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octavianstar · 1 year

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Yuu: Lore, Facts and AU Idea!

As you can see upon the title, our winner is....OSWALDYUU!

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Congrats to everyone who voted!, so I would bring upon myself to show you the Lore and Facts about (My Version of at least, because I recently had found another Oswald Yuu somewhere around Tumblr) of Oswald Yuu! (And to let you know the reason why I had voted "Just Yuu/MC" is because I would figure most of you guys would rather want the original than the other two)

So upon Oswald Yuu, I really would want to be as closely faithful to the Character, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, and I had a few draft ideas upon how things would particularly go.

But then I had a rather certain idea thanks to watching 'Helluva Boss' and 'Once Upon a Time', it had given me of some rather interesting insights upon how the character would act out (at least).

So to kick some things off, I would think Oswald Yuu, or "Ollie" as a reference, would have both abandonment and trust issues due to them having rather traumatic life growing up.

So in the far beginning, Ollie don't have a mom but had a adoring father who had high dreams for him and Ollie.

Since her dad was once a artist and animator (who highly deserved credited on because animation is a beautiful spectrum of art and not a genre for kids, I'm looking at you Disney-) that is working with a few close friends of his into making a studio with Ollie helping out and being a "star" of the animation.

I would had expected that Ollie wanted to be a performing actor that would give inspiration for their father's work. And the small business seemed to be working well..until Ollie's dad became very ill one day, and had to be taken into an emergency room to stay for a long while.

And while their dad wideain the hospital, leaving the very young Ollie into staying with one of their dad's friends. Of course it seemed to be fine but payment and bills were overdue and in needed, and more unfortunately that the person that was looking after Ollie...is also the boss of her dad's career and their 'caretaker' when in particular reality that he was the rather reason for the father being very ill lately and for how he got Ollie in the first place.

For a while back, Ollie's dad wanted to renew upon the contract for more better qualities and better future for both his kid and his staff so it would help more out with the community. But then both men lead up into a argument with the boss, Charlie as Ollie calls him, refused to elaborate with him upon advantages. Refusing to give him more, and even taking both his staff and kid since Charlie had the rights to take them.

But Ollie's Dad, Winston, refused and argued back, reluctantly saying that "You may take my career, my money and even my staff, but you will not have my child or we going to have a LOT of problems on your industry..and I will make sure of that."

But when Winston was shown signs of him getting drastically sick, Charlie to the advantage and basically had kidnapped (probably forced custody over) Ollie while the one who was supposed to be Ollie's actual caretaker was trying to get them back, especially after when Charlie had fired Winston the next day.

Behind the scenes, Winston was absolutely devastated and felt utterly hopeless. For both Winston and his close friend were trying desperately to get Ollie back, but as you can see it wasn't successful.

Not Only Ollie was rather forced to work reluctantly harder than usually and refused every time to go seeing their father, but was also rather mistreated along the way. Rather it's more physical or even more verbally and mentally abused with how they were treated as a sort of prisoner in a cold iron cage.

But during around the age of nine, they ran away in the dead of night in hopes to reunite with their father and finally home again. But after almost three months of looking, they were found by a few people and took them into foster care after they had told them they were trying to find their way back home but had no clue of where they are. So eventually while they stayed in foster care for a while, they didn't easily trust any of the adults ever since Charlie had interviened in their life.

While Ollie was hoping for any chances or signs of where their father could be, there were chances that they were taken into some foster families and even went back to foster care due to some circumstances.

Of course upon those years, since they don't trust the staff easily, it had lead them to doing a bit of bad things, some for the right reasons and some were not. But of course it does lead them mainly into trouble, Ollie just hopes and wonders if Winston was looking for them after all..or did he even care to come back for them.

Which leading some scarring words that Charlie had constantly telling them about how Winston left them, sold them to him and didn't want to do anything with them anymore. They fear those words are true, but denies each time the thought like that passes by.

For Ollie knows that he would never do or say anything like that at all, he's their idol, their father who loved them so much and would do anything for them to have a 'happily ever after'. While hope is slowly dying on the inside, that very determination never given up.

Of course while being in foster care it still does break them a few times, Ollie has to keep looking up but even then, they are human and had hard times of believing that perhaps they..they were truly alone after all, that perhaps no one, nor their dad would come back at all.

Eventually during their teen years, they left foster care and is a bit more prepared to find their dad on their own when seemingly no one could. But seemingly after a few weeks time, Ollie finally found their home, found where their father was and could not be the merrier. They basically ran to the very place, which it was rather extravagant since Winston was rather famous now.

But Ollie didn't care, they didn't care the risky consequences later, they were rather thrilled to be running into their father's arms again. But as they were at the very door to his home....they hesitated.

For years that they waited and wondered to find their way back home, to see their father's face again but something was stopping them...was it doubt? Fear? Anticipation?...

No one can say for sure, but Ollie's mind began to fill with thousands of questions, thousands of 'what ifs' and 'whys' festered through..but then they heard laughter in the house. Familiar with both her father and his friend,..but a new voice was heard that something clicked in their head.

Haulting their endless thinking as a peak of curiosity got the best of them. Soon, Ollie went to take a look to see that suddenly surprised them. For a starters, Winston look rather older with a few more gray hairs than the last time they seen him. Seemingly to be more healthier, which Ollie was rather glad that he was still alive.

But then their attention began to eyed at the young boy right next to him, also seemingly similar to Winston of course but was a year younger than Ollie as it seemed.

'Who is he?' Ollie could think repeatedly, but then take notes upon the gestures Winston has on the boy. First was his hand placed upon his shoulder, not in all creepy way but more of a friendly lovely placement like a parent upon their child. The next was the very warm, and happily smile he placed upon him..Ollie could have sworn they never seen him smile as wide as that. But they had a familiar feeling of what that very look meant, the adoration and pride of how their children grow, of how passionate they were upon following their dreams. The very bond between father and son was seen without any hesitation or sadness upon any signs.

Something in Ollie made them irked in a wrong way, something felt upsetting upon this very moment. But cannot understand why? What was the reason of this feeling of jealousy? It shouldn't have to feel this way, but why does it?

But then...suddenly the world around them froze in time around Ollie, as the young boy hugged their father as his words spoke to Winston.

"I love you papa."..."I love you to, Michael."..

Those words,..the very scene...everything made sense...All those questions Ollie had asked further and finally answered all...as if those very words Charlie told them were true all along..This boy, this Michael..was prove..

Ollie....was.....replaced..

As if seemingly for the first time, tears ran down upon their face, now endless as they began to see clearly now. They look around after stepping away from the window, seeing how everything drastically changed, there were many faces of Michael everywhere.

Posters, gifts, costumes, everything was all Michael's doing, Michael was the star..the start of it all..

The life that Ollie was taken from..

Ollie never felt more silence than they had before, that everything, their dreams, fame, love, and even their own father was taken away...because of him.

Everything felt spinning around Ollie, everything made them sick, perhaps even almost a instant of death was just around them, crawling underneath their shivering skin, tightening their lungs into a breathless whimper, the beating of their pulsing heart roared and pound through loudly simply of a orchestra of instruments play through repeatedly. Teary eyes blurred through their vision, seemingly become more grey and dull as minutes ticked by, countless words swarm and rung their ears harsh and true. They covered them in tempts of shutting them out, but it only grew worse and worse..weaken knees fell into the solemn grounds, weeping down before a voice spotted them through the window. Ollie gazed up, seeing the very person who had stayed with Winston for a long time, a loyal friend and companion from the very beginning, Ollie's real caretaker..Ugène.

The moment Ugène saw Ollie for the first time, they were almost too unrecognizable, they looked completely different..but the moment they locked eyes on him, he knew that it was them.

He was shook to see them here, but was glad that they were safe, and away from Charlie's grasp..but immediately takes notice of how intentionally frightened they are.

The fear upon their face for Ugène to see their shriveling state as this, they cannot be seen so humiliating, so upsettingly to see them in such a sadden disarray like this. Ugène went close in tempts to calm them down, only to have the world began overturning, quicken to get up before they see a glimpse of their smiling father turned to see Ollie before his face became a more sudden, saddening shock than Ugène's.

Seeing them in such a utter betrayal and frightened look regardless of how much they had changed almost broke the elder man. After years of searching for them, they would finally come home..only to see them in pain harmed him inside out.

To which..that very look..the man that was filled with love and laughter showing a face more sadder of a broken man....broke Ollie.

.....Not exactly knowimg what became of them suddenly, however all they know...is that they cannot stay here anymore.

With that, Ollie bolted away from Ugène and the rather many security guards that were looking for them after they broke in. Endless name calling for them were heard as they flee from the scene, never looking back no matter how far they were now.

Tears continue further falling rapidly from their face, passing through the crowded streets to where no one can reach them.

It was only then tired legs dropped down once again to the soiled grounds for them to breath properly, taking every moment they can to proccess through.

Soon..more dreaded tears spilled, with their voice cracking through their many sobs... Followed with countless screaming of despair and anger.

They cursed themself to allow this very situation happen, they cursed Charlie for stealing them away from everything they had loved, they cursed Michael for being the one who had stolen everything when they barely met him.. And they......

...........

...........no.........

...they can't do it.. They don't have the heart to do it. They loved their father with all of their heart, everything they believed was because of him.. And cursing him wouldn't make things better..he didn't do anything wrong. They know that, they should know that.

Everything he did was for them, both Ollie and his team. They knew he dreamed of being someone as memorable to this day.. He would never do things harshly out of malice. Of course he isn't perfect, but he was the best dad that they had ever given to..nothing would change that. And the thought of them hurting him even further made things far worse.. The very face that would and will forever haunt their memories for the rest of time, that cannot be forgiven by their standards..they cannot forgive themself.. They can't without a thought through Winston's eyes.

They would more to believe that he is far happier with that boy than he would ever be with them.. That he succeeded that they cannot.

They absolutely had no clue of what made Michael so special..but whatever it was worth, it made him more happier. After all, Michael achieved Winston's dreams, made him happier and given a loving happy family just like he dreamed of...so then why does it still hurt?

Why out of everything, still hurts? Why can it stop!?... Why..why.. WHY?!

Ollie yelled repeatedly, banging their fisted palms again a harden tree, hitting it into the very spot as their hands began bleeding. It hurts, everything hurts..and there was nothing they could do about it. Energy eventually drains from them as they curled against the tree, covering their face after wrapping themself into a ball before they drifted to sleep with what was left of their tears left to shed.

Alone once again..in the sound of silence.

Holy crap that was long, and hopefully it's a good starting point of their backstory of how they started out. And I wasn't expecting to be alk that long. As you probably take note of how the character were named based upon the first letter of their names. (Michael=Mickey, Winston=Walt, Ugène=Ub and Charlie=Charles) but I would figure since it is still Twisted Wonderland, I would need to change upon naming and other things.

So in hope to make things a little lighter, how about we have some Facts about Lil Ollie!

Ollie was born around the year 1999, more likely going to be around the age of 24 but would still appear to be a bit more young than it appears. (More likely intelligent and partent figure than Crowley-)

The name Ollie can be used for Olivia or Oliver, but back then they would used the name 'Oscar' since they would have traits of being a guy while in reality they're gender-neutral/unisexed.

Ollie likes Cats a bit more than dogs (which I would think it would be clever since A. Grim and B. Mickey has a pet dog named Pluto, so it would probably make sense Oswald would get a pet cat)

in Ollie's youth, they and Winston would love to go onto the trolley and watch around the town upon stores with beautiful and old actiques, hearing beautiful music playing around the corner of the plazas, or even the smell of freshly baked goods. It was rather one of the good moments with their dad since they go onto the very same Trolley for work to home, or even at days where they went to see the movies/plays for the day.

Ollie's aesthetic would be the Roaring 20s since it is rather the most glamorous life despite the more negative stuff to it later in the years, it was still the life of entertainment. So you can expect to quote a few old movies and books based or are from the 1920s.

The different versions of Yuu/MC are usually nameless based upon race and languages, and this would be the case of how Ollie would look like. But during production of the final look there would most likely be four versions of 'Ollie' that would be introduced. (White, Tan, Black, and Vitilago).

Ollie is mostly pansexual since it doesn't really matter who they would end up with of either genders or sexuality, but would want to have someone as a morally equal that can and would understand the circumstances. (And would be kinda a funny dynamic if someone like Vil or Malleus would have a Jessica/Rodger Rabbit moments. Like how many Malleyuu shippers can compare to Dronkey in Shrek)

Ollie's 6'10 fair height (almost 6'11)

Ollie does like Popcorn, Carrot Cakes and Blue Moon/chocolate dipped vanilla Icecream.

Dislikes canned sardines (would give them to Grim instead)

Their main outfits would loosely be based upon the two versions of Oswald shown here. But I will try to find inspired ideas upon outfits that can match.

Original Oswald by Disney

Public Ozwald by Jakeneutron

youtube

Btw his songs are bop, I do suggest you can watch some of his content if you want more.

Anyways, there will be probably more list of facts upon Ollie that I can add later. But before I go, I do have a few little ideas that perhaps can be into a Au series if it goes well.

So as I had said I had a bit of inspiration upon the Series called 'Once Upon a Time's and it's concept upon the show itself.

And it also got me thinking it would be a kinda cool idea if in this Au would be almost similar to 'Once Upon a Time' but have a more alternate approach.

From what I am saying, I would mean the concept and world building around how the Au began.

For starters, Yuu/MC, or 'Ollie' if you want to add in, awaken in the outskirts of a forbidden forest seemingly unaware of what the fuck is going on and desides to look around, since they don't exactly have any idea of how they got there in the first place. But through out their journey, their memory would began to piece together which it eventually leads up to 'the big reveal'.

And upon the concept of how Twisted Wonderland would look in the story, I would imagine to have a bit more a fantasy-Disney feeling upon exploring while the appearances and looks would change in the setting from each sections. Like how in Heartsybul is based upon Alice in Wonderland's Queen of hearts, but it becomes more larger and have a more wonderland feeling into it.

And for what Riddle and the other dorms leaders would wear and represent, I would think they would have a bit more fashioned with both the iconic Disney villians designs mixed with the overblot designs, without the overblot.....yet..

But for Leona's part, I would have him into the Broadway designs of the Lion King's Scar because I am not positively sure of how the outfit look of Scar would work since he is a animal....who isn't anamorphic..with no clothes. But upon the designs from the Broadway (and the recent event before the anniversary) would be kinda a cool idea.

And upon how Azul and Malleus would appear, they would look almost have the original Disney villians look and overblot, but they would change their appearances so they wouldn't be easily spotted in their disguise.

Like how Ursula changed herself into Vanessa, would more likely do the same but without some magic potion spell. Malleus however would be a very different case.

Malleus changes his appearance to be closely 'humane' like in the Maleficint remake but would still have some of his blackened scales around his face and have a bit more reptilian look about him.

Of course he still can change into a dragon, but I would figure each of the dorm leaders would have a more interesting intakes of how they would appear. (Won't spoil anything too much but probably see a bit more in the later posts)

But I think during around the journey, 'Ollie' would eventually see why they are here and who was the one whom captured them there in the first place.

Not a good start up on the idea I know, but I promise i do want to make it clear things without trying to spoil anything that wouldn't be satisfying.

and I do want to add a storyline parts soon so it would be a bit more engaging as the story progresses through.

But it probably won't be out for a while when I eventually will have a idea of how things can run smoothly.

In any cases, I hope you do like the little idea, more and facts about the version of Yuu/MC that I had pictured about. It may not be exactly perfect, but I hope you guys like it.

Until then, see y'all soon~!

#Youtube #oswald the lucky rabbit #disney twisted wonderland #twisted wonderland #twst #twst yuu #twst oc #Twst au #Au #concept idea #Idea #backstory #Oc #original character #Public Oswald

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thatwwirdo · 2 years

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S and D tier mafia au drabble

This is for @/lighthouseraiders on tiktok and lighthouseraiders only. I wrote something for the second time in like six months for this. Word count: 543

I gently dabbed the blood from his forehead with a wet cloth, trying not to let his winces stop me. The cut needed to be cleaned but I couldn’t stand to see them in pain. When I applied the bandage he looked up at me.

“Why are you doing this?” they murmured.

“Morgan, you’ve been hit in the head, I need to clean and bandage it,” I sighed.

“No, no, I mean why are you taking care of me? This was my own fault.”

I looked at him and then gently cupped his face with the hand that wasn't covered in his blood.

“Morgan, I am desperately, hopelessly in love with you and will do literally anything to keep you safe. The moment I find out who did this to you I will send Nicky and Ricky to smash their kneecaps in,” I said.

As if on cue the twins appeared, baseball bats in hand.

“Boss, we found Clarkson trying to run on a broken ankle, think he’s our guy?” asked Nicky.

I looked back to my half-conscious partner, raising an eyebrow. He nodded gingerly.

“Ricky?”

“Yes, boss?”

“Break every bone in his hands and then send him to me.”

The twins nodded and quickly left, whistling their usual work tune.

“That seems excessive,” mumbled Morgan, closing his eyes.

“Not in the slightest, not for you. Now, get some rest,” I said, running a hand through his hair.

“Seriously, Alex, this was all my fault and you shouldn’t have to cover for me. I should’ve realised that four tranquilisers were not going to be enough to take out a whole staff of guards and a rival gang leader,” he continued.

I suppressed a chuckle.

“Yeah, you really should’ve realised that. But…you’re complete lack of ability to gauge the power of literally anyone ever is part of your charm. I mean, hey, it’s the reason you were comfortable enough to walk up to me, the nastiest mobster in this city, and ask if I knew I was holding my gun wrong.”

“LiStEN,” he starts.

“Yes, yes. You didn’t realise who I was and figured firing with my pinkies would cause unnecessary recoil on my wrists despite looking really cool. You’ve told me. My point is that you’re adorably unaware of your situation 99%. For god’s sake the next time we ran into each other you saw I’d been shot, took me back to your place and personally attempted to take patch me up.”

“You could’ve told me you were wearing a bulletproof vest and it was actually red wine in a juice box that got punctured by the bullet,” they grumbled.

“I liked watching you try, besides, it was a really good excuse to come over. Now, seriously, get some sleep. I’ll go see if the twins have got Clarkson in custody yet.”

I got up to leave, heading for the door.

“Hey, Alex!”

I stopped, turning back toward Morgan.

“You didn’t kiss my boo-boo,” he mumbled.

I rolled my eyes and sighed dramatically, but walked over to him, gently pressing a kiss to his forehead.

“Don’t vaporise him,” they said as I pulled away.

“Oh don’t worry, darling, I have much better things planned for that bastard. I earned my reputation, you know.”

