#do you ever watch sophie's eyes well with tears

[moxyphinx]

SIUAN 🥺 SANCHE

[pigeonwhumps]

Homecoming

Immortal Cannon Fodder masterlist

Taglist: @painful-pooch @i-eat-worlds @a-funeral-romance @extrabitterbrain @wolfeyedwitch @whumpinggrounds

At the age of eleven, Gemma was forced to attend a boarding school for powered children due to the potentially dangerous nature of her powers. Now she's eighteen and finished school, she's coming home.

2.1k

CWs: referenced minor whump, past abuse, difficulty coping, fear of abandonment, mentioned abandonment, touch-starved, mentioned public punishment, past isolation, fear of punishment, very brief flashback

Gemma steps down from the coach, blinking rapidly as her eyes attempt to adjust to the harsh sunlight. It's July, the end of the school term, and she's finally leaving Meadows Ridge for good.

There's few people around at the drop-off point at the edge of the city. A gaggle of nosy onlookers, curious to see what the notorious 'school for heroes' has produced this year, and a few family groups. Not enough for everyone being dropped off though. A lot of families... don't want their powered child back.

And there'll be provision for those who have nowhere to go, for appearances sake, but she's sure it won't be nice.

She hopes her parents are here. Please, please let them be coming. They said they would, she wrote them a letter and they promised, but they could be lying, it doesn't matter how well they treat anyone else because she has powers and so they can treat her how they like and no-one will care. They never care.

Gemma clutches her parents' response tight in one hand and Sophie the stegosaurus in the other. They said they'd come. She has to believe that.

It's been seven years. Will she even recognise them? Will they recognise her? Will they just... not know it's her and go home and abandon her to even more of Meadows Ridge's care?

She swallows a sob. No. No, they can't do that, please, she can't spend another day there. They have a photo, right? Right?

But nobody calls her name. The coach drives off, leaving one of the teachers behind to collect stragglers, and still nobody calls.

She's distracted by an old, brown car sputtering up the hill. It's polished to a shine but it's not moving very well. She wonders if they'll have to get out and push.

They don't, the car eventually jerking to a stop in the car park, but it's close.

Both front doors open at once and a man and a woman exit, arguing. Their conversation drifts up to Gemma as they head for the payment machine.

"This is why we divorced! If that rusty, banged-up old box made us miss our daughter's homecoming I'll kill you!"

"You say everything was why we divorced, Jemima. Just let me finish paying for parking so we don't get a ticket."

"Screw ticketing, it's been seven years, I need to see my daughter."

Gemma covers her mouth with her hand. Jemima. That's her mum's name, she knows it is. And the car...

They went to ballet practice in it, once, and it broke down halfway. How is it still functional?

"Mum?" she croaks. "Dad?"

She thought she was quiet, but the man turns and– is it? Is it him, is it, is it?

He swallows. So does she. She's rooted to the spot, she can't move, stuck like she's in class and someone's power is holding her there. She can only watch as he drops his wallet and starts to run.

He almost collides with her, stopping at the last minute and placing his hands on her shoulders instead. She flinches, and he starts to withdraw but–

"Don't. Don't let go, please."

She barely recognises her own voice, it's been a long time since she's tried making a request to anyone her senior, but her dad listens. His hands are big and warm and she moves closer, letting him envelope her.

It's hard to keep herself from tensing, flinching, she can't see what he's doing but– it's her dad. And she sinks into his arms, trying to hold back tears.

It's been a year since Aisling left Meadows Ridge, longer since Ethan. And although she's happy for them, she hasn't had a hug since. They're the only two people in that place who ever touched her with affection, with something not carefully calculated to hurt in the worst ways.

"My little gemstone. Oh, I'm so sorry we sent you there."

Gemma shakes her head and cries. She shouldn't be crying, she's an adult now, she should be in control, she doesn't want to get into trouble, but there's absolutely nothing she can do to stop it now.

She was going to be strong for her parents. She was going to pretend that nothing's wrong, nothing happened to her, she's fine. But all that's out the window now.

Another hand touches her shoulder-blade, above her rucksack, and she jumps three feet in the air before remembering who's there. Her heart pounds.

"Sorry. Sorry."

"It's okay, baby girl," her mum murmurs. "I didn't mean to startle you. Shall we go home?" Gemma nods. "Do you have any more luggage?"

She shakes her head. This small rucksack is everything. She wasn't going to bring her school uniforms, aside from the one she's been forced to wear today, and she's not a fan of the regulation pyjamas or free day clothes either (not that she ever got many free days). There's a box with letters and homemade presents from Aisling and Ethan, and messages from her parents, and a copy of the contract she signed this morning, but that's it. She's carrying Sophie.

What would be the point in bringing home things she hates? It's not like she needs a notebook filled with school rules, painstakingly copied out in an empty white room with an ache inside her and heavy metal on her wrists.

She clings to her parents as they make their way to the car. She's an adult now, but right now she doesn't feel it, and she doesn't want to be taken away from them again.

The car is familiar, with that lingering old-smoke smell that still hasn't faded and the seats that are so soft but she knows have zero suspension. She climbs in the back and kicks off her shoes and socks immediately, the hated things, the itchy and scratchy blazer going next.

She's never wearing socks again.

Then she curls up against her mum's side, stroking Sophie. The stegosaurus is old and worn and very, very well-loved after all the years, the side she's currently stroking almost worn through with the constant nervous movement.

"Some of the family were planning to come for tea later, to celebrate your return, but we can postpone it," says her mum gently. "If you're not up to it, they can wait."

"It's okay. They can come." She can't refuse anything. She knows the consequences, even if they're not likely anymore. But anyway. She can handle it. It's only her family. It's not like a public punishment or anything. Just a few hours of eating and talking and whatever else.

It will be fine.

_

It turns out that it is not, in fact, fine.

Every laugh sounds like they're laughing at her. Every time someone raises their voice she thinks they're shouting at her. Every time the dishes clink too loudly, when someone drops a fork, she thinks someone's made a mistake, they're going to be punished, publicly, or she'll be punished in their stead if she speaks out. She tenses every time someone says her name, not used to it being called neutrally. The food is too rich, it has flavour, it's no longer beige, and she feels sick.

Someone proposes a toast to her, and she doesn't know what to do. She doesn't know what's expected of her. All eyes are on her, and she tries not to cringe away, to flinch from the chorus of voices. At least she manages not to break into a flood of apologies and pleas.

She can't even fetch a plate for herself, too worried about doing it wrong and being punished to try. Someone else has to do it for her, and she murmurs a thanks but doesn't really notice who it is. She can't speak loud enough to be heard either, not after seven years of being punished for it. Not that she's sure she wants to be heard. She mimics the facial expressions of those around her, hoping to convince them that she's doing fine, she doesn't need any help, they can stop looking at her weirdly now. No need to be hostile. No need to hurt her.

The tension thrums through her as she tries to cope. She's got to cope. Why is it so hard?

And this is only a buffet, in front of people she knows (thinks) (hopes) mean her well. How can she ever get used to being around people again?

She can't. She can't. She knows people will be disappointed (of course they will be, they always are, for someone like her disappointing people is the best she can hope for because at least it's not anger), but she slips away, up to what used to be her bedroom, what her parents say is again. The bed's too soft but the dark blue walls with the dinosaurs are nice and calming and she nests instead, climbing into the centre of the pile of blankets her dad helped her make earlier (when it was so desperately obvious what she wanted but she couldn't move to do it herself, she couldn't, the rules in her head wouldn't let her). She curls around a mound of dinosaurs and sobs.

She should've shut the door, but she couldn't bring herself to, that level of privacy isn't allowed, and she can hear the sounds of people still celebrating downstairs. Doesn't seem to matter whether she's there or not then.

There's footsteps on the stairs and she freezes. Step-clunk. Step-clunk. That's the sound of the dorm manager coming to get someone, a cane always on him. She wonders who it'll be and hopes, guiltily, that it's not her.

Someone knocks on her door. She doesn't respond. She doesn't really remember how. She's not sure it actually matters. Nobody ever knocks on the door of someone like her.

The knock sounds again.

"I'll leave you alone if you like, gemstone, but not unless you tell me that," comes a gruff voice. "Those schools don't teach autonomy."

Gemma jolts. She's not there anymore, is she?

"Granda?"

"It's me. No company."

She scrambles to sit up, wiping the worst mess off her face. "Come in."

Her granda limps into the room and sits down on the edge of the bed with a groan. "After my son was forced to send you to that place, I had hoped they'd improved since my time. But your friends, and your face, suggest not." He eyes her critically. "You look terrible."

"Sorry."

"Don't apologise, my girl. There's nothing wrong with actually looking traumatised."

Gemma doesn't say anything. She can't object, but she knows it's not true. Instead, she changes the subject.

"My friends? You've met them?"

"Met them? Gemstone, Aisling stays with us when she's not off learning to be a doctor. We haven't heard from Ethan for a couple of years though, of his own choosing. Your dad's gone to pick Aisling up from school so I don't know how long they'll be."

Gemma swallows. Ethan... she hopes he's alright.

"And– and you? You said you..."

"Aye. First generation to do so. Powers must've skipped a generation. If your parents had asked my advice I'd have told them not to get the prenatal power tests done, but alas." He sighs heavily. "At least we have you back now."

Gemma isn't entirely sure what he's talking about, and he doesn't seem to have realised. "Can I ask you something? Please? I don't want to, to annoy you or anything, sorry, I–"

"Go ahead."

"How did you recover? How do you cope? I can't even have dinner with normal people. Maybe I should've just stayed there, because I don't know... how do you not fall apart?"

He smiles, a little bitterly she thinks. "I do fall apart. Life is hard. But if you want advice from an old codger like me, take it slow. One step at a time. One day at a time. Get whatever help you need and don't be ashamed of that. Don't drown yourself in regret, it won't help, believe me. Don't be scared to do what you need to do, don't give up if you slip back sometimes, and never be ashamed of who you are."

Gemma's not much of a person to be proud of, by herself or anyone else, but she thinks that maybe she can manage not to give up just yet.

[f1uckinghell]

curtain call - a Virtues Verse oneshot

here is a Riley-centric oneshot I wrote as a gift for the lovely @thatsapodium <3

—🎶—

Riley couldn’t spot his family in the crowd, but just knowing they were there filled his heart with an excited, deep warmth. Dad, beaming in the suit he had bought just for this, Mom in the same navy dress that was always brought out for festive occasions. Grandma Sophie, Grandma Grace and Grandpa Joe, excitedly taking photos. His siblings and packlings, dressed up like he rarely ever saw them. Isabel and Leah with little Clara, who was looking adorable in her dress. Carlos and Lando were there, too, of course, and Papa, and Pierre. And Maman, whose eyes were shiny and whose smile was fierce and proud when he cupped Riley’s cheeks in his hands and told him, „I knew you would make it one day.“

„Three more minutes,“ Benoit, the conductor of the orchestra, said behind him, startling Riley away from the curtain.

„Okay.“ Riley exhaled slowly and smoothed down his dress.

Ben watched him with a thoughtful smile. „You will be amazing.“

„What are you doing up here?“ Riley asked quickly, trying to will himself out of blushing.

„I wanted to come see you,“ Ben replied, fixing his cufflinks, „For good luck.“

Now, Riley was definitely blushing. „Oh. Thank you.“ He didn’t know why, but he added, „My whole family is here today.“

Ben gave him a sympathetic grin. „Ah. Nervous?“

„A little bit,“ Riley admitted, shifting on his feet. The black dress he was wearing had a high neckline and felt like a hug. „Aren’t you?“

Ben gave a very french shrug. „Yes,“ he said, „Everytime.“

That was oddly comforting, because Benoit was a literal musical genius, one of the youngest conductors ever to work with this particular orchestra. He was a beta from France, in his early thirties, supremely talented and very handsome with thick dark hair, blue eyes and glasses.

Riley and him had been flirting for the past few months.

A low gong sound counted down the last few moments before the start of the concert.

„I mean it, Riley,“ Benoit said quickly, taking an urgent step forward, reaching for Riley’s hands. Ben’s hands were warm and strong around Riley’s when he squeezed them. „You are amazing. You will do amazing.“

Riley let out a breathless „Thank you!“ while his entire body felt like it was spinning.

