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fific7 · 3 years

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Ticket to Ride - Part 6

Billy Russo x Reader

A/N: Inspired by The Beatles song of the same name. This takes place in my S1 Punisher AU with Arrogant!Billy in attendance, in which he gets a taste of his own medicine. Here we are at the final part!

Warnings: 18+ NSFW due to sexual content, including oral and unprotected, between consenting adults* in some chapters. Drinking and swearing.

*Irl, please don’t go wild in the country without protection.

(My photo edit and my photos of Murano & Burano)

𝕄𝕪 𝕓𝕒𝕓𝕪 𝕕𝕠𝕟'𝕥 𝕔𝕒𝕣𝕖

{…𝕠𝕣 𝕕𝕠𝕖𝕤 𝕤𝕙𝕖?}

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

Billy awoke early the next morning, reaching over to his phone on the bedside table and tapping the screen to see what time it was. Seven. Plenty of time to have a shower and make his way down to the breakfast room.

Standing under the stream of hot water, he couldn’t help feeling apprehensive. What if she had done another runner? He wouldn’t be able to cope with that. He didn’t think she would have, but…. he just wasn’t 100% sure what she was thinking or feeling right now.

After his full disclosure of what he’d got up to with Madani followed swiftly by his confession of love last night, he felt more optimistic but he could tell she was still conflicted.

He’d just have to do whatever he could today to persuade her to give him another chance.

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

Making your way into the light and airy breakfast room at just after eight, you couldn’t deny you were pleased to see Billy, sitting up super straight like a well-behaved schoolboy, already at a table.

His face broke into a huge smile when he spotted you, and you could see a large measure of relief wrapped up in it. You knew he would’ve been wondering if you had run out on him again. But no, you’d decided overnight to at least see how things went today on your trip to the Lagoon Islands.

He’d thrown you a curveball by telling you he loved you last night, and while you were relieved to hear that he hadn’t slept with that woman (his anger when you’d pushed him on it had finally convinced you that he hadn’t), you still weren’t exactly happy with what he had admitted to doing. It was still cheating in your book.

Could you ever really trust him again?

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

Billy fussed over her like a mother hen when she sat down across from him at the table, jumping up and rushing over to the buffet table, picking out a selection of toast, focaccia, butter, jams and Nutella for her along with a couple of mini pain au chocolat croissants. They were her favourites so he felt quite proud of himself as he laid the plate before her like the spoils of war, before making his way to the coffee machine and creating a cappuccino for her.

“Thank you, Billy - you’re spoiling me,” she said with a small grin. “Your every wish is my command, Princess,” he smiled back, hand covering hers and stroking gently. Now she started properly laughing at him, and he huffed, slightly offended. Once she’d calmed down a bit she said, “Honestly Billy, you don’t have to wait on me hand and foot. All I need from you is complete honesty.” Billy tried to look as convincing as he possibly could, “I will be, sweetheart, I promise.”

She took a sip of her cappuccino, and fixed him with an intense stare. “Bearing that in mind, Billy, just what exactly was going through your mind when you were making out with Madani?”

Billy blew out a big breath; he hadn’t seen that coming. “Well… uhh… nothin’ really. I was just doing somethin’ I had to do, and needed to get it over with as quick as possible.” Another sip of coffee, another intense look from her. “Uh-huh. So you didn’t enjoy it then? Is that what you’re saying?”

Billy suddenly felt like he was back on very thin ice. He could feel himself squirming in his seat, and fought to keep still. Madani was, in all truth, a pretty woman.

Fuck.

What should he say in reply to that?

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

Your eyes were drilling into Billy’s, and he looked about as comfortable as someone who’d just found out he’d got a scorpion down his trousers.

His face flushed pink, so you could guess what that meant. He cleared his throat, and then said in a low voice, “Look, she’s not bad lookin’ so it wasn’t as uncomfortable as it could’ve been.”

You smirked, not ready to let him off the hook yet, “So you were attracted to her, then. Not sure I’m happy to hear that, Billy.”

“NO! No, I wasn’t. Well.. like I said, she’s not unattractive but I’m not interested in her.”

You picked up your knife and aggressively sliced right through one of croissants. The look on Billy’s face was priceless. No doubt he’d guessed that the croissant was a surrogate for a certain part of his anatomy.

“Sweetheart, they weren’t long or involved kisses… not real ones, not like between you an’ me,” he said in a worried tone, very unlike his usual assertive manner. “Sweetheart, you’re the one I’m in love with. The only one I want to be with.” He was gazing earnestly at you, hand covering yours.

You cut off another piece of croissant and popped it into your mouth.

Billy would have to work a hell of a lot harder than that today if he was going to get you back, you thought.

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

Once the vaporetto had moored alongside the jetty you walked on board the boat up the ramp in front of Billy, while the disembarking passengers walked down the other side of it as it swayed from side to side, the boat moving in its own wake. The crew member who’d expertly tied up the boat a few moments ago was still calling out “Palanca, Palanca” as you headed through the covered section to the open area right at the back, sitting down on the bench seat in the stern and turning your face up to the sun.

Billy sat next to you, scooting as close to you as he could, suddenly lunging in for a hungry kiss. Two mothers with children in tow emerged through the doors leading from the salon, and you pushed him away while hastily smiling at the newcomers, saying, “Giorno” to them. Both of them smiled at you, returning your greeting, but then their eyes slid over to Billy and you saw both sets widening as they looked him over. You sighed. Having a hot boyfriend sucked sometimes. And Billy was looking particularly hot today in leather jacket, white t-shirt, black jeans and combat boots.

However, you noticed that Billy’s eyes were glued to you, still gazing at you ever since you’d fended him off. You didn’t think he’d even glanced at the other two women.

OK, Russo - one point on the plus side to you, you conceded.

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

Billy was paying full attention to his girl. He felt slightly triumphant that he’d managed to steal a kiss, and she’d only shoved him away when he’d vaguely heard the salon doors opening behind him.

He was so worried that she still hadn’t made her mind up whether to take him back or not, and he knew that today was his final chance to convince her to do so. Whatever was in his power to do, he’d do, to make that happen. And he wasn’t dumb, that meant not paying any attention whatsoever to any other females in the vicinity. He’d guessed that a couple of women had arrived along with the kids he could hear squealing and laughing just out of his sight line, so he made sure he kept his eyes trained solely on her.

Her lips curved upwards in a small smile as she looked back at him.

Pleased, he thought - ha, think I just scored a point there.

He wondered how many more of those he needed to rack up to finally win his woman back.

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

There were no direct vaporetti lines to the Lagoon Islands so you had to firstly go to Fondamente Nove, which was a busy hub for several of the numerous lines. You wanted to visit two of the main islands; Murano - where Venetians had made their famed glass items for centuries - and Burano, an island of fishermen and lacemakers. You were really excited to go there, as the houses were painted in a rainbow of colours. Legend had it that this was so the returning fishermen could spot their own individual houses as they returned home across the lagoon.

You needed to find the ferry stop for Line 12, which luckily Billy spotted just as the two of you were about to walk right past it. There was a vaporetto arriving just as you did and swiping your travel passes, you went aboard and took seats in the salon. This ferry was a slightly different type to the others you’d been on, longer and lower and was soon packed with locals and tourists alike.

It took a little while to arrive at Murano, alighting at the Faro stop. They still produced glassware on Murano but nothing like as much as they had in the past. You and Billy wandered alongside one of the main canals, looking into the windows of all the little glass shops until you came to the entrance of one of the big glass foundries.

They offered tours of the workshop and of course also had a shop, so the two of you paid for the tour and watched in amazement as an old man took a fiery red and yellow blob onto the end of a pole, and blew and turned it until it started to take on the shape of a little vase.

In the store, you browsed along the shelves looking at all the glassware on display, until you suddenly noticed you were alone. Glancing around, you spotted a dark head over in the corner at the cash desk and were heading over there when Billy turned round. His trademark smirk appeared and he hurriedly picked up the little paper carrier bag which was on the counter by its handles and strode towards you.

“See anything you like, sweetheart?”

Smirk getting wider. You eye-rolled and grabbed his arm, noting at the same time that the female sales assistant was still gawping at Billy, even though he now had his back to her. You tugged him towards the door, asking, “What’ve you just bought?” as you went. He shook his head, “Can’t say. It’s a surprise.” You glared at him, “Billy….” but he just kept grinning as you left the store and wouldn’t say anything, even though you nipped at his wrist just below his leather jacket sleeve with your nails.

“Wanna get a coffee?” he suggested, as you resumed your canalside stroll. “Yeah, okay,” you replied, stopping next to the outdoor tables of a small caffé and sitting down, Billy joining you. He slid his hand over yours, “M’glad we’ve got this time together today, sweetheart. Wanna make you understand just how much you mean to me.”

You nodded in acknowledgment before waving at the waiter and ordering two double macchiatos. You carried on, “The main problem I have, Billy, is how I’m ever going to trust you again? You might not think you cheated, but that’s what it is in my book.”

Billy looked over at you, eyes wide, sad …and scared.

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

Billy had then looked up and thanked the waiter as the coffees were placed in front of you both. He really didn’t know what to say, to be honest. He knew Frank - and no doubt Karen - also thought that it had counted as cheating. But he truly hadn’t. Well…. Cheating Lite, as he’d already designated it in his head. But not proper, down-and-dirty, long-term cheating. It had been a means to an end. Nothing more, nothing less. He just hadn’t considered the bigger picture. At all. And that had been a big mistake.

He took a sip of his coffee, and cleared his throat before spilling out what had just gone through his head. “Y’know I’m not exactly an expert at relationships, angel. In fact, I’m sure you’ll agree I’m totally shit at them. I need you to keep me on the straight and narrow. Tell me how things need to be. Please don’t give up on us, don’t leave me… please.” Billy was completely and utterly pouring out his heart to her, and he prayed she could see that.

His girl looked at him, some anger and hurt still in her eyes but she managed a shaky breath and looked down into the depths of her coffee cup for a few moments.

Billy held his breath.

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

Your eyes met his again, “But how am I going to trust you again, Billy, tell me that? Every time you say you’re working late, how d’you expect me not to think you’re meeting up with her or someone else?”

Now it was Billy’s turn to look down. The silence stretched out to a few minutes, and you did nothing to break it. Eventually he looked up at you again, “M’tryin’ to think of how I can prove to you that I’ll never, ever, do something like that again - whether it’s work-related or not.”

He reached across and slid his long fingers between yours, holding onto your hand so tightly it felt like he’d never let go.

“Firstly, I give you my word as an ex-Marine that I won’t ever pull a stunt like this again. Secondly, I’ll be the most attentive boyfriend you’ve ever had. In and out of the sack.” You tried to hide a smile, but you knew he’d seen it. “Thirdly, I’ll put a tracker on my phone, and I’ll hack you into my messagin’ and email apps so you’ll have absolute access to my location and comms.” He was smirking back at you by now, he felt this was going pretty well.

“But you’ve got access to burner phones, Billy.”

His smile dimmed, while his brain scrambled to come up with a solution to this inconvenient fact. You saw his eyes light up and the smirk returned, “Easy. I’ll put Frank in sole charge of issuing them and I’ll tell him not to give me any unless it’s absolutely necessary for an op.”

“Could just buy them in Walmart’s,” you dropped into the slight pause after he’d finished speaking. His face fell again, and now you burst out laughing. “Okay, okay, Billy - I get the message. I see that you’re doing your best to be honest and transparent. There’s no need for you to put all that tracking and hacking in place.”

Billy beamed at you.

“I’ll just get Micro to track your ass.”

His mouth dropped open as you spoke.

“And monitor all your calls and texts.”

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

Woah! thought Billy, didn’t think she’d be getting King Nerd involved. That was probably Karen’s idea. Gee, thanks Karen. But he would agree, what else could he do? And he’d offered to track himself, so it didn’t really matter in any case, did it?

“Uhhh…” he stuttered, “….uhh yeah, whatever you like, sweetheart.”

She smiled over at him, a genuine smile. “It’s OK, Billy. I wouldn’t do that to you.” She side-eyed him, “Unless you give me good cause. Like… coming home stinking of another woman’s perfume ever again.”

His hand went over his heart, and he put on his best puppydog eyes. “Angel, I swear on my life - never. Never. Ever. Again.”

She nodded. “Okay, Billy, I’ll take that as you being on oath now, just like when you joined the Marines.” His eyes widened and he nodded fast. “Yeah. I am. I’m on oath.”

He watched as she drained the very last few drops of her coffee. “Okay, Russo! Let’s go,” she said standing up and picking up her bag.

“Yes, ma’am!” He jumped up and saluted, taking his place at her side as they retraced their steps to the Faro stop and their next vaporetto.

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

You’d hopped onto the next Line 12 ferry which arrived, and recommenced your onwards journey to Burano. Sitting inside the salon again, the loud chatter around you from the mostly local passengers almost drowned out any conversation you and Billy tried to have. He finally leaned right up against you, snaking his arm round your waist, his lips against your ear.

“Got you a little somethin’, sweetheart.” He handed you the gift bag.

Opening it, you saw a mass of tissue paper inside the bag and took it out. “Careful!” he warned, so you slowly opened up the paper and saw a delicate rose pink heart trinket box sitting at its centre. You lifted its little lid up and then replaced it, delighted with it. Smiling at Billy, you said, “I love it!” into his ear and kissed his cheek. His lips returned to your ear, “See? You have my heart.”

Now you rolled your eyes heavenwards, “I’d stop there if I were you, Russo. Cheesy really doesn’t suit you!” He burst out laughing. “Hey! Give a guy a break. He’s over here layin’ his heart and soul right out in front of you.”

You leant in and kissed him on the lips, before pulling back and saying, “And don’t read too much into that!” But Billy was already grinning happily back at you.

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

Billy was happy. His steps were light as he walked beside her from the vaporetto stop along a small street, lined with stalls and shops selling souvenirs and lacework, which eventually led to a square.

She loved the trinket box! he thought, very pleased with himself. The minute he’d seen it he knew that she would, and had decided to buy it on the spot. While he didn’t want her to think he was trying to buy her back, he’d just wanted to make some gesture to show her that he treasured her, the same way she’d treasure the little things she put in it.

He blurted all of this out to her as they strolled along. She stopped walking and looked at him, amazed, “Billy Russo! I think that’s the sweetest thing you’ve ever said to me.” He felt shy suddenly, and he could feel his face heating up. What was happening to him? Is this what love did to you? He didn’t hate it. “It’s how I feel,” he mumbled, looking away from her. He felt her hand on his cheek, “Well, keep that up and maybe, just maybe…”

She turned and started walking again, and Billy hurried to catch up with her. I won’t push it, he thought, I’ll just leave it be while I’m on a winning streak.

There was another street leading off the square which was full of trattorias and caffés, and they chose one of the restaurants to sit outside, the tables rapidly filling as more people from the vaporetto stop arrived.

She’s definitely looking at me more kindly, he thought. Things might just be okay after all.

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

After a delicious lunch of pasta and several glasses of wine, you and Billy started exploring the little canals and streets with their cute colourful houses. They looked so bright and beautiful in the sunlight, and you imagined the fishermen back in the day sailing home and being able to see their own little house from afar.

You reached the waterside, beside a quiet little square with houses all around it and some grass in the middle, clothes on washing lines strung across it, blowing in the breeze. There was no-one else around and suddenly you found yourself pressed up against the wall of one of the houses, Billy’s long fingers on the nape of your neck, his hand on your waist. His dark chocolate eyes were gazing into yours, a soft look in them. But you could also feel something a lot harder pressing into your hip, and you saw desire spark in his eyes.

His mouth was on yours and he kissed you, the sudden passion of which took you by surprise. He pulled back, his forehead touching yours. “I’ve missed your touch so much,” he whispered, “…every minute of every day since you.. since you left me.” You laid your hand on his chest, “I missed you too, Billy - even if I did hate you at the time.” He chuckled, “Do you still hate me?” You looked into those beautiful eyes, “No, I guess I don’t. Although you’re still walking a line, Billy.”

He nodded, “I know. I do know. But promise me you’ll give me another chance?” You smiled at him, pushing yourself away from the wall and him, “Let’s see, shall we?”

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

Billy tapped on her hotel room door, and gave her a devilish grin as she opened it. He’d made sure to wear a white tank and a pair of grey tracksuit bottoms. He knew she liked him in those.

She was already in her sleepwear - an oversized Anvil T which she’d stolen from him ages ago - and leant against her door, looking back at him, amused. “Why Billy, whatever brings you here?”

He just kept grinning at her and also leant against her doorframe. As if she didn’t know, he thought. She’d had to spend the entire journey back from Burano fending off his hands and mouth.

“Just checkin’ you’re OK, sweetheart. See if there’s anything you need.”

She laughed. “And what could I possibly need, Billy?”

He angled his body so that she couldn’t fail to get a great view of his toned torso and more importantly, the very obvious outline of his erection showing in his joggers. If there was one thing Billy had complete confidence in, it was the effect his body had on women.

“I can think of one or two things, sweetheart.”

He was ecstatic when her hand reached out and grabbed him round the back of his neck, pulling him into her room. “Uhuh… maybe you should show me what those are.”

Billy’s grin got twice as wide.

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

You gave a huge sigh as Billy pushed inside you, hearing an answering one from him and you ran your hands up into his lush hair. You couldn’t deny it, you had missed him. And his enthusiastic lovemaking.

However you were a little taken aback when he began moving slowly and sensually on you, instead of his usual frenetic pace. He was stroking your hair, placing little kisses all over your face and neck, running his hands over your body, whispering “I love you, love you so much” between his languid thrusts. He slid a hand down and massaged your clit, so well that you climaxed within a few short moments. Not long afterwards, you heard him gasp and he released into you, with a long groan.

The two of you lay in silence, side by side but still entwined. Then Billy leant across and kissed you, softly, slowly, with passion. “I can’t be without you, angel.” The puppydog eyes were out in force again as he gazed at you, “Please. Gimme another chance. I’ll be a better boyfriend, a million times better.”

You continued to look back at him, then gave a quick nod, “Okay. Yes, okay Billy. But one… just one transgression…” His hands went up in supplication, “Understood! Not one transgression will be made.”

“And you make sure to tell that thirsty bitch back in New York that her little dates with you won’t be happening anymore.”

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

“Already done.”

He saw her eyebrows rise.

Oh. Oh, she thinks that means I’ve been in touch with her.

“No, sweetheart…. Frankie took care of that for me while I’ve been away.”

She smirked, “Pleased to hear it.”

Billy let out a sigh of relief, he was going to have to be so careful over the next few months. He’d only just got her back! He couldn’t let a stupid, chance remark or two ruin it. He ran his hand over her hair again. “I’m so happy, y’know? M’never going to take you for granted again.” He saw her smile widen in the darkness of the room.

“But, sweetheart, you gotta promise me something too.” She looked at him, puzzled, amused, “Oh, yeah?”

“Yeah. No more runnin’ out on me and flyin’ halfway round the world.”

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

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#ben barnes #billy russo #billy russo x reader #billy russo fanfiction #billy russo imagine #billy russo fanfic

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iliveiloveiwrite · 3 years

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The Mirror of Erised // Draco Malfoy

Summary: Curious professors, treasure hunts, romantic feelings.

A/N: This idea gripped me and I couldn't let it go. I haven't written for Draco in so long, I forgot how much I love this character.

Pairing: Draco Malfoy x Female!Reader

Warnings: fluff, pining, mutual pining, kissing, treasure hunts, humour, swearing, mentions of food and drink

Word count: 4.4k

The air of the greenhouses was always humid; thick with moisture, creating the perfect environment for the magical plants of Hogwarts to thrive and grow. Tended by all students, the greenhouses saw an abundance of visitors every day.

The collection of greenhouses had been your solace as a teenager studying at the enchanting school. Too anxious from the state of wizarding society, the greenhouses became a place of calm for you. Professor Sprout had taken you under your wing after your fourth visit to the unconventional classrooms. From there, your knowledge of magical plants and their properties grew until you were the one they called when the school was destroyed, and students were injured.

It wasn’t long after the Battle of Hogwarts that McGonagall offered you a teaching position, wanting a trustworthy, welcoming soul to take over from Professor Sprout. Sprout hadn’t worried; she knew she had left her beloved greenhouses in safe hands.

Days in the greenhouses always flew by. You constantly found yourself entranced by your work; the potting and repotting of Mandrakes, the drying of nettles, the harvesting of Asphodel root – it was enough to keep you thoroughly occupied as well as a hive of information for the students that line the greenhouse work stations.

However, today you found yourself occupied not by the Aconite plant that also went by Monkshood and Wolfsbane. Instead, you were caught up in a rumour delivered to you this morning by Nearly Headless Nick. The resident ghost of Gryffindor had flitted over to you, already grinning with excitement at the information he had to share. By the time such information had been imparted onto you, your excitement rivalled his.

There was only one person, however, that you wanted to share this rumour with.

Draco Malfoy followed you into teaching a year after you began your position at Hogwarts. He hadn’t wanted the job at the ministry; his name scorned by most witches and wizards. McGonagall had seen something in him and had offered him the position of Potions Master, knowing how comfortable the Malfoy heir would been in the subject.

The friendship with the Slytherin Prince happened over many shared meals; breakfasts, lunches, dinners in the Great Hall in which you always found yourself saving a seat for the blonde in case no-one else at the table did. Draco’s allegiance in the Second Wizarding War was a well-known fact amongst staff and students.

After a while, the two seats became reserved for the both of you. An unofficial seating plan in which you would save a seat for Draco, and he would save one for you if you were running late. It was a friendship you so dearly cherished, and if you happened to have recognised the familiar stirrings of love in you as you glanced at the blonde, then that would be your secret to bare. Draco didn’t need to know how he made your heart race and sent your head into a spin; he didn’t need to know how often he featured in your dreams, waking up with your arm outstretched as if reaching for him in the deep of your sleep.

The man occupied your mind as you left the greenhouses, wandering to the Great hall where you caught sight of the shock of blonde hair amongst the rest of the staff. It’s as if he senses your presence, Draco looks up from his plate of food to meet your gaze. A slow smile spreads across his face as he waves at you, hurrying you over.

“Have you heard?” You smile, remembering your earlier conversation with Nearly Headless Nick, childish excitement written across your face as you reach out to grip Draco’s forearm.

The blonde indulges you with a wide smile of his own. “Have I heard what?”

Your grip on Draco’s arm grows tighter as your excitement peaks. “It’s back at Hogwarts – the Mirror of Erised.”

Shock pulses through his body as Draco tries and fails to keep the alarm from showing on his face. “What? Where did you find that out?”

“Nearly Headless Nick who heard it from Professor Binns who overheard Professors Flitwick and Trelawney discussing the subject matter outside of McGonagall’s office.”

Draco’s grey eyes narrow as he takes in the admittedly weak and confusing chain of gossip. “Are you certain that it is back here?” He asks; curiosity burning through him, but not wanting to risk falsities.

“There’s only one way to find out,” You tease, biting your lip as you peer up at the Potions professor through your lashes. You knew that Draco would be apprehensive about such a magical object, but even he couldn’t resist catching a glimpse into his own soul – his own heart.

Draco groans; repressing the urge to let his head fall into his arms. “Another treasure hunt?”

He didn’t remember the last one too fondly. You had heard whispers of the Necklace of the Lady of the Lake being housed in an offshoot of one of the many tunnels that lay undisturbed underneath Hogwarts. They had remained undisturbed for over a thousand years until you had chosen to find the necklace. You had no interest in wearing it; you couldn’t be bothered about being unfathomably loved, but you had simply wanted to see whether there was any stock in the legend preached by Professor Binns in History of Magic.

Unfortunately, whilst the tunnels did exist, the necklace did not, and it was left to Draco to pick up the pieces of your disappointment as well as heal numerous scratches and welts covering your limbs after an ill-timed fall.

After that, Draco had made you swear that your treasure hunts would remain above ground and somewhat safe.

“Please, Dray,” You plead, shaking the arm which you still hold in your grip. “Help me find the Mirror of Erised.”

“We were warned away from it as students,” Draco argues, desperate for you to see sense so he can protect you from further injury, “Why should we find it now?”

“Because we are no longer students,” You protest, gesturing to your seats at the teacher’s table in the Great Hall where you both currently sit.

“What do I get out of this?” He asks, already feeling his resolve crumbling as he takes in the excitement shining brightly in your eyes.

“You get to spend time with me, of course,” You laugh, anticipation curling in your gut.

“Well, if you’d led with that,” Draco begins, his voice trailing off as he watches your eyes grow wide with the realisation of what he is saying.

“You’ll help?”

“I’ll help,” He nods, unable to keep the smile of out of his voice and off of his face.

“Thank you!” You cry, releasing your hold of Draco’s arm to throw your own around his neck, pulling him in for a tight hug. “I knew I could count on you.”

Draco laughs; his arms coming to wrap around you. “I’ll come to your rooms after dinner, deal?”

“Deal,” You answer, pulling your head out of his neck long enough to reply to him. You stay wrapped up in each other for another moment; enjoying the closeness of the other until you begin to feel the gaze of colleagues and students alike – all curious to whether the two of you had gotten your act together yet.

-----

Draco knocks on your door an hour after the end of the dinner. The many students at the school had been sent off to bed though many still roamed the halls despite the nearing toll of curfew. Draco had passed many teenagers on his way to your rooms; each either greeting him verbally or offering him a nod as he passed. He wasn’t going to remind them that they needed to head back to their dorms; he was out after hours too, and despite being an adult, he still sometimes felt like the student he was so many years ago.

At this point in this teaching career, Draco had spent countless evenings in your rooms. He could explain the layout like the back of his hand from the personalised tapestry backing the wall behind your bed to the bookshelf in your living room whose shelves are bowing from the weight of the books laid upon it.

He could picture it all in his mind’s eye as he knocks twice more upon the faded, wooden door.

“I wondered when you’d be dropping by,” You greet as you step to one side to let the potions professor enter.

Draco rolls his eyes at the mock impatience in your voice. He toes off his shoes before following you through to the small living area where he spies a mug of his favourite tea waiting for him on the coffee table. He reaches for it as he settles down on the worn couch.

“What’s the plan?”

“Find the mirror, look into it, try to achieve our desires.”

“Very thorough.”

“Piss off, Dray,” You laugh, hitting him with a couch cushion.

“In all serious, do you know where the mirror could be kept?”

“I have three ideas.”

“Enlighten me.”

Holding up your hand, you show Draco three fingers as you count off the locations in your mind. “The Room of Requirement, the Chamber of Secrets, and the place where Harry found the Philosopher’s Stone in our first year, just off the Third Floor corridor.”

“All difficult places to get into,” Draco notes wryly.

“Your point being?”

“You never make this easy for me.”

“I’ll repeat my words from earlier: piss off, Draco.”

“Why do you want to find it so badly?” Draco asks; finally voicing the words that have been sat on the tip of his tongue since dinner.

You shrug, messing with a loose thread on a dark red cushion. “Why not? I’d like to see what I truly desire.”

Understanding that he isn’t going to get a longer answer, Draco changes tact. “Which room do we hit first? What’s the plan?”

He’s rewarded with a smile that lights up your whole face and sets his heart pounding in his chest.

Draco does his best to listen to you; he does his best to pay attention to every word leaving your lips and every gesture of your hands, but he finds it hard when all he can see if the excitement in your eyes and the pure happiness written on you face. If he already didn’t think you beautiful, he would think so now.

As Draco watches you, he finds himself thinking back to the time he first realised his feelings for you. It had been at a quidditch match – Ravenclaw vs Hufflepuff. Draco had attended only because you had asked him to; Hufflepuff had been your house when you were student, you were an avid supporter of the team. Parents had been attending this match as well; many of them old enough to remember the first wizarding war, his parents and his side in the second wizarding war. It had awkward until one parent made one too many comments. You had defended him, embarrassing the parent until they had no choice but to leave. When Draco had asked you why you had done such a thing; you had simply reached for his hand, squeezed it and told him that that is what friends do.

Draco had fallen in love with you then and there.

“You weren’t listening to a damn thing I was saying, were you?” You ask, a wry smile curving your lips as you settle back against the many cushions on your couch, pulling Draco from whatever daydream he found himself in.

Draco bites down on his bottom lip to keep the smile from spreading across his face. He shakes his head, “I’m sorry, I got distracted.”

“Thinking about what?”

He blanches; feels all colour leave his face as he’s put on the spot. Draco isn’t ready to confess what he feels for you; he hasn’t quite figured out whether it would ruin the friendship he so dearly cherishes or whether it would create something more between you. Either way, he isn’t ready. Instead, he offers, “I was thinking about the treasure hunt we went on for King Arthur’s sword.”

You groan dramatically, pulling a cushion over your face. “I didn’t know King Arthur’s sword was going to be that sharp!”

