#'don't tell anyone that you broke a bone and we didn't take you to a hospital for it! they'll think we're ABUSING you and'

[fiamat12]

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGeEEE7Hw/

If every song is an easter egg about L, then explain this ☝️

You asked for it you got it. It's more powerful when you listen to the song and the version Anon provided is great because it has the song playing w/ the lyrics scrolling...

Ok now on to the bones of it:

#1 - This could have no deeper mean. Perhaps N just likes it because she's a CR stan, it mentions Gucci and she was at the Gucci show. I do, however, think N communicates in song and tends to be strategic which leads me to...

#2- N could be giving us another crumb. She keep tracks of sm, and knows that fans suspect L dumped A and is back w/her. The song reflects this sentiment. It talks about someone who is having a meltdown because they're kicked out, has to move back in w/ their parents, is getting called out because they're running their mouth and who is comical w/ the way they've burned bridges. I believe that is about A. But, there's more...

#3- In my previous posts, I talked about no evidence of A living w/ L. I still think she wasn't in the sense of being a live in gf, and I'll tell you why. These lines in particular:

"Wishing you the best in the worst way

Using your distress as foreplay

Six months since April and I'm doing better

No need to be hateful in your fake Gucci sweater"

I believe L friendzoned A back in late March/ early April (I have several previous posts on this) and A didn't take it well. We could see L & N getting closer and A getting more desperate. By papgate, things took a nasty turn; we can only speculate why L had to let A stick around, but it was likely to protect his & N's reputations, w/ A having an expiration date.

#4 - Now, six months later, A has expired and L & N are the ones doing better after whatever she put them through has come to end. Karma has come back to bite A as she tries to get back on her feet and her public image suffers. Thank goodness BTON folk are good ppl and wish her well on her way out... don't we now?!?

#5 - I could be totally wrong! This could be about someone else entirely or no one at all, which one may consider 🤔

Note: I do see there is a lyric about dating 18 yr olds. I don't think it applies as no song perfectly parallels. A is 23 so that would be more her age but I don't think it refers to L or anyone else N has dated since none of the other lyrics align.

Let's hear your thoughts... !!!

Lyrics below ⏬️

https://g.co/kgs/j1CzoDw

We broke up on a Tuesday

Kicked me out with the rent paid

Ruined my credit, stole my cute aesthetic

Who knew that we'd let it get this bad when it ended

It's comical, bridges you burn

If karma's real, hope it's your turn

I heard from Katie you're losing it lately

Moved back with your parents and date girls who are 18

It's hot when you have a meltdown

In the front of your house and you're getting kicked out

It's hot when you're drinking downtown

And you're getting called out 'cause you're running your mouth

Oh, God

And it's coming around, yeah, it's coming around

Yeah, it's coming around, oh, God

Oh, God

People say I'm jealous, but my kink is watching

You ruin your life, you losing your mind, you dyeing your hair

People say I'm jealous, but my kink is watching

You crashing your car, you breaking your heart, you thinking I care

People say I'm jealous, but my kink is karma

Wishing you the best in the worst way

Using your distress as foreplay

Six months since April and I'm doing better

No need to be hateful in your fake Gucci sweater

But it's hot when you have a meltdown

In the front of your house and you're getting kicked out

It's hot when you're drinking downtown

And you're getting called out 'cause you're running your mouth

Oh, God

And it's coming around, yeah, it's coming around

Yeah, it's coming around, oh, God

Oh, God

People say I'm jealous, but my kink is watching

You ruin your life, you losing your mind, you dyeing your hair

People say I'm jealous, but my kink is watching

You crashing your car, you breaking your heart, you thinking I care

People say I'm jealous, but my kink is karma

It's hot when you're going through hell

And you're hating yourself, I'm feeling myself

It's hot when you know that you're caught

And you're getting pissed off, it's getting me off

It's hot, it's hot, oh god, oh god, oh god

People say I'm jealous, but my kink is watching

You ruin your life, you losing your mind, you dyeing your hair (your hair)

People say I'm jealous, but my kink is watching

You crashing your car, you breaking your heart, you thinking I care

People say I'm jealous, but my kink is karma

[mrs-barnes-rogers-writes]

Pretty As A Picture - Chapter 8

Marvel

Pairing: Steve Rogers x Reader x Bucky Barnes

Theme: Soulmates - Feeling the connection as soon as you see each other.

Summary: When Bucky fell from the train, their soulmate was told he was gone. When Steve Rogers disappeared into the ice, their soulmate was again told one of her soulmates were gone. But she didn't believe it. Couldn't believe it. Committed to a mental health institute, she dies of a broken heart. That's at least what the hidden S.H.I.E.LD files say, but if that's the case than why is there a photo of her. A photo that shows her side by side two redhaired Avengers.

Warnings will be per chapter.

For this fic reader will be British, but let your imagination replace if needed.

Chapter Summary: The reader arrives and she has a plus one.

Chapter Warning: Mentions of blood, torture, medical procedures.

What happens next can only be described as organised chaos. Tony shouts orders at F.R.I.D.A.Y, telling the AI to open the gate and have the Med Team ready. Then he's locking down the compound, all appointments and meetings cancelled for the next 72 hours.

Bruce dashes to the medical wing as the others make for the nearest door. Tony, Rhodes, Vision and Wanda are in the air, and heading towards the gate you're currently stumbling through, the moment the door opens. Steve and Bucky are sprinting like they've never sprinted before. Natasha jumps into one of the many golf carts that are scattered around the compound, as Sam jumps in alongside her as she speeds off. Pepper and Maria wait anxiously at the door.

Tony and Rhodes get to you first, Wanda and Vision close behind. When they reach you, you've made it through the hidden gate and have somehow started to make your way up the grass bank. Pietro is now in your arms bridal style and Tony and Rhodes quickly realise you must be enhanced in someway, even if you are stumbling.

You drop to your knees a mix of exhaustion and relief as they reach you. Wanda whispers Pietro's name and runs her fingers through his mattered hair. You're clinging to him still as Wanda speaks to him in Sokovian. Steve and Bucky arrive next but you don't see or acknowledge them.

"F.R.I.D.A.Y scan them both, send all the results to the Med Team and tell them we're going to need two cradles."

Before anyone else has chance to speak your voice, horse and weary breaks through.

"He's had two lots of adrenaline, four shots of morphine, he's malnourished, he has multiple broken bones and lacerations, and his captors broke Geneva."

They all knew what that meant. When Geneva was mentioned by agents, it was to reference the Geneva Convention and how prisoners of war should be treated. You stating it had been broken meant Pietro had been tortured.

"F.R.I.D.A.Y, pass all that on to the Med Team."

You're still hanging on to him as Nat arrives, kneeling at your side.

"Sweetie, you need to hand him over. Let Tony take him."

"But I promised" You reply, "I promised I'd get him back. I promised."

"You made it sweetie. You're at the compound. Let Tony take him to the Med Team."

You nod and Tony takes him from your arms, Wanda kisses Pietro's head and Tony takes to the air. Wanda follows immediately. Vision follows but not before giving you a brief thank you. You watch them go as tears begin to pour down your face.

"She needs a medic." Rhodey says first, Sam and Nat agreeing. Steve and Bucky who haven't uttered a word since seeing you, remain silent and staring.

"I'm fine." You reply "I just need a minute."

Nat goes to speak again but you cut her off.

"Go to her."

"What? I'm not leaving you, and I'm definitely not leaving you here on the damn floor."

"Nat, she's your soul sister too. She's just found out her dead brother is alive. Go."

Nat looks unsure.

"We've got her." Sam assures, knowing that you're right. Wanda would need her.

"Please Nat, go."

"Fine, but don't let her leave." Nat instructs the others as she heads towards the golf cart.

"We won't." Steve confirms, finally broken from his trance.

"Let's get her up to the medics, it'll be quicker if I take her." Rhodes says.

"Her is here, and can hear you." You snark, "and I'm fine."

You try to stand but stumble. Bucky reacts quickly and shoots forward grabbing you, first with an arm around your waist and then lifting you into his arms, bridal style. You hiss as he lifts you and he reacts without thinking straight, placing a kiss on your forehead before muttering.

"Sorry doll."

You relax in his arms and look up and him. His eyes connect with yours and there's a whirling in your stomach, a tightness in your chest and an instant feeling of admiration, affection and love. Your body relaxing more as a realisation washed over you. You didn't know where you were, how you'd got there, hell you couldn't be sure of your own name right now and you definitely weren't sure of who this beautiful man holding you was, but you did know it was your soulmate. You let out a weak smile.

"Hey you." you said fondly, before going floppy in Bucky's arms.

You were unconscious and your heart rate was slowing.

Enjoy this fic? Fancy a cuppa? My Ko-Fi.

TAGLIST

@calwitch @slowlyshycomputer @paasrin @cjand10

[cottoncandyswisherz]

mine.

this is for @l0akkzz because she said do angst

exbf!chris x trackstar!reader

warnings: angst, kissing, swearing, very very suggestive/damn near smut

lil background info because i dont feel like writing all that: theyre in college and y/n runs track. y/n and chris used to date but they broke up bc chris cheated and y/n started dating chris' teammate but shes miserable. they hooked up a week before the story takes place and the chris told y/n to break up with said ex. savannah is y/ns friend thats trynna get with chris.

-

"why i'm still with him is none of your business. i am none of your fucking business, chris. what happened that night was because we were wasted. you said i could blame you, so this is me blaming you and telling you to leave me the hell alone. "

"but i don't want to. "

"are you a fucking masochist?"

"not usually, no. in fact, some might say i'm the exact opposite, but i'm ready for you to come to your senses."

"have you heard a word i've said? i want nothing to do with you."

"say that again and try to mean it this time." my mouth gets close to hers. i can smell the notes of coconut oil drifting from her hair. i can smell the mint rushing from her lips in fractured breaths. "unless... you can't?"

she glares up at me and there's so much heat beneath that honey in her eyes, but she doesn't push me. not even once.

y/n might lash out, but my mere nearness is causing her a shortness of breath. her chest rises and falls in a quick rhythm.

so i press my chest to hers. firm nipples glue to mine and the thud of her heartbeat slams and mixes with my own.

what the fuck is this girl doing to me?

why on earth can't i keep my hands off her? does she have witch blood? is she made of fucking drugs?

i reach my hand out and grip her throat lightly. barely any pressure. but enough to let her know who's in control.

"you're a fucking nightmare." she mutters, her throat working beneath my fingers.

"your nightmare." "i hate you." "i don't." "you're fucking crazy."

"about you." i whisper against her lips and claim them with a guttural moan.

she doesn't push away. she certainly does not turn her face or look like she's uncomfortable with the attention.

in fact, the exact opposite happens.

her lashes flutter over her cheeks as she groans, and i eat that sound teh fuck up. i eat her the fuck up.

i swallow her whole. teeth clashing, tongues swirling and lips chasing.

god fucking damn it.

i've been fantasizing about his last since last week. every morning, noon, and night. every goddamn second of every fucking day, all i wanted was to have a taste again.

but i didn't want to freak her out or send her running for the hills. i sure as hell don't give two flying fucks about that possibility right now, though.

i soak her all in, exploring, feasting absolutely drowning in her fucking mouth.

she tastes of honey, mint and pending fucking addiction.

i twirl my tongue against hers and i'm rewarded with her hard nips. babydoll kisses me as thoroughly as i kiss her, her fingers tugging on the bottom of my hoodie to keep me glued to her naked torso.

i roll her bottom lips between my teeth and nibble on the skin until she's whimpering, shuddering and fucking shaking against me,

give me more.

more.

fucking more.

i shove my raging erection against her and i can practically feel the heat radiating from her pussy.

she's hot. for me.

again.

"you're so fucking turned on for someone who claims she wants nothing to do with me." i speak against her perfect lips. " you're not drunk now either."

"don't mock me...." she breathes out even as her mouth seems to chase mine. "i would've gotten this way for anyone. it's called a physical reaction."

this fucking- i swear she's asking to be torn apart.

i slide my tongue down her neck and bite her collar bone, hard, then suck just as savagely, giving her back the hickey she hid for a whole week.

"stop it..." she grunts, shoving her hand against my chest.

only, she put not actual strength behind it.

i trail a path of bites to where her collarbone meets her chest. i pull her bra off, then i scrape my my teeth of her nipples.

she spits out the most erotic moan i've ever heard, and i jam two of my fingers down in her mouth then spread them against his tongue.

i need her to stop fucking talking and ruining every moment with her damn mouth.

my tongue swirls around her brown areola, then i tug the nipple between my teeth, sucking and biting until all i hear are the muffled noises spilling from her stuffed mouth.

