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ominous-auburn-orbs · 5 months

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More sick Caine but this time within the circus?

I wanted to do this one for a while, but I wasn't quite sure how.

Heavily inspired by Caine VA's Twitter post about what Caine might be like if he got sick. I can't find it but if you know you know

Also warning for some very suggestive jokes.

The circus troop had just finished doing their theme song and were waiting on the stage for Caine to announce that day's adventure. He always gave them some time to socialise before they started it, finding it also gave them an opportunity to mentally prepare.

However, Kinger had noticed something off with the ringmaster. His voice during his introduction had sounded stuffy, and he could swear he had heard Caine unexplainably say something about a 50% off deal while he was talking to Bubble.

"Uh, Gangle?" She was trying to stay as far away as possible from Jax when Kinger approached her, startling her slightly. "Did you notice anything different about Caine? It's kinda hard for me to tell with this stuff. In case I'm just, y'know, making it up or something."

"W-well Kinger, you know Caine better than anyone, so you're probably right. Something does seem a bit weird with him today. Maybe you should ask him about it?"

While Gangle was concerned, she secretly hoped that whatever was going on would get them out of that day's adventure, or at least delay it. It was also a great opportunity for Kinger and Caine to spend more time together, which was something she always loved to see.

Just when Kinger was about to start searching for him, Caine flew up above the performers, his energy seeming a bit more forced and draining than usual.

"Hello, everyone! Are you all ready for today's- for... AHC[CLICK FOR NEW IPHONE]!" The other's jumped at the sudden yelling. They all couldn't help but compare it to a sneeze, if a very peculiar one at that.

"Huh. I guess Caine's got a cold today. Well, I'm going back to my room, tell me if he starts feeling better so I can try to make him worse again." Jax turned on his heel and walked towards the hall, followed by Ragatha and Pomni's glaring.

Turning back to Caine, Pomni cautiously inched closer to him. "Uh, are you okay, Caine? You don't sound well. And what do you mean about a 'new iPhone'?" The ringmaster looked at the floor, his gaze seeming unfocused before his head snapped up.

"Don't you fret, my dear, I- [YOU'RE OUR 1000TH CUSTOMER]" Caine made a loud string of glitching noises into his elbow, desperately trying to speak through it, "I-I'm doing just fine..."

The quiet groan that followed his words convinced Pomni and the performers otherwise. Pomni glanced back nervously, unsure if this was a regular occurrence. The confusion she found in her friends' eyes told her it wasn't.

Kinger at least now had confirmation that he was right. Something was wrong. "Caine, I really don't think you should host today."

"W-what?! Nonsense, nonsense!! The show- [CLICK HERE]- n-needs- [FOR 10 GRAND]- a host!" The troop had begun to back off while Kinger had gotten closer. While they all just wanted to have a calm day for once, Kinger was far more concerned with Caine's health and safety.

"Maybe you can just get Bubble to do it today." Out of the corner of his eye, Kinger saw the other performers frantically shaking their heads in response to the idea. "...or, rather, we just don't have an adventure today. Take a little break. You definitely sound like you need one."

"B-but-!" Before Caine could say his excuse, his eyes began quickly spinning around in his head, resulting in him having to close his mouth tightly to keep them inside. When they stopped moving, he slowly opened up again. "Alright. W-we'll just have a day off today."

The chess piece moved to put his hand around Caine's shoulder as he lowered further to the ground. While the others immediately went to their rooms, trusting Kinger to handle whatever was going on, Pomni lingered behind to check on the two.

"Are you, um, do you need any help, Kinger? I mean, I-I don't really know what to do, but if I can do anything..." Pomni trailed off, not really sure where she was going with this. She didn't want Caine to be 'sick', just as she didn't want anyone else in the circus to be unwell either. Well, maybe Jax, but that's more than reasonable.

"Oh, no, I've got it from here. You can go and relax, I can handle Caine." Pomni gave him a look of mild uncertainty just to be sure he was being honest. Kinger returned it with a reassuring smile. "It's my specialty! He'll be well again in no time."

The jester smiled, taking his word for it and heading towards her room. As she was leaving, Caine came back into reality again and frantically waved his hand, yelling, "Byyyeeee, Pomniii!!!"

The sudden burst of excitement sent him into another fit of high-pitched crackling noises. Kinger's hands moved to further support him. "Maybe just try and use an inside voice for once, dear."

"S-sorry. Thank you for helping me. I'm- [5 STEPS TO BECOME A BIG SHOT]- still not used to this happening." Caine leaned against Kinger, letting out a light sigh of relief at not having to put as much energy into keeping himself upright.

The chess piece began to walk him to the hall that held their rooms. "Do you know what's happening?"

Caine moved his feet to keep up with Kinger, although he went at a slower pace. "It's probably something wrong with my code. It doesn't seem too severe, so my built-in defences are currently working on fixing it. Buuuut it does take a bit. [TOP 30 ANIME DEATHS]!" The ringmaster looked somewhat embarrassed about his various short outbursts. "H-hopefully it doesn't take too long."

The next time his foot hit the floor, Caine's body suddenly spasmed before his head fell to the ground. His top row of teeth landed close to his bottom, but his eyes bounced and rolled further down the hall. Kinger startled, quickly moving to support Caine again and staring in disbelief at the pieces of his face now scattered across the floor.

"O-oh no- I'll get those back for you, honey!" He only moved forward slightly, not wanting to accidentally drop Caine, while one of his hands flew through the air to catch the ringmaster's eyes. When they finally lost momentum and stopped rolling, Kinger was able to pick them up and bring them back. Not knowing what to do, he placed them in the top of his robe, moving on to putting Caine's head back together.

Kinger started by trying to put Caine's bottom row of teeth back on top of his shoulders, but it was like working with very weak magnets. He eventually got it to stay floating, which allowed him to move to the top row. Caine talked to him throughout, which did make it a little harder, but Kinger could never complain about hearing his voice.

"I'm so very sorry about all of this, my dear. You should be enjoying this day off anyway, I can handle this." Placing Caine's eyes back into his head, Kinger moved his hands around him again to continue walking.

"Don't be ridiculous, I love spending time with you. Even if you weren't 'sick', this is exactly where I'd be." Kinger pressed his face to the top of Caine's gums. "Right next to you."

The ringmaster leaned into Kinger's chest as they walked, chuckling nervously. "O-oh. I hadn't realised. In that case, this is- [HOT AND THIRSTY TWINKS NEAR YOU]!"

Caine slapped a hand over his mouth, or rather his eyes and bottom teeth. He buried his face deep into Kinger's robe, attempting to hide his bright red face. The chess piece was startled, his own face heating up as well. He put his hand on Caine's back comfortingly and smiled at him.

Kinger's voice quietened somewhat. "I know, darling, believe me." Caine let out a quiet groan of embarrassment into the fluff of Kinger's robe, making him laugh. "Come on, I'll just take you to my room. Then you can rest while your system fixes itself."

Pulling his face away, Caine kept walking alongside Kinger. The pair eventually made it to the chess piece's room, with Kinger setting him down in his pillow fort. He sat down next to him, gently rubbing circles on his back. The ringmaster leant against his shoulder, sighing with content.

"Thank you for all of this, my love. I'm already starting to feel better, although I'm still not entirely fixed. Just be wary, in case I have one of those little outbursts again." Kinger returned his sweet smile as best as he could with his eyes. Unfortunately, the moment was interrupted by Caine suddenly yelling again. "[PLAY WITH ME AND YOU'LL BE CU-]"

Kinger quickly put his hands on either end of Caine's head and snapped his mouth shut, waiting for him to finish before letting him go. Both of them were blushing profusely, with Caine's eyes heavily avoiding the other's. Kinger grabbed one of Caine's hands and rubbed his thumb back and forth across it.

"It's fine, dear. I know you can only do so much to keep your programming in check. We can just stay here until it's fixed." Caine gave him a small nod and rested against him once more. The less he did, the easier it was for his code to solve the problem. The chess piece put a gentle hand around Caine's waist. "I don't really mind you saying things like that, anyway."

The ringmaster wrapped his arms around Kinger and held him close, clearly flustered despite trying to disguise it. "Shush. I thought I was meant to be resting."

Kinger chuckled, but agreed, their peace only disrupted by Caine's occasional glitches or advertisements. They eventually stopped, signifying Caine was well again, yet neither of them moved for a long time afterwards.

#shout out to the slopcord for giving me a bunch of ideas #if that hadn't happened I would simply be dead #caine x kinger #kinger x caine #kingleader #royalteeth #I'M SO SORRY THIS TOOK SO LONG

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omennatural · 10 months

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The Good Omens After Dark San Diego Event and why it was a bit of a failure in my eyes + pictures

I just want to kind of bring a little light to something because even if something works out, that doesn't mean it should've happened the way it did in the first place.

I flew to San Diego for the event, my flight was delayed but I made it to the event building close to an hour prior to the doors opening. The line was wrapped around the building, hundreds at a standstill waiting to get it. I joined a group at a corner, looking to find the end of the line, and there was a security guard who told me and quite a few others that there were hundreds past capacity, that the people standing in the middle of the general ticket line 5 feet to my right were 100% NOT going to get in. He said he was there the night before, Prime did the same thing but for Jury Duty, and they capped people off at midnight and only so many got in. Don't get me wrong, he was VERY kind, but he was telling people there was no chance to get in. I'm standing next to people in full cosplay who went home because of this. We find out through others who found out at the event that there were VIP and preferred tickets, sold through a different site. The hundreds of people in line (most, anyway) had NO idea about these tickets guaranteeing entry. If you didn't read the fine print on the tickets reserved that Prime sent saying "admission not guaranteed" then you're not the only one. Prime didn't tweet out anything about preferred or vip tickets, only general admission. People left.

I was in San Diego, I wasn't wasting my night. I found a bar across the street, had a few drinks, and an hour later when I happened to walk out, the line that wasn't supposed to have moved at all was gone. I walked around the block, found the entrance and saw it wasn't what I thought it was because Prime gave no specific details, not like on the other website we had no idea about. I got into line because if I had a chance, I was taking it. I waited over an hour, I saw many people leave, and a new security guard was going around saying they were trying to get everyone in line in, letting people in past capacity and in big groups. I got in at about 11:20, and they'd already started turning people away about 15 people behind me. I missed the hunt. I'm very grateful I was able to go in and get a few good pictures and get some cool "merch"? But it was more of a big Good Omens themed party than anything, and I almost missed it because I was told there was 0 chance of getting in. I'm glad I checked, but I can't say I consider it a huge success because fans went home disappointed, and I don't know how much they went through to be there. Prime didn't cap general tickets, and I wished how the event was going to be held had been more explicit because almost everyone I talked to had no idea what the fuck was happening. It worked out for me, but not for everyone and I feel for those people i had conversations with, exited and in full cosplay.

I definitely had a good time, I enjoyed being there, it was fun, but I've seen quite a few people complaining on Twitter about it and I thought I'd share how much of a clusterfuck it felt. Ive been to a few fan events and I've never had such a rollercoaster of a time.

TLDR, if you're wondering what the event was like, fun but tumultuous. I took pictures if you want to see, I think we're allowed to post them? If I get told not, I'll take them down, but have a look! Sorry if they're not super great, I was actually quite drunk at this point 😵‍💫

#good omens #aziraphale #crowley #good omens 2 #aziracrow #go2 #good omens prime event

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scenesofobx · 2 years

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Guilt Ridden Consciences

Illicit Affairs: Part 3

Summary: Reader takes a maths test, spends time with friends, and then deals with an apologetic and jealous boyfriend, and the fallout that jealously brings. She also finally admits her feelings to a certain Kook.

AN: Apologies that this took so long to be posted, really happy with how it's turned out though & happy to say that part 4 is in the writing process <3

Warnings: mentions of cheating, hurt, a toxic relationship, sex, underage drinking.

Word Count: 4k

After my date with Topper, he'd dropped me at home, giving me a kiss goodbye before I hopped out of the car and headed in. The entire time with Topper, the only person I could think of was Rafe.

I spent the rest of my day just binging random 2000s romcom movies, had dinner with my parents and got into bed early enough to be rested for school tomorrow morning.

I woke up early, getting done in record time and grabbing a bottle of water on my way out the door, I stopped at Starbucks on my way to school, getting a hot chocolate and a breakfast meal, grabbing a cup of tea for Sarah and a muffin for Pope, as a thank you for the geometry help.

When I finally pulled into school, I grabbed my breakfast, the muffin and the tray of drinks, locked my car and walked to the bench under a tree that Sarah and I always sat at.

"Hey!", I greeted, her eyes darting up to meet mine.

"Hey buttercup", she eyed the two takeaway cups in my hand, "What you got there?", she queried.

"Oh you know, just your favourite morning Starbucks drink....", I gave her a teasing smirk, handing the drink over to her.

