#my answer also changes if I don’t know in advance this is temporary

[fardell24b]

Spider Quinn 16 Tempest and Change Part 3

Shortly afterwards, Quinn changed to SpiderGirl on the roof of the theatre. The themes of change resonated with her, specially with the changes she had undergone since she got bit by that spider and after her father died. ‘Daddy! I will always miss you! Thank you for saying ‘With Great Power. Comes Great Responsibility.’ It has given me something to strive for.’ She then thought about Brittany as Ariel. ‘She’s pouring herself into the role.’ Then she heard sirens to the east, across the creek in Lawndale Flats. ‘Responsibility calls,’ she thought as she swung away.

Daria and Jane left the Historia, heading towards the pizza place. “That was rather good for a first rehearsal,” Jane said.

“The actors had time to learn the script. And many were already familiar with The Tempest,” Daria said.

“Including Brittany? That was a surprise.”

“Apparently she had read Shakespeare since she was young.”

“I must have missed that,” Jane mused. “What do you think about the guy playing Prospero?”

“Tom? He’s good. It must be because Fielding covers Shakespeare better than a public school would.”

“I mean, he’s cute.”

“I don’t think so,” Daria said. “He’s like all the other boys.”

Jane shrugged. “Maybe. Still, all of them were good, including Tania.”

“She did well in her audition. Just because she was running around town accusing people of being the vigilantes over a week ago doesn’t mean I would not give her the opportunity.”

“Of course. Of course.”

Brittany got home at 6 after spending most of an hour patrolling as Ninja Talon. After packing her suit below her floorboards she went down and saw Ashley-Amber making dinner. “Smells good, Ashley-Amber,” she commented.

“It’s a pasta bake,” Ashley-Amber responded. “How was the rehearsal, Honey?”

“It went very well. Everyone was on point.”

“I knew that you being into Shakespeare would pay off.”

“Thanks,” Brittany said.

“Your father will be home soon.”

“I’m not sure what he would say.”

“That’s certainly true,” Ashley-Amber said wistfully. “He has a limited view of people. Sometimes I feel stuck here. But I also remember the opportunities.”

Brittany smiled. “The play is helping me express myself. Maybe he should see a performance.”

“That’s a good idea. The opening night is on Friday, right?”

“Yes.”

Dinners at the Taylors were usually quiet affairs, other than Brian mucking up from time to time. “So, you started rehearsing that play, Brit?” Steve asked.

“Yes. It has started very well,” Brittany answered. “Also, I’m wondering if you would come to one of the performances?”

“I’ll see if I can swing it,” Steve said.

Brittany looked disappointed.

“It is important to her,” Ashley-Amber said.

“I know that. But I’m also busy. She just announced that she joined the play over a week ago. Sometimes my schedule is planned weeks in advance,” Steve said. He turned to Brittany. “I will try to make it.”

“Opening night is Friday,” Brittany said.  “Then Saturday. It will run like that for four weeks, before other plays start coming to the Historia.”

“Another thing to check out. You can’t believe how competitive Osborn is. Even in his condition, Oscorp is outbidding me in Oakwood and Middlebury,” Steve said.

‘Oakwood and Middlebury too!’ Brittany noted.

“And I have to reassure investors that Lawndale’s current troubles are temporary.”

“I hope they are,” Ashley-Amber said quietly.

Sandi had finished her dinner. She had been at the Historia earlier, when the play had finished, although she hadn’t caught up with Daria. She did hear the rehearsal had gone well. She opened the yearbook. After Natalia Charles was Samara Collins. ‘Is she in the play?’ she wondered. She knew Brittany and Tania were. She downed the energy drink. “Findu mann sem heiter: Samara Collins!”

She found Samara at her home on the east side of the creek.

Daria was finishing desert when WLND’s usual review show came on.

“I was at the rehearsal for the new Tempest at the Historia today, and I must say that the production was amateurish!”

“Amateurish!” Daria exclaimed.

“Now, Daria, what do you expect?” her mother asked.

“That they would take the circumstances into account,” Daria said as she picked up the phone.

“We now have a caller,” the critic said. “What’s your name.”

“Daria.”

“Daria, why are you calling.”

“I think your assessment of the rehearsal of Tempest is unfair.”

“And why is that, Daria?”

“Because the actors tried their best.”

“The actors who are mostly teenagers? And are you Daria Morgendorffer? The writer and director of the play in question? You sound like her.”

“Whether I am that Daria or not is not the point. It’s that you’re not taking the circumstance into consideration. They are teenagers doing their all for the play, including the director herself.”

“I don’t have to, Miss Morgendorffer. It’s up to the people of Lawndale themselves to judge whether I’m right or not.”

“Did you have to try to argue with the critic, Daria?” her mother asked.

“I guess I wanted the play to have the best chance,” Daria said.

“I can’t argue with that.”

“Maybe you can ask your colleagues to come on Friday night,” Daria suggested.

“I’ll see what I can do.”

Daria was still thinking about the argument with the critic when she snuck out as Dafoanairi after midnight. ‘It is something I will have to face in the future. It’s something I have to face now,’ she thought. ‘I guess I have to talk to someone about it. But I’m not sure that Sandi is the right person.’ Even so, she headed towards Grandstaff Drive.

The Enigma met Dafoanairi halfway towards Glen Oaks Lane. “I see that you’re, like, doing this more often,” she said.

“I figure Lawndale needs me to do it, and last night showed that I need to get more experience,” Dafoanairi said.

“That’s true,” the Enigma said.

“And I thought I needed the fresh air.”

“And someone to talk to.”

“Jane was out,” Dafoanairi said. “I didn’t want to talk to Trent about it.”

“There’s what I said a few weeks ago.”

“Let’s not revisit that.”

“Are you sure?” the Enigma asked.

“Of course, I’m sure. Jane is not one of the other vigilantes.”

They then headed downtown.

In Dega Street, Dafoanairi responded to another mugging attempt as the Enigma watched from on top of the Zon/Zen. She rushed out from an alley, and used the staff to knock the would be mugger down, before urging the would be victim to run. She then made herself scarce before the man got up. She watched the would be victim hide before she turned a corner into a well lit street. ‘I still wonder why Dega Street has poor lighting,’ Dafoanairi said as she went to the side of the Zon/Zen.

“I’d say that went well,” the Enigma said.

“Well enough. But I still need to practice with the staff more to be better able to defend myself.”

“Maybe that dojo you told me about.”

“Maybe,” Dafoanairi considered.

A while later, Ninja Talon and SpiderGirl met on top of the Historia as they had planned in the day. “Some new information,” the former said.

“What is this?” SpiderGirl asked.

“My father says he’s being outbid by Oscorp in Oakwood and Middlebury.”

“So, it’s not just Lawndale, its most of the county.”

“I think so,” Ninja Talon said. “He didn’t say anything about Cumberland.”

“That doesn’t mean they aren’t being looked at by Oscorp as well.”

“Of course. Also, he says that he might be at the play on Friday.”

“But you don’t sound hopeful,” SpiderGirl said.

“He is very busy. But I know Ashley-Amber will be there.”

Lawndale Sun-Herald

Monday February 19th, 2001

Fifth Vigilante is apparently snarky

“Is that what they’re going with?” Daria asked herself when she picked up the paper from the mailbox.

“What is that?” Quinn asked from one of her windows.

“Just the usual speculative journalist saying that the fifth vigilante is apparently snarky.”

“What evidence do they have?”

“None apparently.”

Quinn read the article at breakfast. ‘Whoever is the source probably did meet Dafoanairi in the past few days. But none of the other heroes are proclaiming themselves as I do. Not even Brittany.’

“Penny for your thoughts?” Daria asked.

“Each of the vigilantes are different. Not just in how they fight crime, but in the way they present themselves.”

“Each has their own personality, that reflects that of their secret identity, the way they want to present themselves and the role they think are playing.”

‘That’s something,’ Quinn thought. “And what does that say about SpiderGirl and Ninja Talon?”

“I’ll have to think about that. But for now I’ll say that SpiderGirl wants to be seen to be doing something for Lawndale, that there’s a sense of responsibility that drives her.”

‘That’s quite accurate.’

“Ninja Talon is similar,” Daria continued. “Although she is more stealthy, as would be appropriate, it also appears that she acts out of a sense of responsibility, such that she’s more like a samurai.”

“That’s something to think about.”

“Planning to write something in the Lowdown?”

“Maybe,” Quinn answered.

SpiderGirl thought on what her sister had said on the way to school. ‘I doubt she would make a connection that way.’

Daria, Jane, Brittany and others had Language Arts early in the day. “Daria, do you have something to say?” Mr. O’Neill asked as the class finished.

“You can see the play on Friday like everyone else,” Daria responded.

“I mean, I heard your argument with the critic. That must have been hard.”

Daria didn’t want to have that conversation. Certainly not with Mr. O’Neill. She wanted to focus on the rest of her day and prepare to tutor Brittany. “It was.”

“It must have hurt to have your work described as amateurish.”

“Of course it did. But it wasn’t only myself I was looking out for, but the others involved in the production,” Daria said as she left the classroom.

“Wait, Daria.”

Meanwhile. The critic, Kalina Ondrovic, was outside the Historia, examining it. She had received a cryptic invitation from someone. ‘Didn’t think I would be back here so quickly,’ she thought. She went inside, alert for any trickery.

“Here again?” Elisabeth Rowe asked the critic.

“I suppose you heard Daria’s argument with me?” the critic asked.

“Yes, and I agree with her.”

“And I have some background on all everyone involved here. Everyone, except Quentin Beck, other than his Hollywood credentials.”

“What do you want?” Elisabeth asked.

“The theatrical scene in Lawndale County to be respected.”

“I’m sure that Tempest won’t make it a laughing stock.”

“Still, a production ran by teenagers?” the critic asked.

“You’re biased, Kalina!”

“No, you’re biased, as Quinn is your daughter’s friend, and if it weren’t for Daria and her business plan, you would still be working for your old boss.”

“It was an opportunity. One that is working out for us and giving people in Lawndale hope at this difficult time,” Elisabeth said.

“That’s certainly true, but integrity of the arts is also important.”

“Maybe you should come on Friday and see if they improve upon the first rehearsal.”

“I’ll consider that,” Kalina considered.

“Good, but now, do you want something?”

“Coffee, black.”

Kalina was soon joined by Quentin Beck. “You were the one who invited me?” she asked.

“Yes. I heard your argument with Daria.”

“It seems a of lot people did.”

“I had my reservations,” Quentin said.

“That the theatre is being run by teenagers.”

“I didn’t quite believe it when I saw that Quinn is so young and said that she’s about to turn 16.”

“Yet you took the job,” Kalina said.

“Beggers can’t be choosers, also despite her young age Quinn interviewed well and she has a way with people.”

“I guess so.”

Kalina followed Quentin into the theatre. “As you can see. I have been setting up the special effects.”

“There’s a lot more to a play than the special effects,” Kalina said as she looked at where Quentin had placed the various projectors.

“Of course. But I think Daria has adapted The Tempest well.”

“Shakespeare needs to be done more than ‘well.’

“Maybe.”

Brittany was ready for the first tutoring session with Daria after school. She entered the library and saw Quinn there with Ben and Anna waiting for Gerald.

“So, Daria isn’t here yet?” she asked.

“She should be here soon,” Quinn said. “So should Gerald.”

Anna looked up from her book on Appalachian folklore. “He is usually late.”

“I guess I’m a little nervous,” Brittany explained.

“That’s understandable,” Quinn said. “Like, I could tell that Angie was, and Gerald definitely was.”

Daria arrived at the library at the same time as Gerald.

“Hi, Daria,” Gerald said.

“Hi, Gerald,” Daria said. “Are you coming to the play?”

“Shakespeare isn’t really my thing and I don’t like crowds.”

“You know that I’m adapting it, right? And you could come to one of the later shows.”

“I’ll think about it,” Gerald said.

“Sorry I was late,” Daria said. “Mr. O’Neill wanted to talk about the critic again.”

“I wasn’t listening at the time,” Brittany said.

“Good. But where do you want to start? More History?” Daria asked. “Or another subject? But, if it’s Art I would have to point you in Jane’s direction.”

Brittany twirled a pigtail. “Maybe more history. Or Math. Arithmetic is fine, but Algebra is quite tricky.”

“Both I can help with,” Daria said.

“That’s great!”

“First, do you have that recent assignment?”

“Of course,” Brittany said. She took it out and gave it to Daria.

Daria read it through. It seemed that Brittany was capable. ‘It’s that she hadn’t had the opportunity. It’s no wonder she auditioned for Ariel. She want’s to escape the role society has given her, much as Ariel wants to be free from having to serve Prospero.’

“…And so, Ben and I will be at the play on Friday,” Anna said.

“Daria will be happy to hear that,” Quinn said

“I heard the argument with the critic,” Anna said as she got up.

“It’s that she didn’t expect it straight way.” Quinn said.

“Like it was a rehearsal,” Ben said. “She should have waited until Friday.”

“Maybe,” Quinn said.

Daria overhead what Ben had said as she and Brittany walked up. ‘I guess she should have,’ she thought. The tutoring session with Brittany had gone well.

“When next?” Brittany asked.

“Wednesday, given that there are rehearsals tomorrow and Thursday,” Daria answered.

Brittany nodded. “Thanks, Daria.”

Quinn watched as Anna and Ben followed Daria out of the library, hand in hand. “Still can’t believe they’re dating,” she commented.

“They’ve always been friends,” Brittany responded.

“How did the tutoring go?”

“It was mostly figuring out what I need help with. Mostly Math, Science and Ancient History. Daria seems to be an all rounder.”

“She’s been buried in her books for as long as I remember,” Quinn said.

“That makes sense.”

[michaelbranch]

A Brief Summary of Ideas: Courage is Calling

*These summaries are kept intentionally very brief, just hitting what I consider some of the important/interesting takeaways, most word-for-word or paraphrased. My goal is also to stick to ideas/principals that might guide others (or my future self) in deciding the value of a read (or re-reading). T = takeaway, Q = Question

Courage is Calling: Fortune Favors the Bold

Author(s): Ryan Holiday

“Let us not wait for other people to come to us and call upon us to do great deeds. Let us instead be the first to summon the rest to the path of honor.” – Xenophon

“Somewhere inside we hear a voice…Our voice leads us in the direction of the person we wish to become, but it is up to us whether or not to follow.” – Pat Tillman

Virtue is something we do. It’s something we choose. It’s a daily challenge, one we face not once but constantly.

There is only one kind of courage: the kind where you put your ass on the line. You have to be braving something or someone.

Fear is the enemy of courage.

There is nothing worth doing that is not scary.

A scare is a temporary rush. Fear is a state of being, and to allow it to rule is a disgrace .

Explore our impressions. Get to the root of it, understand it, and explain it.

At the root of most fear is what other people will think of us.

They (our fears) are not nearly as formidable as your mind makes you think.

Out of fear we conform. We don’t even want other people to be themselves because it makes us uncomfortable.

You will have to stand alone from time to time.

Don’t be ashamed to need help.

It is the cowardice of others that creates the opportunities for the individual hero.

We can’t just be brave when it counts. It has to be something we cultivate.

If you’re going to speak out: sign your name.

Our duty is to do the right thing, right now.

Fear setting: defining and articulating the anxieties and doubts that hold us back.

With awareness, we can proceed.

Don’t worry about whether things will be hard. Because they will be.

It’s better to just get to work. To face what you’ve got to face sooner rather than later.

Don’t bother with, “what would I do if I were in their shoes?” Ask: “What am I doing now?”

There is no progress without risk.

We tell ourselves we’re thinking, that we’re weighing our options. In truth, we are paralyzed with fear.

Even if you choose not to decide, you have still made a choice.

Our fear points us in the direction of the right thing to do. Fear votes for hesitation. If we don’t find ourselves experiencing this hesitation every so often, we should know that we are not pushing ourselves enough.

When we flee in the direction of comfort, what we are fleeing is opportunity.

The opposite of fear is not cowardice, it’s apathy.

If you fear that there isn’t anything you can do, chances are you’ll do nothing…and you’ll also be nothing.

We can curse the darkness, or we can light a candle.

Courage is more than just the choice between the easy or hard road. One has to walk that hard road.

“If not me, then who? If not now, then when?” – Rabbi Hillel

It’s far more effective to replace fear with competence. Training is the key to overcoming fear.

Start small…on something big.

Whatever you’re not changing, you’re choosing.

Once the event is underway, momentum starts working for you, not against you.

Have a philosophy of offense. Of initiative. Even when you’re being cautious, it must come with the assumption of constant advance.

Courage, like fear, is contagious.

Fortune favors the bold.

“Be not afraid of greatness.” – Shakespeare

You have to believe you can make a difference.

Violence is rarely the answer—but when it is, it’s the only answer.

A confrontation that doesn’t need to happen, shouldn’t happen.

Where would we be without people brave enough to challenge the odds?

Somebody will be the exception and it may as well be me.

It’s what we’re willing to give that takes us higher. That transforms us from brave to heroic.

Courage is not an independent good. Heroes have a reason.

Whoever you are, wherever you live, whatever is going on. There’s more you can do.

We will our purpose into existence.

Hope powers us, and by spreading this hope we perform a heroic act.

Words don’t matter. Deeds do.

[aamovers]

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[mperik]

[...] Erik couldn’t know but Ailill was still secretive about many things. The frustration of being a single parent, the way he still intensely missed his wife and how it had stopped him to bond with others for so long before reaching Mount Phoenix. He was sad and he was angry sometimes but he had to keep going, for Oona, for all the promises he had made to Sook. It was a heavy weight on his shoulders and he wasn’t sure anyone would ever accept to carry it with him. "I don’t want to brag but I rarely get complaints. I’ve always been very patient." His powers had caused some… disturbances sometimes but, fortunately, they were only temporary. Ailill nodded, pulling his phone out to take some notes. His calendar was still a bit on the empty side so he was sure he would easily find room for Erik. "Mm… The apartments are small too so maybe if I move in a bigger place…" He shrugged. "We’ll see when the time comes." He wasn’t sure how to truly understand Erik’s last remark so he just looked at the younger man in silence for a few instants. "Maybe ? You’ll have to confirm me this when you’ll see me playing." The silence lasted just a few moments and Ailill cleared his throat before answering. "Sounds like good ideas. Maybe we could make tests with a small audience ? I apologize in advance fore causing so much problems." He chuckled, clearly showing that he was joking. Of course, he truly hoped that there wouldn’t be any issue. Once settled in front of a warm and deliciously scented coffee, Ailill let himself truly relax, looking around him with interest and curiosity. The PAC was way bigger than he had imagined and he truly was a delight to know that such a place existed on the island. He couldn’t wait to see what the Mount Phoenix’s artists had in store. "Pretty well, I must say" the musician answered, a bright smile on his lips. "It’s more peaceful than Seoul and I think it’s a perfect place to raise a child." He took a few sips of coffee. "Her name’s Oona. Would you like to see her picture ?"

While Ailill was talking, Erik was not only listening to him. He also observed the elder man, watching the changes in his facial expressions, his voice tone, his body language, and the way his eyes shone brighter when talking about music. It was getting certain now that Ailill liked to engage in a conversation with him, and that there was a chance to build up a friendship after the show. 