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littlelovelyspiderling · 4 years

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Weaknesses

I watched Avatar: The Last Airbender and my hand slipped oops, I promise I have more spidey stuff coming soon!

Zuko is captured while pursuing the avatar gang. They want to know what he knows about the Fire Lord, but they don’t want to hurt him to get him to talk. A hungry Momo enlightens them on how to do just that.

word count: 6,236

_________________________________

This was not the outcome Zuko had been anticipating. Bond to a chair made of earth, arms pinned behind his back, legs cemented in place, hands and feet encased in rock no amount of wrenching or fire bending could loosen. Caught and subdued by the avatar and his gang when he was certain he’d had the drop on them. Aang, Katara, Sokka, and Toph stood around him, arms crossed and eyes steely. No matter what he tried, he couldn’t move.

After his uncle had fallen asleep, Zuko had spotted the avatar’s bison flying overhead, and snuck away in the night to track them. When he found their campsite, he moved in to try to capture Aang, being as silent and stealthy as possible. But, much to his surprise, hardly a step and a half into his scheme, an earth bending girl rose from one of the tents and captured him instead, trapping him in his current position. Now, instead of the avatar being in his custody, the banished prince of the Fire Nation was in the avatar’s custody. And he was not happy about it.

“Let me go!” Zuko hissed, pulling at his restraints even though he knew it was pointless. Sokka scoffed.

“We’ll pass, thanks.” He and the others stood a few paces back from Zuko so that he couldn’t reach them with any breath-related fire moves—a threat they had deduced rather quickly.

“Good work, Toph,” Katara said, patting the smaller girl on the back. “That could’ve been really bad.”

Toph shrugged and grinned at Zuko. “You should really learn how to pick up your feet there, princess. You’ve got the gait of a pregnant sloth bear.”

Zuko fumed with frustration, hating the fact he’d been caught so easily. Now he was at the mercy of his enemies instead of the other way around. Meaning they were free to taunt him to his face with zero repercussions. For now, he thought bitterly.

Aang looked at his friends. “Now what do we do? We can’t just leave him here.”

“But we can’t just let him go, either,” Sokka added. “He’s too dangerous.”

“We could knock him out and leave him in a bush,” Katara proposed.

“Or hog-tie him to a porcupig and send it running into the woods,” Toph offered, pounding her fist into her palm.

Aang shook his head. “Come on, guys. We’re not doing any of those things.”

“Wait a minute,” Sokka said, brightening. “He’s the son of the Fire Lord, right? I bet he has insight into his weaknesses, and how Aang can defeat him!”

Zuko clenched his teeth. Aang grimaced.

“What are you suggesting, Sokka?”

“I’m saying, we should interrogate him! Find out what he knows!” Sokka snagged his boomerang from his bag and approached Zuko from behind. Zuko winced in surprise when the edge of Sokka’s weapon dug into his throat, pinning his head to the back of the chair. “Tell us everything you know about the Fire Lord, Fire Nation scum!”

His tone wasn’t intimidating in the slightest, but the feeling of the blade pressed against his neck was enough to send chills down Zuko’s spine. Fortunately, Aang stepped forward, jabbing his staff against the ground.

“Sokka, stop! This isn’t how we do things!”

Sokka griped and grumbled, but eventually stepped away, withdrawing the weapon from Zuko’s throat. “Fine,” he said, pouting. “But think of all the juicy secrets he must know about the Fire Nation—secrets that could help us win the war and put an end to their tyranny! We may never get a chance like this again!”

“I’m not telling you anything,” Zuko growled.

Katara motioned for everyone to step out of Zuko’s earshot. The group huddled together beside Appa’s slumbering form.

“Aang, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think Sokka might be right.”

Aang and Sokka gaped at her simultaneously. “Seriously?” they said in unison.

“We have to get him to tell us what he knows about the Fire Lord. Knowledge like that could help us save countless lives!”

“We didn’t even know he was in the same area as us three minutes ago!” Aang exclaimed. “Since when is wringing information out of our enemies a top priority?”

“It’s an opportunity we’ve never been presented with until now,” Toph said. “We should take advantage of it while we can.”

Aang scowled between his friends, shocked by their sweeping consensus on the matter. He peered around Sokka’s shoulder, eyeing Zuko as he struggled pitifully against Toph’s restraints, then bowed his head.

“No. We’re not torturing someone for information. It’s not right.”

“No one ever said torture,” Sokka said cooly. “Think of it more as...highly effective persuasion.”

“Maybe we could do something really annoying,” Katara suggested. “Like blow your bison whistle in his ear, or have Sokka sing a bunch of Southern Water Tribe nursery rhymes.”

Toph shuddered. “But that would be torture for all of us. Not just him.”

“Hey! I thought everyone loved it when I sang those!” Sokka sulked. “At least, that’s what Gran-Gran always said...”

Aang swallowed and stared at his feet. “I don’t know. I don’t like this at all. Even if he’s our enemy, it feels wrong—hurting someone who can’t fight back so they’ll tell us something they don’t want to.”

Katara could see the weight of the morality at stake clouding over Aang’s eyes. She laid her hand on his shoulder. “Maybe there’s a way we can do it without hurting him. We could negotiate, or try trading something, or—”

“Hey! G-get off!”

Alarmed, the gang spun back toward Zuko. In the midst of their discussion, Momo had pounced on the fettered prince and was eagerly sniffing his midsection.

“Momo!” Aang cried. “Get away from him! He’s dangerous!”

“Get your stupid pet off me!” Zuko snapped. He moved as much as he could to try to shoo the lemur away, but it continued to snuffle around his torso, its nose prodding his stomach. The feeling took him by surprise, making his breath hitch and his muscles seize. He fought not to react, fought to keep his expression cold and his demeanor colder, but the insufferable little creature would not let up. It was after something underneath his shirt.

Uncle’s lychee nuts! he realized. Iroh had a habit of stuffing his nephew’s pockets with the things in case the teen ever found himself lost, alone, and without another source of food. Although Zuko would never admit it, he appreciated the gesture—his uncle’s intuition had saved him from starvation in more pinches than one.

But now was not one of those times.

Zuko’s face began to burn as the corners of his lips twitched, threatening to turn upward if the lemur didn’t stop. He had to get it off!

“Agh! S-scram, flea-bag, before I fry you to a—AH!”

To his horror, Momo pulled back his collar and darted down the neck-hole of his shirt. Paws scurried across his torso, a wet nose poked and nuzzled his belly, and a long, fuzzy body wriggled between his skin and the fabric of his clothes. Zuko yelped and sputtered, the heat in his face turning to fire, the laughter he’d been battling back suddenly barreling up his throat like a volcanic eruption. To his dismay, high-pitched giggles started slipping from his lips faster than he could stop them.

“Wha—ahack! Hehey! Get out! Gehet out!” He tugged harder than ever on his bonds, twisting and shifting to try to scare the varmint away, but all it did was make Momo weasel faster and wilder inside his shirt. The lemur’s long tail brushed under Zuko’s arms and wiggled against his neck and ears, sending goosebumps shooting across his skin. He squirmed and thrashed, shaking his head from side to side.

“Gehet it off me!” he squealed.

The four friends blinked as they watched the bizarre scene unfold.

“Uh…” Sokka said, glancing between the prisoner and his team. “Should we do something?”

A few moments later, Momo crawled out of Zuko’s collar and perched on his shoulder, purring as he nibbled on a handful of nuts. The flustered prince puffed out his cheeks with a shudder, breathless and wide-eyed, his face tinted pink. He could feel his enemies staring at him, digesting what they had just witnessed, and he started to sweat.

“I—I’m gonna k-kill this thing if you don’t get it away from me,” he stammered, trying to feign some semblance of composure. But Momo’s tail continued to swish against the side of his neck as he spoke, making the task exceedingly difficult. He pursed his lips while straining to evade the feathery touch.

The gang looked at Zuko, then each other, then back at Zuko. The realization dawned on all of them at once.

“Were you laughing just now?” Toph asked.

Zuko cringed, averting his gaze. “W-what? What are you talking about?”

“Oh man! You were!”

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard him laugh before,” Katara said with a snort. “I didn’t think it was possible. And even if it was, I expected it to sound more…I don’t know. Evil?”

“Right? It’s so cute and squeaky!” Sokka snickered.

“I was not laughing!” Zuko shouted. Then Momo’s tail brushed his ear, making him wince and crack a smile.

Aang’s face lit up with delight. “It’s Momo! He’s tickling him and making him laugh!”

In unison, the gang turned on him with wide grins. Zuko bristled.

“What?”

“No way! Prince Zu-Zu is ticklish?” Toph cupped her hands over her heart and tilted her head to the side. “Awww. That’s adorable!”

“Quit patronizing me!” he roared. He tried to knock Momo off his shoulder with his head, but only managed to lightly nudge him. Momo responded by nuzzling into Zuko’s neck, purring loudly as he tucked under his chin and whisked his tail along his collarbone. The prince squawked, hiking his shoulders to his ears.

“Ehaha! No! G-get away!”

Toph crossed her arms smugly. “That’s what you get for trying to capture our friend.”

“Zuko: ticklish,” Aang giggled, as if his brain was having trouble comprehending the idea. “It just seems so out of character for him, you know? It’s funny.”

Katara chuckled in agreement. “I think Momo likes him.”

“No—Momo likes food,” Sokka corrected her. A sly smile lifted the corners of his mouth. “Which gives me an idea.”

He marched across the opening to stand at Zuko’s side. The banished prince didn’t notice him; he was too busy biting his lip in attempt to stay quiet, but couldn’t wipe the silly smile and embarrassing blush off his face. Sokka placed his hands on his hips.

“Zuko, tell us how to sneak into your father’s evil lair, or else!”

The request hardly made sense—his father lived in a giant palace, not some secret underground wolf bat cave. Even if he wanted to offer some kind of answer, he doubted he could speak more than a sentence or two before bubbles of laughter swallowed up his words. Still, he had to try to look unfazed.

“Or ehelse what?” he shot back. His voice came out shrill and brittle, causing his blush to deepen. The stupid lemur would not give his neck a break!

Sokka cocked a threatening eyebrow. Then he extended his arm.

“Momo, look! I think you missed some!”

He opened his hand, revealing another pile of lychee nuts. Before Momo could snatch them out of his palm, Sokka dumped them down the neck-hole of Zuko’s shirt, making him leap.

“Ah! What’re you—w-wait!”

Instantly, the lemur dove back into his shirt, writhing and scampering all over his tummy. Try as he might to fight it, the sensation tickled too much to bear.

“Nohoho!” he giggled, twisting and bucking in protest. Whatever dwindling scraps were left of his facade fell away within seconds. In his hunt for the lychee nuts, the fuzzy little beast pawed and nibbled at Zuko’s bare skin while his ears and tail tickled him like feathers, leaving the poor prince in stitches. His cheeks flushed a shade pinker as he realized how ridiculous and pathetic he must’ve looked at that moment—and in front of his enemies, no less. Zuko’s current disposition was a far cry from his usual grumpy, scowling self, and there was nothing he could do to shake it. The smile spread across his face at that moment was so uncharacteristically bright, the gang couldn’t help but mirror it.

“That’s what, fire boy!” Sokka replied fiendishly. “Get him, Momo! Do your worst!”

“Ahaha!” Zuko cackled. “I’ll—tohorch you!”

Aang laughed along with him, turning to Katara. “I guess this way isn’t so bad.”

Katara smiled fondly. “This is probably the happiest I’ve ever seen him. But I guess that depends on how you define ‘happy.’”

After circling his torso a couple more times in his lychee nut scavenger hunt, Momo must’ve gotten sick of being inside the twitchy teenager’s shirt. With a shriek and a warble, he shot out of Zuko’s sleeve and landed on Aang’s head, gorging himself on his findings.

“Good lemur,” Aang said, giving his ear a scratch. Momo trilled contentedly.

“Don’t let up now! We almost had him!” Sokka dashed toward Aang and tugged on Momo’s tail. “Come on! Do your duty! Your fuzziness is the key to bringing the Fire Nation to its knees!”

Momo hissed at him and took to the skies, winding through the air before disappearing into the woods.

“I think Momo’s had enough,” Katara declared with a grin. The group turned back to Zuko, who was panting and smiling and flushed to his core.

“How about you?” Sokka asked wryly. “Had enough yet?”

Even though he was still blushing, Zuko’s eyes flashed with rage. “Let me go!” he demanded again. “You can’t make me talk!”

“Alright, Appa! Your turn!” Sokka pulled on the flying bison’s foot, grunting with effort. “Go! Get him! Lick him into submission!”

“You know we can do this without animals, right?” Toph said, smirking. She strode toward Zuko, her steps pointedly slow and leisurely. The group exchanged a look.

“Careful, Toph,” Katara called after her. “He can still shoot fire from his mouth.”

“Oh, I bet he can,” Toph said. She stopped a few paces back from him with her hands on her hips, grinning smugly. Zuko glared daggers through the girl even though she couldn’t see him. In the blink of an eye, the earth bender disappeared under the ground then emerged behind him, making the prince start, her icy voice sending a shiver down his spine.

“But I bet it’s hard to control your breathing enough to do so when you’re laughing.”

Zuko’s throat tightened. He hated to admit it, but she was probably right. He could barely perform the move when he was fully concentrated and not strapped to a rock chair.

He almost wished they were hurting him to get him to talk. That would be a far more honorable defeat than succumbing to the childish threat they were making against him now. If he was broken by a bunch of kids sicing lemurs on him, he doubted he would ever live it down. But Toph seemed to have a different plan in mind.

“G-get away from me!” Zuko shouted. He didn’t know what else to do. He hated not being able to see where she was. “Whatever you’re insinuating isn’t going to work! You don’t scare me!”

Toph clicked her tongue. “Insinuating? I thought I was being obvious!” She pounded her heel against the ground, and a stool made of earth rose underneath her, giving her a place to sit right behind the restrained prince. She plopped down with a smile. “I’m going to tickle you.”

Zuko stiffened. She was talking loudly, so the whole group could hear.

“Does that not scare you? Are our assumptions wrong? Are you not ticklish?”

Zuko looked down at his torso. Toph’s hands were hovering a couple inches away from his exposed sides, her fingers spidering threateningly through the air.

“And in case you weren’t aware, I can tell when you’re lying.”

The heat in Zuko’s neck bled into his ears. “IhI’m—” he stammered, nervous laughter already creeping into his voice. He squeezed his eyes shut. “No! I’m not!”

The other three approached, the devious delight in their eyes goading his anxiety further.

“You sure about that, Zu-Zu?” Katara asked. “For someone who’s not ticklish, you were laughing an awful lot before.”

“And blushing like crazy!” Aang added cheerfully.

The teasing was enough to blow his top. Zuko strained against his bonds.

“Y-you’re all insane!” he yelled. “As soon as I’m out of here, I’ll roast every last one of you like a chicken cow on a spi—AGH!”

Mid-sentence, Toph’s fingers started crawling up his sides, dancing delicately along the skin beneath his ribcage. Zuko gasped, his words cut short, an explosion of giggles already amassing behind his lips.

“No, go ahead, Mister ‘I’m Not Ticklish.’ Finish it. You’ll roast us how? Like a chicken cow on a what?”

Zuko couldn’t even try to act poised. He’d always been exceptionally sensitive—a fact that irritated him to no end, one his mother used to take advantage of to cheer him up when he was little. Growing up, she was the only person in his immediate family who had ever been physically affectionate with him. His father barely even looked at him; the most attention he’d ever paid his son was when he’d scorched his face in front of the entire royal court. And Azula would never do anything to intentionally make her brother smile.

After his disgraceful banishment, Iroh had been cautious about showing his headstrong nephew too much affection. He didn’t want to smother him or scare him away. Now, three years into their search for the avatar, he’d thrown almost all that caution to the wind. It didn’t take him long to discover his nephew’s sensitivity, the way he sputtered and flinched when his torso was touched in certain places.

Iroh was kind enough not to exploit his findings in front of Zuko’s crew; the boy already had a hard enough time commanding their respect as it was, being a moody, exiled sixteen-year-old. But that didn’t stop him from tweaking his ribs or tasering him from behind whenever they were alone. The smiles and laughter these actions elicited were always worth it, despite the loud, long-winded protests that inevitably followed.

It embarrassed him how easy and often his uncle poked fun at his weakness. But he never imagined anyone using it against him as a weapon; a torture method to get him to talk.

Yet here he sat, bound and helpless, giggling hysterically as Toph’s fingers scoured the lengths of his sides, already desperate for the tickling to stop.

“Hahaha! Quihit it!”

“But you said you weren’t ticklish,” Toph reminded him, scuttling her hands up and down the prince’s twitchy torso. “If you aren’t ticklish, then this shouldn’t bother you one bit.”

Katara, Aang, and Sokka watched in amusement as the once strong and fearsome Zuko dissolved into a squirmy, laughing mess beneath Toph’s wiggly fingers. The color of his face was beginning to resemble the dark red of his shirt.

“Yohou’re—y-you—” Zuko sputtered, grasping for something scathing to say. Toph didn’t give him a chance to find one. Her hands suddenly curled into claws, and she switched from the soft, gentle tickling to kneading mercilessly into both sides of his tummy, driving her fingers deep into his flesh with all the endurance and ferocity indicative of earth benders. Zuko jolted and shrieked, arching his spine to try to get away, his laughter jumping in both octave and volume.

“AHAHAGH! Wahait—no—s-stohop! I cahan’t—eheeheehaha!”

“Come on, guys!” Toph called, waving them forward. “He won’t bite.”

Grinning, the three friends walked to stand directly in front of Zuko, who was floundering as much as his restraints would allow and smiling as wide as the sun.

“Not so mean and scary when he’s laughing his butt off, is he?” Katara chuckled. Zuko’s laughter was shrill and happy—two characteristics that completely contradicted his usual demeanor. It was also outrageously contagious; she had to cover her mouth to try to contain her own flood of giggles.

“I never knew the guy who’s been hunting me all this time could look so cute!” Aang concurred. Watching the Fire Nation prince crumble so spectacularly from such a kiddy tactic was strangely endearing.

Sokka poked Zuko’s bouncy chest with his boomerang. “Now talk! Answer my question, or Toph will tickle you to death!”

To be honest, Zuko barely remembered what the original question was. Something about fire? And an evil lair? An evil fire lair? His head was too preoccupied with the hands pinching and squeezing his belly to think straight. He couldn’t recall another instance where he’d been tickled this intensely. Being unable to guard himself made the sensation a thousand times worse.

“Goho jump in a lahahake!” he laughed, cursing the cracks and squeaks in his voice. Toph cooed.

