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Fate Fanservant: Awilix, Forgotten Goddess of the Moon(Archer)

(Thanks to Erineas on Twitter for this fantastic commission!)

Ascension Stages:

First Stage: Dressed in a white shirt with silver, green and gold patterns, with red and white striped jeans. On her head is a black hat with a similar silver, green, and gold pattern, and over her shirt is a black poncho with repeating patterns of quetzals, jaguars, and eagles. Part of her white hair is pulled into a braid along the side of her head, and the rest is left to flow back freely. In her left hand is an atlatl, and in her right is a spear tipped with obsidian.

Second Stage: The poncho is replaced by a shorter quechquemitl, and a skirt and belt replaces the jeans. A crown of feathers sits atop her head, and a cloak of jaguar skin hangs over her back. Her shoulders, arms, and shins are covered with patterned armor, and part of her face is covered with a helmet that covers part of her eyes. The atlatl is replaced with a blowgun.

Final Stage: Her form has shifted from that of a human to a Nagual, in her case a were-jaguar with the spots resembling swirling galaxies. She retains both the cloak and the crown, but she eschews any weapons in favor of her teeth and claws. Her hair flows freely behind her, and her eyes glow a deep jade as a lunar eclipse hangs behind her.

Theme:

Story Theme: Bounty Hunter

Regular Battle Theme: The Megas - The Belmonts (Skulls) - 01 Cracked Skulls

Grand Battle Theme(Awilix-Yaxche): Madara Song - "Can't Go Back" | FabvL ft DizzyEight & Sinewave Fox [Naruto]

Grand Battle Theme(Awilix VS Kukulkan): 龍が如く極 - For Who's Sake

Traits:

Class: Archer

Alternate Class: Lancer, Caster, Avenger

True Name: Awilix

Source: Mayan Mythology(The Popol Vuh)

Region: Guatemala

Alignment: Lawful Good Attribute: Sky

Known as: Xbalanque, Auilix, Awilix-Yaxche, Goddess of Death, Queen of the Night Sky, Mayan Hero Twin, Goddess of Sickness, The Usurper Lostbelt King

Voice Actress: Mikako Kumatsu

Deck: QABBB

Parameters: Strength: B Endurance: A+ Agility: A++ Mana: B+ Luck: C NP: EX

Passive Skills:

Incarnation of the Sun and Moon A:

In legend, Awilix and her mortal incarnation Xbalanque were said to have embodied both the moon and the sun. As a goddess, Awilix was the queen of the night sky, with dominion over everything that happened underneath the cover of night. As a mortal, Xbalanque was given the name 'Hidden Jaguar Sun', and it is said that he and his brother Hunahpu became the sun and moon after their conquest of Xibalba.

After the death of her twin Tohil, Awilix became the living manifestation of both the moon and sun, controlling the path the celestial bodies take across the sky. Through Awilix, life begins and ends, and through Awilix, life prospers and collapses.

(FGO Effect:) -Increases own debuff resistance by 20%. -Increases party's debuff success rate by 8% while self is on the field.

Divinity of the Dead God A+:

After killing Ah Puch and the Twelve Lords of Xibalba, Awilix became the supreme goddess of death itself, holding complete dominion over the dead. Even a fellow Mesoamerican god of the dead, Xolotl, admitted that her power far surpassed his in this state, and the Lord of the Dead, Baron Samedi, noted that even as Grand Caster, his chances at winning a direct engagement were likely to end in Awilix's favor so long as she had the fame bonus in her home territory.

Indeed, so long as death exists as an idea, Awilix reigns supreme as the ruler of all that is dead.

(FGO Effect:) -Increases own damage by 280. -Increases damage against 'God of Death' enemies by 20% -Reduces damage taken by 'Undead' and 'Divine' enemies by 500.

Active Skills:

Pok-ta-Pok A+:

As well as having domain over sickness, death, and the moon, Awilix is the goddess of the Mesoamerican ballgame known as Pok-ta-Pok, or Pitz. Her human incarnation, Xbalanque, and his twin brother Hunahpu, were beloved by their town's people for their unmatched athleticism and talent at the game, with the sport even leading to them defeating the Twelve Lords of Xibalba in the end.

As a Servant, this physical prowess manifests as a near-perfect body befitting a divinity, an evolved form of the Natural Body skill. Awilix has a form that does not age, reflexes beyond mortal ken, and is immune to any curse, illness, or interference with said divinity. Such is the natural state of one of the Tohil.

Naturally, Awilix is proud of her physical form, and will take any time she can to brag about both it and her talent at Pok-ta-Pok.

(FGO Effect:) -Increases own Buster performance for 3 turns. -Reduces own damage taken for 5 attacks, 5 turns. -Grants self Debuff Immunity for 3 times, 5 turns. -Increases own buff removal resistance for 3 times, 5 turns.

Jaguar Sun Xibalba EX:

A divine force equal to that of Zeus's own Authority of Lightning. After consuming both Kukulkan and Ah Puch, Awilix gained complete authority over life and death itself, able to do the impossible and restructure the very foundation of the Mayan Lostbelt to her whim by raising Xibalba into the heavens as a mirror to the world of the living. Having Authority over the Sun, Moon, Stars, and Earth itself, Awilix has the ability to shape the very universe as she sees fit, overriding even the Authorities of her fellow gods Ixchel, Chaac, Huracan, and Jacawitz easily if she so chooses.

The main drawback to this immense level of power is that Awilix expends incredible amounts of energy when using her Authority, requiring blood sacrifices from the Mayan people in order to hold the Lostbelt together, effectively making Awilix the lynchpin that the Lostbelt needs to survive.

(FGO Effect:) -Reduce all enemies' NP Gauge by one. -Charges own NP Gauge. -Recovers own HP. -Increases own damage for 5 attacks, 5 turns.

You Shall Conquer All the Nations A+:

The Tohil were the three patron gods of the K'iche' empire of Qʼumarkaj, consisting of Tohil, god of the sun, Jacawitz, god of the mountains, and Awilix, goddess of the moon. Through the gods, the K'iche's were blessed with the gift of fire, and their kingdom expanded to great heights, and in return, the K'iche' offered sacrifices to the Tohil of flesh and blood.

But every empire is destined to fall, and even one blessed by the gods is no different. The K'iche' kingdom fell, from rebellion, from invasion, and from conversion. The great capital of Qʼumarkaj was razed to the ground, and its kings were burned alive as a message to the survivors. In their forms of stone statues, the Tohil could do nothing to stop as their very identities were erased from the scriptures by the Spanish, becoming a mere footnote in the history written by the Spanish.

It is for this reason that Awilix fights. To return the K'iche' people to an era of prosperity. To return the gods to their rightful place in the heavens. To return the world as it was once before.

To be worshipped as the supreme god of the Maya, unquestioned and unstoppable.

(FGO Effect:) -Inflict Skill Seal on all enemies for 2 turns. -Inflicts Poison with 500 damage for 5 turns to all enemies. -Inflicts Toxic status for 5 turns to them.

Noble Phantasms:

Noble Phantasm: Qʼumarkaj Impact - Vengeance Falls from the Stars Above Rank: EX Maximum Targets: — Range: —

Classification: Anti-World

A Noble Phantasm that is the origin of Yù Tù's own Noble Phantasm, A Dream Realized - A Rabbit Riding the Moon. In myth, alongside being the goddess of the Moon, Awilix was also the patron deity of the Mayan Ball Game Pitz. Much like how Ishtar's An Gal Tā Kigal Shē takes the very concept of Venus and fires it like a bullet, Awilix's Qʼumarkaj Impact has her take the moon and compact it into a simple ball that she can kick around with ease. Once she finds her target, she launches her attack with incomprehensible speed and power. Even the Storm Border, with its incredible magical defenses, had its body torn through as if it was nothing.

It is the vengeance of a goddess who saw her nation burned to the ground, her temples ransacked, and her people slaughtered. The rage of a deity who seeks to undo her past mistakes, and rewrite the world as she sees fit, no matter what seeks to stand in her way.

(FGO Effect:) -Increases Buster Card Effectiveness(Activates first). -Remove Buffs from All Enemies (Activates first). -Deal Heavy Damage to All Enemies.

Noble Phantasm: Nagual K'ab'awil - Divine Path of the Animal Rank: EX Maximum Targets: 1 Range: —

Classification: Anti-Unit(Self)

In Mesoamerican religion, the Nagual is a being that can shift forms from a humanoid state into that of their tonal animal. While many feared the destructive nature of the Nagual, there are some that used their powers for good. Awilix in particular had two animal totems, the eagle and the jaguar, as well as having a certain Lunar Rabbit as her servant.

As a Nagual, Awilix can morph her body into a more animalistic state, her muscles growing larger, her skin being covered in jaguar's pelt, her back sprouting eagle's wings, and her personality shifting to a more monstrous mindset. While Awilix is infinitely more ruthless and sadistic in this state, she is far from an 'evil' god. Rather, she becomes a 'monstrous' god, an animal who will not relent until its territory is free of any who wish its partners harm.

In this state, she was even able to fight the immortal Camazotz to a standstill, while her mortal incarnation Xbalanque could only hope to hide from his wrath. After a battle that Yù Tù claims to have shook all creation, she was eventually able to overcome the bat god, managing to kill him permanently within Xibalba.

Noble Phantasm: Junalik Yaxche - The Roots of All That Live Rank: A++ Maximum Targets: ??? Range: ???

Classification: Anti-Lostbelt(Self)

The famous tree of life of Mayan mythology, composed of four separate trees planted in all four corners of the World, all surrounding a massive ceiba tree whose roots dug all the way into the deepest pits of Xibalba, and whose branches reached into all thirteen layers of heaven, akin to the Yggdrasil tree of Norse Mythology. It is said that the gods themselves descended into the realm of humanity by climbing down this sacred tree. Much like Sun Wukong's Ruyi Jingu Bang and The Lion King's Rhongomyniad, it is a divine pillar that holds up one of the Textures of the world, in this case being the sacred tree that connects humanity to the afterlife.

As one of the children of the maize god and calabash tree Hun Hunahpu, and as a mortal who climbed into the heavens themselves and became the moon, Lostbelt King Awilix has attained some form of Authority over the Yaxche tree. She does not wield it as a weapon like Sun Wukong or Goddess Rhongomyniad, but rather draws directly from its power by consuming its fruits, and further enhanced the World Tree’s abilities by feeding it her Lostbelt's own Fantasy Tree, Andromeda. In times of desperation, Awilix can fully consume Yaxche in its entirety and in turn become the pillar that binds life, death, and the heavens. As Awilix-Yaxche, she becomes a divinity beyond divinity itself, ascending past the idea of a Divine Spirit and becoming a true god of the cosmos capable of shaping the universe as she pleases, capable of shattering the barrier between life and death itself and resurrecting her fellow gods to their fullest potentials.

"I am no mere goddess of the moon as you thought... I am Awilix, Queen of the Night Sky and Lord of the Dead. All things that die pass through me... And all things that return pass through me."

Noble Phantasm: Xquic Sol Muerto - Humiliation of Seven Macaw Rank: A Maximum Targets: 3 Range: 150,000,000 km

Classification: Anti-Army

A combination attack Noble Phantasm that can only be accessed if Awilix is summoned alongside her twin, Tohil. As the mortal Hero Twins of Mayan legend, Xbalanque and Hunahpu, the pair accomplished many legendary feats in their time, one of the most famous being the defeat of Seven Macaw, a bird demon who proclaimed himself to be both the sun and moon.. To this end, they used both their physical strength and incredible wits, ultimately ending in them robbing the monstrous bird of all his glittering teeth and shining gemstones, and proving definitively who the true embodiments of the sun and moon are.

This legend is inscribed in this tag-team Noble Phantasm, a brutal wrestling move taken straight out of Quetzalcoatl's book. Kukulkan charges in at lightspeed, knocking the opponent's legs from out under their feet, while Awilix charges in with a clothesline strong enough to decapitate any unfortunate Servant caught between the twins. Notably, it has a pronounced effect on gods of the sun and moon, and other similar divinities, as this technique reinforces the Authority of Tohil and Awilix as the ‘true’ sun and moon.

Voice Lines:

Summoned: So this is Chaldea... The organization dedicating to 'fixing' Pan-Human History. What? Oh it's nothing. Regardless, bow before me and praise my name, mortal. I am Awilix, goddess of sickness, death, and the night, sovereign over the K'iche' Maya and incarnation of the sun and moon.

Summoned(Clear Lostbelt 7: Popol Vuh): Tch... To think that I'd still end up in a place like this. The Throne of Heroes either has a sick sense of humor, or this is its idea of 'community service'. Hnn? You want me to introduce myself? Fine, fine. It's a pain in the ass, but it can't be helped. Servant, Archer. Awilix-Yaxche, the Moon that hangs above the Land of the Eternal Spring. No matter the era, no matter the place, the night sky will bless my people.

Level Up 1: It may not be to my particular tastes, but I suppose this is a passable offering. Very well, I accept this for now.

Level Up 2: Hmph. Is that all you have? C'mon, if that's all you got, then let's get some training in at least.

Level Up 3: Huh. It kinda tickles. ...why are you looking at me like that, human?

Level Up 4 (Third Ascension): No... This isn't nearly as satisfying. Give me something fresh. I want to feel the blood run down my chin.

Level Up 5 (Third Ascension): I suppose it can't be helped... But come on, you can't toss in some meat at least?

1st Ascension: Ngh! *crack* Ahhhh... That's much more to my liking. Kehahahahaha! Well? Aren't you impressed, human? C'mon, praise me, worship me! You stand before the almighty chief god, the embodiment of physical perfection! C'mon, let's go find a fleet or an army to crush! I want to test out this new Ascension properly!

2nd Ascension: I have to say... It's nice to be like this for a while. It reminds me of my time spent messing around with Hunahpu when we were younger. Back then it was just the two of us against all the gods, demons, and whatever else the world wanted to throw at us. Ahhhh... Is this what the mortals call 'nostalgia'? ...tch, what a pain.

3rd Ascension: It appears that your offerings have given me the strength to embrace my true Nagual nature. Behold me in my true glory. I am Awilix-Yaxche, the Usurper Lostbelt King, the forgotten goddess who stole the kingdoms of life and death from the Feathered Serpent. I am the god of the oppressed, the forgotten, and the denied. I am the god of both living and dead, night and day. Let all conquerors look upon my face and weep for their impending end, and let them all wither away before my gaze.

4th Ascension: ...I know that the empire I knew is gone. The nations of living and dead has fallen, the eclipse passed both mere moments ago and yet eternities long gone. But... The remnants of the kingdom that raised me still remain. The K'iche' Maya that raised me and my siblings from childhood, and ascended us to the realm of gods. Even if I am not blessed with offerings of flesh and blood, for the Lostbelt that I had lost, and for the Mayan People that remain... I will stand proud, with their memories forever in my heart. That is what it means to be a god.

Fight Start 1: Now this is my element!

Fight Start 2: You wanna take on a god, do you? Fine by me, let’s play!

Fight Start 3: A new victim, huh?! Fine then, I hope you don’t mind if I play rough!

Fight Start 4(Third Ascension): I’ll stain my hands… With your blood…

Fight Start 5(Third Ascension): When you step onto the court against me… You’ll find your arms are too short to box with God.

Skill 1(Pok-ta-Pok): Think you can keep up with me?

Skill 2(Jaguar Sun Xibalba): Reach for the heavens all you like, I will still be beyond your grasp!

Skill 3(You Shall Conquer All the Nations): Come on, just try to topple me!

Skill 4: You cannot escape the eye of the Jaguar… Hm? No, I didn’t say anything.

Command Card Select 1: ¡Sho! ¡Sho!

Command Card Select 2: I’ll make a mark right between your eyes!

Command Card Select 3: This will be fun!

Command Card Select 1(Third Ascension): Tooth and claw!

Command Card Select 2(Third Ascension): Blood and dust!

Command Card Select 3(Third Ascension): Night and day!

Noble Phantasm Select 1: Let’s play ball!

Noble Phantasm Select 2: No matter where you run or hide… The moon sees everything!

Noble Phantasm Select 1(Third Ascension): Another sacrifice laid bare for me to feast upon!

Noble Phantasm Select 2(Third Ascension): You cannot… escape from death!

Attack 1: C’mon, c’mon!

Attack 2: Haaaaa!

Attack 3: Can you keep up with my footwork?!

Attack 4: Too easy!

Attack 5: SEIIIIIII!

Extra Attack 1: I’ll blow you away! JAGUAR KNUCKLE!

Extra Attack 2: You cannot evade me! JAGUAR KICK!

Attack 1(Third Ascension): GRAAAAAAH!

Attack 2(Third Ascension): I’ll tear out your teeth one by one!

Attack 3(Third Ascension): SEIIIAAAAHHH!

Attack 4(Third Ascension): Game over!

Attack 5(Third Ascension): RAAAAAAGGHHHH!

Extra Attack 1(Third Ascension): Attempting to defeat me is as foolish as trying to end nightfall itself!

Extra Attack 2(Third Ascension): Run as much as you want! The night sky covers everything!

Noble Phantasm 1:

Higher, higher, higher...

That's what humanity wants, isn't it?

To climb as high as they can, up to even the moon and stars, where the gods reign?

Well, there's one difference that divides the human race from the gods...

Humanity... Is destined to FALL DOWN!

Now let me bring you all back to Earth!

Q'umarkaj Impact!

Noble Phantasm 2:

This is it! The end of your journey!

No matter what you try, no matter where you hide, I'll bury you all!

You're in my world now!

And under the night sky... I'll always win!

Q'umarkaj... IMPACT!

Noble Phantasm 3(Narrated by Taiga):

Ladies and gentlemen, I can't believe my eyes!

Awilix has ascended to the heavenly pitch!

She's setting up for another play...

It's a header headed straight for the enemy team!

Q'umarkaj Impact!!!

I feel sorry for those poor goalies…

Noble Phantasm 4(Narrated by Taiga):

Once again, the Goddess of Pok-ta-Pok takes the pitch!

Look at that phenomenal footwork!

Oh, what's this?! She's setting herself up for a press towards the goal!

Could it be...?! Yes, it's her signature strike!

Q'UMARKAJ IMPACT!!!

SHE SHOOTS, SHE SCORES, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!

Noble Phantasm 1(Third Ascension):

If my kingdoms are destined to fall then let me spit in the face of destiny!

If my fate is to be forgotten by mankind, then let me defy fate itself!

Nothing, god or man, will stand in the way of my future!

Nagual K'ab'awil!

Noble Phantasm 2(Third Ascension):

I am the Stone Beast God of the Mayan Kingdoms.

I am the Hidden Jaguar Sun that conquered Xibalba.

I am Death! And you will not escape my wrath!

Bare thy neck, and become the blood that feeds my altar!

Nagual K’a’awil!

Noble Phantasm 3(Third Ascension):

Behold, the last sight you will ever see…

HRRRRAAAAAAAAGGGGHHHH!!!

I’LL TEAR YOU TO PIECES, AND EAT YOUR HEART!

NAGUAL K’AB’AWIL!

Damage from Noble Phantasm: ¡Puta la wea, perra, te voy a matar!

Regular Damage: ¡Sho!

Damage from Noble Phantasm(Third Ascension): GHHHHHHH!

Regular Damage(Third Ascension): You little-!

Defeated 1: Ngh…! No! No, I refuse to die here!

Defeated 2: I won’t… stop here…!

Defeated 1(Third Ascension): No… No, not again! It can’t happen like this again!

Defeated 2(Third Ascension): I can… go further than this…!

Victory 1: Haha! As expected, I won that game for us handily.

Victory 2: HAHAHAHAHA! Now that’s what I’m talking about! Come on, let’s move onto the next round!

Victory 1(Third Ascension): Thank you for the offering. I haven’t had that much fun in a while!

Victory 2(Third Ascension): No one can escape the gaze of the night sky… But you should’ve tried harder than that.

Bond Level 1: I am Awilix, one of the three gods created to serve the K'iche' Maya people. To be summoned as a Servant of Proper Human History is… unexpected for me, to say the least. Though I suppose it makes sense when you think about it… Either way, send me to crush your enemies and I will do so without hesitation.

Bond Level 2: Chaldea… An organization dedicated to 'fixing' humanity's past and ensuring that it all continues on as planned. ...hm? 'Is everything alright?' Hmph. What do you care? I am your Servant, you are the Master, isn't that right? What use does Humanity's Last Master have for conversing with their Servants?

Bond Level 3: Master, I can't help but ask… How does The World determine the 'correct' course of action for history to take? What makes this history 'Proper' Human History? Is it 'Proper' for the Spanish Empire to invade the Americas? Is it 'Proper' that they claimed an entire nation for themselves when the Mayan Empire was thriving and happy there? Is it 'Proper' for generations of people to be enslaved, slaughtered, and forced to abandon their history?! WELL?! ANSWER ME-! …I'm sorry. I just… … I'm sorry.

Bond Level 4: I suppose I owe you an explanation for my last outburst. I was a god born for one purpose: to watch over and guide the Mayan people, to be a god that served man as much as man served the gods. And then… Then I lost everything. To say that what happened is the 'right' course of action. To say that was the 'truth' of humanity's destiny. …I cannot accept that. I want to believe that there is a chance to make a future for the people I love. I want… I want them to love me again.

Bond Level 5: I will never accept what has happened in the past. The wrongs that have been done to me and my people. The losses of history, culture, and beliefs over time. I will never forgive the world for what it has done. …but I also understand that you're just like me in that sense. Another person fighting to preserve and save entire generations from being forgotten and destroyed. To that end, I suppose I can enjoy our time spent together.

Bond Level 5(Clear Interlude “From Xibalba With Love”): …did you know that you were not the first Master to summon me? There was another. A young girl who called on me to fight in a Holy Grail War. She was strong, if naive. Open, if not talkative. Kind, if not foolish. I enjoyed her company. I betrayed her in a desperate bid to regain my status as a true god. …like everything I've done in my life, it was all for nothing. I failed to claim my godhood, I failed to protect my Master, and I failed to be a hero. It's funny... I never had a second thought of the lives I’ve taken before, and yet, I can't help but think of her. I wonder what you'd think of me now, Mercedes… 

Dialogue 1: So many people wander these halls… Gods, men, friends, enemies, conquerors and conquered alike. I must wonder how Chaldea hasn’t become a smoldering pile of ash at this point…

Dialogue 2: I have to say, despite my legend involving outwitting the foes Tohil and I faced, I was never a quick thinker when it came to the arts… *sigh* A fact that my half-brothers never let me forget. It’s not my fault I never needed to learn that stuff!

Dialogue 3: Hey, you! Interested in a game? I’m gonna commandeer the simulator to see if we can set up a court. Go grab a handful of Servants, and we can let off some steam.

Dialogue 4(Bond Level 5): I know what it is like to live through the loss of your people… To lose everything you knew and love to a cruel and unjust invader. I won’t let you live through the same pain I did, Master. If I cannot secure the future for my people, then I can at least help you save your own.

Dialogue 5 (If you have Kukulkan): Tohil… No, you're not the same sun deity I grew up with, that much is obvious. Still... I can't help but feel the same comfort I had having my twin standing beside me. From one Lostbelt King to another, Kukulkan, I hope we can get along.

Dialogue 6 (If you have Baron Samedi): Him. Everywhere I go, that accursed Loa seems to follow me, mocking my every movement and every action! Fine then, if he seeks to poke at the Jaguar... Then I hope the fool is prepared to cut himself on my claws.

Dialogue 7 (If you have Yù Tù): Oh? Lamat is here as well? Yes, I remember my time with her fondly. After she broke into my house and accidentally made herself immortal, we spent quite a long time together. I suppose you could go so far and call her my daughter. …how time's gone by since then. Another thing this Proper Human History has taken away from me.

Dialogue 8 (If you have Xolotl): Oh yes, the twin brother of Quetzalcoatl. I suppose in some sense he's my counterpart from Aztec mythology. Then again, maybe it's Tezcatlipoca that fills that role. Or… Coyolxāuhqui? Daaagh! There's too many gods to keep track of! Isn't this Hun Batz and Hun-Chowen's territory?!

Dialogue 9 (If you have Hernán Cortés): So, that bastard from the Grail War in Jerusalem is here too? Last time we met, I was too weak to properly show my true strength against the self-proclaimed 'God Incarnate'. Now… Hehahahahhaha… Now, Master, I'd say it's time for some payback. I'll enjoy crushing his skull with my bare hands.

Dialogue 10 (If you have Jaguar Warrior): Taiga Fujimura… So this is my champion from Proper Human History. I must say, that costume of yours makes you look rather dashing.

Dialogue 11 (If you have Zipacna): Zipacna, have you come to challenge me? Heh, I understand, you weren't satisfied the way our last encounter ended. Fine then. But don't blame me after I cook you on a spit! C'mon, I'll let you reunite with your father and brother!

Dialogue 12 (If you have Fenrir Riding Hood): Oh? The little wolf seems to be looking my way. I suppose it makes sense, given I am the incarnate sun and moon. But I warn you, little girl… You may be a Beast of Humanity, but I alone am the apex predator here. So if you don’t wish to be eaten alive again, I suggest you run off.

