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ravenlking · 1 year

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Could i make a request? If you don't wanna do it feel free to ignore it but.... Dom reader, lol yes yes I do love Dom reader, could i please have sweet fluff just like the first part of the series with Cater, Ruggie, Jamil and Silver? (idk if there's a character limit, i didn't find any but feel free to add or scratch out any you want) Just a reader who lovingly doms them and dotes and spoils them rotten as they take care of them

𝐃𝐎𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐌𝐄, 𝐈 𝐀𝐌 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐒

𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐃𝐈𝐀𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐃, 𝐑𝐔𝐆𝐆𝐈𝐄 𝐁𝐔𝐂𝐂𝐇𝐈, 𝐉𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋 𝐕𝐈𝐏𝐄𝐑, 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐕𝐄𝐑 as long as you stay with me, i think i'll be okay

part one (trey, rook, lilia) // part two (leona, floyd) // part three (cater, ruggie, jamil, silver)

gender-neutral warnings: - implied relationships :D genre: fluff a/n: - is this how authors feel when they get their first request? squeeee i love you mwah mwah! (thx for reminding me i forgot to make my own rules and stuff lmao) - the amount of stuff i have for cater- the pure bias i show for him *star eyes* - you know how part 2 was dom dominate reader? part 3 is soft dom reader guys :) - these banners belong to me bc I made them, but the pictures are from the official game. please do not steal! - please give me feedback :)

Let me know if you'd like more!

𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐃𝐈𝐀𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐃

Having a smile on your face hurts all the time. Physically and emotionally; it's draining Cater's happiness as we speak. Desperately trying to keep up that appearance of "everything is okay if we smile!" is exhausting, especially in moments like these. Riddle, screaming his head off at an impassively looking Ace. Riddle, whose voice rings all over Heartlsbayul's grand castle, desperately tries not to go back to his old ways and immediately beheads the foolish Ace of Cards.

It was literally the tenth rule of the Queen of Hearts 'Do not go on beyond the late night hours of 10:00 on a weekday., and Ace decides to not only rope himself but poor Deuce and his other two classmates. They have long been dismissed with a punishment of writing a 200-word apology essay, but Ace refuses to accept the rules.

"What's the point of doing it?" Ace yawns dismissively. "It's just gaming, it ain't gonna do anything harmful to me."

From the look on Riddle's face, it looks like he just wants to execute Ace. Cater and Trey exchange a tired glance and Riddle caught it. He sighs, pinching his nose, before dismissing the two. Cater dashes out of there; his smile slips from his face the moment he is out of sight. He feels so tired. He bangs his room door open, igniting you to wake from your slumber.

He mutters an apology before diving into your hands, clenching onto you and tangling his legs with yours, and burying his head in the crook of your collarbone. Tonight, he just wants you to hold him until he can recharge for yet another day.

A tiny smile climbs onto his lips when he feels you singing under your breath and the repetitive stroking of his hair immediately lures him into slumber. The last thing he feels is your gentle kiss on his forehead and a soft mutter of "Don't worry, I got you."

𝐑𝐔𝐆𝐆𝐈𝐄 𝐁𝐔𝐂𝐂𝐇𝐈

Running errands is exhausting. Leona seems to have no idea how much Ruggie is struggling to balance his school work, extra jobs on the side, running after Leona- everything just piles up like a house of cards. And houses of cards are always destined to fall...today seems like that day.

Ruggie pants as he leans against a tree in the Courtyard. His arms are heavy with bags from Sam's Mystery Shop and sweat beads on his forehead. His hair uncomfortably sticks to his forehead; some strands are sticking into his eyes.

He is used to this, of course. The slums offered no mercy to those who didn't work 'til their bones old and frail. He is used to the hot summer day beating down on him until his back is red from the sun's glare, but why does today seem so tiring?

You were just passing by; Grim had already ditched you to go pranking with Ace and Deuce. You wanted no part in that (they were truly the idiot trio) and therefore decided to take a peaceful walk around Night Raven College before finally bumping into Ruggie.

His groceries were scattered all over the place and Ruggie hissed out angrily. For Seven's sake- he spent a whole hour in the Mystery Shop to get those rare groceries; he can't even go back for them because he bought them all. Ruggie snapped his head up, an angry glint in his eyes before it subsided slightly before noticing it was you.

"Oh," Ruggie muttered before picking up whatever salvageable groceries he could see. "Hello."

You frowned at his detached tone. Upon looking closer, Ruggie appeared extremely exhausted. His words seemed to slur together and his eyelids were slowly blinking as if the action was comparable to holding up the world. His hair was strangely more ruffled than usual and eyebags were visible under his ash grey eyes.

"Ruggie, is Leona running you ragged again?"

Ruggie flinched at the suddenness of the question before registering it and shaking his head. You frowned before staring at the groceries. "My love, these are all expensive meat products. Seven knows that you never touch nor eat this."

He was caught red-handed. Ruggie gave a heavy sigh before collapsing onto you. Yelping, you caught him. The beastman snickered slowly before he patted your head.

"If you would, would you mind telling Leona-san to stop? I need....sleep."

With that, Ruggie slept, snoring loudly. You laughed before cradling him bridal-style; he remained peacefully in his wonderful slumber, unknowing the rage that was boiling within you.

"Leona Kingscholar," You muttered as you began your journey back to Ramshackle. "You'll pay for doing this to my beloved."

Somewhere in Savanaclaw, Leona sneezed.

𝐉𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋 𝐕𝐈𝐏𝐄𝐑

"Oh Jamil!!"

The moment Jamil heard that accused voice, he fled. He's had enough of disturbances today and judging from Kalim's tone, for the sake of his sanity, he dashed away until he accidentally collided into you.

"Jamil!" You glomped him with a giant grin. Just your scent- it brought warmness into Jamil's rigid body, giving him comfort. The aching pain in his muscles immediately faded away; he practically slumped against you and you chuckled.

"Hard day today?"

Jamil nodded, hands tightened around your hips. You simply pat his head and his hair ornaments jingle delicately.

Kalim came bounding right around the corner, still dressed in his lab coats and was whipping his head around. His ruby eyes searched the corridors until they landed on you and Jamil cuddling together. He immediately dashed towards you, crying out Jamil's name like it was a prayer.

"Please." You heard Jamil half-sob out. "I'm too tired to deal with this!"

Before Kalim could pull your jewel away from you, your hand shot outwards, stopping the excitable white-haired boy in his tracks.

"Kalim," You gave him an easy-going smile. However, your hold on Jamil tightened, as if you were unwilling to give him up. Jamil just buried himself in your scent, giving a silent apology to Kalim in his head. "Unfortunately, Jamil has business with me so we need to leave."

Kalim gasped and looked at Jamil with wide eyes. "Sorry Jamil! I totally didn't know this! Why didn't you tell me? I'll get going then!" And on that note, he ran away, his lab coat fluttering behind him. Jamil heaved out a heavy sigh before giving you a tired grin.

"Business?"

You nodded seriously before steering him away. "Of course! You have been neglecting me for quite some time; it is only natural for you to repay those lost hours!"

Jamil only chuckled before following you.

𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐕𝐄𝐑

Silver realizes that after a month of you constantly pampering him and caring for him that you're like an older brother, but whenever he thinks that, his mind immediately screams the opposite.

He's confused about how to feel. Butterflies erupt in his stomach whenever he meets your enchanting eyes and sun-blinding grin. But the way your gentle touch soothes him to sleep and pressing soft open-mouthed kisses on his forehead, you care for him so much- Silver's torn.

He comes to you, the question in his head and dragging his feet. He's slightly nervous, I mean, who wouldn't? One wrong thing and he might accidentally ruin his relationship with you. And never in a million years would he willingly do that.

Silver finds you in the library, reading peacefully. Soft taps that grow louder made you look up from your book, a questioning gaze in your eyes until they soften upon seeing your silver-haired beloved. You gently placed the book aside, opening your arms and Silver welcomely dived in. His eyelids fluttered shut and the warmness of your body was lulling him to sleep before his mind thankfully reminded him why he was here in the first place.

You were just about to continue reading when Silver's voice interrupted you.

"Y/N? I'm confused..."

You hummed, your attention on him once more. You combed your fingers through his hair and Silver mustered up the courage to continue.

"You sometimes treat me like a lover...but other times it feels like you're the older brother," Silver rambled. "Sometimes you cook for me, you wake me up for classes, you plan the dates, I-I just don't know anymore."

Silver squeezed his eyes tight for your reaction - but he certainly did not expect a laugh. You turned him around so he was straddling your waist, his hands on your waist and his eyes meeting yours. Yours were full of understanding as you pressed a kiss, punctuating each other.

"My love, what I am doing is called taking the dominate position," a kiss to the cheek. "So sometimes I'll take the lead, I'll be the one caring for you most of the time, you understand?"

Silver nodded. So this is what humans do when they court? His father forgot to mention this. Well, it doesn't matter now. His hearts feel lightened by your answer and his mind can easily rest.

A soft thump! against your chest made you realize that your beloved has fallen asleep once more. You laughed quietly to yourself before picking up your novel and continuing to read where you had left off; your fingers subconsciously played with his hair and a gentle smile could be seen on his lips as Silver slept.

#twisted wonderland #disney twisted wonderland #twst cater #cater diamond #twst ruggie #ruggie bucchi #twst jamil #jamil viper #twst silver #silver #silver vanrouge

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pedanther · 1 year

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Some differences between the two English translations in Chapter 38:

—Que voulez-vous, comte, dit Albert; je me suis figuré que je m'étais fait une mauvaise querelle et qu'un duel s'en était suivi, et j'ai voulu faire comprendre une chose à ces bandits: c'est qu'on se bat dans tous les pays du monde, mais qu'il n'y a que les Français qui se battent en riant.

“Upon my word,” said Albert, “I deserve no credit for what I could not help, namely, a determination to take everything as I found it, and to let those bandits see, that although men get into troublesome scrapes all over the world, there is no nation but the French that can smile even in the face of grim Death himself.

“How else could I behave, Count?” said Albert. “I pretended to myself that I had got into an argument and a duel had resulted. I wanted to demonstrate something to those bandits, namely that while people fight one another in every country in the world, only a Frenchman jests as he fights.

—Oh! quant à cela, monsieur le comte, à merveille et de grand cœur! répondit Albert; et d'autant plus volontiers (mon cher Franz, ne vous moquez pas trop de moi!) que je suis rappelé à Paris par une lettre que je reçois ce matin même et où il est question pour moi d'une alliance avec une maison fort agréable et qui a les meilleures relations dans le monde parisien. —Alliance par mariage? dit Franz en riant. —Oh! mon Dieu, oui! ...

“Oh, that I do, and with infinite pleasure,” answered Albert; “and so much the more readily as a letter received this morning from my father summons me to Paris, in consequence of a treaty of marriage (my dear Franz, do not smile, I beg of you) with a family of high standing, and connected with the very cream of Parisian society.” “Connected by marriage, you mean,” said Franz, laughingly. “Well, never mind how it is,” answered Albert, “it comes to the same thing in the end...

“Oh, so far as that is concerned, Monsieur le Comte, entirely and most willingly!” Albert replied. “And all the more so – my dear Franz, do not make too much fun of me – since I have been recalled to Paris by a letter which I received this morning, which speaks of my alliance with a very fine house, and one that has excellent connections in Parisian society.” “An alliance by marriage?” Franz asked, laughing. “Heavens above, yes! ...

(This is an interesting one, because while I think Buss's translation correctly follows the French text in having Franz's “alliance by marriage” refer to Albert's upcoming alliance to the well-connected house, I can see where the older translation is coming from: if I'm remembering correctly which house it is, we do in fact learn that its connection to the cream of Parisian society come from the patriarch's marriage and not his birth.)

—Le comte de Monte-Cristo est un philanthrope. Il ne vous a pas dit dans quel but il venait à Paris. Eh bien, il vient pour concourir aux prix Montyon; et s'il ne lui faut que ma voix pour qu'il les obtienne, et l'influence de ce monsieur si laid qui les fait obtenir, eh bien, je lui donnerai l'une et je lui garantirai l'autre.

“He is a philanthropist,” answered the other; “and no doubt his motive in visiting Paris is to compete for the Monthyon prize, given, as you are aware, to whoever shall be proved to have most materially advanced the interests of virtue and humanity. If my vote and interest can obtain it for him, I will readily give him the one and promise the other.

“The Count of Monte Cristo is a philanthropist. He didn't tell you his purpose in coming to Paris, but he is coming to take part in the Prix Montyon; and if he only needs my vote and that of the very ugly gentleman who distributes them to succeed, then I shall give him the first and make sure he has the second.

(I understand why the older translation interpolates an explanation of the Prix Montyon, which Buss instead puts in a footnote; what interests me here is the disappearing-reappearing ugly gentleman.)

#the cristo account #the count of monte cristo #chapter 38 #lost in translation

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300yearschallenge · 2 years

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Part 1 I Part 2

After the execution Émile Gustaf was invited to Valdemar's home. Their friend Anders had to go home to his, and so the boys parted ways with him on the way back.

Valdemar lived in one of those big, tall houses that the more central parts of Stockholm consisted of, although Valdemar made sure to explain to Émile that his family didn't own the entire house, they just lived on one floor.

The inside of Valdemar's home was grand and beautiful. The walls were painted a very light shade of blue, with intricate wood panelling at the bottom. The furniture was fashionable, and it was clear Valdemar's family lived a comfortable lifestyle.

Valdemar's mother came to greet them both, and Émile also got to meet Valdemar's sister Alexandra.

Émile was invited to sit at the family's dinner table, and he tried his very best to make a good impression.

He told Valdemar's mother all about his family, and about the family he was staying with. The mother called it "very quaint and charming, indeed."

Not too long thereafter Valdemar's father joined them.

"Ah, darling," she said, "I'm happy to see you. How was work? Valdemar brought home a friend - meet Mr. Émile Park."

"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Park," said the man, "My name is Anders Gammelgård. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"You have a very nice house, Mister!" Émile said, eager to seem polite. "My father has a very important job, but he doesn't have half as fancy a home as you!"

Valdemar's mother gave a quick laugh at that, "Well, there you have it, dear," she said, "We ought to tell Mother that you were told this."

Anders laughed as well, "You may if you so like."

Émile wasn't really sure what was so funny, and he felt a little put down, so he decided to change the topic.

"My father works as a bell-ringer for our church back home," he said, hoping to impress the grown-ups once again, "It's a very pretty church too. You ought to go visit it sometime!"

"That's very nice, Mr. Park," Anders said, "I work as a barber-surgeon myself. I don't work anywhere near as grand as a church, in fact my office is just down the hall. Do you wish to see it?"

"Umm... I would love to?" Émile said, feeling a little unsure again. He knew what a barber-surgeon was, of course, but he worried it would be a very grim and scary workspace.

However, Émile was relieved to find that the workspace was just a somewhat ordinary looking room.

"This is where I work my magic," Anders said, "And over by the window here people can look in to see if they want to use my services."

"Doesn't it get very bloody?" Émile asked, and then immediately regretted it. What if that was a rude thing to ask?

Anders, however, merely laughed.

"Well, certainly, yes," he said, "But it's nothing some thorough cleaning won't solve."

Feeling less worried about asking questions, Émile asked the next thing that came to mind.

"When me and Valdemar saw the execution earlier today I got to see inside someone's neck," he said, "Is it strange that I felt a little curious about it all?"

"Oh, hardly," Anders said with a grin, "If we weren't curious we wouldn't have half the medical knowledge we have today. If anything I'd say you'd do well in my profession with an attitude like that."

Feeling encouraged, Émile then spent the next several minutes asking Anders a thousand different questions about the human body.

Why was there so much blood in one? How much blood was there? How many bones were there exactly? How come? Why was decapitation considered so effective?

Questions that Anders seemed to be more than happy to answer.

Afterwards Émile and Valdemar's father went back out into the living room, and Émile spent a few hours just playing with Valdemar while the adults talked.

Later that night Émile returned home tired from the day but in good spirits.

Not even Cathrina telling him off for being gone without notice was enough to dull them, and when he went to bed his mind was still buzzing about the day's events.

He had made new friends, he had seen an execution, he had met a friend's parents, and he had been told he wasn't strange for finding the execution curious.

Most of all, perhaps, he kept thinking about what Valdemar's father had said and wondering if he was right.

If you skipped the previous post, a summary of it can be found below:

Émile Gustaf was invited to hang out with two classmates Valdemar and Anders after school. They went to watch an execution, and while it was a little scary and gross Émile also found himself curious.

Historical Info

Today's historical info will be divided into a couple of different headings.

Public Executions

Public executions in Sweden in the 18th century were indeed a thing, and often was attended by large gatherings of people who came to watch the event.

The reason these events were public and attended by large gatherings of people were in equal parts "to entertain and to frighten" (Source in Swedish, sorry).

It sounds really grim and strange to think someone would be entertained by such an event, but we have to remember this was a different time and cultural attitudes were different.

I imagine (and this is just me imagining) that seeing such an event might have created a similar feeling as the one you get if you watch one of those very grim and detailed true crime shows (or maybe that's just me, who had a mother obsessed with watching such shows growing up) A sort of horrified fascination, probably with some squirming anxiety deep in your belly.

It was also thought that seeing someone be executed for a crime was a form of education, in a way. A sort of public shaming - saying "they did X and look what it got them" to ensure no one else would do the same thing. (People did still do the same thing)

For example this source (again in Swedish, sorry) states that during a particular execution in 1820 the children of the local school were put closest to the event so that they may learn from it.

The woman executed in the story was not based on any real person or event, but instead inspired by various cases I read about.

For example infanticide was one of the more common reasons women were put to death. Often these were young, unmarried women who had a child and had tried to hide it from society which in some way or other (deliberately or not) lead to the infant's death. In fact this was considered to be such an issue that in 1778 the King introduced the Infanticide Act in an attempt to put an end to such tragic events.

Galgbacken in Stockholm

Not a lot of historical info here, just briefly mentioning that the place Émile Gustaf went to was indeed the execution site at the time.

Galgbacken (source in Swedish again, sorry sorry) was on a hill in the southern part of Stockholm, in an area of Stockholm known as Hammarbyhöjden.

In fact Galgbacke is Swedish for "Noose Hill".

I based the depiction of it on this picture made in 1856.

Barber-Surgeons

So, I'm gonna start this section by mentioning that I think barber-surgeon is the most accurate translation of the Swedish word?

In Swedish a barber-surgeon was known as a "fältskär" which means field surgeon (or literally translated: field cut).

Wikipedia describes the barber surgeon in the following way:

"The barber surgeon, one of the most common European medical practitioners of the Middle Ages, was generally charged with caring for soldiers during and after battle. In this era, surgery was seldom conducted by physicians, but instead by barbers [...]"

Which I believe is a fairly efficient summary of the profession. Barber surgeons performed surgeries, amputations, blood letting and many other such medical procedures. They also, at times when surgery was not as needed, were (as the name suggests) barbers. Cutting hair, trimming nails and shaving beards.

Now, as you can see, it states that this was a profession from the Middle Ages.

However! They did still very much exist in the 18th century.

It happened to be a time wherein some countries in Europe were starting to integrate surgical knowledge with the more traditional (at the time) medical knowledge, although that was not the norm everywhere.

It was very much a question about class.

As this source states (in Swedish, sorry)

"compared to these [barber surgeons] doctors had a degree in medicine and a broad academic education that built on knowing Latin and Greek. Barber surgeons, that is to say the military and civil surgeons, counted as tradesmen, despite their work being very reminiscent of a doctor's" (translation by yours truly)

And similar to how society today discerns between, let's say, university degrees and community college, society back then discerned between a doctor and a barber surgeon.

This isn't to say there wasn't resistance to that societal standard. Barber surgeons very much wanted to affirm that they knew just as much about the human body as doctors did. And doctors wanted very much to affirm that they were not associated with """"lower"""" professions. Because classism.

In Sweden at this time there was much bitter feuding going on between the Collegium Medicum (which represented doctors) and the Surgical Society (which represented barber surgeons) about these societal standings.

In time, of course, these feuds would be settled (since we don't exactly view surgeons as not also being doctors). But, until then, the feud would continue.

#300 years challenge #sims 4 decades #sims 4 historical #sims 4 legacy #olafssons #gen 3 #émile gustaf park #ts4 decades #ts4 historical #ts4 legacy #simblr

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luxmaeastra · 1 year

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"Do you know Trystane of Rask?"

