#i think about 'i worry that she is appreciating me ironically' every day

[badwaves]

releasing some fords into the wild. i think the OP of the video i referenced for the second pic deactivated but my screenshots are forever

[vivwritesfics]

Spider-Man Kiss

One particularly bad crash lands her in hospital, out for the count. Max, Lando and Charles visit her every single day. While she's out the reader lives several different lives. The one thing they all have in common? Her boys

Max Verstappen x Reader, Lando Norris x reader, Charles Leclerc x reader

Any suggestions for the fandoms used in the next part would be much appreciated!! I'm thinking maybe pjo, maybe harry potter, maybe star wars but im not sure

The Second Part The Third Part

Huge thanks to @cheriladycl01 for their help with this one

The Ferrari hadn’t felt right all afternoon. But her engineers insisted that there was nothing wrong with the car, that she should keep driving. So, she did just that. Qualifying had been good, not the best, but good, and she’d started in fourth.

But then she was overtaken by a Mercedes. She wasn’t sure what Mercedes; she just knew it was a Mercedes. The car fell apart after that. It wasn’t long before she lost control of the car. Her back tyre clipped the corner and sent her flying into the barriers.

The session was red flagged when she didn’t climb out of her car or respond on the radio. “What happened?” Asked Max Verstappen as he led the rest of grid into the pit lane. His engineer didn’t tell him right away. He let Max stop his car before he told him.

Charles and Lando had been behind her. Charles himself had almost been involved in the accident, having followed close behind. “Fuck, Y/N!” He shouted as it happened. With no other choice but to keep driving, Charles looked in his mirrors, trying to watch for her leaving the car. At the red flag he was panicking. This couldn’t have been good news.

“Holy shit,” Lando found himself saying as he drove past the Ferrari in the barriers. “Is she okay?” But nobody had an answer for him.

She was pulled out of the car and placed onto a stretcher. She was out cold as they placed her in the ambulance and drove away. As soon as her car was removed from the barrier the race resumed. But neither of the three drivers could concentrate. All she had been told was that she was alive, but they couldn’t stop worrying about her.

For maybe the first time in all of their careers, they couldn’t wait for the race to end. It was a foreign sensation, and none of them liked it. The podium wasn’t for celebrating, and none of them were filled with enthusiasm as they covered one another in champagne.

As soon as they could they raced to the hospital to be by her side. It wasn’t an easy sight, seeing her lying on the hospital bed, connected to a drip. “Oh my God,” whispered Lando as he slipped in the seat beside her and took her hand. Max sat on a small space on her bed and Charles leaned against the wall beside the bed.

Videos of the crash had been all over social media. The boys couldn’t go into Instagram without seeing it. Sure, the captions and comments were all wishing her well, but it was still hard to see. “I wonder what she’s dreaming about,” Charles said quietly, almost sadly as he petted her hair.

“I hope it’s something nice,” Max said, kissing the side of her head.

***

The party was in full swing. The drinks were flowing, and Y/N had already had plenty. Charles stood behind the bar, serving with a sultry smile, and Lewis entertained his guests. She sat beside Daniel, leaning against him as she sipped her drink. He was speaking to Max, a man who still refused to acknowledge everyone.

Lewis and Max didn’t get along. It was understandable, Max had been an unstoppable killing machine, and he’d killed Lewis’s parents. But they’d saved the world together, and he was giving him a chance.

The Iron Man, in his strapping suit, walked past and offered Y/N his hand. “Dance with me,” Lewis said and she happily obliged, handing Daniel her drink to look after.

Daniel may have been Australian, but he was still Captain America. He certainly loved this country enough to be their Captain America. He protected Y/N’s drink as he continued talking to Max. Misunderstood Max, who had been his best friend all those years ago. Max, who had been ripped away from him in the war. Max, who wasn’t the same man he used to be now that he was returned to him.

“Where’s Lando?” She asked as she danced with him.

Lewis shrugged his shoulders. “Oh, you know kids. He’s probably swinging about somewhere.”

She gave him a look, one that said she was unimpressed. “You didn’t invite him, did you?” She asked, and Lewis looked at the floor, still slightly smiling. “Lewis! He really looks up to you,” she said and stepped away from him.

“Hey!” Lewis called after her. “Where are you going?”

“To get him!” She called back as she grabbed her coat. Lewis, Max and Daniel watched as she walked out of the tower they called home.

Lando wasn’t an easy guy to find. He didn’t answer his phone when he was in his suit, swinging from building to building. The easiest way to find him was to look up (and follow the news articles).

Currently, Lando was sat on top of the building opposite Lewis’s, watching as the party went on without him. He’d just so happened to land on the building opposite during his nightly patrol, and it was just a little heart breaking. He didn’t see as Y/N left the party to go find him, just continued to watch as Pierre sat on the bar as Charles poured drinks.

Using news sites, Y/N found herself on the next roof over. Lando didn’t spot her. But she certainly spotted him. As quickly as she could, she left the roof and ran over to the next building.

Lando knew she was there before she opened the door. Well, he knew that somebody was there. He stood up in an almost protective stance, waiting for her to push open the door to the roof.

"Lan?" She called softly as she walked towards him. "What're you doing up here?"

He pulled his mask off as he strode towards her. "Having fun at the party?" He asked somewhat bitterly.

She gave him a look. "C'mon," she said, reaching for him. "Lewis meant to invite you but he never got around to it. I came to get you."

But Lando didn't believe her. Of course he didn't. She stepped up to him and ran her fingers through his hair. They'd always been close, and, as much as he wanted to kiss her, he couldn't. Not yet.

Lando bit the inside of his cheek. He wrapped his arms around her and looked down at her, waiting for her next move. "I left the party to come get you," she said as she gently swayed from side to side. "How about you swing us across and we can crash the party," she said.

He pulled his mask back over his face and wrapped on arms around her. "Hold on tight," he said and she squeezed her arms around him.

Lando swung them across. He shot a web at Lewis's tower and swung them both across, landing them on the helicopter pad. Even once they had landed Lando still had his arms around her. She giggled and pulled his mask off as she grabbed a hold of him and pulled him through the tower.

The party was dwindling down. Daniel and Max were still there, as was Charles and Pierre. Esteban was pulling on his coat, heading out, and Lewis was surveying everything from the landing above.

"Sorry we're late," said Y/N as she pulled Lando over to the bar. Charles got the both of them a drink and Y/N pulled him over to Max and Daniel.

Daniel liked Lando. He was a good kid and Daniel knew he had a lot to give. It took some time for Max to warm up for Lando, but he felt somewhat protective over him, like Lando was some lost puppy.

"We were wondering when you were gonna turn up," Daniel said as he leaned back in his chair.

Lando pulled at his suit somewhat uncomfortably. "Anybody got anything I can change into?" He asked as he sipped at his drink.

Nodding his head, Max stood up and led Lando out of the room to get changed into something a lot more comfortable.

"I'm not surprised you went to get him," said Daniel as Y/N sat herself opposite. She rolled her eyes and leaned back, looking towards the doorway. "You've liked him since our Formula One days."

"What?" She asked quickly. "What did you say?"

Daniel cleared his throat. "I said you've liked him since he first joined the team."

That was definitely not what he said, but she didn't call into into question. "Have not," she mumbled, quickly finishing her drink.

Daniel rolled his eyes. On the next mission, he was putting them together. They could work it out then."

***

"Here," Lando said as he bought Max something to eat. Just days before Max and Charles had gone into Y/N's apartment and pulled books from her shelf. They took it in turns to read to her as she laid in her hospital bed.

A few of the grid had come by to see her, to wish her well. But, to them, it wasn't looking good. Daniel tried to talk to her, tried to jog her awake that way, but it wasn't working. Nothing seemed to be working.

Eventually their teams came to pull them away. They still had a job to do, and she would want them to do it. But it was damn near impossible to leave her. It broke their goddamn hearts.

"Keep dreaming, chérie," said Charles as he kissed the top of her head. Max squeezed her hand, but he got no squeeze in return. Lando couldn't bear to leave her.

***

The first half of the mission was a success. They stopped H.Y.D.R.A from making more super soldiers or something (nobody was really concentrating on the first half of the mission. It was piece of cake anyway) and were ready to head home.

Except one of their cohort was missing. Spider-Man was nowhere to be seen. "Lan?" Y/N said into her comm. "Where are you? Are you okay?"

There was a moment of a struggle, not like Lando was in trouble, but like he was pushing on something. "Yeah," he said. "I'm... somewhere. I've been locked in a room."

Daniel let out a sigh. "Let's go find him," he said and led the way. Daniel led Y/N back through the H.Y.D.R.A base, almost like he knew exactly where to go.

In a room deep inside of the base, Y/N ran over to the closet. There was chains holding the doors shut with a padlock keeping them secure. The doors shook; clearly Lando was in there.

"Danny? Use those strong arms of your and pull these open," she said as she stood beside the closet door.

Daniel did just that. He pulled open the closet door, but he didn't let Lando out. Instead he pushed Y/N inside and shut the door again, holding them shut. "Daniel, what the hell?!" She shouted as she pounded against the door. "Let us out, you dick!"

"Not until you kiss or something!" He shouted back.

She could barely see in the dark closet as Lando pulled off his mask, his hair messy. "What is he going on about?" He asked as he leaned against the wall.

Y/N let out a sigh. It was now or never. "Our gracious Captain America thinks I have a crush on you," she said as she continued to push on the door. But Daniel was annoyingly strong and the door wouldn't budge.

Lando looked at her. "Do you?" He asked somewhat hesitantly.

She tried the best to look at him in the darkness. "Would it matter if I do?"

He thought about it for a moment. Yeah, it really would matter. Instead of answering, Lando climbed his way up the wall. He went to the middle of the ceiling and let himself hang down. "Have you ever heard of a Spider-Man kiss?"

Her hands held his cheek. She leaned forward and kissed him. Their eyes were shut as Y/N tried to pull him closer. But it was impossible, he was as close as he could possibly be.

It was so intoxicating. She was so intoxicating that Lando nearly slipped off the wall. He still had a hold of it as Daniel opened the door to let them out. He probably wouldn't have believed them unless he saw it with his own eyes, saw the way Lando kissed her.

Her eyes opened when she saw the light flooding into the closet. "Wow," she whispered, but it was only for Lando's ears. But she still pulled away and lunged at Daniel, knocking him to the floor. Her punches weren't hurting him. As she punched him she said a quiet, "thank you."

Daniel couldn't stop himself from grinning.

***

Lando brushed his fingers through her hair. As soon as the race was over he headed back to the hospital to once again be at her side. "I miss you," he whispered, his hands stilling. "We all do. But I think me and Max and Charles miss you the most."

He didn't expect a response. And he didn't get one.

"You missed Monza. I know how much you love Monza." She excelled at Monza. Everybody expected this to be her first Ferrari win. The TIFOSI loved her and couldn't wait to see her win in Italy.

But she didn't get to this year. Lando would have loved to watch her win, to stand on the podium with her.

"Fuck." Tears sprung to his ears. "I miss you so fucking much."

[bountycancelled]

something more than friends

(lucy gray baird x reader)

tip me on kofi if you feel so inclined

requested: yep, I hope you like it anon♡

content: a little bit of angst but mainly fluff, men (derogatory), kinda lovesick!lucy gray, jealous lucy gray (we love to see it), pretty intense description of kissing but no smut.

warnings: a very brief mention of drinking, internalised homophobia but it doesn't last long, gay stuff (duh), lowercase intended I know boo I'm annoying.

a/n: I haven't read the book yet so idk much about the covey so their appearance may ooc but that's solely due to my lack of knowledge on them

lucy gray baird never faltered when she sang.

there were very few things that could get under her skin when she was on that stage, strumming her guitar and twirling in her skirt as the district folk stomped along to the beat.

sure, sometimes drunkards and the occasional hung up ex would try to cause a scene, attempting to gain her attention from below, but she would simply roll her eyes, waiting for someone to take care of them so that she could go back to doing what she did best. performing.

so what exactly had happened to make the lucy gray baird, forget a line in a song?

she was quick to remedy her mistake, carrying the tune in such a way that most patrons didn't even notice her mess up. but ironically enough, the very cause of her brain fog noticed. you.

you gave her a worried look, but she brushed it off, willing herself to continue playing as if nothing was wrong. and technically, nothing was wrong. you were there, in the far back of the crowd, wearing a white dress with a drink in your hand. and Lucy Gray didn't mean to be cliché, but you really did look like an angel, something divine that she had the honour of setting her eyes on.

but obviously, she wasn't the only one who thought that.

you were speaking to some man. which was fine, you were always the most gorgeous girl in the room in her eyes and she knew that she wasn't the only one who appreciated your beauty, you were always needing to awkwardly laugh at men's advances and brush them off as best as you could, but you weren't doing that tonight.

you were laughing, a genuine laugh, leaning in to hear his voice over the music, over her singing. she wanted to jump off of the stage and break her guitar over that assholes face, and she couldn't explain why.

she had always known that one day, you'd settle down with a kind man who cared for you (not nearly as much as she did, but that was okay) and then she would see you less and less. but knowing didn't make the taste in her mouth any more bitter.

the first time you told her about a crush that you had, on a boy named Tom, she spent the whole night convincing you that he just wasn't right for you. you believed her of course, rejecting him swiftly the next week when he asked you to go on a walk with him, walking instead with lucy gray, hand in hand.

but then, she did it every time you spoke about a boy, and you started to believe her less and less. 'I think you're just jealous lucy gray, and you don't anybody taking my attention away from you.'

you were right, she was jealous, and the thought of you, with a man, it disgusted her to her core. which is why she took off as soon as her set ended, not even staying for the applause as she searched for you outside.

there you were, and thankfully, you were alone, no undeserving man in sight.

she ran up to you, her brown eyes seemingly sparkling even in the darkened night. "how'd you enjoy the show, darlin'?"

her heart jumped when you smiled at her, your eyes crinkling in joy as you took both of her hand in yours, squeezing them affectionately. "you have the voice of an angel, lucy gray. and I envy the lucky fella who's gonna marry you, and have to serenade them whenever they want."

lucy gray rolled her eyes in a good natured fashion, trying to ignore the knot in her stomach when you mentioned her getting married. "I already serenade you, sweet thing. and im not gonna let some wedding band stop me."

you laughed airily, leading her by the hand towards the lake, where you spent most nights together. you sat down at the edge, laying your head in her lap when she sat beside you. her hand went to your hair, and she fought the urge to by giddy at the sight of your head in her lap, you were just... perfect.

