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my-home-is-within-the-stars · 2 years

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First Contact

Pairing: Garrus Vakarian x Shepard (any gender (there's only one mention of a bra))

Word count: 1603

Summary: After a hard battle against some Husks, Banshees, a few Brutes, and three Harvesters, you were ready for some shut eye. Out of everyone, you had ended up the least injured. To save Mordin some time and materials, you head up to your quarters and undressed halfway. You began to work on your own injuries in the mean time. Then, there's a knock at the door. It's Garrus, so you allow him to enter. But you forget the state of yourself. Maybe, that help in your favor.

Author notes: To be honest, I've done little snippets for Shep and Garrus in my writing class. None of them were finished of course when you only have fifteen minutes to do a prompt. This is my first, finished piece for the two. Depending on my mood, I might actually finish and post them. I don't think they'll be super long or multiple chapters. This one might be. Probably turn to smut if I do continue it.

Also, this has not been beta read. I just finished it and decided to post it. If there are any confusing or big mistakes, let me know. I'll read it on my work break tonight and fix them.

Ao3

There was a nervousness in your stomach as Garrus entered the room. The grey door softly closing behind his lean frame. Garrus wasn’t wearing his armor from the latest battle. You, yourself, were still cleaning up with a few new cuts and gunshot wounds. They were small, not worth attention of Mordin. Instead, you decided to just head to your room and settled there for the night.

That’s exactly what you were doing. No shirt, just a bra and short-shorts on. Your body nearly on full display; scars, stretch marks, and all. And Garrus’s eyes couldn’t look away. They trailed down the length of it and took in everything that made you, you.

As the turian stood there in a trance, you began to worry. Did he not like what he saw? You knew your years in the Alliance had marred your skin. It couldn’t be that bad? Was it? Did your human body freak him out? Humans and turian definitely have their physical differences. It was probably weird to look at from his point of view.

“Garrus?” your voice soft with a small tremble. On the field, you would’ve powered through. Yet, in safety of the captain’s room, where you exposed yourself so open, in front of someone you had fallen for so long ago, you were scared. In all reality, you were terrified if he didn’t like how your body looked this day and age.

The sound of his name being called snapped him from his thoughts. Garrus gazed up at your beautiful face and took in the fearful look in your eyes. Huh? It was an expression he rarely sees on you.

Without thinking, he came up to you and held your face in his three-fingered hands. “What’s wrong? Did something happen? Are you okay?” he sprouted out, not giving you a chance to speak. You softened under his touch and smiled minutely up at him.

“Y-yeah, I’m good,” you stuttered and melted. It was stupid to think that this turian would care about the scars. He’s seen you before, with a little more clothing, but never said anything about it. That little voice still tried to speak but you pushed it back so it didn’t have a voice.

He special beyond belief. He’s had your back since the beginning of this whole ordeal. Why in the world would he care about what you looked like?

You slightly bowed your head and laughed quietly, shoulders shaking. Garrus tenses and pulls away, his warm hands no longer touching you. “Did-did I do something?” he questioned, mandibles twitching. Your head snapped up.

“Heaven’s no! Sorry, I just got a lot going on,” you apologize and shied away from the towering alien. Guilt began to gnaw away at your precious heart. Your brows furrowed upwardly. That was stupid. Your thoughts were always getting in the way of your life and you wanted to live. Just… just live, Shepard.

Garrus nodded his head slower than normal but kept his eyes on you. The turian knew something was brewing inside of that mind of yours. Well, usually there it. This was different though and he didn’t like it.

Carefully, he took another step towards you and rested a hand on your right shoulder. The other had a nasty bruise that was already blooming. All he wanted to do was nuzzle against it and kiss your worries goodbye. Life doesn’t work that way. He knew this from his own experience. Instead, he leaned forward a little then stopped.

The two of you have done this before but he always wanted to make sure it was okay with you. Your face spilt with a grin and returned the action. Your foreheads met softly. Your hand coming up to brush down the bony cheek of his.

“You should let Mordin take a look at those before they get infected,” he softly commanded. His hand moving up to your own, softer cheek. The clawed end lightly stroked your bottom lip. Without thinking, you gently licked the tip.

His mandibles flared outward and he jerked back, brows lifted up. Automatically, you thought you had done something bad and went to move back. Yet, Garrus hooked his hand behind your neck and stopped you. “Shepard, sorry. I-I wasn’t expecting that… but-but I know something e-lse you could lick.” Those words made your mouth drop before yours shoulders started to shake again. You were laughing.

At first, Garrus felt a range of emotion but knew you had no ill intent. So, the turian laughed with you as well.

When the laughter died in your chest, you grinned widely up at him. “I might have to take up that offer one day. You know, test your reach and my flexibility.” Both his jaw and mandibles fell at that. He loved you for longer than he even truly knew but that just made him fall harder for you.

Garrus moved his hand back to your cheek; the other following a second later. Then, he pulled you in.

His lips rested awkwardly on yours. Turians don’t kiss, not the way that humans do it. But he wanted to show his love to you in way you would understand.

You ripped away from him, shock evident on your features. He kissed you. He kissed you! But… he’s a turian.

A nasty feeling pooled in your chest when your mind brought up that thought. No, it didn’t matter that he’s a turian. The people around you, the crew, will judge. Almost all being human and remembering the First Contact War. But you loved him. A lot.

He saw the look in your eyes and immediately knew he messed up; his hands dropped as if your skin burned him. You might leave him now and Garrus couldn’t live a life without you in his. “I-I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have done that,” he said, voice trembling under the weight of holding back the immense guilt after pushing himself on you. So stupid! That was so stupid of him.

Before he could move away from you, you tugged him back and smashed your lips on his nearly unmovable ones. His hands slowly came up and rested hesitantly on your hips. The softest of moans escaping his throat. A burning smirk yanked at your lips before returning back to the matter at hand.

The turian didn’t know what to do, that much you could tell from him. When in the real world, he acted like a bigshot but in a vulnerable spot, he’s so soft and caring. So, you grabbed one of his hands and put it on the back of your head. Next, you carefully licked at his hard lips. He opened up, the thing you were silently asking for. Perfect. Your tongue slithered into mouth and lapped at his own.

Another moan pierced the electric air. The hand on the back of your head held on tighter, fingers beginning to get lost in the strands. You, yourself, pressed yourself more against Garrus. He tugged with his other hand and pulled both of you closer, not allowing a breath of air between you.

He easily felt your heat spreading against his warming frame. “Shepard,” he whispered against your lips and held you just little closer.

You hummed in question, devouring every little sound or move he made. It was adorable and lovable all the same. “If we don’t stop, I can’t promise I’ll be able to control myself anymore.” The way his voice had a flang to it while he said that… you know your underwear was drenched now.

To spare yourselves from the possible embarrassment of an awkward night, you detached your lips from his and stared up at him. The glazed overlook in his alluring blue eyes was something you could never forget for the rest of time. You let a hand roam up to the back of fringe and your fingers graze over the hidden skin there. A spot you learned when you overheard a conversation at the Citadel.

Garrus’s head tilted back, fully exposing his neck to you. “Shepard.” His voice more hoarse than before, deeper as well. Your name was said in warning. Finally, you backed off with hesitancy. You got your bite of him. Now, like a predator, you didn’t want to let your prey to get away.

“Alright, alright. Sorry, I couldn’t help myself,” you explained and let your forearms settle on his shoulders. The two of you looked at one another. Love filled both of your eyes to the brim. “I… I deeply care about you, Garrus. I want you to know that. You don’t have to tell me you fe-“

Hard lips smashed into your softer ones for a few long moments before pulling back. Garrus loved you. “I feel the same way, Shep. I… I don’t know what you want to consider this but I want to be in your life.” He paused then realized what he had said. “What-what I mean is, well…” But he didn’t know how to explain it.

Not that he needed to.

You rested a hand on his carapace and that quieted him. “I understand.” And you truly did. He’s been at your side since the beginning. You’ve come to know and learn him. This is just the next step.

“Well, what next?”

A daring smirk etched onto your face. “Why don’t you help me with these wounds of mine?” You knew if he was human, his entire face would be red at the notion. You giggled and gently pulled him to follow your form into the bathroom.

The cuts weren’t going to clean themselves.

#garrus vakarian #mass effect garrus #mass effect #turian #garrus my beloved #garrus romance #garrus x femshep #shepard #mordin #male shepard #femshep #garrus x male shepard #garrus x shepard #shepard x vakarian #shakarian #commander shepard

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mickmundy · 1 year

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Hello dutchie! I've re-read your fics multiple times now and now I want to write my own! I have to ask: do you have any writing tips or advice about fanfic in general? I enjoy your pacing but I have no clue how you manage to update every week. Cheers!

OH MY GOD EEEEE ;___; IM SO HAPPY TO HEAR THAT MY FRIEND!! AND HIII ^_^ that's so awesome im so proud of you!!! hmm idk if i'm really a great person to get advice from, this is just stuff that works for me personally and my hectic irl schedule so just take it with a grain of salt!! ;-; <3 BUT i will gladly talk about it HEHE!! i'll actually just make an entire post about my writing process at some point because making long posts forces me to reflect and i'm overdue for a Self Reflection on how i write so! if/when i do that i'll link it back on this post heh ^_^ BUT ANYWAY!

i have a few Personal Rules about posting/writing fic that i must never break... and this is...:

feel free to break up your (longer) fic into parts. this prevents SO much burnout and gives you time to breathe between writing! if you're in it for the long haul like me, it's easy to get overwhelmed and feel like you're on a Crunch, which is never good! :'(

so i don't technically write a new chapter every week and post it on friday; i've had malus, for example, complete for a few months now! and so now it just "posts on a queue" where i just upload the next chapter every week! so for example, if malus is 21 chapters, at 1 chapter a week, that gives me 21 weeks (about 5 months) to write my next fic. that's a lot of time!

always finish the fic before you post it. this seems super unrealistic At First but i love the "arc/seasons/parts" style of posting, especially if it's long fics. nobody's saying you have to finish a 293849283498234 chapter fic in one day LOL but if you find that you're overwhelmed at the idea of writing Long Fics, then don't write one! write shorter parts that Combine and Create a long fic! :-) see what i mean? this is also an effective way to show time passing in your fic instead of just "~*~ two years later ~*~"-type of disclaimers.

chapters shouldn't be more than like... 3 google doc pages and paragraphs should be broken up. i like keeping my fic chapters short-ish so that they're easily digestible and force readers to Linger on the parts that i want them to. giant walls of text can sometimes put Huge Moments in your fics at the risk of getting lost!

let yourself sit on it for at least 2 days before you post it. do not read your own fic during the "sitting on it" time. let yourself back away from it and invite your mind to think about other things!! i've caught a LOT of my own mistakes or inconsistencies this way!

much easier said than done, but try not to let yourself get wrapped up in "the numbers" of posting (views, kudos, etc). obviously our goal as creatives is to get our work seen, but please remember to value yourself and your art above the numbers game! ;-; it literally took me a year (as of january lol) of constantly promoting my fics on twt (and later on here once i made an acct) before i found all of the amazing readers i have now! ^u^ and i wouldn't trade them for the world. i'd happily take 10 readers who comment and talk to me like a person over 100 hits/kudos or whatever!

that being said, don't be afraid to promote your fics. i felt annoying and stupid promoing mine but i'm ultimately so glad i did

there are probably others but i think these are my biggest ones (other than delving into like. tf2-specific "guides" i have for myself but i won't bore you with those). as far as tips for outlining or planning, i just have a channel in my gf and i's server dedicated to my fic that i post random snippet's i've written and want to include, random one-word concepts, like literally any time my brain has a Fic Related Thought i slap it in there. i'm also a huge fan of Linear/Traditional outlining too and do that with my more Complicated/Larger concepts that i want to execute in my fics so that i can stay consistent! :-)

ILYYY BEST OF LUCK ON YOUR FIC WRITING ENDEAVORS MY FRIEND! ^u^

#dutchfoolery #asks #anonymous #^v^

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z-h-i-e · 4 months

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New Year Fanfic Asks - Part 1/5

My good friend Anonymous, who is responsible for many shenanigans in my inbox, has asked for all of the questions to be answered from the New Year Fanfic Asks. I am splitting the answers into five parts so I don't break Tumblr.

1. Do you have a word-count goal for the upcoming year?

Absolutely not. I try to write a little every day. I usually write at least 100K words per year.

2. Will you participate in any fandom exchanges or fic challenges, etc?

I do a lot of pinch hitting. I can put together stories rather quickly, so I’m sure I’ll end up doing some of that. Already finished my MSV entry, so I’m on deck if needed. Unsure about TRSB this year. I might like to have a summer off on the writing side; potentially I might still throw a piece of art in there because I have one I started working on during the pandemic I might actually get finished in time this year. There’s also the ones I help run–so I’ve got at least one thing into Screw Yule, I’m working on the parts of B2MEM that I am responsible for (super fun theme this year), and then later in the year we’ll have Scribbles & Drabbles again.

3. Do you anticipate writing for a new fandom this year? Which one?

Uncertain. I have nothing planned, but when I was in bed having mindful time this morning before I got up, I was thinking on the fact that I spent about twenty years deeply rooted in one fandom, and now I have spent a little over 20 years rooted in another fandom, and it feels like I’m due for some sort of change. I feel like I’ve been setting myself up with all of the shuffling things onto AO3 and making lists and whatnot for the inevitability of change. I don’t think that change is a fandom, though. Right before the pandemic, I had arranged a lot of time and expectations to work on some original fiction I’ve dabbled in since 2006, but when the pandemic happened, I had to just manage life, the universe, and everything with choices related to keeping my sanity in a world where there were a lot of people relying on me to keep them calm. It was also at the start of the pandemic that we learned our dog had a major heart issue, and that led to medication and regular procedures and I don’t even want to think about the money it took to keep him around another two years (but, honestly, in hindsight, I’d still do it all again, because we were told 18 months max, and he made it just past his 10th birthday). I think I am finally in a place again where I can start to consider planning time for that.

4. Do you think you’ll stop writing for a fandom this year? Which one?

I don’t think of things as stopping writing for a fandom – I wrote a short ThunderCats scene last year – it’s more like, going on hiatus.

5. Which WIP is first on your list to complete this year? Will you post a snippet?

This question came through earlier, and I answered with Phoenix. I’m going to double down on that, but I’ll provide a different snippet under the cut and resume answering questions in another post…This snippet is a Thranduil/Finrod scene, or at least, the teasing beginning of one.

Immediately after Thranduil and Felagund were seated, a plate with steamed salmon, mixed green vegetables, and wild rice was placed before each of them simultaneously. A second item was set before Felagund, between him and the plate. It was a long, rectangular wooden box, inlaid with ivory. He looked at it curiously as Thranduil motioned for the wine to be poured.

“That is a small gift, from me to you,” said Thranduil as the servants stepped off into the shadows. He lifted his wine bowl. “You have been hard at work, and with the next few days off, I thought you might enjoy it. I was going to save it, but then, for what am I waiting?”

Felagund pressed his lips together and traced his fingertips along the edge of the box.

“Of course, it is your choice whether to open it now or wait until after dinner,” said Thranduil. He picked up the wine bottle and topped off the bowl. “Either way, I intend to fuck you with it this evening.”

Felagund’s gaze snapped up to focus on Thranduil, who now had a forkful of spinach and was keeping watch on Felagund’s movements. As he looked back down to the box, Felagund lifted the lid up with both hands. He let out an audible breath. “This is...exquisitely crafted. Is it a rep,uh, rep-replica of–?”

“Yes.” Thranduil continued to eat calmly. “When we first arrived, you asked for something I cannot give you at this time. This, I can give. I hope you do not find it too crude.”

The lid of the box closed. Felagund looked down at the ornate box for a few seconds before he placed the napkin from his lap onto the table. Thranduil watched, and drank from his bowl of wine. Felagund pushed his chair back and stood up.

“Of course, if you prefer to wait for the real thing…” Thranduil paused as Felagund picked up the box and carried it to the other end of the marble table, one hand on the table to keep his balance. The box was set down next to the wine bowl. “If it displeases you–”

Felagund grasped Thranduil’s face in both hands and leaned down to kiss him deeply, tongue mimicking the suggestion Thranduil made for later that night. Then Felagund said, “Now.”

Thranduil arched a brow. “I thought you were hungry.”

After he leaned down again and kissed Thranduil a second time, Felagund said, “I hunger for something only you can feed me.”

One of Thranduil’s hands came up behind Felagund’s neck. He kneaded, and Felagund groaned. “Alright. Get on your hands and knees over there,” said Thranduil, motioning with his other hand.

Felagund looked over his shoulder. “Here?”

