edrecoveryandflourishing

[miutonium]

Its 4 am, I should be sleeping but why is it that I just have the urge to draw and ship her with a pathetic nerd gf??

[venerawrites]

Can I request Naruto with a single mama? Her little 1 yr old is a little unsure at first but comes to ADORE Naruto. Please and thank you!

Author's note: I am finishing my written assignments for uni this and next week, so I'm being extra slow with the requests, for which I am sorry :( Anyway, this request was super cute and I loved writing it! Hope you enjoy and thank you for requesting!

Becoming a war hero almost overnight sounds like a dream come true for every shinobi. All the years of pain, sweat and blood finally being recognised and appreciated by the people was something that rarely happened through history, and even when it did, most of the time it didn't last long.

But Naruto was no ordinary war hero - he was once the most hated person in Konoha, who despite everything remained loyal to his village and his friends. Filled with hope and ambition for the future, he proved himself as an excellent shinobi and most importantly, a good potential leader. So when Kakashi gave up his position as the Hokage, there was no question about who should be his successor.

Everything in his life fell into place pretty quickly after that - he bought a house, he started volunteering at the academy and the hospital during weekends, and also became the best man to Shikamaru and Temari's wedding. The boy that was once called a "freak" was now the "man of progress" - a symbol of prosperity and inspiration to many children across the Land of Fire. Tales and songs were already written in his name, and to him, it still felt unreal.

With fame came also attention. In the beginning, he loved it. Having women competing for his affection was fun and also very new for him - never has anyone asked him out on a date or given him gifts before. It did stroke his ego and for the first months after he became a Hokage, he entertained such advances. After all he was a single man, so why not? Perhaps one of these women would one day turn out to be the one.

Days became months, months became years and soon he found that almost all of his friends were either married or engaged. So far it never bothered him, but after Sakura and Sasuke came back carrying a child in their arms, he started to seriously think about what he wanted.

Years ago, if anyone has asked him what he seeks in a partner, his answer would've easily been his teammate. But since then a lot has changed, including him. He was more mature and level-headed now, and looking back, he realised what he felt toward the pink-haired kunoichi was not real love, but rather a childish crush. She was his best friend and he had deep respect for her, but even he realised how incompatible their personalities were and how his teenage self had an unrealistic idea of who she actually is.

Naruto was the definition of fire. He often acted based on his emotions and while he was better at self-control than he was before, there were still moments when he slipped up and let his inner thoughts take over his rationality. The last thing he needed was someone who had the same burning soul. Quite the opposite - he yearned for calmness. His heart needed to be both loved and protected by someone who can balance him.

This realisation felt heavier with each day. To have someone by his side soon became a mirage - no matter how often he attempted to give a chance to someone, the spark was just never there. All these women looked differently and talked differently, but ultimately they all gave him the same feeling - emptiness.

"Everything comes with time", Kakashi said to him, when he noticed him sitting by himself at Ino and Sai's wedding. The blonde man just smiled, weakly nodding at his sensei, not having the energy to oppose him. At this point, he wanted nothing more than to just finish his drink and head home to rest for the early morning meeting he had the next day.

Like almost everything in his life, however, this didn't go to plan. He was just about to stand up from his place, when his eyes locked with yours across the room. "She is definitely not from here", he thought, as you directed a small smile at him, lifting your glass in the air, before returning your attention to Ino, who was eagerly explaining her honeymoon plans to you. Naruto assumed you were not a shinobi as well, as he was sure he would've remembered you if he had encountered you in the past.

Before he can think about what he was doing, he was already walking toward the table where you and the bride were sitting. Pulling the chair next to Ino and opposite you, he slumped on it, his eyes dancing between you two.

"Can I join you, ladies?", he asked, despite the fact he already had. You both nodded and he grinned in response, before turning toward Ino and laying his hand on her shoulder:

"Congratulations on your marriage, Ino! Sai is a lucky guy!"

"You bet he is!", she laughed, nudging you with her elbow. Expecting such a response from her, you only rolled your eyes, shaking your head with a small smile. There was no room for disagreement, however - while Ino had quite a personality, she was one of the most kind and sincere people you have ever met. No wonder you became friends so quickly after she was sent to a mission in your village and you preserved that friendship despite the distance and all the years that have passed.

"Oh!", the bride suddenly exclaimed, grabbing your hand and almost shoving it into the blonde man’s face, "Naruto, this is Y/N. She has been my friend for... How many? Almost 10 years now! She is originally from the Curtain Village, but has been travelling for a while now."

"The Curtain Village? Isn't that the capital of Land of Silence?"

"It is", you confirmed, shaking his hand once he put it in yours. Noticing the slight furrow of his brows, you were quick to add with a smirk: "I am not a criminal that is here to blow up a wedding, if that is what you are thinking."

Letting out a scoff, Naruto looked a few times between you and Ino, before laughing nervously. He still hadn't let go of you, continuing to shake your arm up and down.

"What? I-you... I didn't-", he stammered, looking over to the bride for help. It was true a very brief thought of suspicion flashed through his mind hearing where you were from, but how can anyone blame him? The Land of Silence was a country of lawlessness, full with criminals and terrorist, all of them sharing the same hatred for Five Great Shinobi.

"Oh, don't listen to her, she is joking!", Ino laughed, before turning toward you and gently slapping you on the shoulder. Her eyes moved to the middle of the table, above which the Hokage was still holding your hand, his whole face flushed bright red. The minute of silence must have caught the man's attention, because soon after he let go of you, moving his fingers behind his body and nervously scratching his neck.

"Not weird at all", your friend muttered, before turning toward you, "Y/N, this is Naruto! A childhood friend, a war hero, the current Hokage... and also a man who does not know how to act like a normal human being in front of a beautiful woman."

He immediately opened his mouth to protest but was stopped the second your laugh reached his ears. This has to be the most melodic and beautiful sound he has ever heard. Too lost admiring it, he didn't pay any attention to Ino, who excused herself, giving you both a knowing look. He noticed only a few minutes later your shared friend is missing and he mentally cursed himself of how he was behaving. His teenage years were long gone, why couldn't he compose himself like the grown man he is?

"So, Hokage...", the title sounded almost seductive from your lips, "What was a man of such importance doing by himself at the bar? One would think you would be the centre of attention tonight. After the bride and groom, of course."

The tone of your voice combined with the sparkle in your eyes was enough for him to be able to barely keep focus on what you were actually saying. Squirming in his seat, he nervously laughed, wondering for how long were you watching him before he approached you. He must have looked like a complete fool sitting by himself ordering glass after glass and only occasionally being spoken to by the passing guests. Definitely not the impression he wanted to leave.

"I just... needed some time away from people. I didn't know Ino and Sai had THAT many friends", his words made you laugh and he instantly beamed at the sound, happy he was the one causing it.

"What about you? You here with someone?"

The slight nod of your head made his heart drop to his stomach and the corners of his mouth moved downward into a frown. Was it surprising? You were a beautiful woman after all, of course the chances for you to be taken were high. He sure as hell was disappointed though. A tiny part of him was hoping that you were here by yourself and that maybe, just maybe, he would have the chance to get to know you more.

Seeing the way his whole expression darkened, you bit back a smile, nodding your head to the end of the large room. There, in a corner, one baby boy and two little girls, one of which was Sarada, were enthusiastically smashing plastic toys around, being supervised by smiling Sakura.

"I am accompanied by the fine gentleman over there", you pointed to the boy, before laughing, "But I think he may be too occupied at the moment to even remember I exist."

Naruto followed the direction of which your finger was pointing and he suddenly felt his body relax. Oh. You were talking about that type of company.

"Is that your brother?"

Raising your brow at him, you gave him a small smirk, finding his question cute. There was something about this man that was both extremely sweet, yet attractive - perhaps it was the innocence he radiated, while looking so strong and masculine.

"You are flattering me", your attention moved back to the child, who was now trying to communicate something with Sarada, "This is my son, actually."

"Your son?", his voice came out louder and squeakier than expected and he immediately added, "It's just... you look so young, heh. Not that is a bad thing, you know? You are beautiful! Your son is also beautiful... Not in a creepy way, I mean he looks a lot like you and-"

The words suddenly got stuck in his throat and he loudly gulped, already fearing the disaster he just created. Expecting you to stand up and leave, or maybe even slap him, he was shocked when all you did was to just grab his hand and give it a little squeeze.

"You sure blabber a lot for a Hokage", you joked, before standing up, "Excuse me just for a minute."

Blue eyes followed your body across the room, curiously watching how you picked up the small boy in your arms and placed it on your hips, before making your way back. Now that he was getting closer, Naruto could fully appreciate the striking resemblance the child had with you. You had dressed him in a little blue shirt and black pants, which was complementing your dress with the same colours.

“Wow! He is literally your twin! Dad must be jealous”, he laughed nervously once you were just few feet away. The mention of he word “dad” made your body stiffen and you adjusted your baby’s position, so you can both sit comfortably.

“I doubt that - that man didn't even have the decency to show up for his child's birth, let alone acknowledge his existence .”

The blonde almost chocked on his drink, hitting his chest a few times. Was it bad to feel so good after hearing you say these words? He would never dream of wishing any child to grow up without a father, yet something inside of him felt almost relieved.

"Oh?", his posture relaxed and he raised one eyebrow, "So you are single mother?"

The answer was obvious, but he needed to be 100% sure - the last thing he wanted was to ruin someone's relationship, especially when there is a child involved. The nod of your head and the small smile were the final assurance he needed and without further word, he moved to the seat next to you which was previously occupied by Ino.

The sudden movement startled the baby in your arms and it immediately turned its head to the side, curiously observing the man.

"Hi, little one! My name is Naruto. Oh my, you are very cute!"

Uzumaki was good with kids. Maybe it was because of his friendly appearance or the fact he was full with energy, just like them, but there has not been a single child so far that didn't adore him from the moment they laid their eyes on him. Even Sarada, much to Sasuke's dismay.

The look that your son was giving him, however, was anything but impressed. Staring at him with his big eyes, he didn't even move a muscle, as if he was challenging him to a staring contest.

Can babies even challenge someone? Naruto never thought so, but he could swear the boy's brows furrowed just a bit, enough for him to send a clear message: "I may be cute, but you are not and neither is your attempt to impress my mom."

"He is very shy", you said, bouncing him on your lap. As a result to your constant travels due to your job, he didn't had a lot of interactions with other children or with people in general. Growing up without a father, he was very attached to you and any unknown person was always treated with suspicion.

To you he was just being cautious. To the man to your right, however, he was protective. The look he has given him was not one of a timid child, quite the opposite - he may be small, but he loved his mama and was not about to let a random man come and sweep her off her feet. Even if he was the Hokage himself.

"Well, I would love to get to know him", the man smiled, before lifting his eyes to yours, "and you, of course! Maybe... I can take you out on a dinner or something?"

"No", the word fell out of your child's mouth, before you can even start replying. Naruto looked at him, noticing the small pout that was now formed on his chubby face. Biting his lip, the Uzumaki tried his best to contain his laugh and remain serious. Not that he didn't respect the little man and how he tried to protect you, but he was so small and cute, it was hard to take him seriously.

"Hey, that is not nice!", you said to your son, giving him a look. He, however, didn't even acknowledge you, his whole attention trained on the man next to you.

"I am sorry, he just learned the word "no", and now he keep saying it at the most random times."

The blonde nodded with a smile, knowing that this was definitely NOT a random time.

"But to answer your question, WE would love to go on a dinner with you!", you adjusted the baby in your arms and the shift finally made him look at you. With a smile, you pressed a kiss to his temple, before looking back at the Hokage: "I am staying with Ino for the next three weeks. Pick us up tomorrow at 8?"

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

The next day Naruto was half an hour early to the arranged time. Too scared to knock on the door and look way too eager to see you, he decided to wait outside, almost giving Ino a heart attack once she opened the door and nearly bumped her head in his chest.

"Naruto, what the hell are you doing just standing in front of my door?"

"Uh... Waiting?", he scratched the back of his head nervously, wishing there was a hole in the ground that can swallow him whole. It was not like this was his first date ever, why was he nervous about?

Deep inside he knew the answer - it was not you who was making him anxious, but your son. The way their first interaction went woke something competitive in him and now he was determined to prove himself as a man, good enough to be a partner and a father.

Being the village's hero he hasn’t faced a challenge like this for a while, so while he thought a bit of smooth talking and play time with your child were enough to win your son over, it seemed to make the situation even worse. The child refused to play with him and instead was clinging to you the whole time, giving Naruto such a look, which could only be described as a glare.

"He is not usually like this", you said at the end of your date, when you were both saying your 'goodbyes' in front of Ino's house, "I am really sorry if it made you uncomfortable or-"

Before you can finish, big calloused fingers pressed themselves to your lips, silencing you. You were glad that your son was now asleep, as he saw the gesture, he would surely cry, just like he did every time Naruto tried to grab your hand or touch you in any way during dinner.

"Hey, I think it is completely normal", the blonde let out a short breathy laugh, moving his eyes between the child and your face, "He just want to protect his mother. If I was him, I would be the same..."

Looking down, you carefully considered his words. You avoided dating after your ex left you once he found you are pregnant, so you never had the chance to observe your baby boy around men. But looking at his behaviour now, the Hokage's words made sense.

Thankfully for you, the Uzumaki was not a man who gave up easily. Pressing a kiss to your cheek, he invited you both to go and visit him the next day in the Hokage tower. He promised to give you a tour around and grab a lunch with you during his break.

For the three weeks you were in Konoha, you spend every single day with Naruto. He started going to work extra early, just so he can leave on time to pick you up and show you another one of his favourite spots around Konoha. For everyone around you, it was obvious you were absolutely whipped for one another and all this extra effort from his side seemed almost unnecessary in their eyes. For him, however, it was more than necessary, especially since your shared future was depending on it.

As a teacher, you built your job around travelling - you loved sharing your knowledge with the world, as well gaining new one from each place you visited. Such life was busy and demanding, especially for a single parent, but the pros outweighed the cons significantly.

Naruto refused to directly ask you to move to Konoha permanently, but his intentions were pretty clear - he never missed a chance to point out how good the Academy is, how there is a higher education institution being build right now and how gifted the kids in the village were. In the beginning, you didn't give any indication you were even considering staying, but after a while you started to show your interest in your own way - mainly by asking questions about the job market, the teachers in the Academy and in general the life in Konoha.

His relationship with your son also improved drastically. At first, the child stopped "glaring" at him and actually trusted him to come near you. Then, a few days later, he agreed for the first time to play ball with him and at the end of your walk in the park, he even fell asleep in Naruto's arms. By the time you had to leave, your son was so attached to the blonde, he refused to let go of his neck and go in your arms.

"We need to go, darling", you muttered tiredly, trying to detach him from the Hokage.

"No", he cried even louder, "Mama - bye!"

Letting out a loud laugh, Naruto adjusted the little boy in his arms, so he frees one hand and takes yours in it.

"Maybe mama would consider staying", he said, his grin transforming into a soft smile. Squeezing your fingers between his, he tugged you toward him, wrapping his free hand around your waist.

"I won't force you to stay if you do not want to... but I really, really wish you would consider it! I know we have been knowing each other for weeks, but damn, I am in love with you! And I love this little guy here", he looked over the child in his arms, that was now snuggling in his chest, giving you the biggest puppy eyes, "He does feel like my son. And if you leave... I may have to follow you till you agree to come back. And believe it, I do have some experience with making people come back!"

Letting out a giggle, you raise your brow at his words, the bag on your shoulder already falling down.

"Yeah? You would travel around the whole world just to bring us back to you?"

Closing the distance, he leaned his head to the side, so he can lay a small kiss on your lips. He pressed his forehead to yours, letting out a breath of relief once he heard your bag falling to the floor.

"I will travel to the end of the universe, if it means you will be with me."

cc artowork: Jayison Devadas

[kingedmundsroyalmurder]

Blue Castle Book Club 2.0 - Chapter 9

Okay, new week, new me, new unrelated story that ate my life for 20,000 words, and we’re back to Deerwood at last. We rejoin the Stirlings after a timeskip of their own, during which time Valancy has undergone a marked shift in her behavior.

Looking at the list of things Valancy does before the fateful dinner, it’s immediately notable how minor they all are:

“She did not seem to worry in the least over the fact that her mother was not speaking to her. You would never suppose she noticed it at all. She had flatly refused to take either Purple Pills or Redfern’s Bitters. She had announced coolly that she did not intend to answer to the name of “Doss” any longer. She had told Cousin Stickles that she wished she would give up wearing that brooch with Cousin Artemas Stickles’ hair in it. She had moved her bed in her room to the opposite corner. She had read Magic of Wings Sunday afternoon.”

The bit with the hair brooch feels a bit uncalled for – although no doubt Cousin Stickles has gone on and on about it for all of Valancy’s life – but even that sounds like it was a one-time event. From the narration, it sounds like Valancy mentioned once that she thought the brooch was ugly and then moved on. Much like the banister a couple paragraphs down, it sounds like Valancy is working through a wishlist of thoughts she’s always had and never been able to act on. Unlike her relations, Valancy seems to have no interest in dwelling on things. She does something because she wants to. If she finds she enjoyed it, she continues doing it. If she just wanted to do it once, she does it and moves on.

