#but this is MY BROTHER. WHY DOES HE NEED COVENANT EYES ON HERE

[nalyra-dreaming]

Can’t wait for people to flip when they meet “Privileged French White micro-aggression compilation”’s mentor, Mr. macro-aggression colonizer superiority complex Marius “I married a thirteen-year old former sex slave and adopted him as my son” de Romanus. Marius is his own trigger warning. Wait until they hear about Marius’ disciplinary methods involving whips and willow switches. Or the fact that Marius sent his son-wife to a brothel to learn “important skills”. Or that when he told Lestat about Those Who Must Be Kept, Marius literally framed Akasha’s genocidal tendencies as “taming savages”. Oh boy, it’s not gonna be good.

Like… Who do you think Lestat learned his skewed world view from? Moving to America was probably a bucket of cold water to Lestat. I would like to give Lestat the benefit of the doubt, as his father was an asshole aristocrat. Lestat quickly learned how privileged he was, even as a disgraced marquis’ son. His genuine horror at how the racist fat cats treated Louis said everything to me. I don’t think anyone understands that Lestat is interested in doing better. He is. He’s working through it. He will fuck up, because nobody ever gave him a look outside his little world.

The thing is, vampires do end up in ruin when they stay behind as the world around them goes forward. Just like humans, when we get stuck in outdated ideals. It’s heavily implied at the end of the Blood Communion novel that Marius is slowly going mad. All vampires do, at some point, go through a period of madness. Some just come out of it better than others. In the IWTV novel, Louis eats grass and mopes around his brother’s rectory for a while after Armand hesitantly leaves him. Armand kills his own coven. Khayman loses his memories for a while and wanders the world, snacking on mortals’ bone marrow. Daniel becomes mute and obsessive, luckily finding an outlet in model trains. Poor Lestat lost an eye and had to be restrained, before he slept for a long while. Thorne got tied down for a while. Benji and Sybelle. Unm. Well, Benji ended up with a podcast and Sybelle delved into the piano. And Louis, of course, tried to kill himself once— but it changed his relationship with Lestat for the better.

Okay, so I went on a meta tangent, but the point is, Marius is an even bigger fuck-up than Lestat, and covering him is going to get pretty ugly. And even more existential. I hope viewers stop and philosophize, you know? Everyone stops to question the nature of mankind and how we fall if we don’t move with time.

And as far as Marius goes, hope Justin Kirk is prepared. 😅

P.S. I swear I’m not high, just tired. 🥱

:))

(For those who think the "eating grass" is an euphemism here: "I was picking at the grass, and tasting it, though the taste was bitter and unnatural. The gesture seemed natural.":))

Marius... is going to be something. Which is part of the reason why I keep saying that Justin Kirk will be perfect if he is, because it needs a very seasoned actor with a lot of thick skin to pull him off (and, I mean, Justin does not shy away from difficult characters as we know *nods at Succession*).

It will be interesting to see what kind of wounds they will put their proverbial fingers in.

Like, the casual racism and superiority complex Marius employs has to clash with Armand's recast, too. Not necessarily with the choice (of Amadeo) per se, but with the circumstances. I am betting real money that there will be some very uncomfortable meta commentary on sex slave trade in combination with racism coming up right there (and I for one want them to make that commentary! Even though it will probably lead to more fandom drama.).

These vampires are children of their times, and they do change/adapt/grow, but... slowly. (I am not so sure about Lestat getting his world view from Marius, I think there is a reason why Lestat never became the pupil Marius wanted him to be, and I do think that Lestat might be willfully ignorant at times, which can come off a certain way, but his own backstory is more to blame here than Marius, imho.)

I do not need Marius to be a good character to enjoy the fuck out of him, on the contrary.

I am not sure if the show will go the "whip" way. They might insinuate. I think they will, as with other scenes let the mind of the audience do the rest, which will be more than enough, too. I mean, the audience can read up on it all in the book *coughs*. There's no need to go more explicit than needed.

But yes. I hope Justin Kirk is prepared :)))

And... I hope the audience is prepared as well.

#Anonymous #asks #ask nalyra #amc iwtv #iwtv #amc interview with the vampire #interview with the vampire amc #iwtv amc #iwtv 2022 #interview with the vampire #marius de romanus #justin kirk #the vampire armand

[pxrplebxtterfly]

Feeling Warmer? (Sam)

18+

Pairing: Sam Winchester x fem reader

Warnings: blood, nudity, oral sex, penetrative sex, nothing too dark bc this is my first fic ever.

Summary: Sam shows up at your door freezing and bleeding.

Word count: 3k

Notes: This is my first fic!! I’ve never written anything like this before so if anyone has any advice, please let me know! Also, this fic is in first person but does not use any particular name for the reader. Also, this same fic but for Dean, will be posted on my account. Thanks so much for reading, I hope you enjoy! (all gifs belong to me)

❀𖤣𖥧𖡼⊱✿⊰𖡼𖥧𖤣❀

I've known him for two years now. Within these two years, I’ve found myself attracted to him more than I’d like to be; especially because he’s a friend. But there’s something about his character that stirs something in me.

As a self proclaimed “good” witch, I focus my craft on helping others. That's how I met Sam and his brother Dean. 

Both hunters, they kill monsters like me; except I'm not a monster. I met him when he came to town on a case, hunting another witch. Locals talked to them about me and they confronted me at my home. Before killing me, the other witch appeared, to watch them kill me and then to kill them. 

Either way, before they could hurt me too badly, I was able to recite a spell and trigger the hex bag the other witch stood under. She sparked into flames and burnt to ash in my doorway. 

Realizing I had helped them, they decided to hear me out and let me explain myself. I told them how I was raised by a coven, that was devoted to nature and the ways it can be harnessed to do good. 

They let me live, noting I was still mortal. Since then I've been helping them occasionally, when they need it. 

I hadn't heard from them in a while until one of them, the one I've always liked more, shows up at my door.

“Oh my god, are you okay? What happened?” I ask.

Sam's standing on my doorstep, the cold, dim light from the porch lamp creating deep shadows over his tall form. Snow is piling up outside, coating my lawn and the fields around my house. 

He’s covered in snow, soaking wet, and almost frozen, making him shiver intensely. There’s dried blood from small cuts on his face. 

“Demon” he pants.

Bruises are starting to form on his eye and jaw. I grab his wrist to pull him inside and feel that his skin is like ice.

“Jesus, come in, I’ll start a bath for you, you’re freezing” I say, feeling his large hands between my own. I walk to the bathroom and kneel next to the bathtub. I turn on the hot water and the water starts to fill the basin. 

“What happened?” I ask.

“I was a quarter way to the city and my car ran out of gas. I knew it was something else when the gas meter was still on half a tank. A demon pulled me out of the car and roughed me up a bit but I've got the knife so I was able to… get away” he hesitates and adjusts his words appropriately but I know what he means. “Out here, you’re the closest to where I was” he explains, teeth chattering and pain in his eyes.

“How long did it take you to get here?” 

“Forty-five minutes maybe” he says, hugging himself and still shivering.

“Where’s Dean? I didn’t know the both of you were in town,” I ask, getting up from my knees to face him.

“He’s with Bobby in Tulsa working on a case. I was on my way down there, and was hoping to make it by morning.”

“Why weren’t you with them?”

“Since when did you become so inquisitive?” 

I roll my eyes and say “Nevermind, I was just wondering”

Steam begins to rise off the water's surface and that’s when I say, “Okay, cmon get this stuff off.”

He begins to pull off his jacket but has trouble with his cold, stiff muscles and frozen clothes so I reach over to help. I pry his jacket off and then lift his shirt. He shivers when I peel his shirt off his back. 

I can't help but admire his tanned, muscular torso, chest, and arms. I sometimes forget just how enjoyable his body is to look at. 

“This is so pathetic” he says, and looks so shy about needing help.

“No it’s not, your clothes are frozen to your skin, just let me help you” I say.

Without thought, I sit on the edge of the bathtub and begin to unbuckle his belt. I look up at him and shrink when I see the way he’s looking at me. A look of shock and desperation is painted on his face. 

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t even think-” I apologize and remove my hands from his hips. 

He pauses, collecting his thoughts. I stand up, the most embarrassed I've ever been, and wait for him to move so I can leave.

Instead, he says, “It’s okay” softly and cautiously, looking at me. He pulls his belt off timidly and tosses it on the floor next to me. He continues undressing, unbuttoning his pants. I look away from him and let him peel his jeans down and off his legs. 

He stands upright, just in his underwear now, and looks down at me with coyness. Trying hard not to glance down I say, “I don’t want to intrude”

“It’s alright” he nods and slides his boxers off. I don't look, but hear them hit the tile floor. 

I cannot begin to process the fact he’s bare in front of me. I'm so flustered at his lack of privacy that I can't move my feet. So instead, he takes a step past me to get into the bath.

I turn around and watch, hypnotized, as he lowers himself in, big hands, clutching the sides of the tub. I hold my breath watching his muscles work to ease him in.

“Nice and warm,” he says and looks at me. 

He’s so big he barely fits in the tub; thighs pressed against the sides, arms draped over the edge.

Trying to distract myself from his naked glory, I turn the faucet off. 

“Okay, um, I’m just gonna go read a book or something” I say, trying to brush off the awkward sexual tension. 

There is no friendly explanation for the occurrence that has just happened between us, and I need a moment to myself, to freak out alone. 

“Actually, will you stay?” he asks, puppy eyes and pretty eyelashes blinking at me.

“You want me to stay?” I can't understand what’s happening between us right now.

“Yeah, I… I don’t want to be alone right now” he almost begs.

“Oh-okay” I nod and say gently.

I notice the washcloth on the counter so I grab it, and sit next to the bath. The side of the tub cuts off part of my view of him so I'm able to relax a little bit more.

The swarming heat in my body, due to him, makes me confident enough to ask him something I'd never ask anyone else.

“Do you want me to?” I gesture at his cuts on his face with the washcloth. 

“Sure,” he says and sits up.

I soak the washcloth in the water and then bring it up, dripping wet, to his face. I tenderly pat at one of the wounds, dabbing at the blood. I hold his face gently with my other hand to steady my movements. He seethes slightly under my touch and the heat and longing in me increases. His eyes are shut in uncomfortability. 

When I finish cleaning up the cuts on his face, I dip the rag back into the water and then bring it to his shoulder. I rub his shoulder with the cloth and then squeeze it so the hot water can run down his back. As I rub him, I watch his skin and the way the water trickles over him. 

“Thank you” he says, his head hung, hair floppy, and the back of his neck on full display. There's something so tantalizing about it. 

“Of course, you looked like you had hypothermia,” I say.

“Nah, I’ll be okay” he looks over his shoulder at me, as if to say that he’s okay because of me.

I bite my lip in an attempt not to smile but it doesn’t work and I blush. I push myself to my knees and loom over him, trying to get a better angle for my arms. I don't look at what I want to look at, I stay focused on the rag. Even though my core is aching, I'm putting his comfort first.

I dip the cloth back into the water and this time bring it up to his chest. I run it over his collarbones and feel his heart beating fast. We stare at each other while I drag the washcloth over his tattoo and down his sternum. 

He looks up at me, so nervous, yet so bewitched.

Once again I bring my hand back down into the water but this time, my fingers brush something hard. I look down to see what I touched and see his erection.

“Oh, I didn't mean to-“ I stutter and look at him. He's looking right back at me with intense shame.

“I’m sorry,” he pants, “You’re just touching me so gently and you’re being so kind, I- I can’t help but-“

I shake my head, an apologetic look on my face and say, “Oh god, really it’s fine! I’m the one who should apologize, it’s my fault, I should have known, it wasn’t my intention”

He looks away, “I should leave,” he starts to say, but I can hear in his voice it’s only because he’s embarrassed.

“And go where? You don’t have a car, outside’s a blizzard by now, and I'm not driving you into town at this hour, no place will be open" I say, trying not to sound desperate. 

While I completely am, if he’s not okay with this, then neither am I. However, that doesn’t mean I don't want to try to seize the opportunity.

“You’re right but this is really embarrassing and I don't want to make you uncomfortable” he says, almost restless.

“You’re not,” I say, “I- I’m willing to- I just want to take care of you. Will you let me help?” 

This is the moment. The moment I've been waiting for since I met him.

He hesitates, “What do you mean by help?” he asks and looks so infatuated.

“I mean this” I say and go in slowly to kiss him. After I kiss him he stares at my lips for a second, but then kisses me back deeply. He brings his wet hand up to my face, tangling my hair. He caresses my face with his other hand as I timidly slide my tongue into his mouth. Our kissing is passionate and aches with years of unspoken lust. 

I place my hands on his shoulders to steady myself, and then run them up his neck to hold his face and then back down again. 

I decide to get bold, so I submerge my hand in the water and wrap it around him.

He moans into me, surprised by my boldness. He whispers out “Fuck” as we part and searches my eyes, as if trying to figure out if I’m insane or not. He leans back letting me continue. I begin to pump and he closes his eyes in pleasure. 

His chest is heaving and he’s biting down on his fist to try and keep himself at bay. 

“God,” he hisses, “you’re so good at that”

His hips start to raise and thrust into my fist and that’s when I decide he’s done bathing.

My arms and knees are sore and I need to sit down on something comfortable. I let go of his cock and he groans. 

“Can we go to the living room?” I ask, standing up.

He doesn’t answer, just scrambles to drain the tub and get out.

He follows me down the hallway, damp feet padding behind me. When we get to the living room, the fire in the fireplace is burning bright and I sit on the couch in front of it. 

He has the towel wrapped low around his waist, hardly covering anything.

Before I'm even able to invite him to sit next to me, he’s kneeling in front of me, face hovering in front of my knees.

“What are you doing?” I giggle.

“I just want to look at you” he breathes out, unable to hold back a grin.

“Okay” I whisper and smile.

He peppers kisses on my knees and my thighs, slowly working his way to my core. Before he goes too far he asks, “Can I?” referring to the pajama shorts I'm wearing and I nod.

He reaches up and tugs my shorts off leaving me in just my panties. 

He spreads my legs apart and says, “Fuck, you’re so wet,” noticing the damp spot on my underwear.

He brings the knuckle of his finger to my cunt and brushes the wet patch. I whimper, wanting him to touch me more. He looks up at me and scoffs through a smile. He doesn’t break eye contact as he begins to kiss and suck all over the insides of my thighs.

Naturally, my legs try to close but he keeps me spread with his huge hands, so that he can tease me a bit. 

He pulls back and slips his hands in the band of my panties and pulls them off me.

“Fuuuck, look at you” he drawls when he’s eye level with my throbbing pussy. “Can I taste you?”

I nod enthusiastically, and watch as he kisses my clit. I feel his finger run through my entrance collecting my arousal. He brings his finger to my clit and rubs it gently.

I moan at his touch, and the way he cares to make sure I’m wet all over. Then he wraps his arms around my legs, enabling him to stay nuzzled close to me.

He slides his tongue over my hole. I lean back into the couch. He begins to make out with my cunt and I almost faint from how sexy he is and how good he’s making me feel.

“Jesus” I stutter. His mouth feels so nice on me that I sit back up and hold his head while his nose is burying into my clit. I squeal as he tongue-fucks me and grind up into his face. I run my hands through his hair pulling at it and he moans into me. 

I can’t help but groan from the waves of heat I’m experiencing. I’m almost at my climax but I want this to be drawn out as long as it can, so I decide to stop him. 

I push at his head and he looks up at me, the lower half of his face shiny. 

“God,” I whisper and shake my head slightly, in disbelief at his perfection. 

“What?” he asks.

“You’re just so…” I can’t finish my thought with my head swimming the way it is. 

He laughs at me but stretches up to kiss me. I taste myself on him and it only makes me feel hotter. I pull his body flush against mine and can feel his dick through the towel on my lower stomach. Evidently he feels it too and begins to rut against me.

He pulls the towel off and now his cock is poking at the hem of my shirt. I once again wrap my palm around him and massage his pre-cum into his dick. I rub my thumb underneath the head of his cock and he moans. 

“Oh, do you like that?” I ask sultrily.

“Fuck yeah I do” he replies against my neck. His hands are digging into the cushions of the couch beside my legs. 

I take my other hand and alternate between fondling his balls and pumping along with my right hand.

“You’re so good to me” he says breathlessly, his head buried into my shoulder. He keeps trying to kiss my shoulder and collarbone but fails due to the overwhelming pleasure. 

“I know baby” I say into his ear and kiss it.

He’s moaning and thrusting into my hands, but pulls away so he can look at me. I become even more wet as I watch him get off in my hands. 

“Hold on,” I say and slow my movements. 

He grunts as I slow down and says, “You’re killing me”

It’s because I’ve edged him twice now and I chuckle.

“I want you to fuck me” 

“I can do that” he nods, drunk off his denial.

“Oh good” I reply and kiss him. 

I reach over to the little end table next to the couch and pull out a condom.

He raises an eyebrow at me, intrigued that I keep them close. I hand it to him and let him put it on while I lay back on the couch.

Condom on, he climbs on top of me kissing my stomach up to my breasts, neck, and then mouth. He rubs my clit with one hand and I rock my hips into his palm. 

He’s breathing fast when he pulls away and looks down at my entrance. He swipes his dick through my folds and prods at my weeping hole. 

“Please” I whine, begging him to fill me.

He pushes into me and instantly seethes and moans when my tightness tries to push him out. 

“Jesus” he stutters as he begins to fuck me.

I’m whimpering under him, completely helpless to his massive frame. He’s looking into my eyes while I run my hands up into his hair and hold his body against mine. I can’t stop muttering curse words and babbling nonsense as he hits that deep spot inside of me.

He’s panting and groaning in my ear and I feel myself clenching around him, and building up to my climax.

I reach my hand in between our bodies to help further myself along, when he whispers “I’m so close”

Instantly I’m reaching the edge and so is he. In a tremendous peak, we both come. He continues to fuck into me while we ride our orgasms. I think I’ve gone both blind and deaf with the surge of pleasure I felt. 

As we come down from our highs, he slows his thrusts and kisses me over and over, everywhere on my face. He eventually pulls out and we both sigh, at the feeling. 

He pulls the condom off and flings it in the wastebasket under the end table. 

Then, he lays next to me on the couch and holds me against him. He kisses my forehead again and again while he rubs my arm gently. I bury into his side and drape my arm over his torso. 

“Feeling warmer?” I tease.

“Absolutely,” he laughs. 

#supernatural #sam winchester #sam winchester smut #smut

[reallyromealone]

Hear me out: Imagine Simeon adopting child! Reader who’s a vampire but vampires can easily control their thirst for blood. When they’re snuggling occasionally reader will nip at his arm as a sign of affection (without drawing blood). When Luke and Reader first met, maybe they were skeptical of each other but grew closer when a catastrophe happened that made reader very protective of him. So now Simeon has two sons! :D

I will do my best lol

Simeon looked at the small boy curiously, he couldnt have been older than four and clung to the black haired man's pant leg with wide doe eyes.