Thranduil grasped Felagund’s chin to turn his head back. “You did say ‘now’.”

#fanfic asks #thranduil/finrod #bling kings

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undermycoat · 7 months

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The football au sounds really cool :3 can't wait to see how dumb everyone is as always

oh yeah there's definitely.. some moments. LOL

gwaine & merlin's relationship in this fic is so important to me and arthur as captain i think im gonna be sick and . oh my god who's going to be captain when he's injured. 🧍‍♀️ also the post-season interview gwaine does ... wow. i love u gwain <3 also i need to rewatch 2x13 cuz balinor and merlin's relationship is super important but idk if i've got it down..... they're my beloveds tho

here's some snippets, most from near the start of the story:

Merlin sits on the bench to grab his boots from the floor. As he does so, the phone next to him vibrates. Arthur’s working on pulling his shirt over his head. Merlin picks up his phone. It’s a text from Uther.

“Got a message,” he tells the striker.

Arthur bangs his head against the edge of his cubby. He finishes tugging his shirt on. “Fucking hell, Merlin!” He snatches the phone from Merlin’s hand. “You can’t just go through a man’s notifications.”

“I didn’t!” Merlin argues. “I didn’t read it or nothing. Don’t worry about it.”

“Of course I’m going to fucking worry,” Arthur snaps. “I’m a world famous footballer and you’re a nobody kitman.” “My mum said I’m a brilliant kitman,” Merlin crosses his arms, “so you piss off.”

Sometimes Merlin wants to grab the captain by the arms and shake him, shake him so hard his brain liquifies and spills out his ears, because what’s the use of the organ if he doesn’t use it, but he’s just the kitman, and he hates football, and he hates Camelot FC, and the sun is too fucking bright and hot and he just wants to go home.

Sports mix begins spilling over the lid of the cup and onto Merlin’s hand. Ranulf slips on a slick patch of grass and the angle his ankle turns looks painful. Merlin curses.

the tense change is intentional <3

He didn’t think Avalon Park would be so empty just because of the break. Only Lance left, off to play for Argentina, and when his name had been announced with little fanfare from Aredian, Merlin had been surprised to see the rest of the guys cheering, with Arthur leading the midfielder’s chant. He’d been less surprised to see, however, the way Arthur’s expression immediately dropped the second he returned to his locker.

He moved to hand the striker a towel, only for Arthur to ignore him. He huffed, eyes narrowing. “Tough luck,” he said.

“Piss off, Merlin,” was the response. “I’m not in the mood.”

“Ah, but I am.” Merlin nudged him again with the towel. “Come on.”

Arthur finally took the towel, but only to stop Merlin from whacking him with it. “Merlin,” the towel drooped pathetically in his hand, and Merlin felt bad for it, “can you please leave me to dress in peace?”

Merlin sighed. “I can, but I’d rather not.” He took a seat on the bench, looking up at Arthur as he changed out of his kit. “You alright, though?”

That gave Arthur pause, as if he didn’t realise Merlin knew how to be a decent person. Fucking ass. “Is this another form of gloating?” he asked.

“I don’t even play. How could I be gloating?”

Arthur hummed, finally pulling his shirt over his head. “Fair point.”

“So?” Merlin kicks his legs out in front of him. “You okay?”

Arthur runs a hand through his hair, then turns to Merlin and does it again. Merlin raises a brow. Arthur sighs. “I’ll see you outside, Merlin.”

The ride to Cavernfield is tense, quiet in a way Merlin has never, ever heard the team before. It leaves him unsettled, shifting in his seat, fingers drumming on the armrests, foot tapping against the floor. The movements earn him more than a few stern looks from Balinor, but even his steely-eyed glare isn’t enough to dissuade Merlin from keeping up the actions. It’s abnormal, and it’s all wrong, and Merlin doesn’t even know the guys that well, not yet at least, and not enough to be the one to lift their spirits. Furthermore, he knows this is less of a derby and more of a battle in a long fought war between the two clubs, but still . . . the team seems like they’re going to their graves rather than to victory.

Only Gwaine seems unbothered, bobbing his head enthusiastically as he listens to something blasting through oversized headphones, the tinny sound leaking out into the bus and only growing louder when he removes them to fix his hair. Merlin wants to make a comment about it — suggest wearing earbuds if he’s so concerned, but it feels wrong to purposely interrupt this silence, and Merlin feels sure that most would only be irritated with him if he chose to break it.

He watches Gwaine pull out his phone and lift it above his head, fingers going into a ‘v’. Oh. Gwaine is still taking selfies when Merlin turns back around, fingers digging into his arm rests.

#thanks again nonny ily <3 #football au #anon #answered #merlin #merthur

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eluvion · 8 months

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for the fic writer ask game: 3, 16, 23, 74, 76 (for hope is our four-letter word)? i hope that's not too many lol

love your writing! wishing you joy <3

hi!! this took like a million years so apologies on that!! ive been packing for and moving into college the past few days so i was a little busy but!!!! tysm for the ask love!!!! this did end up like mega long so i put my answers under the cut

3. Describe the creative process of writing a chapter/fic

usually, my fics really start as disconnected snippets in my notes app. i usually sort the notes by fandom, and at some point the snippets kind of amalgamate into something more tangible. then it gets shipped off into a google doc where i basically just work at it (on my computer or my phone) until i have a full fic/chapter. i usually write more emotional scenes on my phone, and it's just a Thing to do in between Real Life Things. then!! once im finished writing i read it over a billion times, read through the dialogue out loud to make sure it sounds natural, and then ask my beta (my beloved @izarie) to edit through. and then after THAT i post it!!

16. How many fic ideas are you nurturing right now? Share one of them?

right now, i have two main ones that are just sort of revolving around my brain. there's my flinch from roy's pov ted lasso fic, because that made fic me so so sooo insane and sometimes i just cant stop thinking abt scenes where jamie is super inside his own head and what roy is Thinking Abt during that time. here's a bit of that:

Roy wonders, not for the first time, how he kicked Jamie out at the beginning of all this. Jamie had that look on his face—even while he was making Jamie-like complaints and giving Roy shit—like he was going to cry. And Roy just threw his clothes back and forced him to call an Uber and watched him slump around himself from the window. Roy knows better than that. He was raised better than that. So okay. Maybe Roy gets it, in that context. Jamie holds onto shit that hurts him on the off chance that it will hold him close. And as much as he fucking despises it, that puts him and James Tartt in the same category, that place in Jamie’s head where he keeps the people that could help but choose not to. Roy really doesn’t want to know how many people are in that box.

and a succession post-canon roman-centric fic! it will be like. a little bit ooc just by virtue of having a nice(r) ending because that's how succession Is but you know. this is what i call healing. here's a bit of that:

Kendall’s all teeth. “Fuck you. You're not better. You’ve—you’ve fucking imploded everything you’ve ever done.” “Yeah, ‘cause you're the fuckin’ picture of a success story.” Roman sinks deeper into his seat. Leans into the car window. “Real wolf of fucking Wall Street, getting fucked out of Daddy’s company because you couldn’t play act a real CEO.” Kendall’s hands twitch. Roman smiles. “What are you gonna do? Hit me about it?”

and also like. forever in my brain is the elektra greek tragedy fic in which i have feelings abt my doomed by the narrative failwife <333

23. Best writing advice for other writers?

i think it was ve schwab who gave the metaphor of a creative well, and that for as much Stuff (art, music, podcasts books, ect) you put in, you get more out. i try to keep my media diet fairly diverse (not just kids shows or serialized tv or classic books, but more of a combination of it all. it really forces me to like. have to break barriers in my mind, as well as like!! keeping audience and tone and all that in my mind while i read/watch/listen.

74. You’ve posted a fic anonymously. How would someone be able to guess that you’d written it?

it's hard for me to really place any of the hallmarks of my writing that are super super distinct but!! Time Things are my big tell. ive pretty much always been obsessed with time and like these days there isnt a fic im writing without a big Looking Back component to it. salt pillars and vonnegut and orpheus and lot's wife. iykyk <33

76. Did you have any ideas that didn’t make the final cut of hope is our four-letter word?

i actually do have an extras doc!! it has some yosano and dazai hurt/comfort that i tried v hard to fit into the fic but just didnt fit into the narrative i was telling. here's a snippet of that (usual warnings for dazai-typical suicide attempts):

It’s Yosano that finds him, shivering in the crimson water, watching the blood seep out from his arms. Yosano opens the door, and she’s more calm than she usually is. She’s a good doctor, infinitely better than Mori, and she knows how much her usual bedside manner would send him spiraling. She eases him out of the water quietly, and gives him a towel. “Dazai,” she says, stitching the cuts lining his arms. “It wouldn’t have killed me,” he says. “It just nicked a vein.” She wipes the blood and water away and begins wrapping his usual bandages around his arms. There’s something cold and horrible in him, spreading from his stomach to his bones to every inch of his skin. He wants to rip it all apart, until that emptiness is torn bloody from the rest of him, and that thing, that pain made from scalpel edges and sharper smiles, with all its hooks and too-sweet whispers, to be burned from him, even if it means dying. Especially if it means dying. Yosano scowls. “Not yet. Dazai…” She doesn’t call him by his first name, because the first time she tried that, when he was in high school and just out of court, he had run, hearing what he always heard at the sound of his first name. Yosano is smart; she learns quickly, and she had found him huddled on a roof and smiled crookedly, offering a hand.

there was also a chuuya and dazai hurt/comfort scene, kind of loosely based off of the scene intimitopia wrote in the light that the fire would bring chapter 5 where dazai has a panic attack (unintentionally) triggered by poe describing a bloody scene. this is before chuuya and dazai are really close, but chuuya sees dazai leave the room and follows him to the bathroom "to give him back his bag". it was also just one of those scenes that didnt have a place in the final cut and kind of opened a plotline that distracted from the main ones. it also felt a bit too plagiarismy to nick the concept straight from someone else's fic, especially someone in the fandom that i really admire.

i also found this snippet in the extras doc, which i think?? i was going to end with but i couldnt find a natural way to put it in:

“It will get better,” Chuuya decides on, and even though it’s the truth, it’s a shitty truth. He knows how much he hated it when he was a teenager, his whole life in a bag as he traveled from house to house to home. He says it anyway, because there really isn’t anything else he can say, and even if it’s hackneyed, it’s something. “It won’t,” Dazai says predictably. “It doesn’t.” “I didn’t say good,” Chuuya says. “Maybe it’ll never be good. It happens. But it’ll get better.” Dazai sounds doubtful. “It’ll get worse, too.” “Yeah,” Chuuya says, and he reaches for Dazai’s hand, “but that’s when you hold onto the better moments.” Dazai’s hand is always cold, like a reptile, a snake that stayed out of its burrow in the winter and turned icy. Chuuya lets his body heat warm Dazai’s hand, lets it twitch back to something resembling life. “This is a better moment,” Dazai whispers, and Chuuya isn’t sure if he even meant to say it. Chuuya squeezes Dazai’s hand. “It is.”

i never did get to writing it, and by design the fic doesnt include dazai's backstory. it's a combination of him not being in a place where he wants to tell it to anyone, chuuya not wanting to have to be the person to ask, and yosano and ranpo both knowing that it's not their story to tell. the basics are that dazai was carted around as a half-hostage half-protege of mori's through his childhood. mori was a fairly well known serial killer at the time, and, similar to canon, oda is in the crime world but starting to get out of it. he becomes a very bright spot in dazai's life, being the one person that cared about dazai (in a non-fucked up manipulative way). ango was undercover and ranpo was one of the detectives working the case to get dazai out and mori behind bars. they do eventually, but like canon, not without oda dying. yosano, having been under mori's control in a similar way some years ago, helps them find dazai and eventually legally adopts him. they have their growing pains, and dazai basically becomes a shut-in all throughout high school, but that gets him to where he is at the time of the fic.

i doooo have like. specific ages written down for all of these events somewhere (probably in a notebook) but i dont really remember where

#conversationing #anonymous #ask games #yes im aware i rbed the ask game thing weeks ago shhhh #tumblr games

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annerbhp · 2 years

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It has been a decade now since The Changeling was published in 2011. After working on this project for 10+ years, do you have any anecdotes you'd like to share with us? Most books take a quarter of that time period, from conception to publication, so as a writer - how did you manage to stick to one project for so long (+ any tips, if you have any)?

My goodness, this feels even harder to answer right now. (This is an old ask. I’m trying to actually get through some of them!) I still kind of can’t believe I wrote all of it. Or that I posted like one chapter a year for so long and people actually kept reading. That must have been torturous.

I think I’ve shared most of my anecdotes a billion times. Like finding a random prompt at a pornfest on LiveJournal of “ginny in slytherin’ and how it all spiraled from there. How I had been in the middle of an experiment to write a fic in five new fandoms that year. (This was my third of those five, whoops, never got to the others.) I think it’s obvious in the fic that in the first chapter or two I was just trying to find my legs in a new fandom with new characters, feeling out the edges of what the fic might become. How I took a really long break before chapter 5 because of a complete loss of faith in my writing and the story, but managed to claw back into it with the help of some supportive friends and my instance on finishing what I started. How I started getting more and more confident and started writing more and more for myself and my vision than anything else. How I wrote the bones of Armistice while still in the middle of The Changeling because my shipper heart just needed some damn hinny resolution.

I think I managed to stick to it because 1) I had a clear vision and something I wanted to say, 2) I had a group of really supportive people around me willing to beta and be sounding boards and some people just to read snippets and get excited over it for me or even just encourage me, kick my butt, do writing sprints with me, and 3) because all of you were so great and supportive and nice!

Especially these days, I kind of look back and am confused how I managed to finish it all myself. And sometimes I feel like I will never write something again, maybe nothing as meaningful to me again. I think I will write something again. But I also feel like I can be proud of what is, even if there is never ever anything else.

#navel gazing #the changeling #armistice series #i write therefore i complain

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drwcn · 3 years

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ok but for fem!wwx au does lan zhan believe the rumours? and if so what does that mean for the whole 'i birthed him with my own body!' cause lan zhan did the maths and was like 'no it was just the once and this child is too old' but if he thinks he was just one in a line does he go back to bm after nightless city to rescue a kid he thinks is wei ying's but with another man? does he spend the three years in seclusion cursing every jin whose name he remembers as cowards only to step out, take one look at sizhui, and have an 'oh. i know why wei ying was so determined to save wen qionglin' moment???

Answer: Haha, nah, Lan Wangji was fairly sure Sizhui wasn’t Wei Ying’s, for several reasons. One, Wen Yuan was born before the wen remnants even went to the Burial Mount. Lan Wangji saw the small child amongst the escape party that rainy night at the concentration camp. Also, Wen Ning was several years younger than them, which would make it kind of weird if he were the dad. Before Wen Ning became the Ghost General, everyone just knew him as Wen Qing’s kid brother. Lan Wangji, however, absolutely believed Jiang Yan to be Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian’s child even before Wei Wuxian was resurrected...

《the midnight sun》 —

[original], snippets [x] [x] [x] [x], other posts found under #lanyan or #midnight sun

midnight sun [snippet 7]

When Yan’er turned ten, Jiang Cheng decided it was time for her to accompany him to Cultivation Conferences. Most sect heirs began their training this way; Jiang Cheng still remembered his first time, trailing nervously in Jiang Fengmian’s wake.

Heiresses, in comparison, were few and far between. Even head disciples were rarely girls. Jiang Wanyin had no children. His head disciple was his heiress, and his heiress was Jiang Yueqian (江月千).

长烟一空 - when the smoke clears; 皓月千里 - the moon casts a thousand miles of light 浮光跃金 - which dances upon the water, golden 静影沉壁 - the shadow of the moon itself like jade underwater*

A jade underwater indeed.

“Shifu.”

Speaking of the devil, here she comes, walking measuredly down the long stairs of Jinlintai towards Jiang Cheng, the epitome of an obedient, filial disciple. It had only been a day and Jiang Yan already had the world fooled. Only Jiang Cheng knew how impossibly obstinate and utterly uncontrollable she was when her mind was fixed.

"Ah, Jiang-zongzhu, this is..." Spotting her, Lan Xichen glanced beyond his shoulder, the question dangling in the sentence he did not deem necessary to finish.

Unbeknownst to Lan Xichen, the child that made her way over was his niece by blood. Jiang Cheng was acutely aware that Yan'er actually resembled Lan Wangji a great deal, and despite having weighed the risks and gains against each other repeatedly before deciding to bring Jiang Yan along, now he was no longer so certain in his calculations. Lan Xichen was not a simple peasant; what if he detected a trace or a hint of her heritage between the furrow of her brows or the curve of her eyes? What if...