Ben let go of his hands and gave Riley one last lopsided smile. „Bonne chance!“

„Bonne chance!“ Riley echoed, and then, quickly before he could change his mind, „Wait!“

He took two steps forward and kissed Ben on the cheek. „For good luck.“

Ben let out an adorable, surprised noise, half-stopping in his tracks, but Riley ushered him away, giggling. „You have to go! Quick!“

„I have to go!“ Ben repeated, a big, happy smile spreading on his face, „Yes. I have to- I’ll see you later!“

„Yes!“ Riley watched as Ben almost tripped over his own feet when he hurried towards the stage entrance. His heart was beating fast and hard in his chest, and he felt like he could do anything right now.

„Ladies, Gentlemen and esteemed others,“ the voice of the concert hall’s director sounded through the thick curtains as the crowd quieted down, „Welcome to Young Talents night at the Royal Concert Hall.“

Riley took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

The concert went perfectly.

Riley had to blink away tears in his eyes when the crowd cheered and clapped for them. Nothing could ever rival this feeling.

Well, maybe something could: the sight of his family in the foyer, Dad carrying a massive bouquet of flowers.

Jasper was the first to spot him. „Riley!“ he exclaimed, and ran at him, throwing his arms around him. He had grown a lot, and catching him forced a little „oof“ out of Riley. Nevertheless, he hugged his little brother tightly, and Jasper squeezed him back, going on and on.

„You sang so beautifully and you look so pretty and Dad cried but he pretended he didn’t-“

This meant so much more than any compliment from any professional he had received while making his way through the crowd.

His family descended upon him with hugs and kisses and compliments. Dad hugged him for a long time. Riley enjoyed being covered in Dad’s comforting, familiar scent. When they let go, there were proud tears in Dad’s eyes again that he wiped away with the back of his work-worn hand. „I’m so fucking proud of you.“

„Dad,“ Isabel scolded jokingly, covering Clara’s ears.

„Some occasions warrant foul language,“ Leah said, and threw her arms around Riley, pulling him into the next hug.

Several minutes passed until everyone had hugged him and told him how proud they were of him.

„Um, Riley, I think someone is here to see you,“ Luna said behind him when Riley was just in the process of getting squeezed by Grandma Sophie. When he turned, he saw Benoit standing there on the edge of his family circle, looking politely handsome with a glint in his eye.

„I just came to congratulate you briefly on your outstanding performance,“ he said.

Riley felt his already wide smile widen. He could tell his entire family was curiously watching them now.

„Thank you,“ he said as gracefully as he could; he knew Ben could tell he wanted to say much more. Do much more. „Congratulations on yours as well.“

So formal. A cheeky little grin tugged on the corner of Ben’s mouth. „Thank you so much.“

There was a slight pause, then Riley remembered to introduce Ben. He gestured behind himself awkwardly, „This is my… my whole family. …this is Benoit, the conductor.“ When he half-turned, he saw Maman’s knowing grin.

Grandpa Joe leaned over from behind Riley, holding out his hand to shake Ben’s. „Incredible work, young man.“

„Thank you so much,“ Ben replied, shaking Grandpa’s hand. „Lovely to meet Riley’s family.“

„You have cool glasses,“ Jasper said from where he was wrapped around Mom.

„Thanks!“ Ben grinned, „So do you.“

Jasper looked very satisfied with the compliment. „We’re going to have sushi now, because that’s Riley’s favorite.“

„Nice,“ Ben grinned, „That’s good to know.“ He gave Jasper a little wink. „Hope you enjoy your dinner.“

Jasper beamed up at him.

Riley felt like his heart was about to burst out of his chest.

„I’ll see you saturday?“

„Yes,“ Ben said, turning his attention back to him with a warm smile. „See you saturday.“

„Okay,“ Riley said quietly, trying not to completely lose it over Ben in front of his family.

„Enjoy your sushi,“ Ben told him, giving a formal, modest little bow before disappearing into the crowd.

It took his siblings exactly two seconds after Ben was gone to start making kissy noises.

Some things never changed.

[a-sexy-asexual-658]

The Twin Sister Memes

(Y/N) : What doesn't kill you (Y/N) : gives you trauma! Sophie : Seriously? (Y/N) : makes life a whole lot harder (Y/N) : But you got that kick ass dark humor!! Tam : ....... She has a point. Sophie : Don't encourage her. ~~ (Y/N) after she is rescued and finds out what Sophie had been through.

(Y/N) : If anyone has hurt my sister (Y/N) : I will personally RIP out your eyes (Y/N) : and SHOVE them down your throat (Y/N) : So you can watch as MY NAILS AND DAGGERS TEAR YOU CARCAS OPEN!! Neverseen +Stina : *shivers* Sophie : that's my sister, scarier then my dad. ~~ (Y/N) thinking one of her crushes (your ship of choice -Ruy/Bianna/Tam/other)) likes someone else.

(Y/N) : I don't care. Them : Yes you do! (Y/N) : No I — Them : *grabs her face* yes you do... (Y/N) : *tense eye contact* Both : *leans in * Grady + Sophie + Keefe : OH HELL NO!! *rips them apart and punches them* ~~

Sophie : (Y/N)  what's the one thing I asked you not to do during this battle. (Y/N) : Start a tornado. Sophie : and what did you do? (Y/N) : in my defense-! Sophie : adding fire to it still counts, answer the question. What did you do? (Y/N) : *mumbles* start a tornado. Random people +neverseen : *screams in the background* Sophie : your grounded. (Y/N) : You can't-! Grady : I can, your grounded. (Y/N) : Hmph! ~~ Every time Keefe and/or (Y/N) do something stupid.

Sophie : I can't decide Sophie: whether you should live or die. ~~

Random person : How many crushes do you have? (Y/N) : whole bunch. Random person : how many have you confessed to? (Y/N) : not one! ~~ Hundreds of years in the future.

(Y/N) : *reading an article* Men will spend their entire life savings to keep you in a relationship with them (Y/N) : I did put a dude in debt one time. Keefe : HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! ~~ The gang and adults annoyed that (Y/N) has a crush on a neverseen member.

(Y/N) : Well it's not like I have many options! (Y/N) : what's a girl supposed to dream about! (Y/N) : you Dex with your little dwarf biceps (Y/N) : or (person of choice) Them : YES! Grady : NO! Them: THE BANG MASTER! Grady : NO!! ~~ Keefe : girls if you had to date another girl in this room who would it be? Bianna : (Y/N) Sophie : Linh. Linh : Sophie (Y/N) : Bianna. Keefe : *starts playing that song that goes 'baby, bi bi bi' *no ships intended just something for fun. ~~

Gisela : she left you, what kind of sister is that. Gisela : she and the blackswan only ever use you, why not join the neverseen we wou- (Y/N) : No. Gisela : what? (Y/N) : what you wanna hear it in Spanish? No. ~~

Hope you liked it! Sorry the next chapter isn't done it should be soon.

~Sahiko

[lunarfleur]

If By Chance ~ Curly Shepard

Tagging: @sophie-i-guess13 @juneberrie @rumble-aint-a-rumble-without-me @whyareyouhere66 @sparklenarniawizard @sluggmuffin

Warnings: cursing, smoking, mentions of a rough home life and parents fighting

Summary: Love isn’t always easy when you live on the rough side. Luckily for you, Curly’s willing to wait.

This is x gender neutral reader!

When you pulled away, it was as if Curly’s world had flipped upside down. His tan face was flushed, teeth digging into the skin on his lips. You stared at him, eyes filled with disappointment. He could have sworn you were scared.

“Curly,” you whispered, “I can’t, I’m sorry.”

Curly frowned, silky curls blowing in the wind. His eyebrows knitted together and you begged the universe to rewind time.

“What?” He asked.

It was like you could hear it all over again-the fighting, the screaming. The way your father would curse and accuse, the way your mother would screech and play victim.

Tears threatened to spill. Curly didn’t understand. Things had been going so well.

“I can’t,” you repeated. The way your voice cracked made his chest tighten.

“Can’t what?”

You sucked in a breath, the cold chill of Autumn biting your skin.

“Curly,” you turned to face him, “I’ve seen what love can do to people. I ain’t ready to take that risk yet.”

Curly understood far too quickly. He remembered the night you showed up on his doorstep, drenched from the rain and shivering. There had been a fight at your house, punches were thrown. It was all right in front of you.

“It’s shocked me to my core,” you continued, “but I like you. I really like you. But my parents liked each other too, once.”

“Y/N-”

“Just let me finish. I ain’t ready for it. I ain’t sure I ever will be. I don’t think…I don’t think I can fall in love, Curls.”

Curly went silent for a moment. His face stayed as serious as ever. But looking at him, it seemed as if his eyes softened. In a few seconds his cold blue eyes turned gentle. You liked that, the way he looked at you. It never failed to make you believe that there was something worth looking at.

“I get it,” he shrugged. “Love is so fucked up, I know that just as much as you do.” He looked at the sky, hands gripping the wooden bench where you sat.

“I’m sorry, really. I never wanted to hurt you.”

“You ain’t hurtin’ me, doll.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, it’s like Tim. He’s been whipped for Sylvia for years, but he ain’t done anything about it cause he’s scared.”

“Scared?” Never would you have imagined Tim Shepard as scared.

“Yeah,” Curly replied softly, “scared of endin’ up like Pa.”

A silence passed over the two of you. Curly stared at the grass, grinding his boots into the dirt. You watched him. It was surprising, honestly. He didn’t look upset.

“Will you do me a favor?” He asked. You waited, watching the way his nose scrunched up as he talked. “If by chance, at any point in time, you’re ready to fall in love…fall in love with me.”

It was too confident to be a suggestion, yet too gentle to be a demand. It was more like a wish, like he was wishing he’d be the one to call you his.

“Don’t do that to yourself,” you whispered. Curly turned toward you, his hands enveloping your own. There was a seriousness to him. You knew he meant every word.

“I’m serious,” he chuckled. You could see the way he fought back a grin.

“I just don’t know how long that’ll take.”

Curly shrugged as if it was nothing, as if his heart wasn’t on the line.

“Then we’ll just have to see.”

“Curly-”

“Y/N.” He cut you off quickly. Curly’s blue eyes pierced into you.

He was always pretty. A few scars littered over his dark skin, bouncy curls that sat against his forehead and his strong cheeks cheeks.

“I’ll wait for you. As long as it takes.”

[f1-birb]

Slipping through my fingers- ABBA

Basically similar plot as was in Mamma mia but instead of Dona and Sophie it’s Lando and Seb and Jenson when they help him to wear a helmet before his first proper qualification in F1

Amd for dinner veggies fries with good dip

Slipping Through My Fingers

The pride welling in his chest threatens to overwhelm him, and Seb can feel the burning behind his eyelids as he blinks back the sudden build up of tears.

He's not meant to be in the McLaren garage, not really and neither is Jenson, but they're pulling the strings they can to be here. They're fifteen minutes out from the first qualifying session of the season, more importantly they're fifteen minutes out from Lando's first ever qualifying session now that he's in Formula 1.

Their son is finishing getting ready to get in the car, offering Fernando a small smile as he passes, Jon making sure he has everything, and Seb still can't believe that this is happening. Their boy - their brilliant, incredible boy - is all grown up and in their sport at only seventeen, ready to put in the work and show the world he's more than just his last name.

Seb tightens his grip on Lando's helmet, suddenly reluctant to hand it over. Jenson's fingers curl over his own, and the burning comes back with a vengeance. He knows Jenson isn't ready for this either, not for both of them to be in the sport, and not for Lando to do this. He's their pup, their baby, and while they know he's fully capable, they're his parents, they're allowed to want to cling to the last moments before they have to let him go.

He feels Jenson nose against the back of his neck, and he hears the little rumble he gives in response. Then Lando's looking at him, eyes bright and grin wide, and he's rarely ever been still, not while awake, but now it's like he's supercharged with energy.

"Kinda need my helmet, Papa, can't get in the car without it."

Seb blinks and feels Jenson shift behind him, letting him move forward. He holds the helmet up, pulling it away from Lando's hands where they reach for it. "Let me? Please?"

There must be something in his voice because the stubborn little furrow in Lando's brows smooths instantly, his head tipping forward so that Seb can help wrestle the helmet on.

When Lando steps back, he's transported back fifteen years in an instant.

He's leaning against the doorframe, just hidden, and watching as Lando picks out a helmet from the large collection. He's biting back a chuckle as Jenson helps their toddler put it on, holding him steady as he adjusts to the weight. He's crouching to catch his son as Lando propels towards him, led by the weight of the helmet, and he's standing there as Lando proudly proclaims that his Papa's is his favourite.

"Papa?"

He's snapped out of it when Lando calls for him, and the flashes of memories - Lando's first karting race, his first championship win, his first single seater, his son's beaming face as he signs his first F1 contract - all rush past him in a blur until he's left in the present.