Rigelus paused and pursed his lips. He knew of the male, had seen him torture a child in glee and flayed it alive - feeding on the child's pain and fear like it was a delecacy. But then he'd let his war band be the hero when they hadn't need to be.

"I know of him yes why? What has he done?"

"He helped us cut through the city where our sisters were and then took Remelle."

Rigelus vaguely remembered she was one of their sisters. Older sisters if he remembered correctly.

Rhysand had reached them by now and his face grim and furious.

"She left us a note, saying the bond snapped and she left willingly."

Romulus frowned picking at his cuffs.

"It's unlike her. She talked about a mate and how she'd want it to an event."

Rigelus eyes went cold how could they be so alike and different?

"People change when the world is at war Romulus."

Romulus stiffened.

"Will you just come with us and see? She told us where she is."

"Just us? Are we not calling Rhaegar?"

At the name they both frowned at him. Right, they probably thought of the same way he thought of Austrus - larger than life end didn't want him to be involved unless he had to be.

"Fine."

------

The home was a small ramshackle log cabin in the woods. Rigelus wondered who Trystane killed to take it.

Trystane sat out front, one of the many children of the Rask monarchs. He wore no shirt and Rigelus wondered if the scratches on his skin were from his victims or his mate.

He grinned seeing the three of them. He had olive skin and dark brown almost black eyes flecked with gold.

"Aw if it isn't the little brothers. She said you'd both come She's alive and the bond is consumated. I'd ask if you three want anything but the peasants didn't stock their home well."

Before they died lingered heavily unsaid in the air.

He was not above dragging his sister home, even though she was older than them, he knew better in this situation. How would running off and mating with him of all the beings she could have been beneficial? Had their family not been through enough as it was? Rhaegar's misguided attempt at his own mating should have been enough proof, now Remelle was doing the same!

Rhysand's eyes darkened when he finally laid eye upon Trystane, so he was also a braggart. Sitting outside waiting for them, the way he presented himself was almost taunting. He had no shame, his words almost taunting as he seemed to wave before them that they were too late.

"Forgive us if I say we wouldn't, if you had anything, take what you are offering," Romulus countered before he looked behind him towards the house. "We also want to see our sister, trusting your words has little meaning after you betrayed us."

He could always trust his twin to say things he wouldn't, Rhysand looked towards the cabin door as it opened.

Remelle stood there, leaning against the frame. Her hair was loose and free about her shoulders, she stood dressed only in a few layers of the grand dress she was normally in. She looked bored, uninterested in the visitors who stood before them. She knew they would come, but why? Did they think that they could charm her back?

"You have a waste of a journey little brothers." She moved forwards, her hands resting upon Trystane's shoulders before she slowly ran them down his chest, kissing his cheek. "I have no interest in going back to that prison you call home, I love our parents...But I can see the cage that is slowly killing you all. I can't live in that anymore, or watch my sisters and other brothers slowly die."

#Muse | Rhysand #Muse | Remelle

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moonchild-writes · 1 year

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Pluto - Blackened Angel chap. 6

Summary: Alyssa ventures out to stay with Vergil for the weekend to train and hone her abilities better. Everything appears to be going great but things quickly turn grim. After a demon decides to open a portal from the Underworld, Alyssa rushes into a battle she's unable to fight on her own.

A/N: Did I base this entire chapter on Pluto by Melanie Martinez? Yes, and I'll do it again. Honestly it's one of my favorite songs off of Portals and I feel like it vibes really well with Alyssa, so why not use that song as inspiration? I'm not super proud of this chapter but that's just because I literally wrote it in one day lmao. I promise the next chapter will be better!

•¨•.¸¸☆･ﾟ･☆¸¸.•¨•

Alyssa knew the dangers involved, which was exactly why she refused to tell anyone but Ethan and Sarah where she was going. They were her closest friends besides JJ, but Jamison had a habit of spilling things when he was pressured. She knew that Ethan and Sarah wouldn't tell her family because she had made it clear that she didn't trust them one bit…

Alyssa sighed as she started the motorcycle and looked back at the office before heading down the road. She wasn't sure how Vergil would react when he saw her since he had never tried to kill her but then again she was just a kid… maybe things would be different now that things had changed and he might want her out of the way so he could have easier access to Dante. She wouldn't be above him, but she hoped not.

The journey deep into the countryside and far from Whitechapel was boring and long, but as she could feel her uncle's demonic energy getting closer, she realized it was the best option for her. Vergil was terrifying, but that was why she had always had a healthy amount of respect for him… because for all his evil intentions and desire to become the most powerful demon known to mankind, he was still a traumatized man who held a healthy amount of fear deep within his mind. She knew this because Vitale was the perfect example of that; once nothing more than Vergil's human half, now given a new chance at life while Vergil remained the same hybrid he always had been.

Alyssa took a deep breath as she pulled up to the old house where Vergil was staying. Maybe he was planning to see Dante… or even attack the city. Either way, that wasn't why she was here. She was here to beg him to help her learn how to control her powers and maybe even find her place in the grand scheme of things. She was lost, and he had the knowledge to help her.

The teen got off her bike and grabbed her back, securing it in the scabbard on her back before grabbing the bag she'd brought just in case she needed to stay for a while. Alyssa sighed softly as she walked up to the door and carefully pushed it open to see a surprisingly beautiful place inside the nondescript exterior. She stepped inside and looked around with a cautious eye, just in case Vergil decided to attack her. Closing the door behind her, she looked up at the stairs to see a very familiar figure at the top.

"I'm not here to fight you," she said as the man descended the stairs with a judgmental look. "I came here on my own." she added, fixing the bag on her shoulder so it wouldn't be too heavy.

"I'm aware of that." he said coldly, his gaze fixed on her as he finally reached the bottom of the stairs and stood before her in all his terrifying glory. Somehow, he was even scarier than she remembered.

"I would have called… but you've always been out of touch," she tried to joke, offering a nervous smile before clearing her throat. "Look, we both know that Dad has a tendency to not… take things seriously, but I can't just stumble through life with the same ease that he does." she took on a more serious tone as she stared up at the man. "Please, teach me."

"You want me to teach you how to control your abilities?" he asked, sounding almost amused as Alyssa sighed.

"I wouldn't have come to you if I wasn't serious," she said firmly, finally standing her ground despite the fear she felt when he narrowed his eyes at her. "I want to be able to control myself when I use my powers or when I transform. I can't right now… all that happens is that I either get beat up or almost kill someone I care about."

"You're letting your emotions take over your mind." Vergil said coolly as he made his way to the lounge. Alyssa quickly followed him, walking just a step behind him.

"Well, yeah…" she shrugged slightly. "You can turn it off. I can't." she said before taking off her bag and putting it aside. She took her gun out of the holster and put it next to her, looking at Vergil as he eyed her curiously. "I know you don't like guns." she shrugged. "I honestly thought you'd attack me as soon as you saw me…only reason I brought it." she smiled slightly as she stood up.

"I would never stoop so low." he muttered with a small shake of his head. "Fighting a child who cannot control her own strength is beneath me."

"Thank you, uncle." she rolled her eyes and sat down, crossing her arms. "Is there any way you can teach me how to control my powers or not?"

��¨•.¸¸☆･ﾟ･☆¸¸.•¨•

Alyssa nearly collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily as she used the sword to keep herself upright. She looked over at Vergil and stood up straight, removing the hair tie from her wrist and tying her hair back instead. She picked up the sword and rolled her neck, popping it before getting back into position.

"You said this was just training." she shouted, and the hybrid smirked.

"It is. You're weak." he teased as she narrowed her eyes at him and took a run at him. She tried to get a decent hit on him, but he easily deflected it with his own sword. She landed on the ground and tried to swing at him again, screaming in frustration when she realized he was easily countering her attacks. "You're letting your anger control you again." she yelled again as she swung at him, her sword clashing with his as she struggled to match his strength. With bared teeth, she felt her body begin to quickly switch between the two forms and Vergil watched in amusement, never faltering. Eventually she gave up and collapsed to the ground, lying on the grass as she stared up at the bright sky, breathing heavily.

"I'm so used to training with dad…" she murmured softly. "He really took it easy on me, didn't he?"

"Considering how weak you truly are, I'd say that seems to be the case." Vergil nodded and she lifted her head to look at him before sitting up. "You have the potential to be much stronger."

"That's the plan." she said, pushing herself up and grabbing her sword again as she took another deep breath. "You're stuck with me all weekend, too."

"There will be plenty of time for your training." he assured her before suddenly lunging at her. Her eyes widened as she quickly blocked the attack with her sword, sliding back a bit from the sheer force of his attack. Her eyebrows furrowed as she concentrated on the man in front of her, finally pushing him away before she lunged at him, catching him off guard. He stumbled a bit and looked back at her, the wound healing as soon as it appeared before he actually smiled. "That was perfect." he said, and she smiled a little of her own.

Alyssa lunged forward and swung at him a few times before deciding to use one of his own moves against him, surprising him once again as he stumbled and she landed a good hit on him. He managed to get to his feet, looking at her with what seemed almost pride, and blocked another of her attacks. She began to use more of his skills against him, which really seemed to throw him off as she mimicked his movements almost perfectly and threw his own fighting knowledge back at him.

"That's enough!" he said and she quickly stopped and took a few deep breaths. "You should take a break." he commented as she nodded and blew her hair out of her face, putting her sword back in its scabbard before they both headed back to the house. Alyssa made her way to the living room and sat down in the chair, grabbing her bag and opening it to pull out a box of candy. "Where did you learn to copy fighting styles like that?" Vergil asked, entering the lounge as Lyss looked over at him and shrugged.

"I don't know… I thought throwing your own abilities back at you would throw you off, and it worked," she admitted, leaning against the arm of the chair as she opened the box and ate some candy.

"That's very smart." he hummed as he sat down on the old couch, which creaked and groaned under the weight of someone on it. She shrugged and ate another candy as she grabbed her phone and checked it, seeing several texts from Kimmie about why her family was asking her about Alyssa, claiming she was staying with them for the weekend. Lyss frowned and got up, heading out to the porch before calling Kim.

"Lyss!" Kim hissed on the other line as Alyssa sighed and leaned against the wall. "What the hell did you do?"

"I told dad I was staying with you in Toronto," she admitted. "I had to lie to him because I'm training with my uncle."

"So you used me as an alibi?" Kimmie asked tiredly.

"I'm sorry. I wanted to tell dad that I'm staying at Sarah's for the weekend, but I realized that Trish or Lady might show up and bother her family. You're a better alibi, since Toronto is a few hours away from Whitechapel."

"Then why not say you're going on a road trip with Nico?" Kimmie suggested and Alyssa snorted.

"I love that woman like a sister, but she can't keep her mouth shut. Look, I'll tell my dad the truth when I get back. I just need to get my powers under control."

"Fine. I'll send you some pictures to use as a good cover." she said while Alyssa smiled softly.

"Thanks Kimmie. I promise I'll get the tickets for the Warped Tour this year. You can count on me." she assured her before hanging up and screaming when she realized that Vergil had also come out on the porch without her noticing. "Please don't do that!" she wailed, running her fingers through her hair.

"So you used your friend as an alibi?" he asked and she nodded, crossing her arms.

"Dad would kill us both if he knew I came to you for help." she shrugged, her eyebrows furrowing slightly.

"Let him try." he mused, a small smile coming to his face as Alyssa giggled.

•¨•.¸¸☆･ﾟ･☆¸¸.•¨•

Over the next few days, Vergil managed to teach Alyssa how to hone her powers and actually control them just enough so that she wouldn't hurt herself or anyone else around her. Lyss found it hard to understand why Dante still hated his brother so much when he seemed to have changed so much. From all the stories she had heard, he was a ruthless monster with no remorse or feeling for those around him… yet he was the complete opposite.

The sun beat down on Alyssa and Vergil as he put them through more extensive training. It was nice to actually train with someone who didn't treat her like she was extremely fragile. Lyss smiled as Vergil tried to counter her attack as she charged him, but she threw him off by seemingly teleporting behind him with her newfound superhuman speed, attacking from behind and causing him to lose concentration for a split second. He whirled around and jabbed her in the stomach with the hilt of his sword, stunning her for a few moments and causing her to crouch down holding her stomach.

She looked up at the taller man before pushing herself up and headbutting him in the stomach, knocking him backwards to the ground as she smiled with pride as she stared down at him before stabbing the sword into the ground and holding out a hand to him.

"I finally beat you." she teased as he took her hand and she helped him up.

"I am impressed. You've made tremendous progress in these few days." he commented before both of their attention was drawn to the sound of something in the distance. Lyss frowned before grabbing her sword and running towards it, Vergil calling her name and following close behind, hoping to stop her.

As they approached the strong demonic energy, they realized it was a huge demon that had opened a large portal from the Underworld. Alyssa and Vergil stopped as they stared at the demon, the teen's eyes widening as she saw the portal while Vergil's narrowed at the sight. Vergil looked at the young hunter and put a hand on her shoulder as she looked up at him.

"You should go home."

"Fuck no!" Lyss hissed. "Dad's going to think you did this!"

"I don't care what my idiot brother thinks." Vergil snapped before picking her up and throwing her back. Lyss screamed in pain as she rolled a few feet, writhing in pain as Shadow left the ink and joined Vergil in the fight. Alyssa looked at them as she finally mustered enough will to pull herself up, grimacing in pain as she stood. She ran towards the demon, using her telekensis to summon her sword as she leapt onto its back and plunged the sword into its shoulder. She screamed as the beast tried to dislodge her, whipping around as she lost her footing and clung desperately to the sword.

"Leave me alone, wench!" the beast shouted angrily, grabbing her right as Vergil opened another portal, sending Alyssa and the demon through so he could focus on the real issue. Alyssa screamed as she fell out of the demon's grasp and hit the ground, looking around to see that it was the woods near Ethan and Benny's house. She gasped as the demon grabbed her ankle and threw her into a tree, breaking several bones on impact as she screamed in excruciating pain and collapsed. Her body contorted as she began to heal, the process extremely excruciating.

It didn't help that she was separated from Shadow, which made her feel weaker than she actually was. The demon didn't make her stronger, but her connection to Shadow was definitely the reason she was able to heal so quickly and with minimal pain, as Vergil had explained to her.

"I'm going to rip you apart." the demon growled as Alyssa stood up and snapped her neck, spitting out some blood.

"Then do it." she hissed, holding up a hand as the Ultimatum appeared in her hand. She pointed it at the demon and shot it in the chest, causing it to scream in pain and stumble back. She grabbed her sword and lunged at the creature, plunging the sword into its stomach as it grabbed her face and screamed. She growled, grimacing as the grip on her head tightened, and thrust the sword deeper. She shot the demon's wrist and it let go, its hand exploding into a mass of blood and bone fragments that splattered all over her face and body. She groaned in disgust and pulled the sword out as the creature collapsed to the ground.

"Not like this…" the demon grumbled, its breathing labored as Alyssa leaned over it, scowling.

"You're just as pathetic as every other demon I've dealt with." she hissed, pressing the gun to the beast's forehead.

"Please!" it shrieked before grabbing her with its one good hand. She scowled and tried to kick it off her, but it held on, staring up at her as she growled and shot it in the head. The beast exploded into light and ash before Alyssa took a deep breath and stepped away before something surrounded her and she quickly looked around before it grabbed her. She struggled and screamed, hoping someone would be able to hear her and maybe offer some kind of help.

"Hybrid scum." it hissed as Alyssa finally looked into the demon's eyes, her own widening as it growled at her.

"Let go!" she shouted, kicking her legs in hopes of breaking free somehow. She screamed as she was thrown deeper into the woods, her body slamming into a large tree as she fell to the ground, groaning in pain. Shadow materialized in front of her, growling as the beast quickly approached, trying to kick the jaguar away but instead she latched onto its arm and practically tore it apart. Alyssa tried to push herself up and felt her body begin to give out.

"Pathetic!" the demon shouted, knocking Shadow down and sending her back into the ink before the demon grabbed Alyssa's sword and glared down at her. "Hybrid scum should all die." it hissed as Lyss lifted her head to stare weakly at it. It raised the sword and stabbed her in the chest, pinning her to the ground as she tried to gasp for air, but struggled to do so as she looked down at the sword with wide eyes. She tried to remove it as her vision began to fade and her ability to breathe became nearly impossible.

The demon grinned at her before disappearing and Alyssa tried to scream, her voice caught in her throat as she grabbed the grass and whimpered. Her vision went completely and her body went limp as she finally surrendered to the darkness that offered her some comfort.

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momi1816 · 1 year

Text

pt.11:

my daughter was very advanced for age in my opinion. during tummy time already holding her head up to look around, making cute noises and guzzling down bottles like it was her job. but one day. dec 14 2016, the dray grew grim.

it was any ordinary day. parents were off working. my siblings at school. it was just her and I during the day. she had her morning bottle per normal.

* also I swear I get the best babies because she was already sleeping through the night. my son does the same.*

when everyone was gone I was to do the chores and clean the house. coming to bottle time she wasn't interested, so I left it alone. 6 hours after her last feeding trying again and nothing.starting to get worried I did the millennial thing and googled. and what I got was just growing. which made sense because she was in 3-6mo within a week of being home. so I brushed it off. 12 hours after her morning bottle still nothing. getting very worried trying our best to feed her since everyone was home. my step dad was holding her for a couple hours in that frame trying his best to get her to feed. also to add I had dried up about a week and a half before this. my milk didn't last long.

my step dad and put her down so he could get ready for bed and my mom felt her and said she had a fever. he said ' no I've been holding her for so long its probably just my body heat'. taking that in yes but I second guessed it. 102.4F

Racing to the ER she skipped the line and was taken back immediately. 10-12 doctors, nurses, and registration in and out of the room. asking questions, getting vitals and blood. they then wheeled us into the tunnels to go to the pediatric wing to where they took us to a procedure room and they attempted to get her urine sample by a catheter. by 4th try, she peed on the nurses. and then the nurses asked me if I wanted to step out they would do a spinal tap and told me it'd be hard to watch. I told them I would stay. It was very hard to watch; at that point I had never heard a scream as loud as the scream she did.

and then we waited.. the doctor came in our room and explained she had a bacterial infection in her blood and spinal fluid. they cultured it and the 72hr test showed it was strep b bacterial infection. a bacteria I do carry. nurses swear up and down there would be only a 1 and 2 billion chance that she got it from me during birth. considering it was 3.5 weeks later, she was a c section and I was on a penicillin dip for 15 hours. they asked had we gone out at all, no. but thanksgiving just happened and mom goes all out. that day my daughter was passed around like it was show and tell in preschool. someone didn't wash their hands enough and now my daughter will suffer and she did..

by the 18th she had what is called a grand mall seizure. just like the movies, she was stiff and straight as a board, red as a tomato, screaming and if she had teeth they would have been clenched. the nurse we had that night had just watched and walked out when it was over. I followed her and asked her what that was. she then told me it was a seizure and she didn't want to say anything due to my aunt and uncle being in the room. and she left.. telling the doctor what she saw, they scheduled and MRI. which wouldn't be until that Wednesday the 21st. walking her down to the MRI, I sat in the waiting room alone waiting.my mind spiraling. I could hear her screaming with them trying to put in an iv to administer contrast. but soon as she went in, she came out. we went back up to the room and it was a waiting game. my mom and step dad were there by then.