Jiang Cheng turned, raising an arm towards Jiang Yan, an introduction ready, but whatever words he had prepared in advance died on on his tongue when he laid eyes on the girl. Suddenly, he was no longer worried that others would suspect her to be Lan Wangji's child.

There was a red ribbon in her hair.

Yan'er stopped at a polite distance from the two older men and bowed in perfect form.

Jiang Cheng's heart stuttered violently in his chest at the sight of that red ribbon falling sideway over her small shoulder. If souls could travel, his would have left him in an instant. He stood in disincorporated panic, wrestling with the nauseating sensation of being ripped from his reality and tossed so far into the distant past that he felt whole again.

"Shifu, Lan-zongzhu." Yan'er greeted.

Shifu. Lan-zongzhu. In another world, another life, she would not need to be so formal. She could easily bound up to them, carefree, cooing jiujiu and bobo and ask to be bailed out from whatever trouble she caused.

Instead, he was only her shifu, and Lan Xichen, a stranger in her life. It would be laughable, if fate had not dealt them each such a wretched hand.

Jiang Cheng stepped towards her. “Where did you get this?”

Jiang Yan looked up in surprise, her hand reaching up and making an aborted motion to touch the red ribbon in her hair.

“Qin-shenshen gave it to me. Is it not nice?”

Qin Su. Jiang swallowed down a sigh of relief. Earlier, the Jin servants had sent word that Jin-fu'ren had baked treats for Jin Ling, and the boy had wasted no time dragging his favourite person - his Yan'er jiejie - to his aunt's place with him. Clearly, Qin Su had seized the opportunity to dote on the girl in place of the daughter she never had. Qin Su meant well. She couldn't have known. She's never even met Wei Wuxian.

In this state, Jiang Cheng could barely bring himself to look at his disciple, but he forced himself nonetheless to kneel and tuck an errant strand of baby hair behind her ear. “Very pretty.”

Yan'er smiled.

Jiang Cheng could cry.

They'd been lucky thus far. Yunmeng's Jiang-xiao-guniang was born a taciturn girl who did not like to smile or laugh, not even when she was expected to for polite society. Whether she was happy or sad, one would be hard pressed to tell. Only in front of her master Jiang Cheng or her Jin Ling-didi did she elect to reveal the full expanse of her emotions. Yet, whenever Jiang Cheng bore witness to that smile as warm and incandescent as sunlight, he could not help but shudder somewhere deep. Recalling the radiant days of years gone by, he could still see - every time he closed his eyes - his er-shijie smiling at him in the very same fashion.

Aiyo, Jiang Cheng ~

So...they'd been very lucky thus far, that Yan'er was not so like her mother in that way, not so free and generous with her smiles. Or else this devastating secret —Wei Wuxian's only wish — would not be able to withstand the test of time.

"Very pretty, Yan'er." He reaffirmed. "Did you thank Jin-furen?"

"I did."

Jiang Cheng stood and turned back to face Lan Xichen, and realized they were being joined by two others: Lan Qiren and Lan Wangji. The latter of two stared directly down at Jiang Yan, visibly stricken and unblinking, as though he'd just seen a ghost. After all, he had often been on the receiving end of that signature smile once upon a time. It was probably not a smile he'd ever expected to see again in this life.

In hindsight, perhaps Jiang Cheng should have made Yan'er wear her uniform like all the other disciples instead of her favourite indigo robes.

“Ah, Wangji, shufu -” Lan Xichen was quick to react, sensing animosity brewing in the disquiet that stretched taut between his younger brother and his fellow sect master. "Jiang-zongzhu, perhaps you would introduce us?"

The First Jade smiled kindly down at Yan'er. She returned his kindness with a polite nod.

Lan Wangji finally dragged his gaze up to meet Jiang Cheng's, a rarity since their violent parting at Nevernight. The venerated Hanguang-jun had developed a habit of pretending that Jiang Wanyin of Lotus Pier did not exist at all. He probably preferred, dreamed of it even, if Jiang Cheng had been one to fall of the cliff that day. He probably hated himself for not shoving him into the molten abyss when he could to avenge the love of his life.

Love. What did Lan Wangji know of love? Jiang Cheng sneered inwardly. One did not compromise one's love and abandon her, ill and with child, to bleed out alone in a cave tainted by demonic spirits.

One did not watch idly as one's love and her people are reduced to ashes for the power and greed of men either....

Jiang Cheng buried the offending thought, too familiar with Wen Qing's ghost that still haunted him in his moments of weakness. Without breaking gaze, he laid a hand on the crown of Jiang Yan's head and said, "This is my first disciple, Jiang Yan, Jiang Yueqian."

"Yueqian greets Zewu-jun, Lan-lao-xiansheng, Hanguang-jun."

Jiang Cheng watched as the icy fire within Lan Wangji's eyes flicker, fizzle, and extinguish entirely. Jiang Cheng's vague silence had allowed him the space to make his assumptions, and he had assumed the most insane explanation.

Is it so difficult for you, wondered Jiang Cheng. To believe that she could be yours? So impossible, that you would choose to doubt Wei Wuxian instead?

Fine.

Hanguang-jun. The venerated Second Jade of Gusu. That's all you'll ever be. Yan'er will never call you Father.

Jiang Cheng decided he had spent enough time today making nice. "Zewu-jun, it's getting late. If nothing else, I will be taking my leave. The conference continues tomorrow. I will see you then. Yan'er, come."

Yan'er bowed again to the senior cultivators, perfectly well-mannered. A dash of surprise crossed those bright eyes, however, when Jiang Cheng took her hand to lead her away. She followed wordlessly, trusting him, and did not look back once at the Lans she left behind.

Now that Yan'er was out in society, there would surely be rumours. No matter. Rumours were nothing Jiang Wanyin could not withstand. How ironic, indeed, that this was to be his lot in life.

For the first time, Jiang Cheng felt he could understand his father.

Note:

The poem is from the Song dynasty, by poet 范仲淹 from his work 《岳阳楼记》

Jiang Cheng of course is also working off a lot of assumptions about Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji's relationship. He has his reasons for hating and blaming Lan Wangji, but not all the blame is deserved.

#Anonymous #corie replies #cql #the untamed #lanyan #midnight sun #corie fics #cql ficlet #yes jiang cheng stringed enough brain cells together to come up with a half decent name #ly7

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ana-benn · 3 years

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This was requested 😘

Three's Company

Warnings: mfm poly relationship, it's filthy.... I don't know. Also I wrote it as snippets along the relationship timeline so that's a thing.

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There had always been drawbacks to 'dating' Tyler. You'd followed him from Toronto to Boston looking for a change of scenery, and eventually the two of you started hooking up. It was a completely casual, and you'd take little breaks here and there to see other people. Initially though it just made sense. You cooked together, hung out together, and occasionally slept together. You felt like amplified best friends, and it worked for where you were in life.

Of course his trade to the Stars was a little unexpected, but it brought you two a little bit closer. Another move, and the decision to get a dog settled you both down and made you start thinking about maybe making a serious go of your relationship. Then he'd brought Jamie over, and you were done. He was like the opposite of Tyler and you loved it. Shy, and sweet but the ability to be ferocious bordering on animalistic.

Tyler was more goofy and fun, with a passion that left you feeling weak, but overall he was way more high energy than Jamie. You'd gotten close to Jamie as he and Tyler built a relationship, and you didn't know how to broach the subject with either man. You wanted them both, and it was so obvious to you that if you could make it happen for the three of you that was ideal situation.

Of course being as, while you and Jamie both had a shy side, Tyler did not and he full on approached the subject over dinner one night. You'd nearly swallowed your chicken whole, and Jamie choked on his beer at Tyler's proclamation that the two of them should share you.

"Tyler," you hissed.

"What? Come on babe, we both know you'd be into it," he grinned. "I've seen you check Chubbs out."

You couldn't deny it, so you acted maturely and stuck your tongue out at him, while Jamie stared in between the two of you.

"I'd be willing to try it," Jamie offered after a moment. Tyler lit up like Christmas then.

"Yes! I knew this would work out," he beamed wrapping his arms around your shoulders.

That first night was awkward and it took a while to feel completely comfortable. It seemed no matter what you did someone was being left out, and you weren't used to splitting your focus in bed. It seemed as though when Tyler would thrust Jamie would pull, or vice versa, and you quickly felt overwhelmed by the amount of hands on your body. Finally though as you laid in-between the two men you realize just how perfect it all felt.

-------------------------------

After that first time it seemed like none of you could stay away. Jamie had tried to back off, not wanting to overstep, but you'd shown up at his door with Tyler in tow and the three of you had set up ground rules. You'd be free to sleep with either or both of them, whenever or however no hold barred. You threw out that they could sleep with one another if they wanted to, and then laughed as they both looked at you completely unamused. Of course as time went on you almost became convinced that the were, even if neither mentioned it to you. You had set up a limitation that if they wanted to sleep with other women you did prefer that they used protection. Both of them thought about and decided that they didn't want to do that. You knew it wasn't exactly fair, but you weren't going to argue either.

You'd gone back and forth on living arrangements for months after that. Transferring between Tyler's and Jamie's, before deciding that you should probably get a place all together. You'd make sure each of the boys had their own space, but you couldn't keep track of where any of your stuff was and it was driving you crazy.

As you moved in though you realized your one mistake, it seemed these two were completing constantly.

Who loaded more boxes? Tyler claimed it, but you'd noted Jamie taking a couple more than him. Not that you would tell anyone. You just laughed and shook your head.

Who brought in more boxes? Definitely Jamie, Tyler was outside showing the dogs their new yard.

Who put more boxes away? That was you, but then again you didn't really want them touching your clothes or trying to put dishes away.

Who set up more electronics? Tyler, hands down. Jamie had a hard time managing his own spotify account, and Tyler would be pissed if he missed any golf.

All day it went like that. You couldn't help but laugh at their pitiful faces when they lost one of their challenges either. You'd just pull them into a hug, and stroke their hair while high fiving the winner.

You'd thought through all the different options for bedrooms, and eventually decided that your room would be the common room. If the three of you decided to spend the night together, which you often did, you'd do that in your room. Jamie and Tyler each had their own rooms, so that they could decompress or be separated if the need arose.

That first night though, you felt completely relaxed. Both men had followed you up to bed and before you'd even finished your nighttime routine Tyler was behind you, lips on your neck. He walked to towards the bed with his hands guiding your hips. Once you were in-between Jamie' thighs he pulled you into himself, and pulled your chin up. He trapped your lips in a searing kiss, before his hands began to wander.

Tyler moved to cup your breasts, while Jamie palmed your ass, and they seemed to work in sync at trying to turn you into jello. They'd rotate between your lips and neck, and as soon as one broke for air the other was pulling your face back towards them. Teasing hands, gentle lips, co-mingled with the scratch of facial hair on your skin, and you'd never been so happy that most of the time all three of you slept in the nude. Jamie eventually moved back onto the bed pulling you with him, and resting you over his hardness. Instinctively you ground down on him, causing him to groan out.

Tyler walked around the bed, and Jamie flipped you over and started preparing to enter you from behind. Meanwhile Tyler nudged your lips with his cock, instinctively you opened up letting him enter your mouth. He and Jamie both groaned over you as they slid home, and you felt deliciously full. At this point the three of you knew your dance well, so as Jamie started moving so did Tyler. Jamie usually took the lead, so he would thrust and Tyler would follow, keeping you in a perfect rhythm. The ebb and flow of them worked your body into a state of utter bliss, and before you knew it you were spasming around Jamie. You vaguely heard him swear as you fell under the waves of your own orgasm.

"FUCK," Jamie yelled as he sent ropes of hot cum into your pussy. Before you could react, or even fully recover you felt Tyler (who'd pulled out of your mouth when you'd orgasmed) pull you onto his own cock. If Jamie was rough, and feral with his thrusts Tyler was meticulous and operated with precision. Jamie wanted to throw you into an orgasm, thriving off of the intensity. Tyler want to draw them out of you, wanting to be in control.

Tyler worked your clit as his slowly thrust towards his own completion, you felt yourself quivering within minutes. Jamie leaned forward catching your lips in his, as Tyler worked your neck again. Finally you cried out as you clenched around Tyler. Satisfied he allowed himself to release deep inside of you, he held your hips as you slumped forward into Jamie.

You were aware of Tyler whispering praise to you as Jamie grabbed a towel to clean you up. Tyler got the covers pulled back and after you were cleaned up Jamie slid in on the other side of you. Your head on Tyler's shoulder, as Jamie wrapped his tattooed arm around you. You fell asleep completely warm and comfortable.

-------------------------

The downside to your relationship was easily that you could only publicly lay claim to one of the guys at a time, and it had just been easier to stay Tyler's girlfriend. As you stood outside the locker room waiting for the guys to come out you noticed the crowd of girls gathered around by the barricade in their Benn jerseys and it made you see red. You tried really hard to hide your jealousy, but it wasn't always do-able. Tyler came out first wrapping you in his arms, excited after a win.

"Ugh, I wish they all went like that!" He exclaimed, spinning you around. It took him a moment to realize your excitement was a little faked. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, it's stupid," you mumbled. Jamie probably would've left it alone, but Tyler liked to pick. He thought exposing where your weaknesses were made you stronger as a unit.

"Nope, gotta talk about it," he sing songed as you waited for Jamie.

"Ugh, fine," you huffed. "It's just hard knowing we're going to walk by those girls over there and there's nothing I can do. At least people know we're together. Jamie's like this free man, you know? I feel like I have no public claim and it sucks."

Tyler looked like he wanted to laugh, which caused you to roll your eyes, "It's not funny Ty."

"What's not funny?" Jamie asked as he walked out of the locker room. You couldn't help but appraise how good he looked too. You wanted to kiss him... But you knew that wouldn't happen until you were in the car. Meaning first you had to brave the throngs.

"Someone's jealous," Tyler answered, as you blushed.

"Oh, really?" Jamie laughed.

"You guys both suck," you said as you stomped away.

They laughed as the followed you, as Tyler shouted, "You're hot when you're mad,"Causing the girls you were passing to go crazy.

You turned around and flipped them both off, before resuming your march back to the car. Surprisingly Jamie showed up before Tyler, and you quirked an eyebrow.

"He's signing jerseys," Jamie explained.

"You know it's just as strange for me too," Jamie said after a long moment. You turned and looked at him, confused. "I have to give vague answers about who I'm seeing, or make sure if I post a picture of us together Tyler is there.... It's not any easier just because some girls think I'm single. I don't feel single. I'm so crazy in love with you it blows me away, I don't want to hide or pretend that this isn't real. It is, and I need to know that you know that."

You launched yourself at him then, fusing your lips to his as you leaned over the console, "I love you too, Jamie," you said. "I don't question your love. I just wish I could express it more publicly."

You settled back into your seat, and you noticed Tyler walking towards the car. He pouted as he got in the backseat.

"Just get my number tattooed on you," Jamie joked, winking at you as Tyler got settled.

"Well you are my favorite," you played along.

"Excuse me," Tyler interjected. "If you're getting anyone's number it should be mine! I like tattoos more," he proclaimed. "Besides I thought you were mad at Jamie, now you're ganging up on me!"

"What can we say Tyler, we're just emotionally healthy," Jamie joked. "You're the one who decided to hand out and flirt."

You laughed as Tyler grumbled in the backseat.

----------------------

Fifteen days. The words felt like an echo in your mind, resonating with self pity. Jamie and Tyler would be gone for fifteen miserable days, and someone had to stay home with the dogs. Gerry laid his head in your lap as you sat on the couch, and both boys were packing.

"I'm mad at you," you whispered to him. He looked at you, before deciding to kiss your cheek. "Yeah yeah, you're forgiven," you sighed getting up off the couch.

"Jamie!" You called out, walking up stairs.

"What?" He yelled from his closet, you went in search of him.

"What are you doing?" You whined.

"I'm packing baby," he said gently. Kind of confused.

"You're supposed to be the responsible one, why'd you wait until the last minute?" You groaned flopping on his bed. It had been almost a year in this house and you could count on one hand the number of times he'd slept in here. Tyler got banished more to his room than Jamie ever did.

"Because you insisted that it was more important that we play Mario last night," he reminded you.

Tyler came wandering down the hall just then, "Hey Jamie, do you have any..." He laughed when he saw you. "Someone's feeling whiny huh?"

"You have no idea," you pouted. "If I kneecap you can you stay home?" You asked sitting up.

"They'd sideline me, I'd still have to go," he reminded you.

"Jamie," you pouted. "You're the captain, can't you do anything?"

"Sure," he lied, wanting to antagonize you. "But I won't." He grinned.

"You're both awful," you grumped. "I'm going to spend so much money while you're gone."

