#nee way this was fine. trying to design characters that are supposed to look the same yet make them recognizable?

[quatarisprite]

Hey nonexistent uglies by Scott Westerfeld fandom what’s up

[undercoverwizardninjaturtle]

ROTTMNT Fanfiction: Frayed Part 1

Description: Sequel to Shattered Donnie has his difficulties, but he’s always had his family to depend on. That was before Draxum came into the picture

Pairings: LESS THEN NONE

Fandom: Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Characters: Donnie, Leo, Draxum, Mikey and Raph

Genre: Hurt/Comfort , Angst, Family

Rating: G

As much as Leo liked to think he was a wordsmith, a artisan of words, sometimes there was only one was to describe a situation. And this particular situation only needed one word to describe it

 OW

 His hands came up, trying to pry the vine that had been at his throat. A pair of hands shook at his shoulders, hard enough for him to finally cough loudly gasping for air, a hand rubbed at his shell through his black gi, “Are you ok?!” Asked a frantic voice

 Though his body was telling him otherwise he nodded finally opening his eyes, Don was looking down on him with a concerned look, with the black gi and red mask. Glancing around Leo was grateful that  Draxum had thought to put Raph and Mikey were with him but while   Raph was sitting up but his head resting to the side told him that he wasn’t awake, it took him a bit to realize that the biggest brother was cradling a unconscious Mikey in his arms he was about to ask if the youngest was awake , but his throat constricted again causing him to cough loudly. Don wrapped arm around his shoulders, “Leo take a deep breath, “Leo struggled to comply grateful for the oxygen stinging his throat

 “Pathetic.”

Leo had almost forgotten about the metal cage. He had remembered Draxum had ambushed them at the Dark Armor, trapping them in vines. He remembered one of them finding its way around his neck, barely  giving his airway for the oxygen he so desperately needed. Donnie glared up at the villain responsible for their state “Where’s April?!” He demanded

 “Your human friend is fine, I sent her back to your “ Draxum gave a disgusted shiver and eye roll, “rat. Hopefully it will give  him the motivation to bring me the last piece of the dark armor. If not.”  Gave a lazy twirl of his wrist, “I guess I will do with you as I see fit.”

 Leo knew Draxum was trying to scare them. He opened his mouth make a quip before he coughed again, he rubbed at his throat, desperate to relieve the pain. Don gave him a concerned look, glancing to the ret of their brothers before standing up, “Draxum, given me Leo’s medkit.”

 Draxum turned to look at them, “You dare make demands of me!?”

 “The small white box Leo had on him, I need it to help my brothers.”Donnie gripped the bars of the cage, “My brothers might have internal bleeding  you overgrown Capra Aegagrus Hircus. If you have any sort of heart in you you’ll let me help them”

 Leo wasn’t sure what that meant  but Draxum turned to look at him fully. There was so meting in his eyes, as though looking at Donnie for the first time. Before anyone could move, a vine shot out and grabbed him around the chest, shoving him hard against the back bars of the cage. Causing the metal bards to dig into his soft leathery shell, his teeth gritted in pain. Leo jumped and grabbed at the vine, trying to pull it off of him, “st-“ Draxum’s eyes bore on Donatello, as though studying his pain with a scientific eye. Without looking away a vine knocked Leo off of the first vine causing him to land on Raphael. His older brother waking with a start. “I thought so, you’re the soft shell.” With another twitch, Donnie was pulled forward pulling him to the front of the cage with the same force as he had before. Despite having only been somewhat awake for a few seconds, Raph let out a low growl, “Let. Him go you-“he had started to move to his knees but lightheadedness must of taken over again, causing Raph to almost fall on his side. Leo supported him the best he could as Raph struggled for air. Watching helplessly as  Draxum’s fingers caught Donnie around the jawline, forcing their eyes to meet, “I can still see you have that sensitive shell.”his fingers nails digging into this skin, “After Lou Jitsu interfered with my experiment, I thought all my work as for nothing. Except your so called brothers’ turned out fine, if younger then I needed.” Draxum’s eyes narrowed, “Not you, you trembled you shrieked if anything touched your. Of all your brothers. I considered you to be the only failure. Your ‘Splinter’ denied it, but I Knew something was wrong with you. I should of throw you away with the trash when I had a chance.” At this point Draxum’s face was nearly a millimeter from his brothers, “ Trust me when I say I wont make that mistake twice” With a flourish, Donnie was thrown back into the cage, bouncing off Raph’s outstretched arm, how had tried to keep him from landing too hard.’ Leo moved close, “D-nee.” He croaked out, he tired to touch his brothers shell to check for any bruising, but Donnie flinched from his touch “I’m fine.”

