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nickblaine · 1 year

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season 5 script summaries

links to previous script summaries: season 4, season 3, season 2, season 1, seasons 1/2 cont’d also, check my tht scripts tag for gifs, excerpts, and more details

i got the librarian’s email about season 5 scripts, and even though driving to and parking at WGAW has become a literal nightmare, i said fuck it and flew (crawled in traffic) down there the very next day. i wanted to see what the mood was like during the strike, anyway.

the staff had the library running business as usual, but the energy was high and there were pro-union shirts everywhere. there were a couple of guys on the first floor making literal piles of picket signs. i chatted with them for a minute and they said everyone was mostly out on the streets, picketing at every major studio in the city. rock on WGA ✊

i was on a time limit to beat rush hour, so when i read the season 5 scripts it was only Nick scenes. i searched for all instances of his name and wrote down everything i could. i may go back to read the rest of the season, but i can’t make any promises on when that will be.

before i begin (same as last time):

• everything described here is from the official scripts that are archived at the Writers Guild in Los Angeles. • the scripts i read are final drafts. there is no “writing in the margins.” everything described is from dialogue and script direction that was used on set. (click for an example) • the library has a strict no copies/photos rule in place which is why i summarize what i read. • anything in italics is a direct quote for the sake of clarity. • feel free to ask questions and i’ll answer to the best of my ability. my private notes are pretty detailed, but if i need to do more research i may save the answer for a future library visit. • please do not share this post without my permission. thank you in advance for respecting my wishes.

5x01 - Morning

Nick and Rose’s morning scene in this episode is more or less the same as this early script draft. The only difference is after Nick tells Rose her coffee is good, there’s an additional line that says: “It’s a lie, and they both know it. Rose appreciates the polite kindness.”

5x02 - Ballet

There was a short scene of Nick and Joseph Lawrence having a private chat at the airport before meeting with Serena Joy. It was cut from the episode, but you can see it in the trailer.

In this scene, Lawrence confides in Nick that he’s nervous about the meeting with Serena because - in his words - “You had to let your girlfriend go after Fred.”

Nick assures Lawrence that they’re going to spin it as a savvy political move by blaming the Americans for killing Fred. Lawrence still chastises him for not doing his job. Then the conversation pivots (a little clunkily) to this line from the trailer:

NICK: Serena doesn’t know what happened.

LAWRENCE: Doesn’t matter what she knows. It matters what she believes.

When they meet Serena on the tarmac, she instantly has suspicions that they were responsible for Fred’s death. The conversation is tense until they all see Fred’s body getting rolled off the plane, then Serena needles Nick’s guilt and pokes at it with her “Fred saw promise in you” speech.

As they are leaving the tarmac, there’s a line that says “Nick acknowledges Mark with a nod” and Lawrence notices it. In the episode you can see Nick and Mark exchange looks in the background as they leave, but otherwise Lawrence doesn’t notice.

At the Putnam’s party later in the episode, you may have noticed that after the Handmaids arrive, Esther and Nick share a notable look. The script describes this as a fraught moment in which Nick is filled with remorse and wishing he could do more. It also says Esther remembers Nick from when he and the Eyes arrested her, and she’s visibly pissed about it. As they walk away from each other, “Nick can’t help but be reminded of June.”

While Serena Joy is manipulating the Commanders into broadcasting Fred’s funeral, Nick steps in because he’s moved by her bravery and “attempting to atone for his hand in killing Fred.”

In the secret meeting between Nick and Mark there were a few cut lines of dialogue. Most notable is after Nick tells him he just tries to stay out of trouble, Mark replies, “Catches up to everyone, at some point.“

Opaque, Nick thinks about that. How long does he think he can keep going?

Ok, so the end of the episode when the funeral is on TV in Canada, I’m happy to report that Nick IS mentioned in June’s inner dialogue. The scene describes her recognizing who is onscreen with Serena. First she sees Lawrence, and then... “And finally, most painfully -- NICK.” (Yes, in all caps like that, lol.)

5x03 - Border

Cute June inner-dialogue when Lily asks her if Nick’s a big Jezebels guy: “June doesn’t know how to explain what type of “guy” Nick is.”

The awkward Lawrence residence dinner scene. Commander Mackenzie genuinely loves Rose (”old friend of the family”) and is instantly distrustful of Nick. Serena doesn’t buy Nick and Rose’s relationship as genuine either, and tries to subtly acknowledge Rose’s close relationship with June’s daughter’s parents by telling him how lucky he is. Nick is tense, but then his banter with Rose relaxes him, making Serena surprised to observe real affection in their relationship.

During the dinner itself, Mackenzie is just making everyone extremely uncomfortable by bringing up June. Nothing too interesting in the script here, it’s mostly just dialogue.

There is a cut line after dinner when Nick and Rose are leaving, and she says to him, “Well I wouldn’t say that’s the most relaxing dinner party I’ve ever been to.” (He responds “Yeah. No.”) Then he spots Mark all alone. Script says Rose understands what he’s about to do. “Nick squeezes her hand, then heads over to Mark.”

The script emphasizes here that Nick is unsure talking to Mark is a good idea, but he really wants to be the one to tell June about Rose before Serena does.

Mackenzie scares the shit out of him in this scene, and the “fuck” Nick mutters at the end was originally not spoken out loud (”OFF NICK, fuck.”) but I’m so glad it was.

Alright, phone call scene. One of our few big Osblaine moments!

NICK: June. Hi.

June suddenly feels like everything is going to be okay.

This scene is mostly dialogue. The final product is all the acting that goes into it. It does say Nick is stressed to relay upsetting information about Hannah and Rose. When June hears about Rose, she knew this was coming eventually, but it’s still a blow. It also describes how painful and hard this is for both of them. But at the end of the call, right after June tells Nick to be happy, is my favorite line in the whole script:

It’s an impossible ask, maybe, for these two to be truly happy without each other.

After the phone call, there is a cut scene between Nick and Rose where they simply look at each other.

Rose knows exactly who he was on the phone with, and what he said to her.

She looks worried for him, knowing it wasn’t easy.

He nods to her -- it’s done.

5x06 - Together

According to the script, Lawrence only invited Warren Putnam over to his house to get Nick on board with killing him. Warren repulses Nick so he’s down.

The next scene they’re in is when they execute Warren. (Such a good scene.) After Nick shoots him in the head, the script describes the camera hanging onto Nick and “his soldier’s stoicism.”

Then it cuts straight to Rose in the Blaine home. “She’s disappointed in him and he knows it.”

Now this scene threw me off. It’s written much differently than how Max acted it. Nick is actually a lot more warm toward Rose in the script, much like how all their previous scenes were. Several lines of Nick’s dialogue were changed (”Can I help?” became “You gonna tell me what’s going on?” onscreen) and his body language comes across way more cold and defensive than what’s described on paper.

As for Rose, she isn’t soothed by Nick’s assurances here. And that’s it for this episode.

5x08 - Motherland

New Bethlehem opens with another cut private moment between Lawrence and Nick.

Nick is brooding by the water, “still grappling with the moral and emotional consequences of shooting Warren in the head.” Lawrence finds him and tries to prod, but Nick gives him nothing.

LAWRENCE: You look a little more moody and broody than usual. Really, you sleeping okay?

NICK: I’m fine.

Lawrence moves on because they have work to do. He reminds Nick he’s counting on him.

Lawrence gives his New Bethlehem speech to the other Commanders. When one of them pushes back, “that’s the cue for Nick, the muscle. Enough carrots, time for sticks.”

After Nick bullies the Commanders and Lawrence consolidates his power, the script describes these two as a “dynamic duo” lol

Okay, brace yourselves, there’s a cut Osblaine scene up next. I had no idea this existed, I don’t think there are any shots of it in the trailer.

It takes place after June visits Serena in the detention center and realizes she can’t help Hannah unless she’s there. If you watch that part you will see her pull out Lawrence’s burner phone as she leaves. But instead of going to Lawrence’s office like she does in the filmed version, in the script she calls Lawrence and just says, “I want to talk to Nick.”

It cuts to the next night at the border wall between Gilead and Canada. June is waiting on the Canada side as flying drone searchlights swoop across the electrified fence. (All described in dramatic detail.) She sees Nick appear on the other side. They look at each other, waiting, and once the searchlights clear they move to meet each other at the fence.

JUNE: I need to know if this is for real. I need to know that Hannah and my family will be safe.

NICK: I know. You will be. I promise.

JUNE: How can you promise that?

NICK: Things are changing, people are scared of Lawrence. I’m in a position now where i can make sure you’ll be safe.

JUNE: I want to believe you.

NICK: June. You can finally be with Hannah, watch over her. Isn’t that what you always wanted?

She nods.

NICK (CONT’D): Then please. Come back.

“To me,” he means. June’s heart is torn.

At this point the searchlights return and they have to separate. This scene is written like a soap opera. “They can’t help but reach out to each other, almost brushing fingertips before they move apart and run back, escaping the lights.”

Photo of this scene from Max’s IG:

Later in the episode, Lawrence is back in New Bethlehem with Nick. Nick asks which way June is leaning and Lawrence says it’s toward yes. The script says here that Nick understands that Lawrence is trying to manipulate him, but he can’t help but be cautiously optimistic at the idea of having June and Nichole in New Bethlehem with him.

By the end of the conversation, Nick is “considering.”

5x09 - Allegiance

We’ll skip to 27 minutes into the episode, when June sits with Mark after the failed mission. Mark catches June off guard by bringing up Nick. She’s taken aback by the revelation that he turned down Mark’s offer, but Mark says she can still persuade him. The script says “June imagines the prospect of Nick in Toronto” which I think you can see pretty clearly on Lizzie’s face lol.

Then we cut to the big Osblaine reunion.

Lots of dramatic buildup in the script leading up to their conversation. I don’t know how to describe it other than to show you:

She looks toward the courtyard. And there he is --

NICK

Waiting for her. Strained.

JUNE

Takes a beat to soak him in. She gets out.

OUTSIDE

June approaches Nick, their eyes locked.

Like, damn. They love building tension with these two.

Anyway, dialogue proceeds as it does in the show. Nick tells June that his wife’s pregnant and June has the wind knocked out of her. She’s described as “appalled by Nick’s commitment to Gilead, but understanding of his loyalty to Rose and their future child.”

And then--

JUNE: I want what’s best for both our families.

They look at each other.

A giant chasm between them now. But they’ve shared so much. So much trauma. So much love. A daughter.

JUNE (CONT’D): Well. This is a fine mess, isn’t it?

This scene is once again described as painful for both of them. “She tries to keep it together. How can they part? How can they say goodbye?”

Before Nick says “I love you” he was supposed to wrap his arms around her, but in the final cut they keep their distance.

5x10 - Safe

Just wanna note that when Nick shows up on the bridge to meet Mark, it was originally written so American soldiers yank Nick out of his car, handcuff him, and drag him across the bridge to Mark. We were deprived.

Also the first thing out of Nick’s mouth here was supposed to be, “How is she?”

In the hospital, Mark is telling Nick what’s going on but, “Nick can’t even speak. Looking at June, with her black and blue eyes.”

Mark gets the hint and leaves Nick alone. An interesting thing to note is that the line “it’s probably better if she doesn’t know I was here” is NOT in the script. At all.

The rest of the scene is sweet and simple.

Nick crosses, sits beside June.

A beat. Nick takes her hand.

Says nothing as he watches her sleep.

And that’s it.

Mark and Nick’s second scene on the bridge is just as short and to the point. In fact it’s almost entirely dialogue, so the emotions you see onscreen came from acting and directing. The only notable difference here is when Mark tells Nick he could’ve run away with June, he was scripted to give actual examples of where. “Maybe not to Canada, but there are -- places you could’ve gone. Idaho, the Westward Territories.” (Hopefully foreshadowing lol.)

At the party, it is scripted that Rose tries to greet Nick when he arrives and he doesn’t even acknowledge her. Like she doesn’t even exist.

There isn’t much description to accompany the punch. There is a line that says if Nick wasn’t pulled off of Lawrence than he’d be happy to keep on whaling on him. It also describes Lawrence as “rattled” and Rose as “humiliated.”

At the train station, during June’s goodbye to Mark, she asks him to tell Nick that she and Nichole are safe as a nod to their phone call in episode 3. The only descriptive line here is, “A beat, as Mark clocks the deep and selfless connection between Nick and June.”

The final scene I have notes for is Nick and Rose’s breakup in jail.

There are a couple parts of their scripted conversation that didn’t make it onscreen. Starting with right after Rose tells him a good man wouldn’t leave his wife every time his girlfriend calls, Nick’s response was supposed to be, “she was almost killed.” Then Rose laments that she thought she was lucky that someone like [Nick] would deign to be with someone like [her.] Nick says, “I was the lucky one” and she tells him to shut up.

Then there’s the “You will never let go of her, will you?” line from the show. Nick explains that he tried, but Rose retorts with, “Who knows what that woman will bring to our door. I have to protect our son.” Nick is described as scared now, and pleads with her not to leave.

Now I have no idea if that “our son” drop was supposed to be a legitimate reveal or just hopeful Gilead thinking. The script says nothing else about it and it was cut from the show. But it will be fun to speculate as we wait for the final season.

#the handmaid's tale #tht scripts #nick blaine #osblaine #june osborne #rae.txt

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grits-galraisedinthesouth · 2 years

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Question: When did you 1st know that Meghan Markle and Harry Markle were FRAUDS?

Answer: I was listening to my American talk radio station when I heard a report about an American actress (I didn't recognize the name) dating Prince Harry. I literally laughed outloud. I vividly remember thinking, "oh please! Harry would never seriously date an American actress, this is just another fling. Later came that train wreck engagement interview. I was stunned by their obvious lies. I recall writing a comment on a YouTube channel that was created to question their interview. I wrote, "this is a fraud," and the content creator replied, "yes it is, we just don't know why."

Today I firmly believe that radio spot was PR, purchased by Meghan, to quickly make the relationship go public & appear to be serious.

I've gone through several theories over the past 5 years, and the only theory that makes sense is they agreed to become BUSINESS partners who live in an OPEN sexually fluid marriage.

When they lived in London, someone with inside information wrote, "they don't have a traditional marriage." After relocation to the US, that same contact answered me, "bc they don't have a traditional marriage... they live in separate wings." I just couldn't grasp the meaning of a "non-traditional" BRF marriage.

Watching their robotic performance at the UN settled it for me. It was identical to their robotic hand holding at the royal theatre.

Their robotic love is simply the fruit of a fraudulent marriage. They live separate lives in a scripted marriage.

Meghan's name is on a list of Hollywood celesbians, as a "serial beard" & escort for gay men. BTW Serena's name is on this same list. The popular American couples that Harry admires & desires to emulate are also in open marriages.

Obviously I don't know these people, but Harry and Meghan have NEVER once appeared to be in love with one another, not even during the wedding ceremony. Meghan doesn't seem to like Harry let alone love him. More often than not, she appears to be annoyed and resentful of Harry.

Meghan's first loves are Meghan, fame, and money. Harry loves drugs, sex and alcohol. Meghan will do absolutely anything for money, and she grew up fantasizing about becoming a Princess, like Harry's mother Diana.

Markus and the Mulroneys drilled a hole for Meghan into the locked door to elite associates and global fame. She peeked through the hole and laid a trap for Harry.

Markus ensured that she had access to Harry at the private Soho House Istanbul Grand Opening in April of 2015. Both were in Turkey, along with many of Harry’s Eton friends and UK celebrities. Meghan documented this life changing moment on her Instagram:

"48 Hours in Istanbul may be the best 48 hours of your life."

She pre-planned to reconnect with Harry during his 2 night visit to Toronto in the May of 2016 by taking her first PR trip in March to Rwanda for photographs and a (final) vacation with Cory in April.

Harry began to grow out a beard and Jason Knauf traveled to Toronto with Harry as his minder. Was Jason aware of Harry's whereabouts for both nights?

Whatever occurred during those 2 nights seems to be the beginning of their affair.

Meghan planned to travel all summer and fall. She broke up with Chef Cory, and fled Toronto perhaps giving Cory time and space to relocate. During that time, Meghan traveled internationally with friends (Greece, London, NYC) and then used Gina, Violet, Serena & Piers to help stage a public alibi for a FAKE start date to their affair: July 4th, 2016. (In August Meghan wrote on Cory's IG). On her birthday, August 4th, Meghan notified her followers that she planned to go off the grid and travel. The rest is history.

Meghan scripted everything about their "secret affair" for public consumption: the blue bracelets, H & M necklace, spooning bananas, the come & get it photos outside of Soho Farm House, Scooby-Doo online job w/US Weekly, tips to paparazzi Jesal Parshotam, and Meghan's endless merching.

After only 3.5 months, Meghan rushed to publicize and promote a long distance relationship still in the infancy stage. What was the rush? Was it to generate interest in her marketing campaign, or simply to deepen their trauma bond by feeding Harry's "security" paranoia?

Ready or not, over the next 12 months Harry grew a full beard and officially proposed marriage to Meghan.

Today we see Harry PERFORM by wearing a gold wedding band & by holding hands & arms for the cameras, but they even fail to coordinate their attire for important photographs (George's Christening), and they stumble over one another.

The cost of Meghan's clothing is obscene, while her appearance is consistently unseemly. Many husband's look better after marriage, Harry looks far worse. His appearance is sloppy and unkempt. Real husbands and wives care about the appearance of their spouse. All marriages have problems, but these 2 try too hard to sell a relationship that looks empty and devoid of anything substantial. It looks like a requirement in their contract. Real married couples don't need an American wedding band or hand holding to convince the public of their love. They can confidently sit next to one another without PDA because they aren't starving for affection, they don't have anything to prove to the public, and they aren't trying to draw attention to themselves.

We've never seen their children, ever. Just a few strange photos and video footage of a brief, scripted meeting in S Africa where each one holds a cute baby who didn't know any of the adults. Then we saw a sweet brown haired baby boy with a full diaper seated on Meghan's lap for the reading of a complex & inappropriate story. Nothing is ever simple or straightforward with the Harkle family. Everything is smoke & mirrors, an illusion, a lie, a contract with RULES.

They are partners in the business of making money off Harry’s family connections, and providing for the welfare of 2 children who are invisible to the world. Does Harry actually believe he's being guided by his dead mother? Does he think his mother's spirit is in Meghan?

I wish Harry would "come out of the closet," and be honest about himself. There is no reason to pretend. Unfortunately he seems invested in living out this lie with Meghan. Their plan was to "change the world" by working part-time for the BRF (whenever they felt like working), but with full-time benefits. They planned to launch a royal brand and an American royal court. They forgot to consider the worse case scenario: The Queen said "no."

Today, they are also partners in offense and in revenge. Harry's living out this contractual farce with a beard on his face and on his arm.

Q-Do you think Meghan and Harry are FRAUDS? If so, when did you recognize it and what do you think is at the root of their dishonesty?

#meghan markle #prince harry #breadcrumbs #bring on bower #bringonbower #megxit #revenge #frauds #spare us #like a spare

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vanderwoodlings · 1 year

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Stuck in church for the next few hours too 😔✊

May I ask for any headcanons you have about our beloved vdw sibs? Eric & Serena while they were growing up and beyond?

Well I hope it was a spiritually filling experience for you <3 Anyway yes!!! Them!!!

- Eric and Serena are just absolute icons at playing together growing up. These kids can Pass Some Time

- They have these really elaborate games that not even Blair and Nate can understand the rules to and just leave everyone else kind of like ‘????’ but it also presents in stuff like Jenny finding out that Eric is a fucking champion at slide when they’re like 17 and he’s just like. Well yeah

- Serena and Eric learn to drive together! On his sixteenth birthday she’s just like ‘here is your real present and here is your prep for getting your learner’s permit. Mom can’t stop us both <3’ (which is something we kind of see in the early parts of s1, that Eric’s wants can get lost in the fights between Serena and his mom, but in this case he’s okay with it)

- I think Eric is always very aware that Serena is his protector, both in the very literal sense of her as his defender and in the way that she just naturally makes life easier for him and his more quiet and introverted self—she knows how to draw him in and make sure he’s included

- I also think it takes him a lot of time to realize that he anchors her, and his quiet, scheme-y self is good for her, and that he takes care of her and helps her manage herself too (and, also, exactly how much she needs that help). Like, she doesn’t just love him but that he has a value in their relationship. He also thinks about this way more actively than she does

- Serena is just like ‘Eric my baby brother who must be done right by in every way because he is pure and good’ and has that written into her fucking bones in the way that older siblings do (and also is aware that Eric is better at figuring out what’s going on in her head than she is sometimes)

- On the flip side of that is that Eric is… he’s always very self-contained, in how he manages himself, and everyone knows that if you really want him to talk about his feelings or what’s going on with him, you send Serena. (Unless, of course, your name is Humphrey and you didn’t grow up with him and therefore have less expectations.)

