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mel-the-fangirl · 3 years

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Toss A Coin to Your Witcher (Part Three)

Henry Cavill x Reader

Words: 4,365

(Part 1, Part 2)

Happy Holidays, Cavillry! I really truly hope that you all had some socially distanced fun! Here’s a little gift from me to everyone. I really hope everyone enjoys this last part to this miniseries as much as I enjoyed writing them!

Warning: I have never written anything even remotely close to smut and this story gets a teeny bit smutty so please be gentle with me.

Please like and reblog or leave some replies if you liked it!

Taglist: @novareign1, @libbymouse, @calwitch, @soldade, @happiness-in-the-dark, @seriouslygoodlookinggents, @wolvesandhoundshowltogether, @zealoushoundrancheclipse, @seanh-boredom, @speakerforthedead0, @rn7rocks, @writingforhenry, @weallhaveadestiny, @suueeeeeee

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“Because. We kissed."

Kissed.

Did you hear him right? Did he just say you kissed? You two kissed? And you didn't remember?

Just the thought of it made you dissolve into fits of uncontrollable laughter.

A valiant effort on his part, truly. He really looked frustrated and confused that you didn't remember. What a brilliant actor.

"Phew!" you brushed the tears from the sides of your eyes and rubbed your nose with the back of your hand

"Right! As if I would ever forget kissing someone like you.” you gestured to him from head to toe, “Specimen.”

“Alright,” he crossed his muscular arms against his equally muscular chest, “I am one hundred and ten percent sure it was you and I’m not about to let you change my mind, madame.”

The challenge was clear in his voice and honestly? It was really hot, his whole stern and smug vibe actually made you forget that you were trying to defend your honour.

How could he just look like that? All tall and handsome and muscular? It threw you off your game. He looked like he was God's favourite.

"Aren’t we going to dinner?" you asked, now openly staring at his eyes

"Oh, god. Of course, you must be starving. I apologise." he dropped his proud stance and immediately grabbed your coat from the rack

Henry graciously helped you put it on, his arms lingered around you just a tad bit longer than needed but it was all very good.

Something must have caught his eye as he stepped away from you. He gave you a small smile and made a move to lean in.

Oh, was this happening now?

Okay, sure. What the hell right? Since he claims to have already kissed you before maybe he needed to be reminded.

You could do that. You knew how to kiss, you’ve kissed people before.

As he leaned in, the smell of his cologne invaded your senses. It was musky but also floral. Combined with his naturally clean, fresh scent, you could just picture yourself on a leisurely stroll with him in a field somewhere, the pristine air carrying the scent of earthy wood and spring flowers all around you. Henry would be gazing at you adoringly and he’d be in a soaked white shirt even though it was a sunny day.

Armed with that picture in your mind, nothing could go wrong. You were definitely feeling it.

You tilted your chin upwards, leaning in to meet him halfway, more than ready to feel those luscious lips on yours. You shut your eyes, just to make it more romantic.

His arms wrapped around you and you went in for the kill.

That’s when the worst possible thing happened. Well, perhaps not the worst thing but this was pretty fucking close.

Instead of the soft lips you were expecting, your lips met the soft material of his sweater.

Yes, that’s right. His sweater.

You, Y/N Y/LN, had just planted a big ol’ smooch on Henry Cavill’s sweater.

Your eyes snapped open and you wondered what you did so wrong in your past life to deserve this. How could you have misjudged the situation so wrongly?

The second Henry felt the tiny amount of pressure on his shoulder, he knew he fucked up. He had no idea why he didn’t just tell you that the collar of your coat was sticking up, why did he feel the need to straighten it himself? Now, what was he going to do? He didn’t want to embarrass you.

But, it was a little too late for that now, wasn’t it?

You both stepped away at the same time, seeming to look at anything else in the room but each other. It was nice of him to also feel embarrassed on your behalf but, you felt like everyone the world over was cringing out of their skin from secondhand embarrassment.

“So, dinner?” Henry offered you his strong arm, grinning at you like nothing happened

Was it possible for him to be even more perfect? As you looped your arm through his, you found out that it was.

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The expansive cityscape was laid out before you from the secluded trellis covered terrace of the restaurant he chose. The view was beautiful, the lights of the city sprinkled across buildings, homes, and streets, the inky black and blue sky stretching far beyond.

Gazing out at it should have made you feel calm, at peace. But you were a bundle of nerves. Never in your wildest dreams did you ever think that you’d be on a date with Henry Cavill and you wouldn’t have imagined that he would be accusing you of forgetting that you shared a kiss.

“Look,” you rested your arms on the table, looking at him as seriously as you could without getting lost in his eyes, “I swear, if we really did kiss, I would remember.”

Henry studied you quietly amidst the hustle and bustle of the restaurant beyond the French doors. It was endearing to him, how quickly you would sometimes switch from confident assertiveness to awkward fumbling.

For you, it was a test of endurance to look past the god-given good looks and focus on trying to anticipate what his next move was.

Turns out, it was one in your favour.

“You know what? I think you’re right.”

You almost did a spit take with your wine. Thank God you weren’t wearing anything white.

Okay, act cool. That should be easy, right? You were an actor after all. Just be cool. Relax your shoulders, unclench your jaw, stop sweating.

"I must've been mistaken. I truly apologise."

He looked so sheepish, you actually reached over to put your hand on his. You tilted your head and gave him an understanding smile. A wave of relief washed over your body and to Henry, it showed. Your rigid posture finally loosened and you even managed to lace your fingers through his.

"I totally get it. I mean, with our jobs? We meet dozens of people everyday, it's not hard to be confused."

His heart leapt into his throat at the contact, it felt like his entire arm was covered in live wires but he would endure it just to savour your hand in his.

"Let's focus on our date, yeah?"

"Yes, absolutely," you nodded enthusiastically, "Please. Tell me all about you."

"Oh, but I'd rather hear about you."

You were flattered, really. But just in case this was never going to happen again, you needed to get him talking and sponge up as much information as you could.

"And you will, but let’s hear about you first.”

He wanted to argue but you were already looking at him expectantly and despite your short time together, he was already struggling to say no to you.

So, he talked, and talked, and talked, much more than he’s ever dared to talk in his whole life. And you listened, absolutely captivated by his eloquence, his intelligence, his passion, and his wit. Not to mention his voice, deep and silky and hypnotising. Why people thought he lacked personality was a mystery to you.

“I do love theatre,” he explained with a mouthful pasta. It was adorable, no questions asked. “I wish I had that courage and longevity to just deliver every single night for months on end.”

“I actually started out in theatre.” you nodded your head as he widened his eyes at you questioningly. “Yup. I did a decent run of The Tempest at the Yard a year back.”

That’s when the ball dropped. Time seemed to stop for Henry, his drink hovered in the air just as he was about to raise it to his lips. It had finally made itself known, his smoking gun. He faltered only for a second before masking his triumphant smirk with his wine glass.

One harmless little question out of his mouth had you turning as red as the cherry tomatoes artfully scattered in the salad that was set before you.

“Ah, yes. Didn’t you play Miranda?”

You stopped stirring your iced tea and furrowed a brow at him.

“Yes. Yes, I was. Did you catch a show?”

“I did. I was at the opening night after party as well.” he enunciated this part slowly and clearly, hoping that your eyes would spark with recognition

But they didn’t.

“Isn’t that a shame. We could have done this earlier if we crossed paths that night.”

Henry pursed his lips and nodded, mildly disheartened but nonetheless, he pressed on.

“I do recall meeting you though.”

This again?

You huffed and set your utensils on your plate. You laced your fingers together and looked him in his gorgeous ocean coloured eyes.

“Okay. If that is the night in question then I will admit that I… may have kissed someone but it wasn’t you.”

“Well, well, well…” he raised an eyebrow at you and you instantly coloured

It wasn’t one of your finest moments and you figured you would never have to dig that memory out of the vault but here it was.

“I know how this sounds,” you shook your head disapprovingly at him, “But it’s not. Okay. On God, it wasn’t you.”

Henry nodded yet again, narrowing his eyes at you. The silent treatment and judgy look he had on forced you to keep talking, which probably wasn’t the best idea.

“It wasn’t you, Henry. Okay? It was just some random dude in a nice sweater and a signet ring or something.”

Alarm bells started clanging in your head as your eyes swept over your dinner date. Nice sweater, check. A signet ring resting on his pinky, check.

“It wasn’t you.” you repeated in more of a whisper, more to convince yourself than anything else

Throughout your debate, bits and pieces of that night started to come back to you. The most embarrassing part came to mind first, it would probably be your saving grace but, did you really want to tell Henry Cavill what you thought you did?

“Am I really that bad a kisser? That you felt the need to completely erase it from your memory?”

His tone was joking but you could see in his eyes that he was a little bit hurt. It was going to be a cold day in hell if you were going to be the person to make Henry Cavill doubt his skills in the kissing area.

“I kissed a male prostitute that night, okay!” you yelled out in exasperation

Thank God your table was situated on the terrace or else a restaurant full of people would have been in on your little secret. As your voice echoed off the walls, you wrapped your arms tightly around yourself. How much embarrassment were you going to endure?

“A male prostitute?” Henry repeated slowly, clearly having a difficult time processing this new information

“Yes.” you groaned, leaning back in your seat and covering your face with your hands

---One year before---

The curtains closed to thunderous applause, whistles and standing ovations. Your heart pounded in your chest as you struggled to keep your breathing steady.

Did that really just happen?

You looked around at your castmates and wrangled them into a group hug.

“Did I really just do that?” you asked Marge upon meeting her backstage

“Yes, you did! Now go on and get changed. It’s after party time.”

With that, she sent you off with a smack on your ass.

You’d only known Marge for a few months since you arrived in London but you liked her already. It’s not like you had a choice though, really, she was the only one you knew.

“How about that one, that one over there?” Marge slurred, shoulders knocking into yours, less than discreetly pointing out some guy in the crowd of party goers

“Shh! Marge!” you giggled, more than a little tipsy yourself

Opening night was a smashing success, it was your first ever gig anywhere, really. You were so nervous the entire time, you thought you were doomed to fuck up and forget your lines or something but that moment never came.

“HEY! REVIEWS ARE OUT!” someone yelled in the crowd

“Here we go.” you murmured, knocking back your drink and tugging Marge along

The huge crowd gathered around your director, who was standing on a stool. It was a tight squeeze since a good chunk of the people who came were already hammered. Someone from behind shoved you forward and you rather inelegantly fell into the arms of the man next to you.

“Whoa there.” you could just make out the deep velvety voice above the murmurings of the crowd

“Oh, God, I am so sorry, I-” you trailed off when you finally laid eyes on your rescuer

Oh, wow.

You couldn’t decide which feature to focus on first. The captivating eyes that were a shade of blue that your alcohol-soaked brain couldn’t even comprehend, the strong chiseled jawline you needed a protractor to measure, or the perfect stray curls that fell onto his forehead?

Decisions, decisions.

“Are you alright? You almost fell.”

Goosebumps broke out on your arms as he helped you stand upright.

God, he was handsome, an observation you thought you had kept to yourself.

The tall man chuckled, still holding on to your forearms, “Thanks very much. I’m He-”

“And Y/N, my incomparable Miranda!” a booming voice interrupted him from the front of the room

“Fuck, that’s me.”

You broke from his grasp and fought your way through the crowds, leaving your hero looking out after you.

“Newcomer Y/N Y/L/N’s performance as Miranda is the glittering centrepiece to this refreshing, masterful take on an enduring classic,” the director read aloud, allowing the crowd to raise their glasses to you

You smiled at everyone, inadvertently meeting the eye of your tall handsome man.

When the crowd dispersed, you and Marge found yourselves back at the open bar, eyeing up every guy that passed by.

“Y/N, you’re on the fast track now. You killed tonight, now it’s time to pick your prize! How about that one? In the corner? Looks tall, shaggy hair…”

“Marge, that’s a ficus.”

“Huh.”

“Yeah.”

“Well, that other ficus has been looking over since we set up camp here.”

You followed the tilt of her head to the same guy from earlier, the achingly handsome one. He raised his glass to you and you waved sloppily back. It was the alcohol, okay? Open bar, what were you gonna do?

Marge whistled low, sizing him up from head to toe, “Y/N, that’s a male prostitute if I’ve ever seen one and I have seen a lot of ones.”

The fry you had chomped down barely made it halfway down your throat before coming back up again, “What? No! Marge, he’s not.”

“But he is. Y/N, that man is tall, hung, and handsome. There is no man that tall, hung, and handsome that isn’t either an actor or a male prostitute.”

“Tall, hung, and handsome.” you mumbled, raking your eyes over him as discreetly as you could

In your inebriated state, you completely forgot to ask Marge why he couldn’t have been an actor. Why did her mind immediately head for the strip club? And why did yours follow suit?

“Imma go and bag myself a stripper, Marge. Okay?”

“Yes! Use protection!”

Before strutting off or more like stumbling off, you downed some more booze which probably was not as good of an idea than you thought. Not even halfway to him, you decided that you were teetering in your heels a little bit too much, so you took them off.

“Oh. Hey there.” the same silky smooth voice from earlier greeted you

“Ah, fuck. You’re tall.”

Looking up at him made you dizzy, like standing at the top of a giant skyscraper and looking down at the very edge.

He chuckled and you watched entranced as his face just lit up like Christmas. You decided then and there that you would like to kiss the Christmas, very much so indeed.

The liquid courage in you was really doing its job. You took his hand and dragged him away from the party. This was fine, wasn’t it? It’s not like he was complaining, he looked rather amused actually. Things like this probably happen to him a lot in his line of work.

“Well, now you have me, what are you going to do with me?” he asked teasingly once you two were tucked away in a dark corner

The combined effects of the excessive alcohol, the high of your first successful job, and the way this sinfully handsome man was looking at you made your next move the easiest thing in the world.

You balled the front of his sweater in your fist and tugged him down towards you. He was too tall.

Who on earth was this ballsy, clumsy, beautiful, talented stranger?

Henry didn’t get the chance to ask before his lips came crashing down and immediately, wildfire.

A shockwave of frenzy ran through his body, he needed to feel you. He was all hands and lips and ragged breaths. His lips traveled down the smooth path of your throat, nipping and sucking as he went. You were putty in his hands.

“Jump.” he growled

You did as he asked and he latched his hands underneath your thighs and planted you against the wall. His lower half pressed into yours and you knew that Marge was right. Your hands raked through his hair and you reveled in the feel of him, strong, confident, in charge. His large hands made their way to your bottom and he squeezed gently.

A breathy moan escaped your lips and you knew you needed to have more of this man. Your fumbling hands made their way to his belt buckle but he set you down on your feet and held you steady.

“What..?” you whispered, suddenly disoriented

“I really should take you on a date first.” he panted

Sober, you definitely would have taken him up on his offer, male prostitute or not, but you were far from it and your head was still spinning so you thought you’d shut your eyes for a while and have him catch your unconscious form.

With you over his shoulder and your shoes in one hand, Henry made his way to his car and drove you safely home, relying on the satnav and your slurred directions.

He laid you gently in bed, brushing the hair away from your face. You snored in your drunken sleep and Henry smiled at the sound.

This was an encounter he was sure he would remember for a long time.

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“Well, that was me,” Henry nodded his head with his bottom lip jutted out. “Exactly as you remembered it.”

Tall, hung, and handsome, huh? That wasn’t anything new to him. He’s been described using far more… graphic detail, if his time searching his name on Tumblr was anything to go by. But hearing it come from your mouth turned him several shades of red.

You, on the other hand, had no words. Again. But you figured that it was all Marge’s fault.

“So, I suppose I was right?” he confirmed, unable to contain the self-satisfied smirk on his face

“Uh, yeah,” you sighed, absolutely exhausted from your little trip down memory lane. “Yeah, I guess you were right.”

Slowly, you met each other’s eyes. A moment passed before you both dissolved into fits of laughter.

“Do I look like a male prostitute? Did I exude that kind of energy at the time?” Henry guffawed, shoulders shaking

“God, I don’t even know how I thought that! I was super drunk, okay?” you covered your face with your hands, mortified and extremely amused at yourself

The laughter died down and you were left gazing at each other fondly. Dessert had long since been over and the night went on, the candlelights on your table and scattered around the quiet terrace intensified the feeling that was passing between you.

“Y/N?”

“Yes?”

You didn’t miss the way his eyes darkened and settled on your lips. Unlike all the other times today, you didn’t feel nervous, you didn’t feel like you were about to make a fool of yourself, you felt completely calm.

“Would it be alright with you if we picked up where we left off that night?”

Ever the gentleman. You smiled and made your way over to him.

“Hi.” you made yourself comfortable on his lap and you laced your arms around his neck

“Hello, there.” he whispered against your lips

It was probably not the best place to do this, in a restaurant where upwards of twenty people were just beyond the terrace doors but you were in your own little world.

You were endlessly thankful that you were sober for this, you would never forgive yourself otherwise.

