#plus Hel is coming back and I need her

[fourspiceblend]

Only got the little meow meow to +4... Better luck next year I guess. 🥲

[julieloves074]

I'm yours (Alex Walter x Reader)

Summary: When Jackie comes to town your best friend, and childhood crush, Alex Walter falls head over heels leaving you left behind but when you attend Will's wedding with someone something changes...

Warnings: Swearing, kissing, heartbreak

Words: 6.1k

(Not my GIF :))

The day Jackie arrived in town was an interesting one to say the least. The Walter house was a second home to me all my life, growing up at the ranch next door meant I grew up chasing around the fields with the Walter kids.

It was during dinner at theirs, Walter games night, that Katherine announced her dearest friend had passed away in a car accident and her daughter was going to move in with them. The reactions around the table were mixed, but mostly everyone was just shocked. Over the next months there were whispers and chatter, but I was not prepared for what it would be like when she arrived.

“Morning,” Katherine says when I walked through the front door, her and George were putting on their shoes and jackets.

“Off to get Jackie?” I asked already knowing the answer, I was curious about her, it would be nice to have another girl around.

“Yeah, are you staying around for dinner tonight? It’ll be nice for Jackie to have another girl around today I reckon,” Katherine asked, quite literally reading my mind.

“That would be nice thank you,” I answered, and George let out a laugh opening the door, Katherine gave him an inquisitive look, one brow raised.

“I thought we were past asking each other stuff like that Y/n practically lives here,” Katherine and I looked at each other and burst into a giggle, he wasn’t wrong.

“Alright well we better be off, Alex is in the living room with Issac playing some kind of video game,” Katherine announced grabbing her coat and leaning over to kiss the top of my head.

I muttered back a thanks and headed deeper in the Walter house and to no surprise I found my best friend exactly where Katherine said.

“Y/n hey!” Alex examined practically jumping out of his seat

“Dude! Dude the game- we’ve nearly-” Issac stood with the remote but quickly slumped back down into his seat as the television made a noise to signify the end of the game, “What the hell Alex, that was the closest we’ve ever gotten!” he continued to complain.

“Y/n’s here,” Alex simply pointed out, that Goofy smile on his face, all his teeth showing in his grin.

“Yeah, yeah Y/n’s here,” Issac mocked rolling his eyes at his cousin but giving me a smile and a fist bump as he walked past.

Soon enough Alex and I found ourselves laying around on the sofa with snacks and a random film on. I suggested we head outside, I wanted to work on my tan but he said him and Cole argued again and he was out there with some of the other Walter siblings. I tried not to roll my eyes, I know these boys love and care for each other so why make it so difficult.

“Your parents out of town again?” he sat up to look at me, I reluctantly tuned my head away from the tv and put down the popcorn bowl on the coffee table.

“Uh yeah, they’ve got another showcase a couple towns over, won’t be longer than three days,” I answered, mom and dad were well known by their refined tastes, before I was born they started being judges in all kinds of food showcases all around the country, it all slowed down after I was born but they were still offered lots of positions and sometimes they just couldn’t say no.

“You’re more than welcome to crash here,” Alex said, some of his smile seemed to crumble a little. It’s not that my parents weren’t good parents we just weren’t as close as the Walters and that was that. Plus, I have school, even if I wanted to travel with them when they did it wasn’t always possible.

“Hey, I need to look after Daisy,” I said with a smile, my golden retriever could not sleep unless she’s  in one of our beds, “Plus everyone else is still there,” I said confidently kicking his leg to brighten his mood. Mom and dad offer a program where you can come live on the ranch and help with the work for a small wage and all accommodation provided, people who want to travel jump at the opportunity all the time, we have a waitlist, it’s nice being able to meet people from all around the world.

“You know I’m always here for you right?” He asked all serious, hand reaching out to touch mine, I gave him a smile and his hand a squeeze and pulled him into a hug. It felt different somehow these last couple of weeks. I’ve liked Alex, like liked Alex for as long as I could remember and recently it started feeling like maybe he liked me too.

“I know, I’m here for you too,” I whisper back.

“We’re back!” George’s voice announced to the house, Alex stayed sitting on the sofa, but I walked up to the doorway.

“Jackie this is Y/n, Y/n Jackie,” Katherine said with a bright smile. I gave the girl a smile, she looked exactly as I expected she would, beautifully luscious hair and clothes with a scarily perfect posture.

“Hi,” I said reaching out my hand,” I live next door but half the time I swear I spend more time here,” I laugh, and a smile appears on her face, and she shakes my hand.

“Oh, and this is Alex,” Katherine says as we walk past the living room, my eyes go to him like muscle memory, but his don’t even glance my way, he’s looking at her. I feel something then near my heart, a new kind of pain, but I put on a brave smile.

“Theres still two bags in the car would you mind getting them?” George asked Alex who shook himself slightly out of his trance. He stood quickly and headed towards the front door.

Unsure what to do with myself, this was a new feeling, I followed Katherine and Jackie to the kitchen, she poured us some lemonade when her phone started to ring, and she excused herself. From what I gathered she was being called for a job, Katherine was incredibly hard working and did not get half the recognition she deserved.

She apologised and said she was needed for an animal emergency. The job of showing Jackie around was passed onto me and Will who had just walked through the door and introduced himself.

We headed outside and finally I was blessed with the rays of sunshine dancing on my skin, the weather was truly magnificent. Will continued pointing everyone out to Jackie and I looked at each of the Walters outside in turn, I really was lucky to be surrounded by these people, and Jackie would soon know that she ended up with the most loving people in the world.

“Who’s that?” she whispered to me when a certain blonde, very dramatically, flipped back his hair and climbed out of the pool. I shook my head turning to see her practically gaping at him and let out a giggle.

“That’s Cole, the big flirt of the town,” I explained, her eyes never left him.

“Do you want to introduce yourself?” Will asked, he was too busy answering Parker’s question to hear Jackie and I.

Cole sat back on one of the lounge chairs brushing his hair back with one hand, the other already resting under his head. He opened his eyes ever so slightly to look in our direction, “She’ll figure it out,” he said in that teasing Cole voice.

“Told ya,” I continued, and Jackie laughed, I looped my arm through hers, ‘I’ll show you to your room then,”

“And Cole and I will start brining up your belongings right?” Will commanded more than questioned, Cole let out a groan but got up.

After a few minutes Alex had bought up Jackie’s other two bags and started helping Cole bring up her boxes of stuff which there seemed to be a lot of. I sat there with Jackie helping her unpack her suitcases and giving her some insight into town and the school. I had to watch both the Walter brothers try to make her laugh and shine their beautiful eyes at her each time they interchangeably came up.

“So, are you related to the Walters or?” She asked when Alex left after dropping off another box, I couldn’t help but let out an audible laugh.

“Oh no, no, I’ve grown up next door so basically know them since we were all in diapers, but no not related” I explained and she nodded, placing some stationary precisely on her desk, “So if you ever needany blackmail let me know,” I whispered and we laughed together. Katherine was right, I hope I was making this easier for her.

Katherine arrived back in time for dinner, George prepared a barbeque, Alex and I set up some tables outside and bought paper plates. It almost seemed like any other dinner apart from the fact that Alex spent almost all of it staring or talking to Jackie. He wasn’t the only one though. Cole. This was my new reality I realised and start bracing myself mentally.

Even with the family’s insistence I left right after dinner with the excuse that I had some last minute homework I needed to finish for tomorrow’s English class. It had been a long day, and I just needed some space to process and breathe.

I was almost to the gate when Alex ran up to me, “Hey you alright?” he asked walking alongside me, I nodded and told him that I still needed to finish reading that one short story, which was true, and before he could tell me to just read his copy hear I asked him a question.

“What do you think of Jackie?”

“She’s, uh, she seems really nice,” he almost seemed a little flushed, “I’m excited to get to know here, I think she’ll like it here,” he said, “What about you? You guys seemed to get cozy gossiping away”

“She seems lovely, this obviously isn’t easy for her, it’ll be nice to have a girl my age around the ranch,” I said honestly, things were going to be different now, so I just had to learn to roll with it and make the best of it, even though I see exactly how this is going to play out, I need to gossip with Danny about it, see if he agrees.

***

It’s been just over two weeks since Jackie has arrived at the ranch, and so far things have been pretty normal, if not better. We hung out every day, I showed her around school, we avoided Erin together and I introduced her to Tara and Skylar, but her and I got close quickly.

I had to finish my group project with my science class mates and it was the worst experience of my life, they were all absolutely useless, as much as we aren’t really fond of each other I’d hope they’d be able to put those feelings aside just to finish this project but no, they like to make things difficult. Now I wanted nothing more than to flop on Alex’s bed with some ice-cream and complain about it for half hour whilst he tried and is mostly successful in making me laugh.

My plan was not going to go quite as I wanted though, I walk through the farm’s beautiful, wooden gates only to hear Alex and Jackie talking. At first I reminded myself to not think anything of it, they too were starting to become good friends, which was good- so why did it hurt hearing her laugh that enchanting, contagious laugh from inside the barn that contained the loft. Kid’s heaven as we liked to call it. Alex and I called it our getaway when we needed to talk about something serious, it was also a non-judgement zone.

I approached the barn cautiously in hopes of not being spotted, this wasn’t spying it was- information gathering to make the best possible choices going forward. Who am I kidding this was stupid, I needed to walk away or make myself obvious. Running a hand through my hair I turned to walk towards the house, maybe Katherine was around.

“Spying are we y/n/n?” Cole asked, causing me to jump slightly, one of my hands landing on my chest.

“Jesus Cole I’d like to live to my thirties- at least,” I let out wacking him on the arm, he let out a laugh, one too similar yet so different from Alex’s, yet his knowing glance didn’t change, “No I was not spying I just didn’t want to interrupt,” I said defensively brushing past him.

“Whatever you say…” he started, managing to get perfectly in step with me, “Suppose I don’t need to tell you then,” he continued to tease. I kept my sight ahead of me, lips pursing together, running my tongue over my front teeth, I would not give him the satisfaction.

Cole found out about my little thing for Alex from Erin, her and I used to be best friends before she became ‘popular’ she used the information to get Cole’s attention in the first place, but this didn’t mean I needed to give Cole the power now.

We kept walking towards the house in silence, it was eating away at me and my lack of patience. I let out a huff as we got onto the porch, “What were you going to tell me?” I asked reluctantly.

“Oh how I could bully you right now,” he clasped his hands together mischievously and I turned away from him to go into the house, “Okay, okay,” he said grabbing hold of my arm and pulling me back towards him, we both leaned over the railing.

“He likes her doesn’t he?” I asked even though I already knew the answer, I could see Cole nodding his head in the corner of my eye. Damn how quickly Alex Walter fell.

I turned to face him; he kept looking out at the fields.

“You like her too,” I said in a whisper, it was a realisation I hadn’t meant to voice out loud. He sucked in a deep breath.

“I mean I don’t really know her, she just moved her but-”

“You feel like you’ve known each other forever? There’s just something fascinating about her that you can’t let that little flame of hope give out?” I asked, completely monotone, I related too much to what I was saying.

“Wow we’re saddos,” he laughed nudging me to the side.

“Yeah we really are,” I said, leaning against the railing again.

“But you don’t want to hurt him do you? We don’t need a repeat of the Paige situation,” he tensed up at my words, even though Alex is my best friend all of the Walter kids are my friends and they’re all family. I know Cole didn’t know about Paige and everything was blown out of proportion. But the fact that it was all a miscommunication but we were still suffering the consequences now and we did not need another destructive wave.

“Come on lets crash their little moment,” he said changing the subject, refusing to talk about it, the normal playfulness of his voice gone. I sighed and nodded, we headed towards the barn in perfect time to see Alex brushing Jackie’s hair out her face.

“Uh-um” Cole’s voice beamed into the mostly empty building, both of them turned to us and stepped apart.

“Oh y/n I have to show you this new board game Jackie and I bought in an antique shop the other day,” he came towards me, turning around to smile at Jackie once more, “Don’t forget the book, it’ll be nice to talk to someone who actually likes the Hobbit,” he said playfully turning to me, “Unlike some who don’t appreciate the art,” he continued.

That comment should not have hurt as much as it did, it was a light-hearted joke but it felt like it was leaving a gap in my heart causing my heart rate to increase.

“I’ll see you in a bit Jackie,” I said with as much of a smile as I could muster, she nodded back, clearly not wanting to be left alone with Cole after the whole bleach situation, and the good friend part of my didn’t want to leave her stranded, but Cole is a good guy- for the most part- and he deserves a chance to apologise for his sometimes stupid behaviour.

Alex started to describe the game excitedly as we headed towards the house, we were walking up the stairs when a voice called from behind us.

“Hey, Alex, Y/n hold up! I’ll come play with you!” Jackie shouted jogging to come meet us, and that’s how I ended up playing a board game with the two of them subtly flirting for two hours before finally having a chance to excuse myself.

***

Mom and dad have never gone away over a holiday before, but this thanksgiving I was left all alone in our house. Or more accurately I was being left with the Walters. This was a different kind of travel though. My grandmother from my dad’s side was getting continuously worse but they didn’t want to interrupt my holidays and wanted to keep me in a routine, so they asked me to stay and took Daisy with them.

I had slept at the Walter house last night, Jackie and I fell asleep on the sofa watching Lemonade Mouth, I knew Jackie was dreading today and did not want to cook so I promised I’d cover for her and cook a plate in her honour instead while she went on her food delivery rounds. Little did she know her uncle Richard was coming to the dinner.

I wasn’t supposed to know either but I had accidently walked in when Katherine was on the phone to him and she did a little excited dance move when I assumed he agreed. I think this will be good for her, seeing a familiar face. Getting her to come back to the house for dinner without revealing the surprise was going to be harder.

I thanked Katherine for grabbing the supplies for some bacon-topped green bean casserole, mom’s favourite recipe and stepped into my chef era in the kitchen. My side dish can be eaten cold or heated up so I decided to cook before everyone else piled into the kitchen.

Singing along to one of my playlists I moved around the kitchen like it was my dance floor, I’m not a fantastic cook, but I’m not the worst so I just tried to make it fun whilst stimulating my short attention span.

I heard footsteps and a voice, not a great one, joining in. I smiled and looked up from the cutting board to see Alex dancing awkwardly around the kitchen island.

“Oh I love this song,” he enthused coming towards me, I tried to move away and resist, but he took the knife out of my hand cautiously and pulled me closer, both his hands in mine and we rushed around the kitchen singing our favourite song. I should have known the second this tune came on it would act as a whistle to the Walter boy.

He twirled me around five or six times causing me to get a little dizzy, we giggled like five year olds without a care in the world. Unfortunately, as the song came to end so did our moment. We stood there for a couple moments trying to catch our breaths. I couldn’t help but gleam.

One look at Alex’s red, out of breath face and I burst into laughter again.

“Stop it! Come on stop  it I need to breath,” he managed to get out between attempted breaths and laughter.

“Well, I didn’t know you were such a confident dancer Walter,” I said winking at him. He smacked my arm walking around to put some bacon in his mouth, “Leave it alone or we’ll have none for later,” I chided playfully.

“More of a confident dancer than a confident cook,” he said and I couldn’t agree with him more, “Thankfully mom has let me get away with just making the mash this year,” and we all thanked her for it.

“Do you remember that time you were trying to cook some chicken and somehow managed to get it spilt half over the floor and the rest drowning under the undercooked cheese sauce and almost gave both of us food poisoning?” I asked chucking a green bean into my mouth. He covered his eyes with his hands and sighed at the memory.

“How many times can I apologise for that? Also come on I was like twelve, how much can a twelve year old boy know about cooking?!” He asked running a hand down his face.

“Well, I’d assume more than that, your mom and dad are incredible cooks,” I said, then got interrupted when the phone on the counter started playing a happy tune, it wasn’t mine.

Alex picked up his phone to look at the caller before turning back to me, “Give me a sec just gotta answer this,” he said before sitting down and speaking into the phone. I run my hand over my nose and returned back to my station and cutting up the bacon into smaller slices, every now and then looking up to Alex, watching the smile that takes over his whole face, trying to guess who was on the other side of the phone even though deep down I think I already knew.

“Yes Jackie I’ll make sure to remind you about that later, okay bye,” he said followed by a laughter. My suspicions were confirmed and all of a sudden there was nothing more interesting in the room other than my cutting board, I was nearly done then I could get out of here for a couple of hours. If Jackie could so could I, especially considering I didn’t actually live here.

“I’m going to talk to her today, I’m going to tell her how I feel,” Alex announced bravely.

My hands stopped in motion, and I looked up at him, not quite sure I heard him right, “ You’re going to do what? Do you really think that’s the right thing to do? I mean especially now at thanksgiving when she’s missing her family and-” I started but cut myself off before I could ruin Jackie’s surprise for anyone else.

“Things have been going really well y/n, I thought you’d be happier for me if I’m honest,” a bit of his smile faded and I looked back down at my cutting board, throwing the rest of the bacon into my casserole.

“I just meant you guys live together, let’s say things go south, what happens then?”

“Why do you always have to be so negative about this, every time I talk to you about Jackie you get like this,” he was hurt, I could tell by the slightly change in his tone.