- And on yet a third side, I’ve always really thought that Eric is the one who Serena tried to hide her problems from. Not her feelings—you know Eric got to hear and mediate every single fight with Blair—but the part of her that was an on fire tragedy masquerading as a party girl, because she was his big sister and some part of her knew something was Wrong in a way that he should be kept safe from, even if she didn’t know how to keep it away from herself

- Anyway, Lily is one of the champion storytellers of gg—I mean, she’s up there with Blair, and always was, even as a baby, hello ‘you’re falling in love with me, aren’t you?’ in Valley Girls—and I think growing up, one of the signs that things are Good in the vdw household is that Lily takes the time to read Eric and Serena a bedtime story

- Ofc by the time Eric is like six she’s scared about reading stories that are too far below Serena’s reading level vs ones that are good for him and I am just. A little obsessed with Serena van der Woodsen, founder and president of the Shakespeare Club, and I think she gets it from her mom <3

- Serena is also the one who reads stories when things are Bad, and either way that becomes a formative experience for Eric, and it’s something he definitely does/would do as a parent

- I’ve talked before about the idea of them both ending up in California as adults, and it’s a huge state but it’s small enough that they call it close enough to visit constantly, which is something that I like a lot

- But I think that it doesn’t really matter where they end up? They make sure to make time for each other (or, really, Eric makes sure to make time and Serena is intuitive enough to know that Saturday morning means it is time to talk with Eric on the phone, and thus the structure becomes settled)

- They communicate a lot via texts of ‘oh I saw this and thought you would be into it’ too—news articles, some fashion video that showed up because the youtube algorithm is weird, literally anything that has to do with the opera because Serena just. Has no idea what the fuck is going on over there but she knows he likes it

- Also I don’t believe in either of them living in the UES as adults but lbr Serena’s wedding is the only reason Eric sets foot back there in canon in a fucking decade and that is some king shit

#serena van der woodsen #eric van der woodsen #eric and serena #the van der woodsens #lily rhodes #drugs /#child neglect /#asks #terrainofheartfelt

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danwhobrowses · 2 years

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Why I M O, Pokeshipping is dead. ( kinda hot take, sorry pokeshippers. )

Now as to what your here for, what killed pokeshipping. There are 3 main contributors to the death of pokeshipping.

1.) The length of time from when misty was replaced to now,

2.) Serena and Amourshipping

3.) The Pokémon sun and moon Anime.

The length of time from when misty was replaced to now. Now while this might not have been much of an issue if the other 2 bullet points didn’t exist, it has been over a decade at this point, since we last saw misty, meaning that we have a severe lack in character development, and that gives time for other potentially better ships to be created, which leads me to my next point,

Serena and Amourshipping. Possibly one of the biggest ships right now, (which at this point isn’t going to fizzle out anytime soon. ) With Amourshipping going so far, as to introduce a major plot point in ash’s story by having Serena be his childhood acquaintance, many other points that multiple poketubers like Catch ‘Em All Saul, bring up in their videos from years past, to the kiss, and even the writers basically confirming the darn thing.

Amourshipping Confirmed?

So at this point, ( unless they throw all that away, which please. Don’t. ) there is next to no hope of pokeshipping to ever become cannon, which is only further proven by my last point,

The Pokémon sun and moon anime. Now, this is honestly the iceberg that sank the ship, because Brock and Misty returned twice in the Sun and Moon anime, which I’m pretty sure was for let’s go promotion. Now this is where all hope is lost for pokeshipping because even though they returned twice, Misty had literally zero emotional moments with ash whatsoever. No pokeshipping pandering, no flashbacks, nothing. Here’s another video explaining that further.

Now while the only good thing to come out of the re-return episodes was Brock possibly finally finding a girlfriend,

Brock x Olivia

This was the point of no return for Misty and pokeshipping in general. Misty, even though she returned twice, in the most recent anime, had literally no development, and nothing to show how she grew as a character since her absence, her return seems pointless and devoid of substance, and with another ship still gaining popularity at an exponential rate, I’m sorry pokeshippers, but,

It’s time to pay your respects, and move on.

R.I.P Pokeshipping: 1997-2019

Oh wow, a return visit.

I'm clearly not here for this seminar you've thrown onto me but since you have invited me to critique your opinion in hearty debate I will pose the following:

1 - It has been 3 years, dub and sub, since Misty's last full anime appearance (SM103), in addition her silhouette also makes an appearance in the Journeys series - episode 18, 2 years ago. No matter how long it has been, Misty always tends to show up in every series in some shape or form, that longevity does indeed mean something regarding both her popularity and her appeal to fans and writers.

2 - I don't want to trample on Amourshipping, we've hit a period where the bitter wars you try to revitalise with this attempt to attack Pokéshippers has dwindled, people are respectful again. What I will say is, in my personal opinion, Amourshipping is not the 'better ship', that is purely a subjective matter. For me, Amourshipping was in fact hugely detrimental to Serena's character growth, and made her less of what she could've been in the series. Being someone Ash met in the past is a far cry to actual attachment, but I would never refute that Serena does have feelings for Ash - despite in my mind being incompatible with each other. When the kiss happened, many Amourshippers acted like it was a victory lap, and that Pokéshippers had gone quiet to acknowledge that. In truth, Pokéshippers like myself see it for what it actually is: Serena kisses Ash, then walks away. While this acts as a strong pro for the Amourshipping department it does not count as canonizing the relationship, if so then Ash will have then cheated on Melody and either Bianca or Latias who had also kissed him. We can dig deeper into such matters like Ash deciding not to follow up on that and simply going home and then to Alola without a care, or how it is never brought up since even when Ash and Serena crossed paths in the Journeys series, but that's a tiresome debate to be had that I'd rather not indulge. Conclusively on this point, Amourshipping is just as not-canon as Pokéshipping, we each have our receipts but at the end of the day Ash is not currently in a relationship.

3 - I wonder about that statement, because when Serena came back in Journeys I saw no such hints or 'pandering' for Amourshipping. However, if I asked an Amourshipper if they found ship hints in that episode I think they may disagree with my thoughts, in that same vein I disagree with your sentiment too. In the 3 SuMo episodes where Misty appears there are plenty of Pokéshipping moments, flashbacks and emotional moments - including a peaceful walk on the sunset beach where Ash talks about all the things he wants to show Misty around Alola. In terms of development she has had some in having acquired Mega Evolution, she has trained Psyduck to both learn how to swim and control his psychic powers, she has overtaken her sisters as the De Facto gym leader, and has enough status to be invited by Kukui as guest lecturers in his Pokémon School so she's still developing.

Brock and Olivia's romance was fun but it has no weight in this argument, no idea why you're trying to cite it as such. As for 'other ships growing at an exponential rate' what ship do you think you're talking to? Any new ship Journeys provides is no straw on our backs, and surely that applies to all past-companion ships.

In conclusion, your essay needs a lot of work. It lacks proper citation from unbiased sources, not to mention factual information. Your three points end up contradicting one another as if Amourshipping is exempt from the same things you feel Pokéshipping suffers, even though Serena's gap between XY and Journeys twice as long as Misty's last SuMo appearance and that, as you pointed out, other ships since ours have entered into existence. The Brock/Olivia strawman does not help your case either, nor does the choice of audience. So your essay has inevitably failed in its intention to make me 'give up' on a ship I love, but in all fairness this was never going to work.

I'm not quite sure if you do this to try and antagonize or try and get people to express why they love a ship by issuing conflict, but realistically there are better places you could focus your energy on. For the most part I do think you're after attention, and you want to see how long people will play your silly games, but if you really do believe in what you're saying I actually think you're scared, scared of 2 words and one big number:

Pokéshipping: 1997-present

#I'd say nice try but it really wasn't #D+ essay at best #no contents bibliography or appendices not even a title page #your explanations are separate to your list which is a poor structure #bear in mind I'm being generously polite here #we've been going for 25 years you really think you can stop us?#is it so hard to let people ship what they want?#pokéshipping #pokeshipping #satokasu #ashmisty #ash x misty #so to repeat: insert captain america no I don't think I will meme #also Luke Skywalker's every word of what you just said was wrong meme #Get a load of this Electric Boogaloo

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sillylilpixie · 1 year

Text

Cruella Headcanons Sources

I really like Cruella but a lot of the things shes in changes lots of things so this is to explain what I pick and choose. I pool from a lot of different sources for my Cruella Headcanons. Now my personal favorites are the original 101 Dalmatian animated movie from 1961 and Evil Thing by Serena Valentino a lot (both the book and graphic novel) The book is one of my favorite Cruella source to pull from it merges with the original movie so wonderfully!

This is the list of 101 Dalmatian sources I use A LOT

101 Dalmatians 1961 Animated Movie

Evil Thing by Serena Valentino (Novel and Graphic Novel)

101 Dalmatian sources I pick apart for my own uses

101 Dalmatians 1996 Live Action Movie

102 Dalmatians 2000 Live Action Movie

101 Dalmatians II: Patch's London Adventure

101 Dalmatian sources I'm not sure about using

101 Dalmatian Street I've only seen some episodes, the puppies are cute, but I DEF wouldn't use their Cruella

101 Dalmatian the Series the original cartoon I still need to rewatch the show, I only remember a few episodes from my childhood

This is the list of 101 Dalmatian sources I DON'T Use

Cruella 2021, its just not the Cruella I like

Descendants , I love the series but not for my Cruella things (Even if Carlos is great) once more thats not really my Cruella

This drawing is actually a redraw from the graphic novel!!!

Some headcanons that come straight from Evil Thing

Cruella has big big mommy issues, in the book her mother is manipulative and Cruella often falls for it. She uses Cruella a lot and is very neglectful at times. Cruella often refers to her as mama

Miss Pricket is a character from the book, she's Cruella's governess which kind of means nanny. She taught Cruella instead of her going to boarding school cuz she was a girl. One of the things she taught Cruella was French. In the book as Cruella gets older she confess she sees Cruella as a friend or even a sister. And tries to tell her that her mother doesn't love her.

Anita and Cruella were very close friends, to the point that Cruella saw her like a sister. They went to finishing school together. Anita was had a lower social status and Cruella's mother didn't like her. Anita saw how Cruella's mother was emotionally abusive.

Mrs Web is Cruella's mom first hand lady, and would report everything to her, after the events of the movie she was put in charge of keeping Cruella under lock and key in Hell Hall to make sure she doesn't embarrass Cruella's mom

Miss Pricket is brought back to help take care of Cruella and is stated to truly have loved her. (And Cruella loves her)

Her earrings come from her dead father, most her fur coats came from her mother, and her ring came from her dead husband

Loved fairy tales growing up, her father had gotten her a fairy tale book when she was a little girl.

Her white hair and unhealthy appearance stems from grief of losing her husband and discovering he had kept a lot of secrets from her

Headcanons inspired by Evil Thing

While Miss Pricket taught Cruella French and she took French lessons in finishing school, Cruella struggles with it and isn't good at it, and more on par to a toddler, Miss Pricket will play cartoons in french and speak in french when shes treating Cruella extra younger. Cruella also calls her Mere Mere when shes feeling on the younger side of her little side which means mom in french

Miss Pricket helps her realize what she did was wrong, and helps her with her obsessive thoughts. She also helps Cruella apologize to Anita

Becomes obsessed with dalmatians and puppies in general. Literally has 101 dalmatian stuffed animals and makes her own dalmatian themed clothes with Miss Pricket's help and encouragement.

Anita sometimes comes over and visits Cruella, and helps babysits her.

Cruella has a hard time connecting and relating to other people due to being raised by a narcissistic mother and her own mental health issues.

Cruella struggles a lot with taking care of herself and doing things like eating and sleeping. She's more willing to eat if Miss Pricket is eating and encourages her, and Cruella needs to be read bedtime stories at the very least to go to bed often ends up in Miss Pricket's bed for cuddles after nightmares. Much to Mrs Web disapproval.

Headcanons inspired by other Cruella Sources

Cruella does end up becoming a fashion designer and always loved fashion. (Inspired by 101 Dalmatians 1996 live action movie)

After the events of the first animated movie, she got sent to a mental hospital instead of prison for almost a year and underwent harsh traumatic treatments by Dr Pavlov before being released on parole under the custody of her mother (Who sent her away to stay in Hell Hall under the watchful eye of Mrs. Web) - This is a headnod to the end of 101 Dalmatian Movie 1996 and 102 Dalmatian Movie 2000 where Cruella under goes harsh therapy

Cruella has never smoked a bunch if shes missing her mom, or in a bad place mentally she'll light a cigarette because the smell reminds her of her mother, Miss Pricket doesn't however approve of this or her actually smoking. This being said Cruella does have a oral fixation, which becomes more noticeable when shes on her younger side. Eats a lot of lollipops to make up for not smoking.

Things I DON'T Headcanon or like

Hunter De Vil in 101 Dalmatian Street isn't her great nephew, the cartoon is okay, I just hate hate hate Cruella in that series so I dunno if I had anything from it I would change a lot of the stuff involving Cruella and alter Hunter maybe to be her nephew or something. I haven't decided. I still need to watch more episodes to decide

Nothing in Descendants would be in my headcanons (even though I do like the series)

Nothing from Cruella 2021, good movie but thats not Cruella I like >>

#fandom agere #agere fandom #agere headcanons #Agere #Cruella #101 dalmatians #my art

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the-empress-7 · 2 years

Note

Literally no one in Hollywood has come to their defense since the Oprah train wreck. No one said a peep about the security issue and no one has said a word about the Spotify and Netflix mess.

Neil Sean said he was told that the Sussexes wanted the usual celebrity support when the news of the security issue broke. But he said publicists want their clients to attend the Cambridges event, so everyone is quiet.

I don't think it has anything to do with the Cambridges possible visit to the US, everyone can see that the Harkles are toxic. Both as people and as a brand, no celebrity with any sense of self-preservation wants to be associate with that. No wonder the Harkles keeps going back to the same well of connections e.g. Serena.

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tobesolonely · 3 years

Text

muse

A/n: hello everyone!! im very excited to put this out :-) i was going to make a long one shot but ive never written anything multi-part before and i wanted to give it a go!! also my first time with an oc 🌟so i hope everyone enjoys!! not sure when the next part will come out but i wanna upload at least once a week or every two weeks or something idk haha but anywayssss lmk ur thoughts!

biggest, biggest thank u to my love @harryysstyless for beta reading and being so encouraging<333 luv u!!

photographer oc x harry styles

please let me know your thoughts on miss aminah, iman, serena, and harry!

my ko-fi! thank you :)

Los Angeles was your newest muse.

You had always been the spontaneous type. It came as no shock to your family and friends when you told them you had purchased a one-way ticket and were moving across the country. Although your parents weren’t too keen on the idea of their daughter moving so far away from them, they helped you withdraw your savings and find a modest apartment in LA before sending you on your way.

Your reason for moving to LA was simple, really. You were a freelance photographer that felt your career was growing rather… stagnant. You had a thick portfolio and were proud of the work you produced, but your clientele wasn’t as impressive as you’d hope it would be after nearly six years of working at it.

And so began your desire to move from New York to Los Angeles— one big city to the next.

People who knew you often described you as ambitious, fiery, and an absolute go-getter. If your big move scared you in any way, no one knew any better. Your confidence never faltered— not even in the slightest.

After nearly three months of being in LA, you developed a routine of sorts. You’d wake up, eat a breakfast that almost always consisted of avocado toast and coffee, and go on a run. After your run, you would come home, shower, and decide how far you wanted to venture to take pictures that day.

Sometimes your roommates, Serena and Iman, would join you to keep you company. Although you’d never met either one of them before answering their ad for a roommate on Craigslist, you had grown extremely close to the girls in the few months that you’d known them. Despite the two girls being friends since their childhood, they never made you feel left out, and you fit in with them effortlessly.

During your short time in the city, there were so many places you had been, but still, even more you had yet to see. Serena and Iman, both native Angelenos, would often suggest spots for you to check out and even offer to drive you around— you were from New York after all, and at twenty-four years old, you were still not the owner of a driver's license.

“You’ve never been to North Hollywood yet, right Aminah?” Iman questioned as you all lounged around, trying to come up with a place you had not yet been.

“No, I haven’t really gone anywhere farther than walking distance,” you reply, looking around the cramped living room for your camera bag. “Or the places you guys have driven me. That was still considered Downtown though, right? Where we went the other day?” You were still getting used to how absolutely massive Los Angeles was.

“We should go to Santa Monica or something— wait, Malibu!” Serena exclaims. “We have to go to Malibu, Mina. It’s so nice there, you could totally get a bunch of good shots.”

“Yeah, we might even see a celebrity!” Iman chimes in, stifling laughter.

It was an on-going joke between the three of you. When you first moved to LA, you told your roommates that you couldn’t wait to make your way around the city because you were hoping to run into a celebrity. It was Los Angeles after all— you figured they were everywhere.

You quickly learned that wasn’t the case. Celebrities here kept a low-profile and even if you did encounter a celebrity, it’s not like you would approach them. “You’re not funny, Iman,” you tell your roommate with a roll of your eyes.

“Yes I am,” Iman quips, wiggling her eyebrows. “If we’re gonna go to Malibu then I gotta change. Can I borrow a cute shirt from anyone?”

A short twenty minutes later, the three of you were piled in Serena’s car on your way to Malibu. You’d heard of the city before and knew it was a wealthy area, but that’s about it. Your roommates promised you that out of all the beaches in LA, Malibu had the nicest ones, and lots of places to take pictures. Since none of you had anything to do, you all decided it was as good a day as any to have a beach day and get some shots of your roommates to add to your portfolio. Since you didn’t know anyone except Serena and Iman, the pictures on your camera from the last few months consisted entirely of nature and inanimate objects. While it was good practice, you really preferred to photograph actual people.

“Traffic is so bad today,” you say from the backseat after traveling approximately two feet in five minutes. Iman snorts from the passenger side.

“When isn’t traffic bad, Mina,” she turns to look at you, an amused look on her face. “Don’t worry about it. It always gets backed up at this fuckin’ exit and then as soon as we get past it there’s like, zero traffic.”

“Right! I always complain about how shitty this exit is. I have no clue who designed it,” Serena adds, skipping through songs on her playlist. “It’s still early in the day, though. I’m just hoping the beach won’t be too crowded by the time we get there.”

“I don’t care how crowded the beach is. I just don’t want it to take us forty minutes to find parking…”

You tune out your roommate's voices, instead choosing to focus on the traffic jam outside the car. To Serena and Iman, people who were born and raised in Los Angeles, the city wasn’t necessarily anything special. Sure, they loved how there was always something to do, but the bad drivers, traffic, and smog got old. The novelty of LA hadn’t yet worn off to you, though. You didn’t know how your roommates were content to sit inside the apartment all day when there were tons of things to do basically right outside your doorstep. You felt like you were the one convincing them to go out with you half of the time, and you didn’t even know where you were going.

After what feels like almost entirely too long but was really only half an hour, Serena pulls into a fairly empty parking lot. “Are we not allowed to be here?”

“Why do you think that?” Iman asks, squinting her eyes to read a sign. “It doesn’t say it’s closed. I mean, there are a few cars–– look.” She points to a few cars scattered around the parking lot.

“I mean, it is nine in the morning on a Wednesday. People are probably at work,” you tell the two girls in the front seat. “Besides, there’s someone in the parking booth. Can you even close a beach?”

Serena drives forward, rolling down her window. “I mean, I guess not. You can close the parking lot, though.” You hum in agreement. She quickly pays for parking and tosses her receipt on the dashboard before driving slowly through the parking lot.

“I love when no one’s at the beach,” Iman sighs, clapping her hands. “No one will get in the way of your picture-taking either, Meens.”

You smile at the nickname. “Yeah, that’s true. We picked a perfect time to come too, guys. The lighting’s great.”

“Really? Is it gonna make my skin pop?” Iman turns around and sticks her arm out, sensually running her fingers along it.

“You always look good no matter what the lighting’s like, Iman,” you reply, refraining from rolling your eyes at her. “You have the glowiest complexion out of all of us.”

“We’re literally all the same skin-tone, Aminah,” she retorts, crossing her arms.

“We have different undertones, though,” you answer. “So not really. Plus, Serena is way lighter than us! What are you talking about?”

“Should I park here?” Serena asks, interrupting your conversation.

“Why here? All these empty spots and you wanna park directly next to this car?”

“This is a good spot, Iman. It’s a parking lot. If they didn’t want anyone to park next to them, they should’ve taken an Uber and got dropped off.” She turns into the spot, quickly putting the car in park and crossing her arms to prove her point.

You unbuckle your seatbelt, smiling at your friends’ bickering. They were so close they were basically sisters. They argued sometimes and were quick to call the other out on their shit, and you loved it.

“I just think you’re weird for parking next to this car. It’s a nice car.”

“Who cares, girl?” Serena groans, exasperated. “We’re gonna be on the beach. They’ll probably be gone before we will.” She pops the trunk before unplugging her phone from the aux cord and stepping outside. Iman mimics her before flinging the door open as well and stepping out of the car.

You make sure your camera bag is closed all the way before situating it over your shoulder and climbing out of the car as well.

“It’s kinda cold,” Iman says, wrapping her arms around her body. “If I knew it would be so overcast I would’ve bought a jacket.” Serena hums in agreement and you look up at the sky, unphased.

“It’s like, seventy degrees?” you look at the weather app on your phone in confirmation.

“We get it, Meens. You’re from New York,” Serena teases, closing her trunk. She hands you a few towels and a blanket to carry while she rolls the cooler and Iman carries the beach chairs and umbrella.

