#Emma is stronger than anyone expects

[emmagail-brainrot]

Summer camp hiking dates

[mynameismckenziemae]

Unbroken

Part 8

(previous part here, next part here)

Bradley ‘Rooster’ Bradshaw x You

Summary: You fall for Bradley more and more with every day that passes. Someone from your past shows up.

Warnings: 18+ MDNI! Smut, p in v, brief oral (m receiving), fooling around while driving (again), asshole ex-boyfriend, a sprinkle of violence, fluff, etc.

•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•

Days turn into weeks and the weeks pass quickly. Soon the days get shorter as summer fades to fall. Your feelings for Bradley keep growing stronger with every moment spent together; which isn’t nearly as much as you’d like with your packed schedule and Bradley’s early mornings.

You’ve only been able to spend the night together once since the night of the rodeo with you being on-call and Bradley on the carrier training, so to say you’re excited for the long Thanksgiving weekend off is an understatement.

Charlie: You and Bradley want to go to Buck Wild tonight with us? There’s a band.

Emma: I suppose. You do realize it’s going to be a high school reunion, right? Everybody’s home for Thanksgiving and everybody goes out the night before. 🙄

Charlie: Perfect time to show off your hot boyfriend 😉

Emma: Oh. That’s true 😏 What time?

Charlie: 7ish.

Emma: Perfect. Just a heads up-I’m blaming you if I’m hungover tomorrow.

Charlie: That’s fine. Ruth loves me, you know it’ll somehow be Jake’s fault though, right?

Emma: Exactly 🙂

Charlie: Being the only child wasn’t always so bad.

You laugh and get back to work.

•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•

“Hey sweetheart, sorry I’m late,” Bradley says, giving you a quick kiss before opening the door to the Bronco for you. “The last hop went longer than expected.”

“It’s okay, I was none too early, I just finished getting ready a few minutes ago,” you reply, pausing as you buckle in. “You know, we could just take my truck,” you smirk, unable to resist teasing him.

He scoffs, taking your seatbelt to finish buckling you in. “Nope. The Bronco is just fine. I still don’t get what you have against her.”

“It’s a Ford, Bradley,” you reply with disgust. “Back in the day, driving a Ford was a dealbreaker for me. You’re lucky I’ve gotten lenient in my old age.”

“I am pretty lucky,” he chuckles as he reaches for your hand to place a kiss on the back.

•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•

The place is packed as expected but Jake and Charlie snagged a table in the corner.

“How’d you manage to get a table?” You ask over the noise once you make your way over, drinks waiting.

“Willie gave us a reserved one when I told him you were coming,” Jake responds with an eye roll as he hands you both a beer.

You catch Willie’s eye behind the bar and blow him a kiss, laughing when he catches it before placing it on his cheek.

“Must be terrible not being anyone’s favorite,” you tease, jabbing Jake with your elbow.

“Whatever,” he huffs. “I’m Charlie’s favorite,” he says as he puts his arms around her.

“Ehhhh…I don’t know about that. You were until your socks missed the hamper-hey! I’m kidding!” Charlie laughs when he tickles her sides.

“Drinking tonight?” You ask when you count four whiskey shots on the table.

“Yeah, the last pregnancy test was negative but I figured it would be since Jake was on the carrier this month when I was the most fertile, according to the app at least,” she replies as she pushes a shot glass over to you then Bradley. “I’m not worried though, it hasn’t even been 2 months. We’re also having a lot of fun trying.”

“Gross,” you blanch before clinking your glasses together. “Cheers.”

“You’ll get used to it,” Charlie tells Bradley when he sets his glass down, shuddering at that burn of the whiskey.

“Hope so,” he laughs.

“Almost forgot,” Jake says, producing a cowboy hat from the chair beside him and handing it to Bradley. “Gotta have one of these if you’re gonna live in Texas.”

“Thanks,” Bradley smiles, putting it on and turning to you. “What do ya think?”

“You look good,” you reply before leaning in. “Might steal it later.”

“Oh yeah?” He asks as heat flashes in his eyes.

You bite your lip as you nod. You both have been so desperate for one another that you haven’t tried many positions yet, always so eager to get him inside you. But with Bradley taking the lead you were getting more comfortable and confident.

Taking him for a ride in nothing but his new hat sounds like a great idea.

•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•

Just as you’d expected, it’s like a reunion in the packed bar. Thankfully, you’re able to avoid a lot of the small talk when the music starts

Soon you’re feeling good; drinks are flowing and the band is playing songs everyone knows.

“I’m stealing Emma to pee!” Charlie yells to Bradley as she grabs your hand.

“Girls can’t pee alone,” you explain when he gives you both a puzzled look.

He looks to Jake who’s just as confused as he is but they just shrug before following you off the dance floor to head back to the table.

“Oh my gosh, Emma! Hi!”

“Hey Britt,” you say, turning around with a fake smile. “Go agreed, I’ll be there in a minute,” you tell a dancing Charlie.

You nod as the old frenemy prattles on, not letting you get a word in edgewise before she leaves you to find someone more interesting to talk to.

The men’s room door swings opens as you walk past and you bump into the person coming out

“Oops, sorr-“

“Hey Em,” the man interrupts and your blood runs at his voice.

“Chet,” you nod curtly as you move around him but he grabs your arm.

“Too good to say hi?” He says, pulling you close. Close enough to smell the whiskey on his breath.

He’s drunk, and he’s always been mean when he’s drunk.

“Yeah, Chet. I am. I’ve always been too good for you,” you spit, trying to pull your arm free.

But he’s stronger and he pushes you against the wall before crowding you against it.

“That’s rich,” he chuckles darkly, “weren’t good enough to keep our baby alive.”

Your eyes close as the weight of his words sink in. While it hurts, it doesn’t crush you like it would’ve in the past.

You’re healing.

Before you can respond, he’s on the ground, knocked out cold.

“Ow,” Charlie mutters with a grimace, shaking out the hand she just clocked Chet with.

“Holy shit, Char,” you gape at her.

“I’m sorry-he was in your face, and then he said that about you not-about the baby,” she stutters. “I just saw red. Are you okay?”

“I’m okay. Don’t be sorry, he deserved it,” you say, holding your arm out for her to take while she steps over his snoring body. “Let’s go before he wakes up.”

•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•

“Tabs paid?” You ask when you reach the table.

Jake nods.

“Okay good. ‘Cause we have to go. Like right now,” Charlie says, turning for the door.

“Everything okay?” Bradley asks as he follows them out.

“Uh…,” you stall until you get outside in the fresh air, feeling like you can finally breathe. “Yeah, we’re okay.”

“What happened in there? You look like you saw a ghost,” Jake asks, leaning against the bumper of his truck.

“I ran into a girl I knew from high school on the way and told Charlie to go ahead while we talked for a minute. I was headed to the bathroom and ran into Chet as he was coming out,” you sigh. “He’s drunk and he started saying stupid shit-“

“It was awful. He said she wasn’t good enough to keep the baby alive,” Charlie says quietly, tears heavy in her voice.

“Oh Em,” Bradley says, wrapping you in his arms.

“He’s fucking dead,” Jake growls, rising to head back in, but you stop him.

“I’m okay. I promise. I know it’s not my fault. He’s drunk and gets off on hurting me,” you say. “He’s gonna be the one hurting tomorrow though.”

“I dunno, I might too,” Charlie laughs, looking down at her hand. “It’s not broken but it’s gonna hurt for a few days.”

Jake rushes to her side to check her hand out. “What the fuck happened?”

“I came out of the bathroom and heard the horrible things he was saying…the next thing I knew he was on the ground,” Charlie explains, as if she can’t believe it either. “I’ve never punched anyone before. I must’ve gotten got lucky and hit him in just the right spot in the jaw.”

“Well, you did something right. He was out cold,” you say, leaving Bradley’s arms to hug her. “Thank you.”

“I’d do it again in a heartbeat, Em. I love you,” she murmurs.

“I love you too,” you reply with a sniffle.

•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•

“I’m sorry for tonight,” Bradley says on the way home after saying goodnight.

“Why are you sorry? It wasn’t your fault,” you reply.

“I know, I just feel bad that you had to see him and that he’s still trying to hurt you. I should’ve gone with you,” he sighs as he puts his hand on your knee.

“I’m glad you didn’t,” you say. “If you would’ve hit him, he would’ve pressed charges and you’d be in trouble. There’s no chance in hell he’s going to tell anyone he got knocked out by a woman; if he even remembers it in the morning,” you laugh. “I’m not gonna lie; what he said hurt. But it didn’t suffocate me like it would have in the past.”

You can tell he’s still beating himself up when he nods, so you reach over to pluck his hat off and place it on your head.

His lip quirks and his hand on your knee slides up your thigh. “Still wanna give me a ride tonight?”

“Mhmm,” you reply, placing your hand over his to guide him between your legs. Your head drops back with a sigh when he rubs over the seam of your jeans. “Been thinking about it all night.”

“Me too,” he admits. “Hell, I’ve been thinking about it since the last time we were there and you rode the bull.”

“When you hid to the bathroom ‘cause you got hard?” You tease breathily.

He nods, fingers still rubbing you through your pants. “You looked so good up there. Then the way you kissed me outside after? Fuck, I couldn’t think straight until I back to the hotel and finally jerked off in the shower.”

“God,” you sigh as you picture him. “That’s so hot.”

By the time he pulls into your driveway, you’re soaked.

Inside your bedroom, you help him out of his clothes first, nipping and sucking at the flesh you expose.

“W-wait,” He chokes, hands flying to your hair to pull you off when you suck on the head of his cock. “I’m too-I don’t wanna cum yet.”

You smile as you straighten up and gently push him onto the bed, keeping your eyes on his as you strip down to nothing but his hat.

You grab a condom and crawl over him, tipping the hat back to kiss him deeply, pulling back with a bite to his lip to tear open the condom.

“You are so fucking beautiful,” he breathes as he watches you put it on.

“So are you,” you murmur as you line him up to your entrance.

You mean it too as you look down at him laid out beneath you; skin flushed, chest heaving, desire in his eyes.

The sounds of your harmonized pleasure fill the room as you sink down on him.

“You’re so big,” you whimper when he bottoms out.

“Doing so good, sweetheart,” he praises, bringing his hand between your legs to circle your clit while you take a second to adjust, grunting when you clench around him.

“Keep-keep going, I’m close,” you gasp when you feel your orgasm approaching rapidly.

His free hand reaches up to pinch a nipple and that little bite of pain pushes you over the edge with a surprised cry.

“Fuckkkkk,” he groans desperately, trying not to thrust his hips up, “you’re squeezing me so tight.”

He’s still trembling with restraint when you come to.

You plant your hands on his shoulders and begin to move your hips; tentative at first but quickly growing confident.

“Feels so good,” you whimper before you lean down for a filthy kiss, murmuring against his lips. “You’re so good, Bradley.”

His eyes close and his hips stutter at your words; he likes being praised too.

You bite your lip to not smile as you tuck that information away to use later.

You’re getting close and you can tell he is too by his breathy sounds and the way his fingers on your clit are getting sloppy.

The hat falls off your head and is quickly forgotten as you lean down to kiss him while your fingers trace over his chest as you toe the edge.

When your fingers find his nipples and pinch without warning, he groans shamelessly against your lips, filling the condom.

A satisfied moan leaves you when his release triggers yours and to shiver at the overstimulated whimper he lets out as you contract around him.

He presses a kiss to your hair as you recover on his chest.

•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•

Not long after, you fall asleep to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat in the same position.

•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•

A/N: Can you tell I hate Fords? 😂 Chet had it coming and I couldn’t resist letting Charlie bring the one to give it to him.

Also…I wrote the majority and edited this from 2 AM to 5 AM when I couldn’t sleep 🥴 so if something doesn’t make sense or there’s errors, let me know!

As always, any interaction is appreciated but I love hearing what you think in comments/reblogs!

Tagging (please let me know if you want to be added/removed!):

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@blindedbythelightt

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@lexixstewart

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[emmatriarchy]

Scene from canon from Emma's perspective: tricking Cassandra Nova into Stuff's body.