"you like this don't you?" i move to the other nipple, sucking the skin around it, leaving a huge hickey before i bite down on the little bud. "you look perfect marked by me. my own piece of fucking art."

one of her hands is on my shoulder, pushing me away, but the other is in my hair, pulling me close.

she's a fucking conundrum, my babydoll, and i can't wait to break her into fucking pieces.

her body is stiff against me, but her tongue swirls around my fingers, and her teeth bite down whenever i nibble on her nipple.

i'm so drunk on her and her taste. so addicted to how responsive she is.

i can't fucking get enough.

not after one lick or two or a thousand. i want to throw her down and feast on her properly. i want to watch her shudder and whine and moan as i kiss every inch of her gorgeous skin.

i doubt she'd be thrilled with that idea, so i'll take what i can get.

my mouth leaves bites and marks all over her chest before i slide my tongue back to her jaw.

"you taste like my new favorite addiction baby."

she whines against my fingers and i remove them, so i can hear her intoxicating voice.

"you infuriate me." she tries to push against me, but i slam my hands against the locker on either side of her head, once again shoving my chest against hers. i'm so close. i can see that fire burning in her eyes.

more.

i smirk, staring down at her puffed out lips. "someone's mad."

"fuck you."

"baby, you know i love it when you talk dirty to me."

she grabs me by the throat, her nails digging ruthlessly into the sides. "you need to stay the hell away from me."

"no." i try to step closer and she tightens her grip until i can barely breathe. my lungs burn, and i can feel the veins in my neck bulging.

"i'm going to fucking kill you."

"mmm. i love it when you get rough."

"you think i'm joking?" her short acrylics sink into my skin.

"tell me more. your mouth makes me so fucking hard." i roll my hips and slam them against her again,

and fuck.

fuck me.

"i can feel your pussy though your shorts. you're wet babydoll. if i touch you, will i find you dripping for me?"

"you fucking-" she cuts her own self off and her fingers compress so hard they shake.

she's shaking. my babydoll, losing her precious control one layer at a time.

and what do i do?

trap her between my teeth and never let go. of course.

"you can fight me, can choke the life out of me, but that won't stop you from wanting me," i strain and wrap my hand around her throat on the hickey that's beginning to re-form. "you came here to stop me from fucking savannah. you weren't mad for her, you were mad at her. you didn't like the way she touched me, right?"

"shut up."

"you're pissed off at me because i let her touch me?"

that beautiful rage shines behind her eyes. but then she says the exact opposite of what she's thinking. "why would i care what you do?"

"always playing a role, doll. hiding, pretending. you broke up with him tonight? why didn't you tell me that?"

"how..?"

"he told me he was going through a breakup and was looking to forget during practice this morning." i try to get my head closer but she keeps me in place with her unyielding hold. "you did it for me, didn't you? you lost him because i told you to. no. you did it because you wanted to be with me. because you know i'm the only one who can give you what you need."

"stop dreaming."

"stop fucking pretending." i remove the band-aid on her thigh, revealing only tattoo she only kept hidden. my fucking name in black cursive letters. "stop hiding."

she shakes her head, but her fingers loosen around my throat. y/n isn't weak. sure, i'm bigger, but she has strength. the reason she let me touch her pervious times isn't because she couldn't stop me. it's because she chose not to stop me.

like right now.

her war for control breaks like ice beneath her feet.

i'm the lake waiting to swallow her.

my fingers spread on her sharp jaw, my lips an inch from hers.

"dont...." she whispers and it's shaky, breathless.

she clearly wants me. she's burning for it. her body language gives her away. eyes darkening, nostrils flaring, and fingers holding my neck so lovingly (though she'd argue otherwise).

but she's still fighting tooth and nail, still refusing to admit the inevitable.

"wanna blame me again?" i murmur against her skin.

a puff of air leaves her mouth and she nods once.

"then blame me all you want, baby."

i slam my lips to hers, taking what's mine.

because she is.

mine.

niyah speaks i hate this.

taglist: @mattslolita @mattssluttygf @muwapsturniolo @zniyadgaf

[eitaababe]

SOMEBODY ELSE !

— chapter 18. waiting for.

a/n — lowkey hate the way i wrote this but wtv

series masterlist. | previous / next

written portion below. —

"from me?"

you both stood still, your throat going dry. you'd never felt so elated yet confused in your whole life.

"yes," he breathed out, making his way over to you and hesitantly holding your hands. "i know you're confused. but i never wanted to break up in the first place, and if i could i would take everything back."

you stayed silent for a moment, unmoving. you wanted to trust that he was telling the truth, but you weren't sure what to believe of at this point.

"you know how we said it was a mutual break up?" you questioned, looking up at him to see him nod. "it wasn't necessarily mutual— i agreed because i figured it was what you wanted and i didn't want to lose our friendship."

wordlessly, neteyam's hand traveled to cup your face, his nose brushing against yours. "i've never wanted anyone other than you."

"then what are you waiting for?"

he chuckled, lips firmly meeting yours. you both smiled into the kiss, your arms wrapping around his shoulders, trying to pull him as close as you could.

neteyam gently backed you up against a wall, pulling away for a breath of air. "hey." he smiled, pecking your lips and resting his forehead against yours.

"hi," you giggled, "how ya doing?"

"pretty well, i've got this—"

the intimate session was interrupted by a knock on the door, the two of you sharing a scared expression. "shit— go hide."

"go hide? what are we, 15?" neteyam joked as you shoved him into your bedroom, you shouting at whoever was knocking at the door.

"hi, nows really not a–" you stopped yourself, opening the door to ao'nung. "what are you doing here?"

"i forgot my baseball sweatshirt here last time," he mumbled, not bothering to look up and meet your eye. "i just need it for practice cause coach said he'd make us run laps if everyone didn't have their sweaters tonight for hitting."

"oh," you sighed out, taking a few steps backwards. "i'll go grab it."

hastily making your way inside your bedroom, you grabbed the baseball sweatshirt laying on top of the bed, looking over to neteyam with a finger over your mouth, signaling him to stay quiet before running out the room, and shutting the door on your way out.

"here you go. bye!" you grinned, shutting the door on ao'nung and locking it, ear pressed against the door to hear silence, followed by the sound of footsteps walking down the hall, away from you.

breathing out in relief, you leaned back against the door, neteyam coming out of your room. "who was that?"

"uh," you started, playing with a bracelet on your wrist. "it was ao'nung."

nodding silently, neteyam walked closer to you, refusing to meet your eye. "that was his sweater?"

your heart broke at what he was implying, and you started shaking your head, grabbing ahold of his arms. "no, no, no, it's not like that neteyam, i mean he forgot it but—"

"so it was his sweater. in your room," he cut you off solemnly, grabbing his keys from the counter and tried to grab the door handle behind you. "look, i don't wanna get in the way of anything, if you and him have something going on, which i know you do-"

cutting him off, you pressed your lips to his, effectively shutting him up.

"you're not getting in the way of anything, neteyam," you assured, thumb comfortingly rubbing against his cheek bone. "i haven't- i haven't stopped feeling this way about you for a long time."

loving eyes staring down at you, neteyam pressed a gentle kiss to your forehead, his hand caressing the back of your head. "i haven't either," he admitted, smiling against your skin. "but i think we should give it some time."

"what?"

"ao'nung deserves some closure, y/n. you and i both know that," neteyam pointed out, resting his chin atop of your head. "i don't want to rub in his face that i have you, especially since you two were— whatever you were."

"okay." you mumbled, not too enthused about his plan.

"hey, it's for the best. i'll be waiting on you whenever you're ready to talk."

sighing stubbornly into the crook of his neck, you stood silent, before finally nodding in agreement. "yeah, you're right."

"i'm always right."

"shut up."

FUN FACTS !

— ao'nung was so confused when he didn't see neteyam inside the dorm

— lo'ak's been texting neteyam and freaking out cause he isn't responding

— violet's been sending neteyam dms and he's been ignoring them

—

taglist #1 / closed ! @n7ytiri @ilovejakesullysdick @possysblog @love-chx @stars4deku @evphology @afro-hispwriter @ydsm-29 @goldeneywa @doulcha @krazy-kattzz @fucksnowflakes-blog @squid4 @blairrrrrr @neteyamforlife @dreamtogether2000 @444lyra @ambria @cawi00 @calums-betch @powowowy @fadingpalacebonkpsychic @elegantkidfansoul @kolsmikaelson @mirikusashes @yukichan67 @goodiesinthecloset21 @netemoon @teyums @littlethingsinlife @coconut-dreamz @anm3mi @jjkclub @il0veheartz @liyahsocorro @drugs-for-memes @zendayaswrld101 @grierpilots @misscaller06 @lightskinloak @mommyneytiri @inluvwithneteyam @halibanana @iheartamajiki @ipoopedmypants47 @neigesprincess @lookiiheh @ghostjoohoney @ronalsgirl @alwayswndr

[yanxidarlings]

am struggling to find inspiration to write slytherin so here's some nightmare fuel instead 💀 also pls tell me it's not just me the yellow font is gone and i am in despair (gave zs green instead bcos he's pretty much a 🐍)

YANDERE! CORMAC MCLAGGEN VS YANDERE! ZACHARIAS SMITH

• on todays edition of shit no one asked for: the most cursed pair of yanderes. just imagine for a second being stuck with two yanderes, already a situation of itself, but two douchebag yanderes, now that's just comically unlucky.

• cormac and zacharias are pretty much at the bottom of the yandere foodchain — paired up against anyone else and no doubt the other yandere comes out on top, but what if we take other yanderes out of the equation? what if our dear darling / reader doesn't have to deal with groups of snakes and eagles? (cormacias smithlaggen)

• i feel like both cormac and zacharias's obsession would be someone who doesn't have many people around them. because fundamentally neither are smart nor talented enough to come up with an elaborate scheme to trap the darling, the only way to 'get' their darling would be to drag them into a draining and boundless friendship.

• despite being incredibly similar in the way they 'yandere', their biggest difference is how they treat the darling: to zacharias, his darling is the only person who matters in his life, whilst cormac is simply obsessed with the idea of them, whether it be for their looks, intelligence, reputation, they're the person he wants to spend his life with, whether they like it or not.

• whilst their motivations might be different, both are preoccupied with 'keeping' their darling, feelings and emotions be damned. sure, zacharias wants his darling to be happy, but without him? he wants to wipe the smile off their face whenever he see's them with anyone else. they can be miserable, unstable and depressed, he doesn't care and he'll deal with whatever mood swings they throw at him. the one thing he won't deal with is his darling being away from him.

• zacharias might be the 'sweeter' (i use this term loosely) of the two, but that by no means implies he'd be fine with sharing. zach can barely share his darling with themself, and has pretty much attached himself to their hip. he doesn't bother having other close friends or caring about other people, zacharias only needs you and you only need him.

• but what exactly is he going to do when cormac comes onto his darling? the gryffindor just inserts himself into their perfectly content life and acts like their boyfriend, and broke his nose the one time zacharias dared tell him to (looks down) get lost in the forbidden forest and get [redacted] by a centaur-

• cormac? he's worse, he objectifies his darling in every way possible. he might not see exactly see them as an object, but he has trouble taking any of their emotions seriously. you don't want to spend the night with him? sounds like a you problem, love </3. is he happy when they're happy? sure, but does he give a rats arse if they're uncomfortable? mclaggen doesn't even notice.

• despite his less than savoury traits, cormac isn't opposed to sharing, and might even prefer it, as long as he gets his daily darling time, does it really matter if there's another?

• he might even become more tolerable as a yandere sharing, maybe it's the competition being the darlings favourite becomes, or maybe it's just the 'good' influence from watching zacharias bend over backwards to make their darling happy, but he slowly starts to care.

• albeit, still in a himbo, macho way. pricked your finger? cormac happily marches to and from the hospital wing to bring his darling a bandaid. broke a bone? (because cormac didn't catch you in time after throwing you down the stairs) he won't let his dear lift a finger (literally, you tried to get up and he kept pushing you back down).

• one thing they can agree on is that the darling is not allowed any privacy or agency in this relationship, you don't want to kiss? too bad, pucker up love it's time for the 4pm make out session, cormac called first dibs today!. you want to study for the o.w.l's? suck it up, nerd, it's hogsmeade day, zacharias is taking you to the three broomsticks and cormac has a game later that you have to cheer at.

"oh come oon!" zacharias whined as his arm was once again pushed off by m/n, but he did not let up, and once again slung his arm around the others shoulders "how much exposure therapy do i need to put you through, mate" he dragged them along, walking towards the quidditch pitch that was slowly piling up with students, all eagerly waiting for the match to begin.

m/n let out a sigh of relief as zacharias finally removed his arm, instead gripping onto their forearm and guiding them up the stands "we have to get seats at the top, cormac bet me five galleons he could high five me on his broom — there's this new quill at scrivenshafts i'm dying to get"

the match felt like it was never going to end, the screaming of gryffindor and slytherin as each team got a hold of the quaffle was deafening, and his eyes were to stay glued to cormac the entire match, he couldn't gaze at any other player even for a second, especially potter, or else-

"potters got the snitch!"

the sound of lee jordans voice erupted the gryffindor side of the pitch into victorious roars of applause. they knew what came next, it always happened but maybe cormac would be too distracted by his victory to-

"how about a kiss for the star of the match" ah, cormac had already flown over to where they sat "i want my five galleons first!" zacharias pipped up, patting at mclaggens pockets "get off me smith — you can have it tomorrow, i just came here for my kiss" and with that, before m/n could say anything, cormac had grabbed ahold of either side of their face, pulling their lips to his.

