#Me sitting there sadly: you deserve better king... Love and respect yourself....

[mrfoox]

I'm kinda glad I can keep my opinions to myself but man

[leossmoonn]

Cheating on You [Klaus Mikealson]

masterlist

pairing - klaus mikealson x fem!reader

type - angst, fluff

note - hey, guys! if youve seen and read my masterlist, then you know i have done a few of these lyric type of imagines and i love em! this is based on ‘cheating on you’ by charlie puth. enjoy!

summary - klaus is heartbroken and is recalling memories of you two. you two meet again at a mall and he hopes youll give him a second chance.

warnings - language 

————

*gif isnt mine*

It started with a kiss

On your momma's couch

2012 was nothing serious

Klaus Mikealson was heartbroken. So heartbroken, in fact, that he had paused his plans from being the king of New Orleans because he had lost his queen.

Her name was Y/n L/n. She wasn’t new to New Orleans, and definitely was not new to the world Klaus had lived in. She was a vampire. 150 years old to be exact. Klaus never understood why they didn’t meet sooner, but he was glad they’d met at all.

Y/n was a fiery, gorgeous girl that Klaus couldn’t help but love at the first sight.

You and him met at the bar. He called you pretty and asked to by you a drink, and you accepted. After that, you two had ended up in your parent’s house, on the couch. Your parents were dead, of course, but you decided to live in the house anyways. It was there, available, and already paid for.

That night, Klaus and you slept together. Both being drunk and finding each other hot, you just went at it. The next morning, you found him gone. You were sad and wished he had stayed to at least give you his number. After that day, you hadn’t seen him for another week until your friend, Hayley, brought you to the Mikealson’s house because you wanted to help. Little did you know, it was Klaus’s house.

And then we caught the feels

It got really real

Too good to be true

I guess I thought you was, yeah

The same day you met formally, Klaus had asked you on a date. You were absolutely overjoyed. You didn’t know when or where you would see him again after this, so of course you took the offer.

You two didn’t realize until you started dating that you two would be the most feared and adored couple in New Orleans. Klaus, wanting to be king and rule, and you, his queen and second command. You were ready to fight with him whenever he needed.

Your relationship was amazing. The dates, the late nights, fighting together, the sex. You never thought you would ever experience these deep feelings for someone. After all this time of just pure living, you were happy and sure that you had found your soulmate. Klaus thought the exact same thing, too. He loved you with all his might, and would never ever dare to let you go.

Why did I run away, run away, run away?

Oh, your love was everything, everything, everything

I know it's gettin' late, gettin' late, gettin' late

But can I still be on my way, on my way? Yeah

After three faithful years, though, something happened. Something you never thought would. Klaus had cheated on you with this girl named Camille O’ Connell. Your best friend, Hayley, told you after walking in on them. Furious as ever and ready to run to tell you.

That night, Klaus had tried to get you back, but it never worked.

“Y/n, please!” Klaus exclaimed, running after you. You ran out of the house, sobbing.

Klaus had put his hand on your wrist, pulling you back to face him.

“What, Klaus!” You shouted. He looked at you. For once, the big bad hybrid was scared. No, not scared; terrified.

“Y/n, I’m sorry. We were drunk, I didn’t mean for it to happen,” Klaus tried to explain himself.

You shook your head, yanking your wrist out from his hand. “You aren’t drunk. You are perfectly sober. Don’t try to lie to me, Klaus Mikealson.”

Klaus looked at you, broken. He didn’t know what to do. He was completely helpless.

“I’m sorry, love. I just... she seduced me!”

“You know how many guys have tried to seduce me?” You asked. “A lot. But you know what, I never said yes. I never even thought of saying yes. And you want to know why? Because... I-I love-loved you,” you screamed, your voice cracking. It hurt you to tell him that you didn’t love him anymore, but you were dealing with this. You had been cheated on before and you knew now not to take anyone’s shit.

“Y-you don’t love me anymore?” Klaus asked. You could see the tears pool in his eyes. It broke your heart to see him hurt, but he did this. He did this to himself.

“No,” you stated. You turned to walk away, but Klaus appeared in front of you.

“Please don’t go. I can make it better. I’ll vow to you that I’ll never sleep with anyone but you. I-”

You laughed, not believing him right now. “For fucksake, Niklaus! You should’ve vowed that in the beginning of this relationship!”

“I.. I did,” he said, getting quieter.

“You... You know, I loved you. I thought you were my soulmate. I thought that we were going to rule New Orleans together,” you cried.

Klaus watched you break down. He wanted to reach out and hold you, kiss your head and tell you everything was going to be okay, but he restrained himself. He knew you would just yell at him more and pull away.

“I was so ready to drop everything for you. For your stupid fucking plan! Did you know that? Huh? I really was ready to commit to whatever you wanted. But again, you are just so selfish-”

This time, he cut you off, angry.

“Don’t disrespect me that way, little vampire.”

You shushed him. “No. No, you don’t deserve my respect. Not anymore. You are just a selfish person, Niklaus. And I don’t want to see you ever, ever again,” you spat.

You then walked away, and Klaus let you. Tears streamed down his face, not believing what just happened. He heard voices and noticed his sister, Rebekah, and older brother, Elijah, watching and gossiping. Klaus was too tired and sad to even yell at then. He just stared at the spot you once stood, knowing he had just made the biggest mistake in his life.

After that night, he had made his way to his room. Sobbing. He didn’t come out for months. His siblings had to slip in blood bags and regular food occasionally. They tried to talk to him, to get him to come out. But he never answered.

One day, though, six months later, he came out. His hair and beard were long. He looked ready to kill. Elijah had tried to make sense to him, but the heartbreak was still there. He was tired of sitting in his bed, looking at pictures of you, so he did the next best thing: he went out to kill.

I know I said, "Goodbye, " and, baby, you said it too

But when I touch her, I feel like I'm cheating on you

I thought that I'd be better when I found someone new

But when I touch her, I feel like I'm cheating on you

A week after he came out, he had already slept and ate more than half of the city. He hadn’t turned his humanity off, actually. He just felt nothing and proceeded to do nothing to fix it.

You were still in his mind. Every day he woke up, he still expected you to be there. Curled up next to him, sleeping peacefully. Every time he would plan something, he was used to you being by his side. Arguing with him, agreeing, and kissing him when your guy’s plan was perfect and ready to launch. Every night, he would look at his bed, imagining you there. Reading a book or sitting on the bed in lingerie, waiting to be given one of the best nights of your life. But sadly, it was just in his head. You weren’t there, you never would be again.

Even when he slept with someone you were in his mind. Every time he would touch another woman, kiss her, he felt the same guilt he felt when you found out he was sleeping with Cami. He still slept with them though. It turned out you were right. He realized he was selfish and only cared about himself. Oh, how he wished he could change the past.

He never thought he would see you again, but low and behold, he did. You were at the mall with Hayley, shopping for clothes for Hope, Hayley and Klaus’s child.

Funnily enough, you weren’t bothered by the fact Klaus had slept with Hayley. It was before you got together and you didn’t want to admit it, but they produced a beautiful baby girl.

Klaus had spotted you across the store, his heart stopping. You looked happy. Very happy. It made his blood boil, but he knew it wasn’t fair to get mad. You two had said your goodbyes, there was no reason to get mad anymore.

Baby, now, oh, cheating on you

Baby, now

But when I touch her, I feel like I'm cheating on you

While shopping, Hayley had noticed Klaus. You saw her looking at something and saw it was him. Your heart stopped as well. You thought you were over him, but turns out, you thought he was just as handsome as he was before. He looked twice as good as before. And your heart hurt three times more than it ever did. You still loved him, despite you saying you didn’t and telling yourself you didn’t. You knew deep down that the love as intense as you had felt for Klaus would never go away. No matter how much time passed, it would never go away.

“I’m going to talk to him,” you decided. Hayley looked at you, shocked.

“What? Why? We hate him, remember,” Hayley said.

“I know, but, I just want to talk to him,” you shrugged and gave the clothes you had in your hands to Hayley. You ran off before she could convince you not to.

You wanted to give him another chance. You knew that you would never find a love as great as your’s and Klaus’s, so you wanted to try again. You knew you were going against your own morals, but Klaus was something else. You also knew that over the year and a half, you had worked on yourself. Your body and your mind. You knew that you were worth something. You were capable of being loved. And if he didn’t want you, then it was his loss.

You walked up to him, trying to seem confident. He smirked, noticing your efforts.

“Hello, love,” he said.

“Hi, Klaus,” you sighed.

He looked over you. You were still as gorgeous as ever.

“How are you?” He asked. “Good, and you?” You asked.

“Splendid. What have you been up to?”

“Nothing much,” you shrugged. You asked him the same question in return.

“Same old. Sleeping with women, binge drinking, plotting to take over the city and world,” he smirked.

Your face fell when he said the first thing. You grimaced at him. “You haven’t changed a bit Klaus. You know, I came over here, wanting to give you a chance.”

You went to walk away, but Klaus put his hand on your shoulder. Butterflies irrupted in your stomach, making your legs go weak.

Instead of walking away, you turned around. You were wondering what he was going to say.

“Y/n, look, I’m sorry,” he started. “I am terribly sorry for what I did to you. I have realized now that you are the only woman I love. You will always be the only woman I truly love. I have no explanation for my past behavior other than I am a fucking moron. I lost you and I don’t want to again. And I would love it if you gave me another chance. Whatever it takes, please give me another chance. I’ll change, I promise,” he poured out.

You looked into his eyes, knowing it was the truth. You sighed and put your hand on his bicep.

“You don’t have to change totally. I just want to know that you will work for my trust again. You have to earn it now,” you said.

Klaus smiled, “I will. I promise. You will see me change. You have my word.”

“Good,” you said, knowing he was truthful. “But before we sleep together again, get tested.”

Klaus blushed, “I will, don’t worry. And sleeping with all those women made it feel like I was cheating on you. I never want to make you feel that way again. And I sure as hell don’t want to feel that guilt again. So, let me take you to dinner tonight. Anywhere you want, anytime.”

You smiled and nodded. “Deal. How about tonight at 8 we can go where we met first.”

He nodded excitedly. For the first time, he felt hopeful.

“Remember, if you cheat on me again, I will make sure your ass ends up in a coffin forever,” you half-teased.

“Don’t worry, Y/n. I promise you I won’t. Like I said, you have my word,” he said, scooting closer to you. “I love you, Y/n L/n.”

You leaned in and said, “I love you, too, Niklaus Mikealson.”

————

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[halothenthehorns]

ABOARD THE HOGWARTS EXPRESS

Before she got started, Lily first turned to Remus and said, "I am sorry for making you uncomfortable dear, I thought you'd be an easy way to get through to Sirius."

"He just gets sensitive," Remus smirked, watching Sirius narrow his eyes at the pair of them, and ignoring the fact that he didn't act much better. "I wasn't offended, I knew you didn't mean anything by it."

Lily smiled warmly at him before turning to her chapter.

The morning they were returned to school did not start off with a good omen, it was raining. They all tromped down the stairs, but were beaten to the bottom by Arthur who was being shouted at by his wife he had a message. Harry entered the kitchen last and found Mr. Weasley kneeling in front of the fireplace speaking to...he closed his eyes hard then opened them again to make sure he was seeing things properly.

"Why?" Sirius asked at once, a happy smirk in place as he always enjoyed watching common things amaze Harry.

Amos Diggory's head was sitting amongst the flames, talking to Arthur.

"Ah," James joined Sirius in smirking now. As common as Floo travel was to Harry now, he guessed it hadn't occurred to him you didn't always have to go all the way.

He was saying how someone had caused a real mess with the Muggle policemen, and they needed Arthur's help to handle this. Saying they didn't need Rita Skeeter getting a hold of anything else. Arthur asked what was Mad-Eye's side of the story?

Remus let out a surprised snort of laughter as he realized Lily, and by extension Arthur, meant that as a name.

"Who on earth goes by the name of Mad-Eye?" Sirius demanded with a wicked grin, clearly indicating he'd like to meet him, and at once silencing Harry who had hopefully been about to ask if they knew that name, as he was sure he did.

"I've no idea," Lily had a faint smile of her own, "but judging by the way Harry's hearing about him, I'm going to take a wild guess he's an interesting one."

Mr. Diggory rolled his eyes as he explained Mad-Eye had said he'd heard intruders, and tried to set dustbins on them. Arthur asked what the dustbins had done, and Diggory replied they'd made a racket and mostly disturbed some neighbors, they were still moving around when the police showed up.

Causing all five of them to keep snickering at this scene that was caused. They felt bad for this Mad-Eye who had been attacked, but the idea of dustbins attacking anyone was hilarious.

Mr. Weasley groaned as he asked about the intruder, and Diggory snorted in disbelief, reminding Arthur that Mad-Eye was known to go off at stray cats wandering around.

Causing at least the other four to burst into full on laughter, but Harry was starting to get a slight frown. He definitely knew this name now, something about a paranoid old man, being attacked?

Then he added on that the Improper Use of Magic had their hands full with him, and with his record, well Diggory was hoping that Arthur could possibly get him off on a minor charge, asking what dustbins were worth?

"Arthur's job just gets more interesting the more I hear about it," Sirius smirked, not at all joking though. He really did find this plenty interesting to hear about, more than he would have expected considering his usual bore on the topic of any Ministry job. Might be worth it to look into at least, he may as well do something with that O he got in his Muggle Studies class.

Mr. Weasley said hopefully he could get away with a caution, asking if Mad-Eye had used his wand? Diggory said most likely Mad-Eye had leapt out of bed and blasted anything outside his window, but since there were no casualties that couldn't really be proven. Arthur agreed he was on his way now and sprinted back up the stairs. Diggory turned his attention to Molly then, apologizing for this, but saying that Arthur was the only one who could do this. Mad-Eye had picked some bad timing, since he was due to start a new job today.

A buzzing went off in the back of Harry's skull at that, there was that connection he was so sure he'd felt. Why would he know anything about this though? He was about to go off to Hogwarts, what could he care about some random strangers new job?

Molly shrugged if off and offered the head if he'd like some toast, which he agreed to. Mrs. Weasley grabbed a buttered one from the stack, grasped it in a pair of tongs, and helpfully put it into Mr. Diggory's mouth.

Which instantly distracted Harry from his pondering and led him to chuckle, asking, "so how does that work?"

"It's pretty simple," Lily shrugged, "you just put your head in instead of your whole body to transport yourself, most useful when you don't want to drop in unannounced."

"It's not too comfortable," James shrugged, "but it's quicker than sending an owl if you just have something to say and be gone."

He gave a last thanks before he vanished, just as the last three Weasley's arrived along with Mr. Weasley who was dressed and ready to go. He apologized he couldn't take the kids to King's Cross with her, and she waved him off saying to take care of Mad-Eye. Arthur left then, and Bill asked what Mad-Eye had been up to? Mrs. Weasley explained the situation, and George gave a smile as he declared Mad-Eye Moody

"Moody?" The four from this time repeated in shock.

"Err, yeah, that's what he said," Harry nodded, eagerness growing when he realized this meant something to them. "Why, you know him?"

"Alastor Moody is head of the Auror department," James explained with a ruffled brow. "It may not be the same man though, as I've no idea why he'd go by the name of Mad-Eye."

"Plus, new job," Lily recalled. "I can't imagine what that would relate to him for, either he's still on the job or retired, but I can't imagine him doing anything but hauling in Death Eaters."

Harry sagged in disappointment as he nodded his understanding. He had a good feeling everything they'd just told him shouldn't come as a surprise, that they may even be wrong and they were thinking of the same person, but then what on earth was going on?

was that nutter- but Mrs. Weasley cut him off reprovingly, saying he was a good friend of their fathers. Fred said under his breath 'birds of a feather.'

Giving Sirius the chance to give another snort of laughter. He liked Arthur plenty, and didn't find his collection the least bit odd.

Bill agreed Moody was a great wizard, and Charlie agreed he was an old friend of Dumbledore's.

"This is getting harder and harder to shake though," Remus' frown deepened. "How many friends of Dumbledore can be named Moody?"

"I guess something really big must happen to him then," James' huffed, casting his mind around in confusion for what the odd nickname could refer to. Hopefully he hadn't gone blind or something, he respected the man to much to want to feel sorrow if he'd gone out like that.

Fred agreed, but reminded Dumbledore wasn't known for being all there either. A genius sure, but-

"Well Fred's got a point there," Sirius nodded in agreement.

Harry interrupted to ask who Mad-Eye is, and Charlie told that he used to work at the Ministry as an Auror

"Well there you go, can't be anyone else," Lily sighed.

"Hope they tell you what happened to him," James said with deep interest. He was hoping to join the Auror's himself, and he liked to think if he could warn his, hopefully soon, boss of some impending danger it would help his credibility he was serious about joining.

and had been the best Dark Wizard catcher of his time. Half the cells in Azkaban were filled because of him.

Sirius couldn't help a deep shudder, never having wanted to think which Auror would have hauled him in off the streets, wondering for the first time if it was even someone he knew now.

Then he continued that he was on in years now, and seemed to be getting more paranoid with age, thinking all those Dark Wizards were coming back to get him.

Conversation changed then as Bill and Charlie decided they wanted to come to King's Cross to see them off, but Percy said he was too busy to come.

"Good riddance," Sirius scoffed, knowing the others had noticed, and quickly looking for something else. He quickly latched onto the fact that, "I'll probably enjoy this year a lot more just for the fact I won't have to hear mention of Percy nearly as often."

Lily sighed but no one was going to argue the point with him.

Explaining that he couldn't be taking time off now, Mr. Crouch was really starting to rely on him. George agreed with a serious nod

"I wouldn't be surprised if he did nod just like me," Sirius nodded solemnly, ignoring the groan of protest from everyone but Harry.

that Crouch may even know Percy's name soon.

None of them bothered to smother their laughter at Percy's expense, he deserved that one.

Mrs. Weasley had braved the telephone in the village post office

"A fearful task, I can believe that," James nodded, having once studied one of those telephones, and all of those buttons gave his head a spin.

and ordered them Muggle taxis. She apologized to her kids that Arthur couldn't get the Ministry to spare them cars again. The Muggles didn't seem particularly pleased with their passengers, as they weren't used to carrying around two owls and a cat, and it didn't help that one of Fred's Filibuster's Fabulous No-Heat, Wet-Start Fireworks went off inside his trunk.

"Bet that was a hoot to explain," Sirius smirked.

Crookshanks had panicked at the noise and tried to scale one of the men's legs.

Lily was shaking her head sadly as she read that, unable to wipe the smile off her own face at this poor scene.

They were all squished into the backs, and Crookshanks refused to settle down for the whole of the journey, leaving Harry, Ron, and Hermione with plenty of scratch marks when they arrived.

Remus gave a soft laugh, thinking of a time where Sirius would have loved to make a crack about how they should get rid of Crookshanks for that, but after what he'd done last year Sirius actually had an indulgent smile on his face.

It was a relief to reach the train station, even while having to practically swim inside it was already raining so hard. They quickly found the barrier between platforms nine and ten, and Harry was used to getting into platform nine and three-quarters by now.

"Well two out of three isn't bad," James snorted, causing Lily to send him an irritated look, she'd rather forget that year if she could help it.

"Let's hope we can make it three out of four, or better, six out of seven," she muttered as she turned back to the book.

They simply walked in between the barriers and found themselves in front of the scarlet steam engine. They went to pack away their things and then come back outside for a last chat with Molly, Bill, and Charlie. Charlie was giving Ginny a hug good-bye as he told her that he may be seeing them sooner than they were expecting.

"Why's that?" Remus asked in surprise.

"Why am I getting the feeling I don't want to know," Sirius asked, spotting the look on Harry's face meaning that he believed Charlie was right. Sirius' mind flickered at once to the fact that Charlie was a dragon keeper, and how he'd like to keep his pup a continent away from those beasts at all times. He was being stupid of course, they wouldn't bring dragons to Hogwarts.

"Oh stop it," Lily chided, trying her hardest to bury her own paranoid fear at this innocent little sentence. "He may be coming up to school for one reason or another, maybe to give a presentation to the seventh year Care of Magical Creatures class."

When Fred asked why, Charlie just waved it off, mockingly quoting Percy in saying it was classified.

"Oh bloody hell," James frowned, "does that sound like some innocent talk now?" He wished Charlie was just joking and trying to make it more than it was, but he wasn't sure of it either.

Lily sighed, eying the book like it was Norbert all over again. She liked Charlie enough she supposed, but she was getting a bad feeling about this supposed event that was coming up at Hogwarts.

Bill was looking almost wistfully at the train as he said he did wish he could go back to Hogwarts this year, but when George asked him why, he just said they were going to have an interesting year, adding on he'd probably come up to watch some of it.

"A bit of what," all four boys demanded just as Lily continued reading.

Ron asked a bit of what?

"This is just getting cruel," Sirius groused. "Why can't Harry just go back to school and nothing weird happen for one year? Just one!"

Harry was rubbing his temple in agitation and wasn't paying them any attention, his eyes cross as he tried to stave off whatever he needed to remember, so Lily sighed and regretfully turned back to the book.

Then the train whistle blew a warning, and they all had to board, with Mrs. Weasley calling to Harry and Hermione that she'd invite them over for Christmas, but she had a feeling they'd want to stay this year.

"This is cruel and unusual punishment," Remus agreed with Sirius, blowing a raspberry in the baby's face and at least making him feel a little better.

Ron demanded of his family what they knew, and Molly just said that they'd find out tonight, but she was personally grateful they'd changed the rules.

James threw his hands up in the air in agitation, saying, "alright, that's it. Give me the book Lily, I'm skipping ahead and checking."

"No you are not," she shot back at once, curling the book into her chest protectively. "I want to know just as bad as you lot, but we are not going to start skipping around."

"But Lily," Sirius whined, trying to make his eyes as wide as they could go. "I don't do secrets-"

"-Trust him on that-" Remus snorted.

"-And it's not fair that they're not sharing," he finished.

Lily just rolled her eyes at them but kept going loudly.

All four boys demanded to know what rules, but then the train was pulling away, and they were simply waving goodbye.

"That mother really knows how to keep her boys in suspense," Lily muttered under her breath, just as anxious as her boys to find out what was going on.

Harry and his two friends went back to their compartment, where Pigwidgeon was hooting louder than ever. Ron decided to put his new dress robes to use by throwing them over his owl's cage.

"Well that wasn't a bright idea," James grumbled, his sour mood at Harry, and by extension them, being kept in the dark like this making his tone a lot worse then was called for. "Anyone can pop their head in and see them now, and Ron's clearly too embarrassed by them to just laugh it off."

"Wonder if he'll get Hermione to try and transfigure them for him," Remus offered.*

"Hermione refused," Harry shrugged "said that Ron should be thankful for what his mum gave him and such. She had this weird smile on her face the whole time to, said any decent girl wouldn't care he was wearing that anyways."

Lily raised a very surprised brow at that, curiously wondering on Hermione's face and tone at the time, was that implying what she thought? Harry clearly didn't notice anything, as he was watching her expectantly so she decided to keep going for now.

Then Ron pointed out to Harry that Bagman had been wanting to tell them something about Hogwarts,

"That's right," Sirius snapped his fingers, "I'd almost forgotten about that! Cruel that some practical stranger wanted to tell what Ron's own mother wouldn't!"

"He would have to if Percy hadn't stepped in," James sighed with disappointment.

but Hermione cut them off by pointing at the door where a familiar voice was coming through where it had been left open.

"Familiar good or bad?" James sighed, thinking Hermione probably wouldn't shush them for the first.

"Malfoy," Harry grumbled, which was all the explanation they needed.

"Why is he sitting so close to you," Lily grumbled.

"I am positive he didn't do it on purpose," Remus sniffed.

A voice saying how his father had wanted to send him to Durmstrang instead of Hogwarts this year,

"I bleeding wish," Sirius huffed.

that he and the headmaster were good friends, and he was much better than that mudblood lover Dumbledore.

Well that wasn't encouraging, seeing as any friends of Malfoy's, their first thought would be it was a Death Eater! Of course that was paranoia talking, Malfoy was friends with the Minister and they really liked to believe he wasn't one.

Durmstrang taught you the real importance of the Dark Art's, unlike the useless class they had here. His mother hadn't allowed it though, she hadn't wanted him so far away.

"Rats," James said out of pure habit, giving his fingers a snap, then wincing so hard he looked like he'd just dodged a deadly curse. He felt his stomach churning at once, with rage, disgust, or pain he wasn't sure. Lily gave him the deepest of frowns, sharing all of those feelings and more, but quickly pressed pass the moment.

Going on to say his father always talks about how Durmstrang was better at teaching the Dark Arts,

Harry cocked his head to the side, knowing he had some feelings about this, though they were oddly mixed. Like he both wanted to defend the students of the school weren't that bad, but couldn't deny this claim either. This was odd though, had he ever even met a Durmstrang student well enough to know any of this?

that they learned the material instead of the useless Defense they got. Hermione got up then, closing the door quietly but saying in a normal tone that she wished he had gone, at least then they wouldn't have to put up with him.

"Amen," Remus grumbled.

Harry confirmed that Durmstrang was another wizard school?

"One of the worst," Sirius scoffed at once.

"Sirius," Lily said at once with a sigh, trying to curb him before he could start on a stereotype.

"What, they are," Sirius defended his statement. "If my parents approve of it, it couldn't be a good place. They tried to send me there when they found out I hadn't wound up in Slytherin. My Mum sent me a Howler and everything. I sent her one back of course, telling her I'd make her life hell if she tried, and to leave me alone." He looked so proud of himself, James and Remus started laughing all over again, having been present when he'd sent said angry letter and he'd used much more colorful words then.

Lily just sighed, she wasn't going to argue the point with him.

Hermione agreed it was, and the reference books she'd found it in all said it was one of the darkest schools. Ron agreed he may have heard of it, asking what country it was in, and Hermine said that no one knew that. Harry asked why not, and Hermione said that it was tradition no magic school knew where the others were, so that they couldn't steal each other's secrets.

"All schools in every country do that, not just the ones in Europe," Remus shrugged.

Ron scoffed there was no way you could actually hide Durmstrang, it had to be as big as Hogwarts. Hermione looked surprised now as she pointed out that Hogwarts was hidden, everyone who read Hogwarts, A History knew that. Ron agreed it as just her then.

"About right," James snickered, watching Lily roll her eyes.

Hermione ignored the jab and explained that if anyone other than a member of Hogwarts looked at the school, they'd just see an abandoned building with a warning sign to keep out.

"With repelling charms, so no one's stupid enough to still try," Lily added on when she realized Hermione was done.

Durmstrang would be the same, it would also be Unplottable. Harry asked what that was, and Hermione explained it was to enchant a building so that it couldn't be mapped.

"When do you learn about making things unplottable?" Sirius asked, since he'd known that bit of information his whole life, he'd no idea when a teacher would have mentioned that.

"Not until sixth year, or later," Lily shrugged. "They don't teach you spells on how to hide yourself like that until a bit later."

Hermione did add on that she suspected Durmstrang was somewhere up north, as one book had a copy of some of their school supplies, and it involved thick furs. Ron got a dreamy look on his face as he imagined the possibility of pushing Malfoy off a glacier and everyone would just think it was an accident.

"The possibilities are endless," Remus agreed with a saint like nod of his head, which quickly morphed into a grin as Lily popped him upside the head for that one.

Adding on it was a shame his mother actually liked him.

"Well she's always had bad taste," Sirius snickered.

Not to much later, Neville, Seamus, and Dean made an appearance, and the four boys quickly got into a rousing conversation of the Cup all over again. Hermione quickly grew bored with the topic and dug out her copy of The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 4,

"As if she hasn't memorized that already," James scoffed.

"How do you think she stays on top so much?" Lily smirked back, "she goes over what she already knows. It's got to take endless studying for her to be the way she is."

and started trying to learn a Summoning Charm.

Harry felt his stomach lurch a bit, feeling something was quite significant there. Something about Hermione and the Summoning Charm, he really should know something about that shouldn't he?

Neville listened to the Quidditch talk with rapt attention, and bemoaned he hadn't gone, his Gran wouldn't buy tickets.

"That poor child," Sirius cried in outrage. No matter the end results, he still testified, "that's practically criminal negligence not to take a boy to a Cup!"

"I'll make sure to submit that to the law books," Lily snorted.

Ron agreed it had been fantastic, then went digging through his trunk to show Neville something,

"Oh Ron's clearly all kinds of help," Remus snorted.

his miniature Viktor Krum. Then he went on to brag slightly they'd been up in the Top Box,

"Showing off just a tad," James chuckled.

"He couldn't help it," Sirius still couldn't wipe the smile off his face at the thought of that game.

but was cut off by Malfoy appearing and saying it would be his last time up there. He was accompanied as always by Crabbe and Goyle. Harry shot back he hadn't been invited to join them, but Malfoy wasn't listening as he'd caught sight of the maroon dress robes dangling down from above.

"Oh bloody hell," Remus groaned.

"Now's the time when you come up with a quick lie," Sirius scowled, his mind working fast as he supplied, "like it's an old owl cover."

Harry just sighed, hoping this didn't turn out to bad.