Since it was still their first official meeting, Erik refrained from focusing on the elder’s refined appearance. But he quickly realized Ailill’s attractiveness did not only come from his handsomeness or the so-called celebrity aura. Ailill had the right amount of maturity to stand out from younger men, but still retained a youthful demeanour that got others to lower their guard and find it easier to befriend him. The elder man surely went through ups and downs, but at least, he managed to make it look like everything was under control. In short, Ailill looked and sounded just like Erik’s type. 

“Patience is a virtue, the world definitely needs more patient teachers like you,” he affirmed, finding it easy to give Ailill compliments on his skills and his job. When the other mentioned a place for their guitar lessons, Erik chimed in with his two cents.

“If you’re concerned about space, maybe we can meet up here for the lessons? There are plenty of open spaces around here for public use. Or we can consider my place. I’ve got quite a spacious living room, and the couch is comfy!” His smile was innocent, bringing his apartment into their conversation was not, but Erik kept everything from being inappropriate. For now. 

As Ailill apologized for the minor problems his voice may cause to the audience, Erik shook his head, the confident smile remained on his face.

“No no, don’t you worry, we got it. We can consult Apollo about this, I’m sure he will have ways to guarantee that everyone enjoys the show.”

As they got to the more open, informal space of the staff cafeteria, Erik let the conversation steer away from professional stuff for a while. It was important to discuss business, but forming a close connection with the one you were going to work with was of the essence. And so, when Ailill offered to show him the pictures of Oona, Erik immediately beamed. 

“Of course, yes, please!” 

A fond smile glued on his face while he was looking at the photos shown to him. Erik did not particularly like babies, he also was not really good at looking after or spending time with them, but to him, Oona was indeed an adorable little angel. He then asked with genuine care to know more about them.

“What’s she like? What do you two enjoy doing together?” 

[alexeiadrae]

Mega Brand Q&A with Hajime Kanzaka 1/2021 to 6/2021, translated

So if Naga and Amelia ran into each other and had their faces covered and fought, would they recognize each other by their fighting style?

06/2021  Q: How much weight can the spell of "levitation" levitate? It would be useful if we could float the bed of a wagon stuck in the mud. Can you lift the whole house and move?

KANZAKA: This will change depending on the person's affinity with the attribute and magical power, so I can't say it unconditionally, "Even if you are inexperienced, it is OK if you weigh up to about 100 kg including your own weight."

Naturally, people who are inexperienced and weigh more than 100 kg cannot be lifted by this technique. If you're a user, you can lift a small horse-drawn carriage, but it's impossible to lift a weight as heavy as a house. Even if it were possible, the pillars and walls of the house would not have structural connections.

Q: In the world of Slayers, there are dragons that act like animals and dragons that have intelligence like golden dragons. From the point of view of the golden dragon, is the former dragon something like a monkey to humans? Or is it because they can't understand each other's language, so they just behave roughly when interacting with humans?

KANZAKA: "I wouldn't go so far as to call him a monkey, but if I had to say he'd be more like that. Rather than distinguishing between races, there is also a difference in intelligence between individuals, so dragons will not be discriminated against simply because of what color they are.”

Q: About Lina. How do you store valuables such as treasures and magic items? It seems difficult to move while in the cloak, but there were times when you couldn't get it back even if you put it in your luggage. What happened when you were being chased by the enemy in a situation  where you couldn't exchange money?

KANZAKA: Of course, if I decide it's necessary, I'll throw it out and run away. Basically, I don't take unnecessary risks by sticking to such treasures.

05/2021 

Q: Are the "spirit kings" and "tyrant kings" in the "powerful words" of spirit magic "named" high-ranking beings like the dragon kings and the five demonic lieutenants? I would appreciate it if you could answer my question. Thank you in advance.

KANZAKA: "The name is only an image. There is not a being named "Spirit King."

Q: I have a question about Gorun Nova. We are aware that Gorun Nova was brought into the world of Lina and her colleagues by someone and customized so that it can be handled by humans. Does that mean that someone can cross between different worlds? The Dark Lord sent Gorun Nova back to the original world, and the Demon Lord of the North summoned (created?) a talisman with the power of the Demon Lords of other worlds. Does this mean that such a thing is possible for some higher level of being? If that is the case, could it be that there are relics brought in from other worlds besides Gorun Nova? I am also curious as to how Gorun Nova first came into human hands. Was it taken half-heartedly by a demon that had some other purpose at the time, like when the talisman was given to Lina from Xellos, or was it given to humans to carry out its purpose? If that is the case, it seems strange that the Dark Lord does not seem to know how it happened, but perhaps he is simply not interested. I also fantasize about the possibility that there are ways to obtain otherworldly beings through human hands, but that it is a lost-technology kind of thing.

KANZAKA: "It is a situation where it was brought into the Slayers world half by accident and half by chance, rather than being brought in by someone with a clear intention. In that sense, it would not be surprising if something else came to that world. I'm not going to go into the details here, because I'll just say so and forget about it.

Q: The sword of light was returned to its original world by Fibrizo in volume 8. I think this is only the hilt, but what happened to the other parts (the temporary blade, sheath, and needle for dismantling)?

  KANZAKA: "The temporary blades and needles were not brought from another world, so they are still in Gourry's possession.”

04/2021 

Q: Can Blast Bomb, Dragon Slave Guard magic, and Enhanced Megabrands used by Copy Rezo be used by the original Rezo as well? Or is the above magic a benefit of magical synthesis and cannot be used even by original Rezo?

KANZAKA: "Not all magic, but there are some magic that only Copy Rezo can use. Even though the original Rezo was inhabited by the Demon King, it did not exceed the limits of human beings prior to its awakening. In contrast, there are some techniques that Copy Rezo can use by taking advantage of the increased magical power they have gained through body modification."

Q: Zel learned "healing" from Amelia, but did Zel ask Amelia to teach him this? Or did Amelia ask to teach him? If it was Zel who asked her, what was his reason for wanting to learn and why did he ask Amelia and not his old friend Lina? If Amelia approached him, why did she approach him and why did Zel respond?

KANZAKA: "Until then, Zel had almost never been in a situation where he himself was injured, but as long as he was working with Lina and her friends, he decided that it would be more convenient to be able to use recovery magic in case his friends were injured. He asked Amelia because she is the expert when it comes to recovery magic."

Q: Has Amelia gotten bigger since she was with Lina and the others? Is she going to get bigger from now on? I didn't feel much change in volume 16 because my nostalgic feelings took precedence, but even though she has changed somewhat, will she grow to rival Naga in terms of height, chest circumference, and human capacity?

KANZAKA: "I think she has grown somewhat taller. However, it is not as if she has grown visibly, since it is not as if a great deal of time has passed since she was created. I think she has been educated as royalty, so I hope she will become a person of large capacity in a different direction from Naga."

03/2021 

Q: Left-handed people are in the minority in modern Japan, but what about in the world of Lina and her friends? Are any of the major characters left-handed?

KANZAKA: "Basically, left-handed people are a minority in that world as well. Furthermore, since items for left-handed people are not sold as they are today, most of them are forced to become right-handed when they are children. Some families, such as those of knights who can afford it, may be raised left-handed because it gives them an advantage in actual battle.

Gourry and Zel are at least trained to handle weapons with their left hand in case of emergency, but they are not necessarily left-handed."

Q: Dark Star, Chaotic Blue, and Death Fog are from other worlds that are glimpsed in the main story. Between the four demon kings and Shabranigdu is there any spiritual interaction or connection of any kind? Or do they have only enough in common to be mentioned in the book, and they don't interfere with each other and seem to be independent?

KANZAKA: "Basically, there is no mutual interference. If they wanted to, they could at least communicate with each other, but they don't have the will to do so. To use a human analogy, let's talk to a stranger on the first floor of the apartment complex in the next town! I don't have the desire to do that."

Q: Have Amelia and Naga ever met in a sibling rivalry or in the name of testing each other's abilities? If yes, (and I know they don't meet in each medium), have the two ever confronted each other under cover of their identities? Can they notice each other like Gourry as he noticed Luke and Lina as she noticed Zel?

KANZAKA: "There has never been a fight between sisters or hand-to-hand combat, etc. If they fight with their face shapes hidden, Naga will notice Amelia, but Amelia will probably not notice Naga. If anything, she might even hear Naga's high pitched laugh and not notice."

02/2021 

Q: In Slayers Volume 8, Fibrizo reduced the bodily functions of Amelia and Zelgadis in order to alter their sense of time, but was this possible because they had Fibrizo inside their bodies? Or is it possible for demons to interfere that much from the outside if they are dealing with humans?

KANZAKA: "They had Fibrizo in their body, so it was through interference from there. But it is also possible to control it by causing a drop in external temperature or misinterpretation of visual information. I believe it was a synthesis of those means."

Q: Question about age. Who is older, Milgazia or Xellos? Also, I have the impression that the demons above Xellos are stronger in the order of their existence first, is that right? Is there an order, first son, second son, youngest son? If so, are they stronger in that order? Or did they exist at the same time? Are they equally powerful? What do you think?

KANZAKA: "Milgazia-san is slightly older than Xellos. The first born is not necessarily stronger, since the subordinates are different based on what concept they were created for."

Q: I heard that Lina is famous among the demons, but why didn't Xellos tell his friends what Lina looks like? Even without a picture, I think it would be a good idea to show Lina's appearance, since they can take on human form, so that information can be shared.

KANZAKA: "In the first place, there is no such thing as an all-demons' meeting among the demon tribe, nor do they have a social networking service or anything like that. It is solely hearsay in the form of rumors."

01/2021 

Q: I have a question about the spell "Aqua Create" for slayers. Is the water that appears here moved from somewhere by the spirits? Or do you extract the moisture contained in the air at the location? If so, it could be used indoors as an alternative to dehumidification, what do you think?

KANZAKA: "Aqua Create is a spell to collect moisture in the atmosphere. Therefore, as you pointed out, it is a powerful dehumidification spell if used in an airtight room. Also, if it is used repeatedly in an airtight room, the amount of water collected will become smaller and smaller. However, the inhabitants of that world seem to be aware that the spirits bring the water from somewhere."

Q: I remember seeing somewhere that the reason why Slayers characters don't have a birthday is because the calendar is different from this world. So here is my question. Do you have any ideas for a calendar for the Slayers world? Since the concept of "age" seems to exist, it is assumed that the unit of "one year" exists...For example, I would like to know if there is a concept of a "month" that is shorter or longer than 365 days, and if so, how many days are in a month. I would also like to know how many hours are in a day.

KANZAKA: "Although different from this world, there is certainly a calendar in the Slayers world. However, if we set it up strictly, it would create various complications in terms of management, expression, etc. Therefore, we have not set up the details, nor do we intend to do so in the future."

Q: I understand that image training is required to use magic in addition to chanting, but does direct acquaintance with the target of the technique increase the power of the technique or speed up its activation? For example, is there any difference between before and after Lina fights the Shabranigdu?

KANZAKA: "Of course, it is true that it is more advantageous to know the subject well, since the power of the person in question's image is important. However, if we consider how much the act of directly fighting demons deepens the human understanding of demons, the effect is not so great."

[alyssadeliv]

The Forgotten One

First      Previous

Chapter 6

They won. Just as she knew they would. But still... she lost so much that day. At this point, she should be numb to lose. After all she lost in her life, it should be easy for her to deal with grief, but the feeling of having your chest split open would never go away completely. After Master Fu’s death she had only one goal in mind: find and kill Hawkmoth. It took her six long months until she finally was able to finish what her Master had started. With time and dedication, she was able to gather enough power to be able to tell the exact location of where the villain's energy was coming from. It was a hard thing to do, but Marinette was nothing but determined. She focused all her energy and time on achieving this goal. Making the people around her be concerned for her wellbeing. Knowing about her upbringing her godmother understood her the best, she also never rested until her mission was finished. But the others, especially Tikki and Chat Noir thought she was working herself to exhaustion. They tried their best to help her, but that was something she had to do by herself now that she was the Guardian. 

When the time came, she was ready. She did not ask for the help of the temporary heroes, because she knew she wouldn’t need them. It was only her and Chat in the beginning, so it should be just the two at the end. Between them, she felt confident that they would end victorious. So that’s what they did, on one cloudy day two years after their debut, they marched to where Ladybug swore was Hawkmoth lair. Much to Chat Noir’s displeasure and disbelief they arrived at the famous Gabriel Agreste mansion. After Master Fu’s death, she was supposed to learn the real identity of her partner, but she couldn’t get herself to unmask the person that she trusted with her life. In those two years that they fought together, they formed a very strong bond, not only as partners but as friends as well. She never had a relationship like that with anyone, sure she had trusted people before, but no one except for Damian trusted their life with her. At the time, because she didn’t know who he was, she couldn’t understand his reaction when they arrived at their destination. But she decided to address that after the battle, now she needed her total focus on her task. Big mistake. 

Discovering a secret passage in the designer’s workroom wasn’t a surprise, she had no doubt that it was him, the recluse fashion designer that lost his wife years ago. He fitted the profile, and she should have seen that before. Gabriel Agrest received them not transformed, with his assistant at his side. After their last battle, she had healed, but she would never be the same. His lair was exactly what she imagined it to be, spacious and full of white butterflies flying around. The strange thing was a big recipient in the middle of the room, she could see a woman lying down, in a deep sleep, but had no clue who she was. At her side, her partner stood frozen. Incredulity clearly displayed in his face. 

“So you finally came after me, I had been wondering what was taking you so long” The villain taunted her. “Don’t you see Ladybug? This is the only way! I need my wife again! My son needs her. All I’ve done was to bring my son’s mother back to him. Haven't you lost someone you loved? Experienced grief? With your help we can bring them back, all I need is your’s and Chat Noir’s Miraculous!”

She felt her blood burning through her veins. How dare he try this on her. No one knew grief better than her. At only fifteen she lost someone she thought to be her other half. After years of training him, it was almost impossible to not get attached. Only to have him be disposed of by her own grandfather after he discovered the true nature of their relationship, her best-kept secret. At least according to her mother, he wasn’t dead, but you could never be so sure. After that, it was as if a door had been open, year after year she lost someone new. First, she lost her mother and brother - Even if they were not dead, she couldn’t be with them, then her Master, she should have known more would come.

Enraged she didn’t waste any time. She attacked, engaging HawkMoth into battle. 

“Very well. We’ll do it the hard way.” And then he called in his transformation. Immediately blocking her first strike. 

She wasn’t sure what was happening behind her, but she heard Mayura calling her transformation as well so she could only assume her partner had engaged in battle as well. But then the peacock wielder advanced onto her. Fighting two opponents at the same time wasn’t supposed to be difficult, not after all her training, but adding the fact that their Miraculous made them stronger certainly complicated things. 

“Chat! Where are you?” She yelled, dodging Hawnkmoth’s staff. She threw her weapon at Mayura, and after it curled around her left ankle she pulled, sending her flying in the designer direction. They collided.

It gave her enough time to search for her friend. He was sitting in front of the unknown sleeping woman. His hand resting in the glass. He had tears running down his face, and it broke her heart to see him so lost.

Distracted, she felt a blow on her side, and it sent her to the ground. Using that to her gain Mayura attacked, Marinette reacted fast, but not fast enough using her fan the villainess was able to cut her in the right cheek. Ladybug chastised herself, she was distracted by her partner's odd behavior and was allowing them to hurt her.

“Father! Stop!” Relishing his transformation Chat Noir was gone.

In his place stood Adrien Agreste. A shy boy she had met a couple of times when he went to the bakery with his friend. So different from his secret persona, she never even suspected him to be the cat miraculous wielder. She was shocked, but she was glad she wasn’t the only one. Hawkmoth had an expression of shock and unbelief. 

And that’s when things lost control. Sometimes when she fought she lost herself in it and everything would be a blur at the end. She just knew that when it all ended she stood beside Mayura’s body. Adrien knocked unconscious and no sight of Gabriel Agreste. It was only the fact that she was holding the butterfly miraculous that she relaxed. With adrenaline pumping in her system, she approached the sleeping woman, who she now knew to be Adrien’s Mother. Something inside of her was humming, ordering to reach the woman. So that’s what she did. The rush of energy that left her was overwhelmed. She felt so full and invincible. To her surprise, the woman woke up. 

After that things calmed down. She finally found the two missing pieces of the Miraculous box.

But that didn’t mean she was finished. Somehow Gabriel scaped, leaving his son and wife behind. She knew from experience he would not be returning any time soon. Too afraid to fight her without his powers.

She still needed to go after him.

So that’s what she did.

She decided to bury Nathalie herself. Even after her bad choices in life, Marinette felt that she still deserved to rest somewhere, so she chose a small cemetery just outside of Paris that would do. She packed her things and said her goodbyes to her godmother and her husband. But she only really left after making sure that Adrien and his mother were safe. She left him a way to contact her, no matter where she was. Revealing her identity to him would be too dangerous at the moment with Hawkmoth free, he was unhappy but he understood. Discovering that his Father was the one that had been terrorizing Paris for almost two full years clearly changed the way he saw the world. And he was truly surprised when she told him she would not reveal who his father really was. He just got his Mother back, he didn’t need to suffer from the actions of his selfish father. She still trusted him, and she made sure he knew. 

Leaving Paris was surprisingly difficult. It had been her home for a long time, even after the bad memories she still couldn’t erase all the good ones. Going into mission mode she immediately started tracking the escapee. She kind of missed this, the tracking and waiting. She wasn’t sure if he knew she was after him, but he would be naive to think she wasn’t.

She found tracks of him in Dunkirk, from there she went to London. It was the only possible choice after all. His wife’s family lived there, so it was possible he had resources there. Lucky was on her side so that’s where she found him. After getting in touch with some of her contacts she got the information she was after. After a close call, he apparently decided that leaving the continent was the safest choice. She had to applaud him, he was cleverer than she gave him credit, but she was smarter. 

Arriving in New York was a surprise, but discovering that her target goal was Gotham was a shock. It made sense, her Father’s hometown was the Capital of crime. No one would pay attention to a former designer looking for a safe place to live. It made her wonder if he hadn’t planned this beforehand, fearing he would need to flee the country. 

So here she was, a random dealer tied up in front of her in some god knows where warehouse, the blood coming from his wounds a clear sign that he wasn’t giving her the information she sought.

“Why do you insist on lying to me? We both know you talked with Gabriel Agreste this afternoon… Tall, blond… Why don’t you tell me what you two discussed?” She smiled predatorily. Balancing her dagger between her hands. 

“Please! I don’t know what he wanted, I swear!” 

“Tsk, wrong answer…” She stabbed him in the calf. He screamed.

This had been going for a couple of minutes, and honestly, she was getting annoyed. She knew he sold Gabriel something, she just needed to know what. She was done playing cat and mouse. Being so close to where she knew her brother was made her anxious to just go and find him. But the person in front of her just wanted to make her life difficult. 

Instead of wearing the Ladybug Miraculous, she decided to wear her old League uniform, as it would blend better with the darkness of the city. Her attire was a mix of black and scarlet green, really different from her red ladybug-themed suit. A hood and a mask that covered the bottom half of her face kept her identity concealed. She didn’t see the point of having a gun, so she opted to go for the more traditional arsenal. With her sword strapped to her back, and some other small knives hidden, she was well-armed. 

