#this ask gave me even more motivation to take the fic writing plunge

[iamnmbr3]

Hii i found your blog just this morning in the drarry tag, I've been reading all your hp reread analysis post, and I'm dying to know if you ever wrote a fic?

I feel like with your understanding of these characters it would be amazing!! 8th year fics are always a little bit weird about behaviors and reasons why harry or draco did this or that, but if you wrote it? It would be perfect?? And I'm drooling just at the thought of the whole series written from draco's pov..

What I'm saying is that you have a fan. It's me. I'm the fan. * smiles maniacally *

GIVE ME A FIC I'M BEGGING YOU

This might just be the nicest ask I've received. And I've received a lot of really lovely asks. Thank you so much!

I've never posted any Harry Potter fic though I do have ideas for several and I've even written a bit of one. I'm not sure if I'd be able to write it to the standard that I'd be happy with reading. (Like you I'm really sensitive to things that feel ooc.) But I'm actually planning to try and finish some of them once I'm through with my reread. Maybe if they're good enough I'll even post them. I've got 3 drarry fics (one of which is a slightly AU 8th year fic) that I can't get out of my head so I feel like I'll have to write them to at least give myself some peace lol.

And I'm so glad you're enjoying my content.

[vidalinav]

The Winter Woods: Snippet

Based off of my Nessian Trashy Romance AU post. 

~

She was too beautiful. Cassian half wondered if he wasn’t already dead, and this was the holy figure who greeted him when he crossed. Lucky him, he decided, for she was certainly a blessing to look at... even if he did catch the glare she threw his way, and the bright tan of ash in her hands.  

“Where’s my sister?” 

Her words were tinged with a dangerous edge and Cassian blinked up at her for a moment trying to gouge where he was and why she was speaking to him with that ill-mannered tone.  

Cassian was fairly certain he knew females. He knew when they were disgusted, that piss off lunge of their gut. He knew when they were scared, that catch in a throat—that trembling thread. He was well-versed in the most tempting. The breathless, rough note of sweet promises and demure looks. This woman wasn't any of these when she spoke.  

This woman was very ready to stab him if she didn’t like his answer.  

So, Cassian decided that he better find a good answer.  

“Who?” Cassian asked, trying to sit up to get a better look at her. She might have been human. Certainly not fae, by how slight she was, her limbs shorter than any female he knew. Her scent wasn’t made up of fairy. 

She smelled as sweet as honey, and something calming like lavender. 

That fiery look she gave him was anything but calming.

“You're not going anywhere,” she said, her gaze shifting to his torso. Cassian looked there as well and found rope tied with the skill of a hunter. Was he the meat? Did she plan on roasting him over a warm fire? “Where is my sister?”  

“I know no such person, witch.”  

For that must have been what she was. She couldn’t have been human. Everything he knew about humans, meant she should have been trembling—that he shouldn’t have been in her home, lying in this bed that seemed to be hers, if the scent was correct.  

There was no other creature that could have been so arrogant.  

“And I’m supposed to believe you,” she mused. The beautiful human raised a brow, and he saw the dagger in her hands with clearer view as she reminded him it was there for him alone. “You were in our forests, where my sister was seen last, and you don’t know what happened to her?”  

“You’re full of tricks,” Cassian noted as he surveyed the tight rope on his wrists. He could barely lift an arm, but he didn’t know if that was from the rope or from the pain, though he could feel nothing. “You drugged me while I was sleeping?”  

She didn’t move to stop him when he tried wriggling his body for any sign of life in his limbs. He swore he could see her lips raise lightly. "Who knew snake’s venom could make a fae so compliant.”  

“Your motive?”  

“Where’s my sister?” she spit.  

Cassian wanted to sigh at the question once more, irritation working its way out of his mouth. “If I knew of anyone who looked like you, witch, I would take great care to remember and to never forget.”  

The woman... female, didn’t seem to like that much, and her eyes became dark and gleaming. An unholy storm settled there. He didn’t know how anyone could look both saintly and sinister, but Cassian wondered if he’d find himself asking for mercy, kissing at her feet, while she plunged that carved piece of wood in his heart.  

But the female... human woman didn’t go to him, raising that dagger over his immobile body. She merely sneered and ripped her way towards the door. “Then you can rot here until you remember.”  

~

Another fic that I don’t really want to write, but is also sort of entertaining... maybe. Idk. 

@arinbelle

[lokislittlesigyn]

OG616 : Thor 1 - Pt.6 [The Mourning]

[My masterlist, where all parts of this and my other fics can be found]

Pairing: Loki / Sigyn (basically an oc based off the marvel/myth namesake)

Warnings: Angst, some.. Hopelessness? And mild flirting.

Author’s Note: Very long one here. Hope you enjoy!

Taglist: @high-functioning-lokipath

To be added to the taglist, just ask me here or send a message! <3 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A very distinct, sharp pain washed over Sigyn as she pondered Odin's words. Like a knife plunging into her gut, twisting, pulling - but never leaving. Only hurting worse and worse, the very air in her lungs seizing up.

Loki is dead.

Her throat burned.

Loki is dead.

Tears streamed down her face.

My Loki is dead.

She broke. Her entire body shook with a sob as she collapsed onto the couch she was seated on, weeping. "He can't, he- He's not, he's not.."

"Sister.." Thor wrapped her in a hug, his jaw set firm. Frigga placed a hand on her back.

Odin’s grip tightened around Gungnir. "He's gone."

"No he's not."

"Sigyn-"

"He's NOT!" She screamed, struggling in Thor's grip, who clenched his jaw as he held her. "He's not- He can't be, he.. Loki.." Her body gave way, unable to cope.

Thor helped her stand, letting her sob against him.

"I wish it were true," Odin resumed, forgiving the interruption, "That he could still be with us. But he made his choice."

Sigyn glared at him.

"You made your choice when you lied to him! When you lied to all of us for countless years. We built our life around that lie!" She choked back another sob. "Now our lives are ruined because of it."

Odin didn't respond.

"Sigyn, have care how you speak." Frigga stepped between them, finally composed, though her eyes still glistened. "We need time to grieve, all of us. But perhaps, you most of all." She cupped Sigyn's cheek, wiping a tear away. "Go rest. Arguing will breed nothing but more pain."

Frigga was right. Arguing now would only make things worse - Odin wasn’t exactly known for a cool temper. But her head was still spinning. Loki couldn't be gone. There had to be some other way. Straightening up, Sigyn wrung her hands together. Swallowed. "I-I am sorry, Allfather.. I spoke out of line.."

Odin waved his hand, still looking away.

"Thor," Frigga managed a gentle smile at her son, "Please take Sigyn back to her chambers before you visit the healers."

