#and the fact that mal taught her how to punch :')

[oretsev]

just thinking about the inevitable cinematic parallels of season 1 alina angrily getting a punch in with zoya and season 2 alina storming up to nikolai to deck him across the face

[lover-of-skellies]

Some facts about Mal, part two

She typically fights in the same way Error does (with threads), though under Necro's guidance, she learned how to fight physically

In his attempts to gain her trust back when he'd first met her, he allowed her to take his weapon and even attack him, and he never raised a hand to fight back or defend himself. He can't die anyway, so he wasn't afraid of that

Once they'd built up enough trust, she ended up staying with him

She had to share a room with Lucky for a little while, but she honestly didn't mind. He's a tiny child version of Papyrus, so what was there about him that she didn't immediately find adorable? Absolutely nothing

Necro eventually taught her how to bake different things, and just like him, she was a natural at it

She often tries to mimic Necro's straight faced, emotionless look, but because of how expressive and moody she can be, she can't do it

She encouraged Lucky to begin building puzzles after she'd heard what happened to the Sans from his AU (which is long dead). Lucky had stopped doing anything with puzzles out of some sort of depression, since he knew Necro wasn't his real big brother (though he still thought of him as exactly that)

Mal even helped Lucky design them, and whenever he built a new one, she was always happy to test it for him

She happened to meet Template purely by chance while travelling through some different AUs and exploring. Her first instinct was to attack him because she believed he was Error

It took a lot of time, observation, and repeated encounters for her to see that he wasn't anything at all like Error, and she became very openly curious about him

It took what felt like forever, but her and Template developed a friendship of sorts and began to trust each other more

After even more time had passed and she was completely comfortable with him, Template offered to act as the father she never had

She normally doesn't cry and isn't big on physical contact, but in response to Template's offer, she began to cry and clung to him

She didn't actually refer to him as "Dad" though until he was attacked by Error and she felt that his life was actually in danger

She stuck with him throughout the majority of his recovery after the fight with Error, and decided that because of everyone in her life at the moment (with Template being one of the biggest positive influences on her ever), she wanted to stop destroying AUs, and that she wanted to become a protector like Template

While she did become one of the good guys, she can't help but feel guilty for all the AUs she'd severely damaged and all the lives she took in the years that she was still following Error and taking his orders

One of the things she likes to do with her thread while holding someone for questioning or interrogation is to wrap them in it and begin to slowly squeeze tighter and tighter, similar to what snakes (any type of constrictor) would do

She also taught herself to focus more magic and energy on her hands while fighting someone physically, which causes her punches to become significantly harder than they'd normally be

She likes sleeping in a hammock, much like Error does. Like him, she also seems to enjoy knitting/crocheting

If she has to act as a distraction or a decoy for any reason, she also taught herself how to create copies of herself with her threads

[saiilorstars]

The Girl in the Forest

Chapter 14: The Temptation

// Story Masterlist // 

Fandom: The Originals

Pairings: Klaus Mikaelson x Original Female Character

Pronunciation of OC’s name: Ma-leh-nee

No real warnings for now!

Requested tag: @queenmj10​

~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~

Chapter Summary: Trying to get back to a normal life is getting far too challenging for Maleny, especially when she has some feelings she needs to work through.

A/N: A reminder that Maleny is back in her original body so her new face claim is the actress Angelique Boyer!

"You're not actually going to do this to me are you?" Maleny asked the dripping question of irritation. Her face contorted to pure annoyance as her gaze remained on Klaus who stood across her.

They were in a small room of the compound, one barely used and almost empty save for a table at one end. On that table were several forms of wooden stakes, ones that Klaus had placed himself.

He stood in front of the table, with his arms held out in the familiar Mikaelson way, showing he was very well going to make her do it, "I'm waiting, love."

"This is a complete waste of time," she declared and crossed her arms, refusing to move a step towards him.

"You said you wanted to avoid trouble and I can't very well have you running around without a clue of how to throw a punch at someone," he declared, still waiting for her to make a move. It'd been his idea to give her a proper training session, at least once every so often. If she was going to be escaping every time he told her to stay home she needed to know how to defend herself.

"Okaaay," Maleny drew out the word, "But this," her finger gestured between each other, "is a completely unfair practice round. You're a thousand years old and a hybrid with super strength meanwhile I'm a thousand in a mortal body. Show me where exactly I'm supposed to learn something here? How am I supposed to beat you?"

The last question made Klaus scoff, and earned himself a glare, "You're not here to win a battle against me. I'm an Original, with an extra, lethal, perk," he sent her a wink, "I am merely a..." he made a with a motion he was considering a choice of words, "...punching bag - a target. But I'm a difficult target that you..."

Maleny had her eyes narrowed down on him as he purposely trailed off, her tongue pushing against her teeth, "So...what you're saying is...I wouldn't be able to hit you?"

"Well..." Klaus took small steps towards her, "...it's like you said: I'm a thousand years old with super strength...quite strong..."

"Klaus, I swear to God this better not be one of your taunts," Maleny walked straight up to him, "I'm not an idiot."

"No, you're not," Klaus agreed with her quickly, remaining at ease despite her clear irritation for him.

"I'm not going to hit you," Maleny declared again, though she felt her hand already trying to form a fist instead.

"You couldn't even if you wanted to."

"I hit you before..."

"On the arm, my dear, and only because I allowed it so."

At this, Maleny growled and threw her first attempt of a punch across his face. Klaus easily grabbed her wrist and used it to turn her around, her back to him. She yelped as she felt her hand being forced against her back.

"Hey!" she exclaimed.

"Gonna have to do a little more than that, love," Klaus whispered in her ear, momentarily giving her a chill down her back.

At his laugh, she became even more annoyed and went for a second round. Upon being released she spun around and tried punching him again but he ducked just in time.

"Mal," he appeared bemused as he straightened up again, "were you actually going to punch me?"

By that time Maleny had worked up a breath, "I don't know..." she said in between her breathing, "...stand still and we'll find out."

"You were never this moody back in the village," Klaus remarked offhandedly.

Maleny gaped, "You are really screwing up today! This fight is completely unfair! I mean, who puts a human against a hybrid? I'd have a better chance against Cami! I don't understand-"

Klaus rolled his eyes and sped towards her, taking her up against the wall. Maleny ignored the clasp around her neck due to the brick harshly hitting the back of her head.

"Oow..." she shut her eyes at the terrible pain.

Alarmed by the fact he had actually hurt her, Klaus let her go and pulled her off the wall, "Mal? Maleny, are you alright?"

Maleny rubbed the back of her head, giving him a small nod, "I...I think so. But oh my God that hurts. I don't suppose you have ice?"

"I can...sure, yes, I can get some," Klaus hadn't even thought of using blood in his panic episode. He turned and headed towards the doors to get her the ice.

Maleny smirked and rushed to the table with the stakes, swiping one off the table and throwing it with all her might directly at Klaus. He stopped when he felt the stake embedded into his back. Though stunned, and frankly in pain, he turned to Maleny.

She stood straight, arms crossed, and with a smirk on her face, "I win."

"That's not winning, that's cheating," Klaus clarified as he pulled the stake from his back.

"I'm sorry, isn't that what you do? Use feelings to manipulate and win?"

Unamused, Klaus gave her a look, "Feigning a head injury will not win you a battle, Mal."

"I wasn't faking," Maleny rubbed her head once more as she walked towards the doors, "You owe me big for that one you stupid hybrid," she mumbled and left the room.

Anyone else might have died by that comment, but it being Maleny Klaus merely chuckled and went to retrieve the other stakes he'd left on the table. His mind was already setting up ideas on how to apologize for his apparent error.

~ 0 ~

In the lounge room, Cami was comfortably sat down, scribbling in her new journal. She was so focused until she sensed Maleny entering the room.

"Hey Mal," she looked up and blinked upon seeing the blonde with an ice pack behind her head, "What happened?"

Maleny groaned as she plopped down on the couch beside her, "Klaus had an idea," she grumbled, but Cami began to laugh. "Laugh it up, Camille O'Connell, laugh it up..."

Cami sobered slowly while the blonde rested her head on the couch, the ice pack in-between. "Is this how you two were in the past?"

Maleny scoffed, "No, in those days God forbid Maleny pick up a knife to defend herself."

"Aw, you were like Rapunzel locked in the tower," Cami nudged her, still in a teasing mode, "Let your hair grow out so you can play the part for real."

Maleny rolled her eyes, "You know, being a vampire has made you meaner. I thought hanging out with Elijah would make you more classy like he is."

Cami feigned offense and shut her journal, "Well, I never. I suppose this is the real you now, a hell of a lot more snappier than normal."

"I wasn't always this way," Maleny shrugged, tilting her head to glance at her cousin, "I had the good ole Mikaelson teachers. Finn taught me to tolerate those annoying people, Elijah taught me to be more refined and controlling, Klaus taught me how to talk back to those who thought they could wrong me, Kol taught me how to be mischievous and steal some good snacks, Rebekah taught me how to make sneaky excuses to sneak off," she cleared her throat when Cami smirked at the comment, "Not like that..."

"Yeah right," Cami waved her off, laughing once again.

"Oh shut up!" Maleny exclaimed, "Things are different now, I promise. Besides, I don't know who you're laughing at. I noticed you're closer to Elijah than I remember. Wanna talk about that, dear cousin?"

Now completely serious, Cami took her journal off her lap and stood up, "There is nothing there, I assure you."

Maleny took up Cami's teasing tone and said, "Yeah right!" as the blonde vampire made way for the doors.

"Shut up Maleny!"

Maleny laughed, "Oh c'mon, stay! We haven't talked in months and I heard you went looking for me right after you were turned. Thank you."

With a sigh, Cami turned back, wearing a light-hearted smile, "Don't thank me, I would've done it whether I was human or vampire. You're my cousin, I don't care if that was a lie a witch made up. You are my cousin and I love you."

Maleny reached a hand out for her cousin, unable to move just yet, "I love you too, Cami! And I'm really sorry being caught in a crossfire turned you into a vampire."

"It's actually great," Cami chuckled, having taken Maleny's hand, "I mean, once you get over the 'I'm dead' part, it's really nice. I have the entire world at my feet - I can go anywhere and do anything."

As she said those words, Maleny's smile faded and she turned her head to look away, "Yeah..."

"Don't get me wrong," Cami continued, too focused to notice Maleny yet, "Being killed by Genevieve wasn't exactly the perfect way to go...but then I got her back," she smirked, "Sent that bitch to hell...literally! But being this me is a little better. I'm happy."

"Good for you," Maleny said so quietly that made Cami finally look down at the blonde and see she looked almost discontent.

Cami let go of Maleny's hand and walked back to take her seat on the couch, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have talked about that." She should've known better than to talk about becoming a vampire around Maleny. That had been her one biggest desire as a human, and centuries later she still hadn't acquired it yet.

"No, don't feel bad," Maleny gave her a small smile, "I'm glad that turning didn't harm your personality. The only thing I wished was that you had turned by someone you knew and in much better circumstances."

As Maleny lifted her head, letting the ice-pack slowly drop, Cami reached and took it to place it down on the table in front of them. "I wish the same for you, Mal."

A resigned sigh escaped through Maleny's lips, "I don't see that happening anytime soon."

"Have you asked...?" Cami debated whether or not to finish her question with a specific person.

"I...don't know whether to ask about that or not," Maleny admitted, gently fixing her hair from the back, "Klaus and I, we're not...we're not exactly happy with our current conditions. I doubt asking him if he would even consider turning me could make anything better. And even if I did ask someone else, like Elijah, he wouldn't do it if Klaus didn't agree."

"There's always me," Cami weakly raised a hand.

"I don't want you getting into trouble with Elijah," Maleny patted her arm, "Hayley? I don't know...she probably wouldn't do if..." she made a motion with her hand, making Cami say simultaneously 'if Klaus didn't agree'

"So basically Klaus has to agree to this?" Cami asked, frowning, "That doesn't sound very fair."

"It's not just him," Maleny sighed and leaned back on the couch, "I don't know if...I want to turn. I mean, if I turned I want to know that I would have someone to spend eternity with. I don't want to be alone."

Cami would've scoffed and told her of course there was someone who would spend eternity with her if she just asked. But, she knew that Maleny was at a fragile point at the moment. She wasn't in a position to take those types of important decisions when she still had a curse to officially end. Cami also imagined Maleny had to clear her mind from all the lives she had lived as other people. She needed to figure out what it was she truly wanted before she turned.

"I don't know what may happen," Cami began softly, taking Maleny's hand, "But whatever you choose to be, you will always have me as your cousin."

Maleny smiled at that, "Thank you, Cami."

~ 0 ~

Hayley was busy munching on an apple whilst taking a walk around a long table full of more fruit and other various lunch meals. She heard footsteps coming in from the stairs.

"So, I take it your training session with Klaus went pretty well?" Hayley waved her bitten apple with a smirk, also winking.

Maleny ignored her blush and instead snapped, "You knew about that? I should kick your ass right here. My head still hurts."

"This is all pretty fresh," continued Hayley as she stirred a bowl of soup which was visibly warm, "Plus, I just saw a wicked piano upstairs that most certainly wasn't there yesterday."

Maleny blinked and looked up at second floor, almost as if she would see the new piano from where she stood, "For me?"

"I didn't know you played," Hayley remarked, still smirking, "I assume that was from Klaus."

"He's apologizing," Maleny smiled to herself before returning her gaze to Hayley, "I liked the musical instruments we had in our village. I never attempted to play until the piano was invented but I never really learned it all. But I can assure you that this," Maleny gestured to the table, "was not for me. There's no berries and Klaus knows I like berries," Hayley looked at the blonde with a looming tease, making Maleny deeply sigh, "I said that out loud, didn't I?"

Hayley gripped the top of a chair whilst smirking, "So let me guess, you'd have romantic dinners like these?"

Maleny was not amused by the look on her face, "Be quiet."

Hayley, on the other hand, was having just a bit too much fun, "I'm not hearing a 'no'," she wagged a finger at Maleny and laughed.

Short tempered, Maleny grabbed a spoon and chucked it towards Hayley. Hayley easily stopped the spoon and set it down on the table again, "Gonna try a little a bit harder next time. Also, next time I'd go with the knife," she picked one up and pretended to model it for her, "It can do a little more damage than a spoon."

"You know just because you're all vampires doesn't mean I can't hit you one of these days," Maleny huffed and crossed her arms, "Oh, that reminds me, I know everyone in this place is a vampire so actual food isn't on your list anymore, but I could really use some."

"What's this?" Klaus came down the stairs to find the mysterious table of breakfast.

Hayley flashed a smirk to Maleny in warning of her next tease, "Maleny's present to you, of course," she told Klaus who quickly looked at Maleny in shock.

Maleny blushed and glared at Hayley, "Okay, Klaus, I know Hayley's the mother of your daughter but I'm gonna kill her."

Hayley bit into her apple, clearly satisfied with the results.

"Who's responsible for this?" Klaus asked once more, expecting the truth that time.

Hayley saw Elijah and Cami coming in from the streets and pointed at them, "This your work?" she pointed to the table.

"We've been out looking for the white oak stake," Cami explained, equally confused as Elijah once they saw the mysterious table of meals.

The silver lid on a platter on the table began rattling which left the group confused for a moment more. Klaus decided to be the one to reveal what laid underneath. He inched closer to the table and lifted the platter. As soon as he did two black starlings flew up, making everyone instinctively duck out of the way.

"What the hell was that?" Hayley stared up as the birds flew away.

Klaus found a white invitation sitting on the platter and picked it up, reading "Dinner, Your Home, 8PM," he looked up at the others, "An invitation from our mother."

That was a tactic no one was expecting.

~ 0 ~

Hayley laid flat on Klaus' bed whilst trying to keep her amused smile hidden as Klaus and Maleny angrily argued with each other once again. She'd really only came into the room to see how they would be dealing with Esther's 'invitation' and it seemed like Maleny had thought of the same thing since she came only two minutes after Hayley. But everything went wrong when Klaus told Maleny she would not be seeing Esther today as it was 'too dangerous for her human body'.

Shouting and disagreeing ensued afterwards.

"Are you seriously not going to let me see Esther?" Maleny had her arms crossed and half a room of distance between her and Klaus.

"You will see her, I assure you, but not today!" Klaus fired back, equally crossed as she was. Why couldn't she understand it was simply not the right time for her to meet Esther? Esther was full of tricks she could use at any moment, and since Maleny was the weakest out of everyone there had to be extra precautions.

"When?" Maleny challenged, "After you kill and bury her?"

"Well…" Klaus admitted with a sinister grin that wasn't a bad idea.

"This isn't a joke!" Maleny snapped.

"You're right, it isn't, so that's that then," Klaus waved a hand to dismiss the argument as he turned away.

Maleny blinked but quickly reacted and went to follow, "I am not finished!"

But Klaus turned back, more angry the topic was still being discussed, "This is more than finished-"

Hayley had heard enough, and frankly withstood enough, and sat upright, shouting, "Shut up the both of you!" and she quickly caught the two's attention, "Tell you what, Klaus, I'll take Mal and we'll both try to find a witch that can help us with your mother. Esther won't see her today."

While that mildly simmered Klaus' anger, Maleny grew even more furious, "Wow, it's like, when I speak, I'm on mute or something."

"Mal, stop," ordered Hayley who wasn't about to argue with her either.

"What's going on?" Cami entered the room looking pretty confused.

"I must say your shouts have gotten incredibly louder," remarked Elijah as he came in afterwards.

"Your brother!" Maleny gestured to the hybrid, "As always, he thinks I need to be babysat."

"You're a therapist, help them," Hayley told Cami, semi-mocking.

"I think we need to focus on Esther, don't we?" Cami looked around, "Arguments can be left for later."

"Quite right," Elijah agreed who went further into the room, "Esther's a master in the art of possession. We know whose body she currently inhabits. We must decipher her intentions before she finds a new host."

"Mal and I were going to get on that," Hayley explained, ignoring Maleny's glare.

"Since Davina's basically on the run I think it'll be far more difficult," the blonde added in and low mutter. Early in the day she'd went to go look for Davina, intending on discussing the fact the teen harbored the spirit of Mikael and possessed the white oak stake. But after several attempts, Maleny realized Davina had taken off.

"I told you that witch was no good," Klaus remarked but only tended to the fire more.

"Perhaps if you hadn't pushed her to that point she would've never done that," Maleny replied.

Hayley rolled her eyes and got up from the bed, "Well I've heard enough," she went over to Maleny, grabbing her by the arm, "We're going to find a witch."

"Actually," Elijah spoke up, "I was about to explain a little plan of mine for a witch. Cami and I have someone in mind."

At the mention of her name, Cami looked at him with blinking eyes, "We do?"

"We do," he smiled at her, "At the other side of the river, Marcel has made a couple of friends I'm sure could help us."

"Then see to it," Klaus said.

Elijah returned to Cami's side, "We'll be back," he told the others before dragging away a still confused Cami.

Hayley huffed and started taking Maleny towards the exit, "So we're going to have a drink," she announced, her voice challenging anyone to disagree with her.

Thankfully, Klaus felt better if Hayley was around Maleny so he let the two women go without a word of contradiction.

~ 0 ~

"I still don't get what I'm doing here," Cami repeated her statement for the third time since Elijah had brought them to the Algiers.

Elijah maintained his cool demeanor as they walked through the alley full of market stalls, "We need to find a witch, I told you."

"Right, but right now I think I can be more useful to my cousin."

"Actually, I would prefer if Maleny stayed with Hayley for the day."

The confession made Cami stop in her tracks, "Wh-why?"

Elijah stopped as well and sighed, "You saw how Hayley behaved throughout these months. She was a near savage, and with Maleny back for a couple of days it's caused so much progress."

It was then that Cami realized what was going on, "You're doing this for Hayley…" and for some reason, the thought made Cami slightly uncomfortable.

"She's had a difficult time," Elijah reminded, "I think that Maleny can help her, unlike us."

Cami sighed but had to agree. She did notice a radical change in Hayley and she supposed the woman did deserve some kind of peace in the meantime she had her daughter back. And so they continued to walk, now slightly less tensed, until they reached Marcel's loft.

Marcel was sorting through some books along with Gia, a newly turned woman Marcel was responsible for - or rather was pushing for Elijah to be.

Sensing their presence, Marcel lowered a book and turned around, "I wondered when you'd show up. Your pupil's waiting. it's not like you to shirk your responsibilities."

Elijah wearily looked at the dark-haired woman, "As you well know, she is not my... burden to bear. You turned her, you teach her."

Cami bit her lip as she watched a flash of hurt in Gia's face. The woman had no fault Marcel was trying to push her onto an Original. Sure, she turned by choice, but Cami doubted Gia was ever fully aware of Marcel's plan.

"Why'd you come?" asked Marcel.

"We're looking for a cooperative witch," Elijah answered.

"I don't know where Davina is, and given the fact that she's got your father on a leash, I wouldn't put her in the, uh, "cooperative" category-"

"Maybe another witch, then," Cami interrupted him, now eyeing Gia's hands.

Marcel lightly chuckled, "What makes you think I got another witch?"

"Well," Cami tilted her head with a fake smile, "The fact she has a new daylight ring is a dead ringer for a new witch."

Marcel saw an opportunity and snatched it, "Good point! My memory's a little shaky. Lucky for you, though, I know someone who can help! Gia?" with a sigh, Gia moved over to Marcel, "Why don't you take Elijah to meet our friend Lenore?"

Elijah glared at Marcel, his patience dangerously thinning, "If this is your idea of a joke, I can assure you I am not amused."

"Well, there's nothing funny about what's going on. Mikael's back, witches causing chaos. It just seems like you could use all the friends that you can get."

Elijah rolled his eyes and motioned for Cami it was time to go. Feeling awkward Cami shifted and went after the Original, a few seconds later a reluctant Gia doing the same.

~ 0 ~

While Hayley had opted for a needed drink at Rousseau's, Maleny ended up taking dragging her to a very different place. They were sitting outside a cafe, where Hayley did get her drink eventually. Maleny had, instead, a warm cup of coffee. As Hayley took repeated gulps of drinks, Maleny stirred her sugar blankly, her thoughts somewhere else.

"Okay," Hayley took a pause between drinks, "are you going to sit around and mope all day?"

Maleny raised her gaze to the brunette, still mildly distracted, "What?"

"I don't get it," Hayley flat out declared, her face seemingly trying to understand what she apparently was confused about.

"Don't get what?" Maleny tilted her head, leaving her spoon in her coffee.

"You," Hayley pointed, "and Klaus. What's the deal with you two? Isn't there some whole story behind your love or something?"

"You're forgetting that story is a tragic one where I died...over and over."

"But you're here-"

"Yeah, until someone finds my body and decides to use it for the curse again," Maleny's face contorted to that of the fear she'd been trying to hide, "Don't you see, Hayley? There is no time for love, or anything else, until I find the corpse and burn it."

Hayley remained silent for a minute or two, letting Maleny recollect herself, "Look, I know Klaus isn't going by this like you want him to, but he's just trying to protect you until were able to find the corpse. Believe me, I was under that game too when I was pregnant."

Maleny remembered the time very well, "Yeah, and then you died and became a hybrid. Is that what I need to do? Die and become a vampire so he'll stop trying to babysit me?" Hayley raised an eyebrow, silently questioning Maleny's outburst. Maleny sighed and returned to stirring her coffee, "I know he means well, and I appreciate it. I like that he cares, but…he can't tell me what to do. Especially when he knows what Esther did to me. I have to see her."

"And then what?" Hayley challenged.

Maleny rolled her eyes, seeing this would probably turn into another argument. "I need to see her, Hayley. Why can't anyone understand that?"

"I don't think you're understanding this," Hayley pointed at her. "I for once, agree with Klaus. I mean, do you know if you can actually die now? I mean, properly die?"

Maleny bit her lip, shaking her head, "No, I don't know."