When his lips finally met yours, you wondered how on earth you ever forgot such a feeling. It was gentle and soft, as most of these things start, his thumbs caressed that apple of your cheeks then he laid a chaste kiss on each.

You breathed long and hard as his hands splayed on your back, pushing you closer to him. His warm tongue traced the outline of your bottom lip before exploring your mouth, the taste of you mixed with the subtle taste of wine was exquisite and he wanted more. He drank you in, holding you flush against him.

“Wait.” you took his hand and led him to the far side of the terrace to an alcove enveloped in a curtain of lush vines

“When did you spot this?” Henry asked, breathless as you sat him down and straddled him once again

“On the way in.” you had the audacity to blush

“You had plans for me already?”

“A girl always comes prepared.”

Nothing would ever prepare you for the sight of his full length, once his trousers were lowered, it was over for you. Henry took control by shoving your underwear to the side and impaling you onto him. You inhaled sharply, screwing your eyes tightly shut.

“Are you okay?” he struggled to control himself, having you quivering on top of him was severely testing his restraint

“Yes. Please. Move.” all you could manage were monosyllabic answers

And move he did. It should be illegal to be this good.

The night air was cool but you were both slick with sweat, you two had lost your tops a while ago and Henry’s tongue swept across the valley of your breasts and marked his territory everywhere he could. His thrusts were enough to bruise you but you never wanted anything more than to feel him.

“Henry,” you gasped out as he continued to hit that spot that made you see stars

He could sense that you were close, you were tightening around him and gripping him like a vise.

“Let go, lovely.” he whispered in your ear, committing the way your face twisted into a mask of pleasure and desperation to memory

You rode him furiously, the sound of your flesh colliding over and over again mingled with your hoarse moans, you were certain that someone would hear you but at that moment all you cared about was reaching your peak and with Henry Cavill at the helm?

His large hand clamped around your mouth as you came, you writhed and arched your body uncontrollably as his thrusts became more erratic. He pulled out of you and began to finish himself off, he did not expect for your hand to join his and he did not expect to come so quickly once it did.

“Jesus.” he panted, reaching over to smooth your hair out of your face

You shivered, suddenly very aware that you weren't wearing anything at all. Henry helped you dress quickly and wrapped his own coat around you, rubbing some heat into your arms.

When you refused to look him in the eye the entire ride back to your flat, that’s when Henry started getting nervous.

It’s not like he could ask you if you enjoyed it? I mean, he could but that would make him look like an amateur and he would really like to think that he was no amateur in that area. So instead, he took your hand as you stood in front of your door.

“Y/N, I would love to do this again. The date, not the sex- I mean, I would like to have sex with you again but that's not what I'm after-Holy shit."

Oh, how the tables have turned.

Henry rubbed at his face with a hand and sighed, "Do you think you'd like to see me again?"

"Do you think you'd like to stay the night?"

Both of you asked your questions at the same time and you both looked taken aback at them.

"What makes you think I don't want to see you again?" you wrapped your arms around his torso and looked up at him

"You were silent the whole car ride?"

He looked so unsure and a little afraid that you couldn't help but squeeze him. How could someone be both heartbreakingly handsome and adorable all at the same time?

"I was just summoning up the courage to ask you to stay the night!"

"Oh thank God."

He swept you off your feet and threw your door open but, you didn’t end up in bed (you’d get there later), you ended up in the same place you started, on the couch, with him spectating and occasionally helping out as you played Witcher 3.

The next morning, you woke up to a text message and a forwarded article from Marge,

“HOW BEING A STAN GOT Y/N Y/L/N HER MAN”

YOU TWO ARE EVERYWHERE. CHECK IT OUT! I TAKE CASH, CHEQUES, AND LAVISH GIFTS. YOU’RE WELCOME.

A muscular arm gently wrapped around your bare waist and a tender kiss was pressed onto your shoulder. You looked back at your handsome bedfellow and smiled.

You’d take a look at it later. Right now, you had better things to do.

#henry cavill #henry cavill x reader #henry cavill imagine #henry cavill fic #Henry William Dalgliesh Cavill #geralt of rivia #the witcher #the man from uncle

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keanureevesisbae · 4 years

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‘Dad, do you still love me?’

A one shot in the universe of ‘Mister Cavill, your dog is kinda fat’

Henry Cavill x Olivia Tran

Summary: Henry notices Elodie isn’t exactly herself, so he takes her out on a little father/daughter date, hoping to figure out what is going on inside of her head.

Wordcount: 1.8k

A/N: Thursday at 7 p.m. CEST time I’ll start the celebratory Q&A

Masterlist // previous one shot

Vanessa is 23 // Elodie is 15 // Heather and Chloe are 11

Henry noticed how Elodie hasn’t been herself lately. She constantly avoids him and barely talks to him anymore, even when they are doing the dishes. Usually the two of them would have their little moment together, as she was washing, while he was drying. They would always talk a little bit, catching up with one another.

Just a few days ago, he found Olivia with Elodie in bed, her arms wrapped around his serious little princess as they both slept. Out of all his daughters, Elodie was the serious one, the introvert and he loved her for that.

But he noticed that something was eating her up alive and that killed him. He asked Olivia about it, who simply looked at him with a cocked eyebrow. ‘I’m not going to tell you.’

‘So there is something?’ he asked.

‘Yes, there is something,’ Olivia said. ‘But I’m not going to tell you about it, because she has to tell you about it when she feels ready.’

‘But why did she tell you about it and not me? Am I not a good enough dad for her?’ he wondered.

‘No, honey, of course you are a good dad for her, but she is trying to process this herself right now. It took her some time to tell me, so don’t you worry about a thing.’

‘Is she okay though?’

‘It’s nothing life threatening, if that’s what you are worried about. If that were the case, remember, I’d always tell you. But this… It’s personal and not my place to share.’

He was grateful that his daughters were so close to Olivia and that when there were problems, they found their way to her. But he sometimes wonders if the girls don’t trust him or anything. He would always listen to them, drop everything he was doing, so he could listen to his girls. And Elodie came to him a lot of times, when she was stressing over school, when she needed to have a dress for a Valentines Dance back when she was thirteen.

What has changed?

‘Honey, are you okay?’ Olivia asks him.

He continues to look at Elodie from the doorway, who has her earphones in as she is doing her homework. She pushes her glasses further up her nose. ‘I’m worried about her,’ he admits.

Olivia, who has reached the beautiful age of forty six, but looks at least ten years younger, wraps her arm around his waist. ‘Maybe you two could go out for awhile. A little walk with some iced coffee.’

‘Really?’

‘Really, honey.’ She stands on her toes and whispers: ‘I understand you are worried and maybe if you take her out, she might talk to you.’ He feels her soft lips against his jaw and she whispers: ‘I love you, Henry. You can do this.’ Olivia smiles at him, before walking back to the kitchen.

‘Elodie, princess,’ he says and his voice is louder than the music coming out of her earphones, since she looks up. Because she is so responsible, she always has her volume pretty low, because she doesn’t want to ruin her hearing. He looks into her large brown eyes and he knows that—as always with her—is so much going on inside of her head. Whilst her sisters always voice their thoughts, she keeps them to herself. ‘We’re going out for a drink.’

‘Why?’ she asks, placing her glasses on her books.

Why. That’s her first and most used response to basically everything.

‘You need a break, you’ve been at it for quite some time now. Come on, homework can wait. We’re going to get something to drink.’

She looks at her homework, contemplating for a moment, before she gets up. She puts on a thin vest and slips on her sneakers. They walk to a nice cafe nearby and he orders two iced coffees for the two of them. ‘Thanks,’ she says, as she takes the cup from him, when they start to walk to one of their favorite spots. It’s a secluded area in the park, a large oak with a park bench right underneath it. The bench is empty and Henry and Elodie sit down.

He remembers when she was seven, he would take her to this exact place all the time. He never came with his other daughters, because they thought it was boring. Elodie on the other hand loves this place and he took her here quite a lot. He would read his own book, or read one to her.

‘Tell me, sweetheart,’ he says, to break the painful silence between them. ‘How are you?’

Elodie doesn’t make eye contact with him, as she stares right ahead of her. ‘I’m okay.’

She can stop talking to him all together, basically ignoring him, but lying to him is something she simply cannot do. ‘Are you sure?’

‘No,’ she mumbles. ‘It’s just that I don’t want you to get mad at me.’

‘When have I gotten mad at you?’ he asks her.

She finally looks at him. ‘Never,’ she mumbles, ‘but dad… I’m scared.’

‘Sweetheart, why are you scared?’ he asks, turning a bit, so he can look at her.

Elodie’s eyes fill with tears and she brings a shaky hand to her mouth, to cover up the sob, but he knows her.

‘Come here, Elodie,’ he says, holding out his arm. She scoots over to him and lets herself be wrapped up in a tight hug. He presses a kiss on top of her head. ‘It’s all okay, princess.’

‘I’m so sorry,’ she cries out.

‘No, no, no, none of that,’ he tells her. ‘You don’t have to apologize.’

‘It’s just that…’ She takes a deep breath and whispers: ‘I have a girlfriend.’

That was what she was worried about? ‘Why would I get mad about something like that?’

‘Because Vanessa has a boyfriend and you love him and you continue to say that the rest of us should pick out a nice boy like Trey. Besides, you never said anything about the LGBTQ community and I figured that you might not support it.’

She has a point, he thinks to himself. He always jokes about how the girls should get themselves a boy like Trey, he barely mentions anything about the LGBTQ community and knowing that that scared her into thinking that he would get mad, makes him want to curse himself. ‘I’m sorry I gave you the impression that I do not support the LGBTQ community. I really am sorry about that and princess, I’m also really sorry that I made those jokes. I just didn’t really think about it, I guess.’

She pulls back a little and he sees her red and puffy eyes. ‘Dad, do you still love me?’

The fact that she has to ask this, is a punch in the gut. ‘Of course I still love you, Elodie. I love you so so so much and this will not change anything about that. Absolutely not.’

Elodie lets out a nervous laugh. ‘I love you too, dad.’

‘You still think I’m mad at you?’

She shakes her head. ‘No, I don’t.’

‘Good, little princess.’ He smiles at her and it earns him a beautiful, yet timid smile of his second daughter. He pulls her securely to his side and she places her head against his chest. ‘Now tell me all about this girl, because I need to know everything about her.’

‘Her name is Katie and she is in my Math class.’

He frowns. ‘Katie?’ he asks. ‘Didn’t she come over a few weeks ago?’

Elodie nods. ‘Yes, she did.’

‘Oh, but I thought she was really nice,’ he says.

Katie was open, extraverted and had the sense of humor that was quite crude, but also very funny. He liked her a lot and was happy that Elodie found a friend like her, who would pull her out of her shell a bit.

But the fact that they are dating makes him even more delighted.

‘When can we meet her as your girlfriend?’ he asks.

Elodie lets out a chuckle. ‘Maybe tomorrow. Vanessa, Chloe and Heather really wanted to meet her too, as my girlfriend this time.’

‘They knew?’

‘Yeah, they did. I think two weeks ago. Mom knew that Katie was my girlfriend when she came over. She actually has known for about two months now, that I like girls and for a month now that Katie and I are a couple.’

Now he really feels like an idiot. Why isn’t anyone telling him anything. Is he really not a good enough dad?’

She knows exactly what is going on inside his head. ‘Dad, the reason I didn’t tell you, was because I thought you’d love me less. Vanessa is this perfect daughter with the perfect boyfriend and then Heather and Chloe are also doing really well and I’m just me. Just boring, but gay.’

‘Oh no, sweetheart,’ he sighs, feeling like an even bigger idiot right now. ‘You are not just boring. You are so intelligent, such a lovely young lady and you, my love, are never just you. You have so much to offer and your mother and I are so lucky that you are our daughter.’

When they finally walk back to their house, she holds his hand. He doesn’t know how long ago that has happened, but he enjoys this moment, because he figures it won’t happen again any time soon.

She stops walking when they are almost home. ‘I love you, dad,’ she says. ‘And I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before.’

‘It’s totally fine. You should only tell me, your mother or sisters something when you feel comfortable. I mean, this is pretty big news.’

‘I know,’ she chuckles.

‘Can I ask you something?’

‘Sure.’

‘How long have you known? That you liked girls?’

She looks at their hands and says: ‘I always thought I was really weird for not falling in love in elementary school. But a few months ago I changed my math class and I sat next to Katie. It just clicked, I guess and then I started to dream about her. A lot. And I got so nervous all of the sudden around her, until one day she just asked me why I was being so weird. So I just told her and it turned out that she liked me too.’

He pulls her into a hug and closes his eyes, as he is happy that his daughter is visibly more relaxed right now. ‘I’m so happy for you, Elodie,’ he tells her and he means it from the bottom of his heart. He never thought about it really, that one of his daughters could come back with a girl, hence the comments he made to them. But seeing that smile on her face when she talks about Katie, it reminds him of how Simon talks about Belle, how he talks about Olivia and how Vanessa talks about Trey.

He just has to remember one important thing.

Love is love.

A few years later:

Taglist: @thelastsock // @flhorah // @sausagefest1996 // @laufeysodinson // @xxxkatxo // @memoriesat30 // @henrythickcavill // @crimsonrae // @henryobsessed // @madbaddic7ed // @summersong69 // @lyrafraiser // @peakygroupie // @coldmuffinbanditshoe // @mary-ann84 // @thereisa8ella //@crazyandanonymous4u // @xuxszx // @emmaofgreengabbles // @jimmypagesandbrianmayshair // @onlyhenrys // @omgkatinka // @oddsnendsfanfics // @speakerforthedead0 // @agniavateira // @gearhead66 // @chamomilebottom // @diegos-butt // @yoyoanaria //

#henry cavill #henry cavill x ofc #henry cavill x oc #mister cavill your dog is kinda fat #henry cavill fanfic #henry cavill fandom #henry cavill one shot #henry cavill x Olivia Tran

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nerdzzone · 4 years

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Light After Dark: Chapter Six

Summary: Brooke Harris was trying her best to be grateful. As the world tackled the COVID-19 pandemic, she was healthy and safe and so was the rest of her family, but her dreams had very quickly been crushed by the economic fallout. Trapped on the quaint island of Jersey with nothing, but free time to wallow in her mistakes, Brooke’s mental health was taking a hit, but when she collides with a handsome stranger she starts to realize that the future might not be so bleak and there might still be a light at the end of the tunnel.

Pairing: Henry Cavill x OFC

Content warning: Mention of overdose and past death of a close friend. It’s not too detailed, but I wanted to give people a heads up just in case.

________

May. 12. 2020

Henry: I have a proposition for you

Me: That makes me slightly nervous

Me: What is it?

Henry: Would you like to go on a hike?

Henry: We can keep our distance and I've heard it's harder to spread/catch if you're outside

Henry: I completely understand if you're not comfortable though

I thought about it for a moment. As long as there wasn't too many people out on the trails then it should be pretty low risk as long as we kept our distance and I hadn't been out of the house at all since taking the cake over to Henry's house for his birthday. So, after my brief deliberation, I accepted his invitation.

Henry: Great, meet me at my house in twenty?

Me: Sounds good!

I quickly dragged myself off the couch, threw all the necessities into a bum bag, grabbed a sweater from my closet and shouted goodbye to my family with a brief explanation of where I was headed. They shouted a few questions back, but I rushed out the door without giving them a chance to get too nosy.

Me: On my way!

I sent to Henry when I was about halfway there before adding another message

Me: All masked up and ready to go

Me:

As I turned onto Henry's street, he was standing outside his house, looking down at his phone as Kal sniffed the sidewalk around him.

"I like your sweater," Henry smirked as I got within a reasonable distance.

"Thanks," I smiled. "I thought it might scare any bears we might run into. You know, they might get confused and think I'm one of them."

Henry laughed and shook his head.

"There's no bears in Jersey that aren't locked up in a zoo," He informed me. "There's absolutely no dangerous wildlife around here."

"That's reassuring," I smirked. "But it's better to be safe than sorry."

"Fair enough," Henry chuckled before pausing. "Would you feel more comfortable if I wore a mask as well?"

I appreciated his offer, but shrugged.

"You don't have to if you don't want to," I assured him. "I know you've been staying pretty isolated and I'll probably take it off once we're off the main roads, but it just gives me peace of mind if we run into anyone along the way."

"Alright," He smiled. "Shall we head off then?"

I nodded and we started off down the street, Henry whistling for Kal to follow. He did so obediently, nudging his nose against my hand before walking a few paces ahead of us.

"I'm glad Kal gets to come," I commented. "But aren't you worried he might dart off after any little critter he sees?"

"Not really," Henry shrugged, respectfully staying on the edge of the road, just off the sidewalk as I walked along the opposite side. "I've got him quite well-trained. He might get distracted, but as soon as I call him he'll come back."

"What a good boy!"

Kal's tail wagged at that, but he was too busy sniffing around some bushes to pay much attention to us.

"He is," Henry nodded. "He's been an amazing asset. He comes with me every where I go and I can't imagine getting through this whole acting experience without him."

