeheartedly agree to both as she does want to get married and have a family to her one true love.

A/S: S had a wedding outfit and names of your possible future children ready after your first date. as for A, it’ll be harder for you to convince them about both marriage and children as they strongly fear that it’ll cause their career to decline. unexpectedly angsty, i know, but give them time to come around to the idea and they will.

sugiwara/tachibana: sugiwara and their reincarnation have opposite stances on marriage: first one believes marriage is a lovely way to further connect two souls, while the other thinks it’s all pretty unnecessary but would eventually warm up to the idea. as for kids, they both aren’t too thrilled to have kids in a world like this (makes sense tbh) but reassurance and understanding will make them less likely to completely reject the notion.

[strangermarvelss]

second best- e.m (pt 2) 

Pairing: Eddie Munson x Cunningham!Female!Reader

Summary: with chrissy now off to college with her boyfriend, jason, eddie turns to you and wants to begin a relationship, making you feel a certain way about being his second choice.

Warnings: angsty angst, second choice, eddie being dumb, confrontation, crying, steve being the best mom friend

Request?: No

Word Count: 2.2k

A/N: i got the most amazing request to do like a little women type of thing between chrissy, eddie, and chrissy’s sister inspired by the jo, laurie, and amy relationship and i thought it was absolutely brilliant, so here it is! also i’ve aged chrissy up to about 19 and reader is 18, while eddie is 20 :) enjoy! -sava

part one | part two | part three

One week.

One week has passed by since you’ve seen your best friend. The man you’ve been used to sharing stories with during spontaneous sleepovers in his stain-filled bed and falling asleep on his shoulder during your movie nights. One week since that same man crushed your spirits, stomping and pulverizing them in front of you. No calls, no visits, just the empty house you’ve known since your parents brought you home from the Hawkins hospital. 

Your parents decided to extend their trip a bit with Chrissy overpacking and needing some more help getting adjusted to living on her own for just a little longer. You weren’t complaining, as with the circumstances that left you being alone overnight for the first time ever made you well adjusted. Plus, you felt as if you needed some more time to wrap your head around everything, and your parents finally coming home won’t help the headspace you needed to avoid. The comparisons would start the minute they walk in the door and the absence of Chrissy settled in.

As much as you loved your sister, it hurt to be constantly in her shadow. She was your parents favorite child, star athlete thanks to being captain of the cheer squad, and now going on to do great things at a great university, while you weren’t sure what it was you wanted to do with your life yet. You loved running the paper and being in debate club, but you weren’t sure if those would still stick with you once you walked the stage of the Hawkins High auditorium. That was what you admired most about Eddie, his determination and drive towards his ultimate goal.

He knew he was going to be a big rock star since he was in middle school, he would remind you and Chrissy of that any chance he got. He wand his band were going to take off any minute now, soar the charts and become overnight sensations, selling out a world tour and headlining every venue and music festival. You vowed the moment you became his best friend you’d be by his side and support him during his entire journey. Now, you weren’t sure that was still a possibility.

Being second best to Chrissy was something you had grown used to, but never did you think it would happen with Eddie. You had accepted the fact that a romantic relationship was never in the cards for the two of you, opting to stay happy and content with a friendship that couldn’t be broken by anything, at least, that’s how it used to be. But then he tried to kiss you and settle for you, as if it was just some thing that needed to happen now that she was off to college and out of Hawkins for good, settling for the crumbs that were leftover from the delicious Thanksgiving dinner. And it hurt.

It fucking hurt.

On top of everything, you felt as if you had no one to really go to about this. Only a few people knew about your crush on Eddie, and you had no desire to spill your guts about your dilemma at the moment. In most stressful situations you encountered, Chrissy was always the person you’d go to. Being your big sister, she always knew exactly what to say to get you to think clearly or point you in the right direction. But with this situation involving her directly, and her off at college living her new life, it wasn’t an option. So here you were, left to your own devices, a week of thinking and stressing about the future between you and Eddie, platonic or not.

You park the car in front of Family Video and make your way towards the entrance. The allotted time for the videos you rented to your movie night with Eddie was up, and maybe seeing your friends would cheer you up a bit. Steve and Robin always knew what to say to get your spirits high, or even higher if you just wanted to hang.

“Welcome to Family Video how may I-oh! Hey Y/N,” Steve greets you, his smile stretching from ear to ear. You return his smile, your lips tight and teeth remaining behind the barrier of your mouth as you approach the counter. You place the tapes in front of Steve and tap your nails against the surface.

“Just here to return those,” you say simply. 

“How’d you and Munson like them? I’ve been meaning to check out this specifically,” Steve asks, picking up the tape that had just began to play when everything went down between you and Eddie. You look down at your hands, trying to avoid eye contact with the man known as ‘the hair’.

“We, uh…we didn’t finish that one. Some stuff came up,” you let out lightly. You sigh to yourself as the silence around you and Steve begins to thicken. You hear the gears and ringing of the cash register as you continue to look away, all around the video store.

“Do you want to talk about it?” He asks you. You knew Steve had grown into quite the understanding person within recent years, finally growing out of the asshole popular kid who only cared about reputations and looks. You knew it had something to do with the kids he looked after, the kids you had grown closer to since they became friends with Eddie last year through Hellfire. You always appreciated his advice, but you were still in a funk about the entire thing, not in the mood for talking much.

“Nope, just need a distraction. Any new movies come in since last week?” You deflect. 

“Unfortunately no, but I know you said you wanted to finally check out the Star Wars trilogy, and the person who had Return of the Jedi just returned it, so I saved all three movies for you,” He tells you, reaching beneath him and pulling the three tapes onto the counter. You gasp and jump a bit, excitement surging through your body for the first time in a week. You were so thrilled that you didn’t hear the bell to the door chime, alerting everyone that someone new had arrived.

“Steve! You shouldn’t have. This is going to be amazing,” you exclaim, beating your fists in excitement against the counter.

“What’s going to be amazing?”

Suddenly, you felt your blood turn cold and shivers run up your spine at the sound of that familiar voice. You turn slowly to see the frizzy curls that you to fill you with as much excitement as just felt with getting to watch Star Wars. All happiness that you were temporarily experiencing was gone, taken away by the sheer sound of his voice.

“Uh, Y/N is going to finally watch the Star Wars movies, that’s all,” Steve says, trying to break the tension in the room. 

“That’s great,” Eddie says, faking enthusiasm. You hear his heavy footsteps walk around the other side of the counter and off to the horror section. You let out a breath you didn’t realize you’d been holding in, shifting your attention back to Steve. His features soften at the sudden change in your demeanor.

“Y/N, are you sure you’re ok-“

“Just ring me up, Steve. Please?” You mumble out. He simply nods and begins to process of ringing you out. You keep your head low, but every so often you watch Eddie walk about the store. You had no idea what was going on in his head, but his lack of reaching out to you made your heart sink. Did he not realize what he had done to you? Or did he just not care?

“Alright, Y/N, you’re all checked out,” Steve tell you as he passes you the tapes. He gives you a soft smile and you just look at him as you grab the tapes.

“Thanks Steve. See ya later,” you tell him quickly, before running out the door and towards your car. You’re quick to open the driver’s side door and jump inside, tossing the tapes gently on the dash. You jump out of your skin when you see the passenger door flip open, but quickly calm yourself when you see Eddie jumping in and slamming the door shut.

“Get out of my car Eddie.”

“No, not until we talk,” he tells you, his body facing you and eyes boring into you. You know you have to be strong and talk things out with him. He’s been part of your life for so many years, but he also broke your heart when he called you by your sister’s name, essentially settling for you while still thinking about her.

“Spit it out then,” you say coldly. Your keep your eyes ahead of you looking out towards the hood of your car. You hear him sigh and the clanking of his chains as he shifts around a bit.

“I just wanted to say I’m sorry,” he begins, letting out a sigh. “I know you probably hate me for what happened last week, and I’m sorry for the way things went down. I shouldn’t have had that much to drink and I shouldn’t have put your feelings on the line,” he tells you. His voice was soft and you felt as though it was sincere. You turn to him and look at his big, round, brown eyes, the ones that always left you in a puddle on the floor. 