“It’s a cold seventy degrees and you know it,” Iman defends. “Look at my goosebumps. I can’t fake this shit.” You shake your head at your overly dramatic friends and follow them down to the beach. You take off your sandals as soon as you’re off the pavement, wiggling your toes in the cold sand.

“We can set up pretty much wherever we want,” Serena points out, tucking flyaway curls behind her ears. “Where do you think the best place to be is, Mina? Y’know, so you can get good pictures?”

“It doesn’t really matter, to be honest,” you tell them distractedly, too busy looking around the beach in awe. Your friends were right–– out of all the beaches you’d visited in Los Angeles so far, this one was the nicest (and cleanest). “Maybe we can get a little closer to the water?”

The three of you walk for a couple of minutes before Iman abruptly stops, dramatically dropping everything she was carrying. “Let’s just set up here. There’s no one around anyway, it doesn’t matter.”

“There actually is someone around,” you tell them, looking at a stranger who seemed to be fixated on staring at you and your friends. “Don’t look, but a cute guy is staring at us.” Serena and Iman immediately turn around, shading their eyes from the bit of sun that was starting to peek through the clouds. The guy couldn’t have been more than twenty yards away from where you were setting up.

...“Huh,” Serena says, turning back around. “Is it just me, or does that guy look a lot like Harry Styles?” She looks back over her shoulder again, but he’s no longer staring at the three of you, focusing on what appeared to be a book instead.

“Why would Harry Styles be at the beach by himself at nine in the morning?” Iman asks, unfolding a beach chair and flopping down on it.

“Why wouldn’t he? It’s Malibu, dude,” Serena responds. You could tell your friends were about to start bickering again, so you quickly jump in.

“Doesn’t matter. Neither one of you would go up to him even if it was, so what’s the point in arguing about it?” They both raise their eyebrows at you.

“And you would, Mina? Bullshit!” Iman exclaims, laughing. “I dare you to go see if it’s him, and if it is, ask him if he wants to join us.”

“That’s weird! What if it’s not him?”

“Even if it’s not him, we’ll still get to hang out with a cute boy.” Iman points out. Serena nods in agreement and you can’t deny that she makes a convincing argument. “Just ask him if he wants a mimosa or something!”

“No, don’t ask that,” Serena interjects. “Tell him that you’re a photographer and you’re working on building a new portfolio. Ask him if he would be cool with you photographing him.”

You narrow your eyes at her. “Are you sure that’s not weird, Serena?”

“Aminah, trust me. I wouldn’t deliberately let you make yourself look weird.” Your roommate reassures you.

And so you found yourself clearing the short distance to where the handsome stranger was laid, half hoping it was Harry Styles, half hoping it was not. You couldn’t act like you weren’t a fan of him–– you thought he was incredibly attractive and enjoyed his music just like most people. If Harry Styles was the first celebrity you encountered during your short time in Los Angeles, you‘d never stop talking about it. Ever.

When you’re almost to him he looks up, dog-earring the page he’s on. After making eye contact with him, there’s no mistaking that this is Harry Styles. You pinch the back of your hand, urging yourself not to freak out. He has a knowing look on his face and you’re grateful for your darker complexion that hides your blush.

“Hi,” you speak first, stopping a few feet away from him. “Uh, my friends and I are just uh, we’re... you know.” You internally wince at your inability to form a coherent sentence. His gaze never breaks from yours and you look away first, growing shyer by the second. If you thought he was beautiful on Instagram, he was even more gorgeous in person. It was incredible.

“Hi,” he finally says after a brief moment of silence. “‘M sorry if I was starin’ at you ladies a moment ago. I jus’ usually never see anyone else this early out here. Are you a photographer?”

You almost ask him how he knows when you realize your camera is still hanging around your neck. “Oh, yeah. Yeah, I am.” He’s still staring intently at you.

“Would you like to sit?”

You look over your shoulder at Serena and Iman who were pretending to be preoccupied putting on sunscreen, but you know they were waiting for you to come back with the man you now knew to be Harry Styles.

“Oh, my friends are waiting for me,” Harry looks up at you patiently, waiting for you to continue speaking. “I was actually going to photograph them. I’m working on building up my portfolio. I understand if you can’t for… I dunno, legal reasons? Or if you just don’t want to–– and that’s fine if you don’t, but would it be okay if I photographed you as well?”

“That actually sounds like a lot of fun. It’s kinda boring jus’ readin’ out here on my own,” he agrees quickly, surprising you. Harry stands up and stretches a bit before leaning down to gather up his blanket, towel, water bottle, and book. “What’s your name? I’m Harry.”

You know that Harry knows that you know exactly who he is, but the fact that he introduced himself to you makes him even more endearing. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Aminah.”

Harry extends his free hand to you. “It’s very nice to meet you, Aminah.” You love the way your name sounds coming out of his mouth.

As you approach Serena and Iman, their eyes go wide when they realize it really was him. Serena nudges Iman and you know without even having heard it that she’s saying, “I told you so!” Harry stops a bit behind you, smiling at them.

“Hello,” he starts. “S’okay if I join you ladies? Aminah here extended such a nice offer that I jus’ couldn’t pass it up, but wanna check with the two of you first.”

Serena’s mouth is shamelessly hanging open, and you realize that she may have been a bigger fan than she let on. Iman answers for them. “Of course! Mina’s building her portfolio and I bet it would look like, super cool, if you were a part of it!” Harry nods, setting the few things he had with him down.

“I don’t think I would even be the center of attention if ‘m sittin’ beside you beautiful ladies. I’ll jus’ act as a prop or something,” he flashes them a dimpled smile. “If you don’t mind me asking, what are your names? I’m Harry.”

“We know,” Iman answers a little too quickly. “I’m Iman and this is Serena.” Serena gives him a timid wave.

“Well, it’s very nice to meet you all. Are you guys from around here?” He lays his blanket beside all of your stuff and sits down cross-legged, not once breaking eye contact with any of you. You had no idea how he did it.

“We live Downtown. We’re only over here so Mina could get some good pictures, she’s a photographer,” Iman answers proudly. “She’s amazing, but she’ll never admit it.”

“Iman…,” you trail off. “Stop, dude.”

“It’s true,” Serena jumps into the conversation, now seemingly over the initial shock of who was sitting barely two feet away from her. “She’s the best photographer I know.” Harry turns to look at you, an amused look on his face.

“That’s a hefty claim. I can’t wait to see your photography skills, Aminah.”

“They’re just hyping me up,” you reply, making a mental note to yell at your friends for embarrassing you once the three of you were alone again. “I’m not that good.”

“That looks pretty professional to me,” Harry says, gesturing to the camera that has not yet left your neck since arriving at the beach. “I bet you’re just as good as they say you are.” You look away, hiding your face. Iman, being the wing woman she is, can tell you’re growing flustered from all the attention and moves the conversation away from you.

“Do any of y’all want a mimosa?” Before anyone can even answer her, she’s popping open the champagne and handing the orange juice to Serena to open. Harry politely declines, as he drove himself to the beach that morning. You and Iman are ultimately the only ones who indulge in a drink since you were the only ones not driving.

Talking to Harry was like catching up with an old friend. He wanted to know everything about the three of you and whenever he felt the conversation was becoming too much about him, he quickly changed the subject. Harry learned that Iman and Serena have been friends since the second grade when Iman pushed some boy off of the monkey bars for teasing Serena. He learned your favorite take-out spots, your favorite bars, and what freeways Iman and Serena tried to avoid at all cost (it was the 405, which he agreed with). What seemed to intrigue Harry the most, though, was him learning that you just moved from New York and had never even been to Los Angeles before moving.

“Why did you pick somewhere all the way across the country that you’d never even vacationed at before?” He had a look of confusion written across his face. You shrug, not really knowing the answer.

“I mean, I’ve seen it on TV shows and in movies. That doesn’t count?” you joke. Harry still looks utterly bewildered.

“I mean… no?”

Serena laughs. “We were just as confused as you were, Harry. We were scared for a moment when she moved in because we were like, oh shit, what if she’s insane? You know? Like, what sane person would move all the way across the country to live somewhere they’d never even vacationed before?”

You let out an offended, “heyyyy”, lightly smacking Serena’s thigh. “I just needed a change and I’m a drastic person! I either go all-in when I do something, or I just don’t do it at all.” You defend yourself.

“I actually think that’s really fuckin’ cool,” Harry says after a moment. “Sometimes I wish I could just… up an’ go. Y’know?” you all nod, and it falls silent again. “Well, should we take some pictures now?”

Any intimidation you felt to photograph Harry disappeared as soon as he started posing for you.

Being that he was a major celebrity, he was no stranger to posing for a photoshoot. Harry was ethereal–– you knew the pictures of him would most likely require minimal to no editing. Serena and Iman also looked incredible, and you were thankful to have such gorgeous people as your muses. You were taking pictures of them in various places around the beach, only stopping once it started getting too crowded. There were starting to be too many people in the background of your shots and Harry wanted to get going, not particularly in the mood to be recognized. The three of you decide you should get going too. You had more than enough pictures to go through and besides, you were all starting to grow hungry.

Harry follows the three of you to the parking lot, keeping his head down the entire way. The closer you got to Serena’s car, the sadder you got. You didn’t want to stop talking to Harry and photographing him. However, you knew you were just in the right place at the right time, and it was likely that you’d never cross paths with him any time soon–– if ever again.

“Thank you for letting me photograph you,” you tell him sincerely once you were almost to Serena’s car. “That was really kind of you. I can promise you I won’t post them anywhere without your permission or like, disclose the location or anything like that.”

Harry finally looks up, determining you were far enough away from the crowds and he was no longer at risk of getting recognized. “It was my pleasure, really. Thank you for inviting me to hang out with you and your friends. It was a lot of fun getting to know you all.” You feel your body heat up.

“Where did you park?”

“Right there,” Harry points straight ahead. “You?”

You let out a loud laugh, causing Serena and Iman, who was walking slightly ahead of you and Harry, to turn around and look at the two of you. “We parked right next to you! Iman was getting on Serena for parking next to you because the lot was pretty much empty when we got here this morning.”

Harry lets out a breathy chuckle. “I guess it’s fate that we crossed paths then, yeah?” You let out a quiet hum in agreement, stopping a few feet in front of Serena’s car. You hear her and Iman debating on where you should stop for lunch, but you were waiting to see what Harry would say next.

“Aminah? After you get a chance to look at those pictures, do you think you can send them to my manager? His name’s Jeff. I’d love to see how they come out.”

“Oh yeah, of course! Do you have his business card or something?” You were excited that Harry actually cared to see your work but based on the couple of hours you spent interacting with him, you learned he was just an overall insanely kind person.

“I can jus’ put his contact info in your phone? If you don’t mind,” his gaze falters, a sheepish look on his face.

“Totally! Let me just unlock my phone,” you dig in the pocket of your shorts, pulling your phone out and unlocking it with your face. You hand it over to him and while he’s looking down typing you glance over at your roommates who had shocked looks on their faces. You would explain to them later that he wasn’t giving you his number, just his managers, but for now, you’d let them think he was giving his number to you out of all people–– a total stranger.

Harry hands it back to you a few moments later, running his fingers through his hair. “Thank you again for such a great morning, Aminah. I’ll let you get goin’, don’t wanna hold you ladies up any longer,” he waves at Serena and Iman. “It was really nice to meet all of you. Hope to see you all again soon.” You notice that his gaze lingers on you for a moment when he says that, and you feel your body heat up for what must have been at least the tenth time that day.

The three of you watch as Harry unlocks his car and throws his items haphazardly into the passenger side before climbing in, slamming the door shut. His car starts immediately afterwards and he gives you a quick nod before quickly backing out of the spot, leaving. None of you say anything for a bit, just processing what just happened. Serena is the first one to speak, her hand on the handle of her car door.

“Are you fucking kidding me? Harry fucking Styles?” her voice raises at least two octaves and you know she’s about to have a mini freakout. “Did he ask for your number, Meens?”

“No dude, he just gave me his manager's number. He wants to see how the pictures come out after I edit them,” you tell her, opening the backseat of her car. “It’s not a big deal.”

“Uh, that’s definitely a big deal, Aminah. Stop being so humble,” Iman tells you, exaggerated annoyance lacing her voice. “Did you see how he looked at you? When he said, ‘Hope to see you all again soon’?” She puts on a terrible posh accent.

“You’re so annoying,” you groan, shaking out the blanket and beach towels before throwing them onto the seat. “Where are we gonna eat?”

Iman and Serena pile into the car as well, telling you about the three restaurants they were stuck choosing between. You hum distractedly, typing the name ‘Jeff’ into your contacts to see if Harry left a number and an email, or just an email. Your brows furrowed in confusion when you see the name is nowhere to be found in your contact list. You chalk up the mistake to Harry just forgetting to press ‘save’ after creating the contact and figure you can just find his manager’s contact information on the internet somewhere. As you’re scrolling back up through your contact list, your eye lands on a name that makes your breath hitch in your throat.

Harry Styles.

#harry styles #harry styles fanfiction #harry styles fic #harry styles fanfic #harry styles blurb #harry styles fluff #harry styles x oc #harry styles one shot #uhhh idk what else to tag this #enjoy!!

292 notes · View notes

amindofstone · 3 years

Text

Jolly sailor

{

a/n: Dream a little dream with me and imagine. Imagine Luffy being able to save Ace and him making it out of the Marineford. Imagine him taking Whitebeards place as the captain and keeping the crew together. Now imagine...

Words: 5164 (I´m sorry my fingers didn´t stop typing.)

Genre: anime imagine?

Warnings: Maybe grammar or spelling mistakes. (I genuinely apologize. English is not my mother tongue and I´m really trying to improve. So please be so kind and have mercy)

Character(s): Portgas D. Ace x reader (Serena)

Info: For better reading keep in mind that the words in italic are Serenas (readers) train of thoughts. And the words put between a note “” are the lyrics of the song “Jolly Sailor Bold” I was inspired by.

!!! Please do not steal my idea or work. Credit me if this is shared or published in any other platform or any other way. This took me a lot of time. So please respect me as the writer and my work. Piczure is not mine. Credits to the rightful owner (Twitter: @tsuyomaru1a). !!!

}

◇~◇~◇~◇~◇~◇~◇~◇~◇~◇~◇~◇~◇~◇~◇~◇~◇

“Mommy?”, said the boy sitting at the dining table, while trying to focus on his drawing. Serena, the mother of the boy with the raven black hair hummed in response without looking up from her painting. “Where you ever at the Grand Line or the New World?”, Serena who was painting the person that appeared in her dreams last night, stopped in her tracks and looked at the direction the little boy was sitting at. The question of her son caught her by surprise what made her look at him quite dumbfounded. “Ehm… Dear, where did that question come from now?”, she asked while she put her brush aside. The little boy who still wasn´t looking up shrugged his shoulders and gave an answer what could also have been that from his father. “Probably somewhere from the corner of my brain.”, he answered and looked his mother in the eyes. He knew that his way of talking resembled that of his father a lot what always surprised his mother when he talked because he rarely was home, but still he managed to sound like him. So every time he said something his father also could have said, his mother would stop doing whatever she was busy with at the moment and just stare at him with the same loving eyes she looked at his father. And every time she did so, he always tried to never miss the sight of that, because it made him proud to see that he could make his mother happy with such a simple thing.

“Well yes, I grew up on an island on the Grand Line until my teenage years. After I turned 20 I guess I ended up somewhere in the New World where I also met your father. But you already know that so why ask me that?”, Serena slowly approached her son and sat down next to him. Her son Faun, who seemed to be thinking about something deeply, put his pen down and intended to ask another question when he stopped himself by putting his small hand over his mouth. The little gesture made the brunet haired woman next to him laugh. Faun was now slowly looking back to his mothers face and tried to form a proper sentence. “May I.. ehm.. ask you some questions about… well about… you and… dad?”, although the young boy knew that his mother did not like talking about her past he always wanted to know so much about her. He always tried to ask her some questions but she somehow always managed to get out of those situations by changing the topic or making him forget what he wanted from her. Even now he had no hope of hearing her tell him her and his dad’s story. He was about to apologize and get back to his drawing when she took him in her arms and left her atelier behind. “Mom? Where are we going?”, asked the confused little boy. But Serena just smiled at him lovingly and kept walking. When she did not reply to him he decided to keep quiet and see what´s going to happen. Little did he know that she was going to tell him the story he always wanted to hear. Serena walked into her bedroom and placed her usually talkative son on the bed she slept on alone for the last eight months. Sitting on his mother’s bed, Faun was following her steps with his eyes. While she was busy taking a box out of her closet. After taking the box out of its place she closed the doors to her closed and walked back to her son and sat down next to him on the bed that seemed to be bigger than usually since she slept alone on it.

“Tell me Faun. I do know that you saw pictures of me when I was younger but did you ever saw a picture of your father when he was younger or a child?”, the Question caught the ten years old boy by surprise what made him blink a few times. But he quickly pulled himself together and shook his head a bit to fast. She gave him a loving smile and went through his raven black hair. “In that case I´ll start telling you something about your father with some pictures of him and that of some others. Alright?”, the look the incredibly beautiful boy gave her was worth to be photographed but she did not dare to leave him just to go and get a camera so she just took him in her arms and kissed his cheek while laughing. “You have pictures of Dad, when he was younger?! Wow! Was he good looking? Was he as muscular as he is now?”, curiosity rolled over Serena’s son what made him ask one question after another. It took him a while until she could calm him down and make him focus on what she is going to tell him so she took her time and let him talk for a while. While he did so she couldn´t stop thinking about his father, her husband. The man who stole her heart, her mind and her soul.

A man every person feared and respected at the same time. A man whose story was spread around the world like that of a tale. Whose story was seen as that of a hero who also played the villain at the same time. The name of that man is well known. A tale with a title that can create any kind of emotions when read. A title made of just a name. A name that was and forever will be the cause of her racing her heart and trembling hands. A name that was engraved in her heart and carried by her soul with so much love and passion that it caused her pain. A name that was always on her mind. Portgas D. Ace.

I wonder how he is doing right now. Is he alright? Is he hurt? Is he getting enough sleep?

“Mom? Is everything ok?”, Serena got lost in her thoughts thinking about the man who promised her to come see her every four months and forgot that she had her son sitting in front of her. “Mom is everything alright? You look sad. Did I upset you?”, the huge smile that was lingering on the plum red lips of her son was now gone. Serena knew that Faun was not the child he used to be. A little boy she could trick with a smile or by changing the topic. He no longer was the naïve boy he used to be. He was a mature 10 years old boy. For her taste even to mature but Luffy said that he is just like Ace himself. He told her stories about him as a 10 years old boy who was also really mature for his age and who did things she could never think of.

🎼 Upon one summer's morning, I carefully did stray. Down by the Walls of Wapping, where I met a sailor gay. 🎼

Faun was about to call his mother again when she took a deep breath and started to speak in a soft calm voice. A voice that was so beautiful that could make any person weak in their knees. Her voice what was one of the many things Ace fell in love with.

“It was a calm and warm morning on the island I was living in at that time.”, Faun was taken aback for a second but quickly understood that she was telling him what he always wanted to hear. So he sat back and listened. “It was a huge island but not many people lived there. There was a small village of probably just 100 people. They were really nice people. Each of them was friendly and respectful, with caring and funny personalities. I loved them from the bottom of my heart. As you know my beloved Faun, I am half mermaid but they never judged me because of that. I fact they never made me feel out of place. They helped me and my father every day. They brought me my favorite sweets, my fathers favorite dishes and clothes for the both of us. When my mother came visiting us they would treat her like any other person on the island. They loved me and my small family so much that they even where ready to fight for us when one of the most strongest pirates stopped at the island and asked for my father. It was really funny because my father knew the pirates but they still were suspicious and didn´t trust them a bit. When my father invited some of them to our house the women of the village would come and literally drag me out of my house and keep me in theirs until they left.”, the memories of the village and the time she spend there made her emotional. She missed all of them. They turned in just a short period into her family. A family that loved her more than she ever deserved.

“Now guess who those pirated were my father knew?”, Faun did exactly was his mother asked him to do. He thought and came up with a bunch of famous pirate names but each time she said no. When he looked at his mother with a mad and frustrated sigh, a chuckle left her and she sat her son in between her legs and placed a kiss on his head. “It were the Whitebeard pirates, who are now called …”, before she could finish the sentence her son finished it with big eyes filled by amazement. “… the White Fire pirates. Grandpa knew Whitebeard?! But how?”, Serena smiled at her son and opened the box she previously took out of her closet. The box was filled with different pictures. Some by people he instantly recognized and some by people he didn´t knew. “My father was part of the Whitebeard crew and was in the fifth division. And what made this division so special was that it was called the swordsmen division. And yes. Before you start to freak out again, Grandpa is a swordfighter.”, it only took a second for the boy to lose control over himself again and to start jumping around out of excitement. “Oh Mother! You have to tell me more! Why did you never said that Grandpa was so awesome?!”, a small giggle left Serena before she took her sons hand in hers and sat him down in front of her again. “Father was an amazingly strong pirate and on top of that a good man. That´s why he was so loved by the village.”, Serena took out a picture of her father when he was in his forties and Serena just 19. Faun looked at the picture with an open mouth and talked without thinking. A habit he had from Ace. “No offense but he looks older than he is now on the picture. How can one look so old? And no wonder dad fell in love with you. You were beautiful! But now you are even more beautiful. Don´t tell dad but you even look better than him. Just a bit though!!”, the words that left the young boys mouth made Serena laugh. How come he is so much like his father when he´s barely home and with us?