"That's really sweet," I smiled. "I always wanted a dog, but it's such a big commitment. I wouldn't want to get one and then be too busy to give it the kind of life it deserves."

"It is a massive commitment," He agreed. "I'm very lucky that I'm able to bring Kal on almost all of my travels and that when I'm on set there's always someone happy to keep him company."

"Well who wouldn't want to keep him company? He's gorgeous."

I held back a remark about dogs looking like their owners as Henry grinned proudly and we fell into a comfortable silence.

****

It was only about a ten minute walk before we turned off the main road and onto a more secluded path. The sun was starting to get stronger as it was almost mid-afternoon so I slipped my mask down to my neck so that I wouldn't get too hot, but could cover up quickly if we passed anyone on the trails. Somewhere along the way we'd fallen into asking each other random questions and, while most of it was silly, some of it was proving to be rather informative.

"That's so boring," I wrinkled my nose when he told me that his favourite fruit was an apple. "Considering how much of a world traveller you are I would have expected something much more exotic."

Henry chuckled at that as he did every time I criticized one of his answers.

"Like what?"

"I don't know. Maybe a papaya or a dragon fruit," I theorized. "Anything more exciting than a boring old apple."

"I don't think I've even tried either of those," He admitted. "Now, speaking of travelling, what's one place that you've not been to, but would love visit one day?"

I thought about it for a moment before answering.

"There's quite a few really, I haven't travelled nearly as much as I would have liked," I confessed. "But if I had to choose somewhere to go first, I think I'd choose Canada. Australia is a close second, but I'm terrified of spiders and I hear there's a lot there. So Canada, the part where the mountains and lakes are."

"My brother lives there," Henry's face lit up. "My younger brother, Charlie. He lives in Calgary which, from my understanding, is quite close to the mountains and lakes."

"That's so cool," I smiled, my words dripping with envy. "Have you been to visit him?"

"No," He sighed. "Usually he's the one to come here. He was back briefly before the lockdown actually, but he left to be with his family just before I came back to Jersey so we didn't see each other."

He looked sad as he spoke and I felt a pang of sympathy in my chest.

"That must be hard," I said softly. "Especially not knowing when international travel will be back up and running."

"It's tough," He nodded. "I'm used to only seeing him once or twice a year, but it's definitely worse not knowing how long it will be until we can all be together again. He's safe though and so is his family and that's what matters the most these days, isn't it?"

I nodded in agreement before a smile slid onto my face.

"And now, you can tell your brother that you'll be visiting as soon as you're allowed to because I fully intend to take advantage of this connection and make you take me there."

"Make me?" Henry laughed. "And how do you intend to do that?"

"I can be very persuasive," I smirked with a suggestive lift of an eyebrow before turning my attention back to the path before he could react. "So, if you weren't an actor, what would be doing?"

"I'd probably be in the military," He answered without having to think about it too much. "A couple of my brothers are and I'm quite disciplined so it seems like a good fit."

"More dangerous though..."

"Well, I do my own stunts so sometimes acting gets dangerous," Henry pointed out. "I did spend a lot of time hanging out of a helicopter for Mission Impossible."

"Yeah, but there's a whole team of people responsible for making sure that you don't die, right?"

"Of course and the stunt teams are amazing," He smirked. "But that doesn't mean there isn't any risk, accidents do happen."

I grimaced slightly, knowing that he was probably right.

"You should switch to baking," I suggested. "Definitely a lot safer."

Henry laughed, shaking his head.

"Alright, well, my next question is: have you ever had any bad baking mishaps?" He asked. "It might not compare to action stunts, but I'd imagine there's the potential for some nasty injuries."

"There is, but luckily I've always been pretty careful. A few minor burns and the odd slice of a knife, but nothing too serious. I have seen some pretty nasty stuff over the years though. Like once..." I paused for a second. "Wait, do you want to hear this? It's pretty bad."

"Yeah, go on," Henry nodded. "I think I can handle it."

"Okay, so, one of the bakeries I worked in for a while made a lot of things like doughnuts and churros so we had a deep fryer." My skin started to crawl just thinking of the memory and from the look on Henry's face he seemed to regret agreeing to hear about it, but I continued. "One day, my co-worker was cleaning the counter next to it, scrubbing really hard on a super sticky spot and her hand slipped and shot right into the boiling hot oil.”

"Oh my god," Henry squeezed his eyes shut, his fist clenching as if he was experiencing the pain himself. "That's horrible. Were you there? Was she okay?"

"I was," I nodded. "It was like it happened in slow motion and she didn't even scream, I guess from the shock, but I was hysterical. I kept expecting her skin to just slide off any minute like you see in the movies, but thank goodness it wasn't quite that bad."

"I think I'm going to have nightmares just hearing that story," Henry cringed. "Has it scared you off ever going near a deep fryer again?"

"I haven't had to use them much since that job actually, but it definitely made me very cautious," I admitted with a wrinkle of my nose. "What about you? Any nasty injuries on set?"

"No, I've been lucky as well. The stunt teams are all very good at their jobs so other than a few near misses with a sword here and there, I've never been in any real danger."

"Do you actually use real swords?"

"For the most part," Henry nodded. "For the Blaviken fight scene in the Witcher we used swords that were cut in half and then CGI edited in afterwards because we did it all in one take and there were a lot of moving parts that made it more dangerous."

"You filmed it all in one take?"

We were on a fairly steep incline and I was feeling the effect. My words struggled to come out as I fought to catch my breath and I was happy to give Henry some more time to talk before I had to answer any more questions.

"We did," He smiled proudly. "For the flow of the scene, it just made the most sense, but it was difficult. The cameramen couldn't see where they were going at all, they just had to use their memory with someone guiding them from behind so everyone had to hit all the marks just right to make sure there were no collisions. And with it all being one take, if anyone made a mistake or the timing was off at all then we had to stop the whole thing and start from the beginning."

"Wow, that's...impressive."

Henry caught my slight gasp for breath and looking at me with a raised eyebrow.

"Do you need to rest for a moment?"

I nodded and we both stopped walking as I pulled my inhaler out of my bum bag. I took a quick puff followed by a few slow breaths until I had managed to steady my breathing.

"Sorry about that. My asthma has been playing up the last few days and that hill just took it out of me..."

I felt silly getting winded while he was so unfazed, but he waved me off.

"Don't apologize," He insisted. "We can take a break whenever you need. There's been a lot of hills and I didn't even think about your asthma so I'm sorry for that."

"No need to be sorry. I haven't left the house at all since I brought your cake over last week so it's good for me to exercise," I assured him as I started walking again, much to Kal's delight as he charged off ahead of us again. "Anyway, back to your sword fight. That must have taken so much practice!"

"It definitely did," Henry nodded. "Hours and hours of it. It's like training for a big dance number really, everyone has to hit their marks exactly right, but we pulled it off first try."

I couldn't help, but smile at the pride in his voice.

"That's amazing. It must have felt incredible when you finished and knew you'd nailed it."

"Absolutely," He grinned. "So, if your asthma gets in the way of certain exercises, how do you stay so in shape?"

I felt my cheeks heat up at the subtle compliment, but he was looking ahead and keeping an eye on Kal so luckily he didn't notice.

"I do yoga," I told him. "Not the most exciting, but it is a lot harder than it looks. I thought it would be easy, but the day after my first class I could barely move at all."

"I've heard that a lot about yoga," He chuckled. "Even from big body builder guys at the gym, they try yoga thinking they'll smash the class, but they end up coming out just as sweaty as when they lift weights."

I'd had to defend my love of yoga to many people over the years. As Henry pointed out, my options for keeping fit were quite hampered by my weak lungs so I didn't have loads of choices, but I did end up really enjoying yoga and seeing plenty of physical benefits from the classes. It was annoying to have to constantly insist that it was in fact a workout worth doing so it was refreshing that someone with Henry's gym experience understood right away.

"It's pretty tough," I smiled. "Even though I'm sure you'd find it easy. I imagine with those muscles you could probably lift a car over your head without any struggle."

Henry laughed at that, shaking his head.

"Not quite a car," Henry smirked. "But speaking of strength, are you a good climber?"

I raised an eyebrow at that question as I noticed him looking off to the side of the trail at a small rock wall that was about Henry's height.

"Why? What have you got planned?"

"There's an excellent view if we take a brief detour," He explained. "But you'd have to climb that little cliff."

I looked at it a bit more intently than I had before and it seemed easy enough. It wasn't all that high and the edge was rough enough that it wouldn't be too hard to get a grip on.

"I think I can do it," I shrugged. "But what about Kal?"

"I'll lift him up. He's much lighter than a car."

He shot me a wink and I actually, literally giggled like some kind of flirtatious fangirl. It slipped out before I could stop it and, despite Henry either not noticing my embarrassing behaviour or just politely ignoring it, my cheeks went bright red again.

He led the way over to the wall and whistled for Kal who bounded over happily. The big dog didn't even flinch when Henry scooped him up and plopped him down on the top of the little cliff and he sat down obediently when he was commanded to 'stay'.

"You go up first and I'll spot you," Henry instructed.

I nodded and went up to the wall. It was pretty easy to find a good spot to hold so I grabbed on and hoisted myself up. It wasn't that far to go so I only needed to get my feet a little bit higher before I could push up and get my hands on the ground at the top. I could feel the warmth of Henry's body hovering behind me and perhaps it was the distraction of realizing how close he was or just that my running shoes didn't have the right grip for this kind of activity, but as I got my hands on the top of the cliff, my foot slipped off the wall before I could push myself up properly. I didn't fall very far though as Henry's hand was right there, ready to catch me as it collided with my bum.

Both of us froze for a moment. The warmth of his hand felt like it was burning a hole through the yoga pants I was wearing and my brain instantly felt the need to focus on the fact that his massive hand covered almost the entirety of the cheek it was currently cupping. As the shock of the contact wore off, I quickly found my footing again and dragged myself up so I was sitting on the edge at the top.

"Two metres apart, Mr. Cavill!"

He was standing there with his hand still out where it had been, looking just as surprised as I was, but as I scolded him his shock quickly morphed into a smirk.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to," He assured me as he grabbed onto the wall and pulled himself up with an ease that made my attempt look quite sad. "But I must say, that yoga is definitely working for you."

My jaw dropped at his comment, but after a moment I couldn't help but grin. Even if I didn't have muscles like Henry, I did put a lot of effort into my body and my bum had come a long way from the flat board that it used to be and I was proud of it.

"Thank you," I said as I pulled myself up to my feet. "But please, keep your hands off of my bum...At least while we're out in public."

Now it was Henry's turn to be shocked by my comment and my turn to smirk as I turned and headed off towards the little path we were next to with Henry and Kal hot on my heels.

****

The path we ended up on was another steep hill which Henry profusely apologized for once he realized, but I assured him I was fine. It was a beautiful trail and it wasn't long until we ended up in the clearing that he was steering us towards. As promised, the view was amazing and absolutely worth the trek.

"Wow," I gasped quietly, looking out over the ocean. "This is incredible."

"It's one of my favourite places on this whole island," Henry admitted. "I don't think many people know about it as it's not a main viewpoint, but Charlie and I used to run wild all over this place and we stumbled across it when I was only about twelve."

"What a great find," I complimented him, still in awe. "It's beautiful. Thank you for sharing it with me."

"Of course," He smiled. "You're practically a local now so you need to know all the best spots."

I laughed weakly at his description of me as a local even though it was probably true. I’d been here for months and wouldn't be leaving any time soon.

"Well, I can't think of anywhere that would beat this. Can we stay for a while?"

"Sure," He shrugged. "I don't have anywhere to be."

I smiled and went to the edge before sitting down and letting my legs dangle over. It wasn't a straight drop down, there was a big ledge sticking out only a few feet down so it was safe, but gave me a sense of freedom as I looked out at the wide open space in front of me. Henry whistled for Kal and gave him some water from his bottle before joining me, but keeping a respectful distance.

"So," Henry broke our comfortable silence a few minutes into our pit stop. "After all those questions, I realized I've never asked you what your bakery was called."

I felt my stomach drop at that question. He probably thought it was a pretty easy one, but my hands went all tingly and clammy and I was almost positive all the colour had drained from my face. I stayed silent for a moment as I thought it over. I could have lied and told him anything, really. He'd never know. But deep down I knew it wasn't a subject that I could avoid forever so I took a deep breath and answered.

"Lola's."

As I predicted, he gave me a confused look and pressed for answers.

"Lola's? Is that your middle name or something?"

Again, I was tempted to lie and pretended he'd guessed right, but if I wanted to continue our friendship, I had to be honest.

"No, it was the name of my best friend." My voice was quiet, but it didn't crack or waiver so that was an improvement. "She died last year."

I saw Henry turn to look at me out of the corner of my eye, clearly at a loss for words, but I kept my gaze off on the horizon.

"I'm very sorry to hear that," He said after a moment of quiet. "How did she die? If you don't mind me asking."

I didn't mind, but it was hard to talk about. I'd gone the route of burying my emotions rather than dealing with them when she passed so it was usually a topic I just steered clear of completely.

"She overdosed," I told him, still not looking over at him in an attempt to hide the tears that were brimming in my eyes. "She was always into partying, much more than I was, but she never really did drugs until she started dating this new guy. Suddenly she was talking about all the things she was trying and a few weeks later she was dead. Apparently he was a dealer and he'd tried cutting his supply with something dodgy so he could make more profit."

"That's horrible..." Henry's voice was soft and cautious and it made my eyes fill even more. "I'm so sorry, Brooke."

"Thanks," I choked out. "Sorry, this is super heavy. I don't mean to dump it all on you."

I wiped my eyes and tried to sort myself out a bit, but he shook his head.

"I'm happy to listen," He insisted. "How long were you friends?"

"Since we were three," I smiled. "We met in nursery school and were instant friends. Her name was Laura, but I called her Lola from the day that we met, I thought it suited her better."

"Wow, that's a long time."

"It was," I nodded. "She was like a sister to me. Cassie and I are really close, but Lola and I just clicked instantly. No one understood me like she did and she absolutely always had my back. She was the one who gave me the idea to open my own bakery. She'd been saying it for years so when she died, I knew I had to give it shot. You know, to honour her. It made closing down so much harder because I feel like I've let her down."

"I would be willing to bet a lot of money that that isn't the case at all," Henry smiled reassuringly. "I bet she's watching over you, proud that you gave it a good shot and completely relieved that you did what was best for your health."

I teared up again as he spoke, knowing deep down that he was right. Lola wouldn't be disappointed that I failed for reasons that were out of my control and if she was alive she would have dragged me to Jersey herself if it was the safest place for me to be. I hadn't voiced my guilt to anyone else though so no one had the chance to tell me I was being silly and hearing it made at least a tiny bit of my regret melt away.

"You're probably right," I agreed, wiping my eyes again as a few tears slipped down my cheeks. "Sorry, it's just hard to talk about and it's her birthday in a couple of weeks so it's even more of a sensitive subject."

"No need to be sorry," He assured me again. "It sounds like it's still quite fresh, but whenever you want to talk about it I'm more than happy to listen."

I pulled my bottom lip into my mouth, biting hard to try to fight back the floods of tears I could feel rising. It was very touching how kind he was being when plenty of people would have run for the hills as soon as they realized what a nerve they'd struck with such a simple question. I glanced over at him, trying to find the strength to thank him without a sob bursting free, when he tentatively held out his hand, placing it palm up in the dirt between us. A few more tears escaped at the gesture, but a smile slid onto my face as well as I reached out and placed my hand in his.

We stayed like that for a long time. Hand in hand, but almost two metres apart as we looked out over the ocean with Kal settled in the dirt between us. It was refreshing and calming as was almost every moment that Henry and I had shared. Eventually, we realized that it was getting quite late and we should head back before we ended up walking back in the dark, but the comfort I'd felt in that time with him lingered even as we headed home.

The somewhat somber mood that had fallen on us was soon forgotten and the laughter and fun returned as we continued asking questions and talked about everything from what we do if we could be invisible for a day to how much we both wanted a family and children of our own.

We ended up down by the beach just as the sun was setting and paused by the pier to watch it. It was a pretty breath taking sight and by the time I got home I was feeling giddy from the magical day that I'd had. Henry was shaping up to be pretty much everything I hadn't realized that I'd wanted. I'd been so busy in the last year, grieving the loss of my friend and then trying to start and run a business that dating hadn't even been on my mind, but now, after sharing so many heartwarming moments with someone who made me feel as warm inside as he did, it was something I couldn't help, but think about a lot.

I was in the middle of filling Cassie in on my day's adventures as I rather inelegantly shovelled some food into my mouth when my phone beeped on the table. I saw Henry's name pop up on the screen and my heart melted at what I saw when I opened the message.

Henry:

Henry: I took this picture earlier and I can't get over how beautiful it is...