“I could never hate you, Eddie,” you tell him simply. You watch the serious look on his face creep into a smile, his eyes gleaming at your words.

“Really? Good, because I was thinking-“

“I’m not done,” you tell him, holding your hand out to try to stop him. “Just because I don’t hate you, doesn’t mean I don’t hate what you did. Eddie…you really hurt me. The feelings I had for you, they were real and strong and clouded all my judgement most of the time. I thought I could handle you having a crush on my sister and pushing my own feelings aside in order to be your friend-your best friend. But when you said what you said last week, it broke me in ways I can barely fathom into coherent words. You called me Chrissy for crying out loud Eds,” you explain to him. You watch him nod and look to your floorboard, the look of shame and guilt you hadn’t seen much from him seeping into his features.

“Had?” He asks, quirking a brow at you.

“I’m sorry?” You question, confusion smeared across your face.

“You said the feelings you had for me. Do you not think of me that way anymore?” He asks, turning his body towards you once more and looking back into your eyes. You let out a soft sigh and shake your head.

“I don’t know. I’ve been in pain for a week and it’s given me a lot of time to think about the situation, how it all went down, and so many outcomes from how we can go on from this,” you tell him. You feel your eyes prick with tears and you swallow down a sob, the raw emotions coming from this conversation really hitting you. “I don’t think I can continue loving someone who doesn’t truly love me the way that I love them. Hell, I’m not even sure I can move past it and be friends.”

You watched Eddie’s face fall at your words, his eyes full of sadness and his jaw hanging open. He grabs your hands and holds them in his own.

“Y/N, please. I-I can’t lose you, I need you. Please just listen to me-“ he begins to say, but you’re quick to cut him off.

“Eddie, I’m sorry I can’t. Not right now. A-and I’m not sure when. But I do know I need you to get out of my car because I can’t take this anymore right now,” you explain, letting the tears race down your cheeks as you choke out the words to him. You’re breaking your own heart at this point, but it might be better this way.

Right?

“Y/N, please-“ he chokes out, tears of his own welling in his eyes.

“Eddie, please let me go.”

He slowly lets go of your hands and sits in the passenger seat for a moment, his head hung in defeat. You turn to look out the driver window, trying to muffle your sobs by putting your hands over your mouth and choking them back more. The passenger door opens once again and you feel the movement spread throughout the car, and the door closes softly. You watch as Eddie walks around to your side and hops in his van that was parked in the space beside you, starting his engine and speeding off down the road, not caring if he’d get pulled over or crash the damn thing.

You finally move your hands away from your mouth a grip your steering wheel as you let the cries escape the barrier that is your lips. Resting your forehead against the wheel, your whole body shakes as you let your true feelings out, screaming and tears streaming down your cheeks. No one ever said heartbreak was easy. Maybe it would for the best that Eddie wouldn’t be in your life anymore. Or maybe it wouldn’t.

[fortheloveoffanfic]

See How it Shines

Andy Barber x Reader

Summary: Twenty years after they went their separate ways, Andy and Y/n meet again- and they still have regrets.

Warnings: Infidelity, angst.

Andy remembers the moment he realized he was in love with her; the city lights reflecting in her eyes, giving them the most otherworldly shine and the shadows that stray tendrils of hair had cast on her face while the fragrance of jasmine tickled his nose. He remembers the way his heart skipped when the thought finally showed itself, like an impromptu encore from your favorite band or biting into spring's first fruit. Though, it was hardly surprising; some part of him must have always known- he must have always felt it, it just took realizing. Andy remembers feeling traces of her warmth permeating his shirt when she settled beside him, and he remembers exactly what it felt like to drape an arm around her shoulders- like he was holding the world in his embrace.

He remembers being so nervous to tell her that his heart felt like it was in his stomach; what if it was too soon and she didn't say it back? What if she simply didn't feel the same?

They'd only known each other for a couple weeks by then, a sure-fire way to scare her off would have been saying something of that gravity and he was suddenly so scared of losing her. So instead, those three little, weighty words became the world's best kept secret for two months. Two whole months, until they returned to that hilltop thirty minutes clear of the city, a place that had unofficially become 'theirs' in their brief time together. 

"I love you."

"What?" A gentle breeze whips her hair as turns to face him. There's a moment of horror that runs through him when he notes the shock on her face- has he read the signals wrong? Is it still too soon? "What'd you just say?" She rasps jaw hanging slack and eyes wide; he can see that all, even in the dimness. 

"I said…." Andy hesitates, realizing that it'll be his only moment to let fear win and retract his words. But he also realizes that he doesn't want to; he wants to love her. Or maybe there's no choice to it, maybe he's just meant to. Andy doesn't believe in fate but he does know that from the minute they'd  met, he'd felt like everything in his life made a bit more sense. He made a bit more sense. "I said that I love you."

Again, Y/n stalls, but this time, she breaks into a breathy smile that makes his chest feel all warm. "I love you too," she breathes. 

After a beat, he emits a relieved chuckle, "That's awesome." Its hardly the right word, but coming up with anything more in the moment seems impossible; there can't possibly be any one word that describe his euphoria in the moment. The overwhelming joy that comes with knowing that he's standing there with someone he loves, and knowing that she loves him back. 

She knows his worst secret- which he shared far too soon- and she still loves him. He thinks he'll cherish that moment forever. 

And now that moment- twenty years later- hurts to think about. 

But he doesn't really beat himself up over it anymore; there are more recent mistakes that do the job perfectly fine now. Parenting mistakes, marriage mistakes. Though, that never stops him from thinking what if;

What if he hadn't hurt Y/n? What if he'd married her instead?

It's usually around that time that Andy firmly reminds himself of two very important things; despite the events of their last year together, he did, and still does have love for Laurie- she gave him their son and they had a great life together; and that nothing good comes from dwelling on the past. 

That is, until he's looking the past right in her face. Suddenly, he's standing in the middle of the little apartment they shared near campus and her face is blotchy and tear-stained. He feels the same humiliation that he had back then and Andy swears he can hear the betrayal in her voice when she asks;

"How could you?"

Trapped in the memory, Andy doesn't manage anything until Y/n breaks the silence by daring to softly call out to him. "Andy?"

Stuttering, he attempts to shake off the thought, "Y/n," he breathes, "Hey."

Her shock softens to a pretty smile, "Hi. Oh my god." She  steps closer and he isn't sure who leans out for the hug first, but he is certain that Y/n is the first to pull away and put an end to their awkwardly stiff  embrace. 

Hugging her never used to feel like that. Y/n's arms were always the place where Andy found the most comfort. A harbor in the storm, a safe place to land. And she was used to be so much more comfortable in his; no invisible walls, no reluctance to lean in. No space between their chests.

Then again, that was all twenty years ago, before he'd gotten someone else pregnant a couple weeks shy of their second anniversary. 

"I can't believe it's really you."

He matches her faint grin, "Neither can I- believe it's you, I mean. God," he huffs, rubbing the back of his neck wearily, "It's been too long."

Y/n's expression falters and she shrugs, "I guess, yeah." He doesn't miss the way she swallows thickly and it's enough for him to realize that all isn't as well as he'd first thought- not that he can blame her. He's still the guy that broke her heart and she's still the woman he brought to tears with his stupidity. 

"Um…." She shakes her head when a brief period of awkward silence stretches on, "How….how have you been? I read about your….." Y/n trails off again and he gets the sense that she doesn't really want to finish the sentence; if talking to people when his son was accused of murder was strange, talking to them after he died was even worse. There's always the most palpable pity in their eyes that makes Andy feel uncomfortably vulnerable. "I'm sorry," waving her hand dismissively, Y/n frowns a little, "I shouldn't have-"

"No, it's alright," Andy promises, "I'm used to it."

"Not the kind of thing anyone should have to get used to," Y/n empathizes, "I meant to call," she offers, "But….."

"I know you must be busy," he shifts the strap of his leather laptop bag higher up on his shoulder and she does the same with her handbag. 

"It's not that," Y/n licks her lips, "I just….. didn't know what to say," she ducks her head and chuckles dryly, "It's been so long, felt like I didn't know you anymore."

"Feels like I don't even know you," her voice breaks and red rimmed eyes are brimmed with tears. 