"Okay, and I don't think you want to find out. Esther can torture you and and let us find out if you can. And, if it so happens you won't die, then you'll just endure immense pain over and over. Klaus just wants to avoid unnecessary complications."

"Amazing," Maleny sighed, looking to the side, "you're actually on his side."

"I want you alive, so yeah, I kind of am," Hayley lightly chuckled. She took a sip of her drink afterwards. "We love you, Mal. Don't forget that."

"Yeah, yeah," Maleny waved her off and decided to switch subjects, "I know you're only out here because Elijah passed you off. But just so you know, you're handling this a lot better than I thought you would."

Hayley tilted her head wearing a firm face, "Hey, why do you think that?" it was true, of course, but she didn't want others to know.

"I know you love him, Hayley, everyone knows."

At that, Hayley took a big gulp of her glass, "Loved," she corrected, "I was smitten, but after all this...it would never work. And I don't want it to."

"Is that why you stay away from Cami, though?" Maleny questioned, seeing Hayley tense up, "Because you're jealous it...might be working for them?"

Hayley stared at Maleny then sighed, "I don't have anything against your cousin," she truthfully said, "but...it's just a bit difficult right now to talk to her. If they want to start something, they can. I think she's so much more suited for Elijah. She's like him, in a way, and just because it didn't work for me and him then it doesn't mean I'll go furious if it works for them."

"That's very mature of you," Maleny blinked with genuine surprise.

Hayley smirked as she grabbed her glass again, "I'm a mom now, I have to be," Maleny chuckled as she reached to take Hayley's glass, "Hey!" Hayley frowned as the cup of coffee was slid over to her instead.

"Mom's tend not to drink a lot," Maleny then finished what was left of Hayley's drink, "and since I'm not a mom I can."

Hayley rolled her eyes and felt her pocket vibrate. She fished out her phone and read a text message from Olly.

"Something wrong?" Maleny noticed the air around them changed, and not for the best.

Hayley looked up, irritated, "We should get back to the compound. Klaus is gonna want to hear this," she waved the cellphone before it putting it back in her pocket.

Leaving the money for their drinks, the two women hurried back to give the news.

~ 0 ~

Gia was able to lead Elijah and Cami into the required witch's shop. Inside, a middle-aged woman named Lenore was grinding herbs in a mortar. When she felt the presence of the trio, she immediately ordered, "Go away, I'm busy."

"Yes, blatantly practicing magic, I see," Elijah sarcastically replied with, making the woman look up from her work.

"Herbal remedies for a neighbor who lost her insurance. But, my guess is an Original ain't here to talk neighborhood gossip."

"We have a favor to ask you."

Lenore rolled her eyes, "Quarter's crawling with witches, go ask one of them."

"There isn't time," Cami wearily told her, though knew she wouldn't get them anywhere.

Elijah took a discreeter tactic as he roamed a couple aisles in the shop, "It's unfortunate, isn't it? Bureaucracy has not been kind to your community. Those tax incentives on local businesses have been stalling for months. Of course, a persuasive person could potentially remove any red tape."

Cami smirked as the witch looked at them in full interest, "I'm listening."

"A certain someone- let's say a witch- has a troublesome tendency of jumping into other bodies. When she does so again, we would like to know into whom she jumps," and politely, he dropped a coin into the coin jar near the register.

Lenore, still rather unimpressed, monotonously explained, "Soul-branding. It's a sacrificial spell. I'm gonna need an item that's been spelled by the witch in question, and a python."

"We shall retrieve the enchanted item. Our partner will take care of the python," he gestured to poor Gia who'd been listening but not quite understanding.

"Ew, what?" she crinkled her nose at the implication.

Elijah turned to her, sounding almost patronizing when saying, "Second lesson of the day- acquisition through mind compulsion," and with that he walked out of the shop.

Cami nervously smiled at Gia, deciding just because Elijah wanted to be rude it didn't mean she had to follow his footsteps, "I can help," she offered herself up.

"Really?" Gia studied the blonde, having heard her story from Marcel and knew that this wasn't precisely the plan Marcel had in mind.

"Mhm," Cami nodded, still radically cheerful, "I mean, I've been a vampire myself for a couple of months but I have compulsion down pretty good."

"Well…" honestly, Gia didn't see another way around it.

"It's easy, c'mon," Cami took her by the arm and walked her out of the shop where Elijah had been waiting.

When he saw Cami with the new vampire, he raised a questioning eyebrow, "What are you doing?"

"Since you decided to be rude, I'm going to help her with the python."

"We have to acquire one of my mother's possessions," he reminded, rather irritated she was preferring to waste time with a woman they weren't responsible for, "We have to go, so let's," he motioned.

Cami thought he made it seem as if she were his follower or something, "No," she said before thinking clearly, "I will not."

"Excuse me?" Elijah stepped towards her, "Cami, this is no time to argue, time is precious-"

"You do what you have to," Cami snapped, "I'm going to help Gia whether you like it or not. We'll meet here afterwards. Call me if anything comes up," and with that she pulled Gia into a different direction.

Elijah glared but didn't insist. There was far more important things to do today and it didn't include arguing over unimportant things.

~ 0 ~

Klaus was dealing with the preparations of the dinner when Maleny and Hayley walked in, returning from their drinks out.

"So, I guess letting Oliver live paid off," Hayley announced and made Klaus turn around to see them entering, "He just informed me your mother has a partner-in-crime... another witch."

"Probably building alliances to kill you all," Maleny added, nowhere wanting to sound rude nor sarcastic, but it was the truth.

It didn't seem as if Klaus minded, he had something else in response, "There's something in the kitchen for you, Mal."

"Me?" the blonde pointed to herself, looking like a surprised child who'd been caught stealing a cookie.

"Special order," Klaus motioned for her to go see it.

"Well, okay then…" Maleny gave Hayley a confused face before walking away to see what her surprise was.

"So," Klaus then returned to the main problem at hand, "my mother has acquired a witch to aid her…"

Hayley nodded, "Why does she hate you so much, Klaus? She had six kids- it's not like she doesn't have the maternal gene."

"Seven, actually," Klaus corrected then quickly turned away and feigned interest in unfolded napkins, "And, I think at one time, she loved us very much. One died before I was born."

Hayley didn't mean to bring up what clearly seemed like a delicate topic, "I didn't know that."

"Years later, my brother Henrik was killed by the werewolves in our village. The loss of another child pushed my mother over the edge. So, she used her magic - along with Maleny's - to turn us into immortals. I think that's when she loved us the most. But, it was her undoing. It triggered a sequence of events that led to the reveal of her long-held secret ; my first kill of a random human triggered the curse of the werewolves. My birth father was the werewolf whose pack killed my little brother. Of course, when Mikael found out, he murdered my real father, and so, my mother lost her lover, too."

"Wow. No wonder she's crazy," Hayley whistled, "I'm out of my mind having just given away Hope... I can't imagine if she'd actually died.

"You know, my siblings used to tell each other she didn't hate us. She hated herself for what we've become," Klaus shared with her, the idea still troubling, "I think they believed that even after she tried to kill us all."

"What did you believe?" Hayley curiously wondered.

"I don't know. I just knew I wanted her dead."

"Well, every good story needs a wicked witch..."

"Are you guys insulting me?" Maleny came back into the courtyard distractedly munching on berries whilst holding a bowl full of more. "Because I prefer to be the nice little witch."

"Nice to see your self-esteem is still on point," Hayley playfully rolled her eyes at her and decided to go fetch herself another drink upstairs.

"You liked your surprise, I see," Klaus observed, seeing her happily nod in response.

"I haven't had berries in such a long time," Maleny chuckled and walked up to him, "Did you bring this in for me?"

"Sort of as an apology for earlier," Klaus admitted.

"Mmm, multiple apologies from you," Maleny bit her lip nervously, "I feel special today. Thank you."

"How's your head?" Klaus reached for her hair, gently touching where she'd hit her head. He was still incredibly guilty for his ridiculous mistake earlier. Part of the guilt came from his lack of memory. He wasn't used to dealing with people who weren't physically strong. Witches, for him, had been complete toys for his plots. He hadn't had the need for restraints anymore.

Maleny curiously watched him while he was in thought. "It's okay. I put ice and I feel good now. Especially with my gifts. I like this instead of arguing half the time with you."

"I dislike it myself too," Klaus sighed, "But you have to understand that out of everyone here, you're-"

"The weakest, yeah, I get it," Maleny rolled her eyes, wondering if that would become the motto every time they had this discussion.

"This is how we were before," Klaus reminded her, "and you know it. It's...it's like a default setting. Besides, with my mother around how do you think I feel knowing at any moment she could hurt you?"

Maleny couldn't help smile widely at all the concern she'd clearly underestimated, "Perhaps you should try trusting me a little more. I may not have all my power back but thanks to Isabelle and her coven I can defend myself. I told you, I did have earlier training too."

"I just don't want to take the chance," Klaus insisted, his voice unintentionally having gone softer, his hands reaching to rest on her arms.

Maleny suddenly found it difficult to swallow down her berry, "I, um, well…" she forced herself to stay calm even though the blue eyes she'd basically been charmed under for centuries were boring down into hers, "There will always be a chance as long as my corpse is still out there," she reminded, "It doesn't matter what Esther can do to me because someone else can do worse."

"Don't ask me not to care, Maleny," warned Klaus, "I didn't care about the city and it cost me my daughter. If I stop caring for you even for a minute then…"

Maleny raised an eyebrow, suddenly pieces falling in together, "Is that...is that what this is really about? You think what happened to your daughter can happen to me?" she sarcastically chuckled, "You think your actions of before will lead to the same thing for me again?"

Klaus stopped her and shook his head, "I chose to save Hope and left you, I forced myself to stop caring for you so that I could focus on saving Hope...and you were killed. I can't let that happen again - I won't."

Maleny smiled, pretty sure of herself, "It won't because I know you care for me. I know that I am important to everyone here and that is more than enough for me. And if the situation were to ever come up again, I would expect you to choose Hope over me in less than a second," she sternly warned him, "because that is what you must do, that is what you want to do and it's okay," she put her bowl of berries on a nearby table, "You don't have to feel guilty about it," she placed her hands on either side of his face, "I would never think you stopped caring for me because you chose your family over me."

"You are family," Klaus weakly argued.

"I may be, but you now have someone far more important than anyone else in this place: Hope. So please, stop with all this concern and fears for me. I will be just fine."

Klaus removed one of her hands and held it tightly in his, "No matter what, I will always strive to protect you," he gently kissed the back of her hand.

Maleny's breath hitched, thankfully lightly, and immediately sported a blush. She'd forgotten how easily she could be provoked by the man before her. Serving as a distraction, Elijah coming in cut through the moment. Maleny quickly returned to her bowl of berries and gave a sheepish smile to Klaus who'd been startled by the sudden movements.

"This looks good," Elijah remarked after studying the almost set table.

Maleny suddenly frowned upon seeing her cousin wasn't with him, "Where's Cami?"

There was a visible air of irritation around Elijah at the mention of the woman, "She decided to waste time," both Maleny and Klaus shared looks of confusion, "But we'll have the the spell," Elijah continued, "We just need something of mother's."

"I can take care of that," Klaus waved the problem off, "Of course I will need to give a visit to Marcel…"

"Then hurry," Elijah pressed, once again his irritation dripping in his tone.

Klaus made a face but decided to leave it for the time being. He turned to Maleny, wearing that firm face Maleny knew would once again tell her to stay put. Deciding to cut to the end, she raised a hand and spoke first, "Yeah, yeah, I'll be with Hayley," she dropped a berry into her mouth and smirked, "These could really go well with a drink…" she mumbled to herself as she went to go find Hayley.

Klaus watched her go fairly amused, and relieved. He then faced Elijah who was still pretty crossed, "Well, I've managed to fix my petty argument, will you?"

Elijah wasn't in the mood for his brother's sarcasm and so left without saying a word. Klaus gave off a chuckle before going on his way.

~ 0 ~

Gia and Marcel were discussing the matters of earlier events which Gia was blatantly accusing Marcel of being at fault of.

"A snake!" she plopped down on the couch, "That was my big lesson of the day. Snake-fetching. What a waste of time!"

Marcel laughed in amusement, "Hold on- you compelled yourself a snake?"

"No, I stole the damn thing!" Gia shook her head, feeling ridiculous, "Captain Condescension didn't feel the need to cover the mind-control chapter in today's lesson. I had to settle for his blonde friend to help me but in the end I got so stressed I just stole it."

"Blonde friend?" Marcel repeated, slowly understanding, "Ooh, you went out with Cami instead."

"She tried helping me, but I just didn't get it."

"Did you even try?"

"Yes," Gia said nearly certain until she gave up with a sigh, "No," Marcel tilted his head and pointed at her, "You said Elijah was going to be the one to teach me all this stuff, not his friend."

"Yeah, but, I didn't account for Cami," Marcel brought over some drinks and sat down on the couch with her, handing over a glass.

"Why Elijah? You want something from him, I just can't guess the reason why you'd think I'm the way to get it. If anything, you should ask the blonde."

"Actually, I want something for him, and it's the same thing I want for you."

"Which is what, exactly?"

"This. Us! Our new community! Look, I learned my lesson the hard way. You can't make your way in this town unless you got an Original looking out for you. Klaus is so fixated on those wolves, and Elijah's so wrapped up in centuries of his family's old crap that he can't see it. But, we need him. We need him to see us as family, too."

"I couldn't even get my own family to care about me. How am I supposed to win him over?"

"Like I said, I didn't account for Cami which was very stupid of me," Marcel took a drink, "Before Cami was turned she was almost going to graduate."

"Yeah, she mentioned that," Gia nodded.

"She liked helping people - that's what got her into this whole supernatural mess. And," he wagged a finger at Gia, "that's exactly what's going to get us an Original."

Gia stared at Marcel with confusion, "I'm not following."

"To get to Elijah, we'll get to Cami."

"Marcel, she was actually very nice and friendly. I don't wanna lie to her."

"Then don't, be a friend. That's all you need to be."

Gia considered his words as she leaned back on the couch and drank from her glass.

~ 0 ~

As Klaus and Elijah saw to the ends of the dinner preparations in the courtyard, Maleny and Hayley appeared at the rails upstairs.

"Guys," Maleny called, making the two men look up, "we have a problem."

"Marcel's witch is being held captive in the Quarter," Hayley announced, though no one seemed surprised of the news.

"Oh, perfect," Klaus rolled his eyes, "Mother's a step ahead, as usual."

"Oliver's with her. I'll go, and I'll get her to do the spell. But, I need the necklace," Hayley said as she went for the stairs, Maleny quickly following behind her.

"I'm coming too!" the blonde exclaimed.

"Of course you are," Hayley playfully rolled her eyes and stopped to allow the blonde to catch up with her. Being smaller meant smaller steps.

Klaus stared at the two with an uneasy look, "I don't like the idea-"

"I'm not going to be anywhere Esther like you wanted," Maleny cut him off, daring him to contradict himself. "I'm going to be far away with Hayley."

Klaus was at a loss of words knowing she was right. He hated when she twisted her words to favor her. With a small sigh, he pulled out the necklace he'd acquired from Marcel and held it over.

"I remember that," Maleny blinked at the familiar necklace, "Esther gave it to you…" and she then made a face, "Throw it out."

Hayley chuckled, "Let's just go."

"Wait," Elijah called, stopping the woman before they left, "Cami should still be around, she's with a woman named Gia. Ask for them. They have another ingredient needed."

"Why is Cami still over there again?" Maleny raised a questioning eyebrow at him, suspicious.

Elijah seemed to struggle answering even if the answer wasn't the complete truth, "We...had a disagreement."

"One that's kept her away all day?"

"Mal, isn't there a place you need to go to?"

Maleny raised her hands in defeat, "Yeah, okay. Save some of that for Esther though," she said before quickly rushing off with a dragged-off Hayley.

"Mal!" Elijah called after her, forgetting how sarcastic the woman often was. Beside him, Klaus was struggling to be calm about Maleny's remark. But it was just a little more difficult than he realized.

~ 0 ~

"Hey, Cami, when you get this, call me back okay?" Maleny left the phone message then hung up.

"Still nothing, huh?" Hayley asked as they entered the cemetery where Lenore was being kept.

"Nope," Maleny sighed and put away her phone, "I don't get how long stealing a python is supposed to take."

"Maybe she got held up, still, doesn't matter right now. We need to find Lenore first."

And so they found the crypt in which Oliver was holding Lenore. Hayley went straight inside and broke the chains binding Lenore.

"The python's here," Maleny frowned at the sight of the python wrapped around an hourglass, "So where's Cami?"

"They worked her over pretty good," Olly said as Hayley helped Lenore up.

"We need to get her out of here," Hayley announced which instantly put Olly into panic.

"Huh? Then what? They'll know that I let her go! Look, you asked me to infiltrate Cassie's coven, I'm not gonna blow my cover for some has-been hippie-witch!"

"That's rude," Maleny turned around, hands on hips.

"Well, it's the truth. How do I explain she got away?"

Maleny looked around then suddenly tipped over a book on a table, "You were assaulted," she announced calmly, "You can tell Esther - I mean, Cassie - that Lenore got rescued by her people."

"But we need to make it convincing," Hayley added.

Oliver glared at her, "Let me guess, you, uh, wanna beat the hell out of me? Make it look convincing?"

Hayley cheerily smiled, "Well, I can't say I wouldn't enjoy it!"

Oliver hung his head, still rather amused, "Okay, just... just not the face, okay?"

Hayley nodded in agreement and went to do the job. Maleny flinched with each punch Oliver took and had to admit she did feel kind of bad when the man fell to the ground unconscious.

Lenore had watched the entire thing in silence, feeling a mixture of confusion and horror. Hayley noticed both stares of the women and sighed, "He'll be okay, I promise," she told them.

Lenore slowly walked up to the two women, "What's your dog in this fight? You're not a Mikaelson."

"She is," Hayley nodded towards Maleny who quickly responded with a 'Hey!' in return.

"I am not," the blonde corrected.

"You're practically in a relationship with Klaus," Hayley accused with a smug smile.

"Says the woman who had his child and lives under the same roof with him," Maleny crossed her arms. Meanwhile, Lenore's confusion and horror only increased with each fire. Maleny noticed that and quickly tried mending, "This isn't as creepy as it sounds."

"I'm sure," Lenore weakly nodded.

Hayley let the whole thing go and focused on the important thing, "Listen, can we do this spell, or not?"

"After what that bitch and her lackey did to me? I'll do any spell that you want!" Lenore declared and walked out of the crypt with a huff.

Before Hayley followed, Maleny elbowed her in the ribs, "Seriously? 'Almost in a relationship'?"

Hayley rubbed her side and muttered, "You are."

"Which is the same thing I could say to you about Elijah."

"That was in the past," Hayley quickly pointed.

"So was mine!"

For a moment there was silence them broke out laughter.

"Maybe this is a little creepy," Maleny scratched her head, "I think we would make a really good reality show."

"Oh yeah," Hayley sarcastically smiled, "The vampires who can't die, the woman that's cursed, the hybrid who got pregnant by another hybrid, and the almost vampire therapist...yup, sign me up."

Maleny shook her head, "Let's just go before it gets worse," she swung an arm around Hayley's shoulders and finally went to follow Lenore.

Upon arriving at the store, Lenore quickly got to work. She set up a new Cauldron on the counter and was handed the bag of the python.

"So, will this take long?" Hayley asked, letting her impatience drip on her words.

"You want me to soul-brand the resurrected spirit of a thousand-year-old witch? It's best I take my time and do it right," but Lenore stopped momentarily to look at Hayley, "For what it's worth, I'm sorry. No one should ever have to lose a child."

Hayley grimly agreed, "No. No one should."

Lenore then lighted a bundle of sage, "You have the talisman?" Hayley handed over the necklace Klaus had given them.

Maleny began curiously taking a closer look at the spell Lenore was conducting, "So, how will this spell work, exactly? You brand Esther with the spell, and then what?"

"Aren't you a witch?" Lenore asked, having sensed that earlier.

Maleny sadly smiled at the woman, "Let's just say my practicing days have been minimized. So, the spell?"

"The next time Esther jumps into a body, she'll be marked with a distinctive symbol on the back of her hand. This way, you'll always know who she is."

Hayley sighed, "We still don't know why she's here. When Esther held you captive, did she give you any idea why she's doing all this?"

Lenore surprisingly answered gravely serious, "Love!"

Maleny stepped back, concerned for the woman, "They must have hit you real hard at the head."

"What besides love can inspire such pain and cruelty? And Esther?"

"Esther a sadistic woman who does everything she does in the name of love," Maleny crossed her arms, "even when she wants to kill her children."

Lenore cut open the python to drop its insides into the cauldron, "Her love is very, very strong."

"Say what you want but that woman is worse than the devil," Maleny raised her hands and returned to Hayley's side.

They proceeded to watch the spell be finished. But as soon as Lenore did the spell, she fell forwards on the counter. It appeared she'd passed out. Maleny and Hayley exchanged concerned glances before Hayley stepped forwards and reached to wake her. Lenore came around just seconds before Hayley touched her and slowly stood straight again.

Maleny noticed the unusual confusion that flashed through Lenore's eyes, "Are you okay?"

"Yes…" but even the voice was kind of off.

"You sure?" Hayley asked next.

"Just getting my bearings…" Lenore promised but she lifted her hand and displayed a triskelion brand on the back of her hand, giving away her real identity.

Horrified, Maleny yanked Hayley back, "One step ahead of yes indeed," the blonde scowled.

Lenore, or Esther, looked down at her new body and finally felt together to start a very important conversation, "Maleny, so good to see you-"

"Don't-" Maleny violently pointed at her, "-don't you say my name you thief."

"Thief?" Esther blinked, momentarily puzzled on the meaning behind the word, "Why am I thief? I've never taken anything from-" she then realized what Maleny had meant and laughed, apparently amused at the accusation, "Your magic, I see. We were passed this, Maleny. Has the amnesia riled you up again?" she lifted an eyebrow and tilted her head, "We were alright, don't you remember?"

"I remember perfectly," Maleny gritted her teeth, "and while I was...civil with you, I was never content with you. I hate you - no, I despise you."

Esther didn't take that lightly as she straightened up, a momentary flash of anger in her eyes, "I was your mother-"

"You were never my mother!" Maleny snapped, so frustrated she didn't feel Hayley's hand on her arm stopping her from getting closer, "My mother died and you mentored me, that's all. My mother was Abigail, and she died."

Hayley was ready to attack at any moment, or at least get them out of there but she knew Maleny needed this moment to be well again. Hayley then felt her phone vibrate and the other two women heard its ringtone.

"Go ahead," Esther peered around Maleny, "You can answer it."

Hayley quickly answered the phone, "Elijah? We're at Lenore's shop-" but Esther cut off the connection after that.

"They're going to come for us," Maleny promised the woman.

Esther smiled softly at her, as if no disagreements had occurred only minutes ago, "My darling, Maleny, that's been the idea all along. You think I don't know Niklaus would come running for you?"

"What the hell do you want from us?" Hayley stepped forwards to stand beside Maleny.

"It's so lovely to finally meet you, Hayley," Esther returned to her soft voice, "It's really nice to have you both here," she gestured to Maleny.

"Wish we could say the same," Maleny muttered, crossing her arms.

"Although, Maleny," Esther's eyes lingered on the blonde woman with what Maleny would call a knowing smile, "I understand your presence with us is not...permanent?" the blonde stiffened, "The curse is not over and I know very well you can disappear at any moment."

"Oh, so you kept your tabs on me, I feel so special," Maleny rolled her eyes.

"Maleny, what ever feelings you have towards me know that I still love you as if you were one of my daughters."

Hayley scoffed loudly and mumbled, "Oh please."

As if to prove her wrong, Esther blurted, "I protected Maleny from the other side," that left both women stunned and frozen, "It's because of me the witches of this Quarter didn't perceive Maleny as a threat. I helped Davina to save Maleny in the cemetery. All this time," she went around the counter, making Maleny and Hayley step back, "I have been looking after you, don't you see?" she asked Maleny, "I only want to help."