• cormac and zacharias don't so much share as they do tolerate each others presence within the darlings life. the bright side is that together, they do stand a chance against another yandere, probably not an intelligent one like anthony goldstein, or a violent one like one of the theo's™, but if the darling were to have also caught to attention of someone like lorenzo berkshire, they probably wouldn't loose custody immediately.

[hubristicassholefight]

Swordswoman Showdown Semifinals

Hornet (Hollow Knight) vs Brienne of Tarth (A Song Of Ice and Fire)

(Better here in a "preferred character" sense, not "who would win in a fight")

Propaganda below cut

Hornet

Technically its not a sword but she wields a needle in a setting where swords do not exist and she wields it in an exceedingly swordlike fashion so. She counts; Girlboss demigoddess spider lady. She's been protecting an entire kingdom for longer than many of the other characters have been alive. She systematically kills her siblings for being too weak. She's simply the best.

#im pretty sure hornet can beat like. anyone in a fight.#have you ever fought hornet#its so fucking hard getting past her every time i play hk i go literally insane.

#i remember getting stuck on the first hornet fight on mt first play through and bring likr#''omg the boss fights in this are so hard!!!''#like what. you're not even half way through what are you talking about#you can't even DASH honey. you don't know what's diffcult or not in this game.

So, SPOILERS

but I feel like the "she systematically kills her siblings" part needs a little clarification. See, one of her siblings was used as a living prison for an angry god and that uh. Didn't work out for the sibling in question or anyone else.

This account is itself heavily abbreviated but it's likely that any other sibling Hornet encounters will be trying to take over as the god's new prison. She appears to challenge any sibling she sees to battle, in order to test their resolve against herself and her needle - would they actually have a chance against that god?

We never actually see her kill any siblings, but she does quite pointedly tell one of them that (to paraphrase) "My needle is lethal and I would feel no sadness in a weakling's demise."

Feels like a relevant quote. In any case, if they can't beat Hornet, it seems like her needle would be a far more merciful end than what the god would grant.

Anyway, a bit of additional material for @swordswomanshowdown :

As is the case for any cool swordswoman, it's not just her sword that's lethal, it's her with it. And Hornet's needle was custom made for her - the creators have said that, while other needles exist, hers was made specifically for her to wield, and its construction allows her to use her spider silk better in combat.

And another thing that I think makes her a good swordswoman: she's actually pretty thoughtful about how she uses it. There's a least one instance where she tries to warn someone off before fighting them! At the same time, when she does fight, she seems to enjoy it - during her boss battles, you can hear her laugh sometimes, as if exhiliarated. She's really got it all, as a swordswoman!!!

#HORNET SWEEP CMON PLEEEEEEASE#shes gay. shes the only sibling with a gender. shes a spider named HORNET. look like croissant. whats not to like

Brienne

Brienne

gets gifted a sword made with the rarest metal ever because she’s THAT good; she’s simply the best

Brienne is one of the top sword users alive in her day. She's descended from a man who's catchphrase was "I'm better with a sword." Better than what? You. Jaime Lannister. Loras Tyrell. Any five given guys at once. She has a fantastic sword that might be magic or cursed and is named Oathkeeper because that's what she does; I love her

Beat like 20 guys in a tournament when she was 19. Was given a magic sword. Won a sword fight against the premier swordsman in the realm. Very swordly; Very tall and strong. Holds her sword in high esteem. Accomplished with other weapons as well!

She's defeated multiple of the top knights in the series in duels. One such knight gifts her the fabergé egg of swords and she uses it to defend orphans and stuff. Got out of a bad betrothal by dueling him and beating his ass so bad she broke multiple bones. Honestly there's so much more she is the swordswoman of all time. to me; She's buff and ugly and 6' 5" and so honorable and kind that she inspires the guy who fucks his sister to yknow. stop doing that. literally gets mauled for the sake of protecting a bunch of orphans (with her sword). also she's 20 she should be at the club ‼️

One of the best sword wielders in Westeros, the author says he would pick her to defend him. Has a cool sword called Oathkeeper. Manages to go up against 7 fighters and take out most of them,. The only true knight; First off, talking about book brienne, they massacred show brienne, the show runners simply didn’t understand what she’s about.“ She had no chance against seven, she knew. No chance, and no choice” brienne had plenty of choice but she couldn’t leave people to die. The chivalric paradigm is rotten and corrupted, but here is Brienne, the one true knight, who isn’t even a actual knight! “knights are for killing”, but here is a knight who risks her life again and again to protect innocents! Bri IS hope, she is the light in the dark that shows that things can be better, things must be better. Fundamentally an idealist: “Winter will never come for the likes of us. Should we die in battle, they will surely sing of us, and it's always summer in the songs. In the songs all knights are gallant, all maids are beautiful, and the sun is always shining”

#BRIENNE WON A MELEE WHEN SHE WAS 19 !!!!!#DONT LET HER LOSE

#MORE LOVE FOR BRIENNE#SHE FOUGHT A DAMN BEAR WITH A WOODEN SWORD#SHE AVENGED A MAN UNJUSTLY MAIMED#SHE PROTECTED CHILDREN AGAINST SEVEN MEN#NO CHANCE AND NO CHOICE

I'm going to put some propaganda for Brienne, because she deserves the world.

Some people have been quoting the "no chance, no choice" in the tags, but for those that don't know it comes from this scene:

...she could hear the faint clink of swords and mail from beneath their ragged cloaks. She counted them as they came. Two, four, six, seven. (...) Brienne sucked in her breath and drew Oathkeeper. Too many, she thought, with a start of fear, they are too many.(...) Brienne tried to keep the fear from her voice, but her mouth was dry as dust. The children, she thought. The door to the inn banged open. Willow stepped out into the rain, a crossbow in her hands. The girl was shouting at the riders, but a clap of thunder rolled across the yard, drowning out her words. As it faded, Brienne heard the man in the Hound’s helm say, “Loose a quarrel at me and I’ll shove that crossbow up your cunt and fuck you with it. Then I’ll pop your fucking eyes out and make you eat them.” The fury in the man’s voice drove Willow back a step, trembling. Seven, Brienne thought again, despairing. She had no chance against seven, she knew. No chance, and no choice. She stepped out into the rain, Oathkeeper in hand. “Leave her be. If you want to rape someone, try me.”

This is basically one of the most badass and awesome moments of the series... because here, Brienne is not guarding a King, vanquishing a great Evil Lord, or fighting a big glorious battle... this is an inn full of orphans being attacked by raiders, children whose lives really don't matter in the great scheme of things. If they were all to be killed, nobody powerful would really care, no history book would write their names.

The logical thing is to run away from there as fast as she could. And yet, Brienne decides to enter an unwinnable nightmarish battle (one where she gets her arm broken and her face eaten) because is the right thing to do. She is a true knight.

Because, in the dark pseudo-medieval world of Westeros, where the patriarchal martial system reigns supreme, there is no space for someone like Brienne, she herself said it best:

"You have a noble father who must surely love you. (...) I know he would tell you that he would sooner have a living daughter than a shattered shield." "A daughter." Brienne's eyes filled with tears. "He deserves that. A daughter who could sing to him and grace his hall and bear him grandsons. He deserves a son too, a strong and gallant son to bring honor to his name. (...) I am the only child the gods let him keep. The freakish one, not fit to be a son or daughter."

And yet, despite being on the fringe of this society that doesn't accept nonconforming gender expression, despite not being able to be named knight, Brienne is still the embodiment of the ideal of knighthood. She is a true hero, who over and over decides to defend the innocents and do the right thing.

So yeah, my conclusion here is... I think she and kiku should kiss <3

[she-posts-nerdy-stuff]

Fruzsi and the Importance of Her Character in Season 2 of Shadow and Bone

Okay I feel like I have been continuously teasing this post for a ridiculously long time and I have finally gotten around to writing it, I also feel like the fact that I talked about it so much might have built it up to sound bigger than it is but honestly I think that Fruzsi is a FASCINATING character study; I'm very excited to talk about her and have finally found the time (yay!) so hopefully you guys will find this at least a little bit interesting too

Tagging people who registered their interest here but please don’t feel pressured to read <3 @merlinxmagic @girasoljpg @atmosphericwrites @naushtheaspiringauthor @lunarthecorvus

SHOW AND BOOK SPOILERS AHEAD + TALKING ABOUT GRISHAVERSE SETUP & THE CHARACTERS' BACKSTORIES/EXPERIENCES (Mostly Zoya, Genya, Alina, Fruzsi, and Inej)

Super quick recap since of her story so we're on the same page as we begin: Fruzsi first appeared in Season 2 Episode 2 of Shadow and Bone and is a Grisha Tidemaker loyal to the Darkling. Her parents sold her to the Darkling when she was a child, its unclear how old she was, and we should take into consideration in this matter that there is no indication whatsoever that she was ever at the Little Palace since none of the other Grisha seem to recognise or know her and vice versa. She is instrumental in the Darkling's army and receives one of the amplifiers made from Baghra's bones, subsequently learning to manipulate water molecules into ice shafts that she can use as a weapon. She is responsible for Dominik's death towards the end of the season and is subsequently killed by Nikolai.

So right off the bat whenever anyone talks about Fruzsi I tend to see two things: "wannabe Zoya" and “the power of her amplifier was a problem because it will be too difficult to differentiate between amplifiers and parem". I've taked before about my thoughts on amplifiers and parem and why I didn't think it was going to be a problem for the Six of Crows spinoff show (*sobs*) but the general consensus seems to be that not only was Fruzsi an unlikeable character because of her actions, but because she was seen as a only being there to provide an enemy and a hand of the Darkling, and I think that's a real shame because she is a fascinating character and she tells us SO MUCH about the Darkling and other major characters. My personal favourite details about Fruzsi are her parallels with Zoya and the point from which they run opposing, the parallels she has to Genya and Inej and the subsequent parallels that her introduction creates between the Darkling and Heleen Van Houden, and the setup of Fruzsi, Vatra, and the Darkling's other Grisha to create genuine empathy for villainous characters for the reflections of the protagonists we can see in them.

Fruzsi's introduction in episode two begins with the Darkling arriving to see her and saying that she made it in good time - now we don't know where she travelled from, so yeah it could be the Little Palace (he was travelling from the base he set up in episode 1) but personally I don't think that there's much implication she ever lived there considering she doesn't know any of the other Grisha and she doesn't wear a kefta until the Darkling has new ones created for his new army. She's wearing pretty typical clothes that we see of the Ravkan population when we first meet her; a blouse and ankle-length skirt with a long coat, and from the very start is in dark shades that visually connect her to the Darkling in the audience's eye. Although she isn't hesitant to speak to him she shows consistent discomfort around the Darkling, making small steps away from him when he raises his hand and acknowledging non-verbal orders from him with immediate effect, as well as confirming that she never broke her promise to not open the Journal of Morozova without prompting and somewhat hurriedly. The Darkling is actually pretty quiet throughout most of this scene, cutting of Fruzsi's sentences and instructing her but not following any attempts she makes to initiate real conversation. When he tells her to reveal Baghra from behind the waterfall she asks him if he's sure, one of few instances in which she questions him, and after barely a second of maintained eye contact between them she turns away, physically bunching her shoulders and seeming to shrink in on herself, before turning to the waterfall and completing the task in silence. Everything we see of Fruzsi in this scene seems to contradict Baghra's later description of her as "deranged" and I think that this is really very noteworthy, because we start to develop this idea that Fruzsi's actions are different in front of the Darkling than when he isn't present - particularly since we know in this scene that Baghra has not seen the Darkling in weeks and has been alone with Fruzsi during that time. We actually don't see Fruzsi without the Darkling until very late in the show (episode 7), when her anger at the world and her easy ability to command the other Grisha are revealed ("First Army did this [...] If they wear the uniform they are all the same. Kill them all!"). We get this brilliantly foreboding image of her marching so confidently through the carnage with soldiers of both sides running and shouting and fighting and dying all around her while she barely shows any kind of response but to calmly begin her own method of very direct attack against Nikolai after walking through the battle completely untouched. If anything, Fruzsi seems quite unbothered by the entire thing until she fails to kill Nikolai, killing Dominik and several others instead, and screams her frustration before being forced to run for cover from approaching soldiers. After this her attacks are arguably much more emotional because she feels challenged and as though she has failed (relevant as I'll cover later because of the way the Darkling manipulates her), but all of this seemingly culminates only when Vatra dies, and in that moment we get this wonderfully clever shot of them holding each other's hands so that we can see the tattoos (I'm going to rant about the tattoos in this post) and then we see Vatra smiling in her final moments (that's gonna come up again as well). This moment is the most emotional we ever get to see Fruzsi; she looks down at Vatra, sheds a silent tear, and begins to exhibit more power than we have ever seen in her before. It is bare moments after this that she loses her fingers in an attack from Jesper and mere minutes afterwards that Nikolai shoots her in the throat and she dies.

