#but also shes like ffs youre 11!! why are you taller than me!!!

[pyrrhicpaths]

Actual footage of Iris dealing with TALLcott. sdlfkjf

[cafeinthemoon]

Ruins - Part XVIII

Chapter 18/?

Wordcount 2,3k

Title Part XVIII

Fandom Shuumatsu no Valkyrie / Record of Ragnarok

Previous chapters 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 . 7 . 8 . 9 . 10 . 11 . 12 . 13 . 14 . 15 . 16 . 17

Symbols ⭕ . ➕. 💛

Warnings: none

Tagging @holdyourwine @lilacshouko @shirayuki-ayumi (If you want to be tagged in any of my stories, just leave a comment on this chapter or send an ask or a message)

N. A.: So... its been a while lol First, let me tell you that this time I've spent without posting on social media was important, because I was really tired. I was stressed from work, I started college and was worried about all of this, so I barely had the time or the energy to sit in front of the notebook and write something, or even edit my drafts. I was feeling saturated from it, and sensed that if I continued to do it, the results, that is, the next chapters of my ffs, would be trash. I hope you understand this time.

This chapter is like a transition, and that's why it's short compared to others. The next one we will finally have the process of marriage and the rest, which I've been wanting to work on for too long! Now I'm really excited for that! So have this brief update and I see you in the next one :)

You didn’t wait until they approached your spot, neither you said anything to express your surprise: once you laid your eyes on them, you let go of Hades’ hand and, without waiting to see if he was going to follow you, you started running toward the group. There was no mistake: there you had your parents, your sisters and your niece, all of them marveled by the vision of the Gardens and cheered up by the fact that you were the first person they met once they crossed the Gates.

Your happiness deepened when you reached them at last: they were all well dressed and had refreshed expressions, indicating that, as much as your own travel to those lands, theirs was far from tiring despite the distance between Valhalla and Midgard.

As a little child who were left in a neighbor’s house for an entire day, once you saw your mother, you passed straight by a surprised Hermes and threw yourself in her arms. All the thoughts, anxieties and expectations you carried that morning came back at once, and you just started to cry.

– Mom – you mumbled – Is that really you, mom?

Though she responded to your gesture with equal emotion, even she was surprised with all those tears.

– My baby! – she laughed – You’ve missed us this much?

– You have no idea – you whispered back, now looking into her eyes.

Your father, who was watching everything with diversion, approached you two, and you opened your arms to hug him too.

– Y/n-chan, is it just me or are you a bit taller since the last time we’ve saw you? – he joked, putting his hand upon your head – What have they been feeding you?

You laughed until you were breathless: not only you’ve long passed the period of growth, but you were also the shortest among your sisters for most of your lives, and that has been a matter of interest for your father since you were, in fact, little. You used to get angry with this in the beginning, but later you’ve learned to send the provocation back to him, just like you did that time.

– Well, maybe you’ve became shorter, dad. It’s just a matter of perspective!

Everyone laughed, and you finally turned to your sisters.

Luna, who, just like you, shared physical resemblance with your mother, was dressed in blue and had her hair tied in a single, long braid; Helena, who was more like your father, had a pair of big eyes glowing with all the things she was seeing, and a curly hair left untied, spreading around her shoulders, where she had a rosy shawl to protect her against the evening’s breeze. Though she was way younger than you, she has passed you in height, and everything indicated that she would keep growing.

Luna was the one holding Ellie, your niece, and the baby let out a sequence of little screams when you arrived, eager to get your attention. She started laughing when you took her in your arms and the girls came to hug you.

– How are you doing, girls? – you asked between the hugs – You’ve never looked so beautiful!

– The same could be said about you – it was Helena’s calm response.

You laughed.

– They have really good cosmetics around here!

– I’m willing to try them, then! – Luna commented, enthusiastic.

Still holding the baby, you finally turned to Hermes.

– Thank you so much for bringing them here, Hermes-sama. It’s the best gift you’ve ever gave to me.

The gods’ messenger, always in his composed manners, nodded.

– I was just doing my job, y/n-san.

Ellie was the first to see when Hades approached, pointing at him with a curious expression. You turned and immediately felt the heat coming up to your cheeks: you’ve got so excited when you saw your relatives that you just left him behind, and only then you realized that this wasn’t the most appropriate thing to do, for despite being his bride and having built a strong, intimate bond with him, you were still human and he was a god, and that could be seen as offensive for anyone who would hear of this.

With this in mind, you stepped ahead and were going to apologize for your behavior, but you had no chance, for you were no longer the focus of the group: while Luna and Helena stared at him with a mixture of curiosity and fear, your parents, immediately understanding they had another divine being before them, bowed their heads in respect.

You soon took the responsibility of doing the presentations.

– So… This is Hades-sama, from Greece – you spoke in a low, shy manner – He’s the King of the Underworld and, as Hermes-sama might have informed you, my future husband.

Hades, now by your side, smiled with sympathy.

– It’s a beautiful family you have, y/n – and, approaching your parents and putting one hand on each one’s shoulders, – You are the family of my future wife. You bow to no one.

Their faces brightened up at those words, said in a soft, comforting tone, and you felt a sort of pride with the scene: if there was any chance of your family not accepting your relationship or not trusting him – after all, that marriage meant taking you away from them and to Hellheim – it disappeared the moment they were treated with genuine respect. You mother, in particular, was satisfied with what she was seeing, which you noticed in the clear message you’ve caught in her eyes: being the responsible for three girls who would soon start their own lives out of her guardianship, it was only natural that the kind of people with whom they’d chose to live was among her biggest worries, and, whatever she was expecting in this sense, to see one of her girls becoming a god’s wife was beyond her imagination; but, if you were happy with this, she wouldn’t ask for more.

Hades greeted your sisters with manners that reminded you of the old gentlemen you used to see in important events at your city, nodding and making brief comments about their beauty. You and the girls always made fun of this, because the old – and, many times, uninteresting – men were the only ones who would behave like this, but having that polite, handsome man making use of those manners without the affectation typical of those other ones convinced them of the honesty of his words, and that left them ecstatic.

Finally, he turned to you and to your niece, who has been observing him with attentive eyes since he arrived and had no problems in being picked up by him, laughing and stretching her little arms to the stranger who received those gestures with diversion.

– And this is my niece, Ellie – you introduced the baby while passing her to his hands; and, with a playful smile, – I guess she likes you!

– Me or my earring? – he asked in return, laughing as he tried to keep the girl’s hand away from his ear; and, to her, – Your curiosity surpasses my expectations, little one!

Though Ellie clearly didn’t understand what curiosity or expectations meant, she seemed to enjoy being held by Hades more than by yourself, because, after playing with her for a moment, she refused to return to you when you tried to pick her back, provoking everyone’s laughter.

And, as expected, your mother was the first to verbalize her opinion on this.

– You have a way with small children, my Lord! That’s surprising, to say the least!

Hades turned to her with a sort of prideful, nostalgic smile.

– I am the eldest of four brothers – he let Ellie hold his index finger – I still remember when each of them were just like Ellie-chan.

Hermes, who was observing everything in silence, was the first to reply that time.

– Let’s pray that this conversation never reaches Poseidon-sama’s ears, uncle.

– I agree with you, Hermes-sama – you, the only human there who met Poseidon, completed with a clever smile.

***

Hermes led your family to rooms on the wing of the apprentices on the human lodge, so that you would stay close to them for the entire period of their stay. It was established that, while your parents would have one room for themselves, your sisters and the baby would stay in a contiguous one, both located on the floor under your own room; to access them, you’d only need to walk down the stairs and cross a corridor for a few meters.

Just like the apprentices, they were all allowed to visit the Gardens and take their meals at the common room, and they enjoyed each opportunity in that sense. Well, actually, your parents decided to turn their stay at the blessed lands into a second honeymoon, something that was first pointed out by Helena and confirmed by you and Luna when you saw them walking with their hands entwined in the Gardens in the next morning of their arrival; your sisters, on their turn, had no difficulties in making friends with the other girls, particularly with Heracles’ disciples, so that later he came to express his contentment in knowing this, stating that you were lucky to have such excellent siblings.

***

Those days spent in the company of your beloved ones were the happiest since your arrival at the divine lands: having your relatives and the man you loved in the same place, and seeing them getting along, was more than your could ask for, even when you knew it wouldn’t last forever.

About this, you already have established your opinion, which was discussed later.

You were taking care of your flowers at the Green House. Your garden, by the way, was growing larger, and that only added to your contentment.

That afternoon, you were upon a small staircase, watering the flowers above your table, when you heard the door opening; you recognized the visitor’s steps and smiled.

– You’re late – you warned him as you walked down the stairs and put the watering can on the floor, beside the table, then crossed your arms to pretend irritation – We were supposed to to take a walk at the Gardens… but this was half an hour ago.

Hades, who was in fact the visitor, walked around the table and stopped by your side, surrounding you with his arms.

– Will you forgive me for this small crime, little one, if I reveal my reasons to you?

You shrugged.

– You can try.

As you imagined, he was with your parents.

– We’ve spent a wonderful time together – he explained – During which interesting conversations happened.

Your face heated up with that.

– Well, if these conversations didn’t include my parents narrating embarrassing episodes of my childhood that I intended to keep out of your knowledge, it’s okay for me.

This caused laughter from your partner, who replied that he then preferred to stay silent about the topics of the said conversations.

***

You had your arms leaning on the wood guardrail as your eyes followed the stream passing under the bridge. The murmur of the water, as sweet as the first time you heard it, was now like the music from a dream, from a memory you’ve long lost and then happily retrieved: yes, you were revisiting the places of the garden where you met for the second time, and now you were in the middle of that bridge where you had your first conversation about your dreams. Those events happened months ago, but to you it hasn’t been more than a few days, and the emotions you’ve experienced that day were vivid inside you.

Apparently, Hades had similar feelings towards it, and he showed it to you: you felt his fingers brushing your hair, then his hands bringing you closer, for a hug.

– Your mood seems lighter now that you have your family here, my y/n – he kissed the top of your head – The time you’ve spent with Heracles was really worth it.

– Indeed, it was – you murmured, passing your arms around his waist – Honestly, I feel even better now that they’re here. If I was scared by all the reasons I’ve told you before, now I know that it was silly of me to be afraid. There’s only room for happiness in my heart these days. Heracles-sama taught me to value the time I have with them instead of concentrating in the future days, in a time when they won’t be with me. And this is what I’m trying to do right now.

– A wise choice – Hades commented – And, judging by what I’ve learned from your parents, they must have the same view on this question. Have you already talked to them about it?

You sighed and moved away from his hug.

– Not yet. I know I have to do this, and they’re probably waiting for something of this type, but I’m still nervous about taking the first step.

– Well, if this helps, you can try to find a chance to bring out the subject during an informal moment. You know, sitting around a table and discuss things like a meeting between monarchs is quite stressful.

You turned to him with a frown.

– This is something stressful for you? – and, with a giggle, – You never told me that!

His lips stretched in a smirk in response.

– There are a few things I still haven’t told you, my girl. For example… – you felt his hand surrounding your waist and bring you back to him – I was sent straight to our future when I saw you holding your niece in your arms. You created such a beautiful scene together.

Your cheeks heated up.

– Our future? Are you talking about…? – you gasped – Hades, we will have a long time to think about this, don’t you think?

The god approached his lips from your ear, as if his next words shouldn’t be heard by anyone but you.

– I do. But there’s nothing wrong in speaking about this right now.

Part XIX

[seriouslyhooked]

Lost Souls and Reveries (Part 19)

22 part AU written for @cssns​. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6,Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13,Part 14, Part 15,Part 16, Part 17, Part 18. Story available on AO3 Here and FF Here. Banner created by the amazingly talented @shipsxahoy​!!

Killian Jones is a wolf shifter without roots, without plans, and without a pack. He’s a rogue, someone humans should avoid and shifters should be wary of given his lineage. But one night years back set him on a path he didn’t realize he was taking, a path leading to a future he is destined for. That future is tied up in one woman – a human named Emma Nolan. Together Emma and Killian will find not only answers, but a love that’s truly fated. But will love be enough to set them free, or will past demons win out in the end? (Answer: love always wins – I am writing this so despite some tiny pockets of angst it’s basically a fluff-filled insta-love fest). Rated M.

A/N: Hey everyone! After a good while away I am back with another chapter of Lost Souls and Reveries. As has happened in the past, I went to write the chapter I had briefly outlined only to realize I couldn’t accomplish everything in one installment. There’s still quite a bit of story left I have to incorporate, and some loose ends I have to tie up, and hopefully everyone can follow along. For clarity’s sake, just know that the bulk of this chapter is told from Killian’s POV, and at the end there’s another POV. No spoilers, but more will become clear by the end of this this chapter and the next. Also it’s kind of an intense scene that we end on, so for my more light-hearted readers feel free to skip and ask me what happens. Anyway, thanks so much for reading and hope you all enjoy!

“Do we really have to go? It’s not too late to bail. We could go to the beach, or a run in the woods. Ooh, maybe we could get a root canal! That would be great compared to this.”

Killian chuckled at Emma’s commentary as they walked along the lane that lead to her parents’ home. They were en route to a ‘wedding brainstorm session’ with Emma’s mother, and though Killian had known Mary Margaret Nolan for some time now, he wondered if either her or Emma could really be ready for what was to come. For the next few hours, Mary Margaret was undoubtedly going to present them with roughly one million tiny questions about their impending wedding, very few of which would seem to really matter. For Killian, there were only three things he cared about. The first was that he wanted to marry Emma. The second was that he wanted to marry her soon. And the third was that he wanted her to be happy with the wedding. He didn’t give a damn about anything else. If Emma wanted it, she would have it, and that was the end of that. Unfortunately though, Killian knew one thing Emma did not want, and it was all of this over the top planning. His mate was hardly high maintenance, and though she’d talked to him casually about some things she might like for their special day, they were simple requests that mostly aligned with classic traditions.

“Sorry, love. I’m afraid we’ve no dental disasters in our future for the time being.”

“So the beach then?” Emma asked hopefully and Killian smiled as he shook his head. He hated to deny her anything, but at the same time he knew Emma was only teasing. She’d given her word that they would come today, and his love was a woman of character. She never broke a promise, and she always abided by her commitments.

“I promise you, Emma, that as soon as this is done, I will make it up to you.”

He pulled her into his arms as they stopped walking, and instinctively he moved her hair back to get a better look at her admiring her effortless beauty. He could see that her jokes right now were coming from a place of stress, and he meant what he said. Tonight, when all of this was done, he had a plan in place. He’d make them dinner, run her a bath, and then spend the next handful of hours ravishing her so thoroughly that all memory of wedding annoyances would flee her mind.  His body hardened at the thought of what he would do with his gorgeous mate, and a low growl emanated from his chest before he could even think to stop it.

