#liz watches legends of tomorrow

[wonderlandleighleigh]

Rory nudges Jess a little, grinning. “You got a big date for the big wedding?” 

He’s in town for the wedding. Luke and Lorelai are finally finally finally getting married and he blew into town for it, standing as Luke’s best man, and now they’re sitting on the front porch of Luke and Lorelai’s house, just chatting. 

“I do actually,” Jess grins, trying to keep sadness out of his eyes.

Rory’s smile falls. “Aw, Jess. That’s so nice of you.” 

“It’s nothing.” 

“No, really. That’s...” 

“It’s not like it’s a tough gig, being the wedding date of a comedy legend,” he tries to joke. 

“I know how much he meant to you,” Rory says softly. “We didn’t get to talk after the funeral any.” 

“Yeah, well, the Maisels and Bruces are a pushy bunch, I got ordered into a car with Kitty’s family.” 

“They love you,” Rory smiles. “It’s really nice that you’re gonna escort Midge to the wedding.” 

“She hasn’t had a lot of fun lately,” Jess shrugs. “This could be fun...and...honestly? I don’t know how much longer she’s gonna stick around without Lenny.” 

Rory blows out a breath. “God, you think they’re gonna be one of those couples that just follows each other out?” 

Jess shrugs. “Lenny always said he never minded being her opening act.” 

“They were such couple goals when we were kids, remember?” Rory asks, sniffling a little. “So smart, and so quick, and funny, and...” 

“Kind,” Jess finishes. “Really freaking kind.” He takes a breath and looks at her. “Lenny left me the rights to his memoir in his will. He wants me to edit and publish it.” 

Rory’s eyes widen. “Whoa.” 

“Yeah. Intimidating stuff, having Lenny Bruce’s full, honest life story sitting around my apartment.” 

“That’s huge.” 

Jess nods. “It is. I’d rather have him back, though. You know?” 

Rory nods and scoots closer to him, hugging him tightly. “We all feel that way.” She pulls back and squeezes his shoulders. “I will forever miss the way he used to whack you upside the head with a rolled up newspaper like you were an ill-behaved puppy.” 

Jess laughs, shaking his head. “I deserved it. And weirdly, it helped me.” 

Rory nods, but doesn’t pull her hands away, watching him. “So I know Midge is your date tomorrow, but...” 

He lifts his head and raises an eyebrow. “But?” 

“Save me a dance?” Rory requests. 

“You know you’ve always got a spot on my card,” Jess grins at her. 

They stare at each other for a long quiet moment. 

And the kiss is soft and slow. There’s no stress or urgency behind it, and when Rory pulls away, she keeps her eyes closed. 

“I uh...I should get back to Liz and TJ’s,” Jess mutters softly. “If I’m out late she blows up my phone. I regret ever teaching her to text.” 

Rory smiles and eventually opens her eyes. “Yeah...” 

He gets to his feet, grabbing his back, hesitating a little. 

“I don’t know what that was,” Rory admits quietly. “But it was nice.” 

“Well, maybe we can do it again sometime,” Jess shrugs, grinning back at her a little, before heading off. 

[providing-leverage]

I loved Mick and Snart's friendship in the Flash but this reads old married couple so hard

[butchniqabi]

And Death Was But a Dream by Amatullah Bourdon

[Waves Breaking against the Wind. Joseph Mallord William Turner c.1840 / Excalibur (1981) dir. John Boorman / Run With The Wind Abstract Painting. Liz W. Fine Art]

Words: 1415

Warnings: None

Notes: For those of you who don’t know, in some Arthurian legends it is said that Merlin lives his life backwards. Now as for what that means logistically....I have no idea, but I was always drawn to the idea of his relationships and how they would function. So I wrote something super short and a little messy, but have at it! Lemme know what you think!

Everyone spoke of the Wizard who lived in the city. He was said to have visions of the future, to be able to see past the confines of everyday life. When I first came to the city, all those years ago, I did not expect to meet him. Wizards were naturally reclusive creatures, only venturing out to give aid and occasional bad advice. This city’s Wizard was especially contrary, for the townsfolk whispered that he had an especially strange life and an even stranger affliction. 

    The day we met, my third day in the city, I had just found employment as a washerwoman. Unglamorous and hard work, I spent my first two days in the humid chambers listening to the other women gossip. They spoke of this Wizard in hushed tones and never said his name louder than a whisper. 

    When my long shift ended, I took a walk around the city, taking in the life around me. I was still young in those days, despite the grey that began to appear in my hair. God knows how long I wandered aimlessly. All I know is that eventually, I found him. 

    The crowd parted around him, afraid of his touch, but he did not frighten me. His skin was dark brown like mine, kissed with a deep red undertone. He had a long beard, only lightly tinged with grayness; the coils that peaked out beneath his hat were the same. His eyes were deep set and hooded, glistening with unshed tears. 

    He stood before me, donning robes of constellations and suns, and wept. 

There was little I could do to console him, he was in such a state. I grabbed his hand then, hoping to soothe him through touch. I felt a strange pull to him, a desire to wipe his tears and kiss his face. 

When he calmed slightly, he looked into my soul. I felt that my whole life was laid bare for him to see, but I found I did not mind. When he looked through me, I realized I could look through him. Not as clearly, but I saw his honesty and kindness. 

“I apologize,” he said nasally. “Might I walk with you, so I might explain my behavior?” 

Of course I said yes. 

I took his arm gently, the fabric of his strange robes soft under my hand. It moved around him like running water and shined just as brightly. He did not hold onto me tightly, but I knew he wanted to.

    “What is your name?” I asked.

    “Listen,” he avoided. “Do you hear the wind?”

    “Yes.” 

    “What does it say to you?” 

    I listened and only heard wind. It rustled over leaves and grass, whistled through windows and open doors. It did not sing to me, it was merely wind. I told him as much. 

    “When I hear the wind, I hear the very earth itself. I can hear the grass grow, die, and grow again. I see the stars in the middle of the day and they sing to me, oh do they sing. This is the curse of a Wizard: sight. We see the world much more clearly than everyone else, that’s what makes us so terrifying.” he said, mostly to himself. 

    I pitied him. I pity him. He did not speak of this ability with joy or reverence, to him it was truly a curse. I did not understand him clearly then, but I wanted to reach out to him. Instead I asked, “Who are you?” 

    He looked at me and smiled toothily. “I am the Wizard Merlin.” 

    I was not surprised, not truly. He had lived in this city from the beginning. Ever since it was named Camelot and knights of old would swear a vow of chivalry. Those days were long past, but Merlin remained. 

“But how?” I asked. “You don’t look like an old man.” 

    “I do not live as you do.” he whispered. 

    “Then how do you live?” 

    “The first time we met, you were sad because it was the last you would see of me. Now it is my turn. I am destined to live my life contrary to those around me. As time goes on for you I get younger, because I am destined to live my life backwards.” 

    “Backwards,” I said, feeling the word in my mouth. “So you mean we’ve already met before?”

    “Yes, I have spent many years with you. The best years I believe. And now my time is up, today is my final day with you. But for you, today is merely the beginning.”

    I believed him, do not ask me why I did. And there was an inexplicable sadness that overcame me. I would get to live my life with him, but he would never see me again. 

    “Why do you live this way?” I asked.

    “I found that if I wished to seek power, it would come at a great price. I can help many people, but I always move backwards...always backwards.” 

    I wanted to apologize. I wanted to scold him. I wanted to ask him so many things that I never became bold enough to ask after that moment passed. 

    Instead I said, “That must be lonely.” 

    “It is. It’s very lonely.” 

    “I’m sorry I don’t know you yet. I’m sorry you’ve watched me forget.” 

    He laughed at me then, spinning me around and lifting me into the air. 

    “I would not change a single moment.” he said and meant it. 

        Today is the first day he’s met me. Now, I know how he felt. Years have passed and now it is my turn. The life I had lived with him, the man I had come to love was not yet made. He does not recognize me, nor does he fully understand my sadness. There was a time when we were perfectly in sync; I knew him just as much as he knew me. But as that time passed, he knew me less and less. He forgot more things, asked simple questions. Every day I spent with him he grew farther and farther from me. 

    I knew it was destined to be, from the very first time we met and still it haunts me. How like the moon and sun we are: constantly moving, only briefly touching. I love him with a fierceness and desperation that makes my heart weep, for now is my last day with him. My life must continue without him, his life has yet to begin with me. 

    Wizards! My Wizard! Cursed to live his life backwards, cursed to hear the whistling of the stars, cursed to fall. I asked him all the time, was it worth it? Is it worth it? Is the power that comes with such a curse worth the sadness and pain? And he always says yes, no matter when I ask him. Helping people, charting stars, and gazing into the universe is who he is. His wonder is one of the reasons I love him. 

    Could I have stopped myself from loving him? Was that ever truly an option? You cannot stop the rain from falling or the wind from singing. I love him. I loved him. I will love him. Even as he stands before me, a stranger, I still love him. I once thought if God was merciful He would release him from the curse, but now I know the mercy exists in our time together. In order to be the great man I know (the great man he has not yet become) he must continue to go backwards. I must let him go backwards.

    Now there is less grey in his beard. He still has the kind, deep set eyes, the gap in his teeth. But he does not know me. He asks me my name and I tell him. I tell him with all the sorrow in my heart. I tell him he will see me tomorrow and that he means the world to me. I do not tell him about the illnesses he will defeat, the children he will save, or how he is destined to aid the once and future king, Arthur Pendragon. Instead I smile and give him a kiss on the cheek and try not to cry. 

    He is the Wizard Merlin, the man who lives his life contrary to others. I will not see him tomorrow. This is the first day he has met me, so I will never see him again. 

[yamithediaperdork]

Two kinks, One love. (Soul eater)

Two Kinks one love

It was just after sun set, but in Death city two boys were about to engage in a very out of the norm date by any stretch of the imagination. They had run into each other while out and about, indulging in their respective fetishes late one night and while both had been shocked, they had also quickly fallen hard for each other.

The first Boy was the son of Lord death, the slightly prissy but kind hearted Death the kid. he'd been wearing his favorite black dress which came down to just above his knees and had been wearing pantyhose too of course, like a proper lady. Black high highs that he could run in without pause and a black purse, his make up had been spot on and he looked fabulous and knew it. It was the worst kept secret that the son of lord death was a trap, but most people just pretended not to notice because either they didn't care, thought he was MUCH nicer in girlie mode or well, who wants to piss him off? The second boy was in a small group of those who didn't know Kid prefer to be a sexy trap, though that was because he was busy with his only little fetish wear love. He was Black star, a legend in the making (if you listened to him) And he was also a goo goo gaga big baby. The night they met he'd been going on a waddle of shame and had been in 3 thick diapers that puffed out the crotch and butt of his black diaper shirt and blue short-all's (that of course, had his trademark sign on the front pocket.) He'd also been sporting blue sneakers with black laces that lit up in the back as he went for his once around the block waddle of shame and it had been by chance (or maybe fate) that the two had stumbled onto each other.

Black had been rounding the corner, after almost going into a late night shop for ice cream but then recalling he had left his wallet at home so no one could id him. (Silly when you consider how well he stood out and his instance on making sure everyone knew him..but it was a well know fact putting diapers on a big baby reduces logic by 40 percent.)  In any case, he knew his store credit was tapped out and decided to call it a night. looking back at the shop he wasn't paying attention to where he was going and bumped into a pretty lady sending them both down to the ground. "Oh Gosh! I-I'm Sorry!" Black whined, trying to scamper but but the bulk around his hips made that a bit harder then normal.  "I wasn't paying attention to where I was.." And Black trailed off as he looked down and recognized in a instant the face of the 'lady' he had bumped into, Kid! "heh..It's ok Little guy." Kid said, eyes narrowing in on the padded crotch. "Little boys like you shouldn't be out here along. where's your mommy?" Black gulped BIG time at that, He had always loved the idea of having a mommy for his diaper adventures but was gay as could be..and suddenly a obvious solution he had never thought of had just bumped into him.

Kid himself had been soaking in the semi attention and had let his gaze drift, looking at a dress on display in a store shop window and so had been just as responsible for the collision as the little guy. Looking up and seeing Black dressed like a over sized un-potty trained toddler Kid almost had little hearts in his eyes. if there was one thing he loved more then being a hot little trap walking the town.. it was being a good mommy dom. Sadly his picks for big babies in the city had been limited to Liz Thompson due to her cry baby ways. it wasn't that the older Thompson didn't make a good baby (she did, very much so) it was more that due to her doing it by request not want she could be difficult at times. But here in front of him dressed perfectly on his own free will.. Meow~ "well, I asked you a question little star~" Kid said getting up and smiling ear to eye and then dusting Black off first then himself. "I..I don't..have..a mommy..Miss Kid" Black said, blushing and poking two fingers together. "Do you want one?" Kid asked and winked. "YESH! I-I Mean..if that's ok with yo-" And Black was silenced as Kid kissed the baby on the lips.

From then on Black had been mommies little guy and despite some of the challenges involved (read: Black's mega poopie diapers) neither of them had looked back on it, and while they both wanted it to be a more 24/7 thing they both knew realistically with their duties and responsibilities that just wasn't possible. Besides, while Kid was more or less out in the open, Black was mostly unknown as a public diaper boy having kept his adventure to around his block. He wasn't ready for EVERYONE to know his favorite place to make boom boom was in the seat of his pants.

But tonight was date night, and it was Kid's turn to host. truthfully either place would of done for their in house date nights butttt Black's place had a funk to it that wasn't from the diaper pail the big baby maintained and more from his poor cleaning habits. Kid had taken the guest room of his place and turned it into any big baby boys dream nursery (and Black had been clear, he was a baby BOY..Mommy might be able to pull a dress off but not him.) and held out hope that one of these days Black would finally take him up on the offer to move in. Their friends knew they were dating of course (just not all the fun details) so it wasn't like that was holding them back. Kid was jolted out of that train of thought as his door bell rang and before he went to answer it he stopped and checked his reflection in a full body mirror. He had gone with a stepford house wife dress for tonight, reaching down past his knees and in a white with pink floral print on it and had a white apron on over it. he was wearing a pair of white socks tugged up high and a pair of pink flat heels and have a pair of pearl earrings in. a light bit of make up was on, some eye linger, lipstick and blush, and he smiled at his reflection and blew a little kiss as the doorbell rang again. "Best not keep the baby waiting darling." he scolded himself and walked to the door with a soft clip clap from his shoes on the hard wood floor. answering the door Kid was a little disappointed (though not shocked) to see that Black had come over in jean's and a t-shirt, though he'd brought his 'diaper' bag so to speak and had it slung over a shoulder. it was of course really just a tote bag but Kid made sure to refer to it as such as while he had loads of supplies, he made sure that Black would bring his own ba-ba and first diaper(s) to help him get used to carrying his baby gear around in public. (and maybe just a tiny bit to try and drive home if Black lived with kid, he wouldn't have to lug the stuff around) "There's my little guy~" Kid coo'ed and smiled, loving how bright the boys cheeks lit up when he was the one dressed like a 50's house wife. Standing to the side he gestured for Black to come in. "well come on, are you gonna stand there and squirm looking at mommy till you have a accident or come in and get di-" Kid started but Black let out a soft yelp and dashed in the house. "..works every time." Kid chuckled and waved to a neighbor who had been watching with quiet amusement then shut the door.

Black was squirming and huffy as he waited for mommy in the living room, having made sure to slid his sneakers off. "I wish you wouldn't do that." he sulked as mommy came into view. That wasn't exactly the strictest of truths.. he didn't wanna be a outed big baby but mommies teasing had a small part of him all excited "Mhmmm.. I know you hate it sooo much.." Kid teased and eyed the front of Black's tight pants that gave him away. "Come on little man, let's get you in a nice thick diapie before you piddle all over mommies floor again." Kid coo'ed and coming in close, tickled onto Black's chin and made the boy squirm and giggle even as he tried to huff. "Mommmmmmyyyy! that was ONE time!" He whined, hating/loving how small and little Kid could make him feel with a few well chosen words and just a chin tickle. "And that one time too many. Come along now." Kid coo'ed and gently took the little guy by the wrist, leading him to the nursery.  "Did you pack one of your super thick diapies like a good boy? or does mommies have to use one of the ones we have here?" Black whined and squirmed. he had SORTA kinda maybe been trying to just bring thin diapers over here..not because he wanted thin but well mommy had SO many thick ones here and he only had about 5 left and was trying to save his. Sadly for the little rascal mommy had figured him out and loved to tease. "I uh..well..see.." Black started up. "That's what i thought. you know, not to beat a dead horse but if you moved in you could have ALL the massive diapies you could want little man. I'll order anther pack and have them ship it to your place tomorrow though. just food for thought." Black star nodded and just let mommy take control, knowing that mommy knew best.

The nursery had baby blue walls with some silly chibi ninja's painted on them here and there fighting chibi monsters and the floor was covered with a plush cream white rug so if the baby lost his balance he wouldn't hurt his tush on the floor. (Of course with the thickness o0f Black's diapers it wasn't likely to happen but hey, Kid paid for all of this so he was allowed to justify it as he saw fit.) there was a wooden crib that had been made to order so could handle a bigger babies weight and left the little guy lots of room to play in by one wall, and it had been painted light black by black's request. (the little guy had wanted to help paint it but Kid had foreseen the mess THAT would of ended with and had told a little fib that the builders insisted on painting it themselves.) there was a cream white colored changing table, again made to order and had a black cushioned top those the cover was waterproof and made for easy clean up in the event of leaks. It also had a set of drawers on the side that held the different baby powders, rash creams and of course diapers that Kid's big baby had picked out one night in Kid's lap squealing and giggling. 'I'm gonna make him a spoiled rotten brat.' Kid mused briefly. 'ah well..he'll be MY spoiled rotten brat.' Adding to the spoiled brat theory was the MASSIVE toy chest that even as big as it was couldn't be fully shut from just how many toys little Black had, and there was a shelf built on a wall filled with nursery tale and story tale books. Of course one of the most important parts of the nursery had actually been the cheapest..it was a large metal diaper pail that Kid had stenciled 'BLACK STAR'  onto and helped keep his little man's nursery smelling like baby powder and love instead of poopie diapers.

"You strip down like a good boy sweetie while mommy goes and picks out something adorable for you to wear..unless you wanna just go in your diapies tonight." Kid said and smirked. "IIIII um..yeah..just diapies sounds good ta me..we're gonna eat soon anyways and then you'll hafa just strip me down after anyways mommy." "oh how true! such a clever baby I have!" Kid coo'ed and more chin tickles. "I guess i can help the silly big baby strip then." Black squirmed and nodded, and then just relaxed and followed orders as Mommy would tell him to raise his arms or the like while 'she' got him undressed, getting him down to his his little ghoulies briefs.(Little Ghoulies of course being Black's favorite toddler show) "oh my.. Somebody either been having accidents or just isn't very good at wiping!" Kid teased, clicking his touge as he looked at the large brown stains in the back of the undies. "and I JUST got these for you last week little man." "S-Sorry Mommy. I um..I just.. I had some not farts an-" Black mewed and pointed his index fingers together. "Shhh it's ok. I knew what I was getting into when I brought a big baby big kid undies. though maybe we better start looking into some pull ups for when your playing big boy." Kid coo'ed and kissed Black's cheek, making him tent out his briefs and shushing any argument, at least for the moment. hooking his thumbs in the waist band he tugged the undies down with one smooth practiced monition and then took a step back and clapped his hands and gestured towards his widdle boy. "Come on, walk out of your stinky undies and over to mommy~" "Yesh mama.." Black gurgled and Kid almost melted as he did so, with arms outstretched. 'it's official. i am the god damn luckiest mommydom trap in the world.' Kid mentally gushed and then helped the big baby up onto the changing table. sure the little guy smelled a little and had a few poo stains on his cheeks, but Kid figured with them having a whole night together he could just give the little guy a bath after din din. "Nowww what kinda diaper does my widdle guy want on, aside from thick. Baby blocks? Space ships? zoo print?" Kid asked tickling Black's tummy and black giggled and coo'ed. "Ummm All three!" he said and giggled more. "oh, somebody want to crawl tonight hmmm? Maybe after your bath sweetie. for now we'll go with baby blocks." Kid chuckled. "Awwww..dun want a bath! I smell nice and sweet!" Black pouted and then to prove his point raised his left arm up and took a whiff of his pit..and coughed.  "Then again..Mommy knows best." "mmmhmm. and don't you forget it~" Kid chuckled.

