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vandnana · 2 years

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In Love With The Enemy [II]

Chapter 2: The Son He Never Wanted

pairing: lo’ak x female turned na’vi reader

summary: during the time when jake became toruk makto, you were quaritch’s youngest and most valued soldier, the daughter he never had. but, pandora changed you and you died during the final battle, betraying quaritch and wishing that you had been able to do more. now, you have been reborn again, as a na’vi, tasked with quaritch’s new military avatar crew to kill Jake Sully. taking advantage of this second chance at life, you help the Sullys and fall in love along the way.

genre: fluff, angst ~ slow burn, pining on lo’ak’s part.

warnings: mentions of blood, war, violence

highlights: [more tearjerking jake and reader moments, neytiri and mo’at being like mothers to reader, lo’ak continuing to be an entire SIMP, and ofc tuk being adorably annoying like always]

word count: 9,242

note: how are you all doing?? as always, i’d like to thank you for waiting for this part! i don’t want to spoil anything before you read, but i will note that i just think all the moments with lo’ak are so cute cause he just flirts with her (or tries to) and she plays along, but on the inside she gets all fluttery and is kinda clueless about everything cause no one’s ever acted like that with her so AHHHHH — I really hope you all enjoy this chapter!!

[prologue] [chapter 1]

When you finally arrived back at camp, the night fog cleared all around you as Lo’ak’s ikran landed gracefully on the edge of the rock, that fog once shrouding you and Lo’ak in a bubble of joyous freedom dissipating as your return grounded you back into reality.

Jake was waiting for you with his arms crossed. You caught a glimpse of Lo’ak’s face, annoyed as he hopped off his ikran. Once his feet landed, he relinquished his annoyed expression, though only for a second, as he outstretched a hand for you to take.

“I got this.” You replied, hopping off on your own.

“Oh yeah, of course,” He replied, coolly drawing his hand back and placing it on the back of his neck as he feigned nonchalance.

“Do my orders mean nothing to you?” Jake yelled out, his anger clearly seething through his whole body as he stomped toward you both.

Lo’ak’s shoulders slumped, dreading his father’s lecture and dropping his hands from his neck, “No sir.”

You stepped between Jake and Lo’ak, putting your hands up, “Woah, woah, woah. Calm down old man. I asked him to take me around, okay? Your anger shouldn’t be focused on Lo’ak.”

Jake huffed in frustration, “He’s my son, y/n. He disobeyed direct orders.”

You lowered your eyes at Jake, “Oh, and you haven’t?”

Lo’ak scrunched his eyebrows at you, surprised by your boldness, but what really caught him off guard was his father’s quickness to concede to you, his expression softening.

“Fine, fine, but next time, I won’t be as forgiving.” He turned to Lo’ak, “Take her to your grandmother please.”

Lo’ak nodded, and Jake took him by the arm, glaring, “And no detours, got it?”

He fought back the urge to roll his eyes as he replied, “Yes sir.”

“Alright, dismissed.” He ordered.

“No, not dismissed. We need to talk about my father, Jake. He’s still out there.” You urged, planting your feet in front of him.

Jake put his hands on his head, “I know he’s out there, but right now, what I’m worried about is you.” He looked down at your wound, its ache suddenly making itself known to you, but you were too prideful to admit it.

His voice became scarily low as he spoke again, his expression grave, “You need to go get that patched up. Now.”

Jake pushed you forward, and you reluctantly moved your feet. Lo’ak took his place beside you as you both walked, Jake changing his mind about leaving Lo’ak to escort you to the tent as he trailed behind you both.

You observed everything around you as you walked further into the cave. It was vast, practically endless, and although the night sky was shielding its stars with its fog, you were still able to see their slight glimmer in the sky. It wasn’t too far into the night, groups of Na’vi, warriors, women, and children still in clusters, all of them staring at you as you passed, clearly weary of you in your odd clothing, but seeing Jake behind you, they seemed to relax. Amidst them though, you saw a few humans, their breathers on, wearing the khaki jumpsuits that all of the scientists had worn when you were alive.

“Wait.” Your tone displaying sternness as you stopped, turning toward Jake, “I need to know.”

You paused, heaviness filling your heart as fear began to consume it, “Is Trudy dead?”

You had assumed the worst, but you still clung to a tiny bit of hope that shattered instantly as you looked into Jake’s eyes, the glint of sadness in them affirming what you had feared. He didn’t need to say anything for you to know what that sadness meant. You felt a horrid clawing at your chest and you could only understand that feeling being the unbearable crushing of your heart. Jake hugged you as that pain settled in, and you felt so dreadfully numb, you couldn’t even wrap your arms around him.

“What about Norm and Max?” You asked pleadingly.

He let go of you, giving you a small smile, “They’re alive, and they know you’re here.”

Hearing that they were alive didn’t settle your grief, but you felt the mixture of emotions take over you as your relief and sadness melded together.

“I want to see them. Take me to them.” You stated resolutely, planting your heels into the ground as Jake shook his head at you, trying to push you forward agian.

“No, you’re not going anywhere until you see Mo’at.” He argued.

“Jake, I told you I was fine, okay?” Although, the throbbing was getting worse as you spoke, “Just let me see them please? Don’t you think it’s been long enough?” You responded, your forehead scrunched in frustration.

“They’ll still be here when you’re better, y/n. Now, will you please just listen?” He pleaded with you, his eyes stern again, “Don’t make me carry you over there, you big baby.” He warned, and you finally gave up.

“Fine,” You conceded, huffing in compliance as you crossed your arms, “I’d shoot you if I still had my gun.”

Jake shook his head at you, ruffling your hair, “Like you can aim with that injury.”

You slapped his hand away, smoothing your hair out as he pleaded, “Norm and Max aren’t going anywhere either, so just do as I say, please?”

“Well, stop being annoying and just let me go with Lo’ak, okay?” You huffed out.

“Alright, then go!” Jake encouraged as he shifted his point toward the tent.

“Alright alright, we’re going.” You spoke, putting your hands on Lo’ak’s back to get him to walk.

When there was finally some distance between you and Jake, you sighed, moving from where you were behind him to walk next to him instead. He stopped when you did, putting a gentle hand on your arm. You halted at the touch, blinking in confusion as your eyes traveled downward. You looked at him, anticipating what he had to say.

When you had mentioned Trudy, he had remembered he still had your pictures in his cloth pocket, and taking them out, he nudged them toward you, “Your pocket ripped and they fell out when we were in the tree. I figured they were important to you.”

Looking down, you finally noticed your pocket, widely ripped at its width. Taking the pictures out of his hand, you fought back tears that were easily brimming in your eyes. You let a weak chuckle out, embarrassed by your own emotions as Lo’ak looked at you sincerely.

Realizing that he was still holding onto you, he let go, clearing his throat, “The other girl in there.” He began, “That’s Trudy, isn’t it?”

You traced over her smiling face, “She was my best friend, you know. She was the best pilot in the whole unit. We would fly together.”

He listened, humming in response as you reminisced. Trudy was dead, but Lo’ak had returned a piece of her to you, and you couldn’t help but smile at him, your expression illuminating with gratefulness.

Lo’ak blushed instantly, shy under your gaze, his hand going to the back of his neck, “You have to stop looking at me like that.”

You shrugged, “Like what? I’m just grateful, that’s all.”

Lo’ak cleared his throat, finding his courage as he met your eyes again, “Well, you look pretty when you’re grateful.” The shyness you brought out of him retreating as his usual smugness took over.

You didn’t expect such boldness, scoffing as you dismissed him, “And how do I look when I’m not grateful?”

Still maintaining his cavalier, his heart pumping rapidly as he thought up his response, he smirked at you, “Still pretty.”

You were blushing, but you scoffed, lightly smacked his arm, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of knowing you were actually charmed by his attempt at flirting.

“Y/n! Y/n! You’re finally here!” An innocent tone rang out, making you tear your eyes away from Lo’ak.

Tuk was running toward you, overjoyed at seeing you again.

“Tuk, can’t you be annoying somewhere else?” Lo’ak groaned, crossing his arms as he glared at her.

Tuk stuck her tongue out at her brother, “Whatever Lo’ak. I bet you were the one annoying her.” She retorted, taking you by the hand and dragging you toward the tent.

You shrugged your shoulders at Lo’ak, motioning for him to follow, and he unwilling agreed, trudging after you.

Once you approached the tent, you saw Neytiri on the floor weaving amber, circular beads and golden twine together. You greeted her properly, “I see you Neytiri.”

Hearing your voice, she got up, putting down what she was weaving to greet you back, her voice welcoming as she spoke, “Come, you are hurt. I will help bathe you before mother heals you.”

She lowered her eyes at Lo’ak, her tone changing into a stern one as she ordered, “Out Lo’ak and take Tuk with you.”

He groaned as Tuk pouted, “Mama, why can’t I stay?”

“Just listen to mama, okay?” Neytiri said, and Tuk nodded reluctantly.

Lo’ak sighed, turning on his heel to exit the tent. Before he stepped out completely you called his name, his head spinning back so quickly at the sound of your voice.

You still had the pictures in your hand, and you held them out to him, “Keep them safe for me?”

He smiled at you as he took them from your hands, purposely brushing his fingers against yours, “Of course.”

You knew what he was trying to do as you felt his fingers touch yours and you stifled a light chuckle, “I’ll see you later.”

“Draw the curtain!” Neytiri yelled, and Lo’ak did as she asked, taking one last glance at you before he pulled the drapery down.

You made eye-contact with Neytiri again, who put a gentle hand at your back, guiding you to the large basin filled with water, steam coming from it, in the middle of the tent.

On the other side of it was Neytiri’s mother, her back turned as she prepared bowls of herbs for your healing treatment, their earthy aroma filling the air.

Once she turned around, you greeted her politely, gesturing your hand from your forehead to hers, “I see you, Mo’at.”

You were surprised as she seemed pleased with you, a hint of a smile gracing her lips as she acknowledged your presence, “Y/n Quaritch.”

She walked over to you, circling you as she studied your features, “There is never death, only change. You are proof of this. The Great Mother has blessed you with new life.”

You averted your gaze, hardly sharing the same feeling, your heart twisting as she spoke. You could feel the guilt within you rise in her presence, your father’s sins against her weighing down on your chest.

Mo’at could sense how troubled you felt inside, and even just seeing your tired expression, she could tell you were exhausted, that tiredness taking its toll underneath your eyes.

She placed her hands on the sides of your face, gently lifting your head to meet her eyes, “You have been through much, child. Be calm. You are with your people and you are home.”

You gulped, shaking your head at her, “I don’t understand,” Your eyes went to Neytiri, your gaze showing how burdened you felt, “My father destroyed your home and killed Eytukan, killed so many of your people. How can you welcome me so easily?”

Mo’at and Neytiri exchanged glances with one another, their thoughts becoming unified as each of them took one of your hands into theirs, the coldness you felt in your heart, suddenly warming through their motherly touch.

Mo’at spoke with conviction, her wisdom echoing through the tent, “Your father’s evils are not yours, y/n. You were born of the Sky People, selfish and cruel they are. Yet, you protected life and gave your own for someone you loved. You were always meant to be one of Us.”

“What do you mean? What are you talking about?”

Neytiri looked as if she was going to cry, her voice sincere, “Jake, it was his life that you saved.” She put her other hand on your cheek, a single tear falling from her eyes, “I will never forget what you’ve done for me, for my family, my people. You have a strong heart, y/n like Jake. You are one of The People.”

You couldn’t find any words, the inner turmoil inside of you fighting to stay as their heartfelt reassurances melted it down, almost reducing it to nothing as you felt the warmth emanating from them both enter into your heart.

You had only ever felt this feeling once in your life, and it happened with Grace. It was the feeling of being recognized by a mother, and having craved it so much, having missed Grace so much, you let yourself be captured by that feeling, no longer battling against it and leaning into that comfort.

Neytiri and Mo’at noticed the change in you, and as you relaxed, they helped you out of your clothing. Mo’at unwrapped the cloth around your wound, and you winced in pain when she pulled the bullet out, leaving the widened gash open. That pain quickly subsided when they guided you into the basin, the touch of the heated water on your skin calming the tension in your whole body.

The two of them worked on either side of you, gently scrubbing your skin with soft, green cloths. Using a specialized herb mixture, its floral scent wafting in the air, Neytiri rubbed it in your hair, while Mo’at washed your body meticulously with another mixture, the floral scent of the hairwash mixing with the citrus-like scent of the one for your body. Eventually, all the dirt, caked blood, and yanna bark sap was gone, and with it came the layers of strain.

When they had finished washing you, they helped you out of the basin, drying you off quickly with another set of cloths.

Neytiri came up behind you, “Lift your arms.”

You did as she said, allowing her to drape something over you, and as you looked down you realized it was the piece she was weaving earlier, the twine coming together in an asymmetric halter shape, the beads cascading downward where your shoulder was.

“I made it like this so it is open where you were hurt.” She explained.

“This is beautiful.” You said in awe, and she gave you a satisfied smile.

Neytiri continued to hep you get dressed, teaching you how to fasten the loin cloth properly, and when you grasped the idea, you did it yourself. Once it was secured, Mo’at gestured for you to follow her, leading you toward the array of bowls that you had seen her prepare earlier.

Beside her array was a hammock, her eyes going to it as she spoke to you, “Lie down.”

You nodded, seating yourself in the hammock then lifting your legs up to fill the length of it. You watched as she took one of the bowls in her hand, warming a thickened paste she had made between her fingers, and you breathed deeply as she slabbed it into the open flesh and all around it, the cool sting of the herbs spreading throughout your wound. As she continued to rub the paste, you could feel your eyes get heavy, your vision blurring as you fought to stay awake.

Mo’at neatly blanketed your wound with a fresh new wrap, smothering the coolness from the paste and engulfing the area in comfortable warmth, and once that settled, you had lost the fight to your own exhaustion, your eyes shutting as sleep took over you.

By the time that Jake came to visit, there was no hope of waking you up. He was still having a hard time grasping that you were really alive, but he was just so happy to see you that he hardly cared, smiling as he knelt beside you.

“Ma Jake.” Neytiri called, putting a hand on his shoulder.

He turned his head, standing up, and with his full attention she continued, “She knows about how she died.”

Jake groaned, whispering, “How could you tell her? It wasn’t something she needed to know.”

“She deserves to know, just as she deserves to know about other things.” Her tone hinting as she gave him a serious expression.

Jake looked back at you, peaceful as you slept soundly, “She’s not ready.”

“Y/n is strong.” Neytiri defended, “You do not need to worry for her.”

“It’s not her I’m worried about.” He replied, meeting her gaze again, “It’s him.”

“And you have not told him either, that his father is that demon.” She hissed at Jake in frustration, “You cannot keep them apart and you cannot keep the truth from both of them. They are brother and sister.”

Mo’at cleared her throat behind them, “Do not disturb her in her sleep with such talk.” She drew the curtain back slightly, making an opening, “I will watch her.”

Although unwilling to leave you, Jake agreed, entrusting you with Mo’at as he left, Neytiri taking the lead as they both exited the tent. When they both walked out, Lo’ak was nearby, waiting to see you and Tuk, who had gotten bored, left not too long before her parents walked out.

He started to walk toward the tent, and noticing him, Jake stepped forward, “We’re having a family meeting. Go get your sisters.”

There was no chance to protest as his parents’ glares bore into him, forcing his obedient nod. Jake and Neytiri waited for all of their children just a couple meters away from where you were. Neteyam came first and a little after came Lo’ak, Kiri, Tuk, and another with him.

Neteyam took sight of his brother and his approaching siblings, greeting the other that had come with them, “Hey Spider.”

Neytiri gave Jake a worried glance, but he dismissed her, turning to his children, his expression serious as he explained your situation and who you were, carefully choosing his words as he spoke.

“So, she really— “ Spider paused, trying to understand, “She really died and came back…as a Na’vi?”

Jake and Neytiri nodded, and Spider put a hand at his chin, his eyes showing his amazement, “That is insane.”

“She has helped this family in more ways than you know.” Neytiri revealed, “I expect you to treat her like family.”

“Yes, mother. We will make sure she feels at home.” Neteyam reassured him.

“Yeah! I love her already!” Tuk exclaimed, turning to her sister, “And you’ll love her too Kiri!”

Kiri smiled at her sister, her eyes turning hopeful as she asked, “Did she really know my mother?” She was clutching onto the pendant of her necklace, once her mother’s but passed on to her.

“Yes, she knew her longer than any of us.” Jake affirmed, giving his daughter a reassuring smile.

He looked at Neytiri, who was already giving him a disapproving expression, “And I want you kids to promise me something.”

They leaned in, waiting for what he had to say and he continued, his tone serious, “I don’t want her anywhere near the lab or anywhere near the humans, okay?”

Lo’ak was quick to protest, “Why not? You know more than anyone that she wants to see Norm and Max.”

“She will see them, alright? Just not yet, okay? Can you just do as I—“

Then came your scream. To everyone else, it wasn’t all that loud, but to Jake it painfully rang in his ears like a siren and without hesitation, he ran, Neytiri and the children running after him.

He bolted into the tent, your figure shuddering in Mo’at’s arms as she held you, your stare blank as you looked at the floor, the remainder of a nightmare hanging in the thickness of the air. It would have been better if you had just slept horribly, then you would have expected this. But, beautiful dreams had come to you before a nightmare infested them— you saw your father, his sneer as he killed Jake and his family one by one, the blood splattering on your face as he made you watch, and no matter how much you screamed, no matter how hard you tried to stop him, there was nothing you could do.

Hearing Jake, Mo’at loosened her embrace and leaned backward as Jake knelt beside you, holding you by the shoulders before pulling you in.

“It’ll be alright, y/n. You’re okay.” Jake reassured you, his hands rubbing at your back.

Neytiri came up beside you too, her hand on your shoulder.

The children though stayed outside, climbing up onto the adjoining rock beside the tent and peeking through the upper openings in the tent to see.

“Is this how you felt when I died?” You weakly let out, leaning back to look at Jake, who blinked at you, his heart aching at the question, “I know it was just a dream, but I watched my father kill you Jake. You and your family.”

Jake could feel your grief from your shaken voice, the hurt that he felt from you seeping into his own soul, “That’s all it was y/n. A dream. I’m not going anywhere, okay?”

You looked away, not wanting to believe in such hope, but Jake made you look at him again, “Hey, hey, do you remember what you told me before? Before the bulldozers came?”