“You really need to stop telling him that he looks so old. Otherwise he won´t come see us anymore.”, Serena let Faun still look at the pictures of her and her father when she took out a picture of Ace as a young man in the age of just 20.

🎼 Conversing with a young lass, who seem'd to be in pain. Saying, William, when you go I fear you'll ne'er return again. 🎼

“The day they came to our island was not one to be happy. It was a sad reunion between my father and the pirates. A lot of their crew mates where hurt and some of them were even close to death. They needed help and a new captain. One of those who were about to die was your father my dear Faun. Uncle Marco who is the commander of the first division was worried to death because he couldn´t help him. He was just able to keep him alive while he was in coma. And this is when I meet him for them first time. Badly injured and with a weakly beating heart that threatened to stop keeping him alive. My father called me and convinced me to heal him since I ate from a devil fruit that gave me the ability to heal people. Marco and the other commanders talked to me and promised me to give me anything I wanted when I would promise them to heal Ace. Their friend, their commander and the man they would die for.”. the memories of Ace when he was close to death made her realize how worried she was about him now. Ace, who was now her husband. He should have been here four months ago. He should have came and see her and their son but he didn´t came. He did not reply to any of her letters in the last two months. Her heart clenched with the thought of him getting hurt and she started to cry. “Mom? Why are you crying?”, She didn´t wanted her son to see her cry and make him worried. She didn´t wanted him to lose hope in his father and the promise that he´ll come see them again. So she wiped her tears away and smiled. “It´s just that I miss my old hometown. It’s nothing serious.”, Faun hugged his mother and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “No need to be sad. When dad comes home we can ask him how Grandpa is doing because he always visits him whenever he comes back home. Now please stop crying and show me your smile. I want to see your dimples and kiss them just like dad does whenever you’re sad!” Ace. Just know that although you might not be here with me and although I am left alone with my longing for you and the painful emptiness in my heart caused by your absence, the presence of our son takes all of that away from me.

Serena gave her son the smile he asked her to show him and instantly got showered with kisses. “Are you feeling better Mom? If not I give you more kisses and hug you for hours just like a koala does a tree. No wait. I hold onto you like a sloth holds onto a tree! Yes that´ll do for sure. Wait no! Sloths aren´t cute though….”, the adorable nonsense her son talked managed to make her laugh again. Marco was right; although father and son are not always together they are alike. Even to the point Faun sometimes looks like Ace´s clone. “Now what happened next? Please tell me more.”, Serena nodded and showed him more pictures.

🎼 My heart is pierced by Cupid, I disdain all glittering gold. There is nothing can console me, but my jolly sailor bold. 🎼

“It took us a long time until all of the men were healthy again. But it took us the most making sure Ace was back to his normal state. Although he had the power of the fire fruit it took a long time until he was fully healthy. That caused a lot of them to be worried since they planned to make him to their new captain at that time.”, Serena showed Faun pictures of some of the Commanders and Ace when he suddenly said something that made her blush. But as quickly as the pink shade crept up her cheeks as quickly did it also leave and that only because of the words of her little boy. “That’s a great story but how did you and dad fall in love? Can you tell me that? Uncle Marco told me that Dad is the main cause of any problem they have and a risky captain. He never backs off from any fight, what I also do and forever will but compared to him you are his total opposite. You are calm and he is loud. He is ready to take risks you try to avoid anything that is close to being a bit difficult. It´s like a normal civilian and a princess that ended up as a couple. How did you to end up marring?”, Serena looked at his son with an unreadable gaze lingering upon her. She was shocked by his words but also in the verge of laughing out loud. At the end she wasn´t able to keep her laughter in and started to laugh. While she was holding her stomach from the pain her son was looking at her with an emotionless face. “What did I say?”, with a slightly tilted head the green eyed boy was looking up at his mother with confusion written all over his face. “Oh dear!”, Serena wiped the tears away that fell on her cheeks before she started to talk again. “I do understand what you mean but don´t you know the saying opposites attracts? But going honest I have to admit that it did take us both a while before we actually understood that we had feelings for each other. In those weeks where I took care of him and his crew while they decided on how to start all over again as pirates, I started to get happy whenever he was around me. I turned into the happiest living being whenever he called me or asked me for a favor. Whenever he needed anything I was the first one to go get that. No matter what it was. I loved him but I couldn´t believe it at the beginning until he and his crew left the island. Days and nights passed and I got sadder whenever I saw something that reminded me of him. I couldn´t sleep. I couldn´t eat. I was lost and felt empty. I was restless and somehow just existing. One day I got a letter. The envelop had just my name on it and nothing else. But somehow I still knew that is was from your father. The letter itself had no actual beginning nor and ending. The content of the letter wasn´t anything special but still made me more than just happy. If any other person would have read it they would have been disappointed and wouldn´t think about it. They even would have called it unnecessary and nonsense. But to me it was more than that. It was special because it made me feel like he thought about me and the time he was on the island. You know what made it so special was that fact that he started his writing where our talking ended before he left. This was the beginning of us getting closer. The love I had for him, the sentence anyone who was in love would have probably said hundreds of times never left my mouth nor had a place in my letters for him. He on his side did also never mention those three magical words. I don´t know about him but I was way to scared to say it out loud or write it down. I was scared that he might not feel the same and just see me as a good friend. But my heart was telling me otherwise. I was always praying to read those three words in one of his letters but never was disappointed when he did not write it down. Getting those letters and writing mine for him was a feeling I could never explain. I was filled by pure joy and love whenever I read his letters or wrote for him.”, Serena talked and talked. She told him anything she could think of while her heart was racing and her eyes were fixed on her hand with the ring he proposed to her. She remembers all those little moments with him. All those months and years of her crying over him. She remembers all those restless nights filled by the pained sobs that left her, accompanied by her aching and longing heart. She didn´t realized but while the memories of the man she would die for slowly made their way back to her mind a single tear fell down her cheek what made her realize how much she missed him and his touch. His voice calling her name and his laugh that would always light up her days.

🎼 His hair it hangs in ringlets, his eyes as black as coal. My happiness attend him wherever he may go. 🎼

Serena knew that she shouldn´t be crying in front of Faun so she kept the pain and the tears that threaded to fall back for later. But still she missed his presence more than ever. Eight months passed and he did not come back home. He should have been back four months ago. She should be getting letters from him every one or two weeks but nothing came. She was worried to death and couldn´t bear the pain anymore. She was scared of losing him. She was sacred to open the newspaper and read an article about his death. She wanted him to quit being a pirate and do whatever Garp would tell him. She wanted him to be save. Save, happy and at home. But she knew that his happiness is not only made of her and their son but also by sailing and being the free man he always wished to be. He wanted to be just like the man who saved him and gave him a reason to live. The man he called father from the bottom of his heart. The man he owns his life. She knew her wish of him being with her was selfish. She knew that she was selfish for wanting him to quit being a pirate but what else could she do? She was scared to death. She wanted him to be next to her. Somewhere she could take care of him and hold him. Kiss him and tell him how much she loved him. How much he meant to her. He was her life. The reason why she kept living. The reason she woke up every morning. He was the reason of her happiness.

But she put everything aside and let him be. She let him do whatever he wanted to do. She let him do whatever his heart desired and made him happy. Just so she could see him smile. He deserved it. He deserves to be happy and loved. He suffered enough in his life and deserves to be carefree now.

🎼 From Tower Hill to Blackwall. I'll wander, weep and moan. All for my jolly sailor until he sails home. 🎼

Faun was looking at a picture that showed his mother and his father at their wedding that was held on the main flagship of the White Fire Pirates, when he realized that his mother stopped talking. He looked at her and followed her gaze that was lingering upon her hand with her wedding ring. He saw her eyes that were filled with tears and was irritated since her lips were showing a beautiful smile. He wanted to say something and console her but he knew that he should not do anything since it might make it even worse. He knew that if he started consoling her by telling her that father was alright she might lose it all and break down. He knew his mother well. She was a soft hearted woman with a heart of gold. Although she was a strong woman with admirable fighting abilities she still was a woman in love after all. He remembers his Grandfather telling him that no matter how strong a person is. When they’re in love their strength can´t save them from the pain love brings. Faun was lost.

He didn´t wanted his mother to cry. When he asked her to tell him something about his father he didn´t wanted her to cry. He felt bad and started to tear up. Guilt took over him and he started to shed tears. “I´m sorry mother! I made you cry. I made you think about your past. I´m sorry.”, the son of the emperor was now hugging his mother while apologizing over and over again. “No my dear. It is not your guilt. And who says that I´m crying? See I´m all good. There is nothing to feel bad about. Hear me out. It it getting late. How about we get ready for bed? I tell you more about your father some other day. Alright?”, Faun who was still hugging his mother just nodded while soft sobs left him. The pained mother took her sons face in her hands and put a kiss on his forehead with a smile on her lips. She took his hand in hers and led him into the bathroom and prepared him for the night. And just like any other night she started to sing his favorite song. Usually Faun would never dare to make her stop since it calmed him down and made him feel loved and special. But tiday was different. There was a question lingering on his mind he needed an answer to. So he called for the woman he loved the most and made her stop singing to him not even half way through the song. “Mom I have a question. Is dad alright? Will he ever come back?”, when Serena thought that nothing’s going to worsen the pain in her chest her own flesh and blood proved her wrong. It took her a lot of courage and strength to put on a bright smile and answer him with a stabile and confident voice. “Of course he is doing fine. He is Fire fist Ace after all, isn´t he? And why shouldn’t he come back home? There is no reason to think that. Your father loves you more than anything on this planet. Believe it or not but he loves you even more than he loves Uncle Luffy or Uncle Sabo.”, the words of the half mermaid made the young boys sad face turn into a bright happy one with a huge smile upon his lips. “Thank you mother. Could you maybe continue with the song? I really love hearing it before falling asleep.”, Serena who was laying down next to her son nodded and continued singing the song not only he loved but also his father.

“My heart is pierced by Cupid, I disdain all glittering gold. There is nothing can console me but my jolly sailor bold. My father is a merchant, the truth I now will tell and in great London City in opulence doth dwell. His fortune doth exceed 300,000 gold and he frowns upon his daughter, who loves a sailor bold. A fig for his riches, his merchandise and gold. True love has grafted my heart, give me my sailor bold. My heart is pierced by Cupid, I disdain all glittering gold. There is nothing can console me but my jolly sailor bold. Should he return in pov'rty from o'er the ocean far to my tender bosom, I'll press my jolly tar. My sailor is as smiling as the pleasant month of May. And often we have wandered through Ratcliffe Highway. Many a pretty blooming young girl we did behold. Reclining on the bosom of her jolly sailor bold. My heart is pierced by Cupid, I disdain all glittering gold. There is nothing can console me but my jolly sailor bold”

Soft snores could be heard what signalized her that the little man she was singing to was now fast asleep. With a last kiss put on his head and a softly whispered “Goodnight my little treasure.”, she left his room and closed the door as soundless as possible. Her atelier she was working on before was still not cleaned up so she made her way back to her beloved work place and started to clean everything up. The song she sang her son before was not finished yet so she began singing where she stopped.

“My name it is Serena a merchant's daughter fair. And I have left my parents and three thousand pounds a year. Come all you pretty fair maids. Who ever you may be. Who love a jolly sailor that plows the raging sea. While up aloft in storm from me his absence mourn. And firmly pray arrive the day he's never more to roam. My heart is pierced by Cupid, I disdain all glittering gold. There is nothing can console me but my jolly sailor bold”, usually she would now repeat the song since it ended but the sight that life offered her did not only made her stop in her tracks but also made her drop anything she had in her hands. “I´m not sure if the original owner of this song would be really fond of hearing you change the name Maria with your own. I mean, it does sound beautiful but still, I´m just saying.”, Serena did not know what to do. She was overwhelmed with the situation and could not believe what she was seeing. A few minutes ago she was talking about him and lost hope of ever being able to see him again. She told her mind a few days ago that it shall stop hurting her more and forget him. But now she felt like she did not only betray herself but also him, who was now standing in front of her in all his glory. “Ace?”, tears she kept in all these day couldn´t be hold back anymore and made their way out. One after another wetted her cheeks and made her vision get blurry. She couldn´t believe what she was seeing. She told herself that he is not real but rather a trick played by her heart, mind and soul. She told herself to stop crying since he was not here with her. She told herself that her husband was somewhere in the New World and that she should stop crying, when the person who was the cause of all of her pain came closer and gave her a reassuring hug. As if he knew that she couldn´t believe her eyes and wanted her to believe. He wanted her to believe in him and his person that was truly standing in front of her. “Ace?”, she looked up in his eyes with tears still falling down his cheeks. “Love, I´m home.”, not knowing what to do himself the emperor placed his lips on those of his wives with the hope to get rid of the pain in his chest that accompanied him all those lonely night.

132 notes · View notes

nateserenas · 2 years

Note

How would u have written serenate’s storyline in season 4?

so this is without changing any major plot points, just relationship dynamics.

okay so first just no dan-serena-nate triangle. literally just no. so instead when serena gets back from paris, she and dan run into each other at the van der humphrey’s and they’re like heyyy and they’re both really awkward and they’re like so we’re cool right that kids didn’t mean anything we’re friends and they call each other buddy for some reason and serena’s like thank you for being there for me and dan’s like yeah always and then serena has a holy shit you’re a dad now moment and she’s like omg i want to meet your son!! so yeah that’s dan&serena they’re both super awkward but they’re smiling through the interaction and saying that they value each other’s friendship. (their friendship will still blow up later with the dan&blair stuff though)

and then nate and serena don’t see each other at the loft, the first time is at columbia.

and then the nate is dating juliet stuff remains the same. nate’s deeply hurt that she left. serena is jealous of juliet. they’re both trying to deal with the fact that serena isn’t nate’s priority anymore.

and then the change comes when nate finds out that juliet was screwing with him. he still breaks up with juliet but his and serena’s dynamic does not change. like they don’t go on that date. he’s still hurt and kind of mad at her.

also somewhere close to the beginning of the season i’d add a conversation where nate makes some kind of snarky comment about people leaving when they’re at a party or something and then serena drags him somewhere and is like nate i had to go i didn’t know who i was or what i was doing and honestly i still don’t and then nate’s like serena even if you had to go you didn’t have to leave me behind. i would’ve done anything to help you. and then she looks at him sadly and says i know you would have. and then she leaves. like it wouldn’t change their dynamic it’s just them having a real conversation about their breakup.

when juliet tries to destroy serena’s life nate she just doesn’t do anything to serena&nate’s relationship because they’re already not on speaking terms.

and then when serena overdoses nate immediately goes to the hospital. like he can talk about his different priorities and freezing her out as much as he wants to but when it comes down to it he’ll always be there for her. everything has changed between the s3 hospital scene and the s4 but the fact that she can count on him never will.

sometime after the whole juliet drugging serena thing has come to light nate seeks out serena. he says something about how he feels so stupid he never should have brought juliet into their lives. serena says that the only person to blame is her mother but she’s not really wanting to talk about her mother so she says something about how she she had flashbacks to the last time he visited her in the hospital. he says something about how her being in the hospital once was already too much. she says playfully but also serious something like well bright side we’re talking again. and he kind of just looks at her for a while. he doesn’t match her playfulness and he says something like i’m sorry i might’ve taken the silent treatment thing too far. but serena you just left. again. you left me again. and i get it. i think i get it now. when you said you had to go. you had to get away from it all. believe me i know what it’s like to have to figure out what you want. i guess i just couldn’t see it at the time. the only thing i could think about was you leaving. (or you know that general sentiment but phrases in a way that sounds like nate) and then serena looks at him and just says his name. and the he stands up and starts to leave but he turns back and says hey if you ever want to try and figure it out alone together give me a call (like you know that scene at the end of s1 where she asks if he ever wants to be alone together) and she just beams at him.

and then i don’t think they’d really have anymore story arcs this season. we’d just see them being friends, walking to classes together that type of thing. and in a conversation between serena and blair blair probably makes a comment about how nate has always been incapable of staying mad at serena. and serena and nate probably have a slightly tense moment in conversation where nate is like if you’re over dan why do you care so much about him and blair being friends?

#asks #anon #thank you for asking 😊#serenate asks

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shima-draws · 4 years

Note

maam you cant just say that you have a FAKE DATING AU and not tell us abt it spill

UWU

So I never thought I’d write anything Amourshipping in my entire life because I’m sure most of you know exactly how I feel about them but that’s what I’m doing for this LMAO

Anyway it takes place a couple years after the end of SM, Ash is around 18-19 and has made a big name for himself competing in tournaments and Pokemon Leagues. Gladion and Lillie are back in Alola with Mohn, and Gladion does research on Ultra Beasts with him while maintaining a position at the Battle Tree and competing in the Alola League every year. Serena is the current reigning Kalos Queen and spends her time doing showcases and performing for large audiences.

The AU starts when Serena calls up Ash and asks him if he’s willing to fake date her. For the sake of publicity and also because her manager is getting on her ass about dating some guy who’s a professional in PR videos (also for publicity and to promote her image)—this guy has also taken an interest in Serena and doesn’t know what the word no means, so the whole thing has made her super uncomfortable. Serena figures since Ash is her friend, she knows him well enough to be comfy with fake dating him and because Ash has a great reputation that won’t scar her public image (not that she cares much about that anyway!) it would be the best thing to do to get her manager and the PR asshole off her back.

Note that at this point Serena is well over Ash lol and tells him as such—basically water under the bridge now, especially because Serena has a crush on Shauna instead (but was too afraid to ask her to fake date because she didn’t want to mess things up with a potential romantic relationship—with Ash it’s a no strings attached sort of deal). It’ll probably be a little awkward but out of all the people who could do it Ash is clearly the best option.

Ash is very hesitant about it since he’s not really a fan of lying to people, but eventually relents because Serena really needs help. They agree to go through with it long enough for the opposing parties to back off, and decide they’ll have a fake breakup once Serena feels safe enough to be single again. Obviously this is a terrible idea but both of them are idiots and didn’t think things through LMAO

The only real issue is that Ash is scheduled to stay in Alola for a few weeks, part of a routine he does yearly where he rotates around all the regions he’s visited to catch up with old friends and get some training in. Serena’s like oh no problem I’ll just come to Alola with you and we can show off there! Do some hand holding and cheek smooches in front of the cameras and we’ll be golden. So Ash flies out to Kalos first so he and Serena can break the news of their “relationship” to the public.

Back in Alola, Lillie and Mallow end up breaking the news to Gladion, who subsequently has a meltdown (tho he will deny that he did) and gets really depressed and hurt by the situation, because lately he and Ash have been growing closer and he actually planned on confessing his feelings when Ash came to visit. Welp. Clearly that’s not going to happen now, and as soon as Ash and Serena arrive Gladion literally BOLTS because he’s gay panicking and can’t bear the thought of seeing Ash with somebody else.

Lillie keeps making excuses as to why Gladion’s avoiding Ash, Ash and Serena continue to parade around in front of the cameras and do silly shit that makes the paparazzi go nuts, Gladion falls further into despair and Lillie gets fed up with his angsty emo bullshit fnnsndnsn

Eventually the rest of the Alola crew start to catch on that hey maybe this is...not real? A publicity stunt? They have no idea why Ash or Serena would stoop to doing something like that but they try to convince Gladion that hey maybe you’ve still got a shot. This could all just be a huge ruse and they’re not actually into each other. With enough goading Gladion is eventually convinced to go hash things out with Ash and figure out what the hell is going on, but he witnesses them kissing alone in the woods and realizes that no, it’s genuine, and he’s an idiot for hoping otherwise. Ofc Gladion’s a dumbass and didn’t realize that Ash and Serena were being tailed, so they kissed to put on a show.

Gladion eventually puts his foot down and says you know what I can’t do this anymore I’m leaving. And Lillie’s like. What? You’re just running away from your feelings? And Gladion’s like that’s exactly what I’m doing—I mean no I want to travel and visit all the other regions and. Do research. See if the Ultra Beasts were ever involved anywhere outside of Alola. And Lillie’s like that’s a great excuse but you’re just being a coward about it and Gladion’s like well there’s nothing you can do about it ;) and generally acts like a stubborn jackass LMAO

Then Lillie is the one to put her foot down and decides if Gladion’s too chicken to confess his feelings she’ll fucking do it for him! God she has to do everything for this family jfc. She corners Ash and demands the truth, who easily lets up about the fake dating thing, and Lillie tells him Ash Ketchum if you don’t get your ass down to the marina right now you’ll probably never see Gladion again. So leave right now. Kiss him. And tell him you’ve been in love with him since you battled him on the beach all those years ago.

