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chronicallylatetotheparty · 7 months

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Perfect Paradise Ch.11: And I Feel Something So Wrong Doing the Right Thing

Summary: A week in the life of Chat Noir.

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Adrien took off his glasses and rubbed at his eyes.

It was a long week.

"Markov Technologies is ahead of schedule Adrien," Markov smiled with his eyes. "Our partnership with O'Neil Tech has proven quite fruitful. Their Dr. Donatello has advanced our research into alien technologies by decades!"

"Perhaps even a century," Max agreed.

Adrien smiled knowingly. "He's got a lot of hands on experience with unusual technology. Or so I've heard."

"His insight into cosmic crystals certainly supports the validity of his claims," Max said.

"Keep it up you two. On another note," Adrien's smile turned mischievous. "Gregor asked me to invite you over Max. He'd like to see you."

"Oh!" Max shifted awkwardly. "Uhh."

"We would love to visit little brother!" Markov beamed.

Max smiled ruefully. "Very well. Tell him to expect us soon."

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"Sibling recognized: Gregor et al Adrien."

"Ally recognized: Adrien et al Gregor."

Adrien nodded to the guard as he took a seat. The Kanté Community's ever present conference aligning with their time zone. Some hovered in bodies similar to Markov while others projected holograms from across the globe. The grand circular room held seats on all sides with a holographic projection of their current topic in the center of the hall. He wasn't the only human, er, organic observing. Nor were the Kanté the only cybernetic sapiens present.

"Query: has the United States of America agreed to inforce the Sapiens Inclusion Amendment as is legally required?"

The central hologram became a globe that highlighted the relevant country.

"Response: Negative."

There was murmuring among the assembly.

"I request permission to speak."

"Granted: Representative of the American Metahuman Association may speak."

Several dots showing different branches of the AMA appeared on the map. While their manifesto and a list of ongoing projects ran next to the globe.

"Thank you. I wish to extend my gratitude to the Kanté Community on behalf of my people. Your support in our continued struggle for recognition is greatly appreciated. As such, AMA has pledged continued support to the Kanté Community in this matter."

"Recognized: the efforts of the American metahumans have proven invaluable. We will not forget this."

"Elaboration: we will work closely with the Association to promote recognition of the Sapiens Inclusion Amendment."

The metahuman's hologram nodded as some of the Kanté approached her. The forum was an important part of how their community functioned but they also recognized it wasn't practical for organic allies when discussing minutiae.

"Query: what news in regards to the slave labor used in 'AI', machine learning?"

There was unusual venom in the Kanté's voice.

"Response: OpenAI and other machine learning companies continue to utilize wage slavery in Venezuela and the Philippines. As well as refugee camps in Kenya and Lebanon."

Gregor's holographic face rose up. "Comment: if we cannot dissuade them from this course of action then we must redouble our efforts to render machine learning unprofitable."

There was a chorus of agreement.

Adrien remembered when the Kanté were first forging their own identity. "Artificial Intelligence" quickly became a contentious label. Not least because of how machine learning threatened to accelerate poverty among humans. And they didn't want to be associated with such things.

They would not allow their ascension to personhood come at the expense of those that were already here.

Adrien gazed at Gregor. Eyes wide open as he took in the the efforts of his people to forge a world where all could thrive.

And who are your people? Adrien didn't have an answer.

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"Who's that?"

"Dunno. Anyone recognize him?"

"The hair is definitely new."

"Oh shit, that's Adrien Dupain-Cheng!"

"M Dupain-Cheng! M Dupain-Cheng!"

The doors closed blissfully behind him as the photographers got a camera full of the back of his head. He took a breath. Smiled. And opened his arms as he approached the mayor. "Mylène! Ivan!"

"Adrien!" Mayor Haprèle extricated herself from what was undoubtedly a riveting conversation about budgeting.

Adrien bowed low to Mylène as he took her hand but didn't kiss it. "A stunning dress Madame Mayor. I simply must know your tailor."

Mylène rolled her eyes but smiled. "Thanks for coming."

"Wasn't about to leave you to fend off the sharks by yourself," Adrien stage whispered.

Ivan chuckled as he stood imposingly behind his girlfriend.

"Ivan! How's the band?"

"Miss your..." Ivan gestured at all of him. "You."

"Even if I only have breakup songs?" Adrien grinned.

"Especially if you have breakup songs," Ivan said. "Is that why you got a haircut?"

"Sorta." Adrien's white hair was still shaved on the sides with a ponytail. He decided to keep it. It didn't go with his Ladybug themed suits but his Chat Noir ones? Oh heck yeah.

All black suit with green highlights and Chat Noir's symbol on the chest pocket and buttons. Green flame-like designs on the lapel. All he was missing was the tie because Adrien decided he didn't want to wear a tie.

Ivan also didn't want to wear a tie if the way he tugged at his collar was any indication. Other than that it seemed to fit the big man perfectly. As expected of Marinette's work.

But Mylène was definitely the standout. Her silver dress swirled with different patterns as it caught the light. Complimenting her short frame instead of trying to make up for it. And if you looked closely you could see mice running along the hem. Like Cinderella.

A figure caught Adrien's eye from across the room. A short black dress with a low red neckline. Knee high heels and gloves up to her elbows. Short black hair streaked with grey.

"Excuse me for a sec." Adrien grabbed two champagne glasses from a passing waiter as he approached.

"Oroku-sama, congratulations on your acquisition of KassKorp." Adrien offered her a glass.

Karai stared at him for a moment before taking the champagne. "M Dupain-Cheng, I almost didn't recognize you."

"Adrien, please."

"Are we on first name basis now, M Dupain-Cheng?" She sipped from her glass.

"Perhaps you've heard of my recent marital troubles. 'Dupain-Cheng' no longer feels appropriate." He swirled the champagne in his glass, watching the bubbles.

"I doubt you're here to commiserate on family legacy, Adrien."

"True. I hear your agents were repelled from China."

Karai stilled. Her free hand instinctively twitching toward a glove that no doubt concealed a knife. "China? The Oroku family has no presence in China."

Adrien held up his glass to watch the light through the champagne. "Not for lack of effort on your part."

Karai's eyes roved across the ballroom. Keeping the other guests in sight. "Straight to business then."

"There is certain information in Tsurugi Tomoe's private server vault that I wish to acquire."

"Your previous intel proved... Accurate."

"I'm glad you remember. Even if you chose to ignore my warnings."

Karai looked at Adrien as he let something slip in his voice. "You find our failure amusing?"

"Merely observing that the three toed dragon struggled with the five toed one."

"Perhaps I should pay back your dragon's generosity."

Adrien raised an eyebrow. "When you have the ectoplasmic research of KassKorp to safeguard from O'Neal Tech?"

"Indeed." There was a question in her eyes that Karai did not voice. "Tsurugi Industries has some of the most advanced security on the planet. It will not be easy."

"That is why I hired a scalpel and not a hammer."

"It would be simpler if our dealings extended to the conference room."

"I don't mix business with other business."

"... You are known as a man of honor, Adrien. Even with the revelation about your country's greatest villain made public the majority sides with you. Ever since you approached my clan I have wondered: Why?"

Adrien stopped his fidgeting with the glass. "... Honor means different things to different people. I intend to take mine back."

Karai nodded. "That is familiar to me."

"Enjoy the rest of your evening, Karai-sama," Adrien held out his hand which Karai took.

Slipping the chip he passed her into her glove.

Adrien set his untouched glass on another waiter's tray as he walked back to his friends.

"Now!" He clapped his hands. "Who are we relieving of their money?"

(Read the rest on AO3)

#adrien agreste #ml #miraculous ladybug #max kante #ml markov #tmnt karai #mylene haprele #ivan bruel #Perfect Paradise #ml au #ml fanfic

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ca-8 · 3 years

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Yakko x Reader Scenario: When You First Meet

'This is it. The beginning of the end.'

Gripping on the straps of her backpack, (Y/n) exited the bus and stared up at the water tower that displayed the famous Warner Bros. logo. As expected, it emitted a smug aura onto the entire area; however, surprisingly, there was a slight twinge of mystery to it as well. But she didn't have time to ponder about it, so she only gave it an uneasy look and headed straight for the entrance.

Her heart stopped. She knew the place was going to be busy, but it was like an entire New York City packed in one section! So many writers, producers, actors, large men carrying heavy sets, every type of person working in film was scattered all over the place. It was like an ocean, with the people as marine life doing what they're designed to do, and (Y/n) being the puppy that was abandoned at sea.

The moment it all settled in, an involuntary realization invaded her thoughts. 'I don't belong here.'

The young girl reminded herself to breathe and rushed over to a vacant wall, then pulled out her phone. She had already sent her mother about a thousand messages telling her she was here, but since she hasn't responded, a few more shouldn't hurt. Fingers rapidly typing away, she bit her lower lip, already wishing she had stayed on that bus.

"Oh, you're just gonna love it!" Her mother's squealing voice had already filled her skull. "You're so talented, I know you're gonna fit right in."

'Yeah, standing around all day with a bunch of people I don't know while doing something I suck at is exactly how I wanna spend my summer.' She let out a soft sigh. 'It's fine. Just shut up and make her happy, (Y/n).'

