laurennicole-89

[nachohypno]

Nate and Dave - Ch. 15

Dave’s POV

I’m sure you already know how much a single person can change a whole lot of your way to see the world, or have your life take a 180° turn (Had to look this up, angles are weird.) just by standing in a corridor.

Now I was just happy to stare at my phone’s unlocked background. A pic I took of us while cuddling. I was kissing his cheek and staring at the camera, while he just laid below me, his face had a little smile and his eyes were closed.

He loved that pic. I loved it too, it was both cute and wholesome. Never been one to do those things, nor even Leslie managed to get me to change my Dallas’ Cowboys background, and we had a lot more pics together than Nate and I do.

It was a nice distraction. I would sometimes just unlock my phone to see that pic and feel a bit warm inside as I imagined spending more time with my soulmate. I loved him a lot, and I wouldn’t mind sticking around with him for a day, or two, or the rest of my life, just to make sure he has all he needs to be happy like I am when I’m near him.

We sat together at school, yeah. Nobody batted an eye. We hung out during our breaks, still no big catastrophe happened. After school, we usually have a date or spend some time together before heading to our respective houses (As much as I’d like, having daily sleepovers wouldn’t be wise).

According to… everyone in the world who knows that I’m hanging out with Nate (Which may be just 2 or 3 people that I’m aware of), the guy had a really positive impact on my behavior. He’s always encouraging me to help whenever I can and to be… nicer, in general.

I’ve already apologized to one of my favorite targets a few weeks ago, but decided to fully leave them alone. In my house, however, I’ve been trying to honor my soulmate’s wishes doing some house chores to help mom and pops around. I still don't think I'm ready to 'change my public image' that much. Kicking nerd's asses is fun... but mean and unnecessary.

Mowing the lawn, going grocery shopping, cleaning around whenever my parents seemed quite tired to do it, that kind of thing. My room wasn’t a messy place before, but now I could spend less time looking for my stuff!

And now… Nate was at his house. I left him there per his request, he told me we could hang out later today! But first, he had some homework to do.

I looked around and noticed the door was closed. I dropped my shirt and pants, felt the locket’s cold metal against my chest, and dropped on my bed.

I wasn’t intending to take a nap, just close my eyes and think of my soulmate was a nice enough plan for my evening.

As I closed my eyes, images of my first day with him invaded my happy place. Me getting his scent, slowly walking over to his locker, and noticing the guy I never paid attention to, the one that sat a few rows in front of me, and was usually in the middle of the way when I threw paper balls around.

Now that I thought of it, maybe I never noticed him because he always hid? He was hiding right now; it was obvious that he was using his locker as a cover. I stood there, though. Taking in the smell. Feeling myself realizing more and more of that nice thought I had never thought about after my pops told me about that weird phenomenon.

…I had found my soulmate. The love of my life… It wasn’t my girlfriend, but a guy from my class… I frowned both in the real world and in my fantasy.

In the fantasy world, I lifted and kissed him. He didn’t fight back, just returned the love I was giving him by returning my kiss. I didn’t care if anyone watched us. I loved this guy, and I still do now.

I love Nate Hall.

I rubbed my crotch in the real world, as I kept kissing him in my fantasy. That was more than enough. A single kiss, a single thought about my soulmate being happy and in love with me could make me so hard and horny…

“Dave?” A voice said. My soulmate’s? It sounded so different though… I kept kissing him. This was perfect. He was perfect. He was the love of my life, of course he was perfect! “Daaaaave?”

Was there someone invading my fantasy? Oh, wait…

I opened my eyes and saw a familiar face standing there, wide eyed. I had my hand on my hard crotch, rubbing it. This was definitely an uncomfortable position to be found at. I could normally hear when people are walking towards my room, but maybe I was so out of it this time that I didn’t hear him.

“Fuck, sorry— Didn’t wanna—” My cousin said. What the fuck was he doing here, anyway?! In my room! When the fuck did he arrive?!

“Shut the fuck up! And close the door!” I commanded, feeling anger building up on my chest, totally replacing the warm feeling from a few seconds ago.

Brad Walker. My cousin was my height, which was a bit funny given that he was a few years older than me. He was muscled too, but his shoulders seemed wider as his torso formed a sort of upside down triangle. He was a rugby player, maybe it had to do with that.

By looking at his face alone, he could pass as a brother because of the resemblance. He had the Walker’s smile, looking both chilled while also managing to look a bit menacing to keep everyone in their toes.

Doesn’t give him much use, given that he’s a Beta.

Brad closed the door behind him, and laid back on it. “Off to a rocky start, I guess. Let’s try that again… Hey, cuz!”

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. I could feel the anger diminishing. I thought of my soulmate, how would he react if he saw me like this. He would want me to be nice and polite to my cousin. I wanted that too, I wanted to be nice to him. I’m so hot-headed sometimes…

I smiled at Brad, and took a few steps forward to give him a bro hug. After that, I walked over to my bed and sat on the edge. “Hey man, wat’cha doin’ around here?”

“Uncle hasn’t told you? Pops and him thought about doing a little reunion, so we drove over and… here we are.” Brad left his hands in his pockets as he looked around. I noticed I was still almost naked, but didn’t give it much thought. I did put some shorts on, though. “Just the big guys, though. Mom was tired and decided to stay at home with the young ones, so it’s just pops, Logan and me today. The guys asked me to get you downstairs, so… shall we go?”

I pointed to my almost naked body. “Give me a few minutes, alright?”

-----

Dressed up in some shorts and a grey tank top, I walked downstairs with Brad following me closely.

Pops was there, with his brother and my other cousin. I walked over to Logan and gave him a brohug. I liked my cousins, they were like brothers.

“Hey man,” Logan greeted me after the hug. It was nice seeing him. Well, like, nice and not nice, because he was pretty annoying sometimes. So I hoped he didn’t get very annoying tonight. “Damn, you look buffed. Taking steroids already?”

I rolled my eyes. “Why do you ask? Need some to stop being so thin, cuz?”

“I swear I still don’t know how he's not broken after kicking that ball. Y’look like a stick, bruh” Brad backed me up. I liked that about Brad, he was pretty loyal.

Logan laughed. He’s not one of those chums who get mad at every tiny insult. He’s pretty easy going in that regard. Would need to learn from him, because I am one of those chums who get mad at every tiny insult. “Don’t pull my dick, assholes” He punched my shoulder, softly.

Even though Logan was a year older than me, he was an ass. And that’s coming from me.

Logan… He was alright, I guess. Not really very muscly like me or Brad, nor our parents for that matter. That’s because he liked soccer, ugh. Not even weightlifting, nah. Just soccer and cardio.

That got him looking well in a soccer uniform with long socks and knee pads, but… I really should reconsider his standing in my pack. Meh, might as well let him in just because he’s family, but I’ll most likely order him to start working out more to be a real wolf bro. (I’ll get into this later.)

“Uh… don’t wanna be rude or anythin’ but… how long are you guys staying? Thought about having a friend coming over and-”

“Ooooh, is it your girlfrieeend?” The soccer cuz said, moving his fingers towards my face. I slapped his hand off me, and he laughed. “Big meanie Daveee has a girlfrieeeend” He was like a little kid when it came to annoying others, and the worst part was that he nailed it.

“Oh, shut it, bro. You’re just jealous- Wait, that’s not what I was going to ask”

“Dad and uncle Adam thought about doing some beefs for tonight, soooo… family dinner, I guess? We don’t really hang out often, so I thought it would be nice. Besides, we all love beef” Brad answered, holding his arms behind his head and stretching for a bit.

“We’re about to leave, actually,” Uncle Thomas said, grabbing his car keys. “Gonna buy some meat and drinks for tonight. Y’guys wanna come? Hey cub, haven’t seen you in months...” 

I greeted my uncle with a firm handshake, before he gave me a little punch on the abs. “Strong as a rock. Not bad, kiddo.” He ruffled my hair, before turning his attention back to my pops.

I was a bit too worried to think about hitting the store. Nate was supposed to come after he finished his homework, so we could spend the night together. I was supposed to pick him up. Fuck, what am I gonna do?

I shook my head and remained silent. Brad followed suit with a “Yeeaaah… No, been in that car for an hour and I’d really like to move my legs.”

“Pussies,” Logan said in a snarky tone. I raised my eyebrow, but decided to take care of him later. “I’ll go, may find some hot chicks in this friggin’ town…” 

My uncle looked similar to my dad, just a few little differences. Dark blond hair, a bit longer. Their sizes were similar, but my dad was bigger. It was weird to think that my uncle was the one who activated the werewolf curse in a bar fight and not my dad.

If you kill someone, whether it was intentional or accidental, you can’t transform into neither your werewolf or full wolf forms without experiencing a lot of pain. Could be avoided by never turning into those forms but…

Transformation is mandatory during the full moon. This whole thing seemed really thought out to punish those who don’t follow the rules, right?

Brad grabbed my arm “Hey, since we’re staying behind apparently, wanna catch up?” He pointed back to the stairs, probably wanting to go to my room.

I nodded, nothing better to do. And it would give me some time to think about what excuse I could give Nate.

Again in my room, Brad closed the door behind me. “So… a friend? I mean, the locket already gave me an idea but I didn’t you were bringin’ her to your place already…”

“It’s nothing, really…” It was something, a lot. I loved wearing this locket, it reminded me of Nate. Thus meaning, it was pure bliss in a single necklace.

“So, what’s the locket for? Always thought you’d end up with that Leslie chick you talked so much about” Oh, I forgot. My cousins never met my ex.

I shook my head, but was kind of hesitant to talk about it. In the end, I eased myself to the idea as I thought more about Nate. “Got a soulmate now, cuz.” Was my answer. I was proud of myself! Not even a half of the average werewolf population gets to meet their soulmate once in their lives!

I was lucky, it was like, one in a whatever-number-of-people-there-are-in-Earth!

“Waitwaitwait, not gettin’ it. So, you and Leslie… or is it another girl?”

“It’s a guy, his name is Nate” I mumbled out quickly. I wasn’t embarrassed, but at the same time, I felt like a chunk of ice just fell through my stomach. 

Silence.

“So… you’re gay now?” Brad said, giving me a thumbs up. “It’s alright, I don’t mind gay people”

I honestly couldn’t get how he got that assumption. “What? What makes you think that?”

“You’re with a guy, like dating and loving him and you even have a locket… I mean, that’s pretty gay. But it’s cool, it’s not that weird. Lots o’ people take some time to discover their sexuality and stuff— Uh… Cuz?”

I stared at him. Not staring, actually. I was glaring at him.

Brad gulped. “I fucked up, didn’t I?” While he did sound afraid, his face displayed a mix of nervousness and worry. I always laughed at him when he asked if he fucked up, like it was a regular thing for him to do but still needed other’s approval about it.

I just glared at him, making sure he knew I wasn’t happy. I walked forward and held my gaze into his, trying out my favorite part of being an alpha.

As I focused on him, his expression slowly started to relax, then vanish, as his pupils dilated.

“On your knees” I commanded, making sure he got it as an order, not a ‘humble request’.

His blank face didn’t move an inch, as he dropped to his knees and looked forward. His eyes, besides the pupils being dilated, looked glazed over as his irises changed from hazel to pure yellow. The beta color!

“Who’s your alpha?” I mocked him, as he blankly stared ahead.

“You are, sir. David Walker is my alpha” Brad droned. I ruffled his hair. He was a good beta. 

“And who do you have to be respectful towards?”

“My alpha, sir. Being respectful towards their alphas is the sign of a good beta, sir” Brad answered, in a matter of fact voice.

…I should probably explain what the heck is going on.

I’m an alpha. I’ve mentioned quite a few times already, but I never mentioned anything about other ranks.

You have omegas, who are wolves without a pack. They’re usually weaker than alphas and betas. Then there are the betas, werewolves already in a pack.

Omegas can survive quite well on their own, it’s not a requirement to have a pack. But if you want to get stronger… Getting an alpha is the best you can do.

That’s one of the reasons Pops is so proud of me. He and mom conceived an alpha in their first try! Nate usually nerds out about me sounding like a “Jerry Stud” whatever the fuck that is.

So, since I’m an alpha, both my older cousins are ‘my pack’ to call it some way. And you just got to see one of my favorite alpha skills.

Much like a soulmate bond, being a beta for an alpha makes them completely loyal to the alpha, which means… I have some degree of control over them. Not as much control as my love has over me, but still… It’s fun!

“So, won’t you apologize for calling me a fag— Uh… gay?” I’m still getting used to not using that word. Everything for my Nate. Can’t be a bully anymore, right?

I didn’t have to ask twice. Brad seemed to struggle a bit against it, but after a few seconds he said “I apologize, sir. I didn’t intend disrespecting you like that…” It was a cold, empty apology. But it did the trick. I’m not a picky guy, he’s my cuz after all.

But that did make me wary. Should I tell Nate to not come after all, at least until these guys leave? Fuck, they were going to ruin my evening with my soulmate.

“Uh… what do you think about my soulmate being a guy?” I walked in front of him, back and forth. I was trying to think what would be the wisest decision here. A second opinion would be useful.

“I personally don’t care, sir. You can love whoever you want, especially if you met your second half.” My cousin answered.

“I mean, yeah. But what would Uncle Thomas and Logan say if they found out about it?” I should uh… ‘wake him up’ or whatever already. But I liked him this way. You can say I’m a dominant guy. Not saying I lust over my cuz, that would be incest, but ordering him around is fun.

“I don’t really know. He’s your soulmate, they shouldn’t say anything. Logan is a fellow beta though, it wouldn’t be wise to fear anything from him. He’s as loyal to you as I am, my alpha.” Not going to lie, I loved hearing that.

Being in control of the situation, having everyone in my surroundings looking forward to being with me, or do as I say out of fear/respect/whatever… That’s why I loved the not-studying-part of school!

As a little reward for his opinion, I did what Nate would have done to me if I did particularly good: Scratch the back of his ear. Brad’s head got some emotion again, as he got closer to my hand and started panting with his tongue out.

“There, there. Good beta cuz” I mumbled, as I machinated a plan in my head. I had an idea, but it would be a bit… not ideal. I stopped scratching the good spot, and his expression blanked out again. I crouched in front of him, and looked straight into his eyes. “I want you to listen very clearly to me, understood? Listen and do as your alpha says…”

If Brad wasn’t in ‘beta mode’ before, then he definitely was now. His irises were still a bright yellow, but his pupils were even smaller now. “I’d do anything for my alpha, sir” placing a hand on his chest. I knew what that symbolized, I used that expression with Nate before. It freaked him out a little.

“Y’know, my soulmate is kinda a big deal for me so… I want you to treat him like a king, alright? No mean or cocky comments, just be nice to him and I’ll be nice to you, got it?” I had to search for the words to say this, it wasn’t really a piece of cake as I expected. “Think of him as an extension of your alpha. Make him feel good and do what he says, and you’ll be good to go.”

He frowned a bit, but his face quickly eased up. “As you command, my alpha. Your soulmate’s wellbeing will be my top priority, sir.”

Yeah, that’s more like it. “Get up now.” I said and just… walked away from him. I wasn’t interested in bossing him around anymore, not for now at least. But actually…

“Lift your shirt.” One last command wouldn’t hurt, and he obeyed without a question, like a good beta. I walked towards him and gave him a little punch on his abs. Didn’t even flinch, he was keeping up with me! Of course, I wanted the best for my pack! “And… Beta out.”

My cousin snapped out of whatever that was, his yellow irises returning to a nice hazel, as his pupils got back to normal. He grabbed his phone from his pocket and smiled. “Huh, 5 minutes. Wonder what you did there” The guy said, smiling at me.

He couldn’t get mad at me. I was his alpha! I mean, he could… but there wasn’t much he could do about it!

“Meh, you don’t really care, do you?” I said, trying to sound uninterested.

Brad shook his head. “Nah, I really don’t. I really trust ya, cuz. Best alpha around!” Couldn’t tell if he was following the ‘you don’t really care’ thing, or if he was being honest, but I didn’t really care.

“That’s a good beta” I mumbled, going closer to him again to scratch the back of his ear. God bless Nate and discovering that hidden pleasure for me. I loved when he did that to me, as I mentioned, and I loved doing it to other wolves, too!

“What are you two ladies doin’ up here- What the hell are you two doing?” Logan entered the room. My other older cousin, although younger than Brad. Rather than being as muscular as we were, he was more chilled. Yeah, he was in good shape, but he didn’t look like a big gym bro like us.

This was probably due to him preferring Soccer rather than football or rugby. Each to their own, but soccer isn’t that fun to begin with? I tried to not give it much thought and respect his hobbies.

“Brad, close the door and put on some music.” I ordered him, walking over to Logan and wrapping an arm around his small soccer player’s shoulders. “You just made my whole evening way easier, lil’ cuz”

I wondered if Nate would like this. I’d have to send him a message telling him that I wouldn’t be able to pick him up… That felt bad, but at least these guys wouldn’t bother him tonight!

-------

Nate’s POV

Dave invited me to his house, but asked me to walk over. He told me we could have a family dinner, which was alright. I liked his family. Mr. Walker was funny and Ms. Walker was really nice to us. We just had one family dinner and Dave spent most of his time zoned out.

And also, there was a full moon, which I didn’t get to see.

Was I glad they considered me ‘family’? It pushed me out of my freaking mind when Dave sent me that text.

I was walking slowly. Not like a snail and doing baby steps, but I felt like I should slow down as much as I could and… be fashionably late? It was a good walk, from my house to his. But I didn’t mind.

The town was quiet, not much stuff happening as I walked out of my house, and on the way to Dave’s neighborhood.

I thought about buying some ice cream or some nice dessert to make a good impression this time, but hey, I don’t really think they’ll care about it that much. They highly prefer meat, as far as I know.

Stopping in the middle of the way, I grabbed my phone and checked my maps app. “Should have arrived 10 minutes ago… fuck, that shortcut would have been really useful…” I mumbled to myself, changing my route and getting back on the way.

I was nervous at fuck, that maybe explained my silliness. And I also never walked to this part of town. It wasn’t… bad, but it was a bit more private than the usual neighborhoods, which fits Dave’s family pretty well due to them being werewolves, and stuff like that.

I still had some time to cancel and be like “Oh, hey. My… hamster pet is sick and I want to look after him?” I kind of sucked at making up excuses, that's why I never wanted to be late on homework due to laziness.

It was late now, just another block and...

I reached Dave’s house. It was weird arriving here on my own. Guess I really got used to my soulmate acting as my personal driver.  

The rooms inside were on, Dave’s car and his dad’s were outside the garage. The closer I got to the front door, the louder I would hear laughter coming from inside. Were they having  visits? It didn’t sound like Dave’s laugh. His laugh was… deep and dumb-sounding.

I stopped now. What if they had visits? What if Dave didn’t tell them I was coming? I was shaking a bit, before taking a deep breath. 

Taking my final steps to be in front of the main door, I knocked and waited for someone. Loud footsteps later, Adam Walker (Dave’s dad) opened the door.

“Hey bud. Didn’t know you were coming, but uh…” He motioned inside with his head. “Come in, the big guy is in his room with his cousins. We’re having a family dinner”

“Thanks, mr. Walker-” But he stopped me as I set a foot on the door. The older man leaned in and started whispering.

“Don’t be afraid. If you don’t want to be picked on tonight, try your best to not sweat as you did the last time. Dave will probably have you covered, though.” He patted my back, and moved aside to let me in. After that, he closed the door behind me. “Dinner will be ready in a bit so… feel free to go mingle with the guys upstairs.”

Uh… that wouldn’t be needed, apparently. Dave and a pair of guys were coming downstairs, and as soon as my puppy boy saw me, he rushed towards me to give me a big tight hug. “Missed you a lot, bruh! Didn’t know there was going to be more family tonight so… I’m really sorry for that. But I’m sure we’ll have a good time!”

The other two guys just stared at me, arms folded. One of them was big, and buffed. He had an absent smile, a bit creepy but also inviting. The other was smaller than him (And Dave, for that matter).

“Uh… since your uncle is here, these are…”

“Cousins, yuh” Dave finished the sentence. I made the connection on my own, but it was good to get some confirmation. “Big one’s Brad, small one’s Logan.”

“Hey, I’m not small!” Logan complained, trying to punch Dave’s arm. He didn't seem to do much damage though.

“Yeah, and I’m a bottom, heh” My werewolf jock replied, obviously mocking his cousin. I noticed Brad chuckling, and I couldn’t help but find that funny though. I always wondered if Dave would like to bottom at least once. I feel like he’d be alright if I asked him for it, due to me having full control and all that...