The situation was dire - to say the least. Present at Westchester despite her better judgment, Emma watched from a safe distance the situation with Cassandra unfold. Her only concern were the girls. Her girls. Made from her ova without her knowledge, the five girls stirred something inside of the cold White Queen.

An instinct even the Hellions didn't manage to fully awaken in her. The seeds of her caring for the children was there from the moment she started teaching her dear Hellions, however they had been students and not her actual children. She felt similarly towards the students Sean and herself taught together.

The Cuckoos. She missed years of the girls' lives, and she intended to not miss another minute. The growing threat to the school was a headache she could do without.

When she was presented with Stuff - and scanned its primitive, wired for learning brain - a plan started to form in the darkest, deepest recesses of her mind. Could not risk the Mummudrai occupying the brain of Charles catching a stray thought from the highly guarded White Queen, so she locked the plan in the mental safe with her most protected memories.

A few stern words of warning to the girls (stay out of trouble, if I don't come back, do not come for me or any of the other teachers) and she set off to present Stuff to Cassandra's genetic material so it could take her shape, mimic her cells perfectly.

The safe of her mind got reinforced when she turned into her diamond form. She couldn't feel emotions but she should not be vulnerable to psychic attacks in this form. Furthermore, her diamond form was stronger than her flesh-and-bones form, and she could argue, if asked, that carrying a grown woman was easier without muscle fatigue. A likely excuse for her use of her secondary mutation.

Arguing with Cassandra, presenting her with honeyed lies that the parasite wanted to believe, and ultimately tricking her was easier than Emma anticipated.

People saw Emma through the lens of the past - even though she had started her uphill battle against her own selfish instincts years before right after the Hellions were annihilated by Fitzroy - and not through her actions of the present.

She expected that and played with it. Pretending to betray her new associates was easy when they already expected her to. It stung her ego and spat in the face of all her efforts, but she focused on the usefulness of Hank's reaction in selling her lies to the bald cunt.

Hopefully what came next would help the X-Men see beyond their own prejudices and biases. It would be the least they could do as people actively fighting against the prejudices mutantkind faced every day.

Cassandra's essence slipped into the body in her arm, and she sighed a breath of relief. A split second of vertigo, which Emma dismissed as a sign of the pressure and anxiety easing up (little did she know that Cassandra used that split second to implant fake memories of Genosha into her brain, the conniving cur) and she set the body of Stuff, now trapping Cassandra, down onto the first available surface.

Charles stepped on his own two legs - and Emma lost all interest in the situation. Her girls were safe. She protected the children. Diamond turned to flesh, and high, expensive heels clicked on the hard floors as she walked away. Let Jean and Charles deal with the aftermath, she did what she set out to do.

She didn't care if anyone called out after her. She was going to see her girls, and reassure them that the coast was now clear. The ghost of a smile floated on her lips - she may be mother material after all. If only she could find someone (Scott?) who would let her in, and make her want to settle. But those were idle thoughts better explored at a later time.

[hughjidiot]

Total Drama Island Reboot Season Two: Episodes 2, 3 and 4

Okay wow, was not expecting three new episodes at once. Again I am baffled by both the local and international release schedules. But I'm continuing to watch and enjoy this reboot, here are my rough impressions of all the characters in all three episodes. Spoilers below the cut, obviously.

Chase is out second. Pretty obvious boot with how he behaved in the challenge, but that's just how TDI is sometimes. Glad he went early if I'm being honest since his whole subplot with Emma had run its course and there wasn't much more to get out of Chase. Speaking of which though...

Emma was out fourth, which kind of surprised me. I thought she might get an arc of finally forgetting about Chase and moving on, but then she goes and gets eliminated. Maybe they're saving an Emma arc for if gen 4 gets a third season? Who knows. A little disappointing but not a huge loss.

And between them, Millie is out third. Not surprising if I'm being honest; Millie had a chance to train up to be a stronger player with Priya's help, but neglected to actually study for it. And then in episode 2 when she tries to think creatively to help her team win, her lack of social skills is what did her in when she failed to consider how pissed her team would be for tricking Damien down the most dangerous slide. Her elimination feels like a natural consequence of her own actions and shortcomings instead of the contrived coincidences that Total Drama was guilty of many times in past seasons.

Then there's Damien himself. So far he still hasn't done a whole lot, but he's definitely shown to have become more self-confident with the way he called out Millie and how he was willing to brave that rickety bridge in episode 3. Time will tell if he makes it far.

Zee continues to be hilarious. Not really having much of an impact in terms of plotlines with other characters, but he always gets a laugh out of me. "Not thinking is my specialty!"

Gotta say, I thought Priya would have at least shown a little more of a reaction to her bestie being voted off. Still her plotline with Caleb is interesting. I can picture this leading to drama down the road where she realizes Caleb has just been trying to build an alliance rather than flirt with her. Or who knows, maybe Caleb will develop genuine feelings for her and it becomes a ship. Could go either way.

Speaking of Caleb, he represents the biggest difference between the writing of the reboot and previous seasons. Not once does the show portray him as antagonistic in trying to manipulate Priya into an alliance; he's just trying to form a strong partnership to make it farther in the game. Helps immensely that Caleb isn't actively cruel like Heather and Alejandro; he's genuinely chill despite his determination. Him literally carrying most of his team in episode 3 was awesome, not gonna lie.

Nichelle continues to dominate and be awesome in challenges. However I can't help but notice she's not really trying to get close to anyone, like Caleb is with Priya for example. I have a feeling that could come back to bite her if people vote her off for being a potential threat ala Caleb in season one.

I'm loving Axel so far. She's much better about being a team player but also hasn't lost her edge. I also like how we're getting depth to her, like her love of poetry. And then there's her romance with Ripper which I did not see coming. More on that later.

Holy shit, I was hoping for more of the MK/Julia alliance, but I wasn't expecting this much! I'm loving MK's unorthodox strategy of disguising as an intern to get inside information, it's very unique.

Oh and MKulia might become a thing. "Oh stop it, you'll make me blush!" "If MK's brain drove a cool car, I would totally date it." Watching these episodes I was like Wait are they gonna go there? Oh my god they might actually go there! And if they do, I am here for it!

Wayne and Raj continue to be very wholesome and hilarious! I love the dynamic they bring to Team Skunk Butt, wanting to play fair while Julia and MK cheat. And stuck in the middle...

is Bowie. I'm loving the drama of his character arc: he's still willing to pull the same underhanded tactics he used in season one and is all in on MK's strategy, but now has Wayne and especially Raj are acting as his morality pets. Some are predicting this could lead to a Rajbow break up, but I honestly don't think they'd do that. What I think will happen is Team Skunk Butt loses a challenge despite MKulia cheating again with Bowie's knowledge, Bowie feels terrible, and to make it up he offers to eliminate himself if one of the Hocky Bros is about to be voted off.

Last but not least, Ripper. Gonna be honest, he was my least favorite of gen 4 in season one; I didn't care for his focus on gross-out humor and he survived eliminations over characters I liked more. I didn't expect much from him going into season two so I was blindsided here. Not only is his gross out humor significantly toned down (but still present) but he proved to be quite endearing with his insecurity over his crush on Axel. I was especially stunned in episode four when he actually tried to connect with Axel's interest in poetry and actually wrote a poem for her, something I could never see season 1 Ripper doing. And Axel reciprocating with a kiss despite not seeming interested in him earlier? My haw hit the floor. Before I was hoping he'd be an early boot, but now I find myself actually wanting to see Ripper stick around and see where things go with him as a character and his potential relationship with Axel. I... actually like Ripper now, which is a sentence I never thought I'd say.

A few minor issues aside, I am loving this new season so far. I haven't genuinely enjoyed Total Drama since the original TDI 15 years ago.

[officersnickers]

What do you think of season 2 of TPN? Personally, I think it's not that bad and I read the manga.

Let's make a list for this! 😎

Strong points of The Promised Neverland Season 2:

great opening

the first two and a half episodes were nicely done with cuts in the story I can accept due to the limits of the medium anime

Gilda getting at Emma‘s ass? hilarious

the hunting scene with Emma and Sonju was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen in my life with wonderfully done, fluid animation and genius callbacks to S1

great visuals througout the whole season, ngl (e.g. Norman‘s speech in his coat? chef‘s kiss)

bebe Norman? Sign me the fuck up! also his downfall to madness in Ep.8 was a joy to watch

James animated! and coloured! moving and speaking and... dying?

no words:

ACTUALLY YES WORDS FUCK YEAH THEY LET ISABELLA LIVE THANK YOU THAT‘S ALL I EVER WANTED AND SURELY DIDN‘T SAVED THIS SEASONS ASS BUT MADE US ALL GO BONKERS AND THAT‘S MORE THAN I EXPECTED IT TO HAPPEN AT THIS POINT!!! 😍😍

sorry for the screaming. I will behave now

overall, they had clearly visions and ideas, even original ones I'd love to see Cloverworks develop even further and differ from the manga's original story

That being said, what didn‘t work (for me)?

With all the original ideas they had, they surely did nothing with them, sadly

the anime could have given us more time with the kids adapting to the demon world, Norman‘s time in Lambda, even them travelling with Mujika and Sonju, but noooo…

characters being flatened. Emma turned into a self-loathing mess, Ray‘s now not caring about anyone besides his family, and Norman… was pushed into our faces every few seconds because everyone missed him so much and couldn‘t function without him. Whack

these motherfuckes we spend way too much time with:

I hate them... so much 🤮

they put Emma back in a skirt. do I need to tell you more?

y‘know

why is Cislo white again?

framing the one black guy we got as the traitor (even if was for just one episode) wasn't the best move Cloverworks

HOT AIR BALLOONS?!?

WHAT IS THE NEW PROMISE?! THIS SERIES IS CALLED PROMISED NEVERLAND YOU HAVE TO TELL US ABOUT THE NEW PROMISE!!

A CLIPSHOW?! THAT'S WHAT WE GOT AT THE END?!?!

I will never recover from this:

Overall, that's just how I feel about this "adaptation":

But whoever had their fun and joy with S2 is so much stronger than I am and earns bothing but my respect. Just let me cry in no gay dads we never got to see for a while now, okay?

[cheshire-silent-cat]

Mikey x reader

“Only you”

Pairing: manjiro Sano x fem!reader

Warning: semi-short story, one part, found in drafts and tweaked it a bit, triggering grammar

*****************story begins here ****************

For some reason people found it hard to believe Mike was interested in relationships and it took people even longer to believe that he had a girlfriend, he described her as fierce, strong with a mean stare, but most members of his gang thought it was just a joke and it didn’t help that they had never met the mysterious lady, even his close friends couldn’t believe him, when they tried, it just so happened that she was conveniently out of town.

Rumours began to spread that Mikey lied, being a man of that standard this should have been a big deal but he didn’t care, darken advised he staged a breakup to avoid tarnishing the reputation of the gang but mikey held out with the same excuse every time “I don’t want to break up I only want her”.

Soon enough a new rumour began spreading that mikey’s girlfriend was returning to Japan from the U.S. and as we all would imagine, mikey was excited to be seeing you again after 4 months of separation. He even opted to pick you up from the airport, upon your arrival he was met with shock. Y/n was speaking to a strange man, it shattered mikey’s heart, he always felt he didn’t offer enough for y/n and her future, maybe if he had then he would have been able to go to u.a with her or maybe he would at least be able to promise her a bright future or at the very least a safe future away from gang violence, he wanted to keep y/n safe but he always felt that her in danger because of him was inevitable, he would like to let her go but had an even stronger urge to keep her close to him. Seeing her with this strange man a part of mikey knew y/n deserved better than him and even though he wasn’t sure this strange man was the right one for the love of his life, he figured that any man was a better option than him at this point.

Mikey had been in his thoughts for so long that he didn’t realise that y/n had been standing in front of him with one of his hands in between both of hers “hello? Earth to mikey? hello!!! Earth to mikey!!” Her loud but worried voice seemed to snap him out of his thoughts “y/n!! y/n…l…umm…I have to go” only y/n could make him so nervous, if it were anyone else he would use his brute strength to solve his problems but in this situation he had to do the opposite.

