#a genuine new chapter will be posted soon i promise

[teshamerkel]

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Seekers of Soul

[Chapter 55]

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AO3 Link

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Tobias and Nia tie up some loose ends around the guild in preparation for their journey to find Will, and Tobias shares a special pastime with his partner.

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Team Evergreen doesn’t make an appearance after their mission in the tunnels, though Jaz stops by Tobias and Nia’s room at dawn two days later to give them an update on Andyn's mood.

“She was quiet for a while,” the stufful says. “Thinking, I suppose. But otherwise she's acting fine again.”

“Did I actually get through that thick skull of hers?” Tobias grumbles. He’s tying Nia’s scarf around her arm before they leave for the day, and it’s slipping annoyingly through his fingers.

Jaz sighs. “No, unfortunately not. It’s going to take more than a few heated words to get her to change her mind about this. Ezra and I have tried. But...”

Nia’s ears perk. “But..?”

“Something you said did make her think, Tobias. Maybe you planted some seeds that just need a bit of time to bloom.”

Pretty words for such a nasty conversation, Tobias thinks idly as he finally ties Nia’s scarf tight. He doesn’t have nearly as much faith that Andyn will turn over a new leaf any time soon.

Nia smiles at Jaz. “Well, I’m happy to hear she’s back to her normal self, at least. Sorry again that our group mission wasn’t, uh…as fun as we might’ve hoped.”

Tobias opens his mouth to say that that was Andyn’s fault, not theirs.

Jaz beats him to it, laughing softly. “Not your fault. Neither of your faults, really.”

Nia doesn’t argue that point, and the stufful leaves shortly after with a word of luck for their mission today and a promise to pass their hellos on to Ezra.

“Well, I’m glad we don’t have to worry about Andyn too much,” Nia says as the two of them pack up for the day and head down the Lexym Tree to the mission boards. “Are you still doing okay?”

Tobias is doing fine. Probably better than he should be, honestly. While Andyn hit a sore spot and he was much harsher than Nia would’ve been regarding the deerling’s parents, he stands firm by his conviction that Andyn needs a wake-up call. His words didn’t manage to get through to her, but he doesn’t really regret what he said, either.

“I’m fine. Just wish she’d wake up and realize her parents are the problem here.”

Nia is behind him on the steps, but Tobias can feel her attention on him, laser-focused. “You fought about her parents?”

Belatedly, Tobias realizes that this is the first time he’s said what his argument with the deerling was even about. Nia has been careful not to push.

“They suck, okay?” Tobias growls. “If they’re the reason she’s like that, then she should know that that’s messed up.”

Nia hums, but otherwise falls silent. That’s as good as an agreement for her, so Tobias doesn’t let the issue linger as they reach the ground floor where the mission boards are posted.

They’re still waiting to hear back from August about traveling to Will’s human settlement, so they’ve been avoiding any missions that would wear them out too much just in case they need to leave on short notice. Still, Tobias does have to swallow his pride when he realizes that leaves them with just a few very basic mission options for the day.

It’s not that he thinks the jobs are beneath him or anything, but they are undeniably…boring. And they give them less Seeker points, too. But he refuses to throw a fit like Andyn did.

“Well, let’s get this over with.”

“Hey, it might be fun!” Nia says, looking genuinely excited about the mission she’d picked out for them. “I haven’t tried cooking since waking up in this world.”

Tobias gives her an appraising look as they make their way back up the tree’s staircase. “Did you cook a lot as a human?”

Nia shakes her head. “Just basic stuff. Baking, mostly. But if it’s a low-level mission, it can’t be anything too complex, right?”

Tobias shrugs. For all his years at the guild, he’s never actually helped out in the cafeteria kitchen, always too busy trailing after Maggie and helping with medicinal duties.

He’s surprised to find that the day is actually pretty interesting, tucked away in the guild’s sprawling kitchen. They’re put to work under the command of the cooking staff, and their mission for the day is to provide breakfast and lunch for the entirety of the guild.

The vespiquen in charge has Tobias use his flames often, lighting fires in clay ovens and carefully toasting nuts and vegetables. He isn’t sure whether to be offended or proud when the chef looks at him with delight halfway through the morning with a clap of her hands and proclaims that they must make occa berry flambé for dessert today, with a fire type’s flames so readily on-hand.

He is proud, in an embarrassed sort of way, when the bug type compliments him on his temperature control with his flames. He manages to avoid burning a single pot or dish. While it’s a strange feeling, he likes the appreciative looks he gets from the other workers when he uses his fire, rather than the guild's usual wariness.

Tobias actually ends up enjoying the day more than Nia does, if the way she drags herself to the stairs at the end of their shift is any gauge. Her fur is caked in flour from a few ingredient mishaps, and Tobias has to bite back a laugh at her appearance.

She gives him a tired, playful glare in return. “Want to share with the class?”

“You look like a fidough.”

“Fidough,” Nia echoes, squinting. “Is that…a dog Pokemon? Oh my God, is that a bread pun?"

“It’s their species name. They are kind of…doughy, though. Yeah. That's the joke.”

Nia barks a laugh, and Tobias grins.

“Pokemon names are so silly! Hahaha!”

Tobias shakes his head as he leads the way up the stairs to their quarters. “Hey, at least they make sense. Who looks at a riolu and calls it a dog? What even is a dog?”

“Me! I’m a dog!”

“Yeah, yeah. And I’m Reshiram. C’mon, I want to have time to clean up before supper. You wanna eat with Maggie tonight? We can brag about the food we helped make.”

“Oh, that’d be perfect!” Nia says. Her fatigued posture lifts at the prospect, like a flower wilting in reverse. “Don’t let me forget, though, that I really need to talk to Avery sometime about the whole species naming thing. And the Pokemon language in general. Ordirune? It makes no sense that you and I can talk and read the same language when it’s, well…not the same language!”

Tobias vaguely remembers Nia mentioning this before, when they were in Ghatha with Junie. “Does it need to make sense? It works. We can understand each other. That’s what matters.”

“How are you not curious about it? It’s so wild to me!”

“It just doesn’t seem like something you’re gonna be able to figure out, so why waste time thinking about it?”

“Because it’s fun!” Nia counters. “I like trying to figure stuff out, even if it doesn’t really matter.”

Tobias can’t really argue with that. Nia’s just different than him in that regard. Still, as a nincada and surskit pass them on the stairs, he gives it a moment of thought.

“Giratina said that Mew made your Pokemon body, right? She probably did something with your brain so you could understand Ordirune, so you wouldn’t be totally lost in our world.”

“But language isn’t genetic,” Nia argues. “It’s something you learn. That’s true for Pokemon too, right?”

“Yeah?”

“Then it doesn’t really make sense that she could just…imprint it onto our brains, does it?”

Tobias frowns as they finally reach their floor, his legs a bit tired as usual from the climb. “It doesn’t make sense that she could just make you a whole body, either, but here you are. If she made your brain for you, why couldn’t she make it familiar with our language? Pokemon hatch knowing survival instincts because those things were ingrained into our bodies from birth. Like…charmander hatchlings knowing to keep their tail flames small if they’re in danger. Maybe Mew did something similar and built your body so you already know Ordirune and your brain sorta just…translates for you without you realizing it.”

Nia stops behind him right before they reach their door, and Tobias turns to look at her.

She’s staring at him with wide, almost awestruck eyes. “Tobias, that’s such a cool way of thinking about it! Oh man, you should come with me when I meet up with Avery. They'd find that idea super interesting. Plus, I’m sure Xander and the others would love to see you! I think you and Kry are like…bros or something now, after your spar the other day?”

Tobias snorts and turns back to the door. “Yeah, I’m sure they’re all dying to see me.”

His hand settles on the knob, but Nia reaches out to cover it with her own paw. She gives him a long, searching look. “Hey, you know I’m not joking, right?”

“They’re your friends.”

“Well, yeah, maybe first. But they want to be your friend, too. They aren’t just…putting up with you to hang out with me.”

Tobias feels all too seen, suddenly. Like his scarf got lost somewhere and left his neck naked and vulnerable. Tobias shifts on his feet, looking away.

That…doesn’t feel right. But aside from Nia, he hasn’t had a friend his own age since he was nine—and that was his sister. He isn’t exactly an expert on how friends work.

“They’re kind of stuck with me, if they want to be friends with you.”

Nia gives him a light bat of her paw and a scolding smile. “They’re not stuck with you. You’re fun to be around, Tobias. Whether you want to acknowledge that or not.”

Tobias thinks of how he yelled at Andyn just two days ago. “Sure.”

Then, unwittingly, he thinks about the rest of that mission. Thinks about Ezra’s cheeky, playful comments and Jaz’s calm confidence when she encouraged him talk to Andyn alone. Thinks further back, to Kry punching his shoulder during training and Xander and Felix’s lighthearted smack-talk and easy conversation. Thinks about Avery’s gentle smile and full attention when Tobias spoke.

He doesn’t think he’s their friend, not really. But the idea that he might be, someday, doesn’t seem quite as ridiculous as it once was. Tobias has…a lot of mixed feelings about that. Fear that he’s going to royally screw it up is somewhere near the top, though, so he shoves away the warmth the idea brings. No use worrying about it unless it actually happens, after all.

Tobias finally opens the door to their room, only to stop as soon as he notices a piece of paper resting on the floor near his feet. Tobias picks it up, and feels his fingers tighten around the sheet as he realizes what it is.

“What is it?” Nia asks, peering over his shoulder.

“It’s from August,” he summarizes, skimming through the short message. “We have permission to head overseas and find Will first thing in the morning.”

“Giratina was telling the truth, then?”

“Or they think it’s too big a risk to ignore, if nothing else,” Tobias murmurs. The bottom of the note says that the funds for their flight have been dropped into their mailbox, so Tobias digs that pouch out right away to add to their own money. He moves to where their satchel was left to rest against the wall for the day.

“Tomorrow,” Nia says, sitting heavily in her nest and wrapping herself up in one of their blankets like a swadloon. “That’s…so soon. I know we were waiting to hear back from them, but…well. I guess we’d better let everyone know we’re leaving again?”

Tobias drags their bag over and sits to sort through it, catching the disappointed note in his partner’s voice. He doesn’t really mind traveling again, even if their time back at the guild has been fine. Good, even, for the most part. But knowing they’ll have to say goodbye to Maggie again so soon does have something in his heart squeezing tight. He hopes she doesn’t cry.

“Yeah,” he finally answers, pulling out their meager collection of items to sort through. “We can tell Maggie when we eat with her later.”

Nia voices her agreement, watching Tobias as he puts everything together. Her mind is clearly miles away, though.

Tobias leaves her to her thoughts, making sure they have the usual essentials that they travel with: apples and berries for food and status ailments, their map, and a canteen of water for Nia. He would grab some hydration berries for himself if they didn’t shrivel so quickly, but at least fire types don’t dehydrate easily.

Anything else? They could go down to the item dispensary and peruse the orbs and seeds available, but their funds still aren’t overly impressive. And they aren’t planning on getting caught in any dungeons or intense battles.

...Okay, he knows better by now than to assume that will hold true. Still, by this point they’ve mostly gotten by without items, so he thinks they'll be all right without any fancy aids.

Besides, Nia will probably want to bring a book, and their sparse packing leaves plenty of room for that. They could almost pack up Nia’s beloved new blanket too, if they wanted to squish everything in, but that feels like a waste of space if they'll be indoors most nights. He’s basically a walking heater for the riolu at this point anyways.

Tobias looks around the room and his gaze catches on his guitar, leaning carefully against the wall by the window. He frowns at the instrument, fingers flexing as he itches to hold it. He’s been enjoying relearning it, and it calms him down on late nights, but it isn’t really an essential item. Their pack would be better off carrying something actually useful.

“You’re taking your guitar along, right?” Nia asks, startling Tobias out of his thoughts. She must've followed his gaze and guessed what he was thinking.

Tobias shrugs, looking back at their satchel. “Probably not. It’s not exactly useful.”

“It makes you happy,” Nia protests, like that makes it useful, somehow. “Plus, I like hearing you play. So if we’re taking a vote…”

Tobias flushes, falling still. Part of him still wants to argue, rationality over sentimentality and all that, but. Well. If Nia doesn’t mind him taking up the space, then…

Tobias silently gets up to retrieve the guitar. He tucks it away in their bag amongst the other items, pleased with how neatly it slots in between their supplies and a book about abilities that Nia had handed him to bring along.

Packing complete.

It’s only a few short hours later that they go to the medical floor with trays of food in hand, including some of the occa berry flambé that they’d helped make earlier in the day. They call a greeting to Fen and drop off a meal with the leafeon that has them purring their thanks. Next door, Maggie seems pleasantly surprised by their appearance.

"Hello, you two! Good to see you."

“You eat yet?” Tobias asks, holding up one of the two heavy trays he’s carrying.

Maggie smiles, taking the meal with a single vine and settling down in her nest to eat. “I was just starting to feel peckish, actually. Thank you, dear. Will you stay and eat with us tonight?”

“If that’s all right!” Nia says, holding her second tray—which she was insistent on—out to Sage with a smile.

The ivysaur, who had been eyeing the door as if it was just expected for him to leave any time Tobias showed up, blinks in surprise. Then, with a bashful smile and a murmur of thanks, he takes the meal with his own vines.

Tobias and Nia sit down close to Maggie and dig in.

Off to the side, Sage shifts awkwardly on his short legs. His leaves sway with the motion.

“Sit down already,” Tobias grumbles. “We aren’t chasing you out.”

Sage looks even more thrown by the peace offering, but with a glance at Maggie and Nia, he finally settles down as well on Nia’s other side. Maggie smiles soothingly at her apprentice's nerves, and Tobias is surprised that the open affection doesn’t feel…grating, this time. In fact, it feels kind of ridiculous when Maggie immediately turns her attention back to Tobias and Nia with bright eyes, clearly thrilled to have them here.

Tobias wonders how he was ever threatened by Sage’s appearance. Maggie has more than enough love to go around.

As they eat, Maggie questions what they’ve been up to today with a note of amusement in her voice. Her gaze lingers on the patches of flour still caught stubbornly in Nia’s soft fur, even after the riolu had scrubbed at them for a solid half-hour earlier.

Nia groans and dives into her mishaps in the kitchen, including when she’d tripped over a morelull and knocked over a slurpuff who was busy mixing up dry ingredients for a crust. Tobias laughs as he replays the scene in his head, but flushes when Nia follows it up with an exasperated comparison to Tobias basically being “Gordon Ramsay” in the kitchen, whatever that means. It’s clearly a compliment.

Maggie laughs. “That doesn’t surprise me, actually. Tobias was always very careful with measurements when he helped me make our medicines, even when he was small. He has a good eye for detail, when he’s invested.”

Tobias feels his face grow hotter as Nia and Sage look at him with astonished expressions.

“You don’t have to look that surprised."

The ivysaur winces and looks back to his meal with a quiet, “Sorry.”

Nia just shrugs with an easy laugh, as if to ask if he could blame her.

The conversation flows smoothly as they catch up. Sage is quiet, almost silent, but he’s clearly listening, tracking the conversation with pricked ears and sharp garnet eyes as he picks delicately at his meal. Tobias isn’t sure if it’s because the ivysaur is still cautious after Tobias’ initial hostility, or if he’s just that quiet by nature.

Nia tries to pull the grass type into the conversation a few times, but after a few short, almost shy answers, she relents and lets him bask in the conversation without necessarily participating. Maggie doesn’t seem worried about the ivysaur’s silence, so Tobias doesn’t concern himself with it either.

During a lull in the conversation, Maggie says, “You know, your mission from today has me thinking. Sage and I might have to steal you for ourselves soon—we could use some extra hands to gather the last of the autumn herbs later this week. The northern part of the Haven will likely have its first heavy frost soon.”

“Oh. About that…” Nia trails off, giving Tobias a pleading look.

Tobias sighs, putting his fork back onto his tray. Leaving it up to him, huh? “We’re actually heading out again tomorrow morning.”

“So soon?” Maggie asks with a bewildered expression.

“August dropped off a letter today approving our travel, so…” Nia says, dejected.

Maggie smiles, leaning over to brush her muzzle over the top of the riolu’s head. “You’re fine, dear. I knew as soon as we spoke with August that you would be traveling again soon. I’m just going to miss you. And worry, of course.”

“We’ll be fine,” Tobias says. “We always are.”

“You’re always getting into trouble, you mean,” Maggie corrects with a playful glare. “Let a mother worry, Tobias. And just do your best to come home without any new scars, all right?”

Tobias’ hand drifts up to his scarf. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees Nia wince and trail a paw over the scarf on her own arm, right where she’d gotten bit by that panpour outlaw moons ago.

“We’ll be careful!” Nia finally says, though her smile doesn’t look nearly as confident as she sounds.

Maggie doesn’t seem convinced either, but drops the conversation to return to lighter topics. Such as how, just yesterday, Sage had given his first bitter medicine to some of the guild children who had come down with a cold.

Tobias laughs at the distraught expression on the ivysaur’s face, more than familiar with the experience after years of doing it himself. “How’d you like giving Bella her dose?”

The little bellsprout could be a menace when she wanted to be. Tobias can still feel the phantom smacking of her tiny root-arms.

Sage groans and drops his face into his tray.

“He made a valiant effort,” Maggie says, patting the ivysaur’s shoulder with a vine. Which means that Sage was surely near tears by the time they were finished.

Tobias uses his fork to point a bite of occa berry dessert in Sage’s direction. “Word of advice? Honey. Drown her dose in the stuff, but don’t tell her it’s anything but what it is. She can’t resist honey, but she won’t eat it if you try to trick her. Stubborn as a mudbray, that one.”

Tobias half-expects the ivysaur to dismiss his words, since Sage is older than him and the one actually in the medicinal role now. Instead, the ivysaur perks up and nods, reaching over his shoulder with a vine to pull a notepad and inkwell off the nearby desk and start writing something down.

Tobias blinks. He didn’t mean to actually take notes. The earnest faith in the gesture has his face heating. He looks away, stuffing a bite of occa berry flambé into his mouth. It’s delicious.

Soon enough, they’re all finished eating and it’s time to head out. Sage quietly insists that he can take the trays down to the cafeteria, leaving Maggie alone with Tobias and Nia.

“You two be careful on your trip, you hear?” Maggie says, voice firmer as she pulls them into a hug. “I don’t want to hear about you getting caught in any more fires or deadly fights.”

“No promises,” Tobias mumbles.

Maggie gives him an extra hard squeeze before releasing him.

“We’ll be careful, Maggie,” Nia says, stepping away with misty eyes. “See you soon, okay?”

Tobias can’t seem to say anything. The words stick like sap in his throat. He swallows against the lump of them and bumps his head against Maggie’s leg once more before stepping away.

The meganium sees them off as they pad down the hall and back down the tree.

“Xander’s team next?” Nia asks.

“You could go on your own, you know.”

“I could. But..?”

Tobias huffs, but doesn’t argue as he follows Nia to Team Shellshock’s quarters. The riolu knocks on the door, and childish shrieks rise up from behind the wood. Luca’s distinct little voice yells, “Hide! Hide!” and Tobias grins.

Avery is the one to answer, the kirlia’s gentle expression lighting up. “Nia! And Tobias. Lovely to see you two.”

“Good to see you too,” Nia says warmly. “Could we come in for a sec?”

Avery steps aside for Nia and Tobias, and as soon as Tobias crosses the room’s threshold he’s tackled by a writhing mass of blue and black fur.

“Gotcha!”

“Surrender, outlaw!”

“Lainey, sit on his head!”

Tobias puts up a halfhearted fight as the shinx cubs work to hold him down. Tiny paws step on his arms and belly and legs and his vision is taken over by lashing tails and gleaming, golden eyes.

“Don’t suffocate him, kids,” Xander calls idly, before his voice is drowned out by childish peals of laughter.

Tobias lets the cubs think they’ve won for a few moments, before twisting and gently throwing them off with an exaggerated roar. Leor squeaks and scrambles away to dive behind Team Shellshock’s items chest. Laine and Luca hiss playfully at Tobias before following their more timid brother, probably to come up with a new plan of attack.

Tobias smirks and moves to join the other occupants of the room.

Xander, Avery, and Nia are watching the cubs peek over the items chest with fond, amused looks. Felix is crouching beside the kids’ hiding place and murmuring something that quickly catches their attention. Kry is nowhere to be seen, probably out training or something while the cubs are here wreaking havoc. She doesn’t seem like much of a kid person.

Tobias stops at Nia’s side, purposefully putting his back to the shinx cubs to make himself an easy target.

“So you’re heading out again already?” Avery is asking.

“You two are the most restless ‘mons I’ve ever met,” Felix calls idly from beside the chest. “Try not to come back all banged up again, all right?”

“I’ll second that,” Xander says, and Tobias is surprised when the luxio’s golden gaze focuses not only on Nia, but Tobias as well. “Be careful.”

“Always!”

Xander chuffs a quiet laugh, as if well aware of how untrue that statement is. “Regardless. Do you two have everything packed up already?”

“I think so?”

“We travel light,” Tobias says.

Xander flicks his tail, looking thoughtful. His eyes stray over to the items chest on the side of the room, though Tobias thinks he isn’t focused on his siblings at the moment. Avery follows his gaze, and Tobias wonders if the kirlia is reading the luxio’s mind, since they apparently use telepathy with each other fairly often.

Avery must be, because they smile at Xander as if pleased with something he’d suggested, then back at Nia and Tobias. “Do you two have any orbs in your inventory?”

Nia looks to Tobias. He shakes his head.

Xander nods, and Avery goes to the chest, murmuring a quiet, “Excuse me,” to shoo the kids off the lid before opening the top and rummaging through it. They find what they’re looking for quickly, returning to Tobias and Nia with a shiny blue wonder orb in hand. Without hesitation, they hold it out.

“Take this with you. Just in case.”

After a beat of surprise, Tobias reaches out to take it, rolling the surprisingly heavy orb around his hands. “What kind is it?”

“An all power-up orb,” Avery answers. “It raises your team’s attack and special attack for a few minutes.”

“But...aren't these really rare or expensive or something?” Nia asks, gently taking the orb from Tobias’ hands to peer closer at it.

“The two of you seem to attract danger wherever you go,” Xander says, not answering the question. “I’ll sleep better if you take it.”

“We both will,” Avery amends.

Tobias’ immediate impulse is to reject such a rare, pricey item just being dropped into their laps. However, he remembers how desperately he’d wanted any kind of helpful item back on the Aqua Jet, when they were traveling via the river and the mystery dungeon hit. It would be undeniably good to have as a back-up measure.

Nia seems equally unsure for a moment, but then she smiles and cradles the orb closer. “Well...thank you, then. It’s really too much.”

"Not at all," Avery says.

Xander’s shoulders lose some of their tension once they accept the gift, and that's what convinces Tobias not to put up a fight. They mean it. They're just worried about their safety, about Nia and maybe even a little about Tobias. And somehow, their concern doesn't feel like pity, but something warmer. Something easier to stomach.

Nia gently bumps Tobias with her hip, so he rolls his eyes and tacks on a quiet, “Yeah. Thanks.”

Xander opens his mouth to respond, but before he can say anything, his ears swivel in the direction of the chest.

That’s Tobias’ only warning before the shinx cubs yell, “Attack!”  and charge Tobias once more. Felix must’ve been giving them battle tips, because this time they move as a coordinated unit, tackling Tobias’ legs. The charmander lets himself go down with an exaggerated oof, and the kids shriek as they swarm his chest, pinning him down with their soft little bodies. While he could still wriggle free if he really wanted to, their combined weight does hold him down pretty effectively. Tobias “struggles” for a few moments more before going limp with a dramatic groan.

“Victory!” Leor says.

“Drag him to jail!” Luca shouts.

“Throw him in the pit!” Laine adds.

“Whoa, where’d you hear that last one?” Felix asks, startled.

“From a cool story Bella found in the archives!"

Bella. Of course. Tobias has said it before and he’ll say it again: that bellsprout is a menace.

“Looks like I’ll be having another chat with Arlo,” Xander sighs, sounding all too much like a father.

Nia and Tobias head out shortly after, despite the shinx cubs’ whining over losing their playmate. At the door, Xander catches Nia in a one-armed hug, brushing the top of her head with his chin. The familiarity of the gesture catches Tobias off-guard, but Nia simply hugs the luxio back, unsurprised by the open affection.

As they leave, Felix and the kids’ loud goodbyes and Avery’s much quieter farewell following them into the hall, Nia hesitates.

“I feel like we should tell Team Evergreen that we’re heading out again, but…”

Tobias can only imagine the awkward tension that would rise if he was shoved into the same room as Andyn right now.

“I’ll leave that one to you.”

“That...might be for the best. I won’t be too long.”

Tobias waves her off, turning to head back to their room. He can get some more practice in on his guitar before they sleep. “Just remember that we head out early.”

“When do we not?” Nia counters, giving a wave of her own before setting off towards Team Evergreen’s quarters.

Tobias is relieved that Nia didn’t want him to join for that last visit. Between working in the kitchen this morning and seeing Team Shellshock and the shinx kids earlier, Tobias is just about done socializing for the day. He’s more than content to flop down in his nest and strum at his guitar for the rest of the night before they get back on the road tomorrow.

To Tobias’ surprise, Nia returns not long after they parted ways, when the moon is just starting to rise into the sky. She assures him that it went well, even if Andyn was a little quieter than usual, and that they all wished the two of them safe travels.

“Wished you safe travels, you mean,” Tobias snorts as he plucks away at an aimless melody. “Andyn probably hopes I fall off our flight ‘mon and into the ocean.”

“I don’t think she’s that upset,” Nia says, lying down herself. She eyes Tobias for a moment before reaching into their satchel and pulling out her book.

