#but as in -- we have siblings across the world and our actions affect one another across the world

[iliveiloveiwrite]

take me by the heart, take me by the hand // Elijah Mikaelson

A/N: An extension of the blurb I wrote on my blurb night a couple of weeks ago!! My taglists are open! If you would like to be added, drop me an ask and I’ll add you!! I hope you all like!

Pairings: Elijah Mikaelson x GN!Reader

Warnings: jealousy, soulmates, pining, mutual pining, mentions of food.

Word count: 2.1k

The sun was shining when Elijah Mikaelson began to understand jealousy in its unending torture. He wasn’t used to such an emotion. He wasn’t used to the blind rage that filtered through his body when he caught sight of you laughing with his brother. He wasn’t used to the want that would settle deep within his gut whenever he made you smile, laugh.

He supposed there was a sick juxtaposition in the fact that there he was, a creature of the night, sitting in the sunlight as he watched you laugh along to whatever story Klaus was currently telling.

It wasn’t as if he hadn’t felt jealousy before, but Elijah had never experienced it to this extreme where he felt like the villain of a fairytale, desperate to steal the innocent love interest away and keep them for eternity.

“You wrestled a bear!” You gasp, bringing Elijah’s attention back to the room. Your eyes are  wide as you hang onto every word of Klaus’ story.

The narrator nods; a smug smile crossing his face as he begins to act out the crux of the story. “We had this newfound strength after we were turned by our mother,” Klaus explains, “And the bear was easily disgruntled, choosing me for its next meal.”

“What did you do?”

“Well, love,” Klaus croons; his smile turning to a smirk as he hears Elijah grit his teeth. “I chose to engage.”

“Why would you choose to do such a thing?” You demand; eyebrows furrowed in confusion and concern for Klaus’ ability to make sane decisions. Elijah makes himself turn away; if he could, he would press away the furrow between your brows with a kiss, explaining that his brother was ever the exaggerator as he was an actor.

Klaus shrugs, lounging in his chair with a self-satisfied expression on his face. “Because I could and can,” He answers plainly, catching Elijah’s narrowed gaze from across the room and raising a single eyebrow in challenge.

Elijah doesn’t rise to the bait; doesn’t give himself the chance to. Instead, he leaves the room, feeling your frown on his back with every step he takes away from you.

“Have I done something to offend your brother?” You ask Klaus; your voice small as you stare at the doorway Elijah only walked through moments ago. Elijah had been off with you for weeks; staying in the room with you for limited amounts of time before stalking off to another room. He rarely spoke, but the soft timbre of his voice sent shivers down your spine with every word uttered. You couldn’t bear the thought of having offended the man you found yourself attracted to.

“You’ve done nothing, love,” Klaus reassures in a rare moment of affection. “My older brother just has some issues he needs to work out.”

“Oh,” You reply, falling quiet and remaining so for the rest of your time spent with the supernatural family.

----------

“Are you going to explain what is wrong with you, or are you going to stew in your feelings all night?” Klaus demands of his brother as soon as he enters the room, having seen you off only moments ago. The decanter of whisky sits open on the coffee table; one glass out of the two already filled halfway. Klaus helps himself to the other glass, pouring a knuckle’s length of the amber liquid.

“I don’t know what you’re referring to,” Elijah states airily, bringing his glass to his lips. He knew full well that he was jealous; he knew that was distancing himself from you and his sibling, unable to bear the rising envy clawing at his throat. What pains him most is that he can how his distance affects you, how hurt you look when he returns clipped conversations. The furrow between your brows deepens and he feels like a monster for being the cause of it.

“Your behaviour in front of (Y/N),” Klaus explains, doing his best to keep the anger aimed at his brother at bay. “They think they’ve offended you.”

“(Y/N) could never offend me,” Elijah states vehemently.

“You’re going to have to explain that to them.”

“I will eventually,” Elijah sighs, finishing off his drink and quickly refilling it.

“Whatever it is, brother, you can tell me,” Klaus promises in a rare moment of softness.

“That’s the thing, brother,” Elijah begins, “I don’t know what it is. All I know is that I see you two interacting and I lose my mind to jealousy.”

“Ah,” Klaus whispers, a knowing smile on his face as he places his glass on the table. The younger of the two men stands, clapping his brother on the shoulder before leaving the room.

Klaus finds it hard to keep the smile off his face as he wanders the halls of his New Orleans home. His brother had found his soulmate and hadn’t realised it. Their mother had warned them of such magic; the natural magic of the earth that created two souls to be intertwined perfectly. Outwardly, Klaus didn’t put much stock in the belief, but he had seen his mother turn his siblings into monsters cursed with having to walk the night for an eternity. It would make sense for soulmate magic to enter the Mikaelson home once and for all.

Elijah doesn’t stand from the chair; he remains seated for the night, resting his chin on his hand as he tries to get to grip with the feelings roused in your presence. He can no longer deny the attraction he feels for you; can no longer ignore the fact that he would give everything to wake up in a morning with you beside him, but what he cannot explain is the darkness of the jealousy holding him in its grip.

He only leaves the chair when he hears your voice chiming off the stone walls of the compound they call home. Your laughter lightens the atmosphere of the house; bringing joy to a home that was so used to the darkness of Klaus’ moods.  

The kitchen is bright with the morning light as Elijah settles at the table; his gaze already fixed on Klaus and yourself. The former grabbing a box of cereal from the cupboard as you help yourself to the fridge for the milk.

It’s as you sit down that he begins to feel it. The sunlight catches you perfectly; your hair practically soaking up its rays as if you were to become the celestial being itself – the brightness radiating out of you with every laugh, every smile, and every animated gesture of your hands as you tell off Klaus for the fifth time already today. Elijah tightens his hand into a fist in an effort to keep the growing possessiveness at bay.

He didn’t know where it began; this dark urge to possess you. All he knew was that the majority of the time, his thoughts revolved around you along with the word ‘mine’ on repeat. The façade of the gentleman, so carefully crafted after a millennia wandering the earth, began to crumble in your presence. Elijah could feel the green eyed monster clawing its way through his body, its claws sinking in deeper with every friendly glance at any man that wasn’t him.

“It comes with finding your soulmate,” Freya announces to her younger brother; the earthy scent of sage blooming around her as she takes a seat next to him. Elijah raises a single eyebrow in question; not in the mood for futile conversation today. Freya represses the urge to roll her eyes as she elaborates, “The jealousy. The irrational anger. The want. It comes with finding your soulmate.”

“Soulmates are a myth,” Elijah counters, finding his gaze drawn to you – watching you talk to Klaus, laughing at one of his calmer moments. The very action has Elijah clenching his fists to keep the anger at bay.

Freya fixes her younger brother with an unimpressed look. “Elijah, you’re one of the oldest vampires in the world, and I’m a witch. We are the myths whispered around campfires.”

“I suppose you’re right,” Elijah wonders in awe. “I never thought I would have one,” He continues in a softer voice, thinking of his past lovers – they had never made his mind race, or his breath stop in his chest, they were never his last thought at night and his first thought in the morning.

You were, however.

Elijah meets the gaze of his wiser, older sister to find her already watching him with a fond smile on her face. “Go speak to (Y/N),” She urges in a soft voice, “Explain everything.”

With the support of his sister, Elijah makes his way to where you sit with Klaus. His younger brother already regaling you with one of his many stories about his past; the darker parts of each tale hidden away this early in the morning. Klaus pauses his tale as Elijah clears his throat. “Could I have a moment of your time?” Elijah asks of you, glancing between Klaus and yourself. Klaus raises an eyebrow but wisely remains quiet.

“Of course,” You murmur, standing from your chair, following the older gentleman to an alcove just down the hall from the kitchen.

“I wanted to apologise for my behaviour,” Elijah starts when he feels certain that his siblings aren’t listening in, “I’m sorry if I’ve hurt you in any way over the past couple of months. I’ve been coming to terms with some personal things and Freya, thankfully, explained the cause of such behaviour this morning.”

“Your apology is accepted, Elijah,” You laugh, smiling happily at the taller gentleman, taking note of how he seems closer to the Elijah you have come to know and love. “What did Freya explain if you don’t mind me asking?”

“I don’t mind at all,” He answers, “You’re bound to find out eventually.”

“Don’t keep me in suspense, Elijah!”

Elijah chuckles, smiling down at you indulgently. “I was jealous,” He explains; his face turning thoughtful. “I couldn’t figure out why. Whenever I saw you speaking or laughing with another man like Klaus or Kol, or even Marcellus though I know he’s happy with Rebekah, I was overcome with such intense jealousy that it was hard for me to get control of.”

“You were jealous?” You splutter, “Of what?”

“Of the men you so easily formed friendships with. I wanted to be the one you smiled at, that you laughed with.”

“I thought you hated me,” You confess timidly. “I thought I had broken an ancient vampire protocol and I had offended you.”

“You could never offend me,” Elijah states, “And I could never hate you, it’s rather the opposite.”

“The opposite?”

Elijah nods. “Freya explained to me the existence of a magic I once believed to not exist. I had never seen it; thus I could never state its truth. It wasn’t until Freya explained that the reason behind my jealousy and dark moods was that you are, indeed, my soulmate did I even remember that such a powerful magic exists on this planet.”

“Soulmate,” You breathe, peering up at Elijah through your lashes, “I’m your soulmate?”

“As I am yours,” Elijah swears, stepping that little bit closer to you.

“Vampires… witches… soulmates,” You whisper, unable to comprehend the change in your belief system.

“You’re not upset, are you?” Elijah asks, reaching for your hand. He need to know your feelings on this; should you not want the bond; he would take a step back. It would hurt, but he would do it for your happiness. Should you accept the bond, he would be a man in possession of the greatest living thing on earth – you.

“I’m not upset,” You promise, smiling at the original vampire, tangling your fingers together.

You place your free hand on Elijah’s chest, fully aware that you would not feel a heart beat under your palm. Even through the designer material of his perfectly tailored suit, you can feel the coolness of his skin and whilst many would be repulsed by the lack of warmth, you only feel further attraction for the man in front of you.

Elijah’s hand covers yours; the action speaking louder than any words could. He can feel the life thrumming through your veins; the vitality that punctuates the air with every breath you take. He feels drunk on his feelings for you; at a loss to understand how your paths crossing months ago could lead to a moment like this.

“I want a forever with you,” You whisper boldly, moving your hand to the back of Elijah’s neck.

“Forever and more,” Elijah promises; sealing the spoken vow with an unhurried kiss.

*****

The Originals taglist: @angelxnaa

Special fic tag: @elijahs-wife

#elijah mikaelson x reader #elijah x reader #elijah mikaelson imagine #elijah mikaelson #Elijah Mikaelson fanfiction #the originals #the originals fanfiction #elijah mikaelson imagines #the originals fanfic

[saturatedboy]

Karl Heisenberg x Gn!Little!Reader

This took longer than expected, my apologise.

@bunnelbaby

Words: 4.8K

Requests: Open

Your laughter had rung through the air of the village centre, dragging the attention of the elders that had walked by. However, none was disturbed by your noise, instead they smiled and continued on with their day as they appreciated the thought of you entertaining the small young ones. The small children around you had been building small snowmen out of the thin layer of snow that was left on the stone and dirt ground. Although none of the snowmen looked like your typical snowmen, they still held each other their creativity into it. Your laughter had started after some of the children had decided to name their creations with funny names, filling your heart with warmth. “Mines called Pup because of their ears!”

“Mines called Vampy because I placed teeth on mine!”

“Mines named Snowy because their made out of snow!” The children's laughter had followed your own, them finding your laughter addicting to listen to. Being down in the village had both its ups and down when working with the children. You enjoyed each of their company, glad to be of help to those who went hunting and left their children in your care trusting you without needing to speak the words. You really did love taking care of them, however a part of you had seriously envied the children. You’re here giving them the great childhood they could before they would head wherever they chose to in life- back at your home village a little farther away, you ever received such kindness that much and you weren’t exposed to so much of affection.

The loss of your childhood had happened after your baby sibling was born. You understood the need for them to be cared for but you were thrown to the side, left as the last choice as you watched your sibling revive the affection you once had received. To think now that you were touched starved, had led to a bigger change in you. A type of change that you would coil back into as your mind was filled with bigger thoughts than you could handle. Being an adult now you were left with no choice- you hadn’t been taught what to do or how to take charge of certain things. So, every now and again when things began to get too much to think about or to take actions- you'd simply slip your mind into a more comfortable setting, being the age of 5 again.

From your past visits to the Lady Dimitrescu Castle, offering apology gifts for your boyfriend's behaviour, you’d had taken up the opportunity to be welcomed to the pen library there. The number of books had you hooked, to be able to take you far away from the reality of your own world. Throughout scanning back then, you'd came across a book that had researched about age regression- an unfamiliar word to you at the time. After scanning through the pages before you were running behind time of getting back to your own home, you came to accept that maybe this is what had begun to happen to you where you’d slip into this softer mind set when your anxiety had built up.

You watched as the children had gathered together and started to tell each other stories about their snowmen they built. You found their talks very cute and even asked them questions for them to keep talking as you didn’t want their light of excitement in their eyes to disappear. Their talks soon became quieter as parents would come and pick them up after doing their daily jobs for the village. Each one thanked you for looking after their next family line and was on their ways back home. As the sun only just began to set, you were left with two children at your side as you sat on the cobble wall waiting for their parents to come. Each of the children sat either side of you, leaning against you as their eyes drooped asleep. Humming softly, you stopped when you could see in your line of vision the 2 sets of parents walking over. “Thank you so much!” They spoke, as they gently lifted their sleeping children into their grasps. You nodded as a reply and watched as one pair walked away, the other set lingering for a second.

“Could we talk?” The father asked. You gulped, your mind drifting to anything bad you had done to their child but nothing came. Had you forgotten something? Jumping off the wall you stood with your hands behind you back, your fingers scratching each other slightly as you bit your lip in anticipation. “You see, our boy never wears his gloves and takes them off before we leave the house. We were thinking since they all adore so much if you could keep a spare set on you and tell him to wear them when you see him again tomorrow.”

Biting the inside of your cheek, you hesitantly nodded in agreement and watched as the mother had fumbled into her front pocket of her dress and took out a set of brown cotton gloves, small enough to fit only a child's hand. She handed them towards you as you quickly placed them into your trench coat pocket and waved them both a goodbye. Their backs turned from you as they walked away, hand in hand. Looking up as you felt the sudden drop of rain, you sighed and furrowed your brows. “Time to get home.” You spoke softly to yourself as you pulled your long trench coat over yourself more to shield yourself from the upcoming drop in temperature.

The sky had stars peeking through the shades of blue, the moon rising over the mountains edge. Howls from around you had suddenly become more clearer as the beasts, known as Lycans, walked alongside you taking a sniff at you every now and again to make sure you were really you. Obviously, they weren’t doing this without being told so, your boyfriend had the tendency to become very protective of you and would rather have you safely home with company rather than on your own. Who knows what could get you, he can’t control over every animal in the forests and woods. Grazing your hand over the fur of a Lycan, you giggled as in snuggled into your hand and having its tongue stick out from its mouth. “Puppy!” You spoke only to bite your lip again. Shakily, you took your hand away from the Lycan, even if its whines did almost persuade you to pet it again, and looked forward on your path. You were almost there, just a few more twists to take and you could be in the comfort of your own place.

The sound of the factory running, your home, had made you suddenly become giddy and filled with happiness. Transforming your walk into a sprint, you rushed towards the gates that were still left open and ran on the trail of loose small stones up to the entrance of the factory itself. Taking a deep breath as you hunched over as your sprint stopped at the door, you ran a hand through your hair and waved back at the Lycans that had stopped at the now closing gates. Once the gate was fully closed, they scampered away howling in the wind.

“What are ya waiting for? You’re free to enter ya know!” A voice spoke over the speakers. You rolled your eyes, are you not allowed to catch your breath now. Smiling however, you pushed open the door and entered being met with the bursting heat and steam that swirled around. The smell had been accompanied with both dust and burning metal, keeping you on your feet quickly. Flinging your coat off your shoulders, you threw it onto one of the cloak hooks and trotted out of the room. Hold on... You did a double take and walked towards your coat that had successfully landed on one of the hooks on the wall. Digging through each and every pocket, it was only when you felt in your last pocket that you picked up the gloved out of it. Keeping it tightly crushed in your right hand, you nodded to yourself and hummed in glee, happy you remembered to take them. As you paced again out of the cloak room, you made your way through the long hallway and stood in front of the elevator. You pressed the ‘up’ button and waited for it to arrive. Whistling a random tune your mind had wandered to the gloves again. You had to remember to takes these tomorrow right. For the child. What if you forgot though? Would the child freeze, but he was okay today- maybe that’s because he was lucky? The thoughts soon clouded your mind that you didn’t realise the elevator had arrived and open its door, another figure waiting for you with open arms.

Your whistling had changed into a family tune, a short song your father had sung to you before your sibling had come. Pictures of your family came into mind, the holding your sibling and giving them forehead kisses made your blood boil. You felt betrayed, abandoned for your siblings needs. You were thrown, left for a better and more...more! “Do I get no hug?”

Waking yourself away from your envied trance, your eyes had met the black round glasses. You pouted and nodded, walking into his open arms and wrapping your own arms around his waist, taking a sniff at his scent. Feeling relax as his arms collied around your body after pressing another button to go back to the ‘home level’ as you called it, you kept your gaze down into his shirt not caring about the oil and sweat stains that he stunk of. “How was your day?” He hummed as the elevator begun to move.

“It was okay Karl,” You mumbled, hugging him tighter as your mind became hazy in thoughts. He didn’t press further, sensing you needed some time to maybe think. Your voice sounded strained, weak from the cold air you had felt. Karl had placed his head on your shoulder, nuzzling his face into the crook of your neck and closing his eyes. Finally, you were home, he had been missing you the whole day after you left him for the corrupted children as he would put it. Feeling your embrace was all he needed to be motivated to get back to working on a soldier of his. The elevator had stopped and he let go of you, leaving a lingering kiss in your hair. “I’ll be in my usual place, see you at tea,” giving you one last kiss, this one firmer than the last, he waved to you as you stepped out of the elevator and watched as it closed, taking your lover to his working place.

Turning on your heel, you pulled open the first door you could see and entered the now living quarters of the factory. Setting the gloves on a nearby cabinet, you slapped yourself in the face, dragging your hand down your facial features and groaning loudly. You just had to hum that tune didn’t you. You internally hated your senses at this moment, going back to biting your lips at the remembrance of your past family. You looked down at the glove in your now hurting scrunched hand. And onto of it all you had to remember the gloves. You could NOT remember these, how were you supposed to. Something as easily as even cooking slipped your mind half of the time.

You wanted to break down, to cry and go to sleep to doze everything off. You had tried that before but it never worked all the times. Walking around the house, you did a bit of cleaning by putting away the now dried cluttery but that didn’t get rid of the stress. Placing the last knife in the drawer, you decided to head to your room which was situated a bit way from Karl’s own room. Running your hand along the walls as your walked past them, you pushed open your door and closed it behind you. Breathing out harshly, your gaze had settled onto the stuff animal on your bed still. This was Mr Bear, the best name your creative 5-year-old mind could come up with. Seeing Mr Bear had made you giddy, smiling as your troubles had slowly and unnoticeably slipped away. Skipping to the end of your bed, you jumped on the bundle of blankets and grabbed hold of the small brown bear, laughing as you threw him up and caught him again in your hands. Just like your troubles, your mind also slipped into a freer mindset, one that the more adult you wouldn’t fully comprehend the reason behind your actions. It was like a switch in your mind, only this switch had been hidden away from everyone, including Lord Heisenberg.

Sighing, he fumbled with the loose metal compass necklace around his neck as he moved one leg to rest on the other’s knee. Karl Heisenberg had been awaiting your arrival for the last 10 minutes, and everyone who had crossed paths with him understood he was no patient man. Letting go of the compass in his hands, he pushed his chair out as he used his hands to stand up. You had never been late; this was a first and he would be lying if he spoke that he wasn’t worried for your well-being at all. Maybe you were sick? He convinced himself as he picked up your bowl of vegetable soup and used his powers to pick up the spoon that rested beside the bowl’s placement. Walking around the table, he wandered out of the room and called your name again. “(Y/n)! C’mon food is getting cold!” He leaned against the doorframe that split the dining and kitchen from the living room. Still no sound, only small thumps that were barely audible anyway. Groaning, he left the kitchen area and walked through the living space, walking behind the couch to the hallway that had three doors. Turning to the first door, he raised his fist and knocked harshly. “I’ve been shouting you, c’mon out buttercup!”

He rolled his eyes as he could hear your laughter from within the room. Just as he was about to grab the handle of your door and swing it open, his hand stopped midway as he heard you talking. Being curious, he placed his ear by the door and squinted his eyes. Yep, definitely you talking to someone. “No, you got to get mawwied! And I shall be the talking person!” Finding your talking out of character, he went back to grabbing the door handle and as he wanted, he swung your door open. Looking around, he saw you on the floor at the foot of your bed, holding a brown bear and a doll that Donna Benevinto had given to you as a gift. Seeing you hold the two objects; Karl shook his head.

“What are ya doin’ down there darling?” He asked as he crouched down to be eye level with you. You stared at him within unamused look in your eyes.

“They are getting mawwied” You exclaimed, holding the two now married objects into the air and giggling at Karl’s reaction of being wide eyed. He was going to speak but you cut him off before he could get a word out. “You could be the Flowey boy!” Getting up from your spot, you dropped the married couple onto the floor and ran to tackle Karl into a hug. Without expecting the sudden movement, Karl let himself fall onto his backside as you cuddled him by hugging and continued giggling finding the act of surprise fun.

“Buttercup you feelin’ alright?” He questioned as he took his glove off by his teeth and went to feel your forehead for a raise in temperature. You shook your head and scrambled to get off him after he had touched your forehead. As you got off him, you sat in front of him with your legs crossed. You rest your elbows on your knees and leaned forward scrunching your face which caused a chuckle to come from Karl. “What are ya doin’ then buttercup? We have food to eat,” He motions towards the bowl in his hand which you hadn’t caught before. A sudden sparkle spread across your eyes and you crawled towards him and looked into the bowl seeing the substance and liquid move about with every small movement. You pulled a face and backed away, shaking your head.

“I don’t like it.” You spoke, crossing your arms over your chest and looking away with a pout and furrowed brows. Karl was immediately taken back from your response.

“But you like this!” He said, dropping the floating spoon into his other hand as he pointed it at you. You didn’t look, still looking away from him with the same emotion. Huffing, Karl stared at you with an intense look. He was lucky he had his shades on. “Gosh how old are you?” He mumbled under his breath, meaning it in no harsh way but rather a confused intention. What he didn’t expect was you to hear him, and reply.

“5...” He sat straight, looking at you with a questionable look. He placed the bowl beside him, with the spoon in it, and leaned on one of his knees.

“You’re 5?” He repeated, watching as you looked over from the corner of your eye and slowly nodded. He didn’t choose to question it further; he didn’t fully understand nor did he know why you were all of a sudden 5 but it didn’t fully matter to him why you had changed age; he was just worried for you. And he would remember to ask you the next day most likely or when he had the chance to. He watched like a hawk as you crawled back over to where you placed the bear and doll down to pick them up. Smiling, you had shuffled back towards him and passed him the doll.

“Take it,” You pushed the doll into his hands and swayed your head left and right. With the bear in your own, you pretended to make the bear wave at the doll and made the bear walk as you moved it side to side. Coughing slightly, you spoke in a deeper tone. “Hewwo pwetty,” Karl held a laugh back as you looked up at him showing your teeth. You sat there and waited...and waited...and waited. Karl was beyond confused. “You tawlk now.” You whispered to him as you gently nudged his knee with your foot.

Karl gazed down at the doll in his hands, what was he supposed to say? He looked back up at you and saw the sparkle in your eyes with the same smile had had loved chiselled into your face. Gulping down any embarrassment he had, he made the doll wave back. You lit up like fireworks and fidgeted in your place. Karl smiled softly at your reactions, his eyes behind his glasses resting on your form. You seemed much calmer like this, something he never got to see much as you would be trying your best to please everyone in the village after being casted to work for the Lord Heisenberg. “Hi there,” He spoke, playing along with your game by placing a high pitch voice on. Yor conversation lasted for a while, to the point you both had gotten on your feet and started to move on levels from furniture to each other. At the moment in time, Karl was on his knees as you placed the bear in his now up sided hat and pretended it was a boat as you made it move physically around Karl’s frame. His laughter had become harder, some tears threatening to spill, watching you make your best ‘boat noises’ as you moved the boat about.

Whilst you were still moving the ‘boat’, Karl had turned to look over at the clock.

18:40

He placed the doll down and waited for you to come back in front of him. He watched as you had sailed the ‘boat’ around him then he quickly grabbed you by the waist making you squeal. Bringing you into his lap despite your protests, he rocked you both as your whines became less and less. “I think we should go eat,” He said, standing up with you in his arms holding onto the ‘boat’ and bear.

“I don’t wanna eatttt,” You whined, squirming in his grasp as Karl walked out of your room and back into the hallway. Nuzzling his head with your own, his beard feeling ticklish against you skin, he chuckled as you tried to swat him away.

“You’re going to eat whenever you like it or not seemingly, I have to reheat tea all over again.” Karl took longer strides into the kitchen, placing you down on the table edge and making sure you were secured in your place. Taking his hat away from our hold, he took the bear out and gave it to you then proceeded to place his hat on your head. You gasped and talk to your bear as Karl turned feeling satisfied with the happy vocal noises, he manages to make you say.

“Look Mr Bear, I’m like Mister over there!” Karl didn’t need to turn to know you were pointing at him for Mr Bear to see. His heart swelled hearing you speak about being like him, just having you with him made him feel so much more love and affection. He wanted to return that, to give you the love and affection you deserved to have in your life. He knew little of your past and family, he never thought to talk about it much since you didn’t strike any interest in them. Any conversation about them was brought to an end after a short reply.

Turning the stove on to reheat the pot of soup, Karl turned around and saw you playing with bear making it dance in your lap. He watched you, finding your actions oddly cute. To think this morning you were awake, ready to take on the day even with the clear evidence of the stress tears creating dark circles under your eyes. Seeing you play happily without a care in the world had made his shoulder drop and become relaxed, you were calm and so was he. It was like your auras would affect each other but either way it was a good collision of feelings.

“Mr Bears says your pwetty!” You said, holding the bear around its waist and holding it down on your lap. Karl raised a brow and took off his shades, placing them to hang of his green under shirt.