AND ASH DOES EXACTLY THAT and he and Serena “break up” and he gets together with Gladion and she gets with Shauna and it’s a happy ending for everyone THE END

#The ending was a little rushed but you get my point. LMAO #Pokemon #Pokeani #Long post #Trustedpartnershipping #Ash Ketchum #Serena #Gladion #Lillie #Satoshi #SatoGlad #Pokemon SM #Fake Dating AU #Shima’s AUs #Shima answers questions

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champhangman · 4 years

Text

Bleed Into the Night

Title: Bleed Into the Night Part: Three / ? Characters: Hangman Adam Page x OFC Summary: She wasn’t looking. Neither was he. For a brief flash, they found each other. Word Count: 11,138 Warnings: Alcohol use. Mild cursing. Previous: Part One | Part Two

Tagging: @adampage / @cowboyshit / @baysexuality / @lilmisswhiskeygypsy / @bigpixiefoot / @mindofasagittaruis / @kalliravenne / @sadlittlecountess / @baronsbelleevangeline / @brie-mode-activated / @xbreezymeadowsx / @irish-newzealand-idian-dutch /

-----

At first, it was easy. Adam didn't have to put too much thought into pretending to date Serena. When he opened Twitter and saw things she had posted, it wasn't difficult to like the post and keep going. When Britt asked him backstage, barely a week after he'd met Serena, if they'd gone on their first date yet, he was able to shake his head and tell her they were waiting for their schedules to mesh. And he was busy with work. He went to a toy convention to see the action figures that would be released in the fall. The next day he, Kenny, Nick, and Matt filmed a commercial for the figures. And it seemed that every day there were more and more media interviews to do. Podcasts to appear on. Not to mention he was just getting into the groove of shows on weekends. He was busier than he had been in years.

His sole interaction with Serena that wasn't on social media that first week was a late-night text to make sure they were really going through with the plan. She hadn't replied until the next morning, telling him that yes, they were. Ten minutes later she had texted again to let him know that Cole was trying to talk her into going to the AEW pay-per-view next month, since Cole would be accompanying Britt.

He didn't know how that would work. Surely NXT was putting a show on the same night? He messaged her to let him know if she was coming so he could see to it she got the proper VIP treatment.

And had received no reply.

After two weeks, he began to feel that just saying they were going to go out at some point was enough. Britt hadn't cornered him or pestered him anymore, merely asking if he'd talked to Serena lately. She seemed satisfied with his lie that they talked nearly every day, but when he told her that they were both too busy to have a date she looked skeptical.

Watching her walk away to sit at a table in catering, he heaved a sigh and pulled out his phone. This was bullshit. If he was going to fake date someone he would at least like to, if not literally go on a date, talk to them occasionally. What was the point of having a woman pretending to go out with him if he couldn't fucking talk to her?

Pulling up Serena's info, he hit the call button and made his way to an empty table.

"Hello?"

"Hey," he greeted. Remembering that he wasn't supposed like her, he wondered why the fuck he'd called her. But it was too late to hang up. "You busy?"

"I just finished up at the PC. What's up?"

"I was just checking in. Haven't talked to you today," he said, aware of Britt watching him.

"Oh," Serena said, dragging the syllable out. "Sorry about that. I've been busy."

"I know. Me too." He picked at the label on his bottle of water. "What were you doing at the PC? Working on your enzuigiri?"

"Fuck that move," she muttered. "No, today was promo work."

"How's your promo?"

"Abysmal." She sighed. "Hang on a second."

Adam took a sip of water, halfway listening as she spoke to someone about the show that night. Her promo was abysmal? He wondered why. He knew that company tended to script a promo down to breaths and pauses. Would she do better if given free reign? She was saying she was excited to wear her new gear and he sat back with a soft grunt. He had no idea what her gear looked like.

He had no idea what her wrestling was like. Yeah, he'd seen her a couple of times when he'd watched NXT. But truth be told, he'd only seen the ending of her matches. He was sure he remembered a powerbomb. But nothing else. And not even the vaguest memory of what her gear had looked out.

What a shitty fake boyfriend he was turning out to be.

"Sorry, what were we talking about?"

"Your promo."

"Ugh," she groaned. "They had me practicing babyface skills and do you know what?"

"What?" Was she a babyface? Or a heel? How could he not know anything about her career? Other than what she'd shared when they'd been in the pool, which hadn't been much. In fact, except for saying she'd been so nervous she'd thrown up before her first televised match, she hadn't mentioned WWE or NXT at all. No, she'd said that she'd applied and tried out for the hell of it and still couldn't believed she'd been signed. And what little bit he'd seen of her work hadn't been enough to know anything about her character.

"I am not cut out to be a babyface."

"No? I thought you just radiated sweetness and light," he teased. Because it was easy to tease her. He had only spent a few hours in her company, but he could imagine her eyes rolling. He liked teasing her, he decided when her reluctant laugh rang in his ear.

"Right now I'm radiating sweat because my car is hotter than the inner circle of hell. And I thought you were the sweetheart?"

"Yes, ma'am," he allowed. When she didn't reply, he pulled his phone from his ear to make sure the call hadn't been dropped. "…You still with me?"

"Yeah…"

"Where's the show tonight?" he asked after a moment.

She cleared her throat. "Jacksonville. I'm about to head that way now. Are you working tonight? Shit… I should know that, shouldn't I?"

"It's fine." He wasn't about to admit that he only knew she was working because he'd overheard her saying so. "We're in Jacksonville too."

"Ooh, competition," she cooed. "I'm surprised Cole didn't tell me."

"Yeah, Britt didn't tell me, either." Adam glanced over to the woman, but she was walking out of catering. At the door, she glanced back and gave him a smirk. What the hell—

"We're such dumbasses!" Serena suddenly yelped.

Adam rubbed his chin. "I'm not gonna disagree, but why?"

"They probably assume we both already know. Duh," she snorted. "We're supposed to be talking practically every day. Of course we'd know. Which means—"

"Yep." Adam lightly banged his fist against his forehead. He knew exactly what it meant. He bumped his forehead harder, as though to punish his brain for being so fucking stupid. For thinking that this would be even remotely easy. That explained Britt's face when he'd said they were still looking for a good time to go out. "Shit."

"It'll be weird if we don't."

He didn't have to ask what she meant. He already knew. And he couldn't ask her the question because the whole point of this bullshit ruse was that he didn't have to ask her. He almost drove his fist against his skull harder but stopped, dropping his hand to his thigh with a loud slap. "Fuck."

"No, no, we're smart. We can figure this out."

"You just said we're dumbasses," he reminded her, standing and carrying his empty bottle to the trashcan. Nodding in greeting to Matt, he headed in the direction of the locker room. "You could just come to my apartment?"

"And let everyone think we're having sex?"

He pulled the phone away and scowled. Did she have to sound like the idea was repulsive? "You got a better idea?"

"I think my hotel has a bar."

"Okay?"

"Then we can meet there."

And do what, exactly? Sit there and drink? He could do that on his own. He sighed. "Yeah, sure."

"We could go to a different bar," she suggested. "Unless you can come up with something else."

His mind went blank. He'd spent enough time in the city to know places to visit after a show. Had gone to several with his friends. And yet he couldn't think of one place they could go for their non-date. "I'll figure something out," he finally said. "Text me your hotel."

"Why?"

"So I can pick you up."

"Oh right. Southern gentleman." He heard a rustling, then the monotonous chime that meant a car door was open. "Sure. I'm about to get gas then hit the road, I'll text you before I leave here."

"I thought they got vans or buses when y'all were in Florida."

"I prefer to drive myself. And it's only a couple of hours."

"Not taking it slow today, huh?" he asked, smiling as he remembered their chat about drive times. He leaned against the wall outside the locker room, glancing up when Nick came to the door.

"I'm not on my own schedule so I can't," Serena said.

"Hey, we're ready to do that bit when you are," Nick told him.

Then the bastard stood there. Waiting.

"I gotta go," he muttered into the phone. "I'll see you tonight."

"I'll text you," she promised before the call ended.

Adam used the hem of his t-shirt to polish the screen before sliding his phone into his pocket. Feeling Nick's inquisitive gaze, he reached to run his fingers through his hair. And, when Nick didn't speak, he sighed. "What?"

"Who are you seeing tonight?"

Shit. "Um… Lots of people?"

Nick rolled his eyes.

"Britt introduced me to someone," Adam said. "We're going to meet up after the show."

Nick's lips parted, and Adam knew he was about to say Again? But he closed his mouth and nodded. "Is she coming to the show?"

"Nah, she's gotta work." He felt his phone buzz in his pocket. Two short vibrations to let him know he'd received two texts. Predicting they were from Serena, he didn't bother checking.

"What's she do?"

"She's with NXT."

"Yeah? Wrestler?"

"Yeah. Her name's Serena."

Nick shook his head. "I've heard the name but I'm not familiar with her."

Neither was he. He really needed to remedy that. It would at least give them something to talk about during their date that wasn't a date. Pushing away from the wall, he followed Nick into the locker room. He was surprised to see it empty. He pulled off his shirt and moved to get the one he was supposed to wear for the bit. "We met a couple weeks ago. We haven't been able to get together yet. They're in town for a show tonight, so…"

"Where are you taking her?"

"I don't have a fucking clue," he admitted. "Still trying to figure that out."

"I'm sure something will come to you," Nick assured him. "Ready?"

"Yeah."

A short while later he returned to the locker room and dropped onto the couch to relax for a bit before the chaos of the show started. Settling back, he reached for his phone to see the texts from Serena. Making note of her hotel, he propped his feet on the arm of the couch while the others milled around. He barely heard their discussions about that night's matches, merch sales, and everything else as he checked his social media. Twitter was calm for the moment, though he noted some more people had commented on his and Serena's tweets.

Apparently, fans were shipping them. Whatever the fuck that meant.

He moved to Instagram and pulled up her account. His thumb swiped the screen, scrolling past her most recent posts. He stopped randomly and tapped on the photo his thumb was hovering over, eyebrows lifting at the sight of her with teal hair. He wondered why she didn't keep her hair its natural hue. Eyes scanning the caption while Kenny, Nick, and Matt continued to chatter around him, he chuckled.

I'm an f'n mermaid. Trading in my wrestling boots for a fin ASAP!

He instinctively double-tapped the screen, then muttered a curse under his breath when he realized he'd done so. He almost unliked it then shrugged. It wasn't as though he'd gone to a picture she'd posted eight years before. Backing out to her profile, he scrolled towards her more recent pictures. There weren't, he saw, many pictures of her. She seemed to love sunsets and even as he tucked that nugget of information away for later, he wondered why he deemed it important. She also posted a lot of pictures of a cactus in a window. When he finally saw her face again he stopped to open the post, snorting softly at the sight of her standing next to a proud-looking Triple H. it must have been after her debut on NXT. He liked it then went through more and was taking a sip of his drink when he saw her most recent post.

It had been taken at Britt and Cole's. He immediately recognized the patio table with the spread of food, and the twinkling fairy lights above it. And there she was, back to the scene, her pink hair wet and messy, her lips tilted in a secret smile.

Damn, she was pretty. He let himself admire the dimple in her left cheek, then studied the rest of the picture, smiling when he recognized himself in the background, laughing. She must have taken it right before they sat down to eat. What had he been laughing at? He couldn't remember.

He just remembered that he hadn't laughed so much in a long time.

His gaze dipped to read the caption and he felt his lips tug into a smile.

Good times. Good friends. Good food. Good beginning?

"What's got you grinning?"

Adam jerked his head up to find his three friends looking at him, each with a mixture of amusement and confusion on their face. He grunted as water splashed from the bottle and onto his chest and sat upright. "Huh?"

"We've been talking to you for like ten minutes," Nick said. He looked the least confused.

No they hadn't. Adam hadn't even been in the room for ten minutes. Had he? Looking to his phone to check the time, he saw with irritation that an hour had slipped by. He hadn't been on her Instagram that long, had he? Surely not. Matt or Nick would have begun kicking him if he'd ignored them for so long. "What?"

"Who is she?" Matt asked.

A small part of him was surprised that Nick hadn't already blabbed. No, he shouldn't be surprised. Nick didn't blab. He didn't share things that weren't work-related unless he was specifically told he could. One of many reasons why Adam appreciated having him as a friend. Brushing the water from his chest, he looked to Matt warily. "How do you know it's a she?"

"I can see the picture, dumbass."

Oh. Fuck. He looked to his phone. "Oh. Right. That's Serena."

"She's very pretty," Kenny commented.

"Thanks." Adam screwed up his face. Thanks? Like he had anything to do with her attractiveness. "I mean, yeah, she is."

"Who is she?" Matt asked again, snapping his gum.

"I just told you," Adam said slowly.

"Lay off, Matt." This from Nick, who'd leaned to get a look at the photo. Leaning back, he smiled. "She is pretty."

"Britt and Cole introduced us," Adam explained to Matt with a sigh. "We're going out tonight."

"She coming to the show?" Matt's eyebrows raised.

"No. She's got to work. She's with NXT. Yes, she's a wrestler. We just met a couple weeks ago and haven't had a chance to go out yet. No, I don't know where I'm taking her, but I'll figure it out. Any more questions?"

"Can we meet her?" Nick asked with a smile.

"Fuck no."

"We'll be nice," Matt promised.

"Double fuck no." Pretend or not, if he introduced her to the clowns he called his friends, she would run for the hills. Or at least call for an Uber. God, just the idea… Well, he supposed Kenny wouldn't scare her off. But the doofuses asking to meet her? They would pester the fuck out of her. They'd ask her a million questions as though interviewing her for some extremely sensitive job. Matt, aggressively chomping his gum and firing off questions faster than she could answer, his manic energy in every word. Nick, watching her with that speculative gaze that unnerved people who didn't know him. He almost shuddered.

"C'mon, we want to meet her."

"No."

"Please?"

"If I say yes will you shut the hell up?"

"Yeah."

"Then yes. But also no."

"What's wrong with us?" Matt demanded.

"What isn't wrong with you?" Adam retorted.

"I'm offended," Matt gasped, clapping a hand over his chest. "You're ashamed of us, aren't you?"

"When it comes to this sort of shit? Yeah," he admitted. He looked down at his phone, made sure to like the picture, the locked it and shoved it into his pocket while he rose to his feet.

Matt's demeanor shifted to somewhat normal. "You really don't want your girlfriend to meet us?"

"She's not my girlfriend," he said quickly.

"Your soon-to-be girlfriend, then."

"She's not that either. She's…" Not interested in me at all and this is all a farce. Hah! Ain't that some shit? He tried to picture what their reaction would be. But all he could see was them as they were now. Kenny, interested but calm. Matt, eyes wide and anticipating an answer. Nick, a smile pulling on his lips.

"It's too early to say what she is," he finally managed. "We've only talked a few times—" Lies. "And… I don't know, man. She seems cool."

"Cool," Nick repeated, and Adam didn't know if he was questioning Adam's summation of Serena or just agreeing with him.

"So when do we get to meet her?" Matt demanded.

"Never," Adam muttered.

They continued to pester him the rest of the afternoon. Matt had questions, as always. Nick, too, but to a lesser extent. Kenny's only question was had Adam decided where he was taking her after the show.

"Not a fucking clue," Adam groaned while lacing up his boots.

His phone chimed behind him on the bench but he ignored it.

"Well you have to think of something," Kenny pointed out, reaching behind Adam. He chuckled. "Heart eyes?"

"What." Adam snapped upright so quickly his head swam. "Heart eyes?"

"Serena. Heart eyes. Heart eyes."

It was then that he saw Kenny was holding his phone. "Huh," he chuckled nervously, taking the phone and sitting down. He didn't know whether to tell Kenny she had done it or let the man assume he'd done it himself. But he was distracted by the message she had sent him.

Just got to the venue and it has been decided for me that I'm coming with Cole to Daily's. Told him I was leaving our date up to you and if you don't have something we're going bar hopping with him and Britt.

"Fuck me," he groaned.

"Bad news?"

"Not bad. Not good, either. But not bad." Just the worst.

"Come on. It's not the end of the world, is it?"

"No, no, it's fine," he murmured, hunching forward to compose a reply.

Bar hopping? I don't know. I was thinking just one bar. There's a little honkytonk I know that has karaoke on weekends if you're into that. I don't sing but it's a nice little place.

Her reply was quick. That sounds fun. You don't sing? Shame. I do. Will they kick me out if I don't wear cowboy boots?

He chuckled. She'd look cute in… No, no, he couldn't allow his thoughts to stray in that direction, no matter how enticing the idea. No, you can wear whatever. They might kick you out if you don't practice your enzuigiri though.

Just for that, I'm gonna make you sing tonight.

Oh no.

What had he gotten himself into?

***

What had she gotten herself into?

It had seemed so easy. Serena would drive Cole over to Daily’s, he and Britt would go off and do their thing, and she and Adam could leave to do… Whatever they were going to do. Simple. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy, as her niece would say. She hadn't paid attention to Cole's threat of bar hopping. A nice little honkytonk sounded fun, and Cole wasn't into karaoke. It would all be fine. Right?

Wrong.

As it turned out, Britt was into karaoke. And wouldn't it just be so much fun for them to make it a double date? Cole didn't care as long as he could have a few drinks with his beloved.

Standing outside her car, Serena looked to Adam for help. It was already too late, though, because Britt was asking someone if they would take her and Cole's luggage to the hotel. Adam sent her an apologetic look, and damn the man for looking so adorably sorry that she couldn't be irritated with him. Not that it was his fault, anyway.

"You can put your stuff in the back," she said, hitting the button on her key fob to open the trunk. She moved to the back of the car, lifting an eyebrow at the sound of clinking when he placed his backpack on the ground.

"Tag team belt," he explained before slinging his suitcase into the trunk. He set the backpack next to it and closed the trunk with more force than necessary. "I'm sorry."

"It's fine, I slam it all the time."

"No, not that—Well, yeah, that too," he corrected. "I mean about them."

She shrugged. It was done now. She supposed they could be sneaky and leave before Britt and Cole made it back to the car, but she didn't relish their complaints if they did so. "How was the show?"

His smile was brighter than the lights illuminating the parking lot. "We tore it down."

"You and Omega are the tag champs, right?" She shrugged again when he looked to her. "I Googled you."

"Yeah, we're the champs." He looked over to the group of people that Cole and Britt were chatting with. "Do you know him?"

"No. Cole talks about him a lot, though."

"You want to meet him?"

"Meet him?"

"C'mon, he won't bite." Adam hesitated. "Unless you ask nicely."

The breeze carried her laugh away as she walked with him towards the group. Her steps faltered when she saw every head swivel to watch their approach and she tugged at Adam's sleeve. "You said Omega, not the whole damn roster…"

"It's not the whole roster," he promised. "Just don't let Nick and Matt intimidate you."

"Nick and Matt?" she echoed, but he'd already planted his hand at the small of her back and propelled her forward.

"New blood! New blood!"

"Man, chill, you know that's Cole's protégé!"

"Marq and Isiah," Adam said with a smile, nudging her forward a couple of more steps. "Guys, this is Serena."

One second, she was standing with Adam. The next she was being tugged into a welcoming hug by Marq – or was it Isiah? – and greeted excitedly. She could have sworn one of them said he'd heard a lot about her. From Adam? She glanced to him, saw his quick shrug, then turned back to the two men. "Hi," she greeted, reaching to push her hair behind her ear. "Nice to meet you."

They were fun and lively and brimming with youthful energy, and after two minutes of chatting she felt as if she'd known them for years. It was impossible not to smile while talking to them. Promising to come to a show to see them in action soon, she felt almost dizzy when they departed.

"Serena," a gentle voice greeted. She turned and, recognizing the man, smiled.

"Kenny. You've heard a lot about me too?" she guessed.

"Enough to know that you need to work on your—"

"Don't say the word," she begged, slipping her hand into his for a brief shake. "It causes flashbacks."

"Perhaps you need a better teacher?" Kenny suggested.

"Hey!" Cole protested.

"He acts like he's my teacher." Feeling a gentle hand on her back, she knew without looking that it was Adam. She wasn't sure how she knew and decided to not ponder that at the moment, instead smiling up at Kenny. "When he's really just my self-appointed brother, determined to make my life a living hell."

"Doesn't he do that to everyone?"

"Fuck you," Cole said, giving Kenny a light shove. Then he glared at Serena. "And fuck you, too."

"He always comes out with the 'fuck you' when he knows he can't defend the statement," Kenny said in an aside.

"But he'll keep trying," Serena sighed.

"You're goddamn right he will." Kenny's smile was pleasant. "It was great meeting you, Serena. I'll see you soon."

She watched him walk off, then turned to face Adam. His hand was still on her back, and she swallowed as her movement caused his arm to wrap around her. She lightly tapped his chest. "I think—"

"Cole! We didn't know you were coming!"

Serena watched Adam's face slide from easygoing to annoyed in half a second. She heard Cole say that he'd tagged along with her and could have sworn that Adam winced as the man who'd called to Cole spoke again.

"Serena? She's here?"

She turned at that and saw two men approaching. Recognizing them, she lifted her hand in a wave. Adam's fingers curled against her back and she thought she heard him mutter several curses under his breath. About to turn to ask what was wrong, she instead took a tiny step back when the men's faces split into wide grins.

"Oh, fuck," Adam muttered. Then, with a sigh, he said, "I'm so sorry."

"Why? What's wrong?" Confused, she looked to the two men. "Hi?"

"I didn't think he'd actually let us meet you."

"I thought for sure he'd never bring you close to us."

She blanked on their names. She knew they were the Young Bucks but had never paid enough attention to their looks to know which was which. The one on her right was just an inch or two shorter than the other, his thinly bearded jaw working furiously on the gum he was chewing. The one to the left regarded her with a faint smile, though she couldn't shake the feeling that he was inspecting her. Suddenly self-conscious, she took another small step back and looked from one to the other. "Why wouldn't he bring me close to you?"