The night is peaceful, after that. Tobias works his way through some of the simple melodies from the music book they’d picked up in the archives, familiarizing himself with the easier tunes before trying anything more advanced. Nia reads her book, kicking her legs and occasionally mumbling something to herself.

It’s getting close to midnight when Nia finally yawns and slides her book back into their satchel. She curls up in her nest, blanket pulled tight over her shoulders until it bunches up by her chin, and watches as Tobias plays.

Eventually, Tobias figures he’d better get some rest too and slides the guitar and music book back into their satchel. He closes the curtain until the room is only dimly lit by his own tail flame, and curls up in his nest. He doesn’t realize until he's settled in that Nia isn’t actually asleep yet. Instead, she’s watching Tobias, clearly still wide awake.

“What’s up?” Tobias asks.

Nia shrugs. “Just…can’t sleep.”

Tobias knows the feeling. While it was easy to get lost in his music for the evening, Tobias won’t be surprised if he’s up for a while yet. Especially with their flight tomorrow, he has a lot on his mind.

For a moment Tobias just gazes back at Nia in the dim light, wondering if either of them are going to be well-rested come dawn. Then, he thinks of similar nights long, long ago, of looking at his sister or parents with a similar restless itch under his skin.

An idea pops into his mind.

For a moment, he hesitates. This is something…sacred. Something he hasn’t shared with anyone else since he lost his family. It feels wrong to even think about sharing it.

Then again, that’s what he’d thought about discussing Vivi and his parents at all, before the cart ride from Asra to Shivergleam. And that was…nice. Really nice. Swapping sibling stories with Nia. It hurt, but it also made something in him feel…looser. Like stretching out a stiff muscle that he hadn’t exercised in forever.

Tobias sits up before he can second-guess himself. “C’mon. I have an idea.”

Nia props herself up on an arm. “What?”

He climbs out of their nest and holds out a hand. “Trust me. It’ll help.”

For a moment Nia looks unsure, but then a smile crosses her face. Tobias helps her to her paws, and she doesn’t let go once she’s standing. He decides not to think about it too hard and gives her paw a squeeze, grabbing Nia’s beloved new blanket and slinging it over his shoulder.

“C’mon.”

Nia laughs under her breath as they leave the room, making sure to shut the door extra quiet behind her so they don’t disturb the other Pokemon on the floor.

“Where are we going?”

“Sure, just let me ruin the surprise.”

Nia's brows raise, but she doesn’t ask any more questions and just follows with an air of palpable curiosity. Tobias leads them to the staircase and starts climbing up, up, up through the guild.

“Are we visiting Maggie again?” Nia whispers.

“No.”

Tobias has done this many times over the years, since first arriving at the guild. But he’s always done it alone, sneaking past Maggie’s sleeping form to climb up to his favorite spot. He’d thought about asking Maggie to join before—she would’ve indulged him. But somehow it had always seemed a bit too painful before now. Before Nia. Now it feels less like chasing something he can’t get back and more like…sharing something he loves. Making it new again.

They finally reach the mail floor, evident by the cool breeze blowing into the staircase. There aren’t many fliers that work at night, so the floor is empty, the platforms bordering the edges of the room opening up to patches of clear night sky.

“Oh,” Nia breathes, registering where they are.

She follows him wordlessly as he goes to one of the far platforms and sits down at the end of it. She sits beside him, then casts a nervous glance below them to the Haven's trees, black and spindly and thin with the coming winter. She scoots back an inch.

Like this, they’re sitting at the edge of the world, the sprawling forest below and an ocean of stars above.

Tobias hands over Nia’s blanket, now heated by his own scales, and she gladly takes it to wrap herself up. He’s hardly surprised when she still scooches over to press against his side. The night air is cold, after all, chilly enough that he won’t argue against a little extra warmth himself.

“It’s beautiful out here,” Nia says, hushed. “I couldn’t really appreciate the stars in Asra, since we were on a stakeout. But here…”

“Peaceful, right?”

Nia hums her agreement.

For a moment, they’re quiet. The wind whistles by them this high up, stronger without the blocking force of the forest and carrying with it the crisp scent of the Silenfroar Mountains. Tobias can kind of see where the mountain range sits, a void of pointed black on the horizon that blots out the sky.

Tobias moves his eyes up to stare at the stars, feeling something in his throat tighten even as the rest of him relaxes. Even when he was a child, scared of nothing more than shadows on cave walls, his parents would lead him to the mouth of their cave to look up at the stars when he couldn’t sleep.

It makes him feel small. But in a comforting way.

“This is where we became a team.”

Tobias looks at Nia. “What?”

“Well. Technically we became a team down in the tunnels.” Nia smiles at Tobias. “But I consider this to be where we actually became one. For real.”

Right. After Afon’s Cap, when Nia finally stood up for herself and Tobias agreed to stop being so awful to her. They shook on it. Tobias can still see Nia in the pink evening light, paw outstretched and smile hopeful.

He flushes and looks away. He gestures vaguely with a hand. “Sorry. For. Y’know.”

Nia barks a laugh. “Being a bit of a jerk at first?”

He grunts.

“It’s fine. You’re much sweeter now.”

Tobias shoots her a look. “I’m not sweet.”

“Of course you aren’t,” Nia coos, giving his arm a patronizing pat. He shoves her away, and she laughs, immediately swaying back to his side.

“You have been so sassy lately,” he grumbles.

“Sorry, sorry. I’ll be nice.”

A brief moment of quiet. Then, a giggle from Nia.

“What?”

“I was just thinking about when we first met.”

Tobias has a brief flash of memory, from months ago. Spotting a strange, unfamiliar Pokemon—a riolu—unconscious in the middle of a nearby field. Waking her up to make sure she wasn’t hurt. Getting a blank stare and rising panic in return before Nia bolted into the woods and right into a mystery dungeon, Tobias hot on her heels.

Tobias snorts. “You were a mess.”

"I was!" Nia laughs. "I'm actually kind of embarrassed by it now. Can you imagine Kry’s reaction to seeing me run away from everything like that?”

“You were terrified of a seedot,” Tobias agrees, amused by the thought.

Although, knowing now how wildly different the Pokemon world is from Nia’s own, Tobias can’t blame her for being so freaked out. If anything, he’s a little embarrassed by how harshly he’d treated her. He wasn’t exactly a comforting presence at the time.

“But look at you now. Taking down steelixes all on your own.”

“Are you ever going to let that go?” Nia whines, paws coming up to hide her face.

“Nope. It's objectively awesome. And you aren’t going to tell anyone, so.”

Nia snorts another laugh. “I can’t believe I was so close to becoming a researcher instead of a Seeker. I can’t believe I fight on a daily basis!”

Tobias blinks, looking over at her. “You almost became a researcher?”

“I never told you that? Before I thought of teaming up with you, I thought becoming a Seeker was too scary, so I was going to become a researcher instead. Like Alistair and Tawny.”

Tobias wrinkles his snout, trying to picture it. On one hand, Nia would be right at home surrounded by all those books and the cozy environment of the guild every day. He could see her getting along well with the gardevoir and ribombee down in the archives.

But on the other hand, Tobias has also seen Nia’s eyes light up when she travels somewhere new. Seen how insatiably curious she is about the world and all the Pokemon in it. He's seen how her riolu nature shines through when she’s defending someone in a fight, and how genuinely happy she is when she can help out a client. All of that good would be smothered, stuck here at the guild.

And where would he be, if Nia hadn’t decided to come rescue him in that dungeon? Dead, at worst. Stuck in the medicinal quarters and miserable at best. Maybe Nia would’ve been happy as a researcher, but Tobias is immeasurably glad that they’re here together instead, as a team.

They both fall quiet again, looking up at the stars. The moon overhead is bright, painting everything in shades of black and silver.

“Humans went to the moon, y’know,” Nia eventually says.

Tobias gives her a dry look. “Ha ha. Funny.”

Nia blinks, looking genuinely caught off-guard. “No, really! Not, like. All of us. It was only a few. But we really did.”

Tobias squints at her, doubtful. But Nia doesn’t break. “…I thought you said humans couldn’t fly.”

“We can‘t. Or, well. Not on our own. But we built machines that can!”

Machines. Right. “Like…the cars you were talking about on the way to Asra?”

“Yes!” Tobias can hear Nia's tail give a happy thump against the wood. “Cars are great—they're so much faster than walking. And I loved the train in Ghatha. It was really similar to our own trains, so I wonder if a human had a hand in inventing that.”

“Probably. Don’t know if a Pokemon would’ve come up with something like that on their own. It was…kind of cool, I guess.”

“Oh, just you wait. There are so many cool human things I wanna show you! When I—"

Nia’s words cut off abruptly. Tobias feels a jab at his heart, knowing exactly why she'd clamped her mouth shut so suddenly. He wouldn’t ever get to visit, of course. And Nia wouldn’t get to visit him, either, if she left and went back to the human world. Giratina made that pretty clear. Tobias’ hand drifts up to his scarf, skimming the worn material comfortingly through his fingers.

The dark feels heavier, suddenly. Pressing down on them. Suffocating.

“I’m scared,” Nia eventually murmurs, curling tighter into her blanket. Her breath billows into the night air. “Of what will happen if we can’t do this. If we fail.”

Tobias knows the feeling. While Nia has two worlds’ safety on her mind, Tobias is struggling with just the one. He tries not to think about it too often, or it settles on his chest like a rock slide.

“Do you really think we’ll be able to find Xerneas?” Nia whispers, eyes trained on the mountains in the distance.

Tobias takes a moment to think before responding. “I don’t know. It’s not a great sign that Xerneas and Yveltal have been hidden for so long without anyone stumbling across them, but…”

“They’re the only lead we’ve got.”

Tobias swallows. “Yeah. But if worse comes to worst…we’ll just have to figure something else out. Failing isn’t really an option.”

Not with how much is on the line. They have to find a way to fix this if they want to keep everyone and everything in both of their worlds safe.

Nia turns to tuck her head into Tobias’ shoulder, her breath tickling his skin. The touch is grounding, somehow. Distracting enough to keep him out of his own head. They need a distraction. They can’t do anything until dawn anyways.

“Have I told you how much my family loved stars?” He blurts.

Nia’s breath catches, audible with her so close. “…No?”

Tobias wants to tell her. Wants to share. It’s still a terrifying feeling. His heart beats hard in his chest.

“We…lived in the mountains. Not the Silenfroar range here, but across the sea. Near a little village. But we lived way up, in a cave.”

Nia is silent. Tobias thinks she might be holding her breath.

“The sky was really clear, up there. It felt like we could reach out and touch the stars at night. Like…like it was just us and them.”

Tobias kind of feels like that now, actually. It’s a strange sensation. Deja vu, in a way. A little painful. A little sweet.

“And if it was ever too cloudy to see them from our cave, my…our parents would take Vivi and I flying. It was…”

The most magical thing he’d ever experienced. Something that makes a deep longing ache in his chest, even now. He hates that the world took that away from him. Won’t let him evolve to fly himself.

Nia’s hand slips free of the blanket to hold his own, her fur almost as warm as him.

Tobias takes a deep breath. “It was one of my favorite things. Vivi’s, too. When we couldn’t sleep, we’d sit at the mouth of the cave and they would teach us about constellations. Sing us stories.”

Nia is silent, hanging onto Tobias’ every word. Tobias closes his eyes. He can almost imagine it, fuzzy but warm. His father’s wing around him and his sister, keeping them sheltered from the chilly mountain breeze. Their mother humming and singing folk tales about the constellations. Tobias’ head bobbing as his eyes slipped closed and sleep washed over him.

“Do you remember any of the stories?” Nia asks.

Does he? He’s kept his memories locked away in the back of his mind for so long that trying to excavate them feels like wading through a sea of cobwebs. His eyes scan the sky, landing on a bright constellation vaguely resembling a head with big, round ears. He points at it with his free hand.

“That’s the teddiursa cub.”

Nia follows his gesture. “Teddiursa?”

“We saved one on our first mission. Uh. Small. Orange fur. Claws.”

“Oh! The cute little teddy bear!”

"Yup. He pairs with the ursaring.”

Nia follows Tobias’ finger as he trails up and to the right, where another collection of stars create the larger, blockier form of an ursaring head.

“Ursaring?”

“It’s what teddiursa evolves into. The story…” What was it again? “The story says that the teddiursa got lost one day. The ursaring was his mother, and she looked for him frantically, for three endless nights.”

Nia makes a sad sound in her throat.

“Desperate, the ursaring prayed to the stars, asking Jirachi to help her find her cub. Jirachi, the wishmaker, heard her and made her a part of the night sky, to be seen by all. The teddiursa saw his mother in the night sky, and wished to join her. Jirachi granted it, and the two have lived together in the sky ever since.”

Nia hums. “We have a similar set of constellations in our world, actually. Ursa Minor and Ursa Major.”

“Really?”

Nia nods, stars reflecting in her eyes. “I don’t remember much about the story associated with it, but…I think it’s sad.” She turns a smile onto Tobias. “I can’t decide if your world’s version is happier or not.”

Tobias blinks. He’d always assumed the story was a happy one, because the mother and child were reunited. “What do you mean?”

“I mean…they’re trapped in the sky, right? Are they happy there?”

Tobias frowns, looking back at the constellations. “…I like to think they are.”

Nia laughs softly. “Look at me, being the pessimist. I like your way of thinking better.”

Tobias makes a vague noise in his throat. They have enough things going wrong with the real world. Why not choose to believe that at least the teddiursa and ursaring got a happy ending?

“Thanks, Tobias. For sharing with me.”

Tobias isn’t sure if she means the story, or his memories, or his spot here, looking at the stars. Maybe all of it. He shrugs, embarrassed. “Who else ‘m I gonna tell? Xander?”

Nia gives him an exasperated, fond look. “I wasn’t kidding earlier. Maybe you can’t see it, but they really do want to be your friend. You guys seemed to be having a lot of fun when we sparred the other day.”

It can’t be that easy to make friends. Not when Tobias has spent the last eight years of his life almost entirely alone. But Nia is better at emotions than he is, so…

“It wouldn’t be…too terrible. Training with them again sometime.”

Nia grins, a teasing glint in her eyes. “Come on. Is it really so bad to have a few friends? You and I are friends, right?”

Tobias scoffs. “Duh. You’re my best friend.”

Nia’s smile drops with surprise, and Tobias tenses. His face burns with heat, and he snaps his gaze out to look over the trees, mortified.

Why did he say that? And so naturally, too. Best friend. What is he, five?

(Then again, it’s kind of obvious, isn’t it?)

Tobias can still feel Nia’s eyes on him, and steals a glance to find her eyes a little shiny, her expression a bit wobbly. “Tobias…”

“We should get some sleep!” Tobias says, too loud as he jumps to his feet. Nia nearly falls over in his haste. He doesn’t offer her a hand up this time, pacing a few steps into the flight floor and willing his stupid nerves to calm down.

He doesn’t hear Nia follow after him, but in a few short seconds she’s at his side again and stepping in front of him. “Tobias?”

He grunts, staring at his feet. At least the night hides how red his face is.

“Hey, I'm...I'm going to try something, okay? Feel free to tell me to stop.”

Tobias looks up, confused.

Nia looks just as embarrassed as he feels, somehow, shuffling in her blanket. But slowly, slow enough for him to stop her, she steps closer to wrap him up in a hug, cheek pressed into his scarf and blanket enveloping them both in warmth.

“I’m really glad you’re the one who found me in that field,” she murmurs. “You’re the best friend I could’ve asked for.”

Tobias feels his throat tighten up. As much as he knows that that’s not true—he’s a pain to be around more often than not—he also believes that she means it. His hands fall to the arms around his torso. His chest feels uncomfortably warm, a completely different sensation than when he uses his flames.

Nia squeezes him once before stepping back, closer to the stairs. She has a shy smile on her face. “C’mon, we should get to bed. One of us needs to be awake for tomorrow’s flight.”

Tobias relaxes, relieved to settle back into their usual banter. He moves to follow her down the stairs, ignoring the heat lingering in his cheeks. “I still don’t get how your two modes for flight are either screaming in terror or passing out.”

“It’s exhausting to be scared out of my mind! And I’m not scared when I’m sleeping.”

“Until you slip off our flight ‘mon and fall into the ocean.”

“You wouldn’t let that happen.”

“I might, if you insist we meet up with Junie in Stonebrook.”

Nia laughs. “C’mon, avoiding her won’t do you any good. You know she’d find us eventually anyways. And if you don’t want to fend her off alone, then you have to keep me alive.”

“Darn. All my plans, foiled.”

Nia laughs. Her tail wags as she talks, the blanket over her shoulders swishing with the motion. Tobias will never admit to finding it adorable. "Hey, do you think we’ll get to see Fliss tomorrow?”

“The braviary? Sure, if she’s around.”

“I hope so,” Nia says, “She was so nice, and she knew a lot! And she didn’t change how she treated us after she found out I was human, either. I wonder if—”

Tobias listens idly as Nia chatters on, the sound of her voice a comforting background noise for the short trip back to their room. Sleep sounds less daunting, after getting to unwind with Nia a bit. He’d been worried that sharing his space, his memories, would feel wrong, but instead it’s the opposite.

He feels…lighter. Ready for the journey ahead, no matter what it may hold.

#pmd #pokemon mystery dungeon #riolu #charmander #pokemon #pmd seekers of soul #tesha draws #tesha writes

[honeyhotteoks]

hi everyone ♡ a little about where i've been and why i'm not posting....

so... it's no secret that i fell off the face of the earth when it comes to writing, and for that i just want to apologize. i know a lot of you have been waiting for the next chapter of tnt, further aurora updates, or just looking forward to some smutty kinktober one-shots...... but to be completely honest i haven't written in a little while.

i've been trying to but i keep coming up short, and i've been avoiding this blog ever since because i just feel bad for not being able to give you guys the stories you're waiting for. for that reason, i essentially took a creative break and decided not to respond to any messages about writing. i know that kind of sucks, but i know myself and i didn't want to promise "soon" when i knew that wasn't true.

i'm starting slowly to work on things again, and i really hope i'll be able to share some of that work with you soon, but genuinely i just needed space from working on fic and to be honest..... from the fandom. i love being an atiny, but there was a swell of negativity on twitter for a while and i've been feeling a little uninspired with the past year of content and endless touring and it all combined into me putting things off.

i'm also................................ much more of a multi now.... which i really never thought would happen but here we are. i have no idea if i'll actually start writing for any of those groups, but if i do, i hope some of you also enjoy those groups and you stick with me. a little blurb about my new biases and the groups i'm now following, etc. is at the bottom of this post.

as far as what's going on with my ateez work? here's a quick recap:

this night together: still in progress, i have ~4 chapters finished, but chap ten and some of the time skips have me a little stuck. once i iron that out and finish out the last 2-3 chapters after the arc that's written, i'll get back to posting. at this point i'd like to have it done so i can release it confidently and as a complete story. into the aurora: i have about half of book one edited, which will include some new scenes / cleaned up scenes, but nothing crazy. i'd like to start updating old chapters once everything is finalized. book two is.... slow going. i'm hoping a breath of fresh air will help, but it's still my goal to come back to these characters. one-shots: i have about 4-5 ateez one-shots that are half written. my plan is to finish these and release them as inspiration strikes to wrap them up.

thank you all for your patience, and all of your kind messages. so many people have checked in on me both anon and not, and even if i haven't responded it's meant so much as i work on coming back to writing. i may not be able to respond to all the messages since so many of them are in my inbox, but slowly i may chip away at them

i'll see you all very soon~

(so chai multi era.... in a whirlwind of discovering other kpop groups..... i've ended up a carat, a stay, a moa, and a hidden kard. again, no idea if i'll ever write for any of these groups, but.... my biases are below so who knows)

seventeen - s.coups (regularly wrecked by hip hop line + dino) stray kids - lee know + hyunjin txt - soobin (are we surprised tho) kard - bm + jiwoo (but also like basically ot4 let's be real here)

♡

#honeyhotteoks updates #i love you all i hope i can get my ish together soon #also if you see me start to reblog non ateez fic recs...... #we're in the chai multi era #surprise???????

[incandescentlysomething]

Lady of the Ashes: Chapter 10

House of the Dragon Season 1

Aemond x TargaryenOC

Chapter Word Count: 5508

She was his everything… For her…he would do anything.

From the moment of her birth, Aemond Targaryen swore himself to the protection of his niece Aelinor Velaryon. As the two grew up inseparable, they find themselves entangled in the Dance of Dragons, battling to stay together even as their families try to pull them apart.

A/N: Started a new job this week so things have slowed down a bit! Only three chapters left!! Thanks for reading! Cross posted on A03

Let me know what you think!

Masterlist A03

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 P.1 P.2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9

When morning came, Aelinor watched as her family packed their things, the Princess’ chambers emptying as quickly as they had arrived.

“You should be coming with us,” Luc muttered under his breath.

Aelinor looked up, finding him standing over her with a solemn look on his face. As everyone else packed, she had dressed in a plain scarlet day gown and was reclining on the chaise sipping a cup of tea. Maids and pages hurried back and forth, carrying away chests of belongings, but none of them belonged to her.

“You keep saying that,” She said finally. “But it won’t make any difference.”

“That doesn’t mean it isn’t true,” he sighed. “This is wrong.”

“It is what it is.” She offered him what she hoped was a reassuring smile. “Now, go gather your things. Don’t leave it for someone else to do.”

He obliged, leaving her to her solitude once again.

Aelinor could not remember another time in her life when she had felt so conflicted. Only yesterday she had been approaching genuine delight over the news of her betrothal, and yet that dinner had ruined it. It had forced her to realize that what everyone had been telling her since their arrival was the truth. Aemond was not the same person that she had known before. He was capable of malice, of cruelty, and he had directed that hatred at her brothers. It was not in her nature to hold a grudge, and yet she did not see how she could forgive this.

Jace emerged into the parlor, wearing his riding clothes with his cloak hanging from his arm. Aelinor frowned when she saw how wilted he looked. Her big, annoying brother looked…beaten. And she did not want that.

“Jace,” She said softly. “How did you sleep?”

He didn’t reply, and when his eyes passed over her she thought she saw something like mourning in his gaze.

“Talk to me,” She whispered. “Please?”

With a heavy sigh, he walked over and sat on the arm of her chaise. “What do you want me to say, Aelinor?”

“Whatever it is you feel you need to.” She placed a hand on his arm.

Jace stared down at her hand. “Very well. Then I must apologize for failing you in this. I know I have been a frightful brother, and I am ashamed for how I have disappointed you.”

“You have not disappointed me,” Aelinor promised. “If you are referring to the brawl at dinner, I can assure you that I realize that was not your doing. I do not blame you at all.”

“You should,” He mumbled.

“Why?” When he didn’t answer, she continued. “If you do not explain, I cannot hope to understand, Jace. And we haven’t much time.”

The reminder of their dwindling time together seemed to be encouragement enough. 

“You may mock me for wishing to protect you —”

“I don’t.”

“You do, often.” He said that without resentment. “But it is my duty. And it is a duty that I have often failed at. But I cannot help but feel that this arrangement, that my leaving you here, is too deep a failure to bear.”

“Jace, it is not your doing,” Aelinor said. “And it isn’t….it does not have to be the end of the world. I know you and Aemond have your differences, but he has always been good to me, always . I have faith that these….these familial differences will fade with time. I must have faith.”

Someday, and she hoped it was not someday soon, her mother would come into her throne.  And when she did, the world would be set to rights and the Queen and Rhaenyra would have to set aside their differences. Aemond and Aelinor would be married by then, maybe even…maybe have children of their own, and their families would be brought together by it. Viserys’ dream would be fulfilled, and all would be well. 

A dim part of Aelinor realized that holding onto that hope was the only thing keeping her together.

“But if he were…if he were cruel to you,” Jace continued. “It would be our fault, you see. Because no one hates you, but he does hate us. His mother hates us almost as much as she hates our own mother. They all despise Prince Daemon and he’s your—” 

Aelinor saw how he bit his tongue before he continued.

“He’s my what?” She whispered.

“We know, Aelinor,” Jace gave her a small smile. “Luc and I, we’ve known for a while. And we do not hold it against you.”

Aelinor looked down, her throat welling up as she fought to contain her emotions. “I’m sorry for not telling you.”

“We’re family,” Jace said. “Some secrets can be left unsaid.”

She squeezed his arm gratefully.

“My point is,” Jace sighed. “You are not going to be Aelinor to these people, once we are gone. You will be a hostage. Whether you realize it, whether Aemond realizes it, you will be. Which means that once again, I have failed you.”

It must have been a heavy burden to bear, she suddenly realized. Her brother had the weight of the world on his shoulders. He was a future king, battling claims of illegitimacy from all sides, and doing everything in his power to keep their family together. She wondered then if perhaps she had made things difficult for him all these years, by constantly pulling away. If Jace already saw the divide between their families, then it must have seemed like she was slipping out of reach. It must now seem that she was being torn away from them.

“Jace,” She said quietly, leaning close so that no passing servants would hear them. “I have loathed you, and hated you, and wished that I could smother you with a pillow. But you have never failed me, and I have never, never, not loved you. Because you are my brother, and our blood is that of the dragon, and it runs thick.”

She saw water welling in his eyes, and he pulled her into his chest.

“What is this? Have I been left out of a moment?” Luc was back, wearing his own riding clothes.

“I’ve just been declared the favorite brother,” Jace teased.

“He’s lying,” Aelinor promised. “You hold that titled uncontested.”

“Good,” Luc stepped forward. “But, we must be going. We must get to the Dragonpit and it will be slow going through the city.”

Aelinor felt overwhelmed with sadness as she watched Jace stand and button his cloak. With a sigh she stood, crossing the room to Luc and pulling him into her arms. “Fly safe, little brother.

