#Terry is just barely telling the truth here and we love him for that

[lazlolullaby]

Batman Beyond arc concept: the semi-retired Matthew "Matches" Malone + his new apprentices, Cameryn "Cam" Min-Jun and Julio "July" Jimenez

Idk it's just a set up and some vibes. But uh. I don't think Alvin Draper (Tim Drake's underworld cover in the comics) ever made an appearance in the DCAU helping out Matthew "Matches" Malone (Bruce's underworld/henchman cover identity across several universes). so.

Welcome (back) to the underworld, Terry.

After years of surviving in the Gotham underbelly, feeding Batman information and dodging both the cops and angry mafia dons, Matches Malone had decided to retire.

But money didn't go as far as it used to. After a few decades of disappearing, his nest egg ran out. Batman had also vanished in the meantime. He thought he had a few connections, some street kids he fed and put through school, but it didn't work out. They'd made it clear that they'd steal whatever pittance he had left.

So. he thought he'd go out with a bang, burning down one more warehouse in the name of his arson hobby and disappearing into the flames.

That's when Cameryn comes in. Hotheaded and lacking some street knowledge, but with some spit and polish he could be great. A notable lackey for one of the big Rogues. Cam is from Bludhaven, scrounged up his savings to make it big in the mega city of Gotham. It didn't go well. He was homeless and squatting in the aforementioned warehouse where Matches wanted his funeral pyre. Cam tackles Matches away from the flames, angrily demanding why he was trying to kill himself.

Realizing that he couldn't find an answer, Matches decides to take Cam on as an apprentice. Teaching him sneaking techniques, the main families, the history of Gotham and Old Town. They become this duo of gossipers, of grifters and information brokers. Cam is - per his name, good with cameras. Using them, hacking them, hiding from them. Eventually Matches finds out that Cam was sent here by one of his old contacts - it's unclear if it's one of his kids that can't partner him full time like Cam can, or if it was Batman, trying to both help him and train a new underworld contact.

It goes well. Then they get noticed.

A young man named Julio "July" Jimenez thought he recognized Cameryn. But he thought his name was Terry McGinnis. And Cam knew their secret handshake, but disappeared before July could check.

A few days later, Terry shows up at Julio's door, apologetic. Cameryn was a cover story.

Matches is actually his boss, Bruce Wayne. Bruce, after a lifetime of living in Gotham, finally cracked. Back in the day, Bruce was interested in helping people from the ground, not just through donations and social movements. So he created an identity he used to get information that the police and Batman could not.

Now that Bruce is elderly, sometimes the memories between "philanthropic CEO" and "mob mole" end up blurred. Sometimes Bruce doesn't recognize Wayne Manor or Terry. Matches picked up where he left off, defending fellow henchmen, but also being really tempted to just burn everything down.

It took some improv work, but Terry was able to convince Matches that he was an ally. And when Neo Batman realized their predecessors friend was back in the game, they offered help as well. They point Matches to missions and work with him while he's going through his "episodes".

But Barbara had to mess it up by giving Terry a civil service award. (Not exactly for this, no one can really know how bad Bruce got, but.) Now he's burned, he can't be on the streets with Matches. He's stuck as mission control at Wayne Manor.

Terry explains all of this to July. And sits and breathes for a moment. "I haven't actually told anyone else."

"Why not?"

"I can't tell my folks because they'd get worried and make me stop working for Mr. Wayne. Last two times I went to a shrink for myself they turned out to be connected to Rogues, I don't want to risk Mr. Wayne's rep. Powers wants any excuse to get rid of him, and if he's fired, then I'm out of the job too. I told the commissioner because she was a family friend but that got me the award and now my cover is blown." Terry puts his head in his and. "Matches and Bruce ain't bad, they're just. Needing some help."

"I see. Why tell me?"

"I didn't want you to think I was screwing up my life again."

"Wayne was as straightforward as they come. I can't believe you found that skeleton, Terry. Just your luck, huh?"

"yeah."

Another pause. July reaches, starts to hope. "you really believe in him? You think you can take them down?"

Terry immediately knows where this is going. "July. It's dangerous. I can't ask you to do this. You're trying to get out, not go in."

"I'm trying to support myself and my family. You're my family too."

He gets an ear piece and instructions, memorizes faces and places the gangs go to. July gets a stipend, weekly payments that help him and his family out. Terry says he's not paying him his PA salary but July knows better. Terry was right about Mr. Wayne and Matches: they aren't bad, just a bit rough.

Later, when it goes to heck in a hand basket and Neo Batman has to intervene and bail July out:

"You used that same voice when trying to intimidate Charlie. Try again."

Neo Batman pauses, flicks his hand under his chin and then signs "I love you" with narrowed eyes.

Commissioner Barbara Gordon gives July a witness protection deal and a new job in a better part of town.

Terry visits, eventually confirming he's Neo Batman. July is in the loop, helping out where he can. Even if it's just an ear and a break.

Idk it's an outline I don't know how to end it but it ends well. I ❤️ you.

[terrence-silver]

(This is the plot opening to the movie Mulholland Drive) If beloved was a victim of a car crash but she survives with scars on all over body with amnesia and is seen stumbling down Los Angeles by Terry, what do you think he’d do when he sees her?

---

To reference my previous post here but, yeah, finders keepers?

He has a perfect opportunity to do, oh, I don't know, just about whatever he wants and simultaneously seem like the hero? The benefactor? Have complete and utter control over a situation and an individual? Appear like a kind man saving a car crash survivor? All while tenderly molding the person? Utilizing their amnesia to make himself whatever in reference to them and vice versa, effectively invading their life? Pushing aside any and all family members because he'll pretend to be concerned for beloved's mental state and how many people they should be around in the first place to ''avoid overburdening their traumatized psyche', all while, in reality, he wants to be the only one on their mind from now on. Nobody else. Practically abducting beloved from the world by alerting pretty much nobody of importance that he found a full blown person next to a vehicle wreckage. Again! It's for beloved's benefit, he promises! Their brain needs rest. Their body too. You'll find this man has an excuse and a valid, moral-sounding explanation for everything, all while selling the whole situation like there's no strings attached. That he has noble intentions in mind. That Terry Silver's merely doing this --- this whole business of taking someone like this under his wing out of sheer unselfishness, unable to let some poor, poor lost lamb wonder the highway bloodied and bruised?

He's too much of an sweet hearted man to do that, don't you know?

But, of course, we know nothing's for free and that he seldom ever does anything without an agenda, if ever, that he's ultimately claiming beloved in their most vulnerable state, leaving out any and all authorities from the issue (or promptly bribing them off) bypassing every rule of ethics and usurping beloved's whole life into his own, making himself indispensable, necessary, the support network of the century. He can sell whatever lies he wishes to them, tell whatever truths he deems fit, give way to half-truths, partial truths, twisted truths, gaslight them, shape their memories however he pleases, manipulate them, seduce them, isolate them, take them into private treatment off the records instead of maintaining them in a hospital because it's frightening what a powerful person with money can get away with, make it seem like his presence here is entirely beloved's idea because they need him ---- look at the state of them after all; they absolutely cannot be unsupervised and no, no, Terry's conscience cannot allow him to leave them, at least until he's sure they're better, basically wiggling his way in and seeming like a saint while he does it, making beloved seem like the unreasonable party for doubting him or wanting privacy --- they barely survived and yet they shrug away any and all help, especially when he's offering help so readily and with so much passion --- he could have beloved feeling irrational, indebted and ungrateful in no time, and himself, as the ever-understanding best friend in the whole wide world they didn't know they lacked until now. Look at the all the things he's done for them, after all; their recovery resort is a palatial mansion, they've a waiting staff, private nurses (probably contractually obliged into silence) and an array of security, for their own protection, even though, he's here. He'll protect them. What happened to them will never happen again. He'll look after them. He'll look after them so well.

But, that's why Terry loves LA.

Opportunities like this are sprawled out in the streets in front of him every day, and all he has to do is find them, recognize their worth, potential or in beloved's case, there was a literal diamond chunk on the highway, and since he's picked it up, cleaned it, polished it, it's his for the keeping. Into his pocket it goes. The rules of the game are what you make them. Everything he'll plant inside of beloved's head will be infinitely better than whatever their life previously was considering their previous existence didn't have him. Boo. And clearly, whoever beloved's original social circle was allowed them to total their car and nearly die --- something Terry takes immensely personally, holding an outright grudge over the whole thing and everyone involved, refusing to view and accident as an accident; more like a reason to retaliate. A reason for revenge. Not that he won't utilize the needed channels to find out everything about beloved anyway outside of his conditioning because he'll feel it's his right to know the same way it's his right to withhold whatever it is he knows. As I said; finders keepers. Beloved's mind, body and soul all belong to him now.

[ao3feed-binarybfs]

Nocturnal

read on AO3 here

by SummerPhlox

Demetri’s back hits the wall. He realizes with a prick of dread that there’s no way to run to the door without Eli intercepting him.

“Please.” His voice is barely a whisper. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Whatever it is, we can figure it out. Just let me get you out of here.”

He shakes his head. “I can’t. I can’t go. Something’s wrong with me. I don’t—I don’t know what I’ll do out there.”

Eli steps closer. Demetri’s about to be cornered.

He knows he’s sick in the head, letting this happen when he knows the risk.

Eli’s blood could be on his hands. A beautifully, terribly layered statement.

“I’m not leaving until you tell me what he did to you.” Eli’s voice hardens.

Panic sears through him, and he feels like he’s on the verge of collapse. The hunger is hissing at him to pounce, to slice a hole in Eli’s neck…

The Miyagi Do and Eagle Fang kids think Demetri hasn't been coming to practice because of his new job. The truth is a lot worse.

Submission for the CKHalloween22 Week 1 Prompt "Monstrous Transformations!"

Words: 7380, Chapters: 1/3, Language: English

Fandoms: Cobra Kai (TV)

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence

Categories: M/M

Characters: Demetri Alexopoulos, Eli "Hawk" Moskowitz, Minor Characters, Terry Silver, Daniel LaRusso, Samantha LaRusso, Miguel Diaz (Cobra Kai), Demetri Alexopoulos's Mother, Yasmine (Cobra Kai), Moon (Cobra Kai)

Relationships: Demetri Alexopoulos/Eli "Hawk" Moskowitz, Demetri Alexopoulos & Eli "Hawk" Moskowitz

Additional Tags: Terry Daniel Sam Miguel and Demetri's mom all get mentions, but do not actually appear, Alternate Universe - Vampire, Vampire Demetri Alexopoulos, Vampire Terry Silver, Blood, Blood and Gore, Blood and Violence, I mean it's a vampire fic idk what to tell you, Demetri is going the fuck through it, Soft Eli "Hawk" Moskowitz, He's being less of a certified Little Shit than usual, because Demetri is genuinely having a very bad time, Angst with a Happy Ending, Angst and Hurt/Comfort, Angst and Humor, Getting Together, First Kiss, but it's pretty early on, and after that it's basically Established Relationship, Love Confessions, Boys In Love, Hopelessly Devoted Eli Moskowitz, Soft Demetri Alexopoulos

read on AO3 here

[humankoalaa]

BLACK LIGHTNING! 4x03

*SPOILERS*

- timeout. y’all mean to tell me.. even in dreams my grandfather is STILL getting his ass whooped?! childish.

- no he didn’t just bite into his twin. tell me tobias don’t resemble that turkey leg. his beard the skin, his head the meat, and his neck the leg.

- “you the one with the Phd... you tell me” 🤣🤣 respect your elders granddaddy.

- i think the dream mean he aggravating. put the fuckin suit on and go pawpaw.

- lawd everytime jeff says “my best friend” i be in tears like my grandmother once that green light hit the floor. RIP UNC.

- not the self loathing again 😒 shondra... play nina simone.. isn’t it a pity 🙂

- grandma... WHY?! WHHHHYYYY?!

- “hypocrisy looks good on you” 😩 grandpa... please.

- this mans called the lady a weekend warrior but he’s a whole metahuman in the therapist office crying bout a dream 🤣 she got to be a weekend warrior hell. all you do is cry and bullshit. and yalll daughters reckless, petty, and messy okay? don’t even get me started. my mother and my auntie a whole different type of liability 😭

- karen.... shut up. don’t come for my auntie unless she send for you. .your hair don’t make sense and that lipstick can’t be lighter than the red that is the color of your dress. bitch.

- “there’s no such damn thing as superHERO insurance” 🗣 BIIIIIIITCH 🤣🤣🤣🤣💀

- *lethal lightning* KAREN... P L E A S E ! 🤣🤣

- “becky from the block” 😭 auntie jenniferr... settle down.

- anissa and jenn banter 10/10 HIGHLY RECOMMEND 🤣🤣🤦🏾‍♀️

- it’s the “says the woman who leaves giant cracks in the streets just by landing dramatically .. you can just walk anissa” for me 🤣 see?! i told y’all my auntie was messy.

- lynn in the background just completely done with both her children and their shit 🤣🤣

- this show is so unapologetically black i love it. please tell me y’all saw anissa actually im gonna say nafessa scratching that scalp with a whole attitude 🤣🤣

- “bye lethal lightning” 💀 see i told y’all my mother was petty.

- “now put my show back on” 🤣🤣🤦🏾‍♀️ mawmaw... where are your manners?!

*that whole scene was actually really cute tho*

- ion know about this lady that uncle gambi sweet on. somebody using somebody... most likely gambi 🤣 but ion truss her and unc have his reasons to do the things he does. periodt. i can’t ship this. issa whole canoe in 7 foot seas.

- “mr. pierce .. who do you think i am... black lightning?” ... Jeff looking at him liike... “first of all... you would’ve had to lose that fight to be black lightning... so no”

- NOT MY MOTHER GIVING MY COMATOSED MOTHER SLASH PET SLASH ... whatever the old man is A SPONGE BATH 😭 IMMA DROWN IN MY TEARS 😭 nah fuck all at. just give me a suitcase for my tears.

- no woman ive ever dated has had conversations with me like the one anissa is having with a comatosed grace. embarrassing.

- “babe” *says some more shit* “babe” *says some more shit* “babe” *says some more shit* gimme a fucking bucket. IMMA MESS 😭😭 shondra.. play brandy... have you ever.

- “i did it without violence” ... anissa.. we not doin that. we aren’t lying to people in comas 😂🤦🏾‍♀️

- “damn babe ...you’re a lil ashy today” ANISSA. PLEASE! 🤣🤣🤣🤣💀 SHE IS 🤏🏾 CLOSE.. to getting fucking mauled by my pet leopard.

*okay but nafessa williams is beautiful*

- first of all you not gon tell that lady she ashy then say send me a sign you still in there cause a future and all that other shit 😂 apologize.

- TIMEOUT. GRACE. no she didn’t.. even in a coma, grace is dramatic. how you gon flatline after my mother said she loves you?! that’s not what she meant when she said give her a sign 😩 oh my goodness. 🤣🤣🤦🏾‍♀️ STOP THE MADNESS! PLEASE!

- it’s anissa going “hmm?” for me, after asking a comatosed grace a question. im going to hell i know.

- WHERE IS NOAH AND THE ARC 😭😭😭😭 *lion king rafiki voice* “SHES ALIIIIIIIIVE” ... shondra... play whitney houston.. one of those days”

-first word and question post coma.. “anissa?” my shirt is soaked. im gonna have a water bed by the end of this scene. JUST don’t even look at me. brb flooding the world with my tears after i finish my ovaltine.

- anissa talking about “how are you” 😂🤦🏾‍♀️ grace looking at her like “... uhhh.. i don’t see a fucking feeding tube.. im starving“

- TC looking handsome! done upgraded from them fits he was wearing from 1800 BC. i love him and jenns friendship so much.

- well when you put it like that mawmaw 🥺 shondra... play bruno mars.. just the way you are.. nah fuck that play uhh... aretha franklin.. respect” 😌

- we literally don’t care about this fighting shit 😒

- WAIT A MINUTE! i know that’s not william from girlfriends looking like whatever he got going on uhh everywhere 😩

- “you’re my electric queen” 🤣 same terry. same.

- no he didn’t 🤣🤣 tawm bout a kiss 😂

- man i just KNEW gambi ass was gon steal one of those guns 🤣🤦🏾‍♀️

- wow ...they actually let jeff win a fight? after he got his ass whooped of course. childish.

- oooooo LYNN!!!! look at my grandmother. michelle obama energy. yes lawdt. beautiful!

- OH ... no.

- shondra.. . play.. uhh... dammit.... kehlani... nights like this”

- no this man didn’t 😩 my grandmother slayed to the gods only to be tricked by a turkey leg lookin mans? complete madness.

“even a broke clock tells the truth twice a day” 🤣🤣🤦🏾‍♀️

- aww lawd.. shondra .. uhh im manifesting my grandmother not falling for mr. whales bullshit so uhm ..play.... christina aguilera .. fighter”

- writers... y’all really want me to believe Jeff thinks lynn just casually bought him flowers and put a note in it to meet her for dinner? ok.

- shondra ... nevermind.

- “you look like trash” 🤣

- hmm... that was weird... the whole thing with jenns arm like disappearing.. last time that happened was when she was struggling in those alternate universe to not become the worst version of herself... hm.

- jenn.... 🤦🏾‍♀️

- grace looking at dr. morgan like... *let me find out you tried to ask my soon to be wife in about 15 seconds out for drinks.. and don’t look at me”

- “i paid him 20 dollaz” 🤣🤣🤦🏾‍♀️ i love my aggravating mother.

- “baby.. you are the love of my life .. will you be my wife too” 😭😭 a poet. william shakespeare could never .

- G R A C E ... lets play a game.. it’s called ...sAy I lOvE yOu BaCk!

- “yes... i do” .. close enough. next week we try again ❤️

- first of all y’all gon’ have to fight me because i am here for the fastest wlw marriage in the history of television. it’s the last season and long overdue for anissa and grace just being happy. dragging stuff out and angst like we’ve had enough and that was barely. so im excited to see where they go from here.