In contrast, the Stirlings are forever being described as doing the same things they always do. They don’t do things because they enjoy them, or even because they think it’s the right thing to do, they do things because those are the things they do. From the start we’ve seen Valancy be able to predict exactly how the canceled picnic would go, heard specifically that she and Mrs. Fredrick and Cousin Stickles talk “of the things they always talk of” at breakfast (and heard that Valancy specifically does not ever try to talk about anything else), know that Uncle Benjamin always makes the same jokes, that Christine Stickles always asks her the same questions when she leaves the house. Soon, we will learn that they all tell the same stories every time they gather together like clockwork.

Valancy announces that she shan’t go to the Anglican Church, because it is the one they have always taken her to. Her quarrel is not with the concept of going to church – and, indeed, as we move through the story Valancy does not once give up the habit of going to church – but with the fact that she has been forced all her life to go to this church. At no point does theology come into it for either Valancy or her mother.

(Aside: until I googled it I had always assumed that the “sharper than a serpent’s tooth” line was a bible quotation. I am informed that it’s Shakespeare instead, the other canon for every common English-language quotation. What are the odds that Mrs. Stirling, who does not approve of novels and so probably wouldn’t care for plays either, also believes it to be a bible quote and that’s why she pulls it out in this discussion about going to church? We’ve already seen Uncle Benjamin get taken down a peg for thinking he’s more cultured than he is with the mirage/mirazh discussion. Is Montgomery further making fun of the Stirlings here?)

(Second aside: when it rained on Valancy’s birthday, it just rained. The line is, “If it had not rained” – the rain is a force of nature. When it rains on the Sunday before the silver wedding, it is a “special mercy of Providence”, because we’re in Mrs. Fredrick’s head rather than Valancy’s or the narrative’s. Mrs. Stirling is the main character of her own life, so of course everything that happens around her is done on purpose by God for her benefit.)

They take Valancy to Aunt Alberta and Uncle Herbert’s silver wedding because it would “make talk” if they left her behind. They either don’t have the imagination to pretend that she’s ill – something that wouldn’t surprise anyone – or they know that the various uncles would be upset that they were not immediately informed of Valancy’s illness before hand.

“It was so important that Valancy should be kept in good humour, if possible, until it was over. Mrs. Frederick did not reflect that this was the first time in her life that she had thought it necessary to consider Valancy’s humours.”

Kind of sums up the entire relationship between Valancy and her mother right there, doesn’t it?

Roaring Abel appears! Roaring Abel who is absolutely poking fun at the Stirling women with his exaggerated courtesies.

““I cannot understand why the judgment of the Lord has not fallen upon that man long ere this,” said Mrs. Frederick petulantly, as if she thought Providence was very dilatory and ought to have a gentle reminder.”

Once again, Mrs. Fredrick believes that Providence operates at her beck and command. Which is especially stark in contrast to Abel and his Presbyterian belief in predestination.

Valancy, in taking control of her own life, has moved from feeling attacked and judged by everyone she sees to being able to find solidarity with people she sees. Before, she assumed Dr. Stalling could read her mind and the friends on Lover’s Lane were laughing at her. Now, she feels a kinship with Roaring Abel. She has not only stopped listening to her mother in practice, she has also evicted her mother’s voice from her inner monologue at last.

“By this time they had reached Maple Avenue and Uncle Herbert’s house, a large, pretentious structure peppered with meaningless bay windows and excrescent porches. A house that always looked like a stupid, prosperous, self-satisfied man with warts on his face.”

Just because Uncle Herbert and Aunt Alberta are nice doesn’t mean they aren’t Stirlings, which means they get an ugly house. And not just an ugly house, but one will with showy excess – meaningless windows and porches, that serve no purpose but to convey to passers by that the inhabitants can afford windows and porches.

Colors mentioned:

Brown silk dress

Allowed to wear white

Flame-red flag of revolt and protest [Bahorel Les Mis has entered the chat]

Valancy is not colorless by choice. Valancy is colorless specifically because her family has forbidden them to her. Aunt Isabel decreed that Valancy should never wear colors – she is who she is because they made her that way, not because of any inherent colorlessness of her own.

[talesofourworlds]

A few questions from the mun meme!:

How do you describe writing / rp to others?

Are you happy with how your favorite canon muse was portrayed in canon?

Who was your first OC?

Appearance or story first when you develop an OC?

How do you describe writing/rp to others?

(ooc: Truthfully, I don't really. The last people I had to explain it to was the couple we were catsitting for back in 2022, and you were there so that helped. But otherwise I guess if I had to describe it, my go to would be 'Oh, it's like writing a story with another person where you control x number of characters and build off each other.' But since I don't really tell people I know outside the internet much about my roleplaying these days, with the exception of my sister who already knows, I just... don't.)

Are you happy with how your favorite canon muse was portrayed in canon?

(ooc: That depends entirely on the character in question, because for the most part I am happy with how each of them was portrayed. But then you get to characters like Alisha and it's like 'No I absolutely am not happy. She deserved so much better than the treatment she was given by the writers and the story and the world and let me tell you every single thing I wish was different.' But for characters like say... Rinwell. I absolutely love how she was portrayed, but I do wish we'd gotten a little bit more like I dunno, some conversation between her and Dohalim following everything with Almeidrea happening. But that's what fanfics and roleplay are for.)

Who was your first OC?

(ooc: The earliest ones I can remember are from before I was really online, and they were a pair of TLK lion cubs named Mirage and Onyx that were a white lion cub and a black lion cub respectively for... some reason. And also a The Cat Returns OC that was Yuki and Prince Lune's daughter who had rainbow wings for... some reason. They were terrible, but I kind of look fondly on them because it shows how far I've come. But I do not plan on bringing any of them back.)

Appearance or story first when you develop an OC?

(ooc: I know it should be story first, then appearance, but most often I'll do appearance first and then story. Like... for my Lunar OCs I mentioned in the previous ask. One specifically was done design first because she already had a basis, being an OC I'd originally come up with many, many years ago but again... revamped so she resembles absolutely nothing about how she originally was. Fun fact, she used to be a boy and had her name swiped from LotR, being Shadowfax. But now she's a girl and her name is Umbris. The rest came together as I worked out that their story takes place twenty-five years after Lunar 2, and was a mix of just what made sense for what I want to do and also various ideas screaming at me.

...Wow, y'all are really getting lots of little bits about my Lunar stuff today. xD)

[cameronhatcher]

35. cis male. he/him. dustin milligan.

Cameron Hatcher was born in Kismet Harbor, Oregon. He works as a singer. They have been back in kismet harbor since september 2023. written by dix.

Cameron was born last in his family as the youngest of four. He was also the only boy, so growing up with three older sisters gave him a unique upbringing. Instead of being interested in sports like most of his cousins, Cam mainly stuck to himself and was quick to pick up an interest in music. He taught himself how to play the guitar when he was very young, and learned how to play several more instruments throughout his childhood. He knew he wanted to go into music, so while they were disappointed by his absence, no one in his family was surprised when he moved away to Nashville so soon after his high school graduation to pursue a career with his band.

His modern rock band, Midnight Mirage, quickly rose to fame after his move. Despite his young age when he became well known, Cameron didn’t act like a typical ‘rockstar’. He didn’t sleep around, he never got into drugs. People were often surprised when they met him and saw how soft-tempered he was. He went out and he drank and he had fun, but he was still more responsible than the rest of his bandmates. 

When they were 19, the band got a new guitarist named Parker. She was strikingly beautiful, but Cameron wanted to remain professional for the sake of the band. He didn’t want to pursue something, have it not work out, and ruin everything that he’d spent so many years building. He craved a healthy love life, but his first love would always be his band. When the two were in their early twenties, their attraction grew too strong to ignore, and they officially started dating by the time they were 22. 

Parker was someone who seemed to struggle with commitment, so Cameron waited until they were well established and dating for years before proposing to her. Much to his delight, she accepted, and they both knew it would be a long engagement before they finally tied the knot. With him spending most of his spare time writing songs, and both of them being on tour together often, there was no time for wedding planning. It wasn’t until they were 33 that they had a break in tour schedules that Cam was finally able to start planning for their eventual wedding.

Everything seemed to be perfect, until the end of that year the night before they were supposed to leave for their next North American tour. Unknown to him, his beautiful fiance left while he was asleep and would never return. When he woke up the next morning, he was frantically searching for her. He called her phone, her family, his family, all of their bandmates but he had no luck. She was gone, without a word or explanation. He didn’t even have any time to process the loss because Cam needed to leave for his band’s tour. 

With the band down a guitarist and no back up prepared, Cameron had to take over and play guitar as well as singing for the first leg of the tour. Unfortunately for him, the fans and media noticed the obvious disappearance of Parker and people were starting to speculate on why she wasn’t there. Rumors began to spread about their relationship and people started asking him questions that he didn’t have answers for. After an excruciatingly long year with no word from his estranged fiance, the tour finally concluded. Once the tour ended, Cameron decided that it would be best for him to move out of the home him and Parker shared in Nashville and flew back home to Kismet Harbor so he could process his grief and have the support of his family.

[kittymsmithwritesstuff]

The Legends React To: Being Handed a Baby

This involves some Pathfinder Book Lore, but its pretty minor.

Bloodhound: Was handed a baby by an overexcited fan at an event. The baby cried at their mask but started to calm down when they began speaking softly; Bloodhound figured it was because the baby recognized their voice from HoloTV. They’re secretly fond of babies and little children, so they might take a little longer to give the child back to its parent than expected, and they might have spent the rest of the event musing, a little sadly, whether or not they and Boone would have ended up with a child.

Gibraltar: Dude loves kids, though he prefers it when they can start running and playing versus when they’re tiny and breakable. Still, babies are cute, and every time he gets handed one at an event, whether it be family or Apex related, he’s ready to be the cool uncle.

Lifeline: Some Apex Exec wanted a picture of the great Lifeline holding his baby for internet points and so just sort of shoved it in her arms. She doesn’t really know what to do with babies. In theory she knows how to keep one alive, but in practice she’s not really run into many in warzones so she just kind of holds it by the torso before eventually moving it to her hip and asking how it’s day has been. Strangely, babies adore her.

Pathfinder: Immediately tries to ask the baby about its hobbies before it starts bawling because it’s being held by some weird metal hands with rubber finger pads and it feels weird. He might love the miniature friends, but they do not love him.

Wraith: She gets roped in to helping Wattson babysit for some Apex Games higher-up and was handed the baby-baby immediately upon arriving so Wattson could chase after the toddler. In short, she finds babies fascinating, with their weird little fingers and huge eyes. She likes talking to them and seeing their reactions, and wonders frequently if she might have had a kid or something before. She acts uninterested because she finds it a little embarrassing to actually like babies, but she never has objected to helping Wattson babysit.

Bangalore: She might have been the baby of her family, but the Williamses is a huge clan and she had tons of little cousins forced into her arms over the years, to the point she still isn’t even surprised if one is handed off to her, and hasn’t questioned it the few times it has happened at events. Like Gibraltar, she prefers it when the kids are old enough to cause a little trouble. Her favorite game to play with babies is peekaboo and she finds the faces they make when she blows a raspberry at them hilarious. She will take these facts to her grave.

Caustic: He holds enough sympathy to find somebody else more capable to hold it, or a decently supportive armchair to leave it in, maybe tape something shiny to the forehead to make sure no one sits on it. But this would only be applicable if anyone actually handed him a baby.

Mirage: Kids! Kids are cool, was a camp counselor that one summer. It was to pick up chicks (and maybe that one guy was kind of cute but he was still questioning that one) but kids were also super fun. Babies? Babies were confusing, babies cry. He’s the baby brother, but unlike Bangalore he didn’t have a bunch of little cousins, he just had himself, so tiny wiggly humans kind of leave him at a loss. He desperately wants a couple of his own one day, though, so he’s taking the numerous occasions fans hand him babies (and try to get him to sign them(he does not)) as a learning opportunity. Many funny faces are made. Many tiny humans have cried. His faces have gotten better since Wraith started bringing him along on her babysitting…missions? Assignments? Either way, there’s a lot less crying babies at events now.

Octane: He actually knows how to hold one because of those health classes in school that his dad and Lifeline forced him to actually go to. If someone just hands him a baby for whatever reason, he’s actually pretty chill about it and definitely doesn’t miss out on the selfie opportunity. It isn’t advisable to leave him alone, though, cause the baby’s first word is liable to be a curse word, and probably in Spanish.

Wattson: She’s always happy to see a new little face! But only one or two at a time. Beyond that babies can get overwhelming, especially if they start crying. It actually isn’t that uncommon for Wattson to just be handed a baby since she grew up with a lot of the executives and staff around the Games and, particularly after her Papa passed, took to babysitting a lot of their kids to avoid being alone. She’s thought a lot of having her own little family, like her and her Papa, except it would be nice to have someone to raise a baby with.

Crypto: Mystik did adopt him and his sister, but that didn’t mean they were exempt from helping in the orphanage. Dude knows how to change, feed, soothe, entertain, and understand babies better than a lot of parents. He doesn’t get handed babies anymore because he keeps his hands firmly in his pockets or otherwise occupied, but on the rare occasions he visits home, he inevitably has an infant cooing in his lap. He’s often thought that the first thing he wants to do whenever he can finally go back to a normal life is find someone, settle down, and adopt a couple kids.

Revenant: Ever wondered what it would sound like if a baby was slam dunked through a basketball hoop? You’ll find out if you give him a baby.

Loba: Imagine the face a cat makes after licking a lemon, and that’s about Loba’s reaction to being handed an infant. She has no idea how to hold one or what to do with it, and she’s not particularly motivated to learn. She doesn’t hate them or anything, she’ll smile and wave at them in the grocery store and is about as happy as anybody else is when you get a random baby to smile at you, but there’s too many potential tragedies associated with the things for her taste. Also, the poop.

Rampart: Will flat out ask someone why the hell they just handed her a baby. Basically a more responsible Octane, except the kid is gonna come back cussing in Hindi. Babysat for money until she was 13 and figured out giant guns were a lot more lucrative and involved a lot less spit-up.

Horizon: She’s always overjoyed! She adores babies, and babies adore her. She is the only Legend to have asked someone if she could hold their baby. She has also been known to wander off with stranger’s children  because she just gets so distracted interacting with them at both scientific and Apex oriented events, but it only caused a little scene once and after that it became, “where’s your kid?” “Horizon’s got ‘em” “Oh cool.” It helps to fill the Newton shaped void in her heart a little better than the vacuum.

Fuse: Got handed a kid a couple times on Salvo, being the cool uncle to Maggie’s nieces and nephews. Though he’s the ideal uncle for 8-12 year olds, he’s cool with babies, makes funny faces, pretends to hold a long-winded conversation for the baby’s amusement and his. Maggie always made fun of him for it in a friendly way, it’s one of the things he misses. Nobody’s handed him a baby since he left Salvo though. He’s kinda disappointed sometimes.

Valkyrie: Doesn’t really “do” babies; it’s something her and Loba agree on, though Valkyrie looks less like she licked a lemon and more like a pianist who’s been handed a cello and told to play Fur Elise; she just flat out doesn’t know what to do with them and does not care. Her mom tried to get her to babysit growing up, but she always had the tendency to vanish when the idea of responsibility reared its ugly head. If handed a baby, she will hand it to the next nearest Legend and immediately vacate the premises.

[chronicallylatetotheparty]

Stay Peachy: Kwamibuster

Summary: With Ladybug out of commission Chat Noir is the only one who can stop Kwamibuster... If only everyone would just work with him here!

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

"Let me get this straight. Tikki's captured. Ladybug's powerless and captured, I was this close to losing you too but you won't tell me where Master Fu is? Am I missing anything?" Adrien asked Plagg.

Plagg twitched nervously. "But- but-"

"You have five seconds to give me a good alternative or we're going to see Fu," Adrien announced.

"You could distract Kwamibuster while Ladybug escapes!" Plagg tried.

Adrien crossed his arms and glared. "I said a good alternative! You getting caught isn't good for anyone!"

"Might be good for Ladybug?" Plagg shrugged his arms and gave his most convincing grin.

"Sure! I'll just hand Papillon the other kwami he needs while I have to use a banana suit to protect my identity or something!" Adrien replied sarcastically.

"You'd love that wouldn't you." Plagg knew Adrien. There was a good chance-

The sound of a door being blown off it's hinges echoed down the hallway as Kwamibuster started searching the floor they were on. "Where are you, little cat? I already have a ladybug for my insect collection. Now I just need a small mammal!"

Plagg gave his best kitty cat eyes.

Adrien didn't budge.

Plagg's arms drooped. "Okay, okay! Let's just get outa here first!"

"Knew you'd see things my way." Adrien smirked.

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

Master Fu was having a nice, calming, afternoon tea with Wayzz when there was an insistent banging at his door. Wayzz hiding at the sound.

The Guardian sighed. "Who could that be?"

The banging got louder.

"Patience! I am coming! What's the big-"

A blond headed blur shot in and slammed the door shut.

"So this is where you live. Nice place ya got here. Ladybug's in trouble and I need more Miraculous!" Adrien's words tumbling out in a rush as his heartbeat jumped up his throat. Maybe I should have used the window.