“Oh really?” she asked, her initial surprise at his claim soon giving way to lust and want and need that burned hot in her green eyes.

“Aye. We’ll have no wasted days, love. And since this first part might be fatiguing, we’ll have to see to it that the rest of the day is exactly what we want.”

Though they were out in the open and just a few steps from her parents’ home, Killian couldn’t resist running his hands along Emma’s body, and he reveled in the moment where she shivered, as a thrill of anticipation rolled through her. Her eyes dilated, and she wet her lips absentmindedly, and with such an invitation he couldn’t help but steal a taste of his own. When their lips met, he nearly groaned out in relief. Yet though it was painful to break apart so soon, he eventually had to pull back so that they could face the morning’s responsibilities.

“Okay, you win. But the second we can get away with leaving, we’re out of here, got it?” He nodded, prompting a light laugh from Emma before her eyes took on a thoughtful quality. “If we’re lucky maybe we can round up everyone else and have a cookout or a bonfire, then we can get to whatever it is you’ve got planned, which I’m sure will be perfect.”

Killian readily agreed, knowing that as much as Emma loved him, she also loved her friends who were more like family than anything else. He could never resent that, in fact, he embraced it, and he was just as eager to see them and Liam and Ruby. A night with their friends would be well deserved after all of this, he was sure, and he was glad for their new plan as Emma slipped her hand in his again and they made their way to her parent’s house. But as they walked up the front pathway, they heard a booming noise come from the backyard. It sounded like a huge fuse system had just been detonated, followed swiftly by Mary Margaret’s excited voice:

“Oh, David! Isn’t it wonderful? It looks just like how I pictured it!”

“Oh Jeez, better see what she’s got going,” Emma said, pulling him around the house, and though Killian smiled at his soon to be wife’s sarcasm, his smile dropped as soon as they stepped in the backyard.

“What the bloody hell is that?” he whispered and Emma barked out a laugh. But it wasn’t a laugh based in humor. Rather, it was the sound of someone so startled and confounded that they were becoming a little bit manic. Killian could hardly blame her for the reaction.

Because there, staring them in the face, was a light display that was… well, fucking gigantic to put it mildly. It was taller than he and Emma, and it had their names on it along with about a hundred hearts. It was gaudy and loud, and Killian couldn’t imagine there was a building within twenty miles that was suited for such a massive sign. For the moment though it was perched up against the Nolan’s barn, and Killian just couldn’t wrap his mind around why or how it had even gotten there.

“Please tell me you didn’t buy that, Mom,” Emma said, loud enough for her parents to realize they were back here. David, for his part, looked almost amused, and most certainly relieved at Emma’s comment, but Mary Margaret seemed downright perplexed.

“Well no, it’s just a sample. Your grandmother thought it would be best to hold off on any actual purchases. The letters are interchangeable, and the company brought it over for us to take a look with just a small deposit. But it’s so beautiful. I mean, who doesn’t want their name in lights on such a special day?”

“Mom this is supposed to be a small, classic wedding, not a blockbuster movie premiere,” Emma stressed, and Killian was glad they were on the same page, but he knew they’d hit a wall when Emma’s mother’s face fell. She looked genuinely hurt, and Killian knew that would only bring pain to Emma.

“You’re onto something with the lights, though,” Killian said, squeezing Emma’s hand in a sign of reassurance when her head whipped around to look at him. “But maybe something smaller? Twinkle lights would be perfect, don’t you think?”

“Oh my God, you’re so right!” Mary Margaret exclaimed, shaking her head at the sign now as if she’d only just realized how horrendous it was. “Fairy lights would be amazing! Like stars, or fireflies. Oh, there’s so much we could do with those! I’ll call the company right now and let them know.”

“Mary Margaret, maybe that could wait?” David offered calmly. “Emma and Killian are here now. It’s probably best to ask them all your questions first.”

“Right. Good thinking. Anyway, I have some more things to show you guys…”

And boy did she ever. It might have been normal for Emma’s mother to produce a binder with ideas for her only daughter’s special day. But one apparently didn’t do the visions Mary Margaret had justice. She pulled up a large box in a surprising show of strength for someone her size, and from the view alone Killian could see at least six. Given the space inside the box, he would be there were at least a dozen binders in total, and when he looked at David to silently inquire if this was all, Emma’s father gave a slight shake of his head. Bloody hell, they would be here all week at this rate!

Over the next few hours the constant stream of questions and decisions remained ever-flowing. There was no slowing down and no breaks in sight, and Killian for one felt his energy waning. Emma was clearly having the same problem, and with each new query, she leaned against him a little more, her face showing signs that she was more and more fatigued. Indeed, the only person with the stamina for this kind of festive frenzy was his soon to be mother in law. No one else even came close, but none of them had the chance to get off the ride. It just kept going on and on and on.

“So I spoke with the florists and after a little cajoling I finally got them to guarantee any and all arrangements we deem fit. At first they tried to tell me that certain flowers weren’t ‘in season,’” Emma’s mother explained while making skeptical air quotes. “Which is, of course, ridiculous. But eventually they came around. I just need to know what you guys think. I’ve got ten design options for you both to consider -,”

“Wait, ten?!” Emma asked, interrupting her mother who had pulled out her forth binder of the day, aptly labeled ‘Flower Ideas.’ “Mom, you can’t be serious. This is so much work, just for flowers for one day?”

“They’re not just for one day, Emma,” her mother said, sounding almost wounded at the insinuation. “This is going to be one of the most magical days of our life!”

Emma’s father chose that moment to return with water for all of them, after excusing himself from a very lengthy conversation about table settings, and though Killian could see that he wanted to laugh at his wife’s unending enthusiasm, he held it in, and instead cleared his throat and gave Mary Margaret a knowing look.

“I think you meant Emma and Killian’s life, right honey?”

“Well I actually meant…” Mary Margaret looked liable to contradict that statement, but then she read her husband’s face and understanding seemed to dawn on her. “Uh, right, absolutely. It’s your day, one hundred percent. But what you’re forgetting Emma is that while we might only get a few days with the flowers, the pictures are forever.”

“And the memories,” David agreed, coming to sit by his wife and smiling as he took her hand. “No matter how much time passes, it will always be with you. The day you say ‘I do’ to the person who means the most is one of the best you’ll ever know.”

It was heartwarming to see Emma’s parents be so much in love all these years after they had found each other and promised each other forever. Undoubtedly, their love was strong, so much so that Killian believed it rivaled what it felt like to have a fated mate. Who knew? Maybe they actually were mates, but they just didn’t have that precise bond because David’s shifter self had always remained separate from his human soul. Either way, Killian looked to Emma’s parents as an excellent example of what true love and commitment looked like. They were a partnership that was patient but still passionate. Sometimes they acted like kids still, and there had been more than one moment where Emma was embarrassed at how in love her parents still seemed to be, but they had the beautiful benefit of age and a life spent happily together. They were tied together in the best of ways, both standing tall alone, but shining brighter as a couple.

“Okay that is admittedly very sweet, Dad, but you’re not distracting me from this. She just said she has ten choices. As in double digits! And I’m willing to bet anything that’s just for one part of the wedding. There are definitely multiple arrangements, and these ten don’t even cover those, do they?”

Killian bit back a groan when Emma’s mother nodded, but it helped that she at least had the sense to look guilty for the first time all day. For Emma though, this seemed to be a breaking point. Killian felt her tension rise to a new high, and she stood in her chair suddenly. They’d been holding hands throughout this, and she seemed like she might let go, but Killian didn’t want that. Instead he rose with her, and when she looked at him he silently conveyed that whatever she wanted to do, he would back her up. She looked relieved and then directed her frustration back at her mother.

“Look, Mom, I know you mean well, and I love you, I really really do, but this is just getting ridiculous. We’ve been here for hours, answered a hundred questions, and I don’t think we’ve even made a dent in your planning. At this rate I’d honestly rather go to city hall today, with no muss and no fuss.” Despite the fact that her mother audibly gasped and raised a hand to her chest dramatically, Emma continued on. “Because it’s not really about the flowers or the lighting or the silverware, Mom. This wedding is about Killian and I spending the rest of our lives together.”

Emma’s words filled Killian with pride. Yes, he knew Emma’s mother would be hurt in some ways by the sentiment, but it made him happy to know Emma felt as he did. The wedding itself wasn’t the focal part of all of this. It was the marriage and the union between them that mattered most. In his heart, they were more than married already. Mates were forever, in this life, and any lives hereafter. But he did want the traditional human component too. He wanted everyone to know he belonged to Emma, and she belonged to him, but he agreed that the rest of the details, as nice as they may be in the end, didn’t hold nearly as much weight in his eyes at all. Still, as stern as Emma was being right now, he also knew that city hall wedding would never happen. This would all get figured out. It was just a matter of when and how.

“Perhaps we could just take a moment. I think a walk would do us some good,” Killian offered, looking to David for back up. Clearly a little space could be of some use, and David immediately understood.

“I think that’s a great idea. And we’ll be here, whenever you two are ready.”

Emma nodded in agreement, and the two of them set out farther behind the house where Emma had grown up. Despite the agitation that had just been facing them, there was no denying the beauty of this home. As he gazed upon the garden and the lush green land all around, Killian thought of what it must have been like to grow up here. Emma had such good things to say about so much of her childhood, and knowing her as he did, Killian could just picture how it all was. She’d have been here, happy, and peaceful and carefree, reading her favorite stories under the willow tree, running around with her little brother in the open field, and imagining whole new worlds with Anna and Elsa. Though he’d seen pictures, Killian didn’t need them to recall some of those memories. Their being mates meant their souls were intertwined, and so Killian could look upon this place and practically feel the happiness that his love experienced here. It calmed him to be in such close proximity to good feelings, even as the aggravation Emma carried from before still lingered.

“I hate to be angry with her,” Emma admitted, when they’d come to stop under the giant willow that defined this back-yard space. Underneath the hanging greenery, they were sheltered away. A natural curtain separated them from the world, and that barrier seemed to help Emma speak the thoughts that troubled her mind. “I love my Mom, and I love the life she and my Dad game me here. I never wanted for anything. Not for a long, long time.”

Emma’s eyes softened as she looked around this spacious, canopied hide away and Killian followed suit. The tree was old and majestic. It sang a soothing song when the wind cut through the leaves, and it was cool here, shaded by an entity that signaled strength and peace. It was immediately apparent that Emma was familiar with this spot, and Killian imagined she must have come here countless times before. Picturing a young Emma automatically made Killian think of their future children, and more specifically the child on the way. Not that he’d ever really forgotten, but still the rush of remembrance coursed through him in the best of ways. Instinctively, his hand come over where their child was now growing, and Emma hummed out a sound of contentment as her own hand came to cover his.

“There’s no denying that your parents have given you all that they could, Emma, and I hazard to guess that that is what your mother wants now too.”

“I know that. I do, Killian. But the problem is that when we use up all this time on these tiny, seemingly unimportant things, I feel like it’s a waste. Spending time with my mother is a blessing, I know, and there are parts of a wedding we should share, and will share that will bring us both joy, but this roaming around in the weeds thinking about party favors and which specific brand of tea lights to use isn’t that. Time is precious, life isn’t guaranteed, and I want all of us to make the most of every moment we have. Even if I do believe we’ll all have years of them to come, I just…”

Emma trailed off, her eyes casting away from his as she struggled to find the words. Again Killian felt the intensity of their mental link together, and he knew, without having to ask, that she was thinking of his mother. Time was the one thing his mother never had enough of, and knowing that life could be cut short like that made Killian of the same mindset. There was no need to be wasteful. If they could all be happy, then they should chase that, and since his happiness was irrevocably tied up in Emma’s, Killian was determined to see his mate made brighter.

“You just don’t want to live with regret. You don’t want to wake up one day and think that you should have done something different. You want to realize what’s most important while we’re living it instead of after the fact.”

“Exactly,” Emma said, closing her eyes and sighing into him, taking comfort in his instinctual reaction to wrap her up in his arms. “God why can’t you just do the talking? You’re better at it than I am.”

Killian chuckled at that, and when Emma opened her eyes again, they were filled with humor of their own, because they both knew that would never work. He might sometimes have some insights into how to turn a phrase, but between the two of them it was Emma who often saw the way forward. She was as brilliant as she was beautiful, and she had many opinions, all of which he cherished. Still, he understood her meaning now, and he tried his best to offer some solution.

“I think the best way forward is to make your boundaries clear, love. If you only have so much you want to engage with, then that’s what we tell her, and maybe she’ll be even more pleased to plan the rest of it herself.” Emma considered his suggestion, but still looked skeptical. “Of course we would be clear that there are limits.”

“Uh yeah, that’s a must,” Emma replied and Killian smiled, pressing a kiss to her temple as she leaned back against him.

“But your mother, at the end of the day, is a reasonable woman. She knows you have a lot going on. You have work, your friends, the baby…”

“And you,” Emma whispered, looking back to him with a smile.

“Aye, and me. Always.”

The promise was one he had made countless times and meant with all his heart, but this time it moved Emma to a degree that she shifted in his arms, straddling him where he sat before she pulled him in for a feverish kiss. In seconds they were riled to the same place, thoroughly forgetting the world around them. Killian pulled her closer, relishing the way her body writhed against him as her hands clung to him. Close was never close enough for the two of them, and when they were together like this, all outside noise fell away. All that mattered was that they were together, and that in each other they’d found a spectacular new life and love. It was so transcendent to have these moments wrapped up together like this, but then Killian heard the sound of footsteps coming up the gravel path and he pulled back. Emma still appeared dazed from their kiss, her eyes foggy with feeling, and her lips full from having been thoroughly devoured. But in a few moments she caught up with his reasoning, and instinctively she jumped up, straightening out her summer dress before pulling him to his feet just in time for the willow leaves to rustle.

“There you kids are,” Emma’s grandmother stated as she walked under the canopy. “I was wondering where you’d wandered off to.”

It was still very strange to Killian to even think of this woman that way, given how young she was. She looked closer to Emma’s age than she even did her son’s, but appearances had done nothing to lessen her love for David or for Emma. It was clear that time had little impact on Ruth’s devotion to her family. Over the last few weeks she’d been playing catch up on all the years she missed, but already she blended with this tribe of people. And she was dedicated in her role as caregiver. Killian had noticed how loyal she was and how she was determined to smooth things over whenever she could. She appeared to have a magic touch with these things, and Killian began to hope that maybe she could intervene somehow in all this wedding planning.

“How did you know we’d wandered off?” Emma asked curiously and Ruth smiled and shrugged.