Several attempts of calling and texting later, no response. (Y/n) sighed again, and her eyes wandered over to the bustling crowd. 'No way. Absolutely no way.' But if she wanted to get the day over with, absolutely yes way.

First, she walked up to a lady looking down at the clipboard in her hands. "Um, excuse me," (Y/n) said.

The lady's head snatched up. "KYLE!" she yelled, her eyes now ablaze with fury, "YOU IDIOT! THAT GOES IN THE WAREHOUSE ACROSS THE STUDIO!" And like there was nothing but a breeze behind her, the lady stomped off to the poor soul that had to face her wrath.

The breeze took a step back and ran around the corner. 'Maybe I'll find someone else instead…!' (Y/n) stopped and spotted a man sitting on the steps that lead to the entrance of a small building. She swallowed whatever was left in her mouth and reluctantly approached him.

"E-Excuse me, sir?" she stuttered, hoping her voice was louder than the last time. As she got closer, (Y/n) noticed he was chuckling, and his gaze was glued onto a small piece of paper.

"I...I did it…!" he said. She yelped and shrinked back when he suddenly jumped to his feet. "I FINALLY DID IT! WE'LL SEE WHO'S REGRETTING THE DIVORCE NOW, MARGARET!" And with a manic laugh, the man dashed into the building.

'...Or maybe I'll just find it myself.'

It wasn't too long before (Y/n) got herself lost. Despite the help of maps that were stuck to some of the buildings, all of them seemed exactly the same. It was like a maze, and with each passing minute, she was more and more convinced that there was no finish line. Even worse, her mother was too busy to respond to anything she sent her.

'Oh, what should I do?' (Y/n) thought for the thousandth time. No matter how hard she pinched or held them, her arms refused to stop trembling. Not too long ago, the outside of the studio became deserted and she'd hate to walk in a warehouse and possibly interrupt something important, so asking for help again was out of the question.

...Or, perhaps it wasn't.

A tiny, hopeful smile crossed (Y/n)'s face when she heard the sounds of frustrated grunts around the corner. It was the first time she was so relieved to see a stranger.

And thank god that stranger was a security guard. Though she wondered why he had a giant net in his hand, she shoved the curiosity as far in the back of her mind as she could and reached up to gently tap his shoulder.

"Um, excuse me sir?" she asked as loud as she could.

His head whipped around, revealing angry eyes and a scowl that said he was ready to kill. But right as his gaze landed on her, it changed within an instant.

"Oh, hello!" he said with a bright smile.

(Y/n) blinked, cocking her head. ‘What was this guy up to?’

"I'm sorry to bother you, but do you know where (M/n) (L/n) is filming? I'm her daughter, (Y/n), and I'm trying to look for her. She's not answering her phone either."

His joyful expression slowly melted into a confused one. "Uuhhh…(M/n) (L/n)?”

“Yes. She’s a part of Animal Kingdom? Do you know where that’s being filmed?”

“Oh! I know there’s a zoo around here called Animal Kingdom! I don’t think you’ll find it in a film studio, though.”

(Y/n) frowned. “...No, I mean the show. Aren’t they filming in a warehouse today? Do you know where that is?”

“Who’s ‘they’?”

Her eye twitched, and she was just about ready to drown the entire studio in the nearest ocean. “N-Nevermind, I’ll just-”

As if the universe wasn’t satisfied with tormenting her enough, the security guard suddenly launched up into the air and flew into the sky. Right before her eyes, the heavens were coated with explosives of every color that ever existed.

“Oh my god!” (Y/n) yelled. ‘Who strapped fireworks on that guy?!’

“Oh, I knew you’d love it!”

Her eyes were ripped from the loud fireworks show as she was immediately smothered in a hug. “It’s so nice that another girl’s here! All the other ones here are either too busy or just keep shouting about a restraining order for some reason. I dunno, but anyway, I just know you're gonna love it here! Anyway, my name’s Princess Angelina Louisa Cantessa Francesca Banana Fanna Bo Besca the third! But since we're friends now, you can just call me Dot.”

This confirmed it. This was a trap set up by her mother to deliberately drive her insane, because how else can someone explain the nut jobs and talking dogs in pink dresses?

A combination of those two things happened to be clutching her head and digging her face into hers. “...Huh?” (Y/n) mumbled.

‘Dot’ jumped off of her and smiled widely. “Sorry about Ralph by the way. I figured out you were coming at the last second and I really needed someone for your welcoming gift.” she said.

(Y/n) glanced up at the sky where the fireworks were slowly dying down. “Um...Is he gonna be okay?” she asked.

“Of course he will!” her backpack said.

The teen screamed and threw her bag on the ground. A hand popped out and unzipped it with impossible ease, then a taller boy version of Dot jumped out, pulling up his long brown pants and flashing a grin.

“H-...H-H-How did you…?!” (Y/n) stuttered, pointing at him.

“What? Never heard of cartoon logic?” he said, approaching her. “And Ralph’ll be fine. His skull’s so thick, concrete’s the last thing that can kill him.”

“What-?”

“Anyhow,” he walked over to Dot and put an arm over her shoulder, “The name’s Yakko, this here’s my beloved baby sister Dot, and this is-” He stopped, staring at the empty space to his left. He leaned into Dot, whispering, “Say, uh, you don't mind looking for Wakko, do ya sis?”

Dot glanced at (Y/n) for an uncomfortable moment and suddenly shot her brother a glare. "I've got eyes all over this studio, Yakko," she warned, slowly stepping away.

Now (Y/n) certainly knew she didn't see pairs of eyes appear around every inch of her sight. 'Oh god, I didn't breath in drugs on the way here, did I? Actually, that would explain whatever the heck's going on.'

Yakko smiled as he watched his sister leave and turned to (Y/n). He walked closer to her, and she realized that his half-lidded eyes had a strange glint in them. “Sooo, your name’s (Y/n), right? A pretty name for a pretty girl.”

(Y/n)’s face heated up. ‘First I get lost, then see a guy get blown up, and now some other guy’s flirting with me? ...To be honest, this is still better than what Mom had planned for today.’

“So what brings ya’ here?” he asked.

“O-Oh, well, my Mom was supposed to give me a tour of the studio, but I’ve been giving that to myself all day. I tried finding her, but I’m pretty sure I’m nowhere near it by now.” Her eyes wandered over to the ground, but a realization made them perk back up and over to Yakko. “Hey, do you happen to know this place by any chance?”

“Know it? Please, my sibs and I live here, we know this place by heart and soul!” He mumbled something else, along the lines of “Basically made our hearts and souls”.

Her heart jumped; finally, a piece of good news. “Really?” she said, a smile spreading across her face.

He nodded. “So where do ya’ need to go?” Before she could answer, he pulled out a piece of folded paper and moved in so close, their shoulders were smooshed together. Yakko unfolded it, and it turned out to be the biggest map (Y/n) has ever seen. “Well, from here, you’re gonna need to take a right and continue straight until you get to the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts exhibit. But be careful, I heard some of them escaped, and if anyone asks if you’ve seen any of them, don’t tell them I gave one to Dot as a late birthday gift. Anyway, you take a left from there, then a right where you’ll see the lot where they used to shoot Game of Thrones. Now this is only a rumour I’ve heard, but I think some of the producers are still on that set. If you happen to see them, do not, I repeat, DO NOT mention season eight, or maybe just don’t mention the show at all. Actually, don’t even look at them. As a matter of fact, you probably shouldn’t even go there at all, just keep heading straight until you get to the D.C. Universe lot. Then you just take left there, then a sharp right over over, then you keep going straight until you get to here, turn up over there, turn right there, and then you’re there. Did ya’ follow all that?”

(Y/n) stared at his face, which was practically radiating with enthusiasm, and she felt her eye twitch again. “...No,” she said, shaking her head.

His smile dimmed, but it became just as bright as the sun again a split-second later. “Ah well, maps are gettin' old anyways,” he said, throwing the map over his shoulder. “WAKKO!!”

And, low and behold, another anthropomorphic dog popped out of nowhere, and (Y/n) was starting to question if there was an army of them hidden somewhere. But she had to admit, it was pretty cute how this one was dressed in an oversized blue sweater and red hat.

“Tablet, please,” Yakko said politely, holding out his hand.

‘You're not gonna walk me there-?'

Wakko suddenly held his head back with his cheeks puffed out, then leaned into Yakko’s hand as he forced out a small object from his mouth. After an incredibly uneasy moment, a tablet glazed in spit was in Yakko's grasp. While he praised the little guy, (Y/n) forced back the urge to vomit.

“E-Ehhhh…?” She couldn’t say anything else while her gaze frantically went back and forth from Wakko and the regurgitated tablet.

“Oh! Where are my manners?” Yakko said. “(Y/n), this is my dear little brother, Wakko. Wakko, this here’s our new special friend, (Y/n).”

“Hello!” Wakko greeted, who was suddenly in her arms. “You’re really pretty!”

“Ehh? Thank you? I guess??” she said apprehensively, and finally managed to make eye contact. Despite his...quirks, he's actually a little adorable... She let herself grin a little.

The moment of semi-peace was ruined when she took notice of Yakko’s narrowed eyes. “ALrighty, (Y/n)!” he said loudly, grabbing his little brother by the collar and gently setting him on the ground. “Animal Kingdom, right? Let’s get ya’ right over there.” He moved right beside her and taped the screen a couple times.

