#saw hardly ANY last year when normally they are all over the place here | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

atinylittlepain · 1 year

Note

ok so given that the oscars just happened, imagine a joel x actress!reader. before everything went to shit joel was a normal human being who loved watching movies and like any basic person had a celebrity crush. fast forward and the world has gone to shit and joel and ellie (and maybe tommy too) go on a patrol that goes wrong and get saved by miss “i just smashed a guys head in with my oscar” or something like that, just a fluff and fun imagine that isnt gonna break my heart in a million pieces like last nights episode

oh my god, your mindddddd - I love this idea :)

Big Fan

Joel Miller x actress!reader

Joel Miller masterlist

Joel recognizes her right away. After all, she starred in his favorite movie of all time.

warnings | 18+ a little angst, nothing wild, this is fluff through and through

Read part two!

.......................

“Are you–”

“I am.”

“You were in–”

“I was.”

“Well I’ll be damned.”

“Alright, somebody better start speaking in full sentences, because I have no clue what the hell is going on.” Joel huffs, glancing at Ellie who's looking at him like he’s gone crazy, her gun still cocked at the woman in front of them.

“What? You don’t recognize her, kid? I just showed you Curtis and Viper.” Ellie’s brow furrows, but then she looks back at the woman and her eyes finally widen in recognition.

“Holy shit.” The woman laughs, eyes still focused on the barrel of Ellie’s gun.

“That’s not usually the movie people recognize me from. But I suppose it was my big break.” Joel nudges Ellie, muttering for her to put her “damn gun away, jesus christ,” and she quickly tucks it back in her belt.

He’s trying to not be weird right now, they did just kill five clickers together, but he’s finding it hard not to lose his cool over the woman who had been a silly crush of his since he first saw that cheap action movie as a teenager. He knows she did much better films afterward, remembers hovering behind the couch one night while Sarah was watching one of those awards shows, lingering just a bit longer when he saw her giving an acceptance speech with a blinding smile in a dress that probably cost more than his house. She’s certainly less elegant-looking now, but even after twenty years in a world like this, he can’t help the quick kick of his heart at actually meeting this woman in the flesh.

He clears his throat, also trying to clear his mind.

“Are you alone?” She sighs, wiping the blade of her knife on her jeans before sliding it back into its sheath.

“I wasn’t, and then I was. We were headed toward a settlement we heard about, I think a bit further north from here?” Joel keeps his expression steady, but can feel Ellie glancing at him. Movie star or not, he knows they have to be careful about who finds out about Jackson. But apparently, this woman isn’t just pretty, and she seems to pick up on the heavy pause after what she said.

“Do you two know about the place I’m talking about? Are we close?” Joel, sighs, looking at Ellie before making a decision that Tommy is probably going to smack him for later.

“We, um– we’re from there, actually. If you’re talking about where I think you’re talking about.” She huffs out a laugh, and offers them that megawatt smile Joel remembers seeing on his TV screen. Ellie, meanwhile, scoffs, crossing her arms over her chest as she glares at Joel.

“No shit. Do you think you have room for one more?” Joel’s eyes dart once more to Ellie, just seeing the subtle shake of her head, but he chooses to ignore it. How could he say no to the woman who had, embarrassingly, been one of his first wet dreams?

“You’ll have to talk with my brother, but I’m sure you’ll be welcome to stay on.” Megawatt, megawatt, megawatt. He reckons that smile could melt steel beams.

…

“Joel, what the fuck–”

“Ellie–”

“No, what are you thinking? If not Tommy, Maria’s gonna be so pissed she’ll probably cut your balls off.” He shushes the girl, glancing ahead at the woman hiking further in front of them.

“Look, she’s all alone– hardly a threat– and she’s looking for somewhere to stay–” She scoffs.

“Oh, so this has nothing to do with the way your eyeballs practically popped out of your head just looking at her?” He grumbles, hand tightening around the strap of his rifle.

“You just mind your own business, alright? I’ll take care of it.” Ellie huffs, starting to trudge further ahead of him, but not before muttering out “whatever you say, fanboy.” Joel is stunned still by her words.

“Where the hell did you get that word from?” She turns on her heel, walking backwards for a beat as she smirks at him.

“One of those old magazines. Pretty sure she was on the front page if you wanna borrow it.” Before he can get a word in edgewise, she’s already turning back around and continuing their hike back to Jackson.

…

“Holy shit. Joel, look who it is!” Joel grunts, nudging Tommy out of his starstruck stupor.

“Yeah, I know. Just hiked five miles with her.” Tommy laughs, slapping him on the back before grinning at her.

“It’s real nice to meet you. You know, Joel here had your poster on his bedroom wall–” The nudge he gives his brother this time is a little less friendly, causing Tommy to grumble and rub his arm. She, however, takes it in stride, laughing lightly as she shifts in her boots.

“I’m flattered, really. It’s, um, it’s nice to meet you, Tommy.” Tommy’s eyes go wide.

“I can’t believe you just said my name. This is crazy–”

“Tommy.” Joel cuts his brother off with a hard look before he embarrasses himself anymore. He clears his throat, seeming to get a hold of himself as Joel continues.

“She had been traveling with a group, looking for this place. She’s the only one left though. Was hoping to join the town.” Tommy grins again, glancing between her and Joel.

“Well, I’m sure we can make that happen. I think Joel would kill me if I didn’t let–” He squeezes Tommy’s shoulder hard, willing him to shut his mouth.

“That little house next to ours is still empty. Why don’t we set her up there?” Tommy’s smile at his brother’s words is all too smug for Joel’s taste, but he still nods, turning his attention back to her.

“If that’s alright with you, ma’am. I’ll let the folks know to turn the gas and electric back on for that place.” She smiles brightly at that.

“That would be amazing. Thank you so much. I owe you all big time.” Tommy snorts.

“I’m pretty sure you can pay Joel back with an autograph, he’d probably cre—“ Joel’s heard enough, resorting to kicking Tommy in the ankle to shut him up. Ellie huffs from where she’s watching their pathetic display.

“Alright, well if you two freaks are done making fools of yourselves, I’ll show her over to that house.”

…

When Joel gets home, the first thing he does is look at that DVD. He had found it a week or two ago on a patrol shift, left in a hollowed-out RV. Ellie was less than impressed and Maria refused to show it at movie night because it’s so gory, but he held onto it anyways. He can still remember going to see it in the theater with Tommy, both of them too young to get in if not for their friend working the ticket booth. He flips the case over in his hands, and sure enough, there she is on the back cover, looking impossibly beautiful while firing a machine gun. What’s not to like, right?

He’s broken out of his revelry by the sound of the front door opening, and soon enough, Ellie is stomping up the stairs to come looking for him. When she finds him in his bedroom, sitting on the end of his bed, she glances at the DVD he’s holding, a grin spreading over her face.

“Just like you remember, huh, old man?” He grumbles, getting up to set the movie back on the bookshelf before turning back to Ellie.

“She settling in alright?” She hums, nodding lightly.

“Yep, made a beeline for a shower. Told me to thank you. I told her you’d be coming around for your autograph later.” His face crumples in indignation while Ellie lets out a cackle.

“I’m kidding, I’m kidding. But in all seriousness, I think she’s interested– in you– which pains me to even say, but, I figure you deserve to know that the woman of your pubescent dreams was asking questions about you.” Joel’s jaw goes slack, his eyebrows shooting up his forehead.

“She– she was asking about me?” Ellie nods around a smirk.

“Mmhmm. And I told her you’re a grumpy old bum who doesn’t take kindly to strangers.” He huffs, but she laughs again.

“Sorry, kidding again. I didn’t tell her much. Just that you’ll be around. But if I were you, I’d “be around” sooner rather than later, before the rest of Jackson gets a piece of her. Snatch her up before there’s sweeter bait to bite down on, you know?” He thinks briefly that he needs to see just what sort of magazines this kid is reading, because he can’t quite believe what’s coming out of her mouth. He grumbles, shaking his head at her antics.

“There ain’t gonna be any snatching going on. Just mind your–” She huffs, already walking out of his room.

“Mind my business, yeah, yeah, I know. But think about what I said, old man. Better cast your line quick for this one. My guess is you weren’t the only one who had her poster in your bedroom back before.”

He’s not letting that kid read magazines anymore.

…

When he steps out on his porch later in the afternoon, fully intent on what Ellie has affectionately started calling his “adult nap time,” he’s interrupted by someone calling his name. He catches sight of her sitting on the porch of the little house next door, waving and smiling at him like it’s the most normal thing in the world.

“Hey, neighbor.” He tentatively waves back, but that doesn’t seem to satisfy her as she motions for him to join her. He sighs, rather stiffly walking over to her porch and joining her on the bench seat, keeping a very respectable distance between them. Clickers, raiders, general imminent danger, he can handle. Pretty lady? That’s touchy. Pretty lady who he imagined marrying as a teenager? Just put him out of his misery already. He knows it’s ridiculous, that none of that matters now. She’s just as worn and weathered as the rest of them by this crumbled world. But that smile she keeps flashing him might just bring him to his knees.

“I wanted to thank you– for bringing me along. I was, uh, starting to lose hope back there a little bit.” He nods, glancing at her.

“No need for thanks. Just the right thing to do in this world. I’m sorry– about your group. I don’t know what happened, but that couldn’t have been easy being out there on your own.” She shrugs, waving off his sentiment.

“It was barely a group to begin with. Just some folks who happened to get out of the San Francisco QZ together.” His brain is quickly trying to knit together the movie star he remembers from the past and this woman who sits before him now, an obvious edge to her.

“Were you in California? Back when everything…” She nods, her face set in a grim look.

“LA, where else? Now that was a nightmare. I bet the only worse place to be when everything went down was New York. Bodies everywhere. Don’t think I’ll ever forget it.” She lets out a humorless laugh before glancing at him.

“That movie you like so much? I remember when I got the role, I had no idea how I was gonna pull it off. Grizzled heroine with a dark past and a penchant for violence. I was nothing like her. But now, I feel a whole lot more like her and a whole lot less like me.” She sighs, shaking her head.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know why I dumped that on you.” Joel is quick to shake his head, leaning over his thighs to catch her gaze.

“No, no. I get it– in my own way, I guess. The world changed and– we had to change with it.” That coaxes a crooked smile out of her as she looks at him. A simple silence descends between them as they share quiet smiles. She finally giggles, scrunching her nose at him.

“That girl– Ellie? I think she said something about you wanting an autograph?” Joel can feel the hot blush creeping up his neck as his face goes slack. She just splits out in a laugh, tipping her head back in delight.

“I’m sorry, I’m kidding. But, you know, what I went by, what people still call me, that isn’t my real name.” Joel’s eyebrows quirk up and she sighs, shaking her head.

“Just a stage name. I don’t really mind people calling me that, but can I tell you my real name?” He can feel the smile tugging at his mouth as he nods. Before he knows what she’s doing, she’s taking his hand into her lap, slowly tracing out her name with her finger across his palm. An autograph, of sorts. He’s pretty sure his brain short-circuits, just barely stringing together her name as she finishes. He murmurs it lowly and she offers him her brightest smile yet, still holding his hand lightly in her own.

“And you’re Joel, right?” He’s only a little embarrassed by how quickly he nods.

“Mmhmm. Miller– Joel Miller, yep.” She lets out a breathy laugh, now clasping his hand in a firm shake.

“It’s nice to really meet you, Joel Miller.”

#joel miller fanfiction #joel miller x reader #joel miller #joel miller x you #joel miller fluff #joel miller angst #tlou fanfiction #tlou #the last of us #joel miller imagine #joel miller blurb #request

2K notes · View notes

mariposa-writes · 1 year

Text

Stressed - Travis Kelce

Travis Kelce x reader

Summary: Travis just wants to help you.

Word count: 1.5k

A/N: Trying to put more Travis fics out there, since there are barely any. This is my first time ever posting on here, please let me know what you think. Thanks and have a great day!

You sat at Travis's dining room table, looking over your stack of bills. It felt like they were never-ending, and it seemed like no mattered how much you worked there was never enough money.

You were constantly stressed, over everything. You couldn't even remember the last time you'd felt even slightly relaxed. The bills you received yesterday, were much higher than expected. Then you had to find time to work at your job while interning at KPMG, one of the top accounting firms. Not to mention you had 3 essays due soon along with multiple assignments. Plus Travis had some event he wanted you to attend, where you would officially be showing up as a couple.

You guys had decided to keep your relationship on the DL for the past year and managed to keep your relationship hidden from the public.

Travis placed a hand on your shoulder, making you jump. You hadn't even noticed that he'd gotten home. "Hey, it's just me." He chuckled, finding your reaction funny. You got up out of your chair, placing a quick kiss on his cheek. "Sorry," you mumbled before cleaning up the mess you'd created on his dining room table.

You quickly hid the bills under some of your notes, not wanting Travis to know you were struggling. You knew Travis all too well, knowing he would want to do anything he could to help you, whether that meant paying off your student debt or paying all of your bills. Hell, he'd probably even higher someone to write your essay's for you if you asked.

You were his world, and he was willing to do anything to make your life easier.

You quickly shoved the papers into your backpack, "I'll get started on dinner. I didn't realize what time it was." You said, getting ready to head into the kitchen.

"Hey," Travis grabbed your wrist, leading you back to him. "What's wrong?"

You blinked a few times, "Nothing, everything's fine. Just tired." You plastered a smile on your face, trying to be convincing. His eyes narrowed, clearly not believing you.

He sighed, deciding to let it go. "Why don't I cook tonight." He suggested, "You can go take a relaxing bath or something."

"Are you sure?" You asked knowing Travis didn't normally cook, "I can help if you want?"

"Babe, don't worry, I actually can cook, believe it or not." He laughed slightly.

"Not," you mumbled. You'd guys been together for a little over a year, and he hardly ever cooked. If you didn't feel like cooking, then you'd guys either order in, or he'd have his private chef come cook up a meal.

He slapped your butt as you turned to walk away, "I heard that." You laughed before rushing up the stairs to take a shower.

You loved Travis's shower, especially when he was with you. Sadly he was cooking dinner, so you had to enjoy the waterfall shower alone. At least you got to make the water scolding hot when you were alone, Travis always accused you of trying to burn your skin off with how hot you liked the water.

After your shower you changed into one of his shirts, that went to mid thigh on you and threw on some shorts you had in the dresser Travis had gotten for you 6 months ago.

You ventured down stairs with a smile on your face, feeling slightly relaxed after your shower. You could also smell the food from down stairs and it surprisingly smelled delicious.

Your smile quickly left your face when you turned the corner and saw Travis standing over your bag, with papers in hand. "What are you looking at?" You asked, despite already knowing what he was looking at.

Travis dropped the papers on the table, "Why didn't tell me you were struggling to pay your bills? Is this why you've been so distant lately?" His words were unexpected, you didn't think you'd been distant lately. You always tried to be in the present when you were with him.

You snatched the papers up and shoved them back into your bag. "You had no right to look through my stuff." You seethed. You couldn't believe he actually went in your bag and looked through your personal belongs.

"Well, I feel like I have to cause you'll barely talk to me anymore." Travis threw his hands up, frustrated at the situation.

You walked to the kitchen and grabbed your keys from the counter. You hated fighting and all you could think about was getting out of there before it got worse. "I have homework, I need to go home and finish it." You stated, walking out of his front door and to your car.

"Y/n" He called, following you. You ignored him, opening you car door and getting in. He caught the door before you could slam it shut. "Babe, don't leave please. We can talk about this."

"Trav," you pleaded. "I don't wanna fight right now. I just wanna go home."

"Bab-" you interrupted him by closing the door, starting your car and backing out of the driveway. He stood there watching you the whole time.

_____

The next day you had gotten up and went to your classes. Travis had been texting you all day, but you weren't responding.

You didn't know what to say, you felt like Travis had invaded your private information. Travis was an open book, he would tell you anything you asked. But you were more closed off.

You didn't trust people as easily as him. Maybe, because of the way you grew up. You learned to be independent form a young age and your mom always taught you to never trust anyone.

This caused some issues between you and Travis, even if you didn't realize. Like the time he bought you a car because, he didn't want you driving your old beater that had trouble starting up during the winter.

He worried that it would break down and you'd get stranded somewhere. Well, you're still driving that car and Travis has a spare car parked in his garage since he refused to return it.

You walked up to your apartment, feeling even more tired than normal. You hadn't been home all day, after your classes ended at 2 you went to the place you're interning at and worked until 6, then you went to your other job and worked till close.

It was now 11:15 and when you opened your door, you didn't expect to see Travis sitting on your bed. His head snapped up when the door opened and you walked through. "Trav, what-"

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have looked through your stuff. I don't wanna fight, I love you so much baby and it kills me when you're mad at me." He was now standing in front of you cupping your face with his hands. "I just want to make your life easier. You could've told me you were struggling. I would've helped you pay your bills."

You sighed, leaning into his hand. Travis loved physical contact, while you were the opposite. You hated hugging your friends, or anyone for that matter. But when it came to Travis you craved his touch. "That's why I didn't tell you. I knew you would want to pay for everything and fix it. I can handle it myself, I've been doing it for the past 22 years. "

"Just cause you have been doing it doesn't mean you still have too. I'm here now, you're not alone anymore." Tears started to well up in your eyes.

"But what happens when I become dependent on you, and you leave me" He tried to cut you off, to tell you that'd never happen but you kept going. "Trav, you have literal super models in your dm's. What if you wake up one day and realize you don't wanna be with me and you want to be with one of them." You were crying now, you'd never voiced these fears to Travis. He wiped every tear that fell away with his thumb. "Then I'm alone and I don't know how to function on my own anymore, because I'm so dependent on you."

"Babe, I'm never gonna leave you." He knew where these thoughts were coming from. "I'm not your father, I would never leave you because I thought I found something better."

"How do you know?"

"Because I already know that you're the best there is." He took your hand in his. "Babe, we fit together so well. You fit with my family so well. Jason and his family love you, my parents love you, and most importantly I love you. So I'm begging you to stop shutting me out. Turn to me when you need help."

"I love you too Kelce." He leaned down, his lips meeting yours. His tongue slipped between your lips, making you moan. You were certain that he was the best kisser in the world. This continued for a few minutes, you growing wetter by the minute.

"Move in with me." He said, his forehead resting against yours. Your eyes widening, "and before you say no, just know that I've been thinking about this for a while. This isn't a split second decision."

Your mind told you no, but for once you decided to listen to your heart. "Yes." He smiled, before his lips meet yours again. He lead you over to your bed and you two had the best night of your life.

#travis kelce #travis kelce x reader #fluff #nfl imagine #travis kelce fic #travis kelce imagine #kc chiefs #chiefs #nfl #super bowl #kansas city chiefs #fanfic #nfl fanfic

1K notes · View notes

the-soliloquies-of-sadists · 2 years

Text

#331

“Well, well, well. Lookie here. When I heard that there was a faggot in the woods behind the rest area shithouse taking load after load in the early morning, I didn’t give it a second thought. I figured it was one of those San Francisco flag waving faggots passing through. It wasn’t until my truck driving buddy sent me a video of you getting plowed by this farmer looking guy and you were begging him to breed you right after you took my buddy’s load in your cunt and he pissed in your face. I had to see for myself. And here you are….

“You are handcuffed, naked, on your knees, head bowed, and crying like a total bitch. You know something’s up when I didn’t bring you in to the station, but rather took you here. You have been kneeling in that position for twenty minutes processing what’s going to happen to you. Well, let me tell you.

“Normally, had you been one of those faggots from the city, your ass would have been hauled in. But you are local, granted from the other side of the mountain pass. Yeah, I grabbed your clothes including your ID after I handcuffed you and placed you naked in the back of my squad car. After a quick search through my systems and then some independent internet searches I see you are a 52-year-old divorced father of four, three of which are on their own and the fourth lives with your ex-wife across the state. Being 6’ 4”, it’s obvious from the pile of hairy beef kneeling in front of me that your 320-pounds mostly comes from a long history of working as foreman at Hilbert construction after twelve years as a Sargent in the Marine Corps. Your ID says your name is Doyle Allen Delong, but I see you like to go by Allen or even more informally your initials, DAD to your crew.

“I did find that twenty years ago you were arrested for public sexual indecency at a public bathroom outside San Diego, but that charge got dropped. Interesting.

“Now I bet due to the torrential rain last night and the rain forecasted for this afternoon, construction has come to a halt today. That gave you the opportunity to be a cumdump for truck drivers beginning their day, and you made a bee line here. Now did I get any of that wrong?...

