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omgrachwrites · 3 years

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The Princess and The Duke - Chapter Nine

Pairing: Sirius Black x Reader

Summary: As the Princess of Spain, you were always supposed to marry King James of England to make an alliance between Spain and England. When he marries a woman at his court for love, you are married off to his best friend, Sirius Black the Duke of Bedford to keep the alliance. However, the court is riddled with secrets and a rebel in the North starts to rise against the Throne. Royal AU.

Warnings: fluff, angst

Words: 2618

A/N: I’m going to start adding more angst, so be prepared, because the next chapter is going to be heavy!! Hope you guys enjoy this part and please let me know what you think and let me know if you would like to be tagged, I love you all! xxx

Chapter Nine - Duty and Love

It was one of those crisp winter mornings in England, though the pale blue sky had been broken up by fluffy white clouds that held the promise of rain for the late afternoon. The thought did nothing to cheer you up. You and your husband decided to make the most of the beautiful weather and the rare chance to have breakfast together. Lily was spending time with James for the early hours of the morning.

It seemed the further along you got with your pregnancy, the less that she wanted to see you. But, you knew it wasn’t her fault, she wasn’t doing it to be malicious, and she had come to be your friend after your time in England. Sophia had also joined you for breakfast, she was looking much better recently, the glow had come back to her cheeks and there was that sparkle back in her eyes. It was such a joy for you to see.

Sirius’ squire, Johnathan had also joined you, he’d been a poor man who had swelled above his family’s station, and it was obvious that he liked Sophia. The admiration in his eyes was clear every time he looked at her.

You rested your cheek against Sirius’ firm chest as you looked over the veranda at the gardens. From here, you could see the twisting maze and beyond, there was your favourite reading nook, in the summer it had been nestled away by the sweet smelling bushes of lavender. It was so beautiful in the winter, everything encased and enchanted by a layer of snow, you had hardly seen snow before coming to England, and it had to be your favourite thing.

Sirius pressed a warm kiss to your cheek and you turned back to smile at him as he rested his hand on the swell of your stomach, “are you well, my love?” he murmured lovingly into your ear, just like he did when you were alone at night.

“Yes, I’m very well,” you beamed at him, you wanted to be gentle with his feelings, the both of you had a bit of a falling out this morning, it was over something silly. You’d been grumpy and he’d been argumentative. But, now you felt completely awful.

“Would you like a lemon tart, Lady Sophia?” Johnathan asked and offered her the plate.

You practically watched her face turn green as she clapped a hand over her mouth and ran out of the room. Sirius and Johnathan looked at you with shock marring their features. You sighed and got up from your seat, “I’ll go and see if she’s okay,” you kissed the top of Sirius’ head as you went after your friend.

You found her in her chambers, vomiting into a chamber pot, you sighed and stroked her hair, only speaking when she was finished, “what’s the matter?” you asked her gently as she wiped her mouth with a handkerchief.

Sophia groaned as she rested her head against the cold wall, “Your Highness,” she hesitated, heaving out a sigh, “I’m pregnant.”

You felt a jolt go straight to your heart at Sophia’s confession and you felt your mouth drop open as you stood there in shock. A child was an amazing gift, but what where the circumstances? Finally, you found your voice, “but Sophia, you’ve always been…” you trailed off.

Sophia’s voice was thick as she turned to face you with tears running down her rosy cheeks, “I know! I’ve always been smart enough not to play around with men; I didn’t even have my first kiss until we came to England. I wanted to save myself for marriage, but I,” she hesitated as she bit her lip, “I was so upset about Remus, and the man was so nice,” she sobbed and you pulled her into your arms.

“Oh, Sophia, it’s going to be okay.”

“Please don’t tell anyone, especially not the Queen,” she sniffled into your shoulder and you frowned.

Surely telling Lily would be the best course of action for her, “why not? She’ll be able to arrange a marriage between you and this man,” you couldn’t bring yourself to ask her who it was; “I know that you wanted to marry for love but he was kind wasn’t he? It’s easy to love a kind man,” you rubbed her back soothingly.

Sophia hiccupped before she pulled away from you and wiped her eyes, “he was kind and handsome,” she laughed a little, “but I can’t marry him.”

You frowned as you glanced at your friend and she had a guilty look on her face and it hit you all at once, “is he already married?” at your question, Sophia’s face crumpled and she let out a little sob.

You were angry, she knew better than this; she had to think of her reputation, and yours. But, right now the last thing that you wanted to do was make her feel worse. Instead, you cupped her cheeks, wiping away her tears, “we’ll figure this out together.”

Sophia sniffled and gave you a weak smile, “thank you, Your Highness, and I’m so sorry, you’re pregnant too. I shouldn’t be giving you this type of stress.”

You shook your head as you bit your lip, “it’s no stress, but if Lily discovers it herself then I won’t lie for you,” you tried to say it as kindly as you could. You now had to think of your family, you couldn’t lose your place with the Queen.

“I understand,” Sophia muttered, though she looked scared.

You comforted your friend until it was time to attend to your duties, when you made ready to leave; Sophia reluctantly got to her feet and followed you out of the room. You assured Sirius and Johnathan that all was well before making your way to the Queen. Lily was in the parlour and as soon as you entered the room, you found that it was so warm from the roaring fire and you had to stop yourself from fainting.

You pulled yourself together and as gracefully as you could, you glided over to the Queen who looked up from her sewing. She beamed at you and you felt a sudden pang of guilt at the fact that you were concealing Sophia’s condition from her.

“Oh, Y/N! It’s good to see you, both of you,” she smiled at Sophia before looking back over at you as she pulled you into a sweet smelling hug.

“Your Majesty,” you smiled as she pulled away and held your hands.

“You’re my dearest friend Y/N, so I want to give you a day off once a week, I know you’ve still got a few months to go but you’ve been working so hard.”

You nodded a flush dusting along your cheeks, “I have been rather tired of late.”

Lily laughed sweetly and smiled at you kindly as she rested a warm hand against your stomach, gazing at it longingly, “there’s no reason to strain yourself Y/N, this is your child and I want to make sure you and it are completely healthy. I still need to sew your child’s baptism gown.”

At once, your eyes filled with tears at her sheer kindness and not for the first time, you were so glad that she wasn’t born into royalty, “thank you, Your Majesty,” you smiled as your voice broke.

“You’re welcome,” Lily pressed a kiss to your cheek, “now, go and be with your husband.”

You sank into a deep curtsey as you departed from the parlour. You loved working with the Queen, she was simply a joy to be around but you were glad that you could spend time with Sirius. It was in your chambers that you found the love of your life, lounging on your bed, reading a book.

As you walked in, he looked up with a raised eyebrow and grinned when he realised it was you and he opened his arms out to you, “have you been given the day off too?” the corners of his pink lips lifted in a teasing smile.

You nodded as you gave him a lingering kiss as you climbed into his arms. He wrapped his arms around you, protectively resting his big hands on your stomach; you loved it when he did that. You gazed up at him with a grin and giggled when he kissed the tip of your nose.

“So, what was wrong with Sophia? You didn’t say much earlier.”

You let out a sigh as you shrugged, pushing away the guilt as much as you could, “it must be a bug or something. I’m not entirely sure but she’s okay,” Sirius hummed out a response as he gently combed his fingers through your hair, closing his eyes, “tell me and our child a tale, Sirius.”

With his eyes still closed he smiled, “once upon a time, there was a beautiful Princess who was beloved by all. She was supposed to marry a King, she’d been promised to him since birth but something went wrong and she had to marry a dragon,” you felt him smile against your shoulder, “the Knights of the realm told her that the dragon was fearsome. The Princess wasn’t scared though, she was kind to the dragon and with each day that went by, the dragon fell more in love with her. On their wedding day, his new wife kissed him and he knew that he truly loved her. His love for her turned him back into a man.”

You giggled and looked at him, kissing his cheek, “the Princess knew that the Knights lied to her when they told her that the dragon was fearsome. He was the sweetest of creatures and it was only a matter of time before she fell in love with him too. To tell you the truth, the Princess didn’t want to marry the King, she was perfectly happy with her dragon.”

Sirius grinned at you with tears sparkling in his beautiful eyes and a slow smile spread across his handsome face, “I love you so much.”

“I love you too Sirius,” you muttered breathlessly as you captured his lips in a sweet kiss.

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

The noise in the warm council chamber was too loud as everyone talked over each other; it was beginning to give Sirius a headache. He groaned quietly to himself as he massaged his temples. There was a rumour going around that it was in fact rebels in Cumbria, led by a man who called himself Lord Voldemort. What worried Sirius was the fact that he hadn’t heard from Regulus in a while and Sirius hoped that all was well.

Lucius Malfoy was looking determined as he leaned forwards, shouting the loudest, “Cumbria is calling for you to give up the throne, Your Majesty! We must sort this out ourselves since Regulus Black has been no help at all,” he glared at Sirius who only scowled in return.

James looked furious as he fixed Malfoy with a long stare, “who backs these rebels in Cumbria?”

Malfoy had the grace to bow his head and mutter, “Scotland, if you don’t give up the throne then they’ll declare war. I kept this information as contained as I could,” everyone fell silent and nervously looked at the King.

Sirius finally spoke up, “nobody knows who this Lord Voldemort is, we can��t go running off to war when we don’t know our enemy,” he thought of Y/N, he didn’t want to leave her without a husband and their child without a father.

James shook his head as he considered Sirius’ words, “people are dying now, we can’t afford to be idle,” he lowered his voice so only Sirius could hear him, “though, I loathe agreeing with Malfoy,” Sirius snickered and smirked.

“They say Lord Voldemort is a ghost,” Frank Longbottom started, “that he uses magic to meet his evil ends.”

Sirius swore beneath his breath as he raked a hand through his hair in frustration, magic was outlawed in England – and most of Europe – the penalty for using it was death. Only a fool would use magic to get back.

“How about we offer the Scots a marriage?” Malfoy asked, “if we can ally through marriage then they can crush the rebels in Cumbria, even they will honour an arrangement. What about your wife’s lady from Spain, the Lady Sophia?” he asked Sirius and Remus cut in before Sirius could reply.

Remus spoke through clenched teeth as his eyes flashed in anger, it was clear he still had feelings for Sophia, “we’re not handing Sophia to Scotland, her father is an extremely wealthy man. We need her dowry in England.”

James shook his head, “Remus is right, the only chance now is war. We need to use our men from France.”

As the Lords filed out of the council chambers, Sirius stomach curdled with nerves in preparation for what he had to tell his wife. James’ voice stopped him as he got to the door, “I’m sorry, my friend. I know Y/N is pregnant and you want to be there for her and your child. But we will not die, I promise you that.”

All that Sirius could muster was a small shaky smile as he walked out of the council chambers and onto the snow kissed grounds. He found Y/N looking across the frozen lake that sparkled like diamonds beneath the watery sunlight. He decided to break the tension as he stood to her side and took her cold hands in his, pressing a kiss to them.

“As children, James, Remus, Peter and I used to skate on this lake. I think that’s why I love winter so much,” he laughed but it sounded fake.

Y/N looked up at him and he saw with a jolt that her eyes were red like she’d been crying. She couldn’t know, not yet. Sirius’ heart started beating wildly, was something wrong with their baby?

“I know Sirius, Malfoy came walking out here, raving to another Lord about the fact that they have to go to war with Scotland. It would be silly of me to assume that you’re not going to,” she sniffled.

Sirius stroked her cheek and pulled her into his arms, stroking her hair as he felt her wrap her arms around him tightly, “I’m sorry.”

“You promised,” she mumbled, “you promised that you would always be there, I can’t take it if you die.”

Sirius felt his eyes well up with tears, the last thing he ever wanted to do was leave her but he had to do his duty, “this is war Y/N, I don’t have a choice. If I could be by your side every day for the rest of my life then I would be. I’m not going to die, I promise. I’ll be right back for you.”

“When do you leave?” she asked as she looked up at him and Sirius bit his lip as he pressed his lips against her forehead.

“The end of the week.”

Y/N choked out a sob as fresh tears streamed down her cheeks, “you had better come back to me Sirius,” she held onto him tightly as if she was scared to let him go, “you had better come back to meet our child. I’ll never forgive you if you die Sirius.”

Sirius let out a little laugh at her passionate attitude, “I will be back, because I would walk through hell to be back at your side. I promise that I’ll come back to you and I will meet our child. I’ll be back,” he cupped her cheeks and pulled her into a passionate kiss that was full of longing and the promise of tomorrow.

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@smiithys @elayneblack @amelie-black @siriuslyjanhvi @pregnant-piggy @lindatreb @mabelle-cherie @hxrgreeves @britishspidey @mads-bri @classicrocketqueen @sxtansqueen @hufflepuffzutara @missmulti @bruxa0007 @ourstarsailor @fific7 @galwithbluethoughts @2410slb @sunles @krismeunicornbaobei @theincredibledeadlyviper @deathkat657

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borisbubbles · 3 years

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ESC 2021 Preshow: 08. France

Barbara Pravi - “Voilà”

Autoqualifier

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France going from 3rd last on my ranking / likely last place in the finale to 8th place in the ranking / probably top 3 in the Grand Final. 😍 WHAT A GLOW-UP.

So, “Voilà” is epic, obviously. Yeah I will skip the theatrics, each and every one of you know this song and we all know it’s probably the best French entry in ages.

Funnily enough, I didn’t care for “Voilà” when I first heard it lmfao. It felt similar to the song Patricia Kaas went to Eurovision with and while “Et s’il faillait le faire” has its fans, I was never one of them. Worse, the internet immediately resorted to refering to “Voilà” as a “masterpiece” which is probably the pretentious statement you can make about Eurovision songs. Guys, it’s an Edith Piaf-inspired tribute act. Calm the eff down. Still, even at this early a stage I was instantly charmed by Barbara’s introspection and pluck even if I didn’t care for the music at first. After all, Barbara was the mastermind behind jesc HITS “Bim bam toi” and “J’imagine” and if she wants to bring a song that puts HER SELF at the forefront, she’s perfectly entitled to do so. About fucking time. On top of that, I thought the ending was sublime, even in studio version. “Why can’t the entire song be like that”, I thought. And then, E:CVQD arrived and Barbara SERVED, OUTSOLD, SLAYED, etc every superlative under the sun.

So remember when I aired my critique regarding Gjon? “Tout l’Univers” is an “Objectively Strong” composition in that it employs music theory to conjure up a song that sounds impressive on first listen. But behind that academic skill lies virtually nothing of interest. I cannot connect with it beyond a base level because what does it tell me about Gjon or his story? Technique without a heart or a soul is merely pretense. But I suppose it can sound sophisticated to someone who doesn’t know what “sophistication” is.

Barbara, however. Her personality just SPRINGS FORWARD on an approachable level from the first note. “Voilà”s’s technical expertise and Barbara’s own perfomance talents carry this vibe, this SERVE of personality, through the full three minutes without ever getting boring or tedious and they leave me craving for another listen. ALL OF THESE ARE AMAZING TRAITS IN A EUROVISION SONG. And this is just from the studio version, the live stage show makes it even better.

So yeah, homeboy’s got his work cut out for him because if this is his competition he’ll have to graft hard for his victory.

NF Corner - C’est Vous Qui Décidez

In what would become a running theme amidst countries this year, France led the charge in a personal project called #OperationForget2020, in which every trace of last year would be subsequently memory-holed. To acheive this, they revived their NF, gave it a new name and pretended it was ~The First NF of Its Format~ (so basically doing what Lithuania did last year when they rebranded Atranka into PiN).

INCIDENTALLY, this would also wind up the best NF of the year, pretty much by default because France had the most to win. Even though Barbara was the obvious winner from the instant the songs were revealed, the French had some excellent back-up options in their arsenal. Let’s rummage through them shall we?

LMK - “Magique”

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R&B Trap wench <3 “Magique” starts off pretty and cute for fifteen seconds, before whiplashing hard into kick-ass tropical house territory. Her Slovene spirit mothers Raiven and Lea Sirk are so proud of her <3 She definitely deserved much better than the result she got (being NQ with the audience O_O), but lol it’s France, they ain’t NEVER crowning a sexually confident sassy woman, let’s not kid ourselves.

Céphaz - “On a mangé le soleil”

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This Hat God had me at that title. “We have eaten the sun” 😍😍😍😍. More songs should adopt a fatalistic environmental angle by using consumption-related metaphors à la “we’ve devoured out planet :burp:, MOAR”, and then set this suuuuper cynical and depressing text to an upbeat and optimistic soundtrack <3 The “Hey ya” tease of it all. 😍

Amui - “Maeva”

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So cheerful it turns a surly cretin such as myself into a blundering mass of uwu. It’s like a nillies Eurovision semi NQ’er suddenly wandered into the set, so derivative and repetitive and tacky but SO fun and happy-go-lucky <3 The entire premise of “Maeva” is basically like: “VISIT FRENCH POLYNESIA, WE ARE THE MOST HOSPITABLE PEOPLE ON THIS EARTH” <333 using this message in the middle of a worldwide viral pandemic <33333333 Normally fun-trash like this would be murdered at first sight by any jury, but whoops “Maeva” turned out a massive televote hit HEHEE 😛 and finished third in the televote despite being last or second last with the jury. Those Tahitian diasporia votes coming through <3

Adriamad - “Allélujah”

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TACKY EUROTRASH <3 Lol when I think of it, did I like this NF because it was good or because it was so fun-trash. Anyway, this display of diversity would normally be on my shitlist but it’s honestly SO OTT in its ~People Of The World Of All Colours Are Equal~ message it circles back into funny. The eye gimmick, the hammy choreography, the obnoxious fusion of several cultures into a nondescript ethnotrash hodgepodge, the fucking LYRICS everything is so funny and so entertaining it’s giving me LIFE. 😍 I’d say it deserved better but “Allélujah” stranding in the demifinal (not a typo) is honestly a much, much more satisfying result <3

Predicted Journey - France

Barbara is going on that Mahmood trajectory, I see. Early fave who gets near unanimous critical acclaim, rules solely on top until the other contenders show up and is then put on the backburner because she’s an autoqualifier and therefore isn’t a part of the “who will qualify?” discussions. Then, the rehearsals will happen and everyone will remember “hey, that French chick we almost forgot about is actually REALLY good” allowing her to pick up momentum again, catapulting her into the top five. So it is written, such it shall be.