Dialogue 13 (If you have Qin Shi Huang or Romulus=Quirinus): The Founding God-Kings, eh? Divinities that forged their own nations, reigning over them as gods. I feel like we could have a lot to talk about. …nah, it's probably for the best that I avoid them. I have a feeling that a conversation between us might get ugly.

Dialogue 14 (If you have any “Death” or “Underworld” related Servants): So, there are other divinities with Authority over death in Chaldea, are there? Hah! Maybe they'll be more of a challenge than those dullards in Xibalba. Or perhaps not.

Dialogue 15 (If you have Guan Yu): So humanity can make their own gods now? How fitting that a butcher of men would be the kind of person they'd deify. Then again, I wouldn't be opposed to seeing how well a god born of humanity stands up to the real deal. Haha! I've made up my mind, Guan Yu! Fight me, and let's see which god is truly worthy of worship!

Likes: There’s nothing better than a good game of pok-ta-pok to get the blood pumping, y’know? Though any type of sport is a good way to get everyone in a good mood. Well, unless you’re my half-brothers, but those furry bastards couldn’t know fun if it kicked them in the tail.

Dislikes: The idea of a ‘Proper’ Human History sickens me… Who decides that a culture is right? What force of the world decides the correct course of action for humanity? If I had the chance to choose… Ngh, nevermind, I’m going to go get some air.

About the Holy Grail: The Grail can grant me any wish I desire. I can reshape the world to befit my history. I could become a god ruling over humanity… Yes, if I had the chance, I would right the wrongs of the World and make a new empire of the Maya. An empire where the gods watch over mankind.

About the Holy Grail(Clear Interlude “From Xibalba With Love”): The Grail can grant me any wish I desire. I can reshape the world to befit my history, I could become a god ruling over humanity… And despite this, the only thing that comes to mind right now is that time in Jerusalem. …but no wish could ever grant me absolution for betraying her.

During an Event: It seems like a festival is going on! In that case, why don’t we join in? Even gods need to enjoy themselves from time to time.Birthday: It’s your birthday is it? Ahhhh, now I see, if that’s the case, let us be off! I know the other Servants seek to celebrate with you as well, but trust me when I say that I will make today an extraordinary celebration that no one, man or god, could ever hope to pull off!

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Awilix, one of the three Tohil in Mayan mythology, and the goddess over sickness, death, and the night. One of the three founding gods of the K'iche' Kingdom in Guatemala, one of the most powerful of the Mayan Empires, Awilix reigns supreme in the Guatemalan Lostbelt as the arbiter of both life and death, a divinity both the living and dead serve.

She is not a 'True' Lostbelt King like Ivan the Terrible or Zeus. Rather, she is a Servant summoned from Proper Human History to destroy the Lostbelt and defeat her twin, Kukulkan. However, she rebelled against the world's original intent, and instead assassinated Kukulkan to take the Lostbelt for herself, taking her sister's position as Lostbelt King.

She is Awilix-Yaxche, the Usurper Lostbelt King.

Bond Level 1:

Height/Weight: 186cm • 77kg 

Source: Mayan Mythology(The Popol Vuh)

Region: Guatemala

Alignment: Lawful • Good

Gender: Female-Presenting 

It is said that after the Tohil turned themselves into stone to become the guardian patrons of the K'iche' Maya, the gods Awilix and Tohil incarnated into mortal forms, becoming the Hero Twins Hunahpu and Xbalanque. After their father, Hun Hunahpu, was defeated and sacrificed by the Lords of Xibalba, the twins were born from Hunahpu's severed head impregnating the Blood Moon, Xquic. From the Xibalban Goddess, the greatest heroes of Mayan mythology were born, the living incarnation of the sun and moon itself.

As Awilix and Xbalanque are essentially one and the same person, the goddess of death has found a way to cheat the system of gods being impossible to be summoned normally, incarnating in her mortal form with her full Divinity intact.

"Hey, it's not cheating! It's being smart!"

It's totally cheating.

Bond Level 2:

In Proper Human History, the K'iche' Maya were gifted with three gods, Tohil, Jacawitz, and Awilix, who they were tasked with guarding and raising. In turn, the trio of divinities known as the Tohil would watch over and bless the Mayan people, gifting them fire, and protecting them from harm in exchange for offerings of blood. Awilix served as the patron goddess of the night sky, sickness, Pok-ta-Pok, and one of the many deities presiding over death. She was second only in authority to her sibling Tohil, who in some legends is the same deity as Qʼuqʼumatz, the K'iche' equivalent to the Yucatan region's Kukulkan.

As the Usurper Lostbelt King of the Guatemalan Lostbelt, Awilix reigns over the deities of the Mayan Pantheon as the sole ruler, taking over the Land of the Eternal Spring after slaying the most powerful gods of life and death. All beings, living and dead, recognize her authority and fear her wrath. With the Mayan people having this unquestioned power presiding over them, they soon spread outward, conquering the rest of Central America, before their influence gripped the entire planet, all while they praised the might of Awilix, the Eternal Eclipse.

Bond Level 3:

In another time and space, she was summoned in a Holy Grail War as a Lancer-Class. There, she only had a small fraction of her power, but was still a fearsome opponent. She dueled with conquerors, lords of death, former friends and former foes. She betrayed and was betrayed, and in the end, she failed to reach the dream she sought. While most Servants forget the wars they fight in, as a Divinity, each second she lived a reminder of how she failed as a goddess. Each wound, each loss, all of them a reminder of how far she fell.

Now, those slights against her serve as further motivation. A promise to avenge her losses and become the goddess that she was meant to be. To shackle the conqueror, to kill the immortal, and to show that even gods of death are as mortal as any man.

Bond Level 4:

The world is full of mirrors. Life and death. Sun and moon. Day and night. Health and sickness. The Maya recognized this, which is why in the Popol Vuh, many figures existed as part of a pair. Hun Hunahpu and Vucub Hunahpu. The Twelve Lords of Xibalba. The demons Zipacna and Cabrakan. And of course, the Hero Twins themselves, Hunahpu and Xbalanque.

In the Mayan Lostbelt, however, Awilix violated this existence of pairs by killing her twin and taking her Authority. The moon and sun were now one and the same. Life and death existed simultaneously. No longer were they a mirror, but rather, a concurrent existence. In turn, the balance of the world was left askew, all power concentrated into a single god. Even after granting other beings parts of her Authority, the Lostbelt was doomed to fall apart, something that Awilix simply could not allow.

So she became the pillar holding Xibalba, Earth, and Heaven together, becoming the entity known as Awilix-Yaxche that fastened all creation together. As a consequence, she became a lynchpin of the world forced to constantly consume her own people to keep existing, a monster that must constantly eat that she loves in order to save them.

Bond Level 5:

History is written by the winners. A phrase that has forever been passed down from generation to generation. To make one’s mark on the world, you have to write your story in the blood of those you conquered and subjugated. The K'iche' Maya were among those conquered, one of the many cultures and nations subjugated during Europe's Age of Exploration. The conquistadors came, burning their kings alive as an example, and razing the city of Qʼumarkaj to the ground.

Such was the course of mankind the World saw 'proper'. The once-great temples dedicated to the gods, now mere ruins. Their beloved sport, now banned for fear of their rituals. Their culture, ripped away, with only scraps left remaining. The gods, the kings, the people, all left forever scarred by the actions of the 'winners'.

Perhaps none were left more broken by this than the goddess of the night sky, Awilix. Raised by the very Mayan people themselves as one of the Tohil, she could do nothing as she watched the invasion of the Spaniards. How her people were raped, slaughtered, and put in chains. How their very existence was seen as 'barbaric', something to be ripped away and replaced with the Spaniard's own brutality. How they happily did it all in the name of 'salvation'.

As a Servant, Awilix's greatest wish is to undo this great tragedy. To become a 'winner' in her own right and have the chance to write a new history. To write a story where the conquered become conquerors, where the blood of the invaders flows freely ,and where the Maya rule over all.

She does not care if she became an enemy of the World to do so.

The World became her enemy first.

Extra (Clear Popul Vuh and Reach Bond 5):

As the Supreme Goddess of the Land of the Eternal Spring, she chose to walk among her people, descending from her throne to embrace the humanity she longed to oversee. She praised them, loved them, and cared for them, just at they had done for her long ago. But she could not save them. No matter what Authorities she gathered, no matter how much power she amassed, she could not save her Lostbelt from falling apart. Proper Human History was destined to eventually overtake her, no matter what power she amassed, no matter how many Servants she slew, the Mayan Empire would meet its end. 

Nevertheless, at the end of the world, when the Sun descended down to meet the Moon once again, she embraced it all with a smile on her face. It mattered not if she tore her body to shreds. It mattered not if her bones cracked beneath her fists with each blow. It mattered not if both Xibalba and Earth were shattering all around her.

As a goddess, it is her duty to protect the people that worshipped her.

And to remember those that have been lost.

"To my people, of both Proper Human History, and of the Lostbelt... Thank you for loving me... and for being loved."

Voice Lines(Lostbelt King):

Fight Start(First Battle): Well now, look who's right on time...

Fight Start (Decisive Battle): Once again, conquerors and raiders have come to my shores. I will fix the mistakes of the past, and claw out a future for my people and I!

Fight Start(Grand Battle): I am the tree that connects Heaven, Earth, and Xibalba, the pillar that holds this Lostbelt aloft. I am Awilix-Yaxche, the Goddess of the Maya! Come, Chaldeans, throw yourselves against me to try and reclaim your history, just as I have. Here and now, we will see whose future truly deserves to live on!

Fight Start(Final Battle): The world above me, the world below me, all coming crashing down... And yet I can't keep my eyes off of you. Ahahahaha... HAHAHAHAHAHA! Come on, Tohil! Let's settle this between us once and for all!

Skill 1: You will not evade me!

Skill 2: You will not escape me!

Skill 3: You will not deny me!

Attack 1(Grand Battle): Tremble as the night sky falls on your heads!

Attack 2(Grand Battle): Watch as the stars go out one by one!

Attack 3(Grand Battle): I'll make sure you won't come back from this!

Attack 4(Grand Battle): This is the end of your future!

Extra Attack(Grand Battle): I won't let this world end...! I'll destroy you all if I have to!

Attack 5(Final Battle): Too slow!

Attack 6(Final Battle): Hahahahaha! Come on, come on!

Attack 7(Final Battle): Come on, Tohil, you're getting sloppy!

Attack 8(Final Battle): I know you can take a hit better than that! Or have you just gotten too lazy?!

Extra Attack(Final Battle): Let's keep going... Until the world collapses all around us!

Noble Phantasm 1 (First Battle):

You've done well to make it this far, Chaldea.

You've faced gods, kings, demons, and horrors that defy all explanation.

How sad for you, that your story ends here!

Watch as the moon falls from the sky and crashes down on your heads!

Qʼumarkaj Impact!

Noble Phantasm 2 (Grand Battle):

This World… This History… It has trampled on me and the great kingdoms I helped build…

It has denied me and my peoples' history time and time again.

In turn... Let me deny the World its own history...

And from the corpses of my people, I will plant the seeds for a newer, greater era of prosperity!

JUNALIK YAXCHE!

Noble Phantasm 3 (Grand Battle):

From the four corners of the world, a single tree pierces through Heaven, Earth, and Xibalba.

From deep within the ground, out from the Land of the Trees, the great tree ascends.

Let's climb higher! Higher! Let us reach past the moon and stars into the edge of the universe!

Junalik Yaxche!

Noble Phantasm 4 (Final Battle):

Come on, Tohil! Don't slow down for even a second, because I want to make this last!

Let's solve this the only way we know how! With a final battle until the bitter end!

Q'umarkaj Impact!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Let's keep going until the end of time itself!

Damage from Noble Phantasm(First Battle): Weak.

Damage from Noble Phantasm(Grand Battle): Ghhh! I'm still... in control!

Damage from Noble Phantasm(Final Battle): Hehahahaha! Come on, is that the best you can do?!

Regular Damage(First Battle): That's just sad.

Regular Damage(Grand Battle): Ngh!

Regular Damage(Final Battle): Haha!

Defeated(Grand Battle): No... No, this isn't over! I won't let this be the end!

Defeated(Final Battle): Hunahpu... Tohil... Kukulkan... Hahaha... Can you forgive your stupid twin for all of this...? I just wanted to make a better future... But in the end, I couldn't manage that. All I did... was destroy everything.

[sissylittlefeather]

This is the Story

Chapter 12: The End

A/N: We've finally reached the end of this beautiful saga. I hope you have all enjoyed reading it as much as I've enjoyed writing it. I'm not sure I'll be able to fully give them up, so there may be an epilogue coming, but only time will tell.

I'm so thankful for everyone who has helped me along the way with this one, but I'm eternally grateful to my besties @ccab and @elvisfatass for all their love and encouragement. You two mean so much to me.

Need to catch up? Here is my Masterlist.

Warnings: angst, sadness, depression, and then the smutty fun stuff, kissing, cussing, fingering, oral sex (both receiving), p in v penetrative sex, unprotected sex, creampie, also mentions of pregnancy and periods

Word count: 4.7kish

The depth of their misery is equaled only by their love for each other.

******

By sundown, Grace has packed everything in her car, including a crying Wendy.

"Mama, why do we have to leave Daddy? I like it here." She asks from the back seat, sniffling.

"I'm sorry, sweetie. We just have to go home."

"This is our home." Grace strokes Wendy's hair through the car window.

"I'm sorry, baby." She turns to look back at the house. She hasn't seen Elvis since she finished packing in the bedroom. She wonders if she should find him to say goodbye or if she should let him be. She goes back up to the bedroom one last time to the pile of things she left on the bed. She's left the boots he bought, the book, her necklace with his initials, and a few other things he's given her. She stands there with more tears on her face, looking at the pile. At the last second, she grabs the necklace. She can't leave it. She turns to walk out of the room and finds him there in the doorway.

"Grace, please don't leave."

"You know I don't have a choice."

"I'm not going to stop loving you. My heart is yours. If you ever change your mind, I'll be here."

"Elvis, please." As she goes to walk past him, he grabs her and holds her against him one last time. She melts into him, shoulders quaking as she cries on his chest.

"Honey, don't leave. We can figure this out together." He whispers into her hair. She almost gives in, wanting nothing more than to stay with him. But she can't forget about Wendy. Everything she does is for her and her good.

She pulls away from him and looks into his face.

"Kiss me goodbye."

"No. I refuse to believe this is goodbye." She looks at her feet.

"Then I have to go." She walks past him and down the stairs to the car out front. He leans against the doorframe and shakes as the tears stream down his face. He should've given her that last kiss. He tries to catch her before she leaves. But when he gets downstairs and to the driveway she's already gone.

******

He spends the rest of the day in bed. When the Colonel comes to visit the next day, he drags himself down the stairs.

"You've got a lotta nerve showing up here."

"My boy, I was only trying to protect-"

"You're fired."

"Now, my boy-"

"Get out of my house. And don't come back. You're fired. I don't care what I owe you. I'm done."

"You know it's a lot-"

"I SAID I DON'T CARE. GET OUT. I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOUR FACE AGAIN, YOU FUCKING BASTARD." He moves toward the Colonel menacingly.

"Don't do anything you'll regret..." The colonel tries to back away slowly, reaching for the door handle behind him.

"I'll regret my association with you for as long as I live. You've lost me the only woman I've ever truly loved. I suggest you leave before I find a gun."

The Colonel backs through the door, shaking his head, and leaves. Elvis slams the door behind him and sinks to the floor again. Jerry comes to his side.

"Come on, boss." He half carries him back up the stairs to the bedroom, where Elvis lays on the bed.

"Don't bother me until I say so."

"Yes, sir." Jerry watches with a look of concern as he backs out of the room. He's never seen Elvis like this before.

******

Almost two weeks later, Grace is still moping around her apartment. She takes Wendy to school everyday, but that's the extent of her ability to do anything. One day, there's a knock on her door. Her heart leaps. Somewhere inside her, she hopes it's Elvis. When she opens the door, though, she finds Maryann.

"What are you doing here?"

"We haven't heard from you since Christmas. And then I saw this." She tosses a tabloid on the counter. It's a picture of Elvis with a headline about him going back to Vegas early.

"Why aren't you with him?" Grace is lost in thought. The only thing she can see is that he has on her initial necklace in the photo. He's still wearing it. "Grace?"

"We broke up."

"Why?"

"My editor said I had to end things with him or I would be fired."

"And you chose your job? What the hell, Grace?"

"How would I take care of Wendy? If he left me?"

"You really think he would do that?"

"I don't know anymore." Maryann shakes her head. She can see now that her sister is broken by this decision. She decides not to push it any further.

"Well, I'm here. And I'm staying for a while. When was the last time you ate?"

"I don't know. My stomach hasn't been great lately."

"I'm making you some food." She starts to fiddle with pots and pans.

"No chicken. I can't eat chicken." Maryann stops.

"Grace. When was your last period?" Grace turns to her with a look of panic. She hadn't even noticed.

"I'm not sure."

"Because the last time you couldn't eat chicken..."

******

The first of February is Lisa Marie's 6th birthday. Priscilla brings her to Vegas for a party with Elvis and the rest of their friends.

He almost breaks down when Lisa's first question is about Wendy and Grace. Still, he swallows his feelings and slaps on a smile, explaining to her that they won't be there. She's sad, but after she sees the pile of her presents, she cheers up significantly.

He does his best to be happy all day for his baby girl, and he's pretty sure he's doing a decent job, but anyone who knows him can tell something is wrong. Priscilla walks over to Jerry about half way through the party.

"What's wrong with him?"

"With Elvis?"

"Yes. He's not himself."

"Grace left."

"And he's this messed up about it?" Priscilla raises her eyebrows.

"Priscilla, it's been almost a month and he's still broken. I don't know what to do." Jerry shrugs in frustration and Priscilla looks at Elvis across the room with Lisa.

"I'm sure he'll be better soon. He just needs a new girl." Jerry nods, but he's not sure he agrees.

******

By that first week in February, Grace has an appointment with her doctor, but she won't get the test results for another week or so. She's trying to go about her life as usual, but nothing is the way it should be. She misses Elvis every day so much that it hurts. And she still hasn't had a period. It was nice to have Maryann's company for a while, but she couldn't stay too long with the kids at home.

One day, after dropping Wendy off at school, the phone rings.

"Grace, it's Jerry. You have to come to Vegas."

"What? Why?"

"He's dying without you. He plays his shows like he's supposed to, but nothing is helping. When he's not on stage, he's in bed. He won't come to parties or anything. We've tried everything." Her heart sinks. She knew she was miserable, but she assumed he had moved back to his Vegas life and forgotten about her.

"I can't come back, Jerry. I appreciate you calling me, but I can't fix this."

"Please, Grace. He needs you." The last part makes her heart break in two. She didn't think it was possible to hurt any more for him, but she was wrong.

"I can't. I'm sorry. Tell him- nothing. Don't tell him you talked to me. I'm sorry." They hang up and Grace sits on the floor of her apartment weeping. Will this ever hurt any less?

******

In Vegas, the Memphis mafia guys continue doing everything in their power to get Elvis back to some semblance of himself. One night after a show, Jerry takes the initiative and brings a girl to him. She's young, blonde, beautiful, and everything Elvis used to like. He really hopes this will get him out of his funk.

He knocks and Elvis opens the door slowly. He's already in his pajamas and robe, despite the party that rages downstairs in his honor.

"What do you want, Jerry?"

"I brought you some company." He gestures to the girl, who waves nervously.

"Jerry, I'm really not-"

"Will you just try? Look at her. Come on, boss. You're going to have to move on at some point." He nods as though he's defeated and opens the door for her to come in and then shuts it behind her. Jerry says a quick prayer that this will work before he walks away.

Inside the room, Elvis gestures for the girl to sit on the couch.

"What's your name, doll?" He can't call her honey. He just can't.

"I'm Linda. It's nice to meet you." She is very attractive and he knows he should try.

"Why don't you come sit a little closer to me." He pats the couch right next to him and she scoots into his shoulder. He puts his hand on her knee and then looks down into her face. He tries with everything inside him not to think of Grace as he leans in and presses his lips against hers.

Suddenly, he pulls back and stands up. He feels like he might be sick.

"I'm sorry. I can't do this." She looks at him puzzled.

"Am I not-"

"It's not you. I just... I'm in love with someone else." He hangs his head and she stands up. When she puts her hand on his shoulder, the dam breaks. He sits back down on the couch with his head in his hands weeping. The girl looks at him awkwardly and then sits down on the couch too.

"Do you... do you wanna tell me about it?" Before he can stop it the words just start pouring out of him.

"I've never loved anyone the way I love her. She's the love of my life. But she doesn't believe that I'll be faithful. She doesn't trust me. And it's my own goddamn fault." The girl is shocked to see him so broken. He always seems so strong and in control on stage. She never dreamed he would have this depth of emotion.

"It sounds like you need to show her you're serious. Most women just want some security, especially if they've been hurt before." He looks up at her, eyes red and puffy.

"Security?"

"Yeah. She needs to know you mean what you say. Words are great but action is better."

"Action."

"Mhmm." She nods her head, glad that he's finally stopped crying. "How far are you willing to go for her?"

"I want to marry her."

"Then you gotta tell her that."

"What if she says no?"

"That's a risk you're going to have to take if you mean what you're saying." He nods slowly and pats her hand.

"Thank you, Linda. I'm sorry this didn't go how you planned."

"It's okay. I hope it goes well for you." They stand up and he walks her to the door.

On the elevator ride down, she and Jerry are both silent. Jerry can tell by the way Elvis looked that his plan failed. He's wracking his brain for what to do next. And she's still reeling from the conversation she just had with Elvis Presley.

******

Grace sits in the meeting with Frank, praying he can't tell that she's spent most of the morning crying.

"This manuscript is beautiful, Grace."

"Mhmm."

"We're looking at a publication date in the next month." Grace takes a deep breath.

"You can't publish it."

"Grace..."

"You just can't. I'm saying no."

"You know the higher ups won't like that."

"I don't care. Fire me. I'll find a new job."

"Grace."

"I'm done, Frank."

"You really loved him, didn't you?" Grace looks at the ceiling, trying to keep her tears in her eyes. "You still do."

"I can't have my name on this book. Publish it under a different author. I can't do this anymore."

"Well. We're no longer working with his manager. Elvis told us to publish the book only if you want to." Her heart leaps and she looks up at Frank with a flicker of hope.

"What happened to the Colonel?"

"He said he fired him."

"So... you don't have to publish it?"

"Not unless you want us to."

"No. Please don't." Frank looks at her sadly.

"Finish your novel, Grace. I'll keep you on a contract for just that project. Once it's done, that'll be the end of our professional relationship. You're fired." She nods and gathers her things.

******

After the shows in Vegas end, Elvis seems to get a second wind of sorts. He spends his afternoons looking for something around town. Jerry and the rest of the Memphis mafia breathe more easily, hoping this marks the end of his depression over Grace. Maybe he's finally decided to move on and is ready to get back to himself before he leaves for tour in a couple of weeks.

On the third day after he finishes playing shows, he seems to find what he's looking for. He sits by the phone in his suite anxiously fiddling with the small box. He keeps picking up the phone and putting it back down. His stomach flip-flops every other second and his palms are sweating. When he can't sit still any longer he stands up and paces for a bit, always coming back to his seat by the phone.

Finally, when he just can't take it anymore, he picks up the receiver.

"Fuck it." He dials quickly and waits as the phone rings, his heart lodged in his throat.

"Hello?" Even just the sound of her voice comforts him in a way he hasn't felt in months.

******

"Hi Grace." Her heart stops cold. It's him. She's spent the days since she got fired trying to come up with an excuse to go to Vegas, but she just couldn't get up the nerve. And now he's calling her.

"Elvis." She responds breathlessly.

"I want you to come to Vegas."

"When?"

"As soon as you can." She glances at the calendar. Today is the 12th of February. Her doctor appointment to get the test results is tomorrow.

"I can be there on the 14th."

"Valentine's Day. That's perfect." She didn't even think about the fact that it would be Valentine's Day. Perfect for what?

"Don't bring Wendy. I want it to just be us. Can you swing that?"

"I'll call Paulette."

"Okay, well, I-I-I guess I'll see you then." The thought of seeing her again brings out his nervous stutter. "Grace?"

"Yes?" She doesn't know what to say, but she doesn't want to hang up either.

"I miss you, honey." Her heart melts and the tears gather in her eyes.

"I miss you too." There's so much more to say, but neither of them can bring themselves to say it.

******

After he hangs up, Elvis breathes a sigh of relief. She agreed to come to Vegas. He knows this may not mean anything, but for the first time in months, he has some hope. He puts the box in his pocket and sets out to make the arrangements.

******

The next day, Grace sits in her car in the parking lot of her doctor's office crying hysterically.

The test confirmed what she was too terrified to contemplate as a reality.

She's pregnant.