"who was that guy that you were talking to back then? when I was singing, I mean." she asked, her voice uncharacteristically quiet.

you thought back to about an hour prior, picturing every person that you had been with throughout the evening as you tried to recall who she was asking about in particular. "oh! that was matthew, his dad and my dad go way back, but the two of us never really shared their closeness for whatever reason. but after speaking to him tonight I'm a bit upset that I never tried to grow a friendship with him earlier."

she nodded, her cherry glossed lips pressing into a thin line. "he doesn't just wanna be friends with you though, I could see it." you scoffed playfully, raising a brow at her curiously. "you were all the way up on stage, in the middle of your favourite song to perform, and somehow, you could tell that much from so far away?"

she opened her mouth to defend herself, but after realising just how insane the notion sounded when you phrased it in that way, she quickly closed it again. "I'm not gonna let any man take me away from you, lucy gray, believe me when I say that I can't live without you."

your words sent a fury of butterflies in her stomach, and she swore that felt dizzy as you picked your head up, moving your face so close to hers that your noses were almost touching. she wanted to kiss you. god, what the hell was wrong with her? how could she be thinking of you in this way?

despite her inner conflict, she made no moves to create some distance between your faces, selfishly wanting to stay like this for as long as you'd let her. "I wish we could get married." she sighed, her eyes widening at her own words. "I meant- not like, I didn't mean- not in, like, a husband and wife typa way-"

you cut her off with trying to, with a tilt of your head making her suck in a sharp breath. "you don't wanna do husband and wife things with me?" you asked, and she could swear that your voice had a certain tone about it, one that made her cheeks feel blazing and her breaths shallow.

she shook her head, her usually fierce tone reduced to a meek almost whisper. "we can't do those stuff together."

you were too close for comfort. she could feel the tip of your nose against hers and if you leaned in any further, she was sure that she would combust. "who cares if we can't? the more important question is, do you want to?"

inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale. she had forgotten how to breath. this wasn't right, she knew that, so why were her lips on yours in a flash, her hands in your hair, around your waist, holding your hands, touching any part of you that she could reach as the two of you kissed? in public, no less?

she couldn't find it in her mind to stop, not when your soft, sweet lips moved in tandem with hers as if you were molded to fit each other. when you pulled away, with lucy gray chasing your lips with an involuntary whine, you held her by the shoulders, a look of concern on your face.

that was when she felt it. the guilt knawing at her stomach, and the tears thar flowed down her face. was she crying because of how overwhelming her feelings were for you? maybe it was because she knew that you would have to hide... whatever had just happened between the two of you.

you leaned your forehead against hers, you sweet voice easing her fear. "I love you." she nodded, not being able to say it back just yet, but she could only hope that you knew. she moved to kiss you again, being startled out of her mind by a girlish scream in the distance.

it was maude ivory, eyes wide and hand slapped over her mouth in shock, with an equally suprised tam amber standing next to her. lucy gray felt sick to her stomach.

"I knew it." tam Amber said with a shrug, moving to sit next to the two fo you as she stared out at the moonlit lake. "no one looks at their friend like how lucy gray looks at you."

"can I be the flower girl? and the maid of honour? and the priest?" maude ivory rambled, laying half in lucy grays lap and half in yours. you simply laughed, explaining that her dream wasn't exactly possible but flower girl was certainly doable as lucy gray watched, tears threatening to fall from her eyes once again. only this time, they were of relief.

the joy she felt in her chest, at the thought that you could be... together in front of the covey was the best gift she could possibly be given. you and her, together. not just as best friends. although it was hard to wrap her head around it, she knew that it was exactly what she wanted and she had it on good authority that you wanted it too.

[qtkat]

being childhood friends with the main four would include..

gender: female (she/her)

warnings: none, other than it’s south park

request: no lol

a/n: this is my first time posting my fanfiction, so please be kind with any criticism! x <3

- being one of the only people eric can genuinely get along with

- because let’s be real, if he were to let a girl in his main friend group he’d definitely have to actually like you

- and if even eric likes you, the others definitely love you

- you’re really close with all of them, picking up kenny and karen with your shitty car every morning, slacking off and talking about whatever with stan in first period, rating the day’s school lunch with eric (you both take this very seriously), and letting kyle coach you through your biology homework after school

- you’re really the glue to their broship, because without you there kyle would’ve definitely dropped eric at some point and they would’ve split up the whole group

- but don’t worry, they don’t argue as much as they used to in elementary and middle school

- ironically you all have one period together, ap history with mr. garrison

- it’s definitely your favorite time of the day because you get to see all your favorite people at once

- it’s also definitely not mr. garrison’s favorite time of day, he’s hated you little gremlins since fourth grade (and you can’t really blame him)

- outside of school you try to see them as much as possible

- you definitely see kenny the most, he loves just hanging out at your house so he doesn’t have to be at his own

- he even takes karen with him sometimes, and you love babysitting her together and going out to hang around south park

- if you smoke you guys get blazed together all the time (it’s tegridy weed he steals from stan’s house when he’s there)

- whenever you’re just chilling with your other friends (like bebe or wendy) he comes up to you throughout the day to ask if you want to have a smoke break with him

- if you don’t smoke he definitely tries to blow the smoke away from your face as much as he can

- you’re his trip sitter

- he’s also visited you as mysterion, kind of like how they do in miraculous (if you catch my drift)

- you’ve definitely bragged about being friends with mysterion before, much to eric’s dismay

- speaking of eric’s dismay, he’s the most jealous friend you’ll ever have

- “who took that picture of you” “why aren’t you free this weekend?” “why won’t you go to casa bonita with me” “why do you hang out with that loser anyways” ALL. DAY. LONG.

- he loves hanging out with you alone the most so no one steals your attention away from him

- he likes people knowing you guys are friends since he thinks you’re cool (and honestly he just wants people to think he’s cool too, he cares)

- you don’t call him fatass and he really appreciates it, he doesn’t say it though

- you need to pick up a lot of the love you get from eric like context clues since he doesn’t ever really say it out loud

- also liane LOVES YOU

- she sees you as a good influence on her son

- she’s also the type to try and get you to eat over every time you come over (which i also see sheila doing)

- speaking of sheila she’d definitely invite you to celebrate hanukkah with the broflovskis, it became a yearly thing

- kyle and you are study buddies since he doesn’t want you to fail and stay a class behind

- he gets angry when he gets sad, and you can deal with that really well, you calm him down really easily

- you guys have deep conversations whenever you’re alone together

- you hang together on the roof of your house and watch the sunset while talking about the meaning of life or some shit LMAO

- if you also have textured hair you guys would have joint wash days and it’s so cute

- and 80% of the time you’re with kyle stan is there too

- not that you mind

- if you play and instrument you have definitely written music together with stan

- and even if you don’t you love hearing him play, you’re his number one fan

- jam sessions in his barn >>>

- i feel like i’m one of the only people who isn’t a football stan truther, like he’s literally a little nerd who plays guitar

- he plays warhammer with you if you’re into board games, and you guys get really into it together

- that first period chat i mentioned earlier? yeah definitely filled with your character lore and shit

- stan loves hanging out at your house to get away from his dad, honestly yours and eric’s houses are just the general hang out spots for the gang

- whenever you guys hang out with the five of you it’s mostly video games and chilling with food

- subsections of the group are definitely you/stan/kyle and you/kenny/eric (even though eric doesn’t like sharing you he gets really bad FOMO anytime he’s not there)

- whenever you hang with kenny and eric it’s filled with immature jokes, and probably weed too

- idk i just see kenny getting high 24/7 and i feel like eric would try smoking at least once

- kyle and stan won’t try weed, since stan hates it and kyle promised not to try weed to stan when randy bought tegridy farms

- and because butters is basically a bonus member of the group you’d definitely also be friends with him

- you, kenny and butters make the best trio ever, you guys have so much fun

- butters deserves someone sweet in his life and you two are definitely that to him

- whenever he’s working you and kenny just hang around the whole day in a booth, sometimes kyle comes over too to help you study a bit

- willy chilly’s is a hang out spot too, it seems so nice in the summer

- in conclusion you and the boys have a great friendship, and you have ever since you were young! it’s so cute honestly

[callsign-rogueone]

letters from samara - g.t.

Garrick Tavis x reader (Angel!) part of my Valentine’s Day celly! 💕 words: 1.0k 🏷: FOURTH WING AND IRON FLAME SPOILERS, part of my Garrick and Angel series, so read that first for context! no other warnings, just kinda soft and sad.

Someone drops a thick envelope onto the table in front of you. “From Samara. They said it was important.”

Samara. Brennan had told you that’s where Garrick and Xaden are. Your hands shake as you open the seal, but you relax at the familiar slant of Garrick’s handwriting. 

My angel,

I will start with what I know you’re most worried about: I am alive, I am safe, and so is X. He’s brooding in the corner of the room right now -- he’s not taking it well being apart from Vi, but command has allowed them visits every two weeks for Tairn and Sgaeyl’s sakes. 

We both miss you more than words can describe. I wish I could have said goodbye before we left, or that we could have taken you with us, but X wouldn’t hear arguments from anyone. I have never seen him that serious about anything before. 

I’m so sorry, angel. For all of it, everything. You didn’t deserve to be put through any of that, and I know how deeply it hurt you. It was terrifying to see you that way, so drained and cold. I can’t imagine what it felt like. 

Promise me you’ll take care of yourself, my love. You are the most kindhearted person I’ve ever known, and I love that about you, but you have to think of your own needs as well. You deserve peace and rest, especially now. Sleep in as long as you want, make time for your meditation. I’m sure the gardens would appreciate your attention as well; I swear you could make roses grow in dry sand as long as you smiled at them every day. 

I couldn’t bear to burn anything of yours, knowing that your heart still beats. I kept the things I thought to be most important to you and took them here with me. I will return them to you as soon as I can, but they are a comfort to me now — my room here feels like it did at Basgiath, with little touches of you scattered around. I keep watching the door, thinking that any moment you’ll come knocking to walk to class with me, or if I reach across the bed in the morning, you’ll be beside me again. I don’t know when I’ll see you next, but I know in my heart that I will. There is nothing and no-one that could keep me from you. 

Yours always,

G

On the sheet below, another.

Until I can lay by your side and tell you about my days, I’ll keep writing to you about them instead.

Being here feels like being a fresh cadet all over again, but different -- bottom of the food chain, getting the shifts nobody wants, but at least we don’t have to constantly prove our strength like we did in our first year at Basgiath, and we already have our dragons. 

One of Chradh’s relatives is here, which is cool. I think they’re cousins? They look damn near identical. I walked up to the wrong one on the flight line the other day -- thankfully the guy has a better sense of humor than Chradh, but I’m never making that mistake again.

Every rider here seemed to know exactly who we were when we arrived. Some of them have been more subtle with their distaste for us than others, but nobody’s been dumb enough to try anything -- probably because we look like we can fight, and because Sgaeyl is fucking terrifying, even more so now that she’s separated from Tairn. 

I just got off a 12-hour patrol shift, and I’m exhausted, but it’s hard to sleep without you here. I don’t think we’ve ever been apart this long in our lives. Being without either of you has never even felt like a possibility before; it’s always been us three together through the good and the bad. Someday it’ll be like that again, I know it will.

Brennan is the best mender I have ever known. If you choose, he can help you strengthen your ability, but please don’t push yourself too far. I need you to be in one piece when I get back. 

There are three more sheets underneath, one in Xaden’s rough script and two more from Garrick, the last dated four days ago -- likely the day he’d sent it. 

You realize what an incredible risk it was to write to you at all. It wouldn’t take a genius to put together that X is Xaden, that you’re hiding in Aretia, that you’d faked your death, or rather that your friends had faked it for you. How many hands did these pages pass through to reach you? How many others out there are on your side? 

You bring a hand up to cover your yawn, realizing how tired you are. The sun has gone down, a small mage light the only thing illuminating the corner of the study that you occupy. It’s likely nearing midnight.

“The letters and the books will still be there in the morning,” Tab says gently. “Sleep. You’ve had a long day.”

You look down at the torn piece of fabric you’ve been staring at for the last four hours. It has not yet sewn itself back together, no matter how hard you concentrated or “cleared your mind”, how gently you touched it. You’d even asked it nicely, but it did not dignify you with a response.

You set the letters aside for a moment, stacking up the books that you’d found in the house’s library about mending and placing them in a neat pile in the corner of the table you’ve been sitting at every evening for the last week. You fold the black cotton into quarters, setting it atop the pile -- you’ll try again tomorrow.

You can’t help but smile as you tuck the letters back into the envelope, brushing your fingers over the wax seal.

Garrick is right, this is the longest you’ve ever been apart, but as you gaze out the window into the starry sky, holding the letters he’d written you, the distance between you doesn’t seem that far.

[kckt88]

Taking of a City.

Summary:

After Aemond leaves for Harrenhal, Rhaenyra and Daemon arrive in Kings Landing to reclaim the Iron Thone.

Warning(s): Swearing, Blood, Death,

Word Count: 2100

Author Note: A companion piece to Wedding & Consummation/Bath Time/Arrival(s)/Mother & Father/Petitions & Final Tributes/The Hand, The King & The Dragon/Dragonstone/Blood & Cheese/A Time for Grief/The Gullet/Harrenhal and the Rivers/The Gods Eye, The Fallen Queen & New Beginnings.

But can be read as a one-shot.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the House of The Dragon or Fire & Blood characters nor do I claim to own them. I do not own any of the images used.

Comments, likes, and reblogs are very much appreciated.

“You want to go to Harrenhall?” asked Vaera.

“We’ve given Rhaenyra a month to concede. It’ll be easier if we get rid of Daemon first”.

“What about Kings Landing?” asked Vaera.

“I will leave my Queen in charge” replied Aemond as he took of the conquerors crown and placed it on Vaera’s head.

“B-But the other Lords. Aemond they won’t accept me” exclaimed Vaera.

“Yes, they will. Besides Ser Criston is coming with me. There is no one else that can sit the Iron Throne. I’ve already spoke to them, and they’ve all pledged to support you in my absence”.

“How many of them did you threaten to kill?” asked Vaera sheepishly.

“Only three. But I know you’ll be fine. I need someone on the Throne that I can trust, and I need Cannibal here just in case” said Aemond.

“What about my mother?” asked Vaera as she eyed Vhagar in the distance.

“I should be back in time. Harrenhall isn’t too far from Kings Landing.”

“Assuming of course you manage to deal with Daemon in that time” muttered Vaera.

“I have to try Vaera” said Aemond firmly.

“I know you do. I’m just worried. Daemon is no ill trained knight. He’s a seasoned warrior, and if anything happened to you. I don’t know what I’d do” said Vaera her lips wobbling.

“Listen to me, if something was to happen-“

“-Aemond. No” gasped Vaera shaking her head.

“If something was to happen to me, you need take Rhaegar and leave Westeros” urged Aemond.

“L-Leave Westeros?” asked Vaera.

“You and Rhaegar get on the back of Cannibal, and you fly as far east as you can. I will go to my death content with the knowledge that you and our children will live” said Aemond as he ran a hand over the small swell of Vaera’s stomach.

“D-Don’t die” sobbed Vaera.

“I’ll try not to. But I swear if I do, I will take your cunt of a father with me” said Aemond, as he pressed one last kiss to Vaera’s forehead and headed towards Vhagar.

Almost a week without Aemond and Vaera was missing him terribly and sitting in endless council meetings was boring.

Day in day out, the Lords would argue on the best way to deal with Rhaenyra and Daemon, it was getting tiresome, for every argument there was no progress.

Everything hinged on Aemond being able to retake Harrenhall and deal with Daemon.