Thor nodded, and without another word, he and Sigyn left.

~~~~

Sigyn stayed in her chambers for days on end. She ignored the time. Refused to eat. Refused to sleep in her bed - no, their bed - it still smelled like him. She spoke to no one. Retreated into the solace of being completely and entirely alone. Once the dust had settled, the wounded healed, and the palace put back in order, a feast was held for those who defended Asgard and helped Thor return home.

Sigyn was required to attend.

I can't exactly refuse... She reasoned, pulling on an emerald green gown. Putting on her favorite necklace, she gazed in the mirror.

She was pale. Paler than usual. Sickly and thin, with dark circles under her eyes. Hardly the shining goddess she would be expected to appear as. She looked down at the necklace. She’d had it for a long time. A rectangular medallion on a thin, metal chain - the medallion bearing two serpents, intertwined with each other, each biting their own tail. A symbol of Loki’s adaptability and cunning.

"If you should like to...” Loki had murmured, obviously nervous has he offered it to her, “I would be honored to see you wear it.”

It had been a perfect gift, marrying her colors with his symbol. She barely took it off, except of course when she was expected to wear coordinating clothes. Then it lived in a small wooden box on the dresser, safe from dust.

This will be my first meal without you. She ran her thumb over the symbol. I love you. I miss you.

Composing herself, she left her room.

~~~~

Servants and guests alike stared at Sigyn when she arrived. She was late. She adjusted the necklace, ignored their whispering. Ignored the stares, the side glances...

Maybe I should’ve stayed alone.

"Sigyn.." Sif walked up to her. "I am so sorry for your loss.."

Sigyn merely watched the warrior as she spoke. She felt like something inside her had died along with Loki. Something was lost. She wasn’t sure if it would ever return.

Sif swallowed. "Truly, I am."

With great effort, Sigyn spoke, her voice dry from lack of use. "Thank you, Sif." She forced as much of a smile as she could, then took her seat.

Conversation picked back up. Stories were told. Laughter spread.

Sigyn stayed there. Motionless. Expressionless. Staring at her untouched goblet. This wasn't worth it. Nothing was worth it. Nothing had meaning anymore.

She turned to look at all the guests. They were eating together happily, drinks sloshing over their food as they raised toasts and struggled to contain their laughter at Volstagg’s stories.

Their spouses hadn't been taken from them. They hadn't lost someone.

This is life now, isn't it. Sigyn turned back to her empty plate. This is the lot I was cast.

Her vision grew blurry with tears.

The curse worked. Loki is dead. I'll never be loved agai-

No.

She clenched her jaw.

Don't you dare start thinking like that. Don't you give up now. Keep going. Keep fighting. If not for yourself, for him. Do it for him.

She looked back at all the familiar faces around her.

Be strong. Be strong for him.

A tear ran down her cheek.

Make him proud.

"A toast, to Asgard! For the glory of our realm!" Roared Volstagg, raising his glass.

Be strong for Loki.

Sigyn stood and raised her glass with a smile.

"To Asgard. Our home."

~~~~

Time passed. The grief-stricken goddess still wept for her lost husband, still dreamed about him every night. But as the months went on, she wept less. She slowly began healing from the wound deep within her heart. Accepted that for now, Loki was gone.

For now.

She had thrown herself into old books and tomes, determined to improve, to make her husband proud. In the shadows of familiar bookcases within the palace library, she found writings on the Norns. The sisters Wyrd, Veranthi, and Skuld - three powerful beings controlling the past, present, and future. And there in the crumpled pages, she found a familiar symbol: the web of Wyrd.

Three sets of overlapping lines, the it symbolized the inherent interconnections of all actions - and all realities. How the past influenced the present, the present the future, and the future, perhaps the next life.

Our next life... Once the Asgardian twilight comes, and I embrace a final sleep, I will wake up and see him again.

We won’t be alone.

She would remind herself, with each new day, she was another step closer to seeing him again someway, somehow. Alive or dead, they would be reunited. The thought of it inspired a little spark of hope within her. With each passing day, she spent hours pouring over old spellbooks. Studying ancient runes, practicing spells. Mastering them.

She filled books with ideas, charts, musings.

And most of all, she remembered Loki.

She mapped out his entire life, beginning to end. Considered everything that had happened. Asking Thor, Odin, and Frigga exactly what he'd said to them - and exactly how they'd responded. Recorded what they said in books of her own. It helped her grieve.

But it also served her in other ways.

Rumors spread quickly throughout Asgard. Rumors of the prince who was hungry for power. Who stole the throne, and tried to kill his own brother to keep it. Who abandoned his wife in her time of need. Who betrayed his family and his realm.

The liesmith.

Trickster.

Murderer.

Sigyn considered it her duty to dispel false assumptions about him. And as she traded for a new book at the marketplace, she heard one such assumption. A group of ladies stood nearby, gossiping over their goods.

"There she is - that's her, the princess."

"Oh my,"

"Lokiwife, wasn't it?"

"Yes, that's her," A pretty brunette leaned in closer to the others, "I heard she and Loki had quite the time before he.. Well," she frowned, earning murmurs from her group.

Sigyn glanced their way, eavesdropping on their conversation, tucking the book into her satchel.

A blonde nodded in agreement. "Anyone would have a rough time if their husband abandoned them like he did."

"Abandoned?"

"Oh yes," The blonde shook her head, "It was just awful. The Warriors Three said he was always envious of Thor, always wanted the throne. And when he got the chance to steal the throne, he took it."

"If only Thor had been crowned in time. None of this would have happened.” The youngest piped up. The brunette shrugged an agreement.

“Such a waste - we waited hours for that coronation.”

“We had such a nice view, too.."

"A nice view of Prince Thor, certainly." The brunette nodded, her cheeks turning a slight pink.

The blonde smirked. "I'd even say Loki was glad Allfather Odin fell into the Odinsleep.. After all, that gave him access to the throne."

"Finally got him what he wanted," Mused the brunette.

The blonde huffed, "Though a lot of good it did him. Abandoned his wife and his honor, and what did he gain? He's likely in Helheim now.." The group murmured again in agreement.

Sigyn couldn’t take it anymore. "Excuse me - beg your pardon, ladies," She smiled, walking over to them. "I couldn't help but overhear your conversation."

The women's eyes went wide. They bowed, paying their respects. Sigyn nodded her own greeting.

The brunette was the first to speak. "Yes, Princess, we were discussing your husband.."

"And his life's motivations. I heard." Sigyn glanced at the blonde, who gulped.

"We meant no offense to you, Princess.."

"Tell me, did any of you know Loki?"

They shook their heads.

Sigyn sighed. "You must understand: he was not evil. The Loki I knew had not a single malicious bone in his body."

"But he was jealous, Princess. Lady Sif said so, I heard her discussing it over a goblet of mead.." The blonde fidgeted.

"And she's right."

The ladies blinked.

Sigyn straightened up. "Sif is correct. Loki was jealous. And do you know why? He spent his life feeling less than Thor. How do you think Loki felt, then, when he found out his life was a lie? That his greatest fear was true because he was different, he was lesser?”

The women were quiet. Sigyn paused, then continued.

“Loki didn't want the throne. He wanted to be like Thor. To be equal, not less. So when Queen Frigga gave him the throne - he took it. She told him to make his father proud, and he tried to do just that. He tried to prove to Odin he loved him, he was his son, and - and yes, he tried to have Thor killed." Sigyn swallowed.

"I won't deny that. He likely did it to prevent Thor returning and squelching his efforts. But consider why he did it. Loki was... Mislead. He made the wrong choices. He tried to prove himself by vanquishing the Frost Giants, Laufey among them. And what did he have to go off of?" She laughed a single, sad laugh, "We're all raised to fear Jotuns! Slay them like the stupid beasts they are! Hunt them down, bludgeon them! What else would you expect him to do?"

By now a small crowd had gathered. Curious passersby all stared at the princess.

They probably think I'm mad, Sigyn mused, But I don't care. This isn't about me. It's about Loki.

"So he tried it. He tried massacring the Jotuns - and was foiled. Again. By Thor. Again! He was trying to prove himself! Desperately grasping at the final threads of hope! And on the Bifrost," Her breath caught in her throat, "On the Bifrost, that night, he begged Odin for approval. And how did Odin respond? He said no to his son, to the boy who only wanted to be as loved by his parents as his brother was." A tear streaked down her cheek.

"And he fell. He gave up. My husband died because his hope ran out. He could bear the pain no longer." Sigyn stepped toward the blonde, "So the next time you talk about Loki, I ask you to remember that. I hope you remember how my husband, the most wonderful, beautiful man I knew, lost hope that night. And now he's gone."

Without another word, Sigyn turned. Pushed past the crowd, ignoring their stares and whispers.

"Come, Villeildr," She mounted her horse, squeezing his sides with her legs, "It's time we take our leave."