Ron made to push it out of sight,

"And that just made it worse," James grumbled.

but Malfoy lunged and pulled it down to show off, demanding to know if Ron was really going to wear this?

"No, he was going to stuff your arse into them," Lily snapped.

He did slightly agree they'd been in style back in the 1800's, but Ron told Malfoy to eat dung.

"A rather appropriate response," Sirius nodded, "now let's hear about him forcing the act on the twat."

Malfoy just laughed as Ron snatched them back, then recovered himself enough to ask if Ron was going to enter.

"Enter what?" Lily demanded, clearly of nothing as the boys were still too miffed about Malfoy to pay attention to this bit.

Asking if he would play for the money, his family could do with that.

"Wait, won what?" Remus asked, that had got his attention.

"Is this what all the secrets been about?" Sirius asked with a raised brow. "Going to be some sort of event going on?"

"With an age restriction," James added on.

"At Hogwarts," Lily's lower lip pouted down at the book, her confusion managing to grow the more this carried on.

Ron snapped that Malfoy need to clarify himself, but Malfoy ignored him and turned his attention on Harry, saying it wouldn't surprise anyone if he entered, he never missed an opportunity to show off.

"When have I ever showed off, in front of anybody?" Harry demanded of nothing.

"I think Malfoy found some old photos of you in your glory days Prongs, and got a mismatch," Sirius snickered, while James gave a happy shrug that he couldn't deny that.

Hermione snapped that Malfoy either needed to explain himself or leave, and Malfoy looked delighted around at all of them that they clearly didn't know. Ron had a father and brother in the Ministry and he'd still been left out! His father had told him ages ago!

"Merlin I wish he was lying," Remus groaned, rubbing in agitation at his temple, why couldn't this kid just go away?

"Does everyone know about this but me," Harry agreed with a deep sigh, sick of feeling left out of the wizarding world when he seemed to be their main attraction.

Then Malfoy amended himself that the Minister probably wouldn't speak of anything so important around a Weasley.

"Oh please," Lily scoffed, "I'm still blasted your bleeding father wasn't put in Azkaban for trying to get Dumbledore sacked the way he did."

She felt bad at the threat she wished had come true, because at the mere mention of that prison had Sirius flinching and still lost a few shades of color. None of them disagreed with her, but it wasn't a topic she was going to linger on either.

Agreeing with himself that it was far too important for him to know about,

"More like it didn't have anything to do with troll bogies so Arthur shouldn't be bothered with it," Sirius said loudly, agitated at his little spaz. It hadn't happened yet, no need to go acting like a baby every time it was mentioned.

Still laughing at their expense, Malfoy and his two friends left the compartment, and Ron got up behind them to slam the door so hard he broke the pane of glass.

"Ah, now that brings back memories," Remus gave an uneasy laugh, remembering the time James had set a Fizzing Whizbee on fire and it had blown all the glass in their compartment, causing the trolley lady to appear and give them a good telling off. The only reason he hesitated in sharing that with Harry was because none of them wanted the reminder that Peter had been in the compartment with them of course, but James forced himself to brush past it and tell his son anyways, at least causing him to laugh.

It was worth the moment of agitation the memory stirred for all of them to see him smiling at their sharing a tidbit of their past lives, and Remus came to realize that this may well be a good way to help them get over this. If sharing those kinds of stories with Harry helped them to ease Peter out of them, all the better.

Hermione was shocked at his display of aggression, using the 'Reparo' charm to fix the damage, but Ron wasn't listening as he growled that his Dad's work was plenty important, he could have gotten a raise whenever he wanted, he just liked where he worked!

"I one hundred percent believe that," Lily nodded, thinking Arthur had more dignity then the whole Malfoy line by choosing to stay with his job that he loved rather than trying to push up the ranks like so many others.

Hermione gently agreed with him, warning Ron not to let Malfoy get to him. Ron tried to brush this off, picking up a Cauldron Cake, but then squishing it in his palm as he snapped no one was getting to him!

"Oh yes, he's clearly calm as a cucumber, I'm sure he always does that to his sweets," James snorted.

Ron stayed in a foul mood through the rest of the journey even as the Hogwarts Express began to slow down.

"Poor Ron's not had a very good start to this year," Lily sighed.

"Can you blame him?" Sirius was frowning in sympathy for Harry's best mate. "First his own family, then Malfoy, I'm betting he feels pretty ignored and left out."

The train to a complete stop in Hogsmeade station where they all stumbled out into the freezing rain and sprinted towards the carriages. The rain was coming down so hard it felt as though someone were pouring buckets of ice over their heads.

"Oh this just sounds lovely," Remus shivered at the thought.

"Thank Merlin Harry's first year wasn't like that," James sighed, "it's much more memorable and pleasant when you're not having to swim there your first time."

They only stopped for the shortest time to chat with Hagrid, who said he'd see them up at the school if they didn't drown first.

"Well that's encouraging," Lily snorted, knowing he was kidding, but what James had said was true enough. It made it seem sad for the poor dears.

The first years always went to school for the first time through boats on the lake with Hagrid. Hermione agreed as they climbed inside their carriage, pulled by invisible horses, that it would not be a fun journey in this weather. The boys agreed as they made their way to the castle.

"Well that was, fun," Lily tried for a cheerful tone. At least nothing bad had happened, but she was starting to get a little more nervous every time whatever was happening at Hogwarts this year was mentioned. She didn't like the fact that Harry got a little frown on his face every time, and it wasn't boding well for this peaceful year they were all hoping for.

[sexedforbiguys]

Dating and sex during COVID – Sex Ed for Bi Guys

Original image source

Published January 8, 2020.

This is the SFW version of this post. You can view the sexually explicit version here on Pillowfort.

Based on my conversations on r/BisexualMen and our Discord, many of bi+ and bicurious men date and explore their sexuality despite the pandemic. Many – not all – public health guidelines are the equivalent of abstinence-only sex education, shaming people who follow anything other than the strictest of practices, providing no information for those who take risks on how to minimize those risks nonetheless, and dismissing costs and risks of being deprived of intimate human contact. Here are tools to decide what risk level you’re comfortable with if you choose to date or have sex during COVID-19, and to reduce risks that comes with activities you choose to undertake.

It’s tempting to judge or shame people for making decisions that are risky during a pandemic but if shaming worked, we would have stopped HIV dead in its tracks in the 1980s. Shaming people is bad public health policy that leads to worse outcomes, while meeting people where they’re at has been proven to work time and time again.

The science and best practices on the pandemic evolve constantly, and I am not a healthcare professional. It’s possible information in this guide will become outdated. Keep tabs on the current situation with the virus and on the most up-to-date public health recommendations in your area for minimizing pandemic risk.

The obvious

When there is community transmission in your area, it’s safest to not meet anyone indoors besides your own household and to follow to the letter public health guidelines. Your safest sex partner is yourself, followed by someone from your household. Any kind of prolonged, close physical contact with someone from outside your bubble is risky. There can be legal consequences also to breaking public health ordinances.

Risk

Risk is relative and it’s a spectrum. It has different dimensions too: you can act safer on some dimensions to somewhat offset risks you take in other dimensions. Yet safety has costs. When people take risks, it’s often because they have decided the cost of safety in that instance – boredom, loneliness, touch starvation, sexual frustration, deteriorating mental health, etc. – was higher than risks. People make these calculations all the time. Stay informed to make enlightened decisions about what risks there are to your health and that of others, and how they can be reduced. Then choose what risks you are willing to take and which you aren’t.

Men having sex with other men more often during the pandemic and increased substance use are linked. Think of getting mental health support if you’re using to cope, especially when the result is taking risks you wouldn’t take otherwise. You deserve support, even when your behaviour involves higher risk. Continue your usual STI prevention methods too, like condoms, PrEP, regular testing or other prevention tactics you use, even if you f**k less often. My friend works in a STI clinic and they are swamped despite the COVID pandemic.

Talk with people you plan to meet

How do you each protect yourselves from COVID? How many people are in your respective bubbles? How many people do you each see outside of that bubble? Under what conditions? Were you tested for COVID in the last few days? What risk level is acceptable for each of you? How fast or how slowly do you want to take things? In what ways do you want to be in contact for now?

Talk with people in your bubble

COVID can infect people you share spaces with. So tell these people you are thinking of dating or maybe even having sexual encounters, explain how you are planning to reduce risks, and agree with them on what risks are acceptable and what safety practices they want you to take when you do this. It is possible they won’t be comfortable with anything other than online contact, or masked, physically distanced outdoor meetings. Also, maybe it’s not possible for you to share details of your romantic and sexual life with folks in your bubble: maybe you’re closeted, for example. Sadly, their safety is on the line when it comes to this. Whatever decisions you make, weigh the risks you take keeping in mind you are exposing them to these risks also, and that they trust you too keep your bubble as safe as possible.

Tactics for minimizing risk

Knowledge. Read more complete documents than this post on safer sex during COVID and look for more up-to-date information. Check news and public health websites to know what community transmission rates are in your area, along with current public health guidelines and ordinances. The higher community transmission rates are, the more risk-aware you need to be. Learn where and how to get tested as well.

Original image source

Number of partners. Having a single dating or sex partner that you integrate in your bubble is safer than seeing a new person every week, and it makes intimate physical contact less risky. Also, group sex is very risky when it’s with people from outside your bubble, so discuss with participants what other tactics you can use to reduce COVID risk.

Physical distance. Many contacts can happen from a distance. You can message dates and partners. You can video chat. You can meet and keep a 2-meter distance. When sex is involved, you can sext each other, trade nudes and videos, roleplay fantasies or have a domination/submission relationship over chat if you’re all into that, put on a live cam show for each other, etc. These activities are safe from COVID (be mindful of privacy and leaked chats, pics or vids). In the same room, you could decide to keep at least a two-meter distance, and put on a sexy show for each other as well. If you eliminate physical distance, you will have to rely on other tactics.

Original image source

Environment. Outdoors is far safer than indoors. A small room is riskier than a large room. A space with poor ventilation is riskier than a well-ventilated space. Many people meet outdoors physically distanced for the first few dates before deciding if they want more intimacy. I would never advise you to break the law or more importantly, to neglect safeguarding unwilling people from witnessing your sexual activities but technically, sex outdoors is safer than sex indoors...

Barriers. A mask covering your mouth and nose makes a difference, even if you’re physically right next to each other or f**king. Unless you have access to N95 respirators https://www.menshealth.com/health/a34247889/n95-vs-kn95-masks-covid/ and know how to use them properly, your mask protects others from your own breath and saliva, and their mask protects you from theirs, but not the other way around. So everyone having their mask on is safer than some people taking off their masks. If you’ve ever wanted to roleplay those masked post-apocalyptic or riot sex fantasies, now has never been a better time! Also, anonymous sex carries other risks than COVID, but glory holes are an effective barrier.

Original image source

Washing. Wash your hands before and after touching each other. Same with your bodies when mouths and hands have been roaming on them.

Sex acts and positioning. The closer your faces are to each other, even masked, the riskier the proximity is. So some positions for sexual intimacy are less risky. Kissing is the riskiest. If you’re not having sex, but would like less risky physical contact that still has some intimacy, sitting back-to-back while holding hands and talking about intimate stuff is an option. Semen and feces can contain the COVID virus, but it’s unknown if vaginal or anal sex can transmit it – wearing condoms along with keeping semen out of your mouth and your mouth off buttholes could help (on top of reducing STI and unplanned pregnancy risk). Oral sex and sex positions that keep your faces away from each other (doggy style or 69, anyone?) are less risky. BDSM practices that involve masks, doing thing to someone’s back or behind, or any practice where faces can stay away from one another, can carry less risk also.

Testing, vaccination and immunity. Getting tested for COVID in the days before a physical meeting helps, but it’s not fool-proof. As vaccination is rolling out, get the vaccine as soon as you become eligible for it. Science on how well or how long people are immune to COVID after an infection has uncertainty, but recent findings are encouraging. Dating and sex among people who have recently recovered could be a risk-reduction tactic.

For many bisexual, pansexual and polysexual men discovering their own sexuality and coming to term with their orientation, COVID put a stop to any exploration they had been dreaming of. You deserve the tools you need to protect your health, no matter your decisions. A healthcare practitioner that you trust with not being judgmental is an invaluable source of advice too. I hope you find the right balance between meeting your needs for companionship, love, touch, intimacy, and sex, and staying safe during this pandemic.

***

Check out all Sex Ed for Bi Guys posts here, including articles such as Hook-up and dating apps, Dating men, women, and nonbinary folks, and Safer oral sex (with latex or not).

Come see us on r/BisexualMen on Reddit; we are a supportive community for bisexual, bicurious, pansexual, and polysexual men (cis, trans, and nonbinary), as well as for men questioning their sexual orientation. We also have a a Discord server with a whole bunch of chatrooms. Come join us!

Tip me or become a monthly supporter on Ko-fi if this post has helped you and you can afford it!

All images are borrowed from the internet and are in the post because I like them. If you are the copyright owner or a person in the image, contact me: I’ll gladly credit you, or remove the image at your request.

[sarcastic-sunshines]

ABIONA AU - Part 7

Pairing: T’ Challa x Black!Reader

Warning(s): None

Word Count:  4192

Link to ABIONA by @aloevverified

Link to Face claims (2)

Part: (1) (2) (3) (I1) (I2) (4) (I3) (I4) (5) (6) (I5) (I6)

A/N: I know it’s been a while since I have updated this story, but I still love it and I hope you do too. As always, I can’t wait to know what you think! Remember to stay at home and be safe ❤

Part 7

“Just one more box 'Ona, and then we are all moved into the new place” The 9 and 1/2 month old baby crawled around her new room excitedly. She had been crawling for about a month and the new Condo allowed more space for her to move without being told “'Ona don’t touch” by her mother.

“Baba says everything will be all set in Wakanda before we arrive so that is good. Mama doesn’t want to see another box in her whole life. “ She turned when she realized Abiona was giggling but not in the room. The giggles led her to T’challa’s office, which he had quickly organized.  She stood outside the door listening to the inseparable pair laugh together. Alix was always mesmerised by how close they were,  she enjoyed watching the father-daughter duo interact. Alix entered the room and looked around astonished at T’challa’s efficiency.

“Okay, who did you pay to get this done so quick?” 

He responded while lifting Abiona in the air 

“Myself, I needed it to be ready to use immediately. Plus a few boxes are nothing compared to all the clothes I had to unpack in the bedroom for you. I thought you said you had sent the majority of your collection to Wakanda?” He said turning to look at Alix for a moment.

“Alix you truly have a problem that must be tamed before it gets too late. Which I fear has already happened. What do you think ‘Ona, is there still hope for mama’s shopping addiction” He said while blowing into the baby’s belly

“You are so funny you know that. I do not have a problem. Stop telling our child I do. And I did send most of my clothes already. These are just basics and a few evening gowns”

“Abiona, your mama clearly doesn’t know what ‘a few’ means. That’s why Abiona’s room took so long. You have decided to encourage your addiction by using Abi needing clothes as an excuse. She is a small human who grows out of her clothes every month.”

“She is also a small human who vomits, and poops on everything”

“It is a good thing we are able to afford a washing machine no?” T’Challa smiled smugly causing Alix to frown.

“ I would rebuttal but I was wondering since you were done early if you could help with my office?”

“Lucky for you, I already did, I didn’t want you overworking yourself and then getting cranky with me later. “

“My King” Alix sarcastically said “What will I ever do to repay you for your kindness”

“Well maybe when Abi goes to bed, you can thank me by giving me lots of kisses. Like a kiss on my lips, and then a kiss on my neck, maybe a kiss on my chest, and possibly a kiss down-”

“This is not baby appropriate talk T’challa! And you better not speak like that tonight either ” T’challa was confused.

“What is tonight?”

“Last family dinner before we leave” T’challa’s face drained of colour

“I thought that was in two days? I haven’t even practised my talking points yet!” Alix went over to rub his shoulders.

“Hey, calm down. You don’t have to practice every time babe. Plus my father likes you.”

“Correction. He tolerates me. And he has been tolerating me even less as our departure date grows closer. He acts as though I am stealing you and Abiona away. The only thing keeping him somewhat happy is knowing that Jules will finally have a job”

“Tolerate is a good start. You have to eventually move past this. It isn’t healthy and you know you are an amazing partner to me.  Also I hate the tense mood you get in after. How can I give you all your kisses if you are all tense and in a bad mood.  Just relax, and don’t act like a scared puppy. You are a King, and my father is not a monster.”

“Let us be clear, no bad mood has ever stopped me from wanting to receive my kisses.  And it is easy for you to say. You are his precious daughter who apparently needs protecting from the controlling King. The man has a terrorizing demeanor”

“Well obviously you are overcoming that so keep doing the great work that you are doing and eventually it will get there. And for the record, you may always make sure to get your kisses but you definitely under perform when you are in a bad mood” She said quickly as she kissed his cheek and carried Abiona back to her room to finish unpacking.

“Alix, you are joking right? Alixandre! I always bring my A game! When have I under performed? Alix!” He called after her before scowling a giving up to go back to his work. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

T’challa kept bouncing Abiona in his arms as they waited for the door to open, his nervous energy bouncing back and forth around him.. 

“T’challa calm down, you are making me nervous. Just stand still” The door swung open too reveal Tolu who immediately went to hug Alix.

“Ma chère, ça va?”

“Oui Papa” Tolu completely skipped over T’challa while taking Abiona out of his hands.

“Et tu chouchou. Tu est très jolie. Savais - tu?”  he proceeded in taking Abiona inside leaving her parents outside. T’challa glanced at Alix to say ‘I told you so’. Alix rolled her eyes and rubbed his arms as they walked in. Despite Tolu’s frigid welcome, T’challa could always count on Estelle to welcome him warmly. And she did just that taking T’challa into a big motherly hug topped with a kiss on the cheek. It was what he needed to help calm his nerves especially after being kicked out of the kitchen by Alix. He hated when Alix did it, she always kicked him out forcing him to go talk to her father before dinner.

 Luckily Jules was here and could be a buffer between him and Tolu. Alix peaked from the kitchen watching the three most important men in her life sit together. She really wanted them to get along. She had hoped it would happen before they moved but she could only be thankful that they were cordial. It worried her more than she let on to T’Challa just because she felt bad for him because he truly was trying and he hadn’t really done anything to receive the cold shoulder her father constantly gave him. 

“ Nice of you to finally join us T’Challa “ T’Challa nervously smiled as he sat down.

“ Yes well I was just seeing if the women needed any help”

“ Yes, you have made that a habit haven’t you?”

“ A real ally to the cause don’t you think Papa.” T’Challa turned to Jules begging him with eyes to not add on to the already thick tension.

“ Anyways, T’Challa would you like to join me in having a glass of scotch” T’Challa grew excited 

“ Uh, Yes sir I would be honoured”

“ Um Papa, you never asked me and I have been here the whole time”

“ Mayowa I didn’t offer you any because the last time I saw you take a drink you ended up vomiting all over my carpet” Jules grew embarrassed as T’challa tried to hide his smile.

“ That isn’t even fair I was 18 then. I have matured”

“ That I am not sure about. T’Challa I hope you are not driving after this”

“ I can hold my alcohol sir, and if not Alix can drive”

“ Alix is on her second wine glass”

T’Challa turned to look at Alix who was enjoying no longer having to breastfeed. He smiled knowing that she had missed being able to enjoy her favourite wines. “ Well I guess I will only have a little then”

“ Do you always drive intoxicated with my granddaughter in the car”

“ What? No, I would never” T’Challa began to sweat. Tolu begun with his usual round of questioning to see if T’Challa was a good partner and parent. He hated having to continuously prove himself.

“Oh so you plan to start tonight then”

“ You know what, I think I will just continue nursing this water” T’Challa tried to smile. But there they were, those stone cold eyes staring right at him. He nervously took a sip of water.

“ Dinner is ready!” Estelle called

“ Thank Bast” T’Challa whispered to himself.

“ Good timing Maman, T’Challa was beginning to look pale. He must be very hungry” Jules sarcastically said as he patted T’Challa’s shoulder. T’Challa waited to follow both men as he regained his stature. He hated the feeling of doubt Tolu always created in him. He was his own man, with his own family and he deserved to be seen for that. He immediately took his spot in between Alix and Estelle. Alix could tell T’Challa’s normally laid back aura was nervous. She comforted him by rubbing his knee. The meal for the most part was going well and Abiona was keeping everyone entertained. Her grandmother held the happy baby.

“ Oh I am going to miss you so much ma petite, Mémé is going to miss giving you all the smooches I can. I cannot believe the time has come so quickly” Estelle said sadly as she tried to get all the love from Abiona before distance kept them apart.

“ Aww Maman stop, plus you know we are going to see you guys in Wakanda soon for Abi’s birthday.“

“Really “ Tolu spoke “ Bukola you convinced T’Challa and his seclusionist nation to allow us in. Or is it just those that the King sees fit” 

“ Papa, there is no reason to talk like that “ Alix defended T’Challa 

“ Seriously Tolu, be nice. T’challa barley started his position as King. He can’t change everything and definitely not at once” Estelle berated

“Thank you ladies, but I would like to speak for myself”

“ Oh this should be good” Jules sat up ready for whatever family dinner had to offer him this time.

“ Actually with all due respect sir, Wakanda has been seclusionist for a long time in what we thought would be best for us and our resources. We have come to realize the errors in our thinking. We are slowly working on an immigration and aid system that will best service not just communities in the United States but communities on our continent as well. We however have to be strategic in how we approach this and be aware in what each region may truly need. “

“ Well you all should get to it, you have a lot of lost time to make up for” T’Challa sat up feeling confident in his response. 

“ That we are doing sir, it will be nice for when you finally come to see what Wakanda has to offer as well as what we are planning to do in regards to our international affairs. We have an interesting deal in the making with Nigeria actually. Hopefully we will be able to offer vibranium in a way that will help with the distribution of oil and to allow for the exporting to be less messy and much more beneficial to the nation. Especially villages and towns in Delta who are most affected by oil drilling” T’Challa held the eye contact that Tolu was offering. The table was silent for not more than 7 seconds but it felt like eternity.

“ That is good to hear. I will make sure to follow up with you on the nature of the deal and what it specifically entails. I also will make sure that this country of yours is treating my daughter and my granddaughter the way they deserve. As well as keep Mayowa out of control, because he I can force to come home” T’Challa and Alix let go of a breath neither realized they were holding.

“ Of course sir.”

The table entered a comfortable silence. 

“ Well that was anticlimactic. I need a drink “

“ Sit down Mayowa”

“ I guess water is good enough for the both of us T”. 

For the first time, T’Challa left the Ajayi family home feeling as though he could stand on his own two feet. Though he felt an added pressure with taking Alix to Wakanda, but all in all he felt good, and his good mood continued as he struggled to get his happy daughter to sleep.

Alix waited in bed for T’challa to put Abiona to sleep. They finally had the baby on a sleep schedule that for the most part was working. The only thing hindering it was T’challa. He couldn’t stop waking up every time she cried in the middle of the night. To make things worse he always took forever to put her to bed because Abiona at her young age knew how to control her Baba. T’challa finally walked back to their bedroom and laid on the bed.

“ Finally, Alix your child is showing signs of your stubbornness. She never wants to sleep”

“ Don’t put that on me, Abiona just knows her Baba lacks the ability to be strict with her, one giggle from her and you forget what you were supposed to be doing”

“ Forgive me for loving my child”

“ Forgiven, now come get your kisses”. Alix pulled T’challa on top of her to initiate a deep kiss. Alix’s hands travelled down his back. She let out a moan as  T’challa broke the kiss.

“ Wait, can we talk about how your father actually respected what I said” T’challa beamed

“ That’s great babe, now can we focus on the task at hand?” Alix gripped his neck so she could push T’challa towards her but he resisted and continued talking. “ And now he wants to come to Wakanda. Yes he tried to belittle me but I think I definitely earned some of his respect today.”

“ T’challa remember when I was talking about underperforming, this talking you usually do contributes to it. I definitely do not want to talk about my father right now.” T’challa got off Alix and started to head out the room.

“ T’challa where are you going? Come get your kisses! “

“ Give me a minute Entle I have to check on the Nigerian deal and make sure there is a place for your parents before they arrive. As well as plan an itinerary for when they come”

“ Babe seriously? Right now? T’challa if you don’t come back  right now I am not going to  wait up for you! Okay ugly, do not even think to come cuddle me.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The day had finally come for them to head to Wakanda. Estelle was right, they day had come so quickly that Alix wasn’t sure where the time had gone. Despite how quickly time was moving, Alix was surprisingly excited. She was eager to see the nation that T’challa held so much pride for and what made up the other half of Abiona’s identity. No one was as excited as Jules. Alix was dumbfounded that her laissez-faire brother was actually excited to start his new job with Shuri in the lab. Their parents were giving Jules six months to show some growth if not Tolu was more than happy to have him work as an intern for his friend who dealt with medical patents. Jules was really aiming for things to work for him and T’challa promised to do his best to help him. Alix admired the countryside as they flew in with Abiona in her lap. 

“Entle come look, we are about to enter the city” T’challa said taking the sleeping baby from her hands as her and Jules watch as the ship went through the force field.

“T, this is all you, like you live like this? I mean, we’ve seen pictures but this does not even compare. I am never going home” Jules thought out loud. Ayo and Okoye laughed at the young man’s wonder.

The ship was greeted by Ramonda and Shuri smiling faces. T’challa took Alix’s hand as they descended. 

“Hello, Alix welcome to Wakanda, Welcome back brother, is that my favourite niece, let me hold her” T’challa dodged Shuri’s hands.

“You mean your only niece, she is sleeping so no. Hello Mama, it is good to see you” He said kissing her cheek.

“It is good to finally have you back. We have missed you here. And there is much to be done. But, first hello Alixandre, it is good to have all of you with us finally”

“Hello Queen Mother, thank you for welcoming us, we are very excited to be here, this is my brother Jules.”

“How can I forget, we met at your baby shower, he is quite the character”

“Thank you! It is good to finally be appreciated”

“Brother is this who will be joining us in the lab?”

“Yes Shuri, Jules here is a scientist in his own right, I am sure his creativity and enthusiasm will add a new lens to whatever we are working on.”

“Exactly what T said, a new lens and all of that” 

“ Alright, but you are on probation until I see fit” The Queen and Shuri left T’challa to get his family settle in. T’challa led them down a long hall decorated with family portraits on soft coloured walls. Alix walked slowly taking in all the visual memories of T’challa and Shuri, as well as some with their parents and family members she recognized but could not name. T’challa reached a door slightly hidden by staircases, he bent his wrist for recognition causing the two heavy doors to open, welcoming Alix and Jules to  spacious quarters that were illuminated with warm and earthy colours, with the interior design to match. All a screaming resemblance of T’challa and his calm vibrance. Alix was  immediately drawn to a wall behind the couch filled with more pictures marking different moments in T’challa’s life. She was instantly forced to smile at the many pictures of Abiona. He never stopped taking pictures of her and Alix had always wondered where he kept them all. Perfectly organized Alix was able to see Abiona’s growth over the past year. What really struck we're the ones of herself, not just with Abiona but candids, as well as the photos she had sent him during her pregnancy in addition to some he had taken himself on one particular Saturday. Alix’s body began to tingle in a new sense of warmth, almost similar to being in T’challa’s arms. Being in his space made the feeling of home become more pronounced. Alix almost turned when her attention was drawn to a picture of herself, in Kampala, in another candid, based on the angle of the camera, T’challa came to stand behind you.

“ When did you take this? How long have you had it up?” He grabbed her hand while still holding Abiona.

“ I am sure this was during my last two weeks there, we had some of those odd days off. I don’t know why but I began to feel that if I didn’t capture every moment I would regret it. You were never too fond of photos by me. It is good to know that hasn’t really changed. It has been up there since the day I returned to Wakanda. Not the best healing process, but that was obviously never the goal. Come, let me show you the rest.”

Alix finally turned to face him as he led through her through several other rooms including the kitchen. He stopped before a double door that you were sure was the master bedroom. 

“I have been working on this the last few times I came, of course with the furniture you picked out to reference to how you would want it. Though I will admit I may have gotten a bit carried away and made some choices on my own.” T’challa opened to reveal a white nursery accented with green furniture,  a bamboo made crib and an accent wall.  “Of course we can change it when she is older and requires more play space but if you don’t like it we can -” Alix held T’challa’s hand. 

“It’s okay, I love it, trust me, and it also shows you have some design skills.”

“You couldn't just compliment me could you” T’challa countered as he silently chuckled as he place Abiona in her new crib. Something he had wanted to do for months. Getting to put together the nursery had become a passion project for him. All he could think of waking up to see Abiona excitedly waiting for him to come get her in the crib, which he adored from the moment he saw it. 

“Okay Kumkani, show me where the magic happens”

“Is that what we are calling it now” T’challa asked while quietly leaving the nursery leading Alix back to double doors.

“It is an MTV Cribs reference old man” T’challa bumped her hip before opening the door showcasing the darker themed bedroom . Alix slowly entered taking in every detail, such as the dark lining of the Wakandan alphabet on the wallpaper.