After the introduction was over, and both guys shook my hand, my focus shifted again to who I wanted to be with: Puppy boy was looking at me too.

“I can’t find the words to tell you how glad I am to see you here, though” Dave said, before pulling me in for a good make out session. In the middle of the living room. He was feeling happy or romantic, I assumed? I was surprised his cousins didn’t react at all, and just looked like they were watching some kind of movie.

“Wait, what the heck?” Oh geez.

A man blasted in the living room, and tried to separate me from Dave. The puppy boy reacted quickly though, and pushed him away. “What the fuck, old man?! This is my soulmate!”

Before the guy could go back at us, Dave’s dad popped in to save the day! “You guys just had to hold on for a bit until dinner was ready!” I felt like the ‘complaint’ was more directed towards who-I-thought-was Dave’s uncle, and Dave himself.

The puppy boy seemed a bit angry, he got in front of me and made sure I was out of view. It was a cute touch. I noticed the other two guys taking a step towards us too, like siding with Dave in this.

“Just, calm down, all of you, and start setting the table. Try to not take your eyes out while you do, alright?!” Mr. Walker surely knew how to take care of these situations. Was this a normal thing?

After a long stare, both guys nodded, and we all scrambled.

-----

I was sitting next to Dave and that other guy, Brad. Across me, Mr. Walker looked around with a calm expression, as he chewed on his meat piece. Thomas, Dave’s uncle, wasn’t exactly subtle when it came to me. His eyes were like daggers, fixated on me as I nervously stared at my plate.

It was amazing, and terrifying. The resemblance and also differences between both werewolves were quite noticeable. Mr. Walker was probably calm because he already knew about my thing with Dave. The cousins seemed to be quite attentive towards my every movement and sound. I felt like their eyes would automatically fixate on me at any little sound I would make, which was killing me inside. (Were they glowing yellow? Maybe it was my head playing tricks…)

Was I doing something wrong or offensive? I should excuse myself from the table.

“So…” Uncle Thomas started, before biting a big chunk of beef and gulping it down quickly. “Uh… soulmates, that’s neat. How did you two meet each other?”

‘First family dinner all over again…’ I thought to myself, as I tried to find the words for my answer.

“School, I was just walkin’ around and smelled him. Knew he was the one so… tried my best, huhuh.” Dave saved my ass, although his story was different this time. We lied during the first dinner. I couldn’t remember the excuse anymore, and that’s what bothers me about lies.

They’re usually hard to remember. That’s also the reason I’m a bad liar, my memory is awful.

“Yeah, that’s how it usually happens. You just walk around and get the smell, all the soulmate stories start exactly like that, ain’t that right?” Dave’s uncle looked at his brother next to him, who gave him a really angry looking frown.

“Go fuck yourself, got’cha?” I understood that reaction, The man lost his soulmate, I guess the memories were still painful? I’m no psychologist to tell.

“Yeah, sorry, shouldn’t have mentioned that… So uh… back to you, kiddo.” Oh, fuck. Dinner was nice, the meat was delicious! But Dave’s uncle didn’t seem to be… really fond of me. I was glad to see (Not really, now I sound like a dick) that he was bothering Mr. Walker too, so it’s nice to see that the consensus was… Dave’s uncle was a loud mouth ass. “You don't seem to have big muscles, but that's pretty much a given when you're a human."

“I’m sorry…” I mumbled, looking up at him. I tried to sound nice and not afraid, like Mr. Walker suggested before but… it was hard. “Not really good at sports and stuff like that, I guess-”

“Can see that. At least you’re a valedictorian, right?” I shook my head. High grades weren't my top priority. I did well at school, but didn’t focus enough for high grades to be a given. “No? That’s too bad.”

“Tom…” His brother tried to calm him. I noticed Dave needed some calm too. The big guy was clenching his fist with a lot of strength, as he held his knife with the other hand. He didn’t seem eager to cut the meat though, so I decided to step in for him.

I grabbed his fist beneath the table, feeling as it relaxed the longer I touched him. At the end, he grabbed my hand too, and I noticed his expression relaxed as well.

“Dad, don’t be such a dick. The guy’s fine, cut it out.” One of Dave’s cousins, big guy, uh… Brad! He seemed to be standing up for me, for some reason. He angrily stared at Dave’s uncle, without an apparent reason.

Uh… I felt like I was missing a big chunk of information here.

The uncle just stared back at his son, a bit surprised by his reaction. But before he could answer, or even react at all, Dave’s dad spoke up. “Well, it’s been fun, a neat reminder of why we never have family reunions, heh.”

“Ow, c’mon. It’s just a big friendly talk between men and…” He looked at me, seemingly ready to strike another insult. I grabbed Dave’s hand tighter.

But Dave’s dad didn’t give him the chance. “Dinner’s over. You guys will be going upstairs.”

“Roger that” I mumbled, leaving my plate with still a good chunk of meat. I didn’t let go of Dave’s hand, but he followed right after me.

“But I wanted a bit more beef...” The other cousin said. Logan, if I remember correctly. He was small, rather than muscled and big. I related to him because of that, glad to see not all male werewolves are big muscular people.

“Take the plate” Brad whispered to him, before following us upstairs.

“Okay, what’s going on-” I started to say, but my boyfriend shushed me.

“I’ll tell you all about it upstairs, just follow me and don’t make loud noises. Remember that they can hear everything in here” Dave interrupted me, as we went to his room. ‘Great, now my werewolf seems to be part of a mafia’.

-----

Locking the door behind us and his cousins, Dave ordered his cousins to stand aside, and they obeyed right away. “I’ll put some music here and…” His phone started playing some loud rock, but not loud enough to make the place feel annoying. “There, we can talk now.”

“Whaaat’s going on? And just tell me already, it feels quite bad to be insulted for no reason.”

“You weren’t really being insulted, bruh. I was.” Dave explained, motioning for me to go closer before leading me to his bed. “Uncle has… a bit of a problem, like pops has. But while pops knows when to shut his mouth, my uncle doesn’t, huh.”

“I don’t really see the insulting part there but continue…” I pointed out, but Dave just chuckled. Which seemed to cause a chain reaction and the werewolves guarding the door in front of us chuckled too.

“Sorry, yeah. Uh, well… My uncle is just bitter because my dad got an alpha son on his first try, me of course” I could figure that out on my own. The ‘I’m an alpha’ part I mean, he says it all the time. “Brad and Logan here are my betas. They were born as omegas, yeah, but I got them in my pack by willing choice because betas are usually stronger than omegas.”

The cousins were on the other side of the room. The small one, Logan, was tasting his meal with delight, while Brad leaned in to… hear our chat? They looked directly at Dave as soon as he mentioned them, before each one of them saying a “Hey” “‘Sup?”

“Why are they so… attentive?” Nosy mode on. I wanted to get answers, mostly because my curiosity was triggered now. ‘Obedient’ would have fitted better than ‘attentive’ though.

“Asked them to take care of you for the night, because I wasn’t sure if It would look good for me to do it. Pops is usually really fond of my uncle, but I think he didn’t like seeing him insulting my soulmate to get to me, bruh” Dave then put his arm around my shoulders and pulled me closer. “I can put them back to normal if you want me to, but… they don’t really mind, so why bother?”

Uhm… I risk myself sounding like a dick right now, but I found the idea of the two cousins under Dave’s control quite arousing… I’m not going to say it to him, of course! I didn’t want him to feel bad or anything if he saw his soulmate interested in other guys…

“Where are they going to sleep, by the way? Or are they leaving after a bit?” It was after dinner already so… it wasn’t a bad thing to ask. Like, we had school tomorrow...

“Living room, sofa. One of them, at least. I’ve got a sleeping bag, because they both can’t fit on the sofa, so while the guest room is occupied by my uncle and… yeah, I’ll go get that old thing. Gimme a sec.”

Dave got up from the bed and left the room, leaving me sitting there alone as the two cousins stared at me.

“Hope the meat is still good…” I told Logan, trying to sound nice. I felt a bit bad, Dave made them look after me, and that made them ‘defend’ me against their father. Yeah, I definitely feel bad now. “Sorry for crashing into the dinner.”

“You kiddin’? You seem like a cool guy, dad was just being an ass. It’s okay though, I think he likes you” Brad answered, and I feel like he’s the one “kiddin’” here. “He’s just… We don’t like family dinners, we do them out of courtesy. Nothing personal, dad can be naturally obnoxious sometimes”

I wanted to say sorry again or something like that, but that’s when Dave bursted in with the sleeping bag. “Y’guys play rock paper scissors to decide who’ll sleep with the alpha… Like, beside me, don’t get weird ideas.”

I chuckled, as Dave threw the sleeping bag next to the cousins, and started taking off his shirt as he walked towards me. “You’re sleeping over, right? It’s still early, but I can make up for the bad time by cuddling, if you’d like.”

To be honest, it felt like a good idea to distract me from that… failed family dinner night. Never again I’ll ‘crash’ into a Walker dinner (Even though Dave knew I was coming over). Too many surprises for a lifetime, thank you.

I laid down, rolled over to leave him room. We wouldn’t be sleeping yet, I hoped. The big guy laid down beside me and quickly pulled me in.

“Fuck…” 

“Yeah!” We turned towards the other guys and noticed Brad had won the rock paper scissors game. Logan just seemed defeated, he grabbed his empty plate and looked over at us.

“Well, g’night bros. Gonna be in the living room, I guess.”

“Buh-bye” Dave said, before turning around again and holding me in his arms. “Sorry again for all that before, bruh. Let's get some sleep, a’ight?”

Honestly, I think I didn't feel as offended as I should have. Best to just let things slide off, I guess. I decided to just nod, and doze off while hearing Brad setting up his sleeping bag. 

I didn’t pay him much mind, though. My puppy boy's hug felt nice enough to help me relax quite quickly...

--------------------

Author’s note:

Took me long enough. But chapter 16 went up already, so gotta keep up with the content.

Chapter 16 is available in my Patreon, but it will go up as soon as I publish Chapter 17 there. Shouldn’t be long, I feel very inspired lately! (Hopefully it won’t take as long as this one did 😅).

Thank you so much for reading, and I hope you enjoyed it <3.

[sylver-drawer]

A prompt in class had made me realize something deep within me—my hate for physical books.

Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t hate books because they’re physical. I’d actually love it, but rather what I despise…

Is what is contained within those books.

Where I live, physical books you can only get when visiting libraries or book stores unless specially ordered online. Yet I am never satisfied with what is offered to me, simply because, I’m tired of it.

I am so absolutely tired of seeing the same exact things over and over again.

To give an example, my tastes aren’t that condensed nor diverse. I love thriller, I love Mystery, but what I find the most interest in, is Fantasy Romance.

And saying that should already tell you exactly what I’m talking about.

I am so tired of seeing the exact same tropes over and over again. This is a problem in all stories, physical or online, in general—however, it appears to me that published and physical books are almost always having these qualities. When searching online, I can always somehow find at least a handful of stories that is different from the others and gives at least a fraction of what I need. But in libraries? Book stores? I can’t do that, because they all follow the same pattern one way or another because those tropes are what people only ever seem to want, which is why a lot of authors who stray from those tropes aren’t as well known.

Frankly, I’m tired of everything being reused or rebranded.

I wouldn’t mind the wizards and demons, the werewolves and vampires, if ONLY they weren’t just there to be there.

Let me explain. Witches and Wizards tend to follow the same pattern. People who use magic, which is simple enough. But the problem is, is that it ends with just that. In most stories I come across, wizards are included in a very weak magic system in which they can use magic to do basically anything they want. Something fell and broke? Use magic to fix it. There’s a fire? Summon water to put it out.

It’s simple. But that repeated simplicity is what makes me tired.

There is never any depth. There is no expansion or lore that explains the nitty gritty details, nor makes it important. Magic in fantasy stories, is most commonly, cause and effect. Problem, and fix. Something bad, changed to good. Hurt, then to heal.

In fantasy, magic is simply one layer—magic people can use magic to do anything. There’s no limit, there’s no depth, there’s nothing that makes it unique. Magic in fantasy, all falls under the broad topic of just ‘magic’. Shooting fireballs, summoning a river, causing a storm to drive away your enemies, lightning bolts to fend them off—all can fall under just magic. Using this, it might be controversial to say, but Harry Potter is an extremely soft magic system. Wizards can cast magic through words, yes, but it’s exactly that. They can cast ‘magic’, and that magic is an umbrella term that essentially means, “With enough training, they can look up the words in a magic dictionary and use whatever magic they want to do anything they want”.

There is no depth. There is no extra layer, it’s simply ‘magic’.

And I’m not even done rambling. I haven’t even touched magical races in fantasy, which I’ll actually transition right into.

I am tired of race conflict in fantasy. Not because its bad, but because they’re more often than not, poorly written. Let’s take Twilight as an example.

Werewolves hate vampires. Vampires hate werewolves. Why? Because werewolves bad, and vampires bad. That’s literally it. No deeper meaning, no actual societal issues, just “ew, icky vampire/werewolf”. In fact, in twilight it doesn’t even appear they hate eachother. If Bella didn’t even exist, what would Edward and Jacob fight about? If you notice, they only use eachother’s race to appeal to Bella and put down the other rival. “Bella, you can’t love him because he’s a dirty vampire”, or, “Bella, you can’t love him because he’s a mangy wolf pup”. Setting aside the obvious racist undertones that’s never important nor addressed critically within the story, the only time dislike about the others’ race is talked about, is only ever addressed not because they hate that specific race, but as a petty remark to bad talk their love rival.

So, in theory, the two races aren’t even… against eachother. Thinking back, all the times it was vampire vs werewolf in twilight, it was all because of Bella wasn’t it. And not because of general dislike of the others’ race, but over a human girl…

I’ve trailed off from my original point, but basically, race vs race within fantasy plots aren’t actually because of the race. I think the only fantasy series I’ve seen that remotely does racial societal conflict well is Lord of the Rings. Elves hate dwarves because they’re greedy, crude, and brutish. Dwarves hate elves because they view them as selfish and always seemingly on their high horse. They stereotype one another, and when they look beyond those stereotypes is when they start bonding and actually forming friendships. They then realize that those stereotypes didn’t matter and were harmful.

That’s an example I would love to see more in fantasy in general. Make the magical races dislike and judge eachother because of their race, and then overcome it while addressing it. Don’t add in races that hate eachother when they’re all literally just the exact same. And also, make the races different! Even humans practice different cultures, and that’s what makes us diverse. In the LOTR franchise, racial bias and hate isn’t simply because, “they’re x race”. It’s because they stereotype people within that race, a stereotype that’s just an exaggerated version of qualities they all just happened to have. In Twilight, I’d argue that there isn’t anything that sets the werewolves and vampires apart other than their superhuman abilities. In LOTR, taking their races away the qualities the characters had were still eminent. Legolas was a bit proud and calm demeanor ed under pressure because he was naturally like that, as well as how he was raised as an elven prince. Gimley fights violently with an axe, and puts his whole body into his fighting style. His words also come off as rough and unfiltered, while Legolas’ voice is smoother and speech well spoken due to his background. The traits they found in eachother due to racial stereotypes still linger and remain. While yes, werewolves were heavily based off of indigenous people, there wasn’t any clear examples of them practicing it that was essential to the conflict and characters other than reminding the audience every once and a while. If Jacob were the only werewolf shown, the Jacob-Bella-Edward conflict could easily just be seen as two roleplaying white boys fighting over a girl. That’s how important their racial identities of vampire and werewolf mattered.

(And please!!! Remember lore. Generations and generations of racism impacts people who grew up with it. Some people change and break away from that stigma of unadultered hate, some can only partly break away even while educated with unconscious internal bias, and some continue to nurture themselves in it and even spread it. Not every person under one umbrella ends up the same, and that applies to characters too. Taking inspiration from real life, look at the time we live in now. Hundreds of years gone by, and while things are certainly better, the dark stains haven’t even gone away and most likely won’t even in the distant future. The past two years are proof of that.)

There’s no point in writing racial conflict in your story if there’s nothing that sets them apart from one another (I’m not saying people need a reason for real life racism because there are so many people who hate certain races just because they’re that race, but story wise, it’s easier to show what’s commonly hate due to stereotypes and stigma that people make for that race). It’s like the spider man pointing meme. How are you supposed to be antagonistic with someone who’s literally the same as you? “I guess you’re not like other spider men” coming from a spider man???

Prefacing, I’m not saying racism is good. I’m saying including race conflict for the sake of race conflict is very empty and purposeless, which is what I often find in fantasy or romance-fantasy. Racial conflict apparently doesn’t matter until the main character is directly involved, in which only then does it affect them that it’s brought up and only because it affects them. A similar example is including LGBTQ+ characters just for the sake of sexual diversity, in which—

That actually leads into my next topic.

Romance.

How many. How many published books must there be of romance that completely overrides the plot as well as the characters’ other relationships? How many stories must be made in which the fantasy aspect is completely pushed aside and no longer included in the plot because the story wants to entirely focus on the romance drama between the main character, love interest, and best friend? Or not even best friend, miscommunication in general!

How hard, is it to write a story where the couple is healthy, and love and don’t doubt eachother, who trust eachother entirely? Like really.

And! And!

The moment when romance is introduced, everything else doesn’t. seem. to. matter! At that point, it’s not even fantasy even more. It’s just a rom com, because watching the couple fight over nothing is hilarious because they’re in the middle of a war. And the other characters don’t seem to matter anymore either. I am so tired of plots being thrown away to focus on the drama between the two leads, and for once just want a fantasy boom of stories depicting healthy relationships with actually unique magic systems and logical well written conflicts.

And diversity! In Relationships! I am so tired of only ever seeing poorly written drama filled heterosexual relationships in romances. In fantasy romances. Give me my wlw wizards who explore their war torn world and have to defend the people they love with intricate, costly, magic systems.

Can we just have. A literary revolution, in which a rise of stories where characters can have relationships—non romantic relationships—with other characters. Can male and female characters finally love eachother to the ends of the world without romance. It’s so easy to write. Love is so easy to write between any gender or sex. So why does it seem to be there can only be one kind predominantly in media? In published media?

Occasionally I can find diverse stories like this on the internet, but never can I find these in libraries.

Like it’s. It’s so, so easy to write love and companionship between characters of diverse identities and cultures. Even in heterosexual fantasy romance stories, I want to be able to see relationships outside the romance being as strong as the main romance. Between the girls, between the boys, and those in between. Men can be in love with men, women in love with women, and men in love with women without needing to force their loves against eachother. A man and woman can be written to love eachother dearly without any romance ever between them, because that’s how it’s like in real life as well. So often do main characters in fantasy stories have some sort of dark past that rid them of any familial love, which in turn ruins them for the capacity of platonic love, which makes people believe the only way for them to find love is romantically. Even in children’s books, there’s always the princess abandoned or overly protected by her parents who eventually finds solace in the pressence of a dry, brooding knight or charming prince. They fall in love, and that’s the only thing that’s ever positively shown. The love between the main character and the love interest. Because to society, romance is seen as the strongest form of affection.

But, it isn’t.

People are different, and to a lot of people who do and don’t have romance in their lives, it doesn’t mean they can’t love anyone else. In society, the only love that seems to exist is romance. It’s the only thing people tend to promote, and yet, people forget what love is. It’s care, it’s worry. Love is painful and happy. It’s sometimes angry and frustrating, but sometimes its something you need. Love is stubborn, yet so easily broken. Love was never just romance, and it feels like the world forgets that.

It’s frustrating, because it feels like anything published at your local library follows the opposite pattern. Because it’s what people believe the public wants, and what the public will only ever accept. Sometimes, it’s all people only know how to write. Sometimes, its all editors and publishers will ever approve of. And sometimes, its all people ever look for. Because either they’re afraid, stigmatize and despise it, or just don’t care for it.

At some point, this had turned from a ramble about how physical books lack diversity, to how media in general lacks diversity.

I do believe that one day in the future, media will change. Literary media will change. But as of now? The majority of published and physical books haven’t diverted from that pattern, and most likely won’t for a long time. I know so many stories are beginning to change online now that the new generation has informed themselves and become interested in new ideas and topics, but as far as physical publication goes? The world won’t accept these changes, not for a long time.

[writerffalse]

I don't know if the translation will be totally the same, since it was based on the Google translator, sorry.

N/b = boy's name.

C/y/e = color of your eyes.

— You can't do this anymore! — Liam changes, scaring the girl in front of him a little.

— You can't stop me! I want to help! — Y/n complains in a higher tone. If he wants to scream, I scream louder, that's what the girl thought.