“Your silence speaks volumes. And I am assuming you are invoking your right to remain silent. Well let me address your rights here. You have none. You ain’t being arrested….

“Well that changed your demeanor. Look up. Look at me. Yeah, I figured as much. You are still hungry for cock, and you are salivating staring at my cock. Well bitch, you are going to get it. This isn’t some random spot I pulled you out of my cruiser. This is the backside of my property. Behind you and over the hill is my stable, and then another hill to my home. Since your work day went to shit, you have the entire day to spend buck naked in my stable like a beast that needs to be broken.

“I don’t need to ask your permission; your hard on tells me everything I need to know. Damn! That is one giant pecker you have there. Too bad it’s going to be ignored for the rest of the day. When I approached you spread over that fallen tree, I saw you had your cock and balls tucked under your belly so no one can see. I bet you did that so that no one would pay attention to it. I don’t think you can fit into my biggest cock cage. Fuck, you are leaking.

“Damn, this is some slimy leak. So you like being naked on your knees, hands cuffed behind you, your dick betraying an idea of you being any type of alpha male. I bet it kills you to be a foreman, bossing your men around knowing they are more of a man than you. I bet you fantasize about them pulling a train on you. I was a First Lieutenant in the Army. I know that you Marines are all alike. Either you are a sadistic bastard or the most depraved cumdump animal. Either you want to control, or you want to be controlled. There’s hardly a middle ground.

“You haven’t said one damned thing yet. You know it’s true. You know you want to be under the control of a natural superior, one who will put you in your place and expect you to remain there.

“I assume you have no plans for this weekend. If you do, you will be canceling them. You are going to be my beast, my animal. I’ll lock a hood on you, and a remote-controlled shock collar made explicitly to control animals. I have about 8 to 10 guys that I will invite over to use you. Your cunt and toilet mouth will be used continually throughout the weekend.

“So will your cock. I think I'm changing what I said earlier. There is no way that baseball bat is going to be ignored. I’m in control of it. There will probably be slaves over; their owners will want to see them get fucked by a beast like you. The thing is beasts don’t show mercy when they fuck, neither will you. The more savage the better.

“What you say, you want to be my beast, my animal for the weekend?

“…Are you cumming? Jesus Christ! You are. Fuck! Let it go. Damn! I've never seen a no handed eruption like that. That’s an impressive load. I hope you can remain hard throughout this weekend, if not, there are injections to keep you hard.

“I don’t care if you lose interest. You will be expected to perform continually. As you can tell, I am horned up. My dick needs attention, and you ass is going to provide it.

“Jesus! Now that is a fuckable ass if ever I saw one. Here lean forward, let me guide you down. Get that cunt up in the air. My driver friend said you were a sloppy fuck.

“And he was right. How many loads are up here?... Shut up! Animals don’t fucking speak. Grunt your answer. Four? It feels like a lot more. Fuck! After I dump my load in you, I’ll plug you up. Then tonight, I’ll have you dump the cum stew on the concrete in front of everybody. Then I will have you lick it up so they can see what kind of disgusting animal you are.

“Oh fuck, I’m getting close here. Clamp down. Jesus! You aren’t all stretched out. Here it comes. Uh! Uh! Ahhhhh! Ah! Fuck!

“Fucking hell. Clamp down further; I’m pulling out. There. You made a fucking mess on my trousers. I’m going to have to change them. Let me get you over on your back.

“You’re a fucking mess. You are probably thirsty. Open up that toilet mouth, and drink what you can. Ahh….

“Damn, you are one beefy beast. Normally I shave my slaves, but there is no way in hell I am going to touch one hair on you. Your chest is perfect. Your nips look a bit soft. Titty clamps will be in your future, angry ones.

“Close your mouth. We need to get you collared, hooded, plugged, chained up, and installed in the stable to start this weekend. Is there anyone we need to notify? I need to call a guy to get your work truck here.

“If you work out this weekend, you may be spending a lot more time here than you did at that rest stop.

“Grunt me your ‘Thank you SIR’… Atta cunt!”

1K notes · View notes

braindead94 · 5 months

Note

Any chance you could write something for me? Not really sure which Alfred Molina character would go with this so you can pick whichever one you want. Oc gets kidnapped by Molina character and they know they're not important enough to be saved. If you don't want to write it that's fine too, no worries. Hate to say it but I just feel like I'm the friend that wouldn't be rescued either.

Oh honey, of course I will. I'm so sorry for the late reply, so I made this in a bit of a rush. I hope this made you feel better.

Until then, please take good care of yourself and please remember that you are so very much worth it.

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

You didn’t cry a lot when Doc Ock carried you to his hideout. Then again, you haven't cried a lot since last year.

Dread has been a concentint feeling along with abandonment, allowing yourself to fully immerse yourself in the metal arm that swapped around you so tightly.

He must have noticed when he was safe in his lair. The tall evil scientist merely glanced at you while the arm that was handling you placed you onto a chair in the corner. Never bothering to tie you down.

“You can try to escape from here, but remember: all around us is cold water, miles and miles away from the docks. Too far for any normal person to make it by themselves. And even if you miraculously swim over to dry land,” He turned to look straight into your eyes, his own filled with dark and hidden humor with a small smirk. “We can catch up to you quickly. Then that will be the end of you.”

You nodded, slumping in your seat as you rested your hands on your lap. Doc wasn’t taken back much but he did raise an eyebrow from how silent you are. Most of his hostages usually yell or threaten him, they would go as far as to mock him of his ‘life choice’.

But you were just so… quiet.

The tall man with the metal arms turned and went to work on whatever his scheme was in the middle of the room. You only sat and watched him as the welding works began, the burning smell of smoke filling the air and stinging your nose. The noises weren't as chaotic as you expected. It was almost soothing.

You sat there for what seemed like hours, between watching him and looking at the hands on your lap. Fiddling with your chipped nails. Never spoke one word.

One of the arms took notice of how well behaved you are, and Doc seemed to take notice of it too as he turned around from his work to really look at you. He saw how sullen you are, how dull your eyes glanced over at him.

Something tugged his old heart, a curiosity grew in his mind as he took off his welding gear and strolled over to you with his arms held behind his back. “What is the matter?” Your head shot up, now snapping out of your daze to see his handsome face regarding you with interest. The actuators all hover around you with their red bulbs shining into your face.

“I-I’m sorry?” you asked. “You’ve hardly said a word since you came here, Hell, you didn’t even call out for help when my helpers catched you. Heh, now that I think of it, you didn’t even run away from me, not as fast as the others. So, you either have a death wish or something else on your mind.”

You sat back, trying to make yourself seem smaller before looking away. “I’m just… I’m just tired… sir.” He blinked. “Tired? From being kidnapped?” You just nodded, but Flo noticed how low your heart beat went. The actuators all noticed how your hair was greasy from unkept habits, how your nails looked like they were bitten, and how your skin was all grimy.

His thick brows lowered down. “Are you…. Alright?” He asked, almost supproding himself. It surprised you too as you glanced up at him. “I’m… fine as I’ll ever be.” “As you’ll ever be? Aren't' you afraid of us? Of what we might do to you? That you might never be rescued?” You shook your head, looking back down again. “I’m not worth rescuing.”

His heart sank how you said those words.

He knelt down, placing a large hand yours. Blanketing them while the other cupped your cheek to look back at him. Moe hovered around to wrap on your shoulders and the rest lowered themselves down to try to make themself less threatening.

“How could you say that? Surely you must have a family that cares for you-” Your lips wobbled. “Any friends?” Tears finally came out. “I’m not that important back home.” You whispered.

Suddenly he remembered how his father berated him, insulting him, making him feel worthless. He vowed to never have any children so that he may never treat them the same way his father did.

He lunged forward to give you a hug, his arms nearly crushing you with his hidden strength. “You are to me.” He muttered. All the actuators slitherd over his body and yours to join in the hug. “You can stay here as long as you like. As long as you need to, my dear.”

Your stunned body slowly warmed up to his gentle hold, almost melting as your hugged him back and let out a little cry as Flo rested her head on your shoulder.

Doc insisted you call him Otto while he set up a place for you to stay, something much more cleaner and comfortable then his hostage room, which was just an old mattress on the floor.

The arms were super welcoming, giving out chirps of comfort and werrs-like purrs whenever they come near you, giving your back a rub or a hug. Their creator was more open, more friendly as he brought out food to make from his makeshift kitchen.

He showed you the bathroom and let you wash up (a long long overdue on your part) while he prepared dinner. He even brought out extra clothing (his own shirt and sweatpants, which he was slightly embarrassed that he didn’t have anything else but you only thanked him with a small smile). It was a surreal experience, so jarring and out of nowhere of how kind he's acting.

When you came back out, all fresh with a new attire, Otto and his helpers were almost done with dinner. You glanced at the windows and saw how dark it was becoming. Your body gave a small shiver as you joined the heavyset man in his kitchen and one of his arms took notice and stretched out to grab you a blanket that hang on the chair near your new room and gave it to you.

As you wrap yourself up, Otto started talking about his nuclear fusion and what’s its purpose. How it was meant to help mankind and to help power the city. But he has to perfect it, and has to make it better than the last time.

All the while he was finishing cooking and Harry gave you a glass of water, you smiled. His whole demeanor was so vastly different, so warm and open. Even his actaures were more friendly. He never asked about your life, merely asked about your interests or hobbies.

You ate and chatted about old shows that he missed like Cheers and you then started to talk about your favorite episodes. With your belly becoming full and your body finally relaxing from the stressful day, you felt yourself becoming tired.

Otto insisted you to go to bed, never allowing you to help him clean up dinner. So you shuffled over to your room, closing the curtain that acted as your door (he promised to get you a real door soon) and crawled into the freshly made bed.

The tall scientist felt more ease as he watched the curtains fall still, his mind almost less chaotic as he cleaned up.

His own body was BEGGING him to follow his own order and go to bed himself. Back then, he would have just ignore it and gone straight back to work or go to the drawing board, and that’s exactly what he did.

‘Just need to go over a few equations before proceeding to the next phase.’ He promised to his children as he sat down and drew up his blueprints.

For a while, it was silent. Blissful and calm, with the help of the small waves the water the outside provided.

Spider-Man mentally high fived himself for finding Doc Ocks hideout, slowly climbing down the walls before touching the ground. Normally he wouldn’t bother trying so hard to find it but after Doc took you away, he just had to try harder.

He looked around, peering into the darkness. Just barely making out anything with the faded light from the city far away. The spider hero then took notice of a curtain in a doorway and made his way to it when the harsh glow of red emanate in the dark in a corner of the wide warehouse.

“I would advise you not to disturb them, Spider-Man.” Warned the familiar voice. The hero turned, his body tensed up and ready for anything.

Anything but seeing Otto sitting in a chair with casual cloths and bunny slippers. His actuators hovered in the air, all staring daggers at him. “Octavius…. Nice slippers.” He called out.

The heavyset man hushed him, which Spidy felt a bit taken back. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt your evil plans beauty sleep-” “Shut your motor of a mouth for one second or you’ll wake them up.”

That got him to stop. “Them? Wait, your… hosetige?”

Otto grimaced at the word, as if being reminded that what he kidnapped you for was painful to remember and nodded.

Spider-Man slowly lowered his fists and looked back at the blue curtin. “Are they okay? What’s wrong?” He asked in a hush voice. “I didn’t wanted to press them for any information but…” His voice trailed off as he leaned on his knees, the actuators lowering themself onto the ground. Harry curled up onto his lap.

“They think they are not worth saving.”

Spider-Mans heart sank. He felt tears almost touching the eyes of the mask as he reached out to peek into the room.

You were curled up on a wide bed, a small smile on your face as the warm blankets covered you up. A light snore made it’s way out of you as he slowly back up and closed the curtain.

He stared at the doorway before turning back to the scientist. “Is that your bed?” He asked, his voice almost joking but cracking at the edges. Otto nodded, and didn't want to discourage him from making jokes.

Spidey just walked over to him, rubbing the back of his neck. “Did you see if they were hurt? Any scars on their arms or anything?” Otto looked at the ground as Flo reached out to rest her head on the hero's shoulder. “I didn’t take a good look at them, I just gave them new clothes and fed them. But they ate like they were starving for days.”

They didn’t say anything while Moe reached out and grabbed a chair for Spidey. As the red and blue spandex hero sat, letting out a groan as he felt his whole body relaxed, they started to talk.

“Were you sent to find them from their families?” Otto asked, and Spidey shook his head no. “I didn’t get in contact with their families, nor to the police.” “What about any missing person report?” “Not yet, there’s that stupid rumor that you have to wait 12 hours before fully knowing that the person is missing.”

“But… I kidnapped them in broad daylight.” “Yeah, I know. Pretty stupid, huh doc?” Spider-man sighed. His heart feeling unsettled by the whole event. There was no way that Doc Ock was that nice to feed and let his own victome, but it looked like you brought out Otto. At least for a little while.

He felt, or at least Peter Parker felt, that you were safe staying here.

“I can’t let them go back home if they do not feel like they are wanted. I hope you understand that.” Said Octavius, sitting up slightly. Spidey nodded. “I understand. I’ll look into their home and see if their friends or family are looking for them. But importantly: I’ll make sure their living situation is okay to live in.” The tall man, who killed countless people over the years, his whole body slumped in relief before muttering to him ‘thank you’.

“So…. would you like something to drink? Milk, whisky, Oveltin?” The hero shook his head as he stood up. “Nah, I’m fine. I have to get back to work. You know how it is, Otto.”

The scientist nodded and got up to see him off. The actuators silently stayed behind their creator as they went to the door.

Spider-Man turned back to look at Otto deep, brown eyes and asked if he could leave a note for them and the tall man agreed.

The next morning, you were woken up by the fresh smell of bacon and pancakes. The thought of food made you rise out of bed to see Doc Ock cooking breakfast over a stove. How metal arms weaving in the air as they gathered and mixed all of the wet and dry ingredients like monkey tails. A found smile grew on your face as you eagerly made your way to the table where you saw a letter addressed to you.

Looking back up to see if he noticed you, you opened it up and read the letter.

Dear Y/n,

I was here to rescue you from calamari man here but he explained-VERY BRIEFLY, about how you feel about yourself. While I do not condone on staying with a super villain, I sympathize with your feelings.

And I just wanted to tell you that you ARE important. That you do belong here in this crazy, weird world we live in. That you do matter to someone out here. You matter to Doc here, to those actuators. He cares about you, you know? And knowing him, I know you are in good hands. Hehe, get it? Hands?

Anyway, I’ll be back with some news about your family and, and only IF you want to, I’ll bring you back home. Until then, I’ll let you stay with Otto. He’s a good man.

Until then, from your friendly neighborhood,

Spider-Man.

Ps: Always remember, you are worth rescuing. Always and forever.

PSS: ask Doc if he has a garden in the shade

#otto octavius #doc ock #ask answered

19 notes · View notes

ave09 · 10 months

Note

Ooh I have an angsty request for Han! Fem!Reader is Han’s wife (he took her last name when they married but uses his bachelor name -yep, that’s the make equivalent of a maiden name- for his snuggling work) and friends with Leia; both Leia and Reader go on the mission to Alderaan but they are in separate cells during Leia’s rescue and there’s no time to go back. Reader ends up dying on the Death Star. Han doesn’t know his wife went with Leia on the mission and is now dead until after the Death Star has been destroyed. (If this is too angsty, feel free to lighten it up and have Reader somehow escape.)

y’all need to start sending me more angst, i had so much fun with this

gone

han solo x wife!reader

the last thing han solo wanted to do was go on an elaborate rescue mission.

and yet here he is was. clad in stormtrooper armor, he felt out of his skin. what would you think if you saw him like this?

oh, you, his lovely wife.

never in a million years did han think he’d ever find someone to put up with his stubborn ass, and then you came and turned his life upside down.

the moment he saw you strut into that cantina, he knew he was a goner. now, it was a very strange affair, considering it usual took han about a hundred business days to realize he had feelings for someone, and then another hundred business days to decide if he should make a move.

but you asked first, finding the usually smooth cocky pilot who kept stumbling over his words adorable, and the relationship was set into motions.

a year and a half later, he’d married you-taking your last name of course, although he’d continue to use ‘solo’ during jobs in order to not blow his cover.

but as his thoughts drifted to you, he wondered where you were now. tatooine was only temporary, and you despised the sandy place, which is why you’d take jobs anytime you could.

han really didn’t know what it was that you did… all he knew what that it was important and top secret. normally you’d send him a message, letting him know where you were (if you were allowed to say something about it) or when you’d be returning home.

two days, nothing.

he tried not to worry. you were strong, he knew you could take care of yourself. but, you were his wife, he couldn’t help but worry a little bit.

“this isn’t gonna work.” han glanced over at the young man who went by the name luke skywalker, who was currently trying to cuff han’s friend chewbacca.

the man shook his head lightly, the bulky helmet obscuring his vision, “i told you it wouldn’t.”

“well do you have any other ideas?” luke muttered. han shrugged, “nope. this is all you, kid.”

it wasn’t him who wanted to be sucked into the madness of rescuing this princess. he was all in for the money, he needed to pay jabba what he owed, and then he was free to take you wherever you wanted to go in the galaxy.

only the best for his girl.

— — — —

“i can’t believe ben’s gone.” luke murmured sadly.

somehow, someway, they’d done it, and with only one causality. in han’s book, that was a win.

of course, losing kenobi would be upsetting for luke, but han frankly didn’t have a care, hey, at least it wasn’t him.

he didn’t have time to think about people whom he barely knew, for you were the only thing occupying his mind.

han was sure that you’d have sent him a message by now, and yet there was nothing.

he was now worried beyond compare. never had you gone this long without making contact.

he tensed as he felt a hand on his shoulder, he turned his head lightly, taking notice of princess leia organa, a woman who reminded him far too much of his wife with her stubborn ways, “are you alright there, captain?” she asked softly, concern lacing her tone.

she seemed to have sensed that something was off, but han, hardly knowing this woman, refused to show it.

“i’m great, princess, thanks for asking.”

but that was a lie, an absolute lie. han solo has hardly ever been shaken, but now he was.

and it terrified him.

as princess leia left the cockpit, chewie let out a soft growl, “i’m sure she’s alright.” han swallowed harshly, “i wanna believe you pal, but my guts tellin’ me that something’s wrong.”

— — — —

“are you really leaving?”

han nodded, “i’ve gotta head back, i have to pay jabba soon or i’ll be a dead man.”

i have to find my wife.

luke frowned, “we could really use you out there.” han shook his head, “you don’t need me kid, you’re a pilot.”

“well.. i guess this is goodbye then.”

“may the force be with you.”

he and chewie bid luke goodbye and set out. but as he headed toward the falcon, he heard someone call after him, “captain!”

he turned, seeing leia running towards him. “hey princess.” he greeted, the woman now stood before him, face tinged with pink.

“leaving so soon?” the man nodded, “i’m afraid so. i have some business to attend too.” leia smiled softly, “well, i thank you for all you’ve done captain..” she trailed off, and it suddenly became clear that they’d yet to be introduced.

“solo. han solo.”

leia’s face paled.

“solo?” han nodded slowly, “yeah… well, technically it’s (last name) but i still use solo on occasion.”

leia seemed distressed. “(last name)” she spoke breathlessly, as though she… as though she knew that name.

han furrowed his brows, “wait-wait-do you know my wife?” leia nodded.

a wave of relief washed over the man, “have you seen her recently? i’m guessing her top secret job is working for your cause, and i haven’t heard from her in a while.”

the brunette gazed at the man, a sad look in her eye.

“you might want to sit down.” she whispered, gesturing to the platform near the falcon. cautiously, han sat, leia beside him.

“so.. so what is it?” han asked, his voice soft. leia pursed her lips, hesitating before speaking, “your wife, she accompanied me for my mission, and was taken to the death star with me.”

han was seized by worry.

“and..?”

he watched as leia’s eyes became glossy, she reached for his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

“i’m so sorry, han.” she whispered, “but she’s gone.”

the man’s heart dropped.

no-shattered.

“what?” no. this couldn’t be true. it’s impossible.

“she fought til the end, but, vader was too strong.” tears stung the man’s eyes. he didn’t understand. “what? she-she-what?”

he couldn’t understand it. this couldn’t have happened. he watched as leia reached into the pocket of her dress, retrieving something.

she glanced at her closed fist sadly, extending it forward. han held out his hand, feeling a cool metal object drop into his palm.

despite his best efforts, a single tear slipped down his cheek. there in his hand laid your wedding ring. he’d forged it himself out of scrap metal from the falcon.