Thinking about Aemond confronting Daemon made Vaera feel sick to her stomach. Both Daemon and Aemond were skilled with a blade, but Daemon had seen battle. He once been crowned King of the narrow sea.

Vaera just prayed to the gods of old Valyria that Aemond would survive.

After having a meeting with grand maester Orwyle, to check that everything was progressing well with the babe she carried, Vaera decided to distract herself and spend time with the children.

Maelor was fussy so Alicent decided to keep him inside but permitted Vaera to take Jaehaera to the gardens with Rhaegar.

“Do you think my Kepa will like these?” asked Jaehaera, holding up a tulip.

“He’ll love them” replied Vaera smiling.

“Can I pick flowers too mama?” asked Rhaegar quietly.

“Of course, you can sweet boy” said Vaera.

Rhaegar squealed excitedly as he humped off his mother’s knee and joined Jaehaera.

“What about this?”

“Rhaegar, that’s a weed” sighed Jaehaera rolling her eyes.

“Oh” muttered Rhaegar sadly.

“B-But it’s got pretty leaves, maybe we could include it” suggested Jaehaera smiling.

Rhaegar’s face immediately brightened up and he nodded eagerly.

After half an hour, it was beginning to get a little bit chilly, so Vaera decided it was time to head inside.

“Right, let’s take those flowers to your Kepa” said Vaera as she took hold of Rhaegar and Jaehaera’s hands.

“Ser Arryk” called Vaera.

“Yes, Your Grace?”

“Would you be so as to escort us to Aegon’s chambers?” asked Vaera.

“Of course,” replied Ser Arryk.

Vaera and the children followed the knight to Aegon’s chambers in silence, the only noise echoing around the corridors was the clanking of Ser Arryk’s armour.

“Kepa. We brought you flowers” cooed Jaehaera as she kissed her father’s forehead.

“They’re beautiful” breathed Aegon.

Jaehaera smiled as she snuggled into her father’s arms.

“I-Is that a weed?” asked Aegon.

“Rhaegar picked them. Jae said they had pretty leaves” replied Vaera.

“I have to agree” muttered Aegon.

“When will you get better Uncle Egg? asked Rhaegar.

“I’m not sure, but I hope its soon”.

“Me too. I miss you Kepa” whispered Jaehaera.

“I’ll be back on my feet soon, don’t you worry”.

“Maybe mama will get better soon as well” said Jaehaera hopefully.

“Let’s hope so” said Vaera quietly, as she noticed a single tear slide down Aegon’s cheek.

The death of Jaehaerys had devastated Aegon more than anyone realised. His devastation was also coupled with the guilt that he’d not been a good father in the first place.

Since the death of his son and nephew, he vowed that he would try to be a better man, a better father, and a better husband.

Loving Helaena as his sister was easy. It was loving her as a wife that was difficult.

“Have you heard from Aemond recently?” asked Aegon.

“No. But no news is good news, right?” muttered Vaera.

Aegon reached forward and took Vaera’s hand in his, trying to offer his good sister comfort.

Suddenly their was a loud bang and screams were heard.

“W-What’s going on?” asked Aegon shocked.

“I’m not sure, I’ll go check” replied Vaera.

Rhaegar and Jaehaera huddled closer to Aegon as Vaera left the room.

Ser Arryk who had been standing guard outside the door, was nowhere to be found and there were no other guards around.

So, Vaera made her way slowly down the corridor to one of the secret passageways.

After managing to squeeze through the gap, Vaera cautiously walked through one of the secret corridors. If something was wrong, it was better to keep out of sight, and soon she found herself squeezed into a secret alcove attached to the Throne room.

There was a sudden rush of footsteps and Vaera peered through the gap in the stone, to see what was happening and what she saw made her blood run cold.

“Rhaenyra. You must stop this madness before it is too late.” said Alicent.

“Madness?. You speak of madness? One of your sons steals my birth right and the other murders my Luke, and you accuse me of madness?” sneered Rhaenyra.

“My son stole nothing. He is Viserys first-born son and Aemond did not murder Lucerys. It was you who had assassins sent into the Red Keep to murder innocent children, one of them your own grandson” said Alicent squaring her shoulders.

“That was not my-“ said Rhaenyra.

“Do you have any idea how your daughter has suffered because of your cruelty?”

“A necessary loss. The brat was part Hightower” quipped Daemon.

“You despicable excuse for a man” spat Alicent.

“Speaking of my daughter, where is she and that other Hightower spawn of hers?” asked Daemon.

“Not here, they went with Aemond to Harrenhall” lied Alicent.

“Lies. The Cannibal still rests beyond the walls of the Red Keep. Vaera is here and believe me as soon as we’ve dealt with you then she will be found” said Daemon.

“Do you intend to harm her?” asked Alicent.

“She supported my usurper, had her Cannibal destroy the Velaryon fleet and she kidnapped my son. My daughter will answer for what she has done,” said Rhaenyra.

“Your daughter is what you made her” snapped Alicent.

“Seize them!” snarled Daemon.

“That will not be necessary. I will cooperate. I am your prisoner. I will go quietly to my chambers, or to the dungeons”

But Daemon only laughed.

“The only place you’re going is to the Seven Hells to be with your precious gods.”

Otto roared in anger, and jumped protectively in front of his daughter even as the remaining Kings guard surrounded them. Not that it helped.

Ser Rickard fell first, slain by Ser Harold Westerling and soon all of the remaining Kings guard were dead, leaving their defence solely in the hands of the castle guards. And to their credit, they fought bravely. They did not stop fighting until the last of them fell.

Soon, the throne room was strewn with bloodied corpses, but ultimately, the Greens were outnumbered. Within minutes, the Green council was wearing chains, and Rhaenyra was climbing the steps to the Iron Throne.

Seizing Otto roughly, Daemon dragged him in front of the Iron Throne. With his arms bound, he was helpless to defend himself as Daemon forced him to kneel.

Wide-eyed, Alicent turned to Rhaenyra, silently begging for her father’s life, and for a moment, she thought he might be spared.

“Otto Hightower. You are guilty of treason. You are guilty of conspiracy against the rightful heir to the Iron Throne and you are also guilty of being a massive cunt.” snarled Daemon.

And to Alicent’s sheer horror, Rhaenyra didn't utter a single word to stop her husband.

“Send him to the Wall. Let him take the black” cried Alicent.

But it was useless. The look on Daemon’s face said it all. He was not there for justice. He was out for blood.

Otto was not even granted the dignity of last words before Daemon raised Dark Sister and quickly sliced off his head.

Vaera clasped her hand to her mouth, trying not to make a sound as Otto’s severed head hit the stone floor with a dull thud.

She had to get back to Aegon and the children. Now.

Her mother and Daemon would not linger in the throne room for much longer and it would only be a matter of time before they gave the command for their soldiers to tear through the Red Keep.

Picking up her skirts, Vaera ran as fast she could back to Aegon’s chambers.

Bursting unceremoniously through the doors, startling Aegon and the children.

“We-We have to move. Now” said Vaera.

“W-What’s going on?” asked Aegon.

“My mother and Daemon are here. They’ve captured your mother and your grandsire is dead” exclaimed Vaera.

“G-Grandsire is dead” gasped Aegon his eyes wide.

“We have to leave. Now” snapped Vaera.

“I-I can’t walk” said Aegon.

“You have to try. I can’t leave you here. Daemon will kill you”.

“What about Helaena and Maelor?” asked Aegon as he shuffled uncomfortably on the bed.

“They spared your mother, so they’ll most likely spare Helaena and Maelor, they'll need hostages-” said Vaera.

“-How are we going to-“

Suddenly the door flew open, and a haggard looking Ser Arryk came barrelling into the room.

“Where the fuck have you been?” snarled Vaera.

“Apologise, I was helping Lord Strong escape with young Prince Maelor, he intends to take him to Old Town”.

“You’re here now. I need you to help Aegon and get him out of the Red Keep” urged Vaera.

“What about you?” asked Ser Arryk as he hauled Aegon from the bed.

“I don’t-“

“G-Go to Harrenhall. Aemond is there” said Aegon wincing in pain.

“We don’t have much time. We need to leave now” urged Ser Arryk.

“What about Daeron?”

“If he has any sense, he’ll stay in Oldtown” said Aegon.

“Go Your Grace” urged Ser Arryk.

Vaera gathered Rhaegar and Jaehaera in her arms and held them tight.

“Now, I need you both to be quiet. Can you do that for me?” asked Vaera.

Both the children nodded quickly.

“Let’s go” muttered Vaera.

The walk through the secret passageways was tough, as they had to keep stopping for Aegon to catch his breath.

Daemon’s soldiers were now tearing through the Red Keep.

The sounds of shouting, banging and screaming echoed through the Red Keep.

“You need to get the dragon pit” said Vaera.

“What about you?” wheezed Aegon.

“Cannibal rests outside of the Red Keep, the secret passage just past Balerion will take me too him” replied Vaera.

“Get to Harrenhall. Tell Aemond what’s happened” urged Aegon wincing as Ser Arryk picked him up once more.

“I will” said Vaera nodding.

“Take care of my daughter.” replied Aegon.

“I promise”

“Be good for your aunt Vaera my butterfly. I’ll see you soon” said Aegon.

“I will Kepa” said Jaehaera quietly.

“It looks good on you” quipped Aegon.

“What does?” asked Vaera.

“The crown”.

“I forgot I was wearing it” exclaimed Vaera.

“Go Princess. It won’t be long before the passageways are searched,” said Ser Arryk.

Vaera nodded and spared Aegon one more glance before she led the children down another darkened tunnel.

[zethwritesss]

Heartthrob

modern au: actress!ellie x actor!reader, afab!r, reader plays a female character, but they/them pronouns are used for reader.

Warnings: cursing, no use of y/n, reader is not fem, angst, fluff, eventual; kissing, substance use and smut. ALSO SPOILERS FOR 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU!!

Synopsis: Following a recent heartbreak you promise to never fall for another person again. Ironically you’ve been chosen to play a lead role alongside oscar-winning, Ellie Williams. Ellie is an actress you’ve looked up to since you started your acting journey. “10 things i hate about you” is a lesbian rom-com parody of the 1999 film of the same name. Despite the acting being a breeze you’ve encountered a major problem; can you and Ellie keep the romance on the set only?

word count: over 1k

Authors note: i don’t know how long this fic will end up being but your support and reblogs are very appreciated! also enjoy the little phone call audio!! i watched the movie last night and rip heath:((( GO WATCH THE GODDAMN MOVIE IF YOU HAVENT ALTHOUGH THIS IS A SFW POST MINORS AND MEN DONT INTERACT

soooo… with out further adieu:

Heartthrob: The Prologue

The clock read 7:04pm, you were situated in your tiny apartment located in L.A. Your phone buzzed, you picked it up quickly, excited that your crush, Freya had texted you. You and Freya had matched on a dating app over a month ago and things were going good so far.

Your heart sunk to your chest, your hands began to shake as you felt that familiar pain of heartbreak seep back into you. It's a feeling that you hate with every fiber of your being. It is one that leaves you unable to function for days on end. The girl who you had stupidly fallen for unfortunately had commitment issues, you mourned what you two could’ve had, the dates you could’ve gone on and you couldvt watched the cheesiest of rom coms together. “I will never fall for another girl again” you promised yourself, now ever so aware of the pain that loving someone can cause you to experience. You decided to send your friend Dina a message.

Speaking of rom coms you’re supposed to hear if you got the lead role for “10 things i hate about you'' the highly-anticipated, sapphic parody of the 1999 movie of the same name, starring Juilia Stiles and Heath Ledger. The role you auditioned for was for Kat Stratford, an abrasive but beautiful girl, who’s temperament leads her to not attract many women- and the rule her father has placed, which is that Kat’s younger sister can’t date unless Kat herself has a date. Over the course of the film Kat falls for a girl named Sarah.

Sarah is portrayed by Oscar-award winning actress Ellie Williams, Ellie has made herself well known as the lesbian heartthrob of the 2020s. Her presence sends any lesbian onto their knees, turning them into nothing but a muttering-stuttering gay-panic.

Thinking about working alongside her gave you chills and made your stomach do flips. You and Ellie were roughly around the same age, but she felt way out of your league. You’ve always looked up to Ellie since you saw her in her breakout film. She was an extremely talented actress, and has definitely made a name for herself.

You hear your door unlock. “Hey, I'm here! Where are you?” Dina says with a worried tone in her voice, she knows when you don’t give her much context to the situation that something has definitely happened.

“'m over here” you reply quietly.

Dina walks into your living room. You’re curled up in a ball on the couch, eyes red and puffy from crying. “Aww noo- what happened?”

“Freya and i- fuck… w- we didn’t work out.” You said, in between sobs, Dina hugged you, her hand rubbing your back as she held you. “I am so sorry to hear that- what can I do to help you out here hun? You’re pretty distraught”

“I- i don’t know Dina.” you said, quietly. “Maybe a distraction could help?”

“Ooh! Why dont you tell me about that role you auditioned for!?”

“oh yeah! You’ve seen the original movie right?”

“Yep I have! I’m really excited to see how this movie turns out!” Dina said, smiling, you could tell she was really excited.

“i auditioned for Kat Stratford- i don’t think i’ll get it though- OH FUCK- they haven’t even called me back yet!” You said to Dina, starting to get worried that they wouldn’t call you back.

You were an anxious, emotional heart-broken mess and desperately needed that lead role. Having that lead role would give you something to look forward to. Your phone rang, you quickly picked it up, hands shaking as you anxiously awaited your results. You set your phone down on the coffee table and set it to speaker.

“Hey, this is Jessica! You auditioned for the role of ´Kat Stratford’ in ‘10 things i hate about you’ right?”

“mhm- yep that’s me!”

You twiddle your thumbs together. “deep breaths” you tell yourself. You and Dina looked at eachother.

“Well congratulations! you got it!”

“Oh my god!! Thank you so much! I really needed to hear this.” you said, as a sigh of relief went through your entire body.

“Wait before you hang up, I've got someone else who wants to talk to you! Give me a minute as I transfer you over to her”

You and Dina were freaking out, excited butterflies erupting in your stomach. Dina had brought you into a very tight hug.

The phone switched over to the other person on the other end.

“Hey! It’s Ellie here! I wanted to congratulate you personally on the role, it’s well deserved! I'm really excited to meet you and work alongside you! I'll see you at the script reading on Monday!” Dina gasped and you put your hand over your mouth in shock.

“Oh my gosh it's such an honour to meet you Ellie!”

“And the same to you, you’ve got quite the talent for acting! Also feel free to write down my number, It’d be good for us to get to know each other before we start!”

“Yeah! Sounds good!” Out of the corner of your eye you saw Dina writing down Ellie's number on her notes app! “Thank god for Dina she’s a lifesaver for real” you thought to yourself.

“Don’t be shy and shoot me a message!! Really looking forward to connecting with you! Take care and see you soon.”

“Bye Ellie!”

“see ya later!”

Ellie hung up the phone and you looked at Dina, no words could come out of your mouth at the moment- your mouth hanged open in shock. You and Dina squealed and you two started jumping up and down out of the euphoria you were feeling.

