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sea-side-scribbles · 3 years

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Fanfiction: Sympathy For A Downer

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22737214/chapters/77923952

Chapter 63

Arthur followed Nick into his bedroom where he fetched the press pass. “I knew I still have it!“ Arthur shook his head “You think they believe you’re a random reporter that accidentally looks like Nick Lightbearer?“ “Of course not!“, Nick replied, going for his drawer next. “I have some duller clothes for occasions like these.“ “But your face? You don’t have another face, do you?“ “No, but another mask. They won’t think it’s me without the mustache.“ Arthur let his shoulders sink in defeat. “Okay, fine. But do me a favor, leave the talking to me…“ Nick had turned around to change the mask and now began to change his clothes. “Whatever you want, King.“ Arthur sighed. Now, there goes nothing. He didn’t say how strange it was to see Nick like that. After all, he had other worries. He only hoped that Nick would see how insane the town was. Haworth Labs, where Joy was created, seemed to be a good place to learn. If they survived, that was.

Some time later, they crossed the wide bridge to approach the massive dark building of the Labs. It didn’t look like Verloc liked guests. In fact, Arthur was surprised it didn’t have cannons on the roof. “You still wanna go in there?“, he asked Nick who kept staring at it with wide eyes. “Why not?“, his lover unfortunately said. “I’ve never been in there. Aren’t you excited to see it from inside for once?“ “I’m rather excited about getting the fuck out of here.“ “Come on, Arthur, we can’t chicken out now! Sally is counting on us!“ Yeah, she’s waiting for us to do the job for her, Arthur thought bitterly. At the entrance, they showed their press passes, Nick much prouder than the actual reporter. “Dr. Verloc loves to be in the papers“, they were told by a friendly voice. “Come right in.“ “See, this is not so bad“, Nick said and strutted in. The long hallway was full of Bobbies that went on with their business, not interested in the two visitors. Another Bobby at a desk occurred to be the receptionist. “Where do you think you’re going?“, he snarled, looking up from some papers. “We’re not open to the general public! Bugger off!“ Nick looked at Arthur. „We’re here to interview Doctor Verloc“, Arthur told the man who’s attitude changed then. Still, he didn’t want to let them in. „You’re not saying something’s gone wrong“, Arthur said suspiciously. „Noo, of course not! Everything’s peachy!,“ the Bobby backed away. He rather reluctantly let them use the elevator to the lab and pretended it was only a protocol for their own safety, but Arthur had a bad feeling. “What crisis makes them lock down the entire factory?“, he whispered to Nick when they moved on. “I bet it’s only the usual safety-blahblah. The Avalon has the same protocols“, Nick waved him off. Arthur shook his head and wished Nick would pay more attention to subtle hints.

Finally, the elevator opened up again and they were greeted by lightning bolts shooting out of cables in the walls and dancing along the wooden panels. “A short circuit?“ Nick was confused. “Perhaps a worker is already on the way to repair this…“ “I hope you’re right“, Arthur replied. „Looks like the only floor accessible is the one for the employees…“ Before them lay a corridor that was protected by a sort of barrier. The sign “Employees only“ assured them that they weren’t welcome. “That’s probably a Joy detector…“, Nick however said and walked towards it. “Wait! What if…!“, Arthur began, but Nick already stepped behind the barrier. “You are not authorized!“, the alarm system went off. “Please clear the area immediately.“ Nick gave Arthur a startled look and froze. Arthur ran through the barrier and pulled Nick with him. Pressing themselves against a wall, they noticed that nothing followed. “Huh…it was just a warning…“, Nick huffed. “This isn’t a hostile place after all.“ Arthur helped Nick up. “I don’t think the workers will care much about our press passes though. After all, we’re not authorized.“ “We’ll see“, Nick said. “Oh, this is getting interesting.“ Behind the barrier, Arthur was glad to find a groom full of lockers. “I think it’s time for another makeover…“ He lifted up a worker’s suit. “Perfect!“, Nick approved. “We’ll blend right in!“ Nick showed Arthur something that hung from a locker. It was a gas mask. “What do you think they’d need these for?“ “I have no clue,“ Arthur admitted. “We should take them with us, too. They could be useful.“ Arthur searched the room for other useful things. Turning a corner, he stood in a larger shower room. Nick watched Arthur pick up a rubber duck and put it in his pocket. “What do you want with these?“ „They can be quite useful, too.“ “Yeah, when you have a bath“, Nick chuckled. “Trust me, they’ve saved my life more than once,“ he said and held out a duck to him. “Take one.“ “How can I say no to that?“, Nick said eyeing the duck. “How adorable! You think we can spare one for Sally?“ “I think she’d prefer the oil…“ “Yeah, right.“ “Sssh…, lower your voice a bit. And act natural. We’re just two workers on our usual shift.“

After proceeding through the decontamination system, the peaceful silence was immediately filled with the hissing and buzzing of electric bolts, open fire and bursting out steam. Workers were repairing the broken machines, or at least they tried to. A woman in a corner cried. Through a speaker, a voice snarled commands, probably ignoring the state of the lab. Arthur thought it was most likely Verloc himself. This was exactly what Arthur had expected, if not worse. “Wow!“, he heard Nick gasp. “This is how they make Joy?“ “Careful, Nick! Don’t touch anything,“ Arthur hissed. Nick walked towards someone. “Look, a fellow worker. Hello!“ Arthur jumped to his side, ready to fight. The worker didn’t look up to them when he said: “Did you hear, Foggy Jack got another one, better stay inside.“ Nick’s face fell and Arthur shoved him further. “At least he said Foggy Jack not Foggy Nick“, Nick said when he recovered. They continued to cross the lab while it broke down right before their eyes. “I wish I knew what they’re doing“, Nick kept swooning. “Do you think they could give us a tour?“ “I doubt it“, Arthur replied. “Please, Nick, act like you’ve seen this before.“

Nick silenced and have Arthur time to search for a way out. Soon, he found an open ventilation shaft and pointed at it. Nick only gave him a puzzled look, so Arthur quietly climbed a pile of boxes and into the shaft. Glancing back at Nick, the rockstar had wide excited eyes. “This is so thrilling!“, he bursted out when Arthur pulled him in. “Ssshh!“, Arthur hissed. „Remember we’re not supposed to be here!“ Nick contained his emotions as good as he could while they went on climbing and crawling through the labs.

Eventually, they reached a hallway that was flooded with water and electric bolts were dancing freely through it. All they had to cross the deadly lake were little islands of barrels here and there. “Okay, that’s it“, Arthur said with emphasis. “The way is blocked, we’re going back.“ “But Arthur, we can cross this“, Nick protested. “It’s too dangerous, you’re not used to this!“ “I learned from you, remember?“ Nick suddenly leaped over the water and landed safely on a barrel island. “Ta-daaa!“ Arthur had to press a hand against his chest. He was sure his heart had skipped a beat. “Wait for me“, he demanded and jumped after him. Nick awaited him with open arms. “See, we are a good team.“ They jumped from barrel to barrel. Arthur had to warn Nick about the steam that was escaping the pipes in the wall. It was also him who found the wheel to open the door to safety. “That was something else“, Nick huffed when his feet touched dry ground again. Where’s the fucking cod liver oil, Arthur thought.

They reached what looked like a large, unguarded area where they could move freely. The back of the room was covered in a weird pink gas. “Careful, this is Joy“, Arthur hissed with a hand on Nick’s shoulder. “Only Joy? I can handle that.“ Nick strutted forward. As soon as he dove his nose into the gas he started to giggle hysterically. Arthur held his breath, pulled him out and wrapped an arm around his mouth. With the giggling and winding rockstar, he stumbled into a smaller chamber and closed the door. There, Nick could make all the noise he wanted. “Nick, please, calm down…what sort of Joy was that?“ Looking around, another pink shimmer caught Arthur’s eye. It was a bottle of pink liquid that spread fume, but smelling it luckily didn’t mess up his mind yet. Next to it lay papers that announced this was the newest formula. “Oh god…“ Apparently, the actual plan was to create a permanent solution for the Joy problem, because supplies were running short. Their newest try made people happy but also insane. “Nick, are you alright?“ His lover breathed deeply to calm himself down. “Yeah, I guess, only a little dizzy…did you find something?“ “Only Verloc’s newest creeped out formula.“ He lifted up the bottle. Nick widened his eyes. “New Joy?“ “It’s not working. It turns you into a vegetable.“ “Then we better leave it here.“ Arthur looked at it. “I think I’ll keep this for now.“ “Ohh, exciting“, Nick smiled again. He leaned closer to sniff at the fumes, because in a split second it had smelled familiar. “No!“, Arthur yanked the bottle away. “What did I say? It’s dangerous!“ “Oh…“, Nick snapped out of it. “Sorry, I don’t know why I did that…“ Arthur stored the formula safely in the boiler suit. “Now, we have to use the gas masks.“ He showed his to Nick. “Make sure it sits tight.“ Nick gave the mask a suspicious look and then followed his lover’s advice. Arthur tried to stick a finger underneath it, to test how tight it was. “Well done“, he concluded and patted Nick’s cheek.

Walking though the gas, the found out that the area actually wasn’t unguarded. A worker in a white suit greeted them with a piercing look. “Oi, you two idiots! You have no business here! This is a restricted area for you!“ Arthur gestured to Nick to back away. Behind the area, they took off the masks. “What do we do now?“ “We have to sneak through,“ Arthur explained. “Stay right behind me. At their second try, they ducked behind the boxes and machines and crouched along. The worker was focused on doing his job again. Nick was amazed by how quickly Arthur oriented himself in the strange lab. To him, it was a labyrinth, even if a very interesting one. But Arthur knew where to go, and he moved quickly and soundless.