— You can't take chances like that anymore, Y/n! It's too dangerous... — Liam lowers his voice, feeling exhausted. He just wanted Y/n to be safe, without being in danger, but it seems that the more he tried to get you away from everything, the more you got into the pack's affairs. — I can not lose you...

— You won't lose me, Liam! — Y/n exclaims tiredly. Tired of being underestimated just for being human, so what if she wasn't a werewolf? Or a Kitsune? Or even a hunter? Stiles was also human and that was not why they kept excluding him and putting him out of business. She could help, she wanted to help... But it seems that her boyfriend did not understand and that frustrated her.

— You do not know! — Liam yells running his hands through his hair aggressively and it irritates the girl a lot. He hated being yelled at. — Scott also trusted that he would not lose Allison and now she is dead!

Y/n takes a step back, feeling the impact of those harsh words thrown at her, it was as if she had been shot... A shot by the person she trusted most. Liam regrets his words at the same time they left his mouth, despite not knowing the hunter, he knew he had been a great friend of his girlfriend and knew that it hurt her deeply seeing his shocked and very hurt expression on his eyes, hit yourself mentally. It had crossed the line.

— Y/n... II... I'm sorry... — the boy tries to approach his girlfriend to apologize and feels his heart being broken when she walks away, shaking her head. And it was at that moment that he realized the shit he had done and did not know if S / n would forgive him so easily. — Please... Give me...

— No, Liam! — despite changing his voice a little, Y/n takes a deep breath to compose himself. — No, Liam...

The girl turns to get out of there as quickly as possible, she couldn't stand looking at the boy's face. I was too hurt for that.

— Where are you going? Y/n... — Liam calls her starting to go after her, but stops when the following words come out of the mouth that he loves so much.

— Leave me, Liam. I need some time. — she for a few seconds before completing so that he understood better. — A time without you, a time from you.

And that time lasted for weeks, the two did not speak for long weeks. The girl for still being extremely hurt by the phrase of the boyfriend and the boy — after much advice from Lydia — to give the space that the girlfriend asked for.

They were both miserable, but neither would give their arm to cheer to admit that they needed each other. They were so proud. Everyone around them was tired of seeing them suffer, but they couldn't do anything about it when the decision was unique to the teenagers.

Liam aggression problems had gradually worsened since the fight over the unfortunate feeling of his Alpha, Scott. The boy could not control himself in the face of a stressful situation and the rest of the pack always had to be two steps away from him so that he did not become among the students or even hurt someone.

Now Y/n, despite not wanting to see the boy or painted by another, needed him as much as he needed her. Her anxiety attacks increased in a surprising way, if she couldn't take it before, imagine now. She was exhausted, her dark circles very apparent indicated that, they were big dark bags under her eyes C/y/e, purple rings that she tried to hide with pounds of makeup, which was not much use, by the way. And these problems of aggression and anxiety attacks, only they could solve these problems. The boyfriends helped each other, that was a fact.

Everyone at the school was already aware that the couple were fighting and that made several people "excited". Especially a boy who was talking to Y/n at that very moment. Although the boys were happy that Y/n was "single", none of them were brave enough to approach the girl, knew about Liam's background and would not risk it that way. With the exception of N/b, of course.

If looks killed, they would be dead only by Liam's firing who watched the two of them talking, his hands were shaking with anger and he was trying to control himself as much as possible not to go after the boy, but if he kept hitting on his girl, I wasn't sure if I could control myself.

— Come on... It'll be cool. — it was the third time that N/b insisted that Y/n accept to go out with him. The girl had already refused the first two and was starting to get stressed by the annoying boy's insistence. The boy was nice, had a good chat and was distracting her lately, but it was just friendship. At first Y/n thought he just wanted it, but now he had doubts about it. All she wanted was for him to leave her alone at that moment so that she could go to her last class and finally go home to become a vegetable again.

— Look... Thanks for the invitation, but no. — Y/n already tired of all this, she turns to leave, but is stopped abruptly by a somewhat strong grip on her arm.

— I'll have to insist a little more. — The boy smiles in a strange way and she was ready to punch him in the face when someone else intervenes.

Liam, who was watching everything from afar, was just waiting for the right moment to disturb them both, but the fuse was to see him hold her in that unkind way, leaving his things on the floor, he quickly went towards the closet of Y/n under Scott protests.

— Hey man ... Let her go. — Liam speech catches the eye of the N / g who rolls his eyes.

— Y/n doesn't want your presence here, does it, Y/n? - N/b looks at the girl waiting for her answer but she keeps silent. At that, N/b turns to Liam. — She told me herself.

Liam looks at Y/n expecting her to deny that statement, but when he doesn't have it, he feels his heart break a little more. Y/n felt guilty for not being able to deny it, after all it was not a lie. I had even told N/b that I didn't want the boy's presence, but that was in the first week of the fight, when I was still very angry, but now there was no going back and there was no use trying to explain myself, they weren't even talking done.

— Just let me go, okay? — Y/n asked pulling his arm abruptly to get out of his grip ignoring the look of dog without owner of Liam.

— Wait a minute ... Let's talk, babe. — N/b pulls her closer and that's the trigger for Liam to explode.

— She told you to let go! — Liam cries out by attacking the boy.

— Liam! — Y/n exclaims in shock seeing the scene in front of him. She jumps back when the two boys start to grapple with each other. N/b punches Liam in the jaw which seems to infuriate him even more, because the boy is a werewolf and his problem with aggression, N/b face was already bathed in blood. — Liam stop! Scott! Separate them!

Y/n asks desperately for the alpha who had arrived there at that exact moment with the other curious students. The crooked-chin boy pulls his beta sharply and presses it with all his strength in the school lockers, Liam struggles furiously making Scott look sideways to see if anyone is watching them, noting that the students are helping N/b to get up — since he was about to pass out — he turns to Liam with his red alpha eyes.

— Liam, for now! — the uncontrolled beta calms down a little by the order of the alpha, taking a deep breath to calm down.

— What's going on here?! — Professor of Economics and Physical Education Coach, Bobby Finstock arrives screaming seeing the confusion that was there. The students leave in fear of being left for them, leaving only Y/n, Liam, Scott and N/b. — I don't want to know, everyone for detention! Now! And you, my son, try not to stain the floor with blood!

— You will stay here until I say you can leave! — Finstock yells when everyone enters the library. — Pack up all the books! Go, go!

The arrest would be to organize all the books in the library as punishment, Y/n was frustrated since she hadn't asked Liam to get into a fight for her, but she was also grateful. Scott had freed himself from the punishment by saying that he had only separated the two.

There were three of them and that wouldn’t be good for Y/n. She decides to ignore the two and start her work to leave as soon as possible, the tension was almost palpable and it bothered her in an unequaled way. The professor had already left saying that he had no patience to keep an eye on inconsequential young people.

N/b soon tried to start also going to one of the shelves at the back, Liam already decided to try to start a conversation with the girl. Preventing the passage of Y/n, it catches your eye.

— Y/n... — the girl looks at him in disbelief. — We can talk?

— Not now, Liam.

— Not! You will hear me! I know I am not sure in this situation, but that is not doing any good for either of them. — exasperates tired of the whole situation. — II want to apologize for what I said that day, I have no excuse for that, but I was angry and you know how I look when I'm like this. But I can't take it anymore, your lack is killing me! Thinking of you became my daily torture, I know I lost you for a stupid mistake I made, but my heart doesn't understand that you don't want me anymore... I ran for hours and hours in the forest every day in the hope that tiredness make me get you out of my head, I hate to miss you! I hate to be so dependent on you! But damn, I love you! I love you so much and I'm afraid of losing you! I don't know what I would do if you got hurt and...

His speech is cut off when Y/n throws himself into his arms and embraces him with all his strength, the two enjoy the first physical contact after weeks apart. Liam sighs in relief knowing that that hug means that Y/n had excused him, but in a mental note he remembers that his girlfriend is quite spiteful and that he would have to try harder to have his forgiveness definitively.

— Science says that love is like a drug... When I see you go into a trance, the adrenaline runs faster and stronger through my veins, my heartbeat is completely unregulated. The feeling of love is like cocaine, every day I become more addicted to you, the more I saw you far away, but I needed to get your forgiveness, but my pride was greater. I never loved anyone like I love you, because I never met someone as perfect as you. I love you and that's enough for me to be happy. My heart is sincere and my words are honest, I assume that I love you to infinity. I will not lie to myself anymore... I want to be with you every day of my life!

— I love you. — Y/n says emotionally with all the beautiful words that her boyfriend said.

— You guys are so cheesy. — the boy with his face all bruised ends with the cute moment of the couple leaving them irritated.

The two turn to N/b and say together:

— Shut up!

[noethicalconsumptionunderdisney]

Just saw your delightful post about Laex’s houses and I wondered how you would sort the rest of the family ? Also , @wisteria-lodge wrote a post about Gryffindor / Slytherin that would probably interest you .

Holy shit, I am so sorry this is getting back to you so late, anon!  This got lost in my Drafts and I totally forgot about it until I was recently trying to dig some stuff back up and got slapped in the face with this.  So even though this is months and months (and two Sorting essays lol) later, let me try to answer this the best I can:

(Links to Alex, Justin, and Max and their respective essays, so I don’t have to repeat myself)

Everyone else (...that I bothered to sort at least) below the cut:

All of the other Big Characters:

* Jerry Russo: Slytherin/Ravenclaw.  

Slytherin Primary- He broke off from the wizard world and chose a normal life because he met The One, and figured that being mortal was worth it if it meant being with her, going against what was expected of him from his community, and everything he’d believed about himself in order to do it.  

I also do believe he’s ambitious to an extent about his sub shop-- he certainly seems to care the most about whether it does well, and we know he cares a lot about his family legacy from how upset he was when it seemed that legacy would end (the times the kids might all lose their powers, that time they almost lost their lair).  Beyond that, he doesn’t seem to give much thought to the world outside his family, or even to his long-lost sister, who’s likely been kicked out of his inner circle, so I don’t think saving the world has ever really been a huge priority for him like it is for the kids.

Ravenclaw Secondary- One reason he makes a really good teacher is that he knows and remembers most of the spells the kids need to learn.  What he doesn’t remember, he can always look up in a spellbook, which he has a ton of.  He also has a lot of various magical trinkets that he’s collected over the years.  Plenty of them have value in terms of teaching, but I really do think most of their collection is because he thinks they’re neat.  This is also probably why they have a subway car as part of their sub shop, so that he would have a reason to use it, and therefore have a reason to have it.  

(You could argue Hufflepuff Secondary in regards to how he invests in his business, but even there, he likes to cut a lot of corners and doesn’t seem to feel particularly bad about doing so, as long as he doesn’t get in trouble for it.)

* Theresa Russo: Hufflepuff/Gryffindor.  

Hufflepuff Primary- She could be Slytherin too but I keep circling back to how much she cares about the traditions and cultures she left behind, and how, while she is happy in the life she has with Jerry and her kids, she’s still genuinely sad about losing that connection.  I also think about it in terms of her difficult relationship with Alex, how she calls her mija, how she pushed so hard to give Alex a quinceañera (that she didn’t want), how she was upset that Alex was failing Spanish, and how out of her depth she is with the wizard world.  

It has to sting a bit that her husband’s world, which she has no real connection to outside of him and the kids, has such an impact on everyone’s daily lives, while her world kind of gets left behind, either because the kids aren’t as interested, aren’t as exposed, or because she has to keep her extended family away from her immediate family so that magic doesn’t get exposed, how she has to follow the rules of a world she doesn’t even like that much.  Or perhaps she doesn’t like it because she’s lost so much to it.

Gryffindor Secondary- The Movie in particular solidified this one for me, just the way she gets curious about magic and Jerry and Max’s journey even though she thinks they’re strangers, dives headfirst into it despite Jerry worrying about letting a mortal be part of the adventure, and how she sees a parrot turn into a human, who is clearly Bad News, walks right up to her, and tells her all the shit she’s been put through and why she needs that stone.  

There are great moments from the show, too-- the ones that stick out to me are her talking back to the van Heusens when she knows damn well they’re vampires, and her getting Alex to teleport her to Megan’s so she can stand up for her kids’ right to have their powers, powers she doesn’t even like most of the time.  She definitely has a temper, and it’s usually played for laughs, but I also think it fits because she’s an incredibly brave person, and while there are definitely times when she runs away scared, more often than not she’ll stand her ground even in times of danger (and probably a few times where she maybe should’ve been more careful...).

* Harper Finkle: Slytherin/Hufflepuff

(Note: I like to think of this one as the Best Friend sorting, because it’s used a lot with Main Character’s Best Friend (and the Girl Friday, but this is Disney Channel so that’s not as common here), and because that combination tends to make for some pretty damn good ones.)

Slytherin Primary- I think it’s very possible Harper has a Hufflepuff Primary Model here, because it took me some thinking and rewatching to decide this, but nah, Harper’s best friends with Alex for a reason, and it’s not out of, like, the goodness of her heart or whatever.  Harper does like being part of things -- she enjoys being part of the Russo family, she enjoys being in clubs in a way Alex doesn’t get, she was excited to be invited to Gigi’s tea party because she thought she was being included in their “high society lady” rituals -- and she likes doing the nice, kind, good thing, but on the occasions where she does act purely in her own self-interest, she doesn’t feel the least bit guilty about it.  

We see this side of her more in seasons 3 and 4, but as early as season 2, we see her taking advantage of Cupid’s arrow making Justin fall for her even after Alex informs her of the situation (and only starting to hate it when she gets tired of his clinging, not for ethical or compassionate reasons), happily accepting the ribbons that make Alex’s Gryffindor squirm, because “it’s about time she got some appreciation,” and deciding she’ll continue to work for the vampires that just tried to eat her and her best friend because she “kinda needs the job” (honestly, mood tho).

Hufflepuff Secondary- More often than not, it seems Harper is taken advantage of rather than the one taking advantage, though, and I think this is why.  Working hard makes her feel good!  Being dependable makes her feel good!  She’s upset when it’s revealed that Alex used magic to help her win at everything she tried when she was little, and that she’s actually bad at those things.  She cares about earning her accomplishments, not just getting them.  She has a perfect attendance record and she cares about it a lot.  And that’s the core of what a Hufflepuff Secondary is: show up every day, and try as hard as you can.

She also prides herself on her moral support.  She’s generally willing to drop everything to help Alex and the thing she got the most furious with Alex for saying was that she was a bad friend.  This ties back to the Slytherin Primary thing, but I think it has a lot to do with how much work she puts into everything, and how much work she does for Alex, when Alex won’t do her own, and she doesn’t even mind doing it, maybe even likes doing it, as long as she gets credit for her dedication.  Luckily, Alex does appreciate her as a friend, even if she doesn’t show it as often as she probably should, and has her moments where she’ll come through for Harper too.

* Juliet van Heusen: Ravenclaw/Gryffindor.

Ravenclaw Primary- She goes against her natural instincts to hunt humans and instead sticks to animals as the more “ethical” path.  Granted, she was given a soul by her parents, which both helps her blend in better and might be what leads to her more ethical behavior, but I do think her Ideals are something she chose to live by, rather than something that was given to her, and I think part of why she likes Justin is that she connects with him intellectually, so I lean Ravenclaw for her Primary.  

Gryffindor Secondary- She tends to be pretty forthright and brutally honest a lot of the time.  She tells her parents she’s dating Justin by just... shouting that she likes him and then running back to tell him, she answers Zeke’s question about a horse-drawn carriage by implying that she killed them (for context, he’s a mortal), and she motivates Justin to win by bluntly telling him she’ll have to break up with him if he loses his powers.  She’s restrained enough to keep her vampire secret, but... not very restrained outside of that.

* Mason Greyback: Slytherin/Gryffindor.  

Slytherin Primary- His main motivation seems to be Alex, and he’s very singlemindedly dedicated to her most of the time.  The only times I can think of where he isn’t focused on her is in that first episode, when he wants to paint dogs, and only gets focused on her when she casts a spell on him, and in that moment where he sees Juliet again and confesses his undying love (oops).  He says afterwards that werewolves are “very loyal,” and I think based on the episode where we meet Mason’s parents, we can infer that that means “loyal to their own,” as they don’t like him dating a non-werewolf.  They might not include Alex in their definition of “their own,” but Mason clearly does, and puts her above everything, even citing her as his main motivation to “stay good” against Gorog’s influence.

Gryffindor Secondary-  For his impulsivity and temper, yes, but also for his dedication to Big Romantic Gestures, which I think are the ultimate Gryffindor Secondary love language.  Not that other Secondaries can’t perform them, but I think with Gryffindors it’s more likely to be a regular thing.  He tries to be more subtle in the apartment arc and it comes out more passive-aggressive, and then he ends up Doing The Big Thing anyway, like breaking the elevator in desperation or running to Bermuda to save Alex.  Even the big sculpture he makes Alex for their anniversary earlier that season, while it does take a lot of time and effort, there’s still this element of just throwing yourself wholeheartedly into something and focusing exclusively on the thing until the thing gets done (to the point of neglecting everything else) that feels more to me like Gryffindor Secondary’s battering ram than Hufflepuff Secondary’s slow and steady tortoise.

...+ a few others I thought were relevant:

* Zeke Beakerman: Ravenclaw/Ravenclaw.  To his own detriment, even: when he runs for president against Justin, he ends up voting... for Justin, because he really thought it through and Decided that Justin would probably be the better leader.  (And then retracts it because he’s morally opposed to Justin not voting.)  It’s played for laughs, but I think that does show he puts ethics before himself (and... possibly before reason.  Such are Idealists, lol).  He also likes to gather a lot of obscure knowledge and hobbies such as clogging, collecting skills because he finds learning them fun.  Ravenclaw, through and through.

* Stevie Nichols: Gryffindor/Slytherin.  Perhaps a much more stark example than Alex on both sides: more unscrupulous and more mischievous on the Slytherin side, more committed to her Cause and her Ideals on the Gryffindor side.  They bond over their shared Slytherin-ness, naturally meeting in detention because where else, and I actually think their shared Gryffindor is what ultimately comes between them- Stevie wants to convert Alex to her Cause, Alex freezes her and lets her die (maybe?) because she believes her Cause is evil.  Because unfortunately, sharing the same emphasis on Ideals and method for determining them, doesn’t always mean you’ll have the same ones.

* Rosie: Slytherin/Slytherin.  She lies to Justin when she meets him, saying she’s a wizard, when she’s actually an angel, and it doesn’t get much better from there.  She turns her wings white around Justin and acts good right up until she has him, then she starts influencing him to turn bad, so when it’s revealed she’s an Angel of Darkness, he’s too far gone to be upset.  But that Slytherin loyalty works both ways -- while his Slytherin loyalty to her made him do bad things and join the Angels of Darkness, her Slytherin loyalty to him made her convince Alex to save him, because she’d fallen in love with him for real and wasn’t okay with Gorog disposing of him once he’d outlived his usefulness, and that caused her to turn on Gorog for good, and then For Good, when she rejoined the Good Angels.  Just as she was the one who turned Justin to the dark side, she’s the one who turned him back to the light, and I think they were able to have this influence on each other because of that shared understanding of Slytherin loyalty.

... And I think that’s more than enough for now!  It’s been fun to think about all this, and even better to finally share it.  Again, sorry it took so long, but hope you enjoyed!

(P.S.: Btw, totally agree on that Gryffindor/Slytherin post-- it fits Alex so well (though definitely more the Jack Sparrow/Lovable Rogue variety).  I’m glad you see it, too!)

[theoriginalladya]

Under cut for discussion of depression and suicide and the toughest job in the world as a mother.

As a mother, especially a mother of an adult child, it’s always been challenging because there are so many moments when my natural mom instincts screamed at me to protect my child ‘at all costs.’  It’s also very strange, because I did realize that at the time when it was happening, because I ended up having a sort of mental duel between the ‘oh help him!’ and ‘let him learn on his own!’ sides.  The proverbial angel/devil on your shoulder, I guess.  It’s never easy, and I like to think I found a balance in the way I handled the situations at those times - time will only tell, right? - but I know for a fact, that no matter how difficult it was, I did something right.

I have the absolute best kid in the world, I swear.  He’s been a good kid most of the time - typical rebelliousness of a teenager, etc., but that’s to be expected - and ever since his dad left, our relationship has only grown stronger.  I really couldn’t ask for anything more, in all honesty.  Not to say we don’t have our moments, but we eventually work through/around them and get back to common ground and things move on.  Like a lot of kids, he had issues with depression when he was younger, and recently I’ve seen him spiraling back in that direction (thank you, COVID, and the stress of being a senior in college), to the point where I had to actually point it out to him the other day; certain behaviors, etc. But again, he’s started working his way back around and things are looking up. 