"And what's your plan now, then?" Hayley demanded, "To 'help' us? We don't need your help."

"I understand Maleny is in search of her previous body's corpse and I can provide the needs for you to successfully break the curse for good."

"You can help me find my body?" Maleny asked, admittedly a little curious to see what the woman had to offer.

"Mal," Hayley whispered, hoping the blonde wasn't really going to fall for what ever tricks Esther had planned.

"What I want is to free you all," Esther announced, "The gift of a new body. Freedom from being a hybrid," she pointed at Hayley, "and freedom of being vampires of course. But Maleny is already closer, she only needs to burn the corpse of her last body."

"I don't...I don't understand…" Maleny glanced to Hayley, searching for an opinion the brunette had. However, when she felt hands over her shoulders she snapped her gaze back upfront and saw Esther.

"I have the ability to return to all of you to that you have lost," Esther continued her offer which she knew was sounding tempting, "To make it so that you could have families of your own. Wouldn't that be nice, Maleny?" she pushed some blonde hair over Maleny's shoulder, "Settle down and have children with my son?"

Maleny bit the inside of her cheek to prevent real emotions from becoming visible. Her mind was scrambled with the question, her heart racing with indecision.

"Leave her alone," Hayley hissed, moving to get Maleny away but Esther had the offer extended over.

"Hayley, this is a marvelous offer for you as well," Esther looked at her without letting go of Maleny, "You can be free and start your family away from all this supernatural nonsense."

"You can't come in here with nice words and expect us to love you," Maleny muttered, still staring hard at the witch.

"Take this as my seeking for forgiveness, because I have wronged you," Esther sadly smiled at her, "I can help you find your last corpse and end this curse. Once that happens, I can free Niklaus from being the monster he is and you two can finally live happily together."

"You have really built that fantasy into your mind, haven't you?" Maleny blinked, "There are no happily every after's in this world, Esther."

At that moment, Klaus and Elijah arrived at the shop. The first thing Klaus saw was his mother standing far too close to Maleny and rushed over. He yanked Maleny back with an arm around her waist and let it stay there, "I assume you've had the misfortune of speaking to my mother?"

"Unfortunately," Maleny mumbled, unconsciously leaning closer to him.

Esther picked up powder from the counter and flung it towards the group, creating an invisible barrier to protect herself from them.

"You hide behind your spells like a coward!" angry, Klaus shouted but his mother remained calm. She instead picked up more of the powder and threw it towards Elijah's side and stopped him from moving.

"I did not come here to wage war!" she told them all, but of course no one believed her.

"Everything you do is an act of war," Elijah snapped.

"I have come to heal our family, Elijah. My intent was never to harm! Only to heal, as I have already healed your brothers Finn and Kol. For you, I will undo everything that has been done, thereby giving you a new life! One without the vampire curse I inflicted upon you," she began waving her hand over the cauldron, causing the ground underneath them to violently shake, "Ask Maleny and Hayley to share with you two my loving proposition - ah," she raised a finger at Maleny, "and tell your lovely cousin, Camille, the offer extends to her as well."

At the mention of her cousin, Maleny lost it and charged for Esther but Klaus held her back with ease, "You leave Cami out of this! Don't say her name!" she angrily shouted.

The ground, and now the entire shop rumbled with whatever Esther was conjuring up, "There will come a time, my darlings, that you will beg for it!" she promised them.

The glass of the shop shattered inwards, making the group take cover as hundreds of starlings rushed into the shop. Esther took that precise moment to make her escape.

~ 0 ~

Later that night, Maleny had been preparing to go to sleep and simply put to rest all those ridiculous thoughts Esther had put into her mind. She changed into pajamas - a yellow blouse with thin straps and brown shorts - and set herself right to sleep. However, it was easier said than done. Her mind wouldn't leave her alone, and eventually, to distract herself, she opted for a snack. So, there she was in the barely used kitchen of the compound ransacking the place for needed food. Opening drawers and cabinets (which she couldn't really reach all the time) she found nothing.

"I am grocery shopping before I die of starvation," she mumbled to herself before climbing over the counter to check the last cabinet's top shelf. "Success!" she cheered after seeing a box of cookies. But when she pulled it out and saw they were just salted crackers, she wasn't that excited anymore. Glumly, she got comfortable on the counter and began eating.

She wasn't even tasting the cracker, merely acting like a machine crushing things. Her thoughts were scrambled and it was difficult putting them back where they belonged. The sound of her cellphone's ringtone did pull her back to the present, but it confused her because she was pretty sure she left it in her bedroom before coming downstairs. She had a conversation with Isabelle earlier that did not end so well and was partly the reason she couldn't find sleep.

The ringtone stopped and a couple minutes later, Klaus entered the room waving the phone at her. "So, Isabelle Collins and I agree that my mother is completely awful."

"You answered my phone!?" Maleny scrunched her nose and harshly bit into her cracker.

"It was left unattended. And the incessant ringing bothered me," Klaus came up to her and handed her the phone back. She took it and sighed, placing it down on the counter beside her. "She also mentioned your temptation for my mother's offer...?"

Under his questioning look, Maleny looked down, "If you had heard what she told me..."

"Hayley told me she offered to put us all in new bodies to live again," Klaus said for her, his tone letting her know he was already irritated with her. "And now I see you're actually thinking about it."

Maleny understood Hayley had spared him the whole ordeal of starting families and relieving the curse. She internally thanked her for that, she much rather preferred to do it herself, "She knows how to end my curse, Klaus. She knows how to find my corpse - or at least that's what I think she meant."

"Think?" Klaus moved in front of her, doing his best to not shout at her, "Do you even hear yourself?"

"Yes!" Maleny exclaimed, "And I'm sorry, but after a long time, it's...kind of impossible," she finished in a quiet tone.

"What exactly did she tell you?" Klaus inquired, knowing his mother had to have said something extra for Maleny after so long a time.

"Well," Maleny looked up from her lap, "First of all, she's the ancestor who's been 'looking out for me'...she's been protecting me from the other side."

"Not likely. She wanted to kill Hope if you recall."

"I know, and that makes thing worse for me, okay? I'm a nobody to this family and yet she chose me over her own grandchild," Maleny said, her tone implying she was still full of guilt. Due to it, her gaze fell back down again.

"You're never a nobody to this family," Klaus corrected and with a finger under her chin, he raised her head, "You are one of us, always have been, always will be."

Maleny contemplated his words' meaning, wondering if there was a double meaning he meant with it, "...she said she would help me find my corpse and end the curse, then...she would put you in a new body and we would be…" she bit her lip, finding it difficult to continue with a warm blush on her face.

"What?" Klaus motioned her to keep going, slightly impatient.

Maleny sighed and finally said it in one go, "She said we could start a family together...with...with kids of our own," she nervously scratched her cheek as she waited for Klaus to respond to that.

Klaus remained silent for a couple of seconds as he processed this...offer. He couldn't say to himself that he never thought about that before becoming a vampire. He had loved Maleny so much back then that he imagined that perfectly, honestly. It would always be an unfulfilled desire.

"Say something please," Maleny begged in a whisper, squirming on her spot on the counter.

Klaus cleared his throat, for the first time actually feeling nervous, "I, um, I think…" he sighed and decided to just speak the truth with her, "I think it doesn't matter what we think anymore. What's done is done, what can't happen, will never happen."

Maleny nodded, "You see how that offer can be tempting, then? To anyone who's gone through what I have, through what Hayley has, it's going to make them think."

"What about you, though? What did you think about it? Why was it tempting?"

Maleny knew what he was trying to get at discreetly and had to smile, "It doesn't matter, as you said. Things may not be perfect at the moment, but I want nothing from that woman. The idea of everyone being placed into new body...you being in a new body…" she made a face and shook her head, causing Klaus to chuckle, "...not gonna work for me."

Klaus took pleasure hearing that statement. With a smirk, he leaned closer to her, his hands on either side of her, "Care to explain the reasons?"

Maleny instantly blushed, having realized how that sounded, "W-we...we...we have more important things to worry about!" she stuttered to say all in one go, "Esther is a menace that cannot be left breathing. To think," she bitterly laughed, "in her delusional mind, this is all your fault. She's an awful woman and mother."

There, Klaus could not disagree. He took a long breath as he moved away from her, turning away, "She's always lied to us," he said quietly, "She lied to me...and made me weak."

Intrigued, Maleny curiously asked, "What do you mean?"

"You remember the starling necklace? I thought it was a special gift from her as a child, something to give me courage...but in reality, it only made me weak."

"What...what do you mean? She...she cast a spell on it?"

"The necklace was meant to make me weak so that I would never trigger the curse," Klaus bitterly explained, his fist balling up, "She made me weak, and thus hated by my father."

Maleny's brows furrowed together, confused, "But...you weren't weak - far from it. You were always strong, the most fierce out of your family if I have anything to say about that...though perhaps I'm a little biased," she pulled out another cracker from the box and grinned as he turned back to her, "That necklace didn't do anything to you. I mean, has there ever been anyone who stood up against you and lived?"

"You when you were angry," Klaus said without thought and made her laugh.

"Very funny," she later scolded, "I don't count. I was..."

"Special," Klaus finished for her, seeing how the word took her aback almost immediately, "You were special - are special," he corrected himself.

"Well, I don't…" Maleny started playing with a strand of her hair, avoiding his look, "...I don't think there's anything special about me besides the fact I'm cursed."

"If you choose to believe that then I will be highly offended," Klaus warned, and Maleny couldn't figure out if he was playing or not. She looked at him and displayed her confusion, "I think over the centuries I have proven that you were and are special."

Maleny began smiling as she remembered all his gimmicks from the past, "You paraded me around like some trophy, that's not being special…" yet she couldn't quite believe that.

"I'm sorry, love, but those were the times back then," Klaus excused himself with a crooked smirk that made her roll her eyes. He reached for her hand that'd been playing with her hair and leaned closer to her, "Though you can't say I didn't treat you well. If anything, I treated you like a Queen."

Maleny blushed as he kissed the back of her hand, his eyes always remaining on hers, "I know…" she whispered, sucking in a breath, "...and I always felt like one."

It was during those moments she was inclined to fall back on her previous feelings, the feelings she knew were still there only hidden behind a veil. There had been moments since she woke up in her original body, she admitted, where she wondered if perhaps she could find someone else to be with, to love. They were abrupt thoughts but it did make her curious. And yet, in moments like these, where she had Klaus that close to her, those thoughts were thrown out the window.

"Mal," Klaus spoke in a hushed tone but still managed to break through Maleny's thoughts, "what you said the first night you returned, does that...does that still stand?"

Maleny lifted an eyebrow, her mind racing back to her first night back in the Quarter, "Um...a bit more specific on the 'what' part would be nice."

"The part where you said you didn't know about 'us'. Do you still mean that?"

"Well…" Maleny bit her lip as she tried to think coherently under his hard gaze, "...um, I'm still...um...I don't think...I don't...I don't know," she felt horrible saying that, "Because, because things are so different from what they were back then. Things have changed. I no longer need protecting 24/7 and I don't want it to keep being a problem. Look at us, we've been arguing more than what we used to back in the village. I am not the same and...part of me wants to explore what that side has to offer for me."

"And I no longer fit into that world," Klaus assumed and quickly dropped her hand, meaning to leave when Maleny called after him.

"I want you there," she said sadly, "I do. And, maybe one day we can have a relationship, but when that happens you have to see me as I am now and not who I used to be. I am not Maya, I am not Cordelia, I am not the trophy Queen I was in the past. I am me, this me," she gestured to herself. "This me that will run every time you tell me to stay home...this me that's far more filled with problems..."

"You think those details will cut up my affection for you?" Klaus frowned, looking (and sounding) offended by the insinuation.

"Well...it might. What if when we are together you realize that I've changed so much you're not really content anymore? What if those feelings you had...vanish?"

"You can keep talking, you can keep saying all these things that are simply excuses, but your actions will speak far louder than your words," Klaus came back to her in a quick stride.

"What are you-"

Klaus yanked her forwards, abruptly kissing her. He easily slid her off the counter, and when she was on her feet he pressed her against it. There was no resistance - she gave in mere seconds after he initiated the kiss. She raised her hands to rest them on his arms, temporarily forgetting what point she'd been trying to make. So when he pulled away, it took her quite some time to gather her bearings.

"You can throw the excuses as many times as you want but I know you down to the core, Maleny Rowan. Your 'actions' have spoken far louder, don't you think?" Klaus asked, but really did not intend an answer he quickly continued, "The first time we kissed you didn't seem so confused, and now here we are. Your excuses are, frankly, offensive. I can't understand why you're building up layers. But, by all means, feel free to use this," he pointed between them, "as another of your excuses. My anger, my misunderstanding, anything just so that you won't have to make that decision. Oh, and look at that, here's another excuse you're welcome to use," he started backtracking towards out of the room, "...my leaving."

Maleny opened her mouth to tell him to come back but the words wouldn't come out. Instead she was forced to watch him leave angrily, probably a new level of anger he'd reached because of her. Minutes after the fiasco had finished, Hayley stopped by and leaned on the doorway, "Okay...I really was not trying to eavesdrop…" she began sheepishly and Maleny let out a deep, irritated sigh.

~ 0 ~

Hayley had taken Maleny out to the downstairs living room for them to have a drink and talk. She was sure Klaus had left the building to go brood somewhere else - and probably take out his anger on someone...but she wouldn't tell Maleny that one. She already had enough to deal with. Maleny sat on the couch, silently staring ahead as she thought over all that had been said and done.

"Okay," Hayley walked over holding two bourbon drinks in her hands, "so you want to tell me why you're making all this more difficult than it needs to be?"

Maleny looked up at the brunette, her mouth half-open in shock, "You're...you're taking his side? That's twice today, Hayley!"

"No," Hayley handed her the drink and took a seat beside her, calmly correcting her, "It just so happens that this time round I think Klaus is right...again."

Maleny blinked and looked down at her glass, "But I...I'm not…I am not making excuses."

"Maybe not intentionally," Hayley agreed with a shrug, something Maleny still didn't like, "But you kind of are, sorry."

"I-I'm not," Maleny insisted as Hayley took a drink of her glass, "I meant what I said."

"Mal, you helped me when you first go back so now I'm gonna do the same for you because miraculously there is hope for Klaus to get the girl."

"Oh, so now I'm just part of a story for someone else? No, no thank you!" Maleny shook her head, "If that's it, then there is definitely no chance of me getting together with him."

"There you go," Hayley pointed at the blonde, like she'd been expecting that type of response. Maleny looked at her, confused, "You just made another excuse," Hayley explained and took another drink, "It's like a reflex or something…"

"I...I'm not," Maleny took a big drink from her glass, swallowing it all down, "I…" she stopped and bit her lip as she considered, "...am I?"

"Let's think about this, shall we?" Hayley shifted so that her back was leaned against the couch. She crossed her legs and started thinking, "Apparently after you kissed the first time - and thanks for sharing that with me by the way," she sent Maleny a mocking glare which had Maleny sheepishly smiling for it, "You told him you weren't sure of a relationships because you preferred to wait for the curse to be over."

"And I stand by that," Maleny quickly said, "It's just a safety net. What if at one point I get sent back into the cycle and Klaus has to live with the fact I'm gone again? I don't want to do that to him."

"Okay, but tonight you added that you were afraid that because you changed so much you were afraid Klaus wouldn't feel the same way about you anymore..." Hayley pointed at Maleny as she recalled.

"Because it's true…" Maleny said weakly, "I'm not the same person anymore..."

"Also understandable," Hayley nodded but continued nonetheless, "However you then added the cheap excuse-"

"Hey," Maleny frowned, slightly offended but Hayley chuckled and went on.

"You said you wanted to see what your new self had to offer..."

"That's…" Maleny's eyes drifted to the side, about to come up with something else when it hit her, "...ooh," she went in a whisper.

Hayley drank more from her glass, half a smirk on her face, "You want to know what I think? I think you're just afraid."

"Afraid?" Maleny glanced at the brunette curiously, hoping for it to be explained.

"Mal," Hayley leaned towards her with a small smile, "being honest here, just between us," she motioned with her finger, "answer me this and be completely honest: do you or do you not love Klaus?"

Maleny's immediate response was to turn her head away, her hand once again nervously scratching her cheek, "Um, well…"

Hayley raised one eyebrow, "Mal?"

"The whole thing...it's just...hard…" Maleny ignored the call of her name and coughed awkwardly.

"Mal?" Hayley tried again, her voice taking on an edgy tone.

"I mean, the whole cycle of this love story is...it's…"

"Mal?" Hayley raised her voice and finally made Maleny look back at her, "Do you?"

Maleny released a tiny sigh, her fingers fiddling with her hair and her eyes intently staring at them, "Yes," she meekly answered. Hayley smirked as she saw the crimson blush taking over the blonde's face.

"So if you do, and Klaus does - because he clearly does - then what's the problem here?" Hayley motioned with a hand for Maleny to think for a bit.

"I'm…" Maleny made a face of guilt, "...afraid."

"Thank you," Hayley swayed her head, "You're afraid so that's why you keep making excuses. Now tell me, what exactly are you afraid of here?"

"I'm afraid...that…" Maleny paused for a moment, staring at her fingers which again fiddled with her hair, "because I'm different now."

"Ah, so that's the excuse that actually was real," Hayley playfully rolled her eyes.

"It's not an excuse," Maleny weakly argued. "I'm rightfully scared that Klaus won't love me anymore."

"Oh, Mal. You've changed with each body you inhabited and what happened? Nothing. The story just repeated itself: he fell for you, you fell for him."

"But he's so angry with me right now," Maleny bit her lip, "And I'm scared. How do I stop being scared?"

"That's just something you'll have to get over," Hayley shrugged, "And I'm sure it will pass once you realize that everything is going to be okay."

Maleny considered Hayley's words and leaned back on the couch, lowering her glass to her lap, "Thanks, Hayley," she looked at her brunette friend with a small smile, "It's good to talk it out with someone."

"Hey, you were there for me it's only fair I'm here for you," Hayley nudged the blonde, "Besides, us supernatural women have to keep together."

Maleny chuckled and got comfortable on her spot, now enjoying her drink, "More than that, we're like best friends."

"Ooh, the first witch friend I know for a fact won't kill me," Hayley also got comfortable and raised her feet over the table in front of them.

Maleny threw her head back as she laughed again, "You're an idiot!"

"At least I'm not a lovestruck idiot!"

"Hey!"

Hayley made a face as she slowly took a drink again.

As the two continued to chat and laugh, neither of them realized Cami had been in the compound. She'd been coming back after a long day, planning on telling Maleny where she'd gotten into since Maleny had left a dozen voicemails. But now Cami felt like Maleny had forgotten her, clearly more interested in her new best friend. Quietly, she hurried back out to the streets, her destination slightly unsure of.

~ 0 ~

The new vampire Gia was having a drink at the bar counter when she saw Cami come take a seat on the stool beside her, "You again?" Gia blinked, "You realize that cousin of yours is looking for you right? Not to mention your boyfriend in the suit."

"Bourbon, please," the blonde told the bartender before glancing at Gia, "He's not my boyfriend," she corrected then sighed, "And Maleny is pretty busy with her friend...and family, I guess."

She was well aware of the happenings of today with Esther and the Mikaelsons'. She'd gotten a voicemail from Elijah warning her to stay away from the cemetery and Lenore the witch who was Esther in disguise.

"So why exactly are you here again?" Gia inquired, "Not that I don't want you here, I mean...you're kinda cool."

That made Cami smile and look down, "You know how I mentioned that I almost graduated earlier in the year?" Gia nodded, "I went back today to the university and...got myself enrolled again."

"So you're going to become a psychologist now? For real?"

"Hopefully," Cami took her drink from the bartender and immediately drank down.

"And you're gonna get drunk to celebrate?" Gia blinked at the rapidness Cami took her drink down, "Not very psychologist-y."

Cami playfully rolled her eyes, "I'm blowing off steam."

"Steam as in your family problems? Because let me tell you, those Mikaelsons' are one hell of a horror story," Gia made a face and actually caused Cami to laugh, "Marcel's told me all about them and frankly I wonder how the hell has he survived so much of them."

"Because he's one of them," Cami blurted without thought, triggering more thoughts, "...just like Hayley is...and Maleny."

Gia noticed the softness in Cami's voice when speaking about Maleny, "...and you?" she added.

Cami looked at Gia with a sad smile, "I'm just the human that got in the way and accidentally got killed. I'm disposable to that family."

"Are you sure?" Gia thought back to Elijah who she was pretty sure saw her more than something 'disposable'.

"My only job since I've turned has been to find my cousin and now that I have...I've got nothing. All I do is follow Elijah around and-"

"Spend time with each other," Gia shrugged as she took another drink, "Kinda what couples do."

"We're not together," Cami repeated with a huff.

"Yeah," Gia scoffed, "Okay."

Cami mockingly-glared at the woman, "I came here because I thought we could actually be friends. Was I wrong?"

"Nah," Gia cooly said as she put down her glass, "Ever since I turned I haven't really made any real friends."

"Well then," Cami held her hand out, "Let's start over again and act like we didn't meet because we needed spell ingredients. I'm Cami."

Slowly, Gia took her hand and shook it, "Gia."

Cami widely smiled and returned to her glass, "So Gia, tell me more about yourself…"

[silver-maxwell]

I dunno if you're still doing writing requests or not but...We've all seen the Starrison fics where George has gotten jealous and protective of poor Ringo, but may I present to you the idea of Ringo getting jealous and protective of Georgie...Just a little thought, you don't have to write it if you don't want to though

(Alternative title is Ringo gets in a fight for George)

Ringo’s cheeks ache from smiling.He tries not to show how tired he feels when Brian introduces them to what could have been the thirtieth person that night.“It’s good to know other people in the business” Brian explained after John had complained about having to go straight to a ‘party’ after a press conference (which were draining in their own right).  “You never know what kind of connections you’ll need in the future”.

Ringo doesn’t know who exactly is hosting the party; it’s a gathering really, there are elegantly decorated tables and fancy food, a place you couldn’t really let loose and enjoy.

The most interesting aspect of this party was the guest list. People ranging from actors to singers and bands. All either rising to popularity or already in the throes of fame.

(frankly, Ringo and the others aren’t star-struck; a majority are actors and they don’t really have the time to watch the telly as much as their touring and schedules don’t really allow them to).

Ringo entertains the idea that all their agents and managers had set everything up; similar to the way parents would set up playdates with their friend’s children in an attempt for both sets of kids to interact and befriend each other.

Well into the night they had all split up.

The Lennon-McCartney duo had gone off to cause mischief, maybe even try to catch a bird. George and Ringo had found a table a bit more secluded in the back, up against the corner of the wall and away from the crowds.

If Ringo were to crane his neck to the right he would see Eppy, probably bragging about his boys to the other managers (he doesn’t remember who they all are exactly, he can only vaguely remember being told one was managing for some faux band in some tv show in the states).Maybe Ringo and George were sitting together a little too closely, but so far no one’s even given them a second glance (Something George had noticed and briefly taken advantage of when he stole a peck from Ringo. “George!” Ringo had hissed, the smile he hid behind a jeweled hand canceled out the tone of his voice.)The party was far from exciting and Ringo is sure that half the people here would agree with him. He listens to the small chamber orchestra hired for the evening, soothing to the ears but not very lively; something George Martin would probably appreciate a lot more.It seems like the night was going to be a long one so when Ringo saw an excuse to move he took it.

Ringo grabbed the empty glasses (reluctantly letting go of a hand under the table) announcing he was getting them more beverages.

George gave him a smile and told him to get whatever Ringowas getting

.Ringo was quite literally brushing shoulders with fame as he squeezes through.

The bartender mixes something quick and complicated. Most of the time Ringo would be more than happy to settle with a rum and coke, but the drink was pleasantly sweet and he couldn’t really complain.