It's confirmed in s2e7 that Fruzsi's parents attempted to sell her to the Darkling and arguably this is where her parallels with Zoya begin - "You remember when your family first brought you to me? The price they demanded when they discovered you were Grisha?" "Perhaps now I can repay the debt" "I would have paid it 100 times over". Ugh this angers me so much. He bought her and she believes, she genuinely believes, that she owes him for that. I'm going to talk about the structure of this relationship really strongly echoing Heleen Van Houden later on but particularly in this moment we understand that there is something here very similar to the Kerch indenture system that I'm actually really glad to see included as part of the worldbuilding and development in the show since we didn't get the opportunity to explore it as much in Kerch (*screams frustrations into the wind*)

Although we sadly didn't get the chance to explore Zoya's story in the show (*cries in cancellation*) it's explained in the final duology of the book series that her mother attempted to sell nine-year-old Zoya as a bride to 63-year-old, very rich, and twice-widowed Valentin Grankin. When Zoya's aunt, Lilyana, attempted to stop the wedding Grankin attacked and nearly killed her; in fear for herself and her aunt Zoya experienced a massive, terrified outburst of power, which was how she discovered she was Grisha, and Lilyana was able to rescue her and take her to Os Alta. My absolute favourite take on Fruzsi is that she is Zoya's Shadow, which is an idea that my friend voiced whilst we were watching the show and we discussed together at length at the time, but that I have never seen anyone talking about online.

The idea of having a Shadow comes from Suli culture and is explained to us in Crooked Kingdom by Inej; whenever a person does wrong it gives life to their shadow, with every action making the Shadow stronger until they are stronger than the original person and the person is defeated by the wrongs they've done - or learns to overcome them and defeat the Shadow. Inej's believes that her Shadow is Dunyasha and she fights her in Crooked Kingdom. I FREAKING LOVE the theory that Fruzsi is Zoya's Shadow because their stories parallel each other very well; both are abused and sold by their families only to be taken in by the Darkling and manipulated into believing that he is their saviour. The Darkling very much works by making others feel that they owe him something for any action he completes, just as we see in his manipulation and abuse of Alina, and Fruzsi and Zoya are prime examples of this. We even have two very similar scene setups between season 1 and season 2 that show us just how similar the Darkling and Zoya are in terms of the pent up rage that they keep private - in season 1 where the Darkling leaves Zoya alone in his room whilst she is trying to initiate intimacy because he is manipulating her and Alina against each other and wants to make Zoya feel like she has been abandoned in favour of a newer, shinier toy and once he's left Zoya screams her frustration and releases a gust of Squaller power that disrupts his chamber, and in season 2 when Fruzsi, in her second appearance (now wearing the new dark kefta design) hesitantly informs the Darkling that David stole Morozova's Journal and is immediately dismissed before the Darkling screams his frustrations and uses the tether to find and haunt Alina. Although this comparison between the Darkling and Zoya is of course more obvious it also gives us an idea of similarities between Zoya and Fruzsi because it extends this implication we have that Fruzsi acts very differently out of the Darkling's presence than in - and considering that at this point we have never seen her without him we have this gathering sense of intrigue about her backstory and her character. In a similar-ish manner we also have the scene in s2e5 when we get another example of the few times Fruzsi attempts to stand up to the Darkling, in this case openly telling him that they would do better to redirect their efforts North because it would be "the more strategic move"; the Darkling's response is to threaten her with his Nichevo'ya and manipulate her in a similar way that he does Zoya by replying "Alina Starkov is worth more than any army. So at the risk of sounding repetitive... find her", actively diminishing Fruzsi when he's been purposefully making her feel important and like she matters to him so that she feels she must redouble her efforts for him to notice and appreciate her and therefore desperately hopes to do a better job of bending to his will, especially since he's basically turned her entire purpose and usefulness to him into brining Alina back to him. Ugh this man i swear. I'm going to go on to talk about parallels between Fruzsi and Genya pretty soon so in this respect as well I want to add emphasis to the fact that when she disagrees with him on a point - and mind you not that she makes any suggestion of betraying his cause but only that she thinks they should take a different tactic to be more successful in it - he uses the presence of the Nichevo'ya to scare her into submission. The next time he gives her an order (to take down the First Army encampments) she agrees immediately and barely speaks to him except to ask "And what of the Sun Summoner?" - And note this is after she has taken Genya to the other Grisha because she was told to show her off as an example.

I have to say that at this point in time I was not expecting her to be the gold mine she became, and it's looking back on it knowing more about her backstory that I notice a lot of smaller details in the way she acts around him that consistently suggest she is afraid of him and I think that is shown really well in Reford's performance, I don't see her getting enough of the praise that she deserves - she was great!

Am I even making sense? Anyway

Fruzsi and Zoya are consistently presented with these similarities and I really love the idea that she represents what Zoya would have become without the influence of our other main characters, particular Alina and Genya. I really like the idea that she's Zoya's Shaodw and a literal, living embodiment of the wrng that Zoya did under the Darkling's command, but the only place that I think this theory falls short is in Fruzsi's death. If Fruzsi was truly Zoya's Shadow then they would have to face each other for one of them to die, but Fruzsi was killed by Nikolai in the aftermath of Dominik's death. However, I also think that there was standing there to start developing something truly, truly poetic in Nikolai killing Zoya's Shadow and Zoya later killing Nikolai's (or maybe even metaphorically doing so in trying to help rid him of the demon??) BUT I GUESS NOW WE'LL NEVER KNOW (*screams*) (*cries*) (*curses Netflix’s name*)

Now moving on to her parallels with Genya and Inej. I think that the loss of Heleen from season 2 (which I’ve shared my thoughts about a bit in the past so won’t go on about now) left a hole that was, in a way I didn’t quite expect, filled more by the Darkling than it was Pekka Rollins. There are multiple quotes from the Darkling this season, mostly directed towards Fruzsi and Genya, that I find to have very specific reminiscence of some of Heleen’s quotes from the the Six of Crows duology and this was the most obvious one for me, and the one that originally made me think of this particular comparison:

"I have always known your worth. Now show me," - the Darkling, s2e7, in the conversation where he specifically states that he bought Fruzsi and she specifically states that she owes him a debt for that

"I know your worth, little Lynx, right down to the cent" - Heleen, Six of Crows, to Inej when torturing Inej with the implication that she intends to find a way to bring her back to the Menagerie ("You'll wear my silks again, I promise")

(Also as a quick addition I think that so much can be said about Rachel Redford's acting in this specific moment of season 2 episode 7 after the Darkling delivers that line. She looks up at him, and the proxemics + their actual heights I must admit have a brilliant added effect to this, with what starts as such genuine sorrow but so quickly turns to such fierce determination before she shows him what she's capable of now that she has the amplifier. After her demonstration she is almost in shock at the revelation of what she was able to do but the pure exultation, the relief, the triumph in her expression does not even come close to existing until the moment that the Darkling says "extraordinary". He's not even looking at her - in fact, I don't doubt it possibly that he wasn't complimenting her herself but simply the creation of the amplifiers and their strength - but the expression on her face then is absolutely unmatched and it speaks VOLUMES) (I genuinely recommend rewatching that moment with this in mind because I cannot stop thinking about it)

And then layered on top of this, we have the tattoos. THE TATTOOS.

I made a specific post about the costuming in season 2, which you can read here if you’d like to, and that covers my thoughts on the new keftas but I didn’t go into detail on the tattoos at the time and I have a lot of thoughts about them. The Grishaverse, mostly the Six of Crows duology, uses tattoos incredibly symbolically and places particular emphasis on choosing to take the mark, creating a massively important bond to something that you deeply care about and will never want to break (gangs, Kaz’s ‘R’ for Rietveld), and being forced to take one on (the pleasure houses, of course most primarily Inej’s Menagerie tattoo). Although we don’t get as much emphasis on this since the show didn’t get the opportunity to explore the gang tattoos yet thus far (and I guess now it won’t *shakes fist at Netflix*) we did have focus surrounding Inej’s Menagerie tattoo and it’s removal in this season and, as much as I wish we’d been able to see her book canon tattoo removal (cut off by a butcher), this side by side comparison of the Grisha being given no option but to take on the amplifying tattoos and Nina using her Grisha power to remove Inej’s tattoo is absolutely fascinating and really well done.

So this for me creates an ongoing comparison between Fruzsi, Genya, and Inej - and taking on what I said about Fruzsi’s apparent absence from the Little Palace despite clearly having an established relationship with the Darkling and having been with him for some time, we can consider the earliest pieces of information we have about Genya’s life. Now it’s a long time since I read the S&B trilogy so I can’t remember if this specific detail is true to book canon but in the show Genya states that the Grisha testers found her when she was seven but that she was gifted to the Queen when she was eleven. We have no information about what happened to her during these four years, and yeah maybe she was at the Little Palace training but we don’t have confirmation of that and I wouldn’t trust the Darkling as far as I could throw him (which probably wouldn’t even crack a metre let’s be real). This also adds a really interesting layer to things with Fruzsi being the one instructed to show Genya off to the other Grisha as an example of what will happen if they try to betray the Darkling because we get this moment when she kneels down to take hold of Genya's chains and they are both sitting in the cage together that I think is really powerful in everything it says about how easily either of them could be in the other's position in that moment but we're also still very aware that Fruzsi has the far more power - or at least an illusion of it. In this same scene Baghra, about Genya, states "she served you loyally since she was a child, endured years of abuse on your orders, and you reduce her to an example? Oh Aleksander, where does this stop?" and honestly that is so brilliantly written (and so brilliantly delivered in the scene) that I don't think I need to say anything on top of it but when we consider this side by side with Fruzsi's position I think that this really is a very powerful parallel and a constant reminder that no-one who places their trust in the Darkling is ever safe, and that pretty much everyone on his side is there because of manipulation and because of abuse - be that abuse from the Darkling or abuse from others that the Darkling has so well learned how to manipulate in ways that are very, very similar to the way Jarl Brum manipulated and abused Matthias (I have written a lot about that too. I have strong feelings.)

I have so much fascination and I feel so much sympathy for Fruzsi and I think that this is one of the things that the show did so fantastically well in her and in the other Grisha on the Darkling’s side who are all manipulated and controlled by him in just the same way our protagonists were, who were ultimately still all very young people who had been attacked and threatened and made unsafe in their home for who they were and who were offered what they believed was the only solution. I think one of the greatest examples of this, other than Fruzsi, is seen in Vatra, the amplified Inferni who is so proud of herself when she brings the Hummingbird down - "Yes! I did it" and btw she says this with such an expression on her face I don't even have the words I would just genuinely recommend you rewatch the scene to get what I'm saying it's s2e7 around 24:30-50 she actually looks so proud of herself she's like a little kid and it's so soul-crushingly clever and incredibly well done and it breaks my heart she's been so successfully manipulated - because she so genuinely believes that she is doing the right thing and she is making a difference for her people, and even when she dies with her hand clutched in Fruzsi's she dies smiling. That girl breaks my heart every time I rewatch, and honestly even though she is presented in a more unlikeable way Fruzsi breaks my heart as well because I can see so much of our beloved characters in her and effectively what could have happened to them and what could have become of them if they hadn’t managed their escape. This duality and constant cause to question the morality of the characters is so brilliantly done and one of the biggest successes of the adaptation considering how well it was done in the books as well but could have been something difficult to translate between medias where exposition is concerned, and I think that Fruzsi was an incredible example of this and that we really should talk about her more

Thanks for reading my nonsense ramblings if you got this far, I hope that it made sense and was at least somewhat interesting <33

[cherrycola27]

afterglow

Series Warnings: Language, alcohol and drinking. Military inaccuracies. Allusions to and eventual smut. Friends to lovers. Mutual pining. Unrequited love. Minors DNI. 18+. Banner Credit: @thedroneranger

Masterlist Previous Part

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Chapter 7: The AfterGlow

Jake felt his heart drop. This couldn't be happening, not today, of all days.

He grabbed his wallet and threw a wad of cash, much more than the cost of his drink and a healthy tip, on the table before grabbing his jacket and bolting out of the restaurant.

Jake isn't sure how many traffic laws he broke to get to the hospital as fast as possible. He also didn't care about his asshole parking job and taking up three spaces when he flew into the parking lot.

All he cared about was getting to you.

He ran into the emergency entrance and straight up to the desk.

"Hello, I'm Lieutenant Commander Jake Seresin. I got a call saying my girlfriend Y/N Briller was in an accident." Jake's voice wavered as he spoke to the woman at the reception desk.

He watched her type a few things in her computer. He saw a flash of worry across her eyes before she looked up at him.

"Mr. Seresin, if you could please have a seat, the doctor will be out here in a moment to speak to you." The woman told him.

"Can you at least tell me if she is okay? Do you know what happened?" Jake pressed her for answers.

"I'm sorry, sir, you'll have to wait for Dr. Perez. Please, have a seat and stay calm." She told him.