Draco snorts, “It’s a sword! What did you think it would be?”

“How many times do I have to apologise?”

“As many times as it takes for the scar to fade,” Draco states, lifting his pant leg to show you the puckered skin of a three inch scar running up the length of his shin. You wince at the sight of it.

“Still,” You whisper, sheepish from Draco’s reminder of the danger these hunts pose, “Will you help me?”

Draco sighs, settling once more against the many cushions on your couch. He takes a sip of his tea, pretending to mull over his decision. He knew he would help; he would follow you to the ends of the earth, but he wouldn’t be a very good friend if he didn’t make you stew over it. Ultimately, Draco smiles, turning to you, he asks, “Where do we begin?”

------

The Third Floor corridor is searched later that same week; the two of you coming up empty handed as you stride through the various tasks completed by Harry Potter in his first year of schooling at Hogwarts. You cannot stop the disappointment from flooding your veins when you come up empty handed; no sign of the Mirror of Erised when you reach the end of the path.

“We’ll find it,” Draco promises, an arm wrapping around your waist in comfort, “We’ll try the Chamber of Secrets next, see what that brings up.”

The Chamber of Secrets also has you both coming up empty handed. Draco had paused momentarily as you opened both doors to the chamber; shocked at your use of parsel tongue.

However, both of you felt the keener sting of bitter disappointment when all that is left of the Chamber of Secrets is a Basilisk skeleton. Fascinating though it may be, the chamber doesn’t hold what you seek so you leave the place, hoping never to return.

------

The Room of Requirement can be located on the seventh floor corridor; its entrance appears across from a tapestry of Barnabus the Barmy, but it only ever makes itself known to those who need it. On your list of locations for the Mirror of Erised, the Room of Requirement was your last option.

“What if it isn’t here?” You worry, standing next to Draco at the supposed entrance of the room.

“The mirror or the room of requirement?”

“Both,” You cry, chewing on the inside of your cheek.

“Hey,” Draco hushes, touching a finger to your chin briefly. “It will be. I’ve entered the room of requirement plenty of times.”

“Did you ever see the mirror?”

Draco shakes his head. “I didn’t, but I wasn’t searching for it then. I am now. Are you ready?”

“As I’ll ever be,” You reply, steeling yourself with a deep breath.

Draco takes your hand in his; tangling your fingers together for extra security as you begin the walk past the rumoured entrance. Three times you both walk past, thinking only of the Mirror of Erised and not of the way Draco’s hand feels in yours.

The grinding of stone is what makes the both of you pause. Draco squeezes your hand in hope as you turn to see the appearance of an ornate, dark wooden door. A glance at the blonde has further hope blooming in your chest when you spy a glimmer of familiarity in the eyes of the Slytherin Prince.

Taking the lead, Draco guides you through the door.

The room can only be described as cavernous; stone columns hold up the large room, all circling the Mirror of Erised which sits in the centre of the room, only accessed by walking down stone steps.

Excitement settles deep within your gut as you reach out for Draco’s hand only to find that he’s reached for you first. Turning to the blonde, you find triumph and happiness written across his face. “We’ve found it,” He whispers, not wanting to speak louder in case he disturbs the peace of the mirror.

“We have,” You reply just as quietly.

In sync, you both look out towards the mirror. It stands impressively in the centre of the room; its stature demanding any and all attention. It’s hard to look away with the knowledge that it could show you what you truly desire.

“Who looks first?” You ask, keeping a tight grip on Draco’s hand.

“I’m not sure,” Draco states, wanting just as much to look into the mirror now that he’s standing in front of it. He can feel its pull; he’s desperate to answer its call.

“Rock, paper, scissors?” You suggest, offering the childish game as solution to your problems.

“Alright,” Draco replies, letting go of your hand to offer it up as a fist. “Ready when you are.”

“Rock, paper, scissors,” You both chime, voices echoing off the stone walls. Draco laughs as loud as he dares when you lose for a second time in a row; he tries to offer you another go but it is clear you’ve lost this round.

“Just go stare into the glass, you arse,” You huff, shoving at his shoulder. Draco blows you a kiss as he steps down into the pit where the mirror awaits.

“Well,” You hiss, keeping your voice low in case Filch happens to walk by, “What do you see?”

Draco stands before the grand Mirror of Erised. He had heard of its prowess; Harry had preached so often about it that its legend only grew in Draco’s mind. He had never thought for one second that he would be standing in front of it, watching the ancient glass swirl and whirl as his deepest desires are reflected for him.

“Draco?” You call, voice louder, breaking the blonde from his pre-occupation with the mirror. He turns to you, eyes beginning to focus on the room around you. “Hmm?” He asks, “What did you say?”

“What did you see?” You ask, hands settling on your hips as you fix the man in front of you with an unimpressed but desperately curious stare.

Draco glances back to the mirror; his right hand twitches by his side, needing to know that if he reached out towards the immemorial glass, he could step right through and live his true desires.

He must stare at the mirror too long for he feels your hand slip into his; he feels your fingers tangle with his and tug once, pulling him from his yearnings with an ever-growing sense of urgency. “Draco,” Your voice calls though it sounds muffled as the grey swirls of fog in the mirror begin to take shape once more. “Draco,” You call again, “Come back to me.”

The words are muffled, but the pleading note to your voice cuts through the fog surrounding him. Draco comes back to the present with a start; his whole body jolting as he registers the feel of your hand in his, the weight of your fingers tangled with his.

“Where did you go just now?” You ask, concern tightening your voice, making it hard to speak.

Draco blinks once, twice, three times before whispering, “The mirror is very powerful. You can see why witches and wizards have wasted away in front of it, their desires played out for them as if on a stage.”

“Are you okay?” You ask, bringing a hand to Draco’s cheek, registering his drop in temperature. “You’re freezing cold.”

“I feel fine,” The man murmurs, sounding very far away as his grey eyes glaze over once again.

“This was a mistake,” You spit, hating yourself for dragging him along every step of the way.

“No,” Draco states firmly, “Not a mistake at all.”

“Draco, you’re freezing cold and you’re barely present enough to have a full conversation with me. You’re not okay.” You shake your head in frustration, “We’re going back to my rooms. With any luck, we won’t come across the mirror again.”

Draco goes to argue; he goes to scream and shout, but he takes a look at the stricken expression on your face and chooses to close his mouth. It’s a look he hasn’t seen in years; a look he hasn’t seen since you took in the sight of the destroyed courtyard after the Battle of Hogwarts, registering the dead bodies lined up at the side, knowing there was nothing you could do to help them. It was a look Draco had hoped he would never see again, but as the look ages your features, any argument Draco wants to pose dies on the tip of his tongue, the bitterness seeping its way to back of his throat. Instead, he holds on tightly to your hand and lets himself be led back to your rooms where warm blankets and hot tea awaits.

--------

Having barely slept after your first encounter with the mirror, you closely resemble a ghost as you take a seat at the teacher’s table for breakfast the following morning. Draco’s seat next to you is empty as you pour yourself a hot pot of tea, needing the warmth to replace what you lost in that awful room last night.

As you reach for a piece of toast and the pot of raspberry jam, you wonder whether Draco felt well enough to come down for breakfast. It had taken numerous mugs of tea to bring his temperature back up to what it was, and he remained infuriatingly tight lipped over what he had seen in the mirror despite your deluge of questions.

You only look up from your food when you catch sight of Draco out of the corner of your eye. He settles in the chair next to you, looking as if he had barely slept a wink either. He had left your rooms looking close to a corpse, the tiniest hint of colour in his cheeks. Your concern for him had interrupted your own sleep; tossing and turning all night to try and stop yourself from kicking down his door.

“How are you?” You whisper, not wanting anyone to overhear this conversation.

“Better,” He answers after a brief sip of his hot drink. “Thank you for last night.”

“Always, Draco.”

“I want to go back,” Draco announces over his breakfast, “I need to go back.”

“Why?” You ask, aghast at his decision.

“I need to be certain of what I saw.”

“And you can’t be certain without having to go back to the mirror?”

“Look,” Draco sighs, resting his teacup back onto its saucer, “I’m going back to the Mirror of Erised. Now, you can come with me and find out what I saw the first time which I know has been killing you to find out about. Or you can stay here and worry about me and not find out what I saw. What will it be?”

You purse your lips, keeping any and all barbed retorts behind your locked lips. Draco had you in a bind and he full well knew it. Eventually, after much deliberation, you roll your eyes at the blonde. “Fine,” You huff, “I’ll come with you. When are you going?”

“Tonight. I’ll come to you after curfew.”

------

The excitement upon finding the cavernous room the first time had quickly faded upon your entering the second time. You remain two steps behind Draco, watching him intently from the back as he takes a deep breath, stepping further into the room.

The Mirror of Erised remains unmoved in the centre of the room; the stone steps leading to the ancient, powerful object have a slight sheen of frost over them. Draco pays the frost no mind as he steps down to the mirror; the heels of his oxford reverberating loudly off the stone walls of the room. You wince slightly; safe in the knowledge that Filch wouldn’t be passing this room tonight, but still not wanting to take any chances.

Had the Mirror always been this foreboding? You ask yourself as you watch the man you’ve slowly fallen in love with get closer and closer to the archaic magic trapped inside the glass.

Draco pauses long enough to flash you a smile that you suppose is meant to relieve you of some of the stress and worry you feel, but it does nothing to calm your nerves as Draco steels himself to stare into the mirror again.

You remain close by as Draco watches the fog; you watch out for any signs of Draco losing himself like he did last time. As he had said previously, the mirror had turned scores of witches and wizards into bumbling fool, obsessed with watching their desires play out in front of them but refusing to act upon them. You couldn’t help but harbour some hatred for the mirror as you watched Draco fall under the mirror’s spell once more.

It takes only a moment for it all to become too much. Taking a tentative step forward, you call out his name only to receive no reply. Worrying your bottom lip, you call his name louder.

Draco’s right hand twitches as he pulls himself from the mirror. “You called,” He smiles, a poor attempt at humour.

You glare at the blonde; your heart pounding as Draco walks back to where you wait. “How do you feel?”

“Fine,” He answers, “Nothing like last time.”

“What did you see?”

“Us,” Draco answers; the single word tumbling from his lips as a smile begins to grace his face.

“Us?” You repeat, eyebrows furrowing in confusion.

“I love you,” Draco states honestly, plainly as if the very fact had been common knowledge for a long time. “I love you,” He repeats, arms slipping around your waist to hold you near.

“You love me?” You squeak, unable to comprehend such words after an evening as eventful as this one.

He nods; his nose brushing yours as his lips barely graze over your mouth. “I love you,” He repeats almost breathlessly as the need to kiss you tries to overtake his body.

“I love you too,” You murmur quietly, letting yourself fall further for the man holding you so tenderly.

Draco’s only answer to that is to kiss you.

*****

Harry Potter Taglist: @chaotic-fae-queen @harrypotter289 @kalimagik @heloisedaphnebrightmore @nebulablakemurphy @figlia--della--luna @imboredandneedalife @levylovegood @awritingtree @haphazardhufflepuff @chaoticgirl04 @accio-rogers @dreaming-about-fanfictions @lestersglitterglue @msmimimerton @obx-beach @izzytheninja @slytherinprincess03 @bbeauttyybbx @breadqueen95 @oopskashish @slytherinsunrise @remmyswritings @they-write-once-in-a-blue-moon @ria-rests-here @superbturtlemakerathlete @inglourious-imagines @ithilwen-lionheart @now-its-time-for-a-breakdown @ilovejjmaybank @theweasleysredhair @theonly1outof-a-billion @phuvioqhile @moatsnow @storyisnotover @himooonlight @potters-heart @amourtentiaa @joyfullymulti @pandaxnienke @mesmerisedangel @angelxnaa @iamninaanna

Draco Malfoy taglist: @the--queen-of-hell @obxmxybxnk @obx-beach @sycathorn-slush @dracomalfoyswifey @justmesadgirl @detroitobsessed @aspiringsloth20 @just-a-belgian-girl @lahoete @minty-malfoy @fallinallinmendes @ravenclawbitch426 @ochrythum @beiahadid @gryffindors-weasley @dracosathenaeum @belladaises

Specific fic taglist: @regulusarcturusblack2008 @randomlimelightxxx @ranhanabi777 @yegreatdragontamingpiratecaptain

#draco malfoy x reader #draco x reader #Draco Malfoy #draco malfoy fanfic #draco malfoy fanfiction #draco malfoy imagines #draco malfoy imagine #draco malfoy fluff

257 notes · View notes

kimberly-spirits13 · 4 years

Text

Dating Damian Wayne HC:

(imma do one for all of the guys I just had the writing idea for Dames first)

How You Met: Artist credit @axeeeee

. You went to Gotham Academy before him

. You were also making sure that you were top of the class and also maintaining class president

. Anyways, it was just something that you pushed yourself for

. Arts was another strength for you but that was something that you weren’t as inclined to maintain on an extreme level like everything else

. So it was your job to show the new people around the school before their first day which meant that you were showing Damian around

. Your parents already knew Bruce so you weren’t really freaked out at all

. It was just another day tbh

. That was until you met him

. It was weird since you were more of the person to not talk much about yourself

. No one really knew who you were and you were content to keep it that way

. Everyone’s friend but no one knew who you were really

. Damian was kind of the same way but not as friendly or open to people

. He was like the younger you

. Still, for some reason you were interested in him just as a person

. He was as well

. You didn’t immediately hit it off seeing as you are both reserved and closed off when it comes to personal things, but you hit it off faster than any one else

. A miracle in all honesty

. So you started hanging out and eating together in the lunchroom instead of either with a group or alone

. It was nice and then evolved over time

Friendship:

. So after a few months, you guys were getting closer and closer

. It was something that you just expected to happen and when it did you were ready

. You were starting to hang out outside of school whether that was at your place, the park, his house, maybe a café on a weekend

. Just anywhere

. If there were any galas, Damian would invite you and you him since you didn’t really feel great inviting anyone else

. Sometimes galas had this secret mandatory code to bring someone so it was nice to finally have someone to bring

. The media was all over it

. It was honestly really weird for a second and then you just accepted it

. Damian and yourself slowly started opening up to each other about everything

. Depending on how fast you pick up on things and possibly if you’re also a vigilante, this is where you figure out that he’s Robin

. He doesn’t call you by your last name anymore and instead by your first name which is fun

. It’s an honor lol

. If Damian is having an issue at the manor, you just have extra stuff for him to come over anytime

. It’s always there and you make sure to get more when you see something’s running low

. By the end of the friendship stage, you’re probably wearing each other’s clothes by now

. He gets flustered sometimes though

. That’s the first few signs

. Also very protective but we’ll get into that

Signs:

. So Damian now gets flustered?

. Not something that you ever thought you’d see

. Complimenting you too

. It was a mutual thing that you both started doing more and more

. Hanging around each other even more than before if that’s possible

. He introduces you to his pets

. All of them

. Even Goliath

. That was after watching random animal videos one night in the movie room of your house and seeing your reaction to them all

. You bout died meeting Goliath

. It was pretty awesome

. Damian was so proud

. Anyways, so you start getting more and more protective of each other

. Any stupid girls from the Academy were getting immediately shut down

. Same goes with the boys

. For Damian he was always making sure that no one was messing with you or making you feel uncomfy

. Death glares to all and smiles to none that tried it

. That was both ways

. Omg you guys have the death glare mastered

Confession/ Relationship:

. So now that his brothers have caught on, they’re hell bent on getting you two together

. So is Alfred and Bruce and that’s not typical at all

. Everyone ships you and you both know it just won’t accept it

. After some time though, you’re at this string of events and the press was just bombarding you for info on the relationship and whether or not you were dating

. You said no every time and then just moved on

. Damian noticed how much he missed you and loved seeing you thrive even from afar

. It was kind of like oh shit I’d better say something now cause they’ve got everyone wrapped around their finger

. So when you got back, he told you

. It was kind of informal and unexpected

. I mean finally but, out of the blue

. You were thrilled

. So basically from then on, it was wonderful

. Sometimes his brothers might tease you two and post really just dorky things about you guys

. Maybe one day it’s freaking out cause they found you in the movie room passed out on each other asleep with an older movie playing

. Picture of you not being apart at all

. The press loved it all

. You guys loved it all

. Now he’d spend the night all of the time but this time in your room, asleep, with you

. Not just in some guest bedroom or in the same room but apart

. Sleeping is actually a big thing since you both greatly lack it

. You’ll sleep everywhere

. The couch, a chair, the bed, in a car, on the floor sometimes, at a table just next to each other, anywhere

. It was something that like your friendship just evolved over time

. Eventually, you were taking vacations together during the holiday breaks and training together

. Your families loved the other

. Friend groups too

. Sometimes you’d fight but typically it got resolved quickly

. There was always this challenge of apologizing on Damian’s end even if it was really his fault since he just doesn’t know how to

. He got better with that real quick

. Basically, you just appreciate each other and see the other as your other half

. Nothing gets in the way of that

. Not even some stupid boy or girl hitting on the other or the media’s twisted perception of something taken out of proper context

. Those are typically what more serious talks are about but they’re solved quickly

Dates:

. You’re either going to a nice place or not staying in

. There’s no in between

. Either 5 star or the home theater at probably your place

. He loves taking you nice places even if you’ve already been

. Watching new movies

. Or really bad ones just to judge them

. Those are always really fun

. Sometimes you might go for a coffee date and those are typically just spur of the moment type things

. You might go to a gala and then go home and kick back

. Either way it’s the best

. Homemade treats and movies with a possible blanket fort and pillows everywhere over the couches in the movie room

. There’s always a chance that they might get cut short for heroics but that doesn’t typically happen since someone covers Damian’s or your shift

Hero:

. So if you’re a hero, it’s kind of an exhausting thing especially considering schooling and everything else

. Sometimes you find yourself not getting sleep for days

. There are times that you regret everything and Damian understands it all

. He’s just terribly impressed that you can do all of this like he does

. It’s great having someone like that

. Both of you are extremely well trained which sometimes Damian questions where you got your training since it’s so similar to his and his father’s

. Very calculated and precise every single time but also unpredictable which makes you dangerous

. It’s something that you always use to your advantage

. On nights that you patrol, you do it together and always tag team

. Damian knows that you put up one hell of a fight, but he’d rather be there incase something happens then not at all and have something bad happen

. Both of you are always stitching each other up and helping the other with nightmares

. It’s just inevitable at this point

. Staying over at each other’s places depending on how close you are or how badly injured

. You always go to the manor if there’s something really bad that happened

. That’s cause they have better medical equipment and Alfred who is a legend

. Alfred can fix anything and if he can’t it’s to the hospital but that pretty much never happens

Routine?:

. With everything, you have to have a routine

. It’s very exact and important

. In the morning, you both wake up together but not before hitting the snooze button three times

. You have the alarm set early enough to be able to do this

. Plus some time just to lay there for a second

. Damian is typically the cutest and most tired in the morning

. He hates them

. If you’re washing your face or doing whatever, he’ll just hug you from behind and lean against your shoulder

. Has fallen asleep before

. Then you both eat and head off to school

. After school, you go back to someone’s place to change into comfy clothes and complete homework which most is done at school since you wouldn’t have time otherwise

. If you have a meeting to go to, you’ll go to that and then head back

. After supper, it’s to patrol and then after two to three hours of that on average, you go back to one of your homes and shower typically together since you don’t have time to not

. It’s easier and more time efficient so you’ve said

. Also uses less hot water

. Then, you check your phones for any other emergencies and head to bed

. If you’re not a hero it’s basically the same thing but he comes into your room, locks the window again after he’s made sure everything is safe inside, creeps in your closet to get his nightclothes, looks at his phone for anything that might have happened since, goes to shower, and then gets into bed with you after making sure you’re okay without waking you up

. When sleeping, you’re either touching slightly or just on top of each other in some way

. Either way, you’re touching

. He can’t have you far from him incase something happens

. Never really sure what might happen, just that it could happen

. Since he’s a light sleeper, if you shift or move around, he opens his eyes for a second to make sure you’re okay

. That goes for hero or not

. It’s really nice and sometimes he’ll come in and you’ll still be awake

. Always asks why

. “Dami, I’m always awake at this hour.”

. “I know beloved, but you should sleep.”

. “Well then let’s go.”

. He’ll swing by for just a second during patrol to check in if you’re either grounded from patrol due to injury, sickness, just need a night off, or if you don’t do it

. Texts you updates every now and then since he knows you worry and it helps him when he’s home and you’re patrolling

. Basically keeps him from going insane so he does the same for you just incase

439 notes · View notes

aftgficlibrary · 3 years

Note

Are there any AUs where renison or lailalverez is the main pairing?

there are quite a few but here you go -maz

renison:

Before All I Heard Was Silence by moonqueerdom (T | 7,430 | 1/1)

Allison's eyes widened and her face burned immediately, spreading to her neck and the tips of her ears. "Oh my gosh, Renee," she lowered her face and covered it with her hands.

Renee chuckled. "She is beautiful when she blushes, ok noted."

"Oh my gosh, Walker, stop that," Allison's voice was too wobbly and high-pitched even for her own ears, and there was a grin threatening to pop on her lips.

About to disappear in the afterlife, Allison Reynolds meets Renee Walker, who was ready to change her life even after death.

Last Café by uberimmortal (M | 4,802 | 1/1)

Like every weekend for the past year, Renee finds herself on a Saturday morning in front of the Last Cafe. She takes a deep breath, key still in her hand, shivering from the autumn breeze as she tries to muster up some energy to open the door. The sun is just beginning to poke over the horizon, lighting up the city in a blue haze, not close enough to this side of the earth to provide any real warmth. One by one street lamps flicker until they turn off completely.

The Gracekeepers by wishbonetea (M | 112,116 | 20/20)

The sea has flooded the earth. Allison lives on a circus boat, floating between the scattered islands that remain and trading dazzling and death-defying feats for food from the islanders. Renee lives alone in a lighthouse in the middle of the ocean, with only the birds and fish for company. As penance for her past, she works as a gracekeeper, tending the graves of those who die at sea. A storm brings them together, but under clear skies they must part. When one of the Foxes goes missing, Renee joins to help. It’s meant to be a temporary escape, but Allison might be a reason to stay.

⁂

An AU of Kirsty Logan's The Gracekeepers.

she's got lips like wine not sugar by IzzyAguecheek (Not Rated | 8,561 | 1/1)

The coffee shop was mostly empty the first time Allison came in. It was too early for most people, specially on a Sunday, when most people didn’t have work and therefore didn’t need to stop by to grab a coffee to wake up. Allison, however, didn’t strike Renee as the type of girl to drink coffee before a shift at some boring company. She looked more like someone who had stayed up all night and now was trying to fight off a hangover with caffeine.

Dan was late, per usual, so Renee and Andrew were the only employees working. Andrew took one look at the car parked outside, right in front of the window, and firmly turned his back on the girl sitting at the corner booth.

“You take that one”, he decided.

(or: Renee works at a coffee shop, and, when Allison becomes a regular there, she is absolutely in love. It's just a Renison Coffee Shop AU.)

counting my blessings by quensty (T | 10,354 | 1/1)

The last letter is from Wymack.

Allison, it says. Forest Falls, California, has been having problems with a robber. Dan and Matt are too far, and Neil and Andrew are already working a job in Nevada. Get on it. -DW

“Motherfucker,” Allison says.

Real Gravity by loose_canon (T | 1,723 | 1/1)

RECORDED 04:08, PILGRIMAGE YEAR 1584 DAY 29

[begin message]

Hey, Mom. You’re probably watching this and thinking about how much you want to kick my ass right now. Well, my butt, because you don’t say words like “ass,” much less think them. Anyway, I know you’re mad at me. I’m the ungrateful daughter who hijacked an emergency pod and zipped off into space in the middle of the eclipse service like a dumbass—sorry, dumbbutt—with another girl because I just had to go and open myself to the spirit of lesbianism. I’m not gonna lie, I’m mad just like you are. Part of me wants to just say that the spirit is a good fucking time and be on my way. But I need you need to know that I’m losing something, too.

A sci-fi one shot: Allison leaves a final message for her mother after she and Renee escape the generation ship they grew up on.

On Dragon's Wings (Under the Blue) by tinystreetlamp (T | 8,417 | 3/3)

For hundreds of years the six kingdoms coexisted in peace due to a magical contract that prevents violence between them. Ever since Allison's brother Jean was kidnapped by Riko she has wanted to lead her armies to war against the Island of Night, but the contract prevents her from doing so. When crown prince Nathaniel arrives and asks for sanctuary, Allison sees her chance to unite four of the kingdoms against Riko and rain down her vengeance upon him.

(How to seduce a pirate: drag her underwater unexpectedly)

/Graphic Depictions of Violence

vengeance and death by cthulu_sun (M | 2,446 | 1/1)

legend says you have wax-dipped wings and golden fingernails and knives made of the blood you have spilled. legend says you are not merciful.

in which renee is a tired guardian angel, finds the foxes, and falls in love.

a hundred jewels on throats by ghvsts (T | 3,226 | 1/1)

"have you seen the goddess from the seafoam," they whisper, "she is more beautiful than anything."

(in which seth is ares, renee is persephone, and allison has had enough)

fabrication of a grand scheme by cloudghost (T | 13,787 | 1/1)

Renee was silent for a while. Then, finally, she said, “I want to try going outside.”

“I thought you were scared.”

She hummed her assent. “That doesn’t mean I shouldn’t do it.”

Since that was basically the philosophy Allison lived by, she nodded. Renee turned back around and met Allison’s gaze. In that moment, Renee looked unbreakable and unshakeable, like nothing that ended up in her way could ever stop her for long. Allison shivered.

Love You a Latte by ceilingfan5 (G | 8,465 | 1/1)

Allison's favorite barista is adorable Renee, so when she gets the news that she has to go on a terrible family vacation and bring an "appropriate plus-one", she decides to finally get herself uninvited from the rest of those events for all eternity. She and Renee go together, pretending to be a very much in love couple, stir shit up, and leave a lot closer than they ever expected. (Obviously they fall in love.) Allison may say "I decided love was fake a long time ago and it’d take a miracle to change my mind now,” but if anyone can be a miracle worker, it's Renee.

say you'll never harden to the world by orphan_account (T | 10,300 | 1/1)

Of course it’s when the knife finally doesn’t feel awkward in her hand anymore that Allison shows up.

Instead of the relaxed way she usually holds her wings, they’re pulled taut behind her back. Her arms are crossed in front of her chest and there’s a decidedly not pleased look on her face.

“Hey,” Natalie says, not interrupting the sequence of stabbing moves she’s been practicing. She has no time for the way seeing Allison makes her feel.

Safe – a joke. Not alone – Allison might not even be real. Cared about – impossible.

Those kinds of emotions aren’t meant for someone like her in the first place, and she’s not going to indulge them.

give me shelter or show me heart by hondayota (Not Rated | 4,720 | 3/3)

Renee had always thought of hope as a feeling, something she scraped out of her insides when she had nothing else to hold onto, but over the past months, hope had ceased to be a feeling and had become synonymous with Allison Reynolds.

the renison zombie au no one asked for

renee and allison are hella gay even when there's zombies

laila/alvarez:

It's Called Fashion Hunty. Look it up. by theKristastrophe (T | 15,440 | 8/8)

Sara works for a company that she doesn't hate but doesn't love either. So she sits at the bar with her two other best friends and tries to get through the work week.

When a fresh lawyer stumbles into thier weekly Rant Club, Sara knows she's in for a wild ride.

Featuring gratious eyerolling, snark, and everyone's favorite Foxes.

Buckle up kiddies. It's time to Sashay, Sashay, Sashay...

Come Close by tinystreetlamp (T | 10,932 | 1/1)

Sometime around 200 BC in Ancient Greece, in a world where the greek gods are real, Laila is a warrior from Sparta. During her first visit to Athens she meets not only Jeremy of Troy but also falls head over heels in love with Sara, a daughter of Apollo and local poet. But Sara is cursed, and soon the three cross the Mediterranean on a quest to break the curse and save Sara.

Sara means Sun by tinystreetlamp (M | 27,739 | 8/8)

Five years ago, ships with black and red sails appeared on the horizon and wiped out all of the royal family - except one. The Raven King conquered Coralia and is doing everything he can to stay in power. Jeremy of Troia, the rightful heir to his kingdom, has been in hiding for the past five years, but he found something worth fighting for.

Laila, an Elven Warrior and Jeremy's best friend, will do anything to protect him. Meeting a cute stranger isn't going to change that.

/Graphic Depictions of Violence, Major Character Death

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elisaphoenix13 · 3 years

Text

Late Night Scare

It took a while for Stephen to remember why he got out of bed at two o'clock in the morning. The moment he stood up, he completely blanked and stood by the bed in complete darkness for a few minutes, trying to remember. He felt ridiculous when he finally realized it was because nature was calling rather urgently. One would think that a full bladder would be enough of a hint, but sometimes when Stephen was tired enough, he could ignore it. He shuffled with a tired yawn toward the adjoining bathroom, and when he finished, he washed his hands and started to head back to bed.