With baby black padded and a sucking on a white mouth guard paci that was attached to a black cord hanging around his neck (kid couldn't very well use a shirt clip if the little guy wasn't gonna wear a shirt after all.) he helped the baby down and then got out five toys for black to play with, though they were Black's choice as Kid would pick them out one at a time and hold them up for a head nod or shake. Black meanwhile suckled away and enjoyed the sight of mommy's butt when he bent over, sometimes mommies dress would ride up a little and ALMOST maybe give a peek at what kinda panties he was wearing. It didn't really bug Black that while Kid saw him naked and in his 'undies' most of the time, Black could count on one hand the amount of times he'd seen Kid's Bra and panties. that just wasn't the kinda relationship they had, though then did find ways to make love in their own fashion. Finally picking out a stuffed bear in a tux, a green and purple dragon stuffie, a stereo type bed-sheet ghost stuffie, a teddy in a suit of armor and finally a tiger stuffie he started to play with them, mumbling around his paci and making drool go down his chin. Kid watched mentally gushing and while he wished he could hear the cute little adventure that was being played out as Black loved to narrate, it was worth it to hear him mumbling around his paci. he could of stood there watching for hours honestly but the front door rang and he sighed, why of ALL the nights had his usual delivery place had to of lived up to it's 30 minutes or under delivery time? "Din din's here buddy, can you put your toys away and come meet mommy in the kitchen while he goes and pays?" Kid asked, patting Blacks head. Black whined a little and mumbled something, then sighed like ALL of the worlds problems were on him and nodded.

getting to the front door Kid opened it without checking and found himself looking face to face with soul. "Alright ma'am i got a order of...of..Kid?! Kid is that you?!" Soul asked, being anther one of the rare people not to know about the trap. "uh..yeah.. " kid said and blushed then smiled. "anyways, my order?" "I..oh wow. heh. I didn't know you and black were this kinky! wait, is he a little sissy too?" soul asked. "I believe it's none of your business. now can you ple-" Kid started, but then a loud "MOMMY! I SLIPPED COME KISS MY BOO BOO'S BETTER !!" was heard from the living room and Kid facepalmed while soul laughed. "you know what, I think i got a pretty good idea.. Mommy." Soul chuckled, and took the money he was offered for the food and tipped the hat of his delivery uniform. "You and your widdle one have a good supper Ma'am." he said and then took off. "..Hoo boy..this isn't gonna be fun to explain." Kid thought as he closed the door.

The end.

[imanativeofswlondondahling]

Becoming A Stark? (16)- Peter Parker x Stark! femReader

Word Count: 1828

Warnings: Swearing, that should be all I’m pretty sure

Author’s Note: Something has been up with my taglist but I think I fixed it, so make sure you’ve caught up on the past chapters before this. Also if you want to be added to future tags, let me know! 

Chapter One || Previous Chapter || Master List 

You saw it trending on Twitter the next morning. Delmar’s had caught fire when someone robbed a bank across the street the night before. Apparently Mr. Delmar and Murph were ok, thanks to our Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. But Delmar’s destroyed? This was basically the end of your existence until it was fixed. “My. Life. Is. Over.” You dramatically say before laying your head to rest on the table next to the stack of pancakes Pepper had placed on the table.

“Ok, Tony Jr., why is your life over?” Tony hears Pepper tease you as he comes down the stairs.

“Delmar’s was destroyed.”

“You’re giving her syrup and no green juice? This has to be fixed.” Tony says, ignoring the statement that came out of your mouth.

“I stand corrected, now my life is now over.” You don’t really mind the green juice all that much, but on a day like today you don’t have time for celery, apple and kale juice when the best sandwich shop in Queens is gone. “Dad, you have to fix it. This is an Iron Man level problem.”

Those words make Tony pause and look at his teenage daughter. You’ve never said anything is an Iron Man level problem before. “What am I missing here?” Tony glances at Pepper.

“Her favorite sandwich shop was destroyed last night.”

“My life is over until it’s fixed.”

“That sounds more like a Tony Stark could fix it problem than an Iron Man problem.”

“Well Iron Man could talk to Spider-Man and see why he couldn’t stop the bad guys from exploding it? Like what does Spider-Man have against Delmar’s?” Your hands throw dramatically outward as if they don’t understand why someone who is supposed to save the neighborhood would destroy a local legend.

“I don’t think Spider-Man hates Delmar’s. It was probably an accident.” He watches as you pull out your phone and snapchat one of the most dejected faces he’s ever seen you make. “Who are you messaging?” He can’t help but ask.

“Peter. He’s probably just as upset as I am. He loves that place.”

“Oh you have no idea kiddo.”

“Oh one more thing. Can I stay home from school?” You look up at your dad, pulling what you hope looks like puppy dog eyes.

“You don’t seem that upset, but let me hear your best reasons why you should be allowed to stay home.”

“Because I’m facing personal trauma?” You suggest and Tony stares at you for a moment before you admit, “Ok so it’s the Captain America Fitness Challenge in gym today and I reallllllllllllllly don’t want to do it.”

“I’m sorry, the what now?”

“The Captain America Fitness Challenge. It’s required by the state, but they named it before the Accords happened.” You still don’t fully know what happened, but you haven’t seen Steve since Germany so it can’t have been good. 

“No child of mine is participating-”

“You’re going to school. It’s just a fitness test.” Pepper cuts in. “If however your blood sugar isn’t in range during gym then go to the nurse. But do not do stuff to force it to fall.” She raises an eyebrow at you, knowing that being a child of Tony’s there was a chance you would do whatever it took to get out of it.

“And I’ll see you the day after tomorrow when I get back from India ok kiddo?”

“Why India?”

“People to see, things to do.” Your dad says as he kisses your head. “If it were up to me, there would be no Captain America anything.” He whispers to you and you smile. “Now eat your breakfast while I get you the healthier part of your breakfast.”

“Dad, I don’t have to have a green juice every morning.”

“The green juice is mandatory. The pancakes are optional.” You roll your eyes at your dad. 

“You guys are all invited tonight. My parents are going to be gone, but said we can have some fun. Plus Ned told us during gym that Peter knows Spider-Man from the Stark Internship, so Spider-Man might show up.” You almost choke on the sunbutter and jelly sandwich Pepper made you. 

“I’m sorry, you know Spider-Man from your internship with my dad?” Your eyes fall on Peter.

“Your dad told me not to mention it.”

“So you brought it up during gym class?” 

“Technically Ned did.” Peter says. Looking at your face he sees hints of betrayal and hurt etching your features. But the biggest image is the image of Tony in your features. Tony made him promise not to connect you and Spider-Man. “Y/N-”

“Have fun at the party with Spider-Man.” You throw your food back in your lunch box. “I forgot I need to take care of something.” You push away from the lunch table. So many thoughts are running through your mind. Why would your dad introduce Peter to Spider-Man and not you? He had introduced you to so many of the Avengers before everything went to shit. So why was Spider-Man any different? And now Peter and Spider-Man were good enough friends that he was willing to come to a high school party? You turn the corner to go to the library. You could at least hide there until the end of the lunch period. Now you have to deal with the stupid Captain America Fitness Challenge and this stupid Spider-Man bullshit.

Y: so you introduced peter to spider-man? 

T: Who’s saying I did?

Y: clearly peter. told a whole group of people that his friend spider-man, that he met through his internship with you, would come to a party tonight

Tony runs a hand through his hair. What is Peter doing? The whole point of having a secret identity is not to be telling kids you were going to be showing up at a party. Does he think he’s a show pony now? Because that is the last thing that the Avengers are.

T: So SM is a party trick now?

PP: y/n texted you

T: she seems to be pretty upset that I introduced you to SM before my own kid

PP: i can’t explain everything to her, so it was the easiest explanation.

Your dad clearly isn’t going to respond, so instead you reach out to a number that hasn’t contacted you in nearly two months. But hopefully, she doesn’t let you down.

Y: sos-are you in the city by chance? 

N: You’re not trying to turn me in are you?

Y: i need someone to come rescue me from a really shit day at school.

N: I can be there in 30.

“So you wanna tell me why I’m kidnapping you?” Natasha asks as she walks you out of school after signing you out for the day.

“You’re on my list of people allowed to pick me up from school. So it’s not kidnapping. It’s a recovery mission.” You quote her words from your first few days living with your father. 

“I see I taught you well.” Natasha smiles as you get into the black four door with her. “Where to?”

“Anywhere but here.” You answer honestly. “Where have you been?”

“Here and there. Been hiding for the most part.”

“Hiding from what?”

“People that don’t want me to be running around.”

“Is that why you’re blonde now?”

“One of the reasons. Do you not like it?”

“I like the red better.” You look out the window as she drives towards Manhattan. “Are you with Steve?”

“It’s probably better if I don’t say. Your dad and Steve aren’t on the best feet right now.”

“I could give a rat’s ass about what Daddy Dearest thinks.”

“I thought you and your dad were getting along. Literally all the conversations I had with him before I split off, he couldn’t stop mentioning you.”

“He’s part of the reason I left school today. That and the Captain America Fitness Challenge.”

“You didn’t want to take the Fitness Test?”

“Some of us are just normal humans, remember?”

“So am I.” Natasha turns onto a side street. 

“Yeah, but you’re a trained assassin. You could take and pass the fitness test with ease.”

“What happened with your dad?” Natasha changes the subject without acknowledging what you said about the fitness test.

“It’s stupid.” You cross your arms.

“Not stupid if it upset you.”

“You know the Spider-Man that’s been running around Queens?”

“Yeah.”

“My dad introduced him to his intern but won’t introduce him to me. Apparently his intern has met him enough times that Spider-Man is willing to stop by a party that one of our friends is throwing. And when I tried to talk to my dad about it, he just stopped responding like that would make it better.”

“Did you think that maybe your dad had reasons other than being mean or something like that for why he wouldn’t want you near another superhero?”

“Like what?”

“He feels like he puts you in danger all the time. Another superhero, more danger. That was the whole point of the Accords was keeping us in check. Keeping the normal,” She motions towards you, “people safe. So maybe he was hesitant to bring yet another superhero into your life, especially after a huge group of us superheroes went rogue on him. He loves you. He would literally do anything for you.”

“He wouldn’t let me skip the fitness challenge this morning.”

“He wasn’t going to let you skip school. To be honest maybe I shouldn’t have let you either, but I miss you.” 

“I miss you too Aunt Nat.” The words slip from your mouth before you can stop them. “You should come home.”

“I can’t until the Accords get sorted out. I’m considered a criminal right now.”

“Can we go to the compound? Just hang out there.”

“Your father will have a heart attack if you’re not home in two hours which is how long it will take to drive there.”

“I think he’s supposed to be leaving for an event out of town. A wedding or some other event out of the country. I just have to text Happy that I don’t need a ride.”

“Get the approval that I don’t have to take you home in the next couple hours and we can go hang out at the compound.” You can’t help but smile as you text Happy, saying that you are going to Betty’s house after school and a party at Liz’s that night so you won’t be home until the next day. He offers to pick you up, but you say you’ll be fine getting a ride home. “We’re all good.”

“And Tony won’t be at the compound right?”

“He’s heading to India for a wedding or a corporate event of some kind.”

“Then it looks like a girls night at the compound is what we’re going to do.” Natasha turns to leave the city and you feel your heart getting a little lighter.

Becoming A Stark Tag list: @persephonehemingway​   @iamaunicorn4704​   @furiouspockettoad​  @daughter-of-stark​  @eternalharry​  @huntective-kyeo​ @riiis-stuff​ @sunnyoongles @cosmicqueenieb​ @sovereignparker​ @bbarnestan​@teenwishes08 @iamthescarlettwitch​ @skyfallstilinski @cutie1365​

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[smolcobie]

Just Work | Kim Mingyu

Summary: After a virus threatens the existence of the human race, you’re forced to work with the mysterious and famous agent black, Mingyu, to save the world. Your biggest philosophy’s that nothing is above your job, but the relationship that arises between you makes you wonder: Is this just work? 

Word Count: 9.1k (it’s worth it, I promise you.)

Warnings and genre: Mingyu SecretAgent!au | violence | suggestive | heavy making out | romance | Potential end of the world.

Feats: Vernon, Woozi, Minghao, Wonwoo, Jun and Seungcheol.

AGENT LIZ, RED CODE.

The message shines in your eyes making you stop your training kicks and punches. After 30 seconds the message faded away, making you sigh. "Another mission, Y/N..." Although you were working for more than 4 years in the MI6 Agency, you still weren't familiarized with this high-quality technology.

You were recruited by accident, you always wanted to be a Cop but it happened that your IQ was way above the average, so MI6 contacted you and trained you until you became one of their best agents.

Your whole physique shivered when you read the last sentence. RED CODE.

There were only 2 times a RED CODE existed, and it was during a terrorist attack and today, so you knew that it was more than a serious matter. It was deadly serious.

You take off your gloves leaving the training room, walking to the central. You don't care about the little drops of sweat on your forehead since it's an emergency. As soon you enter the central you notice the heavy mood-setting there when you analyze the faces of your boss and few colleagues.

"Liz, arrived early today." Agent Wonwoo smiled at you "I was already in the building spending my time in training, different from you that only cares about fooling around." Your ironic tone makes him laugh "Affectionate like always." He finishes your little conversation sitting in his chair.

Wonwoo was one of those agents that only work in this world of violence for fun and spends all his salary on girls and parties. He was a good agent, good looking, always resolves every case before the normal amount of time. He was a good weapon for the company, but everyone knew that the secret weapon was agent black. The one that only a few people got the honor to meet, and you can't help but wonder if he would appear now since it's a red code;

"Agent Lizard, thank you for joining us." Your boss (and legend) Mr.s Jack starts the reunion "Agents, it's the knowledge of you all that today we had a red code. It's been 19 years since we had one and honestly, I'm truly worried." It's the first time you heard something like this from your boss's mouth.

"We have 5 days, 120 hours to save the world from an unknown virus that could disintegrate most of the human race." "What?" Your voice cracks at the end of your sentence.

"We received the information about this mysterious virus called 1XJ. He's modified to adjust inside the body of the host modifying his nature for better results in strength, velocity, and sight. But if the body of the host rejects the virus it can kill a person in less than 24 hours." "How you got the information?" Agent Joshua asks and Mrs. Jack plays a video in front of our eyes "We received this video 10 minutes ago from an unknown source, it disappeared but our IT agents got a copy."

The video starts with a black background and a person with a white mask starts to speak with a robotic voice.

"In 5 days the humanity will face their evolution, only a few chosen humans will continue our procreation. The world will change forever, where the strong ones will build a new paradise and the weak are going to die. If you want to join our cause, prepare yourselves to the final condemnation."

And the video stops. It was offensive to the eye watching such a psychopath thinking he could play with all humanity like some kind of god.

"We are going to send all of you in different missions to solve this problem. Agents this is the future of humanity, don't forget that." She says and you feel sad for a moment "You're all dismissed."

Everyone gets up while Mrs. Jack calls you "Agent Lizard, come to my office."

You follow her feeling anxious for some reason that you couldn't comprehend.

You both enter the spacious white room as she closes the door sitting in front of you resting her hands in the glass table.

"Agent Liz, I need to speak with you."

"Say it, boss." You sit and she sighs.

"I have a special mission for you." "What is it?" She places a confidential document in the table "Read it."

You open the document feeling confused.

"I don't understand, these are dates and mission notes from another agent."

"It's from our agent Vernon, he's wanted all around the world for betrayal." "Why?" "He actually had a mission to verify a mysterious lab from China but he never came back, and another source said he was alive working on some virus and then we received that video."

You are speechless. "You believe the guy in that video is him?" "I don't think is him in the video, but we have our suspicions since he worked in the IT section, but we can't affirm that so that's why I want you to investigate this."

You feel a heavyweight in your shoulders "Why me? You could call Wonwoo." "Unfortunately, he's very known out there, but you're our chameleon no one knows you."

You sigh "It's too dangerous for me to go alone, this is the potential end of the world." Your boss smiles "You're not going alone, I'm scaling someone who can work with you in this special mission."

"Who?" "Agent Black."

A shiver runs down your spine.

"Are you serious? The famous agent black?" "Yes, he already comprehends the situation and you both will start tomorrow."

"I guess I can't say no, right?" "Unless you're not worried about the future of humanity." You take the document and sighs "I accept this mission." "Good to work with you agent, you'll meet Agent Black in our secret district in China in a few hours. A plane is waiting for you outside."

"What about my equipment?" "It's already in your plane. Just go now, you have a long day ahead." "Thank you, boss." "Liz, one more thing" you gulp watching her over your shoulders "Yes?" "Don't fail."

And the rest of the air you had left your mouth.

72 HOURS, 3 DAYS BEFORE THE END OF THE WORLD

After a few hours of travel, you arrived at the section in China. You spent hours reading the file over and over again trying to find any gap but you still couldn't understand why Vernon would do something like this.

"Welcome agent Liz in our district, you'll meet agent black soon. Follow us please." "Thank you." You feel a bit nervous about getting to know the famous agent a lot of people in the agency used to talk about.

You only heard rumors about how he works. No one ever got him in a camera, the rumors say he has a unique beauty, a velvet voice that could break the chief of mafia and make him confess their crimes, sweet eyes that hypnotize anyone and lips that could kill without any remorse.

He was powerful but only a few lucky people got to know him, and now one of them is you.

After following the man you entered the secret place built under the floor, he leads you to a big grey room with a big round table and white. "Wait here, the Agent black will arrive soon." The man said bowing making you sit thinking about everything.

"The world ending in 4 days... I can't believe this." You sighed but your attention got stolen from the new presence walking through the door "Hello agent Liz, I'm Agent Black." Your heart made a small clench at the sight of the handsome tall man. "It's my honor, agent." He approached you shaking your hand.

He was... very handsome. Tall, his voice was deeper than you expected but he kinda looked like he was tired. He was dressed formally and you felt a bit envy recognizing the classy clothes from prestigious brands while the clothes you bought were from the incredible sale Target made.

"So you're gonna be my partner? I'm surprised." He smirked sitting in front of you "I don't understand, agent." You eyed him confused "They never send women to work with me" He laughed "It's complicated because they always fall in love with me and compromise the case." You laugh through your nose "Well you don't have to worry about that agent, you're not my type."

You smirk feeling proud of such a lie.

He was totally your type, but being a secret agent means that a normal relationship is not something you would achieve easily. You could die and make the person dangerous any time while working, so you never stopped to think about things like that.

The man in front of you smiled and you looked down to your own file siding it to him so he could take a look. "We're going to start looking for this agent." He viewed the papers furrowing his brows "They think Vernon is behind all of this?" "Yes." "I don't think so." He sighed "It's so obvious, he went missing and people think he's a traitor. It's so classical, I've seen this before."

He said and you smiled "I'm happy I wasn't crazy for thinking this was so weird. I met him, he could never work for something like this, he was the kind of agent that preferred to be working in his computers inside the building instead of going to the field."

Mingyu laughed "He was a good man then." "He isn't dead yet, let's find him first." You got up and he stared at you smirking "You said exactly my thoughts." You sighed "You have any idea where to start looking for him?" "Yes, I have a special contact here in China. Just follow me." "Where are we going?" He got up adjusting his suit "We're going to the center of Hong Kong."

*

"So where are you from?" He asked you breaking the silence while you stopped at the red light during the traffic "I thought secret agents couldn't talk about personal things." The man beside you smirked "Ah... I can see now, you're one of these agents." You turned angrily "What's that supposed to mean?" He laughed.

"You're one of those who don't actually live, just exist for this job." You scoffed "And you don't?" He looked at you briefly before starting the car "I'll let you discover for yourself why I'm the best agent here." He smirked and you rolled your eyes.

You stayed in silence during the rest of the drive. "It's here." You arrived at the place going out of the car walking into a small building that looked abandoned. He jumped the metal fence adorning the place and you followed him.

He stopped in front of a metal door knocking 3 times before a funny guy opened just a small gap asking "What's the password?" "Redbird." The boy widened his eyes opening the door quickly "Come on in, fast." You walked in fast and he closed the door locking everything.

"Mingyu, are you sure it's redbird?" You looked at the agent widening his eyes "Yes Minghao, I'm sure and you just exposed myself." The boy looked at you smiling embarrassedly "Sorry man, I was so shocked." You laughed "Nice name, agent." You grinned "Now you tell me yours." You smirked "If I told you my name, I would have to kill after." He laughed and turned to the boy in front of you.

"Minghao, we need your help. We're looking for a missing agent." The boy put some glasses and walked to his computer. The building was totally different inside, it was way more technological. "Tell me where he was working." "He was uncovered in Tai Wai." You said and got a closer look "Do you know the last place he was seen after he went missing?"

"Mei Tin road." "Okay give me some minutes." The boy that tapped fast on the keyboard impressing you with his ability, he was even better than the people that worked in the MI6.

"He's great right?" Mingyu approached you whispering in your ear sending shivers down your arms "Yes, he's even better than the people in our agency." You whispered back not looking into his eyes "How you met him?" "I saved him." He simply said and you turned to him that was smiling weakly.

"He went missing, the police archived the case and I found him after working in a case about the most wanted drug dealer in Hong Kong." You looked at him impressed "They kidnapped him, and were using his hacker's abilities to send drugs over all China." He sighed "I found the location and arrested the dealer and his men, but Minghao was already presumed dead so I helped him start over here working for me personally. I pay him and everything."

"And isn't it dangerous for him to be here alone?" The man just smirked "He's totally safe here, he's protected by at least 10 secret agents and he's very good in Kung Fu, so he's way better than us." You smiled "I'm happy he's safe here." "Me too, he's like a small brother for me."