 “Dee-“

 “I said I’m fine.” His voice held al the bitterment of his usual personality, but his eyes held a shimmer of tears, before  turning to him, “maybe I can help without the medkit.”

 He knew Donnie wasn’t alright, but he did the best he could helping Leo and Mikey. Before going off sitting by himself. Raph had tried to talk to him, but Leo had given him a shake of his head . Eventually they would escape, and destroy the dark armor.

But he would never forget what Draxum had said

                                                (#)(#)\/(#)(#)

 “”MONOPOLY!!” Leo shrieked with glee as Mikey landed on one of his properties, “Pay up!!!” He said, leaning over the board and holding his hand out to his youngest brother, who was holding his last few hundred play dollars to his chest like it was his last child

 “B-B-but, “ Mikey looked at his last few hundred play dollars as though they were his children, “But I’m your favorite brother.”

 “All’s fair in love and war Mikearino.” Leo , with some difficulty, peeled the money from his hands, leaving him with a single dollar. Almost collectively the entire group groaned. Draxum had his doubts when Michelangelo had recommended a weekly ritual known as ‘Game Night’ to be held in  his place of residence atleast one day a week (having it at the Turtles home was out of the question according to Master Splinter).  He hadn’t been sure of hosting the vent at first. But during that first night of Games, as Draxum watched the red slider turtle dominate  game after game, (always with a victory cheer of the games title) he could say one thing

 This was the biggest mistake of his life

 He drug his hand down his face  the table giving a small tremble as Leonardo climbed on top of it,  dong some sort of dance he had seen on the World Wide Web with a giant grin, “DOWN turtle, I just procured this table from the IKEA.”

Leonardo puffed his face at him before blowing out air , “What ever.” He jumped down from the table with a flourish. Taking up the dice again, “Now, whose turn is it to weep at my glory and join Raphael in bankruptcy jail?”  

 Draxum frowned, looking back at his fake money, he had fallen on Leonardo’s property enough times to have only a few hundreds left and no desire to be victim to theoretical bankruptcy.  Thankfully it was not his turn, his fell on the purple turtle who was studying the board with analytical eyes. Ignoring Raphael rolling out his turn and wailing as Leo began to wrestle him for his money. The purple turtle hadn’t been playing as well as Leonardo, but judging by the few properties he had purchased he had a strategy in mind. Donatello caught him looking in his direction and frowned slightly before looking back to the board

 Draxum stood up, “I will return with snacks,” he announced, though the group was largely distracted by Raphael weeping over his loss of his money. He was unsure how the turtles had so much energy this late at night. But it was almost admirable. He opened the freezer and drew out a ice tray, twisting the frame and popping out the ice cubes and pouring them into a bowl.

 “Um, Draxie? What are those?” Mikey asked, looking around him with a confused look on his face

 “Last we spoke you mentioned a desert called iced cream, well I have painstakingly made my own iced cream.” He looked to the smallest turtle, waiting to be showered in his praise only for Mikey to look at the white cubes in the bowls , ‘Um dude, did you just put milk in ice trays?”

 “And sugar. Is that not ice cream?” Sure he had taken some liberties, but he was sure this would be indistinguishable from the real thing, but before he could rectify the situation, Mikey leaned over, squishing his face against his arm, “Its ok Beary you’re trying!! Buuut do you have anything  else we can snack on? Other then what you set out?” With a expression Draxum can only describe as dread, he looked back over to the table and snack bowl Draxum had set up earlier. He wasn’t sure why no on had touched it, the bag he had poured it from has seemed Fine. IT had a dog on the cover, it was apparently made for ‘large’ animals, and it had been rather cheap. Not to mention it was supposed to be great for fur (of which he had none of but he figured it was a side affect)

 Draxum huffed before going through his designated ‘snack cabinet’ mostly full of ‘ray-men’ packs and granola bars’, “Does anyone here enjoy gravy flavored granola cards?” Judging by the looks of disgust on the turtles face, they didn’t He let out a low growl  before returning o his cabinet, “I will find something to feed you with. In the mean time satisfy yourselves with my soft drinks. Michelangelo you may play in my place.”