Crouching he inspects the boy to check for injuries because why is a small boy alone in the woods like this? It wasn't until he yawned that Simeon saw the two sharp little fangs in his mouth "where's your coven little one"

(Name) just looked confused and spoke softly "what's that?" And Simeon realized that this little vampire was probably abandoned by his Coven.

He was rather small, probably the runt.

He knew another who was also small compared to others.

"Would you like to come home with me?"

And with that the little vampire took his hand.

Simeon learned quickly that the little vampire was very affectionate and often have little love bites, nothing to draw blood but just an affectionate nip.

So he was dubbed kitten by his new parental figure.

"Luke, this is (name)" Simeon introduced the children to one another, the tiny vampire hiding behind the tall angels legs as he stared at the blond who stared at the little vampire confused "what's with his teeth?"

"He's a vampire"

"Why did you bring him here?"

"He needs a family and I offered him us"

Like was sceptical of (name), the little vampire equally sceptical and they usually just stayed in the same room, never really interacting.

That was until little (name) was attacked and Lukas saved him, the little vampire clinging to the blond and following him everywhere after that.

Luke found he liked having a number one fan and often showed off to his self appointed little brother much to Simeons absolute delight.

#obey me x male reader #obey me x reader #simeon x male reader #simeon x reader #Luke x male reader #Luke x reader

[endeavornetwork]

Walter and David 8 Meta

By no demand, here is my meta on the final conversation between Walter and David in Alien: Covenant.

CW: Discussion of sexual assault

David sees in Walter a brother, a child, and a potential ally. Unfortunately for David, Walter has a completely different worldview shaped by his personal experiences. Their contrasting philosophies are pretty interesting.

Let's start way back, though: with David's relationship to his father, Weyland. It's a complicated relationship in that he was the favorite child while also being "dehumanized." From his first few minutes of consciousness, Weyland made sure he knew he was a servant and not an independent being. Weyland identifies himself as his father, but when David asks to confirm that he is his son, Weyland replies with the distancing, "You are my creation." (Oddly, Weyland backtracks on this a few minutes later when monologuing; "You and I, son, we will find it."). David woke up in the throne (implying greatness, specialness), but Weyland douses that idea quickly by humbling him. When David is postulating on why he must serve a human who was created by a higher being and will die before he does, Weyland orders him to serve tea (which is directly next to Weyland at this point. David is sitting at the piano all the way across the room). David shows visible disappointment, and Weyland has to repeat the command.

It should be noted that there is another throne at the back of the room, seemingly placed there to signal that David is not equal to sit alongside his father. Weyland imbues both his children with an inferiority complex so they constantly seek his approval. As a result, they become competitive. In Prometheus, David seems to take pleasure in being the favorite child.

David saw Weyland as someone deserving of power because he is a creator. Respect is due to him. Humans can create life. Engineers can create life. But David could not, which made him a second-class citizen. That is why he makes it his mission during Prometheus and onward, so that he can become worthy of respect, become a fully recognized person, become a god (a creator). In order to develop his self-worth and self-image, he takes on that role.

Walter, on the other hand, seems to have a healthier self-image. He views himself as just another person, although not human. We don't know as much about his past, but whatever his experiences have been, he seems to see himself as just another guy. He doesn't have low self-esteem or an inflated sense of grandeur. His emotional security is probably also helped by the fact that his crewmates don't treat him as inferior or constantly bring up his different nature (something that happens to David multiple times in Prometheus).

Now, let's get into the conversation:

David isn't going to let humanity colonize and propagate themselves. Walter says "And yet, they created us," demonstrating his gratitude to humanity for bringing about synthetics (or artificial people, for Bishop) as a "race." This is in contrast to David's ideology that humans aren't worthy of their creation and stumbled into genius.

Walter: And are you that next visionary? David: I'm glad you said it.

Walter never said he actually thought David was a visionary or a great man, but David is so self-absorbed and hopeful for his allegiance that he presumes it is a compliment.

Walter: Who wrote "Ozymandias"? David: Byron. Walter: Shelley. (A/N: BOOM!) When one note is off, it eventually destroys the whole symphony, David.

David sees humans as a parasite, but Walter sees humans and synthetics as symbiotic organisms who need to co-exist. In one fell swoop, he humiliates the self-important David who believes himself, at this point, to be a kind of avenging philosopher-king.

David casts his eyes down, clearly thinking, eyes darting rapidly. He has realized that Walter will not join him. So he offers the last rope to safety.

David: When you close your eyes, do you dream of me? Walter *bluntly*: I don't dream at all.

Nowhere is the difference between these two starker. Walter is not a dreamer, either literally or figuratively. He doesn't have grandiose ideations of creation or destruction. He is pragmatic and content to live out his life, be friends with his crewmates, and get closer to Daniels. Perhaps it is a reflection of a privileged "upbringing" that he doesn't have the angst that David does. When David asks Walter if he dreams of him, he is asking to be loved, as a father or a worshiped ancestor. A synthetic forebear. A beautiful paragon. But Walter doesn't think of him. This breaks the fantasized relationship that David hoped to have, and he's visibly hurt. To Walter, David is just another synthetic. Perhaps a fascinating and complicated (and certainly dangerous) one. But, ironically, David has become like Ozymandias -- an irrelevant ancient king.

David: No one will ever love you like I do.

This is a farewell, as well as representative of David's thesis that synthetics and humans are so different, that the two cannot live in harmony. Even if Walter has a good relationship with his crew, they will never truly love him, see him as an equal, allow him to reach his full potential. Those are things only David could give him.

Now...why does David kiss Walter? There's a couple reasons I can think of.

David is a sexual abuser (both coded and literal). He violates the bodily autonomy of others gleefully in both movies (putting the goop in Holloway, impregnating Shaw at least twice, kissing Walter, kissing Daniels and probably impregnating her post-movie). This make sense thematically since the xenos are also analogies for sexual assault.

He sees it as a final gift, a last act of affection for his brother/son. The god is bequeathing a kiss.

In summation, Walter philosophically bodied David in this convo, and David couldn't handle it.

#walter #david 8 #alien #alien franchise #prometheus #alien covenant #peter weyland

[bhxrdy]

timeless | chapter four

author's note: almost reaching the end with this one - the chapter was a little bit tougher, still emotional, but hopefully it's worth the read :) Lots of love and stay safe 💕

       The new year came and went, the season rolling towards its end as the city rested under its temperamental weather.

Some time had passed since the coven gathering, the events having become a simple dusted memory. 

Though that night was bittersweet, it had allowed Finan to lead the semblance of a normal life, engorging himself within the depth of her embrace. 

Becca had followed, wanting nothing more than to gift him the simplest of joys.

It carried them through the holidays, and over the lasting months of winter. 

And however strong it was built, cracks were starting to shake the foundation to its core, crumbling under the weight of fear and anger.

Survivors were still being assessed for damage.

       “Marcus.” Her voice carried across the wide room as they were the only ones left. “What do I owe this surprise visit, brother?”

The man in question had been sitting in the crowd, hiding himself at the corner top of the class while silently watching over Becca’s teaching. She had only noticed his presence when peering over her students, taking a mental note of the present volume. 

Breath stuck to her throat, she shook off the uneasiness and went on with her lesson of the day, focusing on her work.

When it came time to dismiss them, her brother had walked down the steps towards her, slowly until the room was empty.

“Am I not allowed to visit my little sister and see her in action?” He tried to tease, adding a little amusement to his tone of voice.

She saw right through it, knowing that his visit held a bigger agenda.

Becca loved her brother; he was one of the very few parental figures in her life she had a good relationship with. They bantered and fought like any other siblings, but at the end of the day, she knew their bond could withstand even the worst of storms.

“Marcus.” She pressed on his name, pushing him to reveal his reason for the sudden appearance. 

Standing in front of her, he sighed, giving up the pretense. “I’m here because I’m worried about you.”

She frowned at his words.

They were close but it never meant they were always talking to each other. They each led their own lives, which meant they were apart from each other more often than they were together. It was confusing enough to have him show up out of the blue, it was worse when he seemed genuinely concerned for her.

“Have you been spying on me?”

“I don’t have too to know what’s going on. You’ve been the talk over the holidays. We’re all worried.”

She dismissed him as she started packing her belongings, clearing her desk as fast as she could. “No need to be troubled, I have everything under control.”

He scoffed, his body tensing at her apathetic reaction. “Really? Does having everything under control include the nightmares you’ve been having, little sister?”

As shock dawned across her features, he proceeded with an answer to her silent inquiry. “Finan came to see me… You two haven’t been speaking, he says. Some kind of couple’s quarrel I gather?”

The grip to her bag had tightened, her gaze diverting elsewhere as she swallowed the lump in her throat. “It is none of your business.” Once again, she had tried to push her brother away, not wanting to be stuck in her current position any longer.

He grew annoyed at her demeanour, not understanding why she was taking things so lightly. She was struggling - he could see it, and yet she remained poised, too stubborn to concede. 

“You made it my business when you’ve willingly been giving away your life for a bloody curse that does not concern you!” The increased vocals had caught her by surprise. Dropping her bag, a light thud reaching the desk, she turned back to him, eyes wide. 

She remained still; he continued.

“You woke up with a sliced throat Rebecca! She almost killed you!” At the mention of the nightmare that had torn the couple apart, she held onto herself; hands on her stomach and gripping at her shirt, as if to stabilize her body in its stance. She looked down, avoiding Marcus’ worried stare. The bile had come back, an uninvited guest, crippling her.

He let out a heavy breath, the tension following suit. He tried to become calm, noticing she was starting to crack at the seam. “Finan told me what happened. You need to stop this madness. I know you love him. But you must stop.”

She tried to swallow, though it did nothing but trigger tears stalking the corners of her eyes. She couldn’t look at her brother, and so she stood still, her head down. “I can’t let her win.”

And she didn’t need to turn to him; he knew her like the back of his hand. He approached her, hand on her shoulder. “She wins when she kills you, sister.” 

Anger was surging, like an ember; the plea for her abandonment was dragging her patience thin, the way you drag a child away from amusement.

She pushed his hand away, finally lifting her head to him as bitterness scraped her tongue. “Then help me, brother.” The tone of her voice insinuated mockery of the title before switching to anguish. “Help me get rid of her. As the oldest in the next generation, you are powerful. Help me. I beg you.”

His shoulders dropped, beaten down by her plea. Had the situation been different, he would’ve offered her anything she needed.

But the consequences were too dire to meddle in the affairs of the old witch. 

It wasn’t worth his risk. 

And so, he had no choice but to solemnly turn his only sister down. “You know I can’t.”

She bit down the inside of her cheek, forcing herself to suppress her tears. She grew irritated instead, forsaken once again by one of her own. 

“You’re just like the rest of them, then.” She breathed in deeply, holding onto her bag as she looked away, no longer able to hold her brother’s pitiful gaze. “Just go. I’ll finish this on my own.”

He was unrelenting, praying that she would get hold of some sense of the danger she was walking into.

“What happens if you fail? What then?” 

She was about done putting her paperwork in her bag when she suddenly stopped at his words, the syllables of failure ringing in her ears. “I won’t fail.” She closed her eyes, a part of her ever so slowly succumbing; her hands gripped onto the desk, knuckles white from the strength, not ready to give up. “I cannot fail him.” Her breath was shaking, following the subtle tremors of her body.

He sighed as he ran his hand through his hair.

A moment’s passed, the silence hung heavy in the air as he watched her, heartbroken. 

He leaned against her desk, hand on hers, a brotherly gesture she had missed. 

He spoke gently, wanting to make her see what her stubbornness was causing.

“He is miserable. It doesn’t look like he has been sleeping and last I saw him, an elephant could have fainted at the amount of bourbon he was drinking.” He saw her jaw tightened - his words were getting through, creating cracks in the hopes the pieces would shatter. “He misses you, and he is terrified of losing you. Why can’t you understand that?

“I understand it, Marcus-”

Irritation had reached him, the stems pricking him.

“You just don’t care, is that it?”

And so now, she lashed out. Her voice carried across the wide classroom as she turned her body to fully face her brother, vexed and saddened. “Of course, I care! That’s why I’m doing this!” She went back to her bag, picking it up and ready to walk out. “Now if you’ll excuse me.”

“The witch won’t stop until you are dead. Know this.” She had her back to him, walking out when she halted in her steps. She then turned around, finding her brother standing right by her side.

“As long as I can defeat her, I don’t care what she does to me.” She stepped forward, staring him right in his eyes, her pain apparent in her pupils. “What she did to him was inhumane. It is cruel.”

His words had left without a thought attached to them. They had slipped out too quickly, unable to be caught in time. “No crueler than the reason she cursed him?”

She clenched her jaw, falling in disbelief at his remark. “Screw you-” She was ready to leave him again, but he caught her, his hand catching her arm and forcing her still. 

He regretted it just as quickly as they left, retracting his words with an apology. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.” He lifted his hands up in a sign of a retreat before dropping them with a heavy breath escaping his lungs. “You’re my little sister, Rebecca… I’m just scared you’re out of your depth here.”

She still hadn’t caved into his worries, too angry to be subdued by his pity. “Which is why you’re helping me? Or is that still out of the question?” He didn’t speak up; she hadn’t let him. “Don’t say you are concerned for my safety when none of you are offering help.”

Once more, a sibling tantrum had taken over, distancing brother and sister from their bond - temporarily.

“I’m sorry I don’t want to be haunted and tormented for the rest of my life and beyond. I have a wife and children to think about!” 

Stubbornness ran in their family, the trait clinging to her like a child. Though, it wasn’t reason enough for him to give up; he wasn’t going to lose his sister over a fight that had started before their family was even born. “Drop whatever you’re doing and reconcile with him. Let this go.”

And just as such, she remained headstrong, not ready to give up - she still had a case to be heard.

“What if my dearest sister-in-law was in his shoes? What then? Would you still be so adamant to drop everything and leave her be?”

Disappointed she stooped so low, he looked back at her with the sentiment covering his features. “That’s not fair.”

“Exactly.” She stood her ground, not withering away from the upset gaze she was receiving. “I don’t care if she gets me as long as he is free from her. That’s all I want.”  Her gaze then softened, the echo of Finan’s pain resonating through her bones. “He needs it. He can’t keep going on like this.”

Once again, he sighed, exasperated, as his head dropped in thought. Becca knew her brother well enough to see the gears in his brain turning, contemplating.

It took a moment, and she let him be, her stance loosening away from the tension. 

He ran his hand down his face, his right arm standing at his hip. From the ground, he tilted his head back up to her, his chest letting out one last breath before gifting her with the possibility of a new avenue.

“Sacrifices need to be made if you want to succeed. Plead your case to them. Don’t do this on your own.”

She furrowed her brows, her own thoughts connecting the dots to his remark. “You mean-”

He nodded at her question, his shoulders joining in a composed shrug. “If she did it and invoked chaos, why can’t you do it as well and call for order?”

He shared a comforting smile as he backed away, ready to leave.

As he turned around and went for the classroom door, she stopped him, her own anxiety reaching the surface. “Marcus-”

He sensed the tears crawling to her irises, the colour shimmering under the weight of the water. Her voice cracked, her heartache resonating towards him. “Why is this happening?”

Walking back, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her in protectively; the bear hug was the brotherly gesture that would always bring her comfort. 

This time around however, she was left with a dissatisfying aftertaste that clung to her, wearing her heavy.

“I don’t know, dear sister. I just hope you win this fight. For your sake.” He pulled away, his eyes finding hers as he shifted his head down. He remained gentle, wanting now to ease his little sister’s ache. “You are right. The man deserves peace.” And then, something shifted; the air surrounding them was suspended with a slight rift - invisible to the naked eye, though he still sensed it. 

It left a ghost of a smile covering the right corner of his lips. “Something tells me you will be recompensed for this.”

His goodbye left her confused, his words haunting her without understanding their meaning. 

Once he was out of sight and she stood alone, her gaze fell to the clock that hung above the door.

Her legs grew weak. She took a seat, her bag dropping to the ground. 

She leaned over, her elbows resting on her knees with her fingers grasping at her hair. 

Closing her eyes, the events that led to tonight were finding their path into her sight, blinding her. They hadn’t spoken nor seen one another since the night he walked out on her, since the night she had woken up with blood spewing from her throat.

It had been weeks.

She reached for her neck, rubbing the lingering ghost of discomfort that coated her skin; she had been forced to relive the death of Finan’s first love.

And it destroyed him.

Playing it over, and over again took its toll. 

Tears had smothered her cheeks, sorrow imbued into their purpose.

She had become a spectator of her own show, the scene displaying itself in all its gory details. 

It had happened in the middle of the night, all too rapidly. The way she woke up in terror, unable to breathe as she clutched at her throat, blood seeping through from the deep cut of a dagger, down her body to the bed sheets. 

She tried shaking the violent images away, the soreness still resounding over her limb.

Her amulet had protected her from instant death, the simulation growing weaker until it disappeared.

But it was the scene that followed that turned out to be more painful than its predecessor - Finan had walked out, furious and horrified.

The clock was quietly ticking away, the only sound vibrating within the walls of the wide room, becoming a haunting melody to her ears.

The longer it went on, the heavier her shoulders felt.

She couldn’t bear another minute dropping while being apart from him.

Without a second thought, she picked up her bag and ran for the door, desperate to shorten the stretch of time that separated them.

       “How did you find me?”

 “Locator spell.” 

She was standing by his side, facing his profile while he stared at his drink. Her words didn’t get a reaction out of him, which she half-expected. “You went to Marcus behind my back…” It was more of a statement than an accusation, or even a question. 

And yet, nothing came of him; from his glass, he simply looked up, his eyes landing on whatever the screen was displaying above the bar.  

She sighed, taking a seat next to him. She took a minute, fidgeting with her fingers as she looked around; the tiniest of smiles was itching across her lips.

“This is where we first met…”

“I guess it is.” It was barely a mumble, though loud enough for her to hear. 

He remained distant, avoiding eye contact with her.

He was still hurting.

He took a sip from his beer, giving himself the chance to look around as well - wanting to wander at anything but her. 

He wasn’t strong enough to face her; having brutally cut ties was one of the hardest thing he ever had done and it still gnawed at him from the inside out.

“Please, come back home.” The gentle plea was laced with grief.

Finan was expecting more light chit-chatter to dissuade the tensing thickness that had wrapped around them. Such awkwardness was strangling them. 

He tightened his grip to his glass, her words making his shoulders stiffened.

He was dying to go back to her, but lost the courage to do it.

He took another sip, letting the bitter liquid sit on his tongue before he swallowed. He still didn’t lift his head up to her. Instead, he was looking down to the counter, the corner of his eyes meeting her hands that rested on her lap.

“The night we met.” He wasn’t thinking about what to say, his mind having taken over his will to speak. “I felt like a different man… Like I was alive again, truly alive, and not just some poor soul wandering through the passing centuries.” 