"I love you!", she exclaimed, "So... not to be cheesy but spill the tea", she teased, holding up her cup of tea.

"I would tease you but I'm so used to this I'll just let it slide", I laughed at her antics, taking our my breakfast and started eating, I was delaying my next sentence, she'd been quite the entire time I'd eaten my breakfast, silently giving me an expectant stare, "....We're back together", I finally revealed.

"Oh!", Sarah's eyes went wide in shock, I don't think she expected me to say that, "I didn't expect that", okay I was right, she wasn't expecting that..., "I expected an official breakup especially after, you know..."

"I know Sarah but he apologised, he recreated our first date. I was going to tell him, break the news but he kept being so sweet and apologetic and honestly, the last thing I want to do is hurt him!", I exclaimed, sighing out of desperation for my best friends guidance right about now.

"No. Immediately no Y/N/N, you can't stay with him just because you don't want to hurt him!"

"It's not only that Sarah, I love him, okay? He's not always the best but surely right now he's been a better person than I have and that's... I love him"

"You sound like you're trying to convince yourself of the fact not that you're stating a fact..."

I hate when she's right..., thankfully before she had time to expand more on her thoughts, the bell rang, signalling the start of school, and the test I'd been dreading. Even though I was more prepared than I've ever been, I stilled had a knot of stress in my chest. I stopped at my locker to drop my books I didn't need off and as soon as the door to my locker opened I saw a bouquet of my favourite flowers staring back at me. I opened the little note tied to the stems, "Good luck on your test babe, you've got this!", what a sweet thing for him to do... I tried to ignore the memory of him saying I shouldn't even try because I'd fail anyway and just pretended everything was alright and carried on walking to class.

I finished the test before the hour was over, I double checked my answers, packed up my things, dropped the test on my teachers test and walked out, going back to the bench where Sarah and I were this morning.

I texted Pope, who I knew would be writing now too.

"Meet me after you're done? I'm by the bench that I always sit at with Sarah"

Not a minute later I got a text back,

"On my way!"

I heard his footsteps and looked up from my tiktok fyp.

"Po!", I got up giving him a big hug which he glady returned, "I did it, I was confident and it's all thanks to you!"

"I'm so proud of you! Seriously though, you've got to give yourself credit too Y/N/N, you're smart even if some asshole Kook says different", his tone was serious, he cared so much and I was beyond grateful to call him a friend.

"Thanks P, I got you a muffin to say thank you!"

"Chocolate chip?"

"Of course", I gave him his muffin, which I knew was his favourite flavour and he immediately dug into it, making me let out a short laugh, "Oh and uh... the asshole Kook is still my boyfriend", I was praying he wasn't disappointed in me.

"Firstly, thank you for the muffin, secondly... sorry for calling your boyfriend an asshole", he gave me a teasing smile, I was grateful for his sweet, playful side and I grateful that even though my boyfriend was one of his least favourite people in the world, he still apologised about calling him an ass, that's Pope for you.

"You're welcome and... thanks, I uh- I appreciate that, really!"

"Sure... so anyway, I should go, I've gotta meet JJ, but thanks again for the muffin Y/N/N"

"Anytime", giving him a kind smile which he mirrored before walking away, sending a small wave my way before he turned the corner, going out of sight.

It was weird, sitting here waiting for Sarah, my brain kept travelling to a certain Kook and it wasn't the one my brain should be fixated on but you can't control your feelings I guess...

Before I could get even more in my head about how much of a terrible person I was, Sarah joined me at the bench, we chatted about the test and then headed off to English together.

Little did I know that the certain Kook I was thinking of was thinking of me too.

"Hey babe!", Sarah pulled me from my daydreaming and back to reality, "You okay?"

"Hey, yeah, no yeah I'm... I'm good!", I reassured her.

"Okay then... how'd you find the test?", she moved on to a different topic even though I knew she didn't believe me.

"Really good, Pope helped a hell of a lot"

"See, ditching your ass of a boyfriend was worth it", she smiled at me, reassuring me I'd been in the right about the whole Topper situation, and also mirroring what Pope had called Topper mere minutes ago.

"Yep, definitely was! Uh anyway... how did you find it?"

"You know we, I'm a pro at this math stuff!", she joked and we both laughed at her silliness, "So I'm gonna pretend that you weren't daydreaming about my brother, and you're going to pretend that I'm good at maths so I don't have to feel like a failure, yeah?"

"Yeah", I laughed, "And for what it's worth, I aren't a failure honey, far from!", I pulled her in for a comforting hug which she gladly accepted.

The rest of the school week dragged on and on. I found myself daydreaming about Rafe more than once, thinking about him in class, on the rides home from school with Sarah or Topper thinking about how I wished Rafe was the one driving me home, thinking about him when I looked at the empty table next to me at dinner, or the empty space in my bed where he should be laying. Let's just say that my mind was completely and utterly consumed by any and everything Rafe Cameron. I'd been doing my best at avoiding Topper as much as I could this week, wanting to avoid the guilt I felt when I was with him, the guilt that I'd been with someone that wasn't him (even though we on a break, it still just felt like cheating), been thinking nonstop about someone that wasn't him, been wishing I was with Rafe and not him... the guilt just kept building up every time he was near and I hated it. So when Sarah invited me to a party, I knew that I had to go.

"Is Topper coming?", I asked her while getting ready in her room.

"It's a party Y/N/N... on a Friday night, of course he'll be there!", she laughed at my weirdness, of course Topper would be there, along with Kelce and, well Rafe.

"Right, duh!", I physically faceplate myself, "I don't know why I even asked"

"It's okay, really, I get it", she gave me a reassuring smile, she'd always have my back and I was thankful for that. "It's not exactly fun seeing your boyfriend and the guy you're in love with in the same vercinity"

"I don't love him Sarah! I just-"

"You just can't stop thinking about him, your time spent together, how much you wish you were with him when he's not around, and you don't want to call that love? Y/N that's exactly how I am with John B, and I love him so... sorry to break it to you but that's love!"

"Oh my God, I love him", I placed my hands into my palms, she's right I really do love him!

"Yep, as you can tell, I clearly saw this coming"

"Sure you did honey, sure you did", I rolled my eyes playfully at her.

"No, really I swea-", she was cut off by a knock on the door, "Come in"

The person we'd literally just been speaking about showed his face.

"Hey, uh- you guys ready to head out? Topper and Kelce are waiting downstairs", his eyes connected with mine as my boyfriend's name slipped out of his mouth.

"Yeah, we'll be there in a second", Sarah chimed in.

At that his eyes were off of mine and the door was closed again. His footsteps gradually fading away.

"Thank you"

"No stress, figured you needed a second after your.... uh, your realisation and that you'll have to share a car with the two of them, but hey, I'll be there!"

"You're the best... let's get out of here"

We left hand in hand, walking down the stairs to my inevitable doom.

"Hey babe", Topper said, pulling me into him by my waist, placing a kiss on my cheek.

I smiled timidly up at him, looking over at Rafe, wishing he was the person I was standing this close to and not Topper.

Rafe gave me back the same look I was giving him, a look of longing, and by the look on Sarah's face, we weren't doing a very good job of being subtle.

Sarah cleared her throat, "Anyway, we should should get going so we aren't late"

At that we all headed out and to Topper's jeep. Topper drove, Sarah insisting I sit next to her in the back, leaving Rafe to take the passenger seat, again... I'm so thankful for her!

We got to the party within five minutes, it being on The Eight made travel times quick.

The first thing I spotted when I got inside were the infamous Pogues, the people I'm lucky enough to call friends and the people my boyfriend, well... doesn't exactly like, at all.

"I thought this was a Kook only party Sarah", Topper grunted, the annoyance of having to share the party with Pogues evident in his voice.

"I never said that Topper, you assumed... that's on you champ", I snickered at her nickname for him.

"What's so funny, huh?", his grip on my waist tightened the tiniest amount, unnoticeable to anyone but me.

"Nothing", I smiled sweetly up at him, God he's just such an ass sometimes, she made a joke, I laughed, it's not that deep Topper.

"Anyway", she looked at Topper and I awkwardly, I'm gonna grab a drink, so..."

"I'll join you", anything to get out of this annoying interaction.

"Be careful", now sure he meant it to be careful in general but it went further than that, he was warning me not to cross a line tonight. Well...

"Messaged received", and... ignored Top, I thought while I smiled up at him again, my smile as sweet as honey.

He leaned down and whispered in my ear, "Good, we don't need another fight, now do we babe?"

I leaned up to meet his ear, "No... we don't"

He kissed my cheek and let his grip on my waist loosen until it disappeared completely.

Sarah and I got to the kitchen, pouring two rounds of shots and downing them in seconds. She then requested that I make her a random mix of whatever looked good while she went to the bathroom.

"Well if it isn't my favourite Kook", John B's voice pulled me from my focus onto the cups in front of me and to his welcoming smile.

"I thought Sarah was a Kook", I teased.

"Nah, she's an honorary Pogue"

"Aah, and I'm what, just a Kook then?"

"Yeah, but with some super awesome Pogue friends", JJ chimed in as he walked into the kitchen and have me a quick hug, clearly having overhead part of our conversation. He grabbed a beer and was out of my sight as quickly as he was in it.

"He's right...", John B backed up our blonde friend, I laughed at both boys comedic nature, "You having fun?"

"I mean we just got here so... not really but I'm sure I will, you?"

"Yeah it's been goo-"

"-Oh shit wait... I'm so sorry to interupt you JB, but isn't this 'Shake It Off'?", both of our eyes widened in realisation of our song being played over the radio.

A few years ago, when I was at a bonfire party, I'd been super drunk and had started playing Taylor's song Shake It Off, relating to the lyrics, relating more than ever to the line "I'm dancin' on my own, I'll make the moves up as I go", and before I knew it John B had joined in to dance with me and ever since that night, whenever it came on, we'd drop everything and dance together, it was the one thing we had that made our friendship as strong as it was, it kept us bonded.

John B laughed before grabbing me by the arm and gently leading me to the dance floor, we immediately started goofing around and dancing completely randomly, just doing our own thing.

"I'M JUST GONNA SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE IT OFF, SHAKE IT OFF", we both screamed along to the iconicness that was Taylor Swift lyrics.

I'd failed to notice Tooper's eyes burning a hole in the back of my head.

"And to the fella over there with the hella good hair", I pointed at John B, "Won't you come on over baby", I pretend to reel him in, both of us laughing away as he pretended to be caught on my line, "We can shake, shake, shake", Jb and I both moving crazily on every 'shake'. Now I get that to anyone who didn't know the strictly sibling like bond John B and I shared, this could seem sort of flirty but everyone knew that John B and I were strictly platonic friends, that we always had been and always would be. The Pogues knew, Sarah too, and I assumed Topper did too because when the song came on in the car a few weeks ago I told him all about the silly routine John B and I had made up when we drunk off our asses and I assumed he'd listened to me, his 'aah that's cool babe' being the reassurance I'd needed that he did, in fact know about it. Sarah had returned from the bathroom and was recording our dance, laughing at our goofy antics.

I can now only assume that our dance had pissed Toppper off because next thing I knew my arm was being harshly pulled and I'm being dragged into the mostly secluded kitchen.

"Everyone out!", Topper demanded to the few people hanging out in the kitchen, when they made no direct move to leave he raised his voice to a shout, "NOW!", which caused me to flinch slightly.

"What the hell Topper?"

"What do you mean "what the hell, Topper?" huh?", he mimicked my voice, "I'm the one that should be asking that Y/N, you're dancing with your best friends boyfriend like it's nothing, like you don't have a boyfriend yourself!"

"Oh my God Topper, do you have to be so fucking jealous all the damn time!? His is literally the closest thing I have to a brother, we made up that routine years ago at a bonfire and we always do it when the song plays, I literally told you this!"

"How am I supposed to remember everything little thing you tell me, huh? I don't have some photographic memory or some shit Y/N!"

"You act like I tell you trillions of random things all the time", I was feeling a bit defenseless because of his harsh tone of voice.

"Because you do! You say so much useless crap and it's tirin-"

"-Woah, let's all take a breather okay?", Rafe's voice broke the heavy tension present in the kitchen.

"She's flirting with another guy right in front of me, Rafe!"

"I wasn't flirting, fuck Topper how many times must I tell you that John B is like a brother to me!?"

"Okay you two, let's just stop, alright? Top, to clear this all up, she wasn't flirting with John B, it's their thing, they've always done it"

"What the fuck Rafe, you're gonna defend her right now? What happened to bros over hoes?"

"Now I'm a hoe", I laughed unable to believe the shit coming out of his mouth at this point.

"She's not a hoe Topper, just... just go home, okay?"

"No, you know what... I have to ask, what was that look you two shared earlier, hmm? In the foyer at Tannyhill, I saw it, Sarah and Kelce saw it, I mean you'd have to be blind to not see it, so... what was that?"