To say you were shocked was an understatement, you never thought the great and famous Agent Black was this affectionate towards people.

"Guys I think I found it." Minghao said capturing your attention "Is this the man?" You looked at the images of one small security camera got "Yes..." Vernon was kidnapped just like you expected "I knew something was wrong." You said "It's been 1 month and 2 weeks, he could be dead by now." Minghao sighed and Mingyu smirked "He isn't dead."

"How do you know it?" "I know who captured him, I recognize this van right here." He pointed at the screen and you sighed "So let's go find him now." "Calm down, it's not what you're thinking." He grabbed your arm "Minghao search any formal parties from Wen Junhui." The boy obeyed smiling "You're lucky, he's holding a party tonight." Mingyu smiled at you "I hope you have a nice dress because we're going to a party tonight."

"I can't believe I have to do makeup in a situation of red code." You sighed adjusting your eyelashes "It's the needs of our profession." Mingyu tried to tight his tie "Argh, it's so hard." You looked at him laughing "So the famous Agent Black doesn't even know how to fold a tie." You approach him helping him. You swear you could almost see a small blush in his face "Thank you." He said looking away "Let's go?"

"Yes." You sigh and follow him.

"Minghao thank you for everything." You say bowing to the boy that smiles "It's nothing, it was my pleasure." "Let's go sweet, today you're going to be my girlfriend." Mingyu smirks making you blush slightly "Shut up, let's go." "Bye bro, see you." Mingyu ruffles Minghao's hair and grabs your arm.

You enter the car feeling weird, this mission was nothing like you had imagined.

"How do you know the man that captured Vernon?" You ask putting your seat belt "I'm close to him. In China he's a famous mogul, it's hard to not know Wen Junhui." You eyed him suspiciously "How are you close to the man that literally kidnapped our agent?" "Because he's an agent too, his favorite thing is to capture other agents to work for him for some time." He sighs "He's such a jerk."

"Why don't you arrest him?" He looked at you laughing "Well if you want to be killed or wanted by all agents of China you can do it." Your jaw dropped "Are you telling me that..." "Yes, he's the boss of the secret agency CHN, the official agency of China." "I can't believe this." You sighed in disbelief

"But the thing with Jun, is that he doesn't kill the agents he captures, he just uses them for his purposes." "You think he's the one that wants to kill humanity?" Mingyu laughs at you "Definitely no, if you want to get to know Jun you need to understand 2 things."

"What is it?" "He loves to party and he never misses the opportunity to meet new beautiful agents" He looked at you "Like you." A blush creeps out from your neck to your cheeks, you tried to hide but Mingyu noticed smiling "You're cute." He blurts out and you look at him hitting his shoulder "Ouch! That hurts!"

"Stop joking around we need to focus on our job." He laughs "Okay, madame." You looked at the huge mansion you parked nearby "We just arrived, lady." Mingyu said going out of his car and you felt nervous.

All those years of training and yet you couldn't feel prepared to act like you're his girlfriend.

"Just to you know, Jun will definitely try to impress you with something, but you're my girlfriend for now and we can't let him know about that." He says crossing arms with you "Okay."

You both enter the jaw-dropping place. The lobby was decorated with fine gold fabrics, a huge crystal chandelier in the center, live music and lots of food. People had a unique formality, they were rich people indeed.

"This is so far from my reality." The man next to you laughs "I knew if I told you Jun makes parties like this every week you'd be shocked." Beautiful women around looking at Mingyu was something you expected to see but not so blatant like they were doing. The women there were practically eating him with their eyes.

"Kim Mingyu, what a surprise." A nice man approaches greeting you both and eyeing you from your head to toe "Jun, partying as always." Mingyu smirked quickly "And who's this beautiful lady?" Jun smiles at you "I'm Liz," "My girlfriend." He completed the sentence before you and Jun smiled.

You definitely were surprised at how young and handsome he was.

"I'm impressed at you Mingyu, I didn't expect such a goddess would actually put up with you and your hassles." Mingyu's expression hardened as he slid his arms to grip in your waist "He's not that bad." You smiled softly and Jun snorted "This is good, I hope you enjoy my party. You'll be always welcomed here miss Liz, even when you break up with him."

He smiled and turned around walking out of your presence. Mingyu's hands were red with the force his fists made to stay in place. "It's okay, let's go Mingyu." You said softly his name and he liked being called by his real name for the first time.

"So now that he's gone, let's have some look around here." You said and he agreed "Don't go too far." Mingyu said in your ear making you nervous breaking the touch he had over your waist.

You decided to walk around after picking up some champagne looking around. You noticed quickly that there were a lot of security guards but specifically around this dark corner where people didn't get close. The ceiling had no cameras so you smiled to yourself already making a plan in your head when your thoughts were stopped by Jun.

"Miss Liz, already alone? As I expected Mingyu doesn't know how to value good women." He smiled and you sighed "Mrs. Jun, I'm just looking around since I'm fascinated by this incredible mansion." The man slid a hand through his black hair smirking "Are you into architecture?"

"Just a bit." You smiled and he touched your cheek slightly "I'm sure you would love the architecture around my room." You gently took his hand off "Mrs. Jun I don't think you understood the part that I'm compromised with Mingyu." He grinned "You don't need to pretend with me, any woman wouldn't date him knowing who he is truly... unless" He eyed you suspiciously "Unless?" He approached you smiling "Unless you know who he truly is in real life."

You smirked "Maybe I'm special." The man approached your face "So you know about his failed mission 127." You widened your eyes and Jun snorted "Oh, so you don't know about that..." "What are you talking about?" He looked at you drinking his champagne "Miss Liz I see that you really care about him, so I'll let you discover by yourself." He kissed the top of your hand and walked out again.

You felt nervous but Mingyu pulled you close "You okay?" He looked at you with a caring look and you just sighed "Yeah, just tired of Jun." He smiled and took your hand.

The music was slow so the man looked down at you "Wanna dance?" "It's not time for us to dance." You scoffed feeling nervous because, to be honest, you didn't know how to dance that well "Don't be nervous, we'll dance to take a look at the place" He pulled you close by your waist "Okay."

You looked away putting your hands in his shoulders whilst he looked behind you "You noticed that dark corner right?" "Yeah, there are no cameras either." He smiled "That's great." "I think we should make a plan." He suddenly grabbed your leg bowing your body "I have the perfect plan" his breath fanned your face and your hands slide around his neck "Tell me" he pulled you up "You're going there and try to distract the security, I'll knock them over." He whispered in your ear and you nodded "Okay, let's go."

You approached the corner as if you were looking for the bathroom, you searched briefly the lobby and saw no sign that you were being followed. The corner was dark enough to see, so you walked as if you were lost but quickly took the chance to evaluate the place. There was only 1 door at the end of the small dark corridor, and no cameras.

As you approached the door a voice caught your attention "Miss, you're not allowed here, this is private." A tall man with a black suit stared at you seriously and you looked at him innocently "Oh! I didn't know, I was looking for the bathroom" The man stayed in his place "Follow me, the bathroom is not here." You nodded but when he turned Mingyu knocked him out with his hands "Oh God, Mingyu behind you!" You ran to him and knocked the guy behind.

"Remember me to not fight with you " He commented smiling and you sighed “Let’s go, this door is suspiciously locked.” Mingyu nodded walking first and breaking the door that opened revealing a Dark Room, a PC and Vernon handcuffed.

“Liz? What are you doing here?” He looked at you shocked “I came to save you, and your career.” You untied the boy's knots while Mingyu closed the door pulling the man inside “Who are you?” Vernon stared confused at Mingyu and he smiled “Agent Black, nice to meet you.”

The boy widened his eyes looking at you “What is happening?” “It seems that the world is ending, and people think is because of you.” Vernon sighed stretching his arms and sighed “We need to get out of here, before Jun find us.” Mingyu nodded looking at the corridor seeing no signs of people.

“Liz, we need a suit for Vernon.” Mingyu looked at you smiling “What?” He asked and you just pointed to the security guard unconscious on the floor.

After a few minutes of stripping the guard and giving Vernon time to get dressed, you and Mingyu walked out first. “We’re going to distract Jun and you’ll get out of here got it?” You looked at Vernon that just agreed while Mingyu placed his strong arm around your waist.

You walked through the salon smiling and subtly looking around for Jun that was busy talking with some lady. Mingyu approached him slightly while you gave Vernon the sign to walk away “Oh? Is my favorite couple enjoying the party?” Jun smiled at you that just nodded smiling “Actually, we’re leaving but I loved it.” You answered before Mingyu while Jun smirked “I’m glad you liked it miss, you’re always welcome in my house.” He kissed the top of your hand while Mingyu rolled his eyes.

“Don’t worry Mingyu, I won’t steal her away.” He winked and said in Mingyu’s ear “Unless you don’t treat her good.” Mingyu just laughed through his nose and smirked “Don’t worry Jun, I’ll take care of her.” You felt your insides warm-up and just walked away with Mingyu.

Vernon was in the street pretending to talk with a Chinese lady while seeing you both enter a car in front of the building. “I need to go now, but it was my pleasure talking to you.” Vernon kissed the top of her hand running to the car that opened his door so he could enter “Oh my God, please tell me what’s happening.”  

“That’s a long story and we’ll talk soon.” Mingyu said and Vernon sighed in the back of the car.

***

“What is this place?” You entered the secret room of an abandoned building. The funny thing is that the room looked perfect and clean, nothing out of space “My secret home here in China.” He sat on the bed while Vernon gulped harshly the water from the filter that was stuck to the wall.

“So, let me understand one thing. I’m wanted for betrayal after getting kidnapped, the world is ending and you’re the famous agent black?” He looked at Mingyu that just nodded “We’re screwed.” He laughed sitting on the chair that was beside the bed “Why am I going to prison? I don’t understand.”

You sighed and explained the situation to Vernon from the beginning. “Okay, so they think I did this? This is ridiculous I was doing my job when I got kidnapped.” “I Know. I told our boss this didn’t make any sense so here we are.” You smiled weakly and crouched in front of the boy “We need to know everything you discovered, you’re our only chance to make this mission possible.”

“Look, before I got kidnapped, I was investigating a lab here but they didn’t have anything suspicious but they had someone interesting.” “Who?” Mingyu asked crossing his arms in front of his chest “I need a computer so I can show you.” You picked the laptop in a table next to you and gave it to him.

“While I was investigating this man, I discovered he was a scientist working on a strange virus that could be extremely dangerous.” He tapped fast on the computer and turned to show the face of the man “This is him. His name is Lee Jihoon, he wasn’t working on this alone. But when I was this close to discovering his boss, Jun kidnapped me.”

“Do you know where he is now? Or where he could be?” You asked and he nodded “Thankful to Jun, I could track him while I was there. He wanted me to hack security cameras and look for new agents so I know where he is today.” Mingyu smiled “Good job agent.” “Now if you excuse me, I’m going to take a shower because I stink.” Vernon smiled and locked himself inside the bathroom while you sighed walking to the small living room next to the room.

Since it was a closed building it didn’t have windows so there were large screens showing different scenarios “You like it?” Mingyu asked you and you sighed sitting on the sofa “It’s nice.” You commented resting your head against the sofa sighing “This is ridiculous, I can’t believe there’s this crazy guy who likes to think he’s some kind of god.” Mingyu sighed and sat beside you “I know right? This is crazy.”

“You know I was thinking…” You started a conversation looking at the green forest in the screen “About?” He looked at you tenderly “What if we fail? What if everyone dies in the end? I didn’t do much in this life.” You confessed feeling your chest tight “I lived for this job and I couldn’t say it was worth it. In the end, we’re going to die and I didn’t have a normal life like I always wanted.” You stared at him.

“I never told anyone this, but I just wanted to be a cop, have a nice house and travel to Hawaii on vacations like my friends from college.” He laughed a bit “I understand, I was like that too once.” “And now I don’t even know if we’re going to survive and I just realized… I lived nothing.” 

Mingyu smiled sadly at your confession “You wanna know my secret?” You nodded and he grabbed your hand caressing the top with his thumb “Do you feel this?” “Yes...” You were confused “You need to remember that you’re human. You have emotions, sensations… feelings.” He stared at you deeply “That’s my secret, even on missions I always like to remind myself that I’m not a machine. I need to live like a human, have friends, fun and try to enjoy every day.”

“What's the point to save humanity if you can't live and feel like a human?” You confessed feeling your throat dry “It’s not too late, you can make everything different.” He stared at you and you sighed “You spent all this time saving people so they could live, you can enjoy your life too. You deserve it.” He said lowly while you smiled “You could be a nice therapist if you weren’t a secret agent.”

He just giggled and ruffled the top of your head “Thanks Liz.” He answered and you felt the urge to open yourself for real “Y/N.” You said and he looked at you confused “What?” “Y/N. That’s my real name.” He grinned happily “That’s a beautiful name.” He squeezed your hand making your cheeks red “I know.” You boldly stated smirking.

“I’m out!” Vernon interrupted both of you “The bathroom is clean.” Mingyu smiled at you dropping your hand “I’m going to take a bath too. You can rest here.” You just nodded missing the warmth of his hand on yours.

You closed your eyes resting your head int the arm of the sofa while looking at the scenarios. The peace and the silence made you drowsy so you soon fell into a deep sleep without noticing.

* 

You woke up harshly by the sounds of something breaking and widened your eyes when you saw a man tied in the chair inside the room with his mouth taped. “What is this?” You looked behind you and saw Mingyu smirk “Sorry, you were sleeping so beautifully so Vernon and I kidnapped Jihoon.” You looked at the man that seemed afraid “The scientist?” “Yep.” Vernon appeared and took off the tape harshly “OUCH!”

The man complained “Who are you? What do you want from me?”

“We have a lot to talk, Mr Jihoon.” You crossed your arms “Do you know what is the 1XJ virus?” He widened his eyes “H-How did you…” Mingyu who had 0 patience kicked his chair “Answer the question.” The man just nodded sighing “Look I know what you’re thinking, that I made the virus to kill everyone but it’s a lie.” He started to explain “I was studying the way virus change and evolve but one agent made me work for him. He said if I didn’t pass to him my search, he would kill me, I had no choice!”

“Who forced you?” Vernon asked “I-I don’t know his name, but he’s Korean. He had black hair and was working with 2 agents, one from MI6 and the other from AIK.” You looked at each other “Do you know where they could be now?” “The only option I can think of is Paris, I remember they were saying something about Eiffel tower being the essential point.”

“What should we do to kill the virus, or stop this?” Mingyu asked and Jihoon smiled sadly “You can’t, the virus is immortal.” He said and you sighed “There’s no such thing, WE NEED SOMETHING OR ELSE WE’RE GOING TO DIE.” You screamed and the man trembled.

“OKAY! There’s only one cure.” He confessed “But it’s in the lab I worked, but they have incredible security there.” “I want the location and the name.” Mingyu grabbed the chair arms and stared at the man’s eye “It’s here in China, you have only one bottle. It’s a gold liquid if you mix them together the virus dies immediately.”

“We have a chance.” You looked happy at the boys that smiled “But we need to go to Paris, we can’t waste our time.” Mingyu said freeing the man “You’re coming with us.”

The man sighed relieved.

48 HOURS, 2 DAYS BEFORE THE END OF THE WORLD

“You got everything?” Mingyu spoke in the mic while Vernon used a computer inside the van “Yes, we have approximately 10 minutes to grab the liquid before their alarm and cameras work again.” “Perfect, Liz you ok?” “Yes.” You fixed your sexy dress while waiting for the sign to distract the security guard “Now!” Vernon said and you started to walk like you got lost.

You approached the man in the suit in front of the building “Hello? Do you speak English? I’m lost.” You said in a velvet voice showing your leg slightly while holding the end of your dress. The man just smirked looking at your figure “Yes, a bit.” He answered interested while Mingyu got inside the building through a window at the balcony “I was looking for a party you know? I think it’s a club, I-I don’t know the name.” You made a sad face while Mingyu smirked to himself.

“Never thought you could have such a façade.” He mumbled to himself while he followed the directions Jihoon gave through Vernon.

“Look lady, there’s no club here. I think you’re mistaken.” He said approaching you slightly “But we can go somewhere if you want.” He whispered staring at your cleavage shamelessly.

“8 minutes Mingyu.” Vernon warned the boy that was close to the vault “I’m almost there, I need the password.” Jihoon sighed “Oh no, I can’t remember clearly.”

“Man, we’re screwed.” Vernon mumbled while you tried to smile without punching the security face.

“Tell me your name, princess.” He touched your cheek and you almost puked right there “My name is Kate.” You touched his suit “And yours?”

“I NEED THE FUCKING PASSWORD VERNON?” Mingyu stared at the round door that had 5 cameras around filming it. “JIHOON?” Vernon looked at him that was scrunching his face “TRY 2019.” He said and Mingyu clicked but it was red.

“Still red.” Mingyu looked at the time. 5 MINUTES “SHIT 5 MINUTES JIHOON, C’MON.” He whispered nervously.

“My name is Yukhei, nice to meet you.” The security smiled looking at your face “So what’s the secret?” You said trying to communicate with the boys that were desperate “I don’t have any secrets, princess.” The security guard said sweetly and Mingyu snorted.

“If he says princess one more time, I’ll shoot him.” Mingyu said and you smiled at yourself.

“I REMEMBERED! TRY 1713.” Jihoon screamed at the mic making Mingyu wince at the sound.

“Damn, don’t need to scream like that.” He clicked the password until it got green. “Thank God it worked!” He sighed picking up the gray suitcase and replacing it for another. “1 MINUTE MINGYU! GET THE HELL OUT OF THERE!” Vernon screamed and Mingyu closed fast jumping out of the building.

“So… since you’re working now, I don’t want to trouble you sir, so here is my number.” You gave the security a paper with random numbers and your fake name “Call me anytime.” You winked and he smiled “I will.” You walked out of there sighing relieved.

After a few minutes, a black van stopped in front of you “Good job, Kate.” Vernon sarcastically said and you rolled your eyes “I don’t wanna talk about this ever again.” You mumbled angrily while Mingyu smirked beside you “Give me your number, Kate.” you just pushed him.

“Let’s go to Paris then.” Vernon said relieved and Jihoon panicked “Me too?” “Obviously, unless you want to die.” Mingyu stared at him that sighed.

*

“Me and Jihoon are going to find a particular plane for us, you guys watch the suitcase.” Mingyu nodded and you ran to the bathroom so you could take a bath and change to comfortable clothes. “Alright.” Mingyu said and put the suitcase on top of the table in his room.

He opened carefully seeing a small bottle with a yellow liquid. “I hope you work fine, I’m not ready to die yet.” He chuckled and closed the suitcase.

You walked out of the bathroom sighing happily with your clean face “I’m finally free.” You sat on top of the bed while Mingyu stared at you smirking “You’re a nice actress.” He smirked and you grinned rolling your eyes “It’s not like I have another choice, I’m a secret agent I need to be good at this.” Mingyu got up rolling his sleeves up showing the veins of his arms “You’re right. In the beginning, I was nervous too but I got good after a few missions.”

You looked at him smiling “You too? I thought you were always good at this…” You said without thinking and he grinned showing his full smile “I’m flattered but I had my hard moments too…” You remembered what Jun said about a 127 mission and asked him with the rest of the courage you had in you.

“Hey Mingyu… What happened in mission 127?” You asked directly making him stare at you failing his smile “Who told you about this mission?” “Jun.” He sighed and sat beside you running his hand through his hair.

“It happened last year. I had a partner, his name was Seungcheol.” He started speaking with a melancholic tone “Basically, our mission was to catch a killer wanted by INTERPOL, he was planning a terrorist attack in Korea.” “So, what happened?” Mingyu looked at you biting the insides of his cheek.

“We found his secret hiding on the roof of a building, he had the button to explode a bomb that would hit a huge building and kill everyone there.” He took a deep breath “So when we got there, Seungcheol fought him and broke the button, but the guy shot against me and that’s when he protected me.”

You could feel him getting emotional “Seungcheol stayed there, I ran after the man and I…” He looked away from you “Killed him.” He sighed “I never wanted to kill the guy, I wanted to make him pay for his crimes, but because of Seungcheol I lost my mind. I punched him so hard that he couldn’t resist it.” You touched his shoulder and he looked at you “I’m not the great guy everyone says.” He felt his eyes water but quickly winked.

“It’s not your fault, I’d have done the same thing as you.” You stared at him “You’re just… human.” He smiled sadly closing his eyes “After that, Seungcheol didn’t resist, his doctor said that his last words were: Live a good life, Mingyu.” “And you started to live properly.” You completed his sentence and he nodded “Yes, I started to live like he wanted me too. In the end, he was right.” He stared at you “That’s why I’m telling you, don’t waste your life.”

You just smiled touching his cheek caressing a little “Well, we have 2 days before the world ends, I don’t have a choice, right?” He grabbed your wrist kissing slightly “Good choice.” He whispered pulling you towards him, his breath fanning your face and your eyes closing but unfortunately got interrupted by Vernon and Jihoon entering the house.

Mingyu got up sliding his hand through his hair while you sighed adverting your eyes.