It was impossible to forget, one of the last memories you had with Jake, “Of course I do.”

Jake took your hands into his, his voice resolute and determined, “A father protects. It’s what gives him meaning. You died protecting me when I should have protected you. I’m not gonna make that mistake again.”

You were crying as he said those words, smiling as you wiped them away, the sorrow inside of you dissipating as he smiled back at you.

“You’re safe here.” Jake said, patting the hammock, “You can rest, okay?”

You shook your head, “I’ve been dead for what, twenty years?” You got up, fidgeting with your fingers, “I’m done resting, Jake.”

Jake faced you, “You can still sleep. You love to sleep. You were always the last to wake up in the shack, remember?” He joked.

You scoffed, “That’s because I had a cripple underneath me who loved to snore.”

You hit him on the arm, and he gasped, pointing a finger at you warningly, laughing, “Hey, I’m not in a wheelchair anymore, so don’t start a fight you can’t finish.

“I kind of miss when you were in a wheelchair though. It was so much easier to make fun of you.” You retorted sarcastically.

Jake sucked a breath in through his teeth, and you surrendered, “I’m joking! I’m joking, okay? Don’t be mad. You know I’ve always respected my elders.”

Neytiri couldn’t help but laugh along with your joke, so entertained by the two of you as she watched you interact. Even Mo’at was smiling, her heart warmed at seeing Jake with you again, remembering his agonized desperation to revive you all those years ago.

The children were all watching from above, the oldest ones so baffled to see their father so carefree, but Tuk hardly noticed, her concern mainly being on you. Without another thought, Tuk ran off, making her way to the tent, all her siblings groaning as they followed her, calling her name.

Neteyam stopped Spider though, “Maybe you should stay behind bro. My father meant it when he said he did not want her near humans.”

“And that includes me?” Spider asked, hurt and offended.

“I’m sorry. It’s my dad’s orders.” He replied, patting Spider’s shoulders before running after his siblings.

“I’m so glad you’re okay!” Tuk said as she ran into the tent, and as you heard her voice, you crouched down -: she wrapped her arms around you sloppiy.

“Tuk be careful!” Neytiri scolded, worried about your shoulder.

You stood up, Tuk taking hold of your hand as she apologized, “Sorry,” Then gently, she pulled your hand forward, “Come on! You have to meet my sister... and Spider too!” Her excitement too great to remember what her father had asked.

Jake attemted to stop her, “Tuk no-”

But she had already led you out of the tent, everyone gathered in front of the entrance. Jake let out a sigh of relief seeing that Spider wasn’t with them. Since Tuk had given no context to who Spider was, you thought she was talking about some sort of pet, and you looked around for something on the ground before your eyes landed to the girl in front of you. Your face dropped as you looked at Kiri, the spitting image of Grace, so eerily similar that you felt as if you were looking at her ghost, your vision flashing between your memory of her and the reality of who was in front of you.

Kiri stepped forward, her own curiosity about you encouraging her words, “Hi, I’m Kiri. I’m Grace’s daughter.” She began nervously and you were even more shocked, her voice even holding the same intonations as Grace, the sound sending goosebumps down your spine.

The tears that had left you before arose again as you took in Kiri’s appearance, noticing immediately the necklace she had on her neck.

You inched closer, pointing at the necklace, “Your necklace. It was your mom’s.”

She put her hand over it, touching the pendant, “How did you know?”

“I made it for her when I first came to Pandora.” You explained, “She was teaching me how to speak Na’vi, so I gave her this, as a gift.”

You stepped backward, taking note of her age in your mind. She wasn’t that much older than you, and you were reeling, filing through all the scientific possibilities in your head.

You looked at Jake, your eyes begging for answers, “How is this possible? You told me that the Great Mother couldn’t save her.”

“Actually,” Kiri began, “I was hoping that maybe you would know.” She paused, gulping down her expectations as she tried to maintain her calm, “Do you know who my father is?”

Everyone’s eyes went to you, but you kept yours on Kiri, her eyes so desperate for an answer as she looked at you, like your mere existence could fill in the missing pieces that laid like stones in her heart.

You reached into the depths of your mind, the memories of every instance with Grace appearing before you, the last making you wince, the pain of remembering her death agonizing how you felt in front of Kiri. “I don’t know. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

Your apology rang deeper than your ignorance of her conception. You stood in front of her knowing that she had no mother and that it was your father who had done that to her. You averted your eyes, taking refuge in staring at your fingers.

Kiri tried to hide how embarrassed she suddenly felt, her eyes downcast as she scolded herself for being so hopeful, “Oh. You don’t have to be sorry. It’s okay, really.”

You wanted to give her some comfort. You owed it to her and casting that horrible feeling aside, you put a hand on her shoulder.

“Look, I was brought back by science, but you weren’t, you couldn’t have been,” She looked up at you, her expression pleading for you to continue, “Your mother loved Pandora with everything she had, and if that love somehow made you, then you’re a miracle, something Grace’s science, my science can’t explain.”

Kiri felt a warmth bubble inside her at your words and she looked at you with a cherished gratefulness as she clasped her hands around yours, “Thank you.”

You smiled at her, squeezing her hand before letting go. You looked down at Tuk, “So...where’s Spider? Is he a pet or something?”

“I’m not a pet.” A voice spoke from behind you, and you turned your head.

Jake glared at Neteyam and Lo’ak, mouthing his disappointment, Neteyam giving his father an apologetic expression while Lo’ak hardly cared, pressing his lips together in feigned regret.

He jumped down from where he was, approaching you, his appearance baffling. He was human, blue stripes painted on his body, his hair shaped like a lion’s mane, and the only clothing he had on was a loin cloth, similar to Lo’ak’s.

“I’m Spider,” He said, crossing his arms, “Socorro.”

Socorro.

The name was littered between the grief and sorrow that laid within you since you had woken up, the name so deeply buried in your mind that its sudden rise gave way to a singular memory, your body frozen as your mind’s eye displayed it in front of you.

You felt as if you were really there, the smell of the base filling your nose. Your father was beside you with his arms crossed, and you were standing in front of an operating room, the iodine smell wafting out as the door opened.

When the doctor came out, his surgical gear bloodied from the procedure, he pulled his mask down, meeting your father with a smile, although your father didn’t return it.

His frown projected how he felt as the doctor announced, “It’s a boy, Colonel. You have a son.”

Uncrossing his arms, he looked into the operating room, Paz Socorro, one of the pilots in the regiment, lying in the bed holding her son, their son. Paz motioned for him to come in, but he had his feet planted on the ground, tearing his eyes away from Paz and toward the doctor, his eyes moving swiftly to you.

“I ain’t got a son, doc.”

You couldn’t remember much after that, but you did remember Paz, and not fondly. She held nothing against your father for rejecting Spider, too in love with him to bear any hostility. Instead, she focused her hatred on you, blaming you for what had happened. She hadn’t always been so cruel to you, but how could you put her at fault? You were the reason why Quaritch didn’t love his son.

“Are you okay?” Lo’ak asked, your blank stare giving way to the concern that was filling his heart.

“Y-yeah.” You looked back at Spider, just the sight of him pinching at your heart, “I’m y/n.” You paused, attempting to joke, “You definitely don’t look like a pet.”

“Thanks,” Spider replied, laughing.

You managed a smile at him, but Jake could see the pain in your eyes. Lo’ak had seen it too, recognizing it as the same face you had when your father was calling out for you. You had become scarily silent, so lost in the pain of that memory that when Jake put a hand on your back, you didn’t move, your breathing staggering as you stood.

Worried, Neytiri took you by the shoulders and in your daze, your feet moved on their own as she escorted you back into the tent.

They all attempted to follow but Jake put his hand up, glaring at his two sons, his anger showing in the ferocity of his whisper, “I asked you to do one thing. One thing.”

Spider, feeling the guilt rise in him, spoke, “No, Jake it was me. I didn’t listen.”

Jake closed his eyes, frustrated as he let a breath in, “Go to bed. All of you.”

“But dad-” Lo’ak pressed on, moving forward, but Jake outstretched his arm, blocking the way.

“Get to bed.” He repeated himself, the firmness in his tone making Lo’ak back away.

Mo’at, who had kept her ear open as she sat on the floor of the tent, ascended from her position, “Do as your father says, my grandson. You’ll get to see her soon enough.” She seemed to be hinting at something, and Lo’ak only half-caught on, still annoyed by his father.

“Let’s go.” Neteyam said to his siblings, and they all reluctantly followed.

Spider trailing behind them at first, but he stopped, the call of his dangerous curiosity influencing his steps back toward the tent. Spider had watched your reaction when he said his name, your face turning pale and your eyes going blank. You were remembering something, and he had to know what it was.

When Spider darted off, Lo’ak followed. “Spider!” Lo’ak called after him, “Wait up!”

Neteyam grunted in annoyance, “Kiri, take Tuk home please?”

She agreed as her brother ran, but Tuk refused, “I want to go with them!”

“Tuk no! Come back!” But Tuk had already let go of her sister’s hand, passing the many tents to catch up to her brothers, and with no other choice, Kiri hastened her pace chasing after her.

Lo’ak and Spider took to the top of the rock they were at earlier, eagerly listening to your conversation with Jake.

As Jake approached, he looked apologetic, “Look, I know how you must be feeling and-”

“Do you really, Jake?” You exploded, pushing him away from you as you pounded at your own chest, “Do you know how it feels to look your own brother in the eye and know that it was your fault he was orphaned?”

Jake fell silent, battered by your agonized rage.

“My father didn’t want him because he already had me. He picked me off the street on earth, but Spider is his flesh and blood,” Your voice was breaking, so disgusted by the words you were saying that you thought you could feel bile fill your throat, almost drowning you.

“Does he know? Does he know who his parents are?” You questioned, giving him an accusatory look.

“No,” Neytiri piped in, shaking her head.

You squinted your eyes at Jake, “How could you not tell him?”

“You know your father, y/n. Would you have told him?” Jake pleaded, wanting for you to understand his decision, “I thought he would be better off not knowing.”

You were wrong to do that, Jake. No matter how much of a monster Quaritch is, Spider deserved to know.”

Lo’ak watched as Spider took everything in, his face twisting and scrunching as he tried to convince himself that everything you said wasn’t true. All he ever knew was that his parents had died in the battle with the Sky People, and he always wondered, allowed himself to explore those curious thoughts that longed to know who his parents really were. But as he listened to you, every word that you spoke like a knife in his chest, inching and inching further and further into his heart, he wished he had just left well enough alone.

Inside of him, like a disease that seemed to invade his mind, he was overcome with envy, his mouth in a snarl as he looked at you in your Na’vi form, Neytiri next to you as she took your hand into hers and even Mo’at regarded you, her concern shown as she stepped forward too.

Everything he ever wanted you had.

You were one of The People, accepted by Neytiri and Mo’at, and even before he was born, you were inducted in worthiness, your legacy so grand, so perfect, that the father you shared didn’t even bother to try to love him.

Neteyam came up from behind them, placing his hands on both of their shoulders, distressed as he whispered, “You cannot be here. Dad will skin us if he finds out.”

Spider pushed Neteyam’s hand away, storming off. He looked at Lo’ak, astonished by Spider’s reaction and Lo’ak got up from his crouched position, running off in the direction Spider ran off to.

Tuk climbed up onto the rock, Kiri behind her, as she crouched beside Neteyam, whispering innocently to him, “What’s going on?”

Kiri gave her brother an apologetic, sheepish look, but he let out a long frustrated sigh, pinching his temples together in frustration and mentally scolding himself for not anticipating them. He got up, picking Tuk up and carrying her, Kiri beside him as they both ran off to catch up with Lo’ak and Spider.

He had run off toward where he slept, the quarters for both humans and avatars clustered between the rectangular metal sites, identical to the shack in the other part of the mountains.

Before they reached the perimeter of it, Lo’ak stopped him from continuing. “Spider!” Lo’ak taking hold of his arm, “Are you okay?”

“Of course I’m not okay!” He pushed Lo’ak away, his breathing heavy as he said his thoughts aloud, spilling haphazardly in anger, “Did you not hear what she said? Everything I know is a lie! I thought that my parents had died for something right, but t-they were the enemy. My father killed Kiri’s mom and tried to destroy everything here.”

Kiri went to his side, kneeling down as she tried to calm him down, “You’re not him, Spider.”

Neteyam pushed for reason, abating how dumbfounded he felt hearing the truth, “Kiri is right and you cannot change the past. He’s your father.”

“And he’s her father too. Y/n is my sister, if I can even call her that,” Spider buried his face in his hands, so angry that he couldn’t help from tears falling down his face, “I’m nothing to him, just the son he never wanted, while she got to be his daughter. He chose her.”

“She couldn’t have wanted that for you, Spider. Did you not see how hurt she was over everything? You can’t blame her for what he did.” Lo’ak explained.

Spider scowled at him, “So you’d rather defend her than your best friend?”

“It’s not like that, okay? You don’t know her, Spider. You don’t know the whole story.” Lo’ak argued.

“Oh, and you do?” Spider inquired with fury in his eyes, “Whether I know her or not, it’s just like Neteyam said, it won’t change anything.” Too angry and too hurt, Spider left without another word.

Kiri stood up, her heart aching as she watched Spider go, Neteyam put a hand on her back, “You know him. He will cool off eventually.”

Tuk, who was confused about what was happening, agreed with Neteyam out of concern for Kiri, “Yeah, Kiri. Don’t worry.”

Kiri glared at Lo’ak, her own disdain showing in her voice, “How could you let him just listen to all of that? How could you not be more sympathetic toward his situation?”

Lo’ak argued back, just as fiercely as his sister, “He wanted to go on his own, okay? And besides, what should I have done? Hold his hand? I was trying to be reasonable, Kiri.”

He stepped forward, his voice stern, “Ask yourself this question, do you think it’s her fault? After everything you learned about her, after what she told you about your mom...do you think that Spider’s right for making her the bad guy? The bad guy is her father, the guy that would have killed Tuk and I if she wasn’t there.”

Lo’ak had so much more to say, the tension between him and his sister as she maintained her glare, her pride too great to admit that he was right.

Neteyam subdued the tension, interjecting as he stepped between them, “That’s enough. Let’s go home before dad notices.”

In his anger, Lo’ak had forgotten about his dad, “Ugh, dad’s gonna kill us when he finds out.” He groaned, dreading the long-winded lecture he knew was inevitable.

“No, he’s gonna kill you.” Kiri spat, her voice laced with attitude as she walked away.

“How much did he hear?” Jake was rubbing his forehead, agitated as his children were in front of him.

Lo’ak paused before responding, “All of it.”

“And where were you? I told you to take them home.” Jake asked his oldest son, so obviously disappointed from the way his voice cut so callously through the air.

“Sorry, sir.” Neteyam let out, his hands behind his back.

“Ma Jake. It has been a long day and the children must sleep.” Neytiri let out, keeping her voice mellow.

“I’ll deal with Spider tomorrow, alright?” Everyone nodded and Jake, satisfied, told them to get ready for bed.

Rolling out their mats, everyone quickly laid down, wanting to leave behind the heaviness of the day. Eventually, sleep overtook them all, but Lo’ak, who had tried so hard to succumb to that heaviness, couldn’t keep his eyes closed, his thoughts naturally wandering to you.

He couldn’t help it as he wondered if you were okay, wondering if you were sleeping too or lying awake like he was. Lo’ak couldn’t leave his inner questions unanswered and without hesitation, he slowly lifted himself up, quietly ascending and carefully stepping toward the entrance of their tent and slipping away.

He quickly made his way to the tent you were in and once he made it to the entrance, he pulled the curtain back slightly, peeking his head in, the light of a small candle illuminating the tent in a dim amber hue. He didn’t expect to find Mo’at there, still awake and seated on the floor in a meditative state.

Somehow, she didn’t even need to open her eyes to know that it was Lo’ak, talking quietly as she acknowledged him, “Why are you here, my grandson?”

Lo’ak walked through, closing the curtain and stepping forward, his eyes going to you in the hammock, and although you were lying down, you were wide awake, only pretending to be asleep. You were afraid to, expecting the nightmares to come again, and after the day that you had, you knew that they would be worse this time around.

And with those nightmares also came your infiltrating thoughts, thoughts consumed with problems that were ahead of you—your father, your brother, and your struggle with your new life—sleep couldn’t cure those problems, leaving you to feel guilty to even just rest.

But hearing Lo’ak come in distracted you, and you listened to him intently, focusing on him and the unusually long pause that occurred after Mo’at’s question. Lo’ak was thinking up an excuse, and in her curiosity, Mo’at opened her eyes.

Lo’ak was teetering on his heels and remembering you had given him those pictures, he pulled them out of his pocket, “Her pictures, I wanted to give them back.”

“Really?” Mo’at asked, raising an eyebrow, “Why do I feel as if you are here for more than that? You are concerned for her, no?”

Lo’ak didn’t have a response to her question, any words he was thinking of saying getting caught in his throat.

She looked behind her, her head still pivoted toward you as her eyes landed on her grandson, who had focused his gaze back on you. As if that didn’t make things any more obvious to Mo’at, she could sense his quickened heartbeat and his underlying nerves by her own motherly instinct.

Mo’at got up, a hand on her heart as she grinned at Lo’ak, her next words trusting in the voice that she felt in her soul, “Why don’t you watch her until morning for me? Your grandmother must sleep.”

“Really?” Lo’ak replied, his excitement bouncing off his final syllable.

She lowered her eyes at him, “Yes, but I can stay here if you do not wish to-”

“No, I’ll watch her. You go and rest.” He interrupted.

She put her hands on his shoulders affectionately, “Good, good. I will be back in the morning.”

When you two were finally alone, he placed your pictures neatly on the table before slowly and quietly making his way to you. He leaned against the wall, admiring you. Even in your other clothing, your appearance rugged from the forest and blood dripping from your wound, Lo’ak thought you were pretty. But in the candle light, you were luminous, its rays cascading its amber colors onto your skin, most of your body now exposed to drink up the hues.

You still had your eyes closed, and you could feel his eyes on you. You cleared your throat, startling him as you spoke, “I know you didn’t come all the way here just to stare at me.”

“Have you been awake this whole time?” Lo’ak asked, stunned.

You finally fluttered your eyes open, “I couldn’t sleep. So what’s your excuse?”

Lo’ak stood up, “Didn’t you hear? I wanted to give your pictures back, that’s why I came.”