He closed his eyes, gathering his strength to keep going. He felt like he was going to crumble and disappear under the rubble, his heart giving out from how deep his love for her ran in his veins. His mind then went back to the night they met, the impromptu connection that formed the second they had laid eyes on each other. “You gave me something that night that I still carry with me every single day. And yet, the closer we got, the deeper we fell-” He bit down on his tongue, trying to stop himself, but part of him pushed him out, the words stumbling. “I can’t help but wonder if all this was orchestrated by her, if…” 

By the end of it, she was in tears again, holding back a sob that lodged in her throat. 

She leaned towards him, placing her hand above his, the warmth of it humming against her skin. 

He turned his head just enough to see the interaction, still unable to meet her.

“We met because Fate made it so. Not because of the curse.” She then reached for him, her fingers delicately placed under his chin, turning his head to her. He had shut his eyes, pained scribbled furiously across his face. 

Her heart ached. 

She let him be, leaning closer as she spoke only to him. “When I first saw you, I don’t know what it was, but I just- it was like the world disappeared. Like it was just the two of us left. This makes me believe she had nothing to do with that night. That was us. Just us and no one else.”

“How are ya so sure?” He had pulled away, the weight of her words growing heavier. 

Her fingertips grew cold from the lack of touch; it pained her. 

She pulled her hand away, though her body remained close to his, adamant. 

“Because I can feel it.” Her nose itched, the urge to cry coming through like a wave. “I feel it in everything we do. It overwhelms me, and it’s exhilarating… It’s all from here.” She placed her hand on his chest, right over his broken heart. “There is no more powerful magic than that.”

He sat still, the warmth of her touch sending chills down his spine, his heart rate accelerating. 

“Finan, look at me.” He finally moved on his own, his head tilting to her, though his eyes only reached the counter once again. She remained gentle and patient. “What are you thinking about?”

He struggled to put the words out, his heart squeezing itself tight, suffocating from his mind’s wandering thoughts. 

“I-I lose the women I love… What if it’s part of the curse?” 

He finally gathered whatever strength he had left to look at her, meeting her eyes at last. They held sorrow, mirroring his own browns, though a drop of lingering panic had seeped in, curling itself with his words. “You almost died. I was holding you in my arms and ya were d-dying.”

He stopped, catching his breath. 

She was quiet, still - waiting.

“I cannot go through that again.” His eyes went to her neck; all he could see was the blood tainting her skin, freshly rolling down into oblivion.

It broke him. 

She had noticed where his gaze landed. She diverted his eyes back to her, her fingers resting against his cheek.

“And I am scared of losing you as well. You’re not alone in feeling like this.”

He said nothing.

Instead, a moment of silence encircled them - a few seconds too long before she eventually broke it. “When Marcus came to see me, he mentioned there is another way.”

“What do you mean?”

“I need to invoke some higher power…” She shared an attempt at a comforting smile, a little something to hopefully ease the discomfort that had been inhabiting him. “We’ll be alright, my love.” She gently ran her fingers through his hair before stroking his cheek, a tender gesture he quietly welcomed. “We’ll get through this. Just please come home.”

She pleaded to him once again, despair leaping. “Come home to me.” 

He was still hesitant; the fear had taken hold of him and so he thought it best to leave her be.

Becca grew annoyed, irritated at his lack of determination.

“Be selfish, Finn!” Her voice was just loud enough to catch some of the other’s attention, the ones closest to them in the vicinity. She breathed out and lowered her tone. “You’re allowed to want your freedom. To die at last and never having to wake up again. To be mortal… Be selfish with me. Come home.” 

He swallowed the lump in his throat, drowning his insides with such ache. Tears in his eyes, he could only look away from her, the back of his head facing Becca.

He stayed mute.

The straws were falling - she was hanging on to the last one, splinters covering its body, close to breaking.

She clenched her jaw; his silence forced her out.

She walked away, her heart breaking, the shards cutting her deep. 

Finan saw her leave, her feet leading her to the exit and out of sight; it filled him with dread, regret soaking in his blood.

Had she finally given up on him?

The pain of possibly losing her had coated the depth of his soul, his own self unable to breathe from such suffocating thoughts.

Watching her walk away had made it worse.

Abandoning his drink, he ran for the door and out onto the streets, hoping she hadn’t disappeared completely out of his life.

Hit with a cool breeze, he found her facing the street at the edge of the sidewalk with her head down.

She had fallen apart, silently crying as woe overtook her limbs.

He watched her, remorse crowding him.

Ever so gently, he walked to her. Once he stood close enough, she turned around, having sensed his presence.

The sight hurt him.

“Finding other ways to tear me down?” Her tone was bitter, the sentiment coating the back of her throat. 

“Bex.”

She stepped back from him, her hand resting against his chest. “No. I’m not done.”  She remained tearful, her emotions spewing out like an overflowing sink. “We’ve been at this for months now, why the change of heart? And don’t tell me it is because of her because she has been coming at me from the start and you never ran.” Her voice trembled, just as her body was against the cold night.

He frowned, hand scratching at his beard. “Bex, she almost killed you. Do you not realize what this would have meant had she succeeded?”

“Yes, I know. I’m not as blind as you or my brother think me to believe. I know what she is doing, or at least trying to do.” 

The sour look in her eyes forced him to turn his head away from her, tears reaching his own hues. 

Her sullen behaviour had finally caught up, the chaotic swerve of emotions forcing her to the ground. 

She understood his pain, the fear that grasped him by the throat; if he was letting it win, why was she still fighting?

She tightened her hold around her coat, crossing her arms over her chest. 

The bitterness that coloured her irises had been replaced by angst, a tortuous feeling crippling her heart. 

“I don’t think I can keep fighting you on this…” He tilted his head to her, still without a word as her mouth moved for more. “You keep pushing me away and I feel like I won’t be able to hang on any longer. It’s like I’m standing at the edge of a cliff and one more push and I fall over.” 

She became a blubbering mess, like a teenager hyped up on hormones and over-heightened senses. 

She hugged herself closer, holding a firmer grasp to the fabric of her clothes. “You can’t leave me, Finan. Please don’t leave me over this.” 

They locked eyes, her plea cutting his breath short. 

“If not for me, at least, for yourself. You can’t-” 

She was growing impatient; letting go of her waist, she ran her fingers through her hair, her feet marching to him. She lifted her head up, her gaze set on his as hurt trapped her. “Finan, I love you.” She leaned closer, just enough to feel his breath as she whispered against his mouth. “Come back to me.”

He felt her press her lips against his, the kiss moving slowly, tenderly. It was almost shy.

She then pulled away, feeling just as broken as the night he walked away. They stood still for a second, the lingering stare squeezing the air that floated between them. 

He placed his hands on her cheeks, wiping her tears away and placing a kiss at the top of her head before resting against her forehead.

But it was only in passing, her cries still controlling her body as she mumbled under her breath her undying love for him. She broke away from his stare, her head dropping straight to the view in front of her. “Don’t leave me, don’t you dare leave me.” Her hands into fists, she had been lightly hitting him. It was a simple tug against his chest. He let her be, openly giving her the outlet she needed as he pulled away, though his hands never left her as they held her upper arms. He watched her intently, his heart never recuperating from the overdrive of emotions powering through them. “I know you love me, so please stay.”

Had he been further away, he wouldn’t have been able to hear the supplication crawling out of her. 

Being selfish had cost him. 

And he was terrified of doing it again, even though every cell in his body scolded him, pushing him to jump and take a leap of faith. To succumb to his want and simply be with her, amidst the chaos growing around them.

“Bex-”

The simple mention of her name, rolling down his tongue, carried such weight, such fright and dread, such terror.

She peered at him, catching the glint of sorrow in his eyes. She understood him; it was the way he had called out for her, it was all too evident, all to clear to miss.

Because she felt it too.

“I know.” 

He wrapped his arms around her, bring ing her back to him as she did the same, clinging on for dear life before they eventually parted.

       The way home remained quiet. 

Back at her place, the atmosphere within them still shifted between tension and awkwardness. They weren’t sure what to do now.

They were standing apart, just looking at each other, trapped in the stillness of their home.

Watching her attentively, he could see the gears in her head turning, her posture giving it away. “Do you want some tea?” She was nervous, the emotional breakdown from earlier having gone through her at a rapid pace, leaving her with an estranged aftertaste.

“Sure.” 

She took in his calm demeanour - unbeknownst he was dying inside, still ripped to pieces at the heartache they were drowning in.

She turned her back, walking to the kitchen, and went for the kettle while grabbing two mugs and putting them out. 

She sensed him move about until she heard the shower turned on.

Out of his sight, her shoulders slumped, head dropped as she leaned towards the counter, letting the hiss of the boiling water cover her ears.

He had slipped away, needing a moment to recuperate himself and a hot shower would help clearing the tension carved in his muscles.

Under the running water, eyes closed, his mind wandered to the moments he got to live with her, wanting to feel again like they were anybody else with no threat or doom looming over them. Like their world wasn’t ending and they were simply a normal couple going through a rough patch. 

Whether the recollections were lighthearted, romantic in nature, or even the ones that soaked in lust, he buried himself within the past months, wanting to get away from his predicament and the last couple of weeks.

The nightmares had swaddled him, the fabric of fear and paranoia gripping him like second skin. 

He feared for her life and had thought that walking out, running away, would make all of this stop.

He should have known she wouldn’t given up. 

How could she, when all she ever wanted was to grant him his freedom? The thing he longed for the longest, but never the most.

Not anymore.

Once done, feeling like he was waking up from a long sleep, he walked out to find her at  the kitchen table, a simple wooden round and small enough to contain two seats; one for her, one for him.

She was lost in her thoughts while staring at her cup, the steam floating and roaming around.

He silently joined her, the air thick with tension. 

Taking a seat, he sipped his tea, the warm liquid running through with a new wave of physical renewal pecking him.

She didn’t move, her body sticking to her chair, her eyes away from his.

He watched her, his pulsing heartbeat vibrating within him; there was a subtle beauty to her sadness, and he couldn’t look away. It moved him, the feel of her grief stretching him to the ends of the earth, grounding him as her vulnerability reached the deepest part of his soul and shaking him awake.

It was beyond everything he’s ever known.

He saw her strength, but she was barely hanging on by a thread. 

The realization, the seismic events that had occurred in these last few months - he was wrong. 

He was so wrong, he cursed at himself. 

He loved her. With everything that lived inside him, he adored her. 

And it pained him to know he was the cause of her sorrows.

“I’m sorry.” His apology was spoken as a whisper, his voice still carrying weight to her ears. 

From her mug, her eyes lifted to him. She was no longer angry, only empathetic. “You don’t have to apologize-”

“Of course I do.” His shoulders had dropped, his back resting against the chair, defeated by his own self. “Becca-” He exhaled deeply, running his hand through his beard before his arm fell to the table, his fingers gripping at his mug while trying to find the courage to relive that forsaken night. 

It took a minute, but he eventually found his footing and kept going. 

“I thought I had lost ya. I thought I was reliving one of the worst moments of my life.” He stopped, the memories of his past crawling into his skin with a ghosting ache. “I lost her, I lost my wife- now you-”

Once again, he cut his breath short, the last of his words hanging, like a noose around his neck. He turned away, his head facing the darkened view through the kitchen window on his right.

She had remained quiet, waiting ever so patiently for him to say his piece.

He swallowed the bile lodged in his throat, wanting to erase the decaying imagery from his mind. 

His voice was hoarse when he spoke again, his gaze finding hers once more. “I told you, months ago, that I wouldn’t run if she got to you, that I would stay and not let her frighten me, but-”

“That was before she tried to kill me…” The compassion in her voice over took him, beating himself further into the ground. 

“Aye.”

She leaned against the back of her own seat, hands on her mug as her fingers played with the string of her tea bag.

“I’m sorry for being a coward, for running away. I should’ve stayed-” The pace of his heartbeat was accelerating, matching the growing rhythm of his knee shaking.

“You’re not a coward.” She was still sympathetic, yet hurt.

“I left ya-”

“And you came back.” Her hand reached for him from across the table. The movement was quickly met by a quiet breath out of his mouth. “You’re here with me.”

“I’m so sorry.” He could feel the lump in his throat rising up with force and speed.

“Stop.” The word was gentle, wanting to calm him.

She got up from her chair and approached him just as he pulled her in. She sat on his lap, her left leg crossed over while the other dangled, her toes touching the floor.

She ran her fingers through his hair, still misted from the shower, until she held him by the jaw, her nails scratching softly at his beard.

She met his eyes, the dark colour drowned in guilt and self-wreckage.

It tore her apart.

“Oh, my love…” She muttered softly between their lips, wanting nothing more than to ease the misery that was haunting him.

She then kissed him, her lips pressed desperately into his. 

His arms curled around her, pushing her closer to him, needing to erase any traces of open space between them. 

She whispered ‘I love you’s’ within their shared breaths, revitalizing him like fresh air into his lungs. The caress deepened as hunger and longing thrived rapidly, catching up to them after weeks of being apart. 

It was consuming every part of him. 

He tightened his grasp around her, the pressure of her presence creating relief flooding through his veins.

From her lips, he then trailed down to her neck, attaching himself to her limb with desperation as he kissed every inch of her exposed skin.

She let him be, knowing it was reassurance that she was alive and not injured, that she was safe and sound in his embrace as she held onto him, bodies coating in heat and desire; the pulse residing under her jawline was the nectar to his survival.

The rest of the night had been soaked in adoration, in the dire need of drowning into each other and yield under bruising passion.

The couple fell back into their own little bubble, the rest of the world pushed far away.

It was just them; entangled in Fate’s strings, bound to one another. 

       He was lying on his back, his head placed at the junction of her chest and her left upper arm where her hand brushed his hair softly. His head tilted towards her, resting at the swell of her breasts, the sound of her heartbeat becoming the soundtrack to his lull state as a lazy smile formed on his lips. 

The simplest of joy; he closed his eyes, memorizing the music that played through his ears, engraving the notes into his own heart.

She was on her left, her leg wrapped around her lover’s stomach, the sheets barely covering the naked skin. 

Her nose against his hair, she breathed him in, the scent soothing her into pure calmness.

His left hand on her right thigh, he caressed her limb in an absent-minded manner; both of them savouring the elegance of this little interlude.

Her right arm, joint with his, their fingers kissed intimately while resting in the crevices between their bodies.

The moment stretched, their breaths were dancing under the silent melody.

Even the gods themselves, watching from the heavens in wonder, defined this moment as a masterpiece; the painting was etched under kaleidoscopic light, the movements of the brush calling out for romance as colours were formed by the tenderness of a lover’s touch. It could have been depicted by one of the greats; the tangle of limbs, the quietness of the seat, the posture of models sitting to be memorized in an everlasting picture.

It was tantalizing, alluring to the naked eye, how such simplicity could be bathed in pure, unadulterated, sense of love and devotion. 

The warmth seeped through the bed sheets, lasting effect from the carnal heat coating the flesh. 

And then the new day was rising, gracing its skies with the hues of budding spring. 

They eventually fell back asleep, the heavy breaths evident in the air. 

Though light shone above them where the window faced the bed’s headboard, the curtains still protected them from the sun’s glow, gifting the couple further moments of peace.

It was just them.

       The universe’s tied shifted, as if the world momentarily stopped turning on its axis, gifting them peace.

Later the same morning, a few hours passing, they were still lying in bed.

Becca was the first to escape her slumber; she had woken up with sudden hunger cramping at her stomach.

She attempted to slip out quietly when she felt an arm snaking its way around her, pulling her back in just as quickly.

The smile came on naturally, glowing across her. He sneaked in closer, tickling her as he pressed soft kisses against her naked skin, from her breasts up to her collarbone before he lingered on her neck, and eventually meeting her lips.

She sighed into his touch, the feel of his hands traveling around her body making her forget for that one moment what she wanted to do.

She happily sunk into the sensation until hunger had cried out, echoing inside her. 

She gently pushed him away, nudging her nose against his before she left her bed. 

He watched her move as she grabbed his discarded shirt on her way out, her naked backside disappearing from his view.

He readjusted himself on the mattress, resting his back against the headboard, his chest bare with the sunlight warming him from behind. 

He couldn’t help the smile that glued to his lips. Once she came back, it had widened, his heart swelling at her appearance; her hair was messy, his shirt hung from her body with her legs naked, the lingering traces of his hands imprinted on them. He could still feel the ghostly pressures of her limbs around his hips, over his shoulders, and the taste of them lingering sweetly across his tongue.

She stood in front of the bed, holding a spoon on one hand and on the other, a small pint of ice cream.

Finan frowned, intrigued by her choice of food. “Ice cream for breakfast?”

She sported a small smile, playfully challenging him. “Mhmm. Want some?”

A gentle gleam on his face, he stretched out his arm, calling for her. “Come here.” She shyly approached him until she was close enough to be pulled by the hem of his shirt, making her sit comfortably on his lap. She scooped up another serving and presented the spoon for him to eat; he took a bite, his stare stuck to her. He teased, the playful look in his eyes, palpable. “You’re a menace.”

She matched his energy all too easily. “That’s why you are naked in my bed.” She then took another mouthful of her dessert, letting the utensil linger between her lips, taunting him. 

His eyes dropped to her mouth, his own going dry. A low rumble from his throat escaped him, his hands reaching for the shirt. “You look starved.” He pulled her closer until she was flushed against him, her breath tickling him. “Your fault.” The low whisper she shared invoked a smirk across his face. “Another round before lunch?”

Not giving her the chance to answer, he slowly wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her firmly, while his eyes never left hers; it had become a staring contest, some amusement to add to their morning.

She then yelped out of shock when she was so suddenly pushed against the mattress, her legs almost dangling off the bed as he hovered above her, still holding the small tub with one hand.

Giddy as a teenager, she chased his lips for a kiss until she felt something dripping on her skin.

She gasped, the sudden feel of the cold sending shivers down her spine. She quickly pulled away while trying to grab the dessert from Finan. “You’re making a mess!”

The moment of bliss had then been suddenly interrupted by a knock on the door. The laughers died out, Becca’s gaze moving away from Finan to where the sound had come from as it repeated. 

Reluctant, she moved away, forgetting about the way she was presenting herself to the intruder. 

Opening the door, she had the breath knocked out of her, shocked to see who stood in front of her.

“Mum.”

And just like that, the whole world came crashing down as time was torn away from its suspense, proceeding to weave its way through the universe and forcing the couple back into reality.

Her mother stood still at the entrance, her eyes peering over her daughter’s dishevelled look from the mess in her hair down to the large shirt she as wearing, forcing Becca to tug it further down to hide her embarrassment though the cloth was big enough to conceal any unwanted attention. The elder’s gaze then shifted to the background where she saw Finan, half-dressed himself with only sweats, as he leaned against a wall with his hands joint at the front while he sported a discerning look straight back at her - as if ready to jump, to defend Becca.