“Oh really-?” He walked forward, raising his hands up and wiggling his fingers about. Your child mind got the idea and started to back way on table, shaking your head with a mischievous smile. “If you don’t agree your cute then, I'll transform into the tickle monster.” You laughed and backed away to the edge, sealing your lips shut and staring at Karl with bright eyes.

Bringing up Mr Bear, you took him into one hand and raised him back behind your head, only to lunge him towards Karl, “GO MR BEAR! ATTACK!” Karl could only pretend to get hit as he placed his hand onto his heart, pretending to ‘die’.

“Oh no, I’ve been hit!” Getting down on one knee, he was slowly disappearing from your view from the other end of the table. Biting your tongue gently, you crawled on the table making your way back to your first position on the other side. You leaned over the edge, watching as Karl was on his back hand still over his supposed ‘wound’ from Mr Bear. “I’m going,” He whispered as he dramatically closed his eyes and turned his head as he was now ‘dead’. He held back another smile as he heard your laughter from above him. Your laugh was something he treasured and cherish, to hear every second of it was like his favourite record playing on repeat.

The sudden smell of hot soup hitting his nose had him open one eye, to see you blowing a raspberry at him. Getting up quickly, he gently set you back onto your butt and made sure you were stead on the table. You continued to blow raspberries at him until he gave you Mr Bear, who was left on the floor after the attack, back into your arms. “Keep them safe.” Karl demanded as he turned to go back over to the pot and turn the heat off.

“He’s called Mr Bear,” you responded, facing Mr Bear towards you as you brushed his fluffy fur with your thumb. Karl hummed as he went to grab two bowls from the cabinet, bringing them over to the set them next to stove. Taking the lid of the pot, he used a larger spoon to gather its contents and pour them into the bowls, blowing on it to make sure the heat isn't too much for you. Once the bowls were filled with the vegetable soup, he walked back over to you as he used his powers to collect two spoons from the draining board and bring them over to him. Your eyes followed the flying metal, eyes following there every movement. Your interest would be the same as a child in your caring group, they too would watch the flying metal with interest and curiosity.

“C’mon now, time to eat.” Karl took hold of you gently before setting you down on a chair. You pouted, your bottom lip quivering slightly. “What’s up my little royalty?” He questioned as your hug on Mr Bear suddenly was tighter.

“I want you to fweed me.” You mumbled, your eyes pleading him to do so. Karl was really glad that his other ‘family’ members were not there at this moment to ruin everything. Without a second of thought he agreed, grabbing one of the flying spoons into his hand and stirring your bowl to have an even amount of coolness to its hot substance.

Grabbing a spoonful, Karl brought the spoon to his lips and blew on it making sure there isn’t any steam on it after. Once he was sure it was cold enough for you to have, he held the spoon in front of your face waiting for you to open. “Say ‘ah’” He waited for you to comply, slowly you opened your mouth and felt him nestle the spoon into your mouth. Clamping your mouth close onto the spoon, Karl angled the spoon to pour its liquid into your mouth before pulling it out clean. You chewed and swayed your legs, swallowing and smiling after. Karl turned to his own bowl beside him and used his magic to get a spoonful himself to feed himself with. The routine was that, he’s feed you then feed himself. He wasn’t bothered by this in the slightest, it made you happy so why shouldn’t he do it.

With the food soon gone and bowls washed up, Karl had settled down with you on the couch in the living room as he talked about his plans to kill Mother Miranda. It wasn’t the best subject to talk about since he didn’t know if you understood his rather more profanity vocabulary but either way it seemed you were enjoying listening to him. To you, it was like Heisenberg was telling you a fairy tale and you were just nodding along with the story. Sure, you were learning new words but you were happy to be in his presence. His smile made you smile, when he laughed you also laughed, when he swore- well let's say he began to be more careful with his words after you repeated them.

Although you loved hearing Karl’s voice, your mind was beginning to be lulled to sleep by him. The hot food that you recently found out you liked again and the fun games you spent today with Karl had left you nearly exhausted. Only enough energy to sit and move Mr bear about in your arms as Karl had gotten up to grab a blanket since he too was feeling a little sleepy himself. Getting comfortable, you nuzzled into his side and held Mr bear close, whispering a ‘goodnight’ to him. After you looked up at Karl, who was holding back an urge to smoke a cigar since it was right beside him on the table and gently nudged him with your smaller hand. Karl looked down at you and nodded, waiting for you to speak. “Thank you,” Was all you said before you closed your eyes, resting your body and mind against him.

“Sweet dreams,” was the last thing you heard and your mind had shut off, the darkness being placed with a land of green grass and a black horse running about a great oak tree.

#karlheisenberg #resident evill village #x reader #karl heisenberg #lord karl heisenberg #lord heisenberg #re8 #resident evil 8 oneshot #karl heisenberg oneshot #karl hesienberg #oneshot #fluff #littlereader

[wordsbeyondimagination]

A Little Secret of Kiss

“Are you going to introduce me to your boyfriend or should I plan a blind date for you?”

“Mom! Please. I don’t want to listen to anything,” you said stuffing your mouth with cup noodles. Your Mother has been bothering you about your boyfriend.

In the morning, after coming back from the gym, you got welcomed by a lady sitting comfortably on your couch. She had cleaned your room.

“Mom, what a surprise?” You were confused. You should be happy that you saw your Mom after so many days but it’s also clear that why she was there. No matter how happy you were but to feel irritated.

“Why your office gave you so small a room? But still, you don’t bother to clean it.”

She always wanted to meet your boyfriend. But currently, you have no boyfriend and there is no way that she was going to get convinced by your words. This is the result of getting friend-zoned always. It’s not wrong that you tried so many times to start a relationship with anybody but always ended up being friend-zoned and that’s the reason why you didn’t want a boyfriend anymore.

“You have two guy best friends but have no boyfriend. Are you this unattractive?”

“Ma… Can you please shut your mouth? I don’t want a boyfriend.”

“Are you still afraid that you will be friend-zoned?”

“Please, if you will talk anymore, I will send you back.” She clicked her tongue before shutting up.

You took out your phone and dialed a number.

“Who are you calling?”

“You don’t need to know,” you hissed but the person you were calling was not picking up.

“Yeah… Y/n, how come you call this morning.” Finally, Jaemin picked the phone.

“How much did you drink last night?” He growled.

“Who said that I drank yesterday? Does my morning voice sound that sexy?”

“Shut up. I need your help.” You hung up. And the next moment you heard a knock on your door. You opened the door.

“Jaemin, come in,” before you could warn him not to talk any nonsense, he had already started.

“Y/n, you had locked your door. It’s suspicious,” he shut his mouth the moment his eyes fell on your mother.

“Good Morning Aunt. Nice to see you in the morning.” He said scratching the back of his neck.

“Nice to see you Jaemin. And where is Jeno?”

“Mom, I don’t think he is up yet.” You intervened, you had to because you never want your best friend to feel awkward when your mother asks him to be your boyfriend.

“Jae, can you book a hotel for Mom?”

“Why a hotel? I want to live with you.”

“Mom, it won’t be convenient, you can see the size of the room.” Thank god! She was convinced with the reason or else she would have opened a blind dating sight in the room.

“Where is your kitchen? I will make something for you.”

“Yeah, sure Aunt, you can use my kitchen. Y/n’s fridge is empty.”

“Oh dear, you care about her.” And the next moment she was shoved out of the room.

“Wait, wait, okay, just tell Jeno to join.”

“Okay, I will ask him.”

Then in the room, you and Jaemin were there and you were giving him the apologetic look for causing this chaos and he was going to the hotel booking sights.

“You don’t look drunk!”

“Yeah, who said I drank?”

“But you went to bar last night. And Jeno got a dunk.”

“Yeah, we went but we only drank mocktails, we never went to cocktails. And Jeno never drank he was the first one to head home. I came also came to check on him and saw him sleeping.”

Your mind went back to last night. Around 8 pm, when you heard a knock. When you opened the door, you were welcomed by a drunk Jeno, and all of a sudden, he closed the distance between you two and placed his lips on yours. When you realized the moment, he had already started to move his lips. You tried to shove him until your eyes closed. And the next moment you were kissing him. Both on your couch and lips moving in sync, tongues colliding and breathless. But before things could elevate, you pulled out, he also sat up and without saying anything marched out of your room.

Correct, he wasn’t drunk, he never had the smell of any alcohol. That means he was fully conscious when he was kissing me, he knew what he was doing, it was never a mistake.

When you realized, your face heats up.

“Y/n, what happened you zoned out?” Jaemin’s voice snapped you out of your thought.

“Huh? Nothing.”

“Then I will talk with Aunt about the hotel. I am going to wake Jeno.” He left and again your mind went to Jeno.

Indeed, he was hot. Your chemistry with Jaemin was good because you were like siblings but Jeno was of different species. The moment you saw him, he felt that he was too hot for you. But as you became friends, you came across a warm Jeno with a sweet eye smile. He always thought about you and treated you nicely but all those years of being friend-zoned made you blind to his love. You were too blind to understand his love language. But the constant heartbeats when he talked with you, or you were alone with him. Just the thing was, he never approached you and you never understood him. It was also a hard time for Jeno to resist your lips, your sweetness, and of course your care. You two had already set up a different world but never accepted the feelings.

And there was no way that you could say your Mom that you were just kissed by your best friend when he was fully sober but acted like a drunk. It was sure that he liked you but never expressed. You had no idea that even if he will confess to you or not.

You went to the kitchen where your mother had already set up the table.

“Y/n, I was just about to call you. Where are Jeno and Jaemin?”

“Yeah, Jae has gone to wake him.”

“Hey, I think Jaemin is suitable for you,” she whispered to you eventually getting elbowed by you.

“Mom, stop it, he is like my brother.”

“Okay, okay, whatever.” You made her disappointed this time.

Jeno and Jaemin entered the kitchen.

“Good Morning Aunt, I didn’t know that you came. Jae just told me that it’s a surprise.”

“Aunt’s breakfast is the surprise.” Everyone laughed at his statement.

Throughout the breakfast, Jeno and you never dared to make eye contact with each other. The silence was not awkward just of the pleasant and satisfying food that they hadn’t since long. But still, Jaemin decided to break the silence.

“Jeno, do you know why Aunt has come?”

“Jaemin, concentrate on eating, don’t talk nonsense.” But he just went on.

“She wants to set up Y/n with somebody. She has also arranged a blind date for her. Jeno, now Y/n won’t hang with us instead she will go on dates with her boyfriend.” He said with a fake sadness in his voice that was rather mocking.

“Jeno, just imagine Y/n dating somebody.” He said and laughed, your mother was no less than Jaemin, she was also enjoying. But the blood of Jeno was boiling. You could feel his piercing gazes that straight went inside your soul. And poor you, you were trying hard to avoid his eyes.

Jeno stood up from his place. “Aunt, excuse me, I have some errands to run.” You sighed in relief when he said this.

“Y/n, you have your day off, so come with me.”

“No Mom, not any more blind dates.” She again clicked her tongue and you had no other option than to go with her.

“Jaemin, do you want to come with us?”

“I am going to sleep all day.” He was just too lazy to move.

After the full retiring day, you finally reached your apartment, your Mom took you shopping. She shopped for you, her, and your siblings. The whole day you moved from one shop to another, now, your legs were begging you for rest.

Jaemin met you at the entrance, “Hey, how your date went?” he said grinning.

“Jae, I was shopping for Mom all day.”

“Ohhhhh… enjoy. I am going for walk. If you want anything text me.”

“Okay, bye.”

You came to the room, but your room was not locked. You remembered locking it, and the spare keys were with Jaemin and Jeno, if Jamin was heading out then the only person inside was….

You slowly opened the door to see Jeno sitting on your chair.

“Jeno? Do you need anything?” you wanted to sound as normal as possible.

“Had fun on the blind date?” he said sarcastically. His little laugh was bitter and his mood was sour. That irritated you. It was his fault that he never confessed you. But you wanted to push his boundaries.

“Yeah, had fun. He is a good guy,” you said mocking. You had pushed far.

The next moment, he pulled you and laid you on the couch with him on top of you. His lips on your neck, he was behaving like a beast and you as his prey. Your strength was negligible to shove him from you.

“Jeno stop it, please Jeno.” He stopped, he realized that he will lose you if he didn’t stop. He sat beside you on the couch. He was guilty of his actions.

You didn’t want any kind of explanation from him. You stood up. But he was faster and hugged you from the back.

“I am sorry, I like you Y/n, and I don’t want to lose you to any stranger.”

“Jeno, if you like me, you could’ve confessed me.”

“But I was afraid that it will affect our friendship.”

“I like you.”

“Huh?” his grip loosened and he stood still. You turned to him.

“I like you or why else a girl would kiss you back.”

His facial expression was unreadable, he didn’t say anything and that made your heart drop. Disappointment washed over you. And now, you were looking at the ground with eyes full of water.

He embraced you and his warmth was comfortable. He seemed smiling, and your tears dropped on his shirt.

“Let’s go to Aunt tomorrow and say that you have a boyfriend now. So, she should stop looking for a partner for you.”

#nct #nct fanfiction #nct fanfic #nct fluff #nct angst #nct imagines #nct scenarios #nct jeno #lee jeno #jeno fanfic #jeno fluff #jeno angst #fanfic

[chusui00]

Have A Little Faith

Word Count: 1,783

Summary: You are at Lady Danbury’s evening ball, which is the perfect opportunity to find a potential suitor so that you can finally settle down. But of course, it’s not as easy as it sounds. You’ve found yourself standing far away from everyone else, and just when you think tonight will be fruitless, your childhood friend, Anthony Bridgerton, changes all of the thoughts inside your head.

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

Tonight was the night where I needed to do a little flirting with men I have never personally met, and hopefully, I’ll impress them with my charms. That’s if they would gauge their attention onto me instead of whatever they wanted to boast about.

Mama practically talked my ear off when we were upon arriving Lady Danbury’s estate, but Richard distracted her with the topic of his new fiancée like the eldest brother he is. I still hadn’t thanked him for his act of bravery, although, that could wait for when we were in the carriage.

In my mind, I ventured on about whether or not he would be at the ball. The last time we’ve met was nearly three days ago when our families agreed to have a picnic in celebration of a newborn baby coming into the world. As much as I enjoyed engaging in social encounters, I had been more comfortable with reading alone in my room.

But alas, he persuaded me to join everyone outside where we could eat and share jokes under the warm sun together. Since then, I couldn’t stop thinking about the way his shoulder brushed against mine more than enough times to call it accidental.

The man even offered to feed me a sandwich and delectable piece of scone he had already bitten into. Luckily for the two of us, our families were too immersed with doting over the aforementioned newborn baby to realize what we were doing.

Viscount Bridgerton, informally known as Anthony or Bridgerton by both family and close friends. I was not exempt from the latter formalities, although, I’ve always wondered what my life would be like if I had not crossed paths with him.

He is everything and more when Lady Whistledown wrote about him in her society’s paper last Tuesday. And to be quite frank, he needed to work for what he wanted rather than let it fall into his lap.

It seemed unfathomable the way he charmed his way through women of the ton while simultaneously rejecting them. I found it entertaining to see the crestfallen faces of girls my age, but am I to blame for their naïveté?

Anthony Bridgerton is a Rake through and through, which I can say with the utmost certainty because I am his childhood friend.

Now, don’t get me wrong. He loves his mother and siblings in place of his late father, and he is very passionate in regards of his interests. That includes women who have a pretty face and have given him an unforgettablely good time.

But this did not excuse the trail of broken hearts as well as tearful confessions behind the Viscount. Although a bit discouraging for someone who harbored feelings for the man, I always kept a smile on my face whenever we had a conversation with one another.

Anthony was extremely well-versed in politics, social skills, and the economy. There were times when I tested him on a popular topic in the papers, which as expected, he excelled.

I should not be thinking about the past at this hour. Everyone around me was dancing, drinking their glasses of champagne, and looking for someone to court. Letting out a deep sigh, I brush off a speck of invisible dust from the hem of my dress.

That’s when I see him, politely making his way through the crowd to go to where I am. A silent panic breaks my former calm demeanor, and I quickly stand taller to seem more presentable. It does not go unnoticed in the slightest, thus Anthony chuckles behind a hand then he stands before me in his handsome glory.

“Good evening, Miss Willows. How are you enjoying the ball so far?” There’s a mischievous glint behind those mesmerizing brown eyes, but onlookers would mistake it as a completely different emotion. “Hello, Lord Bridgerton. I’m much comfortable standing on the sidelines rather than dancing the night away. Thank you for asking, my lord.”

He shakes his head with amusement, and he finds my honest reply to be of a different mood compared to the other young women. “Then you shan’t refuse my offer to dance the night away, Miss Willows.” I furrow my brows in confusion and not a moment later, I’m swept onto the dance floor.

I’ve not the chance to process all that has happened, but Anthony keeps me focused on him and only him. He lowers his head to whisper words of encouragement, and I flush like a rose when he sneaks a kiss on the apple of my cheek. It’s too much for me to understand why he chose me instead of any other woman he wanted in the ball room.

“I’m relieved to see that you’re not stepping on my feet, and how beautiful your smile glows, Miss Willows.” I’m temporarily rendered speechless as to why he’s suddenly being quite the gentleman towards me. If it weren’t for the bystanders, he and I would be playfully bantering nonstop about the most random things we could think of.

“Anthony, tell me, what’s gotten into you? I appreciate the change of attitude, but it’s not the Bridgerton I know.” He’s unresponsive for a minute, then two. I can feel his grip on my waist tighten and the subtle action to bring our bodies closer. I’m not sure how I should react, but I needn’t say anything at all when he spins me around.

“My mother wants me to find a young lady to court because she’s tired of me being a bachelor for most of my life.” “Well, I can’t say I’m not surprised because she’s right.” I’m quick to give my reply, and he briefly glares down at me. “Oh, come now, Anthony. Even Lady Whistledown knows about your spectacular reputation and preferences.”

“Yes, but that’s all she knows about me, y/n. I just don’t think I’m capable of settling down with a family of my own in the near future.” The song comes to an end, and we bow before walking together for some refreshments. I say my hellos to several couples, single lords, and some of my friends when we come across them.

“That is a lie because from my knowledge, you’re the spitting image and exact replica of your father, Anthony Bridgerton.” “Y/n, I’m grateful to have met an extraordinary woman like yourself, but sometimes you get on my nerves.” That stabbed me right in the heart. Alright, perhaps I shouldn’t have mentioned his late father, but he didn’t have to be so harsh.

“Look, all I’m saying is that you can marry whoever you want to, but you’d most definitely choose a woman with the same personality as yours.” I watch him take a swig from his wine glass, and then he points it at me. Narrowing my eyes as I brace myself for possible humiliation, he sets down the glass and takes my hand to drag me off to someplace other than where we were now.

I won’t lie when I say that I was nervous yet excited to find out where he was taking me. Benedict, Colin, and Eloise all looked our way then at their mother, and I could tell that they had connected the dots. It was a good thing that Lady Bridgerton found her happy place with alcohol, otherwise she would’ve stopped Anthony in his tracks.

We eventually reach our destination, which so happens to be one of countless rooms that was conveniently far away for anyone to hear. Don’t tell me... “Anthony, what are we doing over here? Shouldn’t we be with all those people, and dancing the night away?”

No answer from my captor. He seemed to be in deep thought, and I scoffed in disbelief. I most certainly did not want to spend the rest of my time on my friend, especially when he wouldn’t tell me why he brought me here. “Look, I came to this ball to find a suitor. If you won’t answer me, then—“

Before I knew it, his lips were on mine. The hand that was once squeezing my waist found its rightful place, and the other gently brushed my hair back. I fluttered my eyes closed, letting myself melt in his embrace as we kissed with a fiery passion I knew that had always been between us.

A few moments later, he pulled away then buried his face into the crook of my neck. I felt him inhale then exhale, as though he was trying to control himself from doing something I hadn’t done before. “I want you, y/n. But only if you’ll allow me to court you. We have gone through thick and thin in our childhood, and I want nothing more to continue for the rest of our lives.”

The Viscount Anthony Bridgerton was asking for my consent to be courted, and I would be delusional to reject his confession. I’ve never seen him so sincere and vulnerable like this before, and it made me giggle. He must’ve thought that I was going to refuse his offer, but I snake my arms around his neck then kiss his soft lips for reassurance.

“I’ve never thought you would ask, Anthony. But this means no more secret meetings, alright? If I hear an inkling about you being where you’ve told me you wouldn’t be at, then I’m ending things. Am I clear, Bridgerton?” He swallows thickly and nods, so I’m rather grateful that my warning has gotten through.

I bring my hands to cup his face, and I now see how much he adores me the way he relaxes against my touch. Unfortunately, we’ve been gone for far too long, but I don’t doubt that he’ll come up with a reasonable excuse to his worrying mama.

Anthony kisses the top of my head before taking my hand and leading me back the way we came. I intertwine our fingers to which he brings up to his lips and kisses my knuckles. “It might be too soon to say this, but I absolutely and undoubtedly love you, y/n Willows. I promise to cherish you for as long as I am going to live.”

It takes a bit for me to absorb the sudden declaration, but I’m not complaining whatsoever. All that mattered was that we shared equal affection for one another, and we were willing to work for a bright, lovely lifestyle ahead of us. “And I wholeheartedly love you, Anthony Bridgerton. You are mine for eternity,”

Some might say that we were too inexperienced when it came to love, but we ignored their opinions. Like my mama used to tell me when I was a child, “Have a little faith.”

#bridgerton #anthony bridgerton #bridgerton imagine #romance

[rosesloveletters]

Self-Shipping Reference.

I have been debating on creating a self-shipping reference for these two, but since I am certain of our dynamic at this point, I wanted to delve right in; I love Will and Jakob so very much and I wanted to create a little collection of our relationship like I’ve done before in the past. Most of all, this is for me so that I can have it as a reference, so there is absolutely no obligation to interact with this post. If you do, thank you for showing us so much love and care, I really appreciate it more than anything. This community is so welcoming of self-shipping and that means a lot to me<3.

last updated: June 17, 2021

please do not read if you are not interested in or comfortable with self-shipping.

word count: 2,908

Ship name?

Our collective ship name is Grimmrose, for obvious reasons (my poly heart can hardly take it😭✨💛) 

I do not feel I should need to say this (as it should already be implied), but since I do not want angry anons in my ask box about this, I will state: Will and Jakob are not romantically involved in our dynamic; the love they have for each other is familial only. They both share me, but that is as far as it goes. There is absolutely no incestuous aspects of our relationship. 

Date you got together?

Jakob: May 26, 2021. The open honesty and security within our vulnerabilities were what prompted Jakob and I to jump in headfirst. We knew how we felt almost immediately; Jakob believes in love at first sight and I value that sentiment. It was a mutual understanding that the two of us were meant to be together (even if I hadn’t already known, the darling would have convinced me - he is extremely persuasive and given to a dreamer’s mindset.) The two of us easily came to an agreement on beginning a relationship because of how similar we have found ourselves to be. It was not difficult to access what each other was thinking and how we chose to approach those thoughts and feelings. Jakob is driven by those, after all, and his bright spirit and general interest in the things that cannot be so easily explained drew me to him. 

Will: 

Platonic:  May 26, 2021.

 Romantic: June 14, 2021. 

Will was, to my surprise, not as difficult to access as I expected. He has a much different personality to Jakob’s; the two are near opposite ends of the spectrum. Will’s mission has been to protect Jakob, mostly from himself, but Jakob does not understand that the reason Will is so hard on him is because Will feels helpless around him. Jakob’s mind is so bright and open, while Will does not understand how to compete with that nor how to understand or fit into Jakob’s world of folklore and mythical, magical beings. He feels weak in comparison to Jakob’s spirit; Will values my ability to cross those lines and connect with both him and Jakob. Will has never known another to be so well-suited for his brother and he is respectful of how we interact, since until now he has been the only one who has been able to reach Jakob. We were platonic for several weeks out of respect for Jakob, but soon entered into a mutual agreement to share the love that we all have for each other; the brothers agreed to share me since they have both developed such strong feelings. 

Favorite personality trait?

Jakob: His sense of security within vulnerabilities. Jakob is more given to childlike excitement and the thrill of action whenever it is of a magical quality. He fidgets, has a distinct nervous energy/uncomfortable body language, a clear mind but one that fancies fiction over reality. Whenever he drinks, he’s giddy and excited; the only one who can get through to him in these moments are Will and I. The thing is, Jakob has never tried to be anybody but himself. He is aware that these qualities are not valued by the vast majority and are perhaps seen as weaknesses or even are simply frowned upon (much of this he experienced as a result of the way Will treated him over the years), but even all of that has never caused his personality to shift or made him close himself off. Jakob has always found security within who he is, regardless of whether those around like it or not.

Will: His protective commitment to those who he loves. Even though Will canonically admitted his frustrations over Jakob and how he “hates” his younger bother, stating how Jakob “drives him mad”, he is fiercely protective of him and committed to maintaining their relationship in spite of any disagreements or arguments. Will does not give up on those he loves. Even though it would have made sense for him to toss Jakob into the streets and leave him if he truly hates him, but Will does not. Despite his confession, he has never actually hated his brother; Jakob makes him feel weak, helpless and inferior because Jakob’s comprehension of things beyond Will’s understanding or compulsion to understand or look beyond what is right in front of him is too different and unusual to him. 

Favorite physical trait?

Jakob: His eyes. Jakob’s eyes are so expressive; they sparkle in the light and his irises twinkle. His soul appears as if it were made from stardust and every bit of him glows. His eyes reflect the innocence and playful mischief bound within him; he is a dreamer at heart and his eyes mirror that. 

Will: His smile. There is a scene when Jakob and Will first arrive at Marbaden and they are confronted by the townspeople with weapons, uncertain of who these two strangers are, and when Will tries to explain who they are his smile is simply dazzling. I believe that was the moment I found myself in love with him; I have not seen a smile so bright in a long time. Here’s a screenshot of his smile (Jakob’s expression in the background is so funny😂):

Couple song

We do not have a couple song yet; we have couple albums. 

Taylor Swift’s albums Folklore and Evermore are sister albums, so it only makes sense that they are representative of the two brothers respectively: Folklore for Jakob and Evermore for Will. 

Both albums are suited to the three of us; the feelings provoked from both establish the tone of our relationship. 

Pet peeves…

There is only one: their constant bickering/arguing and fights. It is natural for siblings to fight, but the longer I spend with these two, the more consistently they seem to fight in front of me. I do not believe the fighting affects their relationship as perhaps it did in the past; they seem very content, even after they’ve been fighting a while, and neither of them holds a grudge anymore. 

