#I haven't even read the book but this idea wouldn't leave my head

[cerealdog]

Aka the frankenstein's monster au no one asked for

#ethoslabs #zombiecleo #bdoubleo100 #bdubs #smallishbeans #clethubs #cletho #just as duo name #I haven't even read the book but this idea wouldn't leave my head #my art #frankenstein au

[russellsppttemplates]

Breathe for me (Pierre Gasly)

Y/N's anxiety has been building throughout the week and it finally crumbled down

Note: english is not my first language. As you maybe know by now, talking about these subjects is a big responsibility for me, but I always hope that I've represented it well enough. It is different for different people, so what I have here is a possible scenario and not the only scenario.

Tags: @myloverjk-blog

Thank you so much to everyone who likes and reblogs, your feedback is appreciated 🤍 and I'm taking requests so if you have any ideas or concepts you want to share, feel free to do so as I'll try to get to them the best I can!

my masterlist

Tw: mentions reader's anxiety symptoms which build up to an anxiety attack

You and Pierre had been invited to join his friends for dinner, and while you thought you were better from last night, things were showing otherwise. Walking around with your skirt unzipped, you tapped your tummy in hopes that the nervous feeling would settle once for all.

Things had felt off throughout the wholr day, it just hadn't been feeling right. And, quite honestly, the last thing you wanted to do was to go and sit through a dinner, pretending you were fully composed when, deep down, your mind kept racing and you couldn't shut it off.

It wasn't because of the company, after all, you had known them for a good while and even felt comfortable around them to the point where admitting what was going on wouldn't be an issue, but right now, Pierre seemed to be the only person you could be with and not feel overwhelmed.

"Amour, do you need- hey, are you feeling okay?", Pierre asked, noticing your nervous stance as you paced around the bedroom, "hey, talk to me, please", he asked, stopping you on your tracks and holding you in place as softly as he could.

"I don't know if I can go. I'm not feeling very well, so I think it's best if you go and I stay", you said, genuinely wanting him to go and have a good time, knowing you wouldn't be the best company right now and that this particular group of friends hadn't been together at the same place in quite some time.

Pushing you to sit on the bed and sitting next to you, Pierre laced his fingers in yours while making sure you were looking at him and taking in every word he said, "hey, we don't need to go. I can call them and tell them we can't make it, they'll understand", he offered, "I want you to be okay, no matter what", he said, "but you can go, I'll just stay here. You haven't seen them in a while and you don't need when you will all have the opportunity to get together again", you said. Finding today to be the date where everyone was available had been enough of a struggle.

"I'm not leaving you feeling like this. I'm staying", Pierre said, grabbing comfier clothes from the wardrobe and helping you undress, "we are going to have a cosy night in, how does that sound?", he asked.

After changing into comfortable clothes, you and Pierre stayed tucked in bed after he texted his friends, his arms protectively around you as you managed to relax a little bit, happy to stay in his embrace while he read a book with you.

.

"Do you think we can get that done until Friday?", one of your colleagues asked, "the client needs it for their meeting, apparently he's having dinner with the investors", she rolled her eyes.

"I think I can, but they should really stop and think about doing these things in such a rushed way, I mean, it's not the first time we're almost running against the clock", you reasoned back, booking another meeting with her to sort out the last final details before handing the project in.

The uneasiness feeling that had been with you since you woke up was not sitting right, so when you logged off your laptop, you decided that working out would be a good distraction and allow you to forget about it.

"Are you heading for a run?", Pierre asked you as he walked inside the bedroom, seeing you put on your sports bra, "I was planning on doing some yoga, maybe go for a walk after", you said, watching him walk over to the drawer where he kept his workout clothes, "do you mind if I joing you? I promise I won't utter a word", he smirked, kissing your cheek and changing from his day clothes.

You and Pierre arranged the room so you could lay the mats, pressing play on the video and doing your best to mimick the moves and positions the young woman was going on the screen. You weren't an expert by all means, but exercise had always been a good escape when you felt overwhelmed, and having Pierre with you, even if you weren't talking or touching, made you feel his support and attentiveness.

"Still up for that walk?", he asked as he handed you your bottle of water, "yes, I think so", you smiled.

Walking on that park had become a common thing for you, being almost able to walk with your eyes closed from how many times you had been there, "are you feeling better now?", Pierre asked.

By now, he had noticed your patterns and preferences, so it wasn't too hard for him to notice that your day hadn't been the best, "yes, thank you for joining me. I know you know you don't need to, but I'm happy you did", you sighed, "my deadline just became a lot more real, so I need to hurry. But I'm also aware I can't do much if I'm worried, so here I am, trying to shush the worry away, at least for a bit", you explained, feeling your boyfriend squeeze your hand in his, "you did well, amour".

.

Work was finally over, you had handed in your project and you thought it would make you feel at ease, that it would allow you to finally feel a little bit lighter, but it didn't. Your thoughts were still spiralling, and they didn't seem like they were on the way to settling down. Your legs started to feel tingly, and you didn't trust them to stay up, so you sat on the living room floor with your back against the sofa, letting your body feel the softness of the rug while your lungs felt like they couldn't get enough air inside them.

You closed your eyes, trying to regulate your breathing as best as you could when you heard a noise far away, approaching quickly as you could make out your name in what the person was saying.

"Amour, Y/N, hey...! Breathe for me, yeah?", said as you tried your best to follow his voice and block out everything else, feeling Pierre's hand coming to hold your own, the feel of his fingers very faint as you struggled in regulating your unsteady breathing, "Y/N, hey, hey, you're okay, amour. Everything is fine, okay?", he urged you to follow his voice, something you had mentioned before that always calmed you.

Encouraging you to breathe with him, you finally got up to his rhythm, looking up to his eyes and despite the worry in them, you also saw the calm that comes after the storm has passed. How it all seems too much, it bursts, and then you're just left with the aftermath.

"There you go, that's good, good, just like that", he said, sitting on the floor and sitting on your side so he could pull your body against his, seeing you were struggling to hold yourself upright.

You stood there a couple of minutes, your eyes closing for a little bit before you croaked a few words out, "can we go to the sofa, please?", feeling his arms go around your back and under your knees, swiftly pulling you against him and getting up from his spot, walking to the sofa and cuddling there with you, brushing your hair with his fingers.

"Do you want some water? A snack perhaps", he advised, "I'm just a little tired, but thanks", you smiled weakly, "you're alright, ma belle, take all the time you need".

You must have fallen asleep on your boyfriend's chest, because when you woke up he was still there, but the window was no longer letting sunlight in and rather moonlight, the TV was on what looked like the evening news and you could feel a blanket covering you and Pierre.

"Hey, you", he whispered, kissing your forehead as he helped you sit up straight, "are you feeling better? A little more rested?", he asked, brushing the hairs away from your eyes, "yes, I am", you smiled, "thank you".

"Those hadn't happened in a while", he pointed out, "yes, it had been a while. I've been able to manage it, but it just crumbled today, before I could get it together, it's just crumbled", you explained

"That's okay, it happens, amour. You're still very strong to have managed ti well, I'm proud of you", he said honestly. Pierre always made you feel safe and never once judged you, instead always wanting to learn how to help you when you needed him and how he could make things better for you. So he wasn't lying when he said he was proud of you and how far you had come.

"My throat is a bit dry", you said, getting up and being followed by Pierre to the kitchen, sipping on the water as he grabbed something to snack on, "do you want some food?", he asked, "no, I'm good", you stated.

"What happened that got you to have the attack?", he wondered, "I handed in my project today. It had been building the last few days, and I was so sure they would be gone by the time I submitted it", you shrugged your shoulders, "now I know what to expect", you smiled, wanting to comfort Pierre and erase the crease between his eyebrows.

"Do you want to go and watch a movie? There's a new Disney one I haven't seen yet", he changed the subject, having gotten the information he needed and looking for a distraction, "Lead the way, handsome".

#pierre gasly imagine #pierre gasly fanfic #pierre gasly x reader #f1 fanfic #f1 x reader #f1 imagine

[ballad-of-birdy-lamb]

hi!! i thought i'd send in a request for lucy gray baird! i was thinking maybe hurt/comfort set in the arena, where reader gets injured and either lucy helps them or has to leave them alone for a bit for whatever reason? gn reader preferred but i don't mind too much!

can't wait to read your writing in the future! no pressure to write this specifically though, of course <3

— @aubeystawby

I'm so excited to write about Lucy Gray, she is such a cool character. And thank you for reposting my requirements list! Also, I'm sorry if she's OOC, I've never written for her and haven't read the book in a couple of months.

Lucy Gray Baird x Gender neutral! Reader (hurt/comfort)

Warning: mention of murder, blood, description of wounds, spoilers for The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, and hand-holding!

Keep in mind: the story can be taken in a platonic or romantic way. There are no kissing or romantic gestures but the way it is written can be taken either way.

Gliding one hand along the arena wall, you covered your eyes from the sun. The sun beamed down onto your skin, bathing you in warmth, but it wasn't pleasant. The midsummer heat and the humidity in the arena made it unbearable. It felt disgusting being in the sun from how little you had eaten in the past couple of hours.

When was the last time you had eaten a full meal? Maybe the night before reaping day. You couldn't have eaten anything the actual day from nerves. Your mentor barely gave you food from the days in the monkey house. The closest semblance of food you had received was from Capital citizens, which was minute and didn't help your appetite. You just had to hope your mentor pitied you enough to feed you now.

Hunger pains washed over your body, climbing through your body in waves. You wrapped your arms around your stomach, hoping the pains wouldn't last as long as the last time. Your prayers weren't answered, rather, the pains lasted nearly twice as long. Loud and deep breaths were heard coming from you as you keeled over.

When the hunger pains had left, you glanced around the dirt-covered arena, wanting to find any semblance of food. Perhaps another tribute willing to trade food for something. But what would you give? The only thing you had was a roll of bandages and a small knife. You could always threaten them. But it probably wouldn't have worked, the other tributes presumably had more than you. No point in that option.

You reminded yourself to stay focused, being in your head was not somewhere you wanted to be, especially in this place.

Your eyes glide over the surrounding area. The walls looked the same, a beige and dirty tone, it seemed to suck life from the already lifeless building. But the vibrancy of the six flags of Panem hung on the walls brought it back. Or rather five flags. One was gone and laid over several bodies in a large area of the arena.

Reaper’s graveyard. It brought a sense of disgust to you. The idea that they will always have Panem over them, even in death, made you pity them.

You didn't feel to count the bodies, rather, your eyes were drawn to a body in a small corner of the arena. It was a male tribute's body, several water bottles lay next to his body. You gave up discerning the identity of the tribute at the sight of a handkerchief over its face.

Buzzing sounds filled the silence as you looked up at a drone slowly flying toward you. It held a bread roll in its metal claw. A grin crossed your face as you reached your hand for the drone. At the sight of the bread in its metal hand, your mouth watered. Thank god your mentor had mercy on you. You held your hand out before it dropped the roll into your hand. It left as quickly as it had come but you didn't pay any mind to it.

You were swift as you took large bites out of brown bread. The stale, crumbly bread fell apart in your mouth but you kept eating. It didn't matter that the food wasn't the greatest, it was good you were even given food at all. Your fingers tore the bread apart rapidly. The feeling of hunger made the bread taste twice as good.

You were barely three-quarters through the bread when the small sound of metal hitting concrete filled the air. Your body stiffened. Silence filled the emptiness as you looked around quickly.

Your eyes trailed over the walls of the arena, then to the tunnel entrances. Your grasp on your knife tightened as you listened for anything else.

You were expecting one of the tributes to come running at you with a blade or an axe. Hell, you were expecting Reaper.

But the idea of someone getting their hand on a trident wasn't something that crossed your mind.

Heavy footsteps overtook the quiet and they grew closer. You didn't take a chance to look at who was running after you as you run for the channel entrance. A boy's voice yelled for another tribute, the boy calling for Coral. It must have been Mizzen. He was the only tribute that was allied with the girl tribute. And he was the only other tribute with a trident.

It took barely a second for the trident to be thrown through the air and hit your leg. Your body hit the ground roughly as you cried out. Pain flowed through your body as you reached back for the weapon. You peek at the boy running for you, and you were correct. It was Mizzen. You pull the trident from your leg harshly.

The pain grew worse as the air touched delicately at your bleeding wound. You got up and threw the weapon in another direction. It wouldn't be smart to take the trident with you. The situation was already bad but it would be worse being hunted for taking someone's stuff.

The trident hit the dirt-covered ground loudly. Mizzen was quick to rush for the skewer. It gave you little time to run since it seemed he wasn't willing to leave you alive.

Your footsteps were heavy as you dash through the flickering tunnels. Reaching down to hold your wound, you turned corners swiftly and continued running.

Agony crept up your leg and sprouted in your nerves as you ran from the boy. Mizzen’s shouts filled the flickering channel as you rush past corners. It took everything in you not to scream and wail from pain.

Hot pain wafted through your body as you limped through the tunnels. You took swift turns around the corners, wanting to get rid of your attacker. Heavy gasps left your lungs, not only from running but also from agony in your leg.

The lights shine down onto your blood-covered limb. Your face contorted in agony as you held your leg with one hand. Mizzen’s footsteps slowly quieted as you ran deeper into the dark tunnels.

When you were sure Mizzen and Coral had given up their chase, you finally stop running and slow to a walk, a slow and painful walk. You ground your teeth as you took in deep breaths. Think happy thoughts, think happy thoughts. You reminded yourself.

You ultimately looked down at your wound, taking in the damage done to your limb. It was far more disgusting than you had thought. Blood ran down your leg, soaking your socks in reddish-pink tones. The trident had torn the muscles in your leg and putting any pressure proved painful.

Blood ran down your ankle and gradually covered the dark cement floor. Your breathing was heavy as you tried to unroll the gauze from your pocket. Tears cascade down your face as you hurriedly wipe dust and dirt from your wound, pain welling from the scratchiness of your clothes and the dirt.

You take deep breaths, trying to think happy thoughts so you can continue. You knew you couldn't be in the same spot for long. Another tribute would find you fast, and they wouldn't have mercy on you.

You looked at the remnants of the bread roll in your hand. The deep brown crust had become maroon from the blood it soaked up. Its insides were a pinkish hue. You cursed to yourself and threw the bread angrily at the wall, it hit with a soft ‘splat’.

You rigidly reached back into your pocket, withdrawing a small hunter's knife. Reaching for a piece of clothing, you cut at the fabric quickly. Threads came undone as you slash hastily but it didn't matter. You needed to make a tourniquet.

The soft clicking could barely be made clear. The tapping of shoes. Looking around the dingy hall, you're quick to grab your knife. Your breath is rigid as you give your best effort to stand. The pain in your leg seemed to claw at your body and nerves. You whined in pain but kept standing. Your good leg held most of your balance, while you kept your free hand against the curved wall. Your exhalation came as a pant.

You glared at the figure, guiding your knife to the woman in the dark. “Stay back!” You screeched, jutting the knife at the girl. She held her hands up, as though she was getting caught for something. You were still on guard when you started to piece together who the girl was. Her dress was vibrant, contrasting her tan skin. Oh, you knew who this was.

Lucy Gray.

It was obvious the arena warmth and stress had affected her. Her dark hair was tangled, and her forehead was sweaty, though her dress stayed vivid. You were slightly surprised she hadn't been killed yet, her dress could have given her away. But it must have been her sneakiness that kept her alive.

Even if she was a nice person, you knew not to back down. No matter how nice she was, you knew her survival was always number one for her. No matter how sweetly she spoke, you didn't want to look away from her out of worry she would attack.

Lucy Gray stepped into the light, showing herself fully. There were no noticeable weapons on her. The only thing pointing out that she had something on her would be one side of her rainbow ruffles hanging lower than the other. Something was in her pocket.

“(Y/n), I know how scared you must be. I saw your interaction with Mizzen, it didn't look too pretty,” Lucy Gray spoke, acknowledging the gaping wound on your leg with worry. “Yeah, no shit,” You retort, keeping a hard expression as you exhale through your teeth.

“I can help you, I have water to clean your wound. Plus, I want you to be my ally for the rest of the Games. I lost my District partner and you're just as alone as I am,” Lucy Gray seemed saddened at the mention of her District partner. Wasn't it Jessup? You couldn't remember properly. You stared daggers into her wordlessly. The only sound that could be heard was your loud breathing.

Your brain gradually shifted from her hurting you to the idea of partnering with her. Lucy Gray was popular in the Capital, everyone knew that. Partnering with her would have a lot of benefits since she has a lot of sponsors. Which meant food, lots of it.

Blood dripped onto the floor in large droplets, but you didn't pay attention to it. The only thing you were worried about was Lucy Gray. “(Y/n), if you don't let me help you, you're gonna bleed out,” she muttered and took a step closer. At the small action, you slashed at the air in front of her. You blinked lazily. Your breathing grew staggered as you slowly became lightheaded. You swallow thickly as you fall over onto the hard concrete.

Your body hits the ground with a thud. Silence follows as Lucy Gray peered down at you. She is quick to get closer, reaching into her rainbow ruffles to grab something. As you recover sluggishly, you immediately swing your knife at the closeness between you and the girl. Seeing her reach into her pocket, you sliced at the air near her with more intent.

You pointed the knife at Lucy Gray, giving her an angry yet weak stare. “Get away! Stay back!” You exclaimed as you used your free hand to trudge your body along the dirt floor. The dirt gradually covered your clothes as you tried to move away from the girl. You groan as the skin near your cut got dragged along the cement flooring. Tears ran down your face from the pain but you kept going. Pushing yourself farther from Lucy Gray, even if it was only a couple of inches.

Your body grew weak as the soreness in your body grew. Lucy Gray watched you closely, acting as though you were a hurt animal. You used your free hand to wipe the tears

Yet, she didn't try to hurt you. She simply gave you a saddened look as she tried stepping closer. “I'm not going to hurt you,” Lucy Gray spoke in a soft tone.

“How... How should I know you won't?” You bellow, your words coming out slowly from the pain of your wound.

Lucy Gray expressed her tenderness with a slight smile. She calmly reached into the ruffles of her rainbow dress. Your eyes stay fixed on Lucy Gray, the knife never pointing away from her. She didn't mind the knife and your angry gaze. She must have understood your fear, this was the Hunger Games after all, and you couldn't trust anyone. She finally pulled her hand out of the ruffles, attaining a clear bottle of water and a dark compact. She shook her colorful skirt, hoping to prove she had nothing else.