When he leaves he’s dragged into Brian’s group, Eppy clasps his shoulder and shakes him ever so slightly as he goes into detail about all their chart-toppers and accomplishments.

Ringo finally manages to escape and heads back to George.

As he manages to dodge a waiter carrying a platter of appetizers, Ringo can’t help but wish he was at home, with George, doing nothing and anything rather than being at this party.

Speaking of George, Ringo can finally spot him around the bodies of stars-George is still sitting at their table.

A bird is sitting with him.

He can’t remember her name for the life of him. She’s got curly black hair and fair skin, wearing an elegant blue dress and she’s Gorgeous.‘

They’re just talking’ Ringo tries to reason as his grip on the glasses tightens slightly. ‘George can talk to whoever he wants-’

The bird flips her hair over her shoulder as she says something. Ringo can’t make it out and the way George ducks his head shyly to laugh Ringo decides he doesn’t like it.

The bird leans in slightly.

Ringo slows down as he continues to head over. He knows for a fact that once he sits back down the bird won’t leave them be until she either realizes George won’t take her advances or gets bored.

In the meantime, Ringo will have to butt in to guarantee she’ll get the message to leave.

‘He’s huge’ is the very first thing Ringo thinks as he spots a man making his way to the table George is at, pushing stars and managers alike out of his way. He’s tall, he’s fit and he’s livid.

‘Her boyfriend’ is Ringo’s next thought. By the way he’s glaring at George, Ringo knows it won’t end well. Ringo breaks into a jog and the guy’s getting dangerously close every passing second.

“George!” he screams out.

he’s still too far away.

Both George and the bird turn with surprised looks on their faces, probably having heard the panic in Ringo’s tone.The bird spots her boyfriend first.

“Micheal!”

Micheal grabs George by the clothing of his shoulders and hauls him up. The chair makes an audible smack on the tile floor. Micheal’s got a tight grip on George’s collar, who looks taken aback from being grabbed at. 

Micheal is screaming something but Ringo doesn’t make anything out as he’s too busy trying to think of what to do-

When it looks like Micheal is rearing up a punch Ringo thinks ‘to hell with it’ and tosses their drinks right into Micheal’s face.

“Hey!” is the only thing that comes to mind.

Ringo doesn’t even back down by the intense glare shot his way. Micheal lets go of George as his attention turns to the shorter. George falls against the table and flinches as he hits the edge.Micheal launches himself at Ringo. Ringo lands a punch only after Micheal gets three on him. He only manages to hit his opponent who is twice his size just as Mal grabs him by the arms and hauls him back with a few others.

Ringo’s extremely dazed. His eyes are pricking with tears from a solid hit to the nose but he manages to open his eyes for a brief moment and in time to see George heading towards him with worry etched on his face.

Two sets of hands grab him and lead him to who knows where.“I was wary about inviting Micheal Abbner-” he hears Eppy mutter underneath his breath “His temper gets explosive when he drinks-”

Ringo is placed into a chair and a cloth is brought up to his face (he finally realizes his nose is bleeding, this night had taken quite a turn) he opens his eyes again to see George, who looks like a cross between worried and angry.

“You alright?” Ringo asks after a moment, he tips his head forward like he was taught to.“I should be the one asking you that,” George says quietly.

“You didn’t have to do that-”

“I wanted to”

“-I can handle myself” George continues

.“I know… I didn’t want you getting hurt” Ringo looks up at George’s towering figure.

“Now you’re hurt”

Ringo shrugs and smiles through the pain “Just me returning the favor from you getting punched by that Pete best fan”George scoffs but he reaches out to take Ringo’s head between his hands, lifting it up to place a kiss on his lips (and a smaller one on his nose).

“Let’s hope it isn’t broken” They both turn around to the source of the voice. Right, Eppy was still here.They didn’t miss the rather fond look on his face.The door is thrown open (Ringo finally notices they’re in some back room) to reveal John and Paul.

Paul looks mildly worried while John sports a wide grin.

“You got into a fight?” John asks.Ringo nods and he checks the cloth in his hand to see if his nose had finally stopped bleeding “that tosser got a few good ones on me”

“With a nose like that, it’s like a target”.

“Well, we’ll be leaving soon, Mal’s bringing the car upfront” Eppy brings up as he makes his way to the door. “We better leave before we cause another scene” Eppy’s voice trails off as he walks out “You’re all lucky the press isn’t here!”John and Paul are quick to follow.

 George helps Ringo stand and just before they return to the public eye, George plants a kiss on Ringo’s bruising face.

Ringo smiles despite the ache in his cheeks.

[hereticpriest]

Reap your Rewards

Warnings: Dubcon, brutal NSFW

@lvngdvns

Mischa Tarasov, the eldest of the Tarasov children, had always been everything her father wished. She was brilliant, with a keen mind for business, strategy and tactical defense. She was charming, a brilliant liar, and able to think on her feet. She spoke multiple languages, had been tutored in tactics since she was a child, and had been taught varying forms of self-defence since she was a toddler. Ballet, gymnastics and acrobatics had rounded out her training, giving her versatility and instilling an almost unhealthy work ethic in her. She was everything her brother wasn’t; driven, focused, able to lead or follow in any given situation. Mischa could take a punch, could endure torture, and could inflict it effectively. She was everything that Viggo wanted. Which was also likely why he lost her.

John remembers the day he met her. Viggo was having her perform for him when he called John in for a task. Ever the proud father, Viggo had gestured to his pride and joy and told John to stay and watch. She was skilled, John had to acknowledge it. Even The Director would have approved of her skill, though she likely wouldn’t have shown it.

“John, this is my daughter, Mischa. Mischa, dorogaya, this is Mr. Wick. He works with us.” Viggo introduced them.

“I know who he is, papochka. He killed my boyfriend for you.” The eighteen-year-old hummed, locking eyes with John and blowing him a kiss. Viggo laughed, clapping John on the back and getting him to sit so they could talk while Mischa danced.

Later that same day, John had laid Mischa across her lavish four-poster bed and eaten her out. He had the pleasure of being the first man to make her squirt, the first man to fuck her mouth, and the first man to make her cum without touching her clit. He still remembers the day that, after completing a job, Mischa had crawled into his lap with a stiletto and told him to carve his initials into her thigh. That was also the second-last time he saw Mischa. By then she was twenty-one, in university, and she was leaving in a month to visit her family in Russia.

He remembers her golden blonde hair that always smelt like violets. He remembers her peridot eyes, truly the window to her soul. He could always read her by her eyes, though he was aware that was a talent all for him. He remembers the way he fucked her in the ass, just to say he was the man who had so many firsts with her. She’d bit down on his belt, screaming bloody murder at him despite the fact that he was well aware he’d prepared her enough to take it. Maybe he hadn’t asked for permission, but he rarely did with her. They were toxic that way. Always fighting for the next scrap of eachother. He had scars on his back from her nails ripping into him, and another on his shoulder from her biting into him while he took her on her father’s desk. Perhaps that’s part of why they never worked out.

She left for Russia, left him, and the next and final time he saw her was an accident four years later. He came in to get the details for a job, and she was visiting her father and brother. He knew she had left the mob a couple of years back and had been working for the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow, but he didn’t know she would be back. He fucked her again in her hotel room, forcing her up into an arabesque and making her scream so loud they got a noise complaint. He took a necklace with him, one that her father had given her when she was little. Maybe part of him knew he wouldn’t see her again.

Which brought him to his current situation. Iosef was dead, Viggo was dead, and he was still angry. Without Helen, his impulse control was shot, and he did the only thing he could think to do. Finding her took the longest. She was back in America, living and working in New York City at the American Ballet Theatre School. Aurelio ended up being the one to give him an address, as he had worked on her bike only a couple of months ago. According to Aurelio, she was assisting a sommelier on the side, designing custom weaponry and modifications. Otherwise, she didn’t have her hands in any business anymore.

Despite the fact that she hadn’t been in the game in at least ten years, he packed enough heat to handle anything. She hadn’t changed her name for some reason, so she clearly could protect herself still; if she couldn’t she would be dead.

Mischa has a pretty regular routine. Up at four AM to be at practice and geared up before six, lunch at eleven, teach classes from noon to four, practice from four to five-thirty with a half hour cooldown, dinner, and then custom work for Hephaestion’s clients until bed at nine or ten. She rarely deviated from her schedule, and only when she didn’t have design work to do. She didn’t have a boyfriend, and only had a couple of friends, one of which was her roommate, Mallory. Mal rarely was home, spending most of her time with her lover, an older man who retired from the life before Mischa and Mallory met. Duncan was one of the few people who knew who Mischa was, but he didn’t bring it up beyond a quick conversation when they met that ended in Mischa reminding him that she knew how to kill him if he crossed her friend.

Mallory and her boyfriend were an odd pair, but they fit, and they left Mischa with the apartment to herself most of the time, so she wasn’t complaining. It was nice having company when she needed it after living a lonely life for so long. It was also nice having someone who understood Mischa, who shared her life and herself and her boyfriend with Mischa. It had been a bit of an accident the first time. Mal was teasing Mischa about never going out and getting laid, legs draped over Duncan’s lap while they shared a bottle of bourbon and a pizza. Mischa was sitting on the floor, her head leaned back against Mallory’s stomach while Mal played with her hair. Duncan had told Mal not to tease her, that Mischa was clearly not someone who could give herself to people she didn’t trust, but also didn’t want any attachments.

“You trust us.” Mal argued when Mischa agreed with him. She agreed again, and Mal thought about it for a moment before giving Mischa’s hair a gentle tug. “You need to get off, Mischa. All you do is work. You’re so tense you make my shoulders hurt just looking at you.”

“Find someone I trust, who also won’t get attached and just wants fun, and I’ll be all for it.” Mischa retorted, and Mal shut her up with a kiss. The trio ended up in Mischa’s bed, as it was the largest, and the next morning, everything was as normal as any other day. Duncan and Mallory continued their relationship without Mischa, without any pressures, and their relationship as a trio was reserved for days when Mischa needed them, or Mallory needed her, or Duncan felt like spicing things up. It was the most comfortable life she could have ever imagined for herself, and she wasn’t sure what she would do when Mallory moved in with Duncan and left her.

Mal and Duncan had been at his place for nearly a week straight, so Mischa took advantage of the massive bathtub that had sold her on the apartment, then walked around in her robe for the night. Standing in front of the window with the night sky behind her and the skyline of the city, she opened her robe enough to offer a tantalizing view of her body and took a picture, sending it to the couple with a text saying she missed them. She was feeling tense again, and she missed Mallory’s voice echoing through the apartment.

She had the weekend off of work, and only had to do her stretches to keep herself limber, so she popped a bottle of red and took two large gulps. She draped herself over the couch, kicking her feet up and closing her eyes. The bottle went to her lips again, and she chugged down a fair amount, but a crunch from the other room alerted her and she threw the bottle in that direction before flipping over the back of the couch. Grasping a knife from its hiding space under the couch, she eyed her exit points and crawled along to the side table to fetch her bronze knuckles.

“Mischa.” His voice sounded from the kitchen, and she swore, peaking out to catch a view of him then throwing the couch in his direction. It knocked him, and she took the chance to bolt into her bedroom and slam the door behind her. The lock wouldn’t hold him off for long, but it gave her the chance to arm herself with the TTI TR-1 Ultralight that she had hidden under her bed. The door comes off of its hinges easily, and Mischa catches her first sight of him in years. He’s still beautiful and it infuriates her that he still sends a pulse of heat straight to her core at the mere sight of him.

“Mischa, stop.”

“I know why you’re here, John. Finish off the family, huh? Doesn’t matter that I had nothing to do with my brother or father’s actions, and it doesn’t matter that I haven’t come after you despite you taking out my only family. I’m not stupid, lyubimiy.” Mischa throws the knife at him and smirks when it buries itself in his shoulder. From his shout, it went deep. However, he knows where she is now, so she begins to crawl under the bed to get to the other side, only to be grabbed by the hips before she gets more than her shoulders under. John wrenches her out, slamming her head against the frame and stepping on her hand to get her to release the SMG she’s clutching.

“Mischa, stop fucking struggling.” John curses, hand wrapping around her throat and yanking her across the floor.

“Let go of me, John.” Mischa claws at his hand, then rotates and hooks her legs around his body. One around his neck pulls him off-centre, while the other gives her leverage to knock him over and get herself up. She gets atop him, pinning him carefully and striking him in the face with her modified bronze knuckles, leaving the imprint of her name in his cheek.

“I won’t go down easy, John. I didn’t take revenge, but if you want to pull this shit with me, I’ll make sure you fucking work for it.” Mischa growls. She fights his attempts to get up, but he jabs his thumb into the spot where he had carved his initials all those years ago, and she goes off balance. He throws her down, straddling her, and she struggles harder, rolling onto her stomach and trying to pull herself from beneath him.

“I certainly want to kill you now, printcessa.” John hisses, slamming her face into the floor again to disorient her, then yanking her robe off. She fights, but he is stronger than her and she can’t see straight, so he is easily able to overpower her, yanking her legs apart to make room for him.

“John, you fucking piece of shit, don’t you dare!” Mischa shouts, and he slaps her, her ears ringing from the impact. He’s inside her before she can say another word, and the entry is made easy by how soaking wet she is.

“I’m not here to kill you, Mischa.” John growls in her ear, yanking her back into brutal thrusts that make her gasp for air. He wraps his hand around her throat, pulling her back so he can kiss and suck at the sensitive skin of her neck. When he sees a DV tattooed behind her ear under an MS, he feels a sick sort of rage build in his gut. He shoves her face down against the floor and fucks her brutally, pulling her back into his thrusts to make sure she will feel him for days.

“Scream for me, Mischa. No one is coming to save you. Not from me.” John groans as she clenches around him and bites back a cry, “You’ve been mine since I first saw you, printcessa. You’re still mine.”

Mischa gasps, clawing at the floor, hips pushing back into him like she isn’t sure if she wants to get away or not.

“Who are MS and DV?” John asks, nipping at her ear, fighting the sick desire to slice the foreign initials out of her. Mischa shakes her head, biting into her wrist to hold back an answer and her screams. He drops his hand to circle her clit in the pattern she used to like, rutting into her until she screams around her skin and shatters to pieces around him. He fills her moments later, her clenching cunt milking every drop from him.

Mischa twists her head to look at him, mouth red with her own blood and eyes hazy, and then her world is darkness.

[hitchell-mope]

(Family day)

Leah: because of your mother my daughter was raised fairies. So her first words. Her first steps. I. Missed. It. All.

Mal: I’m sorry

Audrey: no you’re not. You don’t have an ounce of compassion of kindness in you. If you did you’d piss off back to the isle and leave me leave Ben leave all of my people alone

Carlos (butting in): hey hey hey I don’t know where the hell you get off talking to Mal like that but you and the old trout had better apologise

Leah: don’t you dare talk to me like that you vile little wretch

(She goes to strike Carlos but jay grabs her wrist)

Jay (voice low and dangerous): NEVER. TOUCH. EITHER. OF THEM.

Audrey: unhand my grandmother and go back to your lamp you filthy Djin

Carlos: all right that’s it

(He launches himself at Audrey but Mal holds him back)

Carlos: are you just gonna stand there and let them speak to you like that?

(Mal doesn’t answer. Instead she brings him over to jay and just walks away)

Ben: Mal are you ok?

Mal (looking thoughtful): n no, no.

(She walks over to the girls bathroom.)

Lonnie: what happened

Ben: I don’t know. But I’m gonna find out

(He walks over to Audrey and her grandmother)

Evie: what the hell did I tell you. You. Do not. Get to say a bad word against us. Especially Carlos. Or have you forgotten what happened to you’re little love rat?

Audrey (completely terrified): I am not afraid of you.

Evie (high cruel laugh): oh my dear girl, you should be.

(Her eyes and hand glow a rich deep sapphire blue. Her voice reverberates throughout the grounds)

Evie: make the high and mighty low/arrogant creatures/down you go

(Leah cowers whole Audrey darts behind her protecting herself)

Evie: oh relax. It’s a line from a movie. But I promise you. I can do so much worse

Ben: Evie. What’s wrong?

Evie: just Audrey and this geriatric bitch having shitty attitude. Nothing I can’t handle.

(Chad arrives in his temporary wheelchair)

Leah: we all told you Ben. The only reason they’d be here is to destroy us.

Chad: her majesty’s right. Do you really think their parents taught them kindness? Fairplay?

Ben: oh give me a break chad you cheat at everything. Class work

Lonnie: relationships

Jane: monopoly

Doug: LIFE. YOU CHEAT AT LIFE. Just because you outrank me doesn’t mean you have to be a complete ass about it.

Audrey: oh piss off you common pleb

(Elsa walks up and creates a shield between Audrey Leah chad and the others)

Elsa: hey hey hey. Language Audrey. What happened Benjamin? I went to get Mal a drink and all hell broke loose

Leah: I was merely going over with that girl about how much her mother hurt my family

Elsa: oh blow it out your ass Leah. You’re the one who gave Aurora up when you didn’t need to. The curse still would’ve happened wither way.

Leah: that is not true

Elsa: oh bullshit. You had a choice. Flora Fauna and Merryweather offered you a choice. You still could have raised her. You could’ve told her from the beginning what happened. How you insulted the dark fairy and incurred her wrath. It all could’ve been avoided if you had just invited Maleficent!

Audrey: shut up. Shut up shut up shut up. SHUT UP. They’re evil. I know it. They’re evil foul backwards circus freaks the lot of them. Especially her. That bitch they stole Ben from me

Leah: they should be put back where they came from. They deserve it after what they’re parents did to us

(Elsa slaps Leah around the face so hard that it echoes throughout the grounds)

Elsa: does anyone know where Mal is?

Ben: the girls bathroom. Up the embankment

Elsa: then let’s go to her

Audrey: you can’t do this! You can’t take everything away from me. She doesn’t deserve anything good. I’m the good one.

Elsa: you, are a spoilt brat who pushes people away.

(Audrey lunges at the Arendelle Queen. Evie get there first and picked Audrey in the face. The princes sprawls put on the ground)

Evie: that felt good.

Doug: forget good. (He hugs her)That was brilliant. (He pulls away and examines her right hand). Now let’s get ice on this hand yeah?

Evie (smiling giddily): yeah

Elsa: join us when you’re ready

(In the bathroom Mal’s on the floor rocking back and forth in the foetal position on the brink of hyperventilating. She has appeared to have stress braided her hair. Ben, Jay, Elsa, Carlos, Jane and Lonnie arrive. Ben and jay immediately flank her protectively)

Elsa: Mal honey are you ok?

Mal: she’s right. They both are. About everything

Elsa: no they’re not. They’re ignorant and they are arrogant and they can’t let go of the past

Mal: you don’t get it your majesty we were sent here to steal the wand and take over the kingdom

Elsa: really

(Ben and jay pull Mal into a hug)

Carlos: yeah. Maleficent wanted us to give us the wand.

Elsa: oh. And have you?

(Mal shakes her head emphatically.)

Elsa: do you plan to?

Jay: no. We’re not.

Elsa: ok then. Mal may I speak to you in private please

Jay: where she goes we go.

Elsa: oh course. Mal. You are not a bad person. No ones inherently good or bad. At least not at your age. I take it you know my history?

Mal: yeah. You uh. Were scared of your magic so you tried to ignore it. But it just made it worse

Elsa: and I ended up hurting my sister and endangering my kingdom

Vision!Anna: yeah that was kind of a dick move

Elsa: no matter how much you think you deserve the bile that Leah threw at you. Trust me when I say. You don’t. You don’t deserve it. Nobody does. I know this because I’ve been on the receiving end. And it

Mal: it sucks.

(Devie walk in)

Doug: uhhhh Ben. Your dad wants to talk to you

(Ben walks out to meet beast)

Beast: I knew it. I knew this would happen.

Ben: it’s not their fault

Beast: you’ve got that right. It’s yours.

Ben: what?

Beast: if you had abandoned this foolish endeavour when I told you to then Audrey and her grandmother wouldn’t be in the nurses office right now completely humiliated

Ben: why are they the ones humiliated when it was them that said all those awful things to my friends

Beast: they’re not your friends. They’re evil despicable villains

Ben: to them. That’s what you are. But of course you don’t care. When someone disagrees with you they’re yelled into submission

Beast: I am talking!

Ben: AND I AM NOT LISTENING! Not anymore. Fact of the matter is father. Come the end of the month you won’t be king anymore. I will. And I’ll be damned if you continue to make them feel as bad as they do right now.

Beast: that witch punched Audrey in the face

Ben: EVIE was defending her friends. And the last person you called a witch turned you into a monster for a decade. The furs gone but the beast remains

Beast: don’t you dare speak to your father like that

Ben: I can speak to you however I damn well like. Now I’m gonna go check up on my friends. You can check up your brainless sychophants if you so choose. But don’t expect me to apologise to them when they brought on themselves

(He goes back to the girls bathroom leaving Beast looking like he’d just been slapped in the face with a fish)

Ben: I think it would be best if we wait here for a few minutes and oof

(Mal had just run up and pulled him into a hug)

Mal: thank you

Ben (hugging her back): anytime

(They disengage. Jay magics up a pillow and hands it to Ben)

Jay: I think you might need this

Ben: thank you

(He screams loudly into the pillow and hands it back to Jay)

Ben: thank you.

Jay: anytime.

[relatablyreid]

Breaking Boundaries - LA & SR

Even if this suggestion had sat on his mind for the past month that he’d known his collegue Spencer, didn’t mean he wanted to act on it. To ask out Spencer, even within the building would be weird because on public work grounds he’s looking for love or even a one night exclusive with his work partner. If he asks for his number, he’ll be asked why. Asking Garcia to quite literally confidentially slip it to him isn’t as sly as he desires because then on a need to know basis, he’ll have to explain himself to her. No one around would he be able to ask for advice on the pressing matter because everyone in the Behavioral Analysis Unit would pry, and that’s not only because of their internal curiosity but more so because that’s their job and how they make money. It also wouldn’t be something to let slid under the door when the newbie is asking for information on a long timer of the unit, suspiciously so. Today’s self set mission was to figure out the simplest and easiest way to ask his current work partner, and friend to go out with him to a little restaurant near his own home. Why? Probably because the only thing he ever really smiled at was making others smile, but Spencer’s was one he longed to see again and more often. So as he sat in his box within the bullpen, he scribbled ideas on his yellow standard notepad and hoped no one was looking over his shoulder. It didn’t seem like they would though, deep in argument over some of Cher’s best music. One voice he hadn’t heard speak up too much was his daydream partner Spencer, and he didn’t know where to assume he’d been. Possibly filling out his paperwork, then, considering socially popular music and media didn’t interest him too much. He knew so much about Spencer, and he just wished he could share it to him or tell someone. He had to go somewhere. All this nervous energy, all these bad memories behind his anticipation was killing him. It seemed like it was creating real pressure up in his forehead and-

“Luke? Are you alright?” Spencer asked, and he had been concerningly looking down at his face. It seemed as though if the nature was meant to be mocking to Luke, as if he was rising from the floor in the playground. There he was again, on the the concrete as his nose bled as rapidly as it was onto the cold under his rear end. People were staring, it wasn’t just Spencer. He was being pointed at, and laughed at. Faintly the taunting was audible to him, the random and sporadic way the others were throwing around the words ‘loser’ and ‘faggot’ at him. It was bleeding right into the scene, all around Spencer. Frozen in the scene, Luke stared at Spencer and practically gawked.

“Something’s wrong with him.” Spencer said softly, and he turned his head and looked around. “JJ! Something’s wrong with Luke!” Spencer shouted, and he kept an eye on the man in the chair. This accidentally brought attention to Luke from Prentiss and Rossi. There was now an unintentionally formed crowd around him.

To Luke, it looked so bizarre. His collegues and other students from his classes yelling cuss words at him and rude slang for what they presumed he would fit in regards to common social grouping and clique terms. On the random punch thrown to his face in his flashback, he snaps out of it all.