The question is... Can she win?

The answer is: yeah, possibly? At this point we have three potential contenders: Gjon for Switzerland and Destiny for Malta are the main rivals and I’d say Barbara has one big advantage over Gjon and Destiny: She already has a great live performance to back up her potential winner status. In fact, Barbara is a fave to win because we know what she’s going to bring in Rotterdam. Gjon and Destiny could theoretically still bomb if their staging is off (and both are getting theirs done by Sasha Jean-Baptiste, soooooo) and their contenderness is based on things such as hype and expectation. Barbara meanwhile already had her baptism by fire when she competed in E:CQVD, which she handily won.

The problem though is Gjon Muharremaj. For the average eurofan, France and Switzerland have similar entries and it will result in a tug-of-war between which of them has the better song. Either could win this televote bout, and whoever does could beat Malta.. .but that would require Malta to have a disappointing televote result and with each passing day this is starting to look less likely. (Jury results matter less because they’re probably the top 3). Personally I don’t really have a preference between Barbara OR Destiny as a win for either would push Eurovision in a better direction (A Gjon win though... I am TERRIFIED that may result in a 2022 contest filled with Vincent Bueno’s and Vasils), but if these three are indeed the top three, Barbara’s position is the most secure although she’s probably also the least likely one to actually win. Pray that I’m wrong though and we can all meet at her flat in Montmartre for a covid-proof afterparty.

Projected placements:

> Grandfinal: 1st-5th (predicted Runner-up)

THE RANKING:

01. 02. 03. 04. 05. 06. 07. 08. FRANCE - Barbara Pravi - “Voilà” 09. BULGARIA - Victoria - “Growing up is getting old” 10. LATVIA - Samanta Tina - “The moon is rising” 11. GREECE - Stefania - “Last dance” 12. SWEDEN - Tusse - “Voices” 13. IRELAND - Leslie Roy - “Maps” 14. CROATIA - Albina - “Tick Tock” 15. MOLDOVA - Natalia Gordienko - “Sugar” 16. ITALY - Måneskin - “Zitti e buoni” 17. ALBANIA - Anxhela Peristeri - “Karma” 18. UNITED KINGDOM - James Newman - “Embers” 19. LITHUANIA - The Roop - “Discoteque” 20. ESTONIA - Uku Suviste - “The lucky one” 21. FINLAND - Blind Channel - “Dark side” 22. AZERBAIJAN - Efendi - “Mata Hari” 23. the NETHERLANDS - Jeangu Macrooy - “Birth of a new age” 24. CZECH REPUBLIC - Benny Christo - “Omaga” 25. DENMARK - Fyr og Flamme - “Øve os på hinanden” 26. SLOVENIA - Ana Soklič - “Amen” 27. SWITZERLAND - Gjon’s Tears - “Tout l’Univers” 28. ROMANIA - Roxen - “Amnesia” 29. SERBIA - Huricane - “Loco loco” 30. POLAND - Rafał - “The ride” 31. ISRAEL - Eden Alene - “Set me free” 32. GEORGIA - Tornike Kipiani - “You” 33. PORTUGAL - The Black Mamba - “Love is on my side” 34. SPAIN - Blas Cantó - “Voy a quedarme” 35. NORWAY - Tix - “Fallen Angel” 36. CYPRUS - Elena Tsagrinou - “El Diablo” 37. AUSTRIA - Vincent Bueno - “Amen” 38. NORTH MACEDONIA - Vasil - “Here I stand” 39. GERMANY - Jendrik - “I don’t feel hate”

#Eurovision #Eurovision Song Contest #Eurovision 2021 #ESC 2021 #ESC2021 #France #Barbara Pravi #Voilà

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thewildomega · 3 years

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Star in the Sand Ch.18

Grumbling under his breath as he finished reprehending his crew he moved back to the walk board to go retrieve his soulmate but when he looked down to where she had been he saw no one. Growling he grit his teeth. "I said no wondering off." Marching down the walk board he looked down the docks for her but didn't see her. Knitting his brows he snapped his head around, his heart starting to beat a little harder. "Daz!" Seeing his first come over to the side of the ship and look down to him he plucked the cigar from his lips. "Is Y/n on ship?" Seeing Daz glance around then hearing him ask the others, he knew the answer as soon as he looked back to him. Snapping his eyes back to where she had been he saw the banana she had been eating on the wooden dock next to the crates. Moving over to the side he glanced to the water just to be sure. The water wasn't very clear but even if she had fell in she was an exceptional swimmer she wouldn't have...

"Crocodile..."

Looking over to Daz he saw him kneeling by the crates and moved back over. Seeing the man stand and hold out a syringe he felt his blood run cold. "Find her." was all he grit out before turning to sand and flying down the dock and onto the streets.

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

Groaning at the aching in your body you scrunched your eyes together a few times before managing to open them. Looking around the dimly lit room you knit your brows. Your limbs felt like the weighted a ton. Trying to move your hands they stopped short and you quickly looked down to see a set of heavy cuffs locked around your wrists. Snapping your eyes down to ankles you saw they too had shackles on them. Swallowing hard you looked back around the room and now noticed the bars... based on the rocking you knew you were on a ship of sorts... the brig of a ship to be more exact. Breathing heavily you heard a thumping and looked towards the dark stairway on the other side of the room to see a man walking down them. Hey you knew him, that was that guy from the stalls, the one that had been watching you. As he come to stand in front of your cell you saw him cross his arms over his chest and smile largely at you.

"Well look who's awake." he said with a dark chuckle.

"Who are you? What do you want?" you asked, your voice soft and your throat burning.

"Don't matter who I am doll. As for what I want, well I'll be getting that soon enough."

Furrowing your brows you saw him reach for something in his coat pocket. As soon as he unrolled it you felt your heart sink.

"That's a mighty high bounty for such a little thing like you. But hey who am I to judge." he told her. Placing the bounty back up he tilted his head. "Would have loved to get my hands on that ex warlord of yours as well but eh.. I ain't stupid."

Trying to hold back your tears you saw the man start smirking again.

"Might want to save some of those tears, in a few days time yer life is gonna get a whole lot worse."

That was all he said before he started back up the stairs, leaving you alone in the dark, cold brig. Tears rolled from your eyes and down your cheeks, choking on a sob you called out for your soulmate softly even though you knew he wasn't there. Curling up into the corner you pulled your knees up to your chest and laid your forehead on them. What were you going to do now? These men were going to turn you over to the marines to collect your bounty, the bounty you had just learned about. Would they kill you? Would you be executed? They had killed Ace because he was the son of Gol Rogers, would they kill you for your bloodline as well? It felt like your heart had dropped to your stomach. So many thoughts were running through your head that it felt like it was spinning. Surly by now Croc had noticed you missing. Was he looking for you? Maybe he would find you. As much as you wanted to stay positive your logical mind was taking over. Shaking with a sob you closed your eyes tight and placed your hands over your womb. "Crocodile. Please fff...orgive me. I..I love you..."

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

There was a horrible clenching in his chest. They had searched the whole island, all through the night and next day but still his star had not been found. It was like she had just disappeared without a trace. They had even started searching houses, the thought that someone was hiding her crossing his mind. As he walked through the streets again, his eyes looking over every face he stopped when he heard yelling.

"Captain!"

Looking around he saw Ori come running up to him, the boy out of breath. "Did you find her?" he asked, his voice sounding desperate no matter how hard he tried to hide it.

Shaking his head he looked up to the terrifying man and swallowed thickly. "N..No sirr b..but..."

"Speak up boy!" he yelled. Noticing the boy flinch he grit his teeth down on his cigar. He knew the boy couldn't help it and his darling had gotten on him before about snapping at the boy for his speech impediment but his nerves were too raw at the moment.

"Bonez told me to c..come get you Sir. He..said ittt's important." Ori forced out, attempting to keep his stuttering to a minimum.

Sighing he nodded. "Alright. Keep looking."

"Yesss ssir."

Without another moments hesitation he had stalked back to his ship and to his cabin when Hex pointed him in that way. He didn't like the seldom look on the man's face. Throwing open the cabin door he saw Daz standing there, a look of remorse on his face. No. Please no. "What did you find?" he asked, his voice deep. Bonez had always had a sense of sarcasm to him but the man said nothing as he handed him the paper. Dropping his eyes to it he slowly reached out to take it. His mind already had an idea about what it was he was getting ready to see but he shoved it away. Turning it over to where Daz had already folded it to he felt his breath catch in his throat.

"Firelocks Y/n Captured. Bounty Collected."

He couldn't bare to read more than the headline, the paper turning to ash in his shaking hand.

Seeing his captain just standing there as still as a statue he let out a sigh. Crossing his arms over his chest he blinked slowly. "She is being transported to Impale Down as we speak." nothing, not even a blink. Dropping his head he closed his eyes, "I'm sorry Crocodile." was all he said before he left the man to mourn. As soon as the door closed and he had made it a few feet away he heard the sound of things being broken and knocked over. Heavy thumping and banging filled the air of the ship but no one said a word. Nodding to Hex he saw the man go out to collect the remaining crew so they could leave. In truth they would all be lucky if Crocodile didn't disintegrate the whole ship and leave them to the sea. Sitting on one of the crates Daz let out a deep breath as he listened to his captain's rampage go on. He couldn't blame him, he knew his pain all too well. Loosing one's soulmate and child was a hard burden to bare.

Breathing heavily Crocodile moved over to sit on the knocked over desk and dropped his head to his hand. She was gone. His love was gone. He had failed her again... and their child. There was no getting her back now he knew that. She was going to that hell. She was being sentenced to that dreadful place. It should have been him. He should be the one going to prison. She had done nothing, she was innocent. She was meant to be punished for being born... for loving him. He knew the truth, there was no way she would survive in a place like that. She was going to die, his unborn child was going to die. Before he could stop them tears were leaving his eyes. He felt them run down his cheeks and across his fingers and clenched his teeth hard to keep his unwanted sobs from ringing out. I'm sorry. "I'm so sorry my little star."

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

The wind blew harshly as you walked off the navy prison ship and down to the dock of doom. Keeping your eyes down you heard as the gate was slammed shut behind you and flinched. It was cold, your sundress doing nothing to keep you warm. Being led into the prison you heard the screams and cries of others around you and swallowed thickly. Following the jailer known as Domino into the prison you were first moved into a room to remove your clothing. Glancing to the guards most of which were men you tensed up but reluctantly did as you were told and removed your dress, bra and panties watching them get thrown into the fire.

"The locket as well." Domino spoke.

Snapping your eyes up your hands moved to your locket and you felt your lip tremble.

"Come on we don't have all day." one of the guards spoke.

Screaming out when the whip was brought down on your back you clung to your locket and felt tears roll down your cheeks. Hearing the clicking of boots you looked down to see two shiny black boots standing in front of you and slowly looked up to see Domino there. When she held her hand out you sniffled and brought the chain over your head, handing it over to her with trembling hands. You thought she would toss it to the fire but she didn't. Not having time to question it you were yanked over to another part of the room. Realizing what was next you clenched your teeth. Being shoved down to the stone floor you covered your breasts as best you could, keeping your legs closed while a thick chain was wrapped around your ankles. Hauled up you glanced down to the boiling water under you and closed your eyes. Your thoughts went to Crocodile, he had went through this same thing and you knew from what the manga had said that he hadn't made a sound. Be like him. Be strong like him. Repeating the words in your head you felt the chain drop and held your breath however you proved to be much weaker than your soulmate. Being pulled out of the caldron you let out a broken scream, your skin already feeling burnt and blistered.

Everything else that happened seemed to pass by in a blur, the 'baptism' making you feel faint. Dressed in stripped prison clothes that hung from your frame you walked along with Domino and one other guard who had to catch you as you stumbled a few times. Getting to an elevator you rode down you don't know how many levels, listening to people screaming. What level were you to be imprisoned in? When the elevator stopped you followed Domino down a dark hallway until she got to a large wooden door and knocked three times. A few seconds passed before the door opened and you were pushed inside. Stumbling to a stop you heard as Domino spoke to someone and then heard that person say your name.

"Ehh... Firelocks Y/n huh?"

Slowly looking up you saw none other than Hannyabal there. He was dressed differently than he had been in the manga and it was then you realized he had gotten Magellan's job. So he was Warden now. He looked to have put on some weight as well. Glancing over his office as he went about looking over what you guessed was your file you saw your locket had been placed on his desk and stared at it. At least she hadn't tossed it away.

Reading over the woman's file he looked back and forth between her and her bounty, checking off that it was really her. Seeing her looking towards the locket that Domino had said was hers he rose a brow but said nothing. "Did she give you any trouble?"

"Other than handing the locket over at first command sir no."

"So forcibly taken?" he asked the blond.

"No. She handed it over to me."

Humming he reached for a pen only to knock it from his desk.

Seeing the pen fall to the floor in front of you you reached down to pick it up out of habit but let out a cry when something hard hit your shoulder.

Watching as the guard hit the woman with his baton, knocking her to the ground he knit his brows. Seeing a small shaking hand reach up to place the pen on his desk before the officer hit her forearm with the baton again, yelling how she didn't move unless told to he heard the woman cry out but not reply. "That's enough. Leave me to get her settled." he said.

Slowly standing again you took in a shaky breath, your shoulder and arm throbbing in pain. You could hear as they went about talking but couldn't really make anything out, your eyes moving back to your locket on his desk.

Getting all he needed from Domino he closed his office door and walked back around the woman who was standing there silently, her lidded eyes focused back on the locket. Moving to sit in his chair he grabbed the pen from where she had placed it and lifted it to write. "State your name."

"Y/n... L/n...."

"Wouldn't it be Charlotte?" he asked as he wrote.

Feeling your brow twitch you blinked slowly, "I suppose."

"Crimes?" he asked.

Feeling a clenching in your heart you forced your tears away. "Being born."

Stopping he glanced from the bounty to her. Funny, to be the Granddaughter of the notorious Big Mom and the daughter of Killer Dunes she didn't look dangerous. Actually he thought she was pretty frail looking. Most prisoners here started giving everyone problems the moment they were dragged in but she had not fussed once. The young woman had even picked his pen up for him when he dropped it. Knowing she had been affiliated with Crocodile, one of the prisoners who had escaped the prison before he let out a sigh. Her eyes had not yet left the locket and as he lifted it he saw her small body tense. It was a simple gold locket, old he guessed by the ware on it. Hitting the button on the top of it he saw it open to show two different pictures on each side. One being an old picture of a man, woman and baby. He knew the man to be none other than Killer Dunes, her father. The other side of the locket set a sketch of Crocodile. It was hand drawn but it was good enough that it almost looked like a photograph. "Why him, why Crocodile?" he asked and saw her eyes drop, her fingers fettling with the hem of the baggy prison garb.

"C..can't help who you fall in love with..." you said in a soft voice. Just thinking about your soulmate that you would never see again made your heart shatter even more.

Ninety-nine million berry bounty just for being linked to the wrong people. This woman was doomed from the start. She didn't choose this life. Looking her over he let out a sigh. She wasn't likely to make it a month here. Especially since they had her in...glancing to her paper he knit his brows, level five. Scratch that, she wouldn't make it a week. Snapping the locket back close he held it out for her to take. Who was he to take away what would be the last bit of peace she would ever have.

Hearing the snap and glancing up you were surprised to see him holding the locket out for you. Thinking it may be some kind of trick you didn't move at first but then he pushed it to you more and you reached over to take it from him. "Thank you."

Nodding he watched her put it back on, seeing her wince as she had to move her no doubt sore body. Once she had it tucked under her shirt he stood from his desk and moved around to stand beside her.

Being led down another level you at first wondered why Hannyabal didn't take you by elevator but he soon spoke up.

"You are being sentenced to level five, the freezing hell. Personally I think it's a bit much but it's not my decision to make. Enjoy this last bit of warmth while you can."

Still remaining silent you heard as the screams slowly faded away, only the sound of your rattling chains filling the air around you. As the two of you came up to the large door you could feel the chill seeping through and hitting your bare feet. Taking a deep breath as he reached for the handle you closed your eyes as the door opened, the frigid cold wind hitting your burnt skin. Hannyabal didn't rush you as you walked on the frozen land with your blistered feet. Your body was already shivering violently and your teeth chattered together so much you thought they would crack. Walking by some of the cells you saw prisoners in some of them that looked to be frozen completely. Dead, they were dead. That was your fate. Continuing on you heard as the fair few of prisoners that were still breathing started cat calling you but you only grit your teeth and kept your eyes down.

Taking pity on the woman he placed her in one of the cells that received the least amount of wind and was mostly cut off from all the others. Opening the cell for her she again gave no fuss as she walked into the cold freezer.

Ignoring the men as they continued calling to you you walked over to the bench on the back wall and curled up on it, facing the wall. Hannyabal said nothing else as he left you to your doom.

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

Screaming out as the long blade sliced through his skin and bone he fell to his knees, his right hand clinging to where his matching one had just been. Looking up at the emperor he didn't get time to speak a word before the man was swinging his weapon again, this time slicing open his face. Feeling the warmth of his own blood run down his face and seep into his clothes he shook as blood lose took over.

"You come back to the New World again and I'll remove more than your hand." Whitebeard warned before turning his back to the arrogant punk and walking away with his crew.

He didn't much know of anything else that occurred only the agonizing pain he felt as he came back to consciousness. Looking up he realized he was in the cabin of his small ship, laying in his bed from what it felt like. Trying to move he found his limbs heavy. He could see the bandages wrapped around his face out of the corner of his eyes. At least he could still see out of both. Glancing down to his left arm he looked to the spot his hand should be but saw nothing there. The numb remaining was wrapped in a thick amount of bandages that were spotted here and there with his blood. Hearing a noise he looked back forward and saw the ship's medic coming towards him.