“It was only a matter of time, honey. Anyone who knows you and your mother had to see this coming a mile away. She’s a lovely woman – the best partner I could have picked for my son, and the best mother to my grandbabies – but she’s also on a whole different frequency. She’s got so much energy and so much enthusiasm. Well, it just washes everything else away, doesn’t it?”

“It’s exhausting,” Emma admitted and Ruth took Emma’s hand, patting it affectionately.

“I know it is. You’ve done brilliantly trying to keep up, Emma. But I think this is where we put our foot down. I’ll speak with your mother, and we’ll get this all settled.”

“Oh, Grandma, you don’t have to. It’s okay, I can -,”

“Nonsense. It’s my job to protect you, Emma, and right now you’ve got more than enough on your plate. Besides, we both know this might get a little awkward, and I don’t want you or Killian getting in the crossfire. Your mother will come around, but it might take her some time, and better that she be annoyed with me than with you.”

Emma and Killian tried to argue, insisting that they could handle it, but Ruth would hear none of it. Seemed stubbornness was a bit of a family trait, but as she led them back to the yard where Emma’s mother and father were waiting, Killian couldn’t help but feel relief. It was a weight off his shoulders to know that Emma would have an advocate, and though he would have risen to the challenge without any hesitation, he was grateful that it wasn’t him or his bride to be that had to face Mary Margaret’s impending displeasure.

“Mom, I didn’t realize you were here. I thought you went into town for the day,” David said as he saw Ruth leading Killian and Emma back. He stood from his chair, giving her a kiss on the cheek, and she beamed up at him, her hands patting his shoulder affectionately.

“And I did, for a little while. I thought it best to give everyone their space while you did your planning, but I think it’s time I stepped in now. Don’t you?”

The look of shock on Emma’s father’s face was actually rather funny, so much so that Emma giggled softly beside him. Killian looked to her and the light in her eyes said that her grandmother’s approach was helping. She might still be worried about her mother’s reactions, but she wasn’t as anxious or apprehensive as she might have been otherwise. This was a blessing, since stress wasn’t healthy for Emma or their little one.

“Now, I know there is no one more capable of putting together a wedding to remember than you, Mary Margaret,” Ruth said, with real appreciation, “but I think that the best thing we could do for Emma is to make things very easy. If I’m understanding correctly, there aren’t many things Emma really feels strongly about, right?”

Emma nodded, and let out a sigh of relief at how quickly her grandmother had understood her. Killian felt just as calmed by Ruth’s insightfulness, and he watched in amazement as she continued to press forward, working to convince Emma’s mother of some necessary change.

“So why don’t we do this: let’s get the details that matter to the kids and let’s get a list of absolute no-nos as well. That way we have a general idea of what they want and what they don’t want, and we can build them their magical day as part of our gift to them.”

“Us?” Mary Margaret asked surprised. “Like you and me?”

“Yes, I mean if you’ll have me,” Ruth said, offering her hand to Mary Margaret who took it eagerly. “I know it’s not the same, but I’ll always regret the fact that I couldn’t be part of your and David’s special day. This will give us a chance to make some of those decisions, and it’ll help Emma have some peace of mind while she gets ready for her marriage and her baby. She’ll still be involved, but not so hands on, and together we can make something absolutely beautiful that still falls within reason.”  

Emma’s mother looked really happy at the thought, until those last few words popped up. Then she tossed a look at David, before replying to his mother. “I don’t tend to do very well at the ‘within reason’ part.”

“That’s okay, we’ll figure it out together, and we’ll keep Emma and Killian updated as much as they want.”

It was amazing to have witnessed this delivery of an idea. Ruth had only been in their lives for a few weeks, but she had a means of talking to all of them in a way that convinced them to see reason and to be empathetic to others. For the first time, Killian felt like Mary Margaret really understood that this was more of what Emma wanted. It dawned on her that Ruth was right. Emma had lots of other things to be thinking of, and fighting with her mother would only add to an already full plate. At the end of the day, Mary Margaret clearly didn’t want that for her daughter, and she was the kind of mother who would do anything for her children.

“Is this okay with you, Emma? I don’t want you to feel like I’m planning your whole wedding. It’s your day, and I know I can be controlling and opinionated -,”

“Let me stop you there, Mom,” Emma said, coming around the table to sit beside her mother. “I appreciate that you want this to be what I want, but I think grandma Ruth is onto something. Killian and I only really care about a handful of things. I want to pick my own dress, Killian and I want to choose our first song, we want to get married here in Storybrooke, and we want to get married soon.”

“How soon?”

“Before the summer is over,” Emma said, looking to Killian who grinned and nodded.

“All right, and the rest you want to leave to me?” her mother asked and Emma smiled.

“I do. I know our tastes can be different sometimes, but you know me, Mom. I trust you to create not just a beautiful wedding, but one that represents Killian and I. Grandma’s right. There is no one better to plan that then you, and it’ll be a lot less painful of a process if you just follow your own thinking and can go at your own pace.”  

Everyone waited with bated breath to see if Mary Margaret would actually respond well to this new idea. There was a chance she might still feel slighted or upset, but when her face lit up with a genuinely happy smile, Killian and Emma breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed they’d actually managed to handle this, and they owed so much of that new found peace to Emma’s grandmother. With a few more quick, overarching questions, about colors and basic thematic elements, the five of them were done and Killian and Emma were left wondering what to do with the rest of their day. Before they had a chance to decide, however, an unexpected party made up of their friends and the rest of their family walked through the back gates of the Nolans’ home.

“Surprise!” Ruby said with a mirthful grin as she wielded a large red pot in her arms. Graham was beside her, carrying at least four of his own containers in an attempt to ease Granny’s load, and behind them were Anna, Elsa, and Liam who all held their own unanticipated offerings too. “It’s a beautiful day, and we were thinking it might be perfect for a barbecue.”

“What a great idea!” Emma’s mother agreed. “And your timing is brilliant. We’re just finishing up.”

“Oh I know,” Ruby said, reminding them all that her visionary gifts often came in hand in cases like this. “It was touch and go for a bit there, but thank god for Grandma Ruth, huh?”

“You have no idea,” Emma agreed, as she grabbed some of the supplies Ruby and the others brought with them before she turned, with a twinkle of mischief in her eye. “Oh wait, actually you do.”

Killian watched as Emma laughed with her friends, a group which now thoroughly included Ruby. It was like they’d been close for years instead of only a few months, and the four of them were predisposed to sharing only good moments together. Ultimately, they went into the house, all of them clearly well pleased with the way the day was turning out, and that was all Killian could ask for. Before she was fully inside Emma tossed one last smile his way, and he grinned, glad that despite how rocky things had been before, his love was now in a much better place.

“You look happy, brother,” Liam acknowledged as he approached and Killian nodded, knowing that Liam’s comment was by no means inaccurate.

“No happier than the Sherriff here,” Killian said motioning to Graham, who walked beside Liam. “Surprised to see you here, Graham.”

“Why would you be? Tink can handle the town well enough on her own. And Ruby is here, so I am too.”

“Sorry, I should have been clearer. I meant I was surprised to see both of you. Ruby hasn’t been uh… let’s call it sociable of late.”

“Aye,” Liam agreed, immediately joining in on Killian’s ribbing of their cousin’s new mate.  “It was made clear as day after Ruby helped Elsa cast her spell that you’d both be taking a long, long time away.”

“And we will be,” Graham said confidently, his eyes sparkling in a way that so equally matched Ruby’s it was no surprise they were mates. “But things need to settle first.”

“Settle?” Killian asked. “How much more settled can they get?”

“Beats me,” Graham replied with a sigh. “But my girl knows what she knows. She says soon, but not yet, and I have to trust she knows best.”

Killian respected that response and figured that he and Liam had given Graham enough grief. He was family now, after all, and there was nothing more worth protecting and preserving than family. “As to your original question, brother, you’re right. I am happy. I’m happier than I ever believed possible, and I have a feeling you share my sentiments.”

Liam nodded, his own smile still more reserved after years of the emotional drain that had been caused by his sickness. Since Elsa completed the magical bond between them a a couple of weeks ago, Liam had been rapidly on the mend, but Ruby assured them all that it would take time for Liam to be truly acclimated to something like normalcy again. Not that being magically bounded to a witch who was also your mate was normal, per se, but Killian still understood the meaning.

“I only wish Elsa would rebound faster. What she’s been through to save me…” Liam trailed off, the burden of Elsa’s sacrifice clearly weighing heavily on him.

“Has the bonding not taken like it should?”

“No, it was seamless. Elsa saw to that,” Liam said with pride, and Killian bit back another smile as he waited for Liam to elaborate. “It’s just her sleep.”

“Ah,” Graham said, like it was suddenly so clear. “Well that’s easy, humans need more sleep than shifters. That means as much as you might want to keep her up -,”

“I’m not keeping her up,” Liam growled defensively, though Killian was past the point of being afraid of his elder brother’s actions. Despite being frustrated with the implication that he was the cause of his mate’s suffering, Liam was fine and not truly angry with Graham. “It’s her nightmares. They’ve been bad for the past week. She’s been restless, and even on the nights when I think she’s found sound reprieve, she wakes just as tired as when she went to bed.”

“Nightmares? Like the ones she was having before?” Killian asked and Liam nodded. “But I thought those were about you trying to find me or being her mate.”

“They were. These are different, but Elsa says the same darkness sticks with her when she wakes. Just now instead of waking up from blackness, she says she’s been seeing red.”

“Red?” Killian echoed, a sense of uneasiness creeping in at his brother’s confirmation.

“Brighter than blood, was how she put it.”

“Kind of a weird way of phrasing that,” Graham muttered, but Liam disregarded him.

“She says the color is unnatural, and that this particular hue seeps all through the dreams. Monsters with red eyes and a lust for blood. Some of them are trapped, and some roam the forest, searching for something, but all of them terrify her,” Liam said, and Killian felt a chill snap down his spine, a very real trickle of fear coloring his recently more stable world.

“Well damn, no wonder she’s tired. That shit sounds awful.”

“It does,” Killian agreed, almost without meaning to, his mind wandering back to his own remembrances of eyes that repulsive and frightening.

“Meanwhile I can do nothing to stop this. I’d protect her from anything the world over, but how could I possibly ward this off? I have no control of dreams, and it’s starting to drive me mad, which is probably only making her worse.”

“Does she think they’re visions?” Killian asked.

“How could they be? Red eyes? What shifter species has those? None I know of, and none we read word of in her family’s archives. No, I think this is a symptom. My lingering darkness is somehow spreading to her, but when we talked to Ruby she said that the future she can see still looked the same, and in that future we’re both healthy and well.”

“But clearly Ruby’s sight isn’t as infallible as we once thought,” Killian responded, and now Liam and Graham looked at him quizzically.

“Maybe not, but if she says we’re fine and she knows that for sure then certainly that means something.”

“Why didn’t you come to me?” Killian asked, his voice edgier than he intended. Liam’s eyes widened slightly in surprise.

“Come to you with the nightmares of my mate? I didn’t think it necessary. You and Emma have enough going on. Between showing her how to shift, preparing for your wedding, and the pup on the way, I figured you didn’t need the hassle. Besides, I know my Elsa. She would never wish to add more burden to Emma’s life, not after everything they’ve gone through.”

“They were scarlet,” Killian whispered, and Liam now looked thoroughly confused. “I’ve seen scarlet colored eyes on a shifter before.”

“You have?” Liam asked, immediately on alert. “Where, brother?”

“Boston. Emma saw them too.”

Killian recalled what he could of that night, though it felt like he had gone through the story a thousand times in many ways. It dawned on him as he was telling it though that Liam had never heard the full account, as least not from Killian or Emma, the two who had actually experienced that unusual night. Elsa must have heard it all, but now he wondered if Emma had included those little details. If she had it clearly hadn’t stuck with Elsa, but then again the idea of these eyes wasn’t horrible and gruesome until one saw them in the face of a snarling, ruthless animal.

Just as he’d finished explaining the still mysterious nature of the attack years ago, the back door burst open, and Killian turned to find Emma leading the women out of the house. Gone was her easy demeanor from before, and now it was replaced with worry, a worry that he immediately wanted to fix, but wasn’t sure how.

It’s not just dreams, Emma’s mind pushed towards him through their mated link, her face portraying the pain of accepting that terrifying though. Then she decided to speak aloud so everyone could hear. “They’re visions. Definitely visions.”

“Aye, so it would seem.”

“So much for normal, huh?” Emma asked in a whisper as she came to hold him, trying to find comfort in his arms when a new wave of fear had descended. Though he wished he could tell her that it would all be okay, and that there was no more pain or uncertainty ahead, Killian knew that likely wasn’t true. Whatever these visions meant, and wherever things were going, it seemed they had more darkness standing in their way. But he’d be damned if he didn’t fight it all off and overcome it for their future. They’d handle this, just as they’d weathered every storm up to now, and no matter what it took, Killian swore to himself and to Emma that he’d keep her and their family safe at all costs…

………….

Don’t shift. Don’t shift. Whatever you do, don’t shift.

The familiar voice in his head that belonged to his bear had been growing weaker day by day, increasingly drowned out by the menacing, discombobulated thoughts of something darker. Something ruthless. But tonight there was a desperation and a last display of strength behind his animal’s spirit that Kristoff hadn’t heard before. It was like a final cry of hope, but it felt useless to be hopeful here. Trapped as he was in this cage underground, ripped away from his home and the life he knew before, Kristoff had been losing more and more of himself during this stint in captivity. Whatever the man in the mask was pumping into his veins was slowly driving him crazy, but he had to fight. Even if it was inevitable, he’d fight with every fiber of his being before he’d ever sink willingly into this dark abyss.

“Ah, still trying to deny what must now come,” a voice said, sounding through the bars in an even, unelevated way.

He recognized it as the voice of the man who was in charge of this place. He was the one responsible for all this terror, and the tone of his words reflected that. He was cold, calculating, and yet self-satisfied in a way that made Kristoff’s skin crawl. A twinge in his voice spoke to malicious intent, and if evil was ever to incarnate into human form, this guy was definitely in the running for what it would look like.

“It’s all for nothing, of course. You will, ultimately, give in as all the others have. But I can’t help but wonder at your power when you do. You’re a grizzly, after all, one of nature’s largest abominations, and your resistance to this point… well I have to believe it’ll make your eventual surrender so much more complete. Yes, you’ll work fine. A weapon befitting the task at hand.”

“What’s so damn important?” Kristoff asked. “You keep talking about a weapon, and I can smell there’ve been others here, others you’ve tortured like me. What the hell is your endgame?