“I’m being realistic, you’ve got to think about the rest of the family as well,” I defended myself turning around to wash up everything I used I wanted to add you’ve got to think about me, how after all this time, when we too acted like that can you didn’t see me too.

He huffed and then just as his steps came closer they got further way, and with each beat my heart sunk further and further.

I spent the dinner watching him watch her, watching Cole watch her, and the whole debacle with her uncle go down and Erin sat two seats down from me- what was happening? How quickly do things go so out of control. He wouldn’t even spare me a glance, all of a sudden I felt invisible at the Walter table, which now I suppose that could happen effortlessly with purely the number of us.

We all sat in the living room later that evening, after Jackie decided she was going to stay, playing card games and laughing along to some general knowledge game show where people were barely ever right because the questions were so bizarre. Jackie left after a little while claiming she just needed some time to process this whole day.

What hurt was the way Alex followed her up a few minutes later like a lost puppy. I knew where he was going, what he was going to do and say, it was making me feel physically sick. Like someone was squashing both my stomach and my heart at the same time. I went to get some water. I took a few deep breaths while standing at the sink, but I still felt like I couldn’t breathe so I went out towards the barn. I sat on the fence and looked out onto the ranch, not allowing myself to look back at the house.

That wasn’t the worst of it though. I thought it couldn’t get worse, more painful, but never say never. Jackie called me up to her room later, I’m staying the night at the Walter’s for two more nights until my parents got back. Hearing her explain what happened in detail was much, much worse than sitting on the fence outside and imagining how it played out.

She sounded so excited talking about how they kissed and how he gave her this whole cute proclamation, she didn’t realise that every word, every description she gave me pushed a knife a little deeper into my heart. He took her to our spot where when the sun starts going down it shimmers perfectly between two tall trees. I nodded along and tried my best to feign excitement, but I couldn’t tell how good of a job I was doing, she was too caught up in her giddiness to notice if I was doing a shit job.

I knew it could be worse though I told myself, this whole explanation could be coming out of Alex’s mouth, and if it did I think I would actually, physically be sick. I couldn’t see him right now or talk to him. I needed to not be at the Walter house for a couple of days so I could avoid the incoming PDA.

I told Katherine one of the volunteers ended up coming back early after the holiday and that I offered to go spend the evening with them, so they weren’t alone, she wasn’t too thrilled about the idea but she let me go, I think she sensed my urgency but didn’t want to press. I think she probably knew more about what was at play here than we realised.

***

Over the next couple of weeks, the sight of Jackie and Alex became imprinted in my mind. I didn’t avoid either of them, but I didn’t go out my way to spend time with them either, mostly because they were always together and always touching, but it’s not like they showed much of an effort to reach out to me either. I knew of course that they were in the honeymoon stage, but I also knew the best way to stop breaking my heart was to limit contact.

When I realised that this thing was going to be a thing for a while I started reaching out to my other peers more, hanging out with new people in the time I used to spend with the Walter’s and Jackie. Turns out one guy from my science group was actually quite nice, and he wasn’t bad looking. No matter what he was not Alex but I could see myself being happy with Seb. We talked, called, and hung out more and more until we officially started dating, he agreed to attend the oldest Walter brother’s wedding with me which was kind of him since he didn’t really know any of them very well. I think that was why I was drawn to him; he was outside this bubble and I desperately wanted to get out too.

 “Aren’t you excited? You love the Walters,” Seb asked as we walked through the big wooden gate. My arm was looped through his. I took a deep breath and smiled, it was genuine, I was excited that Will and Hayley were finally doing what was going to make them happy and that we all got to be here to celebrate with them, in the place that we all love. Mom and dad already joined the Walter’s earlier to help set up.

We were met with the twins by the entrance to the field, and for today the wedding venue, many guests were already sitting down, Nathan sat on the other side of the gate tuning his guitar, I’m so glad they let him do this, it’ll be a memory he’ll hold for the rest of his life.

“You look beautiful,” Danny said as we got into conversation, Seb was seemingly finding many common subjects for them to talk about but my mind was distracted as I tried to stop myself from looking around and looking for him. Blue was my colour he’s said it himself many times before, maybe he’ll give me a compliment too, like he used to.

“Looking good Jackie,” Danny said as she came our way, mom said she basically planned this whole event by herself.

“You look great Jackie,” I added with a smile, she also wore a beautiful baby blue dress with a shoulder cover, her style choices never missed and whoever came up with the colour scheme should be given a bonus.

“You too Y/n, feels like I barely see you now a days, but we’re seated together so we’ll have the chance to catch up,” she smiled and reached out to hold me hand, “come on lets sit down we’re going to start in a minute”.  I called Seb and we went to sit down.

“Hi y/n you look lovely, Seb,” Alex came up to us to sit next to Jackie, we’ve talked here and there, and god did I miss him and his goofy smile. He put his arm around Jackie and we all talked a little, Seb’s hand landed on my knee and whilst usually it was quite nice right now it felt suffocating, like I was in a prison of my own making.

The actual wedding ceremony was beautiful, they both looked great and you could just tell by the glimmer in their eyes that they’re so in love. Everything was going smoothly until Cole’s speech, he didn’t do anything wrong, he was honest and spoke from the heart, whether I could believe entirely that it was just about Hayley and Will I wasn’t sure but who else but us kids would be able to tell.

It was during the speech that Alex started getting fidgety, I wanted to reach out and hold his hand, run my thumb over his skin soothing him  but I couldn’t, Jackie wasn’t helping much either, staring at Cole as if he’s some kind of god, eyes almost watering as he spoke.

Seb put his arm around me and I learned into him, my head on his shoulder eyes closed. When I opened them back up after Cole finished Alex was looking directly at me. I gave him a smile, but he looked away quickly.

 I regretted complimenting the flowers as soon as Nathan explained their meaning and Jackie’s and Cole’s eyes found each other like magnets again, but when I looked to Alex his eyes were once again on me, he put his arm around Jackie and whispered something in her ear, she nodded but her eyes were cautious, unsure.

The dancing began soon after, Seb quickly asked if I wanted to dance sensing the awkward atmosphere at the table, he wasn’t so good with dealing with awkward bless him. Jackie and Alex didn’t take long to join us, they danced closer together whispering in each other’s ears, his hand ran up and down her arm.

I couldn’t watch any longer, “I’m sorry, I need to just take a second,” I hurried out of Seb’s, who now looked very confused, arms and towards the house. I could hear him faintly asking if he wanted me to come but I couldn’t answer, I grabbed onto my chest trying to get myself to breathe normally. I hope my exit wasn’t as dramatic on the larger scale as it felt.

The downstairs bathroom was girl heaven in this house, the one place where all you could smell was some kind of flowers, every surface was constantly clean and it was a clear zone from the Walter boys.

“Y/n/n,” a voice asked followed by a series of knocks, I would know that secret pattern anyway, I wiped my nose again, I wanted to tell him to go away, I didn’t need him seeing me like this, pitying me. “Come on Y/n can we talk?”, after a few seconds he still stood there, waiting, “I know I’m idiot, please,” this time I could clearly hear the desperation in his voice.

I opened the door and leaned to sit back down on the side of the bath. I didn’t want to meet his eyes. He reached out for my arms and lifted me up, my gaze still on the floor. I wasn’t expecting him to pull me into the biggest embrace of my life. I frozen for a second unable to move, but I melted into the hug, my hands sound their way around his neck and he pulled me closer.

“I’m so sorry Y/n I’ve been an idiot, who didn’t know what good he had until he lost it,” he pulled away just enough to see my face, “and now I’ve made you cry, wow I really am the worst,” I chuckled at this.

“I ended things with Jackie, I think we were both pretending that we worked because we were both scared,” he said with contemplation.

“Scared of what?” I asked but it came out as a whisper.

He looked between both of my eyes, his hands unravelled from around me to secure a place on my face. We were so close I could feel his breath on me.

“To do this,” he whispered back and closed the gap between us, his lips met mine, my hands went to his waist and he pulled me closer and closer. When he pulled away it seemed like I was in some starstruck haze, we’d kissed before at some party playing spin the bottle but that was nothing compared to this.

“Will you forgive me? Can we start this over?” He asked hopefully. I wanted to immediately jump into his arms and kiss him again but then there was Jackie and Seb.

“What about Jackie?” I asked weakly.

“I think we both know her and Cole have had this connection from the beginning it, but I was her safe option, just like she was mine and Seb is yours, my god I couldn’t watch any time his hands came anywhere near you, knowing that should have been me, it could have been me all along,” he said and this time I went on my tip toes, arms around his neck and kissed him like I’ve never been kissed before. Now I would just have to figure out a way to tell Seb.

“Don’t think you’re completely off the hook for ditching me for a girl,” I said walking out of the bathroom with a glance over my shoulder.

“Oh no I know I’ve got to work for it, but where are you going I want to kiss you, I need to kiss you come back!” he called trailing behind me.

“I need to talk to Seb,” I said solemnly, though I’ve got to admit a wedding is the worst place for all of this to work out. Seb was very understanding, I think he could tell what was coming from miles away but wanted to give me the benefit of the doubt. We hugged one last time and he went over to talk to Danny and some of the others.

Jackie started walking towards the barn, Cole must have ran away too, I chuckled to myself, she turned around for a second meeting my eye. She gave me a bright smile and put up both her thumbs up at me, I put a thumbs up back, and that was how I knew we were okay.

“So you want to dance?” Alex asked pulling my attention back to him. I agreed but only if it was proper dancing not whatever weird arm tugging thing he was doing with Jackie.

And so we danced the night away, all of us kids being the last ones left out in the night. We sat around and talked, played board games in one of the tents till morning, it was finally like everything was in place.

I leaned my head on Alex’s shoulders as everyone started heading to bed. Now everything was in place.

MASTERLIST

[asumofwords]

The Sublet - Roommate!AU

Warnings: She/her pronouns, slow burn, angst. Tags will be added as the fic goes along.

Pairings: Modern!Aemond x Reader

Summary: Living with Helaena Targaryen was one of the best decisions you had ever made. Meeting at university, the two of you became thick as thieves and quickly best friends, moving into a flat together. But what will happen when Helaena has to leave, and her quiet, brooding, brother moves in?

Notes: Hello angels! Here is chapter two of my new mini-series! Was a lot of fun writing this, and am hoping to have a new chapter our every week if possible! I hope you enjoy <3

Chapter 2: Departure

Helaena stood at the door, two large duffel bags in her hands. Her hair was braided back away from her face, something you had begged for her to allow you to do early that morning before her flight. Her violet eyes looked around the apartment before landing back on you. 

“I’m going to miss you so much.” She swallowed, eyes looking teary.

You stepped forward, cocking your head as you offered her a small smile, “Hey, hey, hey Miss Waterworks, not yet! We got to get you to the airport first before I let you cry.”

Helaena laughed and you reached out to grab one of her bags, grabbing your keys from the small hallway table dish. Helaena spun and pulled open the door, moving out of it with one bag in hand whilst you followed behind her, pulling the door behind you with a click. 

“Is it locked?” She asked, watching as you tugged to make sure.

“Yes, mum.”

Helaena clicked her tongue at you before moving to go down the steps of the apartment. When you arrived at the bottom, you moved across the street to drop her bags into the trunk of your car.

“I’m going to miss our drives in this beast.” She sighed as she got into the front seat, rubbing the dashboard where an array of small, iridescent bug stickers sat, curtesy of the self proclaimed ‘Passenger Princess’. 

“Hel, you’re making it sound as though you’re never coming back.” You pulled out of the parking spot and began to drive her to the airport, hand coming out to shuffle through the old 2000’s CD you had put in the stereo.

“Might as well be dead. I love mum, but she’s going to be more wound up than ever, especially with Nyra there.” Helaena leant her head against the window, looking out at the trees you past on the road. 

“Well at least Baela and Rhaena will be with you. You haven’t seen your cousins in ages. Plus you’ll have Daeron with you too.” You smiled at her, quickly turning your head away from the wheel. 

Helaena smiled back, hand reaching out to turn up the volume of ‘I’m like a Bird’ by Nelly Furtado. 

“Yeah, I’m going to invite them to come visit us! Remember last time they came and we went out?”

Your lips pulled back into a grin, “And you got so wasted I had to carry you home on my back?” You snickered.

Your best friend grumbled, “Serves you right for ordering shots.”

You laughed loudly at the memory of Helaena stumbling about the club, singing so loudly that her voice the next day was crackled, and mascara stained her under eyes, "That wasn’t me, that was Bae!”

“Oh yeah.” She giggled.

The drive to the airport went fairly quickly as you sang side by side and talked about everything and nothing, and before you knew it, you were standing at the gate hugging Helaena for dear life as everyone around you boarded the plane. 

“I’m going to miss you so much.” She cried, cheeks wet with tears.

“Aw Hel, you big softy. You will be back in no time! Plus we can FaceTime while you’re there.”

Helaena pulled back and wiped her eyes with the back of her hands, nodding at you as she sniffed. You leant forward a pressed a kiss against her forehead, “Now remember to call me if you need anything, okay? I will come if you need me.”

“Okay, I promise.” She readjusted the tiny beetle shaped bag on her shoulder and took a steadying breath, “I gave Aemond your number, so he will probably text you when he gets there, so remember to give him my key.” Helaena gave you a pleading face, “Please be nice to him. I know he can be quiet and standoffish, but he has a good heart. It hasn’t been easy fo-”

You grabbed Helaenas’ shoulders as you smiled at her, “Hel, breathe. I promise to be nice, and it will be totally fine! You just worry about your fam and I will take care of everything else, okay?”

Helaena nodded again before she pulled you in for one last hug. You squeezed her tightly, feeling your heart clench in your throat. You knew it would only be a month, but ever since you had become friends, you had been inseparable. 

This would be the longest you would be away from each other. 

You watched as Helaena boarded, waving at her as she passed through the gate down to the plane. You had to sniff your own tears back as you watched her silver hair disappear out of sight. Once she was on the plane, you made your way back to the car and drove yourself home, feeling the quiet around you immediately. 

Helaena really was a solid rock in your life, and you hoped you were the same for her. She had been there for you through so many life milestones. Buying your first car, your first big break up with your douchebag ex, everything. And you wouldn’t have it any other way than at her side.

When you got back to the apartment, you parked your car and finally checked your phone. There was a text from Helaena saying she had wifi on the plane, and another from an unknown number.  

A?

Oh.

You got out of the car, flicking your hair behind your ears as you shut the door behind you, locking the doors with a click of the button. You looked up at the apartment block you and Helaena called home. It was an old art deco building that had been cheap to live in when you and Helaena first moved in, a little run down if you were honest, but beautiful nonetheless.

But now, the apartments were stupidly expensive, and yet your Landlord hadn’t once increased your rent. You wondered if it was because they knew who Helaena’s family was, old money and new, and one of the biggest and best lawyer firms in all of Westeros. But really, the Targaryens had their toes in many fields.

They owned vineyards that stretched over thousands of acres of their ancestral lands, realestate, restaurants, you name it. They owned something of worth, and their name held power.

You remembered when you first went to inspect the apartment. It was decently sized with tall ceilings, some of the paint was peeling, but once you and Helaena had moved in, you spent the first weekend painting the walls together. But the thing that had drawn you to it the most was the bath. It was hard to find an apartment in the city with one, and considering that the block was so old, it even still had the original tub and penny tiling floors. 

You walked up the stairs, as you opened Helaena’s messages.

When you got to the top of the landing, Aemond was already there, waiting.

The silver haired man was leaning against the door boredly, looking down at his phone, a silver strand of hair falling over his eye. At the sound of your approach he straightened his posture and looked at you. 

You had forgotten how tall he was. The Targaryen towered over you.

It had been a while since the last time you had seen him, and his hair was considerably longer, hair tucked behind his ears. His violet eye watched you as you gave him a small smile, the other clouded eye, unmoving. 

“Hey.” You greeted, standing in front of him, fingers gripping the strap of your bag, unsure of whether to shake his hand or offer him a hug. 

It felt awkward.

“Hi.” He responded quietly, eye searching your face. 

Aemond wore black jeans and tight black top that stretched across his chest. Around his neck, hidden behind his shirt, was a small silver chain that dipped beneath. You remembered he had been wearing it the last time you saw him, Helaena said something about Valyrian steel? You couldn’t remember, but it was something that he clearly never took off. The smell of leather and smoke curled around the both of you as you looked down at his toned arms, a black leather jacket slung over one. 

It was in that moment, as you took him in, that you realised something.

Aemond was handsome. 

Gods, how had you forgotten he was handsome?

“You going to let me in?” He asked, tone flat.

You felt heat rise in your cheeks, your hand with the keys flicking up as you moved to open the door to the apartment. Aemond barely moved an inch to allow you to reach the door, and you had to utter a small ‘excuse me’ to him so he would shift and give you space. 

You felt his eye on you as you opened the door and stepped through the apartment, Aemond bending down behind you to pick up a faded, green duffel bag that he had left on the floor while waiting for you. 

“Welcome.” You smiled backwards at him, dropping your keys into their dish and fishing out Helaena’s from your pocket, “These are yours.”