*side note I do want to add a couple things. no S was not at her birth I was blocked and had no way of telling him. his friends knew though. also with this happening I told that same friend what was going on and still he never showed. also my bio dad and his side of the family did not show up to the birth and with this situation I found out why*

it was just about to be shift change, and as we anxiously waited it was time.. the on call doc, the neurologist, day and night nurse came in with looks that screamed bad news. the neurologist had pulled up her MRI and her brain was lit up like the 4th of July. they said according to the damage she was/is 3/4 brain damaged. explaining nothing can be fixed. giving me worst case scenario if she made it out of the hospital she would never walk, talk, eat on her own, beg tube fed, be on oxygen, wouldn't feel pain, wouldn't know who I was or anyone, wouldn't have personality. without saying it but saying it she would become a vegetable. out of the then 20 years of practice for him she was the second worst case he had seen and the worst lived to 18. he estimated if she made it out she would only live to maybe one. it would be a long road ahead of us.

with my mother being there. its best you know my mother has the shittiest delivery humanly possible and can be cruel. after the MRI results were given she looked at me," are you going to kill yourself now?" as I responded, "no even if she doesn't make it, she would want me to stay and tell her story."

moving forward, they had therapists start coming in to start physical and occupational therapy. they were trying to have her regain her suck for a bottle. It never came back. I was given the option of putting a tube in her. it was a scary thought to think about. and they were pushing hard. but one day during our month and half stay. a traveling doctor that was there had came in to talk with me. my grandparents were there and the therapists were in the room and were working with her. infant of everyone, he straight up said. 'if it was my child I would take her home and let nature take its course." basically telling me to take her home and allow my daughter to starve herself to death. that was 1 out of 5 doctors we saw. but he was traveling. one other, who is still there no clue how, did the same things. trying to push me to either leave her so another family can adopt her or to let her die. completely appalled. especially with him due to him at belonging to that hospital vs being a traveling.

in the time being there, I understand I was 19 with a baby who just had something traumatic happen. but under no circumstances does that give the right to these two men to treat me like a child and try pushing death. but the doctor who actually is a part of the hospital got his foot in his mouth 6 months ago.

moving forward, obviously she made it out. I went through with the surgery. my aunt on my dads side was a surgery nurse so she had arranged the best of the best to be on the service. and it went great. later on in the stay my bio dad decided to show up with my little half brother with my full sister. after she begged him finally came to meet her. I found out he didn't come to the birth nor in the beginning of the stay due to my name change.

my daughter was then sent home after surgery once decently healed. although the ignorance of doctors did not end there. the neurologist did not send us home with seizure meds. not thinking of anything of it, because obviously he's the doctor right, he knows better in that situation... nope....

0 notes

primofate · 3 years

Note

Hi there, can I request the boys seeing you got injured or being attacked, whichever is fine ^^

Hey anon! You didn’t specify how injured but I’ll just run with it hahaha :)

Shortfic

Scenario: You got injured Part 1

Part 2 with Zhongli

Part 3 with Xiao

Characters: gn! reader x Diluc, Kaeya, Albedo, Childe

Warnings: angst, injury, no character death though

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Diluc

“Master Diluc, if I could just interrupt--” one of the caretakers in the winery walked up to his office and prepared for the assault of words that could be fired towards him, sure enough, Diluc interrupted. “What is it? I’m a little busy right now, make it quick,” he hadn’t turned his face to look at the grim expression weaving in and out through the caretaker. Hadn’t bothered to look up to check if there was anything amiss, but the caretaker continued quickly “It’s Y/N,” the caretaker had only paused for a moment but Diluc had already picked his head up at the mention of your name. It was here that he realises something must have gone wrong, the caretaker’s expression was not a pleasant one. He was up on his feet, eyes widening a fraction at the following words, “They came back to the mansion seconds ago and they’ve been injured past what Adelinde could fix so we called for a doctor—”

In Diluc’s hurry he had stumbled over his chair, it tripping behind him with a thud on the floor but he ignored it and fast runs towards your room. Dear Archons he should NOT have let you go on that commission by yourself. You could hold your own, yes, but things happened and he really should have thought that through first. He was berating himself for it as he swung the door open. “Y/N?!”

The urgency in his voice tells you that he perhaps had the wrong idea of what was happening, it was really just a gash on your leg, although it was bleeding profusely, the cut must have been deeper than you thought. The maid had already placed a tourniquet to stop and slow the bleeding. You tried not to show it in your face, not wanting to alarm your lover any further, but it. hurt. like. hell. “Diluc, I’m fine, it’s just a gash,”

The maid that was previously sitting on the chair next to your bed moves away, Diluc replacing her, his eyes didn’t tear away from the wound on your leg, his expression contorted to that of worry and nervousness, before finally turning to your face, reaching a hand out to cradle your cheek. “Stop lying. You’re pale, you’re sweating--” of course he sees through you, he knows the second you get upset, knows every crease on your forehead and every slight furrow of the brow. He had memorized every inch of his beautiful, beautiful treasure. “Your hands are trembling, you’ve lost too much blood, where’s the doctor?!” He grips your hand at the realization that you might actually be in a more dire situation than presented, and just on cue the doctor comes through the door, asking for some time alone with you to do his job.

Diluc paces outside the door, unable to stay in one place for long. He kept thinking about how frail you looked. How, if you were unlucky, it wouldn’t have just been your leg. He shook his head at the thought. He didn’t know how he was going to let you out of his sight from then on. He knew full well it would annoy you to have him following you around everywhere but.... How could he not after this?

The doctor emerged half an hour later and explained that you just needed a bit of rest and that, with a little healing magic, you didn’t need the stitches at all. “Don’t let them use that leg for a day and they should be fine, it’s nothing life-threatening but they did lose a lot of blood and is going to need time to recuperate. They’re asleep at the moment,”

Diluc takes note of everything and quietly slips into your room. They must have sedated you in the process and he sighs as he plops down on the chair that was still placed next to your bed. His eyes soften at the sight of you finally relaxed and less in pain, hand reaching out to brush off strands of stray hair that blocked his view of your face. “You’re the only one who can scare me this much,” he mutters under his breath, as if complaining and he swears that he sees a very small and light grin on your face, as if teasing him. He smiles a little, just happy that you’re stabilized and leans in to kiss your forehead, opting to stay by your side till you wake up.

----------

Kaeya

“What do you mean unconscious?”

“J-Just as we said, Captain. They were unconscious when we found them,” Kaeya sighs in slight exasperation. Normally he was a jolly camper but when the knight in front of him is unable to say how injured you are, Kaeya gets a little wordy. “I meant to say why were they unconscious? Were they hurt? Where are they now?”

Kaeya stands. He was in the middle of some Favonius paper work. “They were bleeding profusely from the head,” Kaeya stops as if lightning has struck him and stares pointedly at the knight. “These details should be said early on,” he thought that it had just been something less threatening. Perhaps you had somehow passed out, exhausted, on your bedroom floor. Or perhaps had just rolled from the bed and onto the floor. They said that they found you in the bedroom, and his blood froze when he realizes that someone went in there to attack you.

Kaeya doesn’t bother talking the other knight into giving better reports next time, he’d do that later. He could guess that you were probably taken into the Favonius infirmary. Sure enough, when he walks in there, face scrunched up into what could only be described as worry and anger mingling together, you were awake, head bandaged up and your eyes meet. His heart breaks at how you still smile at him despite the fact that he wasn’t there to protect you. He stands next to the infirmary bed and gingerly touches your cheek, peering into your eyes. “Y/N, what happened?” he asks, eyes scanning the bandages wrapped around you. “Who did this?” and there was that angry and cold undertone in his voice that you rarely heard, as if his cryo vision had taken over his whole being.

“I’m sorry, Kaeya, I-- I can’t quite remember,” You put a hand up to cover half of your eye, your head was still throbbing and in quick realization Kaeya eases up on you and gently pushes you on your back to rest. “It’s fine, sorry, I just--” he cuts his own speech off and takes a deep breath in. Focus on the good. He tells himself. “I’m glad you’re alright, take it easy, I’ll take care of things,” By that he means he might just slaughter whoever even had the guts to break into your house and attack you in the middle of the day. The break-in was reported by townspeople, and Kaeya was sure as hell he’d get every witness to describe that asshole’s face.

“You’re staying with me for the moment,” he decides quite quickly, and you had no qualms with that whatsoever. Hearing that you had no protest at all, he grins and leans down to capture your lips in a soft kiss, afraid to hurt you. “No complaints? Perhaps this was your grand scheme all along to come live with me,” You can’t help but chuckle at how quick he bounces back. “Maybe, honey. Maybe,”

----------

Albedo

“Ow--” the knife clatters to the floor, as blood starts to pool around your finger. Albedo spins around at the meek sound you make, ignoring the knife on the floor and strides over to you just as you’ve turned on the sink and started running water on the small cut on your finger.

“Let me see,” You turn to him, blinking. His face was blank. You couldn’t tell what he was thinking but he was staring straight at you. “Oh, don’t worry, it’s just a small cut,” but he doesn’t waver and glances at the water running over your finger. “Let me see,” he tries again, this time rather forceful. That got you to obey. Turning the faucet off and awkwardly offering your hand to him.

He receives it and cradles it in his as if it was porcelain, upturning your hand to look at the small cut on your pointer finger. It was tiny. Really nothing compared to wounds that a knight might sustain. Albedo sighs and looks up at you, “Don’t go anywhere,” before stalking off, coming back a few seconds later with a first aid kit. “...Al, it’s alright, it’s not a big deal,” Albedo would only let one person give him a nickname. You. No one else. Frankly he thought the nickname was weird but if it danced on your lips, he didn’t mind it at all.

“Y/N, you’re mistaken if you think I’m going to take this lightly,” he takes out some ointment and a small roll of bandage, starting with the ointment. “Everything and anything that hurts you is a significant thing,” his gaze darkens, as if glowering at that microscopic cut. “Miniscule or massive, it doesn’t make a difference to me,” he starts wrapping your finger, “if it taints your skin, I cannot help but feel--” he doesn’t know the right word, but you do, judging from how his hold on your wrist tightens.

A soft smile paints your features at how he was such a worry-wart. Sometimes he was so bad at navigating his own feelings but you could decipher them anyway, from his actions. You let him worry over you, and thank him once he’s done. He finishes his work by taking your hand, and pressing it to his lips, his eyes darting up to lock on yours. That made you blush every damn time. His green eyes were just so mesmerizing, and so was his heart.

----------

Childe

Dear mother of the Archons, perhaps whoever was responsible for your injuries had some type of death wish. Everyone should offer prayers for whoever had cut you up. Your arms and legs were littered with small scratches from trying to run away from the attackers, you thought going through the thick forest was a good idea. In essence, it had slowed the thieves down. They had managed to throw a fire bomb at you that severely burned your right hand, and the right side of your abdomen.

Perhaps it was thanks to adrenaline running through you that you had actually managed to make it to the gates of Liyue, just before the bridge, but you’d crumpled down right then and there. The Millelith guards didn’t recognize you, but the three Fatui agents walking on the bridge did. “Someone had better tell him,” The group of Fatuis scrambled nearer to you, one of them picking you up, but glancing at the other who had just spoken up. “I’m not doing that, you do it,” it was slightly comical, seeing them pass off the duty of who was supposed to report to Childe about it. “You know how he gets when it comes to them, I’m not doing--” then one of them finally gets their bearings together.

“Shut up, get them to the healer first,” The tallest one shoves the one carrying you, urging him to go fast and off he went. Now it was just two Fatui agents looking at each other. Two Fatui agents who decided that they would just face his wrath together. “Sir,” one of them starts as Childe turns around to look at them. He actually had no tasks today and was just about to go off to find you. “About Y/N...” Childe’s eyebrows shoot up, what in the world could these agents have to say about you? “We’ve sent them to the healers, they collapsed at the entrance of Liyue, it... doesn’t look good...”

All hell descends upon Childe’s demeanor and poise. His face darkens, his eyes burning holes through the two agents and his fists closed up on his side. His bow appears and hovers behind him, the only thing that shone through his dark person. “The two of you--” he starts, “are going to find out who did it. I’m expecting a report by nightfall,”

Childe himself shows up at the healers quarters, and was told of your condition. “Their hand is going to scar,” keeps reverberating in his head. Like the sound that he imagines the skulls of those who dared touch you crunching under his feet, over and over again. Childe actually winces when he sees you. Small bandages on your arms and legs from the scratches, your right hand wrapped up adequately and, he couldn’t see it now, but he was sure your abdomen was wrapped too.

You cracked an eye open, feeling another presence in the room. Childe immediately appears next to you, leaning over the bed and watching your expression. “...It hurts, doesn’t it?” he asks, tracing over your bandaged hand. You remained quiet for a moment before nodding your head slowly. Just remembering it caused a blinding pain in your mind’s eye. You’d been given drugs to ease the pain now, but there were still traces of it lingering on your skin. “How dare they,” both your eyes snapped open at Childe’s nearly contorted voice, shadowed and overpowered by rage.

You pick up your good hand and touch his arm with the tips of your fingers. You didn’t like it when he got like this. “Childe, it’s alright,” far from it, but it was the only reassurance you could offer. He catches your hand and brings it up to his face, pressing your hand to his cheek as if it was a lifeline. “It’s not. It’s not,” he repeats to himself, his anger also stemming from the fact that he wasn’t there to protect you. “They’ll regret even laying eyes on you,” You knew he wanted to go now, knew that he wanted to get to the bottom of it, but you yet again pull your hand away to grasp at his shirt, the fabric scrunching up under your hold. “...But stay with me for tonight? Please?”

That got him. He would never say no. His form relaxes and he leans in to kiss your lips, gentle yet with a hidden hunger in them. “Of course,” he simply says, as if his previous agenda forgotten.

But he would never forget. He would never forget for as long as he could see that scar.

Tomorrow, he would decimate each and every one of them.

5K notes · View notes

mirkwoodshewolf · 3 years

Text

A heavenly reunion pt. 1; Queen x reader

*Author's note*

This is it guys. After almost 3 years of writing this series it's FINALLY come to the end. Like all good things, they must end eventually so here it is. The LAST chapter of my Rock Angel series.

I first want to point out the YEARS (except Freddie's death date) DON'T MEAN ANYTHING. I'M NOT TRYING TO PREDICT THE FUTURE OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. I just picked these random years to represent when the remaining members of Queen will pass, AGAIN THESE AREN'T REAL DATES AND I HOPE THEY AREN'T.

Pt. 2 will be up in just a few minutes so until then, enjoy this first part.

Taglist:

@plethora-of-things

@waddles03

@psychosupernatural

@ixchel-9275

@simonedk

@queensdivas

@queendeakyy

@queen-paladin

@sparkleslightlyy

@starswin

@labessieisallama

@isabella-bby

@naturalswifty89

@onebigfangirlworld

@ssa-sadboi

@5sos-wdw

@jd-johndeacon-or-jackdaniels

@geek-and-proud

@wormzteef

@bohemiansweede

_______________________________________________________________

*3rd Person POV. June 23rd, 2051*

Rock star, animal rights activist, founder of organizations like ANGELS CURING AIDS, WORDS CAN HURT TOO; Victims and survivors of emotional and verbal abuse, and the ANGELS AGAINST STALKING that helps protect people from violent stalkers. Also apart of charities like the Mercury Phoenix Trust foundation. The Rock Angel (Y/n) Kline had lived a full life.

She continued to tour with Queen as they got many other partnerships throughout the years. But she most enjoyed collaborating with Adam Lambert as he reminded her of him, bright and ambitious just wanting to share his music with the world and he knew he could never fill in Freddie's shoes but he sure as hell made a name for himself in his own way.

She was also a part of the "Bohemian Rhapsody" film that had been made and got to know the actors playing the men that she had grown up with and came to see them as her true family. Ten years after the film released, her own story got to be told thanks to the rights of Paramount and the brilliant mind of Dexter Fletcher, who had directed the story of her boys and Elton John, another one of her dearest friends and mentors.

But now at the crippled age of 90, the Rock Angel now lived in the privacy of her home in London. She was forced to stop touring because just 3 years ago she was diagnosed with a form of dementia.

It was hard on her family and her 4 children and dozens of grandchildren even great-grandchildren to see the once strong woman they had once admired for so long and looked up to as a role model not only in music, but life.

In their current home of London, her husband of over 70 years Jack who had made a name for himself. After the whole stalking incident, Jack joined the ranks of the LAPD. He worked himself all the way to the top and became Chief for over 30 years before he retired by the time he was in his 60's.

He sat there by his wife's bedside stroking her long white hair as she lay there forced into bedrest. She looked up at him and whispered.

"Jack?"

"I'm here baby."

"Where are they? Where are my boys?" she asked.

"Our sons? They're just downstairs."

"No, no. I meant my boys." At those two words, Jack's heart broke as he looked at his wife sympathetically.

"Baby they've—they died. It's been so many years since they all left this world." At hearing her boys were dead, tears fell down her face but Jack held onto his wife and kissed the top of her head. "But I can show you their videos, if you'd like."

"Please. I need to see them. To tell them goodbye." Jack then reached for the I-pad and opened up the Youtube app and began typing in the very song that he knew he would need.

He knew his wife didn't have long and he wanted her to have one last happy memory of hearing the perfect song written by her boys.

Together they held the I-pad and soon the music video "These are the days of our lives" came on.

"Why does Fred look so sick?" she asked worriedly. Jack swallowed the lump in his throat and tried to explain.

"He was suffering from AIDS, and it—really affected him love."

"I wish I could've taken care of him." She said as she stroked the screen every time Freddie came on screen. At the instrumental break as she watched Brian skillfully play the guitar, she smiled and said. "Bri....he was such a good guitar player."

"He was, but nothing compared to you." Jack praised obviously playing favorites. He then took notice of his wife growing tired as the song ended.

It was time.

"It's okay baby, you can rest now." And she did just that. Her breathing slowed right as Freddie spoke the last 'I still love you' line and the video ended. "Goodnight my Rock Angel. Be with your boys once again." He then let out a sob as he leaned against his deceased wife.

At 10:45am on June 23rd, 2051 (Y/n) Kline was pronounced dead at the old age of 90.

Everyone who had collaborated with the Rock Angel or had looked up to her all gathered at her funeral. Close friends and family all came to mourn at the loss of the last of the greatest Rock and Roll singers. She was buried in her birth town of Leicestershire, right next to her real parents.

*My POV*

I felt peaceful. My mind was no longer hazy. I could remember everything once again, but what confused me was where I was. I found myself walking through a long corridor but as I passed a mirror, I stopped and backed up to find a shocking surprise.

I was young again.

I looked to be about the age of 19, when I first met the guys. My hair was in the same long wavy fashion I once had before I cut it. I stroked along my cheek just to see if this was real or a dream, but as I stroked it I found that it was. Suddenly a door opened before me and I don't know why but I found myself walking toward it.

Now I was in what looked like an office with everything you would see. Filing cabinets, a large desk filled with paperwork but what caught my attention was the abacus that stood at the front center of the desk.

"Ahh (Y/n) Kline, please come forward." I turned to see a man around his 60's with short black hair, a grim like face with sharp cheekbones and icy blue eyes. He wore a black business suit and he was intimidating but for some reason I came forward toward the desk.

He sat down and pulled out a file and began reading through it humming to himself then he said.

"Place your hand over the abacus." I looked at it to see that the color code was white and black. White at top and black at the bottom.

"What is this?"

"This shall determine your next step. Just place your hand over it and let fate do the rest." I didn't know what this was gonna mean but again I saw myself place my hand over it and the second I did, it started going frantic.

Moving up and down frantically with no one even touching it. It was mostly balanced most of the way until it finally majority of the counters went white. The man smiled and said.

"Give my regards to those Rockstar friends' of yours. I'll be looking forward to your next concert." He then snapped his fingers and everything went bright.

Next thing I knew, I heard the sound of birds chirping and felt the sun beaming down on me. I was then greeted with wide open fields and a giant house along with several barn-like homes. It was like Garden Lodge and Rockfield farm mixed into one.

As I stood a few feet away from the main mansion-like house I swore from the second window of the white satin curtains I saw movement. I walked towards the house and placed my hand on the doorknob, I paused for a few seconds before I finally opened the door. I walked in and it was exactly like Freddie's home of Garden Lodge.

I walked through the threshold to see the grand staircase to my right, the long corridor ahead of me and the entrance to the living room to my left.

"Hello?" I said as I stood there. It was then I felt something nuzzle between my legs and I heard a meow. I heard it again and I looked down to see a very familiar face. "Hey, Delilah." I picked her up and held her as she purred and nuzzled my face. I scratched under her chin and she lowered her head to lick my hand.

"No it should be more like this." I heard a low, smooth baritone voice say.

"No, no and no Mr. tuxedo! Bernie has it like this and it shall remain this way. He and I are the genius piano and songwriting duo and it'll stick to this rhythm and timing." Another voice boasted out.

Oh my god.....It can't be. I set Delilah down and she took off running up the stairs as I crossed the living room into the parlor where Fred kept his piano to see two men that I had not seen in forever.

"David? Elton?" I spoke up. The two men turned toward me. David looked so much healthier than last I saw him and he looked younger just like me, in fact he looked about the same age he was when he did Live aid as well as working on the Jim Henson project 'the Labyrinth'.

Elton on the other hand looked about the age from when he was first starting off, back before he began experimenting with all the drugs and all that. The vibrant ginger hair but he still had on those flamboyant sunglasses he always loved to wear.

"Is that—really you?" I asked bewildered.

"Oh shit it can't be. The high angel herself, the Rock Angel?" Elton dramatic tone.