“Let’s try something new.” From one of her pockets she took a photo. Gabriel Agreste with a serious expression started from the photography that she took from a magazine. “Do you recognize him now?”

The man lifted his beaten face and analyzed the photo for a couple of seconds. Then he sighed in defeat.

“He came today asking for some armament. He gave me the money, I gave him the guns.” Marinette tilted her head “I swear! It was only that! Then he left!”

“Well that wasn’t so hard, was it”

Suddenly she heard sounds coming from a distance, it seems his friends finally realized he was missing. She wasn’t worried, she got what she wanted, but she still needed to keep her existence a secret, so she would need to deal with him. 

With one swift move, he was dead, a pool of blood rapidly forming under him. 

Using a yoyo, similar to the one she used as Ladybug she lifted herself to the rooftop. In a distance, in the warehouse rooftop across from her’s, she saw movement. She needed to leave. She started running and jumping from building to building. She felt as if she was being followed. Trusting her instincts, she slowed her steps a little to allow whoever was following her to reach her, and then she attacked first, using the element of a surprise to her advantage. Red Robin wasn’t expecting that move so she was able to hit him with her dagger, cutting his right arm in the process. Now that she knew he was one of her father’s pupils she knew she couldn’t hurt him, with that in mind she decided that knocking him out was the best course of actions, if there was another bat boy following her they would be too worried about their friend to track her. She wasn’t ready to make her existence known yet, she first needed to finish what she started. Only then she would reach out to her brother. 

Landing a powerful blown into her opponent he was knocked out in seconds. Not wasting any time she disappeared into the night.

This chapter took longer than expected... So she’s finally at Gotham! Who knows what’s going to happen? (except me of course) Thank you for the encoragment, hope this was another good chapter. The taglist is still open so feel free to ask to join! Whoever gets the little easter egg I put in this chapter gets a virtual hug!

WARNING: Major character death; description o violence.

Next

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[mirrorforevers]

heavenly nobodies (or “the fog”) • graham/reader

this is a bit heavier than usual, ladies. proceed w caution. tw for mentions of abusive relationships, drug abuse and reader has no self-esteem at all. nothing too descriptive in that sense though

on a lighter note, reader n graham are basically two lost adults acting like petty children

a quick disclaimer: its not my intention in *any way* to glorify or romanticize drug abuse or basically anything any of these characters do - its messed up shit. this is fiction, don't take it seriously, please

if this fic was a song, even though its titled after a lush song, it would be lark by angel olsen i guess. might have a sequel someday i dunno

+18, as always. contains smut. this is sososososo long and has went through so many rewrites im sorry. but i do think its my best fic yet!

set in the mid 90s

word count: 3.780

You still remember the day it began.

A nasty fight took place between Graham and Alex. You only got involved because your relationship became one of the topics of the heated debate. Long story short, Graham basically screamed at you two that you, Y/N, were wasting your life away by dating someone like James.

At first you were blind with rage and defended your decadent relationship while insulting Coxon until your throat burned from the screaming match, but afterwards, after you caught yourself thinking a little too long about how James' eyes sometimes seemed to hover over you with an indifference Coxon's never, ever showed, and how it hurt to see Alex in the arms of an entire sea of more attractive women than you - and how shallow you've become for even trying to excuse his behavior with something as empty as the fact you weren't as stereotypically beautiful as the other girls he screwed, you noticed something wasn't quite right about the entire situation, but you still felt shivers at the prospect of telling him you were sorry. He also had a lot to apologize for.

The fog. That's what's been messing with your mind lately. And Graham's. And everyone else's.

It's hard to think about things clearly as they happen in your life when all you feel during most of it is hedonistic, empty bliss. Everything moves in slow motion. The regret, the harsh words, always come afterwards, like a sudden car crash, after people realize the very real consequences of what they said and done while they were immersed in their own very temporary, elusive, pleasures. The fog also made you bitter - not only you, but Graham, Alex and the other boys as well; your relationship with them as a group of friends and individually, each in a different way, consequently turned into a toxic, resentful mess of chaotic feelings and unresolved conflicts. Your relationship with Graham was by far the most affected.

You grew up together. You went to the same college. You very briefly had a thing. He drew you lots and lots of times, you haven't lost a drawing. You realized you didn't love him like *that* and he was okay with it. You were still as close as ever.

Then you met his other friends. In the beginning, he was so excited about this whole "band" thing. The boys were funny, compelling, undoubtedly hard to deal with sometimes, but you got them quickly. Their music very gradually became successful - they deserved it. They sounded so good together. You noticed Graham was a bit jealous of how you interacted with the other boys sometimes. Damon and Dave were the first ones who tried (hard) to bed you, but Alex, effortlessly, was the one who got to.

One night turned into two, three, fifteen. Then into a fucked up prototype of a relationship around the time their stages got bigger, more packed with screaming teenagers and all of you met her – heroin. Graham got proportionally and gradually more distressed and anxious each day. You didn't know which one of these things disturbed him the most, after all, he didn't speak to you (or anyone, for fuck's sake) like he used to. Thousands of little things began to intercalate and swallow everything you've built together.

You've started to hate him - he refused to speak to you about what was bothering him, and you barely talked outside of the inevitable circumstances. Meanwhile, Alex dragged you even deeper into his questionable lifestyle and you shrinked into it until you could pretend it fit you like a glove. You felt so small. Invisible to everything and everyone who truly mattered, even to yourself. You tried to reach out to the one who mattered most plenty of times, but every time you tried to reach out to him it would end up in screams and even more resentment. It seemed like there was no way back - he hated you as well because he thought you were just like Alex. It felt like a knife was twisted in your stomach when he said it the first time. You pretended it didn't hurt the other ones - those were the nights your binges were the worst and you'd vomit yourself to sleep, though.

Everything was leading you to one of those nights again, until you heard a knock on your door. At this time of night, it was definitely Alex.

You tried to tidy yourself up as much as you could in a matter of a few minutes. You thought you weren't as effortlessly beautiful as the other women in his life - as if cheating had something to do with appearance and not with his character, but oh well - and you felt like you had to at least try to keep up with their pace. You washed your face, smeared some foundation on some old stretch (and track) marks and tried to pretend his presence was the brightest spot on your day. He disguised so much criticism under the pretense of worry, leaving you feeling so bad about yourself, but you needed his approval like you needed air on your lungs (or opioids on your veins) for some reason you couldn't quite explain.

You open the door, holding your breath while you tried to ignore the pit that grew on your stomach just to find out that...

"Graham?" You were simultaneously relieved and revolted to see him on your door. Adrenaline ran through your veins. You didn't realize how afraid you were of him - you've only hurt one another with words, but still, you were afraid to cross eyes with him just because you felt like it would start another fight and you would simply never speak to each other ever again, not even to fight. You were afraid of how deep your friendship has corroded.

He was visibly hurting, just like you. It comforted and hurt you to see it.

"You were waiting for him, weren't you?" He noted, vaguely motioning towards the lipstick on your lips. You felt pathetic.

"What are you doing here?" You quickly wiped the lipstick off your lips while he looks around, not really knowing what to answer. His eyes, puffy, somehow indicated he wasn't there to say he was sorry. At that point, you didn't even cared who was in the wrong. You just wanted to know why he was there.

"Just came here to tell you that... I'm leaving Blur, and... I'll be moving to Germany with a friend. Tomorrow."

"What kind of joke is this?"

"I wanted to tell you because... I felt like we got so used to each other's presence t-that... even if you're relieved by the news, uh, I think you should know in advance."

There was no mischief in his eyes. There was no point in joking with something like that. It's not like you were comfortable enough with each other to joke with each other nowadays anyway. That realization crushed you and anchored you to the very confusing and tragic reality just laid out in front of you.

It was so uncharacteristic. You knew of his tendency to run away from these types of situations and this time he simply didn't. Your mouth refused to close. "I-I don't understand. You... You can't... You can't just do that. You have a fucking gig tomorrow!"

"I won't justify myself to you. Just... take care of yourself and... don't let that leech suck the life out of you more than he already did."

"You don't understand. You don't understand anything. Is this about him? Again?" In yet another wave of adrenaline, you pulled him inside your flat and he just lets you. "Are you moving to bloody Germany because of what went on between us today?!"

"I don't care that you don't love me. I care that I can't go for a fucking day without seeing you waste away your life with him. If he was someone that made you happy... but he's just killing you. I can't deal with that."

Still in shock, you pulled him in a desperate kiss. It was not an attempt of making him stay, but something else entirely new. He had to say he was leaving so you could really know, in a matter of a few seconds, how much you needed him there.

His reciprocity simultaneously broke your heart and filled it with hope - you knew how far your relationship with Alex went and how tough it would be to break free from the chains he's got your heart tangled in, but at the same time, Coxon kissed you in a way no one else ever did. He loved you like no one else could. And that's how you noticed how easily you clinged to any sign of true affection given how much Alex's been neglecting your emotional and physical needs lately. Everything was about him all the time, it was a monologue. Graham and you had a conversation.

(A conversation that lasted all night. Thankfully, Alex didn't show up. He must've been talking to someone else.)

Instead of sweet nothings and love confessions, funnily enough, you and Graham exchanged soft "I hate you"s after the deed was done. You both hated the situation you were in. Hated that even though the passion burned hot as fire between you, you were stuck in a mess bigger than everything that just went through both of you. But never each other. You just couldn't name the feeling right.

Perhaps needless to mention, he stayed in the United Kingdom. Instead of sitting and talking like adults about what you felt about each other though, the bickering somehow became even worse.

Of course you started to take his side on fights more often. Mock Alex's behavior together more often. Something definitely changed between the two of you, but it still wasn't enough. Graham was still furious that you wouldn't give up on James. You were still furious that he wouldn't take your relationship with Alex seriously. It had its many faults, yes, but it was special in a way no one else grasped and you were raised to think that people shouldn't give up on others that easily, a convention that no modern deconstruction of social norms could take out of you out of a sudden. Not even Graham. But instead of raising your voices and breaking things around you, you've found other means to release the tension between you. Usually in dark corners of untidy pubs, his flat or yours. It became so frequent it didn't need any planning anymore.

Following the opposite path of the earlier days of your animosity, the more intense the fights got now, the lower your voices got. Instead of distancing yourselves from each other in the middle of screams, your bodies got closer like magnets. He could be so tender somehow even when his words stung like venom.

You were living and breathing contradictions. Him in the way he conveys his hopeless submissiveness to you in the way every touch of yours breaks him and the way he just isn't able to cum if he sees you're not having enough pleasure, yet he fucks you like he wants it to hurt and pretends nothing happened after you're done; and you in the way you cling to him like he's your lifeline when he's deep inside of you but isn't hesitant to not look him in the eye on some other nights.

The night of one of the parties thrown by Blur's record company following the release of The Great Escape wasn't one of the latter.

While the lower floor of the venue is frenetic with people immersed in different levels of ecstasy caused by all sorts of different substances, the upper floor is reserved to the lovers, or people who were looking for a calmer place to talk or to relatively safely de-escalate from their highs. You, on the other hand, just wanted to run away from the view of Alex kissing another woman in the event he brought you to. You were almost falling asleep in one of the tiny, dimly lit and cramped rooms when a small, familiar voice woke you up. "Why aren't you downstairs with your future husband?"

You feel aloof. The slightest mention of the one you think you love disgruntles you. "Ugh. I should have known it was you," you grumble, giving him room to share the sofa with you. "You know why."

"I don't. Someone once told me I don't understand anything." He accepts the offer almost unconsciously. It's so interesting to see how his actions contradict his words and posture, just like your actions contradict yours.

"I'm still right about that. Why did you come here? To mock me?"

"You're lost."

"And so are you. Don’t talk. I don’t want to hear it."

"Do you want me to leave?" he asks, calmly, knowing what the answer will be.

It's always a no.

You instinctively move closer to him, as if he's about to disappear in a cloud of dust in any moment. You don't ever want him to leave.

He notices your eyes are glistening when your lips touch, so smoothly and in such a tender way. His hands enter your hair, just below your ears, and you melt at his touch all over again.

The kiss starts out slow, then becomes more and more intense. His tongue slides against yours and you whine, clutching at him like he’s the only thing tethering you to this earth. It becomes so easy to let him settle between your thighs. He runs one of his large hands through your hair, fists it, and pulls your head so he can have easier access to your neck, filling it with open-mouthed kisses. “Why the fuck,” you manage to murmur in between heavy breaths, “do you care so much about me?”

He doesn't answer. His fingers trace the hem of your dress instead, skimming up the side of your leg. You whimper as he moves them over the sensitive skin to the apex of your thighs, his lips finding the side of your throat again. He sucks a mark into your skin just as his thumb caress your core so lightly above your underwear and you whisper, voice trembling with desire: "You're so much better than him."

He's not sure if you're just leading him on, and neither are you. He doesn't even know if he has heard it right. The fog really blurs every line. Reason, feelings, motives. "You never cried over me", he answers, seeking to turn that reality around, it seemed. Your hips buck into his touch, and a moan escapes you when his hand coyly seeks direct contact with your clit, stimulating it with precision from the start. "You truly... don't know shit," you gasp, grinding harder against his touch and losing yourself to his ministrations, the fog of an earlier hit helping in enveloping you in a state of so much bliss.

"Do you want me to lock the door?" His raspy voice takes you out of this world. You nod, a little disappointed by having such a great feeling interrupted for the sake of privacy. Your lips were spit-slick and pinkened, your eyes half lidded. The sight made Graham breathe hard through his nose, but he somehow kept his composure. When he goes to lock the door, you couldn't help noticing the tent you helped build in his jeans. You feel proud of yourself.

He returns with the hungry kisses and eager touches, slowly driving you crazy all over again. His kisses lower down, down... and you pat his shoulders, motioning for him to stop. "I want to make you feel good tonight." He accepts the offer.

You scooch downwards, just above his hips, and you pull his pants and the waistband to his briefs down in one swift motion. He's painfully hard, but that was hardly a surprise. Graham straightens his back just in time to watch you take the reddened head of his cock into your mouth. He claps a hand over his mouth, hips bucking upwards into the wet heat instinctively, your warm breath enveloping his dick and clouding his mind.

Wrapping your fingers around it, you gently jerk him off, slowly sliding your hand from the tip back to the base. He groans, watching you as you fill his senses with a dull warmth. You stare back at him, smiling as he groans at your warm breath.

You run the tip of your index finger tentatively along the underside of his cock, watching with fascination as his cock twitches and reacts to your presence. You lean forward, breathing on the head before planting a soft kiss on the tip. Coxon whimpers, his dick aching from your attention. Tired of the teasing, you begin stroking it, your soft fingers loosely bouncing along his shaft. He leans his head back to the ceiling when you kiss the tip again.

You eye his cock excitedly, before you lean forward and lick his head, swirling your tongue around the crown and flicking it across the tip. His hips thrust forward before you can even react, his mind reeling as your tongue slowly traces along a vein you followed from the head all the way to the base. He groans, and was about to say something when his mind went blank. He sees pure white, his brain shutting down almost completely as you wrap your mouth around the end of his cock and set a steady rhythm to the oral stimulation. His chest rumbles as a deep growl of satisfaction leaves him, shaking through the air, the vibrations in your mouth punctuating his growl with a hiss.

He cracks his eyes open, his glazed eyes staring down to find you staring directly at him. The sight of his rigid cock vanishing between your soft lips made his skin crawl. He groans heavily, grasping your head on instinct and thrusting forward.

You gasp lightly as he shoves himself deeper inside your mouth, pushing against your throat. He moans your name desperately, panting heavily as his hips automatically thrust against you. You stand firm, keeping only the front half of his cock in your mouth, slithering your tongue against the crown and watching intently for his reactions. He was close, his mind firmly on fire as his body reacted on autopilot, trying to extract as much pleasure as possible. He could feel his climax approaching, your soft lips and gentle eyes coaxing him on. You look into his eyes and give an experimental bob of your head, taking him further into your mouth. Feeling the characteristic salty taste of precum on your tongue, you take your mouth off his cock, and before his mind is able to form a cohesive sentence of protest, you take off your underwear and sit on his lap. His hands now squeeze your hip, pulling you closer. Your wetness leaves a bit of a trail on his legs before you sink on his hard, already lubricated cock.

"You're addicted to my cock, aren't you," It's fascinating how Graham's behavior changes when he's drunk. In the best and worst ways. He would never say something like that while sober. You nod in agreement, face flush with arousal and need. "He can't even fuck you," he punctuactes with an especially hard thrust, "like I can." he envelops you in a sort of hug as his broad shoulders and arms now dictate the rhythm you both follow.

"He--c-an't, fuck--"

"Do you think," he takes his entire cock out of you just so he can go even deeper when he says, "he'll hear us... if you say my name out loud?" he smiles when a loud moan escapes your lips, feeling completely in control of your body. You can't even talk anymore, just nod, like a marionette.

"So say it." Another thrust. And another. And another. You follow his pace with your hips religiously, not even slightly ashamed of making the name of the one who's giving you so much pleasure public, as he commanded. You take the last atom of control on your body and direct it to your pussy, clenching your walls tighter around him, an action that successfully tears his thoughts apart, making his eyebrows furrow and his mouth, agape. One of his hands move to the middle of your bodies and, as he looks down at where your bodies meet, begins to stimulate your clit to the rhythm of his thrusts. His groans turn louder when your body moves towards his again, and the sound of your moans, along with the sound of skin against skin and your ragged breaths were the only thing you were able to hear, along with the distant sound of It Could Be You playing in the background.

In a daze, he says your name in that unique way that only he knew how to - like it was part of a prayer and your body was his God(dess). You dig your nails into his back while he fucks you without a trace of mercy. You close your eyes, losing yourself in all those sensations as Graham continued his movements. When he punctuates his now even faster thrusts with a string of "fuck, fuck, fuck" - that's when you know he's close, a suspicion confirmed true as he comes hard inside of you, closing his eyes tightly as he reached his climax. You follow him seconds later.

When he recovers enough to be able to breathe calmly and control his heartbeat, Graham rests his chin on your shoulder. Neither of you say anything for a long time.

And when the spasms of pleasure are gone, Graham's brain decides to go back to work and he realizes what had just happened - again. Suddenly, the sensation of bliss is accompanied by that weird sensation of "What do I do now?". He carefully removes his dick from you and pulls his jeans up, zipping up his pants while you straighten your dress and search for your panties in the middle of the dark. Both without saying a single word.

Graham clears his throat, glancing at the mirror behind the door and seeing his state was deplorable. His face reddened by the heat and his hair a perfect mess. You were in no better situation than him.

“Uh,” Graham said a long time later, breaking the silence. “How long is that arrangement supposed to last?”

"I won't count the time." You responded calmly. 

He nods, mystified by you. 

[judyhopps934-mt-zd]

Thoughts on Lies

Warning: Spoilers! And possibly having your heart torn into pieces. Other than that, have fun!

We open up with Marinette figuring out the recipes for the power ups as the new guardian.

I am disappointed that she still has not stopped oogooling over Adrien when he appeared on the news. Especially since she was allegedly with Luka by then. (I'll explain what I mean in just a minute)

Adrien was tired after the day he had as Adrien, which is a contrast of what Marinette believes his life is like. But being Chat Noir is the highlight of his day...

