#I liked the colour palettes of the other two more but I couldn't pass up the name Sugar Syrup- two little baking witches :]

[whistlingstarlight]

Shoutout to Slocotion's shop for stopping my chronic pain for like six minutes thanks to the adrenaline rush of trying to buy a doll before they were out of stock-

Anyways Honeyjelly has a little friend coming soon :]

[canadachildvol2]

Wish rewrite ✨ pt.1

Everyone and their grandma has done a rewrite of "Wish," but I couldn't help myself. I've seen the concept art and have watched an array of video essays dissecting what went wrong with the final product and my imagination went wild (as it often does with movies that had so much potential yet failed to deliver).

Full disclosure: I'm not a songwriter nor am I an expert on music theory, so when it comes to the songs in this rewrite, I'm just gonna give a general idea of what they're about and what happens.

With that out of the way, let's get into part 1 of my own "Wish" rewrite! And I'm in no way proclaiming this to be the superior version; I'm just sharing what I came up with like a lot of you have. I've also included a visual of my Asha redesign, which I hope you like. <3

(Also tagging @annymation :) )

-

First and foremost, I'm torn between this version either being completely 2D-animated or just Star (specifically in his normal magical form) and his magic being the only things 2D-animated. You can envision it however you like.

Book prologue: Like the movie, this opens with a storybook. However, it's in live-action. A narrator (perhaps a Disney Legend, like Mary Costa, Kathryn Beaumont, etc.) tells the backstory of how Rosas became a literal magical place:

“Once upon a time, there was a small island kingdom called Rosas. Surrounded by crystal waters and nestled beneath an endless sky. One day, the king gathered his subjects to make an important announcement: through magic, he had found a way to grant wishes! And since then, the people looked to their magnificent king to make their deepest desires come true.

This magic was passed down to the royals that followed, and in this time, the people continued their undying devotion to their extraordinary leaders.

Over the years, boats came from far and wide, carrying those who wanted to see this magic up close, as well as those who sought to live in Rosas. And our story begins with the docking of one of these boats…”

Introduction to Asha/Rosas; “Welcome to Rosas”: A group of newcomers excitedly wait to enter Rosas and this is where we meet Asha. "One... two... three," she mumbles - as if preparing for a performance - before stepping out in front of the group. Bubbly and all smiles, she introduces herself as their tour guide and ushers them into the kingdom. This version of “Welcome to Rosas” not only explains the rules of the kingdom regarding wishes (giving wishes at age 18 [it's mandatory], how the wishing ceremony plays out, only one wish is granted each month due to the large amount of magic needed, etc.) but it also highlights how hardworking and dutiful the citizens are. Additionally, it mentions that Rosas was once a land in disarray, but the magic of wish-granting led them to prosperity. While there’s an upbeat tone to the song, there is an almost sinister undertone that’s lost on the newcomers (and to us, the audience, if we don’t pay too much attention). I should quickly point out that people don't forget their wishes after giving them to Magnifico like they do in the movie. They just no longer have the motivation to pursue their wishes themselves.

Design note: Asha is the only person in Rosas wearing orange, thereby making her stand out from the largely blue, purple, and grey colour palette (much like how Belle is the only person in her village wearing blue). click the image to see more outfit details

Meeting Dahlia and other townspeople: After Asha leaves the group to let them enjoy the sights, her bubbly persona immediately disappears and her true nature is revealed. Levelheaded, composed, a touch cynical. A realist. This personality is shown as she interacts with some of the townsfolk (moreover, this scene alludes to what some of them have wished for). She takes a bag of fruit to Dahlia, her best friend and a talented baker. She’s cheerful, idealistic, and tends to stumble over her words when excited or stressed (a nod to Doc from “Snow White” along with her character design). Like the rest of Rosas, she thinks highly of the king and queen. In exchange for the fruit, Dahlia presents Asha with a birthday cake for her grandfather. This scene showcases Dahlia’s desire to become the castle baker someday and that she thinks her work needs to be perfect to get that position (even though her work is already amazing). We are also introduced to Simon, who comes by to pick up an order for delivery. He’s a few years older than Asha and Dahlia and is already showing the same level of exhaustion as most of the other adults. He wants his wish granted so badly that he’s willing to work hard and impress the king and queen no matter what. He's secretive about what his wish is.

"Welcome to Rosas (reprise)": As Asha walks home with the cake in a box, she looks at the citizens around her. This time, we’re seeing life in Rosas through her eyes rather than those of the awestruck newcomers. “Welcome to Rosas (reprise)” brings to the forefront how exhausting, unfair, and almost cult-like (i.e. the people’s intense adoration of the king and queen) everything is, while also insinuating the crux of Asha’s personal journey: she doesn’t have hope.

Meeting Sakina and Sabino: Asha arrives home to find Sabino asleep in a chair by the window. She smiles at him; a big, loving smile. Up until now, her smiles have either been small, fake (for her job), or just smirks. She gently wakes him up and he tells her he was dreaming about one of his artworks coming to life. “In a few hours, it may actually happen,” he says with a hopeful grin. She bites her tongue so as not to bring his cheerful mood down with a "Let's be realistic" comment. Soon after, Sakina enters the house carrying a basket of fresh fruit and looking tired. Asha takes the basket from her, fussing over how exhausted she looks. ("Mama, you shouldn't be doing all this work by yourself!") Sakina says that she’s fine, but Asha’s worries aren’t placated. Eventually, the trio sit down to enjoy the cake. Sakina laments the absence of Asha’s father, which prompts Asha to fiddle with her silver bracelet.

Wishing ceremony: We finally see King Magnifico and Queen Amaya in all their glory. They are regal, stunning, and tower over the people of Rosas in more ways than one. Still, when 18-year-olds and new residents approach the king on stage to give their wishes to him, he presents himself as an affable man. The cultish vibes that have so far been subtle are made much more apparent in this scene, complete with chanting, cheering, and bowing in a way that demonstrates complete submission. Sabino and Sakina wait with bated breath to see whose wish will be granted, while Asha remains less optimistic. She holds her grandfather’s hand reassuringly when the announcement is made. It’s not him. While not nearly as surprised or devastated as Sabino is, his disappointed reaction still breaks Asha’s heart. So much so that it encourages her to do something drastic.

Asha learns the truth: Sakina and Sabino head home while Asha makes her way to the castle entrance. She overhears the guards tell other people that the king and queen aren’t seeing anyone right now and reinforcing a specific rule: “commoners aren’t allowed in the palace.” Not to be deterred, Asha finds another way in. She’s distracted from her objective of ambushing the king and queen by the sight of the castle’s interior. It’s beautiful; unlike anything she’s ever seen. It's as if it were made of crystals, like the waters surrounding their island. Reflective surfaces are adorned on almost every section of the walls. Curiousity gets the better of her and she ascends the staircase to the highest room in the building. After brief hesitation, she enters and finds that it’s the room that houses the wishes (the general look of this room is about the same as how it is in the movie). Her wonderment is interrupted by the sound of Magnifico and Amaya outside. Thinking quickly, she hides in the balcony running along the upper part of the room. It’s here that she witnesses something horrifying: Magnifico taking a couple of the wishes in his hands and crushing them. This is how he gets his powers. He and Amaya laugh at how these people will be waiting forever for their wishes to be granted. ("They will work themselves to death, never knowing that their wishes, their dreams, will never come true.") Furthermore, Asha learns that Magnifico is already very powerful and doesn't need a whole month to garner enough energy to grant a single wish. After the couple leave, Asha sneaks back out.