~~~~

Later that night, Sigyn was in the library when a familiar voice called her.

"I thought you'd be here." Fandral stepped in, smirking, his cape sweeping behind him.

"Here I am." Sigyn's focus remained on the book.

"I heard you had a run-in with some acquaintances of mine today."

Sigyn stopped reading.

Fandral continued. "Gave them quite the talking to. Did you rehearse it, or did it simply come to you?"

She shut the book, peering up at him. "They were lying about Loki."

"You seem to forget he lied too.."

"Of course he did. We all do; that doesn't make it right. They were lying about him, Fandral, disrespecting the dead - spreading false rumors about how he 'always wanted the throne.'"

"Well, he was always jealous of Thor.."

She huffed, "I know."

They sat a moment in silence. Fandral moved closer. "I was hoping you would join me for a drink tonight. You’ve barely left the palace in.. Well, far too long."

"I don't drink."

He looked hurt. "You used to."

"There are many things I used to do." She returned to her book, hoping he’d get the hint.

"And I could help you with more than one, if you so wished..."

She raised an eyebrow at him. "Remember that bit about respecting the dead?"

"Yes?"

"You're doing a horrid job."

He chuckled.

"Now, even I can't be the best at everything, dearest Sigyn."

"Oh, I believe it." She smirked.

His brow furrowed. "You were meant to be the goddess of compassion, you know."

"Compassion is like sympathy; I can sympathize with you and still point out the fact you're inappropriate."

"You sympathize with me?" He smirked.

"Fandral, do not twist my words.."

"Even if it makes you smile?" He tilted his head slightly. She couldn't resist a small huff of a laugh.

With a slight sigh, he took her hand and kissed it. "Ah, I may never be anything more than your friend, Sigyn," He lowered her hand, smiling at her. "But even if that's the case, I am honored to be your friend."

She smirked, nodding at him once. "Thank you. You're a good friend, Fandral.. Even if you are rude."

With another chuckle, he sprung to his feet. "Until we meet again, fair Sigyn," He bowed, "I take my leave." Turning on his heel, he headed for the door.

"Fandral?"

He stopped.

"Don't get too drunk. Lady Sif is tired of cleaning up after you."

He shot her a grin, then disappeared around the corner.

He's going to get absolutely ruined. Sigyn thought to herself, shaking her head.

[galvanizedfriend]

The thing about waiting a month for an update is really unfair for the ones that are constantly giving you all the support. I mean, i will support any decisions you'll make for sure but although you didn't ask for opinions I'm gonna say i really don't like the idea of waiting a month. Personally, i tend to forget a lot of things and this happens specially with fics, waiting that long (cause an update once a month is looong) now that we are getting close to the end will kill me. I totally understand your point of view and you are not the first author i see talking about how the things here in tumblr have changed, but for the ones that are really trying to get you no only the recognition you deserve but also tones of love and support with the story, well, is kinda sad. And i get it's not about us (although i make it sound like it is so im sorry lol) cause i know you certainly care for us, but still, waiting a month specially with all those cliffhangers? 😂 Of course i will wait if i had to but i rather not wait that long, i think an update every 15 days if more than perfect, but again, it's your decision and you should do whatever makes you happy and confident with your work.

The thing with the Wolf is that this universe is really important for all of us, this has become huge in our lives and at this point i consider it a masterpiece (yes, masterpiece), honestly this is one of the few stories I'm constantly reading over a over again.

The problem is tumblr? yes, but please don't consider deleting it, for some of us (and i mean me) this is the only way we can make close contact with our favorites author, and in my case is you and it will make me really sad if one day all of that is gone. You have to realized that you are a really important part of our lives now (want it or not lol) cause all the joy and happiness your work bring us, and we want somehow to give you that back, and the way we can make that is thanks to tumblr and the communication it allows us with you. So yep, i will always be grateful for all that you have brought to this fandom, literally all the dreams we had have become true because of your stories and i will be forever in debt with you for that, for all those moments you gave us that i keep really close to my heart ❤

I don't feel like waiting a month either, anon! 😂 Taking almost a whole year to complete this story is something that gives me the chills just thinking about it. Because it is being written as though it were a season of the show, the ideal for me would be to update it once a week, but I understand that I can't expect people to keep up with that and because these chapters are so long, I'd rather give people more time to read than kind of pile up a bunch of chapters on people to the point it would make people uninterested.

But I just want to make it as comfortable as possible for the readers. For me, it doesn't really make much of a difference because the story is written. I might edit the chapters a bit, rewrite one or two paragraphs, but it's basically done. So it's really about the readers. If it turns out people don't want more than a chapter a month, then, you know... 😂 So it's good to know more people prefer the 10 to 15 days time frame, because that's honestly as far as I personally think it can go. More than that and I'm sure I'll start to drift off. lol

So, you know, I didn't ask, but I welcome opinions on that from anybody who feels like sharing. So appreciate your message!

I really do like tumblr as a way to keep in touch with people and there are so many great fandom initiatives all around, I get SUPER DISTRACTED by the pretty gifs (I’m a girl of simple pleasures!), but if I say it doesn't bring me down hard sometimes, I'll be lying. 😂 The anxiety and the pressure is almost kind of inevitable sometimes, and I'm sure many people feel the same way. It's nobody's fault, obviously, it's a personal thing, but if it gets to a point where it becomes too much, I might feel like taking a step back.

It's not the case now, though. I took a day off yesterday and now I'm here distracting myself from elections anxiety in my country, so it's all cool. 😂😂 I’m glad I have some asks to answer.