“DINA- WHAT. THE. FUCK. WAS THAAATTTT…”

“I DONT KNOW but i'm so happy for you! you’ve worked your ass off man!! This is well deserved!” Dina exclaimed.

“Dina give me her number- WOAH that sounds unreal. Ellie Williams herself gave me HER NUMBER LIKE WHAT THE FUCKKKKK!!! All of the stans would kill to have those 9 digits! Is this a dream? Dina, slap me please!”

You said, your brain trying to process what happened.

Dina slapped you hard on the arm. “OW- Yep i’m definitely not dreaming”

“NO you are not-”

Your heart was still broken but you had something to hope for and something to look forward to, which really helps you move on. And Dina helps you too, Dina gives you that shoulder to lean on, she’s always got your back and you’ve always got hers!

TAGLIST: @m-3-ijiworld @anchoeritic @no-nameno-face @dropsofs4turn @little-star-bun @girlescapes @elliespookie

[chimcess]

Birdie Shoppe || pjm (IV)

Pairing: Jimin x Reader  Other tags: Werewolf!Jimin, Witch!Reader, Shifter!Reader, Shifter!Jimin, A/B/O Dynamics, Alpha!Jimin  Genre: Supernatural!AU, Werewolf!AU, Angst, Mutual Pining, Fluff, Smut,  Word Count: 4.4k Chapter Summary:  Within the four realms of Lustra lay the Bangtan forest home to the Foxglove pack of the north and known as the “land of magic.” It is also home to the Birdie, a powerful witch from a cursed bloodline who is one of the sacred guardians of the forest. Y/N is the 123rd Birdie, a young girl who was given her position too early and asked by the goddess herself to fulfil a task none had ever done before- become the Grand Witch of the Foxglove pack. Now a woman, Y/N is revered as the most loved and powerful Birdie of all time, but hiding under the surface is a woman who has to battle between her duty and her heart. Chapter Warnings: Long-hair Jimin (yes, this is a warning), Mating Ritual, Chief Ahn is a tiny bit rude (but still chill), a lot of anxiety, General angsty heartbreak stuff, Y/N is not happy at all, but she’s trying to be, everyone is feeling it tbh, blood, graphic injury (?), magic, Sol is naked but nothing graphic, the spirits are back, Jimin is a cinnamon roll, did I say long-hair Jimin? (think The Witcher), very tame   A/N: Part 4 has arrived! It’s a bit shorter than normal but the next one should be a bit on the longer side. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy it! prev. | masterlist | next

Sitting at my alter, I breathed evenly with my eyes closed. I had spent the better part of the afternoon praying and meditating. I would need energy tonight, as I had with every previous trip to Bangtan, but moral support from the Gods would be necessary for a successful mating ritual. Opening my eyes, I looked at the grimoire in my lap and sighed. Sol would be presenting tonight, and the pack would know who their head alpha will be. I felt my heart clench but fought through the discomfort to read. 

I had been lucky enough to receive the Grand Witch’s grimoires after he passed on. They had proven most helpful. I soaked in the words he wrote, the step-by-step instructions for each part of the ritual, and most importantly- the parts where I was to leave the circle as quickly as possible. Having never aided a Luna through her mating ritual before, I was appreciative of the guidance and wisdom his books taught me.  

My cottage was silent. Shiloh was sleeping in her bed and none of my friends had come by. Everyone was making themselves scarce. While I appreciated the sentiment, and it was helping me to stay focused, I was not enjoying the emptiness. My mind wandered too often, and it was becoming increasingly more distracting. 

I had stopped pretending my feelings were not hurt a few days ago. I was mourning Jimin before anything was decided, my adoration and love making it physically impossible to be happy for him or anybody else. Now with only a few hours left, I was growing sick with worry and selfishly hoped Namjoon would be picked instead. Even if I would never have Jimin I did not want him with anyone else. Feeling a new set of tears filling my eyes, I roughly wiped them away before closing the grimoire. 

Standing, I looked around my home desperately. I did not want to sew anymore, I had done it all week, and had grown bored of it. Wood carving would be fun but tiring. The same could be said for blacksmithing a blade. I would also wake Shiloh and I knew she needed her rest. Then my eyes landed on the large, red carpet in the living room.  

Slowly, I lowered onto my hands and knees before lifting the only corner not obstructed by furniture. The large black, cast-iron handle stared back at me as did the bear carvings I had dug into the door’s wood many years ago. I ran my finger along the fading lines and sighed. I had done something similar before the fire. Aldara was furious with me, and yet it had taken her mere minutes to join me. I thought about the missing animals for months after she was gone, staring at the empty floor only solidifying my loneliness, and in a desperate attempt for relief I had started carving bears again. I only got three done before I broke down into tears. I had never tried it again. 

Feeling inspired, I pulled a knife from my belt and began carving. My hands moved easily now, none of my lines crooked or hesitant. Unlike my old drawings, these would never fade. Before I had even realized it, I had carved a wolf’s head and groaned. This was not working.  

I slid my little knife back into its holder and lifted the little basement door. My furniture shuffled and dragged but with a flick of my hand everything was back in its proper place. Looking back at the door, my heart broke when I saw the violent stabs in the wood. It was days after the fire, and I had locked myself in the basement. It was the only place left to sleep. Yoongi, Seokjin, and Wendy had come to help fix things along with their parents. After treating all of them horribly, I locked myself away and destroyed many things. The door was almost another casualty. 

“Ignis,” I called out and a flame sprouted from my index finger. 

Using the small ladder attached to the floor, I lowered myself into the dark room. The flame floated around aimlessly with little energy in its movements. I remembered a time when my magic danced and sang brightly and was saddened. Once I reached the bottom of the steps, I reached out and stroked the flame. It shied away from me before growing larger. Sighing, I squared my shoulders and focused. 

“Lampas.” 

The flame shot out, its body exploding in multiple different directions. On the walls were candle holders and they all lit up brilliantly. The flames flickered and danced normally. A memory from Yule years ago came to mind and I felt sad again. Back then, my flames did backflips and gymnastics vying for my attention. Now they were just as plain and boring as Aldara’s had been. She was right in the end. I did learn that magic was more serious than fun.

Down here is where all of the grimoires and books of Birdie's past were stored. It was the reason the room had been spared in the fire. Sixty years ago, Birdie North had placed a powerful protection spell on the room. None of the other Birdies were ever able to figure out how she did it or the way to reverse it. I had tried my hand at figuring it out when I was ten but gave up rather quickly. If Malorna, the 109th Birdie, and someone blessed with absolute intelligence, could not decipher how it happened then I was positive no one ever would. 

Walking over to the large bookshelves across the small room, I ran my fingers along the spines and sighed. Even with all of the knowledge in the world at my fingertips I was clueless. What do you do when what you want is unattainable? Uselessly pine or pretend like you’re over it?

Aldara would say to find a middle ground and go from there. But what middle ground do you find in this situation? Especially since I know Jimin does not want to be Sol’s mate. That thought alone sent a thrill through my body. I felt embarrassed and ashamed of myself for it. 

“Be patient,” A voice whispered into the quiet room.

I smiled sadly. The spirit gently caressed my body and held me close. I had grown used to their presence by now and tried to see if I could figure out who was visiting me today. It was much easier to do if I let them in but I was not in the space to allow that to happen. I had somewhere to be in a few hours and I could not miss it. The spirit ran her fingers through my hair.

“All will reveal itself in time.”

I swallowed thickly, “And if it is what I think it is?”

“You will survive it, little one,” The spirit replied warmly. It had to be Heidi and the thought made my tears well. While I appreciated her reassurance I wanted my auntie here instead. Aldara always knew exactly what to say. A choked sob slipped past my lips. “You are brave and strong. You have nothing to fear.”

But I had everything to fear. Watching Sol walk up to Jimin, her blindfold on tightly, and falling to her knees whimpering while he held her protectively. Well, that would be too much to bear. To see the man I love so desperately, irrevocably in love with someone else would surely be impossible to return from. I felt the gentle brushing of fingers on the back of my neck.

“I’m afraid,” I whispered.

“That’s what makes you brave,” They replied.

Drawing a breath, I nodded. Aldara always said that. It was more comforting if I thought about it like that. Still, I felt uneasy. Still, I knew I needed to study more. So, I sat on the floor and tried to clear my mind.

“Fluito,” I commanded, and a book went straight into the palm of my outstretched hand.

I had decided to walk to the village today. The memory of the first time I saw Jimin had plagued me on my way out and I wanted to retrace our steps. We were both young, I was no more than 13, and had gotten lost during Yule. He had walked me back home. I wonder if he remembered it as vividly as I did, or did he put it in the back of his mind save for a rainy day? It was hard to say for sure. I smiled sadly when I spotted a rogue fairy circle. Gosh, I had been so afraid of the fae back then.

It was quiet tonight. Shiloh had gone off with Patto when I left. They wanted good seats for the ceremony. Morla was already there, I was sure of it, and the rest of the gossipers were more than likely chatting away. Seokjin was most likely sleeping already and Yoongi never cared about the pack’s affairs. I stuffed my hand into my cloak pocket and felt around until I felt the letter.

Wendy had written to me just before I had gone off and I did not have the chance to read it. It had been far too long since I had seen my friend. We wrote often, not as often as I would have liked but she was a busy witch, and stayed up to date on one another. In her last letter, she had said she was traveling to Northorn with her younger sister. Joy was meeting with a possible suitor and asked for her to join.

She had stopped visiting after a particularly bad argument with Jin. I did not know what it was about, or what had happened prior, but according to Patto it had been pretty nasty. When Shiloh gave me the gossip mill’s version of events, I took it with a grain of salt. However, the two parts that did make sense to me were jealousy and Yoongi. Jin was helplessly in love with Wendy, who I knew had similar feelings for him, but the kitchen witch was a roadblock. Wendy had a fascination with the man and Jin could never really get over it. They had not spoken since.

I heard rustling in nearby bushes and paused. Looking around my feet, I was sure I was paying attention to every detail around me. Readying myself for a fight, I began walking again. Slower this time. However, nothing came of it. After five minutes of waiting for whatever had moved to make an appearance, I grew bored and walked at my normal pace. The bushes never rustled again.

The walls of Bangtan were formidable. Tall and built with stone, it looked impenetrable. Just outside the walls of the city lay a small farm. I knew a human family lived there and worked those fields. While I never knew their names, I had heard they were friendly and gave travelers lodging in their spare house. Most humans were wary of wolves- especially anyone from the north. 

On the other end of the wall was a small stream that led back into the ocean. Connected only by a bridge, the ceremonial cave sat. The town itself was quaint and beautiful. On the back, left end was the church that sat up on the hillside surrounded by trees and foliage. In the center of town was the market with homes and businesses lining the rest of the streets. The copiae stayed on the other end of the wall beside the stream. Foxglove was small but mighty and I adored it.

The streets were empty tonight. Everyone was either at the cave or locked away in their homes. The energy of the moon charged me and I knew I was about to have a hard road ahead of me. Even if Sol did not pick Jimin I would still be torn to pieces after putting my body through this. I wished toLilith, hoping for a healthy recovery and made my way to the cave. 

The cave was silent despite the rows of people inside. The unmated wolves were already lined up and waiting for things to begin. The moon was still too low to bring the luna inside. I walked forward and began preparing myself for the ceremony.

Just as I had with every other ceremony, I cut my hair and changed my clothes. Today, the body paint would be done differently. After reading through the Grand Witch’s grimoire, I knew I had to show respect differently tonight. Getting in touch with my feminine side was crucial, and that involved white and soft lines.

I started with drawing two large circles around my eyes. Using a puddle of water in the cave to see my reflection, I then began to bring the outer edges down. The shape made my eyes look sad. I cut off the line at my jawline before fixing the top shape. I used my sockets for reference and began to fill in the area that connected my eye to my nose bridge. Afterwards, I made slightly curved lines that went up. They looked like moth wings and I felt happy. It was very similar to the pictures the Grand Witch had. 

After drawing two little lines on my bottom lip and then a large one down my chin, I was satisfied. I looked gentler today than most. I then reached into my bag and took out crushed pearls and tapped it onto the high points of my face. In the grimoire it was an optional step but one that was looked upon favorably. Apparently, it made the pain lessen though not by much. I was happy I had some in the cupboards regardless.

I then began setting up my altar and made sure to keep my eyes on the moon. It was nearly time when I was finished. I did a quick cleansing spell to ward off any bad luck before announcing it was time. Everyone waited with baited breath.

I ran around the alphas to make a quick circle around them for when everything started. It would be impossible to do after. Sol was being escorted inside the moment I was back to my original place. 

She was naked and blindfolded. Her dark, golden skin was covered in dark chocolate freckles. Even though I knew it was futile, I tried to give her some privacy by not letting my eyes wander too much. She was trembling and looked uneasy. I could only imagine the fear going through her right now. I did not let my eyes wander to the men standing before me. I could not become distracted.

Chief Ahn held Sol with tenderness. He had raised her once it was found that she was the Luna. No one was allowed to claim her as their child. After getting her to the center of the circle, he quickly made his way down. I looked up at the moon through a hole in the cave. 

It was time.

I stepped away from the circle quickly. No one was to be too close. It could confuse Sol or send her into a frenzy. She, or her mate for that matter, very well could kill anyone who they saw as a threat. I did not want to take a chance.

Now away from the ceremony and watching on like everyone else, I let my eyes wander to the man I had been thinking about for weeks. Jimin looked stoic and resigned. I could imagine he was feeling nervous. He looked straight ahead and did not waver. I felt myself tearing up. No, I scolded. You cannot do this here.

Taking a deep breath, I calmed myself down enough to dismiss my tears. I could cry later. Right now, I would look at him as if he were mine until he was not. Until the air shifted and his eyes softened for the omega at his feet, I would watch him.

Sol suddenly lifted her face into the air and her trembling had become full on shaking. Her body fell to the floor as she cried out in pain. I watched with bated breath. It was happening. Taking a deep breath, I watched as she began to crawl.

My eyes went back to the alpha across the room. His hair glistened in the moonlight while his face was hidden in the shadows. A small breeze made his hair twirl. I heard Sol cry out and looked back at her.

She was in agony. I could see it all over her face. From my reading, I knew this was a hard moment for Sol. Her mate was right there and yet she had to seek him out with her senses alone. In a room filled with other alphas no less. Her small body continued to crawl towards her mate. My eyes went back to Jimin.

I was surprised when our eyes locked. The world around me stood still for a moment and I sucked in a deep breath. He looked so… frightened. Of what, I did not know, but he trusted me enough to show me that. I remembered our last conversation and felt my heart break in half. Jimin does not want this.

Then, I heard a loud scream. Snapping back to reality, I looked at Sol. There she was whining and rubbing her face against her alpha’s leg. My shock and joy about it being someone else almost made me forget to check who it was. Quickly saying the binding spell, the other alphas moved away and trapped the newly mated pair in the circle. 

“It can’t be!” I heard someone behind me.

“There must be a mistake,” Said another.

There in the middle of the circle lay Sol, her body practically wrapped around Kim Taehyung’s legs. Almost in shock, the man ran his fingers through her hair. This was the first time any man had seen it. I cleared my throat and began to sing.