When that was over, Arthur had never been happier to see another Bobby in an office, even though this one told them Dr. Verloc didn’t want do be disturbed. There were enough good reasons to disturb him. “The brominating reaction has caught fire“, Arthur gasped, ripping off his mask. The Bobby in white uniform repeated the message to Verloc, who was rather annoyed about it. Arthur didn’t give up yet. “But some of the byproducts are poisonous!“ Of course Verloc dismissed him with an excuse. Arthur thought he needed another plan when the doctor realized something. “No one knows that“, he said. “They are imposters!“ He ordered the Constable to implement a curious safety protocol. “Aw! Yes, sir! That’s my favorite protocol!“, the Bobby replied almost cheerfully and stood up. Arthur saw Nick’s worried look when the atmosphere changed and the door behind them snapped shut. He wanted to tell him to run when suddenly the Bobby lifted up the massive desk and threw it at them. Arthur ducked down and lay flat on the ground. Shortly after, he heard the desk crash loudly behind him. Looking around, he found Nick lie on the floor too. He didn’t move.

“Nick!“, he yelled. Unfortunately, he had no time to help his lover because the constable was already on his way with something that looked like a blazing hot pipe. Arthur ran to get some distance, glad that he had brought the pliers from the locker room. Still, it didn’t look like the strongest weapon against the furious giant. He let his weapon clash against the Bobbies’ a few times. It didn’t occur to do much. He was thrown backwards by the sheer force this man put into his hits and then had to duck away again. The burning pipe hissed dangerously close behind his ear. From the bottom up, he kicked the Bobby into the stomach and used the time the man needed to recover to get up, ready to strike. A second after that, someone leaped at the Bobby, fixated his arms with his legs and pressed his own arms against the giant’s throat. Entangled like this, the Bobby winded. The blazing weapon swung close to Nick’s legs. Arthur jumped forward and let the pliers crash against the Bobbie’s forehead. He yelled and ripped his arms open, so that Nick lost his grip and fell on the ground. With an angry roar, the Bobby aimed for the helpless rockstar. “No, you won’t!“ Arthur leaped on his back now and pressed the air out of him. Nick struggled up and watched. The Bobby was still resisting and he still had his horrible weapon. Nick grabbed the hand that held the pipe and pushed it backwards, so that the burning end was pressed against his forehead. The Bobby yelled when his skin was fried and let the weapon go. It touched Nick’s arm and he jumped away with a shriek. The Bobby went dizzy and lost his strength. Arthur didn’t let go until he lay flat and stopped moving.

“Is it over?“ Nick asked. He had rolled up his sleeve to look at his wound. “For now“, Arthur gasped. “Oh, no…“, he said noticing the wound. “It’s not so bad…“, Nick assured him although it burned like hell. “Are you hurt, my hero?“ “I don’t think so,“ Arthur said flattered. “I got to say you don’t need a hero anymore. You’re really brave.“ “I’m doing my best to learn from you, King of the Parade.“ He pulled Arthur into a hug that the “King“ didn’t mind at all. “Why didn’t it work?“, Nick asked afterwards. “What didn’t work?“ “You know…“ Nick made a gesture as if he was choking someone from behind. “Well, you…maybe didn’t press hard enough. Or you didn’t find the right spot.“ Arthur hesitated, then he showed the move on the Constable’s unconscious body. Nick tried it too and Arthur adjusted his grip until it was perfect. “Like that. And don’t let go until it’s done.“ “I didn’t mean to, he threw me off“, Nick explained. “I know.“ Arthur kissed his cheek. “I’m so proud of you.“ Their lips met and Arthur as sorry that he had to let go and continue this journey.

He was sorry to find out that the Bobby’s office only led to an even bigger lab room that was filled with busy workers. While Nick followed him, he was thankful that the workers had other things to do than looking for intruders. However, when they ended up in the middle of the room, staring at a locked door, they seemed to be trapped. Nick was looking around for a way out, but Arthur poked his shoulder and pointed to the door. Nick was about to go there, but Arthur pulled him back. “Look“, he hissed from under the mask. His finger drew a line from the door to the right side of the lab. Finally, Nick noticed the black cables that ran from both sides of the door into the depth of the lab. He turned back to his lover and nodded. Then Arthur showed him a rubber duck. Nick lifted an eyebrow. Arthur waited for the right moment, then he tossed it in a corner far away. It landed with a little „quack“. Nick was delighted to see the workers run in the direction from where the noise came from. He and Arthur now hurried to follow the cable and were safe behind the machines again when the workers walked back to their places in confusion. Nick was overwhelmed by the console full of buttons and levers. Arthur decided to pull the biggest lever down and the cable started to glow green. He received a happy nudge from Nick.

Observing the area, Arthur found another way they could go without making noise. Nick followed, but soon pulled at his lover’s suit to make him turn around. Then he pointed at the worker that they seemed to go towards. Arthur gestured him to stay back. Nick was again amazed when Arthur suddenly shot up, pressed an arm against the man’s throat and let him slump on the ground. They crouched past the unconscious man as if nothing happened, and hid in the middle of the room again. Now Nick put out his rubber duck and showed it to Arthur, asking. Arthur seemed to think, then he confirmed. Nick decided for a spot and then let the duck fly. He was sure seeing the startled scientists run because of a little “quack“ was the funniest thing he ever saw. The cable led them to another console where Nick pulled the lever this time. Arthur crouched as close to the door as possible before he threw his second duck. It helped them to finally run through the door.

Arthur wasn’t happy to find brains in glasses in the next room. “The science of phrenology…Is this a joke?“, Nick asked. “No“, Arthur said firmly. Nick shook his head. “Why did Sally think the cod liver oil would be here? Unless it’s toxic or explosive I don’t think they’d need it here.“ “You’re starting to think. I like that.“

Finally meeting Verloc, Arthur confronted him with the sorry state of the lab and it’s workers. And the insanity of the permanent solution. Of course Verloc had a good explanation for all this. And he'd keep the oil too, great. Arthur lost his patience and pulled out the bottle with the pink liquid. “If I smash it and you breathe the fumes, will it make you happy for every and always?” He hadn't considered that Verloc's desk had a button that sent electric bolts into their direction. Paralyzed, they could only watch the doctor run into a popper and disappear. “Holy shit!”, Nick gasped when the shock was over. “Now, where's the fucking cod liver oil?”, Arthur shouted out loud. “At least he confirmed he had some”, Nick said looking around. “This is the cleanest office I’ve every seen…Arthur muttered. “I think he has a secret lair somewhere.“ “Oh“, Nick commented, „He’s a man of taste, I see.“ „Oh, look at that. A bright red button“, Arthur said after examining the bar next to the desk. “I wonder what it does.“ He pressed it and a wall opened. „That’s too easy“, Nick found. Arthur went in, eager to leave this crazy place. Nick followed slower, looking into every corner, searching for the ingredient.

Eventually, they found a chamber that had three cells. Nick was overwhelmed to find people in them. Arthur not so much, he had seen worse by now. The first prisoner was busy scribbling something at his wall and didn't notice the visitors. The second one stood at the glass wall and beat against it. “Oh, my”, Nick said quietly. “Are they patients?” Arthur's gaze wandered over the charts that described the 'progress' with each of theses people. “Test subjects would be the right term”, he concluded. “Test subjects...for Joy?” Arthur pressed a bright red button. It released gas into one of the chambers. “The King awakes! The King awakes! The King awakes!”, the first Wellie yelled, who's name according to the chart was Harry Plantagenet. “He thinks he's the rightful King of England”, Arthur explained and then made a noise that sounded like he had to contain his laughter. Nick was far away from laughing.

“Perhaps he had been crazy before and they're trying to heal him...”, he hoped to find an excuse. “And him? That's Harry Haworth himself.” Arthur pointed at the other Wellie. “What? Can't be! It's probably a coincidence.” Arthur pressed the button on his cell too and the gas made Haworth throw up. Actually, he didn't stop throwing up. “Oh, dear”, Nick whispered. “Gemma Olsen”, Arthur said as if he was meeting a good friend. “She got out.” “Who is she?” Nick eyed the shattered glass wall. “She was a fellow reporter. I was looking for her because she was investigating a conspiracy about the Joy's production.” “What conspiracy?” “Well, the permanent solution? The stuff we found in the lab?” Nick fell silent. “Let's move on.” Arthur found another side room that was filled with papers and other clobber. Sally's name on one of the letters caught Arthur's attention and he couldn't help but read them all.

Nick, however, had suddenly heard a noise. It sounded like someone called out for him. “Nick, you're my hero!”, a faint voice shouted. “Take me with you!” Nick walked along the chamber and pressed his ear against a wall. It was quiet, but definitely there, so there must be another room... Struck with the idea of finding the person who called out for him, he searched for one of the elements that Arthur had taught him to pay attention to. Soon, he found a cable that was connected to a button and pressed it. He was happy to see a wall slide open. Walking through it, he found more cells. And in one she was, cheering and knocking at the glass even though nobody was there. Nick saw that her brown hair was matted and also her green polka dotted dress had seen better days. When he knocked from the other side, she didn't care. The chart said her name was Deborah Pankhurst and she had hallucinations. Still, if she wanted Nick to safe her, he'd do all he could.

“I love you Nick, you're my hero!”, was nothing he could easily ignore. Also, he had to put an end to this madness. He searched the glass wall for hints, but there were none to find. Frustrated, he looked around. The next cell was open already, even though it had a chart. He couldn't believe his eyes when he read the name. “Jack Worthing? Why?” At the end of a long list of procedure descriptions he found the word 'released', so that explained why the cell was empty now. Nick still eyed it in disbelief. Did Uncle Jack really life in here? Maybe another coincidence? Nicknames for the patients? However, Nick went to a console he hoped to be useful. The mass of buttons and levers puzzled him. Who could even control all this? Nick's gaze fell on a row of buttons that fit the number of the cells, and one of them was already glowing green. Could still be the air conditioning, but he tried them all. With a slight hiss, the cells opened.