"Chat Noir!?" Fu's eyes nearly popping out of his head in surprise.

"Sorry, Master." Plagg appeared, uncharacteristically serious, ears low. "It was an emergency."

"Plagg!?" This was unprecedented! Yes, the Kwami of Destruction was the most free spirited of those in the Miracle Box. But even he knew the importance of secrecy! "What are you doing-"

"Ladybug's in trouble! I just said that!" Adrien supposed he could have worded it better... But also: Ladybug was in trouble! And he was in a hurry!

The Guardian glanced from boy to kwami. Who nodded. "Very well," Fu conceded. Going to the gramophone and entering the code. Bringing out the Miracle Box which he set in its usual place when Marinette came. "Adrien Agreste, choose an ally to help you on this mission. Remember that they mist return the Miraculous once the mission is complete."

Adrien stared as the Miracle Box opened. Kneeling down in imitation of the Guardian's pose. He hadn't known there were so many Miraculous! One of them surely had the power to help! Only...

"What is it Chat Noir?"

Adrien looked up at Master Fu's face. "I dunno what most of these do."

The Guardian sighed. "This is exactly why it should be Ladybug who chooses the temporary hero."

"Hey, it's not my fault you decided she was the only one who could know things!" So this is what being Chat Noir without the mask felt like. "I'm-" Adrien paused as a thought hit him. "Oh. Oh!"

"... Yes?" Master Fu prompted.

"I just realized how dumb it is that I'm not supposed to know the temporary heroes secret identities."

Fu blinked. "Excuse me?"

Adrien shook his head to get his thought process back on track. "Anyway!"

"Chat Noir, what did you mean by-"

"No time!" Adrien pointed at the Miraculous. "Teach!"

Grumbling something about manners Fu acquiesced.

Skipping over the ones Adrien already knew the Guardian quickly ran down the list. The Pig could show you your deepest desire? Seemed like it'd be a good distraction. The Dragon had how many abilities!? Overpowered but okay. The Mouse could make little copies of you. Heh, that sounded adorable but-

"That's it!" Adrien interrupted Fu to grab the Fox and Mouse Miraculous. Which he promptly put on.

"What are you doing!?" The Guardian exclaimed. "No holder has ever used three Miraculous before! It's too dangerous!"

"Well, I don't know who Rena Rouge is and I'm not gonna spend any more time looking!" Adrien turned to the materializing Fox and Mouse kwamis. "Sorry, we're in a bit of a hurry."

"Oh, aren't we always? Name's Trixx."

"Mullo!"

"Alright. Mullo, transforme-moi!"

Multimouse took a moment to adjust to the unfamiliar magic of his new suit.

"I really don't think this is the best course of action," Fu said, attempting to dissuade the young boy.

"Relax, Master! I'll keep him out of trouble!" Trixx announced.

Multimouse nodded as he opened a window. "Thanks. Now, c'mon Trixx, Plagg. I'll explain the plan on the way!" So saying, he launched himself skyward.

Wayzz finally emerged from his hiding place, floating towards his holder.

Fu looked at his kwami. "Oh, I hope he doesn't collapse on the way."

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

"True or false? Ladybug has disguised herself as Mr. Banana!"

Marinette was not having a good day. First, Chat Noir's kwami almost reveals her identity. Then, Tikki got captured! And now that tomcat was nowhere in sight. Marinette had barely escaped from Kwamibuster the first time and now she was cornered mere meters from the exit!

"Uh, stay peachy?!" Marinette ran for it.

But Kwamibuster leapt over her and grabbed her wrist. "You can't get away from me!"

"CHARGE!"

From the doorway came a whole swarm of kwamis! Flitting about Kwamibuster and distracting her enough for Marinette to get away.

"You can't get away from me!" Kwamibuster chased after them as they sped off. "You're no match for Kwamibuster!"

"Ladybug!"

Turning around, Marinette saw Plagg and a little guy holding onto his ears. She blinked, this was the first time she saw the Mouse Miraculous in action.

"It's me!" he declared, grinning. "Chat Noir! Or Multimouse, I guess."

"Chat Noir!?" But that meant- No, no, she could panic about that later. "Well, then you must need my Miraculous." Marinette reached for her earrings.

"Uh, no? Why would you think that?"

"Because... Nevermind. What's the plan?"

Multimouse winked. "You'll see. Make your way back to the roof!" And zipped away before Ladybug could ask more questions.

"... A Chat Noir plan. This oughta be interesting."

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

"I will capture you all!"

Kwamibuster laughed maniacally as she shot her beam at the Plagg reskins. Made by Multifox with his Mirage. And that wasn't the only part of the illusion.

"I have to say. I think Ladybug will be impressed," Plagg stated. Floating directly above the supervillain so she would need to crane her neck straight up to spot them.

"It has to work first," Multimouse replied. Still standing on top of Plagg's head. His small army made their way into position.

Now!

Multimouse's invisible doubles launched their indestructible ropes at Kwamibuster. Becoming visible as they wrapped her up like Gulliver on Lilliput.

"What!? What's going on!? Oof!" She toppled none too gently.

Wasting no time Plagg zipped down.

"No! You can't beat Kwamibuster!" She freed her blaster hand.

"Mullo, Plagg, unify!"

"Aha!" Twisting upwards she aimed the beam at Multimouse.

"Cataclysm!"

Adrien's power touched the tip of her barrel and the rust spread from it to her pack. Freeing Tikki as dark mist transformed Kwamibuster back into Mme. Mendeleiev.

Adrien merged himself back together as the akuma flew past him. "Uh, Ladybug!"

A red blur shot out and caught the akuma before it could get far. Ladybug releasing a white butterfly in its place.

Multimouse grinned. "Perfect timing as always, My Lady."

"I dunno about that." Ladybug looked around at the destroyed rooftop.

"You think it'll work without a Lucky Charm?" Multimouse asked, following her train of thought.

Ladybug looked at her yo-yo. "The akuma was purified so it should." Throwing it skyward with a little more strength than usual she called out the words. "Miraculous Ladybug!"

The cure swept around them as Ladybug's yo-yo fell back into her hands.

"Knew you could do it," Multimouse praised. "Now, I've got some errands to run-" he tapped the two Miraculous necklaces "-so you take care of Mme. Mendeleiev."

He half turned. "Oh! And sorry about my kwami. No idea what he was doing at that primary school."

"It was a- lycée, yeah. Lycée."

"Right!" He grinned. "A lycée." Totally not a collège. Giving Ladybug a two finger salute he leapt off the tower. Mme. Mendeleiev's insistence on the validity of her scientific discovery fading behind him.

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

Adrien held out his index finger to shake the kwamis' hands. "You were both a big help! Thanks."

"You weren't so bad yourself, Chat Noir," Trixx grinned.

"Yeah!" Mullo agreed. "Usually Plagg's holders are no fun but you ran circles around that kwami snatcher!"

Adrien blushed a little at their praise. "Hope we can work together again someday." The kwamis waved as they reentered their Miraculous.

Master Fu closed the Miracle Box once Adrien placed them back inside. Returning it to its hiding place. "It is quite impressive that you withstood the power of three Miraculous long enough to accomplish your task."

"... Actually it was super easy. Barely an inconvenience."

The Guardian blinked. "What?"

Adrien nodded. "Yeah, I don't think occasionally using two or three Miraculous at once is all that dangerous. Maybe if you wore a whole bunch of 'em. But why would you do that?"

Fu processed that for a bit.

Adrien sipped from his tea, awkwardly. "... So does this mean I finally get Guardian training?"

Master Fu nearly slipped as he sat back down. "Huh?"

"I mean, I already know where you are. And we've seen that if Ladybug is compromised it's better if I know what to do," Adrien reasoned out logically.

"I... That is... Uh..." Fu looked desperately at Plagg, who was gorging himself on cheese.

"Hey, don't look at me. Kid's got a point." Plagg swallowed another wedge of Camembert.

Fu slumped with a sigh. Clearly outmaneuvered. "Where should we start?"

"Potions!" Adrien exclaimed, eyes sparkling. This was going to be fun. He could feel it!

[zambie-trashart]

I Don’t Own an IPhone: Wanna Trade? 4

Masterlist

Previous: “Lila must have been akumatized again,” Nino said getting up and dragging Jon out of the store.“Let’s fix this,” Adrien said to Alya and Chloe who rolled their eyes.“Don’t think we didn’t see the way you were staring Jon up and down, it wasn’t cute,” Alya said as Trixx came out of her jacket.“Seriously Adriekins, do you even know what you want?” Chloe asked putting her comb in her hair.“Women,” Adrien sighed. “Plagg claws out!”

AHHHHHHH this was supposed to come out yesterday but I forgot to que it!

Chapter 4: Turtles and Dinner Dates

Pollinator and Hoodwink glared at Chat as they jumped through the city chasing after the akumatized Lila.

Jon watched in bewilderment  as Nino’s hand tightened on his wrist dragging him through back alleyways in the opposite direction. “Nino, where are we going? Alya, Chloe, and Adrien are still back at the cafe,” Jon asked pulling back against Nino’s grip.

“It’s better to split up during attacks trust me,” Nino said trying to come up with an excuse praying that Jon didn’t see through it.

Alya looked at the earrings in her hands sighing, she would either have to put them in now or come back later and deal with the butterfly and akumatized object in order to use the lucky charm. She could always use a mirage. 

“I am Myth Weaver and I make lies become reality! Adrien Agreste will love me,” Weaver said waving a wand in the air and Chat’s eyes widened before extending his staff out to her stopping the motion.

“Don’t let her cast any more spells,” Chat said and the girls rolled their eyes.

“Yeah, we’ll try,” Hoodwink said putting in the earrings not unifying yet but casting a perfectly planned mirage.

Marinette looked at Jon’s phone sighing as a text from Jason showed up.

From Jason Todd What hotel are you staying at? B wants to have you over for dinner He didn’t think that I could make friends How rude is that?

Marinette rolled her eyes before typing back.

To Jason Todd Who’s B? And I’m staying at Wayne Suites Hotel.

Marinette tucked the phone back into her purse before looking up to see Audrey walking toward her arms open before pulling her into a hug. “Marinette darling, let me show you the ropes of business ownership. I know that if there is one designer out there who can surpass Gabriel and his dreadful white collection it’s you. Don’t tell anyone but I’m getting a bit too old for the drama and I must go back and visit my daughter at some point. This is our Jersey studio make yourself at home,” Audrey said before running over to someone and yelling at them.

“I’ll do my best,” Marinette mumbled out before reaching for the phone in her purse.

From Jason Todd B is complicated but he’s Damian’s dad and Damian is Jon’s boyfriend, remember? One would think you’d want to meet the guy you texted right? Get to know him a bit

Marinette snorted, it was like Jason was trying to set them up or something, she exited the app before thinking. This was Jon’s boyfriend and Jon was nice, she wouldn’t want him to… no wait that wouldn’t be so bad. If Jon texted Adrien as her and she texted Damian as him then maybe they could fix any problems in their relationships, or at least her problems. She reopened the app typing aggressively.

To Jason Todd Be there at five.

From Jason Todd You’re not going to regret this

“Oh yes I am,” Marinette said to herself as Audrey came back and started guiding her through the building.

Jon’s eyes widened as a huge rock came flying at him. Sure Jon was used to danger, in fact he chased is for fun but he really wasn’t expecting an akuma on his first day in Paris. He actually wasn’t expecting any of this to be honest.

“No!” Nino yelled running back toward him. “Wayzz, shell on!” Nino called out being enveloped in green and taking a shell off his back before jumping in front of Jon blocking the rock which shattered to millions of pieces on impact. Nino breathed out a sigh of relief keeled over before turning back to Jon who’s eyes were bulging out of his face. 

“Oh my Rao, what are you Sailor Moon or some shit?” Jon asked gesturing to Nino freaking out.

“You can’t tell anyone, promise me you won’t tell anyone,” Nino said grabbing Jon’s shoulders shaking him viciously.

“Yeah, as long as you answer a couple of questions for me,” Jon said and Nino nodded. “Who are you? When and where are you meeting Superman?” Jon asked and Nino looked confused.

“They call me Protector and we’re meeting Superman in a day at midnight on the Eiffel Tower. How did you know we were meeting with Superman?” Protector asked.

“I’m a reporter’s son and I lived in Metropolis, it’s how I was raised, to follow Superman wherever he goes and get every bit of information out of the situation. I just wanted to get some pictures for my parents,” Jon said waving Protector’s question off easily. Suddenly ladybugs were flying around everywhere and they fixed the rock.

“Ladybug fixed everything, we should go meet back up with the others,” Nino said back in his regular clothes. Something seemed off, the others were so sure that Nino could keep him safe, Adrien’s name in Marinette’s phone is chaton, there’s four friends who all look somewhat similar to the heroes. Jon smirked to himself, he found the heroes of Paris and now he would be able to see Paris’ situation from a whole new angle. 

Marinette stood outside her hotel in a black dress with pink flowers crawling along the hem, hair pulled into a half ponytail, pink high heels, and a white purse with a trick pocket phone tucked in carefully along with the mouse miraculous. A fancy car pulled up in front of her and the window was lowered and Jason called out to her.

Marinette was terrified, she had figured out earlier that she would be dining with the batfamily from photos on Jon’s phone and Damian being Robin and Jon being Superboy. She also knew that she was in a car with a murderer but if anything bad happened she always had her training and Mullo up her sleeve, she would be able to shock him enough to get out of any bad situation. Jason did seem harmless enough though and she had read up on the news and it seemed that Red Hood had turned over a new leaf.

“We’re here,” Jason said rousing her from her thoughts as he opened his door walking around the car to open hers helping her out. She looked up and her eyes widened at the house, no manor, in front of her.

“You live here?” Marinette asked. The place was bigger than Gabriel’s.

“Yup, now come on we have dinner to get to,” Jason said smiling walking up the front steps and Marinette quickly followed.

Damian was not thrilled about the family dinner that was called this morning. Jason seemed insistent that the whole family meet his new friend. He just wanted the whole thing to be over so he could talk to Jon, hopefully his beloved would be up by then. He had to fight the Joker the previous night and couldn’t text him back but he didn’t want Jon to be worried or anything, he hoped the younger wasn’t mad at him.

Damian adjusted his shirt thinking, Jason had made a friend, a friend who he thought was worth the family dinner treatment. She couldn’t be his girlfriend, Jason never said he broke up with Roy so who was this girl? Damian shook his head before walking down the stairs and saw Jason and his friend, she was too good for Jason and Jason was in no way worth her time.

Marinette stared at the boy before her, this was Damian? She felt guilt crawl through her chest. He’s in a relationship, he’s in a relationship, he’s in a… holy shit he’s hotter in person. Marinette couldn’t help but admire him for a moment before remembering he was a hot asshole.

Coughing roused the three from their thoughts as Alfred stood in the doorway smiling. “Dinner is almost ready,” Alfred said and Jason nodded in the direction of the dining room letting Marinette go first. She walked into the room and eight pairs of eyes settled on her.

“Welcome to Wayne Manor,” Jason said and Marinette gulped grasping her purse, just one dinner.

Taglist (open): @jumpingjoy82 @liquid-luck-00 @megaafangirl @zorua-adorable @dreamykitty25 @pinkittwice @ghostdragonfang @ramos123 @redbullgivescaswings @jayjayspixiepop @sekhmet5 @blur-of-colours @roseisred  @nightlychaotic @ladybug-182 @novaloptr @prettylittlebutterflie @hammalammadamdam @niknak-3​ @certainmuffinbagelcalzone @chaoticstarworld @niknak-3​ @nightlychaotic​ @lunalamant​ @lovleyautumnsunflower 

[random-apex-stuff]

Glass and silverware sound throughout the bar. Elliot is in his element, serving drinks, chatting up the customers, and making people laugh. He’s never been the type to remember long words, but when someone orders a drink, it tells him a little bit about them. That little something is how he’s never gotten an order wrong—something he reminds everyone about frequently.

Wraith and Wattson sit at the small round table nursing their drinks and picking at their appetizer. Wraith remembers the first time she ordered an apple-tini from Elliot years ago. The look on his face was priceless, and his stammering and attempt to avoid reacting to the request had actually made her laugh out loud. He used to be afraid of making fun of her, and now, well, he’s less afraid.

“You’re staring,” Wattson playfully nudged.

“Hm? Oh...” Wraith tore her eyes from the bar counter and back to her drink, fidgeting with the straw.

“Can I ask you something?” Wattson asked boldly.

“Sure.”

“I saw an article recently where a reporter said you had three favorite people,” she watched Wraith’s face as she remembered the interview. “Pathfinder, me, and Mirage ‘in no particular order’,” Wattson giggled at her impression of her best friend. “So, my question is... why three people who are so different from you?” Wattson asked smiling. Wraith swirled the straw in her drink thoughtfully.

“I read something a couple weeks ago about my disappearance. My coworkers... they said I was cold and harsh. I see that, I can see myself being that even now and it bothers me. You three... you are bright and wholesome and kind. I guess what I’m saying is, you guys are my favorites because you’re not like me.”

“Zat makes sense,” Wattson nodded knowingly. “Still, it’s funny zat our loudest and quietest legends seem to alvays team up,” she winked.