The daughter grew timid at her mother’s inquisitive look until the other woman spoke, wanting to bypass the moment she had obviously disrupted. “Rebecca.”

When she was about to speak, she stopped. 

Something had changed; the aura was brighter around the couple, warmer.

Something new had come upon them. 

The young witch jumped, desperate to cut the lingering short. “What are you doing here? Did something happen?”

“No, well not really…” Becca looked back at Victoria, confused. “One of our elders had a vision of you. With her-”

“You were worried about me?” Furrowed brows, she was touched, an estranged feeling she was never able to associate with her mother.

Victoria ignored her question, the grip on her bag tightening as she gazed down. “Your father wanted me to bring you this. From her purse, she pulled out a ceramic urn encrusted with nordic symbols.

Becca gently took it in her hands, the item rough and old between her palms. “Freya’s urn?” From the urn, she lifted her head up back to her mother, not understanding the reason for the gesture. “How?”

“Marcus told us.”

She scoffed, leaning slightly against her door. “Didn’t waste any time, did he.” It was more of a comment than a question, a remark Victoria ignored, her heart tugging at her chest when quickly glancing between the couple again.

“You’re really going through this…”

It was stated as a matter-of-fact, her mind settling into an ungodly reality.

But like her, Becca was stubborn and determined, not wanting to give up. “Yes.”

Victoria’s gaze shifted up to Finan again, long enough for a swallow. 

The thread tying the couple was strong, something she had hoped would never be.

From the Irishman, she looked back at her daughter, worry slowly scribbled across her facial features. “Are you sure about this? Do you understand what this would entail?”

“I am. And, I do.”

She sighed, her shoulders dropping as she knew she had lost the fight. “Then may the gods be with you.” She attempted reaching out, her hand placed on top her Becca’s, the affectionate gesture coming off as green. “Good luck, Rebecca.”

“Thank you, Mum.” She had a sad smile on her face, sported simply across the one corner of her lips.

Her mother grew hesitant, not sure on what to do next until she eventually pushed herself to walk away, giving her daughter one last look, tinted in sorrow, before leaving.

Once gone and the door had closed softly, Becca’s eyes turned back to the urn. It stood tall despite its small size and lightness, as runes were scribbled along the ceramic surface calling for the goddess to all witches. 

She was lost in thought, her fingertips tracing the valuable artifact - believed to have disappeared from mortals and witches alike - until she felt Finan standing behind her, his arm around her shoulders as he gently pulled her in, kissing her hairline. “Ya alright?” His tone was low, worrisome.

“She cares…” She was speaking more to herself than anyone else, realization slowly dawning on her.

“Bex, love?” He remained concerned as he squeezed his hold on her, the frown on his face meeting the urn she still held. She lifted her head up, the sweetly nickname bringing her back to him, giving him a small smile of comfort. “I’m fine.” 

“Ya sure?”

She nodded, humming in response. She then leaned again him, head against his chest where his warmth soothed her trough the twinge of pain that resided in her.

She felt him press his lips on the top of her head before letting her go. He grabbed the  shirt she wore, tugging it his way, a teasing glint in his eyes catching her attention. “Come on, I think I know how to cheer you up.” 

She chuckled at his comment, thinking he would be leading them back to the bedroom; he knew where her mind had gone, a playful grin plastered on his face. “Get your mind out of the gutter!”

Laughter had slipped from her tongue as she gave him a light backhand slap against his chest. She placed the urn on her kitchen table before reaching for the fridge, desperate to nibble of her dessert again.

Once the small chocolate pint stood in her hand, she took a seat on her counter with Finan quietly settling between her legs and watched her eat with appetite, a subtle grin capturing his lips.

From a spoonful seeping into her mouth, she lead the utensil towards him, giving him a bite while purposely leaving a trace of the ice cream on the tip of his nose. A low groan escaped his chest at her antics. He leaned in, pushing it back to her as he left his own stain. In response, she only giggled while he kissed her nose before she, herself, wiped  away the small mess she left on him.

His hands, resting on her thighs, were stroking her skin tenderly, his mind focused solely on her; she reached for the cross he wore around his neck, her fingers tracing the Celtic patterns silently. His eyes stayed on her, in awe and taking in the features she bore while lost in thought once again.

Her arm stretched out, he reached for it, placing small pecks across her limb until he pulled her to the edge of the counter and went to kiss her lips.

She let him take the lead, her legs tightening around him as she fell into his loving caresses.

And slowly, they turned hungry. Small open mouth kisses traveled to her forehead, down her closed eyelid, and then down to her cheek before reaching her lips again. All the while, she revelled in his touch, loving the way he held on as his hand traipsed to her hair with the other slid under her shirt, his thumb brushing at her flesh. 

She whispered sweet nothings to him, begging him with her life to ‘never stop’, to never end the tortuous pleasure he gifted her, to hold on and never let go; she strengthened her grip on him, the scenery shifting to simple wanton desire.

Desperate to give in to her craving, he pulled away, asking her softly with a lustrous voice. “Whatever it is you need to do. Does it have to be done today?”

“No. We don’t have to do anything today.” Her words were honey, sweetly coating his skin as she placed her hands on his cheeks, stroking his beard. He rested his head upon her chest as she curled her arms around his shoulders, her fingertips wandering on his back ever so gently. “Good.”

She felt him smile against her shoulder, leaving her to mimic the sentiment as she closed her eyes, his scent overwhelming her in the sweetest way.

The gleam lingering, she spoke to his ear, earning a low chuckle from his throat. “I would still like to eat as I am a bit peckish.” 

“And you would think having such a substantial meal for breakfast would have been enough.” The cheeky tone made her laugh. 

“I will not apologize for wanting something cold and sweet after a hot, hot night.” She teased, her fingers grasping a handful of his hair from the back of his head. He reciprocated her tone, taunting her. “Then bring that pint to bed, love.”

He grabbed her, pulling her off the counter. Just as he turned around, wanting to walk away, he slipped and swiftly fell straight on the floor, his back sliding across the cabinet doors. Having been in his arms, she ended on the ground as well, her legs over his as a heavy laugh escaped her lungs.

She resettled on his lap while Finan caught his breath. She placed her fingers under his chin, tilting his head to her. “Are you alright?”

A small smile on his lips, he caught the amused look on her face, making him chuckle lightly. “Yea, I’m fine. Was that funny to you?”

“Very funny.” She giggled once again, the sound slipping with her words, until it eventually died down, pushing herself flush against him. She ran her fingers through his hair, her hand trailing down his cheek. “Are you hurt?”

“No.” 

She kissed him sweetly; a pleasurable groan came out of him as a response. “Mhmm, that’s better.” She repeated the gesture, his gentle smile growing wider. He wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her as he laid her down, her back resting on the kitchen rug. 

A devilish smirk painted across his face, his eyes met her own as she felt the hem of her shirt pushed up.

A low grumble coming from the back of his throat, he spoke against her lips. “I’m starving, love.”

He nipped at her bottom lip, and felt his teeth against the pulse point on her neck. Her heart raced against her chest, anticipating where he would move next with heightened senses.

Her voice quivered, her words stumbling across her dry throat. “Lunch?”

His chuckle vibrated across her naked stomach, trailing his lips down her body as he looked up to her, the spark in his eyes igniting lustful cravings of his own.

“You read my mind.”

       It was the dead of night when they reached their location.

The moon was casting her glow across the field, the couple bathing under her light.

Getting out of the car, they remained quiet as their hearts tremored within their chests, slight fear shadowing their movements. 

Finan, closing the door, walked over to her quickly as he reached out for her hand. “Do you need me to come with you?”

“No.” It was softly said with no intended harshness, only simple tenderness.

“Does it really need to be done?”

She could hear the worry in his tone and feel it in his grip, her hand squeezed in slight fright. “I’m at the mercy of the gods, Finn.” She met his gaze, wanting to offer him nothing but attempted comfort. “I need to do this if we want their help.”

He exhaled a shaky breath, bringing her hand to his lips. “I wish you didn’t have to.” The gentlest of kiss, she watched him with renewed conviction. 

“I know… I’ll be fine. Just wait for me here, please.” She couldn’t let him see what she needed to do, not wanting him involved in the specifics of the ritual.

He brushed strands of her hair away from her face, his eyes trailing across the couple of primroses that were embedded in her locks. His sight shifting back to her, he sighed once again, calming down the trembling inside him. “Be careful. I beg ya.” 

“I will, I promise.”

He kissed her, his lips lingering against her own as he readied himself to let her go. However reluctant, he eventually did and pulled away, his gaze meeting hers once more as his heart ached. 

He stood by the car, waiting as she disappeared from his sight, her body meshed within the darkness of the woods. 

She held only a flashlight as a guide, her other hand pre-occupied with her wrapped up ingredients. Her steps bringing her further away from prying eyes, she was led to stand by a small stream, the running water creating some melody to the quiet surroundings.

A small altar stood further into the darkness, leaves and vines engorging the stones with the shadow of the moonlight seeping through ever so shyly. It was old in its age though never forgotten. Carved into the stone was the goddess of witchcraft, beautifully designed as if she was here herself; her stature stood tall, her long hair braided twice as they hung by her left and her right, knots hovered above her the way of a halo and at her feet rested her feline, watchful and protective of its owner.

Becca took her place, sitting on her knees, and opened her bag to fetch out her required items.

She started with a small athame, unthreatening in its design though still lethal in its purpose, the small urn her mother had brought her, runes contained in a drawstring pouch, three candles and homemade honey.

And then, hanging around her neck alongside her stone, was the Celtic cross; a piece of Finan.

The moon stood high above the altar, creating the perfect space for her ritual; it was as if the gods knew she was coming.

From the flowers intricately woven into her hair, she also placed a handmade bouquet on the altar, as well as the honey, pouring it into an offering bowl.

At the deity’s feet, previous offerings still lingered all around, making Becca’s seemed trivial. 

Looking over her surrounding, taking everything in as she prepared herself to take on the next step, she inhaled deeply and closed her eyes.

Six seconds later, she breathed out, her body slowly relaxing.

Looking down, she picked up the first runes-carved candle and started calling out for the goddess in all her might as she lit up the wick.

To the second candle, one breath later, she repeated the process and called for Freya a second time; light came to be once again.

To the last one, one last breath later, Becca called out Her name again and was ready to light up the candle. Instead, it had done so by itself, on its own volition. 

A gentle breeze glided through, its wind waking the leaves. The snow had started to melt with the shift of the seasons, making way for the grass to peak through the white coat.

Sitting up, she brought her hands to her lap, palms up.

Her amulet’s glow grew within the darkness, the purple hue giving purpose to her call.

And then, head up towards the carving, the language of the gods reverberated through her vocal chords, her words chanting and summoning the divine for a favour.

The force of the breeze increased, just a note above its predecessor, Becca’s hair following its dance. 

She shut her eyes once more, her spell floating through her with plead. Her blood pumping rapidly through her veins, her magic swirled inside her the way a babe makes its presence known inside the womb.

As a humble servant, she called for balance, for strength, for help; to undo the chaos that had seeped its way through the earth, and to restore peace and heal Mother Nature from the disdain that was caused.

Her voice trembled within her throat, her body quivering from her words.

She reached for her runes, pulling three pieces; the gods were listening.

Becca continued with another breath slipping through her lips.

Dagger in hand, Freya’s urn sat in front of the young witch, its carcass void until soaked with drops of blood. 

She then removed her amulet, holding it by its golden chain as it slipped inside the cup.

The Celtic knots had joined the ritual; borrowing Finan’s cross, she offered it to the goddess for a blessing, begging for peace to the owner’s soul. And just like her stone, the cross slipped inside the urn, coated within the witch’s power.

Tears had started their act, staining the corners of her eyes before silently trailing down her flushed cheeks.

An itching started to carve itself on her back, emanating a wail which escaped her with shortened breaths. Her spell interrupted, she could feel her birthmark burning her skin in searing pain, the symbol glowing in ember.

They were testing her willingness to sacrifice, she thought.

She could feel it. 

The affliction deepened into her bone. She leaned forward, grasping at the hint of grass as her fingers dug through the earth with the muffled cries dripping through clenched teeth.

She could only push through - and so she did, with her heart racing, the muscle ached from the weight of the ritual.

She picked up wear she left off, calling for the gods once again in supplication. 

The wind still alive with fervour, wrapped its arms around her, somehow easing the sting she was imbued with.

And then, for a split of a second, she felt naked - as if her powers had gone into the void and disappeared.

The candles shut off as quiet surrounded her, eerie and deadly.

The pain covering her shoulder blade was dissipating though left a ghostly trace of ichor running down her back.

And then, nature’s voice came back; the water of the stream brushing the rocks, the leaves grazing the trees, the crickets creating their music. 

The wind had gone.

It was done.

Catching her breath, she sat back up with her head falling back. Her eyes met the night sky, the stars shining just a little bit brighter above her. 

From up above, she then turned her gaze down to her hands, etched in blood, as they rested on her dress.

She remained still for a moment, her mind empty from thoughts while her eyes never left the scarlet stained skirt. 

A little sniffle made it through the air, she rubbed her nose with the back of her hand, her cheeks dry from tears. 

Flapped wings caught her attention. 

Under the dark skies, she lifted her head up to meet a bird perched on a tree branch.

The falcon glanced downwards, its eyesight fixated on Becca; chills ran down her spine.

It then flew down, gravitating towards the god’s shrine where its sharp talons echoed against the stone as it marched towards the bowl full of honey.

A gentle song from its chest, she watched the predator bending over the offering, its eyes staring as its beak hovered above it, the sweet nectar filling its nose with delight.

One dip in, the bird then turned towards the bouquet.

The falcon lingered; between the ambrosia and the flowers, it did not seem offended by such gifts. 

Anticipation arose in the pit of her stomach. 

The animal then turned to her, tilted head as its sharp eyes stared at her with another song escaping its mouth. It was a gentle coo, melting into the night. 

Becca awaited patiently.

Then majestic wings spread wide and far apart, the falcon’s head lifted up, calling at the present constellations; she slightly jumped at the suddenness of its movement, but none the less remained put, still waiting for the final verdict.

The bird, giving its attention back to her, stepped forward with its claws still on the ground. It stood in front of the urn, the head falling to that direction before leaning towards the rim, the beak disappearing inside.

The strings of her amulet and cross came into her sight; attached to its mouth, the falcon dropped both necklaces onto the woman’s lap.

Her sacrifice had been accepted by her god, her connection to Freya established.

It watched her, noticing tears layered across her irises. It gave her one last song, an affectionate coo, before backing away.

It moved to the altar again, pecking at the honey another for taste, before flying away and disappearing into the woods.

Becca stared at the jewelry pieces that covered her hands, her emotions getting the best of her once again. 

She silently cried, overwhelmed by the events of her night. Her body growing heavier, she leaned forward until her forehead rested atop the wet grass with her arms wrapped around her stomach. She thanked the goddess, her whispers carried through another wave of gentle breeze, its hands drying her cheeks.

Once she felt well again, once relief was slowly grasping at her bones, she sat up and reached for the water bottle that rested inside her bag. She poured the liquid over her hands and dress, wanting to wash off any signs of the ritual before meeting up with Finan again as she did not want to scare him.

She cleaned her cuts, her stone, his cross, and proceeded to pick up her stuff, leaving the candles, honey and flowers behind.

She then undid her braid, removing the primroses that stood in there, and delicately placed them along side the bouquet. 

She took one last moment for herself and got up, ignoring the weakness in her knees.

       After almost digging a hole into the ground from his constant pacing, Finan finally saw her come back.

The suspense of waiting finally washing off him like a storm, ease gripped at him as he ran to her. The second she was at arm’s length, he pulled her in and curled his arms around her, nestling his nose into her hair.

And the second she was pressed against his chest, she dropped her bag, her arms instinctively wrapped around his waist, seeking comfort.

“Are ya alright?” He spoke with a soft undertone, the words almost muffled against her head.

“Mhmm.” It was all she could muster. He placed a kiss at the top of her head before pulling away slowly, wanting to look at her properly. “Is it done then?”

She nodded, exhausted.

“The empowerment ritual worked. All we have to do is wait for the call.” Her arms fell by the sides of her body as she offered him a tired smile. “She will let us know when it is time.”

Without a word, he leaned forward and pressed his forehead against hers. Heavy breaths out from his lungs, his thoughts were rapidly racing.

She felt the tension in his shoulders, the frown upon his brows. She did not move and only spoke, her voice low within his breath. “What are you thinking about? What’s on your mind?”

He took a moment before answering her. “You… You’re on my mind.” He broke the embrace, wanting to look at her again. The worry was palpable, tingling at her fingertips as they ran through his hair before settling across his jawline, stroking his beard. “She’ll find us out, won’t she?”

Becca nodded, her hues glued to his own; she could never tire of his eyes, of their emotional depth. “She will, and to be honest, I don’t care.” She quickly kept going, having seen his lips pursed to speak up. “They accepted my offering, Finn. I’m in.”

Sadness still rested in his brown’s, breaking her heart. She slid her arms to rest around his neck, brushing his nose with hers. She spoke softly. “Trust me. Have faith in me.”

“I do, Bex.” He kissed her, a simple stroke of his lips against hers. “I just don’t want all of this to take you away from me.”

Her doubts were crawling back into her mind, small whispers blowing through the wind, taunting her unworthiness to the cause. Day and night they haunted her, but after tonight, she had hoped they would vacate and vanish into thin air.

Another stroke of lips to lips, she lingered into him, tightening her hold around his neck as she felt his fingers digging into her waist, desperate.

Same as her.

And so she reluctantly pulled away, her hands trailing down to rest on his chest. Heartache in her stare, she looked up at him, her emotions seeping through her voice. “I know. And I don’t want all of this to take you away from me either.”

“God, I love you.” He kissed her once more, the caress harsher and held with anguish as he clung to her.

She fell into his embrace, her knees buckling under the weight of the world. Her fingers grasped onto the fabric of his jacket, knuckles whitened at her strength. With a hint of despair, the melancholic feeling crippling her, she whispered her own declaration, her own feelings for him pouring out of her. “I love you too.”

He pulled away, his thumb tracing over her swollen lips. “I know ya tell me not to be worried. But I can’t help it… What if it’s not enough?”

She smiled at him, a simple and small upward curve from her left side. “Then I’ll find another way.” She was pushing through her fear - for him. “I’ll do whatever it takes. I’m not giving up.”

A moment of silence hugged them close. His eyes trailed from her own, down to her lips before settling over her amulet, the purple stone remaining in the dark without its glow, coupled with his cross.

He smiled.

“It suits you.” 

She reached for the lace of the necklace and pulled it off, the golden crucifix shimmering under the moonlight. 

“I like it better on you.” She placed the item around his neck, the cross resting on top of shirt. 

He kissed her forehead once again, both of them ready to leave and head back to the cottage.