Warning Sakina and Sabino: Asha rushes home and tells Sakina and Sabino about what she saw. Obviously they don’t believe her and an argument ensues. They can’t understand why she’d speak ill of the king and queen, and she’s trying so hard to plead her case. At one point, she accidentally hurts Sabino’s feelings by saying that realistically speaking, the odds of his wish being granted are slim to none. She feels awful about what she said and she tries one last time to convince them. Sakina gently but firmly tells her to stop and “When you’re older, you’ll understand.” Asha is left stunned and alone as Sakina tends to a tired and upset Sabino. Overwhelmed, she leaves the house and runs into the woods. She's trying so hard not to break down.

“This Wish”: This version of the song, much like in the movie, sees Asha wish for a way to help Rosas. However, it also conveys her internal struggle of letting herself feel some semblance of hope for the first time in a long time. She initially pulls back and scoffs at the idea of wishing on a star or even believing that things in Rosas will change, but as the song goes on, she caves into what her heart is telling her as opposed to what her head is telling her. It’s worth noting that each time she considers wishing on a star, it’s instigated by her looking at her bracelet. Akin to “Part of Your World,” after so much build-up, the song ends on a soft but powerful note where Asha finally wishes on a star (she still has serious doubts, but there's a sliver of cautious optimism shining through).

pt.2 / pt.3 / pt.4 / pt.5

[nemo-in-wonderland]

Evening, Evening!!

Just passing by to drop a sketch I did this afternoon, while I was squeezing my brain in an intense Brainstorming Session for Luscinia. and Ardyn (these two have taken complete hold of my brain. Like. SERIOUSLY. I need to move my ass and write their whole thing, because I am in serious lack of material for myself to read fml).

I mentioned yesterday the whole Masquerade theme (my beloved) and as always, if you know me, I couldn't help and pass the chance to doodle Luscinia in a new dress! So here you have a very doodly doodle of her (I was too tired to do a full-on cleaned-up version, so a doodle will have to do).

I have to be honest, I always love working on my ocs' garments and coming up with their vibes, something that would make them immediately recognizable (which was the main reason why, for the longest time, I drew Dorothea with her iconic golden-white-burgundy palette. it wasn't me not wanting to explore with other colours, but mostly me solidifying her character first and then expanding around), and with Luscinia wouldn't be any different.

I have a precise idea in mind of how she would appear, and her clothing reflect that: elegant yet cheeky, clean lines in the silhouette but details in the fabric and some such, so, while roaming around with ideas and music to help me on the side, I decided to go down the "Roaring 20s" Inspirational Road for her. It was the one that made the most sense to me in correlation to her character and personality (and also blame the songs I was listening to, they truly guided me there lolol).

Even the colours I use for her main garments, that deep low saturated blue, has a precise meaning: Luscinia belongs to the Lucian Royal Line through her father King Regis, yet she doesn't truly fits completely because she was a bastard born out of wedlock (I need to upload her bio soon enough lol). For this reason, she DOES adhere to protocol and wears dark colours, as it is costume in Lucis, but she avoids the pure black that Noct and Regis wear because she feels it doesn't truly belong to her.

So, there you have it! :D

Now, I have to go back to artwork some more fluff and smluff for Ardyn and Luscinia. The brainrot is truly taking over my ability to obsess over anything else, but honestly? I am so happy. I am truly happy again. <3

Hope you will like this! <3

--Nemo

[the-fiction-witch]

The Hotel Job P1 - P9

Media IRL X 1960's Las Vegas

Character Thomas Brodie Sangster (Gangster / Mofia)

Couple Thomas X Reader

Rating Flirty Af

Concept Las vegas H

I sat nervously, scanning the motorcars going by many of them impressed with the sounds to match the styling. I sat against the little wooden chair close to the small wooden table I picked up my little coffee cup from its saucer and brought it to my lips in the hope the hot coffee would calm my nerves. I checked the time and saw it was time to go, so I finished my coffee and left a tip under the teacup. Picked up my bag from the ground and began making my way down the street.

I walked down the slightly dirty sidewalk under the glittering lights, the thick smokey air surrounding my every step, even though I was nervous I couldn't be impressed as I walked past the tall dancing lighting signs for hotels, casinos and other such sinful establishments. This place often reminded me of a beautiful Monet painting from afar you could see all the beauty and you have no other desire than to be part of it but the closer you get the more you see the madness.

I had lived in Nevada My whole life and ever since I was little the idea of the signing diamond among the harsh desert seemed like nothing more than a dream, every day the strip got taller, got brighter and more of an intense place.

But god knows I needed a job, and with my skills, I refused to degrade myself as a cocktail girl, much less anything worse.

So I hurried my feet past all the madness of the street until I found the place I had been looking for, at the end of the strip the dark almost black building sat, Like the other places on the strip it too had a large impressive flashing sign to catch the eye of tourists.

It stood tall beside the street with a Circle sign Purple with green lights around the outside and blue for the text;

'The Peacock Hotel, Casino & Spa'

Sitting on top of the sign was a fibreglass Peacock with neon lights for its many tailfeathers so in the dark it would light up with glitter and sparkles moving the feathers in a pattern from hung down by the sign to up showing off and back again.

I passed the sign and walked down the small grass and lamp-lined path up to the large stained glass doors.

Just outside the doors was a man in a grey maintenance jumpsuit with a large brush cleaning off the sidewalk, he saw me perking up moving the cigarette from his lips to behind his left ear.

"To Clean?" he asks

"Uhh no. umm I'm here for the interview."

"ahh" he nods going inside the doors for a moment, I just stood a little awkwardly waiting until the door opened again, he returned to his sweeping and a man in a black suit and green shirt came out.

"Afternoon, Miss Y/l/n." He smiled "Peter Hamstead we spoke on the phone," he says offering his hand I smiled and gave it a polite shake

"Yes Pleasure to meet you" I smiled sweetly

"Come on I'll give you a little tour," he says

"Absolutely" I smiled following him inside to a large impressive entryway with various stained glass windows and impressive corridors. 

"The original building here was built in 1953, just as a basic casino floor with some bar space. We have renovated since then first addition was the hotel upstairs, with Sixty base rooms, forty deluxe rooms, Twewty suites, five grand suites" he explained "And then the Three Penhouses on the top two floors." he says

"My my, that's impressive"

"We have three show stages, the large bar and restaurant west side. The Right side is purely spa and pool facilities. Then the garden and of course the Peacock habitat. The downstairs is all the casino and arcade area" He explained as he walked me around the place it was insanely impressive with everything you could imagine the colour palette around the whole place, I even got to see the peacocks but they seemed very angry and like they didn't want to be disturbed. After the tour, he took me to the bar sitting us both at a little table with some paperwork.

"I am sorry about the rush Miss, Our last account manager left in a hurry and given our renovations we are in need of someone who can look over the budget" he explained "It wouldn't normally be me either I'm just staff manager for the hotel and spa but the boss is away not back till next month." He explained

"Busy place then"

"Very busy always, these renovations are throwing us all over the place. Plus of course, the lack of revenue having the whole place closed for two weeks" he explained

We went over the job and my qualifications and such like all going over everything.

"So? If everything is alright with you. I'd love to offer you the position."

"Really?"

"You're more than qualified" he explained "I think you'd be a good fit here"

"Well, Absolutely I'd love to" I smiled, he handed me the paperwork and I happily signed

"Excellent, I'll see you on Monday" he explained

"Thanks so much I'll see you monday" I smiled 

I fixed my dress a little and headed inside immediately I saw alot more workmen than yesterday they were everywhere painting, plastering, and doing all sorts of little repairs. I felt a little out of place given all these workmen around until Peter came down.

