#i seriously cannot get enough of sarah's work she always kills it

[mt07131]

"Don't let this city swallow you up. And if it does, make sure it remembers you."

@commander-sarahs-art has done it YET AGAIN with this absolutely GORGEOUS piece of everyone's favorite merc. I have said it before and I will say it again, if you have not commissioned her you are absolutely missing out

[jeonggukookies]

too young || six

summary: you and jungkook meet up after a surprise delivery happens at the school

word count: 2,018

genre:  parent!au, single dad!jungkook angst

one || two || three || four || five || six

When you thought about your first heartbreak, you’d thought you would be nonstop sobbing in your bed, being surrounded by empty jars of melted ice cream pints and sad movies. You thought that despite the distance, your mom would make the trip and drive all the way to see you, rub your back in small comforting circles and take care of you as if you were a sick child. You thought that everything would hurt so much that you wouldn’t even want to move. 

The only problem? Your first heartbreak didn’t feel like that at all. 

It was all practically numb.

You didn’t fall apart when you did something that reminded you of him. 

You didn’t start breaking down when you watched him pick up Jules and didn’t bother to come in to your office to say hi to you. 

You didn’t crumble to pieces when you had no notifications on your phone from him.

You lived your life normally again just without Jungkook and Jules. 

Alone.

There were no more screams or echoes of noise from Jules and her cousins when you peacefully relaxed, there was no more idle music playing in background as you did your work and there were no more soft breaths and snores next to you in your bed. 

Your mom called you every night on the phone, checking up on you. It was like she wanted you to cry and to feel some pain, just so she could go down there and be there for you. But you told her that you were fine and will deal with whatever negative feelings when they come. 

Life went on whether you liked it or not. 

Three weeks after the break up, at the end of March, there was a familiar knock on your office door after the last school bell rang. You haven’t talked to Jules since the night she found you looking at pictures of her mom, and you really hope it wasn’t awkward when you talk to her. 

It’s the first time you see Jules’s hair was down, strands of her hair going in every direction. She looks like a mess. Tears streamed down her face as she ran towards you, hugging your legs. “Can you help me?” 

“What’s wrong, Sweetie?” 

“I lost Jungkook’s mp3 player,” she cried, rubbing her face on your black dress pants to wipe her tears. “He’s going to kill me!” 

“It’s okay, Jules.” Bending down to comfort her, you wipe her face and stroke her hair. You’ve never seen her this sad, and it made your heart sink. “I’m sure he’ll understand. Things like this happen all the time. It’s okay.” 

She shook her head. “Auntie Moon Soo is coming soon, and I can’t leave without the mp3 player. I can’t.” 

“Why don’t we ask her to come look for it with you?” You asked softly. “That way 3 people are looking for it.” 

Namjoon’s wife, Moon Soo comes out of her van, she’s surprised to see you standing next to Jules. She doesn’t say anything to you at first and tries to reassure Jules that’ll be alright, that they will find it before Jungkook goes home tonight.

When it’s been over 30 minutes, retracing Jule’s steps from her locker to the gym to the playground, she goes to the bathroom, making you and Moon Soo wait outside for her. 

“I’m sorry we had to meet like this in this circumstance,” she said, offering a kind smile. “I heard a lot of great things about you, and I’m sorry things didn’t go well at the dinner with the girls.”

You hear Jules flush the toilet. “It is what it is.” 

“I know what it was like,” she said. “They made it seem like I wasn’t good enough for Joon, and we took a small break too. But at the end of the day, it’s about how you feel about Jungkook and Jules that matters more than their opinions, especially if they brought up Sarah.” 

“I’m almost done!” Jules shouted, turning on the sink. 

“But that doesn’t change the way Jungkook feels about Sarah.” Tears were forming in your eyes, and you bit your lip to hold them back. “But I’m glad you and Namjoon were able to overcome it.” 

“It’s been like what, almost a month? Jules knows Jungkook can easily buy her a new mp3 player, or even a phone, anything she wants, honestly. But think about it...I’m sure she misses you and is using this as an opportunity to spend time with you again.” 

“Can we check out my classroom?” Jules finally opened the door, getting out of the restroom. 

The three of you walk quietly over to her class where she looked through every desk (without touching their things) and looked over to the place where she reads books in the class. She lifted the bean bag in the corner of the room, revealing what she has been looking for this whole time. “Yay!” 

“See, everything is okay.” Moon soo smiled. “Are you ready to go, Jules?” 

She nodded, but then stared at you with her piercing eyes. “Is this going to be the last time you’re going to talk to me?” 

“Of course not, Jules.” You took a breath. “I’m here for you always.” 

“I have to tell you something.” But before she could tell you, she pointed at Moon Soo. “Why didn’t you go to the bathroom when we went, Auntie?” 

Moon Soo raised her eyebrows, then looked down at what Jules was pointing at. She then began holding on to her stomach with a pained look. “My water just broke.”

_______

“Hey!” Namjoon exclaimed, rushing through the hospital doors. Before he goes to Moon Soo’s room, he went towards your direction as you waited outside the room with Jules. “Thank you so much for bringing her here safely and for being there for her at that time. I seriously cannot thank you enough.”

“No worries,” you let out. “I’m glad I was there.” 

He’s about to say something, but you hear Moon Soo scream Namjoon’s name, making him go into the room as quickly as he can. 

Your phone in your blazer buzzed. 

[seokjin]

the whole fam is coming in about 10 minutes 

thank you for taking care of jules

will be there soon and you can leave

“Are you leaving when they come?” Jules asked as she looked down at your phone screen, seeing the texts from. “You’re not going to stay to see the babies?” 

“I don’t know yet.” You lied, knowing you were going to leave once someone is here able to take care and watch over Jules. As much as you wanted to see the twins, you didn’t want to see some specific people. You were doing fine right now in your life and didn’t want to ruin that if you saw Jungkook or some of the girls. “I have a lot of work to do still, Sweetheart.” 

“Will you see the babies with me on different day then?” 

“I hope so.” You couldn’t make an empty promise to her. “Are you excited to have more cousins?” 

She nodded. “I like my small family, but sometimes, I hate being alone. The cousins help me forget that I can’t have any brothers or sisters.”

You sighed, wrapping your arm around Jules. “Never forget that you will always have your family, your uncles, aunts and cousins to support you. They will always be there.”

“Will you?” She asked, looking up at you, once again, her eyes were so piercing.

“I hope so.” You rubbed her back in small circles. 

“I heard what Auntie said when I was in the bathroom,” she said. “I missed you, but I had to find this mp3 player. Jungkook’s new song is on here. I’m always the first to listen, and I didn’t want to lose this song.” 

“That’s good you found it then.” 

She’s about to tell you more, her mouth is slightly opened, but she doesn’t say anything more and started to stare in the direction behind you. Letting go of her, you turned behind, seeing Jungkook walking towards you two. 

He paused, not expecting to see you here, but then continued to walk forward as you looked away, not wanting to meet his eyes. “Are you okay?” 

“I’m hungry,” Jules answered with a pouty look on her face.

He laughed, taking his leather wallet out of his back pocket. He hands her a couple dollar bills, telling her to get something for the three of them from the vending machine. “Go crazy.” 

“You know I will,” she joked. 

There’s awkward silence in the air now, with Jules gone. Jungkook then sat down in the empty chair beside you, with his head turned to you as you looked down at your hands in your lap. He doesn’t know where to start and what words to say. How ironic, coming from a songwriter. “Hey.”

“Hi.” 

“Did you eat yet?” He asked. 

“Nope,” you replied, still not looking at him. “Did you?”

“Not yet.”

“I should get going.” You finally took the first step, grabbing your purse off the ground. 

Before you could take another step, Jungkook reached forward and grabbed your wrist, stopping your movement. “I never loved her, you know.” 

You wanted to shake him off, go on your own way, but you kept standing in front of him, facing away from him. “What?” 

He sighed, wishing he could look you in the eyes. “I never answered you that day because I was too scared to admit it out loud. I never got to tell her either, and I knew she loved me. The thing was I only thought of her as a sister, someone I had to protect. And I was afraid that if I actually told someone that I didn’t love her before she got the chance to hear it from me, I would somehow hurt her even though she’s gone.” 

“Jungkook,” You said this name, but he kept talking.

“I know that’s no excuse, but I am so sorry. I never wanted you to feel like that, and I should have just told you. No one has been competing with you.” He let go of your hand and stood up. “I don’t want you to be Sarah because I love you for who you are. I want you for who you are. My life feels incomplete without you.”

Finally turning around, you stared at Jungkook. It’s the first time finally looking at him up close in three weeks, and he looked like death. Dark circles were under his eyes, his hair was a mess. You could tell Jungkook felt too much.

And he did. For the last three weeks, he got up every morning, trying to ignore the pain he was feeling in his heart. He tried to continue his life like everything was okay, but all he kept thinking about was you. He wanted you to see you when he picked Jules up from school. He wanted to hear you laugh when he watched a movie with Jules. He wanted to you next to him when he was alone on Wednesdays. He wanted to hear you cheer for Jules when he watched her soccer games. He just wanted you. 

With all the pain he had been feeling, he’s been trying to figure out his feelings and all the words he wanted to say to you that night, and now that he was finally letting all of it go, he was crying right in front of you.

“You saw me more than Jule’s guardian. I felt like you were the first person to honestly see me for me. I want to live spending more time with you, watching Jules’s games, hearing all your different opinions and views than mine. And I am so sorry that I damaged us in the process.”

“Hey, Y/N!” Namjoon rushed out of the room. His jaw dropped once he saw you and Jungkook together, looking all sad. Still, his smile on his face reappeared as he asked, “Do you guys want to see the babies?” 

____ 

hi this is so long overdue i apologize, i’ve honestly been stuck :( hope you all have a good day and enjoy permission to dance<33 lowkey not proofread either:/

[sillydg]

Rascals&CO: Superheroes. Detectives. Matchmakers. Part one

Book: Open Heart Book 3

Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x F!MC ((Elisabeth Sarah Hughes (Liz))

Title: Rascals&CO. Superheroes. Detectives. Matchmakers.

Rating: 18+

Summary: Liz offers to watch her twin nephews for a weekend when her sisters Anna’s nanny gets sick. Her nephews, superhero detectives, Thomas and Max come to her rescue when she can't find her phone… Until an, for some, unexpected visitor comes to her rescue, who is unfortunately forced to stay due to a snowstorm.

Category: Fluff-ish

Warnings: Language (swearing), Mentions of death.

A/N: Part one of a miniseries.

A/N: 'Thank Rod' is not a type-O 😉

A/N: This is also a contribution for the “Ex Came Back in the Picture” Weekly trope. @openheartfanfics

It’s not at the center of attention, but it’s why Ethan does what he does…

A/N: And once again @kachrisberry, thank you for pre-reading and editing. You're the best! 😘

A/N:Disclaimer: Characters owned by Pixelberry.

Rascals&CO.

Superheroes. Detectives. Matchmakers.

Liz murmurs under her breath as she looks behind the pillows of the couch, “Phone, phone, phone, insert curse word, phone, where Is my phone?”

And with a defeated sigh she glances around the room. Where could it be? I’m sure I've put it in my bag after my morning shift. Maybe I left it in my sister's car after she picked me up from work?

Max and Thomas suddenly jump up from behind the couch, screaming in unison; “Superhero detective twin brothers Max and Thomas reporting for duty, aunty Liz.” The boys share a trenchcoat, with each one arm in one of the sleeves. Both of them wearing a cute barrette and holding a magnifying glass.

“Whaahaaaa,” Liz startles, and her heart pounds in her throat, “Boys, seriously? What did I tell you about appearing out of the blue?”

Again in unison, “That it increases the chance of you swearing. We’re sorry, aunt Liz.”

Max pouts, “We just wanted to let you know that we are ready to face mission “Where the hell is my phone?”

She pinches the bridge of her nose, “And that is really much appreciated! But your mom is so going to kill me if she hears about our unfortunate mission's name.”

Thomas grins, “Good thing you’re a great doctor. You can patch yourself up if she does.”

Liz frowns, but before she can say anything Max beats her to it.

“She can’t revive herself. Others need to do that for her, just like in those video games.”

“Wait, what video games?” But she’s completely ignored as Thomas puts on his thinking face. “You are absolutely right Max! So what about those doctors who saved aunt Liz’s life last year?”

Max matches his thinking face with Thomas, “Oh, you mean Ethan? The long man who looks like Dr. Strange and who Liz has a crush on. He’s certainly serious and smart enough!”

Her cheeks are burning, “I do not have…” but again she's completely ignored.

“Could be, could be,” Thomas taps with his finger against his bottom lip, "And what about the other one? You know, the fun one who always says things that makes dr. Strange, even more grumpy? ”

“Oh, you mean Tobias?” Max shrugs, “I mean a good duo always has a funny guy right? So you know what, I think they could definitely do it together. How about you, Thomas?”

“Agreed, so what do you think aunt Liz?" And all of a sudden their heads turn towards her in expectancy. Death has been such an important subject ever since they lost their father two years ago and almost lost her only a year ago. The twins are only six years old, but they grew way too fast due to those experiences.

Liz sits down on her knees to match their eye level and squeezes their hands, “Boys, what Ethan and Tobias did last year was truly close to a miracle. But even smart and funny doctors duo's cannot bring people to life. It’s unfortunately not how things work.”

Max and Thomas frown in confusion, “But what about doctor Frankenstein?” They ask.

“Apart from the fact that I’m really impressed that the two of you are aware that Frankenstein is the doctor… Did you guys sneak out of bed again to watch movies the two of you were not supposed to see?”

“Nooo?” And the two put on their most innocent faces imaginable.

Liz sighs, “Alright. So what do the two of you say about me handing over the mission ‘Where the BEEP is my phone?' to some awesome super detectives, while I make some us some spaghetti and meatballs?”

Max beams, "Thank you for putting your trust in us! You can count on the best services that Rascals&Co can provide." And they start awkwardly walking through the room since they are still sharing the same big and long coat.

Liz grins at the twins as she walks towards the open kitchen. She collects ingredients for spaghetti meatballs out of the refrigerator, and her eyes falls on the window. The snowstorm became thicker and thicker, just like predicted all week and it was not safe anymore to go outside. A good thing maybe, because now her sister has no choice but to stay put in the luxurious spa hotel where she is staying with two of her besties. It's her first trip in over a year and she was kind of anxious about it.

Initially, the twin's regular babysitter was hired to watch the twins this weekend. But when Liz called her sister this morning to wish her all the fun in the world, she heard about her being sick and her sister wanting to cancel because of it.

It took Liz over an hour, but she was eventually able to convince her to go and let her take care of the little ones tonight.”

“Look what I found,” and she looks up to a beaming Max who holds up some chocolate bars from under the cabinet, “I found those bars we hid a few months ago, Thomas!”

Thomas's eyes start to glister, “Ohhh, maybe we can also find those sandwiches we hid two weeks ago together! Come one, I think we have a treasure map in our room."

“Oh Rod,” and she screams, “boys if the two of you find those sandwiches, please show them to me before you eat them.”

“Yeah, Yeah, will do. Come on Max!"

She watches the twins who run awkwardly while almost tripping over the way to big coat. "Please be careful with the running boys!"

"Yeah, yeah, screams Max, and right before they disappear in their bedrooms she hears him say, "The first bite is for us. No way we are going to share that sandwich."

Liz feels an upcoming headache and takes a deep breath. How is her sister able to survive this day after day? Of course, Liz loved them to death, but these kids were seriously nothing but trouble together.

She takes one of the onions out of the pantry, but before she can get a knife, the doorbell rings. She hears immediate excited screams coming from the bedrooms.

“The door! The door! Max, maybe the avengers received our letters and they are finally coming over for some lemonade.”

Liz walks with a grin on her face to the front door, and with her hand on the doorknob she hears, “Get onto my shoulders Thom, we are going to be so big in this one trench coat. Thor is going to be so impressed. Yes, we are going to be true detective Avenger superheroes.”

She shakes her head and opens the door, not paying any attention to who exactly is standing in front of it and she screams, "Guys at least wait with the dangerous stuff until I'm back okay?”

“Yes, aunty Liz. Okay, forget standing on each other’s shoulders, Max”

Liz closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, “Oh Thank Rod.” But then she hears Max say; “I need to make holes into this paper to spy.”

“We're gonna need scissors for that.”

She murmurs, “Aaaand relieved too soon.”

A chuckle sounds through the hallway, “I’m not sure that sounds safe, you might want to check on them.”

Liz's head snaps at the familiar voice in the doorway, “Ethan, what are you doing here?”

He holds up her phone, “Look what I got.”

“My phone!”

And he hands it to her with a lazy smile, “You left it on my desk, which is kind of a weird place to leave it.”

She matches his smile, “I left it on your desk? That’s weird indeed. But it's so sweet of you to take a two-hour ride in this weather to bring me my phone!” Her head snaps back towards the living room since her radars are tuned in on the mentioning of anything sharp.

Max pouts, “But we can't have scissors, mom always hides them from us remember?”

“I know," says Thomas, "But what kind of detective superheroes are we going to be if we are not able to find those scissors? Besides we need those papers to hide our identity behind! This means that we need those holes to look through because it would be kind of stupid to trip over everything right?”

Liz and Ethan share a chuckle "There is no faulting that logic," she grins.

“You’re right. But why don’t you just use your fingers? Like this.” And they hear the ripping of paper.

Thomas shrugs, “Nah, I’m going to look for the scissors. And otherwise, I know how the child’s lock work on the drawer with the knives.”

Liz pinches the bridge of her nose, “Okay, that's my queue to step in… and another thing to warn Catherine about." She sighs and hastily walks out of the hallway, “Max, don’t you dare open that drawer.”

Ethan takes off his jacket with a smile. He visited her sister Anna multiple times with Liz after the incident last year, so he knows his way around the house and he knows the twins very well. He and Anna bonded during those stressful and scary days where Liz almost died. He tried to support them as much as he can despite his own sadness, especially since they were also still grieving at the time for their late husband and dad. And the moment you're both on the brink of losing someone you really care about it creates an instant connection, which also led to finding support in each other by talking after.

And even though they never made it official, Ethan loved Liz with all his heart. It was one of the things that her being on the brink of death made him realize. Time is short and life is unexpected. But admitting loving her to himself took over a year and a near-death experience... So until he figures out how to finally tell her, he decides to keep it to himself... And truth be told. It's probably going to take a long time before he gets there.

“Ahh maaaan, you’re not a real avenger!” Ethan startles as Max glances at him through a ripped open cut in an old paper.

“Hi, Max. And I'm not a what now?”

Thomas screams from inside the living room towards the hallway, “Who is it? Is it Iron Man, Thor?"

Max shouts back to his brother, "It’s just Ethan with Liz’s phone.”

“Aaaaaaaah sucks!”

“Thomas!" Liz squeeks, "Didn’t I bribe you three weeks ago with five brownies that we would never use that word again?”

Ethan chuckles.

“Well, since you’re only a look-alike of dr. Strange. State your business sir and tell me what are you doing with aunt Liz’s mobile phone.” He narrows his eyes, and Thomas joins them in the hallway also with a paper in front of his face, but with tidy cut-out eyes.

"Ahh, Thomas," states Max, "I already started the interrogation!"

Thomas narrows his eyes, “Not necessary because I might already have an idea what's going on here. You want to hear my theory?”

Ethan grins, “Hi Thomas, and of course. Lay it on me.”

He starts pacing around, paper in front of his eyes with one hand and the other he brushes his pretend beard, “I think that you stole her phone just so you can bring it to her and had an excuse to see Liz. You're a smart man, Ethan, so you were very well aware that now you got here you've have to stay due to the storm for grossly hand holding as the gross grown-ups do.”

Ethan's cheeks turn fire red and Liz comes running into the hallway with a matching flushed cheeks, “Boys, you can’t say that.”