Aemond grasped the keys, large keychains attached to them from grazing across the palm of your hand. They looked comical in his, what with all her keychains; bright blue butterflies, shining green and pink dragonflies, and a long pendant with your name beaded on it hanging from the tips of his fingers. Helaena and you had made them for each other on one of your infamous craft nights in. 

Aemond nodded at you in thanks.

You moved through the apartment as he followed behind quietly, his height looming over you making you feel incredibly small. 

“So,” You turned around looking at your roommates brother, “You’ll be in Helaena’s room.”

“Mm.”

Oh Gods, here we go.

“Um,” You looked around the lounge room trying to diffuse the sudden tension, “Did you need anything?”

“No.” He answered looking down at you, bag still in hand, "Thank you.”

“Right, well, Helaena’s room is on the left. Let me know if you need anything.”

Aemond nodded and walked down the hall, his large black boots beating against the wooden floor boards. You watched as he continued his way down to her room, opening the door and stepping inside. The door shut behind him with a soft click, and you let out the breath you didn’t know you were holding in. 

Your phone buzzed in your hand and you looked down at it. You quickly typed a response to her back.

You huffed a laugh and went to sit in your room, putting away the pile of laundry that sat unfolded on the bed. 

Aemond didn’t leave the room or make a sound after he went inside. He was as quiet as a mouse, just as you had remembered he was last time, and you felt that the next month would be spent with  him existing in her room and you existing around him. It would most likely be awkward, though you didn’t mind, at least he wasn’t Aegon. 

Aegon was nice, but he was also a sleaze. Trying to get into everyone and anyones pants. Even after you had told him you weren’t interested, he continued to flirt with you boldly, immediately giving you the fatal ick. 

However, there was one thing you couldn’t deny about the Targaryens.

They were all stunningly attractive.

They all had the same piercing, violet eyes that only people of Valyrian decent had, as well as their shimmering silver, white hair. They were like sirens, luring anyone into their trap, and you had almost fallen for Aegon’s until he opened his mouth.

As the afternoon faded away and the night soon crept in, you reheated some of the pasta sauce that Helaena had made, adding a singular portion to the saucepan until you remembered that her brother was also here, and had not emerged from her room at all. Not to eat or got to the bathroom, or even get a glass of water. So with that thought, and the echoing ‘be nice’ in the back of your mind, you added a second portion to the saucepan and began to heat it up. 

You put another pot of water in the sink and filled it with water to boil on the stove, putting some music on shuffle with your phone, and as you waited for it all to cook, you unloaded the dishwasher. 

‘Freak’ by Lana Del Rey played loudly out of the speakers as you moved the cups and dishes back into the cupboard, the water on the stove coming to a boil. You put in the pasta and stirred the sauce a bit, adding some spoons of the pasta water into the sauce pan, just as your grandma had taught you. 

“Baby if you wanna leave, come to California, be a freak like me too." You sang quietly, grabbing two bowls and forks for the both of you. 

As you watched the water boil, the pasta cooking inside, you thought of what the next month was going to look like. 

You wondered how Aemond would react if Cregan came over. 

Would it be awkward? 

You shook your head, it was your house, and Aemond was a grown man. You were sure that he wouldn’t mind.

And if he did, tough titties.

When the pasta was cooked, you strained it, separating it into the two bowls and pouring the sauce over the top. The smell of Helaena’s amazing sauce filling the space around you, making your mouth water.

“What are you making?” Aemond’s voice came from behind you, startling you. 

“Gods be good.” You breathed, hand readjusting its grip on the saucepan as you scraped the last of bolognese into one of the bowls, “Bolognese, got a bowl here for you if you’re hungry. Helaena made it.”

Aemond moved from behind you, and as you turned to look at him, you noted that he was just in his jeans and shirt, shoes long gone. Thats how he had crept up on you. That or you were lost in your own world. You picked up the second bowl and moved to hand it to him. 

As your eyes moved towards his face, you noticed that Aemond had tied his hair away from his face in a low bun and you felt your breath catch in your chest as he looked at you. 

Oh.

“Thanks.” He grabbed the bowl and moved towards the dining table, steps silent as he crossed the room. 

“No problem. Do you want a drink?” You asked across the room, opening the fridge, pulling out a soft drink for yourself.

“I’m okay, thanks.”

“Water?”

A pause.

“Sure.”

You filled up a glass of water for him and moved towards the table, placing it in front of him on a coaster. Aemond sat with his hands in his lap, not beginning to eat yet, like he was waiting for you to sit down. Perhaps he was waiting for you. Helaena had told you that their mum was rather strict with etiquette and traditions, and you likened that this was a lesson from her. 

You went back to grab your drink and pasta before sitting opposite him. 

“You know,” You began, hoping to break the tense air around you, “You don’t have to eat at the table, we can sit on the couch if you want. Or you can eat in Hel’s room if that’s better for you.”

“Hm.” Aemond hummed, not easing your worries, before twisting his fork into the pasta, bringing it up to his lips to blow. 

You ate in silence together. 

It wasn’t uncomfortable in a way that you didn’t like each other, or that there was any bad blood, you just did not know anything about him, and he knew nothing about you. And he barely spoke. But beside that, Aemond was perfectly polite, if not a little stiff. 

You thought that perhaps picking a random stranger from the train and bringing them home to have dinner would make for more easier conversation and be less awkward.

“Helaena cooked it,” You explained, trying to fill the room with something other than the sound of clinking cutlery, “Not me. I think it was to save us both cooking.” You laughed, twisting another forkful of pasta for yourself, you felt a great urge to get to know him a bit, after all you would be living together for a month, “Hel told me you’re thinking of moving back to Kings Landing.”

Aemond placed his fork back into the bowl, “I am.”

Short. Stiff.

No wriggle room.

No ‘yes, and’. 

“Do you know where you would stay? Probably close to family right?”

Aemond was quiet, and you felt like you had stepped over a line. You suddenly remembered his strained relationship with everyone but his mother, but even then, that was somewhat difficult, or so Helaena had told you. You opened your mouth to apologise, but Aemond responded.

“Most likely. Might go back to uni and finish my degree.”

You blinked at him, “Oh? I didn’t know you were studying?”

“I was. But I deferred when I moved to Harrenhal.“ Aemond paused, staring at your face blankly. It made you wriggle in your seat, “I think it would be good to finish it.”

“I think it would be.” You agreed, “I’ve only got a year left until I graduate. God, I can’t wait until it’s over.” You smiled at him, having finished your dinner, “What were you studying?”

Aemond’s lips pursed as he looked at you, as though he would rather be talking about anything else, or more likely, not speaking at all, “I was doing a double degree. History and Philosophy, majoring in Politics.”

Your eyes widened in shock, “Oh damn. A double degree? How the hell did you manage that?” 

One degree was hard enough, you couldn’t imagine juggling two.

Aemond let out a humourless huff, “What are you studying?”

You leant back in your chair, stretching your arms above your head sighing, “Similar to you, History, but I’m doing a little side Poetry class which I’m enjoying.”

Aemond hummed, “Poetry?”

“Yup.” You popped the p, suddenly feeling as though you were being interrogated in your own house. It set you on edge.

“Favourite poet?” Aemond asked, the question catching you off guard completely. 

You blinked, thinking for a moment before you answered him, “Kafka.”

“Kafka?” Aemond replied, brows lifted, “A romantic.”

You cocked your head as you looked at him, “Kafka is a lot more than just a romantic. I think it would be disingenuous to put his work into a box.”

A smirk wound on Aemond’s lips as he hummed, the first time you had ever seen the man give something that wasn’t a frown or pout, and you felt your heart race in your chest. 

“You’re right. Just was not expecting you to be a Kafka girl.”

Now you were offended, “What, did you think I would be more of a Sylvia Plath?”

“Nothing wrong with Sylvia Plath.”

“I know that.” You snipped, “Let me guess, you’re an Edgar Allen Poe.” You pointed at his all black apparel.

Aemond let out a sharp huff.

“Emily Dickinson.” He answered, lips pursed again. The way he was watching you, it looked like he was sizing you up.

You hated it. 

“Hm. Favourite work?” You pressed, arms crossed across your chest as you looked at him.

You couldn’t tell if he was making fun of you or not. 

“‘A great Hope fell.’”

You were surprised once again, “That’s not beating the Edgar Allen Poe allegations.” You paused in thought, tilting your head as you thought of the piece.

“‘A not admitting of the wound, Until it grew so wide, That all my Life had entered it, And there were troughs beside.’” You recounted a paragraph, feeling as though you had one-upped him for even knowing it, but in truth you had recently studied Emily in your Poetry class, and her work was fresh in your mind. 

You wouldn’t tell him that though.

Aemond blinked at you with one eye, not showing at all that he was impressed that you knew his favourite poem off by heart, or even slightly surprised, which made you want to hit him over the head with your fork.

Dick.

“They are both amazing in their own right.” He stated as he stood, pulling his empty bowl towards him before he collected yours.

You thanked him, watching as Aemond moved to the kitchen and began to stack the bowls into the dishwasher without being asked.

Maybe those manners from Alicent weren't bad after all.

“Do you know where the linen closet is?” You called across the room.

Aemond nodded. 

“Okay, I have work tomorrow so I won’t be home. You have your keys?” 

Another nod.

“I’m going to watch some tv. Do you want to join?”

Aemond turned around and walked back towards you, “I’m going to bed.”

Your mouth felt dry, and a blanket of embarrassment curled around you.

“Ah, no worries.” So much for trying to make this easier, “Well, goodnight.” You gave him a curt smile and moved towards the couch, not waiting for his response as you got comfortable, turning on the telly to put your favourite show on to binge. 

“Night.” Came Aemond’s smooth timbre from behind you, and not long after you heard the soft click of his door. 

You grabbed your phone and checked to see that you had some new messages. The first from Helaena, she had sent you a photo of her in a car, having landed in Old Town, followed by five consecutive messages.  

You smiled at your screen, typing back a response that there was no murder yet. 

Yet. 

You hoped that it wouldn’t come to that. But with Aemond’s quietness, and even the subtle stubborn and self assured manner that he carried himself with, you felt that perhaps things may come to a head one way or another.

Helaena had said the two of you were more alike than you know, but you just couldn’t see it. He was so quiet, and you weren’t. He was brooding, and you were forthcoming. He was a dick, and you were not. 

Most of the time.

Flicking back to your notifications you spotted another message, finger tapping it to open.

It was Cregan.

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[theladyofbloodshed]

Hunt x Nesta - Chapter 8

The sounds of the shower roused Hunt from sleep. Since Nesta had discovered that her cell could access music at any moment, she was unstoppable. A symphony blasted through the wall; violins were reaching their crescendo alongside a barrage of brass instruments that were accompanied by a flurry of percussion. Then the cannons came as she turned off the shower.

Releasing a groan, he rolled onto his side to check his cell. Eight messages. All from Nesta at various points in the morning whilst he still slept. Each one made him laugh.

‘Hey, when you text, you don’t need to write an address line or a sign off. I know it’s from you because I have your contact saved,’ he explained as she entered with a towel wrapped around her body.

‘What do you mean?’

Hunt motioned for her cell that was churning out another classical song. ‘What am I saved as?’

Nesta paused the music. ‘I don’t know. Plus five zero five eight two-’

He yelped like he’d been shot and threw himself down. ‘You didn’t even save my number? Do I mean nothing?’

‘I don’t know how.’

With Ruhn’s number, he showed Nesta how to save it. He pulled a photo from the web of Ruhn being arrested before he was legal to drink – of course, his daddy had the charges scrubbed but the photo remained – and saved him as the Prince of Pricks.

‘There, now try with me.’

A devious smile flitted over her lovely face as she stood in the middle of the room typing at the speed of a snail.

‘That index finger is getting quite a workout,’ he commented.

Surprising him, she raised her middle finger.

For the second time that morning, Hunt collapsed back onto the pillows, laughter rumbling out of him. ‘Who the Hel taught you that?’

‘We have that in my world.’ She flashed the phone towards him.

His contact name had been updated to Orion Athalar – my favourite angel along with as many emojis as the name would allow. The picture was of him shirtless with ridiculously fluffy wings.

‘You said you’d deleted those, liar.’

‘I’m leaving today. I need a memory to keep.’

‘You’re taking the cell with you to plug in where exactly?’

Nesta shrugged and pressed it to her chest. ‘I will invent electricity in my world so I can always look at these photographs.’

There was no doubt in his mind that Nesta could do anything that she set her mind to. He couldn’t help but wonder what sort of person she’d be if she stayed in Lunathion. They’d stayed up late in each other’s arms talking for hours; Nesta had wanted to know everything about him and the land she was leaving behind. They’d talked about university for over an hour with Nesta needing to know what could be studied, what the fees were, who could study, when it could be studied, and what happened upon graduation. Hunt had listened to her talk about Prythian but most of it left him seething. Nesta couldn’t tell him anything about the place she lived because they stuck her in a fucking house and cut off her funds so that she was entirely dependent on the king and his lackey. That one, Cassian, he’d quite like to meet so he could knock him into next week. She’d grown upset when she talked of her sister whose pregnancy would cause her death. Beyond kidnapping a couple of surgeons and a midwife, Hunt didn’t know what to do to help. The male, Cassian, who forced her on a hike as punishment for telling her sister the truth deserved to be punched. He didn’t like any of these fae males, but this one sounded like the worst.

He'd even come clean about Micah and the awful things he did to inch towards freedom. In a way, Hunt wanted her to be repulsed or to pull away then at least it would soften the blow of her departure. But this damn female just said that she understood why he did it and held him a little tighter.

‘Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?’

Nesta snickered. ‘Don’t tempt me, Hunt.’

It wouldn’t be that hard to adjust. He’d grown up in a time when technology was near enough non-existent then emerged from a dungeon and everybody had cell phones or were driving cars. He’d cope again going backwards. Anything was possible with her at his side. But maybe Hunt would cause a few too many fights with the fae that ruled her.

‘Just stop letting them put you in danger and using you. Or I’ll fly all the way there and kick their asses.’

Hunt sat her down on the edge of the bed to start drying her hair. She was nervous about him doing it although he thought he did a fabulous job of his own. Truly, he was desperate to do it. Nesta was leaving back to a world where the male that she was tangled with didn’t seem to care for her at all. He needed to show her that males could be gentle – that it was a choice not to be caring. He wanted to dry her hair and take care of her because that was a male’s duty – not fucking her then leaving with his seed still dripping from her.

Vik was expecting them when Hunt took Nesta through a private entrance into the Comitium that was strictly for workers only. Worker was laughable. The slave’s entrance was a better name for it.

‘The sword and the Harp as promised. And I don’t need to remind either of you that it would be a good idea for Nesta to return today, do I?’

‘No, mom,’ Hunt replied, kicking her boot lightly.  

‘And I needn’t advise you that walking through Lunathion with a sword will likely have you arrested.’

Hunt frowned. ‘Danika Fendyr and Ruhn Danaan do it.’

‘They’re leaders of the aux and will be the heads of their species one day,’ Vik said.

Sensing Hunt was about to argue with Vik, Nesta rested a hand on his forearm. ‘I’d rather spend my last hours here with you rather than in an interrogation room.’

‘I’d still be there. We can play cops and robbers.’

‘Gross,’ muttered Vik before she turned back to her computer.

For once, Nesta had left most of her hair down. She’d pulled it from her temples with a twist and a couple of hair pins. Paired with a pale blue summer dress, she was utterly stunning. But his dreams of strolling through Lunathion with her again hit a snag when Micah’s name flashed on his cell.

‘You should answer that,’ she said, peering at the name.

‘I want this day with you.’

Nesta pushed the phone towards him. ‘I’d be glad for time with my thoughts. Answer that. Do whatever it is you need to do. We can meet later.’

‘I’ll fly those to the hotel,’ he said, gesturing to her returned items.

Nesta kissed his fingers then strode into the sun, hips swaying as she went.

***

How many different ways could Nesta try to convince Hunt to leave with her – or for him to ask her to stay. She didn’t want to impose. She’d done that enough already on his life. But if Hunt asked her to stay… No, she couldn’t. Feyre was dying. What sort of sister would she be if she left her in those final moments?

Nesta sighed.

The same sister they all believed her to be; worthless, spoilt, and needing redemption.

A shadow bumped into her arm then a figure took up the seat beside her on the bench. Ruhn Danaan wore his typical black jeans and t-shirt with a pair of sunglasses to protect his hungover eyes from the bright sunlight.

‘It’s very loud,’ he said, wincing.

Children were playing at the park where Nesta’s feet had taken her to. Their squeals and joy made her think of the children who never stood a chance in Prythian; the ones who were exposed to war, Illyrian girls who were clipped and beaten.

‘I didn’t think you would come.’

‘And miss the chance to say goodbye?’

Following Hunt’s advice, Nesta had sent a text that merely asked Ruhn to meet her – and she received a reply asking who it was in return. Then another saying if they had once had a date, he wasn’t the sort of guy to want to settle down and he was sorry.

‘I need to return this.’ Nesta held out Tristan Flynn’s credit card. ‘I’d like to keep the cell phone. If that’s alright.’

‘Of course you can. Flynn will be devastated you gave this to me and not him.’