"hi, Sorry Y/n it's been an utter mess today" he says "Come On I'll show you the office." 

"Thank you" I smiled following him up to the offices on the middle floor of the hotel, a long corridor of dark wood with blue and green striped walls, the corridor lined with doors but not a window in sight, without the hotel key fob you couldn't even get to this floor. He led me down the corridor past serval rooms with small silver name labels across them until finally, we reached one of the last doors and he unlocked it with a key and opened it wide offering it to me. 

I stepped inside onto the soft freshly cleaned dark blue carpet, blue wallpaper with silver-lined flowers, dark wood shelves full of black folders, a large blue and green sofa, chair and small table, a wooden coat rack by the door and a large desk with a fax machine and phone. A large window to the side overlooked the garden and peacock habitat. 

The desk was covered in various receipts and paperwork,

"Good luck." he says offering the key

"Thank you" I smiled taking the key and he quickly left I waited as the door shut and he went down the hall "YES!" I jumped excitedly I set my bag on the table slipping my jacket off putting it on the hook and starting to make the office my own. 

I did really like the job here. The first week was nothing but sorting, filing and stapling, noting and organizing until everything was as it should be. As soon as I was done I realized that... Now I don't have anything to do. As soon as a new receipt or a new invoice comes in I file it immediately and sort it all out and then sit for another four hours playing with my desk bird. I spent three hours yesterday just watching the peacocks in their habitat. I had even begun taking to wandering around the building for hours on end and simply return to do what little work had come through in that time. Going around the gardens, the pool, the casino floor, the arcade, the spa, the bar, the stages, slowly but surely I learnt every inch of this place as it slowly got repaired and soon enough I came in one day and the workmen were gone now staff and customers all rushed around madly so I hid myself in the office now with even less to do. At Least it was nice to see the place so busy with staff and paying customers even if it did give the place a thick casino smoke smell. I had even given up waiting around in my office I got so damn bored. I did always jump a little reminding myself when I saw the staff girls in there glittery blue mini dresses that they were staff and not just girls from the vegas strip, there seemed to be this constant steam of people coming and going the hotel never seemed to sleep at all. 

I had finished my work for the day so I went on a little walk around the casino, I saw the peacocks as I did almost every day making sure they were okay. I Watched the poolside yoga class for the hotel guests first thing in the morning. I watched people come and go from the main lobby well dressed guests and bell boys all rushing back and forth in this constant dance. I popped by the kitchens greeting the staff there and seeing the special for tonight which was 'Fresh leek soup', 'Cob salad' and 'Catch of the day'. I Watched the tech guys setting up the stage for some performance later tonight I didn't know who it was the sign outside already had the sold-out banner across it. I had avoided the gentleman's lounge of course but watched with joy as children plaid in the arcade and many had the highs and lows at the casino tables. I took my break time in the bar sitting on the small blue chair beside a sofa with a couple yet to check in as they still had their bags, I had myself a coffee from the bar when suddenly I noticed a large fuss at the front doors. 

They had of course been opening and closing all day but suddenly many of the staff men fixed their uniforms lining up by the doors as well as most of the staff girls, Suddenly the stained glass doors were pulled open fully and in stepped a sight indeed. 

He swaggered confidently onto the blue carpet in well-shined black shoes, a dark blue suit with a black shirt and a light blue tie, silver buttons and cufflinks that caught the light with a glimmer, a large black trenchcoat over him yet only his shoulders as he had not slipped his arms inside, a smirk across his lips, he pulled off his white angled fedora hat with a black band keeping it in his hand revealing a well-fixed flick of blonde hair on his head, he dropped the hat on top of the blue and silver suitcases that were dragged in behind him by a bell boy, as he made his way to the centre of the room speaking with a few of the staff members. 

He was followed by a very beautiful girl in a speakeasy-style glittery green dress with peacock feathers coming out the bustle, a dark brown fur or possibly mink shawl around her hung out of her elbows but wrapped around her back, Her blonde hair pinned up in a tight style she too had the bell boys ladened with bags and cases except for the glittery peacock clutch in her hand. She stopped as some guests spoke to her and I noticed her signing things it was then it clicked I had seen her before, she was the face hidden behind sold out tape on the lounge and stage signs, no wonder she was being stopped. 

But him he came through to the centre of the room still talking I noticed he was talking to Rodger moving his hand up to pull off his old circular ray bands and set them in his pocket revealing completely his face. 

hu. Kinda cute. 

As I had finished my coffee mike from the bar came to collect my cup so I asked him "Hey Mike? who are these people?"

"Ohh. That's the boss." He says quickly hurrying off back to the bar. 

I hid myself away in the office not wanting to get in trouble not the boss was actually here even if I didn't do much more than watch the pool and habitat from my window until my door knocked.

"Come in" I answered 

quickly the door opened to see Rodger with a wide smile "Hey"

"Hi" I smiled 

"Boss wants to meet you."

"He does?"

"Yeah come on," he says 

I quickly got up and fixed my dress and my hair trying to make myself look presentable giving my perfume on my desk a spritz over myself before I followed him out of my office he lead me down the corridor to the large impressive door at the bottom he knocked twice before pulling the door open to reveal a large office much like my own but bigger with more shelves, more windows that overlooked the pool and strip, more furniture and really little else, but I saw the boss sat in his leather chair phone to his ear, the lady perched on the edge of the desk nail file in hand working on filing her nails while she had her mouth open signing small notes as if warming up her voice, He glanced up seeing Rodger and nodding to him not yet even glancing at me but his brow lowered and his eyes clenched as she did more notes it was very good but he was clearly annoyed by it. 

"Ava" he snapped 

"I have to warm up Thomas" she replied singing it to him purposely elongating his name 

"That's what I built you a practice room for" He replied matching her pitch "so stop doing it in my office" 

She huffed and jumped off the desk sauntering her way out of the office completely slightly pouting. 

He set the phone down and at last, his attention hit me, I suddenly felt so exposed as he looked me up and down a good three times leaving no inch of me unexplored by his eyes. I almost felt like he was mentally undressing me as a smirk crawled across his lips, but the words that left his mouth were not exactly what I expected

"Who's the broad?" 

I very nearly went over to that desk and slapped him!

"Our new accounts manager," Rodger explained 

"Really?" he chuckled 

"Yes." I snapped 

"Whatever so long as you can get that damn office sorted by the end of the week"

"It's already done, and up to date"

"yeah?"

"Yes."

"You're good" He smirked 

"I'm good at my job."

"Good. we need more workers like you." he smirked "Thomas Sangster pleasure to meet you" he says getting up and offering his hand I went over and shook his hand making sure to be firm 

"Y/n y/l/n, Pleasure."

"I won't keep you, get back to your office" he says sitting back at his desk

"Thank you" I nodded before returning to my office. 

I sat in my office dealing with some paperwork when my door knocked

"Come in?"

It quickly opened but I didn't glance up as I was busy with the work.

"I get this feeling, that you don't like me very much?"

I glanced up seeing my boss, Thomas standing at the other side of my desk I hadn't seen him much since he arrived at the hotel honestly I'd mostly been avoiding him "Pardon?"

"You don't like me. Do you?" He says sitting on the chair across from me

"Hard to say I barely know you" I answered returning to focus on the paperwork

"Liar." He chuckled "Go on."

"Go on with what?"

"You barely know me. Ask away maybe then you might not hate me as much"

For a moment I didn't want to humour him but my work was almost done so what else was I gonna do

"Have you always been the boss?"

"The last few years. Took over from my father"

"Where's he now?"

"He and my mother are off cruising around the Caribbean in the family boat. Or well one of them anyway"

"I see." I nodded "Who was she? In your office?"