Okay two options here, we come clean right here and now and cause a huge public fight or do some light lying and delay the inevitable fight for a more private location, preferably where alcohol isn't involved. Yeah no, definitely the latter.

"Nothing..."

"Really? So I was just seeing things then?"

"I don't know Topper, but that look was nothing", I defend.

"Just tell me the truth"

"I am telling you the truth", I am such a terrible person!

"Tell me... No. Cut the shit, just tell me the truth"

"Okay, fine. I can't do this right now", I threw my hands up, completely over Topper's constant interogration.

"Is that like your go to line every time we fight or...?", Topper mocked me.

"You know, that's soo funny Topper!", I rolled my eyes and walked away, going to the bathroom to take a minute to be alone to calm down.

Thankfully the bathroom on the second floor was empty so I quickly went in and locked in behind me. Staring at myself in the mirror I tried to find the version of myself who didn't lie and gaslight people, this wasn't me, this wasn't who I was meant to be, I'm meant to be better. My spirarling thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.

"I swear Topper if this is yo-", I rambled while walking over to the door, opening it, 'you're definitely not Topper"

"No, I hope that's okay", Rafe's sweet voice filled my ears, "I just wanted to check on you"

"It's definitely okay, more than okay", I smiled kindly at him.

"Good. I was hoping you'd say that!", he mirrored my smile like he's done numerous times before.

"Uh, come in", I gestured for him to enter, causing me to laugh at my statement. You're inviting him into a bathroom not your house Y/N, internal face palm moment right now. He laughed too, the sound making the butterflies in my stomach flutter. The sound of the door locking behind him did not go unnoticed but it did go unmentioned, we both knew from the look in the foyer earlier today that we would be spending some alone time together one way or another.

"You know, I really thought alcohol would explain Topper being such a dick but he said that he's barely had any so, I'm sorry he's been such an ass... again!"

"Thanks Rafe, it's uh, it's okay, you know? I just... Topper's jealous of me and John B literally just goofing around and us making eye contact, imagine his reaction to finding out that we had sex!", I exclaimed.

"You feel guilty?", Rafe asks.

"Don't you?"

"I do, I just didn't know if you did too"

"I do, but not because I did it Rafe, I feel guilty because I loved every second of it but I know that you didn't and that's okay but I I had to te-"

"-I did too"

"What?", I asked taken aback by his statement.

"I tried to tell you that the other night but you interrupted me saying it meant nothing to you either so I chickened out of telling you"

"If you loved every second of it then why would you help Topper plan a date to win me back?"

"Because silly, I'd helped Topper with the idea before you'd come over. He'd texted the group chat right after you left and I'd helped him, not knowing that I'd be having the best night of my life with you mere hours later"

"The best night of your life, huh?", I asked him with a teasing smirk on my face.

"You see I could play what I said off but I'm tired of hiding my feelings for you. That night meant everything to me and not just because of the sex, which was incredible, but what's even more incredible is your personality, your intelligence, your mesmerising laugh and your completely flawless beauty. I love you with every fibre of my being YN!"

There was a moment of deafing silence, all I could focus on was Rafe's captivating nervous smile. I took a small stride toward him and connected our lips, the pace starting slow and filled with nothing but love, trying to convey every emotion I felt into this kiss. He was quick to fasen the pace of it, deepening the kiss.

I eventually pulled back for air and took the opportunity to do some confessing of my own, "I love you too Rafe, more than I could ever put into words"

His infamous smirk made its way onto his perfect face and he lifted my up effortlessly and placed me onto the counter, going in to kiss me again before I even had a second to catch my breath.

In no time my dress was ripped off and was lying on the bathroom floor, along with his shirt. His pants came next, leaving both of us in just our underwear, kisses being exchanged in a needy manner.

Rafe and I have this tenancy to not be able to stay away from one another, since Saturday evening, all I'd been dreaming about was this... this exact moment with him. The second my eyes connected with his in the foyer at Tannyhill I knew that I was done for, that one way or another I needed to spend time with him, and while this isn't exactly how I'd expected us spending time together, I was not going to complain.

Before any more items of clothing could be removed, there was a knock at the bathroom door causing both Rafe and I to tense up and try communicate with our eyes that clearly only one of us could open the door and that we were praying that the person knocking had seen Rafe and Rafe alone go into the bathroom, as he was the only quickly pulling up his pants and walking over to the door, ready to face whomever was on the other side.

♡

Taglist for the series:

@storytellingwitht @dreamsinshadesofblue @katsu28 @itsmytimetoodream @ailee-celeste @id0ntcare-br0 @rafeslineofcoke <3

(comment, send an ask or message me if you'd like to be added to the series taglist)

#obx #obx fluff #obx angst #obx imagine #obx netflix #rafe x female!mc #rafe x reader #rafe x you #rafe x y/n #rafe cameron #rafe obx #rafe imagine #outerbanks netflix #outerbanks rafe #outer banks #rafe outer banks #outer banks imagine

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avatarhanami · 1 year

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Hello all!

I wanted to hop on here and throw in a little update post since it's been a little bit since I've done one. Never hurts to keep ya'll in the loop!

As you can tell, it's been pretty slow around these parts. I'm sorry for that, it's been a crazy rollercoaster in life recently for a lot of us and it's been hard to get things (especially art) out on my part due to massive burnout. But I wanted to reassure some of the asks we got that no, we are not stopping/quitting the project because the instagram is shut off for the time being. I know when it disappears, it can be a little alarming, but I typcially deactivate it when life gets busy and social media can't be updated accordingly. Plus the instagram crowd is a tough one.

Anyways, just wanted to rest assure that we are slowly but surely doing things! We're getting ready to embark on the finalization of rough drafts for Book 2! Which means we've completed Book 1's plotting and pacing, what comes next for that is scripting and minor edits that we're making once we begin finalizing Book 2. We are going to plot and finalize all four books before we begin on the physical comic, that way we know what the story is beforehand. It saves me and the others a big headache.

Fair warning, Book 2 may take a little bit of time because it will be longer than the other three. However, we've got a good idea of where we're taking it, so I don't think it'll be too daunting!

As for the art team, we've been cooking up some stuff! I'll share some new art soon (once I've colored it). Again, we're taking our time with the comic, so it might seem very very slow and agonizing. But I promise everyone that we will come out with a comic. I've been working on it for nearly 4 years, and I don't plan on stopping!

We've had a few hiccups which have delayed things over the past year, folks leaving the team, needing to readjust characters/plots, so a lot of the slowness also comes down to fixing things that may not work now since we've done more in the plotting arena and such.

But that's about it for the updates right now! I'll try and keep up with these types of posts more once I get more content ready and postable. I've recently started a new job and am switching college grad programs, so it's been a little bit of a hassle. However, always feel free to send in questions or things into the inbox! I do check the account regularly and am happy to chat, discuss, or answer things.

-Kee, Project Lead

#avatar hanami #avatar new beginnings

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sailoryooons · 1 year

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Just a question. I feel like your works are largely unedited. Is there a reason? It just feels frustrating as a reader when authors dont bother to edit their work lol

Hi anon - so I mean I can't speak for all the writers on this platform but I can speak to my personal experience editing my own stuff. I can assure you that it isn't born of laziness or not caring about the quality of my work, it is quite literally rooted in my worst quality as a writer: insecurity.

Insecurity might not actually be the right word but it's the one I'm going to use. I have a very weird relationship with my writing, that the longer I spend on a work, the more I start to loathe it, especially if it's something particularly difficult to write.

Additionally, if you've read most of my stuff, you see how long a lot of my things are. When I finish a fic after usually hours and thousands of words, I am suddenly in the editing stage and there is nothing more that gives me absolute anxiety than the thought of editing. Also - most of my unedited is my early fics or the ones that are like 20k words. I'm pretty lucky that 9/10 my more recent fics are beta read by @here2bbtstrash and I know those have no errors because M is perfect, but beyond M, I don't have someone who beta reads for me. It's a huge ask for people who are often also writers to stop their own fics and read 20k words for you.

One thing I have learned about myself: the more editing I do, the more I start re-writing the work. I have delayed so many fics this way. Editing is the reason that Chapter IV of Carved took so long. I was writing and erasing thousands of words at a time over and over again because when I went back to edit, I had fallen completely out of love with what I had written.

When I say I don't edit - I do use Grammarly and Spell Check and I make all those changes, and I do skim while going through those checks. I don't think that my fics are largely unreadable - someone can tell me if they are - but it's sheerly based on the fact that, currently where I am at in my relationship with my own writing, not stopping to read-edit my own works is the lesser of two evils, which is me re-writing a fic over and over again.

I understand as a reader it can feel like a writer doesn't care when they don't edit closely, but I just... it's my own thing to work on and something to try and get better at. It's not because I don't want to or think I don't need to. It's because the editing process makes me not want to post.

*Note: anyone who has ever sprinted with me or written in a collab with me can attest that 98% of my fics are not written over several days or weeks. They are typically written in a span of over 2-3 days in which I write thousands of words in a few hours. This is part of why at the end of a fic I don't even want to look at it.

Also I write for free on Tumblr dot com so I am always going to pick the route that gives me less anxiety I'm sorry

#replies

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standfortheangels · 9 months

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So on Monday evening, I got an ask from a blog I hadn't seen before (not naming them) asking me to share their post asking for help with vet bills.

I was able to check out that they were a real person and not a bot, but I was confused about why they would ask Me, because again, never seen them before, and they also followed me right after sending the message, which seemed odd? So I left it alone and went to bed.

The next day I was waaay too tired to handle my own life, so that was a write-off. I'm in not so much a 'dip' in my health, it's more like.. a sinkhole, that hasn't stopped moving yet, so uh, yeah. That's limiting me a hell of a lot. Deciding what to do and writing a message back to them was just outside of my capabilities that day.

But yesterday, at one point early afternoon, I thought I had enough energy to throw some kind of reply together. I actually was going to reblog their post too. I just wanted to be able to tell this person- in case they picked me because they thought I'd have a lot of reach or something- that I actually don't tend to get seen by a lot of people, so it probably wouldn't help them much, but that I'd share it anyway and I hoped they could get their pet treated soon.

Except, there was no message there, and the follow notification vanished too.

Which means unless Tumblr fucked up in a very odd, very specific way.. they blocked me.

I hadn't responded in the maybe... 40 hours I'd had the message for, and I'd already been blocked.

Everything posted on my blog in that time, by the way, was through the queue and was tagged as such. I also have it in my blog description that I have health issues. Being unavailable for 40 hours doesn't mean someone is ignoring you regardless, but it's already public information that I have health shit to deal with and it slows me down. I would hope that would lead to a little patience as it is, but I mean, I could even have been in hospital for all they know!

Besides which, like, what good does blocking me do? If I'm not responding or posting, sure, maybe I'm ignoring you and don't want to share your post. But if I'm blocked, I definitely won't be sharing it! Because now I can't fucking see it can I?

Honestly, I'm almost glad now that my Monday sucked so much. Because that kind of anger in such a short amount of time (when, again, I didn't even post, stuff was queued and tagged) is a pretty big red flag tbh. I can understand being stressed if you're in that situation, but like.. I was basically off tumblr For A Day, a day and a half. To deal with health shit. And I got blocked for that.

Maybe it was a bizarre and highly coincidental glitch. Maybe they saw something on my blog they didn't like (though they should be vetting blogs better Before they send messages and follow if that's the case.). Or maybe they genuinely were impatient and defensive, and decided to block me out of anger when I had a perfectly reasonable explanation for what was actually a pretty short delay, certainly for me at least.

So yeah. Guess I kinda just wanted to vent that out, because, honestly I hate when people get mad at me for being sick, or for things in general I can't control. It isn't fair. And it's like, don't you think I would change it if I could? If I had any control whatsoever, do you genuinely believe I'd choose to be too exhausted to write a fucking message? I wouldn't. And I guarantee it sucks a hell of a lot more for me than it does for you, and I don't get to walk away when it's too much. So you can suck it the fuck up and Wait.

I know it doesn't Quite work like that in this case. They don't know the extent of my health issues, but that's the thing. If someone doesn't reply to you for a couple days, there are all sorts of things that could be happening. Maybe, like me, they're ill and don't have the energy to reply. Maybe they're stressed up to the eyeballs and they just can't handle a social interaction politely right now. Maybe they have severe social anxiety and they're trying to build up the courage or get their message perfect before they send it. Maybe their internet went down! They may not even know they have a message sat there yet! Maybe someone they love like, Just Died that same day.

Maybe it isn't their fucking fault, you know?

Anyway. Ultimately they've shot themselves in the foot. Because for whatever reason, they acted on the assumption that I was being mean and chose to ignore them, and in doing so, they've made it impossible for me to do what they were asking for, when I was actually willing to. And they'll never know that part either, because I can't tell them, because I'm blocked. So, y'know. They'll never get that help from me, and that's more their fault than mine.