"Wasn't expecting you awake yet." the man said. "Here drink this."

Feeling the man help him sit up and press a cup to his lips he greedily drank at the water he offered. Once he had had his fill he leaned back and groaned as he settled back onto the pillow. Glancing to the left side of his large bed he felt his brow twitch when a thought crossed his mind. "Y...y/n..." he managed to croak out, his voice sounding hoarse. Looking to the man's eyes he followed them when he glanced to the floor beside the bed where a small form was curled up under a spare blanket.

"She wouldn't take no for an answer. Screamed and hollered until we finally let her in. Boris has a right nasty bite to prove it."

Huffing at the information he sighed. As the medic gave him something for pain and made his leave he glanced down again to the sleeping body on the floor when he heard her small noise. Watching her move her hand to rub her eyes he swallowed thickly. "I've told you about biting." he said, his voice still horrible sounding. Still though he saw two sea blue eyes snap up to his own.

"Croc." her tiny voice called.

As she stood quickly and moved to his bedside he blinked heavily. Watching as she looked him over, her little lip trembling and her eyes filling with tears he breathed out. "Y/n..." Watching as she curled up to place her head on the bed beside his right bicep he heard her start crying, the sound breaking his heart. "Come here." When she made no move to get into the bed with him he forced his body to move, gritting his teeth as pain radiated throughout his body. Dropping his right arm he scooped her up and used all of his strength to lift the five year old up onto the bed. When he went to situate her with his left hand like he normally would he grunted in agony and heard her gasp.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry." she cried.

Holding her still when she tried to move away from him he slid his left arm up and laid her down in his side. "Hush now. It's alright, don't cry."

"B..but yourrr h..hurt..." she sobbed, curling up into the nook of his side.

His arm was too heavy to hold up so he rested it across his chest and settled for stroking her head with his fingertips. "I'll be alright." he told her. Seeing her still so upset he licked his dry lips. "You know what would make me feel better?" he asked, cracking one of his eyes open when she looked up to him with her teary eyes. Turning his head away from her some he heard her sigh.

"I'm not a baby anymore I know It doesn't work like that." she told him in a soft voice.

"It used to work for you.. how do you know it won't work for me?" he asked and then felt her crawl up to peck the part of his cheek not covered in bandages. Grinning as she settled back down beside him, her head laying on his chest he glanced into her eyes and felt that calmness come over him. "See I feel better already." he said and saw her give him the tiniest smiles before it turned into a yawn. "Get some sleep my little star." Making sure she closed her own eyes first he swiftly followed.

Opening his eyes again however when he heard a noise he let out a gasp when he saw what was now laying beside him. It was Y/n but she was no longer a little girl nor was she the y/n he remembered. This Y/n had dull grey eyes that were sunken in with dark shadows surrounding them. Her cheeks were completely hollowed out and her lips were chapped and thinned out to the point they were bloody. Her soft hair that was before such a fiery red was now dry and almost a greyish brown in color. It looked as if all the life had been drained from her.

"You let them take me. You didn't protect me. You didn't protect us."

Hearing her words he dropped his head down to her stomach that was now slightly rounded under the striped prison clothes. Snapping his eyes back up to her he felt his heart hammer in his chest and his mouth dry out. "No...I didn't mean for it to happen..."

"But you let it. You failed me. You are my soulmate, you were supposed to take care of me. Didn't you love me?"

Nodding his head he felt that lump forming in his throat. "I did. I do."

"If you loved me then why did you let them take me?"

Closing his eyes as they filled with tears he heard her continue.

"Look at me, look at what I've become! I'm dying, our baby is dying and it's all your fault!"

Snapping his eyes open with a start he bolted up in bed, the blanket pooling to his waist. Looking around the dark room he closed his eyes and moved his hand to rub his face when he realized it had all been a dream. Another nightmare.

"The last part was you, your own mind taking over."

Tensing at the sudden voice he readied himself for a fight but when he looked over to the chair and saw the witch, one of the fates there he growled. "And just what the hell do you want?" he all but snarled.

"Me? Oh I just heard you thinking about all the what if's here lately and decided to show you what it would have been like if one of those were a reality."

"So mental torture then." he huffed as he got up from bed to go get something to drink. Pouring himself a large tumbler of rum he downed it in one go before filling it up again. His own pain reliever.

"Like I said the last part was all you." she spoke but he didn't respond. Watching the middle aged man for a time she saw him stare at the charcoal picture framed on the shelf. "You miss her dearly don't you."

"Why do you ask questions you already know the answers to?" he spoke in a stale voice.

"It's been almost four months Raiden."

"So your point is what?! I should just get over her?! She is my soulmate, my other half, my... my everything..." his voice although starting off strong and full of anger quickly became nothing more than a quiet sigh.

They sat in silence again for a while again, her listening to his thoughts until she spoke. "Yes. The answer is yes, she is still alive."

He didn't know wither to feel relieved or grief. While he was glad his darling was still alive it also meant that she was still in that hell. What state would she even be in?

Tilting her head at the war going on inside of the man's head she sighed. "Would you like to see her?"

Snapping his eyes to the witch he furrowed his brows and swallowed hard before giving a stiff nod. Watching her boney fingers come up and give a snap he was suddenly freezing. No. Not here. Why? What had she done to be put here? Looking around the frozen wasteland he heard voices and followed them.

"Come on girl. Come over here and I'll warm you up."

"I know you're hungry.. I got some scraps here, you can have em' if you come suck my cock."

Gritting his teeth and snarling at the vulgar men he looked into the cell they were all reaching into and saw her. His heart dropped to his stomach when he took her in. Moving over to the bars he went to grab them but passed right through them. Walking over to the bench she was curled up on he glanced her over. She was dressed in the god awful black and white stripes, the ones they had given her practically falling off of her. Her whole body was trembling, her bare feet curled up under her, attempting to keep them warm as best she could. It wasn't windy in here at least but that didn't make it any less cold, he could see the flushed look of her exposed skin. Crouching down beside her he leaned over to look at her face and saw her eyes open. A knot formed in his throat when he saw the frozen tears stuck to the bridge of her nose and her lashes. They almost looked like the ones from his dream, all of the shine and happiness gone from them. Glancing down to her cheeks and then body he saw her skinny and closed his eyes. He knew the truth there was no way their child had survived and even if it had he wouldn't want it to be born into this. The babe would freeze to death the moment it was born.

Hearing her sniffle he looked back to her face and lifted his hand to try and stroke her hair but no surprise, he couldn't touch her. Following her eyes he saw she was staring at her locket that she had opened and placed on the bench in front of her face. Seeing the picture of her parents there and then the small sketch of himself he pressed his lips just above the skin of her temple and closed his eyes again. "I love you my little star."

"It's time to go Raiden."

Shaking his head he held his own head above hers, desperate to touch her. "I want to stay, I want to be with her. You can do that, send me to her. I'll go back to that hell as long as I get to be with her."

"No. It is not your fate."

"I don't care, I don't..." with another snap of her fingers he was back in his own room, the chill from the prison vanishing. Dropping his head low he felt those damn tears drop from his eyes once again.

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

Laying on the frozen bench which might have well been a piece of ice you shivered, clenching your teeth to keep them from chattering. How you hated the cold. It was so ironic that this was to be the way you died. After all this was how you almost perished all those years ago before Vic found you. Must be fate catching up with you. You couldn't feel your fingers, toes or ears anymore. While you knew you would be much warmer if you had the shared heat of the other imamates you chose to suffer the biting cold versus being raped. Pulling your legs up more and wrapping your arms tighter around your middle to hold what little heat you had around your womb you sighed. Truly you didn't know if you and Crocodile's child still grew there but you had yet to bleed from miscarriage. You also suffered from nausea still even if you never actually threw up what little food you had managed to take in. Pickers can't be choosers.

Sighing out you saw the breath float into the air and stared again to the picture of your love. Your thoughts often went to that of your soulmate. You wondered what he was doing now? You wondered if he missed you. While it hurt your heart to think of him with another you wouldn't want him to be alone forever. You wanted him to be happy and if that meant loving another then you would be okay with that. You wished him a happy life, even if that no longer included you being apart of it. Perhaps if you were lucky and if whatever higher power there was took pity on you then the two of you would be reunited one day after the both of you left this earth. Then again what if he had found another, wouldn't it be right for them to be together. Swallowing thickly you closed your eyes and felt tears fall from your eyes. It was best not to think about that. No matter where he was or what he was doing you just hoped he knew how much you loved him.

"Hurry the guards will catch on soon."

Hearing the unfamiliar voices you opened your eyes and turned over some when you heard noises growing closer.

"Run faster."

Seeing a group of people run by you knit your brows. The group of people were dressed differently than other prisoners and guards and it was then it hit you, The "Prisoners' Secret Flower Garden. Listening to the prisoners in the cell beside yours beg them for food or to be released you blinked slowly. Going to turn back over you heard someone let out a small yelp and then heard a thump. Turning back you noticed the person had dropped a crate with what looked like fruit in it. You couldn't see much but you could make out a hand currently picking up the dropped fruit and placing it back in the crate.

"Oh blast this slippery ice." the male voice cursed.

Seeing two of the fruits had rolled into your own cell you turned your stiff body to stand and picked up the apple and coconut before walking over to the bars. Looking down to the man that was crouched down looking around for the fruit you licked your cracked lips. "H..here you go." God your voice sounded awful then again you hadn't used it in who knew how long. As the person looked up to you you felt your breath catch in your throat.

Snapping his eyes up to the weak female voice he saw a small woman standing there behind the bars holding out two fruits for him to take. Blinking he stood and looked closer at the woman. "You are giving them back to me?"

Nodding you moved your shackled hands out between the bars to give Bon Clay back the fruit he had dropped. He looked just like he did in the manga and you gave a tiny grin before your lips fell back down.

Taking the fruit slowly he waited for her to try and attack him but none came. Once he had taken the fruit she moved her trembling hands back behind the bars. She looked at him for a moment before she turned to go back to the bench in the back. "W..wait. What's your name?"

Looking back to him you took in a shaky breath, "Y/n."

He had seen her before, somewhere but where? "Do you and I know each other?"

Shaking your head you saw him tilt his head. Hearing the yelling of guards and the howling of the wolves you swallowed and dropped your head. "You should go." you told him, looking back up at him you watched him lift the crate again. Clinging to your locket you blinked again. "It was nice to meet you Bon Clay."

She knew his name. How did she know his name? Before he had time to ask he heard the snarling of a wolf. Grabbing one of the apples he tossed it to her and took off running.

Awkwardly catching the fruit you looked down and then back up to watch him runaway. Stumbling back to the bench when one of the wolves looked at you you curled up on it, hiding your apple away until the guards were gone. Once it was clear you lifted it again, looking over it's red color.

"Hey. Hey baby I'll give you my shirt for that apple."

"Give it here you worthless Bitch."

Continuing to ignore them you took a bite of the fruit and sighed at the taste. While you wanted to savor it you were too hungry and quickly at all of it, including the pit. Not feeling nauseous you gave a huff and moved your arms back over your belly, so you like fruit like your daddy huh? you spoke mentally and gave a small grin, laying your head on your knees you let your mind drift away again, carrying you to a happier place.

#Sir Crocodile #one piece crocodile #crocodile fanfiction #crocodile x reader #sir crocodile x reader #one piece crocodile x reader #crocodile x ofc #soulmarks #soulmate au #HEAVY ANGST #feedback would be appreciated

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spidernerdsblog · 3 years

Text

Love Is The Biggest Spell : Chapter Five

A/N : Chapter five is here. This chapter should have been posted on Halloween lol but never mind. Hope you like this chapter. Feedbacks and suggestions are always welcome.

Pairing : Warlock Tom Holland x half mortal reader

Summary : Witches are forbidden to fall in love with mortals. But what if your long lost love returns to you as a mortal, can you defy your heart? Any spell any magic seems useless in front of the magic of love. Let’s join our lovers in their magical conquest beyond life and death as they fight for their love unravelling dark mysteries of the past along their way.

Warnings : mild language, witchy stuff.

Mini Playlist : Can't help falling in love with you

After you had your breakfast Tom drove you to college. You were walking to your classroom.

"Y/N!" You heard the voice you despise the most right now call out to you. You didn't look back and quickened your pace.

"Y/N, Y/N, Y/N hey wait please." Cole ran to you grasping your wrist.

"Leave my hand, Cole!" You yanked your hand away from him.

"Y/N just listen to me for once I can explain." he pleaded.

"What more do you have to explain, Cole? That you were making out with me but magically it turned out to be someone else."

"Yeah exactly."

"Cole can you just stop now. I'm not going to judge your life choices but I hope you enjoyed sucking her mouth."

"Y/N please you can't do this to me."

"Umm mate I think Y/N made it quite clear that she doesn't want to talk to you." Tom intervened.

"Listen dude let's just not pretend that this isn't the best day of your life. So please stay out of this"

"Cole! You can’t talk to him like that.”

"A guy showed you a little affection for one night and now he is the good guy. So typical of you Y/N." you were literally hurt by his words.

"You know what Cole? I was actually thinking of forgiving your not so sorry ass but now I'm so over that thought, we are done for good Cole!"

"C'mon Tom let's go." You stormed off dragging Tom with you by his wrist to the library.

You slumped down on the seat as Tom took the opposite seat to you

"I can't believe Cole would say that! I'm an attention seeker? Seriously?!" You seethed.

"How did you guys even fall in love?" Tom asked out of courtesy though he had no interest in knowing that.

"You know childhood best friends it was like we owed to date each other." you shrugged.

"Maybe we can do something to divert your attention?"

"And what is that?"

"Finish our assignment I guess that's still pending."

"Seriously?" you gave a disinterested look.

"What? That is much better than talking about your douchebag boyfriend, ex boyfriend"

"Yeah maybe some witchy stuff can help keep me distracted." you walked to the shelves and pulled out some books and placed them on the desk with a loud thud. You picked up a book and were turning over some pages in a book and stumbled upon something as you frowned.

"What’s Dark Baptism?"

"Huh oh it's a sort of ceremony. The Dark Baptism is the most sacred, unholy sacrament the witches practiced for centuries. The oldest of their rites. A novice witch signs his or her name in the Book of the Beast, and gives the Dark Lord dominion over their soul and in exchange he gives them unlimited power and eternal youth." Tom explained.

"Huh what’s the use of such powers if I have to give up my freedom of will?" you scoffed.

"It’s the only one of several possible interpretations, see like all religions have symbolic gestures and demand sacrifices right?"

"Signing the Book of the Beast is more like a pledge to abide by the devil's commandments."

"But the Dark Lord aka Satan is the embodiment of evil." You state. Tom corrects you immediately.

"As per texts he is the embodiment of free will and that he goes beyond the mere concepts of good and evil and the infernal punishment of the "False God"."

"So what about Hell?" you ask.

"If you accept the Dark Lord's gifts, then you won't die for a long time and Hell is for mortals. In exchange for their service and devotion, witches are exempt from the eternal flames of damnation." Tom explains.

"That's some crazy ass bullshit." You laugh it off.

"But you seem to have quite in-depth knowledge about these things. Do you happen to practice witchcraft in secret?" you narrowed your eyes.

"Maybe, who knows" he shrugs." Why are you so invested in knowing all this?" he counter questioned you.

"Nothing just general curiosity that's it." You shrug.

"General curiosity or is it about the visions or nightmares whatever you have." Tom smirked.

"Who-who told you.." You stutter.

"Jane told Harrison and he told me."

"Those are just some stupid dreams that's all."

"Or may be not, maybe you are a psychic or a witch "

“Ha ha very funny.”

"Okay leave all that." Tom cleared his throat.

"Hey I know it would be really inappropriate for me to ask you. You know you can totally say no."

''Hey it's okay we are friends now c'mon spill it out." you held his hand reassuringly.

"Umm my mother seems to have liked you a lot the day you stopped by our house and wants me to invite you to our Halloween party. It's kind of a spooky themed business gala. "

"Your mother likes me or you?" you narrowed your eyes with a sly smirk.

"No I swear my mom told me to invite you." Tom flustered.

"Okay then tell your mom that I would love to go."

"Oh thanks." Tom’s eyes lit up like a child.

"And by the way if you want me to be your date just ask." You winked.

"It's - it's nothing like that." he stuttered.

"Relax anyways I'm single now." you giggled.

"So what are you divs doing?" Harrison dropped in between your conversation.

"Nothing just getting ready for my dark baptism." You chuckled though Harrison gave a mortified look as he exchanged glances with Tom. Who shook his head dismissively to let him know he hasn't said anything.

“Uh okay..have you seen Jane anywhere?"

"Why do you also need some attention?" You joked lazily placing a hand on Harrison's shoulder and instantly backed off with a light gasp.

"You okay?" Harrison asked looking at your horrified expression.

"Yeah, yeah I'm-I’m fine." you stammered blinking your eyes.

"I'll go and find Jane." You walked away huskily.

…….........

Agatha and Zendaya visited a farm to purchase a black goat to be used for sacrifice during your dark baptism in the woods.

"What is on your mind mother? A few days ago you wanted that half breed dead but now you are here arranging for her dark baptism. I don't understand any of this."

"Well you three failed in your task and I'm grateful to Satan for that this time because I recently found out she is the key to perform the spell by which our coven will gain infinite powers."

"What spell?"

"For now you don't need to know more than this. Just remember that girl needs to be protected."

…………..

It's 31st of October and you are officially 25. You were at the cafe as Jane came in all bubbly and chirpy.

“Happy Birthday babe!!!” Jane exclaimed, giving you a tight hug.

“Thank you babe.” Tom and Harrison dropped in after sometime.

“Isn’t it your birthday day? Why the hell are you working today?”.

“Because it’s my birthday.”

"Well somebody has got the whole concept of birthday wrong." tom quipped.