“Of course, Lina,” He laughed. “As long as I’m faster than Jace.”

She rolled her eyes, pulling away slightly as he squeezed her around the waist.

“You’ll be alright, won’t you?” He whispered.

“I will,” She promised. “I’ll have Darrax, after all. And when I see you next, he might be as big as Vhagar.”

“It won’t be that long,” Luc said insistently.

“That’s true,” Jace sniped. “If nothing else, we’ll see you for the wedding.”

“Your invitation may go missing,” Aelinor shook her head at him.

She was close to tears, so she gave each boy another hug before shooing them out the door. She would see them again soon, and there was no reason to be so undignified about this entire thing.

“Aelinor,” She turned, finding her father standing with his hands behind his back.

“Prince Daemon,” She bobbed her head.

He stepped forward slowly, his eyes catching on the red rimming her eyes. “I will not lecture you, nor do I expect you to take any advice from me.”

He was correct. “But?”

“But…” He reached out until his fingers brushed her shoulder. “Remember who you are. Because this place….it will try to tame you.”

“And how do you know that?” She asked.

“Because it failed to tame me.”

In true Daemon fashion, he let those be his parting words, striding from the room with two stewards hurrying after him. Aelinor almost wished he’d said more. She knew so little of her father, and practically all of it had been told to her by others.  But getting to know him would mean accepting who he was, and she wasn’t sure she was ready for that.

Her mother emerged from the bedroom, little Viserys on her hip. A maid hurried by carrying a chest, and thus the chambers were emptied. She came to stand beside her daughter, both lingering in silence for a long moment.

“Are you sure you wish to stay in these rooms?” Rhaenyra asked. “It will seem very empty with just you.”

Aelinor shrugged. “It feels as close to home as I’m likely to get.”

Her mother closed her eyes tightly, taking a deep breath. “Aelinor, if you do not wish to stay here, say it. You can come with us.”

“What, and disobey the wishes of the King?” Aelinor scoffed. “Can you imagine the scandal?”

“You are my daughter,” Rhaenyra said, her tone stubborn. “And I will not have your life dictated to you. If you do not want to be here, if you do not wish to marry Aemond, you will not. I swear it.”

She knew that her mother meant it. And it was for precisely that reason that she knew she had to stay. With tensions as they were, she had to do her part to alleviate the animosity between the two families. Make them remember that they were one family.

“I will stay,” She answered. “Though I will admit, my feelings are not as certain as they were before last night.”

“Yes,” Rhaenyra sighed. “That was….that dinner did not go how I had hoped.”

“Parts of it were good,” Aelinor offered. “Or at least, I thought so.”

“Yes,” Rhaenyra studied her for a minute. The baby gurgled in her arms. “Aelinor, I know you want to think that Aemond is good, that he is the same boy you loved as a girl. But he is not.”

“I know that,” Aelinor admitted.

“And I do not think he is….I doubt he is the monster people make him out to be,” Rhaenyra admitted. “He was always sweet when he was young, and I do not doubt, nor have I ever doubted that he cares for you.”

“But?” Why could neither of her parents just say what they wanted to say?”

“The world is not up to him,” Rhaenyra said sadly. “It is not up to any of us. And I fear that even his best intentions may not be enough to protect you.”

Aelinor saw genuine fear shining her mother’s eyes, and once again felt emotion well up in her throat. “I can look after myself, Mother.”

“I know,” Rhaenyra gave her a small smile. “You are my daughter, after all. Which is why I have faith.”

Biting her lip, Aelinor wrapped her mother and her youngest brother in a hug. “I will see you soon?”

“As soon as I am able to return on dragonback,” Her mother promised.

“Perhaps with a new little brother or little sister?” Aelinor patted her mother’s stomach, prompting a snort of laughter. 

“You children are all impossibly impatient,” Rhaenyra chuckled. “I will not be rushed.”

“No, of course not,” Aelinor laughed. “But yet I must remind you that your ship is waiting.”

“Yes, it is.” Rhaenyra’s smile dampened slightly. “I love you, Sweet girl. Be well.”

“Be well, Mother.” Aelinor squeezed her hand one last time, before she was left alone.

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

She sat in the window until she saw her mother’s ship sail from the harbor and disappear from view. Once they were well and truly gone, she finally allowed herself to cry. She knew she was being ridiculous, that she would see her family again soon, and that many women her age had long since left their childhood homes behind. 

But that didn’t make it any easier.

Already she saw some wisdom behind her mother’s words. These chambers did remind her of her family. While that would likely be a comfort in the coming weeks, it was agony now. With a quick word to her maid, she left the rooms, heading toward the palace gardens.

The halls were still quiet, with many of the lords and ladies having left already following the ball. Soon it would trickle down just to the permanent residents of the Keep, and Aelinor was looking forward to being surrounded by only familiar faces.

But then, the thought of being alone in this castle, unable to put a crowd between herself and Aemond….it sent an unwelcome shiver down her spine.

In her entire life, she had never once dreaded seeing Aemond. The opposite, in fact, when she had spent the majority of her life either with him or missing him. And she did miss him, which was absurd because they had seen each other yesterday. But that dinner…the things he had said…she felt as though he had driven a wedge between them.

And honestly…. fuck him . Why did he have to go and ruin something that could have been so wonderful? They were supposed to be celebrating their betrothal, she was supposed to be beaming with joy, and instead she was filled with worry and dread. 

The cool breeze of the gardens was a refreshing change from the stone halls, and she picked a path and started to stroll through. It was still too early for the flowers to be in full bloom, but the greenery and topiaries were lush and plentiful. It was a dramatic change from Dragonstone, which sported little more than grass and shrubs. No one else seemed to be out this early in the morning, so Aelinor took her time, letting her feet drag on the ground. Perhaps later she might be able to sneak away and take Darrax for a short flight. That always improved her moods.

“Bit early for a walk, isn’t it?” 

A figure stepped into her path, the man leaning heavily on his cane as he dipped his head. Aelinor stopped in her tracks, managing to keep a grimace off her face. It was the unnerving man from the ball. She had hoped that he would leave with the guests, but he was here in the royal gardens, which suggested that he was a permanent resident. 

“Your family is…all gone?” He tilted his head.

Aelinor steadied herself, straightening her shoulders. “The Princess Rhaenyra and the rest of my siblings did indeed leave this morning.”

“And yet, you’re still here?”

She frowned. “What is your name, Ser? I don’t believe we have been properly introduced.”

“Lord Larys!” 

Gods, Aemond’s voice made her want to flee, propriety be damned. She practically felt a shadow fall over her as he loomed behind her, and she closed her eyes for a moment to compose herself. If she turned, he would be only inches away. She didn’t know what she could say to him, what she would do.

Which was why she didn’t turn.

Instead, she studied the man in front of her, his name alighting a tiny spark of familiarity in her mind. “Lord Larys Strong?”

“Indeed, Princess.” He dipped his head again, a greasy smile on his face. “I knew you, when you were very young.”

She could not recall ever speaking to him, but she supposed it was not impossible. After all, his father had been Hand of the King at the same time his elder brother was serving as guard to Princess Rhaenyra. This was her brothers’ uncle, though she could find no similarity between the swarmy man in front of her and the gallant figure she remembered Ser Harwin to be.

“It is…nice to see you again.” She offered, trying to keep her reluctance out of her voice.

Lord Larys nodded again. “I’m sure I’ll be seeing more of you, Princess. As it is, I am needed elsewhere.”

Aelinor suspected that he had nothing better to do than skulk through the gardens, but that his hurried departure was spurred on by the Prince looming behind her. She turned and watched Lord Larys limp away, until he had disappeared from view and she had no choice but to face Aemond.

He stepped back when she turned, putting a much needed distance between them. The first thing she noticed was that he looked exhausted. Dark circles ringed his eyes, and his face was pale and somber. His hair hung loose about his head, and she realized that the unbuttoned tunic he wore was the same that he had been wearing at dinner.

An immature part of her felt some satisfaction at his appearance. He deserved to lose sleep over what he had done. He had hurt her brothers, caused outrage and scandal at a family gathering, and most importantly, he had hurt her .

But that spite was quickly overshadowed by concern. “You do not look well.”

“Sleep did not find me,” He clasped his hands behind his back. 

“It’s still early,” She gestured to the empty garden. “You could still be abed.”

He shook his head. “I needed to find you.”

It seemed that they were doomed to repeat themselves. Aemond would do something, there would be a misunderstanding, and then they would talk and she would be open and forgiving. Even now, she felt the urge to question him, to demand that he rationalize why he had said what he said.

But she would not give in. Not this time. “Why did you need to find me?”

“You know why.” He implored.

“No,” Aelinor started walking, leaving him to follow behind her. “No, I do not. Enlighten me.”

He stayed a few steps behind her, within earshot and yet too far for her to catch a glimpse out of the corner of her eye. “About dinner.”

Aelinor shook her head. “I do not care for subtleties, Aemond. If you want to talk, then talk. I will not help you along.”

There was a long silence. “I suppose that is fair.”

It was more than fair, and they both knew it. Aelinor turned a corner, heading to the balcony that overlooked the city. 

“You are angry with me.” Aemond said finally.

She scoffed. “Of course I am! You took what should have been a happy occasion and used it to ridicule my family. Am I supposed to be pleased?”

She bypassed the small garden table and chairs and walked to the railing, leaning over the stone to peer down at King’s Landing. If the Keep was having a slow morning, the city proper was positively bustling. Smoke rose from chimneys and even from here she could see vendors readying their carts to be pushed to market. It all seemed a world away.

Aemond stopped beside her, and when she looked up she found his gaze trained on her. 

“Why did you do it?” She whispered.

“I…I don’t know.” He looked down.

She frowned. “I don’t believe you. Give me a reason. Help me to understand. Because I refuse to build a marriage on uncertainties.”

Reminding him of their betrothal seemed to spur something in him, and he swallowed. “Aren’t you angry at them?”

“At who?” 

“Your brothers. Well, Jacaerys and Lucerys, I have no grudge against the little ones.” 

“Why on earth would I be angry at them?” She asked. “You started that fight. Not them.”

He was silent for a long time, so long that she wondered if he ever intended on answering her. 

“Do you not remember how they burned you? How they scarred me? How they taunted me with a pig all my life until I claimed Vhagar? How have you forgotten all that?”

“I have forgotten nothing!” She exclaimed. “But they were children, Aemond! We were all children. What is mine to forgive, I have forgiven. They have grown. We all have changed.”

“Your brother carved out my eye!” He shouted, gesturing to his face.

“Yes. Yes, he did,” Aelinor stepped away, crossing her arms. “And moments earlier you had prepared to bludgeon him with a stone. Perhaps I should be holding a grudge against you, for that.”

She could see that she had caught him by surprise.

“And furthermore,” She continued. “You know as well as I that, as cruel as those pranks were, Aegon was responsible for just as many as my brothers were. But we were all children .”

“Am I supposed to forgive them, is that it?” He demanded. 

“Yes!” She cried. “They are my brothers. I will not ask you to be friends with them, but if we are to marry, this fighting must cease. For your father, for the sake of our mothers, for ourselves! We cannot live with this anger, Aemond.”

She stepped forward, tilting her chin to look up at him. “I cannot live with it.”

His eye closed, and then slowly his fingers stretched out and grasped at the fabric of her sleeves. 

“You…” The words caught in his throat. “I do not think forgiveness is in my nature, not like it is for you.”

Aelinor leaned closer, her hands finding the sides of his tunic. At the first touch, his eye shot open, staring down at her with something between alarm and wonderment. 

“I will not ask you to forgive, then.” She whispered. “I can forgive for the both of us. But you must not let yourself be ruled by anger. It will destroy you.”

It will destroy us , she thought.

He nodded slowly. “I…I can try.For you.”

“That is all I ask,” She smiled. 

Aemond tentatively smiled back.

Aelinor felt some of her loneliness dissipate. “I did not like being angry at you,” she said quietly, stretching her arms up until they rested on his shoulders. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too.” She thought she could feel his fingers tracing the small of her back.

She let out a laugh. “How ridiculous we are! We can bear nine years apart, but not one evening?”

“I could not bear it,” Aemond said seriously, his palm spreading on her back. “Not for those years, nor one evening. It if were up to me we would never be parted again.”

It was a childish, juvenile sentiment, the type of softness that others would scoff to hear. But for Aelinor, it was just the Aemond she knew and loved. 

“We never have to be,” She whispered. “We’re betrothed, after all.”

Aemond nodded slowly. “And you…you’re sure that this is what you want?”

She understood his hesitation. Whatever kindness had driven her grandfather to betrothe them, their marriage would be an intensely political one. Both of them would serve as hostages to ensure the cooperation of their families, both of them would be constantly drawn into the game as pawns to wield against the other. There was every reason to fear what this might do to them, to their families.

But there was no one in the Seven Kingdoms, nor anywhere else in the world, that Aelinor would ever want to marry as much as she wanted Aemond. He had been the most constant figure through her entire life, and she knew that she could trust him to stand at her side.

“Aemond,” She promised. “I have never wanted anything more.”

And then, in a moment of bravery or boldness, Aelinor stood on her toes and pressed her lips to Aemond’s.

For a split second she wondered if she had made a horrible mistake. His entire body stiffened, and he did not react or move. Oh gods, she had humiliated herself. 

But suddenly Aemond had both arms around her waist, pulling her into his body and kissing her back with a passion that left her lightheaded.

Aelinor had never been one to fantasize about kissing boys. It had never interested her, though perhaps that was because her most likely marriage prospect had been her older brother. But this…she could understand now why the heroines in all of her story books were always dreaming of kissing princes. 

Her head fell back, her mouth parting as Aemond’s lips moved over hers. One of her hands twisted in his hair, pulling slightly when she felt his tongue brush her lip. A tiny, embarrassing sound escaped her mouth, but it only seemed to spur Aemond on. He pushed forward until her hips were against the railing, his arms a cage from which she never wanted to escape.

“Aemond.” She whispered.

“Lina.” He replied, kissing her again. She felt one of his hands traveling to her hip, the other rising to cup her cheek. His palms were rough, callused from years of training and dragon riding, but she thought that she had never felt anything so wonderful.

Voices broke through, carrying on the wind from the garden. There was someone coming, someone who had taken their own morning stroll and likely did not expect to find the Prince and Princess locked in an embrace. They had to part before they were seen.

“There’s someone coming,” Aelinor pulled away slightly, just enough to catch her breath.

Aemond chased her, leaning down until his nose pressed against her forehead. “So?”

“So…what if we’re seen? What would your mother say? What would your brother say?”

“Fuck my brother.” Aemond grinned. “And fuck anyone else. We’re betrothed, remember?”

A smile pulled at her lips, and he dipped to kiss the corner of her mouth. “I might remember.”

“And as your betrothed it is my right — no, it is my duty, to kiss my future wife as often as she likes. And anyone who says otherwise can be a feast for Vhagar and Darrax.” 

Aelinor felt her cheeks heat. His future wife . Gods, that sounded perfect.

“How very ruthless of you,” She laughed.

“For you, anything.” He beamed, appearing lighter than she had ever seen him.

Ignoring that they were likely going to have visitors in the next few minutes, Aelinor tightened her arms around him and hugged him closely. “Thank you, Aemond.”

“You never need to thank me,” He said into her hair. “Not ever.”

“But I am grateful nonetheless.” She smiled. “Now, we really should be going before we are caught.”

Aemond relented and stepped away, but surprised her when he reached for her injured hand and clasped it in his own. When they stepped out from the secluded balcony onto the main path, they nearly ran right into Lord Beesbury and his wife. 

“My Prince!” Beesbury exclaimed. “And Princess Aelinor! What a fine morning, isn’t it?” His gaze drifted to their joined hands, and then back to the flushed expressions on their faces. “Shall I…go another way?”

“That won’t be necessary,” Aemond said, his voice hardening.

Aelinor placed hand on his arm, before offering Beesbury her most sympathetic smile. “We should hate to interrupt your walk, My Lord. We were just leaving.”

She bobbed a quick curtsy, practically forcing Aemond to bow as well, and then they excused themselves. 

“You’re very…prickly.” Aelinor noted. “Lord Beesbury is kind.”

“He interrupted us.” Aemond grumbled.

“Yes, and he was kind about it.” Aelinor said. “Now, let us go. The gardens always fill quickly.” There was little else to do in the capital, at least not for the upstanding members of court, and the weather was fair on this day. 

“How did you intend to spend your day?” Aemond asked.

Aelinor shrugged. “I believe my intention was to spend it moping. If you remember, my family is gone and I was angry at you.”

He frowned. “I thought we—”

“I’m only jesting, Aemond.” She squeezed his hand. “And I thought I may take Darrax for a ride. He has not been out since we arrived, and does not enjoy being confined.”

Aemond opened his mouth to speak, before quickly looking away.

She nudged him. “What was that?”

“Nevermind.”

“No, you must tell me!” She laughed, tugging on his arm. 

He chuckled, pretending to sag into her weight. “Very well. I was going to suggest that I could take Vhagar as well and we could go together. If that would please you.”

Already a grin was spreading across Aelinor’s face. “Now you’re the one being ridiculous. Let us hurry, I shall change into my riding clothes and meet you in the courtyard in an hour. Don’t be late.”

“I won’t be,” He promised, laughing as she picked up her skirts and hurried away.

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

This has been the best day of Aelinor’s life. She was sure that no day would ever be able to compare to the elation of soaring through the clouds on Darrax, Aemond and Vhagar flying alongside her. Both Darrax and Vhagar had behaved themselves, and Darrax had even playfully flown circles around the older dragon. If that was a sign of things to come, then it was a good sign.

But not the sun had set, and Aelinor was exhausted. It was a good type of exhaustion, the kind that made her wish to sink into her bed and collapse into a sleep of wonderful dreams. Tomorrow they could do it all again, just as they could for the rest of their lives.

Aemond walked at her side, laughing as she brushed dust from her coat. Her riding clothes were ornate, more decorative than practical, but she had always loved them. The issue was, however, that she dreaded seeing the dust and dragon reek settle into the intricately embroidered scales along the black leather.

“Don’t laugh,” She protested, though she was smiling too. “I shall have to get these laundered.”

“Then we cannot go out again tomorrow?” Aemond asked, raising his eyebrows.

Aelinor rolled her eyes. “I am a Princess, Aemond. I have more than one set of riding clothes.”

“Shame,” He sighed dramatically. “I thought to take you down to the market. There are vendors who sell candied lemons and sugar-boiled cherries, but I suppose you will miss out.”

She gasped. “Aemond! We must go!”

They were arriving at her door, and Aelinor felt a twinge of disappointment at the realization that they must now part ways. 

“Then we shall go,” Aemond promised, dipping his head. “It would be an honor to escort you.”

“You’re ridiculous.” Aelinor said, coming to a stop before her chambers. She reached out and took both of his hands, her riding gloves intertwining between his fingers. “Thank you, Aemond. Today was perfect.”

“It is I who should be thanking you,” He said, leaning in to press a sweet kiss to her lips. It was chaste, so chaste that it probably would not even cause scandal if they were seen, and it left Aelinor wanting more. But Aemond was determined to be a gentleman, and so he stepped away and bowed deeply at the waist.

“My Princess,” He smiled as he rose.

Chuckling, she held out the sides of her riding jacket and bobbed a curtsy. “My Prince. I will see you tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow,” He promised.

Aemond watched until she had shut the door behind her, and then she listened for a few moments longer until his footsteps finally moved away. 

With a girlish giggle, Aelinor spun in a circle. 

“Princess?” Her maid, Jayne, was standing in the corner of the parlor. She had one eyebrow raised, an amused smile pulling at her lips.

“Oh, Jeyne!” Aelinor exclaimed. “I have had the best day.”

“I can see that, Princess.” Jeyne laughed. “Shall I get you some dinner?”

“Oh, yes please!” Aelinor grinned. “Something light, that I can eat in the bath. I intend to go to bed early tonight, as I have a busy day tomorrow.”

“As you say, Princess.” Jeyne nodded.

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

Aemond returned to his rooms feeling like a new man. He knew his brother would mock him to hear it, but he could not help but feel as thought he had been swept into a dream. Aelinor was his . They had spent the day together, and he had basked in her beauty and perfection as he had always dreamed. 

They had kissed . He had held her in his arms and embraced her, and already he wished that he did not have to let go.

And he didn’t. Tomorrow, they would spend their day together again, as they would the next, and the next. For now, he allowed the worries of succession and the tensions between their families fall to the wayside.

He had Aelinor, after all, and so everything was perfect.

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

Aelinor reclined into a hot bath, feasting on meats and cheese until she was satisfied, and then allowed Jeyne to braid her hair before she fell into bed. Tomorrow Jeyne would move into these chambers as well, to serve as a chaperone and companion until proper alternatives could be provided. But for tonight, Aelinor simply wished her maid a good night before she closed the door behind her and returned to the servants corridors.

Then, Aelinor wrapped herself in her covers and fell into a comfortable sleep. It was the perfect end to the perfect day.

And then, sometime before the dawn, someone began to pound at her door

#hotd #house of the dragon #aemond fanfiction #aemond targaryen #aemond x oc #fanfiction #fanfic #game of thrones #lady of the ashes #aemond one eye

[justauthoring]

Shadow of Yourself [9/18]

Prompt: “You’ve changed, Eli. I barely even know who you are right now.”

A/N: thank you all for your patience with this chapter! i hope to go back to posting regularly from now on :)

Based off of: Cobra Kai 03x04, 03x05 and 03x06 Warnings: some swear words (because tumblr apparently doesn’t like that), bullying, poorly written fight scene…, etc.    Pairing: Eli Moskowitz x F!Reader

Tag List: @moonydrafts - @ashwhowrites - @traveleraroundsworld - @truly-abysmal - @likecherriesinthespring - @hollxe1 - @asonofpeter - @scarlett-verse - @musically-ambiguous - @kayda1 - @moon-zoons - @dwcode - @day-dreamsinthedark - @leilani788 - @silvermagnolias - @hawkinsavclub - @animewolflover278 - @gruffle1 - @b-tchymoon - @maggiecc - @beetea38 - @hawkinsavclub1983 - @crpytids - @embersparklz - @kimilight - @httpjiikook - @marauderssmut - @fyckcore - @multinci - @lqveabby - @oh-well-whatever-nevermind - @redskull199987 - @silvermagnolias - @shortneko - @okjaeminn - @thecyclonetragedy - @vamproq - @siriusfahey - @cobrakaigirlie - @kaylinfayezink - @oursuh - @aphroditelxver - @minl0u - @cherrywinepoison - @bath1lda​ - @fixalice - @fallsofserinity​ - @maisieibae

YOU’RE REALLY SORRY?:

“You’re sure you’re ready to go back?”

“I can’t avoid school forever, mom.”

Shaking her head, your mom sighs. “You missed one day,” she reminds softly, “I’m sure one more wouldn’t be the end of the world.”

Laughing lightly, you shake your head, pulling the straps of your backpack further up. “I’ll be okay,” you assure softly, smiling to reinforce your words. “I promise. And I’ll call you if anything comes up.”

“Anything?”

“Anything.”

Nodding, your mother eases, letting you move to make your way out.

Just as you move to leave though, you pause. “Mom?”

Turning to you, she raises a brow; “yeah, honey?”

“Thanks for... coming back and um, staying. I know it’s hard for you to get time off,” you whisper, fiddling with your fingers slightly. “I’ve always known that, and I’m sorry if I made you think I didn’t understand.”

Touched at your words, your mother reaches forward, brushing a strand of your hair back and tucking it behind your ear as she smiles at you. “Thank you, honey. But, you were right. I should be home more and I want to be there for you, okay?”

Warmed at her words, you nod.

“Okay.”

-

For the first time in what feels like forever, a genuine smile spreads across your lips at the sight before you.

“Miguel!”

Turning at the sound of a familiar voice, Miguel eases slightly at the sight of you. You’re all too quick to rush over to him, moving to hug him as he returns the affection. When you pull back, you can’t help but laugh; “look at you!”

“Ah, look at me,” he laughs, gesturing towards himself with a shake of his head. 

“Does it feel weird to be back?” 

“A little,” he shrugs, “I guess I just wasn’t expecting to be back so soon.”

You nod–it made perfect sense. A few days ago, he couldn’t walk, and now look at him. You haven’t been able to see him since before he’d gotten released from the hospital, and when you’d visited him then, he’d seemed quite defeated. It was a sight you weren’t quite used to seeing on Miguel, and had done your best to at least try to cheer him up the best you could. Now, it looked like he didn’t need that anymore.

There was almost a new light to him–completely reinvigorated.

“Well, I’m happy for you, Miguel,” you smile brightly, eyes crinkling with warmth as he flushes slightly at the praise. “I mean, what you did–”

“El Serpiente!”

You freeze at the voice, knowing who it is before you even have to turn around and see. It feels like everything in your body freezes then, and you barely register the look on Miguel’s face as concern floods his gaze at your reaction to Eli of all people. He’d known things were estranged between the two of you, but there was almost a sense of fear in your eyes as you heard his voice and that… that was odd.

No matter how mad or upset you were with Eli, Miguel had never seen you look afraid at the sound of his voice.

“Y/N, are you–”

“I gotta go,” you say suddenly, snapping out of your own revere as you turn to meet Miguel’s gaze. Forcing a smile on your face, you shake your head; “sorry, I forgot I was supposed to meet up with a-a friend before class. I’ll see you later, okay?” 

You’re turning around before he can say otherwise, and you didn’t realize just how close Eli was because the second you turn, he’s right there. He looks just as shocked to see you, but just as his lips part to say something, you’re rushing past him, head ducking down to tuck into your chin as you all but run away.