#it did make me go back and look at my pinned post and description again though #and now I know #i need to go and make more of a solid point #make it clearer that this kind of delay can happen with me #though again there are a million other innocent reasons someone could not reply for 40 hours #so really #i just don't understand that kind of impatience #personal #long post #or long-ish

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thetravelingsenior · 11 months

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Walking-stick or chair

If you're reading this blog, you are likely 50+ in years. That doesn't make you a "senior", necessarily. In fact, though I am 72, I still don't particularly relate to "seniors". I know plenty "30 somethings" with a mind-set older than mine.

My travel experience is lonnnnnnng. My first experience traveling alone was at the tender age of 16 1/2 to France, supposedly to go to school. I'll fill in the details in another post, but let's just say though my dad's heart was in the right place, he had no idea the monster he was about to unleash.

Now, 50 years later, except for a short hiatus to have a couple kids, my feet rarely stay in one place very long. The "travel virus" had infected me at 16 1/2. Now what!?! Coming from a strict, tough-work-ethic environment, school and job, how was I going to tell my parents I wasn't really interested in doing, well....anything. So "goodbye" to you and "hello" world seemed like the logical answer. Now, let's work backwards, or maybe inside, out.

At 72, I'm still dancing around, visiting here and there, riding on horses, motorcycles, in cars, trains and planes.

Today, I am discussing airport navigation and planes. Backing up about 20 years, I had an accident (no, not on my motorcycle) that permanently affected both of my knees. At least that's what I told myself. It is possible that 30 years of long-distance-running had done some damage, but I can't change the result, so moving on. I was flying to Portugal from California. There were plane changes, baggage lugging, but no dog, this time. Yes, I do often travel with my dog. Anyway, I chose to request a wheelchair at the airport. No problem! Here I am being whisked from "station to station" by a stranger, security, boarding and departures, luggage retrieval, hail a taxi etc. It was easier than walking, but delays ensued as the wheelchair lines for customs and security were long. I never missed a flight, but there were a couple close calls.

Weighing the pros and cons of the wheelchair, coupled with a double knee replacement a few years later, I decided to opt for a walking stick at airports in lieu of the chair. My kids thought I was nuts, nothing new there. Talk about eye opener...that was the ticket. As I rolled my carry-on and slung my dog over the shoulder sporting my fancy new walking stick, suddenly those ribbon-like barriers through airport lines were lifted. I was being ushered to every point, check-in, security, first on-board, front of passport check-in, customs, help with luggage retrieval, etc., Flight attendants would scamper to place my carry-on in the "overhead compartment". Exiting the aircraft wasn't quite as accommodating, but because my seat, chosen without a fee, was close to the front, I benefited nicely.

I realize many travelers must have a "chair", but if there is an option (only you can make that choice),) the stick is easier and quicker. I still use a walking stick or cane, preferring the a collapsible cane with 4 feet., when necessary. Walking sticks are great if you have just a carry-on. They look cool and do the job. But when I travel with my dog and a "personal item" and carry-on, definitely the "Benecane" is my companion. No, that was not a pitch. Look, I'm on the taller side, have long arms (thanks Dad) and any walking apparatus needs adjustment. The Benecane has that, and comes in RED. I do not care for dull, subdued colors. And RED is far easier to spot than black or whatever.

Note: To request a "favored" seat without a fee, many airlines have a "special request" link. I find United Airlines the easiest and best. It takes 5 minutes to explain why you want that particular seat and a UA "rep" will email an assignment within a couple days. Not all the airline sites are that easy, but a phone call to the airlines usually does the trick as well. Again, not pitching, but my last flight a few months ago with United was amazing. I called to inform them I had overweight luggage and asked if it's better to pay an overweight fee or take another piece. The representative said she would make the note on my reservation and there would be no charge.

Final note for today...if you are a seasoned traveler, you know the industry is stressful for all. A phone call to the airlines with any questions you may have (make sure you write them all down) will do wonders. It is worth the wait (even a 2 hour wait with one airline.)

#travel

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acciocriativity · 3 years

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You and Me II || Harry Potter

Pairing: Draco Malfoy x Slytherin/Reader

Summary: After years at Hogwarts, your life would really begin and nothing could be better than to start this new phase with your official birthday party, but the next day does not turn out quite as expected.

Warnings: For those who haven't read the first part yet, Tom Riddle is not Voldemort in this fic. The first wizard war was against another wizard but its consequences are still valid! Just pure fluff and an implied bit of smut.

Word Count: 3,0k

A/N: This is obviously the part two of You and Me, but it’s not necessarily related, so you can just read this one as a one shot but the first part gives you a lot of context for this, ok? ok then. (Happy really early Birthday Katie! I'd like to post this on your bday but I was too anxious for this. Hope you like it!)

Part I

04/27/1997

"You're really not well, how can a person be in this state when their birthday is so close? I've tried to understand and still can't", the brunette's bored voice made itself present in the room for the 4th time in the day and as I prepared my answer, she held up her hand and delivered her own hypothesis first. "You can't be sad that we're finishing seventh year, I swear for Merlin's sake, if that's the case, I'll...", the words slipped slowly from her mouth, as did the calmness remaining in her.

"Even though anything you have to say sounds like a lot of fun, it's not the case. I really want to start my own life, have my own job and all that. I'm just thinking a lot lately, too many things have happened, we've all changed so much", I didn't bother to look at her, still focused on the ceiling painted like a blue summer sky and she didn't mind asking permission to lie next to me on the bed.

"We had to grow up eventually, although some took too long, in fact, I can point out for sure that half the boys still act like kids", we both laughed until our bellies ached.

"Well, good for us then because Draco and Blaise are not on that list and don't even dare look at me like that, you know he's changed a lot", I heard her amused giggles and already imagined what was coming.

"I wasn't even going to say anything this time, it's really impressive how you just stick up for him, I hope it's the same with me", I frowned and looked at her as if she was out of her mind, and there were chances she really was. "Since when do you need protection from someone?".

"I never said I needed it, but it's nice to know I have it", she shrugged without looking me in the eye and I decided it would be better to change the subject, because nothing good ever comes out of a Pansy, who is unseasy in any sense.

"So, about your...," she started. "Pansy, what do you…”, I said at the same time, but I just smiled and waited in silence for what she had to say.

"I was going to ask about your parents, you're going to have to live with them in a month, so how are you feeling about that?", she just glanced at me.

"That's been going through my mind, I have no idea what it's going to be like but it's going to be better than anything that's happened in the past, that's enough for now", I sighed.

"You know you can come to my house, right? You can hide there", I agreed with a smile and we continued in a comfortable silence.

04/29/1997

7:30 A.M.

On the morning of my birthday, I woke up in the best possible way. The warmth emanating from Draco's body and the thick blanket kept me unfazed by the freezing wind coming in through the window. I didn't want to move and I didn't need to.

I sighed satisfied with the position I was in, curled up under the blanket hugging the blond's bare torso, with no responsibility or obligation other than to enjoy my day.

"Morning, love", his arms pressed me tighter against him, I could feel his calm breathing and somehow, I felt calmer too.

I left a few kisses on his bare skin and the goosebumps they caused on him made me break out into a little smile. "Good morning, love", I whispered leaning back against him.

"Come here, let me give you a proper happy birthday", he gave my hair a quick pat and lifted my chin to look at him.

As soon as I crawled closer to him, his arms entwined around my waist and pulled me even closer.

"Happy birthday my love", he left several little kisses on my face and neck before moving to my lips, but our moment was interrupted by a noise on the window.

A gray owl incessantly beat its beak on the window pane, we looked at each other, neither of us wanted to get up, but it would be too cruel to leave the poor thing waiting there.

"It's my birthday, I have the right to ask you to go", I gave a brief kiss on his lips before letting him go to the war field.

I stayed warm while he opened the window further so that the owl could get through, as well as the icy wind.

He rushed back to my side in time to see me tear the seal off the letter I received.

"It's from my parents, they are really working hard this year. I have to admit that", I told him as I scanned the paper.

"At least they realized what a great daughter they have, she's a little mean but still great", I was too busy reading the letter to notice his cunning and more icy than usual hands pass around me.

I jumped out of bed as I felt the shock of our skin contact and he had the audacity to laugh, I had to control myself too much not to grab my wand.

"Draco Lucius Malfoy, you are dead now", I climbed into bed with my pillow, ready to fight.

20:00 P.M.

A few hours later, I was getting ready for the party in the Slytherin common room, everyone was invited since after this stressful year, a party would be nice and I couldn't physically kick anyone out.

I was barely concentrating in my makeup, Nala was running back and forth between my feet wanting attention and I couldn't give it to her or for the next few hours, no matter how much it broke my heart.

"For Merlin's sake... Nala! Sit!", it saddened me to see that she obeyed but still wanted to come running to me, that deserved a good reward.

I fed her one of her favorite cookies and petted her shiny fur before going back in front of the mirror. I checked several times to make sure I was ready.

"See you later my love, mma will be back soon", I waved to her and went downstairs before I gave in.

There were already a lot of people when I arrived, the new song by The Weird Sisters was so loud that Pansy didn't hear me, even though I called out 2 times as she passed by on the other side of the room.

As I made my way through, many friends stopped to congratulate me and also to chat a bit, by the time I realized what I was supposed to do, more than 10 minutes had passed.

"Have you guys seen Pansy? I was looking for her", I said before turning my own glass of buttered beer over and leaving it in Tom's hand. "See you guys later", my eyes were glued on the blond guy standing in the corner and in less than a second, I was walking towards him.

"What the hell am I supposed to do with that?!", I heard his indignant voice but ignored it along with all the other people, who tried to talk to me on my way to him.

"You know, the delay is only elegant because it doesn't last more than 5 minutes", he was smiling even though he hated tardiness.

"Maybe for most people, a queen is never late love, the others were too early. Especially when it's her birthday", I stopped in front of him. "You haven't given me my present yet, I'm waiting", I pointed to my own lips.

He chuckled and looked at me for a few seconds before he said something, even with the lights flashing I could still see the twinkle in his eyes, which still reflected mine equally.

"Are you asking this as a gift around too?", his smile widened as did mine, he took a step closer.

"Does that mean you're not going to give it to me? I had high expectations for this one in particular", something in his gaze changed, I could clearly tell but it was gone as quickly as it appeared.

"That particular one can wait, right now, I have my main gift", he took his hands off his back and in them was a green velvet median box with silver details.

I was almost breathless just admiring the package once it was in my hands. To top it off, a green silk bow and I had the impression that he had made it himself.

When I opened it, my jaw dropped. A silver necklace with an emerald heart carefully displayed in the box.

"Draco, you really didn't have to give me something expensive", he didn't answer me, instead took the necklace and helped me put it on.

"It seemed like an appropriate gift, now that we will no longer be living by Slytherin rules, it’s a nice way to say goodbye", I didn't think twice before I kissed him.

"I love you, I'll never get tired of saying that", I whispered between kisses. "You won't forget that, right?", I sighed as he brushed his lips across the skin of my neck.

"I have no reason to forget love, I...", we were interrupted by a forced cough behind me.

"Why don't you two just go into a room? No one has to see this scene", Blaise's unmistakable voice sounded and I felt my boyfriend giggle, not moving out of position.

"You can go after your girlfriend instead of getting in our way, wouldn't that be a brilliant idea?", I didn't see what happened, but a nice answer wouldn't be."So where were we honey?", he raised his eyes to meet mine.

"We better save that for the end of the party love, wasn't that your idea?", I pulled away from him and took his hand. "You have a whole party to enjoy."

"I already regret that decision, thanks for reminding me", he mumbled that and a few other things I couldn't hear.

07/01/1997

7:00 A.M.

"I still can't believe this is our last breakfast at Hogwarts", Astoria commented amidst the silence that had formed at our table.

"I still can't believe it's really over, it seems like any minute now I'm going to wake up and be back in third year", Pansy added.

"Well, I hope you'll make better decisions if you go back there tonight. No one forgot the hair Pan", my remark made everyone laugh for the first time in the day, a bit of pride grew inside me.

"Just because Hogwarts is over doesn't mean we're going to split up. None of you have any right to be this down today", Theo said and I was forced to smile as was everyone else.

"I was glad to be rid of you, at no point I was sad," Blaise muttered but we could all hear him and we all laughed once again.

8:00 A.M.

"What are you thinking?" he was with his eyes closed leaning against the train window, but I knew he wasn't asleep.

"How familiar everything here is, the worn leather of the seat, the smell of candy in the hallway and of trees coming in through the window. Other things will be familiar 7 years from now, it's just weird to think about it," he continued in the same position but held out his hand to me.