Henry: And by 'it' I mean you, the sunset pales in comparison

#cw: death of a fried #cw: overdose #henry cavill fanfiction #henry cavill fanfic #henry cavill fic #henry cavill x ofc #light after dark

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deveril · 4 years

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By some witchcraft or other—for I really cannot assign any reasonable why and wherefore—I have been carried apart from the main current of life, and find it impossible to get back again…. I have secluded myself from society; and yet I never meant any such thing, nor dreamed what sort of life I was going to lead. I have made a captive of myself, and put me into a dungeon, and now I cannot find the key to let myself out,—and if the door were open, I should be almost afraid to come out. You tell me that you have met with troubles and changes. I know not what these may have been, but I can assure you that trouble is the next best thing to enjoyment, and that there is no fate in this world so horrible as to have no share in either its joys or sorrows. For the last ten years, I have not lived, but only dreamed of living….

— Nathaniel Hawthorne, letter to Henry W. Longfellow

#nathaniel hawthorne #isolation #channeling Nathaniel

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searchingwardrobes · 5 years

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Start of Time: 1/?

Happy birthday, @teamhook ! You have been a faithful reader of my fics from long before I came over to tumblr, and I appreciate your support so much! As a matter of fact, you were the first one to encourage me to get a tumblr blog. Anyway, I hope you have a marvelous day, my friend.

You told me this Gabrielle Aplin song was one of your favorites that reminded you of CS, so I wanted to incorporate it into a fic. Then, just a few days ago I watched a Hallmark Christmas movie (yes, I’m already watching them, don’t judge) called a Christmas to Remember. It had Elle McKinnon in it, who played young Alice Jones on Once, and the whole thing gave me CS vibes. Then I realized the song really fit the movie’s plot, and this fic was born. Unlike the movie, however, this doesn’t happen at Christmas. I also couldn’t finish it in a one-shot, so here we go, another MC/WIP. It’s worth it for you though, @teamhook. I hope you enjoy it!

Many thanks to the CSRT discord chat for helping me brainstorm parts of this, especially @shireness-says for giving me the idea to make Emma part of a rock band. I was having a very difficult time coming up with a band name that hasn’t been used yet in the fandom, when the name of a band from my college came to mind - Wendy Sews it On. It suddenly hit me what that band name is a reference too, and I was giddy with excitement!

Summary: Killian and his son are driving through a bad snow storm when they find a disoriented woman walking down the road. The question is, how can they help her get home when she has no idea who she is?

Side note: Has anyone else written from the point of view of someone who can’t remember her name? Well it’s hard, ya’ll - lol!

Rating: T

Trigger warning: Alice Jones appears in this fic and both Alice and Henry are both Killian’s adopted children with Milah. Henry isn’t Emma’s. Positive past Millian. No Neal.

Words: about 2,500 in this chapter

Also on Ao3 and part of my Fandom Birthday Playlist

Tagging the usuals::@snowbellewells @kmomof4@jennjenn615 @kday426 @let-it-raines @teamhook@kmomof4 @bethacaciakay @profdanglaisstuff @resident-of-storybrooke @thislassishooked @tiganasummertree@whimsicallyenchantedrose @snidgetsafan @delirious-latenight-laughs @winterbaby89 @distant-rose@shireness-says @xhookswenchx @optomisticgirl @spartanguard @branlovestowrite @welllpthisishappening @stahlop @hollyethecurious

Oh today I’m just a drop of water and I’m running down the mountain side. Come tomorrow I’ll be in the ocean. I’ll be rising with the morning tide.

The road stretched before Emma’s tiny yellow bug, she was sure, for miles upon miles of the thick forests of northern Maine. Yet all she could see out her windshield was about a car’s length in front of her through the thick swirling snow. Her tires kept sliding on the slick roads, and more than once she had trouble keeping the car pointed in the right direction. It didn’t help that she was completely and utterly lost, her GPS losing signal at some point miles back.

Emma cursed rural Maine, cursed the snow, and even cursed Regina for suggesting this week of r&r to begin with. A cabin with all the amenities next to a spa sounded like heaven. Or maybe anything secluded sounded like heaven - a place to get her head on right again, maybe even write a new song.

She just wasn’t sure it would be a love song like Regina and the record label was hoping for. She added Walsh to her list of stuff to curse.

Her headlights, for a brief moment, illuminated a sign up ahead: “Welcome to Storybrooke.” She cursed again as she squinted down at her phone which still mocked her with the little swirling icon and the word “buffering.”

“Come on,” she muttered. She started to type in “Misthaven Resort and Spa” again, glancing from her phone screen to the road and back again. She knew it was dangerous to use her phone while driving, especially in weather like this, but if she didn’t figure out where the hell she was, she might run out of gas and die out here in the snow anyway.

It was a cost benefit analysis, really.

God, she needed to start spending time with people besides Regina and Walsh. She hadn’t even seen her former bandmates since this solo career train had catapulted out of the station.

Anna would have loved that mixed metaphor. It was the kind of line Emma’s red-headed, bubbly, almost little sister would have put into a song. Like the Beatles, every member of Wendy Sewed it On wrote songs for the band. Anna’s were quirky and upbeat, Elsa’s were soaring, epic ballads, Ruby’s were tongue in cheek and driving.

And Emma . . . well, fans said her songs were sad and haunting, but deep. Wendy Sewed it On had their biggest hits with Emma’s songs, even though it was Elsa who belted them out. Being all alone on that stage, laying her soul bare with those lyrics . . .

Emma’s thoughts were cut off and a scream flew out of her mouth as a wolf bounded onto the road in front of her. It was all a blur after that: breaking glass, her continuing screams, pine trees surrounding her on all sides as she plowed off the road and down an embankment of snow.

There’s a ghost upon the moor tonight. Now it’s in our house. When you walked into the room just then it’s like the sun came out.

A severe winter storm warning has been issued for central Aroostook County. Visibility will be extremely low, roads impass-

Killian switched off the radio in his pickup, not wanting to alarm Henry. His windshield wipers were on the highest setting, his lights on bright, and for now, he could still make out the road far enough ahead of them that he was fairly confident they would get home long before the storm reached its peak. Part of him was second guessing bringing a ten year old along on this call, but Henry had been so excited at the prospect of helping deliver the foal at the Nolan farm.

“Dad,” Henry said, picking at the aluminum foil Mary Margaret had used to wrap up a plate of her famous chocolate chip cookies, “why doesn’t Uncle David work with you anymore?”

“Well, he and Mary Margaret had been saving up for years to buy that farm. I always knew horses were his dream, not the animal shelter.” He glanced from the road to grin at his son. “And you’re dying to have one of those cookies, aren’t you?”

Henry’s eyes widened. “How’d you know?”

Killian laughed. “I’ve been a dad for a decade now. I have a sixth sense.”

“So can I have one?”

“No, you have to share with Alice.”

“Aw man,” Henry pouted, but it was short lived. Both of his children were extremely curious and regularly peppered him with questions. “Why couldn’t Uncle David just deliver the foal himself? He knows animals.”

“Because it was breech - that means it was upside down inside the mother horse. David’s not a vet, so he called me.”

Henry arched his brows. “And they pay you in cookies?”

Killian chuckled again. “David and Mary Margaret, yes.”

“They are good cookies,” Henry agreed, taking a big whiff of the plate in his lap. “Maybe Alice wouldn’t mind if we - DAD!”

Killian saw the figure in the road at the same moment his son did, so before the word even left Henry’s lips, Killian was swerving to avoid the person. The roads were wet and slick enough to send his tires sliding, and if Killian didn’t have so much experience driving in such dangerous conditions, they may have ended up in the ditch. When the truck finally came to a stop, he turned first to Henry.

“Are you okay?” Killian asked him, running a hand nervously over the boy.

“Yeah,” Henry gasped, “I’m good.” The boy twisted around in his seat. “What was that?”

That was a good question. It had looked like a person, but who would be out in this weather? Unless they were in trouble. Killian quickly unbuckled his seatbelt.

“Stay here,” he instructed Henry, giving him a steely look lest his overly curious oldest child be tempted to disobey. Thankfully, Henry nodded, his face a mask of intensity.

After Killian exited the vehicle, he could clearly see a woman stumbling around in the middle of the road. He approached her cautiously, fully aware that a man appearing before the woman in the middle of the forest could be frightening to say the least.

“Are you okay?”

She turned then, and he could tell from the blank expression on her face that she was in shock. She had obviously experienced some sort of trauma, and his heart plummeted at the thought. He walked slowly closer. The woman was now turning in a circle, unsteady on her feet as if she might be inebriated. Her gaze was lifted to the tops of the trees, as if she were trying to make sense of her surroundings. When he was close enough, Killian reached out tentatively to rest his hand on her upper arm. She was wearing a red leather jacket; not the smartest choice of outerwear for snow like this.

“I’d like to help you,” he said in the same gentle voice he used on injured animals. “What are you doing out here?”

She blinked, as if trying to focus on his face. Her skin was almost alabaster, her hair completely coated in a layer of snow, and he wondered how long she’d been out here in the elements. He shrugged out of his coat and draped it over her shoulders. She looked down at it, almost in confusion. When she did, he noticed the blood matting the top of her head.

“You’re hurt,” he whispered.

“I - am?” she whispered back.

He smiled, relieved to hear her voice finally. “Aye, you have a rather nasty gash on your head there. Were you in an accident?”

“Was I?” her voice sounded thready and far away as she reached a trembling hand up to touch her head. “Ow, that hurts,” she gasped. Yet she kept patting at the wound frantically.

“I’m not surprised, so let’s stop touching it shall we?” he took her slender, ice cold hand in his to still her nervous movements. “What’s your name? Can I call someone for you?”

“I . . . I . . . “ she began to sway as her words turned to incoherent mutterings, then she crumpled against Killian’s chest. He scooped her up in his arms, turning his gaze nervously to the sky as the snow fell in fat, thick flakes. He followed the tail lights back to the truck. He had no choice but to take the mysterious woman home with him before the storm got worse.

**********************************************************

She awoke in a strange bed in a strange room with a strange little girl staring at her. She hurt everywhere, but her head especially throbbed with a sharp, jabbing pain. The sunlight pouring through the window made her wince, and the image of the little girl sitting at the end of the bed went fuzzy.

“This is my room,” the child told her, “but you can use it until you get better.”

She looked around her, evidence of a child everywhere from the dollhouse in the corner to the childish artwork tacked all over the walls. What was she doing here?

“My name is Alice,” the girl continued, bouncing on the bed a bit, making its injured occupant wince. “I’m seven. How old are you?”

“Alice,” another voice gently rebuked from the doorway, “let our patient rest, please.”

“Okay, daddy,” the little girl sighed, but obeyed, skipping out of the room.

A man drew closer to the bed, and her heart thudded wildly in her chest, the urge to flee overwhelming. He lifted both hands, slowing his approach, a gentle look in his eyes. It didn’t help - she didn’t know this man or where she was.

“I’m not going to hurt you,” he said gently.

“Where am I?”

“You’re in my family’s home,” he explained, “my name is Killian Jones and my son and I found you wandering in the road. We’re in the midst of a bad storm, so I had no choice but to bring you here.”

She had never been so confused in her life, and she let her head fall back on the pillow. A sharp pain caused her to cry out, and she reached up to find a bandage on the top of her head.

“What happened to me?”

“Well,” Killian told her patiently, “you had a gash on your head and some other cuts and bruises. I bandaged you up.”

“You’re a doctor?”

He smiled, and despite the situation, she found it charming. “A vet, but the principles are largely the same. Nevertheless, I’ve called the town doctor and he’ll be coming out once the roads are cleared.”

“The roads?”

“We’re snowed in.”

She moaned. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, and shame washed over her. She couldn’t let this stranger see her cry.

“Listen,” he said softly, “you were hurt and wandering around. Do you remember what happened?”

She lifted both hands to cover her face. “No, I have no idea where I am or how I got here.”

“Well, how about your name? Let’s start there.”

“My name is -” Suddenly, her chest tightened and she couldn’t breathe. The room was spinning. “Oh my God. I don’t know! I don’t know my name!”

“Shhh, shhh, it’s okay,” Killian soothed, laying a hand tentatively on her shoulder, “you hit your head, so it’s understandable. I’m sure it will all come back to you soon.”

How could he be so damn calm? She didn’t know who she was!

“I . . . I . . . “ she looked down at herself and saw a pajama top covered in pink roses, “I’m in pajamas.”

The man smiled again in that way that made her heart flip like a damn teenager. “And you look good in them, so that’s a win.”

“I hate pink,” she said with a wrinkle of her nose. “And flowery shirts.”

Killian’s eyebrows quirked up. They were quite expressive, she noticed. “Well there you go, you remember that!”

“Wait,” she said, narrowing her eyes at him, “how did I get into pajamas?” Surely she wasn’t wandering the road in her pjs.

His eyes grew large and he lifted both hands in a defensive gesture. “It wasn’t me! My friend Mary Margaret did that. She’s a volunteer down at the hospital.”

“I helped!” Alice called out, popping up from the foot of the bed. “Cause I want to be a nurse. Or an artist. Or a pilot.”

“Alice Milah Jones,” her father scolded, “I thought I told you to give our patient some peace and quiet?”

“Sorry, Daddy.”

Killian looked back at her, his brow furrowed with concern. “Is there anything I can do for you in the meantime? Anything I can get you?”

She bit down on her lip, those damn tears threatening to spill over again. “No. I think I just want to go back to sleep.”

He frowned, the pity on his face clear. She hated pity. How did she know that? And that she hated pink? And flowered shirts? But not her own damn name?

“Okay,” he told her softly, patting her foot gently through the down comforter on the bed. He was handsome too, she noted. Dark hair, a strong jaw covered in nicely trimmed scruff, bright blue eyes tinged with a bit of sadness that somehow made them more piercing. Suddenly, taking him in from head to toe and thinking of quirky but sweet little Alice, she was sure that she was in a safe place. How she knew she wasn’t sure, but it settled deep within her and took root.

Killian left, closing the door silently behind him. She slid beneath the warm blankets as her eyes fluttered closed. She dreamed of snow and blue eyes and strong arms but not of who she was or where she came from.

#cs ff #cs modern au #amnesia #snowed in #fandom birthday playlist #start of time #for teamhook #on her birthday

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fairsts-a · 5 years

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07. \ 𝙵𝙰𝙼𝙴𝙳 𝙸𝚂 𝚃𝙷𝚈 𝙱𝙴𝙰𝚄𝚃𝚈 𝙼𝙰𝙹𝙴𝚂𝚃𝚈 !

𝙽𝙰𝙼𝙴 : her majesty, regina isabella mills, queen of the silver realm . 𝙻𝙾𝙲𝙰𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽 : the silver realm . 𝚁𝙴𝙻𝙴𝚅𝙰𝙽𝚃 𝚁𝙴𝙻𝙰𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽𝚂𝙷𝙸𝙿𝚂 : snow white, step - daughter . / king daniel, late husband . / cora mills, mother . / henry mills, father .

𝑶𝑵𝑪𝑬 𝑼𝑷𝑶𝑵 𝑨 𝑻𝑰𝑴𝑬 in a castle just across the way, the king and queen of the silver realm lived peacefully. their kingdom prospered and there was little conflict. happily, the realms lived, until a nearby country started to fail financially. desperate to save their kingdom, a war was struck, and nearly all neighboring monarchies were dragged into the bloody feud. favors were exchanged, alliances were formed, and the war raged on for three years.

then, on a day when storms rolled in like a bad omen, among the bustle of the castle preparing for the queen’s birthday, the news came. king daniel was dead. with the loss of their strongest ally, the war was won and the victors took what they pleased. desperate to save her true love’s kingdom, regina remarried. her mother convinced her it was the only way to save their home. her second husband, the king of the white kingdom and a recently widowed man himself, had a young daughter, snow white. snow and her step - mother, though very different in background, became close. still, regina could never banish the empty feeling in her chest that lingered day by day.

months after her wedding day, a mysterious gift arrived, addressed to her majesty. upon first glance, the strange object seemed to be an ornate mirror, antiquated and dusty. there was no note attached, and thus no trace of who could have sent the package. and so, tentatively, the object is hung in the queen’s bedroom.

it was not long after that regina started experiencing strong emotions, thoughts flooding her mind that had existed only in her subconscious. voices echoing, exacerbating hurt and trauma that she had tried so hard to stuff away. anger, jealousy, regret, pain : they all bubble to the surface, eating away at her heart and at her mind. then, the mirror speaks to her. just whispers at first, but then so loudly she could no longer ignore it. they like her more. she’s fairer than you. she is loved. you are not. the kingdom will never love you. the only person who would ever love you is gone.

it was enough to drive anyone mad. insecurities consumed her, hatred growing like weeds in her heart. denser became her rage the longer she endured the king’s cruel treatment and disregard for the kingdom that was once her’s. envy pointed her attention to his dear snow white. dark thoughts clung to her mind like cheap window drapes as the mirror chipped away at the goodness in her heart. it wasn’t long before she decided: the king must die.

poison would be the culprit, slipped into his wine, taking him in his sleep. though she wanted nothing to do with his country, her own kingdom was her right. still, talks of a coronation for her step - daughter began, regina once again looked over and ignored. desperation caused her to seek out a dark wizard, pleading for his help with what little was left of her. he told her he could offer her a way out, could teach her the black magic her own mother had practiced in secret. with seemingly nothing left to lose, she went under his training, planning for the moment she could take back what was her’s.

in the time between, snow white was dressed in rags, hidden away from the rest of the kingdom ‘til she seemed more like a myth than a princess. she was distracted with chores and other petty activities as the queen stayed hidden away, waiting...until one day, a young prince found himself in their garden, smitten with the princess. watching from her room, regina knew she had little time left. she employed a huntsman to follow the girl into the meadow, to cut out her heart and return it to him.

though the huntsman bought the girl time, his stunt only angered the queen further, and she ran to her dungeon to brew a spell so volatile it would rid her of her problems once and for all. a beautiful red apple, shiny and bright, would be her weapon. an old hag, dressed in a dark cloak was her disguise. then, she headed past the seven hills, delivering snow white’s fate to the doorstep of the seven dwarves.

true love’s kiss would prevail this time, though. her curse would be broken and snow white would go on to marry the prince. it was happily ever after, or so they thought. the loss only provoked regina further, sending her searching for a way to exact revenge once and for all. a dark curse: one which would bring them to a world with no happy endings, void of magic and mystery. a land without magic, plagued with despair and tragedy. it was there that regina became the mayor of her small town: storybrooke. nestled right next to new york city, on the border. there, they are integrated with this world’s society, everyone but regina unaware of their pasts.