Thomas pouts, “Why? You like him too, we’ve heard you and mom talking the other night. You know, the one where the two of you constantly giggled, and when we woke up the morning after there were like three empty bottles of wine on the counter and mom was all grumpy because she had the worst hang-over ever but you didn't feel a thing.”

Liz squeaks, “And how are the two of you six years old?"

"Were almost seven," they raise their voice with an offended tone.

"Okay, excuse me... Almost seven. Now come on, get out of here. Give Ethan some breathing space.”

Both boys are pouting now, “But what are we supposed to do? The case of “where the hell is my phone is already solved…”

Liz sighs, already regretting what she’s about to say, “So what about that sandwich you guys hid? Did the two of you find that treasure map already?”

“Ohh right, let’s go, Max,” and they both run towards their bedroom.

"Boys, first showing, then eating okay?"

"Okaaaaaay aunt, Liz."

She sighs and leads Ethan into the living room, "We might have to work tonight E. Because they're going to absolutely eat that sandwich first before showing it to me."

Ethan smiles, grabs her at the hips to turn her around., “Sooo the two of you giggle about me, huh?”

Liz walks back towards her cutting board and grabs a knife out of the drawer to start on the onions. "Yeah, Please let me know what you think in an hour because something tells me that that feeling is going to change in regret very soon. Because it sucks E. But you're stuck here with us for the night."

“I plead the fifth dr. Ramsey!” And she smiles as his lips meet hers in a lingering kiss, walking backward until she bumps into the counter.

And Ethan pulls back after a few minutes of properly greeting with a huge grin on his face, "Absolutely worth the two-hour drive."

He wraps his arms around her and whispers in her ear, “Yeah, such a shame!” He takes the knife out of her hand, turns her once again to face him, and showers her neck with small kisses. "Ethan," she giggles at his stubble tickling her neck, "What has gotten into you these two days? Make out supply room sessions at work, sneaking into my room back in Boston in the middle of the night while everyone is asleep... driving two hours to bring me my phone. And so handsy all the time!"

He grins while locking her against the counter, "Well, do you want me to stop?" And he pulls her once again in for a slow kiss.

“Mmh, not altogether” she murmurs, “But unfortunately now... Yes because I need to cook."

Ethan breaks the kiss with a groan, "No, you need to sit down at the counter, with a wine glass in your hand and relax for a bit. I'm taking over the kitchen."

"Absolutely not! You've already worked a double shift, stayed even longer, AND drove two hours. You are the one who is going to sit down at the counter, and be handsome with wine in your hand."

He slowly moves in for another kiss, but they startle at a loud 'thoink' and stuff falling down coming out of the room from the boys. He grins, "You might want to check that out. Too bad, but I will be starting dinner."

She rolls her eyes, "Finnnneeeeee, but please pour us some wine because we are going to need it," and she walks into the boy's room. "First things first. Is someone hurt?"

"Noooo"

"Thank Rod!"

Max frowns, "You're always thanking Rod, but who's Rod?"

And before Liz can react, Thomas is on it.

"It's a replacement for God, remember when mom got so angry at her for swearing?"

"Which of the thousand times?"

"The second worst time."

"Ahhh right, so now you're using Rod instead of God, that's smart! Good to know."

Liz pinches the bridge of her nose, "Back to business guys. What was that noise? Please tell me that it’s not like last time where the two of you tried to reverse gravity.”

"Nah," says Max, "We found the ehmm..."

"Map," Thomas adds, "We found the treasure map to the sandwich."

Liz narrows her eyes, "Riiiight, you guys are being weird. What are the two of you hiding?"

"Nothing," they scream way too quick.

"Let me see that treasure map!"

Max and Thomas share a look but hand over the map.

Liz frowns, "This doesn't seem to be a map, more like a list. Why is it drawn on hospital notepaper? And where are the cute little drawings which you always find on every map ever made?"

Thomas rolls his eyes, "because we made our lists of steps in the hospital two days ago. We have to follow step one, then two. And tiny drawings? We're not babies anymore, Jeez."

"Of course not. You are right, the two of you are after all almost seven." Thomas and Max nod in unison.

“But waith… didn’t the two of you say that you’ve hid the sandwich weeks ago…”

The boys share a nervous glance, “Yes, but…”

“We remembered two days ago where it was…” Adds Thomas with a bit of doubt.

And Max nods, “So we didn’t want to forget again and made this,” and a big smile appear on their face.

Liz cocks up an eyebrow, "Riiiiiiight. Let’s just say that I believe this for now. So what's step one?"

"You... you can't read it," asks Max with genuine surprise on his face.

Liz glances down at the scrabbles, not even able to decipher one single world.

Thomas seizes the paper back, "aunt Liz, I thought that you were really smart. You can you read, right?"

Liz stares at them with an open mouth, "Of course I can..."

Thomas sighs and shakes his head in disapproval, "she can't read Max. I think we need to tell Ethan. He might have to fire her."

"Agreed," says Max, "And then get the ice cream out of the fridge, because getting fired by the man you love is no walk in the park."

And the boys run out of there, leaving a flustered Liz behind. "I don..." What just happened?

She glances around the room as she sees that the boys are going through their old baby stuff. She puts the stuff back in the box. Huh? Where is the baby monitor?

And all of a sudden she hears the twins talk to Ethan. She gets up and stops in the doorway, leaning grinning against the door frame. He looks down at the two boys while he is stirring in the sauce. The room is filled with the smell of garlic, onions, and tomatoes.

"I really think you should let her go, Ethan. I'm sorry to bring you this bad news but... she can't read."

Ethan chuckles, "Oh is that right Thomas? Liz can't read? And what is it that she can't read?"

Thomas holds up the paper and Ethan frowns. He lays down the wooden spoon and kneels down to meet them at their eye level. “Mmh, let me see that," he brushes his hand along his stubble, “You know, I see what the problem is.”

Max and Thomas share a frown, before staring back at Ethan.

"The reason why Liz and I can't read this is is because we are doctors. And do the two of you know what kind of handwriting doctors only can read?“

The twins shake their heads.

“Well, let me tell the two of you a secret. We can only read unreadable handwriting. And the list the two of you made is so well written, that it just doesn’t make sense to us.”

The twins run towards their room to come back with some comics and sit down at the counter.

Liz feels her heart almost explode, how does this man keep saying that he sucks with kids? She walks towards the endearing scene in the kitchen with a big smile on her face and lays her hands on the heads of Max and Thomas. "Boys, why don't the two of you grab some comics. I think it's time for me to join Ethan in the kitchen to help out with cooking.

Ethan's eyes meet hers with a genuine gentleness as he gets up, and she feels her heart pound in her chest as he matches her soft smile with ease.

Liz leans against the counter, "So what do you want me to do?"

"Take your wine," and he nods towards the two glasses on the counter, "and sit down and relax."

"Absolutely not, E." And she takes the spatula out of his hands, "You worked a double shift, stayed even longer at work, AND drove two hours to bring me my fuuu," Ethan frowns. "To bring me my Fuzzing phone," she sighs, "I really need to swear less, don't I?"

Ethan takes the wooden spoon back, “We were indeed already planning an intervention, but I guess we can skip it since you already realize it. Which means that I do not have to prepare, leaving me all the time in the world to finish these spaghetti meatballs.”

“Ughhh, gross,” and Max puts on a disgusted face, “Get a room already.”

“Max!” Liz squeaks again and a blush appears on her cheeks, “You can’t say that.”

"Seriously adults, Jeez." And Thomas rolls his eyes in irritation, "Being all clingy and googly, and getting mad when you point it out." And he picks up his comic and walks to the couch. And Max, equally irritated, follows without question.

"Those two are too smart for their own good, "Liz sighs and takes her wine in hand, "Cheers because I certainly need it." And she takes a few sips before looking at her watch, "Officially one hour in E. Tell me, any regrets already?"

"Not in the slightest, although my book and scotch were a bit disappointed when I canceled the meeting. But I can't say I'm sad about it."

Liz shyly smiles, “Oh, really? Why's that?”

He quickly tastes some of the sauce with a broad smile on his face to avoid answering “Mmh, try this,” and he offers her some sauce on a spoon. She tastes it, “Ethan, this is delicious,” and she takes the spoon from him to taste one of the meatballs, “Mmh, so good.”

He grins, “You’ve got some sauce over there, at the corner of your mouth.”

Liz frowns and wipes her hand along her mouth, “Better?”

Liz glances quickly over to the boys now discussing something about the comic in Thomas's hand. And even though the sauce is long gone, he lets his thumb drift along her cheek, their eyes meet and linger. He drops his hand and Liz feels her heart pound out of her chest, as she feels how he very secretly entwines his fingers with hers. And as two magnets they set a step towards each other.

Ethan grins, “You just smeared it. Good thing red is your color!" And Liz rolls her eyes.

"Okay Here, let me help!” He licks his thumb and brushes softly along her mouth.

“Seriously we don’t have to see this. The two of you are even grosser than mom and dad, when dad was still alive, and I didn’t even know that was possible.”

Ethan and Liz startle at the two boys suddenly standing in the kitchen, immediately letting go of each other’s hands. They both feel their words directly in their chests. Liz composes herself, “What... but a second ago the two of you were sitting on the couch. Besides, we were not doing anything.”

“Rigggggght, the two of you were staring so hard in each other eyes that you didn’t even hear when we asked the two of you a question.”

“Question?”

Thomas sighs, “Again, seriously adults.”

Max agrees, “And they say that we don't pay attention to anything.”

“Well, they did have a lot of attention for each other and for quite a long time.”

Max agrees again, “You’re not wrong.”

“Boys,” Liz squeaks, “Seriously?”

Ethan grins, and Liz smacks him against the shoulder. “Okay, I’m going to take my wine and we are going to sit down at the counter. We are in Ethan's way.”

The boys sit down at the counter as Max asks Thomas, “Do you think it’s normal to smack your boss like that?’

Liz now turns completely red and hides her face in her hands, “Stop grinning E,” she murmurs through her fingers.

“Never! Now, dinner will be ready in fifteen, Honey.” As she walks towards the counter, he taps her secretly against her bottom and her cheeks are on fire now.

“LALALALLALALALALALA,” Scream Max and Thomas in unison, with their fingers in their ears.

“Okay boys, what are the two of you reading?” And she sits down between the two of them, facing the kitchen where Ethan starts with boiling the spaghetti.

The boys start to talk, but she finds it hard to concentrate when Ethan is standing so relaxed in the kitchen. She lets her eyes drift over his broad shoulders. God, he's crazy muscled for such a long man. And damn, that ass in those pants. What is it about a handsome man in the kitchen? And not just being in the kitchen. He can cook. Ultimate swoooon. She sighs deeply and he gives her a crazy charming smirk over his shoulder without meeting her eyes, as if reading her mind.

Max and Thomas stare at Liz, who keeps staring at Ethan.

Max mouths to Thomas, "Let me try something." He clears his throat, “So that’s why we need, rocket fuel and titanium. Do you know where to get that?”

“Sure, sure,” she murmurs.

Max's and Thomas's eyes start to glisten if they suddenly see all the possibilities.

“As for dessert. Can we have cake and ice cream and candy?”

“Yeah, why not?”

“And can we watch 'Cars' after dinner?”

“Sure.”

“Can we eat cookies for dinner since we're not having that for dessert?”

Ethan plates the food with a grin, “Liz, before you answer that…”

Liz snaps out of it, “Mmh... wait answer what?”

Ethan laughs and the boys pout at their last missed opportunity while running to the dining table. He shakes his head and gives her a quick kiss on the forehead, before following the boys to the dining table. And after a half-hour, the plates are empty, and the kids are hanging in their chairs. Liz had snuck her leg under the table against Ethan's and is also contently relaxing.

Max sighs deeply, "this was sooooo good, Ethan, can you come over to cook every day?"

"I would love to boys, but..." and the doorbell rings.

Liz frowns in confusion, "Who can that be in this weather?" She glances at her watch, "And at this time?"

Max shrugs casually, “Probably John, you know your ex-boyfriend who lives two doors from here.”

“John Marson? Why would he come over?”

Thomas frowns, “Mom asked him to check up on you because of the storm, didn’t Ethan tell you? Because we told him two days ago.”

Liz's gaze snaps towards Ethan and she pulls back her leg, “What?”

The doorbell rings again. "Well at least does this explain your behavior the past two days..." She stands up from her chair. "We are talking about this later Ethan." And she disappears into the hallway.

Ethen moves down in his chair, hand dripping over his face.

And the twins grin, “Ooooohhh, someone is in trouble!"

Taglist, please let me know if you want to be added or removed!

@queencarb

@shanzay44

@schnitzelbutterfingers

@jennieausten

@kachrisberry

@jerzwriter

@secretaryunpaid

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@pixelberrygirl

@ruy-oh

@choicesficwriterscreations

[adrenaline-roulette]

MASTERLIST

Welcome one and all, to the shitshow MASTERLIST My requests are always open! Currently I write for Queen, the BohRhap cast, Six Underground, Jurassic Park, Until Dawn, Labyrinth, and Night at the Museum. Don’t see your fandom on the list? Hit me up anyways, I’ll happily try my hand at writing for other fandoms! 

Smut = 💋 Angst = 👀 Violence = 🦴

Brian May x Reader 

He’ll save every one of us -In Progress-  Summary: “If you want to kick something, feel free to kick our van, Roger’s been pissing me off all week.” Came a deep voice from behind you both. “I’m sorry Mister, but I have a strict no kicking stranger’s cars policy. You’ll just have to kick Roger’s car yourself.” “Is there any particular reason as to why Roger’s car should be the victim of such abuse?”

Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five 👀 Chapter Six 👀 Chapter Seven

Is this just fantasy?  -Time Travel Fic In Progress-  Summary:  "Want me to bring back some ice-cream, and you can bitch about how horrible you day was?” The idea of ice-cream had never been more appealing. “I believe Ben and Jerry’s is on sale at the moment, I could really go from some chunky monkey.” “I never understood why you like that one so much!” “I try to convince myself that because it’s banana flavoured then it must be healthy.” “As a dietitian in training, it is my duty to tell you, that that is not by any means true.” “For a dietitian in training, you eat an awful lot of instant mac & cheese.” “Whoa now, there is no such thing as too much mac & cheese!”

Chapter One Chapter Two

It’s strange but it’s true -One Shot- Summary:  It’s 1984, Queen are filming the music video for I want to break free, though Brian hasn’t told his girlfriend about the whole cross dressing aspect of the shoot yet. What happens when she decides to show up to filming one day? “Roger…. What the actual fuck are you wearing right now?”

Chapter One 💋

Roger Taylor x Reader

Love of my life -One shot- Summary:  Roger Taylor's girlfriend is heavily pregnant, one night they decide to pick the perfect name for their unborn child, Though Roger has some seriously terrible suggestions. (Domestic Roger is my spirit animal)

Chapter One

Dining at the Ritz we’ll meet at 9 -One Shot- Summary:  “I’m telling the truth! I know what – Who I saw!” “Brian, just because the waitress and Roger’s friend have the same name, does not mean they are the same person.” “Friend? I think she’s a bit more than that.” “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean." “A friend who you will not stop talking about? A friend who you couldn’t stop grinning after she agreed to have dinner with you? Shall I go on?” “Freddie, I will kill you if you don’t shut up!”

Chapter One

Crazy little thing called love -One Shot- Summary:  “Turn around! Get your arse back in that fitting room right this second!” She yells, waving her arms above her head wildly. “Mary? What on Earth are you doing?” “Roger! The boys! They’re outside, they saw me and are coming in!” “Get rid of them! I don’t care what you have to do, but they cannot be in here!” You plead.

Chapter One

I’m in love with my car -One Shot- Summary: We all know Roger Taylor is in love with his car, but who is the song really about? Who do the metaphor's relate back to? "I’ve only just convinced myself not to walk back to London to see you after realising how long it would take me.” “You were going to walk back to London, just to see me?" “The thought did occur to me.”

Chapter One 💋

John Deacon x Reader 

A permanent deal -One Shot- Summary: “Right, just promise me this isn’t going to become the new look for the band alright? I mean, Brian’s got enough hair already, and I’m not entirely sure Roger can even grow facial hair.” John shrugs. “I don’t have that much hair.” “Bri, we could shave you and have your hair turned into costumes for the entire cast of cats!”

Chapter One

Joe Mazzello x Reader

Everybody walk the dinosaur  -Halloween One Shot-

Chapter One

Gwilym Lee x Reader

King of the pumpkin patch -Halloween One Shot- 

Chapter One

Ben Hardy x Reader

Let’s split up gang!  -Halloween One Shot-

Chapter One

Jet Lag -One Shot- Summary:  “I use a different name when travelling. One that’s less likely to have people catch on to it being me.” “What name do you use?” “Probably something stupid, like Dinkleburg Flapjack.” “I like to go by a name literally no one will ever now. Joe Mazzello is one of my favourites to use. Shockingly, no one’s ever heard of him?” 

Chapter One

Four x Eight (Reader) -Six Underground

Four Eighths  -Work in progress- Summary: A tech genius turned freelance hacker, turns to a life of crime in order to make ends meet, and to pay her bills. But what happens when she robs the wrong man? “You’re lucky I only shot your arm, I was half tempted to aim one at your leg too!” “Is that supposed to make me feel better? Do you expect me to thank you for only shooting me once?” “You’re sassy, I like you.”

Chapter One 🦴 Chapter Two Chapter Three 👀🦴 Chapter Four 👀 Chapter Five 👀 Chapter Six 👀💋 (Both are minor) Chapter Seven 💋 Chapter Eight 💋 Chapter Nine 👀 (Very minor) Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven 👀

Ahkmenrah x Reader - Night at the museum 

I am flesh and I am bone -Work in progress- Summary: At seven years old, you find yourself lost in the American Museum of Natural History. The magic of Ahkmenrah's tablet unfolds around you, and you find yourself living growing up amongst the people you had only ever read about! “Can I ask how old you are?” “At the time of my passing, I was nineteen. Though if you count my age by the years I have experienced, then I am a few thousand years old.” “So that means in twelve years, I’ll be the same age as you!” “Technically you are correct. There will come a day where we are both nineteen.”

Chapter One Chapter Two

Josh Washington x Reader -Until Dawn

I say no -Work in progress- Summary: Set after Hannah and Beth's disappearance, but before the return to the mountain.Straining your ears, you tried your best to pick up on what some of the surrounding people were talking about, though you were only able to pick up bits and pieces. “Washington sisters…” “-Police didn’t find any trace.” “Think Josh will come back?” “Hannah and Mike got cosy….”

Chapter One 👀 (Minor) Chapter Two 👀 (Minor)

Tim Murphy x Reader - Jurassic Park

Time of your life -One shot- Summary:  “Come here for a second.” “What’s up?” “Well, we never got a photo of us on our first day here, but I want to remember this. It’s a big deal ya know, the whole moving out of your family home and all that jazz. So, let’s get a photo now, we can show off my artistic ability in the process too.” “A perfect idea, I’ll grab my camera, and I’ll get the photo printed next time I’m in the mall.” “Welcome home Tim.”

Chapter One 👀 (Minor)

Jareth x Sarah - Labyrinth 

Absolute Beginners -Work in progress- Summary:  “Remember that chat we had the other day?” “You mean the one where we discussed whether pork was really a type of vegetable?” “No, not that o- Wait, when did we have THAT conversation?!” “Perhaps that was with my advisor Garret, not matter, please continue.”

Chapter One Chapter Two

[gravecinema]

Why Buffy the Vampire Slayer is Important - 05/09/2020

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a very important piece of fiction. No, I’m not talking about the groundbreaking television series that premiered in 1997, ran for seven seasons, and spawned a spin-off that ran for five (I’ll get to that some other time). I am referring to the redheaded step child of a movie from the early 90’s that came before it. The movie version of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is one of the most important vampire movies ever made. I will also say that it is pretty clearly not the best vampire movie ever made, but it’s impact on the genre continues to be felt on the big screen, and most importantly on the small screen, even to this day.