Then he heard it.

A strange noise that almost sounded like a baby's cry, but it wasn't Lucy. She was fast asleep in her crib. Stephen went over to the bedroom door instead and opened it, and followed the noise down the hall to Diana's room. Maybe Valerie woke up and was too scared to walk down the hallway to the master bedroom? It was pretty dark. But when he opened the door, he found both girls asleep. The sound had stopped too so Stephen figured it had been a figment of his imagination and stepped into the room to make sure Diana and Valerie were properly covered.

Valerie was comfortably cocooned in her blankets, so all Stephen had to do was pull some of them away from her face to keep her from suffocating herself. Diana was similarly covered, but she only had the blankets pulled over her shoulders so he left her as she was. With another yawn, Stephen turned back toward the door but something caught the corner of his eye and he could swear he felt his heart skip a beat. There on a branch of the tree just outside the window were two tiny glowing eyes staring right at him. Then Stephen heard the sound from earlier again and realized that the eyes belonged to an owl. A very small one based on the yellow eyes.

"Mommy?" Diana sits up and rubs her eyes.

"Go back to sleep. I was just checking on you and your sister because I heard something." Stephen says softly. "It was just an owl."

"Oh. That's just Pudge." The little girl mumbles as she slips out of bed and walks over to the window.

Stephen wasn't sure what to say. He was curious to see what would happen, so he just watched as Diana quietly opened the window. She called quietly to him and to the sorcerer's surprise, the tiny owl flew over immediately and landed on her shoulder. Diana yawns and closes the window before walking back over to bed, and as she crawls back into bed, Pudge flies off her shoulder and perches on her headboard. Stephen was too tired to care and there had been no evidence of Pudge being in the room that he had seen before even though he was positive this wasn't the first time Diana let him inside. So he just walked over to tuck his daughter in.

"We'll talk about how this happened at a more decent hour." Stephen mumbles and kisses her forehead.

"Kay...good night." Diana whispers.

"Good night."

Stephen finally left the bedroom as quietly as he came in and walked back down the hall toward the master bedroom. He didn't go in before sending a small spell into Scott and Quill's room though. He could hear the god snoring, and even though it sounded like a large cat purring and Scott could sleep through it, Stephen was pretty sure that Sam wasn't appreciating it. Quill's snoring stopped abruptly and there was a confused 'what the hell babe' followed by some shifting, and then silence.

Times like this made Stephen appreciate the soundproofed bedrooms, but then again, everyone had their own floors that they shared with one or two other members.

He finally went to bed and gently pet Athena's head when she lifted it curiously, and that was enough to get her to go back to sleep as he laid down. She still had her spot at the edge of his bed, but after a while of trying to get up whenever he did in the middle of the night, she eventually learned that he would be right back and stayed on the bed. Athena was loyal, but she was smart. Stephen was sure that he could call for her if he ever needed her in the middle of the night, and she would come running immediately.

Stephen was able to fall asleep easily, but when he woke up a few hours later, a thought occurred to him. "It's another Disney reference." He mumbles to himself and sits up.

"What're you mumbling about Duchess?" Tony asks half-asleep and looking reluctant to sit up.

"Pudge the fish." Stephen answers with no context and figured he probably sounded a little insane.

"No more Lilo and Stitch for you." Tony groans and finally sits up to plant a kiss on his cheek. "Morning."

"Morning. I think there's a new pet."

"What? You got an animal tingle now?" Tony teases.

"No. Checked on the girls earlier because I heard a noise." Stephen says. "Turned out to be an owl that wanted to be inside with Diana."

Tony looks at him while processing his words and then eventually sighs. "How come Peter is the only one that brought home a normal pet?"

"At least you admit that Gerald isn't a normal pet either." Stephen snorts

"I think he's more Sam's at this point anyway."

The two get out of bed and get dressed for the day, and then go downstairs to start breakfast when Lucy shows no signs of waking. They had a monitor downstairs in case she did, but it was nice being awake before all of the kids and enjoying a quiet morning. It wouldn't last. Athena had followed and slipped outside through the pet door, but she was back soon enough and Stephen had already put her breakfast in her bowl. Tony actually took the reins on breakfast so all Stephen did was start the coffee and make himself some tea before grabbing a crossword puzzle and sitting down at the kitchen table with it. It was something he tried to do every morning when his hands weren't too bad, and he was definitely going to take advantage of the few moments of quiet while it lasted.

He got a grand total of five minutes before Quill came down with Emir and Flynn and herded them out the door.

"Don't bring back any presents." The god tells them before shutting the screen door and leaving the main door open.

"Look honey. He has pants on." Tony cackles.

"Well now I gotta take them off." Quill retorts and reaches down.

"If you do, I'll make sure you have to take Viagra for the rest of your life." Stephen says as he fills in an answer.

He had to keep himself from laughing when Quill looked at him like he was trying to figure out if he was joking or not. He was, but Quill didn't need to know that. Stephen's magic had a decent effect on the man even though he was a god, so he had good reason to worry. Quill did instead sit at the breakfast counter and watch Tony make breakfast.

"There's a legend about Scott you know." Tony starts and Quill looks at him skeptically.

"Wait, what? What legend?"

"The legend goes that if you shake an orange juice carton, he'll appear out of nowhere."

Quill looks at him flatly. "You're an asshole but it's probably true."

Stephen and Tony burst into laughter and the engineer pulls out all of the juice and puts it on the counter in preparation for the kids that would no doubt soon be waking up. Stephen watches in amusement as Quill picks up the carton of orange juice and he stares at it intently before shrugging and shaking it.

"Hey, can you pour some of that for me?" Scott mumbles from the stairs and Quill jumps in his seat as the younger man joins him at the breakfast counter.

Tony and Stephen burst into hysterics again. It was probably just coincidence but the fact that it happened was the greatest coincidence yet. Scott usually wasn't awake this early in the morning.

"Here. Just drink from the carton." Quill mumbles and hands it over.

"Is there apple juice?" A small voice asks and Stephen looks back over to the stairs and forces himself to calm down when he finds Diana helping Valerie down the stairs.

Pudge was comfortably perched on her shoulder with his chin tucked into his chest. Likely dozing since owls were nocturnal animals. Stephen helped Valerie into the chair next to him when they finally reached the bottom and walked over, and Diana sat across from him after Pudge moved to perch on the back of her chair. He was kind of cute. He was copper-brown and white, and maybe the size of Tony's fist which is how he was able to sit on Dia's shoulder so comfortably. He was familiar with the little girl and didn't seem bothered by everyone in the house, so Stephen assumed the tiny owl had been around for a while now.

"What's the story with the bird piccola?" Tony asks as he starts plating food.

"I found him on the ground outside. His wing was broken so I healed it." Diana answers and accepts the glass of juice her father places in front of her. Valerie got a juice box. "Now he likes to play with me. He goes outside to eat but then he'll come back when he's done."

"Has he had any accidents in the house?" Stephen asks.

"Nuh-uh. I told him he has to do that outside." She sips her juice.

Stephen looks at her in surprise. "You know how to do that?"

"I wanted to, so it was easy."

Right. Diana could simply want for something to happen and she would easily be able to do it. She still needed training but she had natural control over her powers and Stephen wasn't too worried about it. Stephen also wasn't surprised when his husband simply nodded and started making more food for everyone else after he served everyone currently in the kitchen. Tony was used to kids and animals being brought home at this point, though Stephen was pretty sure that he would put his foot down if someone tried to bring home an elephant.

It sounded like something Harley would do.

"Hey Pudge." Peter walks over and gently scritches the top of his head and the owl spreads his feathers with enjoyment. "Did you tell Emir and Flynn they can't eat him?" He asks Diana and she nods since her mouth was full of scrambled eggs.

"Athena too." She says once she swallows.

"Let it be known that I draw the line at anything bigger than Emir." Tony grumbles and Harley groans as he walks downstairs.

"Man! I was gonna find a giraffe!"

Stephen knew his children well.

"Emir is pushing it but since he was abused and Quill and Scott have to take care of him, I don't care as much." Tony says and hands a plate to the boys.

"Emir is a good boy." Scott argues.

"I think he's part cow," Quill adds. "He makes a noise that sounds like he's mooing when he's happy."

The screen door rattles and Harley looks over to find Flynn peeking through the screen and swishing his tail. He walks over and opens the door and snickers when he finds that the fox had been standing on the tiger's head so he could look into the door. It wouldn't have made sense otherwise since the kit was too small standing on his own. Flynn happily ran over to his bowl to scarf down his breakfast but Emir bypassed his to walk over to Scott and nudge him with his head and almost knocked the man over.

"Alright, alright!" Scott grabs a piece of bacon off his plate and feeds it to the tiger. "There. Now go eat your own food!"

There was a whoosh of air and then one of the free spots at the breakfast counter was occupied by Thomas. "Are you making sausage too?!"

"I'm making pretty much everything." Tony confirms. "Can you go check on Lucy?"

"Steve is getting her. She was crying." Thomas says and Tony frowns.

"What? I haven't heard anything." He puts his spatula down to pick up the baby monitor.

"Probably because it's not on." Peter points out and Tony sighs.

"My poor baby. She could have been crying this whole time." Tony bemoans.

Peter shakes his head. "I didn't hear her when I got up."

"She just started before I came down." Thomas reassures just as Steve and Bucky walk down with the infant.

"I changed her for you." The captain says and Stephen melts a little when he hears her snuffle. "She's probably just hungry now."

"Just give her to Mom." Bucky says and smirks when Stephen glares at him. "I'm kidding."

Steve and Bucky sat in the living room with Lucy and everyone else eventually made their way down for breakfast. Wanda was kind enough to make the baby a bottle before taking over cooking so Tony could eat, and soon enough everyone had their breakfast. Diana went outside with Valerie and Pudge and when Stephen was finished, he put his plate in the sink before following the girls with Athena at his heels. It was a nice day and he decided to enjoy it on one of the lawn chairs outside with a book, and it was even close enough to keep an eye on Valerie. Diana knew how to swim but Valerie didn't...and even then he felt better supervising them even if they weren't swimming. Toddlers had a tendency to get distracted by things and unknowingly walk into danger to investigate.

"Oof!" Stephen grunts when Athena jumps onto the chair with him and lays on him. He chuckles once they're both comfortable and pets her head. "I take it the ground isn't enough today." She lays her head on his stomach with a content huff and Stephen smiles and briefly opens a small gateway to grab a book. "Good girl."

"Eww! Bug!" Valerie says from the makeshift tent.

Before Stephen could even sigh, he heard the brief sound of flapping and then an audible crunch, and then another sound of disgust from Valerie.

"Pudge ate it!" Diana announces.

"Now we have free pest control." Stephen mumbles to himself.

#mama bear au #ironstrange #stephen strange #tony stark #supremefamily #the avengers kids #the avengers

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humanmoodring-retired · 3 years

Text

What Ain’t Living Can Never Really Die || Solo

TIMING: Current SUMMARY: Nadia doesn’t really sleep sometimes. That doesn’t mean the bad dreams don’t find her, anyway. CONTENT: Allusions to PTSD

Nadia doesn’t really sleep sometimes. Even before the possession, the first possession, years ago when she was a different person, she didn’t really sleep. Too many thoughts going on in that head of hers, her parents said. Her thoughts plagued her, her anxieties bothered her, her worries haunted her. She was kept awake by tests and papers and feelings that she now knew weren’t all hers. Some were, but not all of them.

Now, Nadia was literally haunted. Maybe not really, not anymore, but it felt like it. Sleeping seemed to open up the door to get haunted a little bit more every time she managed to pass out. The only time she slept well was when there was another person around, someone to feel and latch onto, if not physically then emotionally. And so maybe she’s fallen asleep in the coffee shop because the baristas’ boredom was so tantalizingly peaceful, and maybe she uses her breaks at the library to catch naps to the soothing feeling of contentment that comes from being around her coworkers. Other times… Well, Rhiannon didn’t seem put out anymore about the fact that Nadia tended to wake up crying. If it was possible, the cat seemed concerned.

She has rituals, things to keep herself from falling asleep or feeling unsafe. Her bedroom is warded and she even gave in and bought salt, the lines of it stretching in front of the doorway and the windows. She won’t ward the apartment; over the course of her time as a ghost, she learned that not all of them were bad. Some of them she even liked, as strange as the feeling was. But she needed her privacy, and she needed to be assured that she had somewhere safe, even if it didn’t feel safe.

Every night, multiple times a night, and every day when she got home, she checked the wards. She checked the salt lines. She forced herself to write down her thoughts, any thoughts, even if it was just half-assed poetry, and she kept up with the date, and, dammit, she never missed a fucking day, okay? She had multiple notebooks now, dating back to the day she stepped into her apartment door on her own for the first time in months, and she never missed a day. She couldn’t miss a day. She avoided mirrors at night, especially on the nights she actively tried to sleep. She brushed her teeth with her head down, washed her face with her eyes closed, and never made eye contact with herself. She couldn’t. She wouldn’t.

And, on the nights that she actually set aside to try and sleep, she still used the iron manacles that she had attached to her bed for months. She locked herself in and stared at the ceiling for hours and recited Wilde, or Austen, or Dickinson in her head until she couldn’t anymore, and it sucked, but there was nothing else to do. At least, on those nights, she didn’t accidentally sleepwalk into cemeteries and make friends with dead people.

She wasn’t sleeping tonight, a book on folklore and legends in Maine open on her lap and an empty mug on the coffee table. Calling it “tonight” was a bit of a stretch, though. The clock’s hands were grasping at four in the morning, and it wouldn’t be long before sunlight entered the picture. Sunrises, she’d learned, were almost inherently more beautiful than sunsets, even if they were both lovely. Hell, she was just grateful to be able to experience them, at this point.

Nadia stood up, putting the blanket she’d been using on top of Rhiannon, causing the sleepy cat to swat at her before settling back down. Nadia grabbed the mug and headed to the kitchen, intent to fill it up again. As she stretched, she felt the scarring on her side twinge. Even months later, the wound as healed as it was probably going to get, the scars were never going to fade. Sometimes they still hurt. She was never going to forget the way a knife felt going all the way through her before being roughly pulled out, and she was never going to forget the looks on her friends faces as she thought she was going to die.

She wouldn’t say that she was supposed to because Regan hadn’t screamed, and that was pretty damn important. And it wasn’t like Nadia just dreamed of dying inside a salt circle with exorcists chanting over her. But, damn. It had happened three times now. And nothing that she found online or from anyone that she talked to mentioned anything about people surviving more than one exorcism. The exorcisms in multiple had to have fucked her up somehow.

Instead of carrying the mug to the kitchen, she ended up walking without thinking into her bathroom, washing it in the sink as she was too busy thinking. Three exorcisms. One that had left her feeling broken down and weird after six years. One that had literally displaced her from her body. And one that had hurt, just as bad as being stabbed, almost worse. Maybe worse. Everything blended together. She dumped the water out of the mug and into the sink, looked up, and made eye contact with her reflection.

It was her reflection. It was hers. Nadia knew that it was hers. But, late at night when everything was too quiet and her thoughts were too loud, she didn’t see herself. The circles under her eyes seemed too dark, like the ones on cartoon characters to point out the villain. Bathroom mirrors reminded her of fractured memories, of blood on countertops, on hands. They reminded her of wicked smiles stretched tight, winks caught in mirrors, and the feeling of falling into fathomless abysses. She fell for years, years and years and years, and when she finally hit the ground, the breath knocked out of her and her throat raw from screaming, everything had changed.

Everything had changed.

Nadia set the mug down, refusing to let it shatter (because she broke too many things these days), and gripped the side of the sink. Her heart was pounding. Her breathing was erratic. She felt so fucking stupid. Breathe. Breathe. Breathe. Because Cordelia wasn’t there, and Cordelia wasn’t inside of her. The last that Nadia saw of the bitch, she’d been a redheaded woman that screamed as she was torn apart from the inside, a ghost then a shadow then nothing at all. Nadia reminded herself of that on a loop, a matra that she could never allow herself to forget.

Not that it mattered. Cordelia would always be gone, for good, everywhere except in Nadia’s mind. She wedged a part of herself into Nadia that could never truly be taken away. She couldn’t be killed, not really. No matter how much Nadia just wanted her gone, she would always live on. Always. Always. There was nothing Nadia could fucking do to get rid of her. Nothing. Nothing.

It took far too long to regulate her breathing, tears forming in her eyes as she managed to choke out one, two, three sobs. Nadia cleaned herself up, and sh didn’t look in the mirror. She couldn’t stay in the apartment anymore, even if it was the safest place for her to be. Sometimes, there was still too much Cordelia in the apartment.

(That wasn’t true. There was barely any evidence of Cordelia left at all. All the shatter glass had been cleaned. The ghost’s favorite alcohol and food had been thrown out. The clothes she’d bought had been burned. All that was left was what remained of Cordelia’s money, and maybe it was selfish of Nadia to keep it, but it was something to fall back on, a nest egg if she ever needed to run. No, the only thing really left of Cordelia in the apartment was Nadia herself, and she hated that.)

She grabbed her jacket, though she was sure that the snow that had fallen the day before had already melted as summer temperatures soaked into the night in her neighborhood, and she headed down three flights of stairs.

This time, when she made it to the cemetery, she wasn’t chasing ghosts; she was looking for them. She saw the spot where she’d met Griffin and where she’d ended up talking to him and the spirits in the cemetery. She could see them now, the spirits, the only shadows that existed in the dark.

“Hello,” Nadia called out, and she walked to a bench, keeping to the path so that she didn’t walk over anyone’s grave. The spirits followed her, and they stood around her, and Nadia could almost make out their whispering voices. Maybe, if she had more sleep, she’d be able to hear them better. Or maybe she needed less sleep. She didn’t know.

“You’re all talking at once, I think,” she said, a small smile working its way onto her face, and if she felt tired and wary, then this was making it a little better. These were okay ghosts. This was okay. “Just, like, hey, no, one at a time, please. I’ll try to listen. I’m trying to listen. I don’t know. Speak up and speak slow. And, please, for the love of God, don’t fucking possess me. It’d really piss me off.”

So, that was how Nadia ended up listening to ghosts in the cemetery, at ease even surrounded by dead things. After all, the spirit in her head would always hurt her more than the spirits in these gates.

#what ain't living can never really die #p: solo #wickedswriting

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apexlegendsimagines · 4 years

Text

This day called Valentines Pt. 2

Loba:

-She showers you in gifts and treasures.

-Though you might not be as materialistic as her, you still appreciate it. After all

-She has gone through a lot of trouble to get these treasures.

-She doesn’t accept any of your gifts. No matter if they are homemade, bought, cheap or expensive.

-She insists that no matter what you give her, she has it. But the only thing you could ever promise her is your heart.

-You know she trusts and loves you because on this day, she always visits her parents grave. Since she cannot, being in the games, she still sets their photos up and produces two roses for her love for them.

-A silly gesture but she still appreciates when you bring ribbons that you have tied together in different designs. Both in her parents colors.

“Thank you beautiful. Promise me your heart and I can promise you everything else.”

Mirage:

-He always takes holidays off to ship off and go see his mother. So he invites you for the first time to go with him.

-There is nothing more precious to him than his mother and he worries over what she will think of you.

-You remind him that it should be you worrying but then he touches your heart by saying, “True, but she’s precious to me. And so are you. I would hate to have to tip toe around her because she doesn’t like you.”

-He puts you first over the weekend, but first introducing you to his mother.

-She almost screams in delight as she begins to hug you and proclaim you are her new daughter.

-She teaches you some family recipes, “So you can cook for Elliot whenever you feel up to it.” And you memorize every ingredient down to the measurement.

-He almost feels left out but then is surprised with two gifts of love. One from his mother and another from you.

-His mother give him a photo he has never seen, one with him and his bothers the day before Valentine’s Day, making cards for Elliot’s classmates. He nearly cries but puts the photo back into his mother’s hands. “I have (Y/N) to help me through those memories mom. You need this more than I do.”

-You make an uncertain face as you present your gift. A photo album that already has some of the pictures Elliot has of his bothers in it. On the front, an edited imagine with you, his bothers, his mother and him.

-“Keep it Elliot, don’t let their hard work be in vain.” His mother tells him, and so it’s then he realizes, he’s found the one.

“You’re gonna see a lot more of me Mom, and so much more of (Y/N). They’re family now right?”

Octane:

-The only attention he has ever got on Valentine’s Day was those of girls going after his fortune and his last name.

-That’s why he gave it up, and it’s why he knows you are the one.

-You had no idea who Octavio Silva was. But you knew Octane, The Daredevil who blew off his legs.

-You see through to his heart and he wants to do the same with you.

-So instead of dragging you to do God knows what, he actually calls the help of Wattson and Lifeline to help him plan an amazing Valentine’s Day.

-What he doesn’t know, is that you had planned a day of excitement. After all, it’s why you fell in love with him.

-But after the revaluation, Octane matures up and explains that you’re always doing and taking care of his needs. He wants you to know that you are his one. His only. His life and his love.

-So you both proceed to have a wonderful day filled with tacky Valentine’s Day shenanigans.

-But at the end of the day, all that is left to say is “I love you.”

“Death cant catch up to me. But you’ve met my speed (Y/N).”

Pathfinder:

-Path doesn’t quite get the premise of Valentine’s Day. Are you always supposed to show your loved ones that you love them?

-After much explanation from Mirage and Wattson, Path sparks up an idea. Pun intended

-He is rather distant and secretive around you for a couple of days. You would walk in on him hunched over some papers and he would scurry to pile them up into one folder.

-On the day, you still wake up with a bright smile on your face. Perhaps it was all for the best right? Besides you did have your gift for him.

-As the day passed you noticed something different. No one was in the main lobby, in their rooms or anything. Strange but could be because of the holidays. So you search for Path.

-So you go to his dorm where there is a note on the front door.

-“The sun was bright, and the engines loud, but here is where you turned my, metaphorical, frown into a smile.”

-it was cheesy and tried to rhyme but you loved it. And knew where this was. Once you arrived at the landing pad where your airship dropped you, you found a rose and your favorite candy.

-“I’m told roses are for people who find you exceptionally amazing. But not even the cafeteria sweets are as sweet as you. Or so I’m told.”

-once you arrived at the cafeteria doors you smiled in delight as you saw many cut out hears on the door. Once you opened it, you found Path inside with the other legends and their dates.

“I may have become number one by winning. But you’ve won your way into my heart!”

Revenant:

-Doesn’t care but low key cares

-He remembers what it was like whenever he was human. He’s slowly gathering memories and he remembers spending holidays with his family when he was a young boy. Those days were far gone, but since he has you. Well

-You wake up that day to find he was staring at you, all night.

-it’s weird yes but he reminds you that he could have killed you. Both true and a lie since he wouldn’t have killed you.

-He brings you to the kitchen to show you the foods he cooked for you and has ready to cook for you. They’re dishes from when he was a kid and dishes he knows he could make with his eyes closed.

-Throughout the day, you still have work to do. Training to complete so he works with you and basically doesn’t hold back. Which makes you better, he reminds you.

-At the end of the day, he takes you to your dorm and quickly shoved a folder of papers into your hands before walking away quickly.

-Upon further inspection you can clearly see that for every day you two have been together, he has written a letter. Some of the letters are deeply personal, comparing your actions to those of his family. Sometimes they’re in complete awe of how above average you are to the other skin suits.

“Every day I want to die. But seeing your face makes every day worth it.”

Wattson:

-She wakes you early in the morning with a cup of your favorite coffee/tea, She beams with admiration. Complementing your bed head

-As you get ready, she talks about the day she has planned. All of the shops she wants to take you to. How she wants to go to worlds edge and continue her studies with you. She continues to complement you about your brains and such.

-You follow behind and just simply watch her. The way she bounced with every step. How her knee length dress swishes from side to side. Her blonde hair gleaming in the sunshine.

-As you finger the small box in your pocket you try and wait for the perfect moment to present you valentines gift to her.

-The day goes on and finally you two step off of the ship to worlds edge. She leads you to Lava city first to examine samples and such. All day you two wonder around the arena. She had brought a basket in the ship and you two had settled down beside it to eat sandwiches for dinner.

-The sun setting, it made her glow. So at this moment you pulled out the box and presented it to her.

-She thanked you and opened it gasping at the beautiful necklace that you had made from yarn. You had wrapped around a silver locket.

-“It looks silly I know but I figured it wouldn’t hurt you if you wore it on the field.”

-“It’s perfect! Merci! Merci Mon Amour.” She leaves a small kiss on your cheek, already moving to put the necklace over her yellow dress. It stood out but in a good way. Blue yarn against yellow. She still looked beautiful.

“Mon Amour, you’re all I have and I want to hold onto you!”

Wraith:

-You will be the one planning the day. But knowing your audience, you plan accordingly.

-She wakes up with you laying in bed next to her. Holding her. She doesn’t freak out but instead smiles. Because you’re the only one who can calm the voices.

-Once both of you are awake, you chose to stay in pjs all day. You had already planned and ordered ahead of time.

-So when it’s breakfast time, you had already cut up some fruit and such that you know she loves. You both eat happily and enjoy some unsolved mysteries

-When lunch comes around her favorite Thai. You two work on some home projects, specifically hanging up photos and lightening her place up.

-When dinner comes around you have some groceries delivered to her place. Where you and her both cook.

-it’s a simple day to most. But to her, it’s perfect. She doesn’t have to worry about others and neither do you.

“There are so many versions of us. But I’m glad I’m here. With you. Right now.”

#apex #apex legends #apex legends imagines #apex imagines #loba andrade #mirage #elliot witt #octane #ovtavio silva #pathfinder #revenant #wattson #natalie paquette #wraith #renee blasey

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paradox-psyc-hoe-sis · 4 years

Text

Dating Bucky Barnes in secret would include...

Bucky Barnes x reader, avengers x reader (platonic), Steve Roger's x reader (platonic)

Word count: 1.8k

Warnings: I can't really remember, insecurity, there are a few swears, fluff, general stuff like that. No smut :)

A/n: two posts in one day? Who is she. I was really determined to write these and it was quite enjoyable, hope ya'll like it - Aphrodite :D

• So. Much. Sneaking. Around.

• However, you and Buck were already really close before you started dating, so you got away with loads of suspicious stuff.

• For example, when it was avengers family movie night and you all decided to watch a film set in ww2, things got a bit too realistic for Bucky, so when he cuddled up next to you and you started playing with his hair, nobody batted an eyelid.

• Additionally, whenever any of the Avengers walked into the living room to see you asleep on the sofa, your head in Bucky's lap, they didn't give it a second thought. But you both knew you had to br careful with how much you let slip.

• Steve would totally know right from the start. He's known Bucky practically his entire life, so there was a definite change in his behaviour after he started dating you. He talked to Steve about you loads, and he caught Buck staring at you way too much. However, Steve only thought that Bucky had a crush on you, not that you were dating.

• You got Bucky a Polaroid camera for his birthday and he has never stopped taking photos of you since; he has photos of you mid-laugh, photos of you singing karaoke, photos of you in action. He keeps all of the Polaroid in a little box that you decorated for him.

• To help him with his anxiety, he keeps a diary. Every night, he records what happened in the day and hoe it made him feel. You knew about the diary, and you always wanted to see what he wrote about, but you understood that it's his privacy and you don't have the right to see it. He knew how badly you wanted to read it, too.

• So when your birthday came around, he didn't get you anything. All of the avengers gave you presents except for Bucky, which made everyone quite suspicious. To get everyone off his back, he claimed that he forgot when your birthday was. You knew that he had something in store for you later on, though.

• When you went to bed in the evening, you didn't go to your room but straight to Buck's. About ten minutes later he arrived, and he wasn't surprised to see you. He said that he had the worlds best present to give you.

• He sat down and handed you a present, wrapped in dark red paper. Once opening it, all you saw was a small, black leather bound notebook. What an awesome gift indeed.

• But it took you a second to realise that the notebook was his diary.

• "I finished it last night, and I've already bought a new one to start tonight. I really have no use for them once I finish them so I thought you-"

• When he looked up he saw you holding the book to your heart, tears streaming down your face. He thought you hated the gift, that you were expecting something so much better. But you reassured him that the diary was the best thing he could've ever given you.

• It took you a month to read, and you definitely had a favourite entry. February 14th, not only valentines day, but the day you both went on your first date. You agreed to go out and get coffee at a little cafe that you like downtown.

• When you first read it, you were watching TV with Steve in the living room.