He kept his tone as nonchalant as possible, despite how much he could feel his heart pounding against his chest and his palms becoming sweaty with how nervous you were really making him.

You still looked at him with a suspicious expression, “In the middle of the night?”

“They’re important to you, aren’t they?” Lo’ak scoffed, trying to keep his composure.

Everything he was saying was defying any reasonable logic, but you were amused by him, smiling as you walked over to the table, questioning him further, “So you woke up just to give me these?”

Lo’ak crossed his arms, dedicated to maintaining a cool demeanor as he responded, “Well, yeah, but my grandma asked me to watch you too,” He paused, watching your reaction as he took the opportunity to tease, “She’s an old woman, you know. She needs her sleep.”

Although you knew he was making excuses, you played along, “Are you always this thoughtful or are you trying to impress me?”

He circled around you, his gaze fixated on you as he took a seat in the hammock, laying his back into it and resting his hands beneath his head, “Why? Are you into it?” He genuinely wanted to know, his eyes glinting with a ferocious curiosity.

You couldn’t take him seriously though, laughing as you approached, taking a seat beside him, “You’re in my spot.”

He put a hand on his chest, fake pouting, “And you don’t want to share? After I interrupted my perfectly good night to come here?”

You let a breath out, and to his surprise, you actually did lie down next to him, so unconcerned as you carelessly let your arms and legs touch his, the feeling igniting his cool skin.

“You’re lying.” You said, “Come on, why are you really up?”

Lo’ak gulped, adjusting himself slightly to give you more room, but you stayed still, only moving your head to look at him. Your foreheads weren’t even touching, but they might as well have, the effect of your proximity creating a tension that only Lo’ak seemed to notice.

Even though he was curious, he didn’t bring anything up about your old life, about Spider, not wanting to make you feel uncomfortable. Lo’ak found refuge in the ceiling as he responded, “I couldn’t sleep. I was too busy worrying about you.”

He glanced back at you, looking for a specific reaction in your eyes, hoping that you were feeling the same tension he was. You seemed immune to his continuous charms as your gaze gave him no indications, unreadable as you simply listened to him, your expression as calm as before. But you did feel it, unsure of what it was and unsure of how to react to it, having never felt anything like it before.

He suddenly felt awkward, clearing his throat, “So what about you? Why aren’t you sleeping? You can tell me…or don’t. Whatever you want.”

For a moment you hesitated, not wanting to share your troubles with him, to burden him with that unbearable weight. But Lo’ak had managed to make you feel lighter and you somehow found yourself talking to him easily.

“Nightmares.” You let out, “I always had nightmares when I lived on the base, but when I moved to the shack with your dad and everyone, they stopped.” You paused, “I guess I’ve still got my old habits wired in this new brain.”

“Well, not all your old habits,” Lo’ak began slowly, adjusting himself and giving you his full attention as he turned, “You know, I never thanked you for saving me, for protecting Tuk, so thank you.”

You did the same, shifting yourself as you looked at him, “You know, it’s weird. All of you have no problem seeing me as one of you, but I’m still having a hard time believing it.”

I’ve lived here my whole life, and I still have a hard time too.” Lo’ak held his hand up, wiggling his fingers, “Ketuwong, alien—it’s all they see, even though everyone denies it. “

You softened your expression, saddened by how he had said it, his voice desperately wanting to sound detached, indifferent to the problem, but despite how hard he tried to mask how he felt, you saw right through his attempt at apathy.

You held your hand up, aligning your fingers and touching your palm to his, “It’s okay. That means we match.”

Lo’ak’s mouth parted in surprise before he quickly pressed his lips together into a smile, not one of his usual smirks, but a real one, one he rarely ever showed, “Yeah, we do.”

You hardly realized the implications of what he said, your mind rationalizing it as your heart acted on its own, beating rapidly, so moved by the way your hands touched and the way he was smiling at you. Everything stirring inside of you felt like uncharted territory, the matters of the heart having never been traversed by your soul.

Yet, that territory did not resemble harsh landscapes or scary, rocky heights. It felt more like you were crossing through the bluest and calmest of waters, freely flowing and fluidly ferrying those feelings in you, easing and rocking them as they slowly settled within. And while you eased into those affections slowly, Lo’ak didn’t have to. He knew exactly how he felt about you, and he felt confident in his ability to make you realize the potential of your growing connection.

You retracted your hand slowly, resting it on your chest as you looked at the ceiling again, a blush settling on your cheeks. You both found yourselves in comfortable silence for a moment, peace finding the both of you just as it had when you were lying on the grass in the forest. Lo’ak was thinking of something to talk about, wanting to take your mind off of the nightmares and what had happened earlier that day.

His mind finally settled on a question and shifting his gaze from the ceiling to you he began, “So, what are you…” His voice quickly trailed off when he saw your eyes were closed.

You had fallen asleep.

He couldn’t believe it, and since you had fooled him once before, he uttered your name in a faint whisper, to which you held no response to, only breathing steadily as you laid still. Lo’ak felt the heaviness of his own eyes, but waited to fall asleep for as long as he could, ready to be there for you if the nightmares crept up in your mind again.

But they never did.

You awoke as light peeked through the tent, the rays from the sun infiltrating the space and signaling the morning’s arrival. You didn’t want to open your eyes, too comfortable in the position you were in. It wasn’t until you felt slight movement from next to you and the touch of a hand around your waist that you finally opened your eyes. You were lying on your side and looking over your shoulder, you found Lo’ak, still sleeping, his arm comfortably snaked around your waist and his other one positioned where your head had been.

You put your hand over your mouth, shocked and wondering how you let yourself fall asleep with him last night. Carefully, you tried to lift Lo’ak’s arm from your waist, but the movement only made him pull you in closer, the feel of his breath sending goosebumps down your spine as your back hit his chest. You tried again with a little more force and you were finally able to slip out from underneath him, lightly touching your feet onto the ground as you cautiously looked back at him, making sure he was still asleep.

To your relief, he was, and you wasted no time walking out of the tent, pulling the curtain back quickly and shutting it. You let a breath out, patting your cheeks and closing your eyes as you tried to process what had happened, trying to distract yourself from the scene in front of you. Life was already active in the camp as you saw everyone begin their daily routines, warriors already meeting, families preparing meals for their families, bundles of materials being carried around between women and men, and lastly you saw the very few children wandering, their eyes still tired as they yawned.

“I assume you slept well in my grandson’s arms?” Mo’at spoke from the right of you, the suddenness making you jump.

You felt your cheeks turn pink, your eyes darting to her. You greeted her properly, touching your hand to your forehead and extending it to her as she did the same.

Seeing the slight panic in your eyes, she put a hand up to reassure you, “Do not worry my child. I only tease.”

Her idea of a joke made you feel queasy with nervousness as you let out a weak laugh, “Ah, you’re funny Mo’at.”

She had her hands clasped together, an amused smile on her face, “But I am right, no? You were able to sleep.”

You scratched your head, looking away from her, “I was sleeping before Lo’ak got there.”

She raised an eyebrow at you, “You did a poor job fooling me.”

You gasped, “You knew the whole time? Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Sometimes silence is better than talk.”

She looked back at the tent, placing a hand on the curtain as she pulled it back, revealing Lo’ak, still soundly asleep, “But, it was not my silence that calmed your heart, was it?”

You turned violently pink as you struggled to respond to her, “Well-I mean-I-”

“Do not worry. This will be our secret.” Mo’at whispered.

In her excitement, she was getting ahead of herself, spewing her words out with pride, “But, do not hold shame over this, y/n. My grandsons are the most handsome of all the men here. If you realize you are not too fond of Lo’ak, then I’m sure Neteyam would be very good for you.”

You still didn’t know what to say, your mouth parting to speak, but no words falling out. Your shock only allowed you to nod, as you barely even registered what she had said, your mind and heart racing to catch onto the words to understand their heft.

She gave you a pleased smile, putting an affectionate hand on your cheek before she drew the curtain fully, the pouring light from the entrance into the entire tent, the abruptness of sunshine instantly stirring Lo’ak awake.

Rubbing his eyes, Lo’ak sat up and Mo’at approached him, her hands clasped together, “I suggest that you run back home Lo’ak before you get into more trouble.”

Planting his feet on the ground he stood, grunting, “I’m always in trouble, grandma.”

He looked over to where you were, and when you made eye-contact, Lo’ak smirked, “At least this time, it’ll be worth it.”

Author’s Note

My lovers,

Okay so many things happened but round of applause for mo’at, your biggest shipper ~ SHE IS PLAYING HER GRANDMA DUTIES WELL

I hope you enjoyed this chapter!! PLEASE let me know what you thought of it in the comments! I really love reading your predictions and how you felt :)

~ ~ I hadn’t originally planned on putting Spider in my story, but I wanted to add more depth to the reader’s arc and intertwine their fates together— Spider who desperately feels like he belongs and tries so hard, and then there’s YOU who didn’t even try at all to be one of The People and has already been accepted even though you still feel like you don’t deserve to. I just couldn’t resist it :)

again thank you all SO MUCH for taking the time to read my story and for leaving such wonderful comments and just showing your love on here!

i never expected anyone to even read any of my work and as more of you become part of my lovers clan i just feel like crying cause i just love you all so much !!

love,

nana <3

taglist [tumblr wouldn’t let me tag some of the blogs, but i didn’t want to leave anyone out!] :

@fifty-shades-of-mischeif @pretty-npeach @tonni30 @itsemy01 @23victoria @soobinsrose @starjane312 @valentineoxox @justlillythinking @mae-is-crazy @scarletrosesposts@paniniii @bloodyziggy @mister-police @mrs-sullys-blog @niiight-dreamerrrr @promiseofeywa @wilmalovegood @sssspencerrr @mochi-yu @d4rno @lovekeeho @dreama-little-dreamof-me @strawberryclouds22@tsunchani @sully-stick-together @scarletrosesposts @local-mr-frog @pirana10 @usernumder67 @im-kai-scotty @mae-is-crazy @ghoulbli @devil-on-acid @neteyamoa @iamparou @nightfalldia @a-queen-blr @aeclark041-blog1@justpassinbxx @mochi-yu @persondoingstuff @melatonindaydreamz @ducks118 @macncheese69420666 @rotten-toenails @rikidaily @extreamlycutecuban @iizx7y @bongwaterflavoredgatorade @lovekeeho @spicycloudsalad @perfectprofessorloverapricot @kind45 @skyri-revia22@blueblushedflwr @neteyamslovr @coldlamaspersonspy @jayinthecloset @lunamochii @littlethingsinlife @ok-boke @donaldsmac @slut4sluttybooks @zatarias-pandora @bol0-de-morang0 @dakotali @bajadotcom @bitchyzombienacho @siriusblackwh0re @wadiyatalkinabeetmate @eggyongies @galaxyfruits @kiricomics @fireflystoughts @reallysparklychaos @bwormie @fireflystoughts @kiricomics @n1ght5h4d3-24 @tojigirl @jiminparkk @larkkyoris @detectivesparrow @simp-erformarvelwomen @fairygirl-222 @kolsmikaelson @skyri-revia22 @junnniiieee07 @ashrocker123 @sassy-persona @chantelle-mh @https-izuku @kaealowri @sunsents @galacticstxrdust @graykageyama @liyahsocorro @aysenademir @k----a27s

@glitter-in-my-heroin @kirikuki @katkat1918 @0-0h-0 @imthefunniestpersonalive @my-name-duh @mayabritjohn @annoyingstrawberryballoon @sometimesminsan @pearlrosegardener @aestheticcraze @animetrash12 @sbfandom @hrlzy @vhobuu @urforevermore @larkkyoris @usersjs-world @vampsclassiffied @razor-blayde @doromoni @lizzyloo22 @jimfiqs @hunylew @dreamergirljen @champagnelovers101 @di0nlurking @sleepyharuka @dani111@nisha-potter@kaealowri@goddesslilithmoriarty@zilena9 @neteyamforlife

#avatar way of water #avatar fanfiction #avatar x reader #avatar #avatar loak #loak angst #loak fic #loak x reader #loak fluff #loak x you #nanasavatarfics #nanasilwefic!

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bau-drabbles · 2 years

Text

a/n: inspired from all the prev posts!

your insta but you're dating aaron hotchner part 2 :")

part 1, 3, 4

liked by kate.callahan, the.davidrossi and 497 others

y/n_xo: look at my faves 🫶🥹.... and then there's aaron

view all 211 comments

its.emilyp: jumpscare warning next time 😨

d.morgan: nah he looks like he's concocting some evil plan

penny.garcia: he looks like he's going to steal christmas

reid.gram: he looks like he kidnapped my mom and held her hostage somewhere 😦

itsjj: just smile and wave, kids. smile and wave 🥲

d.morgan: crop him out next time fr 🙏

a.hotch: i'll crop you out of the team

d.morgan: say less 😍😮‍💨 least ion have an ugly smile

a.hotch: what smile? you just bare your teeth

y/n_xo: oh 😭

liked by penny.garcia, reid.gram and 489 others

y/n_xo: meme jack really quickly 🫣

view all 278 comments

reid.gram: jack is me when hotch is asking me to get to the point even though my point was the whole theory 🙂

penny.garcia: omg me when he tells me to search something more quickly even though i'm already working high speed 🙂

itsjj: me when he plants more files on my desk even though i'm drowning in the last ones 🙂

its.emilyp: he's me that one time hotch did "team building" and then proceeded to complain the whole time 🙂

d.morgan: me when i made one mistake and he held it against me for months but goes on about forgiving and how its important to move on 🙂

the.davidrossi: me looking at him ogling @/y/n_xo for months and then passionately disagreeing he was in love

y/n_xo: so i'm sensing some of you need therapy 🧍‍♀️

a.hotch: all of you are dead to me

liked by its.emilyp, itsjj and 524 others

y/n_xo: i really got replaced 💔

view all 200 comments

the.davidrossi: WHERE are you finding these???

itsjj: so... who's the wife in the relationship? 🤔

its.emilyp: it's rossi for sure

reid.gram: i would say hotch. the angle of the selfie says it all

d.morgan: nah it gotta be rossi, he types and cooks like a mom. sometimes he even be smelling like one

the.davidrossi: all of you are out of my will

d.morgan: i complimented your cooking and this is the attitude i get? choke

its.emilyp: you're probably immortal at this point, poisoning and sucking the life out of other people so you can drive us to insanity which would inevitably lead us to our doom. but i see right through you 😒

itsjj: sweetheart we need to stop watching horror movies at night time, okay?

a.hotch: it's not what it looks like!

y/n_xo: i don't know if i should cry or be disgusted >:(

a.hotch: baby, i haven't cheated. i promise you ❤

y/n_xo: omg could you imagine if you did with rossi? 💀

the.davidrossi: what is that supposed to mean? 🤨

reid.gram: she means you're old and embarrassing. and maybe even disgusting 🤷‍♂️

y/n_xo: i will physically mutilate you and feed you to wild dogs

itsjj: thanks for that, my kids are crying

liked by the.davidrossi, a.hotch and 478 others

y/n_xo: my bae 😍

view all 234 comments

reid.gram: we literally have a pending case right now y/n

y/n_xo: okay? he's still a bae 😍

reid.gram: awww really? hope you guys find out you're related 😍🤞

penny.garcia: well... at least we know those frown lines are removable 😌

reid.gram: in a time like this, his frown lines are what matters to you? imagine if he was dead

itsjj: omg imagine he was and you guys were discussing his frown lines. i'd resurrect and haunt everyone on this thread

reid.gram: don't worry, your cheeto breath would give you away instantly 🤢

penny.garcia: all i'm saying is i'd want to make sure our boss got a nice makeover one last time in the coffin. and you can't do that if you have bad indentations on your forehead 💗💗

itsjj: this alone should give you employee of the year 😍

a.hotch: i think we need to have a serious talk

d.morgan: seeing hotch not angry makes me feel deeply uncomfortable

its.emilyp: no cause same. someone poke him and see if he's alive

y/n_xo: you'd think i'd kill him? 😡

its.emilyp: if you did, there'd be no one between us would there? 😏

y/n_xo: 😳

a.hotch: i'm wide awake, thank you 😠

its.emilyp: its like he's still with us 😢 i can almost feel his presence 💔

#criminal minds #criminal minds fanfiction #spencer reid #aaron hotchner #aaron hotchner x reader #aaron hotchner x reader fanfiction #aaron hotch fanfiction #aaron hotch x reader #derek morgan #emily prentiss #penelope garcia #jennifer jareau #david rossi

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chelleztjs18 · 2 years

Text

The Monsters Within (N.R) Pt. 4

Dark!FemReader x Natasha Romanoff (Modern AU)

Summary: You like Natasha and you are keeping her to yourself. Natasha's true self slowly shows up.

Warning: This is Dark Fic, 18+. A lot of swearing words. Graphic and gore descriptions, kidnapping, mind manipulations / brainwashing, death, violence, bone crushing and stockholm syndrome, blood kink (if you squint). Let me know if I miss anything.

A/N: Hello hello! I'm back with the last part of this series then next is the epilogue! Thank you Lou @honey-sweet-hiraeth for helping me n for the brilliant ideas for the ending. Also thank you for encourage me to step out of my comfort zone on writing it. Happy reading! and forgive me..

Series Masterlist || Main Masterlist

After you let Natasha go, the house feels empty. She left a hole in your heart. Just like her, you miss her immediately but you love her and you want her to be happy. You were sure that she would come back but you start to doubt it. It has been a month she hasn’t shown up to your door. You are mad and disappointed, not to her, but to yourself.

Missing her is already hard to deal with and all these other feelings are just making it harder for you. You have nobody else. This is just another “Wanda” all over again. You killed for her but just like Wanda, Natasha left you. All the special moments both of you had, did it mean something to her? What about the kiss? You asked the same question about it.

A similar internal fight happens to you. Part of you doubts her that she will come back and make your hope disintegrated. Another part of you still believes that she loves you and will come back.

All this leads you to your old coping mechanism even though you doubt that it will fully do its job but you still do it anyway. You are on a killing spree. Like the angel of death, you take souls more often than usual. Like a judge, you give death sentences to any random people you pick to feed the unending blood thirst monster in you.

Without any question, James helps you and he tries to keep up with you on getting rid of the soulless bodies. The loyal man stands by you every night you are dismembering your victim and passes him limb by limb so he can squeeze them into the bathtub before soaking them in the pool of acid.