Or, they were.  This morning when I got up to get ready to head to work, I had a text message from him asking that I wake him up, no matter the time, because he had something ‘important’ to tell me.  Turns out, someone he knew from one of his gaming groups - someone he called a friend though they weren’t super close - committed suicide yesterday.  It’s hit kiddo HARD, and he’s struggling in figuring out how to cope.  Among his group of friends/school mates, this is the first person he’s known that has died.  

We talked for a little while and I tried to reassure him.  He’d only had about two hours of sleep at that point and I’m sure he doesn’t recall now half of what he told me, but I emphasized it was okay to be sad; that something like this can shake up anybody, doesn’t matter how close you were; that grief is one of those strange things that affects everyone differently.  He knows most of the things I was telling him - the joys of being a psych major (his words at the time, not mine) - and even as tired as he was, we managed to have a halfway decent conversation.  He then went back to sleep and I headed to work.

On the drive home, I called to check on him and see what he wanted to do about dinner, and over McDonald’s we’ve spent some time just talking - about anything he wants to, to be honest.  I am supposed to be werewolfing later tonight, but I told him if he wanted me to just sit with him and watch a movie - or not - I would. He said no thank you.  I also reiterated if he decided that he wanted to do that at any point during the evening, he was to let me know and I would leave my game for him.  He told me he would keep that in mind.  

I think the purpose of me writing this is twofold.

First of all, being a mom is TOUGH.  I want to hug him, hold him, do everything I can to let him know that he’ll be all right, that it’s okay to grieve, that tomorrow will come and things will get better again.  That said, though, I am so PROUD of him for reaching out to me with that text, asking me to wake him so he could tell me. I don’t know who this person was - they are a total stranger to me.  But they were someone who was some level of importance to my son.  When he was far younger and troubled with his own thoughts of not wanting to be around in this world, he never came to me or his father.  Teachers, thankfully, noticed and pulled us in.  But this time, he came to me.  Reached out.  It tells me that, despite the ache I have in my chest right now for him, I’ve made an impact on my son, that he knows now how to ask for help when it’s needed, that it’s okay to ask for help.  It’s one of those ‘I am so damned proud of my kid, but I am also proud of myself for hanging in there despite my own battles trying to raise him’ moments; I made a difference to him, whether he actively sees it or not.  And that means the WORLD to me.

Second, it’s an eye opener for me as well.  Not as a mom, but as a friend to someone who was in a similar situation, years ago, and where half a world distance between us was too much.  I discovered last Thursday, on Thanksgiving day here, that a very good friend of mine who fell out of contact with me right after my son was born, died not six months later.  I have suspected this for years, in all honesty, for reasons I won’t go into here, but I’ve never been able to get confirmation one way or another, so there was always that hope he might still be alive somewhere.  But on Thanksgiving, I decided to do another google search, just to see if something new was out there, and low and behold, it was.  I know without a doubt, the record I found is his.  Right place, right information, all of it.  The hardest thing to accept, though, is that he died almost 21 years ago.  He was a good friend, one who faced a lot of challenges of his own and it was a far different time back then, but I truy hope he is at peace now.  

That same day, I mentioned it to kiddo.  He found me sitting at my desk crying and was worried.  Was that part of why he reached out to me today?  I don’t know.  I’d like to think he would have reached out to me anyway, but it’s just one of those things I’ll never have an answer to.  All I know is that today his life changed, and he made some good steps forward for himself even though it’s been one heck of a challenge.  I can only hope he continues to do so.

[drangues]

Try your best!!! I’m rooting for you, and even if you don’t pass (but I’m hoping you do!), doing what you can and giving it your all is just as noteworthy. Cheesy, I know, but it’s the best encouragement I’ve got- Though I do sympathize with you. Tests are stressful. And Chuuya and Atsushi are just some of those characters that I wanna see interact more because I think they’d have a great relationship but canon gives me: Nothing, so I must improvise. (Nyanon, 1/5)

As for mythology- It’s always been a weak point of mine, and I’m always interested in it, be it real mythology or a fictional one. It’s just! So! Cool!!! I’m sorry I’m a nerd but I could chatter for daaayyysss about mythology, especially ancient mythology like the Ogdoad, or fictional mythology in universes like the SCP Mythos! Also I want a Kerberos plush, he’s very cute,, Anyways, Studio Ghibli is,, So Good? I love it so much! (Nyanon, 2/5)

The art style is great and the stories are amazing (I’ll always have a soft spot for the Cat Returns and My Neighbor Totoro, they’re Very Good), and aaahhh I just wanna see how Atsushi and everyone would look in that art style I bet it’d be great. But! Yes yes yes, I could definitely see Dazatsu in Howl’s Moving Castle,,, Atsushi not seeing himself as Beautiful makes me sad but then I think of the fields of flowers and Dazai showing him something like that and I’m: Healed. (Nyanon, 3/5)

The only things I’d change would be small stuff? Like, if I remember correctly, the main character made hats- Maybe Atsushi binds or restores books for a living? Just little stuff like that- Though it would be. Totally, completely in Dazai’s character to freak out over his hair being the wrong color, it’d be hilarious. As a side note, Kyouka is absolutely in Kiki’s Delivery Service- Maybe they take place at the same time? (Nyanon, 4/5)

Like, Kyouka goes off to do witchy things right before Atsushi gets cursed, and now they’re both trying to pretend everything is going well because they don’t wanna worry the other. Moving on to another,, Well, I don’t know if it counts as an AU, actually? So a Scenario Concept, I guess: Dazai gets bitten and turned by a werewolf. Queue him (A) personally learning Atsushi’s weretiger struggles, and (B) being the biggest of brats about being a dog, because. It’s Dazai. (Nyanon, 5/5)

i love cheesy stuff pls keep it coming dude ALSO PLS KEEP CHATTERING ABOUT MYTHOLOGY I DONT JUDGE 

i also agree that studio ghibli has great movies, i especially am fond of kikis delivery service, howls moving castle and spirited away (very basic i am aware but they were the most Impactful for me as a child) and i think atsushi would look so good TOO i think i saw a fanart of dazatsu as spirited away actually :OOO they looked sO CUTE BOTH OF THEM

(agreed on the book restoring/binding thing btw, it’s just. Yes . it’s so him im in love with him. AND HIM AND KYOUKA OUT ON THEIR OWN ADVENTURES NOT WANTING TO WORRY THE OTHER AAAA THATS SO FUCKING CUTEEEEEEE THEYRE SO ADORABLE I LOVE THEM)

dazatsu bonding even more cus dazai became a werewolf?? i stan. i love. im AMAZED. he would probably cry about it and atsushi is like “imagine how tired we are. imAGINE H-”

[companionjones]

From Dusk To Dawn

Requested by: @witch-of-letters​

Request: Hey there! 😀 Can I request two sets of headcanons - one about Klaus falling in love with Hayley’s older twin, and the other about being Klaus’ older twin sister in general?

Pairing: Klaus Mikaelson x Twin!Reader

Fandom: The Originals

Summary: As usual, your younger twin is being a dick, but it’s time to kick some werewolf ass, so the two of you have to set aside your squabbling.

Warnings: Very violent situations, while also making light of those violent situations. Language! This doesn’t really follow cannon.

*******

    “KLAUS!!!” Your bellow could be heard all throughout the compound. “Did you take my goddamn paints again?!”

    From the roof, your twin brother replied, “Stop being so dramatic. I’m just painting the sunset.”

    “Not with my paints, you’re not,” you affirmed after speeding up to the roof and stealing your property back.

    As you ran away, you heard Klaus yelling your name following a string of curses.

    The violent bickering over the art materials would’ve continued if not for both Klaus’ and your older brother.

    After a while, the paint seemed to have disappeared from both you and your twin’s hands. The objects were in Elijah’s grasp, instead.

    “Elijah!” you yelled at your elder sibling, “Give those back! They’re mind, anyway!”

    He shook his head. “You two will not be painting tonight.”

    Klaus rolled his eyes, “And what makes you think you have any say in what either of us will be doing tonight?”

    Elijah explained, “The wolves are staging an attack on the witches. The witches have asks us to intervene.”

    “Since when are we witches’ guard dogs?” you scoffed.

    The oldest Mikaelson sighed, “Since the witches have provided us with the necessary spells to ensure the protection of the French Quarter against our father.”

    “Right. I forgot dear old dad resurrected himself.” Klaus called to you, “You ready, twin sister?”

    “Would you care if I wasn’t?” You teased.

    He smiled, “Not even a little.”

    Elijah almost groaned, “What the hell am I going to do with the two of you?”

    Twenty minutes later, a pack of wolves were a block away from known witch territory, and they were getting closer.

    “Took you guys long enough,” you exaggerated a sigh as you stepped out of the shadows.

    Klaus continued, “You’ve had us waiting far to long to be considered polite.”

    Ever annoyed with you and Klaus, Elijah stepped forward. “Nik, Y/n, can we please stop it with the theatrics?”

    Your twin peered over you at you.

    While Elijah’s back was turned, you silently mimicked what your older brother had just said.

    Klaus did his best to keep his laughter quiet.

    Meanwhile, Elijah warned the werewolves, “We will give you this chance to go. You know what will happen if you choose option B.”

    They chose option B.

    “Hell yeah,” you celebrated, “Here we go.”

    Speeding forward, you broke the nearest wolf’s neck. Three wolves came at you because of it. You were an original hybrid, so you could handle it just fine. Your brothers started taking on groups of enemies themselves.

    Usually, the way you killed wolves was breaking necks, but that day you decided to also perform some decapitation and rip out a few hearts.

    As Klaus threw a wolf into a fence to be impaled, he called out to you, “Come on, Y/n!” Leave some for Elijah and I!”

    “Shut up and help me with these next few if you want to kill so bad,” you laughed, and threw one over to Klaus.

    He killed that one, then went to take on one of the two you were fighting.

    “Fine, you want more? Go ahead.” Right after he killed the wolf he just had, you threw Klaus the remaining one you were fighting.

    Niklaus sarcastically growled, “Cute.”

    You laughed, but you got cut off when you turned around just in time to duck out of the way of an oncoming attacker. Klaus took on that one for you as well.

    His smile was cocky. “What would you do without me?”

    Both you and Elijah grabbed a wolf by the jacket and threw them so far that their skulls cracked open on impact.

    “Probably take down this pack with Elijah in half the time,” you cheekily answered.

    The sound Klaus made was something like an annoyed snarl.

    It took hours, but the whole pack was finally dead. You and your brothers headed back to the compound.

    Elijah went off to do whatever Elijah does. Klaus had gone missing, too. You went off to look for the latter.

    You found Klaus on the roof, watching the sunrise.

    “They never get old, do they?” You commented as you walked up to the side of your twin. “No matter how many of these we see, none of them are the same, and they always remain stunning.

    Klaus chuckled, “You’re right, dear sister...I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of seeing the sun rise and set.”

    Turning, you eyed your brother. Then, you chuckled, “Take the fucking paints.” You tossed them to Klaus. “Make it look at least half as good as it actually does.”

    He smiled as you walked away. “When do I not?”

    “Oh, don’t get me started, Nik,” you laughed before exiting the rooftop.

*******

Author’s Note: Thank you so much for reading! Fill up that heart and reblog if you liked it. I also would love a comment if you have the time. If you would like to read more, I have more fics about The Originals over on my page. You should go check it out. Also, REQUESTS ARE OPEN. I take requests for one-shots, drabbles, multi-chapters, headcannons and preferences. No smut, please. I write for a variety of fandoms. If you’re wondering if I write for a specific fandom, please ask me. Have a nice day, night, or whatever time it is for you.<3

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

Once Bitten, Twice Stupid prt.19

Under the suggestion of Coran, Keith accepted a room for the remainder of the day and possibly overnight. Lying in his back, he was propped up by two overly hard pillows, Lance sleeping on his chest as Keith repeatedly sighed to himself. Coran insisted they needed to rest, and that he’d let them know the results later, but for now Keith was in charge of making sure Lance didn’t fly off and get himself in trouble. He knew he really shouldn’t be thinking of contacting Shiro again so soon, but all of this was so damn complicated... plus, his brother would worry about him. He’d scold him on the outside, while worrying internally.

Opening up his messages, Keith tried to think of what to write, writing and erasing half a dozen things before settling with “can you talk?”. Simple was best. He had no answers for his brother, but he really needed to hear Shiro’s voice. The hunter was made to wait 10 minutes before Shiro finally called him, the noise waking Lance who gave a very disgruntled squeak

“It’s Shiro. No need to be grumpy with me”

Sliding his thumb across, Keith noticed it was a video call as he did. Relief flooding through him as Shiro’s tired face filled his small screen

“Hey, kiddo”

“Hey, old man. What’s up?”

Shiro sighed

“Next question?”

“That good. Is it safe to ask where you are?”

“Not really. I’m safe, though. Where are you?”

“At that dumb address you sent me to. You could have given me the heads up”

“They were able to help?

Keith tilted his phone down to Shiro Lance

“We’re waiting”

“Lance turned into a bat again?”

“Yep”

“Is he okay?”

“No idea. They all know him here. Thanks for letting me know that this was a resource centre”

Shiro groaned, scrubbing at his face with his free hand

“I should have. I knew he’d been there. You met Coran and Allura, I take it?”

“Yeah. He was waiting when the elevator doors opened. Felt like a fucking trap”

“Coran was waiting for me too. Something about seeing Lance’s car on the security feed. So they don’t know if he’s alright?”

“Not at the moment. He hasn’t been very well”

“That’s unusual”

“Not for him. I got the impression he’d been here for treatment more than once. He turned into a bat in public”

“That’s not good. Did anyone see?”

“Cameras might have picked something up. Shiro, what the fuck am I supposed to do now?”

He wasn’t equipped for this. Mundane life wasn’t something that happened for hunters. Too much peace was bad for him. He needed Lance to change back and keep teaching him how to fight against a vampire

“I’m working on that. I know it’s hard, kiddo, but has it at least gotten easier living with Lance?”

“Pffft. No. I have no idea what he’s thinking half the time. He says one thing and does another. He doesn’t want me there, but he hasn’t kicked me out like he said he would. He seems pretty uninterested in me, he didn’t even try drinking from me when I cut my hand”

“He is rather odd. I’m sorry, but I have to go. There’s a slight issue. If you’re not comfortable staying at Lance’s any longer, you can lodge there, I’m sure he’d understand that you’re there for his protection”

“I don’t think he’d be happy about that...”

“Sorry, Keith. I really have to go. Stay safe”

“Yeah. You too Shiro”

Shiro had already hung up before Keith could reply. Why couldn’t he be with Shiro? Lance seemed able to take care of himself. He wasn’t as old as Keith thought he’d be, his youthful exterior didn’t match the age of 44, but Keith was more surprised Lance was walking around looking 18 at 44, than being a more vampire age of 150 and looking 18. Vampires were wrong like that... and 44 seemed both young and old to him at the same time. Lance had mentioned he felt his development had suffered from being turned so young, yet when Keith had eavesdropped on him during his work call, he’d been unexpectedly smooth and respectful. There seemed so many sides to Lance that Keith couldn’t help but be curious. Would Lance never age past 18? And if he was turned as a child, why had he continued to age? And why was he clinging to Keith? That was the big question. Shiro accepted Lance being a bat far too easily. Coran had claimed he was human. Allura was weirdly nice. All he had was confusion. He felt different since meeting Lance. He didn’t know what Pidge and Hunk were thinking trying to befriend him. For years Adam and Shiro insisted he socialised, but everyone at work was kind of a dick. Especially the pack of werewolves working for the Vatican. They were led by a guy named James, who always went out of his way to be a dick towards Keith. Keith thought he’d finally have answers joining the Blades... but... Fuck. This was all Lance’s fault.

*

Three fucking days. It took Lance three full days to turn human again. Keith had been told by Coran he could leave at any time, but the world felt uncomfortably big outside the facility they were in. With Lance finally turning back, the man exceptionally embarrassed to wake up beside Keith absolutely naked, Coran had supplied them both with a change of clothes before announcing they all needed to have a little chat.

Led to what seemed a conference room, Lance was given a bag of blood to sip before Coran sat himself down across them

“No need to be fearful my boys. I thought we’d have a nice chat and clear the air”

Three damn days Keith had waited for answers. Coran waved him off, telling him it was best to wait until Lance had the strength to turn back. Lance was human again, and Keith patience had been stretched to breaking point

“You’re slurping too loudly!”

Growling at Lance, Lance ducked his head

“Now, now. Let him drink in peace. Lance, I paid Miriam a visit, she’s recovering well. Allura also paid a visit to Blue, she’s perfectly fine. Keith, I’ve spoken to Shiro. He will be returning in two weeks time. Poor boy had a hell of a time with a werewolf friend of his. Seems he got himself in a little trouble”

Lance’s eyes went wide

“Shiro went to see Matt? Is he okay? Is Matt okay?”

“You know Matt?”

“Matt is Pidge’s brother. You already know this”

“Ah, yes! Young Katie. I quite enjoy her online videos. Yes, yes. Now. Keith, I got the results from your blood work. Your in good health. Everything as it should be, and very much human”

“But...”

“I feel your symptoms may come from emotional trauma, as well as contact with Lance. There were no traces of Vampirism in your results. Now, Lance, there’s a little issue we need to address”

Lance sank back in his chair, chewing annoyingly on the cap of the blood bag

“We’ve done some follow up testing, comparing them with the original results and can now say with certainty that your body is changing. You’re exhibiting new abilities, as well as changing physically. Being a vampire who has fed on blood bags is vastly different to a vampire who feeds on fresh blood. Feeding on fresh blood has started a chain reaction within your body. So far we’ve seen a physical change in you, but with a little time things should settle into a new normal. Until then, you may feel some other changes in your body. Increased libido, mood swings, weakness, hunger, headaches. Now, here’s the good news. It seems your quintessence is comfortable and familiar with Keith. I believe I have some idea of what the future holds, I believe you’re becoming a breeder. A tasteless term that’s commonly used. This is just my belief, Allura disagrees given how long you’ve been turned, symptoms would have been more pronounced sooner, though you are a rather exceptional case”

Keith turned in his chair to look at Lance, the vampire frowning

“Coran... is this... can I lead a normal life once these symptoms settle”

“Within reason...”

“Then I don’t need to know”

Keith might not have been the one being addressed by Coran, but this kind of sounded fucking important. He didn’t know what a breeder was, but from name alone it sounded like Lance could some how... have a kid. Which was ridiculous. The guy was a guy. As far as Keith knew, Lance didn’t have the plumbing for that

“What’s that supposed to mean?!”

“It means if it isn’t going to immediately impact on my way of life and being able to do my job, then I don’t need to know”

“Are you fucking brain damaged? Haven’t you been moping for weeks about not knowing?!”

“And some things are better off not being said. Coran said I’m going through some blip I’m going to come out of”

“He also said that you’re becoming a breeder!”

“It’s not your life Keith!”

“No, I’m just the poor sucker who’s been looking after your dead arse because you couldn’t turn back into a human!”

“I never asked you to!”

“You could at least pretend to be grateful! You transformed in the hospital, where anyone could have been you!”

“But they didn’t!”

“Boys! That’s enough. Lance, I respect your decision, but this is something you cannot ignore. Your body is going to have needs”

“I’ll deal with it”

“It’s not that simple. We’re talking about a change on a structural level”

“I’m already dead, I don’t think it can get any worse. I don’t want you feeding my vampire ego!”

Coran sighed

“I don’t want to fight with you. You’re like a son to me. But if you are changing into a breeder than you’ll be in danger from the constant pheromones your body will be producing. Do you really wish to put Hunk and Pidge in danger?”

Lance gave Coran such a cold glare that a shiver ran down Keith’s spine

“That’s not fair”

“It is what it is my boy. Now, listen to me, I have only your best interests in heart. You’ve lived exceptionally well as a human, but until your emotions stabilise I think it best we have Keith stay with you. Your body is going to change. His presence is quite compatible with yours”

“He’s a hunter!”

“And you’ll be hunted by far worse without protection. If your status gets out, you can expect many a vampire caller upon your step”

Lance let out a sad sigh

“I can’t change this, can I?”

“No, but we can keep you safe. Breeders are quite sort after. Not every vampire can be a breeder, it’s rare even amongst the ranks. All breeders that we know of have started as humans before turning with their first feed from a human. Keith was your first feed. You’ve held off feeding off him again, but your body is craving his blood and his presence as you change. You... I know you never wished to be romantically involved with anyone, and I’m not saying the relationship has to be physical, but for the next few weeks as your system levels out, it truly is best Keith stay with you”

“Just... what am I becoming?”