“He is too loud,” she said quickly. “But... that’s him. He loves it. It makes him happy so who am I to argue—unless we’re in the middle of a fight, that idiot,” she was shaking her head but smiling at the same time. She once again let her eyes follow the cloned performer behind the bar, flipping a bottle before pouring a shot with a smug look on his face. He felt a stare and couldn’t help but make eye contact with her causing an eruption of nervousness and a spilled drink. He was immediately laughing again even as he cleaned up his mess. Wraith smiled and rolled her eyes.

Wattson would leave soon after. Wraith ordered another drink to wait out the last hour of Elliot’s shift. They walked to his car in chilly night air.

“Freedom at last! Also, YOU made me spill a drink. Not cool,” Mirage pointed his finger.

“All I didn’t was look at you.”

“Stare.”

“I thought you liked being the center of attention.”

“Well when the attention is, uh, from some people who are, um, you know, more...you...”

Wraith smiled. “Let’s go home, you idiot.”

[lordmartiya]

lord Martiya’s Lilanette Week 2021, part 4: Travel

@lilanette-week

@lilanette

This chapter features Luupa the Wolf Kwami, a character by StellarStylus. It also features an actual restaurant from Rome. Let’s face it: we Italians are a weird nation, and Rome is our capital for a reason.

06/23: Travel

The school was having a trip to Rome… So headmaster Damocles had asked Lila’s advice to plan certain parts, reasoning that, being from Rome, she knew the place better. And the entire school would suffer for his ignorance – after all, only Marinette and Chloè knew just how trolling Lila’s sense of humor could be.

Still, it had been two days in the trip, enough to calm them down after waiting for the other shoe to drop without anything weird happening – she had even forewarned everyone of the horrible state of Rome’s roads, and the worst they had got had been when Sabrina had said one couldn’t go to Rome without visiting the Vatican and the Roman girl had pointed out it’s the same as saying that you can’t go at someone’s house without going to the bathroom (she had particularly enjoyed the appalled shouts when they had got that). That and trying to flirt with Marinette, but while she understood the language and even a bit of the slang courtesy of her grandmother and the similarities of Italian and French she didn’t know the latter enough and had missed the double meanings.

Of course all of that was about to change now that they were to dine at “Cencio La Parolaccia”.

“It’s my favorite restaurant.” she had introduced it, much to Marinette and Chloè’s horror. Especially Marinette’s, who could translate the restaurant’s name.

Then Damocles paved the way, and as soon as he had confirmed they were the French school that had reserved the place the waiter announced them with “Apprepara l’acqua per’ brodo, so’ arrivati i Francesi!”

The entire group of students and teachers was appalled at how they had indirectly been called a bunch of cowards, with insults to their national bird to boot.

“What were you expecting? This place is called “the swearword” for a reason.” Lila stated.

Or, in other words, they were basically paying to get insulted the whole time, as per the restaurant’s gimmick based on just how crass Rome’s dialect was.

“You’re terrible.” Marinette said at her Italian suitor.

“Welcome to Rome, where a mother can call her own child a “son of a whore” and it only comes off as mildly insistent.” Lila replied.

“Fucking truth.” confirmed the waiter.

That was when Damocles realized he had screwed up. Especially as it was now too late to go somewhere else.

__________

“You have no idea what I just got through.” Chat Noir said to the female superheroines as they met near Trajan’s Column. “It got my group too weirded out to notice I disappeared, but…”

“Welcome to Rome, Paris’ exclusive twin city.” Volpina replied, sure that whatever Chat Noir had gone through couldn’t be as traumatic as the prank she had pulled on her classmates to get them to go to sleep early. She’d have done that anyway, but this way she had joined the useful and the fun, as the saying went. “And don’t worry, you’ll get over it soon.”

“But-”

“She’s right.” Ladybug agreed. “Our cities have an exclusive twinship because we aren’t that different… And I can already see the fun about what this one pulled to get us a distraction. You all remember what we’re here for?”

“Wolf Miraculous – apparently linked to Rome’s foundation and rise to power, and the guys here are now exposing what could well be it in their museum.” Volpina stated. “Guess their claim of descending from Julius Caesar’s family isn’t that fake, if they inherited it from the Julii’s cousins the Romilii…”

“We don’t have time for a history lesson.” Chat said.

Before they could start bickering Ladybug had Volpina cast her Mirage on the cameras and then, using the Horse Miraculous, opened a portal to the room where the possible Wolf Miraculous was being held…

“A’nfame, chi cazzo chiami inutile?! Io te piscio n’culo, e te corco!”

And the related Kwami was insulting Papillon, going so deep in his vulgarity that even Volpina, the Roman one, was blushing. Immediately imitated by two security guards and a man who had arrived there.

“Siam qui apposta.” Volpina said after the Kwami had wished someone killed Papillon.

Then Papillon threw the Miraculous right in Volpina’s face and jumped out of the window, ignoring the guards shooting him.

___________________

“Well, that was weird.” Ladybug said after they had left with the Miraculous, that the man, the apparent head of the family, had insisted they took away.

“Not really, Marcanto’ has heard of the actual stories about jinn, and while he can’t tell the difference with a Kwami he’s smart enough to not mess with them.” Volpina explained. “And speaking of our not-jinni… May we know your name and power, Wolf Kwami?”

“I am Luupa, Kwami of Cooperation, and I grant the power of Pack Unity.” the Kwami replied. “My wielder can allow their companion the best possible coordination in battle-”

“Like a Roman legion! You inspired them!” Volpina was Italian, and while she knew the tales were a bit exaggerated she knew far too well how the ancient Romans used to overcome numerically superior opponents through maneuvers made possible by excellent coordination among their units.

“And a power Papillon can’t use!” Ladybug noted.

“Ugh! Don’t talk me about that idiot.” Luupa protested. “Seriously, what idiot calls himself “The Bowtie”?”

As she chuckled, Volpina mused that this was indeed the Kwami that made Rome, both ancient and present, she wondered how he and Mayura had loved the temporary Heroine they had left behind to deal with Akumas and, if he had done as he had back when they had been in New York, distraction Sentimonsters.

_____________________

The following morning, Lila hadn’t even got her Espresso when Alya made the first attempt to kidnap her. Though even she wasn’t reckless enough to not stop when faced with the Italian’s glare, waiting until she had her coffee before dragging her in a secluded corner and showing how the Tiger Miraculous-equipped heroine, Waghoba sor Roaar, kicked into smithereens the Gamer mech Sentimonster before hammily announcing her name and that Ladybug and Chat Noir were on vacation and had her substitute.

“Lila, you’re her friend… Can you tell me what was Ladybug thinking when she gave my sister a Miraculous?” Alya asked.

“What makes you think it’s Anansi?” Lila asked back, making sure to use Nora’s preferred ring name.

��A Muay Thai championess who uses a tiger god’s name, who else can she be?”

“Point. As for your question… Ladybug’s really stressed, and didn’t take well when “The Bowtie” ruined her previous attempt at getting a vacation.”

“… Remind me to never get her angry at me.”

[imaginaryari]

Welcome to the Show

Part One

The prisoner looks up as her least favorite cop comes into the interrogation room. Officer Warren has awards for rounding up the enhanced, people like Silver. He walks and talks like a man the people respect and fear. Talks to the enhanced like they’re close on first name bases and revels in the fact that he put them in their cells. What she would give to lay one finger on him. That’s all she needs. Unfortunately, her hands are gloved and bound because officer Warren also knows that. 

“To what do I owe the pleasure officer.” She asks.

“How would you like to get out here?”

It’s a trap. Silver knows this. The enhanced don’t get second chances especially not from officer Warren. 

 “Wasn’t I supposed to rot in here? Just as you said?” Silver asks.

Officer Warren gives her a sick grin. “I thought you would be interested in parole but if you aren’t...there’s plenty of you in here. “

The promise of seeing the outside world again would sway anyone.

“How can I trust you?”

Officer Warren beckons one of the guards. “Remove her cuffs.”

“Sir?”

“Now, please.” Warren orders.

Silver immediately rubs her wrists when the cuffs click open. The relief is almost overwhelming. She quickly reminds herself not to do anything stupid, no matter how satisfying it would be to knock Warren’s lights out.

-

“There’s a group of enhanced kids going around and robbing people. Messing with their heads. You’re fond of doing that so I thought this would be the perfect way to end your sentence.” Warren had said as he escorted her out.

Silver squints. Nothing about that story adds up. Robbing civilians while common isn’t a team effort especially if you can mess with minds and memory. A group would actually draw more attention and a tight knit one wouldn’t take the risk of losing a member to officials. 

Unless your Silver’s ex. Hm. Things are starting to make sense. 

“You’ve tried to catch them before.” Silver states. 

Warren doesn’t even look ashamed admitting his failure. “Physical powers are one thing. Mental ones are harder. But from my experience you can catch ‘em with a little trust.” He begins to walk away, leaving Silver at the gates. “You have three weeks.”

—

It’s no fancy hotel, barely a motel, but it’s a place and it’s furnished. Officer Warren had said it was hers for as long as it took her to finish her task. Silver won’t complain, before she was arrested, she was constantly couch surfing. Never out staying her welcome and never spending too long on the streets. She had made friends this way but contacting them was out of the question. Getting caught means getting blacklisted. A means of protecting themselves. Well, Silver had been thrown under the bus. Semantics. She won’t see them again and hopefully they’re doing okay. 

She shakes her head, never mind that. She has a job to do and extraordinarily little to go on. 

The neighborhood is different. She didn’t expect it to be quite the same after lock-up but the changes are more than jarring. New buildings going up, less of the spots her old friends used to hang. Silver is so sure the neighborhood has been purged of the enhanced until she decides to hit up one of the cafés. She stares at it; upset she can’t remember what it used to be and then enters reading the weirdly named drinks on the menu.

“Are you new around here?” another patron asks.

“Not exactly,” Silver says with a shrug, eyeing the stranger. He’s handsome even if he looks like he should have taken a sip of his drink before speaking. The bags under his eyes scream exhaustion but he still sounds awake. And happy about it. “It’s just a while since I’ve been round here.”

“Ah, try the mint hot chocolate. It’s a crowd favorite.”

“Is that what you’re having?”

He chuckles. “No…this is way too caffeinated for the masses.”

“Is the inevitable crash worth it?” She asks.

“Always.” He says as Silver is called next to order. “See you around.” The stranger says exiting. She thinks about the encounter for hours afterwards. The enhanced were still around even if they were muted.

—

She finds what she’s looking for the next day, right before the sun sets. It’s a large tent set up in a nearby park. Big enough to draw attention but lacking the actual necessities to pass as a real circus. No animal trailers, no confection stands. To anyone paying attention there’s no possible way it could have been set up so quickly. Definitely the work of the enhanced. 

Civilians flock to the tent with the promise of entertainment. Silver by-passes the line and taps a potential viewer on their shoulder. “You don’t really want to see this show, right? I can take that ticket off you.” The man blinks and then hands over his ticket. Silver quickly takes it and makes her way to her seat.

-

The spotlight lowers, illuminating what has to be the ringleader. He’s barely dressed for the occasion. Top hat donned but instead of a blaring red jacket, a black T-shirt with a tuxedo print and black jeans contrasting nicely with white sneakers. 

“Hello everyone. Welcome to your wildest dreams. I’ll be your guide. Whenever you need me you can shout More!” Silver snorts at the corny introduction but still applauds with the crowd. It takes a moment but she recognizes him. The man from the café with the over caffeinated drink. Interesting. So far he’s just the host, maybe the leader of this whole operation, but Silver can’t place an ability just yet.

“Please give a round of applause to our first act, Mirage, master of illusion.”

Silver is willing to bet he’s the one responsible for the tent. His set isn’t too extravagant; he just has smoke and card tricks. It’s what he does with them that counts. Shifting the smoke to look like a bird that soars over the crowd. It lands ever so gently on the empty seat in front of one of the viewers. The spotlight shifts to them, a young boy, and he offers a nervous smile, not prepared for the attention. The guest looks to Mirage who gives a cocky smile. “Blow it away.” He instructs through his mic. With a shrug he does. The smoke dissipates to reveal a real bird. A stark white dove. The young boy reaches for it face lit up in wonder, but it takes off landing right on Mirages shoulder. He pets it to prove its real and the dove seems to love it. However, it then dissipates into smoke after Mirage blows on it. That confirms it for Silver, the dude simply makes illusions.

“I need a volunteer for my next trick.” Mirage says.

He and More look around at the audience and More locks eyes with Silver. There’s a connection, a shock of understanding, and something else she can’t quite place before he says, “You, cutie with the hood. Would you like to help Mirage?”

Silver nods unable to break eye contact.

“Don’t be nervous, it’s just a simple card trick.” Mirage says, a deck of cards pulled from his pockets. Silver keeps her head down and her hood on as she walks into the ring. She wasn’t supposed to draw attention. More finally backs away giving Mirage the stage.

It is a simple card trick, with a lot of flourish. Silver selects a card, memorizes it, puts it back in the deck. Mirage is skilled making the cards seem to dance, shuffling and tossing them even pulling some from behind Silver. Sleight of hand can be learned, however,

“Is this your card?”

“It sure looks like it!” Silver says, and the audience applauds. Her choice in words don’t go unnoticed by Mirage. He smiles, like he just learned a juicy secret and gestures for Silver to return to her seat.

More passes her on his way back to the stage and gives her a similar smile to Mirage’s. She can’t help but feel she shouldn’t have done that.

“Our next act goes by Charlie. He doesn’t say much but he’s loads of fun!”

Silver immediately understands how the next act earned his name. Charlie dances out, encompassing Chaplin’s energy. He dons a similar top hat to More, and shirt except his is white instead. More comments on this with a laugh. “Clearly one of us has to change!” As corny as Silver finds More, she can’t say she’s not amused. Charlie looks More up and down, and then gets into a stance. He’s posed like a batter on home base and leans back and forth on his toes. He swings and More ducks, his top hat flying across the ring as if a real bat had hit it. The trick ears them impressed gasps and amused giggles from the audience. From Silver it earns a disbelieving stare. She’s never seen an enhanced like Charlie yet.

Charlie continues, his set like any traditional mime. Tripping over objects that aren’t there, pushing invisible walls, overexaggerating his facial expressions. Except Silver thinks, knows, he isn’t. There is a wall the audience can’t see. Silver can’t prove it, and wouldn’t even know where to begin explaining Charlie to officer Warren.

“Give it up for Charlie everyone!” More says shaking Silver from her thoughts. Charlie leaves the stage with the same comedic swagger and a wave.

“Now our next act is unfortunately our last. But we always go out with a bang! Please welcome to the ring, Star!”

With the snap of More’s fingers the lights go out. Another snap and they’re back, along with a woman sitting on a trapeze. She’s beyond beautiful, it could be the lighting, or the slight shimmer she has, but she’s captivating all the same. Her hair is pulled into two puffs and her smile dazzles the audience. Silver notes that there is no apparent netting beneath her, that should be concerning.

The music starts, a haunting melody punctuated by a bass that Silver feels in her chest. Star is flying above the audience on her trapeze. She hangs by her legs and lets her arms hang. If Silver focuses, she can see what looks like dust, her charisma spills off of her, entrancing the audience. She makes another mental note, three out of four isn’t bad. Maybe she wrong about him being enhanced. He could just be the fall guy if this all goes to shit. Authorities like Warren wouldn’t keep a powerless civilian. It’s smart. The doubt lingers. She knows what she felt.

Silver almost misses the end. Stars trapeze returns to the ring and she waves before letting go and falling to the ground. The audience gasps bracing for an impact that never comes. Star vanishes in a puff of smoke that settles all over the ring. The applause is stuttered out, the crowd is impressed and worried.

When the smoke clears the applause picks back up as all the performers are safe, taking their bows.

“Thank you all for coming!” More says. The lights go out. When they come back on the group is gone. Well, that’s one way to end things.

-

“Like the show?” A voice comes up from behind Silver. She’s just as dazzling up close and silver can see how she captivates the audience. The charisma wisps around her like smoke. 

“Sure did. Wasn’t expecting to be part of it though.”

“Yeah, More can be a bit impulsive,” Star says apologetically. She steps closer to whisper. “But his guess was right! You are like us.” 

“All of you? Special?”

“Yup!”

“What gave me away?”

“You didn’t immediately fall for my charm.”

“...really?”

“That and More caught you using your gift to get a ticket.”

“Also caught her struggling to order at the café,” More says rounding on them. “We should stop meeting like this.”

[brandyllyn]

War makes thieves, and peace hangs them (pt5)

Told from POV of Triple Frontier characters and while it’s an OFC she is never described. Her “name” is a radio handle (Wildcat). 

Summary: Getting ready for the op, Wildcat and Santiago find themselves on a private channel. (Santiago Garcia x Reader)

Other chapters... My Masterlist

Word count: 2100. Read it on AO3.

Rating: R? NC-17? (Explicit) language. dirty talk.

"Here," Wildcat presses a small piece of silicon into Santi’s hand and he held it up. "They work off bone conduction, can just about pick up your thoughts." She hands him a cell phone. "I’ve got everything wired right now through this handheld. It should automatically temper the sound so it won’t matter what volume we’re talking at - it’ll modulate it into a narrow range." She grins, "Don’t want to blow out your ear drum."