"Yes, it's me."

"Ohh darling. Welcome home." David greeted me with a wide smile and open arms as he walked up to me. He embraced me as he chuckled warmly and said, "Did you have a good life darling?"

"Uh-huh. I had the best life." I said, my voice muffled within his blue suit.

"It looked like you did love." We separated and I couldn't help but admire just how healthy he was.

"How have you been David?"

"Much better darling. No more chemo, I can finally breathe again."

"That's good."

"Alright you overgrown smooth talker, let me at her now." Elton proclaimed as he shoved David aside and immediately came up and kissed both of my cheeks before embracing me. "Oh darling we sure have missed you."

"And I you Elton. Life just hasn't been the same without your music."

"Been practicing those scales I taught you?" he asked pointedly.

"Yes, whenever I could."

"That's my girl." He hugged me again and I buried my face into his shoulder.

"(Y/n)?" a choir of voices soon rang up. I felt my heart stop as I lifted my head, not believing what I was hearing. Elton let go of me and both he and David with soft smiles on their faces told me to go and see who it was. The four voices called out my name again.

I crossed through the parlor, ran across the living room until I came to the door and just halfway up the staircase, I felt my smile widen and tears fill my eyes.

"My boys."

"You're finally here!" Freddie proclaimed. My legs raced directly up the stairs and Freddie, Brian, Roger and John all gathered me at the center in a long awaited Queen group hug.

All I felt were arms wrapped around me tightly, kisses all over my head and face and gentle hair and back strokes. I don't even know how long we were in that hug for but I didn't care, all I cared about was the fact my boys were here all together. When we finally separated I finally got a good look at all four of them.

They were all so young and vibrant just like how I first saw them back in concert long before I became an intern, I would like to think they were now the same ages they were when they first played at the Rainbow back in 1974. Long hair and all.

"I can't believe you four are here." I praised.

"And we can't believe you're here. And with your long hair again, was this when you were most happy?" asked Brian.

"If by that you mean when I first became Miami's intern? Yeah, best day of my life. Do you guys hate it?"

"No darling we've loved you no matter what your hair length is." Freddie said as he stroked the ends of my hair.

"I only just hope you didn't bring along any extreme surprises. Belly button rings, more tattoos." Deacy teased me. I chuckled but felt tears fall down my face.

"Aww lovie what is it?" Roger cooed as I felt him rub my shoulder. All four of them looking at me with those concerned puppy dog eyes they all knew how to do.

"I'm sorry. It's just—I missed you four so much." They all awed as Freddie first took me in his arms and said with his head leaning against mine.

"I know darling. It seems like it's been forever since the five of us were together."

"Coming from you Fred you have no idea." I wept as I gripped onto him as tight as I could, burying my face into his long black hair which softly tickled my face.

God if there's anything I missed about Freddie, it was his warm hugs. They were always so warm and inviting, anyone who was lucky enough to be given any sign of affection from this loveable man was considered lucky, and I was fortunate to be one of those people, and now finally after almost 60 years, I was able to feel that affection once more.

We were now upstairs in the master bedroom to do some private catching up.

"Alright sister dear, come here you." Deacy said. I smiled and immediately went into his arms and he embraced me. As all of you know, after Freddie's death, Deacy was the one to take it the hardest. So much so that he hardly played at any Queen gigs except for maybe three occasions then by 1997 he officially retired and no one had heard from him since.

The guys and I respected his decision so in order to make sure he was alright, I kept in contact with Veronica and would occasionally ask how Deacy was doing as well as the kids. I had learned that the two of them had two more kids, Luke and Cameron and the two of them had been successful in their own ways, all of the Deacy kiddies had, especially Luke who followed in his dad's footsteps and played in a band of his own.

In fact with the permission of the parents, I had allowed my nephew Luke to play at a few of my tours, and god just seeing him play reminded me so much of his dad, not to mentioned he looked so much like him.

And it was an honor to play with a second generation of Deacon.

The sad news of Deacy's passing came to Jack and I from Laura on a cold November day in 2035. Out of the two of us, Jack was the most heartbroken because he not only lost a brother but his idol and mentor.

We were invited to the burial by decree of the Deacy clan but I made sure that through some makeup and wigs that Jack and I weren't recognized by press because we wanted this to be private. As Deacy would've wanted that.

"Ohh I've missed you so much (y/n)."

"Not as much as I missed you brother mine."

It was then my attention turned towards the last 2 members of Queen, the remaining members I kept working with till the end. Brian May and Roger Taylor.

Together in our lives after Freddie's death and Deacy's retirement, I had been there for everything Queen got to accomplish, and they did the same for me. In fact it was Brian who bestowed upon me my plaque to be initiated into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame before I was given my star right above Queen's.

I was also involved with some of the work they did for a little movie called "Bohemian Rhapsody", and they helped become a part of my movie "Set it all free Angel". I first turned my attention to Brian.

It had been almost 10 years since my movie came out and 20 for Queen's film Bohemian Rhapsody. I was in my home studio working on my next upcoming album when I had received a call from Anita telling me that Brian had passed away at the age of 93. It was a peaceful passing so he wasn't suffering or in pain which I was thankful for in a way, he's suffered through so much that if I wanted him to go out, it would have to be peacefully in his sleep.

The world was devastated at losing such an inspiring man. Not only in the music industry, but for his work in astrophysics, as well as the animal programs that he's helped funded and laws he helped raise awareness for.

When he died, I took over the business in his name and within 3 years; I finally helped get laws of abusing, harming or killing animals to be illegal and anyone caught doing that wouldn't get misdemeanors. They would face legal full sentencing of 20-50years in Federal prison. On the night the laws passed and I along with Brian's partnering animal rehab centers signed off on the law, I went to Brian's grave and told him everything.

I immediately glomped him into a hug and held onto his waist tightly. He embraced me back just as tight as I was holding him, me humming lovingly as I buried my face into his chest feeling him stroke down my hair. After what felt like forever, he separated from me and stared down at me with those loving hazel blue eyes of his as he placed both his hands at the top of my head before stroking them downward against each side of my head and ending by cupping my face in his hands.

"I am so proud of everything you've done (Y/n). I saw it all, thank you for continuing my legacy for animal rights."

"You taught me everything I needed to know about being kind and caring towards all creatures, so much so you helped inspire me to do my own animal rehabilitations and rescues. I just—wish I could've been there for you when you......"

"It was beyond your control love. But I didn't suffer. I knew you loved me, and would've done anything to come see me had you known. I never blamed you, so stop blaming yourself." I nodded as tears slipped down my face but with his thumbs he wiped them away before hugging me once more. I felt him kiss my temple before cupping the side of my face once more to kiss my nose.

Even as I got older and we were both in our senior years, he never once stopped with the nose pecks. I smiled and Eskimo kissed him before he pressed his forehead against mine. It was then I felt a hand on my shoulder and I turned to my right to see Roger standing before me.

Besides Freddie's death, I think the most devastating thing for me was when Roger died. It was about a year after Brian's death when I had gotten a frantic call from my godson Rufus that Roger had been taken to the hospital because of a stroke. Without hesitating, I got into the car and raced to West London Medical Hospital, where I met up with the Taylor pride.

I was frantic with anxiety and fear that I would lose yet a 3rd member of Queen. Over 48hrs passed when Rog finally regained consciousness and I was sitting right there by his bedside holding his hand. He spoke so softly it was like whispers on the wind and the only thing he wanted to do was go outside.

Reluctantly the doctors allowed it so my godchildren, and his wife Sarina took him out to the hospital garden and allowed me some one on one time with him. But I didn't know that that would be the last time they would ever get to talk to him. The last words he ever spoke to me were and I still remember it to this day, even up here in heaven.

"Brian and Freddie have come to collect me, they send out their love to you and Deacy. Look after the old bastard for us." And I literally felt his life slip away from my hand as he died right there in front of me.

For months I was depressed. I was allowed to go to the funeral and speak my eulogy and I sang at his funeral, this time my own rendition of Phil Collins' song 'You'll be in my heart.' It was also because of his funeral that Deacy and I got even closer than we had in years.

He had secretly gone to both Brian and Roger's funeral but it didn't take till Rog passed for him to physically approach me and we both just wept and cried from losing a father, a brother, a great friend together.

Finally when I finally gained the strength, me and the Taylor children all took a picnic up where Roger was born and just looked out beyond the fields of where his childhood home was and reminisced on all the wonderful memories we had of our father.

And it was from his death I produced my album 'Papa Lion' and dedicated it to him; 'To my Papa Lion, and all the other father lions out there. Keep protecting your children no matter what'.

"You gonna get into these arms or what love?" he asked me. I spoke not a word but felt tears in my eyes as I raced up and buried myself into his neck and dirty blonde almost brunette hair. He held me and spun me around, kissing all over my face humming and moaning lovingly.

When he finally set me down, he cupped my face just like Brian did but he gently leaned forward and very gingerly headbutted my forehead and the two of us nuzzled each other, rubbing our noses together.

Like a father lion and his cub reuniting with each other at last.

I held onto his wrists which still cupped the sides of my face and just allowed my tears to fall out but I couldn't stop smiling.

"I hope those are happy tears." He said to me. I sniffled and nodded.

"Yeah the—these are....ha-happy tears." I choked out.

"You know you don't have to be so strong around me, right lovie?" It was then I just broke down and wept as I embraced him. "Shhh, shh. I'm here my lion cub, I'm here. Papa lion is here." He whispered in my ear.

"God I have waited so long for you to say that." I whimpered out to hear him softly laugh and just hug me tighter.

"Oh my darlings.....my heart.....it's too full!" We heard Fred exclaim out dramatically. We both laughed as I nuzzled deeper into my papa lion's chest, happy to finally be reunited with them.

After finally calming down, we were all just sitting around the master bedroom. I was up against the couch leaning against Deacy's legs as he was currently brushing and braiding my hair.

"So you guys continuing to rock it out here in Heaven?" I asked.

"Don't you know it darling. Every good singer who has helped made a difference comes up here and we continue to live a peaceful eternity doing what we were born to do. Be performers." Freddie stated.

"In fact we just had our concert the other night. We got to perform alongside the Beatles." Said Roger.

"Shut up! The Beatles?!"

"You know it love, Lennon, McCartney, Harrison and Starr." Said Brian.

"Wow, I wish I could've seen it." I said.

"You will darling, we perform our concerts every single night. And it's always a mix mash of artists and bands collaborating together to perform the Greatest Heavenly Rock 'n Roll concert." Said Fred.

"Now that you're here poppet, you'll get the chance to perform with the best of the best." Said Deacy. I was flabbergasted.

"Holy......" I couldn't even finish it because I was just so shocked to think that I would be performing with the greatest artists long before my time and bands I wish I had the chance to record or perform alongside with. The guys all chuckled at me and I said.

"So that's why David and Elton were here."

"Mm-hmm. We're all performing together in tonight's show. Three artists of the 70's decade for the first time ever sharing the stage together." Said Brian.

"Ohh man what people would've killed to see that in person. I mean yeah you guys performed at the same venue like we did with Live Aid or did some recordings together but never all three of you guys on stage at once." I said.

"That's how it works around here." Spoke Deacy as he finished the last strand of my braid. I thanked him and observed the braid he had done and I commented.

"You've gotten better Deacy."

"Laura was good practice. My baby girl always wanted her hair braided."

"She may have gotten that from me, sorry." He playfully scowled at me but I cheekily stuck my tongue out at him. "Say Fred, where's Jim at? I figured if you were here, he would be too."

"Oh that man of mine, he's out tending the garden, come have a look." He escorted me to the back window and there I saw a field of flowers as far as the eye could see.

"Whoa. He's done all of that?"

"Been doing it since 2010 darling. Always a hard worker my husband. When he first came, I was worried he wouldn't like this appearance of mine, after all I didn't have my tache and my hair was much shorter than when I first met him."

"Jim loves you Freddie. He loves you no matter what you'd look like."

"And I did know. Turns out he's got a long hair kink." He whispered to me which made me choke out a laugh.

"Seriously?" He nodded ecstatically and that's when Deacy spoke up.

"We're still here Fred, no need to hear any of that."

"Oh god Deacy don't act so innocent. After all you were the one who wrote a song about pre-ejaculation." Deacy's mouth just gaped before turning stoic, and of course Rog and Bri were laughing their asses off. He turned to me and I shrugged saying.

"He's got a point."

"Okay yeah ha-ha fuck all of you."

"Oh come off it John. We mean no harm by it." Roger teased

"At least it's better than a car fucking song." Deacy fired back.

"That's not funny!" Roger proclaimed.

"It is kinda funny." Deacy sassed back.

"Okay, okay enough both of you. I had enough of your arguments to last an entire lifetime. I don't need to relive it now when I just got here." I stated.

"Sorry love." They both choired out.

"Oh (y/n), I do have a surprise for you though." Brian spoke up. I looked at him and said,

"What kind of surprise?"

"If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise now would it?" He said as he walked right up to me.

"If you tell me, I'll still act surprise." He chuckled and wrapped an arm around me.

"C'mon love, let's head outside." We soon went down the stairs and headed out of the house.

Brian lead me to an open field about a half mile away from the house. There was nothing but green for miles ahead.

"Brian what's this about?"

"You'll see." He then took his index finger and thumb and curled them inward like pinchers before placing them against his lips letting out a loud whistle. We stood there for a moment that was until I heard a bark. A very familiar bark. No it—it couldn't be.

Soon jogging up the hill about a mile away was a German Shepherd. His familiar traditional fur coat shined under the sun as he looked right at me. He let out a couple of barks and soon several more dogs came running up beside him.

They consisted of a golden retriever, 2 pit-bulls, 3 huskies (1 traditional black and white, another grey and white and the last one an auburn coloring), a collie, and 4 Labradors (2 blacks, a tan and one brown).

With each dog that this pack had, I knew every single one of them. I turned to Brian baffled and he just grinned at me before nodding telling me that they were who I thought they were. I turned back around and the German Shepherd let out a bark. I then let instinct take over and ran as I cried out.

"Bucky!" He soon came running after me, as did all the other dogs barking and panting as they all ran down the hill towards me. "C'mon kids! Come on!" I proclaimed. Each dog was running as fast as they could but Bucky and the black and white husky Shasta were leading the pack. "C'mon kids!" Bucky let out some barks as he raced ahead of Shasta and we met half-way.

Bucky leapt with both paws to my shoulders knocking me down onto the ground.

"Ohh Buck. I can't believe it's you! Ohh look at you boy! Good boy Buck!" A second later Shasta came up to me whimpering happily as his tail wagged. "Oh Shasta baby boy look at you! Hi~ Hi baby boy~." Soon enough my entire dog pack was all up on me grunting and whimpering happily as they all began to tackle me, wanting my attention and love.

Now while you all know I've had Bucky and Sammy as the family pets for Jack and the kids. The other dogs have a different story. The two pitbull brothers that I had named Titan and Bear were rescue dogs when I was a part of an actual rescue mission with one of my animal charities in saving dogs from a Mexican dogfight.

Whenever I was free from touring and recording, I made sure they were well taken care of and even let them stay at my home for awhile before they were finally adopted by a good family.

My triple threat huskies Shasta, Maya (the grey and white) and Eevee (auburn) were actually Kelly's dogs. Shortly after she left for college, she wanted to fill her house with dogs so she adopted these three and very often when she would visit or we would visit her, these troublemakers were always there. Sweet and loveable but stubborn little buggers but I wouldn't take them either way.

The Labradors were also rescue dogs that I helped out. The black one Raider and white one Rowdy were just left abandoned tied up in the backyard of their owners homes. The owners had abandoned them and left them for dead in the hottest summer of the year. But thanks to my team we got them out, sheltered and good homes but I occasionally checked in on them since I couldn't let them go.

The brown lab Cleopatra and the other black lab Midnight were once stray dogs till my son Freddie found them and gave them some food and water. Since he didn't have the heart to turn them to the shelter he adopted them. They even started their own little family since Midnight and Cleopatra were mates together and had many puppies together.

And finally the beautiful Collie was Jezebel. Jezebel was something special because she was actually my nana's dog. I hadn't seen her since I was probably five years old, she was already an old girl growing up but from what I remember, she was so maternal with me.

Whenever my nana was busy with something, she knew she could trust Jezebel with me.

After giving every single dog my attention I finally managed to stand up and see all the dogs in my life standing in a row.

"Jezzy, Bucky, Sammy, Titan, Bear, Shasta, Maya, Eevee, Cleo, Midnight, Rowdy and Raider. I don't believe it. Good doggies. My lucky dog pack. I can't believe you're all here. How did you find them all?"

"I was out strolling wanting to observe the stars when I found Bucky and Sammy. They immediately recognized me and just came running right for me. Soon enough they brought me to meet the rest of the dogs you've known and rescued. I was surprised about the collie but I knew she wouldn't be among them if she wasn't a part of your family."

"Yeah, Jezebel was my nana's dog. I called her Jezzy cause I couldn't quite pronounce her name. She was like my guardian dog angel. Always maternal until she passed away of cancer when I was just 5 years old." I walked up to her and pet her head and she leaned up against me. "She even saved me from almost being attacked by a stray dog one summer."

"Well I'm very glad she did." Brian said as he walked up and stroked her head and she gave his hand a friendly sniff and lick.

"And you took care of all of them?"

"Well I'm an animal activist through and through. If Freddie takes care of every cat that comes to Heaven, I thought I should take care of the animals I've grown fond of, but also the animals my little protegee has taken on herself. As well as the family dogs." I smiled and Brian and thanked him with a hug and he gratefully hugged me back.

As the day drew to a close and nightfall came, the boys had escorted me over to the Heavenly Concert hall. If we want to look at it scale wise, imagine it as Wembley Stadium during the time of Live Aid back in 1985. We drove in a royal golden carriage fit only for her royal majesties themselves.

"Wow, it's just like Wembley stadium."

"It is in a way, but it can fit an infinite amount of people. Any and all are welcome to watch us perform." Said Deacy.

"And we won't need to do soundchecks or anything?"

"Nope. This is heaven darling. Up here everything works to the full capacity and capability. No have to worry ever again about sound checks or power outages." Freddie stated. Our carriage soon stopped at the back entrance and the doors magically opened.

I stepped out first followed by Deacy, Roger, Brian and Freddie. Deacy wrapped his arm around me and guided me into the building and the five of us followed the sign down to the basement level where the dressing rooms were.

And it was like they said, I saw dozens of stars with the names of so many artists and bands before and during my time. Elvis Presley, Janis Joplin, the Beatles, David, Elton, Led Zeppelin, REO Speedwagon, George Michael, Phil Collins, Bob Dylan, and everyone and anyone you could think of.

"And here we are darling, your dressing room awaits." Roger said as he stood before a red door with a golden star with wings on each side that read in bold black letters my stage name ROCK ANGEL. He opened it up and I was in awe.

Inside was a very large room filled with furniture, a huge makeup station with large mirror decored with lamplights around the perimeter of it.

On the left side of the dressing room were hundreds of different outfit's I've worn throughout the years. Everything was there on hangers along with some of the hats I wore, fedora's, cowgirl, and my famed flat caps of various different colors and styles.

While on the right; I could see just music instruments like the Red Special Brian had made for me up against a special holder up along the wall right by my makeup stand.

"Is this my....."

"Go on and have a look darling." I heard Freddie say in my ear.

"Okay. I finally have my own mall." I walked in and was just in awe at everything. It looked like heaven had taken my master bedroom from my first home I had after becoming the Rock Angel and just put it all here.

I walked inside and said.

"Ooo, very nice shoes." I pointed out on the shoe wrack seeing some of the styles of shoes I've worn. From combat boots, to Adidas', flats, and even the high-heeled boots that Deacy always wore during the 1970's.

"We're glad you like them darling. Why don't you go around that corner and press the black button along the dresser." Deacy said. I walked further in and reached a dresser and found the black button. When I pressed it, a couple of shelves slowly opened up revealing almost every pair of sunglasses I've always worn.

"Oh my god! I've missed wearing these." I picked up a pair of my ray ban black and gold framed sunglasses. "Didn't I make these look good?" I quickly turned to see the guys were gone. "Guys?"

"Over here love." I heard Brian's voice say. I walked towards the right to see my boys standing or sitting along some of the foot stools.

"Oh there you all are. Ohh nice amps." I couldn't help but see the amps up along the wall. "I—I'm just...." Before I could continue a remote was tossed over at me by Roger as he said.