You usually drown the whole body in the bath of acid but tearing them apart to pieces before that, helps you a little to let out your dismay and keeps your mind busy from thinking about Natasha.

The feeling when the big sharp steel knife forces its way through the skin, cutting through the muscle until it reaches the joints drags out your anger of you slowly but so relieving for you. It makes you feel that you gain back the control over your emotion.

The rusty blood scent spreads strongly when it flows out, shakes your senses and triggers the hemoglobin flow rapidly in yourself like it’s a shot of steroid that keeps your adrenaline rush going crazier. The slicing sounds of the cut tendon and that weird yet satisfying noise right when the joints are separated forcefully playing around through your ear releasing something indescribable in you.

Victims after victims and no matter how many limbs you cut, you still feel empty. None of them can tame the insatiable urge of killing nor the feeling of having Natasha around you.

_____

Natasha’s eyes are watching the T.V but not her mind. Her body is there sitting with Maria, watching the news but her thoughts are busy thinking about something else, or you, to be precise.

Her mind ponders the questions of how are you and what are you doing right now. She can’t lie to herself, she has the wanting feeling to know if you are okay after she left you for over a month. Her heart is barking orders at her to go back to you.

She is far lost in her thoughts. The sounds of the TV flew past over her head right away. Her eyes look empty, staring at one spot of the screen without even following what’s on it.

Maria’s voice that’s calling her name and a nudge on her arm drag her attention suddenly. Her gaze shifted to her friend next to her. “Huh? What is it? Sorry I didn’t hear what you said.”

“Are you okay? I was talking about the news. Look, they are talking about the number of missing people has been increasing in a little over a month.” said Maria in concern.

Her stomach turns into a knot and lungs are emptying on their own without her permission as soon as she hears Maria’s words. “Oh yeah, that’s horrible.” Natasha lets out her sympathy as her response.

“Do you remember our regular customer, Ms. Harkness?” Maria asks.

“Oh yeah. She is a cop, right? What about her?” the redhead returned a question back.

“Yeah, her. This is supposed to be classified but she told me that they might be all dead and the suspect might be a very smart serial killer because there’s no trace found until now.” more details flow out of Maria’s lips.

Natasha starts to feel unease from everything she hears as she swallows her nervousness down. Her brain connects all the lines of information straight to you. She knows that it was all your doing.

“Did–did they find any clue who it was?” The Russian stuttered in her question.

“Unfortunately they didn’t. Not yet. Why Nat? Do you want to tell me something? You haven’t told me about everything that happened to you while you were gone. Are you ready to tell me more?” Maria asks back to back, pushing Natasha to an edgy point.

“I–I–need more time to talk about it, Maria.”

“I know, Nat but the earlier we tell the police that you are back the sooner you get the help you need. I don’t want to get in trouble for letting you stay with me without reporting the cops that you have been back for over a month now. Did you see the face of your captor or what they did?” The more Maria asks, the more anxious Natasha gets.

“No, I didn’t. It was all dark, no window. All walls. I couldn’t see the face and the person didn’t say anything at all whenever she came to give me food or clean clothes.” she rambles whatever false answer she can give to her curious friend so she would stop asking immediately. Her heart wants to protect you. She internally doesn’t want you got caught.

“Wait..wait.. She? So it’s a woman? She gave you clean clothes? I thought you said that an old lady found you on the side of the road, gave you a lift and helped you clean up? So the suitcase you brought wasn’t hers? You also told me that the clothes are some of her daughter's. I’m confused now, Nat. Which one is the right story?” Confusion and suspicion gradually grows in Maria’s thoughts when she recalls some part of the story that Natasha told her doesn’t match at all.

Maria tries to look at her eyes but she avoids them and her face slowly turns white pale. Natasha knows that she is on thin ice right now. She realized that she told Maria false details. Small unmatch details with the previous one and that definitely digs her own graveyard. All she can do right now is to cover the lies with another lie. “I don’t know, Mar. Okay? I don’t know! Please don’t push me. I need more time, damn it!” her voice was raised against Maria.

"Okay.. okay.. Nat. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."

Without answering her bewildered friend, Natasha rushes to her room, locking her door and hoping that Maria won't demand the truth.

As silence dominates the whole bedroom, you easily come into her memories. Shortly, you are all she thinks about. She misses you, a lot. Internally, she is longing for you. As she is sitting on her bed while trying to calm herself from the pressure that Maria’s question gave her, her suitcase got caught in the corner of her eyes.

She remembers that you mentioned the burgundy envelope then opens it as soon as she finds it. There are some numbers that are indicated as the front gate and front door lock code of your house right after your address.

She proceeds to the lines of words you wrote.

“You can always come home to me whenever you want.”

Her heart wrenches yet warmth soothes inside her. She can’t deny her feelings any longer. She misses you and wants to be with you. Without any assurance whether Yelena is still alive or not, now you are all she has. To Natasha, you are her home now. Living with Maria won’t make her life easier if she wants to keep your secret safe. Sooner or later, Natasha will be trapped in the corner of truth.

Without a doubt, Natasha decides to run away from everything and come back home to you. She packs her only belongings in the suitcase you gave her and waits until the right time for her to leave.

She sneaks out in the middle of the night and takes a taxi ride to you. The closer she is to your residence, the more sure she is that she made the right decision. Her doubt and denial evaporate. She is leaving her past life behind to be with you willingly. Filled with thrills, Natasha can’t wait to be in your arms again.

As soon as she gets off her ride home, she quickens her steps towards your gates. The beeping sound as the gate automatically unlocked right after she pressed the numbers sending a dash of feelings that made her walk even faster to the front door.

She presses the other lock codes and she opens the door right away. She scurries to the living room but you are not there.

With a smile, she naturally led herself to your shared bedroom by passing the kitchen. Her heart wrenches yet warmth and joy bubbling inside. She can’t wait to see you, give you the hug that she actually craves.

As soon as Natasha's feet led her to the kitchen, her smile quickly dropped and turned into a frown. Her excitement and the joy in her shredded into pieces in a second and they are quickly replaced by anger. The warmth that bubbled in her is now turned into a hot boiling jealousy mess.

Her heart pounds and her face feels warm from how she is feeling right now. The redhead is furious right after her green eyes catch another woman in your house with you. A brunette who is slightly shorter than you is standing in front of you with her hands touching all over you and her lips catching yours in a kiss.

Her body feels like she just got hit by a huge wave that weakens her knees but her anger supports her to stand strong.

Both of you and the woman don't see that Natasha is in the kitchen and she takes advantage of it.

Natasha doesn’t make any sound no matter how much she wants to scream. As the silence shut her mouth, her mind and eyes were moving fast in a few seconds. Her brain is thinking what she is going to do as her eyes are spotting the kitchen knife that she knows where it is.

Natasha goes ballistic and marches furiously towards the brunette right after her right hand grabs the sharp huge kitchen knife. The redhead is livid and she quickly grabs the stranger that pisses her off so badly by the hair, dragging her away from you. The startled woman screams from the pain from the pull of her hair.

With all the energy she has, Natasha pins her to the wall then her left hand quickly chokes the woman in front of her as hard as she can.. She looks at her with so much jealousy and hatred while the woman gasps for air and speaks at the same time. “Let..me..go. Who are you?” as she tries to pull Natasha's grip of death.

Everything happens too fast. By the time you try to grab Natasha, she tilts her head and watches her gasp louder as she stabs her and pulls out the knife right away out of her abdomen. Blood flows out of her wound and drips off the sharp weapon that sliced through her. From where she stabbed her, you know it’s fatal and too late to save her.

Natasha watches the crimson fluid out of her mouth and overflow her hand as she loosen up her grip then throw her to the ground.

Natasha turns her head to you but she hears the dying voice call your name. “Y/n. h–help”. SHe hates her calling your name and it drives Natasha crazy into a whole nother level. She quickly turns and straddles on her bloody and wounded lower body while the woman tries to fight weakly.. With both of her hands Natasha raises the knife and stabs her once more and that's when she took the first life out of someone.

You watch Natasha stab her again..and again..and again. Burying the knife in any part of her body she can. She doesn't even care if it thrusts into the same wound.

The sound of every lunge mixed with her grunts sound so clear in your ear delivers an indescribable feeling in you.

Blood pools around the now lifeless body and splats around the cabinet doors. Natasha's hands are now drenched in deep red colors.

You are appalled yet proud of her that she finally releases and accepts the monster in her. You just didn't expect who would be the first person she killed.

After the 16th stabs, Natasha finally stopped. She is trying to catch her breath as she stands up and turns around to you. She tossed the bloody knife away and wiped the splattered blood off her face with her forearm only ended up leaving some more smudges on it.

"Fuck, that feels so good." She said it casually and in a relieved tone as her forest green eyes looked at you.

You always knew she would look a lot more attractive with someone’s blood on her skin. Your brain is stunned with not just how she looks and what she did but it is also thinking what to do next to the dead body on the floor. You can’t deny it, no matter how proud you are of her, you are still a little shocked.

You look at her and finally break your silence. “That was Wanda.”

As soon as she hears the name out of your lips, Natasha quickly looks at the dead body with wide eyes as she bites the inside of her cheeks shortly before she asks “Are you mad?”

“I probably should be.” you answered as you glanced at the body as well then looked back at Natasha.

Silence covers the atmosphere in the kitchen along with the rusty blood scents that slowly spread. None of you say anything. Natasha is waiting for what you will say next while you are thinking.

After a good few minutes of silence, you start laughing a little. Her lips slightly open in a pinch of surprise from your reaction. She sees you walk closer to her. “Let’s clean this up.” you suggest slightly before you kiss her lips and you can taste a little bit of Wanda’s blood off her lips then you walk to do what you have to do next.

Natasha smiles from the giddy feelings your kiss gives her.

_____

You could’ve dragged Wanda’s body to the basement by yourself but Natasha insisted on helping. “This bitch..She touched and KISSED you and now even when she’s dead, she’s still a pain in the ass to get rid of.” she complains in between grunts as she helps you on putting Wanda into the tub.

“Watch it, Natty. She’s Wanda. No matter what, she’s part of my life.” you look at her in a teasing smile but there’s still a pinch of seriousness in your words.

“What? It's true. She is a pain in the ass. She’s so tall and it’s hard for me to put her in this freaking bathtub.” another complains out of her pouty lips, complete with a frown on her face.

“How did she get here anyway?” she asks in a more irritated tone yet curious as she shoves Wanda’s hand into the bathtub.

“I saved her from her ex-boyfriend and she didn’t want to be alone.” you shrug your shoulders at the same time you give her your answer. “Vision? What did he do?” Natasha pitches back another question.

“Turns out he is abusive just like her father.” you explain as you gather a bunch of big jugs of acid next to the claw footed tub.

Natasha lets out a sarcastic chuckle. “Funny world. Anyway, did you kill him?”

“Unfortunately, no. We were in public.” you let out a disappointed sigh with your answer while you open each cap of the prepared jugs. Natasha can see and knows just from your sigh how much you wanted to kill him. A question popped up in her mind.

“Will you love me more if I kill him for you?” she questions as her eyes search for yours, waiting for your answer like a little puppy.

You can’t help yourself letting out a little laugh. “Cute.” It was the only word that you said.

“I’m serious. I will kill him for you, Y/n.”

“Oh believe me, darling. I know you will.” You give another quick kiss on her lips then you grab the acid.

A second before you pour it, Natasha stops you. “Wait! Allow me to pour it on my first victim.” Natasha expresses her bone chilling request in a disturbing playful proud tone along with a small giggle then takes it from your hands.

You smile and let go of your grips. She takes it as a yes from you. In silence and with gentle eyes, you look at her pouring the dangerous liquid. Amazement screamed so loud on her facial expression as her eyes rounded with thrills while watching the effect that the chemical substance gave on Wanda’s skin, slowly..inch.. by..inch.

Natasha even makes sure that she doesn’t miss any spot. A soft satisfied gasp crack the silence and flew straight to your ears as soon as she watches it burn the skin and forcefully rip its pores.

As soon as she thinks she is done with it, Natasha takes a delighted deep breath and exhales. She turns her head to you with a smile. “So, any other ex’s I need to take out?”

You laugh. “You are horrible.” and shake your head while you fill up the bathtub with more acid.

“I’m no worse than you.” she replied with a smile. And just like that, both of you casually talking and teasing each other as if nothing happened in front of Wanda's slowly dissolving dead body.

You smile at her with such adoration.

"Then we are just a couple of monsters aren't we, Natty?"

"Yes, we are." Natasha finally accepts the monsters within.

Epilogue

A/n: Welp, that's it for today! Let me know what you think. Feel free to come to my ask or message. Reblogs and comments are highly appreciated! Follow me for more and see you in the epilogue or my other works.

Cheerio!

Taglist: @madamevirgo @musicinourlips @unstable-sapphic-hoe @fanboy7794 @chloe7076 @b0mbdotc0m @trikruismybitch @ichala @californianwhiterabbit @honey-sweet-hiraeth @imfuckinggenius @sxfwap @chaekhan @daenerys713 @luvmcgrath @stupidsapphicsstuff @pattypavo @frvny @franfineashell @heyyoweveryone @ygtft-chen @yaaskasey @sweeet-likeeee-cinnamonn @paumxmff @dopeyouth @beaniejennie @ineedafinghug @idkwhatimwriting @lucydiibi @mainly-rebloging-fics-i-like @gloriousfoxruins @grxvitye @mcubreakdown101 @aos22 @wandanatstan @paulawand @yeeterthekeeper @femalehomosexual666 @snowdrop1026 @modernmonalisa @nothingisrealanyway @idamaemann @sweeterlust @royalityofmultifandom @playboysaleen @peabrain112 @gwhaley127 @harleyswanda @bodhi-j @darth-rainbow @cristin-rjd

#natasha romanoff #natasha romanoff x you #natasha romanoff x y/n #natasha romanoff x reader #dark natasha romanoff #dark natasha romanoff fanfic #black widow #black widow x y/n #black widow x you #dark black widow #black widow x reader #dark fic #dark mcu #the monsters within au

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hannigramislife · 6 months

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so i have a question that i swear is meant with complete sincerity (i just want to preface that because i know some people send shitty passive aggressive asks and i dont wanna be misunderstood).

I dislike dazai a lot and for most of the same reasons that you do but i also really dont like jgy for basically all the same reasons. I just know you're a big jgy fan but you really hate dazai and i was wondering how you reconcile those feelings? i assume we just have different interpretations of jgy (mdzs is a vast piece of media and there's a lot of different ways to interpret each character) but i've just been getting more and more curious so i wanted to ask. to be clear, i think it's totally okay to like jgy! the same way i think its okay for dazai fans to like dazai, they're just fictional characters. so this is in no meant as an attack or an 'ah ha!' moment. i just sort of don't understand liking one character and not the other when to me, all of their worst traits are the same and jgy has actually done far worse things than dazai (like murdering his own son)

i hope my ask isnt upsetting at all. you mentioned before liking to discuss meta so i really just want to introduce a conversation and maybe understand your perspective a bit better

Firstly, thank you so much for your polite ask!

I just wanna clear something up – I am not a Jgy fan XD. I see where one might think that, but I can guarantee you, I wanted him dead as fuck and I do not condone his atrocities.

Now, I do have some friends who have talked to me about Jgy, and they're Xiyao and Nieyao fans, respectively, so by talking with them, I have come to understand better some parts of Jgy's character, which have made me more forgiving towards some of his actions. Emphasis on some. Like you said, he and Dazai share the same annoying/frustrating traits, like the fact that they're lying liars 😊

I do appreciate Jgy as a character much more than I do Dazai though, that is correct, and I guess it's because of their narrative roles. Jgy has a very solid and interesting position in mdzs – in a world where social standing is such an important part of the story, the genius, bastard son of one of the wealthiest clans is constantly kicked down (lol couldn't resist), because the system has decided he doesn't deserve the same power as his half-brother, simply because of his birth situation.

And the narrative stays true to it! Time and time again, he is shut down, even when he goes to Lanling with Nie Mingjue's recommendation letter, even when he kills Wen Ruohen, even when he is married to secure his status, fate has fucked him over. It's like trying to watch Icarus reach the sun because he feels he is entitled to it.

Plus, I'm a huge Nieyao fan XD in a "they could have totally gotten married and lived happily ever after, but nooo; some of us have daddy issues *glares at jgy*"

So, this is the reason my posts have stopped being so antagonistic to Jgy, as I like to live in a delusional world where they've reincarnated in the modern world, jgy has some morals, and 3zun is happy 😇

Now, Dazai, on the other hand, I simply can't stand him. Nothing about his story or personality makes me go even as far as "yes, and?" I don't care for him as a character (though I get how he is appealing to people). I don't understand his actions 90% of the time. Plus, his actions are also frustrating and make me mad.

Like when Chuuya used corruption and he was like, "take me back at the place," and Dazai just left his ass there. "Oh, but that's their dynamic," yes, well, it annoys me. Plus, his whole thing with Akutagawa drives me up a wall because how dare you??? Motherfucker??? His first words to Akutagawa after 4 years live in my head rent-free because you could have shown that you became a better person, but nope. Still a dick. "Oh, he did that to set up the rivalry with Atsushi," you know how Beast Dazai did that? Set them up on a date. Boom. Take notes.

I also personally think Dazai either doesn't get Akutagawa fr, or he simply doesn't care to do so because Akutagawa flourishes with encouragement, it's actually sort of insane to see. Anyways. Went on a tangent there.

So yeah, Dazai is annoying, his personality sucks, he's a manipulative bastard, and he is mean to my baby :(

#the untamed #mdzs #mo dao zu shi #jin guangyao #bsd #bungou stray dogs #bsd dazai #dazai osamu #ask #thoughts and feelings

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mklegends-smokescreen · 5 months

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MORTAL KOMBAT LEGENDS: BLOOD BOUND

Chapter 5: The Master’s Call

Another howl was heared from the depths of the mines. The masked man walk toward the bridge that looms over a shaft that goes down for miles, just to notice a pack of wolf-like creatures climbing the walls, looking for their next lunch.

ROBIN: Ah. That would be them, wouldn't it? They don't seem that scary, though. Maybe we could- Oh shit, they're getting closer. Quick, let's fight 'em.

MUCHACHA: I can't believe you have a reasonable idea for once. You're not a complete moron after all. Let's get ready.

Nico, preparing for the fight, draws his daggers and takes the stance as the pack crawls up on their level.