Santi turns the earbud over in his fingers before pressing it into his right ear. "Comms check?"

She glances up at him, "Loud and clear."

It’s an odd sensation, he hears her voice like normal, but also simultaneously like she’s right inside his head with him. "What’s the range on these?"

"About a hundred yards." She taps a button on the phone in his hand and he no longer hears her echoing. Then she pulls a black beanie out of her bag, settling it on her head and making sure all her hair is tucked away. "Please remember that I won’t be on main comms. If there’s anything I need to know you’re going to have to repeat it to me."

"Yeah, about that-" he starts but she cuts him off.

"One of your giant radios is going to be too obvious. No way. I need to at least be capable of blending in."

Santi looks her up and down. She’s got on a pair of dirty jeans and a grey t-shirt. The jeans are loose, falling straight down her legs and hiding the curves of her body. The t-shirt… "What did you do to your-" he gestures at her chest.

She squats at her bag, slipping a knife into one boot and another behind her belt. "Left them back at the hotel." At his raised eyebrow she grins. "Didn’t you know all boobs are detachable?"

"We talking about boobs in here?" Will’s voice precedes him into the room.

Wildcat turns to him with a smile. "We should always be talking about boobs. They’re amazing."

"I don’t like it," Santi grunts.

"Boobs?" Benny asks with an incredulous look following behind Will, Frankie a few feet behind him.

"This," Santi gestures at Wildcat. "I don’t like you not being on primary comms. The delay could cost you." He looks at her once more, "I also wish you’d wear some armor."

She sighs, heavy and strained. "If someone sees me from the corner of their eye I need to look like I belong. One of your radios and a flak jacket will ruin the mirage."

"Ain’t no one mistaking you for a narco Wildcat," Frankie points out and Santi gives him an approving look before looking back at her.

"Yes. Exactly," Santi agrees vehemently.

She kicks her bag under the nearby table and then stands up to her full height, hands on her hips. "Look. You hired me to do this because I’m really fucking good at my job. So back off and accept I know more than you about how to do this." She holds up the keyset she lifted just fifteen minutes ago, "Unless one of you wants to gather the intel from an active safe house? No? Then I’ll say it again. Let me do my fucking job."

A quick dip of his chin is all he gives her and she doesn’t say anything in return. Instead she checks her watch, leaning to look out a crack in the papers covering the window. "How long we got?"

"Hour, give or take." Ben replies, sitting and leaning a chair back against the wall.

Santi pulls his 9mm out of its holster. Checks the magazine, checks there isn’t one chambered, and then hands it and the holster to Wildcat. "You’re going in there with more than a knife on you. And you can’t tell me a gun will be out of place. It will look odd if you don’t have one."

She wrinkles her nose but nods, repeating his motions and checking the safety before hooking the holster onto the back of her pants. 

"Might as well have kept the bullets Pope," Ben says with a smirk.

"You can fuck off," Wildcat mutters, looking out the window.

Pope raises an eyebrow. "What’s this?"

"Wildcat can’t shoot for shit," Ben laughs.

"Really?" This from Frankie who had finally stopped blushing every time he looked at her.

Wildcat grunts, turning away from the window and back to them. "I have a different skillset."

"How bad?" Will asks.

She shuts her eyes for a moment before shrugging. "Bad."

"Hey didn’t you wash out of SEAL training 'cause of it?" Ben asks.

She spins on him, "Why are you asking questions you already know the answer to?"

"How did you even make it out of basic?" Ben continues to needle.

A thunk echoes in the room and Ben turns his head slowly, his cheek grazing the knife that had appeared in the wall next to him. Frankie gives a low whistle and even Will gives her a more appraising look. Santi hadn’t even seen her move.

"I said I have a different skillset," she grits out before walking over and pulling the knife out. Santi is watching but as soon as it comes out of the wall it just… disappears. Somewhere.

"Enough," Santi snaps and everyone stands up a little straighter. "It’s time to get into place." No one needs a reminder, the moment the words are out everyone starts moving. Wildcat takes the phone out of his hand, turning the screen on and showing him the earbud controls before turning everything on and tucking the phone into his vest.

"Be careful," he tells her and sees her brows draw down but she nods and slips out the back door.

Santi grabs their gear and heads up to the empty apartment. The narcos knew his face which meant he was stuck running ops. From the apartment above he had a good view of the street out the window and Will and Frankie would be placing cameras. Ben would be on the corner, doing a much better job of pretending to read the paper than Frankie had. Will would be with Wildcat, ready to boost her up and then move to the extraction point. Frankie was on getaway car.

-Pope Pope, Ironhead.-

Santi reaches down to his radio. -Ironhead go.-

-Wildcat is up, moving to secondary.-

-Copy that Ironhead.-

"I see my babysitter has already contacted you." The voice purrs inside his head and Santi shifts his weight on his feet, looking down at the building across the street. He can’t see her, knows he can’t. Until Will got his camera setup he wouldn’t be able to see her.

"Shouldn’t you be keeping quiet right now?" he asks, scanning the street for signs of her anyway.

A low laugh, "I’m twenty feet off the ground. And I’m whispering. I can barely hear me."

"Well, you shouldn’t be distracting me," he says.

"From what? We’ve got at least fifteen minutes to kill." A pause and he can almost hear her brain working. "I can think of some fun ways to spend fifteen minutes."

He groans, "No. Absolutely not."

"Aw, Pope, why so serious? Don’t you ever have fun on these jobs?"

"No," he says again, even more firmly.

"That’s too bad," he hears a low hum and can feel it travel through his body, curling his toes. "I guess I’ll just have to entertain myself."

"Do not," he warns but she just laughs, low and dark. "I’ll turn your channel off," the note of caution in his voice should be enough to scare anybody.

"No you won’t. You won’t risk something happening to me while you’ve got me muted." Fuck she was right. Had called his bluff. "Which means that you, sexy man, are at my mercy."

Santi leans his head against the windowpane for a second, careful not to disturb the curtain he was peering around. "Didn’t you get enough of me last night?"

"Oh no," she is definitely purring now. Her voice low and sensual. "I don’t think I did. In fact, I think tonight you should let me tie you up."

"Not a chance," he says, shifting to look at the three camera feeds, of which only two are up. As he watches, the feed from Will’s camera comes through and now he can see her. Tiny on his screen and squeezed into a corner where two buildings meet, near a window. He tilts his head, trying to figure out the logistics of what she’s doing. She got one foot wedged into a crack, the other on maybe a half inch of exposed brick, her hands pressed out to each side. Her legs at an angle he’s never seen from a human before. Just looking at her makes his knees hurt.

"I didn’t know you were that flexible," he comments and sees her lift her head, eyes scanning until she spots the camera Will set up across from her. The camera is too far away to see her expression but he can somehow tell that she grins at him.

"Oh honey, this isn’t even half of it."

He groans and then tries to stifle it when he hears her low chuckle. Damn these earbuds are sensitive. He’s not used to them. Not used to having instant communication with the team like this. It’s nice, or at least would be if she weren’t using them for evil.

"You know I still have marks on my wrists from last night."

He did in fact know that. He had forgotten to untie her for far too long, until his belt had chafed her skin and she’d actually had to ask. He also knew better. He’d played these games before and generally wasn’t so careless. There was just something about her that made him want to push. Push things just a little further than was safe.

"I’ve also got a scratch on the inside of my thigh. I think it’s from your zipper."

He bites back the groan this time, clenching his fist so hard his knuckles hurt.

"I’m sad I didn’t get to see you. You have a beautiful cock, don’t get me wrong, but I’d’ve liked to have seen the rest of you."

The cock in question was already half hard. Santi grits his teeth.

"I mean, I barely even got to touch you. That’s really a shame. It is. I like touching. And tasting. Running my fingers and tongue over someone’s skin."

Why was she doing this? He’s watching the cameras, he really is, but he keeps coming back to her. The way her body is twisted against the building. She can’t move. Not really. But she doesn’t seem like she needs to. As uncomfortable as it looks to him, her voice in his head doesn’t seem at all fazed.

"I really enjoyed sucking your cock you know. I would do that again for you, anytime you’d like."

"Fuck," he breathes and he hears a low hum from her.

"Maybe you’ll be nicer next time. Let me take my time. Go slow. Draw it out for you. Suck on you til my lips go numb."

"Cat," his voice has an edge to it.

"Are you touching yourself Pope?"

He grunts, shifting in his chair. "No."

"Do you want to be?"

He doesn’t reply. Lets the silence stretch between them before he hears her sigh. "I wish I could touch myself right now. I’ve gotten myself all wet thinking about you." Another sigh, as heartfelt as the last. "Or even better, I wish you were here touching me."

He can imagine it easily. The way her legs are spread and the angle of the camera mean that he’s looking right into the V of her thighs. Hell, if she weren’t wearing pants he could probably see inside of her in this position. But she is, and he can’t, just sees the tight stretch of denim. His brain is more than happy to fill in the rest.

-Pope Pope, Catfish.-

Santi groans, shifting his attention to his radio. -Catfish go.-

-I’ve got eyes on the delivery truck.-

-Copy that.- The next bit is as much for Wildcat’s benefit as his own. -Eyes on the delivery truck. Allcom sound off.-

-Catfish go.-

-Ironhead go.-

-Benny go.-

"Wildcat go," a whisper in his ear.

"What do you hear Wildcat?" An old litany. One he’d said a thousand times before.

This time he doesn’t imagine her twist towards the camera, the grin she gives him. "Nothing but the rain Pope." Then she’s twisting against the building, a small jump and her hands catch the lip of a window just above her.

"Drop zone is clear," he tells her, watching the cameras. He can see her body sway, she’s holding herself by eight fingers and a single toe-hold. The delivery truck pulls up and he waits just a second longer before speaking one word.

-Go.-

Pt6

[trashmenofmarvel]

Branded - Chapter 21

Pairing: Demon!Bucky Barnes x Reader

Summary: Bucky gives you a gift.

(This is a fan AU of Falling’s Just Another Way to Fly by @araniaart​ . Please check out this incredible series for all of your demon Bucky needs.)

Chapter Warnings: None, it’s all fluff

AO3

You had a plan.

Not a plan to break the demon bond. Or a plan to figure out how many demons were left in the world chasing after you. But it was still an important plan. One that would take skill, cunning, and unending bravery to pull off.

You were going to seduce Bucky.

Yes, technically the two of you had been having sex for the last two months, but that was out of an obligation to stay alive. You were tired of the bond being something you let happen to you, and wanted to turn it into something that worked for you.

You were 95% sure it would work. After waking up that morning, pulled against Bucky’s chest, you were fairly convinced your feelings weren’t entirely one-sided. You knew he was awake and that it wasn’t Bucky grabbing the closest warm object in his sleep.

His guise was active. He’d told you before there were two instances he couldn’t hold the disguising magic: when he was unconscious, and when he needed to feed to the point of starvation.

So you knew, with no horns out of the corner of your vision and no tail wrapped around your leg, Bucky was fully awake and aware… and was still holding onto you. That didn’t last long, when you stirred and he realized you were awake, but it was a hopeful sign.

It also left your brain mush and your knees weak with need. He kissed you on the forehead, got out of bed, and that was that.

Or so he believed. No more dancing around each other; you were going to fuck Bucky Barnes if it was the last thing you did.

Famous last words. Your sister, her husband, and their infant were visiting because it was Christmas Eve. If anyone was going to see through your false relationship, it was her.

You were certain the secret had been discovered when she pulled you into the kitchen, leaving her baby to be doted on by your mother (who kept sneaking knowing glances at you and Bucky, which did not help), and gripped you by the shoulders.

Her face was so stern you could almost hear the lecture in your head. Is Mom pressuring you to get married and have kids again? You deserve better than to have some pretend-boyfriend! Please tell me you didn’t pay him money for this?

Instead, she pulled you into a fierce hug, squeezed you tightly, and said, “I’m so happy for you!”

You were pretty sure your brain shut down. Does not compute.

“Uh. Thank. Thank you?”

She pulled back and tucked your hair behind your ear, smiling affectionately.

“When Mom told me the news, I was so excited. I mean, I don’t care if you’re in a relationship or not, just as long as you’re happy I’m happy—You are happy, right? Is he treating you well? Do you have open, healthy communication? Does he need the shovel talk? I can give him the shovel talk, please let me give him the shovel talk.”

By the end, you were laughing. It couldn’t be helped. At least you knew this really was your sister and not some imposter.

“I’m happy. Jacob is great.” Open communication? Well… you were getting there. “I don’t think he needs a shovel talk, but I’m not going to stop you because I know you’ve always wanted to give one.”

She gleamed like a kid on… well, Christmas morning.

Something curled in your chest, aching and bittersweet. You pulled her into another hug, gripping her tightly as a lump formed in your throat. If she only knew the truth. You wanted to tell her the truth. Confide in her about Bucky, about the wizards, even about Davin. There was so much that had changed over the last two months, you’d been terrified that you wouldn’t be the same person you were before.

“Hey,” she patted your back softly, “you okay? Like… really okay?”

You nodded quickly, not wanting her to question why you weren’t speaking yet. You weren’t sure you could.

Fuck, get it together.

You pulled back from her, forced your expression into one of simple happiness, and hoped she wouldn’t see anything deeper.

You were somewhat disappointed when she bought it, but… it wasn’t her fault you had become so good at lying.

The rest of the day was uneventful but fun. You really were happy, for the most part. You weren’t taking for granted the rare opportunity to glue yourself to Bucky’s side and preened when he seemed just as receptive. A very large part of you hoped it was genuine. Each time he put his arm around your shoulder, each kiss on the top of your head, you wanted it to mean something.

Bucky even did it when no one was watching. That had to count for something, didn’t it?

The time for wondering was over. After your sister and her husband went back to their hotel room, Bucky asked if you wanted to go for a walk. There was still snow on the ground but the sky was clear, a large moon illuminating the white and turning it faint blue.

A walk. Walks were romantic. You could do this. Operation: Seduce Bucky Barnes was a-go.

Your hand was warm in his as he gently pulled you across the snowfield behind the house. You’d thought maybe he would take you on a stroll around the neighborhood, but this was just as good, even if your footing wasn’t as steady and you had to grip his arm for balance.

Hmm, maybe this was better.

After a few minutes of walking in silence through a copse of pine trees, Bucky stopped and let go of your hand.

“Should be safe here.”

You blinked as he stripped off his scarf and his jacket.

Oh. Were you… going to do it right here? Well, it would be cold and wet and dirty, but you’d be down for—

Bucky pulled his shirt over his head, revealing a body that would put Greek statues to shame. You stared, probably drooled a little, and stood as still as a deer as he approached. Bucky stood so close you could feel his body heat like a furnace, but all he did was wrap your head in his scarf and slipped your arms into his jacket.

“You’re going to need it,” he answered to your confused blinking.

“Uh…”

Whatever you were going to say died out as dark, webbed wings arched from his back, curling and stretching over his head. At the same moment, a mirage-like shimmer wavered above his head, and his horns formed into existence along with his tapered ears. His tail tickled the side of your knee, greeting you like an affectionate cat.

You didn’t think Bucky would appreciate the comparison.

“Hang onto this for me, will ya?”

Bucky handed you his balled up shirt. You took it out of reflex, but still didn’t understand what he was—

He retreated a few feet, an impish smile on his lips. And then he turned, spread his wings, and gave one enormous flap.

You nearly stumbled back, raising your hand to shield your face as dusts of snow kicked upwards, but then the air cleared and you got a perfect view of Bucky soaring into the night sky. Each rise and fall of his wings was accompanied by a low whoosh, like rumbling leather, and it sounded exactly like you’d imagine webbed wings to sound.

But to see it in action was…

You strode forward, head tilted back as you watched him circle the field above you. He was flying low, maybe twenty-five feet in the air, just enough to ruffle your hair and dislodge wisps of snow.

It was the most beautiful thing you’d seen in your entire life, and you couldn’t help but laugh. It was like… seeing a real unicorn. Or a dragon. Something magical you’d wanted to see your entire life but never dared to dream could be real.

And here he was. Beautiful and real and… and he cared for you. He did, didn’t he? He wouldn’t have showed you this otherwise.

Before you could get caught in a loop of “he loves me, he loves me not,” Bucky banked at the end of the field and flew back to you, barely flapping his wings as he glided at a gentle angle to land in front of you, lightly disturbing the snow.

You were grinning like an idiot, but this was a grin-like-an-idiot situation and could be forgiven.

“That was… amazing.”

Bucky’s smile was more reined in than yours, but his eyes sparkled with that same mischievous light as before.

“You think so, huh?”

He didn’t give you time to answer before he stepped forward, bent down, and scooped you up in his arms. You yelped and clung to his chest on instinct, the breath rushing out of you at the feel of all that hot, bare skin. You didn’t normally get to see him so exposed, let alone touch him like this.

When had been the last time you’d done so? That first night when the demon bond had caught you both by surprise? Bucky had been so uninhibited that night. Raw and uncontrolled. He’d even kissed you, something he hadn’t done since.

If only there was some way to—

Your scheming thoughts were scattered as he raised his wings behind his back, his head tilted as he looked down at you.