“Here we brought something for you.” He placed a cake box on the table.

“Jane dear can you arrange this for us please.” Harrison asked her sweetly.

“Of Course will.”

“Seriously guys you didn’t have to do this.” Jane was quick to arrange the cake on a tray with some candles and placed it in front of you. You blow out the candles as they sing for you.

“Thank you so much guys.” your heart swelled in happiness.

“We would have loved to stay but we have another party to arrange so see you girls in the evening.” Harrison said.

“I'll pick you up at seven.” Tom informed you softly.

“Will be waiting.” You smiled. After they left you turned to Jane.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Yeah what?"

"What do you know about Harrison? Apart from he's a sex God. His family and life." you snickered.

"Umm they are rich, business partners with the Hollands. Loves his mom and sister a lot. Why?"

"Nothing, you are my best friend just don't want you to fall for the wrong guy. I finally learnt my lesson. Heh." You chuckled slowly.

“Don’t worry babe if he does something bad I’ll give you the privilege of kicking his ass.” She laughed and went to the back of the shop.

Now how will you tell her that when you touched him you had one of your stupid visions. You saw blood, pentacles, human skulls, it felt so inauspicious the darkness engulfing you. Your eyes went to the blown out birthday candles and you suddenly remembered about the night where the candle caught fire on it’s own. Then you recalled Tom saying that you may be psychic and you suddenly got the idea of testing the fact.

"This is all a hoax, I'm not psychic nor a witch. I was drunk and was seeing things." you said to yourself and took a deep breath.

"Well here goes to nothing." You focused on them but nothing happened.

"Huh, definitely a hoax" you blew out your cheeks and turned to do your work. But when you turned around again to your surprise each and every candle was lit up magically. You exhaled deeply, frowning.

……………

Reaching home you went to your room and saw a big gift box kept on your bed. You took the lid off the box to find an expensive black dress with a note.

Happy Birthday Y/N. Will be really happy if you wear this tonight. Love T. H

You smiled and held out the dress in front of you admiring it in the full length mirror in your room, it was the most exquisite thing you have ever seen. The soft silky fabric with intricate lace work was literal work of art. You changed into the dress and decided to let your hair down for tonight with minimal jewelry and makeup.

Meanwhile Tom and Harrison were getting ready in their finest tux for the gala and your baptism.

"You really gifted her the wedding dress."

"Well it's an important night for her she will be turning into a complete witch and hopefully her memories will come back after that." Tom said, fixing his cufflinks.

"You ready son?" Nikki walked into his room.

"Yes mother." Nikki could see in his eyes that something was bothering him.

"Don't worry I talked to your father and I will be presenting your dear Y/N for her baptism." Tom's eyes lit up hearing the news. It's usually the mother who presents her child for the baptism but your mother will not be able to attend it so the whole thing of who will be presenting you was bugging him for a while. And hearing that his mother is going to do that relieved him.

"Really mother! Thank you so much."

"I’m really happy that you’re finally going to be happy in your life son."

Tom was there to pick you up sharp at 7. You stepped out of your house as you saw him waiting for you leaning against his car. He couldn't take his eyes off you. You literally looked like an angel he thought.

"You look gorgeous, love."

"Thank you, you look surprisingly dapper too."

"Thank you."

"But you didn't have to buy me such an expensive dress. The whole night now I will be so self conscious of not ruining the dress."

"I will buy you a new one don't worry."

"Ha ha not happening again. Now let’s go"

He opened the door of the car for you as you sat inside the car. You reached his place in an hour and stepped out of the car holding his hand as he led you inside.

You walked into the ballroom and your breath was caught at the grandeur. You’d never been in a space that made you feel so small–or so plain. Crystal chandeliers spiraled down from the arching sky-blue ceiling, illuminating the glimmering golden walls and a floor so polished it looked like an iced-over lake. And it wasn’t just the ballroom–the women sparkled like a box of jewels, shades of emerald and ruby and amethyst swirling before you, their low chatter accompanying wafts of rose and hyacinth and jasmine.

"Whoa dude am I supposed to be a part of this gala? I mean just look at all the people around." you gave out a nervous laugh.

"You were always supposed to be here Y/N."

You are immediately greeted by Jane and Harrison.

“Hey you made it!” Jane hugged you and your dress caught her eyes.

“Damn girl now that’s a one of a kind ball gown.” She giggled as you blushed.

“Only for the one of a kind girl.” Tom snickered.

You, Tom, Harrison and Jane then hit the dance floor, slow music playing.

Wise men say Only fools rush in But I can't help falling in love with you

You clasped on to his hand placing another hand on his shoulder blade as he did the same. You began moving back and forth waltzing around the ballroom. Spinning and circles and shuffling your feet to the slow, rhythmic music. It was paradise, but even more so when your eyes met.

Shall I stay? Would it be a sin? If I can't help falling in love with you

His eyes were chocolate brown, which made your knees buckle and your lips quiver. He narrowed his eyes slightly and let out a small chuckle. Your dress was getting in the way and your heels were making you clumsy or you were actually clumsy around him. He noticed your discomfort and changed his stance making it easier for you to follow. His grip tightened on your hand giving it a comforting squeeze making your heart skip a beat.

Like a river flows Surely to the sea Darling, so it goes

You swayed to the music, bodies so close, his hand still grasping yours. This was perfect as if time stood still, your gaze filled with burning desires as he looked down to your slightly parted lips. Tom was trying to get a read on you as you looked at you longingly. You could feel your cheeks burning and you knew you're blushing on the outside which only made his smile grow wider.

Some things are meant to be So take my hand Take my whole life, too For I can't help falling in love with you For I can't help falling in love with you

He dropped your hand but before you could frown he wrapped his arms around your waist and pulled your body even more closer. His kind, smiling face met yours as you felt his sweet, warm breath fanning your face. Your breath hitched all that brooding, pining and longing stares just for this magical moment. Out of instinct you tilted your face a little, closing your eyes. But instead Tom knelt down to your ear and whispered.

“Parere mandatis meis.” You opened your eyes with a vacant gaze as if someone robbed you of your emotions and reasoning. You stood there like a living statue.

"Y/N now listen to me carefully you are going to do whatever I say okay?"

"Yes." You nodded in a mechanical fashion. Agatha walked towards you.

"Is she ready?"

"Yes Lady Layman”

"Good then bring her to the altar."

“Was the hypnosis necessary?”

“You got a better idea to make your non believer half witch willingly go through her baptism?” Agatha quipped.

“No” He answered lowly.

“Then bring her outside fast midnight is approaching, the blood moon will appear soon.” She ordered.

The party moves outside, where the moon is at its fullest and begins to turn red. With midnight approaching, everyone rushes off into the woods. Tom took you to a gate burning with blue flames, you pass through the blue flames unharmed and arrive at your baptism, where the Holland's, Osterfield's, Layman's, and many other important delegates are in attendance.

"All this grandeur for a half breed's baptism, how pathetic is that?" Zendaya quipped, rolling her eyes.

The priest assigned for your baptism arrived at the altar.

"Welcome daughter of Night"

"Who presents this girl for unholy baptism?" He reckons.

"I do." Nikki states.

"We are gathered here in these woods in the presence of our dark lord, with all the souls, the living and the dead, of our coven

the most unholy church of dark." He addresses.

"Kneel child." You kneel in front of him in your trance.

The priest smears blood over your forehead and read you your rights and demands your loyalty.

"There is no law beyond. Do what thou wilt." He states.

"Our dark lord asks -

" Would you like to be happy child, to be free?"

"Free to love and to hate? To be what nature meant you to be, true to her laws and yourself only?" you stay numb Tom takes the initiation.

"Say yes Y/N."

"Yes, father." You say as you were told.

"Do you believe in Lucifer, the archangel, who preferred the loss of Heaven to that of his pride?"

"Yes, father."

"In exchange for this belief, you shall be granted powers that will enable you to be of service to the dark lord."

"Y/N Warren are you willing to forsake the path of light and follow the path of night wherever it may lead you?"

"I am"

"And are you willing to place our dark lord above all others in your life, be it your loved ones, friends, family." you pause for a moment but under the hypnosis spell even if you wanted to but you couldn't make your own decisions.

"I ...am"

"Then it's time to sign his book." The weather started to deteriorate as strong winds started to blow and thunder rumbling at a distance could be heard.

Meanwhile at your home your mother was turning restless with the sudden change in the weather she ran to your Aunt Rose's room.

"Rose what's happening?"

"It's about time Martha." Rose says coldly.

"What do you mean? Where is Y/N?" Martha panicked.

"Don't worry she will be fine but for some people this is the beginning of their end"

"Mom what's happening?" Erica came running too.

"Oh Erica you are here can you fetch me the ancestral calcified bowl." Erica did as she was told.

"Martha give me the ashes of Amber." She handed over a bottle of ash as Rose poured it in the bowl. She lit the candles around the bowl with her magic and chanted.

"Here and now

I evoke the elemental force of Fire

the flames of creativity and passion

dancing source of heat, light and life.

I seek the flowing forge within

I call you forth to burn away

All that impedes my highest vision

And to enact change in the world

Lightning and hearth

Hearth and forge

Fire, I call thee hence"

Rose focused on the ashes in the bowl as flames erupted in it.

"Y/N wake up, recognize your true self"

“Phasmatos Incendia Ignis absumet Ignarious. Ignarious! Ignarious Ignalusa”

Meanwhile you were standing at the altar and an ancient book was kept open on the flat stone in front of you. The priest took a knife and made an incision on your hand as a drop of blood flowed down from the cut on the page. Tom was behind you as the priest signalled him to proceed; he took your hand with the pen to sign your name in the book. Just when you were about to sign the Dark Lord’s Book of the Beast with your blood, Rose's invocation ritual broke the hypnosis spell on you and you were snapped out of your trance. The fog that clouded your mind got lifted as you felt light headed. It took awhile for you to process what was happening around you.

"You swear to obey without any question any order you may receive from tHe dark lord, or from any figure He placed in authority over you."

"In signing you swear to give your mind, body, and soul unreservedly to the furtherance of the designs of our lord satan." The priest went on.

"No!!" You yanked your hand away from Tom's grasp.

"What do you mean no child?" the priest frowned.

"Who are you? Where the hell am I?!" You looked around in confusion.

"Tom what's going on? Where's Jane?!" you look at him with panic stricken eyes.

"Y/N,love, listen to me this is for your own good just complete the ritual"

"Is this some kind of Halloween prank because it's not funny."

"You think you are sick with some neural disease that is why you can't feel warmth. Y/N don't you understand that you are not human." Tom tried to make you understand.

“Tom why are you so up to prove that I’m some sort of psychic?”

''You are a smart girl Y/N don't tell me the visions you get doesn't seem real? That you didn't light up a candle just by focusing your mind on it." agatha quipped.

"You are a half witch Y/N magic runs in your blood and to reach your full potential you have to submit to our Dark Lord"

"Whatever I maybe there is another path for me. A third way. And even if there isn't, my name is Y/N Warren, and I will not sign it away!" you stated.

"If you don't complete the ritual then you have to face the wrath of the dark lord." Agatha warned.

"The only thing I'm gonna do is to get away from you jackass people."

The coven tries to stop you from escaping as everyone chanted in unison.

“Crescere arbor”

While you attempt to escape you become entangled in magical possessed vines which held you to your place.

"Why can't I move?" you struggled to free yourself.

"You're not leaving unless and until you complete the ritual."

Suddenly the stone of your antique necklace starts glowing, emitting a reddish orange aura which just grew in intensity as time passed blinding your eyes. A sudden rage started to grow inside trying to burst out.

Your body was shaking imminently as the blazing inferno coursing inside you was becoming too much for your body to handle. You forced your eyes open and a chill ran down the spines of everyone present for the ceremony. You irises appeared like burning coals of fire.

They flashed with anger, a burning animosity growing in your amber orbs. Tom couldn't recognize you anymore you appeared to be a totally different person.

Flares started erupting from your hands soon turning into flames ready to engulf anyone that came in your way. The flames spread to the magical vines holding you as they were burned into ashes setting you free. You gasped as you looked at your hands on fire.

"What's happening?! What did you guys do to me?!" You panicked.

"Y/N, love calm down. Just try to control it"

"I can't!!'' You growled

"I can help, just let me help you Y/N"

"No! Don't come near me." You warned with a hoarse voice. A ring of fire formed around you.

"Tom do something or she will burn down the whole forest." Harrison said in panic.

''You've nothing to fear no one will do you any harm."

"Just calm down and everything will be fine. Close your eyes and focus, love"

You closed your eyes taking in measured breaths trying to calm yourself. It worked as the raging inside you dissipated. Your hands were no more on fire.

"Suctus Incendia" everyone chanted in unison and the fire died down.

You on the other hand felt weak and drained out as you collapsed on the ground unconscious.

…………………………………………………………………..

Taglist: to be added or removed send a message or ask.

@sleepybesson @sophs-library @spideyreidstheroom @itstaskeen @milli86 @biebsmylife95 @quaksonhehe @hannahholland1811 @awhollandx @joyleenl @greatpizzascissorstaco @tomhollandsotherpinkytoe @jjandreidsgirl @brighterthanthesunx @adevilallthetime @panicattheeverywherekid @onewithnomightypowers @itsnotmeh24 @bitchinwpei @astridcommings @hollandprkr @hollandsobrien @timotayswriter @kiki-hines @casualprincess77 @spideyth @perspectiveparker @thevelvetseries @tempo-rary-fix @onebigolemess @itsbqueenthings @chingonaconcha @yoongi-holland @l0lmk @itsemohours @fanficscuziranout @allthisfortommy @starcoadrienette2 @hollanddolanfangirl @drie-the-derp @pvnkfangirl

#tom holland #tom holland imagines #tom holland imagine #tom holland smut #tom holland x reader #tom holland x you #tom holland x y/n #tom holland fluff #Warlock! Tom holland #tom holland and reader #tom holland and you #tom holland and y/n

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xmxisxforxmaybe · 4 years

Note

Summertime prompts list: 27 or 28 with rami? Please and thank youuu😘

I tried to do both—hope it turned out okay! “Late night talks around a bonfire—confessions (27) —serious musings (28).”

* * * * *

The sun was just setting and for a moment, you looked out at the ocean and let yourself get lost in her expanse, the sound of her surf, and the way the hues of the sky were melding with the hues of her water to become one palette of midnight-blues.

“Earth to Y/N!” your friend said, tugging on your ponytail.

“What? Sorry—I was just thinking.”

“Surprise, surprise. I wanted to know if you were ready for Moscato?”

“Ooo yes! I wanna see if the bottle I bought is any good.”

“The apple?”

“Yeah—how’d you—”

Your friend cut you off by handing you a wine tumbler as they took another sip from their own.

“It’s really good,” they confirmed as you took a drink, relishing in the sweet burst of the wine on your tongue and smiling as a strong flavor of crisp, green apples lingered once you swallowed.

“That’s gonna be dangerous.”

Smiling, you spread out the red and black checkered blanket you brought, ignoring the crumbs of sand that inevitably crept their way over the freshly laid fabric, and plopped down, wiggling your bum to encourage the sand beneath to provide you a more comfortable seat.

You watched as a few of your friends lit the bonfire and before you knew it, the sun had been replaced by the moon, nothing but the big fire’s glow and a few tiki torches left to light up the night.

Buzzed from the wine, the laughter, or maybe just from the ocean herself as she continued to crash on the shore, your eyes widened when a sudden whoop of cheers erupted. Immediately, your eyes met Rami’s. Swallowing thickly, you refilled your tumbler and retreated back to your blanket, wondering what the hell he was doing here.

As Rami made his round of hellos, someone turned on their speaker and music filled the night, loud enough to issue a challenge to the crackling bonfire and to the ocean.

“Come on! Come dance,” your friend pleaded, and you waved them off.

“I need way more booze in my system before I dance.”

Your friend laughed and gave you the middle finger as they headed into the small crowd that had begun dancing on the opposite side of the bonfire.

“Anyone sitting with you?” a deep, familiar voice sounded and you took your time traveling up the owner of that voice’s body before you met his gaze.

Rami looked like . . . Rami.

He was dressed in a pair of slim-fit, green shorts that stopped about two inches above his knee, and a blue or grey lightweight button down, loosely buttoned to show a portion of his chest, the sleeves of his shirt rolled up at his elbows. He was wearing a pair of worn canvas flip-flops, and when you shook your head “no” and he sat down, the smell of his cologne washed over you like a baptism.

“How are you?” he asked.

“Same old,” you shrugged. “I think the more interesting question in this situation is how are you?”

Rami smiled softly, his pretty eyes finally turning away from you and toward the fire.

“Tired.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah,” he affirmed, giving you time to take a sip of wine.

“Ready for a drink?”

“I did a little pre-gaming,” he confessed as he shifted just a bit closer to you so he could reach into his back pocket and retrieve a small, silver flask.

“And you drove out here?” you asked, narrowing your eyes.

Rami laughed as he answered, “Still giving me shit, Y/N? I missed that.”

Rami’s eyes connected with yours and everything you’d ever felt for him came rushing back—the good, the bad, and the neverwas. Those feelings sloshed around in your gut like the sweet, summer wine you had been drinking, and when you finally broke free from his gaze, you took a shaky breath as you realized you felt like you were on fire, your skin set to melt at any second.

“Rami fuckin’ Malek! How are you? And where the fuck’s Sami?”

As Rami reached out to clasp his old friend’s hand, you shot off the blanket and escaped what you thought was the heat of the bonfire. As you brushed the remnants of some sand off the backs of your thighs, you walked down the beach until you were out of the light and immersed in shadow.

The Rami sitting around tonight’s bonfire no longer led the same life as the Rami from a few years ago who had shown up on your doorstep, grinning like a madman to tell you he landed the lead of a TV show. This Rami—this Rami was an international movie star.

He wasn’t the same man . . . was he?

As you made your way back to the bonfire, you shook off your thoughts and were nearly free of Rami’s intrusion until he was suddenly there, right in front of you, holding out your cup.