"Bärchen." He says softly, and Lando falls into his arms. He feels Jenson join the hug, and he rests his cheek against Lando's helmet. "I wish you wouldn't grow up so fast."

Lando laughs and it sounds a little wet. "Have to some time, Papa."

"I know."

"We're so proud of you Lanno, so proud."

"Thanks, Dad. I love you guys."

"We love you too, bärchen. Now get out there, can't miss your first qualifying." Seb pulls away first, as reluctant as he is, tapping the top of his son's head gently.

"See you for the top three photo." Lando comments cheekily, and they can see his eyes crinkle at the edges before he's ushered by Jon to get in the car.

(Seb's never been prouder than when he stands in the middle of Lewis and his son after a hectic and shocking Q3.)

[nobodysdaydreams]

😭/😍/🎁/🤔!! The author question is "Which character is the most natural/easiest to write for you?"

I hope you are having a good day, my dear friend!!

Why hello my friend! Indeed I am having a good day, and thank you for this wonderful ask! 🥰 I hope you're having a good day as well. 💕

😭 angst or sad WIP snippet

“Sadness isn’t something to be ashamed of. We’ve all experienced it. Me, perhaps, more than others. I learned at a very young age that abandonment and betrayal can come from anywhere, even from what seems like sacred ground. From family.”

Curtain finished his sentence and looked earnestly at Nicholas. Throughout his broadcast his brother hadn’t show a single sign of giving in. In fact, he seemed disgusted and annoyed. But perhaps if Curtain were to carefully show a tiny bit of real emotion, that might reel him in. It was a risk, but a calculated one.

A risk that paid off. Nicholas, upon seeing the sudden genuine emotion on his brother’s face, looked down at his hands, suddenly ashamed. Nicholas could roll his eyes and mock his brother’s ridiculous need for approval all he wanted, but at the end of the day, he had to face the reality that he was the one who had turned his brother into this.

😍 published lines or a section of a fic that you loved writing?

Well, I know you have SOS memorized by now /j /I love you Sophie, but two things I love doing with that fic are 1) narrative symmetry and 2) taking things from the books and show and giving them new levels of meaning. I do this in chapters 3 and 7 with the whole "No one at the wheel" phrase that is used to discuss the feeling behind the Emergency, where I give it a deeper meaning rather then just having it be a random phrase Curtain made up. There's just something about revealing a deeper meanings behind words or objects and having a concept in a narrative show up again in a different format that just makes my brain go brrrrrr :).

For those that don't know what I'm talking about, here are the snippets. Spoilers for Chapters 1-7 of SOS.

Snippet from SOS Chapter 3 "No One at the Wheel":

Now that he was finally alone, Curtain finally allowed himself a moment to grieve the families he had lost. The tears flowed freely now. He couldn’t stop them. For once he couldn’t wipe them away and deny them, given the infant in his arms.

He felt like he was watching a bus full of children, with no one at the wheel, roll steadily but swiftly down a steep hill towards a cliff. And as much as he desperately wanted to stop it, to do anything to stop it, all he could do is stand there and witness the inevitable. Watch as innocent people died before his eyes. Watch as everyone he loved left in one way or another.

He wanted to tell himself that this was the way life was: people died, people left, and there was nothing you could do but accept it. But he couldn’t do it. He couldn’t take it anymore. 

Snippet from SOS Chapter 7 "Taking the Wheel":

“You abandoned me,” he finished, his voice straining as he held back tears and walked around his desk to confront Wetherall, “I had to experience all of that alone, do you know how that felt? How it feels to watch your friends die slow, painful, agonizing deaths, right in front of your eyes and not be able to do a thing to stop it? It feels like being trapped in a runaway car, racing towards a cliff, with no one at the wheel, no one in control! And you want to take control, you want to stop the car, but you can’t. You can’t save anyone; you can’t even save yourself. But not anymore. I’m taking the wheel and taking control. And you’re not going to stand in my way.”

🎁name a published gift fic someone has given you that you love and can't recommend enough

I'll list the two that I've been gifted because they are both fantastic, and I cannot recommend them enough (I've linked them here everyone please read them!).

The first is "Don't you ever wonder if I'm okay (after all you put me through) by @myfairkatiecat. Based on Milk's ask game prompts, and oh boy is it amazing. If you're looking for great Benedict twins content, look no further (that's about all I'll say without spoiling).

The second is "The Best Decision" by @heyitsthatonesmolgay. Again, based on Milk's ask game prompts, and this one is especially impressive, because I gave not one but three possible prompts, which Connie was somehow able to weave into one amazing fic.

I cannot recommend these two fics enough, but are criminally underrated and if you have not read them, do yourself a favor and go do so now.

🤔 ____________? [ask the author a question about any of their published works, such as what the writing process was like, what their favorite fic is, or what character they like writing about].

I think the easiest characters for me to write are probably the Benedict brothers and Garrison. Because those are the characters with the most unanswered questions related to their backstories, so they are the ones I hyperfixated on (hence SOS). I talk about it a little bit in this post.

,

[crymeariveronceagain]

what if Sophie accidentally transmits her night terrors when they get really bad? not too far just outside her door to her bodyguards.

"She's dreaming again," Sandor said, quietly.

Grady sighed, sitting down next to him, offering him a cup of tea.

Sandor took it, it looking particularly fragile in his rough gray hands.

"What's it about tonight?" Grady asked, sounding exhausted.

"Keefe. Again."

The silence hung between them like sheets of ice that didn't want to be broken.

Grady leaned his head back against the door, and waited.

Sure enough, the pictures filled his mind.

Black cloaks, firey blue eyes, a smile that chilled every corner of him.

Flashes of her screaming, an intense feeling of pain, hot and unavoidable.

Grady wondered, briefly, why the stars had destined this for his daughter. Why it was written for her, and not him.

He'd have taken it a thousand times so she wouldn't have had to.

Sandor said, his voice soft and chiruppy, "She shouldn't be like this."

Grady shook his head. "No," he answered, "She shouldn't."

"What are you two doing out here?"

Grady looked at his wife, her soft blue eyes concerned as they met his. He didn't know what he was supposed to say.

What do you say?

Our telepath daughter gets so distressed by what her brain concocts that she actually spits it out in mental screams for the people nearest to her to hear, and I didn't want her to be alone?

He shrugged.

Sandor answered. "Sophie transmits her nightmares."

"Oh," Edaline whispered, her voice going soft like it always did when she got worried. She took a seat next to Grady, and leaned her head on his shoulder, "Again?"

Grady nodded.

"I worry about her," Edaline said. "I worry about her so much."

The shapes filled his mind again, blood and pain and screams and fire and water and the wind and the sea and Linh shouting, MOVE, STAY ALIVE, LISTEN TO ME, SOPHIE-- and of Keefe shouting for her to believe in him, that everything would be okay.

A hissy, dangerous voice overcame him, cloying and sharp and dangerous all at once.

No reason to worry.

Grady winced. "That's Alden," he said, quietly.

"The more I learn of him," Sandor said, "The less I know what to think of him."

Grady and Edaline said nothing.

The silence, thick and tainted with thoughts that hummed in the air like pain itself.

"There's no way to solve this," Grady said, into the heavy silence. "There's nothing we can do to help her."

The guilt leaned on them like a heavy weight.

"I hate this," Edaline said softly.

Sandor nodded, and then rubbed his forehead. "She shouldn't be able to transmit to me."

The two other adults turned to look at him.

"Elven powers don't work too well on goblins."

Grady looked away. "Sophie's different."

"Sophie's always different," Sandor said. "You're her parents, you should know that nothing is ever the same with Sophie."

Edaline looked up at the cieling. "I wouldn't want anyone normal for every peaceful night in the world."

The door opened, and a blonde girl with bags the color of bruises under her eyes walked out, looking incredibly small. She stopped when she saw everyone in front of her door, her face tear-streaked and her body trembling.

"Wh...what are you doing out here?" Her voice shook, and if you listened closely to the background, you could hear three hearts breaking.

Edaline smiled, sadly. " Don't worry about that, Love," she said, gently, "Come on, it's late, let's get you some tea."

Grady watched his daughter and his wife leave, the smaller girl leaning heavily on his wife, and he felt a sigh burn in his soul.

He released it like it was a wisp of smoke fleeing from his lungs, a thin stream that needed to be held onto as long as he could.

"I wish I could save her from everything wrong in the world." Grady's teeth gritted tightly together. "I wish I could take her place. If I could save her from everything, protect her from every bad destiny, I'd do it in a heartbeat. If some great creator slammed into my face and said, "You can do this for her," I'd do it a thousand times over. Anything to get that horrible look out of her brown eyes."

The silence that stretched between them was thoughtful and tight.

"Being a bodyguard is not an easy task," Sandor said, carefully. "But neither is being a parent."

Grady looked at him.

"I cannot care for her enough," Sandor continued, "And she will fight me every step of the way. And you must strike the balance between love and overprotection."

Sandor threw a throwing star in the air and caught it in his fingers.

Grady watched it move, glinting in the light. "I can try."

Sandor snorted, "That's all we can do. We try."

[hopepaigeturner]

☂️Umbrella Academy AU ☂️: Meet No.7

Things hot up as we are introduced to our penultimate member...

*~*~*~*~*~*

“I cannot believe you would be so stupid,” Lady Danbury thundered. Gareth continued to scuff his shoes. “Your powers are a gift and you should not deal with them so recklessly—at school of all places!”

Gareth huffed and stood up straight.

“If they are a gift then why do you limit them?”

Lady Danbury’s eyebrows lowered, lips in a set line.

“You are not ready for time travel Gareth.”

“Why not?” Gareth cried.

“We have yet to fully comprehend how your time travel could work, it is too dangerous for—”

“Someone my age? I’m 17, Lady D. I’m not a child anymore! I can do this!”

“No, you can’t. It is too dangerous. You are under my charge and care and I will not have you recklessly risking your life.”

“Why don’t you believe in me? Why don’t you trust me?” he cried back. “Simon would—”

“Simon already agrees with me.” Gareth halted. Lady Danbury gave him a knowing look. “And he is already on his way here to help me shake some sense into you.”

Gareth ground his teeth.

“It’s not my fault you’re both cowards. And I’m not going to apologise for being who I am. Not now, not ever,” he seethed before striding out of the room.

“Gareth!” Danbury called before he hopped out onto the landing, then another hop to the front hallway. He stuck two middle fingers at the upper stories and went to stride out—

“Gareth?” Gareth whipped round to find Lucy standing by the steps to the kitchen. “Please don’t leave, not like this.”

“I’m done Lucy. I’m done,” he replied. “If they don’t believe I’m ready then I’ll show them.”

“Gareth please don’t do anything stupid,” Lucy said.

“I’m sorry Lucy,” He put up his hood, “you would never understand,” he replied, before slamming the door.

*~*~*~*~*

His sneakers beat along the ground in tandem with his thumping heart.

Why did they have to treat him like a child? Had he not proved himself enough? He’d trained for years to prove himself. He’d followed orders on every mission and when he didn’t…well he’d saved missions, saved his siblings countless times.

He was ready. He was beyond ready. Yet they would never let him. They would always see him as little Gareth, little poor Gareth…

Well, let them watch. Watch what he’d been practicing for weeks. Watch him be his own person, his own man and make his own choices.

Gareth closed his eyes and remembered Lucy’s advice. He already travelled through space by punching holes. He just had to find the hole for the fourth dimension—time.

He took a deep breath, reaching out, grasping—reaching.

The typical sucking sensation occurred—although something made it feel uncanny—and he hopped.

And landed.

Gareth opened his eyes and grinned. He started strolling along the dusky street, heart thrumming when he noticed a newspaper detailing some type of lightning strike—written two days in the future.

Gareth crowed and started skipping, closing his eyes, punching another hole—the suction—the landing.

Another street, this time in the bright sunshine.  The sign on the bookies shop read a week later.

Gareth laughed. Look at him now! Beat that Lady D! Who was the kid now?

Gareth closed his eyes, drew his fist back, and punched.

He would show them, he would show them all.

The suction. The landing.

Gareth opened his eyes and his stomach dropped.

Before him was a wasteland, dilapidated buildings, hanging telephone wires and splintered windows. Piles of debirs were lit on fire and advertisement boards lay like fallen playing cards. The horizon shone a dismal red, the sun shaded by ash, ash that sucked up Gareth’s nose as he tried to breathe.

“No, no, no,” he muttered, then turned and ran. Ran past the newsagent, as the scorching air abrased his lungs. He ran back to the Umbrella Academy—and cried out.

