#cs second chance

[thef1diary]

Podium Princess | LN + CS + CL

Summary: Lando lost a bet, which would have just temporarily damaged his ego, but the problem was that you were the prize that Charles and Carlos desired for one night.

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© thef1diary 2024. do not repost without permission

Warnings: 18+, mmmf, unprotected sex, three men for three holes 🤭, fingering, oral, anal, dp?, filthy as fuck, derogatory terms (kinda), praise, overstimulation, riding.

pairing: lando x fem!reader x carlos x charles

wc: 3.1k

Request: You should totally write a smut about lando sharing his girlfriend with Carlos and Charles after placing in the #australiangp

"You did what?" You asked your boyfriend, wondering if you misheard his words. "I made a bet," Lando responded, but this time with more assurance.

You sat down on the bed in your shared hotel room and asked, "what is it?" Patting the spot next to you, silently indicating Lando to sit down and begin explaining the bet. You've known from the years you've been dating that whenever he places a wager, he eventually loses, but you chose against mentioning it.

He hesitated for a moment but then decided to explain how he ended up in that situation.

The evening began when Lando noticed Carlos and Charles speaking after the qualifying session. He observed they had been spending a lot of time together recently, so Lando obviously had to approach them and disrupt their latest gossip session.

Putting the trio together, one would discover that they never run out of topics to discuss, which is how they found themselves sitting in a car in the parking lot outside their hotel. Carlos suggested that since they were all staying at the same hotel for the weekend, they might as well leave the track together.

However, during the car ride, there was a discussion that quickly brought out the competitive nature that each driver had developed at a young age. "What, you guys don't think I'll win?" Lando asked the Ferrari drivers, slightly offended. This particular topic of conversation started once they discussed the possible winners for the race tomorrow.

Based on the three practice sessions and qualifying, it could be argued that while they all had a fairly nice weekend so far, some were still more fortunate than others. As a result, the Spaniard shook his head, disagreeing with his friend, "mate, I'm starting second tomorrow, which clearly means I have a better chance of winning."

"I was first in fp1," Lando retaliated although they all knew that qualifying in a higher position meant more than topping a single practice session.

"You might have a good chance, but Max is on pole, let's not forget that," Charles reminded his fellow colleagues. Lando perked up at his words, "exactly, so all Carlos needs to do is somehow crash him out of the race so I can win."

Charles laughed at the outrageous plan, but Carlos scoffed, "I won't ruin my chances at a podium for a race you won't win." Noticing Lando's defeated expression, it caused Charles to laugh harder. "Not that I think either of you would win, but let's make a bet," the Monégasque suggested.

"Who do you think will win?" Carlos asked. Charles' dimple deepened as he smiled, "me of course."

This time Lando scoffed, "yeah, sure mate," then he looked at Carlos, "what do I get when I win the bet?"

"This," Carlos stated while holding up his middle finger towards him. Rolling his eyes, he decided, "fine, I'll ask for something when I win, and then you two won't be able to deny it."

"And what do we get if you don't win?" Carlos asked, looking at Charles who was waiting for an answer from Lando.

While Lando was focused on what he would ask for if he won the bet, he failed to consider that Carlos or Charles were more likely to win than him. He would have a one-in-three chance of winning the wager, but Lando hadn't realized the extent of the situation just yet.

"Not that it'll happen but what do you guys want?" He asked only as a formality to actually set the bet.

Carlos was quiet for a moment as he thought of something that would be worthwhile, looking at Charles to see if he had any ideas. Then he thought of it—of you. "Your girlfriend," he simply stated.

It took two seconds for Lando to start laughing, not that it was ever a challenge to do so, but he initially assumed that Carlos was joking. His laughter quickly died down once he didn't hear either driver laugh along with him.

Looking in the backseat at Charles briefly, who nodded in agreement, Lando snapped his head towards Carlos, "what do you mean my girlfriend?"

"It's simple. If Charles or I win, then you have to share your girlfriend for a night, if not, then you don't," he explained nonchalantly.

Lando looked at Charles, "and you agree with him?" He shrugged, then nodded, "she's hot, I wouldn't say no."

He slumped back in his seat, "I suppose you'll be disappointed when I win." While Lando was secure in his abilities, both drivers around him thought he was growing overconfident. "So you agree, that if you don't win, we can have her?"

Nodding it off and waving his hand around, Lando agreed, "yeah, you can."

You were stunned into silence once he finished explaining. Noticing your lack of words, Lando was unsure of your thoughts. "You don't think I'll win?"

You shrugged, "all I'm gonna say is that you have twenty-one other chances to win this season if you don't win this race." You didn't exactly answer his question, but he realized that you weren't opposed or disgusted by the idea either. Pulling you into his lap, he tilted your chin upwards with his fingers and leaned closer for a kiss.

He tightened his grasp on your chin to stop you before you could press your lips against his. "Oh I see, you don't want me to win just so you can be passed around like a slut between my friends?"

"You wouldn't have put me as the prize if you didn't like the idea," you retaliated, smirking as you moved his hand away to finally place your lips on his.

—

You stood among the crowd, cheering for Lando, who took his place on the third step of the podium. As the podium celebrations began, a part of you was also looking forward to the celebrations that would follow later tonight. Lando may have lost a bet, but it was the first bet you were glad he lost.

That is how you ended up in your hotel room with your lover, waiting in anticipation for the other two drivers to arrive. With his trophy set aside, you and Lando were occupied with each other; your eyes closed and head tilted back as he trailed kisses down your throat.

Then came a knock on the door, one that made your heart race in all the best ways. Lando stood up and opened the door, revealing Charles and Carlos standing on the other side, still dressed in their Ferrari polos from earlier that evening.

"What did he say? I suppose you'll be disappointed when I win," Charles greeted by mocking Lando's words from the day before. "Alright, alright I get it but I still placed third," he retaliated which earned a nod from Carlos. "Congrats, cabrón."

You could hear them laughing among themselves, but it quickly died down once Carlos and Charles spotted you. Lando had suggested that you should wear red, considering both of the drivers that placed first and second adored red.

There you sat on the mattress, leaning back on your forearms with an ankle crossed over the other, clad in only a tight short red dress which you were glad you ended up packing.

"Well, fuck me," Charles muttered under his breath earning a chuckle from you once you heard his comment. Standing up and slowly stepping towards them, you replied, "fuck me indeed."

Your gaze was fixated on Carlos, the race winner, whose eyes revealed a glimpse of all the dirty thoughts racing through his mind. "Congratulations, you both deserve a good celebration," you said, smiling as you felt Carlos' arm snaking around your waist and Charles' breath fanning your face.

"Is that what you're going to give us? A good celebration?" Charles asked, his lips grazing your cheek. "I'll give you anything you want."

You looked at your boyfriend for a second, making sure he was still comfortable with the situation before proceeding any further. But you just saw desire in his eyes and while the corner of his lip curled up in a lazy smirk, a nod from him allowed you to carry on. He may have nodded at you, but his eyes darted over your head to his fellow drivers, "Go on then, Carlos, Charles, claim your prize."

Your lips parted slightly, marvelling at the fact that Lando hadn't even addressed you, instead treating you like an object to be claimed. The worst part was realizing that you liked it since his remarks had made you clench your thighs together.

Carlos grinned at your obedient behaviour as he was easily able to tip your head back to face him. Now that they truly had the freedom to do anything they wanted to you, with your permission, neither felt bad for having sinful thoughts about you—their best friend's girlfriend—while Carlos and Charles were alone in their bedrooms.

Kissing you with a sense of urgency, Carlos stole your breath away in a matter of seconds. Your thoughts had quickly dissipated into thin air as you felt Charles trailing his fingers up your body while pressing up behind you.

You heard Lando shuffle around before leaving the three of you alone in the bedroom for a moment which only intensified your feelings. Sandwiched between the two men who are good friends of yours, were now looking at you as if you are merely an outlet for their sexual desires.

Sliding down the straps that held your dress up, Charles continued kissing every inch of your bare skin revealed to him. His hands rounded to your front, pulling down the flimsy piece of fabric to display your tits to the duo. Your nipples instantly pebbled as Charles' fingers brushed against them, making you tilt your head back and resting it against his shoulder.

Letting you regain your breath, Carlos moved down to your neck, replacing each kiss Lando had placed earlier with small nips and grazes of his teeth, just painful enough to still be pleasurable.

While both their mouths were occupied, the Spaniard's hands pushed down the rest of your dress to the floor, parting away for a moment to let you to step out of it and toss it to the side with your feet.

Lando returned to the room, trapping his bottom lip between his teeth to prevent a moan from leaving his mouth. You were now completely bare, with two fully clothed drivers—his friends—pressed against you while their hands roamed all over your body.

Discarding his shirt on the floor, he occupied your mouth with another kiss, muffling your moans. "Fuck, enjoying yourself, baby?" Lando muttered once you parted away for a moment. Nodding, you opened your mouth to respond but a sharp gasp left your mouth as you felt Charles' fingers teasing your clit while Carlos palmed your ass.

"Merde, she's so perfect," the Monégasque commented, spreading your pussy with two fingers while a third finger swiped through your folds to catch the wetness that gathered between. "Charles," you breathlessly whispered, a plead for more.

"So ready to be ruined," Carlos added, his own fingers prodding your ass, earning a string of curses along with pleas to keep going from you. Gathering your slick from your cunt, Carlos coated his fingers to ease just the tip of one finger into your ass.

Soon enough, you were laid down on the bed, and one by one the three men stripped their clothes away, adding to the ever growing pile that started from your dress. You could barely keep your eyes open due to the feeling of three pairs of hands roaming everywhere, not leaving any inch of your skin untouched.

You had already orgasmed twice, but you couldn't remember whose fingers brought you over the edge the first, or even the second time, as all of the sensations mushed together in what felt like one never ending wet dream.

Staying true to your words of giving them anything they desired, you moaned around Carlos' cock as Charles slid his dick in your pussy without any forewarning. Your grasp on his thighs tightened as Charles began to thrust, slowly at first but then showed no mercy once his grasp on your hips tightened.

Carlos pulled your mouth off his cock, but quickly replaced the emptiness you immediately felt with two of his fingers resting heavily on your tongue. His actions didn't allow you to close your jaw, causing you to drool down your chin, and only then he was satisfied.

"Such a good fucking girl," he commented, which only made your head spin further while you smiled at the compliment. "Oh she likes that," Charles added as he felt your pussy clench around him at Carlos' praise.

His fingers that were now coated with your saliva trailed down your body to where you and Charles were connected. He nodded mockingly at his teammate's comment, "yeah, you like being praised?"

Easily finding your swollen clit, he slightly pinched it before creating small circles, edging you closer. You nodded, "please, please, please." You were sobbing for relief, your voice strained from the constant cries that left your lips with each new wave of ecstasy.

Connecting their gaze, Charles and Carlos smirked as they silently agreed to let you cum once again. Charles's fingers slid closer to your back hole, this time able to slide two fingers down to the last knuckle. At the same time, Carlos' fingers left your clit only to join the thrusts of Charles' cock, scissoring two of his fingers in your pussy to stretch you out even further. Pleasure surged through your body, and you closed your eyes tightly at the sudden sensation of being so full.

Charles slowed down his thrusts, prolonging your post orgasmic sensation. You slumped forwards when he pulled out, still holding back his own release for now.

Despite still being eager, they were ever patient with you especially after bringing you over the edge multiple times now, knowing your limbs were close to tiring out.

Still on your hands and knees, you shuffled up to straddle Carlos, sinking down on down cock this time, mouth dropping open as he stretched you out slightly differently compared to Charles.

"C'mon, cariño, ride me," he instructed, resting his hands on your hips, urging your movements while also allowing you to depend on him for help. "You feel so good, Carlos," you panted.

You heard some shuffling around you again but you couldn't move your gaze away from watching your pussy engulf Carlos' cock over and over again.

However, you were startled once you felt a cool sensation prodding your ass; Charles' fingers coated in lube. "Need you to relax, baby," you could hear Lando's words and he was quick to come into your view, stroking his dick to the sight of you filled by his former teammate.

He grabbed your hand off of Carlos' shoulder, guiding it towards his cock. Already slick with his precum, you could easily move your hand up and down, watching his reaction with hooded eyes.

Charles' free hand wrapped around your throat from behind while he whispered in your ear, "we're gonna fill up all of your holes, darling."

Groaning, you nodded, "please," a word that you had repeatedly spoken to the point where it sounded like a broken record. "You want that?" One of them asked, but you couldn't focus on whose voice it was. "Fill me up, please," your words turning into a moan as Carlos shifted underneath you, reaching deeper inside.

Releasing the grasp on your throat, Charles focused on opening you up with his fingers, for you to be able to take his cock in your ass while Carlos continued pounding your pussy.

Lando replaced Charles' hand, grabbing the back of your neck, threading his fingers in your hair to bring you close for a filthy kiss. Tongues and teeth clashing, he slightly bit down on your bottom lip, sucking and pulling on it for a moment before letting go.

Without any words exchanged, your boyfriend guided your mouth towards his cock, filling up two out of three of your holes. It took you a moment before you actually started moving your head up and down, moaning and drooling on his cock because of Carlos' upward thrusts.

Charles removed his fingers, having deemed to have stretched you out enough then coating his dick with a good amount of lube. With one hand palming and spreading your ass, he used the other to guide his cock into you. Your eyes welled up with tears, not entirely painful but almost overwhelmed with being filled everywhere at once.

Your body was quickly calmed down by Lando, Charles, and Carlos as they moved their hands all over you in soothing motions. Charles began thrusting when you nodded because you were unable to speak while Lando's dick was in your mouth.

Your muffled groans sounded distant to you, mind foggy, but you had never felt so full and aware before.

With a warning, Lando filled your mouth with cum, which you swallowed greedily without hesitation. Now, with your mouth unoccupied, you couldn't hold back on your moans. "Gonna cum," you warned, knowing you won't last long, still sensitive from your previous orgasms.

Charles' fingers reached your chest, teasing and pinching your nipples while Carlos rested his palms on your cheeks, wiping away your tears with his thumb.

Your pace stuttered as you came around his cock, and Carlos took the reins and thrusted upwards, allowing you to ride out your orgasm. "Fuck, where do you want us?" Charles asked, tethering on the edge and based on Carlos' stuttering pace, you knew he was too.

Your next words pushed both over the edge, "inside." Slumping forwards, you felt both Ferrari drivers filling you up with their cum. "Fucking hell, that was hot," Lando commented, leaning closer to brush away the strands of hair stuck on your forehead due to sweat.

Charles and Carlos carefully eased you off their cocks, with Lando helping you lie down on the bed which you immediately melted into.

It was unbearable for you to be completely empty after being entirely filled. Mustering up all your strength, you held your arms out for your boyfriend, who immediately joined you on the bed, whispering praises in your ear.

Meanwhile, Carlos and Charles decided to clean you up by wiping the cum that had leaked out of your holes with a damp towel. They saw the bruises from their grasps on you in the heat of the moment and couldn't help but smile, knowing they were the cause of it.

You hoped, as you drifted off to sleep, that the three of them would share the podium more frequently, and therefore, share you as well.

Taglist based on the form (let me know if you would like to be removed) @lochnoch @llando4norris @monsieurbacteria6 @namgification @lilymurphy03 @sargeantdumbass @evlkking @jointhehunt67 @wonnou @nikfigueiredo

[okayrudemuch]

abby anderson as your childhood best friend to lovers headcanons 🪻

🪻 Abby and you grew up together, always side by side.

🪻 You have been in love with Abby for years. You don't even know when it hit you exactly that you feel more for her than just friendship. You hide it almost perfectly tho, convinced, that she doesn't feel the same .

🪻 Abby has no clue about your feelings, falling asleep next to you while holding your hand, letting you braid her hair, and resting her head on your shoulder after a long patrol is absolutely normal for her.

🪻 Abby would realize that you are slowly bringing some distance between yourself and her after she told you about Owen, but she'd be too dumb to understand why.

🪻 She'd freak out on the inside, missing you so much when you tell her the fifth day in a row that you can't go to the gym with her because you're busy or are already assigned to another patrol group.

🪻 She'd slowly realise how much she missed you and would get jealous when she sees you laughing with other people because why can you have fun with them and won't even talk to her anymore, she is your best friend duuh.

🪻 It would take her a while to figure out what she is truly feeling and it absolutely shakes her world but she can't deny it, not when she is watching you every day in the dining hall, laughing with other people while she feels like she could vomit her food right back on the table.

🪻She'd take you by your wrist at a party a week later and drag you out of the room after you didn't speak to her all night. She confronts you in the hallway and while she does that she accidentally tells you that she is in love with you.

🪻 You guys are close in that stupid tiny hallway and Abby is already in your space and takes a step closer when you can't do anything but stare at her eyes and lips after her confession.

🪻 She'd murmur "fuck it" and she'd kiss you like she regrets every second where she didn't do exactly that, like she needs your lips to be able to breath. Your back pressed against the wall and her hands and lips all over you.

🪻 She would obviously end things with Owen (that lil shoe already assumed that there was sth sapphic going on with Abby) and she'd plan a little cute date after you talked about everything.

🪻 She would treat you so good, she'd spoil you and show you how much she loves you at every chance she gets.

🪻 You'd be the happiest girl in the world period.

(I was partying all night cs my bestie got married but for some reason it was really important to me to finish these before I go to sleep??)

[satkru]

Caked up Male!Reader getting hit on and felt up by his classmates at Jujutsu High.

𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 : 2nd yrs and 1st yrs x m!reader (w a FATTIE)

꒰ঌ ໒꒱ : zhellas bby.. ur reqs have my SOUL on a leash 😭

˚₊· ��͟͞͞➳❥ : m! reader w a big ol booty , (kindve??) oblivious reader , free-use reader , these students got NOO SHAME 🙏🏽‼️ , booty grabbing , booty slapping , groping (basically) , nsfw jokes abt the reader, i HATE panda so dont expect him to be here

YUUJI - ✦

y'all know yuuji aint the type of guy to let a perfectly good ass untouched, hes a literal FIEN for ts. so it wasnt a total surprise whenever yuuji was around his hand would sometimes (if not always) near y/n's voluptuous ass. his hand on one cheek gripping the ever living shit out of it. he just couldnt get enough of how circular it was and how it jiggled every time y/n walked.

before training, itadori would slap y/n's ass as a "good luck charm", as if the boner in his pants would help him in combat..

MEGUMI - ✦

fushiguro is the FARTHEST thing of a pervert, but when it comes to y/n.. god he just cant handle himself

hes very shy with his actions, mostly due to the fact that if he let himself get handsy with you, he'd go absolutely FERAL.

just the slight wobble of y/n's ass is enough to boggle megumi's mind and keep him busy for the next 2 hours.

but nevertheless, megumi is still a sane and sensible person around y/n, although he can be seen stumbling over his words whenever he does get the chance to talk to him.

NOBARA - ✦

goodness me.. nobara doesnt know how to keep her hands off y/n's fat ol booty..

she thinks she can excuse herself because shes "just a girl and girls can always feel up their friends butt whenever they want to" (her exact words) of course, because of her totally convincing tone, y/n doesnt think anything of the close and personal touching nobara does.

nobara LOVES grabbing handfuls of y/n's ass and wobbling it in her hands. making sure to take in every jiggle it produced.

INUMAKI - ᰔ

y/n is EXTREMELY lucky inumaki isnt such a freak, cs if he was, he would be commanding him to make it clap every second of the day.

inumaki isnt as handy as the others are, in fact, hes the most calmest of the bunch. but he does have his moments where he just cant help himself and starts to mess around with y/n. such as commanding him to grab something off the floor even if he was the one to drop it in the first place.

seeing y/n's arched back and his ass swaying back and forth just makes inumaki go into a frenzy. wishing he could act out everything hes ever thought of doing to you.

MAKI - ᰔ

LORD.. maki has absolutely ZERO shame in her body when it comes to y/n's fat ass. shes constantly hitting on him and fitting both of her hands around y/n's juicy and perky booty.

shes constantly making sex jokes between her and y/n and even goes behind to give him some "practice backshots".

maki makes absolute SURE that y/n's ass is constantly in perfect condition, even going as far as to carry a measuring tape to keep data on y/n's ass to see if it has grown or not.

definitely safe to say that she is very.. VERY... dedicated to the research of y/n's voluptuous booty..

YUUTA - ᰔ

im tired of ppl trying to play yuuta as a "sweet summer child", this man is DOWN for a BIG, JUICY FAT ASS like y/n's.

although he does get a bit nervous when hes around y/n due to his ass being so big it can make him hard just by one small movement.

yuuta is always taking the chances to feel up on y/n's bottom. if hes lucky enough, y/n will give yuuta special permission to lay his head of his butt.

which, safe to say, has made itself a special memory inside yuuta's brain.

[kmomof4]

Yet another FANTASTIC ch!!!! I am absolutely BESIDE myself with where this ch left everyone!!!!

Can’t WAIT for the next ch!!!!

Taking That Second Chance: Chapter 6 -- a Once Upon a Time, Captain Swan fanfiction

Start here on FF.net and here on A03.

Chapter 6 is here and here.

TRIGGER WARNING: A very tiny brief one sentence mention of planned suicide. 

Chapter 6

Kindness can transform someone’s dark moment with a blaze of light. You’ll never know how much your caring matters. –— Amy Leigh

Though irritated and a bit dejected from Rumplestiltskin’s refusal to help, David was somewhat reassured by the knowledge that Emma had magic. It made sense Emma had magic considering she was the Savior. 

When he entered Granny’s Diner, ignoring the hungover Jefferson, he caught Ruby’s eye. Ruby nodded towards the back, indicating that the others were waiting. David walked through the hallway that connected the diner and the inn. Entering the sitting room, he found Blue with a few of her fairies, the dwarves, Granny, Marco, Ella, Thomas, Thomas’ father Edward, Abigail, and Frederick. 

It was good to see so many familiar faces in one space, especially since they hadn’t caught up all that much since the curse broke a week ago. Gods, had it only been a week? So much happened since then that it felt like an eternity. 

Ruby appeared behind him. “I think we’re ready.” She moved behind the armchair occupied by Granny. 

David nodded and looked to the others. “I have good news and bad news.”

Everyone braced themselves, knowing David wouldn’t have gathered them unless the bad news was really bad news. 

David decided that it was better to start with the good news and give them some hope. “Good news, Emma and Snow are on their way home.” David began. “They found allies in the Enchanted Forest and are getting a portal back here.” 

Tension eased in the room as the dwarves cheered and everyone smiled in relief. It was better than good to hear that the Savior and Snow White would return, especially with many still struggling in the aftermath of the broken curse. There were still so many matters at hand. 

“That’s wonderful news, David.” Ella said, happy to hear that one of her closest friends would soon be home. Snow and Emma did so much for her in the past; she owed them everything. 

David hated to ruin the joy felt in that moment, but there was still the news of Cora. Everyone needed to be prepared. 

Abigail noticed David’s expression growing grim. “What’s the bad news, David?” Abigail felt any levity was out the window once David told them. It surely had to be dire. 

He took a breath, steadying himself to share the information. Not many of them knew much about Regina’s mother, but Snow said Cora was the only person she’d ever seen Regina scared of, which counted for something. “A powerful sorceress named Cora is trying to come to Storybrooke. She’s Regina’s mother.”

“Regina has a mother?” Thomas asked, flabbergasted. With how evil Regina was, it was easy to forget that she didn’t spring up out of some dark abyss throwing fireballs and terrorizing everyone. 

“I thought Cora was dead.” Granny grunted. “No one heard from her since the Evil Queen wed Snow’s poor father.” What Granny did know from what little she gathered from Snow over the years was that Cora was bad news.

“Apparently, she’s alive.” David said. “Snow said she’s the only person Regina’s ever feared. Worse, Cora wants to have a family reunion. If she and Regina work together, then it’s possible that we’re in for a war.”

“We’re doomed then.” Doc grumbled. “They both have magic. What have we got?” He shook his head dejected. “We still haven’t found any fairy dust.” 

“Then we’ll try harder.” Leroy was emphatic. “We’ll keep digging and find the dust. Once the fairies have their magic back, then we can face off against Regina and Cora.” 

It was then that Jefferson stumbled in, his face drawn in wide-eyed terror. “I didn’t just hear that, did I? Cora? Cora is here?” No, no, no. Not her too. 

“No, she’s not.” David said. “Not yet, anyway. How do you know Cora?” Had Jefferson dealt with her in the past like he’d had with Regina and Rumplestiltskin?

Jefferson swallowed as he remembered the torment Cora inflicted. “Regina banished Cora to Wonderland years before the curse. Not long before the curse, Regina trapped me in Wonderland and Cora took my head off, literally. She was known as the Queen of Hearts there and her reign of terror was just as infamous as Regina’s was in our land.” 

“Fantastic.” Ruby growled. “So Cora’s just as bad, and if she does get Regina on her side, we’re screwed.”

Seeing how defeated everyone looked already, David couldn’t not give them something to hold onto. “Maybe not. There’s someone else who can fight them.”

“The Dark One?” Edward scoffed. “He’s unlikely to help us.”

“I’ve already spoken with him.” David told them. “You’re right. He won’t help us, but he says he won’t help Cora either. They have a history.”

“He has a history with everyone.” Ella wasn’t keen on conversations regarding the man, who tore her family apart for so long and continued doing so during the curse. 

“Can we trust the word of the Dark One?” Frederick asked. “He has a tendency towards trickery.” 

“I don’t know.” David admitted, though his instincts were telling him that Rumplestiltskin meant what he said. “We have to hope that he won’t.”

“David, if Gold won’t help us,” Ruby started, her brows furrowing. “Then who were you talking about?”

It was Jefferson, who answered, surprising even David. “Emma. He means Emma.”

“Emma has magic?” Ella asked. “Since when?”

“As a product of True Love, she was born with it.” Jefferson spoke, pretty much speaking the very words Rumplestiltskin told David. 

“How do you know all this?” David asked, still relatively suspicious of the man who’d once been an ally of both Regina and the Dark One. 

“You’d be surprised at what I know.” Jefferson said. “You think the changes before the curse happened because she’s the Savior?” Jefferson shook her head. “True she was the one meant to break the curse, but the curse weakening didn’t just have to do with Emma being the Savior. She’s always had magic here.”

“But this is the Land Without Magic,” Blue spoke up. “It’s impossible for her to have had magic here before the Dark One brought it.”

Jefferson arched a brow. “I’ve been observing everyone under this curse for decades, especially Emma when she arrived. She’s had magic, all right, she just didn’t know it.” He leaned against the fireplace. “Have you ever dealt with someone born of True Love before?”

“No.” Blue admitted. “It’s extremely rare for True Love to exist.” 

“Then how do you know what someone like Emma is capable of?” Jefferson’s point was a good one. How many people out there knew anything about the inner workings of True Love magic, let alone what abilities were gifted to children born of such unions?

“So what if the Savior has magic?” Edward huffed. “Is she trained? Could she defeat Regina and Cora?”

“No, she’s not trained.” David said. “But Rumplestiltskin said that he believes Emma has the potential to be more powerful than both Regina and Cora.” He wasn’t exactly sure what that would mean for Emma, especially since all magic had a price, but he hoped that her magic being born from love meant it was different from the other forms of magic they’d all been exposed to over the years. 

“I don’t know how much help we can be.” Blue said. “Fairy magic and sorcery are different, but we can try and help Emma learn.” 

“Well, then you better find a way to kill Cora too.” Jefferson said. “Her heart’s gone. Rumor is she took it out herself years ago and no one knows where it is.” 

Blue simply nodded in acknowledgment of his statement. 

Leroy stepped forward. “Even if Emma has magic, it won’t hurt to have more at our disposal. We’ll redouble our efforts in the mines.”

“Thanks, Leroy.” David said. 

“Come on, men.” Leroy commanded and the dwarves followed his lead. 

When they were gone, David turned to the others. “Look, I know that this isn’t the best news, but there isn’t a guarantee that Cora will come here. Emma and Snow are trying to get a portal before Cora does.” He hoped they would succeed. “But, Cora’s cunning. We need to prepare for the worst case scenario. We need to gather our allies and soldiers and prepare to fight.” He looked hard at everyone as he spoke. “I know that this isn’t our old home, but Storybrooke is home now and we need to defend it. We need all the help we can get.” 

The others nodded in agreement, but Abigail was the one who stated it out loud. “You have our support, David. We’ll let our warriors know, but if people find out that the Evil Queen’s mother might be coming to town, there will be panic.”

David knew she was right, but they couldn’t leave the entire town in the dark. “If Cora comes over and people don’t know, then they’re in danger. We have to let people know, so they can better defend themselves. There isn't a need to panic yet. This is all just preparations for a worst case scenario that might not happen. I have faith that Emma and Snow can prevent Cora from coming over."

Knowing he had a good point, Abigail conceded. “We’ll tell who we can.” 

It wasn’t long after that, after talking about allies they could clue in, the meeting broke up and only Granny and Ruby were left. 

David sighed heavily as he sat down on the now vacated couch. “That went better than I expected.” 

“You’re little speech at the end there helped.” Ruby commented. “Do you think Snow and Emma will be able to stop Cora?”

“I hope so.” David sighed. “They’re both crafty and resourceful. Since Emma doesn’t know she has magic, that’ll have to be enough.”

*****************************

Henry reluctantly passed the storybook to Grace at the lunch table. Stop it. She just wants to find her dad. Still, he couldn’t help but feel protective, or well possessive, of his book. The book changed everything for him for the better. It pushed him to find his real mom and fight back against the curse. It helped reunite his family. To anyone else, it was just a book, but for Henry it represented so much more. 

As for Grace, she took care to open the book. Henry always had it with him, so she knew it was important to him. The last thing she wanted to do was damage it. “There’s no table of contents.” She said after finding the stories right after the title page. 

“I think his story is on page one hundred and…twenty something.” Henry couldn’t quite remember the number, but he read the book so much, he was sure it was about there in the book. 

Grace carefully thumbed through the pages, easily distracted by the artwork, wanting to read to sate her own curiosity. No, you have to find Papa. Focus.

Liam wondered if his own father was somewhere in there, but so far he hadn’t had any luck and Henry didn’t really remember Brennan’s name. He decided to take his mind off of his father before he got too upset. “Hey Henry, is that Cora lady really worse than Regina?” 

Henry winced. “In the book, she ripped out Regina’s boyfriend's heart and crushed it right in front of her.” He always felt sad reading that story, especially as that event was what set Regina down her path of darkness. 

“Ouch.” Liam grimaced. “Sounds like one evil lady.” It was no wonder Regina also turned out to be evil. Her mother must’ve had quite the impact on her even before murdering her boyfriend. 

“Yeah, I don’t think it’ll be a very good family reunion.” Henry said. He wasn’t sure how Regina would respond to Cora’s presence, but since Cora essentially was Regina’s start of darkness, Cora could very well keep Regina on that path. Henry wasn’t sure if he wanted Regina to be good; he knew he didn’t want her to be evil, especially because it would put other people he loved in harms way, but Regina hadn’t treated him well in the past few years. When he was younger there were really good memories; even though everyone else never aged under the curse, the days and seasons changed. That allowed Regina to have lasagna nights with him, birthdays celebrated with friends who never grew up with him, being spoiled at Christmas, having a different story every night. 

But there was still the bad. The confusion of growing up and leaving friends behind; friends who never remembered him. The neglect as he got older and more able to care for himself, allowing Regina to have more time with Sheriff Graham or doing who knows what else. All of the fights they got into where Henry knew that something was wrong and Regina didn’t want to hear it, forcing him into therapy so she didn’t have to deal with him. There was also her actions in keeping his grandparents separated, killing Sheriff Graham, trying to kill his mom, and ruining everyone’s lives.

“Hey, Henry, are you okay?” Liam asked after a while. 

Henry blinked, coming back to himself as he looked at his friends’ concerned faces. “Sorry, what?”

“You completely zoned out.” Grace said. “Are you thinking about your mom and grandma?”

“Yeah, they’ll be home soon.” Liam added. “You must be excited about that.”

“I am.” Henry smiled, but then it faltered. “I’m glad Mom and Grandma are coming home. But I was thinking about Regina. I don’t know what she’ll do if Cora gets here.”

“Won’t she join her mom?” Liam figured that was obviously the choice for the Evil Queen. 

“I don’t know.” Henry shrugged. “She wasn’t the best mom, but when I was younger she wasn’t so bad.”