“You left this—thought you might want it.”

“Thanks, Ram,” you said, reaching for the tumbler and as you took it from Rami’s grip, his fingers brushed yours and when that old surge of electricity shivered through your skin, you knew you were fucked.

“Wanna, uh, toast with me?” he asked, his eyes flicking up from the way they had been watching your lips move when you thanked him.

Shaking your head and unable to hide your smile, you said, “Sure—but you better have something good to say.”

“Still giving me shit.”

You laughed and kicked some sand over his toes. “Shut up and toast already.”

Rami took a deep, dramatic breath and said, “To the possibility of tomorrow. Or tonight. To the possibility of possibility.”

You giggled and raised your glass, and he clicked his own tumbler that someone must have handed off to him with yours.

“That was a terrible toast.”

Rami swallowed his wine and grinned closing the distance between the two of you and wrapping you up in a strong hug.

Your brain short-circuited for a moment as you were assaulted by memories of friendship, and your sometimes more than friendship, the memories crashing like the dimmed din of the ocean until you just let yourself go, let yourself get swept out to the sea that had always been Rami. Rami fucking Malek.

“I missed your smartass mouth,” he said as he kissed your jaw near your ear and released you from his grip.

“I missed how expensive you smell.”

“You used to tell me that when I was buyin’ shit that was like 30 bucks a bottle.”

“It’s just the magic of you, I guess,” you grinned as you reached up and tweaked his chin.

“I’m not magic—I’m not even sure what the fuck I am anymore,” Rami said through a smile, his eyes containing more seriousness than you were prepared for.

“Oh, now that’s deep,” you said, your brows furrowing with slight concern, but your voice still holding a teasing lilt. “Don’t go all tortured artist on me now. Surely you didn’t come out tonight to muse about your life?”

Rami was quiet for a moment, taking a sip from his cup before he said, “I came out to see you.”

You groaned and closed your eyes for a second before replying, “Scratch that, Alex. I’ll take Tortured Artist for 300.”

Rami laughed quietly, “I meant it when I said—”

“Rami?! Dude! Thought you were Sam! How the fuck they hangin, man?”

Saved again, you returned to the comfort of your blanket, but pulled it away from the fire and out of the light of one of the tiki torches. You flopped down onto your back, your heels dug comfortably into the sand as you enjoyed the cool breeze that wafted up from the ocean instead of the intense heat of the bonfire.

“Rami’s here!” your best friend announced as she landed next to you, flecks of sand pinging against your arm.

“I know.”

“You talked to him?”

“He talked to me.”

“He talked to you?”

You chuckled. “Yes, sweet drunk. He talked to me. Said he missed me.”

Your best friend launched herself half on top of you, her eyes looking ginormous as they peered into yours, the wine from her breath wafting over your face as she faux whispered, “Oh my fucking GOD.”

You reached up, laughing, and squished her cheeks as you said, “I KNOW!”

“Tell him. Tell him how you feeooph—"

“Finish that sentence and I’m garnishing my wine glass with your lips.”

She licked your fingers and you released her as she countered, “S’not a glass. It’s plastic.

You looked at each other and laughed, her rolling away to lay on her back next to you again for all of 30 seconds before another song came on that she liked.

In a stumbling flash, she was up and gone and your field of vision was once again unimpaired as you looked up at the night sky.

“Tryin’ to hide from me?” Rami asked as he sat down.

“You found me, so I’m not doing a very good job.”

Without looking, you could tell that Rami’s face fell by his tone when he said, “I’m sorry. I have no right to impose myself on you.”

Before he could get up, you reached out and grabbed his wrist.

“Don’t go.”

“You sure?”

You looked over at him and gave him a sweet smile.

“I’m sure. Besides, one of our pals is sure to interrupt us.”

Rami snorted, “Yeah. Lookin’ for Sami.”

“By the way, where is he?”

“Not you too,” Rami groaned as he laid on his back, mimicking your position with his knees bent and heels dug into the sand.

“Fine. Don’t answer. Shall we just dive right into your existential crisis?”

“I hate you,” Rami deadpanned.

“You brought it up by saying what the fuck even is my life earlier . . .”

“Sami is out with his new girlfriend. Didn’t bring her because she doesn’t like the beach.”

You sat up on your elbows and looked over at Rami. His eyes were closed, his wine cup nestled into the sand near his hand.

“She doesn’t like . . . the beach? That’ll last,” you finished with a snort.

He chuckled. “Haven’t met her yet, but I’m not feelin’ her. I think he’s still hung up on Annalise.”

“Who is here tonight, loving the beach . . . and that Pauly-D lookin’ guy she brought.”

“I texted him that as soon as I got here.”

“Snitch.”

Rami opened his eyes and twisted his head to look up at you.

“What? You’ve always been a snitch. And the two of you have always had the worst taste in women.”

Now Rami sat straight up and turned to face you, his face now hidden in shadow thanks to your distance from the fire. However, people seemed to have forgotten about you, so it didn’t look like you were going to be interrupted again.

“Like you’ve had better luck.”

“Keepin’ tabs on me?”

Rami shifted and you were able to see his face again, his eyes lit up with his desire to tease you.

“And if I am?”

“I’d really love to know why.”

Rami bit his lower lip, sucking it into his mouth before releasing it.

“I’d rather show you why.”

Your heart dropped into your stomach as you looked over at him, the night suddenly too hot again despite your distance from the bonfire.

His eyes held yours, more effective than any venom that could cause paralysis.

Your tongue wet your lips, seemingly of its own accord, and that was all the invitation Rami needed before he leaned over and kissed you, his warm hand sliding around the back of your head.

His lips were a little chapped, but when your tongue met the warm, wet, softness of his, desire replaced every conflicting emotion that had run amok in your mind that evening.

You pulled Rami closer as you laid flat on your back and he shifted, his body half covering yours as he explored your mouth.

When the kiss ended, you knew things would never be the same between you again. This was it—this was the moment when your relationship chose a side. No more straddling. No more giving, then taking back.

“Rami. I—”

“Shh. Just listen,” he interrupted, leaning up on his arm so he could look down at you. “No matter what happens to me, my first instinct is to talk to you. I just wanna hear your voice. I find myself living with you in my mind as this eternal figure of response. I always wonder what you would think about something. And I think that’s what’s happened in my past relationships—no matter who I’m with, the only voice I wanna hear is yours.”

You searched his face and were overwhelmed by the vulnerability you found written on it after his confession. For this single moment, you held the power to accept him or to reject him.

“Thank god you’ve finally pulled your head out of your ass to realize that what’s best for you has been right in front of your stupidcute nose this entire time.”

“In front of my stupidcute nose, huh?” Rami said, his face transformed by your acceptance.

“Yeah. I said it.”

“Wanna get out of here? Go someplace and talk?”

“I do,” you answered. “But first I really wanna make out with you.”

Rami laughed, a deep rumbling that sounded low in his throat and chest.

“Whatever you want, Y/N. I’m gonna do my fucking best to make sure you have it.”

Grinning, you pulled him into a kiss.

#rami malek #rami malek x reader #implied female reader but it's not specific #rami malek fluff #fluff #summertime fluff

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mothmanismyuncle · 3 years

Text

BLOODY FUCKING HELL FOLKS

i just finished baptism by fire and you GUYS. yALL. im!!!

pls someone who im not going to spoil pls dm me because im SCREAMIN

#the witcher #baptism of fire #geralt of rivia #SOBS #GERALT OF MOTHERFUCKING GOD DAMN COCK SUCKIN RIVIA HUH #JUST #JUST WALKIN ROUND BEIN CALLED GERALT OF RIVIA OF RIVIA™ HUH

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kicacris · 4 years

Text

SPOTIFY PLAYLIST UPDATE! GKND: OPERATION ALPHA

HAPPY PRE-GKND DAY EVERYONE! 8D

For those re-reading the previous chapters of GKND Operation ALPHA, please enjoy the latest update of GKND: Operation A.L.P.H.A. Spotify Playlist, now featuring songs from Chapters 5, 6, 7 and SURPRISE: a sneak peek of the music from chapter 8!

Hang in there while I finish with the fine-tunings of Chapter 8!

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/25fjuoIJkhEnraCKtAngkp?si=5ds4Ry0bRMaY1e4F9WMosA

Chapter 8 Song List (sneak peek -with no details-): Let’s play a little game and try to guess what’s going to happen on the next chapter only by listening to the songs! ;D

Act 1 ???

“Look what you made me do” - Taylor Swift

Act 2 ???

“Crazy = Genious” - Panic! At the disco

Act 3 ???

“The Greatest Show” - Panic! At the disco

Act 4 ???

“On the case” - Detective Pikachu OST

Act 5 ???

“Sympathy for the Devil” - The Rolling Stones

Act 6 ???

“Serenade of Water” (Version by Rozen) - The Legend of Zelda OST

Previous chapters under the “Read More” cut:

Chapter 7 Song List:

A vision from the past - The Time Out War

“Warriors” (2WEI and Edda Hayes) - League of Legends OST

Back to the Moon Base

“Deku Palace” (Version by Rozen) - The Legend of Zelda OST

Reunited (reprise)

“A window to the past” - Harry Potter OST (John Williams)

Bermuda Triangle Island: Sector Alpha’s Tree House

“Ballad of the Goddess” (Version by Rozen) - The Legend of Zelda OST

A controversial decision

“The Chain” - Fleetwood Mac

An S.O.S. signal

“Ignite” - League of Legends 2016 World Championship theme

Chapter 6 Song List:

Lizzie’s punishment

“Speechless” - Aladdin OST (Naomi Scott)

Running to the rescue

"Nothing breaks like a heart” - Mark Ronson feat. Miley Cyrus

Arriving to Pluto

Ryme City - Detective Pikachu OST (Henry Jackman)

Reunited

“A window to the past” - Harry Potter OST (John Williams)

Sector V vs Numbuh Omega

“Other friends” (Cover Version by Caleb Hyles ) - Steven Universe the movie

Prison Break

"Under pressure” - Queen

Burning Courage

“Din’s fire” (Version by Rozen) - The Legend of Zelda OST

Numbuh Delta’s awakening

“Baptism by Fire” - AC/DC

The Falcon Alpha

“Pacific Rim” - Pacific Rim OST (Ramin Djwadi)

Chapter 5 Song List:

"Kids-Next-Door Rules!”

“Neverland” - Zendaya

“Galactic-Kids-Next-Door Rules!”

"Where is my mind?” - Sucker Punch OST

Numbuh Vine’s resolution

“One Summer Day” - Spirit Away OST

An intergalactic signal - Chad’s message / Numbuh Vine’s call

“Seven Nation Army” - The White Stripes

The Super Big Computermabob

“Mountains” - Interstellar OST (Hans Zimmer)

Chapter 4 Song List:

The Story of Alpha retold by Omega:

“Once upon a dream” - Lana del Rey

The Delta Sword / Chad’s Conviction

“This is what you are” - Warframe OST

Nigel’s Despair / Numbuh 1′s fall

“Terrible Fate” (Remixed) - Theophany (The Legend of Zelda Majora’s Mask)

Omega: the puppet master

“Bad Guy” - Billie Eilish

The Prom Queen summons you!

“Trouble” - Valerie Broussard

Enter the Prom King ( “The Steve” theme song)

“Dangerous” - Roya Deluxe

Global Command morning briefing

“Hello World” - Louie Zong

Evacuation

“Double Event″ - Pacific Rim OST

Chapter 3 Song List:

The Story of Alpha and the Origin of KND

Flying - James Newton Howard - Peter Pan 2003 OST

Numbuh 101’s fan theory time!

The Impression that I get - The mighty mighty Bosstones

A 13th birthday flashback - Maurice’s theme song:

What’s up Danger - Blackway, Black Caviar

The Teenager World:

Humility - Gorillaz

Rachel’s theme song

Just a Girl - No Doubt

Reunited (Part 1)

Where no one goes - John Powell ( from “How to train your dragon” OST)

Ace’s theme song:

Chace the Ace - AC/DC

Meeting the Galactic Supreme Emperor Numbuh Omega

Kotake & Koume - The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Chapter 2 Song List:

Numbuh 1’s Log date:

All Star - Smash Mouth

Ex-Numbuh 274’s Theme:

Lonely Boy - The Black Keys

Numbuh 74.329 and Vine’s introduction:

Mr. Blue Sky - Electric Light Orchestra

Texting “Mom and Dad”

Save Myself - Edd Sheeran

GKND Omega Main Orbital

Immigrant Song - Led Zeppelin

Who is the Galactic Supreme Leader?

Hells Bells - AC/DC

Numbuh Omega’s Theme:

Hysteria - Muse

Chapter 1 Song List:

Fic Title:

KND Theme a Capella (why is this the only KND song available in Spotify?! Can somebody fix this???)

Introduction + Moon Base:

Kids in America - The Donnas

Supreme Leader Numbuh 362 resigns flashback:

Symphony - Zara Larsson/Clean Bandit

Supreme Leader Numbuh 5 answers your questions!

Fox on the run - Sweet

Welcome to McClintock High School - The Teenagers Prom Queen’s intentions

Black Betty - Ram Jam

Teen undercover Operatives

Black Betty (Reprise) - Caravan Palace

Jailed - Chad and Nigel’s introduction

Sweet Dreams (Are made of this) - Emily Browning

#GKND Operation ALPHA #spotify playlist #fanfiction #music #GKND #stop the gknd #kids next door #KicaCrisArt

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shealynn88 · 4 years

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Happy Saturday! Here, have a two-parter ~ Your DB Secret Scribe

~Blood Riptide~

(Part 1)

“Sonuvabitch! Benny’s gone way too far this time!”

Dean, his asshole neighbor, and their petty games had escalated into the realm of the extreme.

“What now?” Sam whined, rubbing his face exhaustedly while poring over study guides.

“I’ve got ‘Just Divorced’ along with 'Single and Ready to Mingle’ on Baby’s trunk in fucking house paint!”

Sam stared at him blankly. “And?”

“And he taped rainbow dick shaped balloons by the rear license plate so I wouldn’t notice when getting in.”

While laughing, Sam pointed out, “Well, you buried the wash table in his backyard with four truck beds of smoked hickory chunks last week.”

“Chips. They’re called wood chips. And it was the only way to neutralize that reeking Striped Bog Bass he dragged up from his skiff. Besides..fish go with chips anyways. Did him a favor,” he shrugged, pointedly dismissing his wrong doing.

“You don’t mess with someone’s livelihood Dean!” Sam tried explaining.

“And ya don’t mess with a man’s wheels! I told him that after he clipped your fucking Mopar abomination in the driveway almost a year ago. How many times have I said to pull farther in and not leave your ass end out, huh? Dean scolded.

"My Charger’s not an abomination! He had a legitimate excuse. Besides, he told me right away and paid for the repairs.”

“Excuse my ass. Who blames vehicular carnage on an iron deficiency?! Huh?”

“If anemia gets bad enough…”

“Don’t gimme that crap. Walgreens carries supplements. Planned on football this weekend, but now I gotta work on Baby, Hope I can fix her without removing any original coating!” Dean stomped off to the garage ready to explode.

Sam just shook his head and called Bones for a treat.

The following night Dean made another Home Depot run after spending all day on Baby. She still wasn’t finished, and damn if it didn’t boil his blood. When pulling in the driveway, a distressing scene greeted him. Sam had been on an evening run and was in tears, covered in blood, hunched over bones. Benny too, was on his knees examining the dog.

Dean pushed his infernal ire aside for his brother and Bones. “What happened? Is he okay?”

Benny continued assessing while Sam explained, “We were running in Royer Park when a gator grabbed him. I ran him back here as fast as I could but Dean, he’s not gonna make it.”

“If I could save him, but it’d mean he’d be..different, would you let me?”

“Different, how?” Sam asked in emotional anguish.

Benny appeared to dither over sharing something heavy.

“What do you mean different?”

The guy reluctantly answered. “At night he’ll be with me.”

Sam was still confused, and Dean’s anger was beginning to simmer. “Drop the cryptic bullshit and answer the damn question.”

He watched Benny sigh, but was so done with theatrics. Bones took one deep breath and then a stilted one after.

“Time’s wasting, Sam, yes or no?” Benny quickly offered, as if KNOWING the beloved mastiff was on the brink of death.

“Yes,” came Sam’s confident decision.

Dean next watched something impossible. Fangs protruded from Benny’s mouth, and he sank his teeth into the dog’s carotid artery.

“Dude, what the f-”

Dean’s words fell silent on his lips when realizing Benny’s large hand was holding him back. The guy turned to him with blood dripping from his lips. In his other hand, he held a blade and sliced his palm. Then, working with inhuman speed, he opened Bones’ chest and reached inside. Dean watched in nauseous horror as Benny squeezed his heart, mimicking a dog’s healthy sinus rhythm.

After a few minutes of stunned silence, Bones’ eyes grew wide with shock and Benny immediately pulled his hand from his chest, fisted more blood from his palm, and closed the gaping wound. He massaged the large area, and Dean saw the hole healing. Benny stood, wiping his hand on the pea coat he wore when fishing.

“He’s coming around. Tonight and tomorrow, he’ll stay with you. At sundown, he’ll spend his nights with me,” Benny placed his clean hand on Sam’s shoulder and calmly explained, “You’ll see, surely not much at all will change.”

He folded the knife back into his pocket and without another word, went back inside his house.

Bones perked his head up and stared in the direction of Benny’s house. He stood as if nothing had ever happened, and licked Sam’s hand. Neither found the words to speak on what had occurred, but after both Bones and the driveway were rinsed, they went inside and robotically prepared for bed.

The next morning Bones woke them up for breakfast as usual. Dean and Sam still couldn’t bring themselves to talk about it. They went about their day silently thankful Bones was right as rain. By sunset, Dean had almost convinced himself the whole fucked up incident had been a dream.