“Again if you don’t like it, like everything in the house, we will begin to change it” He nervously said. He wanted everything to be perfect for Alix. He wanted her to see his home as hers, for her to always think of here as home first before anywhere else.

“T’challa, I like it, I do, a few personal touches, and it will be home” she said smiling at him “Now, where is my closet?” She laughed as T’challa rolled his eyes and led her to the back where her brightly lit closet stood across from T’challa’s already filled with the clothes she had sent over as well as some traditional Wakandan pieces she and T’challa had picked before coming.

“Now, this should be big enough to support your obsession. I hope it will also keep you away from my closet”

“ Oh aren’t you funny babe. It won’t be funny when you find some of my heels next to your shoes you are going to be seething but there will be nothing you can do about it” T’challa frowned as Alix went over to pat his cheek provocatively. The couple went back out the room to meet Jules in the kitchen, doing as he normally did, going through their refrigerator. 

“So T, I love you guys but please tell me I am not staying here with you. Give me a different quarters or something”

“What is wrong with staying with us?” Alix asked offended

“No offense but Alix, you can be overbearing, I literally left France so I could leave Maman and Papa and be the uncaged bird I was meant to be”

“Have no fear Julianus, I found you an apartment not from the palace and the lab as well. Tonight you will stay with us and tomorrow I will take you there myself.”

“And for the record, no one wanted to live with you anyway” Alix finally retorted as T’challa led Jules to one of the guest bedroom for the night.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The first few weeks had been a comfortable adjustment for Alix. T’challa had done his best in taking her to as many parts of the city as he could. When he couldn’t she was accompanied by Zemora, Abiona’s new nanny,  and Aneka, Abiona’s personal guard. She however lagged behind to allow Alix privacy, especially since she hadn’t come out as T’challa’s partner yet.  She also didn’t want anyone to think of her differently when she started teaching this week. Alix had laid her dress out, with heels to match the night before. She was excited for the new opportunity. And she was more than willing to have something to do before starting work when she felt Abiona was old enough. She had worked hard on her syllabi and presentations. She would be teaching two classes twice a week. A  French and Yoruba class. As she walked out of the bedroom she was met with T’challa feeding Abiona and Jules eating cereal. 

“Well look at you, the most beautiful professor I have ever seen. If I had had you as my teacher I would have never missed class”

“You never would have learned anything either with all that drooling T” The siblings laughed at him.

“Thank you babe, I appreciate it. And good morning to you my dear. What are you eating? I am going to miss you today. Make sure you be good for Zemora okay” the doorbell rang “Speaking of, I think that is her” Alix went to get the door returning with Zemora at her side.

“Good morning Kumkani, good morning Abiona.” Zemora said saluting the King and princess.

 “I don’t think we have met. I am Zemora”  Zemora again crossed her arms towards Jules. Jules had frozen with milk running from his mouth.” T’challa silently laughed as Alix softly shoved him and answered for him.

“This is my younger brother Jules, please don’t be offended. He sometimes can be inept” Zemora gave a small smile as Jules finally cleared his throat and offered his hand to Zemora.

“Nice to meet you, I am Jules”

“I just said that” Jules grew more embarrassed than he already was.

“On that cue, I think we should all begin our days. Entle are you sure you do not want me to come with you on your first day, the campus is not far from the lab, I can stop by before your first class” T’challa gave Abiona a round of kisses sending her into a fit of giggles. She was growing so quickly, he was afraid to blink and miss a moment.

“Absolutely not, I do not want my credibility to be questioned on the first day. Let us see how the first few weeks go” She went over to give Abiona her own kiss goodbye. Though she had left her with her parents and Jules before, this for some reason felt different.

“As you wish. I will see you later. I cannot wait to hear about how it went.” T’challa replied as they headed towards the door, turning to go their separate ways after kissing her goodbye.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Alix’s first day had started off well, she had been introduced to the entire Linguistics and Language Studies department. Everyone had seemed nice and welcoming. Both of her classes seemed enthusiastic to learn. She was most excited about teaching Yoruba, a language she only had the luxury of speaking with her father, and the rare occasion with Jules while growing. She hoped to teach it to Abiona one day. As she packed up for the day, she received a knock on her classroom door. She assumed it was another professor coming to welcome her. They had been streaming in and out all day. As she waved the person in. She turned fully to face the woman who was dressed in a simple dressed made with fabric from the region yet her skin glowed and only continued to do so as she smiled .

“Sorry to bother you but I was hoping to catch you before you left”

“That isn’t an issue, I am Alix Ajayi, the new language professor, and you are?”

“Oh right my name, yes, I am Buhle Maduna, I am the sociology professor, it is nice to meet you. My classroom is right across the hall.  How are you finding everything?”

“Oh everyone has been lovely, and both of my classes seem enthusiastic to learn so I really couldn’t ask for much more”

“That is good to hear. I was shocked when I learned we were getting an outsider professor, considering Wakanda has an abundance of skilled people. But hey, it is probably best to learn French from the French themselves. You all are very particular about how the language is spoken.” Buhle giggled at her own comment while Alix grimaced, sensing an undertone of shade from the woman.

“Where in the city are you staying? Maybe I can recommend a few restaurants” Alix quickly thought on her feet and gave Jules’s address to maintain her privacy. 

“Well alright then, I guess I will see you around”

“Yes see you.” Alix quickly gathered her things, ready to leave the awkwardness the conversation had left. She got home and was able to make dinner as Abiona napped. Dinnertime came and T’challa was nowhere to be found. She had tried calling him but had no luck. He even missed putting Abiona to bed. As Alix got ready for bed, she heard T’challa enter the nursery and kiss ‘Ona goodnight. He entered the bedroom just as she got into the bed.

“Hey, busy bee, where have you been. I have been trying to call you all day”

“Yes, I am sorry, work seemed to have been waiting for my return, and I have been trying to get as much of it done as possible but more seems to be adding on by the minute” He said running around the room getting ready for bed. 

“Aww I am sorry, did you eat? I made dinner if your hungry?”

“It is fine” He replied climbing into the bed and finally kissing her hello. T’challa laid down pulling Alix to his chest. “I had the chefs make me something today. I will try not to make it a habit. Anyways tell me about your day? How did it go?”

“Really well actually, I met most of the people in my department and my students seem great. The classrooms here are state of the art so I can’t complain.”

“That is good to hear” He said kissing her forehead

“There was one strange interaction. This woman who was part of the sociology department, she has the classroom across from mine so she came to introduce herself. She was a bit rude, she made a comment about me possibly being a snooty Française and called me an outsider while basically insinuating that Wakanda had just as capable people to do my job.”

“Hmm that is a bit strange, except for the snooty Française part.” Alix playfully hit his chest as he tiredly chuckled. “What did she say her name was?”

“I honestly cannot remember, but it sounded familiar. Something with B.” She looked up to find T’challa dosing. She rolled her eyes before turning off the lights with her kimoyo beads. She laid back on his chest falling asleep to the steady beating of T’challa heart.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The following weeks had become a bit strenuous for Alix. Her classes had picked up, meaning she found herself creating extended office hours for her students, who were eager to master their respective language of choice. She didn’t mind and was grateful for their enthusiasm. Even on days she had off, Alix barely saw T’challa. She began to spend more time with Jules or Zemora, who she was growing to really like. T’challa was rarely home for dinner, so she stopped waiting for him. If he was home on time it was to put Abiona to bed. When he did come to bed, he never stayed up long to chat, claiming to be too tired from his day. Alix understood being a King required so much of him, but it was beginning to seem like too much. Their love life was beginning to suffer because of it. 

One day he finally came home on time. Alix was overjoyed. He had dinner with her and Abiona. She had missed her Baba too, and was extremely giggly throughout the night. Only wanting to be held and kissed by him. T’challa did not mind because he had missed his princess as well. He grew sad thinking of all the time that he had to spend away from her. Unfortunately his workload refused to shrink. 

Alix left the bedroom door open to listen to him sing the Wakandan lullabye to Abiona as he did every night he put her to bed. She was happy to hear it, it further fueled the feeling of home that T’challa always left with her. The feeling had been less strong as of late.

 “I think that is the fastest I have been able to put her to bed” he said as he headed to his table looking for documents. Alix watched him carefully.

“It is because she misses you so she is being nice. What are doing, you aren’t coming to bed?” She said starting to stand.

“Unfortunately no, I came home early to spend some time with you, but I have a few things I would like to get done before tomorrow.” Alix pushed herself in between the desk and T’challa.

“Well babe, I missed you too” She said as she wrapped her hands around him and started to kiss his jaw and neck. “Maybe you could spend even thirty minutes before you go back”

“I am sorry but I can’t. Maybe tomorrow.” Alix stopped for a second to look him in the eye.

“T’challa you have been saying that for over a week. I have needs too you know.” She went back to kissing his neck “All I am asking for is thirty minutes of your - “ T’challa pulled her away from him and with a bit too much force in his voice said. “Alix I said no!” Alix was taken back, and she was hurt. T’challa saw it all over her face, but for once he was too exhausted to try and retract his words.

“I will be back in two hours, good night ok.” he went in to kiss her cheek, but she dodged it before heading back to the bed. T’challa sighed before leaving to his office. When he came back, Alix was still up but facing away from him. He crawled into bed but did not try and put his hand around her. If this was how it was going to be, Alix was not sure if she could cope. It was no longer just her and him. Outside forces were once again threatening to burst the protective bubble they had worked to build. Alix felt a familiar sense of fear building in her throat, though she didn’t want it to. She tried to push it down but it remained. 

The next day she felt lucky to have class as a distraction. As she was wrapping up her final class of the day, she noticed a new face all the way at the back. She knew it was T’challa instantly, despite his shades and hat. He waited for all the students to leave before walking down with a bouquet of lilies. Alix tried to stay mad at him but couldn’t help but smile.

“These are for you professor Ajayi. I am hoping this will boost my grade and act as a peace offering for the way I acted last night. I am sorry entle. I overreacted and took out my frustrations on you. Please forgive me, I will try not to do it again.” She faced away from him for a while before reaching for the flowers and allowing him to kiss her hand. 

“I was only trying to give you your kisses”

“I know, and I am sorry. I have a little time before I have to go back to work, so how about we go back to my office for an early dinner, with dessert Ms.Ajayi. Completely my treat” he said going to leave a trail of kisses down Alix’s neck, his hands exploring the outline of her curves. Alix giggled but pulled away when she heard the door open. T’challa turned to face away from the person.

“Oh I am sorry, am I interrupting? I will come back later” Buhle said as she turned to back out

“No, it is fine, umm what can I help you with” Alix said as she tried to smooth out her skirt. 

“I just wanted to let you know that tomorrow, I will be playing a documentary, it can sometimes get a little loud at certain parts due to editing. So just let me know and I will try and turn it down.” The voice sounded so familiar to T’challa, it felt loving and soft to his ear.

“That is very kind of you. I will let you know if it happens. Thank you.” Alix said hoping Buhle would leave.

“T.C. is that you?” Without turning T’challa answered

“Joy?”

“Who else would it be” He turned and they ran into each other’s hand screaming in joy. Alix watched completely confused, her sexual frustration began to takeover seeing T’challa give more affection to this woman than she had gotten in over a week.

“Wow, look at you, you look amazing Buhle” T’challa said pulling away to take in Buhle, she had only gotten more beautiful with age.

“Oh stop! You don’t look so bad yourself handsome” Alix cleared her throat to get their attention.

“Chèrie” Alix switched from Xhosa to French ”Why didn’t you tell me your ex-girlfriend was also a professor here when I mentioned her to you earlier?”

“Because I hadn’t told him. We haven’t been in contact in years. I too speak French. My time as a Wardog as well as dating a polyglot definitely forced me to pick up a language or two” Buhle answered before T’challa could.

“I knew you were King now but I wasn’t sure if it was still my place to contact you” Buhle said looking at Alix from the corner of her eye. 

“Buhle it was my fault we stopped communicating. It was purely an accident though. Bast so much has happened”

“I know you are busy being a King and all but if you have even thirty minutes to spend with an old friend I would be so grateful T.C.”

“Of course Joy!” Alix struggled to keep her face steady “Not now but send me a message when you don’t have class and I will let you know. And Buhle, if you can keep this to yourself, about Alix and I.”

Buhle grabbed his bicep and slowly rubbed it. Alix’s eye refused to look anywhere else 

“Of course T.C. actually I have known for a while. Being a retired war dog doesn’t mean you lose the connections to the grapevine. But you are fine handsome. I will message you later okay” She said as she hugged him goodbye. “Oh bye Alix” Alix waved with as little energy as she could muster. Once the classroom was closed T’challa turned back to her. 

“Wow, what a small world. Anyway, are you ready to go?”

“Actually, I just remembered I told a few students I would wait for them after class in my office. So I will meet you at home okay handsome?” T’challa rolled his eyes but laughed not reading Alix’s mood.

“Okay entle, I will make sure to be home to make dinner” Alix nodded and went to her office to be with her thoughts as she waited for her students to come by.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As they got ready for bed, Alix couldn’t stop herself from asking.

“So, T.C. what is that all about” T’Challa laughed as he pulled down the covers

“When we were in college, the Americans had trouble pronouncing my name. Buhle had given them a fake name because she was a wardog in training. Her name was Joy. Because the Americans all had trouble, they themselves decided to nickname me T.C.. Buhle found it funny and an example of how close minded they sometimes could be. Especially since my name is not that hard to pronounce. So we jokingly began to call each other our American names. Eventually we stuck with it.”

“So you were in contact with her even after you broke up? You didn’t tell me that” 

“Yes I was before I got to Uganda actually. Then we drifted. Mostly it was my doing but yes. She is such an amazing person. It felt good to see her again” Alix started squinting at him as he reminisced.

“Don’t you find it a bit peculiar she knew who I was this whole time and didn’t say anything. Not to talk of the fact that she basically insulted me the first week.” T’Challa laid down fully.

“Alix don’t. Now that I know it is Buhle, she probably meant no harm. Plus she used to be a war dog. She knows better than to release such information. Even to you. Buhle wouldn’t say anything. I trust her fully. “ Alix look at him from the corner of her eye.

“ I just find it interesting that when I had asked you for thirty minutes you near through a fit, but when Buhle does, it is no problem at all” T’Challa rubbed his face

“Alix I said I was sorry okay, what do you want me to do?”

“Hmm, I don’t know, be my partner?”

“Alix please, let’s not do this”

“Do what? Plus if I don’t do it now who knows when I will see you again! You are never here! Ever! And when you are, you are too busy or just popping in like an August visitor. Abiona misses you. I miss you! We haven’t been intimate in almost two weeks and I am pretty sure if I hadn’t brought it up you wouldn’t have even noticed. So forgive me if I am a little annoyed that you are freely offering your time to your EX-GIRLFRIEND while I sit here begging for it.”

“I am here now and you’ve spent the time we did have yelling at me! I am King Alix! I don’t know if you noticed! Of course I hate being away from you and our child but things have to get done now so I can rest later. If you remember I took an extended leave of absence to be with the two of you- “

“Like a father is supposed to do!”

“That isn’t the point! I have to make up for that time! You knew what is was before we got here! I don’t know why you are acting shocked now. You are not the only annoyed and tired one.”

They both laid back with heaving chest from yelling. After a moment T’Challa finally turned off the light and faced away from Alix. The feeling in her throat had returned and this time she did not try and push it away. She felt naive to had thought it wouldn’t happen again. That his duties would not come in between them. It was no longer just the two of them against the world. She wasn’t even sure if they were on the same side anymore.

______________________________________________________________________________

Taglist:

@aloevverified @chaneajoyyy @teechallas-blog @ashanti-notthesinger @dopegalkk@wakanda-inspired @90sinspiredgirl @lovely-geek @fd-writes @chefjessypooh @tarataz12

[devnicolee]

A New Way (One-Shot)

A/N: This is random. I jotted down the idea a while ago and never went back to it lol but inspiration struck while starting Chapter 8 and I knocked the whole thing out during some down time at work today. This is a few months prior to our couple finally being honest about their feelings. Enjoy!

Word Count: 3,701

"You asked to see me Lord M’Baku?" Zarah asked, entering the throne room behind Kide. She was puzzled at the scene before her, M’Baku, her brother and his guard dressed in their ceremonial war paint and battle clothes. Her eyes quickly glossed over the group of men as she tried to piece together what they were doing. "Is there a war I don’t know about?" She asked jokingly.

"Leave us," M’Baku demanded. All the men scattered quickly out of the space, giving the two a moment alone. She noted that her brother didn’t even acknowledge her as he exited, only increasing her confusion tenfold. Zarah’s face scrunched at the harshness in his tone. Whatever this was, it would not be good. 

"No war…. It is Challenge Day in the Golden City."

Zarah tilted her head, only partial understanding settling in her. She waited a moment to see if he would expand on why that mattered but she was only met with expectant eyes that told her she was missing the point.

"Yes, T’Challa will be named king," she responded slowly, shrugging her shoulders nonchalantly. "Good for him I suppose. What about it? The Jabari haven’t participated in the coronation festivities… well ever." Zarah strolled around the throne room like she always did when they were there alone, looking out the floor-to-ceiling windows that made up its walls to look down at Jabariland. 

M’Baku tried to focus on the task at hand as he watched her, distracted (as he always was) by how carefree and powerful she looked as she sauntered through his throne room. Like she was born to be there, born to command this space as the queen he knew she was. She took her usual stance, leaning her shoulder onto the window and balancing there as she looked down at the village below and waited for him to respond. 

"Za… I am going to challenge him."

She tore her eyes window sharply, the color draining out of her face as she prayed to Hanuman that she heard him wrong. "M’Ba... M’Baku no. Wait. What?"

"I do not have a choice. They have left me no choice. He will run Wakanda into to the ground, like his father before him. They have a child, A CHILD, overseeing their vibranium technology for Hanuman's sake. My father may have been content to sit by idly while they make a mockery of everything we hold dear but I won't stand for it." She could tell from his cadence that he had been practicing that speech, likely all day. And she knew that it was mainly for her because most in Jabariland would consider this decision a blessing, not a curse.  

Zarah fell back off her shoulder so her whole back leaned against the window to stabilize herself, feeling her legs grow weak beneath her. "I understand all of that M'Baku. I do b-b-but... you have only been chief for a few years. Why give up this for a shot at being King of a country we actively choose not to be a part of? Help me understand how that serves the Jabari?" 

"We have watched without acting for too long. That boy does not deserve to be King." 

Zarah shook her head, she lied - she didn’t understand at all. His reasoning simply could not penetrate the bubble in her mind, the bubble filled with one glaring fact he seemed unwilling to address. "But Challenge Day," she took a deep breath to calm her rising anger and frustration. "Challenge Day… the outcome is yield or death, you understand that? You are willing to die to become King of Wakanda?"

"I am willing to die for what is right. This is right."

Her voice failed her for a moment as she took him his words, eyes widening in shock. "Y-you are willing to leave m- leave the Jabari without a chief?" The back of her hand instinctively wiped a stray tear. It was hitting her all at once, like a high-speed train. She could lose him today and there was no time to persuade him not to do this. Heartbreak wasn’t an accurate description of how she felt, it seemed too kind for the emotional agony she felt rushing through her. 

His heart sagged at her tears, wondering if this was a mistake. He had to tell her, had to see her before he made this choice. He owed one of his closest friends that much. But he worried that seeing her would make the choice that much harder and it did. For the first time since he made this decision, he felt a pinch of doubt stinging his resolve. He cupped her face in his hands. 

"Do you have that little faith in me little one? I will beat him and return King of Wakanda. But I can't hope to do this if you, of all people, don't believe I can win." 

Zarah shook her head angrily; mad at him, the world, Hanuman and whatever imbecile put this idea in his head. "You don't get to put that on me M'Baku," she hissed. "You want to make this choice, that is your birthright. I can't stop you. But you don't get to saddle me with guilt because I do not agree with you. You are my best friend but I won't support you risking your life for this. It is not worth it. There are other ways to affect the change you want in Wakanda without doing this. If you die, who takes the mantle of chief? M'Cebo? You really think he is fit to lead us? He will destroy this tribe. Or Davu? You are just giving him another excuse to saunter down these very mountains and turn us all into fanatics. T'Challa may not be his father... give him a chance, a chance to be better," she pleaded, grasping his bare shoulders. 

"He is no different than King T'Chaka Za... I give him a chance and condemn our people to more of the same. I am sorry."

Zarah nodded, covering her eyes with her hands before straightening herself up and wiping the tears that were forming. If this was his choice, nothing will change his mind. "It seems you have made your choice then. I believe you can beat him, I really do. But promise me... If he gives you the option to yield, please take it. Promise me you'll take it. The Jabari need you." 

One of his thumbs grazed her cheek as he stared down at her, eyes heavy. "Just the Jabari?" He asked pointedly. Zarah slid her hands down his chest and pushed away from him, breaking their contact. 

"The Jabari need you. Promise me, M'Baku," she demanded firmly. 

His eyes fell to the ground frustrated. He wasn't sure what he was hoping, that with the threat of death looming over them, she might offer a window of opportunity to allow him to confess his love for her. But no such luck. He pushed through the pain he felt and pulled himself to full height before walking toward the door. Staying and looking at her simply made it harder to leave. 

"I promise." The small declaration barely reached her ears as he swiftly marched out of the throne room. The large doors slammed shut, causing Zarah to flinch violently before she crumpled into a nearby seat, sobbing.

*****

"Try and calm down Zarah. Pacing about like a mad woman won’t make him come back any faster." 

"You're right, you're right," she said, lifting her hands in surrender as she sat on the edge of the bed. They sat quietly for two minutes before Zarah was back up wearing a hole into her parents' carpet. Adisa rolled her eyes, her friend was impossible. 

"He will come back Zarah. M'Baku is the best warrior we have. He will come back either way." 

Zarah looked at her friend, disbelief on her face. "He is the best warrior we have and the most prideful. Do you really believe he will yield to T'Challa? He doesn't respect him, he doesn't like him. Either he comes back as King or he do-"

"Don't think like that. You said he promised to yield if given the option?" Adisa tried to reason. 

Zarah scoffed loudly, "I don't know why I asked him to do that. I knew that promise was meaningless. He won't yield, it is not our way. It is not his way." 

"Are you afraid he will die or are you afraid he will die when you didn't get a chance to tell him you love him?" 

Zarah glared at her friend, anger slowly rising in her. "We are not having this conversation right now." She wished she had never confessed her love for M'Baku to Adisa. She felt like her friend was always throwing it back in her face, demanding she act on these feelings. She paid little attention to Zarah's reservations and fears. Adisa was the wild child of the two, rebellious and unapologetic, never caring if she failed. But she didn't understand that Zarah wasn't her.

"Maybe we should. That is the reason you made him promise and are so upset. He is doing what he feels is right as chief. This is his birthright. You weren't this scared when Davu challenged him. Why are you so afraid now? And do not lie to me and say it is because you are worried about the tribe."

Zarah hated that her friend was always right. She had no concerns when that fanatic challenged him, M'Baku crushed him and forced him to yield within minutes. She didn’t understand why now was different. Maybe she just loved him more. But regardless of reasoning, she couldn’t shake the fear and the regrets that were draining the life out of her as she sat waiting. 

"I just don't want to lose him Isa... I c-can't," she muttered sadly. 

"Why didn't you tell him? Tell him the truth. This wasn't about his duty as chief. Why didn't you ask him to stay for you?" 

"YOU KNOW WHY!" Zarah yelled at her, taking her anxieties and frustrations out on her friend. 

Adisa jumped up, matching Zarah’s intensity and anger. "No, actually Zarah I don't! I don't know why you deny yourself love and happiness at every turn? I don't know why you think so lowly of yourself. I don't know why you continue to stifle your hopes, dreams and ambitions because of others’ opinions of you. But I do know that a life like that will never fulfill you I do know that M'Baku makes you happy, helps you feel whole. I do know that he loves you. Why can't you just take that leap? You are afraid, I understand that, but the things in this life that are worth it make us afraid. The love of your life told you he might die today and you just let him go without telling him what he means to you? Explain that to me! Help me understand!"

"I am not like you Adisa! Strong, fearless. If by some miracle he returns to me, I won't lose him as a friend to test out your theory that he loves me. I am not the girl he falls in love with, I am not the girl who gets the chief." 

"But you could be. You could change the way you think about yourself, your actions and be that girl. You are denying yourself the opportunity to even try."  

She started to respond when a loud rasp against her door stopped her. She whipped it open to reveal her brother, who looked exhausted but otherwise unharmed. "Come with me." 

"Wait, where is he?" 

He grabbed her forearm and pulled her out of the house, "Just come, quickly." 

Zarah and Adisa quickly hopped into the carriage that took far too long to make it up the winding roads to the Lodge. Zarah tapped her knee furiously through the ride, impatiently looking out the carriage window for the Hanuman statues. Adisa squeezed her hand every once in a while to assure and comfort her but it did little. She wouldn’t be able to calm herself until she saw him, saw the life in his eyes. 

Surely N'Danna isn't taking me to see his dead body without warning. That would be just cruel, she told herself, trying to stomp out the anxiety in her mind. She didn't wait for the carriage to fully stop as she jumped out and partially ran to the Lodge. She started to head to the throne room when N'Danna stopped her. 

"First, breathe," he commanded. She did so, not realizing she was holding it in this whole time. She felt loose, less like she was on the verge of a heart attack. "He is in his quarters." 

"As?" she asked, knowing her brother would understand the question. Her brother's expression didn't change, his deep brown eyes gave nothing away as he stared at her. 

"You will see." 

She nodded before racing down the hall toward M'Baku's private quarters, not waiting to be announced or allowed in. Kide simply slid out of her way as she tore the door open. 

"Za!" M'Baku exclaimed as he shifted to sit up in bed. He looked exhausted, she noted the bruises and wounds littering his torso. She tried to ignore the desire that bubbled at the sight of him in nothing but his boxers. Somehow after a battle, he was even sexier to her. But now wasn’t the time for those thoughts. They didn’t say anything, she just stood there and watched the healer tending to his wounds, trying to think of something appropriate. 

"How is he?" Zarah asked timidly. It wasn't really her place but she didn't know what else to say. 

"He will live. Just needs some salve on these wounds and sometime in the hot springs for the soreness." 

"Thank you Healer Femi, Zarah can attend to my injuries for the rest of the evening. I will call should I need any additional assistance." 

He nodded and bowed before exiting, "My lady." Zarah offered him a small smile before the door closed behind him. 

"I am not a doctor you know? And who says I want to attend to your injuries? I am still mad at you." She asked, pacing below the foot of his bed. 

"You can't be that mad at me or you wouldn't have come," he offered. 

Zarah laughed, "N'Danna didn't give me many choices as he basically dragged me out of our parents' home my lord." She paused, "Or is it your grace? Am I in the presence of the new King of Wakanda?"

He shook his head. Zarah raised an eyebrow, "You don't seem all that disappointed by that fact?" 

He shrugged, the gesture clearly painful. "Ritual combat is ordained by the Gods. It was not Hanuman’s will for me to win so I didn’t win. There isn't much to it other than that. I said my piece, I was defeated." 

Zarah nodded, picking up the container of salve and walking over to his side. She grasped his chin gently and tilted his head to get a better look at the deep cut on his forehead. He watched her deliberate and gentle ministrations as she spread the healing cream on the cut and his bruises before covering some with bandages. 

"Are you disappointed?" He asked. 

Her hand stilled on the side of his face as she studied him for a moment. She could hear it beneath the deep timbre of his voice, a hint of uncertainty and fear. "No, I asked you to return, you returned. Our people need you M'Baku. That is all that matters to me. Your survival will never be a disappointment." 

She continued adding ointment and bandages to the wounds that needed it. He knew a healer could do a better job, and so did she, but he just wanted to be close to her. He enjoyed the intimacy even if it was fleeting. He couldn't have her always but he could share this quiet moment with her. She worked in silence with extreme concentration, offering small apologies to every wince that escaped his lips. He didn't accept them though, the comfort she brought outweighed his pain. She started to pack up her things and turn to leave when he grabbed her small wrist. 

"Stay."  

"M'Baku... that is not appropriate. You know what they’ll say... and your brother," she argued weakly. She had spent the night in M'Baku's room before and every time, her parents would somehow find out and give her a verbal lashing about appearances and tradition. They never bothered M'Baku, he was chief and could do as he liked. But her parents were right, their platonic relationship sometimes bled into inappropriate territory, ruining their hopes of marrying her off to his brother. 

"I don’t care about appropriate. Your chief is asking you to stay Zarah. Don’t deny me this. I don’t want to be alone tonight. Please." He tugged on her arm, pulling her closer to him. She knew what that admission took, the vulnerability needed to admit he needed her. She knew she couldn’t deny him now, not after that.

"Fine. Only for a bit." She walked around the bed and settled next to him, his arm lightly draped over her side as they laid. She promised herself that she would only stay as long as it took for his signature snores to kick in and then she would head home. But soon, the warmth of his body and the security of his arms lured her to sleep, fears of her parents forgotten. 