“Ready?” The smirk was back.

“Uh, ready for what?”

He rolled his eyes as if the answer was obvious, and it kind of was. Your brain was slow to catch up, distracted by all the Bucky you had access to under your hands.

“Oh, oh no, no, I don’t think this is a good idea,” you said, panic rising. “I mean, aren’t I too heavy for you to carry? What if I make you crash? What if—”

Bucky scoffed, and that was all the warning you got before his wings rushed downward and you were both launched into the air.

It was like going up the steep incline of a roller-coaster, and your stomach dropped like angry ballast. You clung to Bucky’s neck for dear life and buried your face in his shoulder. He wouldn’t drop you on purpose, but what if he lost his grip? What if he couldn’t get high enough and flew into a tree?

The possibilities were endless and you clung to him even tighter. The sound of his chuckle was felt more than heard over the freezing rush of wind, and you understood why he’d wrapped your hair in a scarf.

And then the wind died down apart from the downdraft caused by his wings.

“You can open your eyes now.”

You slowly raised your head and immediately lost your breath. The ground glowed in the moonlight far below you, but the truly stunning view was the city spread out in the distance, twinkling lights a reflection of the constellations above.

“I’m flying with the wind so it shouldn’t bother you too much.” Bucky sounded almost nervous; as if unsure you could somehow not be impressed with the gorgeous sight before you.

But you were impressed. And the city was pretty cool, too.

“It’s perfect.” You leaned your forehead against his jaw, arms still looped around his neck for comfort rather than out of fear. “Thank you, Bucky.”

“Merry Christmas,” he said, turning his face to press his lips to your forehead. Normally such a gesture would have left you flustered and speechless, but you were too busy being horrified.

“Oh, no!”

“What?” His tone was sharp, alert, as if he expected the next demon to somehow attack them in midair.

You groaned and thumped your head against his shoulder.

“I didn’t get you a Christmas present.”

Bucky barked so hard with laughter he wobbled in the air for a moment, and you clung to him even tighter, your stomach clenching as you tried not to look down.

“That’s what’s got you so worried? Really?”

“It’s Christmas Eve and I haven’t gotten your present yet. This is a serious matter!”

Bucky snorted. He eased his wings into a shallow angle and slowly banked back toward the field.

“Don’t worry. I think I’ll live.”

You frowned, turning your face back into his neck to shield it from the biting wind that had returned. This was no good. Sure, you’d been distracted by wizards and heigores and learning your demon not-boyfriend had a million-dollar penthouse in Brooklyn, but that was no excuse for forgetting something so important.

In comparison to taking you on a nighttime flight and aerial view of the city, seducing Bucky seemed pathetic in comparison.

Well, you decided as he gently touched down in the snow-filled field, you’d just have to make sure it was the best sex Bucky’d had in a century.

Next Chapter

[that-wizard-oki]

if your up to rambling about it more, how would arc 3 have gone with morganthe there?

Alright anon, and all who happen to be interested in my damn theories... after 2 very long days, here are my... general... ideas on how Arc 3 might have gone with Morganthe present.

This is a long one my dudes. Grab a snack, take a seat, and if you make it to the end, thanks for reading. 

Let’s take a look, shall we?

Morganthe & The Wizard’s Character Foil would be the cornerstone of this arc.

Y’know how everyone talks about Zuko and Aang being one of the greatest character foils in fiction? Well, in a nutshell, I think that Khrysalis part 1 & 2 (and arguably the entire second arc) built up this wonderful relationship between Morganthe & The Wizard- one that i think could easily be just as memorable and clever as the aforementioned. 

If you’re unfamiliar with my thought’s on this idea, here’s a rundown:

All throughout arc 2, Morganthe’s dialogue towards the wizard is usually focused on things they both have in common. We’re both students of Ravenwood, both have studied under Merle Ambrose directly, we were both considered prodigies, respectively. Some other characters also bring up things here and there, most notably Tse Tse Snaketail in Mirror Lake (which, by the way… mirror lake…c’mon) who claimed “she (Morganthe) knows you better than you know yourself!” 

Azteca is when we really begin to see the foil between Morganthe and the Wizard start to be set in motion. Azteca itself is the first time I think our wizard is truly and utterly overwhelmed with obstacles- Between the impending doom of Xibalba, the raising of the Undead (once again, mind you), the revival of our last greatest foe, AND the fact that Morganthe, the puppet master behind this all, is always one step ahead of us the entire time. 

A huge moment for the Wizard IS that we fail in Azteca. This is where our wizard has to face the sting of failure, and it runs deep. While the wizard has thus far fought against evil within the Spiral for the sake of justice and protection, NOW the wizard's motivation to go after Morganthe has shifted from the general expectation to do so, to something MUCH more personal. Our desire to ensure Morganthe is defeated, is forever tied to our own sense of self worth- if we don’t defeat her, we are a failure.

 We can easily see the parallel between this and Morganthe’s motivation, which has thus far been fueled by her desire to show Merle what she’s capable of- and that she will go to the greatest length to prove so. 

In Khrysalis, we see the Wizard grow into a similar mindset. They’re much more rash in how they go about pursuing Morganthe, learning ways to try and fight her more evenly when the time comes, and eventually hunting her down. It snowballs to the point where our wizard, despite several warnings, decides to release the god of chaos under the presumption that he will aid them in their goal to defeat the shadow queen. Even more alarmingly, Spider reveals to the Wizard that Morganthe was actually infused with this great power (not stolen, like the arachna had claimed), and that the arachna had groomed her into a weapon of mass destruction by design. Despite knowing that Morganthe was just a puppet on strings this whole time, our wizard still feels that defeating her is the only way to truly avenge themselves. THIS is what Old Cob was hoping for. He WANTED the wizard to be so self absorbed in the idea that Morganthe’s very existence was something that the Spiral, that the Wizard themselves needed to be cleansed of. 

And we played right into the palm of his hand, and after we defeated her, Spider released his children and nightmares into the world. However, It is not gratifying relief we are met with. Instead, there is only a long, daunting, shadow, and it’s in our likeness.

This was a little watered down, but these parallels between Morganthe & The Wizard has always been so interesting to me, and when Arc 3 began, I was fully expecting Morganthe to return in SOME way and the wizard would have to go through a self-reflective journey WITH her in order to really come to terms with what they did, or that Cob was hurting them instead of helping.

Of course, that’s not what we got… but to answer your question now anon- what do i think Arc 3 should have been with Morganthe there, with all this in mind? 

Obviously, Morganthe and the Wizard need to have their development & closure- but let’s take a deeper look into how that would work for the both of them.

First off, Morganthe needs a reason to return. Character wise, she has a few purposes:

She was the closest one who had been connected to Old Cob. Even if most of it was him manipulating her, they shared a connection through Morganthe’s intrigue of Shadow Magic, and perhaps she had directly communicated to him at one point. 

Besides Spider himself, she probably knows more about Shadow Magic than any other being in the Spiral. She WAS the one who re-discovered the existence of Shadow Magic, after all. 

To expand on this reason, I think Morganthe might have even figured out ways to connect with her own Shadow in more uh, constructive ways, than perhaps Spider and Raven (I’ll get into this later). 

With these factors, I think Morganthe being present in Arc 3 means that she would have been a very valuable asset in helping the Wizard & crew go after Spider/Raven simultaneously.

Now, I think a really fun way to integrate Morganthe into Arc 3 more seamlessly, is to have a plot point that alludes to her still being alive. Otherwise, I don’t think the Wizard/anyone else would bother trying to revive or find her JUST for the sake of “maybe she would be helpful”.

Remember when, after we defeated Morganthe, Old Cob informed us that we had “absorbed too much of her power, and that it would consume us” and so we have to give it back to the land? 

Well, what if when we did, that “power” held her memories, her very own Shadows? And when we returned it to the land, those Memories might’ve returned to their place in time?

Take Morganthe’s memory in Wizard City for example- the one rooted in when she accidentally lost control of her powers when attempting astral spells. This specific part of her shadow, not being able to return to a physical vessel, found its way back to its place of origin. Maybe Diego, upon training students in combat, runs into issues with a “specter” of some sort haunting the battle grounds, and reports these disturbances to Ambrose. As the game normally does, Merle would reach out to us about this problem.

I think a good time frame for this to happen is after Mirage/before Empyrea- arguably, this is the Wizard at their lowest point. Mellori has just been captured, we just found out she’s Raven’s Child, and BOTH gods are now not in our favor. That way, when we investigate the Arena in WC, and find out this ‘specter’ resembles a young Morganthe, the wizard would truly feel overwhelmed with the idea of her still being alive/out there WHILE all this is happening. 

Whether we tell Merle or the Arcanum scholars first isn’t super important, but the point is that Morganthe potentially being alive is now an additional problem on top of everything else at hand. As the scholars, wizard, and perhaps Ambrose/additional characters problem solve what to do, they begin to bring up the character points I brought up earlier. I think Velma, being the shadow scholar, would mention that Morganthe WAS the shadow queen, and might be useful as a prisoner to help get information on Old Cob’s plans/biddings. I think Ione would agree, and that Morganthe could also be potentially working under him in some way, and that making sure she is a controlled variable is most important right now. The last thing the Spiral, or the wizard, needs is a wild card threat.

I think… knowing that the Wizard had just lost Mellori, and among other things, Velma would request to assist the Wizard in this task, since it is Shadow-magic related and she’s only been able to learn about this school of magic through what little has been available outside of Khrysalis. The wizard, though I think reluctant about the idea, doesn’t argue against her coming along. 

If you follow my idea that Velma had gone to Ravenwood with Morganthe, and they’d been good friends there, I think Velma coming along to investigate this matter is also important- perhaps when they both return to the Duel Arena and try to confront this memory of Morganthe’s, the wizard’s first instinct is to fight it into submission, but Velma might take a more gentle approach, as she remembers the likeliness of an old friend. 

The memory becomes more in control of itself; Seeing Velma, it was reminded of a pleasant part of itself- friendship, comradery amongst fellow wizards, instead of just abandonment and loss as it had been previously engrossed in. 

Once calmed, the Memory can “think” more clearly, and does its best to answer the inevitable questions; what are you? How did you get to wizard city? Is the “real” Morganthe still alive? And so on... Obviously the memory has a limited understanding of what they’re asking. Eventually, they piece together that there are OTHER memories out there, and they need to be found and returned back to their physical owner- Morganthe. 

I won’t go into the big details here, but they then travel to Avalon and Khrysalis, maybe even places she had been as a pirate, to find the other two missing Memories. Velma probably learns a bit more than she was expecting to, and the Wizard’s consciousness, especially when they get to the memory related to Khrysalis, starts to weigh heavy. 

Any who, these three memories are collected, and being extensions of Morganthe herself, are able to help navigate the wizard, Velma, and perhaps other Arcanum members (for safety reasons because that's the literal queen of shadow right there lads) to where her physical body resides. 

Using one of the ships in the Arcanum, they are led by the memories into the dark sea of space, not too far off from Khrysalis. Soon, they come across a swirl of rubble and shattered remnants. Weaving their way through, a cluster of fragmented glass paves the way to an abandoned vessel, sleeping gently, frozen in time and protected by her own demise. They’ve found Morganthe’s body. 

Simply put, the memories return to her, and the wizard/Velma contains her comatose body to be brought back to the Arcanum.

Once they’ve returned with Morganthe, a lot of things could happen, and since this is all just theory of something that’s already passed, I’m just gonna list off some of those things that I think would have been interesting to see, so, here goes lol (warning, this turned out to be a lot longer than anticipated I'm SORRY lol)

Morganthe would have maintained in a comatose state for at least a bit once at the Arcanum. The main issue now is figuring out what to exactly do with her now that she is alive. 

I’ve kind of enjoyed the idea that Ione/other scholars would be pushing for some sort of trial- she did technically commit genocide against the Aztecasouars, and no one but the wizard, except for MAYBE Velma since she was also retrieving her memories, knows that she was being controlled when she had done so. 

I also think the idea of a trial, something rooted in judgement, would provide an interesting setting for just allllll the damn shit to be let loose. Like Morganthe would wake, finally free of the shadow that the arachna had pumped into her body, free of Cob’s very voice in her head, only to wake to find she'd murdered an entire civilization, among defiling the dead, and is being held accountable for doing so. Everyone’s obviously against her, for good reason as they think, but the Wizard’s just here like “I know this bitch was literally forced to do these things but I never told anyone about any of that because I wanted to just believe I was right, and I still have this grudge against her for making me feel like a failure, so I kind of just want to see her imprisoned or worse” and of course you have Velma, who just got her long lost friend/childhood love back, is now faced with the possibility of losing her again, and FINALLY you’ve got MERLE who’s probably just silently taking all this in as it unfolds, since he has had a very fixed perspective on the whole ordeal and doesn’t even know what to believe. 

I don’t wanna spend too much time on the ins/outs of this idea, but generally, even if this wouldn’t have happened, the group learns (perhaps through Velma’s advocation, since I doubt the wizard would be doing it) more about Morganthe’s situation, maybe even that the wizard knew this whole time and never said anything- but the general consensus becomes that, since Morganthe isn’t working for Cob (she might even speak of how much she probably despises him for what he did to her), and because she’s so knowledgeable on Shadow Magic, it might actually be best for the Wizard and her to work together to try and rescue Mellori. 

Obviously, both of them are reluctant about this, though I think the wizard is more so. Morganthe might actually have a soft spot for the Wizard, seeing a lot of herself in them, and also having tread on similar paths. I think it would be so, so fun to see Morganthe try to connect with the wizard, but the wizard constantly shuts her down or ignores her because they don't want to admit they’re so similar. But then you have the moments where they have to help each other. Maybe it’s when both have to go into the Nexus to get Mellori back, and Morganthe has an easier time weaving through this Shadow Plane because of her experiences with it, and the Wizard really has to trust her to help lead them through it. In turn, maybe Morganthe actually struggles when they reach Ravenwood in the Nexus because it triggers those memories of being expelled and cast out, and the wizard has to help ground her so she doesn’t slip into this un-reality. Like! That feels so powerful and moving to me- that despite being used and pitted against one another by Spider, they learn to work past those false feelings and really begin to see each other eye to eye. 

Though I think it is important to bring up they are dealing with slightly different parts of their Shadows- Morganthe is a step or so ahead, having already connected with them. Now, her goal is to accept them, and while I think she has more or less accepted her three memories from earlier, the fourth one, the one of her as shadow queen, the one where she isn’t just her, but also Spider controlling her… the part she doesn’t want, but remains true. To accept her rage, her anger towards Merle that mirrored Cob’s anger about Raven- this is her true challenge for this Arc. 

Remember how I said Morganthe’s motivation in Arc 2 was to prove Merle wrong and show him that she was powerful? Well, now it’s to extract revenge on Old Cob in a similar way. Logically, she knows killing him would mean the end of the Spiral, so the struggle for her is to FIGHT against that desire, the rage, accept it, acknowledge it, and convert that energy into something that can help her and others heal from the scars of the past.

Alongside Morganthe interacting and coming to terms with herself, her shadows, everything, I think the Wizard must learn to let Shadow into their own life. Shadow is not this evil thing that they think it is- it, as Spiders is as well, a necessary part of all life in the Spiral. Instead of casting it away, we have to know that the parts of ourselves we don't like aren’t what define us, but we should see and acknowledge them so they don't consume us; which i think  the wizard is at risk of. 

Any who… that’s a lot, but ultimately, I think when we come to the end of Arc 3, to the Husk, The Wizard & Morganthe have to make the decision to completely trust in themselves and each other. As Spider said worlds ago, we are both the Children of Light & Shadow. I know Arc 3 presents the wizards at the Scion, a balancing force between Mellori and Bat, but I’m gonna be honest, I think it would be much more compelling for BOTH the wizard & Morganthe to act as this “middle ground”- Literally thus far everything about them screams yin and yang; the wizard primarily hailed as the harbinger of light, Morganthe as the umbra queen- yet they are not completely The Light or The Dark- they both have a piece in each other, they both work together, they balance each other out. 

Perhaps a stronger set up to still include Bat and Mellori is them simply realizing that they are not their parents- they do not have to do what is expected of them just because of who or what they are, they can choose to support each other as siblings, instead of taking one of their parents sides and hurting each other. They, like the wizard and Morganthe, can work together as one. 

This way too, the weight of having to be the Sole Person balancing everything all the time, ISN'T put on the wizard- it can be shared by another.

ANYWHO… I know I'm rambling a bit at this point, but similarly to Arc 3’s end, they’d work past their own desire for revenge or pride, and combine their strengths to become what we originally see the wizard transform into during the fight with the Storm Titan; a Child of Light and Shadow.

Also, here’s a few side things I’d like to see happen in this Arc, as well as the final conclusion for Morganthe’s character. 

Morganthe being protective of the Wizard, and the Wizard being protective of Mellori I stated earlier that Morganthe see’s a lot of herself in the wizard, and can feel responsible for them in some way. The same goes for the Wizard and Mellori- there’s this interesting domino effect they've got going on in terms of that, so i just think some dialogue reflecting this dynamic between the three would be fun. 