Grace could understand his conflicted feelings. Though her cursed parents were good parents, she wanted her papa back. At the same time, she felt guilty. Her cursed parents were their neighbors in the Enchanted Forest. Grace owed them so much and they told her that she was welcome to stay with them as their daughter after the curse broke. But she couldn’t stay without knowing where her papa was and if he wanted her back. Of course, it was a bit more complicated for Henry with Regina being the Evil Queen. He was a good kid and he loved Emma and his grandparents so much. But Regina still raised him. “I get it.” Grace said. “I mean my cursed parents aren’t evil, but I feel guilty for wanting my papa when they’ve done so much to take care of me.”

“Yeah.” Henry sighed. “I know she’s done so many bad things to so many people, including me, but she’s still my mom.”

Liam put a comforting arm around Henry. “It’s okay to feel like she’s still your mom, but you shouldn’t feel guilty. Regina made and will make her choices. You’re a kid, what can you do about it?” 

He supposed Liam had a good point. 

“Don’t tell David I said that.” Liam said. “Then he’ll never let us do anything.”

That got a chuckle out of Henry.

Grace’s brows furrowed. “Hey Henry, are you sure you know where Papa’s story is? I went through page one hundred to one fifty and it’s not there.”

With how often Henry read the book, he knew that couldn’t be right. “I’ve read the book so much, I know it should be around there.” Henry pulled the book towards himself to look. As he flipped through, he realized something odd. 

There were stories he’d never seen before. How did that happen? The book hadn’t left his possession since they got it back from August, and he and Liam were looking at it just last night. “That’s not possible.” Henry shook his head. “We looked last night, but now…there are new pages.”

“New pages?” Liam asked. 

“So it added to itself?” Grace shrugged. “Isn’t it a magic book or something?” 

“I don’t know about that.” Henry flipped back to the front of the book. “Before the curse broke, a guy named August added Pinocchio’s story by hand. He had my book for weeks. If the book could just add to itslef, then why would August have to go through all that trouble?”

“Maybe he doesn’t know how the book works?” Grace suggested. 

“He knows more about it than I do.” At least Henry was pretty sure August knew enough about the book. “Maybe he knows how this happened?”

“Well, let’s go find him.” Liam said. 

“I don’t know where he is.” Henry told them. “He’s Pinocchio. When the curse started weakening, he started turning back into wood.” 

Grace and Liam shared disturbed looks. 

“So he’s like a living puppet?” Liam asked. “That’s creepy.”

“If he knows more about the book, then we should find him.” Grace said. 

Henry wondered if that was a good idea. He didn’t know August all that well; the guy wasn’t likely to hurt them, but after reading his story and learning August abandoned Emma when she was a baby, Henry felt sour towards the guy. It wasn’t really August’s fault since he was a kid, younger than Henry at the time, but still, his mom grew up with no one in part because of August. He never even checked up on her to see if she was all right. “Maybe later. Let’s just try and find your dads first. Besides, I want to have a chance to read these new stories. Maybe that will be a clue for us or August.”

Liam and Grace agreed and Henry began looking for Jefferson’s story once more. 

*****************************

While the news that Cora was alive and well with the intention of coming over here wasn’t good news, Rumplestiltskin knew he could get Cora to leave him alone. She was clever, which meant she wasn’t stupid or foolish enough to cross him. He’d have to put Belle under his protection as well despite the fact that she was angry at him right now.

It was all that damn shepherd’s fault. If he hadn’t shown up while Belle had been here, then she wouldn’t be any the wiser to Rumple’s refusal to help the heroes. He wasn’t going to unnecessarily put himself in her crosshairs, least of all for people he couldn’t care less about. Belle would come around; she always did. 

Hopefully, the Savior would stop Cora. Should she come over, that would throw a wrench into Rumplestiltskin’s plans to find his son as he’d have to ensure the safety of the dagger. He didn’t know for sure if the dagger could cross into the Land Without Magic, or how it would react. It was better to leave it here. At least, Cora didn’t know all of his tricks, she just thought that she did. As if the Dark One would teach one lone apprentice everything he knew about magic. It always paid to have cards up his sleeves. 

Now, if only the Savior would get back here. While he hadn’t perfected the potion to retain his memories when crossing the town line, Rumplestiltskin knew he was making progress. He hoped to be reunited with Baelfire soon enough, but he couldn’t go anywhere without her and her knowledge and skills, unfortunately. Though if she was contending with Cora, Rumplestiltskin didn’t have much faith in her magical abilities. While Miss Swan was determined and had so much untapped magical potential, Cora was older, wiser, cleverer, and had much more experience in magical matters. 

Not to mention, Miss Swan inherited her father’s tact. That certainly wouldn’t help her in any situation, let alone one where Cora was the villain. Snow White wouldn’t be much help either. She never faced off with Cora, only Regina, and Regina was too impatient and too…emotional. Cora was more clinical and tended to lie in wait like a predator ready to pounce on her prey. Should it come down to it, Regina versus Cora, or Emma versus Cora, Cora would win. 

If Miss Swan could just prevent Cora from crossing realms, that would be enough. Then he could focus on Baelfire. Though he wondered what his son would say, how he would react to seeing his father again. They hadn’t parted on the best of terms and Baelfire would be a man now. He probably lived his own life. Did he have a wife and children? A family to call his own? Was he successful? Did he have a job he loved? Had he lived a good life?

If Baelfire was satisfied with his life, Rumplestiltskin doubted Baelfire would return to Storybrooke with him. Even if he begged for Bae’s forgiveness, even if he got it, there was no guarantee that Bae wanted anything to do with him. Especially if Bae had his own family to think about.

No, he couldn’t think like that. He hoped Baelfire was finally ready to forgive him. They could move on and rebuild the closeness they once had when Bae was a child. It couldn’t be too late to make up for his past transgressions; he wouldn’t allow it to be too late. Baelfire would forgive him and they’d be father and son again.  

As for Belle, he’d have to make up with her somehow. A day or two and she’d cool off, then he could go back to charming her and reassuring her that he was a man worthy of her. He just had to convince her that having magic and using it was necessary. He’d make her see his way of things; it would just take some time and patience on his part. 

Time and patience were two things he had for the moment. 

*****************************

The cemetery was empty as Whale stalked through the dewy grass towards the Mills Mausoleum. Rain moved in during the mid-morning, leaving behind moist air and wet earth. No one would be out and about at this time, especially on a week day when school was back to normal and people were returning to work. 

Hopefully that meant there wouldn’t be a witness to his actions. The last thing he needed was the nosy sheriff or the Evil Queen on his trail. 

He reached the mausoleum doors. They were unlocked, likely Regina believed people would be too scared to come near it or that people wouldn’t figure out her vault was here. Lucky for him, her arrogance made this so much easier. 

It was dark inside. The tomb was placed in the center of the small room. Jefferson said the vault was underneath. Did the tomb act as a door? 

Whale bent down, feeling along the bottom of the stone. A slight breeze broke through. So there was something down there after all. He’d thank Jefferson later. Standing up, Whale braced his body against the tomb and pushed with his entire body. It gave way easier than he thought. He assumed Regina used magic to enter somehow, but he supposed under the curse, she would’ve have to open it manually and made it easier on herself by either making the tomb lighter or making the mechanisms underneath bear all the weight. 

Interesting. He didn’t have time to further analyze it. The sooner he got what he wanted, the sooner he could return home. He also needed to hurry in case Regina decided a trip to her vault was necessary. 

Once the tomb was out of his way, Whale stared down the stairs. No turning back now. He descended into the vault, relieved to find it empty when he reached the bottom. He looked around, mostly seeing crates, baskets, and trunks. There was no way he could search everything without it being obvious someone had been here. Time was of the essence. If there was a way to create a portal, surely it was important enough for Regina to lock away somewhere. Ignoring the crates, Whale went for the trunks. He opened one a crack only to hear hissing inside. Quickly, he dropped the lid. No way was he chancing death by snake. He search a few of the other trunks carefully, not knowing what other manner of creatures Regina brought over. 

He found drawers and cabinets along some of the wall, and nothing jumped out at him. 

Perhaps what he was searching for was further along? Cautiously, Whale moved deeper into the vault. 

It was the bit of light that caught his eyes first. Behind tied back curtains, there was a source of light highlighting gold boxes. Whale walked into the room for a closer inspection. These weren’t boxes. They were drawers. Curious, yet wary, Whale stepped back and carefully opened one drawer. A glowing red, beating heart stared up at him. 

Whale grimaced. As he looked at the heart, he wondered if it could be useful to him somehow. It wouldn’t hurt to take one. Well, it wouldn’t hurt him at least. He slowly, gently took the heart out and slipped it into the satchel he brought. 

With the heart secured, he closed the drawer. 

Now, where else could he look? 

Knowing that he needed to get out of here, Whale picked up the pace. There were more little rooms and alcoves in this vault than he anticipated. Checking one after the other, he turned up empty every time. Frustration built inside of him. Nothing he’d come across so far seemed to be able to create a portal. True, he wasn’t well-versed enough in magic or magical items, so it was very possible that some items could create portals. However, his own deductions made him confident that he hadn’t seen anything useful. 

As his frustration peaked, he reached a set of closed double doors. Well, it couldn’t hurt to check here too. He pushed them open with ease. Inside the room was a glass coffin with a body of a man laying peacefully as though he were just asleep. 

Whale entered. He recognized the body. Memories of his trickery, aided by Rumplestiltskin and Jefferson, came to him. Now this, he could work with; he had a heart and now the one person Regina ever loved. Using Daniel against Regina to get her to help him was his only option. 

Whale smirked, satisfied that his plan would work. “Hello, Daniel. It’s good to see you again.”

*****************************

They were nearly to the Safe Haven when Emma realized it wasn’t a good idea for her to have the ashes, the bean, and the compass all on her person. If Cora figured her to be the leader, then she might suspect that Emma had the items on her. Cora would suspect her or Snow to have them. Emma didn’t trust Mulan or Aurora, not these past versions of them, and she still didn’t know Marian well. 

Her eyes glanced at Hook. Hook wasn’t a candidate for trust. Cora likely didn’t share her plans fully with him, and she would assume Emma wasn’t one to trust anyone other than Snow. 

Chewing her lip, Emma still felt their kiss, which they hadn’t discussed, but Hook admitted to trusting her and he was keeping her secret. Maybe it was time to show she trusted him; she wasted so much time before. 

Emma looked ahead of her. Mulan and her mother were leading, Aurora and Anton were talking, and Marian was a little ahead of Emma and Hook. 

Time to take a chance. Emma silently reached out, gripping Hook’s right arm to hold him back. 

His expression questioned her, but Emma gestured at him to stay quiet until the group was further ahead. When Marian was no longer in earshot, Emma turned to him. “If we confront Cora at the Safe Haven, she’ll assume that Mom or I will have the ashes and compass.” Emma dug through her jacket pockets and pulled out the compass and the dried bean. “Cora’s arrogant and doesn’t trust anyone. She’ll think I won’t trust anyone other than Mom or the other women.” Her eyes met his. “I trust you.” She swallowed thickly.

Hook’s surprise and delight was obvious. Her trust meant so much to him. 

“You keep the compass and the bean and I’ll keep the ashes. That way if we lose the ashes, we have a back up.”

“But the bean is useless.” Killian said, still confused. Truly, he was touched by her trust in him, but what was she up to? He gently took the bean and compass from her, securing them in the interior pockets of his leather coat. 

Smiling with her future knowledge, Emma spoke. “It won’t be forever.”

Killian scrutinized her for a moment. “More of your secrets, Swan.”

“You did say they were safe with you.” Emma said. “I hope my trust is safe too.”

His eyes softened. “Yes, Emma. I promise it is.” 

God, she wanted to kiss him again. The minute they were alone, Emma knew she’d tell him everything. She couldn’t in good conscience start anything without be honest. That’s why she regretted the kiss on the beanstalk. Him being in the dark felt so manipulative. Hopefully, telling him the truth wouldn’t drive him away, but if it did, Emma needed to prepare for it. 

“Thank you.” Her tone was soft and appreciative of his trust in her as well. She looked and saw they’d taken too long. “We need to hurry and catch up.” 

Silently as they could, they picked up their pace, not wanting to garner attention. Though when they reached a respectable distance, Marian glanced back with a little grin, likely assuming there was something romantic. 

Emma blushed a bit at Marian’s silent assumption, but considering how blatantly Hook flirted with her and how she let him, their mutual attraction was likely noticed by the entire group. Hopefully Cora would reveal Lake Nostos and they’d be in Storybrooke soon, and Emma could take time after reuniting with everyone to speak with Hook alone. For the first time ever, Emma wished Cora wouldn’t let her down. 

After a while, the group took a water break to rest up. 

Emma understood the need to stop, but she wanted to hurry. The sooner they got there, they’d confront Cora and hopefully save the people. She regretted not warning them sooner, but again she couldn’t think of a way to warn them without sounding crazy. Still, she felt in her bones she should’ve done more. Maybe the changes she made were enough to change their fates. Cora had no reason this time around to kill everyone; not when Hook was on their side. Please, to anything out in the universe listening, don’t let Cora kill those people. Please let everything I did change things enough. 

“All right, Swan?” Hook whispered since he was close to her. 

Was her expression troubled? “I’m fine.” She whispered back, trying to look like they weren’t conversing. “I’m just worried Cora will hurt the people at the Safe Haven.” Emma said. She turned slightly towards him so he could better hear. 

“She will if she thinks it’ll gain something.” Hook murmured. “Though considering her cruel streak, she might just do it for fun.”

His words turned her stomach. Emma never thought about her doing it for fun. 

“Time to move.” Mulan called out. 

“How long until we get there?” Aurora asked. Her dress wasn’t conducive to traveling, something she hadn’t considered before following the group, thirsting for her revenge. 

“Another hour if we keep a good pace.” Mulan told them. “Let’s go.” She started walking and the others followed. 

“There’s something more to your worry, isn’t there?” Killian asked quietly. He was concerned over Emma’s obvious upset. He knew there were things Emma was aware of that the rest of them weren’t. He wanted to know, but it surprised him that he didn’t want to know to satiate his own curiosity. He wanted to know to better help and better understand Emma. 

Emma sighed, her brow pinched with worry. “I told you I can’t tell you yet. I…” Emma glanced ahead of them. Maybe she could give him something? Some show that she would keep her word? Could it hurt? “I might know some things. I can’t explain how yet, but I’ve experienced something like this before. People died and I’m worried they will again, because I couldn’t warn them. Okay, I could’ve, but they wouldn’t have believed me.”

That was curious. What did she mean by knowing things? Perhaps Emma had prophetic gifts? "I'm sure you've done what you can, Swan." Always quick to reassure her. Killian never was much for optimism, but it seemed Emma brought it out in him. His desire to know more of her grew with every interaction. It was almost all-consuming enough to make him forget his life's purpose. Killian glanced at the tattoo on his right wrist. 

Milah. He'd spent centuries looking for a way to kill the Dark One without becoming the Dark One. He kept dreamshade in his ship just in case there was nothing else, and of course to use on himself once his mission was complete so that he would reunite with Milah and Liam in death. 

"I don't know." Emma's voice brought him back to the present, scaring away his past demons like a light snuffing out the darkness. "I feel like I should've done more."

"You said it yourself. They might die." Killian said. "Not that they will die. Even if you suspected something might happen, that doesn't guarantee it will." 

Emma glanced at him with soft eyes. "You always reassure me no matter my doubts."

What did she mean by that? "A few days is hardly always." He shrugged off her compliment, noticing how something knowing flickered across her features at his words. When they met, Killian felt a kinship with her deep in his bones, like something clicked in place. Seeing her look at him as if she'd known him his whole life sent a thrill of anticipation through him. She wanted to share more with him; she trusted him. It made him feel light.

It felt like more than just...

A scream disrupted his thoughts and on instinct he, and Emma, ran towards where Aurora, Mulan, Snow, Marian, and Anton came to a halt. 

They arrived at the Safe Haven. Bodies were everywhere.

No. Emma held onto Killian's arm for support. It happened again. I thought I changed enough. There was no reason for her to kill them this time around.  

"What happened here?" Snow asked, shocked. 

"I did." Cora appeared in front of them. Smartly, she was a good distance away.

Anger filled Emma's being as she raced forward. "How could you do this? There was no reason to kill these innocent people!"

Cora grinned as though Emma was a misunderstanding child. "Oh my dear, there was every reason to kill them. Now you all understand that I am not one to be crossed." 

"You monster." Snow hissed, pulling out an arrow and notching it to her bow, quickly taking aim. 

"Dear Snow, you think you can hit me with a simple arrow?" Cora waved her hand and all of their weapons, save for Killian's hook, disappeared. "No weapons now, pets. I have a proposal."

Magic itched at Emma's fingertips. "Try me, bitch." 

Killian moved behind Emma, ready to stop her from getting herself killed, or pull her behind him should Cora attacked. Protectiveness overrode all sense of self-preservation he possessed. 

Cora glared at Emma and Killian, though it was mightily interesting to see Captain Hook backing the Savior up. "You have the ashes, and I'm sure the dear Captain told you about the compass, which means you have the ingredients for a portal." 

"If you think we're going to let you anywhere near Storybrooke, you're mistaken." Snow snapped. 

"There's no need to make this difficult." Cora said. "You have the means to a portal, and I know how to make it work. We all want the same thing here. Working together will have to be a necessity."

Emma knew what Cora meant, but couldn't mention the lake herself. "What do you mean? Is there some spell or something?"

"Now, why would I share that with you?" Cora asked. "I have the knowledge and lording it over you is one of my only advantages." She waved her hand and a little boy with dark curly hair, probably around three years old, appeared at her side in a small puff of smoke.

"Roland!" Marian exclaimed, running for her son. 

"Mama!" The boy cried. 

"No, wait!" Emma called out, but Cora waved her hand again, sending Marian flying back into Mulan and Snow, knocking them to the ground.

"Ah ah ah." Cora tutted. Another small wave of her hand and Roland disappeared. From her dress, Cora produced a tiny heart. "Now, you will all do well to listen. You will travel to Lake Nostos. I will create the portal and, in exchange for my safe passage to Storybrooke, I will return the boy's heart to him and then him to his mother. Is that understood?"

Marian pushed herself up off the ground. "I'm going to kill you."

Cora laughed. "Many have tried. I will meet you at the lake by this time tomorrow, or the boy will die." With that, Cora disappeared. 

White hot rage filled Emma, both at Cora and herself. She could've stopped this. Her future knowledge should've saved these people. If she'd been honest from the beginning, sure there might've been consequences or everyone would've thought her crazy, but she could've saved these people. Now, because of her fear, they were dead. Roland was in danger, and Cora was closer to making it to Storybrooke. 

Emma turned to face the group. Killian looked concerned for her. Aurora and Snow were comforting Marian. Mulan stormed off towards the armory, taking Anton with her. 

"Marian." Emma said, getting their attention. "We won't let her hurt Roland. We'll get him back."

Marian, upset as she was, nodded with determination. Her son wasn't going to be another victim of that monster. 

"Here." Mulan and Anton returned with bows, quivers full of arrows, swords, and daggers. "She might have magic, but we might be able to surprise her."

As they all grabbed weapons, Emma knew she'd need to use magic herself. Cora was going to pay for this.

*****************************

Unsure as to what to do with herself or where to live, Belle found herself in Granny's Diner, sitting at the counter looking over a menu she wasn't going to order from since she didn't have any money. 

Her chin was in her hand and her eyes downcast. What was she going to do? First she was in the basement of Storybrooke General with no memories, then she was the wild Lacey, and now she was the broke, homeless, alone Belle. Until she left Rumplestiltskin's shop, she hadn't truly realized how dependent on him she was for everything. 

"Penny for your thoughts?" A woman asked. 

Belle looked up to see a young woman with dark brown hair and hazel eyes wearing a waitress uniform. "Unfortunately, I don't have any pennies on me." 

The young woman shrugged. "That's what tabs are for, so if you want to order, we can always hunt you down for payment later." 

That was tempting, but Belle didn't know if she'd ever be able to pay the diner back. "I don't have a job." Belle sighed, leaning back. "I don't have anything. I thought I had love and a home, but he doesn't want to change for me. Now, I'm on my own." The words escaped her before her mind even realized she was talking. 

The waitress arched a surprised brow.

Belle winced. "Sorry. I didn't mean to dump my problems on you." 

"That's all right." The waitress shrugged. "I get it all the time. I'm Ruby by the way." She held a hand out for Belle to shake. 

"Belle." Belle smiled, taking her hand. Her stomach grumbled and a blush colored her cheeks. "Sorry."

"I have an idea." Ruby said. "Why don't you order, and then you can start working here. We could always use another set of hands. Then you could pay off your meal."

Belle hadn't thought about that. There was a brief time she worked at a tavern. How much different could a diner be? "I was a tavern girl once."

"See, you'll fit right in." Ruby said. "Now, what'll you have?"

"Um," Belle looked at the menu. "What's a cheeseburger?"

"A meat sandwich with cheese, onions, pickles, lettuce, and a couple of sauces." Ruby said. "You might like it. Comes with fried potatoes." 

Belle grinned. "Okay, I'll try that." 

Ruby wrote her order. "I'll talk to Granny about the job. You can stay here at the Inn too." Ruby disappeared behind a swinging door into the kitchen. 

A weight lifted off of Belle's shoulders. Perhaps things were looking up. 

She would make a life here on her own. 

*****************************

Archie only scheduled two patients today, and planned to use the morning for paperwork, but Regina showing up altered his plans completely. 

She hadn't felt bad about it, not when Archie insisted she stay and talk. Their session lasted three hours, something Archie told her he never did, but wanted to make a first-time-only exception for her considering her situation. 

Any appointments after would be the regular hour-long ones. Still, it felt good to start opening up. The start was awkward with her not knowing where to begin and Archie uncertain as to what questions to ask, but his empathetic assurance that she could talk about anything had her opening up about her childhood first. 

Wasn't that where it all started? With her mother isolating her, because no one was good enough to play with her? Criticizing every accomplishment with how she should have done things and that she could do better next time? Punishing servants for being kind to Regina?

Her lonely childhood led to her desperate romance with Daniel. She truly did love him; he was her hope and light in a dark time in her life. Archie questioned if she loved Daniel for what he represented; a simpler life away from the pressures of Cora and court. 

Regina knew her love for Daniel was real, but Archie may have had a point. When Regina was with Daniel, she was just Regina, a girl who loved horses, who loved to read, who's favorite food was cinnamon apple cake. She didn't have to be a Princess, minor as her father was in the royal circles. Her mother stayed away from the stables unless she had to be there, so the stables were Regina's escape. They were her safe place. 

Daniel became that safe place as well, and Cora ripping that from her left a gaping hole that Regina doubted would ever be filled. 

They finished their session there to be picked up in a couple of days. Archie encouraged her to keep coming. Even if she had an Evil Queen moment, he told her that people trying to better themselves always slipped back into old habits because it was easy. He told her that if she fell back into what was easy, she just needed to remember why she was trying to better herself and needed to be gentle with herself. 

After all she'd done as Evil Queen, Archie's kindness and compassion touched her. Regina knew that this would be the first of many sessions. 

Her heels clacked along the pavement as she strode to her car, when something moved out of the corner of her eye. Her head turned slightly before she realized what she was seeing. 

Halting suddenly, Regina almost tripped over her own heels as she turned her body in the direction where she saw the man.

Nothing was there now.

Bust she could've sworn there was someone there.

Not just someone. It couldn't be but Regina thought for a moment there that she saw Daniel.

"That's impossible." She sighed, rubbing her temple. No, Daniel was dead. Perhaps talking about him and going into so much detail about her past with Archie overwhelmed her mind. She was just seeing things.

Ghosts of the past. 

Shaking herself, Regina got in her car. She needed to go home and rest. Putting her mind at ease and figuring out her next steps over wine and ice cream was exactly what she needed to do.

*****************************

Liam and Henry hopped off the bus, both discussing the book's changes when Henry stopped short. 

"You okay?" Liam asked. 

"That's Jefferson." Henry nodded ahead of them. "Grace's dad."

Liam followed Henry's gaze and saw a man with brown hair and blue eyes staring at the bus. The man's hands were stuffed into his pockets as he shifted nervously watching the bus. "Are you sure?"

Henry nodded. "I recognize him from the illustrations in my book." Of course, he looked a bit more mentally unstable in those drawings, while now he looked sane, but anxious. 

"Do you think he's looking for Grace?" Liam asked. That twinge of jealousy returned. Grace's father was here, looking for her, but where was his papa? Was he looking for Liam? Did he even care? 

"He's got to be." Henry said. "Let's go talk to him."

Liam wasn't too sure about that but followed Henry anyway. 

Jefferson watched the bus, waiting for the familiar sight of blonde hair, his brain abuzz with all of the things he wanted to say to Grace when he saw her. What would he say? Would she be angry with him? Would she even let him explain what happened? 

"Hey." Henry stopped in front of Jefferson, while Liam stayed back a bit.

Surprised at seeing the Savior's son approach him, Jefferson glanced back at the bus, before giving Henry his attention. "Your Emma's son right?" 

"Henry." Henry said. "This is my friend Liam."

Jefferson acknowledged Liam with a nod. "Why isn't Grace on the bus today?"

So he was here for her. Henry smiled, happy for his friend. "She stayed at school to tryout for soccer."

"Really?" Jefferson asked. He didn't know Grace was into sports. Watching her repeat the same day every year only gave a glimpse into her life, but it also limited everyone in what they did. Perhaps now with her free will returned, Grace wanted to try new things. 

"Yeah, she thought it would be fun." Henry said. "She's been looking for you , you know."

A wince crossed Jefferson's face. "I know." Guilt welled up again. He had so much to make up for if Grace would let him. "Is she angry with me?"

"Why would she be angry?" Henry asked.

"Because he abandoned her." Liam spat, his anger even surprising him. "He left her before the curse, remember?"

Henry startled at the venom in Liam's voice. That didn't come from any anger on Grace's behalf; Henry was certain Liam's anger was for his own father. Like Grace, Liam was left alone before the curse, but unlike her, Liam didn't have the luxury of cursed caregivers. 

Jefferson grimaced at the other boy's words. "You're right, I did. I made a lot of mistakes, but I want Grace to know I'm sorry. I want her home."

"She isn't angry." Henry said. "At least, I don't think she is, because she's been worried about you. She wants to know that you're okay." Henry figured that any anger Grace did have would be for Jefferson to deal with as her dad, and it was between the two of them. Henry just wanted Grace to be happy and reuniting with her father would do just that. "She'll want to see you." 

Though Henry sounded confident, Jefferson wasn't so sure. Still, he needed to take a chance and hope that Grace wanted him in her life. "Will she be on the bus tomorrow?" 

"Why don't you come to school tomorrow before the buses leave?" Henry asked. "You know for sure that she'll be there." 

"Maybe." Jefferson said. "Look, in case something comes up, don't tell Grace we talked or that I'll be there. I don't want to get her hopes up." Jefferson hoped he would be brave enough tomorrow to show up. 

"Why not?" Liam asked, glaring. "She should know, and I don't want to lie to her." 

Jefferson wondered why the kid was so angry. He didn't remember seeing him during the curse, but he only ever paid attention to Grace. He only started to watch Henry after Emma came to town, and usually only when Emma was with Henry. The kid was clearly angry at someone else and Jefferson was just the lucky punching bag of the day. 

Henry shot Liam a worried look. Maybe they needed to get going. Clearly Liam needed to talk about something; or at least, Henry would push him to talk. He looked back at Jefferson. "Look, we can't promise we won't tell Grace, but please show up tomorrow. I know it'll mean a lot to her."

Grabbing Liam's arm, Henry walked past Jefferson. "What's up with you?"

Liam jerked away and kept walking. "He left her. He just left her all alone and now he thinks he can just come back into her life like nothing happened."

"That's not what he said." Henry said. "I don't think you're angry at Jefferson." 

"I don't want to talk about it." Liam huffed, walking faster. He was a bit taller than Henry, so Henry had to jog to keep up. 

"Do you still want to find your dad?" Henry asked as they hurried down Main Street towards the police station. 

"I told you I don't want to talk, Henry." Liam snapped. 

Henry ran ahead and stopped in Liam's path, forcing the other boy to a stop. "Is this because my mom is coming back? Because we won't abandon you when Mom comes home. She was an orphan, so she knows what it's like to be alone."

"I'm not an orphan." Liam growled. Though wasn't that the issue? His mother was dead, and his father gone or dead. He was all alone, even if Henry said otherwise. He'd never be a part of the Charming family. Just an outsider. Tears started to come much to Liam's embarrassment. He swiped at his face, turning away from Henry.

"It's okay to be upset." Henry gently patted his friends back. "I know you miss your dad and you're scared, but I am here for you. I promise I won't leave."

Liam breathed shakily as he stared at the ground. "There was a man.” He remembered a man with an air of danger about him, though that may have just been the long black leather coat he sported. “He came to the tavern and talked with Papa. Then Papa left. I never saw him again. How could he just leave me like that? Why wouldn't he take me with him?” 

Henry was at a loss for answers. "I don't know." He wished he could say more to comfort his friend. "Look, if we never find your papa, I know we won't leave you." He put an arm around Liam. “My mom’s good at bringing back happy endings. Besides, I always wanted a brother."

Liam swallowed thickly. “Brother?" 

Henry shrugged, suddenly feeling shy. Was that the wrong thing to say? "If that's okay?" 

Touched by Henry's words, tears continued to come. Liam wished they'd stop. He felt like such a little kid. “Yeah.” He sniffed. “I always wanted a brother too.”

Henry beamed at him. “Come on, let’s get to the station. If we get there and you still look upset, we can definitely wrangle dinner at Granny’s with hot cocoa and ice scream out of Grandpa.”

His words drew out a loud, watery laugh from Liam. “Sounds like a plan.” 

*****************************

With the breakfast rush, he was certain that the wolves would be too preoccupied in the diner to check on their inn. After watching for a few days, George saw that both Granny and Ruby Lucas lived in the inn on the first floor away from guests. 

George glanced around the foyer of the inn, ensuring that no one was there before he went through a sitting room to his left. There was a closed door he figured led to the proprietor's rooms. He tried the knob, surprised to find it unlocked. Perhaps the monsters figured no one would break into their home. 

He entered to find a small kitchenette. There was another set of stairs. 

As he ascended the stairs, he knew his plan would work. Turning the town on David would be easy if he gave them something to fear. David was friends with the werewolf and the full moon was near. She thought she had control over her beast, but George would prove her wrong.

His first step was to find her cloak. In the Enchanted Forest, George never saw Ruby without it and on the night David conquered his castle and George was captured, George watched Snow toss the cloak over the wolf and saw her transform back. The cloak was key. 

He'd get rid of it, forcing the wolf to transform. In case she was in control, a victim would be needed. There was still time to figure that out. 

At the top of the stairs, there were three doors. The first was a bedroom, which clearly belonged to the old wolf. George searched anyway in case the cloak was safer with Granny than Ruby. Setting his briefcase down on the bed, George looked at the space around him. Seeing a chifforobe, he carefully searched there first, but found nothing. 

A trunk at the end of the bed caught his eyes. Kneeling down, he found the trunk was unlocked as well. Truly it was baffling to him how stupid these beasts were leaving everything out in the open. He found quilts on top. After digging a bit, a sliver of crimson caught his eye. Pulling out the cloak, George grinned. 

He closed the trunk and folded the cloak before transferring it to his briefcase. It was a bit of a squeeze but he managed. he hurried down the stairs and out the door before breakfast ended and he risked the wolves finding him. 

As he walked down Main Street, George smiled to himself. 

His plan was unfolding beautifully. Soon David would fall from the town's pedestal and George would step in as the hero, coming out on top once again. 

*****************************

After traveling all night, particularly at Marian and Emma’s insistence, the group finally reached Lake Nostos. They were earlier than the planned time and Cora was nowhere to be found. 

They plotted different scenarios during their nightly travel, but none were confident they could overpower Cora. 

Emma tried to figure out a spell to use to knock her out since tossing Cora around wouldn’t guarantee keeping her down for the count. Not only that, but she didn’t want to risk damaging Roland’s heart if kept it on Cora’s person. Emma mentioned teleporting the heart, which was something Emma knew she could do confidently, but Marian, believing Emma to be more of a novice than she was, worried about using any magic on Roland’s heart.

Mulan suggested distracting Cora and letting Marian or Killian get close to pick pocket the heart back. That was the plan at the moment. 