“Aw! Fire Lord Zu-Zu’s trying to be tough!” She drilled into the soft spot underneath his ribs, making the poor prince thrash and squeal. No matter how much he squirmed or what way he angled his body, Toph’s hands stayed glued to his frame, exploring every ticklish inch of his defenseless midsection, targeting the spots that yielded the most frenzied reactions. She noticed the higher her tickle attack climbed up his torso, the shriller his laughter became, coupled with increasingly wilder attempts to escape. Moving maliciously slow, she began scaling Zuko’s ribcage with her hands, her fingers ascending each bone like a rung on a ladder, needling on top and around and in between.

“Ahahaha! Cut it ahahout!” Zuko cackled. She was terrifyingly good at this.

“How long you think you can stand it, tough guy? Five minutes? An hour? I could do this all night!” Her fingers were drawing closer and closer to his underarms, teasing and tickling every rib in between. His shirt did almost nothing to dull the increasingly unbearable sensation.

Sokka yawned. “As fun as this is, I’d rather not stay up all night, waiting for him to break.”

Toph shrugged, smiling deviously. “I don’t mind. I’m having fun.” She cracked her knuckles and resumed her conquest, her hands inching higher, higher, higher. “Coochie-coochie-coo! Your laugh is so cute I could barf!”

“Stahahahap it!” Zuko giggled. His whole body sizzled with embarrassment; his face hurt from smiling so big for so long.

“Maybe we could help speed up the process,” Katara said, smirking. “If all of us worked together, I’m sure we could get him talking in no time.”

Zuko was already splitting at the seams from just one person tickling him. If all four of them ganged up on him at once, he would most certainly die on the spot.

“Ooh, good idea,” Sokka said, wiggling his fingers eagerly.

“Plus, it’d be a fun, benign way for each of us to get him back for all the times he’s personally slighted us.” Katara turned to Aang with a grin. “What do you think?”

At that moment, Toph’s hands reached his armpits. She dug in relentlessly, poking and scratching and prodding, her touch sending shocks through Zuko’s entire skeleton. He jerked and sputtered for a couple of seconds, reeling from how intensely it tickled, before exploding into a whole new caliber of laughter.

“AHANOHOHAHA!” he cried. “GAHA—STAHAHAP—IHI CAHAN’T—AAHAHAHAAAA!”

“Uh oh,” Toph said mockingly, kneading diabolical circles into his underarms. “Did I find your weak point? Prince Zu-Zu’s little tickle spot? You’re in for it now, your highness.”

Sharp, squeaky hiccups began punctuating Zuko’s laughing fit. Aang watched the giggly teen squirm and shriek and smiled sympathetically.

“Let’s give him a break first. He looks like he’s about to burst.”

Sokka huffed, letting his arms fall to his sides. “You suck all the fun out of interrogating war prisoners,” he muttered. He pointed his boomerang at Toph. “Don’t let up completely, though. If he’s able to focus on his breathing, he might spew another fireball in my face. And I do not enjoy having fireballs spewed in my face.”

“You got it,” Toph said exuberantly. She moved her hands back down to his belly and started tickling his sides with just her index fingers, changing location and technique every few seconds: wiggling one into his hip while the other poked at his ribs, then swirling one across his tummy while the other fluttered against his midriff, then tasering both into the full length of his torso, lingering in the areas that made him most jumpy, and on and on.

It was much more tolerable than the previous torture, but still enough to keep him twitchy and giggly. He could never predict where her fingers would tickle him next, trapping him in a constant state of jittery nervousness. As soon as he got close to forcing the smile from his lips, another perfectly calculated poke would slap it right across his face again, paired with a yelp of surprise.

As he fidgeted restlessly in place, breathless giggles bubbling in his throat, the three kids in front of him stepped closer, looking smug.

“You ready to tell us how to defeat the Fire Lord?” Sokka asked.

Zuko wheezed. He had to stall long enough to think of a way out of this. Or at least to catch his breath—as much as he could in his current position.

“Whahat...does that even...mehean?” he panted.

“Don’t play dumb!” Sokka snapped. “Your father has a weakness—in his army, his hideout, somewhere. You know what it is. Tell us.”

Toph laughed. “We should try tickling him, too,” she said, giving Zuko’s side a squeeze. “Maybe being super ticklish runs in the family.”

Zuko jolted. “Quihit it! Why would I knohow anything like that?”

“Because you’re his son!” Sokka poked him repeatedly in the ribs. “Evil, Fire Nation, devil spawn!”

“He doesn’t look evil to me,” Katara cooed. “How could someone evil have such a cute laugh?”

Zuko wasn’t sure which was worse: the constant teasing making him blush tomato-red, or the two stiff fingers endlessly probing his ticklish torso. He hung his head to hide his dumb, smiley face. “Sh-shuhut up!”

“Aww, what’s wrong?” Toph asked. “You don’t like being called cute?”

“Who doesn’t like being called cute?” Aang said, boasting a goofy grin.

“Stop wasting our time!” Sokka exclaimed. “If you don’t start talking, you’re going to regret it.”

Just then, amidst her tickling spree, Toph’s hands found the hem of Zuko’s shirt. A smirk touched her lips as she reached underneath the fabric and started scuttling her fingers against his bare sides. The moment her nails made contact with his skin, Zuko yelped.

“Waha! Hehey!”

“You heard the man,” Toph said smugly. “Answer the question.”

She dragged her fingertips up and down his sides, letting her nails skate across his skin. Goosebumps flared along his arms and neck, spreading like wildfire. It was a gentler kind of tickling, but just as maddening in its own right. She started climbing toward his underarms again, this time with no clothing to dull the sensation. He didn’t think he’d survive if she reached her final destination.

“Ahahastahahap!” Zuko giggled. “I dohon’t know, okay? Yohour guess is as good as mihihine!”

“Liar,” Sokka hissed, looking over the prince’s shoulder. “Toph?”

The earth bender laid her palm against the back of the chair and snorted. “It’s kinda hard to tell whether or not he’s lying like this. His heart’s been hammering the entire time.” She clawed at his ribcage with her other hand, making him squirm helplessly. “But from what I can detect, it seems like he’s telling the truth.”

“No way,” Sokka spat. “He has to know something.”

“Maybe he doesn’t,” Aang ventured to say.

Toph’s hand slowed to a stop on either side of his ribcage. All ten of her fingers rested against his skin without moving. Even though she wasn’t currently tickling him, the imminent threat of her nails pressed into his defenseless torso kept him on edge.

“I dohon’t,” Zuko whimpered. He dropped his head against the back of the chair and closed his eyes, smiling listlessly. “The only weakness he has is one you already knohow about.”

The gang looked at each other blankly. “Which is…?” Sokka began.

Zuko scoffed, nodding towards Aang. “Him, of course. The avatar. Why do you think my family has been searching for him for the past three generations? Why do you think my father has had me hunting him down since I was thirteen?”

The three kids in front of him exchanged frowns. Toph’s hands slipped out of his shirt.

“He was definitely telling the truth that time.”

Sokka palmed his forehead. “Aw, man! So we got nothing from all this? No new information?” He stuck his finger in the prince’s chest. “What’s the point of you being the Fire Lord’s son if you don’t know anything about him that helps us?”

“At least it confirms what we already know,” Katara said, wrapping an arm around Aang’s shoulders. “Aang needs to master all the elements and defeat the Fire Lord to end the war.”

Aang smiled and shrugged. “Yeah. I guess so.”

“Fantastic,” Zuko grumbled. “Now would you let me out of this stupid chair? My feet are going numb.”

Katara hinted a grin. “I think I like you better when you’re all giggly and smiley.”

Zuko blushed and stared sideways. “I don’t.”

“If we let him go, how are we going to keep him from attacking or chasing us?” Aang asked.

Sokka tapped his chin, then cracked into a smirk. “Maybe we should give him a taste of what we’ll do to him if he does,” he suggested. “Avatar gang style.”

The four kids turned on Zuko with a mischievous gleam in their eyes. A fresh rush of heat washed over Zuko’s body.

“W-what?” he stammered, his gaze darting between them rapidly. Dread seized his throat as they approached him from four different sides, making him squirm with anticipation. “But—but you heard Toph! I told the truth! You’re not supposed to punish me for that! You’re supposed to let me go!”

“Don’t think of it as a punishment,” Sokka said innocently, rubbing his hands together. “Think of it as...I don’t know...a warning?”

“Plus, only Toph got to tickle you,” Aang added, forming his own rock stool next to Zuko’s right side. “I want a turn!”

Katara joined Toph behind the chair, leaving over the back rest. “And this is probably our last chance to hear your adorable little laugh,” Katara said. “You know, before you go back to being a moody grouch bent on chasing us to the ends of the earth.”

Zuko burned inside and out. There were four of them and one completely restrained him. He didn’t think he could take it. “W-what if I promise to leave you alone tonight? I’ll go back to my campsite and not bother you until morning. That’ll give you a big head start!”

“I thought that was a given,” Toph said, snaking her hands back under his shirt, her fingernails grazing his tummy. Zuko bristled from her delicate touch. It was already too much to bear. What remained of his fiery resolve crumbled away.

“Aha! A week then! I wohon’t mess with you for a weeheek!”

“Aww. He’s trying so hard to negotiate his way out of this.” Katara’s fingers brushed both sides of his neck, making him cringe. “Sorry, Zuko. But this is too much fun!”

“Here, Sokka,” Toph said, retracting the earth up his ankles so that his feet were exposed. “Maybe you should try tickling some feeling back into his feet.”

Sokka grinned and sat on the ground, pulling off the prince’s shoes. “Good idea!”

“Noho!” Zuko yelped. He pulled at his bonds and curled his toes in protest. “Thihis isn’t fair! Guhuys—wait—AHAHAGH!”

Aang started poking around his torso, testing and teasing different spots with his soft but frenetic touch. This cued Toph to jump back to his underarms, her fingers fluttering lightly against the hollows. At the same moment, Sokka began gliding two fingers up and down his arches. All of them were tickling him relatively gently, aware of the fact that if they each gave it their all, Zuko might explode. Regardless, having eight hands prod and stroke the most sensitive areas of his body all at once was absolutely maddening, launching him into a hysterical giggle fit.

“Ahahahaheehee!” He threw his head back, twisting and bucking frantically. “Guhuhuys!”

“This is what we’ll do to you every time you try to capture Aang,” Toph told him, giggling as she tickled the undersides of his upper arms. “Think about that the next time you’re feeling kidnappy.”

“I don’t think I’ll be able take regular ‘ol grumpy-pants Zuko seriously ever again,” Sokka chuckled. “Even when he’s back to shooting fire at us, all I’ll be thinking about is his silly little laugh and goofy smile!”

Hiccups started puncturing his giggles again. So many places on his body were being tickled at once, his brain couldn’t decide which one to focus on. Zuko didn’t care about trying to feign toughness anymore; he just needed this to end.

“Stahahap! No mohohore! Pleeheehease!”

Katara spidered her nails against the back of his neck, making him shrink into himself with a squeak. “He did say please,” she pointed out.

Just then, a twig broke in the woods, followed by a figure emerging from the tree line. The four friends ceased their attack and glanced up fearfully.

Although he was still dizzy from the onslaught of tickling, Zuko lifted his head and spotted the silhouette as well. The person’s shape was oddly familiar. He realized who it was before the telltale voice rang across the clearing.

“Prince Zuko?” Iroh called, stepping out of the shadows and into the pale moonlight. “Is that you?”

“Uncle!” Zuko cried, relief rushing through him. He thrashed in place. “Hehelp me! I’m trapped!”

“What are you kids doing to my nephew?” Iroh asked, stopping in front of the five of them, although his tone wasn’t particularly angry or concerned. It was more intrigued.

“We haven’t hurt him,” Katara insisted. “Toph caught him sneaking into our camp and restrained him. We were going to let him go, but then we thought he might have some information on the Fire Lord. So, uh…”

She felt weird about explaining the rest. Fortunately, Aang jumped in for her.

“So then we tickled him!” Aang said, giving Zuko’s side a couple pinches. The prince flinched and giggled. “We wanted to get him to talk without harming him.”

Iroh smiled at the sound of Zuko's laughter and the happy expression on his face, neither of which had made an appearance in a very long time. They reminded him just how young the banished son of the crown truly was. He shook his head amusedly. “Poor Prince Zuko. It would seem your friends have discovered your weakness.”

“Thehey are nohot my friends!” Zuko cackled. “Just help me, Uncle! Gehet me out of here!”

“He has a very cute laugh, does he not?” Iroh chortled.

“Disgustingly cute,” Toph agreed, poking his armpit. Zuko squirmed and squealed.

“And an even cuter smile,” Iroh observed. “It’s a shame I don’t get to witness both more often.”

“Uhuncle!” Zuko pleaded, spiraling into giggly shambles. Iroh smiled at Toph.

“Would you please consider sparing my nephew and handing him over to me? I promise he will not cause you any more trouble this evening.”

Toph turned toward the others, waiting for any objections. When none came, she offered Iroh a nod.

“All right. Stand back, everyone.”

The rest of the group did as they were told. Once they had moved a safe distance away, she punched her fists toward the ground, and the chair fell apart, along with the rock cuffs on Zuko’s hands and feet. He hit the earth with a grunt, flustered and panting.

Iroh approached him and helped him stand. Zuko hugged his midsection with a moan.

“Uhugh...my sides,” he whined. His skin felt tingly and his belly still bubbled with hundreds of giggly butterflies, making it difficult to keep from smiling. He wanted to snarl at the group, to swear they were going to pay for what they’d done to him, but he was too exhausted and embarrassed by the whole situation to summon the energy. Iroh wrapped an arm under his shoulders to support him.

“Thank you for not harming my nephew,” Iroh said to the four kids. “I owe you all a great debt.”

“Don’t...th-thank them,” Zuko huffed.

“But I must,” Iroh retorted. He tweaked the young prince’s side. “They reminded me how to brighten you up whenever you’re being a downer.”

Zuko flinched away, trying to look angry but betrayed by a giggly grin. “Ahagh! Ehenough already!” He whirled around. “You’re all crazy! I’m leaving!”

Zuko stomped toward the woods, smoke hissing from his fists, blush burning through his face and ears. The group laughed.

“This was fun, Prince Zu-Zu. Let’s do it again sometime.”

Sokka waved. “Visit again soon! Next time, we’ll have Appa join the fun!”

Zuko did not like the sound of that. Although part of him found some tiny flicker of release in laughing authentically for the first time in almost three years, he was perfectly fine with waiting another three years for the next instance to occur. After all, he had a reputation to uphold.

569 notes · View notes

max-xy · 3 years

Text

MBAV script

Me + face claim:

Name: Max Marie Becerra

Species: Human but is the reincarnation of a witch that was killed in the 1600s. Also a “healer”

Aesthetic: kidcore, clowncore, grunge fairycore, y2k, 80’s, etc..

Age: 15 (May 1st, 1995)

Gender: non-binary (he/they/it/she/void/moth)

Sexuality: Bisexual

Hair: green

Eyes: Hazel

Height: 5’2

Teeth: straight, sharp canines

Diagnosis: ADHD, depression, and GAD(again I have these diagnosis irl)

Personality:

•Same as CR

•Goofy

•Compassionate

•Great at comforting others

•Funny

•Lovable

•sarcastic but doesn’t understand sarcasm

•Adorable

•Sassy

•Kinda oblivious

•Awkward in a cute way

•Easily flustered

•Sometimes a flirt

•Easy to get along with

•Able to stand up for others but not myself

•Tends to put my problems aside for others

•No one really knows about my problems unless they pry it out of me

•Strong Empath

•Hates crying in front of others(it makes me feel weak)

•Not quick to anger

•Will start singing randomly

•Stims a lot

•Tics

•hums a lot

•Able to react fast and is agile

•Can fight and improvise very easily

•Very strong (physically) even though I don’t look like it

•I know how to use a wide variety of weapons

•I can get information out of people easily

•I can be very stealthy when I want too

•Great at picking up others conscious and subconscious behaviors

•I pick up things easily

•Most people like me even if they just met me

•Knows a lot about mythology, philosophy, psychology, sociology, and ethics.

School: good grades, school comes easy to me, and staff likes me

Friends:

Ethan- met in 1st grade when a bully pushed him off the swing and I went to help him. Didn’t like me much because “I could defend myself”. Warmed up to me after I befriended Rory and Benny. He/him, unlabeled and definitely not straight. Acts like the tired friend but is as much to blame for the dumbassery and chaos.

Benny- Met in 1st. Non-binary, He/they, disaster bisexual. Doesn’t even try to pretend he isn’t a dumbass at this point. I confide in him the most.

Rory- Met in 1st. Non-binary, they/he/she/vam/vamp/vamps/vampself, and Panromantic/asexual disaster. If left alone together chaos will strike. Actually some what good at keeping a secret but don’t trust them with everything. Good with pep talks and advice.

Sarah- met in a Dusk fan club meeting in 8th grade. Kinda became friends and exchanged numbers. We later became friends through Ethan. Mom friend. Dating Erica. She/her Bisexual

Erica- met at the same meeting. Exchanged numbers. She tolerates me more than Benny, Ethan, or Rory. Pretends like she doesn’t. Dating Sarah. She/they, trans, lesbian. Will fight someone for you.

Jane- acts as my little sister. She/her, straight?.

All- We do movie nights at least once a month at Ethans house. Erica complains most of the time saying that Sarah dragged her along but she secretly likes going. We switch off on who picks the movie. Erica always picks a Dusk film. Tons of snacks for everyone. We let Jane stay up with us during movie nights.

Love life-

Ethan & Benny- we all have crushes on each other but scared to admit it because we don’t wanna mess up our friendship.

Oh yeah no one is Neurotypical(did I spell that right?)

Family:

Older sister(left)- Bones Becerra, she/they/xe, 19 years old, trans, lesbian. Lives at home while attending a public college for art studies, history, and literature. Small group of friends. Personality: chill, ADHD, doesn’t do good under pressure, tries to understand your situation, sleeps for 4 hours everyday, loves 70s and 80s movies, That 70’s Show and Sailor Moon are comfort shows, bites her lips a lot, bad with comforting people, that drunk girl that will help you in the bathroom and told your hair back while you puke, shows love by doing things for you or picking on you, and loves playing cards.

younger brother (right)- William Becerra, he/him, 10 years old, questioning. Personality: ADHD, loves video games, very hyperactive, has many fursonas, dresses up as animals, wears makeup and stickers, has vitiligo, has a Dino mask, loves dresses and skirts, raised on Disney, FNAF, Good Mythical Morning, and Discord, extroverted, big friend group but 2 close friends, good at public speaking, hates pizza, has a pet hamster and a lizard. Stims a lot.