Faltering just briefly, Eli turns back to Miguel, smiling as he holds his arm out in greeting.

“What’s up?”

“Welcome back, man,” Eli grins.

“Feels good to be back.”

“They give you bionic legs or some shit?”

Laughing, Miguel shakes his head; “no, same old boring human legs.”

“Oh yeah? Can you throw down?” Eli taunts teasingly, holding his fists out before him, “gotta defend that title.” Laughing, Miguel brushes his hand away, shaking his head as Eli grins. “Gotta get through me first.”

Miguel nods, faltering for a moment as his eyes flicker past Eli, in the direction you’d gone. “Is everything good with Y/N? I mean, she kind of ran off.”

A guilty look passes through Eli’s eyes, one Miguel doesn’t notice as he quickly shrugs it off. “I don’t know,” Eli says plainly, feigning ignorance. “We haven’t talked in a while, so…” His voice trails, and Miguel nods at that, figuring he’d find you later and try to figure out what was the matter. “Besides,” Eli cuts in through his thoughts, “dude, Cobra Kai is crushing it right now.”

“I’ve actually been meaning to talk to you about that–”

Just then, the school bell rings.

“I-I’ll talk to you about it at lunch.”

“All right, sure.”

-

Making your way into the cafeteria, the first thing you notice is Miguel and Eli.

And the fact that things seem tense.

Last you’d seen, things had seemed cool between the both of them. Of course, Miguel didn’t know what Miguel had done to Demetri, so it only made sense he’d think things were as they usually were.

Did he know?

If so, who had told him?

Was it Demetri?

That’d make the most sense–all it’d take is one look at Demetri for Miguel to wonder just exactly how he’d broken his arm. If that was the case and Miguel knew the truth… well, then obviously Miguel wasn’t so blind by Cobra Kai like Eli was to believe that that was okay.

And that, at the very least, filled you with some hope.

“Hey, guys!” Pulled from your thoughts at the sound of Kyler’s voice, your brows furrow as you glance to your right. “Check this guy out. Standing around with a d*ck in his hand.” 

Lips parting at the sight of Demetri, you frown when the entire cafeteria erupts into laughter, blatantly mocking the boy. He’s ripping his arm from Kyler’s grasp in the next second, head bowing in defeat as he makes his way out of the cafeteria. You spare one more glance Eli and Miguel’s way, before shaking your head, rushing off in the direction Demetri had gone.

“Demetri!” 

He promptly ignores you, turning around a corner as you roll your eyes in frustration.

“Demetri, just wait a second!”

Picking up the speed in your step, it only takes you a minute more before you reach the boy, promptly grabbing him by the shoulder to stop him. He huffs as you do, turning to face you with a heavy frown on his lips as you meet his gaze. “Are you okay?”

“Just peachy,” he answers, sarcasm dripping from his tone as he holds up his cast and the d*ck now drawn on it for you to see. 

Biting your lip, you swallow thickly; “I could… sign it somehow? Try to make it better?”

“Nah, don’t worry about it,” he shrugs, “there’s absolutely nothing that could make this better.”

-

Making your way up to the building Robby had told you to meet him at, you pause at the sight of not only Johnny Lawrence, but Mr. Larusso as well. They haven’t noticed you yet, and they both seem to be in a pretty intense conversation, completely oblivious to everyone around them, including Robby who just made his way out.

“Seriously?”

They both turn to look at him, their expressions softening as you stand a little further back, unsure whether you should make yourself known or keep quiet.

“Robby,” Mr. Larusso calls at the same time Johnny calls out; 

“Hey, Robby.”

Making his way over to them, Robby turns to his dad first; “I told you I don’t want you here.”

“You’re my son.” Johnny argues, “I wanted to be here.”

“And so did I,” Mr. Larusso cuts in.

“Don’t do me any favors,” Robby scoffs, turning to look at Mr. Larusso, “it’s your fault I was here.”

Brushing a strand of hair back, you glance around. It felt a lot like you were imposing on this moment that you most definitely shouldn’t be witnessing, or hearing for that matter, and you can’t help the discomfort that floods you as you shuffle on your feet lightly.

“I know you’re upset,” Mr. Larusso tries to placate, “but I was doing what was best for you. Now that you’re out, I just want you to know I’m here. You always have a home at Miyagi-Do.”

Johnny steps forward then; “or with me.”

“I already have someone picking me up,” Robby rolls his eyes, gesturing past the two and at you instead. You pause slightly when three pairs of eyes fall on you, namely Johnny and Mr. Larusso, offering a small smile and an awkward wave in greeting.

“Y/N?” Mr. Larusso calls out, brows furrowed in confusion, “shouldn’t you be in school?”

“My mom let me have the day so I could, well,” you gesture before yourself, at Robby.

“Who the hell is she?” Johnny cuts in, with as much tact as you remember him having from your very brief, very short conversation with him back at the Halloween dance last year.

“Y/N Y/L/N, she’s a student at Miyagi-Do.” Mr. Larusso explains, still obviously baffled at the sight of you.

Johnny scoffs, “figures.”

Reeling your head back at his tone, you quirk a brow.

“Jesus, just… Both of you,” Robby cuts in, pulling their attention back at him as he glares at both of them. “Stay out of my life.” He’s brushing past them before they can get in another word edgewise, making his way down the stairs until he reaches you. You glance at him, before looking back up at Mr. Larusso and Johnny one last time.

“Are you sure–”

“It’s fine,” Robby brushes off, “let’s just go.”

You nod without hesitation, letting him lead the way as you follow after him. You wait until you’re far enough from both of them before you speak up, “I just wanted to make sure you weren’t on your own when you got out. If I’d known your dad or Mr. Larusso were going to be here, I wouldn’t have–”

Robby just shakes his head, glancing back at you. “I didn’t want them there,” he assures, before pausing, moving to meet your gaze. “I did want you there, though.”

Heart warming at his words, you can’t help the smile that curls onto your lips, a soft flush on your cheeks as you nod back at him.

“Yeah?”

Rolling his eyes at the twinkle in your own, Robby just snorts, “of course. You’re like the only friend I have right now.”

Chuckling lightly, you bump your shoulder into his own gently, “well, don’t worry. I wanted to be there too.”

-

Right at the end of your second class back at Miyagi-Do, Mr. Larusso pulls you aside.

Honestly, you’d expected him to do it a lot earlier given that the last time he’d seen him, Robby had all but ignored him and gone straight to you–not to mention practically told him to stay out of his life from then on. You figured Mr. Larusso would have questions, and while you’d make sure to be respectful to Robby and not share anything he wouldn’t want you to, you knew Mr. Larusso was just coming from a place of concern.

And that you couldn’t fault him for.

Smiling warmly, you glance up to meet his eyes. “What’s up, Mr. Larusso?”

“I just wanted to ask about Robby,” he starts off, obviously unsure of himself. “I don’t know what you saw back at the Juvenile Detention or what you heard, but I just want to make sure he’s okay. And-And that he knows he’s not alone.”

Swallowing thickly, you glance around, noticing that Sam, Demetri and the rest had gone off after Daniel had all but excused them. Leaving just you. Good–you knew Sam and the rest still didn’t really know about Robby, or that he even was out of Juvie. And he didn’t want them to know. Robby had made sure that you promised not to tell anyone, and you weren’t about to break that trust with him.

“I don’t know where he’s staying,” you answer honestly–because the truth was you didn’t. “Robby said he had a plan and I didn’t want to pry. Just that he could always have a place at mine if he needed.” At the look Mr. Larusso sends you, you shake your head, laughing lightly. “He’s okay, though. I promise. He just needs time. I don’t know what happened between the two of you, and it’s not my place to but I think he just needs to figure out some stuff for himself.”

Mr. Larusso nods, a solemn expression on his face. “Truthfully, I didn’t even know the two of you were that close.”

Shrugging, you pull on the edges of your sleeves. “We can relate on a lot of things.”

“Okay, well, thank you, Y/N. You’re, uh, welcome to leave.”

You nod, moving to walk off, before you pause, “you, uh… is the All Valley really going to be canceled?”

Blinking at your question, Mr. Larusso raises a brow.

“I, uh, overheard you earlier.”

“Ah,” he smiles lightly, and you try to fight the light blush on your cheeks at having been caught eavesdropping. “I’m going to try to make sure it isn’t,” he smiles, setting a hand on your shoulder before squeezing gently. “It seems like we have a lot of new talent to showcase this year.”

Flushing, you shake your head; “I don’t know that I’m qualified, but I’d love to be able to see the others.”

Mr. Larusso just shakes his head, “you’re more skilled than you think, Y/N. You just need a bit of confidence.”

Feeling slightly renewed at his kind reassurance, you beam up at Mr. Larusso; “thank you, Mr. Larusso.” Then, moving to grab your bag off the floor, you turn to him one last time. “I should probably get going, my mom’s waiting for me.”

He sends you a wave, “I’ll see you at the next class, Y/N.”

-

“You’re joining Cobra Kai?”

“No,” Robby instantly argues, shaking his head. “Kreese just offered me a place to stay and I’m just taking advantage of that.”

Frowning, you eye Robby slowly, “I already said you could stay at mine,” you remind, shaking your head. “There’s no reason to stay there.” 

“I don’t want to bother you. Besides, aren’t you and your mom just starting to get better?”

“Yeah,” you pause, “but that–”

“Meaning I would just get in the way of that.” 

Crossing your arms over your chest, you frown (more like pout) at Robby. “I don’t like it,” you mumble, puffing your cheeks out. “I mean, Cobra Kai is what…” You can’t finish your words, a flash of Eli, and then Hawk snapping Demetri’s arm, and it hurts too much to think about so your words simply trail off.

But Robby already knows.

“I know what Cobra Kai can do,” Robby assures, voice somewhat softening as he registers just how upset you really are. “That’s why I’m not in it.”

You flicker your gaze upwards, eyeing him for a moment, really taking a look. He seems sincere, and you’ve never known Robby to lie to you before. He’s only ever told you the truth, and he’s confided in you more times than you can count, believed and trusted in you–so shouldn’t that mean you should just trust him now? What reason would he have in lying about something like that?

Especially when, yes, he does know what Cobra Kai can do to you.

“As long as you promise, no matter what, you won’t become like them,” then, pausing, you can’t stop yourself from adding; “like him.”

“Hawk?”

Frowning, you nod.

“I promise.”

“Good,” you bite your lip, “I believe you.”

Robby lets out a light laugh at the pout that’s still ever so present on your lips, shaking his head at the cute expression on your face as you pretend to still be mad at him when he knows you aren’t really.

“Have…” Pausing at your words, Robby waits patiently for you to find the words, seeing the clear struggle across your face as you stand before him. Your face is twisted, a clear look of discomfort crossing your eyes as you grip onto your sleeves tightly. “Have you seen Eli–Hawk?”

Oh.

Honestly, Robby hadn’t expected you to actually ask about him. After you’d told him what Hawk had done to Demetri, it was clear it was a touchy subject with you and it was honestly probably better just not to bring Hawk up when around you.

So for you…

“Yeah,” Robby nods, “just passing by. I haven’t really talked to him.”

“O-oh,” you mumble, nodding.

But Robby feels like there’s still more you want to ask.

“He’s okay,” Robby says slowly, unsure, a little uncomfortable. “I think. From what I can tell.”

“I don’t care,” you argue, shaking your head, the words coming out a little too rushed. “I mean, I, well, I shouldn’t. I don’t.”

And it all makes sense then.

“You still love him don’t you?”

Your eyes widen at his words, shock crossing your features as you finally raise your head to meet his gaze properly. And your lips part to argue, wanting to argue, but all it takes is one look at Robby and you know you can’t.

You can’t lie

“Yeah,” you whisper, “I do.”

And oddly, Robby finds himself disappointed by your answer.

-

“Well, this Christmas party is turning out to be ho-ho-horrible.”

You can’t really argue with Demetri.

When Sam had invited you over for a Christmas party with the rest of Miyagi-Do, you had expected… more music? More chatting? More… fun? More than just sitting on the couch in awkward silence, Demetri eating popcorn next to you while Sam anxiously paced in front of you all, at least.

“Yeah, Sam,” Chris agrees. “I thought you said your parents gonna be out for the night. So why aren’t we throwing a rager?”

“Yeah.”

“There’s a keg on the way,” she explains, a nervous smile crossing her features. “It’s just gonna be a few more minutes.”

Frowning, you sit up; “can we at least put on a Christmas special?”

“Yeah,” Demetri nods at you, “I’d even watch that creepy one with the little elf dentist.” At the look he receives, Demetri laughs; “yeah, I’m that bored.”

Just as Sam moves to say something, the doorbell rings.

“It’s here!”

Finally, you can’t help but think, leaning on Demetri slightly as all of you turn to watch Sam open the door.

Except it’s not a keg that’s waiting on the other side of the door. It’s Miguel and… the rest of Cobra Kai? Or was it even considered Cobra Kai anymore? Miguel had been pretty explicit when telling you that he had no intentions of joining Cobra Kai now that John Kreese was the sensei and not Johnny.

Before you know it, Demetri, Chris and the others all jump to their feet, instantly coming to face Miguel and his friends. There’s a chorus of anger that passes around from both sides as everyone argues at the opposing sides appearance–but the only two who don’t seem angered or confused are Sam and Miguel… explaining Sam’s anxiousness from earlier. Clearly, the two had planned this.

So, that was a thing now too, apparently.

Moving to stand yourself, you let out a deep breath at Chris as he huffs; “Oh, h*ll no! You gotta be kidding me.”

“What the h*ll are you doing here?” Mitch snaps right back, “this isn’t a keg party. I bought this hat for nothing!”

“Wait,” Demetri calls out, “you Parent Trapped us? Why?”

“Look,” Sam moves to explain, “I know we haven’t always gotten along, but Cobra Kai is the bigger threat now. To all of us.”

Meeting Miguel’s gaze, you bite your lip.

“We think we’d stand a better chance against them if we joined forces,” Miguel adds, nodding to Sam’s words. “Two dojos is better than one.”

Shrugging your shoulders, you step forward, standing in between both dojos. “Sounds good to me,” you comply, smiling lightly as you let your eyes flicker across everyone. “I mean, why not right?”

“Absolutely not,” Chris argues, shaking his head at you. “Are you crazy? This is ridiculous.”

“I know, right?”

“Look, I know we’ve all done sh*tty things to each other,” Miguel reminds.

“Yeah,” Chris nods, turning to Mitch. “Like breaking Demetri’s arm.”

“Hey!” Mitch calls out, stepping forward to defend himself. “You guys started that fight.”

“After you almost got me fired!”

“God,” eyes flickering lower, you raise a brow as Bert turns to Nate. “I hate your st*pid face so much.”

“If you died, I wouldn’t even attend your funeral.”

What in the world…?

“I don’t know, guys,” you call out, turning to Sam and Miguel. “I don’t think this is gonna work.”

“It has to,” Sam argues. “We have one last chance to make things right. Alone, we’re nothing. But if we work together, we have a shot. If we can’t get over the past, the fighting will never end. We have to confront our enemies. This rivalry has to stop. One way or another.”

-

Surprisingly, it was Demetri that got the fighting to stop.

If anyone had a reason not to forgive, it was him. It might’ve been Eli who actually broke his arm, but some of the boys there had helped. Had been a witness and done nothing to stop or help Demetri. And yet…

“Hey, p*ssies!”

You reel back as Demetri slams his hand on the coffee table, pushing himself to stand as he grabs everyone's attention.

“This is exactly what those a**holes at Cobra Kai want. Since you were one of ‘em,” he gestures to Bert and Mitch, “you’re an a**hole too.” Turning to Chris, he nods. “So are you. So was I. Well, at least I wanted to be one. But now Cobra Kai is the worst collection of a**holes in the Valley, run by the king of all a**holes. So if by merging with Eagle Fang… weird name, by the way,” you laugh lightly–leave it to Demetri to still add that in. “Can keep us all from getting shit on anymore, then we’d all be a**holes not to do it.”

Faltering slightly, Demetri pauses; “I’m sorry for all the a**holes. I usually take pride in my grandiloquence, but… it’s an emotional time.”

One look around the room and you can tell, whether they want to or not, everyone agrees with Demetri.

A fact which is reinforced when Bert and Mitch move to sit back down.

“Very well said if you ask me, Demetri,” you say, pulling his eyes on you as you smile brightly at him.

He nods, slightly breathless, “now… where do we start?”

-

Things had almost been going… perfect.

Well, basically perfect.

Good enough.

And then Cobra Kai showed up.

Of course they did. 

After Bert had been thrown through the window, beaten up no less, it had, as it usually did, gone into a full out brawl. Everyone was fighting. You saw Tory gaining on Sam, and Kyler heading for Miguel. You watched as Hawk started fighting Chris and everyone just started fighting, like they always did.

You were sick of the fighting.

Sick of hurting people, watching others get hurt. Sam had gone frozen the last time Tory had come, and you could only imagine how she was now… Miguel had just gotten out of a coma, shortly thereafter learning how to walk all over again and now he was expected to fight... again? You didn’t even want to imagine Demetri and if… if Eli found him again…

What if he hurt him again?

What if he did something worse this time?

It feels like you’re having a panic attack, everything around you blurring to nothing as you feel your heart start to pound madly against your chest. You thought you were doing better, you thought you were healing, despite nothing really being solved. You thought if you just… pushed Eli from your thoughts, focused on yourself, your mom, Miguel, Robby… Demetri–that things would be better. That you’d get better.

But it was too much. All of it.

You joined Miyagi-Do to find yourself, to find peace, but all you’d done since you’d join was fight and watch your friends get hurt.

You didn’t want to watch your friends get hurt again.

And then that same asshole, the one from the mall, the one that cornered you at the school finds you once more. It’s him and one other, gaining on you, and you can’t help but wonder what the h*ll you did to this kid to make him hate you this much.

It didn’t matter though, did it?

By the smirk on his lips he had every intention of fighting you, and something told you he didn’t intend on losing like he did last time.

Ducking as he swings a kick at you, you narrowly miss the hit, your body feeling off as you stumble over your own two feet. The other one takes this to his advantage, landing a nasty hit on your side as you grunt in pain, gripping the offended spot tightly. You kick your leg out, managing to hit him but then the other one comes rushing forward, flipping himself around before landing a kick across your face.

You fall to your knees in response, stunning yourself as the pain radiates across your body.

You were stronger than this–you knew you were stronger than this. But you couldn’t think straight, it felt like your walls were closing in on you and it was getting harder to breathe by the second. It wasn’t even so much yourself that you were worried about… 

It was everyone else.

Your friends.

It was the fact that you were never strong enough to help any of your friends.

“Grab her.”

Two hands wrap themselves around your arms, pulling you back enough that you can see the boy before you now. He has that stupid smirk still plastered on his face, an expression of glee clearly in his eyes as he regards you, completely at his mercy.

Your eyes fall shut as he moves towards you, expecting the worst. 

Except nothing ever happens. 

Suddenly the hands holding you are gone and your eyes open as you move to catch yourself, turning just in time to see Demetri and Eli. At first your chest tightens with worry, but then the two are looking at each other, nodding, before grasping each other by the hand. Demetri turns, pulling Eli with him to give the latter the momentum to swing up, leg kicking out to hit the boy directly in the face.

Effectively knocking him to the ground.

When you glance back in front of you, the other one is knocked to the ground as well.

Your lips part in shock as the realization settles in, turning back to Eli and Demetri as the two finally turn to you. Demetri’s rushing over to you without hesitation, moving to help you stand up, and you let him do so numbly, not even really registering what he’s doing. Your attention is focused on Eli, who as opposed to Demetri seems a lot more hesitant to approach you.

“It’s okay, Y/N,” Demetri suddenly calls, pulling your eyes on him briefly. “He… Eli switched sides and he apologized.”

You don’t know what to say.

The words seem caught in the back of your throat. 

What do you even say to that?

“I’ll, uh, well I’ll just leave you two to it.”

Demetri’s sending you one last smile before walking off–you barely even register him leaving. All of a sudden it’s just you and Eli, and it’s like everything else fades to the back of your mind. All the fighting, all the chaos. None of it matters.

“Demetri’s telling the truth. I…” Eli steps towards you, “I am so sorry. For everything.”

You hadn’t ever thought you’d hear the words.

Actually hear them.

Lips parting, you can’t help the hope that floods you, the warmth that floods through your chest as you stare back at him.

“You mean it?” You find yourself whispering, voice barely audible as you stare up at him.

“Yeah,” he nods, “I really am sorry. To Demetri, to everyone but most of all, I’m sorry for what I did to you.”

Perhaps he doesn’t deserve to be forgiven so quickly. Somewhere deep in your heart you know he probably doesn’t. But as you’d admitted to Robby, you were still in love with him. Despite everything he’d done, you… you knew you loved Eli. You’ve loved him for as long as you can remember and you’d been waiting to hear him say those words for… so long that it felt like a miracle just hearing them.

Hearing him actually say it.

So, you can’t really stop yourself before you’re suddenly jumping forward, all but throwing yourself into his arms as you press your face into the crook of his neck. Eli stumbles back slightly in response, obviously stunned, before slowly his arms move to wrap around your waist, squeezing back just as tightly.

Then, as a moment passes, you pull back, just enough to see his face.

For a brief second you don’t realize how close you two are, staring into his eyes, before your own gaze travels to his lips and suddenly you feel yourself flushing out of embarrassment, pulling away from him in the next second. There’s a blush on his cheeks too as he lets go of you, the both of you stepping back, avoiding each other's gazes.

You... You haven’t been that close to him in so long that, well... you just didn’t know how to react.

“We should…”

“Yeah…”

“Yeah, okay.”

He’s nodding, turning, and you’re following him, both of you making your way over to Miguel who’d just finished knocking Kyler off of him.

But, as you walk, you can’t help the smile that curls onto your lips.

-

“Oh my God, Y/N!”

Pulling back slightly at your mothers grip on your cheeks, you let her look across you, fussing particularly over the bruise on your cheek.

“Are you okay?” She cries out, worry clear in her gaze as she stares down at you. “When you called me, I rushed over as soon as I–”

“Mom. Mom!”

Falling silent at your voice, she stares back at you.

“I’m okay,” you nod, smiling lightly.

She just sighs, “really?”

“Yeah,” you assure. “More than okay, actually. I’m… I’m great.”

Brows furrowed in confusion, your mom shakes her head.

Glancing over your shoulder, you smile as you notice Eli making his way out of Sam’s house. He catches your gaze just as he moves to turn, the surprised look on his face morphing to a soft smile, one that you find yourself unable to stop yourself from returning.

Turning to your mom, you nod.

“I think things are finally getting better.”

#cobra kai #cobra kai imagine #cobra kai x reader #eli moskowitz #eli moskowitz x reader #eli moskowitz imagine #hawk x reader #hawk imagine #robby keene #robby keene imagine #robby keene x reader #jacob bertrand

[beauty-and-passion]

Tackling The Magnus Archives

I hope you’re satisfied, TMA fandom.

For a lot of time, I’ve seen this fandom everywhere: posts, fanarts, even more fanarts, people mentioning scary stuff and an overall positive reaction about this series.

At first, I didn’t pay it any attention. It seemed just like any other series, with nothing exceptional about it. But the more time passed, the more fanarts I saw, the more they got my interest. I still had no idea what the series was about, but it looked interesting. Maybe there was something I didn’t notice before.

So… why not give it a try?

Cool, what’s the plan?

From the moment I decided to give this series a try, I ran away from all spoilers. That means I am currently facing a series I have no idea what will be about. I know nothing about the plot, nor the characters.

Well, nothing except for a few things I accidentally learned before:

Jonathan Sims is the protagonist. I think?

There is a Michael somewhere

Also, a Martin doing stuff

There are a lot of names

And a library

I’ve also seen a spider lady

Someone explores a dungeon? Is there a dungeon in this story?

There is a homoerotic story too

I also recently found out there is a season 2 - or a related series? No idea what the plot is about, but we will find out along the road.

How?

I had two choices: to analyze every single episode (and die of old age because it would take an eternity) or listen to the whole series first, then write one/several posts analyzing it. But it would still take a lot of time and I will inevitably forget a lot of stuff or don’t cover things as well as they deserve.

So, I chose a third option: to tackle the series ten episodes at a time and write a post with my impressions about all of them. (a bit like I do for Eurovision, only for TMA). This way:

I’ll cover every episode

I will remember more stuff

I will post constantly, so you won’t have to wait forever for me to finish the whole thing first

It will be funnier and more entertaining

Is there something we should/shouldn’t do?

I want my impressions and comments to be as genuine as possible, but in order to do that, I shouldn’t know anything about what I will read.

That means I will actively avoid every little information about the series. It doesn’t matter if it’s about harmless or well-known info: I won’t read it, period.

So please, do not write me anything about this series. I will not read any ask regarding TMA. You can still ask me stuff and write comments, sure. And you can put spoilers if you want, but please: be kind and put a big warning before them. Do not spoil the fun.

What’s the timeline?

Asap: I will write a new post and add it to the main masterlist. This new post will seve as masterlist for TMA and include this introductory post, as well as all other reactions. So If you ever miss one of them, you will read all of them there.

In the next couple days: it will come out the first post with my reactions about chapters 1-10. I’m already working on it, so it should come out very soon.

I will try to keep up a consistent schedule, but can’t promise you anything. I am preparing two exams and my final thesis too, so it might take me some time to post. But I will end this series. By now, you know that when I start something, I finish it.

In conclusion

Thank you in advance to all the people who will follow me in this adventure. If you already know about TMA, you can have fun, by mocking me for my ignorance or wait for the moment I will face the real shit. If you don’t know about TMA, maybe you will find the inspiration to start it - or to do it with me. It’ll be fun! And even if the series ends up being bad, at least we can laugh together at how terrible it is.