...only to not see Ladybug show up for patrols. And we see that it was all due to her figuring out the powerups.

Also, the patrols are a thing in cannon and I am still not over it after "Truth".

Chat Noir hoping for an akumatization so he can escape his civilian life radiated the same energy as Alya asking for akumatizations to interview the temporary heroes on her IG post. I get it, but still! We do not have people in danger for our needs.

Plagg being the one who announces any voice messages for Chat and asking for cheese through the feature on the Chat Phone brings me a whole other level of life.

Also, the whole milk thing at Le Grand Paris bar counter. It was hilarious, but also very sad. He really missed his m'lady

He ends the patrol after he saw Kagami training with her mom. And the smiles on his face! *Cries in Marichat and Ladynoir*

Plagg is the one that encourages Adrien to move on from Adrien, just like he applauded him from doing so in Loveater.

Kagami apparently said that fencing lessons are scheduled an hour in advance and Adrien (with that goofy grin on his face) knew what was up!

Both Ms. Tsurugi and Gabriel are very pissed at one another for the schedule change. That's hilarious, although everything comes at a price.

The parallels! Kagami is apparently learning Russian at her mother's request. Truly is a reflection of Adrien, civilian life wise.

Kagami? Lying???? The hell???? Who are you and what have you done to Kagami????? (Why am I surprised, y'all did this in Desperada)

She lies to their parents and the teacher to be in the art room with Adrien. I get it, teenage rebellion after being under an uninvolved parent, but still!

I like how the writers gave Kagami another dimension by saying she loves art, but her mom does not like her passion for drawing.

To Kagami's mom: WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOUR DAUGHTER IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH???!!! HER DRAWINGS BELONG IN A MUSEUM!

Also, art reflecting the truth? Hmmm.....

Since people like mentioning that Marinette has a thing for people with absent parents after "Truth", I will now say that Adrien has a thing for people who are great at drawing. I do not take criticism.

Kagami is hinting that Adrien's civilian life is not his true self (thank you for understanding him!)...

...but also says that being a "clown" (it was the Chat pose) is also not who he really is. The fandom would disagree with you. Although that brings up the question of whether both personalities merge to form who he really is and cannot be seen completely by anyone in any part of his life. But he is more like Chat Noir regardless.

Also, I want to see Adrien and Kagami spend more time together prior to this episode to see why she was not pleased with him being a clown if that's who he truly is, because her repositioning him against the wall made me feel like she is trying to place Adrien into a mold that reflects the image she might have created in her mind. (I don't know, this was just the first thought that came in my mind.)

They almost kiss, with Adrien being taken into shock (not terrified as we thought) until the alarm saying they have fencing lessons starting interrupts them and Adrien runs out, not before BLUSHING LIKE HELLO?!?!?

This is what I referred to in my second point and confirms what everyone was saying about this episode: this is "Truth", but through Adrien's perspective. Finally, an Adrien-centered episode!!!

To continue, every time Adrien and Kagami are together or were about to kiss, a sentimonster appears, with Ladybug trying to do something about it. Just like Lukanette, just like Adrigami: being a superhero affects your love life as a civilian.

Chat being thrown off the roof by accident and being rescued will never get old or less funny lol.

Montages continues up until the boat scene, where Adrien missed the intro to the performance, but I will never get over the fact as to how Adrien made it there before Marinette. It is beyond me.

Kagami not letting Adrien stay for 5 more minutes. Hmm...

Their cute moment together was what will lead to the demise of Adrigami as Kagami noticed he dropped the infamous lucky charm bracelet. *le gasp!

Why *le gasp*? Because 1) I fear it symbolizes that something will happen to Adrienette or that Adrien has forgotten about her, and 2) Wait until later.

Kagami revealed she lied so she can spend more time with Adrien alone, lying about leaving rehearsal earlier, lying about the fencing lessons rescheduling, and who else knows what else so she can be with him.

She tells him she loves him. But Adrien notices Ladybug and an Akuma. Oh boy, he wasn't able to give her any attention.

Because he left towards the direction of the boat (and said he left something there), Kagami used that to conclude it had something to do with Marinette. Oh boy.

Either I missed an entire scene about Ladybug knowing ShadowMoth's name, or we were not supposed to know how they know until this episode. It feels out of place to me, but oh well.

"I..am...AN INCREDIBLE SWIMMER!" still cracks me up even when I know how important it was in protecting her secret identity.

Happy Birthday Prince Ali!

Apparently, Kagami lied that her mom was in charge of watching over Adrien (or maybe not? I can't tell at this point.)

Yep, Kagami believes that Adrien is going after Marinette and probably resents them both if her facial expression says anything

We get to see that Ladynoir moment from "Truth"!! I love these two and their banter.

Adrienette stans, not much has changed. Adrien was concerned that he lost the Lucky Charm bracelet, for real. But said again because he though he would be clear of the lie since he thought he had it on him.

Kagami confronts him with it. AND THIS IS HIS SHOCKED FACE SCENE FROM THE TRAILER!!!

Thinking that she lies to get out of being with her, she leaves. With the bracelet. The leaving part is understandable, especially because she does not know about him being Chat Noir or what entails him to do. But why take the bracelet???

Adrien is also saddened by what happened. He also liked her.

We've never seen that part of city hall. Well designed in my opinion.

She was the akuma in City Hall with the glowing sphere! We were right!!!

Adrien feels guilty, though it is not really his fault. He has a duty to Paris!

Why is the music sounding different in French.

Jagged Stone. How do I feel about you after learning you purposefully abandoned Luka and apparently Juleka? Also, what's with the song??? (Rhetorical question. Do not answer)

We were wrong about Kagami's power: it paralyzes people who lie, not kill everything in its path.

Jagged, you abandoned your children. And you apparently lied about your age?!?!?! Both episodes show something about Jagged Stone that make him seem like an awful person on the inside.

Ladybug, how do you know about Lies's powers?!?!? There is a hole in the plot here! Unless there were other paralyzed civilians that gave her power a dead giveaway.

Chat Noir, if you lie as a civilian for whatever reason, of course Ladybug will too, since as a civilian, you need to lie to keep your secret identity a secret. Same rules apply to Ladybug, especially as the guardian.

The Lucky Charm is a drone, not a camera like I thought. How the hell did I get into an ivy if I can't tell the difference?!?!

Chat Noir pretending to lie is funny. It might also be his peppy attitude to lying. Also, his funnier version of ShadowMoth's name.

Ladybug finds the akumatized object and gasps. I wonder if its only a eureka moment or also the fact that she recognizes the bracelet, especially if its custom made.

Brutally honest people does not exist (we have all lied at some point, even Kagami who is usually brutally honest with people), but animals can't lie.

Fang being involved in destroying the akuma is cool.

This is the moment that we dreaded so much, yet knew was coming: CHAT NOIR DIES!

JK! He actually is paralyzed by truth because he jumped into the glowing orb. We were right that this is an anguishing scene to watch, but we're wrong about the part that he's killed. Yet, he still unnecessarily sacrificed himself and caused Ladybug to be angst about it.

WHAT IS UP WITH CHAT NOIR BEING HAPPY ABOUT SACRIFICING HIMSELF?!?!? AND DO NOT SAY ITS BECAUSE HE TRUSTS LADYBUG!

Yes Ladybug. Chat is crazy. And also crazy for you. And you are right about the crazy unconscious part. My Ladynoir heart!

ShadowMoth almost won until Fang bit off the charm bracelet. Thanks Fang!

Chat backing away from Fang licking him is a mood.

My favorite Ladynoir moment of the evening: Ladybug telling Chat to stop sacrificing himself and Chat saying she likes her adorable angry face. Her smirk afterwards.. And then their pound it.

But no seriously Chat. You need to stop doing that to Ladybug. She cannot take it anymore

Plagg said that even if Adrien loves someone else, he is likely to go back to Ladybug. Just like he goes back to Camembert. Seriously, despite his cheese analogies, he gives great wisdom.

Not Kagami almost beating up Adrien during his fencing lessons. And Mr. D'Angercourt notices this too as he stopped Kagami's final blow.

Also, isn't it illegal in fencing to push people? Oh boy.

And there's the Adrigami breakup scene: Adrien telling Kagami that he enjoys their time together and Kagami knowing their is sincerity in him. It is sort of unclear who actually ended things when Adrien asks if they could still be friends, but Kagami ends it all by saying that she will let him know once she can face him again. Ouch.

Adrien is hurt and stares at the lucky charm bracelet with what looks like sadness. Once again ouch.

Like Lukanette, I want to see Adrien and Kagami be happy together at least until halfway through this season. The issue is that it will hurt them more in the end.

Also, I noticed the difference between Luka and Kagami when ending their respective relationships. It hurt them both, but Kagami was more forward about it and Luka was somewhat passive. It could be based on what they know about their now exes (Luka knew that Marinette had feelings for Adrien and was not secretive about it even when they were together if the truths her friends said and the opening scene to this episode reflect this, whereas Kagami only has a suspicion and Adrien does not say anything regarding to it.

Also, I really did not like how the breakup on this end resulted in. While more realistic for a lot of people, it did not help that it involved Kagami as there are people who will go after Kagami after watching this episode, and I believe that the writers know this. Kagami is a good person who has a different response to the trust issues and lack of communication, as well as lies in their relationship. Not saying its a perfect one, but an understandable one. In conclusion, don't trash Kagami, especially if you saw this coming.

I take back what I said before; this is my favorite Ladynoir scene. I want to hug them both because they have to lie and keep secrets from everyone, even have some secrets between themselves! But at least they can trust each other! Excuse me while I cry over how much we are being fed. Also, the fact that they broke up with their respective partners makes this both heartwarming and heart breaking.

Overall, this episode is just as good as Lies! It is the first fully Adrien-centered episode, which makes this a first and already exciting. While I did not like how their breakup was handled, it was realistic and showed that honesty and communication are important. Also, can my children be happy together for longer than an episode??? I swear, their pain hurts me.

But at least Ladybug and Chat Noir have each other's company to get them through. May us Ladynoir stans continue to be fed!

[ginkgomoon]

Hello there! I hope everything is going well with you. (・∀・)

I have some questions. In CH 30 & 32 the Time Observer mentioned about the "price being too heavy/dear" & he mentioned that he never expected for Victor to choose that method to prevent the crisis. I was wondering what price is he talking about & what's "the method" he mentioned? & Victor collapsing in CH 32 was not from hitting the bullet I believe. What exactly happened there?

Also...I don't know the details but I think I saw it somewhere that Victor goes through different timelines & dimensions for 10000 years in the later part of the story...? I remember reading it in a R&S that every time he crosses a dimension he'd experience soul crushing pain... The mere thought of doing it for so long honestly made me feel traumatized. I was hoping you could give me some insights as to what exactly he was doing.

I hope I'm not bothering you with tons of questions & they made sense. Thanks a lot in advance! Have a good day! <3

Hello!!

Thank you, you too! :)

I hope I helped answered your questions here. It's quite long, so enjoy the read!

I did Victor’s Time Observer analysis and I’ll be heavily referencing that post to help answer this particular ask. Big thank you to @cheri-cheri and @ey8508 for help clarifying some of my thoughts concerning Victor this chapter! Spoilers down below! ⏱

“With great power comes great responsibility.” -The Peter Parker Principle

We all know Victor bears great power, but also with that comes great responsibility. He is the sole individual who has the will and power to alter time and space, however this develops drastic consequences to his health and to history- all for his love for MC.

Victor doesn’t care about this price- he is more concerned with whether he can prevent the death of the girl in every unpredictable future.

“The person who can save the world… is not me, but her. As for myself, I know my ending line and how much pain I can bear better than anyone. I would rather take such a risk.” -Chapter 35-36 Rumours and Secrets

Chapter 30-6

Victor is seen to be flanked by bodyguards on Adagio Street. Moments later, in a pure white space, we see the Time Observer addressing Victor.

I stood in the centre of the street, looking hesitantly around, but I was unable to spot that familiar figure.

In the dead of the night, from the distant horizon, there seemed to come the sound of a mechanical little violin.

In a boundless, pure white space, the music would be at time peaceful and solemn, and at others somber and mournful. After the final note, that pair of tightly-closed eyes opened.

The Time Observer looked at Victor, neither showing surprise.

That pale white hand brushed lightly over the violin strings, and his gravelly voice spoke up with the pluck of the string.

TO: “The natural rules of operations no longer supply. This world… in memory is a turbulent past and in imagination, there is no serene future. She should have stayed in that world. Her return was a mistake.”

Victor: “If you’re still here that means we still have a chance.”

TO: “A chance that comes at such a heavy cost. Is it really worth it? You will soon understand, in some things, you are doomed to helplessness. Try with all your might, and yet, it remains out of reach.”

Victor: “I won’t let her die again. No matter when."

This will foreshadow future events such as in Chapter 32, where Victor shows a demonstration of this.

Chapter 32-6

Amidst the scattering glass shards, I saw a number of bullets flying towards me.

Only one thought ran through my mind.

Am I going to die?

Chapter 32-8

In the darkness, a crack suddenly splits open, and a blinding light appears, obscuring my sight. My heartbeat practically came to a standstill, the pain I expected never came. The blinding light disappeared, instantaneously replaced by darkness.

Time seemed to pause for a second.

The pitch black bullets, the fractured glass, the car in mid-air…

And then it fell all heavily to the ground.

And in this moment, Victor challenged “fate”, or rather, the “natural rules of operations”, stated by the Time Observer.

I reached out and grabbed the black clothing fluttering before me. Even my voice was trembling.

MC: “Victor…”

I looked in a daze at the man before me, at those fierce eyes beneath his wind-blown hair.

He was looking back at me, as if trying to etch me into his eyes with his deep gaze. But there was another emotion hidden within as well.

After confirming he was unharmed, I let out a sigh, then looked anxiously into his eyes.

MC: “What are you doing here?”

Victor: “Do you have any idea what you’re doing?”

But this time, his voice was flat.

MC: “I’m sorry… but I know exactly what I’m doing. I’m not unaware of the danger… I must simply stay and stop them.”

I hastily wanted to get Victor out of danger, but his feet were planted firmly. I looked up, to get a look at his expression.

His voice was steady, stopping me in my tracks.

Victor: “I see.”

MC: “You really believe I can stop them?”

Victor: “I said before, even if you don't trust yourself, always trust me. I won’t do anything I'm not sure I can handle. Go what you think needs to be done.”

He patted the back of my head lightly, with a hint of tremor in his voice. He didn’t ask me or stop me, as if he already knew the choice I’d made.

So, while the STF agents and runaway Evolvers were battling, MC was literally going to die at that moment. But Victor enters- using his Evol to stop time, ultimately stopping the bullets and MC’s death.

I whirled around, hoping to catch sight of him.

MC: “Victor!”

I wanted to tell him I’d done it, that I really had prevented this crisis.

A faint worry floated up in my chest. What about Victor?

Medic: “Someone, come quick! There’s another person here!”

I turned and hurried to the end of the bridge.

I then quickly found him.

Ringed by a crowd of people, there he was, the person I would recognise anywhere.

It was…

I halted my steps for a moment, then ran to him without hesitation.

I broke into a panic.

Chapter 32-10

Victor… What happened to him??

I pushed the crowd aside and frantically ran to him.

His face was pallid, eyes squeezed shut, his hair plastered messily to his forehead with sweat. I grasped his hand, unable to believe how icy cold it felt to the touch.

MC: "How could you… Why did you…”

Just then, those eyes shut with pain cracked open. He pursed his lips and then coughed violently, blood started trickling out. Even like that, he still chuckled weakly.

Victor: “I used to think… that your problem was that you thought you could control fate all by yourself. Stubborn, self-reliant, in over your head. Whenever anyone tried to tell you anything, no matter what they said, it was always in one ear and out the other.”

Although it sounded a little weak, his voice was unusually calm, and didn’t really even pause or halt. Almost if, if he stopped, he wouldn't be able to start again.

Victor: “But I really did learn a little something from you. You are the thing unto yourself, so only know the best what your values and decisions should be. No one can guide you. And just like I can’t hold you back, you also can’t change this decision that I’ve made. Don’t ask why, this time, just let me say my piece.”

His voice grew weaker, but he managed to lift his right hand and place it over mine.

I clasped his hand, and a feeling of suspense and dread came over me like I'd never felt before.

MC: “I know… I know… You don’t have to say more.”

He was afraid of something, but not because his life was slipping away. It was more like… something would happen.

Victor closed his eyes, completely exhausted. I squeezed his hand tighter, as if trying to hang on to those remnants of warmth.

You have to make it through this.

A man standing by the riverside swiped his hand through the fog, swiped his hand through the fog, stirring it up into an erratic vortex.

Zero: “Did he actually…”

TO: Like I said before, he is the most suitable candidate.”

Zero: “But he refused to help us open the Door of Return.”

TO: “Perhaps it’s only temporary, and he’ll change his mind. I didn’t imagine he’d choose this method for preventing this crisis. Too bad… the price was so dear.”

After Victor saves MC from death, she finds him on the ground- pale and in terrible pain. Throughout Victor’s time with MC, we slowly see the influence he has on her- and the influence she has on him. He tells her that while she shoulders everything on her own and never listens to anyone, she did teach him things in the process. With her love and kindness, she strives to defy “nature's course” and saves worlds. Literally.

You were correct, Victor didn’t suffer injuries from the bullets because he stopped them just in time but Victor is overusing his Evol, and it’s gradually taking a toll on his body. Even back before MC crossed over to the Winter World, Victor was trying to find other alternative ways for MC to live and not sacrifice herself. Unfortunately, there were none. He did also suffer immense pain whenever he time traveled, especially when it led to his time travel pocket watch cracking and breaking in the end.

Victor would normally be practical and very principled in how he executes his plans, but this time around, it was him. This- he- was the plan. That's it. This is similar to how Victor opened a time rift to send MC away in Chapter 18- to somewhere and sometime in space. He waited for her to come back with the help of the Time Observers to confirm her safety. Only someone with his powerful Evol could do that, otherwise they’d risk losing consciousness in the “Time Rift”.

Additionally, he held onto that hope that MC could and would be saved in the end, like how he tried to find her for 17 years after the orphanage incident, not knowing whether she was dead or alive. Victor wants to wield that control, denying “helplessness” and “winning all the bets” he had with MC prior to her “death” in Chapter 18. Victor stated that if she couldn’t trust herself, then she should trust him and his decisions to protect her. Even if it’s detrimental to his health. Life-threatening, even. Because in the end, Victor knows he will always win. He just does.

And since he knows that he won’t be able to stop MC from doing what she wants, we now see him fully embracing then acting upon it. He accepts that she’s her own person and he has grown to have so much faith in her, seeing how she successfully survived Winter World then coming back home safe. It’s almost like- “okay. It’s you and me against the world”.

On the sidelines, Time observer and ZERO both observe, surprised that Victor will pay such a high price to avoid MC’s death from occurring- with the risk of his own. Could they have lost their most powerful time Evolver from this incident?