****

The next few days were a whirlwind. T’Challa was king, died at the hands of a long-lost American cousin and then alive again. She didn’t want to say she was shocked that M’Baku saved his life in the first place, M’Baku was far from a cruel person. But to deny the heart-shaped herb and help bring T’Challa back to life, most people in Wakanda would not have had that compassion for their "enemies." But it was as he said, "A life for a life." But now it seemed like M’Baku was ready to have T’Challa indebted to him. She listened to him outline the choices before them at an emergency council meeting, where he would decide whether the Jabari should involve themselves in a conflict that was not theirs.

"We should leave him be. You shouldn’t have saved him in the first place. The boy made his bed, he ought to lie in it," Elder Imani, Zarah’s mother, said angrily, spurred on by calls of agreement from the leaders of the fishermen faction.  

"I must agree. It is not our way to involve ourselves in the ways of the lowlanders. If he wants his crown back, he should take it on his own. " N’Danna said. He had no love for the Panthers or cared who sat on the throne. 

"Maybe it is time we concern ourselves with the ways of all Wakanda. T’Challa is right. If we let the usurper remain on the throne, the Jabari could be next in his reign of terror," Zarah argued back, shrinking slightly at the glares directed at her from her parents. 

"You lack honor and respect for tradition! Have you forgotten why we isolated ourselves in this mountains to begin with? The Panthers have no respect for our ways or our God!" Elder Asante called back. 

"Maybe because we have had no respect for theirs. Lord M’Baku says King T’Challa is willing to make the effort. Just because we have been this way in the past, doesn’t mean we have to remain this way." Adisa’s father interjected, winking at Zarah and giving her a nod of encouragement. She was grateful for voices like Adisa’s parents on the tribe’s council. They valued tradition while understanding that things could still change. 

"We are both Wakandans and Jabari. There is space for both, space to love and respect the traditions and history of both. Centuries of isolation don't have to continue simply because that is the way it has been. King T’Challa isn’t to blame for the actions of his ancestors nor are we beholden to the actions of ours. It is time we consider a new way, a new path forward," she stated passionately.

Zarah stared straight ahead at M’Baku, refusing to acknowledge both the affirming and critical side comments and noises that erupted after her comments. She knew she only had to convince one person. Her family was as traditional as Jabari could be and N’Danna was liberal in many things but believed firmly in their isolation. They would never agree to this. But she understood a fundamental principle as an engineer: just because something works doesn’t mean it can’t be improved. They operated fine on their own but that didn’t mean they couldn’t be better. 

M’Baku only had eyes for her as he doled our orders. "Elder Amari and General N’Danna, round up as many soldiers as you can within the next 15 minutes and meet me in front of the Lodge."

Zarah’s father jumped up, his chair almost toppling over beside him. "My lord, I beg you to reconsider! We do this and we will be fighting their battles or them forever. We elders are here for a reason. Heed our council for once."

"I have made my decision and that decision is final. The Jabari will no longer watch from the shadows. We will affect the change we want to see at the table, with the rest of Wakanda. That will be our way moving forward. Thank you all for your time." 

The elders saluted him, half approaching him to affirm his choice while the other half, including Zarah’s parents, angrily stalked out. 

Zarah and M’Baku shared a brief but tight hug before he started to walk out, preparing for yet another battle. 

"Things are about to change around here. Are you ready for that?" She called after him. 

He barked out his boisterous laugh. "Change is a good thing Zarah. Are you ready?" he called back over his shoulder. 

She nodded to herself. Change is a good thing, she repeated internally. She walked out of the throne room with a renewed sense of excitement for the future. If the Jabari were about to take a leap after centuries of doing something a certain way, why couldn’t she?  

****

@destinio1 @muse-of-mbaku @great-neckpectations @missmohnique @jellybean531

[imagine-loki]

Mad Predictions

TITLE: Mad Predictions

CHAPTER NO./ONE SHOT: Chapter 10

AUTHOR: inspired-snowflace

ORIGINAL IMAGINE: “A freedom restrained the sun shall invoke, The gift from the plea a mother spoke, Purpose shall be bestowed upon your life, In form of one you should have called wife, A lover presumed dead shall be back, Now shall you truly pay for your attack.”

Ever since the fortune teller had spilt these words, Loki’s life was thrown into a hurricane. He dared to hope that after the attack on New York and the following arrest, things would get better, but these words seemed to point in an opposite direction.

Things would never remain the same, for better or worse.

RATING: Everyone

NOTES/WARNINGS: None. Updates earlier on my tumblr!!

RECAP : The avengers win over the Chitauri. But the reader realises that that the weapon aimed towards her hit Loki. She uses last of her energy to heal him before slipping into darkness.

The next time you woke up, you saw so much light, that you screwed your eyes shut. For the time being, you tried to concentrate on how your body felt. All you felt was numbness. So this is how it feels to die, you thought.

When you dared to open your eyes again, you blinked furiously to get used to the immense amount of light. Your vision kinda remained hazy, so you closed them again . As you got more used to the surroundings, you heard a soft beeping in the background, like that of a clock. But it was different, it was not consistent, right now it was speeding up. You felt unsettled with your eyes closed, so you decided to open them up. You saw a man looming in front of you.

“God?” You asked.

“You wish!!” the man scolded. “Well, I have brought you cheeseburgers, so I guess that IS kinda true.”

The cheeky voice. Hands wielding cheeseburgers. The proud grin. Of course, he wasn’t God!! You would recognise him anywhere.

It was Tony Stark.

“Team, the death girl lives!! She is awake!!” Tony shouted proudly in his earpiece. As he came more into focus, you saw that his eyes were bloodshot.

“Tony…” was all you managed.

Suddenly there was a sharp movement near your right hand and the numbing sensation was replaced by pain. It took you time to get the second figure into focus. Raven hair. Green clothes. Pale face. It was Loki. His movement made you think that he just had dozed off near your hand.

“Hi Loki” You said.

“Wait! He gets a hi and all I get is Tony? Y/N, That is completely unfair.” Tony said, feigning hurt.

Loki’s eyes were focused on you. He softly takes your hand and a green string of energy shoots towards you and you instantly felt more energised. You noticed that Loki’s eyes were as bloodshot as Tony’s. The pain began to subside.

The door opened and all the avengers came flooding in. Huge smiles imprinted on their faces. Thor jumped forward, presumably to squeeze you in a bear hug, but Tony stopped him.

Wanda came forward and a few red wisps of energy flew towards you. Instantly, everything became stark clear. You realised that the beeping you heard was actually the heart monitor and you lied on a hospital bed with various pipes and wires attached to you. The entire team stood in front of you. You raised yourself to a seating position.

“Hey Guys.” You said with a smile.

“Ok. So reindeer games gets a hi and they get a hey along with a heart melting smile and all I get is Tony… Nice Y/N, I see where this is going.” Tony said.

You looked at Tony and smiled. You noticed again that his eyes were red.

“You cried.” You told him matter-of-factly.

“What? No!! I asked Burger King to make their sauce extra spicy.” He replied.

“Stop lying, Tony!! Y/N, Tony cried each day that you were here. He kept saying things and ways how you could be saved, how he should have installed Chitauri incinerating controls in his suits. He brought burgers everyday when he visited you.” Natasha explained.

“How many days have I been here?” you asked when you noticed that Natasha said ‘everyday’.

“Seven days.” Steve replied.

“That is thoroughly incorrect. She has been here for 6 days, 18 hours and…” he checked his watch. “…. 43 minutes now.”

“We were half afraid you were aiming to break Cap’s record.” Clint quipped, joining Tony’s attempt to make it appear less of a hospital.

“Tony remembers the time because he was kicked out thrice, with time bans, when he tried to convince the doctors that you should not be given blood, but Burger King’s sauce.” Bruce said.

“Hey! Hey! Hey! But you need to admit that Dr. Pence was actually convinced.” Tony quipped back.

All of you laughed at that one, including you. Ahhh! It felt good to be alive. You noticed that Loki wasn’t laughing. His eyes were frozen on you. He noticed that you made eye contact.

“And how did you guys save me?” You inquired with genuine interest.

“By feeding you Burger King sauce. That worked like ambrosia.” Tony replied.

Steve rolled his eyes, like he did at all of Tony’s jokes. However, the next words were unexpected.

“The credit of all that goes to Loki. He used your comm to call us. It appears that after you slipped into unconsciousness, the effect wore off and the comms were usable. We picked you up and took you to the hospital. And then asked him to explain.” Natasha explained.

Steve continued, “He told us the truth but we didn’t believe him. We thought he might have done something to you and I heavily regretted leaving you in his care. Ultimately, Wanda looked into his mind and found out that he was telling the truth. He told us everything about your past, about Thanos and about the soul stone.”

You frowned. The soul stone. “Wait… Why didn’t I … you know… die??”

“Well, we didn’t hear the conversation but your last words scared the shit outta all of us. But then we found out something, thanks to Hawkeye, and then we were finally able to breathe in relief.” Bruce said.

Hawkeye continued, “Well you can see that you no longer have a scar on your head. The orange glow has disappeared. That means that you gave up the soul stone’s power rather than your life. So soul for a soul was true.”

You would have been overjoyed, but you frowned and made an attempt to use your powers. Indeed, they no longer worked. Seeing you frown, Thor asked, “Are you feeling ok, Lady Y/N?”

“So…” You made eye contact with every avenger. “… without my powers, I am no longer part of this group?” you questioned as the tears started to well.

“That is about as likely as me abandoning the Burger King sauce.” Tony said while rolling his eyes.

“Y/N, are you mad? Or do you just consider us selfish? Without you, this team is incomplete. You are family to us, Y/N.” Steve chastised, however his tone was soft.

“Really?” you said fully happy. “I love you guys!!” you exclaimed.

“And we, you!!” Wanda replied with a grin.

“Besides, Y/N, I still need somebody to beat me in a burger contest.” Tony said.

“Man of Iron, I did beat you at that! I won by approximately 62 burgers.” Thor protested.

“Dude! You are a God. You don’t count. And besides you left the last burger incomplete, so I am still counting it as 61.86.” was what Tony made his comeback.

In this bickering only Natasha noticed your sad face. “What’s with the frowns, sweetheart?”

“Well, I wont be able to help you guys anymore…” you said sadly.

“Oh!! Y/N, I can make you a suit.”

“Thanks Tony. But my forte is magic. I am not good with machines.” You smiled sadly while looking at your hands, hoping for the powers to return.

“Or else..” Nat said “…Loki can teach you magic.” You look wide-eyed at Loki who was still staring at you. You had momentarily forgotten his presence. Only after Nat’s words, did he leave you to look at her.

“Natasha, are you sure?” Clint threw caution to the wind.

Natasha sat at the end of your bed and replied, “The guy has been sitting there since the moment you arrived hear. He reads Asgardian charms to you to lessen the pain. He didn’t let any of us replace him. He just sat there seldom eating and sleeping, that too, after we told him that you would require energy when you wake up and none of us, except him and Wanda can do that, and to give you said energy he would need some himself. All this to be there when you open your eyes. That is, my friends, true love.”

Loki looked shock when the assassin praised him. He expected her to badmouth about him to you. Suddenly, he developed a new kind of respect for her.

“Yeah. I am not that heartless. Atleast, Y/N deserves a happy ending. Unless Y/N thinks something else.” She continued when she caught Loki’s expression.

He didn’t dare look at Y/N, for the fear of seeing disgust etched on her face. But when her hands cupped him cheeks, he looked at her, bewildered.

“So… Will you teach me magic…. And then we can continue to being lovers?” you asked with a smile.

“Guys, get a room already!!” Tony said while making gagging and coughing sounds. Everyone ignored him.

Loki spent two full minutes trying to comprehend your words. Realising you were serious, tears rolled down his cheeks.

“Oh norns, Yes, Y/N, Yes!! I shall teach you all I know about magic. I swear in the presence of everyone in this room that, I shall protect you with my life. I am so sorry!! So so sorry, Y/N!!” Loki cried out.

“We can visit Asgard too!! My family awaits there.” You said while smiling happily, while thinking about the future.

–THE END—

A/N : Guys, Wait !!! We still have an epilogue. ;) ;)

[pug-bitch]

That’s not why I’m going (23)

Icy and empty

Book: The Royal Romance

Pairing: Drake Walker x Amara Suarez

Rating: some foul language, some extremely suggestive. This is absolutely NOT appropriate for people under 18.

Word count: 4,460 (let me know if the ‘keep reading’ cutoff isn’t working well!)

Notes: This starts exactly where we left off, after Amara sees the picture of Ilya, starting with Amara’s POV.

*****

Her hands still shaking, Amara drops the picture into the plate, as if it had burned her fingers. Her first instinct is to look directly at Drake, who’s seated in front of her. He looks equally as shocked as her, and mouths ‘Fuck’ to her as they make eye contact.

Amara’s eyes dart to Olivia, a couple of seats over. Rashad, next to her, is putting a comforting hand on her arm, a compassionate look on his face.

Liv’s eyes are glassy, icy and empty. Upon looking into them, Amara feels a deep chill.

Many whispers go around the room, a few gasps, but no one speaks clearly for a few minutes. After staring into the void, Olivia gets up, turns around and leaves the room, without looking back. Amara proceeds to get up to go after her, but Hana grabs her arm. ‘Wait. Give her some space,’ she whispers in her ear. Amara nods. She’s right. Liv isn’t gonna want to talk right now, she needs to cool down first.

‘Ladies and gentlemen,’ Liam says, after getting up and clearing his throat. ‘It appears that the person who sent the slandering text about Lady Hana has struck again. I would like to suggest that everyone put the pictures away, and respect Lady Olivia’s privacy. This way of proceeding is extremely insulting and unruly. If the person who has put the pictures on the table is here, I officially ask him or her to stop this little game immediately. This is not how this court functions.’

He looks around briefly and takes a seat again. Next to him, Drake pats his back. Amara feels a pang in her heart upon witnessing some of the friendship she will inevitably break. She looks next to her at Hana, who is smiling sadly. She squeezes her hand.

‘Everyone, enjoy your meal. Let’s put this unpleasantness behind us,’ King Constantine exclaims.

As the servants start putting the plates down, Amara gets up and excuses herself to Liam who, a profoundly sad look on his face, nods and offers her a faint smile. She crosses the hall and reaches the balcony, where Olivia is standing, alone, a cigarette in her hand. Amara wonders for a second where Liv found an emergency cigarette so fast, but quickly remembers that her friend is resourceful.

‘Liv?’

She turns around, her face as tense as humanly possible. ‘Yes.’

Amara gets closer to her and places a hand on Olivia’s back, slowly, as if she was scared to be bitten. ‘Are you ok?’

‘What a fucking stupid question,’ Olivia spits.

‘Fair. In my defense, I was just trying to start a conversation.’

‘Well, do better,’ Liv says through gritted teeth.

‘Talk to me, Liv.’

She turns around, facing her, her eyes bloodshot. ‘We all fucking know Madeleine is part of this bullshit. It will become more and more evident as people around her start to fall. But she’s fucking protected. Nothing we can do but fall.’

‘No. Liam is appalled at the methods, and he’ll never choose her.’

Liv rolls her eyes and sighs. ‘Poor child, you know nothing. Liam is not in charge, he’s the instrument of his family.’

‘Look, we can fight this. This is an easy picture to fake, you get any sort of nude and make up a screenshot, it’s easy to disprove.’

‘But it’s not fake. I WAS sexting with Ilya. That’s how pathetic I am, Amara. Liam is not giving me what I want, so I fuck my hot bodyguard to forget. Some Queen I’d be…’

Amara grabs her arm tighter. ‘You stop this shit right now, Nevrakis,’ she whispers, her voice lower by an octave. ‘I don’t want to hear anything about being pathetic. I know you’re sleeping with him, but it’s NO ONE’S business but yours. And you’d be the best queen, we both know it. Let’s deny the whole thing, ok? Let’s say it’s a fake. Defamation.’

Liv thinks for a minute and says ‘No, I don’t want to lie. Then I’d be looking over my shoulder for the whole remainder of the competition, and what if they have other proof? Not worth it.’

Amara nods. She gets it. It must be relieving not to lie. ‘Ok. You do what you think is right, and we’ll be there for you.’

‘Go back to the brunch. You don’t want to piss off anyone. I need to be alone, I’ll decide what to do shortly.’

*****

Amara had socialized during the brunch, not very enthusiastically, but still. She’d talked to Queen Regina mostly, and to Rashad for a while. But her mind was elsewhere. Trying to connect the dots, figuring out who had placed the pictures. It couldn’t have been Madeleine, she had been mingling all before brunch, Amara had not let her out of her sight. Bastien, on the other hand, she hadn’t seen at all today. Coincidence?

She had tried to avoid looking at Drake too much, for fear of being discovered, but she could see in the corner of her eye that he was tense. He kept looking behind him and onto the halls.

Once brunch is over and people are about to leave, Liam gets up, raises his glass and says, ‘Please stay for a while more, as our very own Lady Hana Lee has an announcement to make. Lady Hana, the floor is yours.’

Hana gets up, dignified, and clears her throat. Amara notices that Olivia has come back, and she is now standing in a hidden corner of the room, where most can’t see her. Amara’s heart sinks; and to think that Liv had once called Hana weak. Now she’s risking facing everyone just to see her friend be strong.

‘Thank you for staying and listening,’ Hana says, calmly. ‘I felt it was important for me to address the claims that were made about me recently. A picture of me surfaced, and I must admit that the photo is real. It was taken years ago, during a sweet moment between myself and the woman I loved, Caroline. I am, in fact, gay, and I was in a relationship with a woman. Even though I do not condone the way this piece of information was circulated --no one should be forced to share this news until they are ready--, I am proud to announce that I love women. I apologize to you, Prince Liam, and to you, Your Majesties. I have been wasting everybody’s time by being a part of the competition when I am not interested in marrying a man. But the truth is, until I came here and was confronted to the reality of who I am, I was not ready to own up to the truth, and I was intending to repress who I really am. So, to whomever found and sent this picture, thank you. Although it was an act of violence which I will never forgive, I am also thankful, for the long look in the mirror you made me take. I realize now that there is no reason to be ashamed of myself. That being said, I would like to ask whomever it was to please stop targeting us suitors. My friend Olivia Nevrakis does not deserve what happened to her today, and neither did I. I do not condone the circulation of defamatory pictures, but as it happens, you targeting me made me realize I need to be honest with myself. Thank you for listening.’

A long silence spreads as Hana curtsies and sits back down. Amara wipes a tear away from her eyes and starts applauding, soon followed by everyone else at the table. Liam, visibly moved, stands up in turn.

‘Thank you, Lady Hana, for this moving and heartfelt speech. I just wanted to add that you have absolutely nothing to apologize for. You did not waste anyone’s time, as it procured all of us the great delight of meeting you. You are welcome to stay until the end of the competition, and in fact, I encourage it. You will be my personal guest, as my dear friend.’

More applause. Amara fights back tears. She cannot believe how gracious her amazing friend is. She squeezes Hana’s hand and gives her a huge smile, which Hana reciprocates promptly. When Amara turns around, Olivia is already gone.

*****

Drake had stayed to congratulate Hana on her beautiful speech, which had really moved him. He had to remain positive, for all of them. For Max, for Hana, for Liv --poor, poor Liv who had not been able to face anyone after the picture---, and above all, for Amara. So, he stayed with his friends for a while. Even for Liam, who had been nothing but gracious through the whole ordeal. Drake had seen his face when he discovered the picture. He’d seen it fall, drained of its color, as Liam was trying to keep his composure.

So, after the King and Queen left, along with most suitors, who were going on to their free afternoon, Drake stayed behind, with Liam who was having another cup of coffee in the foyer, and Amara, Hana, Maxwell and Bertrand, who had followed suit to debrief with Hana some more.

‘Lady Hana, it was beautiful,’ Bertrand said solemnly, a sad smile on his face. ‘What you said was very moving, and also very poised, you can be proud of yourself.’

Drake noticed that Amara touched Bertrand’s arm and gave him an encouraging smile upon hearing him congratulating Hana. He wondered what this was about, but he was glad that Bertrand was showing some compassion and was letting some feelings go through his tough exterior. If he were to be in Sav’s life, and especially in their kid’s life, Drake wanted Bertrand to be the sweet guy he had never let himself be. He’d have to ask Amara to fill him in later about this little moment.

‘Thank you, Duke Ramsford,’ Hana responds with a wide smile. ‘It took a lot of effort, but here I am. And thank you, Prince Liam, for this opportunity to speak my truth.’

Liam smiles heartily. ‘You’re welcome, Hana. And please, I’ve told you before, call me Liam. Let’s not be bothered with silly tradition now that we’re officially friends, and you’re my guest here.’

Drake was proud of Liam’s reaction to Hana’s news. But he was a little concerned about his reaction to Liv’s. He’d have to check with him about that, once other people leave.

‘Well, Lady Amara, I think you have a one-on-one with the Prince,’ Bertrand says all of a sudden. ‘We should all leave you both to it. Right, Maxwell?’

Max, a hand on Hana’s shoulder, responds, ‘Of course! Hana and I are headed to have a celebratory drink at Ramsford, where she’ll be staying until our next event in a couple of days. Is that alright, Liam?’

‘Of course!’, Liam replies. ‘You guys have until Monday to rest, and then we’ll have our Portavira trip. You should go celebrate.’

‘Yay!’ Max exclaims. ‘Bertrand, come have a drink with us. Amara can get a ride from Drake later. Ok?’

Drake holds his breath. He’s never seen Bertrand say yes to a drink before, especially in the middle of the day. But, much to his surprise, Bertrand nods after a brief hesitation and the three of them are on their way.

‘Wow,’ Drake says as soon as they are gone. ‘What got into Bertrand? I mean...I’m not complaining, but why is he so cool?’

Amara smiles coyly. ‘Oh, maybe he’s finally learning to let go a little.’

Liam forces a laugh. ‘Ha! That would be great news, truly.’

Drake and Amara share a look, and Drake sits on the ottoman near Liam. ‘Hey Li, tell me if I’m overstepping or if I should leave you two to your...date. But I’m just concerned.’

Liam takes a sip of his coffee, which Drake realizes smells a lot like whiskey, and snorts. ‘Our date? I mean, Drake, I’m not gonna force Amara to spend time with me. I was just gonna tell you guys that you can head back to Ramsford.’

Amara takes a seat on the couch opposite them and says, ‘Liam, you’re not forcing me to do anything. Maybe Drake and I could keep you company for a while, before we head back? I feel like it would be nice to...talk about some things, huh?’

Liam’s eyes gleam with excitement, which suddenly makes Drake very sad. ‘Really? I don’t want to impose, I know that you… well, we didn’t exactly set any rules or boundaries, and when Bertrand asked if I could schedule a one-on-one, I didn’t want to say no, but I was afraid you’d be angry with me.’

‘Angry?’ Amara asks, her eyes wide. ‘No, Liam. Honestly, I enjoy spending time with you. I’m sorry if you were ever under the impression that I didn’t. Before we cleared things up, it was uncomfortable for me to--well, you know. We talked about this.’ Liam nods. ‘But now...I’m happy to hang out. Let’s stay here and have coffee, ok?’

Liam’s face lights up a little bit, although a dark cloud remains above his head. Drake decides to bite the bullet and starts talking. ‘Any news from Olivia since...the thing?’

Liam shakes his head and glances at his phone. ‘No. Nothing. I texted her multiple times, she read my messages, but did not reply. Amara, you saw her, right?’

‘Yeah, right after brunch started. She was...it’s hard to describe. Angry, I think. Maybe a little sad, and ashamed. She told me to get back to the brunch, and when I protested, she said she’d contact me when she wants to talk. I noticed she was there during Hana’s speech. But nothing since.’

‘Alright,’ Drake says. ‘Let’s keep contacting her, let her know we’re here for her. She’ll resurface. Liam?’

Liam, distracted, gets out of his daydream as soon as Drake calls his name. ‘Hmm?’ he murmurs.

‘Are you ok?’ Drake asks.

‘Yeah. I guess. I’m just… Guys, I feel like I’m losing control. I want to do something, anything. Father doesn’t want me to confront Madeleine, although we all know it’s gotta be her, right? Leo had warned me about her.’

‘I don’t think there’s much doubt about that, unfortunately,’  Amara chimes in. ‘But I don’t think she could have done it alone. She was with us the whole time between the staff setting the table and the moment when everyone entered the room. It’s not possible.’ Amara’s eyes meet Drake’s, and in one swift head movement, they both decide to remain silent on Bastien’s possible involvement. For now. Amara continues, ‘Your father, with all due respect, has a vested interest in Madeleine staying in the competition, because she’s Queen Regina’s niece. So, I don’t think it would be productive for you to push any more for confronting her. He won’t let you.’

Liam nods, and takes another sip of his...beverage. ‘You’re right, Amara. Let’s all keep our eyes open. I just...ugh.’ He pauses for a long time, and Drake knows what he’s about to say. The look on Liam’s face upon discovering Liv’s screenshots can’t lie. ‘I just can’t believe it. At least Hana’s story has a happy end. She spoke her truth, and it was beautiful. But Liv, I mean...Do you think it’s true?’

‘Does it matter?’ Amara’s response arrived fast, before Drake had time to think of anything to say. Liam looks stunned. She continues. ‘I mean, what if it’s true? What’s the problem?’

Liam’s eyes dart everywhere in the room, carefully avoiding anyone else’s. ‘Well, if she were really sleeping with her bodyguard, it would be quite clear that she’s not interested in this. In...me.’

Amara sighs, and responds, ‘I don’t think you’re looking at this the right way.’

But Drake can’t focus anymore, his eyes are glued to the window. Suddenly, he can’t stop his train of thought. He has to get out now. He excuses himself, and looks at Amara before leaving. She follows his gaze out the window, and her eyes widen as she understands what he’s up to.

*****

Amara can’t stop Drake. She wishes he wouldn’t do anything yet, but she trusts him and his judgment, so she lets him go, hoping he won’t be too long, and won’t let the situation implode. For the moment, she has to focus on managing Liam’s expectations. She owes it to Liv, who has been such a support for her and Drake.

Liam looks at her and cocks his head. ‘What do you mean I’m not looking at it the right way?’

‘You’re focusing on what Liv is doing with her life, right? What you should ask yourself is, why does it bother you so much?’

He seems to hesitate, his eyes in the distance, but soon enough, he’s answering her honestly. ‘You may already know this, because the two of you are close, it seems. But Liv and I have been...intimate, recently, and I didn’t know she was also um...seeing other people. Provided the picture is real, of course’

Amara’s blood boils. ‘You would be offended if she saw other people, when you have a literal flock of women competing for your hand?’

She didn’t intend for her tone to be so harsh. She’s just defending her friend. Liam seems taken aback at first, but ends up laughing softly before answering, ‘Touché, Amara. I see the double standard. Although, if I may, the ‘flock’ you’re speaking of is getting smaller by the day…’ He stops to look into the distance before shaking it off and continuing, ‘Anyways, you’re right. It’s not fair of me to get upset. I suppose I’m just used to Liv being more…’

‘Available?’ Amara hopes she’s not out of place, but there’s no stopping now.

‘Yes,’ Liam agrees. ‘I suppose so. She’s been very available to me our whole lives. Decades, really. So, I have to admit it stings a little, if she also is sleeping with a guy she sees all day every day, and not giving it another thought.’

‘What tells you she’s not giving it another thought, Liam? I don’t want to speak for her, or speak out of turn--’

‘You’re not,’ he interrupts, taking a small flask out of his jacket pocket and pouring it in his mug. ‘Care to make your coffee Irish?’ he asks. Amara nods and hands him her mug. He continues while pouring, ‘I appreciate your honesty, always.’

Amara’s heart skips a beat. If only he knew. ‘Well, I’m just saying, and I’m not saying the picture is real, I don’t know if it is. Um...what I mean is, Liv has been giving this a lot of thought. And she is fully aware that you are used to her being available. One could even say that you may take her for granted at times, don’t you think?’ Liam nods slowly, his face falling. ‘If the situation bothers you, maybe you should do something to change it. A gesture. Something.’

Liam remains silent a while, sipping on his spiked coffee. Finally, he says, ‘You must be a fucking friendship genius if you managed to get this out of Olivia. Seriously, does she tell you all this?’

Amara shrugs, a smug smile on her lips. ‘Call it what you will, but Liv isn’t as closed off as you might think.’

*****

Drake runs out of the room where he left Liam and Amara alone. Should he be worried about them alone, about Liam trying something? No, not since they’ve had the conversation a while ago. Liam might have been holding out hope still, who knew. But at least, he was being decent with her.

He runs outside, towards the back garden, where he saw him walk out through the window. Thankfully, he’s not walking fast, and soon enough, Drake has caught up to him.

‘Hey,’ Drake says, grabbing Bastien’s shoulder to make him turn around.

‘Drake, hi,’ Bastien responds, slightly surprised.

‘We need to talk,’ Drake says curtly.

‘Not here.’

He gestures for Drake to follow him to one of the garages, the one that had the Queen’s Aston Martin in it. Bastien closes the door behind them, and they stand there, in the semi-dark. Drake wishes he were in control of the situation, and he had hoped Bastien would be taken aback by his confrontation, but for some reason, he seemed to half-expect it.

‘What is it?’ Bastien asks, his voice low.