Thank you so much for this really sweet message, anon. ❤️❤️ I've said it countless times before, but writing this fic has been the thing that kept me sane this year. With so much crap happening and the pandemics and some personal problems, both because of the pandemic and not, I would've definitely flipped if I hadn't found something to keep me grounded and distracted. I plunged into writing this like never before, got SUPER involved with the second season, even more so than the first, so I am both grateful to the people who have read it, who have shared their thoughts with me, who have left me comments, who have showed their appreciation in any way and have followed me here and kept up with this process, because that kept me motivated to keep going and I really, really needed that. So thank you!

[scullyy]

Crying Isn’t Like You

Pairing: Clementine x Louis

Word Count: 2047

Summary: By sheer luck, Louis is able to fall asleep for the first time in days, but within his dreams lies a visitor he doesn't want to face just yet.

A/N: So this is based off an ask I received (from an anon) asking for a fic where Louis and Clem tell either one that they're both in love with each other, yet I put an angsty twist on it ahehehehe...also can you tell that I was inspired by Billie Eilish's song 'I Love You'.... and yes there is a Life is Strange reference in here, I've been replaying it recently. I’ve been having a rough go around lately, so writing this helped clear out my current feelings. Enjoy :))

-

Nothing had really changed.

Ruby continued to tend to her greenhouse, her fingertips tender from lifting bags of freshly dug dirt. Being near Miss Martin's grave wasn't as easy as it used to be, now it stood as a symbol for two people.

Aasim kept to his journal most of the time, jotting down everything that had happened since; being kidnapped, their narrow escape,  the sound of his heart breaking in his chest when the kid came back empty-handed. It all clung to the dirty pages, emptying up some space in his head.

Violet had the bright idea of using Rosie as a guide dog of sorts. If she ever needed to travel out of the school grounds, the brave dog was right by her side, warning of her of any dangers. A pirate and her first mate.

The kids continued life as they had before, a time where the threat of raiders didn't weigh down every action or thought. None of them brought up their missing link, the empty space on the edge of the table. There was nothing to be said.

Especially not in front of Louis.

His heart had fallen into the very pit of his stomach when AJ recounted what had happened, "She...She's gone. I tried to help but it was too late." It was ground-breaking enough to see him return to the school on his own. He was hoping for it to be a lie, that she would miraculously emerge from nowhere and sweep up the pieces of his heart. Instead, it became a horrible truth.

There was no more singing, no more laughter erupting from him. His days began and ended with dismal chores, whatever needed fixing he would fixate on, whoever needed helping he was there, keeping himself focused on one thing and one thing only. If he let his mind wander it always settled onto people he was tired of missing. The days dragged on, beating down against him. The nights were no better, outlandish dreams tormented him with a promise of what could have been, whilst the others slept Louis found himself always teetering on the edge of it.

This just happened to be one of his more difficult nights.

His cold palms flattened against the heavy bedsheet. If it were up to him, he would bundle himself up and hide away like a bat within its cave. He truly would, had it not been for the small boy sleeping soundly across from him, the only real form of motivation he had. Louis buried himself beneath the fuzzy blanket, inhaling the musk that clung onto the fabric.

"Her head should be lying here-"

Fuck. Another intrusive thought to add to the mix. Clementine always took up space in his head, their first meeting was one of the more popular ones. Another was of her, alone in the barn in whatever state AJ left her in. That one played on like a broken record, scratching his nerves and pick-pocketing him of the good memories.

Louis took in slow, deep breaths, choosing to focus on the crickets outside. Their harmonised chirping interfered his delusions, bringing him a moment of peace. His shivering body fell into the mattress as he drifted away to the land where dreams were made. This darkness didn't have a name, it merely crept into their rooms, sending them elsewhere.

As Louis carefully opened his eyes, he flinched at the sudden change in scenery. No longer was he confined beneath his bedsheets, but rather caught within his very own piano room. The soft rays of the moon gave the room a soft glow, but his eyes could only make focus of what was right in front of him. And God did it send his blood cold.

He felt out of place, even within her sudden presence, the one place he would feel safe in.

"You're not dead, that's good."

Her contagious smile pulled him back into the moment. Clementine slowly scooched over on the stool, leaving an obvious place for him. She acted so casually, one leg hooked over the other with her arms leaning against the piano. There was a guilty smile on her face as she noticed his horrified expression. "So...hey there."

Before both of them had realised, Louis had swooped her up into his arms. No longer did he feel heavy or empty, her presence illuminated something inside him, just as she had always done. "You're really here!" His call echoed right in her ear, not that she minded. Louis fell onto the stool, yet his hands remained clasped around her thin shoulders.

She definitely looked cleaner. A healthy glow now emitting from her cheeks, what was once dirt and blood was now replaced by very faint freckles. Each one kissed her face. Her hat had been rejuvenated, there were no more stains and the D had been patched back up. "I really am, figured this room would be nice to meet in, given what happened here." Clementine winked like the devil. A devil Louis would gladly sell his soul to.

He blinked back tears as their carving came into view, it was blurry to his eyes but it was there. No doubt about it. "This is where it all started, without sounding too dorky," Louis tried to laugh but it came out in pieces. The longer he looked at her the further he fell into pieces. "This is a dream, isn't it?"

Slowly, Clementine nodded, crushing his hopes. "At least I can still see you. I'm...I'm sorry it turned out this way."

She was apologising? "Why are you sorry? You dyi-you being gone isn't your fault." Louis moved both his hands down to her own, ignoring the chill that emitted from them.

"There's just so much I wanted to tell you, I thought we would have had more time," She had so many plans for the future with him and everyone else at the school. None of them had been forgotten, their silly chats of building houses and futures in whittling. "You were right, there is only one guarantee."

Louis's heart and brain were racing on two different tracks with two different outcomes. "Tell me now then, I can't stay asleep forever." This was the closest that they had to a future now, these brief dreams.

Clementine pushed his hair away from his face, he had once been nothing short of a pure ray of light. Now he had fallen too far into the darkness, it took him away from everyone. His blood-shot eyes were almost unrecognizable. "I...shit, I thought this would have been easy," She closed her eyes before taking the plunge. "I love you, Louis."

His hands fell limp, along with nearly every other part of his body. He wanted her to take it back, soak up her own words, let it be known it was just a joke. Louis looked towards the window, wondering just how much longer this nightmarish moment would last. "You don't mean it. You're not even real." Louis scoffed, choosing to let nothing change between them. She was gone, a cruel figment of his childish imagination. She was dead without so much as a goodbye. That was how it was and how it should have remained.

Clementine inched even closer to him, their hips now touching. Her soft glow was now spilling onto his thigh. "Listen to me," Her smooth hands gently pawed at his cheek, forcing their eyes to meet. "Wherever I end up after this, those moments between us were real and they'll always be ours." Her thumb brushed away his endless tears that were now spilling down like a waterfall, she wanted to soak it up and protect him, give him whatever was required to make him smile again.