“The King is free! Death to the tyrant!”, he heard a maniac yell. Oh dear, someone was angry. He wouldn't attack Arthur, or would he? Nick ran back into the first chamber and almost crashed into his startled lover. “Nick, what have you done? The cells are open!” “Where's that Plantagenet?” “He ran upstairs, just like Haworth. I'm glad they're going for Verloc, not us.” “I'd like to see his face now”, Nick chuckled. Arthur had to laugh at that too. “I found the cod liver oil. Let's get the fuck out of here!” “Wait, I need to...” Nick ran off to see if Deborah was okay. She was standing in front of her cell, confused. “Hey, luv, you're alright?” He snapped a finger right before her eyes. She didn't blink but finally looked at him. “Nick?”, she asked, doubting. She had no idea who he was. “Yeah, I'm the Lightbearer, luv.” Her gaze wandered along his face. “But you have no beard...” “It's under the mask.” “Then take it off.” “Not yet. I have to hide my identity. I'm on a secret mission, you know?”, he whispered with a confidential wink. She lit up. “Oh, Nicky, I knew you would come!” She hugged him tightly just when Arthur came in. “What are you doing?” They let go of each other. “Debbie, this is Arthur, Arthur, this is Debbie.”, Nick cheerfully introduced them to each other. “Hello”, Deborah said just as cheerfully and waved. “Did Nick save you too?” “Debbie?” Arthur was upset. “I couldn't leave her in here”, Nick explained, begging for his empathy. “You said it needs to be stopped!” “That doesn't mean we have to make it our problem! We're only here for Sally!” “And we made it, didn't we? So let's get out!” Nick smiled widely. “Sure, what could go wrong?”, Arthur said desperately, looking at the quite disoriented fan girl.

They continued their journey and Arthur was not in a good mood. Firstly, he didn't like what he found out about Sally. That she had been such a big part of the Joy production and turning people into slaphappy vegetables. Reading her flirt with Verloc didn't help either. Secondly, he hated how that Debbie-person clung to Nick and Nick didn't even mind. Was he so dense not to see through her trick? Debbie made sure to tell her idol how afraid and helpless she was, so that he kept comforting her and helped her climb the ladders. He also didn't notice the craziness of this place anymore, because he was busy exchanging glances with his adoring fan. They went out through a room full of toxic waste and even dead people and he only made sure his fan girl didn't have to step into the puddles. What a hero! Arthur rolled his eyes.

Outside, Arthur couldn't take it no longer and sent the girl to sleep with a flash. “What was that for?” Nick complained, holding her, so she wouldn't slump down into the mud. “She's free now”, Arthur blurted out. “We did all we could for her! But if you want to stay with her, go on, don't let me stop you!” He proceeded to walk away. “Arthur, wait! Are you jealous?” Of her?” Nick followed him as quick as he could, carrying the fan in his arms. “No, I'm not jealous! I just can't stand you two any longer!” Arthur didn't look back. “I was only helping!”, Nick whined. “Yeah, you love to play the hero! First for Sally, now for her, who's next? Do you realize you didn't even get in without me?” “I know that, Arthur! I didn't mean to steal all the glory from you, but you didn't talk to Debbie at all! You acted as if she wasn't there!” “Debbie”, Arthur spat. “You already like her, don't you?” “No, it's not that I like her, I'm only being nice!” “Stop being nice, then!” Nick gasped. “Arthur, why is it that you don't want to help anyone?” “Because it's always....almost killing me!” Arthur stopped. “Think about what we did! We've been almost electrocuted, poisoned, burned to death or locked up in a cell, all for this!” He held out the bottle with the oil. “And her.” He pointed at the fan girl. “How did you know she wouldn't attack you?” Nick made an innocent face. “Because I'm her idol?” “You don't even look like yourself! You were lucky she believed you!” Nick fell silent. “Do I know how worried I was all the time? I could have lost you forever, to a fucking Sally whim!” Arthur radiated anger. And disappointment. Nick now looked very meek. “Can we put her down somewhere safe?”, he asked. “Please?”

They put Deborah on a bench in the park and made her look like she was taking a nap. Nick insisted on gathering a handful of Joy pills from a mood booth and place it next to her. Arthur assured Nick she still had her home, after all he still had his despite being a Downer, and the neighbours wouldn't remember. “Now let's give the oil to Sally, she'll be happy to see us!”, Nick tried to cheer Arthur up. Arthur took out the bottle and eyed it. Then he gave it to Nick. “Here, take it. Give it to Sally.” Nick's face fell. “You're not coming with me?” Arthur shook his head. “After all I found out about her in the lab, I don't know what I'd say to her.” He sounded gloomy. “Go. It was your idea after all.” Nick sadly watched him leave with slouched shoulders.

#we happy few #whf #wehappyfew #nick lightbearer #nicklightbearer #whf nick #whfnick #arthur hastings we happy few #whfarthurhastings #nickxarthur #whfarthur #whf arthur

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ladynuwanda · 5 years

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Whatever Souls Are Made Of (Michael LangdonXMallory AU) - Prologue

A/N: This is my first Millory story, so I know from the get-go that most people will not be into it. But I hope the few of you that are will enjoy this AU! It’s been on my mind for a while and the more I thought about it, more it felt like a Mallory story, instead of Reader.

Warnings: None, I think. This is just the Prologue, I’m only setting the board. The actual game begins in Chapter 1. ;)

Word Count: 2,1K

It was 1801 when the Campbells, a young couple from London, looking for a place to start their lives together and a family, rented Thrushcross Grange in Yorkshire. This beautiful property’s landlord wasn’t exactly a person, it was more of an institution: Lady Robichaux’s School for Exceptional Young Women. And that’s probably what made the Grange affordable to the Campbells at all. The School held the reputation of a safe haven for young witches, those were said to be the descendants of the Avalon Coven, and the predominantly superstitious population of the countryside would rather not be associated with the sort.

But not Timothy Campbell and his wife Emily, in fact they were looking forward to establishing friendly relations with their exceptional new neighbours. That’s what took them from the Grange to the Heights, were the school manor rose from the moorlands, on an afternoon in December. They were greeted at the great wooden doors by a lady who was as unusual as she was warm. She introduced herself as Misty Day, Deputy Headmistress of the School, and welcomed them to the manor with an earnest embrace, instead of the polite curtsy they were used to receiving in London.

Misty’s sunny disposition stood out contrasting the morose atmosphere of the grey afternoon. The fact that she wore her hair down, letting her blonde curls flow down her back, instead of the up-do that was considered fashionable at the time, and wrapped herself in a colourful shawl made her look more like a proper High Priestess from Avalon than a Deputy Headmistress, and Timothy and Emily couldn’t help exchanging a glance, when she turned her back to lead them into the drawing room, and barely suppressing a giggle. This was even better than they had expected.

The two new tenants of Thrushcross Grange were introduced to Lady Mallory, Headmistress of the School and the Coven’s Supreme, who was waiting for them in the drawing room for the tea. Lady Mallory’s appearance wasn’t nearly as quaint as her colleague’s, but neither was it less surprising. She seemed remarkably young for her eminent position, almost girly, with delicate features like a fine ivory cameo. And unlike Miss Day’s wild locks, her honey-coloured hair was well coiffed and ornate with a golden headdress.

But that’s where the difference between Mallory and Misty ended, they were equally sweet and amiable. Mallory seemed clearly more reserved, but her gentle smile and pleasant manners made them feel as welcome as Misty’s embrace had. The small group chatted over tea and biscuits, about what would make a young and vivacious couple leave the agitated life in the Capital for the solitude of the Yorkshire moors. In turn the witches shared anecdotes of the many challenges of running a house full of adolescent, and uniquely gifted, ladies.

“Well, you must be doing a remarkable job teaching them manners...”, Timothy noted, “... you can barely tell there’s anyone else in the house at all.”

That was the first time they saw Misty’s almost permanent smile fail, she and Lady Mallory exchanged a look that seemed to bear a deep understanding between them, but was unreadable for the two guests. “They’ve gone home... for the Holidays. It’s just us two. And the Help.”, Misty smiled again making Timothy relax a little and forget what could have been a faux pas on him. But Emily couldn’t ignore the sadness in Lady Mallory’s eyes. Those big brown eyes, so bright and expressive, avoided meeting the others’ now, and seemed to be hiding a dark heartbreak that should never be seen by anyone else. Emily deliberately looked out the window, in an effort to stop herself from prying any further.

Emily’s jaw dropped at what she saw outside the window. What had been a grey afternoon was now violently white. A snowstorm had hit the Heights while they were having tea, and showed no signs of stopping anytime soon. It was evident that the witches couldn’t simply send the Campbells off into the storm, and the couple agreed to spend the night in the Manor. The group had supper together in the dining room, and Emily noticed the two witches seemed a lot more enthusiastic in discussing the remote past of the Coven, going all the way back to their ancestors in Avalon, than in talking about the recent past and their current students. Timothy was fascinated about the stories of the mysterious island, that had been hidden by their High Priestess behind a veil of mist, during the I Century.

Misty pleasantly accompanied them to one of the smaller rooms where one of the servants was preparing the fireplace to keep them warm for the night. Miss Day introduced him as Mr. Spencer, he was a very pale, with dark circles around his eyes and deep scars showing above the collar of his shirt, but otherwise good-looking young man. He was polite enough, saying he was retiring for the night but that the guests shouldn’t hesitate to call him up if they needed anything, but was the first person in the manor that didn’t seem very inclined to make friends with the new tenants.