"He's ashamed of us," the gum chewer sighed with a dramatic roll of his eyes. "Thinks we'll scare you off."

"Which is crazy, because we're two of the nicest people on the planet," his brother assured her.

"It's been my experience that people who brag about their niceness have a tendency to be assholes," she said without thinking. Grateful when they burst into laughter, she felt herself relax. And noticed that Adam's hand was still firmly on her back. As though prepared to haul her away from them.

"I'm Matt." The gum chewing ceased for two seconds. "And I have a feeling we're going to become the best of friends."

"Nick." He extended his hand with a warm, welcoming smile. "I promise, I try my best not to be an asshole."

Matt's eyes lit up. "So, where are you two headed?"

Serena faltered. "Oh. I, um. I—"

"We're going for a drink," Adam cut in.

"Really? Where? We might drop in."

"Adam said something about a honkytonk with karaoke?" Serena offered. Glancing down, she saw that she and Nick were still clasping hands and gently pulled hers away.

"The place we went to last time?" Matt asked Adam.

She watched his face as he processed the question. Felt his heavy sigh before he nodded. "But I don't—"

"We love karaoke!" Matt exclaimed. "Don't we, Nick?"

"You love karaoke. I love watching you make an idiot of yourself," Nick corrected. His blue eyes swiveled to Serena again. "He's always doing it, which means I'm always having a good time."

"You don't sing?" she asked.

"Only when no one can hear me," he laughed. "And when I'm far away from dogs and children."

"That bad?"

"Worse."

"I love to sing, but I don't know that I'm good. I don't even care if I'm good. I just like having fun. Like I know I'm a terrible dancer but that doesn't stop me from putting on shows for my houseplants when I'm home…" She was rambling. She forced herself to stop and looked at Adam, saw this his annoyance appeared to have eased. When he caught her looking at him, his lips tipped into a small smile. She felt his fingers relax and was surprised when his thumb began to lightly stroke. Probably an involuntary movement, she told herself. She gave the hem of his t-shirt a gentle tug and smiled up at him. She wanted to ask him if he'd mind of Matt and Nick went to the bar with them, since it was obvious that Cole and Britt would be tagging along. A group thing would be easier, right? There would be other people to talk to. He wouldn't have to feel obligated to talk to her much.

Or maybe he wanted to talk to her?

His fingers squeezed at her back. "We better get going. Don't wanna miss last call."

"Definitely not," she agreed, looking to Matt and Nick. "Great meeting you."

"You, too," they said in unison.

"They're nice," she said as she and Adam walked away.

"Yeah?" he sounded doubtful.

"Do they usually embarrass you?"

"More than you'd think," he admitted. He dipped his head so he could speak lower. "You want to try to leave without Cole and Britt?"

She sneaked a glance over her shoulder and saw that Cole was in deep conversation with Nick and Matt. "You think we can?"

"Don't say anything," he murmured. "We'll sneak away."

"Do you want to drive?" she asked softly when they reached the car. "Since you know where it is?"

While she passed him the keys and they climbed in, she kept expecting to hear Britt or Cole call out to them. They didn't, though, not even during the long while it took Adam to get the seat adjusted for his height. She sneaked another glance as she closed the door, and her sigh of relief mirrored his.

"Did you sneak out a lot when you were a kid?" she asked once he'd started the engine.

"Didn't really have to sneak out. I had to sneak back in a lot, though," he said with a chuckle. Planting his hand on the back of her seat, he turned to watch as he reversed the car.

"How do you sneak in?" She had to ask. Talking took her mind off the aroma of his cologne and the fact that her car suddenly seemed tiny.

"I grew up in the country, you know? So sneaking in meant I turned the headlights and engine off about a mile from the house and I would coast up the path. I always drove my dad's old truck and it coasted like a dream." His sigh was reminiscent. He waved to the security guard at the parking lot exit. "Mama locked all the doors at midnight, so I'd have to climb the tree at the back of the house and slip in the upstairs bathroom window because it was the only one without a lock. I only got caught once, and I was able to lie my ass off and swear I was in my room the whole time and was getting ready to take a shower. I don't think Mama believed me but she didn't catch me coming in the window, so I was safe."

"Why did you have to turn the headlights off?" She was enthralled. It sounded like something out of some stupid teen movie, but coming from him, it was believable in its ridiculousness. And so different from when she had missed curfew as a teen.

"So my brother wouldn't see them through the window and tattle on me. And I coasted because Dad's old dog would bark his head off if he heard an engine."

"He didn't bark if he heard the door shut?"

"Oh I just climbed out the window. Caught hell for leaving it down when it rained one night, but I was young and stupid." He stopped for the red light and looked at her. "Didn't you grow up in the country?"

"I grew up outside of Modesto."

"Britt told me you're from Montana."

"I was born there, but my parents moved to California when I was three."

"So you do have country roots."

"I don't remember it, so they're flimsy roots," she decided with a roll of her eyes. "I didn't learn how to coast a mile down the road and shimmy up a tree if I got home past curfew."

"What happened if you missed curfew?"

"Mom would call my cell phone to check on me. And she'd wait up until I got home." Serena smiled at the thought of her mother. She really needed to spend her days off with her parents. She missed the comfort of her family.

"I had a cell but I was always so deep in the sticks the signal wouldn't reach."

She opened her mouth to ask more about where he'd grown up. The only thing she knew about Virginia was what she'd seen of Richmond and Norfolk when going to shows. She had an inkling that his hometown was a far cry from either of those cities. Drawing in a breath, she grunted when her cell phone began to ring.

"How much you want to bet that's Britt?" Adam asked.

"It could be Cole," she pointed out, leaning to retrieve it from the cupholder. Turning to see the screen, she huffed. "You win."

"Knew I should've made you bet," he muttered. "Are you gonna answer?"

Serena looked at the screen for several seconds. Adam had told the Bucks where they were going. No matter what, Britt and Cole would show up. She concluded that she could handle Britt's irritation better once she had a drink or two and rejected the call, then silenced her phone.

"Now she's gonna call me," Adam told her.

"Are you gonna answer?" she asked, snorting as his phone began to vibrate on the console between them.

"Hell no."

"Good boy."

He turned his head slowly to look at her, and she saw his lips twitching into a small, pleased smile. His tongue darted over his lips before he looked forward, his breath exhaling in a stuttered rush.

He liked being called a good boy. Interesting, she thought, tilting her head so she looked out the window instead of at him. Wondering why, without warning, she felt a stab of desire.

***

A reedy voice was murdering a pop song when they entered the bar. Adam glanced around the barroom and motioned to a table almost in the corner, close to the bar. When Serena nodded, he slipped his hand to the small of her back to guide her in that direction, lifting his chin in greeting when he spotted a couple of familiar faces.

Just as they got their drinks and he was thinking of what to say, he heard a familiar voice from the entrance. Not wanting to be obvious, he glanced over while taking a sip of his beer, lowering the mug with a sigh. "They found us."

Her back was to the door, and she obviously didn't want to be obvious either. "Which they?"

He watched over her shoulder as the group of people entering grew. "Britt. Cole. Matt. Nick. Brandon. Cash and Dax."

"Do they see us?"

They were impossible to miss, what with her neon pink hair glowing like a beacon in the soft lighting. The thought had just crossed his mind when Britt's eyes landed on them. She waved, even though he wasn't looking directly at her, and they began to descend upon their table. "Yeah, they see us."

There was noise and commotion as the empty table next to theirs was dragged over to make more room. Chairs screeched across the floor in a way that made Adam cringe, and the weary-looking server approached with dread. He frowned against he rim of his mug when everyone squeezed in between him and Serena, then decided that he didn't mind. Until he saw Nick leaning in to speak with her. He wondered what he said to make her smile like that. It lit up her face, and even from across the way he could see her dimple.

The weary server returned with drinks, plunked a fresh beer in front of Adam, and smiled when Brandon thanked her sweetly. Conversations began to rise and fall around him, and he joined in when directly spoken to, the questions he had thought to ask Serena falling to the back of his mind.

What the hell were they talking about? Their heads were close together and he could see from the way Nick's hands were moving that they were discussing something important. Serena was nodding. Smiling. And when Nick's hand made a slicing motion through the air she began to laugh.

A foot slammed against his leg and he jerked up, glaring in the direction it had come from. Britt tilted her head to the side, eyes questioning, then announced she was going to sing. Some of the group at the table called out requests as she crossed to the small stage. Moments later a slow song began and there were several groans from his friends when she began to sing a love song.

"Leave her alone," Cole said, raising his voice so they could all hear him. "I'm the reason she sings love songs these days."

That only made the chorus of groans grow louder. Adam joined in, because tormenting Cole was fun, and was sliding into Britt's empty seat so he and his friend could bullshit when movement across the table caught his eye.

Nick was standing. Then Serena was, too. And then, with the barest of glances towards him, she took Nick's outstretched hand and let him lead her to the little dance floor.

Five heads turned to look at Adam, with varying degrees of puzzlement.

All he could do was shrug. So she wanted to dance with Nick. What was it to him? It wasn't like he wanted to dance. Not to the overly sweet, sappy song that Britt was crooning.

"What the hell, man?" Cole asked once conversation had resumed around them.

Adam shrugged again. "Not like I dance, Cole."

"Still."

"It's not that big a deal."

But, he thought when Cole shrugged and began talking about work, it felt like somewhat of a deal. Even if this whole thing wasn't real, it stung a little to see her obviously having fun with another man. He lifted his drink, intending to take a small sip, only to gulp it down when he glanced over and saw her being twirled.

Fucking Nick, he thought with a scowl. No, he corrected, reminding himself that Nick was one of his best friends. He was just being nice. Making sure she felt welcomed into their close-knit group. That was the Nick he knew. The people pleaser, the one who wanted to make sure everyone was being included and having a good time. Even when doing so made him forget to have a good time himself.

But did the bastard have to enjoy himself so much?

"Where are you going?" This from Cole.

Who, Adam realized as he rose to his feet, had been mid-sentence when he'd shoved his chair away from the table. Draining the rest of his beer in one gulp, he set the glass down with a sigh. "Bathroom."

He went in that direction, even though he didn't have to use it. He just couldn't fight the sudden urge to move. To look at something other than the two people dancing. Once in the bathroom he leaned over the sink with a sigh.

"Dammit," he muttered to the shadow of his head darkening the porcelain.

How the fuck could he be jealous over a woman he didn't like?

With another heavy sigh he lifted his head and glanced to his reflection.

Because, maybe, he did like her.

And how could he not?

He washed his hands, bending to scoop the cool water into his mouth. As though doing so could rinse away the sourness. Okay, so he liked her. That was fine. It didn't mean anything. He liked a lot of people. He liked Britt. That didn't mean he got upset when she spent time with her boyfriend.

As comparisons went, it was the palest possible. But it was the best he could do.

When he returned to the barroom the song was over. His gaze darted and he saw Nick at the table. The seat next to his was empty. He looked to the left, saw the flash of pink that was Serena's hair. She looked over as soon as his eyes landed on her, and her smile lit up the room. Then she was walking away from Britt, slipping by a group of women crowding the bar.

Walking straight towards him.

He felt his lips curving as she approached. Felt them pull further, until it almost matched her smile. "Hey."

"Hey, I think Nick is—"

"Someone you might be interested in?" he interrupted. Then, feeling like a complete ass when she reared back slightly, he groaned. "What?"

"I was going to say I think Nick is ready to leave," she said, enunciating each word with obvious care. Then her brow furrowed. "And what the hell did that mean?"

"He's been flirting with you since he got here," Adam pointed out. He was sure that if he looked over at the table, he'd see Nick watching them with that thoughtful expression. Like he was waiting for the opportune moment to play his hand. And he had no idea why the thought of Nick being interested in Serena bothered him. Or why the thought of Serena being interested in Nick bothered him more. He just knew that watching them dance slow together had caused his stomach to burn as though he'd gulped down fiery cinnamon flavored liquor. Unable to stop himself, he glanced to the table.

And saw that Nick was in deep conversation with Dax.

"No, he hasn't." Serena laughed, a nervous, self-conscious laugh that only irritated him further. It turned his attention back to her, and he saw the doubt in her eyes.

"Why's that so hard to believe?" he asked softly.

"Men don't flirt with me, Adam."

"The hell they don't." Isiah and Marq had. Of course, they flirted with everybody… But Nick sure as hell had.

"Are you one of those people that thinks normal everyday niceness is flirting?"

"Are you too blind to see that you're an extremely attractive woman that any red-blooded straight man would want to flirt with?" he fired back.

Judging by the way her eyes widened, she was. Her cheeks darkened and she shook her head a little. Her eyes dipped to the floor and when they lifted again, they were filled with hurt. And when she began to speak, her voice was small. "I'm not stupid, okay? Men are nice to me. They laugh with me. Not because they're flirting or they think I'm hot, but because I'm… I'm not. I'm safe. They don't have to impress me, because they're not trying to get into my pants or take me back to their place. I know I'm not hideous, but I don't disillusion myself into thinking I'm pretty or that men find me enticing. I know my place, Adam."

He stared at her. She was one of the most vibrant, upbeat, confident women he'd ever met. Stunned, he blinked slowly, mind racing to analyze the words she'd just said. He knew that she wasn't fishing for compliments. She wasn't saying what she'd said just to have him reassure her that she was beautiful. Could tell that if he uttered those reassurances, she wouldn't believe them. He was more than a little surprised by the sudden view of her insecurities and wondered why she trusted him enough to share them. In a flash, he remembered her scoff when he'd told her she could end this mockery of a relationship when the time came.

Like anyone would believe that.

And, suddenly, it was crystal clear. Someone, somewhere, at some point in time, had destroyed her heart.

"Serena," he whispered. "Who hurt you?"

"It doesn't matter," she said. "Because it's true."

"It's not true." When she shook her head again, he reached to cup her shoulder. "Hey… Your place is wherever the fuck you want to be."

"That's sweet of you to say." Her hand lifted, fingers swiping at the corner of her eyes, and Adam had the sudden urge to bring her close. To truly reassure her. To hold her, find out just how nice an armful she was.

To help her fight the demons he sometimes fought himself. To see if she could help him fight them, too.

Rocked by that urge, he gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. He was a breath from tugging her close and putting his arms around her. He even shifted his stance, ready to let himself show that he liked her a little. And then, maybe, he could find a way to get her to call him a good boy again.

But in the blink of an eye the moment passed. She was smiling again, curling her hand around his wrist.

"Come on," she said.

"Where?"

"To the stage."

"Why?" he asked warily, dropping his hand.

"We're gonna do a duet."

"Oh no," he protested. "No."

"Come on," she encouraged, tugging on his arm. "Britt already picked the song for us."

"I told you, I don't sing." When she squinted her eyes at him, he sighed. At least she wasn't—

"Please?" The squint was gone. She wasn't pleading but damned if she didn't look adorable.

"If I say yes, will you promise to not bug me to do this ever again?" he requested, holding his ground. But when she gave a plaintive little sigh, he found himself already caving. "What song did she pick?"

"A classic."

"Zeppelin? Cash? Queen?" he guessed. He kind of liked her holding onto him. "Willie? Hank? If it's a fucking boyband—"

"Elton John."

"Dammit," he muttered, even as he smiled over her exuberance. Like a kid finally being allowed to ride one of the big coasters at a theme park, she dragged him along behind her towards the stage.

"You know it," she promised. And when she squeezed his hand it felt natural.

"I'm so glad that you can dive into my brain and know that I know something. Did you happen to catch what ate for lunch? Or maybe my bank account number?"

"You probably ate a salad with chicken."

He grunted. Because, dammit, she was right. But he supposed that anyone could have guessed that. It had been his go-to lunch for ages. "What kind of chicken?"

She rolled her eyes. "Grilled."

Adam snorted. "Lucky guess."

"Okay, you do me. What did I have for lunch?"

How the hell was he supposed to know? Tilting his head when she lifted her eyebrows, he took a stab in the dark. "Pasta."

"What kind?"

"Angel hair."

"Sauce?"

He wondered if his guesses were correct or if she was just teasing him. Licking his lips, he was about to take another guess when her hand let go of his. Taking the microphone Serena handed him, he motioned for her to step onto the stage first, squinting his eyes at the screen so he could see which song Britt had chosen for them. Hearing a rowdy cheer from the corner table he threw up his middle finger, recognizing it as Cole's. "How'd you know I know this song?"

"Everybody does," she explained with a shrug while picking up the second microphone.

She had a point. He did know the song. He felt his stomach tumble with nervousness, felt his breath hitch in his throat. Sure, he'd sung before. He liked to sing. In the shower. While driving. During bits on BTE. But this? In front of a bunch of strangers? He was going to make a fool of himself. He could only hope no one would film it and post it online for everyone to make fun of.

"Hey," she said an instant before the music started. Her hand touched his arm, gentle and comforting, and he didn't have time to wonder why, exactly, that her simple touch managed to ground him.

Taking in a breath, he gave in and turned so he looked at her. And, smiling, he began to sing.

***

"Don't go breakin' my heart…"

Serena nearly dropped her microphone when she heard his voice. He'd said he couldn't sing. Hadn't he? Surprised by the quality of his singing, she totally missed her first few lines, and felt her cheeks burn when he gave her a gentle nudge. Finally catching up, she made a face when he had the audacity to grin at her distress.

Was it wrong of her to hope someone was filming them? As soon as the thought crossed her mind, she caught sight of Britt at the table near the stage, her phone trained on them. She was glad because she wanted to listen to him sing again. And maybe again after that.

"When I was down," he sang, lifting his eyebrows.

"I was your clown." She was rewarded with another grin and decided she hated him for enjoying that she'd lost her step. It seemed natural to lean closer to him as they sang the next line together, and she met his eyes, smiling. "Ooh, nobody knows it…"

"But right from the start." She saw his hand moving but was too busy trying to decipher the color of his eyes in the bar's dim lights to notice what he was doing. They had looked blue the day they met. Now they looked green…

"I gave you my heart," she crooned, going still when his fingers brushed her cheek. He slowly tucked the lock of hair back behind her ear. His fingers lingered and she felt her breath catch in her throat. "Oh… I gave you my heart…"

"So don't go breaking my heart." His fingers swept along her jaw before his hand lowered.

"I won't go breaking your heart," she sang with sudden feeling, gripping her microphone tighter.

Are you too blind to see that you're an extremely attractive woman that any red-blooded straight man would want to flirt with?

Who hurt you?

It was over too soon. She liked singing with him. Liked that their voices almost harmonized. Liked that he made silly faces that caused her heart to do a fluttery jump in her chest. Liked that halfway through the song he took her hand and practically serenaded her.

She placed the microphone in its stand and turned to step off the stage. Surprised to see him standing there, she was about to jump down when his hands caught her waist. "What—"

Lifting. Spinning. The lights inside the bar whirled and so did her brain. Her hands landed on his biceps during the seconds of weightlessness and she felt them ripple as he lowered her so both her feet were on the floor. His hands stayed for a few seconds, though, and she unconsciously squeezed his arms.

"Thanks," she said softly.

"That was fun." He was smiling.

And his hands were still on her waist.

"Yeah," she agreed, swallowing when his hands gave a brief squeeze. She would have thought she'd be relieved once they moved away but, oddly, she felt almost sad.

Are you too blind to see you're an extremely attractive woman?

"C'mon," he said. His hand slid to grasp hers and she was struck by how natural it felt, how easily he seemed to do it. As though he'd done it without thinking.

Without thinking, she tilted her hand so their fingers twined and walked with him back to the table. She murmured her thanks when his friends complimented their duet, too focused on how his hand encompassed hers to pay much attention to what they were saying. She bit back a laugh when Adam kicked the chair Nick was sitting in, causing the man to yelp, and turned to muffle her snort as they glared at each other.

"Move your ass," Adam finally said.

"There's an empty chair right there," Nick told him, pointing to the chair Adam had been sitting in.

She cleared her throat. "I'll go—"

"He'll move," Adam promised.

"Will he?" she asked when Nick threw up his hands.

The chair scraped back with more force than necessary, and the grin Adam sent her was smug. "See?"

"I'm only moving for Serena," Nick said, catching the back of the chair and turning it slightly. He gestured to the empty seat and waited.

Serena looked from him to Adam, then back again, then once more to Adam. She didn't know what to make of the tension she could feel radiating from him. One thing she did know was that Nick hadn't been flirting with her earlier. Their conversation before he'd asked her to dance had been about wrestling, and if she'd looked awed it was because Nick Fucking Jackson had said he'd watched some of her stuff and thought she had talent. She didn't know what Adam had seen, but it hadn't been flirting.

Okay, she had enjoyed the dance. Slow dancing was fun, especially with a good-looking partner. Double especially when said partner had natural rhythm. And, really, the twirl had given her a little thrill. But then he'd apologized for taking up so much of her time when she was on a date with Adam.

Adam. Who could sing so beautifully and had made her heart do that funny little jump. Adam, who was still holding her hand.

She looked to the empty chair, then at Nick once more. Saw understanding in his eyes when he smiled. And felt Adam relax when he let go of the chair and headed for the other empty seat.