“Able to bear children. Now you can see why breeders have such value. Any child you bear will have the characteristics of a normal human child, unaffected by the curse you carry. A rare and precious gift, that cannot be stopped once the transformation begins. Any vampire of the highest rank wishes for a lineage of their own. They will use you and toss you aside, for the sake a child born with their blood”

Lance stared at Coran, Keith’s heart was damn near hammering inside his chest cage. He didn’t know that there was such a thing. He’d poisoned himself, Lance had saved him, now Lance was... he was changing and in more danger than ever... because of him. He always ruined everything. Constantly. He drove everyone away. Never the man they thought he was

“That’s not funny”

“It’s not a joke, my boy. Your manifestation as a bat is a sign of the change. When your flight or fight instinct is triggered, or your emotions are out of control, you revert to the smallest and fastest form possible. You need to work on coming out of your bat form on your own, as well as working on training to protect yourself. Keith will train with you, you will both benefit from the lessons each of you can teach one another”

“I’m not having sex with a human”

“Then find relief in alternative methods. You have no control or sway over Keith. He is not your servant, nor did you turn him. You fed to save his life, and I’m truly sorry things are turning out like this”

“Then kill me”

Keith felt his rage growing. Lance was rolling over so easily. What happened to the man who loved his friends and family? Who fought for those caught in family dramas?

“Lance”

“If I’m becoming something dangerous, then it’s better to kill me now before a potential incident occurs. I refuse to let anyone be hurt by my existence”

“Lance, please. I don’t want to see you die. I don’t want to lose you. Please, you can lead a relatively normal life again once your body has settled down”

“I’m going to be a fucking vampire magnet!”

“You know vampires are attracted to each other as it is. You’ve led a fine life. You have so many things you can still do. Keith will be my eyes and ears. He will keep an eye on you and keep you safe, until the return of his partner. You have friends and family who love you”

“Who will be the first in danger over me! Keith will be in danger! This place will be in danger... all because of me...”

Lance’s anger petered out into sadness. Keith felt a strong tug in his chest. The kinder thing to do would be to put Lance down. Before those problems rose

“You said we don’t need to have sex. He simply needs to settle into a new routine... right?”

“Keith...”

The question was to Coran, yet Lance softly said his name

“I’m serious. If he agrees to teach me how to fight better, so I can protect those I love, then I’ll watch him”

“You will need to let him heal. At least a days full rest and we’ll temporarily increase his blood intake. I will make a charm for you. It’s blessed silver and will sit inside your forearm until you are ready for its removal. It will ward against any forms of infection, giving us time to act if you do come into accidental contact with Lance’s blood. But blood alone will not turn you. You need to be drunk near dry, and the desire to turn you must be clear in Lance’s head. How many hunters do you think come into vampire blood on a daily basis? One small drop to the eye doesn’t turn them, not always. Of course, sometimes an accidental turning may occur, but generally the vampire in question has already settled on its prey when they turn someone. There are different rules, not a “one size fits all” kind of thing. Lance’s blood isn’t very potent seeing he’s fed from blood bags”

This was a lot. A lot more than a lot to take in. Lance wasn’t taking things well, Keith was freaking the fuck out, and Coran’s sympathetic smile was not helping. He and Lance... with Lance having urges... and he’d... well, he’d never done the do. Sure, he jerked off, but his prime focus was work. He didn’t have time for meaningless hookups when there vampires to slay. He’d made out before... drunkenly and he couldn’t even remember their face the next morning, he was so hung over that Adam insisted on being as loud as humanly possible.

“So I’m not a vampire”

Lance groaned

“I’ve been telling you ever since that night you’re not. I thought you’d finally dropped that”

Keith huffed. That didn’t explain things. Like why his heart went all funny when he looked at Lance, or why his eyes were drawn to those big blue eyes of his... and soft brown hair... He hated him, but felt weirdly connected to him. It had to be something was changing in him

“No, Keith. Perfectly human in every respect. Now, I’m going to send you home to rest, Lance. I’ll stock you up with some extra blood, and I want you to refrain from high emotions until you’ve settled. You may go visit Miriam, she’s always brought you great comfort, but after that, I would prefer you limit your outside interactions to a minimum, and absolutely avoid big crowds. It’ll help if you keep a written record of how you’re feeling and the things on your mind. If you can pinpoint the things that cause your transformation, you can work on levelling your emotions”

“You sound like Mami. She always says I worry too much”

“She’s a smart woman that mother of yours. Now, Keith, would you mind stepping out for a second so I can have a little word with Lance”

[wickedsingularity]

Until Next Time [Chapter 13]

Banner by PhoenixAlthor @ TDA

 The hand on my heart clenched painfully. I stiffened and gritted my teeth. My eyes stung and I couldn't breathe. I was there. I had reached the point where it hurt so bad I didn't know how to live for one more second.

 War. We do what we can to find comfort and hope.

Remus Lupin x OC Warnings: Low self-esteem, embarrassment, mention of past injuries, thinking someone was dead, vulnerability, mention of Greyback liking to eat children Words: 2053

Chapter 12 | Masterlist | Chapter 14

Warmth

I thought you were dead.

I'm not sure what woke me. It was still dark around me and for a moment I thought I was home. But then I felt an ache in my body and everything that had happened the previous day came back to me, and with it, an ache in my soul.

My first thought was if my magic had come back or not. I reached for my wand, always keeping it on my bedside table. But it was still on the floor where it had landed when I failed to cast Lumos. My next instinct was to cast a wandless spell to summon it, but I caught myself mid-move. It would be pointless. I pushed the covers off my body and inched towards the edge of the bed, all my limbs sore and tired. I knew that had very little to do with what Remus and I had done, and more to do with the fact that I had drained myself of magic and energy.

I stood on shaky legs, the cold of the floor seeping into my feet and I blinked, trying to see in the darkness. I staggered over to the wall, supported myself with a hand on it and crouched down and felt around for the stick of wood I couldn't live without. Once I closed my hand over it, I imagined I felt the warmth I had felt the day Ollivander handed it to me for the first time, asking me to try it.

Still crouching, I tightened my grip and whispered: "Lumos."

The same feeble wisp of light appeared, barely lighting up the dusty corner of the room, before fading and leaving everything just as dark as before, if not darker.

A sigh slipped from my lips and I toppled over, sliding down the wall, sitting on the cold floor, tears pricking at the back of my eyes.

Had I honestly thought all my magic would be back after a few hours? I was powerful, I knew that. Not the most powerful, but certainly above average. Common sense said it would take a while for that to come back and Madam Pomfrey wanted me out of work for a week.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, blinking away the tears threatening to fall, I told myself; "Patience." Even though I felt very impatient. And useless. And utterly defenceless. How did Muggles handle it?

The cold was starting to make my legs feel numb. I got up on my feet, with a lot of groans and curses, but didn't go back to the bed. Instead, useless wand still in hand, I pulled my nightgown down as far as it would go and slipped out the door and up to a room where I knew I could find warmth.

Remus' door was unlocked. I hadn't even considered how he would react to someone sneaking into his room in the wee hours of the morning, but I realised I should have when the room was suddenly bathed in too bright light and a wand was pointed at me from the bed.

"It's just me," I said croakily, hands above my head, squinting at the brightness. "I didn't mean to startle you."

Remus breathed and the light faded into a soft glow. "Oh, it's okay. I'm still a little on edge since my last stay with the werewolf packs." I padded into the centre of the room, twisting my wand in my hands, suddenly feeling self-conscious. The door slid quietly shut behind me. "What are you doing here?"

I shrugged. "Cold." It felt stupid as I said it. I should have just gone back to bed. There was no reason for me to invade on Remus after having declined his offer the previous night, we didn't have that kind of relationship.

But he moved slightly to the side and lifted the covers. "Come here."

My heart did a funny jump and I felt so silly, so childish and so unlike myself, but my feet pulled me forward and I laid down next to him and he pulled the cover over me, warmth immediately seeping into my bones.

"Afraid I'll hex you?" he joked, nodding towards the wand I still held tightly in my right hand.

"Oh. No. I don't know why I brought it with me. Doesn't work." I hurried to put it on the bedside table.

Remus made a sound, before settling down and laying his arms around me, pulling me close to his naked form, my back against his warm front. "Warmer?"

"Much. Thank you."

We didn't speak for a while. Remus' heat seeped into every fibre of my being as I rested my head on his pillow. This was so unusual for us and so far from what I wanted in my life right now, but the feeling of his arms around my waist, his slow steady breaths against my neck, was having an impact on me. It may not be what I wanted, but it was what I needed. It felt like a knot was trying to unravel in my chest, and I clenched my teeth in an effort to not fall apart in his arms.

"I was so worried," Remus said quietly. I thought he had fallen asleep. "Nymphadora just said you had collapsed and was ice cold. When she brought you in..." He trailed off and I could feel him swallowing behind me. "You had bloody cuts on your face. From the broken window, I suppose. And you looked... dead. I thought you were dead." His voice sounded weak and I had to swallow the knot in my chest.

"I'm sorry," I whispered.

"Don't be. I'm glad you're okay. That you'll be okay."

Silence fell around us again and I glanced at my wand on his bedside table. "I want my magic back."

"How does it feel, being out of magic?"

I took a moment to choose my words. "Restraining. Unsafe. I'm defenceless. I can't even cast Lumos."

"Show me."

I reached for my wand again, a stupid part of my brain thinking that maybe third time was the charm. "Lumos." But it was the same. I dropped it onto the bedside table, wanting to cry.

Remus pulled me even closer if that was possible. "You'll get it back. The evidence was right there. You couldn't have cast anything if it was gone." He buried his face in my hair and whispered. "You'll get it back."

I wish I could be as confident about it as he was. Madam Pomfrey and Albus and everyone said it would come back, and deep down I knew it would, but it was hard to trust that when it was so feeble. But I nodded and told myself again to just be patient.

We fell silent, and I pushed everything from my mind and just let myself revel in the feel of Remus holding me and how toasty warm I felt, how comfortable and safe everything felt right there in this room. But a sound from somewhere in the house made the moment end for me. I wasn't sure exactly what time it was, but someone could be at my room to check on me. And not finding me there, they could start looking and calling for me.

"I should go back to my room," I said quietly.

Remus didn't respond, and I thought maybe he really had fallen asleep this time. I started pulling away from him, but he tightened his arms around me and buried his face in my hair again. I couldn't be sure, but it sounded like he smelled me. But then he nodded and loosened his grip. "I'll go down and cook up some breakfast."

We both slipped out of bed and I padded towards the door, opening it a smidge to see if the coast was clear. Not hearing or seeing anyone, I slipped out and hurried as quietly as I could down the stairs.

I reached the landing and was just about to open the door to my room when Tonks came from the other hallway. "Wotcher," she greeted.

"Tonks! Good morning," I said. I noticed her furrowing her brows, looking me up and down.

"Morning," she said. "What are you doing walking around? Isn't that a bit chilly?"

"I, uh... Yeah, it's cold. Was about to get dressed."

Just that moment, Remus came walking down the stairs, already dressed for the day. "Good morning, Nymphadora."

She glared at him for using that name. "Morning, Remus." Then she frowned and looked at me, then at Remus, and then me again. "I just came to check on you before going to work."

I smiled nervously, if only she had been five seconds slower, or I had been five seconds quicker. "Still shaky and magicless," I said.

"I'm about to make breakfast. Do you girls want any?" Remus said hurriedly, walking past Tonks and me, not looking at us.

"A cup of tea would be lovely, Remus," Tonks said, glancing between myself and Remus again.

"I'll just..." I trailed off, nodded and slipped inside my room.

Embarrassment for the weakness that had made me go to Remus for comfort and for almost getting caught filled me as I slipped into the clothes from the previous day. I really shouldn't have gone up there.

Before going out again, I glanced at the mirror by the door. "Looking tatty, young lady," the mirror tutted at me. My clothes were all wrinkly and a bit dusty, but I was in no condition to cast a freshening charm.

As I came down the stairs to the kitchen, I heard Remus and Tonks chatting.

"It is a long time. Be careful, Remus," Tonks said. "Especially during the full moon."

"Do not worry, Nymphadora." They both looked my way as I entered. "I know them. I am prepared." He was waving his wand over a kettle and it started whistling and steaming immediately. "Tea?"

"Yes, please," I replied, sitting down and helping myself to a piece to toast and butter.

"Nymphadora believes my upcoming mission with the werewolf pack in Wales is too risky," Remus explained as he poured tea into three cups.

"We already know they'll side with... Voldemort, if he decides to recruit them," Tonks explained. "They're under Greyback's influence."

"Which is why I need to be there." Remus handed out the teacups, sat down and helped himself to toast as well. "There are several of them that are not on Greyback's side, but they have nowhere else to go. Some of them are children, Nymphadora."

"Do not call me –" Tonks took a deep breath and collected herself. "I see your point, but I still don't like it."

"Any help we can get for our cause is worth it," I said. "It helps even if they're not on You-Know-Who's side."

Tonks lifted her teacup to her lips but did not drink from it, looking at me over the rim. "Do you think he's taking a too big risk? It's not a secret which side he's on."

"I would lie if I said I wasn't worried," I admitted and frowned slightly. "But we're all taking big risks in this war."

"Nymphadora is especially worried because it was Greyback who..." Remus started and Tonks' eyes snapped to him. He closed his eyes as he continued. "It was Greyback who bit me when I was six." He opened his eyes again but didn't look at any of us.

I stared at him. I hadn't known this.

"And he has a... taste for children."

A chill ran down my spine at those words. I grabbed the steaming teacup and held it tightly in my hands, concentrating on the warmth of it and willing the heat to spread through my body. It didn't. All the warmth he had poured into me while we had been up in bed, gone.

I felt eyes on me and looked up, Tonks was looking at Remus and he was looking at me. "Let's change the subject," Remus suggested.

At that moment, the kitchen door opened and Sirius came shuffling through, dark hair very much in the straight out of bed style. He stopped short, looking at the three of us. "Who died?"

"No one, Sirius," Remus said, the corner of his mouth twitching halfway into a smile. "Tea?"

Chapter 12 | Masterlist | Chapter 14

[fyrapartnersearch]

Long term M/M roleplays

Hey! I’m Kat, and looking for some more roleplays. I’m in my early twenties, so no worries there, and I’m in the GMT+3 time-zone, though I tend to be up at odd hours and I’m often online.

I mainly want to roleplay M/M right now. I tend to write multi-para and more often than not my replies are 700+ words. I don’t mind shorter replies, as long as I get at least a few good sized paragraphs and correct spelling/grammar. Mistakes happen and that’s fine, but I don’t want to read something with no punctuation and that’s nothing but mistakes.

Also please read this whole thing before sending me a message!! I ask you don’t just send “wanna RP?”, because I won’t know unless you tell me something you had in mind: a plot, an idea of mine you liked, anything really.

As for smut, I adore it. I don’t want to write only smut for now, but anything from 20/80 to 80/20 on plot/smut ratio is good for me. Just tell me if you want more plot or smut.

In M/M smut I prefer playing a submissive/bottom character. I can play a dominant character, but I don’t enjoy it so I wish you’ll be willing to play an exclusively dominant role.

What I like:

- Medieval/historical settings (especially ancient Egypt/Rome/Greece) - Forbidden love - Arranged marriage - Lots and lots of drama and dark themes - But also fluffy scenes and cute/happy moments - Mpreg (not a must at all, if you’re not into it) - Supernatural beings (werewolves, vampires, demons, gods etc.) - Omega verse - Role reversal (such as, for example, a bully getting himself in a situation where the bullied has complete control)

I’m rather reserved when it comes to modern day settings, but I can do those as well if there’s a lot of action and drama involved. I prefer a plot-heavy story in modern setting though.

Pairings I’d like to try: (Dom/sub)

- Warlord/prince - King or prince/prince in an arranged marriage setting - Pirate or thief/nobility - Samurai/geisha - Nobility/prostitute - Servant/nobility or royalty - Guard/nobility or royalty - Bullied/Bully - Nerd/popular student - Stepbrothers - Demon/angel - Poor guy/rich guy in an Victorian era/early 20th century setting - Mage/human (yes I have just finished rewatching all Harry Potter movies lol) - Werewolf/human - Professor/student

And many more fun things, but I can’t remember everything off the top of my head. Feel free to suggest anything, really. I’m also very much into playing femboys/crossdressing characters, though if that’s not your thing I can do other kinds of characters as well. I know it’s a concern for many with these kinds of characters, so I’ll promise my characters are never the “I-can-do-nothing-on-my-own-and-will-cry-at-the-drop-of-a-hat-and-whine-the-rest-of-the-time” blushing virgin, maiden in distress types. No need to worry about that.

I am busy a lot, so I might not always have time to reply every day or even every other day, but I try to be as active as I can. Feel free to poke me if it takes more than a week or so though.

A few plot ideas: (MC = my character, YC = your character)

1) Insipred by the TV show “Lucifer”. YC is the Devil himself, ruler of Hell, the first fallen angel. He has grown tired of the same old tortured souls and fires of damnation scenery though and decides it’s time to visit Earth for a bit. A notorious playboy, seducer to sin, the owner of one of the hottest nightclubs in town is the image he creates for himself among humans. He grants wishes in exchange to favours and soon enough everyone knows of him. MC is a struggling student, or someone who has just graduated and can’t get on in life, and as a last resort goes to see YC. YC takes an immidiate liking to him, and initial fascination quickly turns into something more… human. Love, maybe? Suddenly YC has to make a choice of whether or not he’ll reveal who he truly is to the innocent human he has fallen for.

2) Once upon a time MC and YC were lovers, young and oh, so in love. They were happy together, planning their future, until one day YC disappeared without a trace and MC never saw him again. Until 10 years later; YC has inherited a large fortune from his uncle who had no family of his own, and one lonely evening he heads to a brothel to ease his longing for company. There, much to his shock, he is reunited with MC who is a shell of what he once was. The bubbly, social human, always so full of life, has turned into someone with a haunted look in his eyes and a deep distrust for other people. Not able to leave MC there, YC buys him from the brothel and takes him home. Now he needs to decide what to do with him. (Historical setting)

3) (Omega verse, preferably mpreg included) MC is a rare kind of a shifter, an omega desired by many. He was born in a different kind of a prison: to a man who breeds only the best omegas for the royalty. He and the other omegas he lives with have never seen the outside world. They are kept safe behind locks in the innermost monastery on the castle grounds, where there’s no chance of them getting out on their own. They are given to the harems of the royal family, or occasionally bought by the wealthies of the wealthy. But MC wants more, he wants independence and a life of his own, rather than a life dedicated to fawning over an alpha with an ego big enough as it is. YC is an alpha who has made a considerable contribution to the kingdom (could be anything from being an honored soldier to being a famous artist, whatever you come up with) and who is being gifted one of these rare omegas by the royal family themselves. On his visit to the monastery to choose one of them, he takes a liking to MC, the spiteful little thing who can’t seem to know when to shut up and who won’t bat his lashes and swoon at everything YC does. It seems like MC will be getting a new home.

4) MC is a shifter (species can be discussed and decided on later) who has been separated from his pack and survived alone for a while now. He gets caught in the middle of a fight between YC’s pack and YC’s rival pack, and after - possibly accidentally - saving YC’s life he is accepted into the pack. Some time passes, YC and MC grow closer, the suspicions some had about MC fade and MC feels he’s starting to belong in a pack again, when he finds out his old pack has merged with YC’s rival pack. Now he’ll have to choose whether he is loyal to his new, or his old pack. (I would prefer this had mpreg, but again not a necessity)

5) YC is a shapeshifter, the leader of a clan of dragons. Dragons have long ago been thought extinct, but the truth is there are still some clans left. The problem is, with the dominant personalities of dragons, it’s quite difficult to find a mate or a breeding partner. YC thinks to look for the solution outside the clan, to make humans their child-bearers. He picks MC as the first test subject. (Includes Mpreg)

6) Two countries have been at war since the beginning of time, as long as anyone can remember. All boys who come of age must join the army and go to war. MC knows he could not survive the war - he’s never touched a sword in his life, never hurt anyone. He’s not physically strong nor does he have any knowledge of fighting. His family has already died because of the war, leaving him alone on a small farm. So, to avoid having to go, just before coming of age MC started disguising himself as a woman. For some years it has worked out well, he’s lived his life peacefully on his little farm, until the enemy forces take the city just outside of which MC lives. YC is a high ranking officer (or the king) who takes an interest in MC, thinking he is a woman. Now MC must figure out what to do with the peculiar situation he finds himself in.