Emily was at the window-sit in nothing but her undergarments and a blanket around her shoulders, while Timothy was arranging pillows in the small gap between the two single beds Mr. Spencer had pushed together for them. Now that the snowstorm was over, the cold night was crisp and clear, with the stars shining brightly in a moonless sky. “Tim darling, look what I found...”, she called her husband to join her at the window-sit, “... there’s graffiti on the windowsill!”. “What kind of graffiti?”, he was undressing too, getting ready to throw himself between the covers and call it the night, but indulged his wife’s wishes.

“Letters... probably initials. And little heart shapes... isn’t it lovely?”, she smiled at him.

“Well, look at that”, he joined her by the window, “how many generations of infatuated young witches do you think have defiles this windowsill?”

“A lot, apparently... look”, she pointed with her delicate index finger, “CG&MD... ZB&KS... M&M. Those two didn’t like surnames, I’m afraid.”

“I thought this school was only for girls...”, Timothy frowned, “there’s a Lord M Langdon, here...”

“... and Lady M Langdon”, Emily pointed at a finer writing beneath the first.

“Should we carve our initials there, too?”, he chuckled against the curve of her neck, wrapping his arms around her waist.

“No! At least not until I know for sure those couples had a happy ending... this window could be cursed for all we know!”, she turned her face towards his, and lovingly kissed her husband’s lips.

But the peaceful quiet of the cold night was disturbed less than an hour later. Emily’s shrieks woke every living creature in the manor up, and it didn’t seem unlikely to wake some of the dead ones as well. A wide-eyed and white-faced Timothy holding a hysterical Emily met Misty and Lady Mallory on the landing of the second floor, both witches in their nightgowns and holding candlesticks. Misty was wrapped in another shawl, her hair wilder than ever, while Mallory’s honey locks were neatly plaited in one long braid falling over one of her shoulders. Mr. Spencer joined them moments later, climbing the staircase two steps at a time holding a huge bronze candleholder like a bat, the lit candle dangling dangerously from one end.

“There was a man!! Outside our window!! Just now!!”, Timothy shouted above his wife’s head.

“That’s not possible, Mr. Campbell... your bedroom is on the second floor...”, Misty began in her pacifying manners.

“I swear to God, Miss Day!! I saw him!! Clear as I see you know!!”, Timothy tried his best to stay in control of his emotions, while holding a shaking and wailing Emily against his chest.

“Is this man someone you know? Have you seem him before?”, Mr. Spencer’s voice was raspy, probably from lack of use.

“What? No!! Of course not!! What kind of question is that?”, fright was giving place to confusion in Timothy’s features, while Emily’s remained buried in her husband’s chest.

“What did the man look like?”, Lady Mallory’s voice sounded strangely undisturbed in the middle of all the commotion.

The three members of the household held their breaths while Timothy tried to recall any striking feature on that stranger’s face, and Emily cried out in renewed terror, remembering too. “He had long, golden hair... fine features... and blue eyes... I don’t know! He wore dark clothes, but there was something red too...”, Timothy’s eyes lit up with a memory, “... and he had rings! Large silver rings, I saw them when he slammed his hands against the window!!”. “He was knocking at your window? On the second floor?”, Misty still seemed more confused than worried, but Mallory had covered her own mouth with her hand while Timothy described the man.

“He wanted us to let him in!!”, Emily sobbed against her husband’s chest.

“That’s how he woke us up, to be honest... we heard the sound of his palms and fists against the window... Ssshh, it’s ok, he’s gone now, my love...”, he hastily added after a new cry from Emily.

“Long blonde hair... and blue eyes...”, Mr. Spencer looked at Lady Mallory who was still staring at Timothy, her eyes glistening with tears.

“And silver rings... you heard them.”, Mallory’s voice was still oddly calm.

“You don’t understand!!”, Emily turned around, her face now both scared and furious, “It was a tormented man!! He was striking the window repeatedly!! Screaming to be let in!! And his eyes... the agony in those eyes!! It burned into my soul!! It burned like the fires of Hell!!”

“Mal...”, Misty began but Mallory cut her out with a single look, and turned to the Campbells. “My deepest apologies. We offered you one of the smaller rooms to give you privacy, but I believe you would feel safer spending the night with Misty in one of the larger dormitories...”, she turned towards the servant, “... would you care to join them, Mr. Spencer? For extra protection?”. The servant nodded, but Misty couldn’t contain herself any longer “What about you? Why aren’t you joining us?”.

Instead of responding, Mallory simply walked towards the room the Campbells had just left vacant. Mr. Spencer opened his mouth to protest, but Misty beat him to it “Mallory! You can’t be serious! You’re not going to spend the night in there alone!”. “You keep our guests safe, Misty...”, the heaving of Mallory’s chest betrayed the carefully composed look on her face, “I’ll be fine. You know as well as I do that this ghost would do me no harm.”, with a final smile and a curtesy, she closed the bedroom door.

It was only after they were settled in one of the larger dormitories and Mr. Spencer had gone downstairs to pick up more firewood for its fireplace that Timothy gathered the courage to ask Misty the questions that were shouting in his brain. “Miss Day. That man we saw... you know him, don’t you?”, Misty didn’t say a word, but her eyes said it all. “Lady Mallory called him a ghost...”, it was Emily’s voice now, sounding weak after all the screaming, she looked at Misty her bright eyes wide with fear. Misty lowered her gaze, trying to laugh the situation off. Unsuccessfully.

“This is not a bedtime story you would like to hear, my friends...”, she slowly shook her head.

“Maybe not. But, with all due respect, Miss Day, I don’t think any of us will be able to get any more sleep tonight...”, it was Timothy’s time to try, and fail, to laugh it off, “... maybe if we knew who he was and what he wanted, we would be less haunted by what we saw.”

“Or you could be even more haunted, have you considered that?”, Misty’s tone was not unkind, but she seemed a little frightened herself.

“He showed himself to us, Miss Day...”, Emily’s words were almost a plea, “... we’re involved now, whether we like it or not. But I’d rather know what it is that I’m getting involved with.”

That settled it. With a deep breath, and a silent prayer to the White Witch for guidance, Misty Day braced herself to relive the ghosts of the past.

Taglist: @blakewaterxx @carpe-nvctem @ccodyfern @consultingsnowqueen @coollangdon @crossdressingpirate @hecohansen31 @kalam22 @lathraios @laying-with-the-devil @mega-combusken @michael-langdon-appreciation @mytrash-mylife @no-need-for-rules @queen-of-quotes @rosegoldrichie @suspirateux @the-prima-belladonna @wvntersldr

#Fanfiction #American Horror Story #AHS Apocalypse #Michael Langdon #Mallory #Cody Fern #Billie Lourd #AHS Brontë AU #Wuthering Heights #MCA #Millory

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polygamyff · 4 years

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38. Part 3

I don’t really care for Thomas and his words, I am more thinking on the fact I am getting praised on the news channel, I need to get back to work, quick too because I miss it. I should applaud myself, I have done well, and then I got this little one. Reign resting her head on my shoulder and playing with my beard hair, I don’t know why that has interested her. Raising an eyebrow looking down at her, grabbing her little hand, she looked up at me and I just smiled at Reign. Pressing a kiss to her hand before letting her hand go, this girl really wants all the loving from me. Hugging Reign close, I could be a stay at home dad too, I just want to gather myself and go back to work but I still have that slight pain. Sighing out looking towards the kitchen area, I am so relaxed. You would think I had weed before coming here, which I didn’t, and I have been cutting down on the smoking, the last one I had was before we left. I don’t think Thomas bugs me like he thinks, it will be when Robyn is upset, I will care because when it’s about me I don’t care because I know this already, tell me something new. I know I look like this; I know I am ill; I know I have Naomi still, what else can he say to me. Scrunching my face up, this girl and her hand all in my face, now she out here slapping my face “no” moving her hand, the fact even though I have changed slightly in looks she knows me, like I don’t need anybody’s approval because Reign knows me, and then voices are being raised of course. Thomas is still lingering around, looking over at them again before getting up. I am ill, I am in slight pain, but I will still beat a nigga up. Reign also lifted her head up; she makes me laugh this girl. Walking around the couch “you can’t help yourself but say things, why should you stay if mom said go then go” Robyn said “it’s my house too! Not just hers!” Thomas barked “she wants you” I said to Robyn knowing full well she is fine with me “ok, but that does not make a difference. Why are you being like this” Robyn took Reign from me, she didn’t really want Robyn, she was ok with me “and look at you, billionaire boy. I mean your money can’t buy you health can it” he is funny “it also can’t buy you blood but we all don’t get what we want” Thomas’ face dropped, like I just killed his mother “you know what Thomas, you rode my jet, you stayed at my hotel, you ate my foot knowing full well you was shit to me. You don’t know me Thomas, I can make your life hell. And when you are making my mother in law sad, you really pushing it” stepping to him, Thomas stood up now he is not a small guy himself. In build I am skinny as shit right now “you’re step closer to your grave” he laughed in my face “and so are you” I balled my fist and put every ounce of energy into this because I have been waiting for this moment, punching him straight in his face but I didn’t expect him to just fall straight to the ground “Maurice!” Robyn spat; he fell straight to the ground. I cringed at my hand being in such pain “damn” walking back shaking my hand in pain.