Wincing at the memory, Andy nods. "Right," he clears his throat and as they settle into another bout of silence, he finds himself appraising her appreciatively. Somehow, she looks completely different and exactly the same- the maturity of a woman who’s lived an impressive life and the same sparkle in her eyes as the young woman that an idiotic college kid fell crazy in love with. "You look….really good," he blurts out, immediately regretting, "I mean like…..life's been good to you."

Really good. But he's already said too much. 

Y/n laughs at his comment, "Not that good. I'm actually here," she gestures to their surroundings, the bustling law firm in Boston, "To finalize my divorce."

Well now he really regrets his words. "Oh shit," he scrubs his hand over his mouth, "I'm sorry- I didn't know……" He scoffs, searching for the right words; what did people tell him after his divorce?

No one talked to him after his divorce.

"It's alright," Y/n waves him off, "Good riddance, right?" She laughs, but the smile doesn't reach her eyes and seconds later her face falls, just like it did when he'd told her what he'd done all those years ago, "He was…. cheating."

"Oh…..

"Yeah…."

"Look, maybe I should-"

"I don't think I ever-" 

In unison, they apologize for interrupting each other, and insistence on both ends, Y/n convinces Andy to finish his first. “I was just saying,” nervously, he scrubs his short nails through his scruff, “I don’t think I ever apologized for…..” Andy can’t seem to bring himself to say the words ‘cheating on you’, so he doesn’t, “What happened with Laurie,” he swallows thickly, “I never meant to….”

“Sleep with her or get her pregnant?” She finishes hastily, but there isn’t as much venom in her voice as there was when he’d first told her. 

“I was gonna say hurt you,” Andy corrects sheepishly, “I know its not an excuse but I was a dumb kid who didn’t realize what he had.”

Y/n's features soften and she sighs, “We were both dumb kids,” she flashes him a glimmer of a smile, “Maybe we just weren’t meant to be.”

Disquieted by the thought, Andy nods stiffly. For so long he’s thought of her as the one who’d gotten away, the one who he’d still be with if he could do it all over again. “Right,” he rasps, “Right. Uh-”

“Look, um, I should get going. It’s late and I don’t wanna keep you….” Her words petter off. Reluctantly, Andy hums in agreement. Though, after that, neither of them make a move to leave, at least, not for another thirty seconds. Standing in the midst of the ground floor of the bustling firm, he holds her gaze and he thinks he sees a melancholic combination that he often finds reflected in the mirror.

Pain, sadness, regret. 

“Well um…” Y/n’s tongue darts out to moisten her lips and Andy’s stare flickers to them for a second. He remembers kissing her like it was yesterday; her lips were always soft and her pink-tinted lip balm always reminded him of spring. “I’m gonna….” She gestures weakly to the door. 

“Right, yeah,” he drags his lower lips through his teeth, “Maybe I’ll see you around.” At that, Y/n smiles a little again and nods before stepping forward. 

She’s just passing him when he catches a whiff of her perfume, no longer sweet jasmine that had lingered on his coat long after he'd vacated their apartment but now roses mixed with something woody.

Then it hits him; it'll probably be the last time they'll be that close to each other. What are the odds that he'll see her again?

Is he really gonna let them part ways without saying everything that he’s been longing to? For a second time, no less. 

"I still think about that night," he begins suddenly, and they're still standing shoulder to shoulder when she turns to look at him quizzically, "That night….at our spot," Andy pauses, and when Y/n doesn't respond he continues, "I think about how sure I was that it was gonna be you for the rest of my life," he breaks their matched gaze to hide the shame in his glacial pools. He really had thought that, in his mind, there was an entire future all mapped out and sprawled before him. Finish law school, marry Y/n, work his way up the rungs in the DA's office, move to suburbs and start a family. For a damn long time, Andy had convinced himself that most of it was better than none, but as he stands with her there, he realizes that there's a lot he'd do to have the one thing-person- that was missing.

He has a lot of love for Laurie; she gave him their son and they built a home together, but there's still a flame in his heart that burns in Y/n's name.  

"And I think about how I regret not trying to fix things with you….all the damn time," he finishes after a beat, holding his breath for her response- or the moment Y/n huffs and walks off. 

When Andy looks back at Y/n, her eyes  brimmed with tears and just for a millisecond, they're right in that moment again; emotions running on high, shame taunt in his chest and tears raining down on her face. "For months I hoped you'd come back," she swallows harshly, "I stopped caring about how stupid it was to take you back- I just knew that I would if you asked. But you never did," her words are punctuated by a quiet sniffle, "Then I heard that you'd married her."

"It was the right thing to do," he quips, off-the-cuff, only to add; "Or at least, it felt like it was back then…..it was supposed to be. And I didn't think you wanted me back," he shrugs halfheartedly. 

She blinks quickly, probably to remedy the tears gathered in her eyes. "I shouldn't," the words are just an octave above a whisper, but Andy doesn't miss them. "I shouldn't think about you as much as I do," her eyes momentarily pans down to their feets, open toed heels now pointed towards brown, leather shoes, "I shouldn't…."

"But I do," Andy slips his fingers under her chin, tipping her face upwards a little. There's an urgency in his eyes when they meet hers again and he hopes that they elucidate his eagerness when he asks, "Would you get a drink with me sometime?"

"Maybe we should get coffee sometime," Andy suggests nervously, feet shuffling on the worn asphalt outside the campus library, hands buried deep in the pockets of a coat that he doesn't realize is soon going to smell like the perfume that caught his attention in the first place. 

Y/n knits her brows and Andy finally moves his hands away from her face and she cocks a half smile, "What about now?" 

Y/n huffs a chuckle, a sound that makes his heart race and warmth rushes to her cheeks. She carves out another moment to weigh his offer while adjusting the strap of her bag on her shoulder. "What about now?" She tilts her head slightly to the side and her eyes are slightly squinted, though Andy isn't sure if its because of the overhead, afternoon sun or because she's challenging him- daring to see if he really wants to go out with someone he's known for all of two hours. 

"Now?" Andy perks up.

He beams excitedly, "Now?"

Y/n licks her lips, "Yeah," she smiles softly, "Why not? Could be nice to….catch up, right?"

"Uh huh," Y/n breathes, "Why not?" 

Sucking in a breath, Andy has a hard time fighting the excited grin that threatens to split his cheeks, "Couldn't think of a reason if I tried," he offers and she laughs softly, the way she always used to at his awful jokes. He'd never been funny- Andy had never been a lot of things, but Y/n always saw the best in him.

And he'd shown her his worst.

But he won't again; he's hardly going to allow himself to get carried away and think that a couple drinks will change everything, but it's a start and that's better than pining. 

"Alright, let's do it," he squares his shoulders and despite the shine in her eyes making butterflies flutter in his stomach, he finds the confidence to offer his arm. 

"Good." When she links her elbow with his, Andy sucks in a breath, hoping Y/n doesn't feel the nerves radiating off him. 

Taking a chance, while still maintaining some distance between them, he lays his hand in the small of her as they turn to head out of the building together, and surprisingly Y/n doesn't stiffen at the contact that time. "Great," she briefly glances up at him, allowing Andy to revel in that shine again- the one that dances in her eyes when she's in a good mood. The one he's been yearning to see. 

[goldencherriess]

Soulmates.

Masterlist || Main masterlist

Pairing: Young! Remus Lupin x McKinnon! Fem! Reader

Word count: 3.5k

Summary: Y/N McKinnon and Remus Lupin are the definition of soulmates. Best friends since forever, they know each other to the smallest detail. But a Wizarding War threatens to tear them apart.

Warnings: canon-compliant, major character death (oops!), angst, fluff, best friends to lovers, love confessions, soft eyes, lots of hand holding, Jily

"What's a soulmate?"

"It's, uh, well it's like a best friend but more."

Y/N McKinnon was a soft soul. Remus knew this much, from the twinkle in her eyes to the shy smile on her lips. He knew that she was quieter than her sister, Marlene, but was never afraid to voice her beliefs. He knew that she liked to read classics, burrowing them from him. She always returned them as though they hadn't even been read feverishly. And he also knew that she was a lover of jasmine tea and of stars. 