“her dying wish was to give this to a man named han solo.”

dying wish.

dying.

dead.

you were dead.

he rose abruptly, catching leia off guard. “han-“

“vader did this?” he was angry, furious. leia nodded slowly. han turned on his heel, storming away.

“wait! where are you going?” the woman called.

his reply was made of pure venom, “to get that son of a bitch who killed my wife.”

— — — —

from that day on, han solo wore that ring on a chain around his neck. keeping you and your memory near his heart for all eternity.

#harrison ford x reader #harrison ford #harrison ford movies #han solo #young harrison ford #star wars #han solo x reader #han solo fanfic #han solo imagine #han x reader #princess leia #leia organa #luke skywalker #chewbacca #original trilogy #sad #a new hope

26 notes · View notes

from-the-coffee-shop-in-edoras · 3 months

Text

Into the Breach (pt. 2 of 4)

Here’s part 2 of my sort-of fic/sort of extended HC about what Théodred was doing in the immediate lead-up to LOTR events, along with some tangents into his backstory. (Part 1 is here.) Some of the tangents in this part address his relationship with Théoden, his feelings about being heir, and how Gríma ended up working for the king. I’m just gonna burn through these parts this week because it’s all been written for a long time already, so why not?

The sun had yet to fully rise in Edoras and the night guards were still at their posts around the city, but Théodred’s day had already begun. His pre-dawn visit from Éomer had left him feeling a little shaken, and going back to sleep at that point would have been impossible. Instead, he slipped out to take a walk in the early morning winter chill, hoping both to clear his mind and to fill the time before Háma would report for duty and could answer some of his most pressing questions.

Storbar loped along at the prince’s side, the dog’s fearsome size keeping the few early morning risers at a distance from the pair as they made several long, slow passes of the fields and meadows at the edge of the city. All the while, Théodred agonized over Éomer’s account of the king’s current condition, so much worsened since his last visit to Edoras. He couldn’t reconcile the withered, faltering invalid of Éomer’s description with the spirited, loving father of his memories or even with the fatigued, weakened man Théodred had last seen three weeks ago.

Perhaps if duty had not so often called him away, he could have better anticipated this turn and done something to stop it. He could have dedicated himself wholly to the care of his ailing father, as any normal son would and could do. Not for the first time, Théodred felt a small ember of resentment burning at the back of his mind. His love for Rohan ran deep in his soul, born into him and a fundamental part of his being, but he could not deny that he sometimes wondered whether the sacrifices asked of him as heir were too steep to be endured. The loss of precious time with his loved ones or the ability to watch over them with closer vigilance. The imperative to always yield his own needs to those of the country. The burden of regularly making decisions that had life or death consequences and of knowing just how closely they all lived to the precipice of disaster, where just a single ill turn could send them careening into chaos and destruction of a sort that most people never even imagined.

This undercurrent of resentment had been the source of the only true conflicts he ever had with his father. Théodred understood and accepted those sacrifices that were necessary to protect the greater good, to guarantee the lives and livelihoods of the Rohirrim as a people, but he balked at any demands of royal life that seemed to exist only to control him as a person. That protocol and tradition should have any say in when and who he married, in what took place in the privacy of his own bedchamber, in whether and when he would have children…these things never sat right in his mind, and his resistance to them distressed Théoden, who saw himself as guardian both of the physical welfare of Rohan but also of all of its customs and culture. They clashed repeatedly over Théodred’s attempts to claim more autonomy for himself and for others in the royal family who sought their own concessions from the unnecessary strictures of court life.

The most bitter of their fights had been when Théodred refused an appropriate and politically advantageous marriage at the age of twenty five, unwilling to join himself for the rest of his years to a woman he hardly knew and felt no real affection for. Théoden had argued that affection would come in time, as it had when he married Elfhild as a young man, but Théodred would not make such a gamble with his own happiness. And when Théoden had angrily invoked the needs of the kingdom, the obligation to produce an heir for the next generation, Théodred had only thrown fuel on the fire by then confessing that he felt no real call to fatherhood and would happily pass on the throne to his cousins’ line, in which he had the utmost confidence. Though Théoden ultimately yielded rather than force his son into an unwilling marriage, they spent many months unable to speak to each other with the ease and warmth that had otherwise always characterized their relationship.

But as harsh as this and other disagreements had sometimes been, neither truly wanted to be at odds with the other. They had always somehow found a way back together, to the little two-person unit they had been ever since the day Théodred had come into the world and Elfhild had left it. In all their differences of opinion, their fragile agreements to leave certain subjects untouched, their hesitant attempts to make compromises and concessions on the other’s behalf, there was never any question of love, loyalty or dedication. All of which made Théodred’s new reality–that his father was gravely and perhaps fatally ill–that much harder to stomach. He had faced loss and grief many times before, but this loss was almost more than he could contemplate. No matter his age and strength and experience, losing his father would leave him feeling like an orphan, cut free from the last moorings that connected him to the long line of his history. Staring down that possibility now darkened his spirits even as the light of dawn slowly spread over the hills and fields around him.

When the sun had finally risen in earnest and Edoras began to bustle with activity, he returned Storbar to Eadlin and walked around to the entrance of the great hall, where Háma would be at his post. He soon caught sight of the doorwarden, seated in a stone chair with his sword laid across his knees. Though he appeared motionless, his eyes constantly swept the terrace in front of him and his ears were carefully attuned to any activity in the hall behind him. Théodred knew there wasn’t another man in Rohan who was better informed about happenings at court than Háma. Nor was there another who took his duty to his country with more seriousness. His loyalty was legendary and had seen him climb the ranks to captain of the guard with unprecedented speed, but his faithfulness was also balanced with unerring judgment and keen practicality. He knew when to hold firm and when to bend, and Théoden had always trusted deeply in his captain’s plain good sense when it came to matters of duty.

As Théodred mounted the stairs now, Háma rose swiftly to his feet.

“Westu Théodred hál!” He bowed deeply, and Théodred reached out to shake his hand as soon as he raised his head again.

“Good health to you, Háma. I was hoping you might have a moment to speak with me. In confidence.”

Háma shifted from one foot to the other and chewed at his bottom lip. “Of course, my lord. I didn’t know you were back in Edoras until just a few minutes ago, but I also much need to speak with you and had hoped to seek you out as soon as I was able.”

“I’m glad to have saved you the trip then, and I will spare us both the delay of formalities by getting right to my question.” Théodred glanced around to be sure there was no one else in earshot. “What do you know of Gríma Wormtongue’s recent intentions at court? I understand he has been much with the king these last few weeks, even as the king’s condition has worsened.”

Háma’s face immediately darkened at the mention of Gríma, and he clenched and unclenched his fist, the knuckles whitening in the effort. “That is true, my lord. And I don’t believe those two things are unrelated.”

A surge of adrenaline jolted through Théodred’s veins at those words, a suggestion of treachery beyond his worst imaginings, and he instinctively lowered his voice and drew in closer. “We are speaking of matters of the utmost importance, Háma, and so I want to be sure there is no confusion between us. Do you suggest that Gríma is somehow causing my father’s illness?”

The captain nodded. “I haven’t spoken of my suspicions to anyone because they are only that–suspicions. I can offer you no proof. But I have come to be certain enough that I thought you should hear it. However this sickness began, I know in my heart that Wormtongue somehow prolongs and worsens it. Whether that’s through the poison of a plant or herb or just the poison of his evil words, I don’t know. But I watch the king very closely, and I have marked a consistent pattern. His condition and his thinking deteriorate after time spent with Wormtongue. He acts least like himself when Wormtongue is nearby. And that snake takes advantage to somehow move the king’s mind to his liking.”

“Move it how? What’s his game?”

“I don’t know what his motive is. I can only tell you his method, which is a steady stream of conspiracy, innuendo and accusation. I have heard much of it these last few weeks. Wormtongue overturns the king’s own instincts and convinces him to discount the increasing signs that Isengard bears us ill will. He constantly excuses Saruman’s aggression while simultaneously casting doubts on our allies and slandering good men. The circle of people Wormtongue admits to your father’s company grows ever smaller, and the more isolated the king gets the more he embraces Wormtongue’s counsel, no matter how outlandish.” He shook his head and worried the hilt of his sword with nervous fingers. “We’re on the precipice of an all-out war, and Wormtongue seems to desire that we should lose it for some reason.”

Théodred’s stomach churned, a nauseating mix of dread, anger and guilt. He had never liked Gríma, but neither had he ever suspected him of being dangerous to either king or country. Yet it appeared now that he had been wrong and, more than that, he was responsible. For it was only due to Théodred’s own decisions that Gríma had ever approached the halls of power in Edoras in the first place.

Like most Rohirrim, they had both trained to be admitted to the official ranks of Rohan’s army, undergoing a lengthy instruction and qualification process that began at age fifteen. Théodred and Gríma had been members of Gamling’s apprenticeship class, vying for selection to one of several éoreds based in Edoras. But where Théodred shined, Gríma had struggled. He never really developed as a horseman, and his slight stature and poor eyesight made him not just ineffective with a spear or bow but an actual liability to those around him. Gamling gave him as much time and attention as he could spare but nothing seemed to be enough, and Gríma had no older figure in his own life to help him improve–he lived with an elderly aunt, his mother having died while he was yet an infant and his father having perished in the same poorly planned orc hunt that took Éomer and Éowyn’s father. Many times Théodred had seen Gríma on the archery course late in the day, all alone, trying to find through repetition of motion some semblance of skill or talent that just didn’t exist in his body. Even so, he rebuffed all offers of help, either too proud or too resentful to accept the assistance of his peers.

In one area only did Gríma excel: strategy. He had a quick mind and good instincts, and he soaked up and applied lessons from older Rohirrim who told him stories of previous battles and campaigns. His most particular interest was in studying and replanning the raid that had killed his father. He kept a sheaf of maps and diagrams, shown once to Théodred in a rare moment of openness, in which he obsessively plotted and re-plotted the respective positions and movements of both the orcs and Éomund’s company, laying out numerous alternate approaches and scenarios that could have allowed the Rohirrim to better anticipate and defend against the ambush. Even as an inexperienced youth, Théodred had seen the sophistication of thought that went into Gríma’s painstakingly recreated battle plans, and he had walked away with a new appreciation for all that Gríma could do off the training fields.

Eventually, the inevitable happened, and Gríma failed the qualification standards to be assigned to an éored. As the successful candidates lined up to meet their new brothers in arms and to have the distinctive mark of their particular éored etched onto a shoulder or bicep, Gríma had slunk away with an expression that was equal parts shame and scorn. Watching him go, Théodred had thought back to those battle plans and the potential that he had seen, potential that would be wasted if Gríma were now to take up a livelihood as a merchant or craftsman or whatever other trade in which he could get a foothold. He convinced his father to enroll Gríma instead in additional schooling–reading and writing, foreign languages, military and political history–for service as a royal advisor. Such schooling was offered only to a precious few, and Gríma knew enough to accept this rare opportunity even as he felt privately aggrieved that it was only offered due to Théodred’s intervention.

He raced through his course of studies at a truly impressive speed and was brought on as a junior advisor shortly thereafter, but then his progress had stalled. Outside of a classroom, where knowledge was all that mattered, he found himself unable to effectively navigate court politics, where his undeniable brilliance was consistently overshadowed by his abrasiveness and lack of tact. Unwilling to devote himself to the task of forging and maintaining relationships with his fellow advisors, his opinion became seldom requested and even less frequently acted upon. A general consensus formed that he had not delivered on his extraordinary potential, and a deeper bitterness grew in him as he failed to see his skills and abilities acknowledged and appreciated in the way he thought proper.

Théodred had only noted a change in this dynamic over the last few months, though he could not trace its source. Without explanation, Gríma’s advice had slowly but surely become more sought after, and the caution and appeasement that he urged with respect to Isengard seemed now to resonate with Théoden in unexpected ways, leading to changes in official policy. But in spite of Théodred’s frustration at the undue consideration given to what he considered to be poor counsel, he had never imagined that the poor counsel was anything other than an honest difference of strategic opinion. It had always been his tendency to assume the best in others, and he found that faith was nearly always rewarded. But he saw now that his own tendencies had perhaps been used against him here, that he had been far too willing to ascribe to coincidence and good intention actions that had actually been carefully plotted to some unknown, nefarious end. He had underestimated an opponent at a time when the stakes could not be any higher, and now he had precious little time to fix his error. He reached at once for the door handle, intending to rush to his father’s side, but Háma put a restraining hand on his arm.

“My lord?” Háma’s face had paled, and whatever he planned to say seemed to be causing him true distress. Théodred flashed back to Háma’s first words–that he had something he needed to discuss with Théodred–and realized now that Háma’s suspicions of Gríma’s motives and behavior were not the only subject on his mind.

“Forgive me, but just before you arrived this morning, I was ordered to deny entry to the Second Marshal. The order came from Wormtongue, but he has the stamp of the king. If it is a lawful order, I have no choice but to honor it. He left it here for you to see, knowing that you would challenge it.” Háma took a piece of paper from his pocket and unfolded it, holding it awkwardly at its edges as though the very feel of it in his fingers was distasteful. “Does it say what he claims?”

Théodred skimmed the page, his eyes quickly finding his own name and title beside the word ‘denied’, and ran an unbelieving finger over the dark green wax stamp bearing the emblem of the House of Eorl that was clearly affixed at the bottom of the page. His heart sank in his chest. There had to be some explanation for the presence of that stamp, some reason other than his father’s knowing agreement.

“Háma, this is madness. I know your commitment to your duty, but my father is unwell. You have seen it yourself, even better than I have. These cannot be his actual wishes. And if Gríma is doing all that you say, we cannot allow him to further isolate my father from those who would help him.” He grabbed Háma’s hand. “For the sake of your love for the king and your loyalty to him, do not insist on following this order. It would hurt me deeply to take arms against you, but I will do it if that is the only way to get to my father.” He moved his free hand tentatively to the hilt of his sword even as the very idea of using it filled him with disgust.

Háma stood silently for a few moments and stared hard at the paper still in Théodred’s hand, but when he looked up again it was with new resoluteness. “If that paper says that I must deny entry to Théodred, Second Marshal of the Mark, then it does not say that I must deny entry to Théodred, son of Théoden. You are not here as a soldier to see his king but as a son to see his father. And I won’t stand in the way of that.”

Relief flooded Théodred’s body and he clapped a grateful hand to Háma’s shoulder before throwing open the door and charging inside, Háma close on his heels.

Part three is here.

#once again banging my drum #that théodred was not just some passive victim of the plot #but had his own plans and problems and feelings #lord of the rings #lotr #tolkien #lotr fanfiction #rohan #theodred #théodred #theoden #théoden #hama #háma #gríma wormtongue

15 notes · View notes

hayffiebird · 23 days

Text

Taste of Strawberries, chap. 43 (part one)

Hayffie Post-Mockingjay Multi-chapter, Rated M

Four years have passed since the end of the war when Effie returns in to Haymitch’s life once again. An old friendship is renewed. Will it lead to something more?

Meanwhile Panem has entered a new era. The rebellion’s over, the borders are open but in the shadows, anger and mistrust are smoldering. Something that will affect Haymitch and Effie’s life in a way they never saw coming.

Author's note: Some pretty awful stuff going on in this chapter so: TRIGGER WARNING, just to be safe.

Chapter 43

Between a rock and a hard place (part one)

The party was over.

Haymitch carried the last of the sticky cake-smeared plates over the threshold. Kicked his shoes off with a heavy heart.

Outside, the wind rustled through the branches and balloons. Made them sway. Dance.

It was almost time to get the children ready for bed.

He could see them before his mind’s eye. Back in the living room. With their auntie June and auntie Annabel. The two ladies doing their best to keep up appearances. Pretend like everything was fine. Normal.

He entered the kitchen. Effie didn’t even look his way. Her hands were wrist-deep in water and suds and the pony tail bobbed with each violent stroke of the dish brush.

She’d hardly said two words to him all night. Not since the hipflask incident. Small wonder. If he was smart, he best keep his mouth shut too. Go upstairs. Get the twins’ jammies out. Live to see another day.

Instead, he set the dirty dishes on an empty spot near the sink. There was already a neat stack of dripping plates and mugs and cutlery waiting and he pulled the wash towel off its peg.

Drying one of the sippy cups in slow, precise motions he glanced her way. Each time hoping she’d look back. Or at least throw him a vicious comment. God knew he deserved it!

She didn’t. For several minutes they just stood there. Shoulder to shoulder. Just inches apart. Inches that might as well be miles.

“Eff”, he finally said, voice soft.

She ignored the olive branch, lips pressed to non-existence.

The cloth turned damp in Haymitch’s hands. White fabric sewn with a vegetable pattern. Carrots and lettuce and pea pods. Sae would call it a tea towel. He drew a silent breath. Gathered his courage. Started over.

“Effs, don’t you think you’re just … overreacting … a little bit? I mean, it’s not like he drank from it.”

Not a sound in the room. Nothing but the splatter of water. The clinks and clanks of submerged kitchenware.

”He didn’t get wasted. He didn’t even taste it”, Haymitch went on. “Even if he knew how to work his two thumbs I always cork that hipflask up, good and tight. He was never in any danger.”

He wet his lips. Set the dry plate down. Reached for another.

“I shouldn’t have brought it to the party. You were right about that. It was wrong, I know. But I didn’t put it in my pocket to … Effs, it was just old habit! Not a scheme, I swear! I didn’t drink. Not one drop! And just listen to them out there.”

He gestured toward the twins’ giggles in the other room. “Kids are fine, princess. They’re OK. They aren’t even old enough to understand, or remember, what happened here today. Yeah, it was scary but … if you really think about it, it was no harm, no foul.”

Effie didn’t reply. Nothing. Nothing but the growing red spots on her cheeks. Crestfallen, Haymitch put the plate down. The tea towel.

“Sweetheart”, he said. “Please. Listen to me. I will never … never let my drinking hurt our children. OK.” He touched her shoulder. ”I’d die before that happens.”

Her reaction was instantaneous.

His touch, those words. Might as well be a branding iron. A steel poker. The kind he used back home to shovel coal over in the fire place.

Red, hot, flame-heated metal shoved into her flesh. That’s how hard she flinched. The plate slumped to the bottom of the sink and he staggered back a step when she pushed him out of the way.

“Eff?” She was already at the door. “Effs, wait a minute! Hang on!”

She didn’t listen. Didn’t stop. He followed her into the hallway, just in time to see her put the final shoe on.

“Effs, what’re …?” She flew out the door. Didn’t even stop to close it. “Where’re you going?”

Rain – like cold, hard needles – penetrated Haymitch’s skin when he hurried after her, down the front steps and into the garden.

Effie was already far ahead. Past the remnants of their little birthday scene. Past the edges of the garden, leaving the house further and further behind.

He couldn’t keep up with her. Not after years of abusing his body with alcohol.

“Eff!” He clutched the stitch in his side. Panted as he followed her into the two ladies’ orchard. The meadow beyond. “Effie!”

A bright yellow flash. Followed by a clap of thunder. Low at first, almost indecisive, then exploding overhead. As if the bedrock itself had come alive, moving and grinding together.

“Not so fast, Eff! Please!”

And that’s when he heard her sobbing. Wild, jagged cries that she made no effort to try and hide. She stumbled on her feet, nearly fell and the pink silk hair ribbon which had untangled more and more during the chase, floated onto the ground.

Haymitch slowed just long enough to get it. Grab it, along with a fistful of grass.

“Please, come back!”

“Leave me alone!” Her shriek echoed, travelled across the orchards. The meadows. The steel gray body of water. “Go away! Get away!”

“I’m sorry, sweetheart! I’m so sorry!”

“Leave me be!”

Her voice cracked and she staggered. Staggered and slowed. Slowed to a stop.

Haymitch had but a second to relish in the relief; in the fact that she wasn’t running anymore.

When,

“Ugh!” She clutched both hands to her forehead. Moaned. Unsteady on her feet, like a tree in a storm.

“Effie? Effie!” he shouted when she sank to her knees.

He was by her side in a heartbeat. Knelt to the ground, cradled her in his arms.

“What’s the matter, Eff?” The wet grass soaked through to his knees. “You hurt? What’s wrong?”