The man laughed, and the sound was toxic and scratchy, almost causing Kristoff to wince. Then he walked to the edge of the cage, his body mere inches from the bars as he sneered out a response. “If I had my way you’d all be dead. There’s no worth to shifter life. You are all nothing. Worse than nothing. You’re a plague, a plague brought upon the world to be remedied, and at last I’ve found my way to do just that. What I’ve given you is so much more than you can fathom, it would leave your feeble mind gasping for air to even conceive of it.”

“Try me,” Kristoff said, staring down his captor while doing his best to use his other senses to figure out a way out of here. He just had to get to the gate fast enough to kill this man. He must have a key somewhere, and once this ass hole was dead then maybe Kristoff could be free.

“We don’t have time. You’re ready for your final dose, your last descent, so to speak. You won’t withstand another injection. The sickness will take you then, and this will keep you in line.” 

The man pulled a giant, bear sized collar out from behind his back, and even from this distance Kristoff could smell the dark magic attached to the thing. It smelled of death and decay, and it explained why Kristoff had sensed magic nearby. It was strange though - so far things here had seemed almost clinical, but maybe this monster of a man was more than human. A warlock perhaps, or -

“Either way, you should be grateful,” his captor snapped, drawing his full attention back to the fateful moment at hand. “For now you will help cleanse the world of its surest darkness. There’s just one thing left to handle.”

“And that is…?”

The question hung between them in the air, and his captor only smiled the line of his lips forming a menacing, malicious sneer. Then he pressed something on the other side of the wall that Kristoff couldn’t see, and the familiar sound of the floor giving out from under him prompted his body to spring into action. He sought to avoid the trap this time, but there was nowhere to go. He was caught, and before he could even begin to formulate a way out of this, he felt the sharp prick of the needle. He’d failed to stop this mad man, and now it was too late. His pulse was rushing, his mind became frenzied and unglued, and as reality faded into oblivion, all he was left with was a blinding, seeping, sickening sense of red.

Post-Note: So there we have it. Obviously, this is opening another can of worms, but I know a few of you mentioned in the beginning of the story that you were curious what the red eyes meant on the shifter that attacked Emma and Killian. I didn’t just forget about that, and it definitely wasn’t a throw away detail, even if it happened a long time ago. It’s been part of my larger story vision since the beginning. You’ve probably started to piece together some of the parts of the puzzle, but rest assured, next chapter will give a lot more clues as to what exactly is going on and what it all means for CS and the others. Anyway, as always, I am so appreciative of you all reading. It means the world to me to have you all continuing on this story journey with me, and I really hope you’ve enjoyed the chapter!

[finnsuggests-blog]

Inky Affairs

Gwen And Sara exit the Mystery Shack's front door at 11:50 PM, in front of the Dark Forest ahead of them. Both Sara and Gwen have been invited to Sara's crush of the week, Jonah, a mysterious vampire's place for a midnight dinner. Sara is piping up and down with excitement, while Gwen is concerned and anxious.

Sara: C'mon, Gwen! We'll be late for the party!

Gwen: Sara, I'm not so sure about this. I mean, he's a vampire! How can we trust such demon-like creatures? Besides, the party is at midnight! I already sense foreshadowing of what will happen.

Sara: Stop being such and inky slug, Gwen! We'll be fine!

Gwen (under her breath): I hope so...

Gwen and Sara start heading for the dark forest in front of them. Sara is excited and takes a head start, while Gwen hangs back, walking slowly, but both of them sprint at the same pace. Sara thinks she knows that she's going in the right direction, for Gwen, it's the other way around.

Sara: C'mon, Gwen! Catch up or we'll be late!

Gwen: I'm trying, but my legs are complete limps right now! Can't you slow down?

Sara: Sorry! No time! If you have "limps", in which I don't believe you, then try to catch up!

Sara starts to get faster as she sprints with more energy. Gwen has no time to catch up because she's tired and its already 11:55 PM. Gwen groans and stops to catch her breath. Suddenly, she hears a loud surprise boom and her vision suddenly goes black and white. The trees start waving violently, everything's shaking, her heart is pounding, mysterious whispers surround the environment, she's breathing heavily and she hears strange shrieks in the distance. Gwen is panicking, but stays in her spot and looks around. The moon's completely black, dripping with ink, small holes in the sky start dripping ink as well, the trees' trunks also start dripping ink through tiny holes, the sky is a rusty yellow, and everything around her is vibrating. Suddenly, a large puddle of ink falls from the sky right in front of Gwen. The ink puddle slowly starts fading away as an inky creature emerges from the puddle, which looks like Gwen, but much taller and skinnier, with ink dripping from where her eyes would be, from her mouth ink also drips and all over her body, ink is dripping furiously and violently. The Ink Gwen's forehead is completely covered with ink. The creature has no eyes, but a small nose the same size as Gwen's and a large, violently vibrating grin from cheek to cheek, slowly smiling down at her. The creature slowly tilts it's head to the left. Then the ink monster spoke in a distorted whisper: TH-TH-THE B-O-OY IS BORN FFF-FF-FROM THE INK-K-K-KKK... Suddenly, everything abnormal disappears and everything goes back to normal. It is all just an illusion, a vision. A rather twisted one. Everything is calm: The trees stopped shaking, nothing vibrated anymore, the sky is clear and the moon is no longer dripping ink, all the ink holes disappeared, the whispers faded away, the color returned, there were no more shrieks, and the inky, skinny Ink Gwen Demon is gone. Gwen's heart is still racing, she is still panting by the fright, but everything else is normal. But Gwen started to hear something, something calm and gentle. She heard soft singing from a female voice. She looked around to see where the singing is coming from. She finally found what she thought is the source: Four Short Poles with pulleys attached to the end of each one. The tops of the poles were curved and the pulleys had chains on them. Whatever it is supposed to lift up is something heavy. Gwen slowly and cautiously walks toward the pulleys and chains. The closer she gets, the fainter the singing gets. She finally reaches the pulley and chain system. The chains descend deep underground, but what were they supposed to hoist up? Gwen starts to get curious. Luckily she finds a lever next to the contraption. She pulls it down and the chains slowly start to move. The chains were rusty, and the chains were creaking and squeaking as the object they were hoisting upwards ascended slowly. Finally, a stony object emerges from the black hole. A small well filled with clear ink. The chains stop moving and they come to a stop. Gwen is still curios. She slowly and cautiously dips her hand into the ink and feels it. The ink is cold and wet and fresh. She slowly takes out her hand with a little bit of ink inside of her palm. She tries to examine the ink but it falls right through her palm, coming out the other way, on the bare side of her hand. Suddenly, Gwen hears a familiar voice.

???: Gwen? Gwen, where are you.

Then, Sara emerges from the shadows.

Sara: Oh, Gwen! There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you! I'm glad you're ok!

Gwen sighs in relief

Sara: Why did you wander off?

Gwen: I don't know. Didn't you wander off first?

Sara: Oh, sorry about that. Anyways, what's that behind your back.

Gwen: I actually don't know what it is at all. The only thing that I see is an old well filled with fresh ink.

Sara: Wait, *fresh* ink?

Gwen: Yeah. Feel for yourself!

Sara dips her hand into the well and takes it out quickly.

Sara: You're right. It is fresh ink!

Gwen: It even smells like it.

Sara: Yeah. Who would drink ink from an old well?

Gwen: Anyways, how much time has passed?

Sara: Only 3 minutes! I also found Jonah's mansion. Follow me!

Gwen and Sara leave the well and heat toward the mansion.

Sara: One thing that I've noticed about it is that's covered in ink if I approach the doors of it. But the ink disappears if I step away...

Gwen: That's weird.

Sara: Do you think that Jonah's an *Ink* Vampire?

Gwen: No, not really. I've never heard of such a thing. But it does make sense, because the ink kind of did resemble phantom blood.

Sara: So, Jonah and his family drink Category 11 ghost liquid? I have many questions on certain levels.

Gwen and Sara finally reach the mansion.

Sara: Well, here it is.

Gwen: Didn't you say that there were doors?

Sara: Yeah, but now they're open and the entrance is apparently boarded up with planks now.

Gwen: Huh, that's weird...

Sara: Who has time to board up an entrance under a minute?

Gwen: Maybe it's just an illusion...

Gwen and Sara slowly approach the boarded-up entrance. Suddenly, without warning, Gwen's strange vision returns and The Gwen Inky Demon "jump scares" Gwen. It's hands are on the planks, and the monster is looking through one of the large gaps, at Gwen. Web-like moving ink is spread all over the walls. Both Gwen and Sara can see the inky webs, but Sara cannot see the vision. The monster gently slides it's finger over one of the planks, noticing Gwen's presence. Then, it backed away from the boarding two steps and slowly walked away from it. Once it disappeared from the wall, Gwen's vision ends. Gwen's heart is racing and she is breathing heavily.

Sara: Whoa, Gwen. Are you okay?

Gwen: Yeah. I'm fine. You saw the webbing too, right?

Sara: Yeah. I don't know what it is though. Do you?

Gwen (noticing that the planks are gone and the doors are shut): Not really. But hey, the boarding is gone! But the doors are closed... I thought they were open.

Sara: I feel like this place is creepier than I thought it was.

Gwen: Well, let's enter, shall we?

Gwen slowly lifts up her fist and gently knocks on the door, sliding the door open a few inches.

Gwen: What?

Sara: The doors are unlocked...

Gwen: Guess these guys aren't really that worried about their privacy either, huh?

Sara: Yeah, odd...

Gwen and Sara slowly pass the doors and enter the large room in front of them. There is a fire on the other end of the room, two balconies on each side, and two doors under each balcony, along with a lever next to the fireplace.

Sara: Well, this is luxury...

Suddenly, a familiar voice breaks the silence

???: Oh, God! How long have I been down here? I just want to go back to normal! When will the effect wear off? I just wanna go home. When do I go home?

The voice is almost unmistakable: It's June Valentino's voice. June emerges from the corridor on the left balcony. She has been bitten by one of the vampires, and she has been turned into one.

Sara: June?

June: Huh? Oh, it's just you! My God, am I glad to see you! I've ben stuck down in this mansion for days. I've been wandering the halls at night because that's the only thing I can do right now. I can't get back to my parents, and I'm so scared right now! Not just because of that, because of the Demon that lurks in these halls...

Sara: Demon?

June: Yeah, one that looks just like you, Gwen.

There is a short pause.

Gwen: I know what you're talking about. I've been getting visions of it.

Sara: So, the demon's been the one that's producing the ink webbing?

June: Yeah.

Gwen: Yeah, but what is it?

June: I don't know, but it has to do something with than ink well.

Gwen: Wait, have you been experiencing any illusions while in here?

June: Yeah, even before my transformation.

There was a short pause.

June: Shh! I hear someone coming.

In a snap, June disappears into a wall by sinking into it.

Suddenly, the webbing appears where June stood and the demon comes walking out of the shadows in the direction Gwen and Sara were facing. It appears like it was limping. The only thing Sara sees is the webbing, but for Gwen, her vision returns again. The demon limps it's way back to the shadows, disappearing down the corridor. The webbing disappears and Gwen's vision ends.

Sara: So, there's a demon who wanders around this mansion, huh?

Gwen: Looks like it.

Sara (pointing to the lever next to the fireplace): Hey, I wonder what that lever does beside the fireplace.

Gwen: I have a feeling that it opens something.

Sara: That would spark a cliché.

Gwen: Well let's find out.

Gwen and Sara approach the fireplace and Gwen cautiously pulls the lever down. Suddenly, the floor starts shaking and the fireplace and the wall above it pull back and disappear into the walls behind them.

Sara: What'd I tell you?

Gwen: That's interesting.

Past the hidden entrance is a dark hallway with two large doors at the end. The hallway is filled with paintings and unlit chandeliers and a beautiful carpet with a red one overlapping it.

Gwen: Red Carpet, eh?

Sara: Not the best luxury, but still luxury.

Sara and Gwen slowly enter the hallway, looking around it and looking at the paintings of what is supposed to be the ancestors of Jonah and some of the victims they have bitten.

Sara: Wow. I've never seen so many portraits of vampires in one mansion before. I've never seen a mansion filled with vampire portraits at all!

Gwen: But why would they have portraits of their victims up on a wall? Do they worship their victims and take them as part of the family tree?

Sara: That would be cruel to separate one from their family.

Gwen: Yeah, but apparently vampires do it.

Gwen and Sara finally reach the large doors.

Gwen: Well, here goes!

Gwen slowly lifts up her fist and tries to knock on the door but is stopped when the doors open. A young vampire emerges from the doors with a cute smile on his face.

Gwen: Well, you must be Jonah!

Jonah: I stand correct! Please come in!

Jonah invites Gwen and Sara inside the room. It has a large fireplace, more paintings, banners, large 10x4 windows, a small table with food and beverages on it in a tray, tons of bookshelves, and 3 luxurious, comfortable-looking chairs with a sofa.

Jonah: Please. Take a seat!

Gwen and Sara do as he says and they take a seat in two of the chairs.

Sara: Wow! who knew you lived in such a luxurious mansion?

Jonah: Why thank you. That's quite flattering.

Sara: You're welcome!

Gwen rolls her eyes.

Jonah: I must say, I am quite honored you came down here to visit me. It was quite brave of you to come down to this dark, inky mansion that I live in.

Gwen: Yeah, it is pretty inky. I even smell some ink right now!

Jonah: Yes, the ink penetrates your noses. Quite strange, isn't it? We don't just use ink just for writing. We use ink down here in the depths of the woods for other purposes, too. Have you ever heard the saying "The Pen Is Mightier Than The Sword"? Well, down here, we say "The Ink Is Finer Than The Blood". But that does not mean that we do not need blood to survive. We do, but if we don't have enough blood to last us, we start drinking ink. Are you thirsty?

Gwen: It's midnight! Of course we are!

Jonah: Well, might I help you to some fine brewed tea?

Gwen: Don't you have water?

Jonah: Unfortunately, we do not have any water, because we don't really admire water that much. I'm not saying it's poisonous, it's just we don't drink water, that's all.

Gwen: So you don't like water?

Jonah: Well, let's put it that way... Please, help yourself

Jonah pours some "tea" into a small cup and hands it to Gwen. Gwen takes it and takes a sniff at it.

Gwen: Why does this smell like in-

Jonah: Just drink it. No questions.

Gwen: Alright!

Gwen takes a small sip of the "tea" and cautiously tastes it. She smacks her lips, tasting the "tea".

Gwen: Why does this taste like blood?

Jonah: Well, we tend to make the ink taste a bit like blood, not too many concerns, right?

Gwen: Wait, why did you invite us here?...

Jonah: Well, what kind of question is that?