Released in July of 1992, Buffy the Vampire Slayer was directed by Fran Rubel Kazui, and the screenplay was written by a then young unknown writer named Joss Whedon. The concept that Whedon had come up with was brilliant. After viewing many monster movies before where the young blonde girl walking alone in an alley would get killed by a horrible monster, Whedon thought it would be a pretty fun idea to see a movie where the young blonde girl was getting stalked by a creature like a vampire, and it would instead be the girl that would turn around and kick the vampire's ass. It was a brilliant concept that Whedon would later explore and perfect in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer television series, however, the movie adaptation of his work would first prove to be a flawed, but still entertaining, execution of the concept.

The main plot of the movie is of course about a young blonde girl named Buffy, played by Kirsty Swanson, who is told that she is one of the rare chosen ones who has been gifted with the powers to fight and slay vampires. Guided by her watcher Merrick, played by Donald Sutherland, Buffy learns and trains how to slay vampires, while also receiving help from a rebellious young man name Pike, played by Luke Perry. Rutger Hauer plays the main vampire Big Bad Lothos, with his vampire minion Amilyn, played oozingly well by Paul Reubens, who has a scene stealing death that continues even into the credits. David Arquette has the fun role of Benny, who is Pike’s best friend who gets bitten and turned into a vampire in the first half of the film. There’s even a quick cameo by a very young Ben Affleck.

Now, to address the major criticism of the movie, the main failing of the movie is one of direction. The script was good, the cast was decent, and the concept was solid, but Kazui’s direction just didn’t mesh well with the original intent and tone of Whedon’s story. Whedon even expressed his frustration while they were making the movie in a behind the scenes video, saying of the movie that “It was funny when I wrote it.” Whedon was so frustrated by how much of his vision was being mishandled and re-written, that he eventually left the set during production and never came back. This frustration would later lead to Whedon wanting to explore the concept further on his own terms with the eventual television series on the new WB network. The television series would later go on to become the best genre television show of all time, but as I said before, that’s a topic for another discussion.

One major thing about the movie that really stands out to me every time I watch it is just how slow the fight scenes are. It looks like everyone is fighting in slow motion and have little actual skill when it comes to fighting, even though some of the vampires are supposed to be hundreds of years old, and should know how to fight. This makes it hard to take the action parts of the movie very seriously. If you ever want to see how not to do an exciting fight scene, then watch this movie.

There was clearly an evident clash of styles and ideas with the writing and directing when it came to making this movie. Kazui wanted the film to be lighter in tone than what was written in the script. Kazui appeared to want to make a seemingly funny and not very serious movie that happened to have vampires in it, while Whedon wrote a serious vampire movie that also happened to be funny. Whedon obviously had the better and right idea, since the serious and darker moments of the film tend to carry more weight and interest for the viewer, while the humorous elements seem to fall flat and a bit out of place. Most genuine laughable moments tend happen because of how bad they are.

Now, that’s not to say that there aren’t a few scenes that don’t give me a chuckle. Future star movie David Arquette’s charisma shines through whenever he’s on screen, and he does a terrific job at playing the recently turned vampire of Benny. He and Luke Perry have great chemistry together whenever they are on screen, and they share some of the film's most genuinely humorous scenes. The most laugh-out-loud moment of the film also has to be when Buffy stakes Amilyn, and Paul Reubens then proceeds to improvise the single greatest vampire death scene in all of cinema. The humor of Buffy is there, but it ultimately just wasn’t brought to its full potential with the film.

The darker elements of the film also have their place, even if they are downplayed more for a lighter overall tone. In Whedon’s script, Merrick was originally supposed to kill himself to prevent from being turned a vampire and revealing to Lothos who the Slayer is. The dream sequence of Buffy with Lothos also has a nice eerie feel to it that I wish was dialed up more through the film than in just this one scene. The big vampire fight at the dance in the climax of the film was also supposed to result in Buffy burning down the school gym. This detail, while omitted from the movie, would later be included in the television series as Whedon would retcon the backstory to his original script.

There is one aspect of the film that I think is truly perfect, and that’s Kirsty Swanson’s portrayal of the main character herself, Buffy. She plays the ditzy blonde valley girl stereotype very well, which is exactly what Whedon was going for in his original concept. While Sarah Michelle Gellar would prove to be the perfect Buffy for Whedon’s later television series, Kirsty Swanson proved to be the perfect Buffy for what this film wanted and needed her to be. She has her blonde California valley girl moments, but she also shows a strong personal character growth throughout the film. Swanson would also receive the film’s only award nomination, which was for Best Actress for the Fangoria Chainsaw Awards. Not exactly the Academy Awards, but still the only form of recognition that the film received upon its release.

Even for all the rewriting and adlibbing that Donald Sutherland did on his own to his watcher character of Merrick, he is still a great actor who plays the part well enough, even if he had little respect for the material. He maintains that older presence of a mentor that Buffy needs, and is one of the few serious and less comedic parts of the film. Donald Sutherland also hated the title of the film, so he was probably doing everything that he believed to make the movie better than what he thought it was, and the director would let him do whatever he wanted. It wouldn’t be the first instance of someone dismissing Buffy the Vampire Slayer just because of the title alone.

For all of the movie's missteps, they serve to illustrate how a movie of this genre should not be handled and can later be improved upon in the television series and other works of the genre. The good aspects of the film also show what can work in the genre when it’s done right. The first season of the television series would also experience some of these growing pains when trying to find just the right balance of horror and comedy. The importance of this movie is that it is essential in laying the groundwork for future vampire stories to come, and the high-school-is-hell metaphor. It basically further helps to define the teen vampire genre that was started with The Lost Boys in 1987 and continues to this day.

The movie is always going to be overshadowed and overlooked by the vastly superior television series, but it still holds an important place in the history of the vampire genre. While the more lighthearted take of vampires in it may have prevented it from becoming a true classic, it also makes it a good movie for younger kids to watch and to be introduced to the genre at a young age. This is a very important aspect of the film to remember, and it cannot be overlooked. It was a favorite of mine to watch when I was a younger kid growing up, and it certainly led me to the superior works of the genre, including my favorite television show of all time. Without this movie, we would never have gotten the great television series of the same name, and for that reason above all, the Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie will stand the test of time as being significantly important to the vampire genre.

[vaultofqueenorion]

It is time to introduce you all to my favorite series of all time by my favorite author of all time, that is the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas. 

This also means that the whole review will basically be one giant hype-train, even if I will keep spoilers to a minimum. 

So let’s take a deep dive into the story of Adarlan’s greatest assassin, Celaena Sardothien, the most sassy character that I have ever met, and one of the badass women in the series.

The Title

The title is dramatic, it’s got flair, and it also portrays something entirely terrible that had me actually getting chills when I started reading about the villain of the story. 

The castle is made completely of glass. That doesn’t seem particularly practical you say? Well you would be right, and Celaena would agree with you. It’s extravagant, just like the nobles of Adarlan who give no thought to the people that the King of Adarlan has oppressed for a while now. 

It’s also kind of the perfect metaphor for Celaena - extravagant and beautiful, but hiding a fragility, a fear that could bring it all crashing down. 

The Characters

See Celaena might be the Adarlan’s (and maybe even the world’s!) greatest assassin with blood on her teeth and a sharp tongue, but there are hints to her fear, to her utter self depreciation and escapism throughout the whole book.

She is, simply, a hero who doesn’t want to be one.

It’s quite aptly summed up in the picture above. She doesn’t believe that she’s fated for anything - not after having been through what she’s been through. 

But she puts on a mask and smiles through it all, ridiculing those around her and lavishing in the finer things in life. 

This was one of the things that made me connect so much with her (not the lashing out part, the hiding your true self part - the fear). Her past has left her so broken, so afraid of failure and of the world around her that she simply stopped trying to save it all. 

And yet.

Because as the above shows, she still does save people. She saves a puppy from being killed for being the ‘runt of the litter’, and she saves a man from falling to his death. She keeps saving those around her, keeps trying even after she says that she’s done.

Even though she has troubles surviving on her own as it is.

That’s also what’s so interesting about Celaena - she manages to be vibrant while hopeless, kind while self-preserving. She’s a full-blooded killer, but she doesn’t kill those who don’t deserve it. There are so many opposites within her, and they all serve to make her an incredibly fun character to follow. 

She’s also very flawed, and she’s got a horribly fiery temper that leaves her with thoughts such as the ones below.

See? That’s not the voice of a kind and soft spoken woman. That’s the voice of a fighter that has walked through hell and yet still manages to come out the other side. 

A Nehemia so aptly puts it:

Her spirit remains as it once was - she is scarred and she is hurt, but she kept her defiance going. She kept getting up after being knocked down.

I think that is one of the things that had me relating to her the most. All of those feelings, all of the despair and fear and pain and yet she still manages to get onto her feet one more time after she gets knocked down.

Celaena is a hero who had me getting back on my own two feet long after I finished her story. 

Nehemia is the second character that I want to talk about. The princess of Eyllwe, the land that the Kind of Adarlan has practically enslaved for their rebellion against his power, Nehemia Ytger is stuck in an enemy capital, walking around the torturer of her people at all times. And yet she still manages to keep her chin up, her spine erect.

She’s a powerful woman, the light of her people, and the dearest friend of Celaena. She’s fierce and Celaena has the idea that she’s fighting to free her people, even as she walks among her enemies, a wolf in sheep’s clothing. 

She’s also the one to bail Celaena out at many points, their friendship deepening with each horrifying secret that they uncover. She’s clever enough to keep her things relatively hidden, but there’s also a hint of sadness to her whenever she talks about her people. As if she knows that she cannot ever do enough.

Chaol is the captain of the Royal Guard. He’s cold, he’s calculating and he’s suspicious of Celaena and her intentions. That is, until you get to know him. He can seem stand-offish - imagine an old grumpy man with a golden heart. The thing is that this old man’s heart (he’s young in the book btw, so don’t take the metaphor too seriously) has been encased in ice and it takes him a while to thaw.

He does, however, appreciate hard work, and I have the sneaking suspicion that he’s proud of Celaena after a while as she goes from hollowed out husk to powerhouse again.

The above is not a particularly nice part of the book, but it does signify their relationship at first. Chaol sort of tolerates her, he doesn’t really praise her, but he comes to care for her. A lot.

And it was really really nice to have a hero that had to be retrained again, because that is the most realistic thing that I’ve seen in regards to a hero who has come back from a long time of inactivity.

Dorian Havilliard, the Crown Prince of Adarlan, is a softie. At least he seems like that - naive, doesn’t go against his fathers wishes, womanizer. The standard douchey no-good straight guy who has it all.

It’s shown in the dumb question below (which makes Celaena have the most amazing response later on the page, but go read the book to see that one!).

Because Endovier is the Death camp. It’s been made to kill and to be unescapable. And yet he asks her the unthinkable. Celaena, with her sass and smart assery, gives the perfect response and her escape plan was almost perfect. 

Dorian learns, slowly, to stand up to his father. He learns what it means to care for someone other than himself and his best friend Chaol, and he actually seems to maybe not despise it, but at least rein back on the courtly stuff. But boy oh boy there’s a lot of character development here, and the potential is amazing.

The King of Adarlan was terrifying. He’s a peripheral character, most of the time, but he’s very much prevalent in all of their minds. Sort of a dark presence that never moves, never blinks, he seems to watch their every movement. 

He’s cruel, he’s dark and we have no clue how much he knows. That lack of knowledge is terrifying and it was nice to have a hero that actually feared their adversary rather than felt like they could defeat them, because Celaena, Dorian, everyone feels powerless against him. 

The quote below from Celaena is one that I am especially fond of.

Cain is ... wow. Don’t even get me started. He’s a brute and he’s just plain cruel for fun. I didn’t like him because he was a bully, but he was never that prominent for me. He was a villain like any other. 

Elena, who is another pretty good but also a bit meh character for me, warns Celaena of this regarding Cain and whatever is going on.

Elena is not a character that I will go into. She’s sort of the friendly ghost that hangs back and swoops in once in a while, and she seems to want to help Celaena, but you have to take a look at her for yourselves.

The Plot

Ever wanted to read a murder mystery slash assassing tournament slash love and friendship story that takes place in a fantasy world that once held magic but is now dried out? Then this is the one for you.

That is a huge simplification, of course, because reality is so much better. I was in suspense until the end - not about who was the evil one, but rather what is going on. There’s a whole level of suspense going on in figuring out what in the world is happening alongside Celaena, who needs to discover everything for herself.

And gosh. The whole retraining programme in which Celaena finally gets to eat like the noble she feels like, and the way she has her sassy spars with Chaol. 

Just everything.

Also the ball seen at the Yule ball is so worth it and her dress description gives me life.

Then we move on to the tournament. I was in love with the challenges and whenever one presented itself, my eyes were glued to the pages. The way Celaena can easily outmaneuver most of them, but she needs to keep it a secret is priceless.

Also the poison challenge in which the participants need to rank the poisons from the most deadly to the most harmless and then drink whatever they placed as ‘without poisons’ is amazing. Partly because Celaena actually doesn’t identify all of them, and partly because there is just so much confusion among everyone but one (who’s basically a poisoner) and when they drink it. Man did I enjoy watching all the characters that Celaena hated writhe on the ground before they could get the antidote.

Next comes the murders. They are gruesome and terribly well written, and the worst part is that no one can figure out what is doing it. Organs are removed, brains carved out and they are surrounded by strange marks. 

Of course Celaena finds out, which results in one of the most intense scenes in the book, which I very much loved.

The last part of the plot is the actual tournament. It is tense, and it is glorious. A hero who struggles so much at the end will always be appealing to me, and then the scene where she thinks I will not be afraid (below) is one of the most character defining moments for me.

Because that is who she is. She denies her fear room, she fights on through it, and she says that she is Celaena Sardothien, and she will not be afraid.

It gave me courage, too.

The Language

Gorgeous, stunning, fierce. Can I end the segment there? That’s not enough to convince you? Alright, then let’s take a deep dive.

This is my absolute favorite quote, so much so that I got a version of it tattooed, so the below is really the star of the book.

It’s got fate in it and it’s got power and it is so beautifully written that I am in awe. The fear part got me - that she is so powerful that she would be able to change the course of the world, but she is too afraid to do it, because of her past, because of the world around her.

Geez that hits right in the feels. 

The stars and darkness and unknown is a huge part of this book and there are so many beautiful quotes that it is hard to narrow it down. The thing is that while the characters carry the book, the language is paced perfectly with snippets of these gems hidden between the pages and it just makes you want to keep coming back, again and again and again.

I found myself trying to emulate her writing style after I had read it (I quickly dropped that again because I kept slipping back into my own style which is honestly the best), and it stuck with me long after I put down the book. 

In conclusion

Do you get the feeling that I could talk for days and days and days about this book? You are very much right. It is my all time favorite, and I devoured it whole in one sitting when I first got it. I simply couldn’t tear my eyes away from the pages and the wonderful world that Sarah J. Maas has built within. 

So do yourself a favor and check it out. I’ll be giving it five paws, in any case.

[andidrewrose]

And I drew roses

      Andrew Rose

Information 

Name : Andrew Cole

Surname : Courtenay Rose

Nickname : Andy, Drew

Title : Earl of Carlisle

Age : 20 years old, coming for his 21st

Nationality: British

Sexual orientation : Bisexual

Activities : Painting, drawing, fencing, horse riding, reading, learning

House : Napoleon

Major : Psychology

Year : 3rd

Story

Andrew was born in England, to a white wealthy earl father and a black British-Caribbean mother. 

He has an older sister who is studying politics at Oxford, and a little brother who is still in high school.

He grew up in their family mansion located in a town in the countryside. Until he was height.

He accidentally killed his father in the woods during an archery practice when he was eight years old. 

Their neighbours accused his mother for the crime, became very racists towards what was left of this family, forcing the Courtenays to move from town. They ended up in a town called Whitney.

When his father died, they lost most of the family’s incomes and everyone tried to suck money out of them in every way they could. Their status went from very wealthy to high middle class. 

His father’s mother didn’t really want to help the daughter-in-law she never liked, but she loved her grandchildren and offered to pay for their education if she could see them regularly. 

When going to their grandma’s, which was a whole floor of the castle she ran, Andrew used to take fencing lessons and do some horse riding, along with going to parties. With his grandmother could have a taste of the aristocracy life he missed when he killed his father. 

He was desperate to quit England for any other country. With the advice of his mother and grandmother he chose Astor Academy to learn psychology. (full story at the end)

Facts 

Due to the big trauma he endured as a child, Andrew has been struggling with mental health his whole life. 

He draws and paints since the accident. He also started doing graffiti when he was a teenager. This is one of his way of coping. 

His grandmother sells his paintings to her friends and to some amateurs by exposing them in her castle. 

One of his recurrent pattern in his paintings are red dots, a vivid image from the accident.

 One unhealthy way was drugs, when he was in high school. He finally realized it wasn’t what he needed when coming to Astor Academy.

His real drug is danger, despair, and the adrenaline that comes with it. He realized he only felt alive when he was facing his death. 

Psychology is his major because he has a history with psychologist and psychiatrists and he feel like he needs to help other children like him. He wants to specialize in Child Psychology. 

He has a british accent.

He took his mother’s name when enlisting for Astor, as a way to let this tragedy and a part of himself behind him.

No one knows that he killed his father. And doesn’t want to tell anybody.

Character

Most of the time, Andrew is pretty chill. He likes to hang out with people, without being too outgoing. 

In a group, he won’t be the most talkative one, but he will never miss an opportunity to make a sarcastic comment. As youngsters say, he is “fluent in sarcasm”. 

He likes to tease his friends, making them laugh and laughing with them.

He will gladly play along with someone’s prank or act.

He makes sure to always compliment his friends when they do something that needs complimenting, for their work, their outfit, their ideas, their good actions...

He’s not easy to anger, but he can be easily annoyed.

He is very good-mannered and polite. His “posh” vibes are always fighting with his “hooligan” vibes. 

He doesn’t want anyone to know he has a title and that he comes from aristocracy. He tells everyone he’s from an average rich family. 

When it comes to him, his feelings and his past, he’s very secretive. Which can make him look like he’s being mysterious. 

If he is going through a depressed phase, he can be very moody.

If you get him on a topic that he has strong opinions or that he is passionate about, he would gladly talk hours about it. 

He takes his studies seriously, and even if he likes to go out, you will often see him in the library or his room studying. 

/tw : sh\ Though he doesn’t harm himself anymore, he is drawn to self-harming situations, aka dangerous ones. He will seek a way to make himself pay for what he did. 

Interpretation of the character based on the information given on the skeletons (one paragraph):

Made-up confidence. Perfect appearance. Wit and sarcasm. His smile can charm but, no matter how good he is at controlling everything about himself, attempting to reach for the boy he was, his eyes don’t fool anyone. Truth is, Andrew has never really been well since the incident. He has rarely felt alive at all. Seeking comfort in everything he could, alcohol, drugs, sex... Anything that may cover the void. But all of this didn’t do it for him. Numbing himself away from reality never really was the solution, even if he was convinced it was, for a moment back in high school. But the emptiness was still there. No, he realized this was not his cure. In order to feel alive, he had to feel like he was pushing himself to the edge of death. Waking his brain the fuck up. Tricking it into thinking he was going to die, so he could have access to this primitive part of his brain, survival mode, that made him feel so alive. Challenge. Danger. Fear. Adrenaline. Desperate hope. However, one who doesn’t really know him couldn’t guess this side of him. He seems so charming and sweet...

His only healthy way of copying mechanism is art. Painting. Graffiti tags. Leaving a permanent mark. One that cannot be erased so easily. Greater than oneself. At the end, the final result is the history of every line you made. Either if you meant to trace it or not.