-oooo lawd jeff done seen tobias and lynn dining together 😩 shondra... play... luther vandross.. are you there.. with another guy 👀

goodnight. this episode was everything. so messy 🤣🤦🏾‍♀️

[frostedfaves]

Promotion

Pairing: Jake Peralta x fem!reader

Summary: Y/N feels lost in the shadows at the nine-nine. When a job for her opens up with FBI, she jumps at the chance, not realizing she might be missed by a certain goofball detective.

Word Count: 1.5k

Warnings: none

-

I tried not to burst with happiness as I rode the elevator up to the precinct at the start of the day. Last night, I'd filled out my paperwork for a transfer into the FBI, and I just needed to bring them in for Captain Holt to sign and release me into the special agent universe. It was a dream come true. Not mine, but someone's, I'm sure.

The truth is, I've never even set sights on the FBI before. It was fun getting to team up with them for a case, but I didn't think I'd gain their attention so fast. I liked working with such a nice group of people, but aside from a little chatting, a drug bust or a childish game every month or so, I was practically unnoticed. And of course, there was the issue of Jake, too.

From the first day I arrived at the precinct, I assumed that Jake and Amy had a thing going on, disappointing me more as time went on and my adoration of him grew. From all the constant banter about the bet, Boyle's 'shipping', and him taking her on the worst (best in my opinion) date ever, I knew I had no chances. Even now as Amy is almost a year into her relationship with someone her friend Kylie set her up with, I can't help but think that nothing has changed on Jake's side of things. So getting away from this will be good.

I walked into the bullpen, dodging Scully and Hitchcock's latest foot thing and coming to sit at my desk across from Jake's.

"Hey, Y/N! Is that coffee from Lingo's?"

"Yeah, do you want it?" I mentally sighed at myself in disappointment. Whenever I got nervous around Jake, I had a bad habit of offering whatever I was holding to him.

Surprisingly, he shook his head. "Nah, Kate says I should really start drinking water if I wanna live past next week."

"Oh, who is Kate?" My heart sunk. Of course, he's moved on from Amy with anyone but me.

"My half-sister. One of many, actually! My dad's a huge slut, it turns out." He grinned adorably despite the intensity of the information, and the jittery feeling of being around him returned.

"Sounds fun." I tried to mask my relieved smile by pulling the folder with my promotion papers from my bag.

"Hey, what's that?"

I looked up at him, keeping a calm smile. "Oh, nothing! Just-" I was interrupted when Terry approached us.

"Good morning, guys. Briefing is starting soon." He gave us a warm smile as he walked into the briefing room, Jake immediately following. I put my papers in my top drawer before getting up to join them.

"Good morning, everyone. It's a slow day for crime, so let's all take the chance to catch up on our arrest reports. I would also like to congratulate Y/N on being offered a position at the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Please have the paperwork on my desk soon so that I can sign it and send it off by noon. Dismissed!" He left the room as everyone started congratulating me.

"Wow, I am completely jealous of you in every way possible due to who I am as a person. But I also know you're going to do great," Amy beamed before giving me a light hug.

"Thanks, Amy." I returned her smile.

"Sorry to see you go. I was actually starting to like you. Go kick ass, though," Rosa bluntly stated with just a hint of a smile, and I nodded in appreciation.

"I hope I do." It was at that moment that I noticed Charles looking at Jake, who had his eyes on the floor. Rosa noticed too, and spoke up before I could.

"Peralta, what's up with you?"

He looks up, his face tinting red as he realized everyone's eyes were on him. "Oh, I was just thinking about something I forgot to do." He made eye contact with me for a second before looking away, clearing his throat. "Um, congrats on the gig, Y/N."

I followed him out with my gaze before turning to the rest of the crew. "I think I should check on him. Excuse me."

I slightly jogged out of the room and followed the faint scent of his cologne all the way to the door of the evidence room. I sat there, pondering whether or not I should knock first before giving up and just throwing the door open. I caught sight of him leaning against a file cabinet with his head in his hands right before he looked up, his eyes meeting mine.

"Jake."

"Y/N, hey."

"Are you okay? You don't seem too happy about my promotion. Did you apply for the position already?"

"No, it's not that." He sighed, running a hand over his face a few times. "I guess I'm just not really on board with the whole...you know, you leaving."

"Well, that's a shock," I scoffed as I leaned against a desk and folded my arms across my chest, causing him to shake his head in surprise.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that I've worked here for two years and I barely get noticed by anyone! There was a solid four month stretch of me being stuck doing nothing but paperwork until Holt finally took a chance and put me on the FBI case with you, only because I was the last detective available beside Hitchcock and Scully!"

"Actually, everyone else was assigned to other cases because I specifically requested that you be put on the case." He reached up and nervously scratched at his hair, the action confusing me almost as much as his statement.

"What?" My voice came out a little softer than I intended, but something about Jake asking for me really warmed me.

"During the time where you were stuck at your desk doing paperwork, I got more of a chance to talk to you. I enjoyed it so much that eventually I started coming to work on time, just so I'd have more time to talk to you. You're beautiful and funny and I loved all the time we got to spend together, even if I was too nervous to tell you. After the few times you helped me crack some really tough cases, I realized how good of a detective you were, and begged Holt to put you on the case with me so he could see it too. And he did."

"Wow, thank you."

He nodded, a sad smile on his face. "After he congratulated you at the bar and you left, I told him that you deserved more responsibility than you were getting, not realizing that FBI team member was listening in until he came around and started talking to Holt as I was about to leave him." He took a deep breath and looked into my eyes again. "Not realizing that I'd lose you so soon, either."

I dropped my arms to my side, smiling a little. "Well, I haven't turned in the papers yet. I could just tell them that I've decided to stay here and strengthen my skills a little more before I head to the big leagues."

"No, I think you should take it because it's an amazing opportunity that you would be perfect for. However," he came over to me and reached for my arms, sliding his warm hands down until he laced his fingers through mine. "I still would like to spend more time with you, perhaps in a date setting? It's totally fine if you don't want to though, and I read this situation wrong and completely embarrassed myself in front of the most perfect girl in the world. It's fine!"

He let out a shaky but slightly sarcastic laugh, and I couldn't help but grin. I don't know if it was the effect of his soft gaze pouring into mine or being half a foot away from such a wonderful man that I'd been falling over for such a long time now, but I couldn't seem to find the right words to respond with. So I answered his question with a simple kiss.

I tried to keep it short and sweet, pulling back to gauge his reaction, but he pulled me back in before I got the chance. His hands gently loosened their grip and locked themselves together on my lower back as my hands landed on either side of his neck, lightly tracing his jaw with my thumbs. When we finally pulled away, my heart was beating so loudly that I could hear it pounding against my ear drums. I took comfort in the sound.

"I'll pick you up tonight at 8. We have a promotion to celebrate." He left one last quick kiss on my lips before carefully pulling out of the embrace, leaving me with my bottom lip slightly between my teeth and gleefully grinning at a box of labeled evidence.

[starlightswitch]

A Sparkly Secret

@flashfictionfridayofficial​ I haven’t been to the water enough this summer.

(also for Writer’s Month day 5 prompt secret)

“It really feels like we’re having an engagement party.”

“Ssh!” Immediately Emily looked around to see if anyone had heard. No one should have. Everyone else was on the boats, or the shore, or in the water close to shore. The words shouldn’t have carried to there from where the water was deep enough Austin could barely stand with his head above water. Emily was pretty sure her mouth would be underwater if she was standing. Austin had walked a few steps after he had picked her up.

“What’s the point of being engaged if we can’t even talk about it when no one is around to hear it?”

“They are around, that’s the problem.” She looked again to see if anyone had come closer after the last time he said the word. “Once we’re at college we can tell people about it.”

“I can’t wait.” He lowered his head so his lips were almost brushing her face as he went on, “I can’t wait to tell people, sorry, I can’t this weekend because I’m going to see my fiancée.”

Emily giggled. She glanced at the hand where she would have been wearing her engagement ring, and since she couldn’t tap it with her other hand because her arm was around Austin she pointed out her ring finger by tapping it a few times on her stomach.

“You think people in college are going to think we’re too young?”

“Probably some will,” said Emily, not bothered, “but they won’t be people we have to keep around for the rest of our lives.”

“I’m keeping you around for the rest of my life,” said Austin, and tilted his head down for a kiss.

“Hey, lovebirds.” Madison’s voice drifted over from the boats. “If you want lunch you should probably get over here.”

Emily dropped into the water and discovered that she couldn’t quite reach the bottom. Once she swam forward a few strokes and her stretching feet hit the bottom, she pushed up and jogged to the shore, yelling in Madison’s direction, “Jealous much?”

They both made sandwiches, hers turkey and spicy mayo, his ham and cheese with mustard, and took big spoonfuls of pasta salad. When Emily looked around, Grandpa caught her eye from one of the boats and patted the seat next to him, so she gestured her chin that way and Austin followed her over. By the time they sat down, Aunt Terri was there too, a bag of Sun Chips in her hand. “Isn’t today just perfect?” she sang out with a smile of pure delight. “I love sun and breeze together for a day on the water.”

Emily wanted to respond with something like, what made this day even more perfect was sharing it with her fiancé, or she was so happy to be able to spend a day like this with her fiancé. Now that she was engaged, she kept thinking of all these sappy things, and she wasn’t able to say any of them.

She’d be able to say them once she was in college, she reminded herself. She might dread starting college because she wouldn’t get to see Austin every day, but at least she would be able to talk to people about her fiancé.

Grandpa already had an empty plate on his lap. “Getting all packed for college?” he asked her, or maybe both of them.

“Getting there,” said Emily.

“Did you get my present?”

“All packed.” Emily flashed him a smile and explained to Austin, “He got me a bowl chair for my dorm room.”

Austin swallowed his bite of sandwich. “Nice. I’ll make sure to sit in it when I come see you.”

“You two are staying together?” Aunt Terri’s eyes widened when they both looked sharply at her, and she said hurriedly, “I’m glad to hear it! I like you.”

“Thank you?” Austin made it a question.

“I wasn’t sure where you were going for college.”

“It’s only… two hours from where Emily’s going. I can get a bus.” He said it casually, as if they hadn’t already looked into the bus trip and didn’t already know it was two hours and thirteen minutes, and that Austin would have to go see Emily, not the other way around, unless Emily could skip her Friday afternoon class.

“Good,” said Aunt Terri. “I like you. I’m glad you’ll still be around. You just can’t assume when people are starting college.”

“You can assume with us,” said Austin, and switched his fork to his left hand to reach down with his right hand and lace his fingers with Emily’s. He rested one of his fingers on her ring finger for a second as he did it.

Emily tried not to smile too big.

They’d gotten through the moment. And much as she liked to imagine telling the truth in moments like those, pulling out a ring she’d been keeping in her pocket (if she had a pocket, which right now she didn’t) and announcing that they were engaged, as much as she liked to imagine that the person would be thrilled for them and ask if they had plans for their wedding yet, she knew what anyone in her family would actually do. Either they would pretend to be thrilled but the smile wouldn’t reach their eyes, or they wouldn’t even bother to pretend. Some of them thought she was too young to date a guy for a whole year, let alone promise to marry him.

If she didn’t want judgment and gloom clouding the sunny delight of a day at the lake with her fiancé, she had to keep the fiancé part to herself. But, she thought as she looked over at Austin and his smile reflected hers, there were worse things than keeping a sparkly secret with someone you loved.

[dukethomas]

Summary: In a world where Batman never returned and his family scattered, the We Are Robin movement has grown and become the city’s new protectors. Now older, they have a conversation around a kitchen counter.

Written for @duketectivecomics​’ Duke Week, Day Three, We Are Robin! This was actually the first fic finished because I love them so much.

(note: someone please stop me from making a whole au series set here. i’m really about to do it. (i’m lying i already made the series.) also, i realize i’m shit at describing what people look like, so the picture below is the cast of characters, barring the huge, absolutely massive blonde guy. that’s troy.)

(left to right: isabella “izzy” ortiz, troy walker, duke thomas, andre “dre” cipriani, daxton “dax” chill, riko sheridan)

-

When you lead a movement of maybe a hundred-fifty kids, you learn to never get used to silence. 

Tap, tap, tap. 

Duke walks into the kitchen, seeing Riko fiddling with a pencil, tapping it on the marble counter, and staring out through the window above the sink. The sun lowers in the sky, amber light washing over everyone.

The silence is eerie, what with everyone waiting to make the first move. He remembers his first night as a Robin, his first night wearing the red jacket when they seemed to be constantly bickering. 

Years of this changes people. 

He raises his eyebrows and plops down in a chair. “How are y’all doing?” he asks, not quietly, but only just loud enough to cut through the tension. 

Izzy grunts softly, her eyes drooping after a late night. Stakeout, probably. Duke tries to keep track of everything that the Robins do, but it covers a much wider scope than it did when he was sixteen. 

He notes her bloodshot eyes and jokingly wonders to himself if the red in them could be counted as Robin colors. The police have taken people in for less.

“The new recruits are learning fast,” Riko tells him, still tapping the pencil, dark eyes wandering. “There’s one—Carrie Kelley—I think she can be promoted to one of the squads in a few weeks. The others will take time.”

“That’s good,” Duke replies, “but you know that’s not what I meant. How are you guys? Answer me honestly.”

Dre snorts. “Since when have you?” He cocks his head towards the stack of textbooks on the counter, a gleaming Robin pin placed on top. A lock of brown hair falls in his face, the rest loosely pulled into a ponytail not unlike Duke’s own (whereas Izzy and Riko cut theirs short for convenience and personal style, which Duke always finds amusing).

Duke shrugs. “Fair enough. But I feel like we haven’t been talking enough recently. We should go out, have some fun. Relax,” he adds as an afterthought. “We can leave Gotham to someone else for one day. I know Terry can handle my business.”

“We’re running low on grapplers,” interjects Dax, covering a yawn with his hand. “I was planning to stay at the workshop tomorrow and fix the broken ones.”

“Harper can handle it,” Izzy says, glancing over to Duke. He lets a smile creep onto his face as he thinks of Harper and her azure-haired brilliance. She never became a Robin, but she’s somehow always there when they need her. She packs a mean punch underneath her friendly mechanic persona. 

He always got the impression she lost something, when they talk about Robin business in front of her and she gets this wistful look in her eye. But they all lost something, hadn’t they? Years ago, when Batman and his allies skipped town. 

Bruce Wayne died a little after that, in what the papers called a noble sacrifice. Duke remembers Wayne trying to talk to Mister Bloom, talk him out of attacking the whole city. He supposes Wayne was trying to prove something to himself, and obviously, it didn’t work.

Duke kept his mouth shut when his fellow Robins suspected if the events were connected, and they figured it out themselves in due time. 

The city only grew worse after that. And maybe, if they had a Nightwing, a Red Robin, maybe even the tiny newest iteration of Robin, a Black Bat, a Spoiler, a Batman, maybe they could have survived. Maybe they could have thrived.

But they didn’t. So they all had to make do. 

It almost seemed like a blessing when his foster parents were killed in Mister Bloom’s siege on the city—not that any deaths of innocents, no matter how unlikeable, are acceptable, but because Duke got lost in the system, with Leslie Thompkins busy mourning the death of the man who used to be her ward, and he could devote all of his attention to the Robin movement.

“Okay!” Duke says with a grin. “Let’s do it. We need something like this.”

He’s about to start listing off ideas for something they could do tomorrow, when Dax interrupts, quiet and steely. “Do you ever regret doing this?” he asks with a graveness unlike him. “All of this. Because it was one thing when we were in high school and we took on odd jobs, but now we’re—” He swallows uncomfortably. “This is our responsibility. We haven’t been children since we joined. And I wouldn’t trade you guys for the world, and I’m not unhappy with the situation, I just wonder, sometimes. If our lives were different.”

“No,” Riko responds immediately, coals burning in her voice. “We have a purpose. And it’s this. And even if we didn’t, I will never regret helping.”

Duke couldn’t have said it better himself, but he continues it anyways. “We all made a choice to be in this line of work. We chose to help people instead of standing by, and we chose to try to save this hellhole instead of abandoning it. And I think,” he says, “that even though it’s rough sometimes, we get rewarded. Rainbows after the rain. I mean, look at how many Robins are with us. We inspire that kind of hope. So no, I don’t regret it.”

Dax’s face freezes in tightly knit anxiety, and he swallows hard. “Thought you’d say that. That’s who you are, Duke. You and Riko and Dre. You don’t hesitate, you just jump right into it.”

Duke opens his mouth to fire back, that he hesitated once and it cost him his parents, he hesitated again and it cost them Troy Walker, and by the third time he hesitated, there were countless people Mister Bloom killed that could have survived instead, but Izzy beats him to it.

“And what am I?” she teases, her tired eyes twinkling. “Chopped liver?”

And with that, one Izzy Ortiz sparks movement where everyone had stilled. 

“You and I,” Dax declares, after a moment of hesitation, with a weary levity, “are the most important part of this team. Impulse control.”

Izzy hides her laugh in a fist, a habit created in the first year they’d been friends. Duke doesn’t flinch at laughter as much anymore, only certain intonations, but the habits remain. “I’ll show you impulse control,” she mutters. “I’m going to launch myself into the harbor.”

(Despite this, there’s a truth to Dax’s statement. Duke can’t count how many times Izzy has stopped him from walking into a wall after a few all-nighters. Metaphorically and literally.)

“Please don’t,” Duke pleads, his eyes crinkling with mirth. “Because then I’m going to be compelled to do it with you. To save you if you drown, of course.

Dre slams his hands down on the table. “Bet!” he announces. “Bet neither of you are willing to do it from sixty feet up.” 

Duke scrambles to his feet as Izzy jolts up in her seat. “Bet!” they both chime at the same time, mock-glaring at each other.

“I’ll be the referee!” Riko blows on a whistle she wears on her nearly all the time now, which is mostly used for training purposes. Sometimes used for nefarious purposes, like being able to declare herself referee. 