That one got Jamie to laugh, "And that's different... how?"

You sighed dramatically, as you headed for the door, "I don't like either of you anymore."

You heard their laughter as you went in search of something to keep you distracted. You wound up just cleaning the kitchen, and when you did you found a business card for the tattoo artist that the guys used. You'd never gotten one, but you did want one. It gave you an idea, and you tucked the card into your back pocket as you heard the guys coming downstairs.

Tyler kissed you first, a playful nip on your lips followed by a slow dance with his tongue. Jamie was more forceful, crushing your body into his as he cupped your face. They really were two halves that made you feel whole, and you felt so overwhelmed by how much you simply just felt for them.

-------

When the guys got home, they were surprised you weren't at the door waiting like normal. Instead you were out in the pool with the dogs. You smiled brightly as they came out to greet you.

"The fearsome warriors return," you giggled.

"Ah, mi'lady twas a long journey. We have returned more victorious than not," Tyler played along, while Jamie shook his head chuckling.

"Well, I got you a present," you smiled, getting out and walking towards them.

"And here we just brought laundry," Jamie grinned catching you by the waist and kissing you deeply.

You moaned at the taste of his lips, trying to deepen it, before you heard Tyler clear his throat, "What about me." You laughed at his playful pout. Extracting yourself from Jamie and kissing Tyler. There was more playfulness there. Little nips and he drew your bottom lip between his teeth before releasing you.

"Now what about our present," Tyler wiggled his eyebrows.

"Not that you perv," you playfully slapped at him. Then appraising the two of them you added, "Well not yet anyway."

You undid the leather cuff on your left wrist and proudly showed off your new tattoo, "Look!"

You had a small heart inked on your skin with the numbers 914 in the center. You grinned broadly as they took it in, Tyler as usual reacted first. Kissing you deeply, while Jamie grabbed your wrist and kissed the mark on your flesh.

"Absolutely perfect," he grinned.

Tyler nodded his agreement, "Yep, I agree."

#jamie benn #oh captain my captain #dallas stars #hockey #nhl #dallas hockey #dallas sports #stars dallas #tyler seguin #jamie benn x reader x tyler Seguin #im not okay #sorry im shit at ending fics #jamie benn fanfic #tyler seguin fanfic #bennguin

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elementalwriter67 · 2 years

Text

A Snippet of A Broken Hero Pt. 1

A/N: So, I got like a handful of people who reacted to my post about this stuff saying that they would be down for reading snippets from my book as I work on it. Which is good enough for me to start posting those snippets. Now I’m not entirely sure how to format these so we’re gonna do it like I would a fanfiction because that’s the only way I know how to do things on this hellsite. Also this book is written in first person point of view. The pov we are currently getting is Lillian’s.

Pairings: (Eventual) James Carter x Lillian Graves

Word Count: 3632

Summary: This is a snippet of the conversation Lillian has when she first meets James while she’s working a shift at Nova Cities local twenty-four hour dinner as a way to introduce you all to two of the main characters. A little side note about James is that he’s a head empty heart full kind of guy, so think Bridgerton men only modern century.

“Hey Nancy.” I greeted as I walked into the diner noticing that the only people here where the three regulars sitting at the counter for an early lunch.

“Hey sugar, you’re gonna have to cover your usual tables and the other half of the counter today Mary called out.” Nancy told me as I walked behind the counter tying my half apron around my waist as I went. I dropped my shoulders as I gave her a very done look and stopped tying my apron for a second.

“Are you serious?” I asked her unable to keep the annoyance out of my tone as I finished tying off my apron and pulled my sweatshirt off.

“Hey Lillian.” Looking towards the window I saw our cook George giving me a small wave and a smile that I returned.

“Hey George.” I said before lookin back at Nancy who sighed heavily and nodded her head.

“Yep, she said something about something coming up with her boyfriend John and how she couldn’t come in because she had to deal with whatever it as, she wasn’t very forth coming with the specifics.” Nancy explained and I rolled my eyes as I shoved my sweatshirt under the counter and grabbed my order pad and pens.

“Yeah, sure, and what was it last week? Her car breaking down for the fifth time this month.” I commented and Nancy held up her hands and just shook her head looking just as done with Mary’s calling out as I was.

“As long as she keeps calling out with an excuse and keeps coming in every now and again there’s nothing that I can do, especially since we need the help.” She said and I sighed as I situated my order pad and pens inside of my apron before brushing my hair out of my face.

“If you ask me that girl needs to get more than just her car fixed.” Jim muttered from where he sat at the counter, and he picked up his coffee cop waving it in the air slightly before setting it back down.

“Isn’t that the truth, anyways how you doing Jim?” I asked him as I picked up a full coffee pot before walking over to him and refilling his mug.

“Bah! Same old same old, but I did get some new neighbor upstairs if the racket I heard up there last night was any indication of that.” He grumbled as he sipped his coffee and I smiled at him, going to put the pot away.

“Oh yeah? They any cute?” I asked him and he scuffed waving away my comment with his free hand as the other brought his mug to his lips.

“How would I know, I ain’t seen them yet, but if I catch a glimpse of them, I’ll let you know.” He said as he set his mug down and I grinned at him.

“Thanks, Jim.” I told him my gaze drifting to the door when the bell jingled above the door.

Pausing I took in the new guy as he walked up to where Nancy was standing at the register. His short fluffy black hair looked like he’d run his fingers through it multiple times before coming inside, and his hard oceanic blue eyes swept over our small diner examining everything and everyone they passed over as he walked up to the counter. His square and stubbled jaw clenching and unclenching in thought as he glanced over the back of the diner and then to Nancy who was standing in front of him patiently waiting.

“Where can I sit?” The deep baritone of his voice sent a shiver racing down my spine and had goosebumps breaking out across my exposed skin. I bit the inside of my cheek as I quickly looked away from him when his gaze flicked towards me, and I quickly grabbed a random rag pretending to wipe down the already clean counter. In front of me I heard Jim snicker into his coffee mug, and I shot him a quick glare before going back to wiping down the counter.

“Anywhere really, but if you want the best service in the house then right there at the counter next to the pie display. Lillian will be your server.” Nancy told him and I didn’t have to be looking at her to know that she was wearing that mischievous smile of hers.

I glanced over to see him practically swaggering over to the seat that Nancy had mentioned, and I bit the inside of my lip as I quickly glanced away from him. Stepping back from the counter I shoved the rag in my back pocket and instead moved to staking the clean drink glasses next to the fountain drinks. Watching him covertly it wasn’t until he had sat next to the pie display that I stopped pretending to care about the glasses and turned fully to face him. He gave me a grin that could only be described as charming, his gaze traveling over my body as I walked up to him an unfamiliar heat rising in my neck. If he was anyone else, I would be annoyed and maybe even disgusted by the way he was looking at me, but as it was it didn’t. There was something about his gaze that was… different, not different in a bad way but not entirely in a good way either.

“I was told you were the best server in this joint.” He commented propping himself up on the edge of the counter leaning forward. I scuffed lightly as I smirked at him resting my hands comfortably on my hips.

“Please other than Nancy I’m pretty much the only other server here. I’m not that impressive she’s just happy I show up and that I’m still here.” I told him and he raised an eyebrow at me.

“Bah! Don’t listen to her boy! She’s the only reason I keep coming back here.” Jim called out before either of us could say anything and I rolled my eyes crossing my arms over my chest as I turned to look at Jim.

“If anything, that just makes you a pervert Jim.” I told him and Jim threw his head back in laughter. I smirked as I uncrossed my arms and pulled my order pad and pen out of my apron before turning my attention back to the new guy.

“Oh, I don’t know doll that’s two votes against one I’m startin’ to think they may be right; you really are the best server here.” He commented and I let out a breathy chuckle as I shook my head, but before I could say anything else the others all voiced their agreements with his statement. Looking around at them all I gave them a deadpanned look before looking back at the new guy to see him spreading his arms in a ‘look see’ gesture. Scuffing I rolled my eyes a small smile threatening to spread across my face as I raised my order pad.

“Alright, well then, now that I’ve been ganged up on by everyone, what can I get you?” I asked him and he grinned at me his eyes practically shinning with something akin to mischief as he looked at me. He glanced around the diner his eyes lingering on the pie display as he hummed before looking back at me.

“What would you recommend?” He asked and I tilted my head to the side smiling in slight amusement at him.

“You haven’t even looked at the menu, how do you know I’ll suggest something actually good?” I countered and he smirked.

“You ‘ve got some high praise here, I trust that you’ll suggest something good.” He stated and that charming smile was back. Fighting a dumb smile of my own at his charming grin I tapped my pen against my pad as I hummed in thought.

“Well, whatever you get you’ll have to get a side of fries with because we’ve got the best fries this side of the East river. With that said I’d recommend our breakfast burger. It’s a burger with all the normal toppings on it plus a fried egg and homemade hash browns. It’s one of our more popular burgers plus George makes one hell of a burger.” I told him and he hummed in thought before nodding.

“Alright, I’ll have that and a side of those fries you spoke so highly of.” He said and I grinned at him, writing down his order.

“And what would you like to drink?”

“I’ll just have a regular coke.” Nodding I added that to the order before ripping off the slip.

“Coming right up.” Turning around I walked over to the window and stuck the slip in the order carousel, opening my mouth I went to tell George what it said but he was already grabbing the slip.

“I know, I heard you two, 20 minutes.” George stated before disappearing further into the kitchen. Widening my eyes, I held up my hands mouthing an ‘ok’ before moving towards the soda fountain and grabbing one of the freshly stacked cups.

“Here you go, your food should be out shortly.” I said as I walked up back up to new guy setting down his glass in front of him and he flashed me a smile before taking the glass.

“Thanks, my name’s James by the way.” He said as he held out his hand. Smiling I took his hand and shook it taking note of the callouses that littered his palms which was odd cause he didn’t seem like the physical labor type.

“Lillian, but you already knew that.” I said as I pulled my hand away and he let out a deep and rumbling chuckle that was most definitely something I wanted to hear again.

“I know, but I figured we deserved a proper introduction… so what makes a girl like you want to work here at a diner?” He asked and I shrugged as I busied myself with wiping down the counter again.

“It’s close to my apartment, and as you can see the people here are more than nice, plus they were the only place willing to hire someone without any experience.” I told him and he nodded. He opened his mouth to say something else but was cut off when the bell jingled over the door allowing for the sound of loud rambunctious talking to flow through the door and into the diner. My smile grew a little when I saw Jones, Commissioner Davis, and a few other officers coming in for their normal lunch.

“Take a seat anywhere you want boys and we’ll be with you in a moment.” Nancy called out to them, and they waved back in response as they made their way over to the round corner booth. Jones broke off from the rest of the group and came bounding over towards the two of us. He glanced at James as he came to stand next to him as he leaned against the counter with his arms crossed and a large grin on his face as he looked at me.

“Hey Lils, how are you doing?” Jones asked as his gaze quickly traveled over me searching for any hints of the injuries that I had last night. Internally I rolled my eyes, both of us knowing that it was unnecessary of him to do that no matter how touching his concern may be.

“Hey Matt, I’m doing good, you guys want your usual coffees?” I asked him already turning around and starting to gather up the mugs and the tray for their coffees.

“Yeah, if you could, and you’re sure that you’re doing, ok?” He asked again and this time I did roll my eyes especially when he spoke with a lowered tone like he was trying to hide what he was saying from James even though he stood a seat away from the man.

“Yes, detective Jones, I’m completely fine.” I put extra emphasis on the detective title as I shot him a look over my shoulder and he held up his hands in surrender, standing up a little straighter.

“Ok, ok, I was just making sure.” He stated his tone calm if not holding just a slight amusing hint to it. A hint that had me scowling at the tray as I carefully placed the full mugs onto it.

“And I thank you for that, but I’m fine, I promise you.” I told him as I picked up the tray of mugs and turned around to face the two of them to see Jones looking at me with an amused glint in his eyes and James looking at me with his head tilted slightly in curiosity. Once again James’ gaze traveled over me this time going much slower as he probably searched for the injuries that Jones had been hinting at. Only while Jones’ gaze had held worry for a friend James’ gaze held… something else.

“If you don’t mind me asking but what happened to you last night?” James asked as his gaze settled back on my face and he hadn’t found anything wrong with me. I shot Jones a look and he shot back an apologetic look.

“It’s nothing really, I tripped and fell down like four steps in my apartment building last night and Matt’s too much of worry wort to realize that my nurse of a roommate has already given me a clean bill of health.” I told him giving him a reassuring smile.

“Ah,” James muttered as he glanced between the two of us while nodding his head and not in the slightest looking convinced by what I’d told him.

“Yep, now come on Matt.” I stated as I walked around the counter with the tray balanced on my shoulder and hand and headed towards the corner booth. Jones followed after me, sliding into the booth next to Commissioner Davis once we go there. Setting the tray down on the table I started passing them out to everyone.

“How’s the investigation going?” I asked in a hushed tone towards Commissioner Davis.

“Nothing yet on that mutant but we were able to get prints off the gun for the other two and turns out they’re repeat offenders. Once we find them, we’re gonna bring them in for questioning, if you want to stop by.” Commissioner Davis spoke around the lip of his coffee mug, and I nodded.

“Text me or call me when you find them.” I told him as I tucked the tray under my arm and stood up straight. “Let me know when you’re all ready to order.” I added on at normal volume before turning and walking back to the counter, catching James watching me as I did. There was a moment of silence as I wiped down the tray and staked it back on the pile while James sat there until he finally broke the silence.

“You two seem close.” James commented and I looked at him my brow furrowing slightly and eh gestured with his head towards the table of adamantly talking cops. My brow furrowed more as I looked over towards them and then my eyes widened in realization and my gaze was snapping back to James who raised an eyebrow at me.

“You mean me and Matt?” I hissed at him, and he nodded.

“Yeah, the two of you seem rather close, is he your partner or something?” He asked me and I bit the inside of my cheek trying to stop myself from letting out a shocked laugh at the very suggestion of me and Jones dating. Had I been drinking when he said that I’m sure I would have spat the thing out in my shock and surprise.

“Oh… oh god no, no, no, me and Matt are not… we’re not partners, we’re just friends. It’s just him and my roommate where like the first two people I met and befriended when I moved to this city, so we’re all close to each other but other than that he’s just a friend.” I told him and he nodded his head.

“So, you two aren’t dating then?”

“No. If anything he’s more like a concerned, protective, older brother to me than he ever would be a romantic partner… why did you want to know?” I asked him as I raised an eyebrow at him, and he sat up a little straighter a smirk spreading across his face.

“No reason really, just wanted to know if I stood a chance.” He told me his tone sounding suggestive and it had my heart rate spiking again and my palms beginning to sweat.

“A chance at what?” I asked him and he flashed me one of those charming grins of his that was steadily becoming my second favorite thing to see right now. But before he could respond George was shouting order up. Glancing over my shoulder I saw that it was James’ food and I cursed mentally and looked back at James who simply winked at me in response. Scowling at him and his shoulders shook in a silent chuckle that had me smiling as I turned around and walked over to the window grabbing James’ plate of food.

“Thanks George.” I said as I picked up the plate and George grunted in response as I turned away from the window and headed back towards James whose eyes fell to the burger an interesting look crossing his face.

“Well, it looks amazing doll.” He said as he sat up straight and rubbed his hands together as I set down the plate giggling when he unfolded his napkin with a flourish.

“It’ll be the best damn burger you’ve ever had I guarantee you that.” I stated and he grinned up at me his eyes twinkling slightly. Biting my bottom lip in nerves I watched as he picked up the burger a few home fries falling out in the process. He groaned loudly and in an extremely overexaggerated manner when he bit into the burger, and I had to stop myself from outright laughing. Bringing my hand up I covered my mouth with it as I shook my head and he grinned at me with a mouth full of good. I couldn’t stop the giggle from escaping lips which only seemed to make his grin grow even more.

“Well, what do you think?” I asked him after he had swallowed.

“I think going with your suggestion as the second-best decision I’ve ever mad, this is the best damn burger I’ve ever had.” He said and I grinned at him standing up a little taller at his praise.

“Must be one hell of a good first decision to beat out that burger, nothing beats that burger.” I commented and he nodded opening his mouth to say something however he was interrupted before he could as one of the cops that had come with Commissioner Davis and Jones called out for a refill. I flashed James an apologetic smile to which he gave me an understanding look and I grabbed the coffee pot and headed over to the table.

After that I wasn’t able to go back to James to continue our conversation because after taking care of the cop who wanted a refill, the others were ready to order. From there I just spent the rest of the time taking care of customers which normally I wouldn’t mind too much, but right now it annoyed the crap out of me. I had really been enjoying talking to James, something that I hadn’t experienced in a long time, nor the emotions that came with talking to him, and it was something that I would have really loved to continue feeling. Though to be fair I’d never experienced those emotions period.