“I … I don’t know.” Her frightened blue eyes came visible for a fraction of a moment. “It’s like … ahh! Aahh!!”

Eyes squeezed shut, she clutched her head tighter. Body rigid and stiff in his arms, her mouth fell open and a cry of pure agony spilt over her lips. A cry growing louder. Louder, until he couldn’t breathe. Horrid screams he’d never heard from her before. Not even when she gave birth.

The stuff of nightmares. Like they’d both been thrown inside an arena where he’d hunted her down, overpowered her and wielding a knife.

Cutting bits and pieces out of her.

#hayffie #haymitch x effie #effie trinket #haymitch abernathy #the hunger games renaissance #my fanfiction #post-mockingjay #district 11

5 notes · View notes

the-boy-meets-evil · 1 year

Text

tell me how it got this way | ch. 4

hoseok tries to clear the air and you're really not sure how you feel about any of it pairing: jungkook x f.reader, hoseok x f.reader genre: angst, smut, fluff | non-idol!au chapter rating: explicit, minors dni (if that's not your thing, skip over the end) warnings: drinking (but nobody is drunk), kissing, unprotected sex, vaginal sex, fingering, orgasms, light choking (briefest mention of past kink negotiation), lots of intimacy, i think that's it word count: 7.6k (idk what happened, blame jungkook) a/n: i'm not really sure what happened with this chapter (which is kind of a lie, reader/jungkook kinda ran with it). i said this in the last chapter, but this has taken a turn from where i saw it ending initially. i'm really happy with where it's headed now though and i hope you like it prev | masterlist | next

After a lot of back and forth, you end up texting Hoseok and asking if he’d like to meet up and talk. Jimin actually proved helpful and chimed in on some things to say when you weren’t drunk and doing a stupid roleplay. You have a moment of hoping Hoseok might not answer and this whole thing can just be written off as a bad memory.

No such luck.

Hoseok answers shockingly fast, like he’s hoping to hear from you. Maybe he was. He did go to the trouble of showing up at a Gala just on the chance you would be there, after all. You suggest a place for lunch, someplace public so it’s easier to control the situation, and he agrees to that immediately as well. Everything falls into place too quickly for you to second-guess it.

But now, you’re sitting at some new restaurant in the city that you’ve never been to, someplace that had good ratings and an overpriced menu. It isn’t the type of place you normally pick and you’re not even sure why you picked it for lunch today. There was just something you couldn’t handle about the thought of Hoseok meeting you at a place you loved. Because you really are a creature of habit and if this whole thing ends up blowing up, at least it won’t be at a place you go to often.

It’s also one of the few times you’ve ever been on time for anything. This lets you take your seat at the table and order something to drink. You consider for a minute before asking for a martini, gin, of course, with a lemon peel. You only get to take one sip before you hear a voice behind you letting someone know this is their table. You don’t have to turn around because you know it’s him. A second later he sits down opposite you, looking far more put together than in college, dark skinny jeans and a light jacket over a v-neck.

It’s just as hard as it was the night at the gala, even if in a different way. Your heart constricts at the sight of him and you desperately hope that he can’t see it on your face. He’s grown up a lot in the last five years, just like you’re sure you have in his eyes. He smiles and it’s less than his typical thousand watts, which tells you that you’re not the only nervous one sitting there.

“I wasn’t sure you’d show up,” he admits and you sigh.

“That’s hardly fair,” you respond.

“You ignored my messages,” Hoseok says and it’s almost petulant. It’s easier to stay annoyed when he acts this way, you realize.

“For good reason, Hoseok,” you say, not bothering to control the exasperation edging into your voice. “But, I agreed to meet you, what reason do you have not to believe I’d be here? I wasn’t the one who abandoned you.”

“I didn’t abandon you.” His voice is sad, far away.

“Yes,” you say firmly, “you did.”

Hoseok looks down at his hands in his lap and you’re back in college again. This is the Hoseok that you always wanted to protect.

“I’m sorry for lashing out,” you say, even though you’re not the one who should be sorry. Some habits die really hard.

“No, I’m sorry. You’re right, you never once stood me up. Hell, you were there even when I didn’t ask you,” he admits and you chew your lower lip.

You remember. You remember it all. The times you were there for him, when he was there for you, the way you laughed, the way you could always finish each other’s sentences, the way people were envious of your friendship. Hoseok had never been good about admitting when he needed someone, needed you, but you could always tell. So you would show up, some excuse at the ready that allowed you both to act like you weren’t just there for him, and it was always easy. And you remember all the bad too, every detail of that day 5 years ago from what he was wearing, to what he said, to just how far into the packing you were. You remember the stupid little fights too, the things you would both occasionally say only to make up days later.

“A lot has changed,” you say, unsure of what else to say.

“I know, I’ve read your books. I can’t believe you’ve put 3 out in the last 5 years,” he admits and you’re stunned for a moment.

“You read them?” The surprise in your voice is plain and he looks...hurt? Could that be what flashed across his face?

“Course I read them,” he said.

“I figured Gen would’ve been firmly against that.” The venom comes on without warning. In all the time you’d spent thinking about Hoseok, especially since he’d texted, you hadn’t realized just how much you hated her.

“Ah, well, yeah she was. But you’d written a book and you were always such a good writer, I was curious. I remember when you started outlining the series. I remember drinking and you talking about your characters like they were friends. I remember when you started the first book. It felt like it was part of me.” There’s something that looks a lot like guilt on his face and you’re confused by that. “Besides, we broke up.”

“You...what? How long ago?”

“Oh, um, I guess about 2 years ago? You’d released your 2nd book and you were already dropping hints about the 3rd one.” He says it like a question, like it was inconsequential how long it had been, like it wasn’t important information.

It mattered to you, though. You thought that it had been all this time since you’d spoken because he was still with her. Instead, they had broken up years ago and he still had not reached out. What did that mean? Did that mean that he really hadn’t wanted to be your friend? You can feel yourself spiraling and you’re trying your hardest to fight that. You can’t spiral over him, not again, not here.

“So, Jungkook,” Hoseok says. It seems like he’s searching for a topic. It causes your eyebrows to knit in confusion for a second. Had you mentioned his name? You knew you had not introduced them.

“Did I mention his name?” you ask unable to stop the question from tumbling out of your mouth.

“No, uh, I ran into him at a coffee shop a few days after the gala and he introduced himself. Did he not mention that?”

Your eyes narrowed. It seemed interesting that Hoseok had managed to run into Jungkook so quickly. “No, he must’ve forgotten to mention it.”

“He seems nice,” Hoseok adds and you nod.

“Yeah, Jungkooie is great,” you say affectionately, not even thinking twice about how it may come off.

“You deserve that, you deserve someone in your life that makes you happy,” he says and there is something you can’t place about the way he smiles. It feels off. Once upon a time, you could read his every expression better than your own. You guess that was then.

And you know he thinks Jungkook is your boyfriend, the same way Namjoon does. You don’t bother to correct it this time and you’re not sure why. Maybe it’s something to do with wanting to feel like you’ve got the leg up. “You know, that was all I wanted for you back in college too, to be happy with someone that wasn’t going to make you choose between them and your friends.”

He pauses for a moment and looks down into his lap. “Yeah, I know.”

“Why now?” You don’t even remember deciding to ask the question, it just comes tumbling out.

“What?” The question has very clearly caught him off guard.

“I guess...I just, I thought the reason we hadn’t talked for all these years was because you were still with Gen and she still hated me. But now you say you broke up years ago like it didn’t matter, and, I don’t know, why now?”

“I really don’t know. I had moved out of the city about a year after we finished school because Gen wanted to have more space and it was closer to where she worked. So I agreed,” Hoseok said. “Then we broke up and I stayed in that area, but I hated it. I moved back here about 6 months ago and it just…I don’t know. It kept hitting me. Everything reminded me of you. The city is different and everything is different. I just, I don’t know.”

“It’s been 5 years,” you say and he just nods. “5 years without a fucking word and you waltz back in like nothing happened?”

“Please,” Hoseok says and his voice breaks. “That fight we had all those years ago, I was a fucking idiot. I’d wanted to be in a good relationship for so long that I convinced myself she was it. I convinced myself that she was right about it all and that our friendship wasn’t normal.”

“You were my best friend, my family,” you say and take a deep breath.

“I know,” Hoseok says. “I will never be able to actually express how sorry I am and how much I didn’t actually mean anything I said. I miss you. It took me too long to realize that Gen was a nightmare. Once I did, all I could think about was that I’d fucked up the best relationship I’d ever had.”

“Why didn’t you say anything then? When you broke up?” You’re not going to let him wiggle out of it easily.

“Because I’m a coward?” Hoseok offers the answer and you shake your head. “I don’t know, honestly. I thought you were too big of a deal to care about me anymore, that maybe you were glad not to have me in your life. Then, I worried you’d think I was coming to you because I was going through a break-up and I selfishly wanted your support.”

“Did you?”

“No,” Hoseok answers easily. “No, the break up was honestly one of the easiest things in the world, for me, at least. I didn’t love her anymore, not the way you’re supposed to love someone. I wanted to reach out to you because you’re the best friend I’ve ever had and I finally stopped being too much of an idiot to see it.”

“I never asked much of you, just for you to be there,” you say.

“I know. And you were always there, even when I didn’t want to talk about what I was feeling,” Hoseok said.

“After that fight, I never thought I’d be able to let anyone in again. You ruined me, Hoseok,” you say and watch him break in front of you. To his credit, he lets you speak. “It was fucking awful. Then, I met Yoongi, who’s an amazing friend, always there for me the second I need him. And his boyfriend, Jimin, who’s just such a wonderful light. I have my editor, who actually really is wonderful despite how difficult of a writer I can be. I built my life back. I’ve got all my shit together now in a way 22-year-old me never could’ve dreamed.”

“Don’t forget Jungkook,” Hoseok says and there’s that bitterness.

“I didn’t think he needed to be mentioned since you clearly already know him,” you say.

“Right,” Hoseok says.

“So what do you want?”

Hoseok looks at you for a long moment, as if now that you’re here he doesn’t know what he wants. You’re not going to make this any less painful, though. “I guess…I want to be your friend again.”

“This is, well it’s a lot to process,” you say honestly.

“I know,” he says, looking down. Which flares an annoyance in you for a second because you don’t need to be taking care of him right now.

“I’ll think about it,” you say after taking a breath.

Hoseok has more to say, more apologies, more to fill in on the last five years, just more to say to someone he considered his best friend. He does give you apologies until you finally have to stop him. Even though he’s not trying to get you to make a decision right then and there, you still need a break. Your mind needs the rest. The least you can do is finish the meal before going your separate ways to think it over.

You’re honestly not sure what to make of most of the conversation, but you know that you can’t make this kind of decision in the heat of the moment. Back when everything happened, your answer would have been immediate. No. Now, you were honestly leaning that way still. It really bothered you that he threw away your friendship over a relationship and then didn’t seem to think it was a big deal they’d broken up years ago. And there was something in your gut that made the timing feel off. There was also the fact that Hoseok managed to track down Jungkook to run into him. You don’t really appreciate that because you’re sure it wasn’t an accident.

Yoongi was at least right about something, though. You feel lighter than you have since Hoseok texted you the first time. You feel like you can actually figure out what you’re doing to do next. And because he insisted on knowing when you were having the conversation, you know that he’s going to be painting in his actual studio this afternoon.

His studio is one of the most peaceful places that you know. Sometimes he does work on pieces at home, but other times, especially when the pieces are bigger, he comes to the studio. It’s not a huge space, but the lighting is perfect and you know it has a couch there. As much as you love Jimin, you also know that he’s not allowed when Yoongi is actually working on things. He can’t help himself, he’s always got things to say. It’s really sweet. You, on the other hand, are allowed because you know the rules.

The conversation with Hoseok was a lot and you were going to want to talk through it at some point. Not now, though. Now you just wanted to curl up in a familiar space where you could be comfortably silent and let everything sink into your skin, take hold in your brain. But on the off chance you started to struggle with this part of the process, at least you would be with someone else, not just sitting alone in your apartment.

When you curl up on the couch, there’s some sort of soft, non-descript music playing in the background and you know without looking that Yoongi is painting something sweet. Something inspired by the quieter side of his relationship with Jimin. He’s always been predictable like that when he’s painting, letting a playlist tell you what he’s working on.

Initially, you considered reading, letting your mind get lost in a world someone else created. But there’s been an idea bouncing around in your head for a bit that’s completely different from the series you’re working on. So you figure maybe it’s time to get some of the characters out of your head and onto sheets. Maybe nothing comes from it. Maybe you see that the idea doesn’t work. Or maybe it ends up being something much more concrete. At the very least it feels safe. Much safer than dwelling on the conversation with Hoseok. Much safer than trying to parse out your feelings.

And it is safe. The first few characters flow out of you with all their relationships, their personalities, their quirks, their pasts. Each one is somehow immediately familiar while also being entirely new. You remember how much you enjoy this part of the process. There’s something freeing about an entirely blank canvas that can become anything you want it to. Until you start putting the next character onto his sheet and he feels too familiar, not new at all. His motivations and reactions feel perfect, yet also completely off.

Without warning, you close your laptop harder than you meant to and toss it to the end of the couch as if it had been the one to hurt you. As if it had somehow been responsible for the way your fingers moved across the keyboard. Which is silly, of course.

“Namjoon will kill you if you break another laptop,” Yoongi comments, eyes on his work. You know he’s still acutely aware of you, though.

You huff a sigh at him. “I haven’t broken that many.”

Yoongi just hums in response, the sides of his mouth quirking up. If he weren’t painting, you’d lob a pillow at his head.

“Wanna talk about it?” Yoongi asks. He doesn’t look at you. Not because he isn’t paying attention, but because he knows it’s easier like this. Knows you’re more likely to say yes if you can at least pretend you don’t have his full attention.

“You’re painting,” you say and it’s not really an answer. “I know the rules in the studio.”

“The no-talking rule is because Jimin can’t help himself. He’s got to tell me about his day, about how Jeonghan and Nayeon aren’t talking again, about what Minho-hyung said. Little things,” Yoongi says and does turn to look at you. “Not about the first real conversation he’s had in five years with someone that used to be his whole world.”

Suddenly, you’re pulling your knees up to your chest, sitting back and resting your head against your knees. Yoongi sets down his brush and comes to sit with you on the couch. The words spill out of you, what Hoseok said, what you said, the things that your brain is fixating on. He listens intently to it all, encourages you when something gets caught in your throat. Somehow he always seems to know when to just let you get all your words out and when you need him to encourage you to keep going.

You realize that you’re feeling very conflicted, something that doesn’t seem to surprise Yoongi. You’re not even sure when you start crying or why you’re crying, really. Part of you is upset, sure, because Hoseok still doesn’t seem to understand completely. Part of you is crying for the scared you from five years ago. Part of you is frustrated at having to dredge all of this up so many years later. Another part of you is thankful because maybe now you can actually put it behind you.

“I told him I’d consider what he asked,” you say to Yoongi and wipe away the last few stray tears.

“Do you want to?” Yoongi asks.

“What? Consider it? Or forgive him?” you ask.

“Either,” Yoongi says easily.

“I don’t know,” you admit in a small voice. “What would you do?”

Yoongi is quiet for a minute and you turn your head to see he looks thoughtful. “Ah, I don’t really think I can answer that for you.”

Another sigh. “I know.”

“I wish I could,” Yoongi says with a sad smile.

“Do you think I’m overreacting about how long ago him and Gen broke up?” you ask, because that’s also been bothering you.

“No,” Yoongi supplies readily. “No, we’ve talked a lot about it and their relationship is so tied up with the end of your friendship with him that it’s a lot more significant.”

“He does seem sorry,” you say and frown. Part of you will never be able to stop wanting to protect him.

“I’m sure he is,” Yoongi agrees.

“So I should forgive him?” you ask, eyes wide looking at Yoongi. He only shakes his head.

“I didn’t say that, either. He can be sorry and he can really know what he did was wrong. He can even show you that he’s sorry. And you can forgive him, if you want. If that’s what’s best for you and your mental health. But you don’t owe him forgiveness and forgiveness doesn’t equal being friends with him again,” Yoongi says and you nod absently.

“I don’t know what to do,” you say, not for the first time.

“So don’t decide right now,” Yoongi says.

“When do I decide?” you ask.

“You’ll know,” Yoongi says and stands up.

Instead of going back to sit at his painting, his hands reach for yours to pull you up. He pulls you into a hug without any words and you melt against him. The two of you don’t hug often, it’s just not how you are, but the ones you get always mean something. Neither of you ever acknowledges it, either. He walks back over to his painting and you sink back onto the couch.

You reach for your phone, mostly to check the time, but see that you have a few messages from Jungkook. The first is complaining about waiting around for the shoot, complete with a cute selfie of him pouting. The second has a picture, you assume from whatever shoot he’s doing, asking for an opinion. It’s as different from the selfie as it could be, he’s posed and serious and complete intensity. It’s a good picture, great actually. But it’s also not a surprise, Jungkook is beautiful. And then there’s the final text. Jungkook: I’m sorry for blowing you up, I know you had the lunch today and you’re probably in Yoongi’s studio now, but I hope you smiled You: You looked great for the shoot Jungkook: hey what about the selfie? Do you only like me when I’m a model? You: yes Jungkook: i am heartbroken You: you’re right, how can i make it up to you? Jungkook: actually… You: i regret this already Jungkook: i have this happy hour i have to go to tonight, are you free? Jungkook: open bar You: say less

“I’m going to head out and let you paint in peace,” you say as you stand to gather your things.

“Tell Jungkook I said hi and to make sure you drink water,” Yoongi calls over his shoulder at you.

“How did you…?” you ask, eyebrows knit together in confusion.

Yoongi shrugs. “Lucky guess.”

You’re actually a little unsure about going to happy hour with Jungkook and whoever else is going to be there. Not because you don’t want to support him, you’re always happy to do that, even though he doesn’t really ever ask. You know you’d do just about anything for him. It’s just that you don’t really have a lot of experience being around models or photographers or other people involved in that industry. Technically, you’re all creatives, but it’s very different. Like you clean up well, you’ve just never really nailed the attitude.

And Jungkook hasn’t either, really. He’s a completely different person when he’s not in front of the camera, incredibly approachable. It turns out of a lot of people at the happy hour are that way, actually. You’ve heard a lot of stereotypes about models and realize that you’ve never really been around many. Certainly haven’t ever gotten to know any other than Jungkook. Maybe you were a little quick to judge since you didn’t know what you were getting into. Thankfully you could keep that to yourself.

Jungkook spots a friend and his face lights up. The other man has one of the most handsome faces that you’ve ever seen. He’s not as muscular as Jungkook, but he’s got broad shoulders that fill out his jacket nicely. Everything about him just exudes both warmth and confidence. He smiles when you and Jungkook approach, eyes light up when Jungkook introduces you.

“This is Seokjin,” Jungkook says and the other man smiles.

“Just Jin is fine,” he says and you feel at ease immediately. “I’ve heard so much about you!”

“Ah, mostly lies I’m sure,” you say and Jin smirks.

“I’m not so sure about that,” Jin says, somewhat mysteriously, and your eyebrows shoot up.

Jin breaks first and immediately starts laughing, a loud sound that’s somehow both kind of obnoxious and completely endearing.

“You know, by that laugh, I know Jungkookie has mentioned you,” you say.

The older man lets another peel of laughter loose and you know it’s fine. “Yeah, he’s kind of a little shit, isn’t he?”

“Oh completely,” you agree.

“I saw pictures of you and him from that gala, if you ever need to upgrade your arm candy, I’m available,” Jin says and earns a glare from Jungkook.

“I’m right here you know,” Jungkook says and Jin smirks.

“Yes, yes,” Jin says.

“It’s a very tempting offer, but I think I’ll stick with this one,” you say, eyes on Jin. You miss the way Jungkook’s face lights up at that. Jin, however, does not.

“Ah, well, no harm in offering,” Jin says easily.

Whatever you were expecting, it’s not this. It’s not Jin deciding on the spot that he likes you and that you’re going to be friends. Not having actual conversations with people about your work without it feeling like lip service. It’s actually kind of nice to remember that not everyone tosses out empty compliments thinking they’re pacifying you. And you certainly weren’t expecting that Jungkook would stay attached to your side the entire time making sure you’re included in every conversation.