 At the chance to play agin, Mikey let out a squeal of delight, giving him a quick squeeze before loading his arms full of his soda and hurrying back to the table. Draxum, failing to find any non granola snack growled under his breath and moved back to the table just as a tiny plastic house smacked Donnie in the forehead, “Leonardo do not make a mess.”Draxum commanded

 “Its not my fault Don’s forehead is a easy target.” Leo grinned before another plastic house hit him in the eye, causing him to yelp , grabbing at his face “how DARE you! You could of scratched my perfect face!”

 “I mean, with a face like that you cant’ really ruin it more can you.” Donnie said For the first time all night Donnie has a smirk Draxum has seen him have many times. Leo grins back and before Draxum realized what was about to happen. Each of the turtles has a arm full of Monopoly houses and are chucking them at each other, dashing around the room with loud shouts of laughter. Draxum allows himself a breath, to calm his nerves, before he hair flies on end, his vine shot out of his wall, catching Leonardo by the ankle and yanking up causing him to yelp loudly and drop all his artillery , “DO NOT SHOWER MY HOUSE WITH TINY PLASTIC HOUSES!’ He demanded to the turtles frozen in mid throw

 “Technically it’s a Apartment. Not a house.”Leo said crossing his arms over his chest unfazed by his predicament.

 Draxum gave him a glare, “You four, clean this up. Or you can’t have any Scandinavian Soda.”

 “Doesn’t sound like much of a punishment to to me.” Leo mumbled. Draxum lets out a growl before releasing Leo’s ankle. With a shriek Leo landed upside down before wiggling around to a position on his knees, still grumbling. His brothers joining him.

The Warring Alchemist has noticed a few things about these turtles that he hadn’t when they were enemies, namely now that he wasn’t threatening to torture them they didn’t seem to fear him as much and that came out in different ways. Mikey had accepted him a friend and a reluctant family member. Mostly unwilling on his part, but the box turtle had been hard to refuse with as eager as he was. Raphael seemed to respect hm to a extent, a friendly attitude but atleast he was willing to give him a chance.

 That left the two problem turtles

 Leonardo had a more flippant attitude with him. At first he had taken it the same as he had taken Mikeys’ laxness around him, that he had accepted him. But that didn’t feel right. He couldn’t put his finger on it, he wasn’t aggressive, or anymore of a (what was the word?) Nick Head. The purple one was also hard for him to read.

But of course, that was probably how he wanted it

 Speaking of purple , Leonardo had started searching by him, going out of his way to bump shoulders with a laugh, “bet I’ll find more then you!” Leo challenged before crawling off at a higher speed. Don grinned after him, “In your dreams Lamenardo!” With that he looks around, unable to find more he shifts under the table. Draxum can only pinch the bridge between his eyes when he realizes, rather then take this as a punishment, they are treating it like a childish game.

 Leo suddenly shot up to a standing position, “I WIN!” He said holding up a handful of Monopoly houses

 There’s a squawk of despair but before more dreaded hijinks there was a loud banging sound as something hit the table from underneath with a cursed  shout. Leonardo’s demeanor changed In a split second, “Dee? You ok?” When he didn’t get a  answer, he ducked down to check under the table. Draxum rolled his eyes before returning to his search.  Out of the corner of his eye he watched the two emerge from under the table, Donatello was holding his shoulder with a pained look on his face , “how hard did you hit your shell?” Leo asked, Draxum almost couldn’t believe this was the same turtle who he had seen steal the same purple turtles phone and threaten to drop it in the toilet if the purple turtle didn’t admit Leonardo was his favorite Blue turtle

 Which he had

 Twelve times

 That night

 The normally self assured turtle gave a tremble, “its fine.” He said between his teeth

 Leonardo’s brow furrowed in concern, for someone who had only ever seen the red slider turtle with a annoying sneer or laugh it should seem out of place. But its almost as though it was his nature to be concerned as it was for him to be  witch (No that wasn’t the word, bitch? Bitch was the word?) “Do you want me to look at your shell?”