Favorite outfit on them?

I will share photos since it would take some time to explain in enough detail; I am a sucker for older/medieval clothing (perhaps this is why this movie spoke to me in such a way?)

These are my favorite outfits of theirs:

their armor is a close second, because it really makes me laugh:

Favorite meal?

Jakob: This bit is indicative of all of us and I was the one who introduced the brothers to this meal - vegetable soup; beef/broth, noodles, peas, carrots, tomatoes, corn, green beans, potatoes. The brothers are used to eating whatever is being served them at the pubs they visit and the inns at each town they stay and, needless to say, are not often prepared a meal especially one to their specific tastes. The first time I made this for them, they ate heartily and it has been their favorite since. 

Will: This is less of a specific meal and more of a eating habit of his, but Will is partial to sweet treats and desserts of all kind. His favorite treat is soft bread with a sticky, sugary glaze (wait until I tell him about glazed donuts😂) 

Early bird or night owl?

Neither of the Grimms are particularly one or the other. They both have been known to stay awake all hours of the night for one reason or another; Jakob stays up writing most nights when brand new ideas flood his mind and prevent sleep. He works whenever inspiration strikes and if that is the middle of the night, then Will or I will find him hunched over his desk, pen scratching away across the page as he squints to read what he has written under the low candlelight. 

Will stays awake late born out of a habit he has yet to change. He does not like to sleep very soundly until he knows that Jakob and I are either asleep or keeping each other company; Will takes responsibility of us quite seriously. Since we’ve begun a relationship, they do not go out as much as they once had and when we do, they are awake nearly the entire night and whenever they crash, they are both out cold. 

If I wake up throughout the night, Jakob sleeps so soundly that he would not know (he wears earplugs if we’re staying at an inn because the noise bothers him.) Will always wakes up whenever I do; the shifting around wakes him, but he does not usually open his eyes or speak to me until I come back to bed and he settles me back into my spot. 

Snorer or sleep talker?

Jakob: SLEEP TALKER! Jakob talks in his sleep nearly every night, most especially if he has had something to drink beforehand or if Will has gotten under his skin about something. Stress/anxiety also trigger it; I don’t hear him often, because he only does it in a deep sleep which is usually whenever I’ve already fallen asleep. 

Will: Will does not snore or talk in his sleep; he is unusually quiet, however, he will groan or mumble softly if he’s turning over or something like that. He does not move a lot when he’s sleeping either. 

Do you have any pets together?

No, our lifestyle is not suited to pets, unless horses used for transportation count. 

Pet names! (Both from them and yours for them)

Will’s for me: little one/little girl, peanut

Jakob’s for me: sweetheart, darling, lover

Mine for Jakob: Jakey, Beanstalk (turning Will’s mean comments into something sweet💕), Dreamer, Sweetie/Sweet One/Sweet Baby

Mine for Will: Blondie, Prince Charming (only in certain scenarios)

Ones Jakob and Will use collectively for me: Briar Rose, Rosebud, Unicorn, Beauty/Belle (a play off my favorite fairytale), Princess

Ones I use collectively for Jakob & Will: Grimmy

How often do you fight? What starts fights?

I have yet to have any fights with either of the brothers (though I have had mild disagreements with Will over the way he speaks to Jakob.)

Jakob and Will fight often and about everything, but more often than not, the source of the argument is their personality difference. Their interests clash significantly and they find it difficult to coexist at times because Will feels he must fill the role of Jakob’s caretaker, while Jakob simply wants Will to be his brother and believe in him. 

I usually do not get involved in their squabbles unless Will speaks out of turn. He can be somewhat hateful in the remarks he makes to his brother and I am not afraid to set the record straight. Jakob has gotten much better at standing up for himself; he is not afraid to get physical if things escalate to that point, though I have yet to see them lay a hand on each other. Jakob knows that one swift punch is all that he needs to deliver for Will to fall in line and understand that he is serious; he saves them for when he needs them and has only punched Will outright one time, that I am aware of. 

Who apologizes first?

This depends on who feels they are “wrong”. Will does not like to apologize, so usually it is Jakob who initiates the apology. Occasionally, neither will apologize and it is implied that they both have and things will continue on like normal as if nothing ever happened (this is best case scenario.) 

I have not known them to simply not apologize to each other for wrongdoing; Will has apologized to Jakob on a number of occasions where I have been present. If Will apologizes, it is usually for speaking too harshly to Jakob or bringing up the “magic beans” he has terrorized Jakob with for years. 

Big spoon or little spoon?

Jakob: Jakob adores being the little spoon. Even though he likes to hold onto me at night, nothing seems to compare to being held. Jakob has gone the majority of his life without being shown affection and tender love; he is so touch-starved that he asks to be held almost every night. 

Will: Will is the only F/O (aside from J) who I allow to be the big spoon on a regular basis. I trust him implicitly and know that he will keep me safe; he likes to hold onto me while we sleep so that he knows and can feel he isn’t alone. He does not like to sleep whenever it is too cold and he wants a warm body pressed against him. 

Dom or sub?

Jakob: Submissive.

Will: Dominant.

Will has had his misgivings over Jakob and I, both being submissives, entering into a relationship together, but it has not presented an issue so far. Most of the time, Jakob and I love all over each other so it doesn’t matter one way or another😂 It is rare for Jakob and I to be sexually intimate. 

Will takes on the more dominant role, since he has been so with Jakob over the years of their lives before they’d met me. Will is the nurturer and takes care of us both; he remains protective of us despite certain insecurities and fears. Will takes on more of the sexual responsibilities of their relationship with me because of his experience with women.

What are their kisses like?

Jakob: Jakob’s kisses begin as achingly shy, reverential ones that develop into slowly sensual, spontaneous or exploratory ones. Jakob likes to hold my hands when we kiss and I like the way his facial hair pleasantly scratches my face; he is always extremely gentle and never oversteps. I especially love when he kisses me with such eager impulsivity that our cheeks turn red and we laugh when it’s over. 

Will: Will’s kisses can either be covetous and greedy, fervent, and deeply passionate or chaste and flirtatious. He always cups my cheeks, chin or tangles his fingers in my hair at the back of my head while kissing me; his lips often taste sweet or sugary from how often he indulges on sweets. My favorite of Will’s kisses are the languid, open-mouthed ones when he uses his tongue. 

What do they smell like?

Jakob: Parchment, books and ink, candlewax, earth just after it has rained, sweet basil, a vaguely sweet musk, warm skin.

Will: Warm sugar, sweat/spicy musk, pine, flame. 

What are their hugs like?

Jakob: Bear-like, full-bodied, fiercely affectionate and warm. 

Will: Long, tight, unexpectedly powerful and almost needy. 

Who is more protective?

Will. 

Both brothers are fiercely protective of me and I know that, in spite of their differences, neither would ever let anything happen to me. As long as they are facing danger together, they would willingly take on any enemy (Jakob would never let Will face danger alone and vice versa.)

Interested in children?

No. Will says that Jakob and I are enough like children as it stands😂

Who needs the most TLC when sick?

Will AND Jakob. They are both huge babies whenever they are sick and all they want is to be taken care of. Surprisingly, they bicker a lot more whenever they’re sick; mainly, they fight over who gets to cuddle me first.

Whenever I am sick, I tend to react the same way and the brothers are more than obliged to take care of me in any way they are able. Will takes the more ‘hands-on’ work like fetching me a drink, food, blankets, etc. and helping me move about as I need. Jakob does not like to leave my side and he will not do so unless instructed by Will and he will fetch me whatever is needed and then return to cuddle with me. 

Who says ‘I love you’ first?

I was the first one to say ‘I love you’ to either of the brothers. I told Jakob first; we nearly admitted it at the same time. We knew how we both felt upon the first of our meetings. 

It took me a while to say ‘I love you’ to Will. Our relationship began platonically; I did not feel comfortable saying so to him until I spoke with Jakob about it first. Intuitive of human emotions is he and he was already well-aware of how we felt about each other and, with his blessing and consent, the brothers agreed to share the love and, well, me. 

Which of you is more accident prone?

I bet you’re thinking either me or Jakob. WRONG! It’s Will. Jakob and I are very steady on our feet because we are full of rambunctious energy; Will is more laid back than either of us and he gets more indignant whenever he does accidentally hurt himself. 

Bed hog?

Jakob is more of a bed hog than Will or I. He is consistently moving around in his sleep, talking, etc. There is one unspoken rule: Jakob sleeps on the left side of the mattress, I am in the middle and Will is on the right. Both use me as a barrier and do not cross to the other’s side of the bed at any point and they each take turns cuddling with me until we all fall asleep. 

Who loves the other the most?

As if it even needs to be said, we all love each other equally, but in different ways. Jakob’s and Will’s relationship and love for each other is strictly familial, while the brothers’ relationships with me are both romantic. 

Will understands and accepts that my relationship with Jakob takes priority, as we began ours first and I am unspokenly Jakob’s above all else. Any and all major decisions are made between Jakob and I; we of course always consider Will’s emotions, well-being, etc. but Jakob prefers to take the reins in terms of calling the shots, in spite of Will being the dominant and more protective one. He feels like Will owes him this and Will is happy to allow his brother this courtesy, considering this is Jakob’s first true relationship. 

#🌹grimmrose #self-shipping

[adenei]

Moving Forward

Written for Round 3 of the Houses competition. The prompt is: [first line] You never know how much you miss someone until you see them again.

A Ron & Ginny sibling fic following the war where Ginny reflects on the past year.

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

You never know how much you miss someone until you see them again. At least, that’s what Ginny realized as she reflected on the reunion in the Room of Requirement. It had been nine months since Harry, Ron and Hermione had disappeared, with no way of communicating with their family. Now, the war was over, the battle fought with so many lives lost, yet those three had managed to survive.

Ginny was sitting at the table in the Burrow kitchen, nursing a cup of now cold tea. It was well past midnight, and yet she couldn’t sleep. She figured now was as good a time as any to process and reflect on the last year. A soft, yet sarcastic laugh escaped her lips.

Last year, she hadn’t even been dating Harry at this time! Their whirlwind of a relationship had only lasted about a month, and then Dumbledore died, and that changed everything. She’d held a lot of resentment because of that. Everything she’d been waiting years for had been ripped away from her, both literally and figuratively.

Ginny remembered holding out hope that maybe she and Harry could share a dance at Bill and Fleur’s wedding, but Harry had to take Polyjuice. It would have been odd if she’d been dancing closely with her ‘cousin.’ Then, the Death Eaters had turned up, and she watched her ex-boyfriend, her brother, and one of her best friends disapparate out of sight. 

She never got the chance to say goodbye.

Sure, her father sent a Patronus to tell the trio that the family was safe, but they couldn’t receive anything from them in return. It would have been too risky. So, they went a few weeks with no news until Remus said he was going to check Grimmauld Place and report back. Yet, he hadn’t; at least not until well after the Ministry infiltration. By then, she was at school, and gaining any information was limited. It wasn’t until Christmas when Fred and George had reluctantly filled her in on what they knew.

Ginny remembered how she did her best to distract herself from the perpetual dull ache in her heart because she was missing Harry. She’d resigned herself to find comfort in no news, and resolved to not allow herself to wallow in the longing. She was stronger than that. If there wasn’t anything in the Prophet, then they must be safe, she told herself. 

Things were easier when she was back at Hogwarts, or so she willed herself to believe. Sure, the constant reminder that several of her friends were missing was always there, but she was able to deflect the thoughts with school work, her secret flies at night, and the small attempts to make Snape’s life a living hell. She shuddered at the recollection of detentions she’d received with the Carrows and the pain they’d inflicted as a result of her actions. It was worth it, she thought. 

Bill showed up just before she was supposed to return to Hogwarts after the Easter holidays, and the family officially went into hiding. She felt awful because there was no way to contact Neville to let him know what happened. Now he’d be the only one leading the charge. The silver lining through it all was knowing Harry was safe. Her heart had nearly burst from Bill’s news. It was a small comfort, even if she still hadn’t been able to visit him. 

She thought she missed him even more after that, as the dull ache had paired with the anticipation and hope that she might still be able to see him again. But then she walked through the door from the secret passageway to the Hog’s Head and was sure her heart stopped beating as she saw him. 

It was so unlike her, letting a bloke influence her emotions so much. But then, it’d always been different with Harry. Taking a sip of tea, Ginny closed her eyes and remembered how their eyes had met; she could practically see her own relief reflected in his bright green eyes. She desperately wanted to run over to him and throw her arms around his neck, but something had caused her to hold back. 

Time and distance had allowed an unfamiliarity to settle between them. It felt like all the progress they’d made had been ripped away from her, like when the other team would steal the quaffle just as she was about to score an imperative goal. Her relief had turned to worry that the time apart would break their bond, and she found herself missing him even more. There was so much at stake that night, and she had no idea—

A creak from the stairwell cut her thoughts short. It looked like she wasn’t the only one who couldn’t sleep.

“What are you doing up?” she asked the figure as she found her voice.

“Could ask you the same question,” her brother retorted as he rubbed his eyes.

“Couldn’t sleep. Thought some tea might help.”

“Same,” he said as he made his way over to the kettle.

“Is Hermione alright?” she asked.

Ron nodded. “She just fell back asleep. The nightmares are getting better, but they’re still there.”

Ginny watched as Ron moved around the kitchen before settling across from her with a steaming mug. They hadn’t talked much since returning, and it felt odd to share the table with him after all those months apart. She almost allowed herself to be consumed in her thoughts again when Ron spoke up.

“What was it like this past year?”

Ginny simply stared at him, trying to figure out if his question was a coincidence or if he’d used Legilimency to find out what she’d been thinking about. She’d always felt a strong bond with Ron, and even being apart for months hadn’t dampened the relationship between them. 

“Rubbish,” she said as she shook her head.

“I’m sure it was still better than—”

“Barely!” Ginny cut him off. “How would you know? You were with Harry and Hermione for a year, so you didn’t have to miss them! You didn’t have to worry about whether they were still alive or not! Every single day I’d wake up and be scared to open the paper to find out that you’d been captured or killed. You didn’t have to watch Mum and Dad cope with knowing you were out there alone! Not knowing was torture.”

She wasn’t sure where all her anger was coming from. Maybe it was the grief of Fred’s death sneaking up on her, or the fact that she’d been suppressing so many emotions for the better part of a year. It wasn’t fair that she’d just unleashed it all on Ron, but he needed to know things weren’t easy for them, either.

“I know,” Ron said, sounding deflated.

“You don’t, though. Look, I know it must have been hard, maybe even impossible, but we just—I just—missed you all so much. I really didn’t know if I was ever going to see you all again.”

“Gin, you’re bloody mental if you don’t think I—hell, we—felt the same way. I spent every day in that bloody tent thinking ‘today’s going to be the day someone’s going to get taken by the Death Eaters because of me.’ We had no way of getting any news. The first thing we heard was when Dean, Griphook and Tonks’ dad were outside our enchantments after we couldn’t go back to Grimmauld Place.”

“But at least you three were together.” 

Ron was oddly silent. She was expecting him to say something about the Trace and not being old enough to go with them, but he hadn’t said anything. Something was off.

“What’s wrong?” 

“We weren’t. Not the whole time at least.”

“What are you on about?” Ginny didn’t like where this was going.

“I left, Gin. I left them in a moment of weakness.”

“Ron, that’s not funny. Don’t—” 

“It’s not a joke. No one else knows, except Bill and Fleur.”

“Why?”

He took a deep breath. “Y’know how the Diary possessed you in your first year?”

“How could I forget?” she shot back icily at him.

“Well, there was another object—a locket—that kind of affected me the same way. It didn’t possess me, but it talked to me. It told me Harry and Hermione were better off without me, were better together, and I believed it.”

Ginny felt sick to her stomach. “No...”

Ron shook his head. “It happened any time I got too close to it. Harry and I ended up in a row, and he told me to leave, so I did. You don’t need to talk to me about missing them. I was terrified that something was going to happen. That they’d be caught, and I wouldn’t be there. They didn’t know about the Taboo. When I finally made my way back, I couldn’t believe how much I missed them until we were reunited. I felt like I was finally home, even if Hermione was in a right state.”

Ginny couldn’t help but laugh, and Ron shot her a confused look. She supposed it was justified since it wasn’t really a laughing matter. “It’s just ironic that you’d say that. About not realizing how much you missed someone until you were with them again. I was honestly thinking the same thing before you came downstairs. Seeing Harry again for the first time, knowing he was still alive, it made me miss him more, as barmy as that sounds.”

“I know what you mean,” Ron agreed.

They were both silent for a few minutes until Ginny asked him, “So, how’d you find your way back, anyway?”

“Huh? Oh, with this,” Ron said, pulling the deluminator out of his pocket. “When Hermione finally said my name, a little ball of light appeared, and when I disapparated, it took me to her.”

“I don’t believe it.”

“I wouldn’t either if it didn’t actually happen to me.”

“Well, at least we made it through, I guess.”

“Yeah. Have you and Harry talked yet?” Ron asked.

“No,” Ginny admitted.

“He’ll come around. I can try and see what he’s waiting for if you want.”

“While I appreciate the sentiment, I can handle it. Thanks, though,” Ginny said genuinely.

She finished the last of her tea and stood up. “I should probably attempt to sleep, and you should get back to Hermione. Thanks for the midnight conversation.”

“Any time,” Ron said. 

She began making her way up the stairs when he said, “Hey, Ginny?”

“Yeah?” Ginny turned to look at her brother when he called her name.

“Even though we’ve got all the time in the world now, I wouldn’t wait any longer to tell him how you feel.”

When had my brother become so mature? She thought as she eyed him curiously. And then it hit her. “You wouldn’t be giving me advice based on your personal experience, would you?” Ginny smirked knowingly at him.

“Would it matter if I am?” He quirked an eyebrow up at her in response.

Ginny couldn’t help but take the mickey out of him. “Well, it’s about time you and Hermione got sorted. Maybe I’ll take you up on your advice. Even if you’re only suggesting it so I can distract Harry for you.” She shot a mischievous look his way as he rolled his eyes.

She vaguely heard him mumble something along the lines of “just want you to be happy” as she made her way back up the stairs. A small part of her knew he was right as she resolved to talk with Harry in the coming days. She was finally ready to see where they stood.

#hp post war #ginny weasley #Ron Weasley #implied hinny #implied romione

[land-of-classpects-and-analysis]

Seer of Space

With this being the last lecture on Seers and how they work, their journeys will wind and turn, and all of that, let’s take a moment to be grateful for the fact that we are here today. Even if your current situation may not be the best, at least you have managed to awaken to travel, fight, or experience what life has to offer for another day. This day will never happen again, after all, and so it would be best to enjoy it when the chaos and overall hustle and bustle of everyday life calms down. No matter how big the storm may be, there will always be the eye in the center and one day it will look down upon you. Not with scorn or judgement, no. It will be of admiration, peace, warmth, and kindness. Because you’re here, now, against all of the odds stacked against you before you ever even existed. Even if the loving gaze of the eye of the storm is temporary, it means the storm is soon to leave, but even if it doesn’t - the eye will always come back. Nothing lasts forever, whether it be the storms that beat at our windows, the buildings we call work, home, and school, ourselves and every person we meet, and even the universe itself. So take a moment and breathe in slowly, deeply, and appreciate that, even if things could be better, you are here. A person who had a one in a million chance, at least, of existing, and now you are here. You are your own star in the night sky, among countless others, so shine as best as you can.

Personally speaking, it is rather fitting for the end of this to be met with an Aspect concerned about the bigger picture of everything around it, and having been paired with a Class all about knowledge and understanding. Space is one of, if not the most important Aspect out of all twelve of them. Without Space, there would be no Time, no Life, no Breath, no Hope, not even Void itself would exist if not for the existence of Space. Due to its importance and how it is a near all-encompassing Aspect, it is of no surprise that Space-bound are often concerned with the bigger picture around them. They always take time to ponder how their actions will affect everything around them, but not in the sense of trying to prevent a Doomed Timeline. If anything, the Seer of Space is often in the present, if only occasionally allowing themself to drift off into the clouds. They mostly don’t bother to think ahead of time before doing something, instead wondering how their actions will affect the present. After all, Space-bound are also ones who value the journey as much, or even more, than the destination. However, don’t be fooled, for although the Space-bound may seem like sweet, innocent, and passive people, they are not ones to shy away from acts of destruction every once in a while, especially if they believe that they can replace it with something bigger, better, and more beautiful.

Much like space itself, the Space-bound often presents themselves to be those of beauty and grace, but if one is too foolish when messing around with them, then they will most definitely meet great harm and perhaps even their untimely end. Considering Space-bound are those who strive to be wise and cautious when picking their battles, if you so happen to end up in a fight with one of them, chances are you have made a grave error in your judgement. Of course, there will always be some Space-bound who are more dedicated and submissive to the ways of their Aspect, as well as those who cast hatred or fear upon it, seeing it as a false prophecy or identity. Then there is the Seer of Space - one who barely has any connection to their Aspect and has yet to truly grasp how important they are in the grand scheme of things. Due to their lack of connection, awareness, and knowledge of their Aspect, they do not see themself as anyone special, but rather another face amongst a cast of characters, recognizing that all of them are equally important in the part they play.

The Seer of Space is one who would fail to realize that they are one of the most valuable people someone could ask for. At least, they will be far more valuable further down the path of their journey. In the beginning, though, the Seer of Space may not be entirely remarkable. They would lack the wide breadth of creativity that so many Space-bound have. Not having their own creative vision and not exactly seeing the beauty and possibilities for new things around them is what marks the Seer of Space. Rather than seeing an old doll as a promising project, they would simply see an old and possibly even creepy doll, or a bunch of old pieces of fabrics and clothes and not see all of the wonderful pieces of new clothing and fashion they could become. Some people may call them boring for this, but chances are they would simply say they aren’t an artsy person. If something is broken in their eyes, it’s better to leave it behind and get something new rather than try to build something better from the ashes of what once was old.

The way they present themself will also often be rather mellow, rarely, if ever, popping out in a crowd. This is because, once again, they don’t have an eye for things that could help make them stand-out nor to show how wonderful, adaptive, yet lethally beautiful they can be. Neutral and monotonous colors are probably what the Seer of Space would like best, as well as clothes that don’t try to push the envelope or come across as anything flashy or new. This most likely is because the Seer of Space not only lacks a true creative vision, but they also don’t have a grasp on the wider world around them. All that matters to the Seer of Space is what, and who, they have directly in front of them. They aren’t concerned with how their actions affect the journey ahead of them or even the world they live in simply because the future is a concept they can never grasp. There is only the here and now to the Seer of Space and they will do as they please to live in the moment as best they can, even if it means doing dangerous stunts or even picking fights.

While the Space-Bound are most well known for choosing their battles wisely, the Seer of Space would not have this wisdom in the beginning. At least, they wouldn’t have a strong grip on having such an important skill. If anything, they’d be a little quicker to snap or become passive aggressive to those who bring them frustration or countless grievances, lacking the patience that so many Space-bound are known for. They do not actively seek out these fights like that of a Time-bound, no, it’s just that they are not the biggest fans of the whole “wait-and-see” tactic that their fellow Space Siblings are capable of. The Seer of Space is one who probably would be the first and last to ask “are we there yet?”, “is it done yet?”, “can I sit down yet?”, and so on and so forth. It would be fair to call them antsy, because that is exactly what they are. Although they don’t actively seek out fights to get rid of this feeling, one of the best, and favorite ways, to alleviate these jitters is adventure - a way to invigorate their life with all new sensory inputs and to satiate their lively nature. 

Some may see these travels as a chance to learn and appreciate the beauty around them, but for the Seer of Space, they are always more excited to not only get from point A to B but rather to all 26 possible letters and then some. They take very little time to stop and smell the roses along their travels, though. In fact, their friends or travel companions may agree that the Seer of Space won’t stop unless they are actively in danger of passing out in the midst of their excited traveling. Only then, as they rest, will they stop to possibly admire the space and area around them. However, this typically does not last long, and it is only a matter of time before the winds of adventure sweep up the Seer of Space once again and bring them back down the trail they were traveling. It can be quite difficult to keep up with the Seer of Space, especially when they have become fully charged and are rearing and ready to go. Chances are they have left many things and people behind purely by accident, because although the Seer of Space is forgetful and sometimes forgets what is happening in their surroundings, this is rarely, if ever, done out of malice.

The Seer of Space is one of the few Seers who could both be rather difficult in opening up their mind and inviting this knowledge of Space, but could also become too eager and greedy when inviting this knowledge. Being told that they need to slow down is something the Seer of Space hates hearing, as they believe going any slower would result in a rather painful boredom. It is a bit difficult to try and point to where exactly the Seer of Space would invite this knowledge - if only because the nature of their Aspect is so vast and all-encompassing. How would one go from such an active and free spirit who does not care for how their actions affect others or the world, someone who lacks a creative spark in their eyes and mind, or someone who does not think they are anyone of great importance? Some may come to the conclusion that the reason the Seer of Space wishes to travel so often and to great places is so that they may find their true worth in this world.

If someone were to approach the Seer of Space and say that they have the answers the Seer seeks, the Seer may be hesitant to accept something as a truth. There are some Seers of Space who may be desperate enough to accept such an offer, though. For some of them, this could be the truth they need and the knowledge that will help to create that bond with their Aspect. For those who refuse, though, may continue to travel and seek out the right people to give them these answers. It could be a long time before the Seer of Space truly finds the proper environment and person, or people, to help them fully realize their potential, and perhaps at times some Seers of Space will cut a few corners to try and lessen their options. There are others who may try to quicken the process and cheat the system, finding faster but not the safest or best ways to form this connection and gain this knowledge. Even during this invitation of knowledge, the Seer of Space will often still struggle not to let their antsy nature get the best of them. 

The Seer of Space may have one of the most difficult journeys when it comes to connecting to their Aspect, if only because Space is one of the biggest Aspects of them all. While the Seer of Light must take on the heat of knowledge and light, and the Seer of Rage must bear the shocking and electrifying terror of rage, the Seer of Space is one who must know everything. Due to the finicky and eager ways of the Seer of Space, if they are not careful in their journey to know and understand the ways of their Aspect, then they are the ones who may become the most hurt. To be a Seer of Space is to invite knowledge of the entire universe, along with the meaning of not only one’s own existence, but everyone else’s, and it is a pain so few can undergo. The Seers of Space are those who have the stars in their eyes, and while it may appear beautiful to some, to some of the Seers, it simply could be far too much for them - especially if they do not take heed in consuming this knowledge.