As the tears stream down her face, a million thoughts run around her mind. Just when she thought she had a chance of getting Elvis back, this happens. Surely, he won't want anything to do with her now. And even if he does, it'll only be out of obligation.

She doesn't have a job. It's hard enough trying to support Wendy. How will she raise and care for two children on her own?

Maybe she'll invent a dead husband to explain why she has two children with no man. She shakes her head at that thought.

And what will this do for Elvis's image? What if it gets out that this is his baby? Should she even tell him?

She holds her head in her hands and continues weeping. How will she face him tomorrow?

******

Elvis paces nervously in his suite. She's here in the hotel. He sent Jerry to the airport to pick her up an hour ago with a message to meet him downstairs at 7. He's actually going to take her to a real restaurant for dinner. He no longer cares if anyone sees them together. In fact, he hopes there are pictures in magazines after tonight. Every few minutes, he pats his pocket to make sure the box is still there.

He's dressed in the velvet jacket again, this time with a white silk shirt under it, unbuttoned enough for her to see that he's wearing the initial necklace. A cigarillo hangs from his mouth and he keeps running his hand through his hair, so it's especially fluffy. He's trying to recreate the feeling of New Year's Eve, since it's the last time they were really happy together, but he's not sure he's succeeded.

Finally, he looks at the clock and it's five til. He can head downstairs and not look like he's too desperate. When the elevator opens, he looks around anxiously. He spots her standing uneasily in the lobby. She's looking around for him too, her dark hair pulled into a low bun, purse tucked up under her arm. She has on the black dress she wore for Halloween. His eyes drift slowly over her body as the dress hugs her curves perfectly. He wants to touch her so badly it hurts. When he can't stand it anymore, he walks over to her and resists the urge to wrap his arms around her.

"Hi honey." She turns to face him, obviously nervous too.

"Oh hi!"

"Should we... go?" She nods and he leads her through the lobby to the parking garage where his car is waiting. He wants tonight to be as normal as possible, so he's driving his own car.

They make small talk as he drives the short distance to the restaurant. It's clear that they're not sure how to approach their reunion. Neither wants to be the first one to take the conversation into deeper territory. Yet they're both sitting on secrets that will require a real talk at some point.

At the restaurant, they're seated at a private table in the back. He pulls her chair out for her and softly grazes her shoulder she sits. His touch is electric and they both shiver with the contact.

They eat, talking about everything and nothing. He tells her about firing the Colonel and she tells him about being fired for not publishing the book. At last, they sit there with nothing to distract them and they both know the time has come. He clears his throat, assuming he's the only one with a confession.

"Grace, I asked you to come here for a reason."

"Elvis, wait-"

"No, I need to say this. I love you, Grace. I'm barely half a person without you. I can't live-"

"Elvis, I'm pregnant." His mouth drops open and Grace's mind runs wild. She's pretty sure he's about to backtrack on everything he just said.

"I'm sorry I just blurted it out like that, but I feel like you needed to know before you made some big declaration." He closes his mouth and sits quietly, his heart pounding as he reaches into his pocket. "Anyway, so now you know. I don't expect anything from you. I've had a baby out of wedlock before, I can do it again-"

"No. You won't." He sets the box on the table and opens it. Inside is a 8 carat emerald cut diamond engagement ring. Now it's Grace's turn to be speechless. He slides out of his chair and onto one knee beside her with the ring box in his hand.

"Grace, I have loved you from the moment I laid eyes on you. You are the other half of my soul and I've been searching for you for as long as I can remember. Everything about you is music and poetry and you amaze me every day. You are the only woman I want for the rest of my life. Please let me love you forever. Marry me, Grace Dubois."

"Yes." She whispers it, unable to summon any more words. And besides, that's the only one that really matters. The smile that spreads across his face could light up a million dark rooms and he pulls the ring out of the box and slides it onto her finger. Without another thought, she wraps her arms around his neck and pulls him into a deep and passionate kiss. Then, he kisses her cheek and they embrace.

"I love you, Elvis. God, I love you so much." She laughs as the tears slide down her cheeks and he pulls back, cupping her face in his hands.

"Oh, Grace. I'm so excited for this life with you, for our child, for our family. I've never been this happy before."

"Me neither. I'm just so glad you're happy about the baby." He stands up and goes back to his chair, pulling it closer to hers so he can keep hold of her hand.

"Of course, honey. The girls need another sibling. I love that we will have one that is part of both of us." He kisses her hand. Then, he looks around.

"Hey, you know where we are?"

"Vegas?"

"We could get married tonight." His eyes sparkle with excitement and she laughs.

"We could."

"Why not?"

"I honestly can't think of a single damn reason."

They laugh together and head out of the restaurant hand in hand.

******

Elvis and Grace make it to a chapel before the paparazzi find them, but the way out is crowded with cameras. Elvis doesn't care. He holds up her hand to show off the ring and tells anyone who'll listen that he's happily married. Grace is shy at first, but his energy is contagious and before long, she's the perfect picture of a blushing bride. They kiss one last time for the cameras before he helps her into the car and they drive away, laughing and waving.

******

Back at the International, they maintain decorum only as far as the elevator. Once the doors begin to close, they turn and wrap around each other passionately, mouths pressed together with tongues dancing wildly. He slides his hands back to her ass and rolls his hips into her. She moans into his mouth and he kisses down her neck to her cleavage, running his tongue along the edge of her dress.

When the doors finally open, they tumble out of the elevator together to the door of his suite. He presses her body against the door with his own and she nibbles on his earlobe as he fiddles with the key. They roll into the room together, kicking off shoes and shedding clothing left and right. By the time they make it to the bedroom, they're both naked.

He lays her gently on the bed and kisses down her body to her stomach. He kisses just below her bellybutton and looks up at her softly. She knows he's thinking about the baby that's settled there for the moment. But he quickly switches gears and moves down lower on her body. He kisses the inside of each thigh before he presses his mouth to her center and she moans loudly, arching her back. He moves his tongue in circles over and around her most sensitive spot. He was always skilled, but in the time they've been together he's learned her body and knows exactly how to make her crazy. He slides first one finger and then two inside her and begins to move them against her as she squirms. He continues to move his tongue in a way that causes her to cry out his name. He knows exactly what she wants and he gives it to her until the waves of ecstatic pleasure wash over her again and again and she runs her fingers through his hair. He kisses back up her body and lines his cock up with her entrance. When he pushes into her slowly, they groan together at the sensation of him sliding into her tight pussy. She takes all of him easily, almost as though she was made for him to fill her up. He fucks into her, kissing her shoulder and neck and cheek.

"God, honey, I missed you so much. You feel so good." He says, his voice a husky whisper. She moans into his mouth as he pounds his hips against hers.

"I love you so much. Don't stop. Don't ever stop."

"Honey, that ring on your finger is a promise that I won't." He leans in and kisses her deeply, all the while filling her rhythmically with his cock.

She pushes him onto his back and settles between his legs. He loves it when she takes control like this. He never dreamed he would, but there's something about the way their love is a give and take that drives him wild.

Holding the base of him in one hand, she sinks her mouth down onto him, rolling his foreskin back so that the sensitive head hits the back of her throat.

"Oh, fuck, honey." He moans loudly and throws his head back. She continues to work, running her tongue up the bottom of his shaft and licking small circles around him. She's learned his body too and it's obvious by how she makes him come undone.

When he's approaching the edge, she stops and pulls back. He whimpers and aligns her hips with his desperately. He's so close to his release and it's been so long that he feels like he might burst. She slips him into her slowly and then lets him drive into her from underneath. He holds her tight to his chest with both arms while he fucks her, grabbing the back of her hair and pulling her in for deep kisses.

Before too long, he slams into her one last time, filling her with warmth as he shudders and pulses inside her. Neither of them expected her to tumble over the edge with him, but she does, the heat from her orgasm exploding from her center, muffling her hearing and coursing through her like wildfire. They lay there together panting and sweating for a moment. Then, she pulls off of him and settles in the crook of his arm, her fingers making circles in his chest hair. He's the first one to speak.

"I think I can handle doing that forever."

"You better! Not much choice now." They laugh and he rolls over to face her, bringing her fingers to his lips, suddenly serious.

"I know we said vows at the chapel, but I'm making another one to you now. I promise to always love you like this, even when it's hard. I promise to always try."

Her eyes glisten and she holds her hand to his cheek.

"I promise to trust you and believe in you with my whole heart. I love you, Elvis Presley. Always."

They settle in to sleep, finally secure in knowing there's no end to the nights they'll spend wrapped up in each other.

******

The first stop on his tour is Tulsa, so Paulette brings Wendy and they head to Grace's mom's house. The welcome they receive is warm and chaotic and their joy is undeniable. At first, Ruth is disappointed that they didn't have a big wedding, but the news of a new grandchild distracts her.

After several hours of family time, Elvis and Grace head to the hotel where they stayed for Thanksgiving, leaving Wendy to stay with her grandma again.

When they get to the door of their room, he stops her.

"Wait, I wanna carry you over the threshold." He scoops her into his arms.

"This is not our home, though?" She looks at him puzzled.

"Honey, my home is wherever you are." He kicks the door open and carries her inside, never looking back.

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

The End

Taglist:

@ccab @elvisfatass @elvisalltheway101 @ashtag6887 @aliypop @your-nanas-house @dkayfixates @everythingelvispresley @xanatenshi @returntopresley @p0lksaladannie @deniseinmn @jaqueline19997 @that-hotdog @18lkpeters @joshuntildawn13 @rjmartin11 @littlehoneyposts @epthedream69

[owladaptive]

Headcanons of your latest art, plz

The cool and funny thing about the addams au is that ducks don't need to change their core personalities in the slightest in order to fit. They're all just kinda Like That already.

They're just Like That already!!

They already get up to wacky, dangerous shenanigans. And other people not in the family look at it and go "that's a whole lotta weird". Individually, none of them are exactly normal.

All you really need to do to addamsify them is to take the most out of the ordinary aspects of each of their personalities and dial the notch up about..... 60 degrees.

Below are ramblings about their characters. Enjoy.

Scrooge is of course the patriarch of the family, an adventure capitalist and the richest duck in the world who loves dancing with danger. He's basically the most unchanged out of them all. But this Scrooge is... twisted. He covets the thrill of almost dying with the same fervor he covets gold. And he proudly, nay lovingly, exposes his kids to anything that brings them near the glory of death with reverence. The "other bin" is a personal museum of deadly monsters, fatal curses and dead things that he proudly lets his beloved family (and hapless guests) admire at their leisure. And he's always delighted to teach his kids anything they want to know. How to swordfight? Of course m'dear child, anything you ask. Here's the correct way you load gunpowder into a musket. Here's a fun way to give your wind-up clock bomb a little extra oomph. Want a turn in the iron maiden?

Bentina was a whole different kind of spy. I mean she was an assassin. In fact she was hired to string up Scrooge when they first met, instead he bought her off and had her dispose of her original contractor. They became friends of course, Scrooge admiring her line of work and Beakley begrudgingly respecting the sheer outrageousness of his admiration. And since coming back to his house to raise Webby (his family-oriented nature wore her cold exterior down over time until she caught the love bug) she vibes as his pseudo-sister once more.

Yeah Duckworth is still a ghost. He's been there since he died in his sleep and the whole family got together to drag his fading soul from the river styx and shove him back into the physical plain. (They worship the escape of death, that doesn't mean they want to be separated!) He doesn't say much. They love him still.

Webby is literally the same character. Only of course, her already-warped perspective on life after growing up in the shadow of Scrooge McDuck is warped all the more. To Webby, fighting, grappling, shooting arrows, firing (real) guns and stalking your friends through the shadows of night to scare the light from their eyes for a second isn't just super fun.... it's affection!! She's a creature of the night. She'll give her family so many hugs. She'll watch her loved ones while they sleep. She'll strangle them until they pass out (affectionate), she'll protect them from anything. She's everything the rest of the world is just ken.

Della is presumed dead, and nobody is particularly mad about it. This is a family that walks closely with death, after all, so while their love for each other is so strong that even a decade after she was gone they still mourn her, they would never cut her memory from their lives. Her portraits hang everywhere, her room kept immaculately covered in dust and cobwebs just the way she'd want it to be. They bring her up in conversations as though she'd just gone out to buy milk or something. And every single year, on the anniversary of her death, they hold a seance to attempt to summon her back (They already tried the thing they did with Duckworth). It never works, and Scrooge and Donald hug and cry and reminisce together and then life goes back to normal.

Donald is a faithful, doting and affectionate dad to his nephews and has told them stories of their mother since they were hatched. He loved his sister so very much, but unlike canon never blamed Scrooge for her death. Yes, she likely died in space, her spacesuit smashed open and her body freeze dried in the soul-sucking endless darkness all because Scrooge lovingly gifted her something that would put her life at risk. But she's only dead!! Nothing to estrange yourself from your family over. Donald and Scrooge are instead brought closer through shared loss. Donald in this universe is still a sailor, and is entranced by the glory of the deathly, stormy seas and all the creepy, slimy creatures within it. His anger is surprisingly mostly tamed by way of catharsis (fishing and killing the fish and cooking the fish with far too much axe chopping and knife brandishing than needed). That doesn't mean he won't lose it if someone insults his kids, his uncle or his dead sister.

Huey is a sweet, smart, helpful boy with a penchant for biting that's followed him since he first grew teeth and a rage-filled alter ego that's switched on a hair-thin trigger. When he's not flying into a mad frenzy like a gremlin ("you've got such a healthy temper dear boy, make sure to sharpen your teeth before bed now!") he's deconstructing anything he can get his hands on and building them back better and more explosive. Don't be alarmed by his muzzle - his brothers sometimes force it on him when they get tired of his biting (it makes for an unfair fight) and sometimes they kindly ask if he wants them to put it on for him when they notice he's being a little nonverbal or cranky. He loves them a lot and gives them lots of hugs.

Dewey is a melodramatic little weirdo who recites poetry and Shakespeare, adores making a spectacle of himself and hates being one of a set of three. Quite like his canon self! Unlike his canon self, he copes with feelings of resentment and middle child syndrome by way of bloodlust. It's all in good fun, of course. What child doesn't try to smother their siblings in their sleep now and then? Why, back when Scrooge was a lad, his sisters once dangled him in the path of a speeding train while he was sleeping! When his murderous urges take a backseat and he gives the booby traps a rest, Dewey's a fun-loving kid who would go to much more extreme measures to get take vicious revenge on anyone who would make any three of his siblings cry. His dream is to die suffocating in a vacuum like his mother did.

Louie, having grown up in the mansion instead of a houseboat, is no stranger to the wonders of luxury. Luckily for him, the Scrooge of this universe is wrapped around the collective pinky finger of his wee ones, and is much more doting than canon. Also luckily for Louie is that McDuck manor is built on an expansive graveyard where he can look for jewellery, trinkets and gold fillings to his greedy heart's content. When he runs out of graves at the mansion (he always buries them back, don't worry) there are always other graveyards in town. And other towns, too. And true, Louie's been dragged back home by the police every now and then, so he's had to get sneaky about his thrifting ways. He can pickpocket like a pro, filching off anybody who isn't Scrooge (who would always notice) and snatching any shiny thing that isn't nailed down and can fit in his pocket when he's out of the house. He's sneaky alright, but also sensitive. Don't touch his stuff or he'll stab you. "did the little dragon add anything to his hoard today?"

[ohgaylor]

Pt. 2 of That’s Gay Tay — a list of 🌈 lyrics Taylor has written (that are either queer-coded, implicit, or otherwise explicitly gay)

*disclaimer — this is a massively long post but that’s precisely the point. I hope you enjoy the richness of her music through this lens as much as I enjoyed compiling it. And be sure to click Keep Reading for the full, thorough, beautiful list. (ps. it may glitch and not show the full list, but it should end with Daylight) ☀️

Wonderland — “Too in love to think straight”

I Wish You Would — “We’re a crooked love in a straight line down”

Love Story (original) — “This love is different, but it's real”

Welcome To New York — “Kaleidoscope of loud heartbeats under coats”

Me! — “But one of these things is not like the others, like a rainbow with all of the colors."

The Very First Night — “We broke the status quo”

Better Off — “We don't have to do things their way”

Forever Winter — “It’s not just a phase I’m in”

invisible string — “Time, wondrous time gave me the blues and then purple-pink skies”

Welcome To New York — “And you can want who you want, boys and boys and girls and girls."

ME! — “And you're the kinda guy the ladies want (And there's a lotta cool chicks out there)”

long story short — “The knife cuts both ways”

Vigilante Shit — “I don’t dress for women, I don’t dress for men”

Out Of The Woods — “The rest of the world was black and white. But we were in screaming color”

illicit affairs — “You showed me colors you know I can’t see with anyone else... You taught me a secret language I can't speak with anyone else”

Daylight — “I once believed love would be black and white, but it's golden“

Crazier — “You showed me somethin' that I couldn't see, you opened my eyes, and you made me believe”

Question…? — “We had one thing goin' on I swear that it was somethin' cause I don't remember who I was before you painted all my nights a color I've searched for since”

State of Grace — “So you were never a saint, and I loved in shades of wrong. We learn to live with the pain, mosaic broken hearts. But this love is brave and wild”

A Place In This World — “Trying to see through the rain coming down even though I'm not the only one who feels the way I do”

Holy Ground — “Yeah, you skip the conversation when you already know”

cowboy like me — “Takes one to know one, you’re a cowboy like me”

So It Goes… — “'Cause, baby, I know what you know. We can feel it”

Message In A Bottle — “I know that you like me and it's kinda frightenin' standin' here waitin', waitin'”

Crazier — “I'd never gone with the wind, just let it flow, let it take me where it wants to go 'til you open the door, there's so much more I'd never seen it before. I was tryin' to fly but I couldn't find wings, but you came along and you changed everything”

Treacherous — “Forever going with the flow But you're friction”

the 1 — “We never painted by the numbers, baby, but we were making it count”

The Other Side of the Door — “All I need is on the other side of the door”

invisible string — “And it's cool, baby, with me”

Don’t Blame Me — “Something happened for the first time”

Holy Ground — “We had this big wide city all to ourselves. We blocked the noise with the sound of, "I need you" and for the first time, I had something to lose”

Cruel Summer — “And it's new, the shape of your body”

You’re On Your Own Kid — “I picked the petals, he loves me not. Something different bloomed”

Hits Different — “Movin' on was always easy for me to do. It hits different, it hits different 'cause it's you”

ivy — “I wish to know the fatal flaw that makes you long to be magnificently cursed”

Getaway Car — “I knew it from the first Old Fashioned, we were cursed”

ivy — “Tarnished but so grand”

Don’t Blame Me — “For you, I would cross the line”

Don’t Blame Me — “I would fall from grace just to touch your face”

Question…? — “Do you wish you could still touch her? … Did you realize, out of time, she was on your mind”

cardigan — “But I knew you'd linger like a tattoo kiss I knew you'd haunt all of my what-ifs”

Labyrinth — “I'll be gettin' over you my whole life”

Bigger Than The Whole Sky — “And I've got a lot to pine about. I've got a lot to live without”

ivy — “I just sit here and wait, grieving for the living”

the 1 — “It would've been fun If you would've been the one”

Hits Different — “And I felt you and I held you for a while”

‘tis the damn season — “And the road not taken looks real good now, and it always leads to you and my hometown“

Midnight Rain — “So I peered through a window, a deep portal, time travel, all the love we unravel”

The Great War — “I drew curtains closed, drank my poison all alone”

Death By A Thousand Cuts — “I look through the windows of this love, even though we boarded them up. Chandelier's still flickering here”

illicit affairs — “And you know damn well, for you, I would ruin myself a million little times”

dress — “Inescapable, I'm not even gonna try and if I get burned, at least we were electrified”

I Did Something Bad — “They say I did something bad. Then why's it feel so good?”

Treacherous — “This hope is treacherous, this daydream is dangerous”

gold rush — “I can't dare to dream about you anymore”

Mastermind — “Once upon a time, the planets and the fates and all the stars aligned. You and I ended up in the same room, at the same time”

King of My Heart — “And all at once, you are the one I have been waiting for”

The Archer — “Combat, I'm ready for combat. I say I don't want that, but what if I do?”

22 — “You look like bad news I gotta have you”

gold rush — “Walk past, quick brush I don't like slow motion, double vision in rose blush”

I Know Places — “It's a scene and we're out here in plain sight I can hear them whisper as we pass by... Something happens when everybody finds out. See the vultures circling, dark clouds”

Cornelia Street — “You hold my hand on the street”

All Of The Girls — “We’re sneakin’ out into town, holding hands, just killing time”

Wonderland — “Haven't you heard what becomes of curious minds?”

Sparks Fly — “And you stood there in front of me, just close enough to touch”

Enchanted — “The lingering question kept me up 2AM, who do you love?”

the 1 — “I persist and resist the temptation to ask you if one thing had been different, would everything be different today?”

Treacherous — “Put your lips close to mine, as long as they don’t touch... And I'll do anything you say if you say it with your hands”

Untouchable — “Untouchable like a distant diamond sky. I'm reaching out and I just can't tell you why I'm caught up in you”

Message In A Bottle — “I'm reachin' for you, terrified”

The Great War — “My hand was the one you reached for”

Delicate — “Sometimes, when I look into your eyes, I pretend you're mine all the damn time”

Gorgeous — “There's nothing I hate more than what I can't have”

You Belong With Me — “Dreaming about the day when you wake up and find that what you're looking for has been here the whole time”

Angelina — “He’s got everything you’d wanna be... Watch him run across to Angelina, But I won’t cause I have always been a bit reckless”

ivy — “My pain fits in the palm of your freezing hand, taking mine, but it's been promised to another”

august — “Your back beneath the sun, wishin' I could write my name on it”

Gorgeous — “You've ruined my life by not being mine”

willow — “Lost in your current like a priceless wine”

ivy — “Oh, I can't stop you putting roots in my dreamland. My house of stone, your ivy grows and now I'm covered”

You All Over Me — “I've still got you all over me”

Maroon — “And I wake with your memory over me”

Delicate — “Is it cool that I said all that? Is it too soon to do this yet? ‘cause I know that it's delicate”

Cruel Summer — “And I scream, ‘For whatever it's worth, I love you, ain't that the worst thing you ever heard?’”

Snow On The Beach — “You wanting me, tonight feels impossible”

The Other Side of the Door — “All I really want is you To stand outside my window throwin' pebbles, screamin', "I'm in love with you"

Glitch — “We were supposed to be just friends… I think there’s been a glitch”

Welcome Distraction — “I can’t win, so I give in. The more I fight, it just gets stronger. You’re an inconvenient kind of satisfaction, welcome distraction”

The Very First Night — “And so it was, we never saw it coming. Not trying to fall in love but we did like children running”

You Are In Love — “Pauses, then says ‘You’re my best friend’”

Paper Rings — “I hate accidents except when we went from friends to this”

Maroon — “Laughing with my feet in your lap Like you were my closest friend”

Dress — “Say my name and everything just stops. I don't want you like a best friend. Only bought this dress so you could take it off”

Dress — “All of this silence and patience, pining and anticipation. My hands are shaking from holding back from you.”

Don’t Blame Me — “Shaking, pacin', I just need you”

illicit affairs — “clandestine meetings and longing stares”

ivy — “How's one to know? I'd meet you where the spirit meets the bones In a faith-forgotten land”

Delicate — “Come here, you can meet me in the back”

willow — “Wait for the signal, and I'll meet you after dark”

Lavender Haze — “Meet me at midnight”

You Are In Love — “One look, dark room, meant just for you”

So It Goes… — “See you in the dark, all eyes on you, my magician”

We Were Happy — “No one could touch the way we laughed in the dark”

Gorgeous — “And you should think about the consequence of you touching my hand in a darkened room”

ivy — “Your touch brought forth an incandescent glow”

Mastermind — “And the touch of a hand lit the fuse”

It’s Nice To Have A Friend — “Something gave you the nerve to touch my hand”

Would’ve Could’ve Should’ve — “If you never touched me, I would've gone along with the righteous. if I never blushed, then they could've never whispered about this”

willow — “I'm begging for you to take my hand, wreck my plans”

Death By A Thousand Cuts — “Quiet my fears with the touch of your hand”

…Ready for It? — “In the middle of the night, in my dreams, I know I'm gonna be with you, so I take my time”

gold rush — “I don't like anticipatin' my face in a red flush”

Dress — “Our secret moments in a crowded room, they got no idea about me and you”

Dress — “Everyone thinks that they know us, but they know nothin'”

Hits Different — “I slur your name 'til someone puts me in a car”

Cruel Summer — “I'm drunk in the back of the car And I cried like a baby coming home from the bar. Said, "I'm fine, " but it wasn't true. I don’t wanna keep secrets just to keep you”

Invisible — “We could be a beautiful miracle, unbelievable, instead of just invisible”

Crazier — “Baby, you showed me what livin' is for, I don't wanna hide anymore”

King of My Heart — “Your love is a secret I’m hoping, dreaming, dying to keep”

Dear Reader — “Dear reader, the greatest of luxuries is your secrets”

All Of The Girls — “Secret jokes all alone”

Dancing With Our Hands Tied — “I, I loved you in secret, first sight, yeah, we love without reason”

…Ready For It — “Lights down low, no one has to know”

Wildest Dreams — “I said, ‘No one has to know what we do’”

I Can See You — “What would you do if they never found us out? What would you do if we never made a sound?”