Dax stares at them and a fond grin pulls at the side of his face. He sighs. “Okay, you guys have sold me. I’m in. Tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow,” Duke agrees, nodding. 

He catches Dax’s gaze, then Izzy’s, then Riko’s, then Dre’s. They may be in charge of protecting the city, it may be their purpose and their responsibility, but a thread connects them beyond that. It’s their easy banter and tense shoulders dropping in each other’s presence, in the apartment they share even if they barely see each other, the way they can fight side by side and never have to say a word.

(Years of this changes people, but some things, Duke knows in his bones, will never change.)

((And as it turns out, he and Riko didn’t say everything they didn’t regret about this gig. He still stands by that speech, though, it’s a damn good one.))

-

Read and comment on AO3!

[hogwartslivy]

Sometime Between Midnight and Morning.

If James and Lily Had Lived; Harry is 17.  

A heavy summer mist lay low over the quiet grounds of Potter Manor. It was closer to morning then it was to midnight, sometime in mid-August, and Harry Potter slept soundly with his window thrown open to catch the non-existent breeze in.  

A stack of books had been lying on his desk since arriving home from school; his intention being to get his holiday work out of the way before seeing Hermione again and getting told off. His broomstick was propped up next to his door, the real reason he hadn’t completed the homework. A couple of photographs littered his childhood bedroom. Mostly of Ron, Hermione and himself. They had met first year on the train and had been inseparable since. Most summers spent split at the others’ houses, or on holiday with one family or another. A few more depicted his early years, grinning next to his sister or content in the arms of one of his parents. The most recent sat on his bedside table. Ginny Weasley tucked under his arm, smiling up at him. When he thought about it, he couldn’t pinpoint the moment he’d fallen for her, but it had been hard and fast, all consuming. He remembered the sappy letter he had wrote to his father after learning she was dating Dean Thomas, explaining that he wanted to drop out because he just couldn’t bare seeing her with anyone else. James had written back, telling him to push Dean into the Black Lake and the giant squid would take care of the rest. Lily got word of James’ advice however and told Harry to be patient. So he was. Ginny won them the Quidditch House Cup, and he snogged her in front of the entire house.  

A rush of air passed through the window. The darkness shifted just enough to rouse Harry from sleep, squinting around the bedroom for the explanation. Something was moving near his door.  

“Maggie?” He called out.  

“Better.” A soft voice called back. More movement, a small rustling of clothing being stripped off and thrown carelessly among his own that was scattered on the floor, and a dip in the mattress made him reach for his glasses.  

She took the opportunity of his outstretched arm, slipping under his sheet and curling into his side. Immediately, a flowery smell took over his senses. His arm relaxed, realising who had crept into his bedroom so early in the morning.  

“What are you doing here?” He questioned. Although, he couldn’t say that he was completely upset by the intrusion. He shifted again, rolling onto his back again, her head following to rest on his chest. His outstretched arm curled around her; his fingers tracing patterns on her arm.  

She rested her hand over his heart, feeling the beat, “Missed you.”  

“So, what you –” He glanced over to where her voice had come from, a new broomstick leaning against his own, “—you flew?! Ginny that’s got to be at least forty-five minutes in the air!”  

“An hour, actually,” She said quietly, he could hear a hint of mischief present, as it often was, “Like I said, I missed you.”  

“Couldn’t wait till the weekend, for Diagon Alley?”  

“Too far away.”  

“Less then forty-eight hours.”  

“Shh. I’m trying to sleep, very tired, long flight.” She moved her hand across his shoulder, her hand finding his hair.

He laughed. He moved again, onto his side. Her hand sliding out of his hair, she turned too, pressing her back into his chest as his arms encircled her body; fitting together like missing puzzle pieces. His lips pressed in between her shoulder blades. His fingers traced the well-known patterns on her thigh, running under the elastic of her shorts when feeling brave. Ginny sighed, relaxing into his touch. Her life, while filled with love and laughter, offered little to no privacy at the best of times. She had come to realise that most things she did, she did them with an audience. She had never minded, in fact, Ginny knew she was a bit of show off. She liked people to know that she was tough, that she flew brilliantly, that could throw a powerful hex and mean it. She didn’t mind an audience. Except now, when she was with him, she did. Ron hovered, Hermione smiled knowingly, their parents planned their futures.  It had been evident that until they were out in the real world they would never be truly alone. Maybe not even then. So, when Ron had been bragging about all the plans that he had for him and Harry over the weekend in London, she had almost hit him with a Bat-Bogey Hex. It wasn’t fair, dating her brother’s best friend. Harry was always conflicted about who to spend time with, she normally won but she knew it hurt him to choose.  

She felt him press another kiss to her skin, and another, “I just wanted to see you… alone.” She whispered. His fingered dug into her hip.  

“I’m not complaining.” Another kiss, “I’m just saying it’s a long fly… and in the dark… what if something had happened…” Another, and another, “Your mother would have killed me.”  

She laughed, “Ah, so you’re worried about the wrath of Molly Weasley.”  

“Currently, she likes me better then Fleur and whoever Percy bought home last week, so yes. I’d like to stay the favourite.” He rested his chin at the nape of her neck.  

The darkness was lifting, the room around them starting to lighten. His fingers continued to trace patterns. Her breathing began to slow, and his eyes shut, content. Just like any couple the two of them had their fair share of arguments, sometimes about the smallest things. He remembered back to their last few weeks at Hogwarts. As a sixth year, there were no exams to worry about, only preparation work for his seventh year however Ginny was in fifth year and that meant sitting her OWL’s. He wanted to spend their free time by the black lake, toes skimming the water, wrapped up in each other. She needed to shut herself in the library to ensure she passed. He thought she was working too hard, and she thought he was trying to distract her on purpose. He called her irrational and she him selfish. They didn’t speak for an entire week, the longest they had ever gone not speaking since they had met. Harry was distraught the entire week, but his stubbornness overruled. Ginny spent that week unfocused and teary, and Ginny Weasley didn’t cry.  It wasn’t until she had collapsed in a defence lesson that the stalemate broke. Hermione had found out from Luna, who had carried the message from Terry Boot, and Harry had rushed to be by her side.I’m so sorry, he had said, I was being stubborn. Of course, you should study. I should be supportive. I’m so sorry.She ran a hand though his hair and told him to kiss her, the week already forgotten.  

The sun was halfway up now, “We never get time alone. Always someone around.”  

“We’re alone right now.” He said.  

“Exactly.”  

“I love you.”  

For a moment, she wasn’t entirely sure she had heard him correctly. It had been nothing more than a whisper and if she hadn’t been focusing solely on his breathing, the words may have been carried out the window and lost.  

“You’ve never said that before.” She said, blankly.  

“I love you.” He pressed his lips into her neck, “There. Now I’ve said it twice.”  

“Oh.”  

“Ok.” He said. His fingers continued their patterns and his breathing was a steady as it had been. She realised that he didn’t expect, didn’t need, her to say it back; only that he wanted to tell her, that he was ready to tell her.  

She let her eyes close again, trying to relax as her mind raced to make sense of her feelings. She had liked Harry for a long time. A lot longer than he had liked her, she knew that for sure, but when Cho Chang had stolen his attention, she was sure he had no interest in her. So, Hermione had told her to maybe date others. To perhaps look elsewhere because as much as Hermione considered Harry her brother and loved him very much, she thought he was thick and couldn’t see what was in front of him. Ginny took her advice, dating Terry Boot for a while and then Dean Thomas. They had bored her, as harsh as it is to say, but it was the truth. Harry fought with her, he challenged her opinions and told her when she was being a brat. He matched her in Quidditch and wasn’t afraid to beat her. He was just as jealous as she was, and as protective over his family as she was hers. He was her equal.  

“I love you too.”

Read it on AO3

[just-a-caffeine-addict]

Quotes Accrued in a Decade

“…as you well know, the source of the Nile remained invisible to those who lived next to it for a thousand years. Identifying it required a stranger. (A fresh pair of eyes may see what others miss)” –Sherlock Holmes (From The Perils of Sherlock Holmes: Short Stories)

“A couple of years before he died, I kissed my father goodbye. He said, ‘Son, you haven’t kissed me since you were a little boy.’ It went straight to my heart, and I kissed him whenever I saw him after that, and my sons and I always kiss whenever we meet.” –Terry Wogan

“A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows the public opinion.” –Chinese Proverb

“All great truths begin as blasphemies.” –George Bernard Shaw

“An army of donkeys led by a lion is better than an army of lions led by a donkey.” –Genghis Khan

"An error does not become truth by reason of multiplied propagation, nor does truth become error because nobody sees it." –Mahatma Gandhi

“Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.” –Cesar A. Cruz

“As we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.” –Marianna Williamson

“Ask not what your country can do for you –ask what you can do for your country.” –John Kennedy

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply give you courage.” –Lao Tzu

“Better the devil you know than the devil you don't know.” –English Proverb

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.” –George Bernard Shaw

“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” –Confucius

“Can you really have a bad experiment? I don’t know. But can you have a bad result? Yes.” — EvanAndKatelyn (From Can Resin Preserve a Pumpkin Carving?)

“canon is but the sandbox in which i strike lightning to form glass. trouble me no more with your quibblings and quorums, lest i grind you to dust beneath my heel and build stories from the remnants of your bones. Avast, foul fiend” —taako waititi (From Tumblr)

“Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?” —Victor Hugo

“Cucullus non facit monachum (A cowl does not make a monk).” – Fool/Feste (From Twelfth Night)

“Demons run when a good man goes to war…” –River Song (From Doctor Who)

“Due to high cost of ammo, there will be NO WARNING SHOTS FIRED.” –Warning sign

“Every couple needs to argue now and then. Just to prove that the relationship is strong enough to survive. Long-term relationships, the ones that matter, are all about weathering the peaks and the valleys.” –Nicholas Sparks (From Safe Haven)

“Everyone gives the title of barbarism to everything that is not in use in his own country.” –Michel de Montaigne (From Of Cannibals)

“Families are the compass that guide us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights, and our comfort when we occasionally falter.” –Brad Henry

“Fiction reveals truth that reality obscures.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Fools take a knife and stab people in the back. The wise take a knife, cut the cord, and set themselves free from the fools.” –Unknown

“Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses.” –Chinese Proverb

“Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.” –Thomas Edison

“Herr, wirf Hern vom Himmel -oder Steine, Hauptsache er trifft (Lord, throw some brains from the heavens -or stones, as long as he hits the mark)!” –German Proverb

“History is for human self-knowledge...the only clue to what man can do is what man has done. The value of history, then, is that it teaches us what man has done and thus what man is.” —R.G. Collingwood

“Humor is emotional chaos remembered in tranquility.” –James Thurber

“I can pretend I’m a fish, but I shouldn’t try to breathe underwater.” –Unknown

“I have the patience of a saint. Saint Cunty McFuckOff.” –Words on a cup

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 1,000 ways that won’t work.” –Thomas Edison

“I made some good deals and I made some bad ones. I really went in the hole with this one.” –Quote on a grave

“I occasionally think, how quickly our differences worldwide would vanish if we were facing an alien threat from outside this world. And yet, I ask is not an alien force ALREADY among us?” –Ronald Reagan

“If I have seen further than others, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” –Isaac Newton

“If our impulses were confined to hunger, thirst, and desire, we might nearly be free; but now we are moved by every wind that blows, and a chance word or scene that that word may convey to us.” –Victor Frankenstein (From Frankenstein)

“If the world tells me I’m mad, whereas I know I’m not, which of us is right? Thus, being mad is what? Inventing a life one hasn’t lived or loving a woman met in another lifetime? Is it clinging to unsatisfied desires?..” Doriel (From A Mad Desire to Dance)

“If you’re afraid - don’t do it, - if you’re doing it - don’t be afraid!” –Genghis Khan

“If you’re going to be a writer, the first essential is just to write. Do not wait for an idea. Start writing something and the ideas will come. You have to turn the faucet on before the water starts to flow.” —Louis L’Amour

"If you're not asking the questions in a thoughtful way, you're not going to get any results that are useful or interesting." –Tony Wagner

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.” –John Quincy Adams

“I'm the one that's got to die when it's time for me to die, so let me live my life the way I want to.” –Jimi Hendrix (From Axis: Bold as Love)

"Imagine a world in which every single person on the planet has free access to the sum of all human knowledge." –Jimmy Wales (Founder of Wikipedia)

"In caucus terrae, luscus rex est (In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king)." –Latin Adage

“In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” –Abraham Lincoln

“In time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” –George Orwell

“It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.” –André Gide (From Autumn Leaves)

"It's not that I'm so smart. But I stay with the questions much longer." –Albert Einstein

“It’s true. I forget important things sometimes… Sometimes I do think I should give up-- just let the crown win and the world freeze, with me in it. Some days I can’t remember a single reason to keep fighting. Some… Some days I-- I can’t remember her. But giving up’s EASY. You know what’s hard? To BELIEVE in your own worth, to KNOW you’ve got something special in you even if nobody else can see it. Even when YOU can’t.” –Ice King |Simon Petrikov from Adventure Time

“Learn yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.” –Albert Einstein

“Learning to trust is one of life’s most difficult tasks.” –Isaac Watts

“Life is a dream for the wise, a game for the fool, a comedy for the rich, a tragedy for the poor.” –Sholom Aleichem

“Love is friendship that has caught fire. It is quiet understanding, mutual confidence, sharing and forgiving. It is loyalty through good and bad times. It settles for less than perfection and makes allowances for human weaknesses.” –Ann Landers

“Love takes off masks that we fear we cannot live without and know we cannot live within.” –James Baldwin

“Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose.” —“The Wonder Years”

“My family is my strength and my weakness.” –Aishwarya rai Bachchan

“Names are the sweetest and the most important sounds in any language.” –Dale Carnegie

“No man chooses evil because it is evil; he only mistakes it for happiness, the good he seeks.” –Mary Wollstonecraft

"No mortal can keep a secret. If his lips are silent, he chatters with his fingertips." –Sigmund Freud

“No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.” –Lin Yutang

“NO TRESPASSING. Violators will be shot; Survivors will be shot again.” –Warning Sign

“Nobody knows you as well as our spouse. And that means no one will be quicker to recognize a change when you deliberately start sacrificing your wants and wishes to make sure his or her needs are met.” –Stephen Kendrick from The Love Dare

“Notice: Anyone found here at night will be found here in the morning.” –Warning Sign

“"One thing nature is very good at is creating incredibly complex microscopic structures. That's because nature's machines are the size of molecules, while our crude versions are the size of rooms." –Theodore Gray (from Molecules: The Elements and Architecture of Everything)

“Only the sufferers know how their bellies ache.“ –Burmese

“People never lie so much as after a hunt, during a war, or before an election.” –Otto von Bismarck

“People think intimacy is about sex. But intimacy is about truth. When you realize you can tell someone your truth, when you can show yourself to them, when you stand in front of them bare and their response is ‘You’re safe with me’ - that’s intimacy.” –Taylor Jenkins Reid (From The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo)

“Play taps for my ass, cause it’s dead as hell.” –Unknown Quote

“Six of one, half a dozen of the other. (It doesn't matter which one we choose; Equally involved, equally responsible)”

“Sometimes people are beautiful. Not in looks. Not in what they say. Just in what they are.” –Markus Zusak (From I Am the Messenger)

“Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.” –Theodore Roosevelt

“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can” –Arthur Ashe

“Take nothing but pictures; Leave nothing but footprints; Kill nothing but time.” –Caver’s Creed

“Take with a pinch of salt (Don’t completely believe what’s told).”

“The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other’s life.” –Richard Bach

“The end of one thing is only the beginning of another.” –Unknown

“The family is a haven in a heartless world.” –Attributed to Christopher Lasch

“The helper seeks to help others because he knows what it is to be helpless.” –’ Zen’ Wander (From Wander Over Yonder)

"The million-dollar question: Why aren't we kinder? The second million-dollar question: How might we become more loving, more open, less selfish, more present, less

delusional?" –George Sanders

“The need for a body of common knowledge and common reference ...grows more necessary so that people of different origins and occupation may quickly find common ground and, as we say, speak a common language...it also ensures a kind of mutual confidence and good will. One is not addressing an alien, blank as a stone wall, but a responsive creature whose mind is filled with the same images, memories, and vocabulary as oneself.” —Jacques Barzun

“The ones that stay with you through everything - they're your true best friends. Don't let go of them.” –Marilyn Monroe

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself!” –Roosevelt

“The only time you should look in your neighbor's bowl is to make sure you have enough.” –Louie CK

“The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion.” –Albert Camus

“The sacrifice which causes sorrow to the doer of the sacrifice is no sacrifice. Real sacrifice lightens the mind of the doer and gives him a sense of peace and joy. The Buddha gave up the pleasures of life because they had become painful to him.” –Mahatma Gandhi

“The secret of a good memory is attention, and attention to a subject depends upon our interest in it. We rarely forget that which has made a deep impression on our minds.” —Tryon Edwards

“The secret to humor is surprise.” –Aristotle

“The surplus wealth of the few will become, in the best sense, the property of many, because administered for the common good.” –Andrew Carnegie

“The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.” –G.K. Chesterson

"The word 'why' not only taught me to ask, but also to think. And thinking has never hurt anyone. On the contrary, it does us all a world of good." –Anne Frank

“The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong in the broken places.” –Ernest Hemingway From A Farewell To Arms

“There is no satisfaction in vengeance unless the offender has time to realize who it is that strikes him, and why retribution had come upon him.” –Jefferson Hope From Sherlock’s Adventures

“There will be something you hate in every job. The trick is finding a job where you love the good parts enough to make up for the crappy parts.” –post

“There’s a name for you ladies, but it isn’t used in high society… outside of a kennel.” –Crystal (From The Women of 1939)

“Though we tremble before uncertain futures… may we dance in the face of our fears.” –Gloria Anzaldua

“To forget the dead would be akin to killing them a second time.” –Elie Wiesel (From Night)

“Un sot trouve toujours un plus sot qui l’admire (A fool always finds a fool to admire him).” – Sherlock Holmes (French translation)

“We’re taught Lord Acton’s axiom: all power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely[...] I believed that when we started these books, but I don’t believe it’s always true anymore. [...] What I believe is always true about power is that power always reveals. When you have enough power to do what you always wanted to do, then you see what the guy always wanted to do.” –Robert A. Caro

“We call that person who has lost his father, an orphan; and a widower that man who has lost his wife. But that man who has known the immense unhappiness of losing a friend, by what name do we call him? Here every language is silent and holds its peace in impotence.” –Joseph Roux

“What we have done to ourselves alone, dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.” –Brother Albert Pike

“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” –Henry Ford

“When you wish upon a star, you’re a few million light years late. That star is dead. Just like your dreams.” –Unknown

“When you’re a brat, running fast is enough to make you popular. When you’re a middle-schooler, the guys who can fight will be popular, and after that it’s the guys with brains who can get the girls.” –Master of Protagonist (From The Fruit of Grisaia)

“Where we love is home –home where our feet may leave, but not our hearts.” –Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

“Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.” –Plato

“You are the company you keep.” –Unknown

“You must be imaginative, strong-hearted. You must try things that may not work, and you must not let anyone define your limits because of where you come from. Your only limit is your soul" –Chef Gusteau (From Ratatouille)

“You walk around a drunk, you get a tired drunk. Splash ‘em with water, you get a wet drunk. Give ‘em a coffee, you’ve got a wide-awake drunk…” –Unknown

[johnny-and-dora]

how sweet the taste of certainty

Finally, she doesn’t have to wonder if their love is doomed to be some quiet, fragile thing. It’s not some fickle flickering candle at all, but rather something as bright and as certain and as inevitable as the sunrise. Something beautiful and familiar that, in earnest, is only just beginning.

or, amy tells her parents the shining, golden reason why she can't marry teddy. (a missing scene of my royalty au)

read on ao3 / read the original  -

The morning after she asks Jake to marry her, Amy stops a couple steps short of the heavy dining room doors, heart in her mouth, feet suddenly and brutally rooted to the ground. The eloquent and respectful speech she spent all night planning has seemingly evaporated, leaving her less of a person and more a pile of nervous mush.