As for Frog Breeding, at first they may not care more for it - only seeing it as a boring chore to do. They may try their best to rush the process via breeding random, sometimes the same two, frogs together and hoping for the best. Once they have formed a connection with their Aspect, though, as well as gain the possible partnership of the proper Knight, the Seer of Space could become quite the expert at Frog Breeding in no time. Using their abilities of knowledge, they would be able to pinpoint the perfect frogs that promise good results, making the breeding process rather quick and precise. However, there is always the chance the Seer of Space becomes too invested in the search for the best frogs, which could lead to a few snags here and there. They may also run the risk of becoming a possible perfectionist, due to the fact they are someone who can see the potential to become something better, new, and promising in everything around them, which is why it would most definitely be a good idea for them not to do this process without the presence of a Knight.

Although the Seer of Light may be seen as one who knows everything, even they have a few blind-spots. As for the Seer of Space, while they may not be able to see into all available timelines like some of their fellow Seers, they are someone who is always in the present moment and is aware as to what is happening. Whether it be in front of them or across the world they inhabit, a fully awakened Seer of Space will know. At first they may struggle to choose what to know and what not to know, but once they take on the full brunt of their Aspect and what it has to offer, the Seer of Space has the chance to be a rather powerful ally to have on your side. They are someone who can see the true potential of everything and everyone around them - no matter how broken or irredeemable it may seem. They would also gain the ability to masterfully pick their battles, as well as avoiding any possibilities for conflict, now thanks to their ability to see anything and anyone from any point in the universe. Chances are that they could be excellent at designing attack strategies and plans, as well as seeing creative loopholes and ways of cheating within the systems presented to them. To have a Seer of Space as an opponent would be a crucial mistake to make, as no matter where you may think you can hide, there is no doubt that the Seer of Space will easily be able to sniff and seek you out. After all, much like Space itself, the Seer of Space may seem to be a person of tranquility, wisdom, and kindness. If one is not careful in how they approach and treat the Seer, though, then they may just find out how truly cruel and merciless they can be. Stars, in all their shining beauty, are often meant to be appreciated and observed from afar, after all.

#Seer #Seer of Space #Homestuck #Hiveswap #Seer of Space Analysis #Space Aspect #Seer September #Space

[not-oscar-wilde]

Reunited

part two of revived and reunited. read part one here and/or the full fic on ao3

Dave had known that Klaus grew up in a big house, but nothing could quite have prepared him for the imposing vastness of this building. It seemed too big to be a home of any kind - not that it had ever been much of a home, if what Klaus had told him was anything to go by. 

“This is it?” he asked.

“It sure is. The Umbrella Academy!” Herb seemed positively delighted. Dave wanted to feel the same way, but his heart was beating too fast and his mind racing too much for that. What felt like just a day ago, he had as good as died in Klaus’s arms. He had seen his lover break and it had torn him apart almost as much as the bullet. Klaus still thought he was dead. Everyone thought he was dead.

He had a single suitcase to his name, currently resting on the ground beside him. Apparently the Commission was more powerful than he cared to think about, obtaining all the documents he’d need to live in the twenty-first century with concerning ease. The supposed fact that he had been born in 1990 somehow seemed the most bizarrely futuristic, but all of it started to unnerve him if he thought about it too much or for too long. And he was already plenty unnerved. 

The person who opened the door to them was a child. He couldn’t have been older than fifteen at most, though he had the look of a much older man, one who had been interrupted while reading the newspaper and enjoying his morning coffee. This must be Five. Klaus’s time travelling, previously missing sibling. “Herb, I’m not coming back to the Commission,” the child said bluntly.

“I wasn’t gonna ask you to! I know, you’re retired,” Herb said with an awkward grin. “I’m just here to make a, uh, delivery. Think of it as part apology, part ‘we’re hoping you won’t do any more to screw up the timeline now we’ve got it all nice and fixed up if we do this for you’.”

Dave should probably have felt more insulted by being referred to as a delivery, as if he was some kind of package, but he was too busy processing the conversation. So Five had worked for the Commission? Was that how or why he could time travel? Or was that how the Commission had learned to time travel? Before he could figure it out, Five’s eyes slid from Herb to Dave, and he realised he was making a terrible first impression. So despite his confusion, Dave forced himself to smile and held out his hand to shake. “Dave Katz. You must be Five, right? It’s nice to meet you, sir.”

Five raised his eyebrows as he looked him up and down. Somehow, this was so much worse and he felt so much more awkward than the times he’d met any girls’ father. How could someone who looked so young also look so… authoritative? Klaus’s family was confusing, but he knew they mattered to him. And that meant he needed them to at least approve of him, even if they didn’t like him. After what felt like an age, he seemed to find Dave adequate and firmly shook his offered hand. “I am,” he said coolly, then turned his full attention back to Herb. Well, that could have gone a whole lot worse. “I don’t have any plans to do any more major time jumps. I’ve had enough apocalypses for several lifetimes, and the two seem to go together when my family is involved.” 

Perhaps Dave was just going to have to get used to not understanding half of what was said around him. It was almost as bad as being on leave in Vietnam and trying to comprehend flashes of conversations in a language he didn’t speak beyond a few of the very basics. Though everyone associated with the Commission had spoken English around him, it may as well have been Vietnamese for all the sense it made. 

“Well, just in case your brother has other ideas, we figured we’d step in before he had you try and save Mr Katz here,” Herb said.

“Ah, you know one of my brothers. My condolences,” Five said sardonically. “Which one?”

Did he not know about the two of them? Klaus had said that each of his siblings knew he was queer, and Dave had just assumed that if he had found a way back to them, he would have told them about him. But perhaps it still needed to stay somewhat unsaid. Perhaps he hid his emotions around his siblings just as much as he did around acquaintances. 

“Klaus,” Dave said softly. His lover's name felt so right on his lips, it was hard not to smile whenever he said it. Sure, when they were alone, he was ‘baby’, ‘honey’, ‘sweetie’, but ‘Klaus’ could and did contain just as much joy and affection.

“Ah… He’s in his room. I can go fetch him, if you like?” Five offered with a nod and a knowing smile.

Dave barely managed to choke out a ‘please’ before Five disappeared in a flash of blue light, just like the one that had brought Klaus to him in the first place.

He was going to see Klaus again. He was going to see Klaus in a safe place, where there were no bombs and no gunshots and no need to look over their shoulders constantly to make sure no one saw too much. 

His heart leapt so intensely that it damn near knocked him sick, and when the tall, slender figure of Klaus Hargreeves appeared at the top of the stairs alongside his brother, time stopped. 

He was the same Klaus that Dave had left on the battlefield, but so different. His hair was long now, with his soft curls falling to his shoulders. He was wearing an oversized zip-up sweatshirt fully unfastened, that beautiful, foolish, romantic tattoo on show across his stomach and just as perfect as it had been the day Klaus had told him what it said. Hanging just above it were his dog tags, resting against bare skin perhaps just a little more tanned than when Dave had seen him last. He was a vision of eclectic perfection and Dave had never been so happy to see another living being alive and well.

The cheeky grin on Klaus’s face morphed into wide-eyed, open-mouthed shock as he made eye contact with Dave. He dimly registered Herb’s brightly exclaimed “surprise!”, but he couldn’t process anything that wasn’t Klaus. For Klaus to have grown his hair so long, it must have been over a year of Klaus thinking he was really dead. Even though Dave knew it wasn’t his fault, he still needed to apologise. Though he couldn’t turn back time, he could promise the rest of the time he had to give. Though he couldn’t fix it, he could do everything in his power to make things okay again and to cherish this second chance he had to offer Klaus his heart. 

“Hello,” he said softly. “I’m sorry if I kept you waiting.”

Eventually, Klaus glanced over at his brother, blinking back tears. “You see him too, right?”

“Obviously.”

Before Dave could say or do anything more, Klaus was pushing past Five and rushing down the stairs. He threw himself at Dave, hugging him so tightly that he almost couldn’t breathe, holding on as if his life depended on it. Dave’s arms found their rightful place around him within a second, and as soon as they did, Klaus seemed to melt against him with a trembling exhale. He couldn’t see his face, but Dave knew his lip was quivering. He knew that look, knew Klaus’s ‘struggling to hide how much he was hurting’ face. He didn’t need to see it. He just needed to hug Klaus tightly, to rub his back in the way that said ‘we’re safe now’. 

“I’m gonna be so pissed if this is another dream,” he said, his voice slightly stuffy with suppressed tears. 

Another dream. So Klaus dreamed about him. If only his younger self could see this, could know that one day little David Katz was going to end up in the dreams of the most wonderfully crazy and incredibly beautiful man who had ever lived. “I think this is real,” he said. 

Klaus pulled back just enough to look him in the eyes, his hands on Dave’s biceps. The way he looked at him… Klaus had always looked at Dave like he was something special, but this was more. This was like he was the eighth wonder of the world, the most marvellous and incredible sight imaginable. “How the hell?” Klaus asked, those beautiful eyes turned misty.

“If I could, uh, field that one?”

Dave had almost forgotten that there was anyone else there with them. It was like they were alone again, in one of their stolen moments for just the two of them. The rush of panic of being caught had him instinctively stepping away and letting go of Klaus, as if he could somehow pretend that they hadn’t been caught in one of their secret, tender moments. That panic was hard-wired into him, a self-preservation instinct. 

But he was safe here. Herb knew about them both. Five knew about Klaus, at least. They were allowed to be seen together here. So Dave slipped his arm around Klaus’s waist and pulled him close. He never wanted to let go again. 

“We figured, well, we don’t want any more Hargreeves related timeline screw-ups, and our, uh, previous management didn’t exactly give your family the best, uh… You know.” Dave didn’t know, but he wasn’t going to interrupt and ask, particularly when both Klaus and Five seemed fully aware of what he meant. “So we figured the best way to do that was to do some light resurrection to reunite you two in 2019 and still keep everyone back in 1968 thinking that Mr Katz here died in action.” 

“Elegant,” Five said approvingly. “A faked death is never easy to execute well.”

Herb seemed to be fighting back glee over the praise. “Thank you. As Acting Director, I feel like a few tweaks to the way things are run are a welcome change. There’s no reason we can’t employ a spectrum of tactics to keep the timeline running smoothly. Plus I gotta say, I’m always a sucker for a good love story.”

Klaus laughed. But it wasn’t his usual laugh. It was tinted with hysterics, with madness and sadness and that inescapable sense that he was barely holding it together. Klaus liked to hide behind his jokes and his careless attitude, but Dave knew him well enough to know that he was on the edge and even the slightest thing could push him over into a breakdown. He wanted more than anything to take him to some private corner and guide him through it, to cry with him and hold him and promise him the world. But could he, with Herb and Five watching? Would Klaus want him to? Physical affection was one thing, but Klaus had always found emotional closeness much more intimate.

The laugh turned into a choked sob, and Dave couldn’t hesitate anymore. He needed to wrap his love up in his arms like a shield promising him safety and protection, so that was what he did. “I love you,” he whispered, his voice so soft that no one else would hear. But this time, it wasn’t that he needed to hide his love, he simply didn’t need them to hear. All that mattered was that Klaus knew and never forgot it. 

“Herb, would you join me for a drink?” Five offered, and Dave made a mental note to thank him for that when he next got a chance. But for the time being, he could just savour having the chance to comfort Klaus without an audience as Five and Herb left them alone together.

“I watched you die and I couldn’t save you, and I… I thought I’d stopped this version of you ever existing and still couldn’t save you,” Klaus said, his voice heavy and trembling. 

Dave didn’t really know what that meant about a version of him, but he didn’t need to. There would be time for explanations later. “Hey, none of that,” he soothed. Klaus had always been so ready to sacrifice himself, to do anything to keep Dave safe, his own self-preservation and safety be damned. And yet somehow, Klaus still seemed to think that he was selfish. Somehow, he thought both that he must be a hero and that he wasn’t and could never be one. “You don’t have to be a superhero for me, remember? You’re already my hero, just as you are.”

This time, Klaus’s laugh was much more genuine. “You sap,” he teased, though his eyes were still damp when he pulled back enough to look at Dave. “I missed you so much…”

However long it had been for Klaus, he didn’t look any less in love than when Dave had last stolen a private moment with him. However long it had been, Dave’s hand still fit perfectly cupping Klaus’s face, and when he kissed him, they still melted together as if they belonged together. Perhaps they did.

Klaus’s breath tasted of stale cigarettes and from anyone else, it might have been off-putting. But this was Klaus, and Dave was so glad to see him safe at home that even the smoke on his tongue tasted like pure bliss. 

“I love you,” Dave repeated when they broke apart. He’d didn’t think he’d ever get tired of saying that. 

“I love you too.” Klaus looked down with a soft smile, a hint of that rare bashfulness that Dave had always loved. He was so sweet when he didn’t try to hide behind a joke or a distraction. That tenderness, that vulnerability, it was such a gift to get to see it. 

Dave tucked a fallen strand of hair behind Klaus’s ear and lifted his chin with the tips of his fingers. “You know how we talked about getting some little place together somewhere all private and safe where we could wake up next to each other every day?”

Klaus gave a soft chuckle. “Uh-huh. You promised to make me proper bagels for breakfast.”

“I’ll make you whatever you want, baby.” He’d never actually cooked much of anything without his Mom or his aunties ordering him around, but he was sure he could figure it out. If it would make Klaus happy, he’d find a way. He had a second chance to be with Klaus, a chance where they could be safe together, and he wasn’t going to waste that. He’d make Klaus anything his heart desired. Perhaps one day he could even make Klaus his husband. But he was getting ahead of himself. It was too much to ask Klaus to marry him then and there. He didn’t even have a ring, and if he had the chance to do it in this wonderful future, he was going to do it right. He’d never thought much about marriage before, but he was undoubtedly in love with Klaus and this was a world where marrying a man was possible. Suddenly the whole concept seemed much more appealing than it ever had before. There was time for that later, though. There was no rush, and Klaus had been forced to think he was dead for far too long. He needed time to heal first. 

But when Klaus’s smile was so perfect, it was hard not to think about how much he wanted to be with him. “Is this your way of saying you still wanna get that little place together? Because we could. Turns out dear old dad never bothered to write a will, so his money automatically gets split between the six of us once it clears. And I’m not even gonna spend any of it on getting high.”

They’d imagined that life so many times, but it had always been an abstract future, a ‘one day’, a wistful fantasy to help them survive. The idea that it could become real, even if neither of them could have predicted the circumstances, was almost too much. “Of course I want that,” he said, then leant in for another kiss.

#klave #klaus hargreeves #dave katz #tua #fic #my content #idk if this is good or not but they're in love and my heart goes !!! for them #my writing

[arandompostarchive]

SALEM - Ch. 5

SAVED WORK

Summary: In all the centuries of your existence, you had never been dragged out of hiding by another god, put in a superhero team and forced to save the universe. But it seems your luck has run out.

______________

“I can’t believe you’re all actually considering this.” Tony started. He was sitting on the opposite side of you and Thor. Something he called “debate club 2.0”, whatever that was.

“I mean the guy tried to conquer Earth, killed a lot of people, and I’m sure has numerous other crimes to his name. Not to mention bad hair.”

Thor interrupted, “His hair has gotten better, actually. Not as… pointy.”

“Has it really though?”

“Okay, boys.” You started, “This isn’t about his hair. We need to decide whether he stays in a cell when here’s here or not. Keep in mind, either way, he stays under our protection. And even if he stays out, he’d be with me and Thor. He won’t be going anywhere.”

Steve sighed, “It doesn’t matter. He’s a criminal, he needs to be treated as one.”

Thor interrupted again, “I have reason to believe my brother was under Thanos’ influence at the time. You’ve all fought him. He’s not a kind being, even to the others you view as villains. Steve, my brother is many things. Very many things. But somewhere in there, he’s someone who actually cares about other people.”

Tony laughed, “Oh yeah, Point Break?”

“Yes. He didn’t need to help me back on Asgard, granted it took him a while to get there, but he did. He wasn’t in complete control of his actions.”

Steve sighed. “People are dead because of him.”

You were serious about this. Sure, it was partially a slight longing to just talk for hours like you used to. To be able to spend time with each other. At this point? You’d take anything.

“This team is made of second chances,” Natasha said. She stood up, walking directly in front of him. “Most of us were criminals at some point. And if he stays here, Strange and Y/n can find a way to stop him from using his abilities, we can put him right back in a cell at any time. If he’s serious and there is actually a death god trying to steal the Tesseract, I think we’re going to have to take a chance here.”

Steve slowly nodded. “As long as we have it under control, we can try.”

Toyn clapped his hands together. “Okay, sure. Let’s let the psychopath roam around my building.”

“Tony, I’m afraid you’ll have to get over it. I’m not excited either. Y/n, you and Strange get on that, Thor and Nat, why don’t you bring Loki up here. The rest of us can start figuring out what’s going on.”

You stepped out, walking down towards your own room.

***

“So your mother is Nyx? Like the goddess of the night?”

You nodded and Peter put it down in his notebook.

“I’m a goddess of magic and the goddess of darkness. I used to go by Circe.”

Peter looked slightly confused, “Isn’t Circe a daughter of Helios?”

“I suppose that’s a complicated question. Yes, in myths. But not all myths are accurate. I mean, in myth, Loki is the god of fire. Not everything is perfectly accurate, really.”

He nodded. He was sweet. In the first month of your meeting, he had practically attached himself to you and Tony. Although you weren’t as science-focused as either of them, you were still close. After so long, it meant a lot just to spend time with people. Especially people so kind, even with Tony’s extremely sarcastic personality.

“That makes sense, but my teacher probably won’t like it as much.” He laughed a bit, so did you. A moment to breathe. That’s exactly what you needed.

“Hey, Sal?” You looked at him. It was a small nickname he came up with after 2 months of you insisting he could stop calling you Ms. Salem, you hadn’t bothered to use your real last name in centuries. Too many bad memories. But eventually, he settled for Salem, and slowly he shortened it to Sal. It was nice to have someone so close to you.

“You and Loki… you’re the one that talked to him, right? Do you two know each other?”

You weren’t quite sure how to answer. Obviously, you did, and you were beyond excited to be able to talk again. You know, now that you know he didn’t actually let you die.

“Yeah, we did. A while ago.”

“How long is a while? Because Thor said you first met him in the 1800s? What was it like then? Were you and Loki actually friends?”

You laughed a bit at his curious expression. He wasn’t trying to ask too many things at once, he just really wanted to know.

“We met a few centuries ago.”

***

You sat next to the lake outside of your town on a small bench. Normally, you weren’t allowed out, but every once in a while your father spent a full day in court for some case or another. It meant you had plenty of time to go wherever you wanted in Salem.

You always chose the lake.

You closed your eyes and let the sun hit your skin, taking in the day. There weren’t many people out. With the amount of clothing most women wore, none were really up to spending summers outside, you on the other hand weren’t affected much. You supposed it was part of your mother living in the underworld, hot temperatures weren’t really a problem.

Part of you enjoyed the silence and was slightly disappointed when it was interrupted.

“Excuse me.” You let out a small sigh, turning to the man behind you. He was formally dressed, to say the least. Clearly not from the States, but to be technical, neither were you. His hair was slicked back, and he had gold around his collar. Not something you saw often, not that your father wasn’t inclined to the occasional expensive dress coat. The more you looked, the more you felt it. That sort of… power.

“What are you?” He asked.

“I apologize. It seems I don’t understand the question.”

He sat down next to you, making you move over slightly. He seemed oddly comfortable with you. Especially for someone who clearly wasn’t from Salem.

“Well, you clearly are not human, even if you look it. But I just can’t place it. So, what are you?”

That’s what it was. He was a god. Not Greek, or else it would’ve been much easier. In fact, you weren’t even sure if you’d call him a god. Normally, that implies immortality. Something you weren’t sure if he had. You sure didn’t.

“I could ask you the very same, Sir.” He laughed a bit, a light, genuine sound. It seemed that was something he didn’t do very often. At least, not really.

“The god of mischief, pleasure to meet you, Mistress…?” You laughed. Offly direct for a man you just met.

“I am most definitely not married.” You prayed to Chaos itself that he didn’t see how you moved just a bit closer to him. Ever so slightly, you saw him move too.

“Really now?” You nodded as he turned towards the lake. He was handsome, there was no doubt about that. And a full god? You had only met a few, your mother, Nyx and two of your siblings, Moros and Hemera. Your mother was a kind person, even if she was protective. Moros was exactly what you’d expect for a god of destruction. And Hemera was much too kind for her own good. Always finding some way to help, even when she really shouldn’t.

“Yes, really. I barely leave my father’s house, much less have time to spend with someone else.” He nodded.

“Something I understand all too well. But, that does still leave my question unanswered. What are you?” You smiled at him.

“I’m a demigod, a daughter of night herself.”

He looked surprised.”Night herself?”

You shook your head in confusion, “Nyx. I’m Greek. I’m going to assume you’re Norse. There are limited gods in the world and not many who would come to Earth willingly. The Norse are one of the more accepting gods when it comes to humans.”

He nodded. “You are correct there. My brother certainly likes Midgard, though we aren’t allowed to visit much.”

“My mother likes humans more than other gods. She’s probably the one person Zeus will actually leave alone. But, people don’t seem to like darkness much.”

He didn’t seem shocked by your statement. You had a lot in common.

“Midgard is interesting,” He started. “The people are… difficult to understand. But it is beautiful.”

He had a point there. The sun in your eyes proved it. The sky was melting into a soft golds and pinks, with bright oranges across it. Dark trees swayed in the distance, the static of the blowing leaves echoed in your ear. A beautiful sound. You saw the man glance at you from the corner of your eyes. Hm.

“It’s a lovely sunset. Are they all like this?” He looked towards you. Had he not been here for more than a day?

“No, not at all. They’re all different in their own ways. All beautiful.”

He smiled. “My name is Loki.”

“Circe.”

***

“So he came to Earth for a while? How long? Did he like it here?”

You laughed, “He used to. He wasn’t much of a fan of humans, but he always liked Earth. I’m not sure what happened.”

Suddenly you heard Friday’s voice in Peter’s room. “Salem, there’s an emergency meeting concerning you in the briefing room. I suggest you make your way over there as soon as you can.”

You sighed. “I’ll be back later, Peter. I can help you with that English project too.” He smiled and waved. You knew a huge part of him wanted to be at that meeting. To be a real Avenger.

“You’ll have your day, Peter.” You said, walking out of the room.

It wasn’t hard to find which meeting room they were using, the door was wide open. You walked in with Wanda, taking a seat between Thor and Bucky.

“There was another small energy spike,” Fury said. “It was enough for our agents to handle, so we sent them. But they found a problem.” Steve sat up a bit.

“Was it the woman?”

“I’m not sure if it’s better or worse, Rodgers. There’s just a sentence, written over and over again in what looks like spray paint.”

“Well? What sort of graffiti are we talking about? Just your standard gibberish?” Tony asked Fury.

Fury sighed. “No. They all just say “Doom is Rising.”

***

#loki x reader #loki #salem #saved work #fanfic

[birdsong-warriors]

Ok I’m gonna get right to it and ask what your thoughts are on Ashfur- personally I loved him in the original arc and then everything else happened smh. However much you wanna say about him is fine by me lol

oh my heck this is so long i am sorry nxksbfkd

Once upon a time, three cats fell in love; Whitestorm, Brindleface, and Redtail. They bonded and grew together as friends, then lovers. Redtail, being a male tortoiseshell, was mostly infertile, so it came as a shock when Brindleface gave birth to a single daughter who clearly carried his blood. Sandkit.

But then Redtail died. And the remaining partnership fell apart. Whitestorm and Brindleface were close friends, but were only lovers through their love for Redtail. Whitestorm was rapidly falling for Redtail's sister, Willowpelt, and Brindleface wanted to pursue her own life.

But she was pregnant. The Clan rejoiced; Redtail's legacy would continue through them as well as Sandstorm! But Brindleface and Whitestorm exchanged nervous glances. And when she gave birth, their fears were confirmed; these were not Redtail's kits, but Whitestorm's.

"They should be his." He says, angry and spiteful at himself. "It's not fair."

Brindleface brushes her tail across his flank and rests a paw on his. "We all knew they wouldn't be. But we shall tell the Clan they are."

"What about the kits? Should they know?"

"...his legacy would give them something to aspire to."

Moons pass. Sandstorm raises her siblings on stories of Redtail, how he died to protect the Clan. Cloudkit is added to the litter. Ashkit and Fernkit fight to avenge their mother's name. All the while, cats praise them; "You have your father's courage." They say with a smile. "Redtail would be proud of you."

But the truth comes out, one way or another. Ashpaw confronts one very tired Whitestorm, spitting in his face. "I thought my father was a hero. But it was you all along. Some washed up old cat with barely a will to fight!"

Whitestorm doesn't argue. The battle with BloodClan is coming. He's so very tired. He misses Redtail with all his broken heart. He let Brindleface die, he couldn't protect his aunt Bluestar, and now he's betrayed his kits. He accepts his brutal death with relief. He can be with Redtail and Brindleface again.

But at the end of the day, Ashpaw stands in the bloody aftermath of war, all of his guardians gone. He thought he hated Whitestorm, but now that he stands before his father's broken body, he wonders. Would he be proud of him for having delivered the killing blow to Bone? Would Redtail?

...would anyone?

As time passes, he watched how everyone recovers, and seems to pretend that the war never happened. That Tigerstar never destroyed their lives. How can they trust anyone ever again? He could be betrayed at any moment, by any of his clanmates. Ferncloud has moved on, building a family with Dustpelt. How can she trust him? He was one of Tigerstar's old supporters! What if he left her, as their true father left their mother? Everyone seems so happy… how? How do they do that?

Squirrelkit and Leafkit are born. Squirrelkit chases him around sometimes, and he finds himself brightened by her presence. She becomes Squirrelpaw, a bright, strong, spunky cat who takes no dirt. He admires her so much, especially after the move to the lake. How could she have been so strong? What if she died? She was his only real friend, he couldn't bear to lose that light again.

He grows to love Squirrelflight, clinging to her through all the darkness of their lives. He sees the old hero he never met in her. She has a loving family and trust in her clanmates. She has and is everything he wants. They must be perfect for each other, right?

But then Brambleclaw is there. He steals Squirrelflight away, and his smell is always on her now. Brambleclaw, the son of the one who took everything away from Ashfur, was now following in his father's pawprints. He was stealing the last spark in his life.

And then their kits are born, and everything is going well. They have a happy little family. Without him. He had no place among them anymore. He had no place with anyone anymore. But he is still forced to apprentice their son. His anger and pain festers into a gaping infection in his broken heart. Seeing others happy makes him want to scream. He could have had that! Why did StarClan do everything to keep happiness from him! 