A messenger otter scurried along then stopped in front of Ruhn, brandishing a letter. Nesta couldn’t stop her fawning.

‘Tharion Ketos. What a weasel,’ he muttered, pocketing the letter.

‘I wish we had those.’

‘Mer?’

Nesta tutted. ‘Otters. We have otters, but not ones that wear little jackets and deliver letters.’

Ruhn gave a slight laugh then folded his arms over his chest. He looked at her, really looked at her. ‘You don’t want to go back, do you?’

Everything suddenly felt hot and painful. Nesta tipped her face upwards, blinking as quickly as she could to keep from crying. Ruhn stroked her bare arm.

‘I can’t sugar coat it. My father will not stop until he finds out who you are. You’re technically under his jurisdiction as one of the fae. Hunt is a slave – there isn’t much he can do for you. If Micah sells his ass to Sandriel, he won’t be here.’ Ruhn winced. ‘Is it really better here for you than there?’

Yes, she thought. Because I can be somebody here. I can study and learn and be my own person without history trailing me. And I’d have Hunt.

‘I have to go,’ she said. ‘I know I have to.’

‘Let me walk you back to your hotel at least.’

Despite the beauty of the day, Nesta had gone cold and hollow with every step closer to the hotel.

Nesta steeled her wounded heart. She held the pieces together even if they felt like they would shatter from the force. It wasn’t fair.

‘How much would it cost to buy Hunt?’

Ruhn let out a whistle. ‘The Umbra Mortis?’

‘What if I offered my Harp or my sword?’

‘It might sweeten the deal but Hunt Athalar is one of a kind.’

Visions of her putting on the Mask or Crown and forcing Micah to release Hunt to her came to Nesta. It was a bad idea, but a tempting one. There had to be some way for them to be together. Maybe destiny was forged by their own hands.

‘That Harp of yours,’ Ruhn said. ‘It wouldn’t be related to the Horn, would it?’

‘Why would it be?’

Ruhn shrugged. ‘It’s just that the Horn went missing the other day. I came to see you just afterwards and you looked pretty panicked. Then Athalar appeared looking sweaty just after there was a freak lightning storm at Luna’s Temple.’

‘How odd.’

‘Odd indeed.’

On an instinct, Ruhn grabbed the strap of her dress with two fingers at the edge of a busy road without a crossing. Nesta hadn’t quite mastered it yet, but she knew not to walk out now – but his care was appreciated.

‘I heard it’s broken anyway,’ Nesta said with an airy tone. ‘It wouldn’t be any use to the person who now has it.’

‘Unless they knew how to create Made items like a magic sword that doesn’t like me.’

‘What would it mean if there was somebody in Lunathion who could create Made items – theoretically, Ruhn?’

The hotel came into view and they slowed their pace to finish their theoretical conversation. Ruhn pretended to stroke an imaginary beard then slung an arm around her as they walk so he could lean towards her ear and speak in a whisper.  

‘If the Asteri knew there was somebody with those powers in Lunathion, they’d be the public’s most wanted. And Hunt Athalar would be ordered to bring them in dead or alive. I don’t think that theoretical person would want the Umbra Mortis in that situation, would they?’

There was no telling if Hunt could disobey direct orders although she knew he’d try. For her, he’d try. And she couldn’t do that to him.

At the doors to the hotel, they stopped opposite each other. Amidst the vibrant colours of his tattoos, Nesta could make out damaged, scarred skin.

‘I’m sorry that it can’t be the way you want it.’

Nesta offered a half-smile that felt like a veneer slapped over a rotting foundation. ‘Do any of us ever get what we deserve?’

‘Maybe in another life.’

This was her other life, her other chance. When Ruhn embraced her, she didn’t know how to respond because the males here treated her with kindness without expectation.

‘I’ll tell Flynn you love him. He can peddle that story about unrequited love to simpering females.’

‘Goodbye Ruhn.’

***

Five names. Five names for him to kill.

Hunt felt sick from it. Sick with himself. Because five on one night was more names than he usually had in half a year. He shouldn’t rejoice in death, but it would shave off a little more of his debt.

He was wrong for it. Wrong for being glad that he could exchange a life for his debt.

Nesta deserved better than that. Better than a slave. A killer. A worthless male.

When he met her in the hotel room, he didn’t mention that he could smell Ruhn Danaan on her clothes despite her desire to spend time alone. He’d let her keep that secret if he could keep his. She might have held him last night and waved away his debt to Micah as something he couldn’t control, but it was Hunt’s action that led him to this point. Nobody forced him to lead a rebellion. And it wasn’t just killing. A single bullet to the head was merciful; the sorts of death Micah had him enact would send Nesta running from him.

Hunt bundled up his grief and disgust. He could hold it back for a few hours. Give her a good few hours before she returned. Let Nesta go home beneath a golden sky rather than his storm.

‘I did something. I think.’

Nesta held out the Horn to him which was glowing with an iridescent light. Faintly, he could feel a thrum of magic through his core.

‘How?’

‘The sword is a Made item. Made by me. I was Made by the Cauldron then took its power.’ Nesta swallowed then looked at him. ‘I fixed it Hunt. It can open to new worlds. It’s a safer bet than the Harp. I fixed it.’

‘If anybody could fix a relic that is thousands of years old, it would be you,’ he said, rubbing his thumb along her cheekbone.

Every now and then, a silver flame would skitter across the instrument that she clutched in her hands. The Harp would hum in unison with it. Whoever – whatever – Nesta was, Hunt didn’t care.

‘Are you going to blow it?’

Despite her nod, Nesta didn’t move for a while, just stared at him with wide eyes.

‘It’s alright if you’re scared. I’ll be with you.’ He kissed her forehead and the Horn buzzed between them like a hornet. ‘I’m talking to Nesta, not you.’

*** ‘Ready?’ She wanted Hunt to call it off, to tell her to stay at his side until the stars fell. No matter his warnings about the Asteri or Micah or the Autumn King, none of it could be as bad as what was waiting for her in Prythian. A vengeful queen, a sister who was to die, and a high lord who only wanted her to suffer. It didn’t matter what danger she faced in Lunathion because with Hunt at her side, anything was possible. There was no storm they couldn’t weather together.

Hunt squeezed her knee. ‘Ready. To the stars.’

Pursing her lips, Nesta touched the horn to her lips and blew.

A pathetic, raspberry echoed through the horn.

She glanced at Hunt, heat building in her cheeks, and saw that he was screwing his face up. After a moment, he burst into riotous laughter.

‘What was that?’ He asked between his booming laugh.

She found herself laughing in answer, infected by his merriment. ‘I’ve never blown a horn before. I don’t know how to do it.’

Hunt slapped his thigh, trying to right himself. ‘Not like that!’

The pair of them lost it. Whatever tension had been clinging to the room soon evaporated as Nesta tried again and again to put her lips towards the horn. Each time she pouted or made a trumpeting noise, Hunt roared with laughter, setting her off too.

‘Stop looking at me because you’re putting me off.’

Tears rolled down Hunt’s cheeks. He squeezed his eyes shut although a large grin spread across his handsome face.

Nesta pulled out her phone and searched how to blow a horn. In a world where knowledge was at her fingertips, it seemed terribly wasteful not to utilise it.

‘Maybe the Horn is still broken, Starlight.’

But it couldn’t be because her magic had been drawn to it and the Horn had been buzzing with possibilities since.

‘I can do it,’ she insisted.

‘I know you can,’ he replied, touching her leg again. ‘Not looking again.’

Easing out a breath, Nesta formed her lips in the shape her cell phone told her to. A low, well-held note emitted from the top of the horn.

Hunt whispered her name.

Near the wall, a great portal had opened, its edges rimmed with her silver flames. Rather than offering a view of Crescent City, Nesta saw into the library in the House of Wind. There was her favoured arm chair with the foot rest pulled close by. A little stack of books that she’d pulled out a couple of weeks earlier was upon the three-legged table.

‘You did it,’ he praised, stroking her cheek. ‘Is there anything you can’t do, you wonderful girl?’

Nesta grasped for him, too emotional to speak. Her hands reached for his face, pulling it to hers to kiss one final time. Strands of his hair fell onto her cheek as they kissed and she stretched out a hand to brush the inside of his wing one last time.

‘Mother above, what the fuck.’

She leapt away from Hunt, startled by the voice.

Lucien Vanserra stood in the library opposite them, peering into the hotel room, a full cup and saucer held in his hand.

Hunt braced his legs then lightning wreathed his body.

‘No,’ Nesta urged. ‘This is my sister’s mate.’

His voice took on a lethal edge. ‘This is Rhysand?’

‘Definitely not,’ called Lucien.

‘Elain’s mate. The eye.’

‘The eye,’ confirmed Hunt, finally taking in the golden eye and the scar rippling down Lucien’s face which was paler than usual.

‘We thought you were dead or kidnapped or trapped in the Prison.’

‘Surprise,’ Hunt said drily.

They passed the bag through first to test it. Lucien, baffled and muttering to himself, waited on the Prythian side to accept it. Maybe it was odd to keep all of the clothes from Lunathion as they’d have no place, but Nesta didn’t want to part with anything from her week there. Everything was taken from her in the war, so she wanted to keep this.

When the Harp and Atraxia were passed through safely, she said it was her turn.

The portal was too high for her step through easily so Hunt lifted her over it and Lucien, gingerly, accepted her on the other side, lowering her to the floor as if she was a sack of potatoes.

‘I think if I blow the Horn again, it will close it.’

She lifted it near to her lips. ‘Don’t make me laugh this time.’

‘It’s my last chance. I have to,’ Hunt insisted, brown eyes sparkling with joy.

But when Nesta did press the Horn closer, the amusement drained from Hunt’s expression, accepting it was the end.

A single note emitted and the flames collapsed in on themselves, leaving Nesta with a view of the tall windows in the library. She dropped the Horn then sank to her knees and wept.

[thegaybluejay]

Just for fun, here are my rapid fire rambling thoughts on the ATLA ships and platonic dynamics hehe (please don’t go full ship wars tho - these are just my opinions as a chill multishipper!)

My Favorite Ships:

• Zukka - My current brainrot and main ship!! I know they aren’t canon but I really love them and their potential okay😭I just feel like their personalities would work so well! Sokka would call Zuko on his shit and Zuko would be good at grounding Sokka when he needs it. Plus I have seen some absolutely breathtaking AUs with this ship! And fire-and-ice vibes except gay! Them <3

• Kataang - Cutiessss!! I love them! They may not be the ship I think about most often, but when I do think about them, they’re adorable! Aang is such a “my wife” guy and Katara absolutely adores him back! Also the last airbender x last southern waterbender dynamic goes HARD! I like that these two are canon!

• Yuetara - Listen I know they barely interacted but THEY’VE ACTUALLY GROWN ON ME SO MUCH LATELY AND I VERY HIGH KEY SHIP THEM! Something about like, Katara thinking about Yue when she bends is so😭Their story would be heartbreaking in the best way!! Sapphic noncanon blorbos <3

• Mailee - These two are SO cute and have so much potential rahhh!! Again, love some noncanon sapphics <3

• Batkoda - Super SUPER cute and silly and fun! The dads fr <3 Bato is either Katara and Sokka’s adopted uncle or their stepdad and I love it for them hehe! This usually pairs well with a “Hakoda adopts Zuko” AU lmao!

Other Canon/Relatively Popular Ships:

• Zutara - A good ship! I see the potential and tbh it’s very very fun to think about sometimes!!! However, some of y’all toxic Zutara stans need to leave my boy Aang alone lmao. Those who are chill tho, I rock with y’all!! Overall, I’m not opposed if it’s done well and I do sometimes seek out Zutara content! I personally do prefer writing them as found siblings tho, especially with the Azula and Katara parallels!!

• Sukka - Canon cuties!! I really like them! Suki my BELOVED <3 She’s so underrated!

• Yukka - Also canon cuties! They make me sad tho ahhhhh😭😭😭

• Maiko - Also ALSO canon cuties!! They have an interesting dynamic that I can really appreciate! And gotta love Mai <3

• Jinko - Jin my beloved! These two had a super cute dynamic during the one episode they had together lmaoooo, tho I don’t think about this ship too too often.

• Tokka - I don’t mind it if it’s them getting together as adults! But tbh I personally don’t prefer shipping them as teens and I think Toph’s crush was just a typical young girl crush on someone slightly older lol. Definitely not horrible and most Tokka shippers are relatively chill! I like to think Sokka sees Toph as a little sister tho.

Now For Some Of The Crackship-y/Less Popular Ships (based on ships I’ve actually seen):

• Zukki (Zuko/Sokka/Suki) - Power throuple fr and I love some polyamory!! While I mostly lean plain Zukka, this is extremely fun to think about and would be a great dynamic!

• Mai/Ty Lee/Suki - Saw this in a Zukka fic once and it was adorableeeeee! I may not have plans to actively write this or anything, but it’s cute! Another power throuple!

• Jetko - I don’t think they would be compatible long term, but by god they are very very fun to think about in a “Jet flirts with Zuko and Zuko is completely oblivious and they share one kiss before everything goes to shit” way lmao!

• Taang - I can respect it!! I will always love them as chaos siblings personally, but it’s a totally valid and chill ship!

• Katoph - Not a bad ship at all! I’ve only come across like one post tho lmao. Also I do think I heavily prefer them as found sisters, but that’s just me personally! Again, totally a valid and chill ship!

• Azutara - I’m very neutral on this lmao. I don’t despise it at all and it could be pretty interesting?? But tbh really not something I plan to seek out.

• Azulaang - I mean?? I’m also pretty neutral on this one. Aang would be kind to her if she was trying to get help but…idk lmao.

• Tyzula - I see the potential, but I personally think Mai and Ty Lee had a healthier and more interesting and more realistic dynamic. Just my preference tho!

(I think I just want Azula to be in therapy before I reallyyyyy ship her lmao, but NOT THE KIND OF “THERAPY” SHE WAS GIVEN IN THE COMICS)

• Zukaang - I don’t love this as a ship honestly. The canon age gap as teens is sketchy for my personal taste, tho I’ve seen people ship them in “Aang was 16 when he got frozen” AUs and that’s…better and I can get behind it a little! It would be interesting! But I think Roku being Zuko’s great-grandpa just still throws me off of this ship. I don’t have any beef with the shippers tho! I’m very “live and let live” and I have seen so much worse lol.

Can’t Forget My Fav Platonic Dynamics!

• Sokka and Aang - Two found brothers who share one idiot braincell when they interact LMAO! Love them always <3

• Sokka and Katara - The siblings ever!!

• Zuko and Aang - Enemies to found brothers!! Canon besties! I love their friendship and their parallels SO MUCH!!

• Toph and Katara - Absolutely ADORABLE as found sisters!!!! Love them!

• Zuko and Katara - I really like their development in a platonic sense and I think they’re very very fun and lovely found siblings by the end!!!! Zuko is 100% the brother that just “yeah my sister can and will whoop your ass” LMAO!

• Zuko and Toph - Also very found siblings in my head!! Only have a handful of solo interactions in canon but I DON’T CARE! I WILL FOUND FAMILY THEM ANYWAY! I’m a “Toph seeks out Zuko for sibling hugs/cuddles when she’s cold because he’s basically a space heater” truther.

• Uncle Iroh and the Gaang - Zuko needs to learn to share because that is ALL OF THEIR Uncle!!!

• Hakoda and Zuko - I thrive in this section of the fandom!! They have exactly one (1) frame together in canon, but I ADORE Dadkoda adopting Zuko! Something about it is just so wholesome and cute!!! My very very fav ATLA fics are this trope!!#LetHakodaBitchSlapOzaiAndAdoptZuko2024

• Uncle Iroh and Zuko - God they make me so ALSNDKSNXNCNSNSNXNX, y’know?

• The Gaang as a whole - Obvious I know, but I really do love them😭They all bonded sm and I adore their little family!! I eat up fanart of the Gaang cuddling like CANDY omg. And yes Suki is included in the Gaang because WHY WOULDN’T SHE BE!

Anyway, thanks for coming to my TedTalk. If you made it to the end, you get a big platonic kiss on the forehead MWAH!

[megamindsecretlair]

Be My Little Darling - Chapter 11

Chapter 10 Chapter 12

Pairing: Loki x Black!Fem!reader / Plus Size reader

Warnings: 18+. Minors DNI. You are in charge of your own reading experience. ANGST. Dirty talk, mentions of grief and violence. Soft Loki, Jealous Loki

Summary: Loki is the exclusive owner of the hottest club in New Asgard. Dubbed the Nine Realms, each of the nine rooms represent a different realm. You are his second in command, working the floors and ensuring everyone is having fun. It has been a week since the dust up with Loki and you are not sure how much more you can take.

Word Count: 3,939k

Masterlist

A/N: I'm sorry it's been so long! My family are my opps. I will try to update this a little quicker, I'm excited to see where these two go. A little something something before we get into the nitty gritty. Likes are always awesome. Please consider commenting and reblogging to help support writers! I block ageless blogs!