When the fireflies emerged for their nightly glowball dance, Bones perked up, raising from his spot on the family room floor. Dean and Sam were shootin’ the shit about the Cowboys dream duo Prescott and Elliott on the patio overlooking the canal behind their property line, when Bones eerily walked past them as if summoned by an unnatural force.

Dean noticed how fast the sun, which normally perched on the horizon like some needy, eye catching supermodel desperate for validation, yeeted outta Dodge. Padding onto the soft grass, Bones shifted in an odd manner for a dog of his breed. His movements were too swift, smooth, and straight. Facing Benny’s house, he let loose a chilling howl that if Dean had to describe, sounded more like a demonic harmonica than a canine growl.

Sam looked at Dean with terror, as if he too had been hoping the previous night’s disaster was a figment of food he’d eaten too close to bedtime. They saw Benny mosey onto his patio, patting his side for Bones to approach. When generously petting him, the moon cast its beams like a strange baptism upon the dog’s coat. Dean then saw the dog change.

His fur coat was no longer black, it wasn’t fur at all, but tendrils of fine burgundy osseous tissue. Bones heard Sam gasp, and turned to peer back at them. In his eyes were burning coals of hell fire, and the lovable head tilt he’d gifted Sam in life, rotated too far. His fangs were too long, and the width of his mandible spread in an impossibly wide grin, demonstrated in the most terrifying way that Bones had truly become a servant of darkness. And yet, he bounded back to Sam in a playfully sinister way, nuzzling against his hand.

Dean sat in silent horror as Benny went down to his boat, then headed for his garage to retrieve something of import. In a lightning fast decision, he tore down the modest hill to the twenty eight foot Lafitte skiff, with Sam whisper-shouting to get the hell back on the patio. No dice, Sammy. He simply HAD to find out what this guy was up to, but realized he had no weapon aside from a fileting knife he’d swiped from a shelf on the skiff.

Concealing himself under a tarp, he heard Benny boarding along with Bones and kept as quiet as he could, even maintaining impossible control of his respirations. Ten minutes south of Benny’s house, common sense kicked in that his rash decision was taking him out into some desolate backwoods bayou territory and if Benny or Bones felt like a human snack, they could easily feast and foist his drained carcass over the edge, never to be found.

When the skiff finally slowed, he heard the high pitched squeak of the captain’s chair rotating.

“Speak your mind, Dean.”

Busted.

Throwing off the useless tarp, Dean wobbled as he stood beside the stern’s edge, then fell back on his ass in embarrassment and stayed put.

“Fine,” he sniffed. Benny wanted a piece? He was gonna get it. But when it came to forming coherent word strings all that tumbled out was, “What the ever lovin’ fuck?”

“Are you referring to last night’s..enlightening fuck? Or all the ones going back to when I stopped talkin’ to ya?”

Dean shrugged. “Sure. Yeah…But first, I wanna know why.”

A look of surprise galloped across Benny’s face, now a more deathly pale in moonlight. “Vampire, appreciate you askin’. It’s also the reason why.”

“So this happened after you moved in next door?”

Benny looked down, with a curious look loaded with shame. “Before. You didn’t do anything wrong, Dean. Surely you wonder, but..it’s on me.”

Despite his genuinely gracious decline,

Benny seemed to have greatly appreciated Dean and Sam’s welcoming hospitality when they’d showed up on his doorstep, offering burgers and brew. He’d claimed a wide range of severe food allergies, but still broke the proverbial bread with them, sipping on some medicinal protein shake. It made perfect sense to Dean now, when looking back.

“Seemed to have a lot in common with me and Sam. The couple of times you took me fishing..I kinda thought…” he let his thoughts trail off.

“You weren’t wrong. It wasn’t y-”

“Oh here we go..wasn’t you, it was me, right?”

“Because I’m the one who messed up!”

“How? We never argued, you never said or did anything! One day, you just stopped talking to us!” Me, Benny. It hurt that you stopped talking to me. “That was an asshole move and you know it!”

The seconds ticked by. Benny’s fists were tightly balled, indicating his struggle with something. His eyes were ablaze in turmoil.

“Go fuck yourself.”

The guy had no idea how difficult it was for Dean to open up, to ask why he’d been rejected. And it made Dean So. Damn. Angry. Monster, demon, vampire, friggin’ vampirate, he no longer cared which monster he pissed off. He shoved Benny into the portside wall of his skiff.

“Fuck me yourself, you coward,” Dean growled in his face..and then kissed him, like a challenge.

He didn’t know why he did it. Well, lack of impulse control. Obviously. But when Benny, who could rip him in half faster than the Juggernaut tearing Deadpool’s upper body from his lower, kissed him back, it caught him off guard. Benny’s strong hands gripped his ass, pulling Dean flush with his solid form.

This vampire was the riptide in Dean’s otherwise normal, predictable life. The hurricane that’d taken his feelings by storm. His power was raw and all encompassing, Dean could no more tear himself from it than the moon could break the eternal gravitation towards its orbit around Earth.

Benny’s lips left bruises on his skin, trailing down his neck accompanied by his hot, heaving breath. Suddenly he tensed, let go of Dean, and stood frozen against the wall. When Dean saw the excruciating pain on his face he braced for an incoming predator from any direction, because what could possibly set a vampire back on their heels so badly?

Then it clicked. Benny. Vampire. Struggling over a mess up. The threat was a nearby predator. The threat was Benny himself.

To be continued….

OOOHHHH, this is so fantastic and INTRIGUING! I love Bones becoming a Hellhound, that is AWESOME. I love me some hellish pups! I can’t wait to see where it goes!!!! Thank you so much, what a gift you’ve been this week. :D There’s so much here I love - Sam and Dean living together in their loving, grumpy way, Sam being the voice of reason, the prank war (!!!), and Bones. Bones is absolutely my favorite. And Dean. What a lovable dumbass. lol. I look so forward to part II!

#deanbenny love week #denny #amazing #so much fun #<3 #submission

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darlingmckinnon · 4 years

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- CHARACTER BASICS.

name: marlene saoirse mckinnon

nickname: marls, mar

age: 23

gender: female

ethnicity: white

nationality: half english, half irish

pronouns: she/her

education: hogwarts

occupation: stage actress and barmaid at the leaky cauldron

hometown: brighton

current location: a small flat in london

affiliation: order

blood status: pureblood

CHARACTER APPEARANCE:

face claim: kaya scodelario

height: 5′5

weight: 55kg

hair colour: dark brown

eye colour: blue

dominant hand: right

distinguishing features: light scattering of freckles across her nose

MAGICAL EXTRAS.

patronus: badger - signifies power, passion and aggression

wand: hazel wood with dragon heartstring core, 11″ and not very flexible

boggart: return of lord voldemort, and the deaths of her family and friends

hogwarts house: gryffindor

amortentia: oranges, caramel and fresh cotton

PERSONALITY.

positive traits: compassionate, intelligent, brave

negative traits: headstrong, over-protective, impulsive

goals/desires: to bring proper peace and order back to the wizarding world, and to become a world-famous actress

fears: losing her family and friends, lord voldemort, enclosed spaces

mbti: esfp - the entertainer

hobbies: drinking, reading true crime novels, acting

habits: nail-biting, smoking cigarettes (which her mother just hates)

questionnaire

Q1. what are your thoughts on the charity, pur societatis, created to rebuild the wizarding world after the terror of he-who-must-not-be-named?

“Honestly? I don’t trust them one bit, and I’m certainly not alone in that. Some people think that just because Voldemort is dead, all the bad guys are gone, but I’m not so naïve. The death of one dictatorial monster doesn’t mean they’ve all been suddenly eradicated. They’re up to something fishy, but I’m not quite sure what that is. But hey, I’ve always been told I’ve a habit of sticking my nose where it doesn’t belong… That might come in handy right about now.”

Q2. why did you choose to become an actress and barmaid?

“Well, I sort of fell into acting by a happy accident. I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do after school – I didn’t want to go into a super stuffy office job, I love being on my feet and interacting with people. One night after finishing a shift in the pub, I saw a poster advertising auditions for a play at the Old Wizard’s Theatre. I don’t really know what came over me, but I decided to audition for a supporting role and somehow bluffed my way into getting the role. Since then, I’ve been in a good few plays, but obviously my career was, shall we say, put on hold thanks to that bloody War. And I know, I know, don’t say what my mother always says – “acting isn’t a stable career, blah blah blah. But it’s my passion, and my job at The Leaky Cauldron helps keep bread on the table. You’re gonna see me on the stage one day at the Muggle West End.”

Q3. do you feel safer now that he-who-must-not-be-named is dead? or do you believe he is still out there?

“I mean, how safe is safe? Do I feel a bit safer knowing that the maniacal freak that we’ve been fighting for so long is finally dead and gone? Yeah, of course. But like I just said, danger is still out there. Call me paranoid but I keep thinking one of his goons is plotting to resurrect him from the dead, and then, we’re right back to square one. Honestly, I don’t think my paranoia will ever really go away. Guess it’s one of the traumatic side effects of living through war.”

headcanons

· Marlene’s birth came as something of a miracle. Her mother Josephine and father Aidan had been unable to have children for years until Marlene came kicking and screaming into the world. Her mother jokes that becoming a mother to Marlene was a “baptism of fire.” She screeched the house down non-stop for her first two months of life, and as a toddler, she wasn’t much better.

· Her younger brother Jacob means everything to her. He is now nineteen and embarking on a career as a Healer. Gentle and kind, he is stark opposite to Marlene’s fiery personality. Growing up, Jacob barely spoke because, as he puts it himself, “Marlene did more than enough talking for the two of us.” They are extremely close and speak every single day.

· The daughter of two Gryffindors, Marlene was always convinced that she too would be sorted into the lion-crested House. To her surprise, the Sorting Hat debated for some time about whether to place Marlene in Slytherin. Though ambitious and crafty, her bravery manages to outweigh this side of her. Marlene has only ever told one person (Lily) about this.

· Marlene has suffered repeated night terrors since the end of the War. Most nights, she wakes up at least once screaming in a cold sweat, images of her dying friends playing in her head. She has yet to confide in anyone about this, afraid of seeming like she can’t handle herself anymore.

· Marlene is half-Irish. Her father came from Co. Clare on the wild west coast, and her family always went back for at least a month every summer. Ireland is probably where she feels most at ease – when she’s a rich actress, she wants to buy her own home somewhere along its captivating coastline.

· Although it’s more of a side-job while she works her way up the acting ladder, Marlene genuinely enjoys her job at The Leaky Cauldron. Pervy men and dishwashing duties aside, her shifts always fly by because she’s just so busy chatting to everyone who crosses the pub’s threshold. She’ll be the first to admit she’s met many a regrettable one-night-stand through her job.

#dmhqintro #dmhqtask01 #about marlene

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keyrousse · 4 years

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Name ten favourite characters from ten different things (books, tv, film, etc.), then tag ten people.

I was tagged by @merulanoir a very long time ago and then by @nottonyharrison, so I really should do this.

1. Emiel Regis (The Witcher books and games) - despite my eternal love for the main character of the series, I absolutely adored Regis when I first read “Baptism of Fire” by Sapkowski.

2. Andrzej Kmicic from “Potop/The Deluge” by Henryk Sienkiewicz - people usually love or hate The Trilogy by Sienkiewicz, “The Deluge” being the longest part of the three. Kmicic starts as practically a bandit, but his loyalty and intelligence is what drew me to this character. It’s also a very entertaining history/adventure book. And he’s one of two main literary inspirations for Olgierd von Everec from “Hearts of stone” DLC of “The Witcher 3″ game.

3. Quinn from “The negotiator” book by Frederick Forsyth - it’s some sort of childhood sentiment with this one. My love for Forsyth’s books diminished when I realised a lot of his characters are basically the same, but Quinn was the first I read.

4. Napoleon Solo from “The man from U.N.C.L.E.” film by Guy Ritchie - NOT a terrible spy people say he is. Also the role of Henry Cavill that helped him prove he can act and not be just a pretty face with an eight-pack he didn’t have to show for a single scene in the movie.

5. Stephen Maturin from Aubrey/Maturin series by Patrick O’Brian - I started reading the series after the film with Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany and absolutely loved discovering new things about the Irish/Catalan surgeon as the stories progressed.

6. (here I started having trouble with remembering my fav characters.) Vianne Rocher from “Chocolat” (film by Lasse Halström) - another sentiment from my younger years ;)

7. Alec Hardy (TV, ”Broadchurch”) - I have a David Tennant phase (surprise surprise), and I’m drawn to damaged, grumpy yet decent detectives (although that last part is unnecessary) with health problems, taking no shit from anyone.

8. Tenth Doctor (”Doctor Who” modern series) - again, David Tennant. Although, DO NOT SKIP NINE.

9. Aziraphale (”Good Omens” TV show) - not Tennant this time! Initially, in GO it was Michael Sheen’s performance that drew me towards the two main actors (then David took my fixation and ran away with it). I loved the subtlety of Sheen’s performance and how different the character is from the feral man who plays him :)

10. Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III (”How to train your dragon” movies and TV series I haven’t even finished yet) - slightly pushing it, because I really have no more ideas. That’s what happens when you read more contemporary history books than fiction and play one game. But I like the character!

Uuugh, who do I tag? @marbienl13, @andordean, @edenforest...

#ask meme #about me

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lovecatalog · 4 years

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D25-D28

Esther 9:1-10, Joshua 21:44; 23:9, 1 Peter 2:24

The Jews... did as they pleased. They took full advantage of the opportunity to defeat their attackers, as they were allowed to do, laid no hands on the plunder. They had been given permission to take the property of those whom they conquered, but they did only what was necessary to defend themselves.

God’s people were on the road to annihilation, but then the opposite happens and they change places with their enemies.

Hints that God is still working behind the scene:

1. Everyone was afraid of the Jews. (not just the people, but also the power of their God)

2. “No one could stand against them” points back to the OT, to God as the one fighting for His people and giving “all their enemies into their hands”.

Joshua 21:44 talks about how all of God’s good promises has all came to pass -- The Lord has been utterly true to his good promises.

To think about it, we are all also saved by an ultimate reversal. When the king of the Jews is hung on a cross, it may look like Satan has won but by His stripes, we are healed, by His nail pierced hands, we’re free, by his blood, we’re washed clean, now we have the victory, He defeated the great enemy and opens the way to eternal life.

Qn1. Why is it that everyone, including you and I, are on the road to death and destruction (Romans 5:12)? How are we delivered from the penalty and power of sin (1 Peter 2:23)? Praise God that in Jesus, we too can enjoy a wonderful reversal.

According to Romans 5:12, sin came into the world through one man, Adam and death through sin. Death is “the last enemy” and will be conquered forever at Christ’s return. “Death” in these verse would mean both physical and spiritual death. We have all sin would mean that we have all participated in Adam’s sin because he represented all who would descend from him.

But also, look at it in another way, this is just as Christ’s obedience counts for all his followers. In 1 Peter 2:23, it is a crucial verse that emphasises on Christ sinlessness and his substitutionary death for sinners.

We are delivered from the penalty and power of sin when we realised that it is through Christ obedience, we are saved. Yet that does not allow us to sin further.

Hebrews 10:26-31 NIV

“If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

Christ’s obedience should impact us in a way where we would also do the same for God, knowing that because Christ power now lives in us, how Jesus overcame every single thing, we too possess the same power to do so. Knowing at the end of the day we would be reunited with Christ once again, we can hang in there and persevere till the end.

Qn2. Consider your own deliverance from Satan, sin, and death. Where in this can you identify God’s fingerprints?

Relationship, indulge in the worldly affections but now i know that Christ love lives in me, I no longer seek my identity and love from the world but instead I allow God’s will to be done by seeking Him time and again when I catch myself falling into such a pit hole.

Esther 9:11-16, Romans 12:19, Hebrews 2:14-16

“tomorrow also”, because probably there were still armed men in Susa committed to carrying out the first edict. The ten sons of Haman were hanged. In keeping with Persian royal practice, the king wipes out the conspirator’s family publicly, to prevent further trouble.

Relief and peace can only be experienced if the enemy is completely removed.

Now the Jews can celebrate relief from enemies and the fear of death because of their deliverance.

Reminded of Mordecai’s being a mouthpiece to God’s words “relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise” (Esther 4:14)

Qn1. Are we sometimes tempted to take revenge? What advice does Paul give us (Romans 12:19)?

Romans 12:19 actually talks about how we should not repay evil, Jesus’s teaching said that vengeance (punishment) is his. But i think actually alot of times we downplay the word “revenge”, we look at it in a way whereby it is an eye for an eye, which means doing the same thing back to the person but alot of times, revenge comes in different forms, it can be doing a different thing to obtain the same result to someone.

eg. lowkey justifying ourselves and causing our classmates to think we are actually the innocent side etc...

And yes of course we are always tempted, sometimes we don’t even realised that we are tempted, it just subconsciously comes out of our mouth so naturally, and this is why we always reflect on what we do to realised our true motivation behind our actions. Why is it so self-seeking and self-justifying when we have our Lord, our God on our side to justify for us? Could it be we actually don’t put our full trust in God? If so, how can we learn to trust in God better?

If you are interested and willing to walk and journey in this walk, would be nice for you guys to tell me about it one to one when we meet so I can journey with you guys in your very personalised walk. (: I’m sure it’ll be worth it!

Qn2. Do you fear death? If so, why? As Christians, why is it that we can live a life free from the fear of death (Hebrews 2:14-16)?

NOOOO, actually I don’t fear death because God ultimately rules over life and death, He has the power even though Satan claims it.

I think for me i fear more of the opportunities I missed out on telling the people around me how much I love and cherish them, the opportunities for special memories with my loved ones before it is too late. That would mean i should live everyday with a new found purpose for God’s kingdom and not just wasting my days away.

Esther 9:17-22, Exodus 15, Judges 5, Colossians 1:9-14, 1 Peter 1:8

These two different dates arose for celebrating the deliverance of the Jews. In rural areas the fighting was completed on the thirteenth day of Adar, so they celebrated on the fourteenth.