The entire academy stood in ruins, the umbrella on the front door mangled.

“Lucy!” he called, climbing through the debris. “Simon!” Tears clogged his throat but stung in his eyes. “Sophie! Anyone!”

He tried to concentrate, to punch another hole but he couldn’t, there was nothing but the ashy wind scattering dust across him. He collapsed onto the floor, tears in his eyes.

“Please…please, just let me go home.”

Something skittered in front of him, another newspaper dated a month from his original time. The title read;

Bridgertons berserk: Superpowered family wreaks the world—

Who the hell were the Bridgertons?

[wormholxtreme]

@ppctts said: 🖊 + the moment she was really sure she & Athan are soulmates

(@telipatia)

Drabble Meme

When did it happen? Was it a singular event that captivated Kaylee's heart? It couldn't have been. Even in the times when her mind was shrouded in shadow there he was by her side. To call that love would be a lie but he was made for her, and she was made for him. That's how it was presented. They were unstoppable to say the least. She'd seen a rage in his eyes turn to something different, something of an awe as he look to her in all her infectious glory. A look that Kaylee adored. No person before him had ever made her feel equal. They mocked her, manipulated her, used her. But not Athan. Sure, he was rough around the edges. He didn't understand a lot of Kaylee's quirks. But he was a quick study. He learned fast what it meant to be her treasured lover and despite the havoc he waged against everyone else, he was more careful with her heart than anyone before him.

But that love was tainted. Showing each other the darkest parts of themselves that when the light poured in, Artemis to Athan and Sophie to Kaylee, there was nothing holding them together. Well…almost nothing.

Even with the baby, Kaylee would have let him walk out of her life forever. But his sisters had other plans. She felt caged with their presence and pressure but she agreed to walk with Athan around the block. There was something so different about him now. The rage in his eyes that she'd fallen for at her worst was mere storm clouds. She waited to let him speak but everything about him seemed so different that she couldn't hear a word he was saying. Just a loud buzzing in her ears until the spots filled her vision. She felt so dizzy and he was the only thing she could grab onto. Her fingers intertwining with his as she went down.

Kaylee squinted her eyes open to the bright lights of the Avengers hospital wing. She was tucked safely in bed, a sharp feeling in her arm. Groaning she looked down seeing the needle under her skin, the line attached to a saline bag. Kaylee reached over to pull the needle out. She hated needles ever since she was a child. Her eyes flashed to the bracelet on her other arm. The only way they could have gotten the needle in her was with a power inhibitor. She was so weak already that the loss of her powers was almost too much to bare. 

And then he came out of no where. That storm in his eyes back to rage. "I know you're mad at me." She told him defiantly "So say what you're going to say." She could feel the heat of anger wave off of him but he wouldn't relent. The refusal sparking anger in her too. She reached out with both palms and shoved him "Say it!! Athan just fucking say what you want to say!!" Her hands on his chest trying to push into him to no avail. That spark in her died out as quickly as it came. Her face in his chest as tears rolled down her cheeks, muttering into him.

And then he surprised her again, scooping her off the floor and carrying her back to bed. How did he do that? In one act, even as he was seething, he was gentle with her. It's only for the baby. Kay was certain. But she promised him anyway to try. She'd try to sleep. She'd try to eat. As long as he was trying to get better from the abuse Lady Death had bestowed on him, she would too.

After that day, Kaylee never pushed him away when he showed up to her penthouse. But he always paid the toll. A different kind of food each time. The first time she laughed in a long time was watching him try out chopsticks. "Okay okay stop let me show you." She reached out taking his hands in hers, setting them between his fingers and guiding him to pick up a dumpling. "Perfect but now that's mine." She grinned bending under to snag the dumpling from the chopsticks and grinned at him. "Soooo I wanted to ask you if you'd be willing to help me with my new powers." She asked him. The titan magic that pulsed in her veins frightened her and who was better than him to help her control it.

His face was priceless the worry etched into his feature. "Just training darling!" She told him affectionately not catching the pet name until his curious gaze matched hers. Her true smile faltered and she cleared her throat before letting her mask of a simplier smile set in place.

Once they hit the gym, his strength threatened to overpower hers but Kaylee had her secret weapon. She'd pulse a yellow glow with purple flecks and double her strength class. But she had something more on her mind. A mischievous grin until she twisted out of his grasp, floating just out of reach. "You'll have to catch me first!" She giggled swimming through the air gracefully. Athan mere steps behind her but not quite fast enough to catch her. She spun and flipped taking to the sky out of the tower, daring him to follow. She could have sworn she saw a smile on his face. Where did that dimple come from? Lost in his smile she lost her edge and his hands grasped her tightly.

Kaylee gasped, another giggle escaping her lips she relented under his touch. "You uh you caught me." She spoke softly, brushing his hair back away from his face with the softest touch.

After that she found herself stealing glances. Hoping to catch a glimpse of that smile again. Not knowing what could trigger it, but a desire to want to be the one to bring it out in him. But as much fun as games of chase were, she found herself losing stamina.

He started pushing her toward the bedroom when she'd yawn. "I'm fine really." She'd protest but all it took was a raised brow to get her to sigh in resignation. "Okay but…" Kay blushed slightly, heat rising into her cheeks as her request hit the tip of her tongue "will you come with? I uh…I sleep better with someone next to me right now." Usually it was Sophie but she wasn't going to be there until later.

An awkward shuffle. The two hadn't spent the night in the same bed since they were under Lady Death's spell. But when Athan wrapped his arms around her Kay never felt safer. She settled down nuzzling into his chest and drifted off. For the first time since she found out about the baby she slept peacefully. No nightmares to speak of.

A new routine. One that Kaylee welcomed. Dinner and sleep. Something she hadn't really done before but with Athan's influence became ordinary.

She grew to be spoiled by his presence. And not just her. Whether it was the butterflies he gave her or the sound of his voice, Kay felt the baby kick when she was around him. Her heart longed for him when he wasn't there but she dare not admit it yet. They had gone through so much and the walk back from hell wasn't over yet.

A night Athan wasn't there. A night when Kaylee agreed to stay home for his sanity was the worst day of her life. They poured in through shadows, windows, and doors. Relentless. But Kaylee was just as tenacious. Until she turned and came face to face with Lady Death. A hand reached out, a flash and the entity's hand changed into a skeleton, the boney finger touching Kay's forehead knocking her to the floor.

She woke up on the cold floor of a cell. Shackles bound her wrists and ankles. Kaylee struggled against them to no avail. Shackles built for gods. Even with all her power, Kaylee was left helpless.

Agony ripped through her belly. They were cutting into her abdomen, the only care they took was to not hit the baby. They couldn't care less what organs of Kay's they sliced through. She screamed but stayed still. "I'm. Going. To. Kill. You." She said through gritted teeth, getting a sneered laugh in return. And then she heard the cry. Tears rolled down her cheeks knowing it was too late.

And then he was there. Arms delicately pulling her from the ground. His voice calling her name from beyond the veil. It was the sweetest sound she ever heard. "A-athan go get him." She squeezed his hand with the little strength she had left. Blood pooled around them. Her healing factor trying to do it's work but there was so much damage it was anyone's guess. She wanted to tell him more. She wanted to go through all those memories and point to each one that made her love him. Each detail about him that made her heart flutter. It wasn't a singular moment but a collection of pieces that brought them here. Maybe it was their destiny but they were so much more than Death could have ever imagined. They weren't two souls cut from the same star. They were two souls who in the end chose each other even if the dominos were stacked in place for them. "Go find our son." She told him, a soft smile to her lips. A trust in him to protect the thing they both treasured the most. And in that moment she knew. She knew she loved him.

[synonymroll648]

Whoops accidentally hit 600 words ah well these things happen. I have decided to snippet you with sophitz (angst? fluff? both??) enjoy :)

Sophie tapped her fingers against her laptop keyboard, trying to figure out the best way to phrase her conclusion. Gerard Way screaming through her headphones was not much helping, but she didn’t have the heart to shut them up. Her mind kept wandering back to Keefe and Fitz and the whole soulmate shenanigan.

She kind of wanted to cut her finger off and forget romance was even a thing. But alas, that would probably hurt, and she sort of liked romance. Just not all the drama that it happened to come with.

Fitz opened her door and stepped into her room. Sophie heard a vague hint of Marella’s voice, and she paused her music (sorry Gerard) and took off her headphones.

“You can’t just come in here,” Sophie said.

“I’ve been knocking for a while,” Fitz said. “Can I come in?”

“You already have,” Marella said. “Let me guess. You want to speak to Sophie alone.”

“If you don’t mind.”

“No one wants me,” she sighed dramatically. Sophie laughed.

“I’m sure your girlfriend wants you, go hang with her,” she said. Marella perked up.

“If I’m not back within an hour assume I’m sitting at her table for dinner,” Marella said, blowing them both a kiss and leaving. Fitz watched her go before turning back to Sophie.

“Before you say anything, do you know how to write a good conclusion?” she asked him.

“Yeah, I’ll give you pointers later.” Fitz sat down on Marella’s bed and looked at the ceiling behind Sophie. “Have you ever been in love?”

Sophie coughed. “Wow. Unexpected. Um. Why?”

He shrugged.

“Do you… think you might be in love with someone?”

Another shrug.

Sophie stared at him. He looked… quite sad. Like he sort of wanted to be anywhere but here. Whether “here” was Sophie’s room or the uni or the world in general.

“…is it Keefe?”

Fitz’s eyes flickered towards her in terror, but moved away again almost as quickly.

“Hey,” Sophie said quietly, standing up and moving closer to comfort him. Fitz’s right arm immediately shot upwards to shield his face, and his entire position adjusted, poised for an incoming attack.

Sophie stepped away immediately, holding up her arms as if in surrender. “Sorry, sorry—“

“Don’t be,” he said. “It’s not your fault—“

“—I don’t want to overstep—“

“—you’re fine, I just—“

“—I can give you some time alone—“

“No, stay.”

Sophie looked at the desperation in Fitz’s eyes.

“Please.”

Sophie nodded. “Do you want me to stay here or sit there or—“

“Here’s fine.”

Sophie sat on Marella’s bed and watched Fitz calm himself down. A barely-heard “thank you” passed his lips.

“You don’t have to talk,” she said quietly. “We can just… sit here. The wall looks especially nice this time of day.”

Fitz smiled, the beauty of his face dampened slightly from the tears leaking out of his closed eyes. He leaned back against the wall and started trying to regulate his breathing.

Sophie wanted to tell him. She and Fitz and Keefe had made that unspoken agreement to talk about the soulmate stuff with each other the moment anything of importance came up, and a fat crush on Fitz was probably something of importance. But this moment… it was perfect. She didn’t want to screw that up.

So she just laced their hands together, closed her eyes, and let her mind go.

dude!!! this is so !!!!!! sophie listening to mcr?? fitz and sophie stumbling super hard in trying to respect each other's boundaries but continuing to try anyway?? the fact that this isn't just sokeefitz but a fucking sokeefitz SOULMATE AU????? YESYESYESYESYES. LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS <333 if you ever post this please tag me omg

-

It’s a shame that Fitz is so pretty it’s tragic. Tragic for Keefe, because he’s the most stubborn person he knows, and yet the way that the muted skies of dawn and glow of the pool lights paint over Keefe’s resistance with adoration. Adoration for how he’d come out here at 5 in the morning to hang out with Keefe, adoration for how he’s clearly tired but trying not to show it, adoration for the curls that are a little more messed up than usual - like he’d just rolled out of bed. Adoration for-

[harmonyverendez]

Soulmates: Agatha x Reader x Tedros ( In Which G! N reader is the soulmate of The King and Queen )

~

Headcon.

~

Headcon.

• when you arrived, you never expected yourself to be in the house you were in. You thought you were the opposite.

• Catching eyes with Agatha first. She was curious about you. You were, after all, a newcomer.

• And then it was Tedros turn. He couldn't keep his eyes off of you. Always catching his eyes, and he would look away before you can see his blush.

• all this happened around the time they have arrived. When Agatha and Sophie came to school for good and evil.

• Sophie cornered you one day and asked about your feelings for her sister. She didn't understand Poly-Relationships but she will support yours, people be damnned to their business.

" I don't know what you are talking about." You had replied.

" I know you have feelings for my sister and her boyfriend!. But I'm not here to harm you, I actually love seeing you three together. I only ask you to not break her heart. If you do, then there will be hell to pay".