The pairing spell was not really a spell at all. Only a charm for good luck and hope for many children. It was said to have produced strong heirs in the past so it was tradition. It had taken me many moons to change it to a spell song. Taehyung had helped the Luna stand and held her closely. She shook and held onto him with all her might. I let my eyes wander after the song to where Jimin was. He looked pleased. 

Miles had been right, I thought. 

I could hear whispers and cries of contempt around the room. No one was happy about this save for Taehyung's family. I could hear his siblings cheering with their mother. I glanced at Chief Ahn. While he did not looked particularly happy, he did not seem too upset either. He knew that the goddess had made her choice. I smiled from ear-to-ear.

“Luna Sol,” I said. “The goddess had chosen your other half. Kim Taehung, you are now the rightful alpha of Bangtan Forest.”

Taehyung smiled at me happily. Sol was in heaven breathing in her alpha’s scent. Kneeling at my altar, I placed my hands on the robe I had prepared before. After singing a quick protection spell, I placed it into my hands before lifting it.

“Come,” I said.

Taehyung sat before me bringing Sol with him. She sat in his lap with her face buried in his neck. 

“Your robes, Luna,” I said gently, hoping my voice would not reach the ears of others.

She quickly untangled herself, snatching the garment from my hands only to go back to Taehyung without putting them on. The alpha took them from her and placed them around her shoulders. The alphas had their robes on already. 

“It is time for me to give you a gift,” I said kindly, already beginning to feel the burn in my back.

I had researched ways to make my wings sprout out without needing the sunlight. Making a sacrifice to Lilith was one way, but I was not using blood for this. However, another way was to gift my feathers during a ceremony. A Bridie from long ago called Reina had talked about it in her spellbook. I tried it myself a few days ago and it worked. It was, however, the most painful experience I had ever gone through.

Putting my faith into the pearl on my face, I began to sing. My back felt like I was being stabbed with a hot branding iron. Sweat pooled down my neck and I screamed out the last part of the spell in agony. I could feel my blood dripping down my body and pooled around me. Feathers fell into the sticky puddle.

Taking two from my wings, I placed them at my altar with shaking hands. I braced myself against the wood and bit my lip as they went back in. I could taste iron and salt. Crying, I put my hands over the feathers and began to sing once more. Shaky and out of breath, the spell made the feathers lift and spin. As I composed myself, the feathers began to change colors and two pristine, white feathers landed gently on my altar. Looking at the couple, Taehyung looked ill while Sol was still at his neck without a care in the world.

“For your new beginnings,” I choked out, using magic to hand over the feathers. My hands were still covered in blood and would stain them. Taehyung took them in awe. I blew and used my magic to make the salt circle disappear. “May they bring you peace and hope.”

With the ceremony over, the people were loud and vocalizing their woes. No one had expected Taehyung to be the alpha except Miles, it seemed. Tired and worn, I allowed myself the chance to lay on the ground to catch my breath. Taehyung called out to me, but Chief Ahn was on him before he could do anything to help me.

“We must speak, alpha,” Chief Ahn said and then looked at me. “Alpha Park! Take care of this.”

“Yes, chief.”

Eye heavy, I lifted myself up and waved my hands. Taehyung told me to rest but I ignored him. I needed to pick up my things. 

“Birdie,” Taehyung said. “You don’t look well.”

“I can do this,” I huffed, forcing my body to move. 

Strong hands covered mine. Jimin looked upset and I froze. What had happened?

“I will do this,” He said, voice hard. “Lay down.”

“But-” I protested.

“Lay.”

I did as I was told this time. Truth is, I was exhausted but I was more afraid of what I could do with Jimin now that he was free of his title. I smiled at that. He was still able to be mine, at least in my mind, now. Jimin placed my things into my bag with great care while the rest of the townsfolk left. Many of them were angry.

“Do you need help?” I heard Namjoon ask.

“No,” Jimin replied.

The alpha left without another word. 

Jimin was swift picking up my things before lifting me into his arms. I knew I weighed nothing to him but I worried about the blood staining his robes. They were expensive and hard to get made. He did not seem to care about this and held me tightly against his chest. 

“You can’t do that again,” He scolded once we were outside of the village.

“Do what?” I mumbled.

“That feather trick. You look like death.”

I hummed, “I’m sorry if I scared you.”

Jimin sighed, “I forgive you.”

The walk felt shorter now. Jimin, too, seemed to like taking the same path from all those years ago. This made me chuckle. Jimin grinned.

“Care to tell me what’s so funny?”

I giggled, “Do you remember the Yule we met?”

Jimin smiled fully this time. I forced my eyes to stay open to watch it. His eyes crinkled into crescents and his front tooth was slightly crooked. It was contagious.

“Of course,” He reassured me. “I still use your path often. I have to admit, it’s the best one yet.”

I sighed happily, “Except for the thorns but it looks like someone took care of those.”

Before, the trail had massive thickets that cut, poked, and sliced every inch of your skin if you were not careful. However, my walkthrough tonight showed no signs of them anywhere. Looking at Jimin, he seemed shy.

“I did once I began doing my rounds. Trying to doge mushroom circles is difficult when you’re that big.”

I snickered. “I could imagine.”

I was elated. While it was a shock to me that Taehyung was the new alpha, the fact that Jimin was not made it less burdensome. In fact, I was so happy to see Sol on Taehyung, I had forgotten to be surprised at all. Now, I am too tired. Maybe in the morning it would settle in.

“I’m glad,” I found myself saying. “That you got what you wanted.”

Jimin nodded but kept his eyes on the path. 

“So am I.”

Shiloh was waiting for me when I got back and fussed over me entirely too much. Jimin had reassured her that I was alright, just as I had, but the owl refused to stop pestering me. The alpha took it in stride and asked for a pen and paper to write to one of my friends.

Shiloh took care of that while I was in bed. I was touched that he went out of his way to do that for me. I heard the owl fly off a few moments later. From the window she used, I assumed she was headed to Yoongi’s house.

“Thank you,” I called out, already slipping into sleep.

Jimin stood in my doorway and smiled softly at me. Walking over, he sat on the edge of my bed and looked at me. I struggled to stay awake.

“Let's get you cleaned up,” He said.

“Don’t worry,” I replied with a yawn. “Yoongi will help me.”

He hummed his reply. I felt my eyes slip shut and quickly popped them open. Jimin chuckled fondly.

“Get some rest, your friend will be here soon.”

I smiled and closed my eyes.

“I’ll stay with you until then.”

I nodded in response. Moving my hands, I remembered Wendy’s note and sighed. It would have to wait for the morning. And I drifted off soon after that.

Taglist:  @greezenini​ @adventures-in-bookland​ @kthstrawberryshortcake-main​ @zae007live @jimin-neverout

© chimcess, 2023. Do not copy or repost without permission

[rosella-writes]

happy friday roooo💜 perhaps some Bryn x Josie, Brushing a stray strand of hair out of their eyes?