But in Susa, it did not finish until the fourteenth, so they celebrated on the fifteenth. The celebration was still occurring on this date when Esther was written.

God’s deliverance is such an important event, they made sure all members of God’s community can celebrate, not just the wealthy by sharing food. God’s deliverance always brings about “happiness”, “joy” or “gladness.

As Christians, we too should live a life bursting with gladness and joy! We too have been delivered!

We should celebrate in trials and struggles because we know that God is on out side, yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Qn1. Meditate on Colossians 1:9-14. What has God delivered or rescued us from? How should we live our lives in response?

Colossians 1:9-14

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his wills through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

God has delivered and rescued us form our old self, our spiritual being is now no longer dead but filled with the Holy Spirit. This will then lead to changed lives, with the wisdom and understanding, it will enable us to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. (to walk, meaning to conduct and behave oneself).

We are called to walk in a way fully pleasing to the Lord Jesus Christ. Christians are completely justified from the moment of initial saving faith, but we can do things that either please or displease God everyday, (bearing fruit and increasing)

And in this, God has given us “all power” for all endurance and patience with joy. He has given us power to help us continue in the faith, resisting temptations and deceitful teachers in our life and to know the joy of the Lord.

We are no longer who we were, each and every day it is a dying to self to Christ, we are buried with God in baptism and raised with him, how Christ died and rose again symbolises how we have the power against sin and satan as well as strength to live a new life.

Qn2. Do people more often describe you as grumpy and mournful or happy and joyful? Read 1 Peter 1:8. How can we be “filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy”?

HAPPY & JOYFUL hahah.

1 Peter 1:8

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,

9:23-32

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chyrstis · 5 years

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Nothing like a little friendly fire

I’ve been waiting to tackle the deputy’s first meeting with Sharky ever since first meeting him in game, b/c she was not prepared for how much fun he is.

Rating: T Word Count: 5.8K

Link to AO3!

----

The Deputy’s been tasked with taking down Joseph’s statue. To do that, however, she’s going to need help.

___________

She had never seen so many singed and melted speakers in her life. Not even when years back while moshing it out at a concert a pyrotechnics malfunction set the entire stage on fire. The scent of burnt wires and plastic filled the air as they continued burning, but not a single sound escaped them.

And to finally have that silence after the rush before? That truly was bliss.

Hana placed her foot on the marked barrel and pushed it, rolling it towards the others stacked right outside of the Hope County Jail. It hadn’t been ruptured by gunfire or dented, but one lucky hit and she’d be out on her ass, an experience that she wasn’t about to repeat anytime soon.

Bliss was awful no matter the form, and after being laid out by a laced ‘bullet’ of all things, she was keen on avoiding any additional run-ins with the drug if she could help it. Out here over on Faith’s side of things, however, it flowed like water. Cutting across the shallower parts of the Henbane on the way here had her seeing stars, and she had to sit in the nearby bushes until the double-vision passed.

Blinking and rubbing her eyes, she’d almost missed the woman dancing right at the river’s edge. She’d jumped at the first sight of her, only to keep on watching, her eyes fixed on each skip, each spin, her white dress gleaming as she drew closer with each step.

Faith Seed had reached out her hand, letting it linger in the air between them. When Hana did nothing but stare in return, Faith snatched it back with a playful laugh before bounding off.

She hadn’t seen her since, but didn’t stop looking over her shoulder after that. Not until long after she’d finally made her way through the jail’s gates.

She smoothed her hair back, wrangling any loose strands back into the low bun she’d attempted earlier, and took a good look around the jail’s entrance, noting every last scorch mark and bullet hole that littered it. Twenty minutes ago it’d been a war zone. A fuel tanker had blown the front gate wide open, leaving them to scramble to hold back the waves of Angels charging forward, wave after wave compelled to do so from the music alone.

Now they could work on repairs, but the gates were going to be a big damn problem. The metal doors had warped from the heat of the explosion, and a group of resistance members guarded the front, giving the ones welding some semblance of a gate back together plenty of cover while they completed the job. This wasn’t something that could be rushed, but the literal hole in their defenses was looking more like an invitation for trouble the longer it was left open.

She tried to find tasks here and there to help, gathering up remains, disposing of the leftover bliss, and running rounds of watch. It was easier to stay busy, but all a part of her wanted to do was head back in and join Sheriff Whitehorse at the radio.

Seeing him alive and kicking – albeit frustrated with her for not even bothering to send him a message sooner – was the boost she’d badly needed. That night at the helicopter, she hadn’t been sure what to believe. With the smoke choking her, her arms too damn weak to grab for him or hold onto Hudson, she’d screamed her throat raw as she watched them all disappear.

And Burke, he’d cut and run as soon as he’d had the chance. She tried not to hold onto any bitterness, but it burned. Fear had pushed him to do it. Fear, and the thought of dying or worse as Joseph set his people upon them. People did awful things under duress. Awful, shitty things, and she’d been guilty of it too.

But she hoped when the day came and she found Burke again, there wouldn’t be a repeat of before. For his sake and hers.

“Hey, Deputy!”

She’d been in the middle of wiping the sweat of her forehead, and checked around until she caught movement from above.

Tracey gave her a wave from the top of the prison’s walls, one of a few posted up there for watch. At first glance, she didn’t seem any happier to see her than before, but didn’t seem ready to tear into her a second time either.

“Come up here for a second! We didn’t get a chance to finish our last conversation.”

Hana hesitated, but blew out the breath she was holding, and headed towards the nearby ladder.

When she reached the top, Tracey motioned her over to the group she was standing with. She looked Hana over just long enough for her to start picking at the fringe on her fingerless gloves, but before long Tracey’s posture relaxed and so did her stare.

“Sorry about earlier. It’s been nothing but hell here ever since we’ve been set up. I think this is the first time in a while where we haven’t been holding our breath and waiting for the next wave. Angels’ll still come pouring in. They always fucking do, but we aren’t worse off for dealing with them for once.” She shook her head. “I can’t even believe it. Fucking days of that shit, done.”

“And I come rolling up out of nowhere in the middle of it acting like an asshole with a hero complex.” Hana cracked a grin. “No, I get it. You’ve all been needing extra help for days now, and for all you know I’ve been doing nothing but doughnuts in John Seed’s turf out of boredom.”

Tracey snorted. “Oh, is that what’s been going on over there? Heard he’s pissed.”

Good, the pettier part of her thought. After being dunked during her botched baptism it was the least she owed him. “I’m kinda wishing I did now, but…there’s always next time.” Tracey wasn’t smiling at her, per se, but the lighter topic seemed to be on the right track. “Anyway, you didn’t call me up here just to shoot the shit.”

“No, I didn’t. I’ve got work for you.”

Hana’s eyebrows flew up. “Oh! I guess now that I’m officially a Cougar, it only makes sense.”

Tracey took one look at the pin Virgil had placed on her shirt and rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. Don’t tell me you plan on wearing that around.”

“Aww, it’s kinda cool being part of a club again. Haven’t been in one since I was…” Probably seven or eight years old, if she had to guess, but judging from Tracey’s unamused expression, she really wasn’t appreciating the tangent. “Never mind. You were saying?”

“We’ve all been trying to figure out the best way to get at Eden’s Gate. If you ask me, it all comes down to one person: Faith. She controls the bliss, she made the Angels, and she’s the one pushing people to walk the Path through participating in a damn pilgrimage to Joseph’s statue. A pilgrimage to show their ‘true’ faith in him.” She spat at the ground. “The man’s as much of a god as she’s a Seed, droning on and on about only being a fucking mouthpiece for him, but he has no problem with his people putting him up on a pedestal either. Faith’s little gift is only fueling that.”

Filing away the comment on Faith for later, she found herself very interested in where this was going. “Okay, so on the subject of marble Joseph being an even larger asshole than Joseph already is, where do I come in?”

“You? Well, I want you to drive a giant fuck-you-sized hole right through it. You weren’t shy before around explosives. Hell, that was the only way to get the damn speakers to shut up. You want to do us a real service out here?” Her lips twisted into a bitter grin. “Go out to that giant fucking eyesore and blow it right off of the map.”

Opening and closing her mouth a few times, she waited for Tracey to give a sign that she was kidding, or to reveal the real job at hand. All she did instead was raise an eyebrow at her expectantly. “…Seriously?”

“Did I stutter?”

She did not. Not even remotely.

“So, say I did want to do this, and don’t get me wrong, sending that up in a hail of fire and smoke would be pretty damn fantastic,” Hana began, “but that’s a statue. Unless you’re all hiding one hell of a payload somewhere in the prison, or there’s some wildcard prepper out there sitting on a treasure trove of fireworks and other such paraphernalia…”

She trailed off when she noticed a few of the resistance members trading knowing looks. A few even started nudging each other, and she stood there with her eyes narrowed for a hell of a lot longer than necessary.

“Okay, please elaborate on that, because you’re all leaving me in suspense here.”

The older woman on the left spoke up. “You gotta go with Boshaw and the Drubman kid.”

“Kid?” The one with the baseball cap shook his head. “Hurk Jr’s no damn kid-“

“If there’s something that needs blowing up they’ll be there,” she replied, ignoring him, “and where there’s one you’ll find the other. They’ve been getting up to who knows what judging from the calls coming in over the radio.”

Tracey rolled her eyes. “And half of the county’ll be a burned-out wreck by the time they’re done. But they’re solid bets if you want to do some real damage, and I’m surprised neither of their asses have ended up here yet.”

“You don’t say.” Hana tugged at a loose strand of hair as she thought it over, twirling the red-brown strands around her finger, and the more she considered it, the more she liked it. “Anyone got their last known positions?”

“I thought I heard something about Sharky being out by Moonflower, you know the trailer park? Don’t know if he’s still hanging tight there, though. I hear the Angels are out there in droves, so he’ll have his hands full.”

She nodded, and took out her map. “Moonflower… Moonflower…”

“Right here.” Tracey placed a finger on a spot just north of the jail. “Warning, if he is there, shout at him first, got it?”

“Sure, so he won’t swiss-cheese me on accident?”

“So he won’t roast you on accident. The guy loves his flamethrower to death, and isn’t afraid to use it. Unless you really want to see just how good of an aim he is up close, just avoid it, got it?”

After her last near-death experience by fire singed her hair? Nope, not happening.

Hana flashed her a thumbs up. “Got it.”

----

The rickety truck she’d stolen on the way there was still in the haphazard spot she’d left it, half wedged in the dirt off of the road.

She plopped into the seat, not even bothering with the seatbelt, and threw the truck into the reverse to try and guide it back to more even land. It creaked as it went, jostling her the entire way and she dreaded listening to that, let alone actually having to work her way through a car chase if anyone happened to recognize her.

It wasn’t a tough feat with her penchant for red clothes still going strong, and sunglasses could only do so much to cover up her eyes. She was still her same over-freckled self, and her mannerisms would give her away no matter how perfectly her outfit hid her. It just couldn’t be helped.

“…But maybe snagging a cap at some point wouldn’t hurt,” Hana muttered to herself, struggling to turn the steering wheel. Something internal had gone, possibly a leak somewhere, making it a near-Herculean effort, and would only get worse over time without repairs.

The sound of static by her side made her jolt, but soon the Sheriff’s voice came through crystal clear. “Hey, Rook? It’s Whitehorse, copy.”

She reached for her radio, and grinned wryly. “Rook? Thought that promotion was a sure thing, sir.”

“It was, and damn if you haven’t run with it since, but you know how it goes with old habits. They’re hard to shake once you get used to them, and speaking of one, I thought I told you to drop the 'sir' bit. Makes me feel ten to fifteen years older every time.”

“Easier said than done, I’m afraid, sir-er, shit.” She let go of the call button and sighed deeply before picking back up. “Hey, uh, I hope you don’t think I’m just cutting out on you just when things are looking up. Tracey wanted me to look into something for her, so I might not be back for a few days or so.”

“If she’s got you on something, it’s important. We can hold down the fort as long as we need to, and better now that we don’t have the Angels bearing down on us. Just remember to touch base every now and then.

“Or you’ll worry?”

“Damn straight, I’ll worry.” That knocked the silly grin right off of her face. “I’ll worry until this is over and done with, but until then, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

No promises, none at all. “I’ll try. Trying counts for something, right?”

“It’s always better than nothing. And I just wanted to tell you again, and it’s not worth much, but good work today. What you’re able to do right now, for here and for Fall’s End has meant a lot. Things aren’t going to improve for a while, but this is more than what we had yesterday. Keep it up, and we’ll even have something to celebrate.”

“Wouldn’t that be something?” An actual end to all of this, with Hudson and Pratt back with them safe and sound? If only. “Just don’t jinx me now. You can’t see me, but I’ve got both sets of fingers crossed.”

“I hear you, Rook. I hear you.”

“Still, wish me luck?”

He chuckled. “Sure, but don’t use it unless you have to, you hear?”

“Loud and clear. Dep out.”

----

Most of the trip to the trailer park was actually spent fighting with the radio. Five times she’d switched to the Peggie station to see if they’d changed it up. She loved Barracuda, but needed a break every now and then to stay sane and keep the song as fresh as it was going to get.

One of those times she’d even started whistling out of tune to what was playing, focusing more on the tune than the words at first. That ended the minute it shifted into a rousing chorus of ‘Oh, John! Bold and brave!’ on her. There wasn’t much to mess around with concerning the radio after that.

All in all, she was thinking she’d have to either get used to this fast, or see about asking Dutch if they could arrange a way to pirate another rock station nearby. Not that she needed the extra tunes, but if the Peggies were going to blare their shit at them as a means of warfare, turnabout was fair play.

The road up ahead was a sharp curve, her angle of approach nearly making the wheels slip off of the side of the road. The steering wheel spun as she wrenched it to the right, and she felt the whole truck shift in response. The engine died soon after, sputtering as everything came to a halt.

“Oh, please don’t do this to me now.” She twisted the key, listening for anything, but only heard the grinding of metal. The next few turns were the same, except she stomped down on the gas for all the good it did her. “Shit.”

The rest of the trip would have to be on foot. She grabbed her bag and hopped out, making sure to keep her rifle ready as she made her way up the road.

A loud sound carried over from the park. A whoop? She crouched down by the bushes and took her binoculars out. The green fire-breathing blur soon became a person. A person currently in the middle of trying to shake off one too many Angels bearing down on him. They soon ignited, however, lost in a blast of flames.

Tracey hadn’t been kidding at all. In the man’s hands appeared to be a flamethrower, and judging by the surrounding small fires springing up around him, he wasn’t shy about using it.

And was he…dancing?

“Oh, geez,” she muttered, quickly stashing the binoculars in the bag at her side so she could run on in.

Going for her rifle, she raised it when she was close enough to actually track one of the Peggies moving in on him, and fired. The shot appeared to hit. The fact that it did nothing, made her swear loudly. She fired again, this time not waiting for a reaction before unloading again, and didn’t relax until they hit the ground.

Not even that was a guaranteed drop, but she had to keep on moving. With three of the Angels remaining, one of which was well within range of clubbing him with their pipe, she tried to keep her shots clean. One mistake and she risked hitting him herself, and like hell was she going to let that happen.

When the last one finally fell, she lowered her weapon but kept it close as she traveled further into the park. She wasn’t exactly sure how the guy there was going to react to help, but when she got close enough to really get a look at him any and all concerns faded fast.

“Got some nice shots in there, chica!” Up on his perch on a nearby trailer, he smiled broadly at her as he removed his headphones. “Here for the barbeque?”

She gave him a quick once over, noting the soot-streaked green hoodie, the large fuel canister on his back, and the cheerful bounce to his step. “Uh, maybe?”

“Cause you can pull up a chair, and kick back ‘til I throw on some more tunes and the next herd of Angels come on by. Event’s BYOF, but I’m flexible.”

BYOF? “What?”

“Flamer, flame, fire, firestarter, firearm, firework. Any or all.” He patted the side of his flamethrower and waggled his eyebrows. “So, yeah. Real flexible.”

Hana stared up at him, half-tempted to lower her sunglasses as she eyed him, but settled for giving him a crooked smile. “Gotcha. So, I’m looking for someone actually, and I think I might have found him. Got a name, Mr. Pitmaster General?”

She climbed up the stack of crates next to the trailer, hopping up to grab the corrugated sheet metal of the roof after that to clear the last few feet so she wasn’t alone on the ground anymore.

“Name’s Charlemagne Victor Boshaw, Sharky for short, and welcome to my little piece of disco heaven.”

Charlemagne? That alone was one hell of a name to shoulder, before adding on the others, but this was her man. Ironically enough, hearing his name in full now finally rang a bell that should’ve gone off back at the prison.

The Sheriff had handed her a hefty stack of files back at the station a few days before it all went to hell. It contained notices of complaints and charges in the county courtesy of a few repeat offenders. Hurk Drubman had popped up, and just as often a Sharky Boshaw joined him.

Whitehorse had shaken his head when she’d asked what the deal was, and had only offered up two words. Serial boredom. Knuckleheads, he’d also muttered right after, and she flipped through more of Sharky’s file as soon as Whitehorse turned his back.

Forget complaints, the list could’ve been slapped on a bonafide wanted poster. Unauthorized use of explosives and accelerants. Illegal acquisition and modification of weapons. Noise complaints. Vandalism. Public indecency. Arson. Conspiracy to commit arson.

It was a fun little list to say the least. And the arson bit? Totally checked out.

She threw up her hand in a mock salute. “Deputy Hana Vao, at your service.”

“Dep…uty?”

“That’s right.”

Sharky’s grin froze as he looked first at her, then at the flamethrower in his hands, then her again. “Uh, yeah, I’d say there’s nothing to see here, but they fucking started it.” He cleared his throat. “Ma’am.”

“I don’t think they wandered over here only to fall over into your little makeshift mesquite firepit all on their own, Boshaw.” She took one look at his flamethrower and gave him a wry look. “That’s got frequent use written all over it, aside from well, you know. Taking in what I’m currently seeing here.”