After he explained everything to darken and his sister Emma they felt pity for him but mostly amusement at the thought of the strongest man they know running away from his feeling, it was just too much. During their next toman gang meeting, mikey was supposed to address his men but he gave the role to darken, he just wasn’t feeling happy.

Unfortunately before darken could get through half of his totally made up speech he was interrupted, “excuse me!! Yeah you up there I’m talking to you!! I’m looking for mikey his phone tracker says he should be here” random voices began to mutter so loudly that it overshadowed what darken was saying, “everybody shut up!! I mean it! The next person to talk, I’ll see it that their head is mounted on a pike!!” Y/n had a cute voice so her threat a sounded amusing but it didn’t match your mean gaze, she looked serious and for some off reason no one in the crowd had the guts to speak anymore.

“I can see why he ran” darken chuckled, “but yeah he is over here. Y/n sternly looked at mikey and he knew he had to talk to her privately. In private, he expressed his worries to y/n about their future and his worries for her safety and how all of it came to mind when he saw her new lover, “new lover? No I met that guy on the plane, didn’t even catch his name, trust me mikey I only want you” y/n expressed that she expects nothing from him, she plans to take care of herself and build the future she wants, she tells him she chose him and loves him and wants him to follow his dreams, achieve his goals and stay true to himself and let the rest fall into place.

After a more public appearance, the rumours began to change and the focus of people began shifting back to the usual kind of gossip, it was refreshing for the two because they got to enjoy their relationship knowing that they were free from judgement. However, mikey is convinced that even if the world came crashing on them he would be happy to bear it as long as it is with you and only you

The end

[a-ie]

A "The Promised Neverland" Fanfiction

'Afterlife'

Chapter 3: Four Years in this World

I had decided to make friends with the trio to gather more information. I also decided to make a mental note of my physical condition.

It irks me just thinking about it.

The next day after I made friends, I had a horrible fever. I had concluded it was probably because of my excessive crying with Isabella, but it's fortunate that the fever only appeared the day after the next.

I had spent one and a half weeks in the infirmary; no one was allowed to visit me because they would catch the fever I had.

When I had recovered, I was amazed and dumbfounded at the same time that my body could only endure walking down the stairs from our room, and I would collapse.

'Just how weak is this body!?' I mentally groaned while the older kids helped me to my seat that day and gave them a gentle smile as I thanked them.

When I tried going further than my limit, which was just downstairs, I caught a fever again. In my frustration, I cried as a child would; this made my fever worse.worse. I had been confined for two weeks.

'This stupid body.' I cursed.

♟️♟️♟️

It's been 4 years,years, and I am now 8 years old. I can now go outside of the house and to the tree that the trio was always at. I haven't tried playing tag, though. I need to increase my stamina more.

In those four years, I started a routine of waking up at night and going to the library when I'm not in the infirmary; fortunately, I'm light in my step, so I haven't woken anyone up yet, and hopefully I won't.

In the afternoon, whenever I went to the library at night, I would go to our room and take a nap. Isabella might be suspicious, but she saw how hard I was training—more like walking up and down the stairs—to make my body stronger, so she concluded that it must be the reason I was tired.

'Hopefully she thinks like that.' I thought, sweating a bit.

I've also been wondering if Isabella told the other kids about me going beyond the fence. Probably not, since the kids weren't asking me about it.

'Kids are naturally curious, so they would ask a person who went beyond the fence what it was like on the other side.'

My train of thought was cut off when I saw Emma and Norman getting closer to us. I was sitting next to Ray under the tree. I guess I had spaced out.

I had trained my facial muscles to naturally hold a soft smile whenever I spaced out. When I looked in the mirror, trying it out, I looked quite sad. 'I mean, that's better than looking intimidating, right? I wouldn't want to scare the kids away.'

My hair grew long these past years I've been here. My black hair now runs across my upper back, and I've been cutting my bangs so that they frame my face neatly. I noticed that my eyes were a red color, and I have a mole underneath my left eye. What caught my attention, however, is the numbers—seemingly a code—that I have tattooed on my neck.

'31442 huh? I wonder if it's like a bar code like the ones on consumer products. 'A chill ran down my spine at the thought, but I had to compose myself as I smiled at Emma and Norman when they were close enough to talk.

"Wanna play tag with us, Nion?" Emma beamed at me with an expecting grin. I looked at her, surprised, and Ray spoke up. "Yeah, right. Do you want her to faint again?" Ray said, rolling his eyes as Emma pouted.

"Just this once! I mean, Nion hasn't played tag with us!" Emma reasoned.

"I think she never played tag with anyone, Emma," Norman chuckled.

As they bicker, I think about the idea of playing tag.

'Hmm, wouldn't this be a great opportunity to test how far my stamina can go? Also, I would be able to train my body when I escape here anyway.'

I smiled and nodded. "Sure! I'll play!" 'Plus, I'll get to have some time for myself while hiding to think things over' Emma cheered as Ray facepalmed and Norman just smiled.

"Alright, Nion, here's how it works." Norman kindly explained how to play tag. Apparently, there was a timer and one tagger. Everyone gets to hide and run, but they lose when the tagger touches them. If the tagger doesn't catch everyone within the timer, they lose.

'Quite simple.' I hummed and nodded as I listened to Norman and smiled softly. "I got it, thanks, Norman," I say, and Emma claps with a wide grin on her face. "Let's start then!"

Norman was "it," and he started counting while covering his eyes and facing against the tree. Since Ray didn't want to join, he was holding the timer, and everyone dashed towards the forest. I bit my lower lip and also jogged in the same direction as everyone, albeit slowly.

'If my stamina could last long, it would've been easy to hide and run, but given my condition, I think I shouldn't aim to win.' I started to sweat a bit and stopped when I was a bit further into the forest, then looked around for somewhere to hide. 'I need a place to hide. Knowing Norman, he would probably search for me first since I'm the weakest and he knows I wouldn't go deep into the forest because of my weak body.'

I spotted a tree that has an opening in its trunk, not far away from where I was standing, and began to happily jog towards it. 'Oh well, I should be able to last a bit longer here.' I thought as I climbed inside the trunk and sat quietly in it. I can hear the sounds of footsteps nearby and quiet giggles from the children.

I shifted in my seat into a comfortable position and began to wait, and while I did so, my thoughts drifted to a question that had been bugging me for a while now.

'If my body was this weak, how come I managed to go beyond the fence? ' I frowned at the thought. 'Shouldn't I have collapsed halfway on the staircase? I wouldn't have been able to get outside of the house without help, considering that my stamina was worse back then.' I scratched my arm out of frustration.

'Without help..' I widened my eyes as I scratched my legs. 'It would've been impossible for me to go if I was alone!'

I scratch my chin. 'Someone must've brought me there.' My chest tightened. 'But who? ' My vision started spinning as I blink.

'Huh? ' I looked down on my arms and legs and froze with shock as I saw red patches on my skin while my chest tightened, making it hard for me to breathe.

'Shit! Allergies!? From what?! ' I looked around as tears started to gather on the corner of my eyes and saw purple flowers growing near the tree I was currently hiding in.

Letting out a mental curse, I started to climb my way up to the ground outside despite hearing the sounds of footsteps getting closer. 'Great timing! ' As half of my body began to poke out of the hole in the trunk, I turned my head to the sound of the footsteps and saw Norman looking at me horrified after seeing the red patches on my skin. "Nion!" he shouted with worry and rushed in my direction.

'Oh, thank heavens.' I blacked out without even bothering to pull half of my body out of the tree.

...

I woke up and noticed that I was in the infirmary. again.  I chuckled with sarcasm mentally, 'This place has sort of become my own personal room that I occasionally share with the others.'

I looked around and saw that it was dark, probably around midnight. 'Damn, I slept well.' I remarked to myself and settled down on the bed in a comfortable position despite the stinging pain that I felt in my arms and legs. My throat feels itchy and clogged up. I frowned.

'Great, not only do I have to worry about my stamina but my allergies too.' I coughed lightly and looked at the window to my right and saw the big blue moon.

'Come to think of it, the moon looked just like this that night.' I gritted my teeth. 'I'm pretty sure Isabella suspects me now.'

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+

I looked at the time and closed the book I was reading, put it back on the shelf where it belonged, and picked up the lantern I had brought with me.

'I should hurry and go to bed before Mama finds out.'

I walked and let my mind drift for a bit. 'I am almost finished gathering information about this world; though most of the books are quite old, some are fairly recent, just as I have suspected, advanced technology does not exist here.'

I turned the corner and walked quietly. 'There are also no records of demons and such, except maybe the book The Adventures of Ugo, but other than that, none.'

I pursed my lips together, biting back a sigh. 'Of course it wouldn't, because first of all, this is an orphanage full of children cultivated for food; why would they provide information about demons in the first place? '

I chuckled quietly and humorlessly as the big blue moon shined brightly from outside the window. 'To be able to trap someone in a cage, you musn't let them know they are in a cage in the first place.'

"Why are you up so late, Nion?"

I froze on my spot and looked up to see Isabella smiling at me with a similar lantern as mine on hand. I trembled slightly in fear and looked down.

'Shit, shit, shit, shit, I'm screwed. Keep calm.' As these thoughts raced through my head, Isabella put down her lantern and kneeled in front of me with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

"What are you doing out here late in the night?" She asked again and held both of my cheeks, one finger pressing against my pulse below my ear.

'Shit, since Isabella knows how fast my heart beats, just play along and be scared! '

"I-I'm sorry, Mama." Tears began to gather as I stuttered my words out. "I just couldn't s-sleep because I had slept through the entire day... I promise that it won't h-happen again." I trembled with my words, indicating fear.

'That's right, I just got out of the infirmary today because of another stupid fever and slept through the day, so it wouldn't be a a good excuse.'

Isabella stayed silent for a moment and caressed my cheeks, which sent shivers down my spine, then stood up with a smile that still didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Alright, as long as you promise not to do it again."

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+

She then led me to the children's room and tucked me in to sleep. Although I didn't get any sleep that night, after that day, Isabella began feeding me medicine that induces sleep after every dinner in order to "fix my sleep schedule" she said.

'Why is life so difficult?' I sigh and let myself drift to sleep.

♟️♟️♟️

I would have forgotten that it was Christmas the next day if it weren't for the fact that it began snowing and Norman was right next to me in the infirmary because of a cold.

'It's nice to have someone with me suffering the same fate, but I couldn't help but feel bad when I see his red nose and struggled breaths.'

I was about to say something when Isabella came in with a tray of medicine, assumingly for both Norman and me. 'Ugh, where do they get this awful medicine from?' I frown as I see the gooey substance in the container. When I turned to look away, I flinched from surprise when I saw an orange ahoge swaying by the side of Norman's bed.

'Goddammit, Emma. Why is she popping out of nowhere like a mushroom?!' My face was red with both embarrassment and anger because Isabella saw my reaction then turned towards the source.

"Emma! What did I say about not going inside the infirmary?" Isabella said with a stern tone. "What will you do if you catch Norman's fever?"

"But Ray said that I wouldn't catch it!" Emma argued.

"This book says that idiots can't get sick." Ray said outside the open door while pointing to the book he was holding.

I chuckled at the scene quietly and shook my head as I dropped my head back to the pillow to watch the scene with much appreciation while Isabella ushers Emma out of the room, slipping in once more, then getting caught again.

'These cute little kids, I hope they still get to smile like that when they learn the truth about this world.' I pursed my lips and clenched my fists tight under the sheets. 'No, I'll make sure that they get to.'

I turned to Norman after Isabella fed us the medicine and left.

"Hey Norman," I said quietly, and he turned to me with a sleepy gaze. "Yes, Nion?" he replies, despite the raspiness of his voice from the cold.

"It might be a bit cruel to say this, but," I smiled brightly at him, "I'm glad you're here with me during Christmas."

Norman widened his eyes, and his already red face became a shade darker than before. Then he smiled back at me.

"Me too."

"Merry Christmas, Norman."

"Merry Christmas, Nion."