See you very soon with the first post about chapters 1-10.

(How about a coffee? ☕)

_______________________________

TAGLIST:

@royalprinceroman @mudpuddlenl@allmycrushesaredead @aquatedia@whatishappeningrightnow  @effortiswhatmatters @bella-in-a-bag  @doydoune @forever-third-wheeling​ @payte @hypnossanders​  @idontreallyknow24​  @imcrushedbyarainbowoffical​ @patton-cake​  @hereissananxiousmess​  @purplebronzeandblue​  @cynicalandsarcastic​ ​@lost-in-thought-20​ @andtheyreonfire​ 

@riseofthewerewolf​ @rosesandlove44​​  @chewy-rubies @groaaaaan​ @arya-skywalker  @csi-baker-street-babes @queen-of-all-things-snuggly @reesiereads

@dracayd-universe​ @starlightnyx​ @stubbornness-and-spite​ @averykedavra @joyrose-fandomer @mihaela-tbg @igonnatalknothing

@thatoneloudowl  @grayson-22  @softangryfuckingdepressed @theotherella  @boopypastaissalty @nevenastark @varthandiveturinn @roses-bubbles @cuter-on-the-inside  @coldbookworm  @snixxxsmythe @charmingcritter  @analogical-mess @emphasis-on-the-oopsie @selfdestructivecat @yangwalkerao3 @the3rddenialist

#the magnus archives #tma #jonathan sims

[maleyanderecafe]

Hi! Hope that you're doing well!

I have two yandere recommendations, Concubine Walkthrough, a “I'm trapped in a game world and I don't know why”, where there are two yanderes, it's available on Tapas, and The Secondary Male Lead was actually a girl, where there is one yandere but a very intense one...

Hope you like this!

I feel kind of bad because I know I got this ask right before I ended up posting the ask for The Second Male Lead is Actually a Girl, but I couldn't post this alongside THAT ask because of Concubine Walkthrough, and it took me like 5 billion years to read it.

Concubine Walkthrough though, is genuinely amazing and is probably one of the best game isekai stories I've read, since it gives a lot of explanation on how things like the concept of AI, how various game play elements in game work and a lot of other factors. That being said though, after reading the entire thing, there is actually only one yandere- not two (though it does seem like there is two, not going to lie), unless you really squeeze that definition of yandere. This webcomic is complete with 120 chapters though it is worth the read.

The story starts with our main character, Yona at school as she watches her friends play a game called Concubine Walkthrough, a game with high difficulty with only one good ending. She plays it for a bit and while she isn't as into it as her classmates, gets a good idea of how the game works. A few years later, as she's going to college, Yona sees an advertising for a new version of Concubine Walkthrough for a VR system. Soon after, she wakes up in to the body of the main character, Rahnee. Not wanting to deal with this, she attempts to disconnect her avatar from her body by jumping into the pond and waking herself up, only to fail and be saved by a eunuch named Sunshine. Not able to leave the game, Rahnee is forced to do the side quests that appear in the game to reach the game's good ending so she can leave. As the story goes on, she continues to befriend the various NPCs in the world, using her smarts and cunning to get as many points as she can. As she continues, Rahnee has to face Lili, the concubine that leads to a lot of her deaths in the game, who actually turns out to be another player. Rahnee and Sunshine's relationship begins to grow with each other, but we find out that Sunshine is actually the emperor, with a motive for Rehnee. We also get to learn about one of Rahnee's childhood friends, an imperial guard, Youngjung, who wants to bring Rahnee out of the palace and is completely suspicious of Sunshine due to the way he seems to want to use her for his own entertainment. The two have a bet for Youngjung to keep it a secret from Rahnee in he is the emperor, promising to release the two if he can keep a secret within a month. Lili eventually reveals herself to be the player to Rahnee, as a boy named Sangjae, who knows a lot about the game. She decides to work with Rahnee to complete the game. At some point, Youngjung is killed as a way to protect Ranhee, causing the world to start over and revealing that he is a player. As it turns out Youngjung is a player as well, but has forgotten his real life identity completely, even forgetting that he himself was from another world. Rahnee learns that Sunshine is actually the emperor, becoming completely devastated and at some point resenting him for killing people in front of her, despite the pleas of her trying to keep everyone alive. As the story goes on though, all the characters slowly start to remember how they got into the world and who they were before. The emperor also seems to be planning something, being able to speak to the "creator" of the world, trying to plan something that will eventually lead to the end of the game. We do eventually find out each of the player's backstories- Yona promised his father that she would go to college but ultimately was rejected, leading to her despair at her late father's wishes. Youngjung or Doha, was originally a soccer player that was crippled permanently after an accident. He fell in love with Yona after she protected him, and it grew stronger when he became Youngjung. Sangjae was actually the son of the CEO who created the game Concubine walkthrough, and was shunned by him because of his love of girly things. Eventually all of them meet in the school when Yona contemplates on suicide, with Sangjae offering to bring them all into the virtual world to escape their worries. Meanwhile, we find out that Youngjung is planning to create a coup to overthrow the Emperor, planning to let Rahnee become the empress to not only complete the last mission, but also so that he and her could be together forever once he becomes the emperor. During this time we find the true events of the story.

The emperor has been in a time loop for a very long time, initially seeing that his world has strange glitches due to the game devs coming in to check on the world. Eventually, he comes to meet Rahnee, who reveals right away that she's not from this world. The two talk about her world, how people were able to love whom they wanted, women were able to study, and how nice it is. The emperor longs to be in this world as his own family was often killed or had very little rights, and he asks her to bring him to the new world. She also shows him the AI in charge of the world to show him what this world looks like. Meanwhile, Lili makes a deal with his father, as their bodies are being used to collect information to improve the game, forcing the game to restart and keep them trapped until they finish the last mission of making Rahnee the emperess. Rahnee and Youngjung also start to merge their personalities and memories of their in game avatar and their real avatar, to the point where their memories and desires slowly start to change. The emperor becomes more and more angry as Rahnee continues to avoid the question of if she can bring him to her world, eventually learning that his world is actually a game. In anger, he glitches out the game, while Lili and Yongjung storms the emperor. Rahnee watches as her friends die before them, not knowing about the deal that Lili made, and ends up dying from an arrow. This causes the game to go back in time, forever looping the emperor in it. The other three periodically lose their memories every time the game resets, with the emperor remembering in every timeline. For a long time, the emperor wasn't able to help the three, due to the game being broken, slowly driving him into despair, until the devs were able to update it, giving various game updates that would allow the three to complete it. As a result, the emperor continues to gain hope that he would be able to break her out of the game, feeling extreme guilt that he was the one that caused her to be in this mess (to some degree) with this story being the last loop, and him having to keep secrets from her to prevent her from losing her last loop. In the end, Yona is able to complete the route, allowing her to bring back Doha and Sangjae into the real world, but choosing to give her original body to OG Rahnee while keeping herself in Rahnee's body to stay with the emperor. Sangjae is able to make the virtual reality machine (where Concubine Walktrhough World resides) running and removes the timeloop, allowing the system to continue developing past the world that was created. Doha, Sangjae and OG Rahnee live together afterwardss, while Yona and Sunshine live happily in their world.

I skipped a lot of the characters in this story because while I do like them, it's too long to summarize everything and it's probably better for you to experience it yourself plus I left out a lot of the theory work for alternate virtual realities and various arcs that lead to the point.

First off, as I said, this story is honestly really amazing- I love game isekai stories that make strong use of their mechanics and worldbuilding, and it even goes so far as to explain alternate reality theory which is incredibly interesting. While this is the second time I've seen this type of Time Loop story (the first time was in Raising a Sacrifice) it is done extremely well, and it really makes you feel for Sunshine. Honestly, the entire time, I wasn't able to really tell if the emperor honestly loved Yona since he always did something either suspicious or incredibly cruel, pretending that Yona was simply a plaything to him, while in reality, he was trying to reenact the plan so that she and her friends could go home. The ending where OG Rahnee goes into Yona's body is kinda of... well, it's a good ending for Yona and the Emperor, but it seems a bit strange to me, but alls well that ends well.

Yona as a protagonist is actually pretty amazing. She's headstrong and clever when she needs to be, but also kind to those around her even when they have betrayed her. Her view of believing that her experiences with others, even if the people around her are fake, are real, leading to her treating everyone as a person and not as a character is done very well, and she can also be pretty comedic when need be. She trusts incredibly heavily in the emperor even when she is bitter that he betrays her, genuinely trying to believe that the Sunshine she knew is the real deal. It must have been really hard for her to realize that she was the reason why everyone is trapped in the game, and still comes out on top.

I love Lili as well. Initially she seems like a kind of stuck up person whose only goal is to finish the game regardless of what collateral happens, but she turns out to be a great ally to Yona later on. Sangjae view of the world is pretty much that he views everyone to be just game characters- a way for him to achieve all of the missions and gain the most points in the world, as nobody is real, which is a understandable way of viewing the game. He knows the game inside and out and his backstory of his father shunning him for liking girly things is rather sad, but out of the main three he is the most opportunistic and knowledgeable of the game, something of great benefit to the other two players. Overall, he is a great ally and a funny antagonist when he needs to be, even feeling great guilt when he remembers why everyone is trapped in there in the first place.

As a yandere, Youngjung's obsession is shown throughout the story, growing as it goes on and he grows more and more protective over Rahnee. Yongjung and Doha's love for Rahnee/Yona is compounded, thus leading to his obsessive behavior, though it isn't until much later in the story that Youngjung decides that he will kill the emperor and marry Rahnee so that he could be by her side forever. It makes sense for him as he has always been suspicious of the emperor since the beginning, as he uses him to enact his plan and seems as if the emperor actually doesn't care at all about Rahnee (which is what the story makes him appear is what he's like). In the end though, he does fail and return to the real world with OG Rahnee, so in some cases, it does seem like it works out well, even if he does lose the original Yona in the process. He ends up killing a lot of people at the palace when he stages his coup, even when the only reason he could was to go into an arrange marriage with another women, he tells Lili that he will simply have her assassinated so that he can be with Rahnee and let her become empress. I did find it very cool that he basically became Yongjung, so much so that he completely forgot that he was Doha.

The Emperor is... well, I don't think he's really a yandere. He is extremely devoted to Yona, no doubt, but he mostly seems to break the game out of revenge and not necessarily out of love, which is understandable as he realizes his entire existence is simply a game for the three other players before he instantly regrets it as he watches Yona die in front of him. He's tormented inside of a timeloop as a result until the end, where he's able to be with Yona until death. Initially it does seem like he is one as he kills people that get too close to her, but also states that she sees her as just "part of his concubine" and that the only reason she keeps her around is because she's interesting (which turns out to be an act so that Yona would continue on the right track to finish the game). Even if initially he broke the game as a reason to keep her inside of this world (again, mostly out of revenge, but probably not much out of love), he does do everything to get her back to the real world, and is even willing to simply die at the end as punishment for his sins. If you think about this in this way, I think he's a lot more of a redeemed yandere if you really squint, since he spends the entire story rewriting his wrongs. I wouldn't say he really is one though based on the reasons that were stated above.

The artwork is absolutely amazing in this series. It doesn't quite look like the standard isekai art we normally see, but it is incredibly beautiful, slightly reminding me of what old Chinese arts look like (which is where the world is set into) the grain and the backgrounds, along with the expressions of the characters are well made too. It's all just so beautiful.

Overall, there's so much of this story that's really good, from the unique artwork and story to the amazing characters. I would very highly recommend reading it because it is very very good.

#concubine walkthrough #male yandere #yandere #yandere boy #recommendations #asks

[soap-lady]

A Wild Chapter Appears!

Hey everyone!

So I used to post a chapter every month of Worthy Opponent but eh...I kinda fell in with a bad crowd or a new fandom. I'll finish this story I promise but I don't have the same motivation I used to.

@arylace Is the best co-writer I could ask for and y'all have her to thank for this being finished.

@fantasiame, @g-arya, @lavenderjunes, @charlietheepic7, @ahenix, @delectablycoolscientist, @kaseykay17, @vio-march-0327, @mewwitch, @vixen-uchiha, @coolspidermanmusicflower, @lady-bee-fechin, @raeuberprinzessin, @symwinter, @frieddonutsweets, @seraphkitty, @friendsofthefairies, @nickristus-dreamer, @khneltea, @jumpingjoy82, @fan-written, @woe-is-me0,@corporeal-terrestrial, @queenmjean, @theymakeupfairies, @dorkus-minimus, @idk-j-go-with-it

Worthy Opponent 26

All of the crucial “will you go to the ball with me?” scenes were filmed and the crew was galvanized into action. Notre Dame Les Oiseaux was about to start classes again so they couldn’t use the theater. So instead they decided to create their own ballroom on a soundstage.

The set dressers and designers went all out, taking inspiration from an actual castle ballroom and adding a few of their own touches. Blue and gold damask wallpaper decorated the walls and they recreated the look of a marble inlaid floor with vinyl laminate. Statues of Greek maidens stood in little alcoves (they were only plaster, but the audience wouldn’t be able to tell.) and genuine glass chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Amelie arranged for a tiny stage for a string ensemble to perform live music and a dining area with a buffet table. Mme. Jennings insisted all the chairs be covered with satin slipcovers to prevent damaging the expensive costumes.

The younger cast was very excited to be showing off their dance moves but the crew tried not to groan when they thought of all the building and painting involved. Fortunately they were able to find a discount wedding supply store that had some lovely banquet chairs and already made slipcovers. Some were blue and the rest were gold. That was once less headache, courtesy of the mayor’s daughter, who was now using her connections for good. Or at least convenience. Amelie arranged for on-set massage therapists and chiropractors to help the crew after a few incredibly long and stressful days.

The Wardrobe Department was so busy Marinette had to be excused from filming to help sew and Mme. Jennings recruited a few additional seamstresses. It was rumored she’d recruited her cousins from Scotland but the women rarely spoke so no one really knew. They worked at a furious pace and soon costumes for the principal cast and most of the secondary were done.

Everyone was tired and stressed so Amelie declared the weekend before they shot the ballroom scene to be free time and arranged for a team movie night and a takeaway dinner for everyone who wanted it. Some elected to just catch up on their sleep.

Work wasn’t quite done for Marinette, Felix and Luka. She had two costumes to finish and fit and they had to try on their costumes to see if any adjustments needed to be made.

Luka practically bounced down the hall. Marinette wanted to see him alone! Well, she wanted to see him alone to see how well his ball costume fit and whether or not she needed to make any adjustments but still, any time alone with her lately was precious and hard to find.

He told himself he wasn’t jealous of Marinette’s new friendships with the cast. Being an actress could net her some excellent contacts and he’d eat his Jagged Stone guitar pic if Mme. Amelie and Allegra didn’t contact Marinette after the movie to make dresses for them.

It was also good she got along with Allen and Claude. He loved to hear her laugh and their stories of past movie shoots and pranks they played on each other on-set made Marinette giggle and helped keep her anxiety down. Plus, Luka didn’t get the chance to play with musicians who weren’t friends or family and Allen was as talented as he was smart and good looking.

He hadn’t spent a lot of time with Chloe. She barely spoke to him although he’d caught her looking him over once or twice in appreciation. Most of what he knew about her came from what his sister had told him about and it wasn’t flattering. For the last four years she had been bullying the formerly passive Marinette and his shy sister. She’d used her father’s position as Mayor to avoid punishment. Until this year when she suddenly stopped. Perhaps she was too busy trying to survive lycee without her usual enabling teacher and an education staff who told her “Daddy” had no power over them, only the Ministry of Education.

Felix…on the other hand…well, that was complicated.

Felix’s resemblance to his cousin was eerily similar and Marinette did appear to have a type. While Luka was relatively sure she was over Adrien and moving on, he had no guarantee she would move on to him. That was…fine. He’d told her he’d be happy for her no matter who she chose. He’d meant it; he’d back off and leave her alone to make her own choices, even if the person she chose wasn’t him.

That being said, even if he accepted her decisions, he didn’t have to like or agree with them. He’d smile and congratulate her but that didn’t mean it wouldn’t hurt. He might even be a little bit angry. He was allowed to be jealous, wasn’t he? He was allowed to be frustrated.

Luka couldn’t blame Marinette if she was attracted to Felix, looks aside. Felix was smart, charming, talented and confident. He was good-looking and aware of it, even if he didn’t exploit it. Watching the way Felix interacted with his mother and his friends, Luka felt he’d be loyal and respectful if he ever chose a romantic partner. Luka genuinely liked him and wanted to be friends, to hang out and laugh together. Maybe Felix played an instrument too. He should suggest the three of them spend more time learning about each other.

If Luka was honest with himself, he was getting sick of letting go of people he cared about with a smile and a wish for their happiness. He wanted to fight, to prove he was worthy, the better choice.

He wanted to be selfish, just once in his life. He deserved to be someone’s first choice and he wanted that someone to be Marinette.

Luka shook his head as his thoughts continued in loops: love, jealousy, longing, frustration. He couldn’t think that way, not in Paris.

He stopped outside the dressing room door that Marinette told him she’d be in. He took several deep breaths and mentally reminded himself to do some meditation and mindfulness exercises later.

*****

Luka raised his fist to the door and rapped with his knuckles. He didn’t have to wait long before hearing her call out “come in!” and he smiled before opening the door.

Chloe wasn’t sitting in the corner waiting to take pictures of him in costume and he asked Marinette why.

She just shrugged. “She said she had plans with Allen and told me she would get pictures of you in your Founders’ Ball costume when we shot the scene.”

He closed the door behind him. “So, we’re alone?”

Marinette smiled. “It’s been awhile hasn’t it? It seems all we do lately is work work work with hardly any downtime.” She sighed, sounding tired.

Luka grinned. “It’s worth it, isn’t it?”

She laughed, delighting him when her eyes brightened and cheek flushed. “Are you kidding? I’m going to be able to put ‘Costume Designer’ on my resume and I’m not even eighteen yet!”

He nodded and smiled at her. “And on your university transcripts. ESMOD would be drooling to have you after working on a Graham Films production.”

Marinette giggled and he wished they weren’t working so he could snuggle with her while they watched a movie. Or did nothing at all. Well, the money he earned on this film would keep his family literally afloat for months. The pay was leagues better than working as a delivery driver so he could afford to put some money aside for himself.

“And not only are you acting, but you’re helping create the score for a major film production,” her enthusiasm for his success was even greater than his own and he loved that about her. She grinned up at him and it was all he could do not to hug her. “Jagged Stone himself will be begging you to work with him!”

Luka chuckled at the unlikely but fun mental image of his music idol getting down on his knees and begging Luka to come work on his latest album. “Mom would love that.”

She giggled. “Oh, yeah.” She looked at him, still grinning. “It’s mind blowing that the two of them used to work together.” She frowned, thinking. “I wonder why they stopped. Creative differences?”

He remembered the way they’d argued at the docks. “With those two? Probably. But it’s just as likely if they were working with Bob Roth back then, he probably drove them apart so he could make more money promoting Jagged as a solo artist.”

“And your mom is way too independent to let someone like Bob control her,” Marinette agreed and they shared a laugh, thinking about Anarka Couffaine telling Bob exactly what she thought of his management style.

The laughter gradually died away and they were left staring awkwardly at each other.

Marinette’s eyes darted around the room, clearly looking for something else to say. “Um, yeah! Do you want to try on your ball scene costume now?”

He knew it was wrong to smile but even when she was shy and awkward she was adorable. “It’s what we’re here for.”

“I’ll go get it!”

She rushed to the storage room in the back and raced towards him holding a brown clothing bag over her head. She double-checked the outside tag with the inside tag to make sure she had the right costume and then thrust it into his hands. “Go go go! Change!”

She grabbed his waist, turned him around and all but threw him into the changing room before coming back and making sure the curtain was closed. “Come out when you’re done!”

He laughed. He loved his Ma-ma-Marinette.

*****

Luka slid the curtain back and hoped he’d put on everything correctly. “How’s this?”

“I’m sure it’ll need an adjustment here or there but for the most part it’s probably…whoa!”

Marinette nearly dropped her pincushion as she stared at him, eyes wide. “You look so good! It’s like you just walked right out of my sketch!”

He laughed and fiddled with the tie. “I don’t think I have this quite right.”

“Oh, don’t feel bad. Hardly anyone knows how to tie a tie anymore.” She crossed the room and reached for the tie, untying it as she spoke to him. “How do you like it?”

Luka allowed her to pull the tie off him, then raised and lowered his arms and let the fabric move around him. “It’s pretty stretchy and easy to move in.” He ran a hand down the front of the coat. “This isn’t leather.”

“No, it’s suede. Suede is stretchier than leather. It’ll move easier than leather during a sword duel.”

“Very smart.” He looked down at his feet. “I’m not sure dress shoes are really Watson.”

“Me either,” she didn’t look up from the tie she was trying to get out of the three knots he had somehow tied it in. “I was thinking of combat boots, not the modern kind. Mme. Jennings has some vintage that might have been her father’s. Are you still a size forty-five?”

“Yes.”

“Then I think these will still fit you. We might get them to stretch a centimeter but not as much as two.” She finally finished straightening out the tie and looped it back around his neck. “I think I remember how to do this from helping my papa. I’ll try to tie it for you but sooner or later you should learn to tie your own.” She glared up at him. “I can’t always stop to do this if you win a Cesar or a BAFTA you know.”

He smiled but she couldn’t see it. “I’ll do what I can.”

She didn’t seem to be interested in what he was saying while she re-tied the bit of silk around his neck. “I went with Victorian or Regency inspiration for most of the cast but for you I went Edwardian. Still muted colors but softer, lighter material. Not as stiff. I went with a summer wool which has more cotton but still that rough tweed look. It’s also a little stretchy because the fabric has some spandex in it.”

Luka wasn’t listening, he just let the lecture about sewing and design flow over him as he heard her talk about what she loved. Her eyes were bright and interested and her posture was confident. He let her turn him this way and that while she got his tie properly adjusted.

“I also thought a standard vest or waistcoat wouldn’t suit you or Watson so I went with an asymmetrical vest instead.”

Her small hands left his throat, which was good, because he was worried she could feel his pulse. Instead her hands skimmed over his chest and slid down his waist. He knew her touch was completely innocent but he had to close his eyes and try to meditate so he didn’t knock his hands away or worse, pull her closer and kiss her. Every time he tried to remind himself she was getting over someone and wasn’t ready for anything serious, it sounded like more and more of a lie.

Maybe she needed a rebound, someone like…Felix. He looked like Adrien sure but he would also be gone in a few months. Marinette might get hurt but hell, it would be over soon and he would be there to console-

No.

That would be cruel and manipulative, to both Felix and Marinette. He loved her and liked Felix. He didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize their friendship, especially if Felix could help her with her career. Felix deserved someone who wanted to be with him long term and so did Marinette.

Okay, enough. He had work to do. And was Marinette kneeling in front of him and feeling his legs?

This was his punishment for impure thoughts and nearly succumbing to temptation. Oh, and doing something pretty dirty to Felix too.

“I think your pants need to be hemmed.” She was telling him. “I almost went with white but I thought stark white would look too harsh so I went with cream.”

Really, Marinette?

“Well, they look great.” He looked into the mirror so he wouldn’t be lying.

The black, gray and cream looked fantastic, contrasting without clashing. The straight bottom of the vest betrayed the slightest hint of shirt as he moved but he couldn’t have it too tight. The fingerless gloves were very rock and roll and would help him keep a grip on his sword.

Luka glanced at his hands. “Could the gloves have some metal studs on them?”

“I don’t see why not,” she made a note on her phone and then got back on her knees. “I’m going to hem these pants. Try not to move.”

Oh, this girl was immune to irony. “I’ll do what I can.”

She slid the ankle of the pant’s leg. “How’s this?

He looked down, “how far up can you raise it?”

“About a centimeter and a half. I want the pants cuff to look right.” She adjusted the pants again. “What about now?”

He looked in the mirror. “Perfect.”

Marinette pulled some pins out of her wrist cushion and raised the hem until she was satisfied, then looked at the mirror until the hem was even all around.

Luka admired himself in the mirror again. He loved it. He’d have to be careful not to get anything on it but Mme. Jennings told him they usually had a spare, just don’t take it for granted.

He looked inside the coat and found a long inner pocket roughly the length of a sword. She really did plan for everything. That would save them from having to stop filming to grab them.

She noticed his satisfaction and grinned. “I’m pretty good, aren’t I?”

“You certainly are,” he bowed and found it very easy in his costume, “Your Highness.”

She giggled and curtsied. “Please. We’re friends.” She made an elaborate show of offering him her hand to kiss. “Princess Marinette will do.”

*****

When had he stopped?

When had he stopped thinking of Marinette Dupain-Cheng as an opponent? Worthy or otherwise, he no longer thought of her as an obstacle or an antagonist.

That was not to say he’d stopped enjoying their verbal sparring matches. She was quick-witted and easily matched his intellect, matching every barb he threw at her with an adeptness that was as impressive as it was playful.

She no longer scowled at him when he needled her and took his criticisms of her acting with good grace and used them to improve her performance without taking offense. And to his surprise, he longer wanted to offend her.

He could admit to himself (and perhaps his mother) that he didn’t like her when he first saw her. She was lovely, with beautiful blue eyes and soft pink lips. Unfortunately she had been crushing on his oblivious cousin, who at the time had been pining for a superhero. It was pathetic and sad because anyone deserved better than to be someone’s second choice.

Now Adrien was dating Kagami and she seemed good for his cousin; strong-willed and fiercely independent. She could teach him how to stand up for himself; he brought out a gentler side of the fencer. They balanced each other rather well.