He released her hand and she sat when he held out the chair for her. She nodded when he asked if she wanted another drink, and when the server approached after Adam's wave, she moistened her lips and requested a whiskey.

"Same for me. Double," he said, draping his arm across the back of her chair.

And she had to endure his fingers brushing her shoulder as she sipped her drink. The conversation around the table was lively, boisterous even, but she didn't try to keep up, too aware of him. Of his laugh when Cole or Matt shared an inside joke. His arm across her back when he leaned to set his glass down. The scent of his cologne and soap and Pantene shampoo. His thigh bumping against hers occasionally, because she learned in those moments that he couldn't sit completely still.

She didn't mean to, or even think about it. But when his thigh bumped hers again, she reached over and placed her hand on it, gulping her whiskey down as it went deathly still. His hand cupped her shoulder and she sensed his head turning, could feel his blue or green eyes looking at her. She kept her gaze on her hand, though, and began to pull it away when she remembered she had no business touching his thigh.

No matter how much she suddenly wanted to.

The hand resting on the table in front of him dropped down, covering hers. Serena lifted her head and pressed her lips together when he guided her hand back to his thigh.

"It's fine," he whispered, squeezing her shoulder.

"You sure?"

He leaned in and for a split second she thought he intended to kiss her. But he tilted his head at the last second, bearded jaw grazing her cheek as he whispered in her ear. "Britt's watching like a hawk."

"Fuck Britt," she muttered.

"I'd rather not," he chuckled.

His lips skimmed her jaw as he pulled back, and she couldn't fight the shiver that resulted.

"You alright?"

"Just tired," she said, going with the safe answer. She was tired. It had to be close to two in the morning. Just as that thought crossed her mind there was jangling noise from behind the bar, causing her to jump slightly, and she felt Adam's arm tighten around her shoulders.

"Last call," he said. "You want another?"

"I can't," she said with a shake of her head. "I'm driving."

"I thought I was driving."

"You're gonna drive me to my hotel then Uber back to your place?" she asked.

"Oh." He chuckled, ducking his head briefly. "Sorry. Forgot."

"I forget things too," she promised.

"I've had fun tonight," he said suddenly. "Even if you did make me sing… It's been fun."

She smiled again. "It has, hasn't it? Nothing like drinks and friends, right?"

"Yeah." He lifted his glass and gave her a small salute with it. "Drinks and friends."

"You ready to go?" she asked once he'd finished his drink and set the glass on the table. "I mean, we can stay—"

"Nah. Let's go."

She felt his hand squeeze her shoulder again and impulsively squeezed his thigh in return. He pushed his chair back and she did the same, standing while he reached for his wallet. When she offered to pay he shook his head, tossing a few bills to the table. There was a flurry of goodnights from his friends. Serena studiously ignored Britt's pleased expression when Adam reached for her hand, calling out a quick goodnight as they left the table.

The late-night air was balmy, the street quieter and dimmer than when they'd arrived. Adam's hand was gentle but firm as they walked to where he'd parked the car, and she got the feeling he was protective when he situated himself so he walked between her and the street. Knew he was protective when he released her hand and tucked his arm around her shoulders, guiding her close to him, as they passed three men smoking outside a twenty-four-hour diner.

She liked that he opened the door for her and made sure she was inside before closing it and walking around. Liked that he didn't drive like an asshole. Liked that his hand found hers a few times while he drove to his apartment building.

"Do you need help?" she asked out of habit after he parked and turned off the engine. Accepting the keys when he handed them over, she hit the button to open the back.

"Nah, I got it. It's just two bags."

She got out as well, glancing around the complex. "Where's your apartment?"

"Second floor." He pointed to the unit they were parked in front of. "It's not much."

"Just a place to hang your hat when you're here?"

"Exactly." He rolled his shoulders before pulling his suitcase out of the trunk. It hit the ground and tipped over. "Shit…"

She got his backpack while he righted the suitcase. Handing it over, she wondered what she could say to take the sudden awkwardness she felt away. "Hey."

"Yeah?" He bent to fiddle with his suitcase.

"You know when you leaned over to whisper in my ear at the bar?" She released a small laugh. It was embarrassing, but now it was too late to not tell him.

"Yeah…"

"I thought you were gonna kiss me."

He straightened, yanking the suitcase handle so hard the case lifted off the pavement. "What?"

"You know, because everyone was there. Watching. To keep the lie going," she added lamely.

"We agreed on no PDA," he said.

"I know that. It doesn't matter anyway. You don't want to kiss me." She scowled. "And I don't want to kiss you either."

"Sure," he said with a snort. "Then why the hell were you groping me?"

"I wasn't groping— You're disgusting," she told him, reaching to slam the trunk closed. He lurched back to avoid being hit by the door and she felt a tiny glimmer of satisfaction. "Goodnight."

"Putting your hand on someone's thigh? And squeezing it?" He scoffed. "Hate to break it to you, baby, but that's groping."

"I put my hand on your thigh because it kept bouncing like one of those jumping beans," she pointed out. She felt heated, and she hoped it was anger and not something more dangerous. "And you're the one who put your arm around me."

"Hey, I kept it above the waist!"

"You're such an asshole!" she snapped.

"Good thing we ain't really dating then, isn't it?"

"I don't even know if I want to pretend to date you," she muttered, turning to get into the car. Gasping when his hand caught her arm, she turned before he could pull, anger fleeing as she caught the vulnerability in his eyes. It was gone as soon as he blinked, replaced with irritation. Fire. And though his grip was as loose as possible, she didn't even try to pull away. "I didn't mean—"

"This was all your idea, Serena."

"I know," she whispered. She had expected to end up liking him. And that she would think he was attractive. But she hadn't expected to feel tiny sparks of longing when he looked at her or touched her. Or that he would make her open up and share one of her insecurities. And she would never have believed that he would react to that insecurity with apparent understanding.

Who hurt you?

"I'm sorry," she said, exhaling slowly as his hand slid down to hers.

"Me, too," he murmured. "This is supposed to be easy, right?"

"Yeah," she laughed. Looking down at their hands, she watched their fingers twine. And when his thumb stroked the back of her hand, she squeezed. "I didn't mean to grope your thigh, and I'm sorry if it made you uncomfortable."

"I wasn't uncomfortable. Just surprised."

"You're not an asshole." She lifted her head in time to see his lips tilt into a smile.

"You sure?" He took half a step forward.

"Positive. In fact…" She mirrored his smile. "You're a good boy."

"Yeah?" His whisper was husky. His tongue darted over his lips and he released a quick breath, his cheeks darkening slightly.

And again that stab of desire pierced her belly. "Yeah."

"If you want…" He cleared his throat, and she watched his lips purse before he spoke again. "If you want someone to flirt with you, ma'am, just say the words."

"I'll keep that in mind." She drew in a breath of his cologne and Pantene. "I should get going."

But she didn't step away. Neither did he.

"I did have fun tonight," she said, meeting his eyes. Were they blue? Or green? In the light of the parking lot she couldn't tell.

"I did too. And… Not because of those assholes with us. I, um." His thumb skittered over the back of her hand. "I liked spending time with you."

"Yeah?" she asked, unable to keep the smile from pulling at her lips. "Me too."

"And we can do this again, right?"

"Sure. But—"

"Without those assholes," he added.

She grinned. "Absolutely."

"Shake on it?" he asked. Then, looking down at their hands, he released that nervous little chuckle she'd heard from him so many times over the course of the night. "Or not."

"Adam?"

"Hmm?"

She pushed herself up onto her tiptoes. She was going for another kiss to his cheek, like she had that night they'd met. At the last second, though, she wrapped her arm around him in a hug. She heard him sigh. Felt his chest expand. Their hands parted and she tucked her other arm around him. Then both his arms were around her, holding her to him, and she was touched by the tenderness of his embrace. Relaxing, she closed her eyes briefly, sighing softly when his hand raised and smoothed her hair. She let her head rest against chest, soothed by his breathing and the gentle echo of his heartbeat.

It was, she decided, much nicer than a kiss on the cheek would have been.

How long had it been since she'd just been held? It was so different from the hugs she gave and received so freely. There was something so comforting about being enveloped in a pair of strong arms. When he gave a squeeze and she felt his head lean against hers briefly, she had an hunch that he would be fantastic at cuddling.

They parted simultaneously, and she appreciated the way his hands held onto her waist for a few seconds before falling away. She didn't want to say anything that would burst the little bubble of wonderful. Wished she were witty enough to come up with a phrase that would be vivacious and a little dramatic, then get into her car and drive off. But she could only stare at him.

He slowly licked his lips and exhaled sharply. "We still don't like each other, right?"

"No?" She hated that it came out as a squeak. She tried again for a normal tone of voice. "No. We don't."

"Thought not."

"Do we?" she asked.

"No, no, definitely not," he answered quickly. "Not like we kissed or anything."

"Right. Yes." She bit her lip.

He smirked. "You want one?"

Yes, she did. But she shook her head. "Maybe next time."

"Sure. I'll see you soon?"

"Yeah. I'll call you?"

"Works for me." He stepped back, letting the balmy air between them again, and reached for his suitcase. She heard the rattling of his title belt in his backpack when he adjusted it on his shoulder.

"See you soon," she said softly, smiling when he reached to open the car door for her.

"Drive safe." He waited until she was inside and had brought the seat up before gently closing the door. Ducking to look at her through the window, he gave her a smile that made her heart do a silly tumble. "Good night, Serena."

"Good night, Adam."

#adam page fanfiction #adam page imagine #aew imagine #aew fanfiction #my fics #multipart:BITN #if fucking tumblr ever lets me POST that'd be great

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lingeringscars · 3 years

Note

🎰

Send 🎰 for me to put our muses into a random list generator then post the first five as potential ships! // always accepting !!

harper x zoya. replace mal with harper. that’s literally where my head went lmao. but really harper in the first army, initially apprehensive of grisha but eventually becoming curious about grisha powers. u know that post that’s like do i like her or is she hot and mean to me? probably a bit of a vibe.

june x blue. i don’t know anything about the raven boys & i think once u said it’s hard to explain w/o giving away the plot of the books. i read her wiki bio and think her & eve would vibe. idk i’m struggling w/ this one a lil but i do think they’d be neat if i could figure out a way to place june in the world. i’ll just move the series up higher on my next read list.

serena x jen. okay but... party girl serena & party girl jen in ny ( if i’m remembering jens backstory correctly?? ) and jen being sent to capeside at the same time serena goes to boarding school. serena returning and finding out jen isn’t there anymore either and being all :///// until they meet up again and boom bang i’ve changed i’m not that person anymore and the conflict that comes when around the people who used to be a part of that specific version.

serena x rory. i’m so sorry rory. i can just fudge it so that serena does accept the offer to go to yale instead of deferring brown and college all together. serena being frustrated because she was accepted because of her social status and not herself. bookworm rory being dragged to parties. paris probably reminds her of brooke.

mariana x alina. mariana isn’t a big artist but she is really into english so they could meet in english class bc i guess that’s just our modern au vibe. i think mariana would be kinda similar to genya in terms of like. makeovers. and that’s it lmao. but she’s big on the smart & sexy life and would think alina was v v beautiful and want her to believe in that too. i just have the image of mariana pulling alina out onto a dance floor and that’s a lot.

bonus christian dynamics bc i can xo

buffy. he’d call her out about adrian a lot. like. a lot. i’m sorry buffy has so many unwanted companions but he’d also just show up and bother her because he wants a friend and naturally he gotta befriend someone who wants to kill him.

alina. i love them a lot. i haven’t gotten around to writing anything for them but like in my head i just love them. christian growing up in the little palace and feeling like he doesn’t belong bc his parents stood against the darkling and faced the consequences of that. alina always feeling like she doesn’t have a place either. he and genya could talk shit about the king and queen together side note bc he’s probably p vocally opposed to the point where he borders dangerous repercussions. he loves training and would have some amusement at alina being Terrible at first i’m sorry. this is also based off where i am in book 1 if u couldn’t tell. idk i just really dig them and want them to sit together at meals bc he’s also a summoner and can sit at the table and make fun of everyone for thinking the pecking order matters.

katy. i think his parents would have gone to the store that she used to work at a lot. i know that’s really vague but i am struggling to remember the name rn. i think he’d visit once just to look around and see this place that his mom frequented and what was so special about it. would be v snarky i apologize as per. but he’d also think she was really talented and deserved better than this workplace that clearly doesn’t support her.

jen. all i got is two outsiders trying to outlive their past ( see what i did there ). he’s actually really relatable and thinks jen deserves the world, surprisingly.

joey. they’re both bookish and Christian would really judge her for her infatuation with dawson i’m so sorry. he said really. him?! they’d probably butt heads a lot but i think they could be friends eventually. he’d be v protective over her regardless.

#i love u and them #serendpitous #answered

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hongism · 3 years

Note

AHHHH no but on the real im in love with scarlet envy like its unreaaaaal!! i too am loving ra’jah, kylie, akeria, and 100% jan!!!! scarlet and jan rn have my heart!! ive also been a big fan of ginger for a while but imo she sometimes struggles with looks, but her personality and humor literally is just so good so i also love her!!!!

i think i started watching drag race during trixies allstar year.. was it all stars 5? 3? i cannot remember the season but that was my first intro into it and ive watched it off an on since then!!! and YES PLS LETS WATCH IT TOGETHER AND TALK ABOUT IT OMG OMG ill try to send you an ask after every episode!!!! i may not be able to this coming weekend bc we are going to he visiting my grandparents, but like as soon as i get the chance to watch the episode i will come scream with you!! ive seen both episodes that are out now so feel free to talk about your feelings on who went home!!

and lord the trans representation this season lit made me tear up its just!!!! so good!!! i have such a good feeling about this season fr :’) -solar🌙

I LOVE YOU💕💕💕💕

bestie i tell u WHAT i literally had a dream last night that scarlet won no JOKE maybe this is a SIGN!?!?!? i love ginger esp on her other seasons but that first frog look had me shocked in a bad way 😭😭😭 but you know what she's fun and campy and that's very much ginger so i can't be too mad at it

and omg trixie's allstar season which was it i THINK it was 3??? i JUST watched it like 2 weeks ago and already forgot tbh im so bad at remembering seasons but trixie is one of my all time fave drag queens (along with katya soijgodifjg god katya is my spirit animal while trixie is like my spirit mother) but yESSSS let's watch together don't worry i dont think i'll be able to watch this weekend either we'll SEE but i'll gladly be awaiting your message so we can scream together heh !

honestly i wasn't super surprised when serena went home simply bc of experience !! she was also not super well known in terms of like how many of the other girls really knew her well and were friends with her, i think having all those season 11 girls together worked against serena in that regard ;;-; then miss jiggly!! i was sad to see her go :(( but it made lots of sense bc of the sewing challenge and she didn't know how to sew then her denim look !! i loved those pants but it really didn't scream drag to me so ! i understand why she went home T_T

this season is truly ICONIC so much representation and so much good fashion and drag and performances it's so amazing :') I LOVE YOU MOSTTT

#solar🌙

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missnmikaelson-main · 4 years

Text

A Year to Eternity? - Chapter 7

Serena squalled, indignant in her current position and intent on making sure everyone within a mile heard about it. She batted at the floor with short arms for good measure, just in case anybody missed the screeching.

“I know, I know baby,” Elena sighed, shaking a toy near her ear. The distraction failed; her limbs extended outwards as she kept crying. “I know you don’t like tummy time, but you have to have tummy time.”

She pulled the toy away so it resided in Serena’s line of sight.

“Do you like the whale?” She gently pressed Serena’s cheek with the blue toy. “You liked it yesterday…” slowly the indignation tapered off. “Yeah?”

Serena snuffed, considering the pink swirls in the whale’s cheeks.

“There you go,” Elena exhaled a sigh of relief, “we just needed something fun.”

It had taken weeks to work Serena up to five minute stints of tummy time. They went through the ritual together three times a day, and three times a day her heart broke to the sound of her baby girl’s tears.

“Do you know what today is?” She moved the whale aside; Serena’s head turned with it. “Today you’re three weeks old, and your belly button is all healed up, yes it is,” she cooed. “And that’s a little strange because the cord just fell off yesterday, so I need you to tell me the truth, little lady,” her smile wrinkled her nose. “Did Elijah give you blood?”

Serena reached out, clumsy and slow, for her nose and banged Elena’s chin instead. She liked Elijah. She liked Elijah a lot. The first time she had enjoyed tummy time was when the first time he visited. She spent the time on his chest.

She would treasure the candid photo of Elijah Mikaelson wearing a three-piece suit laying flat on his back with her tiny pink baby on his chest for the rest of eternity.

Literally.

Serena liked tummy time when she spent it on Elena’s chest too, but since she couldn’t do that every time they were both subjected to the upset of the floor.

“I’ll call him later and get an answer.”

The timer on her phone went off.

She sat up and lifted Serena, fitting her in the sling that had become a constant part of her post pregnancy wardrobe; Serena loved it, going so far as to happily coo when she was snuggled up close.

“Now we can do something you like.” She got to her feet and snatched her heavy cardigan from the chair, carefully putting it on. “That’s right, we’re going for a little walk.”

She went downstairs, adding the support of her arms to the sling, and out the glass door where a blast of fresh air hit her in the face.

“Cool, cool, cool,” she sang.

Her arms closed the sides of her cardigan, trapping warmth around the baby. Then she took a small path into the woods, going twenty-odd yards to circle around a tree.

“I used to play here with uncle Jeremy,” her eyes flicked upwards, “you can’t see it, but there is a tree house up there. Maybe when you’re bigger we can climb up. There’s a really pretty view of the lake.

She started back and paced the length of the dock, giving Serena what she liked. Elena didn’t understand what it was, but once Serena was fed and freshly diapered she enjoyed a turn by the lake; she loved something about the peaty smell of algae in the fresh air.

The gentle lap of water began to lull her to sleep.

“When you wake up from your nap we are gonna try something new, okay?” She stopped and kissed her cheek. “I, for one, am crossing my fingers that you like it so we don’t have another tummy time fiasco.”

“I love you,” she breathed, pressing another kiss to her brow.

~oOo~

“Alright, Serena,” Elena gently removed the onesie, “here’s the deal: if anybody asks you mommy did not extensively google ‘baby’s first bath’. Got it?”

Her mouth quirked up in a reflex smile when Elena stroked her belly.

She got Serena down to her diaper and did one final check, making sure she had everything within arms reach. She tested the water twice and once satisfied with the temperature reached to remove the diaper.

Her phone, luckily in reach, lit up; she pressed two buttons in quick succession.

“Elijah,” she greeted, seeing the caller ID.

“Elena,” she heard the smile in his voice. “I thought you might enjoy some conversation.”

“Lucky, then, that you’re just the vampire I wanted to talk to.” She cradled her daughter, supporting her head as she lowered her into the infant tub. “I’ve got an adorable little girl here with a healed belly button. You wouldn’t know anything about that?”

“Babies are remarkably resilient.” His throat cleared.

“And this one had a little help from an Original,” she teased, keeping her tone light so he knew she wasn’t mad; at least not entirely. “You can’t heal everything. Mommy and the pediatric ward frown on that.”

“I will only intervene when she is in pain. Is that agreeable?” He chuckled.

“What’s your excuse this time?” She paused an inch above the water, panicking for a second when she saw Serena’s eyes close, but she was merely looking down.

“The injury was causing immense discomfort when she laid on her stomach. The little darling kept crying.”

“E for effort,” she finally got Serena in the inch of water, “but she hates tummy time, though, apparently, not the bath.”

“She’s not afraid of the water then?”

Serena’s lashes kissed her cheek.

“Nope,” she sighed. “I even got a reflex smile.” She dipped a cloth in the water and gently wrung it out, dribbling warm water on Serena’s belly. “Do you like the water, baby girl?”

Serena’s eyes ceased their search for the source of Elijah’s voice, focusing instead on her mother. Her eyes, normally the deepest of blues, glowed electric.

A scream ripped from Elena’s throat.

Serena’s face screwed up in response to the sound; her wails joined in the shriek.

The door flew inwards and swung, knocked off one hinge; it banged, denting the wall.

“Elena?” Strong hands gripped her shoulders.

She cut off her scream, clamping her hand over her open mouth. Words stuck in her throat. It was all she could do to grab onto his tie and dart bright eyes to her squalling newborn.

Elijah reigned in his breathing. As an Original his speed could only be rivalled by Klaus. It was no problem to cross the twenty-five miles that separated the lake house from the recently reopened mansion in moments, but seconds had been pushing it.

His ears sought any form of danger as he lifted the wet newborn, but beyond her cries he caught only the sound of crickets.

“What the bloody hell is going on over there?” Klaus’ voice rose from the speaker. Kol’s followed suit, reminding Elijah of the phone he had dropped.

Elena managed to stutter out two words.

“Her eyes.”

Elijah paused in wrapping the towel around a slowly calming Serena. He lifted a brow, signalling Elena to continue. The phone remained silent; he could practically see both brothers staring at the device miles away.

“Th-they gl-glowed.”

He cradled Serena and slammed the end call button.

Pulling out a kitchen chair, he sat and spoke slowly.

“What do you mean they glowed?” He looked down into Serena’s normal, if somewhat wet, eyes as he instigated the transfer; for a single beat he feared she might reject her daughter, but there was no hesitation in her movement when she took the baby, desperation obvious in the gentle hold.