Though, we shouldn’t be surprised that the Time Observers think that Victor would be so foolish to use his Evol up to the point where it would actually kill him just to save MC. It's literally in their name- “Observers''- they haven’t and aren’t even allowed to actively participate in the events that happened in Loveland, let alone the different histories and worlds that existed, other than claiming to “correct it” by influencing other people who can. They don’t appear to have this kind of empathy in understanding Victor and why he wants to save MC’s life, or how important she is to him.

“You misunderstand. We never alter, we are correctors of history. We want you to join us, your power’s scope of influence has already surpassed the dimension of this current world. Before you are rejected by it…”

Victor: “I will not leave this world.”

“Even if you’ve seen the future of what is all to pass?”

Victor: “No matter what happens, the person I’m seeking for is right here.” -Black Curtain: Chapter 6

Also taken from my Time Observer Analysis-

Since Victor’s Evol is strong and has the capability to do more than “observe” like the Time Observers, he is the one who is deemed the most suitable and more responsible for “grasping the time in the past and the future”. Ever since STF found out about Victor’s Evol, they wanted him to cooperate with them too. Every time he stops time, certain surrounding energy and space changes.

The organisation also entertains the idea of fate, and how things should be refused to be changed. Since they have “seen the future of how the world ends”, they want Victor to cooperate with them in making it stop. Nobody can rewrite the ending among them, except him. Victor refuses to join because he doesn’t adhere to this idea.

“QUEEN’s return has brought unexpected consequences; the entire collapse of the world is ahead of schedule. The world’s line has come to an end, no matter through time or space, we can no longer interfere in this world.” Was there a difference in letting each world go to the end alone to close all the world lines in the future directly? Although we found a breakthrough, this situation really caused us a lot of headaches: she who should not have survived and she should not have been sent to other worlds. As a result, it would seriously interfere and disrupt the timeline. No one had done it before, and no one except Victor could do it.

In disbelief, we weighed it and threw the olive branch- as long as he is willing to cooperate, we will help him find her. As decisive as he was to refuse a few times before, this time he had promised me without thinking. And for a moment, I didn’t know if his decisiveness was good or bad. -Chapter 33-34 Rumours and Secrets

Victor "travelling ten-thousand years in the future" was mentioned in his Chapter 35-36 Rumours and Secrets. The Space and Time Administration (who the Time Observers were under) could "repair his abilities", after he stopped the bullets from hitting MC. He would have to stay there for the Space and Time Administration's time duration of ten-thousand years. Victor accepts. (BIG THANKS TO @cheri-cheri FOR CORRECTING ME LAST MINUTE WITH THIS ONE, YOU AMAZING HUMAN!!)

[elliemarchetti]

Could you do a jealous fremione onehsot pls?

I hope you like it and if you want a sequel or any other story, please just drop an ask because I’m soooo happy I’m slowly able to go back to writing.

Words: 1833

As the most varied kind of rumours about the Yule Ball were spreading everywhere, the last week before Christmas break became increasingly turbulent: some professors gave up teaching them much when their minds were so evidently elsewhere, but others, like Binns, McGonagall and Moody weren’t as generous. Professor Snape seemed to have made his personal mission to contain the enthusiasm, and from what Fred understood of Ron’s complaints, he had even scheduled them a poison antidote assignment for the last day of class. If in other circumstances it wouldn’t have bothered the most charismatic of the Weasley twins, at that specific moment it was a huge problem se he intended to invite Hermione Granger, who now spent all her free time divided between the library and the Common Room, her head perpetually sunk between books and notes. He had subconsciously begun to think of her as something other than his brother’s friend about a year ago but only came to terms with it at the end of the previous school year. During the summer, he had found every way to catch her attention, but on balance, it was only stolen time, spent at a safe distance as she certainly didn’t seem bothered by his presence, but neither was actively looking for it. The Yule Ball was his opportunity for a more direct but still cautious step, if only Hermione, in her rare breaks, wasn’t always surrounded by friends: she never went anywhere alone, not even to the bathroom, so his only chance was to ask her to speak alone after the end of the Potions test. When she turned to look at him with her big, hazel eyes, Fred could’ve sworn his stomach jumped, like when you miss a step down the stairs, but he regained enough composure to ask if she had a few seconds to spare.

“It’s a private matter,” he added, glaring at his brother as he realized he was going to try to get involved, as usual. Ron had a good heart, it was undeniable, and unlike him and George, he didn’t do anything maliciously, but he could sometimes be a real meddler, and now he had no time to handle it tactfully.

“Sure,” she replied quietly, just a hint of bewilderment in her voice.

“See you at dinner,” Ron muttered, before sneaking off as if he had interrupted something. Whether he wanted to invite her or simply had no desire to be alone, as Harry had bolted out of the classroom so quickly he hadn’t even noticed him, Fred truly couldn’t care.

"Did something happen? If it has to do..." she began, but he interrupted her abruptly, asking the fateful question, words coming out of his mouth without the usual funny streak that distinguished him. He could feel his ears and cheeks warm, and he suspected his skin had become a chromatic whole with his red hair.

After a moment of embarrassed silence, she too started to blush.

“I’m so sorry,” she began, and somehow her tone was sincere. “But I’m already going with someone else.”

“Oh, okay,” he replied, hoping his disappointment wouldn’t be noticed too much, especially by Professor Snape, who was just walking out of the classroom; he was a mean man, and he certainly wouldn't miss such a glorious opportunity to make fun of a Gryffindor.

“I’m really sorry,” she repeated, when the Professor was no longer within earshot, but before it could become really awkward, Ginny, who looked far too happy for her standards, almost run to meet her friend, calling her from the end of the hall. Too heartbroken to notice, Fred didn’t even raised his head when the girl he’d just been turned down by looked over his sister’s shoulder, the sad expression of someone who wishes they could go back in time. Too curious to resist temptation, that same evening he joined the pleading chorus of Harry and Ron, who desperately wanted to know who their friend's mysterious escort was.

“It’s not my place to tell you,” Ginny replied peremptorily, ending the discussion for good before disappearing into the girls dormitory. The only ones who knew of his intention to invite Hermione were George and Angelina, so he let the latter take care of finding him a lady. Katie Bell seemed more than thrilled to accept his invitation and George tried to distract him with the booming Canary Cream sales. Their housemates constant hype and the spasmodic need to get out of his head the thought of Hermione’s secret date led him to focus more on another product, and even as the snow fell thick on the castle and park, making the Beauxbatons carriage look like a big cold pumpkin glazed with frost, he secluded himself in his bedroom with his twin, going out for longer than a meal only when the most awaited moment of the year came. Katie Bell wore a bright turquoise dress, while Angelina had chosen a decidedly more sober outfit. As always, he and George were in identical clothes, and the four of them went down to the Entrance Hall crammed with students just a little early. The students who had to meet with partners from different Houses made their way through the crowd, looking for each other, and since there was no sign of Hermione, Fred started to mentally go over the names of the Gryffindors not yet present, distracted only when the oak front door opened and everyone turned to look at the Drumstrang’s students entrance. Victor Krum was leading, accompanied by the girl Fred so desperately wanted to have beside him. Hermione had done something to her hair, now straight and flowing, tied in an elegant knot behind her head, and she was wearing a soft periwinkle blue dress that gave the impression she even had a different bearing, but probably it was just the absence of the twenty or so books she usually had hanging on her back. She was smiling, albeit rather nervously, and soon she began talking to Harry and Parvati. She had attracted everyone’s attention, more than Fleur Delacour, and it didn’t escape him how many guys let slip a few lewd glances as the pair of champions advanced towards a large round table where the judges had already taken their seats. By the end of the little parade, his blood was boiling, making him unable to enjoy the walls of the Great Hall covered in glistening silver frost and the hundreds of ivy and mistletoe wreaths crisscrossing across the black starry ceiling. When he took place for dinner at a table set with gold plates in which food would appear on command, the only thing running in his mind was the amount of possibilities the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe on Christmas Eve also existed in Bulgaria. For the whole dinner they chatted so closely that Fred was sure they were going to kiss right there, making him throw up the pork chops he was picking listlessly, completely oblivious to the fact that the worst was yet to come. When all the food was consumed, Dumbledore got up and asked the students to imitate him: with a stroke of his wand the tables shot away and arranged themselves along the walls, leaving a clear floor, where an elevated platform equipped with a complete battery, several guitars and bagpipes, a lute and a cello appeared. Not even the Weird Sisters’ entry managed to change his mood as he knew that soon they would start with one of their most slow song, the perfect excuse for Krum to hold Hermione tightly in his muscular arms. Just as he had feared, the two separated only after several rounds of dancing and Lee, who hadn’t lost sight of his friend for the whole time, surprised him by saying he could still invite her to dance, even if he wasn’t her escort.

“Look at Parvati,” he nearly yelled to be heard above the noise, gesturing across the room. Their housemate was spinning with a tall Beauxbatons guy wearing a perfect light blue suit, someone who definitely wasn’t Harry Potter. Even her sister wasn’t dancing with Ron and as sorry as he was that his brother had lost his partner, it seemed to give him some kind of courage, something he usually never lacked. When he finally found her at the drink stands, Hermione was looking for her escort, so shaken that she seemed to force herself to avoid his gaze.

“What happened?” he asked, jealously suddenly forgotten, replaced by the familiar need to protect her. It was something he had felt since the first time they met, and even if he had mistaken it for a different feeling maybe for too long, the truth had definitely revealed itself at the Quidditch World Cup, when he thought he was going mad not seeing her arrive at the meeting point. They were deep feelings, still too fresh to forget them because she accepted someone else’s invite to a stupid ball.

"Don't worry," she reassured him once she took a long sip of Butterbeer, "I’m being emotional over a silly fight with your brother. I just wanted everything to be perfect tonight, you know?"

All too well, he wanted to answer, but as it was evident that she wanted to let off steam, he let her talk freely. Almost without realizing it, they found themselves in the rose garden, where the dancing lights of the fairies flickered and sparkled, illuminating bushes artfully positioned to create winding ornamental paths, a temporary home for large stone statues and fountains. They ended up talking about other things too, like how Fleur Delacour had seemed unable to stop comparing Beauxbatons to Hogwarts for the whole dinner.

"I have to admit the champions table hadn’t the best company,” she let out with a sigh, but before she could continue, one of her diners turned the corner, with Severus Snape by his side. The Potions professor was blowing rose bushes away with the hostile frown he’d been wearing since the Yule Ball was announced, hissing reproaches and punishments at the dark shapes emerging from their hiding places.

“And what are you two doing?” he asked Fred and Hermione inquisitively. His companion looked rather annoyed to see them there, and rolled his goatee a couple of times around his index finger waiting for their response.

“We were looking for Viktor,” replied Hermione, who had gotten pretty good at lying to professors over her time spent with Harry. Fred felt his stomach tighten again. He had almost forgotten, so great was the joy of being there chatting with her, that inside the castle’s wall there still was a party, and partners to whom they owed dancing and entertainment. Again, that was just another stolen moment, a memory he would keep forever and which she would gloss over describing the evening to her friends.

“Then I advise you to go back inside,” replied Karkaroff. “There is no Durmstrang student in the garden.”

[pastelwitchling]

Hi! I have never done something like this, i don’t even know how it works, or how i should do it 😬🙈 it’s m’y first prompt but also this is the first time i leave a comment 🙈 my english is not very good, so, sorry in advance, but i was listening Coldplay’s A Sky Full Of Stars, and all i was imaginig was malex. And your stories are the best!!! So, If you have time, and if you like the idea, can you write something like: Michael wrote this song for alex, (and maybe he sang in front of everyone) because he wanted to show him how important Alex is for him, how much he loves him, And why not how much he regrets what happened with Maria 😬🙈 i want everyone, and especially Liz and Maria to understand how they didn’t know anything and how bad friends they were/are... Thank you for all your work!! J’adore!! And merciiii in advance!!! Even if you don’t write something inspired by this, i like the fact that i can share something i think or feel... So thank you for this space and for your creations!!

by @m-chuchi.

***

               Michael tapped the back of his hand with the piece of paper he’d been clinging to since he left the airstream an hour ago.

He’d barely finished writing down the last of his thoughts, everything he’d been keeping in since long before Alex showed up in front of his airstream with a whole team of air force soldiers.

               And he’d given himself ten whole seconds of pacing, of telling himself what a terrible idea it was, before his defenses went out the window and he’d slammed the gas on his way to the Pony. Because it was Open Mic Night. And he’d heard from Isobel that there was one person who was definitely planning to sing.

               Not that Michael had tackled him the second he’d opened the doors. No, he’d stayed in the back, staring at Alex in his booth with Kyle, inching closer and closer without realizing he was doing it. As Alex smiled and laughed with Kyle, as Kyle repeatedly touched his arm or ruffled his hair (he was going to kill that doctor someday), Michael had to remind himself that if Alex didn’t want to keep things going with Forrest Long, then he definitely wouldn’t be starting anything up with his straight best friend.

               He spotted Liz and Maria at the bar, also glancing at Alex every so often as they shared a secret conversation, but didn’t approach them. The last thing he needed was Alex seeing him around Maria this soon and getting the wrong idea. According to Isobel, Forrest had left some parting words for Alex before heading back to New York. Namely that his friends weren’t really his friends.

               When Isobel had asked Alex about it, he’d confessed he felt a little betrayed that Liz had played favorites and Maria had done any of it in the first place. Nothing he hadn’t already told Maria and Liz themselves. Which was why they wouldn’t approach him now. That, and the fact that Kyle seemed to always have an excuse to keep either of them away.

               “It’s temporary,” Isobel had told him. “He just wants them to know he’s hurt. But neither of them wants to think they did anything wrong, so it’s taking a little longer.”

               If Michael was being completely honest, he felt a little bad for Liz and Maria, but worse for himself. He at least knew he’d hurt Alex, but his problem, unlike the women’s, lied with trust. Alex didn’t think he was anything special to Michael, not after he’d dated his best friend and dismissed him so many times. There was very little Michael could do to prove that the airman mattered more to him than anybody else.

               But this, Michael thought, nearly tearing the paper in his nervous grip, this might fix things.

               “. . . Alex Manes.”

               Michael blinked. Caught in his own mess of thoughts, he missed the introduction to Alex’s performance. Move, he thought, and without any chance to change his mind, he quickly closed the distance between himself and Alex as Alex headed to the stage.

               “Take this,” was his greeting, slipping the piece of paper into Alex’s hand.

               Alex frowned. “What’s this?” he asked, and without waiting for Michael’s answer, he unfolded the torn paper and quickly scanned the contents. He blinked, startled, and looked back up at Michael. Something shifted in his expression. “Guerin, what is this?”

               Michael held Alex’s gaze, which wasn’t hard since he didn’t think he could look away if he tried. “A song. I – I wrote it. I want you to sing it, Alex.”

               Alex clenched his jaw. His dark eyes glistened to bright hazel for just a moment, like he could hear Michael’s song in his ears, feel everything he’d felt as he’d written those words.

               “Why me?” he croaked, looking at Michael like he was terrified one word or touch from the cowboy would shatter him.

               And for the first time in a year of pretending and trying to be someone he wasn’t, Michael genuinely smiled, helpless and in love. “You know why.”

               Because it’s you. It’s us. And you have to be the one to sing it.

               Alex bit his lower lip, hesitant. He glanced back at Kyle who seemed to realize that he was in safe hands. Kyle made a shooing gesture at him to get to the stage. Alex held the paper against his chest, locked eyes with Michael one more time, and went on to the microphone.

               He sat at his piano and set the lyrics in front of him. His brows furrowed in that cute way they always did when he was concentrating, and his fingers hovered over the starting notes. Michael didn’t write songs. Science was always his specialty, not heart. But there’d been one or two instances in the past when he’d sat down at his guitar and worked at a melody that was what it is now.

               Meeting Alex, in his dark clothes and black eyeliner and all his piercings and beautiful, kind smile and warm eyes, had given him his chorus. Turning his own back on Alex, seeing him happy without Michael, that had given him his verses. The risk of losing him forever had given him words.

He’d never known what to really make of the music he’d made, but when Alex started to sing, all doubt and nerves left his mind. All he could do was listen to his airman. Somehow, he found a chair and thoughtlessly sat down, his eyes never leaving Alex as his fingers flew along the piano keys, as he sung the words into the microphone with the same anguish and hope and love Michael had felt writing them.

As he sung, Michael’s eyes burned. So we’re still connected, he thought. They were beyond a relationship, beyond just two men. They were the entire cosmic universe of stars in one love. They were for each other, and no one else. Anyone who listened to Alex sing now, sing Michael’s words, would know that he was part of another heart, another soul. And Michael would never give him up to anybody. Not ever again.

Alex’s eyes glistened but his voice never wavered, as if he’d been longing to say these same words to Michael, too. Out of the corner of his eye, Michael saw Liz and Maria staring, Liz’s eyes filled with tears as a few had already escaped Maria’s. Michael saw Liz glance at him and back at Alex, as if seeing them together for the first time.

Michael wondered if they were anything like she’d expected. If they made any sense at all to someone like her, who operated in logic and reason. In what universe, after all, did an air force captain descended from alien hunters and an angry alien cowboy ever fit?

Michael didn’t care. Alex was his, it didn’t matter how. Only that he was.

When Alex played that last note, the bar erupted into cheers. Michael could even hear Kyle applauding behind him and Liz and Maria clapping, too, but Alex didn’t seem to see any of them. His eyes were fixed on Michael.

Michael was at the stage’s side before Alex could even stand. Alex stepped down, closer than an arm’s length away, shaking his head.

“I didn’t know,” he said weakly, as if the song had drained him completely.

Michael swallowed the lump in his throat. He took a step closer. “I didn’t let you.”

Alex noticed and didn’t stop him. He held up the paper. “Can I keep this?”

“It’s yours,” he scoffed. “It’s always been yours.”

Alex pursed his lips. “And you mean it?”

“Every word,” Michael breathed, moving close enough now to press their foreheads together.

Alex exhaled shakily, grabbing Michael’s jacket tightly. “Then why aren’t you kissing me?”

That was all Michael needed. He closed the distance between them, wrapping Alex in his arms without a care to who was watching, and taking his lips in his own. Alex’s hands came up to hold his face, tilted his head to deepen the kiss. Michael might’ve moaned, but he didn’t care. He just wanted to touch more of Alex, taste more of him. If this was a dream, he never wanted to wake up again.

Alex’s taste, his warmth, his beautiful tiny whimpers into Michael’s mouth – it was all so overwhelming that Michael wanted to drag him out to the parking lot and take him apart in the backseat of his truck.

Somewhere behind him, he could hear people approaching them, could hear Kyle’s voice saying, “Give ‘em a minute. You can talk to him tomorrow.”

Michael briefly imagined Liz and Maria trying to approach them, then felt the brush of Alex’s tongue against his, and all other thought vanished. Good, he thought at Kyle keeping the others back. He didn’t think he was willing to let Alex go for a single second.

“G-Guerin,” Alex breathed in between kisses as Michael slid a hand around the hem of his shirt. “We can’t – not here –”

Michael took his hand and kissed his fingers roughly, not wanting to be apart from him for even a breath. “Then come on,” he said. “I’m having you. Right now.”

And he pulled Alex towards the door, leaving the noise and conversations to be had behind them, Michael’s song to them between their clasped hands.

***

I’m not taking prompts (so please don’t send them in), this is just really late.