• "Today Y/N and I had our first date. I met her at a cafe so we could get coffee. I was so scared that she'd realise how undeserving I am of somebody as good as her, but when I saw her walk through the door, it calmed all of my anxiety. She looked the most beautiful that I had ever seen her, and I regret being too scared to tell her that."

• When you read that, you burst into tears right on the spot. Steve had no idea what had happened, but after you put the notebook down, he gave you a big hug to calm you. He recognized the notebook, as he had seen bucky writing in it a lot, but he didn't say anything. He just held you. Steve's a legend.

• Coincidentally, after that happened, you and Bucky seemed to go on a lot more missions where you had to spend time together. [Thanks, Steve]

• A few days after you came back from a really long mission, everyone had a day off, so you both went out for dinner in the evening. It was the fanciest date that you both had been on; you wore a red silk dress, and he wore a suit and tie. After all, it was the fanciest restaurant in New York.

• Everything was going perfectly, until you noticed Tony and Pepper walk through the door. You and Bucky had never run as fast as you did when you saw them. So instead of getting dinner there, you both went to McDonalds.

• One evening, you were all sat in the living room after just finishing a board game. You were sat next to Bucky, and told him that you were going to bed. Forgetting that nobody knew about your relationship, you leaned in an gave him a small kiss on the lips.

• Steve chokEd on his coffee, I swear.

• Everyone stared at you, and you managed to convince them that you had just found out it was national 'kiss your coworker' day. Not wanting to seem biased, all eyes were on you as you walked around the room and gave everyone a tiny kiss. Steve decided he wanted to fuck with Bucky a bit, so when you went into the kitchen to give him a kiss, he grabbed you by the waist and kissed you for like, 10 seconds, you could feel Steve laughing into the kiss towards the end.

• Bucky was pissed, but couldn't bring it up with Steve because he thought he didn't know.

• Honestly, Bucky is a hoe for attention.

• When all of you are in a meeting or sat at the dinner table, he likes to put his hand on your thigh and trace circles with his thumb.

• His hands are always so cold, and you like to sandwich them in between your warm ones.

• Bucky always randomly brought you gifts. After you got back from a mission? Flowers. After he got back from a mission? Chocolates. Some days he'd just walk into your room and nonchalantly hand you a rose.

• You and Natasha hung out a lot in your room, so it was always a surprise to her when she saw a vase of tulips or roses on your desk.

• "Wow, who gave you those flowers?"

• "Uh, I bought them for myself. They just caught my eye when I walked past the florist."

• Intimacy was a special thing for Bucky. It was never just holding hands or hugging, but it was a really important thing for Bucky to be able to share with you. For a while, he was scared to touch you with his metal arm in fear of hurting you, but you loved holding his metal hand. His arm reminded him of the people he murdered and that repulsed him, but you were determined to change that. So you always held his metal hand, and gave it tiny kisses, maybe massaging it every now and again.

• Sometimes you spent the night in Buck's room. Not to do the nasty, or anything like that, but to just fall asleep in each other's arms with the reassurance that you have each other. But whenever you did this, he had to wake you up really early in the morning so you could go back to your room, just in case anybody came to your room to look for you and found you not there.

• Whenever he had a bad nightmare, he'd come to your room straight away. Lots of the time, you didn't wake up when he came in, and he was gone before you got up in the morning. But every now and again, you woke up to find him cuddling you. You loved it.

• Bucky was never too jealous, unless he knew that another guy was a definite threat. So when you and Steve had to go on an undercover mission and pretend you were married, Bucky didn't take it well.

• On the mission, Steve was reluctant to do any PDA. Although it was what you had to do, he couldn't find it in himself to kiss you or hold your hand. This means that you had to initiate all of it, and you really hated it. You'd much rather be doing all of this with Bucky, but Fury didn't trust him enough with an important mission like this.

• There was this one time where all of the avengers were on a really big mission, and you and Buck were the only ones left behind [thanks again, Stevie]. Taking advantage of this rarity, you both decided to take a shower together. You expected it to be really intimate and relaxing, but it was the opposite.

• "Bucky. Did you seriously just use up the only bit of shampoo I had left!?"

"Yeah, my hair is longer than yours and needs a very precise routine to get it's classic shine!"

[Thud]

"What the fuck, y/n!? Why did you throw your bottle of conditioner at me!?"

• You liked to train with Bucky, but it was annoying how he always let you win. Cute, sure, but you wanted to try and get there yourself.

• Bucky was really self conscious of his body. Yeah, the super soldier serum made him really buff, but he worried that you'd see him as a monster or a freak science experiment. You always reassured him about how handsome he was, and it meant a lot to him.

• You decided to tell the others on valentines day. It would be your 1 year anniversary, and you both knew that your relationship was serious. When you woke up on valentines day, Bucky came in and, with a bit of a struggle, blindfolded you.

• He walked you out into the living room and took the blindfold off, where you saw all of the avengers with party hats on.

• They all shouted surprise, and you were SO confused.

• Turns out, Bucky told them all the night before, and they had planned a day full of fun to make up for all of the time you had lost sneaking around.

• You both appreciated each other so much, and that's all that matters. You were madly in love.

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neomikey · 3 years

Text

Contributing to the #RyukoPrompts this month (albeit belatedly), Final Fantasy 14 with my wife and sister-in-law has been helping us to get through the lockdown! After all our time spent running through Eorzea, original adventures inspired by our time playing came to mind...and I thought to write one out.

Enjoy~! :)

The following story’s canon is questionable,

both with the in-game lore and how the characters are presented.

Viewer discretion is advised, void where prohibited,

see store for details, careful of wet floor.

Hear...

Her voice was calm and crystalline.

Hear.... Feel....

The air was warm.

Hear.... Feel.... Listen....

There was great weight to her tone and a quiet urgency.

I am Hydaelyn. I know all...see all...I have seen you...and you are needed.

You will be required for a great task. One of which you must not fail, for to do so would bring great ruin.

The task which you have been given is monumental – you will help to stop a primal where no one else can.

My words...keep them. Remember them. Heed them.

You must not forget, Muto. You must not forget.

Muto blearily opened his eyes. Outside the world was waking. Light was coming in through the window, still orange as the sun started its journey above the horizon. Birds were already in song, announcing to the world that they had survived the dark night. Windows were beginning to light as the people of Gridania awoke.

As he lied in bed, something urgently tugged at Muto's mind. Something desperate. Something important. His eyes shot open.

He was out of toilet tissue.

This was the fourth attempt that Hydaelyn had made to spur the Hrothgar toward his quest.

Stumbling out of bed in his boxers, he rushed for the door and threw it open. Rushing across the small house, he passed by another white-furred Hrothgar and a tired-looking Lalafell who were sitting at a table with mugs. On the side of the beastman's in large block lettering had originally been “#One Brother,” but the number had been messily scratched out and replaced by “#1st”. It was a gift Muto had made while still learning to read and write Eorzean. The Lalafell, meanwhile, had a tankard large enough for a Roegadyn filled to the brim with coffee.

“Just one morning,” Lalinu sighed, “I would like for him to be decent when he comes out of there.”

“Muto is not naked,” Tahro observed.

“A marked improvement,” the Lalafell admitted.

The door to the back was flung open and Muto rushed out. A minute later, he rushed back and stood before them, eyes wide with excitement. “No more emergency!” he announced.

“...I'm sorry?” Lalinu asked. “Wait, no, forget I—”

“Muto thought there was no more toilet tissue, but Muto was wrong!”

“You were wrong about something.” She went to have a drink of coffee. “How about that.”

“Tahro buy,” Tahro informed him. “Tahro also fill up larder. Get groceries. Get good deals.”

“While somebody was out playing adventurer.”

“Muto is real adventurer....” Muto insisted.

“If you got sustainably paid, you could be considered a 'professional' adventurer. Just like how I'm supposed to be a 'professional' accountant.” She had another drink of coffee. “Though I currently lack the dignity that comes with such a position.”

“Muto think Lalinu is great!” He grinned brightly, hoping the smile would affect her mood. It remained as dark as her coffee.

“Muto need a good job,” Tahro informed him. “Get good money. Money not lasting.”

“He's right. It's not.” Lalinu swiveled in her chair, then hopped off. She walked across the kitchen to where her desk was set up, which was a little lower than the Hrothgars' knees. She sifted through the stacks of papers, brought up one, then put on her glasses. “After your last trip to...hold on....” She squinted and leaned in, then removed her glasses and sighed. “I can't even pronounce half these names.... Anyways, your exploits are currently not economically self-sustaining, even cutting back on everything – including feeding that beast in the barn – and your queen's 'adventuring grant' won't last forever.”

“Muto need to do more,” Tahro gently informed Muto. “Cannot keep doing light duties.”

“Grand company have nothing but light duties for Muto!” Muto protested. “So many adventurers in Eorzea! So many legends!” He put a hand to his chest. “But Muto is legend in heart.”

“We know how great you think you are,” Lalinu said after another drink of coffee, “but until you make that a reality, you're under a ticking clock.”

Muto looked above himself. “...where is clock?”

Lalinu gave a throaty sigh of frustration, but Tahro spoke up in her stead. “Lalinu mean...get big job...or no more adventuring.”

It looked for a moment like someone had slapped Muto, as his expression went from shock to heart-rending sadness. His ears drooped, his tail went limp, and he looked like he was about to cry. However, the moment was brief, as moments later, his ears went back up, he brought his fists near his chest, and he bore a determined expression.

“Muto get help!”

The world was warm and comfortable. She was a ball. A warm, fluffy, pink ball. All was well in the world.

And then she woke up.

“Miyu...!”

“Mm....”

“Miyu, hey...!”

“Nuhhhh....”

“Come on, it's time to get up.”

“Nuhhhhh...!”

“Don't 'nuhhhh' me. You asked me to get you up.”

A pink tail emerged from the blanket ball and began to angrily swish. “That was before it was morning....”

“I even let you sleep in a little,” Ryuko said, poking Miyu through her hammock.

The blanket ball tightened. “Then you can let me sleep in more.”

“If you sleep in more, you're going to miss all the good jobs.”

“Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmhh.” The blanket ball loosened and Miyu's head poked out. Her hair was skewed to one side and only one eye was open. “You know how unfair this is.”

Ryuko stood before her already clad in her dragoon armor, leaning on her spear. “Oh, I know, but Eorzea isn't gonna help itself.”

“Why not?” Miyu tucked herself back into the blanket ball. “Seriously. People treat us like their servants sometimes. Like...picking mushrooms a little outside the city's walls. 'I'll give you 50 gil to get ten for me!' Get them yourself! Seriously, the creatures outside are not bad if you don't bother them. We have other things to worry about, we're not here to do your chores for you.”

She heard the Au Ra's boots walking away. “Technically speaking, that's exactly what we're here to do – do whatever people pay us to.”

“Well, some of us have standards....”

Ryuko's boots came back. “Are you getting up?”

“In a moment....”

There was a pause. “Moment's up!”

The carbuncle was dropped into the hammock and immediately starting rooting through the blanket to find an opening, while Miyu's limbs flailed. “Ack! Twitchums! No! Stop! Off!” His nose found Miyu's face, then eagerly started licking. “TWITCHUMS!!”

The hammock twisted from all the activity, dumping Miyu and Twitchums on the floor, followed by the blanket, which fell and draped over half of Miyu's face. Ryuko did her best to hide her amusement. “Glad you're up!”

“That was meeeeaaan...!” Miyu whined, pushing Twitchums away. He was trying to jump up on her chest to lick her face, both because he loved her and because it was time for breakfast. He was a bright, shining topaz color, indicating how thrilled he was to see the Miqo'te.

“You asked me to get you up,” said Ryuko as she turned and headed for the door.

“I'm asking you for less next time...” grumbled Miyu. She stroked Twitchums's head, making his tails twitch in delight.

“Go and get ready soon!” Ryuko waved from the door. “I'm sure you're gonna get a great job today!”

“It's Declan,” he said, flashing a bright, sly smile, “but you can call me 'Dec.'”

The Viera lady looked to the Miqo'te less than enthused.

“Y'know, I'm kinda big around these parts,” Declan went on. “I took out some primals singlehandedly, you know. Like Titan? Yeah, that was me. I even took his crystal, just because I felt like it. I sold it for a million gil, even though I didn't need the money. Did I mention I was rich?” He flashed the Viera a bright smile again, who returned a flat stare.

“Declan,” said someone behind him.

“Not now,” he said, waving the person away. “Okay, okay,” he went on to the Viera, “I've got a secret...but you've gotta promise not to tell anyone.”

She just stared.

“I...am actually one of the original Warriors of Light. I know! I know, but it's true! I was there when Bahamut broke out. I was actually right by Louisoix's side. I told everyone, 'Get out of here and I'll protect you!' I was gonna save everyone, but Louisoix decided to hog the glory. He totally stole my idea.”

“Declan.”

“Not now.” He leaned against the wall, still eyeing the Viera. “So, I wouldn't call myself a 'legendary hero,' but some people do. I just was trying to do what was right, y'know? However, I'd love to have lunch with ya. I know this lovely place near the Steps of Nald. My treat! You like Lalafell cooking?”

The lady sighed. “I'm gay.” Then she walked off.

“All right! All right, that's fine! Hey, you do you! Just making polite conversation!” She wasn't stopping. Declan sighed, his ears lowering a bit, then looked to a nearby man in a hooded white robe with glasses. “What do you think, Bo? You wanna try?”

“No, Declan...” he wearily sighed.

“Awww, you're no fun....” Bo hadn't been “fun” ever since he had become a white mage and swore a vow of celibacy. Declan ran his fingers through his hair, then turned to face the young, dark-skinned man. He had a metal-clad grimoire hanging from his belt and waiting with his arms crossed. “Yeah?”

“About time.”

“I was doing important business, thank you.”

Enzo took a hardboiled egg out of his pocket and bit into it through the shell. “Does Kijhon'a know about this 'business?'”

“Hey, I was just being friendly is all! Just making a lady feel welcome!”

“Sure, whatever.” Enzo tilted his head. “I've got a lead on a job. A big one, and I could use your help.”

“Ehh?” Declan arched a brow. “Well...maybe. Maybe. What's it paying?”

Enzo inwardly cringed. He knew this might be where things fell apart. “Technically, it doesn't.”

“Not interested,” Declan immediately responded.

“It's a Garlean facility,” Enzo went on. “It's currently lightly guarded. I've got a lead on—”

“Ehh....” Declan gave a dismissive wave, then walked off.

“You can have a share of whatever we find inside!” Enzo called after him. Declan turned a corner, then was gone. Enzo's ears flattened, while his hand went to the ring on his necklace and rubbed it while in thought. As much of a blowhard as Declan was, he did have considerable skill, which was exactly what Enzo needed right then.

Enzo popped the rest of the egg into his mouth. If Declan was out, what other options did Enzo have? His sister, sure, but he could guarantee she would say “no” straight-out. This wasn't something that he could entrust to just anyone at the grand company either, as secrecy and decorum would be needed, and the grand companies documented everything.

“Hmm....”

There was an idea. Not the best one, but it would work...enough.

Miyu waded through the crowds. She was running a little behind, both because she had been tired, plus Twitchums had decided to take his time with “doing his business.” What made this situation all the worse is that it was Tuesday, meaning that all the week's fresh jobs were just posted. Miyu mused that maybe this week, people were still recovering from the last one and weren't likely to be out there this early.

Seeing the grand company's building, her heart sank. She was definitely wrong.

A large crowd of adventurers clustered in front of the building. Some were crowding around the posting boards, while others were waiting in line to talk with representatives. It was always surprising to her how most of the larger races hardly ever stepped on the smaller ones, particularly the Lalafell. If she were a giant, she could see herself being lost in her own world, but then again, it was likely taught to them from a young age to be mindful of the small ones.

Getting to the board, she likely wouldn't find too many good postings left. Her best bet would be to wait in line with everyone and to see what someone of her rank could get. Given her record of...nothing big or impressive...it likely wouldn't be much. But she had been consistent, at least!

Speaking of which....

Someone who was determined to be an adventurer, even if he just got duties picking mushrooms, was a Hrothgar she was always happy to see. Regular as ever, she always saw him in line at this time. While waiting, he was looking to the large postings, reading them and slowly sounding out the words to himself as he did.

“Muto!” Miyu called, jumped, and waved. Despite her best efforts, it was all for naught. His full concentration was on trying to sound out “tyrannic coeurl.”

Miyu knit her brows, then knelt down and gave Twitchums a stroke from head to tail. “Eee!” squeaked the carbuncle.

“Where's Muto?” she asked. Twitchums's tails went up. “Wheeeeere's Muto?” The carbuncle eagerly looked about, his nose snuffling at a surprising speed. His tails flicked about wildly as he concentrated, seeking out his quarry, until his eyes locked on the Hrothgar. “There he is!”

Twitchums shot off like a bullet. He nearly collided with a Lalafell as he went past, snaked through the crowd, and the next thing Muto knew, there was a carbuncle who was so happy it was bordering on gold pawing at his leg. It took Muto a moment to realize he knew this carbuncle, then broke into a wide smile.

“Oh!! Is Twitchums!!” He bent down and scooped up Twitchums, who eagerly went to wash Muto's face. “Are here alone? Is not good to be alone! ...wait, is Twitchums here to be adventurer?!” The Hrothgar became incredibly excited. “Oh!! Muto teach you everything!!”

“Mutooooo!!”

The carbuncle's ears flicked, then wriggled out of Muto's grip and ran back towards Miyu. The Hrothgar followed his path, then brightened up.

“Is Miyu!! Hello!!”

“Muto!” Miyu called over the din of the crowd. “Wanna adventure together?”

“Miyu and Muto be party?”

“Yeah!” She nodded. “Let's party up!”

“Join Muto!!”

The crowd was thick and unmoving, and prodding a couple Hyur's in fur-trimmed armor to ask to get by only got Miyu dirty looks. She then eyed a nearby street lamp, shimmied up it, then – at Muto's encouragement – leapt straight for him. He caught Miyu, and after a bit of shuffling, she crouched perched on his shoulders while holding onto his horn for support. She could feel the glares of the Hyurs who initially spurned her, and simply playfully swished her tail back and forth at them.

“Next.”

“Hello!” Muto greeted the Elezen representative.

She blinked in surprise at seeing the Miqo'te perched on top of the Hrothgar, but neither of the pair paid it any mind.

“Badges, please.”

Muto passed hers down to Muto, then he placed them onto the counter, smiling brightly to her, hoping his smile could at least pass on to this person. As it turned out, working customer service did not make the Elezen feel like smiling.

“Okay, two one-stars. Are you working together?”

“Muto and Miyu make best team!” Muto affirmed.

“Uh huh. All right, we have plenty of one-star jobs. If you're interested in working locally, there's a farmer who has had some kobolds spotted near her farm. It looks like she'd love to have some able-bodied adventurers on hand to scare them off...or permanently deal with them if it comes down to it. Until they make a move, though, she would love to have some help harvesting her crops. That will be 200 gil and 50 points towards your next rank. Sound good?”

Muto perked up, happy to have work at all, completely forgetting what Tahro and Lalinu had said earlier. “Muto think sounds g—”

“Wait...wait, wait, hold on.” Miyu's tail began to angrily swish. “You're dealing with two one-stars...and you're giving us farm duty? That should be a zero-star job! We qualify for at least a two-star.”

The Elezen gave a weary sigh, and in her best customer service voice, she repeated what she had many times before. “The stars in your rank do not accumulate when doing jobs together. You can only do jobs at your current rank or below, except in special exceptions. Those exceptions are when requested specifically by a higher-ranking adventurer or in times of great peril. Is there a third member to your party who is above you in rank?” She paused only long enough to see the tell-tale facial expressions that said “no.” “Then in that case, you'll have to take one of the one- or zero-star jobs, and at the moment, this farm job is the best one I have to offer you. Tuesday jobs are first-come, first-serve.”

“Muto think that sounds gr—”

“Come on!” Miyu pleaded, leaning further down and out, yet somehow keeping her balance. “Do you know how long we've been working? How much we've been trying and trying to rank up? We've been grinding for who knows how long! Week after week doing these one- and zero-stars, just wanting a chance at a two star! Just a chance to make an impression, to show how truly amazing we are! Haven't you ever wanted just a chance? And here you are, the only person able to give us – us great adventurers with greater promise – that chance we need. You are the gatekeeper and we are horses, only wanting to get through the doors, wanting to gallop on our way through to the beflowered fields promised to us. We want to truly spread our wings in the skies of—”

“If I give you a two-star, will you stop the monologue?”

“Yes.”

A paper was shoved towards Muto.

“Next,” she called, looking past the pair.

Muto and Miyu made their way out, looking over the assignment.

“M-mee...” Muto sounded out. “...meerk...meer-ka-haynt....”

Finally hopping off his shoulders, Miyu leaned into Muto and dragged her finger along the page. “Merchant seeking protection along road from Gridania to Ul'dah. See, says here they're departing tonight and are looking for at least two guards. Well...with you, me, Twitchums, and maybe some friends, I'd say we have this one in the bag!”

A fairy flew by, making tinkling noises and illuminating the page before flying off.

“Muto did not bring bag....” said Muto bashfully, suddenly worried about his bag-less status.

“No, it's...ahh, nevermind.” Miyu had tried explaining metaphors before, including cracking the joke “I never metaphor I didn't like!” In response, Muto had given the smile that said he had no idea what Miyu was saying, but he was very happy that she was enjoying herself. “Either way, we have an actual two-star! Sheesh, trying to give us farm duty, pff, go eat a chode, we're adventurers, not bloody farmers.”

“Muto sometimes get bloody when doing farm work! Weeds are spiky....”

“That's why you wear gloves, Muto.”

“Muto strong. What does not kill Muto make three mistakes – not kill Muto, make Muto stronger, make Muto angry!” He grinned, showing off his teeth, then punched into his palm. “Muto kill and eat, just to show how tough Muto is! Weeds taste bad, though. And make tongue bleed. But Muto show them.”

“Muto, please don't say not killing you is a mistake.” Miyu rubbed at his arm. “The world would be less without you in it.”

“Oh, Muto not leaving!” He flexed hard and showed off his bicep. “Muto too strong for that! Plus Muto have Miyu!”

“And Enzo?” said another voice.

“Enzo?” Both Muto and Miyu looked over. The Hrothgar immediately reacted upon seeing the dark-skinned Miqo'te. “Oh!! Muto have Enzo today!!”

Enzo was leaning against a nearby building with his fairy Eos fluttering near his shoulder. “Meowdy.” His cool demeanor was quickly replaced by mild panic as the ground shook and a shadow overtook him. The next moment, he found his feet off the ground and himself in Muto's tight embrace. “Hrrk!!”

“Enzo, hey!” Miyu greeted him. “You already go through the line?”

“Hhhhhh...!”

“Muto, let go.”

Muto did. Enzo took a moment to get air back into his lungs and straightened out his coat. “Good to see you guys too. Bit...less tight next time, hey, Muto?”

“Muto sorry.” He grinned brightly, showing off his fangs. “Just happy to see Enzo!”

“Always mutual.” He flicked an ear, then took a boiled egg out of his pocket. “Egg?”

“Okay!” Muto took it and shoved it into his pocket. “Have later.”

Enzo brought out another. “You?”

Miyu lowered an ear. “I'm...fine, thanks.”

Enzo shrugged, then bit into the shell. “To answer your question, no, I haven't gone through the line. I don't need to. Came here to get some help, actually....”

Miyu squinted, suddenly very suspicious. “You didn't 'need' to go through the line? What, did you get a job elsewhere?”

“More or less.” He quirked a brow. “You two interested?”

Muto looked down at the paper in his hands. His ears went back slightly as he concentrated, trying to decide.

“Well, first off, what kind of job are we looking at here?” asked Miyu. “This have a ranking?”

“It's...an independent venture.”

That term – sometimes called an IV – was always a bit scary. Adventurers may come upon a task that needed doing, and instead of going through the paperwork of posting a job and seeking additional adventurers in an officially sanctioned job, they sought to resolve the problems themselves. Once the IV had finished, it was documented, submitted, and appropriate ranking points were assigned.

While in the past, adventurers had said certain troublesome events were “IVs” to give themselves an excuse, the grand companies quickly put harsh restrictions and punishments into place. Extremely foolhardy ventures – such as trying to assassinate a foreign dignitary and potentially starting a war – were punished so severely that getting put to death was an option. Retroactively saying something was an IV as an excuse for causing trouble or damage was severely punished, with it not uncommon to to lose one's adventuring license entirely, or at least a few ranks. The same punishment went with falsified IVs.

IVs were always a gamble, though. While the grand companies could at least guarantee payment and ranking points, there was no such guarantee in an IV. Even if adventurers barely made it out by the skin of their teeth, if they accomplished little or had nothing to show for their time, they would likely get little in regards to advancing their rank. However, the benefit was that IVs were not limited by rank or the number of adventurers allowed to join, meaning a great amount of money and advancement could be open to anyone.

“Go on...” Miyu said slowly.

“Not just yet. This's a hot job, big reward, and shouldn't be too tough, but I first need to know if you want to join me.”

“Sounds too good to be true. Where'd you get this?”

“Long story.”

“Shorten it.”

“I've got sources. Good and reliable ones.” He reached into his pocket, dug around, then made a face. He pulled out a white rat, which looked at him with wide, curious eyes, then handed it to Miyu. “Hold this, would ya?”

“Wh—?”

He then pulled out a rolled-up communique. “A little chocobo told me about a nearly abandoned facility that's ripe for picking through.”

“'Nearly' abandoned?” The rat scampered to Miyu's shoulder.

“A couple leftover guards, they're basically just babysitting the place now. Easy pickings. And you don't have to worry, they're not 'good guys' by any stretch.”

“Mmmmm...”

Enzo motioned with his chin at Muto's paper. “What rank's that mission?”

“Oh!” Muto held out the paper proudly. “Is two-star! Miyu is best ne-go-shee-ater!”

Enzo got a lopsided smile, proud of their accomplishment. “Well look at you! You're moving up!”

The rat climbed up to Miyu's head, where Eos flitted near to investigate. “We're looking at 700 points for this job.” Miyu then snorted derisively. “She was trying to give us something with 50, can you believe that?”

“Yeah.” Enzo shrugged. “It's kinda unfair to us lowbies like that.” He took a moment to look between them with a twinkle in his eye. “...but what would you two say to a four-star?”

“...I'm sorry?”

“IS FOUR-STAR?!”

“Shhhh!!” Enzo and Miyu hissed at Muto.

Muto clapped his hands over his mouth, while Miyu recomposed herself. “Okay, this is definitely sounding too good to be true. How is it a four-star?”

He moved the hand holding the communique, showing the emblem stamped beneath. “It's Garlean, but don't let that scare you.”

“Don't let that scare me?! Just the Garlean empire, nothing threatening....” Her sarcasm was interrupted as another thought came to her. “And what's the pay?”

“A third of whatever we find over there.”

“And what should we expect to find?”

“That's all a bit—”

The unseen hand of Hydaelyn nudged Muto's memory.

Muto gasped and clapped a hand heavily on Miyu's shoulder. “Oh!! Muto remember!! Tahro say to get big job! Or Muto have to stop adventuring!” He shook Miyu, making her head bounce about and dislodged the rat. “Is Muto's big chance! Show Tahro! Show Lalinu! Show queen! Show the world!”

“M-Muto....”

“Muto help Enzo!”

“But what about our job tonight?”

“Muto know math!” He was excited to share his academics. “Four is bigger than two!”

“He has a point,” Enzo chimed in.

Miyu looked between the two. They were both looking at her with wide, expectant faces. She gave a heavy sigh, then poked a finger into Enzo's chest. “All right...but we're trusting you! If this IV is a bust, you're going to be the one to pay the gil, all right?”

“Sure, yeah, that's fine! Let's say...500 gil if things don't pan out?”

Miyu squinted. Her shrewdness was kicking in. She knew she could negotiate for something a great deal higher, but Enzo was a friend...and she was curious exactly what they would find in this Garlean place anyways.

“Deal.”

“And you, Muto?”

“Huh?” His attention had gone to Eos, hovering above Enzo's head.

“Is 500 gil acceptable?”

“Okay! Umm....” He held up the paper with the two-star adventure. “Should Muto share?”

“Oh, that?” Enzo shrugged. “Yeah, just pass it along to someone else.” He turned to Miyu. “So...out in eastern Thanalan, there's this Garlean lab....”

While Enzo explained the job, Muto looked down at the two-star adventure, then to the crowd. He saw a frustrated Au Ra wandering away from the company building. It was the telltale sign of a poor adventure...and Muto had the solution. He wandered away, while Enzo continued his explanation.