The Very First Night — “No one knows about the words that we whisper, no one knows how much I miss you”

Last Kiss — “The words that you whispered for just us to know”

This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things — “I'm laughing with my lover, makin' forts under covers”

Paris — “Privacy sign on the door and on my page and on the whole world. Romance is not dead if you keep it just yours”

You Are In Love — “You can hear it in the silence, you can feel it on the way home.”

peace — “Give you the silence that only comes when two people understand each other”

Dear Reader — “I prefer hiding in plain sight”

Don’t Blame Me — “In the darkest little paradise”

happiness — “Showed you all of my hiding spots”

The Archer — “Who could ever leave me, darling? But who could stay?”

Cruel Summer — “And I snuck in through the garden gate, every night that summer just to seal my fate”

Love Story — “So I sneak out to the garden to see you. We keep quiet, 'cause we're dead if they knew, so close your eyes. Escape this town for a little while”

Question...? — “Did you lеave her house in the middle of the night?”

You’re On Your Own Kid — “I see the great escape, so long, Daisy May”

Our Song — “Sneakin' out late, tapping on your window”

willow — “Head on the pillow, I could feel you sneakin' in, as if you were a mythical thing”

Daylight — “Back and forth from New York (Sneaking in your bed)”

All Too Well — “And there we are again when nobody had to know… you kept me like a secret, but I kept you like an oath”

Cornelia Street — “Sacred new beginnings that became my religion”

False God — “The altar is my hips, even if it's a false god, we'd still worship this love”

So It Goes… — “And wear you like a necklace”

I Know Places — “I know places we won't be found, and they'll be chasing their tails trying to track us down, I know places we can hide”

cardigan — “But I knew you, playing hide-and-seek and giving me your weekends”

‘tis the damn season — “You could call me "babe" for the weekend“

King Of My Heart — “You try on callin' me "baby" like tryin' on clothes”

peace — “All these people think love’s for show but I would die for you in secret”

hoax — “Your faithless love's the only hoax I believe in”

ivy — “I'd live and die for moments that we stole on begged and borrowed time”

Wildest Dreams — “Let's get out of this town, drive out of the city, away from the crowds”

gold rush — “And the coastal town we wandered 'round had nеver seen a love as pure as it”

Hits Different — “Freedom felt like summеr then on the coast”

Getaway Car — “It was the great escape, the prison break, the light of freedom on my face”

Run — “Darling, let's run, run from it all. we can go where our eyes can take us, go where no one else is”

Love Story — “Take me somewhere we can be alone. I'll be waiting, all there's left to do is run”

Just South Of Knowing Why — “She looked at her keys and found a reason to run”

Call It What You Want — “You don't need to save me, but would you run away with me?"

Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince — “Voted most likely to run away with you”

Better Man — “I know the bravest thing I ever did was run”

Blank Space — “Love’s a game, wanna play?”

…Ready For It — “Baby, let the games begin”

This Is Why We Cant Have Nice Things — “I want to wear his initial on a chain 'round my neck, because he owns me, but 'cause he really knows me, which is more than they can say”

King of My Heart — “'Cause all the boys and their expensive cars, with their Range Rovers and their Jaguars, never took me quite where you do”

The Lucky One — “And your lover in the foyer doesn't even know you”

Cruel Summer — “Bad, bad boy, Shiny toy with a price. You know that I bought it”

exile — “I can see you starin', honey, like he's just your understudy, like you'd get your knuckles bloody for me”

right where you left me — “Wages earned and lessons learned”

All Of The Girls — “Fake love out on the town”

You’re On Your Own Kid — “The jokes weren’t funny, I took the money, my friends from home don’t know what to say”

Midnight Rain — “He wanted it comfortable, I wanted that pain. He wanted a bride, I was making my own name, chasing that fame”

Hits Different — “I used to switch out these Kens, I'd just ghost”

Better Than Revenge — “Soon she's gonna find stealing other people's toys on the playground won't make you many friends”

Blank Space — “Got a long list of ex-lovers, they'll tell you I'm insane. But I've got a blank space, baby and I'll write your name”

Getaway Car — “I wanted to leave him, I needed a reason”

Don’t Blame Me — “Toyin' with them older guys, just playthings for me to use.”

Bejeweled — “And when I meet the band, they ask, ‘Do you have a man?’ I could still say, ‘I don’t remember’”

All Of The Girls — “Cryin’ in the bathroom for some dude whose name I cannot remember now”

Gorgeous — “And I got a boyfriend, he's older than us. He's in the club doin' I don't know what”

cowboy like me — “Now you hang from my lips like the Gardens of Babylon. With your boots beneath my bed, forever is the sweetest con”

cowboy like me — “I've got some tricks up my sleeve”

Dear Reader — “Dear reader, if it feels like a trap, you're already in one”

long story short — “Now I'm all about you I'm all about you”

I Did Something Bad — “I never trust a playboy, but they love me. So I fly 'em all around the world and I let them think they saved me”

I Think He Knows — “I am an architect, I'm drawing up the plans”

Mastermind — “What if I told you I'm a mastermind? And now you're mine. It was all by dеsign”

willow — “Every bait-and-switch was a work of art”

long story short — “And he’s passing by, rare as the glimmer of a comet in the sky”

Snow On The Beach — “I saw flecks of what could've been lights, but it might just have been you”

cowboy like me — “And the ladies lunching have their stories about when you passed through town”

False God — “We might just get away with it”

cowboy like me — “Perched in the dark tellin’ all the rich folks anything they wanna hear like it could be love, I could be the way forward, only if they pay for it.”

Glitch — “I'd go back to wanting dudes who give nothing”

Lavender Haze — “No deal The 1950s shit they want from me I just wanna stay in that lavender haze”

Blank Space — “New money, suit and tie. I can read you like a magazine”

cowboy like me — “Never wanted love, just a fancy car”

Midnight Rain — “I guess sometimes we all get just what we wanted”

cardigan — “Chasin' shadows in the grocery line I knew you'd miss me once the thrill expired”

Lavender Haze — “Talk your talk and go viral I just need this love spiral. Get it off your chest, get it off my desk”

This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things — “And here’s to my baby. He ain’t reading what they call me lately”

Blank Space — “You can tell me when it's over, mmm. If the high was worth the pain”

… Ready For It? — “I see nothing better, I keep him forever like a vendetta-ta”

long story short — “If the shoe fits walk in it ‘til your high heals break”

cowboy like me — “ And the old men that I've swindled really did believe I was the one”

Hits Different — “Rip the band-aid off and skip town likе an asshole outlaw”

Lavender Haze — “All they keep asking me iIs if I'm gonna be your bride. The only kinda girl they see is a one-night or a wife”

Dear Reader — “To a house, not a home, all alone 'cause nobody's there”

High Infidelity — “Storm coming, good husband, bad omen. Dragged my feet right down the aisle. At the house lonely, good money. I'd pay if you'd just know me. Seemed like the right thing at the time.”

Sweet Nothing — “All that you ever wanted from me was sweet nothin'”

Out Of The Woods — “Are we out of the woods? Are we in the clear yet?”

You Are In Love — “You two are dancing in a snow globe, 'round and 'round”

I Know Places — “'Cause they got the cages, they got the boxes and guns They are the hunters, we are the foxes and we run”

So It Goes… — “Gold cage, hostage to my feelings”

Dancing With Our Hands Tied — “Picture of your face in an invisible locket”

Run — “And the note from the locket, you keep it in your pocket since I gave it to you”

cowboy like me — “And the skeletons in both our closets plotted hard to fuck this up”

seven — “And I think you should come live with me and we can be pirates. Then you won't have to cry or hide in the closet”

this is me trying — “They told me all of my cages were mental, so I got wasted like all my potential”

champagne problems — “Your hometown skeptics called it champagne problems”

Midnight Rain — “My town was a wasteland, full of cages, full of fences, pageant queens and big pretenders but for some, it was paradise”

dorothea — “skippin' the prom Just to piss off your mom and her pageant schemes”

New Romantics — “The rumors are terrible and cruel, But, honey, most of them are true."

End Game — “Reputation precedes me, in rumors, I'm knee-deep”

End Game — “Big reputation, big reputation. Ooh, you and me would be a big conversation”

Dancing With Our Hands Tied — “People started talking, putting us through our paces. I knew there was no one in the world who could take it”

Paris — “I want to transport you to somewhere the culture’s clever, confess my truth in swooping, sloping, cursive letters”

Run — “We shouldn't be in this town”

You’re On Your Own Kid — “I didn't choose this town, I dream of getting out”

the lakes — “I don’t belong and my beloved, neither do you”

the 1 — “You know the greatest films of all time were never made”

The Archer — “'Cause cruelty wins in the movies”

exile — “I think I’ve seen this film before, and I didn’t like the ending”

The Archer — “And all of my heroes die all alone. Help me hold on to you”

Message In A Bottle — “'Cause you could be the one that I love, I could be the one that you dream of”

Dancing With Our Hands Tied — “I loved you in spite of deep fears that the world would divide us”

Better Off — “Somehow it feels like we're flying, don't want to come down. But they make it so tough cause everyone we know is trying to push us apart hide it down in our hearts”

Question...? — “Did you ever have someone kiss you in a crowded room and every single one of your friends was makin' fun of you? But fifteen seconds later, thеy were clappin' too?”

the lakes — “I'm not cut out for all these cynical clones these hunters with cell phones”

Run — “This thing was a shot in the dark. Say you'll never let 'em tear us apart”

tolerate it — “I know my love should be celebrated but you tolerate it”

ivy — “What would he do if he found us out?”

Ours — “Seems like there’s always someone who disapproves, they’ll judge it like they know about me and you”

New Romantics — “'Cause baby, I could build a castle out of all the bricks they threw at me”

ivy — “So yeah, it's a war. It's the goddamn fight of my life, and you started it.”

You Are In Love — “And you understand now why they lost their minds and fought the wars, and why I've spent my whole life tryin' to put it into words”

Change — “Can you feel it now? These walls that they put up to hold us back will fall down. This revolution, the time will come for us to finally win.”

Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince — “And I'll never let you (go) 'cause I know this is a (fight) that someday we're gonna (win)”

Afterglow — “This ultraviolet morning light below tells me this love is worth the fight”

long story short — “When I dropped my sword I threw it in the bushes and knocked on your door. And we live in peace but if someone comes at us, this time, I'm ready”

dorothea — “Are you still the same soul I met under the bleachers?”

betty — “If I showed up at your party, would you have me, would you want me?”

Maroon — “The lips I used to call home, so scarlet, it was maroon”

So It Goes… — “Lipstick on your face”

Dancing With Our Hands Tied — “Could've spent forever with your hands in my pockets”

You All Over Me — “With your hands in your pockets and your "Don't you wish you had me?" grin. Well I did, so I smiled and I melted like a child”

champagne problems — “November flush and your flannel cure”

gold rush — “What must it be like to grow up that beautiful? With your hair falling into place like dominoes”

Style — “You got that long hair, slicked back, white t-shirt”

Gorgeous — “You’re so gorgeous, can’t say anything to your face, ‘cause look at your face”

Paris — “I'm so in love that I might stop breathing”

I’d Lie — “I'm holding every breath for you”

Crazier — “Feels like I'm fallin' and I am lost in your eyes”

gold rush — “Gleaming, twinkling, eyes like sinking ships on waters, so inviting, I almost jump in

Delicate — “Do the girls back home touch you like I do?”

Tear Drops on My Guitar — “I'll bet she's beautiful, that girl he talks about”

I’d Lie — “His sister's beautiful”

Me And Britney — “Me and Britney used to sit on the front porch drinking lemonade, talking 'bout things no one else was ever supposed to hear in the summer shade”

seven — “Cross your heart, won't tell no other, and though I can’t recall your face I still got love for you. Your braids like a pattern. Love you to the Moon and to Saturn”

Cross My Heart — “So I cross my heart and hope for you, knock on wood and rope the moon”

This Is What You Came For — “Lightning strikes every time she moves and everybody’s watching her but she’s looking at you”

Hits Different — “Dreams of your hair and your stare and sense of belief in the good in the world”

Angelina — “Angelina’s got a pretty face And really long brown hair”

dorothea — “It's never too late to come back to my side, the stars in your eyes shined brighter in Tupelo. And if you're ever tired of bеin' known for who you know, you know that you'll always know me”

I Know Places — “And you know for me, it's always you”

Hits Different — “You were the one that I loved”

ivy — “He wants what’s only yours”

Me and Britney — “That boy she ran off with, well, I thought he was crazy. Maybe I was just jealous that he'd come between me and Britney”

Vigilante Shit — “Now she gets the house, gets the kids, gets the pride Picture me thick as thieves with your ex-wife”

betty — “Slept next to her, but I dreamt of you all summer long”

Haunted — “And he just might make me smile but the whole time, I'm wishing he was you instead”

Just South of Knowing Why — “I could tell that her smile was only something to hide behind, she felt so out of touch, because she just felt too much”

‘tis the damn season — “And wonder about the only soul who can tell which smiles I'm fakin'“

The Way I Loved You — “He can't see the smile I'm faking and my heart's not breaking, ‘cause I'm not feeling anything at all”

Teardrops on My Guitar — “fake a smile so he won’t see”

Nothing New — “And my cheeks are growing tired from turning red and faking smiles”

exile — “I can see you standing, honey with his arms around your body, laughin', but the joke's not funny at all”

Mine — “I fell in love with a careless man's careful daughter. She is the best thing that's ever been mine”

King of My Heart — “Up on the roof with a school girl crush”

Karma — “Sweet like justice, karma is a queen”

How You Get The Girl — “And you were too afraid to tell her what you want... I would wait forever and ever And that's how it works. That's how you get the girl”

cardigan — “Chase two girls, lose the one”

Hits Different — “Bet I could still melt your world argumentative, antithetical dream girl”

The Man — “What's it like to brag about raking in dollars, and getting bitches and models?”

The Great War — “And maybe it was egos swinging, maybe it was her”

The Other Side of the Door — “With your face and the beautiful eyes, and the conversation with the little white lies, and the faded picture of a beautiful night. You carried me from your car up the stairs. And I broke down crying, was she worth this mess? After everything and that little black dress, after everything I must confess, I need you”

Our Song — “Man, I didn't kiss her, and I should have”

Tim McGraw — “I hope you think that little black dress, think of my head on your chest, and my old faded blue jeans”

evermore — “sending signals to be double-crossed”

Anti-Hero — “I should not be left to my own devices They come with prices and vices I end up in crisis”

exile — “I gave so many signs”

The Archer — “And I cut off my nose just to spite my face, then I hate my reflection for years and years”

Anti-Hero — “I'll stare directly at the sun, but never in the mirror. It must be exhausting always rooting for the anti-hero”

Dear Reader — “Never take advice from someone who's falling apart”

coney island — “And do you miss the rogue Who coaxed you into paradise and left you there?“

mirrorball — “I'll show you every version of yourself tonight”

The Archer — “I’ve got a hundred thrown out speeches I almost said to you”

evermore — “I replay my footsteps on each stepping stone, trying to find the one where I went wrong. Writing letters addressed to the fire.”

The Archer — “The room is on fire, invisible smoke”

Clean — “I screamed so loud but no one heard a thing”

The Great War — “Sucker punching walls, cursed you as I sleep-talked, spineless in my tomb of silence”

long story short — “Misery Like the war of words I shouted in my sleep”

peace — “I never had the courage of my convictions, as long as danger is near”

Sweet Nothing — “And the voices that implore, "You should be doing more" to you, I can admit that I’m just too soft for all of it”

Dear Reader — “Dear reader, you don't have to answer just 'cause they asked you”

this is me trying — “And maybe I don't quite know what to say, but I'm here in your doorway”

Anti-Hero — “One day I'll watch as you're leaving ‘cause you got tired of my scheming, for the last time”

long story short — “I tried to pick my battles 'til the battle picked me”

coney island — “Sorry for not making you my centerfold”

High Infidelity — “You know there's many different ways that you can kill the one you love. The slowest way is never loving them enough”

coney island — “But when I walked up to the podium, I think that I forgot to say your name”

Dear Reader — “These desperate prayers of a cursed man spilling out to you for free, but darling, darling, please, you wouldn't take my word for it if you knew who was talking if you knew where I was walking”

Daylight — “There are so many lines that I've crossed unforgiven“

High Infidelity — “You said I was freeloading … I bent the truth too far tonight, I was dancing around, dancing around it”

coney island — “Will you forgive my soul when you're too wise to trust me and too old to care?”

this is me trying —“Pouring out my heart to a stranger, but I didn't pour the whiskey”

Picture To Burn — “So go and tell your friends that I'm obsessive and crazy. That's fine, I'll tell mine you're gay.”

High Infidelity — “Lock broken, slur spoken”

You Need To Calm Down — “Can you just not step on our gowns?”

You Need To Calm Down — “Why are you mad when you could be GLAAD?”

You Need To Calm Down — “Cause shade never made anybody less gay”

the 1 — “Rosé flowing with your chosen family”

Maroon — “And I chose you The one I was dancing with In New York”

peace — “Family that I chose, now that I see your brother as my brother”

right where you left me — “I swear you could hear a hair pin drop”

The Great War — “Your finger on my hairpin triggers”

willow — “They count me out time and time again”

Hey Stephen — “I'm waiting alone now, so come on and come out. And pull me near and shine, shine, shine”

Dear Reader — “You should find another guiding light, guiding light But I shine so bright”

Daylight — “I've been sleeping so long in a 20-year dark night. And now I see daylight"

Daylight — “You gotta step into the daylight and let it go”

[pey-hey555]

Farewell, Leon.

Summary:Reader gets bit and decides to leave a note for Leon whenever he finds her.

Warnings: Blood, Suicide and a whole lotta angst.

You stumbled into the main hall of the R.P.D while holding the left side of your stomach, Frantically turning around to shoot one of the zombies that chased you out of the east office. The zombie made horrific noises while chasing you, Never stopping as blood dripped from its mouth while fresh human meat was stuck between every tooth and god, the fucker was grey and looked to be decomposing already. With one last shot to the head, the zombie fell over as blood splashed everywhere, making you cringe at the sight. You then looked around, Seeing that Leon was not around, The man that saved you and some girl named Claire. Looking down, you seen your own blood leak through your fingers while you held your stomach. You looked around once more before sliding down a nearby wall, Taking off the grey jacket Leon gave to you before he changed into his cop uniform. You carefully lifted up your shirt as you stared at the side of your stomach in complete denial, noticing that you’ve been bit earlier while taking down one of those things. With anger, you threw your gun to the ground harshly beside you as you then ran your fingers through your hair, getting blood on it, including the side of your face.

After re-thinking everything for a few minutes, you stood up, groaning in pain as you put your hand to the side of your stomach once again, Slowly walking your way to the Police desk all the way in the front by the blocked up entrance to the R.P.D. You looked around, grabbing a plain black note book that had a pen sitting on top of it. With that, you turned back around, Sitting in the same spot while taking your time to get comfortable because of the pain. You sigh heavily, Starting to write a letter so Leon would at least know what happened. You took your time, finding all of the right words while trying to concentrate.

After finishing the letter, you left it on top of Leon’s jacket that was beside you, Now putting your head against the wall as you stared up. Slowly, you turned to the other side of you, seeing your gun that you threw earlier as you carefully leaned over to your side to grab it. Your heart was beating rapidly while your mouth went dry and your muscles were tense as tears pricked your eyes. You squeezed your eyes shut, putting the hand gun to the side of your head over your temple as your heartbeat got faster. Hot tears streamed down your face as you put your pointer finger over the trigger, Slightly pushing down on it. “Goodbye.” You say one last time, wanting to hear your own voice before you were gone for good. Your whole life flashed through your brain, Making you tense as you pulled the trigger.

~

About 30 minutes passed as Leon came out of the reception area since he was investigating the operations room and the records room. He took a breather for a second before looking around, noticing that you weren’t back yet as he lowered his handgun to his side, looking around. He looked to the dead zombie on the ground, making him look around once more. “Hm, She probably took it down.” He thought but that didn’t mean he wasn’t worried for you. “Y/N??” He called out, but no answer. It was oddly quiet, To quiet. Finally, he walked around the police desk, Seeing your dead body lay against the wall as blood was splattered right behind you. His eyes widened as he put his gun into his holster, turning around while he ran his fingers through his soft hair. “Jesus christ…” He says under his breath, clearly in denial. He then turned back around, Seeing a white paper that was folded perfectly, sitting on top of his jacket. With pain in his heart, he carefully walked towards your lifeless body, bending down as you gently grabbed the paper and started to unfold it.

“Hey Leon. I’m sorry that you have to see this, truly. But unfortunately i was bit while trying to unlock a room in the east office and i was chased here until i took the bastard out. I hope i did enough good work to help you out around here and speaking of help, thank you for helping me and Claire out earlier at the gas station. I wish i didn’t have to go out this way but it’s the way things are now, plus, i don’t feel like turning into one of those flesh eating things. Even if i do turn after doing this to myself, do NOT hesitate, take me down. Anyways, Please get out of here safe no matter what the cost is and find Claire, I’m sure she’ll need you eventually. But Please remember me, there is no more…Farewell, Leon.”

Leon folded the note up once again as he put it into one of his pockets, sadly turning to your dead body as he took your hand gun and put it into one of his back pockets. He then gently and carefully grabbed the side of your shoulders, Laying you down onto your back as he grabbed his jacket, putting it over your corpse. Leon stood up onto his feet, Standing over your covered body with a dejected look on his face, clenching both of his fists together. “Don’t worry Y/N. I’ll do this for you and make it out alive, And…You did in fact do good.” He says under his breath before turning around, walking off. He decided he would keep the gun since it was yours in the first place, just so he would always have a part of you now.

[lyn-js]

One Step at a Time | Chapter 2. Recipe for disaster

Calvin Evans x OC Reader

Summary: Everything in Ava Mason's life was what you call normal. She has a steady job as a lab tech at Hastings, has a beautiful bungalow in Sugar Hill, and sometimes babysits her friend Harriet's kids. But that all changes when social services show up at her doorstep with, her 2-year-old niece Delilah. Ever since then, it has been keeping you from your job, going to work late, and leaving when everyone else has gone home. But a certain chemist wants to know why a lab tech is staying late.

Warning: Angst, swearing, mentions of drug & alcohol abuse, dysfunctional family, mentions of adoptions & being put into foster care, and a whole lotta fluff. (Bold Letters mean flashbacks)

(This story is kind of based on what actually happened in Lessons in Chemistry. But no dying. We need to keep one of Lewis's characters alive.)

2.15 years ago

You jolt up out of bed when I hear someone aggressively banging on my door. I try my bed to wake myself up the best I can and get the deep sleep out of my eyes.

I shuffle my feet out onto the cold floors of my apartment to see what all of the loud commotions was. As I open the door I can already see the eye I have looked at so many times.

“H-Hi, sis,” Izzy says to me with a shaky voice, almost sounding like she was coming down from a cold of some sort. The last time I saw her was at my high school graduation, high as a kite not knowing where she was. But over the years we would write to each other, me telling her I was finally going to college, and pursuing a PhD in chemistry. But with her, she only wrote when she was in a new state, with a new boyfriend, saying she was finally going to get clean, and do right. That promise was only broken when my parents would call and say she was in jail for possession of some type of substance.

But this was different, you don’t know how, and you don’t know why but you felt uneasy about why your sister was here. You're not thinking right now and your mind is on auto-pilot, so you invite her in, and let her sit down while you grab her a cup of tea.

Once the teacup is set on the coffee table, find out why your estranged sister is really here. 

I try to ask her what brings her into town, but before I can even get a word out she starts to uncontrollably sob. I just wrap her up in an embracing hug and try to get her to calm down a little bit.

Once the tears settle a little bit, she sits up and just looks at me with a blank expression.

“I’m Pregnant.” was the only thing that came out of her mouth. I just looked at her with the same expression she had earlier. Such a new surprise to hear. Suddenly Izzy starts to shed more tears. “Hey, calm down, just tell me what happened, Okay?”

Then she starts to talk about how she started dating this guy named Tom that she met in AA, saying he was really sweet, and kind to her in the beginning. Until she found out he was using again, she could control herself so she started back up again. Then she says she found out a couple of weeks ago, then she told Tom, but that ended up with her getting kicked out of his apartment and sitting here on my couch.

“Were you using drugs when you found out?” you ask her, not only worried about her, but the well-being of the baby. She doesn’t have to look at me she moves towards the end of the couch. I just let out a frustrated sigh. Trying to come up with a solution to this problem.