Merci beaucoup pour ton message, c’est très gentil de toi! (I’m so sorry for my awful French, I’m very rusty.)

Also, for those who didn’t know, I’m having an IG live for the last couple of pages of Heroes Never Die, chapter two. Right now, it’s looking like it might be this Tuesday. I thought it’d be a fun way to connect with you guys, let you see my writing process, etc. (Because so much happens in those last couple of pages). I’ll be writing for most of it, and it’ll be about an hour, but maybe you guys can come along and write with me? It might be fun. And then the following day, hopefully after edits, I can post the second chapter. I’ll keep my IG updated on the exact time, if anyone’s interested.

[abeautifuldayfortea]

Birth Pt. 1

Summary: Rosie delivers her fourth child, SR 1427. Tolkien barely writes about women. also read as: we need some strong women characters. Written with my OC Estella (by canon, Merry’s wife), but you can change her name to YN if you wish (InteractiveFics or Word Replacer II). Written hastily, will not edit till next week.

Warnings: Childbirth, blood, mentions of death

A/N: A self indulgent fic about the use of ergot as a vasoconstrictor before the advances and application of oxytocin in modern medicine to control severe postpartum haemorrhage. Severe postpartum haemorrhage is considered to be an obstetric emergency and time is of the essence. Historical use of vaginal douching, ergot or ‘labour tea’ as it was known and vaginal packing with rags  are recorded to reduce the mortality rate of women experiencing PPH. Blood transfusion was also an effective method of treating PPH, but I doubt that hobbits would have known about this as they were fond of simple things and disliked machines more complex than a mill. 

Fun fact: LSD also happens to be derived from ergot alkaloids. Ergotism was also known as St Anthony’s Fire. Don’t do drugs.

You can read more about the historical management of PPH here:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1633559/

https://mro.massey.ac.nz/bitstream/handle/10179/3299/02_whole.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

Words: 1411

The air hung low in the artificial darkness of the room. It felt too small, as if she was a burgeoning whale growing until the walls of smial that cradled her would shudder and the earth about them collapse. On the bedside table the preparations had been made. The linens and towels, each meticulously washed were pressed and folded. Upon the floor, a bucket of water rippled to the rhythm of soft padding of feet outside the room. She smiled, Sam had always been the more anxious of the two of them and where he could not follow, his feet would bore ruts in the floor. This was not at all Rosie’s first child. In fact, it was her fourth and at this point she rather cheerfully opted to call herself an ‘experienced amateur’ on the process.

This time, she had not felt the warm fluid run down her leg until her visiting friend, Estella had gasped at the liquid pooled by her feet. In a whirlwind that Rosie barely remembered she was swept up in her husband’s strong arms and laid her upon the bed before he was shooed out rather unceremoniously.

Then all too soon for her liking, it began. The one thing that Rosie certainly did not miss was the pain. As she pushed, she moaned with the feeling of being rended from the inside out with a rake, of tearing and burning as if her skin could no longer contain the spontaneous combustion within. The contractions came and went like the coming and going of the tide, only much faster. She felt as if the world about her continued to spin at a dizzying speed. Round and round the stars in her mind roared past and the aging of the world unravelled as the room filled with scent of her sweat and tears, hanging stagnant.

The brief feeling of a cold cloth applied to her forehead every so often was a temporary relief. The heat and the stuffiness of the still air nauseated her and the urge to throw up bobbed just below the surface of her sanity. Distantly, like white noise underwater, she registered the sound of encouraging words formed on familiar lips, but the language itself was lost to her and in that moment, surrounded by familiar faces of her friends, she was truly alone, walking upon a road of motherhood with not much at all to guide her. Rosie was not afraid, but that did not make her fearless and though she was alone, not once did she cower at the journey. Instead, she pushed forward with grim determination.

How much time had passed, she did not know. With a final push, the child slid free of her and Rosie sobbed silently into her wet pillow with the heaving exhaustion and the feeling of emptiness that filled her. “Another beautiful bairn, Rosie! A lovely, sprightly lad! May I?” Estella asked as she gingerly passed to Rosie the new life that lay, squalling, wet, red and wrinkled beneath the muslin towels. And seeing his tiny form cradled there in her arms Rosie was enthralled in the wonder of that singular moment. She nodded as she nursed her newborn, half awake in bliss and tiredness, knowing what Estella was asking permission for. The sensation of something being tugged and the wet mass of the placenta slithering out of her and against her thighs.

Someone had left the room and invited in the light and the fresh air and with it came Sam. In half a moment he was by her side and behind him toddled little Elanor Fairbairn, a spry four years old and curious as a fox. Her siblings were surprisingly sound asleep in the breaking dawn.

A slight smile came to Estella as she turned her attention away from the loving couple, leaving them to their quiet whispers as they tended to their love. The labour was a long one and lasted all through the evening and to the morning. Like a garden it flowers, she mused as she ran her fingers over the placenta. It was whole. She let out a breath of relief. Everything was progressing just fine.

And yet she paled at the piping voice of Elanor. “Mummy’s bleeding.”

The sheets were stained with a growing pool of red and Rosie cried out in surprise. Never had this happened to her before in her other children. Sam looked searchingly at Estella for answers and his eyes held her in that plea of desperation.

Save her.

But Estella did not have time to explain as she looked him evenly in the eyes. Her breath shuddered as she clamped down on the visceral fear in front of her. “Sam, I need you to boil the water and brew some ergot tea. Keep it in the water for three minutes, but not more. Get me as many towels as you can.” Her hands shook slightly as she fumbled with the jar of ergot, struggling to find the clasp on its lid. The dark contents in its clear container defied her, so close and so far, mocking her in her incompetence. Measuring out the ergot hastily, she handed it to Sam who took it wordlessly and disappeared to the kitchen.

An aide ushered Elanor out of the room.

“You’re going to be just fine, Rosie. I need you to lie back down again and slow your breathing. Can you tell me what you see on the ceiling?”

They had attempted to douche Rosie at first but where they cleaned, the blood seemed to return and so they resorted to packing her with rags torn hastily from the manchester. The flood kept coming even as Estella frantically stuffed the pushed the cloth into her and yet the red bled through like an overgrowth of deathly flowers.

The iron tang of her blood filled the air and it struck Rosie then with the very real fear that she would die then. She wanted to send for her husband then so that she may say goodbye, but the air from her fluttering lungs would not carry her words.

Her breath came in quick huffs now and the vision began to blur. Her pulse quickened. The warm grip of a calloused hand on hers that she recognised as Sam’s comforted her and though she could barely see him then, she could tell by the warm liquid on her face that he was weeping.

How cold you are, my Rosie! He seemed to be saying as he rubbed her arms.

But something warm was on her lips, a liquid trickling into her mouth and she swallowed wordlessly as someone ladled tea for her. She did not know what it was, but she did not have the strength to refuse it.

In the dark of her blindness and the room about her Rosie was suspended in time, between the world of the living and the warm pull of a long sleep that swathed her. It was as though she herself were back in the womb of her mother, only it was the smell of iron and earth that surrounded her. She had a thought then that perhaps death was not so bad after all. The drum of her own heartbeat filled her ears as she slipped from the waking world.

Beyond her knowledge, Estella checked her pulse and was relieved to find it had slowed back down. They had weathered the worst of the storm. She eyed the soaked rags at the foot of the bed and between her legs. Now began the long and anxious wait to see if septicaemia would take hold of her. Quietly, as Sam held Rosie and her newborn in a loose embrace, she began the long and tedious work of cleaning up. The bedsheets and the towels she gathered into the now empty bucket to be burned and the jar of ergot left uncovered on the bedside table she recovered, praising Eru as she did so. She was thankful that no convulsions plagued Rosie, for the use of ergot had many undesirable and often life threatening side effects.

Leaving the couple be, she gathered her things and retreated to the guest bedroom. Left behind in their shared room, Sam blearily opened his eyes, swollen from crying and briefly registered a shadow that rounded the corner of the door. A croaking ‘Thank you’, chasing after their form. 

Closing her door gently with a click, Estella waited a moment to make sure she was alone before casting herself onto the floor. With a silent ferocity, she wept. Trembling, she fell then into a careless sleep and through many dreams that she would not remember afterward.​

Tag list:

@moriamithril

[prismatales]

Late Bloomer: Faltering (Part 1)

Word Count: 3.3K

Bingo slot: Free

Pairings: None

Tag/Warnings: Slight angst.

Synopsis: Sometimes, life throws some unexpected circumstances that can bring doubts.

Here's Part 2 of Late bloomer!

Unfortunately, as much as I would've loved to make this chapter longer in order to introduce Dabi at once, I've been struggling with some heavy writer's block and burnout for these past weeks, but when I said part 2 would be out this week it was a promise, hopefully you guys will enjoy it!

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Isn’t it strange that the most gentle of hearts belong to all the souls on fire?

-Michelle Schaper

“That will be all for today’s lessons. Make sure to enjoy your break, everyone!” Midnight exclaimed, a cheerful smile on her face while all her students were busy packing their stuff, eager to leave and prepare everything they needed for the school break. If luck was on your side, maybe you would be able to plan something out with your siblings once Shouto came back from the training camp. 

“Todoroki. Before you leave, principal Nezu would like to speak with you.”...Or maybe not.

“...Is this about what happened during the exam?” you couldn’t help asking the teacher, nervous about the idea of being in trouble for the little stunt that occurred during your exam. But that couldn’t be the reason the principal was calling, right?

“He just told me to send you to his office. But if this helps out, I think your father was there too.”

“…Of course he is.” You had to hold back the urge to groan in front of the teacher. Blood already warming up just by the mention of your father of all people being in the principal’s office, if this was another attempt to make you switch classes, you’d be having none of it. 

“Did you put confetti in Bakugo’s gauntlets again?” Ren and Hatsume approached you after class, both of them snickered when they remembered the look on the blond’s face as he chased you around the school like a wild beast. The attempt to muffle the laughter failed miserably by the reminder.

“Nope. But if my dear old man’s there, I know what this is about. Anyway, see you next Monday, guys!” They both waved cheerfully before walking away, their figures became smaller and smaller with each step taken until eventually they could no longer be recognized from afar. 

As soon as you began heading towards the principal’s office, a small knot began growing into the pit of your stomach from the nerves. Once you finally stood in front of the door, the first thing you did was knock twice, staying put before the principal’s voice called out through the other side. “Come in!” 

The door was slightly pushed, just enough to peek inside the office. Just as Midnight said, principal Nezu was sitting on his chair and your beloved father was standing nearby with arms crossed. Both of them turned to look in your direction before the principal welcomed you with his characteristic smile.

“You wanted to see me, sir?” You ask out of formality, partially nervous about the attention. 

“Yes, please come take a seat!” He didn’t move from his spot, and neither did your father as they both watched you step inside the office and advance forwards before stopping in front of the principal’s desk. Quietly, you pulled a chair in order to sit down, effortlessly ignoring your father’s presence as subtly as possible.

“There’s something we’d like to discuss with you. It’s not about the exam if that’s what you’re worried about.” You couldn’t help placing a hand over your chest, exhaling in relief with eyes closed. Endeavor’s stare could almost dig a hole at the back of your skull from that reaction, but he’s ignored in favor of looking at the principal. “It’s about your quirk...It’s already been a few weeks after the sports festival, but it appears you’re still having some difficulties controlling it...don’t you?” 

For someone who had as much authority as him, the principal’s question didn’t hold a single speck of malice or mockery behind it, almost sounded like he’s talking to a small child. Which made the situation way more uncomfortable in your eyes, because not only was he mentioning a fact you’ve been trying to so hard to hide, but he was also mentioning all of this in front of the last person you’d want to find out.

Insecurity grew deep inside as you looked down, avoiding eye contact with both males for as long as possible, gripping the fabric of your skirt with a firm grip that dug your nails painfully harsh into the flesh of your thighs.

“The principal’s asking you a question.” Just hearing your father’s voice was enough to make your blood feel like it was boiling, if any of them were able to see under the bangs hiding your face from view they would’ve seen a pair of glowing eyes. Nobody was supposed to know about the lack of control you’ve been struggling with for the past weeks, but it seems that it was more obvious than you thought.

When you looked back at the principal with doubtful eyes, they were no longer filled with that golden light that had already vanished. Hesitating, you finally answered the question.

“Yes, sir…”

“And you didn’t tell anyone this, because?”

“Because, I thought it would be something temporary...and eventually, I would be able to control it on my own.” He observed you with unpredictable eyes, pondering for a moment.

“That’s understandable,” he gave a slight nod with eyes closed “but you have to consider that as a school, it’s our responsibility to help the students grow and this includes helping them learn to control their quirks. There’s also another factor to consider…” 

This time he looked at you straight in the eye. “Remember what happened during the sports festival?” How could you ever forget it? The day your quirk manifested will forever be branded into your memories. “As harsh as this may sound, we’re concerned that this difficulty may end up with something similar happening in the future. Please don’t take it personally.”

It’s understandable that the principal worried about the risk of somebody getting hurt. And yet that didn’t soothe the ache growing inside you. Distracted by these thoughts, you didn’t pay attention to the rest of the conversation between the principal and your father. 

“My suggestion would be for her to attend the training camp alongside the hero department, the training could be a perfect opportunity to learn to control her quirk.” The principal turned his attention back towards you “While it’s not our place to make this kind of decision on a student’s behalf, this is a special case. I hope you understand our reasons, Todoroki-san.”

Nodding silently, your lips were pressed into a thin line in resignation over the school’s decision. But when you thought about it through the adult’s eyes, they were right. It could be dangerous to lose control and potentially getting someone hurt because you decided to be stubborn and handle this on your own.

But who could blame you when that’s pretty much how you grew up? Becoming independent at such a young age in order to lessen the burden on your sibling’s lives. 

“Well then, it’s decided. Look at the bright side, at least your brother will be there as well!” Nezu made an attempt to light up the situation, and you appreciated it. Kind of ironic how someone that’s not even related to you is doing more than your own father. who somehow, had such a feeling of pride radiating from him that if it wasn’t for who was in the room as well, you would have smacked him right in the face with your belt.

After the final arrangements were done, you and your father walked out of the principal’s office, but unlike him, the look on your face was so very sour that it could make a lemon taste sweeter than honey.

You didn’t have the chance to say anything to the man walking in front of you, since he began talking first.

“Before you accuse me of talking the principal into this. They were the ones who called concerning this situation.” He wouldn’t even turn around and it made you feel even more bitter than before, realizing you were the only one to blame for this.

“I do not care if you had anything to do with it. It’s obvious this is just an excuse to try moving me into the hero department.” In an angry fit, you stopped and glared at his back “I said this before and I’ll say it again; Nothing you can do will change my mind, camp or not, I’m staying in the support class!”

Unfortunately for you, that small fit of rage was enough for the ends of your hair to light up, right at the same time he turned to give you a look. “Focus on getting control over that power and then you can say that again with your head held high.”

With fists clenched into a fist, you just marched away with a huff. As much as you’d love to give him a piece of your mind, it was time to prepare everything for the trip.

A few days later, you stood near everyone from class 1-A, getting on the bus that would take everyone to the training camp. At least Shouto’s classmates were kind enough not to make you feel like an outcast, and it really helped out that you already met them before. After they saw you talking with your brother about his new costume and making fun of the first one, much to his embarrassment.

“Can I ask you something?” Shouto asked quietly from beside you, trying to avoid catching the other’s attention.

“Mhm.” You looked up from the screen of your phone, where a meme was displayed, courtesy of Mina who had quickly added your phone number into the group chat.

“You were doing so well the first time we trained together...so what happened?” He noticed the way your hand clenched around the device harshly, with a little more strength the screen would’ve almost cracked.

Nervously, you turned away from him with a nervous look all over your features but still managed to smile softly at him despite everything going through your head at that moment.

“I’d rather not talk about it...please?” The small plead caught him off guard, but Shouto still respected your wish...

The bus finally stopped in the middle of nowhere, it gave everyone the chance to walk out and stretch their bodies after sitting inside such a cramped seat for hours. 

And then, a pair of women showed up to greet everyone. Watching their costumes made your eyes light up in joy once you recognized the pair standing in front of everyone. But unlike Midoriya, you could only fangirl silently at the sight of the wild wild pussycats, or at least at the sight of the two that were talking in front of the whole class.

“I thought Hawks was your favorite?” your brother had to cough into his fist to hide the laughter when he saw the look on his twin’s face, that quickly turned into embarrassment when some of his classmates heard their banter.

“S-Shut up!” You shoved him by the shoulder at the same time your whole face got warm all the way down to the neck, it quickly began getting warmer the moment most of the girls overheard Shouto’s comment and gave you a teasing look. Now it would be impossible to live that down. “This is why Natsuo’s my favorite brother!”

That was the last thing you could tell him before the ground began moving underneath everyone’s feet, courtesy of pixie bob’s quirk. Everyone quickly tried to get back inside the bus to no avail, for all of you had been thrown into the forest. The last thing you heard from Mandalay was how those unable to reach the camp before noon would not be allowed to have lunch. 

While everyone fell down, some people noticed you quickly pulling your shirt open, and you could have sworn at least one of them yelled out panicked until they noticed a black tank top under the uniform. And also a familiar belt from the sports festival.

Quickly, two metallic claws sprung out from the back of the artifact, digging their way deep into the wall so they could slow down the impact. 

You were probably going to get an earful from Aizawa, but wearing this belt and the trusty bracelet over your right hand became a habit too hard to avoid, these ‘babies’ -yes, Hatsume had become quite an influence- were like a part of you, something you spent so much blood, sweat and tears developing from scratch.

Once your feet reached the floor again, the claws retreated back inside the belt. “Is everyone alright?!” You called out as the others dug their way out from the layers of dirt, luckily nobody had gotten injured during the fall and even if they had, it was a good thing there was a healer among them.

A thunderous roar could be heard, making you look at the direction where it came from, just to see this horrendous creature towering over the smallest guy from the group, what was his name? ah yes...Mineta.

After Koda tried using his quirk to calm down the creature, you realized they were not living creatures, most likely controlled by one of the pro-heroes supervising the school trip.

As soon as Midoriya managed to rescue his classmate and get rid of the first creature, another three appeared right after. This race against time was going to be harder than everyone thought. So might as well hurry up and lend everyone a hand.

“(Y/n)! behind you!” Turning around, you came face to face with another beast. Quickly, your hair began glowing with energy, growing until it reached the lower back and your arms became surrounded with a reddish aura, that somehow was acting differently than before, it started flickering wildly rather than flowing into smooth waves.

The beast lunged forwards, instantly being hit by an attack that ignited into flames as soon as it came in contact with it. Burning its whole body in a matter of seconds.

The more you kept running, the more of these creatures appeared and were taken care of just as fast. You had to admit it, everyone in the hero course was incredible in their own way.

It was strange using your quirk this long after spending so much time trying to avoid it. But if it meant no longer worrying about losing control, then you’d go through as much training as you had to endure.

Finally, after a long struggle in the forest, everyone managed to come out in one piece. But after using your quirk for so long, the only thing that didn’t hurt was your eyelashes. Every muscle in your body cried out in agony, exhausted, and begging for some rest, the same thing could be said about your irritated eyes.