 “Please.” Draxum rolled his eyes, “his shell is meant to protect his inferior body, if he can’t handle bumping it then he might as well not have one.” The room becomes silent in a way that even he notices. He looks back into the room, Raph is giving him a somewhat disappointed expression that he doesn’t understand and even Mikey looks unhappy with him. Donatello doesn’t even look in his direction, but actively avoiding looking at him. Leonardo however, is glaring at him. Again, his entire nature seems to change in a split second with dagger sin his eyes.

 It reminds Draxum of a few weeks ago Draxum had been walking home with groceries when he had seen a pair of stray dogs in a alley. One of them had been panting heavily but asleep while the other was laying down  in front of it, looking around without a concern in the world with a flapping tail. . Draxum had taken out some meat he had bought to give it to them, but the carefree dog had immediately gotten up growling at him. It took a while later for him to understand that the sleeping dog had probably been sick and the other one was staying nearby to protect it incase it needed help.

 Sarcastic, Concerned, and now Protective

 He wondered which one fo these was the true Leonardo.

 In response to the change in atmosphere he rolled his eyes with a groan, “I am informed  that I do not have any appropriate snacks, and that my iced cream is insufficient. I will leave to procure the snacks required to continue our game night. DO not set anything on fire while I am gone.” He said before grabbing his large trench coat, and stepping out of the door.

 He could not bear to be in the prescience of such weakness.

                                             (#)(#)\/(#)(#)

 If Leo was being honest, he hadn’t  been too enthusiastic when Mikey had recommended a game night at Draxum’s. He had tried to offhandedly comment on his concerns, but Mikeys’ eyes had immediately filled with tears looking to him as though he was the one thing standing between him and his dreams.

 For someone who hated being called the baby fo the family, Mikey really did know how to use it for his advantage.

 But now, glaring after the former Goat Baron he wondered if he should of protested more. Instead he turned his attention to Don, who was still hugging himself , “Are you sure you don’t want me to look at your shell?” He had already moved to touch is brothers shoulder but Donnie had pulled away half heartedly, pulling his hoodie tighter around himself, “I said i’m fine.”

 “A-“ Mikey didn’t look like he knew what to do, except look anxious,” He didn’t mean that, ok? He’s just adjusting and he doesn’t realize everything he’s saying”

 “Sure seemed like he did.” Leo huffed, he looked over to Raph to vent his reaction. He could tell Raph was disappointed in Draxum, but judging by their eye contact, he was gauging his and Don’s reaction to see how angry he should get.

 It wasn’t anyone’s fault that Don’s shell was so sensitive, it had been a problem when they were kids, but as they had gotten older it had become easier for Don to handle slight touches. And nowadays he didn’t have a problem with people touching his shell, and thanks to the Battle Shell his shell was tougher if not more so than his brothers. But he still couldn’t handle someone bumping into it or hitting it on stuff without something to protect it.

 Leo had known Don had been stressed about coming here, but seeing his brother sitting on the couch, barely containing his soft trembles. He looked to Mikey, “Hey I’m getting bored, I’m goin to bounce and do something fun,”

 Mikey opened his mouth to complain, but then Leo glanced at Donnie then back at him. Luckily the orange turtle seemed to understand, “ok, will you atleast come back again next week? I’ll make sure Draxum has good snacks. And I’ll talk to him about what he said.”

 “Ok good, cause I’m pretty sure his Chex mix is just dog food.” Leo took his leathery jacket from the coat rack before looking back, ‘Dee? Wanna come with?”

 His brother looked at him with a look that clearly said, ‘ you’re not fooling anyone’ but sighed “yeah no problem.” Donnie took his purple Sherpa lined jacket over his hoodie both saying their goodbyes before leaving out fo the apartment building. It was weird to be there without seeing April, but she had mentioned she had a art project coming up and that she didn’t have time to hang out this week.

 A lot of things had changed since Draxum had come into their lives

 “Ok let me have it.”

 “Huh?” Leo looked up in time to duck around a ice over light pole, Don looked up from his phone with a unamused look, “You want to vent. I can tell. Talk to me Lee.”

 “I-“ he almost denied how he felt, but there was no point , “I don’t’ get why we have to hang out with that  Man Bunned Butt Man, are we seriously supposed to act like he never tried to kill us?”

 “Like the time he threw you off the roof?”