“I’ll… I’ll let you stay here for a little while. But only if you get clean. I'll help out with the baby, unless you thought about other options…” You don’t want to say it out loud, not wanting to see that happen to your sister. Trying not to let her go through that pain all by herself. But she looks up and nods quickly. 

“But Izzy, This is a drug-free zone. I’m not going to let it affect you, or the baby. Got it?” Then she starts to cry again and shuffles into my arms, staying there until she’s calm.

I see her look up at me, “Thank you, Peach. I promise this is going to be it. I’m going to stop this time. I’m gonna be a good mom and get my own place. I’m gonna have a better life now.”I remember she would always call me by my nickname when she felt sorry, I haven’t heard that name in a long time, it always brings up bad memories for us. 

But I try and let it go. So, I just nod and give her a half smile, letting her be wrapped in a warm embrace again.

As I see her lying in my bed, I believe this is probably the best night's sleep she has had in the last couple of days. I watch her chest rise and fall at a steady pace. Also watches as she clutches her hand to her stomach already in mama bear mode, wanting to protect her family from anything.

I shut the door to my room a little bit, not wanting to disturb her. Just so she can’t see me. I let a few tears escape my eyes. I was scared for my sister. Scared for the baby. I don’t know how to do this. I was in college, finally doing something for myself, finally living my dream. But I wasn't going to put my sister aside, she needs me more than ever. I would want to talk more with her tomorrow, so I just slumped my body on the couch and tried to fall asleep the best I could.

Let’s see what happens.

After a little consideration, a valuable lesson of ‘sex discrimination’ for Donatti, and some paperwork, I could finally move over to Calvin’s lab to work with him.

After days turned into weeks, Calvin and I worked like a well-oiled machine. Helping each other figure out equations, setting up equipment for the different trials, and Listening to new and exciting music while working. I would always be enamored with him, but I tried to keep my feelings away from my work. As being told by Fran, when asking her to work with Dr. Evans, she would tell me that there was no professional relationship between a man and a woman, and say it would be a complete disaster if we were paired up together.

I wouldn’t let her judgment get the best of me, I would always want to keep my feelings out of the lab. But no matter what I tried to do, they would always come back. Also trying to figure out why he was taking up space in my mind for my everyday thoughts. But this moment was about to change for the better.

Just as I was about to start a new trial, I heard the phone start to ring. So, I paused the experiment and picked up the phone to see who was calling.

“Hello, Ava Mason speaking,” I say in a polite tone. But I hear someone on the other line, seeming they be out of breath. “Ava, it’s Harriet,” it sounded like something was wrong, I started to feel the hairs on the back of my neck, rise, sacred something happened to the kids. To Delilah. “Harriet, are you okay? Are the kids okay? What’s wrong?” I start to ask in a panicked tone. Wanting to know what’s happening on the other line.

“The kids are okay, there in the house in Linda’s room. But, there’s this woman here. She’s high as a kite, and saying she might know you, and she wants to see Del.” I can hear my heartbeat through my ears, and afraid it might just pop out of my chest. “Did she tell you her name?” was the only thing I asked back. “I think she said her name was Izzy? I’m not sure. But I think you should come down here. I’ve already called the police they should be here in a little bit. I’ll see you soon.” After that, I hear the line go dead, and hear complete silence.

How could this happen? Why is she here? How did she get here? There are so many thoughts zipping throughout your mind, that you don’t realize a couple of minutes later your cheeks feel wet. You start to breathe heavily, feeling like you're not getting enough air for some reason. You don’t know why, so you brace your hands on the table, and try to regain your breathing. Also, I do not notice that Calvin has walked back in from his run. Probably explaining what went wrong in the last trial, and what we can do better in the next.

I could see him walk towards me worriedly, wanting to know what was wrong with me. “I-I need… I need to go.” I mumble to myself, while also trying to look around for my belongings with tears still in my eyes. Trying to get out as fast as I can. But I could still feel Calvin watching me, I could see him try and touch my shoulder, but before he could, I backed away from him and made my way out the door.

As I’m walking down the hallway, I can hear Calvin calling after me. As I reach the end of the hallway I turn around. “This was a mistake…” I say to him. I turn back around make my way out of the building, and try to get back to my Duckie.

(Short Calvin POV)

As I’m sitting in the room I’m trying to tell Ava about the last problem we had in our trial. I was thinking about it when I was on my run. As I was spewing about what we could do to improve the next time, I did get to see her slumped over on the counter whimpering. When I finished talking about the trial, I turned to see her standing up straight and seeing she had red, puffy eyes. Like she’s been crying for a few hours. I tried and ask her if something was wrong, but I could only hear her mumbling that she had to go while grabbing her belongings and trying to leave. I walk over to her some more and try, to get her to calm down, but she jolts away from me and looks at me with her red eyes like I branded her with evil words. I tried and ask what was wrong but she was already out the door, wondering if was something I did. Because whatever it may concern, I was certainly going to try and fix it.

I try and run after her but I see her turn around, saying that this was a mistake. Then she disappeared around the corner.

I’m still in shock by what happened, I’m trying to think back to see what I could’ve done to make her want to stop working with me. Was it the way I work, the way I leave peanut crumbs on the table and not clean up after? I would simply change anything. Anything to see her again in the lab. Seeing her smile anytime I would try to make a stupid joke, the way her nose crinkles when she trying to solve an equation. I would do anything to see her face again.

Anything.

(Back to your POV)

I barely put the car in park when I pulled up to Harriet’s house a nervous wreck. I can also see Izzy on the porch steps crying, and yelling back at Harriet telling her that she’s not leaving until she sees me and Delilah. As I’m walking up next to Harriet, she already sees me, and wrapping me in her embrace. 

“I came here as soon as I called, where are the kids?” I ask her in a panic. “The kids are fine, Del’s a little shaken up. But they are safe in the house.” She tells me all of this, but I can see out of the corner of my eye Izzy trying to stand up and stumble her way over to us.

“Hi, Peach, how have ya been?” I feel a shutter throughout my whole body. Trying not to let those bad memories creep back into my mind.

“W-what are you doing here Izzy?” I’m trying my hardest to speak in a civil tone with her while trying not to break down.

“I’m here for my daughter,” She says back to me in a slurred type voice. “I’m better now-” “Yea I can clearly see that Izzy. The cops are coming, so I think you should go.” Me and Harriet walk past her, so we can see how the kids are holding up.

“She’s my Daughter!” She shouts at you. Thinking she has a say in what happens with Delilah at this point. 

“And I’m Her Guardian! I am supposed to provide a safe and loving home for her. And I need to protect her and make sure she’s cared for so If you love your daughter. If you love me. Then leave.” You can’t help it. You let the tears fall down your cheeks and walk up the rest of the way.

As I get into the house, We call out for the kids. As we call them, I can see Linds’a bedroom door open a little bit. When I tell them it was just Harriet and I, I can see all three kids crash into us. Lina and Jr. rush over to Harriet. I still have Delilah with me in my arms, I try to soothe and calm her crying down a little bit. 

Anytime, I would try and put her down, she would want to cling to me more. So I just let her lay with me on the couch in the living room, and wait until the cops come.

When they show up just one comes inside and asks about what happened while another stays outside with Izzy.

Harriet gave her statement, and I gave mine. There are so many thoughts running millions of miles throughout my head. I zone out while talking. The only thing I really have control over is my body, and that is clinging onto my niece for dear life and comfort. 

After a while, they take Izzy into custody and tell us she’ll appear in court in the next couple of days. We said our goodbyes and lots of ‘Are you okay’ from Har, and in return said that we were fine.

While lying in bed, with Del curled up on my chest watching her body rise and fall with each steady breath she takes. Even when I try and switch positions in the bed, she clings onto me tighter than the last time. So, for now, I just watch her, not really being able to fall asleep. The only thing on my mind that keeps replaying is Deliah and her safety with me. What if Izzy comes back, and what if she does more than just complain that she wants to see Delilah? What if she really takes her? 

Over the past two months, Del has been my entire world, she makes my days better when she’s here with me and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

I try to bring those awful thoughts to the back of my mind. I just want to be the present, with the people I love and care about. Del, Harriet, and the kids, Calvin…

Oh shit.

Just as I was about to fall asleep when my eyes widened. I completely forgot that I snapped at Calvin earlier today, I didn’t tell him what was going on, and I didn’t get to say I was sorry for snapping on him. I just might be the biggest asshole on planet earth. I just really hope he’s not that mad at me, I honestly feel so awful about what I did to him today. Hopefully, he will be there tomorrow, so I can tell him. Maybe even tell him about what’s going on. But for right now I want to let my mind lay to rest and get a good night's sleep for a change.

Well, that sure as shit didn’t happen.

As soon as I was in the building, I made my way up to the lab as quickly as possible, making sure I could catch Calvin before he went on his run. But he wasn’t in the room when I entered. Maybe I did miss him, I’ll wait and see.

But before I could put my stuff away, I saw a little torn-out piece of paper on the lab table. I went over to see what it was. 

When I saw the note I could make out Calvin’s handwriting, I dropped everything and looked at what he had written down.

‘I’m not in today. I’m sorry for whatever I did. I’m sorry.’

-Calvin

My eyes started to well up with tears, why would I snap at him like that? I feel absolutely terrible. I wish he was here to explain everything. Wanting to tell him everything that has happened. But I can’t, maybe I can catch him tomorrow, and tell him. But for now, I just sit in the lab and worry about everything that's happening in my life right now.

The next couple of days I spent in agony. Calvin never showed up once to the lab. Or even the building, to be honest, I think I really screwed this up. I think we were working on a really good friendship. Maybe even more…

“No, No Ava, snap out of this. You’re going to go over and talk? You're going to talk and that’s it.” You try and get those stupid thoughts out of your system. You don’t know why but you decided to drop everything and not go to work today.

So you decided to take a walk around the neighborhood with Poppy and Delilah. Just want to get some fresh air, and let out all of the bed energy from this week. Maybe even stop by Calvin's Hariet’s. 

When you reach Harriet's house, you turn around to see if anyone is out around Calvin’s. You see all the curtains closed, no one in sight. But you did hear some commotion in the backyard. Of course, you decide to do your own investigation and go over to his place.

You walk up to his driveway and want to go knock on the door, but you see someone in the garage. You can see that it’s open. You peer in and see Calvin in his element. Apparently, he was using this type of orch to row. You try and call out to him, but he simply ignores you.

You call him one more time to get his attention. “Calvin!” you call out. Apparently, this time he listened.

“What?” he says with some force behind it. You step back a little bit trying not to get him too worked up.

“I see that you weren’t in the lab this week… And Danotti said to me they were firing people if we didn’t finish our research.” He gets up and starts wiping his face down. Wiping off the glistening sweat that rests on his forehead, you really didn’t want him to. He looked more handsome, not waiting to look away from him.

“More pressure. Perfect.” Out of nowhere, he throws the towel down to the ground. “Do you know what I’ve done ever since I won 2 years ago?” Genuinely asking in a gritty tone. I just shake my head a little. “Nothing. Nothing.” He takes a second to speak again. Seeming like he didn’t want to get too angry if I was around.

“I go into that lab every day, I shut the door because I don’t want people to see that I haven’t accomplished a damn thing.” There was a pregnant pause in the air. I wanted to speak up but he continued. “I was all out of ideas… Until I met you, Ava. And you had so many. It was like I could finally breathe again.” At that moment. I wanted to rush into his arms and never wanted to leave him.

And then, all of that fades away. “You left me with no explanation. You just– you left me.” I step forward a little bit, trying to see if he could let me in more. He didn’t say anything, so I kept moving forward. “I really didn’t mean to hurt you, Calvin. There was something that happened that day. It… it’s hard for me to talk about.” There was once again a long pause of silence, trying to see who would speak up first.

“I really miss working with you,” you say to him. “I miss that too.” You could hear some giggling coming your way. You both turn around when you see Delilah waddling over to you with Harriet right on her tail. “I’m sorry Ava, she said she really needed her aunty.” I pick her up and she drops her head right onto my shoulder. I look back to see Calvin with wide eyes. I walk towards him a little bit. I let out a chuckle and started the conversation back up again.

“I’m sorry for not introducing you sooner. Calvin this is my niece Delilah. Hey Duckie, this is Mr. Calvin. We work together.” I see her head come out of my shoulder and give a small wave. “Hi, Mr.Calvin” and give him a toothy grin. We all let out a little laugh. Giggling with the little girls' antics she always has.

“Maybe you can come over later. We can talk more there.” “O-okay, where do you live?” Asking me, I completely forgot to tell him that I lived in the neighborhood. “I actually live a couple of doors down. I realized when I dropped you off after the pageant.” I tell him. He again has wide-set eyes, looking at me like I just moved here from Mars. He doesn’t say anything, “I’ll see you later Calvin.” You turn and walk away when Del wants to be out of your hold. You let her go, thinking she wants to walk by herself, but she waddles her way over to Calvin and wraps her whole body around his leg. “Goodbye, Mr. Calvin!” she lets go and waddles her way back to you. You both leave with smiles on your face when you leave Calvin’s house.

To be honest, you don’t know how you can keep things professional between the two of you. You also don’t know how Delilah just met him, and she adores him. For some reason, you both don’t want to let go.

Let’s see what happens.

Reblogs are always welcome. Unless you're under 18. I will block you. and comment if you want to be added to the taglist. If I forgot anybody message me and let me know. You will be added.

Taglist: @petersunderoos96 @mrspedropascal5683 @callsign-magnolia @angelbabyyy99

dividers are by @saradika

[aliypop]

A Long Time Coming

Word count: 1,824

Prompt: April 1955 on a tour in Raleigh North Carolina, Cecelia's hometown, the two end up recounting the footsteps of one of music's greatest love affairs

Warning: age difference

Note: This is a story I've wanted to do for a while the backstory on Cecelia's parents.

Taglist:

@darkmoviesquotespizza

@sissylittlefeather

@richardslady121

@thegettingbyp2

@presleyenterprise

@dkayfixates

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@poeandmoonknightgirl

Raleigh, North Carolina, 1955

"Is this seat taken?" Elvis asked as Rosa, Daphane, and Carlotta all looked at the empty seat next to Cecelia, "Only if you want to start a riot..." She laughed as he shook his head playfully. Cecelia and her band had been on tour alongside Elvis and his band. Tonight's stop was Raleigh, a bit nostalgic for a certain someone, and Elvis could tell, "Eh, ain't gonna hurt me none," He shrugged, sitting next to her as there were gasps.

"Still think we should've gone to the ice cream parlor..." Rosa whispered as Elvis laughed,

"Sweet tooth much?"

"Only for Scotty." Carlotta joked, but Cecelia was still quiet as she took it all in at the diner where she practically grew up. "Somethings wrong with Cil..." Elvis commented as Rosa smiled,

"She's a little melancholic." It wasn't that she wasn't proud of her roots. she just missed it. She missed him. She missed them, seeing the picture of her parents' smiling faces when they were young and in love instead of arguing. "Girls, Elvis, I need some fresh air, please," Cecelia said, leaving from the back door. Elvis chased after her,

"I knew this was a bad idea..."

"Can it, Lotta..." Rosa rolled her eyes.

As Cecelia navigated through the bustling crowd of enthusiastic fans, she graciously signed a few autographs. She couldn't help but acknowledge that this was the inevitable companion to her fame. Continuing her path, Cecelia passed over train tracks and soon found herself in the quaint town of Holly Springs. There, she discovered herself seated on the porch swing of a charming single-story white house, the peaceful surroundings providing a welcome contrast to the whirlwind of her public life.

"I've missed ya..." She cooed softly, the spring breeze blowing,

"Elvis! Did you follow me?!" Cecelia glanced at him as he graced her with a sly smile. "I may have. I was worried about you and..." he trailed off, walking towards the porch swing as she made room for him.

"Where are we?"

"My childhood home," She smiled, still feeling the love of her youth radiating off it. "It ain't much, but..."

"This land is all yours?" He grinned.

"Every inch, except for that tree over there leading back."

"What's back there?"

"Why don't I show you." Taking his hand, the two walked further into the woods, branches in her hair as he swatted away bugs.

"So, with all that land, a girl like you must've-"

"Gotten into a lot of stuff. We weren't rich. We weren't exactly broke. We were comfortable and had a horse and some chickens. My mama had a garden that she never could flourish... The two laughed.

"And what about you?"

"I ran amuck around downtown Raleigh and Fuquay, always in the soda shop getting into something," she laughed.

"You?"

"With coveralls and a ribbon."

"Bet you were a cute kid." He playfully pinched her cheeks as she blushed. The two kept treading deep into the woods as they found a patch of land that had a suspicious-looking building on it. Getting closer to it, Elvis could hear the sultry sounds of rhythm and blues music floating in the air like the scent of an apple pie. "Welcome to Reeds Juke n Jive." She said opening the door to the establishment,

"It's a time capsule in here..." Elvis looked around,

"Hasn't changed since 32," Cecelia smiled, sitting at the table by the stage. Meanwhile, above her head was a picture of a couple,

"Denise Valmos and Alfonso Reed 1932..." Elvis read out loud, inspecting it, "So what's the story behind this here?"  

"Well, sit down, and I'll tell you." She grinned, leaning in.

Holly Springs, North Carolina, 1932

"Girl, you worry too much about your mama!" Loretta said, running alongside her sister Nellie. Loretta jogged alongside her sisters Nellie and Natalie, the sound of their footsteps blending with their playful banter. With a hint of exasperation, Loretta turned to her friend and remarked, "Girl, you worry too much about your mama." She continued,

"Well. Excuse me for lying to my mother about a youth revival!"

Loretta playfully teased Denise, "It ain't a sin to party!" Her dress hugged her figure as tightly as her curls, and she added with a mischievous grin, "Besides, that boy you were eyeing during the service will be there..." Nellie chimed in with a wink. It was evident that the northern girl had a soft spot for the charming, guitar-playing singer from the South. "I don't know, girls..." Denise hesitated.

"Hey, wasn't your mama a burlesque dancer?" Natalie teased as Denise rolled her eyes. "She's an acclaimed Gospel singer," Denise retorted. "And I'll follow in her footsteps, we know!" Loretta taunted as Denise frowned. "But for one night, forget about it and cut loose!"

"But first, your suit jacket..."

"What? Why?"

"It screams church."

"Natalie's right." Denise handed over the article of clothing as she walked into the building. The reverberating cadence of Gospel melodies engulfed the atmosphere. Yet, as Denise crossed the threshold, her eyes were met with lascivious, profane movements. Her companions, who were meant to serve as her backup vocalists, had drifted away to engage in flirtatious interactions with the men, leaving Denise isolated in a chaotic environment permeated with smoke, alcohol, and sensuous movements. She found herself encircled by an increasingly dense haze of smoke as the crowd pressed in around her, amplifying her sense of confinement. Frantically seeking an exit, she inadvertently collided with someone in the pulsating crowd.

"Hey, watch it!" Her strong Philadelphian accent cut through the air like a whip, filled with irritation and a hint of vulnerability.

"Hey, yerself, darlin'." He stood leaning against the wall, a white Falcon guitar slung over his shoulder, the faint aroma of cologne wafting from him. A toothpick held between his lips mimicked the swagger of a seasoned cowboy. His accent mirrored the rhythm of a blues song, enchanting and alluring. Her emerald eyes met his hazel gaze in an electrifying moment that seemed to suspend time itself.

"Denise! There you are. We got a table for you!" Natalia's welcoming smile contrasted with Loretta's knowing smirk.

"Someone's lovesick..."

"I don't even know him, Nellie!"

"But you want to~" Natalia teased, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

"I-I do not!" Denise protested, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks. The enigmatic guitar player's eyes never left her as he continued to strum the strings, the melody wrapping itself around her like a spell. She experienced a whirlwind of emotions, unexpected and thrilling, challenging her preconceived notions of herself as a Christian woman.

"You wanna pitch woo~"

"Retta!" Denise shook her head, trying to quell the fluttering of her heart as she made her way to the bar, acutely aware of the mysterious musician's gaze following her every move. After finishing his set, he sauntered toward her, casually leaning against the wall, admiring every detail of her face.

"You're not from around here, are you?" The stranger's words were thick with a drawl as he sized her up, noting the defiance in her stance and the fire in her eyes. She couldn't help but roll her eyes at his assumption. "What gave it away...?" she retorted. "You look mean and talk funny like you shoot venom," he smirked, enjoying the banter. "Feisty too."

"What do you mean I talk funny? So do you..." she shot back, refusing to be intimidated.

"You ain't no Southern Belle," he observed, a laugh in his voice as her heart skipped a beat. "But I like that." Leaning in, he held her gaze, and she couldn't help but meet his eyes.

"You're not from around here, are you?" The stranger's words were thick with a drawl as he sized her up, noting the defiance in her stance and the fire in her eyes. She couldn't help but roll her eyes at his assumption. "What gave it away...?" she retorted. "You look mean and talk funny like you shoot venom," he smirked, enjoying the banter. "Feisty too."

"Oh yeah? Mr..."

"Alfonso Reed, sweetheart," he introduced himself with a charming smile before kissing her hand. "And I gotta say, you got pipes on you. How old are you...?"

"17," she huffed, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. "But I'm a good kisser!" The words spilled out before she could stop them.

"Carino, you're blushin'~" he chuckled, his tone warm and teasing. "I'm two years older than you."

"I'll be 18 in two months..." she admitted, feeling the tension between them crackle with newfound awareness.

"That's real cute kid,"

"Denise Paloma Valmos..."  She let out an exasperated sigh as Alfonso leaned in closer and urged her to return to the stage. "Say you wanna sing with me?" he suggested. "I'd love to," Denise replied with a twinkle in her eye. With a confident stride, Denise approached the stage and turned to the musicians. "Do you know 'Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man'?" she inquired. "But can we pick up the tempo?" The musicians, clearly charmed by Denise, assured her, "Anything for you," with a wink. As she took the microphone, encouraging shouts from the audience filled the air. "Take your time, child!" one lady called out. Denise began to sing, and her captivating performance mesmerized Alfonso, who couldn't help but feel the rhythm as her body swayed along with her dress, her hands gracefully swirling as if absorbed in the melody. When she finished her song, she walked off the stage, attempting to collect her belongings and pretending as if she hadn't just indulged in a night of blissful sin.

"Alright, girls, let's go..." She smiled, putting her suit jacket back on as she adjusted her hair in the mirror. "You should really consider pursuing a career as a jazz singer!" Nellie grinned in agreement.

"I agree," Natalia chimed in with a smile, while Lorretta chuckled.

"She's only got one mission and it's-" Alfonso's urgent voice interrupted with a shout, "Denise! Wait!"

Denise turned to face him, her expression softening as she asked, "Yes?"

"You left without saying goodbye," Denise said, her tone filled with emotion.

"Maybe I don't want to face never seeing you again?" Alfonso confessed, pulling her closer. He kissed her tenderly and then whispered, "Maybe you should run away with me..."

Denise pressed her forehead against his and asked, "When, where?"

"Tonight, Anywhere," he said with a smile.

Holly Springs 1955

"Here's how that picture came to be," Cecelia said, smiling as she sat next to Elvis on the stage. "It's so romantic," she added, blushing. Elvis gently kissed her hand. "There's something about smooth-talking, guitar-playing southern men that drives you Valmos women wild," she chuckled as Elvis leaned in to kiss her on the cheek.

"Can I ask you something?" she said.

"Sure, shoot," Elvis replied.

"Would you run away with me?" she asked, looking into his eyes.

"Faster than a speeding bullet, Cecelia," Elvis said with a confident smile.

[fandom-imagines-stories]

His Solace

Season Two Episode Five

Dr. Spencer Reid x Reader (Aaron Hotchner’s Sister)

Words: 5962

Series Masterlist

Summary: Morgan calls the reader to Los Vegas, worried about Spencer. Together, they face demons from his past while she continues to struggle with hers. 

Notes: I’m messing with the timeline of the episode a bit in order for the reader to be able to be there when everything happens. This one is probably going to be pretty long because I’m trying to work in scenes from the episode. Buckle up for the next part because it’s also going to be crazy long. 

Warnings: Nightmares, mentions of SA, mentions of child death, PTSD, alcoholism (lotta stuff for this one guys)

-

Spence hadn’t had the nightmare in years. 

He chalked it up to stress. The case. Going home. Worrying about you. He’d been tearing himself in half trying to balance everything. His mind was just having a hard time handling it. That was all. 

But dreaming on the plane was one thing. Waking up the parents of a missing child because of his screams was another. Morgan assured him that it would be okay. The sinking guilt and embarrassment sunk their claws into his chest nonetheless. 

Morgan returned to the kitchen where he’d been up all night looking over the case. Spence laid back on the couch, staring up at the ceiling and trying to remember everything from his dream. The same basement. The same boy. Leeches? 

He rolled over and reached for his phone on the coffee table. 

“Hello?” 

He hadn’t expected you to answer. The time crept into the early morning hours and he’d been expecting your voicemail. Not that he minded. He just wanted to hear your voice. 

“Hey, what are you doing up?” He asked. There was something going on in the background. Music maybe? Someone called something to you, but you ignored them. 