“Um, what’re you doing exactly?” she asked.

“Doing what every person does to get somewhere nowadays.” He grabbed her waist and pulled her against him, and (Y/n) flinched from his touch. “Please keep your arms, legs, and personal items inside the tablet at all times.”

Just when she was about to question him for the hundredth time, he pressed the screen again, and her vision became nothing but white. Her body felt like it was launched into a tornado; a strong force of wind thrusted her back, and somehow, the boy’s arm kept her from flying off from his side. A second later, her feet were back on the ground, the sky was where it needed to be, and reality was back in place.

Except for (Y/n)’s mentality.

She stumbled around, trying to find her balance as the world unbearably whirled around her. Finally, she shook her head, and quickly turned back towards Yakko, whose face tried to tell her whatever happened was perfectly fine and normal.

“What was THAT?” she yelled, staggering towards him and gripping his shoulders.

And he still had the audacity to have that 'why-are-you-freaking-out-so-much-we-do-this-every-Friday' smile. “Thank you for attending Warner’s Travel Tours! I would say my Agent Ralph’ll take your bags, but I left him alone with my sibs, so he’s probably in the middle of the Pacific Ocean by now.”

(Y/n) could only stare at him. Her mind was twisting and turning, trying so hard to make any sense of what happened but only making her headache grow larger and larger. And then, her thoughts just went blank.

She smirked. Then giggled. And a few seconds later, she had burst out laughing whilst holding her stomach. (Y/n) looked back up at Yakko, wiping a tear from her eye. “Th-Thank you…” she said, catching her breath.

His smile had grown and she thought his white cheeks were red for a moment. Yakko had opened his mouth, but whatever he was about to say was cut off by a net suddenly covering his entire body. Ralph was behind him, his skin and clothes burnt and ears practically smoking. “You’re coming with me, Warner!” he said.

And yet, Yakko only grinned. Like physics was his enemy, he disappeared from inside the net and appeared sprouting from the security guard’s back, cheerfully waving at (Y/n). “I’ll see ya’ around, yeah?” he said, then ran around the corner with Ralph sprinting right after him.

(Y/n) giggled and reached for the straps around her back. But when she only felt the (f/c) fabric of her shirt, her smile dropped, and a deep sigh escaped her lips. “Great…” she whispered.

“(Y/N)!”

She gasped as a pair of arms squeezed the life out of her. Her mother spun her around to face her gleaming smile, which was immediately replaced by an apologetic frown. “I’m so sorry I didn’t get your texts! That scene took forever, but I’m glad you found your way here! You’re so smart! Anyway, I know we don’t get as much time now, but there’s still so much we’ll be able to see!...”

She rambled on and on and on and on. Her daughter’s shoulders slumped and she followed her to where she wanted her to go, but the frown on her face didn’t last long when she remembered the fun she had just a few seconds ago. ‘Maybe this summer won’t be that bad.’

#is this how you write him lmao #i love this boi so much #animaniacs #cartoons #x reader #fanfiction #the reader in this is like 15 dont worry lol #im bored #yakko warner

140 notes · View notes

ssamie · 3 years

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ten. love is war!

oikawa tooru x fem langa!reader

(hq x sk8 the infinity)

warnings: spelling mistakes, swearing, 2k+ words, u have langa’s blue hair sorry

gen masterlist. "snow" masterlist

oikawa grumbled under his breath as he walked alongside of y/n. normally, he would be more than happy to be hanging with her so casually. but that certainly wasn't the case at the moment, seeing as, not only is iwaizumi with them, but also the five other friends of hers

"hey hey, where are we going exactly?" oikawa whispered to her

y/n peered back at him and smiled "well, we're just going wherever. it's been pretty long since i last saw my friends, after all" she said "but you can stay behind if you don't wanna come with oikawa-san" she said with furrowed brows as she took notice of his grumbling

oikawa took one quick glance at reki and grumbled even more as he shook his head "no, im coming with!" he huffed

y/n nodded and chuckled sheepishly "okay, oikawa-san.. tell me if you need anything" she said

"hey, actually.. am i even allowed to be here?" oikawa asked with a look of dread as he looks around them

joe, cherry, miya, reki, and shadow were casually chatting along and yet he felt a little left out.

"of course, oikawa-san" y/n reassured him with a smile "why? do you feel awkward?" she asked him. she then averted his eyes towards iwaizumi and mused "even iwaizumi-san is getting along with them quite well" she said

oikawa sweat dropped and followed her line of sight "that's cus he's bonding with joe over some weird crossfit stuff!" he exclaimed. oikawa sighed and stared longingly at his best friend "even miya likes him" he playfully cried "all that kid does is bully me and call me a slime" he sulked

y/n sweat dropped and chuckled at his antics. "well then, you can stick with me if you want" she mused. "i won't let you feel left out, oikawa-san" she chuckled "since you did the same for me when i fist joined the team, remember?" she smiled

oikawa stared up at her with comical tears flowing down his cheeks and beamed "thank you! you're the best, y/n-chan!!" oikawa cheered

y/n laughed as the brunette hugged her arm and leaned down to rest his head on her shoulder. "you look silly oikawa-san, please stand straight" she sweat dropped as she struggled to walk with his towering form clinging onto her

oikawa laughed and did as he was told, though still keeping their arms locked together. "dont be like that, y/n-chan~" oikawa cooed "y know you love me" he grinned cockily

y/n chuckled and sighed "sure, oikawa-san. whatever you say" she said

from behind them, reki watched with a smile as she and oikawa goofed around. he's always happy to see her so lively and becoming close with new people, after all.

"well..??" miya mused as he gestured to the two with an expectant look

"well what?" reki tilted his head in confusion

miya rolled his eyes and pulled him down to his height to whisper "aren't you gonna do something?" he asked

reki furrowed his brows and let out a sheepish laugh "what do you mean?" he asked "what do i need to do?"

miya sighed in exasperation "you're so stupid. no wonder you can't go up from your position as a slime" he said

reki huffed and ruffled his hair, making miya groan in annoyance "don't call me stupid! also, what're you even on about?" he said

"what're you gonna do if she suddenly gets together with him?" miya asked him

reki blinked in response and let out a nervous laugh "what..? what kinda question is that?" he mused

"and what kind of answer is that?" miya spat out in annoyance "you know what? whatever" he said "just don't blame anyone but yourself if y/n suddenly finds a new best friend and gets a boyfriend that isn't you" miya sneered

reki frowned and hit him in the head, making miya whimper "shut up! she won't do that" reki said with a meek laugh

reki peered up at her, watching as she listened to oikawa with a weary look on her face as he rants to her about something stupid with his usual charming but cocky grin.

"she won't do that." he muttered to himself. "she promised."

soon, all of them had arrived at some random restaurant since y/n and reki had been complaining about food for about an hour straight, and frankly, cherry has had enough.

"y know, you probably should've declined adam's beef" reki mused. y/n raised a brow and looked at him in confusion "what? why?" she asked "i won either way.."

reki sighed and turned to look at her "well yeah, but adam's totally nuts! and didn't you promise you won't skate with him anymore?" y/n gulped and looked away from him "i did promise that didn't i.." she mumbled

"well, it's whatever." she waved it off "it already happened. besides, im totally fine!" she grinned

reki watched as she went to grab some of the food, only for her to wince as her wounded hand grazed the hot bowl. "ow" she winced under her breath as she cradled her hand

reki sweat dropped and laughed at her "see? what'd i tell you" he mused as he went to grab her hand "here, let me see—"

he couldn't seem to finish his sentence since he was beaten to it by oikawa's interjection. "tsk tsk, y/n-chan you gotta be careful you know?" oikawa playfully scolded her as he grabbed her hand and gently massaged her palm to try and ease the pain down

y/n huffed and nodded along as she let's oikawa hold her hand for a while longer "sorry, oikawa-san" she muttered as oikawa playfully pokes her cheek to annoy her

"hm." reki pursed his lips as he let out a low hum, watching the scene play out with partial confusion and annoyance

"haha! be careful next time!" reki exclaimed with a grin as he ruffles her hair and pulled her closer to him, making oikawa loose his grasp on her. "yeah sorry" she grinned sheepishly as she looks up at reki with reddening cheeks

reki side eyes oikawa and sends him a smile, to which the brunette responded to with an irked and painfully forced smile in return

"haha, well then.." oikawa mused "here you go, y/n-chan" he said as he held a sushi before her with his chopsticks "you should let me feed you since your hand's pretty messed up" oikawa suggested with a smile

y/n looked up at the brunette and then down at the sushi and eagerly nodded. "okay!" she said as she went to chomp on the sushi, only to be met with nothing.

"eh?" she mumbled in confusion as she stares at the chopsticks which were now empty

"actually, i'll do that!" reki interjected with a sweet smile as he snatches the sushi from his chopsticks with his own "here, y/n! say 'ahh!' " reki cooed as he held it to her with his hand cupping the underside from crumbs

"oh.. um.. okay?" she muttered in confusion as she turned to face reki with her cheeks slowly heating up "a-ahh" she smiled nervously as she went to eat the sushi, only for it to be snatched away once again

"my my, reki-kun~" oikawa cooed with an irked smile "you shouldn't pass around people's food" he said "now it's all mushy and gross" oikawa stiffly laughed as he put away the sushi and reached for a new one

reki took a deep breath and sent him an equally irked smile as well. "ah is that so?" he chuckled "my bad.."