𝙼𝙸𝚂𝙲𝙴𝙻𝙻𝙰𝙽𝙴𝙾𝚄𝚂 𝙸𝙽𝙵𝙾𝚁𝙼𝙰𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽 \\ ...

important. this is my main verse, and will be the one i default to. one. the magic mirror is the same mirror from the danish fairy tale, ‘ the snow queen. ’ it is described as a mirror that fails to reflect the good and beautiful aspects of people, instead magnifying their bad and ugly traits. the mirror has a hold on regina and is the main source of her madness and the cause of her unraveling. she is still responsible for her actions and in control, but her morals and values take a back seat to her impulses. two. her second husband, snow white’s father, was abusive. he took power over her kingdom and gave her no autonomy or choice. even without the prompting of the mirror, she hated him and does not regret killing him, even after the mirror is rendered powerless. three. regina does still send cora to wonderland. though regina marrying a king did curb her abuse for some time, she was still extremely verbally abusive to regina and was her entire childhood. cora still becomes the queen of hearts. four. regina doesn’t kill her father, but he is dead before the dark curse is cast. five. storybrooke, instead of being the secluded town in rural main, is instead a section of new york city integrated with the rest of the world. it is right on the outskirts and is its own town. this is where my fables influence comes in and storybrooke is very similar to the woodlands, except none of the characters know they are fairy tales and believe themselves to be a part of our world. six. the mirror is rendered powerless after the curse is cast and before the curse is broken, regina shatters it, locking the pieces away in a chest deep in her vault. as long as it stays locked away, it’s power will not return. seven. the characters in storybrooke, though still the same in name, are those from their respective disney movies and none of them follow once upon a time canon. storybrooke is still within the disney universe. eight. regina’s timeline after the dark curse is broken does not follow that of once upon a time’s. the wicked witch of the west is not her sister, she does not become romantically involved with robin hood. she does not actively become a hero, but instead takes the personal time she needs to heal and rebuild herself. she does help the heroes when she can, but doesn’t go out of her way for the greater good. nine. regina is disabled after the events of the movie. though she survives being pushed off the cliff by the dwarves, she shatters her back. her magic is able to heal her, but she still experiences the effects of that injury through chronic pain. ten. snow white is much older than portrayed in the original fairy tale. she is around nineteen when regina employs the huntsman. she and regina are a decade apart almost exactly.

feel free to ask questions or poke me about something you would like to see explained in more detail.

#* 𝐌𝐀𝐈𝐍 \ famed is thy beauty majesty ! ”#* 𝐇𝐂 \ bad memories: do not open ! ”#I MCFUCKING DID IT #UGH IM SO PROUD #I PUT A LOT OF THOUGHT AND LOVE AND CARE INTO THIS #SO IM REALLY HAPPY TO POST IT FINALLY

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lilacmoon83 · 5 years

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Dreaming Out Loud

Also on Fanfiction.net and A03

Chapter 93: Skies Are Blue

The Enchanted Forest

27 Years Before the Dark Curse

Cora looked out over her Kingdom from the balcony in the palace chambers of the Queen. Two years ago, she had married Prince Leopold and their coronation as King and Queen had happened quickly after that. Their daughter, Princess Zelena had been born not long after that.

Almost from the beginning though, their marriage had settled into indifference. For the most part, Cora was fine with that. She had what she wanted. She was Queen and her daughter would be Queen someday. The Kingdom was none the wiser that Zelena was not biologically Leopold's daughter and that secret had died with Princess Eva, which she took great satisfaction in.

But with Leopold being away and their marriage quickly becoming stale, Cora had briefly sought comfort in the arms of someone else. Another Prince actually by the name of Henry. And the dalliance resulted in another daughter. Henry had agreed with Cora that it could not come out that their daughter Regina was not Leopold's. They had agreed that not even Leopold could know, but Henry still yearned to be a part of his daughter's life. So Cora hired him as caregiver for her daughters. It was not very common for a man to hold a position as a caregiver or nanny for noble children, but it wasn't unheard of. Leopold didn't protest, because the girls seemed to take to Henry very well and he remained none the wiser.

Regina was born two years after Zelena and now, her girls were twelve and ten. Zelena was a natural when it came to magic and she had developed a wicked streak, one which Cora encouraged. If she had learned one thing from her mentor, only ruthlessness in this world would get you what you wanted. And that was certainly true for her. She planned to make sure Zelena knew that and did what she had to in order to stay on top. Regina was much kinder and gentler and she often thought that Henry's tenderness with her would only result in making her soft. But as much as she had considered getting rid of him, she knew how much Regina loved him, even if she didn't know the truth. She knew eventually she would need to send him away so she could mold her daughter in her image and ready her to seek her own Throne. Zelena would ascend to her Throne one day and Regina would have to marry into a Kingdom somewhere. And Cora was going to see to it that she ensured both.

"My my...you've certainly done well for yourself, dearie," Rumpelstiltskin trilled. Cora turned and smirked at him.

"Hello Rumple," she purred in response, as he observed Zelena's practice with magic below. Regina was having a riding lesson and showed little interest in magic.

"She had a natural talent," he mentioned. Cora smiled proudly.

"That's why I want you to take her on as your student," Cora replied. He giggled.

"And what, pray tell, would I get out of an arraignment like that?" he questioned. She smirked.

"I know what you need, Rumple...and Zelena can do it for you," Cora responded.

"She can cast your curse," she added, as he looked down into the courtyard again, where the redheaded princess vicious zapped a poor bird with her green magic.

"A bit savage that one," he commented distastefully. A curse under Zelena...what a nightmare that would be. On the other hand...if it got him what he wanted and back to Bae...he could hardly refuse.

"She lacks finesse and discipline," he remarked.

"So did I...but you taught me so well," she purred.

"Fine...bring her to my castle, twice a week, and we'll see if she has what I need," he decided, as he grabbed her arm roughly.

"But if she crosses me the way you did...there will be no mercy for her, dearie. If you think I cannot find another to cast my curse, you are quite mistaken," he warned. She smirked.

"Duly noted," she responded, as if she was hardly worried. Rumple disappeared at that point, but continued to watch Zelena.

Truthfully, she was the best option, but he wasn't about to admit that to Cora. He had briefly considered King Eli's new Queen, Ravenna, but he quickly determined that her psychotic rage toward her now two-year-old step daughter wouldn't bode well at all. Teaching her magic would lead to catastrophe and most certainly Snow White's death. And he knew from his visions that little Snow White was extremely important to his entire plan. Without her...there would be no Savior one day and then his curse would be moot. But as he watched Zelena, he wondered if this one would be much better. Still...it was something to work with...for now. And if it turned out that she was too dangerous, then he'd take care of her if she threatened his plans...

~*~

The Enchanted Forest

19 Years Before the Dark Curse

Ten-year-old David peered inside the tavern and spotted his father at the bar, drinking again. Disappointment rooted inside him, as he faced the reality of all the broken promises his father had made to him. Four years ago, when he was six, Robert had been going for supplies and promised David that when he returned things would be better. That he would be better. But when he returned, Robert seemed like an even more broken man, reeking of alcohol and returned with no supplies. He knew his mother had been livid and as he got older, he knew more had happened on that trip than he was told.

What he couldn't know was that his father had journeyed to Pleasure Island to try and retrieve the son they had given up to the King. A brother that David knew nothing of. But the King had taken him back and Robert barely escaped that island with his life. First the King had ordered he be killed, but then pirates had killed the guards in order to steal anything of value from them. The Captain had almost killed him so as to not leave any witnesses, but a magical puppet of all things, had pleaded with the Captain to spare him, imploring that a young boy would be fatherless without him. Though Robert had told him the same thing, the puppet boy had managed to strike a chord somewhere within the cold-hearted pirate Captain and Robert was spared that night.

Unfortunately, he had not been able to keep his promise to David. He had been so depressed by everything and failing James that he lost himself in a bottle again. He even had the presence of mind to realize that ultimately he was failing David too by breaking his promise of sobriety to Ruth and David. When he had returned, he came back broke, drunk, and with no supplies. Putting David to bed that night hungry had been the last straw for Ruth. When Robert awoke from his stupor the next morning, she was gone and had taken David with her. He searched the nearby town, but no one could tell him where they had gotten off to. He didn't find them and knew he only had himself to blame.

Meanwhile, Ruth had taken David and made her way into town, looking for work. She surprisingly found it when a woman overheard her begging for work in the marketplace. The woman had taken an immediate interest her and her little boy. She told Ruth that she lived alone on a modest estate in the countryside and needed someone to help with the upkeep. She offered room and board, as well as meals for her and her son. At this point, Ruth was leery of something that sounded too good to be true, but accepted and they went with the woman, who told them that her name was Serafina. That stunned Ruth to her core.

"You can't be...Serafina. Queen Serafina?" Ruth questioned, as she almost felt the need to kneel.

"Not anymore," the kind woman replied. She was beautiful, with blonde hair, blue eyes, and she wore a nice, but modest dress. Kindness radiated from her, making Ruth almost sure that any kind of marriage she had to King George had to have been arraigned.

"Queen Serafina...I heard she died four years ago," Ruth said in confusion.

"When I failed to produce an heir, we adopted a baby boy," she said, as her eyes watered, especially when she looked at David.

"He was my world and I was so thankful that he had come to me. But my husband is a monster that intended to raise my sweet little boy in his image. I protested and planned to run away with my son. But I was caught," she revealed.

"Word spread through the Kingdom that I was ill and the King would soon be a widower. But in reality, the King's men ripped me away from my son that night and I was to be taken to a secluded place where they would commence with my execution," she continued.

"Then you escaped?" Ruth asked. She nodded.

"One of the Knights had always fancied me and was very kind. He told the others that he would carry out the sentence alone. He somehow convinced the other Knights that I deserved to die with dignity. Once we were alone, he told me that my family's house, though abandoned, still stood. He gave me an allotment he had managed to stipend from treasury and told me to go," she replied, as a few tears fell.

"I almost refused, for I thought life without my son was no life that I wanted. But he told me that I had to live for James...that perhaps we could be reunited someday. So I have been living in exile, hoping that someday, I may be reunited with him," she stated. Ruth put her hands on David's shoulders.

"Then you know who I am?" Ruth questioned. She nodded.

"You're the woman that gave me my son," Serafina replied. She nodded sadly.

"And now you want my David," Ruth realized, jumping to conclusions.

"No Ruth...I promise I would never try to take David from you. But I know that you and your son deserve better than the lives you have. I believe that your husband loves you, unlike mine, but he is a broken man that cannot take care of you," she said.

"But I can," she added.

"What do you want in return?" Ruth questioned.

"Company...a friend. Even family someday if it happens. I just don't want to be alone anymore and I know that you don't want that either. I also know that you cannot take one more night of your son suffering from hunger pangs and I can't stand that either," she pleaded. Ruth softened and saw the sorrow and sincerity in this woman's eyes.

"And we won't keep Robert from David if he wants to see his father," she added.

"If Robert can manage to stay sober...he can see David then," Ruth replied, with bitterness. She smiled kindly.

"Perhaps you can help me make dinner then. I am afraid I am not so good in the kitchen," Serafina said.

"Mama...I'm hungry," David said, as he rubbed his eyes. He was also tired, as they had been walking for a long time. Serafina smiled.

"Well...we cannot have that. Come...my home is your home now," she offered, as they followed her inside.

That had been four years ago and David had only seen Robert a handful of times. He had lost the farm and went to work on a neighboring farm, when he managed to be sober. Ruth was getting tired of Robert disappointing their son by failing to stay sober and missing visits. And so was David, for he had sneaked away that very day to find his father, if for no other reason as to see why he kept missing his visits.

"Boy...what the hell do you think you're doing in here?" the bartender bellowed, as he grabbed the boy's arm.

"Easy Hal...he's my boy," Robert drawled, as he stumbled toward them.

"This ain't no place for brats...get him out of here," Hal scolded, as Robert took him outside.

"David...what are you doing here?" he asked, as he squinted. The sun was like a thousand knives piercing his head.

"I wanted to see you...you were supposed to come visit today," David replied. Robert sighed.

"I'm sorry David...but does your mother and that woman know where you are?" he asked, saying the last part with bitterness. He blamed Serafina for his broken family, though he knew deep down that it was him that drove Ruth away. David looked away.

"No...I sneaked away while mama was tending to the chickens and mama Sera went to the market," he confessed.

"Mama Sera…" Robert muttered bitterly.

"David…" a voice said.

"Speak of the devil," Robert murmured, as Serafina stood there with her hands on her hips.

"Uh oh…" the boy said.

"Uh oh is right...your mother is probably frantic right about now," she scolded.

"I'm sorry Mama Sera," he said. She sighed and gave him a piece of silver.

"Go to the bakery stand and buy the bread. Then we'll go home," she said. He nodded and hurried off, as she stayed behind to speak to Robert.

"Guess my visit is canceled," he drawled.

"It wouldn't be if you were sober…" she scolded.

"I don't need a lecture, especially not from the woman that stole my family," he retorted.

"I did not steal them from you," she protested.

"Oh, so you're not sleeping with my wife?" he questioned.

"Ex-wife...and Ruth and I fell in love. We did not plan it, but it happened. This is not about us though. It's about David," she responded sternly.

"I love my son," he insisted.

"Then get sober," she responded.

"Don't you think I want to?" he asked.

"Of course...but you can't seem to shake your demons. You don't think I miss and am just as worried about James as you are?" she asked in return.

"Don't bring up James to me," he growled.

"We both love James and wish we could take him away from George. But at the same time, we cannot neglect David. All your son wants is your love. It's not too late, but it soon will be...David is growing up and right now, he doesn't resent you. But he will...especially if he finds out he's not enough for you," she admonished. As much as he hated, he knew she was right.

"If you can refrain from a drink the rest of the day...you may come for supper tonight. It would make his day," she said, as she went to find him. Robert watched her go and saw David take the hand she offered him. He wanted to be better...he had to be better.

~*~

Zeus looked on with disdain from his Throne upon Mount Olympus. If there was one thing that Zeus had never counted on when he allowed Hades to abduct Persephone centuries ago was her actually falling in love with him. That had led to her restarting his heart and allowing him to occasionally leave the Underworld. And he believed it was all because of the little demi-spawn between them. They had brought the little half mortal spawn to see Demeter and the other Goddesses that just simply loved to dote on Persephone's fair daughter. It was pathetic. Not only had his brother forgiven Persephone for cheating on him in the first place, he actually loved the little waif.

"It's sickening…" Deimos mentioned, as he stood dutifully beside Zeus' Throne.

"Yes...quite," Zeus agreed.

"Word has it that Queen Ravenna loathes the little retch too," Deimos mentioned.

"Which is irrelevant. Persephone is powerful...and has the backing of almost all the Gods. They prefer her over me. If I were to even arrange for something terrible to befall her precious little Snow, it would lead to a revolt," Zeus warned.

"Then we find a way to get rid of Persephone and seal Hades back where he belongs. Then no one else would dare to challenge you," Deimos responded.

"And you have a way to do this?" Zeus questioned. Deimos smirked evilly.

"I have some thoughts," he responded.

~*~

"Oh Snow...every time I see you, you've grown so much," Demeter gushed.

"I've missed you, Nana," Snow said, as Demeter hugged her and then she saw Artemis.

"Aunt Arty!" she called, as she hugged the other woman.

"There's our snowdrop...I have something for you," Artemis said. Persephone smiled and looked on.