“Where is she?” Marian looked around, terrified that her son could be lost to her forever. 

“She’ll be here.” Snow reassured, grimly. “Cora wants to get to Storybrooke more than she wants to torment us.” Once they got Roland and his heart back, they needed to keep Cora away from the portal. The question was how they would manage it. There was no squid ink and Emma’s magic, while useful, was untrained and Snow doubted she could restrain Cora long enough. Not that she’d want Emma to use magic. Magic came with a price and after the life Emma had, the last thing Snow wanted was her daughter to risk herself further by invoking some unknown consequence.

"It will be okay." Aurora spoke, offering comfort to Marian. "We will get your son back.”

Emma walked away from the others, guilt eating away at her. She had a chance to change things and save all those people, and she hadn’t warned them. Of course, she didn’t think Cora would’ve gone the same route with Hook on their side now, but Emma should’ve known Cora would’ve pulled this again. Closing her eyes, Emma breathed deep. People were dead and it was all her fault. 

“Swan?” His voice was soft behind her. 

Emma slowly turned to face him. 

Killian took in how upset Emma seemed. Guilt swam behind her eyes. Did she feel guilty about the Safe Haven? About Roland? “You couldn’t have saved them. Cora wanted to make us know not to cross her.” 

Her eyes flicked over to the other women, making sure they were out of ear shot, before she whispered. “That’s just it. I did know. I just thought things were going to be different. I thought Cora would come after us.” 

Her words confirmed for him that Emma must’ve had a vision. “Perhaps you couldn’t change their fate. Maybe you warned them, they wouldn’t have believed you, and they still would’ve died.” 

Emma stared at him for a moment. She changed his fate. Likely she changed Marian, Aurora, Mulan, Anton, and Roland’s. Why didn’t she just take a chance and tell everyone the truth, damn the consequences? Her instincts told her that revealing her time travel was an extremely bad idea, at least to anyone who wasn’t Killian. Regina often warned magic had consequences, particularly the larger the spell the bigger the consequence. 

Her adventure to the past might be the worse for everyone. “Maybe you’re right, but I still could’ve tried.”

“What would that have done?” Killian asked. “Cora still has magic, you’re untrained, and weapons wouldn’t have stood a chance. There were fifty people there and Cora overwhelmed all of them. You can’t save everyone, Swan. Savior or not.” He hated that Emma felt guilty for Cora’s actions. Even knowing they would happen, Emma didn’t think Cora would go through with it. 

Though he was trying to reassure her, it wasn’t working. Innocent lives were still on her head. If she took Cora out sooner, Roland would be safe and people would be alive. “Saving people isn’t something I ever asked for.” Emma admitted. “But now that it’s my destiny, I should’ve done more.” 

“We can’t change the past, Swan.” Killian said, brushing a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. “We can only stop Cora from hurting anyone else.” 

An odd look overcame her as she met his eyes. 

Indigo smoke appeared near the center of the clearing. Cora smiled seeing they were all there. 

Marian stepped forward. “Where is my son?” 

Cora smirked. “Patience. I need my portal first.”

“No.” Snow snarled, moving to Marian’s side. “Give us Roland, then do what you need to for the portal. You’re not getting the ashes and compass without his safety ensured.” She gripped her bow tightly, but didn’t raise it yet. 

Mulan pulled her sword. “She’s right. The boy and his heart first. Then you get what you want.” She pointed the sword at Cora. 

“It’s adorable that you ladies think you can threaten me.” Cora laughed. 

“Maybe they can’t, but I can.” Emma moved away from the edge of the clearing, fists clenched at her sides. “I might not be trained, but that doesn’t mean I can’t try and kick your ass in a magic fight.”

Cora pursed her lips. “Cute.” 

“Look, you won’t get the ashes or the compass unless we have Roland.” Emma said. “Think of it as an act of good faith.” 

“And you really think that I believe you won’t double cross me?” Cora asked. “I am not a stupid woman, Savior.” 

“No, you’re not.” Emma said. “How about this? You give us Roland and his heart, then we’ll give you the ashes.” She wasn’t going to give Cora the real ashes. They were in her pocket, but she remembered the duplication spell Regina taught her in her training. If anyone wondered how she managed to make a duplicate, Emma could lie and say she just tried it and it worked. 

“Emma.” Snow’s tone warned of the danger.

“If we want Roland back, we need to play fairly.” Emma snapped. “I think a little boy’s life is more important than Cora getting what she wants.” Emma turned to Cora, glaring fiercely. “Well, are you going to bring Roland or not?”

Cora contemplated Emma for a moment. Would she trust the Savior’s good heart? “Very well. I’ll hand over the boy, but his heart remains with me until the portal is open. The ashes?” 

“Fine.” Emma gritted her teeth. She reached inside of her jacket, where the real ashes were, and cast the duplication spell. Another vial appeared in her hand. Emma held it out for Cora to see. 

The vial disappeared in a puff of indigo smoke, reappearing in Cora’s hand. “Thank you.”

Cora waved her hand and Roland appeared next to Marian. 

“Roland!” Marian dropped to her knees, hugging her son to her. 

“Mama!” He cried, clinging to her. 

Emma shared a look with Killian, she silently conveyed that he needed to get the heart if he had an opening. 

Killian nodded ever so slightly. 

Cora turned to face the center of the clearing and raised her hands. Closing her eyes, she used her magic to call upon the waters deep underground. 

While Cora worked her magic, Mulan walked along the edge in order to get behind Cora. Snow raised her bow, knotting an arrow. Aurora and Marian stepped away with Roland to keep him from the fight they knew was about to ensue. Anton, who wasn’t much of a fighter, stood at the ready if needed, but he looked worried. Killian and Emma both slowly walked towards Cora, Emma calling upon her magic and Killian pulling his sword from its scabbard. 

They surrounded her, except Snow who kept her distance for her arrows, as a geyser erupted from the ground. 

Cora’s eyes opened and before Mulan could get her from behind, Cora turned and magically threw Mulan away. 

Anton took a chance and ran for Cora, hoping to knock her down, getting magically tossed away for his efforts. 

Emma’s magic reacted as she wanted, pushing Cora away from the water. “I’ll keep her distracted.” She told Killian. 

He understood. He just needed to get close to Cora. 

Cora threw magic back at Emma, knocking the Savior off her feet. 

Killian swooped in, ducking Cora’s magic, but finding his sword meeting her shield again. 

“You chose the wrong side, Captain.” Cora said, clear disappointment in her tone. “Do you think she’ll let you get your revenge?”

Killian scoffed, pressing his cutlass against her shield, keeping Cora’s eyes on him as his hook grabbed hold of what he needed. “I think that you catch more flies with honey.” He winked at Cora as Mulan came up behind the witch, swinging her blade. 

Unfortunately, the older woman brought up a second magical shield, blocking Mulan’s sword. 

“Enough of this.” Cora snarled. Her magic pushed outwards, knocking Mulan and Killian far from her. Killian rolled a bit and panicked as he nearly landed on the satchel he swiped from Cora. 

Anton tried to lunge again, catching Cora by surprise as they rolled onto the ground. 

Cora’s magic threw him off of her. “Don’t touch me you oaf.” 

Emma pushed herself up, and used her magic to pull branches from surrounding trees, throwing them Cora’s way. 

Seeing this, Cora turned the branches to dust. 

Mulan lunged for Cora again. 

Killian, taking advantage of Cora being distracted, opened the satchel. Inside lay a tiny heart. He pulled the heart from the satchel and hurried over to Marian, Aurora, and Roland. 

“Thank you.” Marian’s relief nearly brought her to tears. “How do we get it back in?”

“I think we just shove it back in.” Killian handed Roland’s heart to Marian. He’d prefer her try it, not wanting to risk harming the boy.

Marian set Roland down and knelt next to him. “Little rabbit, this might hurt, but Mama promises it won’t hurt for long, okay?”

“Okay, Mama.” The boy said. 

Marian pressed his heart against his chest. Taking a breath, she shoved, and it entered the little boy. 

Roland cried out, but Marian swept him back into her arms to comfort him. 

“Let’s get closer to the portal.” Killian suggested. 

Emma and Mulan were both directing Cora away from the water.

Snow was aiming her arrow but she couldn’t get a clear shot with Mulan so close to Cora. 

Anton went to Snow’s side. “What else can we try?”

“I’m not sure.” Snow’s eyes were seared to Cora, looking for an opening. 

Back with Marian, Aurora, and Killian, Marian argued with the pirate. “Why? I don’t need to go to Storybrooke. If Roland’s here, Robin is too.”

“Because if we leave Cora behind, then I fear you will face her wrath.” Killian told her grimly. 

Meanwhile, Emma closed in on Cora, punching the older woman hard in the face. “Killian, Mom, get to the water.” 

Snow shot an arrow at Cora as the witch sat up. 

Cora shouted in pain as the arrow dug into her right shoulder. 

Emma hurried over towards the water and pulled the ashes from her jacket. 

Anton and Snow were at Emma’s side soon enough. 

Snow looked surprised. “You didn’t give her the ashes?”

“Hell no,” Emma said. “I asked my magic to copy the ashes. It worked.” Not entirely a lie. 

Aurora, Marian, Roland, and Killian were near the pool of water the geyser created. 

Mulan hurried over to join them.  

“I can’t go with you.” Marian argued, glaring at Killian. “I need to find my husband.” 

Emma uncorked the ashes and tossed them into the water. The ashes swirled around, turning the water purple, briefly, until a blue portal opened up inside. 

Killian took the compass from his pocket, passing it to Snow, who was closer to Emma. 

“Let’s go.” Snow started towards the water. 

Emma felt herself pulled back by magic. She grunted as she hit a tree, before things went black.

“Emma!” Both Killian and Snow exclaimed. 

Killian ran for her. 

Snow attempted, but Cora appeared behind her, pulling Snow back towards the water. 

“Give me the compass.” Cora snapped. 

“No.” Snow tried to pull away from Cora, but Cora was stronger than expected. “Let me go.”

Killian reached Emma’s side. “Come on, Swan.” He rolled her onto her back. “Wake up, Emma.”

Mulan rammed into Cora, hoping to knock her off of Snow, but it only caused Snow and Cora to lose balance and fall to the ground. 

The compass flew threw the air, landing at Aurora’s feet. The princess picked it up. “Snow, I have the compass.”

Cora turned her attention to focus on the princess. 

Mulan stepped before Aurora, guarding her. “Don’t even think about it.”

“The portal is closing!” Marian’s panicked words caused Killian to pick Emma up and sprint for the water. 

Seeing this, Cora disappeared and reappeared behind Aurora, pulling her into the water. 

Aurora desperately grabbed onto Marian, pulling Marian and Roland in. 

Mulan and Snow lost their footing as they pushed themselves up, falling into the water. 

The portal was closing. 

“Hurry, come on.” Anton encouraged Killian. 

“Go ahead!” Killian shouted, running as fast as he could. “We’re right behind you.” 

Anton looked unsure but jumped into the portal. 

Just as Killian leapt into the water with Emma, the portal closed. He turned at the last second so that his back hit the water and Emma would land on top of him instead of him losing footing and crushing her. 

He struggled to push himself up with Emma still in his arms, but he managed. He kicked at the water angrily before adjusting Emma in his arms. They were stuck here and now soaking wet. Killian swallowed feeling as though he let Emma down. 

Holding her unconscious form close, Killian whispered to her. “I will find a way home for you, Swan. I swear on my life I will get you home.” 

For now, he need to start a fire and warm them up before they took ill. 

Tomorrow was another day. 

[tyunniez]

2... bttm male reader

a/n,, this fic was inspired by this fanfic that u shuld totes check out!! i wrote this a long time ago so,,,, pls give some feedback cs idk how to feel abt this one

You hated the number two. 

To other people, it was just your everyday number but to you, it reminded you of your failures. Of how you always ended up number two no matter what.

Always second to him.

Aone Kashimoto. Someone you considered your ultimate rival.

 Back in middle school you were the number one in your class. Number one in the whole school. Yet when the new kid came, everything just started falling apart.

 Now instead of you, he was always at the top. 

 No matter how hard you tried. The countless nights of you studying your ass off, pulling all nighters after all nighters. Only to end up as second.

 Even when you tried to run for the student council president in your final year of highschool you still somehow ended up second. As the vice-president for Aone.

 And what was more frustrating was that he knew. He knew how pathetic you felt when you first saw your name dropped down one spot. He knew how hard you have been trying to beat him. Yet, he knows you will never ever surpass him.

 Why? Because he's better than you. In every aspect. Be it academics, sports, or even popularity. Where you lacked he made up for it times a hundred.

 And oh, he loves seeing that look of despair wash over you. The feeling of superiority he has over you. God, he always checks your reaction first before even looking at his own score on the scoreboard just to see the disappointment on your face.

⊹₊⋆

 Students gather around the scoreboard, excitement and dread filling the corridor. 

 "Hey, who do you think is first this semester?" a distant voice whispered. "Are you dumb? Of course it's Aone! And then y/n will come second like he usually does." The two voices snickered as they searched for their own name on the board.

 The murmurs of the crowd got louder as the two most popular names finally arrived. One seemed relaxed whilst the other not so much.

 Your jaw was tight. You could feel your fingers digging into your own palm. Beside you was Aone with his arm behind his back. He was the complete opposite of you. 

 Deep down you knew that Aone was number one like usual but you can't deny that little sliver of hope, the slim chance that you might have beat him, even by one point. 

 You've poured your all into studying like you usually did. Surely this time you can finally beat him, right..?

 The crowd parted for the two of you as you took a shaky breath to see who secured the top stop. And to no one's surprise, the name Y/N L/N was written with the number two next to it. 

You stared at the name above you, rightfully towering over everyone else's names.

 A soft chuckle broke you out of your despair. "Oh y/n, looks like i won again. Better luck next time, hm?" with a simple pat on your head, you were left alone to stare at the board, gritting your teeth while holding your tears.

 You held back the urge to punch him square in the face.

 Evenings rolled by as you finally returned to your dorm. All extra classes and after-school activities were halted to give the students a break and you couldn't be more grateful for that.

 You silently prayed that he wasn't home as you slowly opened the door to your shared dorm. Yes, out of all the other students inside this school you shared a dorm with your rival Aone. Lady Luck truly hates you.

 You were glad to see that he was not at home so you finally have some alone time.

 You immediately jumped onto your bed, leaving your door a crack open. You grabbed whatever pillow was near you and cuddled it, finally letting the hot tears stream down your face.

 Soon enough, dreamland called upon you as your vision slowly darkened.

 "Hmm, y/n.. How come you're such a mess when I barely touched you?" Aone's fingertips ghosted over your cheeks.

 You whined as tried to grind your ass  over to his dick, trying to get any type of friction going. "Puh-pleasee.. just put it in!" your voice came out squakier than you remembered.

 Aone's low chuckled only made your dick mor erect, your tip blushing madly as you tried ti look back at him. "Say my name then. Come on, yell it out if you want it so bad." His teasing teal eyes stared at you.

 You, cock drunk, of course, obeyed, "Aone! Please just stick it in! I-I need your cock in me!"

 A whistle suddenly woke you up. Your vision still blurry as you tried to focus on who was in front of you.

 "Real good dream you had there." Aone's familiar voice suddenly spoke up. You, still drowsy only tilted your head to the side, failing to notice the hard-on you were sporting.

 You propped yourself up on your elbows, glaring at Aone. "What are you talking about? Why are you even in my room, creep!"

 He only chuckled, shoving his hands into his pockets while looking down at you. "How cute.. but don't act so innocent. You were moaning my name like a bitch in heat earlier."

 A flush of red washed over you. Yeah, you did have that weird dream over him but no way you were actually moaning his name out loud, right?

 "W-what! I don't know what you're talking about, shit head." 

 Aone rolled his eyes as he finally approached you, you frozen in place. He placed his feet on top of your clothes dick, rutting it in place. You choked out a moan, flabbergasted as to what he was doing.

 "Don't play dumb, y/n. You know I hate dumb people." 

 You shook your head trying your best to deny whatever he was accusing, yet low moans kept escaping your mouth from how he was rubbing you using his feet. 

 Just when you were about to reach your climax, he suddenly retreated his foot. You whined out loud over the loss of sensation. "Ugh.."

 He crouched down to your level, his head tilted to the side with that signature smirk on his face.

"Beg for it."

"Go on, I know you can." 

 You were left dumbfounded as to what to do. But a decision was quickly made. You were pent up from just studying that you never took the time for yourself. Who knows when will something like this ever happen again.

 "Aone, please give me your cock.. I-I want it so bad so please fuck me real good..."

 Something snapped inside Aone as he suddenly crawled between you. He immediately held onto both of your wrists with one hand and pinned it on top of you. "Attaboy, never thought there'd come a day where you would beg for me but here we are."

 His lips clashed themselves with your own, his tongue slithering inside your wet mouth to explore. You moaned against him, grinding on him.

He pulled away, leaving a string of saliva connecting the both of you. "Dirty boy, bet you were waiting to get dicked down like this, hm?" 

 "N-no! I-" You tried to defend yourself, only for him to shush you. "Mmh I know you so well y/n. Inside and out. So there's no use lying."

taglist,, @cheriecosmos, @lukaijah, @gay4letti, @kamote-kuneho, @mooncarvers-world

[dilemmaontwolegs]

The Best Kept Secret on the Grid || Part Three

MV, CL, CS, LH, LN, PG x fem!reader Warnings: primal play, smut, oral, cumplay, mxm, foursomes WC: 3.1k

F1 Masterlist || Part One || Part Two || Part Three || Part Four

You asked, I answered - love Ollie xxx

Gentle waves lapped against the yacht as it was moored in the bay of the private island Max had hired for the week. Your morning had been spent enjoying the ocean spray and the sun with Max navigating the pristine waters of the Mediterranean before you had convinced him to leave the captain's chair and join you on the top deck. 

It was lucky there was nothing around for miles or the boat might have run aground when he saw you were sunbathing nude because he didn’t make it back to the steering wheel for quite some time. 

“I have a surprise,” Max said as he helped you step off the boat and onto the pier that led to the waterfront villa. 

Your already bright smile grew as a quad bike came down the beach and you grew impatient as Max failed to explain anything further. “Well, don’t leave me hanging,” you urged him. “What’s the surprise?”

“You’ll find out,” he teased before grabbing your hips and lifting you onto the back of the quad driven by one of the staff that maintained the villa. “Everything you need is in the backpack.”

He tipped your head back and crushed his lips to yours, nipping your bottom one as he pulled away smirking. “I’ll see you soon.”

You would have opened the backpack to try and figure out what was happening but the ATV revved and your hands were preoccupied with grabbing the handles as you were sequestered away. The ride was nowhere near as smooth as the yacht had been on the sea and you bounced around as the man Max had entrusted your safety to left the beach and drove inland, deep into the forest you had yet to explore.

“Nous voilà. Bonne chance,” he said as he stopped in a clearing with a small lake. Your French may have been limited but even you knew ‘goodluck’ when you heard it and you frowned as you hopped out of the offroad vehicle, grabbing the backpack before he left again.

“What the hell, Max,” you muttered as you were left alone and the sound of the bike was replaced with birdsong. 

There were staff all over the island, topping up supplies in the villa and maintaining the land, but they were very adept at keeping to the shadows to give you the privacy that was expected with your stay. You only hoped they were somewhere nearby as you took a seat at the edge of the water and opened the backpack to see an envelope with your name on it.

We know how much you love the chase and you know we love the competition, so while you and Max were off island we snuck on.  For each hour you escape us, another joins the hunt. Goodluck, Charles, Lewis, Carlos, Checo, Lando, Fernando, Pierre & George.

Your heart jumped at the thrill they offered and you opened the bag open further to see some warm clothes to go over the swimsuit you still wore along with shoes, food and water, as well as a map and compass. You unfolded the map first and saw there were places marked that offered more supplies before checking your watch. It was a little after noon and with sunset tending to be just before 9pm you could see yourself enjoying the night with all of them, if you could evade them for nine hours. 

It didn’t escape your notice that the names were in the same order of the driver standings and you knew it wasn’t going to be an easy task hiding from them on the island. It wasn’t that large but the forest offered the best chance with its cover so you pulled on the clothes and packed the bag up again before setting off into the bush, keeping your heading north with the compass.

The first hour passed quickly with you looking over your shoulder every ten seconds but the second hour grew a little tiresome as the initial burst of adrenaline retreated and the solitude of the dense trees left you going stir crazy. 

By late afternoon you knew Max, Charles, Lewis and Carlos were definitely about with Checo likely already having joined them too. It was Carlos’ laugh that alerted you to their proximity and you daren’t breathe as you dropped to the ground and rolled under a thicket of bush. Your ears pounded as your heart rate spiked and blood pumped furiously around your body. Excitement of the chase warred with the need to get caught and it took all your self control to keep still as they passed your hidden position. 

“Sucks to be you, mate,” Carlos teased, “you’ll be fighting your own brother for her next season.”

The thought of sharing the Leclerc brothers stoked the fire igniting in your body and your thighs pressed together tightly.

“Do you see any Alfa Romeo drivers here?” Charles shot back. 

“He makes a very good point,” Max said with a laugh. “But if you were champion you wouldn’t have to fight anyone.”

“Yeah,” Charles scoffed and you could picture him shaking his head.

“It’s not impossible to do, fucking difficult, don’t get me wrong, but not impossible,” Lewis noted as their voices faded off with the snaps of sticks under their boots. 

The last thing you heard was Checo suggesting splitting into smaller groups to cover more area and the others agreeing, you didn’t hear who teamed up with who.

Another two hours had passed by the time you reached the northern beach of the island, long shadows chasing the retreating tide as the temperature started dropping. It was quite the relief to find that a glamping tent had been set up and inside was a warm meal as well as more clothing and there was even a solar shower after all the walking you had done.  There was no way you were going to pass up the chance to have a hot shower and quickly stripped off your clothes before stepping under the refreshing water. 

If you weren’t so tired from the unexpected exercise the afternoon brought you might have questioned how the meal was hot or why the tent wasn’t on the map. 

“Well, well, look who wandered in,” Pierre chuckled as he stepped into the tent with a towel hung low on his hips, George at his side with wet hair and a grin on his lips. “This is a surprise.”

You froze as you realised this wasn’t a supply tent for you but where the guys were waiting for their time to join the hunt. “Fuck,” you cursed and stepped out from under the spray of water to grab a towel. 

“No need to cover up, love,” George tutted as crossed the distance in two long strides and blocked the shelf full of them. “I quite like you as you are.”

You looked at his watch and bit your lip at the heat of his stare. “You’re not playing yet.”

His thumb caught a drop of water clinging to your bottom lip and your nipples peaked as the air cooled around you. “I never play when it comes to you.”

Pierre watched with an amused look as he sat back on the bed that had been made with the same neatness as the beds in the villa. “It’s kind of a shame you’re here really, I was looking forward to hunting you down.”

Your chest rose and fell with quick breaths as you enjoyed the same thought. “You could let me go, there’s still five minutes.”

His head tilted as he pondered the decision but your attention was torn when George’s knuckles traced your jawline before trailing down your neck and over your collarbone, a soft sigh parting your lips at the touch. 

“Tempting,” George muttered, “but we can hardly let you walk out of here when you look at us like that.” 

A shiver rolled down your spine as your tired muscles were refreshed with an injection of adrenaline and a smile played at your lips. Unable to help yourself, you grabbed George’s hips and rose on your tiptoes to brush your lips across his cheek. “I’ll see you in an hour.”

Your fingers curled into his towel and pulled it from his hips as you ran out of the tent, Pierre’s deep laugh promising retribution as it followed you out. “Four minutes, chérie!”

Your feet were flying as you sprinted off the beach and back into the treeline knowing Pierre would be hot on your heels the moment the hour clicked over. You checked your watch to see how much time was left and cursed as you remembered taking it off to shower. 

You didn’t have a single clue what direction you were heading, all you wore was George’s towel and the low sun barely saturated the canopy of leaves overhead. Realistically, you weren’t sure you could outrun the guys for another hour to get your share of them all but you kept trying.

Your lungs burned and your bare feet hurt but you kept your head down and kept moving before bursting through the tree line into a clearing, crashing into the back of someone. You both fell to the ground with a surprised shout and he managed to wrap his arms around you before the impact came but the towel managed to come free. Rolling on top of him, you straddled his waist and pinned his shoulders down.

“Got you.”

Charles' stunned expression only lasted a second before he grinned. “The hunter becomes the hunted.”

“Where are your clothes?” Max asked as he picked up the towel and you saw Carlos in the clearing too, the trio making up one of the teams they split into.

You dragged your eyes up the length of his body and licked your lips. “Why, want me to cover up?”

“No fucking way, hermosa,” Carlos replied quickly as he took the towel from Max and balled it up before throwing it back into the bush. “This is perfect.”

“You look cold,” Charles commented as he pushed himself up on his elbows to flick his tongue over your nipples and a needy whine poured from you. “I think between the three of us we can warm you up.”

Your mind went blank at the promise of being between them and your hips rocked over his in search of friction. “Please…”

Carlos was already shucking his jacket and ripping his belt out of the loops with a sharp snap so he could kick off his jeans while Max was content to lean against a tree, arms crossed as he watched the scene unfold before him.

Your head fell back with a cry when Charles bit the swell of your breast and your knees tightened around him in response to the bolt of lightning you felt in your core. “Fuck, I missed those sounds,” he groaned as he pulled away before tugging you up his body and positioning your cunt over his lips. “Not as much as I missed how you taste.”

The heat of his breath blowing across your core was nothing compared to his tongue as he tasted you for the first time in weeks and your jaw fell slack with a moan. 

“That’s it, baby, open wide,” Carlos praised, his fist pumping slowly up and down his cock as stepped closer. 

There was something wild and freeing with being lost in the middle of a remote island, the scents of the earth and natural light colliding with the dominant energy rolling off the men. And knowing there were even more of them out there searching for you made you feral with need. 

Your lips sealed around Carlos and your nails dug into his ass as you pulled him closer, burying him down your throat until you gagged. His hand found its way to the back of your head and he held you there as your eyes watered and you almost had to tap out.

“Dios mío,” he moaned as he watched you gasp for air before taking him once again, tears staining your cheeks. 

Your legs began to tremble around Charles and he moaned as your arousal ran down his chin. The tension that had been building all day finally peaked and stars danced around your vision as Charles’ tongue and Carlos’ cock found the perfect rhythm.

Carlos grinned as your eyelashes fanned across your cheeks, droplets glistening along them while your throat tightened around him. “That’s a good girl,” he praised and wrapped his large hand around your throat to feel your struggles with his size. 

Your orgasm shattered every inch of you and your cries were smothered as Carlos’ hand tightened, his hips thrusting forward as he joined you. His taste filled your mouth and you hummed as it ran down your chin before you climbed back down Charles' body and saw the mess on his face.

“Open your mouth, Charles,” Max said with a smirk as he pushed off the tree and knelt beside him. Charles obeyed in an instant but Max wasn’t satisfied as he caught his chin and opened his mouth wider. “Go on, baby, he’s dying for a taste too.”

You leaned forward and parted your lips, letting the thick stream of cum flow into Charles’ mouth before he pulled you down and shared the taste on your tongue with a deep groan.

“How was your warm up?” Max asked as he lifted you off Charles. Your feet touched the ground and though they were a little weak from the orgasm they seemed stable enough.

“Warm up?”

Max checked his phone and chuckled before he slapped your ass. “Run, rabbit, run.”

Carlos’ laugh echoed Max’s from where he was pulling his boxers back up his thick thighs. “Here come the wolves.”

Two British accents caught your attention from somewhere in the trees and everyone turned to the sound but while they were distracted you bolted in the opposite direction, your legs bumbling like a newborn fawn. You barely made it fifty yards before a pair of strong arms caught you and you let out a surprised scream as the ground disappeared from under your feet. 

Your already smarting ass took a fresh smack from Lewis’ large hand and you moaned as the heat spread across your skin. Peering up from where you had been tossed over his shoulder, you smiled as Lando caught up with his own lopsided grin. 

“Hey gorgeous,” he greeted before Lewis turned around to say something to him but Lando was a little distracted. “Oh, hello gorgeous.” 

His lips felt refreshingly cool against the handprints burning backside and you fell limp against Lewis’ back with a sigh at how good it felt. The upside down world starting to spin when Lewis held your legs apart so Lando could fuck you with his fingers and you quickly got lightheaded from it all. 

“Tu vas bien?”

You worked hard to push yourself up to see Pierre had found you with his trademark smirk painted on his face and you gave him the thumbs up as your lips parted with another breathless moan. “Just exploring the island.”

“So I see,” he chuckled as he circled around you. “Heads or tails?”

“Heads,” Lewis called before Pierre tossed a coin in the air and slapped it down on his hand, Lewis’ deep laugh vibrating through you at the result. For a second you were almost airborne before he caught you and lowered your feet back to the ground to see the damp mark on his shirt. His smile was one of pure indulgence as he held your eyes and lifted the material to his lips and tasted you with a hum of satisfaction. “On your knees, babygirl.”

Your fingers worked his belt open and pulled his cargo pants down as you sank to your knees, your hand wrapping around his thick cock before you wet your lips. A pair of hands gripped your hips and you moaned around your mouthful as Lando pulled you back to meet his thrust.

“Fuck, you’re so wet, gorgeous,” Lando groaned happily.

Needing to breathe, you pulled back with a gasp and peeked over your shoulder to see Pierre pressed against Lando’s back and your core clenched as both of their eyes fluttered shut in pleasure.

“Oh my fuck,” you moaned as a delightful shiver spread across your body and Pierre placed his hands over Lando’s, holding your hips too as he set the pace.

“You like that, babygirl?” Lewis asked with a knowing smile as he ran a thumb over your swollen lips. “You want to watch them too?”

You nodded eagerly and tongue lashed across the pad of his thumb before you sucked it into your mouth and his chest rose quickly with the deep breath he took. He pulled you away from Lando, the emptiness only lasting a moment as he spun you around to face them and stretched your cunt as he snapped his hips forward.

Your hands braced on Lando’s chest and he stole the startled cry by crushing his lips against yours. You broke away breathless and your head fell back to rest in the crook of Lewis’ neck.

“Open your eyes,” Pierre ordered and they snapped open at the command to meet his over Lando’s shoulder.

Your eyes trailed down Lando’s body to where Pierre was stroking his hard length smoothly thanks to your arousal slick on his palms. You could hardly breathe as Lewis matched their pace, his tattooed hand reaching around you to find your clit.

“Uh-uh, eyes, chérie.”

Heat spread up your spine and tremors followed as the pleasure built to breaking point. It was the deep moan that Lando made as he came that tipped you over the edge and your fingers gathered the cum that warmed your skin so you could taste him too.

“Oh, babygirl,” Lewis moaned in your ear before spanking his palm across your ass. “You’re so tight, I can’t even, ugh,” his words were lost to his bliss as he rolled his hips slowly, milking every last drop that had begun to leak down your thighs.

“Putain,” Pierre swore as saw the delicious mess that had been made and slammed his dick into Lando one last time before spilling his own.

For a moment the clearing was silent except for the heavy breathing from all the exertion but then a slow clap started and Max, Charles and Carlos stepped out from the trees.

“Please don’t make me run again,” you panted from where you were sitting on Lewis’ lap, a sheen of sweat coating your skin. “I can’t feel my legs.”

“You’re welcome,” Lewis chuckled low in your ear.

“Luckily, the villa is just through those trees,” Max said as he pointed behind you and sure enough there were lights when you looked properly. “You, my little rabbit, have earned a bit of recovery time. After all, we have all night.”

Click here for part four.

Tagging: @slytherheign @alwaysclassyeagle @godess-of-mist @leahstf @mydutchproblem

[percyluvr]

hi! i loved u recent pjo angst fic, n maybe (if ur willing to write pt2!) (a bit of a back story (for the prompt) before i rq, reader & percy have always met up like every 2 weeks in a spot, n he usually forgets so reader stops coming.) reader gradually gets over him. and one evening percy & annabeth have like... an argument (on the today he and reader used to hang out on) so he goes there expecting to find her there but instead it's her n another character? (probably grover since he's also percy's best-friend, it can be another character if you wish!) n he gets kind of jealous cs their getting along more n like giggling teasing stuff and percy gets kind of jealous? (it can still be angst or fluff if you prefer.) tyty

percy jackson x reader, jason grace x reader summary: when percy's relationship ends, he goes to you hoping to get a second chance to be with you, but finds you happy and in love with someone else wc: 1714 pt 1

When Percy, whom you considered to be the love of your life, got with Annabeth, you thought your heart had shattered beyond repair. Watching them be happy, while you were completely alone, ignored by the one person that you thought understood you, had completely broken you. You found yourself at a new low, thinking of how they were probably hanging out and kissing, while you were sat at the place you and percy used to hang out, alone for the nth time. You couldn't blame Percy for forgetting, or purposefully ignoring your planned hangouts together when he had her, his dream girl. 