 Leo threw his hands in the air, “LIKE THE TIME HE ME OFF A ROOF!” That was never going to be ok. Not to mention what had happened when they were captured ,he gave his brother guilty look, “I know you didn’t want to talk about it but are you sure you don’t want to to tell Mikey about what Draxum told you? Maybe if he knew want Draxum said to you-‘ before he could finish his sentence Donnie poked him hard in the face, causing Leo to yelp and rub his cheeks, “RUDE.”

 Don , sighed before looking away from his phone, “I’m not ok with what he said to me that night. Or what he said to me tonight. I don’t even particularly like the idea of spending time with him, but if he’s willing to try to be a better guy then I’m willing to put up with it for.” Don looked back to his phone, “Unless he pisses me off too much in which case I drop him off with the Hidden City Police faster then I use the Fibonacci sequence. And you promised you would’ tell Mikey.”

 That was true, and he had been warned that if he had revealed what Draxum said, Donnie was going to release a video online called “Leo’s broadway audition 2019” which was a threat he was not taking lightly. Even so he looked to his favorite purple turtle and sighed, “I wont,” before opening his arms with a whimpering question in his eyes.

 Don glanced at him in confusion for a moment before smiling and rolling his eyes, “Yes you can hug me.”

 “Yayzzz.” He said before throwing his arms around Donnie ,careful of his shell and hugged him tightly. He had no problem letting go if Don became uncomfortable but when Donnie rested his cheek on his shoulder, he knew there wouldn’t be a problem. Other then then  Ignoring the passing people on the street. As cold as it was Leo was surprised that anyone was out other then them. Speaking of cold, “Hey man, we’re getting close to our favorite Bodegaaaa and I’m feeling snackish. I heard they just got in Extra Spicy Komodo Dragon Pepper Chips. I wanna buy some peanut butter ice cream and sprinkle it on top.”

  “Oh no Leo no,” Donnie groaned in despair, “I’m begging you, no. I can’t handle another night of you taking baths full of milk because you think you’re ‘metal-“

 “Too late we’re doing it!” Leo ducked behind him and guided Donnie forward by the shoulders . what else was better to eat on a cold day anyway then hot spicy chips?! Blatantly ignoring his brothers whines he guided Donnie around to their favorite Bodega that hey had been visiting (tormenting ) since they were old enough to go to the surface on their own. But the minute They get closer to the door, Leo could already hear the loud music blaring on the speakers inside he was about to change his mind when  Don stepped out of his grasp, “Ok I think I’m going to sit this one out . I’ll wait out here, Just be sure to bring back a gallon of sugar free vanilla ice cream for me.”

 “No prob Dee.” Leo said with a happy salute before hopping side to begin his quest for overly spicy chips that he claimed he could handle but obviously couldn’t. Don let out a full smile , shaking his head at his brothers antics. Leave it to Leo to cheer him up and finally get the shaking to leave his hands. But that was Leos’ best skill in Don’s opinion. He leaned his shell against the building and took out his phone agin.

 A loud scoff filled his ears, at first Donnie thinks that Leo is playing a victim card again, but when he looks up all he see is Draxum on the sidewalk, carrying two grocery bags that seemed to be filled with various ice creams, “Let me guess, you’re too sensitive to handle a little store so your brother went in instead of you?”

 Donnie made sure to roll his eyes, “NO he wanted some snacks so I’m waiting for him out here.”

 “you’re not stupid ,you know he coddles you. Treats you like you’re inferior because he feels sorry for you.”

 “Uh Huh.” Donnie pulled his phone back out, “remind me to show you how to use the internet. It’s the best place to share opinions no one cares about.” He’s almost satisfied at Draxum’s low growl, the former villain steps closer. Donnie doesn’t look to him but his free hand is under the lower lip of his shell, fingering his multi-tool bo staff

 “The sooner you realize you were born wrong, the sooner you can stop being a burden to them.” With that Draxum steps away, walking back the way he came to continue a game night with the two remaining brothers. Don waits till Draxum’s out of ear shot before he takes a shake breath  and stuffs his hands in his pocket.