He fell apart in her arms as the moon moved ahead, leaving them together with the darkness. There was nothing else she could say to change the fact that their time was diminishing. "Clem," Her skin burned his own as their foreheads collided. Louis could only compare the tight grip over his lungs to drowning and that was putting it lightly. "You know that..that I love you too."

She knew, she always knew. He managed to say it to her without using words, just the way he spoke her name was enough to show to anyone how high he carried her in his heart. Clementine tried her best to smile for him. "I know," They remained in each other's embrace till the dimly-lit sun crept over the horizon, sneaking in through the broken window. "Time to go Lou."

Louis gripped onto her jacket tighter, desperate to keep her by his side. "I don't want to, not yet." His pleas fell upon deaf ears as she pushed his arms away. Immediately he fell cold again, her body had left him just as quickly as the two came together.

"It's alright, you know where to find me," Clementine gestured to the piano, their special spot. She would have gladly spent the rest of her life in that room, listening to her lover play whatever song he could remember from his youth or what his irresistible imagination could create. Neither could escape their feelings, their natural pull towards each other. Neither party wanted to anyways. "Oh, tell AJ that I'm proud. He's got a great family looking out for him now." Clementine glided out of the door like smoke, and just like smoke, she refused to fade away.

Louis felt his eyes droop to the ground, arms falling back to his side like a broken ragdoll. He began to fall into the piano, yet never hitting it. The world began to fall apart, the sunlight breaking apart into glowing clouds. He wanted to bleed into them, to stay in this magical place that only he could travel to during sleep.

"Louis?"

The jittery man briefly opened one eye, his new room replacing the sight of his dream. Leaning over him was AJ, the small boy rubbing his eyes furiously. "You were talking in your sleep again," He mumbled.

Louis slowly reached out and touched the wall, his fingertips scaling the Ericson flag that he thought was lost forever. "Sorry kiddo, did I wake you?" He noticed the dark circles beneath AJ's wide eyes. Both of the boys knew that sleep was both a tormenter and a peacemaker all in one, it was the world's craziest game of Russian Roulette.

"No, I was already awake, couldn't sleep," AJ admitted. Sleep was for the weak, there were other people who needed protecting. He didn't want to stand by as his close friends were in danger, of what exactly remained shrouded in mystery.

Louis's heart reached out to the kid, his bond with Clementine was something Louis never had the pleasure of obtaining during his life and was likely to never encounter. It was special and oddly moving, to see two unrelated people so willing to sacrifice anything for the other. "C'mere," Louis moved closer to the wall, leaving behind just enough space for a small child. "I know she did the same for you, it might help us both sleep."

AJ showed didn't question it, immediately he hopped underneath the covers, his grimace being replaced by a still smile. "Goodnight Louis." He whispered before settling down, his eyes closed willingly. For the first time in days, AJ fell asleep peacefully.

Louis stared at the top bunk as his memories threw out images of her smile, the dip in her eyebrows whenever they were crossed, the scar that peaked out beneath her sleeve. Everything about her was enchanting. His mind was at rest, knowing that together they learned to fly. Nothing could erase their shared past, not even a lost future.

[matchaball]

Do you still make NH fanfics? I really miss your writing.

I have quite a number of wips in my drafts, but it’s been difficult finding inspiration and motivation to finish them. I am still working on them just- very, very…. very slowly. I’m sorry I haven’t written anything for them in a while! You’re always welcome to send me a prompt! Otherwise, I highly recommend checking out @utsus for your NH fic fix! In the meantime, here’s a piece from spy au I was writing so long ago! (Unedited, so sorry for any mistakes!) 

The hallway is quiet, almost unnaturally so. The plush carpet soaks up any sound her heels and his shoes would’ve made and the loudest presence on the floor are the ostentatious wall sconces that brilliantly light the simple, but expensively furnished hallway of the hotel. The silence and the stillness are both a blessing and a curse.

Naruto gently taps Hinata’s shoulder and when she looks back at him, he hand signals whether or not she can see anyone coming. She closes her eyes, refocuses, and when she opens them again, the lenses that Tenten designed specially for her activates. She scans the hallways and peers around the corner but the only heat source she can see is Naruto at her back, though she doesn’t need to see him to feel his presence. He’s close enough that his front almost touches her bare upper back, the crisp folds of his suit gently ghosting over her skin.

She signals back. Coast is clear. And then she leads on, her eyes guiding them to their target: Room 511. She hates being in the open like this, even if the carpet and the walls render them both noiseless. It amplifies the sound of the hammering of her heart and the beats of her breath- but she knows that is adrenaline heightening her senses and sending her blood rushing. She focuses herself, clearing her mind until cool and sharp rationale grounds her again.

Naruto lifts a hand, brushes his palm against her bare shoulder, and squeezes gently in support before letting go. The brief connection comforts them both, when they’re so close to their goal, when they cannot afford to make a mistake now.

She freezes and he knows she’s seen someone. 

20 paces, coming fast is what she signs to him and he’s already moving before her fingers have even finished forming the last code. He pins her against the wall in the corner, his large frame covering hers entirely, his arms braced against either side of her. He bends his head down until she can peek over his shoulder, and when he turns his head slightly to whisper in her ear, his nose glides along the smooth wings of her hair and the soft curve of her ear.

“Are they gone?” Naruto breathes, and the hairs on the back of his neck prickle and his body is tense around her, every sense on alert for anything coming up behind him which he couldn’t see. His eyes are on her though, and she is so focused on what she is seeing down the hall that he can’t help but let his lips quirk up in just the slightest grin. He will always entrust her to watch his back in a heartbeat.

“He’s coming closer,” Hinata murmurs in reply, her lips barely moving. Her brow creases ever so slightly and Naruto can practically see the thoughts flying and forming and piecing themselves together in her mind. He’s not as surprised as perhaps he should be then when she turns her head slightly towards him, her nose brushing up against his in the lightest of accidental eskimo kisses, before asking, “May I kiss you?”

His eyes flicker immediately to her lips, lips he kept catching himself staring at, before meeting her eyes again and the heartbeat that passes between their locked gazes feels like forever, as heavy and light as a held breath before his eyes drop down again. 

He answers with a dip of his head, taking the plunge and then his lips are on hers.

Her hands immediately close around the lapels of his suit and she pulls him in closer, arching until her body is up against his and he groans at the feeling of her body pressed up against him. He slides his hands down from the walls until his arms wrap around her waist, his fingers splayed over her back, and she shivers in his embrace despite the fact that he is all warmth and heat around her.

The kiss is slow, just a touch hesitant as they sink into each other for the first time, but breathtakingly intimate in the way they press up against each other, in the way she can feel his heart pound under her hands and he can feel her pulse racing in time with his. Her lips are softer than he thought, softer than he’s dreamed, and he can’t help but catch her lower lip between his teeth, biting gently. Her breath hitches in her throat and the low moan that escapes her makes him lose all thought for just a moment.

Her silver eyes, warm and half-lidded, watch him so intensely that he doesn’t even realize he’s put a leg between hers, that he’s moulded herself to be as close to her as possible. His suit feels a size too small and her fingers are busy delving into his hair, lingering along his neck, sliding against his cheeks.