Its breath was thick, and stank of blood and meat. Its lip were curled back in a permanent snarl, showing every single dagger-like tooth, while ichor-like saliva dripped from between them. Its teeth were literally the subject of horror stories, capable of piercing flesh and bone easily. Its jaws were powerful enough to crunch all manner of alloyed metal, whether it was armor or the side of an airship. Each claw was like a curved saber, able to rend its prey to pieces with a single swipe. Its muscles were beyond natural, fueled purely by aether and pure menace. Its kind had killed countless and would kill countless more. “Nightmare” was not enough of a description for the beast. To be seen by one was to already be counted as dead.

“Smoo-thie!”

It was an odd stroke of fate that a behemoth had ended up in the care of Muto. It was a hassle to care for, but nobody wanted to take it for domestic purposes, Muto refused to give it to those who intended it for battle, and him and Tahro seemed to be the only ones to whom Smoothie seemed to listen.

Pupil-less eyes swiveled onto Muto as he approached, carrying a fresh pig carcass behind him. Smoothie growled, and even in the warm climate, a cloud of breath could be seen.

“Muto got you nummies!”

He tossed the pig over the top of the cage, where it slipped through the bars before falling. Smoothie caught it in its jaws, and bit down, causing a small spray of blood against the side of its enclosure. Muto leaned against the outside of the stall, his tail swishing back and forth contentedly as he watched the behemoth feed.

“Are hungry, neh? No worries! Muto off to do big job! Can get even bigger pig next time!” He reached through a patted one of the behemoth's horns. “But am sorry, is in Thanalanalan. Smoothie is too big to go on airship!”

There was a loud crack of bone and spray of viscera.

“Awww, don't be sad! Muto is sorry, but will definitely try to take Smoothie on next big mission! Will try to get one in Gridania! Muto knows Smoothie likes hunting for deer!”

Smoothie shook its head, flicking droplets of blood across Muto's armor.

“There you go! Now you behave! Muto loves you!” He kissed his fingers, then put them to Smoothie's horn, before absently wiping away the blood.

He walked to the neighboring stall where his chocobo was caged. For some reason, it was always wide-eyed and nervous.

“Hello, Legbird! Time for adventure!”

The desert sun was high, but it barely reached them.

The storm had been sudden and filled with rage. The world was roaring. Wind violently whipped the sand about, shoving them about as their chocobos struggled onward. Enzo led the pack, all while keeping his grimoire open, its pages emitting a barely visible light.

Each of them wore caps that had been customized to fit over their cat ears, while goggles protected their eyes and scarves covered their lower faces. The chocobos had been given similar head protection, with glass shielding over their eyes and an insulated covering that went over their beaks.

Enzo held up a hand to halt. With one hand holding the grimoire open, the other reached into his pocket, then withdrew a scope. He scanned in the distance, tapped a switch a few times, then grinned to himself.

Turning to the others, he gave a thumbs-up and enthusiastic nod.

“You'd think there would've been something in the weather report.”

“What?”

“I said, you'd think there would have been something in the weather report!”

The other man gave a helpless shrug. He only heard half of what was said, but agreed with the sentiment. Things had been miserable ever since the main arm of the Garlean empire had pulled out. Insurgent forces had set up a fantastic base there in Thanalan, which was to be a hub of operations. However, due to a lack of resources – both material and personnel – and with the staff already there, it instead became a self-sufficient laboratory.

It was a risk having a lightly guarded Garlean base so close to Ul'dah, but it was a calculated risk. They were able to glean bits of intel regarding Ul'dah to occasionally send back to Garlemald, while the handful of scientists continued their research.

All the while, they held onto hope that the Garlean empire would make a push into central Eorzean lands once again, they would have a seat of power in Thanalan already ready for them, and everyone there could finally return to their lives in Garlemald.

Admittedly, life hadn't been too bad. It could be boring, even. The guards took shifts in their camouflaged watch box, nestled under an outcrop of rock that disguised the entrance and gave them shade. Cooled air piped in from the main facility made even the hottest days pleasant. All the while, the scientists continued working on...whatever it was they did. Something about crystals...of course. It was always crystals.

This sandstorm had rattled the guards, though, because their schedules depended upon sandstorms. Every time there was to be one, a cart would either leave or return with supplies hours before a storm hit, which would then hide the tracks leading to the base. Sure, someone could follow the cart, but they had had training and tools to help them detect when they were being followed or spied upon. This system had been working for them for years. However, the sandstorm predictions had been inaccurate before. This one, though, was particularly harsh.

One of the guards squinted out through his view port, then turned to his comrade. “I thought I saw movement!” he shouted over the rush of the storm.

“There's a lot of movement!” The man smiled. “It's the sand!”

He just got a flat glare in response.

A Miqo'te stumbled through the sand to the shelter of the overhanging rock. It wasn't much, but it was at least some kind of shelter. Her face was bare and grimacing, and she held her hands over her ears to prevent sand from getting in. She drew close against the wall and tightly pulled her knees to her chest with her eyes closed.

The two guards looked to each other. This was a problem. They could wait out the storm and hope she left once it had passed. However, if she stayed there long enough, she might take notice of the disguised doors. They had done what they could to keep up maintenance, but years with only what scant supplies they could get from Ul'dah without raising suspicion had left some telltale chipping, uneven edges, and a silhouette if you knew what to look for.

The guards pantomimed to each other about what to do. One was silently saying they should kill her, while the other one was pleading to leave her alone. Their silent argument was becoming more heated, until they heard her speaking.

“Please...! Please help...!”

Their hands froze mid-conversation.

Was she talking to them or praying?

A large stone punched through the wall of the watch box, hitting the one guard in the face, rocking his head back and into the wall, where he slid to the floor.

“Witch, you're about to—!”

The remaining guard took up his rifle, wrenched open the door, and ran into a wall of armor and muscle. Muto picked him up by the face, slammed his head into the rock wall, then let him fall.

Twitchums was low the ground, wearing his own pair of custom goggles. Flecks of energy came off him, fresh from manipulating the earth. Miyu walked over and eagerly petted him. “Good boy...!” He eagerly twitched his tails, then sneezed, sending out sparks.

Within moments, the sandstorm was gone, revealing Enzo in the midst of it. He brought up the grimoire, blew off the remaining sand, then clapped it shut. “That's always a fun spell...!”

He opened a pouch, allowing Eos to fly out and perch on his shoulder. Muto, meanwhile, raised up the goggles and lowered his scarf, then looked to the body at his feet. “Muto hit harder than meant to....”

“They're bad guys,” Miyu said, doing her best to empty out all the sand that had collected in her robes. “It's okay.”

“Should Muto kill?”

“Yeah, go ahead,” said Enzo disinterestedly.

“No!” Miyu shot him a glare, then looked up to Muto. “Only kill if you have to.”

Enzo sighed, looking up. “You know they're gonna wake up eventually....”

“Yeah, but we don't have to be murderers! We're better than that!”

“And what would you suggest?”

Miyu thought a moment, then snapped her fingers. Not even a minute later, thanks to Twitchums manipulating the sand, the two unconscious guards were buried up to their necks in the sand, and thanks to a magic marker, each one bore three whisker marks on their cheeks.

“Perfect!”

“Happy?”

“Very.”

Miyu handed the marker back to Enzo, who put it back in his pocket. Enzo procured an egg from his pocket, did his best to dust off the sand, then bit into it. “So inside, there'll likely be a small leftover contingent of guards, but they're not on active duty, so we hit them hard...and after that'll just be the scientists. We should be able to deal with them.”

“'Deal' how?” asked Miyu, squinting at Enzo.

“Just trust me.”

“No killing.”

“Trust me.”

“Muto trust!” offered Muto.

“Muto trusts me,” repeated Enzo.

“Mmmmm....” Miyu stayed squinting for a long moment, pointed to her eyes, then pointed to Enzo.

“Oh, stop that,” he said, carelessly waving her away and stepping past. “I'm not a monster.”

“Muto is not monster either!” He seemed eager to share that bit of information. “Am beast. Is like monster, but with better manners.”

Going inside the wrecked watch box, Enzo found a keypad. He unrolled the communique, then tapped in the code.

“Anything complicated?” asked Miyu.

“Just an alphanumeric code,” shrugged Enzo. “It's literally 'G1234.'”

Hitting the final key, there was a heavy “ch-chunk” from the outside wall, a hiss, then the rock face slowly slid open, revealing the way inside. The interior was a mix of rock and metal with bright lights evenly spaced along the ceiling, with occasional signs marking the way to various areas.

“You take point, Muto,” instructed Enzo.

“Huh?”

“You stay in the front and protect us,” Miyu clarified.

“Okay!”

Muto unsheathed his axe, Miyu and Enzo opened their grimoires, and slowly they started down the hall. They froze as they heard approaching footsteps.

“Nar,” came a sleepy grumble, “I swear, if you're coming in to use the can again—”

She emerged from a side door, where her eyes met Muto's.

Muto smiled.

The lady pulled her head back just in time to avoid the axe swinging down. Se turned and started to run towards a security alcove. Muto grabbed a hand axe from his belt and lobbed it at the retreating woman's head. The axe whirled end over end, before it impacted into her head...with the handle. She stumbled, which was further exacerbated by rising stones. Twitchums was at Miyu's feet, hunched down, glowing, and growling.

The guard recovered just in time to see a charging Muto bearing down on her, and the last thing she saw was a fist the size of her head flying right at her face. She was knocked back into a rack where a number of cards were hung, knocking them all to the floor, then fell to the floor herself.

There was a door next to the rack. The large squad of guards within and the three adventurers saw each other.

“Uhh....” said everyone.

The guards grabbed their rifles and Muto slammed the metal door. He pressed himself hard against it, while feeling the guards behind it hammering on and slamming into the door.

“Muto cannot hold forever!” There was the sound of gunfire and divots appearing on the door. “Muto does not want to get shot!”

Enzo's eyes went to the pile of cards on the floor. “Help him with the door!” he ordered Miyu.

“Twitchums, go!” Her command sounded in the carbuncle's mind. Twitchums turned red, a chunk of the bare rock wall came loose, then flew forward to help pin the door in place.

Sifting through the keycards, Enzo found the one he was looking for, slotted it into a nearby console, and his fingers danced across the keys.

Deet. Click-ck.

“There. You two can stop.” He looked flatly to Miyu. “And without killing.”

“Thank you,” she chirped. Twitchums went from red to a light topaz, twitching his tails gleefully.

Enzo rolled his eyes, then began sifting through the pile of cards. “You know, trying not to kill anyone is going to make going through here that much harder. We're here to finish a mission, not make friends with literal villains.” He turned his mouth. “...and how many bloody duplicate cards are there?!”

“Muto wouldn't mind making friends....” He crouched near the unconscious lady. “Should Muto take her back?” He started contemplating if it would be easy to add a new friend to the loot they would be taking back.

“Don't,” Enzo said, distractedly, “she probably has diseases. There!” He was finding card after card with A, B, and D, but only then did he find C.

There was a lot of yelling behind the locked door. Muto looked to it, then pointed his thumb to it. “Should Muto open door and quiet them?”

Enzo groaned and started off. “Come on,” coaxed Miyu, gently taking his wrist and leading him on.

As they walked the halls, it was rather obvious the place was unfinished. Garlemald had sent what supplies they could, but when the supply route had been disrupted, those who were left there made due with what they could. The base had seemingly been integrated into a cave system, and many walls had been left exposed to the rock surfaces beneath. A surprising number of halls ended up going to dead ends.

It helped with navigation, as construction had prioritized lighting in areas where people worked or traveled. There were occasional maps posted, though most had been minorly vandalized, both because many of the places on there had never been built, the staff did get bored, and it wasn't like any Garlean officials were there to stop them.

“We're aiming to go...here.” Enzo pointed to a large circular room. “This's where their main project should be.”

“Wait, there's a project?” Miyu guffawed.

“Well, yeah.” Enzo raised an eyebrow. “What, you thought it was just a no-name lab we were going to loot? Take some cool science equipment, take the Garlean empire down a beg?”

“You didn't specify!”

“You didn't ask.” Miyu made a strangled noise of frustration, with her tail shooting up behind her in annoyance, while Enzo went on unabated. “It's a little bit of navigating, as you can see, but that shouldn't be too bad. Thanks to my friends—” He fanned out the key cards. “—it'll be a straight shot through. Here, though...we'll be passing by the main lab. We'll likely be dealing with quite a few scientists then.”

“Muto need to deal with?” He looked between Enzo and Miyu, unsure how he should define “deal with.”

“I've got this,” Enzo said coolly before confidently walking on. Miyu squinted judgmentally from behind him while Muto looked about wide-eyed. He'd never been in a secret base before!

Eventually, there was noise ahead. Enzo looked around the corner, then sighed in frustration. There were so many more down there than he had anticipated.

“The scientists?” asked Miyu.

“The scientists,” confirmed Enzo. Miyu crossed her arms in thought, followed by Muto doing the same, imitating her.

“It would be a bad idea if we were to go in with weapons swinging,” Enzo sighed. “They could trigger an alarm or could fight back. I'm sure there's plenty of Garlean fighting tactics in their heads....”

“Muto fight them all?” offered the Hrothgar. “Muto is best at fighting!”

“No,” Enzo and Miyu said at the same time.

They stood there together in silence, thinking on how best to proceed. As they did, Enzo noted Eos floating past his vision.

“Hmmm....”

Miyu was looking down at her feet and saw Twitchums staring up inquisitively at her.

“Hmmm....”

Muto looked between his companions, confused.

“Hmmm?”

It was an average day for the Garlean scientists. They had several crystals hooked up to various electrodes, screens with graphs, and nearly incalculable amounts of data pouring through their system. It was entirely normal. Almost boring.

“WHY IS THAT IN HERE?!”

And then there was a fairy riding a carbuncle through the lab.

Twitchums burst through the door, running as hard as he could, while Eos did her best to steer him. They specifically darted between and near people's legs, leaving a trail of chaos. Under chairs, over tables, through carefully calibrated equipment. One scientist went to bar their way, but Twitchums jumped on his face, then springboarded over a handful of others behind him.

Twitchums was having the time of his life.

Eos looked bored.

While the scientists had been going about their business in labs and walking in the halls, they were now clustering together, trying to capture this wild animal. People were crowding into the lab, aiming to block the doors or to help catch the carbuncle.

Eos piloted Twitchums for the door, and with a kick of her heels, urged him to ride as hard as he could.

“Ready?” someone asked. They had a labcoat spread out, ready to use as a makeshift net. Twitchums and Eos drew closer, and they weren't stopping.

“Now!”

There was a fierce roar behind them. They stumbled and turned back to see a Hrothgar towering over them, fangs bared, eyes fierce, and axe in hand. Twitchums jumped over the startled scientists onto Muto's shoulder. Looking to the crowd of people, he twitched his tails in satisfaction.

Deet.

The fire shutters slammed down across all windows and doors, trapping all the scientists within the lab.

Enzo shoved the keycard in his pocket, withdrew another hardboiled egg, then popped it entirely in his mouth. “Tha' wash ee-ee....”

“Twitchums, you were so good!” Miyu cooed, walking over to him perched atop Muto's shoulder. Eos took flight, dutifully resuming her place by Enzo's side. Twitchums hopped down from Muto's shoulder to Miyu's awaiting arms, then eagerly licked her face. Enzo, meanwhile, nodded to Eos and she nodded back.

After that, it was no problem continuing through the facility. Behind the fire shutters, the trio could hear the trapped scientists banging and shouting. Twitchums walked alongside Miyu with a proud step, satisfied with the chaos he had caused, while Eos hovered along stoically. Muto followed along, though occasionally stopping and pressing his ear against one of the shutters.

At one point, he pulled back his fist, about to bang back, but Miyu caught his arm and lead him on. “Leave them alone for now,” she gently goaded.

Cables and general wiring grew more and more condensed as they continued along the hall. Enzo's pace picked up as they grew closer.

“You never told us about what we're specifically trying to find....”

“It's condensed aether,” Enzo casually said. “Pooled and experimented on. Basically, a certain crystal. All I want from here is that, and literally everything else here can be yours.”

“Ohhhhh...!” Muto's eyes were wide. “Muto get secret base...!”

“Probably...not,” Miyu corrected. “Ul'dah is more than likely to come down hard on this place. This is in their jurisdiction and is a matter of national security, so they'll likely have their army take it over and conduct a thorough investigation.” She quirked a smile. “However, before they get here, there's nothing saying that if it's not nailed down, you can't take it...!”

“It's mostly rivets here anyways...” Enzo observed.

“Muto get so much stuff...!”

The hallway wound around, until they arrived at a heavy industrial door with a console to the side. Above the door in large, block letters was “INCUBATION CHAMBER.”

“In...in...innnnkoooo....”

“What...form is your aether?” Miyu asked hesitantly.

Enzo slid the D card through the console, his fingers danced across the keys, and the door hissed open, followed by two more doors.

The chamber within was enormous. It was a large concrete dome. The floor of the chamber was almost entirely sand, with raised platforms going around the perimeter and a walkway leading straight into the middle.

“There we are....” Enzo said, smiling to himself, confidently walking in and starting down the central walkway.

“Enzo, what's going on?” Miyu demanded.

“Just here for the aether is all.”

At the end of the walkway in the center of the chamber was something organic. As they drew closer, they found it was...a creature. It was short, fat, large, and fleshy. It was reminiscent of a large brown toad, in that it's head seemed to take up most of its body. In fact, the party wasn't sure where its arms and legs were. It had brown skin, four deformed horns that wound about in random directions, and large bulbous eyes that stared in different directions. It looked incredibly dumb.

“Hack!” it noised.

“What...is that?”

“Hack!”

“A massive repository of experimental aether,” Enzo said matter-of-factly. “Drawing upon the streams deep within the planet, they twisted and gave the energy form, and it's what you see here.”

“They created a creature?” Miyu leaned over, trying not to step on the sand.

“In a sense.”

“Hack!”

Twitchums leaned in and sniffed eagerly at the thing, nose to nose. One eye briefly looked to the carbuncle, then back to staring at nothing in particular.

“Wait....” Miyu squinted at him. “You want us to take this thing with us? It's huge! And, y'know, alive!”

“Oh, that won't be a problem.” Enzo motioned to the creature. “Muto, please kill it.”

“Okay!” Muto eagerly agreed.

“What?!” Miyu protested. “No, don't!”

“Okay!” Muto eagerly agreed.

Enzo sighed, then turned to Miyu. “I can tell you for a fact it's in pain. It's not sentient, it's not a person, it's a thing that would be best for everyone if we were to end it here.”

“How do you know—?”

“You'll do no such thing!” came a voice over the speaker system.

The three immediately readied their weapons and looked around.

“Up here...up here...!”

“Oh!” Muto eagerly pointed to an observation room high up with large windows. Inside was a tall Roegadyn lady in a lab coat speaking into a wall-mounted microphone. Muto happily waved to her.

“What you're doing here is wrong,” Enzo shouted at her.

“Who are you to decide what is right and wrong?” the lady snarled. “We gave PP0 life only technically speaking. It has no idea what it is, nor does it care. It knows nothing, feels nothing, except what we tell it to. Sentient thought is beyond us to create anyways...which works out well for you bleeding heart types, doesn't it.”

“PP0?” Miyu asked Enzo.

“Oh...wait, you don't even know what it is?!”

“Not...exactly,” Miyu responded.

“Well!” The scientist paused, then hit a few keys on the nearby console. The multiple doors at the entrance slammed shut. “In that case, I need to tell you! It's really exciting! We haven't had visitors in years, so this is actually pretty nice to get to see somebody new for once!”

Enzo glared flatly at the Roegadyn, then sighed to himself. He gestured for Miyu and Muto to come with him, then hopped off walkway to the sand and started towards a door at the opposite end of the room, presumably which led up to the Roegadyn.

“See, we were kinda stuck here, since Garlemald kinda got cut off from us, and we're all, 'What do we do?' But then we found that with our set-up, we could hypothetically infuse aether energy from our reactor into something! Wasn't tough at all! So at that point, it's like, 'What can't we do, y'know?' Well...I mean, not much, we're all stuck here, but then, then we get this super cool idea, right? And we sent out a secret communique back to the empire asking for this one thing, and we didn't think they were going to, but they did!”

They got to the walkway in front of the door, then Enzo swiped a cardkey through the console. He blinked when the display came up with the error “INCORRECT CLEARANCE.” Confused, he tried again. That was supposed to be the maximum clearance card.

“Things...okay?” Miyu asked.

Enzo just furrowed his brow and tried another card. INCORRECT CLEARANCE.

“I mean, it took awhile, but they delivered it, and we were super excited! A scale from Bahamut! Like, who'd have thought, right? But, I mean, doing genetic stuff with Bahamut isn't anything new, but now we get to!”

Miyu's eyes went wide. “Wait...Bahamut?!”

While Muto didn't entirely understand everything going on, he understood at least that. “Uh oh....”

INCORRECT CLEARANCE.

“So we have some cloning technology, which was kinda-sorta based off the Allagan process, and, c'mon, that stuff is ancient, and we only kinda-sorta understand it, but we were able to modify it and use the modified aether to infuse into Personal Project 0 – or PP0 – and that's where its nickname came from – and I know it's not the best acronym, but Garlemald isn't exactly here watching over our shoulders for the best naming conventions – but I guess he also has those giant peepers – but anyways—”

A small pile was forming at Enzo's feet. There were a few suspiciously large money pouches, three full-sized books, a collapsible staff, a surprising number of keys, a melon, three cartons of boiled eggs, a light back-up robe, a few squirming malboro hatchlings, several keycards, a unicolt figurine, a wind-up soldier, and a few flowers with attached tags labeled “Corpse.”

“WHERE'S THE BLOODY KEY?!” he snarled.

The guards continued banging on the door of their barracks, hollering for help, shouting threats, and making noises of utter frustration.

In front of the door was the pile of keycards. Towards the bottom was a key labeled “E.”

“—but anyways, it was nice to have visitors, but it's kiiiiiinda our policy that intruders aren't allowed to leave, or at least leave alive, and PP0 has never had proper combat testing, so this is probably where you're going to die. I'm sorry, but not really, but also am.”

She tapped a few keys and the entire room began to hum. Moments later, the sand began to bubble. Large amounts of air were getting pumped in beneath the sand, causing it to go from being a settled, solid mass to a liquid. Muto had been standing in the stand, quickly began sinking, then jumped up to the walkway.

His axe was immediately readied. “No worries!” he said with an eager swish of his tail. “Miyu and Enzo are safe! Muto protect you all!”

What they thought had been a whole creature ended up being only its head. It began to raise, attached to a long neck. Massive claws burst through the sand, struggling to raise up its large body in full. The tips of the wings were visible next, with one wing much smaller than the other. Thick cables emerged from the sand as well, plugged into the creature's arms and back. The dragon's proportions were all wrong, with some muscles incredibly large, while others were noticeably underdeveloped. Once it had climbed to the top and its body was fully visible, the sand stopped bubbling. The artificial dragon stood nearly as tall as the dome.

The three stood there wide-eyed, ears lowered, and with bushed tails jetting out from behind them. Twitchums had gone from growling and being a deep red to whimpering and turning white.

“Muto...maybe not able to protect...from that.”

Without the body moving, the head spun around on its neck to look down at the adventurers. Its body then slowly lumbered around to face them. Energy flowed through the cables and its bulbous eyes went red.

“Behold!” the scientist bellowed into her microphone. “PEEPO!!”

“HAAAAAAAHCK!!!” it roared, then blinked an eye.

“Mew...!” mewed Miyu.

“This could get messy, so if you'll excuse me.” A fire shutter slammed in front of the large window. A few cameras positioned around the room blinked to life. “Make sure to have good deaths. This is all getting recorded for our records! PEEPO, KILL!”

“MOVE!!”

Peepo's neck glowed before letting forth a jet of flame. The group scattered, feeling the white-hot heat on their backs. The wall where the flames had hit had partially melted the metal and crystallized the scattered sand.

“I can't believe we're about to get killed by something so stupid-looking!” Miyu yelled in aggravation.

“If you had just let Muto kill it, we wouldn't be here!” Enzo snapped.

“Whatever Muto did, Muto sorryyyyyy!” Muto wailed.

They were running across the sand for the exit door. The exit may have been blocked by several locked doors, but with Enzo's keycards, they could at least escape.

Muto gasped. “DOWN, NOW!!” He palmed the backs of Miyu and Enzo's heads, then fell forward, making them faceplant into the sand. Peepo's tail whooshed just over them, then impacted heavily into the wall. Enzo rubbed the sand out of his eyes, then his ears went limp. The console in the wall near the door had been destroyed.

“It's him or us right now,” Miyu sighed defeatedly. She looked back up to Peepo and whined to herself. She always hated fighting dragons. Twitchums pressed himself up against Miyu's side, both for comfort and seeking instruction.

“Muto choose us!”

Muto got to his feet, axe in hand, then charged Peepo.

“Muto, wait!” Miyu looked agog to the Hrothgar, then to Enzo. “Does he seriously think he can beat that thing?!”

“Maybe....” Enzo took in the room. “...but more importantly, he's keeping its attention off us.”

“HRAAAAAAA!!”

Muto rolled out of the way as Peepo went to smash down with its claws. Muto swung down, his axe biting in deeply in the back of Peepo's hand. In return, the artificial dragon's neck glowed again, then spewed down fire at Muto. The Hrothgar knew the creature had limited mobility when using its breath weapon and darted for Peepo's legs. The stream of fire followed him, until it started to cook Peepo's feet. Being right by the artifical dragon's backside, Muto swung back and took a couple hacks at Peepo's tail. In response, the dragon went to heavily sit down, aiming to crush Muto.

Sand was tossed up and hung in the air briefly. Silence had descended upon the cavern...until a fierce battle cry pierced the din and Peepo bucked. Muto had climbed several cables and was hacking at its back.

Enzo stood with Miyu, Twitchums, and Eos against the wall watching the fight ensue.

“Kinda impressive...” he mused.

“That's what you're thinking during all this?!” Miyu snapped.

Peepo flapped its mismatched wings desperately, trying to dislodge the attacker. It craned its neck to see and possibly bite Muto, but couldn't quite reach. It finally settled with launching itself back and slamming its back into the wall of the dome. The room shook violently, with dust falling from the ceiling.

“Muto!” Enzo called. “Are you alive still?”

Peepo did not seem in distress anymore, and was repositioning itself to try and get a better view of what happened to Muto.

“Enzo, Muto hurt!” the Hrothgar called. “Muto...really hurt!”

“Go.” Eos flew.

The Hrothgar was lying in the sand, with his leg badly damaged. His axe was just out of reach and he looked terrified. Peepo, meanwhile, was waiting for the dust and sand in the air to settle, trying to spy Muto.

Eos found Muto, then flew in front of his face.

“Mmm?”

Eos slapped Muto across the face. It was a tiny fairy, but she hit hard.

“Ow!” He rubbed his face. “Was mean!”

“Are you still hurt bad?” called Enzo.

“Huh?” He looked down. Any blood and damage to his leg was now gone. Eos had channeled her healing energy when she had made contact. “Ohhhh....”

“Keep fighting him!” Enzo called.

“Okay!”

“And don't die!” Miyu added.

“Okay!”

He grabbed his axe and rolled out of the way as another jet of flame scorched the sands.

“Its aethereal energy is too complex to hold steady on its own,” Enzo said, rubbing his chin. “So the cables—”

“Attack the cables?” Miyu interrupted.

“Go for the connection ports.”

As Muto and Peepo battled, they could see that when it had rammed itself against the wall, several ports had been damaged and cables had fallen away. They briefly spewed aethereal mist before the emergency shut-offs initiated. While the cables had been heavily insulated to keep in the aether, the ends were less so to allow for flexibility and movement.

“Get 'im, Twitchums!”

The carbuncle, while still scared, was bolstered by Miyu's command. It gave a fearsome squeak before launching itself forward. Sand began to gather in the air, hovering next to him, and coalescing into crude spears.

Muto was flung across the room and hit the wall hard enough to leave a crater in the concrete before falling to the sand. He lied there groaning, bones shattered, life leaving him.

Eos flew over and kicked him.

Healed, Muto grabbed up his axe and charged again at Peepo.

Twitchums drew upon Peepo. It was so, so much bigger than expected. Miyu's voice directing him in his mind steeled his courage and pushed him on. With the artificial dragon's attention on Muto, Twitchums had a clear shot along Peepo's arm. The sand spears launched forward. Several missed, impaling into Peepo's arm, but a few hit home. Cables came lose, briefly spewing aethereal mist, before stopping.

Peepo's head swiveled to look to Twitchums before a thrown hand axe hit it in the face.

“NO!” Muto scolded. “Fight Muto!”

“HAAAAAAAHCK!!”

“Stop! STOP!!” pleaded the voice over the speaker system. “You don't know what you're doing!”

“We're winning,” Enzo observed with a smirk.