 Unlike last time he knows that there’s nothing that will stop his hands from shaking

Windows

Shattered Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 (Bonus)

Frayed Part 2

[nabrizoya]

Instead of the odd grocery list you sent me, have this. @jb-lh 🙄 Thanks for the prompt by the way! I really hope you enjoy this! <3

Prompt: “Have you ever kissed anyone?”

Ship: Jesse x Lucie (Blackdale)

Statues and Ghouls and Eerie Romances.

“You’re mad,” Jesse hissed. “You’re mad to come in he-”

“I’m not mad,” she breathed, joy at the sight of finding him in the manor threatening to tear her face apart. “I’m Lucie.” She held her hand out with a grin.

“Oh, Angel help me-” he groaned. He put his face in his hands and swore softly. Lucie only grinned more, happy to see him after nearly a week since she last saw him on the outskirts of Alicante. Which wasn’t odd. Jesse had nothing to do with her, no reason to visit her. And thus she was here, because he wasn’t there.

They were in a vast living room. Two grand staircases overtly covered with vines encircled the foyer, a dead fireplace adorning the centre of the establishment. There were rare antiques everywhere, all of them put to dust and disrepair. She took a step forward, in awe with the ambiance the entire house radiated. She had never been inside the house, save for the ballroom, and now that she was, she liked it. It looked like fiction had come true; she stared at the balconies that the upstairs lead to, instantly drawn to them. She kindled the witchlight with some hesitance, wary it would ruin the atmosphere. She thought she could glimpse something behind the statue that stood at the centre and stepped towards it. Cold air seeped at her wrists.

“Why, why is it exactly that you’re here?”

“Oh, don’t be so disappointed in me,” she waved him off, still captivated by her surroundings. “I’m here for many things. First, I love the Gothic ambiance your house radiates,” she said, enchanted with the way the witchlight reflected off the chandelier at the top. “Though this doesn’t seem like the most humane place to live, if I am being honest. It is an interesting house.”

She turned to face him with a smile and was met with a steely glare, sharp as a blade. Under the darkness and the hollows spaces between her fingers through which the witchlight peeked, his eyes were gloriously green. She could see traces of black in them now and wondered if they had been there before; they hadn’t, right? They were always alive and green. “Lucie,” he said determinedly. “Why are you here?”

“Isn’t there a better place to talk? It’s awfully chilly in here.”

“Your mistake for not bringing a cloak,” he pointed. Anger surfaced his features even now but his tone wasn’t as cold as it had been before.

She was still glancing around her in awe: it matched her imagination of the Castle of Otranto, though it wasn’t as deadly as the book. Lucie didn’t want to press her luck though; she had only come to see Jesse and now that she had, she didn’t know what she was going to speak about. She tried devising a plan and imprudently said at the same time he spoke- “Can you show me-”

“Do you nee-”

She paused, her gaze fixed on his. When she was sure he wasn’t going to continue, she gave him a smile and said, “Well, go on. What were you saying?”

“I asked if you needed a cloak. I can show you Grace’s room; you can borrow one perhaps,” he offered. “Though I do doubt it will fi- nevermind,” he blushed. Ghosts couldn’t blush but with the way he looked down at the floor, eyes cast away, she was confident he was. “Do you need the cloak?”

Lucie thanked him, but denied. “Kind of you, though I think I am perfectly fine without one.”

“If you ask me-”

“Which I didn’t,” Lucie interjected.

Jesse glared. “-I would suggest you to borrow one. You said it was cold.”

Ghosts couldn’t feel or touch, Lucie noted, especially in this form that Jesse manifested. “No cloak. I’m fine- can you show me the library?”

He shrugged. “I can, but I don’t see a reason why I should. Especially when you’re invading my home.”

Lucie scrunched up her face at the word ‘home’. “If you ask me-”

“Which I didn’t-”

Lucie tried to glare, but laughed instead. “I can still command you to show me the library,” Jesse’s face hardened at that, “which I won’t because I’m a good person and I am requesting you politely to take me to the library.”

“Lucie- By the Angel,” he swore again vehemently this time. Lucie considered pointing out that it was ungentlemanly to swear in front of a lady but was secretly amused at how distressed he was at her presence. “Do you not realize that it is dangerous here? There’s demons- God.” He looked up at the ceiling as if demanding the heavens why he was feeling whatever it was he was feeling.

“I’ll tell you why I’m here on the way to the library,” she offered.