I am more worried about my hand, now I am feeling it but that was built up anger “mom, he is ok. He’s just got concussion” Robyn said “Maurice, what the hell. Is that why you gave me Reign?” I just laughed “well he deserves it, Terry. You want me to take him outside?” she is the boss “the neighbours will see, no” he is getting up now anyways “Thomas, hey. Get up” Terry is being too nice; she is helping him get up “come on” she is helping him up “where did that come from Maurice?” Robyn stood next to me “he deserves it, but now I feel weak as shit for it just don’t” I don’t want to hear Robyn say anything “you!” Thomas pointed at me “Robyn, stay out of the way. Come on then, you think you’re funny. You have nothing” I think I may at this point get my ass beat from this, Terry tried to grab him, but he came at me “no! You stop, no dad!” Robyn stood in front of me “you leave him! You go! Get out!” Robyn shouted “leave us alone” Robyn broke down crying and then so did Reign “leave them alone Thomas, please go” Terry pushed at Thomas and hugged Robyn, she did lowkey save my ass because I don’t think I can do a fight right now with myself like this “ssshh Robbie, it’s ok I am here” Thomas walked off through the kitchen, I think need to sit my ass down to be honest. The door banged shut “I’m sorry” I shouldn’t have done that but I did and he deserved it, wrapping my arms around them both.

Robyn went to CVS for me, she is still upset and I said I would go but she refused and said she will go alone “here, new ice pack for you” Terry said “oh thank you” taking it from her “I was actually waiting on the moment you did that, I don’t blame you at all Maurice. He picked at you but I wish you was well enough for it” placing the ice pack on my hand “same, he would have beat my ass after that” I chuckled “I just didn’t like it, he seems like he was bullying you all, he still stood there and was refusing to move, he was talking shit and I had enough. It has taken it out of me” I laughed “but I made Robyn cry also, are you ok? I didn’t really want to come but then like a dumbass I said it to Robyn, I said that I hate being away from her, that I needed her and I felt lonely so she made me come, I made it worse” shaking my head, I knew this would have happened “don’t say that, you can’t fix what was already broken Maurice. Before you both arrived he was going to his mother’ home because we aren’t getting on, he just hates me, he feels like I allowed Robyn to do this and then he turned it on me saying I lured him in and made him waste his life here, so I said then go. I am just heartbroken and now I have a broken marriage, maybe it was broken already, he said he loved me for my beauty. But I said it to him, I goes you loved Robyn. You adored that girl, a daddy’s girl, it doesn’t make sense to me or her. Then he said she has a new daddy, and I went crazy on him. And he said I should have done what Maurice did, it’s like seeing you and what you did made him trip, but I am just hurt by him. I feel like Robyn probably kept us together, and apparently, he has a new girl. So, he says anyways” this is a mess “I am so sorry, this is like my fault. I am sorry Terry. He really wasn’t the man you loved anyways, I am sorry to say but that guy died, the one you loved” I answered truthfully but me and my big mouth, Terry put her head down “I know” she strained out, moving the ice pack from my hand as I got up, placing the ice pack on the table and sat next to Terry “I am sorry this has happened to you, I am sorry” placing my arm around her “don’t say it is your fault, it was there. You just bought it forward, so thank you for exposing it” I do feel bad “you’re a good son in law” she laughed “I try” I feel bad.

Terry came back downstairs “while she is doing her thing, I have always kept these” she waved some pictures around, she sat back next to me “Terry, I know a lot of people. I can get you with some rich man that deserve you, trust me. You are so beautiful, you can get another man” Terry laughed “you’re funny, I think I need to take a break from men but here” she passed me a photo “I would have dated you looking like a whole meal” Terry is and was fine as hell “stop it but this is Robyn’ father, I kept the pictures” nodding my head seeing her real dad “see, he looks like a street nigga, that smirk with the gold tooth, I see where Robyn got her nose from” I chuckled “I always thought, that. She is just as beautiful as you but she got his features more than when I see Thomas, yeah” noddimg my head “yeah she got her daddy’ feature, you know what. It’s a shame he never got the chance, I think if he was here in this world, he would adore her. Yeah, I can see it. He looks like a good guy though, he got that look in his eye, he liked you. Got that thug pose in the corner store, I see you Terry” I laughed looking over at her “oh my bad, I am sorry. Please don’t cry” I keep making this woman cry “ignore me Maurice, sorry but yeah. I was, I was smitten with him” she took the picture from me “these are such old-style pictures, but this was our first valentines. I didn’t think he would do anything because I mean it was only about a month that we been together, but here” taking the picture from her “Terry, were you a crip? I see these blue colours ma, I am starting to think” Terry laughed out “that is a story for another day, but I was so happy with my rose. Look at my smile, I was so over the moon. We were wearing matching sneakers, I just wish we never argued that night, I wish different and it’s just stupid. He was taken so young and at our peak, and I know he would have liked you Maurice. You know Thomas doesn’t like you but I know he would like you, he really would. He was a character, behind closed doors he was so sweet” smiling at Terry “I appreciate it, you know if you ever want to speak to me I am here for you. It is hard to keep such a thing to yourself. You think it’s something you want to tell her?” I asked, holding the picture out to Terry “what do you think? This is Robyn, she was born and I also found out she would be my only child, she is my blessing” taking the picture from her “she was big and white” I chuckled “It was Rell wasn’t it, it’s sad. I am sad for you both, I feel like he was taken horribly and if he was here, then you would be in a different situation and Robyn would have never been called a whore or be treated like this but I honestly don’t want her to know, not right now” Robyn was chubby as fuck “I agree, I will put these away. They mean a lot to me” Terry needs to catch a break, it’s not fair on her.

Robyn finally came back, with Pizza though “I thought we all need to eat, who can be bothered to cook, and I got you some ointment” she is so cute “cool, Reign fell asleep pretty much when you left. She is in her crib” getting up from the couch “how is your hand? You didn’t break it did you?” shaking my head, walking over to her “I am good, it’s just sore” taking the pizza from her “I love you” pressing a kiss to her lips “I love you too, I just needed some air” Robyn said and I do understand why she needed air, I mean it is a lot to take in with everything. To tell Thomas you’re not coming, her own father it must hurt her. Placing the box on the table “thank you Robbie, for getting us pizza. I was going to cook us something up, but thank you daughter” pulling the chair out and sitting down, I need some real good sleep because I am so tired but I am upset about Terry but like I don’t know what to do “come sit down” pulling the chair out “just washing my hands, be right there” I need to talk to her, I can feel the hurt. I could never do that to Reign, but then it’s not his real daughter so he doesn’t have a heart but still, I couldn’t break her heart like this and I want to honestly kill him for hurting her like this “I am here now” Robyn said as she walked around the table “come, sit with me” patting the chair “you miss me?” she sat down “I did miss you” turning the chair to me “Maurice, you need to stop doing all these things, you don’t have the energy for it. Look at your hand” she grabbed my hand “Robyn, look at me” moving my hand away from her hands “Bonita” Robyn lifted her head and looked at me, she smiles at me but I can see her sadness “I am sorry” lifting my hand up and pushing Robyn’ hair back behind her ear “I am so sorry, it’s his loss. I didn’t want to come for that reason but I am sorry” my thumb lightly grazing the side of her face, Robyn is trying so hard not to cry “I just wanted him to walk me” she blurted out and then the tears came with it “I know you did” hugging Robyn close “family I am here! I am so sorry, I just got caught up, you know me” Leon said and then stopped walking “oh my god Robyn, Oh my god, Maurice!? What is happening?” Leon half shouted in shock.

Wrapping my arm around Robyn, my poor baby is so hurt “Robyn, I am so sorry. What exactly happened? I am so lost?” Leon asked, Terry sat down “as you know Thomas is not happy with Maurice, it’s just escalated and Maurice has punched him and I sent him out” Leon’ face softened “Oh my god, that is awful, I am so upset. But what about Robyn? Why is he being so selfish, what happened to you?” he looked at me “my illness, I stopped eating to be honest that is why” Leon let out an oh “I am sorry Maurice, you poor thing. I feel so upset for you all, why is he doing this? Maurice is a great guy” if only they know the truth “because Leon, it is ongoing. Nothing is ever perfect, Thomas and I just kept it in the bedroom with the arguments but I just right now. I want my daughter to have the best day, they both want a private ceremony to get married Leon” he let out on oh “and all I wanted was for my dad to be happy for me, to walk me down the aisle” Robyn said, Terry put her head down “then, you know what. I will do it, Robyn don’t you dare worry! He always thought I was trash anyways; Robyn stop it! Friend you listen to me, you don’t waste no more tears, I will walk you down that aisle, look at me Robyn!” Leon spat; Robyn looked at him “I will walk you! I would be honoured to give you away” Robyn nodded her head and started to cry again “I am so heartbroken, oh my gosh” my poor Bonita.