And she was also his best friend. 

“Do they end up together?” she asked one morning as she sat beside him in The Great Hall. 

Remus frowned. “Who?” he replied, putting down the still steaming cup of tea on which he was sipping. The sweet aroma of jasmine still lingered on his tongue. Her tastes were rubbing off on him.

Y/N huffed, rolling her eyes as she did so and thrusting a book in front of his eyes. Curved, intricate letters spelled Little women. “Jo and Laurie.”

A crooked smile blossomed on his lips. “Do you really want me to answer that?”

“No,” she said, as she turned to put some toast on her plate along with a few eggs. 

Comfortable silence settled between them as Remus resumed enjoying his tea. 

“I think they should,” she eventually voiced, after biting down on a toast.

“What?”

“Jo and Laurie. I think they should end up together. They’re best friends.”

Remus’ throat tightened and it seemed as though the world stopped moving. Best friends. He told himself that he shouldn’t read too much into it, they were just discussing a piece of literature, but then Sirius’ voice popped up in his head (“You’re really thick, Moony. She fancies you!”) and he was suddenly hyper aware of his thigh touching hers, and of his elbow touching hers and he slid away a few millimeters just to breathe. “Right,” he croaked out. 

Maybe Sirius was right after all. 

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

“It’s the one person in the world who knows you better than anyone else.”

Y/N could tell from the wrinkles in his eyebrows and the dark circles under his eyes that Remus didn’t sleep the night before. It was often that she found him in this state, staring blankly at the flames dancing in the fireplace of the Gryffindor Common Room. She never questioned him, she figured that if he ever felt the need to support his weight he’d come to her, letting his tears fall onto her shoulders. 

She was patient, sitting beside him on the couch and watching his chest rise and fall with every breath he took. She counted them, listening in to his breathing and to the crackling of the fire. 

At the tenth one, he spoke up, his voice resembling that of a broken glass. “I’m sorry.”

Y/N let her eyes roam across his side of the face. There were a few new scars slashing across the freckles. “What for?” she replied quietly. 

Remus’ shoulders slacked. He opened his mouth to reply but no word came out. 

“You don’t have to say anything. I know you’re going through something.” She let her cold hand fall against his warm one. He was always the one with the warmest hands.  “Take all the time you need, Rem. I’m not going anywhere. Whenever you need me, I’ll be here. Always here.”

Remus thought at that moment that he was lucky to have her. He wanted to tell her that, but words failed him. So, he settled on giving her a kiss on her forehead. A waft of roses tickled his nostrils and he immediately recognized her shampoo. Sweet and soft. Just like her. 

She smiled, squeezing his hand. “I brought you something.”

Remus chuckled, turning his hand to wrap his fingers around hers. He was pretty sure his heart would burst out of his chest anytime now. “Really?”

She hummed, getting something out from her pocket. A silver wrapper rustled in her free hand, glimmering against the orange of the flames. A saccharine smell rose and enveloped them both. Chocolate. “I know how much you love chocolate and I saw how down you looked this whole day, so I just bought some from Honeydukes.” 

Remus felt his blood rushing to the top of his head, his hands got all clammy and he feared that Y/N would figure him out. He lifted his eyes to meet hers. She bore a soft smile on her lips. “Wanna share?” he asked.

“I’d love to.”

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

 “It's someone who makes you a better person. Actually, they don't make you a better person, you do that yourself - because they inspire you.”

More than once, Y/N found that being with Remus made it all so much easier. Being with him erased the tumultuous barriers of the approaching Wizarding War. The Daily Prophet brought dark news every morning. She usually skimmed through those, before giving the newspaper to Remus, knowing he’d read it thoroughly. She’d then turn to exchange some girly gossip with Lily, Marlene and Dorcas (“Potter asked me out again,” Lily would say for the fourth time that week). Afterwards, Y/N would turn to throw a smile towards Remus, just so he could know she was still there with him. 

This time though, she gripped the newspaper until her knuckles turned white. More than three muggle attacks occurred in the past few days and she was growing anxious. Remus got ahold of the newspaper, lowering it before lightly touching her hand. “Hey, you alright?”

“Do you ever wonder if we’ll turn out like him?”

Remus dropped his gaze to the headline of the Daily Prophet: “He Who Must Not Be Named strikes again, dark forces on the rise.”

“No. Do you?”

“Sometimes,” she sighed, slowly letting the newspaper fall into Remus’ hand. 

His eyebrows furrowed. “Why?”

The newspaper was now on the table in front of them, the headline screaming at her, black letters taking up most of the page, a moving picture with houses on fire staring at her. “I’m just afraid that one day I won't be able to recognize myself. That I will look into the mirror and see a stranger, that things beyond my power will change me.”

Remus’ voice reached her ears in the form of a soft whisper. “I’m sure that’ll never be the case, Y/N.”

She turned to look at him, eyes glossy. “How can you be so sure?”

He smiled, meeting her gaze. “Because I know you. You’re one of the kindest people I know. If you are ever to get lost, I’m sure you would find your way. And if you don’t, I’ll be there to guide you.”

Her smile mirrored his, cold hands meeting warm ones. 

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

“A soulmate is someone who you can carry with you forever.”

Years passed and soon enough, Y/N received the wedding invitation of James and Lily. The redhead delivered it to her in person, insisting she had to tell her something. Marlene was off to the Ministry with some work that day, while their parents were taking the tea in the back garden. She was just putting another kettle on, intending to make jasmine tea for herself, when Lily apparated at her doorstep. A knock was heard at the door, and Y/N was pulled from her wandering thoughts. She took wide strides, passing the moving pictures on the walls of her and her sister from when they were little, and opened the door. A kind smile and a mop of red hair greeted her. 

“Lily! Hi! Come in, I was just making tea!” she said as she hurriedly hugged her. 

“Thank you,” replied Lily entering the house and taking a seat on the couch. 

“I’ll be right back! You sit here, alright?” said Y/N, just as she took off towards the kitchen. She pulled out two cups from the cupboard, intricate flowers gleaming on the porcelain. The kettle whistled and she took it off the stove, pouring the tea in each cup. The sweet aroma of jasmine enveloped her in warm embraces. “Would you like sugar or milk for your tea?” she yelled, hoping that Lilly heard her.

“Just sugar for me, please! Two cubes!”

“Coming right up!” She put two cubes in Lily’s cup and three in hers, before she turned to leave the kitchen, hands holding steaming cups. 

“How’s Marls?” Lily asked as she saw her entering the living room. 

“Oh, she’s alright. Busy with work. How’s James?” Y/N smiled as she took a seat across from her, in an old armchair. 

At that, Lily blushed and gave her the envelope she was hiding in the pockets of her dress. Y/N threw her a confused look, before opening it, sparkling paper soft against her hands.

James Potter and Lily Evans cordially invite you to their wedding

Y/N gasped, before looking up at Lily, meeting her emerald gaze. “Oh, Lily! This is amazing! Congratulations!” Her gaze slipped towards Lily’s left hand, wondering how she didn’t notice the ring sparkling there. The stone had the same colour of her eyes. Emerald. 

“I want you to be my maid of honour, Y/N,” Lily replied with eagerness, taking ahold of Y/N’s hands. “Please, will you be my maid of honour?”

“Of course I will!”

And this is how Y/N found herself giving the Maid of Honour speech in front of one hundred people (most of the guests were from James’ side, family and relatives. Lily only invited her sister, who unfortunately didn’t show up). She was growing hot under the attentive gazes of everyone, her dress starting to itch. Her eyes slipped across the crowd, until they met with honeyed ones. Remus. Her best friend. He gave her a reassuring smile. She cleared her throat. “I’m not going to say much. There isn’t really much to be said, when everyone can see how hopelessly in love they are with each other. I’m only going to say that I had the honour to see how their love blossomed, it took James six years to finally get a date with her, and another three to marry her but he did prove to be successful.” The crowd roared in laughter. Y/N’s eyes didn’t stray away from Remus. “Here’s to forever!”

The guests whooped and clinked their champagne glasses together, while Y/N got off the stage, knees buckling. Remus met her halfway, touching her arm. He was bearing a wide smile, his eyes twinkling under the low light. “That must have been the shortest Maid of Honour speech I have ever heard.”