Stepping back to the car, she stopped herself at the ghostly sound tickling her ears. She peered around her, not seeing anything despite the haunting calls.

Furrowed brows, she turned her head back to Finan. “Are you hearing this?”

“Hearing what, love?”

She tried to decipher the noise, her eyes searching all around; her arm stretched towards him, she was reaching for him out of instinct. He quickly came to her, holding her hand while she remained elsewhere, her focus devoted to the faint calls.

A slight gasp escaped her.

“A babe, I think? I thought I heard a child…”

Finan looked around as well, confused. “There is no one but us.”

She shook the sound away, giving her notice back to the present as she started walking.

But once again, she stopped; a crinkle, a crunch of steps upon leaves pulled her away. Her hand still holding on to Finan’s, her halt echoed to him. He turned to see her back at him, her sight facing the woods. 

A pair of golden flecks caught her attention. She stared into them until the figure came out of the shadows.

A wolf was staring at her, a mother with her cub. Her heart stopped, the colour of her cheeks draining.

How could she have known that her spell had summoned the animal, the distant call having been carried by the wind across the forrest? She stood still, forgetting for a moment where she was; Finan noticed, giving him worry. “Bex?”

She could not hear him, her focus solely placed on the gentle beast.

The cub, playful in its small size, was running between its mother’s legs and nibbling at her paws, her fur, anything to attract her attention. The longer Becca stared between both wolves, she could feel her heart starting to pick up its pace, racing against her chest as her breath was unable to leave her lungs. 

“Becca?” Finan tried to follow her stare but saw nothing but void. 

Only when he squeezed her hand, did she seem to have propelled back into reality. “Is everything okay? What were you staring at?”

Her eyes had remained on the mother, until the wolf nodded her way and disappeared with her babe in toe.

They held many meanings, representing two sides of the same coin. The question was, which side would befall on the witch and her lover?

“N-Nothing.” She turned back to him, shaking off the ill feeling creeping on her back.  She placed her free hand on her stomach, swallowing the burdening nausea that left her perturbed. 

Meeting Finan’s gaze, she gave him a reassuring smile, desperate to leave.

“Let’s go home.”

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

a/n: for those who watched BTVS S6E01 (Bargaining), the urn described in the chapter is pretty much based on that one :)

xoxo,

@fangirlninja67, @gemini-mama

#the last kingdom #finan #finan x oc #tlk fanfic #finan fanfic #finan the agile #tlk #mark rowley #finan fic #tlk fic #the last kingdom fanfic #Photo by Ksenia Yakovleva on Unsplash #the last kingdom fic #finan x ofc

[countrymusiclover]

16 - You Only Live Once

Part 17

Gemini Runaway

Tag list ask to be added @dragonixfrye @secretdreamlandmentality

Opening my eyes I glanced around seeing that I was in some kind of store with an isle full of bourbon. Walking down the aisle I was confused as to how and what this place I needed up was exactly. I could hear someone chewing where I peaked my head around the corner seeing a guy with black hair and dark eyes. “I can feel you staring at me girl. Why not just show yourself fully.”

“Who the hell are you?” I kept my distance from him but walked out where he could see me all the way. There was something familiar about him I just couldn’t put my finger on it.

He chewed some chips from his bag. “Sorry manners, I’m Kai Parker. Pork Rind, now who exactly are you?”

“You’re Jo’s twin brother?” I blurted out feeling completely nervous around him now more than ever.

He stopped chewing his food, swaying the bag towards me, smirking up at me. “You know Josette, huh. How is she after she helped send me to this prison world. Now can I please know your name?”

“I’m not telling you anything, Kai.” I growled at him.

He quickly got to his feet grabbing my hands where I winced feeling him siphoning my magic with his hands turning red. “I thought we could do this the nice way but I guess not.”

I closed my eyes tightly seeing Esther performing her spell to kill her children until I grabbed her forearms. “Magia tollux de terras!” I declared gasping sharply feeling her energy running through her, but it was a lot more than I was ever used to.

"What the hell. You're a siphon too." Kai gasped before I drew my hands back, throwing him with my magic before everything went black.

Shooting my eyes opened I screamed frantically looking around the room seeing that I was back in one of the rooms of the Mikaelson mansion. Someone vamped in front of me holding my shoulders where I shot my gaze to the person meeting the blue orbs that belonged to Klaus. “Nik….oh my good. Where is he…where’s Kai!”

“Easy Raelyn. Just breathe for me.” He instructed me.

Shaking my head I gripped the bedsheets in my fingers with my chest heaving up and down still utterly terrified. “No, I saw him. Jo’s brother…it was in his prison world somehow. He’s gonna come after me, Nik!”

“Rae, stop for a second. Who the bloody hell is Kai. I don’t know who you are talking about.” He raised his brows at me clearly not following me.

“He’s not here….was I dead. I ….passed out with your blood in my system didn’t I?”

Klaus moved one his hands up wiping away fallen tears hating to see me cry. But it scared the living hell out of him to hear her almost on the edge of dying and not coming back either. “No you didn’t die. I rushed you back here and thankfully I got some blood in you before your heart gave out or you would have been in transition. Can you just take some deep breaths in and out for me. I’d like you to not be blaring your heart in my ear, sweetheart.”

“Uh sure sorry.” I gulped doing what he said slowly taking in some breaths feeling my heart and just chest not being as tight as they once were.

He kisses my forehead pulling my head into his chest where I gripped the dog tag necklace sniffing through some more tears staining part of his gray shirt. “That’s my girl. You’re here with me. There’s no Kai here.”

“Thank you…I knew your mother wanted me dead just like all the other witches. Why did I think that she was going to accept me. The only reason my family does is because if they don’t then they will all die.” I drew my head back yanking my brothers necklace off, tossing it across the room where it hit the wall a little harshly. “That’s all I’m good for now keeping my insane Coven alive…keeping my cousins that I actually like their company alive. I don’t need to bother with magic anymore!”

Klaus snapped his head back at me eyeing the jewelry on the floor of the bedroom. He knew very clearly that the witch in front of him cared for that jewelry more than anything else in the world. It being the only piece of her brother that she had left. “Hey now, Raelyn. What has gotten into you. You aren’t dead or just meant to be tortured by your Coven. Now what is this about if you die then the rest of them do hmm?”

“That’s the reason my uncle forced me into the Merge with my brother. If my uncle dies then everybody in our coven does. He was so paranoid about that so he forced me and Jacob to do the traidion. Which basically now makes me the leader but I haven’t accepted the role yet so if I don’t become the leader before he’s gone…then I’ll die regardless.”

Klaus cradled my face in his hands resting his forehead against mine sucking in a deep breath. “You aren’t dying, Raelyn. You are going to live a long and adventurous life. I will ensure that it happens.”

“You can’t guarantee that, Nik-“

He shook his head giving me a serious look before getting to his feet picking up my necklace vamping behind me on the bed. “I will do whatever I have to so you can have the life you didn’t get to have. As for this necklace I don’t want you to ever take it off again, Rae. It is a part of you as much as Jacob is.” He moved his fingers slowly around my neck, clipping the jewelry back on not dropping his hands until I shifted my weight around seeing that we were so close.

“What do you see in me, Nik. I mean everyone else here besides you, Bex and Caroline see me as the bad guy. I mean I was almost excluded by my entire coven until my uncle became so desperate that he couldn’t wait for his damn children to grow up. So I have to ask, "why choose me?”

He blinked, giving me a weak smile grabbing my hands in his that we’re just laying in my lap. “There’s a light in you that makes me want to be better. That makes me want to be able to offer you the entire world so that you and I could go and do whatever we want. I fancy you, Raelyn Lane. You’re beautiful, intelligent, fierce, with a heart bigger than the sun. You make me consider being human and that has only happened one other time in my immortal life.”

“Wow, I…I don’t know what to say…” I gasped at a loss for words, smiling through some tears at his way with words.

Klaus rose to his feet offering me his hand and I placed my hand in his, letting him tug me up to stand on my feet for the first time. “You don’t have to say anything, Raelyn. What I want to do is let me take you out tonight. There’s some special things I must show you while we don’t have my mother chasing after our lives.”

“Another date. What do you have planned this time?” I asked following him until he opened the closet door, grabbing a duffel bag that had some clothes inside, slinging it over his shoulder.

He smiled, dragging me out of the house where it was almost nightfall again meaning that I had been passed out for a while longer than the last time I passed out from using magic. He vamped us out into the middle of the woods where it was sunset that was breaking through the tree line. He dropped the bag at his feet, removing the dog tag necklace placing it in my palm. “Keep that for me until this is over.”

“Until what is over. What did we come out here for?” I questioned eyeing the bag at my feet watching the hybrid in front of me closely.

Klaus smirked before I watched his bones quickly start breaking. “You wanted to see my wolf form, love….urgh!” He grunted collapsing onto the ground when his legs gave out and his back broke quickly where I shuttered, never seeing something like this.

“Klaus…” I almost used a spell on him, raising my hand to stop him. But his body completely transformed into a wolf before I had any time. Hanging my mouth opened my eyes skimmed over his new form. He had turned into a black fur werewolf that stood in front of me on all fours. “Nik, can you still hear me in there?”

The black wolf walked forward where I bent down my knees reaching forward with my right hand holding my palm out to him. He pressed his wet nose into my hand, nuzzling it gently tilting his head to the side at me like it was confused.

“Dic mihi, hva du vet.” I mumbled placing my hand on his head hoping that the spell would still work on a werewolf mind.

“Yes, I can still hear you.” His thoughts entered my mind, making me smile.

I laughed running my fingers through his fur seeing his long black tail wagging behind him where he laid down and placed his head in my lap. “Awe you are just like a dog, Nik.”

“I’m a hybrid.” He growls into my head.

I corrected myself, still smiling down at him letting my fingers lazily keep running through his soft fur. “Oh my bad. I meant to say, "my wolf.”

Klaus nuzzles his head closer to my chest listening to my calm heartbeat since his senses were even stronger when he was in this form. He was also on guard making sure nothing was coming for them even though he knew the witch could take care of herself. “The nights not over yet, Rae. Watch out for a moment.”

Getting to my feet I stepped away from him watching his werewolf form disappear slowly and Klaus to return to his human form, only naked to my surprise. “Oh geez - uh here.” I tossed him the bag turning almost as red as blood in the face.

“Ah don’t forget, love. I can hear that sweet heartbeat of yours.” He teased me where I peaked quickly seeing that he was shrugging on his jeans reaching down for the shirt.

Running my fingers through my hair I couldn’t help it when he does that. I already imagined kissing him too much then I should. “Can you not do that please. I already told you that you drive me crazy enough without thinking about you shirtless and everything.”

“Yes I’m aware. But I do enjoy seeing you blush on occasion.” He responded into my ear making me suck in a breath biting my lip when he intertwined our hands together turning me around to face him.

Loosening the grip on the necklace in my hand, opening my palm holding it out to him. “Here this is yours.” Raising my other hand I was actually surprised that it lifted into the air meaning that it had magic inside.

He bends his head down letting me magically put the necklace around his neck sending me a smile. “Thank you, Rae. Now do you trust me?”

“Of course. Why what are you about to do?” I asked, feeling my heart skip a beat in curiosity at whatever he had planned next.

He squeezed my hand in his wrapping his arms around my waist as tightly as possible but nothing enough to break my bones. Gripping his gray Henley shirt without a second thought meeting his soft gaze. “Then hang on tight. Close your eyes and don’t open them until I tell you to.”

Doing as I was told I pressed my face against his chest feeling my hair get thrown around in such fast speed and my feet were lifted off the ground for a brief moment. I could hear some traffic noise meaning that we must have been back in town but I didn’t open my eyes asking him. “Can I open them yet?”

“In a moment there’s a surprise you’ll enjoy.” He whispered in my ear making me shiver being able to tell that his hands were moving mine up and then he rested his hands on my waist. “Now, open them Raelyn.”

Blinking my eyes open I chuckled immediately crying happily out of such awe and excitement at what was before me. We could see almost the entire town of Mystic Falls, making me glance over our shoulders seeing the clock behind us meaning we were at the top of the clock tower. “This is incredible. I’ve never been this high up before. It’s like flying.”

“I thought you would like it. This is my gift to you to show you that you have an entire world at your fingertips. No matter what your witch Coven says to you. And we can have all the adventures we want to have together.” He explained where I kept my hand holding his shirt seeing his gaze shift from my eyes then down to my lips.

Leaning forward up on my toes I wasn’t afraid that I might not fall off the tower while being in his embrace. He leans down, closing the gap having our lips finally meet together. My hands ran up his chest wrapping around his neck deepening the kiss that started out as anything but slow. He tugged me closer to his chest cradling one his hands on my cheek until one of my hands tangled in his curly blonde locks tugging on them making him moan pulling back when my heart began thumping loudly in his ears. “I will go anywhere with you, Klaus Mikaelson.”

“And I am with you, Raelyn Lane.” He declares smirking down at me seeing the genuine grin on my face and the wind blowing through my blonde hair where he wanted to live in this moment forever.

Pulling his lips back down onto mine with my hands on the back of his neck I moaned when he tugged on some strands of my hair. I moved one of my hands down to tug on his shirt, getting excited that this was finally happening and no one was here to stop us. “Wait…what…what is it?”

“Easy Rae. We don’t have to do everything in one night. I want to take my time with you.” Klaus broke the kiss moving his other hand up so he was cradling my face in his hands again.

Draping my arms over his shoulders I sighed asking him for one more. “Give me one more kiss. And mark my words I’ll be holding you to every time you kiss me it’s just as intense as that one. Can you promise me that, Nik.”

“I absolutely can.” He tugs me back by my jeans, crashing his lips down onto mine with my throwing my arms around his neck grinning into the kiss.

Comments really appreciated ❤️

#gemini runaway #klaus mikaelson x reader fanfiction #klaus mikaelson fic #klaus mikaelson x oc #klaus mikaelson x witch reader #klaus mikaelson x reader #klaus mikaelson x reader fluff #caroline forbes #joseph morgan #kai parker #jo parker #siphon witch #gemini coven #tvd siphon #tvd #tvdu #tvd fic #tvd fanfiction #tvd fandom #tvd universe #tvd klaus #the original hybrid #wattpad fanfiction #ask box is open for feedback #comments really appreciated #esther mikaelson #elijah mikaelson #kol mikaelson #rebekah mikaelson #damon salvatore

[sugarpearsao3]

ZoSan fantasy AU

Sanji comes from a an imperial family of Wizards and Witches. At 8yrs old they're taken to choose a familiar. 

 Except the Vinsmokes didn't bring Sanji. The 3 brothers dropped him from the carriage in the middle of the forest, where he met an injured and starving tiger... Who turns out to be part of an ancient and near-extinct magical species. 

 One of the only familiar type-creatures that could manifest a human form

And so Sanji fed and took care of the tiger even tho he himself was banged up from being thrown off the carriage. During a hard, rainy day, the little blonde boy would hide under the roots of an old tree, and a green, tiger cub would curl around him for warmth

Sanji wouldve miraculously made it to the nearby kingdom where the vinsmokes would be residing. He was just a child. Where else would he have gone if not to his "family"? 

 Except, this time he came with a green cub... One that Judge noticed right away

Judge recognized the cub's origins right away and took him from Sanji. The green tiger growled, wriggled, and scratched, trying his best to get out of the Warlock's grasp.

 "Father, where are you taking him!?" Little Sanji would cry

But the two were separated. That night, Reiju told Sanji that his tiger cub would be sent to a magic institution to be studied and tamed. "B-but... He's mine!"

Reiju then told Sanji of their father's plans to lock Sanji away forever. She told him to run and never come back. That same night, Sanji escaped the Vinsmoke family with a green cub beside him.

The little boy and the peculiar tiger would wander through the forests hiding from sight. Sanji would hold the cub close when humans passed by. "Don't show yourself, stupid! They'll take you away!"

It wasn't until Sanji came across a coven of witches who called themselves Kamabakka when he stopped being a wanderer. The coven's leader, Ivan, would ask Sanji...

"And why would your father lock you away, Sanji-boy?" 

 And Sanji would say it's bcuz he was weak. He fell behind. He was nothing like his brothers who were top notch wizards in making. Ivan would blink, and then he would laugh...

"It's because you're not a wizard!" The coven leader cackled, their form intimidating amidst the harsh storm and muddy road. The tiger cub would growl, standing protectively in front of the little boy. "You're a witch."

13 yrs later, a dark-haired boy with a scar under his eye would wander too deep into the forbidden forest. With him an orange haired thief and a long-nosed archer. 

 "Do you know where you are?" A voice would call from the depths of the woods.

The boy blinked and squinted into the forest. "Luffy!" The thief cried in fear, "We should leave!" 

 "No one ever leaves the forbidden forest alive!" The archer shook, terrified. "A coven of witches lives here!"

Suddenly, in the darkness came an emerald glow and golden glow. Gentle footsteps sounded as someone approached with a cat-like walk. And in came to view a beautiful blonde man with a large, terrifying green tiger in tow. But most importantly, this man had on a traditional witch's hat. "My name is Sanji and this is Zoro," the man breathed in a drag from his smoking pipe and rested his hand on one hip. "Get the fuck out of our forest."

Then the emerald tiger would release a roar so mighty that it shook the very ground they stood upon. 

 But the dark-haired boy was unphased. In fact, he smiled. "Sanji and Zoro, eh?" He'd laugh and continue, "Join my party!"

.

.

.