‘I saw you, Bas. Today, headed towards the dining room, with a folder under your arm. You put the pictures there, didn’t you?’

Bastien sighs and puts his head in his hands. ‘You should mind your own business, Drake. Go home.’

His blood boils. How can he be so patronizing when he’s not even denying the accusation? ‘It is my business, Bastien, you’re targeting my friends--’

‘Your friends? I thought you despised nobles? How many times did you threaten to leave court?’

Drake freezes. ‘What? I mean, when Dad died, I was resentful, and I may have been ungrateful sometimes, but despise them? That’s not me.’

Bastien shrugs. ‘Whatever you say. Regardless, you should stay out of this. It’s bigger than you.’

Bastien turns around to open the door and leave, but Drake stops him, a hand on his arm. ‘Who are you working for? Madeleine? I know you threw out the phone that was used to send Hana’s picture.’

Bastien sighs again. ‘Look. You don’t need to know who’s behind this. This doesn’t concern you.’ He pauses. ‘It could have, but I made sure it didn’t. So cut it out.’

Drake’s eyes widen. ‘What do you mean it could have concerned me?’

‘You want me to be straight with you? Alright. Neither you or I can stop this whole thing from happening. If I back out of it, someone else will step in and get dirt on everyone anyways. If it’s not me, it’s someone else. And believe me, you want me to be involved.’

Drake shakes his head. ‘I don’t understand. What do you mean?’

‘I know about you and Lady Amara. I didn’t tell anyone, and I don’t intend to. Another person might not be as kind to both of you if they were in my position. Let me do my job and no one finds out.’

‘Wh--what? How do you--’

‘Stop asking questions. I can’t tell you much. But as long as I’m in the picture, your secret is safe. I owe it to your dad.’

*****

Amara and Liam had been talking together for a while, and Amara surprised herself enjoying his company. Maybe it was because he was drunk, and sad, and honest. Maybe because right now, he’s focused on Olivia. Regardless of reasons, she liked this Liam, and could see herself being his friend.

When Drake comes back into the room, Amara has to fight her urge to turn back and look at him. She tries to still focus on what Liam is telling her, but deep down, she’s just hoping Drake is ok and that he didn’t show Bastien his cards too much. However, as soon as Drake comes to sit by Liam and she sees his face, she knows he’s tense, and that maybe the meeting didn’t go that well.

‘Hey guys,’ Drake says, visibly trying to keep it together. ‘What’s new?’

‘Oh, nothing,’ Liam says, toying with the handle of his mug. ‘Just chatting with Amara. I should go back to my study soon, though, I’ve got work to do.’

‘Ok, I should probably drive Amara back to Ramsford to meet Hana and Max, right?’

Amara nods, and says ‘Yes, thanks Drake, that sounds great. And thanks, Liam, for the conversation. I enjoyed it.’

Liam smiles brightly. ‘Thank you, Amara, for the advice. I’ll think about it, I promise.’

Amara follows Drake to his car, too anxious to ask him what happened. When they hop in, Drake locks the doors and looks everywhere around them, to check that no one is watching. He takes her hand.

‘Bastien knows about us. He’s not telling anyone.’

‘What?’ Amara’s eyes widen, she truly cannot believe what she just heard. ‘How does he know?’

Drake shakes his head. ‘I have no idea. He refused to answer any more of my questions. He is definitely part of the conspiracy, but he said he’s working for someone else. Maybe Madeleine, maybe not, he didn’t say.’

‘Oh my God, Drake, this is terrible…’

Her hands are shaking, as she has a lot of trouble envisioning a good outcome for this. If their secret comes out the same way Hana’s and Liv’s came out, Drake’s friendship with Liam is over forever, and he probably won’t have a place here anymore. She can’t let that happen, and yet, can she prevent it from happening?

Drake takes both of her hands in his and attempts to steady them. ‘Babe, relax,’ he says, his voice calm and reassuring. ‘He assured me he won’t say anything. He’s probably known a while, remember he saw us at the cop bar?’ Amara nods. ‘See?’ Drake continues. ‘It’s been a long time, probably, and he hasn’t told. He said that he doesn’t intend to tell anyone--’

‘So instead of our secret, it’s Hana’s that came out?’ Amara asks, furious.

‘I don’t think that’s how it happened, no. I really don’t think one secret has anything to do with the other, but it looks like whoever is digging for dirt is doing it to everyone. Bastien being there just ensures no one finds out about us, but the rest of it would happen regardless of him.’

Amara nods. ‘I get it, but come on. The guy participated in outing a person against her will. And slutshaming another. What kind of person does that?’

Drake sighs. ‘I know. I honestly blew it, I couldn’t get him to answer any of my questions, and I should have punched him in the face on the spot, I--’

‘Drake, no, that’s not what I meant,’ Amara says, gently stroking his hand with her thumb. ‘It would have made matters worse. You did the right thing by not pissing him off. Let’s hope this calms down.’

Drake sighs. ‘He did tell me that there’s no stopping this. We should probably brace ourselves for some more shitstorms.’

‘Great…’

Drake turns on his engine. ‘Let’s not go to Ramsford today.’

‘What? Where do you want to go?’

‘To my cabin. Do you want to? Just us, Amara…’

She sighs, desperately wanting to say yes. ‘What about the others? Is it the right time to abandon them?’

‘We’re not abandoning them. We’re taking time for us, which we need. Plus, it’s in Portavira, where we’re supposed to go on Monday. We can ask Max, Hana and Liv to come over tomorrow night for a barbecue, and all head to Penelope’s on Monday. Max will bring you your suitcase if you ask him. What do you say?’

Amara looks in the distance, tears of relief flooding her eyes. ‘Let’s go.’

*****

Taglist:

@andy-loves-corgis @drakeandcamilleofvaltoria @jovialyouthmusic @mariahschoices @drakesensworld @alesana45 @thequeenofcronuts @notoriouscs @drakewalkerisreal @nikkis1983 @simsvetements @iplaydrake @emceesynonymroll @drakewalkerwhipped @drakxwalker @drakewalkerrosenberg @drakeswalkers @drakelover78 @silviasutton1989 @dcbbw @carabeth @furiousherringoperatortoad @hollygirl1269 @sirbeepsalot

Thank you for your encouragements, everyone! Let me know if you want to be added to the taglist :)

[fluffy-marshmallow-heart]

Drake's Diary ch.25 -A Spot of Tea

The Royal Romance canon from Drake's POV

Words: 1619

I know you guys have been waiting, but it seems this is a filler chapter on PB's part. But it can still be fun. I believe things start coming to a head starting next chapter though! I hope you enjoy this in the meantime!

 Master List (Catch Up Here)

Drake was glowering at a table all by himself. Another tea party. I can’t believe I’m at another tea party. What is with nobles and tea parties? Why can’t they have a whiskey party or a hearty food party? It’s always gotta be tea…

His thoughts were interrupted as he saw Emma walking onto the grounds, and his breath hitched as he took in her slim figure in a scarlet red dress, with lots of little detailing. She looks gorgeous. Wow. Make way for the Lady in Red.

  He waved her down. “Rose! Over here. I thought I’d be stuck drinking tea alone.”

She grinned at him as she approached the table, and his heart fluttered at the way her eyes shined brightly directly at him.

“Sadly for all of us, that’s not the case.” Olivia sits down beside Drake as the tea house’s staff begins carrying trays of tea cups and pots to each table. As Emma joins them, he looks around for Hana, but sees her with Xinghai and her two noble suiters, Neville and Rashad, close to the royal party’s table.

Alrighty then.

He slid his eyes over to Olivia. “Hmph. Did Madeleine send you to sit with us exiles?”

“Not as such, but there was only one other available table.” She nods at said table, where Penelope is eagerly chatting with Kiara. Her voice carries over the word “poodle” and Olivia shuddered.

“Your company seemed…marginally preferable.”

“Olivia, It’s okay. You can admit that we’re friends.” Emma broke in.

Once again, speak for yourself, Rose. She is not my friend.

Olivia’s mouth fell open, and Drake thought he saw the hint of a smile. “I…I just find you less insufferable than Penelope.”

Ha. Yup, definitely was a smile in disguise. “Coming from you, that’s like a confession of love.

“We’re basically besties.” Emma laughed, as Olivia rolled her eyes.

A server approaches with a kettle and tray. She carefully adds tea leaves to the pot and fills it with water. The server drains the first infusion into a pitcher, and after filling the tea pot again, pours the pitcher’s contents over its closed lid.

“Nooooo! Not my tea!” Maxwell races over to the table, looking stricken.

Emma rose an eyebrow. “Relax, Maxwell. It’s part of the service.”

“Oh, good.  I thought my tea privileges were being revoked.”

“Not unless you’ve committed tea crimes you haven’t told us about.” She teased

“I wouldn’t hurt a leaf! Except by drinking it!” Maxwell chuckled at his own joke while everyone else just stared at him.

“Where on earth have you been?” Drake demanded. Leaving me here alone, leaving Emma to fend for herself, letting Olivia sit down, I could just go on. I deserve an explanation.

Maxwell looked at him like he had two heads. “Looking into Tariq’s whereabouts! We got a tip that he’s somewhere in Los Angeles. Hiding deep undercover.”

Drake scoffed. “That figures. He’s off living it up in Hollywood while you’re here cleaning up his mess.”

“I’ve started calling any menswear store whose price tags start at three figures, but since we’re on opposite sides of the Pacific…they’re all closed right now.”

“Oh. Thanks, time zones.” Emma frowned, and Drake took her hand under the table. She gives him a grateful smile.

“Don’t worry, I left them a bunch of voicemails. I told every store that if they don’t call me back as soon as they’re open, they’ll face the wrath of House Beaumont’s lawyers! I think Bertrand would be impressed.”

A look of surprised crossed Emma’s face. “We have lawyers now?”

“The stores that I called think we do!” Maxwell told her happily

Squeezing her hand lightly, Drake turned to face Emma. “How are you holding up, Rose? Now that we’re finally getting to the bottom of this whole mess?”

She scowled. “I am ready to throw a party when this is all over.”

“Just say the word and I’ll make it happen.” Maxwell jumped in excitedly

Oh boy, here we go. We definitely don’t need another Beaumont Bash…

“Whatever you’re picturing is probably too much party.” Drake informed.

Maxwell gasped. “There’s no such thing!”

The server finishes readying the second infusion of tea and pours each person a cup.

Maxwell takes a sip and his eyes widen. “Wow. I though top-shelf wine had layers, but this tea’s undertones have undertones.”

Drake sniffs his cup and takes a tentative sip. “Huh. Strong stuff.” This really isn’t so bad for tea. But still…coulda been a whiskey party…

“Is that a compliment?” Emma gasped.

He shrugged. “You’ve got to respect a drink that doesn’t pull its flavor punches.”

“I think it’s delightfully full-bodied.” Emma agreed.

“I’m surprised you like anything that didn’t come out of a little mesh bag.” Olivia smirked.

Emma chuckled. “Tea bags aren’t half bad. And they’re convenient.”

Olivia shook her head in disdain. “I’ll take a proper cup of tea like this any day.”

“Then it sounds like we’re going to need more.” Emma said, gesturing to the empty pitcher.

“Another!” Maxwell raises his tea cup over his head…

“If you break that, we’ll have to pay for it.” Emma acknowledged nervously.

Maxwell looks at her, then at his tea cup, and slowly sets it back on the table.

Holy shit. He actually listens to someone. I need to remember this for future reference. If anyone needs Maxwell to do something, just have Emma say it.

“Here. You can finish mine.” Drake handed him his cup.

“You’re a true friend, buddy.” Maxwell accepted.

Drake narrowed his eyes. “Don’t call me buddy.”

“You’re a true friend…friend?”

“My name is Drake.”

“Aww, look at you two. Getting along just like old times.” Emma teased them, obviously trying to get ahead of the situation and the dialogue Drake was sure he was about to start spewing.

Instead he sighed. “Yeah, yeah. No need to make a big thing out of it.”

“Are you sure? I’m feeling a group hug coming on…”

“There will be no hugging at this table.” Olivia’s voice cut through menacingly as she glared at the entire group.

“For once, I agree with Olivia.” I can’t believe I just said that. Can I take it back? No, damn, because then I would have to hug Maxwell…and Olivia…and Emma…okay, I’d love to hug Emma right now.

“…Maybe later.” Maxwell whispered loudly enough for all of them to hear.

Nope. I side with Olivia. 100% Team Olivia.

I’d better go check on Hana.” Emma announced abruptly, standing up and nodding towards where Hana is seated, as Neville and Rashad both stood and left their seats.

“I’ll keep them in line while you’re gone.” Olivia grinned.

Excuse me??  “Who died and left you in charge?”

Maxwell nodded in agreement frantically. “I didn’t vote for that!”

“I just expect everyone to be in one piece when I get back.” Emma makes her way between tables, not even glancing at them as she left.

I’m not even sure she heard us right now…

Olivia turns to Drake and Maxwell. “So, boys. Whatever should we do with ourselves? You can start by finding more tea. I do love more than one cup. Certainly one of you can handle this.”

“I uh…just remembered I have to go do that thing…” Maxwell started.

“Oh yeah, me too.” Drake chimed in.

“Oh, sorry, it’s really kind of private Drake. It’s the thing. In the place. That you…can’t go?” Maxwell darted away, and Drake’s jaw dropped as Olivia burst out laughing.

“I guess it’s you and me, commoner. And the tea. Go, shoo. Get the tea.”

“I’m not…getting…your tea.” Drake gritted out

Fucking Maxwell. I cannot believe he just did that!! Just leaving me here, again, alone, with fucking Olivia at my table. And he’s talking to Emma!! Damnit!!

Olivia begins speaking again, and Drake immediately tunes her out, watching Emma approach Hana and her father and wondering what they’re arguing about.

“I’m sure they’re not arguing about you, Drake. For some unknown reason, Emma has taken quite a liking to you. Hana’s got her own issues. She can’t handle them on her own, so she drags Emma along to help her speak.”

“Why would Rose be talking about me?” He questioned.

“I just she wasn’t. What, are you deaf too?”

Drake was about to return a snappy comeback when Emma plopped back down beside him.

“That could’ve gone better.”

He turned to her, full of worry. “What happened? We saw Hana leave.”

Emma sighed. “She and her dad got into a fight. She actually told him she wasn’t interested in Neville. I’m not sure if me being there made things better or worse...”

Drake’s eyebrows shot up. “Well, good for her. It’s about time she told her parents to lay off.”

Olivia tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Interesting. It seems she’s discovering a backbone.”

Maxwell sauntered back over as well, and guests start rising from their tables as the servers clear the tea trays away. They begin forming a line into the garden with King Liam waiting at the front.

Emma watched with curiosity. “Where’s everyone going? Are we line-dancing now?”

Olivia blinked. “This is a court, not a barn.”

Maxwell shook his head. “I think we’re just supposed to pay our respects to King Liam before we leave.”

Ugh, I just want to go.  “Leave it to the court to turn saying goodbye into a ceremony.” He grumbled, getting up and leaving the table. Everyone else can say their goodbyes. Drake is heading back to the hotel to find himself a nice hard drink.

We’re leaving for New York tomorrow. Back where everything began. Back where we met. Back where…Back where Maxwell chose her for Liam…Yup. I’m hitting the bottle tonight.

@annekebbphotography @carabeth @gardeningourmet @eileendannie @dancetothestoriesinyoursoul @alesana45 @thequeenofcronuts @zigortega4life @drakewalkerfantasy

  @hrhdes @drakewalkerisreal @akrenich @feartheendlesssummer @moonlightgem7 @i-miss-trr @noey718-blog @snyggflicka @rhymesmenagerie @i-only-signed-up-for-fanfiction @crookedslimecreatorpasta @be-still-my-aching-heart

[wolf-in-a-suit]

Soul tax

Show: Supernatural

Summary: So your in hell! Not actual hell, but considering your annoying coworker Kevin and a soul draining boss, that would give Lucifer a run for his money, it's as close as it get's. How are you going to survive corporate purgatory? And why is there a new rich customer asking for the help of an intern? Well, find out...

You sighed, for what felt like the hundredth time that hour. The busy clicking of your coworker’s fingers, dancing over his keyboard, was the lullaby threatening on rendering you unconscious. Never before, had you been so grateful for the wall of blinding computer monitors separating your desks, but here the annoying things gifted you with a secluded fortress. A bastion against the boredom of corporate life, you - or rather your brothers - had subjected yourself to. So, you continued to try to look busy, 'researching' on your favorite music website. Who knew, the insurance company you worked for could get a client from the music industry any day now, you were just preparing for any eventuality.

Bam - the door flew open and you, along with your heart, jumped into the air. Funny, you had never realized how utterly terrifying the appearance of a boss could be, you would rather go two rounds in the ring with a Vendigo, than face the sharp gaze of your supervisor. Once your guts had settled back into their respected places, you switched the screen with two clicks to the numbers you were so busy working on. Then you turned, to face cooperate doom personified, and were greeted with - a deserted hallway. Weird. Kevin your coworker, was too engrossed into the exciting world of paperwork to pay any attention, or care for that matter. Shapeshifters couldn't turn invisible right? "Are you actually going to get some work done, today?" A sneering voice erupted from behind the mountain of paperwork. 'Shut up, Kevin!' was the first thing shooting through your mind, but of course, an interested intern couldn't say that. So, you settled on the next best remark: "Yeah, right away."

See, that would teach him! You really had to hand it to the normal folks, this was just hell. The hunter life seemed like a walk in a flower field compared to the stacks of paper threatening to bury you here! Anger burned in your stomach, just thinking about your brothers. "Sorry kiddo but you're the responsible one, so it's perfect." Dean’s clap on your shoulder was followed by a wink. Going with the family motto: Offence is the best defense you started: „But Sam was a-" Sam’s voice seemed unusually rushed while cutting you off: "And we're both far too old to apply as an intern, it would look suspicious." To his credit he writhed a little under your smoldering glare. Dean on the other hand, seemed unimpressed. "You don't wanna tip the shapeshifter off, right?" And thus your contract for eternal - one month - suffering was signed. "Today!" The tower of paperwork had grown even more. Oh, how you wished that Kevin was the shifter... That would be so much fun. Bam- this time you didn't react to the door barging open, some draft insisted on gifting you with a possibly fatal scare every ten minutes today. Apparently your survival skills had dulled, this much was clear, when instead of a gust of air your boss, in all her imposing glory rushed into the room. When her sharp eyes focused on your computer screen, currently advertising the newest training trends, her neat shoes clicked to a stop at once. 'Busted! What is she doing here?' According to her neatly plucked eyebrows, just now meeting on the bridge of her nose, she wasn't about to hand you the employee of the month award. Your body tensed, a rabbit preparing to be swallowed whole, though to your surprise the snake didn't bear its fangs, instead: "There is an important, very wealthy-" here her eyes glazed over almost lovingly, as if talking about her boyfriend "-customer, I need help with." With the air of a privet, subjecting himself to a possibly fatal mission - all for the glory of his homeland - Kevin rose from his seat. "So ___, come along!" Pluck, Kevin’s weight falling heavily back into his chair would have been music to you, if you panic hadn’t started to wreaked havoc in your chest. You had no idea how to help! You were just the intern, the glorified doormat of any company! Did they now expect you to take on responsibility, as well, as making coffee? "Mam, do you really think I'm the right person for...?" She scoffed dark hair whipping on her shoulders. "For whatever reason, the client requested the presence of an intern." If your inner alarm bell hadn’t bleared before it now was Quasi Modo having a nervous breakdown in Notre Dames bell tower. Clack, clack your bosses strides echoed down the corridor an urgent beat to them. You simply followed, entering the meeting room meekly behind her. The sight that greeted you there was enough to freeze your whole body.

"Ah how lovely, fresh blood." There, sitting both proudly and relaxed at the same time was none other than Crowley. His devious smirk was accented by his black suit and blood red tie. You settled on the most eloquent and suave approach to handling the situation like a pro: Starring at the demon dumbstruck.

"Not the most extroverted flower in the pot, hmm?" His white teeth gleamed and your boss made a sound probably supposed to be a laugh, while nudging you -rather forceful- into the direction of your 'client'. "Well, ___ here is new and you’re her first client: Stage fright, all part of the rooky year experience." She clapped your shoulder in a seemingly jovial manner, but the tightening of her grip, with nails as sharp as claws, wasn’t lost to your aching flesh. The demon’s eyes followed while you were being ‘respectfully’ manhandled into a seat across from him. His dark eyes gleamed with mirth at the prospect of the Winchester sister being served to him on a silver platter. "So Mr. Johnson, I think you will love our offer of..." but you would never know what exactly was so tempting in making a deal with the devil. Which was for the better, as you had no idea who would claim the soul of whom in this tank full of sharks. "Mrs. Smith, I would prefer your esteemed-" he pressed the word, emitting all it’s sweet juice "-intern here, to handle the hard work." The smile fell, as your boss smelled deceit but was soon replaced with an even broader smile. "Mr. Johnson, surely you want someone familiar with the work to handle your case, in order to avoid any mistakes." Shark teeth shone brightly in the dim light of the room. When Crowley reached out you almost jumped him. Judging by the mocking sideway look he cast you, your murderous intention wasn't lost to him. He didn't deter, however and grasped your boss’s hand.

"I would rest easier if I knew your delicate fingers to not be bothered with such trivial matters." Such foul sweetness was placed into each syllable that you felt the need to empty your lunch into the trash can, next to the desk. The bastard even had the audacity to stroke the woman's hand, while silently enjoying your reaction immensely. "Furthermore, everyone needs to start with some client and I so do love helping people learn from their mistakes." The dark charm rolling over your boss did the rest: "Of course Mr. Johnson, thank you for giving our intern this possibility." All caution and businessman ship forgotten, she almost floated out of the room. Clack, the door fell shut leaving you, glaring at a very satisfied demon. You couldn't keep your eyebrow from climbing farther up your brow. "Johnson? You gotta be kiddin' me!" The king of hell, simply regarded his nails. "Well, I suppose some of that Winchester charm has rubbed off on me." "What do you want? What are you planning?" At this Crowley feigned a hurt expression. "Darling, you wound me! Am I not allowed to visit you at work? I am merely a concerned-" "Like hell you are! Now spill!" He halted in his theatric pose, a hand on his nonexistent heart, and regarded you for a moment. The former mocking quality of his dark eyes froze and an unsettling expression crept into them. "You're just like moose, always looking for the great agenda. But did you ever consider the fact that..." Here, he leaned in, far too close for comfort "... I'm just enjoying seeing you squirm?" He leaned back and continued in a relaxed fashion: "One of the merits of being a demon, is seeing a certain hunter jump each time a door flies open." A roar escaped you "You little son of a..." The demon ignored your outburst and activated a button on the table. "Mrs. Smith, I believe your intern needs help here." His eyes drifted up to you, gesticulating and waving to him: ‘Please don't do this to me!’, but the sadistic expression stretching around his features, spoke volumes about the nose dive your day was about to take. What a day! Crowley had taken every opportunity, and you meant every opportunit, to make your live miserable: Asking for the most complex contract, an exact calculation of every financial way his investment could play out were just love tabs for him. Each time you dared to deviate from your task, mostly by throwing curses at him, he simply called for your boss like a lap dog. At the end the Chi Wawa thanked him for his patience with the untrained intern. You facial muscles still felt sore for trying to hold a smile at that. What had you ever done to deserve this!?

"Hey, Zuckerberg how is going?" Dean greeted, while you were busy throwing the heavy warded door to the bunker with too much force back in it’s place. Sadly, it simply drifted shut with a click. So much for therapeutic, anger reducing, door slamming. You spared your brothers an unamused look, while muttering something about ‘planning to kill someone’. Slam, the door to your room, wasn’t as fortified against a twenty-something’s fury. Sam and Dean exchanged a look, and silently agreed: Whatever it was would settle itself, they put a good amount of distance, between themselves and your room, for good measure. After all, they didn't want to be over bearing brothers! Without changing your clothes you fell into bed, vowing to kill both Crowley and Kevin. The tortured faces of your soon would be victims, lulled you into a restful slumber.

You woke up to the heavenly smell of coffee and the soft sound of a strumming guitar. Carefully opening one eye, you were greeted by the sight of a tablet, laden with croissant, jam and an apple on a stool right next to your bed. “What the actual, …” How did your brother’s get through your closed door. A few moments later, nursing your first cup of coffee you started to wake up. With that came the realization that this wasn’t a very Dean, or Sam-ly fashion of showing support. ‘But who?” That’s when you registered who was singing on the record: "I went to the crossroad, fell down on my knees."

The next minute was filled with you, spluttering, trying to emit coffee from your lungs. When you finally calmed down you sat on your bed, a little shell shocked, but soon a small smile stole itself on your features. To the seemingly empty room you said: ”Well, thank you Mr. Johnson!”

[killmongerthirst]

Two of the same.

Pairing: T’challa x reader, Erik Killmonger x reader

Summary: basically a love triangle between two gods

Warnings: language, violence, kissing?

Part 1   Part 2    Part 3

Third person pov

-

The two cousins stood by the balcony, watching their beloved run through the garden, her yellow summer dress flowing behind her moving figure, matching with the setting sun. A smirk settled on both of their lips, knowing they both had her. As Y/N stopped running and laid on the ground, T'challa turned to Erik, his face w changing from smirking to anger as he watches Erik watch her like she was his.

"She'll never love you like she loves me, you know that right? you cant win," T'challa spoke, and although Erik was listening, his never once tore his eyes away from Y/N's figure.

"I think you forget, I'm stronger than you, smarter than you, better than you. I could give her happiness you could never think of giving her. You don't know how to treat a real queen," Erik snarled. His fists were folding in his chest, his arms bulging around the pressure of the small blue shirt. T'challa scoffed, ignorant of his advantage, that he didnt notice just how cunning Erik was.

"Well, all I know is that she's not gonna fall in love with you if you're spending the rest of your time in jail," T'challa said smugly, now turning his back and walking away. He sent in two guards to escort Erik down to jail, not knowing that he was doing exactly what Erik wanted.

Reader pov

-

As you sat in the garden, the earth between your fingers and the grass settling around you, Shuri came out and sat with you, both of you sitting in silence, just watching the sunset over the mountains. The mix between orange and pink enchanted you, the low glow of the sun rays bounced off your skin. your eyes closed as you took a deep breath of fresh air.

"I'm guessing T'challa has told you what happened?" You said quietly, your fingers playing with the grass beneath you as Shuri hummed.

"He's put Killmonger in jail." She replied, placing a hand on yours, both of you looking at each other sadly. You nodded as a silent reply, you didnt know why your eyes were threatening to water, or why you even cared. Erik stalked you. But you still couldn't get his face out of your head, and it infuriated you. He was like an itch that wouldn't go away, the constant scratching ripping away your skin and make you bleed.

"Come on then, we should go in before it gets dark," Shuri said, already standing and holding out a hand for you. Placing your hand in hers, you stood and crashed your body into hers, hugging her tightly as you sniffled. You were sure she was confused as to why you felt this fucking sad over a guy you didnt know and the king.

You both walked back into the palace, the stars shining above the whole city, you watched from the windows in the grand hallways showed the city below lighting up with different colours. There where festivals and parades on for the celebration of the new king, the lights shining bright and colourful, it reminded you of Christmas.

As you stood there, alone, your mind wondered to Erik, again. You mind mapped the features of his face, wondering how something so evil could be so beautiful. It scared you to no end that you found yourself attracted to Erik. You had no reason to want anything more than T'challa, as you have for your whole life. Besides, T'challa was the King, and you could be the Queen, rule by his side and help him with everything.

As you were deep in thought, your legs were taking you to a place you had never been. You knew where you were going, but you didnt want to admit to yourself that your own conscious had lead you here. To him. You continued walking until you came face to face with the vibranium bars, which enclosed a shirtless Erik on the floor, doing push-ups as he grunted with every lift. The sound made you clench your thighs as your mind wandered to other things. You let out a small whimper, catching Erik's attention as he turned around. When he saw you, his lips twitched into the biggest grin you had ever seen, he stood in his place and wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. The moonlight that escaped through the small windows shone on his body, making his muscles look glorious and his face look like a sculpture. You adored the way his eyes where always so intense, and his eyebrows always moved with a mind of there own.

"Hello princess," He spoke, his rough voice travelling through your spine and straight to your core as you let out a deep puff of air.

"Where are all the guards?" You asked, seriously concerned about why you haven't stopped from walking into the prison. He laughed at your question, shaking his head as he looked you up and down, still in your yellow sundress, with a collection of brown mud around the edges and down your back. Erik moved closer to the bars, closer to you as your breath hitched. His scent hit your nostrils as you sighed in content, he smelt like fresh cut grass, twilight and even looked like one of the brightest stars in the sky. His smile flashed you his pearl white teeth, his golden canines winking at you.

"Took the day off," He said, his dimples still smiling at you as you felt trapped, even though you weren't the one in jail.

"Now princess, wanna tell me why you're here? couldn't stay away could you," You couldn't even respond to his question because you knew he was right, his smugness irritated you to no end, but he was like a magnet to you; you stepped closer to him, the bars being the only thing separating you.