She rolled her eyes. “How many did you actually hear?”

“Honestly?”

“Yeah.”

“None. Yours was the first.”

She smirked before a slow song started to play, couples shuffling to the dance floor, champagne long forgotten. James was bowing to Lily, asking for a dance and she laughed before getting ahold of his elbow and dragging him to the dance floor. Y/N smiled at the sight before turning to look at Remus. 

He looked so achingly beautiful. His sandy hair was ruffled from the many times he ran his hands through it, honey eyes shining under the fairy lights, white shirt unbuttoned at the top and tie loosened. He was softly smiling at her and she felt herself melting. “Would you like to dance?”

She blinked before nodding. “Yeah,” she whispered, but she was pretty sure he heard her nonetheless. His warm hands touched her cold ones, guiding her towards the dance floor while walking backwards, not once taking his gaze off of her. They stopped at the edge of the dance floor, one of his hands slipping to hold her waist, the other still gently touching hers. He started leading them in a slow dance, humming under his breath. 

It must have been the champagne getting to her head, because she found herself boldly asking the question that’s been plaguing her mind for years now. “Do they end up together?”

Remus twirled her before holding her closer. “Who?”

“The best friends.”

“You mean Jo and Laurie?” he asked, remembering their conversation from a few years ago.

“No, I mean us.”

Remus’ breath was caught in his throat. His hand tightened around her waist. “Do you want us to?”

She sighed, before meeting his gaze. “I thought I made this obvious, Rem.”

He blinked in an attempt to clear his mind. “When?”

“During our school years. Everyone caught on, except you.”

He suddenly felt out of focus. The lights were blinding him and he felt his feet dancing on nothing. The only thing grounding him was Y/N. “How long?” he found himself speaking up, his voice foreign to him.

Y/N remained silent for a second in his arms. “I think it must’ve been the third year.”

Remus almost choked. “Oh, love, we could have saved so much time,” he replied, before leaning down to capture her lips with his. She was softer than he ever imagined, her signature roses shampoo reached him in waves, getting him drunk and lightheaded. There was a hint of jasmine lingering on her lips and he almost melted when she wrapped her arms around his neck, bringing him closer. He pulled away to catch his breath, before leaning his forehead against hers. He was still drunk on jasmine and roses. “Forever?”

She smiled against him, pecking his lips. “Forever.”

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

“It's the one person who knew you and accepted you and believed in you before anyone else did, or when no one else would.”

Dawn was just breaking through when Remus Lupin stumbled through Y/N McKinnon’s front door, blood seeping through his shirt. She was awake, thoughts and worries of The Wizarding War weighing her down. She was just putting a kettle of jasmine tea on the stove when she heard Remus’ harsh breathing and screaming of pain. She stumbled out of the kitchen, knees melting at the sight of him so disheveled. “Merlin, what happened?!” she said as she rushed to him, supporting his weight on her shoulders and guiding him to the couch. She gently lowered him on the soft pillows. 

He breathed in through his nose, wincing when his back made contact with the pillows. 

“Stay right here, I’ll bring some water and a towel to clean those wounds for you, alright?”

He nodded in response but she was long gone. He let his eyes wander through the living room, gaze catching sight of several moving childhood pictures of Y/N and Marlene. There was one in which little Y/N was biting down on little Marlene’s golden hair. The sloshing of water and the rapid steps of Y/N brought his attention back to her. She knelt beside the couch, unbuttoning his crimson shirt and wetting the towel into the bucket of water. Her hands were shaking. She was trying to hide it, but Remus still saw. “This is gonna sting,” she mumbled, a tremor in her voice. 

The wet and cold towel touched his slashing wounds on his chest and Remus felt as though a thousand needles pierced his skin. He hissed through his teeth. “I know, I know, I’m sorry,” said Y/N worriedly. “How did this even happen?”

He shyly met her gaze. “It was a full moon last night.”

Remus expected her to react differently, to widen her eyes and back away from him, to kick him out of her house, to break up with him. Instead, her eyes saddened considerably, casting down to the wounds. “Oh.”

He was surprised he found the courage to speak up. “Do you– do you think less of me now?”

She raised her head in a whiplash, eyes wide. “Why would I? You’re still my Rem, are you not?”

Remus’ lips parted and he stared at her, taking in her wild hair and noticing her tired eyes. Somehow, she still looked beautiful. “I love you,” he blurted out. “I love you, Y/N.”

She released a breath, leaning down towards him. Her lips met his in a short lived kiss. “I love you,” she replied just above a whisper. “I always will.”

The smell of jasmine traveled all the way from the kitchen to the living room, embracing them both in a sweet blanket of aroma. 

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

“ And no matter what happens, you will always love them. Nothing can ever change that.”

The Order of the Phoenix was meeting for the third time that month. Remus bore a skipping in his steps, despite the weight on his shoulders.  He would see Y/N again after a whole two weeks of not seeing each other. He left for a mission, while she remained in London, a promise held between them. He apparated at the Order’s Headquarters, before knocking on the door. 

“Password?” Alastor Moody's voice came through.

“Lemon sorbet.” Albus Dumbledore was in charge of the passwords.

The door was opened for him and he greeted Moody with a smile. The man just acknowledged him with a nod of his head. “Come on in. The rest are inside.”

Remus advanced through the dark, dingy house before entering the rather poorly furnished living room. His smile weakened at the heavy atmosphere in the room. Everyone looked sullen at best. His gaze searched for Y/N but he didn’t find her.

“Where’s Y/N?” he asked, a worry starting to seep into his voice. 

“You haven’t heard?” a glossy eyed Lily asked him.  

“Hear what? And where’s Marlene? I don’t see her either.”

“The McKinnons are gone, Moony,” James spoke up, coming near him.

Remus awkwardly laughed. “Gone where? They stayed in London, didn’t they?”

“They’re dead, mate,” a tired Sirius said. “Voldemort got to them.”

Remus felt as though someone stole the earth from under his feet. The room was darkening around him, spinning in circles. His chest tightened and his vision stung and clouded. “No, that can’t be. Just two weeks ago, they were here. I talked to Y/N, she promised we’d get a house somewhere in the countryside and I promised her I’d buy her a proper ring and we’d–” his voice left him. “And Marlene too?”

No one answered him. It was understood. 

He fell into a dusty armchair and cried. He let the darkness cloud his mind. 

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

1995

Harry Potter was following his godfather in an abandoned waiting room at the station. “Sirius, what are you doing here?! If somebody sees you–”

Sirius turned to look at Harry. “I had to see you, didn’t I?”

“I don’t want to see you get shut in Azkaban,” Harry replied, taking a seat beside him on an old, tattered bench. 

Sirius waved him off. “Oh, don’t worry about me.” He reached into the pocket of his old coat, which reeked of naphthalene. “Anyway, I wanted you to have this.” He handed him a yellowed photo. Familiar faces smiled up to him. Harry took it in his hands and studied it, recognizing his parents. “The original Order of the Phoenix,” Sirius went on explaining. He pointed to a blonde in the corner of the photo. “Marlene McKinnon. She was killed two weeks after this was taken. Voldemort wiped out her entire family. That’s her sister right there, Y/N.”  Harry’s eyes took notice of a petite woman, holding onto Remus’ hand and smiling up to him, before turning towards the camera. Remus leaned down to plant a kiss on her forehead before posing for the camera. 

“Did Remus know her?” he asked, although he already knew the answer. 

He heard Sirius sigh beside him. “Oh, yes. They were the best of friends. Soulmates. It broke him the day she died.”

Harry’s gaze slipped towards a couple in which he saw too much of his housemate and herbology enthusiast friend. “Neville’s parents,” he acknowledged. 

“They suffered a fate worse than death, if you ask me,” replied Sirius. He then smiled sadly, looking at the photograph image of Lily and James Potter. “It’s been fourteen years and still a day doesn’t go by when I don’t miss your dad.”

Harry regarded the photo a few more moments, a pang in his heart at the sight of his parents happily together and still alive. “Do you really think there’s going to be a war, Sirius?”

His godfather pondered the question, before replying slowly. “It feels like it did before.”