“I don't have anything else, see?” Lucy Gray smiled graciously, putting the compact back in her pocket. Her movements were slow and steady. She kneeled, laying the clear bottle on its side, and rolled it to you.

You eye the bottle and Lucy Gray, looking between the two swiftly. Your body grew weak as your arm holding the blade faltered. “(Y/n), I don't plan on hurting you. I know you don't trust me and I respect that, this isn't the place to trust anyone,” Lucy Gray took a step closer.

The lights in the tunnels flickered as you gaze up at her. Each second gave the impression of hours. Each time you blinked, it felt like a day. You lowered the blade bit by bit until it rested at your side. You placed yourself against the wall and grabbed the water bottle, acting as though you were reluctant. Lucy Gray looked pleased by you wordlessly accepting her offer, so she sat down next to you.

Some part of you wanted to push her away, maybe even point the knife at her but you were too weak. Instead, you held the bottle to Lucy Gray, letting her take it from you. She took it from you carefully, as though the small action of taking it too fast would hurt you.

You kept your focus on her, even if your vision was dazed and a bit blurry. The girl poured water onto her dirt-covered fingers, washing the soot off before turning the bottle to your wound. You braced yourself as you felt the lukewarm water run against your injury. Waves of discomfort washed through your body but you didn't try to stop Lucy Gray from helping you.

Her touch was gentle, her fingers caressing the skin around the bloody injury. The blood stains on her fingers greatly contrasted with her tan skin.

Every touch on the sensitive skin and flesh was painful. Lucy Gray was careful, her touch was only uncomfortable. She took the knife from your grasp and brought it to finish cutting the clothing you had started. But she didn't use it immediately. She set the cloth onto her vibrantly covered lap, reaching for the roll of bandages.

You were somewhat faster to grab the knife from her, not wanting her to change her mind about helping you. Light glinted off the dirty blade, shining a small light onto the floor. It brought a small ounce of happiness to you. It was childish but it was nonetheless fun to move the reflected light. You twisted the handle and the reflected shine glided over the cement. Even if the blood loss was causing your change in mood, a smile crossed your lips as you moved it again.

Lucy Gray looked between taking care of your injury and at your complexion. The smile brought a small sense of comfort to her. Knowing that you were able to keep your mind off the wound, even if it was childlike, brought Lucy Gray a kind of reassurance. She didn't stress to take the blade from you too.

She instead focused on your leg. She wrapped the bandages tightly around the bloody wound, which caused you to wince. Lucy Gray shushed you calmly. “Take deep breaths, think happy thoughts,” she muttered as she kept up with her care. You nodded. Instead of going back to distracting yourself, you took in the details of her corset.

It was beautiful, the corsets design drew you in. Two snakes tied as a bow, a beautiful primrose in the center, and katniss flowers painted around it. A lovely primrose protected by katniss, ain't that sweet?

When your attention was led back to your leg, Lucy Gray had already finished. Your leg was covered in stained bandages, your thigh tightly wrapped with a tourniquet made from a part of your clothes.

Lucy Gray held the bottle of water to your mouth. You didn't reach for it but accepted her help with drinking from it. There was little left for you but you needed it, your mouth dry from drinking nothing for days.

When the bottle was finished, Lucy Gray smiled and set it to the side. She took your hand and encouraged you to move when she wanted you to. Lucy Gray wanted to move you like a puppet but you obliged. Her hands moved to your shoulder then your back, pulling you gently to face away from her.

The small action made you worry but you were too weak to ask her what she was doing. But your thoughts were answered fast when Lucy Gray pulled your head into her lap. The rainbow ruffles that decorated her skirt tickled the back of your neck.

You could feel Lucy Gray holding you close, yet her arms loose. You watched her as she smiled down at you, your head in her lap. The lively shades of red and purple made you feel as though you were in a flower bed. Lucy Gray’s voice came out quietly, it seemed she still thought you were weak. You were but you wouldn't admit that to her.

“I can get us food when we go into the arena again, but not now. I want you to rest, ok?” Lucy Gray said softly. Her hands were gentle as she touched you, her fingers gliding over your skin.

Your eyes fluttered as you stared up from her lap. The want to show that you didn't want to rest was prevalent in your head, you knew it couldn't be seen on your face. You wanted to grab your knife and force her to take you to get food but you realize it was a bad idea. Lucy Gray has the power in this situation. She could kill you if she wanted.

Your thoughts came to a stop as Lucy Gray started to sing, murmuring the words. The words were difficult for you to hear but it nonetheless brought comfort. She kept your head propped up on her lap. Her fingers traced an indiscernible pattern on the back of your hand. It was calming. And Lucy Gray was so sweet. As you had thought before, she could have murdered you with your weak stare, yet she took care of you.

Lucy Gray kept serenading you in a soft voice. The sound of her voice didn't carry far, it only carried to you and her. Lucy Gray sang for comfort, not only for you but for herself. Lucy Gray’s fear and stress were distinct. Her voice was slightly shaky and so were her hands. They kept grazing your skin, trailing her fingers along your arm. At her evident stress, you shifted your hand to intertwine with hers.

Lucy Gray’s voice somewhat faltered, not expecting your touch. But she didn't pull her hand away. She squeezed your hand and continued to sing. Her voice is stronger now.

Each touch comforted you, it almost made you feel like you were in an entirely different place. You weren't in the arena, you were in her comforting arms. You didn't feel the pain in your legs or the fear of the other tributes. You only felt Lucy Gray’s warmth.

Your eyes fluttered shut as the hymn made your fatigue grow. Your body loosened in Lucy Gray’s arms. She kept you close as the song she sang ended but continued to another. She belted out the tune with sympathy and kindness. Her voice brought so much comfort, the meaning of the song wouldn't have mattered to you. Lucy Gray could have sung about murdering people but it still would have carried a sweetness.

Exhaust filled your body but Lucy Gray spoke again.

“Good night, (Y/n). Sleep well,” Lucy Gray’s voice whispered with the evident sound of a smile. The words conveyed something to your mind, permission to sleep. Her words gave you acceptance to be weak (or weaker than before) with her.

And you finally slept. You slept in her arms, your head against her rainbow ruffles. You imagined you were in a field of beautiful flowers, rainbow flowers. Some part of you hoped that is where you would be when the Games are over.

__

Feel free to request any TBOSAS content if you liked this!

#lucy gray baird #ballad of songbirds and snakes #tbosas #the ballad of songbirds and snakes #lucy gray baird x reader #thg x reader #tbosas x reader #lucy gray x reader #lucy gray baird x gender neutral reader #lucy gray x gender neutral reader #x gender neutral reader #x reader #fanfic #tbosas fanfic #self insert #hurt/comfort #gender neutral insert #gender neutral fanfic #gender neutral y/n #romantic #platonic #romantic fanfic #platonic fanfiction #the ballad of songbirds and snakes x reader #thg fanfiction

[faces-ofvenus]

could you write with aemond where you (a highborn) and aemond have been together in secret for a long time and he finally ask his mother (who adores you) to make you his betrothed

Your relationship with Aemond would be a secret for a short time I would say, for the simple fact that the one-eyed prince always wanted to make his engagement official, he was tired of sneaking around your room, making you his, but at the same time not bragging about your hickeys on his body, or having to listen to some excuse from you for your thigh bruise, you met several times in your secret place the library only in the evening, only Aemond knows how much time he spent, how many books he was forced to read and memorize, but when he met you, his time spent in the large hall was enjoyed with kisses, sweet readings and you two clinging to each other, but today he simply could not concentrate. ..

- I want to marry you.

You looked at him, not really surprised, but that little tightness in your stomach already started to grow, it's not that you didn't want to marry Aemond, you just... I didn't know if he was completely in love with you, you know he was deep inside, but still, men get tired of their wives quickly, and she didn't want that, she didn't deserve that, without saying anything she put her head on her beloved's chest, listening to his heart, but Aemond didn't take this answer very well, you either ignored it and pretended nothing happened, or you gave some excuse that you will talk to your father... It wasn't fair to him, you knew.

- Because you don't want to marry me, you think I can't offer you great things, because I know you haven't been talking to your father about it.

He was always straight with you, and always asked for the same reciprocity, so lying was not an option, you let out a loud sigh, you couldn't just deny it, or run away, not if you still wanted Aemond, and you knew that what he is giving you now is a chance, the chance to be true to him, as you always were and as you promised to always be to him, he didn't care if you lied to others, but not to him.

- I'm just afraid, I've seen many marriages around me most of them deteriorate, including my parents', I don't want to be like them, I don't want to get married and then be unhappy or make you unhappy.

Aemond, took off his eye patch, leaving his blue sapphire showing, he took your face, and made your gazes face each other, your eyes were full of tears, you didn't want to fear what you have, it's totally stupid and you could see it clearly now, the way Aemond approached, and kissed the traces of tears on your face, and gave one last kiss on your forehead, you sighed with happiness, it was so good, to see and feel this side of Aemond, that he reserves only and totally the woman of his life, you felt so foolish, you loved that man so much, but you were blinded by your own insecurity.

- I would never lie to you, and if I am with you, it is because I feel that I would never be unhappy, because you are the reason for all my happiness.

You shared a kiss that surely wouldn't be your last, making plans for your wedding, and how you would tell your families. The next day everyone pretended to be obviously in shock with all that news, her father was afraid to accept the proposal of a marriage with Aemond, he knew that the Targaryen was not the sanest of ideas, and we have especially for the life of his daughter, but Aemond, managed to convince him that he only wanted her well, and what can we say he could be very persuasive, convincing his parents was shockingly easy, and look what a good thing he didn't have to threaten anyone, not that he threatened his beloved father, far from it, Alicent loved you, and the king always thought that you were a sweet woman, and that you could control the animalistic and unpredictable impulses of his middle son.

#hotd #hotd x reader #reader #reader insert #house of the dragon x reader #house of the dragon #aemond targaryen x reader #aemond targaryen

[taeswolfie]

𝑱𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒂 𝑭𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 : 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑭𝒊𝒗𝒆

☽︎𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑻𝒆𝒍𝒍☾︎

Ch.04 - Ch.06

Series Masterlist

Pairing: Stiles Stilinski x fem!Reader

Word count: 2.1k

"Just a friendly reminder- parent/teacher conferences are tonight. Students below a 'C' average are required to attend. I won't name you, because the shame and self-disgust should be more than enough punishment." Y/n rolled her eyes at Mr. Harris' snide comments. She really couldn't stand him. If he hated teens as much as he acts like he does, why is he even a teacher? Probably because he enjoys being a huge d- "Has anyone seen Scott McCall?" Her internal insults are cut off when Mr. Harris stands next to the table her and Stiles are seated at and notices the boy's absence.

He stares at Stiles who is preoccupied highlighting his textbook, the cap held between his lips. Seeming to feel the teacher's stare, Stiles looks up at him. Everyone's attention is drawn to the opening of the door as Jackson walks in. Y/n furrows her brows at his unusually pale complection. Stiles had told her what he'd seen with his dad the night before and it worried her, especially because she hasn't heard from or seen Lydia at all today.

Jackson takes his seat and Mr. Harris puts a comforting hand on his back. "Hey, Jackson. If you need to leave early for any reason, you let me know." Y/n rolled her eyes again. Wow, one teenager Mr. Harris doesn't hate. Jackson nodded and Mr. Harris walked to the front again. "Everyone, start reading chapter nine." He stopped at his desk, his back still facing the students. "Mr. Stilinski." Stiles looked up again from his highlighting after being called. "Try putting the highlighter down between paragraphs. It's Chemistry, not a coloring book."

Stiles looked at him before throwing his head back to spit the cap out in the air and catch it in his hand. While he was doing this Y/n watched him from the corner of her eye, enjoying the movements a little more than she was currently willing to admit. Stiles then leaned towards Danny who sat behind him. "Hey, Danny. Can I ask you a question?" He whispered.

"No." He responded and Y/n smiled into her textbook.

"Well, I'm going to anyway. Um, did Lydia show up in your homeroom today?"

Danny sighed. "No."

"Can I ask you another question?"

"The answer's still no."

"Does anyone know what happened to her and Jackson last night?"

"He wouldn't... Tell me."

"But he's your best friend."

"Some things you can't tell or talk about. Even to your best friend." Y/n whispered, not lifting her eyes from her book, and Stiles glanced at her.

"One more question."

"What?" Danny sounded a bit irritated.

"Do you find me attractive?" Danny didn't answer and Stiles leaned forward in anticipation. Y/n caught him before he fell but he still made a loud noise with his chair and bumped the table. He scrambled up in his chair and fixed himself from his little flub.

...

The bell rings and Y/n and Stiles walk together down the halls. "Why is he not answering?" He complained, glaring at his phone as he gets Scott's voicemail once again.

"My guess? He's with Allison. I haven't seen her today either and it's her birthday so he probably took her out on an adorkable date."

Stiles sighed in frustration and dialed Scott again. "What?" Y/n heard Scott's irritable answer.

"Finally! Have you been getting any of my texts?"

"Yeah, like all 9 million of them."

"Do you have any idea what's going on? Lydia is totally M.I.A., Jackson looks like he's got a time bomb inserted into his face, another random guy's dead, and you have to do something about it."

"Like what?"

"Something."

"Okay, I'll deal with it later." Scott hastily hung up and Stiles shoved his phone in his pocket, upset with Scott's indifference to the situation.

"Hey, I was wanting to check up on Lydia, see how she's doing. You wanna come with me?" Y/n offered.

"Yeah, I'd like to see how she is too. I'll give you a ride."

"Thanks." Y/n smiled at him and they made their way out of the school.

...

"Hey, Mrs. Martin." Y/n smiled at Lydia's mother when she opened the door.

"Hello, Y/n. What brings you and your friend here?"

"This is Stiles, we wanted to see how Lydia is doing. I heard she had a bad night, thought I could cheer her up?"

"Of course! I'm sure she'd be happy to see you. Come on in." Natalie let the teens in and led them up to Lydia's room where she knocked on the door and slowly opened it. Lydia was sprawled in her bed, propped up on her elbow and lazily resting her head on her hand. She was in her royal blue nightie and boredly looking at her nails. "Honey, Y/n and a Stiles are here to see you."

There's a pause. "I know Y/n, but what the hell is a 'Stiles'?" Lydia responds, her voice lacking it's usual spunk.

Stiles and Y/n look at Natalie in question. "She took a little something to ease her nerves." She admitted. "You can- you can go in."

"Thanks." They said and stepped into the grey colored room. Mrs. Martin walked away and Lydia propped her hand on her hip to look at her guests.

"What are you doing here?" She asked.

"We were just making sure you're okay." Stiles answered.

She smacked her lips a bit, looking at her hand until her eyes drifted back to them. "Why?" She patted the bed. Stiles stuttered so Y/n took the offered seat.

"Because we were worried about you today. How are you feeling?" Y/n asked.

Lydia stretched her arm out before placing it on Y/n's head to pet her hair. "I feel..." Lydia got close to Y/n's face and smiled. "Fantastic."

"Uh-huh." The h/c nodded, smiling in amusement.

Stiles' eyes widened as he looked away from the girls and spotted the pill bottles on her nightstand. "Oh!" He picked one up and read the label. "I bet you can't say, uh, 'I saw Suzy sittin' at the shoeshine shop' ten times fast."

Lydia raised her brows at the challenge. "I saw Shuzy-" She stopped and blinked. "I shaw…" She trailed off this time and leaned down as Stiles put the bottle back. Her eyes became distant as she looked in space. "I saw..."

"What? Lydia, what did you see?" Y/n asked her friend, moving some of Lydia's hair behind her ear so she could see her better.

"Something."

"Something like... Like a mountain lion?" She asked gently.

"A mountain lion." Lydia nodded slightly.

"Are you sure you saw a mountain lion, or are you just saying that because that's what the police told you?" Stiles questioned.

"A mountain lion." She repeated.

Stiles grabbed her stuffed giraffe from her table and held it up to her. "What's this?"

She looked at the stuffy. "A mountain lion."

"Okay." He put it back. "You're so drunk." Lydia dropped her head onto Y/n's lap. Y/n sighed and gently stroked her hair.

"Why don't you wait outside? I'll see if I can get her to sleep." She said.

"Uh, yeah, yeah, sure. I'll, uh, be out here." Stiles awkwardly left the room and Y/n shook her head at his behavior, a small smile on her face.

Lydia leaned back on her elbow and gave Y/n a loopy smile. "I have a friend who looks just like you." She mumbled.

"Really? What's she like?"

"Really funny. Kinda mysterious. Blind to her emotions." She started studying her nails again.

"Blind?" Lydia gave a sharp nod, similar to a child. "How?"

"I dunno. Like a bat?" Lydia giggled at her own joke. "She's coming around, though. I think. She's becoming less… Batty."

Y/n furrowed her brows at her, not really able to follow Lydia's doped up half-thoughts. She decided to brush it off, instead focusing on putting Lydia to sleep. She kneeled next to her bed and gave her a gentle smile. "Lydia." Y/n lightly called. "Lydia, look at me." Y/n gently cradled Lydia's face in her hands as her eyes glowed. Lydia's gaze met hers and her green gaze seemed to grow more distant. "It's time to relax. Take a deep breath." The red head obeyed, taking a calming breath in and out. "And sleep." Her eyes flashed brightly, the color reflected in Lydia's eyes. Y/n's hands slipped from her face as she fell onto her back, now deep in a peaceful slumber.

Y/n sighed and her eyes dimmed as she looked at her friend a moment longer. She wasn't worried about Lydia seeing her eyes. Between the pills and her sleep aid, she won't remember seeing them. Y/n glanced at Lydia's phone when it lit up and picked it up to put it on silent so she could rest undisturbed. She moved away from the text notification and found a video from the night before. A video that showed the Alpha in his monstrous form running out of the video store. She sent the video to her own phone and deleted it from Lydia's. Lydia didn't need that terrifying reminder.

...

Y/n sits on Stiles' bed. She had shown him the video from Lydia and now he was pacing as he tried to get ahold of Scott, yet again only getting his voicemail. "Hey, it's me again. Look, Y/n found something, and we don't know what to do, okay? So if you could turn your phone on right now, that'd be great. Or else I'll kill you. Do you understand me? I'm gonna kill you. And I'm too upset to come up with a witty description about how exactly I'm gonna kill you, but I'm just gonna do it, okay? I'm gonna- uhg!" He gripped the phone in frustration. "Goodbye." He tossed the phone down and sank down into his desk chair with a sigh.