We both spent Christmas in the infirmary and never got to play with the snow. When we recovered, the snow had already melted away, but I wasn't disappointed or sad. After all, I wasn't alone during Christmas. I truly did appreciate Norman's presence, and I hope Norman feels that way as well.

_________________________________________

Mental Note:

1. Gather information about this world.

- The Library

- The Trio

2. Health Reminder:

- Need to improve stamina

- Allergies (possible cause: purple flower)

3. The mystery Friend:

- Find out who

_________________________________________

Author's note: Hey guys! Comment if there is something you want me to improve on (of course, be kind about it). I'm always open to criticism that can help me improve my work and such. Thank you!

Disclaimer! The image is not mine; I made some edits, but I got it from Pinterest. ^^

[theharemofmakotonaegi]

Considering we have ass rankings for all the other classes, could we get one for Class 79-B? (Thicc AU)

This seems like a good post to do for a small return. Ask some questions and I might answer them. Don't expect too many though.

14. Kanata Inori: though her growth spurt was promising, she didn't grow as much as she thought she would in the curves department. But of course for this world and being around Makoto, even the "smallest" girls were still big by anyone else's standards.

13. Kiyoka Maki: even though she doesn't like her talent, she was hoping that for Makoto she could turn out like a girl from Nikke. Unlucky for her she didn't get quite that curvy. But there is always hope.

12. Iroha Nijue: like Kanata her growth spurt seemed very promising. But it did not turn out to be as big as she would have hoped. She wants another growth spurt as soon as possible and hope she catches up with the higher ranks.

11. Emma Magorobi: Emma has a figure she wanted to keep, being an actress. But thanks to being around Makoto she had to grow and grow. Her figure is still small for one of Makoto's girls, but she has been getting more popular because of it so she is not complaining.

10. Ayame Hatano: it is weird that for someone who is a sprinter, she has a much bigger chest than she does butt. She is somewhat thankful though, as if her butt were bigger it would make sprinting even harder than it is normally.

9. Kanade Otonokoji: her chest is big but her butt is on the lower end for the school and even her class. But that is ok to her because of how huge her sister's ass is. She loves to ogle and fondle it whenever she can.

8. Kokoro Mitsume: she tends to notice a heightened emotional response from people whenever she turns around. Figuring out why, she grinds on Makoto regularly to find out more about lust.

7. Kizuna Tomori: a cheerleader with a fat ass is a dangerous weapon. And since it started growing, her talent has become even stronger. She only uses it for her boyfriend though.

6. Akane Taira/Sora: all of their curves match up perfectly including their huge butts. They buy a lot of the same sexy clothing to tease Makoto with because of it. And they often explore each other's bodies as well too.

5. Hibiki Otonokoji: her sister got all the weight to her chest, but she got it all somewhere else. Together they are a ruthless tag team coordinated so well together that it is always a fun time for Makoto.

4. Satsuki Iranami: compared to most of the other girls Satsuki is lucky. Girls have had to constantly get their wardrobes updated to make sure their continuously growing curves could fit. But Satsuki's clown outfit was already naturally loose so she has not yet needed to update it. But it is getting tighter and tighter.

3. Yoruko Kabuya/Setsuka Chiebukuro: the two most motherly of the entire class have asses and hips to back it up. They make for great distractions and enticements when using their talents too. Yoruko knows people will flock to where she works just to see that titanic thing and Setsuka uses hers to distract the other billiards players as much as possible.

2. Rei Mekaru: the definition of a sexy professor. She has some of the overall biggest curves in the entire school and she seems to use them the most effectively as well. To her they are something to reward Makoto with when his competency shines.

1. Mikako Kurokawa: an ass so fat it jiggles around relentlessly whenever she gets excited about anything. All the other girls wish they had an ass even a little bit as big as that

[martianbugsbunny]

OUAT Thoughts Pt.40--Episodes 16-17

I have watched through S4E17; spoilers DNI. Also, spoiler warning for anyone further behind than I am.

—Ursula’s new backstory is cool. It has elements of Ariel’s original story in it, but also some new details, and it’s very sad. It’s cool that she started as a mermaid who didn’t want to be a siren, and then turned herself into an octopus lady. Although she’s still not the old sea goddess. I’m extremely pleased that she got to reunite with her dad, and that he apologized to her.

—Her dress when she was a temporary human was super pretty.

—And her voice! I love it. If she sang My Jolly Sailor Bold, I might have a heart attack and die.

—Ursula’s father is surely majestic. He has a king kind of voice. And his clothes are gorgeous.

—Seeing Cruella without one of her ostentatious coats is an odd experience. She’s still rather skinny without the extra layer of fur, and her base layer of clothing actually isn’t horrible.

—Emma is Hook’s happy ending?…Oh no, something bad will definitely happen to her! But it’s so sweet.

—The Jolly Roger returns! Hook should 100% live there (where the heck has he been living? Maybe Granny’s) and I bet if he and Emma live to get married, Henry would love for it to be their family home.

—Okay, the idea of an Author going off the rails and making the stories instead of recording them is awesome. But to be honest, the Author himself was kinda anticlimactic. I was hoping he would be somebody important, not a random peddler.

—Walt Disney was one of the Authors!

—I’m really starting to believe that there is no Sorcerer. He’s been mentioned a bajillion times, but never once have I seen a hide of his hair. They even said the Sorcerer and his Apprentice put the Author in the book, but only the Apprentice was visible.

—It would proper brilliant if Henry became the next Author. There’s not much of a better future for him, and there’s no better candidate for the job.

—A people baby being inside a dragon egg is freaky. Still want to know who the father is.

—The second it was revealed that was a people baby, I knew it was gonna be Lilith. She didn’t feel like a random character, especially with a scar that specific, and now I know I was right.

—If her adopted dad wanted to call her Lily, why the heck didn’t he just name her Lily? Work smarter, not harder.

—At least during the sleeping curse Emma had a nice, comfy Killian Jones to snooze on.

—Worst possible scenario: Rumple succeeds at turning Emma’s heart dark—but then she kills him with the dagger and becomes the new Dark One.

—It was incredibly smart of the costumers to put expectant-mother Maleficent in a different style of dress than usual. Loose cut and light fabric, as well as her having her hair down, contributes to a more vulnerable look, which makes the egg-stealing even sadder.

—I’m not entirely mad at Snow and Charming, because it appears that part of the story was manipulated by the Author to some extent, but I am annoyed with them. They should’ve known better.

—I still think Swan Lake would be amazing in this show. Odette and Odile would almost certainly have the best costumes. And it would somehow be even more dramatic than usual.

—Giselle might work too. Really, I just want a ballet. But wouldn’t the Willis be cool?

—If Elsa turned the Jolly Roger into a ship-in-a-bottle (which doesn’t completely jive with her powers) what happened to Blackbeard? And his crew? If Ariel could get pulled into the bottle just because she was near the ship, it’s hard to believe there wasn’t a single pirate on board at the time who also got sucked in.

—Cruella’s lesbian vibe gets stronger with literally every episode. (Is that why she can’t drive? *kidding*) She needs an equally tacky girlfriend to design truly horrible clothing with.

[ofnobilites]

emma d’arcy . non-binary . they/them . vampire .  *:･ﾟ✧ is that that sable horvat , the two hundred seventy/appears thirty-two year old downworlder ? i wonder what business brings them out tonight . they’ve been in the capital city a few days , and rumour has it that they are notoriously vicious , whilst also managing to be quite secretive . last i heard , they were against the royal family ; i wonder what they make of all this upheaval within mundane world . 

trigger warnings: prostitution, murder, cults

Basics

name: sable horvat

age: two hundred seventy (looks 32)

height: 5'7

hair color: blonde

eye color: blue

gender: non-binary

pronouns: they/them

starsign: leo

sexuality: pansexual

species: vampire

loyalties: themselves

Early Life

The vampire who calls themselves a goddess was born an urchin, starving on the streets of the city. Sable was nothing and no one, it took all they had to survive, eating out of garbage cans and stealing rotten food. A mother no one could name and a father that could be any man they passed. It was a hard life, it put them in places no one would ever want to be. 

However from a young age Sable had an ability that drew people to them, other urchins would look to them. They were resourceful and smart, quicker on their feet than the other kids and willing to fight anyone. They had a small ring of other children who would look after each other and who all looked up to Sable. It stayed that way until Sable was 18 and was offered a job at another place. 

The brothel was hell, they loathed the place, it was a nightmare most of the time but they found a source of power. Clients who were loyal to them, people who looked to them again for protection and safety from people who would hurt them. It took only a few years before Sable was in charge of the brothel. The clients, the prices, the people. Sable set it all up, it was at their command. Again power fell into their lap without them trying, it was a thrill, it excited them above anything else. 

It was by chance that they met Agmundr, a man who was delighted by Sable, they came to them often but never as a client. Over and over they just talked, spoke to each other about his plans to ‘take over’ it was fun to talk about but at the time it was obviously all talk. When he offered them a chance at helping him, at becoming all powerful, Sable took the offer expecting nothing. 

Sable was turned into a vampire over 300 years ago, Agmundr their companion and lover for almost a century, until he turned on them. Their empire was growing, yet people were more inclined to listen to Sable than to him. It was to the point where Sable themselves started seeing them as the true leader.

When Agmundr came to attack them, Sable was faster, stronger and they had far more supporters.  Sable killed Agmundr and everything fell into their lap. Power, love, wealth. All of it was theirs. And they will do anything to keep it that way. The love of the people, the fear, to Sable, they are ultimate. Everyone else is simply a pawn. 

For their whole life Sable was seen as a leader to others without even trying. they never asked for the urchins to look up to them, they never asked to take over the brothel or the coven. it was the people who put them there, to Sable it was divine intervention. They were in charge for a reason, they were the one who would lead people, they would be the future.

More

Sabel is a typical evil vampire type but they're more charismatic and devoted to their followers/people. basically they're a cult leader who thinks vampires (especially them) are above all

they respect the fey and warlocks for their magic but also thinks herself above them because that's just what they've been lead to believe.

They care for their people, the vampires who follow them more than anything. And wants everyone to follow behind them, all vampires in their mind should be under them and they'll do whatever it takes to make that happen.

obviously isn't open about the plan to take over the world only a few trusted people know

If you've seen attack on titan think eren yeager tbh.

Wanted Connections

followers: other vampires who are loyal to sable, probably members of their coven (cult) who are either devoted to them, against them, whatever!

people they want to follow them: aka vampires who aren't part of their coven that they're like trying to recruit, all vampires are cool but more powerful ones they want.

past romances/fwb: they've only really loved one person in their life but they've used their affections to get people to join them or just had hook ups with people

enemies: they run a vampire cult and think they should take over the world, enemies are easy

ANYTHING

[crownshattered-arch]

@prsonatm inquired: ‘ happy birthday to you, sir campbell ! we should make a miniature cake for you to celebrate the occasion , we must ! we must !! ‘ the happy go lucky gardener insisted , hence her immediate hands catching hold of his right arm to pull him with her.

⁕| Happy Birthday, Norton!! (3/19/23) |⁕

"What're you--Woah, wait, slow down..!!" Honestly, he had forgotten the significance of today. When you've been stuck in a manor for this long, things like birthdays become less significant and you stop caring. Honestly, the only reason he used to care about his birthday was that he used to get obligatory gifts from his coworkers. They rarely had much value, but he could always try to pawn them off for a bit more money.

He obviously couldn't do that here, so he often forgot about his birthday when it rolled around. He didn't realize anyone else knew... Does the Baron send out a letter of some sort about birthdays in the manor? Norton never paid attention to that stuff anyway. If he didn't know it was someone's birthday, they can't expect him to give them a gift.

But it seemed that Emma Woods had a much more generous mindset. Norton was tugged along behind her--gardening must take a lot of exercise, since she's stronger than he thought she would be--to make a cake, as it seemed. But after the first bit of objecting, he didn't try to stop her. With his free hand, he grabbed the rim of his hat and tilted it lower to hide his face slightly as his lips curled ever so slightly.