The fire comes. He gets an idea. This has to end. If the world was intent on taking from him, he would take back. He would take everything. He corners Squirrelflight and threatens her children. But his eyes are not on them, they are on her. Everything is her fault.

"They are not my kits." She claims. The family, now as broken as Ashfur is, retreats. He stares after them. He has to get away. From everything, his own thoughts even. What does this mean?

He stares into the lake, hopeless and lost as to what he should do. Who was he, why was he like this? No cat was ever happy around him. What was he doing wrong?

A black cat approaches. Squirrelflight's… no, Leafpool's daughter. Hollyleaf is cold, and before Ashfur blinks, he's dead, blood staining the ground and Hollyleaf's paws. That was it.

But it wasn't. Ashfur awoke in a gully, a strange feeling all about him. He found cats nearby, and his heart raced upon seeing the face of his mother on one side of the gully. On the other side stood Hawkfrost.

"Where am I?" He asks, glancing between them. "...is this StarClan?"

"You are trapped in limbo." Hawkfrost spoke, calm and steady. "Between them or us. You must choose where you belong."

Ashfur narrows his eyes, confused.

"You are a wretched, blackened soul, Ashfur." Brindleface spoke, voice broken as she watches him, shaking her head in pity. "The others in StarClan… they won't accept you."

"So you come with us, to the Dark Forest." Hawkfrost purrs arrogantly.

The Dark Forest… Ashfur stares at the ground. "...you said I had a choice."

"You do." Brindleface takes a step forward. "Ashfur… you have led such a toxic life, poisoning those around you, all for your own sake. Have you any regrets?"

Another figure steps to her side, a ginger tortoiseshell with bright green eyes and tufted ears. He breathes a sigh. "We are aware of how our actions affected your life. We accept we did not help you near enough, and made you feel abandoned and alone. For that, we are sorry." He bowed his head, eyes still on Ashfur. "...but are you?"

"Come on!" Hawkfrost spat. "You don't regret a thing, don't lie to us now. You belong with us. Tigerstar will lead you to greatness. You will have your chance to sink your claws into the flesh of those who betrayed you." He cast a meaningful glance at Brindleface and her companion. "And those who abandoned you."

Ashfur stands between them, processing his emotions and his heart. Did he regret this? Would he continue his hatred and use it to kill his clanmates?

Could he kill Squirrelflight? Hollyleaf? Brambleclaw?

He takes a deep breath, shaking his head. "No… I don't want to hurt anyone anymore. I don't want to be like this. Please, help me deal with this, help me be better! I know I caused all of this, maybe if I'd been better… but what could I do, I hated everyone!" He sobbed, growling at his paws. "...help me. Please."

Brindleface glances at her companion with a smile. "Come up this way, Ashfur. We will help you any way we can. You belong with us."

#long post #holy cats this is a long post #ashfur #bird analysis #bird rambles

[tres-spades-hotel]

Becoming the Perfect Father, Part II

Hey everyone! So @lin-ful @leoamber66 and @flatsuke inspired me to start writing again! Have fun reading this and prepare yourself for the angst and action across the story... enjoy!

Part II - Kiki’s Heirship, a Backstory of Memories

Hi, my name is Kiki.

I used to be an orphan on the streets of Japan. I had to fend for myself, always dipping in and out of society for a while when I realised my family were no good to me. The scar they left me with on my eye made the famous billionaire, Eisuke Ichinomiya, the man leading Japan’s economy, curious. I saw him one day and believed in my heart I could be safe. I was only 7 years old when I followed him into his hotel one evening.

He crouched down to ask where my parents were but upon hearing the word, I was both crying and hitting him on his chest.

I hated the world for thinking that parents and family were what kept you safe because I didn’t believe it was true.

He didn’t know what to do with me.

I didn’t know what to do with me.

So he took my hand and led me to the penthouse elevator, thinking that Uncle Baba and Uncle Ota could calm me down. And they did. Throughout my time with them for the first few weeks, I was happy. Everyone played with me, they were patient with me, they were curious about me.

Dad looked after me, mostly because he was concerned about Uncle Baba’s antics. Blackmail was all it took to make his brick walls faulter. That day, talk of sending me to an orphanage arose and, apparently, Uncle Baba did not like it.

So Dad kept me, almost like a pet. He fed me, gave me shelter, clothing, and toys. After all this time, I really owe Uncle Baba for helping me even though I didn’t know it then. But there was only one thing Dad wouldn’t give me: his affection. To be honest, I don’t think he knew what it meant to give warmth and love to another person, whether it’s a woman or a child. That is, not until Mum came into our lives.

Instead I spent most of my time asking questions and receiving no answers. They were mysterious people with the world held tight in their hands. They could do anything.

I wanted that ability too.

Of course, it would be some time before I realise what responsibilities that ability entailed. I thought that if I were powerful, I could look after myself and never get hurt again. But it just wasn’t true.

‘Boss, let’s play a bit of poker.’ Uncle Baba said one day.

‘No.’ Rejected.

Uncle Soryu looked up from his book and sent a disapproving look at him.

‘Baba, there is a child here.’

‘Poker is not for children.’ Uncle Mamo muttered sleepily.

Everybody shot Uncle Baba down for the suggestion.

‘I want to play! Can I play too?’ I shot my arm up and waved it around.

‘No.’ Rejected. Again.

‘Kid, you do not want to play poker. You’ll lose instantly.’ Uncle Mamo finally got up from the couch for the first time that day.

‘Whaaaaaaaaaaat?!’

‘Koro, he’s saying that you don’t have enough money to play.’ Uncle Ota was always a devil.

‘Now, now Ota, don’t be so mean to Kiki. She’s just curious,’ Uncle Baba crouched down onto his knee.

‘Princess, poker is an adult game but you’re more than welcome to watch!’ He was always the more kind adult in the group. But I know that they’re all kind… in their own special ways.

‘You can watch me! With you by my side, I’ll win for sure!’ Always jolly too. He slipped an arm around me and hugged me close while the other lingered in the air like a star performer.

‘Baba, you always lose.’ Uncle Ota quipped in a matter-of-fact tone.

‘I do not!’

‘Koro, come sit with me and I’ll let you play with the chips!’

‘Uhhhh….’

‘Stop it. You’re confusing her.’ Uncle Soryu was always a firm favourite of mine after Mum and Dad. I might even be so bold as to call him a secret crush.

‘That’s enough. Kiki, sit next to me and watch what I do.’ Dad ultimately came to my rescue and the game began.

‘So Kiki, first we all put in a certain amount of chips.’ Uncle Baba held up a white chip, a red chip, and a blue chip.

‘How many chips?’

‘However many you want. Boss always insists he go first.’ There was a glare involved.

’10 million.’

‘Can’t you lower the amount?’ Uncle Mamo never did have as much money as the others. But…

‘If you don’t have enough money you can leave. Or are you so poor that you have to use our money to live in this hotel?’ It was rare to see Uncle Soryu smirk so evilly.

But Uncle Soryu always “convinced” him to continue. And Uncle Mamo always rose to the bait.

He threw another red chip into the middle. Raising the stakes.

‘Ooooohhh, Mamo is getting ready to win!’

‘Even though we all know he’s going to lose. Just like you Baba! The old men always lose.’

‘Shut up!’

‘Hey! That’s so rude Ota!’

The game was under way, with Dad and Uncle Baba giving audible instructions on how to play. I suppose this game was what shaped me into the Tres Spades Casino Queen when an international poker competition was held at the hotel.

‘Alright, time to show hands.’

I remember lifting up my hands as if it was an order. I also remember everyone laughing because of my hands.

‘Not your real hands. The cards.’

‘Ooooohhhh.’ You can imagine how red I was and how deeply I had buried my face into the pillow on my lap.

Uncle Mamo lost, Uncle Ota had a Three of a Kind and Uncle Baba had One Pair.

It was down to Uncle Soryu and Dad.

‘If you win, you can have the property you’ve been pinning for.’

‘Very funny.’

Uncle Soryu had a Full House.

Dad had a Royal Straight Flush.

‘So… who won?’

Throughout the games that afternoon, I was snuggling closer and closer to Dad’s body. And, for once, he didn’t push me away.

I was grateful for it.

*

‘Here you go Dad! All neatly organised in alfabetisal order.’

‘Alphabetical order.’

‘That’s what I said, alfapetical order.’

‘……….’ I knew Dad was sighing inwardly but I was content with life at the time. I didn’t know the danger that would happen hours later.

For a while, Dad decided to put me to work, to make up for the fact that I couldn’t pay to stay in the hotel. It was a bit dick-ish on his part but at least he didn’t sell me at the auctions. Eventually, he became more caring towards me as time went on. Waking me up when I had nightmares, patting me on the head, allowing me to help clean the paper work in his office. He even took me outside once on an exploration trip to see potential buyers and land to put the Ichinomiya name on.

I thought that I could finally be free from the pain I received. For a little while, I forgot why I had run away and why I was broken. But they reminded me of what my worth was.

‘Baba and Ota are taking me shopping. Should I get you something?’

‘If you want to.’

‘Like what?’

‘Whatever you think I will like. And if I don’t like it, I will tell you.’

‘Yeah, okay. Alright, I’ll be back later! Don’t work too hard!’ I waved my hands at the doorway to the purple man behind the desk. He didn’t look up.

‘Why am I here?’ Uncle Mamo whined.

‘Because you were sleeping. You need to do more than just eating and sleeping.’ Uncle Baba said behind the steering wheel.

‘I have work to do!’

‘You don’t have a job!’ Uncle Ota declared.

‘Yes I do kid!’

I couldn’t help but laugh at the scene in front of me. Uncle Baba decided that we should all hang out for dinner and try his new recipe of dumpling stew so he dragged us out to go shopping. But apparently I was too curious for my own good. It wasn’t long before I had wandered off to a different section of the shop that I felt a hand cover my mouth with a drugged napkin. I saw them pass by a corner before slipping into unconsciousness.

I hated myself for believing that I had a chance to live freely.

*

I remember waking up in a warehouse. I was chained to the ground with cuffs around my ankles and wrists. The stone ground was cold and miserable. I had to force myself to sit up and was instantly sick on the floor beside me.

‘She’s awake.’

‘I can see that idiot. Call the woman.’

When I was done, I looked up to see masked figures and screamed. They wore grizzly bear masks but not the fun-loving cartoon kind. They had tortured looks on their faces and blood seemed to seep out of the eye hole cut outs. A 7-year-old’s imagination can speed towards any direction but I knew better. They were symbols of the family I had left behind.

I backed into the wall behind me, hoping that the wall would open up and I could get away.

‘You’ve caused a lot of trouble young missy. You’re mum is very worried about you. Why don’t you speak with her, you little rat? Hm?’ A raspy voice floated out of the mask but I couldn’t move my hands close enough to my ears. The man reached out towards me but I took a bite into his fingers before they could touch me.

‘Ah! Damn you!’ He stood up quickly, cradling his right hand, and kicked me in my ribs. He threw down a punch on my left cheek for good measure before stomping off.

I was so used to the pain that I stopped crying out back then. But I guess staying with the bidders softened me too much. I sobbed quietly, feeling a thin stream of blood trickle down my face, and remembering the masks.

They were quite literally called The Family. I was born into it after my “father” slept with his mistress while his wife was giving birth to his third child. Illegitimate and alone, I was abused mercilessly by my half-siblings and their mother. Father didn’t care about me, he only lived for women and alcohol. But he kept an iron-fist over a torturous empire dedicated to illegal smuggling of organs. They used the bloody bear masks to practically scare their victims to death.

They were proud butchers. All of them. I was ashamed of the torture that it became a threat to my life every day.

Death was at my doorstep until I could take it no more.

‘You disgusting child, you never should have been born!’

Finally, she broke after her children accused me of attempting to steal money from their safe. They all knew it wasn’t true. She knew it was not true. She reminded me my place in this world when she drew a katana out and slashed it down my eye.

It wouldn’t be until I meet Uncle Luke Foster, who gave me a new eye and got rid of the scar, where I erase all traces of The Family.

‘The woman said to cut up her body for parts and organs. There is an auction nearby where we can sell them.’

I know now that they were talking about Dad’s auctions but luckily for me, I would never be put on that stage, dead or alive.

Before the bone-saw was even picked up from a medical cart, the screeches of car tires echoed faintly. The ground seemed to rumble like an approaching earthquake when suddenly, Uncle Soryu’s black Bentley tore through the main doors, forcing it off its hinges completely.

Dust lifted up and invaded our lungs as gravity set in and plunged the remains of the doors into the ground. The car doors opened and Dad came out in such a stylish manner that I thought I was in a movie.

‘Kiki…’

‘Eisuke!’ We looked at each other for a brief moment, a brief look of anger on his face, before he turned to see the man standing by me with the saw.

Dad stepped forward with a briefcase when one of the henchmen pointed his gun at him.

‘Don’t move!’

‘Eisuke!’ Uncle Soryu had his gun on the henchmen who immediately started shaking under his intense gaze.

Dad opened the briefcase and slid it forward.

‘$30 million in cash. If you give me the girl.’

They started mumbling and whispering, wondering what to do. It was clear the money Dad offered was substantially more than what they were originally being paid. But what would a famous billionaire hotel mogul want with a battered child? Looking to their leader, many of the men waited for an answer.

He looked down at me for a moment but I didn’t dare make eye contact.

‘Fine. Take her. She’s as good as dead anyway.’ The masked man threw the saw down and slowly crept up to the briefcase. He kneeled down when a shout came from the back of the warehouse. A large group of men appeared from the shadows with guns aimed at the heads of the henchmen.

‘Don’t shoot! Drop your weapons and get down!’

‘Wha-‘ Uncle Soryu moved quickly and bashed his gun onto the man’s head. He fell unconscious.

‘Don’t be so surprised. The Ice Dragons can be very useful at times like these.’ Dad had a smug look on his face; he knew he had won.

‘Mafia?!’

‘The Ice Dragons?!’

‘What are they doing in Japan?!’

The henchmen struggled and muttered and whined as the Ice Dragons led them away.

‘What should I do with them?’ Uncle Soryu handcuffed the man and forced him to stand on his feet.

‘The usual.’

‘Fine.’

‘Hey princess, let’s get you out of there.’ Uncle Baba’s voice came from one of the masks and I almost screamed again.

‘Don’t worry! Look!’ He took it off and I was relieved.

‘Baba…’ He unlocked the cuffs and Dad helped me stand up.

‘How did yo-‘

‘After you went missing, we did some digging around.’ Uncle Baba said, dropping the mask onto the ground.

‘We found out about The Family and traced you to here.’ Uncle Soryu came forward after handing the unconscious leader to Uncle Inui.

‘How though?’

‘The pager Eisuke gave you.’ Uncle Ota pointed to the object in my pocket.

I looked up at the man.

‘I never lose what belongs to me.’

‘We were lucky they didn’t take the pager from you. We’re glad that you’re safe.’ Uncle Soryu smiled at me.

‘You came to save me?’ I grasped Dad’s hand and asked in a small voice.

‘What kind of owner would I be if I let you get yourself kidnapped?’ I heard groans from the others.

‘Eisuke….’

‘Boss, she’s not a pet.’

‘Hey, Koro belongs to all of us. Not just you Eisuke.’

‘Eisuke?’ I said.

‘What?’

‘Can I stay with you?’

Dad looked mildly taken aback but he regained his composure, took out his pocket handkerchief and dabbed it on my cheek.

‘Ow…’

‘Stay still.’

‘Yes, stay very still for me.’

We all turned our heads to the sound of the new voice. He stood there in front of the car. The glare of the knife against the moonlight shot into my eyes. I blinked multiple times in the hopes that I had imagined him. My birth father stood there glaring at me alone, ignoring the Ice Dragons around him.

‘Stay very still while I cut you up into thousands of little pieces you damned hell spawn.’ He spat out those words that I knew so well while I quivered. He was capable of violence in every way. There were many times when he killed servants or subordinates out of anger. He was even worse when drunk, I never forgot the day when he stumbled in intoxicated and killed my mother in front of me.

‘He’s mad.’ I heard Dad whisper as he positioned himself in front of me. Shielding me.

‘You’ll have to get through me if you want her.’ Dad stood his ground and stared the crazed man down, something no one has ever done. But all it did was enrage him further.

Everything happened so fast that day, that everything is still hazy even after 15 years. He charged at Dad while gun shots rung across the warehouse. Uncle Soryu stopped him, dodged the knife, and grabbed his wrist, pinning it behind him. But that man got free and elbowed Uncle Soryu in his stomach. Suddenly, they were grappling with a gun and, as Uncle Baba and Uncle Ota tried to get me away, a single shot hit me.

‘KIKI!’ I remember falling to the ground clutching my side and hearing the yells of everyone around me. Dad’s face was the last thing I saw before blacking out.

I thought I was dead for real; I guess he almost made good on his promise to kill me.

*

In the end, I never saw The Family again. While Dad was bribing the henchmen hired by my step-mother, Uncle Mamo and the police arrested The Family using proof given by Uncle Baba’s sources. Apparently, he smelled of alcohol too that night so to hear that Dad killed my birth-father gave me a sense of peace that I didn’t know I had the capacity to feel.

I spent 2 week recovering in a private hospital. I was grateful. They never left me alone, always watching over me. The bullet wound did a lot more damage than the staff thought but they patched me up really well. Later, I would ask Dad to send small gifts to them as a thank you for looking after me. One of the nurses said that I nearly died on the operating table and that it was a miracle I pulled through at all.

‘You must have a big will to live, my dear. I’m sure there is someone you are living for in this life.’

I was unconscious for a while in the hospital after the operation. But I clearly remember the things that Dad said when he thought I was asleep.

‘Getting yourself kidnapped, getting yourself shot, nearly dying during surgery, you’ve lived through so many incidents. That’s not even mentioning the abuse you suffered growing up. He was mad. Very mad. I saw it in his eyes the hate he had for you, for the world. A man like that never survives. Only people like you. People who brave through situations, no matter how horrible or tragic, get to live in this world. I should know.’

I felt my hand enclosed in his hands.

‘I lost my family when I was your age. But I was taken in by my adopted father who was a close friend of my dad’s. He raised me, gave me a home, and taught me how to take care of myself. I repaid all of his kindness for giving me a new chance at life. Now I want to do the same thing for you. You asked if you could stay with me. I don’t intend to let you go, not after all this. I promise I will raise you the same way Akira raised me so that you can say that you made it through your trauma. That you deserve a new chance at life. Besides, Baba would have my head if I let you go now. You’ve really wiggled your way into our hearts Kiki. And it’s not a bad thing.’

‘Eisuke? I’ll look after her, you can go back to the hotel.’ Uncle Mamo walked into the private suite, so I couldn’t answer him. But in my heart, I already did.

‘You alright?’

‘I’m fine.’

‘She’s a tough kid. She’ll wake up soon.’

‘Oh I know. I doubt after all this, she would give up that easily.’ The door closed as Dad left the hospital.

I never forgot his words but I also didn’t ever tell him I knew. Maybe he sensed that I was awake but didn’t say. Dad never mentioned it and I was too shy to bring it up.

Eventually, the wounds healed but my body was still scarred. I went back to the hotel after what felt like forever. They held a little party to celebrate my return but I think they just wanted an excuse to drink. The way they drunk alcohol was very different to what I was originally used to. For a moment, I thought they would become like my birth-father, but it turns out maybe he was just a violent drunk.

Hours later, Uncle Mamo started sobbing and Uncle Baba reflected on the meaning of life, often asking me if I knew the theory of evolution. I was 7 years old.

Uncle Ota went to sleep and Uncle Soryu only shook his head disapprovingly at the mess in front of him. Dad gave me orange juice and snacks until I started feeling sleepy. He carried me upstairs in his arms. I woke up cuddling Dad in his room the next morning.

I finally found the home that I had always wanted.

*

After Dad and I got ready in the morning, Mr Kenzaki came to the penthouse.

‘It is good to see you’re back in high spirits again Kiki.’

‘Thank you!’ I said while eating an apple.

‘Here sir, the documents you requested has arrived.’ He handed over a black folder and Dad opened it.

‘Good. You can leave.’

Mr Kenzaki bowed and I waved goodbye.

‘Kiki. Come here.’

I got off my seat on the couch and stood in front of him. Dad un-crossed his legs, turned me around and lifted me up onto his lap.

‘Bwah!’

‘Pfft, are you comfortable?’

‘Oh, yes!’ I replied, looking up at his face. He placed his hand on my head and turned it towards the black folder.

‘Do you know what this is?’

‘Important documents?’

‘Yes. Do you know what of?’

‘For new property?’

‘No.’

‘A contract with another company?’

‘No.’

‘A restraining order on Uncle Baba?’

‘Pfft, if only.’ Dad chuckled.

‘Then what is it?’

Dad put the folder on the couch and adjusted me around so that I could see him.

‘They are adoption papers.’

At the time, my brain blanked out for a second. I had absolutely no idea what it meant. Then it clicked.

‘Who are you adopting?’

‘You know the answer to this, dummy.’ Dad laughed at my dumb question and I asked another.

‘You’ll let me stay?’

‘You don’t need to live in fear anymore Kiki. I will raise you to become my heir to the Ichinomiya Group and the Tres Spades Hotel. There will be hardships but I’m not about to allow you to go.’ He smiled a rare smile at me. I cried horribly ugly kid tears. All the tension in my life suddenly melted away when Dad held me tight to his chest. He patted my head as I sobbed my heart out.

‘You don’t have a choice in the matter.’

You have no idea how many times he says this exact line, or maybe you do. It is indescribable the feelings and emotions I had that day. Somehow, I found myself a new family and a new father who would look after me and love me like a real father. I believed that the idea of a family didn’t exist but the truth is that it does. You just have to know where to look.

Mum was added into my family a year later. A year after that, Uncle Luke, Uncle Shu, and Uncle Hikaru completed my family.

*

Hi, my name is Kiki Ichinomiya, President of the Ichinomiya Group.

And I am the heir to the Hotel King’s legacy.

#kissed by the baddest bidder #eisuke ichinomiya #kbtbb eisuke #kbtbb family #soryu oh #mitsunari baba #ota kisaki #mamoru kishi

[raylessneedssleep]

Are you still doing asks on anything? Can u do something with Sukka? Or maybe something that has a Sokka/toph sibling relationship/ friendship? Please?

Of course! I will try to incorporate both Sukka and a Sokka and Toph friend/sibling relationship. This will be set during a traveling mission with Team Avatar (Zuko and Suki included).

———

“Are we there yet?” Sokka said in a childish tone. His aching feet were screaming for a much needed break after hiking up the mountain side. It was almost sundown and they were approaching a small village settled on one of the mountain slopes. 

Katara rolled her eyes and shot a glare back at her brother who was trudging behind the rest of the group. “Quit complaining and just continue walking,” she snapped, her fists balled at her sides. Sokka had been complaining ever since they had slid off of Appa and began their hike.

“It’s okay, Sokka! We are almost there anyway.” Aang slowed to allow Sokka to catch up with him, resting a reassuring hand on the elder boy’s shoulder with a bright smile. Sokka resisted the urge to roll his eyes at Aang’s chipper attitude. The boy never seemed to get tired and Sokka blamed it on being the avatar. 

Toph huffed, stomping her foot forward before rising back up into a straighter stance. “I believe it is just up ahead,” Toph said as she pointed to the direction in front of her. 

Letting out a dramatic sigh of relief, Sokka sprinted off ahead of the others with an inhuman speed. Zuko opened his mouth to shout for him to slow down, but the soft gab to his side along with the shake of Katara’s head stopped him. He looked between the two Southern Water Tribe siblings and sighed softly to himself.

Behind them, Suki couldn’t help but watch Sokka’s retreating figure with a soft smile. Toph didn’t fail to notice her heartbeat changing ever so slightly.

After Team Avatar finally caught up to Sokka, he had already entered an Inn placed at the edge of the village. A short, thin woman with braided hair welcomed them with a small smile. Zuko reached into his bag, pulling out a small pouch of money to pay for their rooms. 

The rooms were divided into boys and girls, much to Sokka’s displeasure, and were situated across from one another. Each room had two beds side-by-side, two dressers, a closet across from the beds, a small table settled under a shoji window, and a plush rug. The bathrooms were public baths that were connected to the Inn by a small pathway and a large outhouse. 

Bathing in a public bath was a new experience for Suki, but she didn’t hate it entirely. It was nice having her hair washed by Katara while washing Toph’s hair which was surprisingly long and soft. She learned that Toph had a small scar on her hip from being pushed into a rose bush by kids who lived around her. Toph explained that it was one of the reasons her parents refused to let her leave the house; they feared she was too fragile and something worse could happen to her besides getting hurt by a rose bush.

Suki had been shocked to learn what Toph’s family was like, but it only made them closer. It made Suki feel like they were finally trusting each other by exchanging childhood memories with one another. Even Katara shared her own stories—many involved Sokka making a complete fool of himself—and stories of her adventures with Aang before the others had joined the group.

Their fun soon came to an end when they exited the bathhouse to find Zuko scowling at Aang airbending Sokka’s hair to dry it. Dark strands stood up in different directions and a lazy grin covered Sokka’s face. He seemed to be enjoying himself too much.

“Suki, look!” Sokka shouted, pointing to his disheveled hair. Though Suki didn’t understand the amusement in his messy hair, she still giggled at his behavior. He may have been one of the older ones in the group, but that didn’t mean he was the most mature. Joking around was something he did quite often, leaving the maturity to Zuko and Katara who were the parents of Team Avatar.

“I don’t get it,” Toph grumbled as she crossed her arms across her chest.

“Of course you don’t ‘cause you’re blind,” Sokka rolled his eyes before smoothing out his hair with his hands until it framed his face. Toph scoffed, stomping the ground until a large rock lifted from the earth and flew into Sokka. It smacked the back of his head which sent him flying forward into the small pond next to the walkway.

Laughter erupted from the group—Zuko even let out a small chuckle—as Sokka struggled to free himself from the slippery stones surrounding the pond. Turtle ducks pecked at his behind making him wince and reach his hand out for help. Zuko pitied the poor boy and reached down to grab the collar of his robe, pulling him up from the pond.

Suki, smiling at Sokka, turned around and slowly began heading towards the small sitting area on the other side of the walkway. It had a large tree—it stood taller than the Inn which was three levels—in the middle with benches on either side of it.

“Suki,” Katara called out to gain the other girl’s attention, “where are you going?”

“Oh! Just going over to sit down. I’m not ready to go to bed yet, but I wish to rest my feet a little.”

Katara gave her a questioning look after something flashed behind Suki’s eyes, her smile wavering ever so slightly, but she decided to drop it and let Suki do as she pleased.