Mother(left)- Elizabeth Becerra, she/her, 39 years old, lesbian. Married at 19 years old to high school sweetheart, first child(age 20, in 1991) second child(age 24, in 1995) third child(age 29, in 2000). Later figured out she was lesbian so filed for divorce and got full custody of all children. Has been dating Jessica for two years. Personality: Full on Disney adult, plans two or three trips to Disneyland a year, makes you comfort food when your sick, took parenting courses, always there to listen or offer support, you have friends? Great she adopted them, works as a children therapist, lets you take mental health days, helps with projects, loves watching crime documentaries and shows, will rant about her childhood, ADHD, will tell you how dispose of a body and hide evidence, believes in the supernatural, does tarot readings, and practices witch craft.

Moms girlfriend(right)- Jessica Miller, they/she, 37, non-binary, lesbian. They have no biological children but has adopted Lizzie’s children as their own. Runs their own online business were they sell their art, deco adult pacifiers, and old things they find while thrifting or dumpster diving. They have a studio set up in the house. Personality: they loves cooking, ASD, doing art, they don’t exactly know how to respond to emotions, their special interest is art and collecting stuffed animals, she is an age regressor, will rant about their favorite show or what new piece they’re working on, projects onto fictional characters(same), watches anime and cartoons, and recently got into FNAF because of William. Has a pet cat named Luz after Luz from The Owl House.

#mbav #shifting realities #shifting script #shifting to desired reality #mbav rory #mbav benny #mbav sarah #mbav erica #mbav ethan

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toloveawarlord · 3 years

Text

Event: Valentine 2021

Pairing: Joanna Clemence x Edgar Bright

Tagging: @thetwinkims @plumpblueberry @youreawizardharr @starry-starry-night24

[Event Closed]

“They’ll only hold our reservation for another ten minutes.”

If looks could kill.

Edgar flashed his Queen a charming, innocent smile, thoroughly enjoying remaining a bystander. On their way to dinner, the two officers happened upon a thief fleeing custody of a Black Army soldier. In all honesty, the Jack would have simply ignored it, however...

“It’s hardly my fault that incompetent soldier allowed this criminal to escape apprehension -- I said stop struggling!” Her wrath redirected back down to the wriggling man on the cold cobblestones. Joanna shoved the sharp heel of her black pump between his shoulder blades, knocking the thief down again. “Of all days for me not to have my cuffs.”

The man groaned, pain radiating through his torso. “Who the hell are you, tramp! Let me go!” The anger etched on his features crumpled into terror at the matching fury on both the officers features.

Jade irises narrowed as he spoke with venom dripping from his tongue. “Although Joanna is in no need for any assistance, I’d be thrilled to teach you how to properly speak to a lady.” Edgar reveled at how the man seemingly shriveled as he approached. “And I promise it won’t be painless.”

“Careful, Edgar. Your sadistic side is showing,” Joanna said, making no moves to actually stop her fellow officer from following through. Her arms folded across her chest, the bustier cut dress not quite appropriate for the weather. Amber eyes regarded the criminal with muted displeasure. “You’re either brave or stupid for insulting the Queen of Hearts.”

The man’s head swiveled to an uncomfortable angle to properly look at her, eyes big as saucers. He’d been unaware. His gaze followed up her exposed leg, gulping slightly the higher he got. The soft pink gown fitting her form perfectly, baring her shoulders. Striking amber irises with her signature glare on porcelain features.

Both Edgar and Joanna paused.

Their captive promptly fainting.

“What a fool.” Joanna sighed, gaze falling on the panting Black Army soldier responsible for causing this entire scene. “I know your army is a ragtag bunch, but at least don’t let criminals escape your custody. It’s embarrassing, and I don’t appreciate having to clean up your mess on my day off.”

She left him standing there muttering an apology.

“Do you imagine he passed out because of who you were or the fact that he’d likely saw the great Queen of Hearts panties?” Edgar mused, expertly averting the uncoordinated smack she attempted. It surely wasn’t the cold that put the band of pink across her cheeks.

“Do you have any shame? We’re in public.” Her words hissed but lacking her usual hostility. She didn’t pull away when his fingers laced with hers. His cheeky behavior always aided in lowering her guard. Joanna didn’t hate that he showed his love for her so freely.

“No one is paying attention. They’re too engrossed in their own relationships. It is Valentine’s Day after all.” Something he’d reminded her of for days leading up to it. He’d even gone behind her back to petition King Lancelot to give them both the day off.

The lights of the street faded when Edgar tugged her along into a tiny alcove hidden from view. He did so adore the innocent surprise on her features. Before she had the chance to speak, his lips were on hers, taking a deep, passionate kiss. His arm securely around her waist, holding her flush against his body.

Joanna couldn’t feel the cold of the stone wall behind her. Anyone else wouldn’t have cared for how she hated to ruin a perfectly beautiful dress. Edgar had rested his other hand against the rough wall, keeping her a safe distance from the dirt caked between its cracks.

A little gesture that meant the world to her.

“What about our reservation?” Joanna managed to ask the question between heated kisses. Dinner hardly on her mind when he erased all her thoughts.

Edgar chuckled, biting gently on her bottom lip before pulling away. “You’re the Queen of Hearts. You’re in need of no reservation. They’ll be ready whenever we decide to arrive.” He had made one, but the staff wouldn’t turn away a Bright and a Clemence. It would mean ruin for their business, even if neither of them intended it.

Rumors tended to be more harmful than all else.

“Happy Valentine’s Day, my Queen Joanna.”

#ikemen revolution #ikerev #edgar bright #joanna clemence #genderbent jonah clemence #valentine event 2021 #vday

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fluffykitty1999-blog · 3 years

Text

Dog of the Military- Chapter 35

Chapter 35

A little bit of rest and relaxation for our favorite heroes, and some family bonding time fluff.

Also- Mustang gets a little ribbing from Hughes and acknowledges that yeah, he’s a dad.

Roy ended up lacking the motivation to carry Ed up the stairs to his room. Or to make himself climb the stairs to get to his own bedroom. He ended up depositing Ed on the couch and flopping into his favorite recliner.

Alphonse had gotten a ride to the hospital at some point, and he puttered into the house behind them, with a bag full of prescriptions for both the other residents of the home.

Al seated himself calmly on the floor and started reading an issue of Cosmo as the Roy and Ed slept.

It was sunlight streaming through the window, the smell of coffee, and voices that woke him in the morning.

Roy blinked harshly, getting to his feet and checking the time. It was almost noon.

He'd thought he was doing good- but as he walked, he realized there was a jackhammer drilling behind his eyes and his headache came back as he became more awake.

Still, he trooped into the kitchen, intent on tracking down some of the coffee he'd been smelling.

He found Hawkeye sitting at his kitchen table, speaking quietly to Alphonse.

"Good morning Colonel!" Al said happily.

"Morning, Alphonse." Gosh, he felt like absolute garbage. Still, if He slammed some coffee and painkillers, he could probably get in a good half day at work, if the Lieutenant was kind enough to drive him. There was no way he'd be able to drive himself in his current dizzy state.

"Lieutenant- mind giving me a ride to work?"

Riza sipped from her mug of coffee, shaking her head. "No need. You've been given the day off. Edward, too."

"By who?"

"General Haruko himself, sir. He and the brass have enough to deal with, he wanted to congratulate you on catching Banks." her gaze flickered to Alphonse for a moment, and Roy knew he wasn't getting the whole story. Still, he knew that Riza must have a reason for keeping the truth from him, and he nodded, grabbing some bread from the breadbox and making himself some plain toast, pressing his palm to his pounding head.

"Take two of these, sir. Alphonse will give you more in an hour." Riza offered him something from a prescription bottle, and he downed both pills dry before nodding, grabbing his toast.

"What about Ed?" Roy asked, thinking of the boy still passed out on the couch. "Has he got anything he has to take?".

"I woke him and gave him his medication about an hour ago. My lunch is almost over, though, I have to get back to the office. One of the men from the office will bring by dinner, Alphonse will call and tell us what you want..."

Riza Hawkeye was, in fact, an angel in human form.

Ed was still out cold on the couch, and Roy took the opportunity to toss a blanket over him before sinking back into the recliner. He briefly considered reading the paper before electing not to, deciding today would be better spent being lazy. He hardly ever got days off like this- and neither did Ed. Might as well waste it sleeping while he could.

LINEBREAK LINEBREAK LINEBREAK LINEBREAK LINEBREAK

"Yeah- four cheese pizzas, with like, a bunch of shit on them. I don't even care, as long as those little fish aren't on it. Surprise me. I dunno- a soda. Something brightly colored. Yeah, he'll probably eat some too. No, he's not awake. You know what, throw some breadsticks in there too. They're really good. Yeah, he's alive, I totally checked like five minutes ago. Alright. See you soon. Thanks Havoc." Ed hung up the phone and plunked himself back on the couch, looking pleased with himself.

Roy opened his eyes.

"Oh good- you're awake." Alphonse said cheerily.

"Welcome back to the land of the living, Bastard." Ed smirked. "You want anything for dinner? You weren't awake, but I can call back and order more..."

All Roy really wanted right now was some tea, and maybe a breadstick or two.

"No- I'll have some of whatever." his headache was still there, but not as intense as before. It was more a quiet sort of misery than a burning agony, now.

"Alphonse- do we have any tea?"

"Yes, we do! I'll go put on the kettle." Alphonse bounded to his feet, setting something off his lap and going into the kitchen. He was glad to be of help.

Roy looked down to see some sort of red yarn monstrosity nearly covering the floor of his living room.

"Alphonse taught himself how to knit today. I'd say that's lame, but all I've been doing is drinking juice boxes and complaining, so he did more than me." Ed spoke up from the couch.

"I tried to read something about the stone, but then I fell asleep again. These damn pills ruin everything." Ed complained, sitting up a little straighter.

Roy smirked. "That's not what you were saying at the ER last night. The pain medication made you act like a little kid."

"Shut up, I don't wanna hear it!"

"It was adorable. You came over and cuddled with me."

"Lalala!" Ed was covering his ears, now, and Roy laughed slightly. The only bad thing was that with Hughes in the hospital, he wouldn't have photographic evidence.

The doorbell rang just as Alphonse came back into the room with tea, and Ed jumped to his feet, excited. "Dinner!"

He came back with Havoc and several pizza boxes, settling himself down on the floor and starting to demolish an entire pizza by himself.

Havoc smirked. "Well. Glad to see the Chief wasn't too badly affected by everything. How are you, Boss?" Havoc looked over at Roy, who shrugged.

"I'll live." he sipped his tea and grabbed a bread stick from one of the take out containers. "How are they resolving this whole incident?"

Havoc shrugged. "I'm under orders not to talk about work with you. Hawkeye says you can get caught up on it yourself." Havoc shot a quick glance at Ed, who was still eating at an insane pace, and once again, Roy realized that there was something he didn't want to tell him in front of the boys. He'd find out soon enough when he went back to work again tomorrow, anyways.

"Hey Havoc- you wanna sign my cast!?" Ed held up his casted arm and continued to eat pizza with his other arm, and Havoc grinned, pulling out a sharpie from his pocket.

"Sure, Chief, let me see.".

LINEBREAK LINEBREAK LINEBREAK LINEBREAK LINEBREAK

The morning at work was quiet- Hughes had been discharged from the hospital yesterday, and Hawkeye told him he should go visit him friend immediately when he came in, despite the obvious stacks of paperwork on his desk. Roy complied without question- he'd known something was up since yesterday.

Fullmetal was occupied filling out his own share of paperwork about what'd happened, and getting people to sign his cast between forms.

He found it easy to duck out and stride into the investigation's branch, letting himself in and nodding to Scheska before he was knocking on the door to his friend's office excitedly.

Hughes was sitting sideways at his desk, his casted leg propped up on a chair set beside him. He gave a tired smile when he strode into the room.

"I was wondering how long before you showed up."

Roy snagged another chair and pulled it up, sitting down across from his friend.

"Well, I'm here. And I get the feeling something else has happened, but none of my team will say it outright. So tell me what it is. How are they resolving this case? Is Banks in custody?"

"No." Hughes frowned, sliding a manilla folder across the desktop.

"Banks was driving a car with two Drachmans in it and Ed in the passenger seat. They were tailed by a car driven by a single Drachman. Despite the crash, there was only one fatality. A Drachman in the car Ed was in- he was ejected and died on the scene. Everyone else survived the crash."

"So why aren't they in custody, then?" Roy said, not understanding.

"Open the file, Roy."

Roy obeyed. He found himself staring at the pieces of a destroyed car- the black car was upside down, the windows shattered, the front absolutely smashed... Roy found himself nauseas just looking at it, and he had to pull his eyes away.

"Ed... that was..." he could hardly put the words together.

Hughes nodded. "That was the car Ed rode in, yeah. He was the only one wearing a seat belt. He was also the only one uninjured enough to walk away from the crash. And it's a damn good thing he did."

"I don't understand. Ed said Banks was breathing when he left him, they were too injured to run away..."

"Someone else got there before the military, Roy." Hughes said gently. "Armstrong is processing the scene- he's the one who took these pictures. Shortly after Ed left, the wedding band killer surface from a nearby manhole."

Roy continued flipping through the folder- pictures, of a blood trail from bodies being dragged across the pavement, an open manhole cover...

"They were too injured to get away. The wedding band killer dragged every living man out of those cars and took them down into the sewers with him. He's having a hell of a lot of fun right now chopping them up- Armstrong has been able to confirm Banks is dead, though we're still looking for pieces of the other two. The corner is going to get back to me- let me know if we have enough body parts to account for three bodies. He left the dead man in the street- he only wanted the ones that were still alive."

Roy kept flipping through the photos. There were messages written in blood on the sewer walls. Cryptic warnings, some quotes of religious text, and for one, just a large smilie face drawn in blood.

"Are you okay?" Hughes asked, looking at Roy with concern.

Roy took a deep breath, closing the file folder when he was done. His heart was hammering in his chest. "I will be." he said finally, looking up. "I just... didn't expect them to all be dead. And like that..."

"Dragged into the sewers by a madman and tortured to death. Yeah, it's not exactly an ideal ending for anybody..."

"That could've been Edward."

"But it wasn't." Hughes said firmly. "Your staff all knows, but nobody has told Ed, and we're not planning to. All he needs to know is that they've been handled by the justice system."

"What kind of justice is that?" Roy looked down at the folder in disgust.

"Street justice. I know nobody deserves that, and it's horrific, but the one good thing that came out of all of this is that Ed is finally safe in Central again. That's what I tell myself, anyways."

"So- what does the brass think of all of this?"

Hughes sighed. "They have... mixed feelings on the matter. They're glad the whole Banks Fiasco has been dealt with. They're glad the Drachman issue is dealt with and was never publicized. And they're breathing down my neck trying to get me to catch the Wedding Band killer. I've already borrowed a couple of your men and called in as many favors as I could to help locate this guy. We're going to be starting to search the sewer systematically in teams next week." Hughes said simply.

"Enough of the official talk, though- what about the boys?"

"What about them?" Roy asked, looking puzzled. "I'm not planning on telling them about any of this. Now that the Drachmans and Banks are out of the picture, he'll probably start asking to travel again..."

"And what will you do?" Hughes asked, steepling his fingers and eyeing his friend carefully.

"I'll let him go." something painful in his chest tugged as he said those words, but he knew it was the right thing to do. Edward had goals to accomplish, leads to chase- and he wouldn't get anywhere standing still. "There's no reason to worry about him more than usual, now that things are dealt with. Besides, it's probably safer. It means I won't have to worry about him while I'm helping with the Mr. Fingers case. I'd rather have him out of the city while this is dealt with- he's already gotten too close to this killer for comfort a few times."

"Right. That's what I figured. How soon do you plan on letting him go out again?"

Roy paused for a moment, thinking. Ed did have a broken wrist- he was still sleeping more than usual, starting to recover...

"I'll keep him here for a week. Then he can go back out on his search."

"You sound disappointed." Hughes observed.

"It's... more lively with them around. But I'd only be hurting them if I kept them too close. I'm not the only one with goals, Hughes." he wondered about the day when Ed would return to Central city not with a suit of armor, but with Alphonse in the flesh. He realized he didn't know what Alphonse physically looked like- not even in pictures- and something fluttered in his chest at the thought of finally seeing the younger of the two boys for the first time.

"That's what being a parent is, you know. Knowing when to protect them and keep them close, and knowing when to let them go into the world on their own."

"I'm not their father, Hughes."

"No. You're not. But you're the closest thing they have. Ed's probably gonna be back here in two months, pissed and tired because he hasn't found anything. What'll you do then?"

"Tell the kid to go take a shower and let him crash upstairs. If he finds any alchemy that he needs my help with, he'll ask me about it."

"That's what a parent does. You're they're father, Roy, in all but name."

"Somethings are better left unsaid, Hughes. I'm climbing up the ladder- the less people know about who I care about, the better."

"And if Edward says it?"

"He already has."

"He has!?" Hughes eyes widened and his grin grew impossibly wide.

"Yes. He was drugged to high heaven in a hospital, but he's called me Dad."

"And did you correct him?"

"No."

"That's it. I'm starting a damn photo album." Hughes was rooting through his desk drawers.

Mustang sighed, standing and heading for the door. This was probably all the useful conversation he'd get with Hughes today.

"You had two damn kids and I didn't even get to come to your baby shower!"

"Shut up, Hughes!"

Obligatory ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/fluffykitty12 .

#fma #fma fanfiction #Fullmetal Alchemist #fullmetal alchimist brotherhood #Roy Mustang #edward elric #Parental Roy #parentalroy #whumph #whump #hurt/comfort #hurt #comfort #dogofthemilitary #injury

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revisionaryhistory · 3 years

Text

Three Days ~ 62

~*~Emma~*~

I slapped at my phone until the alarm stopped. My head was exploding. Why did I think drinking champagne all day was a good idea? I guess it was better than being sober all day. Thankfully, there was Advil in my purse and a bottle of water on the nightstand. The alarm went off again. I grabbed my phone, silenced the alarm, and checked what I'd done. There were alarms set for every fifteen minutes. Must have hit snooze last time. At least I'd had the forethought to set my alarm early enough to pack. There was a little blinking light telling me I had a text.

Sebastian ~ Up early for a TV interview. Hope you're not feeling too bad. Enjoy your morning with the women.

Sebastian ~ If we miss each other have a safe flight.