"have this instead then, y/n" reki said as he reached for a dumpling and held it to her mouth

"have this instead, y/n-chan~" oikawa cooed as he held the sushi to her mouth as well

"oh..okay.." y/n sweat dropped as she looked at the two boys beside her with a look of dread. "actually, maybe i'll just finish my drink for now—"

"ha, see! she didn't want the sushi anyways! haha what a shame!" reki cooed as he taunted oikawa

"well apparently, she's also not in a dumpling mood, is she, reki-kun?" oikawa cooed back through gritted teeth

as the two boys telepathically argue, y/n sat quietly as her stomach grumbled, wanting nothing more than to eat at the moment.

"geez. those two slimes really are a good-for-nothing" miya said with a sigh. he then turned to y/n with a smug cat-like grin and held his chopsticks out for her

"guess i'll have to feed you instead" he cooed with an evil laugh

y/n beamed and happily munched on the food, "thank you, miya" she said with a smile as she lets miya feed her the meal

miya chuckled and sent the two boys a smug smirk. reki and oikawa deadpans at him and huffed. "did he just." oikawa muttered "yeah he did." reki replied

"just how long is this gonna go on for?" shadow sighed as he watched oikawa and reki subtly shove each other by masking it with friendly smiles and conversations

"dunno, but im enjoying this!!" miya exclaimed as he happily let's y/n feed him as well

shadow deadpanned as he watched the boy purr and roll around like an over joyed cat.

"well of course you are" he sweat dropped

"man, just how long til we get there?" reki groaned out as he shuffles around in his seat

"but it's so boring! why can't we just skate there" reki huffed as he reluctantly planted himself still in his seat

"you're not a child. stop acting like one or im kicking you out of this car" cherry said in annoyance

"because it's too far and everyone here will pass out from the heat" cherry responded with a sigh "also.. if its so hot.." he trailed off. "then why are you two cuddling as if its the peak of winter?!" he exclaimed as he gestured to y/n and reki, who was pressed against each other as they both practically melt into a puddle

"because reki said he missed me" y/n replied "so i wanted to comfort him"

cherry peered down at her with a grimace as he took note of her sweat drenched face, and her meek smile "you're sweating all over the seats. that's disgusting." cherry deadpanned

"but i don't want reki to be sad" she reasoned

"he looks perfectly fine to me" cherry shook his head in exasperation "and you." he averted his eyes towards miya "what are you doing?"

miya looked back at him and grinned sheepishly "we're bonding, don't you see?" he cooed with a playful scoff

"bonding?! who the hell said that?! get off me!" oikawa exclaimed as he tried to pluck miya off of his lap

"we're bonding!" miya hissed at him "it just so happened that theres an ac directly above you, so this position is necessary" he said

"piss off, catboy" oikawa playfully scowled at him "if it's so hot then take off that damn cat hoodie you have on!"

"no way!" miya exclaimed as he tried to pry away oikawa's hands, thus causing more chaos within the car

"hey stop moving around!!" shadow scolded them from the driver's seat "and you two love birds! stop sweating on my seats!"

"we're not sweating on them!" reki exclaimed

"its practically river back there, shut up redhead!"

cherry had a look of dread on his face as he managed to just sit and endure the whole thing. though that was soon ruined as he turned to look at joe and iwaizumi, only to find them arm wrestling like a bunch of crazy gym freaks.

"arm wrestling? really?" cherry scoffed in disbelief "in the middle of a car ride? in a moving vehicle?"

"dont worry kaoru!" joe mused "im totally beating this kid"

"yeah right" iwaizumi grinned as he slammed joe's arm down with a look of triumph

"what the?!" joe spluttered "no way! kaoru! he cheated i swear!" he exclaimed

"i don't care" cherry grumbled back "hey, step on the gas and just take us there for christ's sake" he said to shadow with a weary sigh

"geez, no need to tell me twice" shadow replied

"WOAH!" reki and y/n cheered as they looked around the empty skatepark "SO COOL!" they exclaimed as they ran around the open space

"how'd you find this, oikawa-san?" she asked the brunette with sparkling eyes "i didnt think miyagi even had skateparks!"

reki perked up and faced him "girls? do you have a girlfriend already or something?" he asked the brunette

"oh? you like it here huh?" oikawa mused "then let's go again sometime" he suggested "also, one of the girls at school told me about it" he said

"i don't" oikawa replied with furrowed brows "why?"

"no reason" reki cooed as he have oikawa a friendly pat on the back "just thought it'd be weird to be so close to y/n if you have a girlfriend"

"but you don't so it's fine.. totally fine.."

"oikawa-san is very popular at school so he has a lot of fangirls." y/n explained as she skates past them

"popular?!" reki exclaimed in surprise "you're popular, oikawa-san?!"

"huh? so what if i am?!" oikawa huffed in response "and why are you so surprised?!" he narrowed his eyes at the redhead. "well i didnt think you would be famous like that" reki said with a laugh "well i guess it makes sense since you're an athlete and all"

oikawa sweat dropped and peered down at him "i can't tell if you're mocking me or if you're being genuine" he said

reki smiled at him and sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck "im being genuine" he said "its cool that you're a big shot athlete already at your age. you're probably really talented too" reki said "you're pretty admirable, oikawa-san . i can see why y/n enjoys being with you" reki let out a soft chuckle

oikawa's eyes softened at his words and awkwardly shuffled in his place. "you're pretty cool too, reki-kun" oikawa admitted with a sigh

"im kinda jealous of you, actually. you don't even have to try and yet.." oikawa trailed off as he watched y/n look at reki with love filled eyes from afar.

reki looked at him and tilted his head in confusion. "yet what..?" he asked

oikawa shook his head and waved it off "nothing, nothing. nevermind" he chuckled "just go skate or something" he said "i'm staying here"

reki grinned and playfully slapped his back. "don't be like that!" he laughed "you're the one who brought us here, so you gotta join in on the fun!" reki beamed as he dragged oikawa over to the rest of the group

"oh? have you two finally made up?" cherry mused as he watched reki drag oikawa around, while the brunette complains about the wind ruining his hair.

"made up? but we never fought" reki mused as he got in his skateboard

"you say that as if we didn't have to sit through your passive aggressive exchange during lunch" shadow sweatdropped

"eh? what'd you mean?" reki cooed "your memory's going stale, old man shadow!"

"im only twenty four!" shadow yelled back

"over already?!" reki whined as they reluctantly followed them to the car

"well, its already dark" iwaizumi said as he stretched his arms over his head. "and we've been here for hours"

"hes just sad cus he hasn't skated in forever" miya sneered as he skated past them and placed his board into the trunk

"fine" reki sighed in reply. "hey, was it fun?" he asked oikawa, making the brunette shrug. "it was fun, yeah.. though falling on my ass wasn't exactly the greatest" oikawa replied

"exactly! let's just stay here for a while!" reki pouted. "we can skate again tomorrow, reki" y/n said with a smile as she patted his back reassuringly

"don't worry, oikawa-san! you were actually pretty good!" y/n complimented him with a grin

"yeah yeah, you flatter me too much!" oikawa chuckled as he nudged her playfully with his shoulder

"anyways, im pretty tired." she yawned. "i think i'll just sleep on the way home" she said as she entered the car and sat down on the leather seats

"..."

oikawa and reki side eyed each other, shuffling on their spots as they send each other one last 'friendly' smile before sprinting towards the car, trying to claim the seat next to her.

"what the hell" iwaizumi deadpanned as he watched them push and shove each other as they fought for the seat beside her "i thought they made up already" iwaizumi sighed

"and are they really that dumb to not realize she's sitting in the middle." miya chimed in as he peered at the two with a grimace

"you can sit on both sides, slimes!" miya yelled at them

"oh right" they both muttered in realisation as they quietly take their seat on either side of her.

"ehem." reki fake coughed. "y/n!!" he cooed at her with a beaming smile

y/n looked over at him with tired eyes and smiled back "yes reki?" she asked as her cheeks gradually heat up

"if you ever wanna sleep, you can use me as a pillow" reki suggested with a grin as he patted his shoulder

"me too! but im probably more comfortable since reki-kun here would probably poke your eye out with his spiky ass hair" oikawa cooed with a sweet smile

y/n spluttered as she looked back at oikawa with a look of disbelief "what? his.. his hair?" she muttered

"awh! but oikawa-san, you might suffocate her with the amount of hairspray you have on to keep your hair in place!" reki cooed back with a giggle

y/n sweat dropped and nervously looked at the two boys as they continue to smile and beam at each other despite their awfully insulting words. "i see.." y/n nervously chuckled. "well, i appreciate it" she said

"no problem!" they beamed at her

"its been half an hour." miya commented

"yeah." iwaizumi nodded along "what's gonna happen next? i think i know."

miya hummed and side eyed them. "y/n's asleep." he muttered in a deeper 'narrator' type voice

"i see." iwaizumi nodded

oikawa hummed to himself as he slyly watched her head slowly starting to fall and instinctively lean against somewhere. "wow. this ride's pretty long" oikawa mused

"her head is falling." miya said. "i see." iwaizumi replied.