7) (A rare futuristic plotline I’ve been dying to do since I watched Black Mirror; Nosedive) People want good ratings on their pictures, on their posts and videos - on themselves. Everyone has a technological chip inserted into their eyes when they’re born that lets them see how other people are rated. Only the “best” humans in society are rated 9 or higher overall - 5 or lower makes life Hell on Earth for a person. Anyone can rate anyone on their phones every time they interact in person. One’s rating has a tremendous impact on their lives; whether they get the job they want, whether they can apply to a certain school, even whether or not they can buy a house in a certain neighborhood… this system makes creating deep relationships nearly impossible, because people are too afraid to show who they really are in fear of being rated badly. MC is the youngest son of a well-off family, an ideal family where everyone is rated 8.9 or higher, loved by most people. YC is from a family who have never much cared about the system. They are decently rated, but they don’t seem to care - what they care about is the honestly and real human relationships that are so hard to find nowadays. When MC and YC meet, MC is intrigued, but YC thinks MC is an empty shell only after numbers just like everyone else. Eventually, feelings start to develop between the two, but there are many problems to overcome, especially in their society. That’s it for now. I’m always happy to hear any ideas you might have as well, and all the ideas above can be modified or changed up a little!

My e-mail: kat_vainio@outlook.com

Anyway, hope to hear from you soon!!

[strengthrequireskindness]

Revelations

This is a three-part Halloween fic based on a prompt by @quillsareswords! Since I've been inexcusably inactive lately, I hope this makes up for it!

Title is because I have a major thing for biblical references though I myself am agnostic

----

PROLOGUE

Halloween, one year ago

"I can't believe we have to patrol on Halloween!" Jamila threw up her hands as she paced along the rooftop. An hour into their stakeout had yielded nothing. She was not happy about it.

A flash of green heralded the arrival of her younger twin. His trademark scowl was firmly in place.

"Ttt. You would really rather beg for candy in childish costumes?"

"Better than tracking down a murder suspect that hasn't been seen in months. Do you really think he'd go back to his old house? That's practically asking to be caught."

Damian tutted. His cape swished as he made his way over to her. "He's eluded the GCPD for months now. It's likely why Father sent us."

Jamila couldn't argue with that. While Damian was undoubtedly skilled in combat, his occasional arrogance sometimes caused him to overlook things. She was more subdued, preferring to observe and investigate. Although she would fight if it came to that.

As Blackbird and Robin, they were a dynamic sibling duo, as Dick called it. Though not in front of Damian. The last time he'd done so, her brother had insulted his Discowing fashion choices for eight minutes straight.

"Let's review things-perhaps there's something we've missed." If nothing else, it was something to do.

Damian adjusted the sword at his belt, fiddling with the hilt. While Jamila knew steel blades were out of the question, wooden practice swords packed a punch and might even cause a concussion if used correctly.

"I doubt you would have missed anything."

"Is that a compliment from my brother? What is going on? Should I check to see if we're in a parallel universe?"

"Shut up, Blackbird," he muttered.

"Ooh, scary. Anyway, our lucky winner tonight is Godfrey Nash. Five foot nine, brown eyes, blonde hair, slightly overweight. He worked for Wayne Enterprises before being fired two years ago. In May, the bodies of three women were discovered in his apartment. By then, he'd already skipped town."

She paused. "Background checks say Nash has a history of violence. He got suspended in ninth grade for slamming a kid's face into a chain-link fence. He was also fired from his first job for slashing a coworker's tires."

"So we're looking for a psychopath." Damian's eyes narrowed.

"Not necessarily. It's possible he's just very bad at managing anger."

Her twin scoffed. "That's obvious. I did find something at the crime scene."

"Oh?" Jamila hadn't been able to go to the crime scene because she'd been recovering from a scuffle with Scarecrow. Damian had been forced to take over her usual spot.

"Well, it's what I didn't find that is notable. There wasn't a murder weapon or fingerprints."

"What? Weren't the bodies slashed beyond recognition?"

"Yes, but then or since there has been no knife or something similar found."

She sighed. "So possible metahuman involvement, then. That might explain the lack of prints on the bodies."

"Likely, though Croc has been quiet."

"A new player?"

"Newcomers usually go for Father first. We would have heard about that."

As if Damian had summoned him, Jamila's earpiece buzzed. She switched it on, unsurprised to hear Batman's voice on the other end.

Her relationship with their father wasn't as close as Damian's. While Damian had been discovered first by Bruce, it took some time before the man had trusted her brother enough to believe his stories about a sibling.

Her brother and father found her four years after Damian's defection. She nearly killed Bruce upon their first encounter out of fury and resentment. It took a combined effort by her brother and Nightwing to calm her down. Repeated efforts involving the entire Batfamily taught her to trust others.

She'd forgiven him. Both of them were trying to be closer. But she'd never forget the feeling of knowing that help was out there and wasn't coming.

"Blackbird, report." His voice, as always, sounded like he was gargling with gravel.

"No movement from the house, aside from several police officers taking down the crime scene tape. It's been five months since the bodies were found, so that's not suspicious."

She swallowed before making her pitch. "There's been no sign of Nash and we've been here for sixty minutes. May we take a short break to go trick-or-treating?"

"Negative. There's been a development."

Jamila choked down her disappointment before responding. It wouldn't do to complain to her father. Batman was not the kind of man who changed his mind without good reason. "What is it?"

"Facial recognition confirmed the first victim's identity. It's Delilah Dearborn."

"Wasn't she the socialite you took to the charity gala?"

"Yes."

The answer confirmed her growing suspicions. "Father, tell Tim to calibrate the facial recognition software for women you've taken to public events. I know you're busy with Justice League business. But he isn't."

"All right. I'll have him patch into your comms when he's done. Batman out."

The earpiece went dead. Jamila turned to Damian, who was giving her a dirty look.

"Drake? Really?"

"I know you don't like him. He's better at technology than either of us."

"Ttt. Very well." He crossed his arms, looking for all the word like a petulant little boy instead of a badass vigilante. The fact that he was doing this while pacing along the far side of the roof didn't help matters.

There was a beat of silence before he spoke again. "What's on your mind, sister?"

"One of the victims is someone Father took to a gala. I'm following a hunch. Maybe this is more than just anger issues."

No sooner had she finished her sentence than her earpiece buzzed again. One switch directed her to Tim's voice. He sounded equal parts tired and thoughtful.

"Tim. What do you have?"

"Well, your instincts are spot on, as usual." Furious typing echoed from the other end of the line. "I've recalibrated the software. Matches for the other two victims popped up almost instantly. Marinda Ayotunde and Jessica Blake both dated Bruce. At least that's what the tabloids say. And get this-they're both rich and famous. Ayotunde was related to African royalty. Blake was the CEO of Lionheart Solutions. It's a private security firm that protects society's elites."

"So Nash is resentful of Bruce because Bruce's company fired him. He's resentful of wealthy people too?"

"One out of two. Blake wasn't significantly wealthy yet, but she's famous enough to make it into local papers. My guess is Nash doesn't like people who are significant. He deserves to be significant and they don't."

"Would that extend to the Batfamily?"

It was a pertinent question. Tim's answer would reflect how they proceeded. So Jamila was paying close attention to her earpiece when it happened.

Something grabbed at her leg.

It was a strong grip, far too strong to be human. She struggled. The grip held firm. She bit back a scream as she was yanked off the side of the building.

The impact with the top of the dumpster knocked the wind out of her, sending a spike of pain through her stomach. Definitely a bruised rib if not worse.

Enough self-diagnosis, she chided herself. You're under attack.

A growl from behind her caught her attention. She turned, drawing her bo staff off her back. It annoyed Damian that she used the same weapon as Tim. But that wasn't relevant.

One look at the thing in front of her and she knew that her weapon wasn't going to cut it.

It stood taller than six feet, covered in a ragged coat of what seemed like fur. Gleaming claws curled out of its huge hands and feet. Harsh yellow eyes and a long snout completed the look.

Jamila knew what this was. This couldn't possibly be it. In a world where even her grandfather stayed alive for eternities due to science, a werewolf simply wasn't part of the equation.

It opened its mouth and roared. She saw slavering fangs and breath that stank worse than anything she'd ever smelled before it lunged.

The dumpster saved her. As the monster surged forward, she dodged to the side. She slipped behind the green container and shoved it forward.

It caught the wolf square in the chest, but at a price. The heavy weight dulled her reflexes with predictable results. Her foot caught against a stray bag and sent her plunging forward.

She smacked into the pavement, her hands scraping against the concrete. Panic overtook her now and she scrabbled at the ground for purchase.

Jamila pushed herself upright just as the wolf's (she was calling it that because it couldn't possibly have the were portion of the name) claws raked into her right shoulder. She hissed in pain and thrust her bo staff forward with everything she had.

And the wolf caught it.

She stared in disbelief. This thing had just blocked a full-strength attack with no effort at all. It looked at the staff, tilting its head to the side. A growl rumbled outwards, nearly as loud as the blood rushing in her ears.

The bo staff was yanked out of her hands with no warning at all, clattering to the pavement like a broken toy. The momentum drove Jamila forward, and the wolf took advantage of that. It took her injured arm with its free clawed hand and ripped.

She screamed now, blood pooling out of the remains of her suit's right sleeve. It hurt. It hurt so much she couldn't think straight. How did it do that so fast and so effectively? How could she survive this?

Even with pain clouding her sight, she could see the wolf striding towards her with the walk of something that knows it's won. She raised her leg and kicked out, a last desperate defense against what she knew was coming.

The wolf swatted it aside like a bothersome fly.

A deep rumbling laugh echoed from inside it as her vision darkened. She'd heard that laugh on many a surveillance feed. Stakeouts weren't only visual.

"Oh, I like you. Maybe I'll take you after all."

There was a fierce stabbing pain, a sensation like her organs rearranging themselves, then inky blackness.

---

Part Two will be up tomorrow! Thanks again to @quillsareswords for their excellent inspiration for this!

[rk-silverknight]

Farewell

*Here’ my small entry for the Noblesse10 event, hope you enjoy. Author’s notes at the end.*

Fighting and battle, it was something no one really ever willingly signs up for, but for the modified humans it was something that they couldn’t escape from entirely. It was dangerous and violent, unpredictable and lethal to the point that they knew at any moment everything would end, their lives could be taken in an instant and that would be it. Nothing more, it was a reality that they all knew and were willing to accept if fate had decided that it was time to go, after all war doesn’t differentiate from the sinners and the saints, it takes and it takes and it takes.

He knew the time would come, he always knew, they had all accepted the fact that they would die in battle one day, he just hoped that it wouldn’t be like this but he has no regrets. His family would be safe in the end, they would all be able to go home and even if he couldn’t return with them he was happy that they would. This is for the best. He was careless, he knew he couldn’t take that oncoming blow unscathed, but there was no way he was going to let the others take it either. He had the advantage of having a werewolf’s heart, he would be able to survive, even if it meant only for a few more moments so it was the most logical choice in the end. Did I do the right thing? No, I know I did.

“M-21!”

He heard them, the shouts of his family members, of his companions, but the pain from the enemies attack that pierced through him was immense, though not something new, a heart that was not his from the beginning being pierced right away and although a natural born werewolf would be able to survive such an attack, he wasn’t one he was made. M-21 knew that and still he couldn't stop his body from pushing away his companions and taking the blow instead. His instincts were his driving force, no logical or tactical thought coming across his mind to think of a better solution or plan. He only had mere seconds to move and act fast, his heart wouldn’t allow another of his own to be hurt, not again. M-24 was attacked when they were separated during their first fight against their previous ‘owners’ and M-21 couldn’t be there to protect him, something that he has felt immensely guilty for, but this time he was ready and stronger, he was not going to waste this opportunity to protect his own. He wouldn’t allow it, not while he could still stand and fight, with power or no power.

In that instant as he saw the face of his attacker he also saw it, the black and purple of Dark Speak’s destructive force, being able to sense its power and wrath that matched that of its wielder, of their surrogate father and mentor. One that he fears he is the cause of and a part of him wanted to calm the other down, to tell him that it was okay and he was fine, but that was a flat out lie he knew would hurt the others more. He couldn’t do that to them not after this, still, he couldn’t help but smirk when he saw the Spear engulf the one who struck him, the look on their face as realization hit that this was their demise was more than enough to satisfy him. 

“I told you didn’t I?” he muses, still being able to give his cocky smirk, “if you mess with one of us, you mess with us all, and in the end one way or another you will pay.” His opponent is then gone, being consumed entirely by the weapon, his support being taken along as well.

The next thing he knew M-21 was falling, his vision was already getting blurry and even though the werewolf heart, his heart, was working on overdrive to heal him and save him, he was too tired. There wasn’t enough time to recover, not all the injuries he had sustained at least. It’s okay, this is okay. he repeated in his mind as he awaited the impact from the fall but after several seconds later it never came. Instead warm arms caught him and as he opened his eyes to see who had reached him he was able to see red, those warm and gentle eyes that were so expressive and although M-21 was hoping that he was mistaken he knew that look, he’s seen it before after all although not aimed at him in the past. That look of sadness, of pain and hurt, a look he never wanted to be the cause of since Raizel was one who deserved happiness and freedom more than anyone. He had lived a long time yes, but he was trapped in a cage that took the shape of a manor, a life that didn’t allow him to enjoy it and the wonders that the world had to offer. Now here he was, no longer trapped in the manor and to be able to be free yet here he was holding him and M-21 himself being the cause of this sadness. He lifted his hand, and although it was bruised and bloodied he didn’t hesitate, he gently placed his hand next to the Noblesse’s face, a small smile on his features as he mustered enough strength, “Please don’t be sad Raizel, it’s okay, this is okay. I do not regret my choice, we all knew that there are consequences to our actions, we all knew that one day we may not return home but still we fight. We fight to protect the ones we care about and love, so even though this is now my time, I don’t regret anything.” his strength is fading, he knows this, he can feel it.

“Please continue to live Rai, please continue to smile, and even though I may no longer be by your side, don’t forget me, yeah? I know I was a handful, I was broken and torn thanks to the Union, but you and Frankenstein saved me. You gave me a home and family, you gave meaning to my life and for that I am grateful. I was no longer Union’s lapdog, I was M-21, a member of your family, part of RK, someone whom you all considered family and for that I will forever thank you both. So please, promise me that you will continue to live and smile today and for days to come, deal?” His vision was blurry once more, something he knew was inevitable, he was able to tell that a nod was given and that was more than enough to satisfy him. Raizel was a man of few words after all, but his actions spoke volumes.

His hand begins to fall, he had meant to remove it from the Noblesse’s face but his strength suddenly left him and it began to collapse but before it hit the ground someone else grabbed it. He turned to face a familiar blur of  yellow and blue, “Frankenstein?” he questioned but he knew the answer. He couldn't clearly see his face but he was able to tell that it was him, there was something about his presence that although it was somewhat scary, Dark Spear being the culprit, his own aura and presence was warm and caring. Strict yes, but very caring and gentle.

“I’m reckless aren’t I?” he inquired, though he wasn’t really expecting an answer. He was glad that he got one, “The craziest one from all my kids alright, but that’s who you are. You wouldn’t be M-21 without that short temper and strong will.” M-21 smiled at that, he was glad that the others knew him enough to know what he’s thinking without having to explain anything. He can be cold and stoic to others outside of their home, but to his family he was easy to read like an open book. A trust that only M-24 had but it was now extended to all of the members of the household.

“Yeah, that’s me.”

He heard it, the beating of his heart. Damn his sharp senses, how he loathed them sometimes. They were great when it came to battle, being able to sniff out an enemy or an attack before it reached them, even being able to block others strike with the smallest hint be it through sound, smell or move. He could sense it, see it, and he was glad that he was able to use them to help his companions, but now he hated them, he hated that he could hear his own heartbeat slowing down, using the last of its strength to keep him alive even if it’s just a bit longer. He was losing consciousness, he knew he was but he didn’t want to close his eyes, not yet. He was aware that if he did then it would be the last time he closed them, that it would be his time to enter his own eternal slumber from where he would never awaken again, but still he wanted to spend time with them a bit more, just a few seconds longer.

In that silence, he was glad that everyone was there, he can smell their scents; tea, metal, gun powder, food, lavender, dish soap, books and ramen. All the scents that M-21 associated with their crazy home, with his young charge, they were all there. He couldn’t see them anymore, he couldn’t see their faces or meet their eyes but he knew they were there, they have always been there for him even when he had pushed them away more than once, they would remain by his side and not let him deal with problems on his own. He was a broken man, one whom he thinks didn’t deserve all this, one who had nothing to live for until he was given so much; a home, a family, a reason to move forward and to continue living a life. A new start. To live not only as M-21, the Union’s lap dog, but as M-21 who’s also member of their household and one the Raizel Knights. Crazy really, who would’ve thought that the once assassin whose hands were covered in so much blood, who did the dirty work for Union would become a threat to them, maybe not as great as he wished he could be but enough that he became a target. They may have beaten him this time, won this battle, but the war wasn’t over. He wouldn’t be a part of it anymore, but M-21 was more than certain that the others would win, they had to or else the innocents would pay with their lives and that is not something any of them were willing to let slide and go without punishment.

“Hey, promise me one thing you guys,” he began, his vision slowing being covered by black spots that he wish could be blinked away but any attempts being futile.

“What is it M, we’ll keep it, I swear on it!?” voiced their youngest RK member, he truthfully was amazing and talented. Someone who took care of them all and brought a smile to everyone's face with his crazy antics. He was certain that he and Takeo would be okay, they have each other, they all do. Modified humans and Nobles, all being able to live under one roof as calmly and peacefully as their personalities could let them. No matter how much he wanted to continue to stay with them he couldn’t, not anymore. It’s okay, it will all be okay.

“Kick their ass and beat the shit out of them, understand.” he received a mixture of, “Hell yeah”, “Don’t doubt us!”, “Without fail!” and that once more brought a smile to his face but also broke his heart. They were strong, they all were, but he could hear it intertwined with their voices. Sadness, pain, anger, frustration, loneliness, regret.

Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.

“Thank you, all of you, for everything.” he began once more, he still had a bit of energy left, though his heart was telling him that it was a few minutes at best. Damn, so this is it isn’t it, oh well. At least it was a blast while it lasted, the best choice I made, and it’s all thanks to M-24.

“I’ll be leaving now, but don’t worry, I’ll be okay. I won’t be alone either so don’t worry about me. They're waiting for me, the other M-Series, I have kept them waiting too long, but now it is my time to join them.”

Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.

“I leave with many great memories, happy and sad, but overall I lived a life with all of you.”

Thump. Thump. Thump.

“My family, I will miss you, but please continue to smile. Continue to live and to protect the innocents. Stop the Union so our tragic stories won’t repeat themselves, okay?”

Thump. Thump.

“Apologize to Kentas and Lunark for me too yeah? Tell them I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to our planned training. Maybe in another life though. Watch over yourselves and over the youngest member of our family. Please.” Tell him I’m sorry I couldn’t go back home and read that book with him. I hope he forgives me.

Thump.

“Farewell my family, I will never forget you.” Goodnight, until we meet again in our next life.

“Farewell child, we will meet again in another life perhaps and we will honor your last request. I as the Noblesse swear on it, are we in agreement everyone?”

“Yes Master.”

“Yes Sir Raizel.”

“Yes sir.”

“The war we will not lose, that I swear, and from now on we will have no more casualties.” Raizel handed Frankenstein the body of one of their three kids whom they took in that day. It was hard, it was so hard to not say something to calm the other, but Rai knew that M-21 wasn’t scared or terrified. It was as if he was at peace, now he would no longer be a target for the Union, he won’t ever be harmed. He can now rest eternally, something he deserved greatly after everything he had been put through.

“Frankenstein”

“Yes master.”

“Let’s take M-21 home, we must give him a proper farewell. Understood?”

“Yes master.” this was something that Frankenstein never wanted to do. It was the children's job to bury their parents when the time came, after all the parents are the ones who came first and pass down their knowledge and wisdom to the next generation until their last day, not the other way around. Never the other way around. He can see it, on the look his master gave him as he handed M-21 to him, a silent cry that he was heartbroken and wanted to cry even, but he couldn’t do that here. Not in front of the others, they both needed to be strong for their family, not to mention they need to be there for their youngest member yet, but later on in the private of their own rooms would they be able to mourn their loss.