In some ways, it’s not so different from your line of work. Modeling (or photography or make-up or whatever) is their job. And then the job ends and they don’t really want to carry that persona along with them. For the most part, Jungkook grimaces when Jin points out certain models that hadn’t been invited. Jungkook doesn’t actively want to leave anyone out and Jin reminds him, not unkindly, that the last time they invited certain people that the night ended very early. Jungkook is new to all this, still learning the ins and outs. Jin, on the other hand, has been doing this for years. You learn that he got scouted when he was only 17 years old and while it wasn’t his first choice, he enjoyed it anyway.

“What would be your first choice? If you weren’t modeling?” you ask and Jin’s expression softens. You can tell he appreciates being asked and is trying not to go off on a rant.

“Just tell her, Jinnie,” Jungkook says and Jin eyes him. “If there’s anything she loves in this world, it’s hearing people talk about the things they love.”

“I just like the way their faces light up,” you huff out in response.

“Ah, I’d like to own my own restaurant,” Jin says and your eyes shoot up. “I love to cook, but I don’t think I’d be able to do it at a restaurant long term. I think I just really like the idea of creating a place where people can enjoy themselves. Good food, good drinks, good atmosphere. That’s what I want.”

“I know you must have loads of contacts, but if you ever want to sit down and talk to someone who’s been through all that, I know someone who’d love to help you,” you say and Jin looks caught off guard again.

“You barely know me,” Jin says and you shrug.

“Yeah, but you seem nice,” you answer. “And Jungkook likes you, so that’s all I really need to know.”

Again, you miss the way Jungkook smiles at that. It doesn’t feel like that big of a deal to you, anyway. You do know someone who’s done exactly what Jin wants to, minus the part where he started as a model, and it seems natural to want to help someone chase their dreams. But you don’t think about how it might seem like you’re just doing it because you care about Jungkook.

You can tell that Jungkook’s social battery is running low without him saying anything. He’s getting quieter, chiming into conversations less. When he moves behind you to wrap his arms around you and rest his chin on your shoulder, you know it’s time to head out. Not because you mind the show of affection, because, really, you don’t care if yet another person thinks you’re a couple. These are Jungkook’s friends and colleagues, after all. But you also don’t miss the look Jin gives the koala at your back.

“I guess we should be getting out of here,” you say and feel Jungkook nod against your shoulder.

“Make sure Jungkook brings you around again,” Jin says. “You’re fun.”

“Thanks,” you say honestly.

It takes a few minutes for you to say your goodbyes. Not that it’s surprising, but Jungkook seems to be popular. Everyone wants to make sure they give a wave or, in some cases, shout out an offer to hang out some other time. Or compliment him on the shoot from earlier that day. He smiles through it all, that little bit of social battery he reserved coming out to make sure he’s polite. Jin is the only surprise, giving you a hug on your way out, a smirk on his face. You don’t really have the time to think about what that means.

A few minutes later, you’re sliding into the back of a car and Jungkook exhales easily. His head tilts back against the headrest and his eyes close peacefully. You’re not exactly an extrovert, but you suppose you are in this situation. Despite his eyes being closed, he reaches out for your thigh and rests his hand there. It’s an incredibly reassuring action, even if it’s something so tiny. You’ve come to realize that it’s his way of saying he’s still there, still conscious of you, just needs a minute to recharge.

But then you’re worrying a little. You entered your address without thinking about it. Jungkook has his own place with his own things and he’s been gone all day, came straight to pick you up after the shoot. He probably just wants to go home and crash in from of the TV. Not that you’re expecting anything from him, you’re not. It’s just that you’re enjoying having him there to quiet the voices in your head that want to endlessly dissect your conversation with Hoseok.

“What’s wrong?” Jungkook asks, breaking through your thoughts.

“Nothing,” you say and he leans his head back again.

“Liar,” he says.

“I was just thinking I could drive you back to your place when we get to mine,” you say. It’s half true, you reason.

Jungkook lets out a heavy breath, keeps his head back and his eyes closed. “Can I just stay there tonight?”

Your stomach does a little flip at that. Does he know that’s why you were tense? It would be so like him to ease your worries without actually calling you out on it.

“Of course, you’re always welcome,” you answer and he smiles.

The rest of the ride is quiet, the comfortable kind that you’ve come to associate with being around Jungkook. When the car drops you off, he follows just behind you up to your door and is back in koala mode as you get the key, clung to your back.

Once you’re inside, he separates himself to take off his shoes and go off to your spare room. You’re not sure if it’s to have some time alone or if it’s because he knows you keep any of the clothes that he leaves at your place there. And he’s been staying over more lately so he’s got more things in there.

You head off to your room to change and take off your make-up. It’s not late, it was only a happy hour after all, but you’re feeling kind of drained from the day. It seems you’re not the only one, though, because by the time you come back into the living room, Jungkook is in sweatpants scrolling through shows to watch.

“Do you want some ramen?” you ask as you’re heading into the kitchen.

“Always,” he calls back without missing a beat.

It’s just something easy and you don’t really have the energy to put together a whole meal when you snacked on finger food while socializing. You also don’t feel like ordering anything because there’s every chance that you will end up falling asleep on the couch with Jungkook. Wouldn’t be the first time.

Jungkook settles on some ridiculous house show by the time you bring out two bowls of ramen and it’s nice because it’s just something mindless to have on in the background. He knows that you have a lot on your mind, has gotten really good at reading your body language. But he’s gotten really good at reading your cues too and so he won’t bring it up now. He knows that you’ll talk to him about it when you’re ready and you know that even though he’s not asking, he still cares. It’s a weird kind of comfort that you don’t think too much about.

With your bowls set aside, Jungkook respositions so that he can lay his head in your lap. Your fingers immediately start to run through his hair without even thinking about it. His eyes fall closed at the sensation. He’s told you more than once that it’s one of his favorite things, that it just feels nice.

He’s not someone that needs to be protected, you know that, but it’s easy to forget when he’s got his head in your lap like this. It makes you remember that he is a couple of years younger, even though lately he’s been the one supporting you. It’s so endearing to see him relaxed like this. It’s hard to tell if he’s asleep or just on the edge, but his breathing is even and soft. You can’t really help it when you lean down to press a kiss to his temple. His eyelashes flutter open and he turns his head to look up at you.

“I think I fell asleep,” he admits shyly.

“It’s okay,” you assure him.

“I was just so comfortable,” he adds and you smile.

“Maybe we should go to bed?” you ask and watch his face.

“It’s early,” he says and there’s a slight whine.

“So?” you ask and laugh before adding, “besides, if you fall asleep, I’ll be stuck.”

He grumbles at that, but moves anyway. Once he’s off your lap, you stretch out your legs and he reaches a hand out to pull you up. You shake your head when he heads off to the bedroom. For someone who protested, he didn’t actually put up a fight.

You both brush your teeth and then change into something to wear to sleep in. When you come into the bedroom, Jungkook is sliding his sweatpants and t-shirt off to sleep in his boxers. You’re not really sure when this routine became a routine between the two of you. Honestly, you still remember the first time he spent the night and being glad that you had a big bed. He takes up way more than his fair share, but you’ve somehow gotten used to it.

Jungkook is also very cuddly when he sleeps, which was pretty different from how you usually sleep. Another thing you don’t remember getting used to. You’re not fully ready to fall asleep, though, so you let him pull you into him and tuck your head under his chin. He’s got one hand resting lightly on your hip and you settle in deeper.

Thankfully he doesn’t seem to be ready to sleep yet, either, so he tells you about his day before coming to get you. The shoot seems to have gone well, not that it’s surprising. Jungkook liked to be good at anything he did. At first, posing didn’t come naturally to him. Sure, he was beautiful, but his facial expressions were…well, they weren’t great. He’s gotten over that, though, and he’s really enjoying it, sees it from the artistic side. Once he understands where they’re going, it’s all easier for him.

Happy hour isn’t something he usually likes to go to. He likes the people he works with, especially Jin, who’s helped him a lot with being more comfortable posing. It just feels like a lot to ask, sometimes, and he likes to know he has someone to retreat to if he needs them. Which is why he’s so happy you agreed to come. You’re happy too. The two of you spend a lot of time immersed in your world and you realize you enjoy seeing his world as well.

Why does it always seem easier to say everything in the dark?

This isn’t what you had in mind when you brought Junkook back to your apartment. Not that you had anything in mind, really. Yet you still end up whispering all your thoughts and feelings into his skin, not wanting to fully break the bubble of silence around you. He prompts you to continue when you pause, asks questions to get you to think about how you’re really feeling, helps you admit things without feeling judged. All he wants is for you to be able to express yourself to someone you’re comfortable with. You’re not really sure when that person became him.

Jungkook’s been quiet for a few minutes and you look up to see if he’s still awake. Of course he is and he’s looking down at why you pulled a little bit away from him.

You’re not really sure which one of you starts it, but your lips are pressed together in the softest kiss. Both trying to express appreciation for the other and not entirely sure how to do it. Honestly, you’re not sure if you can ever fully express how much you needed something as simple as happy hour. You did, though. Needed something to remind you that the life you built isn’t going anywhere just because Hoseok reappeared.

Maybe you don’t know who started the kiss, but you know you’re the one to deepen it when you slide your tongue across Jungkook’s lower lip. And he gives up control of the kiss so easily, letting your tongue explore. Letting your hand move to tangle in his hair. Gripping your skin harder when you throw a leg over his hip.

It’s kind of an awkward position, but you want to be close to him. Want to feel his skin connecting with yours. Part of you just wants to check that he’s real, that he’s really here and not running away after hearing everything you said. You’re not used to anyone knowing this much of you and accepting it without question. You’re waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Maybe you’re starting to realize it won’t.

Jungkook presses himself into your core and you can feel that he’s already getting hard. It pulls a groan out of you. You just want want want. And maybe it’s not exactly the best timing. You’re not sure that you care.

You’re the first one to pull away, rolling over to start pulling your clothes off. Jungkook is quick to follow suit and quicker to get undressed. He props himself up on an elbow and trails his fingers down your body, watching as you arch into his touch. But he seems to realize you just want right now. And he doesn’t tease you. He runs his fingers through your folds a couple of times, collects the wetness on his fingers, and slides a finger in.

Somehow he’s always able to read your body perfectly, knows exactly what you need, and you moan out when he adds a second finger. He’s alternating the pace, sharp thrusts and much slower ones. Your moans mingle with the praises that fall so easily from his lips. All you can do is grip your hands into the sheets to try and keep yourself grounded. But just as he’s working you toward your release, his fingers still and your eyes snap open to look at him. For someone who always knows what you need, he’s got a lot of nerve to just stop suddenly like that.

And then, possibly worse, he withdraws his fingers and puts them into his own mouth. Why does this man have to be so hot? Without even thinking about it, your fingers lace into his hair and you pull him to your lips, loving the slight taste of you.

“Roll over on your side, away from me,” Jungkook whispers, low and almost hoarse.

You do, though. Jungkook’s got one arm underneath your neck as he presses himself into your back. He grinds lightly against your ass and you still just want. Want him inside of you, want him to unravel you, want him to consume you, just want him. Always want him.

Behind you, Jungkook brings his other hand to his cock and lines it up at your entrance. You arch your back so that he has better access and you can feel his head pressing against you. He rubs his head against you, taking advantage of you still being wet and trying to use it to coat himself. In another second, he presses again and slides in. There’s no time to adjust as he fucks all the way into you and you scream out.

You know each other’s limits, have talked about things that are okay and things that aren’t. Things you might like to try and things that you just aren’t into. Usually you wonder if he remembers, since he doesn’t push often. Tonight, you know he’s listened, when his hand lightly closes around your throat.

But there isn’t much time to process that because his other arm is hooking under your leg to lift it up and give him better access. The combination of him fucking hard into you and the light pressure at your throat would be a lot even if you hadn’t already been close.

This position isn’t something you usually see as intimate. Not that you mind it a quick hard fuck, but usually you need eye contact for the intimacy. Yet this feels incredibly intimate. And the contrast between that feeling and the fast pace is really sending you into overdrive.

“I need you to hold on for me babe, you can’t come yet,” Jungkook says into your ear.

His pace slows a little and he let’s go of his grip on your throat. You whimper a little at being so close and him pulling back again. Okay, maybe he is teasing you a little. Such a shithead.

“Please Jungkookie,” you say, beg really, voice betraying how badly you need him.

“Since you asked so nicely,” he says, all confidence.

Even though he picks up the pace again, you’re still trying not to let go too early. Everything just feels amplified, though. Everything feels like it’s too much and somehow still not quite enough. It’s overwhelming but in the best way. You’re trying not to release, but you’re clenching around Jungkook all the same.

“It’s okay babe, come for me,” he says into your ear.

That’s all it takes. You’ve never been one to wait for permission like this, don’t really know why you’re doing it now. The orgasm that rips through you is intense, though, and your whole body is tingling. You’re releasing things you didn’t even realize you were holding in.

As you come back down, you’re oversensitive and overstimulated, but you want Jungkook to finish inside you. You want to know that he feels as good as you do. So you do your best to meet his thrusts, try to clench around him, murmur words of encouragement.

His thrusts get messy and a moment later, he’s releasing inside you. You take over and slowly rock back against him until he drops your leg. His hand on your hip tells you to still. Idly, you think that anyone else breathing so heavily against your neck would bother you. Except right now it doesn’t. Right now it just feels nice to still be close.

Jungkook eases himself out of you and even though you’re both tired, you drag him off to the shower. Lazily, you wash each other off, enjoying the closeness of the moment, not talking about how domestic it is, not talking about the level of comfort between you. It’s just…kind of nice to have someone show that kind of care in making sure you’re cleaning off.

When you’re out of the shower, Jungkook wanders off into the spare room, probably to find something else to sleep in that’s clean. In your room, you get dressed quickly and then strip the sheets of your bed, wanting to sleep on fresh ones. Jungkook comes back in wearing a pair of gym shorts and helps you remake the bed. It’s quiet in the room again, but not in an uncomfortable way. It’s like the ease of doing something you’ve done a million times before. Even though the two of you haven’t really ever done this before. Sure, you’ve had a lot of sex and you’ve even tried shower sex (which you would not recommend, honestly). But it hasn’t been like this.

And maybe the weirdest part is that you’re not thinking any of it is weird. You’re not really thinking about it at all. It just feels easy, natural. The two of you get back into bed and Jungkook pulls you against him. This time, there are no words whispered in the dark because there really isn’t anything left to say. If you were anxious going to meet Hoseok, you’re completely at ease now. Nothing else seems to matter.

i hope you enjoyed it! and also are prepared because we've still got kind of a ride. who'd you like to see as endgame?

#btscarnivalnet #kvanity #btswritersclub #bangtanwhq #jungkook scenarios #jungkook imagines #jungkook x reader #jungkook x you #jungkook smut #jungkook fluff #bts scenarios #bts imagines #bts x reader

43 notes · View notes

i-dream-of-twilight-sparkle · 2 years

Text

Starlight takes her time to figure out how to recover from her rather poor judgement of a first question. Asking Chrysalis what she’s been doing in the past decade… she needed a moment just to slap herself internally for such a lousy way to start. Taking some deep breathing exercises that were what Cadence taught Twilight, and then she taught Starlight. She gets as comfortable as she can before going with a different angle.

Starlight: I do sincerely apologize for that rather… stupid question. It’s just that of course when I’m counseling someone I’ve seen before, I always get into what’s happened since the last time I saw them. I briefly forgot for a moment you’re not exactly… a normal patient if you get what I mean… In the absence of any experiences of your own to share. Maybe I should fill you in on some of what you missed while you were… eh heh heh… petrified…

Starlight makes an awkward grin since regardless of where she goes with trying to help Chrysalis catch up with the present, it will remind Chrysalis of her stone imprisonment.

Chrysalis had her back turned to Starlight, choosing to stare at the wall rather than stare at the mare who she deemed as the one who took everything from her. The question of what she had been up to for the last decade drew much ire. She snarled, scraping the ground with her hooves before shooting a nasty glare at Starlight

Chrysalis: What in the world do you THINK I've been doing?! I've been doing the exact same thing from when you last saw me… NOTHING! I WAS JUST STONE!

She spat before turning away once more. She then shook her head at Starlight's second approach

Chrysalis: Oh please tell me how good the world has become, how wonderful it is for you and my traitorous changelings!

Starlight: Well uh... I'll begin by saying that while Princess Celestia and Luna were originally going to retire not long after you, Cozy, and Tirek attacked together as a trio of doom. But the whole debacle forced them to delay the transition to another year. Giving not just Twilight, but all of Equestria some breathing room. A change of leadership coming right after what you and the other two did, didn't seem like the best course of plan. So the two sisters remained in power for one more year before Twilight finally took the throne on her own, so that we could make sure things were a little more... stable... so Equestria could fully embrace the beginning of the new era.

The thought of Cozy Glow and Tirek made her skin crawl

Chrysalis: Cozy and Tirek, you don't intend on bringing them in here too, do you? Because if so, you can just go ahead and turn me into stone right now and end this little joke of a counseling session. I'd prefer that over the thought of ever being near those two again…

Starlight may not have been able to see but Chrysalis was holding something close to her, a purple branch of some kind

Chrysalis: Hmph, and to think all we did just resulted in a minor inconvenience for you in the end... what a waste of time and effort. I never should have trusted them...

Chrysalis looked down

Chrysalis: And Twilight Sparkle on the throne? I find that hard to believe...

Starlight shakes her head.

Starlight: No, we have no intention of bringing those two in. Tirek’s magic absorption ability is still too risky to have him around, and it’s likely there isn’t one pony that could turn him around very easily. It’d likely take all his family issues being sorted out before he ever considers tolerating us ponies.

Chrysalis: At least you have some sense…

Starlight: And as for Cozy…

Starlight’s face can hardly hide the deep burning hatred she has for that evil little filly. Even after a decade since she learned of the filly’s true nature, and her hidden central role in Starlight’s life. Starlight turns around, her back turned towards Chrysalis. When she speaks again, her voice rather creepily monotone

Starlight: We will never let Cozy free, she got what she deserved… and we moved her statue to a place no pony will find her. Believe it or not… that filly is worse then you and Tirek combined…

Starlight turns back around, with a more sorrowful face

Starlight: But I might be getting a little ahead of myself... there’s still a few more important things to fill you in before we discuss more about Cozy... I’ll eventually talk more about her with you, but right now is not that time...

Chrysalis was taken aback from the shift in tone from Starlight, she could practically taste the venom in Starlight's voice. At the same time, she can't help but smirk at the comments she made

Chrysalis: And here I thought we wouldn't agree on anything. That wretched child was indeed far more monstrous than you realize...

Chrysalis said, unaware that Starlight knew far more about Cozy than she did.

Chrysalis: Always speaking in a saccharine tone trying to play innocent. Yet that thirst for power would only be used against me in the end, I just know it. I had every inclination to stab her in the back the first instance she'd try it on myself. I'm fine with not speaking of her again for some time. If anything, I think you should shatter her statue~

A cold laugh echoes through her cell as she says that.

Chrysalis: But of course, you ponies would never do such a thing.

She finally stands and turns toward Starlight

Chrysalis: But something you said irks me, what makes you think I would ever consider tolerating you? Sure, I may not be some magic draining monster like Tirek or some demon child like Cozy, but I am no friend of yours. Unlike the traitors above, I have remained a true changeling! Not some mutated being like Thorax! So tell me, what exactly makes you think I'd want to ever join you?

Starlight grimaces at the mention of shattering her statue, given that’s what she almost did had it not been for Twilight’s magic shield and stern words from her mother’s spirit to talk her down from going through with it. But she finds relief that Chrysalis is fine with changing the subject for now.

Starlight: Well, first of all. I do want to say this isn’t just about you and all of Equestria. This is about the very inhabitants of the hive we’re currently standing in.

And it’s because you have the most room out of the three of you to change, and I don’t mean the literal change that you changelings can do. I expect you to be in full denial about this, but the fact that you are a mother to a majority of the current parents of changelings means you have some talent in nurturing. If you were a completely terrible mother, we wouldn’t have the many bright and idealistic changelings we have now. I am aware that you generally let your drones take care of the larva when the hive got big enough. But you still had to start somewhere. A child’s upbringing is very important to how they would later turn out. The fact that Pharynx is the only one of the hive who initially refused his change into the more colorful form, is a testament that despite your actions, you were at least a competent mother. And even in Phayrnx’s case, he was once a loyalist, he loved you more than any other changeling to the point of being misguided about your time as leader. Refusing to believe that his brother’s way was better than yours.