“So, I found our plane. Are you guys ready to speak French?” Vernon entered the room looking at you smirking “What’s with this mood? Did I interrupt something?” He wiggled his eyebrows and you just smiled “Shut up Vernon, let’s save the world.” You said and Mingyu smiled side hugging Vernon and Jihoon “Let’s go, Paris.”

24 HOURS TO THE END OF THE WORLD

Thankfully to Vernon, you arrived at Paris without any problems. The plane was fast, unique and first-class. You could have a few hours of sleep, eat a portion of decent food and think of a plan to stop the enemy “So, let’s review our plan, one last time.” Vernon sat on your bed at the closest hotel from Eiffel Tower. 

“Jihoon and I are going to trace elements that could lead us to the signal from the enemy.” You nodded “Mingyu and you are going to go up the Eiffel Tower and destroy the main virus when I finish hacking their system.” 

“So this is it, finally.” Mingyu sighed and Vernon smiled “Yeah, but I need to hack this hotel wi-fi, or else we aren’t going to make this work. We’re lucky that my partner Joshua is here in Paris to help me.” Vernon picked up his phone and sent Joshua a message.

“Me and Jihoon are going to the last floor, you stay here and get ready, we’re leaving in a few hours.” Jihoon looked at you “I recommend you guys use a special coat, if something goes wrong you can’t touch the virus with your skin or you’ll get infected.” You nodded “Don’t worry, I prepared everything in our plane.” You answered and they smiled.

You went to your bag searching for the items while Vernon pulled Mingyu aside and whispered lowly so he could be the only to hear it “I’ll give you 3 hours, so please don’t waste our time and be smart.” He smirked at the red face Mingyu made “Thanks buddy, I’ll compensate you after we save the world.” He shook his hand while they left the room.

You spread all the guns and equipment you brought from China. You looked at everything before choosing your favorites.

“Having fun?” Mingyu sat in front of you using his elbows to sustain himself “If you think choosing guns so we can save the world is fun, then sure.” You laughed not looking at him picking up the bullets and charging all guns.

“Staying with you, I think is fun.” He whispered and gave you a small smile. You looked at him laughing through your nose “You really have the time to hit on me in times like this?” He pulled you by your wrist gently “Yes, I can take some time for you.” You bit the interior of your cheeks “What are you doing Mingyu?” He hugged your waist trapping you in his embrace while looking at you “Why rush ourselves? We have time, Vernon and Jihoon are not here.”

Your heart beatings speed up “You’re such a playboy.” Your hand caressed his hair “Is that what you say to the female agents you worked together?” You sarcastically stated and he sighed “No, I don’t say that because I never liked them.” He spoke honestly pulling you to his lap.

“You’re the only one I got interested.” He smiled and you looked down at him “And you expect me to believe you?” You laughed through your nose “You could be a good liar.” He sighed grabbing your thighs “Why don’t you judge me then?” His lips brushed against yours “Tell me if I’m lying.” He grabbed your hips and you smiled “Okay.” You could feel his hot breath in your face.

He licked his bottom lip quickly before leaning in and kissing you softly. Your left hand grabbed his shoulder to stabilize yourself while you roamed through his hair with the other one. His lips slide slowly over yours as if you’re the most precious thing in the earth, you pressed your body against his kissing harder.

He pressed his lips against your jaw sighing softly when you pulled his hair towards you closing your eyes. Your throat being marked with his thick lips making you smile.

“Mingyu, the world’s going to end.” You tried to speak but he shushed you entering his tongue in your mouth harshly putting you down in bed “I’m sorry, but I won’t forgive myself if I don’t do this now.” He climbed on top of you pushing your guns aside. You touched his warm cheeks with the palm of your hands while you stared at his perfect face “You’re so hot.” You confessed and he laughed “I thought you said I wasn’t your type.” He pressed his lips on your again “I lied.” You said pulling him to you.

Your moment soon got interrupted by the ring of Mingyu’s cellphone.

“Ughh, not now.” He got up picking up the mobile looking at the name ‘Vernon’ “What is it?” He mumbled angrily while you fixed your hair and clothes “I’m sorry man, I know I promised 3 hours a least but it’s an emergency.”

“What is it?” Mingyu put on speakers so you could listen “We hacked the wi-fi and apparently they discovered that we’re here already. They’ll release the virus before we expected, we need to get out now.” Vernon screamed and you looked at Mingyu desperately.

“C’mon Y/N, let’s save the world.” He said extending his hand to you that grabbed happily “Yeah.” You smiled putting on your bulletproof vest.

*

Vernon drove the van like it was a race. You and Mingyu were the first ones to escalate Eiffel Tower, while Vernon and Jihoon asked for reinforcements.

“Don’t forget what Jihoon told you, try not to be seen. I’m going to distract the enemy and you’ll destroy the virus.” You nodded and Mingyu looked at you one last time “What is it?” He just kissed you quickly and smiled walking first to your hiding.

As you expected the enemy was at the top, his agents too. the sight took your breath away, it was Wonwoo there. You couldn’t believe that he betrayed the entire corporation. You looked at Mingyu that was shocked, he was stunned and couldn’t move.

You touched his shoulder and he swallowed hard nodding. He got up and picked the other agent using him as a hostage. “If any of you move, I’m going to kill him.” He said putting his gun against the back of the man.

The enemy smirked and looked at Mingyu “Nice to see you again, Mingyu.” He laughed while Mingyu had tears in his eyes “Seungcheol. I thought you died.” You got frozen by the name. Seungcheol... his partner wasn’t dead?

“Yeah, I know. I bet it sucked for you, but I never died, and that shot was fake too.” He approached Mingyu smiling sarcastically “Meet my true partner: Wonwoo. He’s the one that planned everything with me, it was perfect.” He looked at Mingyu “Sorry you killed that man, but I’m glad you’re here so you can see the revolution we’re going to make.” Mingyu snorted.

“You’re a psychopath, I can’t believe I cried over you.” He pressed the gun further on the agent “I’m not joking, I’ll kill him.” Seungcheol and Wonwoo laughed “You can kill him if you want, I don’t mind.” The agent was terrified and you could tell by looking at him.

“Dino isn’t essential for this anymore. I got the key right here.” He showed the button on his hands while Wonwoo had the bottle of the virus plugged on his case “If you give one step, I’ll click this button and everyone will die.”

“Who are you? What you did to my best friend?” Mingyu said with remorse in his voice “I never was your best friend, but I admit it was fun working with you.” You took advantage of the talk and approached them silently. You were behind Wonwoo but they couldn’t see you.

“Well, the talk was great but now I have a duty. Bye Mingyu.” Seungcheol said while Mingyu whispered to Dino “You have a chance to change your destiny right here.”“I don’t think so baby.” You said shooting at Wonwoo’s leg grabbing the case. Mingyu released Dino that shot Seungcheol in his hand.

You grabbed the bottle with the cure and broke into the bottle with the virus making Seungcheol scream “NO!” Mingyu kicked him into the ground while you knocked Wonwoo out. Dino grabbed the control with the button and shot through it making it useless.

Mingyu approached Seungcheol looking at him “Are you going to kill me like you did to that man?” He said sarcastically and Mingyu just punched his face making his mouth bleed. “I’m not the kind of man that commits the same mistake twice.” He handcuffed Seungcheol while Vernon and all the team arrived right after.

“I guess you didn’t need me after all.” Vernon joked while the agents arrested the boys there. Mingyu approached Seungcheol one last time “I hope you live a good life in prison.” He whispered and the boy just smirked “Jerk.” And the man took him while you ran to Mingyu to hug him.

“We did it! We saved the world!” You sighed relieved while Mingyu kissed the top of your head “Everything’s going to be fine.”  He sighed and you gave one last look to Wonwoo “I knew I was better than you.” You said while he limped because of his leg.

And that’s how you saved the world in less than 5 days.

*

“Agent Liz, I’m glad you could complete your mission. Honestly, I was shocked when I heard Wonwoo and Seungcheol were involved in this.” Your boss sighs while you smile a bit “I think you deserve a few days off, what do you think?” She asked you smiling and you nodded relieved “I’d love it.” You shook her hand and walked out of her office.

“Hey! Liz, where are you going now?” Vernon shouted and you looked at him “My home, take a good shower and sleep probably. Why?” He searched his pockets until it found an envelope “This is for you.” He smiled and walked away when you grabbed the letter.

 From: Mingyu

To: Y/N

 You laughed when you saw how cute it was written. It was an address and the number of a room with a key in it. “He’s such a playboy.” You commented walking out of your agency.

The hotel wasn’t hard to find, it was one of the most expensive in your region. You laughed at yourself just thinking about the kind of things Mingyu was preparing for you to get there. You parked your car and entered the place showing your key, which the staff guided you to the elevator.

You clicked the ‘10’ button floor and waited the doors close. Inside of you, you could feel your entire body shivering in anticipation since you didn’t saw him since that day in Paris. You missed him more than you expected.

The door opened and you walked to the room your key indicated.

1056 – You stared at the number before using the key to open the door. You took a deep breath and entered the place.

The first thing that came to your vision was Mingyu looking at the windows with his social outfit. “So you really came.” He mumbled turning to you with his hands inside his pockets “Of course. I wanted to know what you want from me.” You spoke softly fixing his tie “You still don’t know how to make your tie?” You asked while he just stared at you.

“I thought you would ignore me.” You lifted your eyes and smiled “Why would you think something like that?” you whispered while he pulled you close by your waist “I don’t know… Maybe you just liked the adventure, but not me.” His nose touched yours “Are you saying you like me?” 

You giggled and he hid his face in the crook of your neck “What do you think?” He pecked the skin and you smiled to yourself “I think I need to judge it.” You whispered to his ear and he smiled picking you up.

He placed you on the bed gently “Now the world isn’t ending.” He smirked and you caressed his face “So what you gonna do about it?” You boldly asked making him smile.

He just kissed you hovering over you while your hand went to his hair. His hands explored the skin inside your blouse and you messily tried to unbutton his white shirt. “I’m glad I saved the world with you.” He said sucking on a sweet spot behind your ear “M-Me t-too.” You could barely speak while his lips traveled from your neck to your collarbones.

He took his shirt off making you blush from the view. “Like what you see?” He asked you while you just gave little pecks to his face roaming your hands on top of his shoulders. “You’re so handsome.” You whispered and he smiled “Thanks.” He whispered on your ear kissing it “You’re pretty too.” His lips were so soft that you thought how unfair it was. Your fingers explored his perfect jaw making you smile into the kiss.

He smirked sucking on your bottom lip sending shivers down your spine.

You took off your blouse and skirt, making his ears red. He kissed you deeply touching every skin possible. He gave you small pecks showing you affection and care, something you didn’t felt for a long time. The way his scent filled your nostrils made you weak.

After that, you knew you wouldn’t get over this man easily.

 1 YEAR LATER

Sunrays through the window make your eyes open slowly, your whole body is warm by the body next to yours. Mingyu’s arm still tight around your waist and his breath hitting the nape of your neck. You turn around slightly afraid you would wake the man up, but smiled seeing the cute pout that he does unknowingly whenever he sleeps. Your right-hand touched his cute cheek caressing a little making you laugh.

You stretched your arms and saw the ring of your left hand making you smile. If someone told you that you would save the world and marry agent black you’d have laughed, but life was good to you.

“Babe…” He mumbled opening his eyes a bit “Come here, I want to cuddle.” He smiled and you leaned towards him kissing his nose “You’re such a big baby in the morning.” “Yes I am, come here.” He pulled you by your waist hugging you “I love you Mingyu.” You said sincerely making the boy smile “I love you too.” He pecked your cheek and put his face in the crook of your neck while you caressed his hair.   

 You sighed happily at the vision and closed your eyes enjoying the feeling of peace.

“I guess it wasn’t just work after all.” You mumbled to yourself smiling. 

.

.

MASTERLIST

[blissfulalchemist]

Wisteria, sage, violet, ambrosia? 😘💖🌸

Thank you for asking!

Wisteria: favorite movie?

Oohhh this is hard cause I have a few. The ones that I go back to and/or have a special place in my heart are: Stuck in Love, Frozen(2), Fiddler on the Roof, Justice Leauge Dark, and The Force Awakens(I know the flaws but we were robbed!).

Sage: Greek god/goddess you relate most to?

Iris and Antheia seem to have my aesthetic that I strive for at times but I also do not know much about Greek deities. The one interpretation of a deity Circe by Madeline Miller was one I related to the most on a personal level.

Violet: tv show most likely to binge watch?

God isn’t obvious that it’s Legends of Tomorrow? Okay that’s one of them I will also binge Superstore, Law and Order SVU, Avatar both iterations, and Justice League Unlimited.

Ambrosia: last song you listened to?

Well I’m listening to Liz’s playlist at work and it was “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper”

[luvervinyl]

what're some shows you watch (other than cm obvs)

arrow, the flash, supergirl (supercorp for life bb), legends of tomorrow, and dynasty (only bc of liz gillies 🥴) and uhhhh I can't remember anything else lmao 

[leonthecardboardunicorn]

The Ruined King, chapter 2

Previous: Chapter one

Pairing: Felix x Liz

Summary: Hawkeye is once again moving through Gedonelune, and it looks like their aim is on the heart of the Dragonkin Ruins. It looks like we’ll need the help of the three Reciters to solve this mystery!

"That was her," I said. "I'm sure of it, I recognize that necklace."

"I was afraid of that," Randolph said with a sigh. "She is one of the culprits I've been chasing after, but I lost track of her."

"Then.. you're saying that she was a member of Hawkeye?"

"Yes." He sighed. "I thought I would be able to pursue these on my own, but it appears that we have no choice. They have become a threat even here." He faced us. "I'd like to ask for your help in this case."

The others smiled. "Of course!"

"Do you even need to ask?"

"We'll do our best to help you," I said. "Just tell us what we can do to help."

He relaxed, smiling. "I'm grateful for your help." He took out a folder from his bag, laying it on his desk. "I've been collecting all of the information I could find on Hawkeye here. Everything you need to know is in here."

I could feel hesitant glances from the others. I stepped up to the desk, opening the folder. My heart was in my throat as I flipped through the pages. 'I had no idea there were so many people in Hawkeye.'

"The woman who attacked you was Cordelia Robinson," he said. "Five years ago, she and Drago were students here at the academy. She was an excellent student who excelled in magic, but.. she was found by one of the leaders of Hawkeye; together, she and Drago stole the Fairy's Egg and ran away from the school."

The others came over, flicking through the binder in silence. Even from a glance, I could tell there was quite a bit of information.

'I can't imagine how hard it must have been to find all of this,' I thought.

"Sir, do you have any idea what they're after?" Alfonse asked.

"Do you think they could be trying to revive the Golem again?" Elias asked.

"I don't think they'd try that one again. But if they're coming here..” A strange expression crossed his face. “I have reason to believe that they may be looking at the ruins under and around the academy."

"Are you talking about the Dragonkin Ruins?"

That's right. He had told us before; Hawkeye was made up of the surviving members of the Dragonkin. That had been even before Willem had come to the school, when the Dragonkin had seemed like the stuff of legends.

Then.. who better to ask than a Dragonkin?

"Sir, I think I know some one who could help us," I said. "Actually, I know three of them. Would it be all right if I shared this information with them?"

"Who are you talking about?" Randolph asked gently.

How should I explain this? "The three Dragonkin Reciters," I said. "They've recently been reunited and have been living in our village. I know that.. there have been problems with them," I winced, "but I believe they could help us."

"The Reciters.. I've heard about them. I remember one of them was the one who took my place."

"Yes, sir."

"Do you trust them?" I nodded. "Very well then. If you think they can help us, be my guest."

"Hawkeye?"

A few hours later, I was seated at Willem's kitchen table with him and Lacan; Randolph's binder was laid out before us.

"Yes, we thought that they might be after the Dragonkin Ruins. Do you think you could tell us anything more about them?"

"This is ridiculous." Felix was pacing through Willem's kitchen. "A golem? We would never have built such a thing. A Dragonkin would never have such a desire for violence."

"You did?"

He stopped. A strange expression flickered across his face. "..I know what I've built. What we've built. And I know that Golem wasn't it," he said firmly. "Besides, the three of us were the only survivors of the Dragonkin war."

"He's right," Willem said. "I searched the world for traces of any survivors as soon as I got out. If there had been any, I would have known about them by now."

I thought it had sounded fishy. "Do you think they could have been faking it? Using the name of the Dragonkin to cause a fuss?"

"That seems the most likely case. However, it does seem likely that they have interest in our ruins," Willem said "In that case, I can be your guide."

"I'm going with you too," Felix said, facing us.

"You are?"

"If they're using our name, it's our business," he said. "And if they are a threat, you'll need our power to take them out." There was a darkness to his voice that sent shivers down my spine, reminding me of how he was before.

'But we might need that power to stop Hawkeye.'

"I'll go too!" Lacan said cheerily. "It's been so long since the three of us have been on an adventure together; it'll be just like the old days!"

Willem gave him a gentle smile. "If they're on campus, then I imagine the first ruins they'll be going after will be the ones under the school," he said.

"Then I'll ask Headmaster Schuyler for permission to allow Felix and Lacan into the school," I said. "We can go exploring them tomorrow after classes."

Going on an adventure with the three reciters.. This was sure to be an interesting adventure, that was for sure.

I met them bright and early the next morning; the three Reciters were sitting outside of Willem's house.

"So, Headmaster Schuyler said that you two would be allowed to go on campus," that had been a hard sell, "but you will need to be accompanying me or Willem while you're there. The others have agreed to meet us after class."

"I'd like to speak to Randolph until then," Willem said. "Perhaps we can figure out where Hawkeye is most likely to go."

"Then would it be all right if I go with you, Liz?" Lacan asked with a sweet smile. "Willem's been telling me about the campus, and I'd love to see it for myself."

"Huh? Sure, I guess." It might be fun to show Lacan around the campus.

"Then in that case, I'd like to accompany you as well," Felix said. "Besides, there's no telling if that woman will try and come for you again."

That was a bit of a surprise, but.. "All right, that's fine with me."

As we walked through the campus, Lacan had been full of questions, asking about every little place we stopped by.

'He almost reminds me of when I first came to Gedonelune,' I thought wistfully. 'Everything is so new to him.'

Soon, the four of us settled into the classroom. "I'll be teaching the Night Class for today,” I said, setting down my stuff.

"I thought the Night Class was taught underground?" Felix asked, tilting his head.

"They do for the practical lessons, but this is a more general class."

"How do you know that, Felix?" Lacan asked.

"Because I actually listen when Willem's talking about the academy, instead of falling asleep," Felix said with a sigh.

"I try to! I just always get so drowsy.."

"You nap too much."

"When was the last time you had a good night's rest?” Lacan said with a laugh. Maybe you wouldn't be so cranky." Despite their words, their voices carried no real bite, as though they'd had this argument a thousand times before.

"Felix, you might find it interesting. The Night Class uses dark magic; it's not that different from your magic, I don't think."

The students started to trickle into the classroom, so I turned back to them. "You two can wait in the back with Shu."

"All right. Come along, Shu." Lacan gathered Shu in his arms, walking to the back of the classroom. And even as Felix walked back, I could see his eyes on the students, as though he was wondering who it was.

Occasionally, as I lectured, I glanced back at the two. Lacan sat, Shu in his lap, in rapt attention. Felix may not have been paying quite as much attention, but I still felt his focus on me, especially as the lesson went on.

Finally, the lesson came to an end, and Clive approached me. “Do you need something, Clive?”

“I'm sorry about this, but the Nidhogg wanted to see Felix again."

"That's all right. I think we have some time before the others show up."  In a puff of white smoke, the Nidhogg appeared, grinning wildly. Felix grinned as he walked over; the Nidhogg practically flew into his arms.

"It's so good to see you again! How are you finding living with the humans?"

"Well, I.."

"Is this the Nidhogg?" Lacan said brightly as he walked over, carrying Shu in his arms. "Felix has told me so much about you."

"Who's this?"

"This is my dear friend, Lacan," Felix said with that sweet smile. It reminded me of the smile I'd seen when he was around Shu, like all of the pain and anger had melted away.

I couldn't help but smile as I watched the two of them, happily chatting. "It's hard to believe that's the guy who tried to destroy the world," Clive said idly. "The Nidhogg seems like a little kid around him."

"I wonder what it must have been like when they first met," I said without thinking.

"Oh, that's a great story," Lacan said. "I still remember, he scared the crap out of-"

"Oh, there you are." I heard a knock on the door. Willem entered, shortly followed by the others. Even Hugo had agreed to accompany us. "I hate to break this up, but everyone's ready to go."

"We'll have to talk some more later," Felix said.

"I want to hear all about your new life! You can always come bug me!" the Nidhogg said.

"We should get going too," Clive said, pulling him along.

"After talking with Randolph, I think I've figured out where they're likely to go next.”

"It's nice to have people who know the way to get into these ruins," Caesar said.

"Trust me, I know these ruins like the back of my hand," Willem said with a laugh. "I was searching through them when I.. Well, nevermind."

"Is that what you were doing as a Headmaster?"