"That's true but I feel better knowing that we will continue to be each other's constant," I intertwined our fingers and we continued like that until we arrived.

11:00 A.M.

"It's time for the gifts, we prefer to give you personally. I believe you will like it", my mother said as soon as we sat down on the couch in our living room.

I smiled not knowing how to respond, since I usually got the same thing every year, money or more paint, and I was pretty sure they didn't choose in person.

"Go ahead, open it. We decided to give two separate presents this year, the pink wrapping is mine and the purple one is your father's", the two boxes were right next to me on the couch, so why was I hesitating so much to pick them up?

A lot was going on in my head, they have changed a lot in the last year but why? I could be dreaming of the ideal day, but no dream was as vivid as this one.

I took a deep breath and opened the pink first, I expected to find anything but my stuffed bunny, he was washed and clean, different from how I remembered, but still the same.

"I thought I lost or tore it a long time ago", I managed to say as I hugged him like one who finds an old friend, but he was beyond that.

"He was really in a rough state, but I was able to fix him. It was in one of the boxes in the basement, remember how you got it?", I agreed again, a wave of memories washed over me.

My parents had just arrived home from a business trip, it was the first time I had been alone at home without them.

"Mommy, Daddy!", I ran down the stairs as fast as my little legs would allow and threw myself into my father's arms, not caring about his wet coat, which soon became even wetter. "You promi-promised that you would be back soon”.

"Oh my love, something unexpected has happened. We were never going to leave you alone for so long," her hands wiped away my tears and took me in her lap. "So, for you never have to be alone again, we brought a little friend, he will always keep you company when we have to leave."

That wasn't enough to calm me down but it made me curious enough to stop crying, I didn't have any friends before that.

I hurried to open the other package but there was only an empty picture frame with no photo inside.

Before I could open my mouth to ask for an explanation, shapes began to appear from the black background.

I recognized the picture, me still a baby in my mother's arms and my father behind her, hugging us both but as soon as I blinked, it was gone.

Another picture formed in its place, I was older, about two or three years old, this one I had never seen. I was on my mother's lap holding a drawing that I had made and possibly looked terrible.

More pictures appeared and disappeared but I didn't wait to see them all at that moment.

"I loved these gifts...thank you Mom and Dad," I made a great effort to hold back the tears as I hugged them both. "They are the best presents I have ever gotten."

23:00 P.M.

"What are you two doing out there at this time of night?! Draco, have you been drinking now?", Narcisa gave us another stern look before opening the door and shoving us inside.

We walked in almost tripping over the living room rug, laughing at each other, to the point where tears formed in our eyes.

"Shhhhhh, my dad must be working... uhhhhhh, he's not going to like this, u-um," his hand covered my mouth.

I pushed his hand away from my face. “Me?Shut up? You're practically screaming you idiot!".

"You two, I don't want another peep out of you. Come up quietly. Your father doesn't like to be interrupted," she whispered, but it was enough for us to agree without hesitation.

"Yes, Captain, I mean, ma'am," he pulled me up the stairs before her patience ran out.

07/02/1997

14:00 P.M.

"What do you mean, you don't remember what happened?", the blond was clearly trying hard not to laugh and I sighed, still under the blanket.

"I don't remember Draco, did your mother really not hate me? I can't believe we came here...", even though no one was watching me, I started to blush, or was it just the fever? There's no way to be sure now.

"That could never happen, she made sure to request your favorite tea. Now get out of there before it gets cold", he tried to pull on my blanket but I used all the rest of my strength not to let him.

"Noooo, out there that's too cold. Come here, it's too cold for you too", I took one of my hands from the comfortable warmth to pull him to me. "You didn't have to get up so early to get this", I whispered but soon after started coughing.

"There must be a potion to help you, I'll just get it and then...", he was ready to get up from the bed but I didn't let go of his arm.

"I just want you, please stay here? The elf will bring it anyway", before he could protest, I covered him with the blanket. "You're not well either, let's just lay down for now".

He opened his mouth to deny it again but all that came out was a sneeze, after this he just gave up and lied down too. We were both screwed but at least we were together, right? I tried to think positive.

[ @x-dratie-x @fa-me]

Harry Potter Masterlist

#harry potter fanfiction #fred weasley #harry potter #george weasley #draco malfoy x reader #draco malfoy masterlist #draco malfoy fluff #draco malfoy smut #tom riddle #blaise zanbini #pansy parkinson #ron weasley #hp fanfic

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myfearless-love · 3 years

Text

The Wildest Place You Run (2/?) - Hold the Front

Thanks to everyone who commented on the first chapter or reblogged, liked the story written for @cssns! Here’s the next one; I plan on posting chapters every Sunday. Thank you to my awesome beta and artist @thejollyroger-writer! Check out her amazing art for the first two chapters! Enjoy!

Summary:

Vampires, Werewolves, Mages, and Elves. For centuries, they kept their existence a secret, but the constant rebellions against the strict laws of the Guild had led to a terrible tragedy. In an open clash, it became apparent to humans just what kind of monsters lived among them. Emma Swan loses the love of her life in the first battle of the war. A few months later, while still trying to process what happened, a mysterious and terrifying figure worms his way into her life. But the man is hiding far more terrible secrets than he reveals to her, pulling them both into a horrible situation...

Chapter: 2/? - Hold the Front

Fandom: Once Upon a Time

Rating: M

Relationships: Killian Jones/Emma Swan

Read on: FF.net or AO3

Words: ~4.7k

Previous parts:

Ch 1

TW for this chapter: Depictions of violence and blood

"There was nothing you could have done," said Mary Margaret as she shook her head.

Emma couldn't even count just how many times she had heard this sentence from her. She wanted to believe her friend, but she never could. If she had been faster, if she had noticed the danger sooner… Maybe she could have saved Neal that terrible night.

It had happened more than half a year ago, but the screams still echoed in her ears as sharply as they had that night. The image of the pile of bodies, the blood, and the burning building was forever seared into her memory. But the most terrifying minutes weren't caused by these pictures. Neal's death changed everything…

He was a Hunter, just like her half-brother, David, with the difference that no elven blood flowed through his veins, any more than it did in hers. They both served the Guild and that was what caused Neal's demise. He and her brother were among the first to be called to the front lines…

The light of the full moon covered the entire clearing, and it danced on the mirror of the lake. The weather was relatively pleasant, a balmy breeze sailing through the early June night. It ruffled the fresh, green grass of the meadow, welcomely cooling down her hot face.

Lying side by side, they had been staring wordlessly at the sea of stars for some time. She really wanted to tell him, but she didn't know how he would handle it. She tasted the words a few times in front of the mirror in practice, but found none of them appropriate.

She just watched him, even now she could hardly believe he loved her. Just her. She'd never believed she was good enough to deserve anyone's love, but Neal still saw something in her. It was true, of course, that it took almost two years for their paths to cross (and her infatuation to be reciprocated), but in the end, her intuitions proved to be correct.

There was no one for her but Neal. Maybe the statement was slightly inaccurate, but the few people she'd been with left her within days, weeks, or months, saying they just couldn't learn to love her. She accepted it, because what could she have done? She loved them in vain…

She had already given up on ever being with Neal too, when what she had been waiting for finally happened.

He tore her from her contemplation. He turned on his side, propped himself on his elbow, and gently drew her to him. "What's wrong?" He brushed a lock of her fallen hair behind her ear and smiled kindly at her.

"Nothing's wrong," she whispered in response, snuggling even closer to him.

"Are you sure? You've been acting so… weird," he gently stroked her curly, long blonde hair and gave her an unwaveringly angelic smile. His brown eyes lit up brightly, the corners crinkling faintly.

At any given time, she could completely get lost in those orbs.

"Of course. Everything's fine," she assured him, though the desire to just tell him was burning her inside. But she still couldn't find the words and hesitated. How would he react?

"If you say so…"

His gaze drifted to her lips, and she could see his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed hard. She didn't have to wait long, he slid his palm under her head and rolled over her in moments. His lips tasted hers gently. It was sweet, hot, and passionate all at once, gradually deepening until their tongues met. Suddenly, his body weighed on her. Although not at full weight, he still took her breath away.

It wasn't painful, but he wasn't exactly a lightweight, and the movement gave her a fright.

"Could you…" she moaned in a low voice, but he seemed to understand.

He braced himself on his hands, and she could finally breathe. "Sorry," he smiled apologetically.

"Neal," she finally managed to gather her thoughts.

"Yes?" He scanned her face curiously, his expression momentarily uneasy at the uncertainty he probably saw in her eyes.

"I…" she couldn't continue, she just stared at him, hoping he would understand.

"What's wrong?" His gaze turned suspicious.

"I… I'm… pregnant," she said, breaking eye contact and waiting with bated breath for his reaction. She knew for a fact that he loved her, but they were still so young and they never talked about it.

For a few seconds, he only stared at her with widened eyes. Her face immediately felt hot. It looked like it was the last thing he'd expected to leave her mouth. It must have felt like an ice-cold shower.

Then, to her greatest surprise, a wide grin suddenly spread across his face, and he opened his mouth several times, but no words came out. His instinctively gaze slid to her stomach, followed by his hands.

"You're not kidding, are you? How… How long have you known?"

"No, I'm not kidding. Not too long, I wasn't sure until this morning," she replied quietly, but she was already smiling from the huge weight that had fallen from her heart. She had to admit, she hadn't expected that reaction.

Neal still didn't quite know what to say, and Emma slowly sat up. But before she could prepare herself, he suddenly hugged her tightly.

"You have no idea how happy I am!" He grinned wider and buried his face into her neck.

"I think I can guess," she smiled, then hissed softly. Neal squeezed her too hard. "Relax, tiger," she laughed to herself, and he immediately loosened his grip.

"Sorry. Anyway, I had something planned for the two of us tonight," he remarked, but at the same moment, his phone began to ring."So…" Neal continued, ignoring the call, but she stopped him.

"Pick up. You can always tell me afterward, and it might be important."

"No more important than this," he insisted.

She shook her head disapprovingly, and without hesitation, she dug into his bag to pull out his phone, pressing it into his hands. The caller ID told her it was David. "If I know my brother, you better answer it."

Neal pursed his lips irritably but lifted the phone to his ear. "What?!" he growled at David on the other end, his tone irritated.

The answer clearly didn't lighten his mood, his face made her downright anxious.

"David… I just need half an hour! You can definitely hold the front until then," he almost begged, and Emma found that rather strange.

She began to sharpen her ears with interest.

"Neal! When this is done, you can do it in much quieter and more intimate conditions. We need you now! So get your shit together and get your ass in here!"

David raised his voice so much that even she could understand every single word.

Neal angrily ended the call and shoved the phone into his pocket. "We have to go," he announced in a grim voice, rising from the ground, helping her.

He idly dusted off his pants, delaying the inevitable as much as possible.

"What happened?"

"The newly settled Vampire clan and the new pack of Werewolves are wreaking havoc in the mall downtown. I need to get there… David and the others need backup," he confessed as he rocked from one foot to the other.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!"

"But…" Neal's gaze shone with fear, and his restlessness had caught her eye, though Emma didn't understand what was wrong with him. Normally, he threw himself into fights like this, but now he seemed hesitant.

"Is there something else?"

"No. Come on, I'll take you home…" He lowered his head, took her hand and they walked back to the black Land Rover LRX parked at the edge of the clearing.

The SUV wasn't his own, legally it belonged to the Guild, but it had been on loan to Neal for some time.

"Neal, we don't have time for that, I'm coming with you," she stated in an authoritative tone, but he just shook his head.

"There are too many creatures there, they've gone completely nuts. I'm not taking you there!"

"Yes, you will! I'm not arguing with you, Neal. And besides, I have the gun David gave me yesterday," she added, trying to convince him. There was no time to waste.

"It's worth very little against them," he said, shaking his head.

"It's filled with silver," she lied easily, just so he would finally relent.

"Why are you so damn stubborn?"

She took that as his agreement, and started running, hearing Neal picking up speed behind her as well. She yanked open the car door and threw herself into the passenger seat. After buckling up, she rummaged in her bag to change the magazine in her Glock. Meanwhile, Neal put the key in the ignition and secured his seatbelt as well.

"Where did it happen?" she asked as they sped through the suburban streets.

"At the new mall. About six hundred people are trapped inside, and they're already being thrown off the roof deck," Neal replied.

The speedometer slowly moved to 55 mph. "Neal, slow down!" Emma hissed through her lips as she squeezed the edge of the seat with whitened fingers.

"You told me to hurry," he grinned, and she rolled her eyes. "What if I dropped you off somewhere?" He gave her a hopeful look, but she shook her head.

"I want to go with you," she declared firmly, and Neal punched the steering wheel in rage.

"You can't come with me! I won't let you, especially now that…" he paused in agitation, then his gaze landed on her, and he looked much more determined. "You're not coming. Period. Get out of the car."