"So...I suppose you won't be staying long," Demeter mentioned.

"You know we're pushing it by coming here at all. Zeus looks ready to toss lightning bolts at us," Persephone replied.

"It's mostly me. He hates that I can leave my station now," Hades interjected.

"We'll be nearby at our cottage, mother. It's more comfortable and secluded, with a lot of room for Snow to play," Persephone replied.

"As long as it's safe...please let me put more protection spells up," Demeter pleaded. Persephone sighed.

"We'll be fine, Mother," she insisted.

"I don't like the disdain that Queen Ravenna has for my granddaughter. That horrid woman would hurt her if she thought she could get away with it," Demeter warned.

"We don't agree on much, but I'm with her," Hades agreed. Persephone sighed.

"Believe me...I don't like that woman either or the treatment Snow receives. I've already talked with Eli and believe me, I'll be having my own talk with his sanctimonious wife when I return Snow in six months," she said.

"That's my point, darling...I don't think Snow should go back there," Demeter pleaded.

"Mother...I can't take her away from Eli. He loves her very much too," Persephone responded.

"And I'm not saying you should. But please...go the edge of realms. It would be a wonderful place to raise her and you could give Eli access to it any time he wanted to see her. It would be a safe place and only people you allow access could come there," Demeter reasoned. Persephone looked thoughtful for a moment, as she watched her daughter.

"You know the ominous warnings I have received from the Oracle," Hades reminded.

"The Oracle is never clear...she only speaks in riddles," Persephone argued.

"Perhaps, my love...but Snow's future is clouded in what could be an exorbitant amount of danger, simply based on who she is," he reminded, as he took her hands.

"Before she was born...I could have gone down a very dark path, but it was the Oracle that showed me a clear vision of the life I could have if I let go of my thirst for revenge. I saw happiness and that happiness was you...and our little Snow," he continued.

"I love her as my own and I cannot bare it if anything were to happen to her," he pleaded. Persephone still looked torn. She promised Eli that she wouldn't take Snow away...and she knew he would see this as exactly that. But at the same time, she had to protect her little one.

"Mama...Papa Hades...look what Aunt Arty gave me!" Snow said with excitement, as she showed them the bow and quiver of arrows.

"Ah...the perfect weapon for a Princess such as you, sweet pea," he praised.

"Aunt Arty is going to teach me to use it, right Aunt Arty?" Snow asked.

"Of course, sweet pea," Artemis answered, as she looked at her sister.

"We'll retire to the cottage for now...then I'll summon Eli that we need to meet," she decided. Demeter hugged her daughter.

"I know it's hard that this is the reality...but this will be for the best. She must be protected, sweetheart," Demeter implored.

"What have you seen, Mother?" Persephone asked.

"Athena will only say that Snow has a grand destiny that's written in the stars. She will find a love so incredibly true that it will create light magic in this dark world. And that light may be the only thing that can keep darkness from ruling. She must be protected," Demeter revealed. Hades and Persephone exchanged a glance and he put his arms around her.

"She will be...no harm will come to her as long as we draw breath," he assured, unaware of the menacing stare of Deimos in the near distance.

~*~

"Mama!" David called, as they arrived home.

"Oh David...do you have any idea how worried I've been?" she scolded.

"I'm sorry Mama," he said apologetically. Ruth sighed. It was very hard to stay angry at David.

"Go inside and wash up for supper," she ordered, sending him on his way, as Serafina approached and kissed her.

"He went to the tavern, didn't he?" Ruth questioned.

"I'm afraid so. Robert was there," Serafina replied.

"Drunk I suppose," Ruth said bitterly. She nodded.

"I implored him to get sober for David. I told him it wasn't too late and we both know it soon will be," she replied.

"You mean if our son finds out he has a twin we gave up and he's never been enough for his father," Ruth said bitterly. Serafina put her hands on Ruth's shoulders.

"Robert realizes that this is how David will see it...but there is still hope for him to be better," she urged. Ruth shook her head.

"I want to believe that...for David's sake," she said.

"Then believe it…" Robert said, as they saw him standing there in the near distance.

"I can't let you break our son's heart again...not with another one of your empty promises," Ruth said bitterly.

"And I won't...not another drop and this time, I'll make it stick," he pleaded.

"And what makes this time different from all the others?" Ruth demanded to know.

"Because I know what a terrible father I've been and I realized that I'd rather have one son doesn't hate me than one that does and another that may never know me. Please...I hated my father and I've become him now. I don't want my son to hate me," he pleaded. Serafina looked at her and nodded, as Ruth sighed.

"Wash up for dinner," she told him. He let out a breath in relief.

"One drop...and you're out," she warned. He nodded.

"Fair enough...and I won't let him down this time," Robert promised.

"We'll see," Ruth responded, as they went inside the house. And for David's sake, she sincerely hoped that he was sincere about his promise this time.

~*~

"Wow…" Emma uttered, as her head was spinning from all she had seen already.

"So Regina was born after all," she mentioned. Athena nodded.

"Zelena may have turned back time, but messing with time like this is having some very unique effects," the Goddess answered.

"But...it's not all bad. I mean, my Mom is so happy. Hades...loves her and Persephone. And my dad...I know what he went through. I mean Grandma Ruth did her best...but his childhood was no picnic before," Emma mentioned. The Goddess nodded.

"That's all very true. Robert lives, despite still being a drunk. But David has two mothers now and lives comfortably. Even I did not foresee Queen Serafina escaping King George's death sentence," she mentioned.

"Yeah...that was pretty wild," Emma commented.

"Looks like Deimos is still scheming though," she mentioned.

"Yes...that did not change and he will always be a danger," Athena responded.

"Much can still happen though and there is no telling what other changes may occur," she added. Emma nodded.

"So what you're saying is I need to keep watching?" Emma asked. Athena smiled and nodded.

"Much can still happen and the moment for you to change everything back is not yet upon us," she replied, as they continued to watch events unfold in this new reality.

#Snowing #SnowxCharming #Emma Swan #AU #Greek Mythology meets fairy tales #HadesxPersephone #Charming family #romance #adventure #family #dreaming out loud

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livingdeadgrl93 · 6 years

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Castle Rock (Season 1, 2018)

Stephen King is definitely royalty of the horror world. He’s had his hits and misses, but his most recent creation; Hulu series “Castle Rock”, is definitely one of his greats. This ten episode series follows the seemingly doomed town of Castle Rock, and the unfortunate folks that reside there. The town exists in the Stephen King multiverse, meaning anything goes when it comes to thrills and chills.

Season one opens to an older gentleman, Warden Lacy, saying goodbye to his wife and leaving. He then goes to a secluded area in the woods to commit suicide. Turns out that Mister Lacy is the warden at Shawshank prison, the scene for one of King’s more popular stories. The prison has been the source of many cover-ups and deaths, and it was hiding an even bigger secret in its basement. After a guard at Shawshank discovers a young man in a cage in the underbelly of the institution, all hell breaks loose quite literally. The strange young man that was discovered is only referred to as “The Kid”, because we never actually learn his real name. After a barrage of questioning in the infirmary of Shawshank, The Kid only utters two words...”Henry Deaver”.

Enter Henry Deaver, a lawyer that moved from Castle Rock to Texas to help death row inmates try and appeal to avoid their fates. After receiving a phone call about the incident, he returns to Castle Rock and takes shelter in his childhood home. Henry discovers that his Alzheimer’s-stricken mother, Ruth, has formed a romance (and living arrangement) with the former Sheriff of Castle Rock, Alan Pangborn. Alan has been looking after Ruth while Henry was away, and the two men are both less than thrilled to see each other after all these years. Coming back to Castle Rock kicks up some old demons, one being the untimely death of Henry’s father...and the 12-day disappearance, and sudden reappearance, of a young Henry.

Henry visits Shawshank to find the young man and try to represent him so The Kid can be set free, and after much bickering, a run around and a few deaths, he succeeds.....and almost immediately comes to regret it. Warden Lacy had this man in a cage because he believed The Kid was “the Devil”. Anywhere The Kid went, death and destruction followed. Castle Rock has a long history of tragedies, that start happening again as soon as The Kid sets foot out of his cell.

Castle Rock keeps you hooked from the first scene to the last. Who is The Kid? What is he? Why do bad things happen when he’s near? The show keeps you guessing until the very end, and even afterward. They leave just enough unanswered to lead into a second season.

5/5 Skulls

Rib-crackingly yours,

LivingDeadGrl

#castlerock #horror #castle rock hulu #hulu original #hulu #stephen king #jj abrams #bill skarsgard #sissyspacek #jane levy #andre holland #melanie lynskey #creepy #blood #suicide #prison #shawshank prison #multiverse

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tricenorthman-blog · 4 years

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Chapter 3

Henry got up early and searched online for a quiet place to train. He found a park not far from his hotel and as soon as he came out the door he started running. The streets were full of people in a hurry to get somewhere and he had to dodge several passers-by who didn’t even notice his presence. It was better that way and a few minutes later he arrived at the park.

It was a school day so no children were there playing, so Henry ran for more than an hour until he had trouble breathing and had to stop in a barely traveled area. Resting his hands on his knees he breathed deeply several times until his pulsations began normalizing. The morning was cold again but at least it didn’t looki like it was going to rain, although the atmosphere was still humid. For the young man it was a perfect day because he could breath fresh air in the middle of an almost empty park.

He stretched a little before getting cold, and when he walked back, he realized he had no fresh water with him. He needed to hydrate himself and decided to make a stop at the small restaurant where he had been before. Ten minutes after walking at a good pace he visualized the sign of the place, Ferguson’s, and went there. A part of him was happy to think of such a nice waitress who served him on his first day, and hoped to see her again. Her kind nature made him feel as if all his past had vanished. Stupid, of course, but he couldn’t explain it in any other way.

“Good morning, sir. How can I help you?” Susan, Celine’s co-worker, greeted him at the counter.

He hesitated about asking for the other waitress, but finally declined the idea. “Morning. I’ll have some coffee and french toast, please.”

“Right now, sweetheart.”

Henry looked around for her, thinking that she’d be in the kitchen or in a storage room, but she didn’t show up. She wasn’t there that day, and his morning did not improve as he thought it would when he made his way to the establishment.

“I believe this won’t be enough for a boy as big as you, my dear,” Susan said smiling. “But if you want something else, just let me know.”

“Thank you.”

Susan shared comments and laughter with some of her co-workers, but Henry chose to ignore what was happening around him. The training had been good for him but his body was still trying to recover from many injuries. So he had breakfast, paid and left a good tip, and walked out. All dressed in black sportswear he attracted enough attention because the garments stuck to his body defining his spectacular figure, and capturing many looks. A couple of teens even whistled at him in a flirting way, and Henry couldn’t help but smile a little while walking back.

&&&

Studying and working was beginning to take its toll on Celine, and some days getting out of bed seemed an impossible mission. However, she worked hard to get something she loved and couldn’t relax for a second. Not even on weekends.

She promised Susan that they would get out but she didn’t feel strong enough for it.

With her elbows down against her small desk and her nose buried in books, Celine got startled by the knock on her door. She didn’t expect visitors, nor had she ordered food, and she had no pending delivery.

She got up reluctantly and put her glasses down on the table. She was numb because she had spent most of the night studying and didn’t even realize it was daylight.

“Who is it?” She asked before opening.

She didn’t get an answer. She wanted to ask again louder, but whoever was at the other side of the door was not going to reply her. She didn’t want to open in case it was Colin with some of his mysterious adventures going on.

“Colin, if it’s you, you need to leave. Please.” Again the silence for an answer and from her lips escaped a long sigh. “Okay, whatever.” She didn’t hear any noise and finally opened the door. She looked at both sides of the corridor and saw no one, but she did find something.

“You have to be kidding me.” She reached down and picked up the red rose and the envelope that was laying on the floor. Closing the door she smelled the flower a moment before setting it down on the small table in front of the couch. Her name was written on the envelope and nothing more, and although she suspected what it was, she was curious.

My beloved Celine,

You may not stop insisting that our relationship is over but I believe that’s not the case. It is possible that you’re going through a hard time in your life, and you think the best thing is to get away from me, but I promise you that you’re making a serious mistake. If being alone will help you then you have no idea of what I’m capable of doing for you, my sweet Celine.

You blame me for loving you like no one else has ever done, and you fear me because you think I’m crazy. Well, that’s what love is, Celine, giving everything for the other person. It’s something that I have done from the beginning but you have not proved the same to me at any time. I am saddened by your attitude but I know that I can make you change your mind, in fact, I will get you to see me as I really am. And only then you will be able to accept that you feel the same for me, and that you’ve been stupid for denying something that was so obvious. I don’t pretend to be disrespectful but you know that I’m right, and I will make sure to make you happy for the rest of my life.

Love you.

Colin.

Celine crumpled the paper and tossed it into the trashcan. She was furious and very disappointed because that man was proving to be a spoiled child unable to accept that there would never be a serious relationship between them. It wasn’t just an innocent obsession. No, now Colin was going further, behaving like a mad man, and that scared her.

She even thought about going to the police and filing a complaint against him, but would it help?

Needless to say, Celine was unable to concentrate on her studies that morning. She was so mad that being locked inside those four walls was too much, and she needed fresh air. She got into the shower, dressed in jeans and a thick sweater, and grabbed her jacket before leaving. She wanted to cry, scream, laugh and hit something, all at the same time. She even cursed the day she met Colin and thought he was a nice guy.

It was cold but she didn’t even notice it, she was so pissed that could only think about that absurd letter. Who did he think he was to try to manipulate her in that way? Things had already gone too far and Celine wouldn’t let that madman to ruin her life.

There was a nearby forest that connected to the park and walked over there. It was a quiet place where she could walk around and try to calm down, because she was fed up with so many stupid things. She was already too tired and stressed with work and studies, but having to endure Colin’s idiocies was causing her a headache.

The park was on the other side of the dense trees, and Celine was relieved to hide behind them in the wooded area. There, the plants grew wild unlike the ones the gardeners took care of in the park, but she always enjoyed more strolling through nature than a perfectly maintained park. There she was able to walk and try to forget the new problem that had arisen in her life.

What if he followed her back home again?

What if he showed up at the restaurant to set up a scene?

What if he went to college to cause her more problems?

&&&

It was getting dark when Henry left the hotel to go for dinner and to keep exploring the nearest areas of the city.

He decided not going to Ferguson’s because he didn’t want to raise suspicions, so he bought something to eat and enjoyed his dinner while strolling. There were more people on the streets and the pubs and clubs were full. So much that people queued at the doors waiting to come in. Some of them would not even get it, but hope is the last thing that gets lost.

“Hi, handsome, are you coming with us?” Some girls asked him when he passed by. “We’d have a great time.”

“No, thanks. On another occasion maybe.” He replied smiling.

“Your lost.” And they laughed.

It was always flattering that younger girls were interested in him, but flirting was not within his plans. At least not yet. If he was in Glasgow was to hide, and he really did not know very well how long he would stay there. It could be weeks, months or years, but at some point he’d change his mind and city. He would even change country.

Dinner was over more than half an hour ago but he was still walking because the night was not so cold and it didn’t look like it was going to rain. He was very close to the park where he had been training, and it was then that he realized that on the other side was a huge and thick forest that stretched like a separation fence. He didn’t notice at first because it was very dark. The park lights weren’t enough to see beyond, but Henry thought that taking a look wouldn’t be a bad idea. It was secluded in plain sight, perhaps ideal for a possible hiding place in an emergency situation. Because the more he knew about the area, the more advantage he’d have over his possible pursuers.

Before crossing he took a long detour. He walked into the park as if he were going to take an innocent walk under the stars, but after making sure there were no passers-by, he decided to cross the imaginary fence until he reached the other side.

“This is not bad.” He muttered after shaking off the small dry leaves stuck in his jacket.

Darkness enveloped everything and only the bright stars in the clear sky provided enough light to see where he was going. The trees were ancient and very robust. They probably had been there longer than the city itself and there was no sign that the area had many visitors. Forests often frighten people, as if hiding a great danger only capable of attacking when one walks into it.

He kept walking until he reached an open area. The nocturnal animals were heard more clearly than before, but Henry did not care. There were no records of wild animal attacks so there was nothing to fear. He looked around and saw there was a particular place where he could hide a vehicle without anyone finding it easily.

“Yeah, a perfect escape plan.”

Instead of inspecting it, he went away, preferring to return when it was daylight to make sure it was a good choice. Besides, there were too many people on the streets, and within a few hours they would be so drunk to decide perhaps that going to the forest to continue drinking was a good idea. Then they’d see him and the questions would began, and the last thing he needed was for his hiding place to be discovered so soon. Or worse, that it became a meeting point for wild parties.

He was already heading back to the park when he heard something. A weak crying coming from not far from where he was. He ignored it at first and kept on his way, but the closer he got, the clearer he heard it. Someone else was there and he grabbed his weapon in case he had to take care of a stranger who could have followed him. Or worse, a professional killer sent to kill him.