“Spencer, hey,” you said. You sounded surprised. Panicked even. 

“Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, yeah. I’m just at…” You paused and he listened to what sounded like you stepping outside, muting the music and the voices. “Sonia’s.” 

“Oh, I-uh- I can call you back then.”

“Spence, what’s wrong?” 

“Nothing,” he breathed. Spencer sat up and ran his fingers through his hair.  “Honestly, I just wanted to hear your voice.” 

You switched the phone to your other ear. He could hear the breeze through the speaker and the occasional car horn. 

“Is it the case?”

“No, I-” There was no use lying to you. “I don’t know. I’ve just been having this dream I haven’t had in a while and I don’t know if it means anything. It’s probably nothing. I’m sorry for waking you- or interrupting Sonia’s party, I guess. I’ll let you get back.”

“Spencer, wait,” you said. “Talk to me. I thought you don’t believe in dream analysis.”

“I don’t. At least I think I don’t,” he sighed. “I’ve been having the same nightmare since I was a kid and it’s felt more and more real the past few days.”

“What do you think is scaring you so much?” You cursed yourself for not being there to help him. Instead, you were out at the one place you promised yourself you’d never go again. 

The bar you used to go to with him. 

“I’m still trying to figure that out,” he said. “I’m sorry for calling so late.”

“Seriously, Spencer, it’s okay. You guys have only been gone for a couple days and I miss you so much I subconsciously grabbed one of your shirts for work this morning instead of mine.” You laughed, tugging at the collar of his button-up that you were still wearing. 

“I’m glad my absence has turned you into a kleptomaniac,” he teased, finally feeling his nerves start to settle. 

You stepped towards the road and tried to hail a late-night taxi. “I’ll tell you what. I’m going to head back home and grab the Sherlock Holmes book we’re on and I’ll read to you for a change.” 

Spence fell back against the couch cushions and smiled to himself. “That sounds perfect, actually.” 

“The Sign of Four, right?”

He hummed. “Page 23.” 

“Just let me find a cab and I’ll be on my way home.” 

He briefly wondered why you hadn’t driven yourself, but his mind was focused on too many other things to overanalyze it. Instead, he tried to listen to the sound of your breathing and the light roll of thunder as it began to rain in D.C. 

-

You hadn’t meant for it to get this bad. But work had been piling up and you were trying to meet study deadlines on top of worrying about Spencer. When you were at the bar, you had Beth to cut you off, but here, at home with a full bottle drained in one sitting, you could hardly see straight. 

But at least you couldn’t feel. 

You just needed a day to give in, to let yourself drown in your dark side and then you could keep smiling, convincing everyone that everything was okay. And everything was. You could keep yourself together as long as you had times like this where you could forget how it felt to be falling apart. 

You groaned at the shrill, ear-piercing shriek of your ringtone. Had it always sounded like that? It made your head pound as if it were trying to break away from the noise through your skull. 

“Heeelllo?” 

“Y/N, it’s Derek.”

“Hey- what is it Penelope calls you- oh, right- hey Chocolate Thunder,” you giggled. 

There was a long pause on the other line. Maybe it wasn’t long, but the seconds kind of all blurred together. “Are you okay?” 

“Of courrrse I’m ffffffine,” you slurred through your words. You weren’t even trying. The part of your brain that would usually sound an alarm right about now was stuck in a haze of warm whiskey bliss. 

“Have you been…” Derek checked the hallway for anyone listening. “Are you drunk right now?” 

You gulped. “No.” 

“Christ Y/N, it’s not even noon in D.C.,” he exasperated, running a hand down his face. “Listen, I’m gonna need you to sober up real quick because I might need your help.” 

Despite every worry running through his head revolving around the idea of you drinking, Reid’s problem took the forefront of his mind. 

Your thoughts holed through the haze enough for a moment of sober clarity. “D-did something happen to Speeencer?” 

You could vaguely remember Spence calling you about nightmares a night or so ago. It felt like months. 

“I just think he could use having you here right now,” Derek said. “But, Y/N, if you’re drinking-”

“I’ll be there,” you blurted with a fair amount of effort. You hung up the phone before he could say anything else. Any drunken bliss had switched to a motivational panic, forcing your feet to move across the living room. You’d splashed your face with cold water a few times before the liquor won and you threw up the entire contents of your stomach. 

Hot tears blurred your vision more than the intoxication. Something was wrong. Spencer needed you. And here you were on the bathroom floor. 

Morgan knew. You couldn’t keep the two halves separate anymore, the dark collapsing onto the other. 

Pulling yourself off the floor, you readied yourself to pack. 

You could do this. You had to. If you lost your balance, you would fall and you weren’t sure you knew how to climb out of the pit again. 

-

Somehow, he just knew. He had to be right. Why else would his mind bring him here? Bring him back to this memory of his childhood. Spencer walked back down the hallway, and there he was, talking to Morgan and Rossi as if he had no idea what this was about. Spence’s blood boiled just looking at the face of the man that now haunted his dreams. 

His father. 

“My son? Did something happen?” 

Spencer stepped back into the lobby. “That’s what we’re trying to find out.” The two Reid men stared at each other, his father’s eyes growing wide with a mix of surprise and confusion. “Hello, dad.” 

17 years. 17 years and he was only ten minutes away. It took everything in Spence’s power to not scream at him right then and there. 

The four of them went into his father’s office, where he attempted light conversation but Spence shot it down. With every seething phrase, he could feel Morgan and Rossi’s looks of concern burning into him. He didn’t care. All he wanted was to get the truth from the man that abandoned him. 

It was when he said the name. Riley Jenkins. His father looked away. He turned to Morgan as if to ask the other agent for help. Reid was right. 

He was hiding something. 

“You remember Riley Jenkins?” Spence asked. 

His dad turned back to him. “Of course.” 

“I’ve been having dreams about him for a really long time. But when we came back here for this case, it jogged something.” His voice was level enough, but the other two agents could sense him reaching a breaking point. “The dream changed. I saw his killer.” He didn’t hesitate. Spence didn’t even flinch. “And it was you.” 

A long, tense silence passed over the room. 

His father just smiled, nervousness tinting his gaze. “Interesting dream.” 

Morgan watched him, arms crossed and mind focused. “You don’t seem all that surprised.” 

“I stopped being surprised by Spencer’s mind a long time ago.” 

The agents began closing in, starting with Rossi. Mr. Reid’s demeanor changed. He grew defensive and his tone switched to anxious agitation. Morgan requested access to his files. He told them to get a warrant. 

In Spencer’s head, it might as well have been an admission of guilt. 

Morgan watched the younger man go with a heaviness in his chest. All of the kid’s anger and all of his unfaced issues with his father were manifesting into something he couldn’t walk back from. And if this was true… was he really ready to face it?

All he could do was hope that you would be able to talk some sense into him when nobody else could. 

-

For the second time that day, Spencer found his hotel room door ajar. Cautiously, he pushed it open, hand reaching for the holster on his hip. His arm fell to his side, however, when he found you, legs crossed and nose buried in a set of pictures and files on his bed. 

“What are you doing here?” 

You didn’t even look up. “Who’s Gary Michaels?” 

“Y/N-”

“Someone slipped this under your door.” You glanced up at him. “Oh, don’t look so surprised. I learned how to break into hotel rooms when I was 17 and tried to hide from Aaron for a weekend in Arlington.” 

“You’ve never told me that story,” he said. Spence shook his head, refocusing. “But that’s not the point. What are you doing here?” He snatched the file from the bed and read the note attached. 

You’re looking at the wrong guy.

Right. Nothing suspicious about that. 

“I heard you could use some help and I got on the first flight out,” you shrugged, trying to hide the way your head pounded. Sleeping on the plane was definitely not a good idea. You’d already had three coffees to nurse your midday hangover and they were making your hands shake. 

Spencer frowned. “Morgan called you, didn’t he?” 

“Yes, he called. He texted me some of the details of the case so I would know what we’re getting into,” You set the files aside and stood up, crossing the room to put a hand on his arm. “He thought you would appreciate my help, that’s all.” 

“Well I don’t,” Spence snapped, throwing his hands up in frustration. You stepped back. His tone was more than just agitated. It was aggressive. He’d never spoken to you like that. It didn’t frighten you. It hit you with how much he was really struggling. 

Spencer watched your face fall. His arms hung at his sides and his eyes blinked tears away until one escaped. 

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…” His voice gave out before he could finish. He screwed his eyes shut to keep from crying. The anger fueling him dissipated into guilt. Maybe he’d been trying so hard to keep everything together for your sake, that everything just made him snap. Maybe this was all in his head. Maybe he was just as crazy as he always feared he would-

His internal rambling stopped at the feeling of your arms around him, your hand leaning his head onto your shoulder gently. He opened his eyes and took you in, hands clinging to you like a life preserver. The only thing keeping him afloat in this storm. 

“It’s okay,” you whispered. “It’s gonna be okay.” 

“No,” he cried. “No, it isn’t. I don’t know which is worse. The possibility of my dad being a killer or that I’m… I’m so convinced that he is. Nothing is okay, Y/N. I don’t know- I don’t know what to do.” 

“Just talk to me,” you pleaded, putting your hands on his cheeks. “I can’t help you if you shut off on me.” 

A small smile tugged the corner of his lips. “Hypocrite.” 

“Okay, well, this isn’t about me,” you rolled your eyes. He just shook his head and pulled your lips to his. “What was that for?” 

“For being here.” 

The two of you stood there for a moment before he pulled away, walking over to the window. 

“Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

He turned his head back to you with a deeply troubled expression. “Did you have a relationship with your dad?” 

An uncomfortable shiver ran through you as if sparking your hungover headache all over again.

“I never met him, actually,” you shrugged. You nodded your head in thought. “Aaron always told me he was grateful for that. All I know about him is that he was… well, my mom was scared enough of him to kill six teenage girls if that’s a fair judgment of his character.”

Spencer looked back to the window. “Right.”  

You shook off the dark thoughts and pecked a kiss on his cheek, sitting back down on the bed. “Come on. Tell me what’s going on.” 

Spence exhaled slowly and laid back beside you. “There’s this boy I knew when I was little, Riley Jenkins. He was sexually assaulted and murdered. They found his body behind the dryer in his basement.”

“The kid in your dreams,” you exclaimed breathily. Spencer had told you about this particular set of nightmares before, but it hadn’t occurred to you that it had been from his childhood. 

“The thing is, I didn't even remember he existed until Morgan pulled his files and my dream changed. I saw Riley’s killer.” He moved his arms behind his head, staring up at the ceiling. “It was my dad.” He glimpsed at you to gauge your reaction, but you just sat beside him, hand on his arm, listening intently. “Riley Jenkins lived less than half a mile away. He was on the little league team my dad coached. When we talked to him, he was defensive and not just because of the accusation but… he was definitely hiding something.” 

“And you’re sure it has something to do with Riley’s death?” 

“I don’t know how,” he sighed. “But I know I’m right.” Spencer held up the note from the file. “My dad was involved in this boy’s death and I have to figure out how.” The determination in not only his voice but his eyes set into your heart. 

“Okay,” you nodded. That’s all you needed to hear. “Walk me through it.” 

-

Spencer needed to clear his head after rehashing everything with you and getting the call from Garcia. Having a file on his accomplishments didn’t suddenly make up for his dad abandoning him for all those years. But knowing he was checking in and still staying away… it somehow made him feel even worse. 

You were standing in front of a vending machine, pretending to pursue its contents when you were really eyeing the bar. 

“Morgan called in the big guns, huh?” the voice behind made you jump out of your skin, quickly jerking your eyes away. 

“Dave,” you gulped as you tried to calm yourself. “I didn’t know you were here, too.” 

The older agent gave you a hard once over as if scanning you for what you were hiding. You waited for him to comment on your absence from the group or your avoidance like Aaron had. After all, you’d barely seen any of them in the past few weeks. You’d barely managed to hide everything from Spencer, let alone an entire team of profilers. Especially one as skilled as David Rossi. But if he suspected anything, he kept it to himself. 

“The kid seemed like he could use a weathered veteran like me on the case,” Dave smirked. 

“I’m glad you’re here to help out,” you said. “It’s good to see you. Even if it isn’t under the best circumstances.” Your shoulders sagged a little with the truth of what you said. 

Hiding away was lonely. 

“When this is all over, you’ll have to catch me up on everything,” he nodded. There was still a hint of suspicion in his eyes and you made a mental note to put more effort into keeping up your better half. Especially since one of them already knew. 

“You were supposed to text me when you got in.” 

Speak of the Derek-Morgan-Devil. 

You turned to the approaching agent and saw the mix of anger and worry on his features. It was the same look he gave you when you were stuck in the station together in Fairfax. But beneath the outward frustration, you saw the genuine glint in his eye. Like when they found you. 

When you killed her. 

“Must have slipped my mind,” you said. “I’m going to go grab Spencer.” 

Your urgency did not go unnoticed. Rossi looked at Morgan with a raised brow. Morgan sighed. 

“It’s a long story,” he said. 

Truthfully, as soon as he’d hung up with you, he almost called your brother. Derek might not have known everything about the situation, but he liked to think that the two of you had become friends. He knew about your previous struggles with drinking and the minute he heard your intoxicated voice, he knew something was wrong. But he also knew it wasn’t his place to tell your family and friends what you were going through. That was something you had to do yourself. 

Besides, he felt like he owed you a chance to explain. After failing to keep you safe in Fairfax… he thought you at least deserved that. 

Spencer was on one of the card machines talking to a woman who’d sat beside him. A small shot of jealousy rumbled up your spine, but it quickly dissipated when his eyes met yours, lighting up. He hurried over to you, the woman calling after him. 

“Hey, there’s like two thousand dollars on here.”

“Keep it,” he said, keeping his eyes on you. “I think I figured out a way to help me remember.” 

“Did he just give two grand to a prostitute?” Morgan asked. 

“Let’s go,” you took Spence’s hand and let him lead you out of the lobby with new determination. 

-

You did not like this idea. The whole method had always made you uncomfortable and now, the thought of sending Spencer back to such a dark place freaked you out even more. Maybe a part of you feared he was right. What if his dad really killed this child? What would that do to him? 

You of all people knew the cataclysmic break it could cause inside of a person. 

Dave had offered to sit in, but you told the two that you would stay with him. Spencer was grateful. If anyone could center him back, in reality, he knew it would be you. 

You took a seat across the room while Spence laid down on the couch. Seeing the worry in your expression, he gave you a small, reassuring smile, despite the wariness in his own eyes. The hypnotherapist began the process and you forced yourself to keep still. Every nerve in your body was on edge and your hands ached for something to do to distract yourself. 

“Go back to the night you were just telling me about,” she instructed. She set the stage and you watched as Spencer fell deeper and deeper into the trance. 

You tried to focus on his face as they spoke, but images invaded your mind as if you were the one under hypnosis. Sarah Cunningham and her bottle of death loomed over you like phantoms. You took a deep breath. You were here for Spencer. 

The sound of his voice cracking helped pull you back. 

“I don’t want to be here.” 

“Okay,” the woman said. “It’s okay Spencer. Take us to where the light is.” 

The sun dipping under the horizon. The flash of the gun. The sticky, hot, spray of blood on your face. 

“Mom,” Spencer muttered. “My mom, she’s at the window. I think she’s been crying.” 

You remembered seeing Tabitha’s parents at the trial. Sarah’s tears of inconsolable grief. She was just a lost woman- like your mother. 

And you killed her. 

“I think she saw him,” Spence continued. 

“Who?” The therapist asked. “Your father?”  

Again, you force yourself to refocus, heart pounding at the sight of confused fear on Spencer’s face. 

“Do you talk to her?” 

He shook head his slightly. “No. No, I wanna… I wanna see.” 

After a moment, his grip on the hypnotherapist's wrist tightened so much she tried to pull away. She winced, looking at you fearfully. 

“What is it, Spencer?” She asked. “What are you seeing?” 

His fingers remained clamped around her wrist. His face contorts. You stand up from the chair. 

“That’s enough,” you said.

“I need you to leave this location now, Spencer,” she ordered. 

You wanted to run over to him, to take his hand to tell him everything was okay. But something inside of you was screaming to run away. Everything you touched withered and died and you were dragging him with you. 

Killer. 

Killer. Killer.

“Wake him up,” you pleaded. 

Meanwhile, Spencer watched the scene unfold as if it were a moment from someone else's life rather than his own. He saw himself, young and scared and confused, standing at the window. He watched his father over the fire. Clothes covered in blood blackened and curled in the flames. 

The hypnotherapist tried to keep her voice steady as she instructed. “I’m going to count backward from five. Five…”

His childlike terror was more than he could stand. 

“Four…”

You felt your knees weaken, the truth of your realization hitting you like a bullet.

“Three…” 

It was as if he were witnessing his life unravel and there was nothing he could do to stop it. 

“Two…” 

You were just like your mother. 

“One and wake!” 

Spencer’s eyes snapped open and he gasped in short, terrified breaths. You snapped out of your own thoughts and rushed to him, everything you just felt was instantly forgotten. He latched onto your hand, eyes scanning the room in a panic.

“Spence, it’s okay. I’m right here, baby. It’s okay. It’s okay.” You pushed aside the gnawing in your brain as his eyes fell upon your face. “It’s okay.”

Spencer looked into your eyes and found himself on the brink of tears. He knew it. He knew you could bring him back from that dark place. His solace from the nightmare of his memory. He brought your hand to his lips and slowly, his breathing returned to normal.  

-

“How is he holding up?” Aaron asked. 

You sighed, switching the phone to your other shoulder as you looked over more case files. “How do you think? Finding out your parent might be a killer…” you trailed off. 

“Yeah,” Aaron exhaled. He knew what this whole ordeal must be doing to you and it took everything in him not to fly right back to Vegas to help. 

“We’re going to be okay,” you said, reading the silence between you. You sat with Gary Michael’s file in your lap and like a train, it finally dawned on you. “Oh, my god.” 

Aaron froze, that familiar fraternal panic shooting through his head. “What is it?”

“Have Garcia look up bodies found in surrounding states in the past 20 years. Look for Gary Michaels."

“The man from the file?” 

You nodded to yourself. “Maybe there’s a reason we can’t find him.” And maybe the blood that Spencer saw on the clothes wasn’t Riley Jenkins. What was it he’d told you that his mom said? 

It’s always been about him. 

“Okay, you’re on speaker,” Aaron said. 

“How’s our boy doing, Hot Stuff?” Penelope asked, followed by a series of furious typing. 

“He’ll be better once we solve this.” You listened to the other line. A sharp, quiet wince caught your attention. “JJ, are you okay?” 

“Yeah, yeah don’t worry about me.” 

“Oh god,” Penelope gasped. “Y/N, you are a genius. Gary Michaels’ body was found in California seven years ago.” 

You pinched the bridge of your nose. “Do they know what happened?” 

“No,” Aaron answered, reading the screen over Penelope’s shoulder. “But there are prints on file that were found on his glasses.” 

Another pained cry JJ attempted to hide behind her hand. 

“Are you sure everything is okay?” You repeated. 

“How often have these been?” Emily asked. 

“Seriously, I’m fine-”

“Sorry sweetie,” Penelope beamed. “But I think you’re going into labor.” 

Aaron put a hand on her shoulder. “I’ll get the car.” He took the phone off speaker. “Listen, I’ll call you back.”

“Of course. Take care of JJ. I’ll deal with things here.”

“And Y/N,” he started. 

You cut him off, trying to keep your mind on one thing at a time. If you thought about anything else, you’d break.  “I know.” 

-

He didn’t know what to feel. Relieved his father wasn’t a killer? Ashamed for accusing him in the first place? Guilty for everything he’d put his mom through? 

Spencer felt it all, sitting in that chair in the odd silence that had fallen over the room. He could feel you, Rossi, and Morgan watching from the other room, anxiously awaiting his reaction to everything. One thought kept in the shadows of his mind and he didn’t know what to do with it. 

He could have been another Riley Jenkins. A victim of the very crimes he’d dedicated his life to solving. 

Life has a funny way of circling back, doesn’t it? 

“We should be getting back soon and get your mother her medication,” the doctor who’d accompanied his mom said. 

“Right, of course,” Spencer agreed. 

His mom looked at him with the same loving admiration she often did. Like he was the brightest thing she’d ever seen, despite how dark his soul felt at the moment. Spence held up a hand. 

“Could you give me just one more second?” He asked the doctor, also checking his dad for a nod. 

Both approved and Spencer went out into the station, motioning you over. 

“How’d it go?” You asked tentatively. 

He thought for a moment. “Complicated, but… well?” You raised a confused brow. “I’ll tell you more later. Come with me.” 

“What? Spence, I don’t think now is the best time to-”

He ushered you into the room despite your protests. 

“Mom, Dad, this is Dr. Y/F/N Y/L/N,” he announced. 

You wanted to crawl under the desk, freezing under their eyes. 

“The girl from your letters,” his mother noted with a small smile. “It’s wonderful to finally meet you.”  She looked at you with the same affection she might have shown her own child. It was an odd feeling, receiving a mother’s love for the first time in so long. 

“It’s an honor, Mrs. Reid,” you said. “I’ve heard so much about you.” 

“Please, call me Diana,” she beamed. “Spencer tells me you two are in similar kinds of work?” 

You nodded. “I’m a criminal psychologist.” 

You saw something click in the eyes of her doctor, but he didn’t say anything. Even over two thousand miles away, your last name, your life story, was a curse. 

Spencer’s hand found yours as if he could sense the cloud forming over your head. He gave you a smile and you pushed on. 

“Dad, this is Y/N. My- uh- my girlfriend,” he stammered. It wasn’t that he was unsure or ashamed. The word ‘girlfriend’ just didn’t seem to fit. It seemed so juvenile, so not important enough. For now, it’d have to do. 

“William Reid,” his father held out his hand and you shook it. He wasn’t the heartless monster you’d formed in your head. He was just a man. 

The doctor informed it was time to go and Spencer and his mother said their goodbyes. He exchanged a genuine but wavering handshake with his father before he departed as well, leaving the two of you in the room alone. 

“Of all the ways I imagined meeting your parents…” you blew out a breath broken up by a slight laugh. 

Spencer just pulled you into his arms, burying his face in the crook of your neck. For the first time since he’d been here, he didn’t feel himself shaking. You grounded him despite the flying thoughts rattling around his brain. 

“Hey,” you soothed. “It’s okay.” 

He didn’t say anything for a long time. He just drank in your presence like it was keeping him from drowning in the emotions he didn’t know how to feel. 

After a while, he whispered. “I’m glad Morgan called you.” 

You held him a little tighter. Right… Morgan. 

-

Spencer had never been so afraid of dropping something in his entire life. 

“Hello Henry,” he said softly, almost scared he’d talk too loud and wake up the sleeping child. He wrapped his head around the word. Godfather. 

JJ positively beamed at him. “If anything should happen to us, it’s up to you and Garcia to make sure this boy gets into Yale.” 

“Yale. Yale?” Spencer exclaimed. “Do you want to go to Yale Henry?” 

He couldn’t understand it, but the feeling growing in his chest was unlike anything he’d felt before. A kind of want that he couldn’t quite place. Spence hadn’t given much thought to having kids before- well, maybe as a distant, alternate reality where he was normal and wasn’t afraid of everything and he could see himself having that kind of life- but now, looking into the face of his godson, he already loved him like he was his own. 

“That was your godfather’s safety school.” Spencer smiled and lowered his voice to a whisper. “Don’t worry, I can get you into Cal Tech with one phone call.”  

He was smiling like you hadn’t seen him smile in weeks. You watched Spencer with the baby from outside of the room and felt the sinking pit in your stomach. The two of you had spent so much time dealing with the mess that was each other’s past that you never really got the chance to talk about the future. 

“I brought you some coffee,” Aaron’s voice startled you out of your trance. You took the styrofoam cup and let the liquid inside warm your palms. “How are you feeling?” He asked. 

You shrugged. “Just… tired. It’s been a long few days.” 

He hummed. It’d been so long since you’d seen your brother in person, somehow he looked different. Worry drew lines on his face and his eyes glimpsed over at you with a mix of his usual seriousness, care, and a touch of hurt. 

“Jack misses you,” he finally said. “Haley was asking if you’d stop by sometime.” 

“Yeah,” you gulped down a sip of coffee. “Of course.” 

You turned back to the man in the window. Spencer’s bright face should have brought you some semblance of security, or at least relief that he would be okay after the events of the last few days. Instead, there was a gnawing feeling inside your gut and your mind traveled back to the hypnotherapist's office.

You were a killer. 

You were just like your mother. 

“He’d make a great dad, wouldn’t he?” You whispered, hoping that if you kept your voice low, Aaron wouldn’t hear the sorrow in your words. Tears welled in your eyes, everything clicking into place in your mind. 

You could never give Spencer that. A future. You would forever drag him into the past and he deserved so much more than that. He deserved someone who could make his face light up like it was right now. He deserved a life away from you. 

“He would,” Aaron agreed with a small smile. He turned just in time to see you rushing down the hall. “Y/N?” He called after you, but you kept going until you ran into a firm, entrapping barrier. 