He slammed on the brakes, and the car came to a stop in front of a 24-hour supermarket. He stared at her expectantly. Emma decided to switch tactics, pinning her gaze directly on his crotch.

"Emma, don't look at me like that."

"Then let's go, Neal!"

"No!"

At that moment, his phone started ringing again and David's name flashed on the display.

"Start the car!" she snarled angrily. "If David gets hurt because of us…" She didn't need to finish the sentence, Neal pulled back out onto the road again.

-/-

"You stay here in the car and wait for me. Don't get out unless there's a problem and-"

"Stop it, Neal. I'll be fine, I know how to shoot a gun and I've got good aim!"

"Neal, for God's sake, hurry up!"

Her brother, leaning over the railing of the roof garden, yelled down to them. Much of the three-story building was already in flames, and the glass walls of the first floor lay in tiny shards on the sidewalk, covering the several dozens of bodies that lay in front of the mall.

"Please, Emma, don't come after me. Promise me!"

Emma knew he wouldn't leave until she agreed. "All right, fine," she sighed.

"I'll be back as soon as I can."

Before she could say anything, he pulled his favorite Desert Eagle pistol out of one of his holsters and ran toward the building. She watched him go for a few seconds until he disappeared into the maze of shops.

She nestled uneasily in her seat, and her gun nearly slipped from her hands. Her palms were covered in sweat, and she was growing more nervous by the second. Her courage began to disappear into a bottomless pit.

After a few minutes, she heard a loud crash from her right. Trembling, she raised her gun and looked to the side. At first, she saw nothing, then she noticed a new body among the others. A young boy, probably ten or twelve, lay on the ground, his limbs twisted the wrong way, and a huge pool of blood already growing under his head.

Her stomach began to churn, and she was about to turn her head away from the gruesome sight when another body slammed to the asphalt, just a few feet from the car.

At that moment, she made up her mind. She shoved a spare magazine into her pocket and quickly jumped out of the vehicle. Without looking anywhere, she ran into the mall through one of the shattered windows of a store.

It was a simple, relatively insignificant clothing store, but dozens of women lay on the floor. All of them had had their throats slit open, they were dead, of course, and the floor was soaked with their blood. The cashier, clutching the register, still had a receipt in her hand.

Emma tried to breathe through her mouth and ignore the bodies. Over the years, she'd had the unfortunate opportunity to get used to them, but no matter how many times she encountered one, she could never be completely impervious to it.

She cut through the store and headed straight for the escalator. On her way, she avoided the fountain, its waters already glistening bright red.

When she finally arrived at her destination, she found that the escalator was out of service, so she took two steps at a time and ran as fast as her legs would carry her. Both the first and second floors proved empty, but the higher she got, the more the heat from the fire rose to an almost unbearable degree. She tied her sweater around her waist and stopped unsteadily before the last step.

The sounds of the brawl filtered out clearly, not even the loud crackling of the fire could drown them out. For now, the flames hadn't reached dangerous proximity, and luckily, the building was mostly made of non-combustible materials.

Roars, gunshots, crashing. Thunderous explosions. Frozen, Emma lingered at the foot of the stairs leading to the last floor, staring upward hopefully.

Surely everything would be all right. Neal, David, and the others would soon emerge at the top, with smiles on their lips as if nothing had happened. And they would go home safely.

A few minutes passed while she was idle. She had a hard time convincing herself to go upstairs. Neal and David would certainly be furious, but she'd taken their anger any day rather than their deaths. And besides, they would definitely benefit from a little extra help. If it could be classified as such.

She was one of the Mages, but a rather lousy one when it came to her abilities. She was only a low-level Seer, nothing more.

Clutching her Glock with both hands, she came up the stairs. The screams grew sharper and louder. Plenty of people could be stuck upstairs, but the path leading down seemed clear.

What were they waiting for? Why didn't they just run away and escape? Emma found it really strange.

She slowed her pace, confused by the humans' behavior. It just didn't feel right.

The cool, night air blew into her face as soon as she reached the rooftop. Most of the overturned tables and umbrellas were on fire, chairs broken into pieces. Most of them, ironically, were used by Vampires as stakes. They used them as weapons to kill the humans.

After only a few seconds, she heard an angry roar. "Emma, watch out!"

Immediately she spun around looking for the source of the danger. David was the one yelling at her, probably not without reason. She didn't have to search long, she immediately noticed the fully transformed, nearly six-foot-tall Werewolf charging towards her.

She only had a few seconds to react. Someone was calling her name again, desperation clear in their tone. She couldn't deal with that now, she would help them later… if she survived until then because if she missed, she was dead.

She aimed at the beast as best she could, right between its eyes. Her gun was already filled with silver bullets that would stop it. Assuming she hit it at all…

She pulled the trigger and the bullet hit the wolf, inches from her target, right in one of its eyes. He howled in pain and finally came to a stop. She took the opportunity to shoot half the magazine into the wolf.

She gasped for air, her heart pounding in her throat, and slowly she began to realize that the end of her life was a hair's breadth away. She didn't lower the gun, but still clutched it convulsively. The smoke burned her eyes, tears filled them to the brim, and she could see almost nothing. The wind wasn't helping either, carrying the gray mist right into her face. She gasped as if she had just run several miles and her lungs were thoroughly filled with smoke.

She forced herself to open her eyes and look around. She started stumbling through rubble and bodies, but so far she hadn't seen any movement, only heard the sounds. The battle was definitely not over yet.

She walked blindly for a few yards, but her fingers didn't slip from the trigger for even a second. She had to find Neal and David.

At last, she emerged from the cloud of smoke, but she could only blink her eyes, the world looming around her was quite blurry. Instinctively, she crouched against the barricade, for the hail of bullets was almost as thick as the cloud of smoke. A few of them were barely a few inches from her, and she curled up as best she could.

She tried to assess the situation and find her brother and Neal and the other Hunters she knew. Robin and Leo were only a few feet away from her and they both seemed fine. David, on the other hand, was dealing with a Vampire that was dangerously close to the railing.

He was having a hard time with the creature, she could clearly see that. Without thinking, she instinctively crawled towards him, pressing herself against the barrier the whole time. Silver bullets weren't worth much against Vampires, but at least they slowed them down, and the wounds caused by silver left a mark on their perfect skin.

When she was close enough, she fired three shots at the Vampire. She missed the first, the second lodged in his thigh, and the third slammed into his side. He let out a roar and staggered furiously on the bloodied, slippery floor. He lost his balance, toppled over, and finally, David managed to drive a stake through his already-dead heart.

David didn't even look up, he didn't seem to care where the life-saving shot came from, he immediately moved on to his next task.

There were quite a few Hunters here who she didn't recognize. Slowly but surely, they managed to push the Werewolves and Vampires back towards the flames.

Emma quickly wiped her sweaty brow and looked through the ranks of Hunters once more. Neal wasn't among them.

Her heart squeezed in her chest and she turned her head in alarm, but other than the cowering, screaming humans and corpses, she saw nothing.

She stood there confused and turned her head back around the place. There were no other Hunters she hadn't counted yet, every one of them was heading for the beasts.

A few raindrops fell on her face, the wind picked up, and an inhumanly loud rumble of thunder slit through her ears. Followed by a white light zigzagging through the black sky, blinding her for a moment.

"Neal!" her voice echoed like a hysterical scream, but no answer came.

When she opened her eyes again, a tall shadow unfurled from the cloud of smoke that covered the other end of the rooftop garden.

Immediately, she began to run, racing past the glass dome on the third floor. In the depths of the building, the flames grew larger and larger…

"Emma, stop! Don't!" Neal's voice came from the opposite direction, and she paused, turning away from the smoke and the shadow's owner in confusion.

To her surprise, Neal was standing barely ten feet away from her, shirtless. He never had a habit of showing off his body, no matter how nice it was. He had fine abs (not as defined as David's or Robin's), but now he was covered in blood and soot. Water dripped from him and thankfully, she didn't see any wounds.

"Behind you!" he called out to her.

His voice trembled with fear and he raised his pistol to fire, and for a moment it seemed he was aiming for her head. She turned, but it was too late. The elbow of the fast-approaching Vampire landed on her face.

For a few seconds, everything around her went dark, she felt like her face was going to split in two. She staggered, and suddenly the bloody ground came dangerously close to her face, and soon her head hit the ground with a thud.

She squinted her eyes for a few seconds, and when she opened them again, thankfully the world wasn't spinning in a crazy dance. But she couldn't hear anything. She knelt down and swallowed hard. It was as if a plug had been pulled out of her ears, the sounds returning in one fell swoop. She glanced back at Neal again.

He'd managed to wound the Vampire, but the beast didn't seem to be giving up. He swung his knee into Neal's stomach, wrenching the weapon from his hand, punching him in the face with it. Neal stumbled, but luckily, his legs didn't give out. The bloodsucker grabbed him by the arm, dropped the gun, and whipped out a roughly ten-inch-long blade. He aimed it directly at Neal's heart, but her boyfriend dodged the stab. However, the Vampire held him tight, so he couldn't completely avoid it, the blade digging into his shoulder.

At Neal's scream, her blood froze in her veins, and her hands holding the Glock trembled. Immediately, she took aim at the Vampire. She fired until the magazine was empty. Several bullets drilled into the beast's head and body, and quite a few missed him, too. But she got what she wanted, and the Vampire slumped to the ground. She didn't think he was dead, but she definitely put him out of commission for a while.

Quickly, she rose to her feet and ran to Neal, who was leaning against the barrier, trying to tear the dagger from his flesh. He was panting heavily, blood dripping in thick streams from his shoulder.

She dug out the spare magazine when she reached him and tried to slip it into the pistol, but her hands were still shaking too much.

Then, suddenly, Neal's gun went off. She looked over her shoulder in horror. Five fully transformed Werewolves were galloping toward them. Desperately, she tried to snap the magazine into place, but it was jolting too much in her hands.

She knew she would die if Neal didn't take them out in time, and with his injured shoulder, his aim would hardly be accurate. She tried to force herself to calm down, but the panic coiled in her stomach like an insidious snake. She was finished… They were finished.

Two more shots rang out, and one of the wolves rebounded with a harsh, deep howl. The Glock made a click, and the magazine was finally inserted. She turned to face the monsters. She tried to aim with a clear head, but it was much harder than ever. It wasn't just her life on the line. Hers, Neal's, … and the little one's.

Neal took out the second one with a single shot, and Emma aimed full fire at the one running in front, backing away in the process.

She hit him square in the shoulder, but it was like hitting him with a rock, even though her magazine was filled with silver bullets. Panic rose in her throat and began to thrust backward at double speed. Neal took out the ones closest to them, and she took aim at the ones left behind. If she could just shoot one of their eyes, maybe that one would stop.

She started firing again, trying to focus. But it was too late. They were barely three feet away from her, ready to pounce.

Her body completely locked down, she could only trust in her blind luck and Neal. That was it. Of the two, she had more faith in Neal.

The first wolf leapt up from the ground and nearly swept her away, but Neal's bullets dug into his front legs. He fell forward into the rubble with his muzzle foaming, his legs useless.

She immediately aimed at the next one. This time, she couldn't miss. But the beast was already in the air. It leapt over her head, straight into Neal. She didn't understand why Neal was holding back his power. He could fight off the wolf with his sheer magic, he was powerful enough to simply do so.

Meanwhile, the wounded wolf got up again, but this time his target was Emma. He probably thought the other one would take care of Neal. As she had previously planned, she aimed for the wolf's eyes, but she couldn't hit them. Then the beast was too close to her.

His teeth chattered inches from her throat, and his claws bit into her shoulder. He shoved her away, and she crashed into the barrier. Her side went numb from the force of the blow in moments, but she didn't even have time to comprehend her predicament, the wolf was already towering over her.

She was a hairsbreadth away from having his claws in her stomach as she put the gun to his throat and fired as many bullets into him as she could. The wolf howled, rolling back its eyes, but it raised its huge paw again, and this time it found its target.

Her breath caught in her throat from the blow, and a pained groan escaped her lips. His claws slowly sunk into her stomach, pinning her to the ground, and the wolf weakly opened its jaw, angling for her throat.

Help came from her right, three shots rang out, all hitting the wolf's side. He whimpered one last time and turned away from her…

"Emma, for fuck's sake!" David slid to the ground next to her and knelt down, trembling.

She wanted to ask where Neal was, but her mouth disobeyed. Her brain dulled, she began to go numb. Summoning her remaining reserves of strength, she put her arm around David's neck and forced herself into a sitting position. She screamed against the stabbing pain in her stomach and hunched forward.

"Emma, are you okay?"

It was the dumbest question Neal had ever asked her. But if he was able to ask and, judging by the approaching footsteps, he couldn't be in much trouble…

Her face was streaked with tears, and she tried not to faint. But David suddenly jumped up beside her and ran off.