“Are you ready?” Rosa meets her gaze, her armour glinting in the summer morning sunshine.

“No.” Amy admits, smiling nervously, calculating the nearest escape route and how long she could survive in the forest based on her existing hunting and foraging skills. “Do you think this is a bad idea?”

Rosa considers it for a beat. “No. I think it’s crazy, and it might blow up in your face, but I think it’s a good thing. For everyone.”

She can’t help but feel reassured by her best friend’s trademark bluntness, smoothing down her dress and fixing her hair again almost compulsively. It’s just breakfast. A breakfast that may as well be taking place in the middle of a minefield, but still just breakfast. She can handle breakfast.

Amy takes a deep breath, nods at Rosa, and pushes the doors open.

She’s greeted by the tail-end of an idyllic Santiago family meal; her parents sit at the head of the table, looking stoic and serious as usual. Three of her brothers are also dotted around, Julian in the middle of shoving an entire croissant in his mouth as he waves at her. David is mercifully absent. Silver linings. She definitely doesn’t need the golden child around today.

“Amelia – good, we were starting to worry…” Her mom trails off, a weight behind her words that instantly sends an unpleasant lick of irritation down her spine. She clenches her fists, resisting the urge to tell her just how much she really needs to be worried about. Just how close she was to smuggling herself and Jake over the border last night and never looking back.

Amy knows this won’t work unless she’s calm, firm and collected – she needs this to go perfectly, the stakes for this particular conversation so far past the roof they’re practically up in the stratosphere (Jake’s words, not hers). So, instead of letting out all the latent anger kicking around in her chest, she takes a deep breath and smiles politely, the one usually reserved for dukes that condescendingly call her “sweetheart” and then drop their jaws when she can recite state law from memory.

“You guys said you wanted to see me?”

“Prince Theodore has been asking after you. He’s waiting at the West Wing gate.”

“Good. I need to talk to him.” Amy says, forcefully enough that her mother sharply raises an eyebrow, sucking all the air out of the room in the process. “I need to talk to you, too.”

Her mom and dad share a quick, loaded glance. Everyone falls quiet, Tony and Simon no longer squabbling over who gets the last bread roll, Julian letting a blob of jam fall on his shirt without noticing. All eyes are on her as Victor gestures for her to continue – ideally, she’d do this with as little of an audience as possible, but she confesses to Jake later that she couldn’t help but revel slightly in the drama of it all.

She’s Amy Santiago – she’s fluent in five languages, director of the royal art collection, ambassador for human rights and one of the best trade negotiators in the seven kingdoms. She is capable of anything. She can do this. She’d barely last a week in the forest anyway.

“I’m not going to marry him.”

“Amelia…” Her mother sighs disapprovingly – it drills into Amy’s soul, but she stands her ground, making peace with her portrait being one step further away from the mantel. Her father eyes her warily as if he was expecting this.

“No, I know. I know you think it’s what’s best for me. I know a marriage like that worked for you two, and I know that it would benefit the kingdom and that’s great. But I can’t marry someone I don’t love, and you can’t force me to.”

“Accepting his proposal may seem like a risk, but a one worth taking.” Her father says. “He’s good for you, Amy – his reputation, his influence, it could really help you build something. You two are perfectly matched.”

Amy chews her bottom lip, a nervous tic she just can’t shake, gathering her courage. “Maybe in a different situation, Teddy and I would have worked. I see what you see in him. But it’s more than just on principle. I physically can’t marry him.”

“Why not?”

“Because - “Amy says, voice shaking a little, but eyes alight, “-I’m engaged to someone else.”

And, well, there it is. Her whole life changed by a single sentence.

It has the intended effect, increased tenfold thanks to a truly magnificent spit take from Julian as he chokes on his orange juice. Her parents stare at her in stunned disbelief – a wide-eyed Tony pats Julian on the back as his coughing dissolves into laughter. Best of all though, Amy can see Rosa smiling wide and proud in the corner of her eye, and it’s all she needs to feel newly emboldened, heart thumping in a way that makes her feel powerful instead of helpless.

“My God, Amy. I thought I had it with the whole one-night-stand with the Prince of Arabia thing, but you officially just won most dramatic family announcement. Well played.” Julian laughs, uproarious and bright. She’s glad he’s here.

“I…don’t understand. You are…already engaged?” Her mother asks weakly.

“As of last night, yes.” Amy tries to remain as neutral and matter-of-fact as possible, but she can’t help softening at the fresh memory of Jake saying yes over and over again, punctuating each affirmation with a kiss as she laughed, buoyant and alive with unadulterated joy. It’s all still very surreal, especially considering she hasn’t slept since; but if it is all a dream, it’s one she never intends to wake up from.

“I don’t see a ring,” Julian says, a bright grin plastered on his face that Amy ever so slightly mirrors, unable to completely tamp down her happiness any longer. “Isn’t there supposed to be a ring?”

“There is, but he has it. I proposed to him.”

“Oh, of course you did.” Julian shakes his head in a perfect marriage of awe and amusement.

“How…what…who…” Tony stammers – having graciously passed the point of no return, Amy decides to throw all her caution and concern to the wind and dive headfirst into the unknown.

“His name is Jake Peralta and he is the absolute love of my life. I have never been surer about anything than I am about that fact.” She consciously pours every ounce of conviction she has into her words, and it tastes like honey on her tongue, fresh air in her lungs. “He’s a baker and he helps out in the kitchen with Charles and he is the kindest, most loyal, most wonderful person I have ever met.”

There are so many ways to describe him – completely unexpected, completely full of warmth and laughter and more love than she thought any human being was capable of containing. Loving Jake is endlessly surprising, but it’s also the easiest thing she’s ever done.

“I didn’t tell you because I knew you’d never approve of me being with someone who didn’t have ‘reputation’, but the truth is that Jake is good for me in a way that Teddy could never be. He is unconditionally supportive and thoughtful, and he sees me for me, not just as a status symbol or some idealised fairy-tale. I love him and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with him.”

She says her piece, affection flowing from her almost of its own accord. As she does, she’s flooded with memories – throwing grapes at each other at the picnic they shared in the wildflower meadows beyond the gates. Jake smuggling cupcakes to her to cheer her up on bad days. Him clumsily risking his life climbing through her bedroom window just to help her rehearse her big address at a formal dinner, planting a kiss on her forehead every time she got through a cue card.

Their walks around the castle grounds, laughing at stupid inside jokes. Playing cards in the kitchens with Charles, Terry and Rosa. Teaching him how to paint and sketching him in increasingly ridiculous poses. Having dinner with his mom. Stealing away moments behind the stables and on staircases. Most vividly, their countless private rendezvous in the forest, free of all façades and responsibilities and reputations to uphold.

Amy refuses to hide any of it anymore – he is, openly and unashamedly, the man she loves.

No-one speaks, for a little while; she lets her honesty sink in. Her mother is wearing a look of abject horror – her dad’s expression is stony and unreadable, and it startles her when he is the first one to break the silence, directly addressing Rosa standing guard by the door.

“Diaz. Is all of this true?” Rosa glances at Amy, who gives her an encouraging nod. She knows her father has always valued Rosa’s directness as much as Amy does.

“Yes, sir.” She pauses. “And for the record, I’ve known both of these people a long time, and this is the happiest I’ve seen either of them. It’s kind of sickening, actually.”

Her parents exchange glances, a silent conversation Amy isn’t privy too – she’s too busy feeling her heart swell with further affection, this time for her best friend. She and Jake owe so much to Rosa helping them out, relaying messages back and forth and covering for them. When this is all over, Amy’s definitely embroidering a thank you pillow for her to punch.

“I see. Will you please bring this Jake Peralta here for me?” His tone is even and calm, almost unnervingly so. Rosa nods, quickly disappearing. She knows exactly where Jake will be; in the kitchens, probably stress eating day-old pastry and getting a last-minute pep talk from Charles (which is guaranteed to be largely unhelpful and delivered through hysterical tears).

She’d warned him that they’d probably want to meet him; he’d expressed anxiety about it last night, but Amy had quickly reassured him that no-one else’s opinion mattered to her about this. They’re getting married, whether her parents approve or not.

Obviously, she wants them to like him. She’s dedicated a lot of time to making sure he knows he is loved and accepted, and she’s willing to work even harder to wax lyrical about how wonderful he is for the rest of their lives if she has to. For now, though, she just has to focus on not getting them both exiled.

Her dad calmly asks her brothers to leave the table – Julian mutters in protest as he exits, only stopping to brightly clap Amy on the shoulder and earnestly congratulate her with an enthusiastic high five.

“He sounds great, mimi. I can’t wait to meet him.” For once, her older brother is completely sincere, save perhaps for the suggestive wink he gives her, and it’s a touching gesture that eases some of the relentless anxiety building in her gut. Amy dreads to think how insufferable the pair will be when they do finally meet. She can’t wait either.

Part of her is absolutely fucking terrified to be left alone with her parents with her open defiance and violation of their wishes hanging so ominously in the air – Amy Santiago has never been a rule breaker. She’s always worn the stupid fancy dresses even when she’s dying for something more practical and let Gina give her more and more complicated and ridiculous hairstyles and politely mingled with the endless line of boring high-status bachelors as her parents watched on hopefully. She’s always played the role of the only princess to perfection.

But then she thinks of little six-year-old Amy demanding that she be taught the same combat training as her brothers and twelve-year-old Amy petitioning to allow female members into the Royal Guard and, well. They really should have seen this coming from a mile away.

Thankfully, it doesn’t take long before Rosa strides back in, a clearly nervous Jake hurrying forward in her wake. For a moment, her original plan of whisking him away to start a simple life together swims into her head, a powerful urge to protect him surging over her.

But then their eyes meet, and he waves, a small nervous smile on his face. And then she notices, as it catches the sunlight streaming in through the window and glitters as if enchanted, the engagement ring hung proudly around his neck. And she just knows, as sure as the sun will rise, that they can handle anything.

“I understand that you are engaged to my Amy.”

“Yes, sir.” Jake rocks on his heels slightly, nervously fidgeting the way he always does when he’s anxious. “I’m very lucky to know her and I love her very much.” It’s not the most eloquent speech ever performed in this great hall, but it’s by far her favourite.

“How do I know you are good enough for my only daughter?”

“Oh, there’s no way I’m good enough for Amy. She’s the most incredible person I’ve ever met and the best thing that’s happened to me.” He steps closer to her, silently taking and squeezing her hand as he speaks. “But she still chose me, and I promise you that I will spend every moment of the rest of my life trying to be someone worthy of being loved by her.”

She wants to scream from the top of her lungs that he is completely and utterly good enough, and she wants to hurt anyone who has ever made him feel otherwise. Instead, she squeezes back, and mouths I love you while her parents exchange another hushed conversation.

“Well then - it appears there’s nothing we can do to stop you. Nor do I think we should try.” It could be a trick of the light, but she swears that she sees a glimmer of pride in her father’s eye. Her mom clears her throat, clearly still struggling to comprehend the situation.

“Mija, what we want most for you is for you to be happy. Does he make you happy?” She asks – Amy glances at the man beside her and finds her best friend, her fiancé, her favourite person. Easiest solve in the world.

“More than anything.”

“Then that settles that. You two have our blessing.” Her father says, as simply as if he was commenting on the weather. Amy blinks once, then again, her grip on Jake’s hand getting tighter.

“We…we do?”

“Yes, you do. We clearly have much to discuss, but I must first inform Prince Theodore that other arrangements need to be made.”

“I…wow. Thank you. Thank you, so much, I…” Her brain appears to be malfunctioning, so she does the only thing that feels right; she hugs her parents, whispering another strangled thank you, and then hastily pulls a stunned Jake out of the room, now squeezing his hand so tightly it’s probably cutting off all the circulation. If it does hurt, he doesn’t say anything – then again, in the moment neither of them seems able to speak.

She drags him into the nearest room; Holt’s classroom which, blessedly, is currently empty. Heart pounding, she finally meets Jakes gaze. He looks like he’s just found the end of a rainbow.

“Did they just…”

“Yeah. Yes. I think they did.”

“So, we’re…”

“Getting married. Yep. That is a thing that is officially happening.”

There’s a single moment before they’re both collapsing into shocked, near-hysterical laughter, an amalgamation of relief, disbelief, exhaustion and above all else, joy. Amy practically throws herself around him, performing some kind of strangled hybrid of laughing and crying as she buries herself into his shirt.

They stay like that for a while, completely wrapped up in each other. It could be seconds or minutes or maybe even hours – she doesn’t care. Time has ruled their life together for so long; now, it’s an insignificant enemy, no longer precious, unpredictable or finite. It’s bliss.

“Hey, listen. Rosa told me, uh, what you said. To your parents. About me being the love of your life and all that.” Jake says, suddenly adorably shy.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. She said it with a disgusted look on her face, but I think she’s secretly rooting for us.”

Amy hums in contentment, making a note to call her a secret sap and then hug her the next time she sees her. Jake clears his throat nervously, calling her attention back to him, all soft and warm honey gaze.

“You’re mine too, by the way.” He says sheepishly. “Just in case…I mean I hope you that know by now, but-“ She smothers his nervous ramblings with a firm kiss, finally. Finally, the abstract brush-strokes and subtle hues of the future they could have together come into sharp focus, vivid and prismatic.

Finally, she doesn’t have to wonder if their love is doomed to be some quiet, fragile thing. It’s not some fickle flickering candle at all, but rather something as bright and as certain and as inevitable as the sunrise. Something beautiful and familiar that, in earnest, is only just beginning.

“I love you.”

“I love you too, future wife.” He grins, kissing her again. She’s sure, now, as her lips meld to his that he is the person she was always meant to come home to, to find a home in.

Amy feels a wave of exhaustion overwhelm her; now that the adrenaline is wearing off, the unfortunate side-effects of not sleeping for almost twenty-four hours rapidly take hold. She barely suppresses a yawn, scrunching up her nose as Jake looks at her fondly.

“You wanna go back to bed? I happen to know an excellent nap partner.”

“Oh, great, me too. I’ll see if Hitchcock’s available.” She says, laughing when Jake pouts in offence, draping her arms around him, leaning up so that their noses are almost touching.

“It’s our first day together as an engaged couple. I want to do something special.”

“Ames, we have the rest of our lives to do something special.” He says, gazing down at her with so much undiluted affection that her resolve completely melts away. The rest of their lives. She really likes the sound of that.

“Okay, napping sounds pretty good right now too.”

“Good, because we have about five minutes until I collapse from twelve hours straight of nervous hysteria. Would you mind carrying me to your bedroom?”

She rolls her eyes and shoves him, but also offers him her hand. They soon collapse into Amy’s four-poster bed, quickly pulling the covers over their heads, wriggling around and fighting for space while they giggle like little kids. Amy sleepily leans into him when they’re all settled in, and she’s never felt safer than she does now, being lulled to sleep by the steady rise and fall of his chest.

“We’re getting married.” She whispers reverently, eyelids heavy – she feels his lips gently ghost against the top of her head in response, perhaps subconsciously as if he were made to do it. They drift off, and the last of her anxiety ebbs and flows away as if merely a bad memory.

It’s the best sleep either of them has had for months.

[stilessdylanobae-ddixonlove]

Surviving The Walking Dead - Truth (Chapter 20)

Author: @stilessdylanobae-ddixonlove

Characters: Daryl Dixon, Lydia, Magna, Negan, Beta, Alpha, Whisperer Terry, Whisperer Ben, Evan, Maggie Rhee, Ezekiel, Judith Grimes, RJ Grimes, Yumiko and Reader.

Summary: Y/n struggles with new and old feelings as her and Magna attempt to escape the Whisperers. Negan gives an epic apology and Daryl recovers from his wounds.