• After that she was both you, Agatha and Tedros. Biggest supporter. If anyone would to harm you then there will be hell to pay.

• Tedros ends up asking both of you to the ball. You accepted, but what's nervous? How would everyone respond to the three of you dating?

• There were some whispers. But a glare sent from Sophie shut the them the hell up. Even though she was going around trying to destroy the school.

• But don't worry, you have plenty of support from their friend group. they'll love you anyway ( they honestly have no choice.)

• Was devasted when Sophie turned on both school and wanted power. Your girlfriend and boyfriend ended up having to save the school.

• Asking them out during the dance, and they both accept.

• Kissing both of them. You didn't know who was better. It was a tie. Since you've never been kissed before, and it's theirs as well.

• When all the evers went to destroy the Nevers. You warned them about it being evil. And the Evers forgive.

• Tedros didn't listen. He wanted to make sure Sophie pay. But he forgot one thing.

" Evil Destory... Good defend.

Evil Takes... Good Forgive.

Evil Corrupts... Good Fix.

• But that wasn't on his mind. He wanted to kill. When he stormed in on the Nevers. They all were shocked.

• Sadden when the Ever turned Evil, and the Evil turned Good. You knew it was all Sophie's idea.

• What happened to the good Sophie you saw from the start? She was gone, that was.

• When the schools collapsed, you went along with and everything flashed before your eyes and darkness.

• When you opened your eyes, all the Evers have become good, and the Evil becomes accepted. All the balance was fixed.

• Both school united.

• And it was thanks to your girlfriend saving the day. You couldn't be more prouder of her.

• When it was time for both of them to leave. You had tears running down your face. You didn't want Agatha to leave nor did Tedros.

" Will you stay with us... Honey?" You ask.

" I don't know... Y/N?.... My friend Sophie needs me..."

• When she left with her sister. You cried in Tedros arms. At least you had him.

• But you didn't feel complete. You felt empty.

• But in your heart, you knew she would be back.

• Because while practicing. Tedros sword flies through the portal and lands threw the tree of Galvadon.

" I will be waiting for you, Agatha. Because my heart will never be complete without you... I'll see you soon my love" You whispered out in the night. Staring at the night sky and watching the stars.

FOR ANON.

[bookwyrminspiration]

Shattered Upside Down

A kotlc wings au: masterpost here

Chapter 32: Stitches and Open Wounds

word count: 7.3k

chapter summary: Sophie's trying to rebuild, but the knowledge she now has weighs at her and she can't keep it secret.

warnings: death (happened prior to the chapter), mentions of a body, grief, breakdowns, splinters (a lot of splinters)

taglist: I’ll reblog with it! let me know if you want to be added or removed!

ao3 link here or read below

Lady Gisela’s body was found discarded amongst the wreckage of the everblaze ruins, almost entirely submerged in the little creek that cut through the dreamy grass. It’d saved her from the worst of the fire; even if everblaze couldn’t be put out with water, water still couldn’t burn.

If she was anywhere else, she wouldn’t have been found nearly as quickly. With the stickiness of the ash, the lingering heat looming in the air, the creek was a welcome and brief reprieve. Dipping your feet in and letting the water splash up on your legs, watching it flow over your fingers as you press them just under the surface, it soothed the ache.

As they’d moved through the area, they found that solace in different parts of the water, again and again traveling further through its flow until--bloated skin, swollen scars, dead eyes.

Dead person.

Peach skin and blonde hair all twisted up and falling over itself, sky blue eyes.

Dead Lady Gisela.

Sophie had flown over that very creek, had hoped that it would stop the blaze scorching across the earth. She’d flown over it again when she’d helped get Marella’s dragon away from the goblins who would kill it, who would tear it piece from piece and shred the remains.

Had her body been lying cold in the water then?

Sophie’s tea sat filmy and untouched after she’d set it on the ground, afraid she was going to drop it and shatter the lovely mug.

What did she even do now?

“How? How did she die?” Biana finally asked, voice rasping through the air like a knife, breaking her from her horrified reverie.

Grady shrugged. “They haven’t told us yet. Maybe they never will. I think they want to pretend it never happened.”

But it had happened. Lady Gisela was dead.

If she ever manages to save herself.

That’s what Fintan had said when Lady Gisela had been brought up. She hadn’t worried about it at the time, hadn’t thought of it more than in that moment; if Lady Gisela wasn't a problem right then, she was something that could be put off towards another time.

The time was now, apparently.

What had she failed to save herself from?

Her parents had gotten paler, lips pressed thin, eyes distant as they looked at something the three of them couldn’t see. She hated it, hated that look, wanted to get rid of it.

“Don’t worry about it,” she said suddenly. “If that’s all you know, we don’t need to keep talking about it.”

How had things turned so somber, so unbelievable, so quickly?

How were they going to tell Keefe? What would he say? What would he do? He hadn’t brought her up in months, doing his best to move on from someone who only ever loved who he could be for her, not who he was.

“Sorry for bringing the mood down so low,” Edaline said, attempting a small smile to get them out of the funk. “How about you continue your story? I’m sure you’ve been through a lot more than we have since you left.”

“Um, yeah, okay, I can do that,” she answered, shaking herself off as she tried to remember where she’d been before she brought up the smoke smell, leftovers of the ash from the everblaze. If they still smelled like smoke, then they must’ve been on the surface recently. Did that mean Lady Gisela’s death was recent, too? How much did that change for the Neverseen? For Phoenix? They hadn’t seem to miss her…

“Well, after we left, we used a pathfinder to leap away--but it had gotten cracked, and we ended up somewhere else. You’ll never believe what we found there,” she started, forcing the rest of the thoughts away as she continued her story.

She left out a few details, like the extent of injuries now healed, to keep from worrying them too much, but she found more and more of the story spilling from her lips.

The gnomish village, how they’d each found a house for themselves, though she had yet to see everyone’s, how they’d later fixed up parts of the place but weren’t done yet. Dex’s poor reaction to something, his medical emergency that’d made her freeze so badly she’d never forgiven herself.

For some reason she left out the part with the monster, the fateful day she’d met Echo, unsure how they’d respond. Her parents hadn’t lived on the surface in months, they hadn’t become more than human. They still feared monsters, were still disgusted by them--all of them.

Then the storm, how the rain had poured down out of nowhere from some unnatural cause, tearing flowers from vines and flooding the dirt on the ground into mud. Dragons, there were dragons in the sky. Not the little green dog-like creatures she’d heard about around Havenfield, but true dragons like from her storybooks, dragons that fought and tore at each other.

She brushed through her trip to the Forbidden Cities with Tam, just mentioning how they’d taken what they’d needed after Marella and Linh had absorbed the brunt of the damage from the dragons.

That brought her to the messages they’d received from the Council, the demands for explanations and to meet. A demand she’d met with her own, leading to…Mysterium. Her parents knew the end to this part of the story.

“Will I ever get my pathfinder back?” Grady asked, trying to lighten the mood the story had brought down--if it could even get lower after the news about Lady Gisela.

“No,” she told him after a moment. “It’s ours now. You can get a new one from the Council or something--where do they even come from? Don’t answer that, it’s not important.”

Edaline was looking off into the distance, hands folded tightly under her arms as though she was restraining herself. But from what? “So the whole time we were begging you to come back home, to come back to us, you were going through all that,” she murmured. “We thought we had done something wrong, that we’d driven you away. I’m sorry for all the ways we made your plight more difficult for you; we didn’t know.”

“Of course you didn’t know,” Linh assured her, voice gentle as she fiddled with a ribbon of water in the air, twisting it around her wrist and letting it climb along her skin, gleaming with that unnatural iridescence in the soft lighting. The normal hues built to imitate the light on the surface were shifting into oranges, the day waning.“We didn’t tell anybody. You can’t take that blame onto yourself; it won’t ease the ache for any of us and will only make you more miserable in the process.”

Edaline gave her a warm smile. “Of course--please, don’t stop on my account. Grady told me what happened in Mysterium, the monsters. And the things we’ve been politely avoiding mentioning.”

She gave a pointed look to the cloaks.

Sophie shifted, digging her nails into her palms to keep from tugging at her eyelashes when she found her hand half-way there already.

“Well you’re not politely avoiding it anymore,” she mumbled, face heating as she averted her eyes. Why was this the part that got to her? She’d had the wings for weeks, had learned to use them, had accepted that they were a part of them she could never hate, not when they did so much for her family.

Yet the thought of openly showing them felt like an act she couldn’t come back from, and she wasn’t sure she was ready to face it. To show her parents just how different she had become from the daughter they’d learned to love. She had no doubts they would continue to love her, that they’d find a way through this hectic new world hand in hand, but that wouldn’t make the shift any less rocky.

“We won’t force you, Sophie--or you two either,” Grady said, addressing Biana and Linh, who had glanced at each other across the circle.

“Thanks,” she exhaled, then frowned up at the ceiling, shifting side to side. She’d been prepared for the pressure of the earth, the cramped feeling that came with it, but that didn’t stop it from grating.

She picked up her story, skipping over Mysterium and going back to the village, how she and Keefe had used Grady’s pathfinder to visit a meadow with the alicorns--Linh and Biana were very jealous of that--how Elwin had reached out to her so she’d brought him to them, Dex making his own wings, how Marella had flown off and Sophie had followed. Biana got a kick out of explaining how she’d followed Sophie following Marella, but the jokes faded when they got to the facility, when Biana went missing, when Marella had finally been found.

Her voice went quiet as she explained how technically, she’d caused the everblaze fire trying to move the dragon, then gave up trying to explain the being at the end of the hall as she moved forward with her tale. They graciously skipped over the tracker incident, then Linh apologized for going missing, detailing how adorable her baby dragons were.

More and more of the story poured from her mouth as the minutes ticked by, the call from Councillor Alina and saving Marella’s dragon and finding Fintan and the little girl and sharing all that had happened until she got to the day before.

Her unintentional kidnapping.

Her parents’ faces were tight as she went over what’d happened, the story smoother this time around now that she’d had the morning as practice. Edaline wouldn’t stop fretting over her, and Grady had some choice words about Fintan and Murad, but there was nothing to be done about it now.

She was back, and she was okay, and she was sharing her story. Everything had worked out and she was moving forward from it. What else was there to do?

By the time her story finished, the device at the top of the room was turning a darker and darker color with each passing second, night laying its weary head upon the earth with an unforgiving finality.

Biana frowned to her right, taking out her imparter as she, too, took in the shift. It was easy enough to ignore as it happened, but at some point it got to a point where you couldn’t put it aside anymore.

Sophie’s throat grated against itself whenever she swallowed, and no amount of tea would wash the feeling away. She’d been talking and talking all day, telling story after story since Echo had sat upon her face and nearly suffocated her that morning--near suffocation wouldn’t help her throat either, no matter how cute.

“Tam wants to know when we’ll be back,” Linh said quietly, also with her imparter out. “What should I tell him?” She directed her question to the room at large, looking between everyone like she’d find the answer there, utterly willing to go along with whatever everyone else needed. She was better emotional support than Sophie could ever deserve.

Sophie looked to her parents, trying to figure out how to word what she wanted to ask when Edaline cut her off before she could get it out.

“Part of me wants to lock the doors and hold you close to make sure I’ll never go without knowing what’s happening to you for so long ever again,” she said, standing off the couch to take the few steps to reach Sophie.

Wrapping her arms around Sophie’s shoulders, she squeezed tight. “But that’s not what you deserve. I don’t want to trap you down here with us, not if you’re…as okay as you can be up there. If you need to go now, we won’t stop you. Just…don’t shut us out like that again Sophie. We trust you, but we’re your parents. It’s in our nature to panic for your safety when we’re fumbling in the dark. Thank you for today. For letting us know you’re okay. I love you.”

Sophie’s shoulders drooped as she lifted her arms to wrap around Edline, face sinking into her shoulder, tears pricking at her eyes, the room blurring.

“You’re being safe, right? No angering ogre kings or breaking bones?” Grady said, joining the hug, and she could feel Biana and Linh pulled in too. All five of their heartbeats pulsed close, echoing back and forth to each other like they could voice all the words none of them knew how to say.

“Well, this is Sophie we’re talking about,” Linh said in response when Sophie couldn’t figure out how.

“You’re the one who charged into that dragon storm with her!” Biana countered, sparking a laugh from Sophie as she wiped at her eyes, pulling away from the group to better look at them all.

“You three better keep each other safe, alright? You need to look out for each other--every one of you,” Grady told them, pulling them all close for one last tight squeeze before he stepped back, tucking his hands in his pockets like it would hide the shaking, clearing his threat as he blinked hard.