Taglist: @cantstayawaycani @braverthanthenewworld @monaeesstuff @chaos-4baby @dayjlovesromance @soft-persephone @mybonafidefeelings @nerdieforpedro @browngirldominion @thecookiebratz @we-outsiiiide@foxherder @itzgabz22

“I hate it when Mom and Dad fight,” Sweetie muttered, just loud enough for your benefit. You ignored her just as you ignored the rest of the staff all week. They weren’t stupid, they could pick up on the tension between you and Loki. 

You weren’t ignoring him, not completely. He’d throw too big of a temper tantrum. But he was also unwilling to talk about what happened when you saw Thor. You just wanted him to budge, even a little.

He had forced you to confront things you hadn’t been ready to. Forced to draw out those deep grooves in your heart and put them up to a mirror in all its ugly glory. You cried in front of him. Bared your soul and body to him in a way you never had before. And what did he do? Completely shut you out.

You couldn’t survive in half a relationship. So sue you. You weren’t a half measure type of person. You loved and hated in absolutes. You didn’t know how to give up. It was why you were still looking for your family five years later with all evidence pointing to the inevitable truth: Thanos snapped them away.

Your heart cracked thinking of such a thing. That they were just…gone. There was no body to bury, no tomb to mourn. You couldn’t accept it yet. You couldn’t look your siblings in the eyes and tell them that there was no hope left to give.

So no. You weren’t giving up on Loki and you didn’t care how old he was, how powerful, or how much he considered himself a god. He would have to use his big boy words. 

“Sweetie, I’m expecting a visitor today. Please make sure to notify me,” you said. It wasn’t her job, but you smiled at her so that she got the message. 

“Do we need to Parent Trap them?” Honey asked, not bothering to be subtle. She sat with her usual suspects hunched over cups of coffee, bottles of water or juice, and random pastries. 

You grabbed your coffee, unable to fight the smile at the reference. Movies were something you all enjoyed once coming to Earth. As far as being stranded, it wasn’t that bad of a place to be. You all have torn through plenty of movies so far, Parent Trap being among the favorites. You were still shocked that the little girl wasn’t a real life twin. 

You walked over to the table while the group looked at you expectantly. Some leaned forward as if you were going to share something juicy. Others looked almost genuinely worried for you. You hated the pity. You didn’t owe them an explanation. 

“The saboteur has been too quiet lately, so make sure you keep your eyes peeled. This person likes to watch the chaos from the front seat,” you said. You smiled when they groaned and leaned back. 

“Princesa, please! We cannot live like this!” Honey said, her face scrunching up comically into a heartbroken frown. 

“You make it sound like we’re in Hel,” you said and chuckled. 

“He’s miserable without you,” Sugar said. 

You took a sip of coffee to stop yourself from going on a rant. You were their boss, not their friend. Though, some dark pleasure rippled through you at the thought of him suffering. You hoped your scent still lingered in his bed. The gods knew that you tossed and turned in your bed thinking of him between your legs.

And…that was enough of that thinking. You took a deep breath. “Loki is a god, as he likes to remind us. He’s fine,” you said.

They didn’t believe you. You didn’t give a shit. You had more pressing matters to worry about. Like supply requests and restock. A prickling awareness settled over you and you straightened up. 

Eyes snapped towards the door. This was all so dreadfully dramatic. You turned towards the door and saw Loki looking as delicious as ever. He couldn’t be that miserable and still look that damn good. It was unfair. His hair should be messy, clothes unkempt. Something. 

Your eyes skittered over his before you looked away. It still hurt too much that he didn’t trust you with the truth. And you weren’t the begging type. So you walked over to him. “Loki,” you said with a nod.

“Is it me or is it fucking icy right now?” You heard somewhere behind you.

“Mom and Dad need to figure it the fuck out,” you heard as well. 

“Darling, good morning,” he said. He stood and stared at you, making it hard for you to deny that there was anything amiss. He also blocked the damn door. 

“Morning,” you said, nodding towards the door. Loki dug his hands in his pockets. You glared at him but his face didn’t change. Nothing about him did. Your hand was beginning to shake. You longed to run your hands through his hair, pull him to you, and demand kisses and smiles. 

The staff was right, this was icy. Nothing like the heat and passion he was capable of. You moved to walk past him and he cut you off.

“We have to talk about the VIP list tonight,” he said. There. A wince. A crack. A glimpse into that stormy brain of his. 

“Well in hand, Loki,” you said. You smiled, turned around and bowed for the audience. “And scene. Back to work, you bunch of lazies,” you said. The tension in the room melted a fraction before you shoved past Loki and out into the hallway.

Loki trailed behind you. He made no sound but you were attuned to him like never before. You were always aware of him before. How he moved, how he talked, that smile that never failed to trick and tease. But it was amplified now. As if invisible strings connected the both of you. 

“Darling, stop,” Loki said. You took a deep breath at his deep timbre. That voice. Hell, let’s be honest. Everything about him drove you crazy. And you had resisted for five long, beautiful, torturous years. It was hard to quit cold turkey. 

Still you marched down the hallways towards your office. You weren’t going to make a scene here. 

Loki’s strong fingers wrapped around your arms, pulling you to a halt. You swung your arms wide, careful to avoid any slippage of your coffee. You growled, facing Loki finally. 

“You’re such a child,” you hissed. 

“You’re the one ignoring me like one,” he said. 

“I’m not ignoring you, I’m busy. Work, remember? The thing you hired me for?” You asked.

“Fine, then you’re fired,” he said.

You giggled. You immediately shut up because it wasn’t funny, not at all. You drank your coffee to hopefully scald your throat and prevent you from letting any more giggles escape. You weren’t done being angry. 

“You won’t even look at me anymore,” he whispered. His hand left your arm and he brought it to your face. He stopped before touching you and you finally looked into his eyes. The sight nearly robbed you of breath.

Away from prying eyes, he let you see the raw pain. The whites of his eyes were wide, mouth straining, jaw clenching. 

“Ready to talk about why you blew up at me?” You asked. 

“I already said–” 

“I have things to do, Loki,” you said. You turned on your heel. Turned away from that look in his eyes. If you stared too long, you’d cave. And you didn’t want to. You did the work and now he had to as well. 

Loki didn’t leave it there. He followed you to your office where he waited for you to settle behind your desk. He leaned into the doorframe, watching your every move. You moved a pen here, opened a folder there. But there was no way you were getting work done while he was here. His presence made your brain foggy and hands shake. 

Finally, the mounting pressure got to you. You slammed your hands on the desk and looked at him. “Why are you still here?” You asked.

He crossed his arms and took a deep breath. “I don’t like that you’re mad at me. Not when we’ve come so far,” he said. 

You leveled him with a stare. “This is on you. You love to talk but won’t talk about this. With me,” you said. 

“That’s not it,” he said with a scowl. 

“If you won’t talk, I don’t know what to think,” you said.

His jaw flexed more as he spoke. You’d give anything to know what he was thinking, what he was running through his mind. 

“Believe it or not, I have a hard time admitting faults,” he said, chuckling to cover what he said. 

“So you can stick your dick in my mouth but can’t tell me what’s on your mind?” You asked.

“Don’t be so crass,” he said. 

You’d have to be the bigger person here. Which you hated. But you took a deep breath and looked skyward, praying to the gods and ancestors in Valhalla for strength. “I told you no more running. I meant it. But as much as you say otherwise, I need this to be as equal as possible. You cannot demand everything from me and give none of yourself,” you said. 

“People are entitled to lick some wounds in private,” he said. 

“I’m not asking for every detail of your sordid history. I just want to know why you blew up at me. I only asked about why you didn’t want to speak to Thor,” you said.

Loki finally looked away from you, drawing his eyes downward. He frowned as he picked at an invisible lint on his jacket. “I can’t,” he said, with a sniff. He looked back at you briefly. 

You slowly nodded. “At an impasse, then. Get out, Loki,” you said. Your voice sounded tired to your own ears. You were weary, downtrodden. Maybe it was unfair to demand so much from him, something he clearly didn’t want to talk about. 

You had enough on your plate without worrying about Loki and his moods. You had decided over the course of the week that it hadn’t been a mistake sleeping with him. You had known bliss in his arms and that couldn’t really be a mistake. It just likely wasn’t going to happen again anytime soon. Not while he held on to whatever the fuck was preventing him from speaking. 

Never one to listen, Loki approached your desk. He leaned over it, planting his hands on it and leaning further still. His hair dropped forward like a curtain pulling open for a dramatic scene. His face could technically qualify as a dramatic scene. So many lines and planes, mouth made for sin and eyes dancing with mischief. 

“Darling, please. I–” he paused and just looked at you. His eyes moved, taking in your face. You didn’t know how you looked to him. Just another angry and bitter lover? A messy subordinate with a mouth that gave as good as it got? A once irreparably damaged Asgardian without a clue in the world? 

“I don’t like this between us. I finally got you in my arms, in my bed. I finally got a peek inside and it feels like you’ve closed the doors forever,” he said. 

“You’re the one unwilling to walk through it,” you said, softly. 

“And have you told me everything then? Every dark and horrible secret in your past? Like where you run off to every few months, disappearing at the drop of a hat? Every scar on your skin?” 

Your heart roared in your chest. It beat wildly, thumping against your rib cage. “You should know that I’ve shared far more than I ever cared to with you,” you said. You thought back to the day in his office when you finally let yourself feel. 

For the first time in a long time, you stopped disassociating. Stopped trying to hold it all in. You stopped trying to take flight while your feet were planted on the ground. And he helped you. 

“If you want to know where I disappear off to, I’ll tell you. It’s no secret. But only if I get to demand something too. Only if you let me in,” you said. 

“Ask me for anything else,” he whispered. His voice was so soft, softer than a raven’s wing. He rounded the desk and moved to stand in front of you. He got to his knees and looked at you. He was still damn tall, practically eye level with you. 

He grabbed your hand and brought it to his lips. “Ask me for anything else and I’ll give it. But not that,” he said. 

He kept his eyes on your hand, his lips resting softly against it. You brought your other hand to push his hair behind his ear. “That is my price, Loki.” 

He loosed a breath while your phone rang. The damn thing was still foreign, even after five years. You answered it. The front desk host let you know that your visitor was here. 

You pushed your chair back away from Loki and moved around him. He said nothing and made no noise while you left the room. Your heart felt like a rock in your chest. Each step you took from him felt like lead in your shoes. 

Still, you marched on. You walked to the front and greeted the Asgardian tracker you hired. He was impossibly tall, taller than Loki even. With smooth bronzed skin, short hair, but a host of tattoos criss crossing his bare arms. You didn’t know how he wasn’t freezing in this type of climate, but well, you weren’t going to complain. 

“Erik!” You said, wide grin splitting your face and you hugged him. 

He turned when he saw you, grinning. His smile was so heartbreaking. Why couldn’t you be head over heels for someone like him? He held on a second too long, having last seen him months ago. 

You grew up with Erik in your village on Asgard, running through the streets and getting into all kinds of trouble together. You had entertained something between you many, many years ago, but it was clear that you were better off as friends. You had already given your heart away a long time ago. 

You sat on a lounge chair in the front and tried to temper your expectations. But hope was a cruel thing. It cropped up, over and over no matter how many times you tried to squash and burn it within you. Erik settled next to you, but he wasn’t smiling. 

“No word yet on your family. The universe is very large,” he said. 

You nodded. You figured as much. You tried to hold it together, but throwing that door open within you opened yourself to it all. You felt the tears but you weren’t completely transformed. You blinked them away and squared your shoulders.

“I have people on it though. They’re out there,” he said. 

You shook your head. “They’re not.” You took a shuddering breath at that realization. Five years was too long to keep searching for people that clearly weren’t here, wasn’t it? The fall of Asgard had to have spread by now. For half of life to be eradicated, even people who had never heard of Thanos likely knew his name now. 

If not, well, they knew that those people were gone. Vanished from their lives. Turned to dust and never to be seen again. If Thor was here, all hope was truly lost. The Avengers he so affectionately ran with over the years had gone all but silent. If they were hopeless… 

“Perhaps it’s time to involve Heimdall,” Erik said.

You shushed him. You didn’t need that man turning his gaze on you. He was so eerie, seeming to know so many things. His eyes, like galaxies, were far wiser than your age. 

“I can’t. I can’t just walk up to him and ask. Maybe it’s time to call it,” you said. You didn’t want to say it. That same crack in your chest split wide open at the thought of stopping your search.

Erik grabbed your hand. “Hey, I’m not giving up,” he said. 

You patted his hand. “I’ve taken enough of your time. You have more important people to track down,” you said. Your voice warbled. You hated this. This was why you kept this shit locked away and buried at sea. 

“No one is more important than your family. They’re my family too,” he said. He scooted closer to you and drew you into his arms. You greedily took the comfort. He was always so warm and solid, giving the best hugs you’d ever known. 

“My, Darling, who’s your friend?” Loki’s voice cut into what had been a sweet and peaceful moment. 

You cracked one eye open, trying to disengage from Erik. But he was slower to let you go. He hadn’t missed the deadly tone of Loki’s voice. Where the hell did he come from anyway? 

Erik stiffened, turning fully around to face the larger threat. Loki had a devilish smile on his face, but his eyes were seething. 

“Loki, this is Erik,” you said. Before you could explain further, Erik stood up and blocked your view of Loki for a moment. Erik held out his hand and Loki shook it, keeping that smile on his face.

“Erik, haven’t seen you around,” Loki said. His eyes slid towards you and you inwardly groaned. 

“Erik has–” 

“I pop in every few months to check in on her,” Erik said. 

“Every few months? Really?” Loki smiled at you. Shit, shit. 

“He’s–” 

“Any friend of Darling’s a friend of mine,” Loki said. 

You narrowed your eyes at Loki. You didn’t know what game he was playing but you weren’t in the mood. “Erik has been looking into something for me. Right, Erik?” You stood up and nudged his shoulder to agree with you. His eyes were still trained on Loki. What was this, a fucking pissing match? 

“I was just telling Darling that I’d like to meet more of her friends. We see so little of them,” Loki said. He sauntered around Erik, putting his arm around you. “I like to make sure she’s happy. Always.”

Your eyes bugged out of your head. Erik took in Loki’s arm around you and lifted an eyebrow. “Keeping secrets, are we?” Erik asked. He crossed his arms and stared at you, putting you on the spot.

You licked your lips slowly, trying to describe what you and Loki were to each other. Boyfriend? Boss? Occasional sadistic charmer? 

Loki hugged you close and you looked at him. He smiled at you, leaning down to kiss your cheek. “Didn’t tell him about me? I’m a little hurt,” Loki said. Still with that damn smile. You were starting to panic. You might’ve been a little afraid of what he’d do. 

Loki moved his right hand to lift up your chin and plant a small, but sultry kiss to your lips. You gasped and he drank it down with a low hum. “Always so private,” he said against your lips.

You were going to murder him. Your hands itched with magic dancing between your fingertips. A dagger? A sword? You were going to cut him down where he stood. 

“Erik, he’s–” 

“Loki, of Asgard, everyone knows,” Erik said. He raised his eyebrow at you but you didn’t know what he was trying to communicate. 

“Will you two shut the fuck up?!” You yelled. You drew the attention of some patrons who cast little glances towards you. The host stood in the corner with a few staff members, Honey among them, as they stared at all three of you. They saw the kiss. Your shoulders deflated. There went the little bit of respect you had around here. 

“Erik is a childhood friend who has been looking for my family. They went on a trip when the Snap happened so I don’t know if they’re out there, looking for us, or if they’re gone,” your breath hitched on the word ‘gone’ but you persisted. “Loki is…Loki. We’re figuring it out. Now, say hi to Denby for me,” you said, looking at Erik who slowly smiled. 

You shoved off Loki’s arm around you. “As always, you’ve gotten what you wanted and made out like a thief,” you tossed at him. 

“You’re no better than he is,” you told Erik.

You stormed off. Leaving everyone in the dust. An ache thumped in your head. You needed away. Away from here with all of its bullshit. 

“Darling!” Loki called after you. This time, you heard his steps behind you, heard him walking down the hall. You ignored him. Your fists clenched and unclenched. Your teeth grated. You were fuming with nowhere to direct the anger.

Loki caught up to you outside of your office once more. You pushed him when he was in arm’s reach. “What the fuck was that?!” You yelled. 

You were in the back, well away from any patrons. The hallways had music playing, soft muzak that kept up the hazy and alluring vibe of the club. Each room played its own music so there was no danger of being overhead. Except the staff. You imagined the rumors flying like wildfire, distracting the staff and performers. You were going to be sick. 

“A miscalculation,” he said. 

“What?” You said. He swooped in and waved his stake in the air like you were some prize he won over a miscalculation? 

“I didn’t know about your family–” 

“You would have. I would have told you. As always, you want and you want and you-”

“I have always maintained that I want you because you’re mine,” Loki said. All sense of propriety was gone. Extra eyes be damned. He advanced on you and pushed you against the wall. 

“Completely mine. Mine to do with as I please,” he said. His lips traveled from your temple down to your neck, bypassing your lips. Your body instantly reacted. Craved him. Craved another hit of what he could bring you. 

You grabbed his jacket and turned around, pushing him against the wall. He grinned as if he won. As if you would give in and forget all about your ultimatum. You licked the long expanse of his neck and his breath fanned over your skin. 