“Arriving at noon my ass…” Nobody said a thing when you dropped face down on the floor, muttering a bizarre combination between nonsense and profanities. Too tired to pay attention to everything happening around you, like the moment poor Midoriya got punched in the crotch by Mandalay’s nephew, Kouta.

“Shouto, if you drag me inside I’ll treat you to the cafe for a whole month…”

“...Sorry, but you’re on your own.” 

“...You traitor.”

The meals were exquisite, every dish could almost be on pair with your sister’s cooking. And just as you expected, right before leaving for the hot springs, Aizawa made sure to confiscate your belt and any equipment you had left.

“All of it, Todoroki.” 

“...” 

With a defeated grumble, you took off the earrings as well before following after the girls.

The hot water felt heavenly against your sore body the more you sank down in the spring. If it could be possible, you’d stay underwater forever if it wasn’t for this little thing called ‘oxygen’. Swiftly your body rose up to the neck, leaning back against the edge of the spring between Jirou and Hagakure with a relaxed smile adorning your whole face.

“Ahhh, this feels so nice˜” your hands brushed some stray, damp locks away from your soaked face. The girl’s chatter was a pleasant noise in the background as every thought slipped away into nothing but a white noise inside your head.

“(y/n)?” Uraraka’s voice snapped you out from the little daze you fell in, when you turned to look at her it wasn’t only the brunette looking at you, but all of the girl’s attention was focused on you.

“Yes? What is it?” The grogginess in your voice and face was too funny to ignore, judging by their fits of giggles.

“How did you come up with the idea to make your equipment to subtle? It’s amazing!” Mina was the first one to speak, there was a glint of excitement in her eyes just thinking about the gadgets you used during the sports festival. In fact, all of them seemed interested in the subject, leaving you amazed by their reactions.

A huge smile appeared on your face upon realizing how fascinated they seemed about the equipment.

“Well, I know that sometimes equipment can make a difference for heroes, but it can also get in the way if it’s something too bulky or difficult to handle.” You explained to the small audience, not even aware that in the middle of the explanation, your hands wouldn’t stop moving all over the place as you spoke with enthusiasm.

Or how small ambers of gold began escaping through the corners of your eyes the more ecstatic you became during the explanation.

“So I thought of creating something that could be both subtle and practical at the same time, like-” 

“Ummm, (y/n)? Your quirk is going off again?” Jirou’s voice had a hint of concern, that made the words die instantly at the back of your throat when you looked at the reflection in the water and in fact, the glow in your eyes just kept growing.

They kept watching in silence, worried as you curled into a small ball at the edge of the spring, taking deep breaths that aided with the focus, until they specks of golden light finally disappeared.

“I…I’m sorry.” You couldn’t muster enough courage to look at any of them. Feeling ashamed of yourself, like a burden for everyone because you were unable to do something as simple.

“Wait, we didn’t mean it like that!” Looking up, you were met with many pairs of worried gazes that reminded you of the day everyone at school found out there was more than one Todoroki at U.A. but at the same time, it was a complete contrast as well.

Because these people were genuinely worried about you.

“Please don’t think you’re being a burden to anyone here, (y/n)“ Momo approached your curled self in an attempt to be reassuring. As a matter of fact, everyone else was doing her best to help out. “Besides that’s why you’re here with us. And if there’s anything we can do to help, we will!” 

Everyone else nodded and you’d be lying if you’d say their actions didn’t make something warm stir deep inside. It was...nice to know that including your friends in class, there were more people out there trying to help out.

With a grateful smile, you looked at every single one of the girls sitting around the spring “Thank you, guys….”

Soon you were all engaged into some playful chatter, from stuff like school, trying to get better grades on a certain subject -which you and Momo eagerly offered to help with- to being curious about tomorrow’s training….and other things as well…

In the midst of all the chatter, you were able to hear some commotion from the boy’s side of the baths. It was pretty vague, but Iida’s screams of “Restrain yourself!” were easily a hint of the chaos about to unfold.

And then Kouta’s small figure appeared at the top of the wall that faced the guy’s side of the baths.

“Learn what it means to be a dignified human being before aiming to become a hero.” The little boy spoke with such indifference as he pushed Mineta away.

“Do you guys deal with that every day?” You had to ask, and when more than one girl nodded their response left you perplexed enough to sink back into the warm water.

“Some week this is gonna be.”

You had no idea just how hard the following days would really be...

@bnhabookclub @gallickingun @godtieruwu @hanniejji @mysticalite @samanthaa-leanne @savagetrickster @shoobirino @bnha-ra @hawks-senseis @sugacookiies @unbreakableeiji @wesparklebitch

[ahecktonoffandomsinoneblog]

The Crows

Modern au i wrote that i may or may not add more to later

Inej works at a cafe (she didn't always but she did now)

Jesper used to work in a casino but now he only gambles there

Kaz works for himself

And who knows how much trouble they still manage to get themselves into?

Snippet:

“Inej?” said Jesper, leaning against the elevator doors. “You good up there?”

The doors squeaked open, and Jesper tipped over onto the floor.

“I’m fine, Jesper. Thank you,” she shot Kaz a look, “for asking.”

“This,” said Inej, “is a bad idea. What sort of-”

“Idiot,” said Jesper into the pause. "Idiot works great here."

“Thank you, Jesper.” she turned back to Kaz. “What sort of idiot makes a plan so profoundly stupid that we all end up stuck in an elevator at two in the morning?”

“Only one made on the-

Inej cut him off. “-on the streets. Yes, Kaz, we know. We grew up on the streets too, and you don’t see us-”

Kaz’s lips twitched. “Stuck in an elevator? Funny, I could swear you said you were stuck in one only a moment ago.”

“You’re stuck,” said Inej. She pulled herself up the wall of the elevator and pushed one of the ceiling panels away. “I’m not.”

Jesper sighed. “She works in a cafe, where did she learn to climb like that?”

“It’s a temporary job,” Inej called down the shaft. “It’s not my favorite line of work, and it's not the only one I've done.”

Jesper raised his eyebrows. “Yeah, I wouldn’t want to work in a place where all you do is walk around and give people things either. Sounds boring.”

“First of all, Jesper, that is not my reason. Second of all, I think if you ever actually tried being a waiter, you’d find it a lot harder-”

“Quiet. Someone’s coming.” Kaz turned to the door, holding his cane.

“How can he hear that? We’re stuck in an elevator, and he can-”

“Quiet, Jesper,” said Inej and Kaz at the same time.

“Fine. But only for a bit.”

No one spoke for five minutes, and Inej was too good at silence for either Kaz or Jesper to tell if she was still climbing the elevator shaft.

“Inej?” said Jesper, leaning against the elevator doors. “You good up there?”

The doors squeaked open, and Jesper tipped over onto the floor.

“I’m fine, Jesper. Thank you,” she shot Kaz a look, “for asking.”

“Come on, Jesper. We don’t have all night.”

“Of course not.” Jesper pushed himself to his feet. “And a special thank you for everyone who asked about my well-being. I only fell a few feet onto the floor. Not to worry.”

“Don’t worry yourself, Jesper,” called Inej, turning to face him from the other end of the hallway. “If you had been hurt, we would have been worried. You’re just being dramatic.”

Kaz sighed through his nose. “Hurry.”

Jesper ignored him. “I quite like being dramatic, thank you.”

“So does Kaz, but at least he’s not slowing us down.”

Jesper gasped in horror. “He just got us stuck in an elevator, and I’m the one slowing you down?”

“At the moment, Jesper, the answer is yes. If you walk any faster, that might change.”

“Shut up, Kaz. You’re the reason we got stuck in an elevator in the first place.”

“So I’ve heard.”

“Both of you, quiet. There’s someone around the corner. Silent feet don’t do me any good when you two are making such a racket.”

Jesper opened his mouth to respond, but Kaz cut him off with a look before he could.

A moment later, Kaz and Jesper turned the corner to find Inej sliding an unconscious guard’s body against the wall. She didn’t glance back at them as she spoke. “We’ll have to hurry. There’s no place to put him, and out in the open, someone will find him soon.”

Kaz shook his head. “What did I tell you? Both of you,” he added once he saw Jesper jokingly imitating his head-shaking. “Walk faster.”

Something clattered to the floor behind them, the trio turning as the object echoed. It was the guard’s spare set of keys; they had fallen from his pocket to the floor.

Kaz turned to Jesper and Inej. “Hurry faster.”

They hurried faster.

----

Twenty minutes later, Inej was carefully lifting a large section of window away from the rest. Jesper was out standing guard, and Kaz was in the main office, flipping through files and ledgers.

Another moment and the glass was on the floor underneath the window, hidden from the view of anyone getting inside.

The sound of Kaz’s cane as he walked, and Kaz himself appeared around the corner. “Positions, everyone. They’re on their way.”

Inej, using the cracked brick of the walls as footholds, pulled herself up to the ceiling and held herself there while Jesper - who had been right behind Kaz - hid in the next room. He was followed by Kaz, who gave her a single, solemn nod before shutting the door and using a magnet to slide the lock shut from inside. It wasn’t a complicated lock - or a complicated trick - but it would be enough to fool anyone else.

A moment of quiet breathing, and the sounds of a small group of people climbing the rooftops feet away grew in volume.

“Hey, look,” one of them said. “They were really so stupid as to leave their way in open.”

Another one laughed. “Makes it easier for us, so I’m not complaining.”

Inej smiled as they climbed in. So far, so good. But she still needed them further inside.

“What’s this?” said a third, staring at the floor. He looked up as his companion stepped through the window after him. “Wait, hold on-”

But it was too late. The glass shattered on the floor, scattering in all directions like they had kicked it in.

She glanced at the window itself, eyes passing over the jagged edges that would complete the illusion of them shattering the glass. She had to admire Kaz’s plan, even if it had gotten them stuck in an elevator earlier. Tricking their rival crew into walking into a trap like it was their salvation made for an interesting night.

The crew muttered and complained quietly, but they moved on. They had all worn sturdy boots and thick gloves - one for the climb, one for the cold - so they hadn’t cut themselves. That was fine. She didn’t need them to.

They walked past her, trying the door to the room Kaz and Jesper were in once before they discovered it locked. “They could be hiding in there,” said one.

The others laughed. One said, “Of course, of course. Dirtyhands locked himself in a room to hide? He’s smart, not an idiot.”

Her smile, which had faded, returned grimly. Kaz Brekker was no idiot; he just knew when other people were.

She dropped down behind them. None of them turned as she did. Silently - quickly - she slipped into a corridor they had passed a moment before and raced through it. She needed to get to the office before they did to make sure the trap was set properly. While she monitored them, Kaz and Jesper would be slipping into the auxiliary office - also known as the records department - and stealing the goods they were here for before climbing out the window to meet her at the rendezvous point.

But first, she needed to spring the trap.

The walls blurred around her as she sprinted past them. She reached an intersection and pushed off the floor, foot landing on the wall and pushing again to keep her momentum going. The office wasn’t far, but she needed to get there enough in advance to climb to the ceiling.

The office door loomed in front of her and she sped in, slowing enough to turn and climb the wall above the door. The office had been designed extravagantly, with tall ceilings accenting the lavish furniture. She thought it looked lovely, but in the end it was a waste. That wealth could be going to better places than to double-cushion one man’s chair.

She reached the ceiling just as the rival crew walked in. She could tell they were trying to mask their footsteps, but they were doing a poor job of it. A poorer job at it than her, anyway.

Don’t get full of yourself, Inej. Arrogance is as good as a death sentence.

If she wanted to make it out of here in one piece, she’d need to listen to that voice. For weeks they had been pitted against this same crew. Job after job they’d ended up chasing after them, watching as they grew to be known the “Better of the Crows.” It didn’t win them fame, necessarily. But it won them respect, and cost her, Jesper, and Kaz, some as well.

So Kaz had hatched this plan. He’d designed a trap within a job they’d been offered hours before, intending to teach their rival crew a lesson. So here they were - here she was - waiting from the shadows.

The crew reached the far side of the room, coming close to where the desk was located. She held her breath, praying the - literal - trap would work as planned.

It did. The crew huddled around the desk, watching as one of them - their leader - pulled open the largest drawer. As he did, a loud snap echoed throughout the room as the pulley system built on the ceiling activated, throwing a weighted net over them.

While they struggled with that, Inej took a deep breath and held it, dropping a small canister onto the floor below here. The room filled with smoke, and her arms shook as she dropped to the floor. She grabbed the robe at her waist and used one of her knives to cut it into pieces large enough to tie them up with.

Still holding her breath, she bound their hands and feet together tightly, tying one rope around the lot of them to make it harder for them to move.

The smoke finished dissipating just as she finished, and she ducked out the door - setting a small piece of paper on the desk as she did - while they were still coughing the smoke from their lungs. She hoped they had been too busy for them to have gotten a good look at her.

She ran through the halls once again, using the walls to keep her momentum going around corners. Kaz and Jesper should be done by now. They were supposed to have finished grabbing what they needed ten minutes earlier, but that meant they would still be on their way to the rendezvous point.

She slid on the floor at the sharp sound of gunfire, turned her nose at the scent of smoke in the air. She glanced behind her, then up, but no one was there. No bullet hole, either.

That meant Kaz and Jesper had gotten themselves into trouble of their own.

Saints, she thought. What would it take for one plan to go right?

She turned the next corner slowly, drawing two knives as she did. Standing in back to her at the far end of the corridor was an unfamiliar form - dressed in black - holding a gun. On the other side of them was Jesper and Kaz, with their weapons drawn too.

Kaz was frowning; she knew it was because of the gunshot. She was sure he had been expecting something to go wrong, but the idea was to be as discreet as possible. That, and no witnesses. They’d already failed at achieving two of those goals tonight.

She stepped forward to deal with the person, but a voice from behind said, “I wouldn’t do that if I were you, girl. Not unless you feel like getting rid of your head.”

She turned slowly and found another unfamiliar face staring back at her, a gun pointed at her head. She looked to Kaz, finding him already staring at her. He nodded, just once, and she moved at the same time Jesper did.

She ducked and reached up with her arm, aiming the gun at the ceiling before hitting the person hard enough to knock them out. She turned to find the other unfamiliar face unconscious as well, Jesper standing over him and grinning like a fool.

He caught her watching him, gave her a wink, and turned back to Kaz. “I like them much better when they’re unconscious.”

Kaz stared at them for a moment. “I share the sentiment, but you know what we have to do.”

Jesper nodded grimly. “No witnesses, else the entire plan fails.”

Inej pressed her lips into a line, but she nodded. She had her reasons for being here, but that didn’t mean she had to enjoy everything about the jobs.

They dragged the bodies over to the window, doing their best to make it look like they had encountered the other crew when they had “broken in.” When Kaz - who had been standing off to the side while Jesper and Inej dragged the bodies - was satisfied with the arrangement, he raised his eyebrows and gestured at the window.

“Why can’t he speak like a normal person? There’s no need for it, so why does he do it?”

“He says he does everything only as he needs to,” muttered Inej, loud enough for Kaz to hear. “But really he loves the dramatic flare as much as you, Jesper.”

“I do not,” said Kaz.

Jesper grinned. “There goes Dirtyhands, lying again.”

They reached the edge of the rooftop terrace outside the window, and they looked at each other in farewell before heading their own ways.

"No mourners," said Inej.

"No Funerals."

----

The next morning, notorious gambler Jesper Fahey and mysterious businessman Kaz Brekker met for coffee at a quiet cafe on the outskirts of the city. They paid a little extra to let Inej Ghafa’s boss allow her to have a cup with them while they read the paper.

“Failed break-in,” read Kaz. “Two dead, thieves responsible were caught but claim innocence.”

“Did they wonder why two random people were on the scene?” asked Inej.

Kaz looked at her. “Random people?”

“The two- Kaz Brekker, I will steal Jesper’s guns and shoot you in the face. They were guards?”

“Off-duty, but yes. There was a plausible reason for them to have been on the scene.”

Jesper grinned. “Brilliant. Now read the next one. The second one is always the best.”

“Criminal pests finally caught. Torment of city over.”

They looked at each other, and even Kaz couldn’t help a quick grin.

“What do you think,” said Jesper. “Is this city’s torment over yet?”

Inej thought of her family, desperate to escape a war that had taken over their home across the sea. Thought of the cost of the travel, of the wealth held by so few who used it for nothing but their own gain.

No. This city’s torment wasn’t over just yet.

[http-skzhyuns]

request | bang chan scenario

  bang chan scenario | unedited  words: 1200+ genre: fluff with a dash of angst warnings: swear words, ig.  requested by:  🍰 anon!!! | thank you, anon! sorry it took a VERY VERY long time to write this. i hope it justified your request haha a/n: i still take requests, my asks are always open. :]   you glared intently at your blank notebook.  you’ve staring at it for the past thirty minutes trying to figure out the best way to write down your notes; the flow of information and adding a small visualization here and there are the key points in making an effective note taking process for you. alas, you’re having no such luck. you winced when you felt a sharp pain in your abdomen. your period just started, in fact, you almost forgot about it amidst all the chaos of adjusting with the current situation of the world. forgetting means not being prepared. hence, your necessities rack are empty. this raises a new bout of frustration that you aren’t sure you know how to deal with. you ended up lightly hitting your forehead on the table when you leaned down to rest your head. damn mood swings and menstrual cramps. you muttered under your breath. the table vibrated when your phone rang, creating an uncomfortable sensation. chan ♡ y/n, are you free today? you groaned, knowing full well you’re not going to be a good host if he comes over. to: chan ♡ i’m sorry, bub. rain check? chan ♡ u ok? is there something wrong? his message brought a smile to your face and gave temporary relief until you felt another sharp pain which prompted you to groan out loud. to: chan ♡ i’m okay. i think... i’m sorry :((( you feel like absolute shit and you wanted to see chan so badly but you don’t want him to see you like this nor do you want him to put up with your unreasonable mood changes today. chan ♡ i think i understand what’s going on. can i come over? i won’t if you really don’t want me to. to: chan ♡ ... please do. i miss your hugs. might need a dozen of them... or a hundred tight hugs. chan ♡ see you soon. wait for me. you put down your phone and bask on the feeling of the cool wooden table against your forehead. this sucks. before you know it, chan is gently rousing you awake. donned in his black hoodie and sweatpants, his dimpled smile stood out the most. “come on, bub. your back’s probably killing you after that nap and well, you get back aches when you’re on your period...” he trailed off, lost in his train of thought. you stretched for a bit before wrapping your arms around his shoulders and linking your fingers behind his head. now trapped in your arms, chan’s smile never faltered instead, it grew wider. you pecked him on the cheek. “how did you know i’m on my period?” you asked him. “uh... well? i keep track of it?” he trailed off. you just stared at him blankly. “uhm... not so much as keeping track of it, i just remembered that you have your period around the third week. you seemed off so i figured that must’ve been it.” “no need to explain yourself. i’m just really really glad you’re here. i apologize in advance for anything unreasonable that i might do today though,” you whispered, nuzzling your head on the juncture between his head and shoulders. his chest moved when he chuckled. “i bought you some things. i put the pads i bought on your rack and there’s ice cream on the fridge. how are you feeling?” “honestly? like shit. but, everything’s better since you’re here.” chan coaxed you into standing. “come on, let’s move from here. it’s uncomfortable.” all is well, well, as well as it can go considering how shitty you’re feeling, until you stood up and remembered what you’re grumbling about a few minutes ago. true to chan’s prediction, your back is flaring and screaming for you to lay it on a comfortable mattress. your menstrual cramps are back with a vengeance and you’re not sure whether you’re about to pass out from the pain or is it the end for you. chan looked at you worriedly. “you’re pale as a ghost, y/n. is this normal? do you need to go see a doctor?” you weakly waved him off, “i’m fine. it happens sometimes, i haven’t had a bad menstrual cramps like this in a while.” “come on, i’ll carry you instead. hold on to me, okay?” you only nodded in reply, resting your head tiredly on his shoulder. you felt your body sink into your bed mattress. that feels better, you thought to yourself. “you’re an angel, christopher,” you thanked him. he waved it off, telling you he’ll be at the kitchen. his voiced faded in the background as you fall back into a comfortable sleep. hours later, you found yourself alone in your bedroom. looking at your bedside table, the clock read five in the afternoon. feeling a tad bit better, you decided to get up to roam around and look for chan. it only took about ten steps before you realized your judgment was wrong all along. before you know it, a wave of dizziness washed over you and your eyesight blurred for a long minute. you can make out the outline of chan’s figure as he popped in your doorway. chan immediately runs to your side when he saw you stagger. it was a great timing for him to decide on checking up on you right in this moment or else he would probably find you on the floor. “woah there. take it easy. why don’t you sit down, babe?” he ushered you to your desk chair which is nearest to you. “sorry. i felt better so i thought i’d walk around.” “how are you feeling?” “i don’t even have a word to describe it.” “want me to get a hot compress bag for you?” “yes please.” after a few minutes, chan came back with his arms full. he brought the compress bag, some snacks and drinks. you looked at him confused. “... where’s your laptop? we’re watching a movie,” he answered your silent question. you pointed at your table. you watched chan adoringly as he sets up your laptop for your movie night. when he went back to your side on your bed. you immediately snuggled up to his side and he put his arms around you. “i brought you a ton of sandwiches.” you gratefully accepted it and munched on it while peacefully enjoying the movie. three movies after and you found yourself using chan’s lap as a pillow while his back rests on your headboard. you’ve also shed quite a few tears over movie scenes you don’t usually cry over. “thank you, chan. i know i might be quite a handful today.” “shut up. i like taking care of you. you don’t give me enough chances to pamper you like this,” he smiled before bending down to kiss your forehead. “but, you’re tired from your schedules,” you said. “doesn’t matter. you need my help and i’ll be glad to lend a helping hand.” you gestured for him to lean down again and when he did, you gently kissed him. “you’re not as scary as you made it out to be when you’re on your period,” he joked. “you’re just lucky,” you retorted. chan laughed and his hands gently caressed your cheek before running his fingers through your hair in a repeated ministration.