ROBIN: Wait a minute... There's something wrong with their eyes. It's like they're possessed. I feel we should leave.

MUCHACHA: Too late. We must protect ourselves, even if we have to kill them.

One of the beasts leaps towards Muchacha, and she slices its head off with her blade. Robin jumps towards the group and starts kicking and slashing away, cutting them down, one by one. The masked man, realizing he's running low on strength, starts to panic.

ROBIN: Aaaand I'm down. Amara, get us outta here. NOW.

Amara, slicing away with her sword, doesn't notice him in the thrill of the fight. One of the beasts charges for Robin while he's still on the ground, attempting to bite his head off and almost succeeding, but is stopped when Robin grabs its muzzle and struggles a bit, before lighting one of his blades on fire and stabbing it in the head. The creature growns in pain, as it falls into the shaft trying to retreat. The others stopped attacking Amara, as they noticed their leader fell to his death. They retreat to the depths, as they're glowing green eyes stare at the two for the last time. Nico, exhausted, breathes heavily and tries to stand up. The general, noticing his struggle, offers him her hand.

MUCHACHA: Guess that scared them off. Let's take a break and gather our thoughts.

Robin strokes his neck, looking down and sees scratch marks across his suit.

MUCHACHA: Hey, Robin. I'm sorry I didn't notice you in the fight, it was foolish of me to ignore your pleas.

ROBIN: It's okay, man. You played your part. 'Sides, loosing my head would be the least I deserve for the stuff I said to you outside. So, I'm sorry for being a dick, Amara. I hope you'll find it in your heart to forgive me.

MUCHACHA: It's fine. We all have our bad days.

Robin and the general walk over towards the bridge, looming the the shafts that go down for kilometers.

ROBIN: How come Outworlders never have guardrails anywhere.

MUCHACHA: What's a guard rail?

ROBIN: For gods--

the crusader takes a deep breath.

ROBIN: I'll explain later. Let's take a breather and get ready for tomorrow. We're going to be doing a lot of walking and climbing.

Muchacha, who is still a bit curious, walks beside him, taking a sip of her drink. The two walk along the structurely unsafe bridge, looking around for a sight of Outworlder life, but all there is here is wildlife and vegetation wherever you turned. That seemed to be the case until the head to the main command center, as they heard strange sounds from that direction. As they get closer to the room, they are lead by a green glow, the same shade as the eyes of the beast pack from earlier. The room was practically asking to get walked into, but neither the masked man nor the general felt threatened. They entered, seeing a tall, elderly man dressed in a mage gown, preparing some sort of potion. As they walk in. Robin breaks the silence.

ROBIN: Hello, sir.

the mage is suprised, almost dropping a very important ingredient.

THE MAGE: W-who are you, and what are you doing here?

ROBIN: Me and my partner were looking for someone, but got caught up in some weather, and took shelter here...

Robin looked at the man, noticing he looked extremely familiar.

THE MAGE: I'll have you both--

ROBIN: Wait... master Dorfen?

he referred to the mage, as the mage stopped to properly look at the boy.

DORFEN: Nico? Is it really you?

Robin rushes in to hug the man, as the mage pats his head. Amara, who is confused, tries to understand what's happening.

MUCHACHA: You... know him, Robin?

Robin, turning to her, explains.

ROBIN: General Muchacha, meet master Dorfen. This man taught me how to do magic.

The masked man turns to his old teacher.

ROBIN: Sir, this is general Muchacha Amara, leader of one of Outworld's finest armies. She's my current partner.

DORFEN: Oh, so you're the one who has been keeping my boy safe.

MUCHACHA: Ugh. He is his own man, and doesn't need to be "kept safe." Besides, we aren't a thing, just working together. For now.

DORFEN: Alright, whatever you say, general. Come, sit with me. You must be exhausted.

The mage looks around, and brings over a table with a few chairs with his magic, and the three sit down.

DORFEN: What brings you two all the way out here? I thought you went about cutting up people that try n' hurt the Kahn.

ROBIN: Yes, but, uh... Alot of shit happened. From me going to Earthrealm, fighting in a battle royal to the death, and now Kitana hired me to look for a blood mage.

MUCHACHA: Hired US to look for a blood mage. And the Kahn gave me the task of keeping the palace safe from the outside, so that's what I was doing up until recently

Robin turns to her. Ready to make a joke, but changes his mind.

ROBIN: Right. What she said. I was also helping her out with her work. So yeah, a lot of stuff has been going on. But that's not the point. What has been going on in the mines?

Dorfen, knowing his work cannot be interrupted, tries to make a cover up story.

DORFEN: Nothing has been happening. The Felidae have just been acting weird because their leader got killed. It's nothing you should concern yourselves with.

Amara, who is a bit skeptical, speaks up.

MUCHACHA: With all due respect, sir, we've dealt with the beasts, and their leader was completely alive when we got here.

ROBIN: Speaking of which, how did you know that? I stabbed their leader in the head, and it fell into the abyss.

MUCHACHA: That's why we came here, actually. The eyes of the beasts were glowing the same color as the potion.

ROBIN: Oh, yeah, you're right.

DORFEN: Huh...

Nico gets up and looks at the vial, his face lighting up.

ROBIN: Master. Are you sure there isn't anything wrong here?

Dorfen, knowing he can't hide anything anymore, admits he can't hide anything anymore

DORFEN: Alright. Listen to me... I am not here to hurt anyone, just here to work for a man that hired me for my expertise.

MUCHACHA: Was it a blood mage?

DORFEN: No, but he is affiliated with one.

Robin and Muchacha both look at eachother.

ROBIN: Who is it, master?

DORFEN: I can't say. If he hears of this, he will have me killed. But I can tell you this, he does have a blood bender captive. He resides on an island, quite far in the western portion of the Sea Of Souls.

ROBIN: ...Amara, we should get back to our mission.

The masked man starts to walk away.

DORFEN: Nico, please!

He stops and turns around.

ROBIN: Look, sir. You know how I work. If you won't say who's responsible, then I'm not going to risk your life, and you know it.

Master Dorfen, feeling ashamed, looks down. Muchacha looks at the old man, putting her hand on his shoulder.

MUCHACHA: You raised a fine man, sir, and an even better fighter. We shall find this man, and take his life. I will keep him safe, no matter what.

Robin, hearing the general say this, is suprised at the change of tone. He smiles under his mask.

DORFEN: Thank you, ma'am. He is like a son to me, and I appreciate you saying this.

Amara looks at Robin.

MUCHACHA: Don't tell anyone, even the Kahn herself, what you heard, Robin.

Robin who is a amused, looks at her, and smiles.

ROBIN: (chuckles) Whatever you say, captain.

The general hitting him in the back, the two walking towards the exit.

DORFEN: Thank you again for coming! Send a message once everything is over!

the two jump on their steeds, heading off to a harbor, where Amara knows someone who can help them.

#mortal kombat #mortal kombat au #mediocre writes mk #mk #smoke screen au #mk oc red robin #mk oc muchacha #outworld #I have such high hopes for Dorfen #mk dorfen #also expect a Dorfen drawing in the near future?🤔

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minecraftrelatedrandomness · 1 year

Text

Pirates SMP Transcript: KyleEff Sept 28th stream (1:30:00–ending)

Context: p!Kyle has just returned home after completing Captain Golden Beard's cursed treasure quest with p!Acho. While under the influence of the curse, he receives the following chat messages/auditory hallucinations: You hear the distant sound of an old factory… You hear old laughter from a familiar old voice… Perhaps hear an explosion in the distance… You couldn't do anything.

(Note that p!Kyle's pet macaw Dweet is chirping and squawking throughout this entire scene; please forgive cc!Acho in the chat shouting to kill the bird.)

What the hell just happened. I mean, it's almost like I… relived the entire day. I could… I hear it happen. It's like– the whole thing was like… replayed out loud. […] It's almost like someone took, like, a record player and just– started playing it again. …'S weird.

It's been a long time since I thought about that, Dweet. I don't wanna forget him but it's– hard. […] I mean, I do everything– for him, like I moved to [this] entire island. That– [just] reminds me… of what happened.

I didn't think– he didn't really care much for my music, but… she did. You know, Dweet, maybe soon, we can start putting things together; we can really make him proud, even if… he's gone.

I hope Mother's doing okay. I haven't sent for her in a long time. Perhaps someday soon. Maybe whenever things start– Maybe once I start getting the ball going.

I miss him, Dweet. I miss him. (sigh) If only he didn't work as hard as he d– I mean… maybe he'd be here instead of me. It's probably ol' destiny, think about it. […] He wouldn't be prepared for… all these– these people here. He's used to dealing with the Kites, but… Herons and Nightingales, and I guess the Kites are – even though they're Kestrels – they're a whole other beast. Like Father always said, it was hard to work with them. Those Nightingales – they love to run their mouth. Maybe that's why… it's why he did what he did.

It's time soon, Dweet. It's time I start writing my own legacy. Once was William Foster, now is Kyle Foster… and soon will be the lasting reputation of the family.

Miss you, father. Really do, even though you– as you [were] working, he really cares. Still miss you.

We need to start working. Dweet, I think it's start– time that the world knows of the Foster family more for its business– rather, for its music. Foster Arms is noted [for] its reputation amongst the Faction Isles and the rest of the world and the Ecclesiae Sea. Soon, they'll know more about the Foster family. Soon, they'll know more about– about its chairman. It's not just– not just business; there's more to me than that.

#isleposting #pirates smp #kyleeff #my post #long post #pirates smp spoilers #aqua's mcytblr resources #goldenbeard curse

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moody4world · 2 years

Note

okay so i was thinking

singer reader surprises Jack on tour , they had gotten into an argument but he questions the status of their relationship. so she sings him a song to let him know that she forgives him and still loves him

( idk if you watched victorious but that song " youre the reason" would be perfect )

hi hon!! i changed it up a little bit but i hope you still enjoy it!!<3

You’re the reason

A/N(?): i am !!NOT!! a writer, everything i write and post is simply for fun and not to be taken seriously

You’ve been in the spotlight for almost your entire life. From being on Disney at the ripe age of 10 to appearing on the big screen with A-listers at only 17. You were not only an actress but also a singer. You had become one of the youngest female R&B artists on the charts at just 20 years old and you couldn’t be more proud of yourself.

Your parents never forced you because it’s always been what you wanted and they were your number one supporters and nobody could argue with that. Nobody except for Jack. Jack claimed that he has always been your number one fan and he would die on that hill. His words though not yours, he couldn’t believe that he was dating his childhood crush. The first time you met Clay he didn’t hesitate to embarrass his brother by telling you how Jack always fought him for the tv remote when he knew you were going to be on their tv screen.

Jack was proud to call you his and he would turn all his social media accounts to fan accounts dedicated to you if he could.

The two of you met at the MET gala two years ago and ever since then its been a down low friendship, to dating and now relationship. Jack always kept his celebrity connections as private as possible and you were no different. You were also proud of Jack and the fact that he was your boyfriend. Only problem was that you haven’t gone public with a relationship since your last very public and dramatic breakup in 2018, something that took a huge toll on you for a couple months. Once you finally got over that situation you told yourself it’d be best to keep future relationships private.

Jack understood this because he also agreed but he always told you private doesn’t have to be secret. You knew he was right but you were still scared of your relationship with Jack falling apart the way your last one did. You were so in love with him that you refused to let anything to ruin what the two of you have.

Unfortunately this topic was the main cause of your current argument. Jack has been touring for the past few weeks and the two of you have been facetiming every single day like you were doing right now. “Look at youuu all snuggled up into my hoodie” He had the biggest smile on his face as he always did when he looked at you. “It’s so comfy, thanks for leaving my favorite ones by the way” “It’s nothing baby” “I really want to post a screenshot of this right now” your smile faded with worry and Jack didn’t miss it “Y/n it wouldn’t kill us to post each other every now and then baby we’ve been over this.” “I know but I just don’t want to risk anything Jack, we’ve been over that too haven’t we?”

“At first I got it but now i’m starting to think you just don’t want to be seen with me y/n.” “Oh come on Jack you know it’s not that” “Then what else is it huh? Cause if you’re scared to even mention me to people or let me just post an innocent photo of us what am I supposed to think?” “Now all of a sudden i’m the bad guy for wanting to protect our relationship?” “This shit doesn’t need any protection y/n, you’re sinking this ship with your overthinking. I’m trying here baby but you gotta help me too.” Jack made valid points but in that moment you were too butt hurt to acknowledge any of that.

You shut down like you always did during moments like this, you didn’t want to talk about it anymore and just wanted to hang up. “Okay well I have a performance later so i’m gonna go get some rest. We’ll talk later, okay?”

You didn’t even want to make eye contact with him anymore because you knew you’d let some tears slip if you did. “Y/n you’re not hanging up on me like this. Talk to me baby tell me how you really feel. I’m sorry I got a bit heated. I just want you to let go of that fear, i’m nothing like him and you know how much I love you. Crazy fans and fake articles are the last thing you should be worried about. I want to show you off cause it’s what you deserve. We both know that.” You couldn’t say a single thing. His words had felt like a soft and warm hug of reassurance and safety. It was hard to express how you were feeling so you simply said an “I love you” and hung up.

Jack thought he had hurt your feelings because of the way you hung up. If it was up to him he would blow up your notifications with apologies and i love yous but knew that when you got like this he simply had to give you space. It was insane to you how loving and supportive of a boyfriend Jack was to you. But It was something completely new for you which made it slightly overwhelming in moments like these. You decided to get some rest before your performance of the night and once you woke up you were certain of one thing.

Which was, you were tired of keeping him a secret. You wanted everyone to know that you’ve found a man that treats you how every girlfriend or boyfriend should be treated. Loved how anyone in a relationship should be loved.

That night at your concert you surprised the crowd with a new unreleased love song you had written specially for Jack. You told your friends that it was a song you wrote for a very special person in your life that you would tell them about soon.

Your cousin had recorded the whole thing and sent it to Jack. To say Jack was surprised when he saw the video was an understatement. You had never mentioned that you were writing a song about him. He knows it must’ve been hard for you to keep that from him because he was the first one to know every thought process you had for any song you were writing or any show or movie you were casted in.

The song was called “You’re the reason” and the lyrics explained how he’s the reason you’ve become so much more confident in yourself and your career after such a hard time. He’s the reason for the huge genuine smile you’ve had for the past year and a half. When news of the performance got out everyone was curious to know who the special person could possibly be. You haven’t been spotted with anyone for a long time unless it was a co-star from the same movie.

That same night you and Jack decided to post a photo of the two of you announcing your relationship to everyone else.

y/n ☑️

Liked by neelamthadhani and 503.856 others

y/n very few of you guys guessed it right, “You’re the reason is about jack!!! i’m gonna keep this caption short so i don’t simp on the main but just know i l*ve this guy

y/ngotcake queen is this white man bothering you🤨

user1 I KNEW IT AND NONE OF YOU BELIEVED ME

jackharlow ☑️

Liked by urbanwyatt and 489.677 others

jackharlow Always been her #1 fan and i’ll die on that hill. Love her forever🤞🏻

user2 First tom holland gets his celebrity crush and now jack too?! i really gotta start manifesting

druski ☑️ Aw shit we done lost another one man somebody better call dr. umar

y/n @ druski stop it😭

#moody4world #moody fics #jack harlow x reader #requested by exoticr0ses

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madam-o · 1 year

Text

Hey, about that Bad Batch S2 finale...

(Spoilers)

So my personal take is, Tech is okay. Well not okay. He might have broken something. But he'll be okay. It just really seems obvious that since there's no body, he's alive. I mean, the guy is always pulling off reckless stunts because he's so good at coming up with quick solutions to deadly situations. And writing-wise, I don't feel like it makes sense to kill him off when they've set up unresolved issues between him and Phee. He's clearly always thinking about saying something to her but never had the courage to, which a brush with death would help him overcome.

I do think Hemlock is likely telling the truth that they were only able to find his goggles, though. That makes it extra clear that Tech is still out there somewhere. If they had Tech, I think they'd use him as leverage against the Batch. (Btw just to repeat what I've said before: Hemlock is really frickin awesomely voiced. Jimmi Simpson is able to make him so menacing with so little effort. He's operating on a whole other level.)

Anyway, I'm not sure what annoys me more about the end of Season 2: that they had to pull this super nebulous "death" stunt with Tech and leave it on a cliffhanger that won't be resolved for frickin ages, or that so many fans think it's a good thing that Tech is supposedly dead because of the tragic DRAMA and gritty realism of it all, especially since they will inevitably say that it sucks if he survives or if the Batch get to reunite or obtain even a scrap of happiness.

I literally just read a comment that says, "I hope he's dead. I'm tired of no one dieing (sic) in Star Wars anymore. Everyone magically survives stuff that makes no since (sic)."

Yes. Because Star Wars is all about REALISM and killing off its main characters for dramatic effect. Do people think Joss Whedon created this franchise all of a sudden?

I mean, I do adore The Bad Batch and forgive its minor flaws, but this a pretty cruddy move overall, imo. It's a huge bummer that's gonna piss off fans one way or another.

Also, I don't see Phee accepting this news without proof of a corpse, and we know how Echo will feel about leaving a soldier behind without knowing for sure if he's gone.

I guess he could be dead. They wrote it deftly enough that you could say that he definitely IS or definitely ISN'T, depending on how you look at it. But from a writer's pov, the "death scene" just doesn't feel appropriate or definitive enough, at least not in my opinion. I'll be let down if they let it end for Tech on this note.

#the bad batch #tech #plan 99 #tbb season 2 #tbb spoilers #phee #tbb

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trashyswitch · 2 years

Text

Golden Freddy's Other Victim

Gregory notices that Golden Freddy had returned and chosen another hiding place. When Gregory decides to visit Cassidy, Gregory ends up reuniting with more than just Cassidy...

Part 2 of The Relationship of Gregory and Cassidy

This fanfic was suggested by bloodypawziezz on AO3. I hope you enjoy!

Gregory had walked up to the Golden Freddy’s hiding place again. He had seen Golden Freddy sneaking into the Pizzeria a little while after he and Freddy met the old animatronic. And with the animatronic (And Cassidy) now back in the Pizzeria, Gregory wanted to visit her again.

He looked around the dark area, and let out a silent breath. He knew this would get him in trouble. He knew it might’ve been dangerous. He knew he was risking his death by leaving Freddy to visit Cassidy without his permission. But come on! Is it really that bad to visit a friend once in a while?