"Ava?"

"Yes."

"My little sister. She acts as a lounge singer and performance act when we don't have anyone else in, husband works in the spa and runs the sunrise yoga for hotel guests"

"I see" I nodded

"Why? Worried?"

"About what?"

"Nothing. Don't worry about it" he chuckled

"Do you like doing the work?"

"God no. I do as little work as possible. Only reason I'm around as much as I am is that I damn live here"

"You do?"

"Yeah, penthouse on the top floor. I live up there when I'm here." He explained 

"do you have any interest in the business?"

"No. It's the family business. it funded my lifestyle that's as much of a shit as I need to give. Besides I have my... side ventures. They take up my extra time and let me get out of this place every so often"

"What sort of ventures?"

"You'll find out"

"These side ventures? do funds for them go through the business?"

"There interlinked. But I tend to keep that private from the business accounts."

"I don't mind doing them too."

"don't you?"

"No, give me something else to do. keep all the eggs in the same basket as it were."

"...Okay" he nods with a smirk "I'll get it sent over. but if you're going to do it you have to keep your pretty mouth shut."

"Why?"

"It's personal business. I'd just rather it be kept quiet"

"Fine"

"Good. I'll get it sorted" he says getting up and heading to the door "Ohh one more thing"

"Yes?"

"Lighten up kitten. your cute when you pout but you'd be far more fun if you smiled" 

I wondered the casino and arcade floor on my break trying to clear my mind for a while, I had kept an eye on this guy in a grey suit at the poker table as he had been winning a lot and the cost began to get high "Relax he'll leave broke" I heard behind me I turned and saw Thomas coming though from the bar his hands in his pockets 

"How can you be so sure? he's good."

"I'm sure kitten" he chuckled 

"you should keep an eye out for people like that, kick them out before they win too much. Could be a big hole someone walks out of here with that much money" I explained 

"Humm" he chuckled "You ever worked in a casino before?"

"No."

"You can tell. It's cute really how simple it is." he explained 

"what if he got up right now and left, he has enough to put a hole in the hotel's funds"

"He won't leave that table."

"won't he?"

"No." He smirked "Walk with me," he says heading towards the table I followed him and he took a seat at the same poker table he tapped the seat beside him so I moved and sat down too. Thomas took a card from his pocket giving it two taps in front of the dealer who nodded to us both giving us each one hundred dollars in the familiar blue and purple chips with the green peacock logo across them, the dealer dealt us both in on the next hand I checked mine and I had nothing but he didn't even check his own he simply bet half of his hundred dollars, I didn't bother this hand, the man who had been winning threw in a few hundred and he won making his pile and smile grow I glared at Thomas a little but he calmly smiled blowing me a little kiss as we got the next hand I had decent cards so I threw a chip in, and so did Thomas even though he still hadn't checked his cards the guy was clearly cocky as he put in a good thousand dollars but 

He lost. 

Thomas cashed in our chips and smirked getting up so I followed him

I followed him back across the casino floor,

"How did you know he'd lose?"

"Becuase he was thinking with his cock not his head. sure way to lose"

"But how did you know?"

"well, he was of course going to try and show off for such a pretty lady. and I made sure he lost Dealers know when to let people win and let people loose"

"Let them win?"

"They have rules kitten, who wins and who loses. he won't leave the building with more than fifty bucks I guarantee. The boys will make sure of it" he explained 

"But- that's cheating."

He chuckled "It's not cheating. It's looking after the house" 

"So the casino is cheating people"

"...Come on," he says heading through the casino I followed him through to the arcade until we reached a claw machine of full of plushies "Let me explain something to you kitten. About how our business actually works. Firstly do you know why the glittering strip of Vegas exists?"

"It's Nevada's a tourist trap."

"Correct" he says "But why? Why build a lavish sparkly city in the desert full of gambling and debauchery?"

"...I don't know." 

He smirked leaning on the machine "I believe, All humans need risk in our lives. It's sociology no it's primal. We need risk and reward it's why we like guns, rollercoasters and scary movies. When we have risk we fill with adrenaline use to be to get us out of tough situations. But now we live in office jobs and fenced-in cities, Health and safety police took all the risk of life away. But we still need it, still want it that's why theme parks and horror movies are made to cater to that mad lust for risk. And it's not even a modern thing we've done it forever." he explained "You grow up around here?"

"Yes. been here my whole life"

"Then you know Nevada, new Mexico, Los Angeles there full of old mining towns" 

"Of course"

"You know how mining towns got built?"

"People fine something to mine built the town around it"

"In short. First someone finds something to mine which will make money, he needs men to work the mine to make more money, and men come wanting the money, the bring their wives, they have kids, and towns establish. But when life's that simple you don't have room for much, these old mining towns made due with tents and holes in the ground till the payload starts coming. And you know what they build? Every mining town from here to Maine has the same stuff. Becuase its the basics what we need to survive. A job to work, to make money. A bed to sleep in. A store to feed you. And a saloon, where you drink and smoke and play cards. For fun and that's your risk. That's a cowboy's rollercoaster" 

"I suppose that's true"

"That's why Vegas exists. We're the whole countries saloon kitten" He smirked

"That might be true, but that doesn't mean you should cheat people"

"You ever play one of these?" he asks turning to look into the machine so I moved to the side looking into the machine through the thick glass the claw hung up tightly on its springs the bottom littered with plush toys, they didn't look the best quality but cute all the same

"Of course, fairs and things mostly don't play them down here them seem..."

"Impossible?"

"Yes."

"Clever girl." he smirked "These are for younger ones. or ladies. not as risky as the guys in the casino low-risk low reward. But it works the same as the tables. You ever won?"

"No. never"

"No, but you still play?" he smirked "That's risk, your willing to risk your money for the reward, in this case a cute little plushie for a few coins of loose change" he smirked putting a coin into the machine moving the claw around "but the thing is known ever wins a claw machine and in some way everyone knows that. but we all still play. We all think we can be the one to beat it. Our response is to fight when we are presented with something between what we have and what we want." he explained letting it drop and the claw didn't even try to pick up the plush

"see nothing, the machines are rigged. just like the casino"

"ah ah ah kitten. Not rigged. it is one hundred percent possible to put the claw in the right place to pick up the plushie it is possible. same as it's possible to get a royal flush or red 16. it can be done and while we all know the cards and machines are stacked against us that only makes us want it more." he smirked having yet another go this time the claw picked up the plush but dropped it before he could win I had to admit I held my breath as it picked up and lost it as soon as it dropped "Don't lie to me. the moment that claw picked that plush up you got excited?"

"I did"

"and disappointed when it just let it go before we could win"

"Yes" 

"And that's what keeps you playing. You're better judgment says that it's impossible to win, yet part of you wants to take that risk. And seeing it pick it up you were overjoyed that you could win, beat the machine and get your reward. Then heartbroken the moment it denied you. Blame luck. Blame the machine. but it's just business kitten. These plushies cost a cent each maybe less we buy them in bulk from some company across the water, there are practically worthless. And this is a pretty bit of plastic" he smirked tossing me a casino chip which I only just caught "It's not worth anything outside those doors. but in this magical place a throw of those makes you a millionaire, you can buy the whole bar drinks, tip your dancer big, get a suite for the night to live like a king. But really it a bit of plastic that you have decided is worth the risk of your real hard-earned money." he explained "The boys do exactly what the claw machine does, they let people win just long enough to make them happy, make them cocky, convince them they have a date with lady luck."

"Then the claw drops."