[jackalsprey]

Comfort

God, this turned out longer than expected. I wanted to write more fish girl and Emma's comments about the Laurduck arc inspired me. Plus, I'm a simp for Henry. Expect a lot of him. There will be a follow up to this, featuring Emily and Emma's husband's OC, Levi.

Laura and the designs in mind belong to @asktrio516

The ocean normally calmed Laura down. Her home was a beautiful world of its own, with its people, landscapes, flora, and weather. Swimming through it allowed her to clear her mind, enjoy herself, and simply be free.

Now, the ocean seemed to be mimicking her emotional state. The currents were going every which way, dragging her down, then pushing her up, pulling her from side to side. It was all she could do just to keeping swimming ahead.

She didn't want to give up. She knew it would take her back to Sodor. And she couldn't bear seeing the island. That form. That beach.

The beach where both the best and worst days of her life had happened.

She'd met Duck when he passed by, taking a walk on Bluff's Cove after a long day of shunting. She'd noticed the wheels on his ankles and slowly came above water to talk to him. They'd struck up a conversation about being "different" than others, and slowly gotten closer. Soon enough, that friendship turned to love.

But it was all ruined now. Diesel had found them out. Gordon and James had been so harsh to him...Duckie would be scrapped if she talked to him anymore. She...she had to leave him behind.

Suddenly, a current stronger than most pushed her backwards. Caught up in her memories, she couldn't fight back and it dragged the young mermaid a decent way backwards.

Shaking her head, Laura began to swim forward again, aching to go. But her keen ears picked up a voice above her, above the surface. She glanced up.

A humanoid with gray skin. Wearing a green jacket.

She screwed her eyes shut and tried to ignore him. She couldn't... she couldn't speak to him...

"Laura!"

It was quiet but reached her. Her beautiful, aqua green eyes snapped open again. That was not Duck's voice. She kicked her tail wildly, breaking through to the surface in just a few seconds.

That was Henry standing over her, green hair slightly frazzled and his own black eyes worried. He let out a massive sigh of relief when she surfaced.

"Thank Lady, I was starting to think you'd just head out to sea never to be seen again."

Laura sighed. "I was hoping to."

"No, Laura, please," Henry begged, grabbing one of her hands and clasping it in his own gloved one. "Please. Can we talk?"

================================================

She'd decided to hear him out. The engine and the mermaid sat together on the beach, side by side, not saying anything for the first few seconds.

"Why?" Henry asked, simply.

"I can't lose him, Henry," Laura said shakily. "I just...I just can't."

"But that's exactly what you're doing. You're letting him go."

"Better I go and he lives, than I stay and he's-he's-"

She couldn't bring herself to say it. Just the thought of him slowly rolling into the Smelters...all because of her...

"Wait," Henry stammered. "You-you think that, that Duck would be scrapped if you kept dating him?!"

She sniffed, trying to keep her tears back, and slowly nodded.

"Laura that's ridiculous! It's not law that engines can't date non-engines! It's just a silly, unspoken rule that old-fashioned people like Gordon still abide by."

"James too," she pointed out.

"Oh to hell with James!" Henry exclaimed. "Laura, Duck wouldn't be scrapped. I doubt he'd even be told off by Sir Topham Hatt! What on Earth made you think he'd be scrapped?"

She sighed. "D-Diesel said he would."

Henry rolled his eyes. "Of course that little fucker did. He can make anyone do anything..."

Not sure how to respond, Laura just stayed silent. What Henry was saying was giving her a little hope, but she didn't dare let that clear her head. Henry might just have been trying to make her feel better.

"Laura, has Duck ever told you about the time he was kicked out of Tidmouth Sheds?"

She glanced at her plant-loving friend in confusion. "Yeah, he said a couple engines kicked out after some fake rumors and he went to stay with Edward for a while."

"Yes," Henry sighed. "Did he say who?"

"No."

"Well, it was Gordon, James, and...and me."

Her head snapped up. "You?!"

"Me," Henry nodded. "Apparently, according to Diesel and the Truck, he called me "Old Square Wheels," "Living Plant," and... well, there wasn't another name, but..."

"But what?"

"There was a rumor saying that I was a useless, frightened, failed prototype."

Laura gasped and bit her lip. She knew that Henry had had steaming issues in the past, but...that was just...horrible.

"Diesel started it all. He wanted to give Duck some vengeance for some petty thing they'd argued over,' the green engine explained. "And like the idiots we are, James, Gordon and I believed him."

"Laura," he continued. "Diesel can make anyone believe anything. Don't feel bad that he tricked you. But please listen to me."

He put his hands on her shoulders. They were shockingly strong, but gentle, just like the engine himself and his voice.

"Please, don't let Duck go. I can see you love him. And he loves you more than anything else. As long as you two make each other happy, who cares what some old unspoken rule says?"

The mermaid bit her lip. He'd make a good case, but she was still unsure. "I...I need to think. Thank you, Henry."

She shared a brief hug with him and, with the promise of not trying to escape again, and to bring him a waterwheel plant for his collection, dived back into the sea.

She needed to know what was best.

================================================

DEAR GOD THIS WAS LONG. EMMA I AM SO SORRY FOR SPAMMING YOU, I PROMISE THE NEXT ONE WILL BE THE LAST ONE!

Love ya <3

[knittastically]

Bring Me To Life

Chapter 1       Mangeur Sang

On a windswept beach in Ireland,  Raymond de Merville  faced his destiny and mastered it.

Pairing  13th C Raymond/ Modern Raymond x ofc Sister Matilda and Carrie Hart

Characters Raymond de Merville, Lay Sister Ina, Sister Matilda, Abbess Eithne, Prioress Emma, Harry Bellamy, Carrie Hart.

Warnings Violence, Vampirism, 

Tag List:

Its such a long time since I wrote anything new (reasons) that my old tag list is likely about 100yrs out of date however and currently stands at one so thank you @fizzyxcustard

If anyone else would like to be added just let me know.

His veins burned, pain seared through his body as his clawed fingers grabbed and tore at bare skin as he fought to fend off his attacker. He knew he was weakening; a numbness began to settle over him and his eyelids flickered as exhaustion made his limbs feel leaden. The life blood was being drained, sucked from him by the man he knew as The Mute. He was no man, but a beast, a Mangeur Sang. Raymond had little strength left for a fight, but he would do his damnedest to survive and if a even God existed, which he doubted, he wouldn’t help. There would be no salvation for a man such as him; a lost, vicious killer, who had given no quarter in his violent life and had expected none. Better to trust his fate to himself, it was his actions alone that would determine whether he would live to go home to Rouen or die on this desolate beach, his body left for the carrion of land and sea to feed on.

There was little time left. He screwed his eyes tight until the pinprick stars exploded behind his lids, then he stilled letting his whole body go limp as he let out a shuddering breath. The Mute dropped his guard a little slackening his grip believing his prey to be moments from death. With one final effort Raymond drew on his remaining strength and bunched every burning, screaming muscle shoving and pushing as hard as his weakened body would allow, to flip The Mute onto his back. Shock registered on the bastard’s face. Fate had given Raymond his chance and with a deafening roar he flung himself down sinking his teeth into his assailant’s neck. 

The Mute may have been the stronger, but a wounded animal can be the most dangerous of all; ripping and tearing at the flesh Raymond drank deep, he wanted to vomit but he would not and forced away the waves of nausea surging up from his stomach; his need to live outweighed everything. The Mute would die the same death he had intend for another. As a young boy Raymond had heard tales of these creatures who turned humans into beasts like themselves, tales told to frighten children and fools. Perhaps they were simply madmen and women who committed such acts, but he had lived long enough to know that such stories often held a grain of truth, and he would either prove that truth and live; or die in the attempt.

The incoming tide lapped against him, splashing chilly water against his face where he lay slumped over the chest of the dead Mute. Licking at his lips he tasted blood and salt as the water rose higher. He could barely think straight as the obscene savagery of what had happened filtered into his brain. His guts wrenched but he swallowed down hard as he slowly rose onto his knees, not to pray, shit no, he had survived by virtue of his own determination. As his senses cleared, he saw the tide speeding up the channels in the sand and his need to survive drove him up onto his feet, he knew this bay, knew the tide came in as fast as a galloping horse. He was weak, the metallic salty taste of blood still filled his mouth and he shuddered. Before he began to try and make his way across to the shoreline, he raised his arms aloft and turning full circle roared at the sky.

Despite his sodden clothing and heavy mail, in spite of the pain wracking his body, he covered the ground faster than he could ever have imagined possible; running diagonally to the water his feet barely touched the sand as he raced to where he could see his horse had retreated. He didn’t notice the body of The Mute lift on the incoming tide and start to drift around, a bobbing fleshy platform for the gulls to settle and feast on. Nor did he see the slight figure standing in the shadow of the dunes.

The sudden exertion was too much and too soon for this newly created Mangeur Sang. The moment he stopped Raymond thudded down into the soft dry sand. Pain such pain, even his very bones ached, he could feel the sweat breaking out on his body, yet he shook violently with cold, like a man in the throes of a fever. His stomach roiled and bubbled as he retched again, this time he couldn’t choke back and he spewed violently, his stomach muscles aching with the effort. The snicker of his horse and jingle of its harness were the last things he heard before he blacked out and keeled face down onto the beach.

                                                Carrie jammed the tines of the garden fork into the ground and glanced across to the shed. “You okay Harry, not too cold?” “I’m fine lass, don’t you worry about me.” “Well, I’m ready for a cuppa before I finish up for the day, how about you?” With a shaky thumbs up he chuckled. “Thought you’d never bloody ask.” “Cheeky bugger! She laughed back and headed across to where Harry Bellamy sat in an ancient wooden garden chair. Carrie’s heart wrenched to see this once giant of a man seemingly shrunken to what seemed half of his former self. He was hunched into a bright red duck down jacket, and she’d draped a thick tweed blanket over his legs and tucked it around him to help stop any cold seeping through.  

Beside him a snuffling, snoring mound of legs, noses and ears huddled in a supersized plastic bed stuffed with an old eiderdown. Dogs weren’t allowed on the allotment, but where Carrie went, so did they, it was the one thing she dug her heels in about. When the committee kicked up a stink the other gardeners petitioned for them to stay and so the motley collection of a black Cocker, two yellow labs, a border terrier and a Heinz 57 became had become a fixture and the communal pets of Sourbeck Allotments.

Carrie was fortunate, her allotment or rather Harry’s was one of those nearest to the communal tap. “Coffee or tea?” she waved a tea pot and a large mokka pot at Harry. “Tea please lass, nice and strong like you always make it.” In no time the old whistle kettle was filled and set to boil on top of the small stove. “Tea it is then.” But she wouldn’t put tea in the pot until she’d swirled some almost boiling water round the old Brown Betty teapot to take the cold edge off. “Biscuits are on the table behind you, as if you didn’t know; I saw you snaffling those triple choc cookies.” “Me? never, must have been a big lad did it and ran way.” “Harry Bellamy your nose will grow and never shrink back.” He winked at her and reached over the small table to snag another from the now depleted box.

She tilted her face to the sky, “I think we’ll have snow before too much longer.” “It never mentioned any on the morning forecast luv, so what makes you think that?” “The air Harry, it’s “soffy” has been all afternoon yep, soft enough for snow.” Wrapping her hands around the mug of steaming hot, sweet tea she caught the look in Harry’s eye. “What?” “You remind me of Grandma on me Mum’s side.” “I consider that a compliment Harry.” He smiled and it reached his beautiful grey eyes, as he spoke softly. “Aye it is a compliment lass, she knew a lot of stuff did Ethelwyn Abbot, she was like you, knew things and didn’t know how she’d come to know them, she just did.” He took a large swallow of tea and bit into his biscuit. “You told me yourself you’d no idea how you knew how to do certain things.” Harry waved his half-eaten biscuit at her. “Genetic thingummy that’s what it is, Genetic thingummy.” “Memory Harry, Genetic Memory, I think the jury is out on that one but it’s as good an explanation as any.”