"Stay calm? How am I supposed to stay calm when I don't know anything? What would you do if you were in my shoes?" Jake practically screams.

"Sir, if you don't have a seat, I will be forced to call security and have you escorted out. Please. Sit down." The receptionist tells him sternly.

Jake takes a deep breath and apologizes to her before taking a seat in the far corner.

Jake waits for what seems like hours. Every so often, he glances towards the nurses station, hoping for an update, but all he sees are them gathered in a corner with solemn looks on their faces as they whisper and look at him.

After what feels like an eternity, a nurse comes to get him.

"Mr. Seresin, could you please come with me?" She whispers to him.

Jake looks at her. She won't meet his eyes. He feels the pit in his stomach grow bigger.

Jake is led through a set of heavy doors and down a few corridors. He thinks that the nurse is taking him to the ICU or something, but his heart drops when he realizes that he is outside an office.

The nurse gently taps her knuckles on the heavy wooden door before a voice tells them to come in.

Jake enters and finds a man waiting for him.

"You must be Lieutenant Commander Seresin. I'm Dr. Perez. We spoke on the phone. Please have a seat." Dr. Perez says. Jake plants his feet and doesn't move.

"No, thank you." Jake says as his jaw clenched and his eyes stayed straight ahead.

"Mr. Seresin. Please." Dr. Perez asks. Jake relents and moves to sit in one of the leather chairs.

Dr. Perez takes a seat across from him and takes a deep breath.

"Ms. Briller was brought in via ambulance a few hours ago. According to the police and the 911 call, it appears that she was a victim of a high-speed hit and run. She was going through an intersection, and a truck blew right past the red light, t-boning her vehicle and causing it to flip." Dr. Perez began to explain.

"She was brought in with multiple internal and external injuries. We took her into surgery immediately—" Dr. Perez trailed off.

"We did everything we could. But— I'm so sorry, Mr. Seresin. We couldn't save her." He finished.

As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Jake felt his heart crack into a million little pieces. He felt the joy and the light inside of him die.

"No. No, no, no, no!" Jake screamed at Dr. Perez, as hot tears flowed down his face. "No, you're wrong! She can't be gone!" Jake yelled as sobs racked his body.

He slumped off the couch to his knees and wailed. "Mr. Seresin, is there anyone we can call for you?" Dr. Perez asked him. He went to place a hand on Jake's shoulder, but Jake pushed him away.

"Where is she? I have to see her. She's not gone. Please tell me this is some cruel, sick joke!" Jake cried out.

Dr. Perez looked at him sympatheticly. "I'm sorry, but it's true." He said, trying to provide the slightest bit of comfort.

Jake felt sick to his stomach. The world was spinning, and he couldn't get enough air in his lungs. His chest was tight, and he couldn't breathe. His palms were sweating, and his face was clammy.

"Mr. Seresin? Are you okay?" Dr. Perez rushed to his side.

Jake was dizzy as he grabbed onto the man's shoulder to steady himself and struggled for breath. His ears were ringing, and he vaguely heard Dr. Perez page for assistance.

The last thing Jake sees before he blacks out is a nurse shoving a needle in his arm.

............

Jake slowly faded back to consciousness. His eyes cracked open, and it only took him a few moments to adjust and realize where he was. He tried to shoot up out of bed, but a firm hand held him in place.

He looked up to see Maverick standing over him.

"Mav? What are you— did they tell you—" Jake trailed off before his emotions overcame him.

"Yeah, Kid. The hospital called me because I'm listed as yours and Glow's commanding officer. Dr. Perez said they had to sedate you because you were having a panic attack. Jake, I'm so sorry. I know she was so much more than a WSO and a friend to you. I know you loved her." Maverick tried to comfort him as a few tears of his own came up.

"It wasn't supposed to be like this. A car accident? We fly fighter jets for crying out loud, and a hit and run takes her out? It's not fair. It's my fault, Pete. It's my fault." Jake sobbed.

"How is it your fault?" Maverick asked as he pulled up a chair next to the younger man.

"I told her I had to leave to get something before dinner tonight. I was going to come back and pick her up, but she said she would be fine. I never let her drive. She's always the passenger. If I had just told her no, if I had just stayed, none of this would have happened. All she ever wanted me to do was stay. And I had been. I'd been doing so much better, and then I didn't stay, and now she's gone! It's all my fault!" Jake cried.

Maverick rubbed comforting circles on his back.

"It's not your fault, Jake. None of us could have predicted this. I know it doesn't make it hurt any less, but Y/N left this world knowing that she loved you and that you loved her." Maverick told him.

"Let's get you home, Kid. I've already contacted her family. They will be here tomorrow. The funeral is on Sunday." Maverick told him as he helped Jake get his things and leave the hospital.

When they exited the hospital, Jake noticed that Bradley was leaning against his truck in the parking lot. "I asked Bradley to come with me to bring you home. You don't need to be driving when you are upset." Mav said.

Jake didn't even argue. He just handed over his keys and climbed in.

The ride back to his house was silent. Rooster wanted to tell him how sorry he was, but what do you say to someone who just lost the love of their life?

When they arrived back at your, well, now Jake's house, Bradley asked Jake if he wanted him to stay. Jake shook his head no.

The next day, Jake went through your things and began packing up your belongings for your family. Your mom had called him and told him to keep anything of yours he wanted. He settled for a few of your shirts, your bottle of perfume, lots of pictures, your favorite coffee mug, and your dogtags. He looped them over his neck along with his.

Then, he readied his dress blues for your funeral tomorrow. He worked hard to make sure each one of his pins and medals were perfect. Especially the ones the two of you had earned together.

Standing at attention during your funeral was the hardest thing Jake Seresin had ever had to do in his life.

He was numb as he pounded his wings into your casket and saluted your photo. He felt himself break into a million pieces as he handed your mother the folded up flag.

As taps played and rifles went off and jets flew overhead, Jake felt himself slipping, and he could no longer hold the emotion back. Rooster, Coyote, and Bob helped hold him until your service was over.

After the funeral, your parents came up to Jake. He told them how sorry he was for their loss. Your mother looked at him and said, "We're sorry too. She was just as important to you as she was to us." Jake thanked her. Your mother then took his face in her hands and said, "God, she loved flying with you, Jake."

"I loved flying with her too, Ma'am." He responded.

"I thought that the next time we met in person, it would be under different circumstances. She loved you so much." Your mother told him.

"I know. I loved her, too." Jake said before hugging your mother and shaking your fathers hand.

Sometime later, he joined the rest of the squad at the Hard Deck for a final farewell in your honor. He wandered away from the crowd and down to the sand with a bottle of your favorite beer in his hand.

Jake sat down, not caring about his uniform, and watched the sunset. The sky was painted in beautiful colors. You would have loved it. You'd always told him that when you died, he could find you in the sunsets. God, he hoped that was true.

He set his drink down and pulled off the chain that now held both of your dog tags.

He grabbed one of each of yours before reaching into his jacket pocket and pulling out the small box he was supposed to give you three nights ago.

He opened it and pulled out the pink diamond ring he'd had custom-made for you. The center stone was bright pink, with a halo of white and purple stones. It mimicked the colors of the evening sky that you were so fond of. It would have looked so beautiful on your hand when he placed it there as his physical promise of forever.

He took the ring out of the box before looping it on a chain with the dogtags that read both of your names.

He brought yours to his lips and kissed it before tossing all three objects into the ocean.

As he stood there watching the final rays of pink and purple and orange light fade into darkness, Jake Seresin realized that he could divide his life into three specific sections.

There was before Glow, and there was during Glow.

But he never thought that there would be a time after Glow.

Babes! Thank you for showing this series so much love. I hope you don't come at me with pitchforks for this one

Taglist: @thedroneranger @roosterscock @shanimallina87 @desert-fern @teacupsandtopgun @mayhemmanaged @lovinglyeternal @lovingbradshawafterdark @wkndwlff @roosterforme @daggerspare-standingby @dakotakazansky @startrekfangirl2233 @hecate-steps-on-me @cassiemitchell @na-ta-sh-aa @milestellerlover @katieshook02 @mak-32 @je-suis-prest-rachel @soulmates8 @ohgodnotagainn @diorrfairy @eli2447 @xoxabs88xox @potato-girl99981 @djs8891 @roosterbruiser @roosters-girl @sebsxphia @rosiahills22 @dempy @olliepig @seresinsweetie @linkpk88 @my-obsession-spn @eternalsams @callsign-magnolia @alchemxx @stargazer-88 @clancycucumber230

[serickswrites]

Make Me Your Villain XIX

Master list link here (includes links to chapters, summary, and character bios

Warnings: captivity, restraints, torture, electrocution, drugging, self sacrifice, rescue attempt, blood

"Is it true you really can heal from anything?" Jude asked as he watched the electrical current course through Nova.

Nova glared at Jude, clamping her jaw shut tightly so she didn't bite through her tongue. She could heal anything. Heal anyone of anything. But not while the power suppressing drug circulated in her system. And so she endured the burning fire in her veins of being shocked repeatedly for hours.

"I know you can, but I haven't seen anyone with powers quite as strong as yours. What are your limits, sweets?"

Nova spit in Jude's face once he cut the current. Nova sagged in the standing cuffs, a small smile gracing her face as she watched Jude wipe the spit off his cheek.

Jude's mud colored eyes narrowed. "That wasn't very nice, sweets."

"Because torturing someone to death is nice?" Nova didn't have the energy to come up with a witty comeback. The hours of torture left her bones buzzing and exhaustion threatening to consume her.

"I'm just trying to make small talk while we wait. It's the polite thing to do. Didn't Liam teach you about manners?" Jude stared down his nose at Nova.

"I've already told you again and again. Liam isn't coming for me." Nova didn't let her voice betray the pain in her heart. Liam would never come for her. Should never come for her. What she had said to Liam had been unforgivable. She deserved all the pain Jude inflicted.

Jude shook his head. "If there is one thing I know about Liam, it's that he will come. He cares about you very much, sweets. He won't let me keep you."

"You're wrong. He wouldn't risk compromising himself just for me. I'm," Nova's voice broke, "I'm expendable."

"You really don't know my apprentice very well then." Jude chuckled darkly. "But while we wait, I can have my fun." And he resumed shocking Nova.

Nova clamped her mouth shut. She would endure this as her atonement. She would endure anything as long as Liam remained far, far away. It was the least she deserved for wounding Liam so.

"You know if you talked to me, this might be more enjoyable for the both of us. How long will you think it take for Liam to arrive? I can do a lot of damage in a short period of time. I have many powers at my disposal." Jude let the current recede.

"I keep telling you," Nova panted, "Liam will never come for me."

"Never is an awfully long time," a voice came from the doorway. A voice that had Nova's heart falling. Nova closed her eyes tightly against the tears. She had failed Liam once again.

Nova opened her eyes as she felt a tickle on her cheek. One of Liam's shadows wiped away her tears. "Hey, gorgeous," Liam said with a smile. "Sorry to keep you waiting so long."

Jude turned and smiled. "At long last the prodigal son returns."

"Let Nova go," Liam said with a frown as he turned from Nova and faced Jude. "You have me, you have what you want. Let her go."

"I think not." Jude sent a pulse of electricity down Nova's back. Nova couldn't help but cry out as the pulse grew painful. More painful than before.

"STOP!" Liam roared, taking a step forward as his shadows swirled around him, coalescing into pointed blades for Liam to throw.

"If you are planning on killing Nova, by all means keep coming forward, Liam." Jude said above the roar of Nova's screams.

Liam froze. "Don't….don't hurt her." He raised his hands up, his shadows retreating behind him.

"Good. You're finally understanding how to behave." Jude stepped towards Liam, tossing him a needle with more power suppressing drug. "Inject yourself with this."

"No!" Nova cried out weakly as Liam caught the needle and stabbed himself in the arm with it. He didn't hesitate at all. And now he was rendered weak and powerless. His shadows remained on the ground, swirling but unable to rise. That was more than Nova could say about her own powers. Somehow, Liam had the strength to keep some of his power, but not enough to use his shadows as a weapon. Maybe he could still teleport and leave her. She just needed some time to convince him to leave her.

"Let her go, Jude. You have me powerless like you have always wanted. I won't fight you. You can do whatever you like with me."

"No!" Nova could not let Liam surrender himself over. To surrender was to die.

"I am begging you, Jude. Please," Liam's voice was thick with emotion, "please, let Nova go."

Jude disappeared from view. Appearing suddenly behind Liam. "How will I ensure you behave yourself if I let her go?" And he stabbed a meat hook through Liam's right shoulder.

Liam's scream had Nova's blood freezing in her veins. "LET HIM GO!" Nova roared, trying to reach the end of the chain that kept her standing. "LET HIM GO!"

"'s…..kkkkkkayyyyy," Liam said weakly as he blinked heavily. His legs wobbled as his knees started to buckle, but Jude kept him standing. He quickly duct taped Liam’s wrists together. “L-L-Let ‘errrr g-g-g-ooooo-o-o-o.”