Making her way over to one of the benches, Suki smoothed out the light green robe she had been wearing before she sat down. Her eyes trained on the moon that hung high in the sky; the rays of light casted a glow over the world underneath it. A feeling of dread grew in her stomach the more she stared blankly at the large, gray orb.

Toph nudged Sokka—he had been telling her about the village as he thumbed through a small history book he had apparently brought outside with him—and called for his attention.

“Yeah?” Sokka questioned, his eyes never leaving the worn pages as he skimmed every line.

“I think something is wrong with Suki,” Toph said lowly to not draw attention to their conversation. Zuko and Katara had been paying attention to Aang as he rambled about the Air Nomads, but Toph wanted to be sure no one else heard her conversation with Sokka.

“What do you mean?” Sokka paused in his reading to look up at Toph, though she didn’t see it, and raised a brow at her statement.

“I don’t know...I just feel like something is wrong,” Toph could feel Sokka’s worried gaze trained on her face. Whenever she got a feeling about something, it was usually right.

Had there been something wrong with Suki? If there was, then why didn’t Sokka notice it?

Sokka looked over to where Suki was sitting, her head leaned back and a sad gaze resting on the sky above her. He followed her gaze to see she was looking at the moon.

He cursed under his breath before standing to full height. “Can we continue our talk later?” Sokka asked Toph to which she responded with a nod of her head, standing to go over to the rest of the group. Sokka made a mental note to make it up to Toph considering she had been very interested in the history of the village and he had promised he would tell her about it.

Suki was drawn from her thoughts when someone suddenly sat down beside her. Shocked to see Sokka, she fumbled over her own words as she tried to form a greeting.

“Suki, if this is about what I told you the other day, then I’m sorry.”

Her body froze instantly at his words; she could only stare at him as he looked up at the moon with a sad look and a tight lipped smile. She knew that look and it only made her heart hurt more knowing she was partly causing it.

It had been about what he told her the other day. As soon as he told her everything, her mind began to overflow with so many “what if” questions that her stomach began to twist into knots. She knew it was stupid to get so worked up over the past, but she couldn’t help it no matter how hard she tried to forget about it.

“When I told you about Yue, I wanted to be honest with you, not hurt you.” Sokka leaned forward while resting his elbows against his knees, his hands running through his parted hair.

Suki looked away, her folded hands falling into her lap and tightening against one another until her knuckles were paling; her heart beat wildly in her chest.

The other day, before they had left for their trip, Sokka had sat Suki down and told her everything about Princess Yue and their “relationship.” He left nothing out because he wanted her to know everything about him. Even his past. He told her how they met, what they talked about, how he felt when he had met her, what happened with the Fire Nation, what she had to do to save them, and how he felt when it happened.

“I shouldn’t be upset, I know, but I-“

“Suki, don’t ever assume that your feelings are invalid. You are allowed to feel however you want and you can feel upset about this.” Sokka was firm, but he was also gentle when he spoke to Suki. Looking into her watery eyes, he gave her a loving smile and leaned up to kiss her temple.

“Princess Yue is someone special to me and will always hold a special place in my heart, but she is in my past and will stay there. You are my present and my everything. Please, don’t ever doubt that.”

As they stared deeply into each other’s eyes, Suki felt a rush of relief blanket her body.

Why had she been so upset in the first place?

She had no reason to feel jealous over a girl that turned into the moon. Sokka loved Yue in the past, sure, but Sokka loved her in the present. He devoted his everything to her and she had absolutely no reason to doubt that. His past was his past, just as much as her past was her past.

“Sokka,” Suki brushed her nose against his; the action barely felt by either of them. It was rare for them to display this kind of affection for one another considering Suki enjoyed basking in each other’s presence in private, but she couldn’t help herself from showcasing her feelings.

“Yes?”

“I love you,” Suki said, pressing their foreheads together and reaching forward to take his hands into her own. She stared at their interlocked hands, tears forming in the corners of her eyes as a rush of pure love and comfort filled her. Sokka would always be there for her and she would do the same for him.

Giving her hands a squeeze, Sokka smiled and closed his eyes, savoring the feeling of her warm hands in his colder ones. He promised himself that, no matter what, he would never take her for granted and would always be someone she could count on and be proud of.

“I love you, Suki,”

———

I hope you enjoyed the short story and I’m sorry the ending was kind of bad, but I didn’t want to make it too long or too short so I tried to mix it up a bit. There wasn’t many Toph/Sokka moments, however, I tried to make their time together seem important. Toph really wanted to know about the village they were in, so Sokka did some research and brought along some history books to read to her and educate her. It is a sign that shows a more brotherly role he plays with Toph.

I also wanted to explain the story some more besides the Toph/Sokka scenes.

I wanted the story to be about Suki’s reaction to Yue, the girl Sokka used to like, and to show that she felt slightly jealous of Yue because it was his first love. It didn’t say this, but Suki was almost afraid that Sokka didn’t love her as much as he loved Yue and that he wasn’t over her.

Sokka explains that Yue is part of his past and will always be important to him, but he lives in the present with Suki who he loves now.

They cannot tell what the future holds for them, but they are willing to leave in the present with one another, showering each other with their love and affection.

Sorry if there are any typos! I wrote this when it was quite late. I hope you enjoyed it! :)

#sukka #sokka x suki #suki x sokka #sokka and suki #suki and sokka #avatar #avatar the last airbender #avatar: the last airbender #atla aang #atla toph #atla katara #atla ships #atla zuko #atla sokka #atla suki #atla #zutara #taang #sokka and toph as friends #zutara are the parents of team avatar #princess yue #past yue and sokka mentioned #sokka and suki are already dating #team avatar

[saedii-gilwraeth-simp]

Another World - TDC Holidays - Day 7

I’m experimenting with a new style so tell me what you think!

DAY 7

AU: BAND

POV: MAGAZINE

‘Queens of Music - The rise of girl group Reign’ by Mathilde Seer - Sunpool Magazine

The Rolanth pub is alive and bouncy tonight as new kids on the block Reign take the stage. I sit at the bar and laugh along as singer and guitarist Arsinoe interacts casually with the crowd before the start of their set, while her fellow bandmates warm up their instruments. She is bubbly and shockingly alive as the dimmer lights hit her iconic black and red half-face mask.

The crowd eats it up, cheering as eventually drummer Katharine starts their beat. Bassist Mirabella grabs the attention of every person in the room as she joins in. Their synchronicity is currently unmatched by any band their age (hell even bands older than them) and their set roars into action.

The Queen sisters rose into the music scene nearly a year ago and I’m lucky enough to be one of the few journalists invited to the pub gigs they play in between sold out stadiums. Their set is filled with their own self written hits as well as countless classics that everyone knows (even an improvised cover of Bohemian Rhapsody) and the crowd just gets higher and higher.

When I’m allowed back stage at the end of the night, or early morning (there were a lot of impromptu encores), I’m unsurprised to see the sisters still completely wired. Katharine and Arsinoe (who is hanging upside down on the couch) are playing a game of UNO that is surprisingly intense and Mirabella looks like she is trying and failing to meditate. The background speaker is playing what sounds like Hey Violet’s ‘Guys My Age’ at a volume that is just short of too loud.

Arsinoe looks up when I walk in, smiling and flipping herself right way up, standing with a skip. She’s taken her mask off and her deep facial scars catch the light of the backroom, but her smile is infectious as she hugs me, UNO cards still in hand.

I’m lucky enough to have been offered to travel with the sisters for the next stop in their tour and I can tell already it will be as chaotic as all else, especially as Katharine yells at Arsinoe to “get her ass back to the game”. I take the seat Mirabella subtly offers me and prepare myself for the road.

~

The next morning, I wake on the tour bus before the triplets and prepare to interview the three of them. Mirabella’s the first to rise, stretching to touch the ceiling of the bus and apologising for not waking up earlier. She grabs a protein bar and comes and sits down across from me. I start with their break into the music scene, the Quickening Music Festival, which they shouldn’t have been playing in and everyone I talk to agrees they definitely crashed illegally.

“Our start to the music industry was definitely one that could have gotten us in trouble, mostly because Arsinoe takes opportunities where they come, no matter how hair-brained they are,” Mirabella tries to sound mad, but she actually sounds like a proud older sister, which she is. Her protective nature is well known in the fandom and is the subject of many journalistic questionings and internet memes that, when mentioned, gains a serene and agreeing nod.

Speaking of serenity, I am quickly learning that Mirabella is the most calm musician I have ever met, and when I mention this, Mirabella just laughs.

“Compared to my sisters, sure. But I have my days, just like any one else,” at that exact moment, a loud thump comes from the bunk area and Katharine stumbles out a minute later, rubbing her hip. She doesn’t speak and I’m vaguely reminded of a zombie. But, a really short one. My interview with Mirabella ends there as she stands to check on her sister. Quintessential older sibling.

Katharine is my next interviewee and she tells me to just call her Kat. The youngest triplet sits across from me, fiddling with the 8 rings she wears, one of which is definitely an Arron family seal ring. When I ask, she tells me she stole it. I can’t tell if she’s messing with me. She’s the smallest of the three and looks like she could lose a fight with a strong gust of wind, but you wouldn’t think that if you saw her on the drums.

“I have a lot of pent up emotions,” she declares when I ask about her instrument, “I nearly broke one of Arsinoe’s violins when we were younger, so she bugged Willa to buy me a drum kit. I haven’t looked back since,” I can’t help but smile at the story. Arsinoe and Kat seem to enjoy the most banter, but anyone looking at them can see there is genuine sisterly affection there. “But yeah, I went through some shit when I was a teenager and the drums helped me express my aggression healthily.” I don’t ask for any more. Anyone who listened to songs on their debut album like ‘Down, Down’, ‘Viper’ or ‘Dead and Gone’ can hear the deep emotions lying underneath Kat Queen’s skin. Their technical prowess and gory themes have also immortalised the songs as fan favourites.

Kat is gone by the time I look up, seeming to be inspired as she sits on another table and begins writing something down that she eventually hands to a passing Arsinoe, who has spent the morning texting a mystery person with a nearly imperceptible blush on her face as she enters the kitchen area. When she catches me looking, Kat leans over and whispers to me;

“Her and Junior have been chatting forever, if that’s enough of a scoop for you,” she laughs slightly as Arsinoe comes back into the table space.

Arsinoe seems to be the brain behind the operation’s more chaotic elements. She is a verified master of at least four instruments (five if you count voice) and has written the most songs on their album. She looks at me with a cheshire grin and the first thing I can think to ask about is her scars.

“I fought a brown bear and won,” she says, casually enough for me to question whether she’s actually serious (it seems deadpan outrageousness runs in the family). I move onto her music.

“I did a lot of travel when I was a teen, so I had a lot of influences as I was learning my instruments. I also had a lot of people with different styles who have made my music better,” and then she says “shoutout to Jules Milone” and laughs. Her laughter is rough but bright. Much like her songs, which include ‘Sea Ports’, ‘Mount Horn’ and ‘Pub Song’.

She makes me feel comfortable enough to even ask about her love song, ‘Maybe More’. Despite being on the B Side of the debut album, it sent fans crazy with theories. Most in Reign’s fanbase agree that the song is about Arsinoe’s old friend and fellow famous musician, Billy Chatworth, who has also written a song with strikingly similar themes and metaphors, ‘Caught Out’. Both are so tight-lipped it’s almost confessional, but that never stops anyone trying to confirm. Arsinoe laughs when I ask but doesn’t answer, a la Barney Stinson when asked about his occupation on HIMYM.

We get off the bus at the castle-turned-stadium that acts as Indrid Down’s hub of entertainment and it’s all systems go. Mirabella is co-ordinating with the roadies who are moving their stuff. She is somehow both kind and authoritarian. Arsinoe is writing lyrics as she’s walking while listening to something through earphones. Kat is rubbing her drumsticks together and tapping her legs with them while also trying to trip Arsinoe up as they walk together.

They take the stage an hour later and the crowd is deafening as Kat hits the first beat of their set (the jaunty 'Pub Song’). The next two and a half hours go by quicker than expected. The crowd is wild as all three triplets interact with them, and even I’m swept into the hype and I go to concerts like this for a living. Finally, the gentle but haunting lull of ‘Queen Crowned’ finishes their setlist and the audience roars as Arsinoe hits the final, stunningly high note of the song.

Backstage is bustling as mics are removed and sweat is wiped away. Arsinoe picks her sisters up with the force of her hug and then she pulls me into a tight (and very sweaty) hug. The back area fills and Mirabella squeals in excitement as two women who must be her girlfriends kiss her. Kat is embraced by a tall, blonde guy. Arsinoe grins and continues a conversation as she helps one of the roadies pack up before they go out to sign merch.

I leave before the triplets enter the venue lobby to sign merch and meet fans, but I hear the cheering and loud speaking a block away and can’t help but smile. Reign will be around for a while, I reckon.

Crowned - DEBUT ALBUM

Yin

Dead and Gone

Protect

Pub Song

Down Down

Queen Crowned

Viper

Falling Rocks

Sea Ports

Mount Horn

Yang

B-Side

One-Handed Mistress

Fire Maiden

Maybe More

Court Rules

Jules

Cliff and Tower

Three Prisoners

{Cover} SUPERBLOOM (MisterWives)

{Cover} Clean (Hey Violet)

Tag List: @nataliaarronn​, @poisonerrose​, @alwaysbored005​

#three dark crowns #one dark throne #two dark reigns #five dark fates #kendare blake #queen mirabella #queen arsinoe #queen katharine #another world #holiday special 2020

[atinyarmyzen]

𝓭𝓲𝓿𝓲𝓷𝓮 ~ｋｈｊ

.:*three*:.

pairing: cupid!hongjoong x mortal!reader

warnings: maybe mentions of violence?? fluffy stuff

word count: 1.7k buckle up this one’s long

a/n: when you see squiggles (~~~~) it indicates a shift to the reader’s (you) pov 

Albeit strange, her new life felt like bliss. Every day she woke with the sun shining through the towering windows, and the sea sparkled in the morning light. She dressed in the finest silks in the most beautiful colors and embroidery.  Even though she spent your life as princess wearing nothing but the best of what wealth could buy, she still had never seen anything like it. Her every whim was attended to, she had what seemed like an army of servants at her beck and call.

She spent most of her days indulging in whatever small pleasures she wanted. Reading books that had the most fantastic stories she had never heard before: histories of the gods, accounts of strange distant lands, creatures and monsters that even her wildest imagination could not conjure. She ate the most exquisite food she had ever tasted, and the wine was like sweet nectar. Everything seemed perfect-too perfect. Her mortal life was nothing like this, and the most time has passed, the less she remembered of it. All her memories began to fade, she had almost forgotten what her mother and father looked like, her sisters too. She would despair over this at times, not knowing what had become of them.

Despite not being able to see her husband, it did not seem to stop them from becoming fond of one another. She had never felt such an affection for someone she had never seen before. She found herself falling for his voice; it was sweet like honey and clear like the soft tinkling of bells. It was even more beautiful when he would sing, filling the large halls with a soft melodic musings.

~~~~~~~~~

“Are you sure you’re not actually a muse, my love?” Your husband chided lowly in your ear. “I’m starting to think that you’re not actually mortal” He feigned suspicion in his tone; you could hear the smile in his voice. You let out a breathy laugh, laying on the soft satin of your bed. You felt your husband’s fingertips glide over the skin of your upper arm, then your shoulder and up your neck until it reached your cheek, where he tucked one of your silken ringlets behind your ear.

The only time you ever actually felt your husband’s presence was when the sun fell and you would retire to bed. In the darkness with the nothing but the sound of the ocean outside. You actually felt his warmth behind you, his touch on your skin and his voice in your ear. It was what you looked forward to the most every day. Not being able to see his face was difficult and you still did you quite understand it, but you were deeply in love nonetheless.

“Is it that you feel I won’t love you if I look upon your face?” you questioned. “You have nothing to fear from me on that front, I hope you know my heart is yours.” You wanted to reassure him, but you could not help but feel unsettled with this odd condition to your marriage.

“No, my darling. Believe me, I do not want to doubt you.” Your husband reassured you, his soft, delicate hands running up and down your side. “But this must be. If I revealed myself to you, it would change everything. You may fear me, or love me as something different than I am. I want you to love me as your equal rather than as an immortal.”

You nodded and sighed. “I do miss my family though. It is possible that I may see my sisters again? At times I can’t help but feel alone.” Hongjoong felt a tug at his heartstrings, he could not stand to see her unhappy or to know she felt anything less than blissful living with him. He could not be found out by your sisters either, however.

“If you wish, I can bring them here and you may see them. I must not be here when they do come, and you must not mention that you cannot see me.” Hongjoong explained. “Oh, thank you my love. Seeing my beloved sisters again will make me so happy,” Y/n gushed. You felt him press a chaste kiss to your shoulder. His words quieted your whirring thoughts, and soon you succumbed to sleep with his honied voice singing softly in your ear.

~~~~~~~~

The next morning, y/n woke to the golden rays of the morning sun shining through the window. She turned over, only to be met with an empty bed. She wanted to so badly to be met with the eyes of her husband, but she knew it could never be. The thought always pained her.

Today would be the day her sisters would visit. She rushed our of bed and slipped out of her nightgown, and opted for a sheer pale yellow silken dress. She went to her balcony and summed the wind Zephyr to bring her sisters to the palace, on her husband’s orders. She rushed down to the front of the palace and waited their arrival.

A short while later, y/n noticed two small figures making their way across the meadow towards the palace. She recognized her older sisters and bounded towards them, they met her in a tight embrace. “Sweet sister” Eurydice said to her youngest sibling, “You have no idea how happy we are to be that you are well.” She said as she continued to hold you in her hug. Irene spoke up from behind her “We thought you have met a horrible fate, be were bereaved for months”. She said as you let go of your eldest sister to embrace her.

“I’ve been doing more than well, but I seeing my dear sisters has brought me more joy than all the treasures in the world.” Y/n replied, beaming at her older siblings. “Please” y/n said. “come with me to the palace, and indulge in any luxury you may desire”. She led them towards her new home. Eurydice and Irene were both dumbfounded at the ornate beauty of their sister’s mysterious new home. She figured they felt the same way she did when she first came here, it is quite the sight for just a mere mortal. The servants catered to their desires. Her sisters staring in awe at all of y/n treasures. They could not help but feel jealousy creep into their thoughts, they had always felt upstaged by their little sister, but her living like a god caused envy to take root in their hearts.

The three sisters sat and ate on the veranda by the sea, drinking sweet wine and eating the most delicious fruit. Her sisters bombarded her with questions. The most anticipated question being just who y/n’s husband was. Y/n told them he was a handsome young man, but that he we usually gone during the day as he enjoyed hunting and riding. This did not satisfy her sisters however, and they continued to press on the subject until y/n finally confessed that she had never actually seen her husband.

“But how can you possibly trust him if you have never seen him physically?” Irene questioned pointedly. “I have fallen for his voice and tender touch, how could someone who has given me a life like this possibly intend to harm me?” Y/n retorted. “Besides, it is forbidden for me to behold him, it would mean the end of our beautiful life together.” She said dejectedly, staring down while tracing her finger over her empty glass on the the table. Her sisters shot each other a glance from across the table, they intended to cause y/n suspicion about her husband in an attempt to ruin her all-too-perfect life.

“Surely you remember the seer’s prophecy? They said you were to marry an immortal being” Eurydice feigned concern in her voice. “Back home it is rumored that your husband is a monster that means to win your affections with all of his luxuries only to eventually devour you. You must see for yourself if he is not a monster; find a knife and a candle and hide them in a place where you can use them later. Tonight, when your husband falls asleep, light the candle and look upon him to see if he is not the monster that the prophecy says.” She proposed. Her tone then turned serious. “And if he is” she took y/n’s hand and gave her a grim look “cut off its head so you may be free.” Y/n’s eyes widened at her sister’s words. Irene nodded in agreement to Eurydice’s plan.

Y/n couldn’t help but feel some amount of anger towards her sister’s suspicion at her husband. Yet, at the same time, her own curiosity was eating away at her. She tried her best to resist their persuasions, but her willpower was too weak. Y/n wanted so badly for him to be the beautiful youth that she imagined. She figured that if she saw who her husband really was without being noticed, then there would be not harm done. She wouldn’t have to live with the constant doubt, and he would never know that she had betrayed his confidence. Y/n could not help but let doubt creep into her heart when she thought of the strange condition to her marriage. What if he was truly a monster that mean to harm her? Then she must win her freedom, her actions of killing him would her justified right? She shuddered at the thought, but was overcome by her need to face the truth.