Gregory closed the door behind him and walked up to the gold freddy animatronic. He placed his hand on the shoulder. “Cassidy.” Gregory said.

The animatronic’s white eyes turned on, lighting up the room with its eyes alone. “Who’s there?” The animatronic asked in its deep voice.

Gregory bit his lip. “Cassidy. It’s Gregory.” He told it.

The animatronic reached its arms out. “Gregory.” The voice suddenly changed to the same little girl’s voice from the last time.

“Oh Cassidy…” Gregory hugged the animatronic and rubbed its furry back. “It’s okay. I’m here.”

“What are you doing here?” She asked him.

“I wanted to see you.” Gregory told her.

“Does your Freddy know?” Cassidy asked.

“...No.” Gregory told her. “But it’s okay. I promise.” Gregory added.

“It’s too dangerous. You are risking your life.” Cassidy said.

“Yeah, I want to risk my life for the spirit who lost her own life.” Gregory told her, hugging the animatronic tighter.

“Gregory…” She looked down. “If you don’t go now, then you may become one with this animatronic.” Cassidy told him. “I know what happens to the killer’s victims. And you may become one of them if you’re not careful.” Cassidy told him.

“Who’s there?” another little kid’s voice said.

“Don’t worry, child. He’s safe.” Cassidy said. “His name is Gregory. He’s…a good kid.” Cassidy said next.

“Gregory?” The animatronic’s left hand went up and felt Gregory’s face. “How old are you, Gregory?” the other voice asked.

“I’m 11.” Gregory told it.

“I was 7 years old.” The voice said.

Gregory looked at the animatronic. “You have two spirits in you?” Gregory asked Golden Freddy.

“Yes.” Golden Freddy’s deep voice replied. “One, a victim of Afton. Another…a child.” Golden Freddy said.

Gregory blinked and tilted his head slightly. “A child?” Gregory asked.

“My daddy is an Afton.” the other voice said.

Gregory widened his eyes. “Afton…” Gregory muttered.

“The killer.” Cassidy’s little voice said.

“Wait…so, Afton is the name of the killer?” Gregory asked.

“William Afton.” The other kid’s voice said. “He’s my father.”

Gregory stared at the animatronic’s eyes for a good few seconds…and he slowly dropped to his knees. “You’re his daughter…” Gregory muttered.

“Son. I’m a boy, Gregory.” The other voice said.

Gregory nodded, still shocked and horrified. “You…don’t kill people…right?” Gregory asked.

“Hush, Gregory. He’s sensitive about that.” Cassidy told him.

Gregory covered his mouth. “I am so sorry…” Gregory told him.

“I forgive you, unlike my father. I can’t forgive him for what he has done.” The voice said.

“Do you have a name?” Gregory asked.

“Yes. And unlike Cassidy, I’m not going to tell you.” The voice told him. “Just call me…Crying Child.” The voice said.

Gregory tilted his head. “Why?” Gregory asked.

“It’s a nickname my dumb brother came up with growing up.” The voice told him.

Gregory raised his eyebrows. “This…killer’s family is bigger than I expected.” Gregory said.

“It is.” Crying Child said. “I had 2 siblings. An older brother, Michael, and an older sister named Elizabeth. I loved them. Though my brother was a pain.” Crying child explained. “He…he was the reason I died.” The boy told him.

Gregory widened his eyes. “What happened?” Gregory asked.

“I…” he let out a breath. “Michael and his friends brought me up to Fredbear, saying that I should give him a kiss.” Crying child told him, hearing his brother’s words echo in his head.

[“Hey guys, I think the little man said he wants to give Fredbear a big kiss!”]

“They put me into Fredbear’s mouth and…” Crying child could remember the last words he heard.

[On THREE. One…..Two……”]

“I couldn’t move, my right arm was free, but my left arm was stuck in its jaws.” Crying child said. “And then…” Crying Child then took over the golden Freddy’s jaw, and made it slam shut loudly.

Gregory gasped and jumped back, holding his chest with fear from being jumpscared. But he stayed that way for a few seconds…because it was all coming together. And just to confirm he was right, Gregory turned on the flashlight and shined it in Fredbear’s mouth. And sure enough, there were little splatters of blood that hadn’t been cleaned up from the incident.

But whether it was really Cassidy’s blood or the Crying Child’s blood…Gregory couldn’t tell you.

“Oh my gosh…” Gregory muttered. He was ready to start crying for the boy then and there.

“Gregory…” the boy said.

“Hm?” Gregory hummed.

“Is Michael still alive?” Crying child asked.

Gregory blinked and tried to see if he could remember meeting an old guy named Michael. But he couldn’t remember such a thing. An old Michael didn’t exist in his mind. “I don’t know, Crying child.” Gregory replied.

“I want him to know that I forgive him.” Crying child told him.

Gregory widened his eyes.

“And that I know he didn’t mean to kill me that day.” The boy added. “It was an accident. And I don’t want him spending the rest of his life blaming himself for my death.” Crying child concluded.

Gregory looked down. He could feel the tears welling up in his eyes. He finally let them drop onto his cheeks. Not long after, sobs started to leave his mouth. Gregory covered his face and started to cry.

“Oh Gregory…You’re so emotional.” Cassidy said.

“Come on, Gregory. Boys don’t cry.” The crying child said.

Gregory paused his crying upon hearing the kids' words. Did…did he really just say that? No. That’s an outdated statement. Boys do cry, and it’s normal for boys to cry. “Boys are allowed to cry just like girls.” Gregory told him.

“Gregory is an emotional child, who didn’t grow up in the 1980’s like us. Views on emotional boys have likely changed.” She told the crying child.

“Oh…” the crying child said. “I’m sorry.”

“No no, it’s okay.” Gregory wiped away the tears. “He’s right. There’s a time for crying, and now is not the time.” Gregory said. “It’s just that…It’s really sad.” Gregory said. “None of you deserved what happened to you.” Gregory said next.

“Well, it looks like we can agree on something.” Cassidy said.

“Yeah.” The crying child replied.

Gregory nodded. “I think I’m okay now.” Gregory told him.

“Are you sure?” Cassidy asked.

Upon hearing that, Gregory could feel the tears welling up again. “Nooo.” He mumbled, his face wincing into sadness.

Golden Freddy walked up to Gregory and placed its hand on Gregory’s shoulder. “Do you need me to tickle you again to help you get better?” Cassidy asked.

Gregory widened his eyes a bit. “R-really? Would you do that?” Gregory asked, unsure what to say.

The animatronic’s mouth opened slightly, attempting to smile at him. “Of course we can.” She replied. “Right, crying child?” She said.

“Hm?” He muttered, not fully listening. “Oh! Yeah! Right.” Crying child quickly replied.

“Now: would you like softer tickles?” Cassidy asked next.

Gregory nodded with a small, attempted smile. “Sure.” He replied.

Golden Freddy brought its two hands down to Gregory’s sides, and started to wiggle the fingers and dance them around his sides.

Gregory doubled over and started giggling right away. “Hehehehe! Hehey! Hahaha! Good chohohoice, Cassihihidy!” Gregory said.

“Thank you.” Cassidy replied. “Hey Crying Child: How about you take over the right arm, since you’re right handed, and I’ll take over the left hand, since I’m left-handed.” Cassidy decided.

“Good idea!” The crying child reacted. The crying child moved the right hand up to the armpit, creating more high-pitched giggles out of Gregory. “Gitchy gitchy goo!” He teased.

Gregory brought his head back slightly and laughed. “EEEEheheheheee! Hahaha! Ihihit’s soho tihihicklyyyy!” Gregory giggled.

“I can see that.” Cassidy told him.

Crying child giggled. “You’re almost as ticklish as me!” He reacted.

“You’re tihicklihihish?” Gregory asked.

“Yeah! Well, I was. I’m not sure we can be tickled in this ghost form.” Crying child admitted.

“I doubt it.” Cassidy replied. “But we aren’t the people that need tickling. Gregory is.” She added.

“That’s true.” Crying child replied.

“Ohohokahay, you can stohohop nohohohohow.” Gregory told them.

“Are you done crying?” She asked.

“Ihihi think sohoho.” Gregory replied.

“That’s not a yes or a no. We need a yes or a no answer.” Cassidy told the boy.

“Why?” Crying child asked.

“Because we don't want him crying when he sees his Freddy.” Cassidy told him.

Crying child went silent and stopped his fingers. “There’s more Freddy’s?” Crying child asked.

“Yeheah. Ihit’s a newer one. He’s knohown as Glamrock Freddy.” Gregory replied.

Crying child went silent again. “…The family diner still exists?” He asked.

Gregory could tell from his voice alone, that something wasn’t right. “Yeah…With hearing all the things about what happened in the past…I’m wondering why they bother to create new pizzeria’s too.” Gregory admitted.

“Where are we?” Crying child asked.

Cassidy cleared her throat, despite clearly not needing to. “We are in another version of Freddy's Pizzeria.”

Gregory shook his head. “It’s even bigger than just a pizzeria now. It’s a mall! A ginormous mall with 5 floors. And I fear there may be more undiscovered floors.” Gregory told them.

“We should get back to hiding. Gregory has been missing for about 20 minutes now.” She said.

“Freddy’s okay. If he was worried, he would’ve called me on the watch.” Gregory told him.

“Freddy is…your friend?” Crying child asked.

Gregory bit his lip. He knew what the boy was referring to. Freddy must’ve been considered his enemy, considering he literally died at the hands of this Golden Freddy. “He’s really nice. He loves me like a father would.” Gregory told him.

“…What is a real father like?” Crying child asked.

Gregory widened his eyes in shock. But then, he remembered something: this kid grew up in the 80’s…where not even emotional abuse was a thing. And he grew up with a father who later killed kids roughly his age. And in Gregory’s mind…a person who kills kids, should never become a father.

“I’m sorry.” Gregory told him. “I…I forgot about…yeah.” Gregory muttered awkwardly.

Cassidy sighed. “I’ll take the time to explain. It’s time for Gregory to leave this hideout.” Cassidy told them.

Gregory nodded and gave the golden Freddy a hug. “I’ll miss you, Cassidy.” Gregory said. “And it’s nice to finally meet you, Crying Child.” Gregory added.

“It’s good to meet you too, Gregory.” Crying child said.

Gregory walked out of the room, closing the door behind him and locking it. He kept the key in his pocket, in case he wanted to visit the spirits again. But he would have to make sure he tells Freddy this time. Cause…he didn want to ruin the wonderful relationship they had, by lying to him. It wouldn’t be right.

Meanwhile, the two spirits were talking to each other.

“I made a new friend today. That hasn’t happened in a long time.” Crying child said.

“It’s nice to talk to someone else.” Cassidy said.

“Are you tired of me yet?” Crying child joked.

“That’s not what I meant, and you know it.” Cassidy told him.

Then, Crying child let out his first giggly laugh in over 20 years. This little laugh just told Cassidy that she had to see Gregory again…

Cassidy began to hope that the older kid would pay them another visit in the future. She imagined talking about all sorts of subjects, happy and sad. She even imagined tickling him a bit more, and experiencing more of the childhood things through Gregory, that they both lost so soon due to preventable circumstances.

Perhaps one day…

#part 2 #the crying child needs a hug #the crying child and gregory are not the same person #fluff and hurt/comfort #ticklefic #ler!cassidy #ler!crying child #lee!gregory

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chocoluckchipz · 2 years

Text

Dreams of You - 26

He should've listened to Nino and his instincts and left this damned apartment as soon as everyone had been gathered.

He should've never brought Marinette here in the first place!

He was a fool for thinking he could break free of the butterfly's influence. Being bound by his father for most of his life, Adrien should've known better than anyone how impossible that was.

His feeble attempts to resist weren't strong enough. He wasn't strong enough. Yes, he stalled and delayed and fought back, but he still obeyed, still took those steps, still called for the Cataclysm and almost killed everyone he ever cared for.

He almost killed Marinette, the woman he wouldn't hesitate to give up his own life for.

Adrien's hands shook, the terror in her eyes as he was lowering his Cataclysm to her face still fresh in his memory. If she hadn't escaped… If she hadn't awakened Tikki and transformed…

Adrien swallowed.

He was supposed to protect her.

He—

"Adrien?"

Marinette's touch was gentle, her smile—soft. Her gaze hadn't lost its warmth, filled with worry and love he didn't deserve.

"I'll come by tomorrow morning as soon as I wake up, okay?"

She shouldn't. He wasn't worthy of her presence. Adrien still nodded. Like a lovesick schoolboy, he needed her now more than ever. Needed to hold her in his arms, needed to know she was safe and sound, needed to hope that if he did his best, if he'd be good enough, she would forgive him one day.

She even kissed his cheek and gave him one of the most earnest hugs she'd ever given him as she left with her parents for the night.

Adrien could hardly breathe. How could he claim to love this woman, if he had just almost killed her with his own two hands?

Despicable!

Pathetic.

Weak...

They were all still alive only because Marinette had awakened Tikki and got full access to her powers. He was only—

"Adrien?"

He looked away. He didn't need Nino's pity. He didn't deserve his sympathy. He should've been smarter than to submit to Lila.

"Adrien, stop. You—"

"I want to be left alone," Adrien murmured and headed for his bedroom. "See you tomorrow, Nino."

Whatever else Nino said fell on deaf ears as Adrien closed the door behind himself. Leaning on a wall, he swallowed the knot in his throat.

His fault.

This whole fiasco was his fault.

His legs gave in. Adrien slid down to the floor, curling in on himself.

He failed her.

He failed all of them.

He was a failure with an oversized ego and poor choices.

Wrapping his hands around his head, Adrien let go. Tears streamed down his face; sounds of despair escaped his lips.

He was a weakling. He couldn't protect the one he loved. With his own hands, hands that should've kept her safe, he almost killed Marinette today…

Someone lightly knocked on the door.

"Leave me alone," Adrien groaned.

"I will," Nino's quiet voice sounded from behind the door. "But before I go, I just wanted to tell you that you did well today. I know it doesn't seem this way, but you did exceptionally. Without you, we wouldn't have won."

Adrien bit on his tongue, hiding his face in his hands. Nino was a good friend. Even if a bit too loyal to see the truth.

Slowly, the apartment grew quiet. The people that Nino had called to clean up must have finished with their work. The Dupain-Chengs and Alya were long gone. Nino must have retired for the night as well. Illuminated by the dim lights of the streets below, the clock on the wall showed midnight.

His body was numb, eyes swollen, head splitting in two. Perhaps, he should get into bed and rest for a bit. That required him to move, though. Adrien wasn't sure he could. Instead, he brought his knees closer to his chest, laying his head on top. That would do. That was what he deserved.

The door to his room creaked open, and someone quietly slipped in.

"Nino, I asked to be left alone," Adrien barely whispered. He had no strength left for more.

The person kneeled before him, wrapping two delicate arms around his body.

Adrien froze, his heart skipping a beat before sprinting in a feverish race. He could never mistake this touch for someone else's.

"Marinette?"

A corner of her lips curled with a smile. Her eyes sparkled like stars in the darkness of his room as she pulled him close to her chest, holding him tightly against her heart.

Everything became right.

He didn't care how badly he'd messed up anymore or how undeserving of her love he had become.

She was here.

She was with him, and he needed nothing more than to be in her arms, to keep her close, to love and protect her to the best of his abilities… even if they weren't as great as he'd always assumed them to be. He'd have to work harder. He'd have to—

Leaning her forehead against his, Marinette closed her eyes, whispering, "I was so scared I lost you."

Adrien shook his head, clinging to her for dear life. "I'm so sorry. I wasn't strong enough. I was supposed to protect you. I was supposed to protect your family and your friends. But I didn't! I allowed her to use me against you and… Marinette, I almost killed you. I almost killed you all."

She pulled away and took his face in her hands, cupping his cheeks in her palms. There was a fire in her eyes. Never before had she looked so fierce. "You did protect us, Adrien. If it weren't for you giving in to Lila and then resisting her control, I would've never had time to heal everyone. You freed Félix, so he could help us. And let's be honest, if it weren't for me losing you to her, I would've never woken up Tikki so fast. You did protect us, Adrien. Even if you don't think so."

He didn't know he still had tears in him. They burst out of his eyes and streamed down his face. Logically, she was right. Technically, her every word made sense. But, it didn't excuse him from leaving her alone to fend for everyone when he—

"You gave me the push I needed," Marinette interrupted his thoughts. "Just like when you refused to be taken to the hospital in Paris, so I could discover my magic."

"It wasn't the same. You weren't in danger—"

"But you were, you idiot! You could've lost your sight. You could've been left with an ugly scar across your face. Or die of blood loss, for that matter!"

"But—"

"No buts!" Her voice strengthened. "Don't you understand, Adrien? There are multiple ways of winning a war. You of all people should know that. Sometimes you have to pull away and regroup. Sometimes you send spies into the enemy's territory. Sometimes the weaker ones have to protect the strong. And there are battles where the leaders have to fall for others to find the strength to stand up and push harder, and not only win the war but to save the fallen ones."

She leaned her forehead back against Adrien's, closing her eyes. Her voice grew quieter, almost a whisper. "I love you so much, Adrien. I couldn't bear to lose you. You were my reason to push harder. You were the reason this war was won. And—" She tilted back a bit, a tiny smile playing on her lips, "—even though you're undeniably the stronger one here—for now, may I add—will you refuse me the chance to protect my man? I've worked hard for this, you know."

Adrien swallowed. This woman! She was beyond anything he'd ever imagined, everything he could've ever dreamed of. Kind and gentle, yet strong and powerful. Her love healed, her touch soothed. She wasn't perfect by any means, but she was ideal in his eyes. And yes, perhaps, he wasn't worthy. Perhaps, he didn't deserve her, but life without Marinette was scarcely an option. Her hold on his heart was absolute. He couldn't even find the right words to tell her how much he loved her. Instead, tears continued to stream down his face as Adrien clung to the woman whose forgiveness he didn't deserve but was blessed to have.

"You need to rest, Adrien," Marinette whispered, gently rubbing his back. "We both need to rest."

She was right once again. His body and soul were tired and hurting. He was barely staying awake at this point, and tomorrow would surely be busy. He'd have to go back home. He'd have to face his father. His mother might awaken from her months-long sleep. He couldn't face her in the condition he was currently in.

He didn't want to part with Marinette just yet, though, so, bringing her just a bit closer, Adrien whispered against her skin, "Stay with me."