His hands came out of the bars, caressing your face as your eyes closed in pure bliss. You finally felt that annoying itch fade as he touched you, you felt as if his touch had cured you of everything you had ever done and been through.

"I've been wanting to touch you for so long, princess," He whispered, so close that you could feel his breath on your face. You felt so warm and comfortable with him, and you don't even know him. This was insane. You needed to get out, now.

Just as you were about to leave his touch, Erik roughly grabbed your wrist, pulling you back so your front was pushed harshly against your skin. You winced as the coldness of the bars hot you like a storm.

"I'll see you soon, ok? Sleep well my love,"

He let go of you as you quickly rushed out of the prison, your breathing harsh and irregular. You slammed the door to the prison shut as you sat on the stairs and placed your head in your hands. You hated how this man had any effect on you whatsoever. You never normally fell so easily, especially to a man you had known for just over two hours. But something told you Erik was beyond special.

You were in the bath as you heard a knock on your door. You sighed, contemplating whether you should just stay silent until they go away. The warmth of the hot water and the soothing bubbles surrounding you, relieving the stress-it was needed.

"Y/N, let me in, please," T'challa spoke from the other side of your door. You knew you should open it, but you couldn't face him knowing you had just returned from seeing Erik.

"Give me a second," You shouted, reluctantly stepping out of the bathtub, wrapping your silk robe around you as you slowly walked towards the door. You swung the door open, pulling T'challa in and quickly closing it again. 

"What do you want?" You spoke, walking over to your dressing table as you sat down, watching T'challa in the mirror, walking around the room and sitting down on the bed.

"Erik has challenged me for the throne, and now that his parentage has been revealed, I cannot deny," He began, looking down at his hands, twirling his thumbs together as you turned in your chair to look at him directly. 

"T'challa, you-you cant, he's smart he'll beat you," You spoke, your voice higher as you ran over to his side, holding his hands in yours.

"Do you doubt me Y/N?" T'challa asked, his eyes now looking at yours, sadness and anger both swirling in his pupils.

"Of course not T'challa, but Erik has spent his life trying to kill you, do you not think that maybe this one time you may be wrong? He is powerful, more than you think," You said quietly you regretted your words, knowing you sounded like you were siding with Erik. To be honest, you had no idea what you were doing, your mouth was speaking before your brain could catch up.

"I am your fucking King Y/N, I deserve respect when you talk to me. You're mine, you always have been and now that Erik comes into the picture you fall at his knees, for fuck sake, I would give my life for you!" He began to shout, making you feel small and helpless. He was right. And you knew it.

As you were thinking about his words, he had pressed you back down onto the bed, his body falling on top of yours, his elbows each side of your head as his face was inches away from yours.

"I love you Y/N, I have since we where children," He whispered, his eyes searching yours for any emotion other than utter confusion.

"T'challa i-" You spoke, being cut off by T'challas words,

"I know you went to see him, you went behind my back and saw Erik in jail. Tell me, why?" He asked. For the life of you, you couldn't answer him, not because you didnt know, but because you couldn't bare hurting him. When he looked so broken and helpless above you, wanting and needing you to tell him you love him too. But you just couldn't find the words too.

As you both lay there in silence, he sighed heavily, standing abruptly and turning towards the door.

"Promise me that no matter what happens in the challenge, you will be mine," He said, hearing the break in his voice, which in return, broke your heart.

"Promise."

@bubbleboss17 

[we-were-legends]

“Champion’s dawn”

Chapter 18 - “We all hope for vengeance”

Previous chapter | Next chapter

'Is he breathing?'

Celeborn bended down to Arvellon who was covered in blanket and looked like a caterpillar. All of them enjoyed the celebration with more fervour than it was wise. But the Green Elves were had no restraint in either love or celebration and the mood sticked to them easily. Oropher with Celeborn played with Celduin and others with juggling the torches and spitting fire. Even Faron joined them it this and he proved to be well trained in this activity as well. The task was not easy and their burn marks would last for Changes before fading away. And wine had not helped at all with precise throwing of torches. And before they knew they were pleasantly lost among the crowd.

Then a grunt assured them that their young cousin was concious enough to speak.

'I am well.' he said surfacing from the blanket with tangled hair. 'But I admit I may have had too much wine. Before you ask, I got to my talan myself. I have not swayed around.'

'Good.' Celeborn said knowing that neither him or Oropher were in place to scold him as they too enjoyed their wine.

'I will be up in a moment.' Arvellon sighted resigned and layed back on his pillow.

'Be sure to eat your breakfast.' Oropher said, though after all the the wine and cider he drank up he didn't have the apetite to eat anything himself.

They left Arvellon's talan to leave their cousin in peace. Oropher was glad Arvellon enjoyed his time and that he probably gained new allies and friends. He was also happy that the Green Elves took caution to not drag Arvellon into trials of challenges and if anything he took part in only few duels. Oropher knew well the way of thinking of the Green Elves and he didn't want them to share their wisdom with Arvellon who was, despite himself, still prone to opinions of others.

'I am going for a hunt with few warriors. I may not be back for many Changes.' Oropher said wanting to inform his cousin and Celeborn was silent for a moment, deep in own thought and then he cought Oropher's arm halting him.

'You said before that you worry about me and Arvellon.' he said. 'But more than anything it's me who is worried about you two. And I have a reason for it.'

Oropher frowned at this and let Celeborn take him by arm to walk out of sight and now they stood on the verge of the forest near the great oak.

'I am a King's Herald. Everything that's happening here depends on my words and chieftains are aware of this. Especially Toreth.' Celeborn continued. 'Warriors are not as united as you may think and there are some who would take rapid actions to do what is expected of them, although it's great minority of them. It is you and Arvellon who may be in more danger than me.'

'Have they threatened to hurt me or Arvellon?' Oropher asked with dark tone and Celeborn shook his head.

'You know it do not work like this.' Celeborn sighted. 'I doubt anything shall happen to any of you, but who knows, maybe you will meet a bear on this hunt? Or fall beneath the ice of frozen water?' he shook his head. 'I need to try and get as many as Elwë wants. Or at least gain information. But knowledge is as dangerous as a sword and prying in certain matters can be devastating. It will be you or Arvellon who will suffer for it to show me this. I want you to be careful.'

'I will be with Faron. And Celduin will be there too.' Oropher said. 'Toreth is determined to isolate Ossiriand from Doriath, but I doubt she would dare to harm us. Should it even look like an accident.'

'Desperation is a powerful weapon.' Celeborn answered. 'Her followers are mainly Spirit Guiders, many others don't look kindly to her strict opinions. They prefer to hear Nestor instead. Green Elves are friendly towards Doriath and treat us like kin, they care for our well being, though I don't think many of them will accept the invitation to live in our woods.'

'They love this land. And won't leave it behind.' Oropher said quietly and sighted. 'No one said it would be easy. You do what you must and don't fear about me. Nothing will harm me out there. I hunted bears before and I am a great swimmer.'

Celeborn was unconvienced and Oropher could not blame him. His cousin clearly saw a larger picture that involved elves of many different stations and ranks and somehow, Celeborn could tie them together seeing their relations. Oropher's picture was limited ��� his knowledge of the Court of Elwë and Cheiftains of Ossiriand was decent and he could not predict what will happen out of it in the future. But Celeborn was right – it was not him who would be targeted, but Oropher and Arvellon and Oropher would do well to worry more about himself now and watch his own back.

'I will speak later with Nestor. Maybe there can be something done to lower Toreth's significance among the chieftains.' Celeborn said, puzzling himself about this matter. 'Maybe Celegil could take her place?'

'I doubt she would.' Oropher smiled. 'She sits in the Council as the voice of the warriors.'

'I will think of something.' Celeborn said and then he looked at Oropher once was with all seriousness. 'I meant what I said. Not all warriors hold to their vows and they are ready to break the alliance they once swore. Be careful who you trust.'

'If something shall hapen to me, Orthon will have their heads.' Oropher said with all confidence. 'Celegil and Iach won't leave this be either, we are brothers in arms. Besides, Denethor treated me like his own. No one would dare to rise a hand on me.'

'Your close relation with Denethor may be the main cause to remove you.' Celeborn answered and then shook his head to send away any of his dark thoughts. 'I don't mean to backbite anyone and I want our time in Ossiriand to be pleasant, after all. So is Nestor's desire and his people.'

'Your struggles are as hard as mine, cousin.' Oropher smiled trying to cheer Celeborn. 'Keep an eye on Arvellon and focus on what Elwë wants you to do. I will be careful and I will come back unharmed.'

'I believe you. You were always the most steadfast of us all.' Celeborn said and he tilted his head towards the elf wandering through the main clearing. 'And there appeared one more complication.'

Oropher followed Celeborn's eyes to see what he did. His eyes sharpened looking at this particular elf. It was white-haired Beleg strolling through the settlement, calm as always. Beleg always reminded Oropher of Amdír, but while thinking of Amdír he had pleasant memories of their childhood and teen age yeard, Beleg always woke in him treacherous agression.

'Keep your calm.' Celeborn eased him. 'He arrived not long ago to the settlement. It was long since we saw him in Doriath, no one knows where he travels. I am not sure where his loyalties are, he is too much like Amdír.'

Hair bristled on his neck and head lowered in threatening stance, but falcon's eyes were aware of its surrounding. It won't be cought off guard.

'What is he doing here?' Oropher growled prying his eyes away from Beleg to his cousin.

'You know him. He walks his own paths. But maybe his purpose is different this time. I intent to find out.' Celeborn asnwered. 'Try to not get provoked by him.'

Celduin appeared on the clearing with Faron leading out three horses from the forest. Now they awaited only for him to appear and they will head on for a hunt. Oropher noticed Faron's eyes sharpened and his face was a bit dark after he spotted Beleg. Those two didn't like each other and it was more than visible. But despite anything, Beleg was still a Leader of the Marchwardens and Oropher could not let Faron get into verbal brawls nor any archery competitions with Beleg. Although, Oropher would have joined Faron with pleasure into a fight, he was more than aware that Mablug would have his hide for this. Beleg outranked him and Oropher needed to stay in his line.

Moreover, Oropher didn't understand why King Elwe allowed Beleg for such freedom - he didn't show in Doriath for such long time that everyone probably forgot about him being such an important fuigure in Doriath. It seemed Beleg neither appeared in the Western Tower in Brethil forest, where the heart of command of the marchwardens was. Beleg so rarely showed himself in the Tower that in was needed for someone else to take over his duties. Beleg was too much like Amdír, or rather the other way around, but Celeborn was right - it was hard to predict what those two elves had in mind, either good or bad. Everything was possible with them. Oropher despized Beleg for such recklessness, this comtempt for duty and his rank - this elf deserved no respect in his eyes. And sadly, Amdír was just the same and long ago Oropher argued fiercely with his older cousin about it and they didn't spare their tongues for this.

Oropher looked at Celeborn and smiled to him a bit, trying to make him feel better anyhow. Celeborn had a hard trail ahead and he hoped that with Arvellon they will find solution to their every concern.

'Good luck with the chieftains.'

'All the same, cousin. Good hunting.'

He stepped out from the shadows and Celduin brightened up when he noticed him, while Faron still had gloomy look on his face.

'We are going south, closer to river Brilthor.' Celduin said jumping on his dark brown horse. 'We hope to cross the path of caribous migrating west.'

'Perfect.' Oropher smiled, though he clearly sensed Faron's unease even standing this distance away from him, but Faron was quick to let go of unpleasant emotions. He always said to not ruin your day with one unpleasant thing.

'Good to see you.' he said to Oropher and briefly patted his stallion. 'I hope you enjoyed the celebration.'

'I heard it was magnificent.'

Oroper turned sharply flashing blazing tempest at the elf that stood behind him. Beleg had arms crossed on chest and smile on his face was like steadfast resolution.

'It's rude to force yourself into conversation.' he just said and Beleg smirked delicately at this and pushed through unrelently.

'Nice to see Grey Elves around. I arrived immediately after I cought a word that you are here.'

'Without a need, I assure you.' Oropher answered and he went in Celduin's footsteps by jumping on his horse. 'You should keep to yourself. Your presence here is not necessary.'

'How rude of you to say such words.' Beleg laughed and then he looked at Faron. 'Well met, Faron. It's an honour to meet the greatest archer in Doriath. How good were your opponents?'

'At least they were there, Beleg. Unlike you.' Oropher said before Faron could growl something back. He came closer to white-haired elf and leaned a bit to him. As he continued his voice lowered. 'I don't know in what you are playing, but back off. Your achery is as good as long you have healthy hands and a bow. Few more words and something might break. My patience included.'

Beleg laughed, but stony sparks lilted in his eyes.

'We all hope for vengeance, sooner or later.' he said and Oropher frowned at this, not understanding what it had to do with anything they spoke about, but Beleg continued. 'You and Amdír could have made a great team. Too bad you chose a collar.'

Then Beleg reached out and got his hand closer to his cheek. It was really a ghost of a touch which Oropher felt all too plainly for his own taste. Faster than a viper's bite he cought Beleg's wrist and pried his hand away from his face, shining green furious eyes down at the elf.

'Better hope that our paths won't cross ever again.'

'I will be long gone before you will be back.' Beleg smiled widely and then added a title for amusement. 'My Prince.'

Oropher pushed him away which forced Beleg to take a step back and then he bid his horse to gallop away. Celduin and Faron moved just behind him and Beleg had to step further back to not be docked by Faron's horse. As fast as they were out of the settlement and Beleg, they halted their horses to walk and the animals relaxed then, reaching their necks far and down to the ground to get a bit of a grass. Their pace was brisky as they were binded even by no saddle. Even Faron's stallion calmed visibly, enjoing the ride.

Oropher felt Celduin's hand catching his own and he looked at the elf riding on his left and when he did Celduin smiled warmy which he returned. Celduin was a truly fair elf with his heart on hand. Although a strong and indomitable warrior, privately Celduin was kind and ever supporting. Oropher feared that in a long distant relationship Celduin would have a hard time with his harsh nature – Celduin had never seen his livid nature, flashing thunders in his eyes and monsoon following his every step. Oropher doubted that Celduin looked for this in his partner for life.

'I'm sorry for this.' Oropher said gripping tighter Celduin's hand to emphasize what he meant. 'Beleg as always do not make his appearance pleasant and worth remembering.'

'I hope he will leave before our return.' Faron said from the other side of Celduin. His voice was still stiff with anger, but slowly he came back to his usual balance.

'So he said. And I hope he meant it.' Oropher said and Celduin laughed a bit.

'There are strange deals between elves in Doriath, are they not?' he shook his head. 'Not that here is any better. Let's hurry, we may yet catch up to some caribous.'

With those words Celduin went on the lead as he bid his horse to gallop. Faron and Oropher fell behind him sometimes riding one after the other when the road was not wide enough for two horses to gallop shoulder to shoulder.

Sounds of hooves echoed in the forest and sleepy trees focused for a brief moment to see who it was being noisy around. White-tailed eagles flew over the forest, deers looked up at them from the depths of the woods and owls hooted characteristicaly. Ossiriand was wilder even than the forest of Neldoreth. They turned deeper into the forest and dark shapes run along, shining eyes at them.

There was something in those woods. Oropher realized that Queen Melian was not the only Maiar who loved this land more than the one in the West. Powerful Spirits binded themselves into the earth, into the water and the air. Oropher looked in between the trees where ever present mist hidden what didn't wish to be seen. A hare looked up and perked huge ears in their direction. It springed to run immediately and with the first step it took it was no longer a hare that run along with them, but a fast wolf with long legs. Skinwalkers were the silent eyes of the forest – ever watchful and ever present.

Oropher turned his eyes away from the trees in good moment. Faron before him stopped sharply and Celduin before him did it as well.

'Bisons!' Celduin called loudly at the same time sharply turning his horse and Faron did it hastily as well.

The wide road before them was taken by those massive animals that galloped straightly at them rising around the loud beats of their hooves. Bisons at the lead were like iron rams driving with overwhelming force into anything that stood in their way. They moved much faster than one would assume from such large animal and mighty bull on the lead threw its head threateningly.

Oropher followed his companions and bid Hakon to much faster gallop. Despite the dangerous situation they were in Celduin laughed aloud at the beginning and Faron joined him. Oropher looked behind at the bisons – they were fast, but horses were swifter and kept them well distance away that begin to be wider. Wind cut their faces overwhelming any other sound and horses pushed forward feeling free to spring up into eve faster gallop. Overthrown tree on their way was no obstacle and they manage it with ease, jumping through it without even sowing down.

Soon Celduin turned to much smaller road which bisons won't follow and they dissapeared in another part of the forest. Now, their horses trotted more calmly, breathing deeply and throwing their heads, actually glad after such mad gallop. They were closer to the eastern side of the forest now, but not close enough for the mountains to cast their shadow on them.

'We are closer to the mountains.' Celduin said confirming Oropher's thoughts of their location.

'Maybe some mouflons wandered down to the forest.' Faron said and bid his horse to move down the path. 'I will check it out.'

Whatever animal lived in the woods, Faron would track it down. They just had to sit back and wait for a sign to join him.

Oropher let Hakon crop the grass, while he observed the woods. In a blink of an eye he saw an owl flying by, but there was no way to hear where it went. They seemed to be left alone and there were no eye prying curiously at them.

Celduin stopped his horse beside his own and he leaned down to kiss him softly. Celduin's hair were were braided neatly with feathers all around and he wore a necklace with wolf teeth. Oropher gathered his wavy hair into ponytail which he rarely did.

'You don't have bisons in Doriath, do you?'

'Not many. Few bulls wander through Region forest.' Oropher answered and he reached his hand playing with beadings in Celduin's hair.

'Faron speaks very highly of you.' the Green Elf said as he gazed for a moment at the horses croping grass. 'That you are able to change the tide of the world.'

'I am not a leader of this sort.' Oropher said and it was truth. Only specific individuals followed him and approved his actions. Far more preferred more toned leadership.

'You are hot-blooded and you are no politician, that's true.' Celduin said. 'But you have a heart of a warrior and you turn hesistancy into courage. You make your decisions clear with no falter.' then Oropher noticed there was a bit of hope in his friend's blue eyes. 'You are someone that we carve for. Green Elves are divided, if many of us will decide to live in Doriath, it's because of you. You are our only hope and friend out there.'

Their horses stood close enough to each other for Oropher to reach out and embrace Celduin, kissing him briefly. He could not give them what they needed. He had no power to do it. Oropher's influence in the Court and Council ended with Celeborn, Galathil and his father. On this field he was helpless and he could impose nothing on the Nobles and Councillors, just as they couldn't force him to do anything. If something would threaten the Green Elves inside Doriath, if they would be pressures on them, the only thing he could do was to gather an army and stand in open rebellion agaist the Crown – a fight lost from the very beginning. They would end up either dead or exiled.

Celduin embraced him back snuggling into his neck. His friend seemed lost in the situation that Ossiriand now faced. Unity under one ruler gave them strength. Now, with so many Chieftains and views for the future, Ossiriand was weak as it never was, with phantom of war above them - facing the dwarves and darkness in war may be too much.

'If your people will decide to live in Doriath, they will always be free to reach out to me. And I promise I will do everything to help them.' he said, promising only what he could.

'I know you can't do what I ask for.' Celduin said. 'But I am grateful anyway for your words. If the dwarves will move against us, we are lost.'

'They won't risk it.' Oropher said as he pulled away and kissed Celduin's head trying to ease him anyhow. 'Doriath will face the dwarves in war if needed, we are on your side. The King said it himself.'

'Yes, but how many will die until you will rise an army?' Celduin said and then he shook his head smiling a bit. 'Forgive me, I don't wish to throw my worries on you. I am sure you have enough of your own.'

'I sure have, but if I can ease down yours, I will.' Oropher said and cought Celduin's hand, smiling a bit as well. Celduin tightened grip on his hand and sighted trying to get himself in grip once more. Then he looked looked all over Oropher's face.

'You should wear your hair like this more often. It suits you.' he said. 'Or maybe you should move the parting more on a side and flip your hair so it would fall on your arm. We would cut a bit hair on the other side-'

'I won't cut my hair!' Oropher interrupted and Celduin huffed a bit.

'You Sindar hold on so much to propriety! Hair grow back, why you should worry?'

'I represent Doriath and I can't carry myself extravagantly!' Oropher said. 'I am a bit of a public person, after all.'

'Of course, my Prince.' Celduin purred and smiled at his friend. He always liked to tease Oropher like this. 'Why won't you show me later all of this?'

Their rest in the talan won't be rest at all, of that Oropher was sure. But before he managed to say something back sharp wind springed up and it came from the mountains. It was strong like a current in Esgalduin and even more cold. Their horses rised up their heads alarmed and perked ears at the surroundings.

'Avalanche went down the mountains.' Celduin said looking up at the snowy peaks before them. 'This winter will be harsh, we will have to make more shelters for horses.'

A tawny owl sounded somewhere in the forest, but they both knew it was no bird that was heard. Faron found something and called them to approach.

They followed the way that Faron went before, keeping themselves silent and only their horses made any noises while breaking branches on the forest ground. Faron had gone pretty far and to their surprise he was not lurking anywhere observing his prey. Instead he stopped his horse in small bushes and he was seen from every direction. Oropher grimaced at the sudden unpleasant smell and he looked at Celduin who sensed it too. It smelled as if something rotted nearby for long, like an old meat that was not prepared on time. They trotted their horses to Faron to see what he did.

They stood before the five corpses of huge elks that were placed in a single row. It was not bear's kill nor wolves had anything to do with this. Grass around the corpses was dark as it absorbed all blood and Oropher was not surprised anymore about the foul smell he sensed before. Elks bodies were slowly decaying, eaten by insects that crawled in the meat and only then Oropher heard that pecific sound of moving vermins.

'Yrch have not done this as well.' Faron said knowing what he was thinking about and then he handled Oropher a single arrow. 'I found this in one of the bodies.'

Oropher took a good look at the arrow. The tip was made of stone, well carved and probably melted a bit with fire. It was sharpened perfectly on the very tip, while the rest of the arrow was made of very dark wood and an its end there were no ornaments.

'Dark elves!' Celduin said and Oropher frowned. Only their tribes used such arrows and weapons stylished just the same. But the Dark Elves were very rarely seen on this side of the mountains.

'What's their business here?' Oropher asked glancing through Faron to Celduin.

'Hard to tell.' Faron said, but he seemed to be deep in thought. 'When I lived in Ossiriand they used to hunt in those woods sometimes, for various reasons.'

'It seems to be this various reason.' Celduin asked. 'We have neutral relations with our dark kin. We let them hunt on our lands and take shelter in the woods. They don't wish to cross paths with us and they don't disturb us anyhow.' he took a good look on the elks before them. 'It seems more like a ritual kill.'

Celduin was most likely right. The elks had no eyes, however those were not cut out mindlessly, but shelled out with perfect precision. Hooves were cut out as well leaving terrifying looking stumps, all the fur and meat was left behind – only internal organs were taken away as it could be seen by the smooth cut on the abdomen.

'There were no clashes between us. Never.' Celduin said. 'But we report any sightings of them. We should head back.'

Oropher gave him the arrow to keep and they turned away their horses, leaving the area of filthy smell with a gallop.

On their way back they encountered no bisons. Skinwalkers also didn't seem to lurk around and follow them, flashing yellow eyes around.

The next change arrived when they walked slowly towards the settlement. They were in no rush and they didn't hasten their horses needlessly. Celduin tricked Faron into telling how he tried to catch a moose on a rope and he ended up being dragged throught the meadow in deep snow.

'You looked like a snow monster!' Celduin laughed remembering his cousin being all covered in snow. 'You were lucky to not be trampled!

'Faron, sometimes I wonder how you survived your childhood in Ossiriand!' Oropher laughed as well at a lone image, knowing that his idea was no better when he and Galathil took shields from the armory and slided down the muddy hill into the forest. The crush with a tree was unavoidable...and painful.

'I ask myself this question sometimes.' Faron laughed and Celduin focused up on his own commander when they entered the settlement.

'Iach!' he called bidding his horse to gallop forth and Faron with Oropher followed him. 'Dark Elves have been spotted in the south, though I am not sure how many of them were there.'

He gave Iach an arrow who took a good look on it.

'Quite close to our talans. They never did that.' he muttered and then he looked at Celduin. 'Tell the hunters to have eyes open, maybe they will find more of their tracks. I don't expect anything harmful from them, but I prefer to know where they use to go.'

Celduin nodded and left them looking for a nearby hunters who will soon had off to the forest. Iach looked at them and he sighted.

'They talk and talk as if the world was ending. I don't know how long you can set down few matters.' Iach said and shrugged his arms. 'Oh, Faron, your uncle was looking for you.'

'I will meet him then.' Faron said and they cought hands with Oropher in warrior's gesture before he galloped away and Oropher looked down at Iach.

'So, the counsel in still on.'

'It is and my guts tell me that no one will walk out of there with content.'

'That's how compromise works, does it not?'

'It should, at least.' Iach said and walked away, back on his previous path.

Oropher jumped down his horse and let Hakon go to the herd that was somewhere nearby. He climbed up his talan with still extinguished lantern, symbolising that no one was there.

Except that there was – Celduin got to him when he barely even walked inside. They kissed and Celduin quickly got to undoing his light coat and Oropher helped him, throwing it away once in was unbuttoned. For a moment they pulled away to take off their shirts and they kissed deeply once more deeply.

Celduin gave all of himself as always and Oropher took it pleasuring him, smoothing light brown hair that fell down his back, kissing his arms and neck with known desire. In turn, Celduin embraced his waist and pulled him to the bedding, biting lip at a lone though what pleasure soon awaited them and Oropher let himself be lead by his lover knowing their need was just the same and will end up in great passion.

The rest of their clothes soon joined their shirts and Oropher let Celduin lie him down on the bedding, knowing what his lover had in mind. Impatiently, he bid Celduin above him slowly preparing him, kissing and soothing, while the elf sounded his pleasure and held close to him and soon, Oropher admired Celduin's body above him, holding his thights and helping him move, marvelling that Celduin gave himself in such wonderful way.

[minimin1993]

S/M 25 & B/L 25

Warning: Bucky feels!!

“Don’t you think you moved a little too quickly in this relationship?” Sebastian asked for the umff time since she and Daniel gotten together. 

“And I told you no I am not, Jennie and I had a mutual breakup. And I am not using him as a rebound.” Min said putting down her script. 

“Yeah but something doesn’t feel right about him.” 

“Sebastian please stop. I understand you are worried about me but I can handle it. Daniel has been great, and he respects my boundaries.” 

“I am just saying, I am not getting a good feeling about him.”

“Since we are on the topic of relationships again. Care to explain why you and Margarita broke up?” Min asked making Sebastian sigh. 

“I guess we just both wanted different things in life.” 

“Don’t you want to get married and have kids Sebastian?”

“God she told you.” Sebastian said rubbing his face in frustration. “I do, don’t get me wrong but you know how I grew up, I didn’t have great role models in a successful marriage. I guess I am just scared.”

“Its okay to be scared Sebastian but that doesn’t mean you and Margarita should break up.” 

“Can we not talk about this please? It's done and over.” 

“Ok, I will stop.” 

  Linda and Bucky had settled into a simple life living peacefully as possible. Of course there are nights where Bucky would thrash and scream or accidently hurt Linda but nothing major where she can heal from. Today was a normal day for the pair just enjoying each other's company when Linda turned on the TV and saw the news about what happened in Nigeria and how Wanda was the one who did it.    “Dam this is bad.” Linda said listening to the death count. 

“Do you want to go back and check up on them?” Bucky said sitting down on the couch next to her after hearing her silence he knew she does. “You should if you want to. You haven’t seen them in over a year.”

“I know but I enjoy our time here. They’ve been handling it without me for this long they can do it a while more.”

“Linda I don’t wan…” 

“You are not holding me back from doing anything. I rather be here with you.” Linda said looking over at Bucky. 

“If you say so love.” Bucky said grabbing her hand bringing up to his lips. They were enjoying the rest of the day until Linda phone rang and they both knows only one person has that number. Steve. 

“You already know what he is going to ask Linda. It's only a matter of time.” Bucky said retrieving the phone for Linda. 

“Hello?” Linda answered. 

“Hey sweetheart.” Steve said sounding really depressed.

“Are you okay?” Linda asked worried. 

“Shes gone Linda.” 

“Oh Stevie.” 

“I need you here with me Linda unless you have....” 

“I will be there with you Stevie, she means alot to me just as she was to you.” Linda said sadly. 

“I’ll see you soon sweetheart.” 

“See you Stevie.” Linda said ending the call fighting back the tears.

“Its going to be okay love..” Bucky said.

“I know, I know. But I don’t want to leave you, what if you disappear again. I can’t risk losing you.” Linda said.

“Love, I will be right here waiting for you to come back. Stevie needs you.” 

“Yeah but I need you.” 

“Baby….” 

“Fine. Fine.” Linda said standing up pulling Bucky with her to their bed. “I really need you James.” She whined.

  When Linda got to London Steve walked over to her hugging her tightly like his life depended on it.    “Stevie, it’s going to be okay.” Linda said soothing the giant super soldier who was crying onto her shoulder. 