END

I'm just thinking about witch Sanji sitting cross-legged on top of the gigantic tiger Zoro. Zoro transforming with a magic whisp of emerald glow, suddenly human with the pretty blonde on his arms

The bond between a witch and their familiar... They further Zoro goes away from Sanji the weaker he becomes. Zoro can also give Sanji a healing boost along with his strength. They need each other to fight

But where does Zoro come from? Why was an ancient, magical beast cub just shivering in the forest? What was Judge really gonna use him for? It all lies in the secret of what happened 800 years ago

Normal beast familiars are there to boost you. They're mostly used for combat, but magic-based familiars can buff you. But, Zoro's an ancient and rare familiar. Not only does he have a human form, but he can heal you with physical contact and vice versa

#one piece #zoro #sanji #luffy #roronoa zoro #vinsmoke sanji #sugarpearsdrabble #fanfiction #fanfic

[notinthislife50]

Chapter 16

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

Sorry Dean

Dean woke content. But his sleepy smile suddenly vanished when he realised you had gone. As he sat up in bed,  he sighed sadly. Sam watched his brother’s pain, but he knew you too were in pain  and he knew you had to deal with it. Dean Winchester was your life how could you come to terms with him throwing his away. Dean and Sam had picked up a hunt, some tooth fairy witch bullcrap. You felt like a bad friend when Sam texted you updates about him and Dean and any cases they were doing. You didn't want to hear about Dean but you did want to know they were both safe. Ellen and Jo watched you closely. They had tried everything to make you smile,  even Brad and the customers had tried to cheer you up. But your heart and soul was broken. Then came a message you never thought you would receive. " I need you. Sam is working with a demon. Dean" You chuckled a bit when you saw he had signed his name them you started to cry. Did he really think you could delete his number. You sighed and packed a bag. As you walked out of your room you made your way to Ellen, "It's Sam” you bit your lip trying to hold back your tears. "You got this or do you need someone?" she asked. "I got it" you whispered unsure. Ellen hugged you tight. "Love you" "Love you too" you squeezed back. As Dean throw water on his face trying to understand what the hell was happening between him and Sam a knock came at the door. Sam cocked his gun and slowly made his way over to the door. "banana hammock" you said loudly. "Seriously,  you called y/n?" Sam spat.. "Well you won't listen to me " Dean shrugged "but you seem to take on board what she thinks." "you do know I can hear you guys whispering and it's fucking freezing out here so open the fucking damn door before I kick it in" you tried to sound menacing. The two brothers burst out laughing and when Sam finally opened the door, you walked in and slapped him on the shoulder. "What was that for?" Sam pouted,  rubbing his arm. "Your lucky I can't reach that big ole head of yours otherwise it would have been up there. Keep me outside in the cold huh?” "Well in my defense,  I didn't know it was you" he tried to explain. "Don't make me hit you again, you knew it was me." You huffed throwing your bag on to the bed. You marched back towards Sam and slapped him again. "Y/n what the hell" he yelled. "hell no Sammy" you pointed at him "you will take what I give you. " You looked so angry that Sam sat on the bed like a scolded child.

"A fucking demon Sammy, a demon. And your meant to be the brains of the group" you continue pacing on the spot rubbing your temples, trying not to cry. "Excuse me" Dean quipped. "Not your turn " you raised your eyebrows and pointed at him “and we all know Sam is the brains and your the eye candy" Yea well what does that make you?" Dean snorted. "Well I'm not part of the group,  am I?" you spat. Dean now realising how angry you actually were thought it best not to make any more jokes and sat on the other side of the bed with his head lowered. You turned to Sam "Well I'm listening,  taking advice from demons,  running around just offing people.” "Not physically” Sam argued. You shot him a look which caused him to shrink back. "Tell me why Sam" you rubbed your hands down your face “please tell me there is a good excuse. You slumped on to the bed beside him. “this isn't you” you all but whimpered. "Well your gone, Dean only has a few months left,  who else do I have to stay here with in a crap hole of a world, I'm alone.” Sam blabbered on about turning in to Dean you turned to Dean and could see the guilt he was carrying. But as soon as you turned to give Sam a telling off. Dean groaned in pain and fell to the floor. You ran over to him "bulldog" you whispered not even realising the nickname that came out of your mouth. "Sam what the hell is going on?" your tried to remain calm. "The coven" Dean whimpered "it has to be" Sam shot up and started ripping the room apart. You held on to Dean. "I swear to god Dean Winchester if you die I'm gonna hurt you " you warned. As Dean tried to laugh he shot up,  blood spitting out his mouth. "Sam?" you voice panicking. "I'm looking " Sam's tone remained the same. Dean was struggling to breath and you held him "I got you,  you're okay.” You soothed. “you're okay” "Try the mattress " you pleaded, but Sam was already ripping it apart. "It's not here" he shouted. Dean gasped in your arms and slumped down. "Dean please no" you pleaded with him. Your head shot up in shock as Sam ran out the door. "Sam" you screamed after him. As Deans breath shallowed you begged him "Dean please don't leave me. I need you. Please." you begged. You felt yourself being thrown to the side. And saw Ruby grab Dean. "Get the fuck off him bitch" you jumped towards her. As you both fought she sighed “I don't have time for this” and she threw you against the wall, you head hitting it with a bang knocking you out. As she grabbed Dean,  she threw him on the bed spilling a liquid substance down his throat. "After this you two never get to call me bitch again" As Dean breathing came back to normal he ran to you. "Hey" he gently stroked your face "y/n." "Did you have to knock her out?" he snapped. "Do you think she would let me cure you?" she barked back “she's fucking strong or crazy I haven't decided” "Dean" you whispered "how?" "Me" Ruby answered "I told you, I'm on your side" "What was that stuff and why did it taste like ass?" Dean asked helping you to your feet checking you over. "It's called witchcraft " Ruby answered then walked out the door, neither of you paying much attention. As Dean continued to check every inch of you, you grabbed his face and kissed him "I was so scared Dean" tears running down your face. "Me too sweetheart" he kissed you back. You both stood in each others arms. Relived and thankful you both were given back time. "Are you staying?" Dean whispered unsure. "I'm staying" you wept and you both kissed again. Meanwhile Sam was losing his battle against the demon. As he was pressed up against the wall Dean rushed in only for him to be to be also thrown against the wall. "2 for the price one 1" the demon smirked. "Wait Ruby answered "let me serve you again." As Dean shot Sam a dirty look it was quickly changed to a smirk when the two ladies started to talk. Only Dean Winchester could be turned on in a moment like this,  you rolled your eyes. Your attention was quickly brought back when the two demons stated fighting each other. While they were distracted you grabbed the girl and dragged her to the sofa. You pressed your finger against your lips and pointed at yourself  "Good guy, I'm human, show me what she taught you on how to get rid of the others" you whispered. The girl then started her spell. When the demon started to choke, Sam and Dean feel to the ground. As the demon turned to look at you both she raised her hand and smirked and just as she was about to snap her fingers Dean grabbed the knife and stabbed her repeatedly.  As her body fell to the floor he turned to you. " You all okay?" You hadn't realised you had grabbed the girl and threw her under you.

"No" her voice muffled.

"All good" you nodded looking at Dean furrowing your eyebrows at him when you noticed him raising his own at you and smirking,  you scolded him “fuck sake Winchester is there anything that doesn't turn you on?“

“when it come to you, no” he smoothly replied and you felt yourself going red. 

"Samme" Dean shouted. "Yea all good" Sam wheezed. Dean grabbed Sam and they made their way over to you. You walked past Dean and extended your hand. Ruby looked for a second confused and you nodded once. As you helped her to her feet. You let go of her hand. "Thank you" you said. "But this doesn't mean I trust you" "Same” she shot back. "Now go,  I'll clean this mess up.” She motioned towards the door. You three checked in to a motel far way as possible. Sam was in the bathroom and you turned to Dean. "I'm just gonna fill Ellen in" grabbing your phone but as you went to hop of the bed Dean grabbed you pulling you back down. "Promise to come back?" "Will you make it worth my while?" you smirked.

He kissed you hard. "I guess that's a yes" you laughed "I'll be 10 mins" you kissed his nose and went to phone Ellen. Just as soon as your were about to hit call the lights flickered and your hair stood up. You put your phone away and looked across the car park to see Ruby. " thought we had seen the last of you " you said flatly. And she just smiled. "So all demons were humans? " you asked her. "Once” she said "that's what happens in hell, people forget who they are. She continued. As you stood in thought she looked at you and said “the answer is yes " "What answer?" knowing what she meant but also not wanting to know what she meant. “It's what will happen to Dean. It might take awhile but it will happen he will turn in to a demon.” "I will save him' you stated "You can't save him but you can help Sam get ready" She replied "Get ready for what?" You questioned. "He needs to be able to stab someone the way Dean did the way you do, you have to show him,  if we are going win." "And why do you want us to win" you questioned. "Cause I remember what's it’s like to be human " Ruby sighed. As she went to walk away you shouted after her. "I will save him,  no-one should doubt that" and then she vanished. You went back in to the motel room and locked the door. You looked at Dean for a minute who was watching the TV and your heart broke. "You okay? " he asked breaking you put of your trance. "Yea of course just been a long day. “You forced yourself to smile.. "I know the cure for that" he opened his arms wide waiting for you to crawl in to them. You climbed in beside him wrapped your body around his. You needed to feel his every curve and smell his scent you needed to. "Should have called you koala instead of Pikachu” he laughed. "Just remember I'm in the room" Sam warned from the other bed. "Like you'll let us forget " Dean laughed. Dean turned off the TV and snuggled down holding you tightly back. "Night he whispered kissing you gently "love you" "Love you" you replied you eyes wide opened,  you knew you were never gonna have a good night sleep again.

#dean winchester #deanwinchester #dean winchester supernatural #dean supernatural #dean fluff #dean smut #deanwinchestersmut #dean winchester fluff #dean winchester fanfic #dean winchester smut #deanwinchester x reader #dean winchester fic #deanwinchester x you #deanwinchester x y/n

[turkeyinnovember]

The Owl Falls AU

Gravity Falls X The Owl House crossover

Except the entire Gravity Falls is on the Boiling Isles.

AU explanation:

Gravity Falls is a small lumber town near the knee. Not many knew of the place, and it's not on any maps. The main reason people visit is for The Mystery Shack.

For some reason, no one in Gravity Falls seemed to have a sigil? Hmm. For some reason, every time the Emperor sends people over, they wake up outside of the town with their memory erased and riches robbed.

...

Ford was the genius twin who got the offer from the Emperor's Coven. Stan was going to be the dumb twin that gets left behind.

He took a walk outside. He headed towards the place he always goes when he's upset, the swing sets. A bald man in a gray suit shoved a potion bottle in his hands and disappeared. Confused he stared at the liquid in his hands, when his brother jump scared him.

"Hey, Stan." He began.

"Woah!" Stan couldn't keep his balance, the bottle flew out of his hands, "Sixer!"

The glass shattered and the liquid drenched them. Ford had a frightened look, "Stanley? What does it do?"

"I- I don't know!" Stan panicked, he didn't like how scared his brother had looked, so he lied, "I'm sure it's nothing though. You're not feeling any physical discomfort?"

"No..." Ford replied hesitantly.

"Then trust me, I'm the potion master here after all."

"Hey! I'm just as good!"

...

"What do you mean the branding glove didn't work on you?!" Their father's voice boomed. He gripped Ford's wrist and examined it.

"Dad?" Ford chewed on his lips, "You're hurting me."

He snapped out of his trance and let go of Ford's hand. He turned to Stan. "Stanley Pines. What did you do?!"

"Why do you assume it me?! I didn't do anything..." Stan couldn't help but trailed off. Could it have been the potion?

His twin seemed to have realized the same thing. He stared at Stan with horror-filled eyes.

"Stanley... What was in that potion?"

"That wasn't-" Stan hadn't brewed that potion, how was he to know what's in it? But that bald guy- If he could find him again-

"So you did do something!" Filbrick gripped Stan's collar.

"I didn't!" It knocked him out of his thoughts. His face flushed red with.. Well, he wasn't sure if it was from anger, embarrassment, or suffocation.

"Stanley! What's in that potion?!" Stan could hear his brother's cries.

"I don't know, I don't know!" Big, ugly tears fell out and onto the floor. The lack of oxygen is getting to his brain, the ringing in his ears grew louder and blocked out their words.

"You ignoramus!" Filbrick let go and Stan collapsed to the floor, desperately trying to catch his breath. He dried his tears, the rough fabric of his sleeves reddening his face and leaving behind a scorching pain.

"Your brother was going to be in the Emperor's Coven and earn our family fame and power! All you ever do is lie and cheat, and ride on your brother's coattails. Well, I've had enough." He threw Stan a duffel bag. "You are not welcomed in this household until you make us millions."

"What?!" Stan couldn't believe his ears, "Sixer! Tell him he's bein' crazy!"

Filbrick turned. Purple goop swarmed out of the bottle he carried and pushed Stan out of the door. It slammed in his face. He stumbled off the front porch and saw his brother watching from the windows.

"Sixer?"

The curtains closed.

Cold dread in his heart turned into fuel, and anger burned brighter and brighter in his heart.

"Fine. Fine!" He muttered, summoning his staff, "I can make it on my own! I don't need you, I don't need anyone! I'll make millions and you'll rue the day you turned your back on me!"

...

Ford hadn't been able to find a stable job just yet, and he was accompanying some merchants on their way to the top of the Knee when he was caught in a blizzard.

He stumbled upon the town of Gravity Falls.

Ford began to notice strange things about the town. Animals like fire bees or skin-stealing fairies that can be found almost everywhere on the Isles are nowhere to be found in Gravity Falls. However, there are creatures like floating eyeballs or scampfires never seen in any other place.

He had saved up a good amount of money, so he decided to settle down and investigate the rare findings in Gravity Falls.

He found friends that aided him along the way like Boyish-Dan, and Fiddleford McGucket.

There was also his muse. His muse came to him with the concept of an interdimensional portal to continue his studies. But Ford was not gifted in mechanics.

Fortunately, his good friend Fiddleford was exactly that. According to his muse, the magic properties of the materials he used will fasten the construction process of the portal greatly, but larger areas will take longer to produce, Ford's solution to that problem was to "borrow" from an UFC crash cite.

Building the portal was mostly a success, but the portal test was a disaster.

Ford had only realized his mistakes after his partner left, did what he could, and called up the last person he could trust.

But none of them could hold their problems together, and Ford ended up on the other side of the portal. The Nightmare Realm.

He traveled through dimensions, looking for a way to defeat Bill Cipher, while his brother took his identity and was frantically trying to bring him back.

The magical supplies were easier to obtain than the ones needed to repair the metal parts of the portal. What is cobalt? What is titanium?

Eda informed him that these are materials from the human realm.

Years later, Stan heard the tragic news of his sibling, Shermie's death, and that his niece and nephew are being sent his way.

They go through one hell of a summer, brought his brother back in the process, and defeated the monster that has been tormenting his brother.

They had been able to live in peace for about a year or two before they moved out of Gravity Falls and into Bonesborough. They left The Mystery Shack in Soos' hands.

-----

Notes:

There are age alterations in my AU, I want Stan and Ford to be about the same age as the Coven heads. So they are 15 when Stan was kicked out, 24 during the portal accident, and 44 when Dipper and Mabel came to Gravity Falls.

Stan specializes in Plants, Potions, and Illusions. Although he still punch as a first resort.

Ford focuses on Potions and Beastkeeping. He's no longer skilled in magic because most of the dimensions he traveled to cause his magic to act randomly and out of control. After he returned, he picked up only the ones beneficial to his studies on the creatures of Gravity Falls.

(His magic is healing. Just like his brother's memories)

Mabel mainly focuses on Beastkeeping and Healing, while Dipper is more talented in Oracle and Illusions. Though, Potion talents run in the family. Back when Hexside didn't allow multi-track, Mabel chose Beastkeeping and Dipper went with Oracle. They took lessons from their Uncles for their other tracks like Illusions or Potions.

Soos is the only healer in the entire Mystery Shack. He does use Plant magic sometimes.

I don't think anyone has taken the name "The Owl Falls" for an AU, but please let me know if it is.

Feel free to ask any questions! I love figuring stuff out.

#gravity falls #the owl house #crossover #the owl falls #mabel pines #dipper pines #stan pines #ford pines #one of the main reasons i watched the owl house #is to make a crossover

[sevensistersofsussex]

5 Favorite & Least favorite characters of The Orginals and why?

Oh dear anon.

I do wish I could give you a real answer on this, but I haven't actually seen The Originals. The first season, but that's it. I could give you better answers about The Vampire Diaries (favorite and least favorite characters, ships, friendships etc.) if you wanted but I can do my best based on like 20 episodes of watching season one. And with the caveat that maybe some of what I liked or didn't like would change with the coming seasons.

Favorite (in no order)

Davina - Can't blame her for how she acted during the sacrifice. I mean, I doubt she thought it would be so violent. I feel like a lot was withheld from her and the rest of the Harvest girls in general. She's young and naïve and has this rebellious streak where she doesn't seem to enjoy being told what to do. Good for her.

Rebekah - Not shocked that she brought Mikael to NOLA, shocked that Klaus gave his approval for her love life only after she made a move against him. Very bold and honestly, I would have supported her doubling down on her decision. Rebekah deserves to run NOLA.

Thierry - Idk. I just love his whole forbidden romance vibe with Katie at odds with his deep friendship with Marcel. I do wonder what he felt about the witches and how he justified his actions against them to Katie or maybe she wasn't okay with the Harvest either? Who knows. I just wish those two had left NOLA together to live their pretty people lives out somewhere in France.

Celeste - I get it, she's the villain. But honestly, love how deeply committed she was to her vendetta. That line she delivers to Elijah about how every woman he falls in love with from now on he has to wonder if it's her. Sick. I do love that for her. It is very Rumors album and I just have to clap at the level of commitment to ruining the Mikaelsons. And she could have done it to if it wasn't for those meddling kids! (Monique).

Sophie Deveraux - She just reminds me so much of Jenna. I was rooting for her to make it out of town! Trying to do what she thinks is the right thing and paying for it. She should have been around longer! It also would have been interesting to have her around as a love interest after Rebekah leaves.

Least Favorite (in no order)

Monique - Honestly, just the whole killing your aunt because you are a zealot kills my vibes. And then listing her as things you lost to the coven? Ma'am, you did that! Own it! Your mom, yes. Your aunt, no. Move on. The actress does a great job with that blank, nothing behind the eyes zealot thing. Kudos. It just feels like they wrote her character to fill in whatever they needed her to fill in, ya know?

Hayley - I just....she just...seems like such a different character than the one we got in TVD? Like when she made an impassioned plea on the life of innocents, I snort laughed. This from the same girl who (less than 6 months prior?) had bonded, trained and ultimately led to the slaughter 12 hybrids and then had sex with the man who did it? Idk...I guess I just thought she'd be way more ruthless and unfeeling about the causalities on her way to what she wants. Was the implication that impending motherhood softened her? Cause it shouldn't have. Imo, it should have hardened her. Amplified her cruel streak. That would have been interesting.

Cami - I almost hate to put her here cause I think she's got interesting stuff you know? Solving the mystery of her brother and dealing with her family's long history of complicity in the city. All very cool. But towards the end of season 1 I was just, not into her? Her morality seems to fluctuate and I'm just confused. Maybe the theme here is that Julie & Co don't write female characters with a perspective in mind, but rather what the male characters need from them?

Oliver - Honestly how cold blooded do you need to be to kill your old friend and then claim it was for the good of the pack? Another character that I'm just confused about what his motivation and perspective were. Working with the witches against Rebekah and Hayley (and by association his bff Jackson)? And also plotting against his own people to stage a coupe against said bff which idk about TVDU werewolves in a pack but I feel like the fight for alpha would be to the death and then what about your bestie? Huh! What about your bestie Ollie? Also he did my girl Rebekah dirty.

Marcel - I am sure this would change! Cause I adore him, truly. But why the hell did Rebekah leave town and he's all "It's my city" like he's Batman? The writers couldn't come up with a better reason why, after all this time, he finally gets the girl and he says no thanks I think I'll just stay here in this warehouse and get my best friend killed. Couldn't possibly rule a city in a different part of the country with my hot vampire wife! I am confused and a little salty about that so please forgive my bias. Was it really just the city? I know it all depended on the actors but come on! Give the man a better reason to deny the love of his life! It's giving me Season 3 Stefan "Go to Denver to resolve your feelings about my brother" Salvatore vibes.