And for him? Well, he wasn’t really interested in relationships or romance in general but he thought he’d be a good partner for someone like Marinette. She needed more confidence in herself and someone to teach her how to be selfish every now and then and say no. He supposed she could teach him how to better express his emotions and challenge him and bring his ego down to size when he needed it. Which, if he listened to Allen or Chloe, was often.

Then again, there was Luka.

It would be easy but cowardly to dislike Luka. He was level-headed and mature and when Felix was being difficult or demanding, the older boy would just smile knowingly at him and Felix would feel like a nursery schooler having a tantrum. And he’d be good for Marinette. He knew how to calm her through her anxiety attacks and quelled her self-doubt. He was strong enough for her to lean on and teach her how to relax; that she was good enough.

He was growing fond of both of them and that surprised and worried him.

It was easier, simpler to be alone.No one could hurt, judge, or use you. He’d been through that before and swore he’d never allow himself to be that naive or vulnerable again. Yet, now he was thinking of the Quantic Kids and even Chloe as friends he could confide in. They had fun, whether it was acting, breaking a room full of garbage or a tabletop game. It would hurt to lose them now. He could, and he would survive, but it would hurt.

He’d rather not think of what it would be like to lose Marinette either. She was sweet and bubbly and optimistic but also had a snarky side he appreciated. She wasn’t tempted or intimidated by wealth, she was good at planning and strategy. Sometimes Felix wondered what his life would have been like if he’d met her when they were both younger. They might have hated each other, or been best friends.

But when had he begun to change his mind about her?

Perhaps it was when she pinpointed Lila Rossi as the person sabotaging the film and why. She immediately began to plan and even had contingencies in case her original plan failed. He appreciated someone who could plan almost as well as himself.

Oh, she was heavily flawed as well. She was humble to the point of being self-effacing, she gave so much of herself she sometimes forgot to save something for herself. She was independent and refused to accept help from him unless absolutely necessary. He found her persistence and tenacity annoying when she turned it against him.

Marinette became hyper fixated when something interested her but it was a pain in the ass to motivate her if something didn’t appeal to her. Then he had to fall back on his old habit of annoying her until she lost her temper and did what he wanted without her realizing it. And oh, it made her even angrier when she realized she’d been had!

She didn’t take his behavior lying down. More than once he’d found himself tangled in some homemade trap she’d made and then there was the time he found everything in his office that wasn’t in the safe on the roof. Including most of the clothing he’d been wearing. While taking a nap. He never knew how she’d done it and when he demanded to know she’d just smiled and said, “That’s too easy. Where’s the fun?”

She hadn’t attended a private school and lacked a pedigree but he’d much rather have her in his life than some thoroughbred social climber. Or his superficial uncle who insisted on keeping up appearances and hiding his middle-class background. Marinette’s lack of pretense showed more integrity and, to be honest; class.

She wouldn’t be bought or sold and she wouldn’t be talked down to. She just needed a bit more self-confidence. More of a spine, but not to the extent Adrien did. She needed a bit of polish to show her for the precious pearl she was. That and someone who could protect themselves and her. Well, perhaps not protect her, probably someone to fight beside her.

Felix shook his head to clear it. He didn’t have time to muse about anyone. He still had a movie to film, a supervillain to expose, and a city to protect. His conflicting feelings could wait. He put the girl out of his brain.

He stood up and took a few deep cleansing breaths to clear his mind of wayward thoughts and focus on the scene he was about to act in. Later he would go to the Wardrobe Department to be fitted for his ball ensemble. He wondered what Marinette had designed for him…

…

Dammit.

*****

When Felix was reaching for the door it burst open and Luka nearly ran into him.

“Sorry!” Luka backed up a step and apologized. “I wasn’t paying attention, just trying to get away.”

Felix’s brow furrowed. “From who?” Was Chloe hitting on him? Was Lila? He didn’t think either of them were near the dressing rooms today.

“From a very cute girl who was running her hands all over me and kneeling in front of me-” Luka broke off and frowned. “I’m sure she was being incredibly innocent but my mind didn’t take it that way and I had to get away before I could stop myself from touching her back.”

Felix looked all over the other boy. His cheeks were flushed and his breathing was a little heavier. “Why didn’t you tell her to stop?”

Luka just shrugged. “I kinda didn’t want her to.” He gave Felix a similar look; examining him without being too intrusive. “I understand if that’s not your thing but I was in a bit of a difficult situation.”

He pointed to the hallway and Felix slid away to let him by. “No judgment,” he told the other boy, “but you’ll have to understand if I think you’re missing something.”

He winked and left and Felix was just confused. He heard Marinette’s voice from deeper within the dressing room. “Felix? Is that you?”

“Yes,” he answered. “Apparently I’m here for you to put your hands all over me,” he muttered before he could stop himself.

“I’m sorry, what did you say?”

“I’m here to get my costume fitted,” he amended and she didn’t seem to hear what he said the first time.

“Okay. Come on in.”

He walked in the room and closed the door behind him.

Marinette was waiting for him, looking crisp and competent. She wore gray houndstooth dress shorts and a black turtleneck. Her hair was up in a bun and she looked professional and adorable.

Stop it.

She beamed at him. “Thank you for coming so quickly. Your costume is done but I want to make some adjustments if something is too long or too tight. And I want you to be happy with what I’ve designed for your character.”

He couldn’t help smiling just a little back. “I’m just an actor. I don’t get pissed off and moan about uncomfortable costuming. It’s not my place or right to complain.”

She gave him a flat look. “In a Graham Films Production? I’m pretty sure the co-director does have the right to speak up.”

Marinette went to the back to get him a costume to try on. After verifying the tags matched, she handed it to him.

“Hope you like it.”

Some mischievous part of him prompted him to ask. “Are you sure you shouldn’t help me change?

He thought she would get flustered. Maybe she’d be angry and yell at him. Then they would argue like their characters always did and he’d feel like everything was normal and there was no need to feel awkward.

Instead she smiled at him, lips curved. Her eyes looked him up and down, almost sultry. “My dear. You should be so lucky.”

She pushed him into the dressing room and closed the curtain.

*****

Felix was rather proud of himself for being able to tie a cravat on his first try and looked at what he could see of himself. Unfortunately the dressing room didn’t have a mirror so he would have to leave the room to see his reflection. A ploy of the Wardrobe Department, no doubt. It cut down the number of actors who damaged valuable costumes after realizing how unflattering they were. Well, he wasn’t vain. He didn’t care.

He slid back the dressing room curtain and looked at the mirror.

Okay, he did care.

The long black dress coat was a strange hybrid between a Regency and a Victorian cut and he liked it better, historical accuracy aside. The white shirt contrasted with the black and he thought the gray trousers tied them together.

He looked at the dark gold waistcoat. Another excellent choice that would bring attention to his hair color.

Running his hands over the vest he felt a side pocket. He looked from his reflection to Marinette. She looked satisfied, even pleased with herself. He liked the confident look on her face.

“It’s just big enough for a watch and chain,” he told her.

She smiled widely. “I bet you already have one.”

“Helen’s granddad. It’s supposed to go to the eldest but she’ll let me borrow it.”

She nodded. “Raise your arms. I want to see how easily you can move in it.”

He did so.

“Hold them out, shoulder height.”

He paused. “T-pose?”

“Sure.”

It was on the tip of his tongue to say she enjoyed giving him orders and ask if she had any dominating tendencies. That would have been incredibly unprofessional and could have gotten him and his Mother’s production company sued.

But what if she’d said yes?

You’re an idiot, me.

Marinette watched him pose. Her teeth worried her lower lip slightly and he found himself staring at her mouth before he forced his gaze away from her face. He looked straight ahead and tried to focus on…anything else.

“So, how was filming? I’ve been in the dressing room most of the day so I don’t know how scenes I’m not in are going.”

Ah, a neutral topic, something he would be confident talking about. It would relax him. Very smart.

“First, I did a scene with Barrington and Headmaster Doyle. They were discussing security for the ball and whether or not they should hire a private company.” The company would be owned by Jayden’s relatives and he would hack the school’s mainframe to make sure they got hired instead of the school’s original security company. That would give the heroes more eyes on any suspicious people. “Then Doyle and Professor Burnham-Hui discuss old times at school and how they miss Professor Akunin.” It was a great way to humanize the adult characters and give them nuance.

“Fleshing out characters beside our mains? Awesome.” Marinette took a step towards him then hesitated. “Um, Felix? I need to check the seams and the fit. That means I need to touch you.” She clasped her hands in front of her. “I’d like permission to touch you, if that’s all right.”

Felix stiffened, but only for a moment. He knew Marinette and was confident she wouldn’t take advantage to be inappropriate. Plus, she was his friend now. To his surprise, he trusted her to be respectful.

“It’s fine,” he told her, “I trust you not to…I don’t know…throw me down and ravish me.”

He meant it as a joke and wanted to needle her but she disappointed him. All she did was give him a flat look and say, “again, you’re not that lucky.”

Marinette got closer to him and reached up, touching his neck and then hooking a finger between his skin and the cravat. “Is it too tight? Can you breathe comfortably?”

He inhaled and then exhaled to show her. “Just fine.”

She nodded and then ran her hands from his underarms down his sides. “The seams look good. Plenty of room I hope? You don’t look like you have any trouble moving.”

Her hands moved lower then stopped. She looked into his eyes and her expression looked professional. Hell, she almost looked clinical as if she was giving him a medical exam. It left him feeling oddly disappointed.

“Hey, Felix?” She frowned and the skin between her brows wrinkled. “I want to check the waistband. I’ll just pull on the belt loops, I promise.”

What was it about her that made him want to make snarky comments and purposely pick fights with her when they were alone? A small part of him was worried he was blending his character with himself, something he hadn’t done since he was a child until this part. Sure, sometimes he had trouble breaking character but that was only for an instant and never when away from set.

Perhaps there was something about Marinette.

At first he thought she was just another bubble-headed fangirl obsessed with his cousin. She might have had a little talent but not much substance. As he got to know her he became impressed by her drive and ambition, her refusal to be intimidated by him. He liked her humor and wit most of all.

She was creative and had a knack for planning. She could be insightful and had integrity and leadership abilities.

It was a shame there wasn’t another Heraldry Miraculous for her to wield. He would have named her Nimue or something similar.

He felt her hands checking the seams along his calves and then stopped at his pants cuffs. He blinked back into awareness. “So uh…how’s the fit so far?”

“I was just about to ask you. The waist feels loose without being baggy. Better than Luka’s; his seemed a little tight.”

Felix clenched his teeth to keep from laughing. Really, she was either innocent or oblivious when it came to teenage boys.

Marinette raised the fabric near his ankles and he felt her hand on his bare skin. Her touch was light and gentle, barely there and even soothing. “I think your pant hem needs to come down about a centimeter. What do you think?”

He looked down and saw what she meant. Yes, the pants were slightly too short. He wasn’t sure how that happened. “I guess you didn’t take my measurements correctly.”

She glared up at him and he felt oddly vindicated. “You really shouldn’t insult me when I have access to sharp objects,” she reminded him and made a note on her phone. “We’re done here. I’ll shut the curtain and you can change.”

She was gone before he could make another smartarse remark.

As he was changing he saw Griff looking at him from his vest pocket. He had the feeling his kwami didn’t approve of his behavior towards Marinette. It wasn’t their business.

“Really, chick? That’s no way to speak to a lady like that.”

Felix paused as he buttoned his shirt. “A lady like what? My co-star? A collaborator? An ally?”

Griff made a huffing sound. “A possible future duchess.”

Felix couldn’t help it. He laughed. “I have no plans to ever marry.”

The kwami looked alarmed. “What of the family line?”

“In vitro and a surrogate.”

Griff ruffled his feathers. He sensed something exceptional about this girl, just as he had that blue-haired rival of his. Chicks these days, still wet from the shell and thought they knew everything.

*****

After Felix had left Marinette could finally let Tikki out of her purse. “Ugh. I thought he’d never leave,” the kwami complained.

“Same,” Marinette sighed and rubbed her hands together as if to remove the sensation of Felix’s body from her fingers. “What was with all the insults? Here I am trying to be professional and he’s acting like an ass.”

“Maybe it was because you had your hands all over him and he was…uncomfortable?” Tikki nearly said “enjoying himself too much” or “flustered” but she didn’t want to risk her charge developing any feelings beyond friendship for the boy. His past behavior aside, there was something unusual about Felix she couldn’t quite put her paw on. That, and even though she once would have paired Marinette and Adrien, she now thought they were better off as partners.

Besides, there was Luka and he was clearly better for Marinette, at least for now. She could relax and be herself around him and Longg and Sass sang his praises when they weren’t fighting over who was the better kwami for the musician.

Marinette shrugged then grinned, looking a little sly. “He’s put on some muscle lately but I like Luka’s body better.”

Tikki giggled. Yes, Lukanette! “Is that why you took an extra long time checking the fit on his costume?”

The girl blushed as she thought of feeling the boy’s pulse under her fingertips and the warmth of his skin. He always smelled really good from the bay rum shaving soap his mom had gotten him for his birthday. “Maybe. What can I say? I’m a normal teenage girl.”

“You’re a pervert,” Tikki accused but without malice. Her mischievous grin ruined her attempts to scold her charge.

“Like I said. Normal teenager.”

*****

"Why am I a little spoon?" Felix asked with a pout as he was spooned by Chloe, clutching Mr. Cuddly to his chest.

The beanbag they shared was soft and plush, like those squishmallow toys Allegra loved. It was brought in by Allegra, an odd chunky lavender colored dragon plush made bean bag, with some pillows that were made of the same material but with a pink cow pattern Claude found. It would fit two comfortably, maybe three pushing it. Often, most of the Quantic Kids fought over who got the bean bag, and this time Felix and Chloe were lucky to be there the fastest. Last time Felix tried he was tackled by Claude while Allegra took the bean bag as her prize. He was so miffed he didn't heal her D&D character when they managed to play.

The lights of their chill room were dimmed, there was a tablet playing an old western film; Griff and Milvii were watching. Eyes dilated and raptured at the so-called modern knights of the Wild West as the kwami declared. To anyone watching it was as if the blondes would have undoubtedly fallen asleep watching a movie. A great cover story for any unsuspecting staff.

"You're holding Mr. Cuddly," Chloe supplied as if the most natural answer in the world.

Felix tightened his grip lightly on the teddy bear that smelled of the essential oils Chloe generously sprayed on it. It was meant to be relaxing, and the refreshing scent of mint and lavender did soothe him. The soft fur was nice under his palms and it was super cuddly as his namesake. Everything perfect for a nap, Felix still didn't sleep. His mind still raced, so much was going on that it seemed so easy to fail. Maybe he should have done paperwork as he told Luka and Marinette?

It seemed wrong somehow to take a nap, the idea of guilt had him frown and tense. To just not give 100 percent in everything. It wasn't his style, Felix was nothing if not tenacious and driven. He worked hard to fulfill his goals. He would succeed in everything. Whether it be acting, directing, or this new superhero thing. Maybe, somewhere on the bottom of the responsibility pole, he could have a social life and new friendships. The image of Marinette and Luka flashed in his mind and he felt guilty. He’d turned down a chance to nap with them in order to spend time with a neglected Chloe.

"Stop thinking, you're not being a good pillow." Chloe grumbled at his ear, tightening her hold on Felix until he whined in protest. "Naps are bandaids to the soul, or Claude claims. That means no thinking."

"I can't just turn it off, Bitchoise." Felix grumbled, a bit helpless, which had the girl sigh and move.

Felix felt a bit off kilter as he suddenly felt the loss of Chloe's body pressed against his back. It was quite sudden and he turned back looking over his shoulder to see that the girl had adjusted herself propping herself up. The strawberry cow print pillow now supported her elbow as she rested her chin on her hand.

She dragged him over and Felix went from looking over his shoulder to on his back looking at the ceiling. Felix felt his hands tighten on Mr. Cuddly defensively, keeping it close to the chest because Chloe was less likely to pinch or tickle him if he had one of her most prized possessions at hand. If the kwami noticed or not Felix was unsure. As far as he could tell, the two stayed glued to Clint Eastwood and whatever movie he was in that they watched.

"Talk it out." Chloe spoke, gesturing with her free hand that Felix should continue and do that. Talk it out, it being the closest either blonde would readily admit to feelings. Felix made a face filled with his distaste and he snarked back at her.

"I must tell Claude he's doing wonderful in your empathy program, Allen also for writing the code."

"Stop it." Chloe snarked, flicking his nose with her free hand. "No deflecting, you don't let me do it so pay up."

Felix groaned, pressing his face to the soft fur of Mr. Cuddly if only to avoid Chloe's knowing gaze. It felt ever since she was bonded with Milvii she saw everything. As if the perception of the kwami bled into the holder; which was unfair. Felix wasn't feeling particularly courageous. He was feeling so weird and confused. Oddly bereft and he wasn't sure if it was one specific thing or a combination of anything.

"I don't know what it is." He confessed. "But I feel like a rope fraying on the ends a bit."

"Hmm…" Chloe hummed thoughtfully as she took into consideration his words. "I'm going to say stuff and you'll listen."

"When you put it like that it means I won't like it." Felix groaned, sinking deeper into the bean bag.

"Don't care, stop fussing." Chloe flicked him again if only to catch his attention, and it wasn't often she could. "You're not a crocodile."

"Your observations are astounding, madam." Felix snarked, he couldn't help it. "What next? I'm not a bear?"

"You're not, maybe an English badger if we’re lucky. Sadly you're a certified bastard with pedigree to match" Chloe followed him easily. "But as I was saying, Crocodiles don't need to chew their food, they bite off and swallow; you’ve been doing that too lately, and you keep on biting off more than you can handle. You're running yourself ragged trying to do a lot and looking cool the entire time.”

“I am prepared and capable with all of my tasks. I'm Felix Graham de Vanilly, we’re very resourceful.” Felix defended himself, but the words sounded weak and hollow even to himself.

She gave him a “you’re not fooling anyone” look which reminded him of his mother. “Fe, we both know that is a lot of bs. I mean, actor and director, ok, both high intensity but in the same wheelhouse. I am willing to admit you’re very capable, resourceful and good with the networking to have brought an outstanding team to back you up. You're reminding Gabriel Agreste that he's nothing but a Boomer and you will defeat him.”

Chloe could tell she didn’t have him convinced just yet and sighed, throwing her hand in the air. “That plan is fun and isn't constant. We get our opportunities and have a field day. I mean it took you days to ride off the high you got showing his little secretary who’s boss which was very nice. The hero gig? Yeah that's taking a lot of our time, I mean--" Chloe paused to yawn as if proving her point. "We're tired, and you focus on what more you can do than learning to juggle what you got. So shut up and nap, you need beauty sleep. If only to make your personality more tolerable to the nice folk."

Felix wanted to protest. Say something, anything to prove her wrong. Sadly there wasn’t much to counter her offers. He was running himself ragged, a rope overused and beginning to fray. He didn’t like it but it was the truth. Dissatisfied with his mortal limitations which were showing up more and more since he’s been in France, Felix sighed, defeated. He needed a massage, a nap, and a nice hour or two of absolutely nothing. Now was sadly not the time, so wasting the precious minutes they all grabbed to sleep felt wrong.

“I might concede…for now, but I’m tired so let’s try to nap.” Felix spoke quickly, turning and resting his cheek on the pillow once again ignoring the satisfied smirk Chloe had as she hugged him once again. It seems the little talk worked in untangling a part of his head for now as he felt himself slipping off into slumber. The low noise of the tablet was soothing like any lullaby, the soft and plush beanbag and pillows were grand, and the weight of another person made him feel less lonely.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Sleep, while difficult to achieve at first, was welcomed eagerly by overworked, tired heroes that basically had their lives divided by two or three different directions. Four if the overachievers were asked, which were sadly most of the heaviest hitters.

While exhausted teens took the fleeting moments to nap with relish; momentarily disconnecting from all responsibilities in their dreams, relaxed and deep in slumber, somewhere in Paris a certain man was making plans to ultimately disrupt momentary serenity. He didn't know that the outcome of this particular plan would backfire spectacularly on his face. With this instance he will gain even more enemies. Not that they knew about it, but this is how it happened.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Hidden from the prying eyes of Paris there was a man. Sunlight shone through an ornate window illuminating the room. Butterflies began to flutter about as it has happened every time he stepped in with ill intent. Hawkmoth thought it was time for a new plot to enact his schemes. Take the miracle jewels of Paris's favorite crime fighting duo and do with it his ultimate evil plan.

"A new day, a new opportunity." Hawkmoth spoke to his butterflies. “Let’s go find one, shall we?”

Hawkmoth tapped into the intrinsic value of the butterfly. Yet for transformation there needed to be a catalyst. Caterpillars had a catalyst that encouraged them to transform and with the miraculous Hawkmoth could manipulate humans to do the same. Yet it was difficult if the circumstances weren't in his favor. 'Twas a delicate balance that Hawkmoth employed, finding the best scenarios to awaken.

He focused and felt himself connect. A network of all living beings lighting up like a map in his mind. Pulsating and illuminated with the colors of emotion. It always felt overwhelming when he stretched his consciousness so far, so he began to refine it. Remove his connection from plants and animals, while they could be good for distractions it wasn't his intent at this time.

Now Hawkmoth looked at the silken strands of so many potential akuma. Eager to see one who was ready for a little nudge to become a beautiful and terrifying butterfly. Colors sparked in his mind's eye, the network pulsing akin to a heartbeat and in an array of colors. He looked out for specific feelings. Anger, sadness, heartbreak, righteous fury, hatred; anything that would birth a worthy Akuma to further his goal.

Oh, longing. The emotion enticed the villain from where he stood and he delved deeper. Ignoring most of the city until the faintest tendrils of his power connected him to the emotion that piqued his interest.

Looking at that sad graying red of a once vibrant love. A young teenage girl was in love. Aren't they always? She was in love with a classmate who didn't know her, one-sided love at that.

Hawkmoth focused on sending his consciousness further into seeing the reasoning behind the emotions. Memories filtered through his mind.

The young girl was in love with this boy since they were young children. For so long she had been in a friend group and she helplessly pined because she had no courage. She was working hard on building her confidence, experimenting with make up and fashion. Joining the same music club, working hard to learn her instrument so she could spend time with him.

The girl was sincere and tried so hard. She even worked a part time job to buy him a present on becoming the first chair in their club. She had just bought the present and was heading home when she saw something. It was the boy, looking shy and sweet. Laughing with a pretty girl both holding hands when a breeze dropped some leaves onto their hair and taking the opportunity of 'removing the leaf' from each other's hair they stole a kiss. It was romantic and beautiful, a young love’s date and the girl felt despair.

Prodding further it seems that the other girl knew of her feelings, and assured him that she would support her. What betrayal! Such longing! The girl believed if she had the chance, if he would give her a chance, she would prove how much better she was. Hawkmoth couldn't really resist. One of his little purple butterflies fluttered down on her and landed on something starting a direct connection between the two.

"Cry not, sweet child." Hawkmoth crooned, his voice soft and delicate to not startle the girl. He imagined a younger Emilie crying and the tenderness was easy to convey. "Your tears are precious."

"Wh--who's there?" The girl gasped looking around for the origin of his voice. She was in her room, she had run home and was crying on her bed. The opened window showed a beautiful parisian scene but no one there to speak to her.

"I am a friend, and one who's seen your plight." Hawkmoth spoke in the form of a greeting. "I saw the depths of your pure love and the pain of your betrayal. It is so awful that a friend would betray us that way."

"Marie isn't my friend;" The girl spat hotly standing up in fury, the pulse of anger was a wonderful spark. She would be a good akuma. "Or else, she isn't anymore, maybe she was never a friend to begin with." The girl muttered deflated staring at a picture framed on her wall. Of her and that so-called friend Marie, they looked happy. The girl was sad all over again. The ember of her anger was extinguishing, and Hawkmoth couldn't have that.

"Of that I am sorry, child." Hawkmoth soothed, softening the girl's sadness with his limited power connected to this temporary champion, and subtly fanning her anger. "I know not who to pity more. You for the betrayal of a so-called friend, or for poor Laurent. He's innocent and being manipulated by Marie. If she couldn't be a friend to you, obviously she cannot be left with Laurent's heart. She will destroy him."

The honeyed words once spoken, seemed to plant themselves deep into the girl. Flashes of emotions pulsated. Shock, pity, love, betrayal, sadness…all culminating in one perfect emotion. Rage so potent that the light seemed blinding in their connection. Hawkmoth couldn't help the smile, he has her where he wants her.

"We have to save Laurent." Hawkmoth spoke urgently, keeping his kind facade.

"We do, I have to. How didn't I think of this before? Oh mon dieu." The girl gasped, pressing a fist to her chest.

"I can't do much by myself; but together we can save Laurent." Hawkmoth proposed. "All I ask is that you also help me; you see some people betrayed me too. They stole something important and everyone praises the thieves. I so do want the miraculous back."

"Of course!" The girl agreed, not noticing how she began to change. Where there was once a sad teenage girl, was the new dark champion of the villain; with a new mission.

"Let's help Laurent, Miss Cupid." The hopeful voice of Hawkmoth whispered with a far more sinister edge. Yet Miss Cupid did not notice the exhilarating feeling of power coursing through her drowned out things she should have noticed.

"Yes Hawkmoth, and don't worry I'll help you, too. The miraculous will be returned." Miss Cupid agreed as she took off.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Forty-five minutes.

Only forty-five minutes have passed.

FORTY.

FIVE.

MINUTES?!

Three quarters to an hour, fifteen minutes away from a glorious 60 minutes. The universe couldn’t even try to give them the full 60 minutes of extra sleep until all hell broke loose. The sick bastard who was responsible: Hawk Moth. The reason? He just had to create a new akuma. The siren and semi-distant screams filled the questions that filled Felix as he awoke with a start.