She makes it easy, for him to become lost in her.

His breath is hot, sweet as he breathes into her. She kisses back with a moan and a sigh, breathing back into him and the shared sensation leaves them both burning. Hinata’s eyes flicker past him and she giggles playfully all of a sudden, the only warning Naruto gets.

“Hey! Move along, this floor is off limits,” a gruff, disgruntled voice sounds behind him. There’s a light pop as Naruto slowly, reluctantly pulls his lips away from Hinata’s, but he still holds her close. He gives her the slightest of winks, his normally bright blue eyes still dark and sharp on hers, before a wide and sloppy smile stretches across his face. He stumbles back, turning to look at the unamused guard behind him.

The guard is the same height as him, more slender, almost feline in the way he holds himself, but his grey eyes are cold and calculating as he looks them over. Naruto sizes him up in a blink of an eye, knows how he would have to move to take him down. Hinata is doing the same thing next to him and Naruto’s grin grows bigger, knowing she is by his side and watching his back.

“Hey man!” Naruto crows, and Hinata is giggling and stumbling right along with him, her hands slipping and gripping as she tries to find her balance. Naruto anchors her to his side and gives the guard a disarming grin. “Off limits? Sorry, must’ve gotten off on the wrong floor.” He tosses a saucy wink at Hinata and she smiles flirtatiously back, leaning up to plant a lingering kiss along his jaw.

“Alright, alright, move along then,” the guard grunts, looking a little uncomfortable at their display.

“Going, going, gone!” Naruto laughs and then he’s pulling Hinata along back towards the elevator. She stumbles as her heels catch against the plush carpet and they hear the guard sigh behind them as Naruto fumbles in helping her up.

Hinata turns her head to peek back at the guard and smiles brilliantly at him, chuckling as he blinks back owlishly, stunned. She waves her fingers in a silly goodbye before she and Naruto stumble down the rest of the hall and into the waiting elevator. She wraps an arm around his waist and tilts her head up to kiss his neck and Naruto groans hotly, unsteadily as he jams the elevator button.

The guard’s watchful expression is the last thing they see before the doors close. When the elevator shudders and starts to move down, Hinata straightens up and even though she doesn’t remove her arm from his waist and he doesn’t move his hand from where it is buried in the curled ponytail over her shoulder, they’re quiet for a moment, catching their breaths and reigning in their racing hearts.

Hinata lifts her free hand to engage her earpiece and her movements are smooth and controlled, her mind back in the game.

“Shino,” she says, and she waits a moment to hear his voice on the other end. “Three guards in the hallway, though we only encountered one, and there are two more in the room. There’s definitely something in there. There was a blank spot in the room that I couldn’t read.”

“Noted,” Shino’s voice crackles back in her ear. “That is excellent news indeed. I’ll relay the information back to Kiba and we can establish a contact point. I shall keep you informed.” The line cuts and Hinata lets her hand fall, her fingers brushing against Naruto’s lightly.

She lets out a long breath and the success of their scouting catches up with her, the adrenaline making her body tingle and her throat hum. Room 511 is their confirmed lock and now they just need the right moment to apply the key. They are close, so close. It had been such a close call too, with the surprise appearance of the guard. She almost missed the opportunity to look into the room with her lens- but then Naruto gave her the perfect cover to stumble and trip and he bought her enough time to get the information they needed.

Hinata lets loose a laugh of relief and delight and when she sees Naruto tilt his head down to look at her, she can’t help but smile hugely, widely back, her elation and excitement overflowing until it thrums in her veins. She beams up at him, glad that she can share her happiness with him.

Naruto blinks once, twice at her unrestrained smile, and his heart starts racing again, faster than it had before. His fingers, still tangled in her hair, gently comb through her curls, and the back of his hand brushes against the impossibly soft skin of her shoulder. His breath catches at the shine in her eyes and he is so caught in her expression that the smile that grows on his face in response is so unconscious, so natural a reaction.

His smile is softer, subtler, but so sweet, gentle, and sincere. She’s not seen this smile before, not quite like this, and she pauses at the look in his eyes…

The elevator rings their stop and Hinata catches herself. She shakes her head clear, dismisses what she’s sure is just the heat of the moment. She drops her hands and blushes at how she held him, how she hadn’t let him go.

“Sorry, Naruto,” she clears her throat, but she still can’t help but give him a small smile.

“Nothing to be sorry for,” he replies, and his voice is raspier, deeper and Hinata has to keep herself from shivering, remembering how that rumble felt against her skin. His eyes, still that sharper deep blue, are focused so intensely on her that she feels like she’s the only person in the world.

He looks as if he’s seeing her for the first time and he opens his mouth to say-

The elevator door slides open and Sasuke is there, his dark eyes sweeping over them both before his voice cuts in, “Naruto, Hinata. Let’s get moving.” He doesn’t wait for their response, instead already turning and striding away to where Sakura is waiting with their ride.

Hinata glances quickly at Naruto, but the moment is gone. Still, his eyes linger on hers and there’s a promise in them that makes her feel so very bright and alive in his gaze.

He smiles at her again, gentle and soft, and laces his fingers with hers.

“C’mon, let’s go.”

[soartfullydone]

i’m finally doing another self-insert weekend \*^*/

i was talking to @zacksfairest about some shit steve blum was saying to her in starscream’s character, and i was all “hmm i should write a fic of that” and she was like “yes, you should!” so this turned into eight pages of self-insert trash all for one line ha haaaaa ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ

The Cybertronians still weren’t used to the idea. Many of them weren’t even sure how it had happened. Quitting war in favor of rebuilding their world and settling an ages' old conflict, they had come to live on their revived planet under the rule of Megatron, and now Megatron was gone. Some said it was a spur-of-the-moment election, others a coup. Both were more or less correct. But the hows and whys didn’t matter so much as the facts did. 

The simplest fact of all was that Starscream was the new ruler of Cybertron.

And the human rebels who still fought with the Autobots that had not surrendered, the rebels that had been captured during Megatron’s rule, currently imprisoned beneath Kaon, had no idea.

“Okay, folks,” Fowler said, his voice echoing softly yet urgently from his cell. The metal walls gave his words a tinny quality. “It’s now or never. Are we doing this or not?” 

“Oh, we’re doing it,” Miko said determinedly, punching her fist into her other hand. “This place is really cramping my style.”

“That was the last watch for a while,” Silas confirmed with a more professional tone. The group had come to expect nothing less from the military man. “Boggess?”

“Already on it,” Melody said, wedging her arms through the bars so she could reach the locking mechanism.

It took some maneuvering to make it work. A strange hybrid of technology and stonework, their cells weren’t like anything found on Earth. They certainly weren’t meant to hold captive either Cybertronians (they were far too small) or crafty organics like humans who could pick locks. It was hard to imagine what they were supposed to hold— “Maybe those bug-things?” Miko had suggested. Whatever their previous use, it was clear to everyone in this rebel unit that the cells were meant to be a temporary home for them, a place Megatron had stuck them until a more accommodating space could be made, one that probably involved an execution block.