“Wow, they seem to really not like her.” James commented and I paused in handing out the cops food looking over my shoulder to see what James was looking at. I froze as I saw that it was the channel 6 news, and they were showing footage from last night’s robbery the captions displaying just how much of a failure the news anchors thought I was. My shoulders fell slightly, and my face paled as I read their words on the screen each one pointing out what I did wrong and what they thought I should have done instead. I hadn’t even realized that I was trembling until I felt someone’s hand wrap around my forearm that was still extended out holding a plate of food. Looking down I saw Jones giving me a reassuring look as he squeezed my forearm.

“Yeah, don’t listen to the news Space is one of, if not the best superhero out there. They’re a hell of a lot better than someone like Freefall or Whirlwind.” Jones stated looking away from me and towards James as he let go of my forearm and I shook myself out my shocked state and finished handing out the food.

“I’ve spoken to captain Smith over in Jackson city where Freefall is and all she can talk about is how much of an unhelpful jackass Freefall is, at least Space is willing to work with us on cases.” Commissioner Davis gave me a wink when I looked over at him and I smiled at him.

“Not to mention she’s the only hero who actually takes time to help with the small things and it’s not a publicity stunt either.” Nancy piped up and I couldn’t help but feel touched by their words and even more touched when Nancy changed the TV channel. Looking back towards Jones and Commissioner Davis I mouthed a ‘thank you’ at them before I walked away from them.

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bebepac · 3 years

Text

Substitute Queen (Happy Birthday Queen Walton!)

This is a special edition of Fast Forward for my friend @queenwalton as she enjoys this series I've created a lot and it is her birthday! (Well a day early!)

I'm pretty sure you have been following along with me since I started writing on the fandom a little over a year ago. Thank you for your friendship and support. I hear from you after every chapter I post and I love it. Also thank you for being my trustworthy reader of infinite snippets. I hope you have an absolutely wonderful birthday my friend. 🥰🥰🥰🥰❤❤❤

A/N: Thanks @dcbbw for bouncing some ideas around with me, and giving me a few to make this birthday fic even better. Thank you girl.

Summary: Riley and Liam go on their first vacation alone since the events of Ellie’s kidnapping. Maxwell and Taylor take care of all the children. Maxwell throws a “Baby” Beaumont Bash.

Original Post Date: 03/24/21 at 11:55AM EST

The Book: TRH and Beyond

Pairing: Liam x Riley / Maxwell x Taylor

Warnings: None other than hilarious fluff

Word Count: 2425

Song inspiration for this chapter: Baby Shark (Trap Music Remix)

I don’t own rights to this hilarious music.

Liam saw Riley standing in the study with her back turned to him. The King of Cordonia shifted seamlessly into stealth mode as he crept silently into the study, surprising his Queen by pouncing on her like a lion, grabbing her and slipping his arms around her waist, and sensually planting a soft kiss to the sensitive skin on her neck. He gently rubbed himself against her.

“Take a break for a little while my love.”

He felt her body tense up.

“EEEWWWWW GROSS!!! NOT YOUR WIFE!!! OOOOH GOD!!!!!!! NOT YOUR WIFE!!! PUT THAT THING AWAY!!!!!! YOU HAVE FOUR KIDS!?!?!?!?!? AREN’T YOU GUYS TIRED OF DOING THAT?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?”

Liam quickly recoiled from her. Liam looked genuinely horrified when she turned to face him.

“I’m so sorry Taylor. From behind, I swear I couldn’t…I mean I didn’t…..”

“Bleh!!!! Don’t finish that sentence!!!!!!

Riley walked in the room seeing Taylor and Liam visibly uncomfortable.

“What did I miss?”

“I need a bath!!! Your husband thought I was you. Apparently we look the same from behind.”

Riley glanced at Taylor. “I mean…. He’s really not completely wrong Tay. Now that you had the twins, we really do.”

Taylor scowled.

“And that right there is why no one will mistake us for each other from the front. Your scowl face.”

“Well this is a sufficiently awkward conversation, so I’m going to go, especially after I’ve completely embarrassed myself. Riley when you’re finished, please come by my study.” Liam still had a flush on his cheeks and ears.

“For real, put that thing away Liam, it’s barely lunch time.” Taylor grumbled.

“I will be there.” She winked at him.

Liam’s smile returned.

“Can one of you keep it in your pants please? You two are like horny teenagers.”

“I’m okay with that.” They both said in unison smiling at each other. Liam left the room.

“Are you going away for your wedding anniversary?”

“We probably should, but we have our date nights, and we can always sneak some time alone now that the kids are a little older, now that everyone is potty trained and not on the boob anymore. God I missed my boobs being mine, and now that they are again, of course they look like a dumpster fire after breastfeeding four kids.”

“Well that’s one hell of a bra then.”

“Who are you telling? They would be dragging the floor otherwise.”

Taylor laughed.

“Please don’t do that visual to our body.”

“It is our body right?”

Riley and Taylor giggled.

“You two should go away alone. You two never get adult time… And I don’t mean just for that. You two apparently get more than enough adult time for that.”

“Tay, it’s just that we haven’t really been away from the kids. Anywhere we go, we travel as a family. I feel safer that way, so does Liam.”

“Because of me right?”

“Tay….”

“It is. The last time you two tried to go on vacation was when I took Ellie, and you haven’t been apart from them a day since. It’s my fault you two are afraid to be away from your children."

“Taylor, Liam and I have forgiven you for that, a long time ago. We know that you’re not the same person you once were.”

“Prove it, you two take a trip, and it’s a trip you two desperately deserve. I promise the palace will be still standing when you get back.”

Taylor smiled at Riley.

“Please let me do this for the two of you. It’s been one thing after another, and you guys deserve a vacation. Let me and Max take care of the kids.”

“Tay… you do realize that would be your two barely crawling plus my four. You two would be taking care of six children.”

“And your kids are pretty self sufficient. They can feed themselves.”

“You’ll need some reinforcements, Tay. For real. I’ll call Drake and Hana to help.”

“I really think Max and I can handle it.”

“Tay…”

“Riley, we got this.”

*^*^*^*^* Taylor and Maxwell *^*^*^*^*

“You volunteered us for WHAT?!?!?!?!?”

“Oh come on Max, they’re just kids.”

“Yeah, and we’ve been lucky to keep the two of ours alive so far. We’re going to be outnumbered Softie. There’s going to be six of them and two of us. You have put them at an unfair advantage.”

Taylor laughed.

“This is not a war Maxwell.”

“Oh, it’s definitely a war.”

A week later, Riley and Liam were preparing to leave for their first vacation alone, since they had children.

Riley kissed and hugged each child.

“Now you kids behave for Auntie Taylor and Uncle Maxwell. I’m counting on you Miss Crown Princess for a report when I return. You know you’re first in command Ellie.”

Ellie stood up straight and squared her shoulders. “I promise Daddy, we’ll all be good.”

Ellie gave a little salute.

Liam gave one back.

“As you were, my princess.”

Riley, still kneeling, smoothed down Liberty’s little curls. Her little lip was already trembling.

“Mommy loves you baby.” She kissed her little cheeks.

“Are you ready to leave My Love?”

Riley stood up nodding. Liam reached out her hand for hers.

They started to walk towards the SUV.

“Mama.”

Liam felt Riley stop.

“It’s okay My Love we can do this.”

Riley’s eyes were quickly filling with tears.

Riley resumed her stride.

“Dada?”

The little inflection of a question in Liberty’s voice made Liam stop dead in his tracks. His grip tightening on Riley’s hand. Liam took a deep shaky breath.

"Don't look back Liam, you know we won't leave if we do."

Bastien and Nico could see how the King and Queen were struggling to leave their children.

“Your Majesties, come this way.” Bastien called out to them gently.

Both the King and Queen were in tears hearing their youngest burst into tears at the sight of them leaving, as they climbed into the black SUV.

“It’s okay. They’ll be fine Riley. They have reinforcements.”

“Taylor wouldn’t let me call Drake or Hana.”

Liam hit a button on his phone. He put the phone on speaker.

“What’s your location?”

“Already inside the palace.”

“Olivia?”

“And you fully understand the plan?”

“Let your tiny humans drive Taylor and Maxwell insane?”

“NO!!!!”

“I know the plan Liam! Not be seen and keep a watch on them, and only appear if they need help with the children. “

“Yes. Thank you Liv.”

“I do this because we’re friends Riley.”

“Liberty has a set of lungs on her, she hasn’t stopped crying since you two left. I’m sure she’ll be fine.”

“Thank you Liv.”

“They’ll be fine, i’ll be watching. Enjoy your vacation already.”

“Where are we headed? Since you wouldn’t disclose a location to me, I literally packed for everything including plagues and fire rain.”

“For some fun in the sun on our own private beach.”

“Good thing I packed a bathing suit.”

“You won’t be needing it.”

Riley smacked Liam’s arm as he waggled his eyebrows at her.

*^*^*^*^*^* Meanwhile back at the Palace *^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

“C’mon Libby it’s okay. Mommy and Daddy will be back.”

Taylor picked her up, rocking her in her arms.

“Shhhhhh… it’s okay Libby. Auntie Taylor is here, so is Uncle Max.”

Libby’s cries subsided a little but not significantly.

“Can I try?” Ellie asked.

Ellie crossed her eyes and made a funny face at Libby causing her to break out into a fit of giggles.

“We’re evening out the odds. Three on three, I like those odds better Taylor. We might actually survive this. They will listen to one of their own. Ellie is like our super agent spy.”

By the end of day one both Taylor and Maxwell were exhausted, tending to and chasing around six children. At least their two were relatively easy to catch, as they were barely mobile.

“Why did I think the children being self-sufficient was going to be a good thing? I’ve never been this tired in my life.”

“Is this what we have to look forward to when they’re older?”

"Seems like it."

^*^*^*^* Liam and Riley *^*^*^*

“My Love?”

“Yes Dear?”

“You don’t have to cut up my food for me.”

Riley had absentmindedly cut up Liam’s chicken into very small child bite size pieces. She had also ruffled his hair and kissed his forehead.

“Oh! I didn’t even realize.”

Liam smiled at her, running his fingers through his hair. “We’ve been parents for so long, it’s been a long time since you and I have been truly alone.”

“You know what I want to do after dinner?” Riley inquired.

Liam raised his eyebrow with an intrigued smirk.

“I think I might have an idea of exactly what you want to do.”

Liam and Riley went to sleep after dinner. Both stretched out in the bed. Both had covers, and no kids arms, legs, feet, or hair in their face.

Every night was like that Liam and Riley got the most sleep they had, had in years…. Well after other adult activities. Liam had even turned off his alarm living in the moment with Riley.

*^*^* Baby Beaumont Bash *^*^*^*

Taylor was feeding the girls when she heard loud thumping music. Taylor could hear jingling. Taylor glanced up, seeing the chandelier above her head was thumping to the beat of the music. Thank goodness the twins were used to Maxwell's antics, and Lily and Violet were sleeping right through it. She put Violet back in the crib and walked down the hall. The closer she got to the east wing ballroom the music got louder.

Taylor pulled the doors open to the ballroom, smoke bubbled down the hall.

There were multi colored blinking lights, a disco ball spinning from the ceiling and a snack table full of candy, sweets and soda.

Maxwell had a DJ station set up playing a song on an endless loop, bobbing his head to the music with his headphones on.

And Riley's kids hopped up on kiddie cocaine (aka sugar) dancing and flailing around in what Taylor could only think to describe as a kiddie rave.

"Is that….. a trap remix of baby shark?"

"Heck yeah it is."

And the kids were loving it.

Maxwell let the music keep playing and he had a bottle of champagne in one hand calling Ellie and Adam over to him. He had a sword in his right.

"Adam you hold the bottle."

"You are not giving them champagne Maxwell! They're children!"

"I'm shocked at you Softie. What kind of Uncle do you think I am? It's just sparkling apple cider. Okay Ellie, you get the sword because you're the oldest. And what you want to do is slice just like I'm showing you. Oh, and don't kill your brother, that would be bad."

"I don't think Daddy would let us do this Uncle Maxwell." Ellie said wearily.

"Heck no he wouldn't. Well not with Maxwell teaching you. If anyone is going to teach the crown princess to slice anything while someone else is holding it, it's going to be me."

Olivia appeared walking out of the shadows of an alcove.

"Have you been here the whole week?"

"Of course! You know Liam and Riley. And these kids are never going to fall asleep, if we don't have them dance the sugar out."

"I've got just the thing.”

Max cranked up the music.

*^*^*^*^* Liam and Riley *^*^*^*^*

"Liam I miss them."

"We'll be home to see them by noon tomorrow."

"Liam I know you miss them too, log into Crown Cam, so we can see them."

Riley sat next to Liam as he logged into Crown Cam.

As they went to each room they noticed none of the children were in their beds.

"It's past their bedtime."

"Did you really think Max and Taylor would get all kids to bed on time?"

"No but…."

They clicked on each room, until they got to the ballroom on the east wing.

Both gasped at the scene. Liam clicked the button enabling the cameras to pick up sound in the room.

Both looked at each other, seeing their kids wildly dancing and flailing about. Libby was excitedly jumping up and down with a glow stick while Olivia sang on stage.

"Is Olivia really singing and rapping to Let It Go?!?"

Olivia's Rap

Liam nodded, watching the scene for a few more moments before slowly closing his laptop.

"I'm sure there is a perfectly good explanation for all of this."

*^*^*^*^*^* kiddie rave *^*^*^*^*

Taylor danced with the kids while Max continued at his DJ station.

"Olivia can flow, can you believe it Max?!?"

"OLIVIA!!!!! LANGUAGE!!!!!!! THEY'RE CHILDREN!!!!" Maxwell screamed.

"Are you serious with me right now?!? Language?"

Olivia rolled her eyes in complete annoyance.

"Of all the things you've done, LANGUAGE is your hard stop? You gave the crown princess a SWORD to slice a bottle out of her younger brother's hands, and instructed her not to kill him. That's entirely okay, but CURSING is where you draw the line in the sand? Seriously Maxwell?"

Both Taylor and Olivia glared at Maxwell for a few moments in confusion.

"Liv keep going!!! We have to tire them out!!!"

Olivia resumed her rap battle….with herself.

Within an hour it looked like a crime scene in the ballroom. Children were passed out everywhere.

Taylor picked up a sleeping Ellie, Olivia, grabbed Adam, and Maxwell carried Jaiden and Liberty upstairs to their beds.

"They need baths, their faces and hands are dirty with crumbs and sweets."

"We'll give them baths in the morning, before Liam and Riley get back." Maxwell was confident they could get it done.

They didn't. They all slept in instead.

When Liam and Riley arrived back at the palace, they didn't know what to expect.

They saw their kids, all lined up wearing yesterday's clothes, dirty faces, and wild chaotic hair, looking like they had their own kiddie walks of shame. But each child had a huge smile on their face.

Liam walked up to Ellie.

"Your report my Crown Princess?"

"Daddy! I sliced a bottle top off a bottle while Adam held it."

"And I didn't die!" Adam screamed confidently.

"We had fun!" Jaiden exclaimed.

"Daddy did you know Auntie Liv is a gangsta rapper?" Ellie's voice sounded like she was in complete awe.

"Yes My Princess, we saw."

Olivia turned pale, then she knowingly nodded. "I should have known you two would access Crown Cam."

Riley turned to Maxwell.

"So you threw a Beaumont Bash…. for our children?" Riley asked.

"Of course, gotta train them up right!! Little Blossom!"

"Sure, they're a little dirty, but at least the palace is still standing, what else would you expect from the Substitute Queen?" Taylor commented with a smirk.

Happy birthday! I hope you enjoyed this!

Tagging the comments

#bebepac writes #birthday fics #happy birthday queenwalton #trh fanfic #trh fandom #riley x liam #fast forward #choices fic writers creations

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miracle-sham · 3 years

Text

In the Atelier's Glow the Pupa Phoebus will Eclose.

| {Jasonette July 2021, Week 2, Day 10: Light} |

Chapter 2 of Sheltered by Darkness not yet Moths to the Flame.