“No, you don't understand!” The Roegadyn was in a panic. “This is years' worth of research and experimentation! You'll destroy everything! And if you—”

Muto was airborne and Peepo plunged its hand at him. The Hrothgar just barely missed it. The artificial dragon's sword-like claws thrusted deeply into the concrete dome. Unsure if it had grabbed him, Peepo squeezed, then yanked back, ripping out a huge boulder of concrete and wiring. The room's speakers went immediately silent, all camera lights dimmed, and the lights about the room began to flicker.

“Hit it faster!” Enzo instructed. “Burn it down!”

Twitchum heard Miyu's command in its mind, and gave a mighty squeak. Sandstone spears materialized and flew in violent waves at Peepo's back. The creature's attention was divided between what was happening behind it and the very loud and angry Hrothgar. Peepo's actions were also becoming more and more sluggish, as less aether was pumped into it.

A jet of flame followed Muto as he charged directly for Peepo. He was barely staying ahead of it.

“Muto also have flame!” Muto roared. “Flame is inside!”

Cable after cable was severed from Peepo's back.

“Flame is Muto!”

He jumped.

“Flame is friends!”

The final cable was severed.

“Flame is hotter than dragon's!”

His axe went straight into Peepo's chest. The artificial dragon stood there stunned and wobbling as the last of its aether had dissipated. Muto's axe was lodged deeply in Peepo and refused to come out. Muto took the opportunity to push his feet off the creature's chest, pivot off his axe handle, and launch himself upwards. He reared back his fist and uppercutted Peepo in the chin.

The artificial dragon dissipated into aethereal mist. A moment later, Muto's axe hit the sand, followed by Muto, landing in a crouch. He stood to his full height, thumped his chest, then gave a bestial roar of victory.

“MUTO!!” he announced. “WIN!!”

As the echo died down, Enzo muttered, “It was technically Twitchums who killed the thing....”

“Shhh,” Miyu whispered back. “Let him have this....”

Enzo's attention went to the aethereal mist. He squinted, waiting for it to start...and there it was. It all began to come together to form a crystal.

...and then the lights went out.

“Ehh?” Miyu looked around. “Twitchums! Light!”

The carbuncle's forehead gem lit up. It was in the middle of the room, looking around confusedly.

“Everyone okay?”

“Muto is fine!” announced Muto, somewhere in the darkness. “Muto and friends have great victory! Oh!! So many stars!! Muto and friends level up for sure!”

The dome lit up in red.

Enzo was crouched in the middle, holding a crystal. Miyu was against the back wall. Muto was on his hands and knees, looking in the sand for a trophy from the fight.

“That...can't be good,” muttered Enzo before shoving the crystal into his pocket. Miyu found herself wondering exactly how he had so much space in that pocket.

“AETHEREAL OVERLOAD,” came an announcement outside the room. “UNABLE TO CONTAIN. 200 SECONDS UNTIL MELTDOWN.”

Something that many of the base's workers had feared was that many basic safety features had never been implemented into the base's hasty construction. For example, there was the matter of being unable to access overrides for locked doors and fire shutters from within the affected rooms. Another big issue was that of the base's power. Since the aether was not being pumped into the PP0 project anymore, it was instead getting pumped in massive quantities back into the reactor. It couldn't handle it...and there was no way to either stop the flow of aether or shut down the reactor.

“Uhhhhhh....”

The exit doors made a noise, then despite being damaged, partially opened. It was big enough for all of them to get through, if barely. At least it had been built in the emergency systems that in the event of a catastrophic failure, everything would be automatically opened.

“GO GO GO GO!!” shrieked Enzo, making a mad dash for the exit.

All of them ran across the sand, kicking up clouds behind them. Enzo, Miyu, Eos, and Twitchums had no problem getting through the gap. Muto threw his axe through first, then went to squeeze past...and became stuck. He struggled, but barely budged. Instead of fear, he looked confused.

“Is Muto getting fat?”

Enzo had been running ahead, but stopped to run back. He and Miyu grabbed Muto's wrist, and pulling together, got him dislodged.

“120...119...118,” counted the speakers.

Down the halls they ran, with Miyu glaring at Enzo. “You have so much explaining to do,” she demanded.

“I didn't know this would happen!” Enzo insisted. “In case you haven't noticed, I'm also fleeing for my life!”

“You're paying us double!” Miyu snapped. “If I die, it'll be triple!”

“Oh!!” Muto had a revelation. “Loot!!”

“Please, Muto, now is not the time for—”

He skidded to a halt in front of a computer console.

“No, leave it alo—!”

He grabbed the sides, groaned, and pulled. Nothing happened...then with a terrible shriek of protest, the metal ripped from the wall. He held the console over his head and started running again. “Okay, Muto good!”

“70...69...68....”

Down the halls they ran. Emergency lights pointed the proper directions to the exit. They passed the labs, which were now empty, as the shutters had retracted and the scientists had escaped. A few tried to remain behind to rescue their data, but others had pulled them along, telling them their lives were worth more.

The halls wound round, until they could see daylight ahead, blocked partially by the last remnants of fleeing scientists. “There! There!” Miyu eagerly pointed forward. “We're gonna make it!”

“15...14...13....”

“It's them!!”

Some scientists stopped, considering trying to fight them off in revenge for ruining all their research. However, the prospect of remaining in an exploding base urged them to quickly leave.

Catching up with the scientists, the crowd fanned out into the Thanalan desert.

“4.”

People were running as hard as they could.

“3.”

They couldn't put enough space between themselves and the base.

“2.”

There was no shelter.

“1.”

Sand dunes were the best they could find.

“MELTDOWN COMMENCING.”

There were screams. Some dove for the ground and covered their heads. This would be huge.

...

And then nothing happened.

What was to be anxiety and fear for their lives turned into confusion, then frustration. There wasn't going to be an explosion. The countdown system had been implemented, but must have been faulty. There was no danger. And it was a bit too perfect for there to have been a countdown with a round number like 200 seconds. Everyone was safe.

And then all attention drew focused on the small party of adventurers in the middle of all of them. Muto was still holding the ripped-out computer console above his head. Then there came the noise of several rifles cocking.

Miyu nervously laughed, “Eh heh...!” then raised her hands.

Enzo, meanwhile, squinted at everyone. A dark expression came over his features.

Miyu elbowed him, then hissed, “Do you wanna die today? Put them up...!”

“No....”

“Muto's hands are up!” declared Muto cheerfully, still not putting down the console.

“Do you have any idea...” said a guard approaching them, gun pointed at them, “...what you have done?” His cheeks still had the drawn-on whiskers.

“To be fair,” Miyu squeaked, “we were kinda hired to? I-it was nothing personal?”

“Ready!”

Rifles were raised, safeties were removed.

SHOOM!!

A mushroom of fire erupted from the base, shooting debris and sand into the day sky, blocking out the sun. A visible shockwave went out, kicking up sand and knocking a number of people over. There was a climbing roar, which was then followed by an explosion of blue flame that erupted from the base's entrance.

Chaos had taken control of the crowd once again, before everyone had calmed once again.

“Wait...where—?”

“Buh-bye!” Muto was up on his chocobo, alongside the others on theirs. The console had been awkwardly shoved into the chocobo's pouch.

Enzo looked over the group and gave a smirk. Not saying another word, he put on his goggles, pulled the reins, and headed off into the desert.

“You can fake your own deaths here if you want!” Miyu said with a wave. “Start new lives!”

“Wait!!”

They didn't stop. The chocobos were running. Moments later, Enzo began the spell to again create a sandstorm. Their tracks would be covered and hopefully, they would never see anyone from the base ever again.

Silence descended over the base's staff.

“I forgot my Triple Triad deck in there...” lamented a guard.

Standing in Ul'dah at the airship station, they gathered around their pilfered crystal. The sky was darkening, as the sun was just disappearing behind the horizon.

“So in the end...it wasn't anything special,” lamented Enzo.

“It's just a normal fire crystal?!” groaned Miyu.

“Ehhhhh...yee-eahhhhhhh....”

“Anything special about it?” she demanded.

“I mean...it might have a bit more of aethereal concentration?” shrugged Enzo. He passed over his scope. “But if you look at the aethereal mapping on it, there's literally nothing out of the ordinary. You could find this in anything.”

“But you said—”

“I know what I said,” he grumbled in aggravation, “but despite them altering the aether they were pumping into...that thing...it ended up having absolutely no effect on the crystal it left behind.” He wiped his face frustratedly, then pushed the crystal away. “Honestly, you two can keep it and turn it into the grand company, have more 'proof' of this whole misadventure. Put it right beside that console Muto grabbed.”

“Thank you, Enzo,” Miyu said quietly. “But you really don't have to.”

“I'm going to,” he insisted, “and I'm going to pay you too. Just as agreed.” He rolled his eyes. “Though...that might take a bit. All my money was kinda left in the base....”

“Take whatever time you need, all right?” Miyu gave a consoling smile. “I'm sorry this all happened like it did, but we...made some kind of difference, right? And this should get us some advancement, at least! I mean, once we document it all. Right, Muto?”

They both looked up to the Hrothgar, who was standing with the biggest smile on his face.

“Why're you so happy?” asked Enzo.

“Muto go on adventure with bestest friends!” declared Muto, barely able to contain his glee. “Muto and friends fight bad guys! Muto and friends defeat dragon! Muto and friends—” He made an enthusiastic explosion noise. “—blow up secret base! Muto and friends real adventurers! Real heroes!”

Enzo, despite his disappointment, smiled. “Well...I'm glad you guys had such a great time. Sorry you missed out on your other mission.”

“Is okay!” Muto said with a bright smile. “Muto helped Au Ra! Muto help community! Oh!” He remembered something incredibly important. “Muto now can have egg!” The hard-boiled egg Enzo gave him hours ago had been sitting in his pocket the entire adventure...and was likely destroyed, but that didn't stop Muto's enthusiasm. He reached in, then looked confused. Grabbing a hold, he pulled out a wadded piece of paper.

While Enzo explained the job, Muto looked down at the two-star adventure. If they were doing something else, then it would be a waste to hold onto it. He saw a frustrated Au Ra wandering away from the building. It was the telltale sign of a poor adventure...and Muto had the solution. He wandered away, while Enzo continued his explanation.

“Are okay?” asked Muto.

“Ehhhh....” She shrugged. “My fifth week in a row with a zero-star.”

“What is rank?”

“I'm almost to my first level,” she shrugged, “which kinda is awful, because I was doing adventuring for years before. Just...it never got documented and there's such a backlog with level appeals.”

“Oh!” Muto held out the paper with the two-star adventure. “Muto have solution! Au Ra friend can have adventure! Is two-star!”

She blinked, taken aback. “Wait...really?”

“Uh huh!”

“You're sure?”

“Uh huh!”

“Because I know how hard it can be to get these kinds of missions if you're not leveled up...a-and if you don't want to, you really don't have to, it's okay! I mean, of course I want the mission, but it's fine if you'd rather not—”

“Muto!” called Miyu. “We're leaving!”

“Oh!! Coming!!” He absently shoved the mission in his pocket, then ran after the others, leaving a confused Au Ra behind.

“Umm....”

“Muto...have mission.”

“I'm sorry?” asked Miyu.

“Muto still have mission.”

“You what?”

“Muto still have two-star mission.”

“You what?”

“Muto not mean to!” He held out the paper, crumpled up, covered in smashed hard-boiled egg and eggshell shards. “Was accident!”

“That's—!”

“Muto screw up again?!” He looked absolutely terrified.

“No, no!” soothed Miyu. “It's okay! Just—”

“Where is the mission again?” asked Enzo.

“Ummmm!!” He opened the paper and did his best to read. “Um...um—”

“Gridania!” cut in Miyu.

“Do you have everything you need?”

“I think so?”

“Are you sure?”

“Um, yeah, sure! Wh—?”

He shoved the fire crystal towards Miyu, who took it confusedly. Enzo's grimoire was thrown open. He channeled his magic, then uttered the words, “Oovoo javer!”

Space folded around Miyu and Muto, and not even a moment later, Enzo was there on his own at the table.

They were only a little late. Not even twenty minutes later, the two adventurers were on the merchant's carriage with Muto blowing a melody into a bone flute, serenading his companions and the darkening sky. The mission was only beginning.

It was utterly still and dark. There wasn't a single noise in the house. It wasn't because it was abandoned, but because he chose for his footsteps to be silent.

A light source was approaching, illuminating the neighboring room. Instead of trying to hide from it, Enzo waited and crossed his arms confidently.

A young dark-skinned lady entered the room holding a lit lantern. She saw Enzo, then deeply frowned.

“Thanks for letting me know you're home...” grumbled Emory. “Where were you?”

“Oh, out,” Enzo shrugged. “Nothing big.”

Emory scowled at him. “I know that look. What did you do?” She sighed with frustration. “Who did you kill?”

He put up his hands, palms out. “Nobody this time!”

“Don't you lie to me! How many was it?”

“Seriously, Em, it's not actually not a lie!” He gave a wide grin. His teeth were pointier than they had been earlier. “You should tell your brother what a good boy he's been!”

“Oh, shove it...” she grumbled. “What did you do?”

“Wanna see something amazing?”

She just raised an eyebrow.

He reached into his pocket, where he had a small portal to the Void, and withdrew a crystal, then set it on the nearby table. It glowed a dull red and was lined with veins. Emory looked at it, and moments later, recoiled. The shadows cast behind her from the lantern twisted for a moment before resuming that of a normal lady.

“What did you do, Enzo?” she snapped. “What is this?!”

“Aether!” His grin widened. “Can't you tell?”

“You know exactly what I'm talking about!” she snarled.

“Oh, come on, Em!” He nudged the crystal, making it spin in place. “Just a little crystallized aether!”

He noted the shadows behind her were growing and darkening. Spiky protrusions were twisting and forming in the dark.

“Fine, fine,” he lamented. He flicked the crystal to spin it the opposite way. “So I have to say the people of this plane can be absolutely brilliant and incredibly stupid. They had no idea what they had. They were taking aether from the planet and corrupting it. Corrupted aether is nothing new, sure, but the way they were doing it was...certainly unique. They absolutely ruined it, depriving it of being aspected, while maintaining the energy and refusing to adapt to any other aspect. And then they channeled it through a remnant of Bahamut, who was able to amplify it so much more than I thought possible. Even with just one of his scales.”

“How'd you get it?”

“Ohhhh, you know....” His tail flicked playfully.

“Do not make me ask again.” Emory glared. “Or I will make you tell me.”

“My friends just helped me get into a Garlean base is all!”

“We don't have 'friends,'” she stated flatly.

“I like to think Miyu and Muto are.” He received a withering glare from Emory. “Oh, come on, I don't consider them as equals! They're just useful! Entertaining too.”

He picked up the crystal and turned it about, so that both he and Emory could get a better look at it.

“Anyways, I don't entirely understand everything those mortals did to the crystal, but long story short, they basically created something that is outside the six elements. And I'm not even talking about unaspected aether. I'm talking about technically a seventh element....” His smirk grew wider. “...which should provide for some interesting possibilities.”

“Do whatever you want with it,” grumbled Emory. “Just keep that thing away from me.”

“Oh, this thing?” He held it out just a hair more.

Emory glowered at him, then turned and left in a huff, leaving the room. It was pitch-black in the room once again...save for a glowing pair of red eyes.

Thanalan Desert.

“I have a suspicion...” murmured the gentleman to himself.

“What kind of suspicion?” asked an eager Miqo'te.

“I believe....” Hildibrand suddenly gave a wide sweep with his arm. “...that there was an explosion.”

The two of them were standing at the bottom of a crater, surrounded by debris.

“And where there are explosions, there are crimes.”

“What about Bahamut?”

A finger was thrust into the sky. “He is the greatest criminal of them all!”

Some of the debris moved. The finger was lowered and pointed to it.

“A clue!” both of them said together.

A hand eventually came forth from under the rubble, followed by a ragged sleeve.

“Nashu!”

“Yes, sir!”

“We must assist!”

They crouched next to the hand and pulled away concrete, stones, and all manner of debris. A Roegadyn lady in a torn white lab coat lied underneath.

“Who...?” she croaked. “What...?”

“My lady, you have stumbled into the authorities!”

“We have authority?” asked Nashu.

“Absolutely! All of Eorzea is ours to patrol and to bring justice to! And you, my lady!” He dramatically pointed down to the scientist.

She just stared blankly at him.

He knelt next to her, then reached for her hand. “...are most obviously the victim of a terrible, terrible crime. Pray, tell me...who did this to you?”

The Roegadyn looked at him blankly as her thoughts started to come together. What were the names the Hrothgar said?

“Muto,” she finally managed. “Muto, Miyu, and Enzo.”

Click!

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nigahamyeon · 3 years

Text

hearts awakened

i. a man's heart

Yisoo woke with the first rays at the break of dawn. Her eyes still closed, she could feel the beginning warmth of the sun on her face. Slowly, she raised her head, opening her eyes and blinking a few times. The window of her small room was facing east, and her bed was standing right in front of it, so she could feel the first sunbeams on her, everyday.

After a few moments of just looking outside, she raised her shoulders, sat up, and extended her front legs into a long stretch that she could feel through her entire body. Then she rolled onto her back, then onto her legs again and jumped out of bed.

Yisoo was a Gumiho, in Korean legends known as the nine-tailed fox, a kind of shifter. And she always slept as a fox. She could never really figure it out how to sleep in her human form, every position felt awkward, she never really knew what to do with her legs in relation to her torso – she had read about different sleeping positions, of course, but it all just felt so unnatural, and she was never able to relax. As a fox, however, sleeping was intuitive. Just curl up into a ball, tails around you, head on your hind legs. Easy. Sleep guaranteed.

It took a few moments until Yisoo fully transformed into her human form. Right after waking up she had difficulties getting her ears and tails to fully vanquish, especially since she felt herself weaken again. But she had already taken care of that, tonight she'd get stronger again. When her body turned into a slender figure of average height, she stretched out her human arms while standing on tiptoes.

First the fluff brush – she used it every morning to get rid of all her fur that she left behind on her bed when sleeping as a fox. Second, washing up, brushing the hair and styling it into a loose braid. Then clothes, and lastly, putting on make-up. Objectively, she wasn't in need of any kind of make-up as Yisoo was more beautiful than the common Korean girl, but she just loved the way a winged eyeliner made her slanted eyes look, and she could make her face look a little bit less fox-like.

She put on her necklace, a simple golden one with a blue-shimmering bead pendant, also known as yeowoo guseul – just that it didn't hold her powers and intelligence, like in the legends, but her very soul. It was the most important part of her, and if she was separated from it too long, she would die. Well, not instantly, but she’d get gradually weaker until she couldn’t keep up her human form anymore. And if someone were to destroy it… well, she didn’t actually know what would happen then. But she’d probably die as well.

By the time she was finished with her morning routine it was already half past 7, and she had barely time to eat something for breakfast.

“Good morning,” Jongho greeted her as she was rushing into the pathetic excuse of a kitchen that was part of the apartment. He had a cup of coffee in hand, handing it over to her to take a few sips.

“Thanks,” Yisoo mumbled and opened the fridge, just to see that it was almost empty. Not even the yoghurt that she had saved was there any more, one of her many roommates must've eaten it. She hated most of them. Except Jongho.

“I heard Outside Conformist are playing tonight at the Flask tonight, you wanna come?” he asked her, trying to lean casually against the counter.

“I can't, tonight is the night, you know? I already prepared everything,” Yisoo looked apologetically at him.

She really liked Jongho, even though he was a werewolf. Generally, Yisoo disliked all kinds of canines, even though she was, technically, also one. Never, in her whole life (and she had lived for a long, long time), had she had any good experiences with any kinds of wolves, dogs and the kind. But Jongho was different, maybe it was because he wasn't part of a pack (he used to be, but was shunned by them for a reason he never told her) or maybe because he was generally just different. Either way, Yisoo wasn't blind nor stupid, she had picked up on the fact that he showed signs of romantic interest in her. She could smell the pheromones he produced, and she could read the body language. It was more than obvious.

“Oh, I forgot,” he said, “does it have to be tonight, though? The hunters have been really active lately.”

“Yeah, they've been onto me for a while now,” Yisoo sighed, “but it has to be tonight. Can't throw away weeks of preparation, you know.”

“Yeah, I'm just worried is all,” he looked at the bottom of his cup.

“Let's go out tomorrow night, all right? Outside Conformist may not be playing, but we'll find something else to do,” she said and his face instantly lit up. With a look at the clock, she said her goodbyes and see you laters, took her coat and bag and made her way to the subway station.

It was a very usual morning, a lot of traffic and Yisoo made it just in time to catch the subway. It was crowded and it stank after sweat and kimchi. With her nose and ears being more sensitive than those of a human, she had always a hard time riding the subway, or the bus, or actually any kind of public transportation. But she did her best to live a life as ordinarily human as possible. Even enrolled into university and studied some random subject that she found vaguely interesting.

When she arrived at university, she still had enough time to get a cappuccino from the campus coffee shop and got into the lecture hall at the same time as her professor did. He smiled painfully obvious towards her, and she feigned a cheeky smile back at him. Some harmless flirting, but it'd make sure to help her grade a bit. Yisoo scanned the room for an empty seat, and sat somewhere in the middle next to a girl that she already knew. Kind of. They saw each other frequently and maybe they had talked, once or twice. She was a nice girl, very fun to be around and it seemed like she had a lot of friends. Yisoo sometimes imagined being friends with her, with a human. What it would be like, she wondered. During all her years, she had ever really been close to mythical creatures, like herself.

For lunch she went to a ramen shop near the university that was run by a Fae. Yisoo could only wonder why no one ever picked up on the fact that he was so painfully obviously not human. It was nothing she thought about too often, much rather she'd eat up her bowl of noodles and not think about anything.

After that, more university and then she'd go to her own part-time job – an employee at a gas station in a rather shady part of Seoul. She could've gotten a better job, at a better location that paid her better, but Yisoo chose this gas station for a reason. It was in a district that was rather problematic, a lot of humans, almost no otherworldly creatures. Many of the people that lived here were social outcasts, criminals of all sorts and really just the scum of society.

It was perfect.

She did meet a lot of drunks here, sex offenders and abusers. Yisoo was not afraid of them, there really was no human who could ever meet eye-to-eye with her when it came to fighting. But, as she still was a Gumiho, she had to consume a human heart every so often – and she stopped killing just about anyone, no. With the hunters being as active as they were, and Gumihos being classified as dangerous and therefore being actively hunted by them, she couldn't murder blatantly obvious. Also, she just didn't want to. Since she developed consciousness, Yisoo started to just look for her prey in men that she considered the scum of the earth. So, actually, she was doing the world a favour in eating their heart. And, of course, with these types of people it took a long time before someone found out they're missing and start looking for them. Win-win.

Her shift was over at 10pm and her date, or rather dinner, for the night was already waiting for her. He looked like he didn’t even really try, wearing the clothes he usually wore when he went to buy liquor late at night. One might’ve thought that he wanted to impress her in some way, but it didn’t look like it. For him, it was an easy way to get laid, since she planted the seeds for some daddy issues and other things that could make girls potentially go for pathetic older guys. They walked from the gas station to - what he thought - was in the direction of her apartment. In reality, though, Yisoo was luring him into the forest where no one would be at night to hear him scream.

They were walking at a rather slow pace, he was telling her about his time in the Korean army, she pretended to care and laughed from time to time. He didn’t even notice that they were walking past trees and trees and even more trees, slowly deviating from the path. It was pitch black, and he only realised it when Yisoo suddenly stopped. Manipulating men was just too fucking easy. And yet, even though she was extraordinarily careful in choosing her prey, she still felt bad for him. A little. He was talking to her, and Yisoo felt his pulse rising, his heart pumping faster and faster. Funny, she didn’t take him for someone who was scared so easily. Just a bit of darkness and a mysterious lady inside a forest were enough to trigger his flight instinct. A shame, really, Yisoo thought as she felt her hands slowly turn into claws and her animalistic instincts growing louder and louder. She did like it when they tried to fight her.

It was over before it even started. With the swift motion of her claws she pierced through his chest, an agonising cry of pain leaving his mouth but before he could finish it she ripped his ribcage open. The heart was still beating for a few moments, and Yisoo transformed fully into a nine-tailed fox before feasting on his heart. She knew of some Gumihos who actually ate the heart in their human forms, and she could never understand why. Human teeth weren’t made for chewing the strong muscle of a raw heart.

By the time she was finished it was probably around 10:45pm, she thought. Maybe she even got home in time for the new episode of one of the dramas she watched at the moment. And maybe was Jongho also home already, and they could watch it together. Still a fox she was digging a whole with her fore-paws. It was just faster that way. Plus, it was necessary, just because no one was looking for him didn’t mean that no one could find him. Leaving the corpse of a man out with just his heart missing? Not such a good idea. Yisoo grabbed him by the collar and dragged him into the hole, covering it up with the dirt and some leaves. Should do well enough.

That’s when she heard the snapping of a twig - followed by the sound of an arrow piercing through the sky. But it was too late - by the time she could react she already felt the sharp pain of the bolt in her thigh - it had gone right through. Yisoo yelped, bit the arrow head and pulled the whole thing out before running for her life. Her leg was throbbing, she felt the blood drooling out and the pain was so strong she could barely put her paw on the ground. As she was speeding through the forest and had almost reached the city, she felt the pain pass and her leg getting stronger again. Once she turned into a side street and hid behind a giant trash container, she quickly turned into her human shape again, hoping they wouldn’t recognise her this way and giving herself a bit more time. For a few moments, she just stood there, back pressed against the cold stone wall, and listened. Nothing.

The hunters were onto her. Never had it been this close before. How could this have happened, she had been so careful all this time. Yisoo felt her heart beating frantically in her chest. Her fingers were closing tightly around her yeowoo guseul - and she took the pendant and put it deep in her cheek pouch. Yisoo felt the cool surface against her teeth and mucous, and the magic of her very own soul pulsating in her mouth. For just a second she wondered what would happen if she would just… swallow it. It would still be with her - inside her gastrointestinal tract, to be precise. But she didn’t swallow it. Once again she listened closely but she couldn’t make out any sounds that might belong to the hunter. Cautiously, but as casually as possible, she started walking out of the side street and nearer and nearer towards the main road. Yisoo scanned every person that she saw and kept her ears on high alert for any alarming sounds. Her heart was still pounding in her chest.

She crossed the street and was now only one block away from the well lit main road. Two guys, all in black, were suddenly just a few feet away, right in front of her. Yisoo could smell blood, and a distinct smell that she never smelled before, but was told of. The smell of not one, but two hunters. It was a gamble. Would they know that she was the Gumiho that they were looking for? Or would they only be alarmed if she changed her behaviour now? One step, two steps. Her eyes followed the guy who was next to her. Time seemed to stand still for the moment that they were passing each other. Yisoo could feel her blood hammering inside of her. In the corner of her eye she saw him moving his arm inhumanly fast, and a sword appearing out of nowhere. Yisoo was faster and leaped away. Right into the arms of the second hunter, who was suddenly behind her, his fingers clawed into her shoulder.

Then she felt the sharp edge piercing through her flesh. And her heart. A deep grunt escaped her throat, her knees giving up under her, her body hitting the concrete ground. Even through the pain, she kept her jaw shut tightly. When he removed the sword, she grunted again. The blood was pooling out of her. And then it stopped.

“What. the. fuck.”

#ateez #ateez writing #ateez au #ree

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undignifiend · 4 years

Text

Idiots in a Tiny Kitchen

A scene I wrote forever ago about an ogre character inspired by the World of Darkness setting. Under the cut for the sake of the Dashboard.