"The claw drops. and they start to lose. They won't ever win and the house keeps all the profits. people play until the risk isn't worth the reward any more. Whether that's five bucks in a claw machine or five thousand dollars at a poker table." he smirked going to head out 

"but if you always make sure they lose and end with nothing, why does anyone come back?" I asked

"The same reason no matter how many times the claw drops the plushie, you'll keep playing. Becuase a part of you says you can beat it. That's why you let them win first highs and lows just like a rollercoaster" he smirked coming over and putting another coin into the machine "What keeps it alive is the belief you can win"

"But everyone knows it's rigged"

"and everyone knows Vegas is a tourist trap in the middle of the desert" he smirked letting the claw drop it and picking up a particular black cat plush with a small blue bow "But this place is built to make you believe that ordinary people can do the extraordinary here." he smirked as the claw let him win dropping the plush down into the bottom "And Each time someone does manage to get there two cent plushie or wins a hundred plastic chips at poker it fuels the belief for everyone else that maybe they can win too" he explained 

"Even though they never will"

"Exactly kitten" he smirked getting the plush from the bottom "That's how the business works, and yes if ever you see someone winning a little too much be sure to let me know. Until then Enjoy the game of it all" he explained "Besides, the hotel and all the other endeavours help pay any house losses no problem" he says "For you kitten. I'll see you later" he says handing me the plush and giving my cheek a kiss before he headed off out 

I took the plush and watched him go, before returning my attention to the sofa little black cat with its crooked bow, and I couldn't help but smile. 

[pieground]

The Night She Travelled Through Time

It is the night of the banquet in Le Comte De Saint-Germain's Mansion.

The long table at the dining area is now draped with a new and lavish cloth, twelve plates and silver cutlery were magnificently set atop it. Sebastian, the butler, finished setting down two small glass bottles beside each plate— one containing a white liquid and the other one coloured crimson, both can easily be deceived as wine.

He is then summoned to his Master's quarters, in his mind,  his master would probably ask if everything is ready for the banquet or if the guest has already arrived, but he was wrong. Le Comte requested a room to be prepared as soon as possible and it only meant one thing, somebody else is arriving at the mansion. That sent a thrill on his body. Every time a new person appears in front of that door, he couldn't help but feel excited to learn who it is going to be. He remembered when Napoleon was found there, he could've sworn that his soul left his body and that the world became so much more colourful.

But tonight is different because Le Comte De Saint-Germain is asking him to prepare a room that a woman will be occupying. That sent another surge of thrill through him. It wasn't like the man in him suddenly felt brazen nor it was the first time he'll be seeing a woman in his life— Although, it was the first time he will be seeing a woman step foot in this place.

It took not much time for Sebastian to finish his task, of course, he already claimed himself to be the Top Notch Butler which the residents of this mansion will never deny, they know how focused he is on his work and the heights he can go. For instance, the room he just made for the "new" resident is spotlessly clean, the linen, curtains, and covers all followed a rosy colour palette which he felt so proud about, he added toiletries and things a woman will most likely need in the bathroom and even sprayed some perfume. He did all of that, he wanted to impress, and he knew he served. Soon, he will be the trustworthy, efficient, and best butler this resident will ever need.

In the dining room, four seats are already taken. Sebastian is stacking the cart with the dishes he prepared when the air shifts. Everyone in the room looked at one another, then at the entrance of the room.

“Didn't know Comte was adopting another one. ” Leonardo spoke, his voice and his eyes gleamed with curiosity. “Must be the reason why everybody is late. ”

“A new resident? ” Vincent beamed, clasped his hands together then glanced at his younger brother who was sitting beside him with an irritated scowl on his face. “I'm excited! Theo, aren't you excited too? ”

“Whatever, Broer. ” The younger replied and rhythmic tapping of his finger on the table got faster, indicating his patience running thinner as the second passed. “I just want this damned banquet to be over. Fifteen minutes have already been wasted waiting for this thing to start. ”

Isaac, who's seated on the farthest chair, awkwardly shifted in his position. Besides that Theo's impatience is exhausting to witness, he would also need to deal with yet another person in this mansion. Mentally, he's preparing how to present himself and every version of his "Hi! I'm Isaac, a scholar. " sent him wishing for sudden death, he knew he would not say those words or realistically, cannot say those words, especially to a woman. He knew he was way too awkward for pleasantries. 

Sebastian noticed all of this. How Leonardo was the first one to pick up what was happening, how Vincent's eyes lit up with wonder and excitement, That Theo's annoyance didn't just come from the late banquet, and how Isaac was already flushed and was grabbing his hair in frustration.

“Messieurs, I believe this person will be a pleasant surprise for everyone. ” Sebastian spoke and the smile he was trying to suppress broke free from his stoic face. “After all, the rumour that Monsieur Le Comte has a fetish of collecting illustrious men in history ends tonight. ”

That has taken aback everyone in the dining room. 

Leonardo has his eyes widened before bursting into laughter, “It's finally a girl?! Bwahaha! ”

Vincent smiles with pure happiness and laughed along with Leonardo. Theodorus looked shocked for a moment but did not ease his annoyance any bit. Isaac on the other hand, plopped his head on the dining table defeatedly and groaned. If Arthur and Dazai are already teasing him because of that goddamn fruit, just imagine once they started seeing how flushed he is with a woman. These thoughts ran through his head and left him even more frustrated.

While they were waiting, Sebastian's head was flying. His mind was racing with every single possibility of who this woman might be and his 'obsession' for history kicked in. Could it be Emily Bronte? Jane Austen? Mary Shelley? Then his imagination got even wilder: Queen Elizabeth I? or her Mother? Marie Curie! She and Master Isaac will get along! But what if it's Ada Lovelace? The first person who published an algorithm intended for a computer who's also a countess?! M. Le Comte would absolutely bring her to parties and what if… what if they fall in love?

His fierce imagination got interrupted when he heard numerous footsteps outside the dining room and Arthur's mellifluous voice. He figured out that the man is already making his advances on the woman being the playboy that he is.

The anticipation in the room hit the ceiling when the door opened. Mozart, Arthur, and Napoleon entered. Behind them reveals the host himself, Le Comte De Saint-Germain and arm-in-arm with him is a woman.

And just as that door opened, his excitement flew out and got replaced with disappointment.

It wasn't an illustrious woman from history, No Ada Lovelace, or any Queen.

It was just a normal woman who stumbled her way in the 19th Century.

It's the first time I posting something I wrote for Ikevamp ♡. This been stuck on my drafts for a while. I believe it's ready to be published.

[raviliuz]

"Here comes the sun" Blaise Zabini x Theodore Nott

Muggle, retro au

@lifesucksandiwanttobeamarauder I finally translate that fanfiction, I hope you like it 🥺

The dark-skinned boy has tried to sit still from three hours already. It is incredibly hard for him, because of his amazing hyperactivity. In all honesty, sitting here as a model doesn't count to his dreams or favourites activities but he couldn't deny to Theodore's asks.

Just because of that — his bloody weakness for the older boy — he must stick up there and pose to Theodore's new painting. Blaise perfectly knows that person on that work of art won't be even similar to him. But it will be beautiful, perfect as everything that has been made by gifted hands of Theodore Nott.

There's music, playing quietly at the background, played on a gramophone, restored by Blaise himself. He gifted it to his friend as a birthday present two years ago on an incredibly warm and short night, 22th of June.

He has so many memories with that slight, passionate boy.

"Theo," he says suddenly, breaking the silence. He sounds like a dissatisfied kitten and when he doesn't notice any reaction, he repeats meowing "Theo, I'm bored."

The other boy finally pays his attention to Blaise, not his reflection on painting, which is created on a canvas (too small in Theo's opinion).