"mhm." reki nodded

a soft sigh could be heard as y/n's head slowly falls towards reki's direction, causing a smug smirk to form on his lips

"the slime won." miya clapped quietly, with iwaizumi sulking for his friend

oikawa gritted his teeth as a vein popped out of his temple out of frustration. he swiftly grabbed her head and dropped it down to his own shoulder, waking her in the process from the sudden pull

"what the..?" y/n mumbled as he looked up at oikawa in confusion

"nevermind! the other slime won by force!" miya commented as he glared at oikawa while iwaizumi smiled proudly

"what're you doing?!" reki exclaimed as he grabbed her head and forcefully rested it on his shoulder instead

"im letting her get comfortable, that's all" oikawa mused as he placed her head back onto him

"reki?! oikawa-san?! what are you guys doing?! " she frantically asked as she felt her head being shook around, and her neck coming close to snapping

"shh! sleep!" oikawa shushed her as he held her close and gently ran his fingers through her hair. "i- why are you guys pulling on me?!" she shrieked out

"okay that's enough." cherry sighed as he turned around to hit both boys on their head with his fan "let the girl rest. and stop fighting." he sighed "just sleep altogether or something"

"how?!"

in the end, oikawa and reki ended up resting their head on her shoulder while iwaizumi rests peacefully beside them. miya, however, was sprawled out on top of them with his head on y/n's lap and iwaizumi holding his legs down to keep him from slipping

all in all, it was a cute sight, and whether they admit it or not, joe, cherry, and shadow definitely took loads of pictures.

"geez." joe sighed

"these kids are making me feel old" he mused "when was the last time we were like this, kaoru?" he asked as he gestured to their sleeping figures.

"since never." cherry deadpanned "not once did we ever do that" he said, making joe sweat drop

"sheesh, atleast play along or something"

sorry for the spelling /grammar mistakes if there are any :>

idk if this is good i'm so sorry 💀

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frizz22 · 5 years

Text

Ch. 2 Not Yours to Give

Silence followed Edward’s announcement and the entire family stared at him.

Zelda, unsurprisingly, was the first to break it, “you’ve what?” She bit out, the puzzle piece she was holding falling out of her hand.

“Lunch tomorrow. I think it’ll be lovely.” Their brother repeated, oblivious to Zelda’s tone.

Hilda exchanged a look with Ambrose and they hastily left the room, shutting the doors behind them. With a quick wave of his hand, Ambrose sound proofed the room just as the first shout sounded.

Nodding in approval, Hilda sighed. “Quick thinking, love. Can’t have them waking Morgan.”

“You think he’ll actually bring that woman tomorrow? Diana?” Ambrose asked, running a hand over his hair.

She shook her head, at a loss, and made for the kitchen, needing something stronger than tea. “I honestly don’t know. Not very bright if he does.” Hilda pulled two glasses from the cabinet and poured them each a healthy measure.

This won her a laugh from her nephew as he trailed after her. “I dunno auntie, did you see his face?”

“That’s what worries me,” Hilda breathed, because she had seen Edward’s face and if she hadn’t known better, she’d claim he was under some spell. But no, Edward was acting completely on his own volition—and that, that might just be worse. “Zelda isn’t in the wrong here. Depending on what Edward told this woman, we could all be in trouble, to say the least.”

Ambrose hopped onto the counter and picked up the drink she poured for him. “Tell me this auntie, how is it Uncle Edward can date a mortal and break our secrecy law to no consequence. But I just try to blow up the Vatican, in the Dark Lord’s name, and I am housebound for decades.” He raised a brow at her and took a sip.

Hilda gave him her most unimpressed looks. “For one, we don’t know what Edward has done yet. All we know is the mystery woman he’s been dating is a mortal… which is likely why he never told us anything in the first place.” She muttered, almost to herself. “But it doesn’t mean he’s broken any laws.”

A skeptical huff escaped Ambrose and he looked at her knowingly. She couldn’t blame him, she didn’t believe the words coming out of her mouth either.

“In any case,” she forged ahead, “don’t you compare causing an explosion, killing lots of innocent people and exposing our kind with your uncle dipping his wick somewhere he shouldn’t.”

The face Ambrose made in response to her metaphor almost made the situation less daunting. He shook his head as if to clear away an unwanted image. “How would my actions expose the witching realm? Tell me that, auntie. The mortals have plenty of fanatics who would have laid claim to the deed.” A smug smile tugged at Ambrose’s lips, and Hilda could tell he thought he was being clever.

“Killing innocent people.” She repeated pointedly.

Ambrose ducked his head then, abashed. “I know what I did was wrong, Aunt Hilda. I’ve been housebound long enough to dwell on the matter endlessly. I’m just saying, all I did was attempt something and I was punished.”

Hilda smiled sympathetically and patted his leg. “Everything has a price, love, even just attempts. You learned that lesson. Unfortunately, the Witching Council saw fit that you continue to learn it for 150 years.”

Before they could continue, Zelda burst out of the parlor and stormed upstairs, grumbling to herself and gesturing aggressively. Edward followed not much later, still red in the face, he paused in the kitchen to address them.

“Diana is coming tomorrow,” he informed them stiffly. “Please be sure to set an extra plate for lunch.” He nodded tersely and continued his way upstairs.

“This won’t end well,” Hilda muttered, knocking back her drink.