“I’m not a faggot, I’m not, I-I, just leave me alone please, I’m not a fag, I..” Luke blinked a bit then furiously rubbed at his eyes and then cupped his ears a moment to stop the repeating and echoing of his childhood trauma on the park grounds. “I’m not, I’ll be back, I’m just..” Luke failed to fix what possible mess he’d just made now. “Sorry.” Standing promptly, he made his way to the bahroom. He had a lot to explain and nowhere near any reasonable explanations. The only one he knew was a logical and acceptable explanation or excuse to use to defend his very recent actions would be to tell the truth. Yet, this wasn’t exactly something he’d felt the most comfortable with sharing to all of his collegues. It wasn’t something he’d like to have to say in front of Spencer, that’s for sure. Embarrass himself right in front of his first true love interest, and then probably never fully have a real conversation the same way again afterwards. He made his slow feet take steps towards the main sink in the bathroom, and he turned the cool water on. If he’s being completely honest, this began about two nights ago when in the comfort and as presumed safety of his home, he had fallen asleep on the couch watching some sort of animal planet video and he had woken up shaking and crying over his nightmare. Not necessarily how he’d planned for his evening to go, but certainly and depressingly how it’d ended. He hadn’t even been able to process the possibility of attempting to go back to sleep after that dream. As neatly as possible, he splashed at his face with water right over the sink. Then reached for the towels to dry his dampened face. He needed to talk to someone, he wanted to talk to someone about this. He stared down at his now half dry hands and he sighed. The trip back to the bullpen would be weird, because of what he damn near practically yelled to the whole room.

“Prentiss? How much spanish would you say you know?” Was the first thing he was able to ask once he stepped back into the room beside her and the group. The goal was to get himself in the room alone with Prentiss, in order to confide in her and then make his way back to his desk to sit alone. He intended upon just focusing on her until he got to talk to her, and relax.

“Suficiente para hablar. Que esta mal. ¿Mi oficina o fuera?” Prentiss replied, and Luke raised a brow.* Reminded him to never take the abilities of his little behavioral analysis family for granted.

“Sí, señora, ¿podemos ir a la oficina? Fuera de los libros. Por favor.” Luke requested, and he cleared his throat a bit.* She lead the way right into her room as the other agents glanced around beyond unknowledgable to what sort of route the conversation had taken. All that way easy to read was the yes, and office. On easy assumptions and putting two and two together, you could tell why they’d walked away.

Once he stepped inside the office and heard the door finalize the choice, he exhaled. Now he had to speak his peace, prove his sanity and hope Prentiss didn’t kick him off the team or have him turn his badge and gun in to take a trip of his own to the psychiatric ward down the block.

“Speak fast, they think you’ve really lost it, Luke.” Prentiss suggested, and she sat down at her desk. “Contrary to that popularly believed assumption, I don’t think so though. Speak fast if you’re guilty.”

“I had a flashback.” Luke was fragmenting to prevent throwing himself back into a whirlwind of traumatic memories and terror. It separated who he was talking to now from something that happened in the past. It helped him lay things out in reality as they were and are, not as one lump together.

“Flashback about what? Was it from your time in the Army?” Prentiss asked, making sure she thoroughly got the truth. He wasn’t one to lie and that she knew, but she didn’t know why her teammate had yelled an offensive slang word for homosexual at the top of his lungs in the middle of the professional workspace also known as the bullpen. She doubted that any of that had been for fun.

“When I was a kid. Not from the army.” Luke cleared his throat again, and he kept his eyes from nearing Emily’s desk or belongings. He didn’t want to have to face her after that, afraid that she was feeling embarrassed or ashamed.

“What happened in the flashback?” Emily had to pry a bit more to get the lid of this coffin open.

“Haz las preguntas más sí y no, por favor.“ Luke urged of her, hoping she would apply it so that he could have an easier time answering. “Hasta que me sienta cómodo. Por favor.”*

“Of course. Did you get yelled at in the flashback?” Emily had been narrowing it now, on request of Luke. She just wanted him to feel comfortable for now so she could piece together what just really happened.

“Yes, a lot.” Luke mumbled, realizing how shameful he ought to be for sharing this story with his boss and teammate. Someone he’d have to see on the daily for quite a long time after this.

“By who? Was it by your parents?” Emily thought for a moment that it could have been his parents due to how little he’d ever spoken about them.

“No, by all my classmates.” Luke began to anxiously bounce his left foot on the toes. It didn’t make his shoes obnoxiously squeak when he did so.

“How many kids, Luke?” Emily wanted to understand if it was the crowding of them all that scared him.

“Twenty two.” His eyes glanced around the room a bit scaling upwards in sense of direction. Vertical and right to left, but also from the floor to the ceiling and passing back and forth between Emily a few times. She didn’t look mad. In fact, she looked so gentle that it was incredibly hard to believe.

“What were they yelling?” Maybe they were the ones calling him a faggot. For kids to yell such obscenities to another child made a lot more sense.

“F-Faggot. I held hands with Ethan when I wanted to go to get lunch.” Luke confessed, and he bit his bottom lip briefly and let it slide through his teeth to be free again.

“Now you don’t have to answer, but has this happened again recently in a different yet still root wise similar form?” Emily had to be careful not to break the gained comfortability that Luke built up for the conversation.

“I want to ask someone on a date. My head doesn’t allow me to try, because it’s not right. I’ve been taught that it’s not. I’m not allowed to like him the way I do.” Luke chopped the sentences so he didn’t cry that time around. It was hard to keep a neutral to calmer facial expression when talking about something like that.

“You can love whoever you want, nobody set any rules against it. No one here in the BAU will judge you, Luke.” Emily tried to help out Luke, assure him in ways that a mother would. “Is there more to the flashback?”

“Yes. It’s stupid, though.” Luke’s eyes flashed up at Emily’s to see if she was still calm or reassuring. He didn’t want to upset her, because then he knew that he would be panicking.

“Nothing you say is stupid, Luke. If you didn’t share your feelings or opinions as they come most of the time, then we wouldn’t have saved as many people as we have.” Emily tried to praise him, hoping to coax the rest of the situation out of him but also make sure he knew he was heard and often times a valid component to the conversation.

“I got punched. Went home, my mother didn’t like it either, said I may have deserved it after all.” Luke had admitted to the most heartbreaking part of his story, and he teared up a bit. “I deserved it. It’s not right for me to like boys.” He repeated, as if he was reminding himself now.

“Luke, I hope you know that it’s really common nowadays for people to like the same sex or the same and the opposite. I also want you to know how legally and truthfully non-judgemental the bureau is. If anyone and I mean anyone in our unit decided to treat you different for whatever reason it may be, I’d certainly take care of it. It’s not a sin, or a crime, Luke. You know this. Love is love, and it’s not under your choice or mine. You love whoever it is you do, and that’s perfectly fine by me and the rest of the team. I shouldn’t be saying this regardless of it being off the books or not, but I like girls and I like guys. It’s like how the body is full of water, it-it’s just a part of me. Doesn’t make me bad, or a sinner.” Emily spoke from her heart, truly understanding and just trying to console the man beside her. No one really deserved to feel guilty for the one they decide to love, or date, whatever it may be. Girl, guy or anything in between, it wasn’t her place to judge. As long as the relationship was healthy, she couldn’t care less as to who Luke would prefer dating.

“Thank you, thank you really, Emily.” Luke swallowed his saliva and he cleared his throat a bit. “Thank you. I’m going to go back to my desk. I’m sure you can say something, not too uh, revealing.” Luke nodded a bit, standing and making his way to the door.

“Should I say it was a prompted panic attack, or prompted anxiety attack?” Emily asked before Luke had opened the door. “Puedo mentir, confia en mi Cualquier cosa por su seguridad y confianza.”* In hopes to keep him assured that this was off the books, not for anyone beside the two of them to know.

“Uhm, whichever will bring the least amount of questions. Graciás, señora.” Luke gives a small wave and a small smile to the woman before he makes his way to his desk. He did feel better, surprisingly so. He’d never really spoken about deep rooted traumatic events like that before, not with anyone.

Sitting down at his desk, he flips through and tries to file out his paperwork so that towards the end of his day, he’ll have twenty minutes of free time to use to his advantage. He planned on using that time to just ask the question. If not now, then truly never. No shame was supposed to be behind it, he had to remind himself. No shame behind who he loved, and no shame behind who’s hand he wanted to hold.

After finishing up his last folder, he closed it slowly and he let out a long sigh. Reassuring himself would take a quarter of the time he had out of the twenty minutes, but it’d make this a lot smoother.

Successfully, he makes his way over to Spencer’s corner and he knocks on the framing of it to the right side of the squared off office.

“Hey, Luke. How are you feeling? Emily told me it was a small anxiety attack, but I mean, it looked much like that of a different sort of panic attack. It looked like you were seeing a flashback, and you looked quite upset so I’m assuming it’s safely none of my business but I figured I’d check on you around now anyways.” Spencer had rambled slightly so, not having anyone to talk to for the past thirty minutes.

“I’m alright Spence. I’ll be okay. I got a real serious question for you, okay?” Luke set himself up perfectly now. All he had to do was spit it out.

“Anything. Anything at all, I’ll hope I know the answer to it and try to help you if I can.” Spencer turned to face Luke, except he didn’t have the strength to look him in the eyes directly or consistently.

“Do.. you want to go on a date with me? I was thinking that I could possibly make you some sort of food, I’m not too awful with a skillet and some veggies and noodles. If you don’t like pad thai, then I could always take you to a restaurant in town somewhere. Anywhere you like, really.” Luke finally found the courage and pushed the words out, and topped it with a smile. He had tried his best to look like he wasn’t sort of stressed for an answer.

“Pad thai is alright, I like it with the sweeter soy marinade rather than a soy sauce. I’ll pick some up on my way over there. If you send me your address now, I can rush home and get on something nicer to wear and then pick up a marinade, and be there for eight.” Spencer hadn’t said no. He didn’t disagree, or yell, or hurt him. In fact, he didn’t seem opposed to the idea in even the slightest aspect of things.

“You mean yes? As in yes, you’ll go on a date with me?” Luke asked, and he looked at Spencer in awe. Both of their faces coated in a bright red color, the excitement and realization of what was happening had filled their cheeks nicely with blush.

From her office, Emily had carefully peered through the slit of the blinds to spectate her collegues, brimming eyes over Spencer and Luke. Smiling, she realized who exactly Luke had mentioned when he spoke about liking someone and wanting to ask them out for a date. It was Spencer. Someone reasonable to be anxious towards asking out, in Emily’s personal opinion.

“Yes, Luke Alvez. I’d be pleased to go on a date with you.” Spencer smiled, and he looked up at Luke and into his eyes for a moment. The way his eyes expressed how joyful he was had filled Spencer’s heart, and he smiled a bit brighter just realizing how happy he’d made Luke. He decided to even add to the enjoyment. “Do you want to walk out, together?” He asked, a bit anxious because he was generally scared but newer to the romantic scene than he’d realized.

“Oh, sure, that’ll be cool, that, yeah! Alright!” Much like a school boy would, Luke stammered about as he basked in his excitement and overhwelming positive shock. He went to his desk and grabbed his bag, placing his pens in there and he flipped the overhang cover back where it did it’s job. He closed his drawers all the same, and moved his chair in once he was done. Then ripped out the yellow notebook page he’d used to write about how was going to ask Spencer out. It was all his braindumping, all his sorting out.

Little did he know, he wouldn’t have needed it anyways. Spencer planned on saying yes no matter how the event was presented to him.

Beside Spencer now and leading towards the exit, after holding open the front doors, he’d offered his hand to Spencer. “I’ll save you the fare and drop you home.”

Spencer smiled at the gentle offer, and he took Luke’s hand and nodded. “Two fifty isn’t much, but it is two fifty saved for this evening.” He was very happy to feel Luke’s thumb rubbing small circles into the back of Spencer’s hand. It put stars around his head and had him mentally drooling over how sweet and kind Luke was. It was exactly as he’d expect for Luke. It was perfect for the moment, and it was going to be even nicer to seem him relaxed and in a better mood for tonight. Luke probably didn’t know it, but Spencer adored his smile just as spassionately.

————————

* Emily says; Sufficiently enough to talk. Not too bad. My office or outside?

* Luke says; Yes ma’am, can we go to your office? Off the books, please.

* Luke requests; Ask me questions that are yes and no, please. It will help me feel comfortable. Please.

* Emily assures; I can lie, trust me. Anything for your safety and trust.

[mxcdougall]

“ until the lion learns 

to write, the stories will 

always favor the hunter. ”

eira mairi macdougal. twenty-two. healer, janus thickey ward. neutral, order-leaning. slytherin alumnus.

links: playlist

Boggart: Eira likes to think herself fearless, which is why her fear is a bit stranger than normal. Rather than a person or dead body showing up, her Boggart is herself, only it isn't really her. This image of her is a lot frailer, her eyes gaunter, no life inside them. This version of herself is a failure, and that's Eira's biggest fear; becoming a failure.

Personality Traits: 

+ Resourceful

+ Cunning

+ Intelligent

- Sarcastic

- Cold

- Blunt

AESTHETICS;

A  cold breeze on an otherwise sunny day; a mystery book that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the early hours of the morning; 'until the lion learns how to write, the stories will always favor the hunter' ; words unspoken; crying in the rain to hide your tears; the first snow; a stack of books stacked on the kitchen table; the sanitary smell of a hospital mixed with blood; hour-long showers full of thinking; a small smile, hidden by a curtain of hair; cigarettes and red lipstick; the Scottish Highlands.

BIOGRAPHY; 

Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, to famed auror Jacob MacDougall, and future Death Eater Amelia Summers, it was clear from the start that Elizabeth wasn't going to have an easy childhood.  Her father had been working as an Unspeakable for 5 years and had been an Auror for 20 years before that. Jacob had been a Ravenclaw and had been Head Boy in his final year of Hogwarts, which was how he met Eira's mother. His family had always been deemed as 'blood traitors' and even Eira's grandmother had fought during the time of Grindelwald. Eira's mother was on the other side of the spectrum. Amelia came from a family that was very into the Dark Arts and was taught that blood purity was the most important thing in a person, not whether you loved them or not. She believed that without a doubt until she met Jacob after being made Head Girl, and they soon fell in love. She chose him over her family, and soon after they graduated, they got married, and brought Eira into the world.

The change of sides didn't change the fact that Eira grew up in a very angry household. Her parents loved each other, that was plain to see, but sometimes Amelia would slip up and make a comment about Muggle-borns, and Jacob would reprimand her, and it would turn into a very loud shouting match. The parents were always quick to anger and would not hold back from shouting, even if little Eira was just upstairs. There were many times that Eira would sit at the top of the stairs with a little white rabbit stuffy she had received from her father on her fifth birthday, and she would just listen to the screaming. At first, it would make her cry and freak out, but after a while, she became numb to the screaming, and simply expected it. It's what caused her to become so averse to showing her emotions.

Eira was placed in Slytherin, despite all her wishes to be in Ravenclaw. When the Sorting Hat had called out her house, there had been a hush throughout the room, and whispers of her being like her mother. But the truth was, she wasn't placed in Slytherin because she was 'evil' or a future Death Eater, she was placed in Slytherin because she was resourceful, cunning, determined, and ambitious. She was terrified of what her parents would think, she thought her father would be disappointed, and her mother afraid, but quite the opposite. Her father was proud of her, and her mother told her that Eira would most certainly help Slytherin turn into the house of ambition, not of evil.

Throughout her time at Hogwarts, Eira developed a bit of a reputation. She was known to be a bit on the quieter side, but if you annoyed her, or angered her, she wouldn't hesitate to make your hair pink or your feet turn backward. And if she didn't have her wand handy, she always had an insult ready, one she said so coldly and emotionless, you felt as if a dementor had kissed you for a moment. She didn't turn emotional in arguments, she remained cold. That was, until her sixth year.

During the summer before her sixth year, her mother left. She left to go join her family again, to be a Death Eater and kill muggle-borns. She hadn't even left a note. When Eira returned to Hogwarts, she was a hotheaded mess. She would turn to anger at the drop of a penny, and it was common to see her in detention for throwing her wand down and punching someone in the nose. This lasted for two months, until Eira calmed down, and found herself again. After that, she was back to normal Eira; still mean, but not unnecessarily mean.

Despite her attitude, she excelled in Potions and Charms, and when she was complimented on a particularly well-made potion or well-cast spell, you could see a proud smile cross her features, one of the only smiles you would ever see on her face. Her intelligence was something she was extremely proud of, and she even managed to get all O's for her OWLs. She was extra scary because of her proficiency in Charms, as she knew jinxes to make your insides become your outsides.

For her NEWTs, she had a bit of trouble, because of the two months in sixth year. All-in-all, she got O's in almost all of her classes, barely scraping an E in Transfiguration, an A in Arithmancy, and a P in Astronomy. With those grades, she applied to be a Healer Trainee at St Mungo's as soon as she was out of Hogwarts, more specifically to work in the Janus Thickey Ward, to help victims of mal-intended spells and jinxes, and to take care of victims of irreversible spell damage. She finished her training the year of her 20th birthday and has been working at the ward for 2 years now. She hopes one day to become Healer-in-Charge, but that's a long ways away.

Ever since Hogwarts, she's known she wanted to be a Healer, so she could help others, she could heal people, she could actually make a difference. She couldn't stand the thought of sitting at a desk all day, she needed to actively make a difference, she needed to be moving around and seeing that she was helping, not making laws that she thought would help.

[butgilinsky]

past tense // Malachi

warning; sad sad sad, slightest bit of language, talk of god

summary; y/n reminds herself of all of the good times she spent with Malachi through his life 

y/f/n = your friends name

blurb based off of past tense // Claire Ernst. I was listening to it on repeat and this idea kinda hit me like a truck. my chest was heavy after writing it. it took a lot out of me, but I really like it. 

Malachi x reader

“I hate past tense. saying you were and he was, hurts.”

“y/n you need to-”

“don’t say it again.” y/n begged her friends to stop telling her to get over her boyfriend of five years. 

everyone said it was “bound to happen”. he was “asking for it” even, by the danger he put himself in because of his loyalty to the ghoulies. 

“it’s been three months y/n.”

“and I will mourn for the rest of my life, y/f/n.” 

“it was so soon It doesn't make any sense”

the girl felt her world shatter the second the words had left the doctor’s lips. her ears started to ring and she felt her knees give out as she fell to the cold tile ground and wept into her palms. 

there’s no way.

she thought over and over again about how this was a sick joke they had to be playing on her. 

she hoped and prayed that this was just a sick joke. 

but it wasn’t. 

he was gone. 

“you were so loved and you were so kind”

“I love you, mal. so much.” the girl was sitting with her back facing Malachi. he was playing with her hair because she had had a tough day trying to sort things out for his friends. 

“I love you too, princess. forever and always.” his lips pressed a soft kiss to the girl’s temple as he moved his hand down to her stomach and cuddled into her back. 

the two had their tough times, usually when ghoulie business got too out of hand. but no matter the circumstances, the two had an indescribable love for one another. she had cracked through his tough exterior, and had seen a completely different side than what he showed every other person in Riverdale, and she was thankful for that. 

“you taught me how to live and how to fight”

“no, no. babe!” Malachi laughed at the girl’s attempt to swing at the punching bag in front of her. she smiled at the infectious laughter echoing off the walls, but puffed out her bottom lip at his teasing. 

“I can’t do it!” the girl huffed and crossed her arms, making him grab her hands and wrap them around his neck. 

“you can do it. I'll teach you everyday until we’re gray and old if that’s what it takes.” the girl smiled at her tall boyfriend and nodded softly, trying again. 

“wish you were here right next to me”

the girl wiped her eyes as she stared at his side of the bed. no more warmth radiating from his body late at night. no more her waiting up for him and starting a fight at 3 a.m for worrying her. no more stolen kisses when she’s trying to sleep. no more cuddles when she got her period, or had a bad day. no more bickering over what they would make for breakfast the next morning. 

no more Malachi. 

“but I guess he can get pretty bored up there. I guess he needed you more than me”

the girl screamed into the empty lot, kicking rocks and throwing everything she could possibly pick up at the cement walls surrounding her. she screamed into the sky, looking up at the stars shining through the dark blue color. 

“why him?” she screamed into the sky. 

she wasn’t overly religious, but any ounce of faith she had before, was now absent from her body. she refused to believe that a higher power would take the love of her life from her at such a young age. she didn’t want to believe it. 

he wasn’t the poster child for happiness and goodness, but she didn’t care. she didn’t care about his past and the bad decision he made. because that’s not who she saw when she looked into those brown eyes. 

she saw a broken boy who had all of the love in the world to give. love that he gave to her. love that she gave to him. love that they believed would last forever.

love that death couldn’t break. 

 “you were so known and you were so kind”

everyone knew Malachi as the “ghoulie king”. 

not y/n. 

y/n saw Malachi for who he was. all of his jokes and playful banter he shot at his boys when it was just them. his cars that he knew every detail about. his passion for old things and fixing them up if they were run down or rusted. she fell in love with a boy that was known to run drugs around Riverdale, but she knew who he was. 

she knew how kind he was. how he would rub her back or her stomach if she had cramps. how he would play with her hair to calm her down, or drink coffee with her even though he didn’t like coffee. 

he did everything for her, from the second they laid eyes on each other. his exterior cracked more and more, as he spent more time with her. 

she was his world. and he was hers. 

“you taught me how to love and not to fight”

“baby don’t.” his voice was soft and only she could hear it over the loud music. 

she clenched her fists as her eyes stayed fixed on the girl a few feet from her with her arms crossed over her chest and a proud smirk on her face. 

“I can’t just let her-”

“baby.” he stepped in front of his girlfriend, laying his hands on her cheeks to make sure their eyes locked. “you’re better than her. she doesn't get to take me home. nobody does, except you. I don’t want anyone but you.” he pressed their foreheads together, having to bend down a little to do so. 

“she’s just such a bitch.” her voice was shaky as she started to let her emotions creep in, which made Malachi press a soft kiss to her lips. 

“which is why she’ll be pissed when we walk out of here hand in hand. her behind us. in our review mirrors. us against the world, remember?” the boy stuck his pinky finger out, waiting for the girl to place hers in his. 

when she did, his smile grew even wider before the two locked hands and walked out of the building. 

“you kept me grounded and led me out of the dark”

Malachi walked into the house quickly, opening and shutting doors loudly from his quick pace. 

he ran around the multiple corners to get to their bedroom, throwing the door open and dropping everything onto the floor when he found the love of his life curled up in a ball in the middle of their bed. 

he climbed onto the bed, pulling her into his lap. her lags wrapped around his torso and she buried her face into his neck. 

“I'm sorry. I didn’t know what to do-”

“don’t ever apologize for calling me. I always want you to call.” 

the girl had call her boyfriend when she felt eh panic and anxiety building up. she knew he was at a meeting that was pretty important, but she couldn’t help it as her fingers ran across his contact, hitting the icon with a phone on it to call him. 

she had apologized the second he answered, but he dropped everything, yelling at his friends that he needed to go home. 

her panic attacks had always been bad, but he was always able to pull her out of the hole she dug herself. 

“you’re okay, baby. I'm here. you’re not alone.” 

“you don't live on this earth anymore but you're still in my heart”

she looked at the ring on her finger, smiling softly as tears ran down her cheeks. at the funeral, before she had climbed into her car to drive home and mourn by herself, Malachi’s mother had grabbed her elbow and pulled her close. 

she dropped a small band in the girl’s hand, smiling through her tears. 

“he wanted to give this to you, but he never got the chance.” she choked up at her own words, unable to accept the fact that her son was gone so soon. “he wanted you to have the ability to show everyone that didn’t know him that you were his, and he was yours. he wanted to spend every waking moment with you for the rest of his life, y/n.” the older lady pressed her lips to y/n as she slipped the band on, and walked to her own car. 

she had never taken it off, after that. and although she knew she would have to at some point, that point was not now. 