THANK YOUUUU I appreciate you💚 for @dadrunkwriting

Pairing: Adaar/Josephine Rating: G

~~~

Josephine has accounted for each moment of this day, and every piece of paper that crosses her desk. If the notes themselves are not physically sorted, they are in her mind — she scans an eye over them and commits the schedule once again to memory. The Rechauds, the Monfords, dinner with a young Guerrin mistress, a letter to write to the Revered Mother of Du Glace — 

“Hey,” soothes a sweet voice. 

Josephine looks up with a gasp — she hadn’t realised she’d been muttering beneath her breath. “Oh! Inquisitor, pardon me.”

Bryn Adaar ducks through her doorway, then shuts the door firmly behind them. Their spiralling horns nearly clip the chandelier — they put up a hand to protect the hanging fixture as they pass, out of habit. Their vivid blue eyes curve into happy half moons above their smiling cheeks at the sight of her. 

“What’s there to pardon you for?” they ask. Their accent lilts, not quite Rivaini, not quite Marcher, and is sweet as a warbling bird’s. “I just came to check on you.”

“Me?” Josephine demurs. She sorts through her notes as an excuse to lower her gaze. “I fare quite well, your Grace. No need to worry.”

Bryn laughs gently. They draw near to Josephine’s desk on nearly-silent footsteps — the grace and soundlessness of their movement reminds her of the tales Iron Bull told her of the Fog Warriors. Josephine shakes that thought away, for the person beside her is much gentler than anyone with ‘warrior’ in their name.

“I didn’t come to worry over you,” Bryn assures her. “I came to check on you, and to see if you would like to take a step away from your desk? Just for a moment.”

Josephine recalls her schedule, and how every moment is accounted for. She raises her eyes to Bryn’s — so high up, she realises with a swooping feeling in her stomach — and tries to think of how to explain. “The Rechauds —”

“Are enthralled by Vivienne’s stories and gossip,” Bryn murmured. “Their son is a loyalist mage. Vivienne would have the rest of their day if you let her.”

“You planned this.”

“With Varric’s help.”

Josephine can’t help the little laugh that burbles up at that. “I find it difficult to believe that Master Tethras —”

“He knows the importance of taking a break, Lady Ambassador,” Bryn said, leaning closer. Josephine forgot what she was going to say when Bryn reached out — they smoothed a piece of frazzled hair back from Josephine’s forehead, a gesture that seemed terribly delicate for so large and long-fingered a hand. Bryn looked her over again, then met her eyes and smiled with all the warmth of a sunflower turning its face towards the sky. “Come. Half an hour?”

Josephine soothed her pounding heart with a deep intake of breath. She nodded. “Lead the way, your Grace.”

“Bryn,” Bryn corrected. Her fingers lingered for a moment on Josephine’s sleeve before falling away. “To the gardens? The roses are about to bloom.”

With a smile and a sigh, Josephine put down her notes — now out of order — on her desk and followed Bryn from the room.

[sebastiankeepsbustingmyballs]

I see that the match ups are open. This is my first match up aghhhh. Before that, I hope u are having an amazing day! If not, I wish everything will get better. I do enjoy ur blogs!<33 mwaah.

So let me start: Hello! My name is Natalia. I am 19, soon to be 20 ( I’m getting old, oh no ) and I’m a law student. She/her. I’m a demisexual. I’m attracted to men ( sadly ) ( jk, or am I? ) ( I have trauma with men, I do cope by hating on them ) ( I’m also a feminist ).

I’m romanian but I also have a bit of russian blood in me. The russian genes can be noticed in my face shape, I have a small-ish face, with big enough lips and a small-ish nose. The only thing that is missing are the blue eyes, I have brown eyes instead, sometimes they tend to be hazel. My eyebrows are “ rich “ enough ( I always have to take care of my eyebrows because I do not like the mono-eyebrow on me ) let’s just say I’m a very hairy person but I do love my body hair even when I shave it haha. I’m very pale and kinda short ( not too short tho ). I’m not “ skinny “ but not “ chubby” either. But that doesn’t matter, I’m happy as long as I’m healthy. I do consider my body very feminine, I’m not afraid to show it haha ( and every type of body is beautiful and feminine in my opinion, it’s all about confidence ). My hair is VERY but VERY VERY long, it’s a dirty blonde. I have a very flat and small beauty mark on my nose.

My mbti is enfp.I love academic validation, I love to spend my time with a good book. I am in love with Dostoesvki, Gogol, Jane Austen, Arthur Conan Doyle and Oscar Wilde. Let’s just say simple books don’t satisfy me enough so I always go for a challenge. I love to give a good challenge to my intelect. I tend to get bored of things that don’t give a plus to my intelect. Intelect is the most important thing to me ( I’m not an elitist, don’t worry, I’m just fixated on my mind ). I also tend to overthink a lot.

About the way I dress, depends on the season. When it’s hot, I go for cottagecore, I love a good-aesthetic and elegant white dress and I do ADORE to look like a fairy ( ahh white eyeliner is just my cup of tea ). When it’s cold tho, I’m either dressed like a vampire ( ironic, I’m romanian ) or dark academia. But my personal fav is cottagecore.

When it comes to my romantic partener. I guess I need a curious mind like mine, someone that can make me laugh, lift my mood when I’m sad. Someone that would literally protect me from other men, even when it comes to a cat call ( as he should ). I do love a guy that is gentle with me, with my heart. I love to know that I’m adored and I do love to get gifts ( material gooorl ). I want something REAL. Not just something to impress me and wake up one day with an a*shole. I’m not jealous at all and I would never verify what my bf is doing, that’s his business. If he ever cheats on me, it’s gonna be faster to end things if I do not verify anything, I will just pretend he never existed. I’m very independent by nature, my parents are divorced and all my life I admired my mother, working and raising me and my sister alone. I think I do have the bad habit to run sometimes from the realtionship just because I feel like my freedom is taken from me and I love independence, let’s just say I need someone that is as independent as me.

That’s it, haha idk what else to say. Once again I wish u an amazing day!❤️

Thank you! I kinda got emotional with all of your kinda words. Thank you again.

William T. Spears!

I think that this is the type of relationship that will have a pretty rocky start but will lead to something really good. There may be troubles at the beginning with William’s severe lack of showing/expressing emotion but in time, he’ll definitely be more open. I can see him gaining interest in you because of your love of reading as he too appreciates that. You too would most likely start off the relationship with recommending books. I can also see that he’d like to challenge you academically so you found the right guy for that.

I think he’d find your appearance rather charming and would especially like your interest in cottagecore fashion. Due to him being in the Victorian Era, it would be very new to him if you were to introduce feminism and he may be a bit reluctant at first (only because what he’s used to) but he’ll warm up to it and even value your beliefs as his own soon enough. He’s pretty independent too but may have some moments where he wants to make sure you’re safe. He’ll trust you completely and protect you if you ever need it. Don’t worry about him being unfaithful because when he’s in love, he will only see you as the most important but because of how important he may view you, it may be a bit pressuring to stay in the relationship but just let him know and he’ll understand. In the end he wants what’s best for you and always let you know that you’re safe and can choose what you want.

Other matches are Othello and Ronald Knox.

[kariachi]

Some quick Osmobeast-flavored fic that’s really more Kevin and his mom focused.

Family talking.

~~

His plans for the day? Complete. Gar? At the Tower. His mother? On the line.

“So,” he said, flopping down on the couch and motioning Zed over for pets, “thoughts?”

“Like him so far.” A weight he hadn’t really realized was on his shoulders until he’d brought Gar by for dinner slipped away. His family’s approval wasn’t a be-all-end-all, otherwise he wouldn’t have dated Gwendolyn period, but everybody on both sides of the tree was trying to make up for the complete mess that was most of his childhood, so it was at least important. “He reminds me of your dad.”

Oh. Okay that felt good. There wasn’t really higher praise.

“Seriously?”

“Seriously. Sweet, funny, charismatic, affectionate- take away Gar’s ability to throw a punch and all but two braincells and he’d be his spitting image.” Zed popped to alert as Kevin snorted.

“Mom!”

“It’s true, kiddo. He was a great man, wonderful with people, but you didn’t get any of your brains from him. The sense of humor, every ounce of sweetness in your body? Yes. Brains, power, and fighting ability? No.” Chuckling under his breath, Kevin scratched at Zed’s jaw. Gar reminded his mom of his dad. Fuck, because he didn’t idolize him enough apparently.

“So, I’ve got the upgraded version then.” His mom laughed.

“Congratulations, you’ve done as every mother hopes her child will do and found better. Didn’t think it was possible, but here were are, discussing it.”

“I’m not good enough for him,” he admitted as he sat back, though the words came out far more relaxed than they would have at any other time. ‘My mom likes him and compared him to the gold standard for kind people in our family’ was the sort’ve high it took a while to come down from.

“And? What, you think I was good enough for your dad? Fuck no. But when a man that good loves you back? You keep him for as long as he stays a good man. If he turns out to be an asshole in disguise, you drop him, until that point you don’t look that gift horse in the mouth.” Kevin was pretty sure he wouldn’t be able to drop him, even when he inevitably gave up playing nice, but he wasn’t about to mention it. His mom was where he got every criminal and nearly every violent tendency, and nothing he said would get her not to blame herself for how his life had gone. Nothing he said would get any of the older members of the family not to blame themselves, and some of them were as or more dangerous than her. It’d be a badly broken day indeed when he let even a hint slip about how his relationships ended up, for their sake and the sake of so many others.

Though getting Gar compared to his dad… It was probably going to kill him later, but damn if it didn’t give him a bit of hope now that maybe things wouldn’t be so bad.

“Whatever you say.”

“I mean it. If he makes himself trouble, you drop him like a hot iron. Until then… He seems like a good man, and that’s all I want for you is a good person who’ll treat you right.” Yep, never saying anything. “As long as he’s all that, and he makes you happy? He’s got my full approval. Anyone complains, send ‘em my way.”

“And if it’s ‘he can do better’ complaints,” he asked with a smile despite himself. He could hear his mom’s when she spoke.

“Punch ‘em, then send ‘em my way.” Both laughed, more of that weight draining out of Kevin. Their relationship was still very much on the mend, it would never be like it’d been before his dad died, but moments like this, where her support was right there at his back, would always be appreciated.

“Thanks, Mom.”

“Don’t even worry about it, kiddo.”

[j-graysonlibrary]

Fort Heaven Chapter 19

Title: Fort Heaven

Author: Jay Grayson

Word Count: 69K

Genres: Suspense, investigative, drama, LGBT+

Available on: Kobo and my website

Synopsis: Some call it a hoax. Others claim it’s a cult. But, to Evon and his friend Yasmine, two online journalists, Fort Heaven is the subject of their latest story. Along for the assignment is cameraman and not-so-secret crush of Evon’s: Russet. With a drunken, murky night in their recent history, things are especially tense between them but, of course, personal matters take a backseat when the interviews start. The trio speaks to ex-members of Fort Heaven and, while some of the accounts are shocking, the job remains just that: A job. That is until one of the women they interviewed, along with her daughter, goes missing. It soon becomes clear that not only is Fort Heaven a real threat but Evon and his friends are being watched. And what started as a simple cash-grab article is now a matter of life and death.

Full Chapter 19 under the cut

Chapter 19

“So you’re the young lady my son has been talking so much about,” Simon spoke as he shook hands with Willow. It was a bizarre experience although most of her days had been filled with similar, unreal moments since she met Seth.

“I certainly hope so,” she answered him with a laugh. The man, up close, was almost too perfect in every aspect. He was groomed flawlessly, his clothes were completely straight and ironed—even his teeth were almost too straight. To Willow, he seemed like a doll that had come to life—a human who still managed to breach the uncanny valley.

Seth stood close by his father but watched Willow. He, unlike his father, had visible flaws but it didn’t make him any less uncomfortable to deal with. In fact, they were both difficult—just in different ways.

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you,” Simon said and pulled his hand away.

“The pleasure is all mine, my lord.” She bowed her head.

“Please, please—none of that is necessary,” the man responded with a chuckle. His smile was large but his eyes weren’t happy at all.

“Oh…sorry.”

He shook his head. “No need to apologize either. If my son cares for you than you are like family to me. Family is equal.”

Willow briefly glanced to Seth who was visibly offended by the comment but just didn’t say anything. She looked back to his father and nodded—just barely.

“I really do appreciate you coming over here to see me…” she started and trailed off some, trying to think of the right words, “but is it really fair to just appoint me to apostle? I don’t think I’m qualified at all, I mean…I just started…”

Simon laughed again before answering her, “The apostles we have now are simply friends or extremely dedicated followers. You being among the ranks would be no different, my dear.”

“I…um…” Willow bit down on her lip. She knew she couldn’t deny the position but there were concerns she had about moving up so fast and the true motives behind the sudden offer. It just didn’t sit right. “I am worried about my colleagues…they already hate me for going through the courses so quickly…”

“The kid I saw you arguing with in the hall?” Seth asked, bringing up the event for the millionth time.

Willow nodded. “Him and some others.”

Simon chuckled and then abruptly stopped. “My apologies…Would it perhaps make you feel better if I can  guarantee that you will no longer have problems with those people?”

She took a small step away from him. “As in a transfer?”

“Mmm no. Not quite.”

Seth walked closer, partly wedging himself between Willow and his father. “Are you talking about a penance ceremony?”

“A what ceremony?” she asked before she could control herself.

“Penance,” Simon clarified. “It’s a simple procedure that fixes small, behavioral issues in members.”

Willow nodded as if she truly believed him. She didn’t—she had a sick feeling in her stomach. It wasn’t just the name either (though that didn’t help) but the look of excitement on both Simon and Seth’s faces. There was a very unsettling aura around their smiles.

And of course, much to her distaste, she was asked to join them for the ceremony later in the night. It wasn’t something she could refuse even though they made it sound as if she had a choice. She never had a choice with them—Nichole’s life possibly depended on whether she completely obeyed these people or not and she wasn’t going to mess it up.

Willow made it back to her room without a disturbance though Angelica was giving her a rather odd look when she walked in. After kicking off her shoes, Willow asked her, “What is it?”

The woman vaguely shrugged. “Off with Seth again?”

“Yeah,” she responded with a frown, “it’s not like I can stand him up if he asks me to meet with him.”

Angelica laughed a little, surprising her. “Do you not actually like him?”

Willow shook her head and quickly explained herself, “That’s not it! He’s a great guy and the man second closest to God but I was just worried you thought I was around him for selfish reasons…”

“Well I do think that,” she responded with a smirk but her tone wasn’t at all insulting. Still, it was confusing. After a second, Angelica went on, “We all do things for selfish reasons. In your case you may feel like you have no choice if the mighty child of god, Seth, asks you out but you couldn’t fool me if you said you weren’t excited about the potential of moving up.”

With a sigh, Willow said, “I understand I suppose.” She walked to her small dresser and started to look through it for a clean uniform since she had been wearing her current one for about an hour or two too long. “They want me to come to a penance ceremony later—any idea what that it?”

Angelica froze in place for a second before reluctantly answering. “No. Never heard of it.”

It was completely unconvincing but Willow didn’t push it.

“Who knows, maybe it’s a new thing,” she said instead and watched the older woman from the corner of her eye.

“Maybe.”

Willow sighed silently and closed her eyes. It was going to be bad but she was prepared for it. As long as the ceremony didn’t turn around and focus on her then she could keep going with her mission. Someone else would probably get severely hurt but not her. That kind of thinking would normally disgust her but with Nichole in mind, she was willing to do anything—even if that meant doing nothing.

If blood ended up on her hands, she would bear it. She had to believe in that anyway—if she didn’t she feared she’d break.

***

Lights were dimmed and a few bodies could be seen throughout the circular room—all wearing the cloaks of higher members of the church with the hoods over their faces. Seth led Willow in by the hand with a smile on his face the entire time which vastly contrasted the scene she was looking at.

Simon stood toward the back of the room on a raised area in a far more ceremonial looking robe than the others. A robe that Willow was sure was custom—just for him.

When he saw that Seth and Willow had walked in, he smiled and motioned them over with a finger. “Come. Stand by me.”

Once they were at his side, he cleared his throat and every hooded person in the room simultaneously backed up and to the edges of the room. A door, opposite from the one Willow had entered through, opened and another hooded figure walked in with what appeared to be a prisoner. The person they dragged in was in plain, unflattering clothing and had a bag over their head.

Willow took a deep, silent breath. She knew who it was.

“My Lord—Simon the Usurper of Evil—I present to you the sinner you requested to meet with,” The man in the robe spoke as he released the supposed sinner. “For your eyes see all evil and misdeeds, may we simply deliver the punishment and bear witness.”

Simon slowly nodded once before the bag was pulled from the sinner’s head.

It was just as Willow had anticipated. The teenage boy—Collin—was underneath. His face twisted in confusion and then fear. He wildly looked around and then stopped when he saw Willow. She averted her gaze.

“Collin Sanntoron, is this the name you go by, son?” Simon addressed him.

It took Collin a second to look away from Willow and to look at Simon. “Y-yes…My Lord, what’s going on…? What did I do?”

Simon smiled and softly scoffed. “The asking of that question denotes that you’re either stupid or willfully ignorant—both qualities I am not fond of.”

The fear grew. Collin’s body shook. It was impossible for Willow to watch.

“Do you have nothing to say?” Simon asked and when a period of time passed in silence, he no longer gave Collin room to defend himself. “Then I shall remind you of your crimes. They are crimes of the heart—weakness in the soul. Feelings of jealousy and envy…the desire to push others down to raise yourself higher…those are parasites in the heart and in the mind. They must be purged from you and the only cure to self indulgent feelings…is humility.”