Jesse gave up and gave her a long look. He sighed then, anger completely vanishing from his fine face as he gestured for her. “Come along. It’s upstairs. You’re certain you don’t need a cloak?”

Lucie shook her head and turned to follow him. She took one last look at the ghoulish statue that seemed to share her amusement. She raised an eyebrow at it interrogatively; the statue didn’t reply, of course. “Have you ever kissed anyone?”

“What?”

Jesse’s incredulity was priceless. Lucie shrugged and pointed him to the statute. “It looks like it wants to.”

A moment of silence. Then two. Then three. And ten. Jesse peered the statue and then, surprising Lucie and the statue too, he threw his head back and laughed. Lucie’s smile grew; it occurred to her how she had never heard him laugh and now that she did, she admitted she liked the way he laughed; amused and contented as if nothing else in the world mattered then than laughing in that moment.

“Oh, Lucie,” he sighed, finally smiling and leading the way up the stairs. “Please tell me why you’re here.”

“Tell me about the ghoul first-”

Jesse snorted. “Odd of you to think I’d kiss a ghoul. It’s the statue of- ah, I’ve forgotten.”

“Perhaps you should pay more attention to the statues that look like they want to kiss you.”

Jesse laughed again. Lucie was smiling, suddenly shy. Where had this confidence come from? “Perhaps you should stop paying attention to the statues that you claim look like they want to kiss me.”

“I wouldn’t blame the- nevermind.” She blushed. What on earth? “I came here to see you.”

Jesse came to a standstill. “What?”

“For someone who claims to read a lot of books,” she said dryly, “Your vocabulary is very limited. You haven't come to the institute since I last saw you near the mausoleums. Besides,” she added, “Like I have mentioned before, I came here for many things. I wanted to take a look at your library and explore for books that may contain references to my odd power.”

“I hear the Institute has an exalting library.”

Lucie glowered at him sideways. “I know the Institute has a grand library, but given your grandfather’s odd dealings with demons and what not, I’m certain I shall find worthy material here. The more I know,” she pointed, breathless a bit with how the roof expanded even more above them, “the better.”

Once at the top of the staircase, Lucie beheld the view. She felt like a royalty who was peering at the visitors assembled near the door. Ahead of them was a strange corridor with long and rounded windows from which moonlight spilled. It took Lucie a ton of effort to not look away and admire the Ivy that penetrated through the walls from the windows savagely. It resembled Sleeping Beauty’s castle more than the Castle of Otranto. The entire place reeked of misadventure and risk. Lucie liked that.

Jesse considered her. “I know we are oddly bound,” he started, looking to where she was gazing at the intricate designs on the pillars that walked a path towards the balcony that Lucie had been admiring earlier. “But you could summon me whenever you want my help. Instead of coming here.”

“I didn’t ask for your help,” she said. “Yet. You say we are oddly bound and I do not disagree. You say you want to help yet are recoiled at my presence here. You-”

“That’s because there’s demons here- !”

“All right then,” she glared at him. “Where will you be vanishing then? I suppose you’re going to live in this tumbledown excuse of a house?”

Jesse shrugged, still not meeting her eyes. “I will have things to do.”

Lucie put her arms on her hips and tilted her head questioningly. “I’d like to know what strange trysts you have to attend in the middle of all nights.”

“I don’t-” he looked at his feet, a small smile on his lips. “What are you trying to say?”

Jesse looked up. Lucie felt her breath catch suddenly for a reason she couldn’t put a finger on. “I need your help,” she said slowly, “and I want us to work together in helping me understand my powers, despite you telling me I’m good on my own.”

“You can still be perfectly fine on-”

She narrowed her eyes, recovering from her past reverie, effectively shutting him up. “You are welcome at the institute whenever you please, as long as you are unseen and undisturbing. It’s rather unbearable to think of this place as a home,” she mimicked the face of a person ready to throw up. How could anybody live here?

“And you can’t disagree,” she warned lightheartedly, falling in step with him as he motioned towards the rightward passage, “because I can command you.”

“Oh, freedom,” Jesse grieved. They left the traces of their laughter behind as they marched to the library.

Thank you so much reading! I’m still accepting prompts (though it will take me a LONG time to get to them but I promise it will be worth the wait.) Send me a ship/character along with the prompt number in my ask box. You can find the prompts here.