You pulled back and smiled at him. He grinned back, hanging his head and looking up at you through his pretty eyelashes. Then you slapped the smirk right off of his face. He licked his lips as if he meant to taste the sting. You raised your arm again and he caught your wrist.

“Darling, not in mixed company,” he said. He gave you a wink. “Save it for later.” 

“You are the most arrogant, infuriating, child-like, obnoxious–”

“Do keep going,” he interrupted.

“Confusing man I’ve ever met! You irritate the fuck out of me! You…bastard,” you said. 

“I don’t know how else to be,” he said.

You yanked your wrist out of his hand. You were breathing too heavy. You couldn’t get enough air in your lungs. You wanted to smack him. You wanted to curse him. You wanted to toss him into hot lava and see if he’d melt. You wanted to kiss his stupid face. 

“We promised no lies between us. And if you can’t give me that Loki, you can’t have me.” 

He opened his mouth to say something, all hints of playfulness gone. But then the lights went out and the screaming started.

Masterlist | Chapter 10 | Chapter 12

[miningroseakira]

! Do not repost, edit, steal, NFT, claim as your own, and so on and so fourth ! [Reblogs and Comments help the artist and are very much appreciated!]

Hi. I'm alive and I'm gonna forego updating my artblog and just post this bc it took. too long, and I'm done having the "my artblog needs to have everything on it chronologically" mindset on here

I've fallen face first back into my mcyt/life series/hc obsession, and specifically my helsmits. The title of this file is "drawing other people's hels as a warmup"...... .....needless to say that warmup escalated and I've been drawing on these for like two or three days-

~~~ 1. The two in the bottom left are my own fallsmits (= helsmits with extra steps, lol) for Bdubs and Tango, Sleepless and SwingTek the beloveds- Swing has an inbetween of his natural and his "I'm totally TangoTek guys" hair colors in this doodle, because I said so.

2. Top left is a Hels!Stress named AnxiousBeast, who belongs to @square-milk. the possum thing is so creative, and I love her grian-esque unhinged vibes, so I just had to draw her 3. Top right is a Hels!Grian concept by @daffodily that I had my eye on when I first got into helsmits a year or two ago, but I don't think I ever ended up drawing him. No name given, as far as I could tell. Super dark with the stitches and everything but I love it. Totally different vibes but he does remind me a tiny bit of my falls!grian, Gregory, and I'm all for that - it's probably mostly the sweater color though jhdfkjgh but still

4. Bottom right is Foxtrot, a Hels!Tango with a very cool name, posted by @neoflames. I love the ice+siren powers this one has, plus the hair is very cool (no pun intended)

5. Central to this doodle page is Iota, a Hels!Grian design I saw and immediately became obsessed with. what the hels. who comes up with this stuff. (the answer is @rhapsoddity. rhapsoddity comes up with this stuff.)

6. And last but most certainly not least! At the center of the top is a figure that people on my art blog will have seen before, and that anyone who's browsed the helsmit tags will recognize - the beloved Limbo Lag by @galaxygermdraws. what a guy. what a little guy. he needs a hug someone hug him NOW this is an order. I'm sure my boy Swing would be glad to hear he's not the only blue tango counterpart giving off sad little guy energy

~~~

I'm gonna post this on this mcyt blog first and then reblog it to my artblog because I feel like it. this took so much more time and effort than I meant for it to fjhgkjf please I'm super tired so let me know if I made any errors with tagging people or names of characters

[Closeups under the cut]

[november-rayne]

Chapter Sixteen: The Best Man

Summary: After declaring his love for Sigyn, Loki sets out to make amends to Thor. He also pays Sigyn's parents a visit to put their minds at ease.

Word Count: 3100

Rating: Mature

*This story is for mature audiences only.* 18+

*Minors DNI*

Tags: Brother fluff. Supernatural shenanigans?

Chapter Index

Loki returned to the palace with plenty of time to spare before dinner, his large satchel heavy at his side. He found Thor as he was returning from the training grounds.

“Aye, Brother!” Thor called to him as he saw him approach. “Were you just coming from the stables?”

“Yes, I had business in the city. Could you accompany me back to my chambers? There is something I need to ask you.”

Thor studied him carefully, “All is well?”

“Yes, nothing to worry about.” Loki gave him a genuine smile.

The guards at Loki’s chamber doors bowed as the princes entered. Loki set his bag heavily on the sofa table. “Please make yourself comfortable.” Loki gestured toward his sofa as he retrieved two tankards from the sideboard in the dining room.Thor took a seat and looked about curiously.

Loki took a deep breath, “I never properly apologized to you.” He settled into the chair across from him. “I behaved selfishly when I ran away. I let all the betrothal preparations fall to you. And what is worse,” he shook his head, “I did not send you messages that I was okay. You probably thought me dead. I did not consider the concern you must have felt. If the situation were reversed, I would have been an absolute terror until I knew you were safe. I am sorry distressed you because I was behaving like a spoiled child.”

Thor sat there speechless. An apology from Loki was a rare thing indeed.

Loki opened his satchel and retrieved a heavy canvas bag about the size of a large ostrich egg. “This should cover the debt you incurred covering my tabs, plus a little extra for your trouble.” He tossed the bag of gold coins to him, and he caught it with a grunt.

“You did not need to do this; I was never worried about the money.”

“I know. I know it does not erase the Hel I put you through, but I wanted to make it up to you somehow.”

“Well, thank you. I appreciate the gesture.” Thor placed the heavy purse on the sofa table and gave it a little pat.

“You can use it to buy me a proper wedding present,” Loki grinned.

“Wedding?” A smile broke across Thor’s face, “You are going to go through with the marriage?”

Loki paused for dramatic effect, “I love her.”

“No shit, dumbass.” Thor shook his head, “You are just now figuring that out? I have known for weeks. Get over here!” He stood and pulled Loki into a big bear hug, pinning his brother’s arms at his sides. He squeezed him tightly; Loki thought his head might pop off.

“All right. Thank you. You can release me now,” he wheezed.

“Sorry, sorry.” Thor let go of him and clapped a hand on his shoulder, “I am just so happy for you.”

“Here, let us drink!” Loki returned to his satchel and pulled out a cask of mead.

Thor snatched the small barrel from Loki’s hands, “Is this mead from Hansen’s?” he asked as he inspected it.

“Only the best today, Brother!” Loki held up the tankards as Thor unstopped the tap, filling each one to the top.

The brothers raised their drinks to each other, “To the Norns.”

“To Odin, the Allfather.”

To the Queen.”

“To the Gods.”

“To Asgard.”

“To the Nine.”

“To my brother.”

“To my brother.” The men drained their tankards without stopping until they were empty.

“Another!” Thor shouted as he slammed his mug down on the table.

Loki obliged him, and they filled their tankards again.

“Did you have something you wanted to ask me?” He took a big gulps of his mead as he leaned back in his seat and put his feet up.

“Yes,” Loki’s jaw clenched as he eyed Thor’s boots on his table, “Yes. I was hoping you would do me the honor of standing by my side at my wedding. Will you stand up for me and be my best man?”

Thor looked down at the mug in his hand, “I would love to, but that honor usually goes to a married man. You should ask Volstagg.”

“I love Volstagg, but he is not my brother. I want you beside me when I tie the knot.”

“Loki, I would be honored.” Thor’s smile widened, “This means I am in charge of your bachelor party as well, correct?”

“As tradition dictates, yes.” Thor eyed the bag of gold on the table. “Nothing extravagant, please. I do not desire a courtesan.”

“Oh no, of course not. I am thinking of something much more fun than wine and women.”

Loki furrowed his brow and shook his head, “I am at a loss.”

“Ha! Leave it to me, Brother.” Thor finished his drink and stood. “I must get cleaned up for dinner. Thank you for the mead.” Thor pulled Loki into a brief hug. “Congratulations on realizing what we all knew all along. You and Sigyn will be happy together.”

“Thank you. May I ask about you and Sif?” Loki picked up the canvas purse from the table and placed it in Thor’s hands.

“We are taking things slow and enjoying each other’s company for now. We do not feel the need to put a label on our relationship yet. We are friends, with benefits, if you will.”

“Fandral will be disappointed if he finds out. He has wanted benefits from you for ages.”

“Alas, too bad men do not raise my staff,” Thor laughed.

“You are not missing out. Fandral is all talk when it comes to his prowess.”

Thor’s eyebrows shot up, “You and Fandral?”

“Just once, after a battle on Jötunheim centuries ago.”

“And you were able to remain close friends despite that?”

“Of course. There was no emotion tied to it.” Loki shrugged.

“Huh. I could never have sex without emotions. Trust me; I have tried. I always end up with my heart broken.”

“Well, we cannot all be philandering bastards.” Loki clapped his hand on Thor’s shoulder.

“No, thank the Norns for that.” He looked at Loki’s face, “And Sigyn knows of your… indiscretions?”

“Yes.” Loki said quietly, “I told her in no uncertain terms what a scoundrel I had been in the past. I laid it all out on the table. I wanted her to know exactly who she agreed to marry. She embraced it in a way only Sigyn could.”

“That was very mature of you, Brother.”

“I love her so much.” Loki shook his head, “It was the right thing to do.”

oOXOo

Loki took a deep breath to steady himself before he raised his fist to knock on the door of the guest chambers Lord Anderson and his family occupied. He clasped his hands behind his back as he waited. One of Lady Anderson’s maids opened the door and curtsied. “Your Highness.” She stepped back and opened the door wide.

Lord Anderson was reading a scroll at the dining room table. Lady Anderson and her maids sat on the floor around the sofa table, working on a jigsaw puzzle. The picture on the front of the box was of a Midgardian city skyline. ‘Manhattan,’ Loki’s mind provided.

“Your Highness!” Lady Anderson and her maids scrambled to their feet and curtsied.

Lord Anderson bowed to him before shaking his hand and saying, “Did you come to see Sigyn? I could see if she is awake. She was eager to go lay down after lunch with the Queen.”

“I think the stress took a toll on her, the poor dear. She went straight to her room when she returned,” Lady Anderson supplied.

Loki suppressed a laugh. He too had rushed back to his rooms after lunch. No doubt Sigyn needed the same relief he did. He tried not to think about Sigyn touching herself, but the image flashed in his mind before he could stop it. He smirked, then shook his head to clear it.

“No sir, there is no need to disturb her. I was hoping I could speak to the two of you privately.”

Lady Anderson shot her husband a panicked look. Lord Anderson remained calm, “Certainly, Your Highness. Please,” he motioned for Loki to enter, “Let us retreat to the balcony.”

“Thank you.” Loki said as he strode to the far side of the room, “Ladies.” He nodded to the maids as he passed. He followed His Lordship to the balcony overlooking a courtyard and seated himself in one of the chairs at the small dining table.

Lord Anderson shut the glass doors tightly behind him, pushed his wife’s chair in, and seated himself across from the prince. The late afternoon sun bathed the balcony in golden light. The only sounds to be heard were the birdsong from nearby trees.

“Would you like some tea, Your Highness?” Lady Anderson offered to break the silence.

“No, thank you, My Lady. This should not take too long.”

“Very well.” Sigyn’s parents waited for the prince to continue.

Loki laced his fingers together and leaned his forearms on the table. “Apologies for showing up unannounced, but I wanted to do this before I lost my nerve.”

Astrid clutched her necklace, “Oh dear, has something happened? Did Sigyn say something to the Queen to make you rethink the marriage?”

“Calm down, dearest.” Erik placed his hand on his wife’s arm, “Let the man say what he came to say before you start panicking.” He motioned for Loki to continue, “Your Highness?”

“There is no need to worry, My Lady.” Loki gave her a gentle smile, “That is why I have come; to put both of your minds at ease.” He took a deep breath, “I know my behavior in the past has been less than… proper. I know my reputation is below stellar.”

Loki cleared his throat, “Meeting Sigyn… the day I met your daughter, my life changed. I know that sounds dramatic, but the instant I laid eyes on her, I was a changed man,” Loki grinned, “whether I wanted to be or not.

“I dug my heels in, resisted. Too comfortable in my old ways to consider the possibility of marriage and children. But I wanted you to know that I have had a change of heart.” Loki reached into his pocket, pulled out a small forest-green velvet box, and placed it on the table before him.

“Know that it was not easy for me to admit to myself. Please do not think me fickle. I will marry Sigyn, or I will marry no one. There is no in-between.”

Loki opened the box. Lady Anderson gasped. Inside, an elegant ring rested on a pillow of forest-green satin.

The center stone was an ethereal moss agate. Dark green veins ghosted through a semi-opaque white stone. The band was platinum metal with diamonds accenting the sides. It was graceful, giving off an air of mystery and power, just like Sigyn.

“Do you think Sigyn will approve?” Loki asked as he picked up the ring.

“It is beautiful.” Lady Anderson said, “She will love it.”

“Am I correct in assuming you have the same size hands? Would you mind?” Loki handed her the ring. She pulled off her ring, slid Loki’s onto the third finger of her left hand, and held it at arm’s length to admire it.

“Oh my,” she turned her wrist side to side, seeing it from all angles. She held it out to her husband to inspect. He gave her a nod and a sweet smile.

“May I?” Loki asked as he held out his hand.

“Of course,” she said, slipping her hand into Loki’s open palm. He gingerly moved her hand around to appreciate it. Pleased with his choice, his lips curled up at the corner.

“Thank you,” he said as he released her.

Lady Anderson gave the ring one more long look on her hand before returning it to its little box.

“When I decide to do something, I do it wholeheartedly. I want to be an amazing husband. I am determined to be an excellent father. And when the time comes,” He gave Lord Anderson an honest look, “I am resolved to rule your lands in a way that would make you proud. I will honor your legacy and the legacy of your sons. I will ensure your grandson has the same reverence when his time comes. And his son after him.”

Lord Anderson pressed his lips together in a tight line, crossed his thick arms over his barrel chest, and leaned back in his seat, fighting back emotion. Lady Anderson had tears welling up in her eyes and her delicate fingers pressed to her mouth. Loki conjured a handkerchief and passed it to her. She let out an audible breath of surprise as she accepted it.

“Your daughter and your grandchildren will want for nothing. I will protect them with my life and make sure their happiness is my top priority. You have my word as a son of Odin.”

Loki put the ring back in his pocket. Lord Anderson was nodding his head, not yet trusting his voice. Lady Anderson was dabbing her eyes with the cloth.

“Can I hug you, Your Highness?” the Lady asked through her sniffles.

“Certainly.” Loki stood, and Lady Anderson squeezed him around his middle. He patted her gently on the back and dared to glance at her husband, who was laughing and shaking his head. They shared an amused look.

“Erik, can you believe this man is the same babe I bounced on my knees?”

“That was a lifetime ago, Astrid. Release the poor man.” She did so reluctantly.

“Excuse me, but would you care to elaborate on that, My Lady?” Loki asked curiously.

“Oh, well,” she dried her nose and waved her other hand dismissively, “When we traveled here for the Warden ceremony, we left the twins back home. You see, they were in primary school, and we did not wish to-”

“Move closer to the point, dear,” Lord Anderson prompted gently.

“Right,” she nodded determinedly. “But first, I must tell you that the twin’s birth was…traumatic. They had to be cut out. The healers were able to save my life but told me that I would never be able to conceive children again, much to our dismay. We always wanted a large family.”

“I am sorry to hear that,” Loki offered genuinely.

“Here we were, so far from home and our boys. They were at an age where I was desperately longing for a baby again. So, I would take every opportunity to visit the nursery while I was here.” She chuckled, “Prince Thor never paid me any mind, but you would always crawl into my lap every time I visited.”

“Ah,” Loki chuckled, “It seems my weakness for beauty started early.”

“Apparently so,” Astrid laughed.  I was always curious why you were named the God of Mischief and Chaos. You so loved to be cuddled.”

‘Still do.’ Loki thought.

“Anyway, I would play with you and bounce you on my knees. You would settle in my lap, and I would read you stories until you fell asleep in my arms. I would hold you and desperately pray to the Norns for another baby. I prayed to the Norns and all the Gods, hoping for another child, hopefully, a girl, but a healthy child was all I wanted.”

Her words triggered a memory. “Wait…” Loki furrowed his brow, “Was the prayer always the same?”

“Yes, I would pray, ‘Hear me, Norns, and change my fate. Hear me, Gods; show mercy on me; bless me with a child. I pray that…’”

“…you would open my closed womb and allow my body to conceive a healthy daughter,’” Loki finished. “I remember.”

Astrid was stunned. She swayed where she stood, “I... I never once uttered the prayer out loud. You…were just a baby. How…how could you remember that?”

“Curious… And this was the same trip you conceived Sigyn?”

“Yes,” her eyes widened, “You heard my prayer. You answered my prayer!” She clutched Loki’s hand and sobbed, “Thank you! Thank you!”

Lord Anderson pulled her away and tried to calm her.

“Wait,” Loki’s mind was spinning, “wait, I didn’t… as you said, I was just a child… I could not have answered your prayer.”

“It is quite the coincidence.” Erik patted his wife’s back, “Just a coincidence, dearest. Calm yourself.”

“Perhaps the healers were just mistaken? Perhaps the romantic getaway was just what you needed to conceive again?” Loki offered.