Insult to injury was the guitar riff that was Claude’s ringtone in Felix’s ear as he picked up the call.

"LARP." The singular word was code to the group. That they would go and transform, fighting the akuma. It was the first time the code was used, and for it to be Claude was alarming. His tone held no room for argument. It was less of a suggestion, or a question. No, Claude was transforming and was simply telling Felix, as Felix was the leader of the Knights.

"Claude," Felix sighed, understanding his friend was mad. Secretly relieved it wasn't his fault, or any staff's. He wouldn't need to plan contingencies. "We agreed not to involve ourselves with pest control."

"Sorry, Boss," Claude didn't sound sorry at all. "Taking a part time job."

"Not alone," Felix was quick to remark.

"Lady-love is talking to the big guy." Claude explained, he had Allegra talk to Allen. No doubt repeating the same code to Allen.

"What does the heart say?' Felix asked, trying to reign them in.

"Giving understanding support."

Shite.

"Griff, are we cleared to Larp?" Felix asked, noticing that Chloe had jumped into motion. The lethargy of sleep clung like a stubborn lover, but she was moving. She had been feeding both Milvii and Griff, and was grabbing a snack bag for both kwami.

"Not up to the best circumstances." Griff spoke up before turning to Milvii.

"You'll do, Percival has already been awakened." Milvii nodded.

"At least we're taking a back seat." Felix proposed as a compromise, they needed to sneak out of here also. "Stay low, don't be seen if you can help it."

“Nah boss, we’re out for blood.”

Click.

“Bitchoise, we’re fighting an akuma.” Felix spoke a bit absently trying to wake up.

"Already texted your mom, and I memorized possible escape routes D-Marinette gave dealing with our other problem. Ready when you are." Chloe chirped.

Once again Felix wondered what he did to piss off the universe this time.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

The Akuma Alarm blasted loudly, waking two other teens who scrambled. Both needed secrecy to go and help the city. Luka made a quick lie about helping secure the music equipment because Allen was working mostly alone. Marinette agreed and saw as the boy sped off vaguely running to the music room. She opened the window of her trailer as it faced a rarely traveled path and looked at her kwami.

"It feels mean, having Luka run away to transform." Marinette mumbled.

"Well the Guardian did say that your identities couldn't be exposed." Tikki reminded her holder, not really sure if it should even stay true now after everything. "It's for your safety."

Her little bug was running ragged, a friend who knew what she was going through would have been so helpful. It wasn't as noticeable because the make up team was doing wonders making her not look as tired as Marinette was, and the concealer did a great help on covering the shadows that had been steadily growing. Tikki knew that Marinette was enjoying herself, the designing was fun and it was a breath of fresh air to see creativity in motion.

The acting, while a hurdle at first, was growing on Marinette and Tikki was sure that part of it was how she interacted with everyone, especially Luka and Felix. With Felix Marinette was confident, like Ladybug but without the burden of responsibility. With Luka she was grounded and at peace. Which meant that when she had to stand as the leader and guardian of the miraculous alone, it was harder for Tikki to stomach. The Guardians were a network back in the temple and not one person held all the burden, not even the Grand Guardian. For such responsibility on her young holder, Tikki felt bubbling questions pop in her mind. Maybe it was time for a change, for all their sakes.

At least we have Luka helping out as a hero again, and Miss Kagami. I hope it helps remove her burdens. Tikki thought while she looked at her holder. The teen was psyching herself up and looked so alone and tired.

"Tikki, spots on." Marinette spoke the words, losing her usual youthful enthusiasm. She appeared more battle worn and tired, a general rejoining a never ending fight. Scarlet light wrapped around her body and no longer was the girl Marinette standing there. Now she was Ladybug, hero and protector of Paris.

#felix graham de vanily #marinette dupain cheng #luka couffaine #chloe bourgeois #quantic kids #original characters #worthy opponent au

[julietasgf]

I'm pretty much restless and started to write something on the swap au I mentioned here, where lucy gray lives in the capitol and sejanus is a tribute. I intend to post it in three-chapters, but because of the holidays I highly doubt I'll be able to post it soon (also I love writing long stuff and there's a high chance this first chapter will have more than 10k words ☠️), so I wanted to post a part of what I already wrote below if anyone is interested :)

When Coriolanus Snow entered the ceremony hall and saw the Covey on stage, his genuine and profound desire was to stick a knife in his own neck.

Coryo had lived in the Capital his entire life. He was, in his purest essence, in his purest self, Capital. But apparently, he didn't know the people of the city as well as he thought, considering he still didn't understand the appeal they saw in the Covey. A group of country folks who had the pathetic luck of being in the vicinity of the Capital at the end of the Rebellion, and for some unknown reason, the president saw something special in their music and country attire, allowing them to stay in the city. And people loved their music. And, worst of all, people loved Lucy Gray.

Corny, was the first thing that crossed his mind when he saw the girl on stage, wearing those ridiculous and colorful clothes that children liked precisely because they resembled clown costumes.

"Are you having fun, Capitol?" she finished a song and exclaimed into the microphone, receiving applause and cheers in response. "Because this is just the beginning of the party! Tonight promises, huh!"

Liar girl. Deceptive girl.

Coriolanus knew her opinions about the Reaping well, no matter how much she tried to disguise it with those smiles and those colorful dresses.

"They're great, aren't they?"

Beside him, Clemensia had appeared with a slight smile on her face. She loved the Covey. She and all her classmates. All without any kind of taste, of course. Granted, after the war, musicians and performers in general became scarce; when that strange group without a fixed place was around, playing cellos, guitars, and harmonicas, everyone was amazed, like someone eating a mediocre meal after a long time without eating. Coriolanus knew how that felt, but he was never amazed at eating cabbage soup after hours without eating.

It made sense that he was the only one who didn't fall for the Covey's charm.

Still, he had appearances to maintain.

"I'm always impressed by how good they are," Coriolanus said, sipping his fancy drink, one hand in his pants pocket. "How can musicians like them come from the Districts?"

"What can we do if most of our best musicians died with the bombs?" Clemensia shrugged. "And in their defense, they technically aren't from a District. They traveled all over the country, and, well, if they're in the Capital, it's because they also spent time in the Capital, right?"

Coriolanus had heard this same excuse thousands of times in various forms, about how the Covey wasn't really from a District, about how they were and always had been Capital, and it annoyed him. How can a lie told so many times convince so many people, right? Or maybe the citizens of the Capital only accepted this argument because they wanted to lessen the guilt of enjoying District music, of District rats. When the first news of the Covey's success spread through the city, Coryo remembered what his grandmother had said.

"We wouldn't have to listen to District music if they hadn't killed our musicians with those bombs."

War really did things to people, including making them forget common sense, all for a bit of questionable entertainment.

"Coriolanus Snow!"

Coryo hadn't noticed that the Covey had already finished their performance, and he also hadn't noticed that Lucy Gray had traversed a crowd of people asking for a photo just to get to him. Up close, her makeup looked even more like that of a clown; if it were other times, or other occasions, he would say she looked like a court jester. But it wasn't other times or occasions. Lucy Gray, probably the Capitol's favorite subcelebrity, stood in front of him, hands on her waist, a smile on her made-up face, and there was a whole group around the two paying attention to every word she said. That's why he smiled too.

"Lucy Gray Baird," he spoke with the same charming voice he had trained in front of the mirror for years. "Beautiful show, as always."

"Oh, darling, you know it's not just me," she laughed, shaking her head a bit; there were colorful clips in her long, brown, wavy hair. "I may have the face, but the Covey does it all." She now turned to the crowd, a huge smile on her face. "A round of applause for the Covey, everyone!"

The group of people around her and Coryo applauded while the Covey was still in the process of leaving the stage. Coriolanus, very reluctantly, applauded. He had to admit, despite everything, that Lucy Gray must be one of the only people besides himself who knew how to play that game better than anyone else. Those who looked at her with her embroidered clothes and rainbow skirt would never guess what was going on inside that head. But Coriolanus knew. Just as she knew that his stomach was growling.

They had this implicit agreement, you see. That one wouldn't expose the other. They met at events, at parties, smiled. The venomous little snake always made sure to greet him. They exchanged a few words and didn't speak again.

They understood each other, in a way.

If Lucy Gray weren't a District trash, maybe he would consider her in another life.

She was a performer. Just like him. In different ways.

"This year, I heard that the top students from the Academy are going to be mentors... whatever mentoring a tribute means," she picked up one of the glasses that passed on trays, sipping the liquid. "I hope you figure it out quickly, though. It was a good incentive for the Academy to send the mentor of the winner straight to college. You'll make good use of that, won't you?"

Coriolanus gritted his teeth. It was taking too long.

"Of course, I will, Lucy Gray," he forced a yellow smile. "Who wouldn't, right? Not to mention the renown."

"What renown, huh?" she murmured quietly, almost just to herself, while sipping from the glass. "Congratulations on mentoring a teenager to kill twenty-three others, champion." Another commotion was arising in the hall; Lucy Gray smiled, placing the glass on another passing tray, and patted Coriolanus on the arm. "It's time, isn't it? Go there, Coriolanus. Good luck, dear."

She smiled at him, the same smile she gave him at one of her shows in the Capitol, the same smile when they met at these parties, the same smile when she caught him storing food in his pockets at a party. Coryo smiled back.

They weren't so different, after all.

"Oh," she spoke in a whisper before leaving for good, "there are snacks on the buffet on the left side of the hall. If your pockets are still empty, maybe you'll make good use of it. I'm sure your grandma will like it."

Coriolanus wanted to strangle her.

"Thanks for the heads-up, Lucy Gray," he replied in the same tone. "You should take some to your friends from District 12 when your tour passes by there."

And he knew she felt the same way about him.

***

The cargo train arrived in the Capital, and Coriolanus was the only one among the Academy students waiting for it.

To be honest, he didn't judge his classmates for not going to meet their tributes, partly because, as some of them stepped out of the train cars, the first thing Coriolanus thought was how some of them reeked of poverty. Coriolanus would never admit it out loud, but he was accustomed to that horrible smell, reminiscent of old potatoes and cabbage nearing expiration. Many of his peers, especially those wealthy enough to afford perfume, would faint at the sight of a tribute with a face covered in soot. Coriolanus was certain that Arachne Crane would collapse if she saw the bat that emerged from some of the cars when they were opened.

Coryo wasn't particularly interested in all that, it should be noted. He didn't care about those other tributes at all. He was only there to see his own, and his tribute was the only one that mattered. He even managed to get one last white rose, a small and fragile thing.

Then, he finally found the carriage he had been looking for.

And he saw his tribute descending from it, extending a hand to help the girl from District 2 get down too. Sejanus Plinth, Coryo repeated to himself the name that took a while to memorize; he wasn't in the habit of memorizing names, not when he believed that most people who carried them were irrelevant. Sejanus Plinth. Don't forget.

"Sejanus Plinth, isn't it?" Coryo spoke aloud before he forgot altogether, and he couldn't forget, he couldn't make a bad impression; the boy looked at him with wide eyes, as if he had been startled. "Nice to meet you."

The boy (Sejanus) watched him for a moment without saying anything, furrowing his brow, exchanging glances with the girl next to him. Both were dressed in simple and similar clothes; Coriolanus imagined that there must be some dress code in District 2 that made them dress similarly. The same brown vest, the same beige button-up shirt, differing only in a few discreet details. His eyes were a little swollen. Maybe he had cried on the train too.

"And should I know you?" Sejanus asked uncertainly, a nervous tone.

"Well, congratulations," Coryo extended a friendly hand to shake, reminding himself to wash it as soon as he got to a bathroom. "You are the first of the tributes to meet your mentor."

Sejanus didn't shake his hand. Just looked at him the same way.

"Mentor?" the girl next to Sejanus asked, opening her mouth for the first time to say something. "What do you mean?"

Coriolanus wasn't in the mood to answer questions, especially from people from Districts. He was only there to talk to his tribute and try to make a good impression, but making a good impression also involved being polite in front of Sejanus, and being polite in front of Sejanus meant answering tiresome and irritating questions like this.

"This year, the games will have a little novelty," he said with a wink, his charm already perfected. "Each tribute will have a mentor. Someone to help them survive in the Arena. Academy students, of course."

"And where are the others?" she asked, turning her head, looking for others in the same glaring red uniform as Coriolanus.

"Only I had the inspiration to come and meet my tribute, dear," Coriolanus forced a smile; he was already fed up, so he turned again to look directly at Sejanus this time. "Don't worry, you will soon meet your mentor. But I came to welcome my tribute to the Capital. Do you like roses?"

Coriolanus handed the rose to Sejanus, who did not accept it, just continued to stare at him with the same furrowed brow.

"Mentor, huh?" he murmured, crossing his arms. "Did you really think it was a good idea to bring a rose for someone who is about to die?"

Sabyn seemed to hold back a laugh. On another occasion, the color might have drained from Coryo's face; but he had already prepared for this kind of interaction. Coriolanus just widened his most charming smile.

"I understand it might be a little offensive, but roses were my mother's favorite flowers. She loved them, so I thought my tribute might like something that was so dear to the most important person in my life."

"Your... mother?"

"A sweet woman. Probably the person who loved me most in my life. Sometimes I wonder what her reaction would be if it were me in your place, so I'll try to protect you at all costs, just as she would want them to do with me."

Sejanus's gaze softened, and he seemed to melt.

This was much easier than Coryo expected.

"That's... kind of you."

"There are still many kindnesses to come," why the hell hadn't this kid accepted the damn rose yet? "My name is Coriolanus Snow, by the way."

"Well, Coriolanus Snow," the boy had his hands in his pockets, and Coryo began to think that maybe it had been a waste of time to come there in the first place. "Thank you for coming to greet me," he smiled, and it was such a genuinely sad smile, "but I'll spare your time and effort. I don't have many intentions of coming out alive from the Arena."

Perhaps that was the first time in ages that Coriolanus lost his composure. The air escaped from his lungs, his brow furrowed, and he lowered the outstretched hand toward Sejanus.

"You're not going to die, Sejanus," Coryo said, forcing a smile, a nervous laugh escaping from his mouth. "You're from District 2. In the last two years, it was... a tribute from District 2 who won, and I'll be here to guide you, not to mention that..."

"Coriolanus Snow," the boy spoke much more firmly this time. "I don't want to come out alive from there. I want to die."

Of course. Of course, nothing would be perfect for Coriolanus. It never was. If any deity existed or if his father took care of him from hell or if luck could really change sides, all these things were against him. Yes, Coriolanus was fortunate enough to be drawn with a boy from District 2. A strong, well-fed boy, who in other circumstances would be the best candidate to win the games that year. Yes, his colleagues congratulated him, patting him on the back and applauding. Yes, Coriolanus was the mentor with the best chances of winning that year.

But, of course, his tribute was fucking suicidal.

Coriolanus wanted to kill that boy himself at that moment. But the boy couldn't die. Not when he was his best ticket straight to university.

Coryo didn't think twice when he entered that disgusting truck.

He was going to have to convince that boy to live.

#tbosas #tbosas movie #coriolanus snow #president snow #lucy gray baird #sejanus plinth #au #swap au #fanfic

[ghostofbambifanfiction]

Hi hope you're doing well, any chance of a new chapter soon?

Hi hi, I know I keep saying this but I'm still unwell. It's going to sound like exaggeration when I say I've been hit with a number of different illnesses back-to-back in quick succession and I'm totally done in, but that is genuinely what's happened. As soon as the chapter is nearly ready I promise I'll make a post to let you all know!

[juniemoe]

fandom: the wayhaven chronicles

rating: general

pairing: nate sewell/female detective (charlie langford)

word count: 661

A/N: originally written in 2021 (so well before book 3!) but i've never posted it. i still like it, so i'm releasing it into the wild!! :')

┗━•❃°•°❀°•°❃•━┛

Nate has been quiet for a while. At least ten minutes, maybe closer to fifteen now.

Charlie watches impatiently as Nate circles yet another word on the paper and hums underneath his breath, chuckling a little while reading along. He seems pleased so perhaps Charlie shouldn't feel as nervous as she is but her long nails click against the wooden surface of the table at an alarming speed, her ordered macchiato completely forgotten next to her hand.

It was too sweet, anyway.

Charlie sighs. Nate looks up at her and smiles softly and she finds herself wondering how he would look like with a pair of eyeglasses framing his warm brown eyes.

Peak sexy, she decides, no doubt. Also even more like a librarian. The thought makes her hide her grin to her sweater's sleeve.

"You're not usually this impatient," Nate comments as she stretches her neck to see what page he is on.

"I know," Charlie answers. "I tried a couple of new things on this chapter and I want to know what you think."

"I noticed," Nate says. He seems amused but not at her writing, she's certain, he would never be so unkind. Most likely he's endeared by her impatience, something she doesn't show often. "I'm done soon, I promise."

Sometimes Charlie wonders at how incredibly easily Nate makes promises. Sweetly, genuinely. Truly content at keeping them. It's probably one of the reasons she loves him so much.

Charlie continues clicking her blue fingernails on the table. Click click click. She's not usually so nervous-- Nate has read all of her novels so far with great enthusiasm, completely genuine in his praise and gentle with constructive criticism.

He is a fast reader, so it takes him only a few moments to finish the draft of Charlie's next book. After he's done, he smiles at Charlie so incredibly affectionately that she almost feels like punching something. It's been a while; maybe she should go a few rounds with Adam at the warehouse after they leave Haley's bakery to blow off some steam.

Charlie links her fingers together and looks at Nate with a raised eyebrow. "Well? What do you think?"

Nate's eye corners crinkle. He reaches over the table to sweep his thumb on her cheek bone. "Every day I remind myself how lucky I am to have found you."

Charlie can't help but laugh with a small eye roll. What a sweet man she loves. She would do anything for him.

Nate takes a thoughtful bite of his muffin. Chocolate today instead of blueberry.

"You're keeping me in suspense," she says and crosses her arms only to uncross them a few moments later.

Nate tuts.

Charlie pouts.

Then Nate chuckles at the look on her face. "I thought it was lovely as always," he says softly, fondness fulfilling his voice. "The way you describe the love between these two young women in your story is amazing."

Charlie's lips bow upwards. "Thank you," she murmurs. He steals the muffin from Nate's plate and takes a bite. The chocolate is like velvet on her tongue.

"It feels very personal to me," Nate continues, a thoughtful look on his face. Charlie hesitates.

Nate's familiar dark brown eyes are warm and non-judgemental.

"It is. In a way," she answers after a moment. She doesn't feel like talking about it, though, and Nate knows her well enough to notice but not to push it.

"Let's hear the professional opinion," Charlie says instead.

Nate laughs, soft, loud and free. "A professional, am I?" He seems impossibly amused by her words.

Charlie's heart beats in the rhythm of affection at the unhidden delight in Nate's tone.

"You are!" she says. "Kind of. Basically my unofficial editor at this point."

Nate laughs again. "If you insist," he chuckles. Charlie smiles. She loves him so much she feels dizzy with it.

Then Nate clears his throat. "So," he begins, "here is what I would change…"

#twc #the wayhaven chronicles #nate sewell #n sewell #nate x detective #nate sewell x detective #twc fanfic #oc: charlotte #vilna writes

[gothcsz]

𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒇𝒂𝒓𝒆 / a Javier Peña fic.

PAIRING: Javier Peña x Original Female Character

SUMMARY:   After being transferred back to the States from Colombia, Javier Peña is relocated to a small town in the middle Texas as the new Deputy Sheriff to help solve a string of murders that have been occurring in this more rural part of the state. Rumors of a sacrilegious group plague the community which has its citizens on edge. Along the way, he enters a convoluted relationship with the sheriff’s daughter, Paloma. Entranced not only by her beauty but also by her captivating and enticing artistry as she preforms at a local bar on weekend nights. The once DEA agent soon begins to realize that there’s a lot more at play here than initially thought. Heavily influenced by Ethel Cain’s Preacher’s Daughter album.

RATING:   18+ Mature topics such as sex, drugs, murder, the occult, religion, cannibalism and other triggering matters will be explored in this body of work. More specific tags will be listed on chapter posts.

DISCLAIMER/WARNINGS:   The Javier Peña referenced in this body of work is solely based off of the character that appears in Netflix’s Narcos and not the actual person. Very canon divergent and I will tweak things as I see fit to compliment the narrative of this story. While efforts have been made to be accurate in terms of canon timeline, a lot of details will be fictionalized, including the usage of the song(s) that Paloma will perform throughout the story.

A/N:   hey y’all! just wanna say that this was an idea that popped in my head as i was rewatching narcos for the dozenth time while simultaneously discovering ethel cain’s work (i know i’m late, cut me some slack pls) but i’ve genuinely never been so inspired to… write. so with that, i give you all a small prologue of sorts to see if there’s any interest in continuing this. it’s my first time publicly posting any of my works so i’m so fuckin’ nervous but oh well i’m just diving head first!

♰  read on ao3. ♰

♰  playlist | pinterest | series masterlist ♰

The sounds of twigs snapping beneath her feet echo throughout the forest, her frantic breaths making her chest burn as she continues to run aimlessly in attempts to escape her captors. Nina had gotten lucky, her wrist burned from constantly rubbing against her rope confinements until eventually she was able to undo the tight knot and free herself from her imminent death. She wasted no time in booking it out of whatever tattered building they were in; being met with nothing but surrounding darkness.

It didn’t take long before those who had taken her realized she was missing, but it was enough to put some distance between herself and them. Her bare feet ache from the unforgiving woodsy ground, legs slashed from the various twigs and thorns that she had run through in order to make her escape. But that pain was only temporary, and currently her body was focused on survival. She had to make it back to civilization; even if she didn’t know where she was.

A few more minutes of running before the girl finds some kind of solace behind a towering oak tree, her back pressed against its ridges as she allows herself a moment to catch her breath.

To regroup.

One hand travels up to her collarbone where a delicate cross necklace sits against her skin, she grips it tightly and begins to utter a soft yet frantic prayer hoping that the God she’s devoted her life to would spare her from the horrors and fate she’s currently facing. Her eyes snap open at the sound of a twig snapping loudly and before Nina has any time to react to the sudden presence, she’s being yanked by her forearm out of the shadows and roughly thrown onto the ground.

She’s been caught.

“ Please let me go. I promise I won’t tell anyone. ” Nina pleads and it’s nothing this trio has not heard before.

“ Oh sweet child… ” The smooth yet dangerous voice of the leader of this tormenting group crouches down until he’s at her level, brushing a strand of tawny hair away from her face as he gazes deep into her eyes.

Deep into her soul.

“ You cannot keep the inevitable from occurring. ” Enter the other man, a heavy two barreled shotgun in his hands pointed directly at her. Nina’s lips curl into a pout as tears begin to pour down her supple cheeks. This gets a scoff out of the third person that makes up the trio, a girl that was around her age.

“ Oh poor baby is cryin’. this coulda been so much easier if you hadn’t ran, doll face. ” Her tone is patronizing as she watches Nina intently, a smirk sprawled across her own lips. “ C’mon August, we need to deal with her before we miss our window of opportunity. Again. ” she looks down at the antique watch that adorns her left hand. Only a few minutes until three in the morning.

August takes a few more moments to study the weeping girl before him, just as a predator would its prey. However, there’s a softness in his eyes that she isn’t able to fully register. He eventually stands to his full height. “ It will have to be done here. There is not enough time to bring her back to the house. ” He snaps his fingers at the man with the shotgun and he immediately lowers it, silent as ever and reaching into his back pocket to pull out a large, silver dagger that glistens as the moonlight from the full moon shines down upon it. Nina’s eyes widen at the sight of the blade and she begins to scramble backwards but August reaches down to grasp her ankle to keep her from moving. 

“ Hold her down. ” He orders and the other two wordlessly comply, the dagger now in August’s possession as the guy takes hold of her wrists and the girl of her ankles. Nina begins to thrash around violently to no avail. They’ve got a strong hold on her.

“ Please, A-August please I’ll d-do whatever you want. I w-won’t tell anyone just p-please don’t kill me. ” The helpless girl cries, tears and snot mixing as violent sobs rack throughout her entire body.

The earnest begging for her life falls on deaf ears, instead August plants one foot on either side of her body, now towering over her completely with the dagger firmly in his grasp. Between her hysteric crying and overwhelming emotions, Nina doesn’t understand the words that fall past the man’s lips but she knows for certain that he isn’t speaking English.

She attempts to save herself one final time but is ignored once more. Just as August finishes his prayer-like uttering, the wind begins to pick up around them, sending leaves and dirt to swirl around them as if they had conjured up their own, mini tornado. 

Nina’s eyes widen as the dagger raises itself over his head.

“ I am no good nor evil, simply I am

And I have come to take what is mine. ”

And with those final words, the dagger plunges down deep into her chest, right where her heart lies. A piercing scream shoots out of her throat, damn near destroying her vocal chords as August continues to stab the sharp blade into her flesh over and over again.

Until eventually, the life drains from Nina’s eyes.

#javier pena fanfiction #javier pena fanfic #pedro pascal fanfic #javier pena x oc #javier peña fanfic #javier peña fanfiction #javier peña x oc #javier peña fic #javier peña narcos #javier pena narcos #pedro pascal #super nervous but super excited ! hope this gets some traction (: #ethel cain #southern gothic fic #preachers daughter

[mitsua]

𝑴𝒚 𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒓 & 𝒎𝒚 𝒔𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒐𝒖𝒓 | 𝐸𝑝. 1 𝑃𝑜𝑖𝑠𝑜𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑠

Warnings : may contain bad grammar and spelling mistakes, mentions of, and potential cheating

Serie : 𝐁𝐨𝐤𝐮 𝐍𝐨 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨 𝐀𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐚

Pairing : Y / n ✕ Sero Hanta

Y / n 's . . . GN !