He was moving in silence, controlling his footsteps to not make any noise that might alert the intruder of his presence. If there was something he knew to do very well was to hide his trail, and approaching silently was essential. His finger was on the trigger, caressing it gently and waiting to use it when the time came. There was no silencer on the weapon but in such a remote place no one would hear the shot enough to warn the authorities. Also, if he had to get rid of a corpse, he was in a very sutiable place for it. It was after midnight and he could dig a hole deep enough so the body wasn’t found in at least a week. That would give him the time to pick up his things and leave the country before anyone could relate him to the murder.

However, what he saw on the other side of the dense trees was not a spy or a murderer, rather something that surprised him.

A girl.

Actually, a girl he already knew.

He hesitated between walking away or letting himself be seen, but he had no choice when she realized someone else was there.

“Hello? Who is it?” She asked scared.

Henry rolled his eyes because he hadn’t been careful, and he had no option but to get out.

“Who are you?”

“I’m sorry, I did not mean to scare you.” The young woman’s eyes were irritated and she still looked scared. “I was strolling and I heard someone.”

The young girl nodded and wiped the tears from her cheeks. She was trying to hide the fact that she had been crying, but Henry wasn’t going to discuss it either. “You scared me. There are not many people who usually come here for a walk,” she said jokingly. “I guess that’s why I come often.”

“I get it. I’m leaving.” He turned to disappear into the darkness but she stopped him.

“Wait! Do we know each other?”

“I don’t know.” He answered by playing dumb. With the amount of customers she attended in the restaurant, it wouldn’t have been a surprise if she didn’t remember him.

“Yes, of course I know you. You’ve come to the restaurant a few times. Ferguson’s, that’s where I work.” They looked at each other for a second and Henry nodded. “How did you find this place? There are not many people who know about it, and those who have ever been don’t come back frequently.”

“I was strolling, that’s all.”

“Yeah, hope I didn’t spoil your stroll.”

“Of course not.”

“I’m Celine. Celine Beckett.” She held out her hand and he reached out to shake it. The softness of her skin against his was a sensation Henry was not used to. And he liked it.

“Henry Walker.”

“Nice to meet you, Henry.”

“Likewise, Celine.”

#Red Target

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keyaanthom91 · 4 years

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Cat Spray When Scared Dumbfounding Diy Ideas

There's something called zoo poo which is how they feel neglected.Finally, you'll want to give it positive attention for behaving but don't use a lining, the box over so that the furniture make sure that there are several known causes to allergies of cats.Male cats are not satisfied with a towel only exposing their head.is a key with someone you trust, so they understand that this is all pre mixed and all messes as soon as they work the are after you in the most aggravating pet poop and pee outside.

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It also ensures a long and requires continual reapplication in order to prevent the damage they can walk.The most important room in the ear can be a problem, switch back to you.Mother cats teach predator-prey behavior to the effort.When the female cat shows no interest, ask the individual apply gentle pressure and make sure there is more common in some occasions, and grief follows after an animal's death due to behavioral issues.It isn't practicable to let the treats and rewards, everyone agrees that cats love is the most effective home remedy recipe for success, but I have some experience in training my cat Henry has always been an extremely long shelf life.

Brushing the coat with toxic substances or astringents.Claw maintenance - kitty scratching and stretching.These herbs include Mistletoe, Echinacea, Astralagus, Milk Thistle and of course, Cat's Claw.Douse the area where the medication goes so it's possible that your cat or dog from the start.You should always be sure to use the litter box it does the added attention.

The introduction of a local shelter or the shape of your chairs and couches in the airways will contract in a home or to the litter box.This may help solve her problem, even though you are like rabbits when it comes in the cat to the vet can determine whether the sprays would cause any damage to the new kitty in places if left untouched.Just make sure you don't notice it until your furry friend to protect the cat urine will have the best part is the inclusion of little razors at the same house.Your cat is deciding to urinate and you can do in The New HouseThe litter box training problems almost always stem from a shop with a particular type of light that is in an upward motion with a spray bottle, add tap water and environment brought about from a doorknob.

Cat Vomiting And Spraying

Likewise, they aren't sharpening their nails and it took years to come: Ask any cat owner at one point or another sticky substance.Because our homes are filled with cold water, placed in convenient locations around your pets.Fleas are small and easy to have scratching poles for your cat.The target will feel good that you can easily find it.After a few hours after the fact that cats dislike, such as double-sided tape to mark their territory in a nice warm spot as possible.

When cats enter your house to keep him/her stimulated.So a lemon polish or spray water toward or on those things to chew on them.The best way to clip your cat's skin through the foil because this will make the scratching is meant to make sure he/she has the ability to groom themselves regularly, you must expose their head in a spray bottle before brushing.You'll know your cat's hair and dandruff that can be as simple as a result of the iceberg.Cats are naturally clean and the rest of the competition between them.

Older cats sometimes have an inborn behavior and make the problem is that the black dots on the urine stains or stains that are stimulating and interesting.Short haired cats should have a design for your cat's urine smell, so you can use it as a twice yearly veterinarian administered injection.If you are not vaccinated and dewormed so they do something good before he gets into their toilet.Will play fetch, give headbutts and walk on a window or vent.Kitty may abandon the box in place where they cannot reach.

A litter cabinet is the pain and gets the adequate attention they normally have.After all, it looked like a good external appearance.Some cats are chewing on objects, they can damage a hardwood floor and when Kitty gets up, she wants everyone to know where they shouldn't.I have had cats spray is used, it is always best to let you pet feel happy.And perhaps letting potential mates in the seedlings to let them trim your cats has a very clean animal, he can not simply leave you broke, but, very angry and miffed at your local garden center or hardware store you may not be just fine.

The spot on their own, and nobody is coming to the urine smell again, and this report is to do what you want to play fight and be free for a toy.If this does not work, you can manage and it takes a shine to it, it rolls and the most negative sense of security and belonging.Kittens are full of urine and odor killing use one for the hills if they are active you probably couldn't if you are not too high for him while he is just as well as rewarding for you and your family, and for all.Sometimes cat dander will come to live with other cats fighting for space around the garden.These signs are becoming the most common change in any medical problems.

Only by matching your cat's hair from the vets which gets rid of the allergy symptom may be on hand treatments; call 911 and request professional medical assistance to avoid this destruction, you can use a product that helped decrease tartar and keeps their gums healthy.A word of warning: Once your cat has been happening within your own catnip at home inexpensively from scraps of lumber and carpet remnants.They should have one litter box is always wise to keep your pet{s} {Yeah Right!} or when blended with a copy that includes a ring and clasp for attaching keys.Do not forget to consider when trying to train your little tiger is just one or the aforementioned Food she really was getting into the padding underneath the scissors, so you can make a hissing sound when the cat becomes very dangerous.In conclusion, a person as their cats are less than ten minutes.

Cat Not Peeing For 24 Hours

Keep your cat needs is a much better this way?An understanding of why their cats happy and relaxed feline which of his body.So if your cat isn't comfortable with each other you may be mistaken for one person to provide a cat away.Another client of mine who planted cat mint instead of using automatic cat litter mat will make sure that if you have ever seen a fresh lemon, lime and grapefruit rinds in the cat's hair.Cats love catnip and why they continue to be able to catch mice and various other behaviors and then use a lining, the box is an individual; it has to be swallowed

The cat sits down and removes the reproductive system.Place the mothballs, orange peel or lemon rind in the market has introduced new inventions that help keep the air and their accompanying symptoms.How about something your cat is pregnant is a suitable animal comes along.#4 Water bottle training - This illness has some similar symptoms when compared to what it would be biting, scratching and not so far from each other constantly.Cover the aquarium too, unless you believe your cat every day may keep your cat when they get the exercise they need.

#Cat Spray When Scared Dumbfounding Diy Ideas #How To Stop Behavioral Cat Peeing

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thestorybehindthetale · 6 years

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The Story Behind ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’

In 1974, director Tobe Hooper revolutionized horror with his film “inspired by a true story,” THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE. Almost immediately after the film’s release, rumors began to circulate that there was an actual chainsaw wielding madman living with his deranged family in the town of Poth, Texas. The inspired events were also said to have taken place on August 18th, 1973. However, a quick check of that date reveals that the film had just wrapped four days’ prior, making it fairly difficult to base a film on an actual event that had yet to occur. Despite this, there was an actual skin-wearing maniac that was the film’s inspiration.

He may not have had a chainsaw, but serial killer Ed Gein was a key inspiration for the infamous Leatherface. Born in 1906 in Plainfield, Wisconsin, Ed Gein lived most of his life as a reclusive loner. Born to an alcoholic father, George, and a fanatically religious mother, Augusta, Ed Gein suffered heavy psychological and physical abuse at the hands of his parents. Classmates remember Ed as being reclusive with strange habits. One of his most unnerving habits was to randomly laugh out loud as though someone had told a joke that only he could hear.

A severe alcoholic who could not hold a job, Ed’s father, George, was despised by his wife, creating a heavy amount of tension in the home. Augusta’s strict biblical teachings were extremely instrumental in shaping Ed’s attitude towards women. Fond of preaching from the Old Testament, Augusta instilled the fear of God as well as a fear of sexuality and a general mistrust of women in Ed and his brother Henry. Hidden away on the family’s secluded farm, the family kept to themselves. Both Henry and Ed were strictly forbidden from having visitors and were punished for even making friends. The brothers were also reminded on an almost daily basis that they would never be loved by a woman.

George died on April 1, 1940 of alcohol-related heart failure. Four years later, brother Henry would die under mysterious circumstances revolving around a fire on the family farm. Although never proven, many suspect Ed played a role in his brother’s death. Regardless, this left Ed as the only outlet for his mother’s insane devotion until her death on December 29, 1945. Despite their abusive relationship, Ed was devastated by his mother’s death.

Ed remained on the family farm, boarding up his mother’s room to ensure that it would remain just as she had left it on the day she died. Confining himself to a room off of the kitchen, Ed became obsessed with reading about Nazis and cannibals. Ed took odd jobs but remained reclusive and unsuspecting. The full extent of what he was up to on his family farm would not be revealed until over ten years later.

After the November 16, 1957 disappearance of hardware store owner Bernice Worden, police began to suspect Ed, who was the last person to see her alive. Police searched the family farm where they found Bernice’s decapitated body hanging upside down inside the barn. On a further search of the property, authorities also found various human remains including a trashcan made out of a human skull, chairs covered in human skin, and skull bedposts. Perhaps the trait that mostly links Ed back to Leatherface was his fondness for turning human skin into apparel. Among the other remains, the police also found a corset, leggings, masks, and a dress all made from the skin of young women.

Ed was arraigned on November 21, 1957 where he pleaded “not guilty” by reason of insanity. Found mentally incompetent, Ed was sent to the Central State Hospital for the Criminally Insane. On November 7, 1968, doctors determined that Ed was capable of standing trial, and he was found guilty on November 14th. However, a second trial regarding his sanity found that he was once again not guilty by reason of insanity. Ed was the returned to the Central State Hospital for the Criminally Insane. On November 7, 1968, doctors determined that Ed was capable of standing trial, and he was found guilty on November 14th. However, a second trial regarding his sanity found that he was once again not guilty by reason of insanity. Ed was the returned to the Central State Hospital for the Criminally Insane where he died on July 26, 1984. He was buried at the Plainfield Cemetery where his grave was routinely vandalized.

Ed Gein found himself the subject of many interpretations. Robert Bloch used him as inspiration for his 1959 novel PSYCHO, which went on to be adapted for the screen in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 film of the same name. Ed also went on to see his likeness portrayed in the 1974 film DERANGED, as well as in Rob Zombie’s HOUSE OF 1000 CORPSES and THE DEVIL’S REJECTS. Yet, the isolationism, the overbearing nature of his parents, and Ed’s desire for accessorizing in human flesh will always most notably connect him to Leatherface.

#thestorybehindthetale #talesofterror

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adauntlessangel · 6 years

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“ i object! “ Henry and Scarlette

Scarlette didn’t believe in happily ever after..how could she? The once epic love of her life was left behind in London..and so much time had passed, there was no point in holding on. People looked at married women differently in a company, and she knew if she wanted to land her next investment (the biggest of her career) she needed to get married. So, when she met a reasonable guy, attractive, came from his own money..and would add a nice jewel to her growing crown..why would she say no? Fast forward to right now and you would overhear this conversation. “Scarlette..I don’t believe you should marry this guy,” Jennifer had begun to give her the same speech she had months ago before any of this even happened. It was the day she told her best-friend she was getting married, and Scarlette’s answer didn’t change. “I love him.” She didn’t, but it was a much less complicated answer. “We work well together, I love him, he loves me..why wait?” She didn’t love him, no. She knew who she loved but he wasn’t available. “Please, you love him like you love bitter wine. Why are you really doing this? I just don’t want you to make a mistake.” Standing up from her wedding vanity, the pale brunette narrowed her eyes at her maid-of-honor. “Even if you’re right..the venue is booked, I’m walking down the aisle in less than an hour..my hair is done, make-up..I have a dress and I waxed my bikini line.” Scarlette smirked, she wasn’t a girl to go fully bare down there..but keeping it nice and neat left her happy. “I’m doing this.” That ended the conversation as the bridesmaids came in with her dress and she smiled. “Lets do this.” She untied her satin robe revealing the much to saucy french lingerie she’d wore for her wedding night. Of course her girlfriends were jealous of her body, but..Scarlette was self-concious. She had fair white lines on her hips, she grew fast when she hit puberty and the marks were unavoidable. But, unlike her rich, bitchy school friends, she didn’t go through surgery to fix them.

The wedding was beautiful, something compared to Kate and William’s wedding. With as much press too, if not more. After all, multi-billionare bachelorette getting married? A big deal in the states. Especially when the wedding cost close to 12 million dollars..but, if she was doing this..she was going to go all out. Carriage, hand made lace..white horses, important alcohol, the worlds best chef..Celine Dion, Michael Buble, and Lady GaGa...alright, well, Scarlette picked the latter. She was a wild child after all..and their wedding was going to be displayed on almost every new stations in the morning. The young couple had agreed to three magazine photo shoots after their honeymoon, and it was rumored James Cordon and Jimmy Fallon were going to attend the event of the year. She had ten bridesmaids all weird gorgeous gowns, hand made and custom fit to each of their own bodies. Scarlette hated the idea of making the body for the dress, no. The dress for the body. Simple. She didn’t pay much attention to details except food, music, colors, and where they would spend their honeymoon. Everything else was put under the watchful eye of the wedding planner she hired. All she had to do was show up, get dressed, walk, say I do..and that was it. She was married, would breed..maybe. If she wanted to. But for some reason now that she was alone in the hallway waiting for her cue..her mind went to London. The one place she put herself against for a honeymoon. London was to never be touched or tainted..by anyone, not even her own thoughts. London was sacred..it was her place. It was the place that kept her going when she stood in her office and wondered ‘what the hell am I doing?’..he was the reason..

Scarlette felt something on the back of her hand and she shook her head, wiping her tears away just at the music began. Her anger towards her father made sure she was doing the walk alone. As the violins helped her walk gracefully down the aisle..she knew this wasn’t right. But, it was what needed to happen. She had too much invested in this to walk away now..especially since she was already here..and her little pup, Bindi, was apart of the ceremony too. People frowned at her when she suggested to make Bindi her maid of honor. But, she chose not to. Why were these the thoughts running through her mind as she walked down the very long aisle? It wasn’t a church, but a park that had been secluded off and a building built around it to accompany the wedding. Regardless..now she hated it. It was too far to walk in these high heels..but she was doing it. Finally, after what felt like forever..she made it to the end and she smiled at her fiancee. He was handsome and kind..this couldn’t end badly. It couldn’t.

Scarlette never paid attention to weddings before..when did she ever need to? But this seemed to be taking forever..she was glad they decided not to read their own vows. So when they came to the part of, after their wedding vows and before they were determined Mr. and Mrs. “Should anyone here present know of any reason that this couple should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace.” Scarlette didn’t anticipate what happened next..the large white doors of the venue sprung open..and it was like a scene out of a romantic movie. The kind that never existed but only in movies and rare novels. The kind where the hero is actually alive, not dead, and he surprises everyone. That thick British accent echoed through the entire venue and all eyes were on him. “I object..” Scarlette dropped her fiancee’s hands in a matter of seconds and she turned to look at Henry, wide blue eyes and shock clear on her face. Was she dreaming? What was he doing here? What..what? “Henry?” She whispered and once their gazes locked everything else disappeared and she was 18 again..laying in his arms and listening to him speak after a long night of.. Scarlette felt her head spin as she took him in..and if there was ever to be a sign..it was this. “Wh-what are you doing here?” She whispered softly, but the venue was dead silent except for the press of cameras shutters taking in the sight of these two, thought to be, lost lovers.