Eventually, you realized that your and his friendship was most likely beyond repair, and you stopped coming to the spot, I mean, it wasn't like he would notice, right? But you were wrong, he did notice. He didn't start going again, but he did realize when you were with the rest of the campers at the time the two of you would usually go to the spot to hang out, and it made him realize what he had done to your friendship. Though he now knew it was him that ruined the friendship, he tried his best to put it at the back of his mind and focus on his relationship with Annabeth.

Meanwhile, you had met Jason, or rather, began hanging out with him more. It's not like the two of you had never met before, but you'd never really clicked or anything, so the most you two did was give each other a little smile when you crossed paths, but now, it was different. You thought that this friendship was even better than what you had with Percy. Jason really understood you, he knew what it was like to lose someone that you cared so deeply about at one point in your life and have to watch them be happy with someone else, while you sit alone, thinking about all the great memories the two of you had shared.

At first, you thought you would never be able to get over Percy, even if you met someone else. 

"Jason, have you ever loved someone so deeply that you thought you would never in a million years be able to get over them?" You asked him one sunny day, as the two of you sat at the spot near the river that you and percy used to hangout all the time.

"Yeah, a few times. Only one of them was in a romantic way, though. I really thought I would never be able to get over her, but here I am now," he said, a small smile gracing his face, which was quite handsome you realized. The thought came as a surprise because you'd never really found anyone attractive when you had been completely infatuated with percy. 

"Do you think you've completely gotten over her?"

"Yeah, I think so. She's still my friend, so if she's happy, then I am, too," he says, as if it was the simplest thing in the world.

"Do you think there's any chance for me to get over Percy completely?" You inquire.

There was a long moment of silence before he finally spoke again, "Yes, I do. and I think you know it, too."

And you realized he was right. You hadn't thought about percy in days.

The two of you continued talking, and you realized that you really were getting over Percy. It was all happening excruciatingly slowly, but it was happening nonetheless, and the more you thought about it, the more you realized that you were beginning to develop a crush on Jason.

While it was nothing in comparison to how you had once felt about Percy, you thought that maybe, just maybe, this could be good for you. Contrary to how you once felt when Percy looked at you and you saw nothing but platonic love for you in his eyes, when you looked into Jason's eyes, you definitely saw something else. Not quite love, but he was definitely interested in you, and that made you feel better than you had ever felt in your life. for once, you felt adequate about yourself. 

As you and Jason continued to hang out, you slowly realized you were falling in love, and you desperately hoped that he was too. Every lingering gaze, every lingering touch, and every word on the tip of his tongue that was left unsaid had you praying every night that he truly felt the same way about you that you felt about him.

"Hey, has anyone ever told you that you're gorgeous?" He asks you randomly one day, causing you to move your head from its place on his broad shoulder.

"No, actually. Why?" 

"Because," he takes a deep breath. "You are gorgeous, and I just thought that if no one had told you, I would want to be the one to make you realize that you are," he finally says, his hand softly running up and down your arm.

"Really? I mean, you're not just saying that, right?" You ask, turning your head down in a failed attempt to hide your flustered state.

"Of course not, I don't say things I don't mean. You are pretty and you should know that. anyone that doesn't see that is just plain stupid," he states matter-of-factly, making you smile.

"Thanks sparky," you playfully say. "If it means anything, I think you're very handsome too."

This statement, and the endearing nickname, causes all the blood to rush to his face, and you hear the way his heartbeat speeds up immediately after you say it.

You felt that this moment was what marked the start of a romance for the history books between you and Jason. And while yours and Jason's romantic journey was just beginning, Percy and Annabeth's may be ending. 

At first, their fight wasn't anything serious, but it quickly escalated as Annabeth slowly got more and more annoyed by how incompetent Percy had been acting lately. Deep down, she knew that something was up with him, and that something had to do with you, and she was almost 100% sure of that. She knew something was up, she just didn't know what.

It had started when she noticed Percy staring at you and Jason whenever you two were in view, and continued from there. Annabeth felt that he wasn't paying as much attention to their relationship, or literally anything but you and Jason for that matter, and she had enough of it, telling him to fix his priorities and quick if he didn't want to lose her.

This argument led to many others of the same variety, all of which were contributors to the inevitable breakup. He saw it coming, but didn't do anything to stop it. All he could think of was how he ruined a beautiful friendship by not being able to balance a relationship and a friendship, and now the two of you were more distant than ever. He knew that you and Jason were getting close, he just didn't know how close, and now he was experiencing the insecurity and inadequacy about himself that you did while watching him and Annabeth fall in love. 

Watching you and Jason was probably the most painful experience Percy had ever gone through in his life, which anyone would find insane if he ever told them, because really, he had been through so many things that he should consider to be more painful, but he somehow didn't.

Now, Percy wasn't a stalker or anything, but he couldn't help but notice the small things that you had once noticed about him and Annabeth when they were falling in love.

He noticed the way the two of you shyly looked at each other, you giggling and something Jason had said, which probably wasn't even that funny, Percy thought.

To say he was jealous was an understatement. The once happy and sarcastic boy was now a heartbroken, jealous, and bitter boy. He wasn't sure if he was heartbroken over his breakup with Annabeth, seeing you with Jason, or a strange combination of both, but he did know that no matter what, his heart was so shattered that he would probably never feel happy again.

This point was pushed even further when he saw the two of you happily cuddling at the campfire one night. He saw the way you were looking up at Jason, body completely leaning on him, and whispering things that must've been flirtatious judging by how Jason's face went up in flames. You two acted like you didn't care who or if anyone saw you. if it was even possible, Percy's heart broke even more.

The universe seemed to be playing a cruel joke on Percy, as your positions had now switched. He'd been going back to your hangout spot on the days you two would've hung out, and was severely disappointed each and every time when you didn't show up. 

That was, until the time you finally were there, but to his dismay, you were not alone. He didn't want to be weird, but he couldn't help it when he acted on his thoughts and hid behind a tree, intently watching the two of you interact. When he saw the two of you share a sweet kiss, he wished that he hadn't been watching, and he wished that he hadn't even come at all. He didn't know why he expected you to be there alone, not when you weren't there any of the other times. He didn't know why his heart broke more in this moment than it did when he broke up with Annabeth.

Until he did. He realized that he was in love with you, and there was absolutely nothing he could do about it, because you looked at Jason like he was the only person in the world, and Jason looked at you like you personally created every good thing on earth, and there was nothing Percy could do to get in between this love, not when you finally looked happy with yourself. Not when you were happier than he had ever seen you in the 10 years he’d known you.

Not when you were more in love with Jason than you had ever been with Percy.

a/n: i went a littleee crazy with this & ik it wasn't exactly what u req but i hope u'll like this idea too!

[schemmentisimpasours]

Kissing In The Rain

(I couldn't find the perfect gif)

Summary: Melissa isn't going to pass up her chance to kiss you in the rain. (Hints at future teagues x coleman proposal). Established Melissa x reader. Established Coleman x Teagues.

Thank you @abbottfanstuff and @sweetmidnights for encouraging my shower beer which led to this idea

P.S- it's short as fuck. My spoons were low after yesterday's funeral.

-

It has been the hottest week Abbott had seen in awhile. Which unfortunately coincided with all of the A/Cs breaking. At first it had just been one that short circuited which had been bearable for two days. Until Janine had gotten it in her head that she wanted to solve the problem and the second one had sputtered to a stop. That is when it had become hard to concentrate and Melissa had accidentally opened the fire hydrant for the kiddos to run through. But that had only last for a day with a warning from the fire department that another “accident” would come with a hefty fine. The district had considered on Friday that it was not an emergency which is when Melissa’s patience had finally snapped. She took her bat to the a/c unit that was only pushing around hot air. With the little reprieve that came from it the teachers were able to relax for a little bit.

As the students climbed into the bus after school the sky grew dark clouds seemingly appearing from nowhere. The last bus had just left the parking lot when thunder seemed to shake the ground. Seconds later water poured from the sky. Janine scrambled underneath the covering off the door looking back at you.

“Y/N!” She called, “You are going to get soaked.”

You ignored her face turned towards the rain. You could feel it washing away the sweat that accumulated through the day. Cleansing you of the stress that had built from the uncomfortable week. For the first time all week you felt like you could breathe a little easier.

A smile grew on your face as you finally responded to your coworker, “Come on Janine it feels amazing. Dance with me!”

Janine hesitated for a moment before joining you. Hands locked together like school girls you hopped and spun in circles. The rest of Abbott had gathered around the open doorway watching as you both became drenched.

Melissa couldn't help but smile as she watched you jump from puddle to puddle laughter accompanying the sound of pounding rain. An idea sparked in her head as she turned to Ava and Barbara.

“Ava bring me your boombox!” Melissa demanded, “Barbara get your phone. I'm doing it.”

Before they could ask what it was Melissa was taking off down the hall to her room. Within a couple of minutes she was back at the door phone in one hand a surprise tucked in her back pocket. She flipped through songs before blaring one over Ava’s speaker. She told Barbara when to start recording and stepped into the pouring rain.

“Mind if I cut in?” She asked as Love Grows by Edison Lighthouse spilled from the speakers.

Janine stepped away with a smile returning to the steps with the others. She stood next to Ava who draped one of her jackets around the shorter woman before giving her a small kiss. They turned back to Melissa and you as the words trickled into the air:

She’s really got a magical spell

And it's working so well that I can't get away

I'm a lucky fella

And I just got to tell her

That I love her endlessly

At the last line Melissa had gently spun you before she put one knee to the ground. As you finally turned back to her she was holding a black velvet box in her hand. She opened it to display an oval amethyst ring nestled into a gold band. You brought a hand to your mouth crying before Melissa even started speaking.

“Y/N Y/L/N this last year and half has been the best years of my life. I can't imagine my life without you besides me making me laugh, smile, and feel like I can conquer the world. Will you do me the honor of allowing me to call you my wife?”

You sobbed out a yes allowing Melissa to slip the ring onto your finger. Once it was snug Melissa launched upwards raising you in the air. With a loud laugh you wrapped your legs around her waist letting her spin you around.

You leaned down to kiss her hard only pulling away to say, “I love you so much Melissa Schemmenti.”

“I love you more Y/N Schemmenti,” Melissa replied kissing you again.

The other teachers let out loud whoops of support. All except Ava who leaned down to Janine’s ear, “When I ask you to be my wife it will be way more romantic than this.”

A blush crept over Janine’s cheeks as she tried to remain focused on the happy couple in front of her. She couldn't wait for the day she could look as happy as Melissa.

-

Taglist

@yoyo-w

@cupldscntrl

@milfslvr

@liliapleasesteponme

[duckirubb3r]

To Be Hero X theory time

Disclaimer: I'm watching To Be Hero X in Japanese because it was the automatic option for the site I'm watching on. Because of this, anime-specific information will be using Japanese casting and English subtitles paired with the Japanese dubbing.

Okay so I never do this but I've become a deranged, obsessive fangirl who has been overanalysing everything for the past week and I have a major theory I need the world to hear before the second episode airs so it's apparent down the line that I'm either absolutely delusional, a giga genius, or some sort of mix of the two. There's only one episode so far and I want my 4D chess to pay off so I need as little canon evidence to go off of as possible to be more impressive.

I have more than one theory, but I'm going to focus on my biggest one. If you don't want to be spoiled or don't want to do a lot of reading, stop here. This post will be long.

Without further ado, my theory:

Ghostblade is the original Nice. The very first one to ever exist.

We know from episode 1 that anyone can replace a hero so long as people believe in them. Because no one was aware of Nice's suicide, everyone believed that Lin Ling, with his hair styled and painted white, was the real Nice. Thus, he became the real Nice. His hair became naturally white, his eyes turned blue, and his voice adjusted to sound like the former Nice's. Knowing this, it makes sense that even the Nice who killed himself probably wasn't the first Nice. Possibly not even the second or the third or even the tenth. There's a chance that a lot of former-Nices have existed.

After watching episode 1, I was desperate for more content which led me to this Tumblr post with character sheets for the top 10 heroes. When looking through each profile, I noticed something that felt way too strange to be just a coincidence: 4/10 of them, Nice included, have white hair, and all of those white-haired characters are 180cm tall. There's no way that's just a coincidence, right? So I ended up thinking about it more and more. I watched all of the character concept and character story movies (which I will henceforth refer to as CC and CS respectively) to look for more information and, before I knew it, I became a crazy theorist. My theories center around the white-haired heroes, but almost all of what I've thought of so far is exclusively about Nice and Ghostblade.

I saw the following promotional image that pictures the ten heroes focused on during the series.

Aside from the white hair and heights, I took particular notice of how Nice and Ghostblade look awfully similar in this image. This was when things really spiraled out of control for me.

Like dude, come on. Their hairstyle in particular is practically the same. It even parts on the same side.

Ghostblade's Character Concept and Character Story Movies

So I watched every character's CCs and CSs, but I really watched Ghostblades after coming up with this theory—and when I say I watched them, I mean I studied them. I analysed every frame I could, over and over. In doing so, I either became completely delusional or I found some very compelling evidence to support my theory that Ghostblade is the original Nice. I'm not sure how best to explain everything, so I'm just going to run through the videos themselves and do my best.

At the beginning of Ghostblade's CS, it shows him as a child—twelve years old, to be precise—in a dreary room with a mysterious man preparing to perform a surgical procedure on him. We're shown various screens with medical information on them. The text on these screens read:

“The cerebrum is not only the center of senses and voluntary movements, but also the center of mental activities such as memory and judgement. The cerebrum consists of two cerebral hemispheres connected by the corpus collosum, and the connection by the corpus collosum plays an important role in the signal transmission and interaction between the two cerebral hemispheres."

and

"The parietal lobe is located between the central sulcus and parieto-occipital sulcus, above the outer fissure, and contains the motor center that issues motor commands to the [...] somatosensory cortex [...] which are involved in processing [...] sensations such as touch, pressure, and pain, and are responsible for the sensory [...]"

All other text is unfortunately either unimportant or too blurry to read.

Using the text from these images, we can essentially determine that the surgeon was operating on twelve-year-old Ghostblade in an attempt to alter his voluntary movements, memory, judgement, sensations such as touch, pressure, and pain, and probably a lot more we aren't able to see.

Following this, we have a scene of Ghostblade standing in front of a mirror in what appears to be a restroom with smiley faces painted on the stall doors behind him. He takes a knife to the mirror and carves the Chinese character for “smile” before inspecting his teeth, leading us to believe the surgeon operated on them as well as his brain. But his teeth are perfect. Nothing is wrong with them. This means that the surgeon was probably correcting a flaw so that Ghostblade would have a better smile, hence the encouragement to smile with smiley faces painted on the walls.

So it seems to be the case that, whoever this surgeon is or whoever he's working for—whoever ordered these procedures to be conducted on twelve-year-old Ghostblade—was trying to make him a perfect person who's always shining a charming smile. Doesn't that sound familiar?

OH YEAH. IT'S HIM. "Mr. Perfect" a.k.a. Nice.

So, if Ghostblade's upbringing was an effort to turn him into the OG Nice, what other evidence is there for this? What are his parallels to Nice's character? How would Ghostblade fit into the Nice backstory? Don't worry, I've got you covered. Let's switch over to Ghostblade's CC for a bit. It's considerably shorter, but contains valuable insights. 

It starts with Ghostblade in some sort of open structure where a field of what looks to be daisies is blossoming and moonlight is spilling through. There's a bit of action, but the sequence of scenes that follow paint a grim picture. First, Ghostblade raises a hand. which transitions into the hand of a man (presumably him) and a woman in wedding attire with the groom slipping a ring onto the bride's finger.

Afterward, Ghostblade is looking up at the moon as its light engulfs him and it enters what appears to be a sequence of memories and daydreams where he's holding out his hand as the scenery changes. It cycles from the current moment

to the image of a girl's hand in his,

rain collecting on his palm,

his bloodied hand in the room of a child,

and his dirty/scratched up hand clenching into a fist above rubble where a single flower grows.

After the sequence, it returns to the flower field where Ghostblade is reaching out to the moon as what appears to be blood splatters begin to obscure the image.

That's basically it in terms of the visuals for his CC. The only thing left to mention is his theme song, because the lyrics are very notably about love which seems bizarre for a character who appears so dark, mysterious, and badass. The lyrics (chopped for the CC) are as follows:

And even if I have to start again It's all because of you If you don't know it by now My love for you will grow Know that this is true

So, what sort of story does his CC seem to tell? I think a good place to start is the flower field. The flowers appear to be daisies. If we assume they were deliberately selected, then if we look at flower language, in most cultures daisies apparently represent innocence, purity, loyal love, cheerfulness, childbirth, and new beginnings. Which lines up a lot with what I've observed so far! Ghostblade wears prayer beads around his wrist, so I'm assuming he's probably a religious man. That could easily align with ideals of purity and innocence. Loyal love/loyalty and love could obviously refer to a lover. Cheerfulness ties back to all the smiley faces and encouragement to smile. Childbirth is rather straightforward and will be relevant in a moment, and new beginnings... we'll come back to that in a bit, but for now, the lyric "and even if I have to start again" sort of speaks for itself.

To me, it seems to be a story about about a future Ghostblade could have had. The girl's hand in his was a lover he dreamed of marrying. The child's bedroom was one he hoped to one day have a child of his own occupy. The rain and the blood and the rubble were a memory, not a dream. His dreams died with his lover.

But who was his lover?

Well, he appears to have a fixation with the moon. When he's staring at the moon, the lyric that plays is "my love for you will grow" so is it possible that the moon might symbolise something? Yeah, sure. I can already think of at least one character who loves a moon—Nice lmao.

Does this mean that Moon died? Yeah. I mean, she died in episode 1 too and we know there's been at least two Nices now—Lin Ling and the Nice before him. There have probably been more Moons too! Whether the Moon I reckon Ghostblade loved in my theory was the OG Moon or not, I'm not sure... but probably? Either way, that detail isn't very important.

So! If we suppose that Ghostblade's CC is about him losing his lover, Moon, and, in turn, the future he dreamed of with her, then how does that tie back in to his CS? Let's pick up where we left off.

After the scene of child-Ghostblade checking his teeth in the mirror, there are various visuals of people smiling and more smiley faces. We're met again with Ghostblade in front of the same mirror he carved on as a child, albeit as an adult now. Looking into the mirror, Ghostblade puts on his signature metallic mask and a frowning face flashes on the screen, contrasting the smile that was so prevalent in his childhood. We then see a sequence of a slaughterhouse. Inside the slaughterhouse, there's a close-up of Ghostblade's eye as he looks at slaughtered animals, followed by a shot of what appears to be a difficult to distinguish image of a cow(?) giving birth. After that, it switches to Ghostblade fighting people in suits rather than your typical villain dressed as uniquely as the heroes are.

A birthing cow seems rather out of place, but we've already encountered the theme of birth. Previously, I mentioned that daisies can represent childbirth. Additionally, Ghostblade appeared to dream of a future where he'd have a child with his lover. This is also where I'd like to come back to the idea of new beginnings. Once again, the lyric that plays during this slaughterhouse/birthing cow/beginning of the fight scene is "and even if I have to start again." From this, it seems as though the birthing cow symbolises a rebirth of sorts when he engages in the slaughter of his enemies, comparing them to animals. This rebirth is also implied by the shot of him putting on his metal mask in front of the mirror with the sad face showing up after. It was likely the first time he donned the mask, as well as the moment he threw away his identity as Nice and was reborn as Ghostblade.

It transitions from the fighting to a scene where Ghostblade is standing by the ocean in civilian clothes without a mask. There are various things littered and washed up on the shore, such as empty soda cans, a shoe, a cigarette, a keyring, and a still-breathing fish. The items left abandoned in the sand, specifically the keyring, could symbolise him discarding things from his life as Nice, and the beached fish—the fish out of water—could represent how he's gone from spending his entire life up to that point playing the role of someone he was forced to be and now being out of his depths as he tries to become someone else, whether it's the real him or not, and start again from scratch.

There's another short fight scene where Ghostblade is curiously wearing sunglasses, a plain cloth face mask, and a normal jacket instead of his hero outfit and metal mask.

It's possible that, in this particular scene, the concept of "Ghostblade" didn't exist yet and this was the OG Nice disguising himself to commit these killings. If people recognised him as Nice doing something like this, his Trust Value would go down and he'd lose power. His reputation would be shattered. But who is he killing, anyway? Who are these people in suits who don't look anything like the villains that show up in the other CCs and CSs, aside from perhaps X's? Well, maybe they're the ones behind the death of his lover, the OG Moon. But what group of shady, well-dressed individuals would want to kill Moon, a hero? Well, how about Spotlight Organisation, the group that, in episode 1, was responsible for attacking Nice/Lin Ling (and Moon because she was there too...)? That checks out, surely.

Finally, at the end of Ghostblade's CS, we see him by the ocean again. A stuffed rabbit is caught in the tide and washes up to him. Maybe it's another one of the things he discarded from his life as Nice. But he reaches down to grab it. Before he can get ahold of it, it's pulled further away again. He begins walking into the water to chase after the rabbit.

Why is this significant? Why is he chasing the stuffed rabbit into the ocean? Well, there's a Chinese folklore story about a rabbit on the moon. Known as the Jade Rabbit, it lives with the moon goddess, Chang-e, and creates elixirs for immortality. During his miserable life being experimented on and forced to smile and be perfect, the only thing that allowed him to keep pushing on was Moon. The only thing that gave him life, just like the Jade Rabbit, was Moon. Perhaps the stuffed rabbit represents Moon, how she was swept away from him, and how he's still chasing after her.

Aw. How sad.

Okay, time for some nitty gritty details! In episode 1, after Nice killed himself and Lin Ling became the new Nice, Lin Ling was the one everyone was seeing and therefore interpreting as being Nice. Because of that, the former Nice was no longer "Nice"—Lin Ling was. Thus, Lin Ling's appearance started to change, physically turning him into the new Nice. Using this same logic, we can reason that it probably works the other way around too! The former Nice probably would have had his appearance start to revert to what he looked like before, had he not died, because he was no longer the person everyone thought was Nice.

We can apply this same sort of logic to Ghostblade with his transition from being Nice to being Ghostblade. We know that Ghostblade already had white hair as a kid so it would make sense for his hair colour and style to stay relatively the same when reverting from being Nice and becoming what is now Ghostblade. After all, if he was the OG Nice, then "Nice"'s appearance probably would have stemmed from his. Nice and Ghostblade have different eye colours and voices, though. This is a little harder to explain away, but eye colour is a feature that's harder to notice without close scrutiny. Even still, both Nice and Ghostblade have light coloured eyes and it's plausible that his Trust Value affected his eye colour either gradually or before anyone actually noticed, because being packaged and advertised as "the perfect hero" immediately evokes a certain image from people. His voice could have potentially undergone a similar sort of process, but we also know that the experiments on Ghostblade started when he was twelve years old. If he became a hero while he was still young, it's plausible that his voice hadn't properly matured yet by the time he publicly became Nice so it was higher and had already made an impression upon his public debut. After abandoning his identity as Nice, someone else probably took over and replaced him. When the replacement became known as the new Nice, it's possible that Ghostblade's eye colour and his voice reverted, but his hair colour never had to change to begin with. Because of him no longer being Nice and his features changing back to what they used to be, he could now be seen as a different person, therefore opening the door for him to become a different hero altogether—Ghostblade.

So, how delusional am I on a scale from 1-10? Did I cook or did this shit come out burned to a crisp? I can't wait for this theory to get ripped apart effortlessly despite all the hours of intense pondering I've spent on it. It's gonna hurt if not one single element of this was even remotely close to being right. If it's wrong? I'll probably just turn it into a fanfiction lmao.

Edit: I forgot to add this, but on his character sheet linked to at the start of this horrendously long post, Ghostblades interests and skills include homemaking and cooking!! Bro was already training to be a housewife, I'm telling you.

[jamiliana]

random drabble cs i was bored (,,> ᴗ <,,)!

💫 warning 💫

♡ BLACK MALE.

♡ abuse; gojo slaps u like once out of built up anger.

♡ MENTIONS OF MASTERBATION reader),, ALSO MENTIONS OF READER FUCKING OTHER PPL..(MEN AND WOMEN)

♡︎ signs of depression,,

♡︎ unhealthy lifestyle for like a bit.

♡︎ reader is so oblivious 😔..

this is rlly short

♡ SORRY FOR THE HUGE AMOUNTS OF SPACES. i types ts on docs so its gonna do that

♡ no uppercase :3

♡ no nsfw

random song u can listen to for this ig (no it doesnt go along with this drabble (i think)):

, part 2.

geto suguru. when that name comes to mind, you bite your soft, light pink bottom lip- a beautiful contrast to your brown upper lip- and your knees swayed with weakness. geto suguru.. the man he was.. it almost disgusted you with how beautiful he was. almost.

those beautiful deep-violet eyes- the same color as the dark night sky as your eyes burn from how long you’ve been staring at the blinding light of your phone screen- pulling an all nighter of course. those eyes.. always crinkling as he smiles, the faint yet visible dimple on his pale skin winking at you. but it was never you, was it? always gojo. gojo this, gojo that. it made you sick. but you knew better than to express your hatred for gojo. after all.. he was quite attractive to you too. you don’t know at this point- every time you thought of satoru, you’d do the same thing you did when you thought of suguru- bite your lip and sway your knees as they weakened. but then you’d remember how sickeningly close him and suguru were and you’d feel the same feeling you felt now- jealousy.

ugh, jealousy. you hated it. you hate how jealous you were of both of the men. they had each other and you wish you had both of them. but that’d never happen. you knew all too well. even shoko- the other person that made them a trio looked left out at times.

you didn’t stand a chance. you didn’t.

but oh, you wish you did. it hurts so bad.

you suck in a bit of air and click the off button on the side of your phone.

it hurts..

the phone gets placed on your night stand as you shakily stand up from your bed.

what time was it? it felt like it has been so long since you’ve taken a shower today.

what month was it? january.. or was it july? what day was it? tuesday.. thursday?

tears spilled from your eyes- almost mocking you as you stared into the thing you’ve been avoiding since that day. that day where reality crashed down onto you.

your reflection.

God, it was disgusting.

your hair wasn’t dirty- thank God- but you have been forgetting to wear your bonnet. so your thick, curly type 4 hair was all over the place.

damn, you needed to set up a hair appointment.

but, gosh, it wasn’t only your hair.

the dark purple and horrid black under your eyes was a consequence of all the nights you’ve been awake. they weren’t the slight black under suguru’s eyes that he had from the make up he wore- oh God no. they were disgusting to look at. you swore you almost threw up.

your eyes looked so.. empty but you couldn’t bare to stare into them for any longer than a split second.

your beautiful brown skin wasn’t glowing like it always did. you’ve been forgetting to moisturize yourself after taking showers. along with the dried tears..

you were..

a mess.

yes, perfect wording.

a mess.

and all because of that day.

the day reality crashed.

the day gojo and geto kissed.

shoko clapped happily for them while you just blinked (blinking back the literal fountain of tears to come)

‘oh.’

you remember thinking.

‘of course. they are practically meant for eachother. why would i ever have a chance?’

you remember thinking.

after that day- May 25th- it was a saturday, you remember. you, shoko, geto, and gojo were at a café, deciding it would be a great way to hang out especially since school wasn’t in session.

you regret going.

you wish you never went.

but now, as you stare into your reflection, you say something aloud- to yourself of course.

“fuck them.”

‘fuck them’ indeed.

you chuckle, thanking the cashier and strutting your way out of the convenience store.

life has been great.

you’ve been getting healthier- not as healthy as you used to be- but still good nonetheless; drinking more water, getting back into your regular training, eating more fruits and vegetables, being active again.

a godly contrast to how you were a month ago.

things were better now.

sure, you still liked suguru and satoru.

and you hated that you did.

but you learned to accept it and move on. love doesn’t just leave so simply.

you have also learned to distance yourself from them.

you learned to just.. live. breeze through your days til your inevitable demise (which you knew was soon to come- especially as a sorcerer.)

though at least you breezed through them without any issue-

a hard chest stopped you from moving forward to your school along with a pair of rather big, strong hands gripping your shoulders from behind halting you to a stop.

“so this is where you’ve been, baby?”

baby?

“satoru?- wait,,”

with wobbly knees you attempted to turn around to at least look at the owner of the strong hands gripping your shoulders but a familiar soft voice filled your eardrums.

“stop trying to turn around, baby.”

again, with the baby stuff.. why were they being all love-y for? like how they used to be.

as friends, of course. they never liked you like that.

“suguru?! hah..”

why were they here? you made sure you wouldn’t ever run into them anymore.

so how..

you heard a chuckle- which you knew was from suguru because of how soft the chuckle was and because satoru- who was in front of you- had his soft, pink lips in a tight, firm, thin line.

”yes, baby boy, suguru,,~ it’s been a while.”

you weren’t even focused on how he called you baby boy,, after all, they always used to call you pet names.

‘which could mean nothing.’ you’d always say to yourself whenever satoru or suguru called you ‘baby’, ‘baby boy’, ‘prince’, etc.

you were more so focused on that word,, while.

a while is an understatement. it’s been a month and a few weeks since you’ve last talked to them or even glanced in their direction.

but oh, how you missed the soft, gentle, and kind voice of suguru and the obnoxious, loud, voice of satoru’s.

oh, how you missed the deep violet and the obnoxiously bright, blue eyes to contrast looking at you with such love care in their eyes,,

oh, how you missed the weird bangs and the man bun atop suguru’s head and the fluff of white atop satoru’s head that they’d always let you play with- espcially suguru,,

and the height difference. you missed how gojo and geto looked down at you as you talked excitedly about something while they smiled and muttered a few responses back- looking mesmerized at.. something. but it could never be you. right?

ugh.

fuck, you needed them so badly. you were tired of stuffing your fingers up your swollen cunt and pretending it was suguru’s or satoru’s. you were tired of fucking other women and men and pretending they were satoru and suguru.

you were tired.

“well? don’t you have something to say to us, (name)?” gojo said after only a few seconds of silence.

fuck. that teasing voice,, always made heat form in between your plump thighs.

“no? why should i say anything,,” you muttered in response, fumbling with the hem of the biker shorters you had decided to wear.

bad choice, really. but a majority of your wardrobe was biker shorts, Nikes, crocs, uggs, hoodies, simple multicolored tees, and Nike socks.

the other minority was just black and gray leggings and sweatpants that you barely wore unless it was cold.

you heard geto click his tongue.

“seriously, baby boy? when you started avoiding us, did you lose some brain cells too?” suguru spoke up.

you were just glad gojo didn’t. the man looked pissed. hell, his usually pale face was slightly a little red with a frown etched on his features.

‘thank God i’m black.. i could never..’

oh, right. you had to respond to geto.

“ah- what do you mean,, i haven’t been avoi-“

you were cut off by a harsh slap to your cheek.

ow.

it hurt so bad.

it hurt..

“gojo!” suguru scolded, forcefully spinning you around and rubbing your cheek affectionately- concern etched all over his pretty, pale face,,

it felt so good…

you suppressed a whimper as you felt the familiar heat in between your legs that you once felt for suguru a long time ago.

“sorry, suguru. but he- he’s lying. does he even know how much hurt we felt when he started avoiding us? he deserves it.”

what?

you forced yourself to turn back around to face gojo.

“huh- gojo-“

“satoru.” he corrected…?

oh,,?

“satoru.. i only avoided you guys because i didn’t want to ruin your relationship..”

silence.

after a few minutes of gojo breathing heavily while staring at you, suguru lifted you up with ease- snatching the case of cookies you had just brought and handing them to satoru.

what the fuck?

before you could even open your mouth, thick, slender fingers wrapped around your throat and pressed on your pulse.

the last thing you heard was your own quiet whining, getou’s gentle, murmured hushing, and the rustling of your grocery bags that were in the hands of satoru.

the last thing you saw before black spots filled your vision was suguru’s neatly painted black fingernails.

the sound of two muttered voices above your head is what awoke you.