“Listen lass, the reason I agreed to help you get this allotment is because you knew what needed doing, it came natural to you. I didn’t want it to go to some clueless numpty with all the gear and no idea and I’ll let you into a secret, the committee have agreed you can have it, they can see you won’t let it go to wrack and ruin. You’ll be getting a letter next week.” He set his mug down on the table beside him and closed his eyes.

Carrie felt a tightness in her throat and took a quick swallow of tea. Was this it? Was this Harry’s coming to terms with the fact that he might not see another season at his beloved allotment, even if it was just to sit in companionable silence enjoying the sun on his face and the fresh air.

She swallowed hard and found her voice “Finished with your tea Harry?” “Aye lass thanks, smashing cuppa as always.” He kept his eyes closed and there was a gentle smile on his lips as he sniffed at the cool air. Carrie rinsed out the mugs and packed them into a plastic crate along with all the other brew paraphernalia then dumped them on the bench in the shed. She handed him the box of biscuits. “Take these back with you, they should go nicely with your tot of whisky tonight. “Eurgh, chocolate cookies and whisky.’ He pulled a face and shuddered. “Don’t knock it, you’d be surprised how good it tastes, now I won’t be long, just going to finish off.” she squeezed his shoulder gently. “Oh no rush love whenever you’re ready. He patted her hand “Okay, but it’s pretty chilly now and I’ll need a bloody head torch If I leave it much later.”

As she turned and walked away from him, he whispered, “Nay lass you’ve no need of a torch, you have your own light”

True to her word, within fifteen minutes Carrie had tidied the plot and her tools had been cleaned and put away. She helped Harry gently from the chair and passed him his sticks. “C’mon boys, time to go.” The dogs tumbled from their bed and vied to be the one closest to her as she hauled their bed and the folding chair into the shed, locked the door and bundled up the old eiderdown. “No point in leaving it for small furry animals to tear into shreds and besides,” she gave a theatrical sniff at the fabric, “I think it’s about ready for a good tubbing.” Right, you stinkers, let’s go. She and Harry walked slowly down the neat brick edged path as he shouted his “G’nights” and “See you laters” to his mates who would hang on until last light.

“Just hold up a minute lass.” They were close to the main gate. “Are you okay Harry, have you forgotten something?”  He smiled; it was such a sad smile that Carrie felt her stomach knot.

“No nothing like that luv, I just wanted to have a good look at this place, the whole of it not just my,” he corrected himself “Your, piece of it.” “Sure, take as long as you like.” “Thanks luv.” “I’ll just go and put the mutts in the truck and come back for you.” He smiled and nodded. She took her time loading the dogs into their travel cages before she sauntered back. “Ready Mucker?” “Aye, ready, best get me back before someone sends out a search party, they might think we’ve eloped.”

“Well, I’m game if you are y’owd devil.” “Carrie lass even if I was forty years younger, you’d be safe, I never wanted anyone but my Jenny, but I’ll always be proud to call you a good friend and Jenny would have taken to you for sure.” She eased him into the vehicle. “I won’t be coming up here tomorrow Harry, boring real life stuff to do but I’ll give you a call around teatime, is that okay?”

Harry stared out of the passenger window at nothing in particular, it was a few seconds before he answered. “That’ll be fine lass, I’ve got some bits and bobs of my own to sort out, plus a visit from the Doc.” Then he chuckled “Well Damn me Carrie you were right, it’s snowing.”

Raymond eventually forced open his eyes and tried to move his scream was loud enough to split rocks. He’d never felt such pain before, it was as if every bone in his body had been crushed.

“Be still.” He shifted slightly and his face registered his pain “I said, be still.” A woman’s voice, low and firm murmured in his ear, and he felt the gentle press of a small hand in the centre of his chest He squinted up at the silhouette blocking the sun, no woman would dare order him about, so he tried to move again. This time he had no chance scream before he lost consciousness.

“I said be easy my Lord, be patient.” As he came round, he felt a cool hand brushing his hair back from his face. “Now let me help you and don’t be so stubborn this time.” Raymond opened his eyes again; the sun was lower now and he could clearly see the face of his saviour. She was young, her skin pale and smooth over her bones there was just the faintest flush to her cheeks and her lustrous hazel eyes held his gaze without fear. “How can you help me girl?” He growled out. His own voice banging like thunder in his head. With the utmost care, she slid one arm beneath his shoulders and the other beneath his knees then with a strength that even in his muddled mind he knew she shouldn’t possess, she lifted him from the sand and carried him into the shade. “You will need time to become your new self Sieur, you are reborn and are as defenceless as a babe beginning a new life.”

“What do you know of it?” He rasped turning his head slowly towards her.

“Be content that I do know, and I do understand, now we shall need your horse, so sit quiet while I fetch him. What’s his name?”

“Tonerre and you won’t get near him.” He croaked and coughed, it was enough to send another wave of pain shooting through his body leaving him no strength to tell her that the stallion was schooled to kick and bite and would certainly try and trample her into the ground. He watched completely helpless as she approached the animal slowly and calmly.

Raymond wished he could stop up his ears. He could not bear the light, the colours were wrong, too brilliant and garish, every sound boomed and echoed in his head even the sound of his own breathing. Moving his right hand in front of his face, it was nothing but a blur then back again more slowly, it was hardly any better. His body refused to obey him and even at this distance he could clearly hear the woman speaking to Tonerre.

“Easy, Tonerre, easy boy.” As she stretched out her left hand the beast snorted and rolled his eyes. He started pawing at the damp sand. Undeterred she stepped closer and laid gentle fingers on his muzzle. At that one touch the animal knew that without whip or spur he was mastered, and he bowed his great head to snuffle at her. Taking her time to soothe him with voice and hands, she spoke nonsense words as she stroked him and felt the muscles relax beneath his sleek black coat. His mane ruffled in the strengthening breeze, and he snickered. “Come Tonerre” She turned her back on him and walked back to Raymond with the huge horse ambling behind like a child’s pony.

“What’s your name woman?

“It’s Ina,” She gave him a kind smile her voice was soft in his ears, and he was thankful. “I shall be your nurse, your guardian and your teacher. You have more to learn than you can imagine, and you will need to be a good scholar and learn quickly. There will be no reprieve.” There was a certain tone to her voice that as a boy Raymond had heard his own mother use, gentle, but it gave no room for argument. Ina saw him frown.

“I ask again, how can you know what I need?” He glared at the slightly built young woman, dressed in a habit like gown of undyed white wool and over it a much darker almost black scapular. Her hair covered with a linen wimple. One look from those soft brown eyes told him, but she spoke the words.

“Because I am like you, because I have endured this and, I understand what it means to become a Mangeur Sang.” Then with the same ease as before, she helped him up onto his horse and took the reins. Raymond grabbed a handful of mane in his right hand and gripped the saddle pommel with his left, hoping it was enough to keep him aloft.

“Where are you taking me?” “Just to the Abbey.” “So, you are a Nun” His own voice thundered in his head and Ina noticed him wince. “You must learn to speak more quietly Sieur Raymond at least for now.” she smiled and continued. “I took final vows once” she hesitated “but that was many years ago, I’m a lay Sister now though I have certain knowledge and skill, so I continue my work as a herbalist and a hospitaler.” “Hospitaler, Unusual for a woman.”   “The Order of St John never thought so.” She snapped at him.

Raymond tried to laugh then though better of it. “A Mangeur Sang in a hospital, fortunate for you but not for the patients I expect.” “As I said, you have so much to learn My Lord, we rarely take the blood of Humans, it isn’t considered, civilized.” She paused a moment then added, “Or diplomatic.” She clicked her tongue and began to lead the horse away from the beach.

Home, with dogs fed and watered and a pan of soup simmering on the hob, Carrie headed for the shower. Today had been a tough day, physically and emotionally. Her landlord was being a prat, her ex was a tosser and Harry? Well Harry was failing a little more each day. Every time she saw him his clothes seem to hang a little more loosely, his skin appeared a little greyer, his eyes less bright. Two years ago, when she first met him, he was a fit healthy seventy-four year old who’d wandered into the bookshop looking for guidebooks about the Camino de Santiago, a trip he’d always dreamed of making. Carrie sniffed, his dream would never be realised now, not without a miracle and she didn’t believe in those, she doubted Harry did either. Bastard cancer.

Sympathy for the Devil blared out of her phone. “Hi Lollie, what’s up?” “Where are you, and you know I hate being called Lollie, it’s Lorraine I’m a grown woman.”  She snapped. Carrie resisted the urge to argue that point. “Oooh sorry, so who shoved a stick up your arse Lorraine and what d’you mean where are you?” “Exactly what I said, we’re all at The Blue Door and there’s and empty bloody seat….yours!”

Hellfire and damnation! Carrie had no chance to answer before Lorraine waded in again “You’d forgotten hadn’t you, I set this up and you sodding well forgot, well thanks a bunch!” She hissed. “Lorraine I’ll be there, honestly, just let the others know I was delayed, held up at the vets or something.” “I don’t know why I should, but I will and as your penance the wine’s on you, now shift your butt and get over here.” Lorraine growled before she shut the call down and headed back to the table. 

“Sorry everyone, Carrie had to pop one of her dogs up to the vets, nothing serious but she’s running late and as an apology she asked me to choose some wine so we can have a drink while we wait, she suggested Champagne.” Lorraine flashed a Crimson, Dior 999, smile at the company. She was going to enjoy this.

The shower was little more than a quick dance around under the spray and there was no way she could wash her hair and have it dried in time. “Fuck fuckity fuck fuck! She hadn’t done any ironing for what seemed like aeons. One last desperate trawl of her wardrobe produced a pair of wide legged wool jersey pants and a dark grey cashmere sweater at least they weren’t too creased and hopefully no one would notice in the subdued lighting. “God when did I last have enough money to buy good cashmere?” Then she remembered it had been a gift from Max, he might have been, in fact still was, an arse, but he had good taste. She managed to wrestle her hair into a messy plait and after applying a smear of foundation, a smudge of grey eyeshadow a couple of waves of the mascara brush and a smear of lip gloss she was done.  

“Shoes, oh God which shoes?” She yelled into the wardrobe, then spun around to yank the curtain back from the window. “Yep, still snowing” “Doc’s it is then, Lollie will hate them. But then she always was style over substance.” Carrie gave snigger as she laced up a pair of silver coloured Doc Martens boots “Perfect!” Bag, coat, keys and for good measure she jammed an ugly woolly hat on her head and stuffed her hair up into it. The dogs looked at her expectantly, “Sorry boys, stay here and snooze, be good”She slammed the door behind her then swore, fumbled for her keys to let herself back in and dashed through to the kitchen to drag the soup pan off the stove. After her false start she belted through the courtyard, into the marketplace and sprinted across slick cobbles up the Scholars Wynd towards The Blue Door.

The wave of heat smacked her in the face, and even though she knew it was there, in the subdued lighting she missed the small step down and made an ungainly entrance into the restaurant. She swerved to miss a random tall bloke in black who was taking a phone call away from the hubbub, then slithered forward and almost crashed into the desk.

The receptionist rolled her eyes. “Good evening, Madam, do you have a reservation, it may be difficult to seat you this evening unless you’re willing to wait.”

“Don’t worry” Carrie gave a wicked smile, winked, and pointed to where Lorraine was holding court  “There are a couple of spare seats over there, I’ll just sidle across and plonk down I’m sure they won’t mind.” Before  she could stop her Carrie had turned away and shimmied her way between the other diners.

‘Lorraine, I really am sorry to be so late, oh has someone else been delayed?” She asked sweetly as she nodded towards another empty chair. “No, it’s for the guest of honour He was punctual, but he had to take a call.” Lorraine snapped”

“Well, being late is one thing Lollie, buggering off to conduct business at dinner is another, that’s just damned rude.”

“I quite agree but sadly it was unavoidable, and I apologise.” She started with surprise. But that voice! It washed over her, low, smokey, rich with the hint of an accent. She felt her stomach tighten and not in an unpleasant way.