"Hmm, you were the Headmaster?" Lacan asked. "That must have been fun."

I couldn't help but laugh as I heard the two of them, but then I felt someone fall in step next to me. I looked up to see Felix at my side.

"You.." His expression went blank again. "You should stay close to me."

"Hmm?"

"That woman was after you," he said. "If she is here in the ruins, it's likely she'll try her luck again."

"But won't she come after Elias too?" I asked.

"Just.. stay close to me."

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

Nidhogg: It's so nice to see Felix again. I hope we get a little more time together.

Clive: That must have been nice.

Nidhogg: I wonder what he'd say if he knew I tried to destroy the world.

Clive: Well, he did too. At least, that's what they tell me.

Nidhogg: What? Well, it must have been a shock that I was reduced to this, albeit adorable, form..

Clive: Didn't he get turned into a plushie or something too?

Nidhogg: What? Well, it's a wonder that he's dateable and I'm not!

Clive: Next time.. ‘Into the Ruins’

[spaceskam]

"I'm so proud of you."

Liz smiled and accepted the kiss Max placed on her head along with the celebration shot he'd gotten her. She tipped it back easily and he kissed her lips for extra measure.

"Thanks," she hummed. Max grinned and bumped his nose against hers before sitting in the bar stool beside her. He sat close and sideways, knees spread to fit her in between them.

"So," he started, "Are you excited?"

"About grad school itself? Not quite. About what it means? Absolutely," she stated. He just smiled at her. He always looked so, so proud of her. It was a daily reminder that she made the right decision leaving her legacy for this.

"Oh, c'mon. I know you, Liz. You're going to enjoy every single research paper you write," he teased. She smiled a bit wider.

"Maybe."

"I can't wait to be your dumb trophy husband you bring to all your work events. Like, I promise to be the best bimbo you could ask for," he gushed. Liz laughed and leaned into him.

"You're not a bimbo!"

"Uh, compared to you and all the people you'll be around? I'm perfecting my smile and nod look immediately."

Liz shook her head, but leaned in for another kiss. This was absolutely worth it.

-

Liz felt the fact that someone was in her apartment before she heard them which really should've been a massive red flag.

"What was that?" Max asked sleepily. Liz pushed his head back down and he complied easily.

"Nothing, baby, go to sleep," she said softly. He hummed and she reached for the bat that she may or may not have pushed beneath her side of the bed after letting Max put it beneath his.

She slowly made her way out of the bedroom and silently closed the door behind her, heading towards the living room. Her footsteps were silent, something she'd perfected when she was young, which made it easy to sneak up on the dark figure standing by the kitchen. Liz swung the bat and, right before it hit the figure, it turned around and grabbed it from her hands.

The bat was tossed to the floor, so Liz swung her fist instead (left, not right, because they always assumed you'd hit with your dominant hand). She hit them, but they grabbed her arm and swung her body around. Liz used her weight against them and they both fell to the ground.

They wrestled for a few minutes on the ground, Liz doing her best to get any kick or hit in while the other person did the same. She had to give it to them, they out up a good fight.

They only stopped when the lights flicked on.

"Liz, what is going on?!" Max's voice asked from his spot in the doorway. However, Liz was much more distracted by the girl beneath her.

"Rosa?"

Her sister gave a cocky grin and raised an eyebrow, looking as challenging as ever. Liz knew right then that the only reason Liz was even kind of winning in the fight was because she was letting her.

"Hey, Lizzie, long time no see."

"What the hell are you doing here?" Liz asked, climbing off her sister. Rosa jumped to her feet and brushed off her leather jacket, still grinning.

"Me? Oh, I just missed you. Who's the stud?"

"Liz, what's going on? Who is this?" Max asked. Liz ignored him.

"Missed me? Right, you haven't called in six years," Liz scoffed, "Why are you here?"

Rosa's smirk faded a little and she looked over to Max and then back to Liz.

"Needed to talk," she said. Liz took a heavy breath and raised her head.

"Tell me."

Rosa's eyes drifted over to Max. "Does the skyscraper need to be here?" Liz pursed her lips before sighing.

"Max, can you excuse us?"

"No," he said firmly, "Tell me what's going on. I just woke up to you fighting some girl."

"Aw, you don't talk about me? I feel left out."

Liz rubbed her hands over her face before turning to Max. She grabbed his hand and smiled as warm as she could.

"This is my sister," she said, watching the confusion get deeper, "There's a lot of stuff about me I haven't told you."

"Well, tell me now," he said. She squeezed his hands.

"I'll tell you, I promise," she said, trying to ignore the sharp pain in her chest. This was the absolute last thing she wanted. Protecting Max had easily been her first priority. Leave it to Rosa to fuck that up.

She kept ahold of his hand as she turned to Rosa.

"Tell me."

Rosa gave a dramatic sigh, but Liz could see through it to see her genuine uneasiness.

"Mom went on a hunting trip," Rosa said, vague as ever, "And she hasn't been home in a few days."

Liz swallowed harshly, "How long is a few?" Rosa again gave an unsure look to Max.

"Tomorrow will make four weeks."

Liz's heart sunk, but she quickly tried to ignore that feeling. Whenever Liz said she wanted to go to college, her mom had all but disowned her. She didn't deserve her sympathy.

"And why'd you come to me?" Liz asked. Rosa gave her a look that said 'seriously?' and Liz returned it with an 'I don't hunt anymore' . Rosa rolled her eyes.

"I figured you'd want to help."

"Why would you assume that? I have a life here, I don't do that anymore."

"Do what?" Max asked, "What hunting trip? You're not telling me anything."

"He's pretty, but he talks too much," Rosa said. Liz glared at her. "Listen, Gandolf, this doesn't really have anything to do with you, so–"

"If it involves Liz, it involves me."

Rosa gave an impressed look and Liz's stomach dropped as she realized she was about to infodump.

"You really wanna know, pretty boy?" she asked, taking a step closer. Max squared his shoulders and held his chin high. "All the things you were told were fake–myths, legends, werewolves, vampires, all the scary things that live in the dark–they're real. All real. And we hunt them, kill them, save people." Rosa smiled and cocked her head to the side. "We're real heroes, my sister and I."

"Did you have to say it like that?"

"Just wanna make sure he knows who he's dealing with," Rosa said, "It's a dangerous business, but we do it with pride. Or, did."

Liz shook her head. "Look, I don't know what's going on with Mom, but I can't help you. I don't do that shit anymore." Rosa's jaw clenched.

"Liz," she said firmly, "This is more than Mom just fucking off. She got a lead."

"A lead?"

"A lead," Rosa confirmed, "About Dad."

Liz felt a chill go down her spine. Oh, how convincing that one little word could be. But Liz couldn't just cave. She had a life now. Here, with Max.

"Rosa, I-I can't just–"

"Liz," Max said sweetly. She turned to him and he looked as kind as ever. "Let's go find your mom."

Liz's eyes widened. "No, you aren't–"

"I'm not letting you go by yourself, but this is obviously important and I want to help. Besides, it's only to find your mom and we come home. It's not forever. How long could it take?" Max said.

She stared at him with a level of pity she usually couldn't find for him. He was so sweet and innocent. He didn't understand what he was saying. He didn't understand that it was easy to get into, hard to leave. If Max came with her, who would be there to pull them out?

"Oh," Rosa said, obviously delighted that he was down to fight, "He's useful."

"C'mon, Liz. What's the worst that can happen?" Max added.

Liz sighed slowly and decided against making a list. Instead, she turned back to her sister with a frown. She hated this. She hated that she was caving.

But their dad was out there and her mom knew something.

"Fine. Let's go find Mom."

[thelittlesttimelord]

The Littlest Timelord: Cracks in Time Chapter 9

TITLE: The Littlest Timelord: Cracks in Time Chapter 9 PAIRING: No Pairing RATING: T CHAPTER: 9/? SUMMARY: A little girl escapes the Time War when the Timelord’s return in “End of Time Part 2″. The newly regenerated Doctor must now raise the little girl while trying to find out why cracks in time keep following them around.

They entered the Tower and Elise immediately ran over to where the tentacles were flailing against metal bars. Tears filled her eyes again as she listened to the creature scream.

“Doctor, where are we?” Amy asked.

The Doctor leaned down and stroked Elise’s hair. “The lowest point of Starship UK. The dungeon”.

A man stepped forward and addressed Liz 10. “Ma'am”.

“Hawthorne. So this is where you hid yourself away. I think you've got some explaining to do”.

A couple of children were walking around the dungeons.

“There's children down here. What's all that about?” the Doctor asked.

“Protesters and citizens of limited value are fed to the beast. For some reason, it won't eat the children. You're the first adults it's spared. You're very lucky”, Hawthorne told him.

“Yeah, look at us. Torture chamber of the Tower of London. Lucky, lucky, lucky. Except it's not a torture chamber, is it? Well, except it is. Except it isn't. Depends on your angle”. The Doctor walked over to a device shocking the brain of the creature.

“What's that?” Liz 10 asked.

“Well, like I say, it depends on the angle. It's either the exposed pain center of big fella's brain, being tortured relentlessly”, the Doctor explained.

“Or?”

“Or it's the gas pedal, the accelerator. Starship UK's go faster button”.

“I don't understand”.

Elise felt her anger rising. Didn’t they realize what they were doing to the creature?

“Don't you? Try to. Go on. The spaceship that could never fly. No vibration on deck. This creature, this poor, trapped, terrified creature. It's not infesting you, it's not invading, it's what you have instead of an engine. And this place down here is where you hurt it, where you torture it, day after day, just to keep it moving”.

Liz 10 just looked at him.

“Tell you what. Normally, it's above the range of human hearing”. He ran over to where Elise sat with the tentacle and pulled the metal grating off, freeing it. “This is the sound none of you wanted to hear”. The Doctor soniced the tentacle and everyone could hear the creature screaming.

Elise put her hands over her ears. She didn’t want to hear it anymore.

“Stop it. Who did this?” Liz 10 asked.

“We act on instructions from the highest authority”, Hawthorne told her.

“I am the highest authority. The creature will be released, now. I said now! Is anyone listening to me?”

“Liz. Your mask”, the Doctor told her, holding the mask in his hands.

“What about my mask?”

He tossed it to her. “Look at it. It's old. At least two hundred years old, I'd say”.

“Yeah? It's an antique. So?”

“Yeah, an antique made by craftsmen over two hundred years ago and perfectly sculpted to your face. They slowed your body clock, all right, but you're not fifty. Nearer three hundred. And it's been a long old reign”.

“Nah, its ten years. I've been on this throne ten years”.

“Ten years. And the same ten years, over and over again, always leading you here”. The Doctor took her hand and led her over to a chair and TV.

On the table were two buttons, Forget and Abdicate.

“What have you done?” Liz asked Hawthorne.

“Only what you have ordered. We work for you, Ma'am. The Winders, the Smilers, all of us”.

A video switched on of Liz sitting and talking to the camera. “If you are watching this. If I am watching this, then I have found my way to the Tower Of London. The creature you are looking at is called a Star Whale. Once, there were millions of them. They lived in the depths of space and, according to legend, guided the early space travelers through the asteroid belts. This one, as far as we are aware, is the last of its kind”.

The Doctor looked down at Elise and picked her up, holding her to his chest. She wrapped her tiny hand around his bowtie and listened to his beating hearts. He kissed her forehead as they took comfort in each other.

“And what we have done to it breaks my heart. The Earth was burning. Our sun had turned on us and every other nation had fled to the skies. Our children screamed as the skies grew hotter. And then it came, like a miracle. The last of the Star Whales. We trapped it, we built our ship around it, and we rode on its back to safety. If you wish our voyage to continue, then you must press the Forget button. Be again the heart of this nation, untainted. If not, press the other button. Your reign will end, the Star Whale will be released, and our ship will disintegrate. I hope I keep the strength to make the right decision”.

“I voted for this. Why would I do that?” Amy asked.

“Because you knew if we stayed here, I'd be faced with an impossible choice. Humanity or the alien. You took it upon yourself to save me from that. And that was wrong. You don't ever decide what I need to know”.

“I don't even remember doing it!”

“You did it. That's what counts”.

Elise could tell the Doctor was becoming increasingly angry as he set her on the floor.

“I'm, I'm sorry”, Amy told him.

“Oh, I don't care. When I'm done here, you're going home”. He walked over to some machines and pulled out his screwdriver.

“Why? Because I made a mistake? One mistake?” Amy asked, “I don't even remember doing it. Doctor!”

“Yeah, I know. You're only human”.

“What are you doing?” Liz asked.

“The worst thing I'll ever do. I'm going to pass a massive electrical charge through the Star Whale's brain. Should knock out all its higher functions, leave it a vegetable. The ship will still fly, but the whale won't feel it”, the Doctor told her.

What? He couldn’t do that! How could he even consider that? It was an innocent creature.

“That'll be like killing it”, Amy said.

“Look, three options. One, I let the Star Whale continue in unendurable agony for hundreds more years. Two, I kill everyone on this ship. Three, I murder a beautiful, innocent creature as painlessly as I can. And then I find a new name, because I won't be the Doctor any more”.

“There must be something we can do, some other way”, Liz said.

What happened next, shocked Elise.

The Doctor practically exploded. “Nobody talk to me. Nobody human has anything to say to me today!”

Elise hit the ground with her hands over her head.

“Elise!” Amy tried to come near her, but Elise just screamed and tried to scoot away from her as tears fell from her eyes.

The Doctor ran over to her and picked her up. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell. I’m sorry”.

Elise shook in his arms and the Doctor felt horrible for scaring her.

Amy walked over to them. “Hey. Ellie”.

Elise raised her head.

“Why don’t you come sit with me and Mandy?” she asked.

The Doctor handed her off to Amy and they sat down next to the tentacle.

Elise reached out and stroked it. She giggled as it ticked her neck.

The other children came over and started to pet it when it hit Amy. “Doctor, stop. Whatever you're doing, stop it now!” Amy told him, “Sorry, Your Majesty. Going to need a hand”. She grabbed Liz’s hand and dragged her over to buttons.

“Amy, no! No!” the Doctor yelled.

She slammed Liz’s hand down on the Abdicate button.

The Star Whale let out a growl and the spaceship shook.

The Doctor grabbed Elise and she held onto his legs as everything settled. “Amy, what have you done?”

“Nothing at all. Am I right?”

“We've increased speed”, Hawthorne said.

“Yeah, well, you've stopped torturing the pilot. Gotta help”, Amy told them.

“It's still here. I don't understand”, Liz said.

“The Star Whale didn't come like a miracle all those years ago. It volunteered. You didn't have to trap it or torture it. That was all just you. It came because it couldn't stand to watch your children cry. What if you were really old, and really kind and alone? Your whole race dead. No future. What couldn't you do then? If you were that old, and that kind…” Amy turned around to face the Doctor and Elise. “…and the very last of your kind, you couldn't just stand there and watch children cry”.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The Doctor stood on the observation deck, looking out at the stars as Elise sat on the floor in front of him. Her face was practically pressed up against the glass as she looked at all the stars. The Doctor could tell her stories and adventures of each one, but the two were enjoying the quiet moment.

Amy came up to them, holding Liz’s mask. “From Her Majesty. She says there will be no more secrets on Starship UK”.

“Amy, you could have killed everyone on this ship”.

“You could have killed a Star Whale”.

“And you saved it. I know, I know”.

“Amazing though, don't you think? The Star Whale. All that pain and misery and loneliness, and it just made it kind”.

“But you couldn't have known how it would react”.

“You couldn't. But I've seen it before. Very old and very kind, and the very, very last. Sound a bit familiar?”

The two of them hugged. Elise wrapped her arms around their legs and they laughed.

“Hey”, Amy said.

“What?” the Doctor asked.

“Gotcha”.

The Doctor laughed. “Gotcha”.

They made their way back to the TARDIS and Elise yawned.

“Oh, looks like it’s this one’s bedtime”, Amy teased.

The Doctor picked Elise up and set her on his shoulders.

“Shouldn't we say goodbye? Won't they wonder where we went?” Amy asked.

“For the rest of their lives. Oh, the songs they'll write. Never mind them. Big day tomorrow”.

“Sorry, what?”

“Well, it's always a big day tomorrow. We've got a time machine. I skip the little ones”.

“You know what I said about getting back for tomorrow morning? Have you ever run away from something because you were scared, or not ready, or just, just because you could?”

“Once, a long time ago”.

“What happened?”

“Hello!”

“Right. Doctor, there's something I haven't told you. No, hang on. Is that a phone ringing?”

The phone connected to the TARDIS console was ringing. The three of them entered the TARDIS and the Doctor set Elise down on the jump seat.

She curled up and closed her eyes.

“People phone you?” Amy asked.

“Well, it's a phone box. Would you mind?” the Doctor asked her.

“Hello? Sorry, who? No, seriously, who? Says he's the Prime Minister. First the Queen, now the Prime Minister. Get about, don't you?”

“Which Prime Minister?”

“Er, which Prime Minister? The British one”.

“Which British one?”

“Which British one? Winston Churchill for you”.

Amy handed the phone over to him.

“Oh! Hello, dear. What's up? Don't worry about a thing, Prime Minister. We're on our way”. The Doctor pulled a lever and the TARDIS took off.

[laufire]

Roswell NM 2x06

I finally watched the episode (and the Legends episode, which I watched just after --a gr10 decision because it was awesome). I don’t have as many Thoughts(TM) as usual. Unsurprisingly, since Rosa isn’t in the episode and she takes three out of my four feelings. The fourth goes back and forth between Maria and Kyle, and sometimes Liz and, unfortunately, Michael xD. Anyway. I look forward to seeing her deal with her powers. And apparently her mother! I’ve wanted her to appear since episode one, so I’m excited about it (also my dumb ass only recently noticed Rosa’s middle name is Helena, like her mother, and I have Feelings about it).

I have a lot of mixed feelings wrt The Foretold Threesome (lol), thought they’re probably... different than those of most fans (I’m just still side-eying about how Maria’s racebending influenced the writers okay). I did love the conclusion, both the Alex/Michael conversation (which is my favourite scene from then in the show so far just... it pulled the right strings, yup), and the Miluca one, with her starting out insecure and the reassurances. Wrt The Drama, I’ll just say... look. I can totally see why it’d make someone feel uncomfortable, for a variety of reasons, even if I’d likely disagree with their interpretation. BUT I have NO sympathy for those that argue it was a dub/non con scene, and then only really put the blame on Maria, clearly wanting to leave a space to continue shipping Michael/Alex. Like... I just can’t believe you’d do that if you were speaking from an honest place, sorry.

I cannot belive Forrest, the WWII enthusiast is the best new romantic interest the season (yeah, I know he’s not One Of Those, it’s obvious. And he named his dog Buffy, that scored him points. But of ALL time periods you could pick for a history nerd to obsess over... WWII? Really? *Sighs*. I know it makes sense with the town’s history but STILL). Between “no public healthcare” girl and the “breeder” lesbian (who I really hope we don’t see again. Look, I do not care about whatever reasoning fellow queer people use. I fucking hate that word. The fact that she said it to a guy who was also in a gay bar makes it worse). Anyway. Yeah. The Alex/Forrest scenes were cute, too. Though I’ll say werewolf guy >>>>>>>> any stand up poetry IN THE WORLD LMAO. Pls make him a genuine character, I love him xDD.

The pseudo-horror movie plot with Alex and Maria was fun, however (“the gay guy always dies first” *Maria’s EXCUSE ME expression* “or second. that’s fair. that look is fair” xDDD). The TVD daylight ring reference KILLED me lmao. And their conversations in the car got to me. Also LMAO at Michael, the one with super powers, getting knocked down in less than ten seconds and being completely useless xDD.

Anyway. I totally got a kick out of Kyle rejecting Isobel’s ass, even if it was for Steph of all people. THANK GOD. I was worried when I heard they flirted lol. I’m also grateful Isobel’s ONS was a white girl, because her track record with WoC is terrible. Now I just want the show to never bring up Rosa/Isobel again with this as an excuse, thanks. BTW, I hate the word “queerbaiting” and disagree with most of its uses, to be frank, but this thing with Kyle gets... headed in that direction, js, given how it’s obvious the writers are aware about fandom and its headcanons etc. And I have no dog in this fight because I have issues with all of Kyle’s ships LMFAO (except, ironically, Kyle/Michael, lmao. It’d be straightforward at the very least).

“Maybe I’m pregnant, you’re not my gynecologist” is going to be Max’s shining moment forever and ever. Paired with Liz’s worse when she says what happened with Rosa no longer matters (to her) smh. It fucking does. Resurrecting Rosa doesn’t undo the damage because Rosa’s death wasn’t the only harm done, okay? They ruined and shat all over her memory, they made Arturo and Liz a target, they contributed to a racist af climate that endangered people beyond the Ortechos. The LEAST Rosa deserves is an apology; and a real one, not Isobel’s “I do this to feel better and get something out of you, but I’ll violently hit you and invade your mind tomorrow” one. Michael clearly doesn’t give enough of a damn to even THINK that he might need to apologize. I have some hopes for Max (who would’ve thunk he’d been the pod sibling I’d feel most lenient towards a year ago. I mean, he still has moments where I cannot stand him, but still xD. I’m actually enjoying his dynamic with Rosa this last few episodes), though I hope it won’t translate on Rosa becoming all buddy-buddy with him, because nope. Not so much for the ~morals of it all, tbh, but because I think it’s better for her, narrative-wise, if Rosa remains A Skeptic.