+++++

Someone was in his apartment. Brock bit back the urge to growl, and focused on keeping his breath even. Let them think he was still asleep. Whoever it was, they were in the kitchen, opening cabinets and making no effort to keep quiet. Did they even know he was there? Granted, he probably just looked like an abnormally large pile of discarded sheets on the bare mattress in the corner of his tiny 'living room', but shouldn't a burglar be more thorough in scoping out an area before getting to business? Maybe it was an amateur? Carefully twisting out of the sheets, Brock slunk across the carpet, hiding under the kitchen bar. Every footstep and rustle of cloth seemed deafening to him - stealth wasn't his area of expertise, after all. But the intruder didn't seem to notice, obliviously waking the dead as they shuffled through pots, cans, and boxes of pasta. Brock entertained the idea of turning off his Mask. That would be fun. Stupid, but fun. He'd have to kill whoever saw him before rumors could spread, of course. Most humans didn't pay attention to urban legends and lunatics, but hunters did... Hiding the body, or rather the bones, would be a chore. In a pinch, human flesh was a treat, and money was tight enough to pinch pretty hard lately. Waste not, and all that... Serves 'em right for wandering into an ogre's lair. But he rolled his eyes as his more rational side spoke up. He'd already eaten two overconfident hunters since his return from Arcadia. If he ate this burglar, that would make three in three years. Not the best habit to form in a human-dominant territory. Someone would notice a pattern sooner or later. The Courts probably wouldn't care much, but it was something of a faux pas, and the Spring Court might hound him for it. Their whole point was to find ways to adjust to human life and to appreciate the finer things. It was a difficult philosophy to reconcile when one considered human flesh to be one of the finer things... Spring also put a lot of emphasis on aesthetics, and for Brock, that was dangerous. Like most ogres, Brock was a sucker for pretty people. But people were also delicious. He hoped this burglar wasn't attractive. That would be weird. He could just picture the unlucky individual partially tied to a chair while they both awkwardly shared a pot of coffee and sorted out this little mishap. Brock would be up all morning arguing with himself over whether to eat them or try to get their number. Decisions, decisions... Spring had a strong point, though. Most changelings he'd met were human once, including himself. This burglar wasn't doing him any real harm, and Brock was more sentimental than he cared to admit. He decided to let this one off with a warning. That's when he heard the telltale crinkle of a bag of chips, and the crinkling continued as the intruder began to rummage in earnest. They found his stash and most likely understood what it really was. His apartment was otherwise stark and unappealing to any enterprising thief. They knew what they found. Time for a big breakfast. Wisps of Brock's human visage peeled away in dark, airy tendrils and faded into nothing. His clothes, baggy even on his large frame, tightened to conform to his real size as he gained an extra couple feet in height. To anyone who could normally see through his Mask to what he really was, the change in size was all they'd notice. To anyone who couldn't, it was far more dramatic. Tendrils of illusion floated off him, revealing red hide and gold eyes; one in his left socket, and one in the center of his forehead. In his right socket was nothing but a shadow. A pair of horns flanked either side of the third eye, and rows of sharp white fangs peeked from behind his lips. Brock resisted the temptation to sigh and stretch. Taking the Mask off always felt like being freed from shackles, climbing out of a small box, and taking the first breath of fresh air he'd had in ages. He lunged into the kitchen, dominating what little space there was, and seized the intruder from behind, intending to crush the back of their neck in his jaws. But several things occurred to him at once, and he paused as he processed what he was seeing. This person was tiny. Granted, most people were tiny compared to him, but this one couldn't have been over four feet in height. They had been standing on the counter, and now their feet dangled in the air as his huge hands wrapped around their arms and torso. They were completely covered in clothes that were too big for them, save for a sparkling pink Hello Kitty jacket that seemed too tight. Their hood was up, and their sneakers were so comically massive it was a wonder they didn't slip off. Cold horror stabbed Brock in the gut. Was this a kid? Had he almost killed a kid? It was kind of awful, the look of his monstrous, claw-tipped hands juxtaposed with the innocent jacket. Brock never suffered any anxiety or shame over being an ogre, but realizing what he almost did made him queasy. "Close your eyes. Don't move unless I tell you to," Brock warned, his tone authoritative, belying the panic he felt. His Mask took hours to recharge, and now that he turned it off, how was he going to get the kid out of his apartment without being seen for what he really was? Someone might even try to check on him if the kid screamed at the sight of his face. "Ah, shove it," replied a nasally voice. A goblin glared at him from under the little pink hood, his gigantic ears folded within it, and his bushy mustache quivering with nervous outrage. "This is yer own damn fault," he scolded, waving a bag of chips as much as he could with one of his restrained arms. "Hoardin' like this. It's cheatin'." Brock dropped Cornchips the Whiner and staggered back, sagging against the fridge with a mix of irritation and profound relief. "Dammit, Chips! One of these days, I'm gonna eat you! You keep pulling stunts like this, and I can't guarantee it won't be an accident." The goblin dusted himself off and pushed back the hood, his gigantic, pointed ears regaining their natural shape once they had room. "Great. Perfect!" He folded his arms and eyed Brock reproachfully. "On top a' everythin' else, my big, dumbass chump partner tries t' kill me. I should've expected it. Everythin' looks breakable or edible t' yeh ogre types. I coulda kicked yeh awake, but I decided to be thoughtful and let yeh sleep while I cleaned up yer mess! And here's the thanks I get! Now what's the meanin' a' this?" He pointed a little claw up at the cabinet full of chip bags. Brock rolled his eyes. "Kinda hard to get a hold of you in an emergency, Chips. Sometimes that vending machine ritual takes too damn long. So I figure, why not have it prepped? All I gotta do now is this..." Brock snatched the bag of chips out of the goblin's hand, recited the sacred phrase "Shut up and help me, sir," and popped the bag open. Cornchips vanished with a fart, leaving nothing, and in the next instant, furious grumbling could be heard from inside the bag. "Speed-dial summoning," Brock explained smugly, looking into the bag. "Genius, eh?" "Yeh can't do that, yeh butt-wart!" Cornchips jumped out of the bag, defying physics by not ripping it open despite his size, and landing lightly on his huge feet. "That spell's not a damn toy! Every time you delay it, I get this itch! And you got bleedin' near seventeen a' them spells in that cabinet ready to go at any second! Everyone thinks I have fleas now! Yeh can't get a date when yeh got fleas! No one understands how hard my life is!" Brock's claw-tipped hands were too big, so he held the bag up and shook a few chips into his mouth, crunching on them as he listened. "So it didn't work out with that spider-girl, huh?" Cornchips groaned. "Esther's good wit' her hands, up until she slaps yeh. Wit' all of 'em. I never did anythin' to deserve it. She thought I was chattin' up some pixie, but I swear I was jus' askin' for directions." Brock grimaced. "You can't patronize me, either. It's your job to know your way around." "An' it's your job to make my job easier!" Cornchips pointed at the cabinet he couldn't reach. "Now get rid a' them things before I burn the place down, an' listen up! I didn' jus' come here t' set yeh straight. Yeh got a big job ahead. Orders from Naomi herself." The silence that followed weighed on Brock. He was grateful he didn't do something embarrassing like choke, but he still had trouble deciding how to take this news. "Herself? She didn't send no one?" "Did I stucking futter?" Cornchips demanded, fists on his hips. "Yeah! I'm important enough t' talk to!" Brock frowned. "What does she want us to do? Steal the Queen's purse?" "Naw..." How Cornchips managed to look so smug with that mustache, Brock could only guess. "Babysittin', more like." When he didn't elaborate, Brock's chest rumbled in an uncomfortable growl. "Out with it." "Let me savor this. I like watchin' yeh suffer." Brock dropped the bag and grabbed Chips by the front of his pink jacket, pulling him face to murderous face. "Okay, okay!" the goblin flailed. "Naomi rescued another one from Arcadia, alright? She can't trust the Courts wit' this - she's got too many enemies, even there. You gotta play mentor and bodyguard for this kid - jus' fer a while." "What makes her think they'll be safe with me?" Brock asked, gesturing with his free hand to the whole apartment. "You broke in without me noticing." "I'm the only other one who knows about this," Cornchips swore. "An' yer a lowly grunt, Brock. No one'll think t' connect you with someone as important as Naomi's own kid." Brock released Cornchips with nerveless fingers as a new, uncomfortable facet of the Universe fell into place in his mind. Landing on his feet seemed to help Cornchips recollect his composure, and his posture exuded a kind of sadistic delight. "Don't worry, buddy," the goblin grinned. "Naomi's one a' Winter's top assassins, after all. If yeh fuck this up, yeh won't have t' regret it fer long."

#ogre #goblin #changeling #smuggling partners irritating each other in the wee hours of the morning #modern setting #summoning rituals involving vending machines #Cornchips and his stupid disguises #Brock sweating over whether he's more hungry or lonely #defective Mask #mentions of eating people

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raybyanothername · 5 years

Text

Diego the Dragon Says Hey - Batfam + JayDick

Jason wakes up with a dragon, Dick finds out his lover is alive, and Damian is grumpy. So really, nothing new.

Written for the JayDick Summer Exchange 2019 for Gaygent37 over on Ao3.

Prompt: Something fairytale-esque. Can be royalty AU, dragons, magic, evil witch, a fairy tale rewrite, anything that meets your fancy in that sense.

(Would love to have some major Damian sass, especially if commenting on Dick/Jason's relationship, but don't feel pressured.)

-.-.-

There’s a dragon skull sitting beside him when he wakes up. Jason blinks at it a few times as he raises his head from the dirt. The pounding behind his eyes intensifies the further he pulls from the ground until eventually, when he’s sitting straight up, his vision is invaded by splitting light and dancing fire.

The dragon skull is still there when his vision clears.

“I’m gonna call you Diego.” The skull does not respond as Jason pushes himself onto his feet. He glances around the cave he’s in. Save Diego, there’s nothing much – some dirt, some sand, a lake of green water that he definitely doesn’t want to drink from. “So…you wouldn’t happen to know where we are, would you?” Diego does not grace him with an answer. “Alright, then, be that way.”

Jason does a quick inventory. It’s quick mostly because all of his stuff is missing. His sword, his armor, most of his clothes. He decides to be grateful for his pants and then investigate the immediate area.

Diego, he discovers, was once a very large dragon. His largest fang was nearly as tall as Jason. Given the lack of sticks and stones and swords in the cave, Jason makes the very sound decision to pull out one of the dragon’s smaller teeth to use as a potential weapon. Diego does not agree with this reasoning.

“Give. Me. The Tooth!” Jason pulls hard, feet firmly planted on the dragon’s upper jaw as he pulls downward on the sharp tooth. “Damn it Diego, I need it more than you do!” Jason growls before his grip gives out and he falls onto the ground outside the dragon’s mouth. He huffs. A sudden clatter alerts him just before a tooth slams into the ground beside him.

It’s the one next to the one he’d been pulling on.

“You’re kind of a dick,” Jason tells the dragon as he stands up to inspect his new weapon. It’s long enough to be a longsword and wide enough to be a broadsword. Given the lack of a hilt, Jason thinks it will make a great club. “Thanks, Diego.”

The dragon remains stoic as Jason departs to find a way out of the cave, but Jason knows he’ll be missed!

-.-.-

Dick wakes before the sun in a cold sweat that tells him the day is going to be absolutely wretched. His dark hair sticks to his forehead in immediate rebellion. He refuses to take that lying down so he gets up. He pulls on a light shirt and laces up his boots to go down to the training yard. It is, blessedly, empty.

“Take that, nightmares,” Dick murmurs to himself as he begins running through a few drills to warm up. The day is going to be a good one, whether it likes it or not! Dick moves through the air like a bird, sword swinging with grace as he slashes at imaginary enemies.

So enthralled in his practice is he that Dick doesn’t notice when someone else joins him on the field. His blade stops just before Tim’s chest as he slashes across. Tim doesn’t flinch, or even blink, at the unsharpened blade. Blue eyes stare directly into Dick’s own, “The Oracle sent me a message.”

Dick is breathing heavily – more so from nearly injuring Gotham’s best wizard than from his actual exertions. He takes a steading breath as he straightens, “What does she say?” Tim’s lips quirk up and Dick instinctively steps back. Tim might be smaller and shorter than Dick, but he is decidedly more deadly.

“Jason is alive.”

The dulled sword in Dick’s hand drops to the ground with a clatter.

-.-.-

Damian has absolutely no idea what’s going on. Absolutely none.

“Do you have any questions, your majesty?” Stephanie asks as she walks two steps behind her young king. He’s walked through most of the castle at this point and will likely soon venture into Gotham itself.

“No,” Damian states the word confidently, nose in the air and arms crossed. Stephanie smiles, but continues following her charge as he searches – fruitlessly – for his regent. Not that Damian had told Stephanie what he’s doing, but his ‘review of castle infrastructure’ had started in the castle’s training yard and then Dick’s private chambers.

Sometimes, kings were just oblivious. Thirteen-year-old kings especially.

It said a lot that the last place Damian went was the throne room. It says even more when he growls at the throne. “Where is he?!” Damian spins around to face Stephanie, eyes narrowed to slits and lips pushed out in what was probably the cutest pout Steph had ever seen on his face.

“Who?” Stephanie purses her lips to keep from laughing, or cooing, at Damian. She fails immediately when he stomps his foot. “Ser Richard left this morning, if that’s who you’re looking for. Lord Drake went with him.” Damian immediately flushes.

“No!” Damian’s eyes shift left. Stephanie follows his gaze towards the small council’s room. “Shouldn’t I have been informed of something like that though?”

Stephanie shrugs, “Probably.” No one ever really bothered to tell Damian much of anything around here – he was young and still fairly new to Gotham after all. “But Dick was in a hurry, so he probably forgot.”

“Why was he in a hurry?” Damian took the three steps up the dais to sit in the throne. He shifts on the cold stone, fingers fidgeting on and off the arm rests. Stephanie watches him. His brow is scrunched up and he bites at his lips each time he moves.

She debates her answer for half a moment, “They went to get Jason.”

“Jason?” Damian’s head shoots up and now his eyes are wide. Stephanie takes a moment to appreciate the slack-jawed look on Damian’s face. He shakes it off quickly, “I thought my father’s squire perished in the flames?”

“That’s what we all thought,” Stephanie sighs. Her smile tightens, “The Oracle says he’s not though.” Damian’s brow furrows again and he worries his lip between his teeth. “Is something wrong, your majesty?”

Damian pushes off from the throne and takes quick steps down. He doesn’t even come up to Stephanie’s shoulders when he stops at her toes to look up at her face, “Where did they go to retrieve him?” Stephanie blinks at the intensity of his gaze.

“The Cave of the Demon.”

-.-.-

Jason finds the mouth of the cave and immediately swears. The only thing outside of the cave is more dirt. No trees. No roads. No town. Nothing. Not even a mountain! He wracks his brain for something (anything!) that might tell him where he is. Bruce made him study every damn map he could – it’s only fair that such useless studying become useful in his hour of need.

He’s cycling through a few possibilities when he returns to Diego, “Hey, buddy. Anything interesting happen while I was gone?” The dragon gives him the cold shoulder. Jason freezes as a legend on one of Bruce’s maps hits him right in the face. He glares up at Diego, “You couldn’t have told we were in the Cave of the Demon earlier?”

Diego kept his mouth firmly open. Just like the dragon skull on Bruce’s map that indicated this cave. Jason eyed the green lake a little more anxiously now.

“Was I dead?” Jason look up at Diego, tried to imagine what his own body would look like as a skeleton. He plopped down beside the dragon, leaning back against his lower jaw. Jason tried to recall where he was last before he got here, but came up only with a splitting headache and image of fire. “I think I can rule out hell, but that’s all I got.”

The bones of Diego pressed firmly into his back felt kind of comforting, not that Jason would admit to needing such comfort. A flash of blue cut through his headache and an image bubbled up. A tourney. A man with a blue cape riding on a black mare, a wooden jousting lance in his hand. Eyes that sparkled like sapphires visible beneath the helm.

“You think anyone is looking for me, Diego?”

-.-.-

Dick follows behind Cassandra by several yards. Her horse was just as quiet as she was and the two made for an excellent scout. They’d already run into the three hosts of bandits and Dick was getting sort of impatient at this point. “How much longer?”

“The Cave of the Demon is on the edge of Gotham’s territory,” Tim huffs out beside him as he readjusts himself on his saddle. “You didn’t expect us to get there in a day, did you?”

Dick didn’t look at the wizard – his red robes were already tattered on the bottom from their ridding and given the way he was fidgeting Dick was sure the man had a nasty case of saddle sores in his immediate future. He shouldn’t complain, but…

“We’re not far from the cave,” Tim sighs. Dick perks up and Tim rolls his eyes. As if the gods themselves are trying to suck up to Dick, Cassandra signals for them to ride closer. They reach her just as she dismounts before the only outcropping for miles.

“So…” Dick looks at the mouth of the cave and then around at the terrain. Desert and deserted, “Not what I expected.” Tim shoves him into the cave with all the patience of a honey badger as Cassandra waves them in.

-.-.-

“Jason!”

The voice wakes him from a dead sleep and Jason immediately swings out with his dragon tooth. A yelp and some dust in his mouth tell him the person was not expecting that.

“That was mean, Jay.”

Jason’s eyes blink open and he comes face to face with the sapphire eyes from his memories. His face flushes as his eyes flick down to the man’s lips – which are currently puckered out in a pout that is doing absolutely nothing for Jason’s concentration.

“Do you recognize us?” Another voice and another face. Jason squints at it, feels a desire to shove the man bubble up in his chest.

Jason shrugs, “Recognize, yes.” Jason squints harder at the second man. He’s lanky, wearing loose-fitting robes, and carrying the dullest expression, “Have you drank any coffee today, Timmy?” Tim’s eyes widen and his lips quirk up.

When he turns to face the first man again, everything else floods in.

“Miss me, Dick?” Jason smirks.

Dick responds by pulling him close with one hand and threading the other into Jason’s tussled locks. Dick’s lips slot over his like a puzzle piece and Jason’s hands dig into the fabric of Dick’s cape until Tim, very loudly, clears his throat.

Jason shoves his shoulder, “Don’t be rude, Timmy, we’re busy.” Dick chuckles into the side of Jason’s head. He’s wrapped himself completely around the taller, and broader, man. Jason’s body relaxes into the hold. “So…where’s Bruce?”

Both Tim and Dick immediately tense. Jason raises a brow.

-.-.-

Damian settles himself atop the gate just as he has the last three mornings. Guards walk behind him as they move from tower to tower and Stephanie sits beside him between two merlons in an embrasure. It’s not comfortable, but Stephanie has left her plate armor behind today so it’s not as bad as it was the day before.

“Are we just going to sit up here every day until they get back?” Stephanie whines, head lulling to the side as she looks at him. Damian stiffens, but nods. “You do realize you’re the king? Don’t you have…kingly duties or something?”

“Kate’s handling everything,” Damian grunts and turns his head to stare out at the horizon. “I will continue my lessons when Dick returns.” Stephanie rolls her eyes.

The small council would probably be more receptive to Damian after this, she figures. Kate Kane is, by far, the most ruthless of the Waynes by even the most generous of scales. Stephanie straightens her back and scans the area – the guards are rotating as they should, merchants are filtering through the gate.

“It’s only a day and a half to the cave,” Damian says after a long silence. Stephanie looks at him, but he’s still staring at the horizon. She reaches out, pats his arm. He glances in her direction.

“I’ve spent years training with Cassandra, and I’ve seen Dick in action, Tim too.” She smiles at him and Damian looks down at his lap. “They’re perfectly fine out there, Dami.” His head pops back up at the use of Dick’s nickname for him.

Damian opens his mouth, ready to shout his bodyguard into propriety, but no sound comes out. His had snaps to the horizon as a flicker of movement catches his eyes.

“Told ya.” Stephanie hums as she scoots off the embrasure and stands in the center of the wall’s walk. She holds out a hand to Damian. He takes it with a scowl. She pulls him along as she moves down into the courtyard.

Rather than rush to the gate, Damian makes a move toward the castle (and the throne room). Stephanie’s hold on his hand tightens and the two are standing dead center in the courtyard when Dick rides in with Cass, Tim, and a man with scraggly hair.

“Why did you bring home a beggar?” Damian isn’t looking at Dick when he asks, but at Jason. Jason glances down at the make-shift clothes they’d cobbled together for him.

Dick’s mouth is already open to reprimand Damian when Jason starts laughing, “That’s not bad, kid, but I know a dragon named Diego that could do better without saying a word.” Jason watches the boy’s eye twitch and nods at Dick, “So this is Bruce’s kid?”

“Unfortunately,” Tim grunts as he drops from his horse. Damian growls at the wizard as he passes him. He gives Stephanie a quick wave and then disappears to report to the Oracle.

“Be nice, Dami,” Dick sighs as he dismounts his mare. Damian’s face is set in a series of lines as he looks at them. When he moves to hug the boy he backs away from him. Stephanie holds his shoulders and Dick looks up at her. She tilts her head expectantly and nods down at Damian. “Wha-?”

Jason cackles from beside him, “I think she’s trying to say you worried the kid and should apologize.” Dick furrows his brow when Stephanie nods. Damian scoffs.

“I wasn’t worried,” Damian’s chin rises in the air as he looks at Jason’s neck – spotted with circular bruises. “Obviously he spent more time canoodling than fighting.” Dick flushes red. Damian’s eyes land on the weapon that Jason is holding in his hand. His eye twitches again. “You took a dragon’s tooth?”

“Diego was already dead when he gave this to me,” Jason leans over to smirk directly into Damian’s face. He eyes the small king carefully – pinpoints every emotion hiding in Damian’s expression, “Jealous?”

Damian sniffs, looks away, “Of someone like you? Never.” Behind him, Stephanie rolls her eyes again. Dick glances back and forth between Damian and Jason as they take verbal swipes at each other. His eyes widen in growing panic.

“No!” Dick steps between the two and he holds a finger up to both their faces. “Bickering is not bonding.” Damian and Jason both snort. “I want you two to get along!”

“I am not bonding with one of your bedfellows!” Damian’s nose scrunches up as he turns away. Stephanie is kind of impressed he didn’t stomp his foot this time. “I have far more pressing responsibilities!”

Jason’s brow rises up as Damian stalks back into the castle. His green cape flutters out behind him quite spectacularly. Stephanie swipes at the material as she follows two steps behind.

“You really should have told Dami you were leaving before you went, Dick,” Stephanie calls over her shoulder. A quick glance, a wink, and Dick’s mouth falls open as she laughs at him.

“So…” Jason crosses his arms as he comes up beside Dick, “How many ‘bedfellows’ do you have exactly?” Inside the castle walls, Damian quirks a smile when he hears Dick’s sputtering.

#2019 jaydick exchange #jaydick exchange #jaydick summer exchange 2019 #jaydicksummerexchange #ray writes #prompt ray #batman au #batfamily #batfam #jaydick #jason todd #dick grayson #tim drake #damian wayne #stephanie brown

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jmeddows2 · 5 years

Text

Purple Thunder (Roger Taylor Series) - Part 2

(present/old) Roger Taylor x Reader

Notes:** Sorry for grammar mistakes/ weird sentence structures. English is not my first language but anyways, I gave it a go. Enjoy and feel free to submit requests, feedback etc.

There are going to be some inaccuracies regarding song lyrics throughout the series.

This is what I imagined Reader to wear:

Part 2: You woke up the next day to an empty bed, because Josh had already gone to a band meeting for his upcoming tour. You made your way into the kitchen to find a note on the counter: *Morning babe, I’m at the studio, coffee should still be hot. Have fun today, miss you already, I love you*

With a smile on your face, you pour the coffee into your own merchandise mug and grab your phone.

*5 unread messages*

*From: Ruf - Darkness*

“you’re meeting up with my dad today??? :O why didn’t you tell me? ☹ x ” – 7.03 am “oh sorry, good morning, (Y/N) :D x” – 7.04 am “congrats on the Grammy by the way, I want to be you when I grow up 😉 x” – 7.10 am “my dad told me to take you home to his home studio in Surrey, if that’s ok x” – 7.20 am “I’ll pick you up at 11 x” – 7.24 am

You first met Rufus when your band was a support group for his band ‘The Darkness’, during that time you also had a short fling with his lead singer. Honestly though, it was all about the parties, coke and booze. On one of those drunken nights you ‘accidently’ expressed your love for Queen and especially Roger, to Rufus. He was so shitfaced that he probably forgot every word you said anyways.

You were a little disappointed, that Roger didn’t text or call you himself, since you exchanged numbers the night before. Taking a quick glance at the clock you nearly dropped your mug. 10.33 am. ‘Fuck, how am I supposed to get ready within the next 27 minutes?’, you thought to yourself. You took a quick shower, brushed your teeth, put on a white lace bralette, some light – blue ripped jeans and a fluffy, short coat. A little exposing, but that was your trademark after all and you couldn’t just show up to Roger fucking Taylor’s house wearing joggers and an old, washed out shirt, right? While applying your eyeliner you received a message on your phone:

*From: Ruf – Darkness* “I’m outside x”

You took one last glance in the mirror, locked the door and made your way outside. There was Rufus, leaning against a red Ferrari 308 GTB. Once he spotted you, a smile appeared on his face and he greeted you with a big hug: “Ahhh, (Y/N)! Long time no see, how have you been?” “Pretty good, how else would a Grammy winner feel?”, you replied. “Congratulations, majesty. I meant what I said by the way, I want to be you when I grow up”, you chuckled at his comment. “Ruf, you’re older than me. Nice car you got there!” He opened the door for you, closed it, got in on the driver’s side and the car journey began. “My dad actually gifted it to me, he bought it in 1983, but this bad boy is still in the best shape. You look very pretty today! Who’d you dress up for, though? We’re just going to see my dad and you’re going to be locked up in a studio”, he chuckled. His words made you blush, but thankfully he didn’t notice. “Thank you. But what do you mean, Ruf? I always wear this kind of stuff. How long is the drive anyway?” “About 35 minutes, I lived in Surrey my whole life. My sisters lived with my mum though. The only people that still live in the Surrey home are my dad and his wife.”, he explained. Right. You totally forgot that Roger was a married man. “I see, some embarrassing childhood pictures I could browse for then?!”, you tried to cheer yourself up. “Don’t even try, love”, he chuckled.

The drive went by quickly and you found yourself in front of the biggest house you’d ever seen. And you’d seen plenty of them. It was majestic, close to a castle, with lots of greenery. Hell, the garden was at least ten times as big as your apartment in the city of London, which was far from small itself.

“T- that’s where you grew up?”, you stuttered. “Yeah my dad owns a few houses. One’s in Ibiza, one in Switzerland, a mansion in LA, there’s also the apartment in Kensington. I used to live in Kensington one with my girlfriend, but we decided to get our own place in Soho”, he laughed. “So nice to hear, how’s Jessica by the way?” you asked as you both walk towards the front door. “She’s good, very good. But it’s so hard to have such hectic lives, my touring and her modelling job. Who am I to tell you about these kinds of things? You know exactly what I’m talking about. Greet Josh from me, by the way.”, he answered. Hearing those words, your mind drifted to your boyfriend, Josh, and you wondered what he was on about in this moment. Your thoughts were cut off as the door swung open. “Hi, there you are, kids.” Kids. Ouch. “Nice to see you again Mr. Taylor!”, you stretched out your hand. “C’mere”, he took you by surprise and pulled you into a big hug. When he released you from the probably best hug you’d ever received, a slight pink shade started to form on your cheeks. Thankfully the two didn’t notice, because he turned to Rufus and greeted him just the same way. Rogers expensive cologne still lingered on your chest from the hug and you swore it was your favorite smell already. “You two must be hungry, I prepared some ‘pigs in blankets’ for lunch. I know it’s not much, but Sarina’s not here and I suck at cooking.”, Roger stated proudly. “Sorry pap’s, I can’t stay over, I promised my girl Jessica to accompany her to a photoshoot. (Y/N)? I’ll pick you up at 8 to go back home?”, Rufus asked you. “Don’t bother, Rufus, enjoy your time with Jess.”, Roger said, as he turned to you “I can give you a ride home, (Y/N). I figured to stay in Kensington for the upcoming weeks, since my wife is gone to shoot a new movie. So if you don’t mind…” “I’d appreciate that, thank you, Mr. Taylor”, you smiled kindly. “It’s Roger for you, don’t make me even older than I already than”, he said with a sad smile, never leaving your eyes. “You’re not that old”, you decided to cheer him up. “She’s right”, Rufus chimed in. “..you still got it….. for an old man”, he laughed. Roger took it with humor and was quick to tell him: “Don’t you have somewhere to be, son?” A quick goodbye was exchanged, with the two of you left in the kitchen.

“Let me give you a quick house tour before we get to work, darling?”, his words sent shivers down your spine. With each room, your eyes grew bigger and bigger, it must have cost a fortune, made you speechless and Roger noticed your excitement, which made him kind of proud of himself. The mansion included seven bedrooms, a huge swimming pool, a Jacuzzi, several game rooms, stables and a tennis court outside. “Wow”, was the only thing you were able to mouth while you two stood in front of the lake, right beside his house. “You know, I always used to come down here, when things get too crazy. I’ve written so many songs here. It’s inspirational, peaceful.” “I can see exactly what you mean”, you agreed with him. “When things got too crazy for me, I never really had somewhere to go, you know? To blow some steam off. That’s why I literally exploded”, you sad with a sad smile. “Sorry to bore you with that.” “No, no, I know what it’s like, love. The constant pressure, people being complete wankers and judging your every move, I’ve been there before, don’t worry about that”, he gave you sympathetic smile. “…except that there isn’t a Grammy stood on my trophy wall”, he continued. You two started to laugh when a serious expression started to form on his face: “Seriously though, don’t let these wankers get to you. You’re a talented, pretty, young girl. If you should ever need some advice, help or anything, I’d love to help you out, to mentor you. You’ve got a bright future ahead of you, this is only the beginning.” “Thank you, that means a lot coming from rock royalty, Mr. T-, I mean Roger”, you blushed. “Let’s get to work, shall we?”, you asked to escape the situation. It didn’t make you feel uncomfortable, in fact, you wanted to hug him and shower him with compliments, but that would be too weird, right? You two made your way to the back of the house where his home studio was situated. It was bigger than any recording studio you’d ever been in. You spotted approximately 20 guitars, a beautiful white piano, a ukulele, 5 drum kits in different sizes etc. You found yourself admire the walls, which held framed drum skins of his, one had his face on, another one had a simple ‘Queen’ written over it, and right next to that, one with the Queen logo. As you reached the last one a ‘smile’ crept onto your face, as it was the Smile band logo (see what I did there? 😉) You were so mesmerized by the drum skins, that you didn’t notice Roger standing right behind you. “I see you’ve found the old gems, love”, he made you jump. You couldn’t even find the words to say before he began: “So I’ve got this little song here and I’d like to release it sometime soon, but I’d love to hear your opinion on it, your honest opinion!”, with that the song began to play.