The raven haired boy went to give him back the photo, but Sirius beat him to it. “You keep it! Anyway, I suppose you’re the young ones, now.”

Harry smiled, looking down once more at the forgotten faces of the original members of the Order of the Phoenix, his eyes again catching the sight of a red faced Y/N and a smiling Remus, before putting the photograph in his pockets. The Hogwarts Express was announcing its departure.

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

A/N: Hello! Thank you so much for reading! Just for reference, the soulmate quote isn't mine, it's from a TV show called Dawson's Creek, which I found interesting and sweet so I kinda built this fic around it.

The last scene of this fic used for inspiration is from the fifth Harry Potter movie, even though Alastor Moody is the one who shows Harry the photograph of the original Order of the Phoenix, not Sirius, but it was more accessible to me this way because I haven't reread the books in a long time.

Let me know your thoughts! Every kind of feedback is highly appreciated!

Also, if you'd like to be added to my tag list, just comment under this post or send me an ask! Lots of love xx

Tag list: @bohemianrhapsody86 @andreead

[justmeandmyships]

Things that lLittle Women 2019 got wrong (Ofc Amy and Laurie related):

First of all, let me clarify that I LOVE Little Women 2019. It's my favorite version of all time, specially bc it's the first time someone tried to give justice to Amy and Laurie storyline, however this version still fell short in some ways, that I hate and just help to perpetuate the long false story of "Laurie settled down with Amy":

Laurie and Amy meeting in Europe: In the movie Amy is the one who sees Laurie and jumps after him. She is the one who was hoping for him to find her at the hotel.Also after they stop talking Laurie returns to his sad walking.

In the book this never happened. Actually It's Laurie the one who comes back to life after he sees Amy. He is the one who starts waving his hat aggressively hoping for Amy to notice him:

"The quick trot of ponies' feet made him look up, as one of the little carriages, containing a single lady, came rapidly down the street. The lady was young, blonde, and dressed in blue. He stared a minute, then his whole face woke up, and, waving his hat like a boy, he hurried forward to meet her."

He is the one who claims that he couldn't find them and care about it, because Amy never asked and he started talking about it:

Amy: "How is your grandfather? When did you come? Where are you staying?"

Laurie: "Very well—last night—at the Chauvain. I called at your hotel, but you were all out."

(Like my boy nobody cares and she didn't ask you if you looked for her or not 😭😭😭)

In fact He stayed with her that afternoon helping her with everything she had to do that day meanwhile thinking how much she changed and how gorgeous she is:

"Laurie did not read all this while he watched her feed the peacocks, but he saw enough to satisfy and interest him, and carried away a pretty little picture of a bright-faced girl standing in the sunshine, which brought out the soft hue of her dress, the fresh color of her cheeks, the golden gloss of her hair, and made her a prominent figure in the pleasant scene"

So there wasn't no coming back to sad moment after he saw her. My boy was too intrigued for that. Please and thank you.

[morbidology]

Laurie Dann led an unassuming childhood, growing up in an affluent northern suburb of Chicago. She was remembered as being somewhat awkward and lacking in confidence. It's believed that’s why she completely altered her face with plastic surgery at quite a young age.

She attended the University of Arizona for several years but never graduated. While working as a cocktail waitress at Green Acres Country Club, she met Russell Dann, the son of a wealthy family. The duo were inseparable and settled down and got married in September of 1982. They moved into a large mansion - something that had always been a dream of Laurie.

Shortly thereafter, Russell began to notice some bizarre quirks about his new wife. For example, she would keep her makeup in the microwave, would throw money into the back seat of her car, and would put clothes away while they were still soaking wet. While the couple remained together for several years, Laurie’s quirks began to worsen and worsen.

Eventually, she completely stopped leaving the house and refused to cook or clean up after herself. The relationship was doomed but it reached calamitous heights in September of 1986. Police received a phone call from Russell. Somebody had stabbed him with an ice-pick while he slept and he was certain it was Laurie. In fact, a store clerk would come forward to say Laurie had indeed purchased an ice-pick just days previously. The ice-pick missed his heart by just an inch.

Considering Russel was asleep and didn’t see his attacker, the charges against Laurie were dropped. The couple divorced shortly afterwards. As the divorce was underway, Laurie’s ex-boyfriend from five years previously started to receive threatening phone calls from Laurie in which she claimed she was pregnant with his child. The harassment finally ended when his lawyer contacted her parents.

Laurie moved from the marital home and decided she wanted to become a babysitter but this quickly failed when she was accused of stealing from her client’s homes and slashing up their sofas, rugs, and curtains. Following this failed business idea, she moved into a dorm room on the northwest campus. This too fell apart when Laurie starred to hide rotten meat inside furniture as well as hiding rubbish in other student’s rooms.

In January of 1988, she moved to a dorm in Madison, Wisconsin, where she became known as “elevator lady.” Students recalled her riding up and down in the elevator all day long. Once again, she started to leave rotten meat around the dorm and would often be seen stark naked in the communal areas. A month after moving in, a dorm room was set alight. Many believed Laurie had caused the fire intentionally but with no evidence, she was never charged.

By now, Laurie’s sanity had completely unraveled and nobody thought to get her more suitable professional help. After threatening a fellow student and slashing his clothing, Laurie baked buns and injected them with arsenic. She sent these laced treats to several frat houses and homes in the area before making her way to the home of a former babysitting client, asking if she could take their kids to the local fair. She gave the two children poisoned milk. Thankfully, they threw it out after saying it tasted strange. The arsenic in the laced treats she had sent out was so diluted that it caused no damage.

From here, Laurie went to a local daycare and tried to set it on fire before returning to the former clients home which she then set on fire. They were lucky enough to escape out of a smashed window. By the time the family escaped, Laurie was en route to Hubbard Woods Elementary School. Armed with two handguns, Laurie started shooting indiscriminately as soon as she entered the building. She shot and killed 8-year-old Nicholas Corwin before critically wounding another five.

Laurie ripped off the bloody shorts she was wearing and tied a plastic bag around her waist. After fleeing the school, she crashed her car into a tree and then broke into the home of Ruth and Phillip Andrews. Laurie held the terrified family hostage for six hours, claiming she had shot and killed her rapist and was now on the run from the police. Phillip grabbed the gun from Laurie as his family escaped. During the scuffle, he was shot in the chest but managed to stagger into the garden.

Alone in the Andrews home, Laurie shot herself dead.

[harrowharks-iliac-crest]

Alecto

Characters

<< Previous: John | Masterpost

-

Alecto, the most important character who we know the least about.

Here are some theories:

She was an alien of some kind: she's been described as "not human", and a "monster". Monsterhood can take on different forms, so it's fairly nondescript. But she was certainly exceptional in many ways.

She could have been a genetic anomaly, human but not, and it gave her powers.

Was she already this wild, angry, powerful, nonhuman monster before John resurrected her? None of the other Lyctors knew her before John resurrected her, and fused with her via perfect Lyctorhood. At this point, she would have been enormously powerful, and possibly using this power willfully; she wasn't just herself, she was an amalgam of her and John.

Here's how John describes her:

He said, “It stood for a couple of things. A joke, mostly. I often called her Annabel Lee. Annie Laurie. When I first met her I just called her First, One. She had a real name, but I buried it with her, and nobody says it anymore. “She has been dead for nearly ten thousand years, but she keeps her vigil with me, as a memory, if nothing else … Annabel Lee was my—what do I call her? Guide? Friend? I’d hoped so…” You did not know how to respond to this. He did not seem to need a response. God said, “She was the first Resurrection. She was my Adam. As the dust settled and I beheld what was left and what was gone, I was entirely alone. The world had been ended, Harrowhark. One moment I was a man, and then the next moment I was the Necrolord Prime, the first necromancer, and more importantly, a landlord with no tenants.”

No lie, John knowing Alecto as "First", and "One", to me creepily suggests that she was a specimen. That John was some kind of scientist studying her. (Yuck.) Perhaps even a genetically engineered fetus he created and grew himself. I could be misreading this of course. She could be an alien with alien powers. She might not have been human at all, though compatible enough with humans to Lyctor with them and possibly even reproduce.