Though once Mellori and the Bat are united, Morganthe would definitely  have Some Feelings come up regarding her and her own brother. I think it would be fun for Morganthe to be extremely wary of Bat for this reason, and also because he’s the son of the God who used her power and body for his own gain. Maybe Morganthe has a sly line towards Bat, or something about her being like “I’m watching you” because she doesn’t want to see another person go through what she did with Malory. 

Also…. Morganthe helplessly being unable to call Mellori “Mellori”, and instead says “Mallory” every time because That’s Baggage! Morganthe’s like, “Wizard, we gotta get Mallory from the Nexus!” or something and everyone’s like “... you mean Mellori?” and she’s like “... that’s what i said, right?” like this shit is so, so funny to me. 

Also Morganthe eventually warms up to Bat, seeing him be a Good Older Brother in part 2. Ideally, it would also be nice to see her open up to him about Mallory, and they just have a Moment about shitty families, trust issues, having done bad things because What Else Can You Do?… god, that stuff hurts my soul. Let your Siblings Heal Kingsisle, i will not rest until they do lmao. 

Oh yea! How could i forget the biggest thing outside of the wizard/Morganthe- Merle and Morganthe! Wow do those two need some damn closure together. I’m not stuck in a definitive way that this could happen- Generally though, I think Morganthe would be avoidant of Merle at first, as she feels that she ultimately failed to do what he cast her out to do when he banished her, which was to “find her true self” and learn to control astral magic. Not only was she unable to do that, but she was unfortunately roped into the arachna, and we know the jist of what happens from there. On the other hand, Morganthe is also angry towards Merle- if he wouldn’t have banished her, and instead been patient with her powers and helped her learn, NONE of what she had to endure in Khrysalis would have happened. 

For Merle, his perception for so long was that Morganthe's endless curiosity drove her into Shadow Magic, and thus became the Shadow Queen- with this thought, his act of banishing her was justified because she was just a lost cause either way. Now, however, he’s realizing that that wasn’t the case at all- instead, she was truly trying to learn how to master astral magic and control her powers, and unfortunately others decided to take advantage of her curiosity and ability- so he’s trying to grapple with the guilt of inevitably putting her through that. 

They both are understandably scared to confront each other, and I think their avoidance would carry out through to Empyrea part 1, maybe even a bit into part 2. Again, i don’t have a definitive thing in mind (since Merle isn’t super active in arc 3 anyhow), but perhaps they’ve been put into a situation where they just simply cannot avoid one another- or maybe Morganthe’s having a hard time convincing the wizard or Ione or someone on what they should do next, Merle tries to interject, “Morganthe, perhaps-”, but Morganthe snaps at him, “ and I certainly don’t want to hear what the man that caused all of this has to say about it!” … silence fills the room, Merle taken aback, Morganthe looking him dead in the eyes, meaning what she said but regretting it as the first thing she said to him. She huffs, storms out of the room...

With just a nod to the others and the wizard, Merle leaves and follows her out, maybe she’s pacing around the end of the halls, and when she sees Merle she just starts pouring her heart out in anger. “Don’t you follow me out like that, don’t you pretend to care for me now! You couldn’t possibly understand what’s at stake here, not that you would take the time to understand anything you don’t know!” she huffs, angry with him and herself, “I know I was curious and naïve and stubborn, but where were you!? Why couldn’t you help me, why, why was the only option for you to to take the only thing I had left and send me away?” this is where her anger starts to fade and she’s becomes quieter, yet still stern, “The worst of it is that I told myself I'd do what you never could, and when I did, I’d return to prove you and everyone else who looked at me and saw a failure, a monster, wrong... but I never got that far. I only got to the point where some forgotten God of chaos decided what my ‘true self’ was for me… and like the curious, stupid little girl I was, i played right into his hand-” and here she’d become overwhelmed and start talking more specifically about her anger towards what was done in Khrysalis, ending with “and through all of it, and even now, even though I’m so, so angry at you, I still wanted you to be there for me. Why weren’t you there for me?” 

I like the imagery that, the whole time Morganthe has been unraveling her thoughts and emotions at him, Merle has been slowly moving closer and closer to her, and when she says this, she melts into his arms, sobbing- finally getting that comfort from him that she’s wanted all this time.

Merle, now holding her, begins to speak softly, “You don’t have to forgive me, but I am truly sorry for all that has transpired from my own failings. In all my years, turning you away has remained one of my deepest regrets.” This is getting a bit long, but the main points I think Merle would make in his apology towards Morganthe, is that ‘her true self’ is not something anyone, not even he, should define for herself, and that Merle thinks she has already found her true self, and that it’s not being Shadow Queen, it’s not being a puppet, it’s not being a failure or his apprentice or a monster, but being in tune with yourself- something she had started doing with her own Shadows/Memories.

Anywho. Sorry for the heavy dialogue but i think about these two everyday and just want them to HUG IT OUT MAN… AAAAA

Furthermore; I think a very fitting End for Morganthe’s character is that she, upon Merle’s request, would become a professor of Shadow Magic at Ravenwood, with the idea that she could properly introduce Shadow to wizards in a controlled environment, and help erase the stigma surrounding it. Not only do i think she’d make a great professor or teacher because of her enthusiasm towards magic, but i think it would be satisfying for her to help others who might have difficulties with magic/their powers since that was a core reason for her own suffering. Also, her and Velma are DATING and are cute shadow scholar lesbians together, it’s cute af, thank you, moving on. 

Lastly, the Wizard would have some closure, or at least tools to eventually reach closure about the things I've talked about  in this post. Hypothetically, arc 4 could have then been focused on the wizard’s self-journey to become in-tune with their shadows and memories. 

SO uh… yea i think that’s the overall ideas i had about how Arc 3 might have gone if Morganthe was a factor. I haven’t actually spent a lot of time thinking about Morganthe in arc 3 though, since the arc is now finished and we’re onto arc 4, and i always enjoy trying to implement new lore, like the sewers, into these theories, and even who or what Morganthe is- bt this was fun to revisit! I do think her being in Arc 3 would have been most fitting thus far though, so i always like coming back to the what-could-have-been ideas :’D

But yea! If you’ve made it this far… Thanks for reading lol. And if you want me to go more in depth with anything i had mentioned in this post, because some things i decided to gloss over for simplicity's sake, feel free to ask :D

Anywho…. Bye oTL

[revengeoftheantichrist]

In the Woods Somewhere

Warnings: Cults, Gore, Manipulation

AO3

“You tell me what to do, or I die here.” Four days later “You don’t have to do anything, just come to the light.” “Leave me alone!” //// Michael had reached the peak of delirium. He had to get out of this forest. Maybe it was time to accept that his father had abandoned him. He couldn’t see the sate he was in, but he was sure it was the worst he ever looked. He was no longer the polished Hawthorne boy he had prided himself in being. This wasn’t the first time he faced crushing disappointment. He had to do what he always did; get up and carry on. //// He had no idea how long he had wandered for. The sun had set, and the moon was high. The scent of warm food caught his attention. The painful grumbling of his stomach reminded him that he hadn’t eaten in at least 4 days. His legs moved towards the scent on their own, hoping for something at the end. As Michael got even deeper into the forest, he swore he could see lights somewhere. He saw buildings, quaint little cabins, like a little fairy-tale village. The closer he got the more he though he was seeing a mirage, rubbing his eyes, and blinking to make sure it wasn’t an illusion. The closer he got to the entrance, the weaker he got. There seemed to be no one out and about as he walked into the area. It was silent and peaceful. He leaned against one of the buildings before he could get any further. The hunger and thirst were getting to him. His eyes clamped shut as he fell into a heap by the building. //// Michael groaned as the warm sun hit his face. He heard whispers and murmurs around him has he opened his eyes. He could make out the figures of people surrounding him, his eyes still blurry and unfocused. He heard a voice that seemed to silence everyone and turn their attention away from him. He couldn’t hear what the voice was saying, but he knew he liked the sound of it. The crowd around him began to part, a figure getting closer to him. His eyes began to focus as they got down to his level. He thought this was another test or delusion. The beautiful woman was glowing in the morning sun, the light reflected off her like a halo. He smiled a little, thinking he had well and truly lost it. She looked at him with worry in her eyes, something he hadn’t felt from anyone for a long time. She gently held his cheek and Michael leaned into her soft hand; he had missed human touch.

“Are you okay?” She asked him, her voice equally as gentle. “You’re safe here, we can help you the best we can.” “Come,” she took his hand, “let us help you.” She signalled to some of the crowd to help her get him up. Michael said nothing as she let him lean on her, leading him into one of the larger buildings. He didn’t really care for the surroundings, only paying attention to the woman that had just helped him. He began to cry, overwhelmed with a variety of emotions. Maybe he was meant to find this place, maybe he was meant to find her, and this was part of his father’s plan all along. //// Y/N had not expected to find a dirty and dishevelled man this morning. The commotion and the crowd began to worry her, until she found the source of it all. Her community was far from civilisation and intentionally hard to find. She could tell from the state he was in that he wasn’t actively looking for them. He was meant to find them, she thought. He was sent to them by The Protector.

She sat the man down on one of the kitchen chairs, letting him get his bearings, she was sure he was freezing out there. She didn’t say a word as she filled a warm bowl with some water, while asking the staff to get some warm food for their guest. She placed the bowl down in front of him. “Here, its to wash your hands.” He just looked at her with wide eyes, hesitant to move. Y/N did not have time for this, gently taking his hands and washing them herself. She would not have grimy hands at the dinner table. “There, all done,” she smiled, drying his hands with a soft towel. “I’m sure you’re starving, so please eat your fill and then we can get you cleaned up. Okay?” The man nodded, tears forming in his eyes. She gently wiped his tears away, stroking his cheekbone to calm him down. She sat at the head of the table next to him, she took his hand, stroking it with her thumb. “Tell me, what is your name stranger?” she asked. “Michael,” he replied, barely able to get his words out. “Well, Michael, its nice to meet you. I’m Y/N.” He gave her a hesitant smile. The were interrupted by the table being set. Warm soup, fresh bread, and a variety of other foods. Just the thought of them made his stomach grumble. Y/N handed him a bowl with some bread. “I just baked it this morning so it’s the freshest it can be, please, dig in.” She made a plate for herself too, having left for the morning rounds before breakfast. She wanted to make her guest feel more at ease. Michael didn’t hesitate to dig in, this was by far the best food he had had in a while. Y/N watched him devour his food, she had questions but didn’t want to disturb him. She was mostly glad that he liked her food, but she was the best cook in the community, and she knew it. She finished her own meal before him, getting up to make arrangements for her guest. He stopped mid bite to watch her leave, still slightly in awe of her.

Michael then noticed the glare he was getting from the other side of the room. The man seemed to want to kill him with his glare. Michael just smiled at him. He must have been a boyfriend or something, who felt jilted by the kindness Y/N had shown another man. The cockiness of his Hawthorne days seemed to trickle into him at the thought of pissing this guy off. He sat up straighter and wiped his face before finishing his meal. This could be fun. //// Michael was painfully full in a good way. Maybe he should wander around the forest for days and then gorge himself more often. Y/N returned to the kitchen just as he had finished. “Come, lets get you cleaned up,” she smiled, gesturing him to follow her. The people in the house parted for her, nodding as she passed by. Michael wondered why and how she was important. She opened a door to a bright room. The natural light was something alien to him after the long period of time spent underground in Hawthorne. “The bathroom is through there and has everything you need,” she pointed to another door. “There’s also fresh clothes for you in the closet. Just leave your current clothing in the laundry basket and we’ll get it back to you.” She reached for a strand of his hair, feeling it between her fingers, “I’m sure this’ll be super soft once its clean.” Michael nodded, he enjoyed the attention he got from her. “I’ll just be downstairs, please come find me when you’re all done,” with that she left the room, leaving Michael alone with his thoughts. //// Levi knew something was wrong with the man that seemed to wander into the community. Outsiders should not be trusted, and his leader knew this, but for some reason she turned a blind eye to this man. He had her favour, and knew he had nothing to worry about. Not just anyone had the privilege to even step into her home, let alone dine and stay. He had no fear in expressing his distrust of the new boy to his leader; he had seen the malice in his eyes at the table. Y/N was discussing matters of the community when Levi interrupted. She gave him a kind smile and dismissed the company she had to speak to him. He expressed his worry and his hesitation but could not get too far before he was interrupted. He scowled at the sight of the man at the door. //// Michael knew he had come at the right time from the look on the other mans face. He relished in it. “Well, it seems like I was right, you do clean up well,” Y/N spoke. She thought he looked ethereal now, the community robes had fit him so well, his golden hair really did stand out after it had been cleaned. “Come, take a seat Michael,” she nodded to the chair in front of her. He complied. She made Levi leave the room, wanting to speak to her guest alone. He hesitated before leaving, fearing the wrath of his leader. //// “So, tell me Michael, how did you find us?” “I think my father led me here.” He replied, totally serious. Y/N contemplated his answer before letting it slide. He was here for a reason; she could feel it and it did not matter how he got here. “Do you have any questions for me?” she asked. “Where am I and who are you?” he was blunt. “We are just a commune with our own way of life. As for me, I am in charge here. I know I look young but that’s because I am. I only inherited the title recently after my fathers passing,” she explained. That was enough for Michael for the time being. He knew that if there was a secret, he would uncover it eventually. For now, he wanted to enjoy the kindness he was shown. She reached for his hair the second time today, feeling the true softness of it now that it was clean. Michael said nothing as he enjoyed the feeling too much.

They were interrupted by a knock on the door. “Ah, I see my dear brother finally has some time for me.” The man stopped in his tracks, giving a questioning look to the guest. “This is Michael, he will be our guest for a while. Michael, this is Isaac, my brother and second in command.” The men both shook hands, murmuring greetings to each other. “I’ve come to discuss the arrangements for the moon festival,” Isaac said. Y/N nodded. “If you could please excuse us Michael, I apologise our meeting has been cut short. However, I think Levi would be more than happy to give you a tour of the community. You can use that time to think of more questions.” Y/N knew Levi would be outside, trying to listen into the conversation. “Thank you, I’ll take you up on that tour offer,” with that, Michael left the office, shutting the door behind him. This was the perfect opportunity to get on Levi’s nerves. ////

The men walked in silence until they got a significant distance away from the building. Levi pushed Michael against a wall, “tell me why you’re really here and what do you want?” he asked through clenched teeth. Michael grinned at him, showing off his pearly whites. Levi jostled him again, “answer me.” “I’m here because my father wants me to be.” This was all he was going to get out of Michael. Michael took the opportunity to free himself. “I’m sure Y/N gave you a task to do Levi.” “Who gave you permission to use her first name,” Levi was seething, who did this boy think he was? “So I’ll just tell her that Levi didn’t give me a tour and abandoned me hmm? I’m sure she won’t be very happy with you,” Michael taunted. “She won’t do anything to me,” he replied, “She’s far too gentle. Not like her father or brothers. She wont last long at this rate.” He wasn’t meant to say that part out loud and Michael knew it. How interesting. The rest of the community tour went by without too many problems. The community seemed in awe of the new man, all trying to catch a glimpse and greeting him kindly. He must have been a blessing from The Protector. ////

The next few days were pretty uneventful for the community. They really enjoyed the new man’s presence. Michael enjoyed being here too. It was different. Everyone was kind and got along. Everyone knew who everyone was. It was like a little slice of heaven, or the closest Michael could ever get. He got stuck in with communal work. The old ladies seemed to love his company as he was taught basket weaving or bee keeping or other things. The children liked to make daisy chains for him while he told them stories he came up with. He saw Y/N with every meal, dining together seemed to be a huge part of the community. Lunch today was a little quiet before Y/N spoke, “Would you like to join in on our service this evening?” she asked him. “I’d love to,” he replied. His answer seemed to create some tension in the room, both Isaac and Levi were unhappy with his answer. “The community dines together once a week, after the service. I am sure the people you’ve met would love to have you. The children tell me the wildest of stories,” she laughed. Michael smiled back. //// The sun had set, and the community began to make its way to the temple. Michael had been given his own set of robes. They were however different in colour, to indicate he was still uninitiated. The children wore the same colour as him and they surrounded him in excitement. The congregation began to quieten down as Y/N made her way to the alter. She started the service by formally welcoming their guest, making Michael feel a little shy for the first time in a while. The sermon continued and Michael observed how everyone was captivated by the woman. She was excellent speaker. He didn’t really pay attention to what she was saying, he didn’t really care. He just liked the sound of her voice and loved to watch her. He had been watching her all week, every little mundane thing she did. He even liked to watch her sleep, sneaking into her room at night, just to lie next to her and observe. As the sermon got more intense, her voice seemed to spark a fire in him, and not the religious kind. He squirmed in his seat, biting his cheek, imagining himself taking her in front of the entire congregation. //// The community dinner was festive, and the food was delicious. Y/N looked around at the people she led and smiled, she hoped that things would remain like this forever and that the Protector would always have them in his favour. As the meal was nearing an end, some of the members made their way back to the temple. Michael’s curiosity was written all over his face. “It’s for the initiated only, I’m afraid we can’t let you in or tell you anything else,” Y/N leaned over and explained. Levi scowled from across the table, they were far too close for his liking. Michael nodded, reaching for more of the delicious wine. He had never tasted something so addicting before. Their conversation was interrupted by Y/N being called away. //// Michael stumbled back to the house. He didn’t think he could get drunk but there was definitely something else in the wine. He leaned against the side just to get his bearings. As the haze began to dissipate, Michael could hear a hushed conversation. “Father is rolling in his grave right now. She was not meant for this. All she had going for her was the birth order. That position should be mine! I should be at the pulpit, leading the flock and pleasing the Protector.” The man stopped to take a deep breath. “We can’t just get rid of her like that, you know the community loves her too much. We may have a riot,” another man spoke, “On top of that the new boy seems to have some sort of spell over the people too. Including our dear leader.” “Oh Levi, use your brain for once. We just blame it on him. Who would the people believe? Us, or an outsider? Think about it this is perfect. I want you to start some public tension with him. Make him look like he’s disturbing the peace. When the time is right, we ‘replace’ my dear sister.” Michael had heard enough. ////