“he looks so pretty, satoru..”

“i know. i can’t believe he’d ignore us for something so idiotic. does he not realize the way we look at him?”

what?

“what..?” you mumbled, slowly sitting up, putting your hands on the hard chest’s of whoever two people were on each of your sides to prop yourself up.

this was gonna be a long day.

[dworkism]

✮⋆˙— the gods favor you, mortals!

the gods sure are hard to please, yet these particular mortals have their interest.

ft. eijiro k., hanta s., izuku m., katsuki b., kaminari d., tenya i.

➤ masterlist!

Kratos smiles down on Eijiro and his persistence on being better, stronger. But not just for his own benefit, no. Eijiro seems to always push himself to the limit or even beyond just to improve himself so that he could help those around him. His ambition of being someone who can help others strikes Kratos’ interest. It’s not often the cruel and gruesome god sees someone using their strengths for something… beneficial. Sure, strength and murder? Expected, common even. But strength and kindness? Now that’s something he’s new to. 

Hanta’s bright smile shone through the clouds to reach Dionysus’ eyes. He loved seeing his wide grin, it’s as if this human was made in his image, for his eyes to see. A laughter so loud it echoed in his ears like a melody. Hanta’s tendency to always crack jokes and the way he yearns to hear people laugh tugs all the right strings in Dionysus’ heart. How could he not? The mortal is the epitome of fun and madness, laughter and sorrow, all combined into the perfect mixture of lawful chaos.

Hera is tough, but her walls crept down for Izuku. The mortal devotes himself to the core. From the moment he cried himself to sleep for not having any specialties, till the moment he throws himself to danger in slivers of hope of saving his friend, she witnessed it all, and she smiled. Such a loyal boy, Athena had missed her chance in not favoring him simply because he looked weak. Look at him now! And even in all his glorious strength now, he still devotes himself to train, and better yet? That chin of his is always kept down, and his hands are always open for those in need. 

Katsuki always had Ares’ name written all upon him, yet Athena saw him first. Fists and scowls were what Katsuki was, yet the goddess saw past that—she saw his ambitions. Beyond that fury and his burning eyes, Katsuki’s goal was to become what Athena exactly searched for; a warrior. Someone who aims for nothing but the best, and she basks in that. He does not stop for anyone, doesn’t give a second thought to act. Although some will view him as reckless, Athena’s eyes see consistency and certainty, and that’s exactly what she needs.

Thunder might be what Kaminari brings, but his name is not called upon Zeus’ lips. The boy strikes a chord in Hermes’ smile. The god swears he sees himself in the mortal, always jumping from place to place, with all topics to speak of on his tongue, as if he himself was the god of messenger. Hermes lives for chatterboxes—those people who exist and people shall smile, and not just that, he lives for someone who will always be there for everyone, in joyous celebrations or quiet mourns; and Kaminari ticks those boxes and more on his list.

From the moment Themis laid her eyes on Tenya, she knew the boy pleads for justice in his very breath. His whole existence was built by himself upon order and equality, even his motivation to become a hero was to bring justice to his brother’s name. Justice does not caress the heart, yet it brings satisfaction to those who have lost. Themis’ lips curled into a smile as the mortal who so badly upheld his reputation of being someone who shall avoid violence at all cost. And yet, when grief sliced his tongue like a bastard, he did not scream for mercy—he called for justice, for her.

dworkism | do not repost!

taglist: @bloomstream

a/n : might do more of these later cs theyre so FUUNN hehehhee

➤ masterlist!

[r3starttt]

LOSER! DINA

DON'T BUY TLOU | PALESTINE MP PALESTINE LINKS | DAILY CLICK

AN: this is the best request I've got because?!?!?! Dina could a hundred percent be a loser, the type that's so hot and smart and funny they just get the girl?

⠊ᥫ Loser! Dina who refuses to wear her glasses on public because she's a hundred percent they make her look like either a grandma or a mom and not that she's against it because she'd said it herself- she'd be a milf, but she very much so rather look her age and hot.

⠊ᥫ Loser! Dina who approaches quiet people with stupid and very annoying lines, or says "Oh, you do speak?" but somehow is so charming she gets to be friend with them and get them to overshare

⠊ᥫ Loser! Dina who approached to you first, no shame, no nothing. You could see her friends behind her, some meters away, ashamed or making fun of you? you couldn't really tell.

⠊ᥫ Loser! Dina who made you realize the reason behind her friends face the second she spoke. loud words, random facts, cheesy compliments. But it all worked and she got the girl!

⠊ᥫ Loser! Dina who never leaves your side and definitely makes sex jokes whenever she has the chance. Like going out with friends and she needs to go to the bathroom with you and everyone's so normal about it so she has to make it awkward by saying something stupid. Or you take too long and she apologizes for it... hot tbh

⠊ᥫ Loser! Dina who overshares and makes people overhsare. You can't trust her with a word because- she doesn't mean it, but the words come out and people end up knowing whatever secret she was supposed to keep

⠊ᥫ Loser! Dina who gets hyperfixations so randomly but also so specific. Like a brand, a color, a fabric.

⠊ᥫ Loser! Dina who forces you (not really because u agree) to do matching outfits and stuff.

⠊ᥫ Loser! Dina who is obsessed with astrology and spiritual stuff. That's her whole personality. She knows how to read tarot, hands, auras. Anything you're curious she'll learn or use to to practice lmao

⠊ᥫ Loser! Dina who wants to be a cool witch SO bad.

⠊ᥫ Loser! Dina who also gets obsessed with animals. She'd see a rabbit and believe she can have thousands. A horse? ofc she can handle. Cows? Lambs? she'd be so good just trust her.

⠊ᥫ Loser! Dina who gets baby fever a lot but doesn't really admit it cs that's not very cool hot girl of her.

⠊ᥫ Loser! Dina who is so romantic and cringy and clingy and just a lot? she's so intense and takes serious the special dates. You'll have the greatest birthdays and dates.

⠊ᥫ Loser! Dina who week one and she already wanted a family with you. U-haul lesbian pls everyone agree with it

⠊ᥫ Loser! Dina who's the type to do baby voice when cuddling and when she gets conscious about it she really wants to rip her tongue off

⠊ᥫ Loser! Dina who wants to have so many hobbies but always fails because she gets overwhelmed with all the tasks. Like, she'll try to make you a handmade gift "easy" and ends up sweating and groaning because suddenly she forgot how to cook, how to sew.

⠊ᥫ Loser! Dina who's naturally smart she needs to correct people when they're wrong. Who's a natural leader she has to offer for every task and help people- which ends up with her telling them what and how to do something.

⠊ᥫ Loser! Dina who believes she's the hottest human ever and people keep humbling her for it. (they're just jealous duh)

⠊ᥫ Loser! Dina who's SO horny, all the time. She's also touchy and the kind to whisper the most stupid shit on your ear and slowly make it more explicit, or do things to purposely turn you on, but she ends up needing you more.

Dina taglist: @whorefordina @hbwrelic @asraion @averyistired-62 @stevienicksrarities @aouiaa

TAGLIST?

[kingkaisen]

FIVE HUSBANDS

˗ˋ ୨୧ ˊ˗ 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐕𝐈 || 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐏 ˗ˋ ୨୧ ˊ˗

˗ˋ ୨୧ ˊ˗ 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 ˗ˋ ୨୧ ˊ˗

˗ˋ ୨୧ ˊ˗ 𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 || 𝐍𝐄𝐗𝐓 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 ˗ˋ ୨୧ ˊ˗

♡ — 𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆: eren, armin, connie, jean, levi, & reiner x celebrity!reader

♡ — 𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐂𝐑𝐈𝐏𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍: Both love and imprisonment can drive people crazy, and sometimes, things can even get deadly. your old lovers are becoming more and more desperate as they attempt to free you from Connie, the owner of CS Records. For better or for worse, a certain band of people want you, known as: the group.

♡ — 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓: 18+ ONLY || MINORS DNI || DARK CONTENT — fem!reader, modern au, angst, heartbreak, divorce, marriage, cheating, violence & blood/bruises mention, gun mention, false imprisonment, stockholm syndrome, toxic relationship, manipulation, stalking, murder talk (Some warnings here also apply to the series as a whole/other parts as well.)

♡ — 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐃 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓: 13k

♡ — 𝐀/𝐍: Hi folks! I had to add on another part to the series, so there will now be 8 parts total!

— A FEW YEARS EARLIER —

“Eren?”

The brown-haired man turned around with a smile — he always grinned whenever you called his name so sweetly.

“Hm?” He shoved his phone into his pocket. “What is it, baby? You okay?”

“I’ve just been thinking about . . . us,” your eyes darted down to the freshly mopped floor — polished and shiny thanks to Eren’s maid. Your voice echoed in his spacious modern kitchen, but that wasn’t the reason why you decided to whisper.

You were simply nervous.

“What about us?” Eren frowned a bit, his heart beginning to pound wildly as his mind started to spin.

He assumed the worst.

“Well,” you paused. “I think it’s time that I told you how much I love you. I don’t think I’ve ever really said it, but it’s true. We haven’t been together long, but . . . you’re someone I’d want to start a family with and grow old with, ya know? I hope the thought of that doesn’t scare you away.”

Eren was silent for a moment.

This time, it was your turn to assume the worst.

Suddenly, Eren wrapped his arms around you, hugging you tightly. Tears started to brim in the reddening waterlines of his emerald eyes.

“I love you too,” he smiled as he held you. “I never thought I’d hear you say that. You’re mine, you hear me?”

“I hear you,” you hugged him back. “I’m yours.”

When Eren ended the sweet hug, it was only so he could press his lips against yours, kissing you softly, yet passionately.

He pulled away and quickly reconnected your lips once again. He couldn’t get enough of you. He would kiss you forever if he could, and truthfully, he planned to, no matter what.

—

Three miserable weeks had flown by since a certain little meeting had taken place in the tiny living room of Armin Arlert’s apartment.

Every single day — every hour, minute, and second — was spent waiting.

Waiting for the perfect opportunity.

Waiting for any of the gods above to offer just a little bit of luck.

A little bit of hope.

Erwin Smith needed as much luck as he could get. From the very second Levi Ackerman called him with the details of an utterly ridiculous situation, to now, when he was getting ready to walk into CS Records, dressed up as one of Connie Springer’s Silent Men, he had hoped for a little bit of luck.

It was rather odd.

The blonde-haired, military-driven man truly didn’t believe in searching for four-leaf clovers or tossing pennies into wishing wells, as he never liked to leave things to chance.

But, just this once, he would gamble and hope to get lucky.

As he patiently stalked the outside of your home from a safe distance, he gambled on the fact that Connie would be stupid enough to bring you out in public once again.

And Erwin was correct.

He had watched and waited, waited and watched. Waiting for the day in which the rich man would let you out of your bedroom, and bring you to CS Records with him.

After all, it was bound to happen, as you were Connie’s little money-maker, and if you had suddenly disappeared from the spotlight at the peak of your fast-paced career, people would start to ask questions. Become suspicious. And Connie didn’t want that.

Erwin followed the vehicle transporting you, Connie, and a few Silent Men to CS Records. And, there you were, being escorted through the private back entrance of the building with Connie and his bodyguards by your side.

But it didn’t matter.

Erwin was simply happy to see that you were okay — physically, at least.

As he watched you carefully enter the building from where he was parked in the private parking deck — Eren’s employee ID had worked wonders — he sighed with relief that, at long last, he could finally free you.

You might have been a perfect stranger to him, a random celebrity with a chaotic life — in which, before all of this, he had paid no mind to — but Levi Ackerman cared about you enough to call him for help.

And he could hear the slight panic in the other man’s voice.

If Levi Ackerman cared about you, then that was enough to make Erwin care about you as well.

And he’d get you away from that terrifying man no matter what.

As Erwin stepped out of his car, slamming the driver’s door shut, he had almost forgotten that Eren Yeager was with him.

No one would question the singer being escorted around by someone who appeared to be one of Connie’s underlings. Not to mention, the rockstar’s ID badge was important throughout this entire operation.

Erwin had been secretly calling it a rescue mission in his head.

Eren had preferred to call it: the day in which he’d get his fucking ex-wife back.

“You ready?” Eren called out to the taller, buff man, looking up at him through his sunglasses as he shut the car door.

It was a sunny day in Los Angeles, almost as if nature itself was rooting for their success.

“I am. Lead the way,” Erwin gave a nod.

Eren started walking as Erwin followed him.

During the time it took for them to walk from the parking deck to the official back entrance of the building, Erwin couldn’t help but think about how different Eren Yeager seemed in real life compared to how the media portrayed him.

He wasn’t used to being around celebrities — that was Levi’s thing. Erwin didn’t even live in Los Angeles; he lived in Arizona, in a town that was about an hour away from Hange’s.

In the media, Eren was made out to be a rebellious rockstar who lived the perfect life of a music-making troublemaker.

Rich.

Talented.

Surrounded by women.

Always in trouble.

But, in person, he was just an ordinary guy. One who cared about his ex-wife and made sure his hamburgers had extra pickles.

In a way, he was quite sweet. Erwin noticed that little fact when the younger man carefully got inside his car, trying his hardest not to ruin anything, even though his car wasn’t nearly as nice as the ones in Eren’s ten-car garage — or was it twenty? Erwin couldn’t remember.

But, perhaps, the media’s portrayal of Eren was accurate once upon a time, possibly before he had fallen in love with you.

Erwin couldn’t say.

Once the two men approached the glass entry doors, Eren scanned his ID — twice, as he was rather impatient — before the security system dinged pleasantly, and the doors clicked twice as they were automatically unlocked.

Stepping inside CS Records was like stepping inside of an incredibly nice mall. However, instead of stores, there were offices, recording studios, and rehearsal rooms.

“I’m headed to the studio,” Eren said, turning around to face Erwin. “You should probably head towards the main conference room.”

Erwin nodded. Pretending to be one of the Silent Men — or Connie’s pack of rats, as Eren had called them — meant that he had to do one thing: be silent, of course.

And while Eren’s words seemed to not have any true meaning aside from letting his escort know his whereabouts, every syllable he had uttered was rather valuable information.

The fact that he was heading to the studio meant that it was time for them to separate, as Eren wasn’t allowed to come anywhere near you, and his presence could hinder the success of the mission. His advice for Erwin to head towards Connie’s conference room meant that it was more than likely your location. Connie was always in there or in his office. And you would be with Connie.

With one final nod, the two men went their separate ways.

Finding the conference room was easier than expected.

Eren had reassured Erwin that he wouldn’t need any ID beyond getting through the entrance, and as it turns out, he was right.

Perhaps, it was because no one had ever bothered to question the presence of one of Connie’s men, and thanks to Erwin’s solid black outfit — he was both plainly and sharply dressed at the same time — along with his solid, tall, and muscular build, he looked exactly like one of them.

Aside from people scurrying out of his way as he walked, mumbling little apologies under their breaths, no one paid him any mind.

The conference room had glass walls that allowed anyone in the building to see what was going on inside as they walked by.

While Connie could have chosen one of the more private rooms to host his meeting, he didn’t, simply because he wanted everyone within CS Records to see you.

To see that he had nothing — or rather, no one, to hide.

And it was perfect.

Erwin was able to successfully confirm your whereabouts, but, just like Eren, you seemed drastically different in real life compared to the media’s portrayal of you.

Although he only spotted you from several feet away and hadn't even mumbled a single word to you, it was quite obvious based on the gloomy expression on your face that you weren’t nearly as happy as you pretended to be during interviews and local concerts.

But, soon, you would be. Erwin was determined to make that happen.

Stopping in the cafeteria, Erwin prepared a couple of glasses of water. It was meant to serve as an excuse for his tardiness.

The man balanced a tray of water in one hand, pushing the glass door open with the other, and for a moment, Connie briefly paused in the middle of his conversation to see who had entered the conference room, but upon seeing that it was one of his men, he continued to speak.

Everyone was correct.

Springer truly didn’t pay any attention to his men. It didn’t help that he always switched them out.

To him, they were all the same. Just plain old puppets.

That was why he barely ever looked at them. That was why he never bothered to learn their names.

And, that was why Erwin was able to infiltrate them so easily.

He sat the water down in the center of the conference table, and stood beside three other Silent Men lined up against the wall, copying their statue-like pose.

And he simply listened. Waited for the perfect opportunity. Kept his eyes on you.

“I don’t care how much money an international tour would bring in,” Connie said, tapping his pen against the enormous conference table as he sat in his big office chair, darting his eyes between every single one of your eleven team members; the people responsible for keeping you in the spotlight. Keeping the company wealthy.

“This isn’t the right time to have one because Y/N still needs more fucking media training. We’re sticking with a national tour for now, and a short one at that.”

“Alright, I’ll get the word out,” your red-haired publicist nodded in agreement. “The first official tour for the Heartbreaker album . . . what should the tour be called?”

“We can worry about that later,” a random tan man spoke up, staring at your publicist before glancing around at the other team members. “When is this tour happening? Next year?”

“We can’t do it next year because Y/N has been cast for another film. You’re her new manager, Oruo, so you should know that.” Your publicist rolled her eyes.

“We’re going to wait two years, Petra? Her album will be irrelevant and old by then–”

“Then she’ll sing songs off of another album that will be released before then,” your publicist interrupted. “She should have more songs that she can sing anyways-”

“When is she going to record this album? While she’s on set, filming?” Glaring at your publicist, your new manager folded his arms across his chest.

“She managed to put out both an album and a film fairly recently,” Petra said in a softer tone than before. “She can do it again.”

A beat of silence passed in which your manager and publicist simply stared at each other. Your manager, who broke the intense, unofficial staring contest first, looked at Connie as he spoke once again.

“All of this is taking way too long. We’re about to start selling Halloween costumes modeled after her, and we should have an interesting announcement to go with it. You think her fans will be happy to know that they won’t even get a chance to see her sing her new album live for another two years?”

“It can’t be helped! God, you’re such an idiot.” The red-haired woman lowered her head in defeat, but when she raised it again, it was to also face Connie. “Mr. Springer, you have to find Levi Ackerman and rehire him, because this guy is-”

“Both of you can shut up,” Connie suddenly interrupted, continuing to fidget with his pen. He looked at Petra, giving her a cold stare, one that indicated that she was on thin ice.

“Especially you. I’m not rehiring anybody. Say something like that to me again and you’ll be begging for me to rehire you as well.” Connie paused. “What we need is for her to keep doing interviews and publicity stunts while she’s working on all of her projects. Squeeze in small work that shouldn’t take more than a week to complete.”

No one dared to disagree with Connie’s idea. What he said was final. Those were the unwritten rules.

As your entire team nodded in agreement — despite whether or not they truly thought it was the best course of action — some of them jotted down his plan in their notebooks or typed it in on their laptops.

However, you didn’t nod in agreement.

Instead, your voice — which held a bit of a nervous quiver — interrupted the uneasy silence.

“Publicity stunts?” You looked between your publicist, manager, and the person holding you hostage. “What kind of publicity stunts?”

“Probably something involving Eren and Jean,” Oruo said before giving his attention to Connie. “More people stream her music whenever something goes on between the three of them. More talk show hosts ask to interview her as well.”

Instantly, the harsh memory of the aftermath regarding the last publicity stunt reappeared in your mind.

Being outdoors surrounded by Connie’s goons after appearing on The Nights With Flint Show; witnessing the psychological torture that Connie put your ex-husband through simply by threatening to hurt his mother was a torturous flashback that you couldn’t seem to snap out of.

Even as you thought about the way Eren cried while being forced to his knees, begging his old best friend to not hurt the lady who once welcomed you into her home with open arms and tasty stew; a small, twisted part of you had wished that you didn’t say a word that day.

Attempting to be some sort of hero had only resulted in your misery.

You had the Vitamin D supplements — which you needed from lack of sunlight — in your purse to prove it; to prove that publicity stunts never went well.

“No.” You said sternly, stern enough for the silent nodders sitting at the table to look up at you.

Truth be told, it was the first time you had dared to speak so boldly in a long time. “I don’t want to do that, please. There has to be something else-”

“Alright, I’m finishing this meeting without you. You’re starting to get on my nerves.” Connie turned around in his chair, facing the Silent Men standing along the wall, pointing to one with brown hair and the body of a gym-obsessed man.

He stood right next to Erwin.

“You,” Connie said. “Take her back home.”

“But I just got here,” you thought, not daring to say it aloud, but you didn’t need to.

Connie could see the sadness in your eyes as if your pupils had a big red sign in them that said “I’M SAD.”

The chair squeaked a bit as you got up from it, heading out of the conference room with the man who would become your driver.

No one paid any mind to the other blonde-haired Silent Man who left the room thirty seconds later, following you both.

Erwin had to walk quickly — he couldn’t run, as that would draw unnecessary attention — to catch up to you and your driver, but thanks to his tall frame, he didn’t have to take very many strides.

He grabbed the shoulder of the brown-haired man.

When the driver turned around, Erwin could understand why Connie never bothered to pay any attention to his goons. The man had a very stereotypical face, plain and simple, and hidden underneath a pair of black sunglasses. Erwin wouldn’t have remembered the name of someone so ordinary either if he was in Connie’s shoes.

“What?” The man said with a gruff tone. He sounded like he had just woken up, and still had his morning voice despite the late afternoon hour.

But that’s what happens when you’re rarely allowed to speak.

“Springer changed his mind,” Erwin lied confidently, yet casually. “He needs you to head to the venue and help them out over there. He wants me to take her home instead.”

Much to Erwin’s luck, the man didn’t ask any further questions.

Something was always going on at the venue owned by CS Records.

He didn’t even appear to be confused by the new orders, as it was common for Connie to make last-minute changes such as this.

He walked off without another word.

Erwin wasted no time. The taller man started to escort you towards the exit.

Towards freedom.

It was rather risky to speak to you now, but as Erwin could see the white ID scanner in front of the exit doors a short distance away, he knew that you would expect him to scan his employee ID along with yours. He couldn’t slip on by with you as easily as he slipped in with Eren.

After all, you had no idea who he was. What he was really doing.

“Are you alright?” Erwin questioned quietly, looking straight forward as he spoke, doing all he could to seem unsuspicious.

“Huh?” You glanced up at him.

“No one has harmed you, have they? Do you need to see a doctor for any reason?”

“Why are you asking me that?” You asked. “You’re not supposed to speak this much. You’ll get us in trouble.”

“Don’t worry. My name is Erwin Smith. Levi asked me to give you a hand. I’ll be taking you somewhere safe.”

No.

No way.

It must have been a trap. A trick. A way for Connie to test your loyalty, to find out if you were broken enough to never try to leave again. Perhaps, he wanted to see if you were stupid enough to warrant a repeat of the same old punishment. He’d lock you right back up, hold you hostage in your own beautiful bedroom just as he did when you tried to escape with Reiner.

No.

No way.

One of Connie’s men would be waiting right in the private parking deck, ready to toss you back into the most miserable place you had ever been in.

A place where you were alone.

Always thinking.

Always waiting.

Always miserable.

“You’re lying.” You stammered out, darting your eyes around for Connie, or for anyone who would be watching you like a hawk. “This is some sort of trick, isn’t it?”

“No, it’s not.”

“But . . .” Your footsteps halted, just as you were approaching the exit. Erwin turned to face you, looking down at you with an intense amount of urgency that he couldn’t vocalize.

This had to be a cruel test, that was one theory, as freedom was too good to be true.

Or, maybe he was simply a crazy fan. That was another theory.

However, out of all of those theories, there was one little thing that was true; that was real. And it was that he seemed familiar.

“I actually think I recognize you,” you said, scanning over that facial structure of his, along with his blonde hair, attempting to put him in the proper place among your memories. “You . . . oh, that’s right. I’ve seen you in a photo or something at Levi’s house. You’re one of his friends.”

“That’s right,” Erwin nodded.

You nodded as well.

Maybe, just maybe . . .

“Keep your voice down,” Erwin said. “You need to scan your ID for us to leave. Just act natural. Everything will be alright.”

If you could manage to imagine that Erwin was simply some sort of bodyguard escorting you out of a building after a show or a meet and greet, nothing more, then maybe, just maybe, you could calm down enough to not draw any attention to yourself.

Call Erwin cocky. He wouldn’t blame you. But he was feeling rather confident now. He was right here with you, and he didn’t plan on leaving your side until he delivered you safely into Levi’s arms.

Or Eren’s.

Or Reiner’s.

Or Armin’s.

Or Jean’s.

Call Erwin forgetful. He wouldn’t blame you. But he had a bit of trouble keeping up with the romantic aspect of our life, and while a small part of him wanted to ask who exactly your heart truly belonged to without the interference of Connie or modern media influencing your decisions, it was none of his business.

Even so, as he glanced down at you as you both walked at a steady pace toward the exit, he couldn’t help but wonder what was so captivating about you — what could possibly drive Levi Ackerman to care about one of the most famous heartbreakers in Hollywood?

His questions would have to wait.

As you approached the security system demanding identification before leaving the private area of CS Records, you pulled out your ID. Erwin caught a glimpse of your photo. Your smile was rather beautiful. Bright. You must have been happy back then. Maybe, if he freed you, he could see that smile return someday.

You scanned your badge. The security system dinged. You both casually walked through the glass doors and into the private parking deck.

“Was the hard part over?” That was the question you asked with only a simple look into Erwin’s eyes, and with a nod, he wordlessly answered, “yes, the hard part is over.”

A smile appeared across your face. It was a contagious upturn of the cheeks, and Erwin wanted to smile too. He gave you a soft grin as he escorted you to his car.

Eren promised that he would find his own way home, and quickly, as he didn’t want to be anywhere near CS Records whenever Connie would realize that you had gotten away.

In a way, freedom for you was freedom for all of them.

Seeing Erwin’s car — or, rather, the vehicle you assumed to be Erwin’s car — several feet in front of you suddenly created a wave of nausea that washed over you.

Erwin had placed a comforting hand on your back, looking down at you with a raised eyebrow and a worried frown.

You placed your hand on your stomach. Breathing in and out slowly did little to help.

If only the overwhelming sense of nausea was caused by nervousness over the fact that soon, you would be free.

If only that was all it was.

But it was something else entirely.

It was a particular bad memory that had reappeared in your mind like deja vu. Seeing Erwin’s car . . . being so close to freedom that you would allow yourself to once again have little hopes and dreams . . . it all reminded you of Reiner leading you to an exit the night of your album release party.

It was that bad feeling. The fear of allowing yourself to be hopeful.

Even as you made it to Erwin’s car, as he helped you into the passenger seat like a true gentleman, you couldn’t shake it.

That bad feeling.

You sat there with your door shut, seatbelt buckled, listening to the footsteps of Erwin walking from the passenger side to the driver’s side.

But he didn’t open the door. Without straining to look up through the driver’s side window, you knew why.

It was that bad feeling.

You could hear other voices in the parking lot, and while you wished the voices simply belonged to other easygoing CS Records employees minding their own business as they headed into or out of the building, you knew better.

The private parking lot was empty of anyone else.

Those black outfits belonging to Connie and the Silent Men were rather easy to spot out of the corner of your eyes.

You couldn’t help but close your eyes in defeat, and when you did, a single tear slipped down your cheek.

The voices grew louder. Not loud enough to draw any unwanted attention, Connie was smarter than that, but it was bothersome enough to make you consider unbuckling your seatbelt, opening your door, getting out of the car, and peacefully walking back into the building.

And, perhaps, prepare to spend all of eternity locked inside of your own bedroom as well.

But Erwin wasn’t ready to give up so easily.

“How did you know?” Erwin asked Connie, glaring at the rich man who had two Silent Men on each side of him.

“This guy right here wanted to know what I needed him to do at the venue. Wasn’t that hard to put two-and-two together.”

“Damn it,” Erwin thought. He was foolish to think that the goon would just take his word and leave. Any smart person would verify with Connie in terms of instructions, as no one wanted to risk pissing him off due to miscommunication.

Erwin knew it was risky. All of it was.

“Connie, you seem like a decent man. You allow artists to show their work to the world. You keep money in their pockets. Keep people employed so they can feed their families and have a roof over their heads. Even the janitors here are paid enough to live comfortably. You don’t have-”

“Oh my god, shut the hell up, man.” Connie sighed, shifting his feet impatiently.

“How about we work something out?” Erwin raised his hand as he spoke. “She’ll continue working for you — making music, performing — whatever. But she gets to have some freedom as well, just like Eren and Jean have been able to lately.”

“She does have freedom,” Connie frowned. “I brought her here, didn’t I?”

“That’s not freedom. She can’t go anywhere without you, or do anything without you. You won’t let her leave her own home, or see her loved ones.”

“Loved ones?” A chuckle fell from Connie’s lips, and he momentarily looked down at his feet, then back up at Erwin, his hands in his pockets as if he were having a conversation with an old pal. “She doesn’t have any loved ones, just a bunch of stupid guys hoping to crawl into bed with her. That’s all she’s good for. That’s what I’ve heard, at least.”

“That’s not true. She’s a very-”

“Listen, listen,” Connie interrupted the blonde man once more. “I don’t care what you gotta say. Just let her out of the car, alright?”

Erwin simply stood there like a statue, holding onto his car keys. His thumb didn’t touch that “unlock” button.

“Let her out,” Connie repeated, his words followed by a yawn. “Last chance.”

“No.” Erwin reached back behind him and wrapped his fingers around the pistol tucked into the holster around his waist. “I’m giving you one last chance.”

Connie studied the serious, unwavering expression on Erwin’s face. His eyes flickered between it, and his holster.

What a dangerous man.

What a serious man.

No wonder that little group of idiotic men sent him to retrieve you. Connie was rather impressed, as not many people were bold enough to threaten to shoot him. Truth be told, he wished this guy really was one of his Silent Men.

But, Connie truly couldn’t waste any more time with this situation. He had other meetings to attend, and he was hungry as well.

Suddenly, Connie grabbed his own hidden gun. And, unlike Erwin, he didn’t hesitate.

He pulled out his weapon, pulled the trigger, and sent a bullet flying into Erwin Smith.

Erwin’s blood splattered against the car as he fell against it. Your screams were loud enough for Connie to hear, and rather annoying as well.

It didn’t take long for employees to make their way to the parking lot, each of them straining their necks to look around the parked cars and see what exactly happened before the Silent Men ushered them away.

Connie would simply make up a story, perhaps claiming that you were being kidnapped.

Connie handed his hot gun to one of his men. He stepped over Erwin’s body, grabbing the car keys out of his bloodied hand before he unlocked the doors.

The car beeps made your screams suddenly stop. But nothing — absolutely nothing — could make your body stop trembling, or make the tears forming from utter horror stop falling down your cheeks.

When Connie opened the passenger door, you held your breath and he bent down. His face was expressionless as if he didn’t just shoot a man. You couldn’t stand the sight of him, looking at the car floor through your blurred vision instead.

“Get out of the car,” he said calmly. “It’s alright. I’m not mad. Just get out of the car.”

You tried to say, “no.” But, no words would come out. Your sobs were just too great. They created a lump in your throat that you couldn’t swallow down.

“Y/N,” Connie called out again. This time, his hand gripped your chin, and he forced you to look at him. “I don’t have time for this. Let’s go. Get out of the car.”

With slow-moving, trembling hands, you unbuckled your seatbelt.

“There you go,” he smiled a bit, releasing your chin as he dropped Erwin’s car keys on the ground. “Come on. It’s okay.”

He helped you out of the passenger seat. Caught you when you nearly fell over from your wobbly knees, his arms wrapped around you as if he was a caring person. How silly.

“You know what?” Connie said, looking up at his men. “Find my assistant and tell her to cancel my meetings for today. I’m taking her back to my place. She shouldn’t be alone right now.”

Connie guided you to his car, and as he did so, he continued to say, “It’s okay. It’s over now.”

—

When Levi Ackerman received a phone call from Eren, he was hoping the man would tell him that everything went smoothly. That Erwin was on the road, driving you to safety.

Instead, Eren told him that Erwin had been shot by Connie. That everyone — all of the employees — believed that it was self-defense.

That was the story they were told before they were sent back to work and told to not contact the police. That Connie would handle it.

Eren had to sneak into the private parking lot before the Silent Men would show up once again, pull the muscular man into the back of his own blood-splattered car, and drive him to the hospital.

But Erwin was alive. He needed surgery, but he was alive.

And Levi truly wasn’t surprised either. A tough bastard like Erwin Smith would survive an abdominal gunshot wound.