History (give your chosen character a brief background):

It wasn’t supposed to be like this. His life. It wasn’t supposed to go like this.

He was — is — the son of an English earl. Growing up in a respectable family, in the mansion in this lovely english town, with his sister and brother, his parents, the grandparents and cousins never too far away. It should have been a pretty, happy, privileged life.

Living far from the stress and pollution of the city, in a rich town where you grow up with the same people and create unbreakable bonds that will last forever after you all part ways and when you meet, five, ten years later, the friendship and camaraderie never faded away, and you talk about the good old days and how simple were things before. Getting every luxury you would have feel like wanting to have, affording every trip, every piece of clothing, every jewelry, every unnecessary whim. Getting the best education of the country, with special individual teachers, piano, violin, french, german, horse riding, boxing, fencing lessons. Getting into Eton. Not having to bother to acknowledge the price of anything. Having the possibility to do everything you fucking want because money and status can repay for everything, because money can buy everything, and everyone. Meeting the elite of the nation in splendorous parties and gatherings. Being beautiful, handsome and resplendent. Envied. Desired. Feeling powerful and invincible.

But none of this happened to Andrew. Not to his sister, or his brother. All because of him. He is responsible for so many of his family’s problems. And it has always been a burden he had to carry alone. And a fucking big one.

His father died when he was eight. Colin Courtenay was a British noble and business man. He came from a rich family and intended to make his family even richer. He had ambition. He was well respected amongst his peers. He was at the head of a big fortune and when he unexpectedly died, the mess that came as the aftermath was a nightmare.

Colin’s wife, Andrew’s mother, Sarah Courtenay, was already devastated enough by her loss, but she had to bear the accusations that were made against her. This was a little town, and gossip and rumors are the pillars of its life. People knew that Sarah did not came from a family as rich as her husband’s, quite the contrary even, and family’s friends and others would have heard that the couple wasn’t the happiest at the moment. But this was more than gossip, this was real accusations. People in town would accuse her of commanding the murder of her husband. She hired someone to kill her husband in the woods so she would inherit his fortune and title for her son, Andrew. They would spit it at her, along some racist slur directed at her and her children, especially Andrew. From one day to the other, the all town was revealing its true nature. People they considered as friends were turning against them. The harassment wouldn’t stop. They couldn’t live here anymore. They had to get away. All because of him. The thing is, Andrew was responsible for his father’s death.

They first went to some land that was his father’s. But they had to move from there quickly too when the news got to the villagers’ hears. Colin’s mother was also trying to legally take back all her son’s land and wealth, she never trusted her daughter-in-law. She tried to keep the children with her too, but Sarah would never let go of them.

So they quickly moved into a house in Whitney. Sarah, who graduated from college with a science degree, had to find a job, something she hadn’t done since she married Colin. Colin’s investors and associates were stealing money where they could. They threatened her to frame her for her husband’s murder if she tried to take legal actions against them.

Sarah spent years and years fighting for her and her children’s well-being. She was a single mother that came from a poor family from Saint-Vincent, and her husband wasn’t here anymore to protect her, all the rich vultures were trying to have a piece of this meal.

Andrew had to watch her mother’s life, all of their lives, go to ruins. Because of one thing he did.

Her mother and grand parents fed him lies. It’s not your fault honey, it’s not your fault. Maybe they meant it. Or they were better liars than his siblings. The way his sister looked at him was speaking for itself. She saw everything. 

Their father’s mother would eventually help them. Only because she still loved her grandchildren and demanded to see them when she pleased. She would in exchange pay their education and teach them how to run her castle and the domain once she will be gone. Even in his grandmother Andrew could feel resentment towards his person.

The boy just wanted to run away from all this.

He tried building himself a new life in Whitney, new friends, girlfriends, boyfriends. But growing up messed up, biracial and bisexual in a group of uneducated boys, he quickly came to conclusion that nothing will ever be normal again, especially not him.

He sought for a way out. And when he found it, he took it. That’s how he ended up studying psychology in America.

The topic of the change of his last name has been brought many time by him to his mother, so people wouldn’t link them to the drama. She considered it more than once, but never went through. She wanted to claim their belonging to this family and her husband’s memory. However, Andrew made his own decision and took his mother’s name when coming to America. A fresh start. 

[wolfpawn]

I Hate You, I Love You, Chapter 45

Chapter Summary - Danielle is getting as much work as she can done, though she is having a bit of trouble doing so with not one, but three Hiddleston's as well as slowly allowing herself become a bigger part in Tom's life, as he is accepting her terms on how to do so.

Rating - Mature (some chapters contain smut)

Triggers - references to Tom Hiddleston’s work with the #MeToo Movement. That chapter will be tagged accordingly.

authors Note - I have been working on this for the last 3 years, it is currently 180+ chapters long.  This will be updated daily, so long as I can get time to do so, obviously.

tags: @sweetkingdomstarlight-blog  @jessibelle-nerdy-mum @nonsensicalobsessions @damalseer @hiddlesbitch1 @winterisakiller @fairlightswiftly @salempoe @lys-syl @youcantcatchafallingstar

If you wish to be tagged, please let me know.

“Done,” Danielle sighed as she placed a pile of documents back in their folder and put it in the finished pile.

“Darling?”

“Living room.” She replied, looking at the door, knowing Tom would walk in any moment.

“I was thinking,”

“Ah, that can’t be good.” She laughed as he finally came into view, his face showing his bemusement. “You asked for it,” she sniggered as he came over to her. “What were you thinking?”

He sat beside her, pulling her onto his lap. “I love you.”

Danielle eyed him suspiciously. “That’s not good.”

“It is darling, it is, I just…I want to show people the amazing woman I have.” he kissed a small trail along her neck.

“Tom…” Danielle pulled away. “I’m not sure I…”

“A small get together, here, at the house, just literally a few friends, Ben and Sophie included.” He suggested.

Danielle’s brow furrowed and she bit her lip for a moment. “That sounds nice.” She turned to face him, kissing him as she did.

“Really?” Tom eyed her worriedly. “I thought you would shoot it down.”

“I would have, if you suggested a public place, I am not ready to deal with huge numbers of people and photographers shouting at us, but we control this environment, no paps, only people you are good friends with, and I will have Sophie to hide behind.” She smiled.

“Just a few friends, five tops, I want them to actually get to know you properly and I don’t want you to be overwhelmed.” He grinned; delighted she had been so welcoming of the idea.

“Just one thing, though,” she added, tom froze and waited for what she would ask. “No overly fancy food.”

“I promise,” he grinned, “shrimp caviar and a nice flute of champagne should be enough.” Her response was a fit of giggles. “Did I hear you say you are done?”

“For today, yes.”

“It’s only six.”

“Yes, I got the files I wanted to get done sorted, and I have bleary eyes and a hankering for a nice run.” She explained, getting to her feet.

“I’ll have dinner ready for when you get back.” Tom kissed her again before getting them both to their feet. “How does lamb sound?”

“Usually they make a sort of ‘maa’ sound.” She answered, laughing again at the bemused look on his face. “I’m sorry, that was Baaaad.”

“Fucking hell, please stop.” Tom smiled, trying not to laugh, but the more she looked at him, the harder it became to hold it in before he ended up laughing too. “You are so terrible.”

“You love it.” She grinned before groaning.

“What?” Tom asked worriedly.

“I have nothing nice to wear, they are all going to think you are after going from bad to worse and are now slumming it with, what are they called here chavs?”

Tom rolled his eyes. “You do not, in any way, shape or form, have the appearance of a chav.” Danielle looked at the sweatpants and Nike air hoodie she was wearing before raising a brow. “You are wearing them because you planned to go for a jog, don’t get sassy with me.” He ordered.

“Now you are sounding a little kinky.” She smiled.

“I swear, there is a side of you I am dying to have fun with.” He grinned, taking a step forward. Immediately, Danielle took a step back. “Elle…”

“Yes, sir?” she grinned slyly.

“Go for your run before I take you on the couch.”

“That’s….I dunno, some form of fancy designer that overcharges and is easily ruined, you can’t do that.”

“Go for your run, missy.”

“Yes, sir.” She grinned before rushing out the door again.

“Minx,” Tom shouted before getting the cup she had left on the table and bringing it to the kitchen.

*

“So tomorrow evening then?” Tom double checked one last time before sending out the texts to his friends.

“Perfect, I will go shopping and get a few things for it in the afternoon.” She smiled, kissing his cheek as she grabbed a cup from the press to make herself a cup of tea to continue her paperwork.

“I cannot wait, thank you, Elle.”

“What for?” she scoffed.

“Doing this.” He gently placed his hands on her sides.

“It’s a few friends over.” She dismissed.

“But when Paul asked you to meet his friends…”

“I was not looking at Paul as long term, that was…I’m not sure, probably just a distraction, as cruel as it sounds, I wasn’t invested in that, and I knew deep down they would be asses, and well, I was right and then some.”

“I went to a public school and Cambridge and you’re not worried my friends will be the same?”

“I am, a little, but I will have Sophie to help me too.” She grinned, but then the grin fell off her face as she listened. “The door…”

Tom walked into the hallway only to come face to face with Mac Tíre. “What the…"

“There you are Tom, give me a hand.”

“Mum…” Mac rushed into the kitchen passed Tom. “What…?”

“Christmas shopping sweetheart, I always do this.”

Tom winced as he recalled her saying that. “I forgot, what do I need to help with?” She indicated to go outside to the car. “Mum!” He looked at what she had brought with her.

“The house is too bare, darling, you never put up a lot of decorations.” She commented.

“So you dragged Sarah into this?” Tom laughed as he watched his sister try to unload the car, rushing over to help.

“I regretting asking if she wanted me to collect her at the house.”

“Why is Mac here?”

“Got in and would not get out, you don’t understand Tom,” Sarah’s face told him her seriousness, “He literally refused to get out. The whole way here, he just sat there, looking out, waiting to get here, as soon as he saw the house, he went bonkers whining to get out, we thought it was to get to the bathroom but he just waited at the door for mum to open it. Has he ever been here?”

“No, but Elle’s inside,” Tom commented, Sarah just stared at him. “Do you think he knew?”

“He’s a dog, and we didn’t know. Wait, is she fully clothed?”

Tom chuckled, “She was when she was in the kitchen a minute ago making her tea.”

“Wait, where is her car?”

“Getting serviced, it sort of had a run-in with a pothole and is now a bit screwed up, something about the radiator and the exhaust, it’s in for the holidays.”

“Oh, lovely.” Sarah groaned, throwing a bag of decorations at him. “Hey, do you think she will want to go shopping with us?”

“I’m not sure, she has a fortune of paperwork she’s doing.”

“Yeah, ‘paperwork’,” Sarah scoffed.

“No actually, she is very strict, I was locked out of my own living room two days ago because of it.”

Sarah laughed. “I always liked her. I hope this works Tom, I really do, she is the dose of reality you need in your life.”

“I hope so too.” Tom beamed as he walked up the steps and into his home, looking at Mac, who was wagging his tail at him in the hall. “Did she see you?” he asked the dog excitedly.

“He only left me because he heard you on the steps.” Danielle smiled as she walked into the hallway. “Yikes, need a hand?” she rushed over to help him with the decorations.

“Thanks,” he smiled. “You mad?”

“About what?” she laughed, making her way to the kitchen.

“Your paperwork.”

“I will have to get over it, apparently I am to be forced to bully my way through the shopping streets after a cup of tea.”

“Are you okay with that?” Tom asked worriedly.

“I don’t think I get a choice.” She shrugged. “I suppose one extra day won’t kill me, will it?”

“Well, you got a half morning done.”

“Glass half full,” Danielle winked before walking back over to the counter, handing Tom a cup of tea she had made him before turning again to talk with Diana, who was smiling happily at them both.

*

Tom - Look who’s made himself at home.

Danielle laughed to herself as she looked at the accompanying photo of Mac, who was asleep, upside down, tongue hanging out of his mouth by Tom’s feet.

Danielle - He won’t want to go home later.

Tom – He doesn’t have to, we can bring him with us when we go for Christmas.

Danielle – Is that fair on him?

Tom – I’m not going to lie, darling, I am a tad insulted, why would it be. I have always wanted a dog and there is more than enough room for him here, he is happy, see picture for confirmation. We have lovely places to walk him too.

Danielle sighed, wondering what to do.

“You look like you’re in intense thought, has my idiot brother put his foot in it?” she looked up to see Sarah looking at her.

“No, just a simple issue with Mac.” Sarah cocked her head slightly. “He thinks he should stay until we head to Suffolk for Christmas.”

“What do you think?”

“That I would like that, but isn’t it a bit much.”

“How so?”

“It’s just so…..”

“Domestic?” Sarah offered. “What’s wrong with that? Tom wouldn’t offer if he didn’t want it, that’s the kind of guy he is. He wants a normal home life, same as most everyone else, and that includes the pet and partner.” She smiled. “You are so much better a match for him, I mean, she had some good points, everyone does, but he likes this life and his work life separate, there was no way to do that with her.” She gave Danielle an apologetic look. “I know you might not want to hear that.”

“Look, I don’t like her, but I acknowledge she is not the devil incarnate. Just don’t expect me to be sad if she never releases another album.”

“You and me, both,” Sarah agreed. “I am so relieved I don’t have a moody teenager at the moment, I am not sure if I could listen to ‘Shake It Off’ on loop. That’s one of the only songs of hers that I can stand.”

“Mine is Bad Blood,” Danielle admitted.

“She doesn’t even sing all of it herself.”

“Why do you think I like it?” Danielle joked.

Sarah did too as she held up a jacket, “Thoughts?”

“Retro style, I’m sure he’ll like it, not sure if it’s his colour, though.”

“Tom always wears navy.” Sarah frowned.

“Wait, Tom? Sorry thought you were looking at it for Yakov; that will suit him to the ground, he’ll love it.” Danielle smiled.

“What are you getting him?”

“Is a weekend away in an old English manor that happens to have a spa alright?” Sarah stared blankly at her. “Too naff?”

“I want it.” Sarah groaned. “Seriously, tell him if he doesn’t have it done before the Golden Globes, I will use it on him,” she swore.

“Will do.” Danielle looked at her phone, having received another text.

Tom – I know you are busy getting me wonderful presents, but could you pick up a few things from Harrods’s, I know mum will go there at some stage, just a few bits I need to get for people.

Danielle – Don’t you have some poor little goon on minimum wage stuck doing that for you? : P

Tom – I do, why do you think I am texting? Xx

“That bastard!” Danielle laughed as she looked at Tom’s reply.

Sarah just moved around and was able to read the lower half of Danielle’s message and Tom’s response. “That cheeky prick,” She laughed as she shook her head.

“I walked myself into that one.” Danielle conceded.

“You may have.” Sarah went back to seeing if she could get anything for her husband, but glanced over to Danielle for a moment, seeing the genuine smile on the other woman’s face, thinking that indeed, as far as any women Tom had shown interest in were concerned, she was by far the best match for her idiot brother.

[marinsawakening]

Fake dating? Then they realise they're way better as a qpr, and switch to that?

This is 2000+ words and got way out of hand, hence why it took so long. Also, I changed the prompt slightly to an already established qpr (not that that comes up until the last possible second), and there’s only one explicitly arospec character, but for the record, Ed is totally nebularomantic in this. Warnings are minimal, except for extensive swearing and some sexual references. Lastly: No editing we die like men.

Summary: AU where Ed, Winry, Al, and Paninay are master thiefs planning a heist for various large diamonds, and in order to succeed, Ed and Winry go undercover as a married couple. 

This wasn’t going as planned. Or, more accurately: this was going exactly as planned, and he absolutely hated it.

As predicted, the crusty old nobles had bought the charade hook, line, and sinker, and now all that was left to do was scout the territory, grab the jewels, and vanish into the night. Problem was, neither Al nor Paninya had given the signal yet, and so he was stuck actually pretending to date Winry, exactly as they had planned.

“Your wife is lovely, Mr. Rockbell-Elric,” purred the old fuck they were planning to rob next to him, and Ed drained his wine in one swig. Winry was entertaining some socialites further up the buffet table, but she threw him a pointed glare. Keep off the wine, it warned, you have a job to do.

In response, Ed rolled his eyes.

“I see she’s not a fan of drink, though,” Old Fuck said, bemused. “Mine isn’t either. After we got married, she put me on a strict no-alcohol policy, as if I’m some child that can’t handle my liquor!”

“Must be tough,” Ed managed to spit out from behind gritted teeth. Thankfully, Old Fuck was too self-absorbed to notice a thing.

“Truly! Women, I swear, always nagging, and nagging, and nagging, as if we cannot think for ourselves! I wish my wife would shut up and think about me for once. But, well, I suppose it could be worse; after all, she does have a nice pair of -”

“Lord D’Argent!” Winry interrupted right before Ed would have been forced to smash the Fuck’s head in, with a smile that dialed up the ass-kissing to eleven. “May I express my gratitude for being invited to your party? Winry Rockbell-Elric, at your service. I see you’ve met my husband?”

“Oh yes!” Old Fuck - D’Argent, and yes he had actually known that, he just didn’t particularly care - swung an arm over Ed’s shoulder, and it took every ounce of self restraint he had not to slice if off right then and there, but he managed, and even conjured up a smile. “Lovely man, excellent taste in wine. You’ve got yourself quite a catch, Ms. Rockbell-Elric.”

“Please, call me Winry.” She held out a gloved hand for D’Argent to kiss, who eagerly complied. “After all, we’re all friends here, are we not?”

“Quite! I’ll be terribly sorry to see you go tonight.”

Us and your priced jewels, Ed thought, and the smile on his face became slightly more real.

“About that,” Winry began, voice smooth as a dagger. “I’m afraid I must ask you for a favor. See, I have been informed by one of your staff that, unfortunately, some saboteur seems to have slashed the tires of my automobile, and as I am not currently in the possession of a replacement, I will need to stay here until the garage can send men to help us repair it.”

And, just like that, Ed’s smile slipped off his face.

“I’m sorry?” Ed exclaimed. “Our car has been sabotaged?”

It was bullshit, obviously. There was no saboteur in the world who could out-sabotage Winry, and they definitely had some replacement tires hiding around the car. The car being supposedly so damaged that they’d need to wait for professional non-Winry help could only mean one thing: Al and Paninya had encountered more difficulties than expected, and now they were moving on to plan B.

“I’m afraid so, sweetheart,” Winry replied, honey dripping off her smile.

Ed fucking hated plan B even more than he hated plan A.

“That’s terrible!” Lord D’Argent said indignantly, wiggling his overly large mustache. “I cannot believe some scoundrel would have the nerve to do this on my grounds! You have my sincerest apologies, Mr. and Ms. Rockbell-Elric, and of course I welcome you to stay at my home for as long as you need.”

“Much obliged, Lord D’Argent.” Winry made a quick courtesy, and, after a beat too long, Ed followed her example and bowed. “Much obliged,” he repeated through gritted teeth. “You have our thanks.”

“Nonsense! It’s the least I could do for such lovely newly weds.”

On moments like these, Ed really wished there was a God above, just so he could have someone to strangle.

///

“What the fuck?” he hissed, as soon as they’d been left in their assigned rooms. Winry was unimpressed.

“The safe was tougher than we’d anticipated, and Paninya can’t crack it. Al slashed the tires and hid the replacements so that we’d have an excuse to stay longer. I’m going to join them at the safe tonight, so that me and Paninya can hopefully break through together.”

“And if you can’t?”

“Then the brakes of our car and those of the D’Argents will ‘mysteriously’ be cut, making it impossible for us to move out just yet.”

“Fuck.” Ed fell back on the bed, burying his head in his arms. “Fuck. I’d agreed to one night of fake marriage, one night.”

“Don’t be such a baby, you can last for a day or so more.”

“Our backstory can’t!”

“Then we’ll just need to work on it more.” Winry gently sat on the other side of the bed, her face softening slightly as she looked at him. “Look, Ed, neither of us likes this very much, but we need to get those jewels. You know that.”