Note: All you who wanted to see more of Y/n and Negan, you’ll like this chapter. <3

Though the story line is greatly different and many changes have been made, a small amount of the dialogue in this chapter is the same as or is very similar to those that took place in AMC’s The Walking Dead Season 10 Episode 11. I do NOT take credit for those. 

Warning: Cursing, violence, sexual content, threatening dialogue, painful triggers/loss, vulgar remarks and quite a bit of fluff.

Chapter Twenty - Chapter Twenty-One

Lydia had just barely managed to pull Daryl from the old gas station and into the woods, as he was in and out of consciousness. They stumbled through the trees, where he finally collapsed underneath the trunk of a very large one. Luckily, it was out far enough from the recent danger. Lydia quickly tore off a piece of her blue and baggy long sleeve shirt and tied it around his bleeding thigh as tightly as her hands would allow. Daryl looked to her and only saw one thing; you. Things were blurry and the world was spinning, but he saw you none the less.

As he tried to keep his eyes open, he called out your name in his compromised mental state. “Y/n.” He mumbled, his voice fading as he finally lost control and let go of the world around him once again.

Everything went black.

Several hours later, Daryl woke in a panic. His head felt somewhat normal again after he recovered from all the blood loss.

Lydia put her hand on his chest to calm him and to force him to stay sitting. “Easy.” She said. He slowed his breathing and watched her tearing away anxiously at a pile of leaves in front of where she sat.

“How long have I been asleep?” Daryl questioned.

“Most of the day.”

He squinted his eyes at her in wonder, still feeling rather weak. “And you were just out here?” He asked.

“Yeah I left Alexandria, couldn’t stand it. I want to help. So I was watching you and then I was watching them. And then I was watching you and my mom.” She admitted, her bottom lip quivering slightly.

“Did you kill her?” Daryl asked, knowing Alpha wasn’t in the best shape either the last he saw of her.

“If it was your dad could you have?” She replied, her deep brown eyes quickly moving back and forth between his hooded blue ones.

______________________________

You had found it. The secret route the Whisperers would take in and out of the mine. It was well hidden, the entrance was small, very dark and behind a large boulder that took a lot of man power to move. You’d just traveled through it with them-still at the end of a rope, still their hostage. The outside world was blinding to your adjusting eyes. You were forced to sit in the dirt beside Magna as the two of you watched Beta pace uncomfortably in front of the caves. He was getting nervous.

“Somethings wrong. Alpha should’ve been here already and now he’s losing it.” You noted. Magna nodded in agreement while Negan leaned against a tree waiting and watching, unsure what the brute would want to do next without his leader to decide for him.

“Maybe you should go looking for her.” Negan suggested, trying to conjure up his own plan. Beta growled at him. “I mean, something obviously is keeping them.”

“Stop talking.” Beta enforced. Negan frowned. He hated how quiet these people were all the time. They didn’t talk or engage in each other at all. Truthfully, he was going a little crazy by the uncomfortable silence.

Magna watched the exchange, trying to prevent herself from wanting her fate to rest in Negan’s hands. She still couldn’t stand the guy but a part of her wondered if he’d be the cause of your escape and survival. “What’s he doing?” Magna leaned in and whispered in your ear.

“Fishing for a way to help us I imagine.” You responded. “He owes me.”

“I can’t believe he joined them. What do you think they’re up to? Are they gonna attack?” She wondered out loud.

“They’re gathering up the herd, so probably.” You both sighed, ultimately being distracted from your conversation by the sudden commotion of someone else’s. Beta was leaving.

“But, what about them?” One Skin asked, short in height and hiding behind his mask. He pointed to you and Magna.

“I don’t care!” Beta hollered, taking off with only a select few.

“I’ll watch them.” Negan offered. Beta shrugged it off as a few more of their people followed him back to the road. You rolled your eyes, unamused by whatever he had up his sleeve. He came and knelt down in front of you, smiling from ear to ear. “He may be big but he’s dumber than a god damn post.” He chuckled to himself.

“What are you doing?” You questioned, looking up to see the other less important Whisperers that stayed behind staring at the three of you endlessly. “You can’t help us. If they come back and we’re gone, they’ll know you can’t be trusted and our entire plan is ruined.” You said quietly. Magna instantly turned to you in question. She furrowed her brow and waited for more information.

“So what, you want me to let you die?” Negan said quietly but with more frustration in his voice.

“If that’s what it takes.” You answered while Magna shook her head intensely.

“Well that’s not gonna happen, obviously.” Negan scowled at you, noticing something was different. You didn’t have your usual spunk or determination. Your sparkling personality was immensely lacking.

“She doesn’t mean that. And what plan? Will someone tell me what’s happening?” Magna insisted. You shushed her, firmly placing your hand on her arm and lightly shaking your head. She huffed in response.

Negan stood and spun around, anxiously rubbing his hands together. “Well, everyone’s gotta piss at some point right? We’ll be right back.” He told his fake ally’s and grabbed the rope that was still attached to the both of you where your hands were tied. “Well come on then, we got shit to do.” Negan pulled forcefully. He brought you around the corner and further into the bushes to speak freely. The wind blew through your long y/h/c hair as you all came to an abrupt stop. “If you really do have to go, now’s the time.” Negan smiled as he tilted his head to further gawk at you. “Still wearing those pretty pink panties?” He teased. Magna’s eyes grew wide and you deadpanned him. Once again taking note of his infamous leather jacket he wore, much cleaner than the last time you’d saw him. Maybe the Whisperers had finally stopped testing him and let him in, it was a good sign. His hair was nicely pushed back and his smile was bright. He was handsome but he was still Negan. 

“I’m serious. They will kill you before you are able to kill her.” You insisted, letting Magna in on the plan since not having another choice. She let her mouth gape open in surprise and tried to hide it as she brought her tied hands up to scratch her nose, awkwardly.

“You really are a genius.” She put together. Negan winked.

“You can’t say anything to anyone.” You told her.

She huffed again. “Who the hell am I gonna tell when we’re clearly gonna die out here?”

Negan was trying to think on his toes, trying to ensure that wouldn’t happen. “Ladies, we don’t have long before someone comes checking in on us, so-”

“So, nothing. I told you they will kill you and this will have been for nothing.” You interrupted.

“Are you saying you care about what happens to me now? Or is this all still just part of your plan to save the folks back home?” Negan harassed. You locked eyes with him as he leaned in closer and watched your chest as it began to rise and fall heavily. He was making you more uncomfortable than the life threatening situation you were in. “Relax. I’ll be fine. And so will you.” Negan told you, placing his hand on yours and sliding his small pocket knife against your palm and within your grasp.

Magna watched closely. “Smooth.” She admitted. Negan kept his eyes on only you as you couldn’t help but be mesmerized by his need to protect you.

“When the time is right.” He said, squeezing your hand and then letting go to take you back to the caves entrance. He shoved you back down where you sat before and tied your rope around a tree. Then he made his way back over to the group of Whisperers who were still awaiting the return of their leader.

“I get it now.” Magna said, blinking her eyes continuously at you. You turned to her, overly frustrated and confused. “He’s in love with you.” She pointed to where he stood with his arms crossed.

“What?” You hollered. “Negan doesn’t love anyone. He’s too in love with himself.” You grimaced.

Magna stared in disbelief. “Does Daryl know about this plan of yours?”

“No. I didn’t want anyone to know until it was done.” You admitted, looking to the ground with a heavy sigh. “Carol knows because she caught me leaving that night. And now you.” You told her honestly.

Magna readjusted herself, moving her legs out straight in front of her. You rested your hands in your lap, firmly gripping onto the knife Negan gave you. Your wrists were red and sore, as were hers. “What if Negan didn’t have that? Would you really just give up?” She asked you sincerely.

“I don’t know.” You admitted, letting a single tear fall and stain your dirt covered cheek.

“What about your baby?” She asked, concerned. You sniffled, took a big deep breath and thought a moment.

“You were right, I didn’t mean it. Okay?” You told her. She hesitantly nodded, thinking about her own heartache. Wondering whether she was still in a relationship or if she had anyone to go home to. She was sure you at least had that feeling in common.

_____________________________

About another hour had passed and it was all too quiet now, almost eerie as a heavy fog entered the forest. The sun was going down and it was quickly getting dark. Two men-Whisperers, who’d removed their masks stood guard now which was good because if Negan was the last to be watching you when you escaped he might be blamed. They looked you and Magna up and down for much too long, putting her on edge. She grunted and scowled at them.

“Ugh. Men are pigs.” She noted, disgusted. The taller one with messy long black hair bit his lip as he peered down your tank top. “Why don’t you just kill us already?” She asked, unable to take them staring anymore.

“Maybe we will.” The other man with a short graying beard told her. “Or we could have some fun first.” He grinned. Magna let out an exaggerated gag.

“Like Alpha says, we’re animals.” The black haired man agreed, laughing. Negan shook his head, wanting nothing more than to knock them both out.

“Hey, since when do any of you people talk so much?” He yelled at them. They chuckled.

“Since Alpha and Beta aren’t here to keep them in line. They’re weak, frightened men. That’s all.” You glared up at them while they instantly lost the smiles on their faces. “Don’t listen to them.” You turned to your friend.

Later that same, long night after many Whisperers had finally dozed off, Negan came and sat next to you. It was very dark and very cold. Magna rested her head back against a tree a little ways back and pretended to sleep as well. Your body was shivering uncontrollably now as you began putting Negan’s knife to use, planning to sneak away in the dead of the night. He stopped you though when he suddenly grabbed your hands and brought them to his mouth, blowing his warm breath onto them. You raised your eyebrows, a bit taken back by his kind gesture. You stared into his eyes while he continued to try and warm you. “I don’t need you to feel sorry for me.” You said, slowly lowering your hands away from him and continuing to cut away at the rope.

“Not gonna say goodbye?” He asked, looking to your hands.

You shook your head, pulling away at the remaining rope and quietly handing the knife off to Magna. “You’re taking too long here.”

“I have to earn her trust. I’m not there yet, why can’t you just trust me?”

“Gee, I don’t know.” You hissed.

“Listen, Y/n. In all seriousness, I’m sorry. I’m sorry you’re here. I’d much rather you be safe some place far from here.” He told you.

“I know.” You sighed.

“And I’m sorry about everything else. I’m sorry about, you know, them all those years ago.” He said, referring to all the friends and family you lost back at the Sanctuary. You swallowed nervously, never expecting to hear a sincere apology from him. “Being locked up all those years, I had a lot of time to think. And the truth is, I fucked up. A lot. But I was always honest and true to one thing.” He shared, searching your eyes for several minutes before awkwardly looking down to his hands, wringing them uncomfortably. “I promise you now, when this is all done...and I will get it done, that I am indebted to you. Whatever you want, need I’ll get it for you. And I will not harm anyone that means something to you. Ever.”

“I wish I could believe you.” You gulped.

“I’ve never lied to you.” He quickly replied, smiling at you. He could see it on your face. Your cheeks red, your eyes glossy and your expression stoic. You cared for him, it wasn’t just about using him to save the others. “There’s a shack of some sort a few miles north from here. An old cabin more like, if you need some place to stop and rest. No one here knows about it to my knowledge. You’ll be safe there.” He stood up and reached his hand down to help you up. You looked at him the way you hadn’t looked at him since the beginning. It warmed his troubled soul. “They are gunning for Hilltop. Warn them.” He whispered. 

You nodded. “I still have to see this thing through. If you are able to get away for a minute to update me, meet me there.” You asked just as Magna stood up, now fully free of her ropes as well. He agreed and turned to walk away. “Negan.” You stopped him. “Try to meet me there. So I know you’re okay after we leave here.” You gulped.

He grinned. “Will do, Princess.”

________________________

The following morning, you spotted the cabin deep in the woods that Negan spoke of. He told the truth. You slowly entered it, holding Negan’s pocket knife high in the air; it being your only weapon now. 

Magna pulled at some spider webs near the front door as she followed you inside. “What are we doing here?” She asked. “I was all for getting as far away from those freaks as possible. But shouldn’t we warn Hilltop?” She asked.

“Yeah. You have to.”

“What? What about you?” She bellowed.

You shook your head and tucked a strand of hair behind your ear. “I’m not ready to go back. I’m not sure I was before all this. Please go and warn them. You know where I am.”

“Y/n, Daryl thinks you’re dead.” She firmly pointed out.

You shrugged. “So tell him I’m not. By the time anyone comes looking for me again, it’ll all be over. I know it.” She sighed heavily and pulled you in for a hug.

Magna searched your worried eyes, her expression nearly matching yours. “I don’t like a lot of people. You are one of them, so please don’t be stupid.” She begged. You nodded with a smile and hugged her back.

“Go. Seriously.” You grinned and watched her leave on a new mission. Magna had become a friend and you didn’t want to lose that but you were more focused on this plan with Negan than ever.

_________________________

Back at the Whisperer camp, Negan woke to find Alpha had returned. Standing in one piece, staring down at him. 

“Shit.” Negan jumped. “You shouldn’t wake somebody standing over them like that.” He said, standing up. “Glad to see you’re alright, I was getting worried.” He grinned, flirtatiously. 

Alpha scowled at him, raising her right eyebrow and placing her hands behind her back. “Beta tells me we had some stragglers from the caves.” She began. Negan nodded. “Where are they now?” 

Negan played dumb. His acting was beyond brilliant. He spun to the tree where your severed ropes still laid on the forest floor. He pointed and then looked back in fake utter confusion. “Terry and his little sidekick were on guard last. Clearly, they did an excellent job of that, damn it. I’m sorry. I should’ve stayed up watching them.” He told her. She eyed him and sighed. 

“Fine. We are leaving for Hilltop soon, we will put an end to them there.” She told him. “Help gather the horde.” Negan nodded, secretly terrified she might still suspect him. But for now, he was safe. He still feared he might have to do something extreme to fully earn her trust back.  

“I’m ready for my skin suit. I am all in.” Negan told her. “So, let me be in.” He shrugged. 

Alpha smiled, gratefully. “Go with Beta. I have a meeting with Ben and Terry.” She smirked, preparing to punish them. Negan was more than okay with letting those perverts take the fall. 

By that afternoon, Negan had his mask. He roamed the area watching others collect loads of sap from the surrounding trees. He was bored and pretending to help gather more of the dead to join the herd that would surely take out Hilltop in just a few short hours. 

He swung his bat around proudly. “So uh, what’s with the sap? Some sort of fire starter?” He asked Beta who led the group collecting it. But he only grunted in response, always a man of few words. 

__________________________

Several hours had passed back at Hilltop. Daryl and Lydia had safely returned to rest and allow his leg to heal. They saw Alpha and Beta reunite on their journey home, not knowing they’d just missed you.That evening, he sat alone on a table outside near the line of occupied trailers. He was quietly brooding over his losses while the people slept soundly in their homes with their families. Most of them anyway. He stared into space, lost in thought as Maggie appeared from the shadows and approached him cautiously. She looked down at his wrapped leg. “I’m sorry about before. I don’t want you to get hurt.” She told him. 

He sighed as she grabbed his upper arm, squeezing it gently to comfort him. “We’ll have to talk about her, all of it eventually.” Daryl mumbled to her before they both fell distracted by figure running towards them. As he slowed his pace and stopped in front of them, they could now see it was Evan struggling to catch his breath. 

“What’s wrong?” Maggie asked, frightened.

“Magna.” He said in between pants. Daryl instantly stood up. “She’s here.” He said, gesturing for them to follow. As the three of them came to the main house, there she was sitting on the steps next to Yumiko. But it was only her-you were no where in sight. Daryl’s heart pounded in his chest as he hesitated to go any farther. 

Her face was covered in blood and she instantly felt saddened by the sight of Daryl approaching. “We kept pushing. Searching.” She began, locking eyes with Yumiko. “And then we separated.” She added. “I had to blend in.” She explained how the blood on her face was not her own. “We both got out and were held hostage by the Whisperers. Negan’s with them now.” She let slip out, then hung her mouth open not wanting to say anymore. “They’re coming here. The horde wasn’t far behind me.”

“And Y/n?” Daryl asked with a harsh swallow. 

“She told me to come warn you, I don’t know. But she’s alive.” She replied. Daryl let his shoulders fall in relief.

“Get the others. We’ll evacuate the kids first.” Maggie ordered.

“They are too close for that. There’s no way we’d make it anywhere in time.” Magna shook.

“Then we fight.” Lydia appeared out of nowhere. Daryl looked to her and smiled. Both feeling a little better after hearing you were okay. 

“Yeah.” He agreed. “You two.” He pointed to Magna and Lydia. “Come with me.” They followed him inside rather quickly. “Wait here, please?” He asked before disappearing up the stairs. Daryl came back with Judith and RJ who’d been staying here the last few days with Aaron and his daughter while Michonne remained at Oceanside. People were panicking, running in and out looking for their loved ones. Daryl caught a glimpse of Ezekiel and called after him, then ran to meet him on the front porch. “I need you to take the three of them to Earl before we start this. Maggie has him watching the rest of the kids.” Ezekiel nodded. “If one of us doesn’t make it out of this fight-”

“Then the other will go find the kids.” The King agreed completely. Daryl patted him on the back in thanks and returned to the living area inside.

Daryl crouched down in front of little Judith. “Promise me something.” He said to her. “If Ezekiel comes to find you after the fight you go with him, again. You and your brother, okay?” Judith hesitantly nodded. “It’s okay to be scared.”

“I’m not scared.” She said firmly.

“Maybe I am, a little bit.” Daryl admitted honestly to everyone in the room. 

The young girl readjusted her sheriff’s hat and folded her arms tightly across her little chest. “But if I was, maybe I would be scared for RJ because he’s so little.” She sighed. 

“I get that.” Daryl replied.