After her sisters left and the sun began to fall on the horizon, she had reached her decision. She stole a knife from the kitchens and hid a candle under her pillow. She rested her head on the soft sheets, and pretended to be asleep. Not a moment later, she heard footsteps and felt the bed dip at what she knew was her beloved’s weight. Hongjoong smiled fondly at his wife’s sleeping figure.

~~~~~~~~~~~

“Dream sweetly, my muse.” You heard your husband’s heavenly voice behind you. His lips grazed the skin of your cheek, kissing you so delicately as if you were made of glass. Your felt as if your heart was being squeezed, were you able to live with the guilt of betraying him? “I must know, what if my life depends on it?”, you thought. Soon you heard his slow, even breaths; indicating his deep slumber. Your eyes opened, and you slowly slid your hand under your pillow until you felt the hilt of the knife.

❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥

previous chapter | four

a/n: thank you for the love on this fic!! I hope you liked this one, trying reeally hard to make the plot engaging. Anyway more to come and its about to get angsty so prepare thyself. love youu~❥

#ateez #ateez au #ateez fluff #ateez x reader #kim hongjoong #hongjoong x reader #ateez imagine #ateez fanfic #ateez ff #ateez series #ateez seonghwa #ateez yunho #ateez yeosang #ateez san #ateez mingi #ateez wooyoung #ateez jungho

[paullicino]

A Year like No Other

(Taken from, and funded by, my Patreon.)

A lot of people are now calling 2020 the lost year and it’s not difficult to see why. Most of us have never had a year remotely like this last one. For some of us, the calendar began to blur, weeks and even months merging into one another in a sickly, uneasy timelessness that had us double-checking what day it was. For others, there was stress after stress, as we worried about our health, our jobs, our governments, even our countries. And the two experiences certainly weren’t mutually exclusive.

This month, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on that, acknowledging both the struggles and the successes. It’s sometimes been a difficult twelve months for me, but it certainly hasn’t been without its inspirations and its wonderful moments. I wanted to share some of those, to talk about a few ideas and to spotlight the things that helped me through 2020. I hope it helps. I figure it’s as good a time as any for us to be sharing our blessings.

And I think that first involves celebrating you. I think that’s very important. This past month, a year on from the first COVID cases being widely-reported (and also the first reports of cases where I live), I’ve read a lot by people asking questions like “What difference does it all make?” or “What is the point?” when they look back. They ask these questions when they think about things like their life changes, their mask wearing, their activism or their voting. They see an ongoing pandemic, social unrest or political inaction and wonder why they should make an effort while others are lax or apathetic. It’s natural to wonder that. I think anyone can understand the fatigue, the cynicism and the disillusionment.

But I also, get this, have a Hot Take on this that says that the choices you made were vital. When you chose to wear a mask, to socially distance, to restrict when and where you went, you actively helped fight a deadly virus. You may well have saved lives, saved someone’s health, protected livelihoods by acting as you have. When you voted, shared a cause on social media, attended a protest or talked to even one person about helping others or making the world better, you contributed to improving your society.

In fact, I have capital-O Opinions about these things so strap in and hold on, 'cause here they come.

I’ve been very fortunate to share much of my work on the internet over the years, which is a very particular medium, and sometimes that work reaches a lot of people. My experience of this is that you never know who it truly reaches, or when, or even how, and most of the time you never find out. There’s certainly an immediacy to things where you can see, pretty quickly, what the instant reaction to something is, but that’s fleeting. It doesn’t last and, within moments, there’s already something newer demanding more responses.

In time, the true consequences of things shake out. People get back to you with their more considered opinions. Sometimes months, even years after you do something, you find out from someone what they thought about it, how it affected them or even how they were changed. It can take time for a person to realise how they were changed, too, and we rarely have perspective in the moment. Sometimes it takes us years to appreciate the choices and the actions of our friends, our family members, our teachers, our communities. People have contacted me about work I’ve done long, long after I first shared it, and many of those people have come from places that I never expected, have found my work in ways that I never expected. I think, now, that consequence never travels in straight lines. That cause and effect are strangers rather than siblings.

And so I hope it’s clear that the ramble you have so kindly indulged is meant to say that we don’t always notice the good things that we have done. We ask “What difference does it all make?” or “What is the point?” because we don’t get those answers immediately, or for a long time, or sometimes ever. But not knowing when we saved someone’s health, when we changed someone’s mind, even when we inspired someone’s actions doesn’t mean that we aren’t making a difference. There is a point to our life changes, our mask wearing, our activism and our voting.

I hope you can celebrate yourself and give yourself credit for the choices you made this last year. They have mattered.

I also want to thank you so, so much for supporting my Patreon. I know many of you have been with me since day one, for more than two years now, and I’m so grateful for both your capital-P Patronage and your presence, whether that’s in our Discord community or through your comments and your correspondence. That’s made a big difference to me this past year, helping me pay rent and put food on the table during a time when so much has been uncertain. 2020 was to be my first full year back in Canada after a complicated, circuitous absence and I had half-finished projects, freelance ideas and half a dozen tabs open in my browser with writing residencies to apply for, everywhere from nearby Richmond to the Yukon Territory. I hoped this would be a year that I’d both finally see more of Canada and be able to write about it, too. A lot of things didn’t quite work out, freelance budgets were slashed, work timelines lengthened and I became ill, but as I look back now I’m thankful for a great deal.

I still managed to fulfill some ambitions. At the start of 2020 I’d been finishing up some work on Zafir, which had been an absolute delight, and I was not far off starting spring work on Magical Kitties Save the Day. The close of the year saw me resuming work on a Feng Shui expansion and each of these projects has been really good for me. All of them gave me a chance to work with skillful, progressive people and to become a better designer.

As spring continued, I decided to make a one-off video about board gaming and mental health during a pandemic, partly to offer a practical and helpful introduction to playing board games online and looking after yourself, but also because I wanted people to feel that their actions during a pandemic mattered. Among the things I referenced and linked to, I’ve continued dipping into Headspace from time to time, and this helpful list of brief work-from-home tips has been further updated. I’ve also since further investigated the terrific work of Dr. Ali Mattu, a psychologist and therapist who has produced a lot of material over the last year focusing on how to handle the pandemic.

With the summer came widespread protests across the United States, which highlighted the oppressive and fatal consequences of systemic racism and the urgent need for police reform, both issues not exclusive to the that country (for me, the events echoed the protests that began on my Tottenham street in  2011 and the violent response to 2010’s student protests). I shared a list of resources that I thought were important at the time, but there also followed a wide call for white people to make more effort to both seek out, engage with and promote motion pictures made by Black Americans, or which reflected the Black experience. It wasn’t a big ask and, as well as watching films that had been recommended many times over (such as Us, Da 5 Bloods, The Last Black Man in San Francisco and the excellent BlacKkKlansman, which was the best film I saw last year), I also tried to diversify my social media feeds more. Instagram was host to a growing discussion about how the platform seems to (deliberately or accidentally) divide people by race, something which I think may still be the case, and several nature photographers I follow promoted Tsalani Lassiter and Rae Wynn-Grant. To my delight, among many of the things they speak about and share, both are experts on bears.

I thought it was important to look more closely at Canada, too, so I made more of an effort to follow Indigenous issues and have begun reading Indigenous news sources, including First Nations Drum, Windspeaker and the Nunatsiaq News. CBC runs its own Indigenous news section, much of which is written by Indigenous reporters.A lot of freelance and writing opportunities dried up as the pandemic contracted the world’s economies, but in 2020 I was able to start writing for VICE, working with my old colleague and friend Rob Zacny, and interview the world’s most famous board game designer. VICE has written a lot of relevant, helpful and informative material about current events over the last year and I was heartened by the words of a fellow VICE writer, Gita Jackson, who concluded her essay about living in The Cool Zone of historical possibility by reminding us how “In The Cool Zone, we can also rediscover hope.”

This year I was also inspired by Faith Fundal’s widely-shared CBC podcast They and Us, which was an excellent (and still rare) example of a mainstream media exploration of gender identity and trans rights, and really pleased for my friend Brendan, who launched his podcast project Hey, Lesson! in the autumn. Of course, I can’t mention podcasts without again reminding you of my love for the spooky, supernatural Death by Monsters, which I got to host last winter. It was my dear friend Paula, one of its presenters, who recommended that I start streaming regularly, something I now do here. She was absolutely right when she talked about how positive and social an experience it can be. It’s been a real joy, as well as added some important structure and schedule to my week.

And, of course, the arrival of my first full year as a Canadian resident meant that I got to celebrate my first anniversary as a Canadian resident. I paid my taxes! Let me tell you, it was a slightly confusing and esoteric experience, but it was also one of those mundane, humdrum things that confirms and validates you. Though I didn’t get to throw a party for that anniversary, I did get to enjoy my birthday celebrations before the pandemic really hit. My partner surprised me with a trip to the not-quite-remote-but-definitely-secluded Gibsons, on the quiet British Columbia coastline, which was the best birthday gift anyone’s ever given me and a chance to see more of the rocky, forested, mountainous fringes of a place I’ve fallen so in love with. Before Vancouver closed down, I was also able to collect more than a dozen people (representing five different nationalities!) together in a brewery and then a restaurant, something that now feels like an extremely alien concept. For some of us in our friend group, it’s the last memory we have of coming together and being in the same space. That gives it a pronounced poignancy, a bittersweet quality.

Finally, I’d like to share two more things with you. The first is particularly peculiar and personal: I found my wizard. After drafting this piece last summer, then sharing it in the autumn, a few suggestions led me not straight to my goal, but ultimately down the right path. The game that I was thinking of is called The Tomb of Drewan and I very much doubt that anyone, anywhere is likely to have heard of it. It’s thirty-nine years old this year and it was distributed by a publisher in Berkshire, not so far from where I grew up. It only took me three and a half decades to see what it looks like in colour.

Tracking down this game was a softly satisfying experience. It’s exactly as I remember. Everything makes sense. Reading through the manual reminds me of how difficult it was to try and understand this thing through a monochrome monitor, though I also think it was likely way too complex for the child I was. I don’t think I ever got anywhere. I don’t think I ever could have. But I at least know that my memory has served me well. That wizard was as real as could be.

The second thing is something about my own missing year, something that has also resurfaced in my memory as we’ve plodded through 2020. In the long, dark winter months, in the unstructured days and the collapsing weeks, I’ve been transported back to the early 2000s and to a time that now feels very familiar. Here's what that was like.

I’d been writing professionally for a few years, comfortably and competently, while still living in suburban Hampshire. As publishing moved from magazines to the internet, my work began to dry up, my options narrowed and, honestly, I didn’t respond to this shift by producing my best material. I also didn’t know what to do about all this change, becoming directionless and unsure. I didn’t yet have the confidence to take some of the larger steps that I eventually did and, instead, somewhere in all that I began to move backward. I struggled to find work. I slept the strangest hours. I was frustrated, but it also didn’t matter nearly enough to me because also, I was no longer motivated.

I have memories of waking up at all kinds of times of day and night. Of not knowing where to go. Of running out of things to take photographs of, after looking at the same local sights over and over. It was like living at the bottom of a well, with a tiny, distant view of the world and no handholds for climbing out. I wasted time because I had time to waste, something I deeply regret now, and I became crabby, unhealthy and inward-looking. I was far from my best.

The last time I was in England I found myself going through old things from the early 2000s. I found many of the books I read, a great deal of writing I’d done and, in particular, a lot of my old RPG notes. A lot of old RPG notes, an absolute wealth of work that far exceeded anything I’d done outside of any work except that on Paranoia. I’ve written before about my roleplaying past and how I have fond memories of it, but I had completely forgotten exactly how much material I had collected together. I had so many biographies that I’d indexed them. I was starting to form an encyclopedia of everything I’d done, just so that I could find and reference the things I needed.

I had also read so much, which both prepared me for my degree and began to make me a better writer. I’d mostly stopped reading in my mid-teens and this was a new spurt of interest that led me toward many of the tastes and preferences I have today. I began to develop my fiction and non-fiction writing styles and I developed an interest in non-fiction that had paid me back a thousandfold.

I was building a new me.

I see now that I didn’t lose a year. I was certainly caught in a swamp of sorts, struggling to make progress, but the experiences I had during that time still mattered. They didn’t matter right away and they didn’t matter in any way that seemed at all obvious to me at the time, but they helped to shape me and to guide me, to show me both what I wanted and, certainly, what I didn’t want. If I had the chance to repeat it, I’d for sure live that missing year differently. I’d live it so much better, so much wiser and so much more fruitfully, but I can at least see it now as not the waste I long thought that it was.

And so I hope it’s clear that the ramble you have so kindly indulged is meant to say that, some time in the future, you may look back on 2020 and find your successes, your satisfaction, even your strength. I don’t mean to disregard anyone’s suffering or sadness, your feelings are valid and the pain, loss and difficulties you’ve encountered are very real. I don’t much like people who dismiss the feelings of others and I apologise if I’ve been too glib. I think a past version of myself needed to read something like this, a long time ago, and I only want to give them, you or anyone who might see this, hope for the future, a few reasons to be optimistic and, very importantly, a reminder to celebrate yourself.

Happy 2021. You made a difference. You always have.

#COVID-19 #2020 #Canada #writing #hope #you made a difference #Patreon #A CHAOS SPELL

[halorocks1214]

the law of action

AO3 Link

Word Count: 10100

Summary: The Law of Action must be applied in order for us to manifest things on earth. Therefore, we must engage in actions that support our thoughts, dreams, emotions, and words

Previous Parts (in order): Alan | You are here! | Virgil | Scott | Gordon

these just keep getting longer fellas i dont understand how thats possible but it is. ALSO: REMEMBER IN ATTRACTION WHEN I MENTIONED THAT THESE WERE BEING WRITTEN OUT OF ORDER. HA, UH, KIND OF AN UNDERSTATEMENT I GUESS. but its here! johns pov chapter! im pretty satisfied with it, albeit a few kinks i wasnt really able to work out, so i hope you enjoy it too!

thanks again to @gumnut-logic for the prompts! "Where?" and lightning were this fic's choices. sad to see the last ones go away, but this was still a blast so thank you once more! also, just because the prompts are gone doesnt mean this series will be too ;3

Anger was a rare emotion for John Tracy.

It had to be. When dealing with the cold hard truth of data telling them something wasn't possible or dealing with annoying people who thought they knew better than him or dealing with people panicking in his ear because nobody expected the aftershock of an earthquake to be that bad, he didn’t have a choice. There were a lot of deals in life that had to be made and someone needed to play peacemaker, even if it wasn’t deserved.

It was true that he got the least angry out of his siblings, even compared to Virgil. Virgil might not get necessarily violent like Scott did, or threw caution to the wind like Gordon, or, hell, pulled off whatever John does when someone somehow manages puts him in a bad mood, but Virgil did get angry quite a lot. He just didn’t have as many blatant ways of showing it. John, on the other hand, didn’t have a lot of ticks. Pet peeves, definitely, John was no stranger to annoyance (especially with siblings like his), but not outright anger.

That didn’t mean he never got angry. He was Tracy born and bred, so that meant one the few ticks he did have surrounded the topic of family.

Specifically, his family being threatened.

John wished he was the youngest sometimes. That meant he could say things like let Scott punch the idiot already, he’d be doing the world a favor, and not get lambasted for the immature response. It also meant he could throw tantrums to hell and back and not feel like a total loser.

Like right now for example.

“EOS, I swear, if you don’t open the elevator door for me--”

“No, I won’t.”

Unbelievable.

Groaning and rubbing his face, his hands found their way up to his forehead and through his hair, holding his bangs out of his eyes for a moment. His eyes had many emotions in them, the most blatant being this shit cannot be happening right now, “EOS, do you know you’re amazing? I don’t think I’ve said that enough.”

EOS whirled for a moment, “John, I’ve seen that grin on Gordon. I cannot believe you would stoop that low.”

The grin she pointed out fell flat off his face, “Yeah, okay, you’re right about that--”

“Like I always am.”

“--So thank you,” John was going to strangle whoever defined sass so thoroughly in the dictionary. It left a bad example, “For the reminder, but seriously, I need to get up to ‘Five. It’s… important.”

It’s been a week since Alan was taken.

They’ve exhausted all options.

The only thing that could possibly get him back to them had to be International Rescue’s resources.

But EOS over here wasn’t getting the memo. Her words had that hint of childish innocence behind it. In that way that said there was no innocence whatsoever and she knew exactly what she was doing, the little shit, “John, do you really need to, or do you want to?”

There’s the inflection that John taught her. An inhale through the nose and… Uuuugghh, “EOS, I know the difference between needs and wants, this is definitely a need.”

Another lens blink, another moment of disbelief, “It seems like you have a lot of needs, John Tracy.”

John grimaced and ground his jaw together, mumbling his grievances with the current situation, “Yeah, well, if there’s any trait I truly share with my siblings, it’s that we’re all high maintenance.” His next words were more clear and designed to get the point across, “EOS, I’m not kidding, unlock the door.”

EOS stood her ground, “John, you going up there is one of the most detrimental things to you’re health at the current moment. I won’t let you.”

John threw his hands into the air, “EOS, there’s are whole lotta things that are currently detrimental to my health currently happening, one more thing won’t hurt.”

EOS lens shuttered again and John felt like it was nails on a chalkboard, “You have a point, but I’ve seen you with Scott when he’s in a similar mood. Don’t you tell him he needs to take a moment and think when he gets like this?”

John groaned as quietly as possible. Not too loud, but loud enough that EOS hopefully got the point, “Yes, I do, but I’m not Scott. We are two very different people, you have pointed this out numerous times. We have different ways of handling things, this, and ‘Five is exactly how I can fix this problem.”

That was not how he should’ve worded that. Her lights flickered in sympathy, sympathy, and he knew she finally figured out what John was trying to get at, “John, there may still be a lot I have to learn, but at least I understand--”

“No, EOS!” John snapped before he could help himself. Before she could finish explaining her point of view that was most likely right, but his desperate brain didn’t want to hear it. His brain that was running on zero energy telling him this was taking too long, fix that, “You can’t understand!”

Just like that, John was reminded of why he hated getting angry.

As soon as the words left his mouth, so did the air in his lungs. Through sheer will and determination, the only thing that didn’t leave his body was the little amounts of food he ate over the past seven days, though it really wanted to. He became very pale, and EOS could detect the not-so-trace amounts of fear that fell over his eyes.

Dammit, you idiot. Months upon that past year of work were now going to go down the drain because you blew your lid just this once! First, the call with Alan, now telling the one thing that could kill you in your sleep she’ll never essentially be good enough was--

“I know, John.”

His food came back with a vengeance, but he was bullheaded as hell, and he already caused enough damage. The last thing anyone needed was to clean up vomit. It would’ve been nicer if she got angry at him. He could handle being thrown out into space. He couldn’t handle EOS admitting he was right, least of all over blatantly cruel words.

He channeled the energy his stomach wanted to use into weak words, “E-EOS, I…” What the hell was he supposed to say? Sorry surely wasn’t going to fucking cut it.

Well, whatever he wanted to cut didn’t come up, as EOS continued as if John wasn’t the worst thing on the planet, “I’ve been doing some reading. I understand that I’ll never really understand certain human-based things like you do. You, humans, have gotten close, me being one of the better examples, as long as that’s not considered bragging, but even I’m not at that level yet. But I do at least know you and your habits. I put up with them on a daily basis.”

Because if there’s anything else John needed to fail this week, it was the one promise he made to her. His promise to keep her safe, to make sure she wasn’t treated like a mindless robot by some crazy scientists ready and willing to cut her circuitry wide open like a middle-school science project. While he would never even get close to being a quote-on-quote crazy scientist, never in a million light-years, he surely didn’t follow that middle part of his promise, “EOS, listen, I--”

“Please, John,” and now she was pleading, thinking he was going to ask to use the elevator again. Thinking he wasn’t going to give up, even after all of that. John might’ve laughed if it wasn’t his fucking fault, “I’ll help look for more options if it means you’ll stay here for a little while longer. You should stay with your family. I know how they affect you in those positive ways that you currently need.”

John was abruptly aware of his heavy, almost wheeze-like breathing. If he wasn’t careful, it could delve into one whopper panic attack, which would be so great right now, “Y-Yeah, okay. They probably won’t understand the effects of gravity over an elongated period of time like I do, so I can stay and help with that, at least. Thank you.”

As John turned around, he heard EOS whisper to herself. He could blearily tell it was actually fondness that filled her vocal waves for once, but it still stung regardless, “Idiot.”

Yeah, he really was, wasn’t he.

As he helped look over his Dad’s med-scan with Virgil, when Virgil went looking for something on the other side of the room, his father whispered, “I know this is a bad question right about now, but, is there anything we can do for you? Maybe even I? You look dead on your feet.”

John could only reply to the first half of his father’s statement with a meek, “I don’t know anymore.”

---

16-year-old John Tracy was seated atop his roof, making sure he got the perfect view of the Big-Dipper.

He was hoping to spot a more exciting constellation when he first used his new telescope, but dangit! He was just so excited to get cracking right away! He just got back from his birthday party, Alan and Gordon snoozing in their rooms while Scott and Virgil secretly finished off the cake. That was okay. John was too busy focusing on his new expensive toy to worry about having any more sweets.

His dad could pull some strings when it counted.

Newest model. The only other people who have this baby are scientists at NASA. Happy birthday, John. Sorry I didn’t get you a car like Scott.

Fuck cool cars. John would be on cloud 9 for days with this thing. Scott would call him a nerd for it. Jokes on Scott, he couldn’t zoom about 10 thousand miles into space now, could he?

Right as he nailed it, the world shook. Large arms snaked around his waist and he involuntarily found himself giggling at the contact. As soon as those limbs let go, he blushed at his reaction and cleared his throat. Suddenly, the arms were an entire body sitting down right next to him, speaking with their ever-comforting burly voice, “Hiya, son, I see you just couldn’t wait, huh?”

Rolling his eyes, John turned back into his serious, analytical self once more, “Yup, this thing’s crazy. I’m glad I got out here as quickly as I did.”

Jeff simply grinned. John was always reserved, but Jeff was a good translator for all of his sons, and he could tell that John meant this is one of the best things in my life holy crap, “That’s great to hear. The look on your face when I brought this out of the closet was certainly good enough to last me a few lifetimes.”

John snorted, “I bet it was. I heard Gordon joking about it with Alan. I don’t think I need to see any pictures anymore. I have a pretty good mental image of what I looked like.”

Jeff smiled and sighed, “No kidding. “Like a goldfish with a broken jaw.” Not the most eloquent, that Gordon is.”

Laughter rang out throughout the roof, followed by a few moments of silence. Not awkward, but not really welcomed on John’s part either, “Do you…” Stop it, John, you’re asking for too much, “Nevermind, it’s dumb.”

Jeff tilted an eyebrow, “Oh, is it? I guess you would know if something were smart or dumb, so I trust your judgment.”

Dangit, Dad, why are you so manipulative, and why are you so good at it, “I don’t know. I’ve established I wanted to be an astronaut, right?”

Jeff nodded, “Mmhmm.”

John, for some reason, felt like he needed to tread carefully, “You are also an astronaut. If there was any way for you to be able to… could you… could you come up with me the first time?”

Jeff blinked in shock, and before his son could register that as disapproval, “Huh, well, that’s certainly wasn’t what I was expecting. Sure, I don’t see why not.”

Now it was John’s turn to blink, his mouth gaped, “Wait, what? Are you serious? Aren’t there rules for this kind of stuff?”

Jeff shrugged, his shoulders clearly saying rules shmules, “I’m also one of the biggest entrepreneurs on the planet itself, and one of the most renowned ex-astronauts there are. You would not believe the lengths people are willing to go to kiss my ass. Would you feel better if I pinky promised?”

John’s nose scrunched, “You can never truly promise anything, you know.”

His father chuckled, used to his son’s antics. John was reserved, remember, “Well, you boys always credited me with doing the impossible.”

John continued challenging him, “When we were all less than 10, yeah, sure. I think Alan still thinks you can breathe in space. You. Specifically. No one else. I think he said you only wore the helmet to “protect your secret so the evil movie scientists don’t take you away.””

Chuckles turned into laughter and a clap on John’s shoulder, “Well, glad to see I still got the magic touch at least.” That same arm that playfully smacked him was now wrapped around his shoulders, “Just you wait, Johnny boy, if I can’t get on that ship with you, then you bet your ass I’ll at least be the loudest one cheering in the crowd.”

Then, suddenly, John was right, like he always was.

A promise that never should have been made: broken. A wish never fulfilled.

Dad was swallowed up by the very thing John loved.

No more space stories, no more fun moon facts, there was a void in John’s life as big as the galaxy itself, and he wasn’t sure how to walk around it, or God forbid even into it.

He tried to be the healthy sibling about it. He tried so hard. Getting through high school quicker than most so he could just worry about his family. Scott and Grandma were doing their best, and in so many ways, it was enough, but even they couldn’t bear all of the stress themselves.

But then his high school graduation came and Grandma gave him one of the biggest hugs of his and her life and he realized that he would never get one from his father again. His mom leaving this world was already bad enough, but at least his dad was there and knew how to fill in the gap after years and years of his marriage with her. You didn’t marry a woman like Lucille Tracy and not fundamentally understand how the gears in her brain turned lest you were truly insane. Maybe Dad was. Certainly would explain a lot of things from John’s perspective. Certainly would explain why she married him in the first place. Crazy attracts crazy.

Regardless, the one thing closest to his mom’s warmth and care was gone, and if he spent the night of his graduation party quietly sobbing his eyes out while the others slept, well, then he was glad they kept snoring.

Try as he might, he became just as unhealthy and unbalanced as the rest of his family, but he was more subtle about it. His self-destructive ways weren’t bad if other people had them, but when it came to him, oh, he knew it was the worst thing he could do in terms of recovery. That’s probably why the rest of the family didn’t notice (Good). John was smart, he would know better. Yes, he did, which is exactly why he dived headfirst right into it all.

Focusing on college, getting up into the star-filled void closer to his dead relatives as quickly as possible, focusing on the here-and-now to make sure this shit didn’t happen again. Making sure no family went through what theirs did.

And maybe that’s why, why he couldn’t handle the touch of others wanting to comfort him. Because it reminded him too much of what they used to have, of what they used to be. Too many hugs and kisses from others might wash away what his mom’s and dad’s felt like, and out of all the things they could potentially lose from this, those were the worst possible ones.

John was a Tracy, which meant he was stubborn.

He wasn’t going to lose the last few things he remembered about his parents if he could help it.

---

It had been just under a month, and John finally got what he wanted.

And it wasn’t working like he thought it would, if at all.

He’s been on ‘Five for three days, and for just a fleeting moment, it washed away any uncertainty. He felt back in control, if only minorly, and he held the world at his fingertips once more. Too bad the world he wanted to fix was so far away it felt like it was on the other side of the frickin solar system itself.

He promised his family four days at most. Please, just one chance. We won’t know unless we try. He wasn’t sure what cracked them first, them coming upon dead end after dead end, them finally seeing reason behind John’s argument, or if they just got annoyed with the space monitor after endless nagging and relented like tired parents.

The tiny part of John’s mind that still allowed him to joke kinda hoped it was the third option. “Easy child”, pfft. John’ll show them.

Right, right, a clear head, the most focused of IR, he can’t get unfocused or go too far off track. He’s saved many lives throughout his life, all of them thanks to his level head, but right now, he was arguably saving the most important life of all, so that meant he had even more incentive to stay focused.

In fact, he was so focused, he jumped at the sudden, feminine voice filling the room, “John, I found another article I think you would like to see about most common places criminals… John?”

Crap, he was halfway into the fetal position. Slowly uncurling, John nodded, “Oh, thank you, EOS. I’ll start reading it shortly.”

The noise of her lens adjusting sounded throughout ‘Five again, “Of course. Let me know if you would like me to start searching for a different topic, though. There has to be a limit to how many “You wouldn’t believe this” articles one can take, and I think I’m finding it really quickly.”

For the next few seconds, John was suddenly filled with a rush of determination he had been trying to get after their little confrontation in front of a locked elevator door to ‘Five.

She had been helping him out so much the past couple of weeks. Running unnecessary tests for him, searching parts of the web only she could search without getting tracked by some secret mafia, letting him know it was okay if he couldn’t get everything right the first time when two months ago she snapped at him for getting a simple algebra equation wrong due to lack of sleep. She had been especially patient with him recently, even after their little spat in the hangar, and John wasn’t sure how to process it. A tiny part wanted to resort to anger again because he clearly didn’t deserve her, but the more prevalent parts preferred something like depression or even apathy.

She had been making sure his world didn’t spin off its axis, and John couldn’t even tell her sorry until now.

“EOS, I’m sorry.”

She stopped moving, turned around and let her lights blink yellow for only a moment, “For what, John?”

The man in question waved his hands around in front of his face, lost, confusing her more. With a sigh, he explained, “For a lot of things, but mainly from a few weeks back when we had that argument. I said something that wasn’t okay, and I didn’t have the balls to own up to it until now. So, I’m sorry. I crossed a line I shouldn’t have even been near.”