———

| Even when everything you know splits. When it splinters and shifts, like a chrysalis or a damaged cable. And you're left unfurling your wings, unable to yet fly—circuit broken, fuse melted—grounded, earthed. |

| The rest of the world keeps the current flowing through the wires of everyone else's circuit wings, and they're able to keep fluttering, unfettered by your frayed and exposed wires, even despite the threat you pose to their safety. Too blinded by the luminescence of those with power. |

| Word Count: 7,220. |

| Warnings/Tags: Cyberpunk/Criminal/Gang Au, Explicit Language/Swearing, Hacking, Breaking and Entering, Mentions of Guns, Gun Violence, Mentions of corrupt/shady businesses, Gabriel Agreste's A+ Parenting, Brainwashing, Implied Brainwashing & Torture, Injury, Threats of Violence & Violence, Akumatised!Marinette, Fluff & Angst, Hurt with some Comfort, Angst With a Happy Ending, Gang/Team as family/family dynamics, Found Family. |

———

| A/N: First things first, make sure you've read the first chap before reading this. Second things second, this chapter is a chapter and half. And it's the final chapter! I hope this being 7k more than makes up for it being a day late to posting! I put a lot of love and time and effort into this, so I really hope you all enjoy. And for peak atmosphere, listen to Wonder World by Inova (first song on the playlist) during the first two parts, for optimum atmosphere! Not necessary if you'd prefer not to of course, but still. There's also a ton of light and butterfly symbolism stuffed in this, so try and see how much you can spot! |

| On a sidenote, this fic is dedicated to my friend Saf who listened to me ramble about this fic, and in turn rambled to me whenever I gave her sneak peak snippets. This wouldn't have ended up half as good as it did without her support! Also thanks to Weird for the support, compliments, reaction to the snippets, and kind words as well! And finally, thanks to everyone on the discord who was supportive and kind whenever I rambled in my author's channel! <3 |

| Also side note, Don’t Like? Don’t Read. Also also, please do not criticise any of my writing. This was written for fun and receiving criticism, even in a compliment/criticism sandwich, is the exact opposite of fun. |

———

Even when everything you know splits. When it splinters and shifts, like a chrysalis or a damaged cable. And you're left unfurling your wings, unable to yet fly—circuit broken, fuse melted—grounded, earthed.

The rest of the world keeps the current flowing through the wires of everyone else's circuit wings, and they're able to keep fluttering, unfettered by your frayed and exposed wires, even despite the threat you pose to their safety. Too blinded by the luminescence of those with power.

Broken wires cause lights to flicker and dim. They don't glow as brightly as they could—as they should. They crackle and buzz and burn and scorch and smoke, causing only destruction; when light should only be used for creation.

That's why the Atelier Agreste specialise in fixing broken wings and wires. The brightness of tomorrow splinters the darkness of today, the business proclaims.

And Marinette Dupain-Cheng is merely the latest of the poor misguided larvae, with their shade-like masks and unfortunate frayed wires, to be rehabilitated into an enlightened pupa under Gabriel Agreste's watchful care.

Truly, the discarding of a mask that kept the Pupa in the dark, and the Pupa's embracement of the Atelier's radiant glow marks a wondrous occasion indeed.

How glorious it will be, an unveiling of the newest Atelier Agreste designer's début? The welcoming of a new Papillon among the ranks, especially one that shines so brightly. Phoebus, like the butterfly and the god of light. What a fitting name for the butterfly that will glow like the sun.

———

Marinette—no, not Marinette, she is Phoebus. She is light, and her glow has been fixed.

Stitch by stitch, she sews herself a collection of chrysalises. To represent her transformation that has been nurtured by the Atelier, Monsieur Agreste had said.

Stitch by stitch by stitch. She must make him proud, he's done so much for her. He saved her from the darkness, showed her the light and how to glow just as brightly herself. She owes him everything.

Stitch by stitch by stitch by stitch. Lila—no, Rubi, after Macrothylacia Rubi, the Fox Moth—visits sometimes. She's pretty, and likes to keep Phoebus company, telling her all about the incredible things Rubi has done and people Rubi has met. She's like Phoebus, taken in and nurtured by the Atelier Agreste. Phoebus hopes Rubi will be one of her chrysalis models.

Stitch. And anchor, and anchor, then up. Snip. Snip. Snip.

Phoebus hears the sound of the studio door opening but she does not stop. Her chrysalises must be perfect, she must finish them in time. Thread the needle and anchor.

Footsteps stride across the studio floor but still Phoebus does not stray her attention from her work. Stitch by stitch.

“Good morning, Pupa, I hope the final preparations for your début are going accordingly.” Monsieur Agreste greets.

Her hands still, work halting. The Pupa Phoebus turns away from the fashion piece before her, and smiles, as brightly as her namesake, up at him. “It is.”

There's a hollowness inside her. And smiling at him makes the hollowness ache but Phoebus does not know why. Monsieur Agreste does not like it when she asks bad-dark-broken-frayed questions like that, so she says nothing more and nothing less. She will be his perfect protégé. He said so, and so she must.

He nods approvingly. “Good. I expect only perfection from you and your work. Do not forget, once the fashion show starts it will mark your eclosion into my Atelier once and for all.”

The Pupa Phoebus nods her head, eyes shining almost too brightly in the studio's lights.“I will ensure everything is to perfection for my début.”

Her actions and words are as doll-like as her title. For she was once named Marinette, which is close to Marionette. Marionettes are dolls. And Pupa once meant doll. Like a doll, she is so painfully hollow inside. But like a doll, she is perfect. She must be.

Monsieur Agreste does not sneer at her but his lips curl in a way that makes the darkness inside her claim he is mocking her.

“The set designers have informed me the catwalk has been transformed into the river Lethe. Isn't it rather fitting?” He pauses, watching her with sharp eyes for her reaction.

She nods. That is what she is supposed to do. It is fitting because he has said so. And Monsieur Agreste is always right.

“After all,” he continues, seemingly satisfied with her response, “it was once believed that the dead may only be reincarnated upon drinking from the Lethe and giving up their memories. And you gave up your memories of pain to be reformed as a butterfly that will shine ever so brightly, my protégé.”

“Oh,” Phoebus responds, tilting her head to one side as her smile wavers for but a fraction of a second. There's something flickering in the back of her head, behind her eyes; splintered memories, nothing substantial but the ghosts—Fantômes, the darkness whispers—of them linger.

The taste of iron, harsh white lights, cold glowing white strands chaining her fragile wire wings to the ground, lights—so many dancing lights, and the sharp electric zaps. She shouldn't try to parse what they mean, what they herald. Remembering the Before is bad, when she was a poor unfortunate Larva who fell through the cracks into the shadows and gutters. She is a Pupa now, and Pupa change. They become better, brighter, than they ever could achieve as Larvae.

Monsieur Agreste picks up on her moment of lapse, his eyes narrowing in what must be concern. “Is something wrong, Pupa?”

Phoebus shakes her head. “I am just anticipating how my début will go.”

He hums, unconvinced.

Understandable—she is not meant to lie, not to him. It is not how a Pupa should act.

“Perhaps you should take a break so we can ensure you've not damaged your light by working so hard. It wouldn't do to have your glow flicker and dim mid-début.” Monsieur Agreste states, pulling his tablet out already to schedule a check-up.

The Pupa Phoebus widens her bright yet hollow smile. “Oh, that is a good idea! A break would be most appreciated, Monsieur Agreste!”

Monsieur Agreste does not laugh but he huffs in what must be amusement. “How unfortunate that it took so long to rescue and take you under my wing. You will do well as one of my Papillons here.” He pauses to adjust his glasses, the light shining on them in a way that makes the lenses appear opaque. “I didn't think I'd get another specimen such as yourself, so perfectly adapted for becoming a Pupa and then a Papillon.”

His not-sneer unfurls into a grin, one that makes the darkness whisper danger. He steps around her, to get a different angle view of her work, and stares pointedly at the fine detailing. “It is a great shame that my son and my nephew have both become wretched larvae like you once were, instead of wonderful Pupae like you've now become.”

“You deserve a better son and nephew, Monsieur Agreste.” Phoebus recites from the script burnt into her mind, though she does not remember when or why she memorised it.

“I do, don't I.” Monsieur Agreste considers in contempt. “That can easily be achieved as soon as my men rescue him from the clutches of those vile Larvae. We believe the ones who held you captive and forced you to work for them, are the same ones who hold both my son and nephew now.”

“Oh.” Phoebus responds, getting the feel that Monsieur Agreste is testing her. Perhaps to ensure no feelings of Stockholm Syndrome remain for her previous captors? Yes, that must be it. How thoughtful and caring of Monsieur Agreste. “That is awful, hopefully, they can be saved soon!”

Monsieur Agreste hums, seemingly in agreement this time. “Hopefully indeed. And once we rescue them, they can then be taught to embrace the radiance my company brings to this world, just as you were taught.”

He places a hand on her shoulder, and squeezes. “And you, my dear Pupa, can help my son and nephew stitch their Chrysalises. For they are both models, like Rubi. Wouldn't that be nice, two additional fellow Papillons for you to befriend, wouldn't that make you very happy?”

Phoebus nods at a perfectly acceptable speed to relay her happiness and excitement. “Yes! That would be wonderful! I would be so happy if that were to happen!”

And yet, the darkness inside her wails and grieves as she utters each word but Phoebus does not understand why.

“Good,” Monsieur Agreste states, “that is very good to hear. Now, I shall return when your break is ready.” He turns around and strides towards the door, stilling at the threshold. “My wife will prepare high tea for you to join her at, once your break is ready.”

The Pupa Phoebus nods, fingers twitching as she turns back to meticulously stitching her chrysalises. “Thank you, Monsieur Agreste, I cannot wait!”

He huffs in what must be amusement again, “I would hope so, Pupa.”

If she didn't know better, the Pupa Phoebus would wonder why the silver butterfly necklace feels more like shackles than a gift. Why the darkness begs her to break the chains.

———

Three months. Three fucking months. Of nothing. Not a whisper on the news or in the underground, no public proclamations of the capture of one of the co-leaders of the most notorious gangs in the city. Nothing, abso-fucking-lutely nothing. Three fucking months she's been gone and not a word about what happened.

Jason sits crouched on the sofa, head in his hands. A coffee is placed on the table in front of him, he can tell from the smell, and the sound of the liquid sloshing about inside the cardboard cup.

“Marinette used to like coffee…” Jason bemoans, half-serious, half-jokingly.

Something shatters in the next room over, the kitchen most likely from the sounds of it.

“Oh. My. Fucking. God. Jason!” Alix hiss-screeches, from the same place as the shattering, like an angry kitten on roller skates. “You've said that meme every day for the last month! I'm going to murder you!”

Adrien, who's been sitting on top of the side cabinets, throws his head forwards and barely manages to stifle the laugh by slapping a hand over his mouth. He wheezes for a few seconds as he gets his laughter, and breathing under control again.

Félix snorts from where he's curled up in a cushioned armchair. “Alix has a point, you know. We understand you miss her but as do we.”

“Shhh! You'll disturb him!” Roy shushes, grinning mischievously as he stands behind the sofa. Putting on his best David Attenborough impression, he begins to recite, “here we have the rare Jasonarches Toddamentum brooding in his natural habitat. Lamenting the loss of one of his pack, specifically his co-alpha—”

Jason whips around to face Roy and launches the nearest pillow from the sofa at him, before he can continue the mockumentary. “Co-alphas? Really? That's the best you could come up with! C'mon man!”

Yelping, Roy ducks but not quick enough as the pillow smacks him in the right shoulder and flops onto the floor.

Nodding mock sagely, Félix sighs. “We expected better from you, Roy.”

“Yeah, Roy.” Kori teases, passing a second coffee in her hands over to him.

Placing a hand over his heart, Roy gasps. “Wow! The betrayal!” he complains as he grabs at the coffee and cradles it to his chest with the other. “And thanks, Kori! For the coffee, not the betrayal!”

“Ah, friends?” Markov calls cautiously as he hovers into the room, anxiety lacing his robotic voice, claws fiddling with the corner of what looks to be an envelope.

Immediately the jovial atmosphere splinters and everyone stills. Everyone except Artemis and Alix who walk, and roll into the room respectively, at that precise moment. Both hovering by the respective door frames they entered through, coincidentally opposite each other. Artemis crosses her arms, whilst Alix grabs the door frame with one hand to steady herself.

Jason tenses and glances over at the little AI. “Everything okay, Markov?”

Markov fretfully swings his claw arm around. “One of our couriers was handed a letter.”

“Did they bring it here?” Jason questions, brows furrowing in worry.

Markov shakes his head. “The courier handed it to a third-party forger, and created the forgery I am now holding. It is addressed to Adrien, and Félix.”

Adrien sucks in a sharp breath, he turns to exchange a look with Félix. “You don't think it's…” He trails off, unwilling to say it out loud in case it makes it any more likely.

Grimacing, Félix nods. “It has to be. It was rather publicly known when you were "kidnapped",” he states, making quotation marks with his fingers as he stressed the word, “by this gang. Less so when you spearheaded my "kidnapping", with them.”

“Yeah… that's. We didn't think that through.” Adrien admits, scrunching his mouth up in concern. “But! If that didn't happen, I wouldn't have gotten to use Cheval Mallet as my vigilante name, which is a plus at least!”

Félix huffs bitterly. “Oh, because getting to use a vigilante name that fits thematically is completely and utterly worth getting targeted by the Big Butterfly himself?”

“In my defence—” Adrien starts, only to shut his mouth again as words fail him. “Nevermind, you've got a point.”

Jason clicks his tongue. “More importantly, we need to decide what we're doing about this.”

“We need to actually see what is inside the envelope, first.” Félix counters, marching over to Markov.

Markov dips in the air in lieu of a nod and extends his claw-arm to hand Félix the envelope. “Here you go, friend!”

“Thank you, Markov.” Félix responds, nodding his head to the little AI as he takes the extended envelope. He marches back over to Adrien and slips out the disguised knife pen out of his pocket, before carefully slicing the top of the envelope open like one would do with a letter opener. Plucking the letter from inside, he holds it at an angle so only he and Adrien can read what has been written.

Seconds pass.

Swearing under his breath, Adrien glances up at Jason with panic clear in his eyes. “It's… it's from Kagami. She's been compromised, the Big Butterfly knows she was in contact with us. He and her mother have forced her to invite us to the Big Butterfly's upcoming fashion show…”

“She's worried that it's a trap, to capture us both so that they can… do to us what they did to my mother, and all of his Papillons.” Félix continues in Adrien's stead, barely able to conceal the dawning horror on his face.

Artemis moves towards them and asks as softly as she can, brows furrowing in concern. “And what exactly, did they do to your mother?”

He swallows a breath of air thickly. “Adrien's mother went missing a few years ago. And so my mother and I visited Adrien and his sperm donor as we were all grieving. However, I started to notice things seemed off and before either of us realised, the Big Butterfly was parading my mother around in front of the news and media pretending she was her twin sister instead. Even at home, she started treating me like Adrien's mother had.”

“What the fuck! Are you saying the Big Butterfly brainwashed your mom?” Jason exclaims, eyes wide with a mixture of horror, disgust, and alarm.

“Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying. The Big Butterfly brainwashed my mum into believing she was Aunt Emilie, purely so that he could keep appearances up in front of the cameras.” Félix confirms, hands balled into fists and shaking ever so slightly. “When Adrien got out and joined here, I stumbled across the Big Butterfly's plans to replace Adrien by doing the same to me. If you all hadn't helped me get out in time…” He chokes up, unable to get the next words out of his mouth.

“That is truly despicable. I'm sorry.” Artemis apologises, looking equally disturbed by the information.

“Shit.” Roy mutters, glancing between Félix and Adrien. “What do we do? We can't just let another innocent get fucking brainwashed!”

Kori purses her lips. “I think,” she starts, giving an understanding look at the two, “we should let Adrien and Félix decide. They are the most familiar with the Big Butterfly, this Kagami, and the situation as a whole.”

Clearing her throat, Alix roller skates a little closer to others. “Guys, you don't think…” she trails off, trying to find her words but also torn over whether saying it out loud will make it true, “you don't think that's what's happened to Marinette? It would explain why we've heard nothing from her or Roaar since she disappeared.”

“Holy fucking shit! I'm going to burn that fucking bastard and his fucking fashion show to the ground if he fucking dared!” Hisses Jason, his eyes flaring toxic green as the fury of the Lazarus Pit burns in his veins. He digs his nails into the fabric of the sofa and his lips curl into a near-frenzied snarl.

“Woah, woah! Jason, calm the fuck down! That might not be what's happened!” Roy intercepts, grabbing Jason by the shoulder.

Jason turns to glare at Roy. “But it also might be what happened to her!”

“We should go.” Adrien cuts in sharply, “Max can get the rest of you in via hacking. Félix and I will be the distraction, and I'll bring Kaalki so we have a quick escape in case things go wrong. Whilst everyone else who goes to the show needs to focus on getting Kagami out. Then once that's done, we can try and look for anything that suggests they've got Marinette. And if we find Marinette, we get her out as well.”