"Blaise, you really can't stand it for a while more?" Theodore asks and there is a nuance of desperation and melancholy in his voice, "I want to end it."

And Blaise has already known, he loses again. He won't be able to deny his friend the pleasure that results from looking at the painting — finished, after hours of working.

"I'll stand it, Theo" he sighs and in his mind adds 'always for you'. At this moment all he can do is begging and praying that Theodore is not able to read minds, just like some characters in their favourites comics.

"Nah, Blaise" slight boy says suddenly and leaves his paint palette and set of brushes on the cupboard, promising himself that he will wash it carefully within a few minutes when paints won't be already dry "I know you don't want to."

"It's not like that" Zabini starts to explaining himself chaotically because he doesn't want hurt Theodore's feelings, "I love watching your painting and you while you're painting. And I love that you have a passion and you're so talented. I just... It's May Day and we are sitting in your room..."

"It's alright, Blaise" Theodore interrupts his with the most beautiful, in Zabini's opinion, smile — that carefree, happy and only a little faraway one.

"We should do something and bring Hope with us to take many photos and place them in our albums with dumb yet cute captions" Theo proposes with a light laugh.

The younger, but taller, better built and more mature, of boys, stands up and brushes off invisible pollen from clothes. He reaches his hand to Theodore to help him stand up.

"Wanna go?" he proposes and even if Theo doesn't know where he agrees without a single question.

It doesn't matter where they go, it will be awesome as always if Blaise is with him.

He catches Hope and puts it on his neck. Theo loves his polaroid camera with whole his heart, even if it isn't the newest and all the better photos were made by Blaise.

Blaise is still holding Theodore's hand in his (definitely larger and rougher), like he doesn't care about rubs of paints in many different colours on Theo's hand and now, also on Blaise's one.

He pulls his friends outside and enters the garage like he is in his own house. Theodore knows what he means without words and grabs his bicycle with a big smile on his slim face.

Meanwhile, Blaise grabs his skateboard, which, only in the form of rebellion against sentiment, he did not give a name. But he perfectly knows that by his skateboard, people could see a different side of his personality, which he doesn't show often — bloody sentimentalist who loves very clichéd books or movies and constantly remembering beautiful moments, and it doesn't matter if that happens a year ago or two hours ago.

The skateboard has its best years far behind its. The picture which was printed on the underside of 'his love' (although, of course, incomparable to that of the boy just standing next to him) has almost completely faded and crumbled, peeling paint seems not so good, to put it mildly, but in Blaise's opinion, it adds the special character and charm to his skateboard. Every scratch and every cooked screw tell a story and Blaise thinks it definitely better than new skateboard — probably glamorous but without its own character.

Blaise isn't similar to Theo, not it that topic. He has never had boxes filled with various craps, which refer to many different events and happenings. He doesn't have special notebooks with tickets, a diary or millions of notes with quick sketches, created under the influence of a sudden flow of wen. He doesn't keep every notes and message on scraps of papers, which have been hand down on lessons, in hope that the teacher wouldn't see that. In first, even having a photo album was strange for Blaise. It shows, that he likes looking back at past and that feeling, which sometimes accompanies you right before falling asleep, when you remind yourself one of those pleasant situations from childhood, isn't foreign for him. It was all he was trying to defend himself against, but only for a time.

For a time when on his way stood that quite frail and nerdy boy. Theodore showed him being sentiment isn't something bad just as singing songs out loud in public places. As compensation, Blaise showed him the magic of comics and all these beautiful, charming in their area, which he discovered while taking a walk daily. Blaise pulled Theodore out of his room and dragged him away from the easel to lead him everywhere he can.

"To our place?" Theodore asks and gets on his a little too small, colourful bike. The seat creaks quietly under his mass but none of the boys pays any attention to this.

"Exactly, now ride, my carriage" Blaise screams and catches up on Theo's seat so the movement of the bicycle can drag him.

"Pff, flax" Nott giggles and Blaise find it as the most sonorous, melodic sound in the whole world.

They ride slowly through all that musty hole, also known as Torquay, or — their home. The road even if it's really old and it remembers when they as children drew chalk on a street, is not in a bad condition. A worse fate befell the road signs — some of them are smeared with sprays, and some are knocked off the ground, due to a car accident or a group of probably drunk but still strong young people.

There are many houses near the road. They are quite poor and definitely not as modern as houses in the capital. At some time, before he started taking daily walks, Blaise dreamed about living in London. Or rather, to be able to tell others that he lives in London. It's another thing which distinguishes him from Theodore — the older boy sees beauty everywhere, in everything and in everybody. Blaise envied him with this skill, for him the world has been boring or just ugly and people have been cruel sometimes.

The sun is warming their backs when they slowly ride on a well-known path. They pass Mrs Shermik, so out of courtesy from four meters away from her, they shout to the old woman joyful 'Good morning'. As they turn into a lane, which is fortunately dry as it hasn't rained much lately, Theo starts humming under his breath.

"Hey Jude, don't make it bad" he looks at his friend (nearly losing control of his bike) and Blaise quickly understands what he means.

Blaise joins to his singing and adds next line:

"Take a sad song and make it better".

Someday Blaise would have worried. He was worried about what people would think, he was afraid someone would hear them. But not now. Now he doesn't care when the words flowing from the depths of memory, and when the song ends, he starts another, definitely his favourite — "Blackbird". Neither of the boys has a perfect voice, singing is definitely not their hidden talent, but that doesn't matter. And that is wonderful, isn't it?

Here Blaise can no longer skate further — the ground is too uneven, even ploughed by the tires of wheelbarrows and carts of people from the neighbouring village. The dark-skinned man rejects Theo's offer to simply get his bike's rack and chooses to run next to the boy. The basketball team and two trainings a week are finally coming in handy — thanks to this, his condition is really good and he doesn't gasp like an old man with asthma after twenty meters run. Theodore, noticing how well his best friend is doing, accelerates, forcing Zabini to run, which he accepts with a groan. Nevertheless, he catches up with the older boy and promises himself that as soon as they get there, he will get his revenge.

After five more minutes, they are a destination of their travel. The place they describe as "their", although they are well aware that they are not the only people who come here, is exactly as they remember it — beautiful.

It was Blaise who discovered them during one of his walks over three years ago. He perfectly remembered how it happened.

That day he was trying to find a rather fast but shallow brook, which he remembered from his childhood. Before Draco's move to London, they told Draco's parents that they were going to the field, but in fact, they went to the brook and walked back and forth on a tree that had fallen over the river. He remembered just as well how Draco's mother, on her way to the store, noticed they were not on the field, prompting a search. When their parents found them by the brook — wet but in unusually good moods, they were already too worried to be upset with them.

After searching for more than an hour (during which he definitely fulfilled the daily, maybe even a week, step norm, but he didn't care) he found a place from his memories, although it was difficult to recognize its. The brook had dried up completely, leaving only a faint riverbed and tree roots washed out of the ground, but the place has definitely retained its charm.

Theo drops the bicycle, leaning it hurriedly against one of the roots, and lays down on the grass, staring at the almost cloudless sky, hidden only by tree branches. Blaise, slightly out of breath, rests his hands on his knees and stays like this for a moment. When his breath normalized he comes closer to Theodore. There is a snap and a Polaroid camera gracefully named Hope spits out a photo in which the image hasn't shown up yet. Theo enthusiastically grabs a small piece of paper and starts waving it so fast that it is about to reach orbital velocity. After a while, the picture clears up the silhouette of a younger boy, who was about to lie down next to his friend. Blaise looks at the photo and asks smiling, even though he already knows the answer:

"For your or my album?"