"Before you even say anything else. Type in combination 2-1-2." I muttered the combination to myself as I pressed the numbers and soon the closet before us opened and soon revolving around were various guitars and bass guitars, shelves soon opened revealing several pairs of drumsticks each imprinted with my name on them.

I had no words.

"Umm....this is.....I can't—" I jumped back a bit as the top shelves suddenly opened revealing two different microphones. One was a basic black but it was bedazzled with red gems while the other one was pure gold with golden gems.

"Elton and I had a little hand of having your microphones designed." Said Freddie with a modest shrug.

"I mean....guys this is......unbelievable. And this is all mine?"

"Oh darling you should see ours. It's practically the entire mansion back home."

"Each star that comes here is given the full custom of what they've enjoy back on Earth. And since you've favored how you once had your rotating dressers back in 2011, it's all here for you but advanced into your instruments as well." Said Roger.

"And if anyone has any suggestion like if they're close to another artist, they can submit some suggestions of what should be in said artists dressing room." Brian spoke up.

"Aww you guys, I love you." I said as I came up to them and we got into a group hugged.

"We love you too (Y/n) darling. Now hurry up and get ready, the concert is about to begin." The boys left me to my own business. I walked up to my clothes rack and went through every style and decided that if I was to do my first concert in Heaven, I might as well wear exactly what I wore for my first concert as the Rock Angel.

After getting ready and doing my makeup the same way Freddie had done for me that day in Madison Square Garden, I picked up my Red Special and put it around my neck and left my dressing room.

"The Rock Angel is back." I looked up to see the boys standing across me in front of their dressing room, dressed to the T like they had at the they did at the Odeon theater Christmas Eve 1975. I smiled and said.

"Well look at you guys, it seems like only yesterday I was sneaking my friends into the house while Joanna and Graham were at their Christmas party just to watch you guys live at the Hammersmith Oden theater." I sassed.

"Thank you love, now c'mon time to head to the stage." Roger said. The lads cheered and I followed behind as we all walked back up the stairs and went through the corridors of backstage. Hundreds upon hundreds of artists were getting themselves ready to go up and perform.

I watched as the boys did their typical body warmups to get themselves pumped up when I felt a nudge at my arm.

"You seem quiet poppet, everything okay?" I looked up to see Deacy standing beside me.

"You said anybody whose anybody comes to see these shows right?" He nodded and I said solemnly, "Do....do you think my family, like my mum and dad know that I'm here now? That I'm here performing?" I felt him wrap his arm around my shoulder and he said.

"It's possible. Anytime a new artist or band comes here, it's fully announced far and wide throughout Heaven. So there's a good chance they might be out there in the audience."

"I hope so. I just want to show them what I've achieved, I want them to be proud of me."

"They are poppet. Just like we are." He embraced me in a one armed hug leaning his head against mine.

"I really have missed these moments between us Deacy."

"So have I. And I've got a hell of a lot of comforting to catch up on."

"Well now's a good start."

"Oi you two! Are we going to perform or not?" The two of us smiled as we heard Roger's voice cry out to us. My brother looked down at me and he said.

"C'mon, let's go do our thing." I nodded and we headed towards the guys.

*3rd Person POV*

Once again it was concert time. Every soul that had passed into heaven that was a fan of Rock and Roll or music in general came from far and wide to come to the concert of concerts, even bigger than the Earthly event that Live Aid gave the world.

Generations of artists and musicians that had come from around the world from many different backgrounds came to this very stadium to give the performance of their afterlives. Thousands, almost a million people poured into the stadium as the lights were flashing and doing their test run for each artist that would perform that night.

Soon Bob Geldof came onto the stage and everyone applauded for him.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Welcome once again to the Heaven's Rock and Roll concert." Everyone applauded and cheered holding up signs of their favorite artists or bands that would be performing tonight. "It gives me great honor to announce that we recently were given a new arrival, but I won't give it away on who it is." The audience crowd because they wanted to hear who it was as Bob continued, "I'll leave that to the band who know her best. So without further ado I would like to bring up on stage the first band performance of this evening's festivities. These lads I knew personally and they helped make one of the biggest rock concerts even greater than I could ever imagine. These four individually talented young men rose to the stardom in the early 1970's before exploding into the worldwide phenomenon by the 1980's. Ladies and Gentlemen please bow before her royal majesties that is Queen!"

The crowd roared with applause as Bob left the stage and the stage grew dark. Soon the opening notes for "Now I'm here" began playing and everyone cheered louder as they began clapping in rhythm. Those who have seen and grew up seeing Queen live, knew exactly how to react and behave during a Queen concert and those who got to know Queen up here in heaven got a taste of what it would've been like had they seen them in person with all four of them up on stage.

Soon Freddie's silhouette and voice echoed through the speakers as he began to sing the song. When the song began to pick up, the lights on stage exploded as did fire from the sides of the stage as all four members of Queen were finally revealed to the crowd.

Freddie lead with the vocals and his mates and brothers backed him up on not only the vocals but their instruments, and ever the frontman he was, strutted the stage like it was his as his voice overpowered and reached out into the audience with a force unlike anything.

By the end of the song, Freddie proclaimed into the microphone.

"Thank you! Thank you, good evening everybody!" The crowd cheered as Freddie continued, "Oh it looks magnificent out there tonight. Okay my darlings, right now. Right now, we're going to take you for the first time ever we're taking you all to the battlefield. This is called Ogre Battle!"

The boys continued to play a few more songs like 'White Queen', 'Killer Queen', 'Bohemian Rhapsody', 'Don't stop me now' and 'Son and Daughter' included with Brian's famous guitar solo giving Deacy and Freddie enough time to change clothes for the next half of the performance. Freddie now wearing the famed black satin outfit with his chest exposed and diamond fingernailed glove as well as the chain glove on the other.

"Yes thank you, thank you very much. Featuring Brian May on guitar!" Brian took a bow as the spotlight shined on him and the crowd cheered. "Now then my darlings, as I'm sure everyone's heard we have a new arrival. A very special girl to all four of us. How would you all like to meet her?"

The crowd roared with applause and soon Roger began doing one single rhythmic beat. Hearing the beat made the entire audience clap in that single beat rhythm.

"She first rose to the spotlight in the summer of 1981. A bright, charismatic young woman whose music has touched the lives of millions. To us she wasn't a shadow of our fame, she was an equal partnership. The like of which we had never knew we could ever ask for. Ladies and gentlemen and everyone up in the balcony give it up for Heaven's very own Rock Angel, Mrs. (Y/n) Kline!"

From up on the catwalk above the stage, the silhouette of the Rock Angel herself came up and it appeared that she actually had angel wings sprouting from her back as she began the first verse of her famed song "Set it all Free".

By the chorus, the screen lifted up and she hopped off the catwalk and gratefully fell from the 10ft catwalk onto center stage playing her Red Special as her boys backed her up as they always did whenever they performed this song together.

And seeing the two artists perform together, Queen and the Rock Angel, the crowd was in pure excitement bouncing up and down and crying out the lyrics to the well known song that the Rock Angel's 'Bohemian Rhapsody'.

But none were more happy to perform once again than the artists that were on stage. It had been forever since it was the five of them together up on stage and they couldn't help but look at each other. As the guitar solo came up, it turned into a guitar battle between the Rock Angel herself and Brian May which got the crowd really pumped up.

By the end of the song, everyone was chanting out 'Angel! Angel! Angel!'

"Hello Rock and roll heaven how's everyone doing tonight!?" The crowd welcomed her with a roar of applause. "God I can't believe I'm here performing with my boys once again. And right now we'd like to bring out a special guest for this next number." She turned to Deacy who nodded and began playing his bassline for "Under Pressure" which got the crowd applauding louder.

"This man is a well-known legend and the birth of a true 'flamboyant' hard rocker. And a very close friend of mine." Freddie started.

"Six time Grammy award winner, 4 time Brit award winner, actor, musician. Everyone put your hands together for Mr. David Bowie!" (Y/n) proclaimed into the mic.

It was then Freddie and (Y/n) began singing the first part of the song as at the center stage a circular hole began to open and soon rising up onto the stage was David Bowie himself. He wore a royal blue suit with a black undercoat suit shirt as well as the business white shirt. A light blue tie and black shoes.

He soon began his line of the first bridge as Freddie and the Rock Angel backed him up. When the second part of the song came up after Freddie's little vocalization, David gave the gesture for (Y/n) to take the second part of the song. And as she always performed it, she would lowly sing in her alto range before suddenly belting out to the perfect volume as she would hold the note out for as long as she could letting the two legends back her up.

Just like the record Freddie and Roger softly sung the first part of the break, then David came in before (Y/n) belted out the why vocals before the song picked right back up. It was something that could only be seen in Heaven. Three legendary singers performing one song.

David Bowie, Freddie Mercury and (Y/n) Kline the Rock Angel.

The three lead singers stood side by side with each other with David on the left, Freddie in the middle and (y/n) to the right. The three in almost rehearsed synchronicity began to sidestepped across the stage as all three voices blended the bridge that it could give one an eargasm.

Agreeing with each other and knowing what she could do to close the song, both David and Freddie stepped back with (y/n) completely unaware as she just allowed the song to consume her.

At the final note, she let out a proud controlled belt that was first heard at Freddie's tribute concert and it almost seemed like the sun was rising as the stage was lit up in a heavenly glow as she held the note. The entire audience was in an uproar as they gave a standing ovation to the Rock Angel herself.

She turned around and saw the five older men smiling at her and applauding her for a phenomenal performance that they have missed so dearly.

The concert continued as Elton John soon came up on stage and together he, Freddie and (y/n) sang 'I'm still standing' a song that was personal to all three of them in some shape or form but they knew this was the perfect song for them all to sing.

After a few more Queen songs, with the allowance of their beloved Rock Angel since her set was about to come up after theirs, she allowed them to stay and be her band as she would perform her hit songs before the souls of Heaven.

Songs like 'Who I am', 'So good,' 'Bridge of light', 'Rock angel', her rendition of 'Somebody to love', 'We'll be together', and with her boys already up there with her they did a few more duets of Queen songs like 'Friends will be friends', 'Spread your wings', 'Fat Bottomed girls', and 'Jailhouse Rock'.

Finally their time was up and as 'God save the Queen' played through the speakers, all five of them stood side by side each other and bid the crowd a goodbye and thank you.

After watching several performances from backstage, and when the concert finally came to a close it was time for the after party. So just outside in the back a beautiful garden was set up with refreshments and plenty of drinks to fit everyone's needs and all the performers of the night came out to talk amongst one another and to celebrate another well-performed concert.

As well as to welcome their newest achievement.

*My POV*

Oh my god. That was a thrill rush, and now being here at the after party I saw literally everyone. Elvis, Janis, the Beatles, Little Richard, Elton, David, Hendrix, everyone in rock and roll big names were gathered around this beautiful garden.

As I went to go grab some water I felt a hand tap my shoulder and there stood John Lennon himself.

"So you are the famous Rock Angel?" I swallowed my water and was completely star-struck.

"Y-yeah I.....Mr. Lennon I....."

"Please call me John."

"Okay, John. Can I just say.....just between us that you were always my favorite Beatle out of the group."

"Coming from you that's a huge honor. And now I can finally rub it into Paul's face the bugger." I laughed and that's when I heard a female voice say.

"Alright let me at her, where is she?" And there donned with her famous fur coat, tall Russian-like hat and red circular shades was Janis Joplin herself. "And there she is. The one female rocker better than me." She spoke as she came up to me.

"Oh no Mrs. Jop—"

"Ah-ah. Mrs. Joplin is not my name. Call me Janis baby girl." I blushed and she wrapped an arm around me and said, "You know, you and I aren't so different kid."

"How so?"

"Well we both struggled in our families and personal lives, got together with some male rockstars to form a partnership before splitting off to have our freedom. The only difference is, is that I wish I had your strength. I decided to call it quits with heroin being my way to kick the bucket."

"You were someone I did look up to. I mean yeah you had your struggles, but hell you didn't take shit from no one. When conservative minds at the time wanted you to do it their way, you said....."

"'Fuck you. I'm doing it my own way!'" She finished off which made the two of us laugh. "Yah know something baby girl, I like you. Promise me for Lady's night you'll do a song with me?"

"It would be an honor Janis." She smiled and hugged me tightly.

"Alright my darlings, may we have everyone's attention?" Freddie's voice soon spoke up as he was now standing on top of a table. Everyone looked up and as the boys of Queen stood up front Freddie continued, "First of all magnificent show all of you. So cheers my lovely darlings." Everyone of us raised our glasses in the air saying 'cheers'.

"We'd also love to specifically say a wonderful show for our newest arrival," Brian spoke up. He turned to me and extended his hand out for mine. I took it and he gently pulled me up front so that everyone could see me.

"Our beloved Rock Angel herself, (Y/n) Kline." Roger spoke up as he smiled warmly down at me.

"To the Rock Angel!" Deacy stated as he raised his cocktail glass in the air.

"To the Rock Angel!" Everyone choired at me. I bashfully smiled and said.

"Thank you, it was an honor to see most of you perform tonight, and it was great to perform with someone of you once again after so many years. I hope I have the privilege to perform with every single soul here." I said.

We then raised our glasses once more and the mingling and partying continued long into the night.

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travlersjoy444 · 2 years

Text

Anemoia (Over the Garden Wall x Fem! reader) Pt.5

“Here, nephews, is my second grand library..or is it the third? This house is so big I sometimes wonder...Is there a fourth? I’m not too sure...but yes, you can stay here till breakfast, precisely at seven...that is, if you can find the dining hall...or if I can...but anyways, the couch here is pleasant...yes..”

I nod, pretending I understood what he said- ‘He’ being the half-mad owner of the mansion we found in the woods. Quincy Endicott.

The library is stunning, and with rain lashing at the window and the fireplace burning bright, I really want to collapse on the couch and sleep forever in this cozy dark academia paradise. Apparently Greg has the same idea, as he’s already asleep on a plush chair. As Quincy rambles about...something or another, I find Greg a soft blanket. Poor kid has been out in the rain for hours, and unlike Wirt and I, he doesn’t have a cloak.

Wirt. I’ve learned a few things about Wirt as of late, but I really don’t have the energy to ponder them right now, so instead I daydream.

Rain beats down on a coffee shop window. There’s someone across the table from me, drinking a pumpkin spiced latte with far too much cream and sugar. They’re rambling about a passion they have, and their eyes light up. We laugh at stupid things that wouldn’t be funny to anyone else. ‘I love you’ I want to say. ‘I love this place’ is what I say instead, but it’s not quite untrue...with them, every place is perfect.

I’m not sure if I’m dreaming about my future or just a scene to write someday. Either way, it’s better than thinking about super serious things, like the enigma that is Wirt McLaughlin.

“Are there any poetry books here?” Asks Wirt, hopefully.

“Books? Oh, I never read them myself, I’m not too sure..” Endicott frowns.

“Oh. Did you know that books used to be blue, until they’re red? That’s a rock fact...” murmurs Greg, waking up briefly to wave his ‘rock facts’ rock.

“Hmm, I didn’t know that one. Did you know that there's more ways to shuffle a deck of cards than there are stars in our sky?” I responded.

“That’s cool..stars are-” Greg paused to yawn. “Stars are nice..” He closed his eyes and went back to sleep.

“Right, well you all can wait here till seven..or was it-was it seven thirty- well, till it gets light out, only a couple hours….sleep I suppose, as that’s what I’ll be doing….yes, well, goodbye nephews and..others...sleep well..” Quincy Endicott says, almost nervously backing out of the library.

“Hmm. He seems crazy.” Says Wirt.

“Looks like we do get a bit of good luck then.” Beatrice smiles.

“How is that good luck?” I ask, raising my eyebrows.

“Heh, you two will find out in due time….right, I’m going to explore the library.”

“She sounds like a disney villain.”

I nod in agreement. “So, you wanna look for poetry books?”

“Yeah-Yes! Definitely, absolutely. Yeah.” He looked away, blushing. “If it’s not, like, odd or anything.” He adds, still studying the floor.

“Lovely. I wonder if these are arranged in any particular way…” I trail off as I wander down an isle.

“Hey, here’s one!” Wirt says after a few minutes of quiet searching. “Weird...I don’t recognize this author. Or..any of these poems.”

I walk over to see the book.

“‘A Long Hike and Thoughts That Occured During Said Hike’ That title is...quite a mouthful.”

“Written and illustrated by...Sadme Endicott? Weird.”

Wirt laughs. “Grim, the first poem is called ‘Ode to Endicott’s Tea’! I mean, I don’t like making fun of art, but..”

“I can’t tell if it’s satire or not!” I giggle, flipping to a page titled ‘Salt is Delicious (and Other Observations)’

“Oh..that reminds me of this dumb thing I did as a kid…” Wirt snorts.

“Do share!”

“Well...when we moved to my step-dad’s house, I decided-” He chokes back a laugh. “-I decided to be a- a ‘Rebel’.” He does air quotes “And I went about this b-by...well, every night, a bit before dinnertime, I poured- I poured a little salt on the cushion of every-every single chair..and no one noticed until there was like a centimeter of salt on everyone’s chair...I blamed it on Greg, who couldn’t even walk yet back then, much less pour salt on chairs..” He wheezed, trying to contain laughter. I feel myself grinning too.

“On..chairs? That’s-that’s so..random!’

“Heh, I was a weird kid. I did a ton of stuff like that- getting in trouble for the oddest things...like ‘painting’ the neighbor's fence with toothpaste...or stealing boxes and secretly mailing my toys and clothes to random addresses…”

“You two are dorks.” Beatrice says, landing on my shoulder.

“I mean, you’re not wrong...join us, Beatrice!” I say, throwing my hands back dramatically.

“Absolutely not.” She fluttered off again.

*******

Wirt and I spent the next hour-ish wandering through the library and sharing dumb anecdotes. He seemed to be getting more comfortable around me, and I suppose I’m more comfortable around him, too.

I was knee deep in stacks of fantasy books when I noticed that the window was actually a little balcony.

“Hey Wirt! Check this out!” I say, stepping outside.

“Woah...lookit the sunrise!” He stares off the balcony into the sea of peachy clouds in the distance. Last night’s rain had faded into autumn mist, and another leaf floated by. It was still freezing, though.

“(Y/N)?”

“Yeah?”

“How do you think we’ll get home?”

“I don’t know. I don’t...I don’t understand this place, this...unknown. Perhaps I’ll wake up and it’ll all be a dream, and I won't actually know you at all. That would suck.” I like knowing you, I consider saying. “ I like this place, weirdly.” Is what I say instead.

“I-I like this place too. It annoys me, and I don’t get it, but...it makes me nostalgic, in a weird way. Obviously I’ve never experienced eras like these, but…”

“You know, there’s a word for that, in the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows… ‘Anemoia’, nostalgia for a time you’ve never lived. One of my favorite words, actually.”

“Hmm. I like that word.”

Wind rushes by me. “God, it’s cold out here.”

“Oh, um..” He shrugs his fire-warmed cloak off and offers it to me.

“Wirt, that’s so cliche!” I giggle, taking the wool cloak.

“Oh! Sorry, I-I didn’t-”

“Nah, it’s a good cliche, but I can’t just leave you to freeze. C’mere.”

He steps towards me hesitantly. I smile. “C’mon Wirt, I don’t bite, I assure you I only stab.”

I throw part of the cloak over his shoulders and part of it onto mine.

“See?”

“Uhm, yeah.” He looks straight ahead, ears and face red.

“Hey, if you’re uncomfortable, we don’t have to-”

“No! No, it’s not that. I just…” He looks back to me, eyebrows knit together. “I’m just not used to….well, close physical contact. I don’t..I dunno what to do with my hands….”

“Just don’t think too hard about that, y’know? I mean, I’m not gonna judge you. And frankly, no one else will, we’re all too busy worrying about ourselves. Well, except Beatrice, but I think she just likes judging people…”

“Hmph. Not you.”

“Really? I figured-”

“I think she thinks you’re a vampire or witch or something. You scare her.”

“You’re-you’re kidding. Why would she-”

“You kinda have a scary resting face, all intense and stern...but, like in a cool way! Like a ‘don’t mess with me, I’m a force of nature’ sorta thing...that- that was probably rude, I'm sorry! I-I didn’t mean-” He says, his voice cracking.

“Yeah, that was incredibly rude, Wirt! I’m so offended!” I step back in mock anger. “Honestly, I can’t believe you would say that!”

He looks at me, flustered and ashamed. Okay, maybe I’m being a bit mean.