“I hate past tense, but I'm getting used to it. no matter how much time passes or how much it hurts. I will always remember the man that you, were.”

she held the picture frame in her hand, smiling at the girl in her lap. she pointed at the tall boy that had her on her shoulders and smiled. 

“daddy!” the girl yelled. y/n smiled down at the small girl and nodded slowly. 

“your daddy loved you.” she pressed a kiss to the girl’s head as she watched her play with eh band she used to wear on her finger. 

“daddy gave this to you?” the girl struggled to speak clearly, but her mother understood her well enough to know what she was saying. 

“yes he did. and I gave it to you to have a piece of him, baby. when you grow up and find a boy that makes you feel how daddy made me feel, it can symbolize your love.” the girl giggled as she put the band on her finger, watching it fall to the floor almost immediately.

“how did you get over daddy?” the girl asked, making her mother smile with tear filled eyes. 

“I never did, baby. I just learned to accept the fact that he’s gone. I'll always have all of the love in the world for him.”

[justanoutlawfic]

Confessions: Chapt. 8 [Rolling With The Punches]

Story Summary: They say first comes love, then comes marriage, followed by the baby. For Regina and Robin, things go backwards.

Chapter Summary: Regina struggles with the guilt she feels over knowing tha she wouldn’t take back what happened. Turns out, she’s not alone.

Also on AO3

The movie went great for Regina, Bryony and Roland. They sat together, laughing at the latest Pixar creation. Bryony seemed to be able to follow it just fine with her hearing aid turned up. She only had to ask Regina what was said a couple of times, which surprised her. As soon as the movie let out, she texted Robin asking how things were going. He said that they were still only three quarters of the way done with the aquarium and that they needed some more time before they could meet up. Regina decided to take the little ones with her to the park near the theater.

 She learned that Bryony liked the slides the best. Luckily, the park wasn’t too crowded, so she could go down as much as she wanted. Roland ran into a friend of his, playing with him in the play structure. The friend’s mom approached Regina, a small smile on her face.

“You must be Regina, Robin’s wife.”

That title was still hard to adjust to. Regina nodded. “Yes.”

“I’m Aurora, that’s P.J.” She pointed over to the red head that was playing with Roland. “Where’s Robin?”

“We decided to split up the kids, get to know them individually.”

“I can’t imagine going through what you two are. I don’t know what Mulan and I would do.”

“You just have to do what’s best for the kids.”

“But does it change how you feel about your other daughter? I mean, Bryony is your flesh and blood. If none of this had happened, you never would’ve met…Eva, Robin said her name was?”

“Evie,” Regina corrected, folding her arms over her chest, suddenly feeling a bit uncomfortable. “Short for Evangeline. And I…I wouldn’t trade either of my daughters for the world.”

“You’re a better person than I. I don’t know if I’d ever be able to forgive the nurse that screwed up on that one.”

 Regina had nearly forgotten the story they had told other people. They didn’t want Bryony to ever find out that it had been Cora or the why, so they had played it off as a hospital error. It wasn’t that hard to believe. Zelena had sent her baby straight to the nursery and Regina was having surgery. It was hours before the children would be reunited with the parents who would raise them.

 Would Regina ever forgive her mother for this? Was it right that she was angry with her? Aurora was right. If Cora had never stepped in, she would’ve raised Bryony from birth. She never would’ve missed a second. Maybe there would’ve been other choices that would’ve been made.

 Yet, she never would’ve gotten Evie. How could she be so angry, while also not wanting to change how things turned out?

 She was quiet for the rest of the night, only asking Evie and Henry how their day with Robin was. She was happy to see that Evie was getting closer to Robin. They definitely weren’t anywhere close to being true father and daughter yet, but she actually spoke to him and sat next to him at the diner. Bryony and Roland chatted as well, wanting to fill their father in on everything they had done.

 Robin apparently noticed, because once Roland, Bryony and Evie had gone to bed and Henry went to play video games, he brought it up.

 “You want to spill why you’re so quiet? Did something happen at the movies?”

“No. At the park, we ran into P.J and his mom.”

Robin let out a sigh. “What’d Aurora say? She’s kind of known for having zero filter.”

“It’s nothing.” He gave her a pointed look. “I just…she brought up how forgiving I seem to be about the whole situation and I’m not. I’m so pissed with Cora.”

“So am I. That’s normal.”

“But if I could turn back time, I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t change having Evie in my life.”

Robin frowned. “Well…I suppose I wouldn’t change anything either.”

“But is that, right? The fact that we’re so affected by the switch and yet we wouldn’t go back and change anything?”

“I think it makes us human and good parents. We love our daughters, but we acknowledge that the way we got them was fucked up.”

Regina sighed, running her fingers through her hair. “I guess.”

“It’s okay to feel both ways, like I said, I do too.”

“It helps having someone that gets it. I mean, Mal is a mom…”

“But she’ll never understand this.”

 There was another beat of silence as he poured them some tea.

 “So, when did Evie lose all the hearing in her left ear?” She asked. “You said she was born with it reduced.”

“According to tests, when she was a little over a year old.”

“And you never…you never considered the cochlear implant?” Robin gave her an odd look. “I did some research into it.”

“Then you know it’s costly and there’s a chance that it won’t work.”

“Of course.” She could see the defensiveness and anger in his eyes. “I wasn’t suggesting we do it. I just…wondered if you wanted to back then.”

“I looked into all the options and they said if I was ever going to, I should before it affected her speech entirely. While it’d potentially make things easier…I just didn’t think it would be worth it. I didn’t want to change a part of her that made her, her.”

 Regina felt a strange sense of pride in the pit of her stomach. She had come to the same conclusion and probably would’ve back then, but there was no way that Cora would’ve. She would’ve insisted on the cochlear, she probably would’ve talked Regina into it. Robin had embraced who his daughter was, he didn’t want to change her.

 “Besides,” Robin continued. “It’s not something that should be my choice or yours. If Bryony got older and wanted to get it, then it’d be a discussion.”

“I agree.”

“I’ve never wanted to act like it’s something she needs to be ashamed of, it’s why I chose that pre-school for her. There are other kids like her there and I’ve looked into schools that have similar programs.”

“You really embraced this.”

“It was that or go into it ignorant. You’d be surprised how many parents at the school are like it. There’s one mom that won’t even learn sign language and her child is a hundred percent deaf.”

Regina winced. “She sounds like Cora.”

“Probably.” He sighed, running his fingers through his hair. “The way I look at it, these kids are going to face enough adversity in their lives…why start it at home?”

“You’re right.” Regina took his hand. “You’re a good dad, you know?”

Robin softly smiled. “You’re a good mom. Evie and Henry are really smart. I feel like they taught me stuff at the aquarium.”

Regina laughed. “Henry’s the type of kid to pick up a subject and not let it go. I think he rubbed off on Evie. Not necessarily a bad thing.”

“She doesn’t seem to hate me anymore.”

“She never hated you. It’s just new. We talk about how hard all of this is on us, but can you imagine them? Evie’s gone her whole life without a dad, Bryony’s gone hers without a mom. Suddenly this is all thrown at them and they barely have time to process it.”

“They can never know the full truth, can they?”

Regina shook her head. “It’s not even to protect Cora, it’s to protect Bryony. I never want her to feel how I did growing up. Nothing I ever did was good enough, I had to measure up to her. It’d be even worse, feeling like she has to compete with a ghost.”

Robin shook his head. “I’m sorry.”

“What were yours like? You never talk about them.”

 Robin looked away and Regina worried she had crossed a line, but eventually, he pulled out a picture from his wallet. It was faded polaroid, turning a bit yellow in the frayed white corners. There was a woman that looked near identical to Evie and a man that shared a lot of Robin’s features.

 “They died when I was 10,” he explained.

“Oh, Robin…”

“Please don’t say sorry, everyone says that.”

“I won’t. I just…” She shook her head. “I can’t imagine being that young.”

“I didn’t have any family, so I ended up in the system. No one wants a 10 year old, I guess, so I bounced around a bit until I was 16 and ran away.”

Regina shut her eyes, trying to not imagine a young Robin living on the streets. It was too painful. “You were on your own?”

“Just until I met Marian. She made everything right again.”

She smiled a little. “The people you love can do that.”

“Anyway, my father’s name was Aslan. My mother’s was Kate.”

“You named Bryony after her?”

Robin nodded. “I was going to name her Isabelle Kate, that was what Marian and I had picked out for a little girl. It didn’t seem right, though. She wasn’t Marian’s…she needed a name all her own.”

“I understand. Besides, she doesn’t exactly seem an Isabelle.”

He chuckled. “She doesn’t, does she? It’s weird to think that she could’ve been Evie.”

“That definitely wouldn’t fit.”

“And I can’t see Evie as a “Bryony” either.”

 He looked behind Regina, towards the fridge. A picture of Henry and Evie hung there, the two were smiling and wearing matching outfits.

“Maybe this wasn’t fate or destiny, but…it was just supposed to be how things worked out. You were supposed to raise my daughter for the first few years, while I had yours. Maybe we were supposed to meet for a reason.”

Regina arched an eyebrow. “You really think that?”

“I have to. There has to be a good reason for all of this outside Cora being vindictive.”

“It’d certainly make it easier for me to sleep at night.”

“Maybe we’re not supposed to think about it. Cora did what she did and we’re in our situation. If we keep going into the whys or the guilt, it’s only going to make us feel worse. We’re a family now…it’s all going to work out.”

“It’s just hard to rationalize.”

“So don’t try to. Don’t try to plan it out. Let’s just go with it, there’s nothing we can do.”

 Robin clearly didn’t know her that well. All of Regina’s life had been planned out, ever since Daniel died. She didn’t schedule in time to get her life flipped upside down, not since her wedding night. She never wanted to be hurt like that again.

 That was the thing about events like that, though. A person couldn’t plan for them. If they could, they’d choose not to do it in the first place.

 She was a perfectionist, but if any of it was going to work, she’d have to let go a bit. She had to roll with the punches. She had figured it out once, she could do it again.

 Regina raised her mug. “To rolling with the punches.”

“To rolling with the punches.”

 Their mugs clashed together and they stared into each other’s eyes. Robin could tell that she was still trying to figure out the future. He knew that neither of them could predict what the next few months would hold for them.

 They’d spend them trying to become a family. They’d spend them getting to know the children they didn’t know were out there, along with the boys that came along with the package of their new family. Bryony would get closer to her mother and Evie would adjust to having a father in her life period. Henry would find himself going to Robin for advice, especially when he got his first crush around Valentine’s Day. Roland would ask Regina to help him with his project for his first Science Fair entry. The girls would get closer, even referring to one another as sisters. Robin and Regina would find them sneaking into each other’s room to share a bed.

 But what they couldn’t see happening was the night that they would spend together…or the major fight that would ensue.

[feywildrecap]

Feywild Recap 8/6/2018

It’s that time again, folks! Time to check in and see what’s been going on on the dash One day I might be organized enough to actually do this weekly, but today is not that day. Lets see what we missed, shall we? 

Peridot and Onyx are still chatting about rebellions, Peri says hers is more important than literally anyone or anything. It might be wise to have another hobby, just in case Per. On Onyx’s end things are slightly more well rounded -- the rebellion itself isn’t the most important thing but the people he’s found that are worth rebelling for just might be.

Adare taught Forest how to recognize Clann Nuadha and asked him to keep an eye out for them.

Larkspur and Isabella are having coffee together so that Lark can avoid all the people out looking for Lorde.

Ro is giving Camellia a quick history lesson, teaching her about Queen Celia and other things she should know about why the Unseelie court and Queen Lacha are the way that they are.

Sean finally revealed to Nadia that he knows far more about the fey than he’d originally let on and his status as a changeling. Peridot also told him that he was swapped with Nickel, so all that pent up anger has a fun new target.

Tiger and Yvette are also getting more honest with each other - TBD whether or not it makes a difference on Tiger’s literal brain damage. (Thanks, Ro)

Marigold and Forest are still hanging out and drinking, though he has discovered that when she’s drunk and overwhelmed by emotion (such as when she receives a hug from her father and info about her mother for the first time in like 50 years) she has a tendency to turn into a cat. Totally normal.

Hyacinth and Camellia are taking in the comfort of the chilly Winter Court.

Mal and Yvette are chatting about elixirs, Malachite being unintentionally (or maybe not) creepy and intense. But with the #18 flowing through her system, Yvette doesn’t seem bothered by it.

Forest and Cobalt are at Goldhide punching things together and being generally manly.

Kaitlin and Hazel ran into each other, literally, at Oakenfold and it turns out Kaitlin is really holding a grudge at Hazel for what Sorrel did to Davey. Hazel hasn’t managed to get Kaitlin to believe that she had nothing to do with it.

Larkspur and Hyacinth are at his apartment indulging in elixirs and escapism like the healthy adults they are.

Fey and friends descended on Luna Park at Coney Island and broke it IRL. Worse, though, during the eclipse the magic decided to NOPE out and glamours are down, plus the hungry grass and rocks are popping up again. Oh, and there was another dead fey found. NBD.

Lacha and Camellia are enjoying some mother/daughter bonding over cotton candy.

Nadia convinced Sean to join her at Luna Park with the promise of winning him a stuffed animal -- a feat she accomplished and now he’s stuck with Otto the Otter.

Aster is hoping to have the same luck winning stealing Larkspur a stuffed animal. And also, hopefully, winning her heart.

Forest tried to get his players to go and have fun but it backfired on him when literally everyone reminded him that he’s a stick in the mud and also needs to have fun. So he’s there with Marigold. Except Mari never told him she’s a fan of supermodels, so when she spotted Nadia across the park Forest had to promise to introduce her later. And inform her that they are siblings.

Emmet has run into Lark at the park as well, he’s pretty sure he knows why she seems familiar but hasn’t quite decided to believe he’s met Lorde yet. But he has decided she’s trouble either way. The good kind of trouble though, right Emmet?

Other people who might be in trouble as far as Lark is concerned: Camellia. She and Larkspur have run into each other for the first time since Bealtaine. Not awkward at all, ladies. 

Kaitlin was hoping the time she spent learning about baseball from Davey would help her win the games, but didn’t quite get it the first time. Forest stepped in to give her a hand, as did Willow.

Nickel managed to get Raven to take a turn on the High Striker carnival game before he left the event, but apparently he’s a fan of the shadows that night because he also stopped to tell Ro not to mess with the hungry rocks.

Yvette and Malachite bumped into each other at the park and Yvette informed him that she’d seen the mysterious rocks before. A fact that only makes her more intriguing to Mal. Danger Will Robinson. 

Hyacinth didn’t get the memo about the rocks and picked one up, trying to get Larkspur to do the same. Trouble is, they have no effect on her at all and she can’t quite figure out why.

Hazel and Yvette caught up at Luna park as well, exchanging numbers and noticing the hungry grass pop up as they watched.

Everyone was having a grand ol’ time until Hyacinth found the body at the park, then Hazel found them, but it was Larkspur who ID’ed him. Raven helped get the body OUT of the park via the hall of mirrors. Lark went to Ro for help after the body was taken care of.

The loss of glamour hit Jasmine pretty hard, given the scars she bears so Marigold went to find her and take her home. In a shocking display of fatherly love, Adare showed up at her place to check in on her. He even brought her a #99.

Speaking of 99, the price has gone up due to the loss of fey glamours. Nadia is not happy.

Lacha and Adare are having lunch to discuss the dead fey and other problems.

Ember and Rowan should text more often.

Peridot is unimpressed with the way Lacha is handling things and not afraid to say so to anyone who will listen.

Forest and Tyler ran into each other in Central Park. Awkwardness and half-truths ensued.

Don’t forget you’ve got until August 14th to send in IC & OOC love to the Remix for Lugnasad.

--XOXO, OOC Gossip Fey

[descendantswrites-blog]

One Last Chance

Harry Hook x Shan Yu Daughter!Reader

Request: If it isn't too much trouble, can I have a fic with the prompts 1,5,6 and 7 from the 50 prompt list. Placed in Auradon, it is between Harry and me who is the daughter of Shan Yu and is quiet, sassy, flirty, and short tempered. They are all centred around my jealousy of Harry and Uma's relationship because of how he treats her and even though we have been together for a few years, he has yet to tell me he loves me, even though he can express affection for Uma. This leaves me to confront Harry, where these prompts come in and when number one is uttered, Harry leaves. A few months later Harry has done everything to talk to me because he realises he made a huge mistake and I don't talk to him until he stands up a table and declares his love for me. We go to talk privately and he tells me why he has been distance with me and that I have nothing to fear from Uma, we kiss and get back together. Sorry this so long, I tend to ramble. 😣

requested by @serpensangel

Prompt: ‘50 Prompt List’

#1 ‘If you walk out of that door, there is no walking back.’

#5 ‘Why is it so hard or you to admit you love me?’

#6 ‘Are you forgetting who my parents are?’

#7 ‘You’ve had a second chance! And a third! And a tenth!’

Note: So I’m not putting a summary on this since the request itself is pretty long and detailed. This was actually pretty fun to write even though it took me 3 days to complete...

‘Dating’ was never a thing on the Isle of the Lost. People leave before they were left, avoiding heartbreak before it happens. Things are temporary, just like the loyalty that exists between Isle kids. 

You thought what you had with Harry Hook was different. That the two of you could actually break the loop of relationships on the Isle. You were younger back then, and naive.

You’ve been dating Harry for almost two years now. It started off as light-hearted flirting. You told yourself that was all it was, but as time went on, you often found yourself devoid of sleep, thoughts always drifting back to Harry. He was your best friend, always being there for you whenever you needed someone, no questions asked. 

With someone like Shan Yu for a father, you needed to have someone like that, and you found more than friendship in him. You found love, or so you thought.

You knew for a fact that you loved Harry Hook. Without a doubt. He could always make your mood take a 180 degree turn. He’d light up your day and when you were with him, you felt safe. He was home.

You told him you loved him. It was hard for you to accept the vulnerability you were subjecting yourself to by telling him, but you still did it. He couldn’t say it back and you understood. He wasn’t ready and you accepted that.

Time went on. Your relationship met a dead end. Harry had been spending more and more time with his pirate crew, often leaving you for them. You didn’t mind at first. You knew how much he loved his friends and you also had a duty to the Huns. Eventually, you realised that the relationship had become one-sided and you’d had enough.

One night, you confronted him. He’d forgotten half of your plans within the last week, and he was a half hour late to meet you in your village, leaving you waiting in humiliation. 

When he finally strutted up to you in the alley, your blood was boiling. “Took you long enough.” You growled, glaring sharply at your boyfriend. He snickered at your provoked state. “Chill, love. I was with Uma.” 

You took a deep breath, not wanting to say things you would regret. You did it often and the consequences were never good. “Harry, we need to talk.” 

He shrugged, leaning against the wall nonchalantly, “we’re talking right now.”

You rolled your eyes, ignoring his comment. “You’ve been treating me like dirt, Harry. I’m done being forgotten and ignored.”

Your pirate boyfriend only laughed, shaking his head, “Babe, you’re being too sensitive.” This only managed to rile you up further, causing you to raise your voice.

“Do you know how it feels to love someone and have that person brush it off like nothing? Don’t even get me started on your excuses. You tell Uma you love her every day, Harry! Do you know how that makes me feel?”

With a sigh and a roll of his eyes, “Is that it? You’re jealous of Uma?” Harry couldn’t see what the big deal was. You were supposed to know how he felt about love, and that Uma was only his friend. There was no point in you getting so angry.

“Christ, Harry! That’s not the point!” You yelled, exasperated. “You keep giving me the same excuse over and over again! Why is it so hard for you to admit you love me?”

This hit him like a slap across the face. He did love you, and it scared him to death. He’d never felt this way about anyone before, not Uma, not Gil. This feeling was foreign to him, and he was afraid if he said it out loud, he would be weakening himself.

“Have you forgotten who my parents are?” He snapped, starting to get irritated. You were supposed to understand.

You laughed bitterly, “Have you forgotten who mine are? If my father found out about you, I’d be ridiculed! But I still told you, despite everything!” You’d moved closer to Harry during your argument, and now you were standing chest-to-chest with him. Both heaved up and down, the two of you planning your next move.

Harry spoke first, eyes avoiding yours as he moved away. “I don’t need this.” He turned the doorknob to leave and the words left your mouth without contemplation. “If you walk out of that door, there is no walking back.”

That was the last you ever saw of him. After your breakup, you threw yourself into your training as the next chieftainess of the Huns. You never went back to the docks or the pirates’ territory, completely changing your daily routes to avoid seeing your ex. 

You resented the way he had let your break-up go down, how he had chosen cowardice and laughed in your face. You grew to hate him, your anger taking control of you completely. This wasn’t a bad thing, in the eyes of your father, who had taught you to make your anger your strongest weapon. 

A few months passed, and you heard about the mess Harry had gotten himself into. You’d heard the news from your new friend Dizzy. Despite your age difference, you both valued each other’s company. She had the child-like innocence that was so rare on the Isle and you protected her against other villain kids. 

When Auradon officials came to the Isle to invite Dizzy to Auradon, you thought you were going to lose another friend, but the younger girl refused. You didn’t get an invitation yourself, and Dizzy wasn’t going to abandon you in that horrible place.

That’s how you found yourself sitting in a cramped limo, Dizzy struggling to calm you down as you sat fuming across your ex-boyfriend. It had been half a year since you’d seen him, and as much you hated to admit it, you still loved him. As much as you told yourself you hated him, you knew deep down it wasn’t true.

That didn’t mean you weren’t angry. This was clearly evident as you fidgeted in your cramped seat, Dizzy’s hand hastily patting your balled fist. The pirate sat across you, joking about with Gil and other villain kids, laughing like nothing had ever happened between the two of you. But you noticed the way his eyes would purposely avoid you and never look towards your direction.

You chose against punching your ex-boyfriend. No, instead you chose to look away, to ignore him. Because he was your past, and Auradon was going to be your future.

You hated Auradon at first. It was filled to the prim with proper princes and princesses. The colours, the songs, even the kindness bothered you. It was just as preppy as you had imagined, but the only thing different was how genuinely kind the people were.

You had expected an abundance of dirty looks and glares, but ever since the first four villain kids had arrived, most people had given you the benefit of the doubt.

You’d been as good as possible, doing your best to stay out of trouble. You kept your head down, not giving anyone any reason to send you back to the Isle. If you had to act like the carbon copy of Audrey, you would, but you were not going back to the Huns.

You often found yourself sitting with the ‘core-four’ villain kids - Mal, Evie, Carlos and Jay. You’d avoided them at first, due to what Harry had previously told you about them, but Dizzy was determined for you to make friends.

That’s how you found yourself sitting in Mal and Evie’s shared dorm, watching them banter over nothing in particular when a sharp knock sounded of their door. You shrugged, thinking it would be either Ben or Doug. 

Evie went to open the door and you heard a gasp. You looked up, ready to fight whoever was at the door. When you saw who it was, your heart sank to your stomach. There, standing in the doorway, was Harry Hook. You’d been making progress in getting over him but every time you saw him only set you back.

“Y/N, I-” Harry had started to speak, but you never let him finish. You stood, blood running cold in your veins as your eyes bored into his and slammed the door in his face. The universe seemed to be laughing at you, its attempts at making your life miserable succeeding.

Unfortunately, that was not the last you would see of your ex-boyfriend. Throughout the next few weeks he had been endlessly pestering you, cornering you in corridors, waiting for you outside your classrooms. Each instance had ended with you glaring daggers at him and shoving him away from you.

Harry didn’t know what to do. He’d done everything possible to get a word in with you but each time he’d been forcefully rejected. His life was grim without you. He missed having you next to him everyday and knowing he had been the one to screw it all up crushed him. 