"Of course mine," Theodore replies quickly, grinning happily, "Why do you need your own photos? They will be much more useful to me."

The dark-skinned boy can't help but messes Theodore's hair in one move of his hand. However, Theo is not annoyed by that, he reacts to it like a cat, moving closer and silently demanding further caresses, which the younger one does willingly.

They are sitting like that (or rather, Blaise is sitting and Theo's half lying on him) till the sunset. There is a flower crown on Blaise's head, made by Theo with field flowers collected by him. And of course, Theodore took a photo of Blaise in his work of art.

It's getting dark. Butterflies, which were flying around them flew away and gave way for beautiful moths and fireflies. Theodore stands up energetically and starts jumping on protruding trees' roots, chasing insects to take a photo of them.

"Theo, please be careful," Blaise says attentively but the only response is 'don't worry' screamed by Nott.

Blaise unwillingly starts remembering his childhood. Times, when he wasn't Theodore's friend and all that connected them, was the same neighbourhood, chalk and short-term relationship of their parents. Then they found that as a stupid and loathsome. Nowadays, at their seventeen's, just as weird. But they weren't friends. After all, Blaise was friends with Draco and the teacher in primary had repeated that it's better to have fewer friends but true friends. So Blaise fraternizes with Malfoy till he moved to London.

It's not that now Blaise finds it as a mistake or holds any grudge with Draco. But nowadays he thinks that it is not good to withdraw from others.

When Draco had left and moved to London, Blaise had thought they now he stayed alone but on that moment, Theodore slowly crept into his life. Nott sat next to Blaise on school basketball pitch and started reminding happy moments from times when Draco lived in Torquey.

And later he showed his painting to Blaise and dark-skinned boy couldn't believe someone his age could do something that beautiful. A week later Blaise sat down with him in the canteen and sometime later also on most of the lessons so he could distract him from learning to read their favourites comics.

Now, Blaise would imagine his life without his always laughing and only sometimes a little faraway friend.

His thoughts are interrupted by a quiet scream.

"Ouch!"

Blaise, worried, stands up imminently and run through Theo. He is curled up in a fetal position between roods of the biggest tree. Zabini hugs him tightly and Theodore accepts that willing, cuddling to his chest while holds back tears.

"Ah, Theo" Blaise whispers, still cuddling the boy in his arms, "I asked you to be careful."

"I'm sorry, Blaise" he answers, sniffing.

"Don't apologize to me, silly" Blaise couldn't stop himself from nuzzling his friend's cheek.

"But you are worrying now and you warned me that I might get hurt..."

"Shhhh" Zabini interrupts him and places his fingers on Theo's mouth to shushes him "I always worrying about you, no matter if you get hurt or not" he admits truthfully and after a few seconds of silence adds "Please, stop crying.

He stops hugging Theodore, although he wants to do it forever. Blaise squats in from of him and gently grabs his friend's head. He wipes away tears, flowing slowly on fairy (although all that time, spends under the sunlight) skin.

He wants to not cry because of sadness or pain, wants him not to have reasons for a cry.

He wants him to be always happy, even if that meant that Blaise wouldn't be on his side.

Wants, wants, wants.

But the world isn't always beautiful, even if Theodore thinks so. Sometimes the world is cruel, ugly or just totally boring. The same about people who live in it.

Do it's really important to find your refuge. A place, a person or a hobby, which will be like an escape from all evils in that world.

Blaise thought that his escape is comics. Reading them has dragged him into the world of superheroes where he could use his imagination and think about meaningless things for hours such as what superpower would he choose (flying, of course). Besides that, the world in comics is just easier. It isn't hard to differentiate who is good and who's bad. Good people fight with bad people, that's all. The Justice League cares about Gotham and saves innocent people from Joker, Deadshot or Darkseid. In the real world, it would be an unsolvable matter with billions different threads and complications so even the best detectives wouldn't be able to decide who is guilty.

Comics world is just easier.

Lately, Blaise has got to understand that the whole beauty in that world is locked in its confusions, problems and ambiguities. Because the world is beautiful, even if sometimes it's cruel or ugly.

And the one who made him understand that is his only real refuge — Theodore Nott.

He is the one who makes reading comics even better.

He is the one with who Blaise could do anything and it would be incredibly good.

He is the one with who Blaise wants to talk about 'good old times' and makes new memories to remember.

He is the one with who Blaise wants to stay forever.

Theodore Nott is the one who Blaise bestow that hot and unique feeling which, no matter what since says, comes from the heart.

And that feeling, now makes him do something, he has been dreaming about for that long. Blaise gently and unsurely grabs the head of the person, who since a year isn't only a friend for him. He delicately raises Theo's head a bit upper to look him straight into his eyes. Their lips touch slowly and gently. Both of them don't feel so confident with what's going on but they will worry about that later. Now, Blaise doesn't have the time and desire to thinks about the consequences. Not now, when he feels the structure of soft lips of his love.

When the dark-skinned boy doesn't notice any objections from the older boy, he let himself do a light, carefully move with his lips. He doesn't want to scared Theodore, knowing how delicate and artsy person he is. He would ever forgive himself hurting Theo.

If he only knew how long Theodore was waiting for it and how much he enjoys that kiss, even if Blaise's lips are rough and chapped.

Blaise gently moves away and hangs his head down, looking at too long grass. He's afraid of seeing Theodore's reaction for what he has done because he's afraid of rejection and ending that important relationship.

However, Theo, likes he doesn't see his friend insecure, giggles lightly and grabs the younger boy cheeks, turning his face to him.

"Oh, finally. How long might I wait?" Theo says with a delightful smile.

"Really. You... Me..." Blaise mutters like he doesn't know what he wants to say.

"Yeah, silly" Theo chucked and hits an end of Blaise's nose with his "You're definitely my favourite person in that universe. And every other, alternative universe too."

Blaise, still can't believe what's happening, hugs his boy and kisses him quickly. The kiss is one hundred per cent cute and totally not sultry. Because feelings as sultry and desire don't fit Theodore, even in an alternative universe where Bruce Wayne become the Devastator instead of Batman. It just does not fit.

"Yeah, and you're my fav person."

They sit in silence for a while, but it's nothing wrong. The silent can be calming and comfortable, it can say more than every word in the world.

The air is getting cooler and owls' chirps become more ominous, so finally, Blaise breaks the silence and says:

"Theo" mentioned boy turns to him and glance at Zabini, "Is your knee still hurting?"

"It's not that bad" Theo shrugs but Blaise quickly understands that it's not good either, "But can you ride the bicycle? I'll drive on its carrier."

"But what with my skateboard?" Blaise asks inconvenience.

"I'll carry it, please" Zabini's only answer is a sigh but not the irritated one. He doesn't know what would Theo had to do to irritate him.

"Alright, but please, be careful."

Blaise raises Theo's bicycle from the ground and helps the boy to climb up to the luggage carrier and then he carefully sits on its seat. Theodore holds Blaise's skateboard (which he has named against his will — Faith) with one hand and the other one is embraced around Blaise's stomach so Theo can stably stay on the carrier. Well, maybe not only because of that.

"To me?" Blaise proposes and slowly leaves their place.

Theodore automatically nods but then he understands that Blaise can't see him so he quickly says 'yes' some times.

Boys are leaving, slowly and without unnecessary haste, but that moment is different than every previous one, they have spent here. Now, they're leaving their place not as just friends.

From Theodore Nott's album:

"4th of May, 1984 —

My favourite day to remember"

[missnmikaelson-main]

Shades of Blue

I do not own TVD or TO.

So someone asked if I would write more KLENA, and I had this idea. What's the worst possibly moment to learn this?