Sebastian ~ Check Instagram

Uh oh. Wonder what he posted. I touched the notification saying he'd posted and laughed. The mouse ears were so him. He looked adorable. The mocking expression on his face and the caption was perfect. From the many, many comments his fans agreed. I liked the post but went back to text to comment.

Emma ~ Funny, funny boy. And cute.

Emma ~ Head bursting. My own fault.

Emma ~ xoxo

I showered, packed, got ready, and double-checked I had everything before dragging my bag downstairs. The house was quiet. I'd said my good-byes to Dad, Amy, and Katie last night. Mom came down as I was finishing my toast and fruit. She was dressed in scrubs and looked like her Advil hadn't kicked in yet. She went straight to the Keurig, "How's your head?"

I held up my coffee cup, "Caffeine and Advil have helped. You?"

"Why did we think that was a good idea?"

I laughed, "It was fun."

"You need to drink a lot of water before your flight."

"Will do." I grabbed us both a bottle of water out of the fridge.

In the car, mom called into work and did her typical morning meeting. I used to love going in to do rounds. Very Grey’s Anatomy. Not quite as fascinating as an adult. I used the time to post a couple of things on Instagram. Amy and I had mom take identical pictures yesterday and I posted them with dad’s bad joke about not being able to imagine what I'd look like with short hair. The first pick was me with long hair and if you swiped you got Amy with shorter hair. One more swipe gave you a picture of us both.

Chris Evans was the first comment, "You just gave Seb a heart attack."

I sent back, "Na, we had a FT date last night."

If Sebastian, Chris, and Chace were going to be commenting I needed to go through my followers and cull the people with which I didn't interact. By the look of follow requests, Amy must have given out my user name. Most were people from Saturday. That wasn't going to happen. Lauren was the only possible and I left her on the list. The others I declined. Even without the Three Musketeers, I wouldn’t have approved them.

The shelter had a real name, but if you knew where and what it was you referred to it as a home for lost girls. There was usually a wide range of ages, but they were all lost girls. Mom went to set up and I joined the other women in the common room. There was no time limit for staying and every time I came here it was a mix of old and new faces. Stacy, one of the therapists from my rehab facility, was now the director and she joined us ten minutes after I'd arrived. She called for everyone to gather and I joined in their morning group. So many women with so many stories just trying to make it through the nights. I was cautious with what I disclosed but easily gave feedback and comfort. When group was over mom started calling today's patients back. Others went off to start their day and I stayed with whoever was left. I spent a long time with a girl who couldn’t be much over eighteen. Her timid jumpiness told me she was new, her story fresh. I sat with her, Stacy, and two other residents until they convinced her to join them for some distraction.

Stacy studied my face, "You look happy. Things going well?"

There was always a check. She did groups when I was in rehab, so while I worked with her it wasn’t individual. I’m sure she knew more about me from treatment planning meetings than I’d shared with her. I had asked Trevor once what he shared and he said just the basics, but not details of my story. "Very. Work, good volleyball team, life in general." I felt the smile forming.

"That's a boyfriend face if I’ve ever seen one."

"He’s pretty great." I glanced to the hall making sure my mom wasn't there. "Helped me get through this long weekend."

"I guess that means I won't be seeing you more often. You're very soothing. I could put you to good use."

I cringed, "Don't let mom hear you say that."

The fun thing about talking to Stacy in this setting is I get to know about her life too. We caught up like old friends until mom was ready to go.

"There's enough time to get a coffee. You could tell me more about you and Sebastian."

Seriously? I've been here four days. We're on the way to the airport. This is the last possible moment she could ask about us, about him. I am doubtful of the sincerity of her curiosity.

"Mom, I appreciate the olive branch, but no, I don't want to have coffee and talk about Sebastian."

She didn't look at me.

I felt a little bad. "Is there something going on with Amy I don't know about?"

Her face read panic when she looked over, "Why would you ask that?"

"Because you and dad are so, I don’t know, protective. She hasn't used since she got pregnant. She's a good mom. Work is good. Saturday was fun. She and Max are a thing. Since Christmastime, we’ve talked and texted more. She seems in a good place. I don’t get why I’m supposed to pretend my life sucks. Is there something you're not telling me?"

"No, she's doing well. Can you understand we want to keep it that way?"

"Of course, but is sheltering her like this necessary?" She started to say something and I held up my hand. "Let me finish. You're trying so hard to protect her you've hurt me. I’ve never felt less important than this visit. Completely discounted. Like you don't care about my life, my happiness."

"That's not true, but Amy..."

I interrupted, angry now, "No, mom. I tell you my feelings are hurt and I feel unimportant and instead of addressing me you say "but Amy." I don't brag about myself, but it seems like anything above my total failure is assumed to make her inferior. If that's true she needs a better therapist. Did you ever consider that your over-protectiveness tells her she's not capable? Just like when we were sixteen, what you see as best is the worst possible thing for me. You saw us as broken and damaged. When I didn't see myself that way you focused on Amy instead of putting aside your guilt and fear to figure out what I needed. I didn’t need pity or to be seen as half a person damaged by a tragedy. I needed to be seen as a strong whole person who had something bad happen. Twelve years later my experience is still less because I wasn't addicted to heroin. The rest was different but equally bad."

"I understand that, Emma. I'm proud of you. I don't know the reasons, why you soar and she struggles. Maybe part is on us. We were devasted and grieving. Amy's reaction made sense. Yours didn’t. You are not less important. Your happiness matters. You are stronger than Amy. It takes nothing from you to restrain what you talk about in front of her."

Right back where we started. "The only reason it doesn’t is that I won't let it."

The look on her face was relieved. Pleased. She misunderstood and I wasn't willing to clarify.

It does take something from me to diminish my happiness and hide my successes. It does take something away from me to have my parents not ask about me except for the last half hour of my visit or expect me to whisper in the corner. With the limited time I spend with my biological family, I could do as they ask. The problem isn't as much what they ask of me, as much as their complete unawareness or lack of concern about my feelings. As Eli, and probably Sebastian, would say, "they chose Amy."

I choose me.

The silence was uncomfortable, so I filled it talking about room switches at work and my ideas for changing my room’s theme. It's possible I was being childish by refusing to talk about Sebastian. I definitely felt like a child right now. A surly one.

At the airport, we hugged, exchanged I love yous, and she told me to tell Sebastian it was nice to meet him. I said I would. Might have been a lie.

In the baggage check line, I mulled over options. I wanted a friendly voice, but I wanted to leave this behind. Angie and I had texted several times a day as usual and she knew what was going on.

Emma ~ Heading toward security. Once I clear I could use a friendly voice.

Angie ~ You can keep me company while I fold laundry. Support or distraction?

Emma ~ Distraction

Angie ~ Oh good, I want to hear the story behind the mouse ears. He looked hot.

Emma ~ Will do!

There was plenty of time before my flight since I’d opted out of coffee with mom. I headed to the food court area. The first thing I saw was a Savannah Candy Kitchen and bought enough pralines to share at school tomorrow. We had to have our rooms packed by Friday if we wanted the custodial staff to move us. Luckily, I kept everything in my cabinets in totes and bins, so that was done. I enjoyed taking things down and starting over. I’d throw on some music, dance, and sing my way through the day.

One bite of praline and my stomach started screaming. I’d had toast and fruit for breakfast to work through the hangover. That was gone. I’d forgotten there was a Varsity in Terminal C. Mmmm. Cheeseburger, some home-made fries, and a super thick orange shake. I could walk to the one at UGA from my Freshman dorm. I found a table in a corner and took a picture to make people jealous with later before calling Angie.

“Mind if I eat while we talk?”

“We take our phones to the bathroom and keep on FaceTime.”

“Good point.” Not like we didn’t go to the bathroom together. Seemed silly to hang up. “Sebastian told me I could watch him pee the other night.”

She laughed, “How did this come up in conversation?”

“We were discussing birthday sex and it took a turn into limits. Watching him pee is as far as he’ll go.” We both laughed.

“Perfectly acceptable limit.”

“Definitely.” I shoved a fry in my mouth and moaned my approval. “He can feel the strings of my IUD.”

“Eli can’t.”

“Does Eli have short fingers?”

“Do you have a short vagina?” We laughed some more, both knowing we’d be checking out their fingers the next time we were together. “What’s the deal with the ears?”

“I signed an NDA yesterday. Sebastian felt bad about it. Disney was the only studio on the thing, so I sent him ears.” I shrugged and took a bite of my burger.

“That’s cute. Both of you. There’s something hot about Disney knowing he’s going to tell you secrets and making sure you can’t repeat them.”

I talked around a mouthful of hamburger, “I thought the same thing!”

We talked about nothing and everything until my flight was called. Sometime in there, Eli came home and we were on speakerphone for a while. They had a gig this weekend and I’d be in town. Sebastian and I hadn’t talked about plans yet. I’d think about plans after I had my hands on him. Literally. About an hour after.

Once we were high enough, I switched my phone on and connected to the plane's WiFi. I’d missed a text while I was talking to Eli and Angie.

Sebastian ~ Woo hoo, where are you?

Emma ~ 30,000 feet above Georgia.

Emma ~ I was talking to Angie and Eli and missed you. ☹

Sebastian ~ No sad face. I’m here. I miss you too.

Emma ~ Hi . . . what are you doing?

Sebastian ~ Finished with a lunch. Meeting/sightseeing trip soon. Pretty sure that means going to a bar.

Emma ~ Or strip club. Look, don’t touch.

Sebastian ~ Promise. Don’t think that’s the plan. What are you doing tonight?

Emma ~ Not a damn thing. Sitting in the quiet of my house.

Sebastian ~ Sounds peaceful. I’m afraid to ask how today went.

Emma ~ Shelter was great. Drive to airport not so much. Nothing worth whining about. I feel like I’ve done enough of that lately.

Sebastian ~ Not whining. I know you got this, but I liked being leaned on.

Emma ~ I liked you being there. Thank you again.

Sebastian ~ You’re welcome. Work tomorrow?

Emma ~ Yep, have to everything boxed up by Friday. Mallory and I are just switching rooms. I’ll be hosting lunches next year. Closer to the cafeteria. Closer to parking. Same view just the other side of the building.

Sebastian ~ Makes it easy. I’ll call you tomorrow. Not such a jam-packed day.

Emma ~ No worries. I see you in two days.

Sebastian ~ Going to kiss you so hard you’ll push me away.

Emma ~ Wouldn’t count on that, baby cakes.

Sebastian ~ Baby cakes . . . lol

Emma ~ Maybe one day I’ll pick one.

Sebastian ~ I enjoy the variety.

Emma ~ Very mood dependent

Sebastian ~ So asshole would be angry?

Emma ~ I’m far more creative than asshole.

Sebastian ~ I don’t doubt that. For now, Mr. Baby Cakes will do.

Emma ~ And you may address me as Princess Emeliana of Seattle. Dare you to scream that when you come.

Sebastian ~ Now I have to at least try. I’ll practice later.

Emma ~ Tease.

Sebastian ~ Only in the best way. I have to go. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.

Sebastian ~ I miss you, Em

Emma ~ Miss you too, Bastian

I went back to Sebastian's Instagram account and did a quick scroll through the comments on his latest post. Even though I wasn't mentioned it was the first sign of me on his IG and I was curious. The closest anyone got was a question if they were his ears because they were Minnie ears. That was irrelevant. I picked them because they matched my bikini and he would notice. I didn't go back to the picture from brunch, but it did get me thinking. I had no strong feelings one way or another about being photographed with him. I’ve never been into the whole Instagram official or Facebook relationship thing. Don't even have Facebook. Even for a non-celebrity, I think social media is more about perception than truth. I am guilty of that too. Hell, even this weekend. I was not immune to liking the attention from friends when I posted something. The DM's after Chris' comment had been fun as shit. There was the group picture from the tournament, but if you didn’t know it was Sebastian wrapped around me, you'd never recognize Sebastian. Ok, a fan would.

Sebastian had said we'd talk about fans later. He’d mentioned they weren't always nice to his friends or girlfriends. I went looking and it didn't take long to find a blog that chronicled his dating history. I was both intrigued and frightened. I understand the public figure piece and fan culture. But being able to see all this about my boyfriend felt like I was looking through his phone gallery and text messages. Alternately, if everyone else knew why shouldn’t I? My solution was to avoid information on Sebastian's relationships as much as I could and stick to fan reactions. It wasn't really hard to do. Pretty quickly I realized Twitter was a hot mess. The ease with which people hit reply and said things I hoped they'd never say face to face was like a shark feeding frenzy. Comment sections on Instagram weren't quite as bad. It lacked the voraciousness. Something about the way comments were nested with replies instead of a never-ending thread seemed less frantic. I now understood what Sebastian had said about the fans tearing each other apart. So often what should have been a disagreement turned into personal attacks. That shit was awful. Comments about friends and girlfriends were the typical fan bullshit. Friends were using him, exploiting the relationship, sharing pictures he didn't want them to, and bragging. Girlfriends weren't good enough, not pretty enough, also using him, and baiting fans. Several of the comments were fake nice. I'm sure some of that was trying to get on the friend, girlfriend, or his good side. Still, the bulk was positive. The negative minority was vocal and vicious.

One of the more interesting offshoots were Sebastian's reactions. They were stretched over years and more toward the whole situation. There were comments he made about it being out of line, hurtful to him, and few where'd he'd lost it and basically told someone to back off. I enjoyed the video clips with him talking about the toxicity and his position that he (and everyone else) needed to live their lives to make themselves happy. The biggest criticism of him was him not making them stop or coming to the defense of his girlfriends. Not sure how he'd make anyone stop. I was sure his lack of publicly defending wasn't indicative of anything except a refusal to engage. He would have taken shit if he had. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. It was clear from our limited conversations on the topic, that he was unhappy with the idea of me being attacked. I wonder if the previous girlfriends were as upset by his assumed indifference as the fans were?

I caught the odd detail or a comment he'd made on an ex’s post. I kept scrolling. It was none of my business. Plus, I wasn't sure how I'd feel about seeing them. I felt a twitch of jealousy with what I had seen, but it was tempered with my belief that exes were exes for a reason. I think knowing too many details of those who came before could lead to comparisons and uncomfortable conversations. Wasn’t super excited to tell him about this, but I would.

As soon as we were given clearance to use our phones, I made a call, knowing it would go to voice mail. "Hey Trevor, it's Emma. Do you have some time for me? Nothing critical. I just got back from Georgia and wanted to talk. Talk to you soon."

I was almost home when Trevor called back, "I always have time for you, Emma."

I laughed, "Only because you like being able to say you've worked with someone for twelve years."

"Sort of. I'm invested. I like keeping up with you. Meet you at the office about five?"

It was almost four, "Perfect. Thank you, Trevor." That gave me time to unpack, start a load of laundry, and make a grocery list.

The office where Trevor and I met wasn't his. One of his friends had a private practice and we'd met there since I moved to Beacon. Before that, it was video sessions. It was after hours, so Trevor met me at the door and locked it behind me. We hugged briefly and I said, "Thank you for seeing me."

Trevor shook his head, "I'm glad you called." He held out his hand, directing me to the office.

"I hope I didn't screw up a parent's night out. I'll send Kristy a gift certificate to a spa. One with childcare. The baby is six months now?"

"Sara is five months. Want to see a picture?"

"Of course." I scoffed. He unlocked his phone and showed me. "She's beautiful, Trevor. I'm so happy for you. You guys will be great parents."

He smiled, "And how are yours?"

I shrugged with a grimace, "Same as always."

I spent the next who knows how long telling him the events and conversations of the last four days. We'd worked together long enough he knew my nonverbals and I knew to add in the words for my emotions. It saved a lot of time with him going back and making me “name my feelings”. When I finished with the car ride today, I took a deep breath and huffed it out.

Trevor said, "Wow."

I laughed. "I know. It was a lot."

"No." He shook his head, "I mean wow, you said all that to your mom. You should be proud of yourself. I'm proud of you. That couldn't have been easy."

"I'd already talked to Ed and Sebastian about everything before, so my thoughts were sorted. I don't feel bad about anything I said, but I'm not sure I'm right." This is why I’d called Trevor. I needed the objective voice of reason. "Am I wrong?"

"Your experience isn't right or wrong."

I just glared at him.

Trevor leaned forward, "You're not wrong. What happened this weekend isn't ok. It's not ok to ask you to hide your happiness. It’s not ok for them to not ask you about your life. It's not ok when you say your feelings are hurt and you feel unimportant for your mother, or anyone else, to tell you how you are wrong."

I wiped my eyes. I felt relief with the validation "Thank you."

He reached over and put a hand on my arm. "You know this, Emma."

"I do." I nodded. "It was just a lot and I needed someone objective." I laughed, "Although Ed told me I've made choices and there are consequences."

Trevor laughed, "He's not wrong, but I think he agrees with most of your choices. He'll tell you if he doesn’t."

"Definitely."

Trevor leaned back and tented his fingers, "Why now? None of this is new. You've gone along with being careful with what you tell Amy. You already limit time with your family because of all these same things. Why say enough now?"

I didn't even have to think. "Sebastian." I started to smile. Trevor started to smile "I’ve meet this man I'm excited about. I want to tell my family, my parents and sister, about him. We set up a video call so they could meet him. Mom was rude. Then they wanted to know nothing more until I was packed and in the car. Tempering my excitement about work and friends is one thing. Sebastian is another thing completely."

"What would you have told them?"

"What would I tell them or what would I tell you?"

Trevor thought about his answer. "Me."

I preferred that answer. I don't know what I would have told them. The answer was very different now than when I was on the plane to Georgia. "Sebastian is a good man. He is good to me... good for me. I love how we talk. I love how he owns his shit. I love how he supports me." It took me a minute to figure out the next bit because I knew Trevor would ask. "I think we crashed into each other and just went for it. But not sharing secrets all at once then regretting having said too much. As we talk and are part of each other’s lives stuff is coming out naturally."

"As you trust more you reveal more. Both of you." Trevor summed that up nicely and I nodded in agreement. "What have you told him?"

"Enough. A lot. Not everything. He doesn't know how I met Ed. He doesn't know all the reasons we went to rehab. There's a chunk of time he doesn't know about." I smiled.

"You gonna tell him?"

I was surprised by how the question hit me. "I never told Jimmy."

Trevor made a face and tilted his head back and forth. "It was fresher. You were both awfully young. You're much more accepting of what you did than you were then." He squinted his eyes and studied me, "You're uncomfortable."

It was a statement, not a question. "I feel ashamed of myself." I chewed on my lip. "We've talked about how relationships are about being brave enough to be vulnerable with another person. We've done both and we've talked about it what that’s been like." I rubbed my finger over where I'd bit too hard. "I'm not brave enough to be that vulnerable."