Y/n got up from the bed and stood next to him, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, it's gonna be okay." He gave a weak nod that did absolutely nothing to convince her. "Do you need a hug? I'm told I give the best." She smiled and nudged him, making him actually smile. She put her arms over his shoulders and he put his around her waist, resting his head on her middle as she leaned over a bit to hug him better. He sighed a bit and let his eyes close. She was right, she does give great hugs. A sudden knock on his bedroom door made Stiles jump back from her, sighing when he saw his dad standing there.

"Please tell me I'm gonna hear good news at this parent/teacher thing tonight."

"Depends on how you define 'good news'." Stiles responded.

"I define it as you getting straight A's with no behavioral issues."

"You might wanna rethink that definition." Stiles cringed a bit.

"Enough said. What about you, Y/n? Any good news for Deaton at least?"

"Yessir. A's and B's, a couple C's, and only minimal behavioral issues." She smiled.

"Good going." He left the room then and Stiles sighed again as he rewatched the video on Y/n's phone.

"Scott, where the hell are you?" He muttered.

After a while Y/n got a call from Alan asking where Scott was. When she told him she had no idea he asked if she could come in to help in Scott's place which she said yes to. "I gotta go to the Clinic." She told Stiles once she hung up.

"Do you need a ride?" Stiles asked.

She shook her head. "No, I'm good. Thanks anyway." She smiled at him as she gathered her stuff. "I'll see you later. And don't agonize too much over where Scott is, okay? He'll come around soon enough. The parent/teacher conference is tonight anyway, he has to be there." Stiles nodded and she gave him a wave as she left his room.

By the time Y/n got to the Clinic Alan had to leave for the school for the conference and he left her to lock up. She made sure the food and water was filled and that the Doberman had his medicine. She locked up the front door, but didn't leave the Clinic yet, opting to sit in the back room by herself for a while. She sat with her back against the wall, closing her eyes and leaning her head back with a sigh.

In this quiet back room, with only a few sounds from the animals in the other room, she could pretend for a while that nothing was wrong. Nothing bad was happening. There was no angry Alpha, no mysterious motives, no supernatural situations. She was just Y/n, a simple human girl in a simple town. But she wasn't human and nothing in Beacon Hills is ever simple.

Ch.06

#taeswolfie #Just a Feeling #JaF #stiles stilinski #stiles stilinski x reader #stiles stilinski x fem!reader #stiles stilinski x y/n #stiles stilinski x you #stiles stilinski fanfiction #stiles stilinski fanfic #fanfiction #fanfic #teen wolf #teen wolf fanfic #teen wolf fanfiction #x reader #x fem!reader #x female reader #x y/n #x female y/n #x you

[tunashei]

First impressions of Animoprhs!

I'm listening to the Animorphs series while I work, through Animorphs Aloud - a fan made reading of the series. Here are my first impressions/random thoughts about them! Spoilers below if you haven't read them.

Book 7: The Stranger

I often think how you'd REALLY react if you were faced with something paranormal or magical, because it wouldn't just be the monster or ghost or superhero you have to contend with - but your entire knowledge of the universe flipping on it's head. Legit consider how insane you'd go if you found out monsters were *really* real. And they do this to a random person in the start of most books! Ha.

Kind of surprised they consider a human-alien relationship with any sort of seriousness. How progressive. But then there's been a few hints towards Rachel liking Tobias and he's...a bird. Rachel is very open minded.

Somehow I have my doubts Rachel will move away. The clue is the 47 books that come after this.

Man I feel for Tobias, having to spend the rest of his life as a hawk while potentially watching his friends move on. It's not like he can make new friends. Also how long does he even live? Does he have a hawk lifespan now of 10-15 years?

Rachel wants more firepower and she skips the POLAR BEARS? GIRL. Those things are fucking terrifying! Though I did do a bit of research and turns out when Polar Bears and Grizzlies compete for food it's usually the Polar Bears that leave.

Also I have a hard time believing a bear has more 'firepower' than an elephant. Bit easier to move around and get into places as a bear though.

Still can't get over the frequent use of the slang 'hooked up' to mean meeting. Very different meaning nowadays.

The mental image of them fitting pretty much a centaur into a dressing room is very funny.

Wow. Stopping time definitely blindsided me. This Ellimist is like a god?? Was not expecting that.

The descriptions when the Ellimist is showing off the beauty of earth make me very sad I will likely not get to experience it. It's so sad to know coral reefs exist out there, beauty unparalleled, and you can't simply go and see them. Not without money. It's a cruel joke that we're placed on such an amazing planet and yet how little of it we'll see.

Man this is a genuinely tough decision. I really like Cassie's perspective, that humans are now the endangered animals potentially rejecting the one thing that could save them. Honestly if what seemed like a literal god told me the fight is unwinnable I'd probably give in and tell them to take me to a new planet.

Aaaand now the kids are getting eaten alive. I LOVE the amount of traumatising scenarios in these books. Main reason I started em. Feel a bit bad for the Taxon, imagine eating some innocuous snack and it swells up and bursts you from the inside.

Ax has a thing for cutting off people's arms.

You're the second largest carnivore on land Rachel, Polar Bears got you beat.

Also Rachel totally just murdered a bunch of human people.

Now...time travel? Hm not a big fan of time travel.

Damn the Yeerks invested in free, superfast and wide-covering public transport? I'd vote for them.

This is why I don't like time travel. Is it deterministic? Can it be changed? Boggles the mind. The implication is they refuse the Ellimist's offer and stay and fight, and lose, and Rachel becomes a controller. But why would Ax being there mean the future has changed? Did future-Rachel lie about there being six humans to Visser-Three? Why?

PFFFF I'm sorry but as horrifying as the idea of them killing and consuming Tobias after being infected and turned into controllers is, it's also like Disney-level villainy.

If this is the future and it can be changed, why can't Visser-Three kill them? Sure he wouldn't have controller Rachel so the future would be different but the goal of invading would work?

Well this is looking bleak.

I wonder who is keeping Ellimists in check that they even need rules.

Surprisingly quick and efficient mission! And that's the end of that one. A bit confusing, but I wonder if the Ellimist stuff will get clearer later on.

#animorphs #animorphs aloud #book #reading #audio book #first impressions

[luckyshotwrites]

What I'd Do As My Enemies Wife (Widfali AU)

Chapter 2 - Home Sweet, I'M STAYING HOME!

Contents (Warnings): Lynette's refusal to go leave the house (Shenanigans with Alexander and Lynette).

Wordcount: 1,800+

Side note: Thank you, @novorehere for being the menace that made me draw them going on a date and @aramastus for suggesting this AU idea in the first place! Love you guys! AGAIN, this is a goofy what if scenario. If you haven't read Widfali I'd recommend reading it first! That being said this is going to be much lighter and sweeter than what's been going on in the story thus far, hope you enjoy!

__________________________________________________

Alexander

He dropped the book onto the table and swiftly grabbed her upper arms. His hands firmly held her, and he succumbed to the compulsion to lightly shake her. 

He vividly pictured scenes he never wished to conjure because she said it was worse. 

"YOU-" He thought of all the names he could say: moron, idiot, little shit, but none of them conveyed his embarrassment or relieved frustration.

He stopped shaking her and continued when she faced him. "Why the fuck were you even trying to hide that from me? Do you think I'd care whether the other you was willing?"

"Because we-" Lynette abruptly shut her mouth and averted her gaze.

His head sank further in his hunched shoulders. "What?" He followed her leer that didn’t face him, which watched their reflections in the flat screen T.V. Once she noticed he looked there too, she closed her eyes. "We what, shrimp?" His emotions slowly settled at the bottom near his soles, and his hunger rose again like a devil on his shoulder. 

It whispered its woes about his inanition. 

His fingers locked onto her tighter. Fuck, no. Focus. Alexander tried to deafen any other feeling except his original question. What happened today? He ran over the events and, through his easy, jumpy awkwardness, landed on their discussion with Ceram.  

"You must act as your married counterparts."

His mind finally flicked on its light bulb. A mischievous curl broke into his grin—a look he hadn't shown her in a long time. "Ooooh."

Lynette turned back to him. A mewl scampered from her vocals, "Xander," she shook her head and tried to pull away. "You said you wouldn't say anything about it!"

"I didn't say yes to that," Alexander unknowingly leaned in closer, "Now, Ceram did say we have to act like our counterparts, didn't she?" 

His tease toward her backfired. The possibility of Lynette saying yes heightened the thrill of his near-rapacious appetite, which he tried and failed to impulsively quell.

"Ah! No way! I'm not agreeing to that!" 

It knocked him from his delusion, and he realized how close he had her. Their faces were so close that he felt her warm breath brush his lips. His thoughts entirely dispersed like cockroaches in light when he saw the fret in her green orbs.

Alexander's hands loosened enough for her to escape. 

He had the reflex to grab her but didn't. He tore his eyes to look elsewhere, not at the television as it outlined her short form. He stared at the seams of the white couch as if he could accurately count every stitch. 

"You're insane," he said, throwing up his arms, like he argued with the leather and not her, "who in the hell thinks that is worse than being willing." 

“I do."

Alexander did a double take. His wide eyes looked at her again in disbelief. "ARE YOU SAYING YOU'D PREFER THE OTHER THING?!"

She frantically covered her face as it flared with so much heat that Alexander swore he saw steam. Then, she turned her body and looked like she was about to be sick. 

It'd be an insult to most people, but Alexander expected it. He knew he wasn't sought after nor ever would be. That's how it always was. 

Her gags at least took his mind off his cravings. "Do you need a bag or something?" His sight moved from her to the kitchen in the next room. He took a few steps in that direction, and she threw her hands from her face and wrapped her fingers around his arm.

It was brief but stopped him nonetheless. "I-I didn't mean that to be rude." She pulled her hands back and made space between them. Her left foot touched the front of the armchair. "I just-" He partially looked back at her with a confused eyebrow raise. What? 

She softly met his stormy eyes. "I get queasy thinking of dates or relationship stuff with people I'm not comfortable with." She began to tug at her curls. 

"People scare you that much?" Alexander asked. 

She shyly looked away, "I don't know why." She slouched, and let out her timid, lack of confidence response, "I don't mean to do that, nor throw up. Not that I always throw up! I've only thrown up once," she grumbled under her breath, "no, twice."

"Because you dated someone?" 

Alexander found himself intrigued. I knew she was an oddity, but throwing up? He didn’t understand why.

Lynette collected her hair then moved it in front of her face. "W-well, I, there was this," she chuckled, "a guy, he uh, you know, uh, we went-"

Alexander sped it up, "On a date?"

She nodded, patted the sides of her cheeks., took a deep breath, and explained. "I was so nervous on my first date I threw up on the guy when he got close, then when he said it was fine and wanted to continue the date back at his place, I threw up again."

She left him speechless. He thought about every time he came in close contact with her. Hell, he could have received a face full of vomit holding her earlier. So if I pick her up next time, just fucking eat her. 

Lynette fell back on the armchair with a huff and wrapped her arms over her chest. She sank further into the chair's comfort to attempt to suffocate her humiliation. 

"Does it happen often?"

"NO!" The redhead slammed her hands on the leather armrests. "It's when people that I don’t know take an interest in me. I don't find them repulsive or anything like that," She clarified. "I just don’t like them that way.” She let her hands fall back into her lap. “I haven't really liked anyone that way before."

Alexander answered without a pause, "I guess not liking someone is something we have in common.."

She sat up in the armchair. Her feet didn’t quite touch the ground. She stared at Alexander questionably.

He bit his lips, let it roll past his teeth, and back into place. "I didn't like Mara in the beginning. I didn't even know her. Sure, she was good-looking, but she convinced me to like her,” he faintly smiled, though it wasn’t happy. “and it wasn't even…real." Alexander didn't like hearing what he said aloud. Why did I say that? He never talked about it with anyone, not even Drake. 

All the other words he had left to say retreated back like they were marionettes told to leave the stage. His eyes staggered to meet Lynette. 

"I-"

He quickly and abruptly interrupted her. "I gotta eat, so unless your next words are you offering yourself, we're going." He grabbed her wrist, a usual mistake, but his mind was too preoccupied to act upon it. 

"Going where?" Lynette asked and followed up with a slight bounce when she realized it. "I'm not going to watch you eat someone again!" 

She uselessly tried to cling to the armchair as he pulled her along. He got her up. 

"Again?" Alexander questioned as she squeaked in retaliation. He steered her from hitting the coffee table or couch. 

"At the festival," her hand tried to pry his fingers off her wrist, "you dragged me along just like this, remember!" 

Alexander pulled her near the front door and by the staircase. He only remembered a little of the festival besides the small snippet of events and their talks. He rarely remembered the people he ate besides her. He did eat her often enough. 

"Don't watch then, weirdo." Alexander groaned. He got the knob with his other hand, "You don’t have a choice. I don't want you far away from me if something happens."

"Like what? A burglar breaking in?" 

Alexander threw open the door. The cold, stale wind whisked over him and helped rid the air of her scent. 

He lugged her along. "You always get into some kind of trouble, and since you want to make this difficult and say I can't eat you, you're coming." 

Lynette grabbed the outer door rim, "I'm not going to agree because I don't want to spend most of my day inside you, NOR do I wanna watch you eat someone. It's gross!" 

I know you won't. Alexander said in his head with attitude, "You're coming then."

"No, I'm not!" Lynette clung tighter to the grooves of the house's door rim. 

He had let her wrist go and grabbed her by the waist to pull her off. If anyone were to pass by their house at the moment, he'd look insane trying to drag her out. 

Her fighting worked up his edacity. He plucked her off, and she squealed. "No, no, Xander, quit it!" 

Lynette’s soft disapproval finally extinguished the fire—he couldn't keep arguing with her. "Fine!"

He put her down, faced her, and his voice left in a snarl, "Call me if anything goes wrong, seems out of place, or odd." He moved toward her, so she reentered the doorway and the house. He grabbed the handle of the door. "Do not answer the door or go outside. If I don't come back in forty minutes, call me. If I don't answer, hide. If someone breaks in, hide." Alexander thought more about the different scenarios that could happen, and he charged the magic in his core. 

His eyes gently glowed as he 'wrote' the protective seal of a cloak over her body with his gaze alone. It was to make sure she'd be safe. 

"I will," Lynette seemed to recognize the feeling of its light weight all around her, "and thank you." 

Alexander nodded, "Mhm." He glanced near the door to a few hooks and grabbed the first pair of keys that looked like his. "I'll be back." He shut the door and put his key to the lock but heard her lock it behind him. 

He turned back, facing the streets—her scent still lingered on him. The clear air with hints of other scents relaxed him. He preferred that over being smothered in the house with hers alone. 

He grumbled, thinking about it as he walked the streets of several other houses. The fine neighborhood did nothing to lower his tolerance for Lynette. It still annoyed him that her taste was so strong, pleasing, and that he couldn't even have her. She had to stay at the pizzeria. 

He finally reached the city outskirts and debated on his next target. He had to find someone alone and someone who didn't look to be in any particular rush. It took him ten more minutes to find a suitable prey. 

He waited for his prey to pass the older couple so he could throw a barrier down, but he never got the chance. His eyes glowed briefly and simmered down when his phone started to ring. He got it from his pocket, expecting it to be Lynette.

He lifted it up to answer and narrowed in on the name. Why the hell is Wicks calling me?

...

Thank you for reading, GOOBERS! :D

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Catch up or check for release dates down below ↓

What I’d do for a Livable Income (Synopsis/Chapter - List) 1

What I’d do for a Livable Income (Synopsis/Chapter - List) 2

#widfali #vore story #vore writing #v.ore #soft vore #v/ore #v/0re #extreme cuddling #goofy ocs

[dearshelby]

In your arms | T.S x OC

Summary: Tommy never loses the chance of dancing with Eleanor, even if she always has a complaint to make.

A/N: I came up with this idea and I needed to share 🤷🏻‍♀️ I think the way Tommy canonically likes to dance is so sweet so here it is, btw italic is the past (around 1912) and normal font is present (1920)

He watched from afar, sipping on his beer, she had a nice face and wore a pinkish dress, however, the hat in her head was awful.

Her dress looks much like her mother's. Is it a sin to wear white if she's already pregnant? Tommy doesn't know. He just thinks she's beautiful.

The circumstances of their first meeting weren't conventional, but he was grateful for it anyway, if she wasn't for her kindness, he certainly would've taken a beating from Mr. Clifton from the grocery.

She rubs her hands together, laughing at something Ada whispers in her ear, then she presses her lips together and looks around searching for someone, her mother, her mother wasn't there.

Tommy didn't expect to see her again, honestly, he was a bit ashamed, he's usually not caught stealing and if he was getting something other than supplies for baby Finn, she probably wouldn't have paid for it.

"Go on, Tommy!" Arthur shouts, drunk out of his ass, "Ask 'er for a dance!"

"I will, Arthur," Tommy answers, gesturing for the band to play a slower song.

"You're staring," John stated with a boyish grin, "you know her?"

"Sort of, yeah,"

"Fucking ask her to dance then! She 's nice!"

Confident steps takes Tommy to his wife, she immediately smiles when he gets close,

"Ladies," he greets Ada and Polly, "Eleanor,"

"Tommy," she nods while the other ladies politely smile and gives them some privacy.

He gritted his teeth while walking to her, she carried a heavy looking basket and observed the booths, "Afternoon," he greeted, "didn't expect to find you here,"

"Neither did I, should I leave before you start a robbery?"

"No, I- I wondered if you'd like to dance," Tommy cursed himself for stuttering.

"Enjoying the party?" he asks.

"Honestly, I'm dying to get in that vardo with you and disappear in the hills,"

"So I am," Tommy chuckles, "shall we have a last dance before sneaking out on these fuckers?"

"Tommy-" she complains, he knew she had many caveats on dancing in public, "Why do you insist on it?"

She looked at him surprised, nearly confused, and blankly mumbled, "No,"

"Right, hm-"

"I can't dance,"

"Oh," Tommy acknowledged, she didn't look like someone who'd carelessly admit to not be able to do something, "I can teach you,"

"In front of all those people? No, thanks,"

"We'll just sway," without waiting for an answer, he takes her hand and pulls her to a less crowded place.

Eleanor rolls her eyes and allows him to guide her, the proximity is enjoyable, she feels the heat emerging from his skin and the weight of his hand on her waist, but she'd surely feel much more appreciated if he made her a cup of coffee or read her a book.

"Can I pay you a drink then?" Tommy insisted.