Robyn went to bed, she was fed up, so she went to bed and for me, for a guy that has been feeling tired I am awake still. I know Robyn said don’t scratch my leg, but I am, I can’t help myself but now I am in pain, my fault “you want anything to drink?” Terry asked, shaking my head “I will probably go to sleep soon because Robyn did text me, that was twenty minutes ago about coming up, but she hasn’t replied so she could be asleep” Leon sat next to me on the couch “you ok now friend? What is wrong with you now? You need to moisturise, look at your face” I have Robyn saying that and now Leon “it’s the tablets I am on, I know I look very skinny and things. I am better than I was, I just need to shave, I will be good looking again, don’t worry. But I am ok, just stressed a little bit. I don’t like Robyn upset” Leon sighed out “that Thomas, he is such an asshole. I still think he didn’t like me anyways, always side eyed me” Terry finally sat down “Leon, I need to tell you something. Thomas is not Robyn’ real father” Terry just said it, Leon near dropped his drink “what!?” he shouted, “you’re lying!?” Leon spat “I’m not, we decided to not ever tell Robyn this because Thomas was in her life. He’s decided to go against what we both said we would do for her, he has hurt my daughter so much and I can’t take it, Thomas is not her father” Leon looked on in horror “I am telling you this to get an idea of her reaction” Terry said “I feel heartbroken and lied too and it’s not even my life, no. Oh god no, my poor friend” Leon started sniffling, he got up from the couch “I just needed to test it out, get a feel for the reaction and it’s not good” I don’t want her to know this, not before I get married to her, like that is a no “what do you want to do Terry? Either way she is going to be hurt” Leon is actually crying “this is just too sad, mom why?” Leon said, rubbing my face “Leon, I need you to keep quiet for a while” clearing my throat “you tell Thomas, he can do it seeing as he wants to be such a big man in this. I don’t know what to do, do I wait or tell before the marriage. Tell him, he says it and he can explain why he’s such a shit person” I am so angry with him “none of this shit would have happened if he didn’t just be a man, my dad hated everything about this now that nigga can’t stop calling Robyn. Leon, just don’t ever say anything right now” it’s just a mess “I won’t but it’s so sad, I am hurt” I wish I could have beat his ass better “Maurice, are you coming up. Leon why are you crying?” Robyn is awake, I hope she didn’t hear anything “I said his hair looks weird” getting up from the couch “and then he said he would get me fired so I cried” Leon said, Robyn shook her head “stop teasing him Maurice, you know he’s sensitive” Robyn said “I know, but how come you ain’t sleeping? You legit waiting for me?” Robyn went up the steps “yes, I need to do your leg” she is such a wife to me already.

“Ah!” moving my arm away from Robyn “I told you not to scratch it what did you do? Scratch it, look at it Maurice, now this is going to sting when I apply it. I swear to god, you deserve that slap” Robyn gets so violent “boo thang don’t like you abusing me, she gets upset” Robyn shook her head “I will throw that bear in the trash soon, how about that?” I chuckled, she is so violent at times “don’t be mean, anyways” I hissed out, that does sting “how are you feeling? Talk to me” this is a weird sensation, it’s like cooling my skin down too. I moaned out in pleasure, the feeling is so pleasing “mhmmm, keep doing that” I like the feeling “I’m going to put a dressing on it, this will hopefully work and, I am ok I guess. I knew he would be an ass, but your hand is sore, I didn’t want this for you. I didn’t want you stressed Maurice; this is not good for you. I want you to sleep now, rest up too” she says rest up but I am not sure if Thomas has the balls to do it, if he does come and he doses do it then her world is going to fall apart, if he doesn’t then he is a bitch ass and I rather keep it low for after the wedding but I feel like Terry wants to lift this burden from her, she wants to unload it so she can move on, I am not sure at all.

#Chrianna #Chrianna FF #Fanfic #Fanfiction

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potatowithimagination · 6 years

Text

Those Red Lips

Summary: Sebastian has weakness for your red lipstick

Warnings: Implied smut

Pairing: Sebastian Stan x Reader

Word Count: 1,5k

A/N: English is not my first language, so I’m really sorry if there’s any grammatical errors. Feedback is always appreciated :)

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You and Sebastian have been dating for three months now, but both of you agreed to keep your relationship private. Not many of your friends knew about this, only the closest ones. Even some of them, like Chace, knew about your relationship by accident, when he came to Sebastian’s apartment without notice, while you were there, wearing Seb’s comfy shirt.

The perks of keeping your relationship private? You couldn't hang out in public a lot. Like today, for example, Seb would be out with his friends, probably drink a shot or two of tequila, and you couldn’t be there.

‘You sure you don’t want to join us, Y/N?’ Chace, who happened to sit down comfortably in your and Seb’s couch asked, even though he knew what the answer would be.

‘Nah, you guys have fun! I have rehearsal tonight, anyway. Just don’t get him too drunk.’ You said jokingly, leaned your body to your boyfriend’s arm while he caressed your hair. Seb just threw his head back and laughed at your words. Your job as a vocalist in a band required you to do rehearsal and practice from time to time, especially if you were about to go on tour.

When it was the time for you to go to the rehearsal, you got up from the couch, with Seb followed you from behind and walked you to the door. ‘Good luck, Babe. You’re gonna rock this tour, I know it.’ He said while gave you his best smile. Gosh, you felt like you’d melt right here right now. He hugged you tightly and grabbed your chin to kiss your lips softly.

‘Thanks, Babe. Have fun tonight, okay? I’ll grab dinner with my bandmates after we done practice, so you can eat all those boxes of pizza.’ You grinned and captured his lips with yours one more time before walked out of the door.

The rehearsal went well and super fun tonight. You’ve done sorting the song list you would play and set the schedule for the next tour that will happen in a month. You and your bandmates eat some dinner, then decided that the night’s still young, so you went to a bar to hang out. Your friends from other band who happened to be in town for their tour would join and meet you there.

You entered the bar and ordered your drink, about to took it to a booth when you saw a group of people in the table to your right. And there he was. Sebastian and his friends, sat gracefully, while sharing stories and jokes that made them laughed hard. You had no idea if he was about to go to this bar, otherwise you would’ve suggested another place, for the sake of his privacy. Chace saw you first, and nudged his elbow to Sebastian’s side, nodded his head to your direction. Seb’s eyes went wide as he saw you. You waved to him and smiled hesitantly.

His other friends noticed and asked him loudly, ‘Who’s that, Seb?’ followed with ‘She’s cute. Why don’t you introduce her to us.’ Cute, huh? All your life you’ve been called that a lot, probably because of your tiny figure. Sometimes you wanted to be called ‘hot’ instead of ‘cute’, and you knew exactly how to do it.

You decided that it would be fun to tease him a little, so you walked to Seb’s table and his eyes screamed in panic. You hugged him and Chace lightly, and shook the other’s hands. ‘Uh..this is Y/N, guys, she’s uh..a good friend of mine.’ Seb said. You raised your eyebrows when you heard the word friend.

‘Riiiight, I’m his friend.’ You said with a smirk. You weren’t angry, not at all, because you understood what it costs if they knew that you were more than that. But your mood to tease him increased a little. ‘Now if you’ll excuse me, my friends are waiting for me in the next table.’

But instead of sitting in your booth, you just put your drink down on the table and went to the ladies room instead. You pulled out your weapon. The one you knew so well could make Sebastian weak, and made you look hot instead of cute. Your deep red lipstick. You put it on and looked at your reflection in the mirror, then stepped out of door with a new confidence.

When you reached your booth, you saw that your other friends have arrived. You gave them a hug and they followed the gesture, added kisses to your cheeks. You glared at Seb’s direction and notice that his eyes went wide once again, but this time filled with lust. At that moment you knew you’ve won. Now Sebastian’s eyes would have a hard time leaving your face, and he hated it. No, not really. He loved it, actually.

You laughed at your friend’s joke and sipped your drink when you felt your phone buzzed. You checked it out and saw a text from the one and only Sebastian Stan. You smirked even before you opened it, knowing that your plan went well.

You really know how to tease me, aren’t you, Doll? It said.

Do you have fun tonight? You replayed, ignored his question completely and put down your phone. You looked at him and notice that he already stared at you intensely while sipping his drink. God, he’s so sexy when he did that.

‘So, Y/N, are you still single now?’ one of your friends asked, forced you to take off your eyes from your boyfriend and looked at them instead.

‘No…not really.’ You answer, sipped you drink again nervously.

‘Wait, you’re back with Daniel?’ he asked with a worry expression in his face. Daniel is your latest ex. He cheated on you with his co-worker and you took it hard. Everybody in your friend cycle knew this fact.

‘Hell no! he’s an asshole, why would I get back with him?’ you answered immediately.

‘Who is it then, Little Vampire?’ You cringed at the nickname they gave you when actually you kinda like it. You just acted like you didn’t. They started using that nickname a long time ago, guess why? Because of your love for red lipstick. They said it looked like you just drank someone’s blood, but you just didn’t care.

‘It won’t be a secret if I tell you, right?’ you answered and winked.

Your friends continued to roast your love live and you just laughed it off. Stole a look at your boyfriend’s direction again, you saw that he looked at you with more intense eyes, if that’s even possible. Apparently he heard your friend’s question and it made him jealous. And both of you knew jealousy and lust was not a good mix. Or was it? It could be, right?

Sebastian’s mind was no longer with his friends. Ask him about the conversation that was going on in his table and he wouldn’t know a damn thing. He thought about one thing and one thing only. You. He typed something in his phone furiously, and then you felt your phone buzzed once again.

Bathroom. Now!

This time it’s your eyes that went wide. When you looked up at him, he’s already got up, walked down the aisle that leads to the bathroom area. You excused yourself after a minute and followed him. You smiled to yourself knowing that this was actually better then what went through your mind when you put on that red lipstick.

When you entered the bathroom, somebody grabbed your waist and pushed your body against the wall. Your body relaxed knowing that it was your boyfriend. He kissed you passionately, one hand stayed on your waist, and the other locked the door. You’re lucky that the bar was not that crowded, so the bathroom was empty.

Sebastian was a good kisser. Hell, he’s a GREAT kisser. You felt so drunk and it had nothing to do with the alcohol you drank earlier. You felt like you could do this all night. You knew you need to do this all night. His hands were still on your waists at first, but then they were everywhere. You pulled his hair and heard his moan. That sound made you wonder how he’s never been crowned as the sexiest man alive.

Sebastian pulled his lips off of yours, and you whimpered by his action. Pouting, you looked at him with confusion. Your expression made him smirk, and said, ‘It’s not fun to be teased, right, Doll?’

He got his hands off your body and you almost screamed in frustration. You decided to take an action, about to grab his body, but he was faster. He took your hand in his and leaned down, whispered to your ear, ‘Put on your red lipstick! I want to hear you scream out my name with those sexy lips.’ Oh if that didn’t turn you on even more.