Nova could see Liam was on the brink of fainting. "Why would I let her go when she can get a front seat to your end? I think it's the gift she deserves for delivering you to me. She could not have timed that fight with you better." Jude circled Liam. “Though perhaps it was a little more than her own timing.” What did Jude mean?

Liam dropped to a knee, blood flowing from his wounded shoulder as the meat hook pulled tight. "Let….let…let NNNNNNNNov-v-v-vaaaa g-g-g-oooo." Liam's pale eyes were hazy as he struggled to maintain his grip on consciousness.

With a dark laugh, Jude pulled the chain hoisting Liam to standing by the meat hook in his shoulder. “No.”

Liam gave an unearthly scream that ended abruptly as his slumped over, fainting dead away. “NO! LET HIM GO!” Nova roared as she watched Jude continue to pull on the chain, lowering and raising Liam by his shoulder. Blood flowed from Liam’s shoulder, quickly soaking his shirt.

Time. Nova needed time. She needed more time for the drug to fade away and out of her system. She needed time to heal Liam. She needed time to break herself out. And most of all, she needed time so that she could save Liam and atone for all that she had done.

“But where’s the fun in that?” Jude asked as he lifted Liam’s chin between his thumb and forefinger. “Shame he passed out so quickly. I’ll just have to find a way to wake him up so I can have my fun.”

Tags: @dutifullykrispyland@jesssmolfur@parad0xical2@st0rmm@keeper-of-all-the-random-things

@pigeonwhumps@gala1981@allylovessweets@whumpitywhumpwhump @giggly-evil-puppy

[usernamesarehard1]

Most of the time, I completely ignore Magisterium canon to the point where I forget it exists. But every now and then a reminder of it comes up and it hurts me so much inside.

I hate the canon so much. I am one of those autistic people where I am lower-empathy when it comes to real people, but have hyper-empathy for fictional characters. Especially certain fictional characters. Because some characters become a part of who I am. It's like I absorb them into my emotions and I care about them so so deeply.

And the Magisterium characters are that for me.

But the canon treats them like garbage! First of all, most of what happens is such lazy writing and doesn't even make logistical sense (ie, why is Call getting injured on the log his fault? Why would anyone believe Alma that Call is the EOD?? Why would the Magisterium TELL everyone Call was the EOD, etc????)

But secondly, shit just happens to the characters for no reason over and over and over again. They do nothing to deserve it. They don't do anything wrong! All they do is try to help and be good people and save the lives of other people. They, as CHILDREN, take on responsibility that the adults won't because they care more about people than the authority does, but yet shit just keeps happening to them!

And I hate it so damn much. It causes me such deep emotional pain. It's like what Bones did to Zack and it's hard for me to handle.

It's just so unfair! And it's not even a good story.

It's literally bad writing. First of all, it's lazy. Second of all, I feel like I can say it is like objectivley just bad writing.

I remember in my senior year of high school, we read Aristotle's break down on what makes a tragedy in literature, and it summed up exactly what was wrong with Magisterium so perfectly.

He said that in order for a tragedy to work, you need a character who is flawed but not evil, and relatable but not overly likeable. That way the audience feels bad for his ultimate demise, but also feels it's justified.

He said that if the character was just evil, we don't get sad, we instead are happy when he meets his demise. We feel that he has gotten his "just desserts"

And that when a character is too good, and hasn't done anything to deserve his downfall.....

We get angry.

That if a character is punished despite not doing anything wrong, we will want justice for that character.

THAT is the problem with Magisterium.

Call is told he is a "punishment" at 12 years old solely for distrusting an authority that killed his mother. He falls off a log that he was SUPPOSED to fall off of and gets punished for getting injured. Master Rufus automatically assumes Call would use an anti-scrying stone to cause trouble despite him not having caused any trouble at the Magisterium thus far (the only time he did anything that broke the rules that Rufus knew about was to sneak out of the school and save their precious Makar, Aaron). He gets thrown into literal adult prison at 14 for a murder that he didnt commit of his best friend (slash boyfriend) with no outside contact with Tamara or his own father for SIX MONTHS. He is then kidnapped by Anastasia at only 15 and forced to create chaos ridden. He then returns to the Magisterium at around 16 and everyone still thinks he murdered Aaron and treats him like a murderer. And then his dad, the ONLY person who ever loved him 100% uncondionally and didn't hate him at some point in his life, gets turned into a fucking devoured as a "punishment" for not wanting the very last person in his life to die at the hands of the people responsible for the deaths of everyone else in his life.

That is so fucking bad. That is so fucking bad. That is so fucking terrible.

And the authors don't even fucking care.

I am so fucking mad. Typing all that out literally HURTS me.

THIS is why I need to make the Magisterium movies someday. THIS is why I'm mad at myself every day for not making more progress on getting filmmaking experience and learning about how to make money so I can buy the film rights. THIS is why I'm driving myself crazy every day.

Because I love Call. Call is so fucking real to me and I can't let this be his life. I just cant.

[final-girl96]

My Boyfriend's Back Chapter Nineteen

My back hit the door when Stu walked out of the darkness of the hall. I held my hand out, "Stop! Just don't move any closer to me. Stay where you are!" There was no hiding the panic or the fear from him. I'm sure he could not only hear it in my voice but could see it on my face as well. He stopped, arm up slightly, with his palms facing me. "I'm not here to hurt you, babe. I just want to talk. I miss you and I know you miss me."

I shook my head, "I don't–I don't miss you, and I don't want to talk," I told him. He chuckled, "You sure you don't miss me? Because you took some of my shirts and all the pictures of us…well, almost all of them…it all says that you do miss me. I know you've been sleeping in my shirts at night, too. I know you still love, so don't try and say you don't. Wouldn't want to get mad and something I'll regret." I slowly moved to the left, hoping I could distract him enough to either bolt into the theater or go around him.

"I thought you were dead. Then Sheriff Burke told me you weren't in the house and I've been terrified ever since. Just being in your room had the hairs on the back of my neck standing. I can always feel you fucking watching me. Why can't you just…I don't know…fuck off. Let me live my life without the fear that you're going to show up and kill me."

"I would never fucking kill you! I wouldn't fucking hurt you on purpose! I didn't want you to be involved in Billy's stupid fucking plan but he said there was no other choice. That's why I drugged you. I thought if you were asleep for the whole thing then you would never know what happened. I could convince you that your dad was the killer and killed Sidney before we could stop him. But then you and Sidney surprised us. You woke up. We didn't think you two would fight back as hard as you did." He stepped closer and I moved a little more.

"When you cried into my shoulder because you thought I was did it fucking broke me. God, baby…I just wanted to hold you and tell you that everything was going to be okay. I wanted to beg for your forgiveness. It was hard having to leave until I was healed enough to go back to Woodsboro. The first night I was back I watched you as you sat on the deck and cried. And you know I can't stand that. I can't take it when you cry. But I can't tell you that I regret what I did. Because I don’t. I like the feeling of how easy my knife slices someone open. The feeling of when it hits bone. And I'll do it again if someone dares to come near you and try to take what's mine."

He was so distracted with his rant that I was sure he didn't realize we had switched places from walking in circles. "I don't belong to you. I don't belong to anyone." He titled his head back and closed his eyes letting out a long sigh. That's when I took the chance to turn and run. I heard Stu yell, "Fuck!" As I ran around the corner. "What did I tell you?! You running from me make me fucking hard as fuck! I like the chase, baby! But I'm going to like it even more when I catch you!"

My heart was pounding against my ribcage and rushed in my ears. I frantically tried doors only for all of them to be locked. Fear shot up my spin and the hairs on the back of my neck and on my arms stood. I didn't know where I was going or where Stu was. The halls were pitch black, a loud crack of thunder rocked the building, and a flash of lightning lit the hall through a window that overlooked the campus just as I looked behind me. I screamed when I saw Atu standing a few feet away from me, I turned around and ran.

I kept trying doors as I went. Being chased in a dark building and the thunderstorm I felt like I was in a real fucking horror movie. But if I was being honest…it may have sent a joke of excitement through me. And if it wasn't for the fact my boyfriend was a fucking murdering psychopath I might have laughed. I might even let him catch me but he was a murdering psychopath and I didn't want to die. I know he said he would hurt me but I honestly don't believe that.

I tried one more door and was relieved when it opened. I slammed the door behind me and turned to lock it only for there to be no lock. "Fuck," I whispered. "You can't keep running, sweetheart!" I frantically looked around the room for something to put in front of the door. I didn't have time to try and push the cabinet in front of it. I slowly moved away from the door and backed up. I turned in a circle taking a better look at where I was. I couldn't see much but I looked like I was in one of the film school's editing rooms.

I quickly hid when I heard the door open. I couldn't see much. The only light was the red and green lights on the equipment. I pushed myself between the filing cabinets, hand over my mouth to try and keep as quiet as possible. I knew it was no good and that I should just give up. He had me cornered. "Just give in. You have nowhere to go, babe. So just come out and I promise I will not hurt you. I just want to talk. I want–fuck! I want to fix us. Please, baby."

I peaked around the cabinet to see his back turned towards me, so I quietly moved towards the door while staying crouched. I moved slowly, making sure I didn't run into anything. I kept my eyes on him until I got to the door. Just as my hand landed on the door handle, I got yanked backward by my bag that was on my back. I tensed as fear shot through me, and then I started to thrash as he wrapped one arm around my waist, wrapping a hand around my throat. He held me tight against his body, running the tip of his nose up my neck until his lips brushed my ear. And whispered, "Gotcha."

[kmze]

So idk if I quite remembered just how close steroline's mouths got in 4x19 during the prom dance after Caroline tells Stefan he'll fall in love again... but I saw a gifset and it's making me need to rant about how I think Stefan fell harder way before he allowed himself to!

We know this 4x19 moment in particular meant enough to him that he wrote about it in his wedding vows, right? And at this point it’s quickly becoming canonically undeniable that Stefan’s feelings for Caroline aren't *completely* platonic— just a few episodes prior in 4x16, Stefan made it glaringly obvious that he was sexually attracted to her when he chose her as the “single hot girl” to dance with. (Something that could have been platonic if it weren't for Elena herself pointing out that it very much didn't look that way)

And of course he's not going to want to admit it. She's in love with Tyler still and even if she wasn't, she still has Klaus trying to win her affections. He's respectful of her relationship just like she was of his and Elena's.

But... I think some of that is also because he is just as insecure as Caroline is, if not more. 

I'm sure that Stefan figures Caroline’s old high school girl crush is long gone— they wouldn’t have been such good friends when he was still dating and in love with Elena if he didn’t. He has seen guy after guy fall for her (Tyler broke every bone in his body repeatedly for her!) and I think to some extent that must scare him.

The previous girls— I’m excluding Rebekah because he was in his Ripper state then and it wasn’t a long relationship— he has dated have both been equally desirable which ended up becoming an issue when they fell for the other guys wanting them. I think that Stefan is just as insecure as Caroline about never being the one that people choose in the end. Katherine was in love with Elijah and often just using him. Elena ended up choosing Damon. What if Caroline decided to still choose Tyler or instead choose Klaus in the end?

He's seen how compassionate Caroline can be to almost everyone, so it would make sense if he brushes off her obvious affection for him as typical Caroline bubbliness.... but just for *one tiny second* while they're dancing, you can see him almost crack and consider it.

So yeah I always felt like Stefan's "more than friendship" feelings started in S4 whereas Caroline's didn't realize S5 it's just that Caroline accepted hers more willingly because she had that crush on him when they first met. I mean the biggest proof we have that Stefan's feelings came about in S4 is that Lexi friggin' pointed it out! Lexi his best friend for over 100 years who knew him better than anyone knew right away he did not look at Caroline the way he looked at her, she knew there was something growing there and she only knew it from Stefan's perspective. I think Lexi saw that moment at prom, she saw how he almost leaned in and kissed her and she saw that breath he let out after she told him he's fall in love again thinking in that moment maybe she meant him.

I find it kind of funny that people don't think Stefan had any insecurity when it came to Caroline lol, because when he found out she had a think for him his first reaction was literally "why" LMFAO. He was completely shocked, like me, why would you like me? He's seen all these guys throwing themselves at her, he's seen she's got Klaus wrapped around her finger, he sees Tyler still hanging around, he sees Enzo calling her gorgeous and taking road trips with her, why would he think she saw him as anything but her friend. I think it's why he was so hellbent on everything being perfect with Caroline, he had so much insecurity she'd find happiness with someone else or just like Elena and Katherine he wouldn't be enough for her "hero never gets the girl."

[saveugoodmadam]

warm hands, cold world

a/n: this was originally published as part of my @newsiestober2023 collection on quotev using the prompt "gift of magic".

a couple of content warnings: descriptions of injuries, implied physical child abuse

Stanley Milner, known to his friends as Specs, was by all accounts a regular teenager. Perhaps an overly happy one, but nothing out of the ordinary.

That was, until the night the strike went wrong.

Splasher whimpered pitifully as the policeman's truncheon crashed downwards onto his arm. Specs dashed from where he had been holding the line of safety with Albert and dragged the kid into a nearby alleyway.