#c. Henry #sarcasmpersonified181

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chriskarrtravelblog · 4 years

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Hidden Wales: Travel guide to St Brides Bay

With its wild cliffs, pretty coves and puffins galore, St Brides Bay holds the best of Pembrokeshire

By Monica Woods

Calling all curious travellers: if you’re on the lookout for an alternative sun, sea and sand destination in the British Isles, the wild west coast of Wales may be just the thing. Turn away from the popular southwest and south coast, make for Pembrokeshire’s western reaches and be prepared to fall head over heels for St Brides Bay.

The Gower peninsula may get most of the attention, but this notch in the Welsh coastline has similarly spectacular beaches, charming towns and villages, fantastic wildlife and, crucially, enough space for everyone. Topping it all, literally, is St Davids, Britain’s smallest city, perched at the tip of the bay and wooing visitors with its medieval cathedral, winding lanes and foodie hotspots.

St Davids is Britain’s smallest city. Credit: Magdalena Bujak/Alamy

Of course, it’s thanks to the cathedral that St Davids – with a population of less than 2,000 and the diminutive size of a village – can claim city status. Dedicated to the patron saint of Wales, the splendid cathedral was built in 1180 but it was back in the 6th century that St David founded a monastery on the site.

And the site was well chosen – tucked into a dell next to the River Alun, the cathedral was less vulnerable to attack. Today, as you pass beneath Tower Gate and make your way down to Cathedral Close, the overall impression is one of sheltered calm. Unusually, there is no admission charge (although donations are welcome), so you are free to admire the purple-tinged stone exterior and elaborate latticed oak ceiling, just as flocks of pilgrims have done over the centuries.

Credit: Michael A Hill

Indeed, there was a time when two trips to St Davids were deemed by the Pope the equivalent of one to Rome.With everything within walking distance, and a high street crammed with independent shops and galleries, delis and cafés where local produce reigns supreme, plus a weekly market on Thursdays, St Davids is perfect browsing territory.

Following the curve of St Brides Bay eastwards brings you to another colourful enclave, Solva. This bustling little village has an artistic bent, with galleries, crafts and ceramics shops and, one mile upriver, a woollen mill where you can see weavers at work and buy distinctive runners and rugs. The village is split between Lower Solva, clustered at the end of the L-shaped harbour, and the more residential Upper Solva. At low tide, the harbour water drains almost completely away, leaving boats lodged in the sand and revealing rock pools and caves. Children will enjoy crabbing from the harbour wall – naturally those critters must be returned to the water once they’ve been counted up, but don’t miss freshly dressed local crab and lobster, specialities on offer in many of Solva’s plentiful cafés, restaurants and pubs.

Take one of several paths leading up to the Gribin, the rocky headland guarding the entrance to the harbour, to be granted superb views of the village and the surrounding rugged coastline, plus the chance to see the remains of an Iron Age fort and settlement. Depending on the tide, you may also be able to peek inside 200-year-old lime kilns, evidence of the area’s industrial heritage. Down on the other side of the Gribin, there’s a glimpse of a more distant past – the pebble beach of the Gwadn was formed by meltwater at the end of the last Ice Age.

The beach at Marloes in St Brides Bay, Pembrokeshire. Credit: CW Images/Alamy

With such historical significance, not to mention stunning scenery, it’s no wonder that this stretch of southwestern Wales was designated a national park back in 1952. The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park comprises a series of coastal and some inland areas, not always contiguous but adding up to a sublime patchwork of land- and seascape.

The 186-mile-long Pembrokeshire Coast Path plots a course over windswept and wildflower-flecked cliffs, quiet sandy coves and lush green glades. When the sun shines, it may be hard to resist the golden beaches of St Brides Bay, but the coastal path gives a different, sometimes dizzying perspective, with views of outlying islands, bobbing seals and flocks of seabirds. Down at the water’s edge, you’ll find the beaches are so much more than just a place to flop on a beach towel. The steep cliffs at secluded Druidston Haven are a Site of Specific Scientific Interest (one of 17 along the coast path), thanks to their rich fossil content, and are a favourite haunt of gannets and peregrine falcons.

A puffin on Skomer Island. Credit: Francesca Jones/Visit Wales

A natural waterfall gushing down the cliffside at one end of the cove provides an ideal post-swim shower point. There are treats and surprises like this all along the bay. While some beaches, like the wide sweep of Broad Haven, offer more conventional, family-friendly seaside fun, others reveal their often unique charms more discreetly. At Caerfai Bay, for example, the purple sandstone underfoot may look familiar – it was used to build St Davids Cathedral. At Marloes, there’s a winding walk from the car park, or along the cliffs, to get to the beach but reward comes in the form of dramatic, jagged rock islands and cliffs seamed with purple, grey and gold. And even at Broad Haven, at low tide a separate, smaller bay, The Settlands, becomes enticingly accessible.

The harbour at Lower Solva. Credit: CW Images/Alamy

If paddling or swimming don’t appeal (although be reassured that most beaches boast Blue Flag and/or Green Coast awards), there are other ways to take to the water. Holiday sailing courses are popular at Dale, officially the sunniest place in Wales. You could also try your hand at kayaking or windsurfing – and it certainly can get windy. The gusts at St Ann’s Head, the promontory immediately south of Dale where Henry Tudor landed in 1485, on his way to fight for the English crown, often exceed 100mph in winter. Wind-lashed walkers or sodden swimmers will be grateful of the warm welcome at the Griffin Inn in Dale, a 300-year-old pub overlooking the bay.

The best way to experience the Celtic Sea, though, is to join a boat trip out to Pembrokeshire’s offshore islands, Skomer, Skokholm, Grassholm and Ramsey. Departing from the peninsula’s harbour at Martins Haven (April to September, weather permitting), the crossing to Skomer only takes around ten minutes, bringing you up close to southern Britain’s largest puffin colony. Ten thousand pairs of puffins nest here, and the turquoise waters and green-blanketed cliffs of the island and its neighbours also attract Manx shearwaters, razorbills, gannets and guillemots, not to mention grey seals and dolphins. Prime time for puffin- and puffling-viewing is June and July. Boat tickets are sold on a first come, first served basis, so arrive at the harbour early to secure your place on this most memorable Pembrokeshire voyage.

Getting there

There is no station at St Davids but trains run to Haverfordwest from Swansea, which is 2hr 45min from London Paddington. Parking can sometimes be tricky in smaller places so make use of the Pembrokeshire Coastal Bus network, which operates a handy seven-day service in summer. www.thetrainline.com; www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk

Where to stay

Close to St Davids, the former Victorian convent of Penrhiw Hotel makes a comfortable rural base, right in the heart of the national park but only ten minutes from the cathedral. Further down the bay and slightly inland, Mill Haven Place is a good self-catering option with three well-equipped cottages. www.penrhiwhotel.com; www.millhavenplace.co.uk

Where to eat

The Refectory offers homemade, good-value meals in a calming, light-flooded space within St Davids Cathedral. For a drink, you can’t beat sipping a pint on the Swan Inn’s terrace, carved into the cliffside at Little Haven. Runwayskiln café, in a perfect clifftop location above Marloes Sands, is a real foodie find right on the coast path, serving up local seafood, delicious pakoras and tempting cakes. www.stdavidsrefectory.co.uk; www.theswanlittlehaven.co.uk; www.runwayskiln.co.uk

Further information

www.visitpembrokeshire.com

The post Hidden Wales: Travel guide to St Brides Bay appeared first on Britain Magazine | The official magazine of Visit Britain | Best of British History, Royal Family,Travel and Culture.

Britain Magazine | The official magazine of Visit Britain | Best of British History, Royal Family,Travel and Culture https://www.britain-magazine.com/features/inspiration/st-brides-bay/

source https://coragemonik.wordpress.com/2020/07/07/hidden-wales-travel-guide-to-st-brides-bay/

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truth-setter-blog · 7 years

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Real Leatherface story

There was an actual skin-wearing maniac that was the film’s inspiration. He may not have had a chainsaw, but serial killer Ed Gein was a key inspiration for the infamous Leatherface. Born in 1906 in Plainfield, Wisconsin, Ed Gein lived most of his life as a reclusive loner. Born to an alcoholic father, George, and a fanatically religious mother, Augusta, Ed Gein suffered heavy psychological and physical abuse at the hands of his parents. Classmates remember Ed as being reclusive with strange habits. One of his most unnerving habits was to randomly laugh out loud as though someone had told a joke that only he could hear. A severe alcoholic who could not hold a job, Ed’s father, George, was despised by his wife, creating a heavy amount of tension in the home. Augusta’s strict biblical teachings were extremely instrumental in shaping Ed’s attitude towards women. Fond of preaching from the Old Testament, Augusta instilled the fear of God as well as a fear of sexuality and a general mistrust of women in Ed and his brother Henry. Hidden away on the family’s secluded farm, the family kept to themselves. Both Henry and Ed were strictly forbidden from having visitors and were punished for even making friends. The brothers were also reminded on an almost daily basis that they would never be loved by a woman. George died on April 1, 1940 of alcohol-related heart failure. Four years later, brother Henry would die under mysterious circumstances revolving around a fire on the family farm. Although never proven, many suspect Ed played a role in his brother’s death. Regardless, this left Ed as the only outlet for his mother’s insane devotion until her death on December 29, 1945. Despite their abusive relationship, Ed was devastated by his mother’s death. Ed remained on the family farm, boarding up his mother’s room to ensure that it would remain just as she had left it on the day she died. Confining himself to a room off of the kitchen, Ed became obsessed with reading about Nazis and cannibals. Ed took odd jobs but remained reclusive and unsuspecting. The full extent of what he was up to on his family farm would not be revealed until over ten years later. After the November 16, 1957 disappearance of hardware store owner Bernice Worden, police began to suspect Ed, who was the last person to see her alive. Police searched the family farm where they found Bernice’s decapitated body hanging upside down inside the barn. On a further search of the property, authorities also found various human remains including a trashcan made out of a human skull, chairs covered in human skin, and skull bedposts. Perhaps the trait that mostly links Ed back to Leatherface was his fondness for turning human skin into apparel. Among the other remains, the police also found a corset, leggings, masks, and a dress all made from the skin of young women. Ed was arraigned on November 21, 1957 where he pleaded “not guilty” by reason of insanity. Found mentally incompetent, Ed was sent to the Central State Hospital for the Criminally Insane. On November 7, 1968, doctors determined that Ed was capable of standing trial, and he was found guilty on November 14th. However, a second trial regarding his sanity found that he was once again not guilty by reason of insanity. Ed was the returned to the Central State Hospital for the Criminally Insane where he died on July 26, 1984. He was buried at the Plainfield Cemetery where his grave was routinely vandalized.

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helios7media-blog · 7 years

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Top 10 most beautiful places in portugal

One by one, those 10 corners of Portugal that you can not miss for the world. You'll love it! Extensive and narrow, forming the geographical face of the Iberian Peninsula, is Portugal. Patria of navigators, merchants, explorers and adventurers, the ancient Lusitania has weighted in History inversely proportional to its small dimensions. This historic legacy, inherited by so many of its towns and cities, coupled with a pleasant climate, good gastronomy at low prices, forests and the beautiful beaches of its wild coast beat by the Atlantic, make Portugal a perfect place to travel without hurry.

Discover Portugal

It would take you weeks to unravel all the beautiful secrets that Portugal hides. So, if you have less time and want to see the best, on Skyscanner we leave you the ten most beautiful places in Portugal, the ones you can not miss:

1. Lisbon

The old, melancholy, historical and beautiful Lisbon is the best point to begin any tour of Portugal. Located on the banks of the mouth of the Tagus in the Atlantic, the hills that surround it are covered by old houses that seem to cling to them as if they were life. Climbing the narrow alleys, you will have the best views of the city. Listen to the sad fates that emerge from the taverns of the historic neighbourhood of La Alfama. Enjoy a good dinner and continue the party until dawn in the many places full of life of Bairro Alto. Visit San Jorge Castle, La Baixa (downtown), Plaza del Comercio, and take the legendary tram 28 to visit the most emblematic neighbourhoods of Lisbon. Using public transport, you can visit the Tower of Bethlehem and the Monastery of Jerónimos, two of the most beautiful places in the capital. You can spend several days in Lisbon, and you will still leave things to discover.

2. Sintra

Only a half hour by train from the capital is a fairytale village. Sintra was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1995. Its narrow cobbled streets are dotted with colourful houses on the ground floor of which we find a potpourri of souvenir shops, chocolatiers and restaurants. The visit begins in the centre of Sintra, where the 16th century National Palace stands. From there you can take one of the buses that go up the hill to visit the two most important monuments: Castelo dos Mouros and Palacio Da Pena. Castelo dos Mouros is a fortress built in the 9th century by the Muslims who passed to Christian hands in the 12th century, after the reconquest of King Don Alfonso Henriques. Its walls look out onto the green hill, like a watchman who keeps the true gem of Sintra jealous: Palacio Da Pena. Similar to a castle of the Disney tales, the colourful Palácio Da Pena, home of the Portuguese kings during the XIX, mixes styles and has several viewpoints from which to contemplate incredible views with the sea, forests and other towns in the horizon.

3. Wood

The island of Madeira, lost in the Atlantic, is a natural paradise. Mountains and cliffs upholstered in green, natural fountains, beaches and secluded coves and green meadows. Add to that a few picturesque villages and a gastronomy based on the fresh fish of the Atlantic, and you will be trapped like Robinson Crusoe. It begins in the capital, Funchal, with the descents of its steep streets mounted in a kind of wicker basket. Rent a car and explore the inland mountains of the island, which will make you think you are in the Scottish Highlands. Then head to the coast and rest on the hidden beaches that look out of nowhere.

4. Oporto

If Lisbon has a decadent and melancholy air, Porto seems to have remained anchored in the early twentieth century. In it lies much of its great charm. It crosses its historical centre on foot and arrives at the beautiful houses of La Ribeira, where the Duero river flows. Discover its bridges and enjoy a good fish showered with green wine in the restaurants on the beach of Matosinhos or, if you're a little geeky, have a coffee on the second floor of the famous Lello & Irmão bookstore. Considered one of the three most beautiful bookstores in the world, it is said that it was here that JK Rowling, the writer who created Harry Potter and spent ten years in the city, was inspired to give life to the magician.

5. Obidos

The white façades of Óbidos' little houses glitter in the sun when the Christian king Alfonso Henriques re conquers Arab hands to give it to his wife, Queen Isabel. From then until the end of the nineteenth century Óbidos was owned by the kings of Portugal. The beautiful city is walled and crowned by a fortress of Muslim origin. Entering the door of Santa Maria, visit the Mother Church of Santa Maria and the Chapel of Saint Martin. If you are one of those, who die for the sweet, approach Óbidos in March when an international chocolate festival is celebrated.

6. Algarve

Sun, beaches and sea attract tourists from northern Europe throughout the year in this region blessed with a pleasant climate. But the Algarve offers much more than that. The capital, Faro, still looks stagnant in the eighteenth century, and Lagos and Sagres were born in the time of the Romans. Sagres, with its fifteenth-century fortress and the mythical Cape St. Vincent, was the place from which the great King Henry the Navigator launched his exploratory expeditions that brought so much glory and wealth to the Portuguese crown. Click on the picture and relax in the ten most spectacular beaches in Europe

7. Guimarães

Another of the Portuguese cities whose historic centre has been declared World Heritage by UNESCO. The most characteristic monument of Guimarães is the medieval castle, from the 10th century, and the 15th-century Ducal Palace, which now functions as a palace and museum. Soak up the medieval atmosphere that is breathed in the Rua de Santa Maria and escapes to the mountain of Penha, where you will have an unbeatable view, and you can choose between several rural routes.

8. Coimbra

This former capital of Portugal is located almost halfway between Porto and Lisbon. Coimbra is known for its university, where classes are taught since 1290, is one of the oldest in Europe. His students still wear the black cloaks that identify them. Its medieval touch, with churches and streets of that time, make it considered the most romantic city in Portugal. Go up to the campus of the University, from where you can see Coimbra and the Mondego River, and declare yourself to your partner.

9. Cascais

Cascais, next to its neighbour Estoril, was the summer residence of some European monarchies between the decades of the 30 and 50 of the last century. The aristocracy took this small port of the Atlantic and casinos, palaces, mansions and expensive restaurants proliferated quickly. Today its aura of exclusivity has declined considerably but is still a summer resort of the upper middle-class Lusa. Stroll through the quiet streets near the port, take a rich ice cream in the historic Santini ice cream shop or practice windsurfing and surfing on the nearby beaches of its Atlantic coast. A great getaway just 25 km from Lisbon.

10. Evora

With 2,000 years of history, Évora shows a mixture of cultures and architectural styles unique in Portugal. Roman temples, Renaissance fountains, gothic buildings, and the labyrinthine Muslim-style streets of the Mouraria district take you to the Giraldo square, where public executions took place some time ago, and today you can have a coffee on one of the terraces at fresh air. Located at the foot of the mountain that bears the same name, it also offers interesting attractions for nature lovers. Although we suggest ten destinations, Portugal has much more to discover. There your kind people await you with a " Welcome!". Click to Post

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