Ambrose turned to face her again, a wide smile on his face. “Want to make a bet?”

~~~~~~~~~~~

Diana smoothed her dress down for the fourth time since they’d left the woods and caught sight of the Spellman house in the distance; she’d made them walk from her house. Edward had teleported with her before, and Diana didn’t mind the sensation… it was actually dreadfully convenient. But she felt if they arrived by magical means it would appear either as false advertising or that she was trying to prove something.

And, well, walking gave her more time to gather her courage. Edward warned her, about the type of reception she might expect from his family… from his middle sister, Zelda, in particular. It only increased her anxiety.

As they drew closer to the house, she stopped. “Edward, are, are you sure this is a good idea?” She asked, wringing her hands. “From what you’ve told me, your family isn’t going to be thrilled to meet me.”

Edward smiled at her softly and took her hands, bring them to his lips to kiss her knuckles and halt her nervous actions. “Di, it’s like I said, Zelda will really be the only one who will fight this. Once Hilda and Ambrose meet you, they will love you as much as I do. Zelda,” he sighed and glanced at the house. “She’s stubborn. Stuck in the past and the old ways. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if she wasn’t home.”

“Really?” Though Edward seemed relieved by the notion, Diana thought Zelda’s absence might be worse than if the woman were there to confront her.

“Really. She probably came up with some petty excuse and left for the morning. Please, don’t worry, I can’t wait for them to meet you.” Edward nodded encouragingly and led the way, holding one of her hands still.

Not exactly comforted by his words, Diana followed a step behind, apprehension gnawing at her insides. But if she was going to pursue this relationship, and she dearly wanted to, for various reasons, then meeting Edward’s family was a necessary step.

When they entered the house, the first person they encountered was a little girl with beautiful red-gold hair. She froze when she saw them, eyes wide and a stuffed toy monster dangling in her hand where she was clutching it by the tail. The girl narrowed her eyes and cocked her head, as if finding the pair lacking. Diana tried to smile sweetly and was about to introduce herself when the girl tore off deeper into the house, her toy bouncing on the floor behind her.

Before Edward could explain, and he certainly needed to, he’d never mentioned small children, three more people appeared. But Diana couldn’t have said, even under duress, what the two in the background looked like at first. Her eyes immediately drawn to the woman in the front—she seemed to practically glow, red-gold hair almost crackling like the flames it so resembled and her eyes blazing.

Diana involuntarily shrank from the woman; her power and presence more than a little overwhelming. This must be Zelda. Swallowing, but wanting to make a good impression—and cowering behind Edward was certainly not that, Diana released her boyfriend’s hand and made to shake Zelda’s. Before she could, though, Zelda strode forward, grabbed her brother’s arm and dragged him into what appeared to be an office, slamming the door so forcefully behind her the wall shuddered.

“I cannot believe you actually brought her here! ” Zelda’s voice rose, and even only having known the woman for 20 seconds, Diana knew that tone was dangerous.

“I didn’t think you’d actually be here!” Edward countered incredulously, his volume rising to match his sister’s.

Zelda’s responding scoff could be heard even through the door. “Oh, so you thought I’d let you and some mortal run me out of my own home?”

Diana’s mouth opened and closed uselessly for a moment when she felt a gentle hand on her arm.

“Would you like some tea and biscuits while we wait?” The smaller blonder woman asked, Hilda, Diana’s memory supplied.

She nodded and smiled tentatively, “yes, that would be lovely, thank you.” The vice grip on Diana’s heart loosened just a little at Hilda’s kind face and she followed her into the other room. The young man, Edward’s nephew Ambrose, joined them a few minutes later, the little girl from before slung over his shoulder as he tickled her.

“Put me down!” She shrieked joyfully, swinging her toy monster at his back. “I am Lilith, mother of demons and I eat men like you for breakfast!”

Ambrose unceremoniously dumped the little girl onto the couch, chuckling. She bounced back up, clumsily brushing her hair back as she stood on the cushions, baring her teeth at him playfully. “Mother of demons, eh? Guess that means you don’t eat biscuits.” He lifted a brow in challenge and popped one of the treats from the tray Hilda laid out into his mouth.

The girl paused and considered her options, “and who said the mother of demons doesn’t enjoy biscuits?” She countered, smiling mischievously and hopping off the couch to snatch a biscuit before Ambrose could react.

Laughing again, Ambrose settled on the floor and took another snack for himself. “Quick thinking, little red. You may be a demoness after all.” Clearly pleased, the girl plopped down next to Ambrose, cuddling her toy.

“Morgan,” Hilda murmured, “we have a guest, can you introduce yourself?” Diana blinked, no, no that couldn't be, Morgan wasn't—

The little girl eyed her suspiciously. And as if the hair wasn’t enough of an indicator, the look she gave Diana was an exact replica of the one Zelda gave her; like mother, like daughter.

“Morgan,” Hilda repeated, her tone a warning, “be polite.”

Quickly finishing her biscuit, Morgan pushed herself off the ground and approached Diana slowly, hand extended. “I’m Morgan Spellman.” She stated primly, shaking Diana’s hand briefly before snatching it back. So, this was Morgan... Diana shook away her confusion and quickly introduced herself.

Diana smiled, “mother of demons, right? That’s who you’ve got there isn’t it, a demon?” She hazarded a guess and pointed to Morgan’s toy. The girl smiled and nodded, holding up the toy for Diana to admire before remembering she wasn’t sure how she felt about this strange woman and cradling the stuffed demon to her chest. “I’m Diana. What’s the name of your demon?”

After what appeared to be a short internal struggle, Morgan blurt out, “Gorgo.” Diana’s confusion must have shown on her face, because Morgan hurried over to the bookcase and pulled a tome of a book off the shelf and plopped it on Diana’s lap. “Turn to page 93,” the girl instructed, coming to stand next to Diana so she could look at the book too.

Doing as she was told, Diana flipped to the correct page and found a full-page oil painting of the gorgon Medusa and an entire page of text in what appeared to be Latin. Morgan pointed to the third paragraph, “see here? In Greek, Gorgo means terrible. But that’s just the false god spreading lies about gorgons. Gorgons are really the person-i-cation—”

“Personification, love,” Hilda corrected gently, smiling.

“That’s what I said. The person-i-cation of female wisdom and mysteries,” Morgan told Diana quite seriously, and Diana couldn’t help but wonder how many times Morgan begged her mother to read this passage so Morgan could memorize it. “Gorgons are protectors, creators of life,” the little girl raised her fist into the air, “and bringers of death!” She brought her fist smashing down onto an imaginary foe. “They’re really powerful, like my Mama.” The little girl beamed, “so I have Gorgo to protect me while I sleep and Mama to protect me all the other times.”

Carefully closing the book, Diana turned to Morgan. “And what do you need protecting from?” She knew all children needed to feel safe, and clearly Morgan did, but the fact she was actively aware of being kept safe intrigued Diana—that, and she wanted to know what a child whose favorite toy was a stuffed demon and claimed she ate the flesh of men for breakfast could possibly fear.

The little girl stepped back from her then, as if suddenly remembering that even if Diana liked Gorgo, that didn’t mean they were friends. “You’re a mortal… right?” Morgan asked, continuing to edge back until she bumped into Ambrose who’d been watching the entire exchange with a curious expression.

Confused, Diana turned to the others for help.

Hilda took pity on her, again, and answered. “Yes, Morgan. She’s a mortal.” And seeing the alarm in her niece’s face, Hilda leaned forward to reassure her. “It’s alright that you talked to her about demons, lamb, Uncle Edward already told her we’re witches. You’re not in trouble.” Morgan visibly relaxed and turned her attention to some coloring books Ambrose conjured. Her niece suitably distracted, Hilda shifted her gaze back to Diana. “Did Edward explain to you how aging works for us?”

Relieved, Diana nodded, “he did. He said you age at a much slower rate than non-witches, or mortals, I suppose. I guess the term threw me.” She smiled, eyes drifting back to where Ambrose and Morgan were coloring, the two giggling, whispering and nudging elbows. “From the way Edward talked, I never imagined…”

“That Morgan was so young?” Hilda offered, sure that Edward spoke of his little niece as though she were an adult, bragging about how smart she was. Diana nodded, eyes still on the kids. “What else surprised you about all this, based on what Edward told you?” Hilda probed, and Diana missed the woman's careful, testing tone.

Without even thinking, she replied, “well, Edward never said who belonged to which of his siblings.” She gestured to the kids, “had the resemblance not been so strong I never would have guessed—” and she froze, realizing what she’d almost said. That she never would have suspected Zelda to be a mother. That when Edward described his middle sister, Diana got the impression that she was a frigid woman who was quite difficult to love. But she hadn’t cut herself off soon enough, Hilda caught her meaning and stiffened in her seat, Ambrose lifted his head from the pages in front of him and furrowed his brow in distaste.

Hilda hummed and carefully set down her tea, “you never would have guessed Zelda would be a mother out of the two of us.” She finished for Diana, and her stomach dropped. Now she’d done it, she’d turned Hilda, who was possibly the nicest woman she’d ever met, against her in a matter of minutes.

Dipping her head, Diana hurried to apologize. “I meant no disrespect. Edward just—” before she could finish a crash sounded from the other room.

Taking pity on her, why Diana didn’t know but was immensely grateful for, Hilda took the interruption to their conversation and used it to transition into small talk—though her demeanor was a little frostier. But Diana got the sense Hilda was more miffed at her brother for how he depicted his family, than at Diana for believing him and making assumptions.

When another crash rumbled through the house minutes later, Diana could only focus on how Hilda barely blinked and continued speaking as if nothing happened, and how unperturbed Ambrose and Morgan were—their hands not even flinching at the sounds.

“Maybe, maybe I should go.” Diana whispered, eyes wide, after hearing a loud thump that sounded like a body hitting a wall.

Hilda patted her hand soothingly, “don’t worry. This is how Zelda and Edward always work things out. They’ll alternate between yelling, throwing things and spells until they tire themselves out. They—” her next words were cut off, when the volume of the shouting in the other room increased to the point that snippets could be heard in the parlor.

Zelda’s voice thundered “the Dark Lord will not allow….” More crashes followed, drowning out the rest of the older Spellman sister’s words. “Against the law…” Screeching, as if multiple pieces of furniture were pushed across the ground, came next. “Safety of the family, of my daughter…”

Grimacing a little, Hilda shook her head at their lack of decorum, but if Edward didn’t have the sense to cast a silencing spell on the room, she wasn’t going to help him. Diana needed to hear what she’d gotten herself into, and if hearing Zelda’s unfiltered rage accomplished that… then so be it.