“I-I’m so sorry, I swear I didn’t mean to-”

I sigh and duck back into the cloak.

“Wirt, I’m messing with you. I’m flattered you think I’m intimidating!” I ruffle his hair, grinning.

“Oh-you-...hmph.” He crosses his arms, pouting.

“Wirt, (Y/n), it’s breakfast time!” Says Greg, shoving the balcony door open. “Are you guys hugging?”

Wirt and I both shove the cloak off and jump away.

“Nope!”

“Definitely not!”

“So, what’s for breakfast?” I say, changing the subject.

“Banana nut duck bread! Or maybe eggs and pancakes! I just hope it isn’t cat food, Kitty hates cat food. And that’s a rock fact.”

*******

“Yes, tea! Tea is my trade!”

“Mm, I love tea. Do you have any here?” I ask. I could really go for some hot tea.

“Ugh. Never touch the stuff myself.”

Never mind, then.

“Bleh. Me either.” Greg agrees.

“Ha ha! Yes! It's all for the money! Yes, the money takes my mind off my troubles... the deep soul-crushing loneliness….” Endicott stares off into space for a moment, lost in his head. He shivers.

“Yes, the more money I make, the bigger my mansion gets, the more lost I feel.. why, this house is so big, I sometimes don't even know where or who I am! Heh, heh..”

“Yeah, well, I’m glad your nephews here were able to pay a visit.” Beatrice says, putting emphasis on the word ‘nephews’.

“Yes, what a - what a pleasure it is to have company - a perfect pleasure. A perfect pleasure, lads! A per-- yes, yes. yeah, yeah.” He laughs vacantly.

“Ha ha! Yeah! Ha ha! Perfect pleasure, Heather…” Greg agrees.

“Um, Beatrice, are you ever going to tell me why you’re pretending I'm this guy's nephew?” Wirt whispers.

“We need money.” Beatrice shrugs.

“We're scamming him?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.

“I was thinking more like flat-out stealing from him.” Okay, that makes sense..Endicott obviously has enough money to go around.

“What? No way.” Wirt shakes his head.

“Why not? We already stole a horse.” I point out.

“Hey, guys!” Says Fred.

“No, we didn't. Fred's a talking horse. He can do whatever he wants.”

“I want to steal!” Fred cheers.

“Ah, Beatrice, we’ve taught him well.” I chuckle. We do a weird high five/fist bump thing.

Wirt gasped. “What?! You guys are bonkers!”

“If we're going to Adelaide's, we need two cents.” Beatrice says decisively.

“Well, you guys do what you - two cents? Only two cents?”

“Yeah, we need two pennies to take the ferry to Adelaide's pasture.”

“Come, everyone! Let us retire to the parlor and enjoy my unnecessary excess of wealth and luxury!” Endicott says loudly.

“Well, maybe he just has some loose change somewhere he wouldn't mind us taking…” Wirt sighs.

*******

“Behold, nephews, the majesty of wealth!”

We all ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’ as we enter the parlor. Everything in it is probably more expensive than my house, and admittedly is quite pretty- I guess Endicott has some taste.

“What was that?! Uh-” Endicott looks around nervously.

“What's wrong Unkie Endicott? Your forehead is all sweaty.” Greg says.

“M-my nerves. My -- my -- my ner-- heh, my nerves are a bust these days.”

“How come?” I ask. Maybe this guy is dangerous...

“Uh, yes, yes. Maybe it would be -- be good to -- to talk to someone. Well, y--actually, it all began one day when I was exploring my exceedingly large and labyrinthine manor here. I happened upon a section of the house I didn't even recall building. Isn't that funny? Must've been the old wing, but it was lit in a rather sort of eer-- eerie -- eerie light. And I pressed on, and then I-I saw the painting of the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, and that's when things took a rather strange turn. From that day on, I was obsessed with the woman in the portrait. She con-- consumed my every thought. I'd fallen in love- ha ha --with a ghost. Oh, I must sound crazy, mustn't I? Perhaps it's time for you all to leave my treasure-filled home…”

“No!” Wirt, Greg and I chorus.

“Yeah, Unkie! I want to see the ghost!” Greg cheers. “To the painting!”

“Yes, yes!” Endicott nods.

“Ooh, boy! Ghost hunt!”

I smile. All the talk of ghost hunts brought me back to last summer...there was the time at the convenience store, the time at the Northwest’s manor…

“Fred, go with them. Buy us some time.” Beatrice mutters.

“While I'm at it, I’ll steal!”

*******

“Ooh, Beatrice! Look at this!” I grin, pulling out an old spellbook looking thing.

There’a crash, and I look over to see Wirt and Beatrice broke another vase.

“...Seriously guys?”

Wirt rolls his eyes. “Aren’t we just supposed to be looking for loose change?”

“We are,” I shrug,”We’re just also accident prone curious idiots. Like I was saying, look at how cool this is!” I flip the book open. “Sha-bam! ‘A Study of Zombies’! Oops, wrong page, sorry.” I flip to the actual zombie page. “Sha-bam, zombies, not gnomes. And look, there's spells! Like, this one turns animals human!”

“Wait-animals human?” Beatrice says, flying towards the page.

“Eh, it’s probably not real, but it’s still cool.” I slam the book shut and put it back on the shelf.

“Yeah...it’s probably not real.” Beatrice nods, but if I’m reading her right, she looks slightly...disappointed? But as soon as it’s there, it’s gone. Must’ve been a trick of the light.

She shakes her head. “Hey, we didn’t check the armoire.”

The three of us step into the armoire, scouring the ground for loose change.

Tap...tap...tap…

I tense up. “Guys..do you hear that?”

“Endicott’s back!” Beatrice whisper-shouts.

“Uh-um-here!” Wirt slams the armoire’s door shut, leaving us in complete darkness.

We sit quietly for a minute or so, and the footsteps fade into the distance.

“Okay, I think he’s gone...Guys? You there?” Wirt whispers.

“Of course we are, smart guy.” I can hear the eyeroll in Beatrice’s voice.

“Alright, let’s look for coins.” I say, checking the coats for pockets.

“Well, I-I don't think these coats have pockets.” Says Wirt. Shoot.

“Check the lining! Maybe somebody sewed money into the fabric.”I suggest, recalling a weird historical fact I read somewhere.

“Nope. Do people even do that?” Wirt responds.

“I've done it on my clothes..” Beatrice mutters.

Wait, what?

“You wear clothes? Like a little bird vest or something?” Wirt laughs. “Or little bows?”

“When I was a human, fool.” Beatrice says, sounding annoyed.

“You used to be human? Did I know that? I-I don't think I knew that.”

“Me neither! Is it backstory time?!” I say giddily.

“Jiminy cricket! Let's just find some coins, all right? Someone open the door.”

“It's stuck.” I lied.

“Well, guess we have to spend some quality time together!” Wirt says innocently.

“Oh no..someone save me.”

“So how did you become a bluebird?” I grin.

“Hey, what’s that?” Beatrice ignores my question.

“Don't change the subject,”

“Look, there's a breeze coming out of here!”

“Oh, yeah. Whoa!” Wirt says excitedly.

“What?!”

“A secret entrance!”

“Nice!” I try to high-five him, but hit him in the face.

“Ooh, sorry! I didn’t mean-”

“No big deal. So, Beatrice, about your dark secret.”

“Hey, how about you two tell me your dark secrets instead, huh?”

“My secrets are too secret.”

“And mine are illegal to share. Like, if I told you, you wouldn’t believe me, and the government would kill all of us.”

“Jeez, what are you hiding, (Y/N)? Hey, look. light.” Wirt points ahead, and sure enough, there is light. I wander towards it.

“Whoa. Oh, and now who's avoiding the question?” Beatrice says, glareing at us as we step into the light. I look around, we’re in a small room with some sort of vent at the top that lets in enough light for us to see.

“You.” Wirt answers.

“Fine. I threw a rock at a bluebird, and it cursed me and my family, and now we're all bluebirds.Happy? Now you go.”

“Whoa. Y-your whole family?”

“Yeah.”

“Is that why you're going to Adelaide's -- to fix things?” I ask.

“That was the plan, but - yeah, that was the plan.”

For some reason, her hesitation worried me. I might have to bug her a bit more later, when she’s not in an emotionally vulnerable state.

“It'll all work out.”

“Yeah, we’ve made it this far, right?”

“All I know is I am never going back till I can make them human again. I'd do pretty much anything.”

Pretty much anything...ugh, why does that bother me so much?!

Wirt sighed. “All right. My turn, huh? Okay. Well, it's weird to admit it, but, well, I-I think I have a crush on this girl.”

“Ooh, go on…” I say, pulling myself out of my thoughts.

“That's all.”

“That's all?” Beatrice says, disappointed.

“And I think about her a lot, and I play clarinet.”

“Ohh, that’s why you gave Sara that cassette!” I smirk.

“Umm..yup. I...yeah.”

“Wirt! You gotta be kidding me.” Beatrice groans.

“And I secretly whisper poetry to myself in my room at night.”

I ruffle his hair. “Wirt, that stuff's not weird.”

“Those are just- well, the poetry thing is weird. But those are just character traits.” Beatrice sighs.

“You played clarinet?” I ask, clamoring out of the vent.

“Sort of.”

“What else do you do?”

“I don't know.”

Ah, there it is again. Wirt doesn’t seem to like defining himself, I’ve noticed. Which is probably why he was so eager to accept the tavern-goers’ label- pilgrim. Easier for him then self discovery, I guess, to just let others choose his identity.

“Uh -- hey.” He continued. “Does this room look different to you?”

“uh, how so?” Beatrice asks.

“It's like French-rococo style. That doesn't really seem in line with Endicott's Georgian sensibilities.”

“How -what? Who on Earth am I talking to right now?” Beatrice spluttered.

“Should I not know that sort of stuff?”

“No, you’re right. The paintings, the color-scheme...it’s very ‘Beauty and the Beast’ made historically accurate. And I guess Beatrice means that most teenage boys don’t notice stuff like interior design, but it kinda makes sense for your personality. Ooh, look! A silver hairbrush! I’ve seen these at antique stores!” I say, distracted by the shiny artifact.

I pick it up and trace the filigree designs- I’ve always liked these. I’m tempted to slip the brush into my..technically stolen satchel...ugh, Grunkle Stan must’ve rubbed off on me.

“(Y/N)? Y-you there?” Wirt waves a hand in front of my face.

“Huh?”

“Any thoughts on Wirt’s theory?”

“Heh...I wasn’t actually listening? Uh..knowing Wirt, it’s probably outlandish yet brilliant, or outlandishly paranoid?”

“Uhm, thanks-ish? I was saying that...well, w-what if the ghost Endicott was talking about was actually...another person?”

“Okay, it’s sounding outlandishly paranoid so far, but please continue..”

“Look around! The place is totally different, and Endicott said that he found a place he didn’t recognize. You found a silver hairbrush, used by women in Rococo France- which he is not. And we got here really weirdly. I think they- Endicott and the ‘ghost’ - just built their mansions so big that they connected!”

“Outlandishly brilliant it is! Wirt, that’s genius!”

********

We found our way back to Greg, Fred, and Endicott, where they’d met the ‘ghost’ lady of the house- Ms.Margueritte Grey, Endicott’s business competitor.

With all our stuff packed up and a decent amount of daylight left, we were about ready to continue on our way to Adelaide’s.

“Well, Greg, my boy, I can't thank you enough for helping me to face my fears. You're a sweet boy with good sense. Take this penny and start your fortune.” Endicott smiled as we left.

“And here's one from me, as well.” Ms.Grey added.

“Hey, nice. Now we can ride the ferry.” Wirt grins. We high-five.

“Bye guys! Thanks for everything!” I wave.

“Don’t forget to buy Endicott brand tea!”

“We won’t, thanks Fred!” I nod. Fred was staying behind as an ‘official tea horse’, whatever that means.

I smile as the autumn breeze blows through my hair. Wirt and Beatrice were muttering something behind me, Greg was skipping towards a fountain, and we were almost home...all is well in the world, at least right now.

Wait, is Greg throwing the pennies into the fountain?!

“Greg! Our pennies! Why did you do that?!” Wirt shrieks.

Greg responded in a deep voice. “ ‘Cause Uncle Endicott pegged me all wrong. I've got no ‘cents’, no ‘cents’ at all.”

I sigh. “I guess we’ll sneak onto the ferry then, huh. Bloody brilliant.”

*******

I stared off the railing of the ferry we snuck onto, watching the sun- it was close to setting, but not quite there yet. The whole place was bathed in golden light, and everyone was singing and dancing- except Beatrice. But I guess that’s normal enough for her…

Speaking of Beatrice, she’s flying towards me right now.

“Hey, (Y/N).”

“Hullo! Anything interesting happen? Did someone give Wirt alcohol or something?”

“What? No, of course not. Why would I- whatever.”

“You seem distracted, or...wistful. Everything okay?”

“I..no. I mean, yes. I- it’s nothing.”

“You sure? You can trust me, you know.” I pull away from the rail.

“Can I?” She glared at me with steely eyes.

“Of-of course! Why wouldn’t I be trustworthy?!” I snap.

“I mean, you never shared your secrets back there…” She paused, the fire in her voice fading. “I don’t know. I’m sorry (Y/N), I think I’m just...I’m just tired or something.”

“Okay. You wanna hear my secrets? Well I’ll tell ya, if you say what’s bothering you. Because I have a funny feeling there’s more here than meets the eye….c’mon, let’s find someplace more...private.”

*******

And so I shared. I’m not sure why, but I did. I told her about every paranormal thing I’d seen in Gravity Falls, how I didn’t want to be in New Jersey, how many times I’d considered just buying bus tickets and running away, how I’m pretty sure I know where ‘the Unknown’ is. I gave her all of it, even how much I missed Dipper, and how awful I felt for missing his thirteenth birthday. I’d never told anyone that. And she was a surprisingly good listener, nodding along and asking questions….but before I knew it, there was nothing else to say. The words had all flowed out of me, leaving me to feel...empty? No...lighter. Freer.

“So. Yeah. You can trust me.” I conclude, finally.

“Well….have you ever had to make a choice? A really big choice, where neither option is good?”

“I suppose I have..”

“Right, well, (Y/N) swear to me that you won’t tell Wirt what I’m about to tell you. The guy’s a total basket-case, he won’t take it well...which is fair, I guess, considering...just, please, promise me.”

“I solemnly swear it, but..jeez, should I be worried?”

“A bit, yeah..” She says gravely. “I guess...I guess I’m just hoping you can help. You’re level-headed and decently clever…”

*******

I stepped out of the closet, taking a deep breath. Beatrice and I had managed to make a plan, sort of...She was right though, Wirt couldn’t know, at least not till later….suddenly the ferry ride felt less serene….

#otgwxreader #wirt #wirt x reader #otgw wirt #over the garden wall x reader #over the garden wall

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traincat · 3 years

Note

I feel like I've read a ton, but I'm honestly still pretty new to comics rn. That being said... What is one more day? Ik we don't like it and it happened a while ago, but that's about it [,=

Time for Spider-Man History With Traincat: Highly Controversial Storylines! And that feeling is totally normal with comics with huge canons -- you can read a ton and still have some fairly big blindspots in your understanding of the total picture. That being said, this is kind of a big one, both in terms of Spider-Man history/canon and in terms of how Spider-Man fandom functions. I would say probably no other storyline has had quite as much impact on how the fandom views and interacts with the source material as One More Day/Brand New Day. It's been the Wild West out here ever since it happened. (Which was in 2007, so like, yes, fairly long ago, especially when you look at how Spider-Man canon has evolved since, but in the grand scheme of things, also kind of recent. One More Day is not old enough to rent a car.)

So when people talk about Spider-Man's One More Day, they're usually actually talking about two related arcs: One More Day and Brand New Day. For the sake of simplicity, I'm going to be covering both. For the sake of transparency, I am going to admit that I think One More Day, as a self-contained story, is good, actually. This is controversial! I admit that! But I stand by my stupid opinions on this blog, for some reason. I think One More Day when you examine it on its own, by which I mean you ignore the decade and a half worth of canon that came after it, as a Spider-Man story and as a PeterMJ-centric story holds up under scrutiny and that people who don't like it don't like complicated love stories and might actually throw their own mothers under buses. No offense to the OMD haters. Little bit of offense to the OMD haters. Brand New Day, which is the continuation of One More Day, on the other hand -- largely bad. Very largely bad.

But let's backtrack. One More Day is a four issue crossover storyline that takes place directly after Civil War, during which Iron Man and Captain America got divorced and divvied up the superhero community and Spider-Man made some startlingly bad decisions and made a fugitive out of himself and his family in a manner that got Aunt May shot, and Spider-Man: Back in Black (Amazing Spider-Man #539–543) which examines Peter's actions immediately after Aunt May is shot and ends with him humiliating the Kingpin in front of an entire prison. One More Day consists of Amazing Spider-Man #544 -> Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #24 -> Sensational Spider-Man v2 #41 -> Amazing Spider-Man #545. In One More Day, Aunt May is dying, all of Peter's efforts to save her have thus far failed, and, consumed by guilt, he is rapidly running out of time. Approached by Mephisto, a literal demon from hell, Peter is offered a deal: Aunt May will live -- and Peter's identity, which was previously revealed to the world at large during Civil War, will once again be hidden from the memories of all but a select few -- if Peter trades him his marriage to Mary Jane. Peter and Mary Jane struggle with this, but eventually both agree to the deal. The clock strikes twelve, the deal is done, and Peter and Mary Jane's marriage fades into history.

(ASM #545) A reasonably simple premise for a story that caused so many problems -- most, I would argue, not actually the original story's fault. So obviously, this was an unpopular move -- Peter and Mary Jane had for a long time been a fan favorite Marvel couple, and in a fictional universe where most relationships are doomed as soon as they begin, the enduring Spider-Marriage was sacred ground. And then, with a snap of its fingers, it was gone: Peter wakes up in Aunt May's house, no longer married, with Mary Jane out of the picture. (She would not return to the book on any sort of consistent basis for over 50 issues.) In the wake of One More Day began Brand New Day, which is basically what it sounds like: a promised "brand new day" of "exciting" Spider-Man content and a publishing schedule where Amazing Spider-Man came out three times a month. (Which sounds good on paper but I think in practice caused more problems than it created good storylines.) Peter, newly single again, had new love interests! And also Harry Osborn was alive again for some reason! I generally like Harry's post-BND stories so that part's fine with me.

But overall? Brand New Day is a mess. It knows it wants to tread new and exciting ground with Peter -- tell new stories! ensnare new readers! make them fork out for a book three times a month. -- but it doesn't know what those stories should be. Readers who were invested in Peter and Mary Jane's relationship -- a major facet of Spider-Man comics for decades at that point -- felt rightfully betrayed that the marriage could be so easily traded in and that Mary Jane herself, perhaps the second most important figure in Spider-Man comics after Peter, could be tossed aside. From a personal point of view, I think Brand New Day fails in large part because it abandons what has always made Spider-Man such a compelling series, and that's the mix of Peter's personal life with his vigilante life. BND sees Peter with new friends, new jobs, new love interests, etc -- it is very much a brand new day! But it isn't a better day compared to the stories that came before it. I do like some post-BND stories, especially American Son (ASM #595-599) and Grim Hunt (ASM #634-637), but compared to pre-BND where I think the majority of canon is good, it's a very lacking body of work that is hurt by the way it divorced itself from the PeterMJ marriage as Spider-Man's central relationship.

"But Traincat, I thought you said you liked One More Day?" Yeaaaaah. I do. This is why I keep saying I like One More Day on its own merits, and not on the merits of the stories it opened the doors for. I like a good romantic tragedy in fiction, and the way Peter and Mary Jane's final scene in One More Day plays out is beautiful. I like the idea of Peter caught in this impossible situation, being asked to choose between two women he loves more than his own life. A really common criticism I see leveled against One More Day is that Peter should have chosen his relationship with Mary Jane over May's life, which is -- okay, I think it's weird that people keep insisting on this, not in the least because by asking Peter to sacrifice his aunt's life they're essentially demanding he commit a callous, out of character act in order to further his own interests. It's also weird because the thing is, Peter already chose Mary Jane over May -- that's what gets them into this situation. It's literally in the scene where May is shot:

(ASM #538) When the gun goes off, Peter's spider-sense kicks in, and he covers Mary Jane, leaving May in the path of the bullet. He does choose Mary Jane over May, regardless of whether he realized what he was doing. And that's why he can't make that choice a second time. His actions in One More Day do make sense for him as a character, whether or not any individual reader likes them, and Mary Jane's actions make sense, too -- after all, she's the one who ultimately tells Mephisto that they agree to the deal when Peter can't bring himself to voice it.