"If you help me find a booth selling blue wool, you'd already be useful,"

"You knit?"

"My mum is a stitcher, she makes small repairs in shirts and things of this sort and I knit scarfs and sweaters to sell,"

"So you're an artist,"

She touches their faces together and wraps an arm around his shoulder, in this pair of heels she looks slightly taller than him.

"Tell me a poem," she requests.

"D'you want to hear a poem?"

"Yeah, from your book,"

"I haven't read it yet,"

"Hm, you'll have plenty of time when we're at the hills,"

"I am to use this time on other activities," he smirks.

"What for? I'm already pregnant anyway,"

Tommy chuckles and brushes the tip of his nose at the shell of her ear, "D'you want to hear a poem?"

"Yeah,"

"I love you."

My original characters

#tommy shelby x oc #peaky blinder imagine #peaky blinder fanfic #OC Eleanor Shelby

[futuremrsdrcullen]

Aren't We Just Terrified - Part One

Part one of the New Moon reader insert fic that I've been promising for FAR far too long.

Summery- The idea of facing mortal danger just to see a ghost of him almost sounded rational here.

I watched as Bella hugged her chest to keep herself whole. I stood by as she chased adrenaline for the smallest glimpse of Edward.

I didn’t feel perfect- standing there didn’t heal me. I let out a small humorless laugh and shook my head accepting that I couldn’t keep pretending that there was never a wound in the first place.

Word Count- 12,214

Warnings- This is New Moon, so it's a lot darker than the first. IF YOU HAVEN'T READ I'm Always in This Twilight READ THAT FIRST!! Depression, abandonment, misunderstandings, break ups, Age gaps because of vampires, angst! It's very angsty, but it gets better! I promise it has a very happy ending.

Notes from me- My name is Claire and this is my second love child. I have finally finished my version of New Moon and I could not be more excited for you guys to see it.

This is book 2 of probably 5 so stayed tuned for the rest of them.

I DO NOT own The Twilight Saga. All rights go directly to S. Meyer.

Read on AO3 <3

Masterlist <3

Thank you for being here, I Love you <3

Aren't We Just Terrifed - Part One

Unlike Bella, I was very excited for my birthday. It was a little different, I guess. Carlisle was still older than me and Edward would always be stuck at 17. It made sense that she wouldn't want to be another year older. Especially since she was already ready to be a vampire.

I was not. I wanted, at least, another 5 human years. To be with Carlisle, to experience human things. I hadn’t told anyone this. I tried not to think about it around Edward, and hadn’t really decided anything, so I hoped Alice couldn’t see my plans. If you could even call them that. 

When my 21st birthday rolled around, I could not wait for what the day had in store. 

“Happy birthday, Y/n!” Alice, Bella, and my dad were rushing into my room. Alice and Dad had gifts, Bella didn’t, though I think she just didn’t want me to return the favor.

“You didn’t have to get me anything.” I said.

“For the record, I did tell them that, and I listened.” Bella added as she showed her empty hands, and I laughed.

“I just knew you’d love it!” Alice added a wink at me “Carlisle will love it too.” My eyes went wide as she laughed.

Dad's brow furrowed “Ahhh-ba! Mines not wrapped, so we can do that first and then I’ll leave you girls to it.” He handed me the gift. “One of, if not the best, single malt whiskey. Made right here in the pacific northwest.” He said with a grin. Around the top of the bottle of Westland Whiskey he had handed me, was a silky blue ribbon.

“Thanks Dad, this is great.”

“The ribbon is part of the gift too. You had one just like it as a kid. You’d wear it all the time, pretending to be Wendy.” He smiled at the ribbon and the memory it held before his eyes met mine again. 

“I remember Dad, Thank you. It’s perfect.” I got up and hugged him. I leaned up to kiss his cheek.

“Alright, enough of me. Happy birthday, kid.” he left and softly shut the door behind him. When I turned around to face them Alice was grinning from ear to ear.

“Really? In front of my dad?” She put her hands up.

“I didn’t mean it like that! I’ve just seen you wear it tonight and, of course, he loves you in it.” She laughed, “It will look so cute with the ribbon in your hair.”

I pretended to gasp “Don’t spoil it!” We laughed and Alice handed me the box.

“Open it! I can’t wait.” I smiled back at her and opened the gift.

I pulled out the stunning deep blue dress. It was maybe knee length, and full of glitter. I thought that was fitting for my dinner date with a vampire tonight.

“You can wear it tonight!” Bella exclaimed then added. “Billy and Jacob will be here later.”

“And Carlisle is picking you up at 5pm, so you’ll have plenty of time to get ready.” Then she added, a little quieter, “The rest of us are going hunting tonight. It will just be the two of you.”

I blushed at her implication and looked back at the dress. “Right… Cool, thanks.”

“We’ll let you get ready. Happy birthday, Y/n! I’ll see you again tomorrow.” She hugged me quickly before grabbing Bella’s arm and leading her out of my room.

I just stared at the dress. 

I was going to spend a full night… Alone… With Carlisle .

I let out a breath I didn’t fully know I was holding and tried to pull it together.

~~

I heard the welcoming voice of my dad when his friend got there and spent a few more seconds looking at myself in the mirror before deciding that I looked as good as I was going to.

I had the dress from Alice on. It was a perfect fit, of course, and I tied my hair back with the ribbon from my dad.

I went downstairs to see that Billy and Jacob Black were, as expected, here. Bella’s face lit up when she saw me come down the stairs.

“Y/n! You look amazing!” She complimented, and everyone looked at me. Only a small part of me died of embarrassment.

“Happy birthday!” Jacob said. He had grown quite a bit since I had last seen him, but he still had a boyish look to him. 

“It’s good to see you, Y/n. You’re looking very… Alive.” Billy said from the living room.

"Uhm, Thanks?” Confused, I forced out a laugh. 

“We got you a card. Charlie said you’re hard to shop for.” Poor, sweet Jacob tried to shift focus.

“Only ‘cause your dad told me not to just get you a case of Rainier. It is your 21st, right?” Billy asked

“Yep,” putting emphasis on the p and I walked into the kitchen. 

“You’ve got so much living left to do, ya know?” He added.

My eyes shot to Bella; she looked just as confused as I felt.

“I have full intentions of living…” I tried to not glare at him from the kitchen and poured myself a cup of coffee.

Billy went to say something else that would have probably been equally as confusing, but Dad, thankfully, interrupted. “Well, this is a grim topic for a birthday. What do you have planned for the day, kid? Is that the dress Alice got you? It’s beautiful.” I will forever be grateful for my dad.

Jacob mouthed a quick sorry to Bella, who just let out a soft chuckle.

“It is. She has great taste.” I turned to show him the ribbon in my hair. “It goes great with the ribbon. Thanks again, Dad.”

“Sure kid. It looks great.” he kissed the top of my head, looking happy to see the ribbon already being put to good use. 

It was already around 4pm, so I only had to suffer for one hour before Carlisle whisked me away. I knew if I had texted him, he would have come home early and I could have avoided this conversation all together, but I also knew he needed to hunt. 

Then again, it was very hard to not see or hear from him for three days. Of course Billy was making that feeling so much worse.

I wish I was allowed to know that they are werewolves, so I didn’t just have to think that the only thing off with them is that they have this big secret. I hated all this “it’s not my secret to tell, mon coeur…” From Carlisle. Billy hinted at so much, like, not only did he know the Cullens were vampires, but he also had a secret life of his own. I thought werewolf, maybe, or vampire hunter, made the most sense. 

I respected the game they were playing and I kept my mouth shut. My plate was full with the supernatural already. Why stir the pot any more?

Bella said something in response to Billy. Something I’d missed entirely, because I was thinking about Carlisle.

“Is it wise to spend your birthday with them?” Billy asked. He looked at me like a disapproving father. All of which was annoying, considering my actual dad was right there and he didn’t have a single problem with my choice of birthday companion. 

“I spend most days with Carlisle, so I’m sure I’ll be fine.” I smirked at him and took a large sip of my coffee.

“Why don’t we move to the living room and watch the game?” Dad, bless him, interrupted our stare down to suggest.

“That sounds great!” Jacob, bless him too, added and wheeled him, after Dad, into the living room. Bella and I stayed in the kitchen and the second they were out of hearing range we looked at each other, both of our eyes wide. 

“That was… uncomfortable.” She laughed, “Why are they like this?”

“They act like the legends are more than just legends… you know?” I added, trying to gauge what she knew. It wasn’t my secret to share either. She shrugged, staring confusedly back at me. It didn't seem like she knew anything more than I did, or if she did, she wasn’t going to tell me. I just laughed it off, “I’ll just ask Carlisle about it later. Maybe it’s nothing.”

She shook her head in confusion. “We gotta get back in there before they ask anymore questions.”

~~

The hour ticked by painfully slowly; I thought I was actually going crazy, but then there was a knock on the door.

I stood and ran to the door, eager to get it before anyone could get it first, not that anyone even moved to. I still lost my breath when I saw him. His eyes a bright golden color and his hair just a little damp from the rain. I stepped out on the porch, shut the door quickly behind me, and wrapped my arms around his neck. 

He rested his hands on my hips and kissed the crook of my neck. “Happy Birthday, Cara .” I leaned back to look at his face again. “You look… stunningly beautiful. ”

“Alice said you’d like it.”

“I like everything you wear. I like you. ” He leaned in to kiss me.

“Oh, I’m demoted to only like now?”

I could feel his laugh against my lips, “Hmm, I love you so much.”

“Just checking…” I leaned in to meet his kiss. Our first kiss after 3 days apart felt like a breath of fresh air. The only thing keeping me grounded these last few days was knowing that this kiss was just around the corner. That, soon, I would get to kiss him again; he would run his fingers through my hair and hold me to him like he needed this just as much as I did. If I let myself, I could stay here in this kiss forever. 

Sadly, the need to breathe out weighed my wants and I had to pull back. I rested my head on his shoulder. 

“As much as I really don't want to, I've gotta get my shoes and things.” He laughed and I turned to get the door before I remembered who was inside and froze. “Oh uhm… Billy and Jacob Black are here and Billy’s been kinda weird… Weird like he knows things…” I raised my eyebrows and looked at him.

He didn’t seem surprised at all. “Oh I’m sure he has been.” He let out a soft sigh, “ Thank you for the warning, but it will be alright.” He kissed my forehead and went to open the door. 

“ You know I’m gonna ask you to elaborate on that later, right?” 

“It’s not my secret to share.” He smiled at me as I opened the door and pulled him inside.

I whispered “I hate that response and you know it.” and he laughed again.

Dad was standing near the doorway to the living room when we came in, “Doctor,” nodding in Carlisle’s direction “How's it going?”

“Well, Charlie, and yourself?”

“It’s going-”

“Dr. Cullen,” Billy came into the room and I grabbed Carlisle's hand. He gave my hand a soft squeeze to reassure me. 

“Always a pleasure to see you, Chief Black.”

“Sure. Of course, I hope things are good, especially with the girls. I hate for something to happen…” He tilted his head towards me.

“See what I mean…” I whispered, barely audible, still knowing he heard me. I heard his soft laugh in response and felt his hand move to my back.

“Alright. Back to the game.” Dad saved the day again, though I’m sure he was confused on where this all was coming from, but I was still grateful. He kissed my forehead, “Have a great night sweetheart.” They went back into the living room and I heard dad say “You drunk already, old man? What is up with you?” and Billy just laughed.

I made quick work of grabbing my bag and sliding on my shoes and once we were out of the door I asked again. “So, do you know what all that’s about?”

“Like I said before, I shouldn’t say. It’s not my secret to share.”

“But you’re gonna tell me , right?”

“No, probably not.” he shook his head and walked me to the car door. “If someone told you we were vampires, before we were ready, we would have been pretty upset.”

I sighed as I got into the car. “My money is still on werewolves.” 

He laughed at that and smiled at me as he sat in the driver seat. “I love you,” He was still chuckling as he pulled out of the driveway.

~~

At the restaurant, I ate a hefty salad and he pretended to sip a black coffee. He of course picked out an expensive wine for me to try. How he knew I’d like it, I’ll never understand, but it was very good. It was white and fruity and sweet. I couldn’t pronounce the name if I tried but it made me melt when he said it.

As he took another fake sip of his coffee I asked, “So what’s the story behind the black coffee? It's, like, the only thing you order.”

“Well, It’s very common for restaurants to sell black coffee, and the cups keep my hands nice and warm.” He wiggled his fingers and I definitely didn’t follow his fingers with my eyes.

“Oh… that makes a lot of sense actually,” I blushed and tore my eyes from his hands back to his face.

He just smirked at me and raised an eyebrow. “Yeah?”

“Yup.” I popped the “p” to fill the awkwardness that was almost palpable on my end. I could feel my blush deepen even as I looked back at my glass of wine. 

He spent just about the whole dinner chuckling at me, as if he knew that all that was going through my head was our upcoming night alone together

~~

By the time we pulled into the driveway, I don’t think the reality had fully set in.

“So, you said I wasn’t allowed to get you a gift but I may have bent that just a little…” He admitted sheepishly.

“Carlisle-”

“Don’t worry. It’s not especially crazy.” He laughed.

“Everything you guys do is crazy.”

“Trust me?”

“With my life…” I blushed and tried to contain my grin.

“We’re throwing a whole party for Bella. I’m keeping you to myself, just us.”

“She’s going to be difficult about that.”

“We are fully prepared for that, we’re just hoping she’ll secretly love it.”

He took my hand as we walked in the door. The house was dimly lit, mostly with candles and there were rose petals everywhere. He chuckled softly when I turned to face him, my eyebrows raised. “Alice took over when I left. I just set out the champagne.”

“She has a hidden motive for everything.” I retort

“I dont think it’s all that hidden.” He kissed my forehead, before going into the kitchen and grabbing the champagne and a glass. I followed behind him. 

“I kinda hate that you can’t share this with me.”

Without looking up he poured some in a glass and took a small sip meeting my eyes. “I can, it would just be a waste of a good bottle of champagne.”

I rolled my eyes and laughed softly. “I get it, you can hold your liquor.” He laughed and I took the drink from him. “It takes the fun out of it, but I’m just happy to be here with you.”

“So, how was your birthday so far, Cara?”

I took a second to consider. The gifts from my dad, Alice and Bella. My hand twirled the end of the ribbon in my fingers. “ Simple. Wonderful. Perfect.” I set the glass down and stepped closer to him. He wrapped his arms around me and pressed a quick kiss to my lips “Thank you.”

“Anything for you.” another short, sweet kiss. “You should be celebrated every day.” 

“So should you, but you don’t even remember your birthday…”

“You make me feel more celebrated than I could ever deserve.”

“Ah ba ba- Nope! On my birthday, you deserve the world.”

He laughed, “I don’t think that's how it works.”

“Nope. It’s my birthday, I get to decide.” he leaned forward and kissed the tip of my nose. I probably could have stood there for the rest of the night; sipping champagne and making dumb jokes. We did stay there for a while doing just that.

“Would you like to finish your drink?”

I pretended to gasp. “Carlisle Cullen, are you trying to get me drunk?”

With a laugh he responded, “Definitely not, but I just have one more little gift-”

“Carlisle!” I really did gasp that time. It was the one thing I agreed with Bella on; this beautiful family had already given me so much and I could never return the favor, no matter how hard I tried. I wasn’t going to throw a fit because they bought me something, but they didn’t have to. I would rather they didn’t.

“I know, I know. We agreed, no gifts. Honestly, it's just something I bought for that house. That you will benefit from, on your birthday.”

Playfully, I glared at him, “But it’s not a gift.”

He smiled again and put his hands up. “Not if you don’t want it to be.”

“Hmm…” I swirled my drink around the glass like fancy people do in fancy movies. “Should I finish this?”

“You don’t have to finish it now-” he chuckled. “You could bring it with you if you want.”

I smiled at him then, “Well, why didn’t you start with that.”

He laughed and took my hand. He led and I followed up the stairs and to his office door. It was the room I spent most of my time in while at the Cullens’ and also the closet thing he had to a bedroom.

When we got to the door he turned his back to it and faced me.

“Close your eyes.” Though he was a master at hiding it, I could see the smallest, excited smile on his lips.

“For something that's not a gift, this sure feels like a gift.” I smiled back at him and closed my eyes. I felt the cool press of his lips to mine before he pulled back and opened the door.

He pulled my hand and led me into the room. I took a very trusting step into the room and heard the lights flip on then the door closed.

He kissed me again before saying, “You can open your eyes now, Y/n”

As I did, I noticed the rose petals had followed us into the office, across the floor, and were scattered all over a beautiful bed that had not been there four days ago. I tried to hide my shock, but I felt the flush rise to my cheeks.

Somehow he was behind me, his lips were on my neck and he was placing small kisses where my skin showed there. I shivered under his icy touch.

“You don’t sleep.” my voice was barely audible.

“No, but you do. This is a gift for you.” I turned to him and playfully glared. He just laughed. “Also, it means I get to spend significantly more time with you. It’s a doubly beneficial  situation honestly.”

Though I continued to glare at him, a small smile danced across my lips. I had to admit, I did like his reasoning. While I have slept here a few times, I'd just fallen asleep on the couch in his office before. 

The couch was gone and now, there in its place sat one of the fanciest beds I'd probably ever seen. The dark satin sheets and fluffy pillows looked so enticing. The frame alone probably cost more than three of my paychecks, not that money was a problem for him, being a doctor for like 300 years and all. 

I looked back at the man I'd grown to love and smiled deeply, "It's absolutely lovely, Carlisle." His smile deepened as he leaned in to kiss me. "I'll have to text my dad that I won't be home tonight."

He laughed against my lips before kissing me. Every time he'd kiss me that night it felt like there was a fire building there, but it never led to more than just long make out sessions. I did want more; I think he wanted more too, but I never wanted to press him and he was too much of a gentleman. 

And a vampire.

Which I'm sure played a huge role in the matter of control. 

I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, my hands going to his hair. He lifted me with ease and then we were on the bed. He was sitting on the edge and I was then straddling his lap. I giggled and kissed him again, parting my lips. He took the lead and deepened the kiss only for a moment before he pulled back. 

"Mon coeur…" He sighed,  his brow furrowed. "We don't… we never have to do anything you aren't comfortable with." He placed a very small kiss on my lips again.

"I know." I kissed him as he had kissed me "I am very comfortable." Another small kiss before I whispered, "I want to. I just never have…"

He let out a breath I didn't know he was holding and quickly kissed me again. "It would take a considerable amount of control on my part."