Even so, once Levi arrived at the hospital, he had to do the one thing he despised Connie Springer for doing.

Using his influence to break the law.

While his best friend was in surgery, Levi spent the night walking the white ominous halls of the hospital after finding a nice, quiet waiting room to put Eren in and telling him not to leave.

He spoke with several members of hospital staff and police officers, as the doctors and nurses were required to report a gunshot wound.

Being a former manager meant that he was an excellent conman as well, and he managed to convince them that Erwin wasn’t a threat. To let him heal. To leave him be.

And it worked.

Having enough money to drop in their laps to keep them quiet certainly helped as well, because even though he lost his job as one of Hollywood’s richest entertainment managers, he still had more money than God.

He could only hope Connie wouldn’t press to have Erwin sent to prison on a pile of lies or send someone back to the hospital to finish the job.

He would have to worry about that later, though.

That next afternoon, Erwin was wide awake, and Levi slowly stepped into his plain hospital room.

“I’m sorry,” Erwin said weakly, unable to look Levi in the eye as he watched the man walk through the door. “I failed.”

The several different beeps belonging to the machines scattered around the room filled the silence that unwillingly existed between the two men.

Levi simply didn’t know what to say.

Blame it on the lump of guilt forming in his throat that grew thicker as his eyes scanned over Erwin’s I.V., but Erwin’s face looked even worse.

It was free of any injuries or scarring, but the deep frown of self-disappointment was a depressing sight; Levi couldn’t look at him.

“You’ve always been too hard on yourself, Erwin. It’s fine.” Levi managed to say, although any comforting words would have been pointless. Erwin never digested failure.

When Erwin finally looked up at Levi — god, he could have been Armin’s father with the sad shine his sharp blue eyes held — Levi looked away.

His hands were in the pocket of his pants. He looked out the door and watched a nurse and receptionist chat at the front desk. He needed something to look at that wasn’t Erwin’s face of failure.

“At the end of the day . . .” Levi spoke again, as he noticed that Erwin never responded to his last statement. His machine did, though. Every beep was a way of saying: “He’s alive. He survived. He lived.”

“At the end of the day, I needed your help because I couldn’t do shit on my own, Erwin. If anyone is pathetic in this situation, it’s me. I dragged you out of your life to come help me out with my own mess when that’s not your job. And now you’re injured. I’m sorry.”

Once again, Erwin failed to respond. But the beeping machine did.

“He’s alive. He survived. He lived.”

“Is Eren alright?” Erwin finally spoke. “They didn’t know that he was caught up in any of this, did they?”

“Eren’s fine. Covered in blood, exhausted, and pissed off, but he’s fine. You should worry about yourself.” Levi's eyes darted away from the nurse refilling her cup of coffee in the distance, and he managed to build up the courage to look at his old friend. “Thanks to me, you have a target on your back now. You have to go somewhere safe.”

“You want me to go where Hange is, I take it?” Erwin smiled softly, but it didn’t reach his eyes. Only despair was reflected within his orbs. Nothing else. “You want me to go to Maine? Just like that?”

“Just for a little while. Connie has no reason to go searching around in that state for anyone. That’s why I sent Hange there as soon as I could.”

“I see,” Erwin said.

That unwilling silence returned once again, but only for a brief moment.

“And take Mikasa with you,” Levi looked down at his shoes. This time, he was the one who looked so utterly disappointed.

He couldn’t protect anyone.

“Of course.”

“She doesn’t like the idea of leaving L.A. with everything Y/N is going through, but I’ll just have to make her. It isn’t safe here.”

“And what about you, Levi?” Erwin started to ask a question he already knew the answer to. “You should leave too. All of you should.”

“Without her?” Levi frowned deeply, and although he spoke in a whispered tone, his words were laced with anger. “Are you crazy or what?”

In that moment, when the one person Erwin could always count on to keep a level head glared at him with daggers in his eyes, Erwin realized just how much Levi had changed.

His hair was a bit longer. Messier, but not too messy. Dark circles had formed below his eyes from lack of sleep. He dressed in the blackest clothes he had owned, nothing professional like he used to wear, but it was obvious that he was dressing to blend in with the rest of society. To walk the streets of L.A. not as a hotshot entertainment manager, but as a lovesick nobody.

Lovesick.

That was it.

That was the word Erwin was looking for.

“Just what have you gotten yourself into, Levi? You would fall in love with someone who would cause you the most trouble,” Erwin thought.

“I’m not saying that you should leave her behind, but maybe you could get to a safe place and reach out for help — proper, legal help-”

“You know that won’t work.” Levi’s frown deepened. “I can’t believe you’d even suggest something like that.”

“He’s just a businessman, Levi. I’m sure if you found legal help outside of Los Angeles, then he wouldn’t be able to do anything,” Erwin winced as he spoke. He was starting to get worked up. “I know you love her, but-”

“What do you think will happen once Springer drops a fuck-ton of money into the laps of those greedy bastards? Or when he gets his shitty friends in the government to influence the rest of the government? And maybe not everyone will fall for his shit, maybe not everyone in the justice system is corrupt, but I’m not taking that chance.”

Erwin nodded along to Levi’s words.

“And I don’t love her. I just hate Connie,” Levi suddenly said, “I gotta go. I’ll check in on you later.”

Erwin told his old friend goodbye, watching as he left the hospital hopelessly.

—

The car ride with Connie was silent.

Only the gentle hum of his vehicle driving down the L.A. streets could be heard. Then, an occasional clicking noise from him activating his turn signal.

You could hear him breathing softly as well, and you tried to listen to his rhythmic breaths, as it could have served as a hint towards his mood — whether or not he was angry or truly as calm as he seemed — and his breathing pattern was ordinary. Normal.

You darted your eyes over in his direction when he shifted slightly in the driver’s seat. One hand gripped the top of his steering wheel.

It occurred to you that it was quite rare for Connie to drive. Perhaps, too many of his minions were busy cleaning up after him — literally and figuratively — to also act as his driver today. They were undoubtedly taking advantage of the broken justice system to push it in Connie’s favor, as well as forcing the janitors to clean up all of the blood.

Or, maybe, he was driving himself because had a punishment in mind for you that would be entirely too cruel for even the Silent Men to witness.

No.

You couldn’t think that way.

But, at the same time, if you didn’t think about your own well-being, then your mind drifted back to that man getting shot.

What if you were next?

—

When you arrived at Connie’s house and he parked his car inside of his massive garage, you didn’t move an inch.

“Come on, it’s okay,” he said calmly.

Getting out of the driver’s seat, he waited patiently for you to follow.

And you did.

It was better than the alternative that you had imagined, which was him pulling you out forcefully.

He led you from the garage — which looked more like an indoor car dealership — and into an elevator just past an enormous rec room.

You caught a glimpse of the neon blinking lights that belonged to several different arcade games as you walked by, as the door was wide open due to one of his maids wiping off a pinball machine.

“I can get you a house with an elevator if you want,” he said casually, stepping into the elevator as he turned around, and pressed the button for the second floor. “Not a big deal.”

You didn’t respond, and he didn’t pressure you to.

It was odd. His kindness. It almost made you miss his attitude; his dangerous aura.

At least that was familiar.

He stepped out of the elevator first and started walking. Like a lost puppy, you followed him.

Connie’s living room was heavily influenced by New Money culture. Everything was white, black, gold, or red, and incredibly modernized.

As he collapsed on the couch, a man rushed over to hand him a glass of iced lemonade with a slice of lemon garnishing the top.

“Welcome home, sir,” he greeted.

Surprisingly, he handed you a glass of lemonade as well, as he always prepared extra just in case his boss brought a guest over.

You didn’t dare take a sip.

Instead, you simply stood there, holding the glass as you watched Connie relax on the couch.

“You can do whatever you want, I don’t care.” Connie took a sip of his drink. “Oh, shit. You’re probably hungry. Are you hungry?”

Hesitantly, you nodded, and you hated the way it made you feel — like a pet or a child.

“Hey,” Connie snapped his finger twice, and the butler — or maid, assistant, or chef, you couldn’t tell — rushed over. “Tell the chef to make her a pizza.”

“Of course, sir.”

The man scampered off, and then Connie looked at you.

“You like pizza? Everyone likes pizza.”

Once again, you nodded.

“Okay, well,” Connie darted his eyes away from you awkwardly. “Go do whatever you want. It’ll be ready soon.”

Then, Connie turned on his television.

You didn’t want to aggravate him by standing there, so you walked away.

His home was bigger than Eren’s and infinitely bigger than yours. Even as you wandered the marvelous halls of his home, revisited the recreational rooms that you saw while walking into his home — indoor pool, arcade room, and so on — you couldn’t simply do whatever you wanted, despite Connie’s orders.

Because that would mean leaving, and you knew better.

—

You didn’t see Connie again until the pizza was ready. You were both seated at his dining table, two personal pizzas placed in front of you, and Connie dived in as if you were simply an ordinary guest.

But you decided to eat as well, slowly and cautiously, of course.

As you and Connie ate lunch in silence, you couldn’t help but notice that he wouldn’t stop shaking his leg.

And, after lunch, he told you once again to do whatever you wanted.

—

Five days had passed, and nothing had changed.

You weren’t trapped in one room, nor mistreated. You slept in the guest room with the door open and unlocked. You would tell his chef all of the meals you wanted throughout the day, walk around Connie’s home until you built up the courage to touch his belongings — although playing air hockey by yourself was a bit of a bummer — and Connie didn’t bother you.

It was kind of nice.

Even so, you and Connie didn’t speak to each other.

It only made your curiosity grow.

What exactly was he up to?

With all the time you had to look around, you noticed that several framed photographs throughout Connie’s home were pictures of him, Eren, and Jean throughout the years. Some pictures were older than others, and in those particular framed photos, a freckled boy was with them. In fact, he was in all of the photos from Connie’s childhood.

After spending some time in the indoor pool, and having a hot shower afterward, you walked down the hallway and started to approach Connie’s home office.

There, sitting at his desk, you spotted Connie.

For a while, he didn’t see you, and you simply watched him. He was typing away at his computer, shaking his leg as he sat in his black office chair.

Then, his eyes suddenly darted in your direction.

“Come here,” he said. You hesitantly stepped into his office. “What the hell are you doing?”

“Nothing.”

“Don’t lie to me,” he sighed.

“I just . . . wanted to see what you were doing.”

“Just ask me next time. Don’t act like a damn stalker.”

“Guess you’d know a thing or two about stalkers,” you thought.

After all, you concluded that he was the person who was behind every instance of stalking that you had been through lately, from phone calls to the break-in.

“Sorry,” you mumbled. “Can I ask you a question?”

Connie simply looked at you.

“I’ve had some time to look around, and you have pictures from when you, Eren, and Jean were kids. You all looked so young and happy.” You paused. “Who’s the guy with the freckles?”

Connie’s facial expression changed. It was a look in between sadness and anger. He knew exactly what you wanted to know.

You wanted to know if there was some sort of connection between his current personality and the guy who suddenly vanished from the pictures. You were a smart woman, one who noticed that once he disappeared, so did the happy, goofy smiles.

“Marco.”

“Marco . . . oh.” You looked down at your feet. That name was uncomfortably familiar.

“Eren told you about him?” Connie asked.

“Mhm. He told me that you, him, and Jean had a friend who passed away. Didn’t really say anything else about it.”

“Passed away, huh?” Connie laughed sadly. “Like it was something that happened naturally?”

“What do you mean?” You looked back up at him, frowning in confusion.

“I killed him.”

Your eyes widened, and Connie casually rolled his eyes.

“Calm down, it wasn’t like that. It was an accident.”

“Sure,” you mumbled sarcastically. He did shoot a man recently, after all.

“It was.” Connie scratched his face. “Still went to jail. though. They sent me to an adult prison for four years.”

“When you were just a kid?”

Connie looked away from you as you spoke. It was difficult to make eye contact with you right now when the traumatic memories were pouring in, and he couldn’t stop it. It bothered him significantly more than he would let on.

“The shitty officers didn’t bother to keep me separated from them, either,” he muttered, and you could barely hear it. “It was fucking horrible.”

“I’m sorry.”

“What are you sorry for?” Connie looked back at you.

“I’m sorry that you had to go through that.”

“Don’t be.” His face was expressionless. “Not everyone behind bars is a goddamn monster. I met some people who taught me everything I needed to know about this shitty city. They’re the reason I am who I am. My money, my company, my power . . . owe it all to them.”

“Did they teach you how to be a horrible human being as well?”

As soon as those words left your mouth, and fell from between your lips regrettably, you tried to stammer out an apology.

“Who the hell do you think you’re talking to? Are you trying to piss me off again? Want a repeat of what happened last time?”

“No. I’m sorry. I speak before thinking sometimes and I . . . I didn’t mean it like that-”

“How the fuck else could you mean it?” Connie pushed himself away from his desk, but he didn’t get up from his chair. Not yet, at least.

Even as he raised his voice, that familiar face of anger never appeared.

And, because of that, you continued to risk speaking. You wanted to push him on purpose, attempt to figure out what was the purpose behind his odd acts of limited kindness.

“Those people taught you how to take advantage of the system that treated you like crap, I get it, but to turn your back on the people who have been there for you doesn’t make sense. Who taught you that treating your friends like shit was okay? Was it them as well?”

“I don’t treat them like shit. They’re richer than other artists who are all signed to fucked up record labels. The only time I have to treat them like shit is when they deserve it. When they act like fools as if they’re not representing me.”

“You honestly believe that you’re doing the right thing?” You raised an eyebrow.

“Really? You’re working on your eighty-seventh marriage and you wanna lecture me about being a good person? You cheat and get remarried every season, so shut the hell up.”

“Cheating isn’t good, I know that, but it’s not nearly as bad as the shit that you do.”

“See what happens when I let you have too much fucking freedom? You start to run your mouth like you forgot who you’re talking to.”

You frowned, but even so, you still proceeded to speak your mind. After all, he locked you away in your bedroom for speaking to him in a tone similar to how you spoke now, but at this moment, he still didn’t seem angry.

Truly angry.

“You can say whatever you want, but I can tell you’re not really angry with me. You would have tossed me back in a room if you were.” Despite your brave words, your hands were trembling as you tried to hide them behind your back. But Connie still didn’t move, and your curiosity only grew. “Why haven’t you?”

Connie’s eyes flickered away for just a moment, but not out of shyness or shame. It was because he was thinking.

“You’re right. I’m not really pissed with you. I also don’t understand you either.” Connie paused. “I wanna ask you something.”

“Okay . . .”

“You jump from guy to guy, I get that, it’s nothing new around here, but who the hell do you actually wanna be with?”

“Why do you care?”

It was obvious he was dodging your accusation about him not being angry with you, but you didn’t push any further.

“Because those dumbasses care about you enough to send someone to come get you away from me, and you’re a fucking cheater. And two of the men you messed around with I consider to be my best friends, despite everything,” Connie said.

“I think you’re just being nosey,” you teased with a humorous tone — one that he did not appreciate. “Fine. If you must know, it’s not as simple as loving one person. Everyone that I’ve been with has been wonderful and awful in their own way . . . or their presence has just been convenient to me at the time, I guess.”

“And yet, Reiner and Eren think I’m the asshole for making those divorces happen. I’m doing them a favor,” Connie smirked.

“Why do you care?” You asked once again. Now, you were the one who started to feel angry. “And don’t give me that same excuse from earlier. If you cared about Eren or Jean at all, you wouldn’t treat them like shit. You should know that at this point, they don’t give a damn about money anymore. They just wanna get away from you.”

“You talk too much.”

“Well, after you shot that man, I realized something.” You sat down in one of the chairs in front of Connie’s desk and looked into his eyes. “I realized that you wouldn’t hurt me like that. Ever. All because you need me more than I need you. That’s why you haven’t done a damn thing to me except keep me locked away and try to control me. How much longer do you think that’ll work, by the way? How much longer until fans start noticing that something’s wrong, or one of your friends decide to risk it all and speak out against you?”

Certainly, this would anger him. But it didn’t. Instead, Connie laughed once again. He could easily see why someone like you possessed the ability to have any man you wanted.

“You’re right. I won’t hurt you. Can’t keep you under my control much longer, either.” He glared at you as he spoke. “But I’m the only person you have in your life that isn’t after some sort of shitty ass romance. I’m the only person who cares about your career. You could easily have a home just as nice as mine. Everything I’m doing . . . all of my punishments . . . is to teach you the skills you need to turn your fifteen minutes of fame into a lifelong career in Hollywood. We’ll see who really has your back when you tell your lovers that the only person you really love is yourself. That they were all only convenient to you.”

You didn’t say another word.

Suddenly, Connie started to get out of his chair, and walk out of his office.

You reached out, grabbing his arm. It was as if loneliness had possessed you.

“Wait, Connie,” you said pathetically. “Don’t leave yet.”

Connie smirked and turned back around.

That was when you realized why he wasn’t angry with you — why he didn’t lock you away.

He was lonely too.

—

When Mikasa first received the desperate phone call from Reiner, she was at the gym.

The dark-haired woman slammed her gloved fists into a punching bag as if it were her biggest enemy. Sweat soaked her black sports bra. Her black headphones weren’t blaring her typical favorite songs in her ears, but instead, intense heavy metal and rock songs that weren’t exactly her cup of tea — until now. She was pissed off, and she needed to listen to singers scream out their lungs in ways that she couldn’t.

The next song that suddenly played proved that she should have followed Annie’s advice when the woman told her to organize her songs into separate playlists, as the new song wasn’t loud and angry. Instead, a beautiful voice came through. It was a song that Mikasa had heard everywhere.

In grocery stores.

In restaurants.

Even the gym had played it a couple of times.

It was one of your songs.

She saved all of your music, but even so, hearing your voice caught her off guard. She instantly dropped her fists, attempting to catch her breath.

Mikasa pulled her phone out of her black shorts, hovering her finger over the skip button — knowing that she was listening to music you were being forced to record was too painful — but then, she decided to open her Spotify and queue up a few more of your songs instead.

It was the only opportunity she had to hear your voice.

With an angry frown, she slammed her fists into her punching bag with double the amount of strength as before.

Connie’s face appeared in her scattered mind. For a moment, she pretended that she was striking him, her blows connecting with his jaw instead of the bag.

Then, she thought about everything and everyone. She was pissed off because she didn’t know how to help you.

She was pissed off because she was the one who led you down the path of fame in the first place.

She was pissed off with Eren and Levi for both being lucky enough to have you in some sort of way, which was all she wanted.

And she was pissed off about that too — falling for a heartbreaker.

Suddenly, her phone started to ring.

When she stopped punching the heavy bag and grabbed it, glancing down at the caller ID, her heart fluttered when Reiner’s name appeared across her screen.

“Maybe he’s calling to deliver good news,” she thought.

After all, she had heard that Levi was attempting to free you from CS Records.

“Hello?” She mumbled anxiously.

“Hey, Mikasa. Are you busy?” Reiner said through the phone.

“Not really,” she eyed her gloved fists, “I’m just at the gym. What’s wrong?”

“I was hoping we could talk. Can we meet somewhere in about, uh . . . fifteen minutes?”

“Sure,” Mikasa said. “Just text me where.”

“Okay, see you soon. Bye.”

After hanging up, Mikasa started to gather her belongings when her phone dinged from an incoming text message. Reiner had sent her the directions to a local cafe.

Slowly, she started to head towards the women’s locker room to get cleaned up. And, with every step she took, she fought to hold back tears.

If Reiner had good news to deliver, he would have done so over the phone. And she could hear the utter defeat in his voice.

Whatever he had to say was certainly not good news.

—

A little bell above the entrance of a little cafe — appropriately named Hut’s Heavenly Cafe & Coffee Shop — dinged gently when Mikasa stepped through the door.

She mumbled a quick greeting to the owner before locating Reiner sitting across the little restaurant.

It was a rather expensive shop, and because of that, other celebrities and millionaires frequently visited whenever they wanted to meet with someone or grew sick of having coffee in the comfort of their enormous mansions.

Either way, it wasn’t uncommon to find a famous actor like Reiner here, and he could enjoy himself without having to worry about being mobbed by fans.

Hurriedly, Mikasa made her way over to his table and sat down, her eyes wide as she eagerly waited for him to speak.

Glancing down, she saw that he had already ordered her a piping hot mug of black coffee.

“Levi’s plan fell through,” Reiner mumbled defeatedly, taking a sip of his cappuccino. “Connie shot the man who was supposed to get Y/N. He’s still alive, but . . . I don’t know where to go from here. I didn’t trust that group entirely to begin with, and now, they’ve just made things worse. I need your help.”

“There’s nothing we can do,” Mikasa stared down at her warm drink.

“Please, Mikasa,” Reiner said with an unusually gruff voice, his words coated with exhaustion and desperation. “You gotta help me. We can’t give up that easily.”

“I’ve tried to help, Reiner. Do you think I’m relaxing at home, not doing anything at all?” Mikasa raised her head. “At the end of the day, if we aren’t careful, we could end up like Erwin, or worse.”

Reiner was startled; only just a bit. He couldn’t recall if he had ever seen Mikasa get so emotional before, but he cleared his throat, trying his hardest to keep his composure.

“I don’t care about my own life — just hers,” he said.

“That’s admirable, but if you die trying to free her, then what’s the point?”

“I hear you,” Reiner sighed. “He’ll just get her back, and it will have all been for nothing.”

Soft chatter from the few other customers in the shop — along with the gentle beeps from industrial coffee makers behind the front counter — filled the silence until Mikasa spoke up again.

“Do you forgive her for cheating on you? Genuinely?” Mikasa took a sip of her black coffee.

She had known Reiner long before you stepped into the picture; had asked him similar questions before regarding his last two relationships long ago.

“Yeah, I do. Call me a fool if you want, but I know who I married,” Reiner said confidently, which was something he didn’t do long ago.

“I see.” Mikasa was silent once again, but suddenly, she spoke up, another question popping up in her mind. “Reiner?”

“Hm?”

“Why’d you ask me to help you?”

“You’re the only person I know who cares about her and also hasn’t screwed her over in one way or another.” Reiner darted his eyes down to his spoon, picking it up as he stirred around his cappuccino. “Plus, you love her too, don’t you?”

Mikasa’s eyes widened.

“Wh-what? I . . .”

“It’s okay,” Reiner smiled softly. “You don’t have to deny it. Nothing to be embarrassed about, either. There’s just something about her that makes it easy for people to fall in love. I don’t get it.”

It was weird. How okay he was when it came to Mikasa being in love with his ex-wife.

It made Mikasa frown, as she knew that he was only this accepting of her feelings because he figured that she didn’t stand a chance.

That she wasn’t a threat.

He knew well that you didn’t want her.

Mikasa swallowed down the lump of sadness that started to form in her throat, and she said, “She was different before Hollywood ruined her completely. She wasn’t a mindless, soulless machine belonging to the entertainment industry at first. Having someone like her around in this town was like a breath of fresh air.”

“Yeah, well I-”

Suddenly, Reiner’s phone started to ring. He pulled it out of his pocket. When he glanced down at the caller ID, his eyes widened for a second, but he put on his best Actor Face, hiding his emotions as he casually said, “Excuse me, I gotta take this,” before getting up from his seat and rushing outside.

—

“Hello?” Reiner said into the phone.

“Hi, Reiner.” Your sweet-sounding voice came through — it was as if an angel from heaven was speaking to him directly. The sound of your voice snapped his heart into pieces, but he couldn’t break down like he wanted to. He needed to figure out what was going on.

“Y/N? Are you alright? What’s going on?” He rushed out, frowning as he felt his heart pound rapidly against his chest.

“I’m okay, I promise.”

Releasing a shaky breath, Reiner sighed with relief.

“It’s good to hear your voice. I’ve missed you.” Reiner didn’t know for certain, but he felt as if he was pressed for time. While he wanted to tell you just how much he loved you, he needed to get some answers first. His head started to spin from utter confusion.

“Are you safe? No one’s hurt you, have they? Where’s Connie?”

“Reiner,” you said softly. “Can you meet me outside of CS Records tonight around ten?”

“Sure, I-”

“Okay, great. See you soon.”

His phone beeped three times as the call suddenly ended.

For a second, he stood there in shock.

It was you. It was really you.

But you didn’t sound . . .

You didn’t seem . . .

Reiner snapped himself out of his consuming thoughts and headed back inside the cafe.

Struggling to contain his emotions, Reiner’s heart was pounding wildly as he rushed out to Mikasa, “It was her. It was Y/N.”

“What?” The dark-haired woman said, louder than she should have, perhaps, as a few customers started to glare.

“She asked me to meet her at CS Records tonight. She sounded . . . I don’t know. It was weird.”

“I’m coming too.”

“Levi wouldn’t like that. I have a bad feeling-”

“You can’t stop me.” Mikasa stared into Reiner’s eyes as he sat down in his seat. “Are you going to tell everyone else?”

“Should I?”

“Why wouldn’t you?”

“I don’t trust any of them except for Levi. I think it’s safer for me to keep quiet about this.”

“Why do you trust Levi? I don’t understand. He slept with your wife.” Mikasa frowned a bit.

“He also owned up to it and didn’t try to make any excuses. And everyone else seems like they’re only helping because they hope they can get another chance with her. He’s the only person who’s trying to free her because it’s the right thing to do.” Reiner’s eyes darted down to his cooled mug of cappuccino. “I can’t even sit here and act like I’m any better. I will always prioritize her safety over our relationship, but if she doesn’t want to be with me, I don’t know what I’ll do. I want her badly enough to overlook the cheating; isn’t that crazy?”

“Just be honest with yourself.” Mikasa blinked. “You don’t want to tell the others because you don’t want them to interfere. It’s not because you don’t trust them. It’s because you want her to yourself, and you’ll play dirty to accomplish that.”

“Well, let me ask you this, Mikasa,” Reiner started to frown. “Why won’t you fight for her? I mean, what’s holding you back from trying to earn her affection?”

“I’m not an idiot like the rest of you. I’m not going to chase someone who will just break my heart whenever someone new comes along. Not to mention she doesn’t feel the same way about me. I’m not joining in on that idiotic competition.”

“What if she did want you? What if there was the slightest chance that she could be yours? Would you join the . . . idiotic competition then?”

“I don’t know. Doesn’t change the fact that she’s a heartbreaker.”

“True,” Reiner smiled sadly. “We’re all stupid for falling for her.”

“But no one is willing to move on,” Mikasa said. “Just . . . How far are you willing to go for her? And I don’t mean being brave enough to risk pissing off Connie, but what about the other guys?”

“I don’t understand what you’re asking me.”

Mikasa sighed before speaking again.

“If it came down to it, would you sabotage Eren or Armin or any of them to better your chances of being the person she picks? Or would you respect her decision?”

“There won’t be any need to do any of that.” Once again, Reiner spoke confidently. “Our relationship was perfect at first, and it’ll be perfect again. I’m the one she’ll end up with. I know it.”

Mikasa didn’t say another word.

And, together, the two of them waited for ten o’clock to roll around.

—

Reiner and Mikasa arrived at one of the front public entrances of CS Records at 9:45 P.M., their entire car ride filled with silence as they were both too anxious to speak.

They didn’t know where to go exactly, seeing as CS Records had many entrances and they weren’t familiar with the building, but once they saw several figures standing outside of one of the many front doors, they figured that they were in the right place.

Reiner parked his car — horrifically, but he was impatient and filled with panic — and he and Mikasa quickly jumped out of the vehicle.

As they got closer, it became obnoxiously obvious who the shadowy figures belonged to.

“Did you tell them?” Reiner whispered to Mikasa.

“No,” She said.

Reiner and Mikasa walked up the stairs.

“You guys received a phone call too?” Armin questioned, his big blue eyes darting between Reiner and Mikasa.

“Yeah,” Reiner responded dryly.

“Good to see all of you.” As he lied, he looked at everyone who stood there, waiting for you.

Armin, Eren, Jean, and Levi.

“You weren’t stupid enough to show up without a gun, were you?” Eren asked.

“I have one,” Mikasa suddenly answered for Reiner, as she knew the big softie didn’t have any sort of weapon.

That’s when it hit him that this could very well be some sort of setup.

“Why are you here, Mikasa? It isn’t safe and this doesn’t concern you.” Levi stepped forward, glaring at his cousin, then at Reiner. He was already furious that he couldn’t drag her out of L.A. with Erwin. “Why’d you bring her?”

“She insisted,” Reiner said.

“I’m not a child, Levi. I can take care of myself. I didn’t receive a phone call, but Y/N’s my . . . my friend. So I’m staying here.”

Just as Mikasa finished speaking, a black vehicle arrived, one that was speeding down the sweet L.A. roads much too quickly.

It was Connie.

He got out of the car, but that usual death glare wasn’t present on his face. Then, he went to the passenger side and opened your door as if he was some sort of gentleman.

When you stepped out of the car, the group who stood there, waiting for you, all held their breaths.

God, they missed you.

You started to approach them, but Connie didn’t. Instead, he closed the passenger door, and got back in the car, but didn’t drive off.

No one said anything as you approached them.

They didn’t know what to say.

What exactly was going on?

Each of them scanned your figure. You looked fine. Healthy. You had a soft smile, one that silently said “I’m happy to see you all,” but your eyes were blank.

Suddenly, you wrapped your arms around Armin, hugging him tightly.

Even he was shocked. He hesitated before he hugged you back.

It was a tight hug, a comforting one; and he didn’t understand it. You hugged him as if you cared about him.

Did you?

When you released him, you looked deeply into the eyes of your childhood friend, and you touched his blonde hair, then stroked his soft cheek, smiling wholeheartedly as you did so.

He couldn’t speak, even if he knew what to say.

But you moved on to Eren — who stood beside him with a confused frown — all too soon.

Once you wrapped your arms around Eren’s neck, he instantly softened.

Unlike Armin, he didn’t waste a second before hugging you back as tightly as he could. He wanted to memorize everything about you. Your scent, the way your body felt against his — everything. And you tried to memorize everything about him as well.

Then, you hugged Reiner. He rubbed your back gently as you did so. He was confident that, unlike Armin and Eren, he would be able to speak, but once you touched him, his throat dried to a crisp.

You ran your hand across his muscular arm once you released him, and turned your attention to Levi. When you hugged Levi, he hesitated as well, only because he was trying to figure out what it meant. But, he held you gently, and as he did so, he could tell that you were trying to cherish this hug — trying to cherish him.

Truthfully, Jean was pleasantly surprised when you hugged him as well. He thought that, perhaps, it was simply out of kindness, that you didn’t want to leave him out, but when you suddenly squeezed him just a bit more tightly right before letting go, he knew that you truly wanted to hold him.

Mikasa received a hug that was just as loving, and she wanted to cry when she felt your kind touch. And she certainly never wanted to let go. You even touched her black hair softly as you pulled away.

Slowly, you walked back towards the middle.

“It’s nice to see all of you,” you said softly. “I’ve missed you guys.”

“What’s going on? What is this about?” Armin bravely asked the questions that the entire group was thinking.

“Well,” you looked down at your shoes. “I just wanted to tell all of you to leave me alone.”

“What?” Eren shouted.

“What are you talking about?” Levi added on.

“Just listen,” with a sigh, you looked back up at them, and spoke as if you weren’t shattering their hearts and flipping their minds. “I don’t need saving. I don’t need rescuing. Thank you for trying to help, but I’m fine. I’m staying with Connie voluntarily now-”

“You can trust us, we won’t let him hurt you,” Reiner spoke softly as if he was trying to gain the trust of a wounded animal.

“I’m being honest, Reiner. Connie would never hurt me.” You turned around, pointing at the car. “See how Connie’s the one driving? It’s just me and him. No Silent Men. He’s giving me a choice right now, and I can easily leave with one of you and not get back into that car. But I’m choosing Connie.”

“Are you fucking crazy?” Eren shouted once again.

“Y/N — what the hell are you thinking? Why would you pick Connie?” Mikasa stepped forward, frowning as she did so.

“Because Connie cares about me and my career. He doesn’t just want me around for love.” Your smile faded. “I’m staying with him because he cares about something other than romance. I don’t expect any of you to understand.”

“You’re gonna stay with him?” Jean asked angrily, yet softly. “The guy who kept you locked away? Him?”

“That’s the way it is.” You looked at them — no, through them — as you spoke. “So, please, leave me alone now, and move on from me.”

You turned around, and you started to walk away.

Most of the group was too puzzled to shout out or grab ahold of you.

The other half was hoping that this was some sort of prank.