Ed didn’t answer, and finally, Winry just sighed.

“Fine, be like that. But we’ll still need to work on our cover.”

“We married last spring, you’re pregnant, we’re naming the baby Fuck You.”

“Maybe something a little less crude, but I like the pregnancy bit.”

“I don’t.”

“Tough. I vote we name the baby Urey if it’s a guy or Sarah if it’s a girl.”

“Really? Naming them after your dead parents?”

“It’s just the kind of drama the D’Argents will eat up.”

“And what if the kid is actually nonbinary, hm?”

“Ed, we all know that in high society, trans people don’t exist.”

“Are we having a gender reveal party too?”

“Obviously.”

That actually managed to get a laugh from Ed, who promptly tried to smother it. Winry smiled down at him, her whole being radiating smugness. “See? It won’t be that bad.”

“Okay, fine.” Ed tried to hide his grin as he sat up proper. “Let’s fuck with some rich people.”

///

After Ed had accepted his cruel fate, it was actually not as bad as he’d feared.

“We’re planning to name the child Urey or Sarah, after Winry’s parents,” he said, a small but proud (and very fake) smile on his face, and he glanced at Winry from the corner of his eyes. She fluttered her eyelashes in a way that was almost cartoonish, but she pecked him on the cheek and the D’Argents practically melted in front of his eyes.

“That’s so terribly sweet,” Lady D’Argent cooed, leaning forward with a hungry look in her face. “What made you settle on them? Me and my husband have been arguing for ages about baby names, and yet, we haven’t been able to reach any consensus.”

They probably thought that they were being subtle, but if looks could kill, the D’Argent couple would have committed murder several times over during this dinner. Not for the first time, Ed wished he could break cover to yell ‘Get a divorce!’. Sadly, he had to settle for: “She suggested it, and it was so absolutely perfect, I didn’t see a reason to argue. We don’t argue all that much, honestly!”

It was a blatant, horrid lie, and Winry quickly turned her laugh into a cough. “It’s true,” she added. “It’s as if we were made for each other.”

“When did you first fall in love?” Lady D’Argent said, pointedly not looking at Lord D’Argent.

“We’ve simply never not known,” Winry answered, hanging just a little closer to Ed to emphasize the point.

“Yes,” Ed added. “She’s always felt very different than all the other friends I had. Totally. Very distinct.”

“Oh, I completely understand what you mean,” Lady D’Argent said, and she grabbed Lord D’Argent’s hand, who looked as if he wanted nothing more than to run away. “When I first saw my dear Micheal, I immediately knew he was the one.”

“Love at first sight, yes, very romantic.”

“Ed, honey, haven’t you had enough wine for the day?”

“Why, Winry, my darling, don’t you want a glass as well?”

“Oh, I’d rather drink something else, if we may excuse ourselves to the bedroom?”

“Oh, yes, of course, we wouldn’t want to keep you,” Lady D’Argent replied, slightly green, although whether it was with disgust or envy, Ed couldn’t say.

“Thank you very much, my lady.” Winry inclined her head and, leaning on Ed a little heavier than necessary, with Ed’s arm wrapped around her a little tighter than normal, they left the banquet.

Back in the safety of their rooms, Ed burst out laughing.

“ ‘I’d rather drink something else’? Holy shit, Winry.”

“Got the job done, didn’t it?” She grinned smugly at him, before quickly switching demeanor to serious. “Alright, we need to get started.”

“Right.”

Quickly, they got to work. Ed opened the bag, pulling out a length of rope he handed to Winry, who had opened up the window and proceeded to tie the rope securely around the window sill, ready to be climbed on. They were on the ground without a sound, ran across the courtyard like shadows, and ducked into the western wing like ghosts, making their way to the safe perfectly unseen. Al and Paninya were waiting for them, just as planned.

“You lovebirds getting busy?” Paninya asked, wiggling her eyebrows.

“Apparently, Winry’s thirsty tonight,” Ed replied in deadpan.

“And Ed’s too drunk to stop me from ravaging him,” Winry agreed, also in complete seriousness.

“Guys, can we please make jokes about Ed and Winry fucking after we’ve stolen the priceless treasure?”  Al said, desperately.

“Al, don’t you know that love is the greatest treasure of all?” Paninya placed a hand over her heart. “I cannot believe I’m in cahoots with such a heartless monster.”

“Next time, I’m vetoing the marriage cover. For my sanity. I do not want to think about my brother having sex ever again.”

“How about we just swap you and Ed, then? You get to fake date your childhood friend!”

Al stared at her, completely unimpressed. “Right,” he said. “Because of course, sending in the aromantic to pretend to be in love will go way better than last time.”

Last time, there had been an on-fire clown.

“Fair enough,” Paninya rescinded. “And anyway, you’re right. We’ve got work to do.”

“Finally!” Winry exclaimed, putting on the safety goggles with a gigantic grin on her face. “Stand back. This’ll get hot.”

Dutifully, Ed stood back, and watched the show.

///

The diamonds in the safe were as big as his fist, and well worth the stupid charade. They even managed to get out of the mansion without too much of a fight.

“I can’t believe you bust your arm up again,” Winry muttered, looking at the mess of wires hanging out of his elbow. “They only shot five times!”

“You were in the line of fire for that fifth shot! Be glad I saved your life!”

“I’ll be glad when you stop giving me more work!”

“Lovebirds, could you tone it down? I’m trying to sleep.”

“We’re not in love!” came Ed and Winry’s chorus. Paninya just snorted.

“Right. Shut up either way, please.”

///

Truth was, Ed didn’t hate romance covers on principle. They could be fun, if he was allowed to turn them up to eleven just to fuck with people; if he was allowed to exaggerate, they could be quite a bit of fun to act.

Mostly, he hated the doubt that came after.

In their little shack, Al and Paninya took the two beds to sleep, while Ed and Winry took the first watch. They were in the middle of nowhere, forest stretching out endlessly across all sides, the starts shining bright in an onyx sea.

“Winry?”

“Hm?”

“So, in the hypothetical scenario that we’d ever get kids, what’d we name them?”

“Nothing to do with our dead parents. That’s just creepy.”

“It’s -” Ed hesitated for a second, shifting awkwardly. “I’m serious.”

Winry stared at him for a second, and he looked away. “You actually want to get kids?”

“I mean, I don’t know? I probably wouldn’t be parent of the year, with one deadbeat dad and one normally dead mother, but you know, I think I’d kind of like to try?” He knew that he was rambling at this point, but didn’t stop. “And I mean, is it even possible? I mean, what we’ve got is already weird, but I definitely don’t want it to be romantic, but I don’t know if you can get kids together without it being romantic?”

“Ed,” Winry cut him off. “When have we ever followed the rules?”

Looking at Winry, whose eyes twinkled like diamonds in the moonlight, he slowly grinned.

[a-mountain-ash]

A Very Winchester Mystery

A special little ficlet for @ain-t-bovvered‘s 800 follower “Tales of the Winchesters” project! I visited the Winchester Mystery House a couple years back and couldn’t resist. Even tossed in a little personal easter egg from my time there because it was too good and I swear the ghosts played a little prank on me. Also, I’m sure the WIL CFO is perfectly decent person, but I needed someone to commit the crime :P

We know who the Winchesters are. We're not talking the originals, of course, though I suppose it's not out of the realm of possibility for them to be related. We are ghosts, after all, so the realm of possibility is quite large. We mean the new Winchesters. The brothers. The ghost slayers.

You see, the thing about this place that we inhabit is that it's very popular. Everyone comes here. Demons, ghouls, vampires, werewolves. They enjoy a little bit of whimsy as much as the next fellow.  Some people even drag their own personal ghosts with them, pulled along by their attachment to some piece of jewelry or other. Those times are when we get the good gossip.

The Winchesters almost got me last week, but I got away because my daughter here was catching a flight for this vacation she's on. I guess that Dean boy doesn't do planes.

Sam and Dean smoked my aunt's bones a few year's back when she was haunting me. Now I'm a ghost, too. Irony, amiright?

'Pretty sure I'm half way to angry spirit, and I'm afraid the Winchesters are gonna nab me before my boy stands at the alter in a couple months. You guys have any tips on how to stay on the good path?' 'Sure Fred, find some good friends if you can. We have poker nights once a week to vent. Congratulations on the engagement!'

And that, my good listener, is why we are a little bit worried. To give you some background, the Winchester Mystery House is a big thing. People spend real money to come walk through Sarah's wacky rooms and miniature stairwells. Personally, at this point in our ghostly existences, we don't totally understand the appeal, but the point still stands that people are here constantly. They're always with a tour guide, but every now and again, people get away from the group and we have to set them straight. Nicely of course. We weren't lying when we told Fred to find some friends. Being together all these years has really helped us stay on the straight and narrow.

What you have to understand is that we all want to be here, and not for revenge. Absolutely none of us were trapped here and if we really wanted to, we could probably find a way to get a reaper to come take us up, though none of us knows how. Sarah Winchester was the most excellent of ladies. During our lives, she took care of us and our families well and we are simply repaying the favor in death. We keep the property safe, defending it from harm, and keeping the still hidden rooms clean until the property managers finally find them. Occasionally we play a little mischief on tourists who get off the beaten track, like that time some sisters missed a sign and found their ways into a private area and we shut the gate on them. They got out fine, but they knew what happened, and stayed on the path after that.

Anyway, it all started a few weeks ago when apparently somebody in the higher-ups of Winchester Investment LLC decided to get greedy. We don't really understand how that whole situation works because we only know what we hear or see in the newspaper, but we know enough. WIL is in charge of this whole operation and they run it for the descendants of John and Mayme Brown, the couple who bought the house after Sarah died, may she rest in peace. One night, someone tried setting the estate on fire. Nothing of this scale had ever occurred before and we may have lost our cool, just a bit. It happened again a week later. Needless to say, the Winchesters and their angel friend Castiel were all here now, and we were going to have to try really hard to get them to see what was happening here before they found a way to burn us all. 

As it happened though, the Winchesters were surprisingly willing to listen to reason. It might be because we steered them into a room with only two doors, one of which lead to a 15 foot drop off and the other of which we blocked off with 20 or so ghosts strong, but you know, technicalities. They listened.

"Cas, what just happened?" Dean asked.

Oh my goodness, he was gorgeous! Those eyes. Mabel would definitely want to see him. She hadn't seen a cute tourist in weeks.

"Obviously the ghosts are preparing to kill us, Dean. I didn't think that would require an explanation."

The angel was a funny one. We've heard tell of them coming down to earth, but none have come to the house. They must think they're above fun, but we all knew this one is a little different.

"Yeah, yeah Cas. Thanks for the pep talk. I mean, how many of them are there. You can see them, right?"

"Ah, of course. There are currently 19 of them in the room. I believe there are a few more outside the door, but I don't have x-ray vision so you'll have to bear with me."

We really could have appeared to them then, but it was far too good a show to end it straight away. The tall one, Sam, looked like he'd swallowed a whole lemon while he looked between his brother and the angel. Castiel and Dean were so focused on talking about us that it was entirely impossible they'd forgotten about us. Watching them waffle and bicker before us in their FBI suits, it was hard to believe the vast quantity of stories we'd heard all the years before.

"Alright, well what are we going to do about it?" Sam finally asks practically. "We can't go shooting salt rounds inside a century old work of art and we don't have enough salt for that many ghosts at once."

At this point, we were seriously confused about how they'd acquired the reputation they had. That said, the threat of shots being fired at dear Sarah's carefully chosen wallpaper was enough to make a few of us show ourselves. When our best diplomats, Mr. Jones, Margaret, and John, materialized before them, their reactions (or lack thereof) were disappointing though not surprising. After all, with decades of ghost hunts under their belts, nothing should really shock them anymore.

"I would strongly recommend that you do not fire inside our home." Margaret spoke first, in her best friendly intimidation voice. She practiced it daily in front of Sarah's looking glass.

Despite her warning, Dean raised his gun anyway. Effie giggled invisibly at the glorious eye rolling his actions earned him from both Castiel and Sam. The older Winchester swung his gun in her direction. Admittedly, it was fairly impressive how good his aim was from sound alone. Had he fired, he would have hit her squarely in the head.

"God, Dean, what did she just say?" Sam was definitely the reasonable one of the two.

"Yeah, yeah. I heard her. Ghosts say lots of crap, though. Just being on the safe side."

"We will definitely not be allowed back inside if we damage this home, Dean. Even if they do think we're FBI."

"Ugh, fine." Dean lowered his weapon as Castiel placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "What are we supposed to do then?"

"Listen to us, you goon." Mr. Jones spoke then, finally seeing his in. He was a gruff older man, his skin tanned despite his deathly pallor from hours in the sun picking fruit in Mrs. Winchester's orchards. He had died very suddenly one day when a branch had snapped and his ladder had fallen with him at the top.

"We're listening." Sam said quickly before Dean could speak again.

"We're good spirits. None of us are vengeful. We chose to stay here after our deaths, even after Mrs. Winchester passed, in order to protect her property. This place was a good home to many of us and she cared for our families like her own. We just help maintain the property and keep the visitors safe."

"Then why the recent deaths?" Castiel asked.

"Someone is sending people to try and burn the estate to the ground. We believe it must be someone at the organization trying to collect insurance money or something." John spoke now. "One of our younger ghosts, Elmer, lost his temper the first time. The second time, it was Charlie. We aren't vengeful spirits, but protecting this place is our purpose and someone is trying to destroy it."

"You can see we're very much in possession of our faculties, even after almost a century. More for some. But this home must be protected. If it is lost, we truly will go insane." Margaret had dropped her ominous tone in favor of something friendlier.

"Won't you disappear?" Dean asked. "Isn't it the house that you're attached to?"

"No. We are connected to the entire estate, down into the soil that we tended and farmed. We cannot be burned with this house, but if the house burns we will have nothing grounding us to our purpose and then we truly will become vengeful."

"We can't have you killing people, even if they are arsonists." Castiel answered.

"Then help us!" Effie appeared suddenly. She had always gotten impatient with too much talk. "We can't have this house destroyed and you can't have us killing more people. You must be able to do something."

And they could.

With our help concealing the security cameras and silencing the alarms, they snuck back onto the property after hours. We used Castiel as a communication conduit and when we found yet another man entering the property with gasoline and matches we alerted him and they called in an anonymous tip that someone was attempting to burn the estate. Rather than kill the man, we detained him until the authorities arrived and took him away.

A week later, the CFO of WIL was brought in for questioning and one of the Mayme descendants themselves took his position. Every once in a while, when the world isn't ending, the Winchesters take a day or two to come visit us. Castiel always brings the best gossip.

[chuckepisodes]

Chuck vs. The Best Friend Part 3

Chuck was running to grab you and him a glass of champagne. Once he finally caught up to the guy and got the glasses, he looked over at a gang walking in. He flashed on all of them and quickly went to find you and Sarah.

When you saw Chuck walking over, you made your way over and grabbed a glass from him. "Oh thank you babe." "I just flashed." "What?" Sarah was now standing beside you. "Yeah. Her name is Smooth Lau, and they're all Triad." "Okay, let's follow them." Sarah suggested. You and Chuck nodded your heads and began making your way down when Anna appeared in front of you all. "Hey, uh, Y/N and Sarah? can I talk to you both? I could really use a friend right now." "Oh, sure." "Yeah that's no problem Anna." you said then turned to Chuck. "I'll catch up in a second, sweetie." "Okay." Chuck leaned in to give you a quick kiss. "Wait for us." Sarah said, quickly handing Chuck a chip before walking off with you and Anna.

You and Sarah were still talking with Anna. You haven't seen or heard from Chuck yet and you were just praying he was okay. "I like Jason, and, you know, on paper, he's everything Morgan's not. So that's good." "No, no. That's bad." Sarah said. "Why?" "Because Morgan's the guy you keep comparing him to." "Sarah is totally right. I'm not just saying this because Morgan is my best friend and all but... I wouldn't give up on him so quickly you know? Maybe there are still some feelings there if you keep comparing." "You guys are totally right." Anna said, a little amazed. "Oh, my God! Do you think that means I still love him?" You and Sarah then turned around when you heard a radio go off and heard someone talking about an intruder on the premises. "Chuck." you said worried. You turned to look at Sarah and could see she was a little nervous too.

You, Sarah and Casey came running into the room where Chuck was at and you breathed a sigh of relief when you saw him standing there unharmed. "Oh thank God." you said, coming to stand beside him, putting your arms around each other. But then you were all confused. "Wait. If Chuck hasn't been captured, then..." Sarah started. "Who's the spy being held by Triad?" Casey asked. "Ow. Hey, hey, wait, wait, wait. Let me explain what I'm... Hey, hey, hey." You and Chuck both instantly recognized that voice. "Oh, my God, that's Morgan." you said. "They got Morgan." Chuck said before you and him began to run off. "Hey, whoa." Sarah said, stopping both of you. "What? We gotta help him." "No. We cannot just start pulling out weapons.  We're gonna blow our cover." "Then what's the next option?" you asked. "Think it's easy for me to do nothing? Goes against everything I believe in." Casey said. "Then don't do nothing. Do something." "We can't just stand here while our best friend gets tortured or killed." Chuck added. Sarah and Casey just stood there. "Fine, if you're not gonna save him...then we will." Chuck said before you two ran off.

You and Chuck ran outside to find Morgan pinned against a car by the Triad. "Wait, wait, wait! He's not a spy." Chuck yelled as you ran over. " Who the hell are you guys?" the woman asked. "Wait. What's going on?" Jason asked as he came outside with Anna and Sarah. "Morgan?" Anna said, confused to see him. "This is your ex from Buy More?" "What are you doing here?" "Tell me before I break your neck." the woman told Morgan. "No, no, no. Please don't..." you begged. "You don't wanna do that, because we know why he's here. He's here..." Chuck began "Guys..." Morgan said, begging you guys not to say anything. "He's here because he's stalking you." you said, turning to Anna. "What?" Anna asked. "That's right, that's right." Chuck said, going along with you. "He's not a spy, okay? He's a stalker. Which is a thin, but very key difference, in my opinion. I see why Anna dumped you. This guy is a profoundly disturbed individual, okay? He just can't let go of her." "Yeah sorry. He's an obsessed, but totally unthreatening...sicko. I don't know how many times I have had to tell you this. Grow up, Morgan Grimes." you finished, hating every moment of saying that. You and Chuck were so upset about that and hated watching Morgan walking away, hurt clear on his face. You looked down and grabbed Chuck's hand, trying to hold back tears. "Well, you just saved your best friend's life." Sarah told you both. "At the expense of his dignity." Chuck said upset. "Well, at least he's still breathing. Come on." Sarah pulled you with her as you kept your grip on Chuck's hand as you both walked back inside.

The next day, you called Chuck on his cell at work to see if he fixed it with Morgan for you both. "Hey Chuck..." "Hey Y/NN..." "So...any news?" "No...Morgan just can't seem to forgive us. I've tried everything." "I know you have babe. Think I should try to talk to him for us?" "I think you are going to get the same results as I did." "Yeah probably. We need to go talk to Sarah. Meet me at work in 5?" "I'll be there."