Harry Hook was desperate. That was the only reason he had finally gone to Jay to ask for advice. The son of Jafar hadn’t responded too kindly to Harry’s request, but eventually agreed when he heard how he spoke of you.

The blame was half on Jay for what Harry would do. It started out as any other day, with you meeting Mal, Evie and Dizzy for breakfast out in the gardens. You had gotten your breakfast and sat next to Carlos, across from Jay.

The older boy was clearly skittish and fidgeting in his seat. You had stopped your eating to stare at him. He avoided your eyes and played around with his food.

You cleared your throat, “You know I can murder you in a hundred ways with this butter knife.” Jay looked up, chuckling nervously while his eyes flickered down to the knife in your hand. His eyes widened and his stammering stopped. 

You noticed the five people surrounding you all had mirroring expressions - eyes wide, jaw dropped. You turned in your seat, expecting to see a unicorn with five heads behind you, but no, instead you saw Harry Hook standing high and mighty on the table behind you.

You narrowed your eyes and crossed your arms over your chest. If this was an attempt at further humiliating you, it was working. He held a single rose in his hand, clearing his throat.

“Y/N of the Huns, daughter of Shan Yu, I messed up. I was a stupid, young boy and I should never have let you go. I still love you, lass,” he proclaimed loudly, looking directly at you, “will you forgive me?”

At this point, people all around you were looking and you had turned as red as Tinker Bell herself. You huffed, standing from your seat and pulling Harry off the table. You stormed into the first empty classroom you found, whipping around to face him.

“The hell do you think you’re doing?” You asked. It was proving hard to keep your death-glare on him. You tried to ignore the ache deep in your heart when he flashed you the smile he used to.

“I’m winnin’ you back, love.” He smirked, his hook toying against the side of your face. You growl, smacking his hand away. “You broke up with me, remember? You chose to leave!”

He sighs, moving closer to you. His usual playful demeanour melted away, replaced by a sincere one. “Y/N, I wasn’t thinking. You have every right to be angry at me. I,” he looked away from you for a split second, before returning to your eyes, “I need you. Please, just give me a second chance.” 

You scoffed, backing away. Your sadness was battling the scale with your anger. “You’ve had a second chance! And a third! And a tenth!”

Harry shook his head quickly, moving to cup your face in his hands. You didn’t move away, your breath hitching. You’d missed being so close to him, actually touching him, that your anger almost faded. Almost.

“I know I’ve screwed up a thousand times, but please, just let me prove to you that I truly love you. Give me one last chance.” He pleaded, eyes searching yours for forgiveness. You whispered, “You broke me.”

Harry’s heart skipped a beat. It had never truly hit him until now that what he had done could actually have affected you. You seemed just fine after your breakup, seeming just as enraged as usual. It broke his heart to see the daughter of Shan Yu, leader of the Huns so vulnerable, suffering at his hand.

“Darling, I’m so, so sorry for what I’ve done. I didn’t ever mean to hurt you, please-” 

You shook your head and gently placing your lips on his. You sighed against him, missing the feeling of him and you together. Harry reacted immediately, tugging you closer towards him. The kiss only remained for a short few seconds, but it was enough for a small smile to appear on your lips.

“Harry Hook, don’t you ever dare hurt me again.”

Your boyfriend chuckled. He finally had you back, and there was no way in hell he was ever going to let himself mess up again. Harry smirked, pulling you in for another kiss, “Wouldn’t dream of it, my love.”

[speedracer87-blog]

Breaking routine

For @ mysensitiveside, whose single-word prompt was “ocean”.

“So why exactly are we doing this?” Regina asked, reaching a hand out to brace herself on Zelena’s dashboard, as Zelena leaned her BMW into a hard turn.

“We’re doing this because you, my darling little sister, need to get your shit together,” Zelena said cheerfully.

“Right. And we’re going to Mal’s so that you and she can… what? Give me a stern talking-to?”

“Something like that,” Zelena flapped a hand lazily in reply, and sped up, revving the engine a little.

“Could you slow down?” Regina clutched her seat belt. “And drive with both of your hands on the steering wheel? I hope you don’t drive like this when you have my son in the car.”

“I don’t. Henry likes for me to go much faster than this.” Zelena cackled at the strangled noise coming from Regina. “Oh, relax, sis. You know I treat my nephew like the precious cargo he is. Just sit back, take in the scenery. It’s a beautiful drive, in a lovely car meant to be driven fast, expertly handled by your gorgeous sister. I’ve never once had an accident, and I could drive this route blindfolded,” Zelena trilled.

Regina opened her mouth to retort then snapped it shut as they approached another turn. The winding road that led to their friend Mallory’s beachfront mansion was nerve-wracking enough without Zelena’s fast and loose antics behind the wheel. It was a relief when, after pausing at a gate while Zelena confidently punched in a security code to be let in, they finally pulled up in front of Mal’s newly-built home.

It was the first time that Regina had been there since Mal had moved in. Regina hadn’t really done much of anything since moving back to her hometown after leaving her job in Boston. She’d wanted Henry to experience life at a slower pace and she’d wanted a change in career. Regina scrambled out of the car, happy to have escaped unscathed with life and limbs intact. She shielded her eyes and craned her neck to look at the oversized house, its windows gleaming in raw newness in the sun.

“Lovely, isn’t it?”

“It’s… big,” Regina answered diplomatically. She privately thought that although it was slightly on the gloomy side and ridiculously large, it did suit Mal’s tastes, and the scenery and view were lovely.

“Come on,” Zelena said, linking her arm through Regina’s and leading her up to the door. She rang the bell and Mal answered almost instantly.

“You’re here! Come in, come in!” Mal practically yanked Regina inside the cool and quiet house, pausing to give both her and Zelena quick hugs, and then led them through the porch and spacious hallway into a living room.

Zelena flopped down into a sofa, right at home, and Regina carefully sat down on a vintage chair that looked like it belonged in a museum somewhere.

“Could I get the two of you a drink?”

Regina shook her head. “Too early.”

“Oh, live a little, Regina,” Zelena drawled from the sofa. “And Mal’s Bellinis are to die for.”

“It’s fine, Zelena.” Mal glided over to a sideboard, and opened a hidden mini fridge and came back towards Regina with a glass, a coaster, and a small bottle of sparkling water. She set them unceremoniously on a coffee table in front of Regina and gave her a wink. “I’ll be right back, girls,” she said and disappeared out of the room.

“This?” Zelena pointed at Regina’s bottle. “Is exactly what I’m talking about. Everything is too safe, too routine. It’s time for you loosen up.”

Regina frowned and picked up the bottle, twisting the cap off. “I know you mean well, Zelena, but I don’t see what this is going to accomplish when I’m already well aware of what my life is like and what I’m comfortable doing.” She poured the water out as Mal and a housekeeper reappeared bearing trays, one filled with plates of hors d’oeuvres and small sandwiches and the other with two Bellinis in comically large cocktail glasses.

Mal set her tray down and handed Zelena one of the glasses before taking her own and sitting down next to her on the sofa, looking like she had news to share, as the housekeeper disappeared out of the room. Mal was practically wriggling with excitement, which made Regina wary. She’d learned from experience to know that when Mal was excited over something, it most likely wasn’t going to be anything practical.

“So,” Regina said. “What’s this all about?”

“We have a plan,” Mal burst out, looking especially pleased with herself.

“A plan? Plan for what?”

“A plan to help you get back into dating,” Zelena said brightly, settling herself further among the plush pillows of Mal’s sofa.

Regina was annoyed. “I don’t think that’s really necessary.”

Zelena and Mal exchanged knowing glances. “Oh, yes it is, sis. You’re in dire need of our help.” Zelena took a sip of her cocktail, her tone matter-of-fact.

“First of all,” Regina said, crossing her arms, “Who said I want to start dating again?”

That threw them. Mal looked at Zelena, confused. “But you do.” She paused. “Don’t you?”

Zelena narrowed her eyes at Regina. “What are you playing at?”

“Why don’t you two tell me, since you obviously know what I’m thinking?” Regina tried to remain stern, but the corners of her mouth had a tell-tale twitch that she could feel.

Mal put on an aggrieved look that Regina had come to know so well over the course of their friendship, and with the expression on the other woman’s face Regina knew she was about to be “handled”.

“Look, Regina, we mean no harm.” Mal placed her glass on the table. “But as two of the people who love and know you best, we feel that it’s our duty to –  ”

“To help get you back out there,” Zelena finished Mal’s thought.

“And how do you expect to help me do that? Tinder? Blind dates? Clubbing?” Regina couldn’t help the hint of sarcasm creeping into her voice.  Zelena had a penchant for trying anything, at least once. She’d dated using various means, smartphone apps and dating sites alike, had casual hook-ups from people she’d picked up at whatever club she felt like frequenting, all recounted to Regina with a carefree candor that only Zelena could pull off.

“No, we know none of those are quite your thing.”

“Dating in general is not my thing, Mal.”

“Right, so your dear sister and I have thought up the perfect scenario by which you can meet several eligible men at once – no pressure, no awkward small talk, well, not much anyway, done in such a way that will be fun for all.”

“Fun for all?” Regina raised a skeptical eyebrow. “I'll be the judge of that – once I hear some specifics. And if either of you mentions speed dating, I'm leaving this house and never returning.”

When Zelena and Mal's laughter died down, there was a moment of silence to draw out Regina's dread and her friend's sense of suspense before Mal spoke, sounding very pleased with herself. “I've decided to host a masquerade ball.”

Regina blinked. “A costume party? Really?”

“Not the same thing and you know it,” Zelena retorted. “Just about everyone in town is invited,” she continued.

“I just didn't think it would be right not to invite everyone,” Mal interjected.

Zelena gave her a wry sidelong glance before going on, “Yes. Anyway, every eligible bachelor you’ve met since moving back will be there.”

“Plus a few you haven't,” Mal said with an air of mystery.

“Meaning Zelena's dating app rejects?” Regina smirked.

“That's not exactly how it works,” Zelena began before shaking her head with an exasperated sigh. “But you're not getting me off subject. The ball. You'll attend?”

“No.”

“You must,” Mal said breezily. “Everyone's already been invited and people are expecting you to be there. You wouldn't want to disappoint your potential suitors.”

“My potential suitors,” Regina repeated testily. “Archie, Doc the miner, Whale the doctor...” she said, ticking them off on her fingers.

“There are others,” Zelena said. “The point is to help you relax and at least talk to a few of them.”

“I talk to them every day.”

“I meant in a social setting! We figured everyone being dressed up and the drinks flowing would, you know. Make it a little easier for you.”

“We've gone to a lot of trouble to set this up,” Mal said, shamelessly playing on Regina's sense of guilt.

Regina shifted uncomfortably in her seat. “I'm going to feel ridiculous, dressed up like a child on Halloween.”

“Everyone is going to dress up. They won't be allowed in otherwise, I was very clear on that.” There was a pause. “So? Will you be there?”

Regina sighed, resigned. “When?”

                                                            ***

Regina sighed as she followed Henry into Granny’s Diner, who had skipped ahead with the sort of boundless energy only the pre-pubescent possessed. She tutted at his forgotten manners as she pulled open the door. He’d begged to go after she picked him up from school, waving a math test marked with an ‘A’ and a declaration of ‘Good job!’, reasoning that he’d earned a cheeseburger and milkshake for a special treat at Granny’s. Knowing that he had been adjusting, both with the move and with the school subject, Regina had acquiesced and found herself preparing to face the looks from curious patrons and to ingest a potentially unhealthy meal at the place Henry had proclaimed the ‘coolest’ in town.

She pushed the door open and found that Henry had already sat down in the only available booth. Considering the time of day, it was surprisingly busy in the restaurant and she smiled nervously at the few patrons whose gazes she’d caught as she approached. He’d hung his coat on the hook at the end of the bench and she removed her own and folded it neatly beside her and placed it and her handbag down before sliding into the seat opposite a widely grinning Henry.

“You forgot to hold the door like I’ve taught you, Henry. And you needn’t think that you won’t be getting a salad as well, young man.”

“Mom!” Henry’s smile faltered a little and he had the grace to look slightly embarrassed when she raised an eyebrow and pointedly shifted her eyes towards other customers. He lowered his voice slightly and continued, “I’m sorry I forgot the door but I can still get fries with my milkshake and burger, right?”

Regina pretended to think for a moment. “Well, I suppose.” She laughed gently at the slight bounce Henry did in his seat and was just about to ask her son about the rest of his day at school when one of the staff came over with a bright “Hello!”.

Regina thought she recognized her, but didn’t know her name; the handful of times she’d been into the diner, the other woman had been either behind the counter or coming from the area housing the back offices and staff room, and whenever they’d made eye contact the woman would smile warmly in return before getting on with whatever she’d been doing.

She wasn’t dressed in the normal attire for the staff at Granny’s, crisp white shirts with red piping and black skirts or trousers and black aprons. Instead she wore a soft red sweater with a deep V-neck and a pair of tight, skinny black jeans hidden under an apron. Regina took in the red pendant dangling rather lowly from a chain around the woman’s neck and had just moved her gaze to the woman’s somewhat tentatively smiling face, when she heard a throat clear. Regina’s face warmed as she realized that she’d been caught staring, and that Henry and the woman had been waiting for her to say something.

“I – Sorry – I’m – Hi,” Regina finished lamely, smiling back.

“I’m Ruby. I’ll send someone right over after you’ve had a chance order but can I get you something to drink in the meantime?” She handed Regina and Henry each a laminated menu and then turned to Henry with a smile. “I’m guessing a… chocolate milkshake for you, and a sparkling water on the rocks for your mom?”

“How’d you know?” Henry looked surprised and a little awestruck.

“Oh, I like to keep up with what all of my customers like.” Ruby winked at him and Regina both. “I’ll get Ashley to come with your drinks in just a bit while you two look at the menu, but if I was to guess… I’d bet she’d be taking an order for a couple salads–” She paused to smile even wider when Henry made a little noise of protest, “And probably a cheeseburger and fries.”

“Yep!” Henry beamed back.

Ruby gave them both another wink and went to the swinging door leading behind the counter. Regina looked on at her retreating figure thoughtfully for a moment as the woman walked away then turned back to her son.

Henry leaned forward and, much to Regina’s amusement, didn’t bother to keep his voice down. “This place is so cool!”

                                                                ***

 Regina looked at her reflection critically. Not bad, she thought. After being pressured into going to the ball, Regina was reluctant to wear anything dramatic, but Zelena had insisted. Hence, Regina was dressed as a courtesan, in a dramatic purple ball gown with a lot of décolletage. She looked down at the jeweled eye mask in her hand. She may have looked good but she still felt foolish.

Zelena and Mal had meant well, but she wished they would simply let her handle her own private life the way she saw fit. She had been widowed long ago – so long ago, in fact, it almost felt like a lifetime had passed. She was certainly not the same person. She had all but given up on finding someone else, but she had been okay with that, if not expressly overjoyed with the reality of the situation. What was so wrong with that?

She fastened a cloak over her gown and slightly adjusted the wig she wore. If she was going she might as well try to enjoy the night. She smiled at herself in the mirror and let her face drop again into its usual unreadable expression. With a deep breath, she descended the stairs of her home and looked in on Henry and the sitter who had already arrived.

Henry looked over from the old black and white horror movie they were watching to smile at his mom. “You look nice,” he said simply.

“Thank you, sweetheart.” Regina glanced disapprovingly at the television with a raised eyebrow. A wolf/man hybrid was heaving hammy breaths and arching his clawed fingers at the camera. Regina thought the actor should go ahead and fully commit to the role and gnaw at the scenery.

“Laura,” Regina said, addressing the sitter with a reproving note in her voice, “You know I don't like Henry to watch such garbage.”

“It was my idea, Mom. It's just a movie,” Henry said practically. “I'm not scared at all.”

“Just this once. Homework done?”

“Yep!”

“Alright. You can watch this cinematic masterpiece but I expect you to be in bed before I get back.”

“I will, Mom. Have some fun tonight,” Henry said with a smile. “For once.”

Regina sighed in spite of herself. Even her son was getting in on the conspiracy of “fun.” She had plenty of fun. Was it her fault if she was good at keeping herself company and preferred it that way?

With a few more instructions for the babysitter and a big kiss on the cheek which Henry squirmed at but submitted to in silence, instead of the usual protestations that he wasn't a little kid any more, Regina was off.

She took a much more leisurely route to Mal's home than Zelena had, and on the way there she thought about Zelena's words as she'd helped Regina pick out the dress she was wearing. Regina hadn't been in the best mood but Zelena had blithely ignored all of Regina's cutting remarks and simply said it was all for Regina's own good, and that it wasn't possible for Regina to see the situation as clearly as Zelena could. Was that true?

If she was being honest with herself, she did get lonely sometimes. She did want some romance in her life. She missed companionship, and no matter how busy she kept herself, she couldn't ignore that completely. But the men in this town? She wanted to cringe just thinking about dating any of them. Her heart wasn't in it, and she was going into this knowing it would fail. But hey, at least she'd be able to say she tried. She could get Zelena and Mal and their matchmaking over with, at least for a while.

She parked her car and fitted the mask over her eyes with the help of her visor’s mirror before going inside. She got out of the car and took off her cape, and with a grim determination in her step to see this thing through, marched up to Mal's door. Another couple was in front of her that she recognized, and she saw the woman take her date's arm and give it a squeeze as the door was opened. “Isn't this exciting, honey?” Regina heard the woman squeal.

Regina pressed her lips together. If their costumes had left any doubt, that insipid squeal was all too familiar. Regina hung far enough back from David and Mary Margaret Nolan that she wouldn't have to acknowledge them, but followed on closely enough that people may have assumed they were coming in together. She didn't want to appear to be walking in alone, for some reason.

She handed her cloak to a liveried butler and took another glance at herself in the entryway mirror.

Here I go.

Regina had to hand it to Mal – the house looked beautiful, and she had really committed to making this event feel like a masquerade ball. There was a string ensemble playing somewhere out of sight, but the music was filtering into the huge living room. There were long tables with wait staff behind them, serving delicious looking food.

Regina hesitated near the entrance, looking around, recognizing some immediately and others not at all.

She and Mal saw each other at the same time and started towards each other, moving around the periphery of couples dancing. Before she could get there, Regina's progress was impeded by Archie, who was inexplicably wearing his glasses outside of his mask.

“Good evening, fair lady,” he said with a stately bow.

Regina forced a tight smile. “Hello, Archie.”

“Oh, come on! You're not supposed to say my name.” He dropped his voice to an exaggerated whisper. “It ruins the mystery.”

“Sorry,” Regina said, not feeling particularly apologetic. She looked more carefully at his costume. “What are you supposed to be, anyway?”

“You can't tell?” Seeing Regina only look back at him in steady silence he went on. “A cricket.”

“Right, of course. Isn't it a little late in the year for you to be out at night?”

Archie's guffawing laugh drew several pairs of eyes their way. “That's a good one.”

“Well!” Regina said brightly. “I'd better go say hello to our hostess. Excuse me,” she said moving past Archie, who was too good natured to mind being brushed off so quickly.

Regina made a beeline to Mal, who was dressed as Marie Antoinette and was brandishing a huge feathered fan as she spoke to a couple of partygoers. She turned her attention to Regina as she approached.

“Darling! Don't you look beautiful tonight! You've captured the eye of everyone here. I saw you laughing with Archie. I knew this night was just what you needed to get back into the game.”

“If you call exchanging a few words with a man who thinks crickets wear vests getting back into the game, then yes. Mission accomplished. Can I go home now?”

“Nonsense!” Mal scoffed with a smile. “Let's get you some champagne and I'll introduce you to a few people.”

Regina sighed and tried to put a pleasant face on. She accepted the champagne and let Mal lead her around and meet her acquaintances. After a few minutes she was starting to vaguely sort of enjoy herself. Or maybe that was the champagne. She had to admit her friends were right. Something about the atmosphere and having this annoying mask on made it easier. She agreed to dance with the third person who asked because she feared that Mal, who was glancing her way with Archie in the proximity, would send him over to dance with her. Not keen on the idea of having her feet stepped on, Regina let herself be led out onto the dance floor as the music changed. The guy she was with didn't look like he'd draw extra attention to himself, which was the preferable option.

Doing an approximation of a waltz with her partner, one of Zelena's dredged-up singles she hadn't met before, Regina made the appropriate noises to all of his questions, mostly paying attention to the surroundings and trying not to be too bothered by the other couples dancing who looked so very much into their partners.

“Not a bad spread at this deal,” her partner was saying.

“Mm,” Regina hummed, smiling her vague agreement.

“Never been here before. Had to make a promise to a friend to come though. She was apparently desperate to fill this place up with every bachelor from here to Boston under sixty for her sister to hopefully meet someone. She must be a real dog or dysfunctional in some way, if you get what I mean. Going through all this to try to set her up? Red flags.”

Regina's dancing slowed to a near stop, but her partner didn't seem to notice. “I confess I just wanted to spend some time with my friend, you know how it is. I didn't think there'd be lookers like you here.”

“Aren't you the charmer,” Regina said, pulling away from the man and feeling satisfaction as the smirk on his face faded into confusion. Regna fixed him with a cold look and turned to move away.

He grabbed her arm, “Hey, I didn't... Ohh.” Regina looked at him once more and hated the dawning recognition she saw spreading on his face. “I didn't know. Sorry. You're –  ”

Regina snatched her arm away and marched off the dancefloor toward the door where she'd come in. She saw Zelena standing there and stopped. Zelena looked her way and approached with a quizzical look on her face.

“Regina? What's wrong?”

“Your idea of helping me ‘get my shit together,’ as you so elegantly put it, is to make every jackass you know think that I'm desperate?”

“What? No!”

“I've just been dancing with one of your carefully selected suitors, who informed me that you practically begged him to be here tonight. Oh, and then he said that he only came here to get a shot with you.”

“Oh, Regina. I'm sorry someone said that, but I promise, I –  ”

“You know what? This was a bad idea,” Regina said. “I'm going home.”

“I'm just trying to help!” Zelena said, pulling off her mask. “You can't mourn forever, Regina. It's not what Daniel would have wanted for you!”

Zelena's exasperated tone carried to those nearby, who turned to look at the curiously. With a scoffing noise Regina shook her head. “Thanks, sis.” With as much dignity as she could muster, she stalked past Zelena, who knew better than to follow her, and didn't turn back.

To complete the rest of the evening's illusion shattering, she found the liveried doorman on his phone, intensely swiping. Rather than disturb him, Regina found her own cloak and left.

Once outside she ripped off her mask in disgust. How utterly humiliating. Well, that was it. She wasn't going to play good sport and go along with any stupid plans to set her up ever again. Halfway to her car, her steps slowed and she heard Zelena's words echoing in her mind.

You can't mourn forever.

But that wasn't what she was doing. She might not have been actively seeking a relationship, but it didn't mean she was totally against the idea, either. She felt ready, she was sure – but it had to be done in her own way. What was so wrong with that?

With her car in sight, Regina imagined herself arriving home and going to bed, earlier than even Henry. Maybe she actually was as pathetic as her ungallant dance partner thought she was. Well, she wouldn't go straight home. She stood by her car, feeling like a total loser as she realized there wasn't any place in town to go, especially dressed like this. As she stood there, she heard the sound of a couple men who had emerged from the house to smoke and the tell-tale scritch of lighters and matches being used. Making a decision, Regina moved through the semi-darkness, hoping not to be seen by whomever the men were. She headed towards the sound of the ocean as it led her away from the murmuring voices near the house. She pulled her cloak around her and noticed a figure standing on the cliff behind the house, looking out toward the ocean. In the moonlight she could see the figure was in a hooded cloak not unlike her own rented one. She paused, not knowing whether to approach or not, but came closer.

The figure turned and she recognized Ruby, from Granny’s Diner.

“Oh,” Regina said. “Hello.”