Sophie turned it back around on him, saying “You better keep each other safe, walking around on the surface like you do,” but she added, “We will. We always do,” quietly after a moment.

“I guess we have to let you go now,” Edaline whispered, hand pressed over her chest like she could reach through and silence the raucous commotion of her heart.

“I’m not leaving forever this time,” she reminded her, reminded herself. She wasn’t. This was just a start, a bridge burnt down she refused to let stop her. She’d come prepared with bricks and mortar, with wood and rope, with her hands ready to do the work to cross that ravine between the two of them she’d let crack open.

This was just the beginning.

............................

“You are the smartest idiot I’ve ever known,” Tam drawled from the other side of the room, and Sophie didn’t even bother to turn to look at him as she raised a very specific finger, waving it a little for good measure.

“You had no problems going along with my petty theft plan not too long ago. What, are splinters where you draw the line?”

The hand Sophie hadn’t used to very kindly gesture towards him was held still next to her chest as she examined the little bits of wood sticking out of it--two this time. She refused to give Tam’s comment any serious consideration, but it was impressive that she’d managed to give herself 13 splinters over the last hour alone. If she’d still had her gloves--the ones to help control her enhancing, which was an ability she seriously never put to good use--they would’ve been invaluable right about now.

The pile of wood the ten of them had assembled hadn’t been this mean to anyone else; the rest of her friends’ fingers remained untouched from the damaged surfaces.

Sophie’s fit of fixing up a few bridges and sweeping, which hadn’t been very effective given her messed up shoulder at the time, hadn’t been nearly enough to make a dent in the village. But it had made progress, and it had spread.

Almost everyone had taken on smaller projects to freshen up their areas--Fitz’s stairs and balcony had needed some work, and the window’s at Tam’s place had been completely trashed--but they hadn’t done anything together yet.

That’s what this morning was for.

Fitz had woken her up that morning by barging into her house, saying something about how they couldn’t waste the daylight and how much work there was to do, that they needed to get something done to feel better about themselves before taking on the giant tasks their list had outlined for their future--it had apparently stopped being Sophie’s list and was now everybody’s list, which she was fine with. She’d never planned to do anything without them, not when she saw how much it hurt them all.

Except getting kidnapped. She’d definitely try and make sure that that kind of damage was restricted to everyone else as little as possible; they wouldn’t like that, but she didn’t want anyone hurt on her account if she could help it.

And regardless of her convictions or the comfort of her bed--this time suffocation free--Fitz was insistent.

That’s how she found herself next to Tam, turning an abandoned house into an organized place to shove various things. They’d moved all the furniture to a small room on the side and were using the now-empty main room, open to the sun, to stack planks of damaged wood. All the bridges and houses destroyed from the first monster attacks that’d killed this place combined with the dragon storm really wrecked the structures, leaving bridges dangling, warped and unusable, houses collapsed.

The others were going around taking apart the bridges, the vines and ropes holding everything together by a thread, gathering the detached wood from walls, then carting the supplies back to the two of them where they’d sort and organize.

They’d created a system together, the two of them, separating piles based on amount of damage, “slightly warped but still usable depending on the circumstances” all the way down to “how did it even get this funky.” The latter was full of odd shapes and splintered planks, things that could be used for kindling if they ever wanted a real fire--one that wasn’t sustained by Marella, that is.

“Splinters are where I draw the line when you keep doing things the hard way and then complaining about the consequences,” Tam said, answering her question even though she’d asked it just to poke fun at him.

“I’m not even complaining this time! I’m just dealing with it like a rational, controlled adult,” she protested, carefully using her nails to grip at the first splinter. They didn’t have tweezers, so she was going to have to do things the much less effective way, as she’d been doing for the previous dozen splinters.

“You can believe whatever you want to,” Tam told her, throwing up his hands in surrender, rolling his eyes as a smile tugged at his lips, little fangs pressing into the chewed skin.

He pushed off the wall he’d been leaning against, stepping around her to pick up where she’d left off, finishing storing the last of this batch of wood.

Sophie managed to pull the first splinter out just as Tam let out a small yelp, dropping the final plank with a clatter as he swore, shaking out his hand.

“You okay?” she asked, momentarily distracted enough to fully look up.

Tam stood, face all wrinkled in a grimace, flushed pink as he raised his hand up to his face and squinted.

Walking up behind him to peer over his shoulder, she could see what’d been nearly invisible from further away.

A splinter, poked into the skin of his ring finger, looking secure enough to be an absolute pain to remove--especially with Tam’s habit of biting his nails down, leaving them useless for tasks such as this.

“Don’t you dare,” he hissed, snatching his hand out of her line of sight.

“I wasn’t even gonna say anything!” she told him, which was a lie. She’d been fully intending to turn the narrative back around and tease him about falling prey to her affliction of tiny pieces of wood under her skin.

“Say anything about what?” Fitz asked, pushing the door open, wing entering before the rest of his body did. She’d hadn’t seen him for more than a few minutes in a while, him peeking through the window to wave hello when he dropped off more wood and rope for them to sort.

Marella pushed in behind him, mumbling something about boys with too many feathers as she inched around the space he took up, flapping her own leathery wings as she leaned against the wall.

“Nothing,” Tam quickly said, dropping his hand back to his side as he turned, light reflecting from his eyes as he did so.

Sophie just smiled quietly to herself, sticking her tongue between her teeth to keep herself from talking. She still had another splinter in her finger, and it was being incredibly stubborn; she began to pick at the skin around it to try and wiggle it out as Fitz continued his questions. “You’re doing that secretive smug smile, what’s going on here?” he accused, indicating the face Sophie was trying to school into submission as she struggled.

Tam still held his hand awkwardly at his side and sighed. “Just a couple of splinters.”

“Splinters? Have you been picking up the wood with your hands?” Fitz was confused enough to drop all his suspicions, instead looking between Sophie and Tam, incredulous.

“What do you mean ‘have we been picking up the wood with our hands?’ What are we supposed to use, our feet?” Sophie shot back, making a face at him like she couldn’t even believe he was asking.

Fitz put both his hands over his mouth, taking a breath before continuing. “You do know we’re elves, right?”

He raised a hand towards the door, pushing it open…with his mind. His fingers curled a little and a plank from his and Marella’s newest drop off started floating off the ground, effortlessly gliding through the door and onto the pile in the corner--which was not where it was supposed to go, as that was a possibly usable plank and he’d put it in the kindling pile.

Sophie and Tam said nothing, only glancing at each other as the wood settled atop the others.

Silently, Sophie peered down at her injury and squinted, drawing that energy up from her core as she lasered in her focus on that tiny sliver of wood still stuck in her finger that’d refused to cooperate with all previous attempts.

The splinter slid from her skin, much quicker and less painful than all her other splinters that’d she’d pulled out with brute force and her fingernails. “Huh. I guess we are elves,” was all she could think to say.

“Maybe you are,” Tam grumbled under his breath, shooting a glare at Marella, who was trying to suppress laughter in the corner, wings scraping against the walls as they shook alongside her, but there was no real weight behind it.

“No wonder you two are always bickering when we stop by,” Marella finally said, a smug little grin painted across her lips.

“You know what, just for that, I’m going to keep doing it the human way out of spite,” Sophie decided, crossing her arms. Maybe she was an elf--or at least partly, given that wings weren’t very elven--but she didn’t have to behave like one. Elves didn’t run off into danger, or love monsters, or teleport, or do any of the things Sophie had been doing for the past few years, so why should she start behaving like one now?

“How are we going to take down a whole double rebel organization if you can’t even do things the easy way when you know they exist!” Fitz exclaimed, running a finger through his hair as his wings flared a little, stirring up the dust and wood fragments and the pollen stuck to Sophie’s skin.

Tam sneezed.

“Sorry,” Sophie said to Tam, then to Fitz, “I’ll be smarter about everything when dealing with the facility and getting Phoenix out. I don’t have a plan--yet--but I’m not risking her. I wish I could’ve taken her when I got out.” The last part slipped out before she could stop it.

“If you hadn’t gotten yourself out, you wouldn’t be able to go back for her at all,” Marella said, coming up behind her. “Maybe it isn’t ideal, but this is a situation you can work with--that we can work with. We may only know her through what you’ve told us, but we trust you; we don’t want her with them as much as you do. Fintan and this Murad…that’s not a good place for a kid.”

Sophie shivered; Marella had never told her about the time she’d spent training with Fintan, and Linh wouldn’t tell her even if she’d asked out of respect for Marella’s privacy, but she couldn’t help but wonder what’d happened in those sessions, what he’d said that’d given her so much control over such a chilling ability.

Which reminded her of something, a day of fire and terror, of little girls held close to the chest, of word play and stalemates.

She turned to Marella, “That thing Fintan said to you, when we saw him at Havenfield…what did that mean?”

Marella frowned, chewing on the end of one of her braids. “Which thing? I don’t have your memory.”

“He said something about remembering the stars and the dreamers.” She hadn’t thought about it much, more concerned with repairing their friendship, but it’d always lingered.

Marella stopped chewing on her braid, letting it drop back into place as her heart rate spiked, nails picking at her cuticles as she exhaled. “Right. That one. It’s…nothing. Just another one of his lessons I ignored. That was the hardest part about training under him, knowing that he was…the kind of person he was. That it influenced everything he taught me, and then having to figure out which parts of what he told me were things I could trust and use, and which parts would indoctrinate me if I just accepted them.”

“And the stars and the dreamers were one you had to ignore?” Fitz clarified.

“Yeah. You’ll never stop wondering about it if I don’t explain so…it was about overcoming limits, testing what you could do. Because it was the pyrokinetics who dreamed of the stars who discovered everblaze, it was the ones who were willing to test the limits and reach higher who discovered this whole new craving that changed pyrokinesis forever. And he wanted me to be like that. To be someone to keep looking further and further and dream higher, reaching for the stars like he did--but to be more successful.

”When I first heard that I was so drawn to that specific story that he kept telling it. I thought it was one of his lessons that I could really use, that would actually work for me. But then the more I pushed myself, looking to the stars…the more I realized that it was that exact story that killed all those pyrokinetics and got the ability banned. Because they kept reaching for more and more, giving into the craving and giving themself over--that was always Fintan’s mistake. He was willing to give too much--to his ability, to his cause--and it ruined him. Pyrokinesis relies on balance between you and the flame, and I want my power to come from that balance and control, not some craving for something more that hurts the people around me. But that doesn’t stop him from bringing it up, trying to ‘push me to be something more.’”

The room went quiet, the three of them looking between each other and Marella looked away, scowling at the nearest pile of wood as her face started going red, sparks dripping from her fingers, crackling against her shirt as she crossed her arms.

“You don’t have to be anything more than you,” Tam told her, voice not gentle, but not unkind. “Anyone who doesn’t accept you as you are isn’t worth your time or your thoughts.”

“I know,” Marella breathed, quiet, like she was trying to remind herself of the fact. “I don’t care what Fintan thinks of me. I don’t,” she emphasized, reasserting herself as she shook her head, clearing her mind. “I’m a better pyrokinetic. I may not win against him one on one or have as much experience, but I have the balance he doesn’t and that’s what matters to me. Does that answer your question?” she said suddenly, switching the attention back to Sophie, who’d honestly forgotten she’d even asked a question with how engrossed she’d become in Marella’s story. It seemed so rare she learned something about her, all the secrets held close as she watched from afar to learn everything about everyone else.

“Yeah, I think it does.”

A clatter sounded outside, and they all jumped, Sophie’s wings buzzing as she nearly lifted off the ground from the force of her racing heart.

“Calm down, it’s just us,” Dex called, more wood clacking against each other--that was the noise that had started them.

But Sophie did not calm down, because she knew exactly who was accompanying Dex, who Fitz had paired him off with that morning.

Sure enough, when the door pushed open, she was met with blond hair and icy blue eyes, light grey wings shuffling behind him as he maneuvered through a door not meant for them.

Keefe.

She hadn’t talked to him, hadn’t told him yet. It was too late last night when they’d gotten back and everyone wanted a chance to think over the revelations of the day. Keefe had helped Fitz hail Alden and Della and whatever had happened there left the two of them exhausted; telling him then would’ve made it even harder for everyone.

And then this morning when Fitz had burst into her house--he probably would’ve thrown open the curtains too, if she’d had any--they’d all gotten right to work, though everyone else was more awake than her. That was the consequence of her years and years of insomnia, now even when she could fall asleep she’d end up sleeping for strange amounts of time as her body tried to find a rhythm amongst the chaos that was her life, leaving her tired despite resting.