"Why do you think I came back?" She kissed his cheek and pulled away. Then, stood up and took his hand, bringing him up with her.

Adrien silently followed Marinette to his bed, and once she was safely in his embrace, everything else ceased to matter.

No Lila.

No guilt.

No shame.

No fathers, no orders or chains.

Just him and his Lady.

And their happily ever after in front of them.

***

Morning came sooner than Adrien would have liked, but his head was clearer and his guilt lighter. His actions yesterday were nothing to be proud of, but perhaps Marinette was right. Perhaps, he did contribute to the victory.

For one, he freed Felix, bringing down the number of their opponents, at the same time, giving them a powerful ally. And maybe Marinette did manifest Tikki because she had to stand against Chat Blanc. She was amazing like that. Others would've given up in her place, but not his Lady.

No! Marinette was a fighter, and that seemingly-hopeless situation only fired her up to push harder. And, gosh, she was so strong!

Strong enough to protect everyone.

Strong enough to win over Lila.

Strong enough to save him when he had fallen due to his own foolishness.

Gently, Adrien reached to brush away a few stray hairs from her sleeping face.

Beautiful.

Amazing.

Everything he'd ever wished for.

His fingers lingered, softly stroking her cheek, drawing closer to the lips he loved to kiss so much.

Marinette scrunched her nose; her mouth twitched and melted into a sleepy grin. She shifted closer, cuddling against his chest. With her eyes still closed, she sighed softly against his skin, "Good morning."

"Good morning, Princess." Adrien wrapped her in his arms, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Did I wake you up?"

She shook her head. "I was lazing around for the last ten minutes or so." Pausing, she opened her eyes. Blue like an ocean, fresh like the mountain spring. Filled with warmth and unconditional acceptance, they sparkled and lured, and watched him lovingly. With her hand, she cradled the side of his face and smiled. "How are you feeling?"

Her touch warmed his skin. Adrien closed his eyes in delight. "Better. Thanks to you."

She relaxed, melting back into his embrace. "Good. I—"

"Adrien? You up yet?" A knock ripped through the room, Nino's voice coming from behind the door.

Yelping, Marinette ducked under the comforter.

Adrien couldn't help a chuckle, slipping under the covers after her. "And why are we hiding?"

"I'm hiding," Marinette whispered. "You aren't. You get out there and make sure he doesn't know I'm here."

Adrien shifted closer, a lopsided smile on his lips. She was adorable. "Why?"

"Because I broke in yesterday," Marinette whispered feverishly. "I didn't want to trouble Nino, so I might have created a key to your apartment and sneaked in."

Adrien chuckled, pulling his girlfriend closer. "Want to bet he already knows?"

"No, he doesn't!"

"If you're stalling because you're trying to hide Marinette, please, stop and get out here," Nino yelled. "It's kind of urgent."

"See?" Adrien chuckled. "Nino isn't my guard for no reason. He might not be perfect but he's really good at his job."

Marinette pouted and dove further under the comforter. "Good for you."

Adrien laughed. Leaning closer, he kissed the side of Marinette's head. "I'll be right back."

***

"So what's so urgent you had to drag me away from Marinette?"

"Your father." Nino pushed Adrien's cell phone into his hands as soon as he closed the door to his bedroom behind himself. "He's been trying to reach you since yesterday evening. I figured you needed a moment to yourself before you would want to talk to him, but he took Max in for questioning, so you'd better contact him. You know what he's like when he wants something, and he sounds desperate in his voicemails."

Adrien let out a sigh. With everything that was going on, contacting his father was the last thing he wanted to do right now. Or perhaps it was a habit by now: avoid engaging more than necessary unless he wanted to get more orders. Though logically that shouldn't be an issue anymore—Marinette had freed him from that burden. And there was a good reason for them to finally talk: his mother and their miraculouses.

"Thanks, Nino. I'll call him right away."

Nino nodded and vanished. Adrien slipped back into his bedroom, climbed into his bed, and cuddled up to Marinette.

Free of his bounds or not, he wanted her by his side when he'd speak to his father again. Because after the events of yesterday, he had little strength left to hold back and be the perfect son his father had expected him to be.

No.

Right now, Adrien was anything but perfect. He had too many questions, and too many feelings raging inside of him; he was still too angry about the whole situation. So many things they had to discuss, he wouldn’t even know where to start. Adrien needed more time to compose himself and gather his thoughts before he could face his father again. The extra time that his father wasn't willing to grant him.

Marinette wrapped her arms around him, laying her head on his chest. "So what was so urgent?"

"I have to call my father."

A silent 'Oh' slipped Marinette's lips. Her hold on him tightened. "Do you?"

Adrien slightly nodded. "He's been trying to reach me since yesterday. Nino's been blocking him to let us rest, but he took one of our friends in for questioning."

"That doesn't sound that good. Will he… you know—"

Adrien shook his head. "Father knows Max is my friend. He won't hurt him. But since he doesn't have his powers to get the info out of him by akumatization, this kind of worries me."

Adrien shifted his gaze to Marinette, a smile sneaking onto his lips. "I don't have a lot of people I care about and the last thing I want to do is to create problems for them. Father knows that, so this is his way of luring me out. Nothing more." He paused, leaning to rest his forehead against Marinette's, then continued in a whisper. "And it's not like I don't want to talk to him as well. We have… a lot to discuss. I just hoped I would have more time before I needed to contact him."

With a soft smile, Marinette reached out and lightly stroked his cheek. "You can do it, Adrien. You're free of him now."

"Thanks to you." Adrien leaned into her touch, closing his eyes. "Will you stay with me while I call?"

"If you want me to."

He covered her hand with his, pressing it closer to his cheek. "I need you to stay. We're a team. We do everything together. Even calling my father. Please, stay."

"Then I'm not moving from this place."

"Thank you."

Tilting his head slightly, Adrien kissed the inside of Marinette's hand and pulled away reluctantly. Sitting up, he leaned against the headboard. Marinette cuddled against his side, wrapping her arms around his middle. He fiddled with his cell phone for another few seconds before dialling his father's number.

"Adrien?" Gabriel's voice sounded frantic, somewhat pleading. "Adrien, son, please, tell me you're okay? Did she do anything to you? Adrien?"

Adrien quirked an eyebrow. Well, this was new. Father was concerned about him?

"I'm fine, Father. Don't worry."

There was a sigh of relief on the other side, then Gabriel continued, "Did you get your mother's miraculous? Lila had it on her. Your mother's and mine."

"I have them both."

"Good." Gabriel exhaled. "You need to bring them here as soon as you can, Adrien. Your mother can't recover without Duusu, and with how long it took us to get it back—"

"Us?" Adrien interrupted, his composure finally cracking. "Father, I wasn't even aware my mother's miraculous was stolen," he gritted through his teeth. "Why didn't you tell me? I'm not a stranger or incapable. I could've helped you look for it. This whole thing could've been avoided if you only trusted me enough."

"It's not about my trust in you," Gabriel replied. "You know I trust you, Adrien. But I had to be extra careful. If too many people were looking for it, we could've spooked the thief and lost the miraculous forever. Along with your mother."

"So you just decided it was better to search for it by yourself?"

"I wasn't alone. Nathalie was helping me. And we found the thief. It wasn't for nothing."

"Wasn't for nothing?" Adrien snarled. "Father, you ended up losing your miraculous to her as well! You left me to deal with this alone, without even informing me that 'this' was a thing! How did you expect me to help you?"

Gabriel sighed and took a moment before he answered. "It was either me giving her my miraculous or watching her break the peacock brooch in front of me. Would you rather have me allow her to kill your mother or lose a battle and let you win the war?"

"I didn't know there was a war!" Adrien cried out. "How was I supposed to win it?"

"I believe I gave you enough clues, Adrien," Gabriel stated. "You knew something was wrong, don't tell me you didn't. You knew the moment I tried to force that scam of marriage on you. Or when I mentioned the Italian alliance we already have. You knew something was wrong. I saw it on your face. And the fact that I haven't even tried to contact you for several months? I'm not the best of fathers, but I'm not a heartless monster either."

"I would have appreciated a bit more detail," Adrien huffed after a moment's consideration. "I almost lost everything I have because of this whole mess."

"I did lose everything," Gabriel snapped. "Well, almost. You were safe for the time being, but even that was in jeopardy."

"You could have reached out to Master Fu."

"And led her straight to all the other miraculouses?"

Adrien pressed his lips together. As much as he hated to admit it, perhaps his father had a point. The last thing they needed was for Lila to find out about Master Fu and all the other miraculouses.

"Adrien, look," Gabriel broke the silence. "I'm sorry I didn't include you in the initial search. I did what I thought was best for everyone at the moment, but I can see now that, perhaps, I was wrong."

Well… Um… That was also new. His father never apologized. And to Adrien of all people?

"However, once that sleaze got her hands on my miraculous as well, it was too dangerous for me to involve you any more directly than I already had," Gabriel added. "You must understand that, don't you?"

He could see where Gabriel was coming from. Didn't mean Adrien liked it.

Gabriel continued, "So, can we put this aside for now and focus on getting your mother back to life? She needs her miraculous, now. Come home, Adrien. Your mother needs you."

Adrien sighed. As unusual as it was to hear his father apologize, perhaps he shouldn't be too surprised—Gabriel Agreste was infamous for loving his Queen so much he would move mountains for her. A half-hearted apology to get his son to bring her miraculous back home was nothing he wasn't willing to do.

Still, Adrien couldn't help but retaliate, "You do realize I'm not under your control anymore?"

"I'm not ordering, Adrien. I'm begging," Gabriel said. "She's your mother. You just yelled at me for not letting you help. What's stopping you now?"

Adrien sighed. As much as he didn't want to go back home just yet, Father was right—he should. His mother did need him. He was angry at his father for not letting him help her in the first place. Why would he hesitate now that the solution was, literally, in his hands?

His eyes shifted to Marinette. Her smile was loving, her gaze full of support. With her by his side, he could do anything. "I'll come home by the end of the day. Call for Master Fu in case we'll need help, and let Max go. He didn't do anything."

His father sounded relieved. "Thank you."

"I'll see you later, Father."

"See you soon, Adrien."

Ending the call, Adrien slumped against the pillows, closing his eyes. His hand searched for Marinette's, grasping at it for support. "I have to go back. We'll try to bring Mom back."

"Alright." She squeezed his hand in hers, pressing her lips to his skin in a chaste kiss. "Do you mind if we stop by the bakery first? I'd like to change and pack a few things. It won't take long."

Somehow, he wasn't even surprised. He still had to ask, "You want to come with me?"

Marinette nodded. "Of course. You might need my help. Master Fu did say I was better than any doctor, didn't he?"

Her grin was endearing, her smile—intoxicating. Adrien couldn't help but pull Marinette into a hug, grasping at her as if his life depended on it. He'd known her his whole life. He’d loved her just as long. They've been through a lot together. He didn't think he could love her any more than he already did, and yet… the feverish beating in his chest, the tears gathering at the brim of his eyes, that tender fluttering in his stomach… they all were proving him very wrong.

Adrien squeezed harder, bringing Marinette even closer.

"I love you," he whispered against the flushed skin of her shoulder.

"I love you so much," he breathed out, in his heart, vowing once more to spend his life making sure this woman knew how beautiful she was, inside and out, how hopelessly in love he was with her, how hard he'd fight to keep her safe and healthy and in his life.

***

Nothing had changed in the scenery of the palace. Those same impenetrable walls, the same faceless people roaming around, the same feeling of loneliness and isolation lurking behind the windows. Adrien held onto Marinette's hand harder.

The scenery was the same, but his life wasn't.

He had his Lady by his side. He was free of his father's binds. He was about to get his mother back… so why was he feeling so uneasy? Why did his stomach tighten at the mere thought of their car stopping at the front entrance of his home in a few minutes? Why was he—

"Oh! I can see Master Fu!" Marinette beamed, looking through the window. "Is that your father? He looks like your father. But I’ve only seen him on TV or in pictures so, you know, I might be mistaken because, you know, I'm sure His Majesty has doubles or something to stand in his place, so he might have sent a double to meet us. He wouldn't do something like that to you, would he? It's so beautiful here, though! You'll have to show me around later."

Adrien chuckled, stirring out of his anxious bubble. His guilt and his mistakes might haunt him all they wanted, but there was no doubt in his mind—with Marinette by his side, he would be alright.

"Father has a few doubles," he answered, glancing at the figures at the grand staircase of the main entrance. "But that is him, don't worry."

"Of course it's him." The corners of Marinette's smile trembled more with each passing second. "The real deal. The King himself, right? As in the Sovereign of France? His Royal Majesty Gabriel Agreste, right?"

Adrien muffled another chuckle. "He's just a man like you and me, regardless of his position in society. Don't be nervous."

"I'm not nervous!" Marinette squeaked.

Adrien quirked an eyebrow.

"Okay, fine. I might be a little nervous." Marinette sighed, slumping into her seat. "But you can't blame me. He's a father to you. To me, he's the king of my country, someone I’ve only seen on TV and in newspapers before, someone you don't just stroll over to and say 'Hello! My name is Marinette and I'm your son's girlfriend. Please, like me, won't you?'"

Adrien laughed, all traces of his previous worries disappearing like snow in the middle of July somewhere in a tropical belt.

"Not funny," Marinette huffed, her lips curling in an adorable pout.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, bringing her hand to his lips. She was adorable. His miracle. His Marinette.

"You'll do great." He brushed his lips against the top of her knuckles in a tender kiss. "He'll like you. I'm sure of it."

"Promise?" She searched his face for the hope she didn't need.

"You're about to give the man his wife back. There is nothing you can do that will make him dislike you after that."

Her lips melted in a smile, eyes softening.

Adrien leaned down. Maybe he could steal another kiss or two before—

The car's doors opened on either side of them, two of the palace's employees standing ready to help them out.

Adrien muffled a groan. Seemed like kissing his girlfriend senseless would have to wait. Instead, he squeezed her hand one last time, mouthed I Love You, and, plastering a smile on his face, turned to the man by his door. "Hello, Jaque."

"Welcome home, Your Highness."

Forgetting any further niceties, Adrien hopped out on his side and quickly got on the other to help Marinette out.

She looked a little less than terrified. "Adrien, wait. I forgot to ask: do I curtsy? When do I curtsy? When do I speak? Do I speak at all? What do I do???"

Suppressing a chuckle, Adrien offered her his hand and pulled her out of the car. "Just be yourself, Marinette. Don't worry about the rules for now."

She hesitantly nodded and followed him to a grand staircase on which two men, surrounded by a small army of servants, stood in the middle.

"Father. Master Fu." Adrien nodded his head slightly.

The men followed his suit, Master Fu turning to Marinette right after. "It's very nice to see you again, Marinette. I sense a change in you. Perhaps, after this all is done and over with, you can humour me with a cup of tea and a story?"

"Absolutely." Marinette managed a smile, her voice still faltering a bit. She cleared her throat and added, "It's very nice to see you again as well, Master Fu."

"Adrien?" Gabriel spoke impatiently, standing tall and proud in his place. "Will you introduce us?"

"Of course." Adrien stirred. "Marinette, you've already met Master Fu. And this,"—he motioned to Gabriel— "this is my father, His Majesty the King of France Gabriel Agreste. Master Fu, Father, this is my girlfriend, Marinette Dupain-Cheng."

Master Fu smiled.

Gabriel slightly nodded his head. "Nice to meet you, Mlle Dupain-Cheng. I hope the trip was to your satisfaction?"

Adrien could feel every muscle in Marinette's body stiffen as her lips stretched in a tense smile. "Nice to meet you, Your Majesty. And yes, the journey was satisfactory. Very much so—um… Thank you for asking."

"Glad to hear it." Gabriel nodded again. "My secretary will show you to your room so you can rest and recuperate after the trip." Turning to Adrien, he added. "I'd like you to follow me straight away."

"Of course." Adrien didn't want to delay getting his mother back as well. "But Marinette's coming with us. We might need her help."

Marinette stiffened even more as Gabriel looked at her, shifting his gaze to Master Fu right after.

Master Fu cleared his throat, getting ready to depart. "Adrien is right. I've seen Mlle Dupain-Cheng at work. We will benefit from her presence."

Gabriel looked at Marinette again.

A moment passed. Maybe two.

He deeply inhaled and closed his eyes for a fraction of a second. "Alright. Shall we go then? The Queen is waiting."

***

The room felt just as still as ever. Mother lay peacefully in her slumber, just like the day he'd left. Sunlight filtered through the white, sheer curtains, softly dancing with the breeze sneaking into the room, only the faint chirping of the birds outside the windows and the sounds of their footsteps filling the space.

Gabriel turned to Adrien as soon as the door behind the four of them closed. "Your mother's miraculous?"

Adrien pulled the peacock brooch from the inside pocket of his jacket and handed it over to his father without a word. His eyes were glued to his mother. She was the warmth that helped him get through his life-long imprisonment. She was his friend. His confidant. Someone he missed dearly. More than he’d realized until he looked at her peaceful features again.

"Thank you." Gabriel pinned the brooch to his wife's blouse.

The brooch glowed and burst with lights. Duusu, his mother's kwami, zoomed out of it right after.

"Emilie!" The little peacock yelped and immediately vanished inside his wielder's body.

Emilie gasped for air. Her eyebrows furrowed, her nose scrunched, her fingertips twitched.

Gabriel grabbed at her hand, his eyes glued to her face. "Emilie?"

She didn't respond, instead grimacing even more, like she was having a nightmare or was stuck in a dream she couldn't escape from.

Master Fu took Emilie's other hand and closed his eyes. He remained silent for a few moments, before sighing. "Duusu is working hard, but they've been ripped apart rather violently and have been separated for too long. It'll take some time." Opening his eyes, he looked at Marinette. "Unless you can give them a boost."

Marinette glanced at Adrien as if asking for permission. He nodded, squeezing her hand in his before letting go.

She shifted her eyes to his father. The man hesitated for a fraction of a second, then stood aside. "I would be most grateful if you could help us, Mlle. Dupain-Cheng."

Marinette swallowed and took a step closer. "I'll try my best. However, since I'm not very skilled with my magic on my own yet, perhaps Master Fu can assist me. Like the last time, with Adrien."

Said man chuckled and shook his head. "I'm honoured you'd consider me, but I believe you have a far greater ally now than an old man like myself. Tikki will do a much better job than I ever could."