In my experience, a good mother is everything. You were an evil leader, but somehow, you were very effective when it came to caring for your hive despite your devious plans. That’s more then we can say about Tirek, who as mentioned before, has plenty of his own familial issues. There’s actual wiggle room for you to get in touch again with those that are not just your subjects. But your extended family.

I won’t say you were a PERFECT mom of course, as only allowing them to feed off a certain kind of love that drains energy from ponies was an awful move both as a leader and as a mother. But I’ll give credit where credit is due, you raised them well despite this.

Anyhow… if I may change the subject, there was a very significant moment in my life that happened just weeks after the big battle with you, Cozy, and Tirek...

Chrysalis: My hive was everything to me. Everything I did, everything I do is for the betterment of changelings! I was their one and only Queen! Clearly Pharynx used to understand that better than the rest of those traitorous worms!

Chrysalis stared down at Starlight as she explained her reasoning. There was silence from the former queen for a moment, she was shaking.

Chrysalis: Do not speak to me as if you understand how we operate! You, who helped take everything away from me, do not lecture me on how feeding on love works. WHAT COULD YOU POSSIBLY KNOW ABOUT THAT?! You make it sound as if there are other kinds of love, it is all the same! You ponies prattle on about the importance of love and friendship, yet you are all far more wicked than you like to think. What I had to do for my hive... it. kept. us. alive!

She slams on the barrier between them. Her face showing more emotion than she has so far, something clearly hitting a nerve with her. Chrysalis takes a moment to compose herself, she paces around the cell, but never takes her eyes off Starlight.

Chrysalis: But if you think that’s why I'll 'change', then you're only fooling yourself, Starlight. But please, do tell me what else happened in your oh so important life…

Starlight takes a deep breath and briefly lowers her head. Before turning up to look in Chrysalis’ eyes with a face full of deep sorrow.

Starlight: Mentioning your strengths as a mother is actually the perfect transition into what I have to say… for you see… I… found out the fate of my own mother… she was murdered just less then 3 weeks after I was born…

This information is a surprise but Chrysalis doesn't know what to do with it. She looks down at Starlight, wondering whether or not to laugh at her own misfortune. Yet at the same time, the loss of a family member, that stirs something within her, something she clearly doesn't like thinking about. She purses her lips, looks off to the side as her own thoughts fill her head. She eventually lets out a sigh.

Chrysalis: I see... losing family... it shapes your perspective... Hardens you for life's obstacles. I've learned that many times over, most recently with my own hive as you're clearly aware.

Even with the jabs, there was a cold yet understanding tone coming from her.

Chrysalis: But tell me, how does your mother's loss have anything to do with me? My skills as a 'mother' don't have anything to do with you. If you're trying to get sympathy out of me, it's a dry well…

Starlight: I apologize first and foremost if it takes a little while before our discussion finally centers back to you. I can understand if you'll start thinking that suddenly I'M the one being counseled instead of vice versa. But just be patient with me, please, I promise there's a point to all this.

Chrysalis: So you're a mind reader now, too? I was going to transform into you since you clearly needed a session with yourself… but then that’d mean I’d look like you… I’m not so sure I want to degrade myself for a joke…

Starlight chuckles a little at Chrysalis considering turned towards her, rather then thinking of it as mockery. She admits that might have been actually pretty funny. From within her mind, she muses that maybe Chrysalis is a little ahead already when she decides to cover the Element of Laughter. Perhaps that’s where she should start with soon.

Chrysalis: Hmph, but so be it… it's not like I have anything better to do with my time…

Chrysalis huffs and sits back down, no longer wanting to face Starlight

Chrysalis: The sooner we're done, the sooner I can go back to my solitude. Go on with your story…

She waved dismissively with a hoof as Starlight continues on.

Starlight: Finding out what happened to my mother was very important to me, I never even knew her identity up until I discovered her fate. My father hid who she was, because he assumed I would want to follow in her footsteps and end up sharing her fate eventually. I won’t delve into going as far as to share the name with you yet, but I learned that she was a great hero who unfortunately died on her last ever self-purposed mission. She was a pretty powerful unicorn in her own right. I even got my cutie mark by unknowingly using my mother’s spell book

As my father feared, I did find a newfound desire to follow in my mother’s footsteps as soon as I found out who she was. She served Princess Celestia back in the day, but with her and Luna’s retirement… I'd be serving under their successor, Twilight. Although I suppose I’ve technically already been doing that for as long as you’ve known me. As I had been Twilight’s student for nearly a year before I came face-to-face with you.

Chrysalis doesn't look back but does listen to Starlight's words, she shrugs at not being told her mother's name.

Chrysalis: So I'm to assume she was some military hero, serving her duty to the end. A proud end for any soldier. I can at least say that's quite an honorable way to go. Hide the name if you must, it's not like I'd know some specific unicorn guard's name anyway."

What does make her look back however is what Starlight mentioned next

Chrysalis: So what, you're trying to be the next Twilight Sparkle then? Well... you're already annoying and purple, so you're on your way…

But do you really expect me to believe that you were just some fresh faced student of hers when we met? That must be a joke!

Starlight: Well… I’m not sure if you were ever made aware of this, but after our first encounter… Twilight… sorta-kinda… graduated me? And I was no longer her student, which left me rather confused for a little while. I’m not sure I knew much of my purpose once I was let go. I met some new friends here and there in that time, but otherwise I actually felt sort of… lost… when I had “graduated”. I felt a little better about it when I was hired as a counselor for the School of Friendship, but it still didn’t feel quite the same as when I was her student.

Finding out who my mother was changed all of that, because it made me realize my destiny is to be by Twilight’s side for however long I live, just as it may have been with my mom and Princess Celestia. I was inspired to ask Twilight if I could again be her student. I had already been chosen to succeed her as the Principal of the School of Friendship, but I knew a 2nd tenure as her student was what I needed to feel right all over again. I eagerly awaited for the day she’d send me out on a mission other then running the School of Friendship.

Though she really had only one major mission for me, and that was to study the changelings as throughly as I could. I quickly got a younger Ocellus to agree to help back at home, and I made frequent visits over the years to the changeling hive to help further my progress. I wasn’t made clear on what this was all for… but now it all makes sense now…

Twilight was preparing me for this very moment. She wanted to make sure I became an expert on everything from changeling biology to all sorts of details that had not yet been recorded in books. It also had subpurposes such as bringing the alliance between Equestria and the Changelings even closer together, but it seems you were actually the biggest reason for it. She made the decision that your heart could be unlocked with a decade under my belt as the headmare of the School of Friendship, my knowledge of the changelings I’ve learned in that same amount of time, but most importantly… one VERY important aspect: we share more in common then you might realize…

It was faint, but Chrysalis could taste some of Starlight's love for Twilight. Not enough to get power from, but enough to be considered a snack to her. Unfortunately for her, the snack is cut short when Starlight switches topics to Ocellus and visiting the hive over the years. Starlight’s mention of them being more alike then she thinks, raises her skepticism as an eyebrow raises. She is however quite curious where Starlight is going with this..

Chrysalis: I hardly see how we could have anything in common… You are just another hero type, trying to impress your mentor. How very Twilight of you…

She gets up and paces around

Chrysalis: You mentioned Ocellus, I recall that one, she was a young changeling barely out of her larval state before you and your friends staged your coup.... She had potential before you lot ruined everything…

There was an odd pang of sadness when Chrysalis spoke of Ocellus. But she controlled herself to not seem that way

Chrysalis: You spent all the time learning how the new changelings work, and only now do you decide to ask the last true changeling?"

She goes back to fully facing Starlight

Chrysalis: I’ll be the judge of that information you say you've learned about changelings. Most of the ones you've met only know so much… Most of them were not around for...

Chrysalis pauses, stopping herself before revealing too much to Starlight

Chrysalis: …I mean most are much younger in relative to myself. But what is this important aspect we share in common?

Starlight expresses a deep sigh before continuing. This subject is still a bit of a sour spot for her, but it’s going to be important if she’s going to make any progress with Chrysalis.

Starlight: Chrysalis, ever since you slapped my hoof away and rejected my pleads for friendship... What have you been seeking? It’s revenge, right? Revenge on a magical purple pony, revenge on those who were once your most loyal, and revenge on every single pony that ever stood in your way…

I want you to look me straight in the eyes when I say… there was a time where I felt exactly how you do now…

Chrysalis: Was that not obvious? Of course I wanted my revenge! Equestria has done nothing but give me grief! Give my hive nothing but pain and suffering! I wanted to make everyone suffer as I have! This world deserves to be brought under someone else's control!

She looked Starlight dead in the eyes

Chrysalis: How could you possibly know what it feels like to have everything taken from you? To have a burning desire for revenge? From your story as I understand, you had all your opportunities presented to you! We couldn't be further apart if we tried!

Starlight stares ever more intensely in Chrysalis eyes, as flashes of her former self stares deeply into Chrysalis’ very soul.

Starlight: I mentioned already that I did not grow up with a mother, and my father kept her identity from me for as long as he possibly could. Do you know how that felt? FRUSTRATING!

Every single time I’d ask him, he’d rebuff it in some way… sure, I still had at least a little bit of happiness during my childhood. When my best friend at the time would play with me… but then he left town for the glories of Canterlot and enrolled in Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns… my hometown was very sparsely populated, and my father never hired a foal sitter. So I was stick for months on end with countless hours of boredom with nothing to do but mope, eat, and sleep... I did eventually try long distance communication with the friend who left me, but he never replied to ANY OF THEM!

I developed a hatred for cutie marks… and I allowed myself to indulge in confirmation bias via a manifesto that I found alongside my mother’s spell book. Ironically, receiving my mark through the latter not long after I had read through the former. I DiDN’T EVEN KNOW WHAT MINE MEANT! It only furthered my resolve that cutie marks were nothing but a plague on society… I grew up intending to one day implement ideas of how to convince others to join this new cause. I read it enough times over the years that some of it’s contents I still have burned into my memory bank… most of all a theory about a spell capable of removing cutie marks. A spell of which only a small percentage of unicorns have the talent to pull it off. Remarkably, despite her reality-warping powers, not even Twilight ever could do much about cutie marks even as a genie. So I had all the proof I needed that I was the chosen one to bring this spell to life…

Eventually, when I was old enough to go on my own. I put up some flyers to attract ponies, the flyer hid my true intentions as it was advertised as a sort of book club. Some ponies left immediately when they realized it’s not the club they wanted, but for those who stayed. They slowly got convinced by the manifesto’s creed. And once I had enough ponies becoming regulars, I asked them if they were willing to move from their current living arrangements so we could create our very own village to test out our new way of society. And thus… Our Town was born.

I took everypony in the village’s cutie marks with the aforementioned spell and placed them in a large vault. Growing pains of this new community were inevitable, but I figured eventually a breakthrough would happen where ponies could now learn as many talents as they want., rather then be defined by a single one determined by “destiny” on who they would become and watch as those with more talented marks leave their less fortunate “friends”. Though no such progress ever came to be, but I only doubled down as time went on, and thought one day the theories from the manifesto would be vindicated.

But then Twilight and her others so happen to find my village due to being summoned to it by the Tree of Harmony… at first I thought this was a grand opportunity. If a princess like Twilight saw what I saw in our village, it’d be one huge step into convincing all of Equestria to follow my lead. But everything fell apart… they would not budge and their defense of Cutie Marks was going to cause unrest in my village. I led them to a trap where I could take their marks and then imprison them. Only for myself to be tricked by Fluttershy into believing she had adopted our cause.

And then MY OWN VILLAGER foiled my careful years of planning by wiping my flank clean and revealing I still had my cutie mark! I was exposed as a fraud, and my village turned against me! I had no choice but to run… I at least tried to get back at Twilight and her friends by taking their marks and hoping to find a place they would never find them… but running away from a genie was not the best plan… it was for a while a surprise that Twilight didn’t use her magic to just arrest me outright… but I was let go in the end.

I was left off on my lonesome… defeated… betrayed… seeking new plots for my eventual revenge…

I don’t suppose that reminds you of anyone… does it, Chrysalis?

The burst of emotions from Starlight cause Chrysalis to stumble back. Her eyes widen, focused only on Starlight as she seemed to get louder and more upset with her own story. This put her in a position where she could only listen, almost fearing what might happen if she interrupted Starlight's story this time. When Starlight finished and asked her question, Chrysalis went silent, looking down and processing what she'd just heard.

Chrysalis: You… did all that? Been through all of that...? It's... just… like…

That was all she could muster out for the moment. That burning anger, that self hatred, Starlight was correct in her assessment. Chrysalis was reminded of herself. This revelation sent waves of different emotions through her, disgust that she'd find herself truly relating to another pony, shock that somepony like her was villainous like that, but was then redeemed to the one she saw now. And what scared her the most, there was a small but noticeable bit of empathy, she felt sorry for Starlight, seeing herself in the same kind of situation. It sickened her, Chrysalis' breathing got heavier, she began to shake and bite her lip, she didn't want to give Starlight the satisfaction that she was completely correct about her.

Chrysalis: I….

She looked down, her mane completely covering her face, could she have been crying? She turns her back to Starlight and finally speaks

Chrysalis: S-say that it does remind me of something! There's a key detail that differs from our paths!

She says shakily

Chrysalis: You are out there, and I am in here. What changed you from that path!? You didn't get your revenge clearly... unless you're playing the long game...

She shook her head

Chrysalis: What caused you to ally with Twilight Sparkle when she took everything away from you!?

Starlight nods as she’s given the greenlight to continue. Internally smirking a little that she’s genuinely captured Chrysalis’ attention this time.

Starlight: After my defeat at the hooves of Twilight & her friends and my former villagers. I went incognito, occasionally eavesdropping on the Princess for brief moments of time. Once when she was visiting some old friends of hers in Canterlot, and another as she was hanging out with Discord. But it was a 3rd and final time where I got the inspiration for a master plan… I was there when she was giving a lecture about how the Sonic Rainboom that Rainbow performed in her youth was the event that tied her friends cutie marks together. I couldn’t help but overhear Twilight mention about how if it had never happened… she and her friends would have never found their talents nor would they have likely become friends… that’s where I got the idea…

the idea…

Of. traveling. through. TIME!

A bewildered look comes across Chrysalis' face. She turns back in disbelief

Chrysalis: Time travel? TIME TRAVEL??? Such a spell cannot be possible with just one pony, even somepony with your kind of magic!

She rubs her chin with a hoof and thinks to herself

Chrysalis: (Though if it is real....Maybe...maybe I could undo all of my own misfortune with a spell like that. Then I'd be the one outside of the cage once again! The changelings would be unmatched in the world, and throughout time itself!)

Despite not saying this aloud, it was quite clear with the evil grin on her face what she was thinking of.

Chrysalis: I’ll humor this plan you had enacted. If time travel was possible, how could you have failed!? Why not go back even further and just make sure Twilight never existed?

Starlight shakes her head

Starlight: Starswirl the Bearded’s time travel spell has it’s limitations. Not only does it require the most talented magic casters to perform the spell in the first place, but when using it on purpose… it can only go as far back as the spell-caster can remember. I’m younger then Twilight, so I wasn’t even born yet when Twilight was. I was only about 5-6 years old at the time of the Rainboom, but those are where some of my first memories were.

Chrysalis: As far as the caster can remember?

Chrysalis pauses to think, one particular memory stands out to her, clear as day.

Chrysalis: That limitation is only an issue for you ponies with average life spans.

She chuckles

Chrysalis: Oh if only I had known about that spell earlier....

Starlight: I should note to you however that Twilight and Spike chased after me when I went back in time. And at no point did stopping the rainboom erase either of them from existence, even though it would have obviously prevented her from becoming a genie, an Alicorn Princess, and/or meeting Spike. I’m not entirely sure how all this timey-wimey stuff works, but there is a theory that I never actually changed the past of our current timeline at all. I only ended up creating what are essentially separate universes in some kind of… “multiverse”. Whereas for me and Twilight, we kept coming back to what was essentially a time loop until the rainboom was allowed to happen again.

Trust me, if I could have gone back further, I would have... though I don’t think I'd use it to prevent Twilight from existing. I would have much rather used it to discover who my mother was… maybe even save my mom from her untimely demise if possible... but... there's a reason I have never time traveled again since...

Much of Chrysalis’ scheming is dashed by Starlight bringing up the fact that her actions ultimately didn't erase Twilight and they were stuck in a time loop.

Chrysalis: So changing the past does nothing for our future? It only creates more of this... 'multiverse'? That's disappointing, what's the point of changing history if you cannot enjoy its spoils!? What a waste of time...

She grumbles, rolling her eyes and not realizing she made a pun.

Chrysalis: I’d rather be turned to stone again, if the alternative is being stuck reliving the same moment over and over again for all eternity… That is maddening! I assume that's why you gave into her demands to stop?

Starlight once again shakes her head

Starlight: No… it was far deeper then that. With each time I stopped the rainboom, both me, Twilight and Spike would be sent to a resulting timeline.

The first of which was a timeline where King Sombra started a long drawn-out war against the rest of Equestria using a brainwashed crystal pony army. It certainly was bleak in some areas, although at least Equestria was still fighting hard. There was at least some hope that if that timeline is still running, Equestria could have still prevailed… albeit certainly at a cost of many lives.

Chrysalis rolled her eyes at the mention of King Sombra

Chrysalis: Ugh, a timeline where he's the big threat? That fool could barely hold his own against Twilight and her friends! I'm surprised he lived long enough to see his plan in action in any given timeline… I guess it’s at least a little amusing that even in a favorable timeline, he hasn’t squashed his foes entirely…

Starlight continues, a bit reluctantly though knowing what they came across next and who she’s speaking to.

Starlight: The next one… is going to feed your ego a bit. But it was one in which you won, presumably after Cadence’s wedding. The populace of Equestria was forced to move into the wilderness and became more like jungle tribes that were mistrusting of anypony they didn’t recognize in case they were a changeling spy. This future definitely seemed more bleak from Equestria’s point of view then the one with Sombra. Even if it’s the perfect timeline to you… because you had found what was the resistance’s leader’s main camp, a zebra known as Zecora, and we left just as your fierce battle started where you might have very well claimed ultimate victory…

The mention of a timeline where she won made her wings flutter, a wide grin came across her face

Chrysalis: Is that right? A world fully under my control? A world where we achieved our revenge on you ponies?!

She stood up proudly

Chrysalis: Now you have my attention, Starlight. You should have started with that! Telling me that it was possible to make my dreams a reality!

Chrysalis knew full well that it was an alternate timeline but she still wanted to gloat to make her current situation more bearable to her.

Chrysalis: A utopia for my kind, oh if only I could have seen it myself!

She turned back to Starlight, looking more engaged than she has been up to this point.

Chrysalis: Tell me more, were there other timelines where I had won?"

Starlight rolls her eyes

Starlight: Sorry to disappoint you, but that was the only one we saw where you prevailed. Don’t know if you’ve ever heard about Princess Luna’s history. But the next timeline we came across was when she had won upon her return as Nightmare Moon and banished Celestia to the moon. A world where Eternal Night was a reality. Technically, that timeline wasn’t as bad for Equestria compared to all-out war with Sombra or the timeline you won. Though it still left Equestria with a far harsher leader then Celestia.

Then there was one where supposedly Tirek won, although we weren’t there for very long. He was just wrecking a forest when we stopped by.

Next was a universe where Discord’s reign of chaos returned…playing tag with Celestia and Luna as they’re forced to look like clowns.

And then for some reason there was a timeline where I guess an infamous pair of con ponies known as the Flim Flam Brothers have turned much of Equestria’s land into a monopoly for their factories. Sounds innocuous enough, but then you realize all the pollution those factories can cause, and no doubt the poor working conditions too…

Chrysalis: Well that's a disappointment...

Chrysalis' wings stop fluttering and her eagerness toned down. But she still listened to the description of the other timelines

Chrysalis: Nightmare Moon... I've heard many things, she might be the only pony I could have had some respect for. Tirek, ugh, that's exactly what I expected out of a brute like him. 'Destroy this, destroy that' you cannot rule over a destroyed world! And I do not know these Flim Flam Brothers, nor do I care for what they did. That sounds more like a joke. As for Discord....

She goes silent for a moment, her expression tenses as she thinks back to Discord specifically

Chrysalis: I do NOT want to hear one more word about DISCORD!

Chrysalis just about hisses as she speaks

Chrysalis: That wretched imp is the one who made me team up with those idiots! He's the reason I'm here! I should have seen through his disguise, I should have been able to tell! Had I known, I would have never gone along with his schemes!