Seth nudged Willow gently, forcing her to look over. She realized that Simon was staring at her—expectantly. Her heart started to beat wildly in her chest.

“Y-yes…?”

Simon smiled, again the same strange and unnatural smile that she had seen earlier. “Willow, my dear, the punishment for his crimes must involve the target of his misdirected emotions.”

She must have made some kind of indication of her true feelings apparent because the man chuckled.

“You don’t have to carry out the punishment, don’t worry.”

Willow sighed in relief but still reluctantly nodded. She was no longer sure about what was to happen but at least she wouldn’t be doing whatever was considered punishment.

She was led to stand in front of Simon, below his pedestal, and in front of Collin. The poor boy looked up at her, begging for help with his eyes. She wanted to let him know that there was nothing she could do—that she wasn’t at all in charge of the situation—but she just kept her focus elsewhere.

One of the hooded people from the far side of the room walked forward and the man that had brought Collin in the room forcefully pulled the shirt off of his body. When he struggled, he was shoved down onto the ground.

“Sit on your knees,” the secondary robed man said as he pulled a long riding crop from his sleeve. “Face your victim and state an apology worthy of Simon the Usurper of Evil.”

Collin shook as he did as he was asked and anchored himself with his hands on his knees. He knew what was coming just as Willow did.

His eyes were already watery and his lip quivered before he started to speak. “Willow, I’m sorry for the things I said to you. I was wrong and I wish I could take it back….p-please forgive me.”

She winced with the first crack. He yelped and fell forward despite trying to prepare himself. As he rose back into position, she saw that tears had fallen and that his lips were moist and his nose red.

“Again,” Simon said flatly.

Collin quivered even more than before. “Please…please forgive me, Willow. I didn’t mean it I-I was just s…saying those things because I’m mad at myself f-for not progressing as fast as you…I was just jealou—AH.” He didn’t get to finish because the crop was sliced across his back again.

Willow moved her foot back but immediately hit the pedestal Simon was standing on top of. She thought of how badly she wanted to flee the scene but then she thought of Nichole. The image of her calmed her and made the scene in front of her bearable.

“PLEASE!” Collin yelled. “PLEASE I’M Sorr-r-ry…I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m so so so sorry.”

The man whipped across his back again and this time Collin’s yell ended in a gurgle. Willow looked down to see that he’d thrown up straight bile and some of it still dripped from his lips.

“Sorry…” At this point he stopped looking at her and just began crying.

“One more,” Simon said calmly and, immediately after, Collin was awarded another whip. “I now believe that your apology is sincere.”

Willow watched the young man shake and cry while the blood from his back began to drip down his sides and down to his legs, making small puddles on the ground. The smell was distinct.

“Take him away.”

The two hooded men closest to Collin each grabbed an arm and pulled him toward the door he had come in through. Once it was shut, the rest of the hooded audience turned and faced the wall. The sight alone gave Willow goosebumps but she couldn’t let that show. She knew she was allowed to appear shaken—she would seem emotionless otherwise. But to be disturbed by the rituals of the church was off limits.

She turned to Simon and Seth. “So, that’s the penance ceremony…?”

“Yes,” Seth answered with a smile.

“Does this sort of thing happen often?”

“Not that often,” he answered her but it wasn’t very convincing. “Only when we feel it is necessary. The enforcers usually perform it without us unless it’s a larger issue.”

She glanced between them. “So then why attend this one? I’d imagine having jealousy in your heart is a pretty small offense compared to some of the things you’ve seen before.”

Simon appeared almost proud of what he’d just done with the sort of smile he gave her. “This one is special. It may have been a small offense but the crime was committed against my daughter-in-law.”

Willow took a step backward and couldn’t hide her surprise and mild horror.

Simon laughed while Seth looked like an embarrassed teenager. “I’m sorry about him,” he said with a slight groan. “He has to steal the dramatic moments.”

“…What is he talking about…?” Willow asked, still not sure who she should settle her gaze on.

“Isn’t it obvious?” Seth asked. “I want to take you as my wife.”

This wasn’t the plan—this wasn’t supposed to happen—she just wanted her friend back.

“Uh…oh…I don’t know what to say…”

“Yes, of course?” Simon butted in with a cheeky grin but it wasn’t nearly as innocent as it seemed. Willow didn’t know for certain but her instincts told her that if she said no—or really anything other than yes—something would happen to her.

So, she swallowed her pride.

“Yes. Of course.”

[wiw3]

Flogstaffing for Sisters

S’crackalackin’, y’all? This one’s going to be of intermittent length. I’m just going to start because otherwise I don’t think anything will ever get written on the subject of this but welcome to all newcomers. It’s the morning after the funny day in April, and I’m puffing on a pen, or at least I was, before getting interrupted. I almost directed this one at the roommate it was about, but I need this to be more focused on where my head happens to be.

It’s focused on the roommate’s sister, I should say. A problematic person to look at in any sort of light other than potentially purely platonic, or otherwise. I’m typing all of this now in order to iron out how I feel. In the midst of losing my job in two weeks and not truly knowing where I’ll be headed, I find myself urged to write about... this, for some reason. How I feel about my roommate’s sister.

It’s ridiculous, but it brings me comfort to take ridiculous things incredibly seriously. Why would I ever entertain any kind of crush on someone that close? I’ll tell you the signs. There are things I’ve said and done that I remember, and then things that are actually being projected upon me as far as my attraction goes.

I wish she wasn’t the way she was, there’s something terribly wrong in her that needs help, and I’m not the one that can get it to her. I don’t have the patience for what’s going on in her head right now either; too preoccupied with mine.

I appreciate the fact that she’s courteous, kind, and fun when she comes over, but I’m not romantically attracted to her. She’s distractingly-attractive, some might even say ‘stunningly’, but she’s not my type. I’ve complained and bitched incessantly recently regarding being ‘touch-starved’, but physical attractiveness just isn’t enough for me anymore.

The girl’s beautiful, but I have to focus on my work, I have to focus on my writing. I confessed to my roommate in, what I regarded as complete confidence, that I thought she was hot, because I do. I differ attraction from physical attractiveness when determining if I like someone. When my roommate’s girlfriend approached me, accusing me of having a crush on her, however, my tune changed.

My voice probably got higher in pitch, my face probably got redder, not because it was true, I could easily deny it with eye-contact ten times over, but because it was hard not to look suspicious under that light, because I had given it it’s fair share of thought, and I decided that I was sparing the world, somehow doing it a favor by taking myself out of the equation and not ever worrying about dating until after I’ve finished what I’m working on. These experiences can wait. 

I decided that I can’t have a crush on her, for a couple of nail-coffin reasons:

The first is that I have to focus on writing, and expanding what I’m working on. I can’t stop and smell the flowers because every time I do, I feel like I’m dying, or in some way losing progress when I could be working... and the other reason is that I’m 22; I don’t have crushes, I either like her or I don’t, and I would hate to put it this way to cement it in my head, but I may be touch-starved, but not so mind-numbingly desperate that I’d potentially ruin my life just for the chance to be touched.

[werewolfoverlord12]

Addendum Post Fall 5

Urabrask blinked against the harsh light Dr. Sharma, granddaughter of Kaladesh, shone in his eyes.

Jazal was using his magic to scan through layer after layer of his being as the doctor continued her examination, pausing every so often to record something on Urabrask's chart.

"So," he said; healer and doctor paused, "how's Slobad?"

Jazal snorted, "Unconscious, but not infectious nor trying to kill anyone."

Urabrask winced; while getting to him, Slobad had attacked two guards and left them writhing against Phyrisis in pools of their own blood and Glistening Oil. Both were currently undergoing treatment with Melira while Slobad was recovering in the room beside Urabrask's.

"Don't worry," Dr. Sharma said, "I've already heard Alistair chewing out the Dominarian Bureaucrat who thought sending a freed phyrexian into Urborg swamp was a good idea. He's being charged with the guard's hospitalization." she clicked off the light, "Out of his own, personal funds."

Urabrask nodded, "Doesn't help we basically have two more for the Deprocessing Chamber..."

"Not your fault," Jazal said, "No one expected Urborg Swamp would be an issue."

The red former praetor sighed, "No, but i'm still responsible for their well being. I should have tested the Swamp or something..."

They finished up their assessment, and marking it on his charts,

"Well?" Urabrask asked.

"Physically, I think there are centaurs in worse shape than you. Mentally... Well..." she glanced at Jazal.

"Stable, saner than us probably. Spiritually, no curses, psychic wounds, parasites, etc. Emotionally..." he glanced at Urabrask.

"Confused about ... Whatever that dream was, upset and angry that" he broke off into a string of Phyrexian, "paper pusher thought to use one of my people for his experiment, and ... Concerned about what that could mean for the future." Urabrask slid from the examine table to his feet.

"You'll have Sanctuary's complete support," Jazal said, "however little that helps."

"I appreciate it." Urabrask said. He stared through the glass windows to where Slobad slept. Alone. Again. "Can i see him, please?"

Urabrask settled into a chair beside Slobad's bed before glancing around; the nurses had drawn the curtains across the glass windows into the examine room once he'd entered and he realized they'd left them open for him. The room was small, barely big enough for the single bed and various equipment... but he also noticed veins of pulsing blue crystal running through the walls.

It's a prison cell. He thought.

"Only because we're concerned for his safety." Alistair said.

Urabrask glanced up at the intercom, "Why's that?"

"He's was fine before he entered the swamp and was fine afterwards. I don't think it was the Swamp that caused his little episode." Alistair said.

"Any idea what did?" Urabrask asked.

"Not really."

Urabrask glanced over as Slobad sat up, holding his head,

"Ugh what hit me...?" Slobad paused as he spied his hand. No longer withered from it's merger than removal from his iron body, his arms were both now forged from polished black metal, gold filigree running across its surface in complex designs. He threw back the covers and found both of his legs were the same.

"I... i can feel them." He whispered, "It's like... it's my skin."

He glanced at Urabrask, "What happened?"

"Long story... but i suppose i have time..." Urabrask said, glancing at the Intercom.

"I've got the whole of Sanctuary under surveillance and Watcher is keeping an even closer eye on things. You've got time." Alistair said.

We're going to need it. I've got a bad feeling about this. Urabrask thought.

"So... remember that attack a few days ago? Well..."

[hemera989]

aren't we just terrified?

vampire!steve harrington multiship • 2/? • 4955 words "This girl must have muscles of solid iron, because no matter how hard Jonathan tugs at her, she refuses to budge. It’s awful. Steve is screaming these horrific, wailing cries like a hit cat on the side of the road, inches away from death and yet unable to die. They only grow worse by the second and Nancy is crying and Steve is bleeding everywhere and Jonathan, he- he knows what he has to do. (There are vampires in Hawkins. Go fucking figure.)”

ao3 <prev ch> <next ch>

Jim Hopper has got to be the biggest piece of shit to walk through Hawkins. Jonathan believes that. In fact, he tells the Chief as much, arms crossed and eyes narrowed as the Chief only sighs and rubs at his face.

“That’s probably the fourth time I’ve heard that today,” The Chief tells him, as if Jonathan is supposed to feel bad for him or something.

“Only the fourth?” Jonathan asks, meanly. “How about we make it a fifth, huh? You’re a sorry piece of shit and I hate you.”

“Look, kid,” Hopper starts, laying his hands flat on his desk. “I appreciate your concern, but honestly, this is only the twelfth time this week I’ve had somebody begging me to go check out everything that goes bump in the night. If you hadn’t noticed, we’ve got a hell of a lot more important things going on right now.”

Jonathan scoffs. “Oh, like what? You setting a new record for how many times you can throw that ball against the wall until Flo tells you to knock it off?”

“He’s up to thirty-six,” Flo calls from outside the office, sounding annoyed.

Jonathan gives him a pointed look. Hopper quirks an unamused eyebrow, then sighs again.

“I’ve got more important things to be worrying about,” Hopper repeats again, “like investigating the mauling.”

Right. The mauling of Barbara Holland. The entire town knows about it already, including Jonathan, but what he also knows is that the mauling only happened three days ago, but Jonathan has been pushing him to investigate whatever animal is in the woods around their house for a week and a half now. Jonathan feels terrible for his former classmate and her family, but he’s not gonna let Hopper use it as an excuse to keep doing nothing. God knows he probably isn’t doing anything to properly investigate Barbara’s death, either.

“You know my mom and I can’t keep ferrying Will back and forth all the time,” Jonathan tells him. Hopper groans, rubbing at his eyes again, but Jonathan ignores him to keep talking. “You know we’re both working, and he’s not going outside until you find that thing!”

“Just… let him go outside!” Hopper retorts, throwing his hands out in front of him. “Look, you and your mom live out in the middle of nowhere. He’s gonna see a million and a half weird animals out there! If you keep smothering him every time he gets scared-”

“This wasn’t just an animal, Hopper!” Jonathan bites out. “You think he doesn’t know what forest animals look like? He’s out there seein’ them every day but this time was different!”

“Good luck with that,” comes a voice from the door. Both Jonathan and Hopper look over to see Nancy Wheeler standing in the door, tired and irritated looking, with Flo right behind her. Hopper gives Flo an exasperated look, but the older woman only shrugs and retreats back to her desk, leaving Hopper alone with both of them, now. 

Nancy looks kind of terrible, as much as Jonathan hates to say it. Her hair, normally so meticulously styled, is limp around her shoulders, and the deep bruises under her eyes give Jonathan a run for his money. He tries not to stare too long; it’s not a crush if he doesn’t indulge himself in it, he tells himself.

She drops her schoolbag to the floor and takes the seat in front of Hopper’s desk, crossing her arms as she levels Hopper with an unimpressed look.

“I’ve been here after school, every day,” Nancy says, voice hoarse and quiet, “telling him the exact same goddamned thing.”

“Nancy,” Hopper starts, visibly trying to gentle his tone. “We’re doing everything we can already-”

“Which is why we're talking to you here,” Nancy says sarcastically. “Instead of, oh, I don’t know, at Steve’s house.”

“We didn’t find any evidence of a person out there besides Barb,” Hopper points out. “And I shouldn’t even be talking to you about shit like this, anyways. Pretty sure it’s not even legal.”

“No, you’re right. What you should’ve been talking to me about is the fact that- how long have you been here?” Nancy asks Jonathan. He tells her ‘a week and a half’, and she scoffs, throwing a hand up. “A week and a half! About something in the woods, which means that you knew something was up for at least a week, and you didn’t do anything about it.”

“Nancy-”

“Which means,” Nancy continues, barreling over him, “that you had probable cause to investigate, and you didn’t, and now Barb is dead because of it!”

Hopper starts to look a little guilty. Jonathan decides that he’s never going to get on Nancy Wheeler’s bad side again, because there are far scarier things about her other than the fact that she’s dating one of the biggest assholes in the school. “Okay, we don’t even have reason to believe that both incidents were caused by the same animal.”

“A girl?” Nancy asks Jonathan again. “Dirty, nightgown, no shoes? Big long teeth?”

“That’s what Will saw,” Jonathan says, nodding. Hopper sighs, and Nancy bares her teeth at him triumphantly. If there was any doubt in his mind that Will was telling the truth about what he saw on his way home, it’s gone, now; what attacked Barbara Holland and what Will saw are the same creature. Which means… “You really are a piece of goddamn shit. How many more kids are gonna die before you take us seriously?”

“Alright!” Hopper exclaims, throwing his hands up. “Alright, fine. I will personally investigate both accidents myself.”

“And?” Nancy asks.

“And,” Hopper continues, giving her the stink eye. “I’ll send a deputy to keep an eye on both sites, round the clock, until we figure this shit out. Happy?”

The second the deal is struck, both Jonathan and Nancy are escorted out of the station, left in the cold with little other guarantee that Hopper will do as he says other than his promise. It’s clearly still grating on Nancy, because all she does is pace restlessly, gnawing on a fingernail.

“I can’t believe him,” she says under her breath. Then, she raises her head, and speaks the next part to Jonathan. “He knew about it, and he didn’t even do anything!”

“Yeah,” Jonathan says, a little awkwardly. Despite their brothers being close friends, he’s never had a chance to speak to her alone before, and he’s not exactly sure what he should say, or how he should say it. The weight of Barbara’s death is heavy on his mind—he knew they were close friends. “I’m, uh. I’m sorry about what happened to Barbara.”

She blinks, a little surprised, and he can see the way her anger drains from her as his words process. Her shoulders slump, and she looks tired again, lowering her eyes to the ground. “Thank you. I’m sorry for losing my temper in there, I should’ve let you speak. I guess I’m just… I don’t know. I’m mad I didn’t do more.”

“You’re doing a lot right now,” Jonathan offers. “Fighting for her, I mean. I don’t know if I could do it.”

She gives a sad little smile. “Yeah. A lot of people probably would prefer it if I didn’t. Steve, he, uh… he doesn’t really want me to be here.”

“Why?” Jonathan asks, curious. If the rumors were true, both Nancy and Steve had seen whatever attacked Barbara, and clearly Nancy was concerned about it.

Nancy slings her bag over her shoulder and sighs, walking down the street away from the police station. Jonathan falls into step next to her as she speaks. “I guess he’s worried, or something. He says we should leave it to the professionals, but I guess he… I don’t know. He’s probably never had to deal with being in a room of people who’d really rather have you shut up and sit down.”

“I believe that,” Jonathan says, laughing a little. She gives him a questioning look. “Well, I mean… rich guy, nice house, influential family? I bet Hopper would get his ass in gear if Steve’s parents threw the money at him.”

Nancy laughs. “You’re probably right. Too bad it happened off of their property line. Otherwise, they would’ve had the animal’s head mounted on their wall by now.”