“Maybe I’d be worried about my mom. Or I’d be afraid you’d get hurt and I’d lose you.” She looked to her feet. Daryl leaned in and hugged her tightly as she wiped away a few tears. Daryl rubbed her back gently, feeling torn between her and finding out more about you. He always thought he would never be brave enough to have kids of his own-especially not in this world. But even still, with a father like his and the way he was raised, he never felt like he was good enough. He always figured it would be kinder of him to not. He’d also watched Carol lose not one, but two and he witnessed Rick struggle to keep his safe time and time again before he died. He never felt he had it in him, watching after their kids was hard enough. But when he hugged little Judith just then, thinking about you-something about it instantly felt a little different. For family, for you-with you he would do just about anything. He finally let go and smiled at her, then pointed to Ezekiel. “Wait.” She said, reaching for his vest that sat on the arm of the couch next to Magna. “I made you something. It’s for luck.” She said, holding his iconic leather vest high in the air, showing off her latest art project. She had painted on his missing angel wing. It was different shades of blue and white and matched perfectly, looking better than it ever did.

Daryl smiled uncomfortably. “No way.” He brought his hand to his mouth with a smile. He felt happier than he had in days. “I love it.” He finally said, slipping it back on to wear for the battle, as she clearly intended. “How does it look?” He asked, spinning around to show it off. Judith finally giggled.

“It looks good.” She agreed. He smiled back and got closer, looking the small girl in the eyes. 

“Promise?” He asked her again. She nodded. “Give me another hug.” Daryl said as he brought her in close and looked up to Lydia next. 

“You too.” Daryl added as he stood up straight, tapping the teens forearm. 

She instantly frowned. “What? I saved your life yesterday!” Lydia cried, throwing her arms down to her sides. 

“And now I’m saving yours.” He said, pulling her in for a hug. He held her tight, needing to keep her safe from this as well. He knew it would be entirely too much. She let out a big regretful sigh in his ear before finally letting go and leaving with Judith, who took her little brothers hand. Daryl watched them disappear into the night with Ezekiel. He then remained a little dazed, staring long after they’d been gone.

“You aren’t leaving?” Magna asked. Daryl shook his head and limped his way over to sit next to her on the couch for a moment. 

“I can’t yet. I’m gonna fight. But before I do that I need you to tell me everything.” Daryl stated. “If Y/n stayed out there and she knows what’s coming, she might do something stupid. Something that gets her killed. Do you know where she is?” He pleaded. She ultimately nodded, trying to decide whether to tell Daryl the entire story. 

____________________________________

@jodiereedus22 @dashesoflipstick @theunofficialduke @dixonluvv@nikki082489 @jordangdelacruz​ @lunatheumbreon @dbtvluv​I @letsstarsfalling​ @escaping-reality-22 

Let me know if anyone would like to be tagged in future chapters (:

Thanks for reading! 

I hope you are enjoying my version of this story. Sensing a love triangle yet??

Yes, I changed this into it’s own chapter instead of doing two parts like I was originally planning. I ended up going a different direction and I think it works better this way. 

Next time: A fiery battle at Hilltop, an unforgettable reunion and an intense moment between Y/n and Negan.

ANDDD let me know what you thought of this chapter here —–>

<<Chapter 19, >>Chapter 21

[marvel-medigeek-fics]

Give Me a Miracle

  part 3

Maddie is fine. Josh is fine. Eddie is fine. Everyone’s fine. If by fine you mean alive, or course. But you mean something else, awake or talking, or good, they aren’t.

Chim sits next to Maddie, holding her hand while she rests. When she is resting, she doesn’t cry in pain. She doesn’t moan or beg to see the xrays. She is good when she is asleep.

Sue sits next to Josh, watching him sleep peacefully for once in a blue moon. He deserves the rest, because sue knows he hasn’t slept well since his disaster of a date. He is good when he is asleep.

Carla sits next to Eddie. She was the first person Buck called, because Buck couldn’t sit next to his best friend right now. So Carla took his place and sat vigil at Eddie’s bedside. He deserved some rest. He isn’t carrying a world of burdens when he sleeps. He is good when he is asleep.

As soon as all the people Buck cared about were sleeping in their rooms, he went to pick up Chris.

“Hey, buddy, Mrs. Diaz.” Buck says once he pulled up to Eddie’s abuelas house.

“Buck!” Christopher squeals.

“Hola, Evan.” Mrs. Diaz has tears in her eyes, but a smile on her face.

Buck bends down to look into Chris’ eyes as he tells him his father is in the hospital. Both of them tear up a little.

“Can I see him?” Chris asks.

Buck looks to Mrs. Diaz, silently asking permission. She nods at him and Buck nods to Chris.

“I can give you a ride, Mrs. Diaz, if you want.”

“No, Evan, I can’t ask you to do that.” She replies.

“It’s not a problem. Really.”

She finally relents and a few minutes later, the three of them are situated in Bucks Jeep.

—

Maddie opens her eyes to see Chim looking off into space. “Howie.” she whispers. Chim’s eyes move slowly from the spot on the wall to her face. He smiles at her. His eyes hold the faintest sign of tears. 

“Maddie?” he whispers back, reaching a hand to cup her cheek. The love in his eyes, his touch, is evident. Maddie savors the quietness of this moment. It is finally quiet again. There is no yelling, or crying, or moaning. It’s okay. She made it. 

“How is everyone? Josh?” Maddie asks quietly, almost afraid to hear the answer. 

“Josh is alive. He’s okay.” Chim replies. 

“Sue? Linda? Jamal? Terry?” 

“Sue is with Josh. Linda is okay. Jamal and Terry are in medically induced comas.” Chim is careful about how he breaks this news. He doesn’t want to hurt her. 

Maddie’s face visibly falls and a few rogue tears fall down her cheeks. Chim softly wipes them away. “I need to see them,” she says, her voice the slightest bit wobbly.

“I know. Tomorrow.”

Maddie doesn’t protest.

--

Josh’s eyes fly open. “What happened?” And then he remembers. His hand reaches for his shoulder unconsciously.

“You were in an accident, Josh. You were shot.” Nothing about Sue says she would ever sugarcoat the truth. 

“How is Maddie?” 

“She’s okay. Josh-” 

“Thank God, she’s okay. How is everyone else? Are they-” Josh’s voice trails off when he sees Sue’s expression. Her face falls and so does Josh’s. 

“There were 6 casualties. 4 people are in medically induced comas. Josh-”

“Who?” When Josh says it, it doesn’t even sound like a question. He doesn’t even listen to Sue’s answer. Until he hears her say Jamal. 

“No.” His voice is barely audible and tears begin to pour down his cheeks. Sue hands him a tissue and he wipes at his tears haphazardly. 

“You can see him tomorrow.” Sue says. 

“I don’t want to see him until the funeral.” Josh replies simply, still sniffling. 

“He’s not dead, Josh.”

“He’s- what?” he looks Sue in the eye.

“He’s not dead, Josh. They’re going to try and bring him out of his coma in a few days.”

“He’s alive. He’s alive.” Josh repeats, slowly making himself believe it. 

--

Buck pulls into a parking spot, and tries to be stoic. 3 of the people he cares about most are in the hospital. He is stoic when Isabel and Christopher check in. He is stoic when they ride the elevator to the 3rd floor. He is stoic as the three of them walk down the hallway. He is stoic when he walks by the rooms of hurting family members. Is this how the 118 felt when he was in the hospital? 

“I’m going to check on my sister, I’ll meet you guys at his room.” Buck says, stopping just before the doorway of Maddie’s room. The two Diazs nod and walk further down the hall. Buck steels himself to see his sister. He doesn’t know how she’ll be. 

“Hi, Maddie.” Maddie smiles at him and so does Chim. 

“Buck!” He crosses the room to hug his sister. 

“You’re okay.”

“Yeah. I am. How’s Eddie?” 

“I haven’t seen him yet. I wanted to give his abuela and Chris a little alone time with him. And I wanted to see you first.” 

Maddie nods slowly, knowingly. Chim knows too. “Go see him.” 

Buck nods, hesitant to leave his sister. “I got her, Buck.” Chim says, when Buck makes no move to leave. 

“I know. Thank you.” Buck smiles slightly. His sister is fine. She has Chim. She is okay. And he has no clue about his best friend. 

--

The hallway is silent, the only sounds faint clicks and beeps of machines. Mrs. Diaz and Chris are asleep, and Buck thinks Eddie is too. 

“Hey, Buck.” Eddie whispers, but Buck hears it loud and clear.

“You’re okay.” Buck says, walking into the room.

“Peachy.” Buck gives him a worried look. “I’m fine.” 

“Is this how you felt when I was in the hospital?”

“You’ll have to be more specific.” Eddie winces as he shifts to look at his best friend. 

Buck chuckles quietly and Eddie smiles. 

“I’m really happy that you’re okay.” 

Eddie doesn’t reply, just looks over at his abuela and his son. “Thank you for bringing them.”

“They’re your family.” Buck shrugs it off. The two of them sit together in light silence. There’s no stifling urge to talk. They are fine, sitting here. They are going to be okay. 

--

“I have someone who could use a little company, Chris.” Buck says to his little buddy. 

“Who, Buck?” Chris replies as they walk down the hall. Buck stops him at the doorway of one of the rooms. It is empty, except for it’s patient. 

“Hey, Josh.”

“Buck? What are you doing here?” 

“Maddie asked me to check on you, and I thought I’d bring you a little cheering up. This is Chris.” 

“Hi, Chris. I’m Josh.” 

“Hi, Josh.” Chris crosses the room, with Buck right on his heels. 

As the three of them sit together, the tension, the anxiety, the hurt, melt from Josh, from Buck. Christopher makes everything better. Everything is okay. 

--

“Bobby?” 

“Hi, Eddie. How are you feeling?”

“Honestly, I feel good.” 

“What did the doctor say?”

“He said I’m lucky the bullet didn’t hit anything.” 

Bobby nods, not taking his eyes from Eddie’s. “You are very lucky.” 

“Dad!” Christopher calls from the door. 

“Hey, buddy!” Eddie’s face erupts into a grin and Bobby smiles too. The love between father and son is contagious. They are lucky to have each other, and Eddie knows it most of all. 

--

Maddie went to visit Josh bright and early. Her doctor and Chimney both gave clearance, though the latter was harder to convince.

“Hey, Josh.” Maddie wheels herself next to Josh’s bed.

“Hey, Maddie. How’s your leg?” 

“Numb, honestly. How’s your shoulder?”

“The opposite of numb. But I can still feel it, which is a plus.”

Maddie laughs, taking Josh’s hand in hers. 

“Who is this?” Josh says, waiting for Maddie to introduce the man he has deduced is Howie “Chimney” Han. 

“This is my boyfriend, Howie. Howie, this is Josh.” Maddie smiles at two of the men she cares for the most. 

“I would shake your hand, but you know.” Josh gestures to his right arm.

Chimney chuckles in reply. 

“So, how are you holding up?” Josh and Maddie say at the same time.

“It’s a little...weird. But it’s going to be weirder when we go back.” Maddie answers first.

“Yeah. No kidding. It’s hard to comprehend, really.”

“Have you talked to the police yet?” Maddie questions gently.

“No. Sue told me they’re going to be questioning us later today and tomorrow.”

“Are you going to tell them?”

“Should I? He’s already going to jail. I don’t know whether it would do any good to press charges.”

“I can’t answer that for you, Josh. But whatever you decide, I’ll be there.” 

“Thank you, Maddie.” They embrace, being careful of Josh’s incapacitated arm and shoulder. 

--

“Are you sure you all can go home?” Buck asks worriedly.

“Buck! We’ve all been cleared to go home.” Maddie answers for the trio Buck was asking: herself, Josh and Eddie. 

“Are you sure sure?” 

Everyone sighs in mock esasperation, and Buck finally relents on his worried Dad persona. 

Chim takes Maddie back to her apartment, so he can spoonfeed her soup or watch bad reality television or whatever cheesy romantic things they do. Eddie’s tia is taking the Diaz boys home, and Josh has Linda riding the bus with him. Buck is going home alone, the first time in a few days where he doesn’t have to be worried about going back to the hospital. 

They all made it. For better or for worse, they made it.

••notes: this was so hard for me to right, seriously it took so long. BUT it is done. Anyway, I hope you enjoy my take on 3.14! I wrote a few more scenes for this, but I will post those soon and link them. I would’ve posted them with this, but I felt like I was dragging on. I can’t write long fics to save my life.

Okay I’m done. Cheers:)

[musekicker]

Core Burn chapter 2

Core Burn chapter 2, lets go!

Night had fallen by time Terry, the replicates, and Pupa were done with the water park.

Fun had been had by all. 

Well, maybe not as much fun as Terry would had liked to have. As determined as he had been to enjoy the day despite the lack of Korvo being there, Terry had felt a bit of that regret all day.

No amount of water slides and wave pools seemed to fix that. He even thought of Korvo when shopping at the gift shop and had gotten him a mug to drink coffee out of.

"We're back!" Terry called out.

Terry entered the house, holding the Pupa who now had a pair of water park themed sun glasses in it's hands. Another purchase from the water park's gift shop.

The mug and the sun glasses were not the only two purchase from the gift shop. Terry himself was wearing  t shirt that proudly proclaimed that he had survived the mega super death slide.

In truth, he hadn't even touched the mega super death slide but if the shirt he wore said so maybe people would think he had.

Jesse and Yumyulack pushed past Terry.

"Korvo!" Jesse called out. "You missed all the fun!"

"Fun? Jesse spent the whole time in the lazy river." Yumyulack said.

"Hey, i deserve some lazy time." Jesse said. "And that's not true. I spent some time in the wave pool. Don't you pool shame me."

Terry wasn't listening to the argument, now realizing how dark the house seemed now. Unusually so.

Did Korvo get caught up with working and forgot to leave the house lights on?

"Is it a little... ominous in here?" Jesse asked, catching on to how off things felt now.

Normally Yumyulack would be making fun of Jesse, saying that she was being paranoid. But then, he was sensing something very much off himself.

"I don't like this." Yumyulack said, subtly stepping in front of Jesse, Terry, and Pupa.

A protective move, even if Yumyulack himself would never admit it.

A short stretch of silence. Then movement.

Yumyulack reacted before he even knew why he was reacting.

Something had been thrown and he had caught something. Yumyulack looked at what he had caught.

A knife. he had caught a knife by it's handle.

Yumyulack stared at the knife in disbelief. The blade had been mere inches from stabbing him right between the eyes.

Yumyulack's first thought was that someone had broke into the home and had set this up to kill them all. With that thought, he was suddenly very worried for Korvo.

He wasn't worried about Korvo for too long as Jesse turned the lights on and standing not far was Korvo.

He was moving in a unsettling way. Like a puppet on strings. His movements seemed stiff and expression strained.

"Korvo be careful! You could have hit one of us." Terry cried.

Korvo snarled, showing teeth.

"Are you mad about us going to the water park without you? Hey, you're the grump who didn't want to go." Terry said. "What are you doing throwing knives in the dark anyways?"

Korvo's eyes were wrong. They were a blistering red. He had not spoken yet and his expression still looked a tad unhinged.

Then he hacked up ash.

It occurred to Terry now to be afraid.

"Oh that's wrong." Yumyulack said.

Making the situation more frighting, Korvo pulled out a glowing blade. One of the weapons from Shlorp that had been in storage. It was long, wicked looking, serrated blade and no one wanted to imagine the damage it could do.

Korvo let out a vicious yell and then he ran at the trio.

"Run run run!" Terry cried.

There was no need of prompting. Pupa held close in Terry's arms and the replicates right behind Terry, the trio started running up the stairs. They were halfway up the stairs when Terry and Yumyulack were stopped when Jesse shouted.

Korvo had her ankle. Jesse was trying to pull her ankle free from Korvo's grip.

"Let go!" Jesse shrieked.

Korvo was not listening. He was still trying to pull Jesse back, the blade still in his other hand.

"Sorry Korvo." Yumyulack said before kicking Korvo in the face.

Korvo cried out and let go of Jesse's foot before he stumbled back down the stairs. It gave Jesse enough time to scramble up the stairs.

Once upstairs they ducked into the attic. In seconds they were dragging furniture over to the door to block it.

"That should keep him out for a bit." Terry said.

It was only then that everyone was able to get a moment to catch their breaths. Only a moment though before getting to the problem at hand.

"What the fuck was that all about!?" Yumyulack cried.

"Why would Korvo try to kill us?" Jesse added in.

Terry didn't have a answer. yes Korvo could be on the grumpy side but he was not someone who just turned around and murdered the ones he cared about. 

He was still trying to think of a answer he could give to the replicates that were clearly scared. Terry was scared too but now pushed into the role as the only adult that wasn't going to kill anyone, he needed to not show that.

Terry looked around the room, mainly to try and get a moment to try and calm himself.

That was when Terry saw it. The trail of red gel that lead to the package in the trash can.

A jab of cold fear hit Terry.

Terry now knew what he was looking at and knew just how bad this was.

"Oh shit, stay back you two." Terry cried, pulling Jesse and Yumyulack away from the package by their shoulders.

"What is it?" Jesse asked.

Terry didn't answer her question. Taking care of the parasite now was all that was on his mind.

"Get that blue vial right there. The one with the pills  in it." Terry said.

Jesse moved to the shelf Terry was pointing at.

"Is now really the time for drugs? Korvo just tried to kill us! And I don't know about you two but I hadn't done anything to earn a stabbing attempt today." Yumyulack said.

Terry ignored Yumyulack comment as he handed the pupa to Yumyulack and Jesse handed him the vial.

Taking the vial and opening it, carefully he approached the red gel, stopping at every step to make sure the parasite was not trying to move towards him. When he was close enough Terry broke the pill until the powder inside poured out onto the red gel.

The red gel instantly started to curl up. Then it turned brittle and soon was nothing but dust.

Terry did not seem entirely pleased by this reaction despite his clear fear of the red gel.

"Son of a bitch. It is what I thought." Terry said.

"What's going on?" Yumyulack asked.

"Yeah, what was that stuff?" Jesse asked.

Terry was already moving on to the package itself in the garbage bin. It would take more then a few pills to make sure all of that parasite in the package was dead. 