You looked at the mirror and realized that your lipstick was already faded a little bit because of the drink you took. ‘So it really is your thing, huh? Red lips?’ you asked with a smirk, looking at him through the mirror.

‘Ssshh, just put it on and save your breath, Darling. You know you’ll need it in a minute.’ He leaned down, grabbed the stool besides both of your sides and caged your body with his.

So you did. You put it on and Seb kissed your neck during the process, made it hard for you to concentrate. His hands found your waists once again.

And let’s say, after you’ve done wearing your lipstick, your friends finally knew who you were dating now. Because, besides the name you screamed a moment before, the red stains on Sebastian’s lips and neck after you left the bathroom said it all.

#sebastian stan #bucky barnes #sebastian stan imagine #sebastian stan x reader #bucky barnes imagine #bucky barnes x reader #marvel imagine #marvel x reader #marvel #mcu #fanfic #fan fiction

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dioskourixx · 7 years

Text

Don’t Crack Under Pressure

I should probably get up. I know I’ve been cooped up in this room for days. How many? I’m not sure. I started to lose count. It had to have been at least a week though. Yeah. I’m fairly sure that it’s been about a week. Should I at least get up to eat something? No. That means facing my roommates. I don’t want to see them right now. I can hear them both out in the living room. Watching t.v together. Trying to ignore the fact that the house is now filled with tension. And it’s all because of me. I’ll just curl back in my ball under my heavy blankets and go back to sleep. I’ll eat and shower when they both leave the house. I don’t want to face them. I can’t. I don’t want to see anybody actually. My face is wet again. Another night of useless crying that won’t change a damn thing. Yeah, it’s best if I just go back to sleep. I’ll try again tomorrow. I’m thankful that it’s the weekend now (I think). No classes. Which means, no reason to leave this room.

I’m not sure what time it is, when I hear someone enter the room. Probably my roommate Jenny, tiptoeing around the room looking for something. She hasn’t spoken to me in a week. Although, I haven’t exactly made myself approachable. I know she feels awkward around me. She doesn’t even sleep in our shared room anymore. The second night I started acting this way, she grabbed her blanket and favorite stuffed animal and camped out on the couch. I feel guilty. I should say something. Explain my odd behavior. Get her to understand that it’s not her, but me. But I can’t bring myself to even look at her. Let alone speak to her. So, I do what I normally do, and pretend to be asleep. I keep my face buried under my pillows, not daring to sneak a peek at her. I imagine her tiny frame trying to make herself invisible as she bustles around the room to find whatever it was that she was looking for. The door soon closes and just like that, my opportunity of talking to her is gone. I feel empty, frustrated, and cowardly. Silent tears fall from my eyes for the fourth time today, and based on how bright it was outside, it couldn’t be no later than 2 o’clock in the afternoon. One quick look at my phone confirmed that. It was a quarter till 2pm. As I look at my phone for the first time today, I see all of the missed calls and messages from various family members and classmates who wanted to make plans. One particular text message stood out more than the rest.

“Hey babe. Are you ok? Haven’t heard from you in a while.-Youngjae”

And he’s right. I haven’t had spoken to him ever since I sent that pity message a few days ago. And that’s only because I didn’t want him to worry. I don’t respond to his message this time. I don’t want to drag him into whatever it is that I’m going through. However, I desire his company the most. Maybe he could help me through this. Getting even more frustrated with myself, I bury my head further under my blanket. More tears fall and I feel my breathing getting shallow. Another attack. I try to calm myself as I count backwards from one hundred. I need to stop. I don’t want my roommates to hear me if I start hyperventilating. I usually do that in the shower, when everyone has left the house. No one can hear me then. The salty tears flow so easily and it angers me. It takes about two minutes for me to calm down. Last time it took me almost five. Wanting to escape for the moment, I drink a fair share of cold medicine. In about twenty minutes, I won’t feel anything. Not anxiety, depression, doubt…nothing. The tears continue to fall until the medicine has worked its way in my system. My lips curve slightly upwards as I feel its effects on me. Unconsciousness slowly envelops me and I welcome it. I won’t feel anything. I’ll just fall into darkness and escape.

I wake up hearing voices. Other than that, the house is dead quiet and it’s no longer light outside. If I pay attention, I can make out what’s being said.

“Well what else are we supposed to do Jenny? She won’t talk to us. When we tried approaching her, she just brushed us off. She’s been holed up in that room for almost a week now. We don’t even know if she’s eating.” My other roommate, Abby, sounded exhausted. And I feel even more guilty.

“I know. I just wish it didn’t have to come to this, ya know. I just wish she’d talk to us.” Jenny sounds like defeated, and I can’t listen anymore. I turn over and tune them out. Soon I was unconscious.

I woke at a decent time surprisingly, and the house was quiet once again. I got up from my bed and peeked out of my bedroom window. Abby’s car was gone and it was safe to assume that Jenny was with her, since they talked about going shopping a couple of days ago. Taking advantage of this opportunity and made my way to the bathroom. Stripping myself from my clothes, I stepped into the shower and turned the shower on, making sure that it was as hot as possible. While I had this time, I brushed my teeth and attempted to rake a comb through my hair. I didn’t look extremely dead on the inside now, but I still didn’t look like myself. After getting dressed, I scrounged the kitchen for something to snack on. I wasn’t really hungry, so I settled on some chips. I should try to be productive today, right? Maybe today will be the day that I can explain myself. I know I had a ton of school work to do with fast approaching deadlines. And just the thought of it, almost made me go into a panic. No. I can’t do this right now. I quickly retreated to my room and clutched at one of my stuffed animals, trying to will my breathing to stay normal. Sleep. I just needed more sleep. That’s all. Grabbing the cold medicine once again, I took a couple of gulps from the bottle, and waited for the effects to kick in. It took a little longer than usual for me to fall asleep, but I was grateful either way, when I finally slipped into the darkness of unconsciousness.

I thought I was dreaming. It seemed too sweet for it to be real. I felt this sense of warmth envelop me. It was as if a summer’s breeze had embraced me. Comforting. The scent that invaded my nose seemed familiar, but I couldn’t exactly place it. There was humming as well. A light voice humming next to my ear. Light as a butterfly’s wings. It all felt soothing. Something I haven’t felt in a while. I felt my consciousness breaking through and a whine escaped me. I didn’t want this to end. I didn’t want this feeling to end. Please. Just grant me a few more minutes of sleep. I can’t lose this. But of course, the universe couldn’t allow that. As I begin to wake, I feel a tear roll down my cheek, leaving a trail of wetness behind. That’s when I felt it. A warm hand brushing against my face, it’s movements slow and gentle. My eyes opened slowly, trying to decipher between the remnants of my dream and reality.

“Youngjae?” A smile crept its way on his plump lips.

“Hi beautiful.” He said while stroking my hair softly. I felt my body start to fully wake up as I sat up in my bed.

“What are you doing here? How did you even get in here?” he sighed, letting his hand fall from my head.

“Well, your roommates called. Said that something was up with you. When I asked what, all they said was that they didn’t know. That you wouldn’t even talk to them. As for how I got in the house…Jenny left her key with me for the day. She wasn’t sure if you’d answer the door if I just knocked.”

I only stared at the stuffed bear laying at the foot of my bed. I guess it was a good thing that I had showered earlier. I felt his hand on my back, rubbing circles without much thought. The feeling made me less tense, and I was grateful for the contact.

“So, what’s going on in that pretty little head of yours babe? You’ve been somewhat distant with me, but I figured it was because you were busy. If I had known that you were like this, I would’ve came over sooner. Hey, are you okay?”

I didn’t notice that my face was becoming wet with fresh salted tears until I felt his thumb rub at a tear that managed to escape my eyes. His arms pulled me into himself as he layed down on the bed, taking me with him.

“Ssshh. It’s okay. Just take your time. I’m not going anywhere.”

I couldn’t control my tears from falling. I felt so much comfort with him just being here. Him holding me. Hearing his strong heartbeat underneath me. So different from mine the past few days. The room was quiet as we stayed like this for several minutes until my tear stained face dried, and no more water threatened to spill over. Youngjae was the first to break the silence.

“Is it family related? Friends? Us?” he asked. And I shook my head to each one.

“Ok then. Is it because of your classes? Are you stressed?” I gave no response this time as I just closed my eyes.

“Aaah. So, that’s it huh? Babe why didn’t you tell me? Did you have a panic attack again? Was it worse than last time.”

I nodded my head to answer both questions. I felt him sigh under me, still rubbing circles on my back.

“How many this time?”

“I don’t know. I lost count.” I finally croaked out. I felt him nod this time.

“Okay, don’t freak out with this next question, but how much work do you have to do and what are their deadlines.”

He must’ve felt me tense up, because his hold on me got tighter as he murmured encouraging words in my ears. He shifted us into a sitting position, facing me towards him so that I was now looking at him. He placed both of his hands on my cheeks, looking me square in my eyes.

“Listen. Whenever you feel like this, I want you to tell me, alright. I don’t want you to deal with this alone and push people away. I’m here for you no matter what, okay?”

He quickly pecked my lips for confirmation and I couldn’t help but to smile at him.

“Understood.”

“Good. Now you need to get up and wash your face from all of the crying you’ve done. While you do that, I’ll go order your favorite. We’ll eat and watch TV together for a while, and after that missy, we’re tackling your schoolwork…together. No matter how long it takes alright. You’ve got this. You just put a lot of pressure on yourself, that’s all.”

He moved to leave the room, giving me a few minutes to collect myself. Soon I was in the living room, for the first time in days, snuggled next to Youngjae watching some show he had chosen. I still felt anxious, but it wasn’t at the same severity as it was before. I will have to talk to my roommates soon to thank them for calling him. And to apologize for my weird behavior.