"If you don't want-"

"I'm not saying no, Y/n." He brushed my hair behind my ear. His eyes were soft. "I'd never be able to live with myself if I was the cause of your pain, so bare with me, okay? Stop me if it becomes too much."

I kissed him, slow and deliberate this time. "I trust you. I've never trusted anyone the way I trust you." He held my face, scanning my features for a clear sign of consent. If I could scream it from the rooftops I would. I wanted this, wanted him. I trusted him. I loved him.

"I want you to be sure. If-"

"Carlisle?"

"Hmm?" He winced slightly

"Please…" He swore under his breath. Then, kissing me again, his hand found the zipper of my dress.

~~

I definitely could get used to waking up in his arms. I knew he could tell I was awake but I still tried not to stir too much. I wanted to just lay there and absorb this feeling, the dull ache in my muscles left no desire to move. I would have been completely fine not moving ever again. I loved it.

Caving, I leaned up to kiss his nose. "Hmm. Good morning." 

"Good morning, love. How did you sleep?"

"Better than I probably ever have." I giggled and blushed, hiding my face in his chest. Slightly disappointed in myself for actually saying that out loud. "Did you stay here all night?"

He laughed "Not the whole night. Rose called after you fell asleep, and just a bit ago your phone was ringing downstairs so I went to get that for you." He picked it off the end table. 

"Oh no, I completely forgot to text my dad." A shot of panic ran through me as I sat up and grabbed my phone from him.

8 MISSED CALLS FROM Chief Father

5 MESSAGES FROM Chief Father

11:30pm: I'm going to bed assuming you're staying at the Cullens and staying safe.

7:02am: Still haven't heard from you. Are you alive?

7:33am: I know you're an adult but I'd like some kind of response soon.

8:05am: You have an hour before I'm going over there.

8:06am: with guns

It was 8:45. "Crap…" I quickly got out of bed and wrapped myself in his shirt that was wrapped on the corner of the desk. I called him, as fast as I could dial the number.

"Oh, so you are alive." His sarcasm proved his annoyance but there was a hint of relief lying there.

"I'm so sorry, Dad. I meant to text you that I was staying with Carlisle, I just got distracted.”  I leaned against his desk and pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to bite back a laugh.

"Ahh that's okay! It's fine." He was desperate to stop me before I said more. I felt Carlisle wrap his arms around me and laugh softly into my hair. "I'm glad you're okay."

"Were you really going to come out here?"

"Well yeah, in like an hour or so. I do trust you, I just worry."

My heart melted a little. "I know, I'm sorry. I'll be sure to text you next time."

"That's all I ask. Love ya, kid." We said the rest of our goodbyes and I looked up at Carlisle who was still chuckling. 

"In my defense," he started "I was under the impression you had already sent him a message."

I glared at him, playfully. "When would I have had time to do that?"

"Okay, that's fair." He lifted my chin to kiss me. "He knows you're safe now, and we still have the house to ourselves for a few hours. Any suggestions on how we should make the time pass?"  implications played in his voice as his hand trailed up the back of my shirt- well, his shirt that I was wearing.

"I might have a few ideas." I pressed my lips to his again and we got lost for a few more hours.

~~

Bella turned 18, ten days after my 21st birthday and she tried very hard to let it go unnoticed.

However, you only turn 18 once, so I felt like it at least deserved to be acknowledged. I worked with Alice to plan Bella a semi surprise party,  I didn't want another prom situation since she hardly talked to me for weeks after that. This time she knew what was happening, we just let Edward take most of the fall.

Soft Jazz music drifted through the house while Alice had me on candle duty. There were pink taper candles on pretty much every surface and she wanted me to light them all.

I danced around the room, twirling from candle to candle, humming along to the music. Carlisle caught me by the waist and spun me into him. He kissed me softly and I couldn't help laughing with him.

"Ya know, I think I could get used to seeing my old man this happy." A familiar woodsy voice called from the doorway.

"Emmett!" I laughed and pulled away from Carlisle to run and hug him. He and Rosalie had traveled to Africa after their graduation and I had missed his presence. Despite Rosalie's displeasure, Emmett had grown to really enjoy hanging out with Bella and me. "I didn't know you were coming into town.” I looked toward Rosalie, who was still in the doorway and smiled at her. "It's really nice of you."

She nodded once, I knew it was hard for her. She hated what she had become and although I couldn't agree with her, I respected her for wanting better for us. She didn’t dislike me as much, mostly because I didn’t beg to be turned on a regular basis. I only wished she wouldn't be so hateful about it towards Bella. 

"I just wish we could have made it back in time for your birthday." She added.

"It's totally fine."  I assured them as Carlisle wrapped one of his arms around my waist. It was extremely comforting, I'd grown to love his family like my own and when he stood next to me and held me, even in front of Rose, it felt like he was proud to have me there.

"We bought you a present, since we couldn't make it." Rose smiled at me. It didn't feel forced, I think she did want to like me. She handed me a very neatly wrapped box and I knew it was mostly from her. The paper was shiny gold with a black ribbon and I almost didn't want to damage it. "It's a ceramic tea set from the town we were staying in. There's a family who makes them by hand."

I unwrapped it as she was explaining "It's truly lovely, Rose. Thank you." She smiled at me and I walked to the kitchen table to set the beautiful tea set down safely. 

"Oh! Y/n did you get the key to Bella's truck?" Emmett called after me.

"Yep!" I tossed him the keys and he barely looked before catching them with ease. Being surrounded by vampires had its perks sometimes. 

When they all turned to face the door I knew that Bella and Edward were there, I was just the only one who didn't hear them pull in. Alice's face was bright with excitement, she had Jasper put on a more modern and up beat CD before they walked in.

I couldn't help but smile at Bella's face as she took in the room; she winced like she was in physical pain.

I hugged her anyway and pulled her into the room. Carlisle hugged her as well. "I have to apologize for all of this, Bella. We couldn’t rein Alice in." He laughed under his breath. There was never a chance of that anyway. We all knew that very well.

Bell's eyes drifted to Rosalie and Emmett and softened a bit. I knew she'd be happy to see them. Rose didn't shift at all but Emmett just looked happy to be there.

"You haven't changed at all." Emmett said with mock disappointment. "I expected a perceptive difference, but here you are, red faced just like always."

"Thanks a lot Emmett." Her face got even more red.

He laughed and tapped the key in his pocket . "Well, I have to step out for a second."- he paused to wink at Alice. Bella totally saw, but she didn't say anything, I laughed softly under my breath. "Don't do anything funny while I'm gone." He pointed at Bella.

"I'll try." She said through a laugh.

Alice and Jasper stood on the other side of the room. Alice skipped across the room to meet Bella and Jasper stayed leaning against the stair railing. Resisting human blood was still hard for him, even now he kept his distance from us. He was still trying his best.

"It's time to open presents," Alice spoke in a floaty voice, probably to distract Bella from Emmetts shenanigans. She pulled Bella towards the piano, which didn't really have that many presents on it.

"Alice, I know I told you I didn't want anything." She was dragging her feet. 

"I listened." I piped up but she still glared at me. "I may have given Carlisle an idea, but I spent no money." She didn't want me to get her a gift. She said it because she didn't get me one, and if I got her one then she'd look rude, but I think it's because she didn't want to celebrate. 

"I didn't listen." Alice added placing a small box in Bella's hands. "Open it."

That was the empty box from Rose, Emmett and Jasper. Once she got it open I could tell she was trying to hide her confusion. 

"Uhm... thanks?”

I pressed my lips to Carlisle's shoulder to hide my smile, giggling softly. Rosalie actually cracked a smile.

"It's a stereo for your truck." Jasper grinned from across the room. "Emmett is installing it as we speak.” She thanked them, calling loudly to Emmett. His booming laughter reached in here from Bella's truck.

I smiled up at Carlisle, whose arm was still wrapped around me. I reached up to kiss him, my hand cupping his cheek, his smile growing as his eyes met mine. I wrapped myself up in the feeling of family in the room. I never noticed she had started to open Alice and Edwards present.

I didn't have time to react when she cut her finger.

It all happened in a flash. I was smiling at Carlisle, then he was gone. I heard glass shatter across the room and I watched Edward and Emmett throw themselves at Jasper. 

Jasper tried to get away from them. He tried, and thankfully failed, to break Emmetts grip to get to Bella. Bella, who was now on the floor. Edward moved to crouch over her, holding the spot on her arm that had somehow been cut. The glass shattering, I figured.

I tried to appear as small as I could; I wanted to be invisible, if it was possible. The shock was setting in, I could feel the panic. I heard them say things I couldn't process. I didn't move, I didn't breathe.

Carlisle somehow remained calm. Even as Emmett dragged a growling Jasper from the room.

"Let me by, Edward." He murmured. His voice was clear, and the only one I could hear amidst the noise. Edward's stance over my sister didn't change. He was protecting her from even his father; which probably would have been endearing in any other circumstance.

Once Edward relaxed a little, Carlisle knelt next to Bella and examined the wound on her arm. It was huge and bleeding a lot. Alice tried to hand him a towel, but he shook his head. "There's too much glass in the wound." He made a tourniquet with a scrap of table cloth. Bella looked like at any  point she would barf, or faint… or both.

I still couldn't move. I wanted them to focus on her. I wanted them to forget I was there at all.

"Bella," his voice was still soft and clear. "Do you want me to drive you to the hospital, or would you like for me to take care of it here." I panicked briefly, thinking about Dad.

"Here, please." She sounded distant. She must have been thinking about Dad too. If he found out what happened, he'd have questions. I knew because I had questions and I was here. I still didn't know how to answer any of them.

"I'll get your bag."

"Lets get her to the kitchen table," then they were there. "How are you doing Bella?"

"I'm fine," the steadiness in her voice was almost comforting.

I looked at the scene around me and tried, for the first time, to assess the situation. Though it had just happened, I felt completely zoned out. Then Edward was gone and Alice ran an apologetic hand down my arm as she also left the room.

I stood there in the center of the room looking at all the scattered roses and broken glass and blood, very much still in shock, but trying to power through it. I let out a shaky breath and took a few steps towards them, only pausing when Carlisle’s head snapped sharply to me. As if he had only just noticed I was still there.

“Y/n” my name rolled off his tongue like he breathed it. So much concern painted his features.

“I’m fine… I‘m right here.” Even my voice sounded distant. He was not convinced, but he nodded once and focused back on Bella’s arm.

I think he was always afraid I would snap out of the comfortable illusion I had painted for myself and run away from him. I’m sure that today's events had set that belief in. I think, for a normal person, it would have driven them away.

But I was a Swan and I fell in love with a vampire, nothing here was normal.

And of course this was Bella. A perpetual danger magnet even on the best days. Even on her birthday she managed to nearly die.

Bella sighed, “I can clear a room at least.”

“It’s not your fault,” He chuckled softly. “It could happen to anyone.”

“ Could. ” Bella repeated, “ But it usually just happens to me.”

He laughed again, glancing quickly at me. He’d ask me 100 times tonight if I was truly alright. I didn’t really know how to reassure him if I didn’t know that I was alright; I was still in shock.

I walked over to the table where Bella was sitting and grabbed her free hand. I gave it a soft, comforting squeeze. Her gaze drifted from me to Carlisle's face, like she was studying the two of us.

“How can you do this?” she asked. “Even Alice and Edward…” She trailed off, shaking the thought from her head. Carlisle was the only one with complete control of his thirst.

“Years and years of practice.” He admitted. “I barely notice the scent anymore.”

“Even with her?” she mentioned me like I wasn’t in the room, but her grip remained firm on my hand. His eyes floated to my face and he smiled a little.

“With Y/n, there's a few extra challenges.” I couldn’t help but blush softly. “Her scent isn’t as strong as yours, but there are a few added desires .” 

Bella nodded as if she understood the hidden meaning to his words. I looked down at where our hands were intertwined, smiling softly. My face was red hot. 

Since my birthday we hadn’t been able to keep our hands to ourselves. We were both fully indulging in those ‘added desires’.

“It’s just Edward…” she shook her head again. “ Do you think it would be harder if you took a vacation from the hospital for a long time? And weren’t around blood?”

“Maybe,” He shrugged while his hands remained steady. “I’ve never felt the need for an extended holiday.” a smile crossed his face and I fell for him all over again. “I enjoy my work too much.”

“What is it that you enjoy?” I think she was trying to distract herself from what he was doing with her arm. He seemed to think about it for a moment.

“Hmm. What I enjoy most is when my… enhanced abilities help me save someone who would otherwise have been lost. It’s pleasant knowing that, thanks to what I can do, some people's lives are better because I exist. Even the sense of smell is a useful diagnostic tool at times.”

I tried to smile at him, my voice still didn't sound much like my own. “Your existence makes my life better.”

“And yours mine.” His smile was soft, his voice had more confidence.

“It’s not like you asked for this. I think you try too hard to make up for something that was never your fault. You didn’t choose this life and yet, you work so hard to be good. It’s admirable.” I suggested this just to keep Bella distracted. He knew I loved this about him. He never stopped making an effort to be more than the ‘monster’ he believed he became. I didn’t have to tell him that there was no way he could ever be a monster; he knew how I felt, but I wanted Bella to see him this way too. 

“I don’t think I’m making up for anything,” he disagreed lightly “Like everything in life, I just had to decide what to do with what I was given.”

“That makes it sound too easy.” Bella sided with me, it was hard not to.

He looked back at her arm. “There, all done” He was covering her arm in iodine. The smell was worse than the blood, but probably not for them. I looked around the room again.

“In the beginning though,” She pressed. “Why did you even think to try a different way than the obvious one?”

His smile changed to a more private one “Hasn’t Edward told you this story?”

I had heard this story. His face was on me again as I stood. “I’m going to clean up.” I barely whispered before pressing a kiss to his cheek.

I zoned out while he retold his origin story to Bella. I grabbed baking soda and white vinegar from under the kitchen sink then the bleach from the bathroom closet and went back to the main room.

I swept up the glass on the floor, making sure to double bag it before getting to work on the floor. The baking soda and vinegar got out most of the stain. I used the bleach to finish the job, hoping it would cover the smell, even for them. It took a few minutes, but as I was finishing, Edward came in the door. HIs hands in his pockets.

“Thank you. It helps quite a bit actually.” I knew he’d heard the question in my thoughts. His gift only affected me sometimes. There were times when I really didn’t want him in my head though, and then, somehow, he wouldn’t be able to hear my thoughts. They had running bets on the reason. I told them I didn’t want to know, but I was thankful that I got to keep some form of privacy. 

“No problem.” I looked over his shoulder and out the open front door. 

“They’ll be out for the night.” He shut the door behind him. His eyes met mine and a look crossed his features that looked pained, or confused… or constipated. His brows furrowed as he said, “I’ve always feared this. Carlisle does too, if he’s never told you. Either of you getting hurt, because of what we are.” 

Carlisle hadn’t told me. I had kind of suspected, I guess. Bella and I spent our lives with one of the human world's most dangerous predators. I knew that he feared that I would be afraid of him. I’d never really considered that I should be afraid, until tonight.

“Exactly.” I heard Edward mumble before he went into the room where I had left Bella and Carlisle. I stayed and finished the last bit of sweeping and mopping. He was only in there for a few moments before drifting through the room and going back outside.

“It’s not his fault.” Bella spoke to them, trailing slowly behind them.

“It’s not yours, either.” Carlisle countered. I couldn’t help but agree with him.

Her eyes drifted from his face to the floor then to me. I was still holding the mop but the work was done. “Y/n, Let me do that.” She blushed and moved towards me. 

“It’s already done, Bells.” I smiled softly at her and then at Carlisle for confirmation. He nodded once and mouthed a ‘thank you’. I was just glad that I could help them. I glanced back at Bella and asked. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine. Carlisle sews faster than any doctor I’ve had” She huffed a laugh but it sounded forced. I think the gravity of the situation was starting to weigh on her.

I stepped over to Carlisle and wrapped an arm around his waist. He kissed my hair and I felt more than heard the ‘thank you’ he whispered there as well. Alice and Edward came back in. Alice going to Bella’s side and Edward lingering by the door.

“Come on,” Alice said. “I’ll get you something less macabre to wear.” She all but floated out of the room with Bella. 

Once they were out of the room it was clear that Edward and Carlisle were speaking through his thoughts. Edward nodded here and shook his head there. I tried not to let the panic set in. I bounced on the balls of my feet and stole a glance at Carlisle’s face. Edward shook his head in response to something and Carlisle seemed almost angry.

The worry grew in my chest and I knew that I would break soon. Carlisle simply kissed the top of my hair to soothe some of the worry away. 

Edward shook his head again, clearly growing more annoyed and went to the front door. Bella and Alice came back downstairs and I glanced at Alice. She looked tired, I glanced around the room at all of them. They all look tired; I don’t think I’d ever seen them look so tired. 

I could only imagine how I looked. 

Edward held open the door for her. “Take your things!” Alice floated the rest of the way downstairs and handed them off to her. “You can thank me later when you've opened them.”

“Goodnight Bella, Happy Birthday again…” Carlisle called after them.

“I’ll… Uhm, I’ll meet you at the house.” I whispered, though I knew they could hear me. I just hoped Edward didn’t read my thoughts and know how long I planned on staying. I craved the comfort that only Carlisle could give. I wanted to stay as long as he’d let me. Bella just nodded and slipped out. Alice went out the back, presumably to be with Jasper. 

Just me and Carlisle stood in the room. 

“We should go get your things…” He said and took my hand, leading me up the stairs. When we were in his room and the door was closed behind us. He turned to me and asked softly “Are you alright, Cara?” and I just fell apart.

There in the room, I felt like I had nothing to hide and the panic washed over me, no longer feeling the need to hold myself together. He wrapped me up in his arms and carried me to the bed. 

He held me there until the shaking stopped. He kissed my tears away and brushed the hair behind my ear. He mumbled more apologies in the space where my neck met my shoulder between kisses. I didn’t even know why I was crying. I was fine, Bella was fine, and yet, the panic held on to me.

I knew the worst was over and yet I couldn’t shake the impending doom.

“I… why do I feel like everything is… wrong now, somehow?” I mumbled.

“I’m so sorry, Y/n. You should have never been put into this situation. I understand why you’re scared-”

“I’m not-”

“You should be. You could have easily been hurt. Every second you spend in our world you’re in danger. I wish I could protect you from it all, but I don't know how.” As he spoke his voice got more and more soft. His eyes held a cold I’d never seen in him before.