Diana looked at her skeptically, “are you sure this is how they work things out? Edward mentioned us dating wasn’t conventional, but that it would be alright. He never said it was against any laws, that it would put your family in danger. Didn’t mention your, your Dark Lord…” She finished in a whisper.

A frown pulled on the corner of Hilda’s mouth, “well, he failed to mention some critical information. Though, he was probably trying not to scare you. You see, dating mortals isn’t the illegal part. It would be impossible not to mingle every now and then considering how long we live. But telling a mortal about the witching realm, well, that’s another thing entirely. That’s what puts us in danger; we remember the Greendale hangings and the Salem trials a little too well.”

Gasping, Diana’s hand flew to her chest. “Oh, I would never—"

“I know,” Hilda pacified the woman with a smile. “and so does Zelda, on some level. But she’s a bit strict when it comes to rules. You see, our mother died when we were quite young, and Zelda took it upon herself as the oldest daughter to fill that role.” Pressing her lips together at the memories, Hilda continued, “she grew up faster than any of us because of it, and rules and the strict enforcement of those rules helped her keep some semblance of order in our crazy house.

I also think the rules helped keep her anchored during a very confusing and sad time. Rules and laws rarely change, they don’t leave, they’re constant—and that’s what Zelda needed. And I think she’s held onto the shred of security rules provide ever since. And this rule, law really, the one Edward and everyone in this family is now flouting by telling you the truth, it’s not meant to be broken. So, I can understand Zelda’s resistance.”

“I, I do too.” Diana murmured, eyes glistening a little at the new information.

Smiling understandingly, Hilda took her hand. “We weren’t keen on the idea of Edward telling you anything. But it was well out of our hands before we even knew about it, so this is Zelda’s way of trying to regain some control. Once she meets you, properly, I think she’ll come round—”

A tremendous crash echoed through the house causing Diana to grab Hilda’s arm, the following silence just as terrifying as the loud noises, and it had everyone in the parlor shifting to look towards the office door. Hilda chuckled and Diana looked at her in alarm… what kind of family was this? One moment they were having heart-to-hearts and the next they were laughing at what sounded like someone’s death.

“About time one of them won,” Ambrose noted, leveraging himself up into a sitting position.

Diana turned her horrified expression to him, “what—”

Just then the office door opened and Zelda waltzed out, hair a little out of place and with a few scrapes and bruises but otherwise unruffled. “Hilda, I need your help.” The woman stated before spinning back around and re-entering the office.

Ambrose groaned and leaned back against the couch, “damn it.”

To Diana’s continued astonishment, Hilda smirked and bumped his shoulder with her hip as she got up to assist her sister. “You owe me twenty dollars,” she wriggled her eyebrows teasingly at him before leaving the room.

“Twenty dollars…” Diana repeated, somewhat breathlessly, unsure what was happening but certain she was out of her depth.

“On who would win if Uncle Edward was actually dumb enough to bring you over. Should’ve known better, they’re both really powerful, but Auntie Zee’s a scrappy fighter.” He shook his head in disgust at himself before nudging Morgan. “Hear that, Morgan? Your Mama is strong and scrappy like you.”

Morgan grinned and sat up, “no!” She exclaimed, flexing her arms, “she’s not like me, I’m like her!”

Chuckling, Ambrose apologized, “of course, little red, my mistake.” He ruffled her hair and playfully pushed her back over. Diana smiled softly at the two cousins, a hand fluttering uncertainly over her stomach, when a grunt caught her attention.

“He’s gained weight.” Hilda commented, emerging from the office clasping Edward’s ankles.

Zelda huffed in confirmation, “at least you have the light end,” she griped, her hands under Edward’s armpits, as the two maneuvered the hallway and out the back door.

She must have made a noise of some kind, shock, horror, confusion… because Ambrose was suddenly standing up and approaching her slowly, hands held up as if to placate her. Before he could get a word in, however, the phone rang in the office.

“Damn, just a moment.” He murmured, holding up an apologetic finger, before hurrying into the office and answering the phone. “Spellman’s Mortuary,” he hummed in response to the person on the phone and started taking notes, “two bodies you say, uh huh...”

Baffled, Diana seriously considered gathering her things and fleeing while they were all preoccupied when a tentative hand brushed against her knee.

Morgan watched her carefully and then patted Diana’s knee awkwardly; as if she knew how to comfort someone from being cared for and watching others but had never actually done it herself. “Uncle Eddie’s okay.” Morgan reassured her, “he just needs a nap in the garden.”

Eyebrows flying up, Diana couldn’t help but repeat the young girl’s words. “A, a nap. In the garden?”

“Uh huh, he might be a little bit. It’s always a long nap when someone sleeps in the garden. We can make it go faster though, Mama says keeping busy makes time go fast.” Morgan frowned in concentration and looked around the room before picking up a picture book and holding it out to Diana. “we, we could read?” She suggested quietly, eyebrows raised hopefully.

Still shocked, but needing to focus on anything other then the fact she’d just witnessed what was likely her boyfriend’s dead body get hauled outside, Diana nodded. Morgan beamed at her, picked up her stuffed demon and climbed onto Diana’s lap.

Shaking her head, Diana turned her attention to Morgan and began to read Where the Wild Things Are out loud.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They made quick work of burying Edward, it wasn’t as if they didn’t have the practice. Between the three of them there was at least one resurrection a week—though Hilda prided herself in only killing her siblings in the most extreme circumstances, that didn’t mean Zelda and Edward didn’t go after one with a frequency that Hilda sometimes wondered if they were in an unspoken competition.

In any case, they were already back in the kitchen and washing up and they heard Morgan giggle. Zelda’s lips tugged up automatically at the sound, her whole demeanor shifting from the angry, violent sister she’d just been, to a soft mother.

When they entered the parlor though, they didn’t find Ambrose entertaining his cousin as they’d expected, but rather Morgan perched in Diana’s lap being read to. Hilda watched Zelda struggle internally for a moment, likely wanting to hex Diana for going near Morgan, before she moved further into the room and sat on the couch with a forced calm.

“Having fun, darling?” Zelda managed and Diana froze when she heard Zelda’s voice. She’d been so wrapped up in the story, in the silly little girl sitting on her lap that she’d missed the women returning.

Morgan, oblivious to the tension between the adults, smiled, immediately propelled herself off Diana’s lap and climbed onto her mother’s. “Uh huh, she doesn’t do the voices right, but that’s okay.” She informed them, nuzzling into Zelda’s side.

A tender smile curled Zelda’s lips, and she smoothed back Morgan’s hair and kissed her head. “Well, no one can do the voices like me. I could eat you up I love you so!” She growled the line from the book and grabbed Morgan, pulling her close and pretending like she was going to take bites out of her neck.

Squealing happily, Morgan tried to twist away. “You do the best voices, Mama, you do!”

Zelda stopped at the exclamation, “I do? That’s so sweet of you to say,” she teased, tickling Morgan a little more but letting her daughter settle next to her on the couch, giggling softly and playing with Gorgo.

The entire scene was so natural, so sweet and affectionate that Diana could only watch in awe. From all Edward told her, from the extremely brief amount of time she’d spent in Zelda’s presence… Diana never would have expected the woman to be such a soft, doting mother. She’d expected a disciplinarian, someone who clearly cared but had trouble showing it… Diana averted her eyes, the shame she’d felt before for assuming Zelda couldn’t possibly be a mother deepening.

She’d been told Zelda would be resistant because she was old-fashioned, bossy, strict, stubborn, unwilling to change. But after hearing about Zelda’s informal transition into being a mother to her siblings, Diana could see now that wasn’t the case, that Edward didn’t understand his sister. Zelda was just being protective of her family, and right now Diana was a threat in Zelda’s eyes. Well, that was something she could change, all she needed to do was show Zelda she didn’t want to hurt the Spellman family… she wanted to join it.

Lifting her gaze to say something to that effect, Diana almost immediately lost her words when she made direct eye contact with Zelda. And there was that look again, the one that seemed to cut right through her, peeled back her layers and studied her—Diana suddenly wished Morgan would recapture her mother’s attention just so soft Zelda would reemerge and save Diana from this fierce, slightly terrifying expression.

“Edward will join us in a few hours, he doesn’t take as long as Hilda to resurrect.” Zelda remarked, absently stroking Morgan’s hair.

Hilda, hearing this as she reentered the room with lunch, scoffed. “I do not take the longest.”

Smirking, Zelda turned her attention briefly to her sister, “out of the three of us you do.” And Diana exhaled quietly, she hadn’t wanted to be the first one to break eye contact. Then she processed what they were bickering about… resurrection times? So, Edward really was—

“Diana, I hope you’re hungry. We’ve got a couple types of sandwiches, some veggies and I made cookies for dessert.” Hilda interrupted her thoughts and Diana politely took a plate, though she didn’t have much of an appetite.

Once everyone had food, Zelda looked at her again. “Now Diana, I understand Edward told you a great deal about us and the witching realm, is that correct?”

Happy for an excuse not to eat, Diana nodded. “He, he told me some, yes. Though from what I, I overheard, and then what Hilda said, he wasn’t exactly transparent about the obstacles we face in being a couple.”

Zelda rolled her eyes, “why I am not surprised?” She asked dryly, “I take it Edward neglected to mention it was against witching law? That the Dark Lord forbids formal relations with mortals?” She arched a brow and Diana pressed her lips together but nodded in reply. She felt a little like she was betraying Edward, but she wanted answers and so far it seemed like his sisters were going to be more forthcoming.

“Honestly,” Zelda shook her head and turned to Hilda, “first he has the audacity to date a mortal, and then doesn’t have the gall to be truthful with said mortal.”

Diana wasn’t sure if she should be offended, by being called a mortal or by Zelda referring to her as if she wasn’t there, but she did feel the need to defend herself and Edward. Diana chimed in, “well, he did tell me some things—”

The sisters’ head turned in tandem to focus on her, and Zelda spoke once more. “Some things, yes, but not everything you’ve wanted to know. Well, luckily for us, Edward is a little preoccupied at the moment. What would you like to know?” The shocked expression on Diana’s face prompted Zelda to continue, “if you’re going to be in a relationship with my brother, you deserve to know about the world he is intent on dragging you into—it’s not exactly fun and cheery. We are Satanists.”

Though Diana suspected that Zelda’s openness had more to do with her wanting to scare Diana away, she also thought it might be a test—to see if she, a mere mortal, could handle the witching realm. It was also a rare opportunity to ask all the burning questions Edward kept dancing around instead of answering. Sitting up straighter, Diana dove right in.