Carrie turned towards the source, and came nose to cabled sweater covered chest with the owner, when she stepped back to see his face she frowned, it was “Random Tall Bloke” the one who’d been taking a call. She tilted her head and was enthralled by a pair of breathtakingly blue eyes. The effect on her was nothing compared to his shock. The combination of her wayward fiery hair as she yanked off her ridiculous hat and her peridot green eyes unsettled the usually calm and self-assured Raymond Demmerville.

His inner emotions were reeling but outwardly he portrayed the usual calm demeanour that had served him well over the years. “You must be Caroline” he extended his right hand “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” His broad palm and long fingers covered her hand completely and he felt a definite tingle run up his arm when palm met palm.

  “Actually, it’s Carrie, hardly anyone one calls me Caroline now, it’s too stuffy for my taste” “It’s good to meet you too Professor Demmerville.” Raymond stopped himself before he could tell her how the unstuffy Carrie suited her far better, and raising an eyebrow he smiled as he leant towards her. “Hardly anyone calls me Professor now, and as I’m retired from academic life, I’m an Emeritus Professor but it’s such a mouthful and equally stuffy, please, call me Raymond.” His accent was certainly more pronounced when he spoke his own name; French thought Carrie, and she suddenly realised they were still holding hands.

[bffhreprise]

Best Friend For Hire Reprise, 382

 “Slow down!” exclaimed Iris.  “Turn left just up ahead.”

 I nodded and complied.  She knew where her boss lived better than any of us, having never visited this suburb befored.  I probably would have missed the break in the endless fence had she not warned me, especially when I was trying to guess the cost of having a large amount of land next to a park in a pricey suburb.  To my surprise, the gate opened for us immediately.

 “He doesn’t care much for security, does he?” I teased, looking around to see if there was some sort of guard who would have opened the gate for us.

 “Mila watches everything, so there’s no need.  There are sensors and cameras all over the yard that let her know if anything is disturbed.” explained Iris matter-of-factly.

 I nodded, but my eyes were locked on our destination in the distance, barely visible through all of the rain.  I had considerably underestimated the size of this place.  I very much doubted that I could even afford to maintain the yard for very many years and could only guess that the property tax had to be immense.

 As my sons grew excited about the bushes, I looked over and stared for several seconds.  Every single bush along the long driveway had been carefully sculpted into characters that I recognized from video games my kids enjoyed.  I could only imagine the amount of time and number of people involved in such artwork, leading me to believe James spent even more on his yard annually than I originally had guessed.  Even the fountain—an immense, two-story affair that was very elaborately sculpted—was immaculate, showing no signs of wear or neglect.  James certainly knew how to make an impression.

 When we stepped inside, passing past two sets of double doors that opened for us, James was descending down one of the staircases which curved up to a balcony on the second floor.  “James!  Thank you for having us.  This is quite a place you’ve got here.  Sorry if we brought the storm.” I told him, gesturing to the weather outside.

 “There’s plenty to see.” he politely agreed.  “Thank you for accepting the invitation.  I thought you might be interested in seeing a little more about my company than most, since you seemed curious during the game.  Mick was supposed to stop by a while ago but apparently didn’t get the time.”

 “This place is awesome!” exclaimed Matt.

 “Sorry, James.” muttered Mick.

 “No need to apologize.  We’ll just review with your family today what I wanted to tell you before.” replied James, smiling at us.

 I suddenly found myself floating as a soft breeze blew at me from inside the mansion.  Looking to my sides, I saw that my family, save for my daughter, were also floating.

 Before I could do more than exclaim in surprise, James spoke up, telling us, “Magic is real, and your family can use it.”

 I stared at them, my mind trying to figure out how he was doing this.  Was this some elaborate prank using a new technology?  “Wh-What…” was all I managed to say before we were gently lowered to the ground.

 “You wanted to know what I was feeding my employees.  I train them physically, mentally, and in magical arts.  We didn’t use spells at the baseball game, but we have numerous advantages that are completely unfair.” explained James.  “For example, I can physically lift your family’s van, though using spells is easier to ensure I don’t compromise the frame.”

 I swore, feeling like I had been had, before my better judgement kicked in.  My family was currently at this boy’s mercy.

 James’ smile broadened as he said, “If you don’t mind coming out back, I’ll ask the wonderful gardener to demonstrate something people tend to grasp more easily.”  Not hearing any argument from us, he motioned for us to follow him and started telling us  “Mirabella and Mike can’t create the electrical discharges like the rest of you.  She has a different heritage, and Mike took after his mother.”

 “How could you possibly know that?” asked Mike in surprise.

 “My secretary ran a background check on Iris prior to her being hired, and she’s so thorough that I feel like she knows everything.  You wouldn’t believe how long she takes to brief me on things.” explained James as he glanced back at my son.  “My concern with Mick is that he and Iris tended to play games with their ability, which caught enough notice for my secretary to file it in the report.  There are some out there who prey on those with abilities such as yours, so being a little more cautious tends to be wise.”

 That sounded far too believable.  I probably should have chewed those two out more often, but I had never believed anyone would have noticed their antics.  “You claim you can lift cars, and you can obviously lift us.  What else can you do, James?” I asked, wanting a firmer handle on whom I was dealing with.

 “So many things, Dad.  James is like a wizard combined with an overly strong fighter from some fantasy novel.” insisted Iris from behind me.

 I glanced back at her, surprised at how serious she looked.

 “I’ve also learned to make a great cup of tea.  My wife can be picky.” insisted James.

 “What’s that smell..?” questioned Mike longingly.

 Now that he mentioned it, I didn’t recognize the smell either, though I was certain it was food.  My mouth was already watering.

 “We’re almost to the kitchen, and Marco’s making you quite the treat.  I’m sure he won’t mind us passing through.  Just be prepared for a few samples.” encouraged James.

 The kitchen was as large as was fitting a house this size, and even there the fanciful engravings didn’t yield.  Every cabinet was beautifully carved, as were the very large table and chairs.

 Marco, the chef, was extraordinarily eager for us to sample “a few things” before we moved onward, despite assuring us that dinner would be ready soon.  Only when James pointed out there was more for us to see before dinner did Marco give way, giving us permission to pass through his kitchen into the garden beyond.

 The rain didn’t reach us as we followed James outside, hitting some invisible barrier and sliding away.

 “I don’t suppose you worry about getting struck by lightning.” I commented as I watched the sky.

 “Worried, no, but I didn’t find that to be pleasant either.” he told me sincerely.

 I stared at him, my eyes searching for any sign that he had ever been struck, but I found nothing, save for how confident he seemed.  

 “If your magic were stronger, you’d actually be able to guide a lightning bolt around you.  Iris has practiced enough that she could knock an assailant down with just the shock.” he commented, making me glance back at my daughter.

 “You can?” questioned Mick excitedly.

 She nodded, grinned, and said, “Yep, though I could take you in a fight without one.”  

 “All trained up now, are you?” questioned Mark, my eldest son.

 Iris laughed, shaking her head.  “You wouldn’t believe the standards here.”

 “I take it that James is the strongest, being the boss.” suggested Mike.

 James shook his head and said, “Not even close.”  Then he pointed to a fortress in the distance and asked “Do you see the keep over there?”

 I nodded along with a couple of my sons.

 “The strongest best friend created that with a stray thought.” claimed James.

 “What!?  No way!” exclaimed Mike.

 Nodding, James said, “She showed up in my office to tell me that she ‘oopsed’ a second after.  She’s been training recently to avoid that type of mistake.  I imagine she’ll be capable of creating a large city in a day on a whim within a few years.  I’d probably spend at least a week on a small town, and that’s if I collected the resources ahead of time.”

 I found the idea mind-boggling.  James seemed humble as he claimed that he could create a small town in a week.

 “You’d take at least a month, man-sla-... er… boss?” announced Emma, turning the statement into a question at the end.  “You get too distracted.  I could handle a village in an hour!”  She was soaked, but grinning.

 Before my eyes, the water soaking her clothes drifted away to join the rain outside.

 “Emma, I’m sure you remember Iris’ father, Grayson.  This is her mother, Mirabella.  From oldest to youngest, her brothers are Mark, Mick, Mike, and Matt.  Everyone, this is my gardener, Emma.”

 “Shouldn’t I be your favorite gardener?” she asked teasingly.

 “Sure.” he conceded.

 “Hear that?  I’m his favorite!” she exclaimed proudly.

 “Do you create villages with a stray thought?” questioned Mike.

 “Nah.  I do this.” she replied, watching us all.  After a couple seconds, wooden buildings rose out of the ground between the garden and the keep.

 “Mine would have functional electricity, plumbing, and the other luxuries people expect these days.” argued James with a smile.

 She stuck her tongue out at him.  Then she said, “My plumbing would work if I created a water tower.  Plants can be very good at guiding water.  As for electricity, I’ve been talking with Jarod about ways to generate a current with plants.  We have plans and stuff!”

 “You mean he had a crazy idea and chatted your ear off.” suggested James.

 “I thought the idea was cool and agreed to try eventually!” she insisted.

 “The idea was actually Maxine’s.  She has some experience with bioengineering from when she considered creating a cyborg army.” corrected Mila, who had discretely joined us without me noticing.

 “You can create cyborgs!?’ questioned Matt excitedly.

 “There has been some tech created here which could be used toward that end, but we’re not experimenting on people.” explained James.

 “I didn’t know you were in the tech industry.” commented my wife.

 James smiled at her and diplomatically told her “My company dabbles in many things to help prepare our best friends for a very large variety of jobs.”

 Grinning, Emma said, “He means to say ‘Yes.  Yes, we are.’  Mua ha ha ha ha!”  She drummed her fingers together while obviously attempting to look like some comic book villain.

James sighed and said, “Emma, mind getting rid of your starter village and showing the Storms how you help the kitchen?”

 “Fiiiine,” she begrudgingly told him, “but I might use some buildings to compliment the topiary when I change things up again.”

 “Sounds fun.” he agreed.

 From there, she started demonstrating how she could make the plants grow, revert to seeds, or provide as much food as she wanted.  She could also force plants to grow beyond their normal proportions and control them as easily as she controlled her own limbs, which led her into demonstrating how she had produced the bats her team had used for our baseball game.  Before she seemed remotely ready to quit demonstrating her abilities, Mila announced that food was ready.

 Instead of eating at the long table in the kitchen, we were taken to a large dining hall with an even more elaborate table.  There were already carts of food waiting nearby, and Mila urged us to help ourselves, since no one here would hesitate when they arrived.

 As we ate, we were entertained with more demonstrations of magic from those who had joined us.  James’ wife, Alma, created elaborate displays of fire and ice.  Ai and Mai created a sort of play with tiny figures made of water acting out their parts just above the table.  Jemal fetched more food for the particularly hungry using nothing but his magic, causing whatever was requested to float through the air.  James himself demonstrated illusions, making us see whatever he wanted while assuring us the magic the others had used was real.  Whether because I had felt myself being lifted earlier or because he had no reason to lie, I believed him.  Iris’ boss was the most interesting, and perhaps the most dangerous, man I had ever met.

[meowzfordayz]

Hey there! Emma-Chan here :D

I just saw your Milestone 10.0 options and I‘ve been searching for an opportunity like this for so. Damn. Long. You won‘t believe it! Anyways: Idrk how it works like- do I just have to tell some things about myself and then you‘ll pick a character? I hope I got it right, if not I‘ll message you about it to inform myself better! :] Okay so, my personality is kind of weird tbh 😅 I‘d say that I‘m a very kind person at times, also very generous. If I see a lost kid in a village (or an adult that seems lost) I‘ll go to them and ask if they are okay, hoping I can help in some way. I also greet a lot of ppl to make their day a little better, because it also makes me happy, knowing I made others happy. Even for a split second! Anyone could use some extra happiness…

On the other hand I sometimes tend to get angry quickly as well. For example when I‘m training and would be breathing heavily due to exhaustion, I‘d be very close to screaming and just tearing everything apart in my reach because I want to be able to do so much more, I want to have better stamina, be stronger and be capable of so much more than now… And my rage is often mixed together with sadness or frustration so I start to cry rather quickly as well. If I bump into someone while running, I‘m the one that ends up on the ground, trying my best to not cry. I am fucking touch starved yet very affectionate. If I had a partner (hoping for Tanjiro) I‘d definitely jump on their back sometimes, hold hands, hug them at least 20 times a day and give them kisses in their face, on their hands- anywhere!