Once Chuck arrived you walked down stairs into Castle and found Sarah on the laptop. "How could you make  us choose between Morgan's life and his friendship?" Chuck asked. "That wasn't going to happen, because Anna vouched for him." Sarah told you both. "You don't get who he is to us." "No, I get it. He's your best friend." "You know, you say that, but I don't think you have a clue what it means." you began. You and Chuck grabbed a seat and sat down at the table with her." Look, Sarah. I don't have parents. I mean, not really. They never really cared about me so it was like I had no parents. I had to take care of myself. I don't talk about it because that's just the way that things are now. But one thing was for damn sure. I always had Chuck and Morgan. Whenever I felt alone, they were there for me. Chuck was my shoulder to lean on while Morgan was the guy to do about anything to make me forget about what was going on and to make me laugh." "Exactly. And Morgan and Y/N were there the first day that my mom took off." Chuck began. "He didn't say much, because, honestly, what is a fifth-grader supposed to say? But we sat and me, Y/N and Morgan all split a cherry cheesecake and played "Legend of Zelda" all night long. And my dad, well, that's a whole other story. But Morgan was there for that too." "He was there for both of us in our time of need." "Morgan is more than just our best friend. He's our family." "Yes. He's always been a brother to me. So, once again, before you got here, and long after you've gone...Morgan is our family." you told Sarah, looking at her seriously. "Last night, we failed to learn the contents of the Triad's container." Sarah started. We don't know what drugs or weapons are floating around the city. And while I appreciate both of your friendship with Morgan, Iosing sight of that container endangers many people's best friends. Not just yours, guys." You and Chuck just stared at Sarah.

You went along with Chuck to go find Morgan to see if you could talk to him. "Hey, Morgan, will you please just talk to us for one second?" Chuck asked. "I have nothing left to say to you, dude. You too Y/N." You and Chuck sighed before Morgan turned back to the both of you. "Oh, one question, though, before I never speak to you both again: How did you two betraying me turn into you saving me?" "Morgan, we're so sorry for betraying you." you said. "No, you don't get to say sorry." "You're right. Sorry isn't good enough. It's a cheap way of-" "Stop it, Y/N. You don't get it. This whole thing is my fault, guys. It's me. I made this mess. You warned me not to spy. I went and did it. I'm sick of you guys being right, then having to bail me out." "You've bailed us out plenty of times." Chuck said. "I can't count on either of you to fix things my whole life. "What? Of course you can." you told him. "Look...it's time for me to pay for my own mistakes...fight my own battles." You all looked over when you noticed the Triad walking around the Buy More. "Um, buddy, I would maybe start with a different battle." Chuck said before you all ducked down and made your way to the back room.

You were all hiding in between a whole lot of boxes in the storage room in hopes that the Triad would not come looking for you all back there. "Look, just keep it down, remain calm, and this will all be over soon." you said. "No, dude. You know what this is? This is you two saving me again." "No. No, it's not. This is three best friends...hiding from a terrible beating." Chuck said. "Look, the time is now, okay? Time for me to stand up for myself! I need to go out there to these thugs and take it like a grown man. A grown man who spies on women, fine But still... Chuck, Y/N, I'm done, okay? I won't have you guys saving me anymore." Morgan said, crawling out from the boxes. You and Chuck quickly went after him. "No. Wait, wait, wait. Morgan, Morgan, wait. Wait. You can't just go out there with your breath stinking like garbage." "Way to kick a man when he's about to be beat down. I have dandruff in my beard. You wanna riff on me for that too?" "No, we wouldn't...You have dandruff in your beard?" you asked. "All I'm saying is that maybe you should freshen up first, you know? Why poke an already pissed-off bear?" Chuck asked him. "Exactly. I got the stuff right here." you said, pulling out what looked like breath spray. Morgan looked at it and gave in and opened his mouth. Your sprayed a quick squirt. "That's strong. What is that, pepp...? Is that just peppermint?" Morgan asked before passing out. "That's quick." Chuck commented

You were waiting outside by your car as you waited for Chuck to bring Morgan out in a big TV box and to get him away from here. You hit your homing device on your watch just in case anything were to go down in the process and you needed Sarah and Casey. It was taking some time and you then saw Sarah and Casey running up to you. "Y/N! Hey what's going on?" Sarah asked you. "The Triad is here and they are after Morgan. Chuck and I are trying to get him out of here without them knowing but Chuck has been taking a while and I'm getting a little worried." "Alright let's go." Casey said as you all ran inside the store.

You saw Chuck standing by the TVs and quickly made your way over. "Chuck!" you called out. Chuck quickly turned around when he heard you. "Chuck. What is it?" Sarah asked. "I flashed. We have to get to the auction. Triad's are gonna kill the Chinese ambassador." "Why would he walk into a Triad den?" Sarah asked. "Wang's got a legitimate business.  Ambassador doesn't know Wang's Triad." Casey explained. "It's not a safe place for him. Look, we just gotta get Morgan." Chuck said as he began making his way back to Morgan and you followed him. You and Chuck looked around, panicking, when you noticed the box you put him in was gone. "Wait." "Chuck...Where's Morgan?" you asked. You both then looked at the back door. "Morgan?!" you and Chuck shouted before running to the back "Guys wait!" Sarah shouted as she and Casey ran after you both.

When you all got to the back though it was too late, you saw the Triad get into the car and drive off with the box that Morgan was in, in the back.

[vixenfur]

I hate to be a pain, but have you got a list of owari no seraph or specifically mikayuu story recommendations anywhere? I love your stories and trust that you have good taste lol :) Thanks!!

OH YES! Now it’s time for me to shamelessly advertise for my favorite fics! ;D Thank you for asking, and thank you for the compliment on my fics! /)///(\ you’re too kind!

In no particular order…

Cherry Boy by EtherealBeing

Summary: As if being dragged into a sex shop by Shinoa wasn’t bad enough, now Yuu also has to deal with the store’s uncomfortably attractive attendant.

Status: Ongoing

This is biased because Anna is one of my closest friends in the fandom, BUT SHE IS SO DAMN TALENTED. You will laugh, you will blush, you will be mindblown by the complexity in these character’s thoughts, it’s honestly a wild ride and I can’t wait to see the grand finale of it all that is coming to us soon. If you haven’t read it yet, it’s a must.

Corner of a Birdcage by oxeh

Summary: “So, to sum it up, you’re like Superman without the spandex… And without the laser eyes, X-Ray vision, and ice breath. Also, you kill vampires and Horsemen instead of dealing with—“

“Basically, I’m not like Superman at all.” 

or

Yuu is a university student that tends to live for the moment. Mika is a cynical superhero that’s more super than a hero. Fate is a bit aggressive with intertwining their lives.

Status: Ongoing

THIS FIC IS BRILLIANT. If you have not read it yet, I swear go do it! It’s funny, it’s exciting, it flows and it’s just a lovely, enjoyable read. Oxy is a sweetheart as well and she’s got some incredible ideas in that head of hers, lemme tell you! Go check it out!!! You won’t regret it :D

Diamond in the Rough by Hannaadi88, Sarah737

Summary: Mikaela had been the captain of the Seraph for over seven years, yet he’d never come across another ship carrying such riches. The prospect of boarding the Opal and stealing all she had made a rare smile play on his lips. 

If he did this well, he would finally make a name for himself. The Opal might just be what he’d always wanted- a chance to prove how fearsome he could be. 

Mikaela Shindo will be a name to revere among all pirates to sail the seven seas.

Status: Ongoing

THIS IS ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITES. Hanna and Sarah are some of the most talented people I know, and together, they are unstoppable and unrelenting!! From the descriptives to the dialogue to the intriguing plot, this story makes pirates sexy, let me tell you. LOL, seriously you will not regret it… if you want a good time, I invite you to read this masterpiece right here!

Garden of Hades by 6lilystrings9

Summary: A stubborn, annoying, and repulsive human is captured by the Vampire forces, and to his dismay, Mika is assigned as his handler.

How irritating.

(The AU where human Yuu-chan and vampire Mika meet for the first time as captive and keeper)

Status: Ongoing

I remember when Lily first talked about her fic in our Skype chat room and how when I read it, I was stunned! I didn’t realize how amazing it was, how well put-together, how structured. It’s enticing and exciting and full of vivid descriptives and intense, heart-pounding scenes. Another must-read, if you ask me, and I also cannot wait to see how it ends.

Scented by Hannaadi88

Summary: In a world ruled by beta neutrality, alphas and omegas are controlled by suppressants which modify their natural inclinations. Under constant surveillance, unproductive members of society are removed in the name of efficiency. Yuichiro Hyakuya is deemed infertile by the Board and is sentenced to certain death. In an act of defiance Yuichiro steals enough suppressants to hide his scent and joins the military under the guise of a beta. 

It would be his luck to find himself under the command of his assigned mate, Mikaela Shindo.

Status: Ongoing

Hanna is not only a friend of mine, but she is sO DAMN TALENTED! I recommend all of her fics, so please check out her page while you’re at it, but she is well known for her big multi chapter fic, Scented. This story takes the concept of omegaverse and gives it almost a Mulan-like feel to it, with Yuu being in disguise and all. It’s really fantastic and another thrilling story I highly suggest!

Afire love by stirkedawn

Summary: After Nagoya’s failed mission, an unsteady truce is formed between Shinoa’s squad and Mikaela Hyakuya, making Yuu feel conflicted inside. On one hand, he’s got Mika back, his friends are alive, and they seem to be trying to be civil with each other, even if it’s just for his sake. On the other hand, Guren is being held captive by the vampires, Shinya has just given them a mission Yuu doesn’t like, and Mika… Yuu doesn’t really know what Mika is feeling.

Maybe not even Mikaela knows what he’s truly feeling, after all.

Status: Completed

You will commonly see the fandom preach that if all goes wrong, Afire love is our accepted canon. This fic immerses itself into the canon universe of Owari no Seraph and gives us an epic climax and end to the series that it probably one of the most satisfying things I’ve ever read. I also agree that if the manga plummets to total disaster, Afire love is what I will think of for a happy ending.

Somebody to Lean On by TrashPanda

Summary: Yuichiro needs a partner to help him with vampire hunting. His only option is to seek out somebody in the slave auctions. He comes upon a discounted slave, as beautiful as he is unwanted, and Yuu claims him for himself. Little did he know, this slave would change everything he ever knew about him himself, and in the process Yuu discovers he cannot live without this man, now that he has him in his life.

Status: Ongoing

This story is fantastic! It’s got an interesting plot that’s brilliantly written, a romance beautifully described and a story that interests the reader endlessly. I can picture this fic animated like it was its own anime show. It’s really, really good and I suggest it! I can’t wait for another update! I also suggest the author in general, they have some really good stuff. 

My Inner Beast by Northernreign

Summary: Yuuichirou is a young werewolf who finds himself awake one evening in a human orphanage.

To avoid being executed, he desperately tries to conceal his true identity from the “monstrous” humans who- along with the vampires, have been responsible for his kind’s slow decline into extinction. But over time, he comes to know one particular human boy who will help him learn to embrace his humanity, not resent it. Together they will overcome countless fated tragedies with the sheer power of will and love alone. Each event will bring him closer to the answer he has been seeking for almost a lifetime.

 Just who really are the true monsters in this world? 

The vampires? 

The humans?

The werewolves?

Or himself?

Status: Ongoing

A truly underrated story!! Nathalie is an incredible writer and artist and she combines those skills to bring you this lovely story that doesn’t get enough attention- ESPECIALLY since it’s her first fic. You would never guess; she writes like a pro. This story takes you all over, from the eyes of so many of our beloved characters to shape the story and relationships in the best possible way. You can really feel everything she describes and it really stimulates the senses. Check it out if you haven’t, it’s a journey and I’m eager to see where it goes.

Rise of the Dragon by Crazyloststar, Sarah737, somnicordia (hihazuki)

Summary: Water… Earth… Fire… Air… In eras bygone, four nations coexisted in harmony. However, a series of tragedies began to befall the world, And none was left unscathed. The equilibrium of power has been tilted to a great imbalance, Its people fallen to temptation. The end is fast approaching, and all souls are fated to meet oblivion. Rumors whisper of the Avatar, the master of all four elements, holding the key to mankind’s only hope of salvation. Families pray under his guiding light, Enemies vow to divide and conquer. But the glimmer of hope is sometimes found in the darkest of places, somewhere people would least expect.

Status: Ongoing

As someone who is only just now watching Avatar for the first time, I had no idea what to expect. I’m still not 100% caught up, but this is a goddamn masterpiece and I can tell that from the first 3 chapters that I’ve read. This is an amazing project put together by some of the most talented authors and writers in the fandom that are all lovely, passionate friends of mine. They deserve all the love in the world. If you haven’t read it yet- especially if you don’t know anything about Avatar- READ IT ANYWAYS. You don’t need to understand Avatar or the original series at all to enjoy this fic. It’s magnificent; please check it out!

And, a little shameless advertising for my own stories, for those who are curious ;o

Unwritten by Vixenfur

Summary: While being forcefully dragged to KFC by Lacus- a man who had a black pit of a stomach- Mika had a once-in-a-lifetime, Snapchat-worthy experience. The guy in the left lane had no shame. He was unintimidated by a stranger with a phone and he continued to sing the song Unwritten confidently. Lacus found the experience hysterical

…. Little did they know they would run into each other again hardly an hour later- Yuu was in desperate need of a haircut, according to Shinoa.

He was dropped off at Sanguinem Salon, and was a little mortified to find out that the hot guy he just sang horribly to was Mika, the one holding hair-trimming scissors behind the chair.

Status: Completed

This fic was a blast to work on and an absolute time, from start to finish. A huge thank you to all the support and love I’ve gotten for it over the months I wrote it. I treasure every comment!

Tale as Old As Time by Vixenfur, Sarah737

Summary: An arrogant young prince named Mikaela and his castle’s servants fall under the spell of a wicked enchantress, who turns him into the hideous Beast until he learns to love and be loved in return. The spirited, headstrong village boy Yuuichirou enters the Beast’s castle after he imprisons Yuuichirou’s father, Guren. With the help of his enchanted servants, Yuuichirou begins to draw the cold-hearted Mikaela out of his isolation.

Status: Completed

I’m so proud of story! Sarah is my dear cowriter and friend, I’m always honored to collaborate with her and I’m so ecstatic over the love this fic has gotten. Thank you all for the love and we hope you enjoy our future projects!

Hiiragi Cirque Ave. Freakshow by Vixenfur, BlueberryApple

Summary: Yuuichirou is a Siren who cannot sing, and so he is taken captive by the Hiiragi Cirque Ave. Freakshow. He is expected to perform and earn the show money under the instruction of ringmaster Kureto Hiiragi. Naturally, Yuuichirou is opposed to his new life, but he slowly gets to know his new family and accept his situation.

Meanwhile, the ignored Nosferatu Mikaela finds himself incredibly attracted to the new Siren, and Yuuichirou can’t help but to be curious about the ghostly vampire himself.

Status: Completed

This story was so much fun to write. Destiny and I became great friends and made many memories. The sheer amount of fanart we got was OUTSTANDING and we couldn’t be more grateful for the love. Thank you to everyone who read and enjoyed this story!

Thank you for asking! Feel free to reblog and share this list around. Everything on here is something I really enjoyed reading and think everyone should experience. As for my own fics, I shared the ones I’m most proud of (excluding my current ongoing works) and I hope you can enjoy them as well!

[midnightcindy]

The Maiden’s Tale: Chapter 10

My eyes were shut, my hand slipping against my cheek as I dozed on the tabletop. The world was all blurred color and distant echoes as my mind napped. Eventually, a hand rocking my shoulder caused me to lose my grip and almost slap my face against the table. I snored lazily, propping myself upright as I rubbed my eyes.

“Sarah,” Lettie said, her voice scratchy. “How are you feeling?”

“Tired,” I mumbled, yawning. “What time is it?”

“Late in the afternoon,” Lettie answered, kneeling in front of me on my stool. She pressed a hand to my forehead. “I heard you up all night. Are you feeling any better?”

I reached out to the glass of water in front of me. “I feel all right,” I answered honestly. “I just wish I could sleep.”

Lettie sighed, resting her hand on my knee. “Well, we don't need you right now. The laundry is nearly finished, and the other girls understand you haven’t been feeling well this week. For now, you can rest in our kitchen. Let me get you something to eat.”

I shook my head, covering my mouth. “No, no, I can’t right now-”

Lettie rolled her eyes, pulling on my hand. “You have to eat or else you-”

I grasped at her hand desperately. “I don’t really feel well,” I said honestly, clutching my stomach. “I think I’m…”

Lettie’s eyes widened, and she quickly grabbed a bowl from the counter. Without warning, I puked a fresh batch of bile and what little breakfast I could stomach into the container. Lettie brushed my hair out of my face and shushed me, rubbing my back as I quaked with sickness. Sitting back on the stool, I gasped with disgust as I wipe my mouth on my sleeve. “Ugh,” I groaned, watching Lettie clean the bowl in the wash bin. “Normally it’s only at night. I don’t know what’s wrong with me, I feel fine any other time…”

I rested my hand on my stomach, and Lettie’s movements slowed. “Sarah,” she said slowly. “Can you be honest with me?”

I stared at her in silence, watching her as she neared my seat. “Y-yes,” I said nervously. She fiddled with her hands as she spoke. “When did you last see Nico,” Lettie asked, staring at my hand.

I shut my eyes tightly. “Four weeks ago,” I said softly. Long enough.

“Sarah,” Lettie said seriously, glancing from my stomach to my shaking hand. “Did… you and Nico…”

My lip quivered, and I nodded. I knew what she meant. I had suspected for days after the first wave of nausea hit.

Lettie pressed her fingers to her mouth, and looked up at me with big eyes. “Do you think…”

I covered my face in my hands, starting to cry. “I am. I’m almost sure of it.”

Lettie’s arms reached out, wrapping tightly around me. “Oh my God, Sarah. It’s going to be all right. Nico said he would come back, you won’t be alone…”

“You don’t understand,” I said through tears. “Nico said there was going to be a war. How can I be… How can I do this in the first months of a war?”

“I,” Lettie tried, rubbing my back. “I don’t know, but you certainly won’t be alone. I promise.”

I cried softly, hiding my face in my hands and burying myself against her chest. “I’m so sorry, Lettie. Now you’re worrying about me.”

“Well of course I am!” She said, pulling me back. “You’re my best friend! I’ve always worried about you.” She smiled thinly, and hooked her finger under my chin. “Please don’t cry, Sarah. I’m going to get you some food.”

I shook my head. “Lettie, we’re not the only ones starving. We need to take our rations seriously.”

“Then have mine,” she said, reaching into the cupboard. “God knows you need it more than me, now.”

When she pulled out an apple, I tried to refuse. “Lettie-”

“Eat it or I will mash it up and shove it down your throat,” she said brashly. Then, softer, she said, “Please, eat it, Sarah. It may be all we have for the day.”

I shut my mouth tightly, and sheepishly took the fruit. “Thank you,” I whispered.

Lettie nodded, a pleased expression lighting up her face. Then, she plopped down at the table across from me, her grinning face resting on her fists.  “Sarah,” she said, suddenly excited. “You’re going to be a mother!”

I took a bite of the apple. It was bitter and grainy, but the feeling of food going toward my stomach was a relief. I pressed a finger to my lips as I chewed. “Hush, Lettie. I don’t want anyone to know.” 
 Lettie closed her lips, but she still smiled. “Very well. I understand. Still, I wonder why Nico left so suddenly. Did he say anything to you?”

I paused, chewing slowly on my meal. I stared down to my knees, and shook my head. “No.”

Lettie pursed her lips again. “Fine, but when I see that boy again he is going to get a piece of my mind.” She folded her arms grumpily. “I can’t believe he would do that and then just-”

Lettie couldn’t finish her words before the door to the maid’s kitchen slammed open. A familiar looming figure stood shadowed against the hall. Lettie immediately stood in front of me. “What do you want, now?”

Ornulf chuckled, his thick steps clunking forward on the wooden floor. “Yes, the pissy maid returns. Do not think I cannot break you of that attitude, young miss.” He leaned in toward her, but she held her back straight.

“That’s what you’d like to think,” she huffed. “Now either state your business or leave.”

“I look forward to the day I get to teach you a lesson in obedience,” he said, reaching to pinch her chin. “But today, I am fetching her once again.” He glanced toward me, holding the half remaining apple.

I shook nervously, but Lettie covered me faster than I could answer. “You’ll never take her again, you beast!”