He started checking out the flames roaring off of the nearby trailer to her right, following her pointing finger when it also lingered on the flames dancing on the edges of the drained swimming pool. The trail kept on going until she’d done nearly a full 360, and when she settled her finger on him, he shrugged.

“You might’ve heard about the last few charges down at the station, but arson’s kind of a strong word to throw around for what went down at the Testy Festy last year. And the year before that. And last month, but-”

Still whirling a bit from being called ma’am, her eyebrows drew together as she processed that statement in particular. “Testy Festy?”

“Hell, yeah. Gotta go balls to the wall for that one. Wouldn’t be a Festy otherwise. I might’ve gone on a bender leading up to it, but other than the hoe-downs, drinks, and some mighty fine pickings, it was missing something. Hurk agreed – he’s my cousin, and the best bro a Boshaw could have – and told me it’d be great to smash together a lightshow in its honor, and he was right. Homemade sparklers, a few hoosker doos and hoosker don’ts, and it was about to become the fucking Festy to end all Festies.”

“And?”

“We lit it up, and had it all under control, til the winds changed and uh, caught the barn on fire. And the house. And the fields and…the actual festival stands. Not real proud of that, but that dick burned so bright, I like to think even NASA floating up there got an eyeful.”

He finished his story with a grin, and she actually felt her mouth hang open a bit. “A dick?”

“Hell, yeah.” It wasn’t possible, but he grinned even wider. He was practically beaming.

This man set off a giant, flaming penis during what was referred to as the ‘Testy Festy’. The conversation with Whitehorse back at the station made so much more sense now. …Along with the charges.

“So, short of you cuffing me and bringing me down to the station, the jail, or wherever the po-po’s gathering now – and fuck that, you’ll have to run me down and hogtie me first - I figured I’d meander on up here to do a little community service. Spit in the eye of any of the Peggies that come knocking, and maybe melt some Angels’ faces off while I’m at it.”

“No, I’m not taking you anywhere, at least not anywhere you won’t want to go. I’m technically here on Cougars’ business, so any actual Deputy-ing will be kept to a minimum.”

She flashed the pin on her collar like she would’ve her badge, and he squinted at it as he considered it. “Sure you don’t just have like fifty guys waiting outside of the park to bring me in? Like hiding in the tall grass with the mossy suits and-”

“Scout’s honor,” she said, holding up a set of crossed fingers. “It’s a pretty hefty task I’m looking at, and going off of what others have told me, I think you might be the best around. What would you say is the largest thing you’ve ever blown up?”

Sharky glanced skyward as he thought it over, his face scrunching up as he scratched his goatee. “Largest? Might need Hurk for that, cause he’s the go big or go home type. We did send up Rae-Rae’s mascot ten years back, though. Not Boomer, cause that’s fucked up and he’s the sweetest dog around. Just the larger blimp-sized version of him.”

The mental image of that nearly threw her off again, but this time she recovered.

“How about a statue?” She turned, and held out both hands towards the statue of Joseph lurking in the distance. “How about that statue?”

“That one? You mean you want to…” Sharky’s eyes lit up, and his expression bordered on downright giddy as he looked between her and the statue in the distance. “Man, you want to shove a rocket up the Father’s ass? His statue’s ass, but still, it’s his ass, and I will make that dream a reality. Shit, might be better than having a chance at the real thing.”

“Anything you personally need to make this happen is yours, no questions asked. Extra gear, guns, uh…your buddy Hurk?”

“He’s further north up at his dad’s, but he’s in. You tell him even half of what you told me, and he’ll be begging for a proper shot at it. Might even give you fifty bucks to do it too.” He leaned towards her, and half-whispered, “And if he does, could you spot me thirty of that?”

While there weren’t flames currently coming out of the flamethrower, Hana did find herself eying it very carefully. “Uh, sure, man. Why?”

“He still owes me for the last time we got blasted over at the Spread Eagle, and every time I bring it up he claims to have had an out of body experience, and I don’t think we got zap-fried by aliens. Not that time, anyway.”

“Deal. Anything else?”

He walked over to three sets of foot pedals and a microphone, and rested his foot on one of the pedals before turning back to her.

“Yeah, shorty, one last thing. I promised anyone dropping by a barbeque, and we’re having one.” He pressed his foot down, and that’s when the speakers came on. “And it’s not a proper Peggie barbeque without this playing.”

The opening notes started, and she felt her mouth fall open. “No.”

Turns out disco didn’t actually die. It just decided to tuck itself into this tiny little corner of Montana, guided by one man set on letting that torch burn forever.

What happened over the next fifteen minutes was borderline surreal. To what quickly became apparent was a soundtrack consisting only of Disco Inferno – What the hell – they let every Angel that stepped foot into the place have it. He sang, he danced, he lit people on fire. The man was a living cartoon of a human being, and she was equal parts bewildered and fucking delighted.

Running laps around the trailer park, she took potshots at anyone that managed to make it past him. Sharky swept the stream of fire coming from his flamethrower in a wide arc, and even from the distance she told herself to keep, she felt the heat.

“Good thing it’s not no-pants time right now!” he shouted over the mic, and she strained to hear him over the shots rattling out of her rifle. “Normally I’d say drop ‘em if you’ve got ‘em - this is a pants-free zone for any and all looking for one, and that counts you too –“

An Angel ran up on her, tacking her straight to the ground, and Sharky’s words somehow still came through clear as day.

“- but my dick’s hard right now and you don’t just flash that around a lady, not without asking first!”

She wrestled her rifle up, sending the butt of it into the Angel’s forehead as she shouted up at him, “Not helping, Boshaw! Not helping!”

It took three solid shots to stun them, and she scrambled out from under them just in time for Sharky’s help to arrive. He’d found a way down from his perch and let loose as soon as she was clear, though only by a hair. The flames roared as the Angel reared back, then fell, sliding back into the scorched pool.

“You okay, chica?” he asked, looking worried. “Looked close!”

Sneaking in a few quick breaths, she rested her hands on her thighs and let her head hang low before raising it. “Yeah, just a little. Can you watch it with that thing? They’re not the only ones feeling the burn here!”

“Fuck! Sorry, man! Just got a little too-”

This time she definitely lowered her sunglasses to look at him. “Excited?”

That actually got her something bordering on a blush from the man as she glanced up at him, and he coughed before giving her a sheepish grin. “Uh, yeah. Kinda.”

“So, are we good on the whole Saturday Night Fever thing, or are you still feeling the need to shake it further?”

“The turnout was decent, got to stretch my legs and see if I could beat my old high score. Think I was short by three,” he replied, dancing his way back to the trailer with the controls. “But ol’ Joe’s calling, and we can roast more later.”

After climbing back up, he pressed down on the pedal he’d pressed before, looking plenty satisfied with their work. The music instead kept on going, starting a new verse as his foot kept on pressing down, each motion more frantic than the last.

“Uh, Dep? We’ve got a serious problem here!”

Her hand started digging through her pack, sifting through the mess inside for anything resembling a magazine. The fact that she was still searching as the seconds ticked by didn’t bode well at all. “That wouldn’t be a music-related problem, would it?”

“It’s…the pedal should cut the sound off for each set of speakers, but it’s fucking done, man! We’re going to have to go for them one by one!”

“How many?”

“Four!”

So much for disco heaven. They were careening straight into disco hell.

Aiming her attention towards the entrance, she swore loudly under her breath. As she shoved a new mag into her rifle, she started towards the nearest switch. It was tucked behind a fenced off area, leaving her searching for an opening as she fired at the Angels in her way. Once it was clear enough, she ran for it, flipping the switch.

“One down!”

She couldn’t see Sharky from where she was, searching for any signs of green as she went back into the clearing, and nearly collided with an Angel waiting for her. The large pipe whistled through the air as it came within inches of her face, each swing forcing her back towards the trailers.

“Second’s off, just two more left!”

Her heart pounded in her ears as she tried to look for a way to side-step around the Angel, only to catch a nearby shovel off to her right. It’d been shoved spade-first into the dirt, but was just within reach.

The rifle dropped to her side, the sling keeping it by her side as she dove for the shovel. Pulling it out of the ground, she barely put the shovel up between her and the Angel in time, holding them back as they snarled in her face.

Every sound, beat, and note meant another pissed off Angel. It was all too reminiscent of the jail, and she cursed their awful luck as she planted her foot in the Angel’s stomach to shove them back.

“Am I close to one?”

“Up the ladder, Dep!”

Ten feet ahead, then up the ladder. You can do this.

Hana swung the shovel, full-on thinking of hitting a home run as she did it, and it clanged on impact with the Angel’s face.

Go, go, go!

One tried to grab her leg as she pulled herself up the ladder, nearly wrenching her arm as she hooked it through the rungs. It wasn’t easy or pretty as she finagled her handgun out of her holster and fired blindly below, but the moment she had her leg back she scrambled to the top.

She yanked down hard on the switch, holding on tight, and waited.

“-disco inferno, burn baby burn-“

This process was going to ruin this song for her forever, and that was unacceptable. “Sharky!”

The music cut off abruptly, feedback coming through the speakers as it happened, then silence. Glorious silence. Her grip loosened, and she quickly tightened it to keep from falling off of the damn thing.

Casting her eyes down at the ground, two Angels lingered at the bottom of the ladder. Their dazed drifting had her watching them very carefully, and as she started to creep down rung by rung, she held her breath.

Don’t look up. Please, don’t look up.

She reached for one of her grenades and popped the pin. Letting go as she jumped, she aimed herself for any tall grass she could reach, knowing that at this height it was still going to hurt like hell.

Not as much as that grenade, however.

It went off right as she hit the ground, her messy roll sending her into a nearby crate. Swearing loudly, she stared over at the smoke-filled spot while flat on her back, and idly registered that her handgun had fallen somewhere off to the wayside.

But the Angels didn’t appear to even remotely exist anymore, so…best one out of two?

She’d take it.

“Yo, po-po! Where you at?”

She groaned and flipped over onto her stomach. Sharky called out for her again, and she pushed herself up so she could wave over at him.

The fire she’d freshly started continued to crackle as it burned, catching more of the dry grass around them as it made its way around the trailer park.

Hana flopped down in a nearby lawn chair, and watched it as the tension bled out, resting her rifle across her lap. She hadn’t even bothered to light the cigarette she’d dug out of her pack, keeping it dangling out of her mouth as she relaxed.

The grass crunched under Sharky’s feet as he ran over, somehow still a complete livewire after everything. “Way to bust some Peggie ass, Dep! You just scored yourself one bonafide Boshaw. One of a kind, limited edition,” he said, pounding his chest before firing off one last blast with his flamethrower.

The edge of it caught a nearby fence, quickly spreading to the trailer to his right. He scrambled away before it finally went, larges plumes of black smoke rising up before a small explosion tore through the rest of it.

When he came to a stop in front of her - not quite singed, but still kicking - he struck the same pose as before, only to take a few seconds to puff his chest out.

She took one last look at him before finally giving in, dissolving into a fit of laughter.

One of a kind indeed.

#far cry 5 #far cry #sharky boshaw #deputy hana #tracey lader #fanfiction #earl's also here for a little bit so I wasn't sure if I should tag him #fic series: you'll be okay I promise #FC5 fanfiction

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gayregis · 4 years

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Hi, just wanted to ask, how did you get into the witcher franchise (did you read the books before you played the games or vice versa?). Love your blog, byeeee :)

ty for the ask!! i hope you dont mind if i go too in-depth because i was legit thinking about this earlier today...

tldr: i played tw3 and liked it, then read the books

i got into the witcher because one of my favorite gaming youtubers was doing a playthrough of tw3 on youtube in around i think september 2017. i liked this specific gaming youtuber for being shit at games and not caring about it... but tw3 was a different game. it felt like the decisions mattered, that there was an actual story here, that when this youtuber made shitty decisions and didn’t really care about the characters involved, i got frustrated because this game seemed really good... so i picked up the game myself and played it though, it was magnificent. not to r/witcher “the witcher 3 is literally the best game created in this history of ever” but it was sincerely good... not only does it have a great story, characters, and graphics, but it is genuinely comfortable to play as a game, even if you’re not great at games (i like playing video games but i’m not good at them when it comes to combat, i literally just would prefer to hack and slash through). so, i played through tw3 and the fact that it made me cry multiple times i found to be really interesting... but it was still just a game to me, it wasn’t something i thought about when i have time to daydream headcanons. i had read i think the witcher (short story) halfway through playing, just to get a feel of what tw3 came from, but from that, i realized the books and the games were incredibly different entitities, and i decided to not read the books until i had finished the game, or at least until i had more free time on my hands (mind i was in high school and was a senior, and during this time was when i was submitting college applications... exceptionally stressful, and the reading/writing part of my brain was absolutely fried from essay writing and reviewing). i was particularly struck by geralt and ciri’s relationship and the isle of mists quests fucked me up pretty bad.

then around later 2017, i was really enjoying tw3, and had finished tw3′s base game and hearts of stone, and was now making my way into blood & wine. i was just playing it like normal, then came the part when geralt met regis. at first i wasn’t too interested (i mean, i was, but in the story of blood & wine, not in the books) until the little journal text pop-up appeared on my screen. you know, the one about quests you just received, or characters you just met. it was going through the motions of saying i finished this quest, picked up this new one, i was all like fine, fine, okay, alright, and then it just fucking puts regis’ long-ass name on the screen taking up a good amount of my FOV and i am immediately like, what? what the fuck? who the fuck? that’s the name? of the guy we just met? that guy??? he didn’t seem like someone with a name like that? who the fuck IS this guy.

so i head over to the wiki page for regis. i thumb through the basic information, i’m pretty interested, this quest stuff to find ciri sounds interesting. i decide to give the witcher books another try, because i have more free time now and am way more invested as everyone here as characters. also, i want to find out more about yennefer, because she was being badmouthed by everyone i saw online, and i wanted to read more about her and see if she was really so bad (spoilers: she’s not at all, the internet is just misogynistic).

i don’t think that i’m going to actually really care about these books, i just want more flavor and explanation about how in hell a witcher met a vampire and these two somehow became friends. so, i don’t care about reading them in order. i go online and find fan translations of every book, i open baptism of fire and i just start reading the bit about the fish soup. i’m suddenly just laughing my ass off, really interested in who these other characters are, milva and cahir, and how dandelion seems to actually be the best friend to geralt that he was said to be in tw3. i also notice immediately that geralt... oh my god, geralt’s such a cranky bitch. i’m SHOCKED at how annoying geralt is. i realize that this is probably what geralt’s been like, this whole time, and tw3 just gave me a sterilized version of him. i’m trying to decide if i like this change or not, at first i HATED it... but then realized it actually gave him a character, where in tw3 he feels a little more... empty, waiting for the player to project a personality onto him.

so, i just read all of the hansa bits of baptism of fire, skipping over anything i don’t understand. i am saddened when i can’t find any more, so i move onto tower of the swallow. and then lady of the lake. “oh, so that’s why geralt was surprised to see regis in blood & wine...” feeling at a loss after reading stygga, i start at the beginning and make my way through the books chronologically, like they should be read. i soon realize that this series really isn’t about killing monsters at all, and i’m thrilled. i thought the series was just going to be about geralt killing things in a swamp and reporting back to whoever hired him, like in tw3... and i was wrong. this series is about personal connections! relationships! ... and fatherhood. [see read more for personal junk]

i can’t remember when i started disliking tw3. it must have been around the time that i finished the books (im using the word finished loosely... i still havent finished some scenes because theyre too violent to read and continue with my day in peace, and i also read tos/lotl by skipping around, so i never got the full experience of reading them as full novels).

i just distinctly remember returning to my tw3 new game+ save after rereading the fish soup scene, and thinking about how lonely the game felt... i just felt so dispairingly alone, this loneliness that i hadn’t felt while playing before, that i had to put the game down. i returned to the game again, but i had just reread edge of the world... and i felt so alone again.

so reading the books ruined tw3 for me, not out of malicious intent, but just because i think i realized geralt isn’t meant to be the lone wolf. the novels center around him and his family and friends, and i just genuinely missed that when replaying tw3. plus, i began to realize a bunch of things, like ciri’s scar is supposed to be bigger, geralt’s supposed to wear his hair in a headband, yennefer’s hair is actually curly, dandelion’s supposed to actually be in the game. there were so many inconsistencies with the characters i had imagined while reading the books that eventually i just stopped playing tw3 (i already played it once, so nbd) and got really into the books.

sometime later i saved up like $80 to buy the paperback versions of the books (UK versions including season of storms) because i knew i was in really deep lol and i wanted the official translations super badly, also we were doing an assignment in class that allowed us to do something with our favorite book, but we needed to have it in-person and not as an e-book, so it was the perfect excuse. much time spent on hansa headcanons later and... here we are today.

a read-more, because this is more personal.

the witcher series picked me up at an eerily appropriate time. two things in it stood out to me: 1) geralt’s relationship with ciri 2) regis’s alcoholism.

i distinctly remember an event where i started crying in front of my parents because my dad was being so absent in my life or maybe it was because they were arguing, something like this... and i remember referencing tw3 isle of mists quest actually by saying “i shouldn’t have to learn it (good parenting) from a video game” ... lol. it wasn’t an epic burn from a 17 yo, but it was just a painful remark made in anger. i still think back to it because of how first watching geralt hug ciri made me feel and how i was actually really bitter because i was jealous of ciri for about a week after completing the quest. then i kind of pushed it out of my mind and didn’t think so much about it, until the night i mentioned it.

in late march of 2018, something very bad happened in my family. that’s probably the best way to describe it. the situation ended in my parents finally separating. my mom and i were pretty afraid and lost after that. after i had collected my thoughts and everything and went back to as “normal” as i could, about a month later, when the creative part of my brain finally began to function again and wasn’t inhibited due to fear, i clung to the witcher more than i did before... and this time, actually particularly to regis, because guess who has a whole redemption arc relating to not being alcoholic and being a genuinely good person who speaks gently and heals the vulnerable?

#anon #ask

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