"Oh, I think you are. You're scared, but you are brave enough. The night we met I was in awe of your bravery. That opinion hasn't changed. I'm not saying you should leave here and tell him everything. But since you feel ashamed you might want to think about talking to him before that shame gets in the way. What are you afraid of?"

"Sebastian will be upset. He has a big heart. He'll be anxious if I'm ok. He’ll think too much."

"Sure. When we learn someone we love has been through something traumatic it's normal to be upset and concerned about them. It’s a good thing.” He paused, looked at me, and spoke again, “What are you afraid of, Emma?"

I was angry at Trevor for not the first time. He makes me look at things I don't want to. I know it’s his job, I count on him to do it, but it pisses me off. "If he knows what I did... the things I had to learn to accept... the things I still struggle with... I like the way he looks at me like I’m good and precious. I'm afraid he'll see me differently." Took no time for the tears to fall.

Trevor said nothing for what felt like an hour, letting me sit in the emotion. When he spoke it was his quiet soothing voice. I used to get mad at his comforting tone too, like I didn’t deserve it, but I know better now. "Seeing you differently doesn't have to be negative. You've not told enough people to be confident it that. Who have you told?"

Trevor knew the answer. He wanted to remind me I knew it too. "Angie and Eli know most everything. Ed knows it all. And you."

"Did any of us react negatively?" I shook my head no. "They were upset. They empathized with you. But it didn't change how they loved you. It made them love you more. Your fear isn't in line with reality. There's no reason. . ." He stopped and took a breath. "Do you love him, Emma?"

"Yes."

"Have you told him?"

"No, I haven't seen him yet."

"Has he told you he loves you?"

"No."

"Does he?"

"Yes."

"Are you sure?"

"Completely."

"So if everyone you’ve told loved you more there is no reason to think Sebastian would be any different.”

We sat quietly until my tears gave way to a loud cathartic laugh. "You are good."

"Thanks." He blew on his nails and shined them on his shirt.

"How did you do that? Seriously, how?"

Sometimes he'd tell me how he did his therapy magic. Luckily, today was one of those days. "There was something not fitting. Sebastian wasn’t fitting with the others for you. You didn't look at me when I said they'd loved you more. I went on a hunch. You'd not said you loved him. So, I walked you through that so he fit where you could see him as love plus story equals more love."

"Fascinating"

"I know you’re not ready to go public with your story, but I hope someday you will. You could make such a difference in so many lives. I know you channel that into teaching, but if you ever change your mind your story and successes will matter. Just keep it in mind."

"I will." We were winding down. "Do you want to see Sebastian?"

"Yes."

"He's not as cute as your Sara, but he'll do for me." I handed him my phone.

Trevor looked at my phone, then me, then the phone again. "Holy shit, Emma."

"You know him?"

"I am huge Marvel comic nerd. There's stuff in my office. You didn’t notice?"

"I’m not a Marvel nerd. Well, now, sort of."

He laughed, "I got to do family therapy with the lead singer of Pearl Jam. Now I'll get to do couples therapy with the Winter Soldier."

I stretched out my leg and kicked him in the shin, "We do not need couples therapy. We each have our own therapist."

We laughed for a nice long while before Trevor tied everything up. "I'm glad you called to get the validation you needed and to at least look at adding someone to the list of who can support you. I was with you when you told Ed. If you need me to be there if you decide to tell Sebastian I will be. You are correct in thinking the men you love most will struggle most."

I nodded, "I'll think about it. Thank you."

"Thank you for the most successful and challenging session I've had in weeks."

“Glad I could amuse you.”

#sebastian stan #sebastian stan fanfiction #fanfiction #sebastian stan X ofc #marvel actor fanfiction

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jovialyouthmusic · 4 years

Text

Silver Service

A Royal Romance AU Fanfic sequel to Protect and Serve

Damien arrives in Cordonia and discovers all Bastien’s secrets. Sophia is intrigued to meet Bastien’s former lover.

Word Count 3472

A/N Just a little smut, so No under 18s

6 Meeting up

Damien refastened his seatbelt as the private jet descended. It had been night time when he boarded and he hadn’t recognised the livery, and as it was a private flight he hadn’t seen it on the departure board to check where he would be going. The taciturn young man that had accompanied him on his flight was no more informative about their destination than Bastien had been. He wasn’t allowed to use his mobile phone on the flight so couldn’t check with a location finder – but he was pretty sure the water below them was the Mediterranean. It was early morning – most of the flight had been in the dark and he hadn’t been able to keep his eyes open so had dozed for an hour or more.

The jet swept over a pretty coastal town, over fields and an impressive building standing in extensive grounds before flying on to a small airport, snowy mountains in the distance. As they taxied to a standstill the other man spoke at last.

‘Welcome to Cordonia, Mr Nazario. Mr Lykel will meet you personally and we’ll make our way to Applewood Manor. Sadly the Palace is undergoing refurbishment at the moment’

‘Cordonia? Palace?’ Damien was barely any more well informed, and he puzzled as to where he was. True to the other man’s word, Bastien was on the tarmac waiting next to a large limo. He smiled in greeting and took his hand and slapped him on the back in a brief embrace. He noticed the cane he carried, and a slight limp as he moved to greet him. He had lost some weight and looked a little less than his usual hale hearty self.

‘Nazario – thankyou for coming. I guess you have a lot of questions. I’ll try to answer them on the way’ Damien noted that the limo had a crest of sorts that matched the one on the private jet.

‘Damn Bastien, you bet I’ve got questions. Where he hell am I to start with? I’ve never heard of Cordonia’

‘It’s not a well known country’ he answered as they got into the car. The other man got into the front with the driver. ‘As you guessed when we went to the restaurant in New York, we’re in between Greece and Italy. We have strong links with other smaller countries like Monaco and Auvernal’

‘Auvernal – now you’re making things up’ Damien complained

‘Well, as you’re having trouble believing me, I’ll just have to tell you more and assure you it’s all true. I work for the royal family of Cordonia. I’m head of the King’s Guard, who protect the King and his family. I have a number of men under my command.’ Damien goggled – it was all too much for him to take in so he honed in on his appearance.

‘Bas – something happened to you didn’t it – what��s with the cane?’ Bastien looked grim.

‘There was an assassination attempt at the new King’s coronation – I took a bullet to the shoulder and another to the thigh. The culprit was a lone gunman but we’re having trouble finding out if he was supported by any organisations. The person we want help to locate has kidnap and coercion under his belt, and may have links to anti monarchist organisations’ Damien drew in his breath at the news of Bastien’s injuries. He put his hand on his knee and squeezed it softly.

‘Hell Bas, I’m sorry to hear you got shot up. I’m glad you’re still around to tell the tale.’ Bastien nodded and dropped his head, but looked up at him.

‘Damien, we have to keep this professional’ he said, and he took his hand back.

‘We’ll have some private time together, I hope’ Damien said, but Bastien looked away for a moment.

‘About that. Last time we met, you asked if there was someone special, and I said no – well that’s changed’ Damien’s stomach did a little flip. Bastien’s expression changed, softened. ‘I think you’d like her – I’d met her just before the last time we met, but I didn’t know what was in store for me’ He looked out of the window at the passing countryside ‘She’s changed my life – I can see a future with her - perhaps even a family, who knows. I’m taking a lesser role in work – at least physically. I’m leaving field work to younger fitter men and working more on organising and advising’ Damien swallowed past a lump in his throat

‘I’m pleased for you’ he said brightly ‘I won’t do anything inappropriate, you can rely on that’ Bastien looked at him again.

‘You should meet – I’ve told her about you and she’d like to. We’re on our way to Applewood Manor – after the Palace it’s the Royal Families’ second home – we have quarters there and you’ll be staying in a guest suite.’ Damien laughed

‘You live in a Palace and we’re going to a Manor? Man, I’d never have worked that out for myself. I tried asking the hotel you took me to who had that suite – they wouldn’t tell me’

‘I told you you’d not be able to find out’ Bastien laughed. The two men continued to talk on the way to the Manor. They went straight to the security suite to work, as few people were up and about, and they had breakfast sent in to the office so they could cover more ground. Bastien gave him everything he had on Justin, and Damien got to work on finding as much about him online as he could. He asked to interview Lucretia, who was still being held in custody nearby, and made some phone calls to Interpol head office.

Bastien arranged for Sophia to join them in the staff dining room at lunchtime then showed Damien to his suite. Liam came along to introduce himself, and Damien was struck by how regal yet approachable the young man was. Damien felt in a daze at the sudden change in his surroundings, and had to keep pinching himself. He felt strangely light headed and disconnected from reality, but thinking about his work grounded him. When lunch time came he was ready to catch up on some sleep, but he was intrigued to meet the love of Bastien’s life.

When Sophia entered the dining room, he caught his breath at the sight of the attractive young blonde. Bastien had told him of the age difference and Damien sat squarely between them, five years older than she and five younger than his friend and former lover. Bastien leapt up – or moved as quickly as his injury allowed him to – and went to her side, beaming with happiness. He put his arm round her waist and kissed her cheek fondly, turning her to face Damien, pointing him out. He had never seen the older man smile so warmly, and he swallowed a lump in his throat at seeing him so deeply affected.

Sophia looked Damien straight in the eye, and for a moment her pupils darkened. Bastien saw the change, and his smile faded slightly as Sophia reached out to shake Damien’s hand. He barely heard the introduction as he stared at her, mesmerised. He saw an exchange between them as she broke eye contact and took her hand back – a quick look that told him that Sophia realised Bastien had noticed the look in her eyes, but she pressed herself into his side and gazed at him adoringly, snaking her arm around his waist before looking back at Damien. Her eyes and her body language now very clearly said I’m attracted to you, but I belong to Bastien.

The whole exchange took seconds, and Bastien was back to his stoic persona, Sophia smiling politely and saying how pleased she was to meet him. The three of them took a table away from the other staff, already set with bowls of soup and fresh bread, salad and cheese. Bastien watched them with a hint of apprehension. He needn’t have worried, as they talked easily and it was plain that they would become firm friends.

‘Bastien, I think Damien should come and have dinner with us tonight’ Sophia said. Bastien nodded as he spooned soup from the bowl, hot and fragrant.

‘If you’d like, theá mou’ he replied. Damien raised his eyebrows

‘Okay, you’ve used that name more than once. Can I ask what it means?’ Sophia smiled slyly and Bastien coloured slightly as she leant across to speak quietly

‘It means ‘my Goddess’ in Greek’ she winked ‘Isn’t it adorable?’ Bastien cleared his throat in embarrassment as Damien grinned

‘I didn’t know Bas was so sappy’ he laughed ‘You obviously bring it out in him, he’s a lucky man’ It was Sophia’s turn to blush now, and she sat back.

‘Careful now Mr Nazario, that invitation for dinner can be revoked very swiftly’

‘I’m sorry – you’re so lucky to have found each other, I don’t know who I envy the most.’ Damien said diplomatically. After they had eaten, Sophia went off to meet up with Riley, and Bastien suggested Damien go back to his room to catch up on missed sleep before dinner. He took him back to his room and stopped outside the door.

‘Sophia is amazing, I understand why you’re committed’ Damien said, and the guard smiled fondly

‘I’m glad you two seem to get on. I’m looking forward to you coming over tonight’ he said ‘Tomorrow we can go over a few more things you might like to help with – I’ll tell you later why we’re here and not at the Palace.’

‘Sure thing Bas, see you later’

------

Yet again Anton – or Justin as he was better known by Bastien and others in and around the Palace - was in a very bad mood. Their contact at the Palace had fallen silent and suspicious things were happening there. He didn’t believe the stories about a kitchen accident or renovations. His sources – which were becoming scarcer and scarcer – told him that the building had been evacuated and the army brought in, probably to scour it from top to bottom to look for security breaches. That meant his advantages had been lost – there was nobody there to get him access, and nobody there worth targeting even if he or his men had been able to get in.

‘Our contact’s phone has been deactivated.’ Claudius said ‘I suspect that she may have used the explosives to detonate it, and that’s why the Palace has been evacuated. She’s most likely dead, but as far as I can tell nobody else appears to have been injured or incapacitated. Lykel was seen making his way to Applewood, as was Liam and Regina. It appears they’re moving operations there for now.’

‘All that work getting the photographs down the drain’ Anton seethed ‘It’s all been explained away, and Adelaide is a serious security risk. How was the Duchess the last time you met?’

‘Compliant and voracious’ Claudius answered ‘I don’t know how much we can trust her’

‘Next time she contacts you, arrange to meet up in Monaco’ Anton said ‘We can’t risk you going back to Cordonia just yet. She can meet with an unfortunate accident and that part of the trail will go cold.’ Claudius blanched. He had enjoyed dominating Lady Adelaide, but although he didn’t hold any affection for her, he didn’t think she deserved to die for the cause.

‘I think she could still be useful’ he asserted ‘She’s well motivated to place her daughter in power as queen’

‘I’ll consider it’ said Anton ‘Meanwhile I want a meeting to discuss how to proceed in our bid for power. Call the others in, I want to meet face to face’

‘Is that wise?’ Claudius asked ‘It’s a security risk to have everyone in one place’

‘Lykel doesn’t have a clue where we are or who we are and we aren’t in Cordonia any more. I’ll be the judge as to how safe it is’ Anton snarled.

------

Bastien watched Sophia as she laughed at Damien’s jokes over dessert in their suite. He had worried about Sophia being threatened by Damien, now he was concerned that it should be him that was threatened by his former lover. He and Sophia were closer in age and they were getting on extremely well. He had endured some teasing about his personal habits - the way he always folded his clothes had come under scrutiny and he was waiting for one or the other of them to drop the bombshell that the only time he was ever untidy was in the throes of passion.

He got hot under the collar thinking about the trail of clothes he had left in the past – from Damien’s front door to his bed, from his own front door through the lounge to the bed he shared with Sophia. His thigh ached and throbbed and he wished he could just send Damien away and sink into a hot bath, or ask Sophia to work her magic with her soft hands. He was trying to hide his ill temper and embarrassment and stifled a yawn. Sophia looked at him sharply and he saw recognition in her eyes.

‘Damien, I know you caught up on your sleep earlier, but Bas got up very early this morning and…’ she started to say, but Bastien found himself snapping

‘I’m fine Sophia, you don’t have to make excuses for me.’ He put his hand to his forehead and her expression changed to one of concern. ‘Really I’m fine’ Damien looked a little sheepish

‘I should probably get back to my room’ he said ‘Before I got here my sleep schedule was shot so I didn’t actually got caught up before. I’m guessing you’re a hard taskmaster and I’ll need to be sharp tomorrow. If I get a lead I may have to leave at short notice’ He got to his feet and Sophia leapt up too.

‘I’ll see you out’ she said ‘can you remember your way back? It’s right at the other end of the building – the place is pretty full right now after having to close down the Palace’ Damien smiled weakly

‘I can always ask someone – don’t trouble yourself.’ He briefly put a hand to Sophia’s shoulder and gave her a kiss on the cheek, then turned to Bastien ‘I still can’t get used to all this – you working for royalty. I’d never have guessed, Bas.’ He made a move toward him as he struggled to his feet to say goodbye, and stopped awkwardly. He held his hand out for a brief handshake ‘I’ll see you for breakfast then’ he said, giving Bastien an apologetic look.

‘Yes, I’ll send someone for you’ he replied tersely. Damien turned away and Sophia followed him. He started toward the bedroom, his leg stiff and painful. Sophia got to the bed before him, and hovered by his shoulder.

‘Are you okay Bas?’ she asked ‘You look tired’

‘I am’ he said tersely ‘I’ll be fine once I’ve rested, don’t worry’ She stood by as he sat on the edge of the bed to take his shoes off, but he winced and she knelt to help him. He was too tired to protest, and sighed heavily

‘I don’t deserve you’ he said ‘You should be off with someone your own age, not looking after someone old and broken.’ Sophia stopped and looked at him sharply

‘Bastien, self pity doesn’t suit you.’ She scolded ‘I’ll admit I’m attracted to Damien – but I’d never act on it. We’ll be good friends, but that’s all. For all you know he’s probably more attracted to you than to me.’ She put his shoes away neatly, and he stared at his feet for a moment before leaning down to take his socks off, wincing again so she helped him, and knelt in front of him, forcing him to look her in the eye ‘Bastien, I love you and I’m going to look after you – don’t you remember doing the same for me after Justin…’ her voice caught in her throat and she hurriedly cleared it. He reached out and stroked her cheek as she pulled herself together ‘We’ll look after each other’

‘I’m sorry, theá mou’ he said ‘Sometimes I ask myself how I got so lucky, and I’m afraid of losing you, or waking up to find it’s all a dream’ She turned her head to kiss his hand.

‘That’s funny – I feel exactly the same’ she smiled ‘Two negatives cancel each other out, so I suppose we’re stuck with each other’ Bastien laughed

‘Thankyou, my goddess, I’m beginning to feel that I might manage to make you feel very happy before we go to sleep. I adore you, my English temptress’ He leaned forward and gently took her chin, pressing his lips to hers.

‘Oh, I’ll keep you to that promise, Mr Lykel’ she grinned ‘Get your clothes off and let’s see what happens’

------

Sophia stirred in bed, waking after a deep satisfied post coital sleep, knowing something was different. Bastien was fast asleep beside her, but something had woken her – the sound of the suite door softly closing. She tensed, listening to stealthy footsteps. She was frozen, immobile, silent as the bedroom door opened. The hair on the back of her neck prickled but it wasn’t terror – it was a sense of inevitability. Normally Bastien was a light sleeper, always alert, but he lay breathing softly. Whoever it was, he or she had planned this – perhaps they’d been drugged – perhaps Bastien could hear too, but was also immobile. As she lay trembling with apprehension, the figure - she could see now that it was a man - moved to the side of the bed and paused beside her, looking down. There was a rustle of cloth as he stripped naked, his contours revealed. The light was dim but she saw the glitter in his eyes.

‘Room for one more?’ Damien asked, and the spell was broken. She gaped, not knowing what to say as he slipped into bed beside her.

‘What the hell Damien?’ she hissed ‘Bastien’s right here…’

‘I certainly am’ her lover’s voice came as he stirred, rolling toward her, pressing his body to her back, his arousal obvious. He nuzzled her ear ‘We thought you might like something a little different, agápe mou’

‘What? Are you serious?’ she queried, receiving only a soft deep Mmm hmm in reply, and Damien reached out to touch her, his hand gliding over her shoulder and down to her hip, draping over her thigh and obviously making contact with Bastien too.