Gwen: I'm starting to feel concerned about you. You invited us here for a reason! WHY?

Jonah: You want to know why, Gwendolyn? Do you? Well, let's just say the moment I lay my eyes on Sara, I knew she would be perfect for me! She's rich with blood, and so are you. The reason why I invited you was just to taste blood once more so I can survive on blood, not ink! You might as well try to free me from this bloodstained, inky, black abyss! Would you now? No, you wouldn't. And now, with two victims in this room, I shall thrive, and you can kiss bye-bye to your precious family as your end nears!

Jonah inches closer and closer to Gwen as he prepares to bite her. But Gwen has a mind of her own and quickly reacts.

Gwen: I don't think so, demon!

Gwen kicks at Jonah in the stomach, knocking him back. Then Gwen pounces on Jonah with a wooden dagger and violently pulls him up to his feet, resting her arms against his neck, choking him, with the dagger pointed at his eye.

Gwen: You're not going to suck anybody's blood out tonight, twisted child!

Jonah (shouting in distress and anger): HELP ME,, GODDAMNIT!

Suddenly, Jonah's parents barge into the room as soon they heard Jonah's voice.

Mother: What's going on?

Father: She's about to kill our son! How dare you, you pitiful, little girl!

Gwen: This is what your son deserves for trying to bite us!

Father: You deserve to be bitten!

Mother: I'll take care of the other one!

In a snap, the Mother grabs Sara by the hand and swiftly disappears into a wall with Sara.

Gwen slams Jonah onto the floor and continues to choke him. The Father rips her off Jonah's body and throws her onto the floor.

Father: Get out of this room, now, boy! She has a dagger!

Jonah: I've noticed!

Jonah scrambles to his feet and runs off into the dark hallway. Gwen is lying on the floor. The Father prepares to lunge at her, but Gwen quickly scrambles to her feet and heads for the same door Jonah used to escape her. The Father did not hesitate and runs after her. Meanwhile in another part of the mansion, the Mother has thrown Sara onto the ground, choking her.

Mother: You'll never kill my boy, child! No matter what you try, YOU WILL FAIL!

Sara: Not today, Bite-ass!

Sara kicks at the Mother's stomach, sending her flying backwards. Sara has enough time to scramble to her feet and run from the Mother. But the Mother soon catches up and pins her to a wall, pinning her arms against it.

Mother: Not so smart, now, eh, child? Now you've done it! You've done it so well, and you miserably failed! By the time it's daylight, you'll already be dead!

Sara: I don't give a F*CK!

Mother: Oh, but you will when you witness your fate. But you won't be there to witness it. Time to witness DEATH, CHI- *UGH*

Just before the Mother finishes her sentence, and ax is lodged into her head. Trying to find the person who did it, she finds June standing behind the Mother, holding the ax firmly. Suddenly, she rips out the ax out of her head, and the Mother collapsed to the ground, with ink pouring from her head.

Sara (shocked): Thanks!

June: She was annoying anyways. I also saved your life.

Sara: Yeah, thanks for that. Where's Gwen?

Gwen is running up and down stairs and running through corridors, trying to shake off the dreaded Father

Father: You can't escape from me girl! You'll get tired soon

Gwen (Thinking to herself) I have to hide!

Without thinking straight, Gwen proceeds to trying to find a hiding place so she can escape him. Just in the nick of time, she finds a small closet to hide in. She quickly opens the closet and hides in it, slamming the door tightly. The Father notices and stops at the end of the hallway, where the small closet is.

Father: How foolish of you, girl to hide in a tiny closet. You won't last long hiding like this. Time for your transformation!

The Father peeks into the holes of the closet and takes a few steps closer to it and reaches for the handle. Suddenly, Gwen's vision returns and she knows the Ink Gwen is near. It emerges from the wall, and the Father is frightened, begging for mercy as the monster strikes at him

Father: No! Please! My lord! Don't harm me! Harm the little girl! I am not the victim! I worship you! I am your prophet! I am your- AAAAAAHGH! *GASP* *SNAP*

Ink Gwen snaps the Father's neck and the skin and the organs in and on his head disintegrate, leaving an inky skull. The monster snaps the skull off of the body and throws it at Gwen's closet. Sensing Gwen, the creature looks in the closet's direction and bends down to look into the closet's holes. The monster then stands up straight, picks up the Father's dead body, and drags it away, seeping into the wall. Gwen cautiously opens the closet door and looks from side to side, and up and down. What remains of the Father is just a wet puddle of ink. The skull has disappeared. Now being more furious than cautious, Gwen furiously makes her way back to the dark hallway that lead to the luxurious room. Gwen's dress is ripped and she still holds the dagger firmly. Gwen barges into the room, her eye squinting furiously. Surprisingly, Jonah is inside as well.

Jonah: Well, look who it is! If it isn't the murderer who tried to murder me! It was gullible of you to enter this room. I can still see you are holding that dagger firmly.

Gwen (furiously) You won't live long!

Jonah: Are you sure about that, Gwendolyn?

Gwen: Yep!

Jonah (turning around and slowly walking up to Gwen): Well, then, you will fail, because I know I will bite first.

Gwen (now standing in front of Jonah furiously): Well, let's see about that, pathetic ink demon!

Gwen swiftly grabs Jonah's neck and tries to turn around to stab his back, but instead, Jonah grabs her right arm and bites it. Gwen shrieks in pain, but manages to get the right timing to stab him. The dagger drives right into his back, and Jonah shrieks in pain, the scream being beastly and distorted. Jonah took his fangs out of Gwen's arm and tries to reach for the dagger to take it out, but Gwen has driven it in deep and has held onto it. Jonah continued to shriek, but nobody comes to his aid. He falls to the ground on his back and Gwen lets go of the dagger. It drives deeper into Jonah's back and a louder shriek comes out of his mouth. Suddenly the shrieking stops and his body is frozen. The body has stopped leaking and is now slowly being covered in ink. When the ink finally covers his entire body, it evaporates into thin air. Jonah is dead. Gwen is breathing heavily and her right arm is dripping with tiny drops of blood coming from streams of blood.

Gwen: Sh*t!

Suddenly, Sara barges into the room with June.

Sara: Oh, Gwen, you're alive! God Bless.

June: That's the pro. But there's a con as well.

Gwen: He bit me.

Sara: Oh, sorry about that.

Gwen: Let's just hope Dad has an antidote for vampire bites, especially Ink Vampire bites.

Sara: Yeah!

Gwen: What do we do with June?

Sara: Well, let's take her back to the Shack and give her the antidote, too! Right?

Gwen: Well, let's put it that way. Let's get out of here.

Gwen, Sara, and June barge right out of the room and head for the exit, but Gwen is stopped by the return of the illusion as Ink Gwen reappears in front of Gwen, scaring her.

Gwen: What do you want?

The monster responds by tilting it's head and pointing at it's mouth of where vampire fangs would be.

Gwen: Oh, thanks, I guess.

Suddenly, the illusion ends and Ink Gwen disappears. Realizing that she has been left behind, Gwen sprints into the woods after Sara and June.

Gwen: Hey! Slow down! Wait up!

 Inky Affairs

[mycasandstarrs]

SPN 7x08: “Season 7, Time for a Wedding!”

THEN: Sam calls Dean out on his behavior. Sam and Dean were separated but now they’re back together. Supernatural is a thing. Beck Rosen is their #1 fan; she has a serious thing for Sam.

A waitress in a strip club that’s also in grad school? Fuck yeah, girl! Get your coin!

Dean talking about his situation using the “I got this friend” narrative.

And there’s a blurred El Sol right behind Dean.

(Irrelevant, but do the brothers still do their “sacred pilgrimage” to Vegas?)

Ha, Sam’s text: “348 Twain Ave WEAR FED SUIT!”

“See? Baby bro needs you after all.” Aww, she was sweet.

The pink carnation. “Apparently, pink is for loyalty.”

“I'm in love. And I'm getting married.”

“...”

“Say something, like, uh, like, ‘congratulations,’ for example.”

“What?”

I’m with ya, Dean.

Oh goodness.

Special title card! With the Supernatural twist. Of course.

“Shouldn't she ask for my permission or something?” hahaha.

“You know what? Ignoring everything, have you forgotten the average life-span of your hookups?” AKA the peen of death.

Dean keeping his cool until Becky leaves. ff hahahaha

Dean’s general behavior here is hilarious.

"First official Tweet as Mrs. Becky Rosen-Winchester!" Oh dear. (It does have a nice ring to it tho.)

Dean’s still driving the car from the last episode. (And Cas’ coat is still in the trunk.)

I won’t lie: If I had a husband like Sam, I’d be inclined to show him off too.

“Guy, meet my husband, Sam.”

“Hey. It's an honor to meet you, Sam.”

Ohhhh, knowing this is a demon....

How fucking shhaaddyyy.

Dean juussttt missed them.

Huh, Dean’s got John’s journal with him.

And now he’s got a case that isn’t Sam.

(Oh, I recognize this song from “Pretty in Pink”.) “Cherish” by The Association.

Becky does look nice.

Sam broke through the spell momentarily.

“Feeling better, honey?”

“Now that I’m with you.”

Ooohhh this gives me the heebs and jeebs.

RIP this dude. Killed by baseballs.

pfft. A waffle iron.

Ahh, Dean thought Becky was part of whatever weird thing was happening in town. Fair.

“You know, I went after her, Dean. Maybe that's what's bugging you – that I'm moving on with my life. I mean, you took care of me, and that's great. But I don't need you anymore.” Big Yikes.

Bobby assigns Dean a new hunter partner.

Sam wiping the marker off Becky’s nose is rather cute.

“I got a present for you.”

“His and hers fake IDs? Oh!”

What every relationship needs.

Oh my god, I’m about to see my sweet, darling Garth!!

“Hey, you Dean? I thought you’d be taller.” 

“He said you’d be all surly and premenstrual working with me.” lmao. I love that Bobby had to warn Garth about Dean’s bad mood.

We’re not even a minute into meeting Garth and I’m already in love with him again.

Where did Dean get the sweater vest?? It looks amazing on him.

“Actuarial Insider” pfft.

Garth just cuts straight to the point.

“We were just wondering if you got here by nefarious means.”

“Whoa! Garth!”

“Oh. Uh, I-I didn't mean, of course, uh, corporate backstabbing – I'm sorry. I meant more like, uh, you know, black magic or hoodoo.”

Just when you thought Garth pulled back, he pushed forward even more.

The wife’s a big b-

Dean and Garth already communicate/work well together.

“I'm trying to save you from a really bad accident.”

“Are you threatening me?”   

“No. No, I-I-I'm pointing out a pattern. Why do people keep thinking I'm threatening them?”

“Because it sounded exactly like a threat, dude.”  

lol

Sam’s breaking through the spell again.

“Bring the damn car around. I'm not walking five blocks in my heels.” To be fair, I wouldn’t either.

Garth taking charge. No wonder he was the next Bobby.

“Uh, here's the plan. I drop this lady at my cousin's. He'll stop anything trying to get her. We, uh, find Sam, hopefully fix this, everybody's home in time for ‘America's Got Talent.’ Now, you – you'll be living with a tri-racial paraplegic sniper until this all blows over, okay?”

Bless his heart.

Enough with giving Sam head injuries!!!

From bad to worse.

“Don't worry. I didn't do anything weird.” TAKING OFF A PERSON’S PANTS WHILE THEY’RE UNCONSCIOUS AND THEN HOG TYING THEM TO A BED DOESN’T CONSTITUTE AS “ANYTHING WEIRD”??

“This isn't the honeymoon I had in mind. Well, some of it is, but not in this context.” Becky’s got kinks. That’d actually explain how she knew how to tie Sam down like that.

“social lubricant” pfft.

“You know your pal Guy is the one icing all those people, right?” Not directly.

My patience with this episode is running thin.

Becky’s deep in it now.

“I love reunions. The desperation! These schlubs will sign on the dotted line for money, power, hair – whatever it takes to impress the nostalgically bangable head cheerleader.” That’s smart, I’ll give him that.

Ha, Becky uses the word “gank”.

“Uh, she's got 11 Twitter...ers. Last post – ‘Going on romantic trip with hubster!!!’ Three exclamation points. I guess she got excited.” pfft, Garth.

“I got this thing about fish. Dead eyes, man.” That’s fair.

Sam’s muffled commentary is hilarious.

Not to be a broken record, but none of this would be happening if the Publisher was here instead of Becky.

Setting off the blueberry vodka devil’s trap. Nicely done, Becky.

“Dean Winchester. This is really thrilling. Hey, can I have your autograph?”

“Sure. Yeah, I'll, uh, carve it into your spleen.“

Burn.

Guy’’s “intern”, Jackson, is the one behind the killings.

RIP Jackson. Killed by Becky.

“You’re Crowley!”

“And you're – well, I'm sure you have a wonderful personality, dear.”

Damn. 

Ratted out by the intern.

“There's a reason we don't call our chits in early – consumer confidence. This isn't Wall Street! This is Hell! We have a little something called integrity. This gets out, who'll deal with us? Nobody! Then where are we?” I do admire Crowley’s business ethics.

Crowley and his long term plan: “ You met that dick yet? Smuggest tub of goo since Mussolini. I hate the bastards. Squash 'em all, please. I'll stay clear.”

I almost feel sorry for Guy.

Garth finally comes to, lmao.

An annulment. Even worse than divorce.

Sam has a pretty signature.

“So, I'll see you again?” NO.

“Becky, look. You're not a loser, okay? You're a good person, a-and you've got... a lot of... e-energy. So, you know, just do your thing, whatever that is, and the right guy will find you.”

I’m with Sam here tbh. Becky isn’t a bad person. She’s got issues that might require her to get help and work through them, and when she does, she can be a better person for her own sake. Through that, she can develop better relationships with people. So wherever Becky is in the show’s timeline, I hope she’s doing better.

Becky and Garth. That would’ve been a chaotic relationship.

“Well, buddy, I got to say, man – you, uh... you don't suck.”  What a high compliment from Dean!

AWWW.

“Look, man, uh... When I was all dosed up, I-I said some crap.”

“Oh, you mean, she – she wasn't your soulmate?”

Accept the apology, Dean.

“You know, I got to say, man... For a whack-job, you really pulled it together.”

“That's the nicest thing anyone's said to me.”

hahaha.

“It's stupid to think that you need me around all the time. You're a grown-up.“ Ohhh, look at that progress! We/they need to get it back soon.

“It might be nice.”

“What?”

“I mean, you basically have been looking out for me your whole life. Now you finally get to take care of yourself. About time, huh?”

*cries internally* That’s what I want for Dean too.