With that surge in motivation, Melody assuredly gripped her makeshift lock picks and got to work.

She was oddly proud of them. What was once rough, loose stone she’d picked up in her cell had been turned into thin—if still a bit rough—picks thanks to the knife her cellmate June had managed to swipe from her meal tray. Their guards hadn’t even noticed it missing, which was no surprise. Cybertronians in general didn’t seem to realize what organics needed to function on a daily basis, their Eradicon guards even less so. None of them had ever given their human captives a full set of utensils between them, if any, but the rebels all counted themselves lucky when June had been given a knife of all things.

Oh, sure, the Eradicons knew it was a knife, but they’d made it clear they didn’t expect the fleshlings to do anything with it other than maybe scratch up a paint job. The humans certainly couldn’t hurt them with such a weak little thing. And then they’d forgotten about it. 

So for a little over a week and unbeknownst to their guards, Melody had been chipping away at the rocks long after the knife went dull. After some trial and error, her picks were done.

Yes, she was proud of them, and of herself. They hadn’t even broken in her hands yet, and she had almost gotten—

A click echoed loudly in the dungeon, but it wasn’t the sound of her cell’s lock finally springing free.

It was the sound of the door locks at the dungeon’s entrance, releasing with a rumble as the metal door whooshed open.

Melody flung herself back from the cell door the same instant Fowler hissed, “What?” Gripped with panic, Melody tossed the picks to June, whose fingers flew to hide them in the bun of her dark hair. Silas cursed softly, and even though she couldn’t hear it, Melody knew that Miko was gritting her teeth. But everyone quickly got their reactions under control.

And just in time. Their guard had come to give them an unexpected visit.

But when Melody peered through her bars to see, her blood froze. Their usual Eradicon guards were there alright, but so was someone else.

Soundwave, Megatron’s lieutenant and communications officer. The one who’d caught them.

And that eerily blank face plate of his was staring straight at her.

*

It was her first time ascending Darkmount. 

Her first impression of the dark tower had been from a distance. She’d considered the whole thing to be garish, almost too jarringly gothic-like to belong on Cybertron’s soil. But she hadn’t been afraid of it. In fact, she remembered laughing and cracking a joke with Miko. (“Shouldn’t the Eye of Sauron be on top of that thing?”) 

She wasn’t laughing now. Now, she was alone and utterly terrified.

Soundwave was her only escort, and he, of course, told her nothing. The mech never spoke, not to anyone. The only thing she could do was try to sort through her panic in a clinical fashion.

I’m the first being executed, she thought. And Megatron’s either going to watch or do it himself.

But it wasn’t Megatron who was waiting on Darkmount’s black throne. It wasn’t Megatron who was adorned in both a crown of gold and red jewels and a shark-like smile.

It was Starscream, and his smile wasn’t shark-like at all. It was self-congratulating and razor thin.

“Leave us, Soundwave” was his first purring order. He lazily flicked his hand in Soundwave’s direction as if he couldn’t be bothered to care where the mech actually went or what he did. 

And Melody watched, stricken, as Soundwave did exactly as he asked, no question.

What is going on? How did this happen?

Starscream’s red optics gleamed at her but suddenly narrowed. His features twisted into a frown. “Well, fleshling? What are you waiting for?”

His impatience spelled the promise of consequences if she didn’t act, yet she didn’t know what he wanted. Even sitting, his Cybertronian frame towered over her by stories, and her mind was reeling from trying to get everything to make sense.

Starscream is Megatron's second in command. His very ambitious, very traitorous second in command, she remembered. So does this mean… Did he actually manage to kill Megatron at last? 

Melody eyed the mech. There was no way. Megatron was a sheer force of nature, and she could already tell from her brief interaction with Starscream that he possessed none of Megatron’s brute strength or magnetizing charisma. Besides, if Optimus hadn’t been able to end Megatron after centuries, then how could Starscream have managed it? A thousand scenarios, a thousand concepts flashed by in a blink, some involving murder and some not, but who could tell which was closest to the truth?

Belatedly, she realized she’d been staring at Starscream for a beat too long, so to fill up the silence she asked the only question that made sense to ask.

“What happened to Megatron?”

It was the wrong thing to say.

“Megatron?” Starscream screeched, claws digging into the arms of his throne. Voice dipping into a growl, he said almost to himself, “Why is it that this concept is so hard for everyone to—”

He cut himself off, sending her a fresh glare. “Oh, no. No, you’re not going to distract me, you evasive little fleshling. Not when I’ve been waiting so long for this moment.” 

Her eyes widened. His confidence was back. What moment?

Starscream leaned forward, the power-hungry gleam returned to his optics. “The moment when the leader of the last rebel cell bows at my feet.” 

His words were meant to make her cower. If anything, they caused her back to straighten, a streak of open defiance making itself known for the first time since her capture. 

“What makes you think that I’m the last?” she asked with a clever smile and a haughty raise of her brow. Ratchet couldn’t stand when she acted like this, and he was much more patient than Starscream. “Much less that I’d be willing to bow to the likes of you? Nice crown, by the way. It almost fits you.”

Melody had never met the Air Commander of the Decepticons before now. Not formally. She’d been on the same battlefield as him, she knew, mostly because the Autobots she fought alongside with knew him or knew of his reputation and couldn’t help but point him out. But she was a ground trooper, and he commanded the skies. She’d seen him from a distance, maybe, but memory tended to blur in the heat of combat. With surges of adrenaline, fear, and the warring needs to both plunge into danger and survive, Melody had not studied him too closely.

But his reputation was well-known to her. Starscream’s presence on the battlefield made every Autobot except the top brass shaky with nerves and fear, a psychological attack that Megatron had known and no doubt took advantage of at the right moments. Whenever Starscream and his seekers were put into play, the battle usually turned, and it was hardly ever in the rebels’ favor.

Starscream was lethal with his airstrikes, could break their lines and execute complex aerial maneuvers with precision without suffering any damage himself. He showed no mercy, even getting sadistic glee from torturing captured enemies for information before killing them. The Autobots had lost quite a few comrades that way, some she’d known on a somewhat personal level. A Starscream that was in control was one you would be unlikely to survive.

But she also knew from listening to Optimus, Ratchet, and Arcee that he talked too much, that he was exceedingly arrogant, easy to insult, quick to anger, and rash in his decision-making. And a Starscream that indulged in any of those things was one that made mistakes, some you could easily take advantage of. 

That’s what she was counting on by mouthing off to him, to get him off-balance, to make him angry, to have him make a mistake.

But there’s a difference between knowing someone’s reputation and knowing them, and between those two points lurked an untold world of miscalculation.

And when Starscream did not screech again with frustration at her words, it dawned on her that she had miscalculated. When he did not spout off with an angry monologue, dread gnawed at her stomach with nightmare teeth. When he didn’t order someone to take her back to her cell immediately, trepidation crawled up her throat, slow and wormlike. 