She pressed her to her breast, kissing and smelling the top of her head; a hint of terror shadowed her gaze.

“Elena?”

“Bright blue,” she muttered, “electric blue; it scared me, and I… I scared her.”

She stammered apology after apology meant for the baby. In between she added ‘I love you’ and head kisses, tapering off when Elijah pulled her into a hug.

“You didn’t mean to scare her,” he murmured, running his fingers through her hair.

“Why would her eyes do that?” She breathed fast, gazing down at the baby. Serena gazed right back with an expression that suggested Elena was crazy.

“I don’t know. I’ve only heard of the Hollow having that effect on eyes.” He recognized the mistake when she stiffened and pressed a comforting kiss to her forehead. “It’s not that; remember that the Hollow is dealt with. Are you sure about what you saw?”

“I’m not crazy.” Her phone buzzed, flashing Elijah’s name.

“I would never suggest that you are,” he held her face, tenderly wiping away a stray tear with his thumb. “You do have a newborn, however, and sleep deprivation can inspire hallucinations.”

“I know what I saw,” she shook her head. “I put her in the water and her eyes glowed. You took her out and they stopped.”

“Okay,” he nodded, rolling up his sleeves. He removed his watch and the silver bracelet from his right wrist.

“What are you doing?”

“Finishing bath time,” he tested the water. “It will be easier to find out what happened if I see it myself.”

“Right,” she breathed. Steeling her nerves, and reminding herself not to scream, she unwrapped her gurgling baby and carefully placed her back in the infant tub. She stayed close so she could hold Serena’s gaze and waited; the water swirled around her lower body.

With the baby’s eyes open she saw the takeover, spreading in a circle from her pupils until the irises glowed.

Elena could admit it was king of pretty when she expected it, like bioluminescent plankton underwater, but that didn’t make it less scary.

“I told you so,” she leaned back, giving him room to see, but when she looked she found his gaze focused on the water.

“Did you happen to notice her feet?” His brows drew together as if working out a particularly challenging puzzle.

She followed his gaze, swallowing. His large hand cupped a tiny foot beneath the water for her inspection. The same blue that flooded her eyes danced between her toes in lines so thin she could barely see them; they disappeared when he lifted her foot above water, reappearing when he dropped it.

Serena gurgled, happy as a clam in her bath.

“Elijah, what’s happening to her?” Anxiety crept up her throat.

“I don’t know,” he admitted, “it doesn’t seem to be hurting her. Could it be genetic?”

“Obviously not from me,” she shook her head. Her hands went through the cleaning motions to remain busy. “And I don’t know the other way. What if it can hurt her?”

“We’ll do everything we can to keep her safe, and as far as knowing goes there may be a way.”

Her eyes snapped to his face.

“I know a witch who has had success in dealing with the mind,” he explained, “lifting compulsion and removing memories. If she can remove them then she might be able to find lost memories trapped in your mind.”

“What’s the catch?” She wrung out the wet cloth.

“I have no method of contacting her. If we desire her aid the request must go through Kol, and Kol will not help without a good reason.” He kept one hand in the water and used the other to hold her wrist. “I might have to reveal some of the situation to him, and as that is information you told me in confidence I will not repeat it without your permission. Know, however, that once it reaches Kol is likely to spread to Niklaus and onward to Caroline.”

“How likely?” She pressed her lips together.

“It might take time, but eventually the information will slip. Kol struggles with secrets,” he chuckled. “If its not Niklaus then its Rebekah, and it reaches him regardless, and he’s always struggled to keep information from Caroline.”

She nodded slowly, considering as a plan formed in her mind.

“I want to tell Caroline and Bonnie myself,” she exhaled. “Jer and Ric too. He’s back in town tomorrow.”

She dried one hand and reached for her phone, declining the incoming call. Her thumb clicked out a quick message to the four important people in her life.

Lunch 2PM @ Grille? N2T

“Ask him please,” her phone pinged with responses. “Tell him what you need to.”

“As you wish,” he nodded, making her flush.

~oOo~

“Okay,” Elena leaned over, peering into the car seat, “first outing. You and I are going to get through this with minimal tears and no tantrums.”

The bell jingled over the door, signalling the arrival of several deputies. A few students from the high school came in behind them. The teenagers were followed by Hope Mikaelson.

The tribrid broke off from the crowd, glancing after them as they approached the pool tables. Her analytical gaze left the group and swivelled to the bar, but paused when they caught Elena.

She straightened up and offered the girl a wave. The motion of her hand sent Hope into action, weaving through the tables until she stood behind an empty chair by Elena’s empty table; determination flashed in her blue eyes.

“Hello,” Elena smiled. “You look better,” her fingers twisted in the loose sling. “I mean, Elijah told me you were better, and now I can see that you look it.”

“Yeah,” she brought her fingers to her lips, “no more creepy black veins sucking the life out of me.”

“You feel better?” She tilted her head.

“Yeah,” Hope nodded. “Thank you. I know how much you hate my dad.”

“I don’t hate your dad,” she frowned.

“I read the journals in the library,” she stared hard at the table. “I know what he did to you… that he was the big bad wolf.”

“That might be true,” Elena nodded. She lifted Serena when she started to fuss, holding her so she could snuggle against her neck. “Actually it is true, but there’s one account missing from the archive because I burned it to ashes before you were born. I don’t like your dad, and I’m on the fence when it comes to trusting him, but I don’t hate him. And even if I did, you’re not him, and I would never take my dislike out on you.”

“You don’t?” Hope pulled out the chair and sank into it. “Isn’t he supposed to be the irredeemable villain of your story?”

“Maybe,” she rubbed Serena’s back, “but hatred takes up too much energy, and nobody is irredeemable. ‘Anyone capable of love can be saved’.” She quoted words Caroline had said years ago. “Your dad’s had a weird way of showing it over the years, but he loves fiercely.”

“He was going to die to save me,” she blinked rapidly, eyes glistening. “Uncle Kol found white oak and got dad to admit it; because ‘no ocean was deep enough’.”

Words stuck in her throat.

“My mom died,” she sniffled. “She sacrificed herself to save me and…”

“You nearly lost your dad too,” Elena finished. She adjusted Serena into the sling so she could reach out and cover the girls hands. “I’ve been there Hope. I lost almost every parental figure I had. It took me a long time to realize this, but it wasn’t my fault,” she squeezed her hands, “and it’s not your fault either.”

“I’m sorry about your mom; she seemed pretty cool the one time I met her.”

“She was,” Hope rubbed her lips together. “It still feels like my fault.”

“It wasn’t,” she exhaled, “and whenever you need to hear that your uncle Elijah has my number.”

“I don’t want to bug you.”

“You’re not bugging me, I promise.” She saw Hope’s eyes fall to the sling. “Do you want to hold her?”

She hesitated a moment before nodding and moving to a closer chair. She held out her arms, following Elena’s quiet instructions to support the head.

“She’s so tiny,” Hope smiled softly.

“Elijah told me you were smaller.” Her head snapped up when a flash went off.

“Sorry,” Caroline grinned, “I couldn’t resist Klaus tormenting material.” Her eyes flickered to Alaric as she sat. “Come on grandpa, don’t stand on ceremony.”

“Step-grandpa,” he rolled his eyes. “What are you doing here Hope?”

“Landon’s shift ends in a few minutes,” she wiggled her finger in Serena’s grip. “I was gonna walk back to school with him and run more tests.”

“Still no idea what he is?” Elena frowned, glancing at the baby. “Other than that, how’s he adjusting?”

Bonnie and Jeremy strode into the Grille.

“He’s doing fine,” Caroline tucked hair behind her ear.

“He likes it better than the high school,” Hope looked up, catching Landon’s eyes when he clocked out. “I should get going; I’m in somebody’s seat.”

“And I’m taking someone’s baby,” Jeremy stopped at the chair, carefully lifting the baby into his arms. “Hello Serena, I’m your uncle Jeremy: that voice you’ve been hearing on the phone.”

Hope said a quick goodbye and caught Landon’s hand as they left.

“Klaus know about that?” Elena jerked her head towards the door.

“He hates it,” Caroline smirked. “Rebekah’s planning a June wedding.”

“What did you want to talk about Elena?” Bonnie folded her arms on the table. “Is this about the… you know?”

“No,” she shook her head, looking down into her daughter’s face. “It’s about Serena. There’s something I haven’t told you guys.”

~oOo~

Unsurprisingly he found Kol in the library.

His baby brother would spend his eternity surrounded by tomes, spurred by his unquenchable thirst for knowledge. He had claimed happiness at the time to have a second chance and die a witch as he should have the first time around, and never a day went by that he didn’t miss being a witch, but Kol loved his vampirism.

One lifetime was simply not enough to learn everything, so he would take as many as he could get.

“Have you ever considered putting what’s in your head to use?” Elijah flipped over a book, examining the embossed spine. “I’m sure Caroline could use more teachers.”

“I’d make a terrible teacher,” he flipped a page without looking up.

“You taught Henrik,” he turned the book over in his hands, fiddling with the cover. “You’ve taught spells to Hope, and, though I’m not a fan of your motivations, you taught Mary Alice Claire and Astrid Malchance.”

“Are you trying to get me out of the house, brother?” He shut his book with a sigh, sending up a fine cloud of dust from the weathered pages.

“It was just a thought that you could have taken as a compliment.”

Kol rose from the leather sofa and crossed to the drinks cart, pouring two fingers of whiskey into a tumbler.

“You want something from me,” he spun, raising the glass to his lips. “Out with it.”

“Very well,” he placed the book on a low table. “I need you to call Davina.”

Kol scoffed, breath fogging the glass. “Why would I call my ex-girlfriend?”

“Because she has a spell that help Elena…” Kol’s laughter cut him off.

“In that case it’s a resounding no.” He slammed down his glass.

“Kol…”

“Not happening,” he shook his head and strode for the door.

Elijah grabbed his arm. He pulled away, rounding on his brother.

“I wouldn’t ask if…”

“No, Elijah,” he pushed a finger over his heart. “That woman killed me, and the only reason I haven’t returned the favour is because of your involvement with her. There is literally nothing you could say that would make me want to help her.”

He moved to leave again, got halfway to the door, and stopped up short at the sound of Elijah’s quiet voice.

“Luta Flosadóttir.” He allowed the name a moment to sink in and conjure the right images. He saw her as he suspected Kol saw her: golden hair stained with mud, once cheerful eyes haunted. She had been meant to be his wife before her ruin and the fear that settled in her bones.

Her attacker fell to Kol’s sword; Luta to his teeth.

Kol turned to face him, the ghost of his first love in his eyes. He crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow.

“Ten months ago she lost time, a handful of hours,” Elijah slipped his hands into his pockets. He had instantly regretted the low blow, but it had achieved the desired outcome. “Not much in the grand scheme of things, but those missing hours resulted in Serena.”

“And now she wants to remember it?” His eyes narrowed. “Luta would have given anything to forget.”

“Personally, I think she would love to put it behind her, but last night Serena demonstrated a supernatural ability that makes finding the man imperative,” he tilted his head, pursing his lips. “And once she understands her daughter’s needs, I would like to know who was responsible, it would be a shame to castrate the wrong man.”

“Davina hates you,” Kol clenched his teeth.

“She doesn’t hate you,” he lifted his chin. “Bonnie could do the spell; she just needs to know the spell, and you can get it. And,” he added, “if it helps, Elena does regret her part in killing you.”

“I know,” Kol snorted.

“You know?”

“She apologized,” he rolled his eyes, “however, since she was under the influence of heavy painkillers I have elected no to accept it.”

Realization lifted Elijah’s brows. “You were in the delivery room.”

“For a moment,” he sighed. After a beat he reached into his back pocket for his phone. “What is she? The baby?”

“I don’t know.” Glowing eyes flashed in his mind. “I’m hoping Elena’s memory will shed light on that.”

Kol turned over his phone, considering the screen before clicking the name.

She answered on the third ring.

“Bonnie,” he greeted, “are you up for a little road trip. I have a spell you might be interested in… yes… I’ll pick you up at four.”

He hung up and met his brother’s eyes.

“Thank you.”

“I’m not doing this for her.”

~oOo~

She waved a soft toy around, brushing a hand and tickling an ear. The repaired door swung open. She spared it a glance.

“You might consider locking your door. There are dangerous people in the world.” Elijah hung his jacket in the closet.

She pushed up to sit and brought Serena, pleasantly warm and lethargic from tummy near the fire, into her arms. Her face tucked under Elena’s chin.

“Arguably the most dangerous people in the world have an invitation that no lock could keep out, but I will start locking the door on one condition.”

He crossed the open concept and sank down, folding his legs to sit comfortably in front of the fire.

“Are you negotiating with me?” He tilted his head, amusement showing in the corner of his mouth.

The question brought a warm smile to her lips.

“Isn’t that our thing?” The fire cast orange light over his features.

“I suppose it is,” he nodded slowly. “What would you ask of me tonight?”

She shifted her weight on her hip, kept one hand firmly on Serena’s head, and slipped her fingers into her pocket. Warm metal touched her skin.

The fire cast a glowing reflection on the ceiling.

“A key?” He lifted an eyebrow, eyes flickering from it to her.

Her thigh brushed his leg, sending a jolt of electricity through him; nothing compared to the fire of her fingers placing the key in his palm.

“You know,” she shrugged, meeting his eyes. “In case she scares me again, and I scream, you won’t have to knock my door down.”

“In theory your idea is sound,” he huffed a soft laugh, dropping his eyes to the key, “but if you’re screaming I’m still…”

His eyes snapped up at the feel of her soft lips against his mouth. The key fell, muffled by the baby blanket, as he raised his hand to her cheek and slid his fingers into her hair. Every gentle movement felt familiar and new, lasting an eternity and ending far too soon; she went for second, quick, peck and leaned back to breathe.

For a long moment his gaze remained locked on her parted lips, mesmerized by the soft gasp of air that made his head spin. Until then he hadn’t realized how much he had longed for the kiss, and to see how differently she would react with emotion in place.

Only he couldn’t concentrate on her emotions for the spin of his.

Saying he could and taking the initiative herself were different things.

“Elena,” he breathed, longing to see into her thoughts. “Why?”

“I missed you,” she echoed his words from a lifetime ago in a teasing voice that earned a chuckle. The amusement turned serious, coupled with dark searching eyes. “And I wanted to.”

“And you’re doing what you want these days?” A few strands of hair tickled his wrist.

“As long as it’s not harmful to my health,” her lashes fluttered, lingering against her cheekbone, “or anyone else’s health.”

“I see,” his fingers slid to her throat, skimming her hammering pulse. “And what would you like to do now?”

“About a million and one things,” she breathed, inching closer, “but right now I’d like to do that again.”

His lips were on hers before she stopped talking, cutting off her words with a slow kiss. His tongue traced the softness of her mouth and coaxed shivers from her body. A short squall brought him crashing back to earth.

He broke away, lips swollen, to cast his eyes upon her breast.

“I think something wants your attention,” his voice came out low.

Serena’s squall morphed into a full-blown ‘I’m-hungry-feed-me-now-please’ cry. He had learned to differentiate during the first week when he began his daily visits to the lake house; he knew the sounds that indicated hunger and a dirty diaper, as well as indignation and a need for immediate comfort.

So far only Kol had mocked him.

“Like clockwork,” she smiled, glancing at his watch.

Elijah shifted back, giving her some room to adjust her hold. While she unfastened the buttons on her shirt he pocketed the key and lifted the soft blanket, offering the cotton to Elena.

She draped it over her shoulder; Serena squirmed until it fell away.

“How did lunch go?” He asked, watching the fire to afford her some privacy.

“Well, she didn’t try to expose me to the Grille when she was hungry,” she frowned when Serena squirmed, more focused on the too warm blanket than feeding.

Elena tossed it aside.

“Does that make your first outing a success?” He looked to find Elena watch Serena eat.

She ran a finger over her cheek.

“In terms of baby’s first outing, yes. Mommy’s first outing, on the other hand…” she chewed her bottom lip. For a moment the only sound was Serena’s greedy suckle. “I told them… I told them what I told you.”

He lifted an arm over her shoulders; she leaned into his side, accepting the kiss to the top of her head.

“As predicted Caroline wants to hop a plane back to Brazil and burn the village down for answers.” She pressed her cheek to his chest. “Ric doesn’t know what to say, but he was furious. I spent twenty minutes convincing Jer that what happened has no bearing on how I feel about Serena. And Bonnie went off somewhere with Kol after promising answers.”

Her finger moved up and down the baby’s cheek.

“Does her skin feel dry to you?”

The question took him by surprise and he looked down. His eyes found the spot in question, dull and red beneath Elena’s hovering finger.

“That wasn’t there a moment ago,” he skimmed the dry patch. “It feels dehydrated.”

Serena turned away from his finger, losing her latch.

“She shouldn’t be dehydrated,” Elena licked her lip. She cupped Serena’s cheek and attempted to help her reattach, but she refused to cooperate.

“Why is she dehydrated?” Hysteria laced her voice.

“I don’t know, Elena,” he found her chin, coaxing her face up to meet his eyes. “Breathe, lovely; I’ll get the baby oil.”

She sucked in a deep breath and felt some of her tension ease.

“It’s in my bag,” she nodded towards the couch.

Serena wailed suddenly. The new sound made Elena’s heart pound.

“I don’t understand; babies don’t dry out like this.”

She cuddled her close, offering comfort while she waited.

“Don’t some have dry skin?” He reached into the diaper bag, closing his fingers around the bottle. “Could it be eczema?”

“Doesn’t happen this fast,” she shook her head, lowering Serena to the floor.

She took the oil, spreading it on the widening patch; it soaked in with no visible effect.

Serena’s limbs flailed; she cried harder.

“It’s okay baby, shh…”

Panic settled beneath her breast when her eyes followed a dry patch down her neck.

Her fingers trembled as she pulled the zipper all the way down to Serena’s foot. Dry spots in various stages of dehydration dotted her belly and exposed legs.

“Oh God,” she slapped a hand over her mouth. She looked up; tears leaked from her eyes. “What’s wrong?”

He could only shake his head.

Elena worked her tiny limbs free as gently as possible. Her eyes dropped to Serena’s feet; spots of blue glowed and vanished rapidly as they had the previous night.

Her brain scrambled, connecting the dots from the scant information.

“Shh, sweetie, shh,” she tried to pick her up without touching dry skin, but she seemed to be composed of nothing but dry skin. “Did anything like this happen to Hope?”

“No, but Hope has vampire blood,” fear glittered in his eyes, “she’s never been sick except for when the Hollow was in her. Do you want me to heal her?”

She struggled to hold the tenuous grasp she had on self-control as a desperate idea took shape in her mind.

“I want to try something first,” she murmured, climbing to her feet.

She felt him on her heels as she hurried into the kitchen. She twisted the taps, forcing herself to wait until the temperature was right before putting in the plug and removing the dry diaper.

Her hands supported Serena in the sink. The few inches of water absorbed into her skin, halting the level from rising.

The screeching turned to tears and finally sniffles before stopping.

“She needed a bath?” Elijah frowned, scooping water over Serena’s torso. “Why does she need to soak in water?”

“I don’t know.” Her stomach trembled. She kept a firm grip on the baby as she curled her little arms over her belly. “Does this mean I’m supposed to bathe her everyday? All of the books say that dries babies out.”

“I think Serena’s a special case.”

Glowing blue eyes watched him carefully. It took several passes of water before the blotches vanished, more to return her skin to a healthy pink.

“Are you sure you’ve never seen this before? Anything like it?” Elena spread water up the baby’s back, breathing slow as he shook his head. “What about one of your siblings?”

“It’s possible,” he nodded, frowning, “maybe. I could take some pictures and ask them.”

“Use my phone,” she nodded to the living room, “I can print them and delete the digital copies.”

“Are you certain?” He dried his hands. Water dripped from his cuffs.

“She’s something,” her teeth sank into her bottom lip, “and maybe whatever spell Kol brings back doesn’t work. Maybe I never remember. And maybe that’s better; I don’t know. All I do know is that she was in pain and a lucky guess made her better. What if next time I’m not lucky, and you’re not here to heal her?”

“Maybe I’ll never leave,” he held the button down to open her camera.

“If you never leave you might get sick of us,” she tried to smile.

“I will never ‘get sick’ of you Elena,” he swore, kissing her temple, “or her.”

Serena turned her head from side to side, following the conversation with her eyes.

He zoomed in and captured an image of her eyes then took one of her toes.

Serena looked towards the slow stream of water where it flowed into the adjoining sink.

The water bent at an angle, hitting her belly and hands.

Elena gaped, wide eyes staring at the impossibility before them. Thin blue lines glowed between Serena’s tiny fingers.

She gurgled happily.

“You might wanna get that too,” she breathed out, turning to see the camera already raised.

@elejahforever @elejah-wonderland @naughtynecromancer @ethanjwillis @cry-btch@geekofmanyfandoms@morsmornte@xanderling@bellemorte180@iw1shiknew@blndbandt@petrova-banz @bulldozed88@njeancastro316

#Elena gilbert #Elijah mikaelson #elejah #Caroline forbes #kol mikaelson #bonnie bennett #Jeremy gilbert #Alaric saltzman #hope mikaelson #legacies #the vampire diaries #the originals

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