[dawniel]

a tag update

I saw this tag I did in Jul2017 I was almost 18 and I'm being crazy nostalgic rn. I’m trying to give an update to my answers and have a look at my growth. if the answer is the same I'm leaving it, you’ll see what I mean. The changes are so unbelievable to me and I am proud of my progress.

THE LAST…

1. Drink: water 2. Phone call: from my dad  school office for academic enquiry 3. Text message: “did you even listen” “goodnight babe”  4. Song you listened to: God Knows I Tried Level of Concern tøp 5. Time you cried: yesterday today lol

HAVE YOU EVER…

6. Dated someone twice: havent dated someone once yes 7. Been cheated on: how if i havent dated someone once no (? 8. Kissed someone and regretted it: havent had my first kiss yes 9. Lost someone special: yes 10. Been depressed: hahahahahah why would you ask so? do i look like-? oh yes? yes. (I was being so annoying but yea 11. Gotten drunk and thrown up: nope yes

LIST 3 FAVORITE COLORS:

12. dusty pink baby pink 13. white black 14. pale/ baby blue beige

IN THE LAST YEAR HAVE YOU… 15. Made new friends: so many internet friends god bless y'all kinda 16. Fallen out of love: never actually been in love? yes  17. Laughed until you cried: i guess?? 18. Found out someone was talking about you: yea that isn’t hard I’m problematic  19. Met someone who changed you: of course I’m quite easily influenced by people actually 20. Found out who your true friends are: yes but I’m still figuring out tbh 21. Kissed someone on your Facebook list: no yes 22. How many of your Facebook friends do you know in real life: idek who is on fb 23. Do you have any pets: not rn:( 24. Do you want to change your name: no 25. What did you do for your last birthday: i forgot? wait let me check i had a cake with my parents and,,, sorry i really can’t recall probably had fun with my friends I ate sushi with my bf and went back home, my dad surprised me with a homemade cake I celebrated it with my parents it was very cute 26. What time did you wake up: 5sth am and sleeping again at 11am? and then waking up again at 1pm??? 830am 27. What were you doing at midnight last night: doing the phil curly hair animation sleeping...who was I, also that animation is still cool good job old rosie 28. Name something you cannot wait for: the graduation dinner perhaps? i didn’t have much to look forward to,, death? for this coronavirus to be over! I was so sad then:( 29. When was the last time you saw your mother: just now 30. What is one thing you wish you could change about your life: how i see life?and how i see myself? but kind of dont because i dont want to change everything about myself I have changed but I am excited for the growth to continue :) 31. What are you listening to right now: my father talking silence 32. Have you ever talked to a person named Tom: does tommy count he’s a creep this is crazy.. my bf who is with me for almost 2 yrs is named Tom 33. Something that is getting on your nerves: the me talking to me reacting the the world lately it is the limited working space at home to paint for my course 34. Most visited website: tumblr and youtube

35. Elementary: (not too important) 36. High School: high school is basically my life falling apart except that i know i want to do art in my life it is interesting looking back 37. College/university: for uni i hope i will get the offers sigh this depends so much on the grades of the entry exam and we dont know the results yet bitch I'm proud of you you got your first choice 38. Hair color: lighter brown 39. Long or short hair: short longg 40. Do you have a crush on someone: yea 41. What do you like about yourself: how i think (when I’m not depressed) in a quirky way I am serious with thing that are important 42. Piercings: i got four now 5 43. Blood type: b 44. Nickname: rosie my bff calls me lettuce head sometimes but I dont really have a nickname 45. Relationship status: hello darkness my old friend occupied 46. Zodiac sign: my sun is cancer 47. Pronouns: she/her 48. Favorite tv show: idk my mind is empty now Bojack/ the Good Place/ the end of the fucking world can't decide 49. Tattoos: desperately wanting one but none yET 50. Right or left hand: right handed

FIRST… these remain the same ofc

57. Eating: no 58. Drinking: no 59. I’m about to: sleep 60. Listening to: the typing sound 61. Waiting for: i wait for life to end/ but it never comes around (making a ldr reference that no one will ever know) i guess my other day out? another houseplant? idek i dont have much expectations going out and summer! 62. Want: to love myself, be a good person, and be happy. also be better at art. (all still true:) 63. Get married: maybe if i find someone special in the future yes uwu 64. Career: i would say art but I’m re considering fashion design again? I’m still contemplating,, to work in a social engagement art space

YOUR TYPE…

65. Hugs or kisses: hugs kisses 66. Lips or eyes:  eyes 67. Shorter or taller: for girls i wish to be similar, for guys taller 68. Older or younger: older 70. Nice arms or nice stomach: idk arms 71. Sensitive or loud: dont be loud but not too sensitive because i already am a sensitive fuck (is this abt sex and I didn't know hahahahah) sensitive 72. Hook up or relationship: relationship 73. Troublemaker or hesitant: both have its charm what can I say true but troublemaker

HAVE YOU EVER… 74. Kissed a stranger?: i havent kissed someone yes 75. Drank hard liquor?: no I’m a good girl I’m still good,, yes 76. Lost glasses contact/lenses: yes 77. Turned someone down: yes 78. Sex on first date: havent been on a date no 79. Broken someone’s heart: i think no? but may to friends? I’m not sure probably 80. Had your heart broken: always I’m so flipping dramatic ffs I hadn’t at that time, and yes 81. Been arrested: no 82. Cried when someone died: yes 83. Fallen for a friend: until this day I still wasn’t sure if i had a crush on her yes

DO YOU BELIEVE IN…

84. Yourself: i wish fr I wish more than I used to 85. Miracles: yes but not when I’m in the situation 86. Love at first sight: kind of YES 87. Santa Claus: when i first knew him i was already presented that he is a fictional character 88. Kiss on the first date: can you believe in a kiss?? what does this mean??  89. Angels: not quite but mo you right there’re a lot of good ppl out there that help us in life like angels

OTHER… 90. Current best friend’s name: carol (still true❤︎) 91. Eye color: dark brown 92. Favorite movie: neon the professional not sure, could be About Time

[chassecroise]

the space between us (chapter 15)

chapter title: these wings were made to fly    words: 4.2k story summary: What’s a ladybug to do when her kitten becomes a cat? chapter summary: In which there are some unexpected conversations with unexpected people.

previous chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

a/n: Surprise! :^)

Honest to god, I have a plan for this story, but lord knows where my motivation and inspiration are hiding. That said, I'm hoping to get this one wrapped up soon! There are chapters I've had planned since last summer that I haven't gotten to...so hopefully this summer you'll finally get to experience them. :'D

AO3 | FF

Ladybug slowly removes her hands from her ears once it appears that Chloe is finally done screaming. For a moment, she wonders if perhaps this wasn't the best idea, but it's too late now. It's clear that Chloe is 100% on board for whatever they're going to ask her to do, even though she has no idea what they want.

Chloe is practically leaping in ecstasy as she rushes to get her laptop and phone, at the ready and prepared to help Ladybug and Chat Noir in any way that they need. It's been far too long since she's had a chance to prove her value to her favorite superhero.

This request is also particularly important as it has only been a week since she accidentally caused another akuma (really, it wasn't her fault the ridiculous hairdresser her father hired for her was incompetent at her job and that she actually thought a perm would be a good look for the likes of Mademoiselle Bourgeois), she is eager to prove that she can indeed help the heroes of Paris. In a way that they will be sure to appreciate.

“I am so excited you finally decided to come to me for help! I’ll be the best hero ever. I can get a proper suit made, we can get special bluetooth communicators— it’s going to be oh so perfect! Speaking of which, don't think I didn't notice all of the changes you made to your suit, Ladybug. I love it. I've always wondered why you didn't have wings. It only makes sense. You're a Ladybug, for crying out loud." She gestures at Chat Noir. "After all, a ladybug without wings would be like a cat without ears.”

She continues to dance around the room for several minutes, gathering items from her cosplay closet and from her makeup boxes until she realizes that neither Ladybug nor Chat Noir are saying anything. She whirls around.

“Wait, I didn’t even ask you. What do you need my help with? Is it for a mission? Do you need money? Power? Influence? An invitation to the most exclusive parties in Paris? I have access to everything you could ever want or need."

She knows she's babbling, but something about the intense way the two of them are staring at her is starting to make her a little nervous. Though she would never admit it. Chloe Bourgeois does not get intimidated by anyone, even her favorite superheroes.

Well, superhero. Chat Noir isn't that great. A true hero would actually help a damsel in distress and rescue her from doing ghastly physics homework. Like darling Adrien would. Even though he's been ignoring her calls more often lately, the rude boy.

"What? What is it? Is there something wrong? Do I need Daddy to help too?"

Ladybug bites her lips and slowly exhales. This, for some reason, makes Chloe even more nervous than before.

“Well, Chloe— it has to do with Adrien,” she says, her voice low and careful. “And what the press thinks is going on between us.”

Chloe feels her heart sinking into her stomach. It’s a curious feeling. Though she is still excited that they want her help, this is not what she expected.

“Oh. I see,” she says, taking care to sound calm and detached, above any emotional connections. Haughty.

“And what exactly do you expect me to do about it? Adrien hasn’t spoken to me at all about this. Does he know you’re here?”

Ladybug and Chat Noir exchange secretive glances that clearly mean something — Chloe has no idea what — and Ladybug slowly nods.

“Yes. He does.”

Chloe raises an eyebrow and crosses her arms. “Okay...and?”

Chat Noir steps forward. “He agreed it would be a good idea to ask you for advice. He said you would know how to help us — I mean, Ladybug and him — deal with the press and deflect their attention.”

Chloe turns back to Ladybug. “Look, if I’m going to help you, I need to know what the deal is. Are you really dating each other? Or did the tabloids just see the pictures from the photoshoot and start building rumors out of thin air? As I’m sure you know, he and I are very close. But I haven’t asked him anything about you, out of respect for his privacy.”

This isn’t entirely true. Chloe has mostly refrained from asking Adrien about what his status with Ladybug is out of a very strange feeling of jealousy that has consumed her ever since she saw the first tabloid headline about them together. She’s not sure who she’s more jealous of— Ladybug, Adrien, both of them, perhaps—  it’s all very confusing, and both Sabrina and the internet have been of absolutely no use at all.

Ladybug pauses. “It’s a little hard to explain.”

“What’s so hard about it?” presses Chloe, raising an eyebrow. “Either you’re together, or you’re not.”

“Yes, we’re together...but it’s not...how do I put it—”

Chloe is starting to get annoyed, though she still wants to be respectful. “But what? What is it?”

“We’re—we’re in an open relationship!” Ladybug blurts out. “Yes! That’s it. An open relationship. No strings attached.”

“An...open relationship?” repeats Chloe.  “What exactly do you mean?”

“Um, essentially...we’re not exclusive?”

“Oh. I see. That is...very interesting.”

All the pieces start coming together as she considers this very unexpected piece of information. If they’re not exclusive, that means there is a third person or possibly even a fourth person in the equation.

Chloe runs through everyone in her social circle. Perhaps it’s a stranger. Perhaps it’s not.

And then it occurs to her that the answer might be standing right in front of her.

She turns an appraising eye to Chat Noir. Who she has also noticed has suddenly gotten much taller than before. Personally, she’s not a fan. He practically looks like a giant now. Have his hands gotten even bigger? It’s ridiculous. He’s supposed to be a cat, not a mountain lion.

But then again, perhaps Ladybug is interested in that sort of thing.

She inclines her head towards him.

“Is he ….part of your... arrangement ?”

Ladybug’s eyes grow wide. “Chat Noir? I, um—well, I would rather not discuss details...”

“Then I can’t help you,” answers Chloe, crossing her arms. “Either you tell me all your dirty laundry or I can't help you avoid the nosy press at all. I can't develop a strategy without ”

“I knew this would be a bad idea,” Ladybug mutters under her breath, turning away.

“It’s a delicate matter, Mademoiselle Bourgeois,” cuts in Chat Noir, stepping forward and looking back and forth between the two girls. “But if My Lady doesn’t want to share details, I do ask that you respect her wishes.”

Chloe scowls.  It’s clear that playing hardball won’t help her get any details that will help her figure out what’s going on. She bites her lip as she wonders what strategy she can possibly use next to get some sort of information. Ladybug and Chat Noir are naive to think they’re being subtle about the fact that there’s something going on between the two of them as well, but the subtle tension between them is hardly something Chloe can leverage as proof.

A not so quiet part of her mind urges her to indicate her own interest in Ladybug, but she pushes it away. Now is not the time to proposition her hero, as much as she’s secretly fantasized about it. No, she needs to wait for the right moment...ideally when Chat Noir isn’t standing in between them.

She gulps as she realizes Ladybug is staring at her with narrowed eyes. Merde , she’s been quiet too long.

“Chloe, if you’re thinking about how to blackmail us—if I have any reason to believe you’re going to make trouble for us—”

“I would never!” she gasps, raising her arms and stepping back. “Adrien is one of my oldest friends. I would never betray his trust like that.”

Ladybug nods, though her expression is still uncertain. “Okay. I will choose to trust you. For now.”

“Well, you’re the one who burst in here,” Chloe replies, a little more testily than intended. “I should be the one wondering whether to trust you.”

Ladybug opens her mouth, presumably to deliver a pointed retort, but to Chloe’s surprise, she just as quickly shuts it and steps back, turning around to face the window.

Chloe can see her reflection in the glass panels. She looks somber.

“Look. Adrien has a special connection with me, but there's someone else in his life too, someone who can't be seen in public with him thanks to his association with me. The last thing he wants is for her to be hounded by the press or for her privacy to be invaded.”

Chloe nods. “I understand.”

“Actually, what we really want is for the press to stop pressing him about his personal life at any given moment, but I realize that’s never going to happen.”

Ladybug turns back around to face Chloe.

“I wanted us to handle this on our own. But it would be unwise not to talk to someone who's handled press like this before. And you're the first person I thought of. So tell me, Chloe. What would you do in a situation like this? What...does your father do?”

Chloe thinks about the endless parade of women that have come through her father’s mansion ever since her parents separated. Women that the press has never heard of, because whenever there was a chance of being found out, her father would do two things: a) create a public distraction; and b) disappear from the public eye on a short holiday in a place where the French tabloids couldn’t find him, long enough for them to find some celebrity story more interesting than his. It is a strategy that has worked for the past thirteen years, and is likely to work as long as the tabloids continue to have a short memory.

So this is the advice that she imparts.

Ladybug stares dubiously at Chloe.

“You think we should create a ‘public distraction’? Akumas are public distractions. Holiday parades are public distractions. What you’re suggesting sounds a lot like a public relations stunt. And not a good one.”