Félix nods. “That's a good enough plan for me.”

Smiling bitterly, Adrien tilts his head to one side. “So, who else is up for crashing the show?”

Kori, Roy, Artemis, and Alix all exchange glances before nodding.

“Max and I are in!” Markov pipes up, hovering up in a swing.

“That leaves, who's telling Luka, and Bizarro they're holding down the fort this time?” Jason mutters.

“Dibs not it!” Everyone but Artemis calls out.

She rolls her eyes at the antics of the others. “I will tell the two of them their roles for this mission. Don't worry.”

Jason hums. “We could also probably call in a favour with the Sparrow kid that you,” he nods towards Adrien, “and Marinette befriended. Not to hold down the fort but to help cover us at the fashion show?”

“Oh! I'm sure Sparrow will be more than happy to help! That's a great idea!” Adrien cheers, perking up slightly.

Moving over to the coffee table, Félix places the letter down in the centre. “Right. Let's get ourselves ready to crash a fashion show.”

———

Adrien and Félix both don a light disguise. One that's easy enough to recognise them on a closer inspection but subtle enough to not attract immediate attention.

The others, in heavier disguises, had arrived early and gotten in already—split between two teams. One with hacked tickets, and the other through breaking and entering, the gang's speciality. Sparrow had also been more than happy to help and had roped in a few others from their gang, the Quantic Kids, into helping watch the outside of the building.

Leaving Félix and Adrien to arrive together, separate from the rest of the gang; they make sure to arrive slightly late to try and avoid the worst of the crowds. Approaching the doors, they hand over their tickets and try to appear as nonchalant as possible.

The nearest android guard eyes their tickets and puts out a hand. “Wait.”

“Is there something wrong with our tickets, sir?” Félix asks, smiling sweetly enough to hide the undercurrent of threat.

The android guard nods their head at another then looks the two up and down in a scrutinising—analysing fashion. “We have explicit orders to escort anyone with these tickets to the seats.”

Adrien grimaces. “Understood, lead the way then.”

The android guards exchange nods once more, then the one slightly further away pulls out a radio and starts quietly reporting into it, too low for either Félix or Adrien to catch anything. Useful or otherwise.

“Follow me.” Says the nearer one as they start walking away.

Félix sighs and lightly knocks shoulders with Adrien as a reminder of solidarity as well as to get ready. Waiting for only a second, they both start following after the guard. Félix adjusts the secret mic and camera attached to his tie, ensuring that it was now transmitting its feed to Max and Markov, as well as Luka back at base.

Next to him, Adrien does the same with his own tie and attached secret mic and camera.

They're led down a few hallways, up a couple of winding staircases, and down a few more hallways before the guard stops outside a door with a metal sign on it reading: Private.

“Your seats are through here.” The android guard says, slotting a keycard into the door, causing a glowing keypad panel to open up in the centre. Then, the android guard scans a digital code into the door and the door swings open before it.

Adrien nods to the android guard and tugs Félix after him as he strides across the threshold, head held high.

There's a shriek, as they pass through the door, and a body slams into Adrien and it's only thanks to his vigilante instincts that he doesn't drop the body.

“Oh, Adrikins!” Chloé cries out, hugging him tightly. “I can't believe you're back!” She lets go of him for a second to step back and check out his outfit. “Urgh, you could do with some better clothes though. It's fine,” she says, waving a hand, “after today's show we can go on a shopping trip together!”

Adrien smiles awkwardly and unconvincingly responds, “yeah… it's nice to see you again too, Chloé.”

Félix, the traitor, snickers at Adrien's predicament and steps around the two to fully enter the room. The android guard does not follow, and the door shuts automatically behind them.

Inside, is a private bar and lounge with double doors on the far wall, opposite the 'Private' entry door.

Kagami glances up from her place from the sofa against the wall with the double doors. She raises an eyebrow. “It is good to see that you made it here safely.”

“As safe as we could.” Félix grunts, delicately dropping into the seat next to her on the sofa.

She hums, tuning out Chloé's screeching with practised ease. “How are the horse-related magic tricks you were working on going?”

“Pretty well, though I don't suppose Father will be all too pleased with the one I plan to practise tonight,” Félix responds.

Kagami relaxes her shoulders in relief for a split second. “Oh? And what sort of magic trick is it?”

“I've dubbed it: Call a Key. And it's like those pull a rabbit from a hat tricks but with a horse from a hoop.” He says, drawing a circle in the air. A circle that just so happens to be the same size and shape as Kaalki's average portals.

“I see,” Kagami says, nodding, “well, perhaps after tonight's show, you won't mind showing me it so far?”

Félix grins, “I'd love to, Kagami.”

Their conversation lulls into silence, so Félix hops off the sofa and goes over to the private bar to fix himself and Adrien some drinks. Seeing as Chloé was showing no signs of letting his cousin go at the moment. A potential hazard for the plan, he worries. With drinks in hand, he rejoins Kagami by the sofa.

An announcement rings out over the loudspeakers on the walls as the double doors swing open in a slow and controlled manner.

“That, is our cue that the show will be starting soon,” Kagami mutters to him. She takes a deep breath and raises her voice, “Chloé, Adrien, it is time we take our seats for the show.”

Chloé squeals, forcefully dragging Adrien across the private lounge and through onto the balcony where their booth seats are.

Sighing, Félix follows after the two with Kagami a few steps behind him.

“Oh, I'm so glad you managed to make it to today's fashion show, Adrikins!” Chloé exclaims, clutching at Adrien's arm like a hawk and gesturing wildly with the other. “It's so nice of your daddy to hold this show in the theatre so we could have a private booth together to watch the show! And it's going to be a really special show from what I've overheard, Gabriel's débuting a new and upcoming fashion designer! Isn't that so exciting, I'm sure your daddy will let you model for them now that you're back! After all,” she scoffs, “he's letting that peasant fox model for the designer today.”

“Is that so?” Adrien responds, glancing at Félix with deep-seated worry etched into his stare.

Félix clenches his fists and takes a deep breath.

Frowning, Kagami taps Félix on the arm and sends him a questioning glance.

“We'll explain it later.” He mumbles quietly enough for her to just hear.

Below them, the sounds of people taking their seats echoes. A few minutes pass, Félix and Kagami make minor small talk whilst Adrien is forced to listen to Chloé prattle on.

The main lights dim and then go out, plunging the room into darkness. The curtains rise, from the sounds of the heavy and large swathes of fabric moving on the pulleys.

Classical music starts playing—not unlike the music Adrien used to learn on the piano. And one by one, the lights in the shape of asphodels flicker to life on the stage, illuminating a sea of the flowers surrounding a catwalk designed like a river carving through the land. White marble Greco-Esque pillars and arches litter the flower fields. Framing the scene, is the blank white wall at the back of the catwalk and stage. The lighting shifts to cast spotlights on the wall behind the catwalk.

Félix tunes out the rest of the show starting, instead putting all his focus in searching for any security watching their booth, as well as for any sign of Marinette.

The show continues on, slowly models wearing pieces designed like asphodels, butterflies, and cocoons or chrysalises strut up and down the catwalk. The spotlights follow them, making the pieces and models appear to glow under the light.

Luckily, there's no obvious security paying attention to their booth. But that doesn't mean they're in the clear, for all they know, Gabriel could have bugged the place to the rafters. They had worked out before entering, that they'd have to leave before the end of the show. Otherwise, they'd most likely be captured and brainwashed just like Félix's mum.

A new announcement from the stage gives both Adrien and Félix pause, neither having fully caught what was said other than mentions of the reveal of the designer. They tense and try to hide the signs of their anxious anticipation. The flickering flame of hope in their chests threatens to extinguish from the worry that this could be what they feared it to be.

The lights and spotlights on stage all dim; whilst the music fades to a quieter volume. The almost deafening echoing clack-clack-clack of heels against the catwalk seems so much louder than when the models in heels had been walking across it.

Félix holds his breath and clasps his hands together tightly. Adrien leans forwards to get a better look over at the stage. They should be nudging Kagami and getting ready to go by now but they can't will themselves to look away. Like a tragedy; a car catching fire and about to crash.

A figure in a chrysalis dress steps onto the catwalk. Step by step by step, they slowly walk to the end of the catwalk. The faint glow of the lights still perfectly illuminates the figure's face though.

And Adrien's heart stops. “No!”

“What? Is that—?” Chloé starts, only to be interrupted by the cacophonous roar of a standing ovation from the rest of the audience.

Félix, Adrien, and Kagami all pale in horror.

“That's… that's Marinette.” Kagami whispers to Félix, her panic thinly veiled.

Stiffly, Félix nods and swallows a breath of air thickly. “So. Minor change of plans.”

“I can see why.” Kagami responds automatically, in horror.

On the catwalk below, the dress shimmers and appears to crack. Shadowy mist seeping from the cracks is followed by a blinding glow eviscerating the darkness. From the cracks, the outer layers of the dress splinter away, and the layers below begin to unfurl. Bright white, beautiful butterfly wings edged with black and the odd symmetrical red spots.

Gabriel Agreste, Papillon, joins her on the stage. “Isn't this such a momentous and wonderful occasion? Tonight, we have witnessed the eclosion of a new Papillon within the Atelier Agreste. And I'm delighted by the bright welcome Phoebus has received.”

At the call of her Papillon name, Phoebus bows.

Félix's heartbeat pounds in his ears, nearly drowning out Gabriel's words.

Before he, or Adrien, can react, there's a buzzing in his ear from the disguised earpiece comms.

“Félix. Adrien. Get Kagami and get out! Now!” Max's voice filters through, “they're sending a reinforcement of guards towards your location. I'll try to hack them but it'll be close!”

Standing abruptly, Adrien yanks himself away from Chloé's death grip.

“Wha—Adrikins!” She protests, still too shocked by the revelation of the new designer having been Marinette, to try and stop him.

Adrien backs away into the private lounge, flushing red with embarrassment. “Sorry Chloé, I-uh… need to use the men's room. Be-right-back!”

He turns heel and makes his way over to the opposite door and yanks it open.

Félix stares at Adrien in disbelief before nodding at Kagami and grabbing her by the arm. He does not so much run, as speed walk after Adrien.

The second all three of them are clear of the private door's threshold, Kagami kicks her foot back to shut the door behind them. The three then start sprinting down the halls.

The hidden earpiece crackles again. “You three and Jason are the nearest to the backstage where Marinette will be soon. I'll lead the four of you towards the location, just follow my directions and don't do anything stupid once Jason joins you.”

“No promises,” Adrien mutters in response. “I'm seriously considering committing patricide at this point.”

Max doesn't immediately respond, presumably having switched channels to help deal with the others, or get out himself.

Less than a minute later, the earpiece crackles again, but this time it's Luka who starts relaying the directions to the backstage whilst keeping them updated on both human and android guards as well as security camera positions.

“You're halfway there, Jason should be just through the third door on the right.” Luka informs, sounding calm but they know him too well to not hear the veneer of fury beneath every word.

Adrien yanks open the third door on the right open, and lo and behold, Jason is sprinting past the open door in the corridor it leads to.

“Wait up!” Félix hisses after Jason.

It seems Jason manages to hear him and skids on the balls of his steel-toed boots, scratching up the wooden flooring, to stare at them with his green eyes blazing. “Alix was fucking right.” He bites out.

“We are coming with you, to save her.” Kagami states, looking equally furious.

Jason cocks his head to the side. “Then c'mon, we need to run.”

The four exchange nods and glances and burst into a sprint down the hallway, following Luka's directions.

Direction after direction after direction. It feels like Luka relays to them hundreds of those endless directions before the four of them reach a long hallway with double doors at the end that has a large sign above it, labelled: Backstage.

Skidding to a stop again, Jason holds out an arm to stop the others as well. “As much as I want to run in, laser guns a-blazin', who knows what kinda fucking security shit they've got ready for us.”

Adrien grimaces. “But they knew we didn't know that they have Marinette. So why would they prepare security for us rescuing her when they're trying to capture us?”

“Have you forgotten how much security the Big Butterfly placed around my mother, after brainwashing her? Public spectacles like this always involve far too much security around the shining star of the show!” Félix spits acerbically, fists shaking, breathing shallow.

Adrien places a hand on his shoulder. “Worst case situation, we can get Kaalki to get us out and we can try and rescue Marinette another time.”

Jason scowls. “If we're forced to do that, I want to shoot that fucker's skull in first.”

“Technically, shouldn't Adrien get right of shooting him before you?” Kagami asks, half-smiling that awkward smile of hers.

Huffing, Jason nods to Adrien. “Fine, but I dibs second shot then. And if you go for the skull, I'm shooting that bastard in the fucking dick.”

Adrien makes a choking noise and doubles over, barely managing to stifle his laughter. He takes a few deep breaths and wipes tears away from his eyes. “Deal!” He wheezes, “please, I'd like nothing more than for you to get the second shot and do that!”

“Good fucking choice,” Jason mutters in response, a cheeky grin crossing his face for but a second before it falls back to the furious snarl. “Now, let's see what's behind the doors and get our anthill tiger back!”

The earpieces Jason, Félix, and Adrien are wearing, buzz again. “Might want to hurry up.” Luka smoothly informs. “Three human guards are coming your way. And as far as Max can see through his hacking, there's no android guards or drones backstage.” He pauses, “the rest of our gang won't be able to reach you four in time, neither will Sparrow's. You're going solo.”

The four exchange quick glances among themselves. “That's a risk we're willing to take if it means getting Marinette back.”

“I'll keep you updated on any changes. Break a leg or three, especially try to break the Big Butterfly's legs if you can.” Luka responds.

Jason snorts. “We'll try our best.”

The channel goes silent, as Jason quietly opens the backstage doors and the four of them sneak through.

———

The show has ended, by the time the four of them arrive through the backstage doors. Jason spots a rack of clothes and gestures to the others to follow him as he creeps over to hide behind it.

She's there. Marinette—or Phoebus, as the Big Butterfly had called her. There in the centre of the backstage. Standing stock-still. Still dressed in that fucking chrysalis—butterfly dress. Like a creepy human-sized doll.

Jason focuses on his breathing, in and out, in and out, in and out. Trying not to let the sickly radioactive green flood his vision and veins.

He freezes as he watches the Big Butterfly himself stride up to her and circle her like a vulture.

“You did very well today, Phoebus.” The Big Butterfly says, with a sneer on his face. “Unfortunately, my son and Nephew have so rudely absconded from their booth before the show ended.”

The Papillon Phoebus dips her head, and ever so hollowly sounding, replies, “that is most unfortunate.”

It takes all Jason's concentration to not be sick at how empty she sounds and acts. He glances at the others and Kagami, Adrien, and Félix all look sickened by the sight.

The Big Butterfly's sneer morphs into a scowl. “It is indeed. However, Mademoiselle Bourgeois was able to inform us of something very interesting.”

Tilting her head to one side, the Papillon Phoebus stares blankly at him. “Oh?”

“Apparently, my son had quite the reaction to the sight of you on stage, my Papillon. Isn't that interesting.” The Big Butterfly taunts.

She blinks at him then nods slowly and stiffly. “Yes. That is very interesting, Monsieur Agreste.”

His scowl curls into a victorious sneer. “That's what I thought, my dear Papillon.”

Jason shakes, he can't watch any more of this fucking creepy-ass bastard messing with his gang co-leader. He whips both of his recently upgraded guns from their holsters and grips the handles with whitening knuckles.

Before the others can think to stop him, Jason dives out of cover and shoots his twin guns. Pew-pew!

The laser bolts slam into the back of the Big Butterfly, frying two circles into his suit and melting the material to his skin.

The Big Butterfly screams in pain and fury. He pivots in place to turn and glare at where the shots had come from. The light flashes across his glasses again, making the lenses appear opaque. As his gaze latches onto Jason, his victorious sneer splits and twists and unfurls into a monstrous smirk. He starts to laugh, like poison bubbling and frothing from his lips.

And as the Big Butterfly does, Jason catches sight of the glint of small purple flapping around the Papillon Phoebus'—Marinette's—neck.

The bubbling and frothing poison of an Akuma's transformation swirls around her, staining every speck of her and forming a glimmering chrysalis once more.

“Shit! Shit! Shit!” Jason chants under his breath. Eyes wide with instant regret, he taps his earpiece. “We fucked up! Holy fucking shit, we fucked up!”

“What?!” Comes the frantic response from Luka. “What do you mean? What's happened? What did you do?”

Jason laughs nervously, “she's an Akuma! She's been fucking akumatised.”

“Hold on as long as possible, the others got swarmed by guards and can't reach you yet.” Luka frets.