He stumbled into the house and ‘accidently’ opened the wrong door. Falling into Y/Ns room. He looked up at her and gave her a lopsided grin. The look of worry on her face changed into an equally wide smile. “I see you’ve enjoyed the wine” Michael nodded, peeling himself up from the floor and lying on her soft bed. She said nothing as she shut her door. Exceptions could be made to her ‘no entry’ policy. She sat against the headboard, getting lost in her own thoughts. Michael took the opportunity to put his head in her lap. She stroked his hair and Michael almost purred at the sensation. He didn’t like that her attention was divided, he gently brought her face to look down at him. “What’s wrong? What is troubling you?” he slurred out. She sighed, unsure of weather or not she should share her thoughts. “My brother and Levi were whispering just outside, but I couldn’t hear them.” So she knew a little, Michael thought. This was perfect. He sat up straight to face her, taking her hands in his. “I heard them outside. But I don’t want you to think that I’m lying.” She hesitated a little, “whatever it is, tell me. I need to know.” Michael proceeded to explain the conversation to her. He watched her face drop. She lay back fully on the bed, trying to process it all. Michael lay next to her, getting as close as her could. “I’m sorry if what I said hurt you,” he mumbled. “I raised him you know. After my mother died. Our father barely acknowledged our existence,” her voice began to crack. “and this is the thanks I get? My own brother?” tears began to fall on the pillow. Michael wiped them away, just like she did his when he first arrived. “They think you’re weak. You have to show them that you’re a force to be reckoned with,” he egged her on. He wondered what pushing the right buttons would do and how she would react. There was a beast hiding inside her, he just had to help it break out. //// Y/N had spent two days thinking about how to deal with the information she was given. He guest could have been lying; however, her brother’s recent behaviour made the story credible. Tension in leadership was not good for morale. She would have to nip it in the bud and prove that she was not to be angered. She hoped that the Protector would guide her in the right direction. She wanted to give her brother the chance to address his grievances directly, therefore, she asked for a private meeting late at night. When the community would be asleep. They stood in front of the temple alter before she broke the silence. “I remember the sermons father used to give here.” “He was an extraordinary man,” he replied. “There’s a rumour going around Isaac, and I hope it’s not true,” she got straight to the point. “I’ve heard it too, it started when that new man came here. I think he’s up to something and I fear for your safety,” he sounded concerned. She knew he was lying. “Do you think the community thinks I’m a weak leader?” she turned to face him. “Not the community, just a select few people.” “Who? Tell me? You’re my eyes and ears here and you should know. So, tell me. And be honest.” He had to choose his words carefully. “That stranger is telling people lies about you. And… Levi seems to believe him too. He expressed his concern for you as a leader to me in private but did not want me to tell you.” She knew he was lying though his teeth. How like her brother to throw others under the bus, he’d been doing it his entire life. Y/N had the scars from the beatings she got for his mistakes. “You know I hate liars,” she smiled at her brother. “It hurts me to know my own sister would doubt me. We o0nly have each other and this is how you treat me?” “Maybe you should follow your own advice. And maybe, you should check your surroundings and not plan a coup right. Outside. My. Window.” The shock on Isaac’s face was comedic at this point. His eyes darted around the room to find some sort of answer, hoping the Protector would do something. “Nothing to say now? What are you looking for? Who’s going to save you hmm?” she taunted. She’d had enough of him now. She couldn’t have her own brother betray her. He had taken her kindness for weakness and now he would pay the price. She reached behind her at the alter and took the ceremonial blade. It was always lethally sharp. The fear in Isaac’s eyes was pitiful, “ please please forgive me! I beg you please. It wont happen again. You’ve proved yourself to me,” he begged. “I don’t have to prove myself to anyone. Now pray that the Protector makes your afterlife easy. They might listen to you for once.” He opened his mouth to speak again but only a gargle came out. Y/N did not hesitate to slice though his throat, letting herself be covered in her own brother’s blood. She was surprised at how little emotion she felt as she watched the light go out of his eyes. He would be an example of what her anger would do if she were ever to be crossed again. //// Michael had been watching the whole ordeal from the shadows. He felt a sort of pride. He knew she had it in her. The sight of her covered in blood was also a plus. He made his way back to the house ready to greet her after she was done dealing with the body.

She was still covered in blood when she returned to the house. Seeing Michael awake made her smile. “Oh, you’re still awake?” her blood covered hand resting on his cheek, leaving a mark. “I was waiting I had something to tell you.” “Oh? You’re not planning to leave, are you?” she sounded worried. She enjoyed his company far too much. “No,” he licked the blood from his cheek. “I want to be initiated.” The look of pure joy on her face made it clear how important this was. “Oh, I cannot even begin to describe how happy I am. We would love to have you become one of us, officially.” She held his face with both of her hands now. “The moon festival is in two days time. That would be the perfect time to do it. We can have an even bigger celebration!” She finally noticed the blood everywhere and pulled back from him. “I’m so sorry Michael, I got your face dirty, lets get cleaned up.” She began to make her way up the stairs to her bedroom. He shut the door behind them as she walked into the bathroom. Michael already knew the layout of the bathroom having watched his host in here countless times. She didn’t need to know. She filled the basin with warm water after washing her hands, before calling him over. Taking a warm washcloth, she began to wipe his face clean. “An elder will speak to you this morning and explain the process. You’ve met them all before and they’d be happy to help,” she wrung out the cloth before moving to the other cheek, “I’m unfortunately busy until the festival so I may not see you as often until then.” She finished by drying off his face. She sent him out to get some sleep as she took a shower to wash off the day. She needed some time to think to herself. //// Michael cracked his neck before walking out of the house in the morning. He had much to do before he could sneak around and ‘observe’ Y/Ns day. He was curios as to what had been done with Isaacs body. He found his answer as he walked into the village centre. Isaac was strung up for display. She had made a public example out of him. A ‘subtle’ warning. He was impressed, he didn’t expect it from his sweet host. The community paid no mind to the corpse, walking by as if it never existed. Although it was a rare sight, it had happened before under Y/Ns father. It was standard procedure for people disturbing the peace. The only person that looked worried was Levi, standing and staring at the display while fidgeting. He looked over and caught Michael’s eye. Michael smirked at him, making hi8m squirm even more. Michael continued to walk to his destination, whistling along the way and making sure to shove Levi on the way. //// The Moon festival had come by so quickly. The morning started with a communal breakfast, before an afternoon service in the temple. The real highlight was the evening. Again, another communal meal. Then everyone gathered around a huge bonfire to sing, dance and drink. To give thanks to the protector for all They had done for the community. Everyone wore shite robes for tonight. Hair was decorated with seasonal flowers. Michael had only seen Y/N from a distance today, but she looked beautiful nonetheless. The community was also buzzing for another reason. The stranger the had grown to love was going to become family. The children brought him a crown of flowers, before being sent to bed. They were kept away from the initiation until they were old enough. Y/N was nowhere to be seen, but Michael knew she would be watching.

The singing and dancing began to get more intense. The crowd waiting for Michael to pick out his gift to the Protector. Finally, he pointed into the crowd at a certain man. Levi looked at him in shock. He had no time to run. The crowd grabbed him and took him to Michael. The community began to sing the ritual song and hand Michael the ceremonial blade. When the time was right, Michael looked down at Levi and plunged the knife into his chest. The crowd cheered as the man bled out. The gathered around Michael and congratulated him, handing him drinks and hugging him. After he downed his final drink, the crowd parted for him to take the corpse to the temple and inner sanctum. That was the final stage. The door shut behind him as the inner sanctum opened. The room was large and intricate. So different from the simplicity that existed on the outside of the community. The High Priestess waited for him at the centre. She looked beautiful in her white ceremonial robes and crown of flowers. He robes were a little more intricate than the lay people, with precious stones and gold accenting the pieces. Michael dropped the corpse in front of her, not breaking eye contact. “Hmm, what a pity, I always liked that one,” she looked down at the ‘gift’. “I know,” he replied giving her a cocky smile. “I expected this place to be simpler,” he said. “We believe that you can live a simple life and indulge in your hedonism whenever you feel the need to. The outside is simple, and the inside reflects the complexity of our desires. I’m sure the elder explained to that we don’t really believe in sin.” “I don’t believe in sin either,” he replied. The unlit candle of the room slowly began to light, until the room was brighter than before. “They’re pleased with you,” she smiled. “What about you? Are you pleased with me?” he pulled her closer to him, kicking the body to the side. She reached for his hair again, just like she had done countless times before. “I am. But I think you can do more. What have you been waiting to show me?” she grinned at him. She wasn’t stupid, she knew he had been watching her every moment ever since he arrived. He wasn’t as sneaky as he thought. She liked to play the long game, wanting to push his buttons and to test his patience. She had heard everything her brother and Levi had said that night. She just wanted to test Michael’s honesty. Their noses were touching, their desires were obvious. One was just waiting for the other. Michael was the first to break, diving in to taste the lips he had been thinking about for so long. The kiss was hot and heavy. There was no shyness or hesitation. Both knew exactly what they wanted and that the other would give it to them. Y/N did not hesitate to untie his bloody robes, feeling every inch of his soft skin as she pushed the garment off. He moaned into her mouth as she thumbed his nipples. She liked that they were sensitive. His bloody hands stained her robes as he mirrored her actions. The broke away from one another, needing to stop for air. The took in each other’s bare forms, free from any obstructions. Y/N began to walk backwards to one of the cushioned areas of the room. She liked to be comfortable. Michael took the opportunity to push her back into the pillows. He straddled her before taking a nipple into his mouth. Her back arched at his ministrations. He moved on to the other side, while his still bloody hands trailed down her body and to her core. His featherlight touches were making here even more impatient, desperate for all he could offer her and more. His fingers finally entered her as his mouth made its way down her body, leaving sloppy kisses all the way down. He didn’t hesitate when he reached her core, licking and sucking with the utmost precision. He had to go beyond the high standards of a High Priestess. Her hands gripped his hair, the ache on his scalp spurred him on even further. He could tell she was close by the way her legs clamped around his head. He would have been more than happy to die here. With one final lick she came undone around him. Her head thrown back and not holding in her sounds of pleasure. Michael looked up at her, her juices all over his face. She said nothing as she brought his face closer, going in for a heated kiss and tasting herself. Michael was oozing precum at this point, wanting nothing more that to bury himself deep inside her. He rubbed his cock over her sensitive folds. Breaking away from the kiss, he made sure she looked him in the eyes as he entered her. The stretch felt so good. Both moaned happily at finally getting to this moment. It had been far too long. Michael didn’t hesitate to set a desperate pace. There was no time for teasing now. His grip on her hips was bruising. She pulled him closer, nails digging into his back. Neither were going to last long, both chasing a high. Her already sensitive walls began to clench around him, indicating she was close. His fingers toyed with her clit and the coil in her belly began to snap. Michael followed behind, losing all control. His eyes briefly turned black and his skin a papery white. Y/N knew she was right. That he was sent here for a reason. She would ask him about this later. He caught his breath and finally pulled out, watching their juices make a mess. Her legs were still shaking in the aftershocks, the pleasure had actually brought her to tears. He collapsed next to her, both trying to regulate their breathing but neither wanting to leave the pleasured haze. The looked at each other and laughed, waiting this long was definitely worth it. “I can’t believe you joined a cult just to fuck someone.” He raised his brow. “What? I’m very self-aware.” “And I’d do it all over again,” he said, as he turned her over for round two. He was going to milk his new-found privileges to the max.

[limitless-imagination]

Horizon in Mom Mode™ with the Legends part 2

Mirage: At first, Mirage is unsure of how to act. He gets surprised by the little things Horizon does, or points out. There’s a leaf in his hair. He almost forgot to attach his banner before going into the arena. The kill he got was just great! The mild fussing and the easygoing praise were two things he was definitely used to. But after some time, it hit him. Why did it sound a lot like.... mom? Elliot broke down a little bit, after he came to the realization. He missed having someone dote on him. A little while later, he gathered himself, and was back to normal- now with a newfound appreciation for the astrophysicist. After finding out Horizon is trying to get back to her son, Elliot visits Mary every so often, asking if he can lend a hand. He may not be great with technology besides his holotech, but he knows what it’s like to miss his mom. And he doesn’t want any boy to feel the way he did. The way he does...

Octane: Octane feels funny when Horizon dotes on him, or cheers him on. He tries not to think too deep. It gets him into more trouble than his usual daredevil-ing self. Whenever Horizon cheers him on, he can’t help but want to win even more than usual. It’s different than his fans, it’s different than Ajay nagging him. Horizon truly cares, but without the baggage, and wants the best for him, and somehow, that makes Octane sad, but want to give it his best. It makes the games less like a, well, game to be won, and more like something to be shown off to someone who actually cares about his progress and his win. Octavio’s own father would rather pretend he didn’t exist, so to have a parental figure that does the exact opposite is new and welcoming to the Legend. Even if he feels icky with all the feelings.

Pathfinder: When out of the games, Pathfinder usually spends his time looking for his creator. It’s often a one-MRVN-job. Everyone else is busy doing their own thing. Every once in a while though, when Horizon is also off-season, she’ll join Pathfinder in searching for his creator. She asks great, inquisitive questions that sometimes leads to something, or other times a dead-end. But no matter what, her positive attitude only adds to the robot’s hope. And when they’re not out scouting, they’ll be planning their next steps, or testing out different theories. It’s a lot of fun! Pathfinder is glad to have Horizon around, and what’s more, whenever he initiates a high five, Mary always gives him a high five.

Rampart: Rampart’s big mouth doesn’t come from bad parenting, she just likes to talk. And being the youngest of the Legends, nobody ever said anything about her blunt and sometimes insulting comments. Until now. The first time Ramya makes an off-hand diss to N.E.W.T., Horizon ignores it. The second time Ramya jokes about everyone sucking, Horizon ignores it. After a while, Ramya kind of gets the memo. It’s not fun to joke or diss around if nobody is going to make a comment back. Friendly talkative fire’s fun and all, but a straight up diss drill ain’t up Horizon’s alley. Having joked her entire life, Ramya’s making decent progress. At least only when Mary is within the vicinity.

Revenant: Revenant thinks it’s incredibly useless for Horizon to be on Mom Mode™ around him. First of all, he’s not human, second of all, he’s at least a hundred years or so older than her. What gives her the right to mom him around? Horizon noticed this early on. Revenant is very vocal about, well, everything. So Horizon steps back and doesn’t do any mom things around him. But sometimes, in the ring, she can’t help but give a little optimism and encouragement to her teammates. This goes for Revenant too. She’ll say some nice words to keep morale up as she revives him, or promises him that she’ll get his banner and deliver it ASAP.

Wattson: Wattson absolutely loves Horizon, and gets all jumpy and excited when they are in the same team in Duos or Trios. She loves talking science, and knows Horizon appreciates her puns (Mary actually laughs, instead of groaning like most other Legends). Natalie never feels pressured by Horizon. And in many ways, Horizon reminds her of her father. Both doting, and energized by their love of science, and their children. And since Wattson is not on good terms with either Caustic or Crypto, the other two she felt comfortable talking science with, she’s ecstatic to have Horizon in the roster. Wattson has definitely given Mary a Nessie doll, and the two spent an afternoon trying to dress it up to look like Mary’s son, Newton.

Wraith: Like Bangalore, Renee doesn’t feel comfortable opening up to just anyone. She tried that with Mirage, and his silver tongue somehow said all the wrong things. She tried it with Natalie, but she’s too bright and happy, and Renee worries she’ll ruin the girl’s mood. In a pinch, she even spoke to Pathfinder, but he optimism was useless. Wraith has always been realistic, not idealistic, and for her to talk about her past with someone... that person needed to have a similar way of thinking too. So one evening, when she was feeling particularly robbed by all her thoughts, she got out of bed, and accidentally came across Mary, hard at work in the middle of the night. Wraith sat with her, while Mary made small talk. In time, Renee opened up, and so did Horizon. She talked about all the times her simulations failed, all the times she sat alone with N.E.W.T. contemplating her awful luck, all the times she thought about giving up- things she never wanted Newton to know. She wasn’t sure she would make it back to Olympus, but she had to try. After the talk, Wraith bid the astrophysicist a goodnight, and laid in bed, unable to sleep. The next morning, she felt something within her, a stronger will to find answers.