I could feel my heart breaking.

I watched his break too.

We were both quiet for a long time. I broke the silence first “I’m not scared of you, Carlisle. I’ve only ever felt safe with you.”

He sighed and kissed my forehead. “I love you.”

“I love you.” I added.

“Are you feeling better? I should get you home.”

“I suppose…”

Without saying another word, he helped me up and I grabbed my overnight bag. I knew it would be easier on his family if I wasn’t here when they got back. I didn’t say it outloud though. He would have told me not to worry about them.

I hated how much this part hurt.

We drove home and the car ride was mostly silent. Soft jazz music played from the radio. I hummed along to the songs I’d grown to love. He smiled softly at me from time to time, he brought my hand to his lips. When we turned into the driveway my eyes met his. The porch light was on and the light came through the heavily tinted windshield. I could still see the worry painting his features. 

I gave his hand a soft squeeze, “I’ll see you tomorrow?” I didn’t mean for it to sound so much like a question.

He nodded. “I’ll swing by the cafe after work.” His words didn’t soothe my worry much. “I love you, Y/n”

“I love you… So so much.” I kissed him softly. I wanted it to make me feel normal. It didn’t do much to calm the feeling that everything was off still.

His hand rested on my cheek as he kissed me back, like he also needed it.

I pulled back and nodded. “Tomorrow then.”

“Tomorrow.”

I got out of the car and headed inside. Waving one more time as he pulled out of the driveway.

Dad was asleep on the couch. Most of the lights in the house were off. The tv played some rerun of a game. I shut it off and pulled a blanket up over dad. I kissed his head then headed upstairs. 

Bella’s light was also off, though there was the faint glow from her lamp. I shut my door loud enough for her to hear and know I was home. 

I didn’t turn my light on; I didn’t change.

I just curled up in my bed and prayed for an ounce of normalcy.

I don't think I slept at all.

~~

I heard Bella leave for school the next morning. I heard dad in the shower getting ready for work. I opened my eyes and saw the soft gray light coming through the window. I watched the rain drops for a while until I finally convinced myself to get up and go downstairs.

I started making breakfast for Dad. I fried eggs and bacon and made some toast. I couldn’t bring myself to eat, but I made myself a glass of orange juice.

“Morning kiddo.” I jumped at the sound of his voice and the glass fell to the floor, completely shattering on impact.

“Shit… Dad… Sorry.” I got the broom and started sweeping up the glass. He laughed at my clumsiness.

“You don't have to apologize. I didn’t mean to scare you.” He held up the dust pan for me. “I’ve been down here for a minute. You didn’t notice?”

“Oh, uhm, No?” I blushed, slightly embarrassed. “I was lost in thought I guess.”

“Sure.” he took the glass and dumped it in the trash. The sound made me shiver. “How was the party?”

“Fine. You know how Bella is though, they spent money, she acted grateful while they were in the room, complained when they left.” 

“What happened to her arm?” I winced. I knew that was coming.

“She fell. I swear, she can take the smallest thing and turn it into life or death.” I forced a laugh. He didn’t need to know how truthful I was being. “Carlisle cleaned her up though. No big deal.” I shrugged and smiled at him. 

“Well, thank him for me.” He sat down and started eating. I made another glass of juice then started the dishes. 

A minute or so later he kissed my head and left for work. If he said anything else, I didn’t hear him.

I was alone with my thoughts for most of the day after that. Both Dad and Bella had work but I didn’t go in until 8, so I just floated around the house trying to stay busy. 

Then It was 7:30, and I’d lost track of time. Everything still felt off.

I hoped that seeing Carlisle at work would help. I slid my shoes on, grabbed my apron and headed to the cafe.

~~

Carlisle’s Point of View

Edward made it very clear.

We had to leave.

I had finally found the one thing that made me feel alive again and yet there stood a gap between what I truly wanted and what my family believed was right.

If I looked at this from purely a safety standpoint, it made sense. Bella would never be safe as long as she was human. If I had any say she wouldn’t still be human, she would have turned the night James bit her. She would be safe, and we wouldn’t have to leave.

It would save all of us this pain. Not to mention it's what she wants anyway. It wasn’t my place to make that kind of decision for them. If we weren’t going to change Bella, logically I knew she’d only be safe if we left. I did not feel the same about Y/n. 

Y/n was very different then Bella in many ways. Mostly in the way that Y/n had some self preservation skills. When Jasper lost control, it was as if she wasn’t even in the room. Victoria and James never thought twice about her. 

I couldn’t… I wouldn’t just leave her behind.

I decided to go with them for Edward and Alice's sake. She would see my decision to go with them and be content enough to not press, but I could leave clues for Y/n. Alice would only see it when she decided to come find me, then I’d explain myself to the family. I could leave clues and hide my thoughts from Edward and when she knew, she’d come find me again. 

I could live knowing that, in the end, it was her decision. She had every right to choose her own fate. I would always respect her choice.

However if I saw her tonight, I wouldn’t be strong enough to leave. She’d also see right through me. I couldn’t go and pretend everything was alright. I couldn’t lie to her. 

I hadn’t noticed I was pacing. My steps were hardly audible as I crossed the office over and over. From the other side of the room I stared at the bed I had bought her, solely so she could be more comfortable when she stayed over. 

Even when I’d laid with her, though normally such an act would put her in great danger, she kept me grounded. With me, I knew she was safe. The idea of abandoning her, even knowing that I wasn’t really, made my heart ache in a way I’d no longer thought possible.

I flashed across the room and sat on the edge of the bed. Her scent lingered in the sheets, like she was still sleeping there. I breathed in deeply, taking in the smell of the woman I loved. She always smelled like warm honey and damp earth. Like the sweetest parts of the only home she had ever known.

Like the first place I felt I truly belonged since the loss of Esme. 

And now we had to leave it. To protect Bella and Y/n. We had to leave. 

It made perfect sense.

~~

She was very understanding when I called to tell her I wouldn’t be at the cafe. I could hear the disappointment in her voice. I hated it, but I made dinner plans with her anyway.

I reserved a table at the quaint restaurant in Port Angeles. I’d taken her there on a few dates and for her birthday. I told her I would meet her there, she needed to have her car to drive herself home.

That was the first bread crumb. The first little clue, so she knew what was coming. So she’d look for more. Next, the key to the house, the ‘plants in the office’, the letter, the plane tickets, the money. All left for her to find, so she could find them and choose to look for more. She could choose to find me; so she could choose me. I wrote her the letter and left it on my desk. I couldn’t leave it in her possession, Edward would be too thorough. Everywhere but the house itself, he’d make sure there was no trace of us. I’d give her a key to the house.

I would get there before her, get a table, explain why we had to leave, and she’d see through it. She would follow the trail I’d left for her. She just had too.

Alice wouldn’t see it til Y/n made the choice for herself. I’d force myself to think about other things until Edward was gone. 

She’d find the letter after we were gone. It would explain everything. With the letter she’d find the tickets.

I hoped she would choose to find me too.

~~

Y/n��s Point of View

The air felt wrong. I think Bella could feel it too.

The events of Bella’s birthday affected us all pretty hard. Alice and Jasper left that night, not saying where they were going, I just assumed they flew up to Denali. Edward wasn’t at the house much and felt distant. Carlisle was… Well…

He was acting completely normal, calm and collected. It just felt… off. 

Still, I got ready for the dinner he had planned. I pulled my hair out of my face and I hoped for the best.

I saw his car as soon as I pulled into the parking lot. I parked in the spot next to him and cut the engine. I sat there for a second trying to breathe, trying to calm my nerves, even though I didn’t know why I was nervous in the first place. 

He opened my door for me and I hugged him like I always did. The kiss he gave me was slow and deliberate. He held my face in his hands even after he broke away. He rested his forehead against mine.

I couldn’t tell why, but it was all starting to feel like a goodbye.

I shuddered at the thought and hoped it couldn’t be. It very easily could have been.

“I know you like this place. I’ve already gotten us a table.”

“Oh, good.” I stepped back and took his hand. He led us inside. He felt normal, The restaurant felt normal. Hell, even this date, if that’s what it was, felt totally normal. 

Yet the dread still loomed there like a bad aftertaste of a single bad night.

The hostess took us to the table and asked for our drinks. I got a cabernet. He, of course, got a black coffee. Yea, totally normal.

I didn’t look at the menu, I didn’t want to take my eyes off of him. When the waitress came back with our drinks he told her we would need some privacy. 

The air left my lungs.

“Y/n…” He started. His hand reached across the table to hold mine, and he gave my hand a soft squeeze. I didn’t say anything, I just couldn’t. “We’re leaving.”

This really was a goodbye.

He continued, “Most of the others are already gone. Edward is saying his goodbyes to Bella…” Goodbye. Goodbye. Goodbye . It rang in my head. I didn’t move, couldn’t move . “Edward thinks it would be safer for Bella, if we weren’t around.” 

I thought I heard a slight pitch in his voice, a hesitation in the way he phrased that.

It was just the tiniest glimmer of hope. “ Edward ?” Not Carlisle.

He shook his head, not him. Edward. “We’re not good for Bella.”

“Bella?” not me. My voice still shook. He nodded. Not me, Bella. Not him, Edward. This didn’t have to be about us. “But you’re leaving too?”

“Yes… I have to go as well. It’s for the best, Y/n.” I scanned his features. I tried to find the meaning of his words, like they would somehow be clearer if I looked deep enough in his eyes. This all felt so wrong. “What happened with Jasper-”

“Was nothing. Everything is fine.”

“It’s not fine. Bella… and You- you shouldn’t be in that kind of danger. I’ve never wanted that for you.” I thought I heard his voice break, but I don’t think that’s possible.

A moment of silence passed as I looked into his soft golden eyes. I tried to convince myself to breathe. “Don’t, don’t do this.” My voice definitely did break. I felt a tear roll down my cheek.

“I have to, Y/n. For Edward and Alice. For Bella. For you.” He took a deep breath. It reminded me to do the same, though mine was much more shaky. “Bella will never be safe. As long as she's human. As long as we’re around. I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to you.”

“Nothing happened.”

“This time.” he sighed “We have to leave.” he said again, I just nodded as more tears fell. “I’ll always love you, Y/n. This doesn’t change that. Nothing ever could change that.”

I shivered. I wasn’t cold but I couldn’t stop shaking. I nodded anyway, my voice barely audible, “What now?”

“Now I leave-” he took some money from his wallet and set it on the table. It was way more than the cost of our drinks. Then he stood. I didn’t trust my legs to hold me up, I didn’t move. “If you don’t mind, could you do something for me?” I’m sure he saw the confusion on my face, he held out a key to me. “This is the key to the house. It’s yours, as long as you want it. I’ve got some plants in my office-” he almost looked like he was in pain, like he didn’t want to ask. “They’ll need to be watered.”

I let out a short humorless laugh “Sure.” I didn’t move to take the key, so he placed it on the table next to me. My eyes met his again and I felt the pain spread through my chest. I could see how sad he truly was, maybe if vampires could cry he’d even shed a tear. I could feel the last goodbye coming.

He kissed my forehead. My eyes fluttered closed. I held on tightly to his hand like that would keep him from going. “Please… Stay safe, Cara.”

I couldn’t move, my eyes stayed closed, and tears stained my cheeks. If I was kidding myself, I would have sworn he said ‘I love you’ into my hair. Could have felt the goodbye he placed there.

But then my hand was empty.

And he was gone, truly gone.   

Some time later, though I had no real perception on how much, the waitress came back to the table. “Are you alright, sweetie?”

I didn’t look up at her, just shook my head. “Could you bring the bottle?” I request, gesturing to the now empty glass of cabernet.

“Sure.”

When she came back I handed her the cash, her eyes went wide at the amount. I hadn’t bothered to see how much there was. “You can keep the rest. I won’t need anything else.”

If she said something else, I didn’t hear her. I sat in the corner of the restaurant. I watched as normal people came and went, regular families eating dinner, cute couples on dates, while I was frozen in place.  I wanted to believe that if I sat there long enough- if I blinked enough times- he’d still be sitting in front of me and none of it would have been real.

Tears ran down my cheeks. The sun set. I didn’t move.

The waitress came back. I didn’t hear what she said. I waited a moment, a small “Hmm?” was all I could manage. 

“Oh, we're closing.” her voice was soft and filled with pity. I cringed.

“Right… Sorry.” I stood. Surprisingly my legs held.

She looked apologetic immediately. “No, it’s okay. Just, get home safe, alright?”

I nodded and mumbled my thanks. I managed to get to my car and just sat in it for a second. My tears had stopped, but the pain in my chest grew with every breath. Besides that pain, I was completely numb, almost lifeless somehow. 

In the quiet of my car I could hear my phone ringing. It was after 10pm. I had 16 missed calls from Dad, and he was calling again.

“Y/n” He was panicking. 

“Dad, sorry I left my phone-”

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine…” It was a lie. I’m sure he knew that, but he didn’t press the issue. I just wanted to calm him down, the panic in his voice was enough to sober anyone. “What’s wrong?”

“Have you seen your sister?” he was still frantic.

“No? Not since she left for school.” I started my car. Edward must be gone. I didn’t know where she would have gone, but I needed to help Dad find her. 

“Her truck was here, but the door was locked. There was a note, but I just can’t find her anywhere.”

“I’ll be there soon. I’m in Port Angeles.” I’d be at least 40 minutes.

“Be safe, I love you.” My chest ached.

“I will. I love you too, Dad.” Once he hung up I drove as fast as I could within legal limits. I was too much of a mess to get pulled over.

When I got to the house, there were over around ten cars in the driveway. Dad had a map of the forests near our house spread out on the hood of his cruiser. He hugged me tight when I got up to him. I tried not to flinch away when he kissed the top of my head. I couldn’t stop the tears that fell.

“They’re really gone?” I couldn’t answer. I just nodded. He hugged me tighter. Billy and Harry exchanged a look that I tried to ignore.

“We’ll find her, Charlie.” Harry said.

“They wouldn’t have taken her wit-”

“No,” I cut him off. “No, they went alone.” 

“And he just left her in the woods?”

“We don’t know the whole story.” I tried. Billy scoffed. I wanted to punch him. 

I didn’t, I just let the silence surround us and tried to focus on the mumbles and police code over Dad's walkie. I think hours passed by in a hazy fog.

Then I saw Sam Uley. I could barely process anything, though I heard him say she wasn’t hurt.

“- she just keeps saying ‘he’s gone’”

He’s gone. He’s gone. He’s gone .

She wasn’t saying it anymore, but I could hear it in my head. A broken record that could only play, “He’s gone, He’s gone, He’s gone” and “Goodbye, Goodbye, Goodbye .”

Dad took Bella from Sam and pulled her into the house. I followed a few steps behind. Dad wrapped her up in his jacket on the couch. He gave some of the boys directions to where the spare blankets are kept, but I waved them off, opting to get them myself.

All of these people were here to find Bella. And me, I guess; had I never answered my phone. I handed the blankets to Dad as she confirmed she wasn’t hurt, she’d just gotten lost in the woods. 

The doctor left, the volunteers left. Bella hardly moved. I gave Dad the other blanket I had grabbed, knowing that as long as she was down here he’d stay here too.

“Go to bed, sweetheart. I’ve got her.” He said as he settled into the recliner.

“I will…” my voice was flat. The phone rang again, Dad moved to get it, but I was faster. “I’ll get it, just… rest.” 

A classmate of Bella, Laura, Lauren maybe? She did sound concerned, but also nosey somehow. 

“She’s fine, she just got lost; we’ve found her.” I repeated this to everyone who called. The phone rang on and off for a while. Once it got too late- or early, I guess- the calls stopped. I went back to the living room and sat on the floor. I sat directly in front of the window, pressing my face to the cool glass. I didn’t sleep, didn’t move; I  just watched the sunrise on a day I wasn’t prepared for.

The day felt like it was mocking me; because of course it would rain today. I wondered if they planned that. It was a Saturday, too. Bella didn’t have to go to school or work, I didn’t work. They probably wanted to make it easier. It wasn’t.

After some time, the phone rang again. This time Dad was up and to the phone faster than I could get there. 

“Where?” he paused. “you're sure it’s outside the reservation… But what could be burning out there?” He sounded both worried and mystified. Bella started to stir a little. “Look, I'll call down there and check it out.”

He hung up and called another number, his hand pinching the bridge of his nose as it rang. I could tell Bella was awake now, and listening too.

“Hey, Billy, it’s Charlie- I’m sorry I’m calling so early… no, she’s fine. She’s sleeping… Thanks, but that's not why I called. I just got a call from Mrs. Stanley, and she says from her second-story window she can see fires out on the sea cliffs, but I didn’t really… Oh!” He suddenly seemed much more annoyed than he was before. “And why are they doing that? Uh huh. Really?” He said it sarcastically. “Well, don’t apologize to me .  Yeah, yeah. Just make sure the flames don’t spread… I know, I know, I’m surprised they got it lit at all in this weather.”

Dad got quiet again before adding, “Thanks for sending Sam and the other boys up. You were right- They do know the forest better than we do. It was Sam who found her, so I owe you one… Yeah  I’ll talk to you later,” he agreed, still sour, before hanging up.

He muttered to himself as he walked back in the living room.

“What’s wrong?” Bella’s voice startled us both. He hurried to her side.

“I’m sorry I woke you, honey.”

“Is something burning?”

“It's nothing,” he pushed some hair out of her face. “Just some bonfires out on the cliffs.”

“Bonfires?” I knew she wanted him to clarify, but there was no inflection in her voice. She didn’t even sound alive.

“Some kids from the reservation being rowdy,” He tried to explain, the irritation still in his voice.

“Why?” She pushed. 

I could tell he didn’t want to answer, His eyes danced between her and the floor and over to me. “They’re celebrating the news.”

I let out a bitter laugh. Of course they were. I grew up around these people, but who cares about that. The vampires left town, what else did I expect the werewolves to do? Maybe I thought they’d be a bit more polite about their victory, but clearly I was wrong.

“Because the Cullens left,” Bella barely mumbled. “They don’t like the Cullens in La Push- I’d forgotten about that.”

I silently started to cry again. Neither of them noticed. I needed to stop thinking about them. The pain was nearly unbearable. 

“It’s ridiculous,” Dad spluttered.

There was a long silence before he spoke again, “Bella?” Her eyes drift from the window behind me to his face. “He left you alone in the woods?”

“How did you know where to find me?” She deflected.