"Jesus." Albert muttered. "That's broken pretty bad."

"Specs... god, it hurts... why does they hate us?" Splasher kept whispering. Specs' hands ghosted over the broken arm. He knew he could do something, but it would risk a secret his family had kept for hundreds of years...

"Ah, darn it." he muttered. He rubbed his hands together gently, then placed them on the broken arm. His palms heated up and when he had removed them it was like the arm hadn't ever been broken.

"The hell was that?" Albert asked, taking his eyes off the fight for a second to take in the miraculous events.

"Uh, magic." Specs admitted sheepishly. "It's a family thing. Y'know, a gift. Each of us gets magic to be used for something helpful. For me, it's healing. For Stray, she can understand animals."

" 'n ya didn't think ta tell us that when fellas came home with big shiners from fights by the docks?" 

"We's not supposed to tell people. It's supposed to be for emergencies."

"Well." Albert said, turning back to the carnage. "There's yer emergency, kid."

Specs knelt over an unconscious Finch, holding back tears as he knitted the boy's skull back together. He brought the boy into a tight hug as he woke back up. 

"Let me back out there!" Finch begged. "Gotta keep fightin' "

A sudden scream came from Race, who picked himself up from where he leant against the wall of the alley. "They's got Crutchie!" 

Finch broke from the hug, and ran to try and help the boy who'd been an older brother to him since they met, but was cut off by Buttons, who held him back from further harm with a quiet self-hatred for his actions.

"Finch! Finch, please. Run, don't let 'em get you. I'll be fine, ya hear me?" Crutchie wheezed, coughing as Snyder and his goons dragged him away. Specs pressed desperately against Buttons' other arm, his hands outstretched and the palms almost burning with the want to heal the older boy's wounds, but to scald Snyder's palms first.

He worked tirelessly through the night, healing wound after wound, reknitting bones back together and after that he went straight to the Refuge and found Crutchie's dorm room. Well, dorm would be one term for it. It was dirty and cramped and miserable. Crutchie himself was sat by the window, trying to write a letter by moonlight. His hands shook a little as he wrote and signed off the letter. 

"Hey, Crutchie."

The older boy started at the noise, obviously on edge after the events of the day.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. It's me. It's Specs."

Crutchie tried to smile at him, his partially healed split lip starting to bleed again. 

"Hey, Specs. I got a letter for Jack, wouldya be a pal and give it to him for me?" 

Specs took the letter that was pushed through the bars to him. His hands pulsed with warm, magic energy. Though he tried to reach out towards Crutchie's battered face to try and heal a cut or two, he couldn't reach.

"Don't let all the fellas worry about me, alright? Don't let 'em come along and try to break me out. I'm one tough bird, I'll survive old Snyder. Yeah?"

Specs tried to muster up a smile.

"Yeah. Okay. Be safe."

The after-party of the strike win was immense, but Specs could feel Crutchie's tiredness from a mile off. That night, he climbed up to the rooftop. As he had guessed, his friend was still awake whilst Jack slept curled up beside him.

"Hey. Has anyone had a look at your cuts yet?" he asked quietly. Crutchie, suddenly looking infinitely older than the plucky kid he usually played the role of, shook his head.

"Nah. They'll be fine." he croaked.

"Well, just let me have a look, okay?"

He traced his hands over the cuts on Crutchie's face. Then the ones on his arms. Then a few on his shins. Shuddering, he healed up a few nasty, methodical lash marks on his back.

"God, that man's an animal. I hope he stays locked up for good." he muttered spitefully. Crutchie just nodded.

"So you's got magic hands, huh? Don't see that every day. Do you think..." 

The question hovered, unsaid.

"No. I can only heal fresh wounds."

"Makes sense. Can you heal... mental wounds?" 

His eyes flicked to Specs'. The hurt in them would have been too much for a grown adult to bear, and it was a wonder that a kid could bear it all.

"I don't know. I- I'll try."

He put his hands either side of Crutchie's head and concentrated. Very soon, the boy's eyelids drooped and he slumped forwards against Specs, breathing deeply as he slept. Specs gave a small, tight smile. He hoped it had worked, that he could relieve a little of the pain any of his friends had ever suffered whilst he couldn't do anything to prevent it.

He fell asleep soon after, his warm hands providing a cosy heat in the cold night.

[phantoms-lair]

Batman Exalted thing-JLD Interlude

Note: Takes place before Bruce's Exaltation

Five people sat at the table, Jason Blood, Zatanna, and Constantne sat of one side, Batman and his 'guest' on the other.

Zatanna sighed and broke the silence. "It's not going to work"

"It's not?" Quill said in a small voice, her entire demeanor crushed.

"Can we rework it so it can?" Batman inquired.

Constantine snorted. "No amount of reworking is going to fix that." He smacked the folder in front of him with the back of his hand, making Quill looked even more dejected.

Jason Blood closed his eyes is exasperation. "As much as I hate to say it, Constantine is right. The working itself is a fascinating piece of magic, and if it could be accomplished would work as intended but..."

"But?" Batman prompted.

"She wasn't joking about not being able to power the damn thing herself. The problem is the whole Greek Pantheon working in perfect harmony couldn't power this bloody thing." Constantine threw his hands up.

"So even if this 'Ketchup' person does manage to give you a yours a magical boost, it wouldn't be anywhere near enough." Zatanna explained. "And if we reworked the ritual to a reasonable power requirement, it wouldn't be strong enough to do what it has to.

Quill bit her lip. "Okay, but consider-" She closed her eyes is focus and a glowing light began to emerge in a halo around her. The glowing like began to form images. Scene from stories -some Batman knew and some he didn't. But while it seemed like a mere light show to him, Justice League Dark members apparently saw something else.

Jason Blood's face had gone pale, Zatanna has scooted her chair back, and Constantine's jaw was hanging open and his ever-present cigarette had fallen onto the table.

"I am a mid tier Exalt at the most generous interpretation." Quill explained "And that interpretation is very situational. So probably any Exaltations Kejack arranges would be more powerful that me."

"How?" Jason Blood asked.

"Well, Exalted were originally create to fight the things that created the gods. And one of our main purposes in modern times is telling gods who get too uppity to sit down and shut up." Quill looked fidgety and increasingly uncomfortable.

"Are you alright?" Batman asked gently.

"I want to tell the story. They whole story of the birth of Creation, the Primordial War, all of it. It's like a compulsions as the Chosen of Stories. But's it's long and probably not relevant, so I shouldn't bother anyone."

"I'll hear it when the meeting is over." Batman promised.

Quill lit up, but tried to tap it down. "But you have so much to do."

"This story is about the origin of Exaltations, hearing it would be doing needed research."

"I gave you the bare bones in the folder."

"And I want to hear more to understand the nuance. I'll find you after the meeting." It was a clear dismissal, but Quill couldn't have looked happier as she left.

"What did you see in that light show I didn't?" Batman pressed.

"Power." Jason Blood answered. "Raw power in a way I'd never seen before."

"And if she's low tier? And you lot are going to be more powerful. Bloody hell." Constantine was trying to relight his cigarette, but his hand was shaking too badly.

"With this new information, the ritual will work." Zatanna was trying to remain professional. "But I am concerned about how this will change things afterwards."

"Quill's plan is not ideal, and Quill herself is aware of that. It is, however, workable. I am very open to any other workable ideas, but we also don't know what the timeframe we're looking at is." Batman admitted.

"Well, it's not like the landscape isn't going to rearrange itself once she joins the cape crew anyways." Constantine rolled his eyes, finally getting his lighter to work.

"She won't." Batman said with a tone of finality.

"How can you writer her off so quickly?" Jason Blood inquired. "Her power alone-"

"Power doesn't make someone a hero." Batman said as a not-so subtle reminder that until recently the defenders of Gotham had always been unpowered individuals. "She doesn't have the temperament. She hesitates and second guesses herself. And has very much internalized the power hierarchy in Creation, which puts her as the weakest of the powers. She doesn't trust herself to make a difference." She'd not been able to keep up her calm and collected demeanor for a single conversation before falling apart.

Zatanna sighed. "You're right, a hero with that much self-doubt would be a liability in the field, no matter their power." "She's not a hero. she is, however, a good person. Do you have any other workable solutions."

"Not at this time." Jason Blood sighed. "It's not just the power requirements, this magic functions differently from anything I've ever seen before. With enough time we might find something, but you yourself pointed out we don't know how much time we have. Ketchup may make his move within an hour."

"Please do what you can." Batman implored. "No worries, mate. You boss around Gods well enough as a 'mere mortal'. Don't want to see what happens when you have the power to back it up.

Honestly? Neither did he.

[jellyfish-vents]

Please Happily Ignore This.

[just an internet girl ranting about her unrequited love story]

When I decided to start this blog, I wanted to make it my personal blog, a safespace.

With all these new followers, guys I don't know what you expect, but I don't know anyone of you, and I would like this to still be my personal blog. And I am so overwhelmed right now I can't go anywhere else.

This girl, that I have been absolutely in love with, just told me that she's in love with another girl, and it's reciprocated.

I am just absolutely torn because, well, You Know Why.

She called me and I couldn't stop giggling because I just am that much in glee to just talk to her. It was literally an hour ago. And she brought it up with me because she felt obliged to do it and because she said I am the easiest person to talk about it.

I could hear my heart shatter. But I didn't let her know. At all. I hid it well. I am proud of it.

I was the one who helped her talk about her sexuality, being a demi-sapio sexual myself. I helped her discover all the beauty of loving someone, whoever you love. We talked about the hardships, the bullying in school, the fear of attachment, everything. But we also talked about how divine it would be to just let us fall for the beauty of it all without considering the societal standards. And the whole reason I could say all that to her was, because I could see all that beauty in her while I fell for her.

I planned dates with her, I thought of all the movies I wanna watch with her, all he songs I wanna share, all the places I wanna be with her at, all the things I wanna do, everything. It all happened in my head. I even thought of how I would confess my feelings to her, and how I would propose her if she reciprocated and was okay with it. All this before our mutual friend broke the news to me that she is going away for her post graduation.

I crumbled that day. All I remember is crying and texting her about it and telling her how glad I am for her, up until my hands were too shaky to hold the phone and my eyes too teary to read the texts. I cried, sobbed, I mourned.

I almost thought of confessing it to her, "She ought to know" I thought. Because we shared a great chemistry. It was so organic, I bet she felt it too. But I didn't. I didn't wanna hand her another baggage to take with her, all the while she was already freaking out about moving away. I decided not to say a word. And I was happy for her.

We shared a movie evening one day. It didn't feel like it was enough. All I wanted was to cup her face and look into her eyes, and just bask in her presence. But then she left. I hope she felt my love, even if she saw it as a friend.

And today she told me about her intense feelings. About how she's scared, and excited, but scared mostly because she doesn't wanna mess up, and because it's just all that new to her, homosexuality. I could hear the hesitation in her voice, but also the truth. She indeed is in love.

We talked about it for a while, about the complications of it all. I listened to it all like a good friend and said a few helpful words that I know she counted on.

We said goodnight, I cut the call, and broke down.

It's not that I'm jealous, or anything.

Infact, I told her I'm happy for her, and I mean it by every bone in my body.

I am very happy for her.

But.

I am just sad for myself.

There's just sadness there.

September 18th 2023, 3:52am

[weirdraccoon]

Til Death Do Us Whole

Tom Riddle was to wed Omega Malfoy to help his family and, unknowingly, the Omega's family. Both sets of parents had plans for the marriage, never mind that Tom and Draco never crossed a single word beforehand. It didn't matter. This was all business after all. So, it shouldn't be that difficult for the Alpha to exchange vows and tie their lives forever, or at least until death do them part.

Plans get complications when Tom finds himself married to a dead Omega.

Or - Tomarry Corpse Bride AU

Chapter 3

“It’s a wedding gift,” Harry explained, shyly, pushing a box into Tom’s arms. “I really hope you like it, but if I crossed a line, then I apologize.”

Tom smirked at the sudden shyness of his Omega and opened the box as soon as he received it. In the box rested several bones. Tom glanced at Harry, confused.

“Er, thanks,” he said, taking one bone out to inspect it closely.

Harry chuckled at his confusion. Tom looked back at him. The box rattled and the bones jumped out of it, forming a circle at his feet before arranging themselves into the skeleton of a snake.

Harry was biting his lip in anticipation. Tom did a double take of the snake when it slithered close to him and rubbed its skull on his leg, like a cat.

“What is- wait, Nagini?” He called, getting a happy hiss in return. “Nagini!”

The snake jumped on his lap and wrapped its body around his shoulders. Tom was laughing freely, petting it and hugging it back. Harry was watching them with warm eyes.

“So, I take it you liked it?”

“I loved it, Harry!” Tom answered, grinning. “Thank you, really,” he said.

Harry grinned back and nodded once.

"I'm happy we met, Tom," Harry said, playing with the ring on his finger.

"Me too, Harry," Tom replied softly, but looking at the ring reminded him of Draco. 