I like dancing and singing (Not a flex but I can swing my body like a snake like- it‘s such a smooth motion and I‘d love to show my partner my Dances from time to time) and can act childish at times. If I accomplished something I throw my hands up in the air and shout „YAY!!“ not caring who‘s watching because nobody gives a shit about it anyways. Or when someone says I‘m wrong I either get angry at them or (when I‘m calm which happens rarely) I say „you‘re right, sorry for assuming wrong“ and just go on about my day. I‘m spending a lot of time overthinking stuff so I‘d probably end up going to my partner for comfort or train or make something for my partner. Like a poem, some lyrics of a song or just buy something from a town nearby. If my partner accomplished something, for example during training, I‘ll run up to them once they are done and give them a big hug and smooches on the face 😌

Ofc there are moments where I am worried when we aren‘t on missions together (bc I‘d totally be a demon slayer) Basically all the time when we don‘t see each other.

My partner would probably have to be around me at almost all times because I don‘t like loud noise and get scared of them easily, I mean like- I panic when I see a balloon and I‘m walking around it at the fastest rate possible (and also very far from it if I can) Another fear I have are spiders. Someone just has to say the word and I get images of them, having some black outs and my body shakes uncontrollably. I also am unable to communicate in these moments. I tend to sweat whether quickly and much so I often tend to avoid holding hands while walking around unless it‘s winter because I don’t want to make my partner‘s hands wet :( When together with me: Expect me to give you compliments at all times! 🤗 If my partner is up for that: I‘d definitely take them out sometime. A nice stargazing date or just a calming walk under the sun. I want to give my partner as much affection as I want to revive, if not even more! I tend to make friends quickly whenever I speak to someone and find them nice, we‘ll end up chatting the whole time. (One of my friends said that I‘m famous because I know multiple people from a different class-) I also tend to have a crazy side, only with my bestie tho. We‘d definitely be making crazy sounds, I‘d be the one cussing everyone out and she gets some weird sounding ideas which we end up doing. The two of us are great entertainment honestly xD. I also show my partner a lot of stuff like: Look what I did, A poem! What do you think? (Then comes their opinion) If someone talks about me behind my back, I‘ll definitely notice at some point but won‘t say anything to the person, unless I‘m mad at them. Then I‘ll be like: „Oh yea? Game on b*tch. Say it to my face.“ So my partner would also have to keep me from getting into fights:,) I feel like a puppy because I am fucking clingy and would 1000000000% cling to my partner whenever I see them.

Guess I‘ll just also say my sexuality and gender cause why not? 😅

I‘m pansexual and trigender! (Female, male and non-binary) and my pronouns are also all of these pronouns (he/she/they) 😁💞

Anyways, I pretty much think that‘s it if you need more, just text me! And I really hope this isn‘t to detailed or specific… (God how badly I‘m praying for some Tanjiro Headcanons 😩🙏) But ofc no pressure, though that doesn‘t sound like it, I mean it. I‘m just saying what I‘m hoping for. I‘d rlly love to receive either Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Nezuko or Kanao! So Imma go off now and hope for it :D

Byeee, Hope you have a great day/night and sry for writing an awful lot 😭🙏

~Emma-Chan<3 (Also an anon from now on! 😁💞👌)

MILESTONE 10.0

💞: Kamado Tanjirou

does his best to fall asleep after you — out of affection, protectiveness, and sheer competitiveness. The one time you thought he fell asleep first, he'd actually set an alarm to wake himself up an hour later (he does his best to wake up before you too, because how else is he supposed to take adorable photos of you drooling?).

blushes any and every time you compliment him. From winking playfully at him to outright telling him, "You're wonderful," he swears his cheeks are stained a permanent pink (of course, yours are stained too, "Hello lovely sweetheart," being his favorite way to greet you).

researches elaborate recipes for your Friday date nights — oftentimes ending in spaghetti or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, because turns out preparing puffer fish isn't fit for a novice chef... Not to mention your neighbor politely ringing your doorbell midway through the evening (they thought something was Seriously wrong, when in fact you were simply screaming as Tanjirou chased you with a spoonful of mystery sauce that, "I promise it's edible!").

[dreaminpetals]

could i request hcs for naib and Jjseph reacting to their gn s/o coming back from a match severely wounded? like broken bones or having been left to bleed out (i saw someone hc that bleeding out feels like actually dying and someone else hc that the surv is left in a comatose state while they recover from exsanguination and i RAN with it)

🔪 naib and joseph react to mortally wounded s/o . . . 🎞

tw: emetophobia and blood

NAIB SUBEDAR ;;

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♡ jack had left you to bleed out after being rescued. he chased martha all the way across moonlit while you writhed in pain inches away from the rocket chair. it was so excruciating that you considered chairing yourself so you could seek medical help immediately, but your legs were broken. you couldn't move an inch.

♡ once you finally went comatose, you faded back to the manor and martha hopped into the dungeon, panicking when she saw the blood pooling below you.

♡ his foggy blades had ripped through everything you had and you weren't looking good. you were rushed to the emergency wing where emily tended to you. the doctor was thankful you were comatose, because if you were conscious the disinfectants she used were so strong you would have let out screams of agony that she could never forget.

♡ naib burst through the doors the moment he heard of your condition. he kicked a hole in the wall when he saw how many machines you were hooked up to.

♡ had he been there, he never would have let this happen. martha is young, inexperienced. she wouldn't have been willing to sacrifice herself for you either. naib would have broken all of his bones himself if it could save you from simply bruising one.

♡ the usually stoic naib was wracked with grief, hiccuping back sobs and clinging to your bandaged frame. emily's heart broke as she heard him mutter "don't go, please baby don't leave me," whenever your breathing would spike.

♡ naib is furious with himself and with everyone who let this happen to you. his fists shake his rage and he nearly bites the head off anyone who tries to speak to him.

♡ none of the other survivors can console him. when he does leave your room, his actions are frantic and his interactions with others are limited. naib has complete hope that you'll wake up and he doesn't want to miss it. also, as much as he doesn't want to admit, he wants to be the first thing you see when you rise.

♡ the doctor and mercenary grew quite close over their shared anguish for you. naib would take your vitals as you slept and help flush out your IVs when necessary. he has some experience with tending to wounded soldiers so he knows all about the proper procedures for you.

♡ however, he's never seen something like exsanguination before. he can't bear to see you be drained. naib has seen plenty of disturbing and life altering sights but he needs to step out of the room when his lover is undergoing such a process. it would traumatize him more than your status already has.

♡ he cries himself to sleep every night. the thought of losing you claws the breaths out of his throat. he pulls up a bed beside yours and stays stationed there all night, only leaving when necessary.

♡ your steady breaths in the dead of the night help to ease his nerves but he can't stay asleep for too long in case that breathing stops and he isn't able to save you again.

♡ on the day you're scheduled to wake up, naib prepares a feast and a bouquet for you. you receive several bouquets from your friends, but naib consulted emma for the best, most romantic flowers to choose.

♡ your eyes flutter open to the sight of naib jogging towards you, eyes as wide as saucers as his fingers run through his hair in disbelief. so overjoyed he can't form a single word. he peppers you with kisses and his hot tears drip onto your cheeks.

♡ the bags under his eyes are a sign that naib hasn't been boding well with your affliction. pull him into your chest, mindful of any tubes you may still be connected to, and let him rest there. speak every once in a while or card your fingers through his chestnut hair stained with sweat so he knows that you're still with him.

♡ when he wakes up to you smiling down at him, he knows things will be okay. of course he'll be extra protective of you, but this has taught him that you won't go down without a fight. it's a tad reassuring for the mercenary.

♡ once you're able to walk and fight again, naib never lets you play against jack again for good measure, and he never leaves your side during matches. it doesn't matter how many rescuers the team has, naib is staying. and he's not letting you out of his reach, never again.

JOSEPH DESAULNIERS ;;

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♡ joseph knows what courting a survivor entails. you're going to be hurt by the people he lives with and there's nothing he can do about it. he warns everyone to be gentle with his s/o, but the photographer's words fall to deaf ears during grisly rank matches.

♡ this match was one of those. one where zero survivors made it past the exit gate and the feaster was left to triumph over his four victims.

♡ you had been left to bleed out after reaching your self heal limit. hastur's mighty tentacle whipped you stronger than usual, breaking your ribs and leaving you wheezing for air. the red waves of pain that pulsed through your body with every breath left you a bawling puddle on the ground, curling into a fetal position as you silently pleaded to a god that wasn't listening for the last kiter to be chaired already.

♡ mike was finally stuffed into a chair and flown back to the manor while you oozed into the ground and landed on the cold tiled floor of the manor with a thud. he gasped when he saw your condition and alerted emily right away.

♡ laying in the hospital bed, joseph teleported into the room with knitted brows and a green tint to his complexion. the sheen of bile on his chin told you he had thrown up before arriving.

♡ your approaching lover, screaming as he saw your eyes close, was the last thing you witnessed before passing out for days.

♡ as far as joseph knew, you were dead.

♡ for the second time in his life, he lost the most important person to him. he shrieked and whimpered out sobs that chilled emily to the bone. she had to explain right away that you were alive, only comatose, and you were expected to make it through.

♡ the photographer didn't believe her. he saw the bones sticking out of your torso and the blood staining your shirt, he wasn't blind. his lover was dead.

♡ emily had to politely usher him out of the room as she and aesop went to work on your body, draining the blood to restore you to your former glory. this has happened to survivors before and you were no exception.

♡ as they operated on you, joseph struggled to walk back to your room. he clung to the walls and tables lining the hallways of the manor but nothing could propel his legs to move. they felt like bricks, chaining him down to the cold tiles you collapsed on upon your doomed arrival.

♡ there isn't a shred of hope inside of joseph's body. he isn't an optimistic person, especially not when he saw his darling draw their final, ragged breath. you had the death rattle. the same rattle claude had in his final moments.

♡ he saw aesop approach your hospital room. joseph took this as a sign of your departure, when it really was emily asking for a second hand to improve your chances of survival. all the critical thinking skills leave joseph's body when you're in any sort of danger.

♡ for days he laid in your bed back in your bedroom and slept with your clothes until your scent drifted away, replaced with his musty one from not bathing. he didn't want to wash you off of him. there was a small fleck of your blood on his sleeve that he would cherish forever as a memento of you.

♡ just as he became obsessed with capturing people after claude's death, joseph was itching to claim some lives due to yours. firstly he was going to snap a picture of the barbaric feaster who dared to steal his love away from him, then the survivors in the match with you who could have saved you.

♡ his final photograph was going to be your gorgeous corpse so you could truly be preserved forever.

♡ dragging his camera equipment down the halls, he was promptly stopped by emily calling his name. she told him to come to the hospital wing to visit you.

♡ he was appalled that the doctor would dare to ask him to look at his dead lover while he was busy avenging them. joseph was moments away from trapping her in his camera world for all of eternity, pinning the woman down and reaching for his film, when she exclaimed that you were awake.

♡ he gripped his lens so hard it shattered and cut his hands.

♡ with a snap of his fingers, joseph teleported back to your bedside where you were eating a plain cheese sandwich, a bit groggy with a bedhead but awake.

♡ he thought he was hallucinating.

♡ but he wasn't.

♡ you perked up where you sat and he dashed into your arms, deep cries rumbling from his chest as his tears stained your gown. his nose was dripping with snot and he had an almost vacant stare on his face as he scanned your features. feeling down your body, his hands ghosted against some bloodstained bandages wrapped tightly against your torso. he could feel your heartbeat thrum beneath his fingertips. you were okay.

♡ you were okay.

♡ you were okay.

♡ joseph proposed to you and promised to murder any hunter who hurts you again. they all listen to him.

♡ though joseph's possessiveness and obsessiveness over you grew tenfold, you were never going to be hurt again and the thought lulled him to sleep every night as you snored in his arms. he was going to protect this innocent bundle sleeping with him until he drew his last breath.