John says she was his first resurrection. The way he describes the event makes it sound like he needed all the energy in the whole entire universe to do it, and that this was what killed the First House, and all the other Houses that existed at the time, and the planets, and the sun.

Then there's this:

The dead corse of the Locked Tomb—the death of the Emperor—the maiden with the sword and the chains, the girl in the ice, the woman of the cold rock, the being behind the stone that could never be rolled away—said, in half-confused tones she had never taken with you: “I don’t know. I died, once … no, twice,” but then she had said no more.

(Hinting at Alecto the Ninth - the future book - continuing the trend of being told from the perspective of the person who knows least about what's going on.)

But she died twice - once presumably before John resurrected her (allegedly), and the second time - when she got locked away? Or was there another one? (Still convinced Alecto isn't dead currently.)

Was Alecto's resurrection the same incident, or a different one, to John and Alecto's Lyctoral Ascension?

And who was Alecto... before she died the first time?

The Alecto we see in Harrow's "hallucinations" is quiet, protective of Harrow, secretive. She betrays little emotion, but when she does, it's never... vicious, her spirit so different from Wake in this respect. She seems genuinely sweet, far from the monster we've heard described. Her presence is comforting for Harrow.

We've also heard Augustine say:

“My lord,” said Augustine formally, “you told us the truth about Annabel—about Alecto—because she knew the truth about it too, and you never could control her. Even after two centuries, I’m not sure she ever managed to lie. That was what stayed my hand for such a long time. How would you have asked Alecto the First to lie—how would you have persuaded that mad monster into even an unsophisticated con?” God said, “Don’t call her that.” “A monster, John!” Augustine barked. “She was a bloody monster in a human suit! She was a monster the moment you resurrected her, and you went and made her worse!”

So she couldn't lie, but still "a monster" who John managed to "make worse". But also maybe not the brightest? Excepting the Monster part, she sounds like almost more of a himbo than Gideon.

What powers did she have then, to be so frequently called a monster?

It's very difficult to tangle apart what's actually Alecto, which of John's powers are actually her powers, and which of her post-resurrection/Lyctorhood powers are John's.

I think John's tangy type of magic which heals instantly and puts him back together again from atoms after Mercymorn "kills" him, the power which makes people so compelled to talk and tell him the truth, that's actually Alecto's powers - as discussed in the previous post.

Her powers - hers, not John's, or hers being used through John - post-resurrection and pre - are not very defined, at all, but it is safe to say that she must be very powerful. If I'm right and the citrus instant-powers John uses are actually Alecto's, then she is quite close to being a necromancer herself. I don't think her and John correspond neatly to the necro/cav dichotomy.

The whole thing with Ortus and Nonius shows that words are powerful in the River and possibly outside. I think Alecto's powers are as such that even saying her name can invoke her spirit - which is why John doesn't want her name to be said, ever. I think she is still alive - and the ice and tomb and wards are there to keep her out, and keep her spirit from attaching itself to people and things. I think that's what happened with Harrow when she opened the tomb. Alecto doesn't need a connection to something, or someone, to attach herself to them. Or maybe Harrow's instant love for her was enough. Or maybe the love itself is a manifestation of Alecto's powers? Either way, she did not have to be related to Harrow, or attached to Harrow, to hitch a ride with her. An impenetrable ice cave warded to all hell - not even a mouse would have been able to get in. Probably, Alecto would have been able to possess a mouse and get her spirit, at least, out that way. This is why it was important to keep everyone and everything out of the tomb and lock it forever. Alecto's powers are on the same level, if not higher, than God's.

I think Alecto must have figured out first that resurrection and necromancy was an awful, horrible thing to do that would draw the wrath of dead planets and souls.

I think a lot of the plotting against the emperor is by her design, somehow. That when she "went away" from Harrow in the last few weeks of HtN, she was Doing Something, her soul connecting to the Blood of Eden, or the Resurrection Beasts, or something. It's been established by now, quite formly, that just cus someone's dead - or incapacitated - this doesn't keep them from having influence on the plot. At least for the past eight years, Alecto has been with Harrow, and therefore much freer in how her soul would roam.

I'm hella excited to find out what will happen with Alecto.

This concludes the character section; I'm going to briefly attempt to predict some plot and theorise about Nona before actually getting this liveblog back off the ground!

>> Next: Plot Predictions

[youreobsessedwithtoomanyfandoms]

You're Being Mean

Words: 987

Warnings: angst, probably poor writing but whatever

STRANGER THINGS Masterlist Main Masterlist

Based off of the line from Little Women "No. No Laurie. You're being mean. Stop it. Stop. I have been second to Jo my whole life. In everything. And I will not be the person you settle for just because you cannot have her. I wont-I won't do it. I wont--not when I've spent my entire life loving you."

This is literally one of my favorite lines from Little Women. Especially because of how Amy says that Laurie is being mean. She doesn't say he isn't being fair or anything like that. She says he's being mean. Which, to me, holds more power than if she said something else

I kinda left it open for y'all to decide what happens next. But if you would want, I could write a part two for this.

Anywho, enjoy

Y/N Wheeler had known Jonathan Byers and his family her whole life. Her and Jonathan had met at the park when they were about 3. They had been best friends ever since. Wherever one was, there other was there too. They were practically tied at the hip. Everyone found it ironic as their younger brothers were the same. When Lonnie and Joyce were fighting, Jonathan and Will would show up at hers. When Will went missing, she helped in any way she could. Including helping him shop for a casket.

But that was also when her twin sister, Nancy, started to be his friend. All because, what? He had been the last person to see her friend Barb? She found it unfair. Unfair that he had been telling his mom that Will was dead and then Nancy says something about a possibility that he and Barb could be alive and he believes her. She found it all completely and totally unfair to Joyce.

But of course, the worst thing was that she knew he had had feelings for Nancy since they were in Middle School. And now he had his chance, a sliver of a chance, but he still was taking it.

And it hurt Y/N. Not only because she had feelings for her friend, herself. But because per usual, she was second best to Nancy. It always had been that way. In everything, Nancy was better than her at. The only thing that Y/N was better at her sister was, was Softball.

So then, after Will was found, Y/N felt slightly happy that Nancy went back to Steve. So now her sister couldn't make her second with the one person that had been there for her for years. Just as she had been there for him.

But of course, a year past and Steve and Nancy broke up. Jonathan comforted and helped her while Y/N was comforting and helping Steve and the children.

And then that was done. Now it was nearly 4 years later. They all had graduated High School. Nancy being the fucking Valedictorian and Y/N the Salutatorian. Now it was 4 years later. She no longer lived in Hawkins. She hadn't even been back since she left. It was been nearly 2 years since she had last seen Jonathan Byers and now here he was.

Jonathan Byers was standing in the photography store he was interning at for college credits.

Jonathan Byers was in New York City and asking her out.

-

Y/N shook her head at Jonathan as he spoke, "Please, Y/N."

"No."

"Y/N/N--"

"No. Jonathan. Stop it." She brushed hair out of her face, "Stop it. You-you're being mean. Just...just stop."

He looked at her helplessly, "How am I being mean?"

She shakily breathed, "I have been second to Nancy my whole life. In everything." She jabbed at his chest, "And I will not let myself be the person you settle for just because you cannot have her." She shook her head and walked past him, "I wont-I won't do it." She stuttered out, "I wont--not when I've spent my entire life loving you."

His voice was soft, "Y/N--"

"No, Jonathan. Please. Please just stop. Please just go back to Hawkins. I'm sorry that Nancy rejected you after we graduated. But please, that was 2 years ago. Please don't make me reopen that wound."

He softly took her hand, "But I was wrong. Chasing after her when you were right there in front of me."

She looked down, trying not to cry. Trying to not show any weakness. "Jonathan, just go home. Please. I'm practically begging you to do so."

"Do you really want me to?"

She looked at him with tears in her eyes. Everything was telling her to bed him to stay. But she couldn't. "I love you, but...but yes. I do want you to leave. I want you to move on from me. From Nancy." She let out a shaky breath, "It's better if you do."

He nodded silently and walked to the door. His hand hovered over the nob for a moment before he turned back and walked over to her. And before she could even ask him anything. He kissed her. He smashed his own lips onto hers. And no matter how badly she knew she needed to pull away, she didn't. She allowed herself to melt into his kiss.