“Your note… When you didn’t come back, I called the Cullens and no one answered. Then I called the hospital, and Doctor Gerandy told me that Carlisle was gone.” His name still took my breath away. Bella’s eyes shot to me. I wiped away the tears that fell.

Goodbye, Goodbye, Goodbye .

He’s gone, He’s gone, He’s. Gone.

“Where did he go?” Her eyes didn’t leave my face. I wasn’t sure who she was asking, but Dad answered.

“Edward didn’t tell you?” Bella winced, clearly in the same pain I was. Dad looked at me. I shrugged and shook my head. “Carlisle took a job with a big hospital in Los Angeles. I guess they threw a lot of money at him.”

I sighed, there was no way they really went to California. That was just the cover story.

“I want to know if Edward left you alone out there in the middle of the woods,” Dad insisted.

She grimaced again, shaking her head. “It was my fault. He left me right here on the trail, in sight of the house… but I tried to follow him.”

Teenagers… I shook my head. At least Carlisle had the sense to leave me in a public place. More pain shot through my chest.

Goodbye, Goodbye, Goodbye.

He’s gone, He’s gone, He’s. Gone .

Dad tried to say something again. “I can’t talk about this anymore, Dad. I want to go to my room.” Then she shot off the couch and up the stairs.

“Y/n…” I looked at him, he hadn’t moved from the crouch. “Why would they just leave like this? Didn't they know how hard it would be on her?” I raised my eyebrows and his questioning. “And you. God, honey, I’m so sorry…”

I shrugged. There was some shuffling upstairs in Bella's room, I heard the creek of the floorboards, then silence.

“We should give her some space.” I mumbled.

“What about you?” His voice was soft, comforting almost. 

“I… I don't know.” I barely recognized the monotonous drone mine had become. 

“Space, then.”

I nodded “Space.” He moved to kiss my head, then sat back in the chair. 

Without another word, I drifted upstairs to my own room. The door was cracked just a bit. I pushed it open slowly, as if I expected he would be in there.

He wasn’t; of course he wasn’t.

The polaroid Emmett took over the summer, of me and Carlisle dancing in the rain, was no longer on my bedside table. I shut the door behind me needing to lean against it for support. The weight of the day brought me to the floor.

I couldn’t stop the tears from falling.

He’s gone, He’s gone, He’s. Gone .

Goodbye…

Part Two <3

Taglist

@jakanddexter67 @a-not-so-poetic-poet @bridge597 @cestlavie03 @gaymazinglula

(I know like two more people asked but I can't for the life of me find where, so if I left you out I'm so sorry and I will add you to the next one. <3)

#carlisle cullen x reader #twilight #twilight renessaince #carlisle cullen #im always in this twilight #twilight x reader #twilight fanfiction #arent we just terrified #new moon #screaming

[yanderes-galore]

Can I get a yandere raymond vester x fem darling scenario where he finds out that darling is leaving the FBC due to severe mental health issues please and he gets upset

Ooo, I haven't played Revelations 1 in forever. I'll see what I got, hopefully it is not too OOC.

One Last Talk

Yandere Raymond Vester Scenario

Pairing: Romantic/Platonic

Possible Trigger Warnings: Gender-Neutral Darling, Manipulation, Thoughts of kidnapping, Fear of abandonment, Obsession, PTSD.

The reasons for you leaving FBC should not be of anyone's concern. At least that's what you wanted to think. Your reasoning is more private.

The stress of your job was too much. FBC was way too high maintenance. Plus, the organization was not what it seemed. Leaving felt like the best decision.

Not to a certain spy, however.

Raymond Vester was an operative who grew attached to you while you worked for the FBC. You had helped him with Parker during the Terragrigia Panic and had tended to his wounds. Ever since, the ginger headed spy had grown fond of you.

He had an acute awareness of your mental health. Ever since the bioterrorism attack on the floating city he saw how sheltered you became. The attack echoed in your head over and over.

After that, he had a feeling you never wanted to work in this field. While it may be the best for you mentally... Raymond had trouble letting you go.

"Are you doing better today?"

He asks from a doorway, you turning to greet him. You give a deep sigh while shaking your head. Raymond frowns at your obvious display of no.

"No, Raymond... I don't think I'll get any better if I continue working for the FBC."

"Are you going to swap to the BSAA?" Raymond asks. The FBC may not be the best for you, but he knows the BSAA is a better offer for you. Especially since at this time he was a spy for them.

"I was thinking... I just leave this all entirely. Bioterrorism... I can't deal with it anymore."

"You're just going to void your contract?"

"What else am I supposed to do?"

"You're quitting because of your mental health... aren't you?"

He crosses his arms over his blue vest, eyes looking at you intensely. You stare at him in disbelief. How'd he-?

"What makes you say that?"

"I know you."

Raymond stops leaning on the wall and walks closer to you. He stands near you and observes your concerned face. As a spy, he could read you like a book.

"I understand the trauma of Terragrigia is still heavy in your mind. It's been a year and I feel the same. It's just not affecting me as it does you."

He holds your hands in his gloved ones. The contact seems a bit intimate... but you don't pull away. You have no idea he's not FBC anymore and trust him as a dear friend. A trust he is grateful to have....

"Talk to me, don't suffer alone. It may benefit both of us. You may not even have to leave."

"Why do you want me to stay?"

"We're partners. We were assigned to one another. I'd feel lost without my partner, would I not?"

Admittedly, he had Jessica help him get you as a partner instead of Parker. He wanted to be close to you and now such a decision made you friends. Perhaps something more if he pushed for it.

"You could always pair with Jessica, Parker, or even Rachel again-"

"They aren't you... we've been through so much. Shouldn't we stick together?"

"Raymond... I care for you."

His heart tightens when you move your hands to his shoulders. Your expression is sad, however. You were always stubborn....

"Yet I still must go. I won't be of any help here."

"Stay for a little while longer.... It's my final request."

"You know I can't..."

"I know you can."

Raymond's blunt with his reply, eyes holding a stubborn gaze to match your saddened one.

"You wouldn't leave me without one final goodbye, right?"

"You make this so hard...."

"How do you think I feel?"

You look away, departing from him to think to yourself. Raymond allows you your room, internally plotting how this can go. If you're leaving he needs more time- How can he keep you and him together....

"... If it'll keep you happy," You begin, catching Raymond's attention. "I'd like to spend more time with you before I leave."

Raymond feels himself smile. Both at the thought of you caring for him so much and at the fact this gives him time to plan. Perhaps he can make this work.

"I'm glad you're always thinking of me-" Raymond sighs, thinking of when you saved him. "You always think of both my emotional and physical health."

"I just hope you respect mine."

"Of course." He smiles, pulling you closer to him. "You're my partner... up until the end."

Raymond then pats your back before leaving the room.

"I'll make your send off the greatest."

"I look forward to it, Raymond!"

Raymond then leaves the room, thinking to himself.

You'll stay around longer now...

It's just time to devise a way to keep you.

#yandere resident evil #yandere resident evil revelations #yandere raymond vester

[gamesception]

Sception Reads Cass Cain #18

Batgirl (2000) #5 Story: Peterson & Puckett Art: Scott & Campanella

Back to the main series, and we're following straight on from where we left off. I'm leaving my criticisms of the direction taken with issue 4 behind, what's done is done, all we can do now is look at where the creative team goes with it. As with the issue 4 post, I'm trying not to just straight summarize everything, so if you aren't familiar with this series or haven't read it in a while, do please go read through issue 5 again. It's good, it introduces David Cain, there's a clever bit with Cass figuring out how to let Babs know she can understand her now even though she can't really speak yet, the art's still really good. It's worth your time.

The main thing I want to talk about in this post, of course, is David Cain. The flanderization of David Cain is one of the ways Cassandra's stories started to trail off long before her ongoing Batgirl run came to an end, and the fact that none of the multiple creative teams across multiple books that have tried to 'fix' Cassandra thought to try to 'fix' David as well - only pushing him deeper into his two dimensional generic comic villain box - is a big part of why modern Cass has never managed to hook me like old school Cass once did.

This is our first time meeting him since the introduction in No Man's Land, and after seeing Cass again he's just fallen apart. Drunk, hasn't shaved, hasn't showered. You get the impression that he must have been like this after Cass first left, that it must have taken him years to build himself back up to where he was when we last saw him.

But seeing Cass again, knowing she's alive but that she never forgave him, the shock and hope and despair when she heard her speak - you can tell this guy has this whole twisted self image about being a 'professional' or whatever, but the way hearing her say 'stop' drove all thought of the mission out of his head, and now, months later, he's still like this.

David Cain is a killer, but he's not a killing machine, and Cassandra wasn't just a tool or weapon or product or whatever. Yes, she's a living demonstration and vindication of his 'unconventional' ideas about training, but she's more than that. She's his protege, his legacy, his mark on the world, his daughter. She's everything to him.

He's not angry at Cass for leaving him, he doesn't blame her for failing him or whatever. It's quite the opposite - he failed her, and he's completely undone by it. This man who's murdered probably hundreds of people and never felt a thing failed his daughter, drove her away, and the guilt from that destroyed him.

And he's right that it was his fault, though he doesn't understand why. He doesn't understand that the very body reading skills that he managed to instill in little Cass forced her to experience her victim's death from their own perspective, forced her to empathize fully with them as they died at her hand, and that is why she could never kill again, why she felt forced to run from David and the life he prepared her for. It didn't matter how young she was, it would have been the same if she were 8 or 18 or 28.

The skills that made her the ultimate assassin also made her wholly unable to be an assassin - a perfect ironic twist that I would have loved to see this asshole react to, but before he could he deteriorates into a stock generic heel who wouldn't care either way.

And worse, we get introduced to other kids trained by Cain with the same skills - so the bit about Cass being the only one it ever worked for is retconned away - and they kill without caring so this core aspect of Cass's character is also abandoned, modern Cass isn't good because she was forced to experience the consequences of her cruelty from the victim's perspective, she's just inherently good because she's just a 'good person', just like modern Cain is just a 'bad person'.

And that's the thing, I'm not praising the contradictions and depth of original David Cain's character for the sake of woobifying an evil abusive father figure. Rather, it's that David's depth directly contributes to Cassandra's depth.

Because little Cass - og little Cass - she loved her life with David. The training was bloody and brutal but she excelled, and her father was proud of her excellence, and she thrived on the praise he showered on her for it. She couldn't wait to beat up 'Merc' and the other goons in issue one. She wasn't cowering in a corner, she didn't beat them up reluctantly out of fear of what David would do if she didn't. She was having fun. David raised her to be the perfect little killer, and she absolutely and enthusiastically was, right up until the killing part.

It's important that Cass loved her life with David, that she loved David himself and that he loved her, because that makes her decision to abandon her life and her father a sacrifice. That's her choosing the lives of others over her own happiness.

It means something different if David was just a monster who she hated and feared, if he never actually cared for her, because then abandoning him is her saving herself. It also changes how his murder resonates. OG Cass, this is something she willingly did for David's approval. She only realized after the fact just how terrible it was, but that doesn't change that it was something she willingly and happily did. New Cass, forced to kill out of fear and threat of violence to herself... again, it's not the same.

It also changes what it means for her to be Batgirl, in a way that strips out even more depth.

If David Cain is just a villain who abused her, then there's no longer this direct parallel between training under Bruce and training under David, the lives they're preparing her for, the violence, the way she thrives on it, the way she feels guilty about Being Batgirl - like she's getting away with something - because it's basically getting back the life she lost when she abandoned David, the same life she's trying to repent for by being Batgirl.

How she has to hide what she did from Bruce or else he'll take away her new life that's so much fun, and with it take away her only hope of redemption. New Cass might feel guilty for killing, but she doesn't feel ashamed for having been excited and happy to do it only moments before.

There is so much depth to early Cass that is directly tied to the depth of early David Cain. Her father is basically one of the founding pillars of her character. But this guy?

Or even this guy?

Those guys aren't pillars of anything.

.....

I'm getting sidetracked into negative rants, though, and there's really no call for that, because we don't have to deal with those guys today. At my rate of progress we probably won't have to deal with them ever. For now we have the pleasure of dealing with this asshole...

Bruce is right, by sending the footage of Cass's kill David was absolutely trying to drive a wedge between them, while also trying to assert his claim. "You may be putting Cass's skills to use, but never forget that I trained her first, I gave her those skills, and this is what those skills are for." And Bruce's counter argument, "Denial isn't just a river in Egypt, it's also my house where I live at" is so willfully stupid and so funny that David spends a whole panel confused and shocked before he can even laugh at it, and that's honestly pretty great.

David also gets to bring us back to the core theme-

David's guilt over driving Cass away, Cass's guilt over killing that guy, Bruce's guilt over letting his parents die. I don't think Batgirl (2000) ever got around to directly calling Bruce out on that, but panels like this make it clear what parallels we're supposed to be drawing.

....

that's a lot of rambly words about David Cain, there is other stuff that happens in this issue.

This bit where Cass figures out how to explain to Babs that she can understand her now even though she can't really talk yet, is neat.

And this bit where Cass realizes other people depend on her skills and she needs to get them back even if it means losing what she's gained is sad and sweet even if it doesn't come to anything since the random psychic wizard can't fix her and eventually she gets her body reading ability back without having to give up speech.

This bit where Bruce has Tim do some research on the guy Cass killed but Tim basically immediately figures out what it's about anyway because, it's Tim so of course he does is pretty good.

And this bit where Cass struggles to fend off some suited goons she took down without a thought in issue 4 does a pretty good job of conveying how the words are getting in the way... but also makes me wish we had more time with Cass without the usual narration blocks, because... yeah. They get in the way, and it was cool when the book mostly didn't have them.

#batgirl #cassandra cain #sception reads cassandra cain #David Cain #late update again this week

[greypetrel]

Iron Bull and I’m pretty sure you said Tolkien too?? If so, Elrond and Tommy Bombadilly —Koko

Hi Koko!

Somehow I knew you would have been asking Bull xP Just a sixth sense! And yes I said Tolkien to! :3

The Iron Bull:

First impression: I remember I was caught for the character design, the visible imperfections and how he's not canonically handsom... And yet he counts as he is. After the design, I was... A little taken aback by him admitting that oh yes he's a spy and he will spy on you. Like... What? Are you sure you want to tell me, man? xD Instant interest.

Impression now: I know he has flaws and that by all means he's the one person you shouldn't be trusting in all the games. But, he's the huge mom friend, which is also why he's so good at what he does if you ask me. I think he's the better liar because he will admit he's lying... And still will make you forget he is. But yeah, I haven't yet played with a character who wouldn't save the Chargers, and so he could go and live his best life free of being the biggest mother hen ever.

Favorite moment: He brought Dorian's handkerchief for him because he knows he would have forgotten. Big mother hen. No, also the way he just looks at Krem after his personal mission and just... "Never mind, you're doing fine". Basically, whenever he lets himself show he's a big big softie. Also him carrying Sera on his shoulders in battle, yelling "Mayhem!".

Idea for a story: As for Dorian, I'd love love love to write, sooner or later, some expansion of this ficlet and expand that dynamic. I'd also seriously love to read something about him and Krem learning to work together. Some Chargers origin story.

Unpopular opinion: Again, he's another character who doesn't betray you, in my opinion. Even if you sacrifice the Chargers, in Trespasser... He told you from the start he was a spy working for the Qun, right? He was always very open about him being Ben Hassrath, Gatt told you he was called "Liar". You know he lies. As much as you know that Varric lies. Bull's just better at making you forget but... Is it really a betrayal if you were told whose side he was really on from the start? If you were really told he never liked the Tal Vashoth as a concept, if you ask him about Seheron? Not a betrayal, you just forget he was never on your side, if you cut away the one reason he had to change his loyalties (yes I'm including if he's in a romance with either the Inquisitor or Dorian. I like his character so much because a romance is not enough to make him change his mind and become something he clearly say he hates. His men, the life he build for himself, relationships he grew in years are, and if you take that away... He may call you Kadan, you're still just one person and love is not enough on its own.)

Favorite relationship: Him and the Chargers, hands down. They were collectively his way to express himself and find himself and heal after the Horrors, and he's just... I don't know you can see he struggles to give back what he got and it's just so precious.

Favorite headcanon: Plus size, soft bellied Bull still lives rent free in my head. As above, Bull the mama hen taking care of the inner circle. I also still remember Bull the HR manager in Skyhold that @shivunin devised and I had to draw and... Yes.

Elrond:

First impression: I remember I was suspicious of him at first because I already saw the Matrix, and he was the villain, so at 9 I thought that he must have been evil there too. xD

Impression now: I have distinct opinions on book and movie Elrond. I love the first trilogy dearly, but amongst the choices they did I like less and less, the "Let's make Elrond a helicopter dad" is the one that leaves me MEH. But that's on me, the "star-crossed lovers" is a trope that I have extremely little patience for. Still the way he just looks at Aragorn in Minas Tirith, moved and in happy tears... Aaaaaw. I love him I LOVE HIM. and I love how he was written in Rings of Power, give me more Elrond content please, he has so much to give as a character, think of what he has seen!

Favorite moment: The patience and restraint he showed in not kicking Isildur in the volcano with a vengeance. Respect, bro, I would have tossed the jock right into cursing his name and calling him for the asshole that he is. And in Rings of Power, the heart-to-heart talks he has with Durin.

Idea for a story: More Elrond being the weird uncle for Durin and Disa's children. More Elrond dealin with three children on his own. More Elrond and Elros dealing with what the fuck happened to his parents Oh ok now mom is a seagull that's... fine.

Unpopular opinion: I like a lot how he was portrayed in Rings of Power. Yes included his haircut, let him have his Patrick Schwayze phase.

Favorite relationship: Him and Arwen and him and Durin.

Favorite headcanon: We all know he's a big softie when it comes to his children, right? And to children in general. I picture Elladan, Elrohir and Arwen doing shenanigans when they were little, and him... Just sighing and telling them to go to their room, totally unable to even go as far as grounding them. Arwen looked at him with those big blue eyes and he just... Couldn't do anything else.

Tom Bombadil:

First impression: Hey dol, Merry dol! / Ring a dong dillo 🎶 I think I wasn't really understanding what was going on, but I was 9 and I enjoyed the little shenanigan with this weird person who had a wife he loved and sung a catchy song. I didn't question him that much.