“Come on Steve, the service is about to start soon.” Sam walks over to the pair. “Hey Linda.” 

“Hey Sam, it's good to see you again.” Linda said as they walk inside the cathedral, packed with mourners. A choir is singing. Steve is one of six pallbearers carrying a coffin draped with the Union Jack. When Steve sat down next to Linda she grabbed his hand and interlock their fingers together listening to the service.   

“And now, I would like to invite Sharon Carter to come up and say a few words.” The priest said as Sharons walks up looking at Steve. 

“  Margaret Carter was known to most as a founder of SHIELD . . . but I just knew her as Aunt Peggy.” Sharon said and Linda felt Steve hand tighten on hers. “She had a photograph in her office. Aunt Peggy standing next to JFK. As a kid, that was pretty cool. But it was a lot to live up to. Which is why I never told anyone we were related.” She said looking directly at Steve. “I asked her how she managed to master diplomacy and espionage in a time when no one wanted to see a woman succeed at either. And she said, compromise where you can. But where you can't, don't. Even if everyone is telling you that something wrong is something right. Even if the whole world is telling you to move . . . it is your duty to plant yourself like a tree, look them in they eye and say " No, you move." Sharon said continuing her speech. 

Once the service was over Linda gave Steve a few moments alone inside the Cathedral.

“Nice to see your back Linda.” Natasha said walking over to her.    “Likewise Tasha. I missed you.” Linda said hugging her.

“I missed you, we all did. You look good though, better than you ever looked.” Natasha said smirking at her.

“Yeah some time away from everything helps out a lot.” Linda said. 

“How’s Steve?” 

“Hanging on.” 

“So you heard about the Sokovia Accords?” 

“Yeah, and I am not signing it if that's what you’re implying. I’ve been on my own this long I am not going to serve anyone.” Linda said. 

“It looks like you have made up your mind.”    “Yeah…” 

“Well I am going to go talk to Steve.”

 “Ok.” Linda said watching Natasha walking back inside leaving Linda sit on the bench alone. 

“So are you back for good?” Sam asked walking over to Linda.

“No, just giving Steve some support he deserves.” Linda said.

“You know I try to get him to date but he is so damn stubborn sometimes.” Sam joked making Linda laugh.

“Trust me I know. But looks like we won’t have to wait that long.” Linda said nudging her head over to the entrance seeing Steve walk out with Sharon.    “Don’t you think its a little weird?” 

“That he is pinning for Peggy niece. Hell yes. But hey whatever floats his boat right.” 

“And what about you?” 

“What about me?” 

“Don’t you want to date?” Sam asks. 

“Naww I am technically still an engaged woman.” Linda said looking at her necklace with a smile.

“We will find him soon, but no promises on if he is still the same guy or not.” 

“We shall see.” Linda said with a smile walking back to the hotel until she comes across a store with the news playing.

“More than 70 people have been injured. At least 12 are dead, including Wakanda's King T'Chaka. Officials have released a video of a suspect who they have identified as James Buchanan Barnes, the Winter Soldier. The infamous HYDRA agent, linked to numerous acts of terrorism and political assassinations.” 

“He didn’t do it.” Linda whispered.

“Linda…” Sam tried to protest.

“No, he didn’t fucken do it.” She said walking away from him before disappearing. 

When Linda secures a non trackable jet she started to head back to Bucky but not before calling Steve.

“Linda where are you?” Steve asked 

“He didn’t do it Steve.”    “I know but where are you?” 

“I am sorry Steve for not telling you.” Linda said. 

“How long have you found him?” Steve asked.

“A few weeks after I left.” Linda said practically seeing the disappointed look on Steve's face. “He made me promise not to tell you. He is not the same Bucky you know.” 

“You should have told me.”

“I know and I am sorry but trust me, he didn’t do it. We have been living peacefully in the past few months.”

“Linda you have to tell me where he is, SHIELD is coming and they have orders to shoot on sight.” Steve said   

“I’ll send you the coordinates”Linda said. 

[foxofthedesert]

RQ OUaT FF | OGA: Ch. 15

Chapter 15 – Goodbye is Not Forever (Ao3 Link)

Regina bites back the bile rising up the column of her throat.

In extending the gnarled olive branch to Snow, she has not only abandoned a decade long crusade, but done so at Daniel's expense. Now he will never be avenged. Now, he can never rest in peace as he so deserves. Of the thousands of people she has come into personal contact with, there is only one person aside from her stable boy as worthy of both. Red. And it is for Red alone that Regina has forsaken attaining those things for Daniel. In the cold recesses of her mind where her weaker tendencies live and where reason has no foothold, she fears that wherever his soul lingers, whatever latent energy is left of him, is observing this capitulation with marked disgust.

That she is being ridiculous right now does not register against the swell of self-loathing squeezing her chest and clogging her throat. Is this how Red felt when she regained her senses only to discover the beast inside her had killed and consumed Peter? If so, Regina can imagine why Red very nearly came unglued in the aftermath of that tragedy. Failing the person one loves most is, without question, the worst feeling in the world, and this makes twice now Regina has let Daniel down. First she failed to exact vengeance upon his betrayer, the very same Snow White with whom she has now formed an alliance.

Crippling waves of acrid humiliation inflame Regina's cheeks as, still beaming, Snow returns the handshake and confirms their verbal agreement. "Agreed, Queen Regina. We have an accord."

Unwilling to maintain contact with her nemesis-turned-ally, Regina drops Snow's hand unceremoniously. To regain her composure, she reminds herself why she is doing this and that Daniel would surely understand. Gentle soul that he was, he would want her to save Red, even if that meant sacrificing his honor. Although she is not so sure he would feel the same about her sacrificing her own, as that is essentially what she is doing by parlaying with enemies she had once sworn on her honor to kill.

In the back of her mind where that cold fear lurks, she hears a voice that sounds suspiciously like Red's respond to that thought. "Stop it, Regina," it says. "This is pointless. Torturing yourself over the past won't help you save me in the present. So get over yourself and get back down to business!"

Rather than examine her apparently tentative grip on sanity, Regina decides to concede to what is ultimately sound advice. Shaking off the bonds of shame that were slowly constricting her ability to think or breathe, Regina raises a sable brow at Charming, who had been most vocal about his concerns.

"Are you now satisfied about my intentions, King David?" she asks, brow arched pointedly.

Although Charming does not look convinced by the speech she gave or her offer of an unofficial peace to Snow, he does not dissent or further question her motivations. A prudent decision.

"I am for the moment," he says in a clipped tone that indicates wariness Regina can somewhat respect.

In response, Regina levels a mocking smirk at him. "Ah, but the moment is all we have, good King. It would be wise of you to embrace it." She then swirls on Granny, who is still regarding her with a narrowed, suspicious gaze. "And you? Are you satisfied that I am innocent in the matter?"

Granny swears under her breath and mutters something that sounds like, "Gonna kill that girl for tellin' you my name," before giving Regina a proper response. "Fine, I admit to being wrong about you," she hesitates and then peers at Regina over her glasses, "this time. If you can fix her like you said, then I guess I can learn to live with my granddaughter's questionable choice in a mate. But if she doesn't make it, all bets are off."

Regina does not doubt the sincerity behind those words. She has on more than one occasion surveyed the grisly product of Granny's crossbow work and knows of few individuals less likely to make idle threats. There is far more to the Widow Lucas than meets the eye. The world at large may see only an aged grandmother who, though a bit prickly, can disarm anyone with a dimpled smile and is probably the best cook and seamstress they have ever known. They have not been given the unfortunate privilege of encountering the killer instinct kept on a very tight leash. But Regina has, and she has no desire to get another glimpse. Not that she has to worry; she will never experience Granny's promise being fulfilled.

"You don't have to worry about that," she replies. "If Red dies, then it will be because I perished in the attempt to save her."

Granny nods sharply. "In that case, I'm good."

The simplicity of that statement is something that perturbs Regina for a moment. But then she considers that Granny is a simple woman who sees the world in blacks and whites and has little tolerance for the myriad grays that exist in between. To Granny, simple and straightforward math is all that matters. As long as the sum of the equation comes out to Red being alive and well, she is willing to accept any additional variables that must be factored in. In that way, Regina finds herself on common ground with her wife's grandmother for perhaps the first time.

After inclining her head in acknowledgement to Granny, Regina returns her attention to Snow. "Now, then," she says, "as for your earlier question in reference to our departure, the sooner the better. My sister will stop at nothing to prevent us from obtaining what we seek. However, she is reeling from a defeat she suffered earlier at my hand. Haste is key, I'm afraid. So if you are prepared to set out immediately, we will do so. I have already arranged transportation, and we need not carry supplies outside of whatever weapons we wish to avail ourselves of. I don't imagine us being gone more than two days, and should we encounter obstacles that delay us, I will bring along plenty of gold to purchase food or any other additional supplies we may require on the road."

The only silver lining to Snow's delayed arrival is that Regina was afforded plenty of time to plan. The first step of that process was pouring over every available resources regarding Oz. While pickings were meager, they auspiciously included a tome which featured a roughly scaled map of that realm. Thanks to Rumple, she has a good starting reference as to the location of the grove she is seeking, and were time on her side that would be enough information to set out directly in search of it upon breaching in to that world. Sadly, she is hard pressed to conclude the expedition as swiftly as is humanly possible. To that end, she figured her best bet of finding a precise location of the grove would be in the Emerald City, where detailed records of such a place should be kept. With any luck, she and Snow might even encounter someone who has seen the grove in person, thus allowing her to use an arcane technique involving probing someone's memory to derive a target for a transportation spell. This plan relied much upon luck, too much for comfort, but it was the best she could come up with considering the rigid constraints she was operating under. That Jefferson's hat portal opens up in Oz less than a day's brisk walk from the Emerald City seemed confirmation that this was the correct, and most expeditious, course of action.

A dubious look crosses Snow's face at Regina's confident assessment of their timeline. "I thought you said what we need is in Oz? How are we supposed to get there and back in two days?"

Regina smirks condescendingly. "That, my dear, is what you are about to find out."

"And what about me?" Charming injects, looking put out at not being included. "What am I supposed to do while you two are off risking your lives in another world?"

Regina wants to tell him that he can do what he normally does, which is sit on his ass and look pretty. Objectively speaking, he is quite accomplished in that regard. Instead of saying that, which she normally would, she takes the high road of necessity and offers him an objective to focus on.

"For starters, you can watch over Red. Should my sister defy my expectations and not follow us to Oz, she will eventually discover my absence. Soon thereafter she will deduce that I have discovered a cure. With me long gone to procure it, her only options will be to abduct Red as leverage or kill her outright where she lays. It will fall to you to prevent either from happening." For emphasis, she sizes Charming up with her eyes, satisfied to see him squirm under her sharp appraisal. "I'm entrusting you with with what I hold most precious in this world. Is that something you are capable of handling or shall I appoint my Knights to do so until General Mulan arrives?"

"No, no," he replies quickly, hand instinctively falling to his sword at the affront to his manhood. "I can handle that, and would do so even if you hadn't requested it. Red is my friend, too, in case you've forgotten. I swear on my life to keep her safe."

"That is a wholly appropriate oath, Shepherd," she tells him unmercifully. "Because if you should fail, I will make sure it comes to fruition."

To Regina's surprise, he does not object to her unsubtle threat, but rather nods with a measure of respect. "As well you should," he says. "You have my word as a King and a spouse that I will protect her with my life."

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that," Snow adds, looking a bit nervous over the brief showdown between Regina and her husband.

"Yes. Let's," Regina agrees, tilting her head slightly as she meets Charming's unwavering eyes. "In that case, King David, as sovereign of this realm, I hereby place the Citadel and all forces therein under your command. Deploy them as you see fit to safeguard my wife and the many people who make their abode here."

He gives a soldierly tip of the head to her that is surprising to see coming from a man raised a shepherd. "I'll see to it the second you are both away."

"I suppose you'll want me to sit around like a useless lump of do-nothing," Granny grumps, arms folded across her chest. She again peers at Regina over her glasses.

"I expect no such thing. Do whatever you please," Regina tells her irritable in-law. "You are the Queen's grandmother. As such, the staff is at your disposal. Have the run of the place if you wish, and make yourself useful in whatever way you deem appropriate. Only swear to me two things: that you will not, under any circumstances, risk your life and that you will stay with Red as often as you are able."

Granny scoffs at the notion that she'd do anything else. "I'm too old to fight unless I got no other choice. As for the other, I watched over that girl for twenty years all by myself. I can handle a day or two more, Regina."

Although Regina rolls her eyes, she is secretly pleased to hear Granny say her name for the first time. It is a marked improvement over the previous address, which was either a snidely spoken "Your Majesty" or "that woman."

"Very well, Eugenia," she says, and then to Snow adds, "Do you remember how to make your way to the courtyard?"

"Of course I do," Snow replies with a scoff very similar to Granny's.

Regina gestures toward the door. "Then do so presently after you have changed into more suitable attire for our journey. You may use one of the guest rooms down the hall or your old bedroom if that's more to your tastes. Red had it restored for you not long after she moved in." Regina ignores the moon-eyes Snow makes at Red and then turns on her in recognition of her having allowed such a gesture. To Snow's dashing spouse, she says, "As for you, Charming, you'll find Captain Rodrigo in the garrison. Snow can show you where it is after she's dressed. Introduce yourself and inform him of the change in command while I'm away. I'll join you both in the courtyard shortly. I want to say goodbye to my wife before we leave. Privately."

"Okay," Snow agrees, smiling softly in overly saccharine sympathy. But before she departs as Regina instructed, she glides back over to the bed then leans over Red so that she can place a lingering kiss upon a feverish forehead. She then sits gingerly at Red's side and, once settled, gently sweeps her hand over her sweat dampened hair. Tears pool in Snow's eyes, and it is difficult for Regina to bear witness to the fathomless reserves of love and devotion for Red she sees reflected in those expressive green orbs.

Snow and Red's unbreakable friendship has always been something that Regina avoided conversing about, and not only because she preferred to not even think of Snow if at all possible. Red considers that relationship almost sacrosanct, something not to be mentioned in Regina's presence as she would invariably attempt to disparage it with cruel gibes and negative opinions. Mostly that criticism would have stemmed from pure envy.

Regina has always been and always will be a jealous woman, something Red is painfully aware of since she has been the primary object of that jealousy over the seven years they have been together. It does not take much in the way of inappropriate interest directed toward Red for her to fly off the handle. That Red is a woman of extraordinary beauty means subtle leers and tawdry comments are directed at her far too frequently. Frankly Regina has lost count of how many times she has issued threats of violence should the unwelcome and impolite behavior of certain tactless individuals continue. Of course, she only confronts the perpetrators once Red is out of earshot, not wanting to be on the receiving end of a disapproving pout or worse, a stern lecture once they are alone, from her highly sensitive and compassionate partner.

It comes as no surprise that Snow's tender, lingering kiss provokes that jealous streak to rise to the surface. Of the many diverse individuals which whom Regina has to share Red's affections, Snow is by far the most infuriating. For a moment, she considers issuing a terse warning only to bite her tongue when she hears Snow begin to speak.

"I love you, Red," Snow says, her abiding friendship and deep concern for Red reflected in her tone. "I always have and I always will. You are my most beloved friend and companion. But more than that, you're family. You're my sister in every way but blood. I'd do anything for you. You know that don't you? I hope so. And that's why I have to go with Regina to Oz. You have saved my life so many times, now it's my turn do the same for you."

She pauses to tenderly cup Red's face with both hands, thumbs gently stroking Red's cheeks.

"Regina and I are going to save you, and you know why? Because we love you too much to let you go. So you just hang on, Red. Fight to stay alive while we're away, and just know that we'll be thinking of you every single second until we get back." She then stands, picks up Red's hand and places another reverent kiss upon the unnaturally pale skin, streaked with stark blue veins, covering the back. "This is not goodbye," she then states, and Regina can tell that this is something that has been said between them many times so as to be elevated to the status of a venerated promise. "This is, 'I'll see you soon.'"

With that, Snow replaces Red's hand at her side, and then nods to Charming, who clutches at Red's hand briefly. It looks as if he wants to say something, but decides against it in lieu of allowing his wife's sentiment to stand for his own. After releasing Red's hand, he looks at Snow, and something unspoken passes between them that is evidence of the love they share. That ability to communicate without words is something that Regina has developed with Red over the course of their relationship. Only time can teach to those willing to learn the full intricacies of the person they love, and thus is a reward to those devoted couples who have chosen to forsake the arena of choice for that of profound commitment.

Before Red, Regina used to loathe couples who could engage in whole conversations with nary a word being verbalized between them. Now, however, she relies on that very same ability to alert Red to her needs without needing to speak, or to translate Red's needs in the same manner. In social situations where propriety must be adhered to, they often entertain themselves by giving looks that only the other can decipher and which go completely unnoticed by the oblivious nobles that surround them. Their ability to mock the pretentiousness of such individuals without alerting them to their disdain is a great source of amusement for both. Much more rewarding is the ability to convey her love with only a glance in the midst of a boring council meeting and to then read Red's equally heartfelt response in expressive green eyes that never fail to take her breath away.

The moment between Snow and Charming passes quickly, as such things are wont to do. Before Regina can even formulate a response, they have declared their intention to wait for her in the courtyard and then made their exits.

Only Granny remains, and she is staring at Red in a way that is disquieting. She looks so defeated, a woman suddenly feeling every last one of her seventy-one years. Regina cannot tell if it is due to a belief that the efforts to save Red will fail or because Granny feels as guilty for failing her granddaughter as Regina does for failing her wife. Either way, the troubled look does not remain long before resolve replaces it. In three firm strides, Granny moves over to the bedside and then ducks down to kiss Red's brow.

"You get better, you hear?" Regina hears Granny say as she hovers over Red. "I love you, Red. I know I don't tell you enough, and I know I've been hard on you for the choices you've made, but it's just because I care so damn much about you. You're all I've got in this ole, godsforsaken world. So do what Snow said. Keep fighting, girl. For me. Hell, for that woman, even. Whatever it takes. Just keep fighting. Don't you dare give up. 'Cause if you do, grown woman or not, I'll hunt your ass down in the Underworld and put you over my knee. Got it? Good." She then pats Red on the hand, turns to give Regina a curt nod, and then leaves the room.

At last alone, Regina takes a solidifying breath and then crosses over to her the bed. After perching in the same spot Snow had previously occupied, she leans over Red's body, supporting herself with her arm extended to brace on the bed at Red's opposite side. Tilting her head to the side, she bites her lip as she sifts her fingers through Red's thick curls, damp with sweat, but still somehow silky and voluminous.

Her obsession with Red's hair is something she has never kept secret. She delights herself by braiding it whenever Red is amenable to sitting still for five or ten minutes. Over the years, she has learned to create many complicated designs via experimentation. Although Red's patience is intermittent, she never fails to praise Regina's handiwork and then show if off to every lady in court. To repay the frequent indulgences, every night before bed she coaxes Red to sit at the vanity or upon their bed facing away so she can brush a hundred strokes through the luxurious mane she envies almost as much as she loves. It isn't at all uncommon for Red to fall asleep under the deliberate and careful ministrations, which is brings a satisfaction unto itself. Knowing how good and relaxing the attention is for Red makes the effort all the more gratifying.

As she sits there brushing her hand through her wife's hair, Regina momentarily frets over whether or not she will ever get to do so again. Or if she'll ever get to feel Red's body slump against hers as she succumbs to exhaustion from another long day of courtly duties or outdoor adventures. Those simple pleasures have come to mean the world to her, and the thought of never again sharing them with Red is yet another reinforcement of just how much she has to lose should the upcoming quest fail.

Choked with emotion, Regina bites back her tears, not wanting her parting from Red to be fraught with sorrow. Instead, she sucks in a reinforcing breath and then pours her heart out.

"You are going to make it," she begins. "You have to make it. I won't allow that demented witch, my sister or not, to take you away from me." She leans in closer, pressing her forehead against Red's, staring at her wife's closed eyelids and imagining that a familiar soulful gaze is being returned. Against all rational thought, she fancies that Red can hear her words and that they will give her the strength to – as Snow implored her to do – hold on until the antidote can be crafted.

"I once thought that I would never love another after Daniel and was sure it was impossible to ever equal what I felt for him," she then declares, baring herself for Red in a way she will for no one else. She doesn't trust anyone else with the innermost parts of her being. They are still tender from having survived her mother and Leopold and Rumplestilskin's individual but concerted efforts to turn her into a living statue, devoid of feeling and conscience, beholden only to power. It is a miracle that even a tiny portion of her innocence persisted through their abuses. But it did, somehow, only to begin flowering once more solely due to the painstaking care Red has invested into her.

"I was wrong. One bitterly cold day on a remote mountain pass, I met you and everything changed. That day you saw past the facade I had erected to hide myself from the world. In the months that followed, you awakened things in me that had long been dead. You brought me back to life, restored in me a hope for the future I'd believed to be eradicated, and for that I owe you everything. I loved Daniel, Red. I loved him so much. But what I felt for him cannot compare with what I feel for you."

She reaches up with her free hand and cups Red's feverish cheek, rubbing her thumb in delicate strokes over chapped lips, feeling so full of emotion that she is ready to burst. Letting it color her words, she repeats her vows from the day they wed, hoping they will anchor Red to this world as they do for her.

"I love you with all of my heart and all of my soul," she starts, remembering every line she'd written and memorized and repeated for everyone present to hear. As the Queen, she had spoken her vows last, making them binding, and just as she'd meant them then, so does she mean them now.

Her vows had caused quite the stir among the nobility in the weeks and months after the wedding, which was not at all surprising to Regina due to the open objections many of them had confronted her with. Not only was she breaking the unwritten rules of royalty by marrying a peasant with no wealth whatsoever and who was a bastard child that did not even know her father's identity, but she was also marrying another woman. Strangely enough, the nobles were less concerned about the taboo nature of the relationship than they were that Red was a peasant.

Marrying her, they'd insisted, would weaken the kingdom because it would open Regina up to criticism of her suitability to rule. Marrying non-nobles was a cardinal sin for monarchs, as such could be interpreted as an alienation of their peers in denying a royal or some other lofty lord or lady the opportunity at the throne. The nobility is an insular, myopic group that loathed outsiders and ostracized all rebels audacious enough to attempt introducing an outsider into their circle. Red, being everything that disgusts them – namely a woman, a werewolf, and worst of all a peasant – was the ultimate outsider. By marrying her, Regina was openly declaring her contempt for their deeply held convictions, ancient traditions, and sacred bloodlines.

She had known all of this going in but remained undaunted. She harbored no doubts in her decision to make Red her wife and co-ruler. To ensure everyone was aware of where she stood on the issue, she invited every monarch, influential noble, and respected dignitary for a hundred miles around to the wedding. Any suggestion of a boring, stuffy, traditional ceremony as would be expected of her station was patently refused. Instead, she replaced the high cleric with a local friar Red often enjoyed sharing a pint with, wore a dress ostentatious enough to make every eye bulge, and wrote her own vows. So that the latter was a surprise, she let her betrothed speak the traditional vows of their kingdom, which Red did with an eloquence and grace that shined through despite how visibly nervous she was.

But when it came time to speak her own vows, Regina had opened with an emphatic announcement that there were some traditions that died with the king, and that it was high time to bury them once and for all. To that end, she'd made sure to speak boldly and without shame in an intensely personal declaration of love that was highly inappropriate for a Queen to be publicly sharing. The speaking of her vows, while divisive and controversial to this day, were the finest moment of her rule, a sentiment with which many – her father included – wholeheartedly agreed.

"Before the gods, the kingdom, and these witnesses," she continued repeating her vows, "I, Queen Regina of Misthaven, both now and in the future, pledge myself to you, Red Lucas, also of Misthaven. Everything I am and everything I can be is yours. As earnest I offer to you not only equality in authority, in fortune, and in title, but also in our home and in our bed. Freely and in perpetuity do I bestow these, asking only that you love me in return. Your love is all I will ever need. For as you are happy, I am happy. As you despair, I despair. As you laugh and cry and dance and sing, so shall I.

"Moreover, I hereby bind my very existence with yours. I shall live by your life, and I shall die by your death. So long as we live, it will be my most sacred duty to love you without reservation, and whatever lies beyond this mortal plane, if there be any existence for us, it will be my love for you that will translate me there. Should I precede you to the grave, I will wait for you patiently, longing simply to hold you once more. But if you precede me, I will join you each night in my dreams until at last I breathe my last breath, and from thence take flight on celestial wings to unite with you in and for eternity.

"You are my joy, my strength, my equal in all things, and my very beating heart. You are my happy ending, Red Lucas, and to prove that to you, I hereby grant you half of my kingdom, which is less in value than the half of my very essence that already belongs to you. It is, and shall ever be, my greatest privilege to be your wife. So let all the kingdom hail, from town to country, from valley to mountain top, and from earth to the heavens above, that there is a new Queen in Misthaven. Prosperous may her reign be," the next line she spoke with emphasis to each word, willing the gods themselves to hear that they may honor it, "and long may she live."

With that, Regina seals their lips together. A promise rings inside her heart that the next time she kisses Red, it will be to break the Curse for good.

[cwnerd12]

Royal Council, Again

“Royal Council, Again” Morning light shines on David’s face. He opens his eyes, and sits up. He’s still in Jessie’s hotel room, in Reinhardt’s suit, on the sofa. Jessie sips coffee at the table. David, “Shit!” Jessie, “You fell asleep while we were talking last night, I didn’t want to wake you up.” David, “I have to get ready for Council!” He grabs his phone, “My phone’s almost dead!” Jessie, “You have two hours. You can still have breakfast with me.” David, “No, I really have to get going, Mom!” He gets up, goes over, and kisses her on the cheek, “I’ll see you later, okay?” Jessie grabs his wrist, “David, whatever happens today, just know that I’m proud of you. You’ve done nothing but honor your father and Eli, and I know they’d be so proud, too.” David, “I have to go.”

In the back of an SUV, Abby, wearing her uniform, shoves a protein bar into David’s hand. Abby, “Fucking eat something, you need to be as ready as possible.” Monique, in the front seat, turns, “Do not get crumbs on your uniform.” David awkwardly angles his head away from his chest and eats. Abby, “Did you at least sleep last night?” David, “Yes, I did.” Abby nods, “Good. Just remember, David, not only are you a better leader than Abner, you’ve fucking earned your right to sit at Council. You deserve to be king. That’s something Abner will never have.” David smiles sadly, “I think Michelle is gonna be there. I don’t know if they’ll let you talk to her.” Abby, quietly, “I’ve been trying not to think about that. I don’t know what I’ll do if I see Michelle but then can’t be with her.” She wipes her eyes. David, “I’ll do what I can.” Abby, “Whatever happens, happens. There’s a lot that’s riding on this council, and me seeing Michelle is just a fragment of all that. Try to keep your focus on what’s really important.” David, “I will.” Abby, “I believe in you, David. I’ve believed in you ever since I met you. It’s been an incredible honor to be at your side.” David, getting emotional, “Don’t say that shit right now. It’s hard enough to keep myself together without it.” Abby, “Okay. You’ll do great. Because you are great.” David, “Thanks, Abby.” The SUV approaches the palace. Crowds swell out front, waving countless AFG flags and signs of support for David. Abby, “Holy shit. You’d think you were already king.” David gawks at the crowd as the SUV pulls to a stop. Abby puts her hand over his, “You ready?” David nods, still awed by the size of the crowd. He undoes his seatbelt, opens the door, and gets out. The crowd roars and chants, “David! David! David!” In Jack’s hospital room, Helen sits beside him as they watch TV. Helen, “There he is!” Jack watches without saying anything. Helen, “He looks good in a uniform. No wonder you like him so much.” Back at the palace, Abby steps by David’s side. Up in the throne room, looking down, Michelle sees her, and clasps her hand over her mouth, her eyes full of tears. In a shitty hotel room, the Bros sit around, watching on a small TV. Ethan, “There’s our dumb baby brother. On TV. Again.” Sean, “Shut up, man.” David looks down at Abby, and she gives him a reassuring smile. Abby, “Let’s do this.” They begin to walk towards the door together. Cameras flash, and TV reporters yell, “General Shepherd! General Shepherd!” David simply waves and keeps going. He and Abby go inside the palace.

Inside, an employee gestures them to the elevators, “General Shepherd, this way, please.” In a waiting room, Abner talks to Kings Lawrence and John while Laura, Warner, and Anthony all talk to their advisors. David and Abby enter. Abner casts David a dirty look, but then pretends to ignore him. Laura goes up, “David! How are you?” She hugs him. David, “Still alive, I guess.” He looks over at Abner. Laura, “Just know that whatever happens, I’m squarely on your side. No one else is the rightful king of Gilboa but you.” David, “Thanks, Laura. Will you give me a minute?” He goes over to Abner, “Your highness, may I speak to you?” Abner casts him a suspicious look, and then says, “What do you want, Shepherd?” David, “I just want to say, whatever happens today, the most important thing here is Gilboa and its future.” He sticks out his hand, and Abner shakes it awkwardly. The door opens, and Gerald enters. For a moment David and Abner are united in giving Gerald their deadliest, most hateful looks.