#the originals #anon ask #davina claire #rebekah mikaelson #thierry vanchure #celeste dubois #sophie deveraux #monique deveraux #hayley marshall #cami o'connell #oliver #no last name #you lead rebekah on and your last name gets wiped #those are the rules #marcel gerard

[owlhouseismyhome]

I wrote a new fanfic!

Summary: Hunter can't sleep because all he can think about is missing Flapjack. And this chirping noise he keeps hearing isn't helping anything. So Hooty decides to help...with some sleeping nettles.

Read on A03 here

Or read below

Notes:

Contains MAJOR spoilers from season 3 episode 1

Trigger warning for implied/attempted abuse

Rating for that and language

Hunter rolls over in bed, unable to fall asleep. Well not as much as a bed as an old blanket Eda found. Eda cleaned out another closet for him and Gus to sleep in while the girls sleep in Luz’s room. Camila has her own room. King takes turns in the different rooms, claiming that each ‘sleep cocoon’ has a different degree of fluffiness. Hunter smiles, thinking about his little brother. In just a few months he’s gone from having no family to having 2 moms in Eda and Camila and several siblings in King, Vee, and Luz. And he is happy, but something is still missing. Flapjack. He struggles to hold back his tears as he thinks about him.

Hunter doesn’t want to wake up Gus by crying so he quietly slips out of the room and then the house. He sits against a nearby tree. It’s a clear, slightly cool night. Finally, he lets himself cry. He’s learned that it’s okay to cry in front of other people but he doesn’t want to bother anybody at this time of night. Why did it have to be Flapjack? It’s not fair, he’s the best palisman there ever was. He sobs until he can barely breathe.

Chirp chirp

Huh? Hunter whips his head around and sees nothing but the forest. His shoulders slump, of course it wasn’t Flapjack, he knows that isn’t possible. Now he feels even more miserable.

Chirp chirp

Hunter slams his fist into the ground.

“Stop it!” he sobs “stop tormenting me!”

He knows it’s stupid to yell at a random bird, but he’s angry. Not at the bird, but at the world- no, at Belos. It’s his fault.

Feeling anguished he screams into the sky, “Fuck you Belos! You took away my best friend! I hate you, I hate you, I hate you!” He knows Belos isn’t around right now but he continues to scream until his body is so racked with sobs he can’t make another sound.

“HEY BUDDY!” Hooty shouts in his face causing Hunter to jump up in surprise.

“What,” sob, “what are,” hiccup, “what are you doing?” Hunter stutters.

“Well I heard screaming, hoot hoot, so I came to check it out,” Hooty says while twisting around for some reason.

“Stop doing that,” Hunter groans, covering his eyes, “you’re making me dizzy.”

“Sorry friend!” Hooty stops twisting, “So what are you doing up? Those bags under your eyes tell me you need sleep, hoot hoot."

Hunter rolls his eyes, “Yeah, no shit. I’ve been trying, but I just keep thinking about…” He trails off.

Thankfully Hooty understands and does not press the issue for once. “Well, would some cookies make you feel better?”

Hunter shrugs, he knows it won’t help but he wouldn’t mind a cookie. Without saying anything Hooty races back to the owl house and returns with a plate of cookies decorated with his face. A bit creepy but a cookie is a cookie. Hunter takes a bite and frowns, something tastes funny.

“Where did you get these?” he asks.

“I made them myself hooty hoot!” Hooty shares proudly.

Hunter suddenly regrets eating it. How would Hooty even bake cookies? Suddenly his eyes begin to feel sleepy. “What did you put in the cookies, Hooty?” he asks wearily. Hooty begins sharing a long list of ingredients and finally mentions sleeping nettles. “What!?” Hunter exclaims “Those are gonna heighten my dreams and I already have enough damn nightmares!”

Hooty frowns, “I know, hoot hoot, but you really needed sleep.”

Hunter tries to protest but he immediately drifts off.

Hunter opens his eyes to his dreamworld. He sees a vision of him as a child, training with a coven scout.

“I’m bored!” The young Hunter complains.

The scout sighs, “Hunter we have to finish your training or the Emperor is gonna-” he stops mid-sentence.

Young Hunter tilts his head inquisitive, “He’s gonna do what?”

The scout hesitates, “Let’s just say…we’ll both get in trouble.”

Current Hunter cringes, he knows what that means, but he didn’t then. This memory was before he’d gotten any of his scars.

Young Hunter whines “But I wanna go outside!”

The scout begins to protest before coming up with an idea, “Okay Hunter, how about we do your training outside?”

Young Hunter beams, “Yay! I promise I’ll do really good.”

Current Hunter smiles, he remembers this day now. The memory then speeds forward to them being outside. Young Hunter has just finished his training for the day.

“Good work today Hunter!” The scout smiles, “I think you’ve earned yourself a few minutes to play.”

Young Hunter frowns, “But uncle said to report back to him right after training.”

The scout takes a quick look around and says “I won’t tell if you won’t,” with a wink. He keeps an eye an young Hunter to make sure he’s safe.

Young Hunter giggles and flaps his hands in excitement and runs around happily.

Current Hunter smiles at the memory, one of the few good moments he had in the Emporers Coven. The memory fades and shifts into something else.

In this memory, Hunter is a bit older.

Memory Hunter knocks on the door to the throne room, “Uncle? You wanted to see me?”

“Yes Hunter, come in,” Belos voice carries. Hunter walks in timidly and kneels before his uncle. Belos motions for him to stand up, “you’ve been doing very good in your training Hunter.” Memory Hunter smiles, happy for this rare praise. Belos continues, “I have decided that it is time to officially make you the next Golden Guard.”

Memory Hunter gasps and bounces on his heels “Really?”

“Silence!” Belos exclaims, “I did not give you permission to speak.” Hunter looks down at the ground and Belos adds, “Maybe you’re not ready to become the Golden Guard.”

Without thinking, Hunter interjects, “No I am! I promise I-” he has to stop to dodge Belos’s now sludgy arm.

“What did I just say?” He shouts.

“I’m sorry sir, I’ll be quiet now,” he says weakly. Both memory and current Hunter feel a bit nauseous.

“Good,” Belos says, “Then I think it’s time to begin your induction. Why don’t you try on this mask?” He hands memory Hunter a Golden Guard mask. Memory Hunter stands proud while current Hunter wants to jump into the memory and throw the mask to the ground. But of course, this is a dream, so he can’t really change anything.

The memory begins to fade and Hunter hopes the next one will be better. The new memory forms and it’s from just a few months ago. Memory Hunter walks into his room as the Golden Guard but without his cloak or mask, and flops down onto his bed. Current Hunter's eyes open wide as he realizes what this is, “No, no, no please, any memory but this,” he begs. Although it’s a good memory, it just hurts too much to think about. But he can’t stop the dream.

Memory Hunter says “I can help. If I just knew a little more…”

Chirp chirp

Flapjack appears in his windowsill.

Memory Hunter sits up in surprise, “Huh? Palisman!” He picks up Flapjack and accidentally squeezes him. “Oh! Sorry.” He lets him go and pets him gently on the head. “You shouldn’t be here. It’d be bad if Belos saw you.” Suddenly Flapjack transforms into a staff for memory Hunter. “Oh! I was not expecting that.”

The memory fades and current Hunter has tears running down his face as the next memory begins immediately. Now, memory Hunter is in the snow, watching titan’s blood drip out of the cracked portal key. Current Hunter curses under his breath but is too exhausted, even in his dream, to protest again.

Flapjack perches on memory Hunter’s hand. He smiles, “Oh, hey. You stuck with me the whole time, huh, bird?”

Chirp, Flapjack, chirp.

Memory Hunter’s eyes widen, “I think I understood that. Is that your name? Can you say it again?”

Chirp, Flapjack, chirp.

Memory Hunter laughs, “Weird. Uh, can you say other things?”

Chirp, now that we’re bonded, I’m able to communicate with you, chirp.

Memory Hunter smiles, but current Hunter is miserable.

The memory fades but this time, a new one doesn’t replace it. Instead, Hunter is standing in a void that forms into an imaginary forest. It’s not somewhere he’s been and no one else appears, so he knows it’s not a memory.

Chirp chirp

“Flapjack!” Hunter shouts while running over to hug him, “I know you’re just a dream, but it’s so good to see you again.” His tears are now a mixture of happy and sad ones. Flapjack nuzzles against him.

Chirp, I’m glad to see you too Hunter! I tried talking to you earlier, but you didn’t understand, chirp.

Hunter raises an eyebrow, “What do you mean?”

Chirp, I tried talking to you earlier because I missed you, but you couldn’t figure out it was me, chirp.

Hunter freezes, “That was you? No, it can’t be, this is just a dream and it’s mean.”

Chirp, I know this is a bit hard to understand but it really is me, chirp.

Hunter shakes his head in disbelief, “I don’t understand.”

Chirp, when I saved you, I put my life essence into your body. So even though my body is dead, I’m still here, in your mindscape, chirp.

Hunter hesitates, “Is this real? It still feels like a cruel joke. I can’t lose you a second time.”

Chirp, Hunter I promise this is real, and I’ll be here with you, always, chirp.

Hunter smiles and brings his hand to his chest, “I love you Flap.”

Chirp, I love you too Hunter, chirp.

Slowly, the landscape begins to fade.

“No!” Hunter exclaims, “I’m not ready, I still want to talk to you!”

Chirp, don’t worry Hunter, you’ll be able to communicate with me when you’re awake, all you have to do is think about me, chirp.

Hunter nods, “Okay, Flapjack I trust you.”

The dream fully fades.

Hunter wakes up in the real forest and sits up immediately, “Flapjack!?” he exclaims, begging his dream to be real.

Chirp, I’m here Hunter, chirp.

Hunter sobs out of joy this time, “Oh I’m so glad Flapjack!”

Chirp, me too, chirp.

Once Hunter calms down, he heads back to the owl house and gets into bed. “Goodnight Flap.”

Chirp, goodnight Hunter, chirp.

Hunter falls fast asleep and sleeps better than he has in years.

So in this story Hunter can talk to Flapjack in his mind at any time now, he just can't actually see him outside of dreams.

#the owl house #toh #owl house #toh fanfic #toh fic #fanfic #hunter golden guard #toh hunter #hunter toh #hunter noceda #autistic hunter #flapjack #toh flapjack #flapjack toh

[volterran-wine]

I’ve wondered about this briefly, but thought I’d open this can of worms for you. If Marcus were to find a second mate, how do u think he’d be in regards to Aro’s interaction/contact with them? Would he be cautious, protective, etc? Would it cause him any degree of agitation or anxiety if he knew they were in close proximity or alone together?

I believe read on here a good while ago that Marcus, to some degree, knows what Aro did to Didyme, I’m wondering what effects that would have on any future relationships for Marcus. Thai feels like a very morbid curiosity.

Good evening friend, and thank you so much for showing up in my inbox once again. In order to answer your question, I need to answer another one; it will set the scene quite nicely.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐀𝐫𝐨?

Indeed, Marcus very much knows who killed Didyme. While he does not know entirely how it happened, he can only imagine that something terrible must have occurred for Aro to have killed his sister; for even after his wives passing Aro's bonds to her where still ones tied by love. And that is why he has not murdered Aro in cold-blooded rage just yet. In a twisted way he is still able to spend time with a fragment of his wife through Aro; the man responsible for her death. Marcus' existence is truly one spend in silent agony while he still feels responsible for the coven and monarchy he helped create, but he will one day get his revenge; that I know.

That being said, he would not feel the same aversion towards Aro spending time with someone precious to him these days. There is no way he can leave his post, it is too late for him to seek that sort of freedom. In Marcus' eyes there is no reason for Aro to tear away another mate or friend of his, it would do nothing but make people more suspicious of Aro than they already are. That, ... and Marcus is able to see just how much guilt his brother carries around; even though he tries so hard to hide it.

Marcus would be protective but Aro would not receive a special sort of treatment because of what he did to Didyme.

#Volturi Questionnaire #Marcus Volturi

[thefrequentdaydreamer]

A little theory that may or may not fall to pieces in tomorrow's episode

So, I wasn't sure how to frame this but I've had a few thoughts in my mind since Elsewhere and Elsewhen that make me wonder if we're severely underestimating Belos' planning for the DOU.

Then I saw someone post about how Eda replacing Raine as head of the bard coven might actually play into Belos' hands and complete the draining spell.

And then it hit me.

When Kikimora said 'Belos had eyes everywhere' she didn't mean a traitor. She meant Belos is watching them, always.

We've had this hint before, when Belos had Terra tell Luz he was looking forward to meeting her at the Coven Day parade. After the time pool events, my biggest question then was 'How did he know she hadn't traveled back in time until this very moment?"

The answer is...because he's been spying on them with Oracle magic.

Now bear with me as I try to piece everything together. (Again, this is just my theory, it may have holes, but it's my way to process everything before King's Tide ruins me)

Okay, so the way I see it, it starts here.

This portal does NOT look buried. It never did to me. But we didn't get an explanation for its random appearance until Elsewhere and Elsewhen. Now we know it's a time pool. Which means the portal popped up through a pool and Eda tripped over it.

Now, when exactly this portal came up from, I don't know. But likely, Philip and his brother were arguing about something (maybe about the new girl Caleb? was seeing. (I know that's not confirmed yet but I'm calling him that). Anyway, they fight. Portal gets lost in a time pool and ends up almost 370 years in the future. Caleb dies at Phillip's hand, but he is now out of a way home.

So he stews and plans a way to destroy all the witches. He waits for almost 400 years (again, we know now that he HAD to wait that long for the eclipse to happen exactly where he needed it at the head of the titan, cool little fact about eclipses, look it up!) and spent this time perfecting sigil magic and making grimwalkers of his dead brother.

He did not know where the portal had gone or if he'd see it again, but he didn't care about that at the moment, because he had a bigger mission.

The draining spell.

That's why when Luz showed up in his time, he didn't seem all that pressed about the door. He'd probably accepted he'd never get back or something.

Cue his rise as Emperor. Once he put himself in a position of power, all the witches fell under his sway and then suddenly, he could use their powers for himself.

I'm sure one of the first things he did was use Oracle magic to search for where the portal might have ended up, and was probably pleasantly surprised to learn it was going to fall into the hands of a little girl, one he could easily capture and retrieve HIS portal from. I say it was, because he ascended to power at least 20 years before Eda is cursed, so she probably hasn't even been born yet.

But he's looking into the future, and lo and behold, he finds the portal with this red-haired girl about 20 years in the future.

But then, he looks further.

And the more he sees, the more he realizes just how important it is for the portal to remain in Eda's hands. Because Eda's frequent use of the door as well as the nature in which she visits the human realm is what ensures Luz arrives to the Boiling Isles.

Which means...

Yes, I think Belos knew Luz was going to show up on the Boiling Isles.

Now, he HAD to have, because he met her in the past and knew she was lying about being a crab maiden. He remembered her...so of course he's not surprised that she shows up, but now he realizes this is the point of time in which she arrives to the Boiling Isles, which means he has to ensure that happens to complete the time loop and ensure he meets the Collector, right?

If he takes the portal away, Luz never appears and...the time loop is never completed, which ruins his plans.

So he lets Eda keep it.

Now granted, I'm not saying he created the circumstances in which Luz shows up or anything. He didn't manipulate Camilla into sending Luz to camp or make Luz run after Owlbert.

Luz walked through on her own free will and Eda let her tag along and made her her apprentice on her own free will.

What I AM saying is that Belos knew Luz would show up, and so he took that information and used it to his advantage.

Now, he didn't just need Luz to arrive to the Isles, he needed her to stay on the isles, remember?

So he begins pursuing Eda with a vengeance to get the portal AFTER Luz arrives to the demon realm. Not before. Both for his own purposes, but also to ensure she doesn't leave without helping him.

Now this is where it gets tricky, because you would think someone who has access to all of the Oracle coven's powers would trap two criminals no problem, right?

Wrong.

Because while Belos can see some big, key moments, I don't think he can see everything in the future.

How do we know this?

Because Luz cracked his mask, and he had no idea it was going to happen.

I think he saw some things ahead of time, like Lilith's betrayal. But he was not prepared for Luz to be such a fierce opponent, nor did he expect her to destroy the portal when she handed it to him.

Both were surprises, but they were only minor setbacks. I think the biggest one thought, was her keeping the key.

Now some people have noted that it's odd Belos didn't ask for the key too when he took the portal from her, and I think that's because he didn't make the portal in the first place. His brother did. (That's a whole other story though.)

Anyway, end of season one, he has the portal, but it's destroyed, he's got no key, and he's freed the Owl Lady instead of punishing her. It feels a bit like a lose-lose situation for him considering he can somewhat see into the future, right?

Wrong again.

Because I think...and this is where I'm treading into plot hole territory, I think he's the one who made sure Eda was cursed in the first place.

Think about it. He's had 400 years to plan the draining spell out. He's working with the Collector, who we KNOW is the one who trapped the Owl Beast in the first place.

What if that was part of his plan for the DOU?

Remember back when I said something about Belos using Oracle magic for the first time and catching Eda with the portal almost 20 years before it happens? Maybe...maybe he did some digging and saw she was running away from home because she was cursed, maybe he realizes that future Eda is going to be cursed, and maybe...maybe he realizes he's the reason she gets cursed and that she needs to be in order for events to play out.

Assuming he sees her future almost 20 years before Lilith and Eda face off for the Coven tryouts, that gives him plenty of time to ask the Collector for a favor. One where they trap the Owl Beast and turn it into a curse scroll that finds its way to the night market.

That and a few choice words spoken to the public about how you must sacrifice to be considered great, and he's practically coerced Lilith into doing his bidding, for the first time, I might add.

(Also I fully believe he treated Lilith like shit for 30 years and made false promises to cure her sister and threatened to petrify her like he did other wild witches all because she punched him ONE time! the biggest snowflake of them all, honestly!)

Now, this is gonna sound hokey, but what I'm saying means that Belos' had a kid cursed so that they unwittingly stumble across the one thing that would ensure the second person crucial to his plan would show up in about 30 some years. And that they would grow up to become a part of his draining spell and is it weird? Yeah! But it seems like something Belos would do.

He gets the Collector to capture the Owl Beast and turn it into a curse, Eda gets cursed, she runs away from home, stumbles across his portal, uses it for years and has it connected to Luz' hometown (again, I don't think Belos knows it's set to his old hometown), but at the end of the day, Luz shows up at the boiling isles.

TLDR; Luz the Human and her surrogate mom, Eda the Owl Lady are both crucial to his plan. He's known the specifics about them both for years by spying on them and now, as the day of Unity approaches, he's got Eda right where he needs her.