Impression now: Still as above, I like him being there, just to show the Hobbits that the world isn't all dark and evil, there is something good to fight for. LOTR is about hope and finding hope when everything around you is dark, and he just does that. If you just go with the flow and don't question him much, take him as just "a quirk", there are some lovely descriptions to be found and a lovely, lovely way to see nature. (which again, is such an important theme in Tolkien's work!)

Favorite moment: That fucking catchy song stays in my head for LONG. Right now I'm humming it. Tom Bom, jolly Tom, Tom Bombadillo! 🎶

Idea for a story: A meeting between him and the Ents. Which will be... 1000 pages of nothing at all. But come on. It'll be fun.

Unpopular opinion: As above, he's not evil incarnate and pointless in the story. He's a moment of breath with the purpose to remember that the world isn't all scary and that there is some mystery to behold, that doesn't require an explanation, that would make everything worse if he was explained.. There's good and there's light... And there's always something to look at in wonder in the world.

Favorite relationship: He and Goldberry are the ultimate couple.

Favorite headcanon: I think I read somewhere a theory according to whom he's really a Valar? I think he was Aule and Goldberry Yavanna in disguise? Well, Tom Bombadil a Valar is an headcanon I stan. I don't remember where I read it or if my brain made it up right now, but still. (... I could keep the idea for my fic tho. MMMMMH.)

#characters opinion meme #dragon age #lotr #the iron bull #elrond #tom bombadil #look at me defending Tom Bombadil on main

[march-harrigan]

okay okay, march, i've had ideas tumbling in my head and i *doubt* i'm the first but it's been at least a couple months and my thoughts have been going and anyway--

imagine you've been kidnapped by the hatter, not just you, there's others too, and you've been kidnapped together in order for jervis to work out an idea he had where if he were to have a wonderland cast of the major characters sitting together at a tea party, where would it go. and obviously he's ignoring or doesn't think about the likelihood of it not working anyway because you know, these people were *kidnapped* and likely won't go with it (especially if most of these people haven't even read or watched a media to do with AiW) but that's beside the point-

anyway, jervis is getting frustrated because the idea can't even commence because people are freaking out or cursing him out or crying because great, they're dealing with the hatter, and near the opposite end of the table is you, startled and unsure what to do, because the last thing you remembered is painting something for a client at the park, and messing up by painting with the wrong colour- and now you're here. here, with the hatter, and a bunch of random hostages, and not at the park with your painting supplies and easle and everything you had-

next thing you know, while the hatter is resigning to the idea being a failure, you quip up that you can't be here, you have work, and- because you're one of the few to have actually read the books- someone will have your head. now, this catches the hatter's attention, partly because of your outburst among the others, but also because you're the only one who's said something even remotely Wonderland-esc. and his attention is captured, obviously, and he shushes everyone before turning his attention to you again, asking you to repeat what you just said.

"someone will have my head..?" you repeat as told, before going on. "i've to finish my work. painting, i have to paint- the, uh.. the queen will have my head if i don't finish. and i painted the wrong colour, you know what she'd do if she saw."

(i'm writing this with arkham jervis in mind where, despite his lucidity, he's still in his delusions half the time)

so obviously he *does* know what she'd do, and bada-bing-bada-boom, they're let go so they don't have their head off, and lafbdlinicubqwub yeah that's all i got but you know-- the hatter knows those playing cards have a tough job cut out for them

Okay but consider

instead of leaving right away, this knowledge of Wonderland gives you a valuable resource. It wouldn't be easy of course, but if you can assign the right characters and come up with a reasonable excuse, you could talk your way through the situation and help at least a few other people.

"Hang on... Oh no, no, no!" you might say, rushing over to one of the crying captives. "The poor mock turtle can't be seen at a big party like this. What if someone tries to make him into soup? Ah! And the White Rabbit!"

You hurry to the other side of the table to another of the hostages. This one looks quite agitated. "He's going to be late! We can't have him keeping the Queen waiting, now can we?"

Of course you'd need to be careful. The first few excuses are reasonable enough, maybe, but Jervis isn't stupid. Eventually, he's going to realize something's up and he's going to start questioning you if you push it. So for each person you help, you're making the situation all the more precarious for yourself. In fact, you're endangering yourself because once he realizes he's being lied to, he's going to be pissed.

Of course you could always diffuse the situation by offering yourself back into captivity for the release of the others, but now you're back at square one.

But hey. At least you know how to talk to him. So maybe you'll get through this okay. Just don't try to outright lie and manipulate him again. He won't be so forgiving a second time.

#questions answered #jervis tetch #mad hatter #dc mad hatter

[therummonster]

{this is kinda long, you don't have to read it}

alexis: hey! benny! wake up!

benny: huh? what's goin on?

kayla: you missed the entire mission plan because you fell asleep.

benny(grabbing a drink): is that so?

mara: yeah. don't take this the wrong way but maybe if you pay attention to the mission plans, you wouldn't have as many... broken mechs.

benny(drinks a small amount before setting the glass down): so i need to pay more attention?

alexis: yes-

benny: you got jump scared by an icicle, you also have numerous accounts of hitting yourself in the back of the head with pebbles behind you.

alexis: ... how did you know-

benny: let's also not forget that you, sterling, heath, all thought it was a good idea to team up with the guy that just looks like bad news.

heath: well ulitus told us-

vasillia: ULITUS!? HE LOOKS LIKE IF YOU TOOK 20 OF THE MOST FEARSOME BEASTS AND TOOK EVERY BIT OF KILLING DESIRE AND PUT IT IN A HUMAN. THIS IS ONE OF THE SITUATIONS WHERE THE BOOK COVER IS EXTREMELY ACCURATE.

benny(spins around to stare directly at vasillia): sorry silli, but i apparently need to pay attention! so i might as well get out all the pointless little details out in the wind!

vasillia: benjamin, don't you dare.

benny: fine, fine.

vasillia: ...

benny: ... you get high off of cat nip.

vasillia: YOU LITTLE-

tayrun (snickering)

benny(without even turning): you had to get kayla's help because you couldn't put down this weird bear thing that just looked really sad. literally nothing special about it. this was also about a week ago.

tayrun: well- i- yeah...

astra(trying to climb out a window)

benny: i thought i was going to kayla next but since you're going..

astra: I DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING!

benny: you wait at the door whenever alexis and sterling leave until the nexus point gets triggered, then you jump on to the couch and pretend you weren't just waiting for them.

kayla: oh my god this is a massacre...

benny: you have spent multiple days doing work from charlie.

charlie: can confirm! i haven't slept in days! do i even need to sleep? people drink coffee to stay awake so..

benny: you will literally give someone a panic attack if you drink coffee while connected to them. just hop off and pass out.

champagne: how do you know all this????

benny: the same way i build mechs! i just know i've got the practice. sorta like how you got practice pretending you don't care about us and getting annoyed at our stupid things! and hiding the fact you've been visiting dinocross park the first wednesday of every month.

champagne: i shouldn't have said anything..

vasillia: you still go back to that place!?

benny: eeny meenie miney.. Mara, for the love of god don't feel bad for the people that were at the coalition!! they were gonna cut you to bits as if they were the second coming of christ!

mara: i can't help it!

benny: i know, but please!

sterling: benny i think you've proved a point-

benny(staring at the gopher): hush. ARCHIBALD!

everyone: tf??

benny: have you yet figured out how to turn off the record function?

gooby(flabbergasted expression)

everyone: TF!?

benny: i take it you still didn't know! don't worry, nobody else has em because i wasn't as paranoid as i am with the knowledge you can just appear!

jake: what on earth..

benny: kid, don't worry about it. sterling, i may as well get to you since i don't got a clue what the two braincells in the murder machine that likes cute things are doing.

sterling: that- that wasn't everything???

benny: nope! i mean... c'mon. me and cham have been dating for... like 5 months?

sterling: you- you have?

alexis: sterling. they haven't been keeping it a secret.

harold: jeeze sharp! i feel like ya went over board!

benny: you quiet down, your dad sold you and your boss tried to get my friends killed multiple times.

harold: eh, y'know what that's fair.

benny(turns back to jake): alright, since i think that's about everyone, this a brief thing.. i don't need healing, i am fine.

ana: liar.

benny(stares at ana)

ana(staring practically into his soul)

benny: final piece, you scare me a bit. not because of your powers however..

#popcrossstudios #therum creation

[mashas-rotting]

This is a Love Story

Chapter 2

Warnings, p in v sex, dirty talk, cussing, hospital sex, orgasm denial

The warmth from the sun was pleasant as you and Kakashi sit in the grass reading the newest makeout book. The two of you never talked about the dirty books, but you both enjoyed them and didn't mind each other's company. The sun's warmth was challenged by the chilly fall breeze and it made you shiver. "Did you get to a good part or just cold?" Kakashi asks without looking up from his book. "The winds chilly but I'm fine." You reply glancing at him before returning to you book.

More silence after that. It wasn't uncomfortable though. The two of you just didn't talk alot. In fact, what happened on the last mission hadn't even been discussed. It wasn't a surprise that Kakashi was attracted to you, and it wasn't a surprise he didn't want to pursue that attraction. As ninja, falling for someone could get you killed. Sure plenty of ninja did, but it often led to heart break. So, here you sit, reading. At some point your mind wandered off and you started thinking about your jutsu. Why would he not tell anyone? It seemed strange. Most people would be horrified to witness what you can do. Maybe you should explain it a little.

"hey Kashi?" You ask putting your book down. "Hmm?" He looks up but doesn't close his book. " Do you want to know about that jutsu?" He flinches slightly. "I have been curious, but it's one of those things I think the less I know the better." His tone is joking but he looks uncomfortable. "We don't have to talk about it. I just realized, you've never asked and figured you might want to know what exactly it is you're keeping a secret." You reply nervous. You're not sure how much you want to share, but if he kept a secret that big you felt like you owed him something. "Okay, this is me asking. What is it? Why do you do it?" He's trying to keep his tone light, but his body is a bit tense.

"it's something that was taught to me by a spirit." You say slowly, choosing your words carefully. "It's not something that I can teach or pass on. It can only come from these specific types of spirits, and they're not very friendly. It's not just the consumption of life, it prevents their souls from resting. I try not to do it. it's supposed to be a last resort, but I'm not good with my emotions. I lost control." You pull your knees to your chest feeling small. When he doesn't reply you say,"I wouldn't blame you if you told the hokage about it. I don't really understand why you haven't." Kakashi stands up and you think he's going to leave, but he thumps your head with his book and says. "Don't be stupid. The hokage has more important things to deal with than a ninja who lost control and completed a mission."

"ow!" Grabbing you're head you look up at him. He's smiling through his mask and his previous tension seems to be gone. You softy smile back at him. Returning to the comfortable silence, the two of you walk back to the village. You're not convinced he's okay with what you do, but it seems hell keep your secret for whatever reason.

That was the last time you saw kakashi, until today. Two weeks had passed. You assumed he either didn't approve of your explanation or didn't believe you. Maybe he even went to the hokage after all? Maybe he decided you weren't worth it? Two fucking weeks of stress and anxiety, just to find out he went on a mission without you. If he didn't want to be your teammate anymore he should at least have the guts to tell you to your face.

So when you heard he was in the hospital you bribed the staff to give you some privacy with him. Now, you stand at the foot of his bed in a black long sleeved sun dress. Looking down at him you take in his injuries. You'd read his chart but seeing his leg in a cast, his toned chest shirtless and bandaged, and stitches on various parts of his body, both worried and aroused you. He looked helpless in the white hospital bed. It was giving you ideas.

"hello y/n. is there something I can help you with." He asks breaking the silence. "You look like you can't help anyone at the moment, but why don't you explain why you went on a mission without me. That might be a big fucking help." He cringes and looks away for a moment. "There were more ninja available for this mission I figured why bother you, especially after what happened last time." Your eyes narrow at his words. "So I open up to you and you decide I'm a ticking time bomb? That I'm not worthy to be you're teammate? Well look where that got you asshole. How many ninja didn't make it back? How many ninja did you try to replace me with?" Your voice getting louder with every jab.

He takes a deep inhale through his nose slowly. "It.. it's not like... hmm." His brows furrow. His face looks so cute like this, frustrated and vulnerable. Fine, if he was going to ditch you the least he could do is send you off properly. You walk up to the side of his bed. "And another thing!" You snap at him then lean down, your hair falling onto his chest as you kiss him over his mask. "What are you-" he tries to say but you cover his mouth with your hand.

"shut up kakashi." You say before climbing into his lap carefully. Slowly, you grind yourself onto him. You're breathing starts to get heavy at the electricity shooting through you. How does he feel so good? If you stayed here much longer you know you'd cum, but that's not the plan so with one hand still over his mouth, you take his now hardening dick out of his pants and rub it against your clit. He groans into your hand at the realization that you're not wearing panties and he involuntarily thrusts against you slightly.

Fuck he's making you so wet you can hear it as you use him to play with yourself. Once he's fully erect, you lift up and slowly lower yourself onto him throwing your head back in a soft moan as he fills you for the second time. His hands grip your thighs firmly but not painfully and his eyes close for a moment before locking into you again. "Oh God, you feel good." You moan rocking your body back and forth feeling him stretch your most intimate part to it's max. He was throbbing in anticipation, his cock begging you for more.

"I missed how you feel inside me. Fuck, Kakashi." You finally start riding him, your pace increasing as you quickly chase your release. He moans into your hand that's still covering his mouth. "I like you like this. Quiet. Taking it. Like a good boy. Isn't this nice?" you breathe into his ear in between moans and he nods against your hand. The pleasure building inside you growing with each bounce.

"I'm so close Kashi." Your thighs tense. "Fuck I want it. Wanna cum so bad." Your hand slides from his mouth to grip his shoulder as you babble. His breathing is ragged but he doesn't say anything keeping silent for you. He starts thrusting up into you. It's exactly what you needed and you clench your thighs around him, throwing your head back in a loud breathy moan as you cum. Kakashi winces in pain from his injuries but fucks you through your orgasm.

As your orgasm fades you remove yourself from his lap, quickly cover yourself, and walk towards the door. "Y/n?" He questions. You turn your head back to look at him and say. "It doesn't feel too good to be left behind. Does it? Maybe next time you'll be nice and let me come with you. Maybe next time I'll be nice and return the favor." And with that you leave the room.

#fanfiction #reader insert #kakashi hatake #naruto #hospital #a proper send off

[deeisace]

What a very odd dream

I was on a train to Orkney, going to visit my family there - I don't have any family I know there, and tho there must still be Scarth cousins our shared relatives are born 180 years ago - in my head I was thinking of my mum's uncle's family, who actually live in Cornwall, but I called them the Green's, and that side is from Norfolk, so I guess my brain just fudged a whole lot together

Anyway, on a train to Orkney, a really old-fashioned train, one of those steam trains you get, even with the little compartments you sit in

And I knew I had to swap trains at one point, but I wasn't sure which, and my phone, it wasn't working properly - I tried to type my destination into one box, and it threw me to a different one, and the page wouldn't load correctly

And I didn't want to call my mum now, cs I wasn't really lost yet, and I didn't want her worried from hundreds of miles away if there wasn't need

So, I got off at the next stop, and I remember looking very hard at the sign to see if it rang a bell, but now I can't remember the name except it had a K sound in it

And then there were some boys - old-fashioned again, they looked sort of urchin-y, but they were helpful, they knew where I should go, but quick! Policeman!

And they ran, and for some reason I followed - I could have stayed at the station, I should have, I've no idea why I didn't - but I followed them, down rickety woodland stairs and across slow moving traffic - and the cars were old-fashioned, too, just like the train and the boys, and when I thought of home, Liverpool was lit up in lights like it was the 1950s, not now

Anyway, the older one said, why haven't you got a jumper, and I didn't, and my hands were blue

And the younger one said, shortcut through this house, and led me into an incredibly posh house, still running, down a corridor and into the basement kitchen, and I thought, there'll be a back door from the kitchen, like there is in every Victorian house posh enough to have copper pans - but the boy turned me round, led me further under the house, and he for some reason got me a milkshake, and some blankets, and said it's getting late at night now, you can stay here and wait for the next train in the morning

And I didn't say anything, I didn't drink the milkshake, but I felt a bit weird, like I'd been drugged anyway, I could tell I wasn't reacting right, but I thought oh I'll just sit down there on the bed for a second (I dropped the milkshake, it went over sideways and didn't spill), and then in a bit I can leave and pay for someone else to take me to the ferry

And the man of the house popped down, and didn't really do anything but see that I was sat where I should be, and then he locked the door as he left, this big scarred oak door, shutting me off from the kitchen proper

Then, a woman arrived, and she crowed about how I could never get out, and she had a giant old-fashioned tome of a book, and wanted to read from it, but I

I sort of tackled her? I've never been in a fight, but I was just holding her nails away from my eyes, basically, and the book, I could see it was sort of flashing, where it had dropped, and I thought, if she was about to read from it, there's a vocal component, would it just work with tones and intent, maybe

So I sang, kept singing, just wordless "ah"s, and she kept trying to claw at my eyes, and spoke about how long it had taken her to convince the boys, her stepsons, that this was a fine thing to do, kidnap me

And then, rather suddenly, though I was trying to keep an eye on what colours the book was going, she was outside the window, and then she was a werewolf, transformed despite it still being broad daylight

Or, she had summoned the werewolf? I think there was the wolf, and then her, shouting at it

A giant wolf, broke the window and stuck their head in, and she was shouting, saying, get back in, get - me - I think she used 'she' for me, which is unsurprising, really, cs everyone irl does, but it is rather a disappointment to be misgendered even in my dreams, even if it is a nightmare

Anyway, the wolf couldn't get in, said "the story" wouldn't let it - and I went to the door, and there was a bolt lock, locked on this side, too, and I thought to myself, this is the only lock I can see, so it's the only one that's there, I can get out

And I was debating with myself, if I go out the back then I'm further from the wolf and the station, and if I go out the front then I know the way back to the station - and if the wolf can only do what the story allows, which would it and the evil stepmother be expecting me to take

I'd just about decided to go out the front door, and steeled myself to open the locked door through force of will, when I woke up

#i have weird fuckin dreams #there was also one before this one i think #i can't remember it properly but it was #like a post-apocalyptic sort of thing‚ in a city with fallen down buildings with plants growing over‚ and absolute surveillance #except this one little hill where the cameras couldn't see - but we had to be careful about words‚ cs who knows what they could still hear #and on the hill was a like a fast food place - what's the american one that has the red haired girl as the logo? #anyway I got a milkshake there too‚ and it was nice‚ sat on a green hill with my laptop and people planning revolution in code