“Perhaps…” She sniffled, “But how could-”

“Shhh,” the Lord stroked her, “Why don’t you go compose yourself and prepare for dinner? We can think on this more later. We mustn’t take up any more of the prince’s time.” He kissed her forehead and led her to the door, “You go ahead, dearest. I want to speak to the prince privately.”

She nodded and gave Loki a brief look and a curtsey before she headed inside.

There were a few moments of silence before Lord Anderson spoke, “Do you think there is any merit in her claim?”

Loki was thoughtful for a few seconds before he replied, “Highly unlikely, but I do not know. My gifts were just developing. I will talk to the Queen; this is more her area of expertise.”

Lord Anderson nodded, “I want to thank you for stopping by. Astrid…worries. She was against this match initially. You were not wrong about your reputation.”

Loki frowned, “And yet you promised your daughter to me?”

“Rumors only tell part of the story. I know what kind of man your father is. He would not entrust you with the job you do for him if you were a completely spoiled princeling whose only concerns were drinking and whoring.” Erik put his hand on Loki’s shoulder and gave him a wink, “I was a young man once. I will not fault you for enjoying your youth before you were tied down to a wife and children. I do not doubt I am leaving my baby girl in good hands.”

“Thank you, sir. Sigyn has stolen my heart. I think I would rather die than see her unhappy.”

“You will have your hands full. She has been terribly spoiled. I always felt that she was born to be a princess. It was only the best for my little girl.”

“Despite her affinity for expensive dresses, Sigyn is the kindest, most grounded person I have ever met. I have never felt any judgment from her. Only love, understanding, and wit. I will love her as long as I exist.”

“That’s a good man.” He patted Loki’s shoulder.

“Well, I must take my leave. Thank you for letting me interrupt your evening.”

“You can stop by anytime.”

Loki grinned, “You may come to regret that offer. Swooning over Sigyn has become my new favorite hobby.”

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Let me know if you would like to be added or removed from the tags! Thanks!

XOXO- Rayne 💚

Tag List: @gigglingtiggerv2 @chantsdemarins @superficialdomina @lokischambermaid @lokisgoodgirl @smolvenger @trickster-maiden @simone818283 @gruftiela@acidcasualties

[nightcourtreader]

I’m just going to have to stay off ACOTAR & CC TikTok because somebody theorized that Hunt is an Asteri or aligned with them (like he’s not being tortured in one of their dungeons at the end of CC2) all in the name of Bryce and Azriel getting together because Azriel is a prince a hel, Bryce is Theia reincarnated, hunt is a general.

All meaning that hunt is Pelias who was Theia’s general who betrayed her, and Azriel is Aidas a prince of hel who Theia fell in love with meaning that hunt is going to betray Bryce, Azriel & Bryce are going to fall in love in CC3 and Bryce is going to die like Theia.

They are deadass serious 😭

Why is everybody so against Hunt when SJM said it herself that Bryce and hunt are mates and that they are pretty much endgame and Bryce is desperately trying to get back to hunt?

I could have sworn CC & ACOTAR could still be read as stand alones so why would sjm write a whole new romance with Bryce and Azriel when sjm needs Azriel to get through the whole Mor, Elain & Gwyn situation first? Why would either of them abandoned their homes to be with one another when Bryce already has a mate no matter how many people argue that fact. Her and hunt’s scents are even mixed. With the way Azriel struggles around Elucien’s mating bond I don’t think he would be too happy sniffing Hunt on Bryce. Plus we see a potential mating bond between Gwyn and Azriel? PLEASE

Also, why do people want SJM to recycle her storylines in her series over and over again?! That is so boring!

I can’t wait till CC3 comes out 😭

[moe-broey]

I feel like. Book 6 should have been Book 3 actually. Book 2 could stay the same (well. Preferably without the racism LMFAO), it's largely to further establish our cast of characters and get us attached. Plus killing Bruno in Book 2 would pack less of a punch -- ideally actually if he gets to play a role in the background that would do the same thing, establishing him more and getting the audience invested.

Reason I think it should have been Book 3 is we get the much needed world building of Askr and Embla WAY sooner, Bruno isn't left high and dry for like. Real life years. And like. If he HAS to die, maybe that could be an interesting lead into Actual Book 3. Bring him back!!!!!!! I honestly don't know why it seems like they just. Never revisited the idea of people coming back from the dead, either as Hel's/Ganglöt's minions OR they have unfinished business (but are still ultimately under Hel's/Ganglöt's thumb).

I guess the complications with this though is I do think we have to build up to Alfonse's "I'm gonna kill you too" moment with Letizia. Like. I feel like that scene ONLY hits the way that it does when you have the context of Líf, and how Alfonse acted in Book 5 with Reginn and her brothers actually (offering a peaceful solution at first -- but once Fáfnir in particular makes it clear he has no intention of backing down, Alfonse becomes stern with Reginn. Trying to get her to see what must be done. WHICH... AUGH..... does absolutely carry A Lot of weight after Alfonse had to kill Gustav.) AND. ALSO. THE MOMENT RIGHT AFTER Letizia (where Sharena is scared and hurt by how Alfonse acted) wouldn't carry the same weight without the context of Book 5.

IDK. MAYBE. Things did have to go in the order they're in, for everything to hold its weight and pack the right level of punch. I'm just HUGELY bummed that like. They set up Bruno to be a main character. An antagonist, yes, but a main character. And then they did nothing with him. Until several real life years later they bring him back JUST to finally kill him off. Like. YEAH he was surrounded by death flags since day one. But like. Did they Have to do him so dirty. AND ALSO. LITERALLY. CANONICALLY . IT'S BEEN SHOWN THAT DEATH ISN'T EVEN ALWAYS THE END‼️‼️‼️

And he. Doesn't even have a base form.

[loveon-venus]

𝚃𝚛��𝚙𝚙𝚎𝚍 𝚒𝚗 𝖑𝖊𝖆𝖙𝖍𝖊𝖗. 𝙱𝙸𝙻𝙻 𝙺𝙰𝚄𝙻𝙸𝚃𝚉 𝚡 𝚁𝙴𝙰𝙳𝙴𝚁

Pt.2

Awkward

I see the guys mouth moving frantically. I can’t make out anything that he’s saying so I grab his hand and pull him into one of the V.I.P rooms in the venue. Then I let go of his hand and I look up at him.

“You’re really tall….anyway you where saying?”

He looks at me stunned and quickly stammers to say something

“U-um sorry for grabbing you like that I just didn’t want you to fall and- oh god I’m making this awkward”

“Awkward?…”

I look him up and down. His posture making him come off confident and seductive rather then what his tone of speech could lead you to think. I stare at his face analyzing his bone structure.

“Um hello?”

I return to my senses and look at him directly

“Ah sorry I got distracted…if you don’t mind me asking what’s your name?”

“Bill, Bill Kaulitz”

You have got to be fucking kidding me- I analyzed Bill Kaulitz’s body structure and I didn’t know who it was how stupid could I be?!

“Wait lead singer of Tokio Hotel right??”

“Yup that’s me”

He smiles widely.

Damnit his smile is perfect in person too

“Sorry for staring at you like that you know just like fashion stand point-“

Fuck now I’m making this awkward..

“It’s okay I understand! especially sense my style is close to your designs”

I nod and look up at him until we get interrupted.

“HEYYY Y/N! Oh- looks like you found yourself your boy toy~”

I glare at her until I notice someone following her.

“Oh hey Tom”

Bill waves towards him as I look at them back and forth.

You have got to me kidding me…both of the kaulitz twins are here…AND WHY LAST TIME I CHECKED THEY HAVEN’T GONE TO ANY FASHION SHOWS WHAT THE HEL-

My thought process immediately gets interrupted by Ally throwing a god damn bottle at me.

“Drink up bitch you look like your one second away from exploding..”

“Thanks Ally”

She try’s to pass me a bottle opener but I just open it with my teeth.

“Y/n I swear to god you need to stop doing that OR ELSE YOUR GOD DAMN TOOTH IS GONNA POP OUT”

“Please shut up..”

Bill’s POV

“So it looks like you did meet your little crush”

“Yeah well so did you”

I grab one of the bottles Tom is holding, open it and take a couple of chugs.

“Slow down there you’ll do fine plus it looks like they’re already interested”

I look over to them as I do they quickly turn away while Ally shakes her a little smirking at her.

“You think so?”

“I know so! Anyway I’m mainly excited going back to Ally’s hotel room tonight~”

I look over at him. He looks back at me then he moves his eyebrows up and down.

“I highly doubt that…”

“Really?!”

“Yeah”

“Just you wait Bill just you wait..”

“HEY YOU TWO GET OVER HERE!”

“Ally please your getting loud…”

“NO Y/N I THINK YOU NEED TO GET LOUD!”

“No thanks”

I walk over to them and sit next to Y/n. Tom sits next to Ally as he smoothly puts his arm around her.

Damn he actually got her-

Y/n’s POV

“Looks like Ally got her boyfriend”

He looks at me a little confused.

“Oh it’s just that Ally has a big crush on your brother she’s had it for a while..”

“Really?”

“Mhm”

I drink my bottle and finish it.

“Do you want another?”

“Oh it’s okay I can get it myself-“

He doesn’t even let me finish my sentence before he passes me another.

“Thanks”

“No problem”

He smiles at me and I just stare at him my face slowly getting hot luckily Ally notices and saves me.

“Oh Y/n come with me really quick!”

She grabs my hand and yanks me away from Bill.

“Wait here boy’s well be right back!”

She walks me to the bathroom and pushes me inside.

“Alright bitch I know you feel confident as fuck when your high and you’re more flirty”

She says as she rummages through her bag.

“And honestly you need that right now before YOUR boyfriend loses interest”

I forgot to mention Ally and I are actually huge Tokio Hotel fans which is the main reason for our styles Ally: streetwear Me: gothic/emo/a little grunge. Which is why me and her are exposing ourselves to Bill and Tom. She’s saying I like Bill to Tom I’m saying she likes Tom to Bill so then they tell each other that later. Or at least that’s what we’re hoping.

“Here take it and light up whore”

She passes me a pipe that’s already packed and a lighter. I do as she says and we pass it back and forth until we finish it.

“Okay how you feeling?”

She asks me trying not to smile

“Bitch I feel great! and I have an ideaaaa!”

“Oh really what is it?”

“Just follow my lead”

I walk out the bathroom and head towards the actual party and grab a couple bottles of liquor and four shot glasses. We run back into the V.I.P room where Bill and Tom are at.

I run into the room laughing as Ally closes the door.

Bill’s POV

I was telling Tom that Ally likes him and He was telling me that Y/n likes me. Until we hear the door slam shut as Ally and Y/n laughing.

“ALLY YOU LITERALLY ALMOST ATE SHIT”

“COME ON YOU KNOW I DONT DO WELL IN DRESSES”

“Neither do I but you don’t hear me complaining, anyway I brought more booze!”

Y/n holds up the liquor smiling as if she won a prize. I look up at her, her confidence radiating throughout the room. I get lost in her beauty and before I know it she’s sitting next to me but this time a lot more closer than before.

We spend the rest of our night talking and drinking. We even smoked some weed which was a first for me but not the rest of the group. Once we finished smoking a couple of bowls I finally checked the time.

“Oh shit it’s 2am-“

“Wait really?! Do you guys have Hotels or anything?”

Y/n looks up at me slightly concerned.

“I mean we were planning to get one after we left the party but I think it’s a little to late for that-“

“Hmmm”

She motions to Ally and whispers in her ear. once they’re done with their conversation Ally says.

“Well if you want you can take one of our hotel rooms and me and Y/n can have the other”

“I don’t see a problem with that”

Tom looks to me and mouths “This is our chance!”

I roll my eyes and we get up to leave. Y/n and Ally lead us to a limo then we drive to their hotel. Once we get in the elevator Tom asks

“So Ally which one is your hotel room?”

“Umm 802”

Tom nods and smirks at me

This idiot he’s not actually going to do what I think he is…

Once we reach there floor and the elevator doors open Tom picks up Ally and he runs to her hotel room. Ally frantically opens the door and slams the door shut.

He actually fucking did it…Thank god but damn no hesitation either-

I feel Y/n’s hand grab mine and she leads me to her hotel room. She opens the door and pulls me inside before closing it. I don’t really remember what happens next all I know is that we ended up on the bed in our underwear, making out before we stop and she asks.

“Do you wanna have sex?”

HAHAHAHAAAA THATS IT don’t worry I’ll make sure most of the next chapter is smut. Lucky for you guys cuz I’m hella good at writing those scenes

[deathsweetblossoms]

I think that the Asteri created the angels and the Princes of Hel created the Illyrians PLUS the Darkbringers.

I feel like Hewn City (Cut off City) is related to Hel in some manner, and therefore, the Night Court is related to Hel as well.

From Wiki:

Based on evidence from House of Sky and Breath and A Court of Silver Flames, it is likely that both Theia and Pelias originally hailed from Prythian and might have been the wife and general to High King Fionn. They might have come through one of the rifts into Midgard using Luna's Horn, which could be the fourth Cauldron-made object. Theia's descendent, Bryce, went back through the rift to Prythian by using the Horn which is now tattooed on her back.

Since the Starsword originates from Prythian, this could mean that Theia was the wife to the first and only High King of Prythian, Fionn, who was alleged to have been killed by his wife and general. Fionn was the last known person to be in possession of Gwydion before the sword vanished for over a millennia.

I think that the Illyrians were imperfectly engineered, so to speak, and hence the need for Siphons. It is also possible that that's how The Princes controlled them? How much power would be allowed per person? That's why Az and Cassian are anomalies. But Cassian might be Enalius's descendant/reincarnation, which leaves Azriel a big 7 siphon shadowy puzzle.

Is HE the missing Prince of Hel? He's been called a 'prince' of Velaris, and Elain's been called a 'princess' numerous times.

Good luck :)

I’ve not-so-secretly been thinking Azriel is a prince of Hel, or gearing up to be a prince of Hel for awhile. But I thought that was me being highly self indulgent and wishful thinking 😂

There’s just too many coincidentally similar patterns and descriptions for it not to be woven together in this way. I saw a theory the other day that Lorcan had visited Velaris before because of a vague quote where he mentions a “city between two mountains” on the other side of the world. Which is curious because then why was he gifted with Hellas’s power but all of the Illyrians just have it? It would make A LOT of sense that they’re created by the Princes of Hel because of the Hellas/Lorcan connection.

Bryce also landed in front of Azriel in Velaris when trying to go to Hel which was such a crazy clue that if it doesn’t pan out to some relation to Hel, I give up on theory forever. Azriel, Lorcan, Cassian, Rhys (and to an extent Ruhn and Dorian) all have a similar theme of “nobody else is like me” going on in terms of their dark powers and incomparable strength. I just wish Cassian had been fleshed out a bit more with the Enalius connection.

[wolf-of-rivia123]

Roleplay Character

Call of duty MW2

Name: Kassandra Tenbries

Age: two years younger then Ghost

Gender: Female

Nicknames: Kass, Tenbries, Bries, psycho

Alias: Darkness

Timeline: MW

Rank: Specialist

Regiment: Task force 141

Status: Alive

Birth Date: June 30

Occupation: Sniper/assassin

Affiliations: Task force 141

Canadian Task force

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Skin tone: fair ivory

Eye colour: olive green

Hair colour: dark ashy brown

Hair length: short pixie

Height: 5'5

Weight: 160

Scars/marks/burns: slashes on her back

Tattoos: moon phases down her spine

Physical Enhancements: none

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Personalty: Kassandra is know to be stand offish, not really one to talk but to observe and listen. She tends to keep to herself but allows certain people around. She can tolerate people but perfers to be alone. When she lets someone in she's very happy and talkative. She relies on people to know how to act around others. One person in particular will be the one that she looks out for direction on what to do and how to act. Deep down she's caring and protective, sometimes overbearing, but she always has the right intentions. When she's in love she will be clingy and a fear will develop that makes her needing reassurance at times that the person cares for her still.