She and Keefe had ended up in different pairings--Sophie and Tam, Keefe and Dex. They’d been stationed on different sides of the village, only occasionally crossing paths, and every time her heart rate had spiked.

Waiting for a chance to tell him, to pull him aside and explain what she’d learned…Biana and Linh had left that to her. She knew Keefe better when it came to information about his mom, and they trusted her judgment.

“She has no idea what we’re saying, does she,” Dex’s voice deadpanned. Accompanied with a flick to her arm from Marella, Sophie flinched back into her body, blinking, wings buzzing from the start.

“Ow,” she mumbled, absentmindedly rubbing at the hurt, but that just disturbed the bits of pollen stuck to her skin--seriously, she’d never be rid of it.

“What’s the deal with you, Foster?” Keefe asked, frowning at her. “You’ve been a nervous wreck all day, I swear I can’t escape the feeling.” He squinted at her to emphasize the point, fanning the air as his wings drifted a shade darker before he shook himself out of it.

Sophie opened her mouth, but closed it again when no words came out, shrugging slightly helpless.

She had to tell him, she had to.

They didn’t keep these kinds of secrets from each other--and he’d understand why she hadn’t told him yet, right? It wasn’t fair of her to hold onto this knowledge, but just how could she tell him?

How do you tell one of your best friends that his mother, his cruel and abusive and evil mother he’s spent months and months getting over, is dead?

“Sophie, I was just teasing you, what’s with all the dread?” Keefe asked suddenly into the quiet, the quiet sparked by Sophie’s quiet.

Her friends could sense it, were looking between the two of them with apprehension, with confusion, with curiosity. But they didn’t dare break the spell.

Sophie shifted, trying not to look at his face but unable to keep from glancing at it as she spoke.

“We…need to talk. It’s about your mom.”

............................

“Dead.”

He’d repeated the words back to her again and again, face blank in a truly frightening way.

When they’d had a conversation so similar to this he’d broken down, crying while furious at himself for feeling any sort of remorse or concern for someone so awful. But Lady Gisela was his mother, and he did love her, at least in part.

He’d wanted her to love him.

He hated her, despised her for what she’d done to him, what she’d put him through. But that didn’t mean he wanted her--

“Dead.”

“Please tell me what I can do for you right now,” she nearly begged, trying to keep her eyes off the dark dark darkness that’d spread behind him.

She’d never seen his wings so dark before.

Ink dipped void painted in delicate strokes across a page, blurring and smearing into each other, one feather indistinguishable from the next. They crawled over his shoulders, shadowed his skin, haunted him. No trace of light, no bolt of hope through the storm emerging from his shoulder blades, only something to be weathered, to be worn, to endure.

“I don’t--I don’t…” he started and trailed off a few times, sinking down to the floor to bury his head in his hands, fingers grasping at pale blond hair. She could hear his heartbeat spike as she lowered down next to him, tempted to reach out but not wanting to overwhelm him with her own emotions.

“I’m sorry,” was all she could think to say.

Keefe’s eyes were trying to bore a hole through the wooden floor, mouth fallen open. He wasn’t moving. When should she be concerned that he wasn’t moving? How long were you allowed to not move when your evil mother died of unknown causes?

Whatever length of time it was, she lost track when a knock sounded at the door.

Keefe didn’t say anything so Sophie called out, “Yeah?”

The door pushed open softly, the faint rustle of fragile wings stirring the air as Wylie stepped into the room.

“Hey,” he said, voice soothingly quiet as his eyes found Keefe, who still hadn’t moved from his numb position on the floor. “I…I heard what happened. Tam and Marella and the others were…concerned, when you pulled him aside. They started asking questions, so Biana and Linh told us, that way you didn’t have to deal with it on your own,” Wylie explained.

He pushed the door closed behind him, leaning against it and blinking slowly, a ripple of light passing beneath his skin as he sighed.

“I wanted to let you know, Keefe,” he said slowly, observing the same slightly-there yet slightly-not mindset Sophie was starting to get very worried over. “That if you need to, you can talk to me. My mother…she wasn’t like yours, but I lost her, too. There’s a lot of conflict you’re feeling that I didn’t have but…grief is grief.

“I don’t--I don’t even know why it matters,” Keefe mumbled, voice breaking over the words. “It’s not like…” he trailed off for a moment and they just waited, listening, as Keefe’s eyes remained fixed on that point she couldn’t see. “She wasn’t even there for me. I don’t even know the last time I saw her. Nothing’s changed. So why does it feel…like this.”

Wylie hesitantly stepped closer, lowering himself to the floor next to the two of them. “Something has changed. You’re allowed to feel however you’re feeling about that. Even if she wasn’t there for you, there was still the potential. For her to change, for her to care, for something to happen. That’s what really sucks,” he said so quietly she almost missed it. “All the opportunities you miss because this is final.”

“Final,” Keefe repeated back to him in a whisper, and that’s when the first tear fell from his suddenly glistening eyes, tracing its way down his cheek and curving under his chin, leaving an impression in its wake.

A second followed, and then a third, and then his lips were trembling as he took a shaky breath, fingers tightening in their hold on his hair, then his knees hitting the ground as he fell forward, hands splaying before him to catch himself as his wings spread from his back, draping over his body, lifeless as streaks of ice blue flashed through the spilled ink like lightning.

The wretched noise he made as Sophie’s hand tenderly came to rest on his shoulder nearly broke her as she felt her own traitorous eyes blur, watching him fall apart.

“I’m so sorry, Keefe,” she whispered again, unsure what else to say. Would a hug be too overwhelming? Could she say anything more? Was there anything she could do?

Why was she so useless, so helpless to do anything?

“It’s okay to cry over her, no matter how horrible she was,” Wylie said, hand coming to rest on Keefe’s other shoulder, the three of them forming some cursed triangle as the words broke through whatever modicum of restraint Keefe had been straining to hold onto like a log in a hurricane.

Keefe lowered himself to the ground, forehead pressing into the wood as he covered his head with his arms, fingers digging into his skin as the sobs broke loose, his body shuddering as he struggled to get enough breath into his lungs to scream his anguish into being.

And all they could do was be there with him.

All that could escape his mouth were garbled, pained sounds, the force of his confounded pain building and building and building with not enough outlets, strong enough that Sophie nearly fell back in shock, free hand grabbing at her temple as a wave of what she could only describe as raw, furious grief washed through the mindbubble, tearing along those delicate webs tying them all together and exploding like a bomb through her senses.

It rippled outward, pain upon pain upon pain, and she could feel the sparks of recognition from everyone else, the light that went off in their mind as their attention turned inwards. She got swept up in the wave, shoved out of her own consciousness and into the delicate yet sturdy balance maintained between them all. Like tightropes tied between them all, knots holding them together. Sure, they could be separated, but it’d take something sharp.

Keefe--

--ucks--and in the middle of all--

What do we even--

--how do--help?

Everyone’s thoughts poured over her, rushing through her mind like a torrent from a newly fallen dam. All nonsensical and insurmountable, she couldn’t find a way to orient herself, only aware of the grief grief grief washing over everything and trying to drown her to death with a gentle scream of a lullaby.

It’s bad, isn’t it, Fitz voice sounded suddenly, a moment of calm, something clear among the washed out white-noise of Keefe Keefe Keefe filling her head.

Very, she whispered back. I don’t know what to do. I’m…I don’t know what to do.

Me either, Fitz admitted. I want…I want to be there, but I don’t know if he wants me there. He’s always been so distant when it comes to his family, especially with me. I don’t know if I’m the right person…

This sucks so bad. I don’t know what to do for him--I don’t want him to think he’s alone.

They lapsed into silence after a moment and she could feel Fitz debating with himself in his head; give Keefe space so he could work through his emotions without any pressure to pretend to be okay for someone else and risk that he’d do something stupid, or find him to offer support upfront and risk overwhelming him because everyone else would have the same reaction.

Memories flashed through his head of broken things, a broken room, a broken mirror. Mr. Snuggles stuffed under his bed until that nightmare that’d gotten bad enough he’d needed him. Screaming and yelling and his mother’s broken sobs echoing through the halls, her desperation in the kitchen and all the photos she’d thought would bring him back. Biana, clothes plain and wrinkled as days-old tears sat against her skin, hair unwashed and pulled out of the way. Pulled out of the way so you could see her blank expression, like there was nothing and everything going on in her head and all she could do was sit there, stone still, not even twitching.

He’d nearly lost a parent, too.

Fitz and Biana almost lost Alden for good, Linh and Tam had been abandoned by both their parents, Wylie had lost his mom to the grave and his father to a broken mind, and Sophie had left behind an entire family before she could find this new one.

And now Keefe’s mom was just as gone.

The ache in her chest made her want to seek out her own parents once again, to hold them close and make them promise nothing would ever happen to them, as impossible a promise as that would be.

Before she could say anything to Fitz, a tapping against her skin drew her attention away, reached out to her through the deluge and into the little bubble of safety between the two of them, and started dragging her away with a start.

A shuddering breath fell from her lips as she all at once became aware of the wet floral scent of the air, the midday light crawling through the windows, the grains of wood pressing against her skin, the buzz of her wings agitated at her back, the salt in the air from red eyes and swollen sobs, the grief permeating the air.

“You okay?” Wylie asked, retracting his hand from where it had been tapping at her knee.

“I’m--wha--yeah? I’m…good,” she said, glancing around, reorienting herself. “How long was I in there?” she asked, rubbing her fingers across her eyes like she could reach through her eye sockets to her brain and smack some sense into it.

“Fifteen…twenty minutes?” he surmised, though he wasn’t paying much attention to her.

His focus was on Keefe, who had his forehead pressed to Wylie’s collarbone, as though he’d collapsed into his embrace and hadn’t figured out how to get back up.

Wylie’s hand was rubbing soothing circles onto Keefe’s back, who had gone quiet--at least for the moment. Sophie had always had a tendency to push things down enough to be quiet only to be assaulted by the thoughts of everything haunting her later, dragging her down just when she’d thought she’d worked through it. Maybe Keefe was the same.

His wings still burned deep black, absorbing all the light shining across them from the open window, feathers bumping against each other and overlapping, mussed in a way that must’ve been painful, but he didn’t do anything about it.

The lightning strikes of blue had stayed, though. Delicate threads of ice snaking their way through and around the feathers like a marbled pattern, pulsing in time with his heartbeat.

“Sorry,” Keefe’s voice croaked out, barely audible against Wylie’s chest.

“You haven’t done anything,” she assured him, gentle. They’d need to be extra gentle with him, she just didn’t know what would happen because of it.

Keefe made a humming noise that said he didn’t agree with her, but wasn’t going to argue. Even though she didn’t want to argue either, she didn’t like the thought that he’d internalize her brief lost wandering in the shared mental space as some grave mistake of his own. Seriously, all it had taken was a tap on the knee to bring her back, and the experience itself hadn’t been stressful.

But Keefe was stubborn.

“Is there anything that we--that I can do for you right now? If you need space or time, or to talk…please don’t push us away, okay? We’re all here. Everyone. Even Tam.” She hadn’t specifically talked to Tam about it, but she still knew it was true without a doubt. Their friendly feud was easily set aside when it really mattered.

Keefe didn’t respond for a long moment, long enough Sophie nearly abandoned her commitment to keep her distance, regardless of the emotions she’d surely barrage him with if she hugged him in his already vulnerable state, but then he lifted his head.

“I need a distraction. Can you…can you bring me to the facility? The one with my…with the being. And bring that riddle while you’re at it.”

[queenofmistresses]

Hiding

Agatha x reader

A/n another venting fic, as well as my first agatha fic

I want to hide. I want to cry and hide and sink into the ground never to be seen again. I want the world to go away. I want it to stop. I want my brain to shut down again. I like it better when i’m numb. It’s easier to fake it. Easier to smile and pretend to be okay. I want to stop feeling. I hate this feeling. I hate how I feel all the time. Numb or sad, numb or sad, nothing else. I can’t even remember the last time I was just happy, with nothing else going on. That’s not to say I can’t feel happiness, it’s just always accompanied by the feeling of bittersweetness and sadness. God i wish I could just be happy.

My depression comes in waves. Sometimes I’m okay, sometimes I can forget that things were ever as bad as they were, even just for a moment. But then it comes back, it always fucking comes back. And suddenly I’m struggling to eat again, I’m not even trying to not eat, I just completely lose my appetite. And I get sad, so sad that anything remotely going wrong makes me want to curl up into a ball and sob. I forget things. Not like, where I left something or little things like that. I forget what’s normal, what I’m allowed to say, I forget how to behave. That’s what’s the most obvious, though people don’t put the 2 things together. Maybe that’s why people can’t deal with me anymore. I stop talking and when I do talk I mess it up.