Soulmate: a person ideally suited to another.

Colour: the property possessed by an object of producing different sensations on the eye as a result of the way the object reflects or emits light.

The world is seen by everyone in shades of grey from the moment of their birth. Nobody can explain why scientifically; the closest explanation is that human beings are simply incapable of perceiving colours.

Some people believe that colours do not exist, that they are a fantasy made up by the dreamers. A lie so well told that everyone is always looking for their soulmate because that is the only way to see colour; the first colour seen is that of their mate's eyes.

++++

She had always thought that one day she would meet her soulmate. She loved Stefan, she did, but she knew he wasn't her other half; he knew it too.

It had taken a little coaxing to get her boyfriend to admit that he had met his soulmate. He couldn't remember when it had happened but he knew it had.

He told her that her eyes were chocolate brown and full of warmth that drew him in. He thought that it was what made people gravitate to her.

She had asked him how he could ever walk away from his soulmate, and he had told her that he didn't know; one day he had woken up and seen the world in living colour. It had been during his dark years, his ripper years, that he had met his other half and when he had come out of it all of the memories were gone: repressed.

Stefan assumed she must be dead.

She had seen it in his eyes and known not to press the matter; he feared he had killed his mate. Rather than ask and cause him pain she had asked the second question: what's your favorite colour?

It was blue. Stefan adored the colour blue, specifically sapphire blue; for some reason that shade of blue tugged at his heartstrings. The way he described it made her want to see the colour more than anything.

Sadly she was going to die before she got the chance. She would never meet her soulmate; she would never see the colour of her mate's eyes.

What would have been the first colour?

She would never know.

What colour were Stefan's eyes?

What shade of blonde was Jenna's hair?

What hue was the colour flashing in Jules' fading gaze?

She would never know.

She supposed there were some good things about it. For one, she would never know what colour the bloody heart in Klaus' hand had been. She would never know the colour of his eyes.

"Well," Klaus smirked, "who's it going to be, Elena?"

She couldn't look him in the eye; she hadn't been able to do that since she had met him. She worried she might cry if she did, but it seemed she was destined to cry anyway regardless of the life he chose to take: Jenna or Stefan, family or friend, loved one or lover.

"No," her voice cracked on the syllable. She could never think of choosing.

"Oh don't worry," Klaus grinned. "There's actually no choice."

Before she could take so much as a step Klaus vanished and reappeared behind Stefan. The younger vampire yelled as the wood was driven deep into his back and a piece was broken and held in place.

"No," Elena got as close to the flames as she dared. "Stefan!"

"I have other plans for your boyfriend," he ripped the wood from Stefan's spine. There were some lines even he couldn't cross. "I want him alive, but for now…"

He might not have been able to kill Stefan, but he couldn't have him getting involved. With one quick movement he snapped the vampire's neck and dropped him in a graceless heap on the ground.

"Whenever you're ready, Greta," he turned to the witch. He didn't want to risk looking in the doppelgangers eyes; doppelgangers had a tendency to use tears to their advantage. He ignored the girl's pleas and stepped over the blackened border separating him from Jenna. "Your turn."

"No, Jenna," she screamed and ran for the edge of the ring. The fire flared up and forced her back, heat licking at her body.

Elena could feel the tears streaming down her cheeks; there was no point trying to hide them. One of the last members of her family was about to be taken from her; stolen by the supernatural.

She dragged her eyes up the length of Klaus' arm with the intention of looking him in the eye when he took the life of her loved one. The fire flickered over his face to cast shadows in the hollows of his cheeks and caused his stubble to gleam; it had to be some shade of blonde because only blonde hair caught the light in such ways.

It seemed to happen in slow motion. Her gaze locked with his as her eyes narrowed into a glare; she was determined to hate him for the rest of her very short life, and she wanted him to know it. She wanted him to see the fire in her eyes, and if she were being honest she wanted to see remorse enter his eyes: his blue-green eyes.

Klaus froze in his motion with the stake half an inch from Jenna's heart; it would have taken very little effort to finish the vampire, but he was lost. At first he had found the fire in her eyes amusing; it signified something in her that would never be broken, and for a moment he wanted nothing more than to break it, but then something changed.

Her eyes, which had been nearly black, shifted. They were black no more. The fire light flickered in her mahogany gaze; somehow he knew the name of the colour in spite of never having seen it before in a thousand years of existence.

The smirk fell from his lips. A thousand years had been spent seeking a way to break his curse. A millennium had passed longing to categorize the colours on his palette. Lifetimes had been wasted looking for his other half.

Fate had an odd sense of humor.

He wanted to break his curse. He wanted to feel whole and find that sense of belonging that had always been missing. He wanted to embrace his birthright, but if he couldn't kill Stefan how could he ever hope to kill her?

"Klaus?" Greta's voice reached him through the haze of his thoughts.

He dragged his eyes from Elena to the witch; the motion brought a myriad of new colours to his mind: her purple top, her aunt's red hair, the crimson stain on Jules' shirt, and the bright orange of the flames.

Elena drew in a shaking breath when his eyes left hers and looked around. The world was dark with only the pale moon, and flickering flames to illuminate everything, but even in the dark she could tell his hair was blonde; it glowed golden in the light.

She could also see that the wood he had protruding from Jenna's chest was frozen; red blood ran down her shirt.

Elena ripped her eyes from the macabre sight of her aunt inches from death and tuned into Greta.

"Are we going to finish this sometime tonight?"

Elena gritted her teeth. She didn't like the witch's tone; it was far too glib for the circumstances.

Didn't she realize three women were going to die because of her actions?

"Klaus?" Greta tilted her head and frowned. Aside from turning to look at her he hadn't moved. Her eyes widened when he ripped the wood from Jenna's chest and dropped it.

One quick movement broke the new vampire's neck. Over the snap he heard the sharp intake of breath from Elena. In a fraction of a second he had crossed the barrier to stand in front of her.

The sweet smell of her blood rose to his nose and made his gums ache; fear always sweetened the blood.

Elena shivered and swallowed before tipping her head up. She couldn't bring herself to glare anymore; she wanted to memorize the colour of his eyes before he killed her.

"Klaus?" Greta snapped. She was getting more than impatient. It was cold in the quarry, and they should have been done by now.

"Enough," he spared the witch a glare over the shoulder of Elena. Somewhere over the crackle of the flames he heard the approaching footsteps of more interlopers.

Elena felt a strange sense of calm wash over her. Perhaps it was acceptance, or maybe she was just going numb.

"Don't you have to kill Jenna first?" Elena inhaled slowly as his bloody fingertips grazed her cheek. The contact, despite coming from a cool hand, was warm; it sent tingles through her skin to her heart.

Jenna? Klaus' eyes narrowed. Right, her aunt. He glanced over his shoulder to the prone body of the woman meant to be his sacrifice. Her hair was a pretty shade, but nowhere near as beautiful as the chocolate tresses of the woman in front of him.

If she had thought it was in her head she quickly forgot that when his fingers slipped into her long hair.

"You're shaking," he breathed. The concern in his voice surprised them both.

"There's a mad man planning on killing me," she trembled and leaned into his hand.

Klaus searched her dark eyes for a moment before coming to a decision. In a flurry of movement he had tucked the moonstone back into his pocket and grabbed Elena.

The sharp intake of breath was the last thing Greta heard before she was left alone in the quarry with two unconscious bodies.

"Where did he go?" Elijah had planned on waiting until the ritual was done, but then he had seen his half-brother vanish with Elena.

"I don't know," Greta swallowed. "One minute he's about to kill the vampire, and the next he just freezes up."

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