At that, Kagami, Adrien, and Félix all burst out from behind the clothes rack, each with laser pistols also in hand. Zap-zap-zap.

The three more shots ring out but only one hits, Adrien and Félix both shaking too much for theirs to land.

“We shall try.” Félix responds to Luka.

The chrysalis-Akuma-poison coalesces around the Papillon Phoebus before cracking and dripping away. Revealing two large butterfly wings exactly like the dress. Phoebus wings. She flutters her wings and begins to float a metre or so above the ground.

“Fuck!” Jason curses, and behind him he can hear the other three echoing the sentiment. He stares at the purple butterfly chain around her throat. “Akuma is in the necklace!”

A bright light, not dissimilar to a flashbang, pops off. Immediately blinding all four of them.

“Capture them!” The Big Butterfly orders.

Kagami yelps.

The blindness caused by the light fades, and Adrien gasps. Jason swears under his breath again, and he and Félix both fire off more shots. This time towards the Akuma object, as the Big Butterfly has vanished.

Cocooned to the ground, Kagami squirms, trying to free herself from the Akuma's trap.

“Fucking shit!” Jason helpfully says on the earpiece channel. “She's trying to fucking capture us for the fucking bastard! And he's disappeared!” He bodily throws himself to the ground to dodge a mote of brilliant radiance lancing towards him.

The Papillon Phoebus tilts her head to the side, wings glittering with bright golden light like her namesake. Safely blocking the laser blasts towards her object with her massive wings.

Thankfully, only one of Kagami's hands is trapped. And not the one with the gun. As quietly as possible, she shoots the gun to slice through the cocoon and free herself.

The wings start to glow brighter and brighter and brighter.

“Flashbang!” Jason yells, diving behind cover in the form of a cluster of mannequins and slapping a hand over his eyes.

Kagami grabs Adrien and the two duck behind a different rack of clothes. Whilst Félix leaps over a stack of boxes and hides there.

The radiance flares once more, but fails to blind any of them.

“We need to shoot the object. I'll draw the attention at the front. Kagami, get behind and get ready to shoot her in the back as a distraction. Adrien and Félix, you two flank her on opposite sides.” Jason plans quietly into the earpiece channel.

Jason leaves his hiding spot first, vaulting over the cluster of mannequins and shoots a laser bolt at the Papillon Phoebus' necklace again. It's blocked by the wings, as to be expected.

Félix leaps back over the stack of boxes and flanks the Papillon Phoebus on the right. Whilst Adrien rolls out from behind the clothes rack and flanks on the left.

The three in position, shoot simultaneously at the Akuma, as to distract her.

Kagami bolts from her hiding spot and flanks behind the Papillon Phoebus.

The wings start to flutter and glow brighter once more.

“Now!” Jason yells.

Zap!

The blast slams into the Papillon Phoebus' back, right between where her wings connect to her shoulder blades. Instinctively she splays her wings out in pain and curls backwards.

Zap-zap!

Two more blasts slam into her, one in each wingtip.

Zap!

Finally, Jason shoots last and his aim is true. Crackle-snap!

The blast sears through the chain necklace, warping the metal and snapping it in twain.

The two parts of the object clatter to the ground and a purple butterfly claws itself out from the broken chains.

Jason spins his gun in his hand and shoots a final laser straight through the moth. Burning a perfect hole through its wings and killing it instantly. Purple Akuma-goop leaks from its injuries and then fades, leaving behind the scorched corpse of what was once a white butterfly.

He sighs in relief, and quickly taps his earpiece. “Akuma dealt with.”

As he says that, the Akuma de-transforms midair and Marinette collapses to the ground. Limp, like a puppet with their strings cut or a discarded doll—a cracked Pupa.

“Thank fuck.” Luka's responds over the channel, sounding tired.

Jason drags a hand down his face. The green poisoning his vision dissipates for the time being, and he hurries over to Marinette. Ever so carefully, he scoops her into his arms—bridal style—and pulls her close to his chest.

Kagami drops to her knees and breathes.

Adrien weakly punches the air with his gun in hand. “Wooh! Luka, we're calling a key home. Disable security please?”

Félix snorts, moving back to lean against the stack of boxes.

“No need, there's no security cameras backstage. I'll hear your songs when you back at base.” Luka relays, tone light with happiness and relief despite the tiredness. “The others have dealt with the guards, so they're on their way back too.”

Adrien transforms with Kaalki, becoming Cheval Mallet. He walks over to Kagami and offers her a hand. Félix, and Jason with Marinette unconscious in his arms join them.

The portal opens up before them, and they walk through together. Today, they've won another battle. Tomorrow they'll try to find out what has been done to Marinette. But tonight, tonight all the conscious members of the gang huddle together in the lounge. And among themselves, they build a pillow and blanket fort, and relax.

They're all together, and they're all safe, for once.

———

| Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this little fic! Comments, likes, and reblogs are much appreciated! |

| So title dissection, Atelier meaning Fashion Studio comes from the Latin "Astula" meaning "Splinter", Astula also is the Genus for the flower Asphodel. Phoebus as mentioned in the fic is the god of light but it also means "Bright". Eclose is the leaving of a cocoon/chrysalis. Pupa is another term for cocoon/chrysalis when the butterfly/moth becomes soup and goes through metamorphosis. But it also comes from the Latin meaning Girl or Doll. So In the Fashion Studio's Glow, the Bright/Light Doll will be Released. |

| Fun Fact: Larva/Larvae mean Mask or Ghost in Latin. Also the suffix "Arches" means Leader/Ruler. So Jasonarches means Jason-Leader :3 |

| Also feel free to send me any comments with any questions you have regarding this fic, I'll be more than happy to answer! |

| @jasonette-july-event |

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bbrandy2002 · 3 years

Text

Fool’s Rush In

Part 10

I’m participating in @wackydrabbles prompt 71 “Dont be stubborn. Try it.”

Word Count: 1890

Pairing: Liam and Riley

Thanks @burnsoslow for beta reading and pretty much having to drag me across the finish line, as well as all the weeks and weeks of listening to me whine and pity myself. And @emkay512 for pre-reading and your encouraging words late Monday that made my whole night.

a/n: this is crack, plain and simple. I haven’t written since mid-october; just been paralyzed with fear over my own writing and this is my practice run and basically the best I could come up with. I’m going to try so so hard to finish this series

The new royal couple, fresh off their Vegas flight, stepped up to a makeshift podium the press had created on the tarmac. It was packed tightly with news station microphones crammed in every nook and cranny, one on top of the other. Voice recorders were spread across its surface, and the crown's private jet served as the backdrop. A bevy of frenzied reporters -- domestic and international -- pushed and elbowed their way into one another in hopes of getting the closest shot of the newlyweds and a chance to have their questions answered first.

“King Liam! Is the marriage binding?”

“How long have you known, Miss Brooks?”

“Were you trying to make a political statement by having a hooker at the ceremony?”

“Your Majesty! Will the monkey be joining your court soon?”

So many questions, most followed by laughter and snickers directed at the King and his bride.

Liam frowned as his eyes dashed side to side in a diligent effort to understand the literally thousands of questions that were lobbed at him all at once. He blinked rapidly as one flash of a camera after the next blinded and bleached his vision. Just as it would return to normal, another successive set of flashes would set him back again.

He had been a part of news conferences since he was a child, when he would watch his late father speak from different parts of the world, near and far, about this policy or that deal. Yet this was different. This was not only the biggest breaking story in Cordonia -- or even Europe -- but one that had swept the world.

His drunken actions two nights ago, no doubt, would have created a stir; however, it was Maxwell's post on Instagram of the ceremony that now made him tabloid fodder. Everyone knew about the king who was married by his own brother and an Elvis impersonator, the leg-humping monkey that served as a ring bearer, and the chain-smoking, tube-top-wearing prostitute who was the maid of honor. As confident as Liam had been that he could handle this, as he'd dealt with so many other stories of intrigue regarding the monarchy, he couldn't dispel the twisting feeling that burrowed deep into the pit of his stomach.

Maybe Madeleine was right: he had become a laughingstock. A failure. Just one big fuck up.

As much as he hated to hear the things said about him, he could deal with it. In the morning, he would call Prince Harry to swap stories, survival tips, and perhaps share a good laugh about it.

It was just ...

Liam felt Riley's tiny hand grip his a little tighter. He wouldn't blame her one bit if his little pussycat turned around and headed back up the steps to the jet and returned to Las Vegas. The only thing Liam wanted to do was keep her shielded from the hurtful comments and insensitive questions. But to his astonishment, she stood there with all the feigned confidence in the world, flashing a big, beaming smile that lit his heart on fire, while staring back at him affectionately. She was handling the situation better than she was before they stepped off the plane. He knew she was doing it for him. God, she just makes everything better.

Feeling a little more grounded and in control, Liam returned her smile. A touch of radiance sparkled between his eyes and hers, as if it were some sort of unspoken conversation only they understood. Riley knew exactly what he needed at that moment to rise above this scandal they were both being raked over the coals for: He needed her to be okay.

Raising his free hand to calm the crowd so that he might address their concerns, he noticed the press' attention and cameras suddenly shift away from him and into the distance. Murmurs and chatter soon erupted. Naturally, Liam's gaze followed suit -- towards a group of heavily-armed soldiers heading their way. They wore white hazmat uniforms and had self-contained breathing apparatus and personal protective equipment. Leading the charge was a well-dressed gentleman in a three-piece suit with a shiny bald head that glistened with heavy perspiration.

He walked like he hadn't shit in weeks.

Liam squinted and lifted a hand to shield his eyes from the bright sunlight. “The hell is that?”

Riley inched closer to Liam and clasped his suit jacket. "What's happening right now? Who are all those people, Liam?"

Liam's forehead creased in puzzlement; he didn't know. Wrapping his arms protectively around Riley, he pulled her even closer but never answered the question. It wasn't until the uniformed men stopped briefly and pointed to Drake, who was standing with his arms crossed at the bottom of the stairs, that it suddenly became clear who they were looking for.

Reporters and onlookers had been so focused on Liam’s return with the American woman, they hadn’t noticed that the brooding Walker had exited the jet last among their posse. Just as everyone had watched replays and snippets of Maxwell’s Instagram video, they were also fully aware the King’s best friend wasn’t exactly returning to Cordonia … healthy … thanks to Maxwell’s Tik Tok sing-along.

A video Drake Walker had no clue existed.

The crowd began to disperse in fear and panic. If men in hazmat suits were needed, they could only assume this went well beyond your casual, run-of-the-mill STD.

Still in no mood to play around, Drake started yelling obscenities and gradually backing away from the hazmat brigade that was closing in on him like a cheetah at a water buffalo hole.

"Mr. Walker," a heavily echoed voice called out, sounding oddly reminiscent of Darth Vader through their breathing contraption, "we need you to come with us."

"The fuck I do." Drake shook his head emphatically while continuing to slide away from them. "I'll beat the shit out of all of ya if you so much as touch me."

"Now, Mr. Walker, don't be stubborn. Try it, and you'll find yourself with a nice little tranquilizer to the ass. Are you going to come with us willingly, or do we have to make this more difficult than it needs to be?"

Drake stood motionless in disbelief. "I don't even know what you guys want or what you think I did," he squawked with a hint of desperation in his tone.

"Tough titties. SEIZE HIM!"

With that order, Drake twisted on the heels of his boots and took off, dodging and weaving away from a bunch of men he had no clue why were even after him.

He had a pretty good hunch, though, who set this chain of events in motion.

The bald guy in a three-piece suit walked up to Liam and flipped his badge open. "Your Majesty?"

Liam nodded, not bothering to acknowledge the man's credentials. "I am. What is the meaning of all this? What the hell are you doing with Drake?"

"Sir, if you will, it has come to our attention that Mr. Walker is a public health risk and highly contagious. We will have to secure him into our custody at once."

Liam scrunched up his face in utter confusion and stared back at the official before responding, “He just has case of crabs, syphilis, herpes, genital warts, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. You’re treating him like he’s about to start some damn worldwide pandemic. Without sexual contact and with heavy doses of medications and creams, Drake should be able to live a normal life like anyone else. So, as the ruler of this country, I am ordering your men to stand down at once.”

“My apologies, King Liam, but my orders come from the World Health Organization and the United Nations. You'll need to take this up with them. Dr. Wolfschitz was clear on the protocol."

"Dr. Wolfschitz?" Liam questioned as realization quickly set in. He twisted around to face Leo, who had this enormous shit-eating grin, the likes he'd never seen on him before. "You? You did this?"

“Walker messed with the wrong bull, little bro.” Leo stuck up his pointer fingers on both sides of his head with a menacing scowl and smugness in his tone. “Now he gets the horns.”

Liam swatted away one of Leo's finger horns. “This is serious, Leo. Not everything is a joke! You're going to fix this, NOW!"

Leo placed a comforting hand on his younger brother’s shoulder, patting it a few times before speaking softly to him. “Look, I know you’re upset right now. You two were very close. But the Drakester is going to a far better place. There’s a big open field and everything where he can run and play all day with others just like him. And all the meaty bones he can eat too … lucky bastard.”

Riley had to bury her face in Liam’s chest to prevent the laugh that threatened to escape, but the bobbing of her shoulders was something she couldn’t hide.

“NOW, Leo!”

Leo tried to hold his ground but was too weak to resist the impatient glare Liam was burning into his soul. After a brief moment, he rolled his eyes and let out a heavy sigh. "Why ya gotta be such a dillhole, Liam? Do you realize you get rattled faster than a two-tit turtle on a tightrope? It's really not your best quality, little brother, but we can work on that." Annoyed, Liam rubbed a hand over his eyes and groaned as his brother continued, "Either way, Father always said, ‘if you can't help your fellow man out, you might as well become one of the Walkers.’ Truer words were never spoken so eloquently.” Leo raised his eyes to the heavens thoughtfully before thinking better of it and lowered them toward the ground. "May you rest in peace, Father," he shouted.

As Leo trotted off to speak with Bald Dude to confess his false claim, Bastien helped guide Liam and Riley through the rambunctious swarm of reporters and spectators. Once they reached the limo, Liam helped Riley inside as Maxwell rounded the vehicle and climbed in on the other side. Pausing for a moment before sliding in, the King placed his hands on top of the open door of the limo and turned one last time to check on his friend. He swallowed hard over the guilt of leaving him behind. As His Majesty watched in horror, Drake took a tranquilizer dart to the back of the thigh and Bastien insisted the area was a security threat, shoving him inside. They would send another car to transport Drake and Leo back to the palace.

Bastien stomped on the gas pedal and sped off, kicking up dirt and smoke as the tires peeled and squealed against the fiery Cordonian asphalt.

When they passed through the airport's security gate, a small motorcade following closely behind, Liam finally lifted his head, his eyes growing wide when he realized what just happened: Bastien's shove had sent Liam flying across the seat to land face-first into a lap — her lap.

He stayed frozen in place, unable to look anywhere but the two slender, bronzed legs peeking out below the hem of his new wife's dress.

Riley lifted an eyebrow, a slight grin dangling from her plush pink lips. "Something you wanna say, Your Majesty?"

Everything that had just happened in the 15 minutes since they landed was long forgotten. Drake who? Liam glanced up with a devilish smirk. "Welcome to Cordonia, Pussycat."

@burnsoslow @dcbbw @ao719 @hopefulmoonobject @texaskitten30 @janezillow @merridithsmiscellany-blog @mskaneko @loveellamae @queenjilian @sirbeepsalot @drakexwillow @caroldxnvxrs @jovialyouthmusic @forthebrokenheartedthings @bebepac @kingliam2019 @lovablegranny @cordoniaqueensworld @amandablink

@liamxs-world @choiceskatie @iaminlovewithtrr @hopelessromanticmonie @charlotteg234 @annekebbphotography

@txemrn @ofpixelsandscribbles @alyssalauren @cordonianroyalty @monsoonblooms12 @mom2000aggie @theroyalheirshadowhunter @princessleac1 @kimmiedoo5 @graceful-leah @iam-the-kind-and-thoughtful @thegreentwin @gkittylove99 @cinnamonspongecake @lifeaskim @neotericthemis @pink-diamond13 @walker7519 @natureblooms24 @yourmajesty09

Liam x MC only: Cordonia-gothqueen

Anything with Drake: @tinkie1973

FRI Series Tags: @sanchita012 @narrytheworld @queenwalton @gabesmommie1130 @cordonianprincess @liamandneca @emkay512 @waywardromancefantasygirl @nomadics-stuff @queendianaofcordonia @zaffrenotes @zilch3 @kat-tia801 @drrookie @sfb123

#fools rush in #liam x riley #the royal romance #liam x mc #trr #drake walker #king liam #bbrandy2002 #liam x oc

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