The monarchs line up with their advisors beside them, David and Abby at the very end. Abby, “Just be yourself, David. You’re the one that everyone loves.” The doors open, and the monarchs begin the march into the ballroom, set up for Royal Council. The crowd stands and applauds. Everyone is divided into national contingencies, the flags of their nations hanging above them. The AFG contingency is a wall of solid blue. Monique, Asher, Shay, and Joel sit in their formal uniforms at the front. In the middle, Beth sits, nervously applauding. In the Gilboan contingency, Rose and Michelle, still wearing mourning black, clap, while Michelle struggles to keep from crying. Abby sees her, and smiles, tears in her eyes. Michelle puts her hand over her heart. In the Moabian contingency, Jessie applauds and cries with pride while Frankie hoots and fist-pumps. The monarchs gather around the table in their correct places. David stares down at his nameplate, General David Shepherd, Army of Free Gilboa. Emma stands at a podium, “Royal Council will come to order. When your name is called, please sit. King Lawrence Merritt of Edom.” King Lawrence sits. One by one, the monarchs are called out, each name earning polite applause: King John of Samaria, King Anthony of Aram, King Gerald of Gath, King Linus of Gilboa, Queen Laura of Moab, and finally, “General David Shepherd of the Army of Free Gilboa.” David steps forward. The crowd explodes into raucous applause. David sits down, and looks around at the crowd, heartened by the support. Abby looks around and smiles brightly. Abner scowls. He leans in to speak into his microphone, “That’s enough.” The applause comes to an abrupt, awkward end. Everyone stares at Abner. He goes on, “It is my privilege to invite my fellow monarchs, and General Shepherd, to Shiloh Royal Council today. Today, we gather to debate who is the rightful king of Gilboa, myself, or General Shepherd. The law here could not be more clear, a king has a right to declare a successor, and in his will, King Silas declared me his successor. I’m not as handsome or charming as General Shepherd, but I am very much the King of Gilboa.” The Gilboan contingency applauds, but Rose and Michelle don’t. Everyone looks at David. David takes in a deep breath, “I think the people of Gilboa couldn’t be more clear, they want me as their king.” The AFG contingency roars, and Michelle applauds. David smiles, “King Linus and I have both lead armies, but Linus only lead in King Silas’s footsteps. I’ve spent the past two years fighting and bleeding for Gilboa. When Silas and Linus refused to acknowledge the Amalekites, I dedicated myself and my army to fighting them,” he raises his broken hand, “I got this beating Alek Amal’s face in.” Shouts of support from the AFG. David grins, confident, “When it was clear that the Amalekites were the greatest threat to Gilboa, I put aside my differences with Silas and united our armies to fight them. Because of this, we saved hundreds of lives at the Western Mall. When Gath tried to invade Gilboa, our armies again united, and we stopped the invasion. I’ve survived things that by all accounts, should have killed me. I’ve lost dear friends, both when they died and when they turned against me. Even facing horrific loss after horrific loss, I’ve kept fighting, because I believe in what I’m fighting for: A peaceful future. A free Gilboa. I believe I’ve earned its crown.” Sustained applause from all of the crowd. Jessie beams with pride. Warner, “I cannot abide a homosexual as king.” Boos from the crowd. David, “With all due respect sir, if I may correct you, I’m bisexual. To be honest, I really don’t like labels, although, I am somewhat partial to the Japanese euphemism, ryototsukai. It means one who wields two swords.” Warner, “A bisexual can’t lead an army.” David, “Were you home sick from school the day they taught about Alexander the Great?” Laughter. Warner shoots him a look, “And where did you learn this bisexuality?” David, “At the Dietrich-Brando Institute of Bisexual Arts.” Warner, “You’re just gay.” David, “Your mom didn’t think I was just gay.” Abby’s eyes widen in shock and horror as the crowd erupts with laughter and cheers. Frankie hoots, “Shit, son!” David suppresses a smirk. “His sexuality is irrelevant, Warner.” Warner, “It’s not irrelevant when a leader lies about the sort of person he is.” David, “I’ve never lied.” Warner, “And what about your relationship with Jack Benjamin?” David grows more serious, “I never denied being in a relationship with Jack. Everyone close to us and in the AFG knew about us. But we made the decision to be discrete so that no one would try to hurt me by hurting Jack.” Warner smirks, “And that’s exactly what happened, isn’t it.” David determinedly doesn’t look at Gerald. Gerald, “I will say that when I shot the prince, I only intended to hurt Silas. Any additional hurt was… incidental.” David clenches his teeth and  fists, struggling to keep the burning fury within himself. Abner gives Gerald a hateful stare. Rose struggles to swallow her disgust, and Michelle jumps to her feet. Rose grabs her wrist and tries to pull her to sit back down, but Michelle resists. Abby looks on, struggling not to cry. Finally, Michelle gives in and sits back down. John, “I don’t understand everything that’s happened. What is your story, General Shepherd?” David, “Uh, are you willing to sit here for a while? If you want the full story, I’m going to need some help,” he turns back to Abby, “You want to help, Abby?” he turns over and looks at the AFG, “I’m gonna need my officers, and uh, Princess Michelle should probably come down here, too.” Abner, “They will stay where they are seated.” John, “Where did this all begin?” David, “With the tank, I guess.” John, “What inspired you to go against orders, facing a court-martial, risking not only your life but the lives of the two captive soldiers you were after, and the lives of those in your camp?” David, “Well, my mom will tell you that I’ve always been an idiot, but, I knew what was going to happen to those soldiers if someone didn’t intervene quickly, and, even though at the time, they were just two strangers, I couldn’t stand doing nothing. Unlike King Linus, who during his time as a soldier was perfectly content to let King Silas do all the heroics, I decided to do the right thing. I did something incredibly stupid, and nothing since then has been the same.” John, “Is that when you fell in love?” David blushes slightly, “I- I knew about Prince Jack beforehand, I knew his reputation and the image he projected. The soldier I met that night was someone very different, someone that I don’t think many people ever were allowed to see. He said his name was Jack, and he was from Shiloh, and that he was going to be king when he left the army…” he pauses, “I guess I should have picked up on something there,” soft laughter, “But I didn’t realize who he was until King Silas entered the tent, and walked right past me when I tried to introduce myself. For a while I thought that the person I saw didn’t really exist, but, he came back. And I knew when I saw him again that I was in love with him.” In his hospital room, Jack cries. Abner, smugly, “Has it been difficult, being separated from him?” David, “The worst six months of my life.” Abner, “What would you be willing to sacrifice to see him again?” David, “I’m not capitulating to you. I still have support.” Abner, “So you would be willing to walk out of here, not being able to see him again, if it meant taking the moral high ground and insisting that you are the rightful king?” David, “If I have to, I will continue to fight, and I know that nobody here believes that you’re a good king.” A roar from the crowd. Laura, “My support goes to General Shepherd.” Anthony, “As does mine.” Lawrence, “You must admit, Linus, General Shepherd has shown exemplary skill in leading his army.” Abner, “Was he skilled when he killed Alek Amal and set off thirty bombs across Shiloh?” David, “I had no way of knowing that would happen.” Abner, “Alek Amal was the master of laying traps, how could you not think he wouldn’t have a trap laid for you?” David, “I thought it would be a trap for me, not innocent people. And I, at least, was actually trying to stop Amal. If I had done like you and ignored him, he’d still be killing people.” Applause. Abner scowls, “You aren’t as skilled a leader as you pretend to be, and you aren’t as morally righteous, either. Tell everyone about the execution of Douglas Ericsson.” David, “Doug was a traitor who caused the death of eighty-six people, and whose continued treachery forced the AFG to go into Ammon.” Abner, “Is that what you tell your mother? Do you always leave out the fact that he was a friend of yours?” David, “He was a traitor, and he had to be executed.” Abner, “Executed by you?” David, “It had to be done.” Gerald speaks up, “Gath is at war with Gilboa. What are each of you going to do about this?” Abner, “You killed my king and my best friend-” Gerald, “He killed himself.” Abner, “I am going to destroy Gath. It’s the only option I see.” Gerald looks at David. David, “I’ll be honest, I want to do the same. I want to bomb Ashdod into oblivion and then mount your skull in my office. But I’m not going to do that. You are not the people of Gath, and the people of Gath don’t deserve to suffer because of what you did. I set out to end the perpetual wars that Gilboa finds itself locked in, and I still mean that. I intend to settle peacefully with both Gath and Ammon.” Lawrence, “I’ll admit, General, you have proven yourself as a leader. But the law is the law. I’m afraid that I must support King Linus here.” John, “I concur.” Warner, “I concur.” Gerald, “I concur.” David, “You said I was king! You shot Jack, Silas killed himself, and then you looked straight at me, and you said, ‘You’re king!’” Gerald, “I didn’t realize that Linus had been chosen as successor.” Abner, “Supporting a rebel like Shepherd undermines all of our crowns! If Shepherd becomes king, what will happen next? Will there be insurrections in Ammon? In Aram? In Edom? If Silas can be overthrown, any one of you can be overthrown!” Anthony looks from Abner to David nervously, “As much as I like you, David, I must concur that Linus is king.” Laura, “You come from a stable country, Anthony. Every day, I wake up and face numerous groups that are trying to overthrow me. Gerald and Warner both do, too. David may stop fighting, but others will come for Linus. Because the people want what David wants. They want peace, and they want freedom, and they are willing to fight and die for it. Do you know how I’ve kept the peace in Moab? I listen to my people. I respect them. I honor them. And because of that, my people support me. Because I know where my people’s support lies, I am not afraid of being overthrown. I know that I am loved. David is loved. And love is always stronger than fear. And so I object. And I will not back down. David is the rightful king!” Applause from the AFG. Warner, “Are you going to keep us here all night, then?” Laura, “You only support Linus because you want Gilboa to collapse! You want to spread your twisted version of Christianity across the world, and you know you can defeat Linus, but not David! I ask my fellow monarchs, what will become of your countries if Gilboa collapses?! Linus may have the law on his side, but when it comes to who is the right leader, the answer is overwhelmingly David!” Abner, “I am not incompetent! For twenty-five years, I led Silas’s army, and I led it well! Silas was a smart enough leader to know that nepotism would only hurt him! He never would have appointed me General if he didn’t believe I was a capable leader!” Laura, “You try so hard to be Silas, but what did he ever do for Gilboa? If he was as great a leader as you say, they wouldn’t be burning his effigy in front of his own palace.” Abner, “You cunt!” Boos and hisses from the crowd. David, “For the record, I would never use that kind of language against a woman.” Applause. Laura, “You will never have my support, Linus. I will sit here until I pass out.” Abner, “If Shepherd agreed to something, would you support him?” Laura, “David will never support you.” Abner looks at David, “How’s your mental health, Shepherd?” David, “What?” Abner, “You’ve been fighting  this war for a long time. I know what kind of effect it has on soldiers. Do you sleep well during thunderstorms?” David bristles, “I’ve been seeing a doctor who diagnosed me with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. I actually rather resent the implication that being affected by mental illness makes me somehow weak or unfit to lead. This sort of stigma only encourages brave, good soldiers to avoid treatment and does incredible amounts of harm. Depression and PTSD, well, quite frankly, they suck, but they’re treatable. I’ve been treating mine, and I remain strong and willing to fight.” Abner, “Do you have nightmares?” David, gritting his teeth, “Yes.” Abner, “Have you ever been suicidal?” David, “There was a moment after Jack was shot and you announced your kingship, but… it passed. And I had people looking out for me.” Abner, “If you’re already traumatized, why keep adding to it? How much longer can you fight? How many more battles are in you? How many friends are you willing to lose? You must be tired.” David, “I will keep fighting as long as I have to.” Abner, “You say you want to negotiate peace with Gath. That means long, exhausting hours spent face-to-face with that man,” he points to Gerald, “You watched him shoot the person you love more than anything else. Aren’t flashbacks to traumatic events a part of PTSD?” David keeps his gaze away from Gerald. Abner, “Look into his face right now, and tell me what you see.” David raises his gaze. Abner, “Do you see him shooting Jack? Do you hear the gunshot? Do you feel to cold air of Mt. Gilboa? Can you smell the blood?” David, “I don’t understand how you can look at his face and not see the face of the man who sought to kill your king and best friend.” Abner, “Oh, I do. Believe me, I do. And I don’t kid myself. I know he’ll never agree to peace, he’ll only try to hurt me if I give him the chance. Do I don’t give him the chance. You have your ideals, Shepherd, but I’ve watched first-hand what it takes to be king, and I know what the world is really like. Sometimes, you do what you have to do, even if it means execution. Do you want to be king, David? Do you really want to be king? Have you ever really wanted to be king?” David, “If this were solely about what I want, Jack and I would be living in a beach condo in Moab. This is not about me, and it never has been. It’s about my brother, Eli. And my father. And Reverend Ephraim Samuels, and Leo and Nora Levinson, and Isaiah Clemens, and everyone who died because King Silas did nothing to stop the Amalekites, and all the names in files in the MSS building, and all the loved ones who have spent years wondering what happened. This is about something much larger than myself, and what I want is completely irrelevant.” Abner stares straight at David, “I will let you see Jack.” Absolute silence in the room. Everyone hangs in suspense. David stares at Abner. Abner, “Council is on my side, David. You’ve lost. If you continue to disagree, you will walk out of here, and never see Jack again. If you concur with the council, and agree to stop fighting, I will let you see him.” David sits without saying anything. Michelle has tears in her eyes. Jack clutches Helen’s hand. Abner, “You don’t even know what condition he’s in do you?” David stares at Abner, “No.” Abner he looks at the other monarchs, “I’ve deliberately withheld any update on the prince’s condition, for a moment like this. Brain injuries, as you must know, can completely destroy a person’s mind. People with brain injuries often can’t speak, can’t walk, lose their memories, don’t recognize the ones they love.  They are left an empty body with no mind at all,” he looks at David, “You don’t want Jack to be left all alone like that, do you?” David, his voice wavering, “He’s not like that. He’s doing well, that’s why you’ve withheld any announcement about him, you don’t want to give me hope.” Abner, annoyed, “Jack woke up five days after he was shot, late in the evening. I believe his sister was there with him at the time. He recognized her and was able to squeeze her hand. At first, he couldn’t speak, and he could barely move. He couldn’t even hold his head up. Since then, he has progressed well. He has regained a few words. He’s almost able to stand on his own. He asks for you, David.” Tears fall down David’s cheeks. Jack, softly, “No, no, no.” Abby and Michelle exchange nervous glances. Abner, “Brain injuries like Jack’s take highly intensive therapy, and still, they take years to recover from. Jack has and incredibly long and difficult road in front of him. He needs you, David.” David shuts his eyes and takes a deep breath, “I want amnesty. Complete, unconditional amnesty for anyone involved with the AFG.” Laura, “David, no.” David, “And there has to be reform. Things can’t go on like they did under Silas.” Abner, smiling smugly, “I can agree to that.” David, “Then I concur.” Jack, “No!” Laura has tears in her eyes, “David!” He looks at her, “Laura, please.” Laura puts her hand over her mouth. Shay, Joel, Monique, and Asher all exchange tense looks. Laura sniffs, “Fine. I concur.”Emma rushes up to the podium, “With this agreement, Royal Council is hereby concluded.” Abner jumps to his feet, “I thank you, fellow monarchs!” He vigorously begins shaking hands. Abby rushes up to David, “What the fuck?! David!” David, quietly, “Go be with Michelle, Abby.” Abby looks at Michelle, who cries. Abby, “David…” David, “Go be with Michelle.” He stands up, “I want to see Jack! Bring me to Jack right now!” Abner, “He’s just at the hospital. Go see him.” David turns around and begins marching towards the exit. Beth sobs uncontrollably. Abby looks from David to Michelle, back to David, back to Michelle, and then runs towards her. Michelle runs toward Abby, and they tearfully embrace. Shay, Monique, and Asher sit stunned while Joel hangs his head.

(“Sky Full of Song” Florence + The Machine) David, minus his jacket and tie, barges into the waiting room of the hospital, where Dr. Hussein waits for him. Dr. Hussein, “General Shepherd.” David, “Where is Jack?” Dr. Hussein, “Before I take you to him, I should prepare you-” David, “I want to see Jack!” Dr. Hussein, “He had surgery about a week ago, so his head is still bandaged. His speech is very limited-” David, “Please, please, just take me to Jack!” Dr Hussein, “All right, follow me.” Cut to: Dr. Hussein opens Jack’s door. and David rushes in, “Jack!” He sees Jack, sitting in his bed. Jack, “David! No!” David rushes over and hugs him and kisses him, crying uncontrollably, “Jack, Jack…” Jack, crying too, “No, no, no.” David, “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.” He looks Jack in the eye, “I’m tired of fighting. I’m so fucking tired.” Jack struggles to say a word, and finally blurts out, “King!” David, “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry…” Jack, “King David!” David, “That’s not going to happen, Jack.” Jack, “No!” David kisses him again and again, “I love you. I love you so fucking much.” Jack, “David, David…” In her room at the palace, Michelle and Abby passionately make love. Rose fixes herself a drink, the portrait of Silas looking over her shoulder. In her room, Helen looks at a picture of Seth and Silas. In front of the palace, Asher, Shay, Joel, and Monique all stand dejectedly. Joel, “So what now?” Shay, “I don’t know. I really don’t know.” Monique, “I think we’re supposed to just live our lives.” Joel, “That’s bullshit.” Monique, “I’m going back to the MSS building. I’m hungry. They should have dinner ready soon.” Asher, “You guys go there without me. I need to go somewhere.” At a bus station, Beth buys a ticket, ���One for Menasseh, please.” In the palace ballroom, Abner laughs with Lawrence, John, Warner, and Gerald. Anthony stands by them without really joining their conversation. Laura cries in the back of her limo. David carefully lifts the edge of Jack’s bandage, revealing the bullet scar on his forehead. David, “You have a scar.” He shuts his eyes and kisses it. He looks into Jack’s eyes, “I can’t tell you how badly I’ve wanted to see your face with a scar instead of a wound.” Jack buries his face into David’s neck, and David caresses his cheek. Abby and Michelle lay in each other’s arms, looking into each other’s eyes. Abby, “I’ve missed you so much.” Michelle, “I know.” Abby, “I love you.” Michelle, “I love you, too.” Rose sits on a sofa and looks up at Silas’s portrait, a glass of scotch in her hand. She knocks back the last of it and sets it on a table. She cries bitterly. Abner and Emma host the other kings and their queens at the traditional post-Council dinner. Laura’s seat is conspicuously empty. Jack lays on David’s shoulder while David holds him. Beth boards a bus marked Menasseh. She sits down in her seat, very much alone. Outside the MSS building, AFG soldiers and citizens gather, holding candles. Joel, Shay, and Monique arrive and get out of their car. They look at the vigil gathering, the flowers set at the memorial wall. Up in his office, Reinhardt looks down at it all. Asher sits in an empty synagogue and prays. David speaks to Jack, “I have to tell you, I- I slept with a girl. I-” Jack claps his hand over David’s mouth. Jack looks up at him angrily for a moment, but can’t sustain it. He moves his hand away and kisses David forgivingly. David, “I’m so sorry.” Street lights shine over Beth’s face as the bus travels down the highway. The tears on her face sparkle. Abby and Michelle sit on a sofa, looking at the news. Helen watches the news. Emma watches the news. Jessie watches the news. A reporter reports from the now massive vigil in front of the MSS building. Joel, Shay, and Monique stand at the top of the stairs. Joel raises his fist, and others raise their fists with him. Asher sits in contemplation. David and Jack lay together, peaceful and quiet. The door opens, and Rose walks in. David stands up. Rose stares at him for a long moment, and then steps forward and hugs him. Awkwardly, David hugs her back. Rose looks at Jack over his shoulder. Rose, “You’d better take good care of him.” David, “I will.”

[survivor-switzerland]

Rites of Passage (Pre-Jury)

It is time for the Rites of Passage. Take this time to reflect on your journey in this game as well as the people who left for you four to be where you are now. Right now, we are only releasing pre-jury Rites of Passage. The jury Rites of Passage will be released after the season is over. Please play the audio and enjoy your experience.

Signing up for this game I knew it was going to be more cutthroat then other seasons (with being voted in and everything). Mentally I just wasn't in a place to rise to the occasion like I wanted. I wish everyone good luck and to have fun. xoxo Steven

Ashley Daisy Trent Steven Ci'ere - sorry I never had opportunity to know any of you but there's always another game!! I think you guys were robbed and should get a third chance but that's just my opinion

Brett I didn't get to meet Steven, but I thought it was rude to vote off the person with the worst finish first. Very Francesca. But the joke's on them, Steven, because you at least advanced your placement! Not everyone here can say that!

Dom Hi I don't really know you at all but you got rocked out of your first season and first boot on this season. That's really ugly and I'm sorry that you went home first boot. You seemed nice though!

Ian I never got to know you which kinda sucks. Your vote out was savage and it served as a testament on how savage people are in this season.

I'd like to thank the hosts for putting together an incredible season and a special thanks to everyone who voted for me and was rooting for me. I'm so sorry to disappoint you. I let you all down but mostly I let myself down. I don't know if I could have done anything differently, I don't know if I could have saved myself. To the few people who I did connect with, I'm rooting for you. Make me proud and do what I couldn't do! (Insert Mari Salty video because it just needs to be there lmao)

Ashley ROBBED KING!!!!! Your time was cut way too short!!!!! You should have slayed this game!!!

Brett My original #1 and partner in crime! I was devastated when he left and I told myself "No one who wrote your name down is going to win this game." I'm glad I could honor him. I hope everyone here gets to know him better because he's one of the most fantastic humans I've ever met.

Dom I've heard wonderful things about you from Brett. You were definitely so robbed and it's so ugly that you got second boot.

Ian I love dogs so you’re good in my book. You were robbed and I have heard nothing but good things from you.

Coming into this game, I wanted to play differently and be a lot more aggressive when it came to decision making. My tribe targeted people I wanted to work with and I didn't like that and when I don't like something I'm not gonna just sit there and eat my rice. I'm not a sheep, I'm a KWEEN. I tried to take a risk by planting seeds in the minority's head about a player having way too much power and control so that we could take them down, but someone screwed that up huh. You could say I was too smart for my own good. I'm so thankful to the hosts for giving my flop a$$ another opportunity to play and to everyone that voted for me on the ballot! <3 P.S. Drew, when are we going on our key lime pie date? :]

Ashley Daisy Trent Steven Ci'ere - sorry I never had opportunity to know any of you but there's always another game!! I think you guys were robbed and should get a third chance but that's just my opinion

Brett My hometown hero! I was bummed our Long Beach hearts weren't paired together on the same tribe.

Dom MY FELLOW ARABIA!!! We didn't get to play in Arabia together so I was really looking forward to playing with you this season. Unfortunately, your tribe voted you out so we didn't get that chance. You're super cool though!

Ian Your vote out had me shook. We talked briefly during the voting of the community and I really liked our short conversation! I wanted to work with you in this game but sadly we weren’t able to.

well i had a nice quick run! honestly these people were sucky, whoever wins is probably gonna be very boring. i wish i could say i had more regrets but i played headstrong, and almost turned things around for me once we swapped. if only i hadn't had a life for a night!

Ashley Daisy Trent Steven Ci'ere - sorry I never had opportunity to know any of you but there's always another game!! I think you guys were robbed and should get a third chance but that's just my opinion

Brett The fact that we weren't swapped together KILLS me. I think the world of him. Congrats on graduating this week, too!

Dom I don't know you but you seemed cool.

Ian I never got the chance to talk to you but I think the shoes you sent during the endurance challenge were nice!

My time in Switzerland was kind of a rollercoaster honestly. I felt like I was at the top of an alliance for a while but something totally out of my control screwed that up for me. I respect everyone's decisions for voting me out. It probably made sense for a lot of your games (except one or two people, who I won't name but... you know who you are. I would've been loyal as fuck). The only thing I still don't understand, is whoever told me I was too paranoid in their voting confessional. I had every right to be paranoid. I was voted out, so clearly there was something to be paranoid about. But anyways. Here I am. I hope whoever the jury votes for is a deserving winner!

Ashley Daisy Trent Steven Ci'ere - sorry I never had opportunity to know any of you but there's always another game!! I think you guys were robbed and should get a third chance but that's just my opinion

Brett Daisy wears lipstick.

Dom Ahhhh daisy I think we were on a tribe together at the start. You definitely got screwed over and I'm so sorry that happened to you. You are such a delight.

Ian Another person I never got the chance to talk to. Your lipstick looks nice though :)

Me, rising from my bed to look at the rest of this season: wait what oh yall are cute i guess hope u had fun tru

Ashley Lily- we didn't have long enough to get to know each other well but you seem cool and maybe we'll get a chance to play in the future!! 

Brett Thank you for enouraging my crimes more than anyone here!

Dom Ahhh Lily hi. You were SO robbed. I was looking forward to working with you because you're just such an icon.

Ian You were interesting to talk to. I was shocked that you were voted out. In any case, I loved that time during the selfie challenge where we were kinda the only ones up and you tried staying up until the sunrise and you couldn’t handle it anymore.

the only one-Justin Bieber ft. Chance the rapper.mp3

Ashley Renee - you seemed to be a fierce competitor so I'm sad we didn't get much time to play together. You seem nice and I really hope we have chance to actually work together soon.

Brett I liked her a lot! It just wasn't smart to let her go any further. But the first thing I told her when I met her at swap #2 was that she had a brilliant audition tape and she looked beyond cute in Monte Rosa 2.0's music video. The star of that tribe for sure!

Dom You voted yourself out. ICONIC. You're super sweet and I think you're wonderful!!

Ian I’m writing this last because you deserve an essay, heck even a paragraph for this because you don’t know how sorry I am for voting you out. The moment I saw you in the voting pool I knew I wanted to work with you. The moment you got cast, I knew I really really wanted to work with you. The moment we finally got into a tribe together I was pumped, overjoyed and excited to finally be able to work with you. I picked you first because I wanted the chance to finally re-write our story that had an ending we didn’t want in Bora Bora. The moment we lost that escape room challenge, I knew you were in trouble. We tried figuring something out, and I told you to try and talk to people. However when I woke up the next day, everyone was saying your name. It was gut wrenching having to see people message me that they only heard the name ‘Renee’ on who to vote out. It killed me not contacting you, because I couldn’t do a thing about it. Maybe I could have done something to save you but either way I didn’t do anything to save you. Voting you out was one of the most painful thing I had to do because I essentially was responsible for you being voted out because I picked you on my tribe. During the tribal council call, I don’t know if people noticed but I was really crying at that time or I had just finished crying. I can’t really remember. It’s my fault that you got voted for out and for that I wanna say that I’m deeply sorry and I hope that once this is over we can still chat from time to time.

I’m mostly just bitter about getting the same placement I did on my first season, but at least I didn’t do worse, right? If the 2 who said they couldn’t save me had tried, I would have lived. Also my fuck you was filled with irony, there’s really only hard feelings to one of you, and to that one, I have this: 

Ashley Logan - robbed!!!! Stupid swap !!! You should have come back to us!!! At least we avenged you!!! You know you deserve so much more!!! You are the best and  I will always look forward to games with you!!

Brett When he got voted out, I just wanted him to STAY. A MINUTE. JUST TAKE. YOUR TIME. THE CLOCK. IS TICKING. If I could describe Logan as one word, it would be "brave." He came to me early in the game with some things he had heard before the game started and he made me promise I would come to my own conclusions about him and I'm glad I held up my end of the deal. Dom OH MY GOD YOU WERE THE MOST ROBBED PREMERGE BOOT. I LITERALLY WAS SO UPSET THAT YOU GOT VOTED OUT!!! YOU AND NICK WERE MY CLOSEST ALLIES I'M SO SORRY THAT PEOPLE ARE UGLY. I HAVE NOTHING BUT LOVE FOR YOU <3 Ian Coming into this game I was scared of you tbh. You literally had connections with almost everyone in the cast. I’m sorry for calling you a “her” or a “mother” on several occasions lol, thanks for taking the time to correct me. Also I’m still waiting on that tarot card reading you were gonna give me.

Okay so. This wasn’t the worst season I’ve ever played but y’all seriously need to up your social games. I had a lot of fun with my OG Monte Rosa mates, but in the end, most of the players of my last tribe made no effort to talk to me, were completely sloppy in their attempts to blindside, and generally killed the vibe for me. I always love making friends in these games, so thanks to the few of you I can say I connected with. But as for the rest of you, good luck with your future ORG careers and I wish you much improvement in the social and subtlety departments (y’all were projecting wanting me gone since day one of that swap let’s be real), and also like. You know, fun :P

Ashley Maximilian- you were amazing!!! I wish we had talked more cause you are talented and seem like a great competitor!! Our time was so great together and sadly the swap led to your vote out but we avenged you!!! I hope to see you in other games!!!

Brett Thank you for editing that music video.

Dom You were really shady to me when we were on the same tribe. When you got screwed over on the tribe swap, I was upset because you're actually super nice and fun.

Ian You were always an enigma in this game. I couldn’t really get a proper read on you, but you were the first person I talked to in the tribe so that’s something hahaha. Good luck with your films!!