I should talk to someone about it but I can’t bring myself to. I don’t want to talk, don’t want to take up space. So I hide. I shut myself in my room and hide under the blankets. I try to sleep but I can’t. I tell myself that I don’t want anyone to notice, that I don’t want to be seen and I want to be left alone. But god, do I wish someone would notice. Would tell me it’s okay. Would just lie with me quietly without a word. I wish I wish I wish. Maybe it’s too much, maybe the universe knows I don’t deserve it.

Truthfully I was stupid to think no one would notice. She would notice me not going to school. Why wouldn’t she? I’m in her classes and we meet up before school. I hope she didn’t wait too long before going in.

I know school’s over because there’s a knock on my door. It’s gentle, like she doesn’t want to alert me. I think she knows because she gets like this. Maybe not the same but she gets sad. When I don’t respond she comes in slowly. She calls my name gently before walking over to my bed. She puts her hand on my shoulder over the blankets, a reassuring grip. It makes me want to burst into tears. “I’m going to get changed and then we can just lie down together okay?” I don’t respond but I feel as she withdraws her hand, making me ache somewhere inside, and I hear her change.

She lifts the blankets and crawls inside, our faces practically nose-to-nose. I open my eyes to look at her. She was pretty, she never thought so but she was. She smiles at me gently, that smile she so rarely shows anyone, even me. I almost feel something other than sadness. Almost. “Do you wanna talk or do you just want to lie quietly together?” She asks, and my heart aches at her kindness.

“Tell me about your day?” I manage to croak out, despite myself. She does, complaining about Tedros and Sophie and all the other snotty princesses who can’t control themselves around the princess. Tedros is a friend of mine, our families having been close, but I find him a pain as well, at least when he’s around other people.

I watch her every movement, I struggle to keep listening but I find her voice soothing. I think she notices I’ve stopped listening because she stops talking and tucks some of my hair behind my ear. “What are you looking at?” She asks, whispering like I’m about to share some deep secret.

“Your face. It’s so pretty, I know you don’t think so but it is. You’re beautiful. I wish you knew that.” I whisper back. It’s true. I wish she could see herself how I did.

Her hands move to cup my face, “As much as I appreciate it, please darling, stop trying to take care of me for 1 minute. Just relax please, I’m okay, and it’s okay for you not to be.”

This time I actually do burst into tears. Ugly, snotty, tears. I feel ashamed, embarrassed. But she pulls me in tight, letting me cry into her chest, stroking my hair softly and holding me tight, as if to say that she’s not letting me go and she’s not going anywhere.

I don’t know how long we stay there, it felt for a while like I would never stop crying, then I couldn’t keep going, so exhausted, and I fell asleep on top of her. I woke up to her still holding me, I felt safe. I curled further into her, not wanting to move.

After a while she asked me if I could try to eat, she’d brought a snack with her, knowing I couldn’t handle much. She brought her own food, much more than she brought for me, it was nice that she ate with me, so I wasn’t alone. I nibbled on it slowly, it took me a while (she had almost finished her pile by the time I did) but I did manage to eat it. She gave me a warm smile and cuddled up close to me again. She put a TV show on, one of my favourites and held me tight for the rest of the night.

I was still sad, nothing she did would fix that. But it did make me feel cared for, like maybe there was a reason to get past the sadness, made me think about having a future. That maybe, hopefully, it would one day be worth every moment of wanting to hide, if it meant we would be together.

[silverhallow]

Hi hello I got bit by a bug Friday night (the doctor thinks it was an ant) and I got sent home from work yesterday b/c I was throwing up and got sent to the doctor, only to find out I have a bacterial skin infection from said bug bite, was told that it's a good thing I went in when I did or I could have gone septic..... Anyway so I'm home from work today b/c of it (I had to get a fucking doctor's note about it) and feel like shit. Do you have any soft/sweet Benophie sneak peeks I could have as a treat? I would love that so much if possible.

Oh no that’s not good! I do hope you feel better soon!

I don’t have much in the way of cute fluffy bits in my stories at the moment but I do have this from The Power of Love which I shall share.

It’s out of context and I don’t wanna spoil too much but I hope you like it all the same:

“That was… incredible!” Edmund blinked at the two of them “who… when…”

“Sophie wrote it last night… well this morning” Benedict grinned as Sophie was flushing red.

“Well it’s perfect, it will sound incredible with some extra instruments in the background but god, you have to have that as your song… it just… works” Edmund said

Kate and Michael nodded “especially given the story behind you two as well… it’s gonna be such an easy sell. You’ve got great chemistry. Kate beamed “it could be the cutest music video ever!”

Sophie and Benedict just smiled a little sheepishly at one another as everyone started talking really quickly around them about the way the song could be a huge hit and their chemistry as they made their way down to breakfast leaving the two of them in the music room looking a bit perplexed.

“I think they liked it…” Sophie said, coughing and putting the guitar down and back in it’s case

“I love it. It’s really fitting, it’s beautifully written, it feels… like us?” he said.

“Yeah, It… it sort of was the inspiration, I write feelings and my emotions so it just… feels like it tells some of our story” Sophie said

Benedict smiled at her “no it’s perfect, we’ve never had to be anyone but ourselves with one another, we’ve always seen each other as ourselves not part of our family… and out of everyone you are the most honest with me or I think you are”

“And it feels a bit like i’m not so broken anymore…”

“You were never broken…” Benedict started to say but Sophie shook her head

“No, it felt like part of me was missing, I didn’t know what it was but I just… it felt like i’d left part of me back in London but I didn’t know what it was. Like I love Helen and Janet and Mike and John are like my brothers but… it… it wasn’t home” she sighed. “I mean i’m back in the same house now and it still doesn't feel right but…”

“But what?” he asked moving a little closer to her

“Just… here. With you…” she said, swallowing a little convulsively as she watched his gaze, his eyes staring deeply into hers as though he was seeing her soul, like she could see his and a little glimmer of what she thought might be hope in his eyes.

She paused feeling her voice catching as her heart started to hammer in her chest as she was wondering if he was going to kiss her. Since their kiss in the rain when they were 12, and a little kiss under the mistletoe the last Christmas they were together, she had always compared his lips to everyone else, though they’d never had a kiss of pure passion, it had always been gentle, soft pecks… but still it had sparked something in her.

She licked her lips unconsciously and watched Benedict’s gaze drop to her lips she found her voice again “it… it feels… like i’m whole again” she whispered

“Me too” Benedict whispered in reply, he felt his entire body fizzing and he couldn’t tear his eyes from her lips. He felt drawn in and he felt like he might combust if he didn’t kiss her, he needed her like he needed air and he was realising that it was everything he had been missing for the last 6 years.

He leaned in, and she leaned forward and they were nearly a hair width away and he could feel her breath against his skin and he could smell her, the intoxicating scent that was purely Sophie…

[theorphaninthetardis]

Chapter Forty-One

Just as suddenly as the bombing started, they stop. The all clear alarm sounds, and Sophie pushes herself off the wall, walking over to Jack. Bilis turns on the light, and starts to usher people outside. Tosh comes out from the side room, cradling a bloody hand, " I've finished. The rest of the equation is hidden in there."

Tim, who had walked over to ask Captain Harkness a question, immediately sees the blood gushing from her palm, "What happened?"

"I slipped," she replies, looking sheepish.

"I've got a first-aid kit in the van," Tim says, and starts to lead her away

"Scotch, Captain?" George asks, looking at Captain Harkness.

He turns, and gazes into Jack's eyes, "I'd like some time in private with Captain Harper."

George shrugs, and turns to Sophie, "You wanna dance then?"

She glances over at Jack, silently asking him if that's okay. He nods, and she turns to George, as he leads her out onto the dance floor.

George twirls her around, and they have fun, laughing and dancing. Then, the band starts to play a slow song, and George wraps his arms tightly around her, his hands around her butt. She tries to pull away, but the airman holds her tighter.

Jack comes up behind George, and places a hand on his shoulder. The airman turns, and begrudgingly releases Sophie. Jack takes her hand, and guides her over to a table, where Tosh is already waiting.

As Jack sits down, his eyes linger on Captain Harkness, as he talks with some of his men at the bar. "Tomorrow's their last training exercise," he starts, and takes a deep breath, "Just another day. They go out on a sortie and are surprised by two formations of Messerschmitts. He destroys three of the enemy. His men listen to his whoops of joy over the radio. Then it all goes quiet. He can't bail out because his whole plane is on fire, but his men all make it back to safety."

"Who were you?" Tosh asks, fiddling with her drink in front of her.

Jack half-smiles, "A con man. That's why I took his name, falsified his records so it seemed he was still alive."

"How did you end up in Torchwood?"

Sophie leans her head on Jack's shoulder, and grabs his hand and squeezes it, offering him comfort. He sighs, "Someone saved my life. Brought me back from death. And ever since then, it's been like they're keeping me for something and I don't know what it is. I'm sorry for dragging you into this. Both of you."

"It was our choice, Jack."

He smiles at Sophie, and presses a kiss to her forehead, "I'll look after you." He sighs, and looks over at Captain Harkness once again, "But there's nothing I can do for him."

The Captain walks away from the bar, weaving his way through all of the couples who are dancing and kissing. He walks up to the table, and takes Jack's hand, pulling him out onto the dance floor. Sophie smiles, until she sees how sad Jack looks. Everyone freezes, as they watch the two men dance. There is concern and judgement on most of the faces. Just as the song comes to a close, a bright light appears on the far side of the dance floor.

Tosh jumps up from her seat, racing for the glow. "Jack. Jack, we need to get out," she calls, running past the Captain's.

Sophie abandons her seat as well, following the other woman to the exit. She freezes when she sees Jack debating whether or not he wants to go. "Jack, please, you need to come. Your team needs you." He continues to debate whether or not he wants to come, and she sighs, "Jack, I need you!"

He pulls himself away from the other Captain Jack, and turns to the exit, "I have to go. It's my duty."

The other Captain nods solemnly, and salutes him as they fade away into the light. As the past fades away, and the present reappears, Jack grabs Sophie's hand, and squeezes it tightly. She smiles up at him, and sees the tears that have formed in his eyes. Tosh leads the way out of the Ritz, and back onto the streets of Cardiff. Gwen greets them as they exit, practically leaping onto Jack, "Oh, you made it. You made it. You made it."

She lets the Captain go, and turns to Tosh. Jack scoops Sophie into his arms, and kisses her forehead. "Thank you, Sophie."

She pats his cheek, "That's what friends do, Jack."

He glances back at Tosh who seems to be relaxing now that there is no risk of being trapped in the past. "You want to come back to the Hub with us?"

She shrugs, and takes the Captain's hand again, "Why not."

***

When they get back to the Hub, Jack and Tosh walk over to give account of what happened on their trip. Owen is removing a bullet from his own shoulder, and Ianto seems to be tidying up some. Sophie slips away, and heads up to Jack's office. She sets her mobile down on his desk, wondering if she may be able to get it to work for a little while, until she has the funds to get a new one.

Plopping down in the office chair, she glances around, and notices how the office seems to be in disarray, almost as if someone had torn it apart, and attempted to put it back together. She doesn't get to dwell on this fact long, as Jack walks into his office. He smiles when he sees her, "You're in my seat," he tells her, perching himself on the corner of his desk.

She smiles, spinning the chair around, "Does this chair make me the leader of Torchwood?"

He places a hand on the back of the chair, stopping it from spinning, "Sure. Now, as leader of Torchwood, what are you going to do about the insubordination your team did, in order to save you?"

"Hmm," she muses. Sophie pushes herself to her feet, and rounds the desk, hopping up to sit next to Jack. She leans her head on his shoulder, "I don't think I wanna lead Torchwood after all. I'm more content with being able to comfort you, you big teddy bear."

Jack chuckles, wrapping an arm around her shoulders, "I'm no teddy bear, kid."

She looks up at his face, "Maybe not to them, you're this big mean boss. An enigma wrapped in a mystery, wrapped in a lot of innuendo. But I see past all that, Jack. Just like I know the real Doctor, I know the real you. The you that you don't want anyone to see, that you keep locked up tight. That you is a big teddy bear that's been left out in the park, abandoned."

He looks down at her head, and presses a kiss into her hair, "What have I done to deserve you?"

"You're just lucky, I guess," she shrugs.