She slams her hooves on the ground and breathes heavily.

Chrysalis: We were played for fools and look where I am now... being “counseled” by my most hated enemy! A prisoner in a hive I no longer recognize!

She slams the ground once more, her rant seeming to be more about herself than of Starlight

Chrysalis: No allies, no home, NO NOTHING! WHAT IS THE POINT IN ALL THIS?!

Starlight sighs

Starlight: Again Chrysalis, I must urge you to have patience. You wanted to know why I turned a new leaf despite Twilight taking everything away from me, right? I’m only giving as much context as I can. I understand your frustration with Discord…

Trust me... there’s been occasions where to some extent, I’ve very much felt similarly…

Starlight briefly looked to the side with a deadpan expression. Remembering the time he wanted to be temporary Principal of the School of Friendship, and even sent Twilight and her friends on a FAKE friendship quest in order to do so.

Starlight: But I need you to forget about him for now, because I was about to get to the most important timeline we came across yet...

Chrysalis: Unless it's truly relevant, just don't mention HIM again. That accursed little....

While snarling, Chrysalis kicked at the ground, trembling in a mix of emotions that she couldn't process all at once. It looked like she was going to pop a blood vessel.

Chrysalis: Aaaaaagh!!

Her scream echoed through the dungeon cell, Chrysalis seemed to calm down once she finished. After she caught her breath, Chrysalis slumps back down to the ground, turned away from Starlight. Holding the purple branch she had, close

Chrysalis: Just continue already... what was in this other timeline?"

Starlight’s face then turn perhaps it’s most seriously sincere yet. Not sternly angry as she was when she was explaining how her Our Town plot was foiled, but still quite starkly serious.

Starlight: What was in this other timeline you ask?

What if I were to tell you…

that we found…

nothing…

and I mean… absolutely nothing…

there were no ponies…

there were no changelings…

there was hardly a speck of life… ANYWHERE… not even one insect…

We weren’t sure where we were, but we knew it had to be somewhere in Equestria based on our previous timeline escapades. But wherever this place was, it looked completely unrecognizable… there was just a deserted wasteland for miles on end… and the sky was equally bleak… no sunshine in sight… simply dark clouds obscuring any view of the sky. And these weren’t storm clouds, oh no. If it was storming, it’d at least had provided water in what seemed to be a dreary desert along with at least a hint of light due to the lightning… but it was all nothing… like everything else…

At the time, neither me or Twilight knew what to make of it… there was no clear sign of what caused this to happen. It didn’t seem like any sort of villain would have done it, could it have been some natural disaster? But why would stopping the rainboom cause that? There were so many questions that ran through my mind as I thought deeply about this timeline… and all I could think about… is this was a dead world… some sort of mass extinction event that wiped out more then 90% if not all life on the planet…

There was even a fear in me… that with most of the timelines having been foes that faced Twilight before… is what if this was the timeline where I won… but… I never wanted to kill all life… even the small possibility that I caused it… combined with the fear of the unknown… I felt… a strong sense of guilt… plus… while I have told you that it’s possible that I only created universes with the time travel spell… I couldn’t have known that while actually doing it, what if I HAD been rebooting the timeline every time, and thus had not only destroyed the timeline we were in but all those other timelines… the very thought that I may have erased entire universes several times over started to weigh on my shoulders…

I… had been humbled…

Chrysalis: What...?

This information on the 'important timeline' Starlight spoke of, shocked Chrysalis to her core. She wanted many things out of life, power, adoration, a world more like the timeline where she had won. But the description of an empty, dead world, that was something she didn't want. She looked back to see the serious look on Starlight's face, the fear she displayed in describing this nothingness. Chrysalis couldn't think of anything that could cause a timeline like that, no creature or villain had that kind of power as far as she was aware. Even when she, Cozy and Tirek enacted their plan to take over together, none of them would have strived to destroy the world outright, or at least that’s what she thought. She’d joke about Tirek’s destruction occasionally, but she knows very well how Tirek really would have ruled if given the chance. He’d still want an actual populace to lord over. And Chrysalis dismisses any thought of Cozy wanting that, as even for how wicked she was. She knew Cozy was only a child. She sat there, silent, taking this all in.

Chrysalis: Humbled huh... hmm...

There were no quips, no snarky retorts, seeing that genuine look on Starlight, she knew this wasn't a lie. Chrysalis looked down, as if she were lost in her own thoughts. Any inclination to potentially use time travel to change her fate were now fully gone.

She asked in a more monotone voice

Chrysalis: Is that why you turned to Twilight Sparkle? What happened next? You say you caused all that, so your punishment must have been severe too?

Starlight: I… briefly took control to show the moment I mentioned before where my childhood friend left me after he got his mark as Twilight asked me what could have caused me to go to such lengths as I had. Twilight didn’t know much more then what I showed her, in hindsight, that must of seemed like such a shallow reason for me to go the lengths I did. Starting a cult, and rebooting the timeline all because a friend left me? That’s like if the reason you turned to villainy, was a pony took candy from you when you were still in your larval stage…

I will admit that Sunburst’s leaving was the last straw at least, in a cavalcade of things I had no control over…

But anyway, then me and Twilight returned once more to the Cloudsdale of the past. Where I held up the scroll that allowed us to time travel… partly out of remaining spite.. and partly of a huge guilt that maybe it was too late for me to redeem myself now after what I had done to all those timelines… I nearly ripped the scroll, which would have kept us permanently in the past. If I had ripped that scroll completely, even if I didn’t stop the rainboom. There would be me, Spike, and an Alicorn Twilight living in this universe more then a decade before what was our present time…

But… something changed… up until that time in Cloudsdale we had been battling eachother. It seemed like blow-for-blow, although I knew Twilight was holding back her reserves of genie magic. Which had on it’s own puzzled me… I was threatening our very timeline… yet Twilight still didn’t think of just overwhelming me with power? I would later learn that she does not use genie powers to solve every problem that comes her way, as overwhelming ponies with it may lead to many fearing her as a leader. She could have decided to sort of do this genie simulation thing where she’d show me what’s it’s like to be transformed into a genie but without actually gaining the power of a genie. But she didn’t want to scare me outright. Despite the fact I openly antagonized her, she still wanted to protect me… and I didn’t know why… then all of a sudden it started to make sense as she… softly talked me out of ripping that scroll…

It’s at this moment Chrysalis starts to feel growing levels of Starlight’s appreciation and love for Twilight.

Starlight: As we spoke… she held out her hoof and called out for me to place my hoof on hers. And assured me there was a better way… at that moment there was this brief white flash I swear I saw appear in front of Twilight… although I’m still unclear if that was all in my imagination, but there seemed to be a silhouette that appeared in front of Twilight… but the moments after that… I felt for the first time the kind of warmth and comforting voice that felt unfamiliar… but pleasing all the same…

That’s when I had an epiphany… Twilight, despite everything I had done or may have done at that point, CARED about me…

That same epiphany only hit me harder the more I thought about it… especially as I briefly looked at Twilight’s adopted dragon son on her back. Until I had finally realized what Twilight was doing…

Twilight was giving me what I had been missing all my life…

A mother’s love…

Chrysalis listened intently, Starlight's joke even made her smirk slightly.

Chrysalis: If that were my reasoning, I think I'd actually accept that nopony take me seriously…

She continued to hear what Starlight was telling her, the description of the fight Starlight and Twilight had began to remind Chrysalis of her own fight with Starlight. Things were clicking in place as to why Starlight did what she did the day her group came to the hive. As Starlight grew more passionate and honest about her feelings for Twilight in that moment, Chrysalis took in a deep breath, tasting whatever she could get. It was small, but she knew this kind of love was pure in it's own right.

Chrysalis: You genuinely cared for her too, she realized what you needed at that moment. I must say, you really are more like your teacher than you think.

When Starlight had mentioned Twilight holding her hoof out to her, it was fully clear to Chrysalis now.

Chrysalis: Is that why you held your hoof out to me that day? When we fought here in the hive?

She asked as she turned to face her

Chrysalis: Did you think I needed that same kind of love? Do you believe that's what I'm missing? Did you genuinely believe that if I took it then, I'd change?

Her tone was cold and stern but not aggressive. She gave Starlight a look as if she were peering into her very soul.

Starlight: I admit at that moment that was more like a “This worked out for her, maybe I can do the same”. I’m under no pretense that our situations are 1:1. I have to imagine you weren’t missing a mother’s love as I was for one, plus you ARE the mother to many of the current changelings.

While your refusal to turn alongside the rest of the hive did surprise me, and left me with a sense if I had done it wrong somehow. I’m starting to feel like I’m glad it didn’t come that “easy” so to speak. Cause… speaking to you like this, just the two of us, has been… illuminating…

Starlight gently smiled, Chrysalis unsure if she should be flattered or disgusted. Inside, she felt conflicted as if somehow she felt both at the same time.

Chrysalis: At least now you understand that we weren't the same in that regard. I do not need a mother's love... I will concede however that you and I do share some similarities... as much as it sickens me to admit… And I'll also concede that this talk so far has given me a view on how some of the world has changed in my absence. As well as how you operate as a counselor… I might even be willing to say… Twilight chose wisely when she hired you…

As Chrysalis cringes from some of her own words, things fall silent for a short moment, up until Starlight floats up her things. It seems it was time for to go back home.

Starlight: I’m afraid I must go. I very much look forward to our next sessions, though. I may even bring a few… guests next time. But until then, take this time to reflect on what we’ve talked about so far. We’re only getting started, but I think we’ve opened the door for many interesting conversations ahead.

As Starlight mentions the potential for guests in the next session, Chrysalis grimaced

Chrysalis: Don't mistake our talks as a branch of friendship, Starlight Glimmer. I'm not about to throw parties and be part of your little friend group. I hope your guests are well aware that I have no intention of befriending any of you… So go on, leave me be, it's not like I'm going anywhere for now...

As Starlight finishes packing, she turns her head back to Chrysalis and waves.

Starlight: Goodbye, Chrysalis. I’ll see you next time!

Once Starlight is out of earshot, Chrysalis looks down at her hoof

Chrysalis: To be honest though... I did consider taking it that day... but only for a moment…

#my little pony #my little pony friendship is magic #starlight glimmer #queen chrysalis #IDOTS stories #chrysalis #changeling #Earnest Empathetic Change

10 notes · View notes

oathofpromises · 2 years

Note

There was a small gift left for Rose, on her bedroom bed. Just a small box when she got back. Inside of it was a hair clip, with a rose engraving on it, some brand new gloves in case she gets cold, or needs the covering for other reasons, a new notebook with a pen set, as well as a brand new switch knife, with a walnut handle. A note inside read: 'Hey kid, know I've been in and out, but still thinking of you. Wanted to leave you something. ~ Darck'

Rose smiled, as she took off her hat and placed the rose engraved pin into her blonde locks. It shined very beautifully in the moonlight and reminded the young girl so much of Darck, uncle Lee and her dad. It had been getting colder out recently, so the gloves definitely were appreciated. The thing that stopped her was the notebook. She hardly told anyone that she had picked up writing and sketching things, like her dad had. It was something she loved doing. There was a day, the teenager had stumbled upon one of her father’s old notebooks. In it was the day-to-day life when Rose was just a baby. Along with some sketches of her, too.

The girl placed the notebook down before she skillfully moved the switch bladed around her fingers with ease. Most kids her age enjoyed things like clothes or video games. Rose she tended to appreciate the sentimental value behind the objects given to her. Especially dealing with everything she had on the daily. Sometimes, it felt like the government only saw her as a weapon. The minute she even remotely stepped out of line, they would try to end her. Shaking her head, Rose felt a tear almost fall down her face. This reminded her too much of how those who did care about her were always forced to sacrifice so much for the world. Even her uncle Leon, who tried so hard to escape from that life, kept getting dragged back in.

It was sweet that Darck managed to find time to bring her these presents, the girl wasn’t stupid. She knew full well the dangers that laid within the work the woman did every day, but despite all that, she still found time to bring Rose gifts or even spend time with her. Which, meant the world to Rose considering she hardly had any friends around her age. Most kids at her school tended to bully her, even to this day, Rose can recall how often Chris would march down there and demand that something be done. He was such a fatherly figure towards her. Protective, even if sometimes it didn’t always seem that way.

“I wonder if Darck is okay..last time I saw her she had some fresh injuries and looked beyond exhausted. I hope her group isn’t working too hard, but knowing her, they probably are. If my dad was here, he would probably try to convince her to have a break. Seems like so long ago that Darck was helping me sneak out to spend time outside the military base. She wanted me to experience normal things..not feel like a caged animal.” The last part came out like a whisper. It was hard remembering the time she was ripped away from her own mother. Rose hadn’t seen Mia in years, and it was clear that it was taking a lot out of the young girl.

She had so many questions, like why did they seize her away, but over years it became clear they didn’t want Mia Winters to have a daughter with that much power. Instead, they wanted to use Rose like some secret weapon. It made having any normalize very difficult when all they expected was her to use powers, that she considered a curse. Rose looked down, as a white vein like aura appeared across her body. It was becoming harder each day to control them. Which was why the young girl wished for nothing more than to rid herself of such things. Closing her eyes, she breathed in and out. Trying to find some way to anchor herself, since Darck, Leon and Chris weren’t around to help her right now. Which sucked when Rose could feel her powers start to stir anytime she got angry or stressed. The girl didn’t want the government to use her like a weapon. She just wanted a normal life...

“I wonder..is this how Darck felt...she hasn’t told me much but, it feels like she can relate to some of stuff I am going through. The fact that people try and use us as some sort of tool. I hate this..” Rose reached up, her hand resting against her chest. This wasn’t the life she expected, and so much of her wanted nothing more than to escape from this place. To find her mother and be a regular family, but at least Darck and others made it easier to carry the weight of these emotions.

Fingers reached down, as Rose started to dial Darck number, she knew it might be selfish to ask but right now she needed someone to be here beside her. To help sort through all these emotions and maybe give each other a break from the things weighing so heavily on their hearts. A lot had happened since the last time the two had spoken to each other. Rose had faced many fears, been forced to confront things she wanted to run from. It was a lot, but maybe Darck could help answer some things.

#Friendly Friend from the Dark(Darck/darckcarnival)#Superhuman Girl(Rose)#Raccoon City's ashes will be Umbrella's(Main verse)#ooc: I hope this was okay starter #I figured maybe this could take place in the verse you wanted to do with my Rose too #Tw:Slight spoilers from Shadows of Rose will be referenced

1 note · View note

casspurrjoybell-22 · 6 months

Text

Master - Chapter 58 - Part 1

*Warning: Adult Content*

"Kalem, where are we?"

I'd thought about how to start this particular conversation for the last five minutes and this was the best I'd come to.

When Kalem and I had eventually found the strength to tear our lips away from one another, I'd been shocked to find myself immediately ushered back to the massive mattress within the cave by my very insistent angel.

I felt fine... better than I felt in all my years in fact... but no reassurances on my end could get Kalem to budge on his demands for me to rest and get better.

There was a panic that overtook him every time his eyes were away from me and the weight of it on him worried me.

It was like he thought someone would snatch me away from him or I'd drop dead if his attention left me for a moment.

I had no idea what Kalem had been through when I'd been unconscious but it couldn't have been easy.

I only hoped that as he saw me moving around, as usual, that fear would lessen.

For now, I was playing the role of an obedient patient, which left my mind to wander to all that still waited for us outside these desolate lands, such as where exactly these lands were.

The question makes Kalem stop the fussing he'd been doing with the numerous blankets he'd wrapped around me and look at me with a hesitant gaze.

"I don't know," Kalem replies carefully, his cheeks pinkening while his fingers find each other.

I blink at him.

"You don't know?"

"I needed to get you safe, so I flew away," he answers as if it were the most normal thing in the world.

"I saw all these sunflowers here, so I knew it had to be a good place."

I find myself smiling because while the news was slightly troubling, I'd sorely missed Kalem's way of thinking.

"And the mattress?" I question with a glance down.

"I stole it," Kalem whispers before he covers his mouth as if that would put the words back away.

I hardly cared if Kalem stole someone's mattress but it was amusing to know that my love had done something that was so scandalous in his eyes.

"You did?" I question, raising a brow and amping up my intrigue.

Kalem nods his head quickly.

"I flew it here," he mumbles, hands still covering his mouth.

"I stole the blankets too."

Laughter bubbles up from my throat as Kalem confesses his sins to me as if I were some priest and this was a confessional.

That laughter only grows as his entire body sags with relief, suggesting that his thievery must've been really weighing on him for some time.

"God, I've missed you," I groan as I offer him my hand.

He takes it immediately, hurriedly climbing onto the mattress so that he could cuddle within my arms, his wings tucking tightly behind him so that they wouldn't get in the way.

"But love, why did you come here and not the castle?"

Kalem stiffens before he slowly looks up at me.

"Not safe."

I frown, not understanding how what was literally the safest place on the planet for us, could not be safe to him.

"P-People lie," he continues so quietly I almost miss the words. "People l-like friends a-and I don't w-want any m-more bad things h-happening to you, Master."

I tighten my hold on my love, cursing myself again for not being as vigilant.

A closer look at Théo would've revealed him to be a snake in the grass.

Similarly, if I'd taken a single glance around the desert, I could've saved my boy so much pain and agony.

But I hadn't and now he harboured this newly rooted fear that he might lose me.

"It takes far more than a spear to kill me, Kalem," I say as gently as I can. "I was hurt so badly because I was weak and lacking blood but I'm okay now."

Kalem makes a keening sound as he burrows closer, his large hand settling over my chest.

"Y-You didn't move for a week."

It's my turn to still as the words settle over me.

A week?

I couldn't recall an injury ever being so bad that it put me down for so long.

Apparently, I'd been far weaker than I'd realised to require a full week of healing.

"I'm sorry, my love," I whisper. "I'm sorry I left you alone for so long."

"I should've protected y-you," he argues, melodic voice turning hard. "I didn't protect you."

I keep my mouth shut, hating that Kalem even thought he had to protect me whilst simultaneously loving the prospect that he loved me enough to try.

"Alright, how about we go back home when you're ready," I offer with a kiss. "When you feel sure that I'm strong enough, so that we can protect each other."

Kalem doesn't answer immediately but he allows for a tiny nod which was a step in the right direction.

If a week had already passed, then odds were the clan was in shambles following all that had happened.

Malcolm could do only so much, especially when there was supposed to be new leadership for an entire species and the leader wasn't there.

The urge to return was ever-present but I'd be damned if I put my love's needs second to anything again.

If Kalem needed more security before we went home, then we wouldn't leave until I helped him find it.

For now, I'd work on bringing that beautiful smile back to my boy's face.

"In the meantime," I start while I pass my finds over the length of one of his wings. "Would you mind telling me about how this happened?"

Jumping to his feet as if he'd just been waiting for a moment to talk about his wings, Kalem squeals loud enough for all the realms to hear while he excitedly jumps up and down.

Twirling for me, he shows me the sleek beauties that spread wide and flutter to show off as well.

"I have wings," Kalem screams when he twists back to me, his smile so massive it made my heart swell. "Wingssssss."

"Beautiful wings," I praise with a chuckle. "They're better than pixie wings."

Cue Kalem erupting in three, two, one...

Kalem disappears.

Popping away from his excitement, he leaves me alone in the cave but I could tell he hadn't gotten too far from the continuous screaming I heard outside.

I saw little flashes of him as he popped and flew all over the place, returning to the cave in little bouts to share his sunshine with me.

God, my love was stunning...

Returning after a few minutes of freaking out, Kalem pins me with a serious look.

"You can't say that again, Lincoln," Kalem says between pants, now slightly out of breath.

"It gets me too excited."

I chuckle as I make a show of zipping my lips.

"I promise to keep those dangerous words under lock and key."

He nods his head firmly before he pulls himself to his knees beside me.

"They were there all along, Master, just waiting for me. Zhoron helped me reach them. I had to break my form from before," he explains excitedly.

"I'm a light Nyphilim, so I just had to let all the light in."

1 note · View note

hexdsl · 1 year

Text

Tale from the Denouemeverse: Friday - Joanne

Please see here for context to this post.

Friday: Joanne

I hate Fridays. I hate them. If Friday were a person, I would have him shot for treason. Friday can, in all honesty, fuck right off.

I pulled Ashley close and snuggled into the crook of her neck. Waking up with the woman I loved naked in my bed was possibly the greatest feeling in the world.