Adrien's heart raced as he scanned the room, searching for the kwamis. In all the havoc of the last two days, he'd all but forgotten about his. Not that it was hard to do, seeing as Plagg fled to Marinette—or rather Tikki—as soon as Chat Blanc vanished and was yet to reappear.

"Of course." Marinette reached for her purse, nodding. "But if I may, I'd like to transform. I'm still learning and would need Tikki's help if I'm to be of any assistance."

"Feel free to do whatever you need," Master Fu said.

Gabriel simply nodded.

Marinette opened her purse and called for Tikki.

Instead, Plagg's loud huffing filled the space. "Tikki's busy. She's not available."

Adrien closed his eyes, suppressing a chuckle. One day apart. And not for the first time, at that. How did he manage to miss the stinker already?

"Plagg, let me go!" A different voice sounded from Marinette's purse, a small ladybug kwami flying out a moment later with Plagg clinging to her middle. She nervously smiled at her wielder, trying to shrug the kwami of destruction off herself. "How can I help you, Marinette?"

"We need to help the queen," Marinette said, motioning to the bed.

Tikki looked at the sleeping woman, tilting her head to the side. She carefully observed her for a few heartbeats, then nodded. "Alright. We can do that."

"Traitor," Plagg grumbled and hid in Adrien's collar.

Adrien couldn't help but pet the kwami. "Happy to see you again, Plagg."

"Well, I didn't miss you at all," the kwami huffed, snuggling to Adrien's neck, a low purr rumbling against his skin. "Subject me to akumatization again and I'm moving out permanently."

"Sounds fair," Adrien gave him an under-chin scratch and turned his attention back to Marinette.

She had already called for her transformation, a pink glow washing over her body. Adrien breathed in, a lop-sided smile stretching on his lips. He would never be able to get used to this. His heart pounded erratically, heat spreading over his face.

Marinette was always exceptionally beautiful, but as Ladybug, she was gorgeous beyond all words.

As if feeling his gaze, she looked his way. Her lips parted, a light blush bloomed on her cheeks, but before she could say anything, Master Fu called her name.

"This way, my dear."

Ladybug nodded and took the man's place by the bed of the sleeping queen. She glanced at Adrien one last time, then, placed her hand on Emilie's head and closed her eyes.

The spots on her suit glowed.

The room grew silent, only the faint sounds of the city below filtering through an open window. A faint shimmering flowed from under Ladybug's hands and spread all over Emilie's skin.

Adrien could scarcely breathe. His heart, loud as thunder, echoed in his ears.

Here it was. The moment he'd been waiting for for months, given to him by the one he loved. He swallowed, looking at Ladybug's face, calm and collected, with a little frown in between her eyebrows.

Gorgeous.

So powerful.

"Brain damage," Ladybug whispered, breaking his train of thought. "Minor dehydration and weakened muscles, but nothing too serious. A broken bond between a wielder and their kwami. Duusu's almost done fixing that as well."

Adrien's eyes widened as his mother's whole body began to glow, slightly trembling. The moment Ladybug took her hands off, the woman sucked in the air and opened her eyes.

"Emilie?" Gabriel grabbed at his wife's hand. "Emilie, can you hear me?"

Her lips parted, a frown creased her face. Emilie Agreste took a deep breath in and rasped, "Gabriel?"

"Emilie!" The king frantically pulled his wife to himself. "How are you feeling? Do you hurt anywhere? Do you need anything? We've arrested that traitor. She'll rot in prison until the end of her days."

Adrien was barely holding his tears back. His mother's voice was weak and shaky, but it warmed his heart like nothing else ever could. Her eyes, almost identical to his own, were frantically scanning the room, bewildered and disoriented, but they were finally open after he'd shamelessly lost almost all hope of ever seeing them again.

"Mom?" Adrien stepped closer, his voice trembling. Without a second thought, he’d kneeled by her bed, grabbing onto her hand. "How are you feeling, mom?"

"My love," Emilie whispered, her gaze finally focused on Gabriel, soft and gentle. She turned to Adrien next, squeezing his hand tight. "My son, darling. I could hear everything you told me. Did you find her? Did you find your Ladybug?"

Swallowing the knot in his throat, Adrien nodded and standing up, pulled Ladybug to his side. "Mom, meet Marinette. My Ladybug."

His mother's gaze shifted to his girlfriend. She smiled. "If I trust what I've felt just now, can I assume that I have you to thank for my recovery?"

"Not at all, Your Majesty." Ladybug shook her head. "Your kwami did the main job. I merely helped."

"Duusu?" Emilie shifted and tried to sit up.

Gabriel rushed to help her. "Careful, Emilie. You need to get your strength back."

"I feel amazing," Emilie replied. "Where's Duusu?"

"Finishing his job," Master Fu spoke, coming closer. "This young lady boosted him enough to get you healed faster, but there is a bond to restore, without which you won't be able to access his magic. That part, only Duusu can do. He'll manifest once the damage has been repaired."

"I apologize for the intrusion." His father's secretary, Nathalie Sancoeur, slipped into the room. "The royal physician is here as you requested, Your Majesty."

Emilie frowned. "Gabriel, I don't—"

"It's just a precaution," the man replied. "You were in a coma for months. I just want to make sure everything is fine."

"Father," Adrien stepped in. "With all due respect, Marinette healed me once too and she did an incredible job. There is nothing to worry about."

Ladybug quietly grabbed at his sleeve. "Last time, I had Master Fu's help. I don't think it's unreasonable to get checked. Especially, since I'm still just learning."

Gabriel raised an eyebrow approvingly, turning to Adrien. "Why don't you show Mlle Dupain-Cheng around for half an hour or so? We should be done by then."

Adrien glanced at his girlfriend. She was looking at him anxiously, slightly nibbling on her lip. His gaze shifted to his mother.

She softly smiled in return. "Do give us a few minutes, darling. I'll call for you as soon as we're done."

"Alright." Adrien gave in, taking Ladybug's hand. "There is one place I'd like to show you, My Lady. Shall we?"

Ladybug's face lit up. She followed him out into the hallway with a smile, but as soon as the door behind them closed, her shoulders slumped and she let out a sigh. "I survived."

Adrien chuckled, pulling her to his chest. She did so much more than just survive this awkward "meet the parents" thing.

She gave him his mother back.

And here he thought he couldn't love her any more than he'd already done. He didn’t deserve her. Not after he’d almost—

Adrien shook his head.

No! Not now.

His guilt was lighter, but it was still there; his distress—smaller, but it hadn’t vanished overnight. He would deal with both of them later, though. Right now, he had more important things to attend to. He had to become stronger. He must if he wanted to protect his loved ones. And neither of those things would be happening if he were to mope around about his mistakes, instead of learning his lessons, growing from them, and moving on.

His eyes prickled with tears, his chest filling with warmth. Adrien closed his eyes and hid his face in the crook of Ladybug's neck, tightening his hold on her.

This woman.

This amazing, phenomenal girl.

Meeting her had changed his life. She broke the shackles his father kept him in. She healed his mother when all hope was almost gone. She saved him when he'd fallen, protecting the whole country, if not the world, in the process. She was his best friend. She was his lover. His support and inspiration and he'd be damned if he didn't spend the rest of his life ensuring she knew how wonderful and beautiful and loved she was.

"Adrien?" Ladybug whispered, hugging him back. "Is everything okay?"

He nodded, swallowing down the thickness in his throat. "I'm just… Thank you. Thank you so much. For everything."

The space around them brightened with her smile. His heart raced, a pleasant tingling rushing down his body as she cupped his face and kissed his cheek. "I didn't do much, but you're welcome."

"Before you murder me with this lovey-dovey crap," Plagg zoomed out of Adrien's collar with an expression of absolute disgust on his face. "Can I have my Sugar Cube back?"

"Sure." Ladybug chuckled, releasing her transformation. Plagg didn't wait around, grabbing Tikki as soon as she was out of the earrings and vanishing with her in his arms in Marinette's purse.

"So?" Marinette turned to Adrien before he could say a word. "You said you have someplace to show me?"

A corner of Adrien's lips tugged in a smile. She was right once again. They should leave the continuation of this conversation for later when they were alone and in private. After all, they were expected to return before his parents in about half an hour. They should look presentable enough for that. And he was already looking at her lips. She might have noticed that.

"This way, My Lady." Adrien motioned ahead of himself and taking Marinette's hand, led her straight to the most beautiful spot at the castle—his bedroom's balcony.

***

"Wow!" Marinette grabbed at the railing as soon as they arrived. "That's your bedroom's view?"

Adrien proudly smirked. His parents did essentially imprison him at the palace, but they also did try to make it a bit more bearable by giving him the biggest quarters with the most amazing views. Particularly, from this side of his apartment, one was able to see almost the entirety of Paris, the Seine, and the Eiffel Tower. And on a sunny day like today, the view was beyond spectacular.

"You like it?" He stood beside Marinette, watching her as she took in the scenery.

She grinned, her eyes sparkling. "I love it!"

Adrien couldn't help a smile himself, trying to memorize this moment. She was so beautiful. What would he have given to see her here, like this, every day, watching the sunset and meeting the sunrise with him…

Adrien's heart skipped a beat.

He looked into his bedroom, quickly scanning the room. There it was—his luggage beside his wardrobe, brought up here by the staff but not unpacked yet.

Adrien glanced back at Marinette, his breathing slowing. Perhaps, he was jumping the gun, but somehow, it felt long overdue.

"Do you want anything to eat or drink?" He tried to give her as gentle of a smile as he could muster at a moment, rubbing the back of his neck at the same time.

Marinette shook her head, her eyes glued to the scenery. "Maybe later. I'm still too nervous to eat anything."

"Then, I'll get myself a glass of water," Adrien's smile turned a quivering grin as he stepped away and headed straight for the bag he kept his most valuable items in.

The black, velvet box he'd brought to Dupont but never used was right where he'd packed it. Adrien took it out and opened—

"Adrien?" His father's voice sounded from behind the door alongside a knock. "May I come in?"

Adrien groaned, closing his eyes for a moment, then stuffed the box in his pocket and headed for the door.

"Father?" His smile was polite and calm. He was good at those. "Did the physician finish already?"

Gabriel shook his head. "Not yet. Can I talk to your Ladybug?"

Adrien quirked an eyebrow. "About?"

"Your mother insisted I thank her properly," Gabriel explained. "And you know how she—"

"Adrien?" Marinette sounded like she was about to be right behind him. "Can I get some—Oh! Your Majesty."

His father didn't wait for permission, stepping into the room. "I apologize for the intrusion, Mlle Dupain-Cheng, but the Queen insis—I mean, my wife and I, we both wanted to thank you for the help you've provided to us and our son. As a token of our appreciation, we'd like to grant you any wish you may desire, in reasonable bounds, of course."

Adrien could hardly suppress a smirk. This was a rare sight. His father was not a very generous man, and he rarely expressed gratitude. He was, however, a husband who worshiped the ground his wife walked on, and he did always express his gratitude or affection in the form of a gift. If Adrien had to guess—his father being here and offering his gratitude to Marinette was his mother's condition for getting checked by a physician…a situation which Adrien, perhaps, could have a little fun with as well. Get a little retribution for years of obeying this man's every word.

"I… well," Marinette stumbled over her words, looking at Adrien with a pleading expression. "I'm not sure—"

"Let Marinette think about it for a few minutes," Adrien helped her out. Then, crossed his arms over his chest and watched his father carefully. "Meanwhile, don't you think I deserve your thanks as well?"

Gabriel quirked an eyebrow. "For saving your own mother?"

"For retrieving your miraculous." Adrien pulled the brooch out of his breast pocket. "Unless you don't want it back?"

Gabriel pressed his lips into a thin line. Stretching his hand out, he mumbled, "Fine. I thank you for getting Nooroo back."

Adrien cocked his head to the side. "So do I get a wish as well?"

"If you must, but I fail to see why you'll need me to grant you one," Gabriel scoffed. "You are more than capable of getting anything you want."

"After my graduation, I want to take a year off to travel the world," Adrien stated, withholding returning the butterfly miraculous to its owner. "With Marinette, if she'd like to go with me. And after I return, we're not keeping me a secret anymore. I'm done being a prisoner in my own home."

Gabriel slowly nodded, his lips white from the pressure he'd been putting on them. "You're an adult already. You know what you're doing. Now, can I have my miraculous back?"

Adrien put the brooch into Gabriel's hand. It burst into flames, a little purple butterfly zooming out of the jewel.

"Master!" The kwami yelped and bowed its little head. "I'm glad your plan worked."

The corner of Gabriel's lips twitched in a barely-there smile. He composed himself a moment later and cleared his throat. "Of course, it worked. Now, if you don't mind, I might not have collapsed as my wife did, but my heart and my stomach have been giving me quite a headache."

"Understood." Nooroo bowed again and disappeared into Gabriel's chest.

Gabriel closed his eyes for a brief moment, sighing in relief. Then, turned to Marinette with a smile on his face. "Now, let me know what you wish for, Mlle Dupain-Cheng."

Marinette glanced at Adrien before shifting her gaze back to Gabriel. "I appreciate the offer, Your Majesty, but I don't need—"

"Mother won't let him off the hook if he doesn't compensate you somehow," Adrien whispered into her ear. "Just ask for anything. You deserved it. And it's not like he'll go broke even if you'll ask for half of Paris."

Marinette swallowed, glancing at Adrien, her eyes full of uncertainty. He nodded, slightly smiling.

"Okay." Marinette straightened and looked back at Gabriel. "In that case, can you assist my parents in relocating their bakery to Paris?"

"Hey! That's not fair!" Adrien protested. "I was supposed to do that."

"You'll be busy finishing your studies and travelling the world, won't you?" Gabriel raised an eyebrow, a satisfied smirk on his face. Addressing Marinette, he slightly bowed. "They shall have the best building in the best location, equipped with the latest technology. Anything else?"

"That'll be all. Thank you." Marinette said quietly.

Gabriel hummed, nodding slightly. Glancing at Adrien he added. "I'll get Nathalie to start on that straight away. A bakery and a year-long, world-round trip for two. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must depart. The physician should be done with checking on the Queen by now."

He was gone as fast as he'd appeared.

"That was a bit awkward." Marinette let out a shaky breath. "Is this normal for you?"

Adrien chuckled, pulling her to himself. "Pretty much. Father is a very busy person, so to compensate for his absence, he would give me gifts. Inside castle walls, that is."

His mind wandered to the past. As a young boy, Adrien didn't mind his father's ways that much. It was sometime around his teenage years when that got old. The day his father sent him an extravagant gift but spent exactly half an hour at his birthday dinner for the third year in a row, Adrien vowed to never be like him and always prioritize his family above anything else.

Marinette wrapped her hands around his chest. "Is that why you asked for the trip?"

Adrien nodded. "I'm sick of being held inside. The last few months in Dupont opened a whole new world to me, and I need to see more. If I am to be a good leader one day, if I want to be better as a man, I have to see the world, I have to experience it myself, not just learn about it from books."

"That's a good reason. You should definitely go."

Adrien looked at Marinette, at her smile, her eyes, the lovely expression she had on her face. "Will you go with me? I want to share this with you. Think of all the inspiration you'll get for your designs while travelling. All the different cultures and places we'd see. You'll have a few fashion lines ready by the end of our trip. So it's not just for pleasure and all. That's education and work as well."

A quiet giggle slipped her lips. "Well, if you put it that way, how can I refuse?"

"You can't." Adrien grinned and leaned down to place a faint kiss on her lips. "You love me too much to stay away from me for a year."

Marinette didn't hold back, retaliating, her lips pressing against the corner of his. "I do love you that much. Perhaps even more."

"Then, we'll depart as soon as both of us graduate." He aimed for her nose.

Marinette squeaked and kissed his jaw. "Sounds reasonable."

"And after we'll come back, we'll—" he pressed his lips to her forehead, stalling. He hadn't asked her yet. They'd gotten distracted and he'd forgotten.

"After we come back, we will what?" Marinette asked, her lips glazing the skin of his neck.

A pleasant shiver ran down his spine. Adrien breathed in, trying to suppress the fluttery feeling in his stomach. Technically, he could back out and come up with something like “go to work” or “party all night”. He could say they'd go public about both his identity and their relationship.

He didn't want either of those things more than he wanted her, though. So, Adrien reached into his pocket and pulled a small black box out, his eyes focused on Marinette.

She tried and failed to muffle a gasp with her hand, taking a step back. Her eyes widened as Adrien dropped to one knee and opened the box.

"Marinette," Adrien said, taking a deep breath in. "I love you. In my dreams or this reality, you're the best thing that has ever happened to me. You're my inspiration, my rock, and my best friend. I dread days without you by my side. You're the most amazing, beautiful, and talented woman I've ever met, and you'll be the best queen France could ever hope for. So, after we come back from our trip, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife, my official princess and the future queen of France?"

He could see the tears in her eyes, could almost hear her heartbeat over the pounding of his own. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, hands slightly trembled.

"Yes," Marinette whispered, barely audible.

"Of course, it's a Yes," she squeaked louder.

"I love you!" She didn't hold back, leaping forward and wrapping her arms around him. Her lips crushed against his just as tears burst from her eyes.

Adrien pulled her closer, letting the box hit the floor after he'd pulled the ring out. Catching a moment between the kisses, he reached for her hand and slipped it on.

"I love you," he whispered. Cradling her face, he brought her back to him, his lips searching hers again.

"If it's a dream, I don't want to wake up," Marinette breathed out.

He couldn't help a joyful chuckle. "You want your whole life to be a dream?"

She kissed his cheek, then kissed his nose. Then, pressed her lips to his. "If it's a dream of you, then yes, absolutely!"

His heart pounding, Adrien swallowed. His hands tingled with need. The urge to love and cherish this woman the way she deserved. Simply kisses wouldn't do. They might not have enough time for something more elaborate, but there were a few things he knew she'd enjoy that were less time-consuming.

He swiftly swooped her in his arms and headed deeper into his bedroom, his lips whispering feverishly against her skin. "Then, dreams of me you shall have, My Lady. Dreams of us, being happy together until the very end. In this reality and when we're asleep."

Marinette giggled, holding tightly onto him. She laid her head against his chest and closed her eyes, a little smile playing on her lips. "Everything I ever wanted. In this reality or when we're asleep."

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#miraculous ladybug #ml au #ml fic #adrinette #ladynoir #love square #adrienette #adrien agreste #marinette dupain-cheng #dreams of you

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