But you never turned back around. Instead, you got in the car, and you and Connie drove away.

They lost you. Again.

—

Several minutes passed before anyone found the desire to speak.

“She made her choice,” Armin said, breaking the silence. “She picked . . . Connie.”

“There’s no way. There’s no fucking way.” Eren slowly started to walk back and forth. “Why are we just standing here? Why are we letting her walk away and go back to that piece of shit? We should get in our cars and follow them.”

“She’s not endangered anymore. If she picked him, we have to respect her decision-”

“Fuck that,” Jean interrupted Armin, putting his hands in his pockets as he frowned. “Did you really fall for that shit? Connie must’ve made her do this. Don’t tell me any of you would put it past him.”

“You guys don’t know her like I do. I really think she meant it. I think we should just . . . go home. It’s over.” Armin said sadly.

“And how exactly do you know that?” Levi asked, equally as pissed off as everyone else.

“She had that look in her eyes. It was the same look she gave me when she told me she was leaving me. That look means she’s serious.” Armin paused. “She could be suffering from Stockholm-”

“I don’t care if she wants to be with Connie or not. I’m not giving up,” Reiner interrupted.

“You’re not going to respect her decision? Assuming it is hers?” Mikasa looked up at Reiner. Her question was not truly about whether or not you wanted to be with Connie, but if Reiner would have intervened if you picked someone else from the group.

“No. For me, it didn’t matter who she picked. I didn’t plan on backing down, and I won’t. If the rest of you are so eager to give up already, then you don’t deserve her in the first place.”

A moment of silence passed. Just like that, Mikasa had an answer to the question she asked him at the cafe — a real answer.

“What the hell happened to you, Reiner?” Levi spoke up, his back facing the man he was talking to. “You’re letting your true colors show now, aren’t you? None of us should be worried about her relationship status right now. We should be worried about her going home with someone who held her hostage and shot a man.”

“Think she’s any safer with you?” Jean suddenly started to speak. “You beat the shit out of me for writing a song. You also break the law to get what you want whenever it suits you. You’re hardly any better.”

“Cut it out, Jean,” Mikasa said. She tried.

“As if you have room to talk,” Levi responded to Jean bitterly. “You can’t blame Connie for every shitty thing you did. Y/N wouldn’t wanna be with a piece of shit like you.” Suddenly, Levi started to raise his voice. He started to lose his composure — something that was scarcely possible. “Why the fuck are you even here? Do you really think you have a shot?”

“You only got your shot because she was drunk and emotional. She doesn’t even look your way when she’s thinking straight.”

Levi started to make his way towards Jean. Both Mikasa and Reiner held their arms out, holding back the angry man.

“Woah, hey, everyone calm down,” Reiner said.

“Listen, why don’t we all just go home-”

“If you wanna give up on her, Armin, that’s fine, but stop trying to convince the rest of us to do the same,” Eren said, but not as angrily as he would have if he was talking to someone who wasn’t Armin.

“I just want her to be happy,” Armin frowned.

“Dude, respectfully, shut up.”

“Don’t talk to him like that,” Eren glared at Jean.

“We shouldn’t argue with each other. Connie’s the problem, and we all know it. What are we gonna do about him?” Mikasa darted her eyes between everyone standing around, and no one spoke up for a moment until Eren interrupted the silence.

“I’m gonna kill him.”

“Eren, no-”

“Why not?” Eren said to Armin.

“Because you’ll go to prison. And murder is wrong.”

“If we don’t do something, none of us will be free from his torment,” Levi suddenly concluded.

“Levi, don’t tell me you agree with killing the man,” Mikasa looked at her cousin, who didn’t respond immediately. “Levi?”

“If you even hurt him, let alone kill him, Connie won’t need to use his influence to ruin your lives. You’ll do it yourselves,” Mikasa raised her voice.

Killing wasn’t the answer. It was insane.

“So we should just let him control and threaten us until we die or something?” Eren looked over at the woman. “He shot someone, he held people hostage, he gets people beaten up, he tried to hurt my goddamn mom. We can’t send him to jail, we all know that won’t fucking work, so what else should we do? I’d love to know.”

“Don’t you realize what’s happening?” Jean paused. “Y/N bringing all of us here to tell us to back off was our last warning. If we leave her alone, then maybe . . . maybe Connie will leave us alone.”

“What? You’re giving up now too?” Eren frowned at Jean, who was lost in thought for a moment.

“Did you all mean what you said in Armin’s apartment? That you’d fight for her even if it meant losing everything, or worse? Because this is our chance to save our careers and protect the people we care about . . . if we just let her go.”

“Okay,” Eren rolled his eyes once Jean concluded his speech. “Sounds like you’re giving up, so . . . bye.”

“Eren, don’t be stupid. She doesn’t want you, and now is your chance to go back to being an artist with millions of fans, a big ass mansion, and fucking any woman you want,” Jean retorted.

“I don’t want that anymore. How many times do I gotta say that?”

“Then what about your mom? I care about her too, you know. Think he won’t try to go after her again?” Jean took a few steps closer to Eren. “You should back out considering you’re the reason we’re in this mess. You won’t shut the fuck up and do what you’re told. Connie only got his hands on Y/N because she was being punished for trying to cover your ass.”

“So, you want me to bow down to a man who was only pissed at me in the first place because I beat your ass in public for sticking your filthy fucking hand down my wife’s pants?” Eren took a few steps closer to Jean. He reached into his hair, tightening his loose, low man bun. “Want me to do it again? Is that it?”

“I’m so tired of you acting like a bitch when things don’t go your way,” Jean clenched his fist.

“You have a lot of nerve calling me a bitch when you’re throwing a fit because I don’t enjoy having Connie’s dick in my mouth like you do-”

Suddenly, Jean’s fist connected with Eren’s cheek. The impact of his knuckles smashing into his bandmate’s face was strong enough to almost knock Eren off of his feet, and he stumbled back before finding his footing again.

“I’m sick of you, I’m so goddamn sick of you! You act like such a damn child when you don’t get your way. You’re fucking blessed with everything you could ever want except for one fucking girl, and it still isn’t enough-”

Jean was interrupted by Eren swinging at him with a punch of his own. By then, Reiner wrapped his arms around Eren’s — who tried to punch Jean once again — and he held him back, while Levi restrained Jean.

“That same girl could have been yours if you didn’t do everything Connie forced you to do, and now she hates you because you were too much of a pussy to say no to Connie. See how he couldn’t force me to make a song about her? That’s called having balls.”

“Eren, calm down,” Reiner gritted his teeth. He was a bigger man than Eren — both taller and buffer — but he had to use all his strength to hold the other man back.

“We’ll see if you’ll say the same thing when something bad happens to your mom because you keep messing with him,” Jean shouted, “because I remember you almost started kissing Connie’s boots when he was fed up with your ass and was about to head to your house.”

“Stop it,” Levi adjusted his grip around Jean. “This isn’t getting us anywhere.”

Eren managed to pull himself away from Reiner. However, he didn’t launch at Jean as everyone expected. Instead, he pressed his thumb against his bleeding lip.

“Connie’s not gonna do a damn thing to my family, and he’s not gonna have Y/N either. She belongs to me-”

“Slow down,” Reiner frowned as Eren turned to face him. “She isn’t yours. What you had was just a result of manipulation and confusion. What she and I had was real.”

“Is that why she cheated on you too?” Eren glared at Reiner with eyes that were as dark as the night sky above them.

“She cheated on me because she was drunk and having a bad night. She cheated on you because you made her feel lonely and unwanted because of what Jean was doing.”

Levi wanted to interrupt. But, was Reiner right? Would the relationship between the two of you amount to nothing except drunk sex on his couch?

Armin simply stared at the ground. He felt silly for even hoping that he could win you back. But you hugged him first, and longer than you hugged anyone else. Why? What for?

Did you miss him? Any of them? Or were you truly falling for Connie Springer?

Suddenly, Mikasa started to walk away.

“Woah, where the hell are you going?” Jean called.

“At this hour, I’m assuming Connie only has about two of his Silent Men at his house, if any. If things get ugly, well, I have a gun too-”

“Wait,” Levi reached out, grabbing Mikasa’s arm before she could descend the steps. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m going to his house. I’m going to see if she really wants to stay with Connie, or if she needs help. I’m tired of this. I don’t care who she wants to date, I only care about her safety, and I’m not convinced that any of you idiots can say that. Any of you.”

“I’m coming with you,” Levi said. “You know I care about her safety too, and yours. This could get ugly. Connie shot Erwin. He won’t hesitate to shoot me or you.”

“I’m coming too,” Eren approached Mikasa and Levi.

“We should all go,” Folding his arms across his chest, Reiner looked at Jean and Armin. “Are you two in? If we all go, especially if most of us have guns, Connie won’t be able to stop us. We were idiots for letting her walk away in the first place, but we’ll get her back.”

Jean and Armin nodded in agreement.

As the group headed for their cars, each of them couldn’t help but wonder if they would truly get you back, and which one of them you truly loved.

As they headed towards Connie’s home in their individual cars, the group also wondered if anyone would lose their life tonight.

But, as Levi eyed the glove compartment where he kept his gun, he only thought about one thing: the words you discreetly whispered in his ear when you hugged him . . .

“I’m pregnant.”

— ♡ 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠!

— 🎟: @consuming-karma @lilvampirina @okaystopwhore @chrollohearttags @nanamochii @bunny2612 @cupids-soul @crazychaoticizzy @ramonathinks @averysmolbear @seishirogf @6sakusa @levin4nami @chaotic-on-main @sad-darksoul @gwapbby @katestrophes @ventdavi154 @lovelyless-fiction @svftackerman @musegonemad @moonmalice @inciteterr0r @honeybleed @zeninsbitch @purple-milk24 @itzgabz22 @mooomuu @micafecitoconpan @beaniebanby @anonymousme23 @theitchbbbb @skit-brentfaiyaz @princessos-blog @elliesbabygirl @the-mrs-steve-harrington @kittenbabe00 @magictrump @hetalia-tumbler @hon3y-c0mb @bol0-de-morang0 @thisisketchy @yoongirecs @allofffmypeaches @sasha-glass @getwaves @deluluvibes @p3nislawd @emery-333

[kmomof4]

This fic is so INCREDIBLE!!! And this is me waiting for the next ch…

Taking That Second Chance, Chapter 7 - A Captain Swan, Once Upon A Time Fanfic

Start here on FF.net and here on A03.

Chapter 7 is here and here.

Note: I know that in canon, Regina tried to train Emma in magic the same way she was taught, so using anger and negative emotions to use magic, but I'm going with the idea that perhaps at that time, Regina didn't fully understand Emma was truly a Light Witch, so after Regina figured it out, she trained Emma better. The reason I'm mentioning this is because there's an explanation of Light and Dark magic in the chapter and I'm trying to head of the nitpickers in the reviews/comments.

Also, TRIGGER warning for mild mentions of alcoholism and addiction.

Chapter 7

“Choices are the hinges of destiny.” – Pythagoras  

A bright light spilled out of the Wishing Well of Storybrooke as the group from the Enchanted Forest flew out of the portal. 

Snow landed first tucking and rolling as she lost her footing. Laying on her back, she looked up at the bright sky, finding herself in a different set of woods than the ones in the Enchanted Forest. Pushing herself up, she looked around, recognizing the well. 

She was back home. 

As Marian stumbled out, she maneuvered so that she landed on her back with Roland tightly tucked against her chest. Her breath left her as her back hit hard ground, eyes closing and teeth clenching at the pain. 

Roland cried against her, scared and overwhelmed over the realm traveling, not understanding exactly what happened. 

Mulan and Aurora stumbled out next, both tumbling to their knees close to the well. Mulan looked around for any threats. Finding none, she stood and helped Aurora up, glancing over her for any injuries. 

Finally, Anton brought up the rear falling over the edge last and flat onto his back onto the ground. He heaved heavily trying to catch his breath. It took him a moment to get his bearings. 

Snow pushed herself up and looked around wildly. “Where’s Emma?” She hurried over to the well, seeing the portal close. “No, no. Emma!” 

“Hook,” Anton gasped out. “He said they were right behind. Portal was closing.” He pushed himself up, using the wall of the well as an aide. “He was running towards the portal, but he was carrying her. That might’ve slowed him down.” 

“Do you think they missed it?” Aurora asked as she too came towards the well, looking for any inkling that Emma or Hook were coming through. 

Snow stared down into the darkened well, not even able to see the water at the bottom. There was no sign of Emma or Hook. No, no, no. Panic gripped her at the thought of being separated from Emma again. They just found each other; now Emma was stuck in another realm with the most dangerous and notorious pirate in their land. Tears pricked at her eyes. She was a horrible mother. She couldn’t keep her daughter twenty-eight years ago, and she lost her again now. What if they couldn’t find another portal? What if Emma was stuck there for good?

“At least Cora didn’t come over with us.” Mulan stated grimly. “Kicking her away from us as we travelled through realms must’ve worked.”

“What does that mean?” Aurora asked. “Is she still alive?” 

Marian stood, loosening her tight hold on Roland, who calmed down somewhat, but just barely. “Does it matter? She’s not here, which means she can’t terrorize any of us anymore.” That was certainly a relief for all of them. She brushed dirt off of Roland’s cheek. “Are you all right, sweetheart?”

Roland just nodded, clinging to his mother. “Want to go home, Mama.”

Marian swallowed. She hadn’t wanted to go through the portal, and now they were separated from Robin. Again. Her poor husband was probably going out of his mind with worry not knowing where Roland was or if he was even alive. 

“We need to find a portal back.” Snow said. 

“Are there portals here?” Marian asked. She needed a portal back to the Enchanted Forest, back to Robin, but with this being the Land Without Magic, Marian doubted finding a portal would be easy.

“No.” Snow said. “The Dark One is here, so maybe he knows of some way? I can’t leave my daughter in the Enchanted Forest with a man I can’t trust she’s safe with.”

“Even if she’s not safe with Hook, she sure knows how to handle him.” Mulan grumbled. She glanced around the woods before turning to Snow. “This is your world. What do we do now?”

Snow looked down the well one last time with the vain hope she might see Emma. Closing her eyes, Snow took a breath. She’d find a way back to Emma. Even if she had to make a deal with the Dark One. Opening her eyes, Snow turned back to the group. “We head into town, get you all settled, and I reunite with my husband and grandson.” Her grandson who might very well hate her for leaving his mother behind. 

“Let’s go then.” Marian said. “I for one could use some food and a bed.” Then maybe discuss a portal with the Dark One. 

The others agreed and followed Snow through the woods into the town. 

*****************************

He really should’ve waited until the afternoon when school got out. Reuniting with her now would only distract her, but after a long night of thinking over Liam and Henry’s words, Jefferson knew he couldn’t wait any longer to reunite with his daughter. Even though he was sweating from nerves and second guessing himself, Jefferson stood still staring at the bus as it came down the street.

Here we go. 

He watched the bus pull up to the school parking lot. Swallowing, Jefferson walked closer as the fourth graders hopped off the bus. Come on, Hatter, you can do this. 

Jefferson watched each face, searching for the familiar face of his daughter. 

Soon enough, Henry exited the bus with Liam close behind him. His breath caught in his throat as Grace appeared behind the boys. Her smile was wide, laughing at something one of the boys said. 

Jefferson stepped closer. Taking a deep breath, he needed to get to her. It was now or never. 

“Grace!” He called out, hoping she’d recognize his voice. 

Grace froze. 

Liam and Henry paused as they too heard her name, both turning, both looking surprised when they saw him behind Grace, though he was still a good distance away. 

“Grace!” He called out again, his throat tightening the longer it took for her to turn around. She hates me. What am I even doing here? I knew this was a bad idea. Gods, I should’ve left her alone. She’s probably happier without me. 

Finally, she slowly turned around. Tears and disbelief were in her brown eyes when she took in the sight of him. 

Then suddenly she was sprinting towards him. “Papa!” 

Relief filled him as he realized that her tears were joyful ones, so he knelt down just in time to catch her in his arms. 

Her arms locked around his neck as she buried her face in his shoulders, sobbing into him. “Papa, papa, you found me. I can’t believe you found me.” 

Guilt ate at him at her words. She believed he’d been looking for her just as she’d been looking for him. He swallowed again, trying to rid himself of the lump in his throat. Grace deserved the truth. No more cowardice and no more lies. Jefferson squeezed her tightly one last time before releasing her to look at her. He brushed some loose strands of her dark blonde hair behind her ear. Gods, she looked so much like her mother. That only struck his heartache all the more. 

“Grace, I…” He choked on his words for a moment. Once he told her the truth, she might very well hate him then. “I missed you so much.” Emotions overwhelmed him. Guilt, fear, remorse, everything hitting as he looked into her guileless brown eyes. 

“Papa, it’s okay.” Grace smiled. “I missed you too. I’m so glad you found me.”

Jefferson winced. Here came the hard part. He needed to be honest with her. “Grace I love you so so much. You mean absolutely everything to me. I need you to know that.” 

“I know that.” Grace’s brow furrowed, confused as to why he was telling her this.

“Grace, I wasn’t cursed the same way everyone else was.” Jefferson began. “Regina left my memories intact even as she gave me knew memories. Two lives in my head drove me to insanity. I didn’t know what was real somedays.” Jefferson swallowed thickly. “Even with two lives in my head, I had a huge house and wealth, but Regina took you from me. She put you right in front of me but made sure we could never be together. For twenty-eight years, all I could think about was how I failed you all the while watching you live a happy life with two very alive parents. I’m your father and I was supposed to protect you, but I let Regina scare me into one last job.” He paused, letting his words sink in, hoping Grace would understand. 

In the distance, the bell for school rang and Liam and Henry looked between father and daughter and the school building before shrugging. They’d let the teachers know what was going on, so they headed inside, letting Grace have her time with her father. 

“She tricked me, and I left you alone. It was the biggest mistake of my life and I can’t tell you how much I regret it.” He made sure to look into Grace’s eyes as he continued speaking. “When the curse broke, I knew where you were, but I thought you’d hate me for abandoning you and I was a coward. I let my own guilt rule my decisions, and thought staying away from you was for the best.”

Grace’s face fell as he spoke. Did he not want her? Was he saying goodbye for good?

“You were so happy under the curse.” Jefferson swallowed, tears gathering in his eyes. “I thought it was better for you to stay away. I’m still not sure if I should be in your life. My time away from you really did a number on me. I’m not exactly the most stable parental figure at the moment.” He paused again, this time to take a breath, hoping he’d be brave enough to continue. “I do love you. I want you to come home with me, but if that’s not what you want…if you want to stay with your cursed parents then I will be more than happy to let you because you deserve the best life you could possibly have even if I’m not in it.”

There. He got it all out. 

“Papa,” Grace let her tears fall. “You’re so stupid.” She hugged him fiercely. 

Jefferson blinked. Okay, was that an answer? He wasn’t sure but he hugged Grace back. “Does that mean you’re not mad at me?”

“No, Papa.” Grace mumbled into his shoulder. “I can come home after school, right?”

“My home?” Jefferson asked, wanting to be sure. “What about our neighbors…you’re other parents?”

Grace pulled away. “They’ve been helping me look for you. They want to help you out, like they did before the curse, but they want to start their own family.”

“Really?” Jefferson huffed out in disbelief. Grace wasn’t mad, and she wanted to come home. Fuck, he worried himself to death for no reason. Maybe he needed therapy. No, he definitely needed therapy. Not with Archie though. God, did they even have other therapists in Storybrooke? He shook his head a bit. He’d worry about that later. “Yeah, okay, I’ll pick you up here after classes and we’ll go talk to them.”

Grace beamed at him. “Okay.” She hugged him again. “Promise me you’ll be here?”

“I promise.” Jefferson said. “I swear to you I will be here.” He wanted to reenforce the idea to her that he wasn’t going to disappear again. Maybe family therapy wasn’t off the table. 

She nodded and reluctantly went inside, looking over her shoulder multiple times just to make sure he was still there. 

Jefferson sighed. Well, step one, reuniting with Grace was done. Now he needed to learn how to be a proper father again.

Crap. 

*****************************

David entered Granny and Ruby’s private apartment on the ground floor of the Inn, looking for them after Art, the other cook, told him they were delayed from working today. “Ruby, Granny, you here?”

Feet pounded down the stairs and Ruby came into view, her expression one of pure panic. “We can’t find my cloak!” 

Her cloak that protected her from turning into the wolf during the full moon. While she hadn’t needed it in ages, with them being in a new realm with magic, Ruby was terrified about how the wolf would act during the moon. With the curse, they relived the same day over and over, but there wasn’t magic either. What if the wolf was feral now after being dormant for so long? What if she was a danger to everyone? 

The stairs creaked as Granny followed her. “We’ll find it. No need to worry, Red.” Her calm exterior was the reassurance Ruby needed, but inside, she was worried herself since with having magic in Storybrooke they weren’t sure how the wolf would react come the first full moon.

“What if we can’t find it in time?” Ruby asked, fear clear in her tone. “The full moon is just over a week away.” 

“Plenty of time then.” David said, following Granny’s lead to keep Ruby calm. “If we can’t find it, then we’ll figure something out.” He clasped a comforting hand on her shoulder. “I promise.”

Ruby relaxed slightly before stiffening again. Her head tilted in a way David knew meant her hearing picked something up. “Hold on. Is that…?” She raced out of the room, leaving David startled before he and Granny followed her. 

Just as David entered the parlor of the Inn, he saw a group of women, a man, and a small child. 

Ruby was hugging… “Snow!” David exclaimed hurrying over as Ruby and Snow pulled apart. 

Snow didn’t have time to recover from Ruby’s fiercest bear hug before Charming came in sweeping off her feet in a hug, his lips pressing hard against hers. “Charming.” She breathed, smiling against his kiss. 

As David set her down, before he could even speak, he was forcefully pulled away and thrown into a wall.

“Anton!” One of the women exclaimed shocked. 

“You!” A large, unshaven man with long dark brown curly hair pinned David to the wall with hatred in his eyes. “You killed my family! I should kill you too!” His hands gripped David’s throat tightly. 

“Anton, wait.” Snow and Mulan both moved to pull Anton off of David. Marian shielded Roland from the scene by hurrying back out of the Inn, fearful of her toddler becoming even more traumatized than he already was after everything with Cora. 

David struggled to breathe through the vice of Anton’s hands.

“No, I won’t let you protect this monster.” Anton snarled at the women. His hate filled eyes turned back to David. “You took everything from me.” Anton squeezed tighter. “How would your father, King George, feel if I killed you now?”

Snow, Ruby, and Granny all realized the same thing at once. Anton didn’t want revenge on David. He wanted revenge on James. 

If David hadn’t been fighting to breathe, he would’ve realized it too. 

“Anton, Prince James died thirty years ago.” Snow snapped, hoping she’d get through to the giant. “My husband is James’ identical twin brother David.”

Anton didn’t loosen his grip right away, but slowly he lessened the pressure around David’s neck. “What?” 

David was sputtering. 

“David and James were born to shepherds.” Snow said, trying to keep her wits about her as David struggled. “The Dark One took James when they were babies and George raised him while David was raised by their birth parents. David didn’t even know about James until after James died.” Snow cautiously approached Anton, placing a hand on his arm. “David isn’t James. He’s a good man. You need to release him.”

Anton slowly let David go and stepped back. He let David catch his breath before asking, “You really aren’t James?”

David breathe harshly, taking a minute before he found his voice. It was raspy as he spoke. “No. I never met him.” David coughed as his lungs begged for relief. He took another deep breath. “I know he was a bastard just like George. I’m sorry for what he did to you.” He coughed again, his throat bruised.

Granny appeared with a glass of water for David, which he took gratefully. 

“I’m sorry.” Anton whispered. “The last time I saw your face it was helping other humans murder my brothers. They were all I had left. They raised me.”

“Anton, I’m so sorry.” Snow patted his arm comfortingly. “I know it can never make up for what James did to you, but I truly wish things were different. I swear to you, David and James are completely different men.”

Tears formed in Anton’s eyes and he nodded as his throat thickened with emotions. He focused on David again. “I’m sorry I tried to kill you.”

David waved him off. “Honestly, I’m surprised it took this long for James’ reputation to catch up with me.” 

Snow turned to Granny and Ruby. “Anton, Mulan, Marian, and Aurora came over from the Enchanted Forest. They need rooms until we can get them on their feet.” 

“Of course.” Granny nodded. She led Anton and Mulan away towards the front counter. Aurora ducked out to let Marian know that the fight was over. 

Snow hugged David tightly, the adrenaline from watching him almost die still in her system. 

David leaned on her, still struggling to regain his breath. Anton’s grip was tight enough to leave bruises, but he hoped he didn’t have to go to the hospital. That’s when he realized something. “Wait, where’s Emma?” 

Snow’s expression crumbled. “The portal closed before she and Hook could come through. It happened so fast. Cora pulled Aurora through and then the rest of us fell in. Emma was separated from us. She’s still there.”

David swallowed though it was hard to do. His little girl was lost to them again. “Emma’s resourceful and smart. She’ll find a way back to us.” 

“I hope so, Charming.” Snow buried her face into his chest.

“Hold on, did you say Hook?” Ruby asked. “As in the legendary Captain Hook? He’s real?”

Snow sighed unhappily. “Not only is he real, but if we’re not careful, he’ll be Emma’s new boyfriend.” 

Shocked, David could only exclaim. “What?” 

*****************************

Killian started a fire and kept Emma close to it, but without a change of clothes, he feared they’d both grow ill. He watched her unconscious form with concern. As far as he could tell, she hadn’t broken anything, but she’d have a hell of a bruise on her back. 

Even so, he checked periodically to make sure she was still breathing. 

With the portal closed, they’d have to figure out their next steps. Portals were hard to come by without magic beans now. He pulled the dried bean Emma gave him from his coat pocket. 

He wondered why Emma insisted on keeping a dried up, useless little thing like this; there couldn’t be any magic left, could there? 

His eyes traveled to the pool of water at the center of the clearing. What was the legend again? That the waters could restore life? Killian looked at the bean in his hand. Was it possible? Would the waters of the lake restore the bean?

A jolt of excited hope shot through his heart as he stood up and walked over to the water. Carefully, he held the chain from which the bean hung between his index finger and thumb. Please work. Lowering the chain, he dipped it underneath the water. 

Holding his breath, not knowing how long it would take, he watched the bean in the clear water. After a minute, the bean seemed to glow briefly before slowly turning from brown into a translucent, sparkling white. 

Killian grinned as he pulled the bean from the water. It actually worked. The bean was restored, which meant Emma had a way home.

The thought stopped him short. His first thought should’ve been that he had a way to exact his revenge. He was one step closer to killing the Dark One. Yet, his first thought concerned Emma. He looked over to her prone form. He could leave now and she wouldn’t be able to stop him; he’d get to the Dark One, magic be damned. 

Except it would be bad form to leave her. His heart didn’t want to anymore than his good form did. What about Milah? Why was he so concerned over a stranger when his revenge was within reach? In three-hundred years this was the closest he’d been to getting to the Dark One. He knew he couldn’t use the dagger, which was why he bottled some Dreamshade in the hopes that such an incurable poison would be the key. However, since Emma told him that the Dark One brought magic to Storybrooke, he tried to think of ways to get close to the crocodile, knowing that Rumplestiltskin would be on his guard if he ever saw him. He knew Emma wouldn’t help him since she was already against him getting his revenge. Though considering it was Rumplestiltskin he was after, Killian didn’t quite understand why she was so invested. On the beanstalk when she admonished him for his suicide mission, Killian could’ve sworn he saw grief in her eyes as though he meant something to her.

That was impossible though since they barely knew each other. Yet, since he met her, Killian couldn’t deny that there was a deep, intangible connection he felt towards her, and he was almost certain she felt it too.

Having never experienced anything like it, Killian wasn’t sure how to describe it other than this desire to know her, protect her, and be near her. If he was honest with himself, he hated this feeling, but he couldn’t help being curious about such a mystery. What was it about Emma that sparked this connection? Was it because she was the Savior? Was it because she had magic? Or worse, was she using magic to make him feel this way? He doubted that last bit. Emma truly didn’t seem comfortable with her magic even though she was far more advanced than any novice he’d encountered. More than that, she didn’t seem the type of person to manipulate people, and he would know having been that person and having worked with people like Cora and Regina.

Killian wished he had an answer. Especially since whatever was going on between him and Emma pushed Milah so easily from his mind in a way he’d never allowed before. He loved Milah so deeply and fiercely he thought he’d never get over her. She was his first love. They had only a few short years together before it all ended violently and abruptly. Killian despised Rumplestiltskin down to the marrow in his bones for ripping his happy ending away from him. Yet, here was this beacon of light crashing into his life so unexpectedly that he wasn’t prepared for her. 

It was a bitter pill to swallow and truth be told, Killian wanted to resent Emma for it, but he couldn’t quite find the strength to do so. With his mind a tumultuous whirlwind of emotions, Killian returned to Emma’s side, sitting beside her with his stomach full of knots as he thought over the choices he made in his life and about his revenge.

Anger, bitterness, hatred. These were the emotions he wrapped his heart in for so long he felt terrified to peel them away. Since Liam’s death, he wallowed in such darkness, which only intensified after Milah’s murder. He failed to get revenge for Liam’s death and the king lived on to continue his bloodline despite Killian’s efforts. He couldn’t fail Milah too. He needed to kill the Dark One. He couldn’t let some white witch, no matter how beautiful, get in the way of his goals. 

His revenge was all he had, and all he had ever lived for. At one time he thought he could let it all go for Baelfire, but the boy proved that opening one’s heart to love of any kind, whether it be familial as he had with Baelfire and Liam or romantic as he had with Milah, wasn’t worth the pain. He needed to protect his heart and if death was the final solution, so be it. No one cared whether he lived or died. His crew was gone, likely swept up in the curse and better off for it. He had no family. No one would miss him. After all villains don’t get happy endings. Villains only begot and received tragedy. 

After living so long, death was the only ending he truly needed and the only peace he would ever get from his torment. 

He fiddled with the magic bean, looking at the final key for his revenge. He was so close he could taste it. Yes, he’d get Emma home and go with her, but then they’d part ways and he’d finish what was started centuries ago. He truly hoped that his ending would mean the end of the crocodile as well, but that remained to be seen until he got to Storybrooke and assessed his options. Fortunately, he was a patient man when the occasion called for it.

A groan broke him from his rumination. His eyes instantly flicked to her as Emma slowly came to awareness. Worry for her well-being overtook him much to his irritation. Killian remained silent as she got her bearings, quickly pocketing the bean from her sight. 

The first thing Emma was aware of when she returned to consciousness was the stiff, aching pain shooting up and down her back. Her lungs breathed sharply and painfully as she adjusted her body in order to see her surroundings. The sun was higher in the sky and the waters of Lake Nostos not far from her. But where was everyone else? What happened to the portal?

“Afternoon, princess.” Hook’s tone had bite to it. “Sleeping the day away while the rest of us commoners have work to do?”

Confused as to why he was angry, Emma turned her attention to the pirate captain sitting near her. His eyes were hard and that muscle in his jaw ticked with irritation. What the hell happened while she was unconscious? “Hook, the portal.” It was hard to talk through the pain. Damn, she’d kill for a bottle of Aleve and an ice pack. “What happened?”

He hated seeing her in pain, wishing there was more he could do, and he hated himself for fucking caring about her. “It closed. Everyone else fell through and we remain stranded.” 

Emma eyed him, knowing he was holding something back. What was going on with him? Was it because he lost his chance at revenge? No, that couldn’t be it. Killian had the bean and he was intelligent enough to know the waters would fix the bean. After all, he’d done so in the original timeline. “You healed the bean. We have that, and I’m sure the Jolly is docked somewhere close by.” 

Killian stared at her for a long, scrutinizing moment. “I never told you I had a ship or her name.” 

“If I’m going to tell you how I know about the Jolly or that you’d use the waters on the bean, then we’re going to need a lot more rum than what’s in your flask.” Emma sighed. “How far to your ship?” 

“Too far for you in the state you’re in.” Killian said. “How are you feeling?” His tone was neutral, but Emma saw the worry in his eyes. 

“I’ll live.” Emma sighed. She didn’t feel like bones were broken, but she certainly felt beaten up. “Don’t worry about it. The sooner we get to the Jolly, the sooner I can tell you everything.” Emma pushed herself up unsteadily. 

In a flash, Killian was next to her, supporting her with an arm around her waist, just below the spot where most of the pain was centered. “You can’t walk in your state.”