“You’re not getting up? Must be Friday,” she said with a sleepy voice.

“I think it’s Sunday. Go back to sleep!” I said, putting a suggestive hand on her stomach.

She slapped my hand away. “No! Go away! You told me not to let you sleep in. You said to throw you out if you tried to procrastinate.”

She was right; I had too much to do to waste a morning in bed. Waste was hardly the right word, but I definitely had more pressing matters to attend to.

“Will you be right here when I get back?” I asked.

“No. Not a chance. You never get in until the middle of the night on a Friday!”

Ash had a dopey grin and hadn’t bothered opening her eyes. She pulled the blanket away from me and rolled away to the edge of our bed with it.

“Really! That’s just mean!” I grumbled.

“Yep. Us elves are known for our mean streak!”

I kissed her little pointy ear and forced myself out of bed.

“I’m going to leave you for a nicer woman!” I yelled in as the shower came on.

“Nope. You can’t leave me. It’s your ship. I need to leave you,” she said, trying to sound more awake.

Ash had been on Mercia for a few days now. She was saying for a few weeks. We had barely seen each other over the last few months. The Thinker war had put me under a lot of stress; I had made a few dubious decisions related to my family and friends. I think I almost lost her back there at one point.

Now we were back to normal, and I wanted nothing more than to stay with her until the end of time. The truth was, though, that I couldn’t just bask in her company for a while yet. I would, as soon as I got the last few things sorted out. I would step down in a few months. Ash didn’t know yet, but I was going to leave politics and ask her to marry me.

But first… Friday.

Shower done, I had to make myself look basically presentable and then get hair and makeup done for the usual Friday nonsense. Honestly, most of the damned morning would be wasted getting ready.

The Vampires had done a lot for humanity. They had shepherded us into galactic society, helped us with the technology we were missing, and shared their culture with us. We owed them a lot for the last hundred years of friendship, but damn, I really wished we would break away from their strange formality and theatre-like idea of what governance should be. I wasn’t sure there was a benefit to dressing like it was the damned dark ages, corsets-and-all, just to talk about politics. I could do that in a T and shorts.

I put my evil, wild hair into an evil, wild ponytail and put on a Mercia branded light-blue jumpsuit.

“You need any help to get around today? I can send some people over if you want,” I offered. While she wasn’t blind in the way that most people assumed. She did have challenges. She had a disorder called Pliant’s Gift. It was rare and hard to understand, but it meant that she couldn’t see things that were stationary relative to herself. If something moved, she saw motion, but not shape or colour. Her world, she had said, was a series of lines between places.

It wasn’t an ocular disorder; it was a brain mutation. There were some theoretical treatments that could use implants to augment her vision, but to the people of the moon where she grew up, the gift was a holy thing. To ‘fix it’ would be considered blasphemy. There had only been a few cases of her condition in all the history of her people and none of them recent.

If she had have stayed on the forest moon where she grew up, she would be able to see so much. It was dense with trees and had constant windstorms. Her vision was actually perfect for there. Ash had left it, to come to Earth and visit the universe. She had chosen Earth as her home because, while it was exotic to her, it was one of the safest places in the galaxy. There would always be someone close by who would help her if she got in trouble. We had done okay with Earth; I think. That said, the obsession with safety had made people go a little strange in recent years.

“I am not someone who needs caring for Joanne!” Ash said sternly. “Stop being such a human. You’re better than that!” She said in anger. She had become a little resentful of humans herself since the Earth-for-Earthlings movement had taken hold. I understood why she felt like that, but unlike my father, I had always thought of myself as a human, just a lucky one. He had always thought of himself as a Bio-static with a human body. Not sure there was a difference, but Ash was right. I did think like humans too much. Especially recently.

“I’m sorry. I just worry, and I’m going to be working all day.”

She stood up and hugged me. “Coffee has a map of the ship, and his communication link has your direct number. I’ll be fine!” she said, with her head against mine.

I kissed her and left. I did worry and it was pointless too. It’s not like a lot could go wrong on Mercia. Besides, I had the ship's AI ordered to watch her every move. If she had any problems, a security officer would be close by at all times. I didn’t tell her that part.

Also, her ugly robot monkey, Coffee, would keep her safe. It was his only job.

***

Because Mercia was undergoing a refit, we had to stay in orbit of Central. Usually, we would be in Sol space for this, but we needed some pretty delicate work done on our computer system and our armour layers were shot to shit. All the things we needed were, either manufactured on Central, or could be delivered there fast. It was just better equipped for this kind of work than Sol was. That was one reason that the new ships were a more modular design. Mercia had been the first and as such was far more complex than it needed to be. Now we had learned so much from running it for a decade, we were better at building them.

I briefly thought about what I knew of my mother and what she had done. Had we really been using Mercia for a decade, or was it still less than a year? My dad, and Libby, had both said I should just act like my memories were real because it didn’t matter, not really, not functionally. Even so, some part of me constantly second guessed everything I knew when I thought of the past.

Showing Mercia being repaired so publicly, in Vampire space, was a solid political move. With the recent completion of the other Kingdom ships, we now had the most powerful military compared to the other Elder races. Until recently, Mercia being out of commission would have been very concerning; now it's just one of a fleet of such ships.

I entered the parliament chamber. I projected as much confidence as I could muster.

I sat down in the large wooden chair, careful not to ruin the intricate folds of the massive dress. The material was a lot heavier than it looked, in part because there was so much of it.

Today I had opted for a sixteenth century piece. It was blue and had a satin look to it, but the font section and the sleeves were intricately sewn cream coloured silk. Ruffles of the same design were all across the high collar. The chest was a little lower cut than was strictly accurate for the period, but I had the figure for it, and it was important to remember that this was performance, not a history lesson.

I wore a heavy golden necklace which had the Sol alliance insignia engraved into a pendant. My hair was in a high knot with a tiara of flowers made from blue gems. Thankfully, the dress swept the floor so didn’t have to wear painful period accurate shoes. I just had running shoes on, which entertained me a great deal.

The makeup was just as over the top and did not suit me at all. I looked like I could have just popped out of an old romance novel. I hated it. All of it. The look had taken me a couple of hours and five people to accomplish.

I looked across the round hall of the parliament chamber. There were representatives from every planet across the Sol alliance. There were also the usual representatives from Brick, Elf and Vampire space. Everyone dressed like they were from a historical era of their respective worlds.

“Now sits, the president of Earth, ruler of the Sol alliance and queen of the younger races of the old empire. Parliament may now begin,” said the gentleman announcer, who was dressed in a costume that matched the era of my own. I waited patiently while the usual clapping died down.

“What is today's first point of business?” I asked quietly, letting the microphone in my collar amplify my voice across the massive hall of meeting.

Fridays were when we heard petitions from the younger worlds. It was going to be a long day.

The room was circular, and each row of seats was a level higher than the ones in front. All old wood with blue leather covers.

A man stood. He wore leather armour and exposed his muscular chest. He puffed it out and sucked in his gut as he stood. He was of a younger race, one of the very human-like ones. If it weren’t for the green hue to his skin I would perhaps have been able to mistake him for Earthborn.

“Madam president,” he began with a bow. “I am Sachock of the planet Nelicon. This is the first time my people have felt the need to partition this council. Please forgive me if I do not follow the decorum.” He waited for acknowledgement.

A screen appeared in front of my large chair. It displayed all the information we had about the man’s planet and he himself. I was now expected to pretend to consider his request to speak while I glanced at the notes. The screen was invisible to everyone except me. Everyone knew I was reading the file, but this was part of the performance.

Nothing of note, arid world, heavy gravity, green people who really liked stone buildings. A young race who only gained access to space a few years ago. We had forwarded them all the usual curtesy, technology, Cure-All and the offer of a ‘bail out team’ if they fucked up too much.

They had done well on their own and had started exporting a great deal of historical fiction and art to the rest of the alliance. They were popular, as much minor players were able to be. They had learned Elder-Tongue fast and translated massive amounts of their fiction for us.

“Sachock. Welcome. Please speak freely,” I said after a few seconds. I was allowed as long as I wanted to review the information in front of me; it seemed rude to keep the man waiting. Ba’an was always better at this part. He knew every race on sight and didn’t even look at the screen. Though even he never turned it off.

A light above Sachock gained brightness and everyone else’s dimmed slightly. It was subtle, but everyone knew it was his turn to speak. Interrupting the recognised speaker was considered an insult. Even I would have to wait until he was done.

“My people. We have been working hard to be part of the alliance. My people have not been cleared for direct trade with Earth. We have not been cleared for travel to the prime world either.” He paused. And surveyed the room. He was good at this. “As you may be aware, we are on the border of Brick territory. Even though Sol is a wonderful alliance and has treated us with great respect. We believe that our race would be better suited to be a part of their cooperative. They trade with us and allow us passage in all their worlds freely without even being a member. If we align with them, then we may have access to their unexplored space; we can make our own mark in the galaxy.” He bowed to show that he was done speaking.

This wasn’t good. It was the fourth world this month to ask to be absorbed by the Brick people. I could see why. Sol law prevented Younger races from exploring un-mapped space. We were concerned that they may stumble across a threat and get themselves in trouble. Not every race in the galaxy was friendly, and some were quite powerful. We saw it as our job to protect life by gaining an understanding with these races before we let the children play.

They all wanted to explore on their own, and with the current state of space since the end of the war, it was very tempting. For those on the border, the Bricks offered a good deal. They let them do whatever they wanted so long as they shared the information they gained. They were reckless. Eventually a tiny Young explorer ship would end up flying into something they weren’t ready for.

Some of the races in space even claimed that they had their own alliances and territory. They usually changed their mind when they saw Mercia.

I needed to make them want to stay, just for political kudos, but I also understood their reasons. We took adventure away from them and they just wanted to feel like they had control over their own destiny. This was especially true of the races that had a complicated history before space travel.

I was considering the point when the Brick representative stood. A tall man with wonderfully thick silver beard. He wore a form fitting all in one with metal armour pieces strapped to it. Typical brick outfit, even their historical clothes were fashion over form.

Being of an Elder race, he did not introduce himself. It was assumed that the Elder representatives were known to all. I waved to recognise him as speaker.

“The Brick cooperative had recently had a tough time. We cannot guarantee the safety of the people in our space as securely as we once could. Do not mistake this for a lack of desire, we simply have a lot to do at home. If you understand this. We welcome you with open arms, as we welcome all.”

He bowed to me and sat. His light dimmed.

I was expected to speak now. I wanted to tell him to go. It’s not like the alliance would be weaker without his little world; but if we just let his people go, and something happened it would be our fault. Or at least that was how the council saw things.

“Sachock,” I said. He was already looking at me. I just needed to say his name for the record. “At this time, I can’t in good conscience allow you to leave our protection. I am sorry. When the Brick people are better equipped to protect you, we will speak about this again.”

The light above him lit. “Then, may my people embrace this decision and request free passage on the prime world? For people and trade?”

Clever, Sachock! This wasn’t about leaving; this was about coming to Earth. His world was prosperous. They must be integrating with civilization fast. They wanted to visit the culture of the universe already. This was a good thing; they understood the value. I liked how he was making this play.

The pillars of need in the universe were Excitement, Learning, Progress and Joy. These were the four things that everyone wanted once you gave them security and prosperity. The only way to get this was to push yourself, new places, new learning, and new people.

“I have no problem with this. What says the council?” I asked.

The people on the closest, curved row of seats were the council of Earth. While my vote carried a lot of weight, they were ultimately the deciding factor.

They tapped the invisible screens in the air, sending messages between themselves. Two of the twelve people whispered to each other. One stood. A heavy-set older man who had a cane with him. “The last thing we need is more of the lesser races on Earth. There are already many visitors from the Elder races. This is not a good time to add more to the visitation list.”

“Younger,” I said as he made to sit down.

“I’m sorry, Madam president?” he asked, confused.

“You said Lesser races. You misspoke. You meant to say Younger. Not Lesser.”

I saw the anger flash across his face. “If you say so.”

He sat down.

Sachok was not happy with the result. I can’t say I blamed him. The next step for him was to partition the Brick people to request his sector of space. They would happily make the request and they would eventually get it, but it would take quite a while. Right now, it was the last thing they had time to deal with. The space they were interested in would be fully mapped by the time they were given access.

I felt bad that I couldn’t help him.

The meeting went on with more minutia. There was a lot of interest from the Earth Council regarding the new Kingdom class ships. They were pushing to get another wave of production on them. We had enough power. It was madness to make more. I only commissioned those four because I expected a long war. I had no idea my dad would go and end it two months in.

A few races were concerned about the amount of patrols in their space, and a few more were unhappy with recent proposals for influencing their legal systems to unify things across the alliance. All valid concerns but also things that the council and the planetary congress were pushing for. I could hold things up and reject them a few times for review, but eventually these laws would go through. I had concerns.

***

The meeting ended at five in the afternoon. I got changed out of my maddening dress and found those shorts and that T-shirt I had been lusting after all day. I sat at a large conference table in the government room on Mercia. It had been the war room, until recently. Advisors, secretaries, and a couple of politicians sat down, most still in formal attire. I opened my Circlet and tapped out a quick message to Ash. She wouldn’t be able to read it from the Screen but I knew Coffee would relay it to her. It read, “Parliament was terrible. Now I have to deal with fallout. Fuck Fridays. Love you!”

I asked one of my assistants to deliver me a plate of chicken wings. A large plate of chicken wings. There was no chance that I was going to be breaking for food any time soon and now that my biology was better publicised, there was little point in pretence. Thanks dad, I grumbled to myself.

“Why the fuck is the council stopping Young races from getting Earth clearance? And why was I not warned?” I demanded as my chicken arrived.

“Well, Jo, truth is, they haven’t official stopped. They just started rejecting applications about two weeks ago,” Said one of the politicians. Shit. I couldn’t remember his name. There were just so many of them now.

“Why?” I asked, picking up a chicken wing.

“Officially, they are now being more selective because of numbers of visitors. Unofficially, the Earth-for-Earthling’s movement has made it so public opinion is swaying away from the open-door policy of old.”

This was something I considered for a few seconds. “I looked like an idiot out there. I need to be told about these things,” I said sternly.

“Well,” began the other political. He was very new. Started about three days ago and I already didn’t like him. He was the new minister of culture. Which was a bullshit job to begin with. “We didn’t want to bother you with these matters while you are so distracted with your disabled Elven friend visiting.” His tone was condescending, and his words were insulting. I wasn’t pleased, but a large part of politics was choosing your battles.

“My girlfriend, partner, and future fiancé, Ashley. Is not distracting me. I also do not think her species needs to be pointed out. I am well aware of her species. Also, she has no disability that you need to concern yourself with.” I had more to say. I had a lot more to say, but it would not be useful right now.

“As cultural minster, I should point out that you can’t publicly marry this woman.”

“And what do you mean by that comment, minister?” I asked. Now a little fired up. My poker face slipped just a little.

“I mean, it’s bad enough that it has become public knowledge that you are not a pure Earthling. Announcing your intention to marry an Elf would be politically unwise with the current social trends on the mother world.”

He had made two mistakes. Firstly, only racists said ‘Earthling’ in that way. They had dropped the term Human because they felt it had lost meaning. They thought Earthling was better, for reasons that made quite literally no sense to me at all. It was more likely so they could identify each other easier in conversation.

The second mistake wasn’t even the term ‘mother world’ which was another signal that he was a prick. It pissed me off that he thought that I would change my mind about the woman I loved based on political feedback. A little part of me wanted to quit this job right now. That would have been dumb. But I wanted to.

“Well, minister, I will take this under advisement. Thank you. The matter of my genetic purity is really not a topic we need to go into. I took over this job from a Vampire. At least your leaders are getting closer to Earthlings with each changing of the guard. Huh?”

I wanted to have him shot. I was pretty sure I had the authority. That would be a lot of paperwork, and I wanted to get home before Friday was Saturday.

As soon as this meeting was over, I would have someone dig up as much dirt as possible about this man. If he became a real problem, I would have it leaked to the media.

The meeting went on, reports, edicts, actions, more reports, things to sign, security updates, so many security updates. These people had become obsessed with security.

I would put in a governmental motion to ‘chill the fuck out and calm down’ as soon as I figured out how to word it, so it didn’t read like that.

Before I started working in politics, I liked Fridays. Now they were a nightmare. All of this end of week crap was just pointless. An AI could take care of about half of it, but the council had voted to reduce the influence that AI had over the alliance. Even though every other Elder race had let them take over most of the day-to-day stuff. They just checked its decisions and voted on things that mattered. I doubted Elves bothered telling their president that public opinion was against his choice of wife.

***

I walked into my apartment at ten fifty-five. “Aha!” I yelled as I entered, “Not midnight!” I was triumphant. For the first time in weeks.

Ash was sitting on the floor with a blanket under her and some music playing. Coffee was sitting next to her; he had been reading to her, I guessed. Ash loved stories, but she wasn’t able to read them herself.

“Wait, isn’t it only about eleven?” she said excitedly. Coffee quietly told her the time.

“Oh, wow! Jo, you actually did it! You got home before Saturday! Good going girl!” she laughed at me.

I threw off my shoes and sat myself next to her on the blanket. “You know, we have a sofa. You don’t have to sit on the floor,” I said as I kissed her.

“I like the floor. I can’t fall off the floor if your stupid war ship gets in a fight!”

“We’re in dock around Central. Who would shoot at us?” I asked.

“I’ve heard that before!” she said with a smile that I hesitantly wanted to describe as ‘cheeky’

“Did you have a good day, my love?” I asked, realising that I may have picked up a turn of phrase from my father and Libby.

“I did, actually. Libby and Kay visited me. They brought me this,” she said, holding up a little box with a piano key on top of it.

“Oh, I’m sorry I missed them. Everything okay with them? Also, what is this?” I asked.

“It’s called a Pee and yes. Or something.”

“Okay, but what is it?” I asked, pressing the piano button.

The box exploded into light. I would have worried it was dangerous had I not known that Libby and Kay delivered it. The room spun. I smelled fresh oranges. The light settled down and showed me an image of Ash, she was standing in a forest. She looked amazing, like a warrior or an angel or something in between. She was running and jumping between trees in a way I had once seen Elven hunters do in a documentary video. The camera followed her. I grinned. She ran out of forest and rolled to a halt as the camera panned up. There were Kingdom ships in orbit and they were fighting something… the camera flew towards it and I saw Basilica for a moment before it was all obscured by a blanket, no, it wasn’t a blanket, the image, the surrounding space was a cloak, it was my mother. She whisked away the images inside the cloak and turned to me with white eyes. “They will destroy all you love,” she said in musical tones before the image blinked out.

“What the fuck was that?” I asked, mouth open in shock.

“It’s supposed to take a snapshot of your mind, show your feelings. Was that me in yours?” Ash asked.

“You could see that?”

“Oh, yeah! Libby made them with this smart gas she invented. It copies the holograms form. I can see it just fine. It's weird,” she said with a missive grin across her beautiful face. “I’ve been playing with it since they left. Once you know what it does, you can force images by focusing really hard. It's fun to see, and it smells nice too!”

“What did you see in your first whatever that was?” I asked, still shaken up by the images I had seen. Was this really my own fear or was it something else?

Ash took the little device off me and placed it next to her. She took hold of me with both hands, one each side of my face. She had done this a few times when she had important things to say and wanted to make sure I was listening. Since she couldn’t really see me, it made sense.

“It doesn’t matter what I saw! Joanne Michaels. Will you marry me?”

I was stunned. My eyes grew wide like saucers. I was going to ask her; I was going to leave politics and ask her next year. I loved her but I wouldn’t ask her now and expect her to commit to the mad life I had, with all my responsibility and fear and stress and, let’s be honest, danger.

“Did you really just ask me that?” I needed to be sure it wasn’t the vision still.

“Yeah, I did. Is that okay?” she asked.

“Is it okay? Ash! I love you! I want to marry you more than anything in the entire universe!” I said, feeling myself tearing up.

“To be clear, that’s a, yes?” she asked.

“Yes!” I said, now sobbing. Both of us were.

She kissed me. She kissed me as my fiancé. No matter what happened now. No matter what shit the galaxy threw at me, no matter what madness my mother had planned out ahead for me. No matter what mad adventure my dad would pull me along on. I would love this woman until the end of time.

Tales from the Denoumeverse – ‘Week.’ The end.

#denouement #hexdsl #writing #science fiction

0 notes