"It was a parasite. One from our home planet. How it got here... Korvo didn't have any samples of it I think..." Terry said, half to the replicates and half to himself. "But with how Korvo was acting, he must already be infected." 

"Infected with what?" Yumyulack asked.

Terry turned to the replicates and Pupa.

"Korvo has core burn." Terry said.

"What's core burn?" Jesse asked.

Terry was still shaken from the discovery of the parasite. It took him a minute to get his nerves back in order enough to be able to answer Jesse's question.

"It's this thing where there is a parasite gets in you and it starts to burn you from the inside out. I should had know when he was coughing up ash! That's like the number one symptom. That and making the host want to kill everything they love." Terry said.

"Why would a parasite want to destroy everything he loves too? That just seems extra mean!" Jesse said.

"I don't know. I bet Korvo could tell you. he knows this smart shit. He would know what to do if it was one of us with core burn." Terry said.

"Well, Korvo's the one with core burn so we need to figure it out." Yumyulack said.

Terry was trying to stay calm but he could not help but gooblering just a bit. 

"We can figure this out." Terry said, very much not feeling like he was in any way having any control.

Pupa slipped free from Yumyulack's hold to explore the attic a bit more. So many things for a curious Pupa to play with here after all. They ended up at the console and playing with some buttons. Their innocent play happened to start the recording Korvo had left.

Everyone's attention turned to the console, all of them listening to the message. The possible last lucid words from their loved one.

Terry felt sick thinking about that. He felt sicker at the instructions Korvo had given if they could not save him.

End him.

How could he do that? How could Korvo even think he do that?

Terry hadn't realized he had started the video over. He paused it then, staring at the still image of Korvo.

"Oh, this is so bad. You can fix this, can't you?" Jesse asked.

Terry said nothing, still staring at the still image, barely realizing he was reaching out to touch the face of Korvo on the screen.

Yumyulack said nothing either. His silence was a different silence. One that was taking in everything and trying to figure out what their move was suppose to be. He had no more time to think though as then the door to the attic splinter open.

Everyone screamed and Korvo entered the attic. Korvo no longer had a blade in hand. He had upgraded to a gun of Shlorp origins. 

"Huh, guess he found the door blasting ray. That might had helped last week when we got locked out of the house." Terry said.

"Don't fucking move." Korvo hissed.

Not Korvo, the parasite. It was stealing his voice. Stealing his life.

Terry completely moved. He tackled Korvo. Korvo got a blast off that made the replicates duck and cringe. No one was hit thankfully.

"Get Pupa somewhere safe! And then get the net gun." Terry called out, trying to keep Korvo down and wrestle the gun out of his hands.

Jesse picked up the Pupa and she and Yumyulack ran.

That left Terry to deal with keeping Korvo busy.

"Korvo please! I know you're still in there! Don't do this!" Terry cried.

Korvo tried to bite Terry.

"Hey! No biting! Not cool parasite!" Terry shouted.

Korvo broke a hand free and back handed Terry across the face. Terry yelped and was dazed for a moment. That gave Korvo the chance to get to his feet, hauling Terry up with him and then slamming Terry up against the wall.

Terry yelped again. 

Korvo kept Terry held up against the wall, and leaned in to get face to face with Terry. Korvo spoke again, his voice sounding rough and raw.

"My core burns for you." Korvo said.

[lia-jones]

Growing Stronger - Chapter Twenty-Two - To Be Two

The time after we got home from Terry’s house was filled with a heavy silence. No matter what I tried, nothing would take him out of his head. I tried to comfort him, to make him talk, then to act like the argument didn’t happen. Nothing worked. Victor was somewhere else, God forbid in a deep dark pit in his soul, and I couldn’t reach him. All I could do was wait for him to finally emerge. I would be there, my arms wide open, to welcome him back.

After watching him from afar down glass after glass of brandy in silence, Loveland’s skyline as his only companion, I finally managed to convince him to go to bed. Without a single word except for the mumbled yes he gave me, he changed into a t-shirt and went to bed. And unlike most nights, when we welcomed slumber happily in each other’s arms, we fell asleep apart, each occupying our own side of the bed, an invisible yet very tangible thick wall between us.

Maybe three hours had passed since I fell asleep when I woke up to tossing and turning next to me. Victor was fighting wildly in his sleep, seemingly deep in a nightmare, kicking the covers and mumbling things I couldn’t understand. I sat up, and grabbed his shoulder, shaking him.

“Victor. Wake up.” I urged.

Victor couldn’t hear me, though. He tried to shake my hands off his shoulders, his eyes closed, his expression pained. Whatever he was dreaming about, it was bad.

“Victor!” I finally yelled, making him wake up abruptly, suddenly jumping into a sitting position. I hugged him, trying to force reality back onto him.

“It’s fine, it’s ok.” I held him tight as he fought my grip on me, still halfway in his dream. “It’s ok, Victor, it’s me, Andrea. You are ok.”

I felt him relax in my arms, taking in his surroundings. My hand rested on his back. His t-shirt was drenched in sweat.

“You need to take this off.” I told him in a soft voice. “It’s soaking wet.”

Without a word, Victor took his t-shirt off, revealing his muscular chest. He laid back in bed, his hand on his forehead, once more lost in his thoughts.

“Do you want to talk about it?” I tried, being met with silence. “Do you need anything?”

“I’m fine, Andrea, it was just a nightmare.” He finally replied. “Go back to sleep.”

I wanted to touch him, hold him, comfort him in this moment of need. Truth be told, I had never seen Victor this unhinged before. I had never seen him scream like he had earlier at anyone, the pain so palpable in his voice, the anger so domineering that no matter what I did to placate him, he wouldn’t listen. Whatever they were talking about, it was something that he seemed to have carried with him for a long time, only to explode in a forceful and ugly way. Whatever it was, it was deep and it was thorny, and it was hurting him to this day. But what it was, I could only guess.

Part of me wanted to give him as much space as he needed to heal. I had my own trauma as well, and I knew the importance of being left alone for a little while, to organize one’s thoughts, and navigate emergent feelings without any exterior input. Part of me wanted to respect his wishes; didn’t want to push him. Victor would know better than anyone else what he needed, and if he didn’t want to talk, I couldn’t make him. Besides, he had the right to choose what he did and did not share with me. I couldn’t interfere.

However, the other part of me couldn’t take it anymore. I knew isolation was needed for mending, but only to a certain extent. Eventually one would need to share his feelings, to gauge the truth in his thoughts with someone else, so the absurd reasonings stemming from said trauma couldn’t take hold. I knew how stubborn and proud Victor could be, unwilling to show weakness, and chances were he would never open up about his past at all. Without knowing what was wrong, I couldn’t help him. I couldn’t possibly bring him comfort. Not knowing only made me worry more. Without knowing the truth I could only imagine, and, boy, could my imagination run wild. The big cherry on top: Mia knew. Mia knew and I didn’t. The thought enraged me.

Both parts were battling furiously inside me, one trying to overtake the other. I took a few deep breaths trying to calm myself down, but it was no use. I felt like I was about to explode, and that wouldn’t help anyone. I left the bed instead.

“Where are you going?” I heard Victor’s questioning voice.

“I can’t sleep.” I tried hard to sound normal. “I’m going to make some tea.”

I almost ran to the kitchen, not wanting to talk to him, afraid my emotions would betray me and make matters worse. I took another set of deep breaths as I poured some water into the kettle and watched it start to boil on the stove.

“What’s the matter with you?” I jumped a bit as I heard Victor from behind me. He had followed me to the kitchen. I cursed myself for not being able to put up a more convincing show.

“I told you, just making some tea. Do you want some?” I showed him the wooden box with several kinds of tea. “I can get you a mug.”

Victor’s hand pressed the lid shut as I tried to open it. The sudden movement startled me, but I didn’t look at him.

“Why won’t you look me in the eyes?” His voice was soft and at the same time… aggravated. If only I had the guts to look at him without the threat of tears.

“It’s nothing, Victor, I’m just busy making-”

“This is not about tea and you know it!” His voice was louder, making me flinch slightly. Probably noticing, he kept his tone down. “You are clearly upset. I want to know why.”

I wanted to talk, I really did, and at the same time… I couldn’t. I was having a hard time forming the sentences in my head.

“Tell me what’s upsetting you.” Victor came closer and touched my shoulder softly, encouraging me.

“I can’t.” I finally answered.

“What do you mean you can’t?” He sounded confused. “Why can’t you?”

I could feel my outburst coming. This time I let it out.

“Because I don’t want to force you to do something you don’t want to do. I won’t. I need to respect your wishes, and that’s what I’ll do. Even if it’s hard.” I finally looked him in the eyes. Victor’s expression was a mix of frustration and confusion.

“You’re not making any sense. What do you not want to force me to do?”

“I don’t want to force you to open up, to talk. You made it very clear you don’t want to share some things with me. I love you, and I want to respect you in that.” I softened my voice, sensing this was quickly escalating into an argument.

“What are you talking about? I’m sharing my life with you!” Victor’s voice became loud again. He was clearly offended by my statement. “You are here, practically living with me! We were at my Aunt Terry’s house today. You saw all my baby pictures, heard very embarrassing stories, you even met Mina! How is this not sharing?”

“Showing a curated version of your life, cherry-picking what you want me to see isn’t sharing, Victor!” The volume of my voice matched his, as I refused to be fed a lie. I could understand why he was saying what he said, but it was still a lie. “The things that actually matter, the ones that keep you up at night and give you nightmares, you keep them all to yourself. We shouldn’t even be discussing this. You don’t trust me enough to tell me, at least not yet, and I shouldn’t be asking.”

“Andrea, this is not about-” Victor reached out, trying to hold me.

“It’s fine, Victor!” I took a step back, putting on a placating expression. “This is my problem, not yours. But I have to say, it’s hard. I see you hurt and all I can do is watch helplessly because I don’t know how to comfort you. Part of me wishes I had been there with you. At least I could understand. I could do something useful, instead of just standing by your side, feeling inadequate.” I confessed, looking down.

Suddenly, I felt strong hands gripping my shoulders, shaking me hard.

“Don’t you ever say that again, Andrea! Ever!” He gritted through his teeth. “I would give my life right this moment if it meant that you would never have to go through this! You have no idea what you are talking about.”

I looked up at Victor and saw nothing but pain in his eyes.

“Then you are an oblivious fool.” I spoke, my eyes prickling. “You never even considered that, even without knowing, only imagining the worst, I would willingly go through that if I knew that it would ease your pain. You’re not the only one who cares, you know.”

Victor froze, his eyes open wide, taken aback by my statement. The tears that were threatening to come finally made an entrance, and I turned my back on him so he couldn’t see me cry.

“Nevermind.” I mumbled. “Forget I said anything.” I walked away, not really sure where I was going, just wanting to cry alone and avoid a scene.

Strong arms suddenly circled my waist, preventing me from taking a step further. Victor leaned his head on my shoulder, his face touching mine, his bare chest pressed against my back. I tried to release myself from his grip.

“What are you doing? Let go of me.” I tried to remove his arms from my waist, to no avail. They only wrapped around me tighter.

“I will not.” His voice was thick with emotion. “Not this time.”

His words stunned me. Did he think I was leaving him? My hand flew back to his cheek, caressing it. The tender touch made him relax a little, and I was able to turn around to face him.

“Where exactly do you think I’m going?” My hands were on his chest, then his face, caressing him; steadying him. He looked at me, confused and somewhat vulnerable, but said nothing.  

“Let me tell you something.” I grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him in for a kiss, which he reciprocated with fervor. “I love you, Victor.” I broke the kiss to look him in the eyes, affirming that promise. “I always have, even when we were apart, and I always will. I will never leave. I will be by your side, as long as you’ll have me there.”

Victor leaned his forehead against mine. At that moment, it felt like I was his lifeline, keeping him afloat in the ocean of heavy emotions he was swimming in.

“I will always have you here.” His grip on me tightened. “I don’t ever want you to feel like I don’t want you or I don’t trust you. That is not the truth, in fact, it is the furthest thing from it.” He gazed at me with earnest eyes. “Please understand, all my life, I have been alone. It was always just me, only one. I don’t know how to be two. But I want to learn. I’m trying.”

“I know you are.” I stroked his cheek, running my finger along his brow. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to make things harder on you by pushing you. I shouldn’t have brought it up.”

I held both his hands, taking a step back, giving him a soft smile.

“Let’s go back to bed. It’s really late.” I started walking, pulling him with me.

“Wait.” He didn’t budge or let go of my hand. “Come with me.” Victor sounded decided, an assertive tone in his voice.

I was led silently to his study. Victor motioned for me to sit on the leather sofa, while he went to his safe, typing the code into the keyboard. He retrieved from it a cardboard box, and gave it to me.

Inside the box, there was an array of newspaper cuttings, dated a couple of decades ago. They were all about a major police raid on an orphanage, describing how the police had saved several children, and found the bodies of several more, buried underground or burned in the orphanage’s furnace. The motive behind the children being held was never truly proven, although they suspected the children were being used as guinea pigs for drug testing. What was most shocking about it was that none of the perpetrators were caught, and were still at large.

“I was eleven when they caught me.” Victor started, his eyes on the floor, his voice barely a whisper. “I was sneaking out of boarding school to play ball with some other kids across the street. The last thing I remember is escaping through a hole in the school’s fence, and then nothing. I woke up in a room I didn’t recognize, a tag on my wrist, and an IV in my arm.”

He paused, his eyes restless, as if he was living it right then, inside his head. I held his hand, if only to remind him that he was safe now, that he couldn’t be hurt anymore. He gripped my fingers tightly.

“The first weeks were the worst. I quickly realized that this wasn’t a ransom situation, that my father’s money meant nothing to them. I was in a hopeless situation. I tried to make friends there, to cope with the whole thing, but I started noticing many of the kids wouldn’t return from the ‘dungeon’, which was where they would take us after they did some test on us. I learned not to bother making any friends. There were no guarantees any of us would live to see another day.”

Victor had learned to be alone right then and there, I reckoned. I couldn’t possibly imagine myself in such a reality, with death always looming in every corner, much less at the age of eleven.

“Mia was there too, right?” I mustered the courage to ask. “That’s how you two met?”

“Actually I had met her before, but that was when we really bonded. She saved my life.” Victor took a deep ragged breath. “During the raid, we found a way to escape. They were all too busy getting rid of… the other kids that didn’t make it. We found a way out, but one of the kidnappers was there as we left. He tried to hurt me, but Mia got in the way. She got hurt instead.”

“God, Victor…” I came closer to him, one hand on his cheek, the other hand holding his tight.

“I will not lie, this is not everything. I have never told this to anyone before; I’m not sure I can even speak all of it” he warned, his voice full of emotion.

My heart panged with guilt. Without meaning to, I had asked him to open a very old wound, not really knowing the pain it would bring. No person should have to go through what he did. Especially as a child. It was atrocious, monstrous. It was inhumane.

“About what you heard earlier… When I finally came home, my mom wasn’t well. I had spent two years in captivity, and all that time she was in anguish. I wasn’t the same, and neither was she. The light in her was gone. Later that year she got sick.”

“And your father blames you for it.” I remembered his outburst, shaking my head. “It's ridiculous.”

Victor said nothing, his eyes glued to the floor. I was stunned. Did...did he ever consider that?

“You know that makes absolutely no sense, right?” I lifted his chin, trying to get a good look at his eyes. They were red, holding an immense burden of emotion. “You can’t give people cancer, Victor.”

“You told me once that your mother conducted a study, claiming resentfulness could actually have physical effects on your body. Who says sadness can’t do the same? The pain of having your child taken from you and the fear of not knowing if he’s dead or alive? How can that not affect someone?”

“Even if that was true, how is that your fault? You said it yourself, you didn’t ask for this. Can’t you see that?” I looked deep into his eyes, noticing the tears welling up.

“I snuck out of school.” His voice was hoarse with emotion. “I exposed myself to danger. If I hadn’t...” A tear fell from his eyes. I could feel my eyes starting to water as well.

I remembered dealing with my own abuse, how I blamed myself for letting that bastard into my life. I remember feeling responsible for all that I had endured, because it was better to believe I had let go of control than to admit I never had any control at all. I saw myself in Victor at that moment. I understood perfectly what he felt. So I took his face between my hands, looked him in the eyes, and gave him the undeniable truth, the truth that had helped me cope with all of what had happened to me.

“I’m sorry for what happened to you, I really am. No one should ever have to go through that. You did not deserve this nor are you responsible in any way for what happened to you, or your mother. Do you hear me?”

Victor looked at me like he had been hit with a load of bricks. He seemed unsure of what to do with my words, blinking a few more tears back. I pulled him towards me and held him tight, my hand steady on the back of his neck, caressing it, a gesture I knew brought him comfort and relaxed him.

My mother once shared that kids with heavy trauma cry silently, usually because they have been punished for expressing their feelings. I could feel Victor’s tears pooling on my shoulders, hear his ragged breaths as he tried to steady himself, but not a single sob was let out. Victor cried without making a sound.

I would hold him through it all. I would be his solace. I would make him happy. That was my silent vow that night. To love that beautiful man with such a big heart so deeply he would never hurt again. To love him the way he truly deserved to be loved.

[inbarfink]

Ace Attorney Defendants Rated from least to most cooperative and helpful to their own goddam attorney.

Matt Engarde: Look, no amount of like... eating-the-evidence or protecting the real killer’s gonna top actually BEING the real killer and kidnapping Maya to blackmail Phoenix into defending him. You just can’t top Literal Murderer as far as Bad Defendants go.

Zak Gramarye: But you know what comes as a close second? HIDING CASE-CRITICAL DECISIVE EDIVENCE FROM HIS OWN ATTORNEY FOR NO GOOD REASON, DISAPPEARING IN THE MIDDLE OF COURT, LEAVING HIS FUCKING EIGHT YEAR OLD ALL ALONE FOR HIS LAWYER TO RAISE THAT PROBABLY COUNTS AS UNCOOPERATIVE RIGHT

Machi Tobaye: KNOWS A LOT MORE ABOUT THE CASE THEN HE WAS TELLING??? LIKE I THINK ALL OF THE CASE WOULD HAVE BEEN SOLVED IF ONLY HE WAS HONEST WITH HIS DEFENSE TEAM????  Some of this was understandable because he was under fear of a Death Sentence, but.......... He really could have just told Apollo and Trucy he can see and speak a little English right from the get-go, at the very least.