When he pulled away, he moved his hand up to wife away the tears that had fallen from her eyes. She looked at him helplessly. "Why did you do that, Jonathan?"

His hand had stayed resting on her cheek, "Because I love you. Truly do. I wasn't lying when I said I realized I should had never even tried to Nancy while you were there." He looked at her softly, "All that I'm asking for is one date. Anymore will be up to you. But please, just one date."

"I-I need time to think, Jonathan. Give me some time. How-how long are you in New York for?"

"Till next Wednesday. Here," He handed her a small piece of paper, "I'm staying there. And-and," He pointed to a number, "That's the room number."

She nodded and placed the small paper in her back pocket, "Okay. I'll give you my answer later."

He nodded and walked back to the door, "Even if you don't get back to me...I'm just happy that you're considering it."

She stayed silent as she watched him walking out. She stayed where she was until her boss yelled at her to get a move on. But for the rest of her shift, all she could think about was Jonathan and on if she was going to say yes or not.

And by the end of her day, she knew what her answer was. But she was just scared to tell him.

[drpeppertummy]

Love all the little stories you write! Don't know if you take these but here's a prompt I thought was interesting. Dan going on a long road trip with friends and constantly drinking the whole, just as there about to arrive they hit a rough patch of road full of potholes and all the bumps only makes Dan bloat even worse

uouuoou thank youuuuuu i tried its really tiny

[post-stuffing, bloating, tummy rubs]

"Hey, how long 'til we get back?"

"About fifteen minutes," said Laurie.

"Ugh, thank god," said Dan, rubbing their belly. "I can't wait to get this seatbelt off." Carrie reached out and patted their tummy. It made a tight thumping sound, like patting a melon, and sloshed uncomfortably as they forced up a burp. Dan had spent the entire ride snacking and going through mini cans of soda, and after a few hours of that, their little round belly looked about ready to pop. It poked out far over the seatbelt, straining with each breath and sloshing with each movement.

Suddenly, the minivan hit a pothole so hard it jolted everybody inside, and the GPS sprung from its mount and went careening across the dashboard. Dan's stomach groaned at the sudden jostling, and they held it with both hands.

"Jesus H. Christ, Laurie," exclaimed Sunny, scrambling to retrieve the GPS. "You only got one hubcap left, let's try not to lose it!"

"Fuck off, Sunny!"

While the two friends started up their usual bickering in the front seat, the road only grew bumpier, and the shaky ride dislodged another much-needed burp from Dan. The pressure wasn't relieved, though; it only seemed to be building as the decrepit road shook their tummy up like a can of soda. A tiny moan escaped them as their stomach fizzed and bloated, pushing out even further and stretching tighter under their hands.

"Hey, easy on the potholes, will ya? I think Dan's about to explode," Carrie chuckled, reaching out and giving her friend's belly a gentle rub. "Sheesh, that's tight. You okay?"

"I'm f-urp-fine," said Dan, although they could feel their tummy bubbling away. They could hear it, too, and so could Carrie, sloshing and rumbling loudly enough to be heard even over the bickering from the front seat.

"Sunny, would you get that goddamn GPS back on the thing?"

"What the hell for? We're home, you know where you're goin'!"

"I don't want it getting lost!"

"How does it go?"

"Look, you just stick it on there--"

"Hey, lovebirds, try not to crash the car," Carrie teased, still rubbing Dan's belly. Laurie flipped her off, and Dan broke out into laughter, their bulging tummy trembling under Carrie's hand as they giggled. It wasn't helping the bloating; in fact, it only agitated their already-taut stomach even more, and they let out another big burp.

"And you, settle down or you're gonna pop," chuckled Carrie.

[simpforfandoms]

i just watched little woman can a plese get a laurie/amy type situation where reader is barbara's sister and laurie is like dick

this is just a little drabble thing cause I’m to lazy to write a full fic but I might in the future, I’m just swamped with school right now

word count: 958

masterlist

.

Ever since he quit being Robin he hasn’t been around as much, much to your dismay. You miss his presence. A little to much to your liking. You might have a fiancé but at last, your heart belongs to another. You know it’s not fair to him, but you hope that in time you’ll forget about Dick and can bring yourself to love him. Though it’s been 2 years with him and you still do not love him the way you do Dick, you have faith that your heart will come around. Until Dick Grayson walts back into your life. Literally. He walked into the gala and asked for a dance, Dick being Dick, whisked you away to the balcony. He stops dancing once on the balcony and his demeanor changes from a playful to a much more serious one.

“Don’t marry him.” He states. Looking at you. Not as a question but as a command.

Not what you wanted to hear.

“What?” You say, shocked.

He sighs.

“Don’t marry him.”

“Why?” You say, your eyes almost squinting at him, darring him to speak.

He sighs.

“You know why.”

You shake your head furiously, closing your eyes, to afraid to look at him.

“No. No. No. You don’t get to do this to me Dick.” You say never once opening your eyes, afraid tears will well.

“Yes.” He states, reminding you of your petty childhood arguments.

You feel his hand reaching for yours, you instantly open your eyes and and move your hand away.

“No. Dick. Stop it. You’re being mean” your voice cracking as you speak. You lean your head back, to keep the tears at bay, “you don’t get to say that. Not when I’m finally happy with my life. Happy without you.”

You bring your head back to look at him in his eyes. Not caring if the tears fall.

Now it’s his turn to shake his head, “I know that’s a lie. I can see it in your eyes. You don’t love him. Trust me I know you, I can tell.”

“You don’t even know me anymore!” You shout, ”Two years have gone since I’ve last saw you. You are nothing more than a stranger to me”

“Don’t say that. I’ve know you my whole life. I’ve loved you my whole life.”

“No you don’t say that. I see the way you look at my sister. You have loved her your whole life.” You let out a quick breath, furious at him, “I have been second to Barbara my whole life in everything. I will not be second to her in love. And I won’t be the person you settle for just because you can not have her.”

You turn to leave but not before dick says one last thing, “it’s not like that!” His voice cracking, resembling his adolescence, “The love I have for you is different from the love I have for her. It’s you. You’re the one I choice to laugh with and to cry with. You’re the one I want to spend the rest of my life with. Everything I’ve done and will do is all for you. It’s you above everyone else in the world. I love you and only you.”

You sigh, looking him dead in his piercing blue eyes, a single tear dropping “Stop it. I won’t. I can’t do it, Dick. Not when I’ve loved you for eternity.”

With that you leave him there, staring at your back as leave to return to the gala. He can only watch as you are in another man’s arms. Maybe this is the last time he sees you. So he soaks it in no matter how much he longs for you to be in his arms.

.

He walks up behind you, dressed in all black, peering at the fresh earth piled on top of a new resting place.

“I thought you were with the titans” you told him, not even looking at him.

“I came as soon as I heard. We might have not been close but he was still my brother. Plus I couldn’t let you be here alone. Even if you despise me, I don’t despise you.”

A moment of silence.

“He could’ve been great.” You say

“I know.”

“Jason was the best of all of us.”

“I know.” He says putting an arm around you

“I’m gonna miss him Dick.” You let him engole you into a full hug. Pressing your head to chest. It brings you comfort.

You pull away, after a moment, wiping any tears that might have fallen.

“I’m not marrying him”

He turns to you.

“I heard about that.”

Before he can talk more you quickly say, “and you are under no obligation to say anything or do anything. It just didn’t feel right. We don’t need to say anything. That is that”

“Are you finished?”

You turn to him, to finally look him in the eyes, “yeah”

“Good cause now I can do this” he says as he brings you closer to him to touch your lips. He’s grabs your face, as a weak attempt to bring you closer than you already are. He can’t help it, he loves you, and he wants you to know it. It is like no other kiss you’ve had, it is fierce and passionate, as if he is trying to say a million words. It is a kiss of pure love.

You eventually pull away to gasp for air.

“That was nice” you say panting

He chuckles, “it was wasn’t it?”

.

*bonus*

“So you’re telling me you used my death to win her back?!?” Jason says.

“When you put it like that….”

“IM LITERALLY CUPID”

You just laugh glancing at your wedding band.