He held M-21 closer, removing his coat to cover the other with it and try to cover the fatal wound. He really wished that his heart would save him this time life before, that he would be okay and within a weeks rest he could help their family with chores again and they would be training like crazy, he was mistaken. “I promise M, we will watch over everyone back home and we will beat our enemies.” We cannot, will not fail.

“For now, farewell child.”

**AN**:Okay here it is, I hope you like. I kept this a bit open only mentioning a few members by name and leaving clues here and there of others. Also as a side note because it may confuse others, since I do RP as M-21 myself I have an AU!verse where he takes in a young teen who somehow escaped the Union. M didn’t want to let him be on his own since he knows how merciless they can be and decided to take him in. Something he learned form Rai and Frankenstein, he wants to give him an actual life and new start so yes there are mentions of him as well that may be a bit confusing. I am a bad person for thinking this but there’s a part of me that feels, that even though M-21 has this heart and has been saved plenty of times I feel that one day it just won’t be enough. It has saved him, but maybe one day it won’t, and thus I feel this is something that would hurt so much to Rai and Frankenstein. The Nobles themselves enter their eternal sleep, though that is something they are ready for, but in a war where the humans just die. That;s a bit different, you know?? Anyways hope you enjoy in the end. ^^ I will make/write/try to draw other stuff too. :D

Don’t mind any misspelling or errors. Feel free to point them out though. :D

[fourtrisheafanfic]

A Werewolf Among Dragons (Part I)

GoT fanfic: A Werewolf Among Dragons (Part I)

Tumblr - JONERYS Appreciation Week

Day 7 Prompt: free choice (I picked a werewolf/jonerys story)

Rating: Mature (M)

Summary: In a world where the rules that governed the werewolves for centuries are tested and broken, many are forced to sacrifice for the needs of The Pack. Some asked to sacrifice more than others.

Ordered-Mating (ôr'dər’ed mā'tĭng): The predetermined conveniently arranged pairing of a male and a female for the purpose of reproduction and protecting and preserving a royal pack.

PART I: HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF

++o+ Kings Landing +o++

+o+ The Targaryen Pack +o+

“Daenerys, enough of your insolence! I am the alpha of this pack and you will yield to me!” Aerys Targaryen  hisses coldly at his last remaining a child. “Get out of my sight, child! Not another word on this subject. Go!”

“In fact, all you, get out, clear the room,” the Alpha screams across the room as all exit. The majority of the werewolves look frightened, even the ones that are guards,  as they scurry out quickly. But not Daenerys, calm and collected while slowly walking out. Testing him of course.

Always testing him.

The child that was gifted with more fierceness and strength then the rest of his children combined. Which explains why the others have since perished, leaving him with only one heir. Leaving him with only one chance to save the Targaryen Pack.

This child was truly a force to be reckoned with.

His last surviving child - that was sadly just a female.

Finally alone to think, realizing his patience wearing very thin, he fights to control his rage. Time was of the essence, this plan was their last hope.

The Targaryen Pack, werewolf and masters of the dragons, is the most important house among the intricate balance kept by numerous werewolf packs across the kingdom. They could not fail.

The fates had been cruel to Aerys over the years.  Betrothed to a female werewolf that detested him, their union had been hateful and cruel.

The three children she bore him were all forced upon her. They would only lie together for purposes of producing heirs. Which she had not wanted any part of.

Their first two sons, Rhaegar and Viserys have tragically died. Rhaegar as a young boy, killed by The Wildlings, the organized pack of rogue werewolves. Daenerys was just a toddler, she did not remember him. Viserys died last year, again the Wildlings were to blame. His idiot son could not stay away from the brothels or random whores, a Wildling with red wild hair had seduced him and then poisoned the future Alpha of the Targaryen pack.

The only solace was how the red-haired devil was made to suffer. Unspeakable things were done to her, barely kept alive so that her suffering could continue for days.

Thinking back to his dead wife, Rhaella had been the daughter of the Alpha from Pack Tyrell, the most beautiful she-wolf he had ever seen. The title she held until their own daughter, Daenerys, had been born, surpassing her mother in both strength and beauty.

They might have had a chance for happiness, or to at least avoid a lifetime of despair. If only she hadn’t found him.

For thousands of centuries the traditions of the wolves relied on strength through the pairing of one to their fated mate through the mate-bond. It was less than five generations ago that the highest council met to review the devastating impact of a mate-less heir to a royal line.

Desperate time called for desperate measures. The unions of royal house to royal house was determined to trump the mate-bond. An Ordered-Mating was designed to save the royal lines while ensuring the highest possibility for a pack’s survival.

The lovely Tyrell daughter had been ordained to the young Alpha of the most powerful pack, a destiny she had willingly agreed to. Her brothers were in their rightful place to rule the Tyrell pack, she was strong and ambitious – she wanted to fulfill her role as future Luna of the highest reigning pack. His princess Rhaella had been happy even.

Everything had been settled until fate stepped in the way. Targaryen werewolf soldiers sent to Highgarden to retrieve the Tyrell daughter, were the highest decorated warriors in all the lands.

It was during the voyage back to Kings Landing that the highest knight offered Rhaella his hand while assisting her into the carriage. It was an uncanny coincidence that he had previously removed his glove, it had accidentally ripped moments earlier and been discarded.

The moment their fingers touched, skin to skin, the mate bond revealed itself. In that moment Rhaella’s heart and life belonged to her knight, and his to her. Their eyes widening, the knight placed his finger to his lips to encourage her silence.

The bonded werewolves knew that the Royal Targaryen family would never honor Rhaella’s truemate bond over the Ordered-Mating that had been ordained. During the journey the couple was able to steal moments, as their love for each other only intensified. They planned to run away together, she could not bear the thought of a life without him. It was only rumored that the couple completed the mate bond during their first stolen night. Aerys knew it was true, as Rhaella had told him in great detail what an incredible lover her mate had been. To this day the thought enraged him.  

They lovers were ultimately caught, the young Alpha was furious and humiliated. The couple dragged to Kings Landing to face judgement. Aerys can still remember his bride’s screams, begging for mercy of her beloved knight, her mate. Her cries were in vain, only spurring the Alpha’s cruelty further. No one crosses a dragon and survives.

The Tyrell daughter was locked in the highest tower, with a sealed window, so that she could watch. Her knight was convicted of treason, and brutally tortured before being beheaded by the dragon that belonged to her betrothed. Her knight’s torture continued for a full day, her screams of agony echoing through the upper levels of the castle.

After a period of solitude and waiting, to ensure Rhealla was not pregnant with her dead lover’s child, the Ordered-Mating proceeded. The young Alpha had come up with ways to torment her, not allowing her to see the sun or run outside during her waiting, which was excruciating to her inner wolf. The union was dysfunctional and cruel, the Alpha and Luna never found peace or mutual ground.

It was because of Rhealla and her knight, it was written into law that once the true mate-bond of a high born was found…they would be ordered to death.

The werewolf bond is only discovered through physical, flesh to flesh contact. To avoid complications young werewolves that will likely need to marry for position and power and forbidden to touch a werewolf of the opposite sex.

The warning to young nobles was clear, you may find your great love, only to cost them their life in the most brutal way.

Replaying the heated argument with his only daughter, he knew she would eventually yield for the sake of her pack. Aerys gave the order: send the raven, the princess Daenerys has accepted the terms of the Ordered-Mating. They are to send us her groom within one fortnight's time.

+++o+++

Dany shook with rage as she paced through the castle, fantasizing about running away. She is the only heir, she knows that Drogon would allow her to ride him and they could just run away. Away from Red Keep, away from Kings Landing, away from her future Alpha.

What a cruel joke! She is the one that was raised in the capital. She has Targaryen blood running through her veins. She has trained as a warrior since she was old enough to walk. But now, she will be forced to marry the second son of an Alpha.

Turning to an empty corridor Dany finally stops to lean her back against the cold stone of the wall. Feeling the tension in her shoulders she slowly breathes in and out to calm herself.

Her mother’s words ringing in her ears:

It is unnatural, an abomination against what sets us apart from the dogs. The werewolf mate-bond is what makes us stronger. Uniting with our one fated love. Producing blessed children that are strong and noble.

You must resist my beautiful daughter, you should be safe as your older brother will carry the burden of forwarding the Targaryen line. Thank goodness you are not the first born.

Dany frowns sadly, it was one of the last conversations she ever had with her mother before she died from illness. Her mother had always been fragile and tired. Blaming it on the death of her beloved mate, with whom the mate-bond had been sealed.

Scowling, Dany knows that she will never leave her home. She was raised to rule, and rule she must.

Even if she does have to tolerate some ill-bred that thinks he is going to be Alpha.

We will see about that! Dany thinks with a smile.

Slipping off her dress she decides to go for a run. Dany has never had an issue with her nudity, much to her father’s dismay. She welcomes the transformation pain that comes as her inner wolf is released. She is truly a magnificent beast, although tiny and petite when in human form - - when she releases her inner wolf she morphs into the most powerful female she-wolf ever seen in this kingdom. A true transformation, only her violet eyes remaining. Every trace of her silver hair hidden as her wolf’s fur is raven black.

She once heard the prophet say she is a ferocious wolf as she was conceived in hate. It was well known that her mother was never willing to lie with the Alpha. It was a duty that she detested.

As Dany runs ferociously through her lands, for the first time she feels dread. It will be her duty to produce her Ordered-Mate an heir.

Damned it, she scowls.

++o+ End of Part I of III +o++

Read Part II Here (link)

Author’s Note: This is my day 7 post for Jonerys Appreciation Week. My first ever fanfic with werewolves, I’ve read so many but I’ve never been brave enough to write. Shout out to @awolfshapedbullet for the prompt to combine Jonerys & Werewolves.

[time-in-reverse]

I’m alive (on vacation, but still alive)

Tagged by: no one, though I saw @entj-werewolf do it so I thought I’d give it a shot

LAST:

1. Drink: Water 2. Phone call: my dad   3. Text message: my aunt 4. Song you listened to: Pumped up kicks by Foster the People 5. Time you cried: A couple of weeks ago. Reason is embarrassing so I won’t tell. 

HAVE YOU:

6. Dated someone twice: No. I found out the hard way that my last (and first) ex is a manipulative asshole. Dating him is an experience that I do not want to repeat.   7. Kissed someone and regretted it: Yeah. ^ 8. Been cheated on: Nope 9. Lost someone special: No, although I do wish I’d gotten to know my grandfather from my dad’s side of the family before he died. I would have liked to have gotten his perspective on his and my (narcissistic, unfortunately) grandmother’s divorce. I also think that the divorce deeply impacted my dad (although he doesn’t really talk about it) and I would have liked to see the two have some closure. Unfortunately that’s not possible since he passed away 12 years ago… 10. Been depressed: Yeah, due to loneliness (not clinical depression though, I think that’s an important distinction I need to make).11. Gotten drunk and thrown up: No. I’m underage but have tried alcohol before, don’t like it, and don’t plan on getting drunk any time soon.

LIST 3 FAVORITE COLORS:

12-14: Blue, Purple, Black

IN THE LAST YEAR HAVE YOU:

15. Made new friends: No, but I’ve reconnected with some family members (discovered that I got on quite well with my aunt + cousin after a family gathering) 16. Fallen out of love: Yep, although I don’t consider my past relationship “love”, more like “infatuation/idealisation” 17. Laughed until you cried: Yeah. good times man :’) (wish it happened more often, though) 18. Found out someone was talking about you: hahaha… #5. Generally speaking though, my family is very straightforward so whatever they say behind me they say to my face. (Thankfully this has never happened with friends/classmates…) 20. Found out who your friends are: I think I’m in the process of doing that right now. If there’s one good thing that came out of my waste-of-time relationship it’s that it’s given me an opportunity to bond more with my INFJ friend (who went through an eerily similar experience) and my friends from my old school. 21.  Kissed someone on your Facebook list: my ex #regret 

GENERAL:

22. How many of your Facebook friends do you know in real life: all of them. I don’t use Facebook that often though, only to message classmates/friends as I find the constant spamming/ads/people parading their "social lives" annoying 23. Do you have any pets: no, but I hope to have a cat some day :’) 24. Do you want to change your name: I thought about this when I was younger, but nahhh. Brooke fits and is a memorable name IMO  25. What did you do for your last Birthday: I attempted to bake cupcakes without parental supervision but the cupcakes ended up turning into fudge because I forgot to add flour (dang it inferior Se!!). I also ate dinner at Pizza express with my friends.  26. What time do you wake up: Depends. Now that it’s summer I get the luxury of waking up later so 8:30 (school days it’s 6:00 T_T)  27. What were you doing at midnight last night: sleeping.  28. Name something you can’t wait for: to finally settle on a college choice (and leave for college, getting tired of high school)  29. When was the last time you saw your mom? 15 minutes ago. Currently at home typing this and she’s outside on the porch  30. What is one thing you wish you could change in your life: My outlook on things, since I tend to be quite cynical and find it difficult to tamper it at times. I think that with a better attitude, extraneous factors become less daunting so that’s why I picked something personality related.  31. What are you listening to right now: my parents talking outside, lol  32. Have you ever talked to a person named Tom: my brother and a former classmate are both called Thomas, so yes.  33. Something that is getting on your nerves: my dang siblings (and to a lesser extent, my parents), also college/academic stuff. for the former, I’m getting tired of them (being stuck with them on vacation for nearly 3 weeks is taking its toll. my siblings are getting bored and keep teasing me while my parents keep nagging me to do more chores >_< I wish they would shut up for once and quit irritating me!) while for the latter I’m feeling the pressure to study so I’ll be prepared for SATs and when I go back to school in a month. 34. Most visited website: Youtube/Tumblr/Reddit  35. Mole/s: Yeaah I have quite a few. They don’t bother me too much though 36. Mark/s: A crescent shaped birthmark on my right arm. I find it kinda cool. Then a scar on my 4th finger from the time an elevator door closed on it. On my left arm I have a scar from the time I scraped it against a bookshelf corner (yikes!) 37. Childhood dream: To become a fiction writer. Hasn’t changed much, lol, though now I read a lot more non fiction (psychology B) so that’s a potential area I may look into  38. Hair color: Dark brown 39. Long or short hair: Medium  40. Do you have a crush on someone: Nope (thank god, also).  41. What do you like about yourself: my perceptiveness, sense of humour, and honesty  42. Piercings: Two ear piercings. Unfortunately I got lazy wearing my earrings so the holes have grown in a little.  43. Blood type: A  44. Nicknames? Nope  45. Relationship status: Single 46. Zodiac: Gemini (don’t subscribe to horoscopes so…)  47. Pronouns: She/her  48. Favorite TV Show: Gravity Falls 50. Right or left hand: Right handed all the way! 51. Surgery: …do cavity fillings count? Other than that, nah.  52. Hair dyed in different color: Nope, I like my natural hair color as it is 53. Sport: Basketball/badminton  55. Vacation: Always wanted to go to Scandinavia lol, preferably with friends/alone.  56. Pair of trainers: Stan smiths. the superstar ones. a couple of months ago I decided I’d hop aboard the trend train (these are quite popular atm). these sport a classy look and go well with (almost) any outfit.

MORE GENERAL:

57. Eating: Not eating anything right now since I had dinner an hour ago.  58. Drinking: Nothing  59. I’m about to: go outside on the porch for some fresh air.  62. Want: a lot of stuff, but right now- some peace and quiet away from my family, also to see my friends again. 63. Get married: Maybe. The way I see it, if someone happens to meet my standards + we’re compatible + they’d be OK without kids then maybe, although it’s not something I’m hellbent on. 64. Career: Writer all the way! 65. Hugs or kisses: in an intimate relationship? hugs/cuddling.  66. Lips or eyes: eyes  67. Shorter or taller: taller.  68. Older or younger: older  70. Nice arms or nice stomach: I don’t really notice this kind of stuff since personality/intelligence is what matters the most to me, but I guess both would be better than without either so both?  71. Sensitive or loud: ehh… I tend to be attracted to ambiverted people so I guess someone in between.  72. Hook up or relationship: Relationship. Would never hook up… I imagine it’d feel cheap and pointless  73. Troublemaker or hesitant: in between

HAVE YOU EVER:

74. Kissed a Stranger: hell no 75. Drank hard liquor: Again, am underage and don’t like alcohol 76. Lost glasses/contact lenses: Don’t own either so no 77. Turned someone down: once. my ex actually (long story, but I turned him down a couple of times before we started going out. Should have stuck with my initial decision(s) ) 78. Sex on the first date: No. Never had it, would never do it that early. Plus, it isn't smart either as I’ve read that the hormones released during sex can muddle your perception/judgment of the other person (first date is vital for seeing if the other person is compatible for a relationship). 79. Broken someone’s heart: I hope not, but I also doubt it. Aside from my ex I’ve never had any guys express outright interest in me so I’ve never rejected anyone. 80. Had your heart broken: Nah. 81. Been arrested: No. 82. Cried when someone died: …don’t know anyone personally who died, so no. 83. Fallen for a friend: Don’t have any male friends and am not bi, so no.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN:

84: Yourself: I guess...  85. Miracles: Yeah.  86. Love at first sight: I think it’s possible but rare. So I’m a skeptical believer, I guess? 87. Santa Claus: when I was a kid, yeah. 88. Kiss on the first date: depends. if i’ve known the other person well enough + there’s been attraction/love prior to dating, then maybe. It’s not something I personally care about that much though, plus my one experience with kissing has been unpleasant (didn’t really enjoy it, the “spark” thing is either a myth or my ex was just the wrong person).

OTHER:

90. Current best friend name: … T_T 91. Eye color: Dark brown 92. Favorite movie: Zootopia, probably. That movie made an impression :P

Not tagging anyone unless anyone wants to do this 

[athenatothejane]

The Art of Waiting: “A Werewolf Boy” Movie Review

               I’m not really that into movies. Yes I do love them but I’m not one of those persons who search and wait for new movies to come out – well, except for a few Korean movies. In fact, most of the movies I’ve seen were already shown years before. However, when I do get the chance to watch a movie, I get really hooked to it. I get involved to it too much and I have this withdrawal syndrome. Because I still can’t get over it, I look for its behind-the-scene clips, the soundtracks used and the interviews. And what I frequently do whenever I encounter a good movie is I watch it again. As I continue to watch it again and again, I discover some details I haven’t noticed the first time I watched it.

              One of the movies that I will never get tired of watching again and again is the Korean movie, A Werewolf Boy (2011). I watched it a couple of times already last year and recently, I decided to watch it again. As usual, it never fails to make me bawl like a baby. That is why I already prepared a box of tissues beforehand. When the title “A Werewolf Boy” comes to mind, most people would think it would be action-packed or the character would be more like Jacob in the Twilight movie- rough in the edges just like what a stereotypical werewolf character would be. However, this movie exceeded my expectations. It was a movie that was so warm, so pure and so heartbreaking. The movie was magnificent at opting a quiet yet emotional approach to its audience. That is why to deal with my “feels” tonight, I am going to mention some details that I noticed and loved.

[ NOTE: SPOILERS AHEAD. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK. ]

PLOT

The story was set in South Korea years ago. Sun Ni, the eldest daughter was advised to move to the countryside - with less smoke, less car exhaust and fresher air, due to her lung ailment for a fast recovery. The house where she, together with her mother and little sister, resided was provided by the son of his late father’s business partner, Ji Tae, who also had his eyes on Sun Ni. As they were tidying up the house as well as their things, Sun Ni made a stunning discovery. She found a wild boy locked in the barn near their house. They took him as an orphan who lost his parents during the war. Having no social skills, speaking ability or even a tiny bit of information about him, they were forced to take him in and take care of him for the meanwhile. As time passed by, a beautiful relationship was developed and she was able to uncover the secrets and mysteries behind this peculiar boy.

CONFLICTS AND RESOLUTIONS

The movie certainly had minor conflicts like the forced marriage between Sun Ni and Ji Tae, the negligence of the authority when Sun Ni’s mother asked for help, but the main one was about Chul Soo’s unknown identity and his soon-to-be-revealed secret. The resolution that the main female character came up when Chul Soo’s safety was in the borderline was very heartbreaking. It was probably what she thought was the best thing to do that time. Thankfully, there weren’t a lot of predictable moments. Well except for the fact that I knew Sun Ni and Chul Soo were bound to have that very deep relationship at some point.