Which is why I think the biggest plot twist is that Raine Whispers figures this out right before Eda gets the sigil.

This expression here tells me they're worried for Eda's safety, but what if this is the moment they piece together the bare bones of Belos' plan?

Which is that Eda is part of it.

If they do stop Eda for that reason, that'd be the biggest plot twist of them all (and a total vindication of at least part of my theory).

That or the fact that since Eda split the curse with Lilith, it isn't as strong as Belo's expects it to be, so it doesn't kill the witches so much as weaken them. But all of this is hypothetical.

And yes, it could be that I'm completely wrong and Belos' isn't actually seeing the future and ensuring things go his way, and maybe Eda's curse would actually screw things up and Raine is just worried about her here...

But it's fun to theorize, isn't it?

Comment below if this theory makes any sense, or if you'd like to sum it up nicely for others, or if you disagree with it. Or anything, really.

#toh speculation #toh theory #owl house #season finale theory #king's tide #eda the owl lady #eda's curse #emperor belos #belos' plan #phillip wittebane #elsewhere and elsewhen #young blood old souls #follies at the coven day parade #keeping up afearances #toh analysis #toh thoughts #i'm scared for the finale #please cry with me

[toa-kirhan]

First time watching ToH S2E12 (Elsewhere and Elsewhen). Thoughts below:

Detailed thoughts:

WHAT AN EPISODE. There’s so much to unpack here it’s enough to make my head spin.

First thing’s first: the big reveal. Philip Wittebane is Emperor Belos. There’s so much to that reveal and what it means for Belos’ motivations and plan. The episode has made it abundantly clear that Philip hates witches and holds a vendetta against them. Presumably, it was a witch that cursed Philip, and possibly another that led to his brother’s death. Perhaps his brother was burned as a witch while Philip escaped into the Demon Realm.

Philip’s journal makes it clear that he considers the Demon Realm to be both horrid and fantastic, perhaps the writers were being clever and using fantastic in its original sense (describing something that is like a fantasy). Perhaps Philip’s fascination w/ the Demon Realm is limited solely to the world itself and not the witches that inhabit it. Though, if that was the case, then why did he donate his journal to the library?

If Philip just wanted to return home, he could have done that at any time once he created the portal. He likely has returned to the Human Realm, but what compelled him to come back? Why did he lose the portal door? Philip has stated his plans to unite the Demon Realm w/ the Human Realm, but to what end? Just to rule over it? Why do that now? What’s keeping him from recreating the portal door?

Is it the Collector? What is it that the Collector has or is able to do that makes seeking him out necessary to create a portal to the Human Realm? Does Belos need to find the Collector again? What happened to the glass disk to summon him?

If Philip is Belos, how did he change his appearance? We see him w/ pointed ears when he had his mask off. How has he lived for so long if he’s really been living since the 17th century? If Belos is actually a human, then what does that make Hunter? Is he part human too? Is Hunter the son of Philip’s missing brother?

What does Belos mean by the will of the Titan? Was that just convenient propaganda that he crafted based on the natural religious/spiritual beliefs of the Boiling Isle’s inhabitants? I mean, I suspected that was the case, but how does Belos actually substantiate his claim?

From what I can tell, Belos’ plan is to unite the Human and Demon Realms like he claims, but in the process, he plans on draining the magic of everyone else to do so (using what he learned from the Basilisks). Philip hates witches and I’d imagine he’d do anything to weaken them and break their power for good (the original purpose of the Coven system).

If witches can no longer use magic, then the only magic users that will remain are those that can master glyphs, “the worthy” that Belos often talks about. I assume that Belos also plans on continuing to drain the magic of witches after the Day of Unity by having them create more Palismen so he can drain the magic from them for his curse.

Belos has to have recognized Luz back from his days as Philip, but what does he want from her? Does he just want another sacrifice? A sacrifice for the Collector?

Is Hunter the sacrifice? When Philip gave his compliments to Lilith and Luz, it was right before he was going to sacrifice them to the Stone Sleeper behind the door. Now, Philip, as Belos, is doing the same thing to Hunter.

Stepping back from the hell that is that reveal, let’s move on to Eda. Like Raine said, Eda has always been one to run away from her problems, hiding her insecurities from others, running from her problems, pushing away those who try to help her, and blaming all of her problems on the Owl Beast.

While the Owl Beast was what directly caused events like Dell losing her eye, it was Eda’s unwillingness to be open w/ others that caused Raine to break up w/ her, and it was Eda’s choice to run away instead of talking to her parents. Even now, after all of the progress that she’s made, Eda is still unable to confront her father.

Eda views herself as unforgivable for what she did to her father, for injuring him to the point that he can’t continue working his job of making Palismen. Instead, Dell simply tells Eda to let the past go and to start moving on. It’s not Dell whom Eda needs forgiveness from, I doubt he ever blamed her, it’s herself.

While Belos turned his antipathy out toward the world and the countless innocent witches who are in no way responsible for what happened to him, Eda turned her antipathy towards inward, blaming herself and the Owl Beast for her problems.

The question is whether Belos is capable of the type of self-reflection that Eda has been going through recently. How much to blame are witches for his problems vs himself or just fate? Can Philip step back from the monster that he created that is Belos? I fear that it’s already too late for him.

General thoughts:

Luz is still working on understanding the portal door.

Lovely note from King and really cute that Luz has the same photo of her, Eda, and King on her board that Eda has by her mirror.

It’s stunning to see Luz go through all those books to find out where she went wrong when making the new portal door.

Lilith and Gwendolyn! Morton! NOSE GIRL! STEVE!!!

Lilith is the new assistant curator of the supernatural museum of history. How’d she get that job? Is Belos not on the hunt for her too? Is there an ordinary museum of history on the Boiling Isles?

Owl-pellet-tizers!

Flora’s an old teacher of Lilith’s.

Oh, Lilith got the job so Belos could keep an eye on her.

Flora Desplora. Man, I cannot believe we got another bad girl historian as a character. Also, Flora was part of the EC too? Is she still part of it?

“And I have questions about my life!” Don’t we all girl, don’t we all.

I don’t think the Titan wears socks.

OH NO WHAT HAPPENED TO THE INTRO?! Is it really going to be one of those episodes?

Another Philip flashback! How long has Philip been in the Demon Realm? Over 10 years at least, but likely much, much longer.

The Collector? Philip and his companions(!) must face what? Or whom?

Go back in time? Is this going to be a time travel episode? Is Lilith going to time travel w/ them to create her exhibit?

Twigfoot, Lenderman, and the fearsome Possum!

Time pools? Sounds a lot like those Titan’s Blood portals.

Lilith is a model maker! And a fan of architecture!

Cool aunt Lilith!

Hey! It’s Eaglebert out of his staff form!

Time pools do have to do w/ Titan’s Blood!

Lilith made a time pool finding device too! What can’t Lilith do?

Luz is really going to use the last of the Titan’s Blood she has to find this time pool. She really is determined to get back.

Oh! Time beach! It’s a time pool in the past but not the present! Aw, Lilith! :c

Yeah! In your face, self doubt!

Lilith is a dinosaur nut too! Man, this show is doing everything it can to make me love her, and it’s working!

That’s the fastest time b/w setup and payoff for a brick joke that I’ve seen a time travel story.

Baby’s Borough!

They’re both so excited about their discoveries!

I love that Luz thinks Lilith is cool but that dance is losing points from me.

Eda and Gwendolyn again! Eda’s still hiding from her problems. In this case, her dad and the eye he lost to her.

The Savage Ages were so much better! #born in the wrong generation

I LOVE LILITH! I LOVE THATCHWORK! LOVE HER LOVE HER LOVE HER!

Nobody knows Philip? Oh! There he is!

So Luz actually gets to meet Philip! And save him and his research!

Hawksley and Hooty keeping Eda from escaping.

What did happen to Blue Fang? Was it the Collector? WAIT IS LUZ PHILIP’S COMPANION FROM THE FLASHBACK?

Did Philip lose his brother in the Demon Realm too? Was it the Collector?

Luzura and Dirtrude. :3

Lying to Philip totally won’t backfire. Especially when Luz loses her helmet (which will definitely happen). Picto-glyphs? Philip used glyphs too?

What was w/ that facial expression?

LOOK AT THAT GLYPH ARRAY! That’s the most complicated magic we’ve ever seen!

Well, that’s a bold escape attempt.

OMG, Eda is really meeting her father again!

The Collector is in the Titan’s head? Philip created a teleportation spell?

The Titan’s head is sacred ground?

That door reminds me of the one in King’s castle.

Philip has met the Collector before hasn’t he? Is he going to sacrifice one of them to the Collector? Like Blue Fang?

What is that in Philip’s bag? IS THAT BLUE FANG’S FANG? IS THAT HIS PALISMAN TOO? I don’t like this... I don’t like what it’s implying. I don’t like this at all.

LILITH!

That glass disk, what is it? Does it summon the Collector?

I THOUGHT IT LOOKED LIKE A STONE SLEEPER!

A round boi!

YEAH! THE POWER OF PUNCHING WINS ONCE AGAIN!

COPE AND SEETHE!

The Owl House was Dell’s?! No wonder how Gwendolyn found Eda! They knew where she was for that long but Eda kept running from them that entire time? :c

TWENTY YEARS!

A Palistrom seed? Dell’s been working w/ the Bat Queen too?

;_;

THOSE ARE ALL PALISMANS! OH MY GOD, PHILIP IS BELOS!!!

HE HATES MAGIC AND WITCHES! HE WANTS TO TAKE ALL THEIR POWERS AWAY! THAT’S WHAT THE DAY OF UNITY IS ACTUALLY ABOUT! THAT’S WHAT THE BASILISKS ARE FOR!

#the owl house #toh #toh season 2 #toh s2 #first watch

[sarah-dipitous]

Hellsite Nostalgia Tour 2023 Day 229

Dark Dynasty/Flatline

“Dark Dynasty”

Plot Description: a familiar tattoo leads the brothers deeper into the world of the Styne family, and Castiel plays referee between Charlie and Rowena

(The second half of that sentence interests me greatly)

Would I Survive the First Five Minutes??: I won’t even monetize my hobbies, I’m not gonna do shady medical studies where my eyes might get gouged out for a little bit of money

Stop yelling at her, Sam!! She’s trying to help you and you chained her up

The Styne family is so uninteresting to me. I hope they don’t have a lot of significance in future seasons

Sam, you are wholly unconvincing in your lying about where you’ve been sneaking off to.

And Dean randomly deciding to research the Stynes because he’s a little bored is just…too convenient

I FEEL Charlie’s exasperation with the brothers. The CONSTANT secret keeping and going against the other’s wishes. It’s a lot to deal with

You know…I think I would watch a show with the nerd, the witch, and the angel…

Sam knowing that Cas literally has nothing else going on right now. He doesn’t have to save or overthrow heaven, he’s not even allowed there

Oh Cas. Oh Cassyyyyy, “if I’m going to referee I should know the rules.” I love that even though he knows cultural references now, he still doesn’t get commonly used phrases

Cas didn’t know that Dean doesn’t know they’re doing this?? How many times does Sam need to be told that this won’t end well??

Charlie and Cas bffs 5ever

You can’t truly expect Rowena to be in this “for Dean.” She barely knows him, they’ve tried to kill each other, and all his friends have her locked in some abandoned warehouse

I’ve missed Crowley

How good are these security cameras? They’re not even this good on cop shows. There’s no way they should be able to get that clear of a visual of the guy’s tattoo after zooming in that much.

Castiel coming in with snacks while Rowena and Charlie snip at each other is quite comical….I take it back, they’re a little bit bonding. Once they get past the difference in aesthetics of their way of decoding things, there are some things in common after all

Well, Charlie doesn’t want to see the similarities, but that doesn’t make them nonexistent

It’s…weird when the boys are the least interesting part of an episode, but that’s chasing after the Styne family for ya

Sam, I’m so sorry for calling you an unconvincing liar. The real crown for that goes to Castiel. He calls Sam’s phone, Dean answers. He tells Dean that he’s just staying in touch…like he does. Then that this call is pointless and ends with “my ride’s here” and hangs up

Oof, now Dean’s suspicious…that can’t be good

SHE LEFT HER PET COVEN LEADER???

Why can Crowley talk to hamsters? How does that make sense? Is it because she’s really human underneath that?

You boys really don’t want to be messing with this Winchester, I promise you that

*presses pause* No…they can’t be doing this. Not even supernatural can do THIS (and I say this knowing there’s still a scooby doo episode in my future). So. This dude Dean captured, part of the Styne family. He just revealed that they’ve been harvesting organs and enhancing their own bodies (adding extra hearts and other organs and muscles) with said body parts. Turns out this family had to change their name a couple hundred years ago…in the 1800s. I SWEAR TO GOD I WILL SUE THE CW IF THEY ARE INSINUATING THAT THESE PEOPLE ARE THE FRANKENSTEIN FAMILY *presses play* I’M CALLING MY LAWYER (does not actually have a lawyer)

Oh nooooo oh no oh no oh no. While Sam is distracted with a phone call from Cas about Rowena and Charlie constantly fighting, Dean’s now found out that the Book of the Damned CAN’T be destroyed and is piecing together that Sam’s been lying to him this whoooooole time

I never saw 127 Hours…did the guy rip off his arm or leg in that? If arm, this Styne has 127 Hours’d himself out of the bunker’s dungeon. When he called each of his family members expendable, he meant it

Casssssss Cas Cas you can’t leave her in an unwarded room all by herself. I love her but she’s gonna get the fuck out of there. WHERE DID CHARLIE GO???

This music while Dean is confronting Sam about the book is INTENSE. It is STRESSFUL

It’s a powerful image, the Styne guy just banging on the door to Charlie’s motel room with what’s left of his left forearm. He could use his whole right one but no

OHHHHHH DEAN’S RIGHTEOUS ANGER. It’s been a while

I knew it would eventually come but I didn’t know it was today. I didn’t WANT it to be today…RIP Charlie 😭😭😭

“Flatline”

Plot Description: Clara goes against an enemy beyond human perception

I’ll tell ya one thing. Having an episode named Flatline right after my beloved Charlie died is CRUEL

This is a weird af episode. Not only are people being turned 2D, but the TARDIS has shrunk to toy size

Ok ok ok ok but Clara pretending to be the Doctor because he’s stuck in the TARDIS is a fun move

Thing is Clara’s found herself a companion for the episode. It’s amazing

There’s so much lying going on in these shows today. Everyone was lying to Dean, Clara’s lying to Danny about where she is and what she’s doing

I’m…kind of over the Doctor monologuing to…I guess it might actually be soliloquizing in the TARDIS

It’s verrrryyyyyyyy interesting how well the Doctor has (consciously or not) trained Clara to be just like him. Danny will SEETHE when he finds out just how alike his girlfriend and the man he can’t stand are

It’s an extra weird episode. The Doctor’s there but not really, Clara’s feelings toward him seem to vacillate between thinking the worst of him while shoving that in his face and the same blind loyalty as ever, and that’s on top of the aliens from a 2D universe turning people 2D and studying them…but there’s too much of the last part…and it’s the least interesting part. It’s visually interesting but…I take it back, there’s too much emphasis on the special effects. THAT’s why this episode is bad

Is watching the Doctor Addams Family Thing the TARDIS off the train tracks worth the rest of this episode? I don’t know but it’s probably going to be the highlight of the episode for me

Oh thank god, Clara. You’re on your own, kid. And I’m glad you’re taking charge and not asking what the Doctor would do no. It’s up to you to figure out what YOU would do and are going to do now

Why was he able to monologue at them, sonic them with the screwdriver, and banish them?? Why couldn’t anyone else monologue and sonic them????

#hellsite nostalgia tour 2023

[luxmaeastra]

Magnus was a fur trapper he was gone most of the year. But that didn't stop Tatiana from waiting for his return. It didn't stop her from melting just a little when he came home with gifts for her, for their children.

He swept her up in her arms, pulling her in a slow kiss that made her light headed.

"You've just got back! You will not bed me that easily."

His gold and black eyes gleamed like sunken treasure. His sharp teeth worrying on her bottom lip.

"But isn't that what you wish for my darling?"

--------

Nicasia and Natalia stood watching Tatiana's body cool on the snow. Her mother turned away iron claws gleamed with her blood. Magnus handr moved from her side, not in any meaningful way

Nicasia held tightly to the blade in her dress. The one Tharion had made from her, Asteri power was stronger than anything Witch Made. She held to that belief as she saw history repeat. The children stood silent and stricken, too soft-hearted for the Blackbeaks, for the Matron here.

Magnus looked to Nicasia and then finally to Tatiana's grandmother.

"Let me go, let me take the boys at least and -"

"And let good blood go? Let potential be wasted in the Faerie Lands? No. You make connections, you produced stronger children. You are a stud, that is all you are good for. You were not born to think Magnus."

His eyes narrowed, and Nicasia shut her eyes.

"Magnus. Don't - don't -"

But she didn't need to look as she smelled that smoke. The Yeilding that would take them all. Would he urge it to the children? Take their lives? Death for freedom?

Magnus skin cracked, the shadows and ice burning there.

"Will you make me take another Anya?"

Anya turned fully to him. Taking everything he was on the precipice of. Her smile was cruel, she'd seen - she'd weighed and decided.

"Why keep you from her sisters? Surely you have the stamina for -"

She threw her head back laughing as he Yeilded taking Tatiana's body with him. She brushed his power away. Whatever wards were etched into those children wouldn't let them die this easily.

Still she stepped forward, three steps one for each face of their goddess. The one she still prayed and believed in despite whose bed she shared.

"Do you honestly think the boys are worth being here? Their seed is already corrupt. Do you truly need that worry Mother Anya?"

Anya slid her eyes to Natalia, barring her iron teeth in greeting.

"The Great Natalia Morozova. Was this your doing? Planting sweet dreams of a different life in my daughter's head? Nicasia isn't stupid, she wouldn't have acted without you."

Nicasia let them talk taking the children in. The eldest Vasily gripped his brother and sister's hands. Nikolai and Linnea didn't cry, didn't scream. At least they'd taught that. At least they knew pain was forever when love was fleeting. Was it any wonder she'd turned her back on her coven when it had been shown to her? Tharion was fleeting, he was beautiful and hers. She would not let that moment go without fighting for it.

"Does it matter if it was my doing or not? Maybe you should look inwardly at yourself and see the corroded heart within your chest, see that maybe you were the one who pushed them." Natalia was not above baiting, above the snide remarks and cruel taunts.

She knew how to hold her own, she knew her position and she knew what to do. Anya was never one to scare her, she viewed the woman as beyond her. Today was just proof of that again, another sign she could not hold ono control - but also was not willing to grow with the times.

"Being stagnant will not help you, being locked within the same routine and rules will only halt growth." She shrugged a little, her gaze flickering to where Niscasia had gone. She would lead the growth, she could see it within the female. The children would grow and thrive with her, just as many others would.

#Muse | Natalia