Master's post Series' chapters' list

It was a normal day at classes.

Well, how normal could it be being in the hero course with your bunch of noisy classmates ?

However, you had your boyfriend by your side, Sero Hanta.

An amazing long black-haired, tall boy, with great and contagious positivity, unbreakable spirit, high intelligence, strong quirk and most importantly, a noble heart.

Or was it really so ?

You entered to the classroom where Aizawa was about to start explaining the new project you'll be delivering in a few weeks. People on their sits talking silently with each other.

When the teacher had finished with the instructions, everyone was quick to pair up and discuss the details.

Minutes later, to be more specific, ten minutes before the bell rang for the lunch break, friends of your boyfriend came to talk with you two about everything and anything.

As you got distracted for a second watching an insignificant notification on your phone, you heard laughing on the background and turned to your favorite voice pronouncing words you never thought him, of all people would say.

" Yeah, I'd leave Y/n for that one ". Sero said with such a joking tone you'd confuse it with it being true, so you thought that it was true.

Just as he finished saying that, wiping a tear from his eye by the laughs he had seconds ago, he saw his friends all quiet and serious, looking at you.

" O‐Oh, Y-Y/n, it's not what you think, it was a joke !" He said still laughing a bit, not convincing enough. None of his friends dared to say a word.

" Come on, don't make that face ! It's not true, I wouldn't really leave you, promise !". He said now sounding a tiny bit more genuine, but you couldn't shake the sinking feeling of your heart and a deeper one beneath it.

Trying to brush it off and play it cool infront of his friends, you said it didn't bothered you at all. So everything continued normal.

Except that for the rest of that night you couldn't shake the eerie feeling of something bad coming soon since Sero said that.

Next chapter

#mitsua #mitsuawrites #mitsuawritings #x reader #anime #bnha #mha #angst #anime angst #bnha angst #mha angst #sero hanta #sero x you #hanta sero imagine #sero x reader #sero x y/n #bnha hanta #mha hanta sero #mha hanta #cheating #new series #𝑴𝒚 𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒓 & 𝒎𝒚 𝒔𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒐𝒖𝒓 #first episode #writing #series #anime series #bnha hcs #hcs

[sunflowerharrington]

bee's 1k celebration

so idk how that just happened but it did. i genuinely cannot thank each and every one of you enough! it has shaken me so much to think that people wanna stick around to see what bs i pull next haha. so what i was thinking about doing for this celebration was announcing something and also doing something where people could send me in something!

🤍 so i came up with this: [open from friday 16th september to friday 30th september 💋 i may not be able to get to all straight away as i start college on monday but i promise i’ll try my very best for you, my lovelies!!]

firstly i would like to announce that i have a new multi-chaptered fic in the works that i’ll begin posting soon! secondly i would like to announce that @myobmaya are officially soulmates (like maddy and cassie in season one of euphoria)

okay so now for the even more fun part:

💋 send me in a little bit about yourself and i’ll ship you with a stranger things character! (please specify the gender of the character you would like to be shipped with) and i’ll give you a song to dance in the rain with them to

🌻 i’ll make you a mini fanfic rec list for a character of your choice

😘 send me in a character (mcu, xcu, stranger things, euphoria, harry potter, marauders), either fluff, angst, or all of the above and a trope (eg fake dating) and i’ll write a little blurb about it

🌸 i’ll give you three songs that goes with the vibe of your blog and i’ll give you a compliment [cannot be anonymous]

🧸 anonymously send in your assumptions about me and i’ll give you my opinion!

🐝 @fxllfaiiry had this too; send me an nsfw concept alongside a character from the fandoms mentioned above and i’ll write a short blurb about it!

🍂 lemme shower you in love! i’ll make you a moodboard of whatever you like

happy asking!! 🤍

tagging my mutuals 🌸 @hellfirehaley @gods-favorite-asthmatic @friendly-neighborhood-ghoul @steveslittlesunflower @eddiemunsons-girl @myobmaya @liviawritesthings @eddiebillysteve @dingusfreakhxrrington @fxllfaiiry @chaoticmunson @hxllfiredoll @thisishellfire @writer-in-theory @gettingrailedbyreid @nerodmcdevilslayer @bvcksmunson @etherealfaer1e @slutmio @86-babyy @clowwderr @jexnrey @quickiesgirl @eddiemunsonssslut @wzrlds @honeymunson @alexis-angelsss @fleurfairie @loveshotzz @noa-olivars @my-my-only-angel @n0agranger @pinkchubbiebunnie @starryeyedmunson @misrye @leftonreid @kitwalker02 @imagine-all-the-imagines @munsons-babe @eddieonfilm @snowycorpse @munsonquinns @littledemondani @prettyboyeddiemunson @sympathyforher @strangerluvrr @quicksilverownsmysoul @whiplaaaaaaaaash tagging more soon!

navigation

IMPORTANT NOTICE; ANONYMOUS ASKS ARE BACK OPEN BUT REQUESTS ARE CLOSED 🤍 mwah mwah ily - bee💋

#stranger things #stranger things fanfiction #eddie munson #billy hargrove #steve harrington #stranger things smut #mcu #marvel #xmen #euphoria #marauders fanfic #marauders #marvel fanfiction #xmen fanfiction #euphoria fanfic #smut #angst #fluff #steddie #mungrove #harringrove #jegulus #fexi #wanda maximoff #natasha romanoff #steve rogers #bucky barnes #x reader #follower celebration #bee rambles °˖✰

[altruistic-meme]

hi!! no worries on the late reply at all, I don’t mind :))

I’m very happy to hear you’re continuing it! but don’t feel rushed, I know writing when stressed can be frustrating. I myself quit writing for a loooong time even tho I really wanted to, but life, ya know?

I hope your life stresses get better soon! it shcks when you want to write but are too stressed to.

I look forward to the new chapters, I will be reading those as soon as they’re posted <3

🥰🥰🥰

life indeed ahahhhhh

also i promise you the only one i'm allowing to rush me is myself :') i just want to get it written!!! i wanna keep going!!! and that's all just on me deciding that i do want to write. mostly cus i know writing tends to be relaxing for me, it's why i write in the first place, so pushing myself to write is just kinda one of those things thats like,,,, i need to push myself to do the things that i know will make me feel better even though it'll suck at first cus it's a use of energy :'))))

though ofc knowing that there are people genuinely waiting for it also helps so much for motivation >:D

#i shall cry over this btw #you are very very kind anon and ily <3 #but yeah im stressed and im stressed about writing but writing is RELAXING i just need to get back to the relaxing part of it kshskhgf #and also push through the writers block a bit :') #gonna try setting myself a daily goal and we'll see how it goes #askers #anon #(wit)jitp #shh ac

[itstopplingdomino]

WIP Tag

Thank you for the tag @myst867! Juggling between university classes, personal life and an alter ego in the internet is a tough thing, and I'm sure most agree TT I will be listing them in order of priority too!)

List the titles your top five priorities for WIP updates (link your fics for new readers!)

An upcoming scene, event, or detail in each fic that you're looking forward to writing

Bonus: make a poll for your followers to vote on which top 5 WIP they are most excited to see an update on!

Then tag 10 writer friends

Titles

Untitled (coming soon) - I made a promise to write a short fiction based on how I feel after taking my test. Reader thought of Andrew Larson as a person who keeps himself; probably arrogant about his intelligence too. But in a make-up test session, reader learnt that he's actually the complete opposite.

Burning Desire - Supposed to be one chapter one-shot in celebration of Valentine's day, but I am working on the second (final) chapter. Garreth Weasley realises he has romantical feelings for reader just as Valentine's day is nearing.

Paper Bird - A potion product mishap causes reader to replace negative words into its kinder version. First part is posted, but I gotta finish up the second part.

Falling (you say i'm wise beyond my years) - Based on Isabela LaRosa's Older. Aesop Sharp has many secrets - and you are one of them. It's not explicit but it does have mature themes.

Tolerance - Just an intrepretation on how certain Harry Potter characters would react when they find out you're hurt (and doesn't seem like it from the outside). Part 1 is here. Part 2 is here. Part 3 and onwards are on the way!

Mainly Hogwarts Legacy universe and all is x reader pairing, all except 4 is minor-friendly (just be warned of mild cursings). It just so happens that these two weeks are packed with tests and assignments, so I'd be active to lurk but too exhausted to write. I gotta get back on writing as soon as the urgent big stuff in life is dealt with.

Upcoming Scenes, Events, Details

Untitled (coming soon) - We're at a point where reader's perception of Andrew will be changed. I think I would be done and ready to post this by this week (most likely the weekend).

Burning Desire - As soon as Garreth realises he has feelings for reader, he decides to act on his feelings but here comes the light angst. Let's just say, I love misunderstanding trope <3.

Paper Bird - Fred Weasley's redemption arc, basically. He will do everything to make ammends.

Falling (you say i'm wise beyond my years) - Upcoming chapter will be all about hurt/comfort, supportive figure, and generally fluff. Considering the first two chapters were playing on pining on reader's side and growing sexual tension (is reader imagining it..?), I want to write something a little more in-depth and platonic.

Tolerance - I've got to be honest; I am actually stuck on this. It's Ron's reaction and I couldn't decide which reaction would suit him best.

Please forgive me for tagging you TT Genuinely interested in your current progress of your works!! @applinsandoranges, @cuffmeinblack, @ravenelyx, @imtheslayeraskmehow97, @arthenaa.

One thing I realised from doing this tag game is that I need to have a masterlist. When will I get around doing that? We shall see. I gotta figure out Tumblr better first XD

#topplingdominowrites #writers on tumblr #writeblr #writing #wip tag #harry potter fandom #harry potter universe #hogwarts legacy fandom #hogwarts legacy universe #archiveofourown #ao3 writer #ao3 fanfic

[bettyweir]

Betty Weir

Chapter 3

Betty Weir and Erica Jones both got into the cheer team, and hang out at the mall together!

Word Count: 2.9k

[Previous] [Read on Ao3] [All]

Benny raises his hand in class.

"Yes, Benny?" The tired teacher sighs.

"Could I go to the bathroom?" he sheepishly asks, ignoring the question written on the board.

She sighs again, "Yes, yeah, just hurry up."

"Thanks." He picks up the flimsy boy hallpass and rushes out the door.

Did he really have to use the restroom? No, not at all. Benny had something much more important in mind.

He arrives at the gym doors, trying not to be spotted by the practicing class inside. The cheerleading team tryout results are posted on the board. His finger slowly moves down the page as he scans the list of names. Nice Erica got in As he gets closer and closer to the bottom of the list, his heart starts to sink.

Please. please please please please.

His finger stops at the final name, Betty Weir. He taps the page triumphantly, a huge smile spreading across her face.

She reads the last little blurb on the page: First Practice Today after school.

She steps away from the paper and fidgets the blue hallpass in her hands as she heads back to class.

Today's a new day.

As the class packs their things, ready for the school bell to ring, Ethan nudges Benny.

"Hey, wanna play Nights of Ninjitu Four at my place?"

"Oh, I'd love to. But…"

"I promise I won't kick your butt too hard this time, come on!" Ethan offers, "You can even ban my main."

"Oof, that does sound really nice, but I already have plans." Benny looks around the room, avoiding Ethan's gaze.

Thankfully, the school bell rings.

"Aww, okay. Well, feel free to stop by later, if you want!" Ethan shouts, adjusting his backpack and heading into the crowd.

"Later, E!" He waves, hoping Ethan will see his hand over the masses of students.

He joins in the crowd to wiggle his way to the bathroom. He doesn't bother being sneaky since no one is ever in here this late.

At least, that's what he thought. As he heads into a stall, he sees Rory fumbling out of another.

"Shit, shit, shit! I'm gonna miss the bus!" He hisses as he furiously scrubs his hands in the sink.

"Rory, you can fly."

"Yeah, but I like my bus driver!" He frowns, ripping the papertowel dispenser several times, before rushing into the hall.

Benny shakes his head and laughs to himself over the interaction as he changes.

As Betty enters the gymnasium, she sees small groups of cheerleaders sitting around in the bleachers, mingling while they wait for their first cheer practice to start. Erica is sitting off to the side lines of the groups, and waves down Betty as soon as she sees her.

"Ohmygod, holy shit!" Erica smiles, "I'm so glad you got in!"

"Me too! I can't believe it." Betty genuinely didn't use a single magic trick this time, it was all her. She couldn't wipe the smile off her face. "We'll get to cheer together!"

"Augh, you're too cute." Erica gushes. She stands up and starts stretching her legs.

"Sooo, have you been in any sports before this?"

"Cheerleading's a sport. Ha." Betty catches the looks around her and quiets up, "Ah, I mean, it's totally a sport! But anyway, um, not really. I'm just a home body. What about you?"

Betty starts to join in on Erica's stretch routine, putting her hands on her hips so she can stretch her back.

"Ah, yeah, cheer's my first sport too," Erica says, then she makes a little smirk, "You just seemed a bit like you would've been a soft ball player."

"Huh? How?" Benny shoots up.

"Never mind." she shakes her head and looks over to their new coach.

"Congratulation ladies, every single one of you got in." the coach announces, "Pat yourself on the back."

Betty twists her arms behind her to reach her back, and Erica stops her.

"And now, I want you to all change, and do a lap around the track in the field."

The team groans.

"Told ya we'd need to stretch." Erica smiles to Betty.

"Uhuh. Well, I'm gonna head outside to start on that track, or do you want me to, uh, wait?"

"No, go ahead. I'll be right out."

Erica follows the rest of the girls into the changing room and leads herself far back into the curtains, before speeding out of the gym with vampiric super speed. Betty feels a gust of wind hit her skin as Erica stops right next to her.

"AHH!!" Betty jumps, but relaxes when she turns around to see Erica, "Oh. Hey, Erica. That was quick."

"Thank you."

They both wait for the coach to open the fenced gate to the field before starting into a light jog next to each other.

"So, what do you think about the running?"

"OOuuhgh." groans Betty.

"You know, if track gives you trouble, I know how to cheat it."

"Wait, really?" Betty says between gasps, "That'd be awesome!"

"Alright. But not now."

"Wha-" she pants, "Why?"

"Because Ms. Malanchie is staring right at us." Erica says, jogging slightly faster. "Next time."

"Ahh! Wait up!" Betty quickly follows behind her.

The group of girls slowly gather in a circle at the end after finishing their lap. Some girls continue stretching while others go on their phone.

Erica, remembering something, pipes up, "Oh, hey! Do you have any socials?"

"Oh, what do you mean?"

"Hello? It's the twenty-tens!" she laughs, "MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, Insta, Tumblr? Doesn't that ring a bell?"

"Yeah," Betty scratches her neck, "But I don't have anything like that. Um, you know how homeschooling is."

"Yea, I guess you'd only be friends with, like, your Grandma and your neighbors or something, haha."

"Yeah haha, totally only for losers."

Meanwhile, on Benny's desktop computer at home, it displays his Myspace profile and his only friends: Ethan, Rory, and Grandma.

"Wellll, now you have me!" Erica nudges, "And I'd totally give you a shoutout! You'll get tons of friends!"

"Awe, who would even wanna follow me?" Betty twirls her hair.

"Come on! Your a hot cheerleader that's single." Erica raises her brow a bit, hoping for a reaction.

"God, how can you tell I'm single? Am I just that bitchless?"

Erica laughs.

"Well, I think with some luck, you wouldn't be."

The coach blares her whistle.

"Alright, girls! Let's go over the basic routine."

As they get dismissed from practice, the herd of cheerleaders head to the locker room.

"So, Betty…" Erica says as she puts on a black leather jacket, "Would you maybe wanna head to the mall?"

Betty grips her messenger bag tighter. Part of her wonders if this is supposed to be a date, but come on. This is probably just like, a normal girl thing.

"Uhm… I guess so."

"Ooh, great! I've been wanting to go with someone!" Erica cheers.

Betty relaxes. Nothing to worry about. This is totally just a Normal Girl Thing.

"Yeah, for sure."

Erica and Betty arrive at the Whitechapel mall.

"Okay, so, uhm, where do you wanna go first?" Erica asks walking in.

They walk past a couple of stores with displays of mannequins in form-fitting clothes. Betty feels a shiver run down her spine.

"Uhh, anything besides clothing stores."

"Awe, why?" Erica asks.

"I just find it all very," she gulps, "boring?"

"Alright, for sure. Hmm." Erica eyes the black store blasting out shitty emo music, "How about Hot Topic?"

"Uh, I don't think I've ever been there before."

"OMG, it's gonna rock your preppy little world." she says entering, proudly standing in front of a display of anime tshirts, "Okay, well, don't mind these."

She leads Betty towards the back, into the corner where the large display of band tees are.

"OMG they got so many Single Tear Tshirts!!" She squeals digging into a pile of graphic band tees, "Have you heard of them?"

"Uh… nope."

"No way…" Erica couldn't believe it, "I'll have to play you some of their song some time then, for now, help me find some shirts."

Betty helps Erica dig through the piles of folded shirts to find every Single Tear design they could.

"Hmm. Do you think I'd look better in the red, or black?"

She holds each Single Tear tee with just a differently colored background to her chest.

"Hmm… red." Betty answers.

"Ooh, cool. I've always felt like it was my color. And it's by one get one free, so let me know if you find something you like."

Betty and Erica slowly walk around the small store, looking up and down the rows of shelves. Betty finds a small minecraft creeper charm hanging off a necklace.

"Whoa. Wait, look at this." Betty points.

"A minecraft necklace?"

"Hey, it's cute, okay?" Betty looks over at her with pleading puppy eyes. "Pleasseee."

"Ack, okay weirdo. It's free anyways."

Walking over to the till, Betty peeks at the the expensive candy options.

"Just these, please." Erica says to the person working at the counter.

"Alright… 23.14, please." the bored, emo cashier says.

Erica hands over her plastic card, "And yes, I do have a phone number."

Betty looks over at the piles of pins and shoves her hands in it. It felt nice.

"Alright lets go." Erica says, with a Hot Topic bag in her hand. Betty takes her hands out of the pin pile and follows behind her.

They walk past the Gap and Gamestop, the two G's Betty remembers going to all the time with her grandma. She feels like such a dork.

"Could we grab something to eat?"

"Yeah, we can head by the food court." Erica shrugs.

They enter the modest food court, five chain restaurants meet them on each side.

"How about Pizza Hut?" Suggest Betty.

"Nah, I'm good." Erica says, still looking at her options. "I think I'll get taco bell."

"Oh, wait! Taco Bell also sounds good!" Betty mentally slaps herself. Pizza hut? What was she thinking? That was such a Benny thing to say. They wait in the short line together.

"So, what do you want? I'll pay." Erica asks.

"Aww, thanks. You don't have to."

"No, no. Don't worry about it," Erica bumps her, "If I can't get you some clothes I can at least get you something to eat."

Betty looks down at her frumpy shoes to hide her blush. I really should get a nicer pair.

"Hello, welcome to Taco Bell. How can I help you?" The employee asks.

"Yeah, I'll have a beefy burrito and…" Erica trails off and looks at Betty.

"…And a number 1 combo with… a Baha Blast, please." Betty adds.

"Anything else?"

Erica looks over to Betty again, who quickly shakes her head no.

"Nah. We're good."

"8.50."

Erica digs though her bag and pulls out a small black wallet with silver details.

She hands over a crisp 10 dollar bill.

"Keep the change."

They shuffle out of the line for the next customers and wait on the side for their order.

"Cheerleading really worked up your appetite, ay?" Erica grins.

"Ah, I guess so. Was it too much?"

"Nah, not at all," Erica nudges, "Nothing wrong with having an appetite."

"Ah, thanks." Betty responds. She looks down at herself. It feels so odd being in public like this. Even if its behind a wig and preppy clothes, she wasn't sure how she felt about being seen by so many people.

"Food's ready," Erica snaps her out of her thoughts, "I'll get it. Wanna seat?"

"Yeah, thanks." she replies, rubbing her cold arms nervously as she sat down. It feels weird not being in at least a T-shirt.

"Of course! Now eat up, I wanna hit up at least one more store before they close."

As Betty unwraps her first taco Erica snaps a pic with flash.

"Augh jeez what was that for?" Betty says flinching and wiping her eyes.

"Your new Instagram obviously."

"When did I sign up for that?"

"Now" Erica says with a toothy smile. "Pull out your phone."

"Can I just eat?" Betty says, with the uneaten taco in hand.

"Yeah yeah go ahead I got it." Erica says grabbing Betty's phone to go on the Istore.

After a minute or two of downloading Erica pipes up "What do you want your handle to be?"

"Like. Username?" Betty questions.

"Yea." Erica says pushing the register screen towards Betty.

"Hmm how about uh. Betty Cheer?" She shrugs.

"Lame, you sound like a bot." she says punching it in. "Taken."

"Uhhh, Betty Ultimate Cheer?"

Erica quickly taps in the new, even lamer, username. "Not taken, cool."

"Nice." Betty says in between bites.

"Alright well I'll let you customize your profile how u want but," She says giving back Betty's phone and quickly typing on her own phone. "I'm shouting you out rn."

"Mrmr, can I see what it is before you send it?"

"Of courseee." Erica finishes up and holds her phone in front of Betty's face.

A picture of a shocked Betty holding a taco in one hand with the caption:

Check out the newest cheerleader on the Whitechaple cheer team @Betty_Ultimate_Cheer!! #Cheer #Cheerleader #NewBestie #GalPals #MallPic #Friends

"Can I post this?" She pleads to Betty.

"Augh alright sure whatever," She takes a sip from her large soda, cleaning up her area. "Only cuz' you bought me food."

As the girls throw away their trash, they stumble upon a DVD store.

"Hey Betty, wanna look inside?"

"Oh, sure!" she replies, eyeing The Dark Night Rises poster excitedly, "Are there any movies you're excited for?"

"OMG, I don't know if you're a Dusker, but I cannot wait for the fourth movie to come out on DVD!!"

"Wasn't that a total bomb at the box office?" Betty jokes.

"Ugh yeah It was," Erica shakes her head, "But some people just don't have any taste."

Betty scoffs. The two carefully look up and down the rows of DVDs available to rent.

"Ohmygod, haha! Erica, look!" Betty pulls Erica to the side. "But I'm A Cheerleader, just like us!"

Erica quickly grows flustered, she tucks some hair behind her ear.

"…Really?" she smiles.

"Yeah! I mean, we're both cheerleaders, right?" she says, not really getting it.

"Have you not seen But I'm A Cheerleader before?" Erica asks.

"No?" Betty raises an eyebrow, "Should I?"

Erica plucks the DVD out of her hands and brings it straight to the counter.

"I'd like to rent this DVD please."

"How long?"

"Just the weekend would be great."

"Aw, thanks Erica," Betty twist her hair, "I can't wait to watch it."

"That's great! Would you wanna watch it at my place, then?"

Bettys eyes grow wide, shocked.

"Um. Uh, today?"

"I mean, if you want to," Erica smiles at Betty while she hands the clerk her credit card, "But we have all weekend."

"Ah, okay. Awesome."

"Does tomorrow sound better?"

The clerk rolls their eyes at the cheerleaders interactions, and hands Erica her receipt.

"Yes!" Betty sighs with relief, "I mean, I just got out of cheer and I'd like to change and shower first, haha. You get it."

"Of course you do." Erica grabs the DVD from the counter and yawns.

"Oh man, are you getting sleepy? Because I sure am, haha. Wanna head home?"

"Mine, or yours?" she smirks.

"Um, our own houses." she bites on her thumb.

"Alright, alright. I got you, I'll call a cab."

They quickly walk though a JCPenny, past the perfumes, bed displays and poorly made clothes and exit the mall.

Erica leans on the side of the store wall and audible dialing noises are heard.

"Thanks Erica." Betty peeps, twiddling with her thumbs, a bit to anxious to read the miss messages she has on her phone.

Betty is reminded of the minecraft merch she got, "Could I get my necklace?"

"Hi, I'm at the Whitechaple mall," Erica pulls her phone away from her ear, "Yeah here just take the bag."

"Sorry about that, we're just out of JCPenny's. Uh huh, yeah thank you." Erica stuffs her phone away in her jacket "It'll be a few minutes."

Erica catches Betty struggling to clip the small C clasp behind her neck.

"Here I got it." Erica offers.

"Oh, haha thanks." Betty hands over the creeper necklace.

Erica places the charm in front of betty and pulls back the metal chains around her neck, carefully pulling her hair to each side and clipping the clasp behind her.

"There you go." Erica smiles, putting Betty's hair back into place.

"Wow thank you," she beams, "How do I look?"

"Amazing."

A bright yellow taxicab pulls up next to the girls.

"Thank you Erica, for everything… This was really fun."

"It's no problem, softy. Just text me when you get home alright?"

"For sure," Betty says, scooting up to the cab driver. "So my house is at…"

Erica closes the door for her, and waves as the car drives off.

<hr>

Betty arrives home and quickly heads to the back door. Grandma should be asleep by this time but she didn't wanna take any chances. She tip toes though the kitchen and into the first story bathroom to change.

Back to plain old Benny.

Before he stuffs the wig in his bag, he takes out his neon green phone.

Missed Calls from: Grandma(4), Ethan(1)

Two New Messages from: Erica_Jonez, Xx_RORY_VMPR_xX

Woah woah woah, wait Rory?

Benny stops in his tracks and tries to read the previews.

Hey Betty! I cannot blive ur- Wanna meet u-

She hessitates to open them, instead clicking on Erica's.

Had a blast w/ you today, hope your not dead lol.

Betty shakily responds "I'm not dead but I feel like im about 2 be."

#mbav #my babysitter's a vampire #fanfics #gifs #betty weir #BWF #fanfiction #benny weir #erica jones