A heavy guitar started the song, while a steady beat kicked in in the background, accompanied by the lyrics ‘wake up, you boys; shape up, you girls; are you, aware; there’s gangsters running this world’. You lost it at the next part when there was heavy drumming involved, nodding your head to the beat, while Roger always kept his eyes on you, to get a great view of your reaction. Once the song was over, he broke the silence: “So? How’s that? Be brutally honest!”

“Honestly?”, you managed to keep a straight face which turned into a smile, “I love it, the guitars, the drums, the lyrics, it’s catchy and has a real meaning.”

“Are you sure? I could spend a little more time on mixing it to-“ “It’s perfect, Roger, I mean it”, you cut him off. He smiled at you. How could a rock legend like him be so self – conscious? As he fiddled with the buttons on the mixing board you found yourself staring at him. Admiring his beauty, blue ocean eyes, you could get lost in them. You dreamed of situations like this since you were younger, even younger than now. He didn’t look his age at all, his smile looked the same as it did in 1975. Damn. How could anybody be so beautiful?

“..did you just hear me?” “Sorry, what?” “I asked if you want to grab something to eat right now? We could take it down to the lake” “That sounds awesome”, you answered. “What’s the song called?”, you asked as you dipped your feet into the lake, taking a bite from the ‘pig in a blanket’. “Gangsters are running this world, actually. I also dubbed it to be the ‘purple version’” You nearly choked at his words. “Purple?”, asked. “Yeah, it’s kind of an homage to you and your band. You inspired me on the musical parts” For the literally hundredth time that day you felt speechless. You just stared at him searching for words, which you most certainly couldn’t find. This atmosphere inspired you to the fullest: peace, silence, only birds chirping, you decided to scribble down some lyrics into your notebook. You didn’t even have to think hard about it, it just came naturally. Once you looked up, Roger was already looking at you. “What? Do I have something on my face?”, you asked. “No, was just admiring the view, I must say you look very beautiful today. Not just today, you always do.”, he said. You thanked him and were quick to excuse yourself to the bathroom, even though had no intention to use it. Is this really happening? You splashed some water on your face to calm down a little. *Roger’s POV* ‘Wow you really outdid yourself once again’, he thought to himself. ‘What is this girl doing to you?’ He knew it was wrong to say such a thing, but he couldn’t help himself once he saw your face all concentrated, shining eyes flying over the paper, the tip of your tongue poking out to lick your lips slowly. *(Y/N)’s POV* You made your way back to Roger, as it was starting to get darker and darker outside. “I’m sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable earlier.”, he apologized. “That’s not it, Roger, I’m just really tired, it’s been a long night yesterday and I’m exhausted.” Lies. You were literally asleep once you arrived home at 11 pm. “That little boyfriend of yours got kept you awake then?”, he laughed. “Stop”, you playfully hit him. You didn’t want to admit that it was actually him, you were thinking about right before you fell asleep. The ride home was quiet, mainly because you fell asleep after 5 minutes, cuddled into the seat of Roger’s spacious Range Rover. “(Y/N), love? We’re here!”, he gave you a light shake, got out of his seat, walked over to your side, to open the door for you.

“thanks for your help today”, he smiled down at you. “I wasn’t any help at all, but you’re welcome”, you smiled back. Roger pulled you into a hug, there it was. His smell, you wouldn’t mind staying like this forever. And your heart started to beat fast. The warm, safe feeling was quickly cut off by the clicking of cameras. Fuck. Paparazzi. You exchanged quick goodbyes, escaping the situation and to prevent more pictures to be taken. Fuck. They had to ruin everything. Maybe it was for the best. Walking into the flat Josh had already been waiting for you on the couch. “What is that?” he sounded angry. “What is what?” He pointed to a picture on his phone which showed Roger and you hugging just a few minutes ago. Fuck, those paparazzi’s work fast.

#roger taylor #Queen #roger taylor x reader #present day roger #present day roger x reader #Brian May #greta van fleet #josh kiszka #rock band #rock music #classic rock #purple thunder

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shipmistress9 · 5 years

Text

Undine - 7

Fandom: HTTYD

Rating: Explicit

Pairing: Hicret/Hicretstrid

Modern AU. Kinda-Mermaid AU.

FF-net AO3

. o O o .

Yay! Next chapter. ^^

. o O o .

When Eret woke, he found that the bed beside him was already empty. He pouted at the lost opportunity for cuddles, but couldn't say that he was surprised. Even with how Hiccup usually slept in – since he was prone to forgetting the time when he was drawing in the evening – him being awake early had become a fairly regular occurrence since they’d moved out here. By now, he was probably outside, using the lighting of the sunrise as inspiration to draw.

Yawning, Eret stretched and wandered on into the kitchen to prepare himself a cup of coffee. After a couple of weeks living in their new home, it was easy to find the way even sleepy as he was. He’d just taken a sip, humming at the bitter-sweet taste that promised wakefulness, when he noticed that Hiccup’s favourite cup was still standing by the sink, clean and clearly unused.

Eret frowned at the cup for a moment, then threw a worried glance out of the window. If Hiccup had been so distracted that he hadn’t even gotten himself a cup of tea... With more uneasiness than he wanted to admit even to himself, Eret hurried out of the backdoor that led right to their garden. It was a strong word for the small terrace where only a simple table and a bench stood, and the probably once beautifully arranged flower beds were overgrown and barely distinguishable from the wild nature around them. Especially since there was no fence any more to separate both spaces.

Which was exactly the problem.

“Oh, not again!” he muttered as he spotted Hiccup standing a good distance away from the house, amidst the knee-high grass and staring out over the ocean. He jogged over, not even bothering to call out for his boyfriend. By now, he knew that Hiccup wouldn’t hear him, would only react to direct contact. “Hey there, are you sleepwalking again?” he asked, his hand on Hiccup’s shoulder. He’d meant to sound jokingly, but somehow he felt as if he’d failed.

As always, Hiccup needed a minute or three before he fully came to his senses again. “Oh, hey,” he greeted Eret with a broad if dazed smile. “Morning, love. I didn’t know you’re awake too, or I’d…” He blinked, looking around in puzzlement. Then he slumped down, leaning against Eret’s chest, and chuckled weakly. “Oh damn… I’d ask how it’s suddenly bright already… but I guess I know the answer. It happened again, didn’t it?” He chuckled again, leaning even more heavily against Eret.

Eret, however, just nodded, unable to find any of this funny. “Let's head back, hm?” he suggested, and wrapped his arm tightly around Hiccup to support his wobbly legs.

By the time they were back in their kitchen, Hiccup was mostly himself again. With fluid motions, he prepared breakfast for them both, scrambled eggs on toast, and even joked again.

“Gods, that Undine is really getting to me it seems,” he said cheerfully. “Sometimes I wonder whether we will ever see her. I'm curious, you know? I mean, sure, Mrs Ingerman said she doesn't have a fishtail or something. But how does she look? Do you think she'd have pointy ears, gills, or webs?”

But Eret just rolled his eyes. “You know that something like mermaids – or the Undine Mrs Ingerman told us about for that matter – don't exist, right? Those are nothing but fairy tales, and I think we are too old to believe in those,” he said teasingly, even as he didn't really feel like joking. Because every bit of logical reasoning aside… even he couldn’t explain what was happening to Hiccup.

Absentmindedly, he sipped his coffee and ate his breakfast, trying to think of some other sensible explanation, when Hiccup interrupted him with another topic.

“So, are you coming along to town today? Fair warning, I'm going to be pretty busy. There are at least four customers I need to check in with, maybe five. That's going to take a while.”

“Oh, right. That's today. Uh…” Eret pondered for a moment, but then shook his head. “No, I'll stay here if that's all right with you. I've got to catch up on my book, and I feel like today is a great day for writing.”

Hiccup nodded, smiling. “Sounds good. And yeah, no problem. I'm going to drop in at the shop on my way back; is there something you want me to get for you?”

Eret thought for a second, then shook his head. “No, not really. Just the usual – and maybe not too heavy food for dinner? I have plans…” He grinned, making Hiccup smirk accordingly.

“Can't wait.”

It didn't take long after that until Hiccup was ready to leave, wearing a black leather jacket Eret adored on him and his backpack with his laptop. “See you later, love,” he said cheerfully, and stretched to give Eret a quick goodbye kiss.

But Eret wouldn't have that. The moment he got the chance, he wrapped his arms tightly around his boyfriend's waist, and pulled him close into a deeper kiss. Hiccup gave in easily, chuckling against his lips, and brought one hand to the back of Eret's neck, drawing him even closer.

“Mmh, don’t take too long,” Eret mumbled, and released him with a regretful sigh. Their life out here was pretty easy and relaxed, but sometimes, there were still appointments they couldn’t miss.

Once Hiccup and their truck were out of sight, Eret prepared himself another big mug of coffee, and got ready to get to work himself. It was a beautiful day, already warm even so early in the morning, and it probably wouldn’t be long now until they could go swimming in the ocean. He decided to set up his laptop outside on the small terrace, and it didn’t take long before he sat comfortably and with his document open, ready to start.

It should have been an easy task, writing out his notes in full. But he wasn’t able to concentrate, his mind constantly drifting back to the morning and to Hiccup. What was it that was up with him? Was he turning into a sleepwalker all of a sudden? Whatever it was, it was a little disturbing, but Eret refused to believe even for a second that his behaviour could come from the influence of some mystical creature. Things like mermaids or dragons or spirits didn’t exist. He’d researched enough of those myths to recognise the pattern. Someone had made up a story once, and then everything – from the weather to cheating partners and the death of children – got ascribed to that one explanation. But Eret wouldn't fall for that.

Maybe it was just living out here that affected Hiccup, he mused as his eyes wandered over the ocean’s surface. The quiet and solitude out here was immense, and only got interrupted by the constant rushing of the sea, the only sound far and wide. It was fascinating, Eret had to admit as his eyes followed the waves, watched them crashing against a single rock some 50 yards away from the shore. Soothing yet never boring, and the light breeze on his face almost like the caress of a lover.

It was beautiful, mesmerizing. The feel of the wind, the sight of the glistening sun on the ocean, the brine in his nose and on his tongue, the sound of the waves almost like a melody. So beautiful...

Eret flinched as something warm landed on his arm. With a low gasp he shook his head, weirdly hazy all of a sudden, and it took him a moment to realise that someone was talking to him. He had difficulties focusing his eyes, especially as what he saw didn’t make sense.

“Hiccup?” he asked, bewildered. “W-what are you doing here? Did you forget something?” He felt strange, tired, exhausted even, and his eyes were playing tricks on him. Everything had the wrong colour.

“No, I didn't,” Hiccup sighed, then tugged at his arm, one hand wandering around his waist to guide him. “But let's head back toward the cottage and sit down before we talk, all right?”

Eret blinked, confused, but followed Hiccup's lead. Back to the cottage? But… but he'd never left it! Slowly he let his bleary gaze wander around, taking in his surroundings. They were at the end of the small headland a good 100 yards away from their cottage, surrounded by the knee-high grass and on three sides by the ocean. How had they ended up here?

Next, Eret understood why everything looked so strange. The sky and everything around him was tainted in red and gold by... the setting sun?

“What happened?” he asked a few minutes later after Hiccup had sat him down on the bench in front of their home and had brought him a woollen blanket. Eret thankfully took the blanket and wrapped it around himself, shivering. His eyes fell on his laptop, the display dark and only the blinking light indicating that is was still on, and his mug of coffee, cold by now and with some bug having drowned in it. “I… I was sitting here just now, getting started after you’d left… this morning... and… and then…” His gaze wandered back to the headland, his mind unable to comprehend. What had happened?

“It's disturbing, isn't it?” came Hiccup's soft reply, and when Eret looked at him there was an even softer smile on his face. “And I don't know what it is, what happens. But it's… something. Maybe you're right and it's not Mrs Ingerman's Undine. But what is it then?”

To that, Eret had no answer. He didn't resist when Hiccup suggested getting back inside, and a perfectly done steak and a well-seasoned bowl of salad later, he almost felt normal again. He still couldn't wrap his head around that he'd dreamed away the entire day, but when Hiccup told him of the conversation he'd had with his customers and employer it eventually sank in for real. And no matter how much he enjoyed watching a film after dinner or the quick messy tryst with Hiccup afterwards, there was still this one thought on his mind when they cuddled to sleep, a thought that frightened him a little.

What if this legend was real?

. o O o .

For weeks now, the creature had been watching them. Her heartbeat quickened whenever she spotted one of them outside, humming a low tune in delight. She couldn’t even say why, but they gave her a warm feeling, and she barely ever dared to leave least she missed them.

Today had been a lucky day though. They’d both been there, coming close to the shore for her to watch them for hours, and once they’d retreated out of sight into their small construction, she was unable to hold back. Laughing in delight, she left the rock where she was usually staying out of sight and jumped through the waves, playfully, happy.

She didn’t even understand it herself. All her instincts told her to stay away, that humans were dangerous, that getting involved in their world meant death. And yet, she was unable to stay away, spending more and more time each day watching the construction and the headland, her two humans, wanting to be near them. It was insane, illogical, stupid. But still, it wasn’t enough.

That night, she couldn't keep herself from doing something that she knew she shouldn't do. She'd never done it before even though she instinctively knew how. It had never appealed to her, she'd never been interested. For all her life, all those countless decades, she'd been content with staying where she was. Living between the waves was all she wanted, all she needed.

Or had been until now.

Slowly, hesitantly even, she glided closer to the water's edge, to where the waves lapped at the rocky ground and the thin beach. Behind the shore, the small construction stood in darkness now, and yet so warm and alluring that she barely could turn her eyes away from it. She shouldn't get any closer, should turn and swim away again.

Once again the thought of leaving the bay rose in the back of her mind. The bay certainly would do without her for a few years, she could move to another place where she was needed too, could forget this place and its humans until they had left this world. It would be the right thing to do, the wiser choice.

And yet, it was impossible. She’d learned that much from her last try. She couldn’t stay away, and she honestly didn’t want to anyway. All she could do was try and solve this mystery.

Humming nervously, she drifted closer and closer to the solid ground until the water got too shallow. Her head poked out of the water, the moonlight casting a pale silvery shine onto her hair, but that was nothing unusual. She liked to look around, over the waves and into the sky. What came next, however, was new to her, daring.

Slowly, she rose out of the water, her form solidifying without her having to think about it. Her body knew what to do, forming skin, muscles, and bones to support her weight and keep herself together. It felt strange, weird, distracting. She felt heavy and trapped, as if she couldn't move, couldn't breathe. Her eyes darted around, vision bleary, until they landed on the small house. Without her help, her arm rose, reaching out – and her gaze fell on her hand.

It was trembling, foreign in its shape, its movements alien. Not right. Not her!

Keening, she threw herself back into the water, her body flowing apart into its usual shapeless form, and without looking back even once, she swam away. Humans weren't worth it, she reminded herself. They never were! It would be better to stay away.

But she already knew that that wasn’t an option anymore.

. o O o .

So... Apparently, it’s not just Eret who’s affected by this... 😬

#Undine #Hicretstrid #fanfiction #OT3 #Hiccup Haddock #Eret son of Eret #Astrid Hofferson #Mermaid AU #Modern AU

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locke-writes · 5 years

Text

Sacrifice The Soul

Author: locke-writes

Title: Sacrifice The Soul

Plot: Soulmate AU based on There’s Always A Tomorrow from Dracula the Musical.

Rating: T

Word Count: 3,079

Warning: Major Character Death.

AN: It’s immensely angsty but I promise you it has a happy ending

Monsters didn't have soulmates. For how could you have a soulmate without a soul?

Aidan had believed he would only ever have on soulmate, his wife. The first words she had said to him were on his arm from his birth and his first words to her marked her the same. Soulmates from birth, bound to one another. Entwined by fate.

When Aidan was turned he understood that one day she would die and he'd walk the Earth with the soul mark gone from his arm. Soul marks disappeared once your soulmate had died, he assumed his mark on her had already gone.

And one day he did wake up without the mark, and then one day he did wake up with a brand new mark, and then one day he found her.

It was his wife, but it wasn't. There was an entirely new person with that same soul, some connection that he had.

Monsters didn't have soulmates as monsters didn't have souls. Aidan Waite seemed to be the exception.

This went on and on for years. Aidan would constantly try to understand it, try to find the reason behind the reincarnation. There's was never any stories, never any articles, never any legends told of reincarnated soulmates finding one another in different forms. As it seemed, Aidan was the only person in the world who had the same soul bound to him in every life.

In every life Aidan was the same person. His name would change but his soul, or his lack of one, would never change. The physical form for his soulmate would change in every life. The soul changed in no logical way, there was never a pattern to the reincarnation. Aidan had been with this same soul as men, women, every identity under the sun. Identity didn't matter, only the soul did.

And by far his favorite version of the soul, was you.

Every time you were reincarnated Aidan had to wait to find you. Sometimes he found you when you were vacationing, sometimes on business trips. He'd once even found you while you were on a date with someone else.

Aidan wished he could say that he always found you. However that wasn't the truth.

There had been times where he'd wake up with a new soul mark after searching for you, the knowledge that he hadn't found you stung, but he understood. Soul marks were made for the person who had it to read. It was always in their native of preferred language. This meant that sometimes Aidan didn't know if you were just some city farther from where he might be living or if you were in another country.

When Aidan failed to find you, he hoped that you weren't still seeking him.

He hoped wherever you were, that you were happy. These were terrible years, years of waiting, years of wondering where he might find you. Years of waking up in the morning and looking at his arm to see if the words were still there or if they had changed or disappeared in the night. Aidan always felt the sting of heartache when he did find that to be the case.

Perhaps that was why you were Aidan's favorite of all reincarnations. Perhaps it was because for once the two of you were in the same city.

Or maybe it was because for once you knew and accepted the truth about who he really was.

It was a thing that Aidan vowed to keep secret. Some versions of you found out and some remained oblivious. He preferred oblivious as it didn't come with the added pain of you leaving.

He'd never anticipated you finding out, he probably should have been more careful though. After all drinking a blood bag in the kitchen when you've spent the night is riskier then waiting for you to have left. But he was hungry and couldn't help it so when you caught him he froze.

You questioned it, thought he was joking at first, but Josh't confirmation that Aidan was really being truthful solidified it. That and the added fact that Josh revealed he was a werewolf and there was a ghost named Sally also living in the apartment. A few questions later and you felt calm enough to reevaluate the fact that Aidan was a vampire.

The decision made was easy. He may have been a vampire but he was your soulmate regardless. You were more a believer of free will than fate but even you wouldn't dare argue with your soul mark. He was the man you were in love with. Vampire or not there was no way you would give up a future with him.

A little bit of blood drinking was something that you could learn to live with.

So maybe it was being in the same city, maybe it was you accepting that he was a vampire and not running away, maybe it was the year you were living in, maybe it was a lot of things, but Aidan knew that you were it. There was never going to be anyone better than you. He'd decided and he didn't want to be around longer to find out that he was wrong.

Aidan Waite loved you and Aidan Waite wanted to die for your happiness.

How does one go about wanting their significant other to kill them? It was a hard topic of conversation to breach. Aidan knew that you wouldn't take it well. He'd planned an argument out, it might be used or it might be tossed aside in favor of words from the heart. There was no going back, Aidan knew this had to happen. Whether or not you would agree was something else.

He took you for a walk around the city.

You knew something was wrong yet you couldn't bring yourself to ask him about it, sensing that there was something he needed to say.

"I want you to kill me" he spoke, breaking the silence and laying it all on the line.

You laughed assuming it was a joke, "You're already dead Aidan. Can't do any more than that"

"You know what I mean."

"Aidan. No. I…you can't be serious right now. I won't do that. Why? Why me?"

"I want to die. I've decided. I can't keep going on. I've lived many lives, many years and I don't want to go on anymore. You know the truth about us, you know how many times I've found you and you know about the times I haven't. I can't go through that again, you're it. You're the best of all of them, you're the only person I would ask to do this"

"Well ask someone else because I won't do it Aidan. I couldn't do it Aidan. I can't lose you."

The two of you stopped walking as Aidan turned you towards him to kiss you.

"And I can't lose you. That's what you aren't understanding. I don't want to go through the heartache again. I've loved every version of you and I've lost every version of you. Some have died young, some have died old, some I've never met, but each time I've had to watch you die and then go on waiting to find you again. I won't do that again, sit by and watch you grow old, wishing for another life that I can't give you, wishing that you were young again or resenting me for never aging. I won't turn you into one of me, there's been you's that have asked that before. I'd rather give up life now to give you a better future than you have what if's down the line."

"Aidan," you whispered softly.

"Trust me, I know it's a lot to ask. I know that it's going to be a difficult decision. So think about it, please."

"I will, I'll think about it."

And you did.

And you were going to do it.

As much as you hated it, the entire idea, you knew that Aidan was right. You knew he'd met past versions of yourself and continually had to deal with the pain of loss. You knew he'd never want to go through that again and you wouldn't want that for him.

So that's what you'd told him.

"I'll do it Aidan, but you have to give me a day. One full day beforehand. I want something to remember you by and if that's not something physical then it needs to be a memory so please, one day. That's all I ask."

And that's what he gave to you.

It began early in the morning, the two of you getting ready before heading out to have breakfast at a coffee shop in the city.

Aidan said goodbye to Josh, Sally, and Nora for the last time.

You sat there in that coffee shop eating a pastry and smiling at Aidan all the while your heart was aching at what was to come. At the end of the day he was going to go to die and you would be going home alone.

Breakfast was the start, you'd headed to a movie afterwards. One last movie date with Aidan, it was hard to think on. It was like that throughout the day, it was always in the back of your head, from wandering around the city, to going shopping, to ending up at a museum with Aidan trying to make you laugh by telling you the real historical truths of certain exhibits.

You were going to miss him.

After dinner you'd set out to a hill on the outskirts of the city to watch the sunset. You'd been carrying a stake around with you for the entire day. Honestly you were surprised no one noticed. Now that it was time to drive that stake into Aidan's heart you hated the fact that you had even agreed.

But you had agreed and you were going to do it.

The two of you were sitting on the ground and as the sun set you turned to face Aidan.

"Don't make me do this"

"You must. You're the only one who can. I can't go on knowing that I'll lose you once again."

"I can't lose you Aidan"

"And I can't live knowing that I'll lose you again, I don't want to put you through that pain. And I'm certainly not going to bring you into the world of the vampire. I love you. That's why I'm asking you to do this."

"I don't want to do this."

"I know. But I wouldn't ask you to do it if I thought this would lead to regret. Ok?"

"Ok. Just. Before I do this, Aidan, kiss me one last time"

He did as requested, leaning forward, pressing his lips to yours, and with that last kiss you plunged the stake into him.

You laughed the ashes on that hill and made your way home. You didn't care about anyone staring at you crying while walking home, you didn't care about anything anymore now that Aidan was gone. You felt a sting on your arm and you didn't bother to look, knowing that the soul mark had disappeared. Aidan had always told you about the mornings where another would appear but that was for him, not for you. He was immortal, would have lived forever had you refused what you had just done, you were were not, there was no sense of reincarnation for you.

Josh and Nora were waiting on the couch when you came home. Alone.

They pulled you into a hug and watched as you went up to the room that you shared with Aidan. Once shared.

Alone.

Once you had been two and now.

You were alone.

Aidan awoke with a start. He knew what had happened, that he had died. That much he knew, but the rest was a mystery. Ghosts had doors to the afterlife, at least that's what Sally had, yet Aidan didn't remember a door appearing before him. All he remembered was the stake and then being here. Wherever here was.

It wasn't white vastness like he had seen in movies, it wasn't nothing like he had believed. It was a forest, and a lake. A cabin on the waterfront, the interior designed like a mixture of skyline apartment and suburban home. It felt, familiar but he knew he had never been there before, knew he'd never seen this place.

Wherever he was Aidan was alone. All alone.

There was no one around, animals but never people. It seemed odd though, this afterlife. Any desire he had in his head could appear but never people. Any companion he wished for, those who he knew had passed, would never show. Aidan was only with wishes and thoughts.

It had taken you a few months of grieving to feel as though you were ready to move on. Aidan had told you that he wished you to move on. That he knew there was a life ahead of you not burdened by someone who would live forever. He was always in the back of your mind, you knew that it was fine to grieve him, you knew that it was fine to think of him, but you had to stop letting him control your life in the way that he was.

You saw him everywhere, every place in the city reminded you of him in some way. They weren't bad memories but they were painful. They hurt because he was no longer there to share new memories with.

Eventually you decided you wanted out of the city and found a job opportunity elsewhere. Across the country elsewhere. Being away from every place Aidan had been would make the wound less fresh. Time hadn't caused the grief to ease but you thought perhaps distance would. Josh, Nora, and Sally were immensely supportive even coming with you to find a new apartment and to move you in when it came time.

In that new state, in that new city you finally started to heal. You'd always heard about support groups for those with deceased soulmates but it never occurred to you to go until someone had mentioned a friend who had been. If it helped then it helped and if it didn't it didn't was your reasoning.

The first few meetings you'd gone to you sat and listened. Everyone had different stories and different ways of grieving but the shared emotions made you feel not so alone in everything. And on your fourth meeting you finally told your story. Leaving out the fact that Aidan was a vampire and asked you to kill him it was nice to air everything out, to talk to people who didn't know him and talk to people who understood what you were going through. Most people just told you they were sorry but these people could tell you advice and you knew it was sincere.

As time passed you began to make new friends, some from work, some from the support group, and some from elsewhere. As time passed you began to put Aidan at the back of your mind. As time passed you began to fall in love again.

You'd met him through a friend at the support group. He used to go to meetings but like some of the members felt that eventually he was ready to deal on his own. Meetings were always there if it helped but there wasn't that need to go to each one.

It was a blind date and while you were skeptical at first you found that it wasn't as bad as you had built it up in your mind to be. He knew you were always going to love your soulmate and you knew he was always going to love his own soulmate. Souls entwined will never part. However that never meant that you couldn't fall in love with someone else.

Ten months was how long it took for you to tell him you loved him and for him to do the same.

A year and half was how long it took before the two of you moved in together.

Three years was how long it took before the two of you were married.

And you were happy.

And you were in love.

And you still loved Aidan. You always would.

You remained happily married for many years. It never really crossed your mind what would happen when you died and so it was a shock and a joy to find out what happened when you did.

One moment you were asleep.

The next moment. You were awake.

It was a forest, one with a lake and cabin on the water. A cabin that you recognized in an instant. There was no one around. No sound other than birds in the trees and the movement of the water, no voices, simply nature.

Aidan was reading in the cabin when he heard footsteps outside. It startled him as the sound was footsteps but he had asked for a companion for years without one appearing. He feared something had gone wrong but as he approached the doorway he found himself wrong. Very incredibly wrong.

For there in the middle of everything, was you.

He called your name and watched as your eyes fell on him. The two of you stood for a moment staring in disbelief before making your way to one another.

"I've missed you, I don't even know how long it's been but I've missed you each and every day"

"I've missed you to Aidan. I've thought about you always"

"I'd welcome you to this afterlife, this home I suppose, but I don't know what home this is."

You laughed, "Aidan, you're telling me you don't remember any of this"

"I don't, I'm guessing maybe I should though," he grinned.

"This cabin, this lake, all of this is our dream Aidan. Remember that morning, so long ago now, but we were laying in bed just talking about the future. We were talking about our future and where we'd like to live, what style of home and it all came together. A mix of everything you loved and everything I loved. A home for the both of us."

As you spoke he began to remember the morning in question, you lying there with your head on his chest, early morning sunlight creeping through the window, talking about nothing and everything.

"Well then. Welcome home."

#locke writes #being human #aidan waite #being human imagine #aidan waite imagine #being human fic #aidan waite fic #being human fanfic #aidan waite fanfic #being human oneshot #aidan waite oneshot

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