Fears(s): abandonment, clowns, and thunder

Likes: warm sunny rain showers, reading, singing, and training

Dislikes: people who abondon others for no reason, smell of some alcohol, and abusers of power

Habit(s): cracks her fingers,

Flaws: She sometimes comes across stalkerish when she's not working, it's hard for her to get out of a work mindset

Talents: ballet, singing

The characters relationship with others: Shes known as a caring person but one to not mess with, some see her as blood thirsty just because she likes doing her job well and sees things through

Reputation: Kassandra has a good reputation for being thorough with whatever missions she's on. Plus as someone that isn't to be messed with since the mission she was caught

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Love interest: Simon "Ghost" Riley

Friends: Ghost, Reyes, Soap

Enemy(ies): Sheppard, Markarov

Relationship: She doesn't have any romantic relationships. Just a few flings here and there with all genders.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The characters abilities

Weapons: Throwing knifes, mele knife, ISO Hemlock, AW-50, X-12

Perfered Weapon: AW-50 and mele knife

Agility: 9/10

Hand to hand Combat: 7/10

Long range accuracy: 7/10

Defense: 7/10

Offense: 9/10

People Skills: 3/10

~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Birthplace: Alberta, Canada

Family: Scarlet Tenbries(mother, alive)

Percy Tenbries(father, unknown)

~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Character background: Kassandra grew up in northern Alberta like Reyes, she actually lived across from him for half her life before she moved more central Alberta. Her life was pretty normal, till after she moved. After the move her father decided he didn't want to be around them anymore. One night he just walked out the door and never came back. Her mother was a medical technician for the local hospital and became a single mother. Kass never knew what happened to her father and looked for him but never found anything. When she was 18 she went down the paramedic route but dropped out a halfway through the year. Her mother was supportive with anything Kass wanted to do, her family had relatives in the Canadian Task force for three generations before her mom ended that so she one day decided that she wanted to continue that legacy. At 19 she enrolled. 21 she became a sharpshooter for them. 24 she was caught by the enemy when she was on vacation. That was when she got the reputation for being bloodthirsty. When she got caught she was tortured for three months, part of the ways was her back being whipped. When her team found her, she was unlocked and even though weak grabbed a knife went to the dead body of her torturer to stabbed them almost 15 times. After she grabbed a gun and helped her team clean up the area, she didn't leave no on alive, sometimes even sneaking up on them to kill them close range. That is also when her country noticed the skill for being an assassin for them. It took her only 2 years to be properly trained and in the field. Half a month after 141 took an interest to her skill set. She was reintroduce to Reyes and there friendship lighted back up. Soap took an interest to her and ghost, well ghost she's not sure about. She likes him and is interested in him as a friend and something more.

[the-lions-archive]

A palooza invitation part 1

Enjoying a nice shower, Katrina hears the doorbell ring. "Hm?" She finishes showering and goes to the door wearing a bathrobe and towel on her head. "Who comes at this time?" She opens the door and sees her boyfriend. "Oh, hi Nicolas. What brings you here?" Nicolas holds an envelope in his hand. "I from your agency came by my work after hours and said to give you this." Confused, Katrina takes the envelope. "Weird? That's not like them." She looks at Nicolas. "Wanna drink something, love?" Nicolas shrugs. "Sure, I don't have any plans today." He notices that her robe is tied a bit loose and her cleavage is showing. "And you should wear clothes before answering the door." Katrina lets Nicolas in and closes the door. "Sorry, a force of habit. Take a seat, I will be back." Nicolas sits on the sofa and gazes at his girlfriend as she goes into the kitchen and comes back with a glass of water. "Thanks." Katrina smiles. "No problem~ I will wear something and see what this envelope contains." She heads to her room.

A couple of minutes pass. Nicolas scrolls through his phone. "Hmmm." His ears perk when he hears footsteps coming his way. "??" He looks up to see Katrina wearing a tank top and baggy pants with her hair in a ponytail. "You look good." Katrina smiles and sits beside Nicolas. "Thank you. Now, let's see what's inside the envelope." She opens the envelope to see a letter and two tickets. "Oh." Nicolas looks at Katrina. "What is it?" Katrina shows the two tickets to him. "Tickets. They wanted me to go but why did they send two tickets?" Nicolas sees the letter inside. "Maybe the letter has your answer." Katrina opens the letter and reads it. "Ooooh, it is a beach palooza. Also, I can take a plus one with me to the event." She gazes at Nicolas. "Do you want to go with me? We can spend more time together." Nicolas scratches his cheek. "I don't know. I need to schedule my annual leave with my boss. Does it say when it will start?" Katrina looks at the date on the letter. "Next week. It will be a week-long event. That would be enough time to inform your boss, right?" She leans on him.

Nicolas kisses her forehead and strokes her cheek. "We'll see. Luckily, my boss is nice." Katrina nuzzles his hand. "It's been a while since we sat and had quality time together." Nicolas bops her nose. "Yeah… with your modeling job and my job, it's hard to find a time when we are free." Katrina holds his hand. "At least, we can spend time with one another from now until the end of the event." Nicolas kisses her hand. "We need to go shopping for it tomorrow or the day after tomorrow." Katrina's tail wiggles at the idea. "Yeah, we don't want to go without appropriate clothing. I will have the chance to buy a new swimsuit." Nicolas notices her tail and wraps his tail with hers. "Oh? I thought you had one." Katrina leans her head on his shoulder. "When I was in middle school–" She grabs her chest. "–and before these grew in size." Nicolas leans his head on hers. "Good thing tomorrow is my day off. So, we will go shopping tomorrow." Katrina smiles and kisses Nicolas's cheek. "Thanks, Nick." Nicolas kisses Katrina's head. "No problem, Katty." He puts his arm around her shoulder as Katrina turns the tv on for a movie.

Next day. Nicolas and Katrina go into a swimsuit shop and look at the available swimwear. Katrina goes to the women's aisle "Hmmm, I wonder if they have my chest size." She looks at the available choices. "These two seem nice." She checks their sizes. "Perfect." She picks them up. "Hey, Nick. Which one do you think suits me?" Nicolas goes to his girlfriend and sees her holding two swimsuits. "Hmm, does either of them have an open back for your wings?" Katrina looks at their backs. "Oh, they don't. We must be in the wingless dragoness section." Nicolas rubs his temple and notices an employee. "Excuse me, ma'am." The employee approaches the couple and smiles. "How can I help?" Nicolas points at Katrina. "She needs help with finding a swimsuit." The employee looks at Katrina and eyes her. "Of course, please follow me to the winged section, Miss." Katrina puts the swimsuits back on the hanger and follows the employee.

Some time passes. Nicolas waits for Katrina at the cashier. "She took longer than expected." Katrina comes to the cashier with a shopping bag. "Sorry, I didn't notice the time." Nicolas smiles. "It's ok. Did you find a swimsuit?" Katrina nods. "3 to be exact. The employee said I will look good in them." She puts her bag on the counter. "Did you find something for yourself?" Nicolas shows her his bag. "Some swim trunks." The cashier rings Katrina's stuff and shows the price to her. "This is the price for your purchase, Ma'am." Katrina pays the price and looks at Nicolas. "You won't pay for your stuff?" Nicolas juggles the bag. "Already did. Let's go to your place." Katrina takes her stuff. "Okay." She wraps her with Nicolas's tail and walks out of the shop. "You want to have lunch before we head home?" Nicolas shrugs. "Sure why not." The two stop by a restaurant for lunch before heading home.

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

Katrina belongs to @lionwriters-blog (me)

Nicolas belongs to @sweetzdreamyzblog

Note: the story is set in @sweetzdreamyzblog's fictional world and the characters mentioned are anthro dragons

Part 2: TBA

[yippie-ki-yay]

Hey all! So sorry for the lack of posting fic-wise. It's been a bit of a rough week and I haven't been able to write as much as I wanted to. A lot of the stuff I had coming is WIP (reqs, the revise + chapter 2 of 'I'll Get You Yet', and a couple other things) but I managed to find this thing I wrote a while back! It's an oc fic so not everyone might be into it, but for those who do read I hope you like it! This is just the intro, possibly more to come later

“So, what does this job entail again?” 

Sharp blue eyes stared down her soon-to-be boss - they’d worked together in the past, she’d never had a problem with him and the same likely went for his attitude towards her. If that weren’t true then she wouldn’t have been called here in the first place. No matter how decent of a reputation a mercenary had regarding their work, a good rapport was always preferable when it came to more important jobs like this. Any ragtag group could rush a bandit camp or sway a fight over resources, but this particular task seemed a little more delicate than that. Knowing Doc, he had a reason for picking her specifically. Although…

Those same eyes flicked down towards the desk, looking over the two files open before her. Apparently these would be the people she’d be working with should she take the job. Frankly she was a little hesitant to accept solely because of that. It wasn’t an ego thing, she knew how crucial working in a group could be, but it was easier to rely on her own skills. That way no one else fucked you over, there was no chance of clashing with anyone else if you were the entire team. Sure, it could make things a little more difficult, but she’d pulled through bleaker scenarios and was still standing. “You know I’m not the best when it comes to working with others. Too messy.” Something akin to a chuckle left the masked man across from her. “Funny, that’s basically what both of them said when I paired them up initially.” It didn’t sound unlikely, plus he was never one to lie, but putting herself in either one’s shoes didn’t bring a picture with a happy ending. Best case scenario, they managed to get the job done with everyone alive. And the worst? Well, it wasn’t hard to picture various ways something could go wrong, but someone (if not all of them) would end up dead. “They’re reliable, Hel. Just play it cool and you’ll pull through. You all will.” For some reason that emphasis didn’t make her feel any better. Her lips pursed behind the thick red scarf pulled over the lower half of her face as she considered it. 

If it were anyone else she would’ve shot down the job entirely, but considering their history it wasn’t as easy to do that. “I… I’m unsure. Wouldn’t it be less complicated to not throw another person in the mix? If they work so well together, then-” A raised hand cut her off, whatever argument she was going to pose dying on her tongue. Even from behind those goggles he wore it was easy to feel how stern his gaze was. That was more than enough to tell her that he meant business about this. “This needs to be a fast job. While they both work well together, getting too caught up fighting whatever the agency throws at them could end up ruining the mission entirely.” Reclining in his seat, the masked man folded his hands behind his head. “That’s where you come in. You’ve got a tendency to work through things quickly, so you’ll basically be clearing the way for them. Handling the ones that are easy to pick off and any stragglers that might come after them. Easy enough, right?” He did have a point there - if it was just clearing out any trouble that might hold them up then this mission would be a cakewalk. Hel gave a curt nod in response. “That sounds acceptable.” Even if she wasn’t fully comfortable with the idea it sounded like she’d mainly be working on her own anyways. Even if it sounded a little conceited or ‘stuck up’ as some might say, doing the job herself always yielded better results. Working with others was often too messy, she left the jobs that absolutely needed multiple to those already in established groups or the ones who were too dumb to jump in with others they hardly knew. 

Something that she was kind of doing now, wasn’t she?

“You know, for someone who hides half their face, you’re surprisingly easy to read.” That comment snapped her out of it. With a sigh, Doc continued. “Look. I wouldn’t be asking this if it wasn’t serious, and I wouldn’t be asking you if I wasn’t confident in your abilities. If you really want a motivator, just take this as the payback for that little favor I did for you a while ago.” Something in her eyes sharpened at that comment. She knew exactly what he was talking about - personally she didn’t think that a single request like this would ever repay what he’d dug up for her, but if he felt it was an adequate trade? Good enough for her. 

“Very well.” Hel stood up from the seat across from him. “I’ll meet them inside, need to scope out the place a little. Getting a head start on clearing out any trouble might not hurt, either…” She thought aloud. It could all be figured out later, though. From the looks of things she’d have a day or two to prepare. Hel picked up a copy of the briefing, skimming it over before closing the folder and tucking it under her arm. “Just don’t be too hard on them, alright? Who knows, maybe they might grow on you.” For once she smiled, just a little hint of one. The thought was an amusing one, nice even, but she highly doubted that happening. “It’ll be a cold day in Nevada when that happens, Doc.” Giving a little wave over her shoulder, Hel walked through the door and shut it behind her. Even if the whole ‘working with people you barely know’ wasn’t the most appealing thing in the world, she’d get it done. If what he said back there was true then neither of them should be a problem. She hoped not, anyways… What she hadn’t seen, though, was the spark of amusement behind those red-tinted goggles. He’d neglected to tell her that, while it hadn’t been said verbatim, had basically come out of the pair’s lips when regarding the other. At first they’d absolutely hated each other, the only reason why they hadn’t fought a handful of times was because they were too busy taking out who they were assigned to or they were too tired after the mission. Now things were different, of course, but seeing the parallels in how Hel reacted? He had a feeling that she was going to be wrong about that statement.

[grandsonoflightike]

Reveal of Creepy Xavius’s Identity aka Creepy Alfonse Chapter 2:  Subspace Anna Reveals Her Love For Subspace Alfonse to Ghost Subspace Gustav and Subspace Henriette

(Background Song is All Around Me by Flyleaf.)

The Branders including the Demonic Grey Emblians successfully retreat away from Creepy Xavius aka Creepy Alfonse and Demonic Grey Teronica aka Creepy Veronica.  Demonic Grey Alessandra and Demonic Grey Vantie left to go get Terminal Writer's Earth Brander Rebels's help. AThe Reveal of Creepy Xavius being a Creepypasta of Subspace Alfonse shocked the group.

Ghost Subspace Gustav says “See?  This is why you are unfit to be king, Subspace Alfonse.  Allying with Demonic Grey Emblia and, In A Creepypasta Realm, you married their princess.”

Subspace Alfonse says “It doesn’t matter what you think.  This is what I am destined to be because I allied with them because they are freed from their curse.  They are no longer a threat.”

Demonic Grey Veronica says “Plus Creepy Alfonse marrying Creepy me was a thing that caused me to exist because she caused the curse.  He probably only married her to get the strength of the Emblian Army to defeat Hel to avenge his sister and everyone else disapproved making him kill them all and they both became a Creepypasta.”

David The Writer appears and says “That is what it was in the first BU but after that it kept happening the same because the first Creepy Alfonse and Creepy Veronica controlled the Queens Of Death of the other Banger Universes.”

Subspace Henriette says “Where does that leave with my son?”

“Things changed with the rise of The Ritual Of Heroes against Creepy Surtr and that is where things started to go south for Creepy Xavius and Demonic Grey Teronica and now it needs to change to Creepy Xavius and Demonic Grey Teronica being the threat that conquers this BU.  The ritual of heroes is key to stopping the two of them through.   There are a total of 8 people affected by the Ritual of Heroes and they will be made into it in due time.” David The Writer says and then vanishes.

“Wait, Be made into it? What does that mean?” Subspace Henriette says.

Subspace Alfonse says “The Ritual of Heroes can only turn a character into a legendary mythical hero.  They aren’t born into it, Mother.”

Subspace Henriette gasps.

Subspace Alfonse says “Now if you excuse me, I got to go think.”

Demonic Grey Veronica says “I will go think up strategies, Come On Demonic Grey Bruno.”

Demonic Grey Bruno follows her.

Ghost Subspace Gustav says “I still don’t think he deserves to be king-to-be.”

Subspace Anna says “You can’t even accept your own son in death.  It’s may be his creepy self that caused all this but he is different.”

Ghost Subspace Gustav says “Who are you, Subspace Anna, to yell at your king?”

Subspace Anna says “The Only reason I follow Subspace Askr is not you but your son.  Because... Because I LOVE HIM! I am going to go comfort him and he does know.”

Ghost Subspace Gustav groans and Subspace Anna leaves.

Subspace Henriette says “What is it, my husband?”

Ghost Subspace Gustav says “Subspace Sharena, are you together with Subspace Takeda?”

Subspace Sharena says “Yes, we are a couple. Why Father?  What’s up?”

Ghost Subspace Gustav says “Get out of here now.  I need to talk to Subspace Aereon and Your Mom alone.”

Subspace Sharena says “Alright father.” She leaves the room.

Subspace Henriette says “What is it, my husband?”

Ghost Subspace Gustav says “I know the fate of my kingdom and my children because of my future visions.  I now see it thanks being able to see Subspace Anna’s Fate as the Queen of Subspace Askr.”

“What does that have to do with our children?” Subspace Henriette says.

“Yeah, I got to ask as well about your children toward it.” Subspace Aereon says.

Ghost Subspace Gustav says “Subspace Sharena will be a lady of the court with Subspace Takeda as her husband and My Son’s Fate is to be The King of Subspace Askr.”

Subspace Henriette says “You mean our Daughter-In-Law brings back the Subspace Askrian Fleets AKA The Subspace Aether Keeps And The majority of The Subspace Askrian Army through becoming queen?”

Ghost Subspace Gustav says “Yes I just got to be destroyed as a ghost by Creepy Xavius.”

Subspace Aereon says “What do you need me in here for?”

Ghost Subspace Aereon says “I know you are married to Subspace Ayame, the subspace who turned from the Subspace Fates Army like us.  There is something you must know through these future visions I see who the 8 Legendary Mythical Heroes are.  One is My Son, another is Demonic Grey Veronica, Another is Subspace Anna, another is Subspace Bruno, another is your wife, another is Subspace Takeda, Another is you, and the final one to appear is my daughter.  The 8 of you are the key to stop the Creepy Xavius from controlling this timeline.  Fallen Takumi and Fallen Sheeda are going to help out in aiding you.”

“I see.  Then I better get to work on training Fallen Sheeda.” Subspace Aereon says.

“The Bredaliks will guide you on getting your Legendary Mythical Heroes.  Please take care of my children and their loves and make sure Demonic Grey Elise and Demonic Grey Alexander get together with Demonic Grey Bruno and Demonic Grey Veronica.” Ghost Subspace Gustav says “Tomorrow we march and, at that point, I will tell Subspace Anna that I now trust my son and will prove it tomorrow in battle.”

Subspace Aereon says “It has been great to serve under you, Subspace Gustav when I did.”

Ghost Subspace Gustav says “As long as in the end you decide to stay which I see that you do, you will be a great ally to my kingdom that will keep it protected.”

Subspace Aereon and Subspace Henriette go into questioning looks making Ghost Subspace Gustav only say 'You'll see if it truly happens'. 

TBC...