Instead, he smiled, a claw at his steel mouth and his optics hooded in satisfaction, like he’d just caught her in a carefully-woven lie. “Megatron mentioned you were bold. I hope you don’t think I’m supposed to find that charming.”

With a fluid grace that she wouldn’t have expected from such a large creature of metal, Starscream rose from his throne and clasped his servos behind his back. He descended the three steps leading up to the podium that held his throne, and then he began to circle her. His steps were precise, light for his race, but they were loud to her ears and screeching, and they set her teeth on edge, as he no doubt intended. And all the while he spoke to her in a low, constant rumble, a sharp contrast to his pacing steps. 

“You may not be the last rebel leader in existence, true, but you are the last of the human ones. I also have dear Silas in my grasp, too. I’m very curious how that alliance came about, especially with how often your side has accused us of terrorism. Tell me, do I detect a hint of hypocrisy from the oh-so noble Autobots? I don’t think my spark would be able to weather such a thing.”

If only that were the case, she thought but kept her mouth shut, remembering. A Starscream that was in control was one you would be unlikely to survive.

But even in control, he still talked too much.

He seemed to realize it, too. He came to a stop and glared down at her. “What? Nothing to say in your defense?”

She coolly disregarded him, focusing straight ahead. “I have nothing to add, no.”

He was silent. She waited for the blow born of his impatience to come.

But in a dipping purr, all he said was “Oh, but I think you do. Especially if you want your fellow rebels to live.”

Melody tried not to give him the satisfaction, she really did, but if she was going to try to learn his tells, then she had to look at him. “What do you mean?” 

“Soundwave has shared with me his intelligence about you. One thing I noticed is that we’re a lot alike, you and I.” Before she could strongly argue against that accusation, he continued, “But you have a weakness I don’t, one you’re not yet ruthless enough to ignore. You’ll want your friends to live.” 

He examined those sharp servos of his with an air of carelessness. “The only way that’s going to happen is if the Autobots are, once and for all, crushed into scrap. So I’m willing to make you a deal. Give up the Autobots to me, and I’ll let you and the other organics return home.”

Her lips quirked wryly. “What, for all his intelligence, is Soundwave not doing a good enough job for you? Don’t tell me he’s bitter over taking your orders instead of Megatron’s. What happened to him anyway?”

“Never you mind what happened to Megatron.” Starscream’s optics flashed at her asking that for the second time. “I’d worry more about yourself, you insolent wretch.” 

With a steadying breath, Melody crossed her arms and looked the ruler of Cybertron straight on. “I need something much more than the lives of a few rebels if you expect me to help you.”

A nasty grin stole across Starscream's face. She detected vicious amusement there, but also approval. “You’re in no position to be making demands. But I’m in an exceptionally good mood today. Let’s hear your no doubt amusing proposition, fleshling.”

“Earth.”

“Ah, yes, what about the quaint little mudball?”

“I want it and all the beings who live there left alone.”

“…What?” 

“You heard me," Melody said firmly. "No more stripping it of energon, no more killing innocent people, whether deliberately or because they’re caught in the crossfire of this war. If you want me to help you track down the rest of Autobot high command, including Optimus Prime, then you and all who align with you must leave Earth out of it. Those are my terms.”

The grin had long since fallen from his face. His optics were hooded in suspicion. “…I suppose you thought I wouldn’t catch it.”

Her brows rose slightly in surprise. 

“And maybe," he slowly continued, "if I were Megatron, I wouldn’t have. You want ‘all the beings who live there left alone’? Including any Autobots who seek shelter, I’m sure.”

That was exactly what she’d been thinking. She’d miscalculated again. 

“Luckily for you, I’m not interested in organics, and I have little use for Earth and its meager energon stores now that I rule Cybertron. I always thought Megatron invested far too much time and resources into that dreadful planet, so I see no reason to deny your terms." 

Melody's shoulders relaxed at hearing that. She hadn't realized how tense they were.

But they seized again when he said, “However, if at any point my hunt for the remaining Autobots leads me to Earth because they’ve taken refuge there…” He shrugged. “That’s hardly my fault. Nor will I be held responsible for any human lives that are lost because they chose to harbor and align with traitors.”

“So in other words, barely anything will change,” she muttered, bitterness coating her tone.

His optics narrowed, his tone biting. “Perhaps you would be more receptive of my generosity if I forced you. Do you think you’d be difficult to break, human, with your flesh so easily torn? Or maybe I should start with your friends and make you watch.” Casually, his optics flickered toward the lift she’d been brought in after being taken from her cell. “I think I’ll start with the girl. I hear you're fond of her.”

“No!” She took a step toward him, forcing his attention back to her and away from Miko. 

But she was starting to realize that it didn’t matter how she tried to maneuver herself around Starscream. It was like navigating her way through a thick briar patch. No matter what plan of action or precautions she made, any route she took would bring her pain. “No, that won’t be necessary. I’ll do all that you ask in finding the Autobots, provided the rest of the rebels go free and Earth becomes a neutral zone.”

And hopefully, despite her betrayal, Optimus, Arcee, and the others would be smart enough to evade Starscream until he was inevitably vacated from the throne. The consolation tasted bitter in her mouth. 

The Autobots would never forgive her for this, nor should they. Neither would Miko, Fowler, Jack, Raf, or any of the other rebels if they found out. But if it saved Earth and countless lives, wasn’t she by her unique position obligated to try? How could she refuse? Perhaps Starscream wasn't the only one here who was arrogant, but she was already going down this path. No quitting it now.

“Mmm, that’s better,” Starscream said, voice scraping with pleasure. “Except you forgot to kneel. Go ahead, human.” A sharp claw pointed at his feet. His smile was smug, and his optics were cruel. “Bow. Prove to me your new allegiance." 

Not seeing any way out of the situation, she did. Slowly, every cell in her body protesting with disgust, she lowered her head and knelt on one knee, an arm propped on the opposite leg. She could barely get the words out. "From now on, I'm in your service, Starscream, in whatever capacity you deem fit." 

“Very good.” The words were a clawed caress inching down her neck and into her spine. "Yes, fleshling, you are far more appealing in a position of sweet supplication. Even if I can barely see you down there."

He was preening again, mad with power. At the realization, a strange sort of peace settled over Melody. This, this was something she knew. This was something she could use. As long as she was patient and waited for the right moments to act.   

Starscream took a step toward her. “There’s just one more thing.” 

A brief flash of light caused her to start, but before she could look up to see what it was, cool fingers made of flesh, not claws of metal, grasped her chin and lifted her face up.

It took her a moment to reconcile herself with what she was seeing.

She was greeted by the sight of a human face with pointed features, high cheekbones, and short silver hair. Red eyes glittered at her in victory, but it was the self-satisfied smile on his thin mouth that she recognized.

“Call me Lord,” Starscream's voice purred from a human throat, a man's lips. His grip on her tightened painfully—that was all too real, too—and with only a few inches between her and those merciless red eyes, he issued his final warning. “And no matter where you go, never think for one moment that you are ever safe from me.”