And like I say, that’s the least they should do, after what they caused. The least. And now ROSA has brought Max back to life --their debt to her is STAGGERINGLY HIGH, AFAIC. So yeah, Liz. It still fucking matters. And I sincerely hope Rosa never lets any of them conveniently forget.

BTW, with this new mention of Liz’s ex-fiancé, and now that the show is pulling Kyle away from the triangle (at least temporarily), I fully expect Diego to make an appearance, sooner or later.

[margoshansons]

Even numbers for the fic writer game?

2) Is there a trope you’ve yet to try your hand at, but really want to?

I have not yet done true enemies to friends to lovers and I need to do it because I love it so much.

4) How many fic ideas are you nurturing right now? Care to share one of them?

Oh man. So many. I have Alfie’s fic Chaos Theory, Stella’s Fic, my Bucky Barnes found family Fic and literally so many that are half outlined. I always have at least five to ten ideas running through my brain at any given moment. 

One I’m really excited about that isn’t OC related is a Bellarke Much Ado About Nothing AU, with Bellamy as Benedick, Clarke as Beatrice, Raven as Hero, Finn as Claudio, and Roan and Ontari as Don Pedro and Don John.

6) Share one of your weaknesses.

I am awful at writing action scenes. I actively go out of my way to avoid them. (Like making Jas faint during the Mutliplex fight). I am also really bad at tagging dialogue.

8) Share a snippet from one of your favorite dialogue scenes you’ve written and explain why you’re proud of it.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about”

Cisco smirked at her response, “please, you practically drool all over him when he’s in the room.”

She shook her head, “Barry’s my best friend, that’s all,” She began, sticking her tongue out at Cisco, “and I do not drool”

This is such a sibling interaction and I could see the entire scene unfold before my entire eyes. Plus, I’d never been good at writing Cisco, and then this scene happened and It just felt perfect.

10) Which fic has been the easiest to write?

Surprisingly, Chain Reaction. I wasn’t expecting it to be so easy, but Jasmine’s character really just flew off the pages for me.

12) Is there an episode above all others that inspires you just a little bit more?

Legends of Tomorrow: “Phone Home” or “Legends of To-Meow-Meow”

Both of them are meaningful but hilarious while playing with traditional tropes and just going batshit crazy. It reminds me to not take my work too seriously.

14) What’s the worst writing advice you’ve ever come across?

Don’t name your characters using the same initial or with phonetically similar names. 

Fuck that! I will name my characters however I see fit. It stifles creativity and if you have a name that would work, then use it! 

16) If you only could write one pairing for the rest of your life, which pairing would it be?

Look, you know it, I know it, the entire community knows it. Bellarke for life baby!

18) Do you use any tools, like worksheets or outlines?

I use outlines, OneNote, character worksheets and timelines to keep everything in check. I am a very messy and disorganized person so the more I can organize my thoughts the better. 

20) Describe your perfect writing conditions.

Just me, a coffee, my bedroom, a comfortable chair, my headphones, a good playlist and people to talk to and bounce ideas off of. (but they stay quiet or are virtual)

22) Choose a passage from one of your earlier fics and edit it into your current writing style. (Person sending the ask is free to make suggestions).

a soft melody left her lips, rising up through the cold air, her breath creating a cloud every time she let out a note.

Cosette reached in her pocket to grab the forty-sous. Her hand came up empty. Oh no. What was she going to do now? 

Her sore throat burned as she swallowed down her nerves, anxiously pulling the ragged shawl closer around her shoulders, the frayed threads barely keeping the garment together while she reached down to grab the wooden bucket, water rushing over her bare feet, freezing her already cold legs. 

Y’all, this is from the archives, so I hope you enjoy this.

24) Have you ever deleted one of your published fics?

When I was starting out yes. Now I don’t unless I plan on not continuing it. Every piece of writing you put out is valuable.

26) Do you beta yourself? If so, what kind of beta are you?

I try to as much as possible! I don’t really get many offers to beta, but when I do, I try my best. I’m a pretty harsh editor and I know what I like and don’t like so I try to be supportive with a hint of “this kind of sucks but I respect your decisions”

28) Share three of your favorite fic writers and why you like them so much.

@probably-voldemort : I’ve mentioned them so much on this site, but they are honestly one of the most talented writers I’ve ever encountered. The way they detail every character’s thought process and the dialogue and the ANGST. It’s all just *chef’s kiss*

@cassercole : Liz is so fantastic as coming up with unique ideas and making you care about the characters she creates. Like, I was really on the fence about Bucky, until I read RIM and then I was like, ‘I get it now’

@ocfairygodmother: The og and the person who inspired me to join the OC community, Jan is so talented at creating her own canon and then making it work with already existing canon. Like Entreat Me Not To Leave is my main source of Outlander news now. I don’t even watch the show anymore because her fic replaced it in my mind.

30) Do you accept prompts?

Absolutely! I just may not get to them for a while haha.

32) How do you feel about smut?

Alright look, I’m not good at writing it, and I’m not a fan of reading it. I just have a really complicated relationship with sex in general and I’d rather keep it out of my writing until I know more about it.

34) What are your thoughts on non-con and dub-con?

FUCK THAT!!! 

YOU KNOW WHAT’S SEXY? CONSENT!!

36) Which is your favorite site to post fic?

AO3 for life BABYYYY!

38) Talk about a review that made your day.

I don’t get that many reviews, but literally any of them make my day. I just love it when people show interest in my writing! 

40) Write an alternative ending to [insert fic title] (or just the summary of one).

Oooh, Okay. I’m hoping you mean Chain Reaction, since that’s what I’m working on right now, and while the ending is FAAAAARRRR away, I think I have a good alternate ending. (I’m probably gonna cut it off at Crisis or just skip over season 6)

Barry and Iris end up together, Eddie comes back to life and ends up with Jasmine after Crisis.

FANFIC WRITER ASK

[ademocrat]

He’s Saving California’s Oldest Weekly (Mark Twain Wrote for It)

DOWNIEVILLE, Calif. — The night before his first deadline, Carl Butz, California’s newest newspaper owner, was digging into a bowl of beef stew at the Two Rivers Café, the only restaurant open in town.

“Tomorrow I have to fill the paper,” he said with only mild anxiety. “The question is, will it be a four-page paper or a six-page paper?”

At 71, Mr. Butz is trim, with wire-rimmed glasses and a close-cropped silver beard, and he dresses in flannel shirts and cargo pants. Since his retirement and his wife’s death in 2017, he considered traveling — to England or Latvia, or riding the Trans-Siberian Railway. But here he was, a freshly minted newspaper proprietor, having stepped in at the beginning of the year to save The Mountain Messenger, California’s oldest weekly newspaper, from extinction.

The Messenger was founded in 1853. Its most famous scribe was Mark Twain, who once wrote a few stories — with a hangover, the legend goes — while hiding out here from the law.

Newspapers across America, especially in rural areas like here in Sierra County, have been dying at an alarming rate, and Downieville was about to become the latest “news desert.” The obituaries for the paper had already been written. Don Russell, the hard-drinking, chain-smoking editor with a blunt writing style who had owned and run the paper for nearly three decades, was retiring, and he seemed happy enough for the paper to die with his retirement.

And then one night Mr. Butz was watching “Citizen Kane” on cable and thought, I can do that. He made the deal quickly, paying a price in the “four figures,” he said, plus the assumption of some debts, without even looking at the books.

Still, Mr. Russell, an old friend of Mr. Butz’s, was a reluctant seller. “His position was, it’s a losing proposition and someone who’d want it would be crazy,” Mr. Butz said. “He called me a romantic idealist and a nut case. And that’s not a paraphrase, but a direct quote.”

For the residents of Downieville — and there are not many; the population is about 300 — who for generations counted on The Messenger to arrive every Thursday, through wildfires and power outages and economic booms and busts, Mr. Butz has become an unlikely local hero, a savior of a cherished institution.

“Thank God for Carl, he stepped in,” said Liz Fisher, a former editor of the paper who lives across the street from its office and runs The Sierra County Prospect, an online news site. “It was devastating for everybody that we were going to lose The Mountain Messenger.”

A cluttered, smoke-filled newsroom

On a recent Wednesday morning, facing his first deadline, Mr. Butz was staring down a blank computer screen in the newspaper’s cramped two-room office above a beauty salon on Main Street. Mr. Butz, a fourth-generation Californian and a former computer programmer and labor economist for the state, readily admitted that he had no idea what he had gotten himself into, and it did not help to learn that the paper’s publishing software was from the mid-1990s.

One of the first things he said he would do after buying the paper was ban smoking in the office, but next to his keyboard was a package of unfiltered cigarettes and an ashtray.

“What is the lead story?” Mr. Butz asked.

“The front page is blank,” replied Jill Tahija, the paper’s only other employee, sitting at an adjacent computer.

Ms. Tahija, who has worked at The Messenger for 11 years, might properly be called the managing editor, but on her business cards it says, “she who does the work.”

Her small black-and-white dog, Ladybug, a Boston terrier-Shih Tzu-Chihuahua mix, bounded around the cluttered newsroom. On every surface were books and trinkets and junk — Civil War histories, annals of the county, dictionaries, empty beer bottles, packages of ramen noodles.

In the archives section are old papers dating to the 1850s, and on the walls are pictures of Mark Twain and some slogans — old saws of newspapering, like “If it bleeds, it leads.”

Mr. Russell, who was on vacation, driving his R.V. up the coast with his wife, when Mr. Butz took over the paper, once told The Los Angeles Times that Twain had written a few unremarkable stories for The Messenger. Mr. Russell had read them on microfilm at a library. “They were awful,” he said. “They were just local stories, as I recall, written by a guy with a hangover.”

At his computer, Mr. Butz was putting together one of his first new features for the paper, a “poetry corner.” (He selected “Thoughts,” by Myra Viola Wilds, an African-American poet from Kentucky who wrote in the early 20th century.) As Ms. Tahija worked on the front page — the next day it would be filled with stories about a local poetry competition, the upcoming census, wildfire prevention and a local supervisors meeting — Mr. Butz shifted his focus to finishing his letter to readers.

In it, he explained why he bought the paper. “Simply put,” he wrote, “the horrible thought of this venerable institution folding up and vanishing after 166 years of continuous operation was simply more than I could bear.”

The newspaper, he wrote, was “something we need in order to know ourselves.”

‘Like losing a friend’

Making a newspaper in Downieville is strictly an analog, ink-on-paper affair; there is no website, no social media accounts. It loses a few thousand dollars a year, and relies mostly on publishing legal notices from the county and other government offices, which brings in about $50,000 a year, for the bulk of its revenue. It has about 700 subscribers and a print run of 2,400 copies, just below the county’s population.

“I’m not going to lose a million dollars but I know I’m going to have to subsidize some of it,” Mr. Butz said. “My daughter is already aware that her inheritance is shrinking.”

Downieville is a remarkably well-preserved old Gold Rush town, perched at a fork in the Yuba River in remote western Sierra County. History is its pitch to tourists, and it has the feel of a backlot for an Old West movie — in its corner saloon, in the one-lane bridges over the Yuba, and in the second-story offices of The Messenger, next to the Fire Department. (A painted message on the door says it is the “oldest volunteer fire department west of the Mississippi.”)

With the demise of gold mining and the shuttering of the sawmills that were once an economic engine for the region, Downieville reinvented itself as a destination for mountain biking and fly fishing, with an abundance of Old West charm.

Residents reacted to Mr. Butz’s last-minute purchase of the paper with a mixture of relief and gratitude.

“A real sense of relief,” said Lee Adams, a former Sierra County sheriff and a current member of the county’s Board of Supervisors.

The paper was always an important institution, but it had become more so in recent years as Northern California dailies like The Sacramento Bee and The San Francisco Chronicle stopped distributing in the region, and rarely sent reporters to cover Sierra County.

“We would have to fall off the face of the earth to make one of those papers on a normal news day,” Mr. Adams said.

The Messenger is more than just a chronicle of weekly happenings — government meetings, births and deaths, the police blotter, the weather — but also a repository of the county’s history. The paper is just a year younger than Sierra County, which was founded in 1852, the year Wells Fargo was established to serve the Gold Rush and the riches being dredged from the river.

When Bill Copren, 76, a local historian and a former county assessor, wrote his master’s thesis on the political history of Sierra County in the mid-19th century, he relied on The Messenger’s archives.

More recently, when officials secured a spot on the National Register of Historic Places for a local school built in the Art Deco style in 1931, they used the paper’s archives to confirm the details of how it was built and who paid for it.

The paper’s closure, Mr. Copren said, would have been “like losing a friend.”

Under Mr. Russell, The Messenger had a distinctive attitude and a brusque, straightforward style. He was averse to political correctness and not immune from using curse words in print.

Mr. Butz said he did not plan to own the paper for long, and wanted to find a younger person who could take over. He said he was thinking about bringing the paper into the digital age, with a website, and was thinking about turning it into a nonprofit publication, accepting donations and grants to keep it running.

But on a recent Thursday morning, the day after deadline, he was just happy to have his first issue under his belt.

His Thursday routine is now established: He gets up early and drives about an hour and a half to a printing plant in Quincy, Calif., to pick up the bundles of freshly printed newspapers. On the way, he and Scott McDermid, the paper’s longtime distribution manager, stop at the Express Coffee Shop for waffles and eggs.

And then, with a truck full of papers, they crisscross the county, past the tall cedars and Douglas firs of the mountains, and across the Sierra Valley, dotted with junipers and cottonwoods, stopping at every shop and gas station, emptying newspaper machines of last week’s edition, collecting money and dropping off fresh bundles of The Messenger.The story around town is how Mr. Butz saved the local newspaper.But Mr. Butz, a still-grieving widower — his wife, Cecilia Kuhn, the drummer in an all-female punk band, Frightwig, died in 2017 — sees it another way.“It’s saving me,” he said.

[mrneighbourlove]

Red Typhoon: Ch 4. Finding Gold for Body and Soul

The ship was a marvel on the waves, skyrocketing and breaking modern records. Magic was on the side of the crusaders. It took a bit for the crew to get adjusted to the ships speed, but they found that as long as they didn't reach outside of the deck over the water, they didn't feel the speed. Everyone had a chance to catch up on lost time.

"And then, when me wife was screaming profanities at me during labor, I made the mistake of a-telling her that it wasn't my fault, we both did the deed." Rat was telling the amusing story about Trygve's birth. "And then she punched me in the balls."

"BUWAHAHAHA!"

The entire crew was laughing at Rat's expense.

"You think dat's bad? Me wife threatened ta chop off me balls!" Juju snickered.

"Me wife kicked me out of bed for a month!" Mojo chuckled.

"Missy Orana chucked Corsaire overboard when Nakeso was being born." Bomba held his sides from laughing. "He said, 'Can you quit pacing, I'm trying to get some sleep!'. Wrong thing to say."

"Dad, oh my god, you're so embarrassing." Revy snickered next to him, giving him a light punch in the shoulder.

Liz sat contently next to Halvar, finding comfort in leaning against his frame. Scarlet gave a chuckle at all the men's stories. Her own pregnancy was hell to get through. She wanted to tear the doctor in half from her underhanded comments that all she had to do was 'push' and that is was 'easy'.

"I's learned my lesson."

"Me too."

"Women are scary creatures."

"I's not sure what scares me more. Me lady on her monthly or the kraken!"

"HAHAHAHA!"

"I still can't believe cap'n ever entertained the idea of kids." Bomba took a sip of his drink. "He doesn't even like kids!"

"I tolerated you, thank you very much, and I like kids fine, I don't like brats." Corsaire told him dryly. "You were a brat and a troublemaker."

"I's not that bad!"

"You almost capsized me ship playing with that black powder numerous times."

"Almost is the key word in that sentence."

"Not to mention, you's gotten us chased out of ports before due to your lovely pickpocket talent."

"Aw, thanks cap'n!"

"That's not a compliment!"

"Well, you were a family. So that has to count for something, knowing you could always pull each other out of trouble, through thick or-" Scarlet was happy for a moment, nostalgia hitting her, before sadness slapped the Gerudo back down to reality, and she stopped talking. "You have no regrets. Be happy with that."

"Heh, we's always tried to be there for each other. Didn't have no one else." Mojo told Scarlet. "Corsaire rescued me and me brother. I's albino and dat's bad luck where I's from."

"We's stowed away on his ship and he let us stay." Juju added onto his brother's words. "We's safe with him."

"T-T-Took us out of th-the circus." Pockets gestured to himself then Acrobat. "N-Never saw me... saw me as a f-freak."

"Helped me recover when me legs were both broke beyond repair." Acrobat patted his thighs. "Helped me learn to walk a little again."

"Took me away from the gladiator rings." Rat clasped his hands together. "Reunited me with Renegade after so long of thinking me old friend was dead."

"Saved me from the streets and... and Seer from the brothel." Bomba's voice fell a little. "... Seer loved to cook for us. Never once asked for anything but ingredients for the food. I miss his calm chowder."

"Fish tacos."

"Vegetable medley."

"Chili soup."

"Roasted flounder."

"Braised pork."

"... yeah... he always fixed us food. Knew what it was like to be hungry. Didn't want us to ever feel that way." Bomba sighed. "Despite what those horrid people did ta him, he still has a golden heart."

With that, a thick cloud of sadness swept through. Everyone missed Seer dearly. Halvar could have sworn he was feeling Liz heat up against him, when Lex decided to lighten the mood. "And he is the BEST at story telling! I love the tale how he'd say that Captain Corsaire was a legend of the sea for taking down two Krakens, and it would be a riot if Uncle had to go up against a third. Think we can fight a big squidy Uncle?"

"Heh, Seer was there when we encounter the krakens. He was scared out of his wits too, kept telling me that they were very, very angry." Corsaire smiled a little at the mention of the old tale. "Makes sense now that he could sort of understand them, him being a Direnor and all."

"We all made it a-out unscathed, thanks to him and Missy Orana." Rat pulled Revy a little closer, holding her closer. "Us, krakens, and the ship."

"Liz would tell me the stories that Seer told her when he was on the ship with Corsaire." Halvar finally spoke, resting his head on top of Liz's. "I really enjoyed the one where Rat basically threw Corsaire onto the balcony so he could speak to Orana again."

"Uncle Corsaire isn't really good with the ladies." Liz gave a chuckle. She was grateful to how quick Lex was to cool her off.

"Hey I was just fine with the ladies." Corsaire crossed his arms. "Then Orana just... happened to catch me."

"More like you chased her."

"I did not!"

"Did too, lovesick dog."

"Remember when he was depressed after she went home to Hyrule?"

"Sulked for days in his cabin."

"I did not sulk!"

"HAHAHAHA!"

"You sound like a sulker Uncle Corsaire." Lex giggled.  

"Look! He's doing it right now Dad!" Revy pointed, laughing at her Uncle's embarrassment.

"Ah, shut it yous." Corsaire huffed. "All of yous need to get some rest anyway."

"Agreed. According to the charts, we should arrive at our destination by tomorrow afternoon." Bakura spoke up, having kept his eye on the ship while the group had their fun. He felt like more of an outcast than Scarlet. This was, in some ways, all his fault that Adda did what she did.

"You need to eat before you sleep," Corsaire told Bakura as he stood from his barrel seat. "You didn't even touch dinner. Rat's cooking isn't that bad. Need your strength, so eat then go rest."

"Cap'n's orders, Bakie." Rat gave Revy a gentle shake. "Hey now, me love, don't doze off on me just yet. Let's get you to bed."

"Huh? I'm not sleepy."

"Oh yes you are. Listen to your father young lady."

"What-*yawn*-ever mom." Revy was indeed sleepy.

Bakura continued looking at the stars. "I'll eat in a minute or two. You all have a good nights sleep."

"Taking first watch? Very well." Corsaire stretched lightly and then said. "Come get me for second watch. Men, off to bed."

"Aye, aye, cap'n."

"That means you two, girls." Rat told Liz and Lex. "Halvar, you's sleeping with the men."

"Whu? I mean, of course I am!" The prince blushed.

Scarlet gave a light frown. "Rat. Liz has a Voe, I think they have the right to stay in the same bed."

Liz looked over her shoulder to Halvar, a curiosity forming. How long had they been a relationship for now? Cuddles in the day on a couch were one thing, but what of cuddling at night? More soft spoken than she meant to, she turned to the Prince "Halvar.... would you like to share a bed. With me?"

"No hankie pankie on me ship!" Corsaire yelled from beneath, earning a few snickers from the men, knowing the captain was a protective uncle as well.

"There's a difference between sharing a bed for sleep and sharing a bed for... that." Rat was still a little off put by the sex conversation with the twins and his own daughter. It was always a touchy subject for him, especially with him having to work in the pleasure houses as well when his old master made him for extra cash. "Besides, Liz doesn't need to go and get pregnant right before a battle. Tis dangerous."