"David…" she mumbled unintelligibly, then looked up at Neal.

He didn't seem to have suffered another wound. However, he looked immensely exhausted. He was pale and frightened, but thankfully he was walking towards her on his own two feet.

But he, too, stopped and turned his head to the side in surprise. What had they heard that she couldn't?

Finding it hard to keep her eyes open, she blinked shallowly at Neal. He started to retreat to the barrier, his rifle lying on the ground behind him. She forced herself to look back and a sharp cry burst from her exhausted lungs. One of the five Werewolves rushed at him.

The wolf's eyes were bloodshot and every inch of her trembled by his roar, his claws scraping the surface of the ground.

With all its might, it slashed at a helpless Neal. It all happened in a millisecond. The wolf's claws dug into Neal's shoulder, and the momentum pushed them over the barrier. They shattered the glass dome, tangled into each other, and fell into the blazing depths of the building.

#cssns21 #cssns 2021 #cs ff #captain swan #cs fic #killian jones #emma swan #emma x killian #once upon a time #cs au #captain swan supernatural #TWPYR #my fic #captain swan ff #captain swan fic #captain swan fanfic

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notexactlyrocketscience · 5 years

Text

~ on social media and blogging ~

Basically the only thing I've done in my last 24 posts (yes, I counted) is vent about my first semester at UTSA. Often repetitively.

A little backstory: You wouldn't know it from looking at me, my room, or my closet (especially not my closet) but I like to put things into boxes, arrange them in the most efficient way possible. Even when my room or notes are messy, I know exactly where my red scarf is (at the bottom of my closet where it fell from the hanger the other day while I was hurrying for school), where my flier for tomorrow's event is (somewhere in the middle of the pile of papers on my desk where I put it last week) and which emails I need to re-check tonight (the weekly newsletter, the extra-credit intructions, and the mid-semester meeting notice).

I despise any and all class-notes that aren't done exactly the way I like them—which is using as little repetition and words as possible. Whenever I write, I Google, copy and paste em dashes and make sure there are no spaces on either side. For a 600 word limit, my work will more often than not have exactly 600 words because I don't want to waste any. I use Google Calender to stay on schedule. Planners intimidate me because there's no limit to what can be done with them, and although I want to start a bullet journal, I'm not going to until I find a uniform format that feels right to me.

I don't get to doing it everyday, but at least around once a week or two I get my room, closet and school stuff together again (my person is a lost cause). Delaying this process is something that stresses me out quite a bit ... and is something I do regularly. Especially since the year before last, I feel like I'm in a constant state of burnout (which doesn't make any sense because I'm completely responsibility-free right now compared to other kids my age) and I procrastinate towards everything. EVERYTHING.

So yes, I've technically been spiralling slow-mo (and have been bewildered at myself) for the last couple (going on three) years now ... But back to my point.

I used to write a lot of journal entries. Extremely detailed ones. I spent hours on them every day. I have entire years of my life documented minute-to-minute—I am not even kidding. Once I fell out of that habit (cough the last two years happened) I was never able to pick it back up again (trust me, I tried).

Remember how I like to put things into boxes? The same goes for my feelings. The worst I could ever feel isn't angry or sad or desperate. No, the worst I could ever feel is not knowing what I feel. That's the only feeling that really scares me, dries out my soul. Everything is a mess and can't be put into their places anymore: I'm distracted, unsettled. Behind my eyes is a rainstorm gone wrong, a broken window, a gale whistling in and whipping every piece of paper in my workshop out of place, no end in sight.

When Instagram came into the picture a few years ago, that was in many ways my first step from hiding to bravery. For the first time, I had this space to express myself that was totally under my control, and it was empty. Devoid of prior expectations. For the first time, I was stepping forward and being myself in public, and in that way finding myself too. I'd be lying if I said that I'd be the very same person that I am right now if this hadn't been part of my life.

It gives me peace to be able to neatly document moments of my life here. It's not as time-consuming and as big a commitment as journaling, and somehow the pictures I take randomly gives me motivation to write something they make me feel, which is huge, since at this point this is the only form of creative expression I still indulge in, and one of the only things that make me feel like I have control anymore.

Gasp. I know it's social media, so this might sound superficial and naive to some. Believe me, I constantly battle the same feelings, internalized. Do I do it for attention? For the mini serotonin rush every time those little heart notifications appear? For human connection that I'm missing? Maybe. It's hard to know.

What I do know is that it's empowering to be able to write all this and let it loose for the public to see, ignore, read, dismiss, judge, and then to still be able to hold onto my paranoid sanity. I'm still not as brave as I'd like to be. Sometimes a wave of instinct to delete half my posts will engulf me to near-suffocation. But every single one of my silly, weird, random too-much-information, and borderline innapropriate posts are still out there. Because every time I feel that way, I clench my jaw and tell myself it's temporary and I'll regret it if I act on it. And it's true. Every day I succeed is another day that I choose not to run and hide like I've done too many times in the past. It's one step forward into caring less and understanding other people care less, and just breathing freely without worrying. It's a step towards freedom, confidence.

... I'm this bad behind a screen just talking about everyday things that don't even matter, that only a handful of people will read (s/o if you do. Thank you—means a lot!)—imagine what I'm like in actual social contexts, at the centre of attention in a crowded room.

Well ... I'll let you guys know when I finally stop running and find out for myself. Till then, I guess y'all are just stuck with me, as I am, right now.

[end]

⠀

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procrastinating-story-writer · 5 years

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Bonds that Bind Us

Summary: Odin ordered for Loki to return to Midgard as punishment to atone for what he did in New York and S.H.I.E.LD agreed.

She was not expecting an assignment such as this to fall on her lap but she had nothing better to do. How bad could it be being Loki's warden?

Pairing: Loki x OFC Omidah Penwinkle

Warnings: multiple chapter story, violence, experimentation, language, angst, just to name a few.

A/N: Hello everyone! First off thank you for reading. Now, this story can be found on my AO3 account Onyx_Lenora_Traise and I wanted to post this on Tumblr. Enjoy!

Omidah looked up from the book she was reading when she heard someone call her name. Ever since she agreed (was forced) to live in the Avengers tower, all quiet time and privacy went out the window. She saw her godfather Coulson enter the room, a grim look on his face

(A/N: he's very much alive in this story. Always been one of my favorite characters from Avengers)

"what's wrong? You look real distressed," Coulson sighed and sat next to her, he was not happy with the news he had to tell her but it was Fury's orders

"Fury has assigned you to a mission but I don't think you're going to like it; I sure as hell don't."

Omidah raised an eyebrow, curiosity evident in her eyes, she knew all too well that when her godfather wasn't happy with a mission she had (which was rare), it was dangerous and life threatening and those were the best kind for her.

She giggled, "finally something to do! Please tell me it's really dangerous with lots of fighting,"

Coulson rolled his eyes at her excitement over the matter, she really was a strange young lady.

"Do you remember Thor's brother the infamous Loki?"

"yeah I remember him, how could I not? I nearly whooped his ass when he tried to escape from the helicarrier and I would have succeeded too if I didn't have you to worry about. I still owe him a beating for nearly killing you."

She knew that if Coulson had faced Loki alone that day and gotten the injuries he had without immediate medical assistance, he would have died

"Thor is bringing Loki back here on earth as a punishment from Odin to atone for his actions and he'll be confined to the tower with you as his warden."

Omidah stayed quiet processing the information related to her. She started to laugh. Coulson shot her a confused look.

"Oh my Ra! Do you have any idea how deliciously ironic this is?"

Coulson shivered when his goddaughter cackled (you know that comical laugh in animes when a twisted plan was in place?)

"So when will he be arriving? Where will he be sleeping? I need to prepare....oh my there is so much I need to look after."

Coulson shook his head in disbelief, she was taking this news well, too well for his liking

"Calm down Omidah sheesh, you're behaving like its your long lost friend that's coming for a visit. Why are you so excited anyways?"

She rolled her eyes "It's not everyday you get to meet a Norse god and now I'm gonna know two of them, plus I can finally have questions answered on magic and literature."

"Why can't you just ask Thor about all of that stuff"

"No offense to Thor but he doesn't really know the in-depth knowledge I seek and from what he's told me about his brother, well apart from what I've researched, Loki is like a walking, living fricking Norse encyclopedia. I'm kinda hoping also that he can give me an insight on some of my abilities, still rusty in some aspects.

Coulson give Omidah a have-you-lost-your-marbles-kind of look, she just smiled

"Relax I know what I'm doing, besides he's going to be here for a long time and eventually he will have to talk to someone, so I volunteer as tribute."

"I have to remember to get your brain checked for loose screws"

Omidah faked a gasp and threw a cushion at Coulson making him laugh

"but all jokes aside, I know what I'm getting myself into. The others won't agree with my methods of doing things but I never fail a mission. If Odin is sending Loki here to atone for what he did, he's not going to do so by being distant and locking himself in his assigned room which I have a good feeling he'll do,"

"So what's your game plan then," Coulson asked

"quite simple actually, I'm going to be his friend" she flashed Coulson a smile *any second now 3,2,1.....*

"YOU'RE GOING TO WHAT!?"

Sitting in the lounge, Omidah poured over the numerous files sent to her by Fury. The files contained information on the objective of her mission and information on Loki which she didn't need but due to protocol Fury sent them to her anyways.

Getting up and heading to the kitchen, she grabbed a glazed donut and a cup of coffee and headed back to the sofa. She needed to finish compiling her report of how she'll go about executing her mission; leave it up to the Director to give her extra homework. When she reentered the sitting area Tony was reading one of her files.

"If that was meant to kill someone you would be dead right now. Tony why do you have to be so nosy?"

Tony looked up from the file and grinned "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you didn't love me my dear."

"You're like the cousin I never had Tony, of course I love you. It's your need to poke your nose in everyone's business is what errs me," she said matter of factly.

Tony glanced back at the file he just read, an eyebrow arched upwards

"So eye-patch finally decided to give you a mission after 6 months and he felt it was a good idea to have you babysit a temperamental Norse god?"

"I'm not complaining, its better than nothing and besides I'm looking forward to this mission and before you ask why, it cause I think it will be a great challenge for me."

Tony studied her for a few seconds "knowing you and I know you quite well, it's more than one reason. Just be careful okay kiddo?"

Omidah walked over and gave him a quick hug "I'll be fine Tony, what I'm worried about is how you and everyone else feels about having Loki in the tower"

Rolling his eyes Tony flicked Omidah's nose "the hell Tony, what was that for?"

"Just felt like it and we'll be fine just as long as Reindeer games behaves."

She and Tony both knew it was easier said than done.

It took one week for Omidah to have everything prepared for Loki's arrival. Looking down at her watch, it showed half past one. She was informed that Thor would be bringing Loki by two.

Dressed in a simple olive turtleneck sweater and black jeans accompanied by ankle high boots, she stood on the balcony standing a distance away from the helipad.

Shifting her eyes back to her watch which now showed half past two. Omidah groaned in annoyance *Thor is late.....which is not really like him.....what's taking them so long?*

"Well this is very unprofessional, unless Odin changed his mind and decided to keep Loki imprisoned on Asgard." She frown at the idea "Oh goddess I hope that isn't the case,"

Pulling out her work phone she was about to speed dial Fury when a bright light descended from the sky and landed on the helipad. As quickly as it came, it vanished and left standing was Thor and beside him the infamous Loki as Coulson likes to call him.

She breathed a sigh of relief glad they didn't cancel at last minute but pulled a straight face and decided to mess with Thor a little bit for making her wait.

"Thor you are late by thirty minutes and twenty-five seconds, I was beginning to wonder if plans were cancelled."

Thor flashed her a quick grin "Lady Omidah I apologize for the delay but there was a slight mishap before our departure," he grumbled the last part while gliding his eyes in Loki's direction.

Omidah had to refrain herself from snickering. Leave it up to the God of Mischief to cause a mishap

"I see. Well mishaps do happen" she said with a shrug "but you're still late, so to make it up to me, you are not allowed pop tarts for the next week."

Omidah watched as Thor became slightly pale and looked like he was about to pass out. She started to laugh because he just looked like a lost puppy

"Thor I'm joking, I would never deny you pop tarts, you'll simply go into a coma without them but you still have to make up for being late okay?"

Thor breathed in relief and smiled "I'm thrilled that my pop of tarts will not be taken away from me and once again I'm sorry for the delay,"

Nodding she began to walk over to the brothers, a perplexed look crossed her features when she noticed the muzzle around Loki's mouth. The darn thing looked very uncomfortable and she thought it was very unnecessary. It angered her slightly. Wasn't Loki a prince of Asgard? Why was he being treated like an animal?