“What are you going to do, carry me?” Emma arched a brow. “I know I’m lighter than the rum barrels you’re used to, but I doubt you’d be able to carry me from here to your ship.” 

The back of his neck prickled as her words unsettled him. Shaking himself, Killian had an idea. “Perhaps not, but you know how to teleport, don’t you?” It was a guess, but he knew Emma wasn’t entirely incapable. 

Emma eyed him, surprised he hadn’t cottoned on sooner that she wasn’t entirely new to magic. “I’m still working on teleporting myself, but I’m an export at teleporting hooks.” Her joke only earned a raised eyebrow from him. Sighing, Emma explained. “I can’t teleport to somewhere I’ve never been, but fortunately for us, I’ve been on the Jolly before. I’ve never teleported myself and someone though, so hold tight.”

She’d been on the Jolly before? Killian’s confusion only grew as Emma tightly wrapped her arms around him. Shaking himself, he leaned into her personal space with a smirk. “Don’t worry about getting too handsy, love.” He tightened his hold around her waist, though kept his hand in an appropriate spot.

Emma rolled her eyes. “Flirt away, Hook. We’ll talk about what’s eating at you later. Let’s just get going.” 

How did she read him so well? His smirk fell and he pulled back, though allowing her to still lean on him for support. He’d get his answers soon enough, he hoped.

“Close your eyes. Think of your quarters on the Jolly.” Emma whispered in her ear.

Killian’s arms wrapped around her as he followed her command. 

Emma took a breath and reached out for her magic, hoping she had enough energy left to try something like this. Pushing away her worry over teleporting farther than she’d ever tried before, Emma concentrated on picturing the Captain’s quarters on the Jolly. The bed in it’s wooden frame. The slanted beams which divided the windows. The small table that seated four. Take us to the Jolly. She told her magic and it responded in kind. 

Her body floated away in a whisky white cloud, though even as she became nothingness, she held tight to the nothingness Killian became. It wasn’t long before she felt herself solidifying and her feet were on hard ground. Opening her eyes, she found herself in his room on the Jolly, Killian himself in her arms. Sighing in relief, Emma released her hold and stepped back. Her vision swam suddenly and her feet gave way, but she didn’t hit the ground. 

Killian lifted Emma in his arms, depositing her onto his bed. “Sleep, Emma. You need your rest.”

“Home.” She mumbled before her eyes fluttered closed. 

Killian swallowed, wondering when exactly Emma visited his ship and her strange words. She was an enigma he was going to figure out. 

For now though, he’d find food, and maybe have a drink or two. 

*****************************

At the end of the school day, Liam and Henry watched Grace walk away with her father, a skip in her step. 

Liam hated the bitterness festering in his heart. Where was his papa? Why couldn’t he reunite with him? Why did Grace get her father back and he was stuck alone?

Henry put a an arm around Liam. “It’s okay, Liam. We’ll find your dad too. I promise.” 

He wished he had Henry’s optimism. Every day that passed, Liam lost hope that his father was even in Storybrooke. They’d never be reunited. As kind as Henry and David were, and as much as Henry reassured him that Liam had a place in their family, Liam felt doubt creep in his bones. Was he an orphan after all? “What if we can’t find him?” 

“Then you’ll stay with us.” Henry answered confidently. 

Liam wasn’t so sure. 

The boys made their way towards the bus. 

Not wanting to think about his lack of parents, Liam changed the subject. “Did you figure out what’s going on with your book?”

Henry’s nose wrinkled. “No. It’s weird though.” He hopped onto the bus with Liam and they headed towards the middle seats they often occupied. “The new pages aren’t exactly stories from what I can tell.”

“What are they then?” Liam asked as they sat down.

“Honestly, it reads like a history book.” Henry said. “Something about Arcana, Arcanum, darkness, powerful magic. It all sounds long ago, like it’s a history of magic.”

“What’s Arcana and Arcanum?” Liam asked. 

“No idea.” Henry said. “I haven’t had time to really sit and read over everything. I don’t think it’s English though. Like some words are, but other words I can’t figure out.” Henry wasn’t sure, but from the little bit he picked up, it was as though the new pages were in multiple languages, but why? Who would write a history book where every sentence wasn’t fully in one language? 

“Is there a title page somewhere?” Liam tapped on his knee, ready to get back to the loft and hide away from his thoughts. 

“Not that I found.” Henry shrugged. “I wonder if Grandpa knows anyone who can read other languages.” 

Liam arched a brow. “What about Google? I mean, wouldn’t the internet be easier?” 

Ironically, Henry hadn’t thought about that. He knew the Enchanted Forest had English, but did they have all the same languages as the Land Without Magic, or could some languages be different? “It’s not a bad idea. It makes sense that if English exists in the Enchanted Forest, then other languages would too. I still think we should try and find Pinocchio too. Like I said, he changed the book once, so maybe he knows what’s happening now.”

“It couldn’t hurt.” Liam agreed. “Where can we start looking?”

“Well from what I overheard at Granny’s, Marco is still looking for him.” Henry said. “So he’s avoiding his dad. He’s hiding, but I wish I knew why.”

“He’s a former puppet, right?” Liam asked. “Maybe he’d be comfortable in the woods with his cousins Oak and Pine.”

Henry snorted at the joke, but Liam made a good point. The woods were vast and there was plenty of places to hide. 

Before long, the bus reached their stop on Main Street and the boys got off.

“Henry!” 

Henry’s head whipped towards the sound of Snow White’s voice. 

Snow and David stood nearby, both smiling widely, David’s arm around Snow’s shoulders. 

“Grandma!” He ran up to her, throwing his arms around her waist, hugging her tightly. “You’re back!” Excitement overcame him. Grandma was back, which meant Mom was back. He grinned up at her. “Where’s Mom? What was the Enchanted Forest like? Did you beat Cora?” 

As he volleyed his questions, Snow’s face fell. She and David shared worried looks, bracing themselves for how Henry would react.

Liam walked over cautiously, standing near David. 

Snow chewed the inside of her lip as she pulled back, being sure to meet Henry’s eyes. “Henry, I’m so sorry. Cora kept Emma from the portal. She’s still in the Enchanted Forest.” 

Henry’s stomach dropped. “What?” What did she mean his mom was still in the Enchanted Forest? No, she was supposed to come home. 

Seeing Henry’s distress hurt Snow’s heart. Some mother she was; her daughter was abandoned once again. If only she’d been faster and gotten to Emma before falling through the portal. She couldn’t even find relief in the fact that Emma wasn’t alone since she wasn’t entirely sure Hook could be trusted with her daughter. Snow truly hoped Emma was right about trusting Hook, and that the pirate would get her daughter home somehow. “Henry, I’m so sorry. Even though she’s not home, we know she’s alive and I know she is going to find another portal home because all she could talk about was trying to find a way home to you.”

David knelt before Henry, putting a hand on his shoulder. “Your grandmother is right. Nothing is going to stop your mom from finding her way home. Remember, our family always finds each other.”

His throat was too tight with emotions to speak, so Henry nodded yes for his grandparents’ sake. While he believed Snow and David’s words, it wasn’t the same as having his mom back with him. Where would she find another portal? How long would it take? Henry swallowed as his grandparents pulled him into a hug. 

Liam remained off to the side, watching the exchange awkwardly. While he felt bad for Henry, since his mom still wasn’t home, anxiety festered in his gut now that Snow White was back. What if Henry was wrong? What if they decided to put him out on the street? They didn’t owe him anything and it’s not like he was paying his way or pulling his weight.

When Snow and David released Henry, Snow turned to the young boy David had told her about. Her heart ached to find out that Liam had been on his own with no one to take care of him, wearing ragged clothes and starving. While she hoped they could find his father, Liam was more than welcome to stay with them for however long he needed. Noticing how nervous the boy seemed, Snow smiled warmly, and stepped closer to him. “Hello, Liam. I’m Snow.” 

“Hello, ma’am.” He mumbled shyly. 

“Oh please call me Snow.” She put an arm around him. “You’re family now after all.” 

Her words surprised him. Did she mean it or was she just saying that to comfort him and put him at ease? Looking at her welcoming expression, Liam felt that perhaps Henry was right, and that he was slowly becoming an accepted member of this small little family. “Okay.” He said, though it sounded small. He was starting to hope that Henry was right, but there was still a part of him that couldn’t quite believe in their words and reassurances. He wasn’t sure if he would ever feel secure again, even if they ever found his papa. He’d been alone so long that it would take time to get used to being a part of a family again. 

“How about family dinner at Granny’s?” David suggested. “Milkshakes all around.”

His suggestion at least got a smile out of both boys. As the four of them walked to Granny’s with the boys walking ahead, Snow and David looked at each other concerned, both worried about how Henry was taking the news. 

They knew that Emma would find her way home, but they hoped it would be sooner rather than later. 

*****************************

It was dark out as Emma came to, finding herself in Killian’s bed, fully clothed and still sore along her backside. Gingerly, she rolled over onto her side, facing the rest of the room. 

Killian sat at the table, watching her. His eyes were curious as he took her in; Emma was certain he had more questions than she was ready to answer. 

Her eyes flicked away, landing on the table, where a few jars of pickled vegetables and a plate of hardtack rested on the table. A bottle of rum and two glasses were set out. 

Emma’s stomach rumbled, so carefully, she slipped out of his bed and limped to the table. 

“How are you feeling?” Killian asked. He was proud of himself for sounding completely neutral. His feelings were a jumbled mess at the moment; as Emma slept, he thought over his entire life thus far and didn’t like his analysis. Again, his anger wanted to lash out at the woman who made him question everything, but at the same time, he knew it wasn’t fair to Emma to put all of this on her. 

Emma grabbed the rum first, pouring it in her glass to the rim.

Killian raised an eyebrow. 

Emma shrugged. “I told you, we’re going to need a lot of rum for this conversation. Plus, my back is killing me and you don’t have pain killers.” She took a hefty gulp before surveying the jars before her and loading up her plate. 

Killian surveyed her curiously. Emma seemed to know things, but if it was just a part of her magic, why were they going to need the rum? Just what was he about to learn about this infuriatingly intriguing woman? He too began to eat, wondering when he’d get his answers. 

For her part, Emma mulled over where to even begin with such a conversation. Time travel was hard for her to believe and she’d done it twice! Killian tended towards skepticism as she did, though he was more optimistic than she was most of the time. She knew she needed to be honest; there weren’t going to be any secrets between them. Not if she could help it anyway. The thing was, should she let him ask his questions first or tell him everything and then he could ask? It might be easier to give him the full story, but it was a lot to take in. 

After a while of them eating in silence, Killian finally spoke. “You said you’d tell me everything. What exactly is everything?”

Emma paused, unable to look him in the eyes, not wanting him to read her as he often easily did. Starting from the beginning would be easiest, he’d have all the details… “Okay. Well, I have a lot to go over.” She started. Deep breaths, Emma. “But I need you to listen and save your questions until I’m done, all right?” It would be easier to tell him everything without interruptions. 

Killian could only nod as anxiety settled in his stomach. “All right.”

“So, here’s how this story goes.” Emma began by telling him how Henry found her in Boston and how he brought her to Storybrooke. She spoke of her animosity with Regina, her deal with Gold for Ashley’s baby, Graham’s death, her ascendency to Sheriff, her kidnapping, Snow’s brief imprisonment, Henry almost dying, slaying the dragon, and breaking the Curse. 

He listened intently to her tale. 

“Now, the thing is, when Mom and I came to the Enchanted Forest the first time around, things were different.” Emma carried on. 

The first time around? Killian wanted to ask the question aloud before remembering Emma’s request. 

“So, originally, when we went to my parents’ castle, you and Marian weren’t with us.” Emma said. She saw how curious he was, and hoped he’d let her get everything out first. She weaved her tale of Killian working with Cora, the first trip on the beanstalk, her betrayal of him and his going back to Cora, the first battle of Lake Nostos, how she thought she left him behind, how he used the bean the first time around to follow her to Storybrooke. Emma spoke of his attempts at revenge failing, Henry’s kidnapping, their journey to Neverland, their first kiss, the journey home. “Pan followed us and cast the Dark Curse. Henry couldn’t go to the Enchanted Forest, so he and I were left behind. A year later, you found us and brought us home.” 

Wicked witches, flying monkeys, and their own time travel experience came next. Then Emma told him about the Snow Queen and Elsa and how the Dark One controlled his heart before he was banished from Storybrooke. 

Emma swallowed thickly as tears gathered in her eyes. Now came the hard part. “After Elsa left, there weren’t any villains around. It was peaceful. You and I had dates. You were a part of family dinners and movie nights with my parents and son. Hell, I think Dad was starting to see you as his best friend.” Emma sniffed. “We told each other everything. I told you about my childhood, Henry’s father, things that I never shared with anyone.” Her throat caught. “You told me about Liam and Milah, about things you did working for Pan, about your father…” She closed her eyes. “We didn’t have secrets.” Tears started falling freely. Opening her eyes, Emma couldn’t look at Killian as she remembered his lifeless eyes. “We were heading home and there was this building that burned. The owners hired contractors to fix it and they left crap everywhere. When we passed by it…” Come on, Emma. You can do this. You can tell him. 

“A brick fell and hit you on the head.” Her lips trembled as she held back sobs. “You were right next to me one second and then…then you were gone. There was so much blood.” Her emotions wanted release, but Emma held back, knowing she needed to finish telling him. “When I realized you were dead,” She choked on the word. “I begged you to wake up. I wanted you back so badly. All I could think about was how we just found each other after all the time I wasted pushing you away.” Finally, she found the strength to look at him. It surprised her that his own eyes were glassy, clearly holding back his own emotions. She figured her tale overwhelmed him and adding on that he died might’ve been too much for him. “I passed out. The next thing I knew, I was waking up in the Enchanted Forest. I somehow, without a spell, or portal, or potion, time travelled fifteen months into the past. I couldn’t tell you how I did it, but all I can figure is that I wanted you back so much, that my magic responded.” Emma met his eyes. “I love you so much that I couldn’t live in a world where you didn’t exist.”

She sniffed again, wiping away her tears. “So, I decided that I wasn’t going to waste time. I was given a second chance, so I took it. I changed things. Maybe I shouldn’t have and maybe I’m playing God or something.” Emma shook her head. “I don’t know, but I do know that it doesn’t matter now.” Clearing her throat, she leaned forward, carefully taking his hand in hers. “What I do know is that no matter what, time traveling, changing the past, all of it is worth having you back. You’re worth it, Killian.” 

Killian could only swallow as a whirlwind of emotions overwhelmed him. Everything Emma spoke of was hard to believe, but in a world of magic, it wasn’t entirely impossible. But she time travelled for him? Because she loved him? That was much more improbable. He was a villain and his revenge was all he needed. How could someone clearly as good and light as Emma want anything to do with him, let alone love him so strongly that her magic acted out of her control as it did? “I…Time travel?”

Emma nodded. She pulled back, watching him, waiting. It was too much to take in, she knew. He’d need time. Hell, he’d need space. She’d have to give it to him. She promised no secrets, but she also wasn’t going to push him before he was ready. Changing the past or not, Emma wasn’t going to manipulate him into loving her. He needed to come to that on his own. He needed to give up his revenge on his own. “Yes. I still have a hard time believing it and I’m living through it.” 

Killian closed his eyes, massaging his temple, hoping to push away the beginnings of a headache. “You time traveled fifteen months in the past, because I died. Because you love a version of me?” He wasn’t under any illusions that his present self earned any affection from her.

“I love the man you could be.” Emma said. “But I’m not going to force you. You have a choice.”

“My revenge or you?” He snarled, defensive. He was already questioning his life choices and he didn’t want a guilt trip added to that. 

Emma flinched at his tone. “No. You can choose to live your life and let go of your pain and heal. Or, you can pursue your revenge and die and be reunited with Milah in the afterlife.” As much as it hurt to say, she couldn’t force him to let go of his revenge. It was his choice before, and it needed to be his choice now. 

Killian scoffed. “You time travelled to save me, and now you don’t care if I live or die?” He found that hard to believe. 

“No, I do care.” Emma snapped. “I want you to live, but I’m not going to make your choices for you and have you resent me for the rest of your life. You need to decide for yourself who you want to be and what life you want to live.” She leaned back, crossing her arms over his chest. “If you go after Rumplestiltskin, yes, I’ll be devastated, but I refuse to watch you die again. So you and I are going to Storybrooke tomorrow, and then we’ll part ways. You can find me when you make your choice.” 

Her passionate words stirred something in him, but Killian shoved it all down. He truly disliked the way this woman made him feel. 

Emma lost the rest of her appetite, so she grabbed her glass and the bottle of rum and stood. “I know it’s a lot to take in.” He wasn’t the only one overwhelmed with everything. For the first time in a week, she had a chance at privacy, and she was going to take it. “I think I’ll hunker down in the crew quarters for tonight. I’m taking the rum for my back. You have plenty more if you want to drink your problems away.” Okay, low blow since she knew he struggled with alcohol since he was a preteen, but she was tired, sore, and wanted to be alone. Killian wasn’t the only one who lashed at when in pain. 

Killian didn’t watch her leave. His eyes stared at the table, trying to process it all. Emma loved him, or a future version of him at least. One who gave up his revenge for her after only knowing her a few weeks. Three-hundred years he spent in the Hellscape that was Neverland, doing Pan’s grotesque bidding, searching for any means to kill the Dark One without becoming the very creature he hated, all for the woman he believed to be his truest love, and now this captivating stranger strode into his life only to tell him that he gave up everything he fought and suffered for for her? Killian couldn’t understand it. How could he just let it all go?

Worst of all, from how Emma spoke of the future, the Dark One still lived. 

He stood and walked over to his cabinets, where more rum was stored, took out another bottle, and took a rather large, bitter swig, anger running through his veins. Anger at himself for being weak and at Emma for apparently having so much power over him. Agitated, Killian stood and began to pace the length of the room. His future self told Emma everything; did that mean she knew about his childhood as a slave? Did she know about the scars he carried, physical and invisible? She knew about Liam. She knew Killian goaded him, leading to his death, that he was responsible. His skin crawled thinking about how much Emma knew when he knew so little about her. He hated it. He felt…exposed. 

Then there was the fact that Milah apparently meant nothing to him after all. His stomach twisted. Why did he always fail everyone he loved? Killian gulped down more rum, until the bottle was empty. His hand acted before his brain did and the bottle soared through the air, shattering against the wall. A scream of anguish left him, echoing throughout the ship as he fell to his knees. 

In the crew quarters, Emma sobbed, letting out every emotion she’d been holding in since Killian’s death. Her body shook as she cried for the future she lost, the possible future she would have now, losing Killian, losing Killian again if he decided on a different path, everything hit her all at once. Emma had been alone in her life many times, but the despairing loneliness that gripped her now put all of her past to shame. She was adrift at sea with only hope to guide her and she wasn’t sure of that was enough. 

It was too late to go back to the beginning. She made her choice and now she and everyone else would have to live with it for better or worse. 

*****************************

They watched the sunrise from the roof of the library. The young man with his mother’s blue eyes and dark hair and the woman with their father’s curls and brown eyes sat together overlooking the sleepy little town. 

“Don’t get too giddy.” The young man said to his older sister. “The Captain and the Savior will find their way back to Storybrooke.” The pair always were too clever and resourceful. It proved rather infuriating in the past…or future as it were. 

“I know.” She grinned. “And when they get here, we’ll kill them. Or, well, we’ll make it accidental. Like the brick in the last timeline.” She giggled at all of the fun ways to kill the Truest of Love couple. 

He turned to his sister. “You aren’t concerned as to why we have to time travel to kill him again? You don’t think they changed the past in our stead?” They could too. After all, despite his sister’s confidence, Light Magic often won out. Particularly the Arcanum. He shuddered at the thought of the power of the entire Arcanum coming down on them. 

“They follow the rules.” She huffed. “It will be too detrimental for them to time travel as well. Even if they did, they’d try to change very little.” 

“They might not if it means correcting what we’ve done.” He countered. “This is a dangerous game we’re playing. The Grand Design…”

“Oh don’t be so serious.” She chided, pouting. “We have the darkest of magic on our side. We were meant to rule over these plebeians and we will make sure father lives this time to aide our rise to power.”

He wished his sister took the threat of the Arcanum more seriously. “You forget that there are more of them. Particularly the Seventh.” Did she forget how sacred seven was to magic? How much power seven held?

“He won’t do anything to alter history too much.” She was adamant in her beliefs. The Arcanum wouldn’t break the rules of magic. They were confined by them. She and her brother were above them. It was that simple. 

“If it means protecting his family, ensuring that the Savior and her happy ending live on…”

“You doubt our plans.” She stood angrily, cutting off her brother.  “We are this close to achieving our goals. We just need to get rid of…”

“I don’t doubt our plans or you, sister dear.” He corrected. “I just worry that you underestimate them.” 

She scoffed. “You fear them, you mean?”

“I have a healthy respect for their power.” He said. He too stood. “Come on then. Let’s see what Snow White and her prince are up to. If they come, they will seek out allies.”

The sister nodded and the pair teleported away in whirls of black smoke. 

*****************************

It was well past sunrise when Emma went up to the deck, ignoring the pounding headache from the rum. Killian wasn’t anywhere to be found, so she assumed he was probably sleeping off his own hangover in his room. 

Emma walked to the bow of the ship, looking out over the sparkling sea. Sleep hadn’t come easy last night. After her crying ceased, anxiety and doubt kept her tossing and turning and when she dozed off, nightmares plagued her. The rum only numbed the pain in her back, not the one in her heart. She finally gave up around sunrise, lying in her misery as her mind mulled over every decision she made since her arrival to the past. Even though she saved Killian, what was the cost? 

Regina once told her that it was Dark Magic that had a price. Light Magic, so long as it was used for good, only put good out into the world. It was a balance. 

Dark Magic ate away at the user, darkening hearts, corrupting good, while Light Magic only reinforced the goodness of a being. However, with the good came a higher price. Should a user of Light Magic use their magic for evil, then they’d become the darkest of magic users. Light and Dark were antithesis after all. Light couldn’t be used for evil and Dark couldn’t be used for good. It was how Regina explained her magic weakening over the months of her using it for good. 

“I’ve used only Dark Magic my entire life.” Regina said. “Since I’ve been using it for good, it wants to transform into Light Magic. Of course, I slip up and use it for bad, and I’m back where I started. Transitioning from Light to Dark is quick and overwhelming because of temptation. It’s a powerful, corrupting force. It’s addicting. It is an addiction. Going from Dark to Light is harder. It’s like being an alcoholic. You kick it for a bit, but if you aren’t careful, you fall off the wagon. Then you have to start your sobriety all over again. It’s a constant struggle. Since I’m in the midst of it, my powers are weakened from going back and forth. It took me years to build up my Dark Magic and my heart is still darkened. It will take more years for that darkness to go away and for me to grow stronger.”

Emma wondered if her time traveling with her Light Magic was fueled by a dark intent. Selfish, sure, but did selfish mean dark? Would she pay a price for what she’d done? 

She didn’t know and that worried her as much as what would happen between her and Killian now did. Emma sighed, leaning against the railing, feeling the weight of the world crushing down on her. She felt as though she was Atlas, serving her punishment for her going against fate. Maybe. Was fate even really a thing? Her mother liked to think so. Emma heard Snow’s spiels on fate, True Loves, and happy endings often enough. 

Was Killian fated to die, or was she fated to time travel and save him? That was the question. 

So lost in her thoughts, Emma didn’t hear him come onto the deck or his footsteps as he walked towards her. “Doubloon for your thoughts, Swan?” His voice was soft, uncertain, but it still startled her. 

“Hey.” Emma held herself, standing back from him, unsure of where they stood. 

Killian scratched behind his ear, looking away from her. He drunk himself into unconsciousness last night and his head throbbed him into a wakeful state. He took a potion to cure his hangover, and with that came a clarity of thought. He wasn’t sure he wanted to follow in his future self’s footsteps, he wasn’t sure if he wanted a life with her, but he wallowed in his revenge for so long, Killian wondered if it blinded him. Was the life he lived one Milah would’ve wanted for him? Would she want him to have killed, maimed, kidnapped, stolen in her name? 

Killian second guessed every choice he made and where it led him. He wanted to hate Emma Swan for the way he doubted himself and his path, but his heart was too tired. He was tired. And Emma needed to get home to her family. “Are you ready to go?” 

Emma nodded. “Yeah.” She pulled the bean from where it rested in her pocket. Without a thought, she handed the bean over to him. 

Killian fingered it gently, remembering the last time he used one. Shaking his head, he pocketed the bean. “Let’s weigh anchor and sail further out.”

Emma nodded. It didn’t take too long as Killian expertly guided his ship away from the harbor, further into the ocean. Emma took a steadying breath as he threw the bean. 

The swirling portal slowly expanded and Killian sailed his ship straight on into it.

Emma held onto the railing tightly. She was going home and the unknown all at once. 

It was time to brave a new future. Maybe she was strong enough, maybe she wasn’t, but she was going to find out one way or another. 

[midnight-mourning]

Day & Night. (Sun & Moon Drabble)

Requested By: @luckyyyduckyyy

Word Count: 500

Summary: Being stuck together 24/7/365 had been bad enough, working together is somehow worse. In certain aspects, anyway.

Note: Not canon to CS but utilizes the same personalities! Bri's here too lol Also third person POV bc I don't want y'all to get too into the boys' heads just yet :)

______________________________________________________

"Sun."

No outward reaction from the bot as he continues to orchestrate his craft session.

"Sun."

The slightest twitch of acknowledgement, and perhaps definitely annoyance.

The naptime attendant doesn't bother attempting a third time, instead opting for a more direct, though dramatic, approach. 

When he disappears from his yellow counterpart's view, it's under the assumption that he won't be returning. And frankly, he couldn't be happier-

His sensors alert him of a rapidly descending presence from above before his optics do. Though he's unable to stop from flinching when Moon appears eye to eye with him, hanging upside down from the wire he's so proud to show his mastering of. 

The night-themed bot's words are as blunt as his stare, "It's naptime."

Sun, despite his urges to do otherwise, remains polite. Or at least, his tone does, "Naptime begins at exactly 2:00:00 PM. I still have 5 minutes, 32 seconds, and 6 milliseconds."

"Light's off at 1:55:00 PM," Moon tilts his head, "You know that."

"I do."

Moon's eyes narrow, "Then why did you start another activity at 1:53:45 PM? Knowing that the children need time to wind down and prepare."

"Oh, did I?" Sun raises a hand to his faceplate, "Goodness me, it seems that without you constantly reminding me I've lost my ability to effectively keep track of time! What a shame."

The naptime attendant doesn't move an inch, "They're going to become tired quickly if you don't allow them to rest. Is that really something you wish to deal with?"

It's now that Sun begins to falter, gaze also implying irritation, "A few extra minutes of playtime will hardly do them any harm. Now too long of a nap on the other hand-"

"So you admit you're purposely trying to take extra time-"

"-Certainly not purposefully but if that's the outcome so be it-"

Both animatronics voices grow quieter but more forced.

"The children need their nap, Sun."

"They also need time to play, Moon."

"Hey, am I supposed to be turning out the lights or what?"

Both bots turn to where the security guard sits at her desk, hand hovering over the light switch with a brow raised. 

Moon snickers quietly, too quietly for Bri to hear.

Sun responds for both of them, "Just give us a moment, Officer Perry!" Then lowering his voice to mutter a threat of "Shut it." to the other attendant. 

Before his opposite can say what he wants to, Moon rises back to the ceiling again, thus ruining any chance of satisfaction for the day-themed bot. Which was of course the intention of such an action.

Instead, he's forced to receive a message which would have been spoken in the cheekiest, most frustrating, most grating, of voices.

'You have three minutes before I instruct Officer Perry to turn out the lights.

You have two and a half minutes before I decide to just do it myself.'

What pleasant company these two make. One would truly envy who ends up with them.

______________________________________________________

Ngl this was a fun challenge for me! I know how they interact when together and how that dynamic works but have never considered separate before. Next request should be up on Thursday :) Thanks for reading!!

[trenchgardens-ooc-ooc-ooc-ooc]

I was talking with a friend and considering troll boobs once more, and I think I found an angle that i just straight up love.

Eusocial insects have second, social stomachs which they use to give excess food to the homies a la kirby and his helpers in Super Star. What if troll breasts served a similar purpose!

Trolls have always had a wierd little thing where we dont know why theyd be sexually dymorphic sense we seem to know that, at least with our established communal canon and all that, theyre all functionally identical on an actual sex level. With humans our modern conception of gender grew out of social norms for our sexes, so what do we even call assigned gender at hatching when it comes to trolls? in humans the gender is assigned based on sex, or just whimsy if the kid iss intersex because fuck this stupid planet. So whats up with trolls, why do some have boobs. If its just a random difference thing, like how some people have cleft chins, then why would people care so much as to have similar misogynistic tendencies on planets like Beforus as we see with Latula? That seems to suggest its something more influential than just 'some people have bigger noses' style stuff.

From a biologists point of view, using modern albeit flawed terminology, the 'female' (read: bearer, or queen) of the troll species is the mother grub, and the trolls are 'male,' (read: donor, drone) ironically if Drones are part of the troll species which i personally love as part of my canon, they would be workers, using ant and bee (and probably termite) terminology, not drones.

This is interesting because drones(real world term) are typically produced through unfertilized eggs which is DEFINITELY not the case for trolls. Though, considering how rare mothergrub turnover seems to be a Rare emergency event, the Matriorb seems to be an unfertilized egg which produces a new mothergrub, and everything else about trolls themselves, id just chalk that up to them being aliens, nothing on our planet will be a perfect analog to them, its convergent evolution, not relationary evolution.

Trolls seem to have this set up in what the real world terminology would consider castes. the greater troll species would have these castes

Queen Mothergrub (comes to be after virgin mothergrub does... Something???? accepts her first bucket perhaps?)

Virgin Mothergrub (Hatched through Matriorb, unfertilized parthenogenesis)*

Drones (unfertilized, lain by Queen mothergrub)

Trolls (fertilized through pails)

His Tyranny (who fucking knows, royal jelly but for drones???)

Through this model the greater troll species would, genetically, be very stable. each generation of mothergrub allows for the only chance of natural selection and all that shit, but the Troll caste would be able to go through tons of generations per generation, like a second, smaller evolution inside your evolution. The only restraint on troll evolution would be remaining genetically compatable with the mother grub, [ assuming im even correct about that being sex, maybe the mother grub is a host for trolls who are parasites, but thats for a post on Wierder trolls. ]

I propose that troll gender is based off of morphs. adding a caste in there for Trolls (c) and Trolls (b). Like major ants or warrior termites, aproximately half of all trolls, though the ratio is skewed towards B due to some caste shenanigans, are C, and the rest are B. Cs are assigned male at... probably pupation, and Bs female.

I propose that troll breasts are a form of social nutrient sharing glands, somewhere between the milk crop of a pigeon, the mammaries of a mammal, and of course, the social stomachs of ants and bees (and maybe termites). I propose that they evolved as a way to share nutrients, and evolved out in Troll(C)s perhaps as a form of evolutionary specialization, think honey pot ants.

This would give a reason for why trolls have gender rolls corresponding with having breasts, it explains why they have misogyny— It Allows For Hormonal Transgender (Transmorph?) Therapies, it explains WHY THEY HAVE BOOBS AT ALL. ALL WHILE FITTING THE THEME.

Misogyny in trolls having the same theming as in humans make sense too, because concepts of nurturing coresponding with having a built in mechanism for nutrient sharing is. just what we have!!! It would give an evolutionary reason for why jades are seemingly either all type B, or just MOSTLY. And that part specifically, Jades being primarily type B trolls, would allow for the all the childhood related idiosyncrasies we humans have around breasts to translate to trolls too! It would explain what exactly the fuck trans trolls are doing, and it would give greater understanding to intersex (intermorph??) trolls!!!!!!

This raises a lot of interesting questions about the notions of... well breastfeeding in troll society. I imagine it would be something mildly taboo, as most of alternian and beforan culture is heavily western and we fuckers are so fucking wierd about peoples bodily autonomy. But it could also be like a Homies thing. I imagine it would be kind of viewed as mildly animalistic or base, probably never said like that, but thats the quiet part im saying out loud.

If you guys have thoughts on eusocial troll breasts and their agabs (agaps?) being based on morphs let me know, i think this is my new canon for all my trolls.