SONG JOONG KI AS CHUL SOO

             Recently, Song Joong Ki was widely loved as Captain Yoo in Descendants of the Sun – adding to his numerous remarkable roles. And I can say that his character in this movie is one of his best performances yet. With barely having any lines in this movie, Song Joong Ki surely portrayed his character perfectly. Chul Soo, the main character of the movie, cannot speak - well, at the beginning. For most of the film, the audience gets to know Chul-soo only by his actions, expressions, and his wordless interactions with the other characters.  He’s not that typical werewolf that conforms to the stereotype of such a being. He’s different from the werewolves you see in Twilight or X-Men. And I assure you, you just can’t help but to fall in love with Chul Soo. That is why, his thoughts and emotions were purely shown through just his body language and expressive gaze. From moments of confusion to amazement, from happiness to sadness, I never had that moment wherein I was unsure of what Chul Soo felt; as well as his thoughts. His facial expressions, mannerisms and gestures were definitely on point. And when he got to actually say a few lines, he made it count. It had great impact and honestly, it was one of the few moments I really loved and cried to. This just shows how amazing as an actor Song Joong Ki is.

 PARK BO YOUNG AS SUN NI

Park Bo Young always had sweet innocent roles and she was fitted for the role of Sun Ni. Her goal was to finish studying through homeschooling and be able to go to college. Although Sun Ni was quite unlikeable from the start since she displayed this dislike towards living. She always had that I-hate-this-world attitude. When Chul Soo first came, she expressed strong dislike towards him. Neither did she know, that Chul Soo and her would share such a deep connection. I liked the fact that Sun Ni showed changes when Chul Soo appeared. It just shows how great an impact Chul Soo is to her. She was that mean girl who was stuck in a predicament due to her illness but deep inside, she was that misunderstood girl who always wanted to laugh and have fun again; as well as, be able to have the strength to overcome the obstacles life has given to her.

CHEMISTRY BETWEEN THE CHARACTERS

             The development of the bond between the two main characters was stupefying. Of course, their relationship didn’t have a smooth start. However, as the story continued, it showed a beautiful relationship between the two – pure, warm, deep and powerful, such that words are barely needed. It was a kind of bond that transcended language. Despite their differences, both of them showed unconditional acceptance towards one another which later gives rise to the desire to protect one another, even with the expense of one’s own safety, all without explanation. It just showed how pure and raw this relationship is. My favorite moments were definitely their interactions- though wordless but would definitely pull your heartstrings. It was the one that caused me to go “Awww “almost half the movie. 

TOPICS

There were different topics discussed, though some were just subtly touched.These are some that I noticed. 

As I’ve said earlier, there was a part in the movie where the authority was passing Sun Ni’s mother to each other when asked about Chul Soo’s case. One officer told Sun Ni’s mother that there would be an easy way and that it would require something. What else? Of course, money. The corruption of the society was subtly shown in this movie. 

Later in the movie, it was revealed that Chul Soo was illegally experimented, explain his supernatural abilities. When his existence was discovered, the government sent an officer to eliminate any trace of him to protect the government from compensating any loss or taking responsibility because of what happened. Since the one that experimented on him actually had the intention of creating an army with extraordinary strength and undying loyalty that would serve for the country.

When Chul Soo was tricked by Ji Tae. Everybody also easily pointed fingers on Chul Soo. Just because Chul Soo can’t speak for himself and is too naive to do so. It was taken advantage by Ji Tae so that he could fulfill his own goals and intentions.

Chul Soo’s genuine loyalty towards Sun Ni was promising. I think one thing we could get from this movie is the unconditional love and loyalty Chul Soo gave to Sun Ni. It was pure and genuinely from the heart. 

SETTING

The movie was set at the countryside in South Korea 47 years ago. It was a small neighborhood with only one couple, a grandmother with his grandchildren and a woman. The house Sun Ni lived in was actually similar of that of a horror movie but the coloring of the video was the one that made it less scary and more light-hearted. I could say that it was a sweet story in a horror-like setting - in terms of place. The field where the children always played where beautiful though; as well as the forest, where Sun Ni and Chul Soo hid from the police.

GIDARYEO! -- WAIT!

If this movie had a catchphrase, it would be “Wait!”. Sun Ni ”trained” Chul Soo with the use of this word. It was actually adorable whenever Chul Soo would automatically stop at the sound of Sun Ni’s voice saying this phrase. Sun Ni is able to control Chul Soo just by the mention of this single word - from eating properly at the table to preventing him to kill a person caused by his impulsiveness.

CINEMATOGRAPHY, COLORING, VISUALS, SOUNDTRACK

             This movie certainly had beautiful cinematography. Its coloring provided a warm, sweet, dreamy, melancholic and nostalgic feeling which is understandable since the main story happened decades ago. It was set on a rural area in South Korea 47 years ago. The color tone of the movie amplified the innocence shown by the main characters in this movie.The touch of sunlight added a pizazz on the scenes. I really liked it. It had moody visuals. Personally, I am really particular of the coloring of the movie since it really affect how the movie is perceived by the audience. 

I admit that at the start, it had that horror feeling due to the continuous zooming scene of a door without music so I thought this movie fit in that category. However when the music came and the scenes of an old woman appeared, I was proven wrong. It never tipped over into horror even with Ji Tae’s (Yoo Yeon Suk) terrible hair and fashion sense.

             It also had simple background music which suited the simple way of the movie in delivering the characters emotions. It had that reoccurring tune [SONG: MY PRINCE] that played whenever special moments happened which amplified the feelings portrayed by the characters which causes the audience to unknowingly be attached to that tune and be moved whenever it plays. The song perfectly fit with the sweet as well as the sad moments.

 NOTABLE MOMENTS IN THE MOVIE

Sun Ni found a way to eat together with Chul Soo, who always ate all of the food on the table, by training him like how dogs are trained. She got this idea from a book she found while unpacking in their new house. She commanded him to not eat the potato when she says “Wait”. After a couple of tries, she finally got Chul Soo to wait - though at the expense of a bitten hand. She then proceeded to give him a pat on the head as a reward and Chul Soo seems to be touched by it. In fact, later in the movie it was pointed out a couple of times how Chul Soo loved when Sun Ni pats him. In the scene there was a shift of focus from the potato so Sun Ni herself – just showing that Chul Soo is now far more interested in Sun Ni than the potato. In my perspective, this just shows what happens when you do a good deed or give a good treatment to a person. You get to earn that person’s good treatment to you in return.

Chul Soo gets mesmerized when Sun Ni played the guitar. It showed how sweet, pure and raw Chul Soo’s affection is towards Sun Ni. He then pat Sun Ni’s head as a reward just like what she always did for him which was such a sweet gesture. It was interrupted by a phone call regarding the stay of Chul Soo, she then quickly cuts off the call – not wanting to let Chul Soo go. By this time, we can now see how their bond grew deeper and stronger than before.

It was said during the first few minutes of the movie that Sun Ni was a lonesome teenage girl due to her sickness and the consequences of it. She used to write on her notebook which sums up to one thought – “I hate this world”. Well, that’s before Chul Soo came into her life. When that happened, she started to smile a lot more. She started laughing again and this just shows how Chul Soo’s world was not the only one that changed but as well as Sun Ni’s. They became each other’s source of happiness.

Chul Soo patiently waited outside the door for Sun Ni to come out and when she does, an enlightened Chul Soo appeared. Sun Ni also smiled but tried to hide it. He then continued to follow her up until her room and slept at the doorstep of Sun Ni’s room. This just shows how attached Chul Soo has become to Sun Ni. Later in the movie, it was actually explained that one of the traits a wolf has is complete loyalty that lasts an eternity.

Sun Ni was threatened by Ji Tae and Chul Soo was secretly watching it. In order to protect Sun Ni, he transformed into his true form right in front of Sun Ni’s eyes – a werewolf. He then proceeded to fight the thugs and as he was just about to kill Ji Tae; Sun Ni, despite being shocked, managed to stop him by saying “Wait”. The moment Chul Soo heard this, he went back to his human form, looking as innocent as ever. This scene shows how Chul Soo was protective of Sun Ni and how his affection towards her has grown totally deep.

There are also many other instances when Chul Soo did every way he knows to protect Sun Ni. Chul Soo has now become Sun Ni’s savior. And Sun Ni has now become Chul Soo’s number one priority.

Sun Ni was about to go for a check-up after collapsing when she and Chul Soo raced on the hill. Before going, she decided to see Chul Soo and wanting to badly see Sun Ni again, he tried pushing his way out his prison; but Sun Ni told him to wait. And just like any other instances before, he again stopped using brute force, obeying Sun Ni.

This implies that Chul Soo is continuously waiting for Sun Ni to come back after he was locked in the barn again after the incident with Sun Ni happened. Just like what Sun Ni said, he continued to wait. Even postponing other activities like eating for there was only one goal in his mind - to wait for Sun Ni’s arrival.

Sun Ni returned from her check-up and it is evident how the both of them missed each other’s company. Chul Soo’s affection for Sun Ni was shown once again by how he missed her. Just like what the researcher said, he may lack some skills but he has the capability and willingness to learn – for Sun Ni.

We tend to believe what we want to believe. But Chul Soo believed everything he was told.

Chul Soo was misunderstood for breaking into houses with a bad intention but he only did it because he was provoked by Ji Tae. Ji Tae told Chul Soo that Sun Ni’s health was going worse for she is unable to play her guitar and sing and she may eventually die. He continued that Sun Ni hated Chul Soo and that maybe when he get her guitar back which is at the house of Mr. Jeong, their neighbor, she might like him a bit. As innocent as he is, he believed Ji Tae’s lies. People in their neighborhood became scared of him. He thought that he was there to steal their things for he searched their houses when all he really wanted was to find the guitar. The fear of being hated by Sun Ni is evident in his face and this is what drove him to go beyond his boundaries.

This scene was especially my favorite from this movie. And this was the scene where I cried my eyes out. It was when the Chul Soo’s first word was uttered. The people who were planning to kill Chul Soo were already in the woods. Sun Ni begs him to hide but Chul Soo continues to follow her. This led Sun Ni to push Chul Soo away – if that’s the only way that he won’t be killed. She shouts at him, “Go. Ger lost! I hate you so get lost!” It was when Chul Soo plead Sun Ni to not go by uttering his first word ever: “Kajima” (Don’t go.) The only thing Chul Soo was able to do was watch Sun Ni’s back as it continues to disappear in the woods. It was heartbreaking how Sun Ni was trying to push Chul Soo away at all means - while saying sorry in between while crying hard and even slapping him and throwing a rock at him. It actually hurts her more than it hurts him.

I thinks this was the part when half of my tissues were consumed. This scene will surely make you cry like a baby even when you’re already a grown man. Even after almost 5 decades, Chul Soo still waited for Sun Ni because of what Sun Ni wrote before they left the house. This scene was the epitome of how loyal and devoted Chul Soo is to Sun Ni.

Chul Soo definitely deserved a hundred times of strokes of his hair from Sun Ni after having to patiently wait for 47 years for her arrival. The tune plays in the background as I continue to stop the snot from running down my nose.

In actual time, Sun Ni is already an old woman but in the movie, it was her younger self that appeared to Chul Soo. This is because Chul Soo’s time stopped when Sun Ni left. He was stuck in the time when Sun Ni and him were still together. It was what kept him going – hoping that Sun Ni would return again just like she used to before. They got their moment - suspended in time. It was when things return to the way it used to be - what they felt and where they were originally before.

Sun Ni leaves the house and refuses to sell it. As their car leaves, Chul Soo stares at them hopelessly. Honestly, I was a little enraged in this part of movie. Yes she did come back but she left again. Sun Ni can’t just leave like that after returning after 47 years. That’s just heartless. I don’t think there was a proper goodbye between the two. Even though she told Chul Soo that his waiting was over, that doesn’t resolve his loneliness and longing for her for the times when she was gone. “How could she leave him afterwards? Seriously, why would she leave him?” - these were my thoughts as I watched this particular scene.

The ending scene showed Chul Soo making the snowman on the top of the hill fulfilling his promise to Sun Ni. This is how pure and clean Chul Soo’s heart is.

I honestly felt bad for Chul Soo. What was he supposed to do next? Maybe he would continue to wait for her again – for as long as he lives. Sun Ni didn’t get to even play the guitar he barely put together. This movie showed the innocence, pureness, loyalty, faithfulness and compassion of Chul Soo’s heart. The thing I liked about this movie was its simple yet impactful way of delivering the emotions shown by the characters. The ending was bittersweet and somewhat tragic but despite it, I still loved the movie. This was the kind of ending that sticks to you and stays there. One thing is for sure, when you watch this movie, you’re up for an emotional rollercoaster ride.

[ecotone99]

[FN] The Key to Everything

Hey guys, potential for more if you enjoy. First time really writing a story, hope you like it.

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Some people say they have skeletons in their closets. Others may guess, rarely correctly I’ll add, that their house is haunted. I’ve even found myself having to hold back a laugh when a friend once told me he had 'inner demons'. Until you've smelt an actual demon, you have no sense of what one truly is. The smell touches all of your senses simultaneously; it smothers your skin, sticks to the back of your mouth like mustard, and sounds like the hum of electricity, an uncomfortable and thick buzz you want to scrub off. A werewolf is even worse. The smell of flesh simultaneously dying and being reborn is unlike anything else I have experienced. I could close my eyes. I could plug my ears. But that smell. That smell took weeks to wash away.

Since birth, for unknown reasons, I have had the ability to see the supernatural, and them, I. To be honest… looking back, it had all become far too overwhelming. I could see monsters, but I couldn't touch them, or fight them away. Instead, I was helpless, left for them to pray on me from a distance. I couldn't go to bed without Wendigos howling at my door, and even when I did finally drift off, sandmen would feed off my dreams and lock me in their realm. I was often paralysed for days on end, pleading for them to hunt elsewhere. My body had also been drained by psychic vampires to the point that I was a shadow of my former self, as weak in body as in mind. For many years now, this curse caused me not just emotional, but physical damage.

There appeared only one way out. I had picked the perfect spot, a bridge overlooking a river far below that opened out to the sea. Lilies grew amongst the reeves, and the water was always teeming with life. It seemed as good a place as any to die.

I had prepared two cheese and onion sandwiches as a form of last supper, and made my way through town. I was followed by the usual gaggle of ghosts, each moaning and babbling behind me. The fresh spring-time air, as normal, was overpowered by the faint stench of a werewolf, perhaps two or three kilometres away, and a high-pitched shriek in the distance suggested it was accompanied by a banshee, a personal favourite of mine due to their sulky, self-absorbed nature and complete lack of personal space.

Finally the bridge appeared in sight, calmly overlooking the river below. It was built from red bricks and white, triangular wooden beams that had withstood the weather for over a one hundred years. I perched myself on the edge of the rail, and looked out towards the sea. With my feet hanging over, I unwrapped the sandwich and began tucking into my last meal before jumping to my peace. It was genuinely delicious, and for a brief moment, it was as though I was tasting food for the first time. The smell of flesh seemed to disappear with each bite, and I was suddenly hit by the overwhelming, and admittedly welcoming scent of lavender, fresh bread and cut grass. I was also increasingly becoming aware of the fact the smell was getting stronger, and was not my imagination. I started to panic, worried perhaps a siren had marked me, or worse, an imp trickster. And yet, as quickly as the panic arrived... it was gone. Drawn from me like poison from a wound. I decided to ignore it, someone else’s problem now. I was here for a single purpose. I closed my eyes and in one motion, rocked forward, over the edge of the bridge and down towards the beckoning water below.

It was not the river however, that engulfed me, but something else; not unlike water, calm but altogether warmer. Pure light seemed to surround me, and when I finally opened my eyes, and the brightness settled, I was back on the bridge. A small boy, no older than five, was sitting next to me. We were both holding sandwiches. His eyes were astonishing, seemingly brown, blue and green all at once, whilst a deeper, more curious colour I had not quite seen before swirled within them. They seemed ageless, and the most beautiful things I have ever seen. In an instant, they met mine and whilst his mouth remained still, I heard his voice.

'Do not be afraid, old friend. There will come a time when you are ready to go. On that day, I will take you gladly, and we shall both finally return home. But not today. Today, war begins.'

The boy winked, and was gone. I was, again, alone.

Bewildered by the experience, I stumbled home. The sun’s rays seemed to have intensified in the recent hours, and looking up made me nauseous. I felt literally drained. Psychic connections had left me tired in the past, but I had never experienced more than a distant whisper, a scratch against armour. This was different. What I felt was indescribable, and I felt it… awaken something in me. As I passed the local park and turned towards my house, I suddenly realised how quiet it was. Much quieter than usual. Looking behind, I saw why. My ghosts had gone. I expected it to settle me, but instead threw up next to a park bench.

After two more incidents, I gratefully made it home, although my sight still hadn’t recovered. My dad had left me the place before he disappeared, and it had seen better days. A pile of greying books by the door nearly made me trip as I essentially felt my way to the kitchen. I quickly downed a glass of water, and then my body crashed onto the sofa. As I drifted off, I could have sworn I heard the distant voices of men, arguing between themselves and gradually approaching.

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My eyes open. It’s freezing, and I’m bare chested. Deep, blue waves of sand crash into a pink ice field, stretching as far as the eye can see. Huge icebergs climb out towards the horizon, glowing like rubies within great diamonds. The sand rises in a hundred foot wave, before crashing against the icy shore. The sky is empty, an endless, distant void. In the centre, a crater overflows with enormous skeletons of strange, tusked beasts. Two thrones, carved in ice, sit in the centre, and appear to have grown out of the ground over many years. I am sitting in one. My skin feels like it’s on fire. I try to move, but realise my skin is frozen to the chair and let out a scream in pain. The second throne sits empty before me.

‘Can you hear me? Hello? Can you understand what I’m saying?’

For a moment, I’m confused. Then quickly I arrive at the truth; the sandmen are feeding on me again, and someone is trying to wake me up. I shake myself, trying to ignore the very real agony I’m in. You’re in a dream, I think loudly. Wake up! This is the sandmen. Don’t let them get inside your head!

‘Ah fantastic. Although, let’s face it… that ship has sailed, my Lord. Mark, get over here. I told you something was different! He even calls us ‘Sandmen’!’

Before I have time to react, the sand begins to rise around the second throne, kicking up a great blue storm and swirling up into the sky, before rocketing against the throne twice. When the clouds finally disperse, two short, fat men are revealed in silk cloaks, one perching awkwardly on each arm. They have pale, translucent skin and a large, trunk-like nose that curves around their mouth, before hanging freely off their jaw. I have never seen a sandman in this form before, and it completely throws me. The one on the left, slightly shorter and slightly wider, pulls a note from his pocket and clears his throat, as well as his trunk.

‘Greetings, Almighty Key! Welcome to my humble Sand. My name is Gus, and this is my fellow sandman, comrade and long-term lover, Mark.’

The second sandman waves slightly and smiles... I assume. The surrounding icebergs start to glow in unison, turning a pale shade of lilac.

‘I would first like to deeply, and dark-heartedly apologise for consuming you for so long. In our nature and all that jazz. We had very conflicting emotions about the whole thing, if I’m being honest. Emotions we’re only now beginning to understand. Therefore, to the Almighty Key, we are truly sorry. Next, we would like… well I would personally like to say how thrilled we both are that you personally got in touch, and how excited we are to finally die! I mean, four thousand years is plenty of time to be stuck on Earth for us, and I for one will be happy to finally be at peace, especially with the war looking the way it does. I mean, I didn’t even know this was an option until today, and Floyd said... sorry. I’m rambling. Anyway, we graciously accept your offer, and await your further command, Almighty Key.’

The second sandman bursts into applause, before shaking his comrade/lover’s hand passionately. Suddenly they embrace and their trunks begin to intertwine, before almost realising where they are and, somewhat reluctantly, stopping. They then turn towards me eagerly. Another great wave of sand rises behind them in apprehension.

I blink. What is happening? The key to what?

‘Well… Purgatory of course?!’

The sandman responds to my thoughts immediately. I open my mouth instinctively to ask another question, but at once the sky flashes and turns a sickening yellow. The wave breaks upon me, tossing aside bone and shattering the throne upon impact, throwing me backwards. I can hear the sandmen scream out in the distance, terrified. The ice begins to catch fire, and I’m taken away by the sand. A deeper, commanding voice swallows me.

‘You will free me! Together, we will rise!’

The sand tightens around me, twisting and turning my body. Razor quick, it slashes out at me, leaving a deep cut in my right cheek. I raise my hands to cover my face. A sandman is still screaming, or maybe grieving, and as the storm begins to deafen me, the sand starts to take form. Now a deep, black stone, six great fingers curl into a fist, flying towards me and striking me head on...

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I was brought back to reality with a jolt. I struggled for breath as I attempted to figure out what I had just experienced. Was that a sandman, or something else? Sweat streamed down my face and as I went to wipe it away, a large and very real cut across my right cheek suggested the latter.

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