“You’re a feisty bitch,” Ornulf mused, voice deep and rocky, “but you do not get to decide whom the queen wishes to speak with. Now, either your wench friend follows me, or I drag her out screaming like last time.” The madman leaned forward, his stank breath reaching me as he peered around Lettie’s side. “And please, do feel free to choose the latter. I find it so satisfying when you writhe in my arms.”

I pinched my cheek between my teeth, grabbing Lettie’s arm before she could say anything more. “It’s all right,” I said softly, handing her the remainder of the fruit. “I’ll go.”

Ornulf grunted, and turned toward the door. “Follow me.”

Lettie opened her mouth, but I kissed her cheek to silence her. “I’ll be fine. Thank you for the food. Please,” I said, thumbing her thin cheek, “eat the rest. You look pallid.”

Without bothering to listen for her retort, I followed the monstrous advisor out into the halls.

———

“I hated this dress,” snickered the queen. “It’s a disgusting color. I wanted to burn it the moment that tasteless seamstress brought it to me.” She tossed it to my lap. “Now I am glad I held onto it. It will fit you perfectly.”

I was staring down at the frilly pink bundle on my knees, but the queen’s words made my face turn upward as I stared at her. “Fit me?” I gripped the fabric nervously. Ornulf had left me at the door and hadn’t said a word, and the queen had barely spoken to me after that. She simply started rummaging through her closet, until tossing the gown I held into my arms. “Your Majesty, I couldn’t possibly-”

“Do not be a stupid girl and argue,” said the queen bitterly. “Just put the damned thing on and shut up.”

I swallowed, but nodded obediently. Standing, I shook as I began removing my clothes, remembering the last time the queen had seen me naked.

And she did not bother to hide her amusement as my clothes fell to the floor and her eyes roamed my skin. She hummed delightedly when I removed my corset and turned my back toward her. “You’re still so fresh, my dear,” she snickered. She reached out, dragging a hand over my skin. My lips fell apart in a gasp when she leaned toward me and brushed her lips over my shoulder. I dared not pull away, but every cell within me begged me to. Serena laughed at my reaction, stepping back to let me step into the new gown. “I wonder what you would feel like,” she mused, seating herself on the edge of her sofa. “So tight and raw. I myself remember the first time a man let himself into me,” she chuckled, but it seemed distant. “It was so painful, I never thought I would feel pleasure from such an act.” Licking her lips as she watched me cover my chest with the corset, Serena smirked. “I was wrong, of course. But such things take time. It’s a shame I wasn’t able to be a part of yours; I could have helped show you the cruelty of men.”

Before I could stop it, my fists tightened in anger, remembering the way she tortured me and Nico that night.

The queen noticed. “Now, now, my dear. Let’s not get fussy. After all,” she said, swaying over to me as I faced her, “I was only trying to help.”

“Help,” I whispered, the word sounding far more heated than I should have allowed it to be.

Serena narrowed her eyes, but she still smiled, languid and positively venomous. “Turn,” she ordered, and reached for the lacings of my corset.

I breathed hotly, but allowed her to tighten the strings. We stared together at our reflections in the mirror. Serena synched the first lace, and I flinched at her roughness. As she laced me together, she met my eyes in the glass. “How lovely,” she said, tying a bow at the base of my spine. “You look almost like a princess.” Combing her fingers through my hair, she nodded to herself. “You make the perfect damsel in distress, Sarah. You will work perfectly.”

The way she stared at me, pupils large and unfocused, it caused me to stir. “For what?”

Serena kept smiling as she pulled away from me, and I whipped about to face her. “For my leverage, of course. You’re going to make Nico surrender himself to me.”

“Nico,” I breathed, clutching my chest. “What could you possibly want with Nico?”

“Nothing much,” she replied merrily, waving about her room on her heels. She danced to her wall, where a set of fighting swords rested in a decorative rack. Taking the rapier in hand and tossing it between her palms, she laughed. “Just his head.”

I gasped, staring at the weapon. “I would never help you kill him,” I exclaimed. “He’s done nothing wrong! He’s-”

“The prince of Stein,” she said cooly.

I froze, just as my heart raced in my chest. I backed away from her, tripping awkwardly on the thick fabric of my skirts. “H-how did you-”

“You think I would not know?” Serena laughed wickedly. “My stupid child, I am this castle. You think I do not have ears and eyes to tell me exactly what happens in the darkest corridors and deepest cellars?” She reeled back, clutching her gut and waving the sword in her hand wildly. “It’s incredible how dull all you servants can be. You think your fellow maids are so loyal? When people are starving they will do anything for a bit of extra rations. One of your friends was all too happy to tell me exactly what had happened between you and our little spy, who snuck out into the forest in the early morning nearly a month ago. A few more scraps of food and it didn’t take much for others to confirm it either.”

I shook my head in disbelief, my eyes filling with angry tears. “You’re wicked,” I seethed.

Serena laughed. “If that is what you like to think,” she said, flipping her sword with flare on either side of her body. “I like to think I am strategic, if nothing else. And if there is to be a war waged without my consent,” she teased, swaying forward with the sword. “Then I shall have my leverage.”

She held the sword out toward me, wavering it wildly over my figure. It drifted over my eyes, down my neck, above my chest- but then, she laid it against my stomach.

Something inside of me snapped, and I pulled away madly, clutching at my abdomen and turning toward the door. “Don’t!”

Serena stopped, her eyes narrowing. “What…” Her eyes suspiciously followed down my body, to where I laid an anxious hand over my stomach. I shut my lips tight, and cowered away from her further, holding both of my arms to cover what lay inside. Suddenly, her face stretched into a pained and angry glare. “You… You let him…”

Eyes wide and scared, I backed toward the door. “Please,” I begged. “Please don’t hurt me…”

Serena dropped her sword, her empty hands shaking furiously. “You… You’re carrying the child of that… that pig… he… he left me for…”

She watched me as I reached for the doorknob. “Please,” I said gently. “Just let me go…”

Her face snapped. In a rage, she threw the nearest object- a vase sitting on a corner table- at me. I dodged, and it smashed against the door. “GET OUT!” She screamed, “GET OUT YOU WHORE!”

I yelped in panic, but as quickly as I could muster, I picked up the skirts of the ballgown and sprinted out the door. I was barely able to slink past Ornulf, who seemed more shocked at the queen’s reaction than to my escape. Running wildly down the halls, I kept tripping over the heavy dress. I was unused to so many layers, and with the fear pulsing through me, I could feel angry tears pooling in my eyes.

I rounded a corner, and fell into another body.

I heard a scream, and two soft arms held me. “Sarah?”

I looked up into my friend’s eyes. “Lettie!” I grappled onto her shoulders, pulling her with me. “Lettie, we have to go.”

Lettie patted my cheek, searching my frenzied expression. “Sarah, what happened? Why are you crying? Sarah-”

“No!” I cried, tugging away. “Lettie come with me or they’ll kill us both!”

Lettie’s eyes swelled with fear, and she nodded. “Sarah, we need to get you safe.” She hurried along with me, leaving the pile of towels she was carrying on the corner. “Where are we going?”

I ran along with her, checking behind me for anyone who might follow. “To Stein.”

Lettie paused, pulling me into a doorway. “Stein?” She shook her head. “That’s a day’s journey! You’ll never make it in your condition! Perhaps we can go into the town-”

“She’ll find us there,” I whimpered, shaking my head. “Nico is the only one who can keep us safe.”

“Wha- Nico? Why is Nico in Stein?”

“I don’t have time to explain right now,” I pressed, pulling her back into a jog. “Please just trust me, we have to get out of-”

A bark of orders from behind us made us both fall silent. “Grab them! Guards, grab the traitors!”

I gasped, “Oh God, Lettie run!”

Lettie didn’t argue this time. She sprinted alongside me, grasping onto my hand as we fled down into a servant’s passage. The hall was dark, but we didn’t waste time getting a candle. Lettie pulled me down the steps, her guiding me in my costume in the low light. I knew where she was taking me; it was the exact same place that Nico and I had escaped from weeks before. The queen’s words came back to me just as Lettie’s hand touched the knob. You think I would not know?

“Lettie,” I gasped. “Lettie no!”

It was too late. As Lettie pushed open the door, we were met with a pair of arms. She ran directly into the guard who was waiting for me by the door. “Hey!” Lettie cried, kicking madly as the armored guard held her to his chest.

“Lettie!” I screamed for my friend, trying to wrestle at the man’s arms.

“Guards! Guards! I’ve found them!” The guard held fast to Lettie, who was still fighting.

“Sarah,” she cried, pushing me off. “Get out of here! Go!”

I heard the footsteps of the others getting closer, and I panted furiously. “But-”

“GO!” Lettie growled in fury, and was able to set her feet on the ground for a moment to elbow the guard in the face. As he fell back, covering his eyes, she pointed toward the woods. “Before they see you! Run!”

I did as she said, my adrenaline channeling me into obedience. When I reached the edge of the branches, I turned to see Lettie throwing fists at a group of knights. But before I disappeared into the brush, she was consumed by them and they held her to the ground. I fell behind a thick bramble, staring out from between the thorns. I could see Ornulf round a corner, followed by an angry Serena. The guards brought Lettie forward, and Ornulf snatched her up easily in one arm. Serena shrieked angrily at the guards, before pointing at Ornulf and stomping back to the palace entrance. Lettie struggling furiously, but Ornulf’s hold was too strong. She was taken with them into the palace and the guards followed suit.

I covered my lips angrily, feeling the hot pants hit the backs of my fingers as I cried. “Lettie,” I sobbed. “What have I done?”

[lxckyclovers-blog]

SOURCE

100+ followers, aaa!! i want to say a quick THANK YOU to everybody who stuck with me && SUPPORTED me, i really didn’t expect y’all to continue following me up to now and it really means a lot! i’ll mainly be writing about people who i’ve had some level of interaction with, but that DOES NOT MEAN i do not appreciate you && your blog! and now, without further ado and in no specific order:

@relixum​ / @gctshot​ / your other 6 blogs look at where we are... look at where we started... i know i don’t deserve you gale, but hear me out, that would be enough... honestly, we talk a lot, and as much as i compliment you whenever i get the chance to, that won’t stop me now. i love your rping so much?? like, every character you pick up, cherish, decide to give attention to... i instantly know that you’re going to write them so well!! you’re talented, smart, funny, and i! love! you! we just support each other a lot mutually, and whatever happens, no matter what, i’d like that to keep on happening in the future. but right now, know that i love you and you’re always in my mind at least twenty times a day. ♥

@pixcldream​ aaaAAA meme!! i think you were one of my first interactions when i first ever created my blog, but i can’t remember that. you were always kind of approachable for me && i always wanted to be your friend and talk a bit more to you? and heck, you may not be my parent anymore but you’ll always be a parent to me in my heart. i’ve always admired you and love your nanami and headcanons!! 100/10, justifies gamer girl a lot. i also love your art!! and u better watch out before i steal your hands to art like thy- also, if you feel as if you’re dying, Just Don’t

@mxssias​ aaaaAAALEX!! our hope boys combined together is a trouble we cannot keep at bay, and i am Glad™ i followed you because i love your naegi. he’s pure and only wants to do things for the sake of kibou, and i really love our boys’ interactions! even though... a lot has to do with crack. har har. but yeah, our interactions are a+ crack or serious, and may our hope boys spread hope!

@sunnywitchesperitou​ oooh tea!! i love your sonia, honestly! you put depth into her and you clearly know what you’re going to do to make sonia a much more interesting character! i also LOVE your art, like. dang, pleasing to the eye and just overall, your art blows me away!! keep doing what you’re doing mon ami, && you’re fun to talk w/, whenever we do!!

@snappshot​ / @cantatory​ / @steinways​ inHALES... sarah!! we haven’t threaded on your koi or mai yet but i don’t need to interact with them to know that you’re absolutely amazing and rping them. i love the dis//cords you host, bc it’s such a great idea!! even tho i don’t participate in much conversation, it’s still fun, and i love it whenever we talk mi amigaaaAAAA---ur portrayals are beyond amazing, i love how much care you harbor for your characters, that always leads to mind blowing rping!

@nullverum​ / @shpionaz​ listen up you four thirteen los3r...jk jk, boss you’re chill. i mean, i haven’t seen much of your oc but we talk ooc sometimes whenever i’m actually present in the groupchats, and it’s coolio!! i like your portrayal and bro u may not be my main but i will always kinkshame committee w/ you, and even though your name is from the horror film, er, my apologies---anime, homosuk, you’ll always be my friend! (also. psst i’m always up for discussing homosuk for a blast to the past if you need it)

@ofdesperationis MY FRIEND I LOVE IT WHEN YOUR ENO HARASSES MY KO, honestly!! like tbh, he’s just so salty at her and i love writing his reaction to her. he’s just so done with her && her HANDful of puns. i love you portrayal, too!! it’s trés bien, just...mmMM!! i didn’t know what i signed up for when i followed you back, but hoo boy do i not regret it. ko might not want to be friends with eno, buT IT SURE AS HELL doesn’t mean that we ain’t gonna be spicy friends if they ain’t!!

@mendcx / @kurenaii / i think you have other blogs but AKU GOD DAMN, i love your portrayals SO MUCH, and you know this...i know you doooo. i love our interactions && i love it when your kamu steps on my ko, fulfilling his gross and masochistic wishes. your kamu has to put up with so much shit and honestly, i kind of feel bad for him agikha but yo, hit me up in dms whenever bc bro i love talkin’ to you and i’m always up to more of that ship shit if you gotta dump out some stuff and CAN’T HOLD IT IN...oh if only you know how excited i was when you first hit me up, yo, harhar. love ya my buddy, my friend, my responsible friend

@lyingforadream / @hazuukashi / @ofstarsandfists ALRIGHT, DUSTING. j’aime tu rping, parce que est trés bien et tu ne peut pas dire moi autrement. okay, i translated some of that, bUT SOME OF IT IS FROM MY KNOWLEDGE SO YOU! CAN’T! JUDGE! ME! i’m still learning french mon ami, but still! i like your rping and hit me up in dms w/e i’m on and you wanna say something to me, bro. don’t hold back! you’re really funny and GOd, i love ur jokes but man YOU GOTTA STOP KILLING ME. but yea ily bro just try not to kill me anymore tyty you’re one of the best, don’t stop now

@shinguvji iggy!! yoo honestly, i’ve always looked up to you and whenever you notice me, i’m like 000: && you’re like a role model for me! i love interacting with you, it’s fun to see what happens when you put our two characters together. i’ll never forget the story times, especially the fact that guuji is an anthropologist who has Quite the Knowledge on, well, the strangest of stories. you’re really entertaining and i love seeing you on your dash, if i see anything posted by you, there’s like a 99% chance i’ll read it, because everything you create is intriguing!!

@ongakuvoices / @anemoia-avenoir / @ketsuekicrown AAAAAND RIO! gosh i absolutely LOVE the justice you give the characters, and i super duper wish you got more attention on nagisa because your portrayal is absolutely worth it, even if we haven’t interacted much on there. i love talking with you whenever i appear in the chatroom, and whenever we plot our twinbuki au!! can’t wait to set things straight and figure out family stuff, so we could start it already woohoo---your character portrayals are en pointe and i love interacting with you on any blog, and mioda always gives me that rush of adrenaline interacting with her like whoa!! what is she gonna do next? you’re doing 100% amazing so keep it up, my friend!!

@hexapodboy​ GOSH BON, i’ll be honest with ya!! i’ve always looked up to you and you always inspire me!! your portrayals are incredibly mind-blowing and i love seeing you on my dash!! your gonta is so pure and literally doesn’t deserve any of my ko’s antics, because he’s too innocent for it all. i love our crack threads and we need to get more serious threads going, seriously, but nonetheless our interactions are still amusing and, well, interesting! i wish we talked more ooc, you seem like a rly nice person && i love your kara icons ikhgkhgr really gives off the Cool™ demeanor, yo. but!! i can assure you that not 100% of our interactions will involve bombs, gonta deserves better than THAT

@mcfiant / @swcrdleap / your other 9 blogs--- IT’s been like, ten centuries bro, my dude, my partner in *komaeda and amami voice** death o’clock---and i love our interactions! and i love your portrayal of EVERY. SINGLE. CHARACTER. YOU. PLAY. regardless if i know that character or not, because you do such a good job that i just get the sense that it’s how the character legitimately is. we don’t talk much but when we did, it was amazing and i couldn’t stop laughing. i mean. it’s not every day you see amami kicking down doors over hiring assassins. i’ll always follow you mon ami because i love your portrayals and headcanons aND a lot more. one of my faves && i’ll read anything you have to offer bc your work is always interesting, honestly. even if your character is an asshole, komaeda can take it!!! he’s an asshole to himself, after all. but yea neal ily mi amigo and i promise i’ll tell you if anything’s wrong with your links akhgahg

AND I REFUSE TO FORGET THOSE WHO STUCK AROUND! the people in this section are people i’ve had really limited interactions with, but i’m very glad decided to stick around my blog!! i look up to you, and i wish i got to know y’all better so i could give you a spot up there with my positive comments!!

@despuddle / @kxaito / @fxshionable-mxsks​ / @ayatsurii / @kibarashiartist / @mxgicxlrxd / @invegold​ / @hairhorns​ / @twintaiiled / @goodluckgoodhope / @kyoukokiwigiri​ / @hxpelessnurse / @beheadingtoujou / @bubblegumrose / @fashicnkiller​ / @positivepianist​ / @robotichxpe​ / @bestiascuro​ / @docilexdisguises​ / @pseudxcode​ / @cxruscxte​ / @artqiues​ / @sollertiis​ / @boysofbrokensouls​ / @shufukuu​ / @frosted-mermaid​ 

&& HAVE AN AMAZING WEEKEND!!!

[sebastianstanaddictsanonymous]

Who Do I Choose?

Summary: You need to choose between your father, Tony Stark, and your soulmate, Steve Rogers as the events of Civil War occur. Part 2 of Never Will I Ever.

Word count: 1736

Pairing: Steve Rogers x Reader

Genre: Angst, soulmate au

Warnings: Angsty, Civil War spoilers if you haven’t seen it.

Author’s Note: This honestly seemed a lot better in my head, so I hope its good and that people like it. I promised part 2  tonight and damn it I made it happen even though its 3am…

In the four years since meeting your soulmate, a lot had happened, both personally and to the world, after the battle in New York, you and Steve became close, and were rarely apart with the exception of him being on missions. You’d even traveled with him across the United States after everything with Loki had been dealt with. It was exposed that Shield was mainly Hydra, Steve’s best friend was alive after 70 years and tried to kill him, and oh yeah, your father created a killer platoon of robots that with the help of Loki’s scepter became Ultron and destroyed Sokovia and Jarvis now has a body and goes by Vision. To say that life had been busy would be an understatement.

This is not to say that nothing good happened, because a lot of good happened. After 6 months of knowing Steve you’d moved into his rooms in the tower, and then of course into a shared room at the new compound after the Ultron incident. And possibly your favourite happy thing that had happened since meeting Steve, was that two years into your relationship Steve proposed. Sure, you were in for a long engagement, mainly because things kept coming up, and Steve really wanted to find Bucky again and have him involved in the wedding. He just could not get married without his best friend by his side. Still, you couldn’t be happier.

Unfortunately, the good couldn’t last. While on a mission Wanda had accidentally thrown Brock Rumlow, who in her defense, was trying to kill your fiancé, into a building as he was in the process of exploding which resulted in the deaths of a few people. If that wasn’t bad enough, your own father, as well as Vision, Uncle Rhodey signed and surprisingly enough Natasha as well. Then of course the signing was interrupted by a bomb, which Bucky was blamed for and now your fiancé was a fugitive because he was bound and determined to help his friend.

This put you in a tough spot. On one hand, you understood what your father was doing. For once in his life, Tony Stark was attempting to be responsible, it just didn’t work though. Dad was trying his best to keep everyone together but by not showing a united front it tore the team apart. You wanted to support him, and you often thought that as his daughter it was your job to be on his side, but you just had to stand by Steve’s side.