‘The first time we met, we had a female companion in bed with us’ Bastien explained ‘She enjoyed the experience, and I hope you will too’

‘I could see in your eyes you’d want this’ Damien murmured ‘But say the word and I’ll go’

‘I…’ Sophia was scandalised but unbelievably aroused having two men in bed with her. Her objection melted away and she groaned with desire. Bastien was working his magic and her body was revving up, already on the run up to orgasm, her centre throbbing. In answer she pressed her hips back into Bastien, but leaned forward in to Damien, her lips meeting his. He smelled different to Bastien – musky and spicy as opposed to fresh and salty.

She closed her eyes and stopped trying to identify who was doing what, just allowing her hands and mouth to wander as the three of them explored each other. She turned and twisted languorously, and barely knew or cared who went down on her and teased with lips and tongue and fingers, and who claimed her mouth and tongue and smoothed his hands over her belly and breasts and softly tweaked her nipples.

Waves of pleasure washed over her and she felt the shift of the mattress, the sound of a condom packet being opened and the snap of rubber, so she knew it was Damien who eased inside her – she would have known anyway as his size was less than her lover. He rose up in the dim light and stroked in and out of her as Bastien kissed and stroked her upper body, murmuring in her ear…

‘Sophia, wake up’ She snapped out of her dream and half snorted as Bastien lay gazing into her eyes with concern.

‘What?’ she mumbled

‘Theá mou, you were thrashing around and moaning – was it a bad dream?’ Bastien asked. Sophia shook her head to get the idea of Damien in bed with them out of it.

‘A bad dream? Uh – yes, it was a dream…’ she murmured back, and turned to him, wrapping her arms around him and kissing him deeply, hoping she hadn’t been moaning Damien’s name in her sleep.

Next chapter 7 Progress

#protect and serve #silver service #bastien lykel #trr bastien #sophia x bastien #OC x Bastien #the royal romance au #damien nazario #trr au fanfic #trr

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neshabeingchildish · 4 years

Text

WEEK THREE: AUS 1/23 | Future AU

Well, I said I wasn’t gonna do one, but after updating PW, I got hit with an idea. It’s kinda wack, but it’s here. CW: Language

He was looking at Jasper move around at the gym and not even doing his own workout. “See something you like?” Jasper asked and winked at him.

Henry giggled and blushed, “Obviously.” Charlotte was at the gym, talking to one of the trainers that the guys knew had a huge crush on her. She NEVER actually worked out. She called it “nursing her workout,” but what she did was look at equipment, study it, investigate it, to see if she wanted to work out on it, generally decided against it and insisted that it was sweltering with germs, did some light jogging on the treadmill, sometimes a short sprint, and talked to the trainer about advice on getting the perfect workout, even though she was never, EVER going to actually do the workout.

Fortunately, she didn’t go all of the time. She went once or twice a week, mostly because she wanted to be a part of brunch. Henry told her that she could always just meet up with them at brunch, but for whatever reason, THIS was what she chose to do instead. Come to the gym, be adorable and distracting as she avoided anything closely related to an actual workout, then ruin Henry’s entire morning talking to that goddamn trainer. Henry did not like his ass. He was always coming on to Charlotte and pretending he was trying to help her workout. Everybody in this motherfucker knew that she was not gonna work out, because she NEVER worked out. That was her thing. People in the gym that Henry had never even noticed before had said stuff like, “Is that the lady who comes in and never actually works out?” So, whenever he made his way towards Charlotte, Jasper always sighed, because he knew how it would go. The guy would flirt, and Henry would stew in jealousy and get a little bit pissed that Jasper wasn’t offended by the audacity of that guy who thought that Charlotte was HIS girlfriend (as opposed to theirs), and then get EVEN. MORE. ANGRY. That Jasper not only wasn’t jealous or bothered, but thought it was silly of Henry to be. Henry KNEW that he shouldn’t be. THAT wasn’t the point! The point was that dude wanted to fuck his girlfriend and he wanted it so badly that he didn’t care how obvious it was in front of her boyfriend, which was ALSO disrespecting HENRY’S boyfriend!

But, Charlotte let it be known that if Henry had a problem with the guy talking to her, it was his problem and maybe he could tell the guy. What wasn’t gonna happen was she wasn’t going to stop asking him gym and workout related questions whenever he came up to her wondering, “Ready to actually go for it, today?” Because, she honestly had nothing else to talk to the dude about and if she was going to keep coming and hanging out with them sometimes, she didn’t want to be unnecessarily rude to the gym staff!

“I don’t know. I wish I could be more confident about the equipment. How it’s cleaned and stuff. I don’t like dirt unless I’m planting and I don’t like germs unless their from my men.” She said. He chuckled at this and touched her shoulder. Henry had had enough.

“Hey... Bruh...” He said, walking up, puffing his chest out. “You do know this lady is already taken, right?”

“Taken isn’t the appropriate word,” Charlotte said.

The trainer said, “Yes, I’m aware that she’s involved with J-Dogg. He’s totally cool about us discussing her workout options...”

“I’m not,” Henry said. “She’s never gonna work out here. She’s already taken samples and tested them and declared practically everything in here as unfit to use in a workout capacity. She makes us wash up before we can even come home. And her idea of working out is yoga and sex stuff!”

“I also ride my bike!” she fussed.

“Get. Lost. Dude,” Henry told him.

The trainer looked stunned. Why was J-Dogg’s friend so concerned about his girlfriend? Charlotte rolled her eyes, told Henry, “You and I are gonna have a talk about what just happened, as soon as he goes away,” and told the trainer, “You really shouldn’t waste anymore time on me. I just come here to keep my boyfriend and my other really immature and acting like an ass boyfriend company.”

Henry proudly told the trainer, “I’m the immature and stupid boyfriend!”

“You... have two boyfriends? Like.. openly? Who know each other and stuff?’ He was perplexed.

“I’m BOTH their boyfriend!” Henry said and crossed his arms, glad to declare it.

“O...........Kay?”

“Can you please go work elsewhere?” Charlotte asked. “Told you I gotta deal with this.” The trainer left, still confused and Henry smiled in victory, until he turned to see Charlotte’s face, displeased by his brute display of jealousy. Not victory. He was in trouble... “Henry, I am allowed to talk to other dudes.”

“Yes. I know. But, that one wants you!”

“Look at me! A LOT OF THEM want me. And for whatever reason that none of us understand, I selected you and Jasper.” She showed him the two rings on her left hand, “For life. I’m pushing for poly-amorous marriage rights, for us. Drafting the legal paperwork to have 3 parent custody of our future children for us. Some meat head in a C grade gym isn’t going to change that.”

“I just felt disrespected!” Henry insisted. She pulled out her phone and showed him the Save the Date that she had made a few years ago. It was a photo of her in the middle, with each of them kissing her on the cheek and both of them holding in front of them a single “We Said Yes!” sign. And along the bottom of the photo, it read: As soon as the law allows. Henry sighed and gave her a sad smile. “You’re right. I’m being immature and stupid. You’ve put a lot of energy into your activism for our love and I should never feel threatened. It’s just... We’ve been trying for years and sometimes, whenever somebody gets too close I worry if you’ll ever... feel like it isn’t worth the fight anymore...”

She rolled her eyes and said, “Sometimes, I swear it’s like you don’t even know me. I’m not backing down from a fight when I know that I’m right and the status quo negatively affects my life.”

Jasper came over and said, “Work out’s done. Time to hit the shower, Handsome.” Henry nodded and Jasper asked Charlotte, “How much of a train wreck was it?”

“Ugh. I could’ve strangled him! But, he’s always been the soft one, so... I try not to be too hard on him.”

Jasper gasped, “I thought I was the soft one!”

“Soft, where?” She asked. He laughed, kissed her on the forehead and went to use the shower.

As he rushed away, she heard somebody ask him, “Hey, is that the chick that never works out?”

“She’s more than that,” was what Jasper told him.

#henry danger #henrydangermonth #hd ot3 #Chensper #Nesha HD Fics #one shot

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lady-divine-writes · 5 years

Text

Coldflash one-shot - “Fatherhood” (Rated PG13)

Summary:

It's been six weeks since the arrival of baby Lisa, and Len isn't exactly handling things well. He seems to be pulling away from his husband and daughter, acting less like himself, and Barry is beginning to wonder - did they make a mistake bringing a baby into their lives? (2313 words)

Notes: So, I would put this at the super beginning of the series. Just a peek into where they began, and some of the issues Len had with the idea of being a father.

Part 7 of Father-hood

Read on AO3.

“Waaaahhhhh!”

…

“Waaaahhhhh!”

…

“WAAAAHHHHH!”

“AAAAHHH! Barry!”

“What?” Barry grumbles, barely opening his eyes even though he’s wide awake.

“Your daughter’s up, and she’s calling you.”

“She’s our daughter. But if you want to get technical, biologically, she’s your daughter. Probably why she complains so damned much ...”

“Waaaahhhhh!”

“Ugh!” Len rolls onto his stomach, dragging his pillow over his head. “Why were we so flippin’ eager to bring her home anyway? The hospital staff had this baby care thing on lock. We could have gone back and picked her up when she was what? Three? Four?”

“Len!”

“Waaaahhhhh!”

“Or you know what?” Len continues. “Felicity’s her mom. Why can’t she take her for the night shift and we pick her up in the morning?”

“We have full custody! That’s how surrogates work! Besides, Felicity lives all the way in Star City!”

“You say there like you can’t zip over there in three seconds and back.”

“Not with Lisa. It’s not safe for the baby.”

“How do you know if you don’t even try?”

“Waaaahhhhh!”

“I mean, Cisco can just whip up a pod or something you can carry her in and …”

“Come on, big guy.” Barry gives Len a shove that about shoots him out of bed. “Time’s a-wasting.”

“What? Me?”

“A-ha.”

“I’m not even awake yet!”

“You’re talking to me.”

“It only takes half a brain cell to hold a conversation with you.”

“Waaaahhhhh!”

“You know the drill.” Barry climbs out of bed, dragging Len by the arm. “She either needs a change or a bottle.”

“See? You’ve got it all figured out.” Len struggles against Barry’s iron grip in an attempt to scurry back under the covers, but he’s not going to win. Regardless of his deceptively slender frame, Barry has that pesky Speed Force on his side. It may not be the same as super strength, but the way Barry manipulates it, it does tip the balance in his favor. “So why don’t you just have at it.”

“Because, Len. It’s your turn!”

“Oh, come on, Bare!” Len wrenches his arm free, but only because his husband lets him go. “You can run in there, change her, rock her back to sleep, and be back here in ten seconds flat. I don’t get what the problem is!”

“Because that’s not the way we should do it! It’s been six weeks already, and I can count on one hand the amount of times you’ve gotten up to take care of her. Waking up in the middle of the night is a pain in the ass, but it’s also important. It’s a chance to bond with our baby!”

“I’ll bond with her during daylight hours,” Len grumbles, staring wistfully at their mussed bed with its comfy sheets and blankets.

“Waaaahhhhh!”

“It’s daylight somewhere.” Barry puts his husband in a halfhearted half-nelson and leads him to the nursery. Len stops resisting. Better to get this over with so he can get his ass back to sleep. He needs about eighteen hours of it to keep up with their baby. That’s part of why he’s making such a big fuss about getting out of bed.

Having baby Lisa in the house, Len feels himself slowing up.

Len’s not an idiot. He knows he’s getting on in years, but he doesn’t want to admit it. Who does? Hooking up with Barry on the sly, and then marrying him, had been such an ego boost in that department. To have a man half his age want him made Len feel like a teenager again. And a superhero to boot? If Len’s head gets any bigger, he won’t be able to fit into his t-shirts. But whereas Barry doesn’t seem to ever run down, Len finds himself getting winded more and more every day. Len has spent the past few decades planning heists, running from the cops, fighting Team Flash, even rescuing the crew of the Waverider and multiple Earths from destruction.

It took becoming a father to make him feel his age.

“Waaaahhhhh!”

Three steps into Lisa’s room and the two men know exactly what’s bothering their baby.

“Phew!” Len groans, head jerking involuntarily to the side. “Good night! What have you been feeding her, Bare? Gravy?”

“Baby formula.”

“Is it expired?”

“No,” Barry says, offended, though he never thought to check. That can’t be the issue. He bought it yesterday. Baby poop just smells … a lot.

“Waaaahhhhh! Waa-AAHHHHH!”

Lisa’s wails seem to rise in pitch when her fathers enter the room. Len expects Barry to blow past him and rescue their screaming infant, but he doesn’t. Len looks over his shoulder at Barry, of absolutely no help whatsoever, then back to his daughter, miserable and probably as exhausted as he is, with a load of wet yuck stuck to her butt.

“She needs you, Len,” Barry whispers.

“I don’t see why when she’s got you.”

“She needs the both of us. And right now, you’re up. Do your thing.”

“You want me to steal her a diamond?”

“Change. your. daughter. I’m not letting you put a foot back into bed until you do.”

Len sighs. All he wants at the moment is to climb into bed and slip back into the open arms of unconsciousness, but his obnoxious husband won’t let him. Tomorrow. He’d be awake and raring to go tomorrow. He glances at the Strawberry Shortcake clock hanging on the wall. 2 a.m. He sighs deeper. It is tomorrow. “Fine,” he says, trudging toward the crib. “I’m on it.”

Barry leans against the door frame and watches as his adorably grumpy husband plods across their daughter’s pastel pink throw rug, gathering things he’ll need as he goes. Normally Barry would toss himself on the grenade and do it, but Len hasn’t been himself lately. He’s not quite as witty, definitely not as devious. He sleeps more than usual, he has no appetite, and he stresses over the tiniest things. Plus, his sex drive has gone straight into the toilet.

The first two weeks after Lisa came home, things went fine. They had a rhythm going. They traded off duties - Barry went to work at STAR Labs during the day and Len stayed home with the baby. When Barry came home, he took over with Lisa so Len could have some time to himself. Len has other pursuits. Team Flash and Green Arrow both pick his brain as their ‘resident criminal consultant’, but he said he was perfectly happy as a stay-at-home dad. They began to feel like real parents. But bit by bit, something in Len started to drift away. He didn’t always answer his phone, and Barry found himself racing home to check on him. Things would be fine when he got there – Lisa fed and content, the house generally clean, but Len …

Some days he’d be working himself to the point of exhaustion. Other days, he’d be staring at Lisa with an unreadable expression on his face.

He just wasn’t Len anymore.

Looking at the situation through the lens of a scientist, Len seems to be suffering from postpartum depression. It wouldn’t be too unusual. Paternal postpartum depression is rare, but it does happen. And Len has the classic signs. He’s irritable. He seems at a loss in his role as a parent, determined every time the baby cries that something’s wrong with her.

Or that she hates him.

He doesn’t show up uninvited to STAR Labs anymore, nor has he tried to break into The Foundry in weeks.

He’s been pulling farther and farther away from life as a whole.

Barry would welcome finding out that Len had PPPD. At least, if Barry knew the cause of his behavior, they could decide on a course of action – medication, meditation, therapy.

Whatever’s going on with him, Barry has been praying Len isn’t regretting their decision to bring Lisa into their lives.

“Okay, little bug,” Len mumbles, negotiating their daughter’s kicky feet and unbuttoning her onesie, holding his breath when he breaches the seal of cotton holding back the bulk of the stench. “Let’s see what’s going on … good Lord!” Len pulls a face, blowing a raspberry through tight lips. Lisa stops crying. She stops kicking. She stares up at her father with wide, wet eyes and an o-shaped mouth.

“You need to stop eating cement, girl,” Len continues in a softer, teasing voice. “We can pave the streets with this BM.”

Lisa waves closed fists. Her lips tremble. Barry takes a step forward, afraid she might burst into tears again, but she doesn’t. The corners of her mouth lift slightly. It’s not the biggest or the brightest smile. It could also be gas. But when Len sees it, his whole face lights up in a way that Barry has been missing for weeks.

“Yeah. You might have your Papa beat in the full of poop department.”

Barry’s smile drops when he remembers that Len refers to him as Papa in front of Lisa. “Hey!”

“There you go,” Len coos as he cleans Lisa up and puts a new diaper on, wrapping the old one and tossing it in the trash without looking. “That’s it. Nice and clean. Feels a lot better, don’t it?”

Lisa kicks her legs in response and Len chuckles, carefully sliding one leg at a time back inside her onesie. He buttons her up, then wraps her in her blanket, swaddling her meticulously the way the nurses at the hospital taught them. He considers her a minute, rocking her with his palm pressed lightly against her tummy, but then he picks her up and walks the room with her, swaying in a lazy two-step towards the rocking chair in the corner.

“You know, if you leave her, she’ll probably go back to sleep.”

“Meh, I’m already awake, and I don’t think I’m going back anytime soon thank you very much.” Len slides into the wooden chair, setting it rocking back and forth with his heels buried into the rug. Barry smiles, watching the loves of his life sit together in silence – Lisa blinking up at her dad with drooping eyelids, Len gazing at his daughter as if she’s the biggest payoff he’s ever scored.

“Feeling any better?” Barry asks, padding across the room to be closer to the two of them.

“A little bit … maybe. The jury’s still out.”

“You know, you’re really good at this.”

“You think so?” Len swallows hard. “Because sometimes I wonder if …” He stops himself short of spilling his guts and giving voice to every doubt he’s had since little Lisa came home. She’s nothing like his sister was when her parents brought her home, that’s for sure. Regardless of Lisa Snart now, Lisa as a baby rarely made a peep. Or maybe he’s just not remembering things clearly. A dark cloud seemed to descend on their house shortly after, one that moved into his brain, obscuring certain details he’d rather not relive. No, his boisterous daughter is nothing like his sister, name notwithstanding.

He just prays that, in the long run, he’s nothing like his father.

“Well, this daddy thing has its moments, I guess.”

“Yes, sir.” Barry bites his tongue. Close. He was so close. But whatever’s bothering Len is in there somewhere. And if Len wants to talk about it, he will. Barry just has to give him time.

“Hey, I know she just dropped a huge deuce, but do you think … she might be hungry?”

“I don’t think so.” Barry puts a gentle finger to her lower lip to see if she’ll suck, but she doesn’t. Her eyelids flutter shut. She takes a deep breath in, lets it out, and just like that, she’s asleep.

In under a minute, and with no Speed Force powers necessary.

“I’m hungry,” Len says.

And even though Barry is thrilled that Len’s hungry after days of living on pretzel rods and Near Beer, he recoils. “How the hell can you be hungry with that smell still hanging in the air?”

“I’m sorry. I can’t help it. My hunger knows no bounds.”

“Neither does this stench.” Barry yanks the waste basket liner out of the trash, eyes flashing with a thin thread of red electricity.