“Rich people,” Jonathan says, rolling his eyes.

“Men,” Nancy adds.

That makes him snicker again. “Yeah, you’re probably right on that one.”

There’s a companionable silence that comes next, when they reach the parking lot and he’s standing next to his car. Nancy is looking at the ground once more, but this time, the furrow of her brow is less one of frustration, and more on contemplation. He waits for her to speak what she’s thinking, but no amount of waiting could’ve really prepared him for what she says.

“We could find it,” she says, quietly.

Jonathan blinks, sure that he’s misheard her. When she doesn’t take her statement back, only looking at him with those big, round eyes of hers, he realizes that she’s serious. Stunned, all he can manage to say is, “What?”

“We could find it,” she repeats, more firmly. “We know what it is and where it is, roughly. If we wait for the Chief and his goons to get moving, it’ll be too late. We should track it down and tell Hopper exactly where it is.”

“That… sounds pretty dangerous,” he says, hesitant. “I mean, this thing has a body count already, Nancy.”

Instead of deterring her, his words only seem to give her more resolve. She squares her jaw. “I’m not scared.” Nancy then quirks her eyebrow. “Are you?”

-

That’s how Jonathan ends up downtown with Nancy three days later, following behind her like a lost puppy with a heavy, rattling box of rusted scraps from the old military antique store. He tried to talk her out of buying half the things that she did, certain that weapons like rusted knives and creaking animal traps were probably a waste of money, but she’d forked over the cash anyways, oddly determined that it would work. He’s realized, now, that ‘determined’ seems to be Nancy’s middle name. It’s nearly impossible to talk her out of this, or anything, and it really, really shouldn’t be as endearing as it is.

“I have a theory,” she declares, as they get closer to Jonathan’s car. “And you have to swear on your life not to laugh.”

“I think we’re a little past the point of joking,” Jonathan says wryly. He’s followed this girl halfway across town all day with the end goal of confirming her theories and hunches, so it’s pretty safe to say that he’s with her come hell or high waters.

She gives him a little smile, one that makes his heart skip a beat. “Okay, but seriously, don’t think I’m crazy, okay? I did… so much research for this, and I’m pretty sure that what we’re dealing with is a vampire.”

Despite himself, he chuckles a little, choking the sound down as soon as she turns a disapproving look at him. “Sorry, sorry, it’s just- a vampire, really? Like, Dracula vampire? In real life?”

“Think about it,” she insists. “We all agreed that whatever it was, it definitely looked human. Dirty, but human. What kind of animal do you know looks human, has long teeth, and preys on humans?”

“Not many,” he has to admit. “But I feel like there are a lot of other theories to go through before we get to, oh, I don’t know. Mythological creatures.”

“You haven’t seen it yet,” she tells him. Nancy crosses her arms, biting her lip as she remembers. “I promise, Jonathan, once you see it, you’ll know what I mean. There’s nothing else that makes sense. Nothing in real life. It’s just… animals don’t look like that.”

Once they’re finally at the car, he drops the box onto the hood, enjoying the chance to let his arms rest. Nancy is quiet now, fiddling with the sleeve of her sweater as Jonathan shakes the tiredness out of his arms. She stays there as he loads the box into his back seat. Once he sees her, he feels a little guilty; it hadn’t been his intention to make her feel like she was crazy, or that he thought she was. It makes him reach out, laying a tentative hand on her shoulder.

“Hey,” he says, softly. She looks up at him, frowning. “I believe you, okay? And my brother. If you guys say it wasn’t an animal, then it wasn’t. But whatever it is, we’re gonna find it. Nobody else is dying to this thing.”

After a long moment, she nods, and her frown eases. “Right. We’re gonna get this thing.”

Jonathan grins, patting her shoulder. “Hell yeah, we are.”

“Nancy?” 

The sound of falling footsteps reaches his ears. He looks at where the noise is coming from to see Steve Harrington himself, Tommy Hernandes and Carol Perkins at his back as he frowns heavily at Nancy. He sure doesn’t seem happy, and the look that Tommy is sending Jonathan right now instantly makes the hair on the back of his neck rise. Nancy remains unaffected, but Jonathan knows, immediately, that he made a mistake coming out here with her. She may be oblivious to his crush, but Carol? She’s got the sharpest pair of eyes at Hawkins High, and there’s no way she didn’t tell Steve and Tommy.

Things are about to go very, very badly for him.

“Steve,” Nancy says, evenly. “What’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong is that I’ve been looking for you for goddamn days, Nance,” Steve retorts, crossing his arms. “Where the hell have you been? I had to go ask your mom just to find you.”

“Oh, you’re keeping tabs on me now?” Nancy asks, tone turning irritated. “Steve, you see me at school literally every day.”

“Don’t pull that.” His frown grows deeper. “You’re avoiding me.”

“Hard not to see why,” Tommy snorts. He’s been suspiciously quiet until now, but apparently, he was just biding his time. He sneers at Jonathan. “Don’t need the current boyfriend around while you’re scoping out replacements, huh?”

“It’s not like that,” Nancy says, hotly. “Mind your own business, Tommy.”

“Steve is my business,” Tommy says right back. “And you’re dodging the question.”

Carol laughs sharply. “Well, she can’t just say that she’s cheating out loud, can she?”

“Seriously?” This time, Nancy turns her glare to Steve. “You’re really letting them pull this again?”

“What else am I supposed to think?” he asks, throwing his hands up. “I mean, you’ve been avoiding me for days, Nancy. Days. And everyone says you and Byers have been attached at the goddamn hip.”

Her glare narrows. Jonathan feels, keenly, that he should not be here, but to leave would mean catching Steve’s attention. “Well, maybe if my boyfriend actually listened to a word I have to say, then I wouldn’t be here.”

“Are you saying it’s my fault?” Steve asks, bewildered.

“I’m saying you could be doing a hell of a lot more to help,” Nancy fires off.

“What, like walking her home?” Jonathan realizes, suddenly, that they are not talking about the current situation anymore. Somehow, they’ve steered off to Barb, and the topic is only making them angrier. Even Carol and Tommy seem to have lost their steam, looking at Steve in pretty blatant confusion. “Because I didn’t see you volunteering to do that, either.”

Nancy recoils as if she’d been struck, eyes widening. Jonathan knows he should keep his mouth shut, but the thought of leaving Nancy alone to be picked on by her boyfriend leaves a sour taste in his mouth. “Maybe we should, um, we should go.”

“Who the fuck even asked you anyways?” In a second, Steve has gone from frustrated to violent, baring his teeth as he closes the distance between himself and Jonathan. Jonathan backs up a little bit, holding his hands up, but Steve shoves at him anyways. “Y’know, I knew you were a fucking weasel, but I figured even weasels would know when to shut the hell up.”

“Hey!” Nancy steps between them, pushing Steve right back. “Steve, you are way out of line! Back up!”

“I’m out of line?” he laughs humorlessly, batting her hand away. “Oh, I’m out of line! Me, and not the freak currently trying to crawl his way into your pants!” Nancy splutters, but Steve ignores her, giving Jonathan the meanest sneer he’s ever seen. “So, dumpster diving in thrift stores for secondhand clothes isn’t enough, huh? You’re looking for secondhand girlfriends now, too?”

The comment smarts, but not any more than anything else Jonathan’s heard over the years. If Steve thinks that he’s mean enough to get under Jonathan’s skin with insults about his poorness, he’s wrong. He can stand there and yap all day if he wants to, but Jonathan isn’t going to do anything else but leave as soon as Nancy gives the word. She already looks halfway to dragging him into the car, already.

“Y’know, it’s a shame your mom can’t go shopping for secondhand husbands.” Jonathan tenses. That’s crossing a line. He pleads, silently, for Steve to shut his mouth already, because there are only two things in the world that get under his skin, and Steve is about to find one of them. “Probably would’ve saved her a black eye or t-”

Before he can even get the word out, Jonathan snaps. Steve’s nose gives a nauseating crack beneath Jonathan’s knuckles, the force of the hit sending him flailing back into Tommy’s arms. Blood splatters on the ground and everyone’s shouting; Nancy’s got a hand on his chest, and Carol hauls Steve back by the collar of his jacket, face red with anger.

“That was too fucking far!” she hisses, throwing him backwards as Tommy holds a hand out, one eye on Jonathan. Not that he’s got any reason to worry—Jonathan isn’t about to go in for seconds, Nancy or no Nancy. He made his point. The anger leaves as quickly as it came.

“Yeah, I see that now!” Steve hollers, clutching his bleeding nose. “Jesus goddamn Christ!”

“We’re leaving,” Nancy tells him, scowling. “Go home, Steve.”

She doesn’t wait for his response, or for Carol’s inevitable retort. The hand she has on Jonathan’s chest fists into his shirt, tugging him behind her as she yanks open the front door of the car and shoves him in. She rounds the car to throw herself into the passenger seat, aggressively buckling herself in as Jonathan shoves the key into the ignition and brings the car roaring to life. She doesn’t need to tell him to go; he’s peeling out of the parking lot in seconds, catching only the sight of Carol punching Steve’s shoulder as she snarls, “So, domestic violence is funny now, huh?!”

Maybe she does have morals, or something. Go figure.

The drive is silent for a long few minutes. Nancy is fuming in the passenger seat, red in the face, and it’s only the uncertainty about who, exactly, she’s mad at that keeps him driving silently. If she’s mad at him, he would certainly understand it. He did punch her boyfriend in the face, after all.

“I can’t believe he said that,” she finally says, sighing out an aggressive sigh. “I mean, he’s never been that much of an asshole. God, Jonathan, I don’t know what the hell got into him.”

“He learned his lesson,” Jonathan says, quietly. He’s sorry that it happened in front of her, but he’s not sorry he hit Steve, and he won’t ever be. 

Nancy snorts. “Sure as hell he did. He’s going to apologize, I promise.”

“I don’t need his apology,” Jonathan says, shrugging. “He knows what’ll happen if he says it again. That’s good enough for me.”

Nancy breathes out a little laugh. She looks out the window for a few minutes, as they leave downtown and head back out towards the suburbs. After a minute, she sighs. “That did put us in a bad spot, though.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, to look for that vampire…” She winces. “We… kind of need to get into Steve’s house.”

[trutrustories]

Bad fighter Mobius M. Mobius is the best kind of Mobius M. Mobius, Actually.

I already loved Mobius more than most of the MCU characters before episode 6 came out, but THAT scene in Ravonna´s Office was really game changer for me. Until then I was actually sure, that this man is a great fighter. Because HOW THE FUCK COULD HE NOT BE, RIGHT? I mean...

he looks so sure of himself, He´s going on those missions with trained hunters all the time, he´s fearless! And then Ravonna says: “even with that, you´re of no danger to me” And I was like: Ha! keep dreaming girl He´ll show you! And Mobius was like: “Is that what you think? Let´s see..” And I was like: Yeeees that´s my boyyyyy!!!”

And then Ravonna was like...

Mobius in the air in like a split of second. And I was like 

But Mobius freaking smiled and was like: “Yeah you were right”

ok. OK. HE´S MY FUCKING FAVOURITE NOW. THERE IS NO ONE BETTER THEN HIM SORRY.  Suddenly I was lost. I was blown away. It was HE BETTER STAYS IN MCU FOREVER OR I WILL SCREAM type of feeling. So let me get this straight. He can´t fight. He probably knows that he is not a good fighter, and he...  HOLY SHIT. THE WHOLE SERIES IS SO MUCH BETTER!!! .... As much as I love the idea of strong Mobius with long hair and daggers, looking for Loki through entire universe… I´m not sure, if I really want to see that in canon. I just love this cute and non-combatant version of Mobius too much, I´m sorry! Let me explain my weird brain please: we have lots of strong heroes in MCU – those who are great fighters, or those who had to learn how to fight.   The one thing I always loved about Iron man was the fact, that he really needed his brilliant brain, his technology (suit) and bravery to fight. And in the end he was the hero who saved them all. I mean… yeah. There are side-kicks, like Happy Hogan, or Luis (Ant man´s best friend) and I LOVE them! But none of them has got as much screen time and importance, as Mobius. When I think about what I love so much about him and his dynamic with Loki, there is always this one thing that prevails: one of them is an incredibly strong but also very careful god (not when he´s drunk though) who uses a lots of strategies and plans, while the other is a tiny man in a suit who can´t fight shit but runs into the throat of a danger every chance he get and no one can´t stop him. just look at him!!!

He goes on missions with these trained hunters to just look around for clues and has no concerns about potentional harm whatsoever.

And he even finds the time to stand up for normal people and be kind to them in the process:

Once Loki has no collar, on his neck he could break all Mobius´s limbs in a matter of seconds if he wanted to, but Mobius is completely sure he has nothing to worry about around his Loki. He´s not scared of ANYTHING, especially  of Loki variants. Like EVER! :D

let me break it down in detail for ya. I made a list: When they are taking Loki on his first mission outside, Loki asks, if no one is concerned that he is going to has his magic back...

well, maybe someone actually is concerned by that but it sure as hell isn´t Mobius. He just simply says that he could get Loki to Time keepers if he won´t try anything and like... this one line is getting on Loki so much, that Loki even tries to use it few moments latter xD And here is the best scene ever: 

LOKI: “we can go anywhere!” 

MOBIUS: “I´m not taking you for a stroll along the promenade, much less an apocalypse” FEW MOMENTS LATTER:

Hang on. Wait. So you telling me, he took this man outside without  permission, without backup (you know, hunters, that actually CAN fight), right to the apocalypse, knowing that Loki can use his powers anytime, however he wants.  It´s just...  God. I love him!!! And then he just hands him the daggers like it´s no big deal!

Like are we all aware this man has no any super powers, no big strength, nor any impressive fighting skills and he is willing to give him daggers for a mission, where this god is capable of magic and everyone else in team ECCEPT mobius is at least able to fight????? And he just has that small bulletproof vest,  and a raincoat and he chats with Loki in a rain like it was a fucking another apocalyptic DATE?

Ok. Let´s jump to the episode four He goes and persuades Ravonna to let him interrogate Sylvie and he is straight up arguing with her, even when he´s told how dangerous Sylvie is. This man LOVES danger!!! 

Once he has doubts he  decides to risk it all and  swaps TemPads right behind Ravonnas back. 

And he is watching it OUT LOUD in a place where anyone can show up at anytime! 

no but serously. This is a face of a man who is EXCITED for a dangerous adventures with Loki. Yeah, lets bring this whole place down together! 

And then we have this scene. Mobius really has a nerves to pull “ ha ha I had to take it by mistake” line right there. 

But once he understand he´s gonna die, he just take his fate with bravery and talks to Ravonna about life he really desires. 

And remember that time Ravonna warned him about this variant and how dangerous she is?  He casually saves her, just like that. No big deal. 

He even has a time to make teasing notes about how  Sylvie should be more careful jumping to a strangers car like that and how she really is one of the Lokis. 

And after he saves her, he manage to apologize to her  and make her to like him. EVERY FREAKING LOKI LIKES HIM! - that has to be his super power I swear And then Sylvie is like: well actually let´s go back there, I think It´s the best idea ever.  And mobius is like:  What back to the angry cloud? - oh great. fuck this why the hell not. Lets do it. 

so... while Loki and Sylvie are getting closer, lets show us, how literally every Loki likes Mobius (like not even alligator loki wants to hurt him, even when Mobius suggests that he is a liar I CAN´T) And just random (AGAIN) during the chat  saving Loki and Sylvie (without even knowing) when he inspires Classic Loki to change. 

He offers free tickets straght to the TVA to kid Loki, classic Loki and an alligator. I mean... What a LEGEND. 

when he gets there he just knock on Ravonna´s door and is like - lets talk about it xDD

And he isn´t even suprised to lose that fight. He makes himself comfortable on the floor: yeah you were right. Here we go again. Just prune me already, doesn´t matter, I have my Lokis there anyway.

But make no mistake, I don´t think he is stupid, or naive. That is the most fascinating thing about him.  He is brilliant. He can makes great plans (it surely as hell was him, who come up with the high school scheme) He is a great  investigator, he  is familiar with psychology very well, he know how to manipulate people just as well, as Loki. He can  interrogate flawlessly (when jealousy is not involved) And when he woke up in the Void, he was able to escape certain death, choose a car and drive around looking for Loki - and eventualy save Sylvie. He is a very capable man. I dont think he shouldn´t have any power. Like - he has his inteligence, his knowledge of all  languages  (I want to see him chat with Groot please), his knowledge of psychology,  knowledge  of how TVA works... He can have his pruning stick, TemPad, bulletproof vest and a raincoat for what I care. but most importantly he has his kind heart, love of adrenaline, and he is a freaking Loki expert. And let´s not forget, every Loki loves him. Also, he has a damn luck as well :D It´s like - Loki always ends up loosing, so Mobius  is fine  - even when he should be dead about million times already. (one man´s void is another man´s piece of cake) So when they are togheter. There is no way for Loki to actually die. Not by his side xD So I don´t think he needs to become great fighter. I believe, that this is a hundred times better. Creators should explore this dynamic to it´s bottom before they make him fighter with super powers or something like that. ( I wouldn´t mind long hair though)  I´m sorry. But I just really love that. I love how small and fragile he is, but he wont be scared of anything. And now he´s Loki best friend (while having masive crush on him, let's be precise ) So just imagine all those amazing scenes that could come with that.  Imagine there is some very dangerous Loki variant that everyone has problem to deal with, and Mobius is gonna be like - you´re so cute guys, nice try. Now let me talk to him, will ya.  Imagine some big battle where our Loki and Mobius are fighting side by side with Avengers and Loki is using all his potential, and he is so stunning in his leather but he can´t focus very well, because few metters from him is a small, fragile man in a suit just using TemPad an afucking pruning stick. And Loki didn´t even want him there in the first place. So they are arguing like married couple right then and there and every avenger AND enemy in  close distance just can´t believe these two are real.  also Loki saves Mobius by taking him in his arms right on time and running to safety with him

Maybe this post is  completely useless and has  incredibly bad english like every text I write, but I don´t care. I just wanted to loudly  appreciate this mans non-fighting skills and his hilariously huge courage. End of the post.  have nice day! Bye!