[dovveling]

Why must you keep giving me opportunities to spam your ask box 😔

❣️ When did your OC first realise they were in love? How did they react to the realisation?

💍 Which one of them would propose? How would it happen? (or write if you feel like it!)

💋 Who is the best kisser? (if you’d like write a short smooch scene!)

BESTIE THANK YOU FOR ENABLING ME I'VE BEEN WANTING TO WRITE A WEDDING SCENE--

❣️ When did your OC first realize they were in love? How did they react to the realization?

- Unfortunately, it was love at first sight-- Even if Iolas would rather drop dead than admit this. He probably saw the incredibly ostentatious portrait of Lucio in his wing and was taken aback by how attracted he was to this man who was supposedly dead. It only got worse after Lucio got attached to Iolas through the ghost binding within canon-- Iolas the whole time thinks Lucio's romantic advances are just for fun and doesn't expect Lucio to love him at all. All the While he's completely in love with Lucio. (even if he acts like a rude little shit to him 50% of the time) It isn't until Lucio asks him to go traveling in the upright ending that's when Iolas realizes that Lucio is serious about him and even if it scares the shit out of him he can't help but believe him. The events of everything come crashing onto him and he realizes that He's 100% in love and cannot escape it.

💍 Which one of them would propose? How would it happen? (or write if you feel like it!)

(THANK YOU-- I will put this under a read more because the next two answers will be LONg but look under if you wanna see two idiots fall in love)

The sun hung low in the sky as Lucio makes his way to the palace gardens. He has asked Iolas to meet him out by their favorite spot in the garden maze. the blonde smiles remembering how the two of them had found the hidden spot while goofing around and shoving each other into the hedges. It wasn't until one hard push sent Lucio through the hedge and where he expected to land on his ass but he found himself on the other side of a portal with Iolas calling for him from the other side. After Lucio had ushered the other man through the portal the two looked over a hidden meadow that seemed to be somewhere close to the center of the maze.

Lucio could picture it perfectly; the stark white gazebo in the center, the perfect sun rays that sprinkled the fluffy grass, and the willow tree with its small leaves that dripped and trickled. He loved when the wind would blow and the tendrils of the willow would tickle up the wooden beams of the gazebo and scare Iolas into laughter every time the leaves would brush against his lover.

As Lucio draws closer to the portal before he stops and stares at the ring he had spent hours picking out. He had never fussed so much over a gift for someone. He never had to worry about gift-giving, because anything he picked out was glamorous and simply perfect. this however wasn't just a gift. It was a question. It was a statement and soon as he would think he was close to picking he would look and see a flaw and wonder if Iolas could see it and if he did then he'd never get to hear the answer he so desperately wants to hear to the question He'd rather not be asking.

So many times Lucio doubled back on himself about the personal. Is this just too much? could he see himself getting married when his last marriage was such a failure? Then He would hear it. Iolas' laugh and the sunlight hitting his lover's coffee skin and every reservation burned away and was replaced with a deep desire to make this person his and only his.

Lucio steels himself as he pockets the ring, almost dropping the bottle of champagne he forgets he was holding. As he pushes through the portal the blonde's heart skips a little at the sight of his lover resting on the side of the white gazebo, wearing a white robe that Lucio had gotten commissioned to match his iconic white suit. His lover seems to be lost in thought, their crimson eyes gazing over the tree line until Lucio steps closer and knocks on the wood with a playful tune. His wolfish smile triggering a similar one on his lover's face.

"Hi, my Darling--" Iolas starts before pulling Lucio over by his collar to meet his lips. With a giggle, Iolas watches Lucio hop over the median of the gazebo instead of using the very close opening that's just a little be over to the side of them. Lucio tries to steady his face. He doesn't want to come off too excited or nervous. He needs to play it cool so Iolas doesn't suspect anything, but it's too late Iolas gives him a curious look. "What are you planning? I know that look."

Lucio however holds his hands up after he places the bottle of champagne down on the railing in front of them. "Why do I always have to be up to something huh? Can't a man just meet his lover in a secret hole in the woods for some late-night drinking and maybe some late-night macking?" the blonde throws the magician a wink, which is met with a playful smack that Lucio is too found of.

"Did you bring glasses, Oh Count of Macking?" Iolas teases with a click of his tongue and to that Lucio's face freezes for a second because he did not think about the glass part of drinking, but his shock lasts for a split second before he nudges his lover with an elbow and a cheeky grin. "Can't you just magic something up for us--" Before Lucio can even finish Iolas throws his head back, his whole body shakes with a genuine laugh, one that Lucio only sees when Iolas reacts to his particular stupidity. "Absolutely not. I cannot manifest glassware, but fret not Lulu I prepared for this." The silver-haired man stands on the railing of the gazebo and reaches up behind one of the posts and brings down two champagne glasses. Lucio helps the shorter man down before taking both glasses and leaning down to give his lover a short kiss on the head.

Snickering to himself Lucio places the glasses down and pops open the champagne. "See? Who needs magic when you have a lover who has the spirit of a squirrel. Why are those even up there?" Iolas can't seem to hold back his laugher and starts into a long dialogue about how the last party they hosted he was tasked with disposing of all the drinks Lucio downed after getting into a drinking match with Julian and at some point, he got too fed up hauling all the empty glass wear to and fro so he eventually gave up and used the portal which was much closer than the garbage. Soon as he finishes that story Lucio makes note that not only does he not remember this drinking contest at all, but he also notices that the whole upper layer of the Gazebo is littered with small drinking glasses of all shapes and sizes.

This brings the two of them to a comfortable speed of talking, to which Lucio adds more flavor by introducing the drinks. The sun finally settles and the garden lights are now on and thanks to all the glass wear in the gazebo there are small reflected lights scattered within their own space. Slowly the stories of their day dwindle and eventually, they huddle close to each other so they can look under the top of their gazebo and point out stars. Lucio watches the small warm lights bounce off his lover's face and his heart races. He can't chicken out now.

"Iolas." Lucio stops the silver-haired man mid-sentence as the other was just going on about his zodiac sign and how it will be visible in the sky until he hears his name.

Iolas pauses fully, not use to hearing his full name exit his lover's lips unless it was during a more intimate and scandalous situation. So he hides his hesitation with a smile and he answers the blonde with the same tone he just used but extracted with a deeper tone to lighten the mood. "Lucio." The count starts to fidget but just laughs when Iolas mocks his serious tone. "No really, uh... Listen for a second." Iolas' face now turns from curious to worried. " Uh oh. that's a real serious tone. What did you do?" Lucio brushes him off, biting his lip and rubs the back of his neck. He feels so lame doing this, but that's the point.

Lucio stands up straight taking Iolas' hands, looking directly into those red eyes. Something in him wants to run away, but the ring sits heavy in his pocket and he opens his mouth only to close it so he can bring Iolas' cold fingers to his lips. Iolas' however is completely taken aback. His lover has been romantic before but he was much more used to their back a forths of one-upping each other and superficial hyping each other up coupled with nightly flings where he ended up in the blonde's bed. So this sudden tenderness was jarring.

The magician could feel that dark feeling creep to his shoulders that say he shouldn't get his hopes up, that he's happy filling the count's time till he finds a real suitor. Even if Lucio was a temporary General at the palace was still a completely different status then Iolas and Royals don't have court magician as suitors. So he was happy to bid his time with Lucio because even with the teasing and snarky remarks that sometimes hurt Iolas' loved the other man's company, but love doesn't change status. Love doesn't guarantee a happy ending. He knew this from experience and learned his lesson the hard way.

So It was the last thing Iolas' expected when the taller man pulls out the biggest ring the magician has ever seen and gets down on one knee. Iolas' first thought is that he wants to shake his head so he can wake up. Then when air fills his lungs he realizes he is awake and this is happening. More than happening he's been silent for too long but all he can hear is the stinging sound of his fears buzzing in his head. The buzz is deafening and He can see that Lucio is speaking but he can't hear him.

You will just disappoint him. Iolas' thoughts curse. Better yet he'll disappoint you somehow. A shaky breath leaves him and all he can do is blink and look at Lucio with watery eyes. "I-- I'm sorry please can you say that again." Iolas stops and closes his eyes just so he doesn't have to look at the ring that's almost blinding with its meaning.

Lucio's normal wolfish grin falters but only returns once he hears Iolas speak. "I said. We should get hitched, ya know?" Lucio sputters, shit. "Look. Like I was saying we're surrounded by losers, Pet. Who else am I gonna get to match me other than you huh? come on, look at me. Then look at you! we're perfect for each other.. ya know?" Lucio now looks nervous as he speaks. Unable to keep eye contact. ...and.. I love your laugh."

This seems to pull Iolas' from his fears a little even enough to get him to let out a weak laugh. "What? what does that have to do with anything?" Lucio pouts and glares at his lover just a tiny bit. "I love your laugh! and I don't want anyone else to have it. I deserve it, I get you to do it most and I think you owe me. So like.." Lucio ushers Iolas' to the ring, his legs are starting to buckle. "I wouldn't admit this to anyone else but my knees aren't what they use to be so can we--" Iolas stops him with a curt turn, his shoulders shaking.

The blonde stands suddenly, his whole body rigid. This was it. the rejection he warned himself about. He's ruined everything, his heart screams to go back. Iolas is probably laughing at the proposal and Lucio's tacky way of offering himself. It isn't until the sound of a stuffy nose echo through the silent night that Lucio realizes his lover is crying and instantly he steps forward a different kind of fear gripping his heart. " W-wait-- wait, why are you crying? You never cry--" He falters and fidgets his hands around his lover unsure if he wants to be held or not.

Iolas turns finally, his red puffy eyes are turned down in a grimace as they glisten in the dim light. "Yeah, you idiot I never cry and look at what you made me do." His tone is harsh but it's followed by a sad shake that ruins any intention of anger. "Lucio I... I don't know how to do this." Lucio's heart slows but he's thrown for a loop and Iolas can sense his confusion and clears his throat as he wipes his leaking eyes. "No one has ever, wanted me like this before. I don't know if I can-- How do you know you want this? What if I disappoint you? What if you get tired of me and regret ever meeting me? At least if we keep things like before you can just get rid of me if I'm too much and I won't have to--" Lucio stops Iolas this time as he brings his lover close by pulling on his crossed arms.

"You won't have to worry about falling in love?" The blonde answers with his own sense of sadness, his eyes looking down at their feet before meeting with Iolas' who only nods in response. Lucio is a bit thankful that his lover didn't outright say no and is at least contemplating the idea of things. "No I had the same thoughts and honestly I don't know how I'm sure. I just... am." Lucio's normal bravado comes back now that he feels more secure in the conversation. "I know that I love seeing you every day. I know that I love sleeping with you every night. I know that I don't want anyone else to hold you the way I hold you and I know that you feel the same way about me." At that the blonde swallows hoping he isn't wrong. "But mostly I know I don't ever want you to leave. If you were to leave, do you know how fucking boring this place would be? I would set the parlor on fire within minutes of you being gone." The cheeky grin is back and Iolas snorts at the idea and manages a smile as he is now fully embraced by his lover.

Lucio rests his head on the shorter man's head and hums, kissing the top of it. Slowly he pulls Iolas back so he can look down at him. "But it's not just about what I want... you kinda need to want those things too." Now it's Iolas turn to nervously look away and slowly as the shorter man's courage builds he tights his grip in Lucio's jacket and more tears fall down his face as the realization comes crashing onto him that he'd do absolutely anything to be with the man in front of him forever. Before He can answer he shoves his face into Lucio's jacket rubbing his head back and forth on the soft fabric. "You moron-- Of course I want all that."

The blonde can't resist the urge to tease the other man however and laughs to himself. "I'm sorry, could you say that again I couldn't hear you from inside my jacket." Iolas hits the taller man's chest with a laugh before he goes to wipe his damp eyes yet again. "You know for a fact that I said YES-- urgh, gods look at what you did to my make searing the hell am I going to fix this now--" Iolas' whining is stopped short by his lover picking him up in a searing kiss that continues as the blonde twirls them both. With a firm grip on Iolas' was it Lucio Looks up at the magician with a smile that could blind the gods. "I wanna hear you say it." Iolas rolls his eyes, a large pout crosses the silver-haired man's lips as he kicks his legs from his newfound lifted position.

"I have zero ideas what you're talking about--" Iolas protests but Lucio shakes his head. "Say it or you are never leaving this gazebo." Iolas is about to rebuttal but the look in Lucio's eyes is that yes he is serious. Iolas' expression softens, even if it's despite himself. "Of course I'll marry you, LuLu." Lucio bounces in his spot and spins the both of them once again but this time continues to spin around the whole gazebo till Iolas can't help but laugh and struggle against the crazy man holding him. "Stop-- Lulu Stop we're gonna--" but it's too late. Lucio's legs trip over themselves and with zero grace they both tumble onto the hardwood floor.

Iolas rolls onto his back and groans, dizzy and sore his eyes dart over to the man beside him who is just as dazed. slowly Iolas entwines their hands with a smile and Lucio is about to kiss his lover's fingers before he remembers the ring. The blonde springs forward, getting up like the fall meant absolutely nothing but Iolas takes his time sitting up as his lover fumbles to find the ring he dropped.

Soon as it's found Lucio slides over, the scraping sound of the fabric of the taller man's pants on the hardwood makes the magician giggle. Iolas has to give the other man sheer points for his enthusiasm. Pompously Iolas sticks his left hand out, to which Lucio plays along and kisses the other man's ring finger dramatically before slipping the large ring onto Iolas' hand.

Carefully Iolas' holds his hand out to the light and observes the sheer size of the ring and can't help but grin. Lucio practically radiates waves of anticipation on his lover's thoughts "Was this the biggest ring they had?" Iolas wiggles his fingers, acting as if he's unimpressed. Lucio simply feeds back into him. "How dare you." Lucio sneers, pulling Iolas into his lap as he sits, unable to be on his knees any longer. "I had this one custom ordered. Not only is it the biggest ring in stores, but it's also the biggest wedding ring, period." He speaks into the shorter man's neck before he kisses it, The count's tone never faltering while he speaks. This sends Iolas into a giggle fit. He knows for a fact that this ring physically cannot be the biggest but another part of him can see Lucio putting up a fight with store owners about the pitful size of their rings to the point where he just orders them to make him a whole new size.

"Of course, I knew my Lulu would only get me the best. He not capable of anything less." Lucio preens in the praise and Iolas strokes the back of his fingers against his lover's face. For a moment they stay like that, both of them processing what exactly just happened and what this means for their future. Iolas is the first to break the silence with a soft hum as he presses against Lucio's chest. "Thank you... Lucio." the taller man responds by nuzzling his nose into the shorter man's hair with a confused hmm. "I never thought I could do this... but for the first time, I'm not scared." Lucio smiles at that. and squeezes his lover in his arms.

"Good. We can both be fearless together."

💋 Who is the best kisser? (if you’d like write a short smooch scene!)

(I WILL TRY MY BEST TO KEEP THIS SHORT SINCE I JUST WROTE YOU A WHOLE FIC ON ACCIDENT ON MY LAST ONE)

The sound of wood creaking fills the otherwise quiet room as Lucio pushes his lover against the doors of his chambers. Lucio places on hand on the hip of the man under him and huffs a breath through his nose that leads to a soft moan as their lips bump against each other awkwardly for a second. Iolas snickers within the brief pause and pulls Lucio down by his collar. Now controlling their embrace the shorter man pushes the blonde backward and with a searing bite, he slams the count onto the disgustingly huge bed placed in the middle of his room. Breathless Lucio stares up at Iolas his bottom lip red and puffy from the bite, which only makes Lucio's slurry grin look even more dangerously attractive.

Iolas steps in between his lover's spread legs and uses one of his hands to tip the taller man's head back with a grunt. Lucio's hands wander over the man before him, knowing his place he doesn't try to switch their positions. He loves when Iolas gets pushy he knew if anyone could match him in greediness it would be his lover. Iolas however preoccupies himself with tracing his thumb over Lucio's red bottom lip till his nail presses a little too hard and draws just a few drops of blood to the surface of his lover's pale skin.

At the sight of this Iolas captures The count's lips once against and shamelessly sucks on the blood he just conjured. the kiss devolves as Iolas holds Lucio's head still with the grip on his hair and once the magician pulls back Lucio's face flushes at the sight of his blood dripping from his lover's lips. Lucio's voice comes out breathy and needy as he pulls against Iolas' grip on his hair. "Do that again."