“Hey, I’ve been looking for you.”

“Not now, Derek.” You kept your eyes low so he wouldn’t see you cry. 

“Yes now,” he ordered. The taller man put his hands on your shoulders, keeping you in place. “Avoiding me isn’t going to make it go away.” 

“I really can’t do this right now-”

“That’s too damn bad because we’re going to.” He ushered you over to a bench, clearly not going to take no for an answer. “Sit down and look at me.” 

You obeyed. When he saw your tears, his face softened. 

“Just talk to me, Y/N.”

You scoffed and wiped your cheeks with your sleeve. “Everybody keeps saying that. Just talk. Tell them what’s wrong. But what am I supposed to say? That I see the woman I killed every time I close my eyes? That I’m afraid every single day that I’m only hurting everyone I care about, most of all Spencer.” You choked back a sob. “That I’ve been so scared that I started drinking again after four years of not touching a drop just so I could stop feeling for once.” 

You covered your face with your hands. Derek didn’t say anything. He just put a supportive hand on your back and waited for you to calm down again. It felt like you were back in that police station and he was pulling you back to the ground. 

“Y/N,” he started softly. “I know that you’re tough as nails and that brain of yours is more brilliant than I even know, but you can’t do this alone.” He moved you gently so that you were sitting up and looking at his face. “You have to tell them.” 

You shook your head. “No. No, I can’t. I can handle it, Derek. I’ve been handling it, I swear-”

He stood up. With that steady voice that had more than once kept you from going over the edge, he looked down at you. The guilt pouring through his thoughts made him want to lock you in a room so you could never be hurt again. Part of him knew that this was his fault. If he had just stayed with you…

He sighed. “Tell them, or I will.” 

-

It was almost morning by the time he left the hospital. He’d found a few pamphlets about newborns and read all of them, just in case. He’d already read several books since JJ announced she was pregnant, but the idea of being a godfather made him even more nervous. 

The exhaustion of the last few days was telling on him and he was ready to curl up with you and sleep for a week. From the rollercoaster with his parents to the happiness for JJ, all of his emotions felt draining. 

Spencer unlocked the door to the apartment and, as the door swung open, he knew something was wrong. Something about the silence felt off. Wrong. The apartment was dark. There was an unsettling stillness throughout the living room. It was as if his senses knew before his mind- a feeling he knew too well at this point. 

Spence put down his bag and walked to your desk where a small note in your handwriting said goodbye. 

-

The In-Betweens series: @amywright; shesoperfectt;  hereforsmutbcicantgetenough;  violetbossler;  hyper-half-blood;  i-bitch-you-bitch; xcastawayherosx; preciousbabypeter; @jori21; @sol-48;  @murdermornings ; @ staygoldsquatchling02; @ ara-a-bird

[daydreamgoddess14]

First Impressions - Chapter 7

Weeehoooo! Another one - you can tell I'm back off hols now! This is the aftermath of the police operation. A lotta fluff, a little smut. Enjoy!

CH 1 | CH 2 | CH 3 | CH 4 | CH 5 | CH 6

Masterlist

*******************

Before either of them could speak, a paramedic appeared in River’s periphery. 

“Mind if I get you checked over?” They asked kindly. Lexie shrugged.

“I feel fine, really. Just a bit bruised.” River stepped back slightly and as soon as he did, she began swaying precariously.

“And probably very dehydrated, hungry and exhausted.” The paramedic scolded. “Come on, have a seat.”

“Can he come?” Lexie mumbled, nodding towards River.

“They can try and stop me.” He guided her to the trolly and someone handed her an energy gel.

“Gross.”

“Eat it, please.” River instructed. The paramedic rolled up the hem of Lexie’s jeans to check where the cable ties had bitten into her ankles.

“Looks sore, lots of debris from the woods. I’ll get these cleaned up so they don’t get infected.” They then looked at Lexie's wrists which were the same, red and littered with cuts and bruises. “Anywhere else you might be hurt?”

“My knee took a knock, I’ve not been able to take any weight off it because I was holding Rach up but now I can’t put any weight on it.”

“I can strap it up for you. Got anything to change into?” Lexie stared at them for a second,

“Left my suitcase in the hotel.” She finally responded, dripping with sarcasm.

“I’ve got a bag in the car, I’ll go get you something.” River offered, Lexie gripped his hand tighter, “I’ll be right back.” He squeezed gently and stepped down from the back of the ambulance.

“How’s Rach?” She asked the paramedic.

“On her way to hospital already, she’s lost an awful lot of blood - most of it seems to be all over you - but she’s still conscious so we think she’ll be ok once they get her on a drip and into surgery.” Lexie sighed with relief.

“Do I have to go to the hospital?” Lexie asked suddenly as River tapped on the door before coming back in.

“Do you want to?”

“Not if I can help it.”

“I don’t think it’ll be necessary, but I do want you to get properly checked out tomorrow and I’ll be telling the senior officers that.” Lexie smiled gratefully. “Right, do you want to get these jeans off while I go and find a knee support?” They left through the back of the ambulance and LExie heard outer lockers opening and closing. Her hands shook as they tried to pop the button on her jeans until River gently moved her hands out of the way and took over.

“Can I make a sex joke about you taking my clothes off in the back of an ambulance?” She whispered. He smiled, the first she’d seen from him since the previous day.

“Really?” He sniggered.

“I’ve had a very stressful day.” His hands lingered on her hips briefly before tugging the bloody jeans down. Her hand went to his shoulder to hold herself up while he moved down her body to pull them off.

“So have I. I saw you come out of the woods covered in blood, remember?” He told her once he’d stood back up, the fear still in his eyes and all humour gone. She brought her hand up to his face and brushed his hair from his forehead.

“I came back. All I could think about was how we left things, and how much I wanted to tell you-” she was cut off as the paramedic hopped back into the ambulance with a complicated looking knee brace.

“Right, sit on the bed and let’s try and figure out how to put this thing on.” Lexie sighed with frustration at the interruption, balling her fists at her sides. River placed a kiss to the top of her head and moved out of the way. The paramedic let out a low whistle, her knee was swollen and had started to bruise. Her skin was mottled with the bloodstains that had seeped through the denim of her jeans. “You’re going to need to keep the weight off this knee for a week at least, try and keep it elevated and do no strenuous activities. When you go to the hospital tomorrow they’ll be able to be more specific and they might want to do some scans. I really think you should get checked out?”

“I want to go home, I want a shower, and I want to go to bed.” Lexie said firmly. The paramedic shook their head in disapproval but finished the velcro straps of the knee brace. 

“If you say so. I’ll just sign out some painkillers for you to see you through this evening while you get dressed.” River handed over a pair of soft jogging bottoms and a clean t-shirt. She rolled the waistband of the bottoms up so that the legs didn’t drag on the floor and then removed her jacket and sweater, both covered in blood, mud and bits of leaves and bark. She pulled the hair tie out of her wild hair and redid her ponytail.

“Better?” River asked softly.

“I feel grimy and smelly. Must be a perfect time to go and see the boss.”

“Yeah, they’re just wrapping up outside.” He told her, peering through the gap in the door. Lexie gratefully took the painkillers from the open palm of the paramedic and thanked them for their help.

“Let’s get it over with,” she stood up, more steady on her feet than she had been. He lifted her down from the back of the ambulance and held back while she limped over to Andy and the gathered officers who were left at the roadside. He could tell from the slump of her shoulders and the tension in her body as she tried to stay only on her good leg that she was about ready to drop. He could hear Roddy and Shirley bickering behind him, leaning against his car so turned and threw his keys.

“Ho, you’re driving back.”

“Sick! Shame you drive a banger, Cartwright. Grandypops didn’t want to get you a decent car?”

“Fuck you Roddy, brought it myself. Why would I want to drive a decent car to Slough House everyday when there’s a chance I’ll come out and it’ll be on bricks?” He felt Lexie’s hand slide into his and she leaned into him.

“Take me home, please?” She asked, her voice muffled against his back.

“Your carriage awaits, Miss -?” Roddy opened the back door with a grin.

“Lexie. You must be Roddy?”

“Ah, so he does talk about me!” 

“Raves about you.” She smiled, teasing River with a little nudge.

“God, please don’t give him any more ammo. He’s a big enough pain in the arse as it is.” Lexie slid into the backseat. Her head was in River’s lap as soon as he’d clicked his seatbelt on and she was asleep before they’d driven the few miles to the motorway with his hand under her t-shirt and resting on the soft curve of her stomach.

*******************

Roddy dropped Shirley off first and then pulled up outside his own flat.

“You’ll have to take it from here, dickhead.” He told River, throwing the keys back.

“Cheers, Ho. Thanks for today mate, I mean it.” Roddy nodded in approval,

“Thanks man, nice to know you’re not always a cunt. Ya girl’s pretty nice too.” He offered. River smiled.

“Yeah she is. Can we errm… can we not tell Lamb about today?”

“We can try. You know what that old goat is fuckin’ like though.” River agreed,

“True. I’ll figure it out tomorrow.” They parted and River jumped into the driver’s seat while Lexie continued to sleep in the backseat. He took her to his flat rather than hers, figuring that on the off chance Sophie or Jess were around they’d end up talking far longer than Lexie would want when she could be showering and sleeping. He parked up and roused her from sleep, “we’re home, love. Wake up.” They managed to manoeuvre up the stairs with River supporting Lexie as she hopped up each step. “Food?” He asked once the door was finally closed. Her stomach rumbled in response. 

“God, yes please. What time is it?” She yawned.

“11pm.” He told her, putting slices of bread into the toaster. “You should text Sophie.”

“I don’t have a phone, gormless Gary must have taken it when we were grabbed at the warehouse.” River pulled it out of his pocket,

“Andy gave it to me while you were in the ambulance, they got it out of the van when they were clearing the scene. He told me to let you know that they’d arrested all five involved and they were being transported back here for processing in the morning. He also said he’ll call you tomorrow and don't dare show your face at the station until you’ve had your knee scanned.” He handed her the phone and a plate of hot buttered toast. She felt overcome with gratitude, at the toast, at his presence, at his unwavering support and intentions to track her down…

“Oh my god, I love you.” She muttered gratefully, the words slipping out. She paused with a slice halfway to her mouth. River tried to hide the grin threatening to break out. “That’s…”

“Not exactly the way you intended to tell me?” She looked up, a blush covering her cheeks.

“Well. I didn’t quite mean to let it slip out like that.” She admitted. He dropped onto the sofa next to her.

“Well,” he mimicked, his tone playful, “I didn’t expect a declaration of love just for making you a piece of toast, but I’ll take it.” She rolled her eyes, nudging him with her shoulder.

“Alright, alright, no need to take the piss. It’s been quite a day.” She pushed the empty plate onto the coffee table and lay back on the sofa with a groan, avoiding his gaze. He looked down at her intently with a mix of tenderness and affection. He tapped her leg gently so she’d look back at him.

“When I thought I might lose you today it hit me like a ton of bricks,” he paused, unused to exposing his feelings so openly. “It brought everything into perspective. I shouldn’t have doubted you. I love you too, I don’t ever want to lose you.” He finished shyly. Lexie’s eyes swam with tears as she pulled herself up and into his lap.

“I’m sorry we argued,” she said quietly. “I’m sorry I didn’t listen when you were apprehensive about the op.”

“Hey, hey,” he whispered, pulling her closer, “I’m sorry too. I shouldn’t have let my worries get in the way. We’re ok.” He reassured her, his nose brushing against hers.

“I stink.” She admitted.

“You do,” he teased, “but if you think it’s going to stop me from kissing you, then you’re wrong.” He captured her mouth in a hot and fierce kiss. She turned her head just so, giving him better access, and the hands that had stayed patiently at his side were on her in half a second. One up in her wild hair and the other on her hip, her waist, the small of her back, pulling her further into his lap. Lexie’s hands moved up his arms and around his neck, nails dragging through his hair. She was certain she’d never been kissed like this before. His body pressed against hers. Lexie’s head fell back so she could  try and catch her breath, all of the tension from the day had mounted and she suddenly realised how desperate she was for his touch. The earlier fear of losing each other fuelled the escalating need for one another. 

“River,” she gasped as the hand in the small of her back pulled her closer to him, she rolled her hips, feeling him harden against her until, “ow, ow fuck, ow!” She launched off his lap, trying to stretch out her leg, “shit, you made me forget about my knee. Oooof, that hurts.” She breathed deeply as the pain subsided and then giggled. “What a way to ruin the moment, eh?”

“I’ll get you back. Shower?”

“Yesss.” She hobbled towards his bathroom, pulling him with her. He reached past her and switched on the shower. 

"Can I?" He asked, lifting the bottom of her t-shirt a little. "For once, I think I'm running on more sleep than you. The quicker you shower, the more sleep you get." He explained, she nodded and he pulled it up and threw it into the corner. He reached for the rolled waistband of his jogging bottoms and slid them down her legs, carefully avoiding the knee brace before unstrapping the velcro and putting the brace on the counter. She stepped out of the pants and underwear and reached behind her back to her bra clasp while he checked the water temperature. He guided her into the water stream and handed her a washcloth. She held it under the scalding water and wrung it out to place over her face. He stepped into the shower behind her and gently took it off, soaking it once again and adding a vanilla scented body wash until it frothed in his hands. He stood closely behind her so she could lean against him, and tentatively rubbed the soapy water from her hands, up to her shoulders and across the other side. He held her against him as he gently washed her stomach, over her breasts and the rest of her body, filing the various scrapes and bruises she’d acquired through the day to his memory. His kiss lingering on the more severe ones. She sighed contentedly. "You standing OK?" He asked quietly. She nodded and held herself up while he reached out to shut off the water. He wrapped a big towel around her and one around himself. Once she’d dried off, he passed her a t-shirt to sleep in and with a couple of attempts they managed to get the knee brace back in the right place and strapped back together. Lexie rolled onto her side and closed her eyes as he settled behind her. They were both asleep instantly. Lexie slept like the dead, finally waking to the sound of River’s alarm and his body coiled tightly around hers. He hadn’t moved at the singsong melody of his phone, so she nudged her hip back into his.

"River," she whispered. He sighed in his sleep and pulled her closer, the hand on her hip idly moving to her stomach. She could feel him pressed into her and involuntarily ground herself against him. His phone fell quiet into an automatic snooze.

"I need to move." He murmured into the curve of her neck, his voice thick with sleep. His hand was less obliging, sliding down her stomach to cup her sex. 

"I don’t.” She argued, half planning on sleeping for an extra hour and then begging Sophie to take her to the hospital later that morning.

"I don't have time for this." He pulled her leg back to hook over his own, mindful of knocking her knee, and opened her up to him. She bit back a moan as his fingers found her, wet and ready for him. He took some of her wetness and dragged it through her folds to her clit. She rolled her hips, a half formed moan escaping her mouth.

"I do," she pleaded. “Please River,” she held his hand in place.

"Gotta be quick." He told her, rubbing small circles around her swollen clit with his thumb while his fingers pumped lazily inside her. She nodded, her head dropping back against him and exposing her neck. He worked her up, bringing her to the edge quickly. Her hand reached behind her to press her palm against his erection,

"I need -"

"No time. This is about you." His deft fingers followed the soft whimpers tumbling from her mouth, chasing her pleasure. She pulled her hand back to grip his wrist, holding it where she needed it most. 

"Oh god -" she came hard with a shudder, falling boneless beside him. “I love you.” She told him, stifled by the pillow. 

“I love you,” he replied with a grin. “Go back to sleep.” 

*******************

“It’s been all over the news! I thought you were dead til you texted me last night!” Sophie shouted down the phone once Lexie had finally woken up. She’d made a cup of tea and managed to carry it back to River’s bed without spilling a drop, sending him a photo of her knee and the tea to validate her success.

“Soph, I honestly thought I might have been yesterday. We got jumped in the warehouse by way more of the gang than we expected. They took three of us and drove us nearly as far as Dover - I thought I was going to be chucked into the bloody Channel! Then it turned out one of the people in the van with us was one of them. Andy had called River so they and about a million police traced us to some woods just outside Maidstone. I had to half carry Rach Norman - they shot her in the leg - and then finally Andy found us. It was insane. One of River’s colleagues drove us back and we got in about 11.”

“Are you hurt?”

“I twisted my knee, I’ve got a brace on it now but I’m under instruction to get it scanned at the hospital. And I’m a bit battered.” “Oh Lex, well it’s your lucky day, Jess is due in an hour so she can get you.” “Can she bring me some clothes?”

“Yeah, I’ll pack you a bag.”

“Lifesaver.”

“Pretty sure that’s your boyfriend.”

“You’re not wrong.” Lexie admitted. “He’s been amazing.”

“Alright, enough cooing. Make yourself decent and text me the address. I’ll send your chauffeur over.” Sophie told her. By early afternoon, Lexie’s knee had been through multiple machines, her wrist and ankle wounds had been dressed and she was finally wearing her own clothes. She’d called Andy from the hospital and he’d popped out to collect her.

“No driving?” He asked as she hopped into the passenger seat.

“Not for a week or so. I mostly get the tube anyway but y’know… stairs.”

“Ugh. Right, I suppose you want an update?”

“I do indeed.”

“Our mate Gary was very vocal. He’s got aspirations of being the Billy big bollocks of the gang so thought he’d make a bid for it by masterminding the chaos of yesterday. He’s been following one of the desk lads for a few weeks, overheard that the Manchester lot were expected and decided all by himself to ‘save’ the gang from our operation. Course now he’s been caught, he’s terrified that his bosses will do worse to him than we will, so he’s admitting to everything in the hopes that we’ll protect him.”

“He really is thick as shit isn’t he?” Lexie laughed.

“He’s given us loads of information, we literally can’t shut the man up. He thinks that we’ll end up letting him go for being such a wonderful informant while the rest of the gang rots in prison and he’ll be safe from them.”

“Hasn’t quite twigged that he’s more likely to be bumping into them in there then?”

“Not yet. We’re of course being very encouraging. Might as well try and get as much out of him as we can before he realises that we’re not going to swap him for them.”

“So what’s he told you?”

“Bosses are based in Spain, they’ve got a bloody army of idiots doing their donkey work all over Europe. Gary’s pretty low down the food chain,”

“Duh.”

“No idea why he thought this would make him more popular within their organisation, apparently they’re spitting mad that he’s put everything in jeopardy so they’ve become very security conscious. No one is being moved at the moment, no money is being moved. They might as well be communicating by carrier pigeon.”

“Oh shit, we’re going to lose them?”

“The hell we are mate, we’ve got multiple addresses in Spain and across Europe. Interpol are due to raid them all in about an hour.”

“They were already on the radar? They must have been to get that prepared so quickly.”

“They had some information, we and Gary filled in the rest and have given them enough to make a move. They’re very grateful.”

“Wow.” Lexie sat back in shock. “That’s… it’s brilliant.”

“It is. When I say they’re grateful Lex, they’re really fucking grateful. If it all goes to plan this afternoon, they want to meet you. They’ve had to move really fast on this before the gang goes to ground and we lose them forever.”

“I didn’t do anything?”

“You didn’t give up, you knew we could uncover this and you didn’t stop until we did. I’m really proud of you, kid.”

“Kid,” she huffed, giving him a shove, “you sound like my dad.”

“We make a good team matey. Come on, let’s go to the Yard.”

“The Yard? And’, I’m not dressed for the Yard, I’m not in uniform and I can hardly walk.”

“I’m under orders.” Andy followed the mid afternoon traffic to Scotland Yard. Lexie could count on one hand the number of times she’d been there, preferring to be based at her local station instead. He nipped around to her door to help her out of the car and she took his arm for support. They took the lift to the office of their bosses bosses boss,

“Andy, not the Chief superintendent?” She squeaked nervously.

“Yep, this time tomorrow we might be here seeing the Commissioner.”

“Oh god, don’t, I feel sick.”

“Do not be sick.”

“It’s the pain tablets.” She panicked. He led her slowly down the corridor and knocked on the door where they were greeted by an officer at least three ranks above them. As she walked in, Lexie could see another man in the room along with a very familiar face. Her eyes widened as she saw River standing by the window. He gave her the tiniest smirk in response.

“Ah, D.I Andrews and D.I Powell, thank you for coming. D.I Andrews, how are you feeling?”

“Umm, I’m ok thank you Sir. Just a few cuts and bruises.” Lexie could hear the tremor in her own voice.

“And a nasty looking knee injury?”

“Just a sprain, I’ve had it scanned this morning. They can’t see any lasting damage.”

“Excellent, glad to hear it. And after last night, you’re doing ok?” The chief was actively reassuring her, trying to settle her nerves.

“Yes Sir, I’ve had a lot of people looking out for me.” The other gentleman in the room scoffed, not bothering to hide his laughter.

“Yeah, my miscreants have been at your disposal haven’t they?” He spoke up.

“D.I Andrews, this is an old friend of mine, Jackson Lamb from MI5. I believe you know River Cartwright?” Lexie blushed.

“Yes Sir, I do. I apologise, Mr Lamb, for… stealing your staff.”

“So you bloody well should. Cartwrong, Dander and Ho had a lovely jolly out yesterday.”

“Now, now Jackson. D.I Andrews didn’t request your horses. It seems they attended of their own accord, and very useful they were too. I wouldn’t be so quick to berate either D.I Andrews or Mr Cartwright.”

“Hmmm.” Lamb dropped into one of the chairs around the chief’s desk. River hadn’t moved, nor had he taken his eyes off Lexie.

“I am sorry,” Lexie offered, “I know they shouldn’t have gotten involved but I am grateful. If they hadn’t, if Ho hadn’t been tracking the van then who knows how long it would have taken or what the alternative would have been.”

“Indeed, doesn’t bear thinking about.” The chief agreed. “As… recompense, I’ve suggested to Lamb that the horses can call on you both if there’s anything you can do to support them. A quid pro quo if you like.”

“I’ll take that.” Lamb concurred. “She ain’t working with him though,” he said, pointing a thumb behind himself at River, “not bloody Romeo and Juliet running away on some undercover dirty weekend.” Lexie bit her lip to hide her smile. “Anyway, turns out the three fuckin’ amigos got more work done yesterday than they would have loitering at Slough House all day. I think Ho’s given himself a migraine; he's never worked so hard.”

“There we are then, see. Everyone’s happy… Lamb?” The chief questioned. Lamb shrugged.

“‘Spose so. Right, best be off. Come along Cartwrong, stop undressing your girlfriend with your eyes over there.” Lexie was mortified as he shook the chief’s hand and made to leave the room. River also shook the man’s hand, followed by Andy’s,

“Good working with you, Andy. And D.I Andrews.” He shook Lexie’s hand formally but gave a cheeky wink exactly as the chief looked away. As they closed the door behind them, the chief turned back to his laptop.

“So, Interpol eh? Shall we see what’s going on there?”

*******************

Chapter 8 - the finale!

[blackhakumen]

Mini Fanfic #1123: Sharin' the View Together (Persona 4 Arena)

7:34 p.m. at Shichiri Beach........

Teddie: (Let's Out a Relaxed Sigh as He Watches the Sunset Alongside his Girlfriend Labyrs) Isn't the sunset beautiful in this time of day, Labby-chan?~

Labrys: Sure is. It's bright, orange, shows off it's reflection on the ocean pretty well. Kinda makes ya forget that summer's about to come to a close.

Teddie: (Places his Hand Onto his Chest in a Very Dramatic Fashion) 'Tis a shame for a joyous season to come to a tragic end!~ And even bigger shame that I, Teddie Haramura III, have fail to achieve my goal to become big and muscular!~ And less scary than Kanji-Kun.

Kanji: (In the Distance) Oi!

Labrys: (Snickers at her Overly Dramatic Boyfriend) Simmer down a bit there, Shakespeare, there's always next year. And I'm sure you'll be able to grow a muscle or two one of these days, not like need 'em to begin with.

Teddie: (Sits Back Down) Yeah, but have you seen Inaba's Finest Weekly? (Picks the Magazine Up Beside Him and Shkws Labyrs a Page or Two) Research states that over hundred ladies would rather go out with guys who are more manly and have beary huges muscles and biceps than those with skinny bones.

Labrys: (Shrugs) Then that's their preference, ain't no changing that. (Forms a Seductive Smirk on her Face) But me personally, I like my man sweet, handsome, a little on the skinny side....(Playfully and Gently Pinches Teddie's Cheek) And an overall cutie~

Teddie: (Giggles Ticklishly While Blushing) Oho Labby-Chan!~ You always know how to make my day even more brighter with your kind words~

Labrys: (Smiles Brightly) Well, everything I say is the truth, ain't it? I love ya to pieces, Ted!~

Teddie: And I love you pieces as well, my dear magnifique princesse~

Labrys: Ah~ I see your French is startin' to get better there~

Teddie: (Smiles Proudly as He Begins to Sparkle) You notice~ I work my absolute hardest to perfect my fluent in the language of romance!~

Labyrs: (Goes Back to Smirk) Just to try and impress me?~

Teddie: (Let's Out a Loud Gasps Before Pouting and Turning Away woth his Arms Crossed) To become a respectful gentleman, thank you! ('Sighs in Defeat') But to....also impress you, yes.