Len’s brows pull together. “What are you doing?”

“I don’t want this in the house.” Barry’s voice cracks, static echoing as he phases with energy.

“Shhh! You’re gonna wake the baby!”

Barry steps out into the hallway and closes the door. Even through three inches of wood, the room crackles with the familiar heat of Barry tapping into the Speed Force. The seam around the door glows with a bright orange aura. It blinks out, but a second later, it comes back, and Barry re-enters the room. He puts a white paper bag down at Len’s feet, taking a seat beside it on the floor. He opens it and reaches in, the rank odor in the room overwhelmed by the delicious scent of meat and onions.

“What’s that?” Len asks, staring at the bulging bag dubiously.

“A double double animal style,” Barry says after a bite. “You said you were hungry.”

“There aren’t any In ‘N Outs in Central City.”

“No, but there’s one in San Diego.”

“And that’s where you threw out her dirty diaper?”

“Yup. In the dumpster outside the 7-11 next door.”

“Don’t you think that’s overkill?”

“I don’t really feel like waking up in the morning to the smell of stale diaper, do you?”

“Fair enough.”

“Besides, you can consider it an apology for losing sleep,” Barry says, throwing his husband a wink. Len smirks.

“Well then.” He reaches down for his share of the meal, but he doesn’t take his eyes off his baby girl. Not for a second. “If this is the way night time changing duty is going to go, I’m definitely on board.”

#coldflash #Barry Allen #leonard snart #The Flash #Captain Cold #Frankie writes

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imagine-loki · 5 years

Text

Monsters and Magic

TITLE: Monsters and Magic

CHAPTER NO./ONE SHOT: 64/?

AUTHOR: nekoamamori

ORIGINAL IMAGINE: Imagine you’re a vampire who helps the Avengers defeat an evil seethe of other vampires, and Loki befriends you after you end up in their custody

RATING: T (again after last chapter)

NOTES/WARNINGS: Also on AO3 click here

You leaned up and kissed Loki’s cheek when Thor and Bucky were gone. “Is there a shower somewhere in this palace of yours?” you teased, but you really did feel disgusting for not bathing in days. It was extremely polite of your Loki not to point out just how gross you were.

Loki chuckled. “No showers, darling, sorry. But I can ask the maids to prepare you a bath if you wish,” he offered instead.

You couldn’t help huffing at that. “Again with the maids,” you grumbled sarcastically, still not used to being pampered. Or maids, or really any of this, but you’d play along. This wasn’t your culture and you could respect that things worked differently here. You didn’t think you’d ever get used to “But if that’s what it takes…” you sighed. You’d put up with maids to get properly clean.

Loki stepped into the hall and stopped one of the maids. He asked her quickly to prepare a bath for his lady in his chambers immediately. You couldn’t help smirking, amused by his change from sweet, caring boyfriend, to prince of the realm. The maid bobbed a curtsy and rushed off to make sure Loki’s orders were obeyed.

You stood and stretched, a little wobbly-legged, and feeling the strange sensation of your lungs and heart actually working, but you were relatively ok, especially given what you’d just been through.

You couldn’t help glancing at the end table where the cake had been and pouting. “Guess your mom is like mine. No cake unless you finish your meal,” you whined at Loki. It was hardly fair not to get cake when you fell asleep before you could eat it.

Loki chuckled and made the cake reappear. “I vanished it because my idiot brother was going to steal it,” he reassured you quickly. You lit up in delight and quickly devoured your chocolate cake with a moan of pleasure. Loki chuckled at your enthusiasm.

When you finished the cake, Loki herded you quickly to his chambers so you could bathe and change into proper clothes instead of grungy sweat-soaked pajamas. The maids helped you bathe and dress in a slightly different black and green asgardian style gown, it wouldn’t do to wear the same dress again. You were reluctant to let them help you bathe and see you naked, but it had been worlds better with their help.

Loki was predictably reading when the maids were done with you. You curled up next to him on his sitting room’s couch and kissed his cheek. “Hey, Lokes,” you greeted him warmly and kissed him when he looked over at you from his book.

He smiled brightly and happily returned the kiss. “I simply adore you in my colors, kitten,” he purred.

You laughed. “Of course you do, silly noodle. You’re quite fond of claiming what’s ‘yours’,” you made the finger quotes as you teased him.

Loki laughed and kissed you softly. “Wearing my colors means something here, darling, besides just telling the other nobles that you are off limits to be courted,”

You nodded. You understood that and you didn’t mind, especially when Loki’s colors looked so good with your coloring. You remembered something else that you were going to ask. Loki’s comment sparked the memory. It hadn’t seemed important to worry about then, but now that you were back on Asgard… “I meant to ask earlier, but we kinda got distracted by other things…” you paused and held up your right hand, which bore the ring Thor had given you for your birthday. “Hammer-brain made it sound like there’s more to this ring than just that all the noble ladies wear them. What’s the real reason behind the tradition?” you asked Loki bluntly so he wouldn’t be able to squirm out of an answer. You didn’t want a nasty surprise at dinner over your ignorance on the subject.

Loki was surprised by the question for a moment, but nodded his agreement to answer your question. You gave him the time he needed to find the words he wanted. “It is true that all of the noble ladies of Asgard wear them. Thor giving it to you at your birthday was a way to show that he and Mother approve of you. They would not have made sure you fit in among the other nobles of Asgard if they did not,” you knew it meant a lot to Loki that his brother and mother approved of the woman he was courting. Mostly that Frigga approved. Loki paused before he continued. “The other tradition of the ring is that,” he paused again, looking for the right words. “The lady will give her ring to her gentleman suitor on the day he proposes marriage to her, an exchange for the ring he presents her,” Loki explained in careful terms that said he wouldn’t be pressuring you to marry him. He leaned in to kiss you softly, tentative, worried. “Are you alright with that?” he asked gently. He didn’t want you uncomfortable with Asgardian customs.

You kissed him back, pondering what he’d said. You had noted his careful words, his lack of pressure, and his simple explanation. “It’s good to hear that they approve,” you replied and stole another kiss. “And thank you for letting me know about the tradition, I just wanted to be prepared. You never know with that brother of yours…” Thor liked to tease and wasn’t always the best at explaining things.

Loki chuckled. “Too true, darling. Now, would you like to go find Bucky and my aforementioned idiot brother?” he asked warmly, enjoying the simple pleasant conversation.

You couldn’t help laughing at that. “Bucky yes, I’m sure he’s overwhelmed at being off of Earth and he’s our friend so we should be nice to him. The oaf?” you shrugged. “Could care less about finding him,” there were times Loki greatly appreciated you going out of your way to reassure him that you preferred him to Thor.

Loki laughed, knowing what you were up to, and you could see the appreciation in his eyes. “Then let us go find the Cyborg,” he said and took your hand to lead you wandering through the palace looking for your friend.

You giggled and held his hand as you wandered the palace with him. “You realize the morons probably have him trapped in their lair, right?” you asked after you’d been wandering awhile.

“True. I just wanted to show you more of my home before we have to deal with the imbeciles,” Loki replied warmly. He had been showing you around the palace and pointing out interesting sights as you walked. You smiled and wrapped both of your arms around one of his. You were still his ball of sunshine, that hadn’t changed with the transition to Asgardian.

You noticed the looks you were receiving from the palace staff. You knew some were about you, about how bright and sunshiny and unlike the prince you were. They were also amazed at how different the reserved prince was around you.

Unfortunately, you both had to face the inevitable and brave the lair of the morons. When you opened the door to their lair, you saw they were doing their best to get Bucky drunk. So you and Loki had to go in to save him.

More unfortunately, you were spotted by the warriors three when you entered their lair. “LOKI! AND HIS LITTLE LADY!!” they boomed and hauled you both further into the room.

Bucky was sitting on one of the couches with Thor, dressed in Asgardian clothes, a mug of ale in his hands. Luckily for him, the serum Hydra had used on him when they were replicating Steve’s had made his metabolism as good as Steve’s so he could actually drink Asgardian ale.

Loki glared at everyone in the room. He was willing to spend a small amount of time with them. On his terms. “You are not to try and get my lady drunk. She is in no condition to deal with you lot right now. She just got out of the healing wing and Mother will skin all of us alive if your actions lead to her ending up back there,” he warned them firmly.

“BOO!” they complained loudly.

“You’re no fun, Loki!!” they whined

“No, not this time,” Thor interjected quickly. “Loki is correct. She just got out of the healing wing today and Mother will wring all of our necks if we cause her to end up there again,” none of them wanted Mama Frigga killing them. Thor did at least get them to stop trying to shove ale into your hands. You didn’t know if you’d be able to tolerate it now, and you weren’t in the mood to find out.

Loki, of course, got ale shoved into his hands.

He scoffed and rolled his eyes.

“Come sit with us~!” The morons also seemed to realize that the way they could get Loki to stay was by making sure you couldn’t leave. So they tried to herd you to one of the couches. They surrounded you and tried to steer you to the couch. Bucky jumped to his feet to help you.

You tried to summon a blade, but your magic fizzled out. You were too drained from the transition and didn’t have enough power.

However, the lovely little staff Loki had gifted you with wasn’t limited by such restrictions as low magic. You slid your ring off, flipped it and caught the staff in one move before you swung it firmly with both hands, straight into the side of Fandral’s head.

Fandral went flying away from you and the other morons backed off quickly.

Loki chuckled. “Darling, you do know that isn’t what the staff is for, right?” he teased you warmly, though you could tell he was glad you appreciated your gift and that it worked for you when you were too low on magic to summon your own weapon.

“It’s not?” you asked too innocently while Fandral cursed from where he was lying on the floor. You were breathing heavily from just that bit of exertion. Your lungs and heart weren’t used to working that hard anymore. “I would have just stabbed them, but…” you didn’t want to admit to them that your powers were basically shot. Loki would understand though.

He nodded. “I understand,” he promised as his arm wrapped around you and he guided you to sit on one of the couches so you could catch your breath. You let him steer you to the couch. You were glad the idiot boys seemed to realize that they’d overwhelmed you and backed off.

“I forgot…How much… Needing to breathe… Sucks ass,” you told Loki softly as you fought for air.

You noted that the warrior boys were all watching confused. “Her heart beats now,” one of them said stupidly. Your heart was racing, in fact, so it wasn’t odd that the men had noticed, even as drunk as they were.

“No… Shit… moron…” you wheezed in reply

#Loki #Lover #Submitted fic #submission #monsters and magic #chapter 64 #Nekoamamori

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myouki · 6 years

Text

Royal Pain: Chapter 4

Credits:

Goth: @nekophy

Palette: @angeutblogo

Ink: @comyet

***

"... H......ould b......ne. Go.........nt in... ock ......... let h......st..."

...wh...wha...?

The high pitched voice from before was speaking. Goth's mind struggled to process what he was hearing and feeling as the fog slowly lifted. His body felt heavy and there was a pool of warmth around his right arm. He groaned, willing his eye sockets to open.

"He... ...ing up!"

Finally winning the fight, Goth's hazy eye light took in the dimly lit room, Palette and an armored woman sitting on his left side with Meryl on the right. A small green glow surrounded the girl's hands, which were pressed against his arm... healing magic.

"Goth, you're okay!" Palette cried, throwing himself on top of the skeleton. The warm feeling on his arm vanished.

"S... space...," the small monster gasped, clenching his socket shut against the excess weight pressing down on him. The prince jumped off as if he'd been shocked, briskly apologizing as he did so.

Goth took a shuddering breath as he replied, "s'fine... what happened?"

The woman next to his friend spoke up, "The assassin was apprehended and taken into custody after being removed from the prince's bedchamber. We believe the man was part of the group that attacked the queen and the prince's carriage over three months ago.

"After we arrived, you went into shock from your injury. The healer here arrived as you fainted, and you were moved to the sick bay to recover after she stopped the bleeding."

Her brown eyes took on a hard edge, "I was notified by Prince Palette that you took on the assassin by yourself." Goth nodded slowly, wondering where she was going with this.

Am I in trouble?

"That's admirable. You seem to have the kind of loyalty and grit I like to see in my soldiers," she stood, thumping her hand against the metal plate covering her chest, "My name is Helleia, Captain of the Royal Guard. I wish to proposition you for an apprenticeship to become one of our soldiers. With enough training, you might even be able to become the prince's personal bodyguard."

Goth played with the idea.

While I'm not a physically oriented monster and I'm pretty small, letting Palette get hurt because of a threat... or worse...

What would have happened if the guards hadn't arrived when they did?

"I'll do it," the small skeleton responded, his expression set.

The woman grinned, "I like that look. We'll begin your training once that arm's fixed up. I'll warn you though, I don't pull punches. You'll be training to defend the royal family with your very life, so you better come prepared." Goth nodded, and the woman turned with a satisfied smile, leaving the room.

"Goth... are you sure you're okay?" Palette questioned, tears still lining his sockets.

"Yeah, my arm doesn't even hurt anymore," the other reassured him, lightly raising the arm that had been placed in a crude sling while he'd been unconscious.

"Why did you stand in front of me like that?" Palette murmured, almost at a whisper, wavering eye lights cast down with his hands bunching up his marrow-stained gown.

Goth's mouth open and shut, as if he were a stranded fish trying to take in air, "Because... I... you... you're important... you're... ah..."

The small skeleton desperately wished he had his scarf so he could hide his face, unable to evade the prince's expectant stare.

What am I supposed to say? I can't say how I really feel! Palette's a prince and I'm... I'm a mere servant. I have no status, no one would ever accept that kind of relationship... and even if the people did accept it, there was no way Palette would reciprocate those feelings! I'm just a friend to him...

"You like him," Meryl announced. Goth's eye light shrunk to a pinprick.

"...Is that true?" the prince asked, the room becoming deathly silent in the wake of his question, "Goth?"

The smaller skeleton's eye light flicked over to Palette. His expression was unreadable.

How does she know? Better question, how could she out me like that!?

Goth's face burned traitorously as he struggled to avoid the words that would undoubtedly shatter his soul once he spoke them aloud, "... I... well... maybe... but I... um...I-"

Every retort in his mind died in away at the feeling of Palette's mouth on his. Time seemed to blur, Goth's disbelief dissolving into joy as he arched up into the kiss. His sockets sliding shut, left hand grasping the taller skeleton's sleeve to pull him deeper into the kiss.

This... this is...

When they finally pulled away Goth laid back against the pillow, gasping for breath in a daze while Palette's starry eye lights locked onto the monster in front of him with stony determination, "What you did earlier was reckless and scared me half to death. When you fainted... I thought I was losing you. I never want that to happen again.

"If you plan on fighting for me, then you better become the strongest so you can win for me because I like you too and I'll never forgive you if you die for me."

Warmth filled Goth's chest as he nodded his skull numbly in response.

"I can get on board with this," both blushing skeletons jumped at Meryl's voice, belatedly remembering she was still in the room, a sly grin plastered across her face.

Goth managed to find his voice first, "But I thought you liked him."

"I did," she shrugged, "I'd be lying if I said I didn't have a crush on him... but I've seen how the prince acts around you. He never acted that way with me, or anyone else for that matter, even before he lost his memories.

"I knew on top of being a servant, I would never be able to hold a candle to the connection you two have... so I gave up. Plus, you both make a ridiculously adorable couple."

The pair blushed brighter. Goth countered, "But I'm a servant, too... the king and his people would never accept-"

"Then don't tell them," she said in a matter-of-fact tone, "At least, not until Prince Palette succeeds the throne. At that point, he'll be the final authority. No one will be able to counter his decision even if they object. I can even help you keep it a secret until then."

She focused on Palette, "Also, Goth's smart and picks things up quickly. I know since I guided him on becoming a servant. You've been learning what it takes to become a king. If you help him learn about the politics of being a ruler as well, the people won't be able to deny his worth and it will ease them into the idea if you decide to make your relationship public."

The taller skeleton gulped, nodding his skull, "I'm willing to give it a shot.... as long as Goth wants to, that is."

The monster in question was faced with two pairs of eyes awaiting his choice. "I...," Goth steeled his resolve, "I know it'll probably be hard, but I want to have a future beside you, Palette. Let's do it."

---

From that point on, Goth spent his mornings and afternoons training as a royal guard and his free time studying with Palette to be a ruler.

Meryl covered for Goth's study sessions with Palette, enlisting the help of the other servants of the castle to covertly take over the small skeleton's chores so he could focus on assisting his prince around his studies.

Goth was glad to have her on their side given her flair for persuasion, rallying everyone to their cause easily. Before long, their relationship became a closely guarded secret among the staff, all silently rooting for the young couple that inspired the hope of one day breaking the status barrier.

Goth had a sneaking suspicion his mentor Helleia actually knew something was going on as well, but she never hinted at the topic if she did.

Their training each day was hard, but effective in teaching the small skeleton how to defend himself and his kingdom, especially once he learned to summon a scythe as his weapon. His small size was actually a boon in combat, allowing him to get around his opponents quickly for sneak attacks and dodging. It also let him continue using his servant's uniform with some extra protection hidden underneath since he too small for the standard metal armor.

Helleia was rather taken with the idea of Goth being a guard in disguise.

The assassin's attack on Palette had also managed to rattle some memories loose, allowing the prince to remember some of the more recent events prior to his arrival at the orphanage. He was most happy about remembering what his mom looked like. He made sure to draw a picture straight away so he wouldn't forget again.

Despite everyone's worries about the repercussions of regaining the lost memories, overall nothing really changed as far as Palette was concerned. He was still the same cheerful skeleton he always was, just with a bit more peace of mind.

King Ink attempted to find his son a suitor throughout the years, but every lady that came to call was politely refused. Palette only held eyes for Goth, even if he couldn't say it aloud.

Though he still made sure to show the smaller skeleton in subtle ways every chance he got.

Years later, about a week after Palette's twenty-fifth birthday, King Ink found he no longer had the soul to rule on his own without his late wife by his side. This led to a ceremony where he abdicated the throne to Palette, making him the new king.

It was during Palette's coronation speech that he announced his desire to take Goth, now second in command of the royal guard and Palette's personal bodyguard, as his queen.

Meryl, appointed to Chief Advisor a few years ago, grinned like a maniac as Helleia let out an amused huff. The former king expressed shock at his son's announcement, but quickly realized this was probably the reason behind Palette's constant refusal to take a bride and gave the pair his blessing.

He knew times were changing.

Through the first week, there was some skepticism and outcry among the people... but as Meryl said so many years ago, Palette's passion and kindness combined with Goth's wisdom and strength was a combination no one could deny.

#Poth #Goth #Palette Roller #Ink #MyWriting

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