That ring was supposed to be for Draco. What was the blonde Omega doing? Was he ashamed of being abandoned by his arranged fiance? Surely his parents wouldn't allow anyone to make fun of them. He was good-looking and seemed like a good person, he'd have more suitors lined up to marry him even if only for his fortune.

Unless… was he still waiting for Tom to go back and marry him?

Tom might not be able to do it, he was already married after all, but he should at least let him know that he was free to wed someone else. Someone he knew, perhaps, someone he liked.

He should also tell his parents. They must be worried about him.

"I kind of wish we met before," Harry was saying. "I'm sure my parents would've approved of you. Or maybe not," he shrugged and chuckled. "I bet anyone would've been better than he-who-shall-not-be-named, for them."

Tom perked up, seizing the opportunity to go back to the living world. He just needed to convince his wife…

"You know what," he began, "I think my parents would approve of you too. They would love you. Why don't we go visit them?"

“Oh! I’d love that!” Harry clapped his hands together. “Did they have a horrible death? That’s the only way they’d still be around, you know.”

Tom reeled back and stared at him for a second.

“No, no,” he shook his head. “They’re very much alive.”

“Oh,” Harry’s shoulders dropped and his expression turned thoughtful. “Well, I broke my link with the living world when we married,” he hummed. “But I think I know someone who can help! Come on!”

The Omega jumped to his feet and rushed away. Tom hastened to follow, rearranging Nagini’s bones over his shoulders like a scarf.

“Wait! Harry!”

When Tom finally caught up to him, Harry was knocking on the door of what looked like an abandoned tower. The walls were all covered with bookcases and even the floor was mostly hidden under piles of books.

“You’ll love him, Albus is like a personified encyclopedia,” Harry gushed lowly. “I bet he knows of another way to go to the living world. According to him, the only reason I could go back and forth was because I had ‘unfinished business’,” he chuckled, doing air quotes while talking. “Guess you helped me move on!”

“And who is this Albus?” Tom asked, following Harry up the stairs near the back.

“I am,” a voice said from the top of the stairs. “Hello, Harry. How are you?”

“Albus!” Harry ran up the stairs and hugged the old man waiting for them. “I’m brilliant! Look,” he showed off his ring and pointed to Tom over his shoulder. “That’s Tom, my husband.”

Tom bowed his head in greeting. Albus narrowed his eyes and glanced between Harry and Tom. He pulled Harry through another door and Tom followed. That room was as filled with books as the rest of the place, and Tom wondered if the man had been a librarian while alive. He also wondered if the man had read all those books, but he guessed that, when dead, even he would find the time to read as many books.

“You do know he’s alive, right Harry?” Albus asked gravely.

“Yep,” Harry replied, popping the p, “Nick confirmed it. Tom still has a beating heart and working lungs and he can eat and drink and-” He gasped, turning worried eyes to Tom. “You haven’t eaten anything here! Aren’t you hungry? Thirsty? Why didn’t you say anything!”

“I’m fine,” Tom placated, raising his hands to stop the worried rambling. “I don’t feel hungry yet, or thirsty. I could get something to eat if we do visit my parents.”

“You do that,” Harry nodded decisively and turned back to Albus. “I don’t feel the connection I had before to my grave, so I was wondering if you knew of another way to visit the living world,” he asked, making puppy eyes to the old man.

Albus sighed and shook his head in exasperation. 

“No. There’s no way,” he said. “That’s not natural. He shouldn’t even be here.”

“Please,” Harry pouted. “You never forbid me to visit before.”

“It’s different,” Albus tried to ignore Harry’s expression but even Tom knew the old man would give in. “You were haunting your grave. With the link broken, you’re no longer allowed to even do that.”

“Just once,” Harry pleaded. “And I’ll be good. And I won’t bother you ever again,” he stopped, frowning in thought, “for at least a century.”

Albus gave him an unimpressed look, then looked at Tom and shook his head again.

“This is the only time I do this,” he warned, getting a cheer from Harry. “And I’d like to have a talk with your Alpha first. Alone.”

“But he’s mine,” Harry pouted again.

“Yes, Harry, he’s all yours,” Albus agreed easily as if talking to a child about a toy. “Just one word. No more than a minute. I promise.”

Harry bit his lip and nodded reluctantly.

“I’ll take Nagini downstairs,” he said, taking the snake off Tom’s shoulders and walking out of the door. “Call me when we can leave.”

Tom nodded, straightening his back when the door closed behind the Omega. Albus was watching him with narrowed eyes.

“Does he have a scent?”

“What?” Tom blinked, bewildered. “Why is that important?”

“It just is,” Albus said calmly.

“Well, yes, he’s got a scent, I know he’s an Omega,” Tom frowned, looking down, “or well, was one when he was alive.”

“Hum.”

“And what does that mean?”

“Oh don’t mind me,” Albus smirked, taking a book from one shelf. “I’m only an old dead man with too much free time for fairytales. Rumor has it that only true mates could scent each other even in the afterlife. Say, has Harry tried to scent you yet?”

“Well,” Tom scrunched up his nose. “I don’t know. He did scent-marked me though.”

Albus snorted.

“That’s just Harry being possessive,” he chuckled. “This is the first time he leaves you by yourself, is it not? He doesn’t even realize what he’s doing.”

“Wait,” Tom shook his head, stepping closer to the man. “Did you say ‘true mates’? I thought those didn’t exist anymore. There haven’t been true mates since the Peverells renounced theirs in exchange for gold.”

“No, no,” Albus pointed to the book and offered Tom a warm smile. “Only one brother renounced his mate for gold. Another one did it for magic. Tragic, that he died not long after without ever showing evidence of this supposed power. The last brother, however,” he hummed, combing his long beard with his fingers. “He didn’t renounce his true mate, and, according to the legend, his direct descendants are the only ones capable of finding their true mates.”

Tom tilted his head, looking at the drawings on the book. In his opinion, it still looked like a children’s book.

“So… What are you implying?”

Albus snapped the book shut.

“Nothing, really, don’t listen to an old man’s rambling,” he said, dropping the book on another part of the floor and picking another one up. “Come in Harry!”

Harry opened the door sheepishly and entered.

“I was not eavesdropping,” he lied. “Are we ready to leave?”

“Yes, yes,” Albus drawled, opening the book to a specific page from which he took a white feather. He waved his other hand over the feather, chanting: “ portus ” and handed it to Harry.

“This will take you to your grave, I hope you know where to go from there,” Albus explained. “Just say ‘lemon drop’ when you want to come back.”

Harry took Tom’s hand and sent a grateful smile Albus’ way.

“Thanks!”

Tom and Harry disappeared with a bang. Tom felt as if something pulled his navel and threw him across different planes of the universe. When he felt nauseous enough to vomit, his feet hit the ground, hard, and he tumbled over, taking Harry with him to the ground.

“That was fun,” Harry said beneath him, smiling warmly at him. “Now, where to?”

Tom stood up and pulled Harry to his feet.

“I just- I,” Tom stammered. Part one of his plan was achieved, but now that they were there he wasn’t too sure about how to do things. He couldn’t take Harry to his parents, or anywhere near a living human being, for that matter. “You wait here,” he decided, pulling Harry to a rock near the willow and sitting him there. “I have to explain some things to my parents first. I’ll come to fetch you once they understand everything and are ready to meet you.”

Harry agreed easily, watching him leave with a soft smile on his face. Not even sitting near the spot where he was murdered put him off. Not when Tom said he’d be back for him.

“Strange boy, that one,” a white owl hooted near him. “Why don’t you go see what he’s up to?”

“Hello to you too, Hedwig,” Harry said sarcastically. “And I won’t because he said to wait here, so I will.”

“And since when are you so obedient?” Hedwig taunted. “I’m sure he’ll understand why you couldn’t wait.”

“But he said he’ll be back,” Harry said, less confident now.

“And why would you make him walk in this weather? You may not feel it, but he sure does,” Hedwig flew over and landed on his shoulder. “If you go to him, he won’t have to freeze to death out here just to take you back to town.”

Harry hummed, petting the owl absentmindedly. He stood up and took the owl to the willow where it flew back to the top of the tree.

“Maybe you’re right,” Harry thought out loud. “I’ll catch up to him and he won’t have to come fetch me. He’d be warm and healthy at his parents’ house and they won’t have a reason to hate me! Thanks, Hedwig!”

The owl hooted again, confused, and tilted its head, watching the dead man get further away with each passing second. Humans were so weird, always talking to themselves, alive or dead, they were all crazy. Hedwig shook his wings and flew off.

Tom, on his part, was already climbing a tree near Draco’s balcony. Or at least he hoped it was Draco’s balcony. He was sure Lucius would kill him if he got the wrong door.

He knew he had it right when he saw the blonde Omega sitting near the fire. He knocked on the glass, startling him. Draco gasped when he saw him and rushed to open the door.

“Tom? What the- How are you here? Where have you been?”

“Draco, I’m- I’m sorry,” Tom said between breaths. “I came to apologize. Something extremely weird happened and I’m sure you won’t believe me. I barely believe it and I’m pretty sure it wasn’t a dream or anything.”

“Tom, you’re rambling,” Draco frowned. “What is it? Did you really escape because you didn’t want to marry me? But then why are you here?”

“No, Draco, I do- I did want to marry you,” Tom explained. “I was- I was in the forest practicing my vows when- well, I got married.”

“What?” Draco hissed, stepping away from him. “How? In the forest? I don’t understand.”

“Me neither to be honest,” Tom mumbled. “I was saying my vows and then I put the ring in a branch of this willow tree. And then, then there was this Omega. I was sure it was only a tree before, but then it was this Omega and he said we were married now.”

“Is it legal?” Draco scrunched up his face, frowning in confusion. “One doesn’t just get married in the forest, Tom.”

“I know, I know, but I did, and well, the oddest part is-

“That’s not the oddest part?”

“The strangest part is that this Omega is not alive,” Tom rushed to say.

Draco blinked blankly at him.

“Now I know you’re pulling my leg,” he huffed. “If you don’t want to get married just say it, Riddle. Don’t go around inventing such lies.”

“I’m not lying!”

“I can live with the fact that a merchant’s son doesn’t want me,” Draco puffed. “My parents will easily find another suitor. One more deserving.”

“Draco-

“Now, I kindly ask you to leave before I alert my parents of your presence.”

“Tom?”

Draco’s mouth shut when he saw the ghostly apparition of a bride standing on his balcony. It was a corpse wearing a wedding dress and looking at Tom with hurt green eyes.

“Harry,” Tom called, stepping in front of Draco as if to hide him. “I can explain.”

“I bet you can!” Harry snapped, and Draco thought his room suddenly felt chili, even with the fire on. “Is this why you wanted to come to the living world? To meet this other Omega? I thought you said we were visiting your parents!”

“And we are,” Tom tried to calm the dead Omega down. “But I had to explain to Draco first-

“ Draco . And who is this Draco to you? What is he to you?” Harry growled, crossing his arms over his chest. “And don’t lie to me, Tom. I will know if you’re lying.”

Tom sighed in defeat and lowered his head.

“He was my fiance,” he mumbled. “I was practicing my vows when I- when we got married.”

Harry gasped and Draco shuddered. He felt frozen on the spot and he didn’t know how Tom could speak to it as calmly as he was. There was a dead man in his room! A dead man wearing Tom’s ring! Tom was married to a dead Omega!

There was a dead Omega in his room.

Draco fainted.

“Great, see what you did,” Tom knelt to check over Draco but a hand stopped him before he could check the pulse.

Harry was glowering at him, growling at the unconscious Omega on the floor. Tom shook his hand free and stood up to face Harry.

“Stop it,” he hissed angrily. “I’m your Alpha, you’re my Omega, stop being childish, and let me check if you didn’t kill him.”

“You can see he’s breathing, you don’t need to touch him to check if he’s alive.”

“Harry,” Tom warned, growling under his breath. “I will put him on his bed and then we can leave. I’ll take you to my parents’ and we can go back to the world of death.”

Harry didn’t cower and he held Tom’s angry look with his own.

“Don’t growl at me, you liar!” He snapped, pushing Tom’s chest with a finger. “Ok! Touch him, carry him, marry him for all I care! See if you find your way back when you’re done fooling around!”

Harry turned on his heel and climbed down the balcony. Tom ran a hand through his hair, frustrated, and crouched next to Draco. He only wanted to make sure the Omega didn’t hit his head when he fell. Why did Harry have to be so… insecure?

He remembered what Albus said about Harry being possessive. He realized that the old man had been right. This was the second time Harry left him alone. Not even in the bar, when Harry was at the piano, was he out of the Omega’s sight. He groaned.

He carried Draco to his bed and went out of the balcony, trying to find his wayward wife among the buildings. He sighed and climbed down. There were no traces of Harry, but with any luck he’d gone back to his- Tom stopped, feeling drained all of a sudden.

He left Harry waiting at his own grave. No wonder Harry decided to follow him.

Tom ran to the forest, hoping he’d find Harry before Harry decided to leave without him.