“Youngjae?” My voice came out in a timid whisper.

“Hmm?” He was now looking at me.

I reached up to place a kiss on his soft lips.

“Thank you. For everything.” A sweet smile spread across his face.

“Anytime beautiful.”

#Got7 #Youngjae #Got7fanfic #oneshot #CollegeAU

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letterfromtrenwith · 7 years

Text

Inheritance

George/Elizabeth & some ghosts from the past

Ursula Chynoweth breathed her last on a quiet Saturday afternoon in July. Her daughter was not at home, having taken Geoffrey Charles and Morwenna shopping while George met with an investor at the bank. Their journey home had been happy enough - Geoffrey Charles telling his affectionately amused stepfather about how tiresome the visit to the dressmaker’s had been - until they were met at the front door of Trenwith by Mrs Tabb and Ursula’s nurse, both wearing grim expressions. Elizabeth seized her husband’s hand, knowing immediately what had happened.

She sat with her mother until the undertakers came. The nurse had washed and dressed Ursula, and she looked more peaceful than Elizabeth had ever seen her. Her perpetual pinched, sour expression had been replaced by a distressing slack-jawed emptiness after the apoplexy, but now she looked almost content. Elizabeth pushed a lock of hair off her mother’s face, the cold skin shocking. Behind her, the door creaked slowly open.

“My dear?” George’s quiet step, and a hand placed gently on her shoulder. She reached up and covered it with her own.

“Just a few more moments.”

“Of course.”

The funeral took place the following Tuesday, the summer heat making time of the essence. It was not especially well attended – of the few of Ursula’s society “friends” who had not seemed to forget her existence once she fell ill most were in London for the season and unable to return in time, even in the unlikely event they wished to. George and Elizabeth had only remained at home themselves due to the fairly recent birth of their son, and the bank placing heavy demands on George’s time.

Aside from her daughter, son-in-law, grandson and niece, Ursula’s only mourners were Verity and Andrew Blamey, Cary Warleggan, Lady Whitworth and Dr Choake. Elizabeth was entirely aware that her mother was not a beloved woman, but sitting in the near-empty church, she felt it somehow wrong that a person could pass from the world and so few show any care at all.

Lady Whitworth, Cary and the doctor all excused themselves after the service, so the wake consisted only of Ursula’s immediate family, and the Blameys. Elizabeth knew Verity had only come out of affection for her - like Francis, Verity had never had much fondness for Mrs Chynoweth – but she appreciated her sister-in-law’s presence nonetheless.

“Oh, my dear, it is a great heartache to lose one’s mother, no matter one’s age.” Verity took her hand gently as they sat on the sofa in the drawing room. By the fireplace – unlit, of course – Captain Blamey was telling an enraptured Geoffrey Charles a tale of the high seas, while George listened politely nearby. He looked tired, Elizabeth noted absently. He had made all the arrangements for Ursula’s burial, on top of all of his usual business with the bank and estate. It seemed his workload was taking its toll at last.

“Elizabeth?” She started, realising that in her contemplation of her husband, she had been ignoring Verity.

“Oh, Verity, I am sorry, I am just…I am a little out of sorts.”

“It is all right, my dear. I quite understand.” Of course she did. Verity understood only too well what it was to lose a loved one. Elizabeth returned the squeeze of her hand.

George actually started when he saw Elizabeth sitting in his bed as he entered his chamber late that evening. As he often did, he had stayed up late to work, and it was almost midnight. At any other time, Elizabeth might have enjoyed being able to coax such obvious surprise out of him.

“Do you – do you mind if I spend the night here?...I find that I do not wish to be alone.” His face softened, in that way it only ever seemed to do when he looked at her.

“Of course, my dear. You are always welcome here.” He prepared for bed a little stiffly, perhaps overly conscious of her presence. Before slipping in beside her, he extinguished the lights, ending with the taper at his bedside. The moon shone brightly through the window, however, bathing the room in soft silvery light.

“George?” He turned to look at her, the moonlight on his pale skin and fair hair casting an ethereal glow over him. Elizabeth hesitated, but continued eventually, prompted by the gentle encouragement in his eyes. “Would you – would you tell me about your parents?”

He looked up at the canopy, saying nothing for what seemed like an eternity, and she was frightened she had offended him somehow. She did not know what exactly had prompted her to ask him this, but she had spent a great deal of time these last few days thinking about her own mother and father, and found that she had a strong desire to know about his. There was a lot about him she did not know; despite all of the years they had been friends before their marriage. Perhaps it was just grief eroding her restraint and sense of delicacy.

“No, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t pry – “

“Ssshh, Elizabeth, please do not distress yourself. I am not offended. It is just – “ he paused, “no one has ever asked me that before.”

This astonished Elizabeth momentarily, and yet it made perfect sense. Who did George know who would ask? His uncle had already known his parents. Francis had been his only friend for many years, and her first husband had not been a man for discussing such personal matters. Not with anyone other than her at least. Francis and George had that in common. George was silent again for a moment, his eyes still fixed above him.

“I was younger than Geoffrey Charles when my mother died. I do not have much to tell.” “You do not remember her?” She imagined him as a small boy, left suddenly without a mother, and her heart ached for him, the sadness he must have felt piled upon that which she felt now.

“I used to think that I did, that I could remember what she looked like, but I am sure that I don’t remember anything that was not in her portrait. Not now, at least.” Elizabeth had seen the portrait to which he referred – it hung in a rarely used room at Cardew. Mary Warleggan, previously Lashbrook, had been a very pretty woman; whose elegant features and light colouring were predominant in her child. Elizabeth had heard some women, including her own mother, speak of the long dead Mistress Warleggan as a common miller’s daughter, but Elizabeth had never seen any such in that portrait.

“I remember the sound of her voice, a little,” George continued, his own voice very quiet, “but that is all.”

Elizabeth heard him take a shaky breath, and almost reached out to touch him, but suspected he would not appreciate any indication that she knew he was upset. She chose to divert him instead.

“And your father?” She had seen his picture also. A very serious looking man, Nicholas Warleggan did not greatly resemble his son, save for his piercing blue eyes, which had seemed to examine her closely even while rendered in oil. There was also something of him in the set of George’s jaw and the wrinkle of his brow when he was concerned or cross.

“My father…I do not have a great deal to say about him either, in truth. After my mother’s death, I saw little of him; he was always occupied with his business. She suffered from an illness – fits – and my birth made them worse, until they eventually killed her…..He – he never quite forgave me for that, I think.”

“Oh, George….” Elizabeth could not keep her words back, at the thought of a little boy taking the weight of his father’s grief. Instinctively, she reached out and took George’s hand in her own, moving closer still until she rested her head on his shoulder. In response, he touched his cheek to her hair. He was generally not quite so openly affectionate with her, save when they were alone like this, in the private world of their bedroom.

“It was a very long time ago, my dear. It is almost twenty years since he died.” He made a small sound of amusement. “Oh dear, I am getting very old.”

Elizabeth smiled softly into the material of his nightshirt, even as tears pricked her eyes.

“My father…,” she began, feeling as if she should give something return for what George had shared with her “He was very…obliging.”

“I remember.” Of course, George had known her father. How could she have forgotten? Elizabeth had been only sixteen when she met George and almost nineteen when Jonathan Chynoweth had died. She appreciated George agreeing with her delicate phrasing, when what she really meant was that her father, although a kind men, had been weak-willed, and cowed by Ursula’s domineering personality.

“I almost think that it is better he died than see my mother as she was at the end.” Her father had been so dependent on her mother to lead him that Elizabeth thought he would have been entirely lost without Ursula. Set completely adrift. In truth, Elizabeth herself had felt oddly bereft without her mother’s presence – so potent had it been in her life.

“You should remember her as she was, my dear. It is what she would have wished.” Elizabeth knew this – her mother would have loathed to be seen and thought of in that helpless, undignified state. George’s words touched her. He had always professed fondness for Ursula, although Elizabeth had never been sure how much was simply for her benefit.

“She – That is, we –“ she stuttered to a halt, stumbling over feelings she had been struggling with ever since her mother’s death. A great deal longer than that, in fact, but they had only truly made themselves known these last few days. She took a slow breath.

“I cannot remember her ever holding me when I cried, or singing to me as I went to sleep, or taking me for a walk in the gardens. That was always my nurse, or my governess, or my father. Her only words to me were of how I must sit up straight, and smile, and not do this or that because it was unbecoming or unladylike or men did not like it. I am not sure that she ever saw me as her child, but as…..”

“….a means to an end.” George finished softly, somehow exactly completing her thought before she had fully formed it.

“How – “

“Uncle Cary was quite distraught to learn that my father had given me control over my inheritance at eighteen, and not twenty-one.”

Elizabeth understood. Cary Warleggan had been dependent upon his brother, and then his nephew for his position in life. She knew that part of the reason the old man did not like her was because he had wanted to acquire a rich, titled young beauty for a niece – not a penniless widow who could offer no prestige and no distinguished connexions.

“I – I remember Francis telling me that he was relieved when Charles died, because he could not live with his scrutiny any longer.”

“I am not surprised to hear that.”

“Although I felt dreadful for doing so, I wondered if I would feel the same when my mother died – but, but I – “ she broke off, her voice catching.

“But she was your mother.” These words, so gently spoken, broke Elizabeth’s barriers, and hot tears flowed freely, wetting George’s shoulder. He said nothing, but pressed a soft kiss to her hair as she wept. Wept for the mother George had loved, but never known, and the mother she had known, but was not sure had ever loved her; for their fathers, both tied forever to their wives by entirely different bonds; and for two lonely children who lay here in the dark – together.

#george warleggan #elizabeth warleggan #elizabeth poldark #george x elizabeth #fic #m: fic #f: ge

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