"We are NOT going to have sex!" Liz shouted at the men, appalled that was the first place they'd jump to. Lex snickered, giving her sister a tap. "Why not? Heard a rumour that being a virgin is never a good thing going into battle. Trust me, you'll both love it~"

Revy quickly pulled Lex away before Liz lost it. "I will THROW you over the ship so help me god Lex!"  Her max embarrassment couldn't be reached any higher. Liz turned to Halvar, sighing. "I'll just go to bed if you aren't comfortable."

"Pin me down and lick my dick!" Bomba's voice rang out from beneath the deck. "Fuck me like a big, bad bitch! We won't stop til you say when! Next time won't you bring a friend~~~~!"

"BOMBA SHUT UP!!!" The entire crew yelled at him.

"All you's don't appreciate my singing talents."

"More like wailing talents."

Halvar's face was bright red by this time, but he finally found a way to speak.

"I um... I'll do what you want, Liz. You're my lady, and I want you comfortable."

"That's not what I asked..." Liz sighed. If Halvar didn't tell her that HE was comfortable first and foremost, than she wouldn't force him. "I don't want to demand anything of anyone. I'm not my mother..."

Liz walked to below deck. Glaring at her Uncle with a deep growl, Bomba received a hard punch in the stomach for embarrassing her, and she slammed the door to her bed.

Lex patted Halvar on the back. "Pussy move dude. You didn't answer her question if you yourself wanted to join her."

"It's customary for the females to initiate... that part of the courtship." Halvar told Lex with a frown. "I'll go talk to her."

"I don't know if she's in the mood for talking right now. Maybe in the morning?"

"I... I guess..." Halvar said good night to everyone else and stopped at the cabin where Liz was staying. With a sigh, he told Liz through the door. "I'm... I'm sorry if I upset you. I think it's just hard for me to get the normal Uskarian customs out of my head, even though I know you're not required to follow those. Please don't doubt my love for you, ever. You're amazing and so sweet and... I feel lucky that you look at me the way you do. Sweet dreams, Elizabeth."

Liz heard his words and felt them sting. She hated herself now for not being more forward with Halvar, and in her self-pity, bit into her pillow so no one could hear her cry.

Scarlet was making her way to bed when she saw Bomba recovering from his gut punch. "She hit you really good."

"Aye, tis nothing I can't handle." Bomba shrugged and held up his hands, missing a couple of fingers. "Dis here hurt a lot worse. I was being stupid with the black powder and it came back to bite me good."

"Well you were being more stupid here. Do none of you have daughters? You didn't think your words and laughter didn't have an effect on her?"

"I's has no kids." Bomba shook his head. "Cap'n, Rat, Mojo, Juju, and Seer has kids. Acrobat and his man thinking 'bout adopting. Pockets doesn't want any kids; too scared of them being born like him with four arms. Doesn't want the kids to feel like he used to; like a freak."

"Well you all guaking about what she does in bed was insulting." Scarlet gave him a jab, and her voice was loud enough for any of the other men to hear. "At least Bakura was wise enough to know when to keep his peace. I bet even Seer wouldn't judge."

"Hey, she's our little girl and we want her to be treated right, dat's all." Bomba jabbed Scarlet back. "We know Halvar is a good laddie, yet we don't want Liz put in a bind either. Wind up pregnant when we's going to war with Adda is not a good thing. Dat, or worse, Halvar gets her pregnant and something happens to 'em. We's seen it before and don't wish it on her."

"She's not stupid enough to get pregnant. You insulted her core. She wanted to have a moment with her Voe, and all you idiots ruined it for her. She's strong, but she's also still a girl." Scarlet jabbed him back, harder this time.

"I'm not saying she's stupid, I'm saying it could happen!" Bomba poked her harder than before. "You's and Adda were pregnant during fighting and something coulda happened then! We's would have never had these sweetlings with us if something woulda happened to ya!" The first mate was not backing down from this argument. "If she wants a moment with her man, then dat's something they's both gotta agree on. Dey's from different cultures, and Halvar's trying to respect her and everyone else in her family too." He huffed and crossed his arms. "Liz wasn't raised Gerudo, she was raised as a Uskarian. If you's gots a problem with dat, take it up with Seer. He did right by those girls."

"I DID MY FUCKING BEST FOR MY DAUGHTER!" Scarlet picked Bomba up, pinning him to the wall. "I made sure to keep her away from the fighting! Even though it broke my heart and Rat's! And for all the shit my sister in arms has done, the smartest thing she ever did was give Seer those twins! So if I got a problem its with anyone, it’s you asshole!" She dropped Bomba and turned, the stress of the mission having boiled over now. "Fuck... I... I'm sorry. God damn it..."

Bomba yelped when Scarlet pinned him against the wall with a loud bang. She had a good foot in height on him, and was certainly the stronger of the two. However, Bomba was one to never give up, and always found a way to get the upper hand in the end... in most fights. When Scarlet dropped him, he fell onto his ass with a thud and rubbed his throat.

"Hmph." Bomba frowned at Scarlet. "You's ever stop to think dat maybe you doing something 'good' for someone else is 'bad' for you?"

Scarlet, turned to him, and Bomba knew he made a mistake. "What. Else. Was I. Suppose to DO?! HUH Bomba?! I loved my Captain! She was MY LIFE! She saved me, she was my closest friend! I trusted her word as the only word I needed to trust." Scarlet towered over him, picking him up and holding him tightly by the shoulders. She didn't even care that others could be listening, which they certainly were. "Tell me, would you ever have question Corsaire's word? His trust? Because when I was at my lowest, most worried for the new baby I had, I listened to Adda's. Would YOU have done differently than me?"

"Cap'n Corsaire saved us, and he's our brother... but he doesn't expect us to live our lives for him." Bomba told Scarlet, honest as could be. "Your cap'n might have saved you, but dat doesn't mean you have to live your life for her. You's your own person, lassie." He told her, honestly. "Me cap'n would never tell me to abandon me kid. He doesn't put himself first. He puts his... his family first. His friends first. Dere's a difference 'tween Corsaire and Adda." He was not sugar coating his words.

"Adda does put her family first. She gave us homes. She allowed us to choose our occupations once we become of age. She gave me the choice to leave her... us Gerudo are her only family she has. She did what she thought was best for us." Scarlet put her hands to her face and held her breath, slowly exhaling. "And that's why I'm terrified. You're all going to kill her. She won't stop. She won't. And you'll have to kill her."

"You call dumping her kids off and making you choose 'tween your baby and her a 'sister'?" Bomba actually laughed dryly at that statement. "If dat's the kind of definition of family for Gerudos, then I's really glad the girls weren't raised there. Family don't hurt family. Don't make 'em choose 'tween kids or her." The first mate then told Scarlet. "Look, lassie. I can argue with ya til me blue in the face, but what your cap'n did was wrong. End of story." He shook his head. "We's don't want to kill her if she'll just give us Seer. She don't, then it's gonna be a fight. Cap'n never let us down before; he's never lost." He sighed and then said to Scarlet. "We's used to be pirates, but we's never hurt innocents like she did, never took for our own gain. We's stole from those who stole from the others. Cap'n never liked fighting, but he's damn good it if he has to."

"You ever hear about the battle of Fan-Shen Bay?"

"I's heard of a lot of battles, lassie."

"This one was personal. When the great war happened, there was a giant power grab for riches and power. We didn't start the war. It was slowly building up, and I think you and your crew were lucky enough to miss it. Captain Adda saw an opportunity with the Wind Waker. We had the power to put a stop to heavy hitters like Onslaught and keep him grounded. But more importantly, we, a tribe of Gerudo women, had the potential to come out on top. To bring order. As we got into the war, it quickly dawned on us that our night with your crew left us pregnant. My crew, my sisters in our tribe were terrified for us. We couldn't pull out of the war. And Adda, couldn't leave the twins with Bakura. He still had that monster Set in his mind at the time. And... and we couldn't get back to our island sanctuary. It was under siege at the time." Scarlet knew it sounded like she was making excuses to him, but this was the first time she found the will to fully explain herself. "Should I have stayed with Rat? Maybe... but I had to help my sisters. I had to make sure that they lived first. So we took the girls to Rat and Seer, and I returned to the war. The Battle of Fan-Shen Bay occurred a week after I returned to my captain. In that battle our ship was torn apart by cannon fire and we crashed into the bay. Now I want you to imagine what would happen if we had little babies with us. They would have died. I saw girls that couldn't swim drown that day, or torn apart by cannon fire. And I am grateful I returned. Adda was knocked unconscious. My sisters were panicked as we were pinned down by enemy fire. So I took command. I used ever bit of magic and skill I had to protect my sisters as we rounded our forces for a retreat. If I had stayed with Rat, I'm certain my whole tribe would have been wiped out that day. So the choices I make haunt me either way. Abandoning my daughter for 13 years, or knowing if I abandoned my crew they'd all be dead. Tell me how to heal my soul from that?"

Revy was in horror from hearing that story, having listened through the crack of her door. Why did fate have to always leave people with horrible choices. Scarlet felt like crying. "I'm... I'm tired defending myself. Adda might be rotten to the core, like everyone keeps saying, but she loved us.... and I loved her too. Please understand that."

"Me thinks either way, you's just tormenting ye self." Bomba was no guru on giving advice, he said whatever popped into his head. Yet, sometimes, his blunt statements made perfect sense. "You's were stuck either way. Yet... dere's one thing me doesn't understand." He finally asked the question everyone had been thinking. "We's coulda helped hide ye. All of ye. Why didn't you just... ask for help?"

"Didn't want to drag our enemies to Hyrule. Maybe we wanted to be more than just another tribe. Or maybe we were just stupid." Scarlet's lip quivered. "I feel stupid... Like a waste of breath."

"Maybe a little bit of both." Bomba was not very good at comforting females, so he took her hand and gently patted it. "Tis okay to feel stupid. Look at me. I's the silly one of the crew, and me mouth gets me into bad situations. Me crew calls me stupid sometimes, but dey still love me. No one tis perfect. We's all human and make mistakes." He shrugged his shoulders. "Sometimes, the best thing to do is... move forward and try to put the past behind ye." The first mate gave her a small grin. "Can't make the same mistakes again if ye don't wanna."

"Thank you Bomba." Scarlet squeezed tight, and looked into his eyes, feeling the warmth of his comfort.

"Me thinks you need to do more thinking, lassie." Bomba was truthful with Scarlet. "Thinking of what ye really want. Tis ain't 'bout Adda no more, 'bout you."

"You're right... Are you the wise one out of your brothers?"

"HAHAHA!" Bomba started laughing at that question. "Aw shit, no. Seer was the wise one. Me's just the kid... well, me used to be a kid then, sneaking into his kitchen to steal a bite of food."

"Well, you show qualities of a man now." Before Bomba could make a remake, Scarlet lifted him up off the ground, and planted a deep kiss on him.

"HMPH?!?!" Bomba was not expecting a kiss, that was for sure.

Scarlet's lips were fine, and she held the kiss for more than he thought she would. Pulling away, she had a light, floaty smile. "Thank you for talking with me. I needed that."

"Uh-huh..." Bomba was a little out of breath from the kiss and partly dazed. "No... no problem, lassie. Good talk'in, and... very, very good kiss'in."

"I'm going to check on the girls. I'll see you in the morning?" Scarlet set the dazed man down back to his feet.

"Hm-hm, morning's good." Bomba tried to snap out of his stupor just for a moment. "Wishing you sweet dreams, lassie."

"Sweet dreams Bomba." Scarlet gave him a hug into her breasts, than turned with a wave goodbye and settled for the night.

"Heheheh... boobies." Bomba snickered as Scarlet exited his cabin to check on the girls.

~

The morning came, and the crew prepared. A week out of sea and they had arrived at their first destination. They quickly dropped one of the sails to cut the speed as to not draw mass attention. The island ahead had a jungle interior, with a bustling port of other pirates coming and going. Liz was hazy, regretting crying herself to sleep the night before. She barely looked Halvar in the eye, embarrassed by her actions. Everyone was getting equipped properly. Liz was wearing a modest outfit, with a trench coat to give her an air of authority. Revy wore a simple shirt and pants with light armour underneath, and Scarlet was suiting up in her Iron Knuckle suit.

Bakura looked over the sea, turning to Corsaire. "You ever been to this island before?"

"Aye, many years ago." Corsaire made sure to guide his ship into port slowly and carefully. "Rescued Mojo and Juju here. Can't say they're happy to be back."

"We's gonna be fine, cap'n." Mojo assured Corsaire. "We's grown now, not wee lads. We can take care of ourselves."

"We'll stick together, and we's be okay." Juju agreed with his brother. "We's help looking after the girls too."

"Bakie, you's going to be okay a-doing this?" Rat asked Bakura, hating to inquire, but he had to do so. "I don't want your... other half... going too crazy if we's gotta fight."

"We... we've come to an understanding. I believe that horse kick really did a number on him. But I can keep control." Bakura patted Rat's shoulders. His attention than turned to Lex. She was walking out in a very seductive fashion. Proper, yet very alluring. "Sweet heart, what are you wearing?"

"Uh, what are YOU wearing? Baggy pants? And Ms. Scarlet, don't you think you should wear normal clothing? You can magic up your armour at any time right? You need to scream less, "I'm a big bad warrior, rrrrr." You know what I mean?"

"Lex, we's here to find out information, not for ye to find a husband." Acrobat told his niece. "You look like you's trying to bait and hook a man."

"Lex, let Scarlet wear her armor if she's a-wants." Rat then turned to Revy. "Me love, you stay close to me, you hear? I's not underestimating your fighting ability, but I promised your Mama I'd keep you a-safe."

"Aye, all the ladies stay close to us, captain's orders." Corsaire told Scarlet, Lex, Liz, and Revy. "You never know what these crooks might try."

Lex rolled her eyes. "I KNOW I'm eye candy. That's my speciality. How many women have you muscle heads ever ran up to, transfixed by their beauty, and not to mention, tell them anything to get their attention. I can make people talk to help us find our target."

Scarlet nodded, impressed. "Excellent point Lex. I suppose my intimidation factor could lead to an issue. And we ALL have our strengths and weaknesses." The Gerudo woman powered down her armour, the magic making her appear back in regular clothing once more.

"Regardless, all of you ladies are staying with one of us." Corsaire ordered firmly. "Is that clear? You will travel with one of us at all times. This island has been known to kidnap females and sell them into the slave rings."

"Eh. Small advantage I can only hope for is that Adda has made Gerudo feared enough for no one to pull that shit, but don't count on it." Scarlet nodded to the three girls.

Bakura used his skills as a bounty hunter to formulate a plan. "Be careful when asking information. When we find Eltontor, we play it safe. Interrogating him will be difficult unless we get him isolated."

"So we need to set a trap for him." Rat suggested. "Get in his good graces and then get the information we need."

"If he doesn't willingly tell us, we'll make him talk." Liz spoke up, hyper focused on the mission ahead.

"No one goes alone," Corsaire told everyone. "Acrobat, Pockets, you search the fishing docks. Mojo, Juju, stay with the ship, I don't want anyone trying to get the bright idea of hurting Mojo. Rat, Revy, you go search the trading posts. Lex, Liz, you're with me, we'll search the taverns." Then he ordered. "Bomba, Scarlet, you take the markets."

Bakura checked his blades, and polished his mask. "Girls, stick to the captains orders. Halvar, you come with me. You can probably pass off as a slave boy if anyone asks any questions about you."

"Hey!" Halvar objected at that remark. "Slave boy, my ass."

"Halvar, do as he tells you." Corsaire told the young prince. "We need to get you back home to your parents safe and sound."

"... can Liz come with me?" He asked the captain. "I feel better if she's at my side. I want to protect her."

"Very well." Corsaire gestured to Halvar. "Liz?"

Liz thought about her actions last night, how she wished she could be a better girlfriend to Halvar. Maybe they could use this chance to take care of themselves. "Well, I suppose it can't hurt to look after you as well Halvar."

Bakura waved her over. "Alright. Anyone asks. I'm an Yuga bounty hunter, you're my partner, and this is a Direnor slave we acquired."

"Grr... fine." Halvar agreed to go along with the farce because this was Liz's other dad. He did not want too many tensions since he intended to marry Liz.

"Is everyone else ready?"

"Aye, cap'n."

"Let's find this guy. Seer's counting on us." Bakura finished slipping his mask down and the ship pulled into the dock.

Everyone set out, Scarlet ready to summon her armour at a moments notice. Looking around, she was hit with an air of nostalgia at all the unlawful trade occurring around her. Smiling to Bomba, she nudged him. "You miss this at all?"

"Eh, a little." Bomba looked around at all the merchandise. "Me's content to work for Hyrule now. Better money, safer, and can still be close to cap'n and me family."

"Not gonna lie. Cracking heads and getting rich with all the laughs and joy with my sisters is a feeling that I wish I could recapture sometimes."

"Not like you can't recreate that feeling with us." Bomba suggested to Scarlet. "If you're bored in Uskar, then come work on the ship with the cap'n and me. We could always use a bit of extra muscle!"

"I go where Revy goes. That's how its always been for me."

"Aye, and me admires your dedication to your wee one." Bomba nodded his head. "Though, you know, Reveka is grown now. She knows how to fight, how to take care of herself, and one day, she'll have a family of her own. She'd want you to be happy doing what you like. She wouldn't expect you to chain ye self down cause of her."

Scarlet knew Bomba was right. Borghild had told her the same so many times. "I haven't really found anyone to settle down with."

"Well, even if you haven't found a mate to settle down with, it'd be fun for you to come along with us." Bomba reminded Scarlet. "We's not pirates no more, but we still know how to party and have fun."

"I'll give it some thought..."

"All righty, then." Bomba looked around the market at the various booths. So far, he did not see no crocodile man. He did, however, see an object which caught his eye. Approaching the stand full of flowers, he paid for a single gerber daisy. Once in his hands, he waltzed back to Scarlet, stood on his tiptoes, and put it behind her ear. "There. No lady can be sad with flowers."

Scarlet looked down at him in surprise. Her shock was evidence she didn't know what to make of the action. "No one has ever given me flowers before."

"Eh? All ladies deserve some perdy flowers." Bomba stretched and then put his hands on the back of his head. "Especially a red flower like you."

Scarlet took the flower and smelled it closely. "Lavender... I love lavender."

"Lavender? Me's not too good with the names of flowers, lassie." Bomba told her. "Next time we's seeing some at a booth or what not, you show me. Learn a little from you 'bout perdy blooms." He then held up a pocket of coins he had taken from another customer with a grin. "And me learn you a little about pickpocketing."

"Well, aren't you sneaky." Scarlet threw him another bag that she snatched off a man walking back to his boat.

"The sneakiest, lassie, don't you forget it." Bomba then showed Scarlet one of the daggers he took from her, that she had hiding in her belt with a laugh. "Me could steal your undies and you wouldn't know it."

"You know what, I'd like to see you try." Scarlet wiggled her hips, her heart beating every glance she took at Bomba now. Walking to a clerk, she got his attention. "Oy! Got a question for you."

"Me gets 'em, me gets to keep 'em." Bomba snorted at her little wiggle. "As a trophy."

As Scarlet approached the clerk, he looked up at her.

"Yes, miss?"

"How much would it cost for a box of condoms?"

She let her words drip in the air as she gave a cheshire grin back at Bomba, savouring his reaction.

"Three rupees, please."

"..." Bomba's face turned red for a minute before he snickered. "Only one box?"

"I'll take three boxes." She was starting to get a little red herself. Turning to Bomba once more, her pearly white teeth grinned at him. "If you think you're man enough to handle that~"

"Me can take anything you throw at me. Even if ye throw ye self."

"We have a buy two, get one free special." The clerk then asked. "Also, if you're interested, we have a buy one get one special on lubes today. Our three most popular edibles are strawberry-banana, coconut-lime, and peach-mango. In the back of the store, there's lingerie for the ladies and the men if you're interested."

"I'll take four boxes and each of the lube. Lingerie isn't necessary." Scarlet started to take her rupees out to pay.

"Very well, miss." The clerk bagged up her purchase and took the payment. "For buying the specials, we've played a complimentary bottle of oil in the bag just for you and your lover. Thank you for shopping at Noctural Pleasures and have a good day."

"Me guesses we need to find a room next." Bomba chuckled with a wide grin. "Cause cap'n don't like it when we's rock the boat."

"After we find our target." Scarlet paid a boy on the dock to bring the new cargo back to the ship. Leaning down, she pinched Bomba's cock, satisfied he was growing an erection. "Let's go little man. Who knows how long it will take to find him~"

"Hmph, you's a tease, that's what you are, lassie." Bomba sulked at being denied at first and then yipped when she fondled his privates. Grasping her hand, he tugged her along in the streets. "Come on, hurry up, daylight's burning, and I wanna fuck, so let's find this reptile."