“I’m not saying you’re wrong about that,” Chloe drawls in her insufferably smug way. “I’m just saying that if you want the press to fixate on something else, you have to give them something to fixate on .”

“And you think that Chat Noir posing for a sexy photoshoot is the right kind of bait?!”

“Come on, Ladybug. Look at your partner. Who wouldn’t want to stare at him? He’s delicious to look at now.”

Ladybug curls her lip in disgust. “Ugh, don’t describe him like that. You make him sound like a piece of meat to be devoured by hungry gold diggers looking for fifteen minutes of fame.”

Chloe scowls. “That’s the point! You want people to be fixated on him. Everyone’s been paying so much attention to you ever since your little photoshoot in the mountains that they haven’t even noticed how Chat Noir has been changing physically along with you.”

“Why does that even matter?! Of course we’re changing. We were never going to stay children forever.”

“Listen. You want to know about distractions? This is the best distraction you’ve got, standing right in front of you, and willing to do whatever he needs to do to make you happy, judging from how he looks at you. He’s become a handsome young bachelor overnight. Or are you afraid to share the spotlight?”

Ladybug shakes her head. “I’m not afraid of anything. What I’m afraid of is taking your suggestions at face value and then regretting the consequences. We’re not doing this.”

Chloe shrugs. “Unless you have any better ideas, Adrien and his secret civilian companion won’t be able to step out together in public without getting noticed. But maybe that’s secretly what you want, anyway. To keep him to yourself. You’re more selfish than I thought, Ladybug.”

“Excuse me, Mademoiselle Bourgeois, for thinking your idea is ridiculous. I didn’t realize the only suggestion you could give us would be this. How can I, in good conscience, ask my own partner to willingly subject himself to the same kind of objectification I’m experiencing myself? I refuse to be a hypocrite like that.”

“Actually, it’s not the same thing at all. And, I might add, the final choice is with Chat Noir, not you. You might be the leader of your duo, but he can make his own choices.”

“I’m sure he agrees with me. Come on, mon chaton , let’s go. This was a bad idea.”

Without another word, Ladybug slips out of the window and disappears into the night.

To Chloe’s surprise, Chat Noir doesn’t immediately follow Ladybug, choosing instead to linger for a few moments before he finally leaves without saying a word.

For some reason, Chloe feels like there's something he wants to ask her, but can’t.

She doesn't quite know what to make of the feeling, and decides ultimately to ignore it.

Close to midnight, Chloe is about to fall asleep, when a dark shadow reappears outside her room.

Common sense tells her to scream, but instinct tells her that it’s someone she knows.

When she parts the curtains, she learns that her instinct was right: it’s Chat Noir, who has presumably returned to talk about whatever it was he couldn’t talk about in front of Ladybug.

She lets him in with a yawn.

“So, you’re back,” she says. “Did you change your mind about helping me with physics homework after all? It’s a little later for that.”

He snorts. “Ever the opportunist.”

“Are you really surprised?”

“Not at all,” he says, laughing in an oddly familiar way, and Chloe gets the strange feeling that she’s had a conversation like this with him before.

“But no. That’s not why I’m here.”

“I know there was something you wanted to say before you left a few hours ago. What was it?”

“You’re more observant that I realized.”

“Of course I am,” she retorts. “I’m a politician’s daughter. It’s my responsibility to be the most observant girl in the room.”

Chat Noir raises an eyebrow and his lips curl up into a grin that is just a little too smug for Chloe’s liking.

“Is that right? Interesting.”

“If there’s a joke, I’d like to be in on it,” she responds, curt once again. “Otherwise, get to the point. You’re cutting into my precious beauty sleep.”

Chat Noir nods and leans against the window.

“Ok. I have to be honest with you. It was Ladybug’s idea to come here. She genuinely wanted your help—”

“Obviously!”

“Please, let me finish.”

Chloe flushes with embarrassment. She doesn’t usually care about coming across as rude, but for some reason, this feels a little different.

“I’m sorry. Go on.”

“Even though she didn’t understand why you were suggesting what you did, I do. And I’m ready to go through with it.”

“I’m sorry?”

“The sexy photoshoot. I’m ready to do it.”

“Did you come here just to tell me that?” asks Chloe, confused.

Char Noir’s voice is steady. “No. I came here to explain why.”

And then, in a flash of green, Chat Noir is gone. In his place stands someone Chloe thought she knew well, but it’s clear that she doesn’t know at all.

“Adrichou? You’re Chat Noir?!”

Though he often feels the desire to do so, Adrien Agreste has rarely acted on impulse or instinct. Thanks to his overprotective parents, he has always followed the rules.

It’s only after becoming Chat Noir that he’s learned the benefits of taking calculated risks, and while he still doesn’t take too many when he doesn’t have the shield of his all-concealing disguise, he’s learned to listen to that inner instinct that tells him to do things his father would consider ill-advised and unreasonable.

And although he’s sure that even Ladybug would think what he’s doing is crazy, when he looks into Chloe’s eyes as she advises them on how to avoid the tabloids and what to do to keep them from finding out about their private lives, he can’t help but feel like in the process, she’s sharing details about her own life that he has always been vaguely aware of, but which he has never spoken to her about.

Because they’re not the kind of friends she likes to pretend they are, and they haven’t been, for a very long time. The Chloe Bourgeois he knew as a child is not the selfish, self-absorbed girl standing in front of him now. And yet something about the tiny sliver of honesty he can feel in her words is what compels him to share the truth about his identity with her, to help her understand why Ladybug has come to her for help, why they believe that she has the answers that nobody else will have.

Anyone else would tell him he's being irrational; and in truth, it's not like Chloe has done anything to merit his trust over the past few years. And yet instinct is telling him that this is the right thing to do.

He knows he can't reveal himself while Ladybug is still there, so he waits until she's gone. But even then, at first, he fights the instinct. It's not the right time; it's not the right moment.

He comes back at midnight, and before he can second guess himself, he de-transforms.

Ready to face the consequences, not matter what they may be.

If he's honest with himself, Adrien doesn't know what to expect from Chloe. But it's obvious that this is the last thing she was expecting herself, as she stands in front of him, jaw practically on the floor.

“You’re dating Ladybug,” she whispers. A question, not a statement. "And someone else at the same time. I don't understand."

He can only share his truth; not his lady’s. So even as he shares the deepest secret of his life, he lies.

“I would say ‘friends with benefits’ is a better way to describe the relationship between Ladybug and me," he replies. The lie falls off his tongue like silk.

Chloe shakes her head. "Of everyone I know, you're the last person I would ever have expected to have a friends with benefits relationship with anyone. I always thought you were a romantic. I guess I was wrong."

"Neither of us know each other as well as we used to, Chloe," says Adrien. "We haven't been honest with each other for a very long time."

She cuts her eyes away. "Can you blame me? I don't have much of an incentive to be honest with anyone in my life. I don't know who I can trust."

"It's not just that. It's hard to be friends with someone who acts unkind to almost everyone."

"Really? Did you come here to lecture me? Because I don't need to listen to you. I know what I'm doing, and why. Judge me all you want, but at the end of the day, both you and Ladybug came here to ask me for advice. And if you're going to criticize me after all of that, it makes you a hypocrite, not me."

Adrien shakes his head. "No, Chloe. That's not why I came here tonight. The reason I came here tonight is to talk to you about the other person in my life, because you know who she is."

"I don't understand."

"The other person in my life is Marinette Dupain-Cheng, and without your help, we can’t go anywhere together without the press questioning our every move. Since they think Ladybug and I are dating, if they see me on a date with Marinette, there will be a lot of uncomfortable questions that neither she nor I will be able to answer.”

"Why the hell would I want to help Marinette Dupain-Cheng?! " screeches Chloe. "Does she know about your secret identity too?!"

"No, she doesn't know," Adrien immediately cuts in smoothly. "Ladybug is aware of her, however, and he wants us to be able to be together in public."

“And Marinette doesn’t mind competing against a literal superheroine for your heart?”

“You’d be surprised. She has an open mind.”

Chloe narrows her eyes and considers him again. "I thought I knew you, Adrien Agreste, but it's clear that you're hiding a lot more than anyone knows. And god knows Marinette has far more patience than I would.”

"Listen," he replies. "When you were giving us that advice earlier? I know you were talking about everything that's happened with your father over the years. I know the press hasn't caught on at all, but it's obvious that you're speaking from experience when you talk about distracting the press so they don't know who you're spending time with. And I also know you haven't seen your mother in years."

"You don't know anything," Chloe hisses, eyes flashing angrily. "And don't bring my mother into this. I haven't brought yours into this discussion at all."

"I'm sorry. But the point is, I want to make sure you understand that I understand that finding privacy is incredibly difficult when you're a public figure. I've been living that struggle for years. And you know that. You know what it's like to have to pretend to be one way at school and another way at home, to put on a facade of happiness and being put together, and to keep the people who are important to you close to your chest and away from public view."

"What's your point?"

"My point is, that's how Marinette is for me. She's...she's precious to me. I don't want her to get hurt. I don't want anyone to get hurt. Not my lady, not Marinette, not my family...and I needed you to understand why this matters to me on multiple levels. And if it takes a racy photoshoot as Chat Noir to get the heat off Ladybug and attention off me as Adrien Agreste, then I'm willing to do it."

Chloe presses her lips together and frowns.

"It was different when I thought Chat Noir was someone else. Now that I know that he's you, I don't think it's the best idea, Adrichou. What if someone else finds out? What will your father say if he finds out?"

"Don't worry about that. If he hasn't found out who I am in the past three years, he's not about to discover my secret identity anytime soon. But I have to do this for Marinette and My Lady."

Chloe rolls her eyes. "You can't just pose for a sexy photoshoot to protect your girlfriend from the press. You have to have some sort of reason."

"Come on, I'm a superhero in a skintight black catsuit. I haven't leveraged this at all. I'm sure the public is just waiting to see my wild side, now that I'm a handsome young bachelor, as you put it," replies Adrien with a smirk.

"You know, I've seen video of when I was akumatized as Antibug, and I'm pretty sure I called you lame. I still stand by that statement."

Adrien grins. "Maybe. But I still think you should get me a shoot in the raciest magazine in Paris."

"Excuse me? Do I look like an agent to you? Schedule your own photoshoot!"

"Shame. I was under the impression you were connected to everyone in Paris. But I guess I can ask someone else to book me for a shoot. Maybe Nino can help me. I'm sure he'd love to help one of the coolest superheroes in Paris."

"Nino Lahiffe is a hipster and wouldn't be able to identify a single magazine that actually mattered if he tried."

"I suppose I could ask Alya to feature me on the Ladyblog as well. I'm sure she wouldn't mind."

"Absolutely not. If you want to do this effectively, you can't go through a blog , you have to go through a legitimate publication."

"Wow, Chloe, you know so much."

"Of course I do. This is my bread and butter. How else am I supposed to help my father navigate the nasty world of the press?"

"So you'll help me?"

"Ugh. Fine. Yes."

[nerdhorde]

🌻 questions tag 🌻

I was tagged by the lovely @fsstudies to answer all of these questions. Thank you very much! I shall attempt to make myself look interesting, haha. 

I tag @affinityscience @hayley-studies @my-little-studyblr @georgestudies @raven-studies. I don’t talk to very many people on here so you have been chosen at random (mostly). If you don’t wanna do it, then ofc that’s chill. I also tag anyone who sees this n kind of fancies doing it. Go wild, kiddo. 

LAST:

1. Drink: water, and before that, tea. 

2. Phone call: probably my best friend

3. Text message: well, the last time I messaged someone was on facebook (my friend from uni), but the last time I properly texted someone it was probably my best friend, again.

4. Song you listened to: la devotee - p!atd

5. Time you cried: watching a film. I can’t for the life of me remember what it was. I cry a lot, tbf. 

HAVE YOU:

6. Dated someone twice: no 

7. Kissed someone and regretted it: I don’t think I regret any of them, no. Well, I’ve kissed someone and regretted it months later if that counts. 

8. Been cheated on: nope

9. Lost someone special: yes

10. Been depressed: yes, I suppose so. 

11. Gotten drunk and thrown up: yes. All of the time. My stomach is very bad at handling alcohol, so tactical chunders are usually the way to go. I’ve never been absolutely plastered though, and vomiting not by choice; I’ve usually always chosen when I’m going to throw up (usually to make myself feel better/avoid a hangover). 

LIST 3 FAVORITE COLORS:

12. Black

13. Blue

14. Grey

IN THE LAST YEAR HAVE YOU:

15. Made new friends: yes, I started university last September so I made a fair few. 

16. Fallen out of love: not in the romantic sense, no. 

17. Laughed until you cried: yes, a week ago, actually. 

18. Found out someone was talking about you: oh lord, yes, haha. It’s been the cause of all my problems, this past month or so. 

19. Met someone who changed you: no.

20. Found out who your friends are: most bloody definitely!

21. Kissed someone on your Facebook list: yes, I think I did. I regret it now, haha. 

GENERAL:

22. How many of your Facebook friends do you know in real life: The vast majority of them I’d say. Most of them are people I went to school with, and if I didn’t go to school with them, they’re people I’ve met drunk on a night out. There’s only a handful on there who I’ve not met. 

23. Do you have any pets: yes, we have a black labrador, called Breeze. 

24. Do you want to change your name: I’ve never really been fond of my name, it was very popular the year I was born so I always find a lot of people my age called Sophie. If I were to change my name I’d change my last name. I’d make up something completely new so I wasn’t associated with either side of my family. 

25. What did you do for your last birthday: I went to see Morrissey live in Manchester with my best friend, that was a brilliant weekend, one of the best experiences of my life. And with my family I think we went out for a meal? It was so long ago now I can’t even remember properly, haha. 

26. What time did you wake up: today it was 6am, because I’ve got to travel 180 miles North to move some of my stuff in to my new uni house. Usually I’m very bad at getting out of bed before midday, but if I’ve got stuff to do I can wake up any time.

27. What were you doing at midnight last night: Probably watching old Whose Line Is It Anyway  episodes. The UK ones, of course. 

28. Name something you can’t wait for: going back to university in September, though I’m going to miss my best friend desperately. 

29. When was the last time you saw your mom: I saw her 8 hours ago, I think? Just before she went to bed. 

30. What is the one thing you wish you could change in your life: my anxiety (lol, #deep). Deep down I know I’m supposed to be a very extroverted person, but it prevents me from being that. 

31. What are you listening to right now: other than the noisy sodding birds outside my window? Nothing, lmao. 

32. Have you ever talked to a person named Tom: yes? I knew two guys called Tom in middle school. 

33. Something that is getting on your nerves: probably one of my ex-friends (that sounds dramatic af). She’s been very irritating recently and I wish she’d just stop being such a child and leave me the hell alone. 