“Hey,” Ruby said with a little smile. She turned back to the ocean. Instead of awkwardly turning and walking away, Regina came closer until she was standing next to Ruby. The view was stunning, Regina had to admit. A huge harvest moon hung in the sky, high above the ocean, illuminating the water and hypnotic waves. She was content to simply look as Ruby was doing, without breaking the silence.

“It's beautiful, isn't it?” Ruby said at length.

“Yes, actually.”

Ruby faced Regina. “So what are you doing here? Party too much for you?”

“Something like that. And you?”

“I just wanted some air. Something about the moon... I don't know. I felt kind of drawn to it. Is that strange?”

“Not at all. Given the choice between this view,” Regina said, “And those oafs inside?” Regina took a deep breath of the ocean breeze. “I'll take the moon every time.”

Ruby smiled. “No contest.”

“No contest,” Regina echoed. The two of them laughed lightly.

“I don't know why I bothered to come here,” Ruby said with a hint of sadness to her voice. “All these guys... they treat me like an object. So do a couple of the women, at that.”

“Oh,” Regina said. “You...?”

“Yeah. I thought everyone knew.” There was a silence. “Feeling judgemental?” Ruby asked dryly, raising an eyebrow.

“No,” Regina shrugged. “Everyone can do what they want.”

“So what's your story?”

“I don't follow.”

“Why did you come here?”

“I didn't want to,” Regina said.

“I figured.” When Regina looked at Ruby questioningly, the other woman continued, “I mean... you aren't exactly a woman about town, if you know what I mean. Apart from the few times I’ve seen you at the diner, I almost never see you out after dark.”

Regina studied Ruby's pale face in the moonlight. Her green eyes held a gleam of something Regina couldn't quite place.

“It's not like that,” Regina said, even though it was exactly like that. “I just keep myself busy, I guess. As for why I'm here, my sister and my best friend thought I needed to socialize more, break out of my routine. Seems like a running theme. I don't see why that's anyone else's business but my own, though.”

“I'm sure they mean well.” After a moment of thought Ruby added, “Probably.”

That got Regina to smile. She wasn't the only one with a reputation around town, at least. “This ball was unofficially held in my honor,” Regina said. “They wanted to throw every bachelor in town and out of it at me, hoping one of them would take. It failed miserably of course.”

“Why?”

Regina blinked. “What do you mean, why?”

“Why did it fail miserably? There wasn't one person in there you were interested in?”

“Not really. I don't know why – well except for the man who was a total ass to me – but none of them interested me at all.”

“Well... maybe you're looking in the wrong direction.” Ruby held her gaze for a long moment.

“Meaning?” Regina stared back and found it difficult to breathe as the air shifted around them.

“Like I said the other day, I like to keep up with what all of my customers like.” And then Ruby was closing the distance between their lips. Her kiss was soft, warm, and, Regina found, too brief. She pulled away and looked at Regina.

“So… yeah. I think you know what I'm talking about,” she said.

Regina didn't think about what she did next, she just acted on impulse and pulled Ruby close to her, kissing her with all the pent up, turbulent emotions she'd held within for so long.

When they broke apart, Regina noticed Ruby's green eyes were ablaze with something that she hadn't recognized at first as desire.

“Wow,” Ruby said teasingly. “I had an inkling, after the way you were checking me out –  ” She giggled when Regina started stammering.

“I wasn’t, I didn’t –  ” Regina trailed off, face warm with embarrassment.

“But,” Ruby continued, “I didn't figure on this.”

“Figure on what?”

“On you being so passionate. You've got some hidden depths.”

“Oh,” Regina said, slightly mollified. “You could say that. I guess you were right...”

“About?”

“I was looking in the wrong direction. I didn't know what I wanted... until just now,” Regina said sincerely.

“Give me your phone.”

“What?”

“Just give it to me,” Ruby said.

Regina handed the phone over, too caught off guard to think of a good reason to say no. She watched in silence as Ruby punched some numbers into the phone and handed it back.

“There,” she said. “Now you have my number.”

“You... want to go out with me?”

“That's the general idea, yes.”

Regina tilted her head. “You don't think I'm... too boring for you, or something?”

Ruby laughed, her smile white in the moonlight. “Nobody who kisses like that could possibly be boring. And I’d like to keep uncovering new surprises in you, and get to know you better. A lot better. I'm betting you feel the same way.”

“I do...”

“Well then,” Ruby said smiling wickedly. “I guess this night wasn't a total failure after all.”

                                                              ***

 Driving Ruby home, Regina took the curves in the road with abandon... or at least as much abandon as she could muster. She still wanted to make it home to Henry in one piece, but there was something wild that had been freed inside... sparking to life and burning brighter every time she looked across to the passenger seat where Ruby gazed back, a smile quirking at the edges of her mouth.

Mal and Zelena's plan had worked better than they could have imagined, Regina realized. She felt alive again. And she couldn't wait to see what would happen next.

(the end)

[killershot]

On the Verge of a Panic Attack

I don’t know why I took so long to get home I guess it was un mal precentimiento a bad feeling. I was wandering on Western and Wilshire hadn’t made up my mind if I wanted to go home or roam. Then I got the call my Tia said the cops were home.

They were looking for me.

I hit up a friend right away. Chad if you’re reading this you’re the real MVP (that and tarte cosmetics). He told me everything I needed to know the questions they would ask me how they would go about doing things.

He said be patient.

Be cooperative.

Stay calm. Composed.

He’d seen it all before. Been there done that. He was a master a pro at what cops called a 5150.

“They’re gonna try to intimidate you. To twist your words.  To keep you there. If you don’t feel safe just say ‘I feel like you’re putting words in my mouth.’”

That became a catch phrase.

Didn’t think I’d use it with such frequency.

I was also mad. Mad at the fact that I wasn’t gonna get my Buffulo Wild Wings as I had planned and mad that all of this which I had already decided to bury with a hatchet, was only the beginning.

I did send an angry text but that was it. Felt somewhat betrayed I mean how could you? I told you I was scared of being inside of a mental asylum.

Look I know the story by heart my aunt was locked up years ago for saying she wanted to kill my cousins her husband and then herself just to end the nightmare.

They put her in the looney bin for 3 days.

No one knew about her for those days my youngest cousin doesn’t even recall the incident. She was very little. As for my two other cousins they were new immigrants with little to no knowledge of the English language.

That 72 hour hold loomed on me like a dark cloud.

I never thought my own people where the ones to deceive me.

I arrived; there they were looking like Frank Poncherello and Jon from the movie Chips. Just your everyday comic relief cop character I could hear the song playing in the background bad boys bad boys whatcha gonna do whatcha gonna do when they come for you I tweaked the lyrics a little in my head until I arrived at the front of the house.

I felt at ease for a brief second. I thought wrongfully that I could trust officer Encino such a brown last name I’d be let go in a few. How wrong was I.

He wasn’t very tall or very fit just you’re every day stereotypical Mexican American 5 generations retired so really a Californian. Family had been in this land for generations unlike my parents.

Officer Carpenter was a tall lanky guy, freckly looking with redish hair. You could tell he didn’t want to be there he had other more important things to do like catch thieves stop killers and lock up rapists but no he was here dealing with a girl who just had a mini ataque de panico. Reminiscent of a film I watched in Spanish class Mujeres al Borde de un Ataque de Panico it was an old film from 1988 but for some reason we watched it. Our teacher was weird I guess.  

We chatted talked about the incident I reassured them I was ok and looking forward to having diner with my family and when I say family I meant my 7 cats. It was almost feeding time. I could see Canseco my newly beloved son and prized possession lurking under the car. His tummy rumbling.

Officer Encino just wouldn’t let me go tried to twist my words interrogated me made me feel stupid. I kept on repeating “I feel like you’re putting words in my mouth” he was offended, defensive every time I said that but I’m used to it by now. I know someone like him. He gets defensive too. At least he didn’t hit me with the; you’re slandering me words. It echos in my head sometimes. After I heard it I had to Google it to see what that word really means. Slandering.

I forget.

It was a 5150 and even after Officer Carpenter said “She’s fine just let her go” Officer Encino decided to arrest me.

Options I had none but I had a few.

After he said he would “have to arrest me” I played some scenarios in my head after all I am a quick thinker.

Scenario 1: I would punch him. Kick that smirk right off his face. They would be forced to shoot. I would probably die. I could see it now “Hispanic female in late 20’s shot right outside of her South Central LA home after resisting arrest.” I’d die a martyr. I think I smiled a little. People would hold vigilances for me I’d be another colored getting killed by the LAPD it sounded like a weird twisted fantasy until I heard my mom wailing. I snapped.

Scenario 2: I’d run. I don’t even like running but I could try to escape via running until I realized A. I’m terrible at running B. They would probably catch up to me and C. I’d get tazed half a block away from my house in front of all my neighbors to see. How humiliating. I couldn’t.

Scenario 3: Turn myself in which I did.

I was handcuffed in front of my family and a few chismoso neighbors. It was exactly how you see it in Cops. I don’t know if it’s protocol or what but I felt like a criminal. I was nervous I’m not gonna lie I wanted my phone my sense of security.

We drove down to the police station 3rd district South Central LA. I’ve been here before countless of times. Sometimes angry sometimes crying. I’ve been here to pick up my cousin Herberth who has a mental disability and Kevin his friend who is also mentally unstable. I’ve come here with my auntie when she got jumped and beaten in the corner of Western and 42nd right in front of the Snooty Fox hotel to file a police report. I’ve been here so often that for a second I thought a cop would recognize me.

Nothing I was just “The Nike Girl”.

I walked past those cells horrible things were in them. Can’t really go into detail I didn’t want to look to further traumatize myself.

I got my own little cell.

4 white walls. A female officer came to “pat me down” Officer Beadle she was…a bitch.

Even after Officer Carpenter told her I was “friendly” and “nice” she still treated me like complete garbage like a criminal and humiliated me in front of all to see. Dignity? I don’t know her. She stuffed her hand in my hair and ruffled it around violently I was steaming inside. I didn’t care much for the awkward crotch grab you just don’t grab my hair like that. If Larry taught me anything was “respect a black girls hair” or in my case my 4c hair type inherited to me from my David Ortiz looking father.

And there I was in my little cell surrounded by four white walls there was no clock to tell the time nothing to entertain me. I was slowly loosing it. My patience that is.

But everyone came to visit my cute face. Unlike my fellow inmates I was well dressed small young looking and cute.

Their visits entertained me. I was utterly bored and I thrived in that attention.

I liked being referred as a “pretty girl” although I don’t believe it I still liked that.

We talk about running. Look I’ve never sold a god dam shoe in my life but I can sure act like I do.

We talked about Free’s, Pegasus and Lunarglides each and every officer that came through and asked about their foot I gave them my recommendation. From a guy with wide feet Vromeros or Pegasus Wide to a guy with flat feet in need of more support to getting technical with work out shoes like Metcons? Metcons I didn’t know much.

Discounts?

I get 40 you? You my friend get...none. Unless you get me the fuck out of here I’ll send you a gift card or something.

I guess time went by quicker than I thought. They had dinner someone got shot and they left me alone for an hour. Many things happen among the worst was my need to use the restroom. Nature was calling I needed to pee and I swear I held it for as long as I could cause I thought they’ll release me soon they have to look at how well behaved I am opposed to the other inmates they caused a havoc. Could hear their screaming and cussing.

A female officer came to take me the bathroom, it was just as bad as a bathroom in a bar in the Tenderloin San Francisco. I am the worst squatter in the universe like my squatting abilities are atrocious. There was some toilet paper I lined the toilet was about to pull my pants down when I noticed the officer looking at me.

“Can you please close the door?” I asked sheepishly.

“No we can’t I gotta keep it open” and supervise me peeing she didn’t say that but actions speak louder than words she saw me pee and it was humiliating.

I could feel the pee trickling to my thigh like fuck now I got pee in my thighs I rolled my eyes a couple of times pulled up my pants in disgrace and attempted to flush the toilet. She’s lucky I shaved that day. It wouldn’t flush my urine and the urine of countless of other individuals laid there together.

I attempted to wash my hands. No soap. I was irritated. You know how you can tell if someone is sane is if they wash their hands after using the bathroom at least that’s what I thought. She sighed and smiled at me if I read her mind correctly she said something along the words of I wish all inmates were as easy as you.

So I sat in my cell for what felt like an eternity.

Officer Encino wanted the worst for me he wanted me to be on hold for 72 hours. The funny thing about my people is they don’t want to see you shine. They don’t want you to succeed I guess they envy that. They gotta put you down and demoralize you somehow. It’s funny all this time I thought we were suppose to stick together support one another be there for one another but I think that was just some brainwashing I had at San Francisco State University the only University with a building dedicated to the Ethnic Studies. There I learned how to embrace every single aspect of my Latinx heritage claiming my Indio as well as my African side. I thought we were all Raza but I guess my professors lied.

“Your job is to give back to the community” I could hear Professor Cordova’s words echo around the cell. Giving back to the community was priority number one and as a young college student that’s exactly what I wanted to do I wanted to help mi gente but not everyone wants to help us. I learned that the hard way.

They bickered back and forth let her go to no 72 hour hold they had to wait on someone much more qualified to make that decision I don’t remember her name or her partners name. She reminded me of my high school teacher awkward hippy looking white lady with her short black sidekick.

I answered all the questions correctly as I was told by Chad even if I lied on some. I cracked a joke and made them laugh brought them at ease.

I could see the frustration on Officer Encino’s face he was disappointed everyone had agreed I really didn’t need to be taken to the psychiatric ward.

He should be happy I thought why would he want me to go through so much unnecessary pain. But then I remembered that he wasn’t there to help me he was there to destroy me and to make this all the much unbearable.  That friendly Latino face I thought I could trust gone can’t trust my own people. They say they do it with the pretext that they care I didn’t believe it I could never believe it Cucarachas I muttered.

I got home roughly at around 9:20pm I’d been there for hours no BDubs for me.

I wasn’t even mad or irritated I was relieved. I sent you a text out of courtesy not because I thought you’d care. I could care less of me too. I responded to her text cause I felt like she cared or at least acts like it I mean I can act too. I’m not the best actress but I did play Iago in high school and very well at least that’s what Ms. Pilaf would have said.

I tucked myself in bed and was visited by my first born, Mjolnir. Cat’s are such mysterious creatures its as if they know; they show affection in a way people and dogs can’t. He cuddled right next to me grooming the bits of hair I had frizzled everywhere. I had forgotten what it felt like just this ball of fluff purring right next to me rubbing his head on mine. It had been a long day all I can say is I’m glad that shit’s over.

  PS:

I don’t want to brag but I got some badass skills to be a magnificent author I guess Ms. Vazquez was right I am a writer and I feel like I am a much more honest person with my feeling when I write. To those of you who have read this little piece thank you.

[ifloremthenipsum-blog]

Bullet wounds were a bitch all on their own. Being sliced and diced while awake to get the bullet out? Now that was pretty damn bad. Maybe it might knock the whole ‘being shot’ thing out of first place.

Pain burned brightly in her chest but its presence, at the very least, meant that she was still alive. It seemed to blossom the more that she thought about it. It pulses as though alive. Its edges stretched out like fingers clawing to expand their reach.

Estela sucked in a shuddering breath, biting back a groan. This was one of those injuries that would ache for weeks. Slayer healing could only do so much for a decreased recovery time.

“Mal.” Her voice cracked, hoarse. what a fucking case of dry mouth. Estela swallowed, tried again. “Mal?”

"You’re awake.” Savannah had dark circles under her eyes as if she hadn’t been sleeping. She was smiling nonetheless. How long had she been awake? Bigger question, Estela tried to push herself up on her elbows with little success, how long had she been lying in this bed? “Try not to move too much. I know that you have supernatural healing but you’re still going to need time.”

Estela made a face.

“Yeah, I didn’t think you’d like that.” Savannah held out a bottle of water. Estela gladly accepted it. “Mallory’s not going to be happy that she missed you waking up. She only stepped out for a minute. I, uh, thought you’d be out for longer.”

“Healing.” Estela said by way of short explanation.

She was too busy savoring the cool water in her mouth to care about going more into detail. Given the trauma of being shot and then operated on while she was awake, she really should’ve been out for longer.

However short of a time she’d been unconscious had apparently been long enough.

As a slayer, Estela could sense the presence of vampires around her. Since Evie seemed to find some kind amusement by being around her, that instinct of hers was always being triggered. At least she knew whenever Evie was coming over to make an appearance or teasingly talk to her about something that was likely inane.

When she felt the presence of a vampire growing stronger, Estela sighed. Couldn’t Evie give her an hour to just sleep?

“Can it wait until later, Evie?” Estela asked with her eyes still closed as if that might make Evie decide to find someone else to talk to for a minute.

Silence and then, “Oh, uh, Olivia just asked me to check if you were awake. Sorry.”

Estela opened her eyes.

That wasn’t Evie.

Izzy had always been a soft-hearted thing; a child in ways that Estela had long lost. Just from the quizzical look on her face, a few things were already apparent.

Izzy was a vampire and a fairly new one at that given how hard she trying not to stare hungrily at the bloodstained bandages over her wounds. That wasn’t the part that she was curious about though. What was striking as more significant was the nervousness in her eyes. Her fidgeting, forced eye contact, stiffness to her muscles, they were all very telling signs. The fear that was there wasn’t about being a vampire, it was about being around Estela.

Interesting.

“Does Olivia know?” 

“Uh... what? Know what?” Izzy was having to make a focused effort to not stare at the bloody bandage.

“That you’re a vampire.”

That got her attention. Izzy launched into excuses that quickly led into uncertain mutterings about this and that, none of which Estela listened closely to. It seemed reasonable enough to conclude that Olivia definitely didn’t know about this change in her life. At least, for the moment, the transition hadn’t seemed to have changed Izzy’s core personality.

Given that Izzy also didn’t seem distressed about being a vampire, Estela could guess that this change had been a willing one. At least she didn’t have to be concerned with how to go about addressing an immortal vampire about snacking on and killing one of the humans.

Estela dropped back onto the ragged pillow with a wince. Izzy made to step forward but Estela raised a hand to stop her, “Keep your fangs to yourself or I rip out your heart. Understand?”

Cassidy never asked to have a massive, tiger-shaped shadow. She also never asked for the dead to come back to life as rotting cannibals or to have some superpowered-whatever-Aelin-was glowering at her and just downright looking at her as though she wanted to set her on fire with her mind.

(Which, judging from what she’d seen Aelin do, seemed possible.)

She certainly had never signed up for her Lysandra-tiger-shadow to get into bizarrely aggressive displays with her actual girlfriend. Lysandra had launched herself at Naomi several times, Naomi responded in kind by being unusually possessive and dominant.

In all honesty, Cassidy couldn’t say she minded the behavior from Naomi but she had no desire for this ‘competition’ between the two of them to continue especially when it seemed like it ramped up the moment that the kids were in the vicinity.

“Lysandra.” Cassidy spoke softly but it didn’t matter.

Within moments the big cat was padding right over to sit in front of her. Cassidy sat with her legs crossed in front of her.  Non-threatening, understanding as much as she could be in her confusion. Naomi had taught her a lot about body language that she hadn’t paid much attention to before.

“You’re been an enormous help to me.” Lysandra chuffed in response, a soft hum. Cassidy continued gently, “I mean it, you really have been. You’re a great teacher. Before I met you I hadn’t really fully embraced my powers. I could take on animals characteristics but I couldn’t fully shape shift into the animal itself. Now I can do both.”

Another friendly chuff. A twitched ear. The big head moved forward to rub her cheek against Cassidy’s shoulder but a held up hand stopped her. Another chuff.

“But you’re my teacher. You’re my friend. I never wanted to get between you and Aelin and whatever you have together.” Cassidy took a breath. The feline eyes seemed to narrow. “And , look, I know that whatever you’re feeling? I don’t think it’s you feeling it. With, uh, my abilities... Me and my animals, we make up a whole, you see? But with you... there’s a you and there’s a them. You’re two separate entities.”

The tiger rumbled.

“And... yeah, there’s a connection and I guess it’s an animal thing but... You understand that I love Naomi, right? I do. I love her. I’m hers, we have kids, I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Silence. “And you? You clearly love Aelin. It’s just the other part, the part that’s them, that’s interested in me.” More silence. “So, this thing where they take over and get competitive with Naomi... That can’t keep happening. Does that make sense?”

Another rumble.

Not exactly easy to understand outside of her animal form.

Estela was up and moving around within the next couple of days.

Cassidy dropped in unexpectedly with the twins to visit. It wasn’t like they didn’t see each other every day but Cassidy was just kind of that type of person. Estela would know. She used to be that very person. Gentle, optimistic, affectionate, and, hell, even full of self-sacrificing heroics.

(In the days before Eirnin, smiling and affectionate, waved over the bodyguards who would outlast him by far too long and started with, “Estela, this is Liam.”)

That last trait still managed to claw its way to the surface on occasion. It was what got her shot in the first place.

Estela was in the middle of bouncing Leah on her hip, murmuring softly in Portuguese much to the infant’s delight, when she heard the ringing, angry voice of Olivia cut through the air, “HEY!”

Wordlessly, Estela smiled at the baby even as she stepped towards a hovering Naomi to hand her back. Naomi didn’t seem particularly concerned about what was going on while Cassidy was the opposite. Estela just brushed her finger across Sophie’s cheek until she felt Olivia come into range.

One second she was facing Naomi, Cassidy and their daughters. The next, she had turned on the spot and held Olivia’s fist in her hand to stop her from punching the back of her head.

“Calm down.” Estela said.

Olivia, venomous and looking ready to bash her head in, just wrenched her fist away.

“Calm down? Calm down? That’s all you have to say?” Olivia made to shove against her chest to no avail. A slayer was hardly about to be moved by some girl with no real muscle mass. “You fucking, you threatened Izzy! You threatened to kill my girlfriend, you sociopath!”

“No, I didn’t.” Estela said.

“You fucking liar—”

“Not a liar,” Estela said again, still unperturbed by the cold rage that Olivia was throwing in her face, “I didn’t threaten.”

“Yes, you—”

“No, I promised. And I will stick to it. As long as she keeps her end of the deal of keeping her fangs to herself, I won’t have to hold up my promise.” Estela said. A part of her wondered when she’d become this person. Dismissive, matter-of-fact in the face of someone so obviously hurting. Once she would have tried everything to help a stranger in distress.

Now she was looking some girl in the face and promising to kill her vampire girlfriend if a single fang was out of line.

“She’s not going to hurt anyone! I know her!”

One of the infants whimpered in distress. They clearly didn’t like the anger. Estela’s eyes narrowed. It was her turn to push Olivia except she was far more effective. With a simple twist and shove she had turned Olivia around and prodded her to start walking away from the kids.

“You’re right, you know her better than I do.” Estela said once they were farther away. She could hear Cassidy faintly cooing at one of the girls to try to calm her.

Olivia looked confused but triumphant. Her chin rose a little higher.

“But you don’t know her as well as you did either.” The pleased expression fell away. 

Her mouth opened to protest but Estela waved her away, “No, you don’t. You knew your living, breathing girlfriend enough to know that she wanted to be a vampire in the first place, that’s one...”

But Olivia’s face had fallen slightly. It was a split second before her face closed off but it was enough.

“That should make my point even better for me. You didn’t know she wanted to be a vampire. She didn’t tell you. You missed that part of what was going on with her and now there’s nothing to be done about it. So, who are you to assume you know undead, predatory Izzy better than you knew living, gentle Izzy?” Olivia was silent. Her face was stormy. Another few moments and Estela figured her resentment would soon be palpable. “Your girlfriend’s dangerous now. She’s a predator just as much as Evie and Cecilia are. If she’s hungry, she can be just as uncontrollable and feral as Lysandra. She isn’t fully the girl you knew anymore. She’s as dangerous as any of the others with powers, myself included. And we are dangerous, Olivia. All of us. You should remember that for your own sake.”

It wasn’t a threat (or a promise). It was just a fact. Apparently one that Olivia hadn’t truly thought about. She couldn’t come up with a reply as Estela turned her back on her.