For a little bit, it was quiet. John waited as the A.I. contemplated his words. Then, she spoke her judgment, “Well, I know you are. You haven’t exactly been working off your butt over nothing, right? Plus, reliable sources say one of the ways guilt manifests is anger. I’ve seen that with the rest of your family. It would make sense yours would too.”

John blinked. Part of him was expecting her to not fully understand why he was apologizing, but the other wanted her to just so he could get over this, just so he could let go of even just the teeniest amount of guilt he had, “EOS, anger isn’t a valid excuse. What I said was wrong. I don’t believe those words and you shouldn’t either. The whole point of this partnership is to show you that there’s more to life than just calculations and probabilities. It’s kind of hard to see that when the one person who promised to be different went and screwed it up anyway.”

John hoped EOS was at least questioning things now instead of letting his words go in one ear and out the other. Her next words said she was doing exactly the latter, “Okay. I don’t disagree with you, John, but I don’t know why you’re so hooked on this. I understand. We don’t have to worry about this unnecessarily anymore.”

Yes, you do understand. That’s the fucking point.

They weren’t getting anywhere, yet John didn’t even have the energy to groan in annoyance. He could even get his eyebrow to twitch.

All he could do was simply lean his head back against the wall and let his hair stick up against it like static electricity was flowing through it. The real reason it was sticking up was probably due to a mixture of Zero-Gs and grease from all of the showering he hasn’t been doing, however. His eyes had deep rings around them, and for a second, EOS thought about how relative age could be as a number while John softly spoke, “The Hood was an angry man, too, you know. He felt slighted by our family and wanted us to feel the same. It still doesn’t make what he did right.”

EOS thought about his words before coming to a logical conclusion, “Well, that’s certainly a leap in logic. There’s a big gap between simply yelling because you’re annoyed and literal kidnapping. One gives people a sour mood, the other gives them a significant amount of jail--”

“Yes, EOS, I’m aware of that,” John brought his hand to his face, but underneath it was a grin, telling the world that he was feeling fond exasperation more than anything. EOS was more obtuse than him sometimes. It was one of the few things of himself he wished she didn’t copy so easily. He sighed and brought his hand back down, “I’m just... putting things into perspective. I want you to see why my words were wrong. It would make me feel better if you did.”

EOS hung still, letting John’s admission roll over her wiring like a wave of electricity, “You have a lot of needs and wants. What takes precedent?”

More inflection. This time, John welcomed it. It gave him something to stand on. John wanted a lot of things. Alan to be home safe and sound, Dad to have not disappeared for nearly a decade, for his brothers to stop slowly killing themselves, for himself to stop, but the needs of the many, even the needs of one, outweigh the wants of a singular man like him, but, “Well, needs obviously, they’re necessary, however… it’s okay to be selfish every once in a blue moon. It doesn’t make you inherently bad.”

It was advice he parroted many-a-times to his family, some of them more often than others, seldom to himself if at all.

Scott, it’s okay if you have to tell them you can’t make this business conference.

Virgil, you can count inventory in the morning. You didn’t get any sleep last night either.

Gordon, if you can’t smile for a day or two, that doesn’t make you a bad person.

Kayo, you don’t have to patrol every night. We have security cams for a reason.

Alan, I know we tease you, but you missing a chore or two isn’t the end of the world.

Grandma, you already do enough for us, you barely cooking for us is the least of our worries.

That last one might be more for the rest of his family than not, but hey, two birds and one stone. Keeping his back against the wall, John stood up straighter against it, face suddenly serious, “In fact, wanting to be selfish is one of the best ways to tell that you’re human. You can’t escape it. It only becomes bad when you end up only being that.”

EOS sat in silence, her lens flickering in that way it always does when she was signifying she was about to pass judgment like a Goddess, which she seemed to be doing a lot more recently, “Well then… If I’m allowed one moment of self-reprieve, I suppose I should say that those words did… hurt.”

John grimaced despite very much understanding that he deserved it. The return of the inflection didn’t exactly help. Pushing himself away from the wall, he felt the metaphorical weight fall off his shoulders, “Yes, they did, and while they weren’t okay, it is okay to say that they weren’t. I still am very sorry.”

EOS adjusted her camera, probably to stall for time, “I know you are, John. I still forgive you, but am I correct in assuming I’m allowed some time to… recover isn’t the word I’m looking for, but--”

“Yes, EOS,” John helped her explain her own point, “Recover is a good word. You’re allowed that if you want it.”

John wasn’t sure how, but it seemed like EOS visibly relaxed, “Thank you, then, for letting me do that. This.”

For some reason, John did too, “Of course.”

It was a soft kind of awkward silence, where both parties had something on their mind but they weren’t entirely sure if they wanted to say it out loud. This is why EOS appreciated John more than the others, he simply let silence be silence. It allowed her time to think, unlike how Scott and Virgil kept asking questions, or how that awful duo made noises and messes only to have a chance at making people laugh. As if that was the most important thing they needed to do.

The nights the youngest called John were endless with his constant babbling that tended to grate her circuit boards. The only reason she let it happen was that John seemed to loosen up at the interaction. He became less weary, less worried-filled. He seemed to greatly enjoy the audial presence of Alan Tracy, let alone the way he lit up when the youngest actually showed up in person. It was just unfortunate that it seemed like the kid could never keep his mouth shut.

Then again… from what John said, the whole reason there wasn’t any more Alan was because he did keep it shut. At the worst moment possible. Now there wouldn’t be any more babbling period. Alan was gone, and the whole family was suffering from the new silence. EOS reasoned it was from the general idea of forced silence instead of just freely being able to leave the room or being able to tell him to quiet down, but maybe it was more than that. She could make another list of options to consider.

Plus, it was weird to think about a future where all of those video game walkthroughs she was forced to save would never be used again. John insisted that they weren’t just wastes of megabytes, so...

Hmm.

“Could you…” EOS trailed off, and before John could comprehend the unusual behavior of the A.I., she started speaking again, “Could you tell me more about Alan? I’m starting to think I judged him rather harshly.”

John took a moment to register her words and promptly snorted, “Well, most of your assumptions about him aren’t entirely unfounded, but that’s one of the joys of being an older sibling, I guess. Surprises around every corner,” there was regret in her voice and John knew he had to treat this as gently as he would a newborn child otherwise he would never hear it again.

EOS flickered, “I thought you didn’t like surprises.”

Uh, “Well, not usually, but there are a few from time to time that I could look back on and call them… quaint, in a sense.” Suddenly, a memory resurfaced, and John found himself grinning like he was doped up on nitrous oxide, “Yeah, they can have good surprises occasionally…”

It was a week before his next rotation. Scott would be back home in about three days, which allowed the second born to actually have a few moments with his only older brother. He was looking forward to it just as much as Scott was. Right now, though, he had to make sure he got the right angle.

Right as he did, he heard the soft pitter-patter of footsteps come up the ladder, and when he turned around, he was met with a bundle of freckles, “Oh, hey Alan.”

Hi, Johnny, the kid squirmed out, Is it okay if I sit next to you?

At first, a list of things wanted to fill John’s head. You look dead on your feet, you should be asleep, you have a lot going on this week so why are you wasting sleep? but instead of any of those filling the void that was his brain, John simply nodded, “Yeah, sure, come pop a squat, Sprout.”

John looked away right before he could watch Alan’s nose wrinkle in displeasure. Despite the usage of the nickname (that Alan secretly liked, don’t think you could pull that wool over our eyes, little bro), the kid still toddled over and flopped himself down right next to his older brother. Sighing, the kid leaned his head on John’s arm and absentmindedly stared out into space, both figuratively and literally. Satisfied his brother was comfy, John went back to his current objective.

As John examined the night sky, he also carefully looked over Alan out of the corner of his eye. Every bruise that John could see was finally dulling out into that familiar greyish-yellow as bruises do, and the sight was enough to calm any negative emotion being created from the reminder. John refocused on his telescope to help as well.

The kid had been through one hell of a week, bullies being their typical selves. Every Tracy outside of Scott and Gordon had their fair share of their own experiences with nasty people, and it wasn’t even the first time they’ve left their special kind of blue-and-black marks, but seeing it on Alan was… worse, somehow. Virgil had unsavory anonymous notes at ‘best’, and John knew first hand that their hits bruised more than just physical skin. So to see Alan get the same treatment and not say anything...

John was starting to understand why his older brother greyed so easily.

Speaking of which, Scott was pretty peeved at the idea of not being there for Alan. Because of this, John made sure to be the sole one to call him and inform him of the awful news while the older brother was out at his designated Air Force base. John wanted to see with his own two eyes that Scott wouldn’t do anything rash and made himself liable to be put on some kind of list.

You would think he wouldn’t be that stupid, but the Tracys are known for breaking expectations over their sweet, sweet kneecaps.

(“Scott, you’re not going to steal an Air Force jet just to come and beat up some dumb kids.”

“Watch me.”

“They’re only a year older than Alan.”

“Doesn’t matter.”

John pinched the bridge of his nose, “Listen, we already scarred them enough as it is, let alone their expulsions. Grandma’s threats to the adults were liable for a government-mandated therapist, Virgil just being there had them running for the hills, the computer I was sporting sent chills down their spines and throughout the hallways, and that’s not even to mention Gordon’s threats to the kids themselves. Seriously, where would a 15-year-old even get the tools to do that?”

Scott visibly relaxed at John’s point, but he still sat a little taut, not fully accepting the idea of people being cruel enough to hurt a literal ray of sunshine, “Fine, fine, I still want to talk to the kid over a call at some point. He was the one who dealt with those idiots.”

John’s shoulders deflated, “Yeah, you got me there. He’ll be back with Virgil and Gordon soon enough, you can see him then.”

Scott smiled in a way that washed away the greys in his hair, if only for a moment, “Awesome, I--”

John wasn’t completely done, “But I’m going to be with Alan while you talk to him. I don’t trust you to not be in search-and-destroy mode, and the last thing Alan needs is an angry you with no buffer. Besides, I’m pretty sure we have the same questions. I can play the angsty-Scott translator tonight. Usual fee, 10 bucks each word.”

The groan that managed to fill the whole house despite the tiny speakers was one John would never forget.)

Too lost in thought, John didn’t catch Alan’s movements at first. Leaning away from his telescope, John focused on Alan, “Sorry, Allie, did you say something?”

The child simply shrugged and smushed his chubby cheeks against John’s side, shaking his head, followed by his hands, I just wanted to see what you were doing.

Ah, that made sense. Alan had been continuously signing for the past year because of the obvious, so John rolled with the punches. It was always funny when they talked about these years in the future. Alan talked, Alan said, Alan brought up: it was always metaphorical, and nobody could believe them when they said Alan was fluent in ASL, let alone because he could actually go half a day without talking.

It was ironic because even with no words, Alan still managed to be the loudest thing on the planet. His hands always screamed with excitement whenever he felt like ‘talking’, and no brother ever felt like shutting him up. Especially when it was so easy for Alan to simply not shake his hands to hide the fact that he was in trouble--

Right, don’t go there. John shook his head to bring himself out of his thoughts and replied to the non-verbal admission, “Just looking at the stars. Recording their coordinates and whatnot.”

A small gasp had John jerking immediately away from his scope to see Alan suddenly very worried, maybe even fearful, But won’t you lose your eyes?!

Aha, what? “Allie, you’re going to have to give me more than that.”

John almost didn’t catch what Alan was trying to explain with the way he frantically shook his hands even faster than before, Mrs. Gatsen explained to us that the sun was a star too, but we’re not allowed to look at it for too long because it’ll steal our eyes! I don’t want you to lose your eyes, Johnny!

Ohoho, the part of John’s brain that was all about the smartsy stuff was gearing up to have a full-blown seminar of sorts, but the way the kid seemed so sincere in his worry, in his fear, John felt partially bad for giggling instead, “Oh, Allie, no. Here,” John was activating his inner Virgil and Scott with the way he grabbed the youngster and placed him in his lap, “Yes, the sun is a star, but there are many kinds of stars. Most of which don’t hurt your eyes. Take a look.”

Alan gave one last sentimental look at John, who nodded again just to reassure the blonde before the boy gulped and put his eye against the tool like Johnny did. This time, the gasp that came from him was more magical, more child-like, as it always should be. John watched on as the kid became stuck to his telescope like glue.

Suddenly, Alan leaned back into John, somewhat knocking the wind out of him. Honestly, now that he was thinking about it, John realized he was pushing it by letting Alan sit next to him in terms of his personal comfort zone. He loved Allie just as much as the rest of the family, but letting them in, letting them get close, was veering dangerously close to that specific ‘hug’ territory like he and his parents had.

Before John could explain that in a child-friendly way, and hopefully in a way where the too-smart-for-his-own-good kid couldn’t pick up on the hidden message, Alan looked him directly in the eyes and confidently signed his wants, Can we do this more often? Can we?

Just like that, John’s mind blanked. Alan wanted to do something with him. Not swim with Gordon, not music with Virgil, not do, well, anything with Scott, Allie found something that he would like to do with John.

Huh, interesting, “Yeah, sure. If we can’t do it in the next week, then the first thing we’ll do when I come down is stargaze, because that’s what it’s called: stargazing.”

Alan started gripping his arm tighter and leaned more into his chest, nodding vigorously at the news and looking back to the sky with newfound wonder. Letting Alan be, abruptly forgetting his grievances with things like touch, John went back to his telescope. After another minute or so, John reached a point where he needed both sides of his body, except it looked like one of them was going to be kept immobile unless the spaceman said something to Alan.

John tried doing just that, just without looking away from his device, “Hey, Allie, I don’t mind the sitting-in-my-lap and stuff, but I do need my arm back to--”

Snoring.

Oh.

Jerking his head to physically look at his sibling, John found Alan passed out and squeezing his arm like a freckled koala bear. The ginger flinched a little bit at the drool dripping onto his sleeve, but the way Allie melted into him made him-- actually, he was very suddenly aware that this whole night he hadn’t really been thinking at all, and that thought made him continue to stare mindlessly at the dozing brother.

He always thought about, well, everything. What he was going to say, what he planned to do tomorrow, about what the future held now that they were down their second and last parent. If he didn’t think about it beforehand, he rarely did it. He had to make sure he went through all of his options before haphazardly jumping into the pits of hell.

Yet the way his younger brother looked at him like he was the world himself tonight made John throw all of his training to be as cautious as possible out the window in a need to comfort and care for the small thing in front of him.

It was shocking to his mind, yet he didn’t resent just being able to do without worrying too much. Was this how smother complexes started? Did he ever drool on Scott’s arm? Still staring at Alan, John’s mind continued to be robotic as he simply let his younger brother be and went back to his telescope. Alan had been needing to get a little more sleep lately anyway.

Yeah, it was fine. He could figure out how to follow up on his words later. It wouldn’t be that hard to figure out a way to squeeze Alan into some of his already-planned stargazing nights while making sure the kid still got sleep. Also, John’s used telescopes wearing a cast and sling before, he might prefer two arms, but he has been okay with only one.

If Grandma yelled at John for spending too much time on the roof again, well, she would have to get over it. Alan got an extra hour of sleep and that was all that mattered.

EOS watched as John finished the story. Once he was done, he continued to be quiet while grinning at nothing. All he was doing was simply staring at the floor… It was slightly creepy, and EOS cleared her nonexistent throat, “Huh, I didn’t realize he got a lot of his interests from you. Maybe… maybe you could show me why he did. He can too. More perspectives always get more data.”

John blinked and was immediately taken out of his trance. He brought his hand to his mouth and cleared his throat, “Yeah, he-- wait, what?”

EOS sighed. This is another reason why she snapped him out of it; his inability to listen to someone right in front of him. She simplified her words, “If Alan comes back, can you two take me stargazing? I don’t think I’ve ever seen what the stars look like down there, or, at least, I never looked at them long enough to understand what you all find to be so fascinating about them.”

John blinked a few more times with his mouth slightly gaped. He looked around nervously before bringing his turquoise eyes to look EOS directly in the middle of her camera, “Yeah, sure, EOS. When Alan gets back, that’s the first thing we’ll do.”

EOS didn’t mention anything about the correction of if to when, “Thank you, John, I would like that very much.”

John nodded and floated back to his tech, “Of course. Now then, we’ve got work to do. I’ve been meaning to stargaze recently anyway.”

He still had one more day up here.

And a baby brother who needed saving.

How hard could it be?

---

Very.

Growling in frustration, he thumped his fist against the wall next to him rather harshly.

Not enough to leave any kind of mark or dent, but enough for him to focus on the tiny amount of pain it gave him. He vaguely heard EOS’s lens flare at the sudden noise, but he was a little too focused on why he felt the need to hit his girl.

It was the end of the last day, and he didn’t make it any further like he thought he would.

Some bleak part of his mind was hoped, prayed that his girl would have the tools to find their baby brother. He was willing to bend her entire satellite to be able to reach the far ends of the galaxy if he had to, but even he had to concede that she wasn’t enough. The Hood wasn’t dumb, unfortunately, and he wasn’t going to go easy on them. That is if he was even going “to go” on them to start with.

While it wasn’t the first time he failed spectacularly, this failure certainly hurt the worst.

Half of him wanted to curl up into a ball and forget everything for a moment (or maybe forever), but the other half won out in terms of what his body contorted into. Instead of curling up like a prickly hedgehog, he leaned backward to be floating with his back to the ground and his face to the ceiling with his face in his hands. Meanwhile, EOS silently gazed from her camera in the corner. Watching John struggle this way was… new, and it twisted her wires in a way she wasn’t sure she could describe.

EOS watched him mumble something. Huh, peculiar as ever. Adjusting her camera, she tried small talk, “What was that, John?”

Still mumbles, but more intelligible, “... I need to drop the ‘s’.”

A flicker of yellow, nothing but pure confusion for once in her robotic life, “The ‘s’ of what?”

Suddenly, the astronaut was standing (well, floating) upright with a look of disdain, but EOS could see that it wasn’t meant for her, “Of ‘she’. It’s not ‘Five’s fault, God, it never is, but maybe… maybe it’s mine.”

All of her programs should allow her to say something. Anything, sugarcoated or not, would be beneficial to this seemingly one-sided conversation, but this was the moment she learned that humans could be faster than computers since John steamrolled right to the point without hesitation, “He wasn’t good enough sounds better. Nothing I’m doing is getting any results. I gave my family false hope that I would find something and now I have to go to them and essentially break them. They were already barely holding it together as it was, but when the “smart one” in their family says there’s nothing he can do…”

She found herself going against the logical part of her program-- because despite the idiot John Tracy could be, when he made an argument that had any kind of evidence you never could go against it-- the first time in, well, ever, in an attempt to comfort her partner, “John… I think you’re grasping at straws here.”

He looked up from the floor, and EOS had to shrink her lens at the sight of unshed tears in his eyes, “Who was the one that called him?! Me! He was standing there only a few rooms over, probably terrified out of his mind, and I didn’t know. I let him slip between our fingers because I was so caught up in the moment and I hate myself for it.”

EOS found herself speechless for once, and the few droplets of tears that floated in front of John’s face didn’t help. She had been trying her best recently, especially recently, to understand the fluctuations of human emotion, and she was pretty sure she had decent tabs on at least John nowadays, but this was something unexpected, a thing her programming never really liked to deal with. It involved lots of new calculations and new sims, why, it made things seconds longer when they didn’t have the time to deal with it!

Her electronic voice box made a noise with the intent to say something, as she thought she finally had the time to deal with it, but just her luck, more unexpected things made her reapproach the issue at hand, “John, look out! The Chaos Crew!”

Blinking out of his self-deprecation train, John was uncharacteristically panicking, “What, where?” After doing a full 180, John eventually saw one of his comm radios with the familiar pink symbol floating above it.

John’s pupils shrunk and his eyebrows tilted downward in that unfamiliar emotion: anger.

Fuck this.

The mood change was as fast as the speed of lightning. John practically flung himself to the communication device on something akin to a warpath. No longer regretful or depressed, John was filled to the brim with fury at the sight of one of the men that was a constant thorn in the Tracy family’s side, “What the hell are you doing here? How the hell did you--”

“Wait wait wait!” Fuse pleaded, making John momentarily pause enough to listen, “I’m not good at this like my sister is, so this connection is going to drop soon. I need you to reopen the line yourself so I can explain what I’m here for! Trust me, I swear I’m not--”

Zip.

Blinking at the lack of noise, John slowly turned his head to look at his A.I. to get her opinion on the matter. It wasn’t a positive one, that’s for sure. Her dots were bright red, and for the first time in a while, he found himself flinching at the sight and sound of her, “It wouldn’t take much of me to get rid of the nuisance, you know.”

Taking a few deep breaths, John shook his head, “No, EOS, give me a sec. Don’t send him careening into space.”

Yet.

With shaky hands, John did as Fuse begged and found the comm line the guy haphazardly threw together. Right as Fuse jumped at the sight of one of the Tracys actually hearing him out, John’s voice spoke coldly, “You have five minutes. Go.”

Fuse gulped, “W-Well, I suppose the first thing to do would be to apologize. I’ve caused a lot of messes for you and your family-- heh, ‘messes’ probably doesn’t even come close to explaining what I did-- and I realize that now, so I want to--”

Ah, that tactic. The one where they try so desperately to seem like they were repentant. John wasn’t familiar with it, but Scott sure was. Shady business owners trying to shy away from their consequences made the eldest very aware of how slimy those in power could be. Scott complained about it a lot, so John made sure to always remember it just in case he ever ran into it himself.

Preplanning wins again in the Tracy household. You should listen to John’s advice more, Gordon, “Yeah, tell me something I don’t know.” John muttered mostly to himself and moved in a way that signified something was going to happen.

Fuse sputtered and stopped immediately. Crap, he was going about this wrong. These were all things he was suddenly genuine about, he really was, but the Tracys didn’t want useless apologies at the moment, and he understood that. Hopefully, he didn’t understand it too late. Right before John could do anything to him or give any kind of command to his satellite, Fuse blurted the information he should’ve said the first place, “I know where he is!”

John felt like the Earth flew right off its axis.

Everything froze, including EOS. His hand was out in front of him for some reason, probably subconsciously reaching for some kind of button, as he absentmindedly listened to the whirl of ‘Five and his brain fully processed what Fuse was promising, “... What?”

John was keenly aware that sounding so weak, so hopeful, was something that Fuse could spinelessly abuse if the man wanted to, but John had a good lie detector. The words that fumbled out of half The Chaos Crew’s mouth were sounding good, great, and John could tell that he wasn’t bullshitting anything, “I know where he’s keeping your bro. I mean… shit, what The Hood did wasn’t right, maybe it never was, but I know this specifically is--” a break in his speech in an attempt to words things better. Fuse failed, “Bad. I just…”

John’s head involuntarily tilted at the way Fuse trailed off. For once in his life, John was at a loss. This was highly uncharacteristic from what John had seen of The Chaos Crew, and the astronaut was so flabbergasted he couldn’t even begin to come up with any possible ulterior motive behind Fuse’s actions at the moment.

Suddenly, Fuse looked back up with big eyes, almost reminding John of Alan a little bit. Not in the obvious ways, because Fuse was on the verge of seven feet tall and built like a truck whereas Alan was the teeniest thing on the planet, but… John could see similar traits of innocence in them. The eyes of someone desperately clinging onto the last few shreds of hope they had, but still ready to do what's right because of it. Because even if the light at the end of the tunnel was small it was still worth fighting for.

Fuse, seeing that John wasn’t going to say anything, bit the bullet, “I don’t know, call it selfish, call it smart, but if The Hood is willing to do something like this to someone so young, I… I don’t want to be apart of it. I can’t give any information about my sister, I’m no snitch, but I want out, even if it means spending the rest of my days in a GDF cell.”

John was suddenly aware of a burning question, “Wait, how old are you, Fuse?”

A tired sigh, aging Fuse to something that was probably three times what he was going to say, “I turn 20 in two weeks.”

John sharply inhaled, “Jesus, I… I didn’t realize you were that young.”

A lot of things made sense quickly and abruptly like they always do for the ginger.

If The Hood was willing to do this to someone so young, that didn’t stop him from doing this to someone like Fuse. The logical conclusion the now ‘ex-villain’ made probably danced the wildest jig in his head, and before anyone could clap their hands, he got as far away as possible. John wouldn’t be surprised if The Hood made idle threats for not following orders or for “being stupid”, so Fuse had every right to feel threatened.

Jeez, he was probably terrified at the implication. A dark, buried part of John selfishly thought good, it sucks you had to learn the hard way, but now you see why we all hate him, but the first thing that came to his mind was something unexpected yet expected all the same.

John was reminded of Alan again.

Except Alan had four older brothers to run to when the monsters got too big or too frightening.

…

Scott was going to kill him, “Park her over on the left and come in. We’ve got a lot to talk about. Bring inside whatever you think will help.”

EOS’s shrill John! ringed throughout the room, yet it was overruled swiftly. Fuse’s mouth was wide open, “For real?”

John couldn’t tell if he was losing the knots in his stomach or forming completely new ones, “Yes. Don’t do anything funny, though. I have eyes everywhere.”

Fuse gulped again, yet he was very business-like with his next words, “Of course.”

The line cut a millisecond before John wanted it to. John knew exactly why, “Listen, EOS--”

EOS was suddenly in his face, and it spoke miles at how far she’s come that she wasn’t blaring any alarms in anger, “No, you listen, John Tracy. I cannot believe the level of ignorance you are displaying!”

Gordon always joked about her being his daughter, but right now, John’s eyebrow twitched in annoyance at the feeling of being scolded by an overbearing mother, “I get this may seem like I’ve lost it--” jokes on EOS, who says he hasn’t at this point? “Listen, there’s nothing else left to go off of, and I know this makes me look like a crazy man desperate for information that might not even be there, but--”

“No buts!” EOS shrieked, “You told me that if you followed a sentence with a “but” that what you were about to say shouldn’t even be considered an option! What is making you throw all of my training out the window?!”

John’s mouth became very dry. This conversation was taking a very different turn, “Wait, EOS, why is this all about you suddenly--”

John was starting to regret giving her more mobility at the sight of her jamming her camera directly in his face even more, “It’s not just about me! This affects you too! You said you always based your decisions on the here-and-now, so I should too, so why am I the only one doing so?! You’ve seen what he’s capable of!”

John’s mind tended to be made of gears, and all of them began spinning at the same time. Dammit, he didn’t pick up on this because he didn’t even consider it a factor: EOS being scared. Hell, it wasn't even considered because the last time he remembered her being this scared was when she thought he was a threat during the first time they met (was it really that long ago?). She was scared that Fuse was going to hurt John like he hurt the rest of the astronaut’s family. Like he hurt Gordon.

The only difference is that nobody could get to John like they did Gordon, so that left the ginger at an impasse if the small chance that Fuse was here to hurt him came true.

John found it very hard to breathe all of a sudden. Closing his eyes and struggling to get enough air in, he realized a fundamental problem. EOS was based on data and things that have been recorded, and so far, the only things recorded about Fuse was that he was hellbent on hurting the Tracy family, a family that John was apart of.

She didn’t know any other way to feel about the guy, she didn’t have any other example.

John would love to be that way too, honestly, to just focus on the data. Numbers never tended to be wrong, and the idea of being a simple number-crunching bot would make life a shit-ton easier, but he can’t. He’s human. One that’s very much willing to go against the numbers and probabilities if it meant helping his family.

A rarity for John, to follow his gut and nothing else, but at the end of the day, he was a Tracy, and following his gut was as familiar to him as it was to name all of the immediate constellations in the summer’s nighttime sky, “EOS, I know it’ll be hard to believe me, hell, I’m having trouble believing myself, but Fuse isn’t here to hurt me. The here-and-now is different for reasons I don’t have enough time to properly explain, okay? If there’s anything to believe, believe in the trust you have in me to make the right decision like I always do.”

EOS made no noise, not even a flicker of her lens. He expected her usual sass, something along the lines of, Who says I trust you, moron? but what he got punched away what little air he managed to collect, “... Do you promise?”

That was the million-dollar question. Of course, he couldn’t. He didn’t like making promises after the age of 12. Too many probabilities, too many what-ifs, made promises somewhat of a theoretical impossibility. But just like that night on the roof with Alan, John was able to not think, “I promise, EOS. You wanted to go stargazing with me and Alan, right? Fuse might be able to let us do that again.”

‘Family’ was a Wild Card. Nothing was possible, yet everything was at the same time when it came down to it. ‘Family’ was what made Scott go from day to day without keeling over. ‘Family’ was what got Virgil to sleep at night when he just couldn’t by himself. ‘Family’ was how Gordon managed to keep smiling and joking despite everything in the world trying to make him stop. Hell, ‘Family’ was how their father kicked the word impossible right in the groin and live.

‘Family’ might have been why Alan was stuck in such a shitty situation, but it was also the reason the kid was willing and able to go that far in the first place. He learned that selflessness from his ‘Family’, after all.

John was intent to use that fact to the fullest.

EOS’s lights blinked in contemplation before she quietly spoke once more, “Do I have permission to shock him if he makes even the slightest suspicious movement?”

John rolled his eyes yet grinned all the same, “Sure, only just a little voltage, though. Right in the ass. Would be a nice pick-me-up after all of this.”

Well, despite the year they’ve had, John wasn’t aware EOS could snort. Another sign things might be going right for once.

The door swwwshed open and Fuse floated into where the two hyper-intelligent beings were hanging about and got straight to the point, “Thank you. I hope… I hope I don’t let you down.”

John found himself light as air, and it wasn’t just the zero-gravity this time, “Sounds good. Let’s get cracking.”

While the first thing he did back on Earth was scare his father and his immediate younger brother shitless, the way they and the rest of the family lit up at the plan he and Fuse came up with (after making sure nobody killed the dude, which was surprisingly more difficult than expected, and boy was it expected) made it all worth it.

Well, maybe the sight of Fuse occasionally jumping and yelping at a strange pinch in his bottom with no known cause was worth it too. John wouldn’t tell his brothers that, though, he was the responsible one, remember?

You always made me look at things differently, EOS. Thank you.

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