34. Most visited websites: twitter, facebook, tumblr, youtube. The usual suspects, haha. 

35. Mole/s: yes. Lots. According to my mum they’re a sign of strength. That might well be bollocks, but who knows. 

36. Mark/s: I’ve got a scar on my right eyebrow from when I ran into the corner of a wooden table as a child. I used to get called “Sophie Potter”, Lords knows why cos it ain’t bloody lightning shaped. 

37. Childhood dream: when I was 5, probably just owning a tractor would be enough for me (a Ford one, because they’re blue); when I got a bit older I wanted to be an author, or an illustrator, or an author who illustrated her own books. 

38. Hair color: brown

39. Long or short hair: long. I only had it cut for the first time in 2 years a few months ago. It was ridiculously long then. 

40. Do you have a crush on someone: no, not a crush. That’s the wrong word.

41. What do you like about yourself: I actually quite like my appearance nowadays. I’m very proud of my intelligence, my knowledge of useless facts, my sarcasm, how funny I can be, and my art.

42. Piercings: ear lobes and my nose. I’d love to get more done. 

43. Blood type: I have absolutely no idea, not even my own mother knows. 

44. Nickname: I don’t have one. Some people have attempted to call me “Soph” in the past and I’ve quickly shot them down, only my dad gets to call me that and even then I don’t like it, haha. Occasionally I’ve been called by my last name, and some jokes have been made out of my last name but nothing’s ever really stuck. 

45. Relationship status: single… as a pringle..?

46. Zodiac: I don’t know much about this. I know I’m a Leo… 

47. Pronouns: she/her

48. Favorite TV show: Doctor Who, TLOG, anything Reece Shearsmith & Steve Pemberton write, Green Wing (recently), House, Lie To Me… There’s loads more but I can’t list them all, I’d be here all day. 

49. Tattoos: I have a tattoo of some planets and stars over a mountain on my inside left wrist. I got it about a year ago. I want lots more!

50. Right or left hand: Right. Though weirdly I started out life left-handed and then switched of my own accord when I was about 5. Unfortunately that doesn’t make me ambidextrous though, dammit. 

51. Surgery: twice. Had my tonsils removed as a kid, and then I used to be tongue-tied so I had to have that sorted a few years after. 

52. Hair dyed in different colour: not yet. I’m planning on it soon though, my hair’s a little drab at the moment. 

53. Sport: I used to love football (soccer) as a kid and I was fairly good at it, mostly because I was vicious, and at school I was on various sports teams but nowadays I rarely do any. 

54. blackpink in your area???? I’ve no idea what this means, so I’m gonna skim past it. 

55. Vacation: as a family we’ve been to Greece together (Kos, specifically) and it was wonderful, and we’ve been caravanning on the coast a few times. We haven’t been on holiday in years, but we’re all going to Jersey next month, unfortunately for some not good reasons. 

56. Pair of trainers: two pairs of grey converse, one very new, one very tatty. And a pair of grey generic trainers for the gym (I like grey, apparently)

MORE GENERAL

57. Eating: mashed potato, gravy, pie, cheesy chips, my mum’s roast dinners, my grandma’s baking. 

58. Drinking: tea, always. I bloody love tea, not that I’m upholding a national stereotype there, but oh well. Wine is lovely, but vodka is my absolute favourite when it comes to alcohol. Or gin, though I can’t handle it very well. Tequila shots, yes, jaeger bombs, always. 

59. I’m about to: get dressed and go to my grandma’s for an hour before we drive up North to my new house

60. (there is no 60, this is odd)

61. Waiting for: my exam to be over (it’s on Tuesday, send help). 

62. Want: to be at the pub with my friends, and a night out at Welly (the best club ever, pop punk and indie trash on a loop).

63. Get married: I doubt it. I’m not interested in marriage really. 

64. Career: my dream career would be artist. Quite possibly a portrait artist. But I know that’s not exactly a safe bet, so I’ll save that until I’m financially stable. I’m doing a chemistry degree at the moment, so I suppose I’ll get a job using that. In research, maybe. 

65. Hugs or kisses: depends on the person. Hugs from everyone. Kisses are also wonderful too, though. 

66. Lips or eyes: eyes. 

67. Shorter or taller: neither. I’m tall compared to most of my friends, but not too tall that I can’t get away with wearing heels, so I’ll stick to where I’m at, cheers. 

68. Older or younger: younger I think. I miss being so carefree. 

(dammit why is there no 69 ffs)

70. Nice arms or nice stomach: on me? Stomach probably. But both I think. My arms are odd, I’d like to edit them a little. 

71. Sensitive or loud: both. Loud, naturally, I think. Sensitive not entirely out of choice. 

72. Hook up or relationship: hook up. I think I have commitment issues, I couldn’t be in a relationship with someone. 

73. Troublemaker or hesitant: depends. Mostly troublemaker. If I’m hesitant it’s only usually for a few seconds before I go “fuck it” and do it anyway. 

HAVE YOU EVER:

74. Kissed a stranger: yes. Many a time. 

75. Drank hard liquor: yes. It’s lovely. 

76. Lost glasses/contact lenses:  nope, never, thank god. Let’s hope this continues. 

77. Turned someone down: yes, very gently. 

78. Sex on the first date:  I don’t think you could call it a date, but I’ve had sex with someone the first night I’ve met them? If that counts?

79. Broken someone’s heart: I don’t think so, no. Not that I’m aware of anyway.

80. Had your heart broken: no.

81. Been arrested: never. 

82. Cried when someone died: yes, of course. 

83. Fallen for a friend: no. Not really. I had a brief crush on a friend, but it didn’t last. 

DO YOU BELIEVE IN:

84. Yourself: sometimes yes, sometimes no. I can be very arrogant depending on my mood, so in those moments I do, yes. In the more anxious ones, definitely not. 

85. Miracles: no way

86. Love at first sight: no, I think it’s unrealistic. Lust at first sight, certainly, but not love. 

87. Santa Claus: hahah wait why is this even up for debate?? Duh. 

88. Kiss on the first date:  yeah, sure, why not, if I liked the person enough I certainly wouldn’t be averse to it. 

OTHER:

90. Current best friend name: Amy

91. Eye color: brown

91. Favorite movie: reservoir dogs, pulp fiction, anything tarantino, leon: the professional, so many of them

[jamlessflowerboys-blog]

GOT7 Imagines || Jinyoung FF - Bittersweet pt. 2

Y/N’S POV

It wasn’t enough. That guy… Jinyoung. I just needed what he had to pay… and then I could pay Daesuk… but it wasn’t enough. I let out an almost silent sigh as I collect my pay from the cash register. When I look up to see if he was still there, he had already left. I remove my apron and stuff it into my bag, then sign out of the cafe to take my leave.

It was already getting dark, and I was to meet his gang soon. I walk down a few blocks and see the convenience store with their light up sign, half of their letters dull and flickering.

I pull my hood over my head and clutch my fist of cash nervously. I watched as people walking in and out of the convenience store, from across the street. Eventually, it became late enough that a rare one or two people went into the store.

I see four hooded figures crossing the street, walking towards me. I tense up again and my grip around the money was so tight to the point where my knuckles were white and numb.

``You showed. Surprisingly.`` Daesuk stifles a chuckle.

``I mean, after that threat, no one would want to not show.`` The girl in his posse, Chaerin sneered arrogantly, sucking on a purple tinted lollipop.

The others muttered in agreement as Daesuk towers over me.

``So hand over the dough, short-stack.`` He growls, his huge hand outstretched to me. I hesitantly put the money in his hand and he counts the notes carefully. ``What the hell do you take me for?`` His voice was sharp.

I flinch at his tone and force myself to look up at him. ``There weren’t many customers today…``

``Do you think I care? That’s your damn problem if you don’t have customers. I asked for more than this you idiot.`` He pushes me harshly, causing my to lose my balance and fall onto the sidewalk of snow.

He snaps his fingers as if some magician. His three sidekicks become attentive at his command like mindless pawns and start towards me. I crawl back a few centimetres as if it was possible to escape them, but one of the boys grabs me by the arm and pulls me up, ripping my thick jacket off my body, leaving me with only a turtleneck long sleeve underneath. He throws a fist into my stomach. An indescribable pain arises as my stomach clenches and my breathing hitches from the impact. My abdomen throbbed in pain, as he kept me suspended by the arm. Chaerin was a brown belt in taekwondo, which I’m sure is all Daesuk has her for. She pops her lollipop out of her mouth and lands a kick to my side, faster than I could have ever imagined. At an instant, my right rib felt like it had combusted into flames, as the first guy dropped me into the snow. The cold temperature of the snow clashing with the agonising flame of my ribs made me roll over in pain. Daesuk strolled over to me, as my blurry vision looked up at him hopelessly. He gave a pathetic kick to my shin as if pitying me.

He snorts at me and spits in the snow, where I can see him.

``That’ll teach you, rat.`` He and his team walks away into the darkness as I lay there motionlessly. The overall pain coursed through my body and I clutch the snow in my hands for some sort of comfort. All the streetlights provided with some sort of light but it was mostly dark. My eyes threatened to close at any moment as my chest rose sharply, as I struggled to catch my breath. I stare at the street lamps for a moment, before rolling over and pushing myself up shakily. I sit on my knees with my head drooped on my chest, my body bent to compress the pain of my rib and stomach. I wrap my arms around myself before standing up in a wobbly fashion. Regaining my thoughts, I locate which direct my house is in, and trudge towards it in the snow.

Flames at my right.

Aching at my centre.

My bruised cheek stinging from contact with the snow.

Frostbite beginning to form at my nose.

Pitiful shivers as I walk slower and slower towards my house.

``Y/N…?`` A silhouette stands in the light of their house. My eyes, half closed, can’t make out who it is. My head was throbbing in pain from the impact of hitting it as I fell, so i couldn’t comprehend the voice either.

They hop down from their porch and onto the snowy sidewalk. My strained vision tries to focus on his face. It was Park Jinyoung.

He looks at me worriedly, bitting his fingernails, looking at me, as I continued to edge on to get home.

Must.

Get.

Home.

Fuck it hurts.

I stumble clumsily, but he stabilises me by grabbing me by the shoulders.

My head softly hits his chest as my eyes begin to grow heavy.

Not now.

I need to stay awake.

I must…

Darkness.

…

As if coming from a dream, my eyes flutter open and flicker around to check my surroundings. I was in a house…? It was definitely not mine. My mind had lost all memory of what had happened and how i ended up here. I try to sit up, but my body refuses and a sharp pain warns me of so. I hiss and force myself to completely sit up in bed. There was a tray of medicine, bandages and another tray by me, of tea and other assortments. I was settled in mattress, floor level which made the room seem taller than it actually was. I lift my shirt to where my body was killing me and saw a large purple, blue bruise on my ribs, along with a patch of cotton on my torso.

Who…?

I groggily get up, trying my best to ignore the pain that resided in my torso.

Daesuk…

Money…

Home…

Jinyoung…

Jinyoung?

Jinyoung!

My mind finally recalled everything. I must be in Jinyoung’s house. Strangely, we had never made any contact besides catching glances in english, so it was strange that he was willing to offer his aid. I glance at the clock above the door.

11:07pm.

I wonder if he’s still awake. As far as I know, I don’t believe he lives with his parents. I walk around the lounge room aimlessly, until a cold draft hits the back of my neck. I slowly turn, holding my side to see a screen door slightly open. I walk hesitantly over to see a figure hunched over, sitting on a porch. Guessing it was Jinyoung, from his jet black hair, I stand behind him, making my presence noticeable. He turns around and looks up at me standing over him.

``Oh, you’re finally awake.`` He beckons me to sit down with him. I attempt to, as the ache returns from crouching over. I pull my sleeves over my hands to protect them from the cold, but it barely seems to be doing anything. We both sit in silence, looking into the dim streets.

``Ah, my bad…`` He takes off his jacket and places it over my shoulders carefully. I wanted to protest, but my throat felt so dry and hoarse that even a single word would feel like a scorching pain in my throat. My mouth shut as quickly as it open before I could say anything.

``I was going to take you to the hospital, but if I didn’t fix you then, you would have probably been in a coma.`` As I also recalled, Jinyoung took a class in biology and hospitality, which is why my patch looked so professionally done.

I nod in compliance, regretting not drinking that tea beforehand.

``Uh, do you need some tea?`` He gets up quickly. I shrug. ``I’ll get you some.`` He walks into his house and a few moments later returns with a steaming cup of tea.

The cup felt warm in my hands as I took a ginger sip of it. The tea coats my throat and mouth, spreading relief throughout. I relax a bit and clear my throat.

``Uh, thanks…`` I say finally, placing the cup between my thighs.

``It’s okay… you looked like you were in really bad shape… what exactly happened?``

My head dropped a bit. My head hurt too much to recount to him what happened. My vision blurred a bit and he looked at me and waved a hand in my face.

``Are you okay…?``

``Ah, it’s really nothing… I just bumped into a few things when I was walking home…``

``You’re a terrible liar for someone I just met.`` He replies, taking his cup of tea and drinking a long sip from it.

``It’s none of your business anyway.`` I snap suddenly, almost surprising me too.

Another awkward silence.

``Seems like you push away any help you get.``

``Yeah, if I had any help.`` I chortle sarcastically.

He almost retaliates but shuts his mouth.

``Look, I just want to know who’s doing this.`` Jinyoung lets out a sigh.

I look at him with droopy eyes.

``Daesuk… and his group of idiots…`` I rest my head on my hand, staring at my feet, barely visible in the dark.

``I know Daesuk is a jerk… but are you really going to let him push you around forever?``

``You may think he’s just a jerk, but you don’t know him like I do.`` I stand up slowly, feeling an ache strike again at my torso. ``This was a mistake. You shouldn’t have helped me. All you’re going to do is get yourself involved.``

I turn on my heel to walk out, but he puts a hand on my shoulder.

``You’re not in any condition to leave at this point. And it’s a bit late to go home anyways. We’ll go to school in the morning and never talk again, if that makes you sleep easier.``

I fling his hand off and turn to face him.

``Fine, but only because you’re being reasonable, not desperate.`` I open the screen door as he follows. I make my way back to my temporary room.

``Goodnight Y/N.`` Jinyoung calls quietly.

``…Goodnight.`` I step into my room and before getting in bed, realise that I still have his jacket. Sighing, I slip it off my shoulders and place it on the wooden chair in the corner of the room.

I take care to tuck myself into bed, before pulling my blanket over myself and switching the rickety lamp.

Staring into darkness, my body notes ever little pain that it can feel, making me shift uncomfortably. Eventually, in exhaustion, my body falls asleep.

PART 1 |