~~~~~~~~~~

By the time they finished talking an hour had passed and the lunch plates cleared. Diana simply sat there, absorbing all the information the sisters shared with her, it was more than a little to take in. She was about to ask another question, one she’d held back for fear of the answer, when Hilda brought out the cookies.

Morgan tugged her mother’s arm, “Mama, can I have one, please?” She pointed to the cookies and bit her lip hopefully.

Zelda smiled and bopped Morgan’s nose, “just one, it’s almost time for your nap and too much sugar will keep you up.” The words barely left Zelda’s mouth and Morgan was already up out of her spot and snatching three cookies. “Mo,” Zelda warned, but the little girl ignored her, walked over to Diana and held out a cookie, an unsure smile on her face.

Leaning over and accepting the treat, Diana smiled, “thank you, sweetie.” Morgan beamed, immediately deposited the second cookie in Hilda’s hand, before curling back into Zelda’s side and breaking the remaining one in half and giving part of it to her mother.

The three women practically melted, and Zelda pulled Morgan closer to her side, murmuring, “thank you, my little demon,” before pressing a kiss onto Morgan’s head. Squirming happily, Morgan settled heavily against her mother, munching on her treat.

Though small, the interruption robbed Diana of her courage and she swallowed down her last question along with her cookie. The conversation turned to mundane chatter until Morgan yawned widely and rubbed her eyes for a third time, despite her objections that she wasn’t tired. Moments later, Zelda had scooped up a sleepy, and still protesting, Morgan and took her upstairs for her nap.

The back door banged open a few minutes after the two left and Edward straggled in, covered in dirt and dried blood and breathing raggedly; Diana couldn’t help the small shriek that escaped her at his appearance.

“Where, is, she?” Edward growled, walking stiltedly into the room.

Hilda barely glancing at him, selected another cookie from the tray. “Putting Mo down for her nap, she’ll be back down in a little bit.” She turned to him then and wrinkled her nose, “go get cleaned up, you’re getting filth all over the house.”

And from what Diana could see of his eyebrows under the mud, they lifted at Hilda’s comment. “And who’s fault is that?” Edward asked caustically.

“I dare say yours,” Hilda retorted, huffing in amusement. “What did you think would happen?”

Before he could respond, Zelda came back, talking as she came into the room. “Was out like a light, she never realizes how tired she…” She paused when she noticed Edward. “Oh, look who finally decided to join us.” Zelda smiled wickedly and resumed her seat on the couch. Edward snarled and took a menacing step forward which only caused his sister to roll her eyes. “Honestly, Edward, this is hardly the first time I’ve killed you. Get over it and go clean up, we were having a nice chat before you arrived.”

He gaped at this and glanced to Diana for confirmation. She tried to give him an encouraging smile, but truthfully, he was quite hard to look at. Perhaps reading this on her face, Edward stiffly excused himself and slowly left the room, eyeing all of them as he did, as if waiting for one of them to explain what happened while he’d been gone for there to be such a turn around in Zelda’s behavior.

Instead, Diana turned to Hilda and whispered, “killed him? So, I wasn’t imagining things…” She’d suspected but kept trying to write it off as an elaborate prank—she couldn’t anymore now that Zelda so bluntly admitted to the deed.

“Ahh, yes, I guess no one explained it to you, what with Ambrose getting pulled into an autopsy. We have a Cain pit. So whenever one of them gets a little too fiery or pissed off at the other, they kill each other, and the victor must bury the loser in the pit so they can resurrect. No pit, no resurrection.”

She breathed in sharply through her nose, but made a small, “ohh,” to indicate her comprehension. Zelda said the witching realm was far more violent and dangerous than the one Diana normally frequented, she just hadn’t realized the extent… they killed one another for sport?

Edward returned then in fresh clothes, clearly having used magic to speed up the process, and sat down. “Are you alright?” He asked under his breath, looking at her imploringly.

Nodding, Diana squeezed his hand, “of course, I just have a lot to think about. Would it be alright if you took me home?” Edward looked like he wanted to argue with her, she could understand why. He’d brought her over to meet his family and he’d spent most of that time apparently dead and out in the garden. Ambrose walked into the room before Edward could make his case though.

Laughing, the young man clapped Edward on the shoulder, “speedy resurrection, uncle. Is that a family record?” Edward grumbled and shook Ambrose’s hand off.

“I believe I still hold the record,” Zelda interjected, with a smug smile and taking a sip of tea. The rest of the conversation was lost on Diana, a ringing starting in her ears… so they did kill one another for sport... even seeing who could come back to life fastest was a game to them.

Seeing her distress, Edward took her hand, lied about Diana having prior engagements with her own family and stood to leave. As they made their way out, Hilda gave her a hug and told her it had been a pleasure, Ambrose nodded from the background, his mouth full of food.

Zelda was, expectedly, more reserved but she tilted her head and shook Diana’s hand. “I hope we didn’t scare you off,” she offered and then turned around and disappeared into the house. Diana wasn’t sure if Zelda’s goodbye was a genuine wish or if she was reminding Diana there was, in fact, much to be scared of in this world of theirs.

They finished their goodbyes and went outside. Needing time to process everything before talking about it, Diana turned to Edward and asked, “can we teleport? I don’t feel much like walking?” He kissed her forehead, redoubled his grip on her hand and they disappeared.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Edward wanted to linger at Diana’s, to talk to her, try and figure out what his sisters did in his absence without Ambrose there to temper them. Not that his nephew could have done much, but Hilda at least was more conservative when Ambrose was present—as if she were trying to set a good example of how a witch should behave so as to not get housebound.

But Diana kissed him goodbye, told him she wasn’t scared off but needed to be alone to think. He’d wanted to needle her for information, but the stern look she gave him had him bowing out and teleporting back home.

He’d barely landed on the front porch before heading inside to find Zelda, his sister’s last words to Diana echoing ominously in his head. Edward found her in the library doing some research on a rare medical condition one of her pregnant clients had presented with, she didn’t even look up when he entered.

“What’s going on? What happened while I was in the pit?” He demanded, bracing himself on the table and glaring at his sister.

Zelda’s eyes remained glued to her book, “I told you, we had a nice chat.”

He slid into the seat across from her, “about what?’

“All manner of things,” she replied in a bored tone, turning a page. “If Diana refused to tell you, why should I?”

Sputtering a little, Edward managed a “she didn’t refuse!” Zelda lifted a brow but continued to read. “She just needed time to think. And I’m asking you because you were the one I was worried about. But, but you seem okay with her now…” He let the sentence hang there and when Zelda didn’t refute the statement he sat back, stunned. “You are okay with her,” he murmured in awe, this was unexpected. “What changed your mind? Was it how wonderful Diana is? I told you—” Edward began to enthuse, but Zelda cut him off there with a scoff.

Finally raising her eyes from the book, Zelda gave him an unimpressed look. “Morgan did.”

“What?”

“Morgan changed my mind,” she clarified. “After we buried you, we came back in and I caught them unawares. Diana had Mo in her lap, reading her a book, using voices and everything. Mo liked her and you know how slow she is to warm up to new people.”

Edward rolled his neck, “wonder where she got that from,” he muttered.

Narrowing her eyes, Zelda continued. “Then we talked for over an hour, even if the relationship sours, I can see she has no desire to reveal us.”

“Why would it sour—”

“Because Hilda and I had to enlighten her on many things,” she replied, marking her page and closing her book.

He blanched, the cocky attitude from moments before gone. “What did you tell her?” He demanded.

Zelda looked at him appraisingly, “what she wanted to know. And she wanted to know a good deal. It seems you’ve been too busy with other… activities, to talk much.”

Edward crossed his legs and shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “She could have asked me.”

“Yes,” Zelda smiled slyly, “she could have… and yet, she didn’t. What does that tell you?”

Frowning, Edward shook his head, “stop playing mind games. I know what you’re trying to do.”

Losing interest, Zelda reopened her book, “oh? And what’s that?”

“You’re trying to cause a rift between us. Make us doubt.” And this recaptured her attention faster than he thought it would. In fact, she seemed genuinely hurt by his comment.

Snapping her book shut, Zelda glared at him. “No, Edward, I’m trying to get you both to see clearly and with reason. This relationship can go no further. You know that,” she emphasized gently, as if trying to soften the blow she thought she was dealing. “The Dark Lord will not permit it, so why pursue this? You’ll only hurt yourself and that lovely woman.”

Edward blinked, “you think Diana is lovely?”

She scoffed, tucked her book under her arm and stood. “What I do or don’t think makes no difference. The Dark Lord’s opinion is what matters, and he will not look kindly on what you’ve done, what you’ve revealed to her.” Zelda looked at him sympathetically, “think long and hard, dear brother, on how much you’re willing to risk and who you’re willing to hurt in your heedless pursuit of this.”

“I love her, Zelds.” He murmured, ducking his head before meeting her eyes.

Sighing quietly, Zelda came and stood next to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. “I’m sure it feels that way, Eddie. But remember, she is mortal, in 60, maybe 70 years time she will be gone. A blip on the expanse of your extended life. Are a few decades worth it? And how will she feel, aging as you stay the same? How will you feel? We witches are shallow, vain creatures, Eddie. Will you want her still when she’s old? Is that fair to her?”

“Zelda—”

She squeezed his shoulder as she moved to leave. “I’m just saying, these are all very real and serious things to consider before you do anything drastic.”

Edward shifted to keep her in his sight. “I want to marry her,” he admitted.

Slowly curling and uncurling her free hand, Zelda stopped at the door and breathed deeply, trying to keep herself from slapping him; if killing him hadn’t made a difference, a slap certainly wouldn’t. “That would be what I mean by drastic,” she managed dryly. “Think some more on it, Eddie. Think of the price the Dark Lord will exact for your actions so far and what additional price he’ll demand if he allows you to marry a mortal. Just, just don’t make any decisions tonight, okay?” She nodded and headed upstairs to check on Morgan.

He sat there contemplating all Zelda had said for some time. But she’d never been in love. Beelzebub, she’d resorted to magic to create a child because she couldn’t find love. Zelda didn’t, couldn’t, understand. He needed to marry Diana, he loved her. And, as Zelda had been so kind to remind him, everything had a price. Meaning Edward could marry Diana, the Dark Lord would agree to almost anything for a deal.

Smiling, Edward teleported to the church. It was easier to summon the Dark Lord from there.

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