A lot of people also like to nitpick One More Day by going, well, why could (x) or (y) with life saving powers save Aunt May which is like -- yeah, I guess, but if we're going to ask that about this specific comic book near death setup, you kind of have to do it with every single one, and I'm not going to stake every single moment of comic book drama on whether or not that gold kid from the X-Men was busy at the time. Comics are soap operas in flimsy paper form: serialized longform storytelling that relies heavily on melodrama. Sometimes you have to go with things. Sometimes you sell your marriage to the devil. Stuff happens. That in and of itself doesn't make One More Day a bad story -- and while some people blame the Spider-Marriage's dissolution entirely on One More Day, I think that's a little shortsighted when you look at the history of Spider-Man since the turn of the century. It's clear -- and Marvel themselves have been perhaps a little too open about this -- that Marvel in the past few decades has had trouble with the direction they want to take Spider-Man. They WANTED Spider-Man to appeal to a distinctly youthful audience that they didn't think they were actually reaching -- understandable, considering that Marvel nearly went bankrupt around 2000 and was saved by Ultimate Spider-Man, an out of main continuity series which retold Spider-Man from the beginning and focused heavily on Peter as a teen -- but the problem was Spider-Man in the main continuity was at that point in canon a happily married man who was pushing the dreaded 30 whether or not they wanted to admit that. This is also why Marvel has continually pivoted away from Spider-Man having kids, because they feared that making him a dad would age him too much and make him unrelatable to their coveted audience of Teens. (This is also why almost every new Spider-Man property, especially the live action movies, perpetually stick him back into high school, despite that occupying a very small slice of 616 canon.) So around the year 2000, they started trying things in relation to the Spider-Marriage, which was viewed as a major problem -- after all, what's more adult than being married and liking your wife. First, they had Mary Jane presumed dead. Then, they had Mary Jane and Peter separate. Then, when Mary Jane and Peter had only recently gotten back together, One More Day struck. If One More Day specifically hadn't gone the way it had, it's pretty clear that the Spider-Marriage was going to go one way or another -- it's a little bit of a shame it happened when it did, because OMD is the end of J Michael Straczynski's run, and JMS wrote a really beautiful Peter and MJ relationship. But Marvel as a company and especially editor in chief at the time Joe Quesada viewed Peter and Mary Jane's relationship as a major problem in how they wanted to portray Spider-Man and thought that striking the relationship from the books would allow them more freedom in their portrayal of him as younger and more relatable to their Desired Audience of people who I guess really wanted to see Peter sleep with characters who weren't Mary Jane.

(ASM #546. Younger! Fresher! Less attached! Kissing random women in the club!)

The problem with One More Day has always been in the follow through -- from the content of Brand New Day to the pacing of events to the fact that Marvel withheld key information for such a long time that it allowed misinformation to thrive. After all, what does it MEAN to trade Peter and Mary Jane's marriage to the devil? It altered the events of canon in Peter and the majority of other characters' memories so that the marriage didn't exist, but it left people wondering -- did the relationship as they remembered it existed? How much of Spider-Man canon was altered? And the answers didn't come for over 100 issues of Amazing Spider-Man. One Moment In Time or OMIT (Amazing Spider-Man #638-641), which revealed that while Peter and Mary Jane never got married in the altered canon they did continue their long committed relationship up until just after Civil War, was published in 2010, so essentially readers were hung out to dry without answers for three years. That's a long time to string people along, but not as long as it took Marvel to confirm that the popular fan theory that Mary Jane retained her memories of the original timeline as part of her own deal with Mephisto was also true, which happened this year. I would say, at least from my perspective, a lot of the frustration doesn't come from the individual One More Day storyline so much as how Marvel has continually dragged out the aftermath, using the promise of a Spider-Marriage return to keep fans on the hook. Which is why One More Day continually comes up in discussion of current Spider-Man, because Spencer's run has relied very heavily on imagery from that period with a serious question of whether or not there actually was going to be payoff, something which is still up in the air.

This has been Spider-Man History With Traincat, brought to you by anonymice like you.

#traincat talks comics #long post #*replies

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soramel · 3 years

Text

Curiosity didn’t kill the cat | jjk ff

Part 1

jjkxreader Prompt: “You’re early,” said the grim reaper with a hint of amusement.

Fantasy au, grimreaper!jungkook, reader, romance, slow-burn

Words: 1.5k approx. Part 1/5

“You coming tonight?” your friend, Jimin, queried. The air’s getting colder these days. Gone were the colors of autumn that used to cover the path you’re taking and only left with the cold wet pavement.

You shrugged, “I have reports to finish.”

Meaning a netflix series you have to catch up on in the comfort of your couch. You were already deciding if you should order chicken wings or just go with a hot choco. Maybe ramen... you might need to stop by the store for kimchi. You’ve ran out last week.

Jimin whined, “Again? I thought you just finished the other day? Isn’t it finals in two weeks?” he knew you’re not just up for any party. He barely hitched you up on one, but he thought you’d give it a try, considering you’re a semester away from graduation in two weeks time.

“That also. It’s the finals,” you wittingly replied. Then faked a complaint, “Ugh, there’s too much to catch up on. I want to graduate already.”

You turned to him and gave out a sheepish smile, “Here’s my building. I’ll join you guys next time! Bye!”

It was a good call. It has been raining cats and dogs for hours. The heavy rain droned out the city’s noise outside your apartment and nothing could be more perfect right now with you and your laptop and a can of beer at hand.

The sky lit up with lightning followed by a loud rumble of startling thunder.

In a blink, a shadowed figure appeared beside your bed. You yelped in surprise.

Out of instinct you threw him whatever you’re holding. He didn’t flinch and you just watched as the fedora hat fell off his head, revealing a set of unruly curls covering his eyes.

You gasped, hands covering your mouth.

The stranger’s eyes fell shut in annoyance at the sudden beer facial wash.

Before he could even speak, you shouted, “Who the fuck are you?!”

“What are you doing here?”

“I’m calling 911!”

You questioned and threatened. Words coming out in spitfire.

He patiently wiped the stinking liquid off his face then taking a look at his watch while you dial for the police. Only then you realized you lost grip of your phone before even pressing the green button.

You tried to pick it up only to stare in horror as your hand went through.

You stared back at the strange man while you took everything in. He’s wearing a black trench coat, black gloves, and black combat boots. A character straight out of steampunk.

He let out a sigh and a forced smile.

“You’re early,” said the man with a hint of amusement.

“I just received your death notification while fetching a soul. He made a fuss and we had some problems so, apologies for being late.”

Is he crazy? A psychopath? A stalker?

“Ah, how rude of me. Jeon Jungkook. Your grim reaper, at your service.”

You’re beyond shock.

You thought you needed to be sent to a mental hospital for even believing whatever the freak is saying right now.

He raised his finger and sighed before pulling out a tablet under his coat. It’s as if he has done this a thousand times as he nonchalantly fed you information you couldn’t grasp.

“L/N, Y/N. Your cause of death should be of old age at 93 on August 10, 2090.”

Cocking his head to the side, “I need you to come with me to the headquarters so we can settle this.”

You gaped in utter shock.

“I’m dead?”

Jungkook nodded, “Yes. You had a car accident while crossing Adelaide...” he paused and swiped on his gadget, “1 hour and 2 minutes ago.”

You were about to speak when he held up his hand. “I know you have a lot of questions, but we need to get going. My shift’s ending in 0:00 and I still have one soul left to fetch today.”

In a daze, you stood up and followed him outside your apartment. The elevator dinged as it opened. He flashed his bunny-like smile and gestured towards the lift.

“After you,”

You walked meekly, unsure whether this is some kind of prank being pulled by Jimin. Is he his friend? Is this your punishment for ditching him nth times in a row?

Jungkook stepped into the elevator as you look for cameras. Your run-down apartment has none.

Then the lights inside flickered, making you jolt.

Ding!

The doors whooshed open only to find yourself in a grand bedroom. Wails of grief from the family rung through your ears as you followed his footsteps, still out of your sanity.

An old man’s body is laying on the bed, with the machine showing a flatline on the bedside. Jungkook wore off his fedora as he greeted the old man who’s staring at his grieving family.

“Sir. It’s time.” he informed solemnly. The man turned to you his eyes flashed with understanding. He stared up to Jungkook and nodded, accepting his fate.

You pursed your lips as you held onto nothing but your hands. As Jungkook opened the bedroom door, you three were led to a neighborhood, outside of a mansion.

There’s a car waiting. Jungkook held the car door open for him. With a last look at the house, he silently rode the car. The door falling shut after.

You were speechless. This...

isn’t a prank.

You’re dead.

“That was fast,” Jungkook said, sounding happy. “Ah I love fetching old people sometimes. Smooth as butter,” he told himself as he dust off his hands out of habit.

When he turned to you, his nose crinkled in light disgust.

“Come with me,” he ordered.

You followed suit and couldn’t even utter a word. Barely understanding what’s happening.

A minute of silence passed as you walked down on the neighborhood.

“I’m not supposed to be dead, right?” you asked, remembering what he said earlier.

You watched the back of his head bob up and down. “That’s why I’m bringing you to the headquarters in Jongno district. You’re my first odd case,” he explained.

“How... how would I live? When I don’t have my body anymore?” you walked up to him. Stopping him from taking a step further.

“Shouldn’t we get my body first?” you asked, frantic. He just stared back at you and replied, “And what? Hide it in a fridge?”

“I don’t even have one in my house,” he followed then continued walking.

You felt utter frustration. It’s unfair. Extremely unfair. They did some kind of mistake then now you have to suffer. What kind of shit are they on to?

“But I wasn’t supposed to die! As you said!” you yelled at him. Tears welling up in your eyes.

He stopped and turned back to you. He looked around and grabbed you by the arm. Jungkook walked towards a door and went in and as if there’s a sudden shift, quite of a whiplash, you exited to another door leading to another neighborhood.

He didn’t stop walking and you tried your best to stop him as he just moved forward despite the cobblestone wall ahead of you.

In a blink, you were led to a white-washed hall. Endless counters like those in a bank with red digital numbers on top of each one.

He didn’t let go of you as he tapped on the self-service queue machine.

A receipt is printed, a ding heard, then you were being dragged again 10 counters down the hall.

His pissed off face were gone in a second as he flashed his friendly smile on the lady behind the desk.

“Jungkook! It’s been 3 Julian years!” she greeted enthusiastically.

Then inquired right away, “Another stubborn soul?”

She turned to you, and ranted on “Oh poor young lady, no need to worry. You’ll be reincarnated after passing the 7 trials! 49 days if you’re a noble soul but that’s 1 in a million traveling the afterlife. You’ll just spend a decade on average! We have a long queue at the gate, you see. You should fall in line now.”

She talked out in one breath then turned to the arrogant grim reaper, giving out a wink as if she just solved a problem for him.

Jungkook shook his head and leaned on the counter. “She’s not supposed to pass yet. Here,”

He took out his tablet and showed your profile. The lady frowned before another “Oh,” in surprise passed her lips.

She then swallowed and feigned a smile. “I have to call a higher up for this. Give me a sec.”

The lady dialed something on the telephone and spoke, “Sir, we have a case 3 here.”

“Understood.”

She looked up at both of you after the call. The door to your left opened as she let you in.

“Follow me,” she said in her top-notch customer service tone.

You were lost after a series of turns and doors and lifts.

At another turn around the end of a hallway, you saw an intricate carved-out door at the other end.

The lady knocked before the knob clicked open.

#bts fanfic #jungkook fantasy au #jungkook fanfic #jk x reader #jkxreader

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kyunisixx · 3 years

Text

ivy (chapter ii)

pairing: John Paul Jones AU x original fem!character

a/n: This took a while and I'm sorry for that. Anyway, I just want to point out that I did change the POV (previously 3rd person's view) to 1st and will continue for next chapters until epilogue. Anyways, good lord here it is.

theme(s): angst/hurt, eventual smut, and heavy description of every damn detail.

summary: After years of being a con artist, Hiraya Javier had mastered the ability to mask her real identity to get herself the life she had always wanted: adorned with jewelries, expensive dresses and be a wife to an influential and rich businessman.

When an urgent call demanded her husband, Neil Lewis' attention for a month, she met the quiet but quick-witted John Baldwin, a stable boy and the gardener of the manor. Then she finds that her facade wasn't so strong after all.

masterpost | playlist (tracks for this chapter has been added, go check it out.)

magnificently cursed

1954

Giggled.

Or was it an accidental snort of what was supposed to be a laugh but ended up sounding like a choking pig at the look on John's face from my statement.

“Odd? I do not have an odd posture.” His eyebrows narrowed at my random comment, he looked like I had said the most scandalous thing. I held back another laugh.

“Yes, you do. It's like,” I paused, making a pathetic attempt to mimic his hunched form, possibly ending up looking like a vulture with my shoulders bending forward and my head extending along. “Like this. Hunched.”

“Aurora,” he scoffed, “That ridiculous claim cannot possibly have come from you when you have a funny way of walking,” he added dryly and resumed briefly to his work.

It was a warmer day than usual, with more amount and a longer appearance from the sun since we have officially moved in. With Neil thousands of miles away, I wasn't sure how to spend the days alone in the manor house. Having to wake up early to watch the sunrise from the expansive window at the front of the king sized bed, memorizing each pattern of the pastel sky and smoke-like clouds of sunrise before eventually taking a shower and walking downstairs for breakfast.

The thick science textbook I had greedily indulged in had long been finished to the back over and now abandoned on the nightstand. Each one of the clothes I owned; worn or not had been sorted out by their purpose or color. Comforters were consistently tucked in on the sides, folded almost too perfectly neat without any signs of creases from the extra time I spent meticulously making the bed.

The times I spent walking over the long hallways, studying each portrait of the manor's generation of its past Lords and owners, I fear I cannot recount anymore. Just yesterday I found myself in an unconsciously endless staring battle against my husband's great grandfather's unmoving expression before moving to another face that held nothing but an image of impatience and knowingness of power they possess.

Even with the haunting beauty of the manor house⎯ antique furnitures that were dated back in the eighteenth century, plethora of grand decors and touches of warm colors, it only gave me an entirely different sentiment: a nauseating taste of unwelcomeness. Like walking in a graveyard, almost, with all these dead people forever encapsulated with grim faces that only seem to mock and belittle anyone who would dare to look at them.

Despite the effort of keeping myself occupied by doing little things I could find around the house, it only made me grow restless and itching to do something else.

Earlier today after breakfast, I took it upon myself to take the dishes I have used to the spacious sink. It wouldn't be much of a work anyway with a very few cutlery and a set of intricately designed porcelain Chinawares. A few hanging plastic vases hooked at the top of the overlooking window where English ivies are planted, spilling and dangling over. Instead of blocking the view, it added a delicate touch.

Ivy. A symbol of devotion, loyalty and fidelity.

In ancient Egypt, ivy was dedicated to Osiris, who represented immortality. And in ancient Greece, ivy was the plant of Dionysus because of its vigour. Interesting choice.

“My lady!”

Oh god. Not a much better contender than John's 'Madam'. I looked over to find the elderly woman striding towards me, reaching for the dishes out of my hand and gently turned the flowing faucet off. Cynthia. “There is no need for you to do that!”

“There's nothing else to do after this anyway. Let me wash them, it's alright.” I turned my body towards her and casted a smile, “And please, you do not have to call me that. Aurora would be fine.”

The woman audibly sighed and only watched as I turned the faucet back on. “Well, Aurora, if you're going to do the dishes,” she untied the ribbon of her cooking apron and handed it over, “You're going to have to do it properly or you'll wet your dress and ruin it, hm?”

“Oh!” I slid the apron over my head and tied it on the small of my back, “Of course. Thank you, Cynthia.”

As I smoothed out the front of the cloth and reached over for the plates, Cynthia leaned her hip over the kitchen counter, “Finding it a bit of a bore in here, eh?”

“It's starting to drive me mad,” I jested, swiping the sponge on a plate, eyeing the suds it left behind as I felt the woman's stare on the side of my face.

She nodded with a lighthearted laugh, “I understand. I reckon it's not an easy adjustment moving from a busy environment to something like this one.”

“Well, truly I do love it here. Quiet. Tranquil. When you grow up to the noise and all the busy lifestyle you'd long for a change.” I sighed. “It's just… I just miss the familiarity of home. Now, I don't even have my husband around. It's like I'm lost.”

There was something about Cynthia's congenial aura that made me instantly comfortable around her.

“I know that I could perhaps invite some of Neil's friends over but,” I paused, holding the China cup under running water before carefully placing it on the drying rack. “I don't know.”

Friends. Fake laughing hyenas in silk gowns, diamonds and tailored suits. Walls of insincerity were hard ones to build. But who was I to complain?

“You can always come around here if you need company,” she murmured gently. I could feel her warm pools of honey oozing through the pit of my secrets like she knew each one of them. She reminded me of a grandmother I never had the privilege to grow up to, yet I was afraid to look her in the eyes for too long.

I laughed with a shake of my head, “I don't really think the others would like me around.”

Cynthia gasped, “What makes you say that? Of course they do. You are the lady of the house!” she sighed, “They are perhaps just…trying to get used to your presence. Neil would rarely come home ever since his father died.”

I knew the primary reason for their reservedness, but I nodded anyway. “I'll keep that in mind, Cynthia. I appreciate it.”

For a while, I stared right outside the window as the cook left me by myself. I've always found washing dishes as a therapeutic activity back when I used to work as a dishwasher for a while to make ends meet.

In my current state of stagnation and having to do nothing, how I long to be in the stuffy little kitchen, where every inhale comes the strong pungent smell of chlorine they use to mop the floor with. Scrubbing food residues off of stainless pots and in the background the deafening noise of people clamoring outside during lunch time.

Now in the same bench that was conveniently facing the grand fountain I find myself lazily sitting about with a sleeping Ingrid in my lap. I snapped my head towards the gardener, hedge shears in both his grasp. He was crouched down across the lawn, now halfway through the arrays of shrubs trimming the hedge with careful snaps. His long hair fell brushing against his shoulders, framing his face and unusually looking healthy and shiny in the sun.

The gardener, to say the least, was an intriguing character. Expressive, almost theatrical with a dry humor.

“Really? Would you mind showing me exactly how I walk, please.”

“Not at all. It would be a pleasure, even.” He stood up after having placed down the shears, brushing the dirt off his thighs and faced towards me. Then propping his glove-covered hands on his waist, he glided forward with an emphasized exaggeration on the sway of his hips. His hunched shoulders pushed backwards, jutting his chest out into the air and even went to sweep his hair behind his shoulders. With a straight face, he said, “That's how you walk.”

“What?” I bursted out laughing, “That's not how I walk at all!” I shrieked, causing the purring feline to jolt. With a gentle gasp, I scratched Ingrid's soft cheek, a spot she seems to love getting affectionate scratches at. And quickly as she jumped awake, she was quick to decide it was time to go and have a walk then climbed off my lap, as if finding my exchange with the gardener dreary and boring.

“Absurd,” I mused, looking back up at John. My eyes took in the land covered in thick weaves of grass. Bursts of colors littered everywhere with different kinds of flowers, shrubs were strategically and purposely planted on the side of the cobbled pathway, hedges were shaped into a unique pattern. The cascading crystal water from the fountain created a stunning reflection of sunlight. It was all an exquisite sight.

I stood up, leaving my designated house footwear beside the bench. I sauntered, staring at the way the fibres of grass tickled between my toes. Walking over past his crouched form, I hovered my palm over the flat and freshly trimmed top of the hedge. “I'm amazed how you keep the garden well taken care of. Do you really do all this,” I turned to him and gestured around the garden and continued, “all by yourself?”

“No. Well, yes, technically.” John started, “My job is just to maintain the garden. Once in a while, a professional landscape gardener would come by just to check or by Sir Neil's demand, do renovations.”

“Hm.” I simply said. “Nevertheless, I think you deserve a raise.”

He chuckled, “Oh. A raise would be great, indeed.”

I now sat on the fountain. The large ball of flames made its raging presence known that the cement surface felt almost searing hot against my backside even through the thick layers of the skirt of my dress. I dipped my fingers on the water, suddenly getting a foolish urge to plunge entirely and have a swim.