~

Halvar, Liz, and Bakura walked through a large pub, looking around. The older man made sure to keep an eye out on the two young adults every once in a while. Liz tapped her foot, some impatience getting to her. "Can you two cover my? I'm going to duck into one of the bathroom stalls quickly."

"Sure thing Liz."

Once Liz was out of sight, Bakura gave Halvar a slap on the back. "Look alive kid. You're way too focused on my daughter right now."

"Hey!" Halvar turned slightly red in the cheeks at Bakura's statement. "... she's beautiful. I can't help but look at her."

"Well, you haven't exactly inspired confidence in me that you're the right man for her. If all you're going to do is drool like a dog, and hump like a dog thinking about her..."

"I'm not a dog, I'm a fox." Halvar did not like being referred to as a dog. To a Direnor, it was an insult. He was often seen as a meek prince, but right now, he was mad. "I respect her, and I love her. I've made no advances because I want her to be ready to take that intimate step. I've been there to encourage her and help her through hard times." He said before he thought. "You don't exactly inspire confidence in me that you're a good father figure. After all, you did try to kill her once." The prince then said bitterly. "Don't try to bring me down with you. I'll be there for her thick and thin, no matter what the future brings us. I'd happily give my life for her, or any children we have in the future. I'm a good man, and Liz has accepted my offer of courtship. If she was not pleased with me, I'd know. So back off and butt out of our relationship. It's for me and her to decide what we wish to do, not you."

Halvar couldn't see it behind that mask, but Bakura was shocked, which quickly turned into him being impressed. He gave Halvar a slap on the back again and laughed. "That's the spirit lad. I'm how Lex would say, "Just fucking with you". Well you need to be there for her. And I think Liz would appreciate a little boldness. Just an inch."

Bakura held his hips and shook his head with a chuckle. "It's my job as a father to look out for my girls best interest. Sure, a part of me tried to kill her once, but what family hasn't wanted to kill each other at some point! If you're going to lay down your life for her, you have to be smart about it. You can't let anything distract you. Take, for example, if we find Adda, and you happen to be alone with a bombshell like her, what are you going to do?"

"Hmph." Halvar tried not to show he was sulking at the teasing from Bakura, and crossed his arms. "Liz wants to find Adda, we cannot let anything distract us now when we're so close. However, if we were alone together, and she was comfortable, and only if she was ready, then I would not object to mating. She is a fine woman and sometimes it's hard to hold myself back. My father and mother taught me to respect a female or else, she might claw your eyes out."

"Oh yes. Or she could see the demon in you, and make a catastrophic choice. If you catch Adda... let me get a chance to talk to her."

Before Halvar could ask more, Liz came out. "Alright, sorry for the wait. Was talking to a girl in the bathroom. She mentioned pirates like to hang out at a place called, "The Sun Pyramid."

"Hmm, I'll ask around for what that is. You two stick together."

Bakura left the couple alone as he asked around.

"Unlike you, I'm in control of my 'demon'." Halvar huffed at Bakura, and then quieted when Liz approached the two of them. He was exactly too keen on her overhearing their conversation. Though, as much as he hated to admit it, Bakura did have a point. It was now or never, he supposed. Anything could happen with this fight with Adda. "Liz?" Halvar turned to look at her. "I... I'm sorry if I embarrassed you the other night. Or if you think I don't want to mate with you, that's not the case. Sometimes, I keep repeating these proper rules in my head, and it's only gotten in the way. I don't want you to ever think you're a problem, you're my lover, and I'm yours." He took her hands, and kissed her knuckles. "Whenever you're ready, I'm happy to love you."

"Halvar..." Liz looked sadly at his hand. "I wish I was stronger with this aspect of my life, like other Gerudo woman. I just didn't want to hurt you. I didn't want you to feel forced into a situation, like... my mother would do to others." She looked back to him, kissing his fingers back. "I want to take things slow. Can we just... cuddle in bed? Like normal couples do?"

"Hey," Halvar tilted her chin up to look at him. "Whatever you want, whenever you want. I'll do what you're comfortable with, okay? Never think you're disappointing me. I love you too much for that."

"I... thank you." Liz leaned in to give him a quick kiss on the lips. "Let's ask around, shall we?"

~

Lex waved to the many pirates that were giving her whistles and cat calls. It didn't take long for her to get a lead out of one. She told him to meet her at the peer so she wouldn't have him nip at her feet the whole way for the rest of her search. "So, the Sun Pyramid. I wonder what we'll find there Captain Uncle."

"Was it really necessary to flirt with every male specimen on this island?" Corsaire groaned, wondering why he did not send Lex with Revy and Rat.

"Hey, they flirt with me! Besides, you said you wanted to look out for me, and keep me away from the nasty men~" Lex tickled her Uncle's chest teasingly. "Just jealous they're dropping better one liners than you give Princess Orana?"

"I invented one liners, lassie." Corsaire grumbled under his breath. "And I didn't give one liners to my wife. I treated her like a proper gentleman... and the first one liner I gave she only laughed at me, so I didn't give her no more."

"I bet. Well, I'm gonna keep doing what I do best. Being fabulous as fuck~"

Lex tapped her sunglasses as they walked through a jungle path. The Sun Pyramid was an actual pyramid, having been modified into a giant entertainment centre. On the right, exotic dancers, the left, a fighting ring for people to sort their shit out, but the main attraction was a giant casino.

"Holy shit. Think of all the money we could make here."

"Lex, we're here to get information, and get out. Time's a tick'in."

"I'm just saying." Lex took a deep breath. "Alright. I'll take the lead." Standing up on a staircase, Lex shouted loudly. "Who wants to gamble against me?! 100,000 worth of rupees on me!"

"IGNORE HER, SHE'S DRUNK!!!" Corsaire shouted and pulled Lex off the staircase and over his shoulder. "What the fuck do you think you're doing?! We're not here to stand out!"

"That's exactly what I'm doing. Getting attention." Lex pushed him away as some men approached. One was reptilian.

"Who's this guy?"

"Don't worry, he's my bitch."

"You serious about playing little girl?"

"That's woman to you scaly. And I am. Serious about winning."

"Alright. Who else wants to play with this spitfire?"

"... I hate you so much right now." Corsaire hissed under his breath to Lex, and then saw the crocodile man approach. "... she's only interested in one player at a time."

"Oy. Bitch. Did I give you permission to speak?" Lex raised her sunglasses at her Uncle, trying to act cool.

"I'm her uncle and I'm supervising her night out." Corsaire corrected Lex with a harsh slap on the butt as if she were an unruly kid. "Can't have no man taking advantage of my little girl now."

"Hmmm. And her I thought she was kind of gangster."

Lex yelped, and part of her spirit crumbled. Her image was being shattered by her Uncle. An cold anger built up inside in her. No one trusted her abilities. They either thought she was just a kid or a slut. She gave him a hard kick to the leg. "You're ruining my mystique. So piss off and get me a drink, while I take every bit of fucking coin these losers have."

Lex turned back to the man, glaring at her opponent, before giving a smile and a pretty face. "I am a gangster sweety. How about you draw your cards. We can do some Blackjack."

"Ha. Sure thing." The crocodilian man pointed to a dealer to cut them a deck.

"OOF!" Corsaire nearly dropped Lex when she kicked him. He growled at his niece, giving her a glare. Seer would not want her dealing with the scum of the earth. She was not in Uskar, the men here were not honorable. The bastards here would take advantage of her, cheat her, or worse, try to drug her and sell her as merchandise. "Fine." He snapped at her. "Don't come crying to me when they get the one up on you." With that, he stormed off to the bar. However, as Corsaire watched Lex play, he noticed how in control she was, how comfortable. Her porker face was on point, switching between cold, and full of playful emotion to throw her opponent off.

"So tell me, you seem so different than the other men here."

"It's the scales right? Humans love the scales."

"I do." Lex looked to the dealer. "Hit me."

Looking at her cards, she frowned, making a jiggle with her body. Her opponent thought he won. "Alright. I'm playing my hand." He placed a jack and a seven down. "You seem disappointed."

"Oh, I am!" Lex threw her hand down. A three, a ten, and a seven. "That I didn't get a full 21~"

"Fuck me..."

"Your rupees please~!"

The reptile growled. He thought he was tricking some kid. He wasn't supposed to actually lose this money. "Look. I need to actually get my money from my boss."

"Ooooo, what's the matter, need to cry to your captain? Why don't you bring him here? Maybe he can win the money back."

The man thought of that. "Stay right here sweetheart. He might just want to meet you."

Lex turned to her Uncle in the distance to give him the finger. As she waited, she saw the biggest reptile, barring dragons, in her life stomp forward. He was a big crocodile man, with a thick brown coat, a hat with a peacock feather, and a golden artificial right eye. His smile was filled with sharp, jagged teeth. "Hello sweetheart. My name is Captain Eltontor. How'd you like to make a wager?"

"Fuck me, she actually did it." Corsaire watched from the bar. He decided he'd only interfere if things got out of hand. If Lex wanted to play this game, she could.

"Oooo my~ Aren't you a big boy~"

"You don't know the half of it little snow flake~"

Lex giggled, hoping to fully entrance the big crocodile. She felt so much pride that she was the first to find their target. "So you aren't mad I beat your little boy in some gambling are you? I was thinking of buying some golden earrings."

"I think a golden chain would look better around you~"

"Oh stop it, you naughty man~" Lex waved her hand in a fun gesture. "So what's this gesture you have?"

"Oh, quite simple, I was thinking of a game of chance."

"Chance?"

"Yes. How'd about it?"

"Depends, what we talking here?"

"I love this particular game." Eltontor snapped his fingers and received a glass of liqueur. Pouring it into a bottle, he made it so it almost overflowed. "The rules are simple. You keep dropping coins into the glass until it spills. You can put as many coins as you like in, but if you spill, you lose."

Lex had never played this before. "Sounds fun."

"So I was thinking we could play for more than just money." The croc smiled down at Lex's body. The Gerudo smiled back, but not for the same reason. This is what she wanted. A chance to find her mother.

"I can agree to that. What do you want?"

"Well my dear, I was thinking when I win, I'll take you back to my ship. We can have all sorts of fun there."

"Ok. And if I win... you have to tell me where I can find Captain Adda."

That took Eltontor by surprise. "Captain Adda? The Queen of the Seas? Why do you want to find her?"

"Girls got her reason. I heard you know a way to find her, or, just as good, someone who does."

Eltontor grew visibly more nervous, tapping his claw. His instincts were telling him to drug this girl and take her away. "Well, little lady, I suppose I might."

"Than do we have a deal?"

"We do." Eltontor made a special click with his mouth and some of his men got them two different drinks.

"Your move, babydoll~"

Lex picked up five coins. This prompted everyone around the table to 'Ooooo' her. Eltontor chuckled. "You like to take big risks, I can tell. I wonder what other big things you like~"

"Please take your hand off the table dear." Lex breathed deeply, very, very carefully placing her fingers over the glass. Letting go, she dropped the coins. The liquid shifted, but didn't spill. Lex relaxed back into her set and took some of her drink. The young Gerudo woman felt confident she understood the level of liquid in the glass now.

"Hmmph. Impressive. My move." Eltontor took a coin from the side of the table, and put it over the glass. Smiling, he squeezed some hidden cotton, pouring additional liquid into the glass, unknowns to Lex.

Dropping his coin into the glass, Eltontor hid the cotton he used, and the glass shifted, but once more, didn't spill. "Heheheh. That was close. Your move."

Lex starred at the glass. She saw how the liquid shifted around. With one coin it shouldn't have moved like that. She should have had enough space to place one or two more coins in. What gives? Lex took a coin, uncertain.

"Well girly?"

"Give me a moment."

"I think we know that you lost."

"Shut up."

"Well, not everyone can be so certain."

Lex was afraid. She felt like she was going to lose. She gripped the glass with one hand, and steadily held her coin over the glass. She was gonna lose. She was going to be this freaks plaything. How could she fuck this up? She didn't want to. She didn't want to fail. So, to her surprise, and everyone else, when she dropped the coin, it didn't spill.

Eltontor was in shock and disbelief. "What? WHAT?!"

He quickly took a coin and dropped it in. Did he not pour enough liquid in? His glass shifted and the liqueur spilled out.

Lex smiled. Somehow she won. "Yes. YES! I DID IT!"

Eltontor threw the contents of the glass out and looked at it. Ice had formed above the tip of the edges, giving it a tiny little room for error. "You cheated me."

"What? No I didn't. Tell me about Adda you piece of luggage!"

"You little bitch. I think I know who you are now. You're one of Adda's girls, aren't you?"

Oh shit. That was not part of the plan.

With a loud 'clang' Corsaire's metal hand slammed on the table, causing the rupees and the drinks to clatter. The ex-pirate was pissed. He gave a cold stare to Eltontor, and put a hand on Lex's shoulder.

"Call her a bitch one more time and see where it gets you, lizard." Corsaire did not know if his reputation with the kraken still preceded him, but he did not care. No one was going to mess with his niece, even if she was acting like a little shit. He would make sure she was all right for Seer's sake. "She belongs with me. You think I didn't see that cotton? You think I don't know how you cheated and won this game? Or for the fact of the matter," He picked up Lex's drug and took a sniff. "That this roofie you put in her drink has a salty taste and oil residue it leaves on top? I know all your tricks and I know you're going to apologize or else, I'll beat your ugly skull in until they'll have to identify you by your bones. What's it going to be, reptile?"

Eltontor knew EXACTLY who this man was. How the hell did the legendary kraken slayer end up here? He was supposed to be retired. "Yeah, yeah, yeah, nah. How about this." The crocodile, grabbed the table and threw it at Corsaire and Lex, running through the casino to reach his boat. "WASTE THESE FOOLS! MILLION FOR THE MAN’S HEAD DEAD! ANOTHER MILLION FOR THE GIRL ALIVE!"

Corsaire reacted quickly, catching the table, ducking down and pulling Lex with him, using the furniture as a shield. He drew his gun, and shouted, "If anyone dares to fire at me, I'll set the damn kraken on their ship!!!" He leaned out from behind the table and fired a single shot... busting through Eltontor's kneecap.

Eltontor screamed, but still lurched along, his weight able to keep him up. His reptilian crew were the only ones to fire at Corsaire. Lex hated this and ran to the left. "I'm going after him! They want YOU dead, not me! Asshole thinks he can cheat ME!?" Lex growled, dodging the commotion all around her.

"YOU GET YOUR ASS BACK HERE!" Corsaire nearly screeched at Lex, trying to chase after the girl, but the bullets kept him pinned. "LEX!!!"

Lex found Eltontor getting into a speed boat, trailing blood. It started to take off, and Lex felt her heart sank. She fell for this pirates tricks. Once again, that cold sense of failure hit her. If they lost him, they lost a chance at her mother.

“No. NO YOU’RE NOT GETTING AWAY!” Lex willed it, and she thrust her hands to the water. The entire channel froze, lurching Eltontor's boat and sending him flying and skidding across belly first on the ice back towards her.

Lex was completely shocked. She had ice magic. She was a wizard! As she felt her new found confidence, and ready to tear some questions out of him, that was when the roofie hit her. Slumping to her feet, her head was suddenly killing her, and she threw up. Eltontor smiled, walking up to her. With a slap across the face, he knocked Lex to the ground. Picking her up with one hand, he held his cannon in the other. This little girl would make a great companion and a meatshield. Lex cursed in her haze. They found their quarry, but the plan was starting to fall apart. She heard Eltontor cry out in victory as her mind started to go blank. "Let's go men!"

[a-really-bi-girl]

Legends of Hogwarts

Fandom: Legends of Tomorrow and Harry Potter

Chapter 1: Wide Awake

I have been awake for hours, gazing up to the ceiling and thinking about the missing kids. Two months it has been since the first kid went missing.  His name was Jack and everyone knew him. He always had a book on him and he has never skipped a class in his life, with his knowledge he would become an Auror with ease. A month after his disappearance girl from the Slytherin house went missing. Cecilia, 1/3 of the Slytherin triangle and self-crowned miss popularity. Boys literally threw themselves at her. I grew tired of laying down so I sat up straight in my bed. I wondered about what would have happened to them and if there would be any more victims.  I don't trust the ministry at all, I know they said that they will find out what happened to the missing kids but it has been a month now and still nothing. After staring into the dark for a while you decided to get dressed before the daily war over the bathroom would start.

 I heard my roomies waking up from there beauty nap while i was brushing my teeth. This was the first year you were happy with your roomies. The carter twins Jane and Jessica, the captain of the quidditch team Michelle, head girl Liz and yourself were appointed to the same dorm and you five were a perfect match. Over a period of two months you five became like sisters. I walked back into our dorm room and looked at my sleepy roomies while getting dressed. After watching the girls fight over the bathroom you made your way down to the great hall. With a book about magical creatures in hand, I went down to the Gryffindor table to help Olivia with her studies. I have helped her for the last two years with her studies and now she is doing great. When I arrived she wasn't already there as usual and that surprised me. "Where is the Huffelpuff?" I asked my self softly.

On board of the Waverider

pov Sara: ''Babe wake up.'' I heard a soft voice speak waking me up from my sleep. "Ava, why are you waking me up ?'' "There is a letter for you?" Ava said confused. My eyes flew open and I saw her holding the letter which said 'to Captain Sara Lance, Captain of the timeship of the Waverider, somewhere outside of time'. I grabbed a knife out of your nightstand and opened the letter. “How can a letter even be deliverd here?”i asked as i looked at Ava. I unfolded the letter and i began reading.

'Dear Captain Lance,

My name is Professor McGonagall and I am the current headmaster of Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry. There is a problem at Hogwarts, kids are disappearing and we can't figure out why. A close friend of mine recommended me to write you a letter.

Two months ago a boy went missing, a month ago a girl and this morning we found out that another girl has disappeared. we need your help. 

Please if you agree to help us come to this address and ask the bartender about the yearly specials. I look forward to meeting you and your legends, Captain Lance.

Professor McGonagall'

The letter was quickly written and was contained in gonna old envelope with a red seal. "Is this real? No this can't be real" I spoke softly. "It looks real" Ava added. I couldn't believe my eyes. I called for Gideon to gather the team for a team meeting.

Pov John:

I dragged my ass to the team meeting ready to give Sara a piece of my mind for waking me up at this bloody hour. Sara's doors were wide open and I made my way into her room where she was sitting on her bed with the missus. I could hear mick entering the room while grunting at me. "Whats the team meeting for Captain?" Nate said sleepily while entering the room with Zari, Ray, Nora, Mona, and Charlie. "Yeah luv, whats the bloody meeting for." I said while positioning myself in a comfy chair. "Is this letter from anyone ?" Sara said seriously. "You woke us up for a freaking letter that's it, I'm going back to me kip," I said while getting ready to stand up.

Sara opened her mouth and read the letter out loud. "If this is a joke tell me now otherwise I'm going to take it seriously". Everyone looked at each other and back at Sara. "Well then get your stuff because we are going back to school, Gideon plot a course to the tree broomsticks” Sara spoke. I rolled my eyes and decided there and then that I would fill my flask with the strong stuff because I was going to need it.

Back at Hogwarts I have been in the great hall for a minute or five and Olivia still wasn't here.  Olivia is a bulb of energy and was never late anywhere, this wasn't anything like her. I told myself that she overslept or bumedt into someone but somehow it didn't felt right.15 minutes later the girls arrived at the table. "Where is the Huffelpuff?" Jane asked. "Yeah, where is she." Jessica wondered as she looked around the great hall. I started to get worried. The captain of the Hufflepuff team entered the hall and I stood up. "Jake wait a sec," I said as I run over to him. "Morning y/n' " Morning, Have you seen Olivia? I haven't seen her yet. " "I'm sorry but i haven't seen her either, maby she is sick" I nodded and walked back to my spot. "and?" Liz asked. "Nothing" i sat back down and nervously hold on to the book whilst tapping with my foot. 

My mind wandered off thinking off all the possible things that could have happened to her while hoping that she hasn't disappeared like the others. My eye fell at Professor McGonagall and I quickly stood up. "What are you gonna do Y/N," Michelle asked. I didn't answer her question and with the book in hand, I made my way to the teacher's table. " Good morning Professor McGonagall and Professor Hagrid, can I interrupt you for a second?" "Good morning Y/N, of course, what can we do for ya?" Hagrid said while taking a bite of a scone. "Have you seen Olivia? you know, the third year Hufflepuff with the gorgeous afro?" I asked nervously. Hagrid stopped with eating and looked at McGonagall. The other teachers heard my question and stopped with what they were doing. 

My heart started to pound in my chest and my hands started to shake. McGonagall looked me in the eye and as we made eye contact I could see a tear appear. My eyes grew larger as my hand let go of the book. With a hard clap it hit the ground and the great hall was quiet. Professor McGonagall stood up and cleared her throat. "Dear Students," She began as i turned around to pick up the book. "Good morning," Time stood still and my mind dose off as McGonagall kept speaking. "I'm sorry " My heart felt like it has been stabbed "to inform you all" My mind felt broken. "that Miss Olivia Greenwoods" I walked past my roommates towards the door of the great hall. A tear rolled over my cheek.

"has disappeared".

I will find you, Olivia.