"Thor I would very much appreciate it if you removed that infernal contraption off your brother and please for the love of the river Nile take off these chains, he looks very uncomfortable. He's not a prisoner in Asgard but a guest in the Tower," She said with a slight irritation in her voice.

She felt eyes on her, so shifting her gaze from Thor she found Loki staring at her in confusion.

"Well if he didn't try to escape the moment he felt the dungeons, he wouldn't be in chains"

"Regardless he's here now so take 'em off, we still need to get him settled plus I need to report to Fury in the next half hour. You and I both know he gets like a cranky old lady when he's kept waiting"

Thor faced Loki preparing to remove the 'infernal contraption' as Omidah called it. Once it was off, the chains were next. Loki gently rubbed his wrists and looked back at the female across from him.

She sent him a gentle smile which only confused him further. He searched her eyes and found no hostility in them, just curiosity and slight excitement.

"Much better, thank you Thor. Well let me be the first to welcome you back to Stark Towers Mr. Laufeyson. My name is Omidah Pennwinkle and I'll be looking over you as you stay here." She grinned at her intro speech and the look of sheer confusion and disgust in Loki's eyes. He really didn't want to be there.

"Come gentlemen, there is much to do and I have...." glancing at her watch she turned and slowly started to walk back inside "fifteen minutes to do so before my boss starts screaming like a banshee in my eyes for reporting late."

The two brothers looked at her retreating form, glanced at each other and followed her through the waiting door. Loki groaned internally, he really didn't want to be there.

#loki laufeyson #loki #loki (marvel)#original character #female character #mcu #marvel mcu #avengers #loki x oc

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spicycreativity · 3 years

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Intertwined - Chapter 7

Chapter: 7/8

Additional Notes: IDK if anyone is keeping sole track of this fic on Tumblr but if you are, apologies for the delay in posting 😅 Also do yourself a favor and get an AO3 account

Chapter Content Warnings: Blood, respiratory distress, very brief mentions of alcohol (alcohol use not depicted)

This was getting unbearable. Janus buried his face in his handkerchief and coughed and coughed. His blood was warm against his tongue and lips, streaking the blooms dark red. His chest burned constantly now, his throat always irritated and raw.

To top it all off, Patton had disappeared without a word of warning, leaving Janus with no answers. If anything, he had more questions than ever before. The vase of poppies on Patton's dresser could not have been a coincidence, but there was just no way this was Patton's fault.

So Janus was saddled with a mystery, with flowers in his lungs, and with Remus' awkward attempts at support.

"I'm just saying, you can't rule it out until you try it," Remus said, pausing in his pacing to give Janus a doe-eyed pout.

"For the last time, Remus, I'm not going to huff weed killer." Janus threw his head back against the couch cushions and tried his best to sigh. The effect was somewhat muted by the sputtering coughs that followed.

"I can tell you want to scream," Remus said.

He was right, though Janus would never admit it. "Yes, I think that--" Breathe, breathe, breathe-- "that'll fix me." What Janus really wanted, disgusted as he was to admit it to himself, was Patton. Not that Patton would be able to do anything that Remus couldn't do, but Janus missed him. Quite terribly, if he was being honest with himself. Maybe he would feel better if he cried, not that he'd ever allow himself to do that. He'd have to be out of his mind on hypoxia and poppy seeds.

"I just wish there was something I could do," Remus said, dropping hands to his sides. "Other than just sit here and watch."

Janus hadn't told him about the flowers in Patton's room. He kept things close to his chest by nature, determined to solve his problems on his own. He didn't ask for help. Even if he would have dearly liked another perspective on this mystery, he couldn't put that responsibility on Remus. It would only make him feel worse if he failed.

"You can make me ginger tea," Janus said, forcing a smile. It wasn't right seeing Remus fret like this. "With honey."

A teacup appeared on the coffee table alongside a bottle of whiskey. So much for occupying Remus with busywork. "What I should do," Remus said, brandishing his morningstar, "is go maul Roman until he agrees to fix you."

"As entertaining as that would be, I'm not so sure that's the most efficient course of action, per se." Janus shifted, trying to work out how to leave Remus without making him feel abandoned. He just wanted to go check on Patton, but didn't feel at all up to the task of refereeing whatever confrontation would result in Patton and Remus sharing space. He could always just get up and leave with no explanation…. But Remus didn't deserve that.

In the end, he decided to wait until Remus got bored. There was no guarantee he was even going to find Patton. He had been AWOL for the past two days and Janus had had a near run-in with Virgil last night when he'd gone to look for Patton, an experience he was not keen to repeat.

And if Janus expedited the process of ditching Remus by pretending to fall asleep, well, he'd never tell.

Patton had a distinctly hungover look about him, with his glasses missing and his hair sticking up in the back. He blinked at Janus, bleary-eyed, and Janus' heart started to jackhammer in his chest. How utterly cute, how endearing. He wanted to smooth Patton's hair down and kiss him on the forehead, though he'd have to stand on his tiptoes to reach. Damn the subconscious for making him tiny.

"Where have you been?" Janus asked, planting himself in the middle of the hallway. Patton's door disappeared into white ether, a fact which Janus filed away to think about later.

"Sleeping," Patton said, holding up a bottle of NyQuil.

Well, that explained why he didn't smell like alcohol despite the obvious hangover. "And here I thought you were avoiding me," Janus teased. Despite the awful sting all up and down his chest, Patton's mere presence seemed to lighten the burden and ease his fears. He could bear this as long as he had Patton by his side.

"No," Patton mumbled, dragging hands down his face. "Coffee. Then talk."

He swayed a little, steadying himself on the wall. Janus held out his hand. "Come here, let me help."

Patton nodded and let Janus lead him to the kitchen. Not trusting Patton with the high chairs at the kitchen island, Janus instead led him to the table and turned a chair out for him so they could face each other. Patton coughed behind closed lips and a spike of fear paralyzed Janus' heart. He was already fighting for breath and this new bolt of adrenaline made him dizzy. He took deep breaths (as well as he could, with his lungs all entangled and bleeding) and forced himself to make coffee step-by-step. It was the one thing he regularly did by hand instead of just imagining it to completion, a ritual and a reward.

"I hope you didn't catch what I have," Janus said. Maintaining the lie.

"Doubt it," Patton mumbled, rubbing his eyes.

Janus narrowed his eyes. What did that mean? Was Patton coughing up poppies, too? Suddenly, the drip-drip-drip of coffee into the pot, the rich, reassuring smell of the grounds, seemed unimportant. Janus imagined the coffee done percolating, imagined two mugs on the table. He pushed one toward Patton. "Cheers."

"What time is it?" Patton asked before downing half the contents of the mug in one long swallow.

"Around noon, I think." Feeling his diaphragm seize, Janus turned away, shaking his handkerchief out of his sleeve, and gave in to the fit. It was getting harder and harder to swallow the pain. Inhaling was not just uncomfortable now; it hurt like clenched fists around his lungs. But Janus was a practiced liar and tucked the pain away behind a velvet curtain. "I haven't seen you in two days."

"Sorry," Patton said, looking fractionally more alert now. "I was trying to sleep off this… Cold, I guess."

"Mm," said Janus, taking a sip of coffee to keep from having to answer properly. He couldn't decide how he wanted to pursue this, if he wanted to pursue this. What did it matter if Patton was coughing up poppies or daisies or African violets? It brought Janus no closer to solving the puzzle.

"You sound really bad," Patton said. He finished his coffee and blinked hard. "Oh! I'm sorry, but I don't think it's Roman."

"You're sure?" Janus asked, blood running cold.

But a lot of things seemed to be hitting Patton all at once with the introduction of caffeine to his system; he whipped his head up to look at Janus with something akin to panic. "I wanted to thank you, and-- Oh." He looked at their coffee mugs with obvious dismay. "I did it again."

"Did what?"

"I… I let you take care of me," Patton said in a small voice.

"Oh, Patton," Janus sighed, unable to help himself. The breath that ghosted across his lips tasted like blood and black coffee. He wondered if Patton would mind terribly if Janus kissed him anyway. "I really haven't been." That was true. Janus had been deliberately holding himself back from giving himself over to Patton. How little support did he get from the others, that Janus' minor attempts at friendship felt so significant?

"You have!" Patton insisted. "Right from the start. You've been right by my side through all of this, reminding me to take care of myself, spending time with me. You even helped me with that dog puzzle."

"I don't understand," Janus said. These were normal friendship behaviors. Had he been too obvious? Did Patton suspect? "Wouldn't the others have done the same?"

"They would," Patton said. "If I had asked."

"Oh," said Janus, blinking away a wave of dizziness. Even he couldn't begrudge the others their lack of understanding. It wasn't their fault they couldn't give Patton what he hadn't asked for. But what did it say about him that he had?

"You've been a really good friend to me, Janus. Even though I don't deserve it."

"Don't talk about my friend like that," Janus said, nudging Patton in the ribs. It was a soft, familiar gesture, something he'd done to Remus a hundred times before. It was the first time Janus had touched Patton without announcing it, getting permission.

Patton smiled at him, and then they both ruined the moment by dissolving into twin coughing fits.

Janus' lasted longer; he felt Patton's eyes on him as he repeatedly tried and failed to get himself under control-- Was that an entire flower in his throat? What did that mean? He banished it with difficulty, trying to master the animal impulses screaming it hurts it hurts it hurts as if to drown out his rational thought. He should leave, but he didn't want to. So he straightened up and washed away the taste of blood in his mouth with another swallow of coffee.

"Ohhh," Patton whispered. "You really don't sound good."

"I'm fine," Janus said, reflexively bringing out an old standard. It was the one lie everybody told.

"You didn't believe me when I said I was fine," Patton said. "Why should I believe you?"

"There's not really anything to be done about it," Janus said, hating the shallow breaths he had to take between every few words. If he stayed, he would have to pretend he wasn't in agony. But hadn't he been doing that this whole time? It was agony, being so certain that Patton could never want Janus the way Janus wanted Patton, yet unable to crush that sliver of hope that never died out.

Patton brandished the NyQuil bottle and Janus forced himself to laugh. Patton smiled at him, so soft and gentle and honey-sweet. "Why don't you sit with me?" Janus blinked and they were on the couch with two fresh cups of coffee. Patton had left no space between their bodies. "Is this okay?"

It wasn't, really. Janus burned with the contact, burned all over until he could feel it in his face and had to hide behind a cooler mask, though he was sure this one was still pale and pinched with pain. It wasn't fair at all, this horrible parody of romance. It shouldn't have been a problem. He should have been satisfied with friendship, like he was with Remus. It was nothing to sit in Remus' lap or play with his hair because they were both happy with the arrangement. But this? This made Janus want to put a fist through the wall. So of course, he said "Yes" and took his hat off in case he worked up the courage to rest his head on Patton's shoulder.

"Are we still gonna be friends the next time Thomas needs us for something?" Patton asked.

"So it's just a given that we're going to disagree?"

"Janus."

"Okay, okay." Janus sighed as deeply as his strangled lungs would allow. "I promise."

Patton beamed and didn't even question him. He just took it at face value now, that Janus wasn't lying about this. "Oh, good."

"So what are we doing?" Janus asked. "Going to drink coffee and gossip like a couple of old ladies?"

"Whatever you want, really," Patton said.

"Oh, good," Janus said drily. "I want to take shots and play strip poker." Patton blinked at him. "Kidding."

"Oh!" said Patton, shaking his head. "Sorry. Guess the NyQuil hasn't worn off yet."

"How about we watch something?" Janus asked. It was probably a little too early in the friendship to force Patton sit down and watch Perry Mason with him, but then again… He was a practiced hand at being selfish. The TV flashed to life and Janus sat his mug down on the coffee table before leaning back to watch.

"Ha," said Patton, apparently recognizing the show. "Should have guessed."

"Oh, enlighten me," Janus said, feigning innocence. "What's so funny?"

"I should have guessed you'd be into courtroom dramas," Patton said.

Janus would have ribbed him further, had his lungs not decided to turn themselves inside out. He barely got his handkerchief in front of his mouth in time before blood started spilling over his lips. God, this was miserable. His resolve was cracking; he was starting to doubt he could make it much longer without vocalizing the pain. "Maybe I will take that NyQuil," he said, the words feeling like coarse grit sandpaper as they dragged themselves up his throat. He took it from Patton before Patton could take the cap off-- He still had his pride even if he wouldn't have his voice for much longer. The thought loomed so terrifying in his mind that denial smacked it down to nothing before it could get out of control. Janus poured out half a dose of NyQuil. Everything would be fine. He would be okay. The subconscious would set him straight before the flowers could completely take over his respiratory system.

Beside him, Patton coughed a little too, and Janus sincerely hoped that he wasn't suffering the same ailment. Patton didn't deserve that.

The NyQuil kicked in gently, drawing Janus so subtly toward sleep he only noticed he was drifting off when his head touched Patton's shoulder.

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