“I⎯” John suddenly cleared his throat. I glanced at him, finding he already had finished his work and was now gingerly peeling the grey colored gloves off his fingers.

“What is it?” I asked as I eyed him. He looked as if he was hesitating to say something. He walked over to where I was seated and settled about a foot away to my left. I waited for him as I watched the calm ripples of water.

“Do you love him?”

My head snapped upwards to him, he was facing right ahead, avoiding any sort of eye contact. “What?” was all I could muster.

“Sir Neil. Do you love him?”

The question left me dumbfounded, “Why would you ask that?”

“You can simply answer the question, Aurora.”

“I believe that is none of your business, John.” I said haughtily, every word coming out as slow drawl but with unwavering firmness.

“Come on. We all know the reason why you're here,” he said simply.

If there was one thing the gardener was, it was that he wasn't afraid to speak his mind.

And spoke his mind he did.

The moment he said it all the moisture left my mouth and I blanched. He didn't even have to make further elaborations because I do.

I know the reason why I'm here and I know it all too well. But how did a simple statement, one that was free of any sound of accusation leaving John's mouth laced with nothing but nonchalance, felt like a thousand tiny needles pricking at my skin?

As I swallowed, my throat felt like it was pushing down with a large clump of sand. My palms are starting to perspire with cold sweat. I stood up, almost staggering from the quick movement. I cleared my throat and faced him with a tight-lipped smile.

“Why, thank you, John. Would you like a gold medal for your excellent judgement?”

Not waiting for his response, I walked⎯ or rather⎯ ran across the lawn, blindly heading for the main door. My entire body was rigid, but shaking profusely and I released a shaky sigh as I stepped inside, feeling the cold floor at my feet.

Fingers waltzed over the creme-colored keys, a resounding note echoed sharply in the empty room. Then my other hand pressed on the keys to the left, evoking a much darker tone that vibrated around me. Behind the mahogany grand piano, my fingers meandered over a familiar progression of notes.

If I closed my eyes now, it would bring me back to that living room with a matte black colored upright piano with a couple of framed photographs sitting at the top. Distantly, I could almost smell the aroma of a baked pastry and the sugary sweetness of peaches and mangoes. In that kitchen I hear a woman's voice, humming alongside Ella Fitzgerald in an outmoded little turntable. That day, I had asked her to turn the volume down so I could hear myself play. And after a while she would appear from the kitchen and lean herself at the doorway with her green oven glove clad hand perched on her hip.

“You play beautifully.”

I frowned. My fingers halted their dance and I glanced at the door. In that doorway wasn't her leaning on it. Instead it was a man.

John.

“May I?” he murmured and lifted his body into his full height, eyes searching mine for permission. I didn’t answer as I looked away but gave a single nod. I could hear his feet padding on the marble floor until he sat down at the edge of the bench. From the corner of my eye, I caught items on his clutch: my forest green slippers.

He gently placed then down on the floor, “You forgot them outside.”

I said nothing in response as I absentmindedly pressed on the keys until I heard the first few notes of his long, dextrous fingers moving to follow the same notes in a much lower octave as if talking back to me. In response, I hesitantly, but gently responded. The melody it elicited sounded like a question and pressing a few keys, he answered.

My hands moved on their own, matching the slow rhythm of his reluctant ones. It started slowly, like a molten gold slowly rushing through the gaping holes that a ball of flaming melancholia left gaping open. It coursed through my veins and seeped through my bones. The pace was unhurried, enchanting but heavy.

Then all reluctance vanished as it rose to a crescendo. The molten liquid was now flowing at a rapid pace and my heart thundered in my ribcage. My hands were almost a blur, I felt electricity bolting through my spine. What was once a melancholic harmony now transformed into what I could only name as the lover’s quarrel.

The speed was like a moving car, edging beside a cliff but never quite reaching the curve of where gravity defied. From the violent cries of each note, I could hear his uneven breathing. Strange enough, it matched my own. Gradually, it was starting to build up into chaotic trickles of falling drops of water. My arms felt like they were ready to give out, yet the adrenaline was greater than the pain. The melody kept pushing and pushing through to reach the peak of something.

Then it hit its break, stopping an inch before the edge of the road into the abyss.

Silence fell through not long before my shaky exhale cut through like a sharp knife. My arms fell limp to my sides as I caught my breath. Sweat was starting to form at the back of my neck, which I didn't take notice of until I felt my hair sticking to my skin. There was a faint ringing in my eardrums, my heartbeat was thumping so loud and overwhelming that the moment the music stopped I saw tiny dots swiftly linger in my vision.

I was the one to break through the fog of silence, “I didn't know you played.”

“Sir Lewis taught me, ” John murmured.

I glanced at him and raised an eyebrow, “Neil did?”

“No. No, not him,” he shook his head, “The late Sir Jacob, his father.”

I nodded and looked out the window. “I'm sorry.” he said solemnly after a while.

“It's alright, John.”

“It's not,” he said immediately, “What I said wasn't okay. I was being an arse.”

“Really, John. Don't worry abou⎯”

“You're right. It's none of my b⎯”

“Because it's true,” I said with firmness. “You were right. I didn't marry him out of love.”

John fell silent. After a few trickling seconds he spoke up, “Even so, I shouldn't have said that. What you do isn't and shouldn't be my concern.”

“John,” I sighed, “If it will make you feel better, then I accept your apology.”

From where my eyes have been looking, I turned my head back to stare at him with a small smile. But the smile vanished as I took him in.

Had he been looking at me this entire time? The orange flare of the sun reflected through the windows, lighting up his eyes. I never paid so much attention to them until now but their color was as rich as the color of the sea. To think I had a phobia of the deep ocean, endless depth of dark murky waters, I didn't feel an ounce of agitation and fear in my body as I swam through them. I didn't notice the small flecks of brown and a subtle reflection of other colors. Like a glinting stone of opal. His lips, red and… plush. The contours of his cheeks more prominent with the shadow casted upon them and seemed to have been carved with passion and care by the greatest sculpture to ever exist.

Bloody hell. Why was John Baldwin looking so scandalously handsome in the glow of the afternoon light?

permanent taglist: @jonesyjonesyjonesy , @jimmys-zeppelin , @dreamersdrowse , @thatiloveyouso , @salixfragilis , @rebel-without-a-zeppelin , @reincarnated70sbaby , @timetraveller4 @jimmylovesme (let me know if you guys want to be on the permanent taglist or a separate member taglist!)

ivy taglist: @kari-12-10

#john paul jones x ofc #john paul jones #robert plant #jimmy page #john bonham #led zeppelin #led zeppelin fanfiction #ivy #evermore #fanfic #classic rock #yeah i was inspired by corpse bride you can stop asking now

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ordinaryschmuck · 3 years

Text

What I Thought About "Eda's Requiem" from The Owl House

Salutations, random people on the internet who certainly won’t read this! I am an Ordinary Schmuck. I write stories and reviews and draw comics and cartoons.

...

...HOW IS SEASON TWO SO GOOD?! WE'VE HAD SEVEN EPISODES SO FAR, AND EACH ONE OF THEM WAS A HIT!

Take "Eda's Requiem," for example. It's yet another episode where I have NOTHING bad to say about it! That's two weeks in a row where that happened! HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN?!

HOW!

...But anyways, "Eda's Requiem." It's another fantastic episode, and I'm about to dive into explaining how and why. Just keep in mind, it's gonna require spoilers to do so, so be wary of that as you keep reading.

Now, let's review, shall we?

WHAT I LIKED

Eda’s Checklist and Grom Photo: Within the first second, "Eda's Requiem" perfectly sets up Eda's central conflict in the episode. Despite spending years being on her own and looking after herself, she now has two kids that she's constantly caring over. Eda can try all she wants to say that she doesn't care, and I bet she has in the past. But given the hard work she's putting into getting King and Luz what they need and having a grom photo of the three of them together pinned in her mirror, it's pretty clear that those two knuckleheads wormed their way into her heart and are never getting out.

Eda’s Worried About King and Luz Leaving: And thus, that's precisely why something like this bothers her so much. Eda inadvertently adopted two rambunctious rapscallions (Yeah, I know. I'll get to it), so the idea of them not being around her anymore is going to be terrifying. That is a situation most parents, especially mothers, can identify with. It’s called empty nest syndrome and it proves just how much Eda loves Luz and King that she can't stand the thought of her babies leaving the nest. It's yet another well-made, wholesome, found-family moment that this series continues to excel at each week, making me extra excited for more like it to come...while also readying myself for heartbreak when one of them eventually does leave Eda.

Eda and Raine’s Music: Ok, I don't know the exact instruments that were played during this episode, but I also don't care because it was all (for lack of a better term) music to my ears. Every time Eda and Raine played resulted in melodies that are so beautiful and filled with so much emotion and feeling that I'm honestly tempted to listen to them again, multiple times, on repeat. Shows rarely do that for me, as background music doesn't always draw me in as much as lyrical songs do. Usually, it takes something so extraordinarily composed to give me the desire to listen again, and that's the case here. So huge congrats to Brad Breek for doing so. Seriously, the man's been killing it this season.

Eda’s Bard Magic Causing Things to Turn to Ash: This was assuredly a surprise side-effect of the curse. The fact that Eda can sort of do magic at all was its own shock. To then reveal that a specific type can do dangerous things to people and environments is...Well, it definitely brings up its own fair share of questions. Like, how can she do this? Will she do it again, one day? And are there other types of spells that can be negatively affected by Eda's curse? We don't get answers for any of these questions, and odds are, we never will. But that's alright with me. Because if a show makes me consider these many possibilities after a brief amount of time, it is a show that has to be doing something right. Even if I don't get the answers I want, the fact that it caused such a reaction makes me less willing to care.

Raine Whispers: Hey, would you look at that. Another fun, interesting, and compelling character added to the list of this shows' other fun, interesting, and compelling characters...how is this series so good at this!?

Joking aside, Raine's pretty good. I like Raine. They could have been this super serious leader who lost all their fun after years apart from Eda, but I'm glad that they're not. There are moments when Raine takes their job as leader of the BATs seriously, as one would, but I still prefer the fact that they kept a jovial nature despite how grim their situation is. It's an admirable trait to have, and it avoids the trope of making leader characters boring just because they're the ones who have to take things seriously.

Oh, and also, Raine's Disney's first non-binary character who has a stake in the plot. This is a tremendous deal, as you don't usually see that many non-binary characters in children's animation, let alone ones that hold importance to the story. So it's pretty cool for the writers to feature Raine, as it helps several kids feel as though they're finally seen and respected. And the fact that Disney of all companies gave the thumbs up is even more impressive. I hear people say that Dana Terrace should have pitched The Owl House to more progressive networks to avoid pushback, and while I absolutely see your point, I'll have to respectfully disagree. Disney is the largest entertainment industry of all time, so if you want to make LGBTQA+ representation normalized, you gotta stop making splashes and start making waves. Because if the same company that made three racist cats in the span of a few years manages to say that being gay is a-ok, then you know there's something wrong with you. Yes, Disney ended up screwing over the show anyway. But for that one moment, when kids felt pride after seeing a character like Raine, then, in the end, it's kind of worth it.

Also, if you're still having issues with more representation like this popping up in kids' shows, then allow me to redirect you to the complaint department.

...I made that post earlier today for this bit. YOU HAVE BETTER APPRECIATED IT!

Day of Unity is meant to be a Secret: At least, that's what I got when Raine stumbled over their own words. So if it's true, then I wonder why? Why does Belos want to keep the most critical change in the Boiling Isles a secret? Does he want to make it a surprise for his grateful subjects, or does he not want to spread worry and fear amongst the wild witches? It has to be something big if he doesn't want his followers to even say the words "Day of Unity." Whatever reason he has, we most likely won't know until the future. A future that I grow more and more afraid of each week.

Hooty Eating Echo Mouse: My heart sank in that brief moment when I thought that Hooty intensely screwed Luz over in getting back home. But looking back...it is pretty funny.

Just the suddenness of Hooty eating the poor creature that Luz desperately tried to earn its trust is priceless in how shocking it was. And also, Luz's expression.

That was the look of a young girl who immediately shoved her hand down an owl demon's throat the second the scene cut away. The Owl House may not always be a hit in the comedy department, but scenes like this prove that when it's funny, it is hilarious.

Luz and King Entering the Grand Prix: Not much to discuss here. It's just a cute subplot that adds frivolity to the intensity of what's going on through Eda and Raine's story. But I will say that I love how both stories occasionally interconnect with each other through the many moments of Eda being worried about King wanting to leave to find his father and avoiding any conversation about it. It helps both plotlines feel like they belong together, without being something like "Through the Looking Glass Ruins," whereas both stories could have been in their own episode. Which is neat.

How Bard Magic Works: I really love how this season is diving into how the other magic types work. More specifically, the ones that seem a little vague. I mean, stuff like healing, potions, and plants are easy to figure out, but what does it mean when a witch's talents are construction, beast keeping, and bard magic? We've been getting a lot of clearing up lately, with bard magic looking like a witch can control their environments and enemies through the power of music. Which is fair. Music is pretty powerful in the metaphorical sense, and I actually love that it's powerful in the literal sense when in the Boiling Isles.

The BATs: Not much to comment on these three either. The BATs have the potential to have an entertaining dynamic, but they do very little in this episode that I can't say much other than I hope they make a return in the future. But I will make this claim: Amber is my favorite. I'm sorry, but her screaming "You're not our mom!" to then go, "Bye, mommy Eda" is just too precious for me not to love.

I'm a simple man who falls for cute s**t. Leave me alone.

Raeda (RainexEda): Well, EdaxCamila, you were a fun crack ship while it lasted, but I'm afraid that this is now goodbye. The current canon has provided an incredibly adorable and believable relationship that I would be a monster not to support with my whole bi-heart. It's been real.

Ok, back in serious mode: I love these two together. Eda and Raine are grown-ups, and they still act all flustered near each other as if they were still Luz and Amity's age. It's definitive proof that you're never too old to get flustered near a crush, and seeing them interact adds a sense of wholesomeness when seeing them together as well as heartbreak when they're forced apart. Plus, we get confirmation that Eda's LGBTQA+! Whether she's bi, pan, or whatever, now that we know Eda can catch feelings for someone like Raine, it's yet another case that The Owl House is the most important series to the community. Because having the main character be queer is fantastic in its own right. But having the same apply to the motherly mentor figure? That's is an extra bit of normalization that anybody would be willing to appreciate.

Unique Guard Designs: Not many fans are going to appreciate this, primarily compared to everything else this episode does perfectly. For me, I actually like that you see a few Coven Guards looking differently from the others, as it helps make them less like clones and makes it seem like anybody of any body type could be a part of the coven.

Gus Looking Uninterested when Presenting Grand Prix with his Dad: I am positive that you didn't notice this (I didn't even notice it until someone else pointed it out), but there's something to dissect here. It hints that perhaps Gus isn't as interested in his father's field of work as one might think. If he did, he would look a lot less bored and much more excited to be helping Perry Porter present the race. It could just be the race itself, but judging from Gus' expression, it really seems like the kid would prefer to be anywhere but there. And why would he have that reaction to a race that his best friend is competing in? To me, this seems like an inkling of what Gus' relationship with Perry could be, which may not actually get time to shine, what with how little wiggle room the series has now (Thanks Disney). Regardless, it is interesting to notice, and it will certainly have fans thinking for a while.

Bump Being Smug of Luz Being in the Lead: That's it. Principal Bump looking smug as his human student is beating the students of his rivals is yet another moment that proves why Bump is easily the best cartoon principal.

Darius: First of all, this guy is f**king fabulous, and I love him. *Snaps*

Second, he is definitive proof that you do NOT want to f**k around with Coven Leaders. Lilith may have had her intimidating moments, but none of them compare to the guy who can turn himself into an abomination monster where only magic that hasn't existed before can take him down. It's genuinely scary to see Darius lose control, and I fear for the day when Luz inevitably ends up in his crosshairs.

With that said, Darius' still a ton of fun! He may be threatening, but he's just a flamboyant guy that hates the idea of getting his outfit the tiniest bit dirty. And I love that. I love that these Coven Heads have actual personalities instead of being generically evil. I consider it preferable to make villains entertaining rather than blatantly scary as I'll remember the personalities first and the villainous acts last.

Eberwolf: But this one's my favorite. I told you: I'm a simple man who gets easily swayed by cute s**t. And Eber? I mean, just look at her:

She's just a cute widdle rascal! I just want to pinch her cheeks, give her a belly rub, and--

...Eberwolf is not a cute widdle rascal. She is a strong, independent woman, and I will respect her as such from this moment forward...lest I feel her wrath.

That is all. Let's move on.

Eda and Raine Attempting a Final Performance: This was the best scene of the episode. It looked gorgeous, it shows the dedication Eda and Raine have for stopping Belos, and it says so much through so little. Go back and look at how Eda and Raine regard one another when performing Eda's requiem. Through their expressions and a few short words, you know they understand that if they complete the song/spell, they probably won't make it in the end. And yet, they don't care. They both know bad stuff will happen if Belos wins, so Eda and Raine put everything to the side, both their feelings for one another and the people they leave behind if it means putting an end to a tyrant. That level of dedication...Words can't fully describe how powerful that is.

Raine Sacrificing Themselves Instead: But in the end, Raine can't do it. Not when they know the life that Eda has and the people she'll be leaving behind. It's an extra bit of nobleness to the character seeing that Raine refuses to take away a woman from two kids who need her the most. A tad bit selfish, sure, knowing what Belos has planned. But when it comes to love, the romantic, familial, or platonic, the best decisions aren't always the logical ones.

Eda Crying: Luz crying tears me up, but seeing Eda cry is a whole different level of heartbreak. Like Lilith, Eda has her emotions locked up tight, with the closest she came to weeping were those two tears in "Young Blood, Old Souls." In "Eda's Requiem," she cries but almost quickly stops herself. As if she knows that doing so isn't going to save Raine. That is...even worse than seeing Luz break down after losing Eda. The fact that Eda refuses to give herself time to mourn losing someone she loved is tragic because crying is the most natural way of showing grief. Turning that off isn't healthy, and seeing her do it with little resistance is sad to me. It's sad to see a character I love can easily shut off all emotions despite how badly she may want to embrace them. It's one of those moments that, again, by doing so little, it shows so much.

“No one watches Crystal Balls anymore. It’s all about streaming.”: Oof. Even I felt that burn towards cable.

King’s Message: King's message was the pick-me-up I needed after the heart-wrenching sadness this episode put me through a few minutes ago. Seeing King say who he is and listing all the things he loves is nothing short of adorable. On top of that, I adore that Eda willingly recorded the whole thing. She may not want King to leave, but that doesn't mean she'll sabotage the one thing he wants. Especially not after Raine gave up everything so Eda could be with her kids. The opening scene may prove how much Eda cares about a rascal like King, but this heartwarmingly sweet moment reveals just how far she'll go to make him happy.

King’s Dad Reveal: ...ok, I'll be honest, I did not think we'd get that reveal this soon. Dumb of me to say, considering the number of times I've said that these writers don't waste time getting to the s**t, I know. But still, it's pretty cool knowing that King's dad is alive and well, added with the fact that we've got a fair idea of what he looks like. At this point, it's only a matter of time before we see him figure out where the Clawthorne residence is and witness the tear-jerking moments that will follow.

King Changing his Name to King Clawthorne: Not the official adoption I was expecting Eda to make...but DANG IT, is it still diabetes-inducing levels of sweetness!

Personally, I feel like the main reason why Eda breaks down this time is not only because she shouldn't be worried about King leaving her life, but also because Raine's sacrifice wasn't in vain. Her kids really do need Eda because no matter how far apart they'll be, she will always be a part of their life...dang it, I'm going to cry too!

What those Coven patches really do: Well...that was horrifying to see.

...Writers, if you kill off the best non-binary character in animation (it's a short list, I know), we are going to have PROBLEMS!

IN CONCLUSION

"Eda's Requiem" is--surprise surprise--another A+. The emotions hit hard, the representation hits harder, Raine is a fantastic addition to the cast, and it was all surprisingly cute at times. Season Two is currently on a hot streak, constantly winning with every episode that's come out so far. When a bad episode does eventually show up (IT'S GONNA HAPPEN!), I'll be sure to sing my requiem then. For now, I'm just gonna enjoy the ride.

#the owl house #the owl house season 2 #the owl house reviews #eda clawthorne #raine whispers #raeda #king of demons #toh darius #toh eberwolf #what i thought about

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