Labrys: (Chuckles Lightly as Put her Her Arm Around Her Teddie and Pull Him into Loving Hug) You are such a casanova dork!~ But I appericate your efforts though~

Labrys starts kissing up on Teddie's cheek, causing him to giggle once more, for a few seconds before taking a look back at the bright, orange sunset in question.

Labrys: ('Sigh') But yeah, the sunset here does look gorgeous. 'Sure 24 would love to see this too.

Teddie: (Turns to Labrys With a Bit of a Confused Look on his Face) 24?

Labrys: She's a friend of mine from way back, the first friend I've ever made to be exact. (Begins to Frown) A friend who's......not here with us right now.

Teddie: (Frowns as Well as He Realizes What Labrys Meant by her Wording) Oh no....I'm so sorry for your loss, Labby-Chan.

Labrys: (Smiles a Bit Sadly at her Boyfriend) Thanks, 'hun, but really, don't worry it. It's been like, what? A few years since she been gone? I've already made my peace with that since then. (Looks Back at the Sunset) And I'm definitely sure she wouldn't want me to sit around and mope about it all day n' night. Best I can do is to honor her wish and keep livin' my life forward from here, till the bitter end or whateva'..

Teddie: (Gives Labrys a Reassuring Hug and Smile) And I'll be more than happy to stand by and live through life with ya, Labby-Chan. There's still a lot we don't know about the world around us, but I'm 1005% positive that we'll get to experience all of it in no time!~

Labrys: (Snickers Some More) Don'tcha think you lotta percentage ya got there, Ted?

Teddie: Why, of course!~ How else am I gonna show you how beary serious I am?

Labrys: Welllllll, you could be a gentleman and give momma some kisses~

Teddie: Hmmmm....... Seems like a pretty tall order. (Smirks Seductively) But if it's a request made by my beloved knight princesse, then who am I to refuse?~ (Starts Kissing Up on his Girlfriend)

Labrys: (Giggles Ticklishly by Teddie's Love and Kisses) Your French is startin' to lose it's edge already, Teddie Bear!~

????: Hey! Lovebirds!

The couple cease their romantic antics for a sec as their turn their attention to Kanji, Naoto and Nanako in the mid distance, picking up their stuff for today.

Kanji: We're about leave soon, so quit foolin' around already!

Nanako: (Smiles Brightly) Dad just called. He already sliced up the watermelon for us! Cone on!~

Teddie: Oooh!~ Watermelon Slices!~ (Gets Up From his Seat)

Labrys: What do they test like again? Been wantin' to test onr for myself, but I never got around into doin' so before.

Teddie: It's only the most yummiest fruit ever made on this planet!~ Unless you put salt on it. Then it'll taste salty and bitter. (Offers Labrys his Hand)

Labrys: (Accepts her Boyfriend's Gesture as He Helps Get Herself Up on her Feet) Really now? And does it has the same taste effect when ya put pepper on it?

Teddie: (Starts Walking Towards His Friends While Holding Onto his Girlfriend's Hand) You know, I'm not sure. Yousuke used to forbid me from laying a single finger on the pepper shake, so I never know what it'll taste. Ooh! Do you think we should combine that with the salt with one of our slices when we get back?

Labrys: Teddie, that's the craziest idea you ever thought of. (Smiles Brightly) I'm in.

Teddie: Ye!~

@princekirijo

@italian-love-cake

@keyenuta

@albion-93

@caleb13frede

@cyber-wildcat

[noblechaton]

hi. this is a post about Miraculous Ladybug - but also a post about me too. I've been on this bug and cat train since just about the beginning and getting to where we are now has made me kinda look back on it all - the show and myself so. I'mma ramble for a bit, pretty long post. gets kinda personal too

also there is like. no complaining or salt or anything like that in this post. adding this on in case anyone gets the wrong idea

like I said I've been here since roughly the beginning - not quite the first episode but close enough I feel, def within that first year or so. I've seen every episode (except "Felix" somehow. lmao, and the Shanghai special) and written countless words for this batch of furry doofuses, made countless posts that range from jokes to genuine analysis and spent what could probably be medically determined to be an unhealthy and maybe illegal amount of brainpower on the series as a whole, through the ups and downs, the fandom drama and leaks

and I know plenty of people who have fallen off for one reason or another - they didn't like the progression of the story, how things were being handled here or there, or they simply drifted from it for whatever reason. I kinda felt that way for a time, that I might be growing apart from the series as hiatus after hiatus built and my interests veered more towards other stuff, from wrestlemen to the witchy. it's scared me in the past, that I might stop loving the show, but with the S5 finale having hit and the major storyline that's been the thrust of the series mostly concluded I kinda realized something that I've kinda known for a long while

I'll never let it go, not entirely, and I'll never grow completely past it or beyond it - Miraculous is sort of a part of me

see, 8 years ago I was....drifting in a different way. I was losing touch with the people I held dearest, those irl friends I'd managed to maintain through school were fading fast and slowly I found myself almost alone, totally and completely. suddenly all the voices I'd been happily smothered by for years were just. gone. a few remained here and there, but it was fragmented if not completely cut off before too long and, well, I was scared

I was, for all intents and purposes, alone

but....then I started to watch this show that'd been recommended to me a few times, from before the voices faded. I'd written it off bc I didn't really care for CG shows, they always felt so empty and weird to me at the time, but the season was still ongoing and it wasn't as if I had much else to do, so I watched this episode called Stormy Weather and, not to sound too dramatic, but my life sorta changed

I loved it from the start, the style, the banter, the story. the animation was shockingly good, it felt alive. the characters were a total treat to see interact, the designs all but perfect to my eye. I got immediately hooked and only went further in the more I watched. slowly but surely I caught up on what was out there, watched what was coming out and at the same time, I sorta....reinvented myself, too, bc of this show

I made this blog, spread my wings a bit and tested some waters here and there in ways totally different from what I'd done before - I wasn't always Noble, yanno - and though it horrified me as someone that's just. terrible at talking to people, at making friends and forming connections, I still did what I could - I basically did what I did to get my first crush's attention actually, in that I just sorta danced and made a clown out of myself. we dated for 12 hours, funnily enough, didn't last. hope she's doing well. anyway

all that dancing, as it were, eventually caught the eye of someone I still consider one of my best friends to this day, who back then slowly hooked me up with who have since become some of my other best friends - I have a lotta best friends, okay? but the bond we've formed, though most of them are sorta on the outs with the show and despite us all being busy lately, it meant a lot to me - they mean a lot to me. they've....saved me, genuinely. I'm sure you can pick up the subtext here, but just as well, the show saved me, too

because I kept bumping into more people and forming connections as a result of this shared interest in a silly French cartoon, my confidence changed - I started behaving more like my senior year self in that nothing really stopped me, I didn't feel as shy or bashful or timid. soon I found myself in servers, talking with names I'd never imagined knocking up against, getting into contact with people I'd otherwise never dreamed of talking with, much less becoming friends with

now I have this web of people in my life, people I trust and care for that are amazing creators, amazing people both inside and outside of fandom, now I'm close to or otherwise good friends with a list of names that could take up most of this post if I started rambling them off. and just like that, I'd found myself a home again, I felt like I belonged somewhere again, there were voices again and the silence was gone

and I still struggle sometimes, we all do, I'm not as creative on here as I want to be - and I look to change that soon bc deep down I do believe in my ability now, something that wasn't true some few years ago - and I still struggle to talk with some of those I want to befriend, but I have talked to most of them, I've engaged on a level I never could just a few years back and....I have people I can turn to again, that I trust and love. that I hope love me too, y'know, not romantically or anything just, familial? friendly? you understand, I'm sure, anyway, point is, I was terribly alone for a long while, and gradually I've found myself in a place I find comfort in again, surrounded by friends that I'd do anything for

and it's all because of Miraculous, a show I still love

yeah there's been ups and downs, things I've liked a ton and didn't care much for, but I'm still with the show - I will be with the show. I thought season 5 was maybe the best of the bunch, at least on par with S1 imo, I'm stupidly excited about season 6 despite not being so sure of it just a few months ago. and above all else I just love watching it, posting about it and creating for it. it gets so much hate, I know there's constant discourse and there are genuine issues with it, but....again, I love it, I'll always love it. even if I drift away, if my interests shift or things take a turn, for any issue I take with the show myself, I think I'll always love this show, thick or thin

because this show saved me, it's made me a better person and gave me a life I'd once feared I'd lost, and for as silly as all of this might sound I'll always be grateful to that bug and cat team

anyway. that's enough sap from me for a bit, just kinda retrospective in light of the finale, kinda crazy to think about where I was 8 years back compared to now tbh. and not just the whole "oh yeah I'm a girl" thing lol

[pastel-rights]

"…"

"…"

"Is this working?"

The camera fizzles and sparks, the video feed struggling to process what was going on. In the midst of static, a voice can be heard— one that belonged to a familiar detective.

After a few buzzes and the static clears, the feed shows the familiar sight of Verity. Yes, they were in a different attire, but they were in a different train entirely… And one that was, unfortunately, snowed in.

"Oh! It's working. Thank God."

Verity clasps their gloved hands and sighed in relief, their gaze turning to the person recording. With a nod, they face the lens once more.

"If you're seeing this, Lee, I'm sure you must be confused on what's going on. I can't blame you if you are, after I've left with only a journal for you to find."

They chuckled, but they sounded sad. Bittersweet, even.

"… I'm sorry, Lee."

…

"I… Wanted us to leave. Together."

They paused, closing their eyes for a moment.

"… But as fate would have it, I have to abandon you for the sake of the truth. That man wouldn't let me on, and if it wasn't for that enigmatic worker on the train, you would've actually saw my dead body for the first and final time."

The feed seem to lose its focus, but it regains after a while, making them chuckle nervously.

"While I'm not one for… Celebrations, I remembered that today is your day of birth. Forgive me if this is a bad time for this, but if you're seeing this now, I must be right."

They grabbed what seemed to be a box, and opening it was a birthday cake. It was… A little toppled over, some of the frosting and decorations already moved to God knows where, but the look of pride from them was enough to show that it was their own effort to make it.

"… Happy birthday, Lee. I, Orfeo, and the others in the train made this for you. I reasoned with Andrew to have us make something… Edible, and after a bit of confrontation, he helped out."

They paused when they heard him speak, "That's because you'd force me if I tried to deny," and they scoffed and muttered, "And you know I will."

Coughing, they gave the camera a smile.

"I don't know where you are. You could be gone, dead, or— heaven forbid— you may as well have been consumed by something, and I would've done this for nothing."

Turning their head down to the cake, though, Verity sighed. Their shoulders slumped, and they adjusted the jacket on their person.

"… Wherever you are, if you ever get to see this… I hope you're safe."

…

"… I wish I can celebrate this day with you, and have you meet everyone. It would be like old times, my friend, but… Things have changed."

…

"I hope… Today will be the day life will be kind to you. I doubt it will for me, but I know you would kill me if you heard me say it."

… They sighed.

"… Please, stay safe. And thank Sam for me."

…

…

The video ends there, and the gift next to the camera was but a stitched doll of their friend.

Despite how worn it is, the two dolls are joined together— she can recognize the attire of the detective she met on the train, and herself back then. Back when things were... Not as cruel.

...

Where could the detective gone?

Only God knows the answer to that.

———

Happy Birthday, my dear friend, Yami.

May the years be as kind to you as you were to me, and may life give you the strength to when things get you down.

Things don't last forever, but I hope with this drabble, it'll make things feel like they would.

(P.S.: feel free to yell at me for the amount of hurt I put you through this one, I deserve it lol)

— Navina

“… it’s already that time of the year? bah. Cake? Haven’t had one of those since my last meal. Death-iversary and Birthday, it’s quite a combo. Cute video, Ver. It’s… not really the same cake you tired so hard to make, but, I wouldn’t have one otherwise… so, thanks for that, I suppose. That’s a lotta cake though, Ver, not sure what I’m supposed to do with it, though.“

———

Oh

My

GOD.

NAVI…

OH...

OH! I'M. NAVI??????

OH THAT VERITY FIC...

OH THE DOLLS...

AND THE CAKE...

AND NOT THE TRAIN CONDUCTOR ANDREW BULLYING BWAHAHAH

OH...

OH NAVI...

I'M.

i'm in shambles /pos

why must you people hurt me so on my birthday arc 😭/lh

[feakwierdodotgov]

Most of my internet experience has been me making up personalities to live out confessional social fantasies that didn’t require putting my personal self out into the world to be judged, but something in me has changed. I really want to be my honest self, no lies, no adjusting stories to sound more interesting, etc etc.

Here are some things I love:

1. Music

Music is the most important thing in my life ever, period. It has been my imagination station, my getaway, my best friend, my friend maker, my anxiety pill, my weighted blanket, the gasoline I pour through my ears and into my brain to function like a normal human being. I have always wanted to be a performer for as long as I can remember. Little me was looking up karaoke versions of songs for as long as I can remember, no matter the genre. At the time, I had a very powerful voice. So powerful, in fact, that musicals were my favorite thing to perform with my sisters. All of the ones that were popular with neurodivergent animaniacs on the internet with their cute little animation music videos, those hold a special place in my heart and memory. I have to say, Hamilton is one of the greatest things to ever happen in my life, but I have water boarded myself with Hamilton content to the point where I can’t interact with the fanbase anymore. I look back with loving memory, but I must put that long gone special interest to rest. Steven universe is also one of the greatest things to ever exist in my life. It is my all time favorite tv show, nothing comes close. The music, the art, the emotion, the understanding, the beautiful metaphors and easy to understand explanations for real world problems, etc, etc. And last but not least, Taylor Swift. Not only is she one of the greatest cultural phenomena, she’s my favorite writer of all time, at the very least, the most important. I may only be 15, but my family has loved Taylor since the beginning. My mother fell in love with her music and introduced her to my dad, and he recognized Taylor’s pure talent. There’s a million videos somewhere lost in the depths of my mother’s Instagram archive of me singing Taylor swift songs on my hp laptop, my karaoke machine in the basement, on the piano, etc. Our song was the song I played on my birthday, my ten year old self was obsessed. I would also like to mention that I was so obsessed with Ariana Grande when I was 11-13 that I nicknamed myself Ari and blasted her music in my ears for two years straight

Honorable mentions:

Amy Whinehouse, SZA, Lauryn Hill, Lana Del Rey, Beyoncé, Aretha Franklin, Ethel Cain, Every Disney musical ever, Halsey, Billie Eillish, Frank Ocean, Florence+TheMachine, and Mitski. Don’t get me wrong, I love the pop queens, but these specific musicians have been particularity significant in MY life.

Turns out, I don’t love a whole lotta other things, I’m sure I’ll find some more things to love later in life :)

[sleepyburito]

Venting about my father

Tw! mental issues not being addressed/someone refusing to medicate and for... I guess weird dad? and a parent seemingly living through their kid? Idk how to explain this one, parents yelling at their child and general bad parenting

So... Imma just start with the usual thanking god I don't live with my dad and I haven't meet with him in person since the year before covid and yeah I am very grateful

But I have a once a week skype call with him I literally can only get out of if I'm really sick, have a social event or play up my exhaustion to make it seem like I'm sick

So my dad is a fucking ping pong ball of emotions when it comes to these calls. Sometimes the call is nice and sweet while other times I feel like fucking crying afterwards

I don't ever tell a lotta people how bad things get even my mom doesn't know the full extent of things. Like she's seen some of the worst of it cause it usually results in me crying and needing a hug but there's a lotta little things.

a prime incident that makes me so fucking mad looking back on it now is when I was 13. It was my dads birthday and I had managed to send his birthday present but it was going to be a bit late. I let him know this but then he doesn't show up for our Skype call. Then he sends this message.

'I'm very disappointed in you ***' (not saying my legal name here)

and it turns out he's upset I 'forgot' his birthday and it takes him hours to answer and in that time I have a full on meltdown crying session while me and my mom try figure out wtf?

Then there was the time he got on my ass about studying (which yes I was not doing) in a way that made my stubborn self snap and so he got mad and I got so mad I started crying and next thing I know we're ending the call and I'm crying to myself in the kitchen.

I now offer last weeks call. I mentioned I hadn't gone out and socialised much but I had managed to go on some walks and get some nice time to myself (I hadn't I just wanted him to shut up with asking me what I did) and I mentioned I wasn't the most energetic and also mentioned I was unwell. He got... idk offended?? that I said two 'different' things and was still pissed even when I explained I was exhausted cuz I was unwell cuz I didn't wanna explain to him I was having a terrible period that left me curled up behind my mom on the sofa to help with cramps

now, here comes my 'living through me' theory

I'm a lot more introverted than my dad, me and my mom rarely leave the house for social events because it's not our thing and we just rarely have the energy for it. My dad however, would rather I go out like every other day which is a massive no for me as I once had social plans for a solid 4 days straight and ended up exhausted and barely able to function afterwards

He got a bit annoyed when I mentioned I hadn't done much over the week and had mainly spent time for myself and talking with friends online

then he asks if I'm going to start dating my platonic partner again (long story short, we dated romantically for nearly 3 years but then we both realised we were on the aro spectrum and now we're just something undefined just... us). And previously when we were dating ... he would ask really weird questions that made me extremely uncomfortable about us kissing, having sex etc and I just... did my best to joke my way out of it or change the topic but he'd continue on even when I tried to stop him.

Then he asks about my week plans and gets pissy again! when I say my plans just include more walks because I wanna get more fresh air and not be trapped in my warm house all day.

He got so pissed he ended the call for once and I am just so done.

This is from a man who stopped taking his very important meds several years ago (around the time of the birthday incident) and it now and then hits me that this is the result.

He is well and truly a stubborn asshole and I'm considering just lying half the time that I met up with friends so he can shut the fuck up. He doesn't even pay fucking child support, closest thing he does is send me money for holidays and birthdays

I just.... really really wish I could cut him out but I can't rn and it fucking sucks so badly and I just... I really wish I could tell him to fuck off

this is without including him trying to make me his 'perfect lil princess' and when he got me, a gender blob of a person he kept trying to make me a sports fan which also! didn't work. Also his weirdness about me cursing when jesus fuck he knows how teenagers are and that I'm on the internet and around people my age?

I can also add him thinking it's 'funny' to imply I have feelings for literally any of my friends which is just a fuck no (not just cuz of the aro thing but because I'm also a lesbian with a lot of guy friends-)

Oh and the period of time where he kept 'joking' about me becoming a nun and working for god (I'm agnostic now) and him getting pissed when he learned I stopped going to church because it just wasn't for me

Then there's the time he yelled at me for something my mom did and now I cry when I'm stressed and yelled at while also having bad financial guilt when people spend money on me

Oh and for basic clarification? my dad doesn't have any custody or guardianship over me as my parents were never married but broke up when my mom was pregnant with me. My mom got complete guardianship over me and my dad (when he lived in my country) would visit and when he moved I'd go over there and stay with him for a week.

I don't know how I feel about him but I do know I really wish I could cut him out of my life for good.

sorry for the random vent I just needed to get this off my chest

[mikurulucky]

Well after watching Don Hertzfeldt's World of Tomorrow film again (the first one rather), and being that I'm STILL not technically done with my Johan et Pirlouit hyperfixation, I came up with a rather interesting and angsty au/futureverse setting for Johan. Well, not futureverse in the classic sense, but more of a sci-fi futureverse/au/idk what.

The setting is over 1000 years ahead of our current time period. Time travel might not be a thing, but human cloning technology has become close to a perfected practical science. And knowledge about neurology, memories, and dreams have dramatically improved to the point where humans have figured out how to extract memories and dreams from neurons. And eventually, extract memories from even long dead neurons.

A scientist in Belgian Wallonia managed to find a way to clone an ancient person found in an archeological dig under a local man's farm and found a way to transfer his original memories into the clone, medieval language knowledge and all. No small feat, almost miraculous considering how delicate the brain is as an organ. But once he's all grown and able to interact with others on his own, she goes all lab rat on his ass and her assistant's like "Man, just because we cloned a human from the past doesn't mean you get to treat him like this! He's a person, not some museum exhibit!"

And then she rescues clone!Johan from the situation, and now he goes from homesick for his original time and home, coping with the people he loved being long gone, to eventually accepting his extended lifespan and just wanting to be treated like a human being. The assistant later realizes Johan is her many times great grandfather, his title of chevalier being the same as her surname after looking at her geneology. Through her experience in linguistics and being a college language professor, he manages to teach him modern French, and after many years, when his time draws to a close, he asks her not to clone him anymore and to let him rest after living his second life.

He even shares some stories about his past life. Him dealing with Peewit's singing, his brief romance with a princess, some details the assistant didn't even find in any medieval manuscript that detailed his escapades.

"This has been an interesting life. Much different from my last. VERY much different. So much has changed in 2000 years, it's hard to believe it's been that long since I last left this earth. Thank you for everything."

Basically, a tragic yet bittersweet story about how a past human with his memories still intact reacts to being in a foreign time and place. About feeling drastically out of place and frightened, and then making new memories with new people and new things. Coming to terms with the fact he might never return to his old time and loved ones again, and becoming comfortable with making new relationships. About the horrors a clone of this sort would've gone through if it was possible.

Lotta emphasis on memory here.

[bayleaf-2]

Hi so I didn't make any coding progress today, hence why I didn't post anything, but I did draw all day! Lotta info incoming so here! Here goes! I already did transcripts and stuff for a friend who has some but not all context and I'm. Very very tired so sorry gang but I'm not adding additional context. Also some of the tone might seem weird, cause again, directly to friend and not tumblr

That being said, big thing first! Started some design mockups for Arc 5, character notes included. Got damn the compression on this is bad sorry gang.

The first one is how Lyra looks literally the day after the campaign ends! That design's title is "The worst of it" because I don't know for sure how long that'll last, for multiple reasons (How long Lisp can fuck with Ioun's ritual until the library notices, how long Lyra's in this state of "make it to the next day" grief, etc) but I do know that this is their lowest point, so it feels best to label it as such if I don't have another reference point to label with, at least for the time being. The bullet points are as follows:

Feels dysphoric (outfit helps)

Now that they're not rushing through everything and actually have time to think about how they feel and also don't have to wear high tier armor all the time, Lyra realizes that she's not…actually happy being in such boxy clothes, among other things. I hesitate to go into any more detail cause I don't wanna trigger anyone else's dysphoria, but they change into a looser, more fem outfit. I'm realizing now that the silhouette still looks similar because I'm not as good with drawing clothes, but imagine it's like. Flowy and soft rather than boxy and thick. (Yes this is bc I wanted to give her a design changed but I also realized they'd want the same thing, it's been like. months)

"One day at a time"

Kind of explained before, but I'll elaborate a bit more just cause: They lost their entire family. They lost like 3 out of 4 of the people most important to them. He's almost 300, so he's probably lost someone before, but not like this. Not because of something so world changing, not with the world itself almost waiting for her to get over it so she can help fix everything (or at least that's how she feels.)

Feels bad seeking comfort from or being comforted by the library

The library is something that's connected very strongly to Ioun! He feels like Khunoth and Emily would be furious at him for that, Emily especially. Now does Lyra need to talk to someone? Absolutely. Is he gonna feel any less guilty? Not really.

2nd mockup: Titled "approximately winter" because iirc the campaign started at like…the tail end of summer, and it's been about 3 months (2 months of travel time and 1 month of Actual Shit happening) but don't quote me on the exact timing. Hence the approximately. It could be the beginning of winter, or the end. I also wanted to encompass the whole season to leave wiggle room time-wise for the emotional recovery aspect.

Dysphoria gone! Yay! A combination of them feeling better emotionally and the thing that was causing it being gone. She's more confident again, yippee!

Quest full-time? Maaaybe by this point, he's spending most of his time outside the library going on Kate's quest and looking for the book. Again, it's a timing thing. I imagine once they're in a good enough state for it, they go like. Full detective on it and have a notebook dedicated to their findings and stuff. Additionally, if this is the case, they probably go by Elion at this point! For the record, if any of her family members were still around, she'd probably prefer that they call her Lyra.

Old party members find her Speaking of which! If any of the people from Elion's other parties were to find him, they would've found him by this point, most likely. It's been a while since the godslaying ended and the funeral's happened so word's gotten out about who was involved. Now, based on my memory (but the last time we got recognized was a while ago) people knew the names of the godslayers, but not the faces. There are people who've been tracking the party, but that's a small group, I think. So Elion's party members miiiight not know she's a godslayer unless she tells them? Again, questionable how much the general public knows, and we've been getting adventuring parties sent after us so. It could go either way.

Sorry if this is like. Unfollowable without context, I might fix it in the morning. I also will say, the reason old party members is getting brought up at all is because a friend wanted to hug Lyra after hearing what happened to them and I said ":v she- she's been in other parties, you could have one of your characters know her iyw-" and they said yes, so I'm trying to think about it now, just for funsies XP

There's more art, but with how long this post already is I'm just gonna post em separately.