Wocky Kitaki: Barely had the time of day to talk with his Attorney and so there was a LOT Apollo didn’t knew about the case and Wocky knew. Abrasive and mean to his defense team and was actually TRYING to get himself found guilty for a good chunk of the case, also trying to defend the Culprit. Pretty classic Bad AA Defendant.

Phoenix Wright: Gave false testimony, repeatedly almost incriminated himself, tried to protect the culprit, ATE THE EVIDENCE! He came around at the end, but I’m sorry Phoenix, Mia was a great lawyer and you didn’t deserve her /:

Larry Butz: Can’t shut up and so accidentally almost falsely incriminated himself. Argues with his attorney. Assumes that being Phoenix’s friend means he’s just gonna do his lawyering for free?????

Phoenix Wright Again: THAT’S RIGHT I’M COUNTING HOBONICK AND FEENIE SEPARATELY BECAUSE THEIR BAD-DEFENDANTNESS IS SO RADICALLY DIFFERENT IT’S WEIRD TO COUNT IT AS THE SAME THING. Anyway....... incredibly uncooperative and secretive in court, didn’t disclose like...................... ANYTHING to his attorney beforehand, MADE APOLLO PRESENT FALSIFIED EVIDENCE IN COURT. Yeah, he was also a HUGE help in court and basically led the trial (which is the main thing giving him an edge over Larry and Feenie), but still......... Why is every time Phoenix is a Defendant for someone else he is so BAD about this??!!!!

Terry Fawles: SOMEONE GIVE MIA FEY A GOOD DEFENDANT PLEASE. It’s hard to say how at fault he is for, like, incrimanting behaviour considering his mental state... But he DID work to try and protect the culprit... and he’s a creep for ““falling in love”“” with a 14-year-old girl when he was 20 and I know it’s not related to his helpfulness but it made me wanna rate him lower. 

Sister Iris: Knew a LOT more about the case that she wasn’t telling. Like...... the majority of the case would’ve been solved if she told Miles or Phoenix everything that she knew. Defending the culprit, I guess it’s noble considering the situation, but it’s hard for me to get behind it.

Lana Skye: I know that she was blackmailled over her sister accidently-killing-a-guy, but.... she DID have all of the information about the real culprit and (most of) what happened but kept shut about it for most of the trial. And also kept trying to confess and to dismiss Phoenix as her lawyer. Like, if there wasn’t the blackmail thing here as a defense she’d be way higher on the list............

Ahlbi Ur'gaid: Another Really Sucky Defendant with understandable reasons to Suck. Like, he’s a goddam kid indocrinated on Evil Anti-Lawyer Propoganda, it’s no wonder he’s so hostile and uncooperative to Phoenix. But..... yeah, that does make him a little of a pain in the ass until he comes around. 

Ron DeLite: Hard to say, really. On the one hand, he DID actually committ one of the crimes he was on trial for - but on the OTHER hand, he did actually try to confess to it - but on the OTHER OTHER hand that technically counts as not cooperating with your defense but on the OTHER OTHER OTHER HAND, Phoenix was the one not cooperating with him trying to prove him innocent of Grand Larceny but on the OTHER OTHER OTHER OTHER hand he was doing a terrible job of communicating just what the hell is going on. 

Vera Misham: A bit... quiet when it comes to one-on-one in the Detention Center, but considering her emotional state, she was fairly cooperative in court! It’s kinda hard to say since she spent so much of this case in the hospital.......

Solomon Starbuck: Not only repeatedly gave false testimoany to try hide the truth about his own space anxiety, but tried to flee court once he got called out on it. Thankfully, he’s not as competent as Zak, also thankfully, he gives up the bullcrap once we get to Day 2 of the investigation. 

Bucky Whet: Drunk, uncooperative, rude to his own Lawyer! I guess he kinda comes through with a Save by the end, though.

Ora Shipley: You know that you’re a Sucky Defendant when the ORCA ranks better than you.

Damian Tenma: Repeatedly tried to confess to a murder he didn’t commit, spent half of the case pretending to be a possessed........ He did to protect his daughter, which is admirable, but yeah that was kind of a headache for Apollo and Athena.

Will Powers: He’s a nice guy and gives some helpful information, but......... he also tried to hide the fact that Dee Vasquez and Sal Manella were in the studio that day for the sake of the ‘Bigwigs’ and that’s kinda sucky. Sorry, Will. 

Miles Edgeworth: He confessed to a murder he didn’t committ in court, but in his defense............. he did BELIEVE he was actually guilty so I guess it evens out.

Dhurke Sahdmadhi: On the one hand, he’s a huge help in Court as a Co-Counsel and he brought us the piece of evidence that turned the case around (the abillity To Do a Channeling with Apollo’s Biodad), but he also hid the GREATEST ALIBI in the world from us (being dead) and that Amara is Fucking Alive. He’s a defendant of extremes I guess. 

Max Galactica: I know he’s annoying and kind of a creep but we’re not rating likable witnesses we’re raiting helpful witnesses and I don’t think Max actually like... lied or mislead or hid information or accidently incriminated himself in court?

Ellen Wyatt: Look............ It’s not her fault she was gaslit into believing that she time-travelled.... that shit was Fucked Up and she did the best she could.

Juniper Woods: Juniper Woods Did Nothing Wrong.

Maggey Byrde: Helpful tutorial lady for her anmensia-stricken lawyer, even volenteers to punch him in the face to restore his memories. A bit more belligerent in “Recipe” due to having been found Guilty already, and that’s kinda understandable. Only really loses points for not recognizing that Furio Tigre isn’t Phoenix.

Trucy Wright: Cooperative and honest. 100% understands having to break Magician Secrecy Rules for the sake of getting her a Not Guilty (unlike SOME magicians I could mention)

Maya Fey: Not counting the stunt she pulled in “Bridge to the Turnabout” cause she wasn’t technically the Defendant - Maya has always been VERY cooperative. 100% honest about what happened, gives helpful tutorials in “Turnabout Sisters”, offers to break Phoenix out of prison. If only all defendants could be so delightful.

Athena Cykes: It’s hard to get more helpful to the defense than literally being a part of the defense team.

[polygamyff]

46. Part 2

Poking my fork at my food, I don’t know why but I feel deflated. A thought came into my mind, and it’s because of Robyn, she refuses to get a nanny because she doesn’t trust me. I mean clearly it is that, why else won’t she. If none this happened she would be up for it, I know it. And then if I bring it up she is going to be annoyed, I just can’t win but I need to speak on it to her but then how to bring it up, that is what I am thinking right now, I do feel very deflated about the feeling of Robyn not trusting me. I get why, but I have changed I feel I have changed. I blew out air sitting back in the chair “is this what you looked like when you didn’t want to do something? You look so sad” looking up from my plate and at Jay “you think?” placing my fork down “you have barely ate, why?” Robyn said, nodding my head “you’re right I didn’t want it, it was bland” pulling a face “my mom made that” Robyn raised an eyebrow “Terry the food was delicious thank you” Robyn laughed shaking her head “such an asshole” looking over at Jay “so, what is happening between you and Ally, come on. I want to hear it, me and the CEO in the high chair want to hear it” Jay laughed shaking his head “she said this, she goes do not tell Maurice shit, he is a office gossip” I laughed out, Ally ain’t shit “I am no such thing, I just like to know what is happening with my co-workers so come on. Tell me?” Jay smirked; this is a good thing “tell me?” Jay groaned out “my nigga, you can’t say shit?” shaking my head “no I won’t, promise” I kind of lied “he is a liar, tell me. I won’t tell anybody” Robyn got herself involved “this is office talk Robyn, can you keep in your corner” waving her off “so we spoke on things, she was just saying that if the fact her having a close connection to you was a bad thing, would that fuck things up. I said Ally, that is your past. Let’s meet up, she said so you want me to trust his judgement. I goes no, I want you to trust your own, see. I got the talk, she said fine. We can meet up tomorrow, see how it goes. She said I am a sexy, and she kind of likes me” I cheered “aye, see look at me. Not only am I a billionaire, I also fix people together. Wow, such talents but on a real, y’all will be good together, my dating agency is open for anyone” I paused looking over at Terry “ Terry?” she laughed “stop it” she chuckled “or Robyn, maybe someone you can trust” Robyn squinted her eyes at me “I knew there was an issue with you” I shrugged.

Sitting across from Jay “you good though? You are happy with what I did right?” Jay nodded his head “she did say, I thought to not say it in front of your family. She said if I am doing this then I want to be truthful to you because you work closely to Maurice. We did fuck, I had feelings for him, I don’t know what you want to do with that. I said it’s in the past right? But she said I don’t want you to ever assume I am that caught up with him, but I am laying my cards on the table” she actually said it “we did, I mean she is not wrong. She did have feelings for me, and I didn’t think she did, but she even cried but she is a good girl. I was a bastard” Jay chuckled “it’s cool, we all have a past. But that doesn’t bother me, it’s what you say. You say she is a good girl and that is a good enough thing for me” I can see Robyn walking over to me, she is about to tell me to walk my ass to the bedroom “I am putting Reign to sleep so am I, if you want to come to the bedroom?” I knew it “yeah sure, I am coming” Jay smiled awkwardly “you in trouble, trouble?” I laughed “I don’t know yet, I will be back” getting up from the couch. I am just going to tell Robyn straight; I am going to tell her what I feel but I know how she feels about what I think.

Walking into the bedroom “aww my baby, look at you. See, not just me that likes you in your diaper and see all them rolls” Reign gave me the gummy smile “who’s a fat little momma, you are, and you are mine!” I pointed at myself “yes you are Mi Amor, you are mine” Reign is really babbling to me and using her hands like I can understood “I know, you will lose them rolls. Soon” leaning down and stroking her cheek before moving away, where is that woman gone “da!” Reign screamed at the top of her lung, looking behind me “excuse me?” and she giggled, this girl wants me to stand here and talk to her “Robyn, where are you? Reign is going to start to crawl soon, she can hurt herself” is she crazy “mommy is being silly Reign” I am confused “I was getting Reign a new onesie, relax. Don’t worry she will be ok” furrowing my eyebrows “but we have to be careful Robyn, she is sensitive” Robyn walked by me “you think I am a bad mother” oh I guess Robyn is being sensitive now “not exactly, I mean what do I know. I just get worried, I don’t know. What else you want me to do? Not care?” Robyn got down onto her knees “nobody is saying that, I want to know your issue with me? Clearly there is, you didn’t eat either so what is up?” Robyn said, I mean we are being petty now, we need to be adults about this “well I didn’t eat because I was upset to feel the way I do, also I Wasn’t’ hungry anyways. Plus, at times you can be irrational” I just said it, and Robyn is about to blow a load on me about it “right, irrational? Ok, go on then, carry on” she said carry on in such a angry tone, she does not like that I said irrational.

I best start this off then “what I mean is that you don’t trust me Robyn, you don’t and I know you don’t because you will not agree on a nanny for Reign” Robyn groaned out “see what I mean, you think I will fuck the nanny while you’re at work, you really think that and I know you do, you think so little of me and that does hurt me because I am so in love with you. If I wanted a fucking nanny I can get one and fuck, I can fuck anyone else. I think it’s pretty sad you don’t trust me; I know it’s me. Or you would have done this by now. You just don’t hear yourself, how can I take Reign with me to work, if she works off and someone takes her then what? I am busy too, I have a job to go too, it may be slightly easier than yours, but I have to make decisions too, I just don’t think I want my daughter there, if she hurts herself too. I said yes to make you happy but sometimes I can’t do it can I? Because clearly you’re just sat there all annoyed with me because I am saying this, I just think you need think over on what you feel about this nanny shit, she is not her mother, somebody needs to take care of her” Reign is just staring at me with her big hazel eyes, she makes me smile “what a way to make her feel special” this is what I mean about Robyn, she is just irrational “says the woman that wants to deport her out of her bed, sure!. This is what I mean about you, irrational. You don’t help me get this fucking maid either. With or without you I will get a maid in this house, and Reign will go to daycare, got it?” looking down at Robyn not really” Robyn said “thanks, very adult like” walking off, I can’t be bothered to hear her shit “clearly your mother knows what you’re like, spoilt brat. And you call me spoilt” closing the door behind me.

Just when I am in a mood, my sister visits. Not like she is positive about anything “decided to come down?” Nalah said “yeah, what’s up?” walking around her “came to see you, speak on Shawn” I sighed heavily “Robyn, sorry Nalah. I don’t need this right now. Can we speak on that another day” I have my own issues “well not when your fucking friend beats women! You didn’t even say?” I groaned out turning to Nalah “I fucking told you, I said it to you. I didn’t want you to be with him! You couldn’t help yourself could you, huh!” I shouted “well I am scared Maurice” Nalah’ face softened “I like Shawn a lot” her voice broke “don’t shout at me” she sniffled, I don’t really have the time to be standing here and listen to Nalah cry “then be with him, not like you listened to me anyways. When I said stay away I fucking meant it, but do you listen? No you don’t, come crying to me for what? I told you Nalah” Nalah shook her head “I have never had any luck with men! Never, you just don’t care do you” licking my top lip staring at Nalah “I do care but I don’t know what you want me to do with it? I know my friend and I know his past and I know what he has done, I didn’t want him to date you, my sister. I didn’t want it, if you are willing to forgive him then do it but if he lays a hand on you I would beat the fuck out of him because you are my sister Nalah, I do care. You just caught me at the wrong time, that is all” she has really caught me at the wrong time “I don’t know what to do” Nalah is really crying, she does like Shawn a lot. I sighed out, seeing Robyn walk into the room with Reign, I am sure she was going to bed. Robyn looked at Nalah crying and walked off, she probably doesn’t want to get involved “do you want to be with him?” I asked, I mean if she does then she got to forgive “I do” she said in a whisper “then you got to forgive, Robyn had to forgive me, when she found out I was married. You think we would be here right now, love can win Nalah if you let it and if it’s true then you both will win in this. I have done a lot of shit and if Robyn didn’t forgive me then we would be not here right now, you got to work together” Nalah put her head down “can I get some water?” she asked “sure, your family” I paced off “it’s on the floor below” rubbing the back of my head as I made my way to the couch.

It is so frustrating; everything is just annoying because I honestly do not understand why Robyn doesn’t think she is irrational “why is Nalah upset?” Robyn asked, getting up from the couch “I don’t care for Nalah, I want to know about us. About you, I want you to see it from my point of view” Reign held her arms out to me, I was a little taken a back she wanted me “aww my baby” taking Reign from Robyn “you not tired” she rested her head on my shoulder “I am not irrational, I just don’t like to know a random woman is near my child. I am just funny about it, I am sorry that is just me. I do trust you because if I didn’t then I wouldn’t be here, I wouldn’t let you sit in that office with the bitch you fucked. Trust me, I trust you. I could never let you go to work, we have moved on from that Maurice. Sorry if I made you feel that way but I promise you that I do trust and I think, I rather she goes to private day care for a few hours, it won’t be long for her. I prefer that, and with the maid we will sit down and discuss. I am off work tomorrow, ok? Can we just not argue, I don’t want that for us Maurice. I don’t want you to think I am selfish either, that is not me. I am sorry, if you felt that way but I don’t like a nanny, I am just funny about it and I can’t shake that feeling away. We can also look at some places so they can have her for a while yeah?” I can agree on that “now I look like the child, for storming off” seeing Nalah come back “not that, I just think we are still trying to get used to each other, we will get there. I know it” Reign placed her hand over my lips, blowing raspberries against her hand before moving my head to the side “you good now?” I asked my sister, I do care for my sister even though I lost me temper “mhmm I suppose, I am going anyways. Bye Robyn, I shouldn’t have come here, it was a mistake” she walked off “Nalah, come on. Don’t be like that with me? I didn’t mean too shout at you?” Nalah just continued to walk off “I am not going to get involved, and I guess Reign want you to put her to bed” Robyn walked off “excuse me?” Robyn ain’t shit, she just put this on me.

I didn’t really want to put Reign to sleep, that was Robyn’ thing tonight because she ain’t got work tomorrow. Lightly rubbing Reign’ stomach as she drank her milk “my baby is growing so much, strong independent woman” Reign pulled out her bottle from out her mouth and held the bottle out to me “me?” I pointed at myself “no baby, you drink it. Aren’t you kind baby? How sweet, aww” she proceeded to drink her milk “today was a little shit at work but it was also funny, we had our huddle. So, we all get together and discuss what is being done today, the preparation. And Zen, he is new there too” pulling a face “he? And a name like Zen? I thought that was a female?” Robyn paused looking at me “do you not listen to my stories?” staring at Robyn not knowing how to answer, “clearly not, so Zen is a boy?” I asked “Zen is a man” raising an eyebrow “so anyways, you’re ruining my story. So when I said it was shit, it was because the huddle was rushed, we had an emergency on a young adult that came in, so me and Zen was supposed to be watching in, like Li said watch in. It’s been a while for me and him, what does he do. He didn’t even turn up to preparation room or anything, they told me to find him and you know where he was? Eating, he goes but Li said we had ten minutes, I was like that was for the preparation before going in. Anyways, I kind of helped him today, I feel like I am there again, I can do it on my own, but I don’t see how he got this job, he seems so slow. But funny, I felt bad and dropped him off at home” my eyes bulged out “that escalated, why on earth are you dropping off this man? Riddle me that” is she crazy “he is my work colleague, he is funny. I am making friends; I also got some female friends. And I like it because nobody mentions about you, I am me” I could burst her bubble and make a big deal out of it but I won’t, I will be keeping an eye on this Zen guy.