Steve didn’t want to stop fighting, he didn’t want to wait for someone to tell him it was okay to go save the lives of a nation, to protect those who couldn’t protect themselves. He understood the point of the Accords, but he couldn’t in good faith, trust that the UN would come up with decisions quick enough to prevent the deaths of others. Sometimes, decisions needed to be made immediately and in the moment, without the ability to make the decision himself, he and the rest of the Avengers would be hindered in their attempts to save people and that wasn’t a risk that he wanted to take.

Both Steve and your father, before Steve had left for Peggy’s funeral, and before your father had left to deal with finding Steve, Sam and Bucky, they’d both separately had conversations with you to see where you stood. Your father, while he meant well, thought that you needed to side with him. Why? Because you would be protected and on the right side of the law, as if by siding with Steve you’d be arrested on the spot. He was pushing, not much, but he really wanted you to side with him, maybe because he thought that if you did then Steve would see it his way.

Steve understood that you were in a difficult position and had told you as much, and made sure you knew that whoever you agreed with, it wouldn’t matter, because he loved you no matter what. Technically, you weren’t a part of the team, once in awhile you helped with hacking systems or fixing stuff with your dad, anything that could be done from the compound and so really, other than dealing with how it would affect the people in your life, you were not going to be affected, you just didn’t want to see your family torn apart.

You found yourself sitting alone at the compound, watching news footage from Romania where Steve, Sam and Bucky were being arrested. It had taken a day to reach the United States, and your father had called you to let you know that they were okay but that they were in big trouble.

Now you were watching, constantly hoping to catch updates as they came in. They were few and far between. All you knew was that Clint had shown up the day before and taken Wanda with him to Germany where Steve had asked to meet him.

Tony had stopped by briefly, picking up Vision before moving on to convince some kid to join him so that they could find and capture your fiancé and the rest of the Avengers, your own family. There was no point in trying to tell Tony that you thought this was wrong. He intended to take them quietly, but you knew that wasn’t going to happen, Steve was too stubborn to let Tony get in his way and he was determined to clear Bucky’s name. Friends, no they weren’t just friends, they were family, and families did not fight each other.

You’d spent days waiting for word, or for anyone to return. Finally, a week later, Tony arrived with a seriously injured Rhodey and Vision. Natasha was slinking around as well, just a little less noticeable. Nat took you aside when she arrived and slipped a phone into your hands, telling you that there was one number in there and it would allow her to call Steve if needed, he was the only person that had the number to the phone and if it ever rang it would be him. He had given it to her as a ‘just in case’ before he’d left for Romania. You would wait patiently, as much as you wanted to call him you’d need to wait for things to calm down, you didn’t want to be the reason why he got caught.

Tony was spending all of his time with Rhodey, trying to help him as much as he could. It was obvious that he blamed himself, even though it was Vision who was responsible for the injuries. You helped out too when he’d let you and when her father wasn’t available.

It took a month before you finally heard from Steve, he’d called, very briefly to let you know that he was okay, that he missed you and that you should stay where you were. So, no matter how much you wanted to leave the compound to find be with him, you’d do as he asked for now, with the promise of weekly phone calls you’d hung up and went to find your father.

He was in his office, staring out of the window at the open yard, where normally on a nice day like today you and the rest of the team would be enjoying the sunshine. Tony had been waiting to see if you’d stay.

“I’m staying, I don’t want to, but I don’t know where he is, so there’s no point in trying to find him.” You said, crossing your arms across your chest and leaning against the door frame. He looked up at you, barely meeting your eyes. You could tell he was exhausted, tired of all of this.

You waited a few moments before speaking again. “Dad, I get what you were trying to do, honestly I do. But you need to realize where Steve was coming from. I know he never had the chance to truly get into his reasoning with you. Not really.” You paused, thinking carefully for a moment. “I know its too late, you’ve already signed and this all this bullshit has gone too far, but think of it this way, by signing the Accords, you’ve agreed to let them police you, to decide whether or not people are worth saving or if you can even show up to raid a known Hydra base or be involved in a terrorist bust.”

Tony nodded. “I know, I knew that when I signed. It doesn’t change that it was the right thing to do. We needed someone to keep us in check.”

You shook your head in disbelief. “You just don’t get it do you? How much do I have to spell it out for you? Let me explain this to you, the same way Steve explained his reasoning.” You were on the defensive now, you just had to get him to understand.

“If I were to be kidnapped by Hydra, or in danger somewhere, and don’t tell me it wont happen, its well known that I’m your daughter and Steve’s soulmate, I’m a target, then unless the UN gives you permission, you legally CANNOT save me. You wouldn’t even be able to set foot on the property of wherever I was. Do you understand that? By signing, you’ve given up your right to actively help people who need it. People WILL die because you’re going to have to wait on the UN to let you go into a country, to make last minute decisions, to enter a building that has a bomb or hostages.”

The widening of his eyes showed that maybe now he got it, that he understood exactly why Steve had fought so hard against it. It wasn’t just for his friend, and while Tony had meant well, he’d tried to be responsible, it’d backfired in everywhere. Now he was at the mercy of General Ross and the UN to decide what he could and couldn’t do.

Sighing, you uncrossed your arms and moved into the room to stand beside him. He stood pulling you into a hug. “I’m sorry Sarah, I’m going to do my best to fix this and bring them home, all of them.” Wrapping your arms around him, you hoped he could do it, he’d always fixed everything else, hopefully this would be no different. You wanted your family back. You wanted Steve home.

[writingfromkitchenator]

Queen of the Crossroads

Masterlist

Chapter 5:  Death

Saphriel hadn't been overly sure what made her do it, but she found herself outside of Bobby's home, her gaze burning as she thought about all that she'd heard and rumoured.  There was something quaint about the house and Saphriel could understand why Sarah would retreat there.

With a small movement, she went inside.

There was cursing as she appeared before the four men and she rolled her eyes.  "Relax, if you are doing what I think you're doing, I'm here to help."

Dean, Bobby and Sam all had a gun on her.  "Yeah, right, like you helped Gabriel?"

Her eyes burned bright as she stared at them.  "That was not my fault."

"What?  So Lucifer just let you go?"  Dean spat.

Saphriel sighed.  "I...may have been a bit liberal about what I told you about my part in this."

"And here I was thinking that that was a trait only the little Winchester shared."  Saphriel turned to face the demon as he spoke, and found him looking her up and down.  "Or is she wearing on you?"

"I don't have to answer to you demon."  Saphriel said in a low voice.  "So I suggest you do shut up before I hand you to my brother on a platter."

"Only silver I hope."  Crowley smirks.  "I do hope you haven't underestimated that little minx in there, she is a tough one."

"And how would you know?"  Saphriel asked.

"She's a Winchester darling, hardly-"

"Shut up Crowley."  Both Sam and Dean said, earning a roll of the eyes from Crowley.

Saphriel sighed.  "Look boys, I am meant to be the deciding factor in this madness, no matter my views.  The fact is, is that those two can't kill each other, they're too equal, so-"

"You're the deciding vote."  Bobby said bitterly.  "And by the sounds of it, you are much more inclined to Lucifer."

She gives a small shrug.  "Michael has not approached me and despite what Lucifer has done, long term, it was always a better option anyway."  A sad smile tugs at her lips.  "I'm pretty sure that Michael hates me, that even if I were to join his side, he'd kill me as soon as he could."

"Great, you're on the end of the world's side, how about we just kill you and be done with it?"  Dean snarled, his gun surprisingly steady.

Saphriel raised an eyebrow.  "Not only could you not kill me if you tried Dean, if you did, you'd be killing Princess to."

"Princess?"

"A rather fond name that Lucifer-” She cut off, and for the briefest of moments, fury crossed her expression and she shuddered, before returning to herself as she frowned.  "Well, looks like she's getting a little stronger."

"I want to talk to my sister."  Sam said suddenly, lowering his gun.  "I want to know if you're telling the truth, that you are actually willing to help."

But Saphriel shook her head.  "I'm afraid I can't do that Sammy."

"Why not?"

"I don't suppose it would have anything to do with little Winchester being a demon now, would it?"

Saphriel froze and Bobby, Sam and Dean all stared at Crowley's amused expression.

"Oh yes, word gets around fast."  He said, carefully watching as Saphriel turned to face him.  "Not only that, but there is a certain air about you, not the usual angel inhabiting a human air, but something else, something a little darker."

She went to talk but was cut off with a groan, buckling over for a moment.

Straightening out, Sarah breathed hard, her eyes black.

"Holy fuck."  Dean breathed as he stared at her, blinking so that her gaze returned to normal.  "Sarah?"

"More or less."  She growled, a sweat breaking out over her forehead.  "I don't have long, and I'm sorry you had to find out like this."

It was clear that Bobby was speechless, staring at her with wide eyes, the gun shaking in his hand.  Sarah had to try and not notice, but she gives him a brief pained look before looking at her brothers.

"Saphriel is telling the truth, she wants to help."  Sarah said carefully.  "But she is also unstable.  I-"

She hisses in pain as her eyes start to glow and her hands clench.  "Damn bitch, I'm going to enjoy ripping you a-"

Saphriel regained the control, breathing heavily as she slowly unclenched her hands.  "I never would've expected a damned demon to be able to overwhelm an Archangel, guess I really didn't give enough credit."

"Told you."  Crowley said smugly.  "One thing that you Archangel's need to learn, you face a determined human, give them power, you see where you end up."

She snorts.  "Right, like she would've been any better treated under your care."

"Well, she would've had celebrity status, that certainly would've been a start."  Crowley's gaze went back to Sam and Dean, who were both pale faced.  "There is nothing you could've done boys, I wouldn't keep it too close to the chest."

Dean swallowed hard, deciding to ignore what just happened.  "Alright, you want to help, then you can-"

"It is Lucifer's work on your sister, not mine."  Saphriel said quickly.  "And nothing can change that back.  Even if I let her free, even new like this, she would be so much stronger than anything you had ever faced."

"Then how do you want to help?"  Bobby said, his voice threatening to break except he cleared his throat.  "Because after that I'm going to have great delight in making sure you leave Sarah's body."

Saphriel sighed, knowing there was no point in trying to explain.  "You have three of the horsemen's rings, correct?  Meaning you only need one more, and the only way you are going to be able to face Death is with my help."

Crowley snorts.  "I think they can manage without you darling."

"Lucifer has a spell on Death."  She said darkly, shooting a look at Crowley.  "The only way you are going to be able to get through it is with me.  I'm trying to do the right thing here, I did mean it when I said I didn't want this to happen anymore than you boys did, and now I have one dead brother and Dad still doesn't give a shit, so let me damned well help."

"On one condition."  Sam said, causing Dean and Bobby to look at him, his expression set.

"What?"

Sam licked his lips and shuffled a little nervously.  "When this is done, you walk her into a devil trap and leave.  We handle Sarah from there."

"You're kidding right?  Sarah is my true-"

"And I don't care."  Sam said, determined.  "You want to help, we need some sort of guarantee.  That's the deal."

Saphriel looked between Dean and Bobby.  "Surely you two can't agree to this?"

Bobby doesn't answer, opening a drawer and pulling out a bottle of whiskey and taking a swig, so her gaze goes to Dean.

"Dean," She spoke softly.  "Do you really want that?  The death of your sister for a way to stop the apocalypse."

"We won't kill her Saphriel."  Dean said coldly.  "But we sure as hell can't let you keep using her body, demon or not, I want my sister back."

"Technically-"

"Shut up Crowley."

Crowley smirked, watching the exchange.  Saphriel was bright, but he could clearly see the rising darkness in her, growing stronger even as they spoke.  Even if she agreed, he seriously doubted whether the Archangel would be able to hold onto Sarah Winchester that long, something that had Crowley very curious.

"Fine." Saphriel huffed.  "But after Lucifer is back in the cage.  After we've stopped this bloody apocalypse from happening."

Sam and Dean share a look, glancing at Bobby, who simply closed his eyes and took another drink.

Sam nods.  "Done."

"Good, then the quicker we do this the better."  Saphriel scowled at them.  "Because Lucifer is growing stronger and Michael now has a proper vessel, which means that this is drawing painfully close."

"Let's get a move on then, shall we?"  Crowley asked, stepping next to her.  "Oh, and before you say anything, I already know where Death is, so instead of wasting time arguing about it, shall we just go?"

Saphriel doesn't look impressed about having to work with him, but she bites her tongue and just nods in agreement.

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

She came through for them, the hold temporarily broken over Death, allowing Dean to talk to him.

Unfortunately for her, Crowley waited outside with her, her gaze locked onto the sky which was slowly rumbling darker, Crowley observing her.

"If I'm not mistaken, your brother doesn't like this."  He said cheerfully.

Saphriel made a noise, but made no other attempt to communicate with him.

Crowley smiled.  "You know that her brothers have no intent of letting you out of this easily?"

"Why are you still talking?"  She snarled.  "I thought my silence made it clear?"

"Just trying to pass the time, you know, before big brother interferes."  He said with a shrug.

Saphriel scowls.  "They both have more to worry about that me."

"I wouldn't count on that."  Crowley said.  "You are, after all, the only one with your true vessel, at this current time anyway."

"Your point?"

"Makes you the strongest."

Saphriel faces him, frowning.  "Again, your point?  I don't want to fight my brothers, it was bad enough watching Lucifer kill Gabriel."

"Of course, unless they attack you first."  He smirks at her indignant look.  "They are going to fight darling, whether you like or not, and one of them is going to die."

Saphriel thought about this, unnerved by the way Crowley was watching her.

"All I'm saying," He continued.  "Is if these boys fail, you are probably going to have to decide who."

"If you don't stop talking demon, I will smite you where you stand."  Saphriel growled, turning her attention back to the sky.

Crowley snorts in amusement.  "You know, if you want help, just ask."

"I don't need your help demon."

"I wasn't talking to you."

Saphriel goes to turn back to him, but at that moment there was a sharp crack of thunder directly overhead, Crowley vanishing, as Michael appears in front of her.

She was cautious.  "Michael."

"Saphriel."  He said slowly.  "What are you doing?"

She shrugs.  "Trying to stop this."

"This has been written."  He said coldly.  "You cannot change what is meant to be."

"Oh please,” She scoffed, rolling her eyes.  "We're all anomalies Michael.  Lucifer wasn't meant to be dick and fall, I wasn't meant to be a bitch and leave my post, you weren't meant to be a constant pain in the arse, but hey, here we are.  Are you really going to tell me that all that was meant to be written?"

Michael scowled at her.  "Must you be so painful all the time?"

"Must you?"  She questioned back.  "Honestly Michael, you just always have to be the righteous one, don't you?"

"Someone has to be responsible in this family."  He growls.

Saphriel scoffed, folding her arms.  "More like jealous because you weren't favourite."

Thunder cracked again, just making her smile.

"Aww, is big brother going to have a tantrum?"

Saphriel was thrown backwards with a loud crack, crashing hard into a wall, her body sinking to the ground as she groaned.

"First, you dishonour yourself by allowing this to happen,” He spat as he approached her.  "Then you dare insult me multiple times and have the hide to work with Lucifer!  You don't get the luxury of passing judgement on me Saphriel.  I will not hesitate to end your existence."

Saphriel chuckled, looking unfazed as she looks back up at him.  "You call that a hit brother?  I think you're suffering without your true vessel."

"Well at least I'm not using a demon to get mine."  He hissed.

"Using a demon?  Oh, you are behind the times."  Saphriel stood, brushing herself down.  "I'm not using anything.  Little Sarah Winchester said yes, thanks to Lucifer of course, much more than you've ever offered me."

"What?"  Michael snarls in disbelief.  "Lucifer turned her?"

"Well, I could hardly participate with dead vessel now could I?"  With a sharp snap of her hand, it was Saphriel's turn to send Michael flying, him crashing through a wall in a cloud of dust.  "I can see why you hit me.  That felt damned good."

Michael appeared back before her, a trickle of blood running down his forehead, his eyes glowing dangerously.

"Careful Michael, don't want to exhaust yourself before the big battle with Lucifer.  Just might end up bad for you."

Michael clearly didn't care, launching at her.  Saphriel smirked and let them collide, the thunder cracking overhead, lightning striking just a little too close.

In the midst of the fighting, they were both suddenly wrenched apart.

"Now children," Death drawled.  "Is that anyway to treat each other."

Saphriel was grinning, covered in dirt.  "I was having fun."

Michael's eyes sparked and he struggled against the invisible grip.  "She's only getting what she deserves."

Death rolls his eyes and sighs.  "And you honestly wonder why your father left, trying to kill each other like this."

"I wasn't going to kill him, just-"

"Enough."  Death shot her a dark look.  "Or I will make sure that you have no further part in this.  Permanently."

She snorts.  "You wouldn't dare.  I'm the only reason you are currently free of Lucifer's spell."

"Something I can deal with."  He said coldly.  "However your impertinence is tiring."

Michael goes to cut in, the fury wanting to be let out, but with a wave of Death's hand, he vanished.

"Now that I know you two won't destroy the city with your feud..."  Saphriel is released from the grip.  "I wish to speak to the Winchester."

"Why?"  But there was little point as Death snapped his fingers and Sarah clutched her chest, breathing hard and glaring at him with black eyes.  "I'd repeat her question but I can't say I'd like the results."

"You are a clever little thing, aren't you?"  He asked, amused.  "I can't say I expected this result when I took you to Hell."

"I know what you're talking about."  She said sarcastically and brushed the dirt off her clothes.  "This is totally what I expected."

"Your glib does you no credit."  He said, the annoyed tone returning to his voice.  "I trust you have no intention of letting this continue?"

Sarah folds her arms.  "First you take me to Hell, now you are asking me stupid questions?"

"Hell was hardly my choice."  Death said, eyeing her closely.  "And I am simply asking out of curiosity.  It took me hours to get you to move on, I can't imagine that that level of stubbornness would stand by this?"

"Of course not."  She said frowning.  "But I hardly think this is a good time to be discussing it."

"Oh, she's been put away for the moment."  He said lightly.  "You don't have to worry about that, besides, it wasn't really me that wanted to talk to you."

At that Dean stepped out, his gaze cautious as Sarah sighed.

"Naturally."  She said.  "What can I do for you Dean?"

"What happened Sarah?"  Dean asked.

Sarah pursed her lips and shook her head.  "It doesn't matter."

"Of course it bloody does-"

"No Dean."  She said sternly.  "Just as it doesn't matter what you intend to with me, because you know I can't let it get to that.  You just need to be ready for all this, because it's not easy."

"Sarah-"

"Dean, please."  Sarah sighs.  "First rule of hunting.  You don't have to feel guilty for me because I sure don't."

"You're a demon dammit, I can't just sit back and let that slide."  Dean said angrily.  "If we had simply insisted that you join us-"

"I wouldn't have and you know it."  Sarah looks at Death.  "Is there a point to this?  This is only hurting him."

Death shrugged.  "Seemed fair, you'll have little time to talk once all this is going down."

"Sam and Dean carry enough on their shoulders without worrying about me too."  She said harshly.  "This is just how it's gone and it's meant to be.  There is nothing to be done about it."

"It's bullshit is what it is."  Dean growled.  "I can't-"

"Things are different now Dean."  Sarah's voice went cold, getting the point across.  "You and Sam are just better off staying away from me, because if you don't, I cannot guarantee that I won't hesitate to hurt either of you."

Dean stared at her, his eyes shining, but a rumble in the sky got her attention.

"Lucifer is coming now, I suggest we end this discussion?"  Sarah turned her attention back to Death.

"Oh, very well."  He said and clicked his fingers, him and Dean disappearing and Saphriel once again returning to the surface.

"Dammit."  She cursed under her breath, glaring around before her gaze moved to the sky.  With a small movement, she hurried away from the storm brewing too.