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#so now that my tree is gone i wanna just tear out the whole garden and fix everything so it can be sold and i can leave
thiswasinevitableid · 3 years
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For the meet Ugly- 13 with Danbrey?
Here you go! I went SFW on this one
13: we make contact before trying to steal the last seat on the subway/bus/train and I end up in your lap and fuck you, I’m going to stay here because I’ve had a really long day and this seat was mine
The bus is not as fun as she remembers.
When Aubrey was a little kid, her mom would use the bus to take her to the museum or the movies or, on the best days, the magic store. Yes, the Little’s had a nice car, but her mom believed that not only was the bus better for the environment, it was a way to remember that there was nothing scary about being around people who come from all sorts of circumstances (Aubrey later learned this was due to her mom once being at a PTA meeting where hands were rung over children using public transportation being exposed to “unsavory” people).
“The world is full of all kinds of people, firebug. That’s not something to be scared of.”
She wipes her eye surreptitiously under the West Virginia sun. You’d think she’d have learned not to think about mom in public by now.
The bus line she’s using for her tour is inexplicably crowded; half these towns are on their way to being ghosts but somehow she’s always fighting for a seat. She doesn’t like her chances for this leg of the ride, since she got distracted reading about the history of Doc Martens and ended up towards the back of the line.
By some luck, there’s one seat left as she squeezes onto the bus, using her body to keep people from elbowing the fabric carrier containing Dr. Harris Bonkers, PhD. But in the time she takes to turn to sit, someone else slips into the spot, so fast it’s almost inhuman.
“Um, excuse me, but this was my seat.” She turns to confront the thief and finds herself looking at a young woman about her age, with honey-blonde hair and hazel eyes which, were she not tired and grumpy, Aubrey would have lots of compliments for.
“No, it wasn’t. I got here first. You’ll just have to stand.”
“That’d be fine if it were just me.” The bus pulls away from the curb, “but it’s bad for Dr. Harris Bonkers to be suspended for too long.” She adjusts the bunny bag, hoping his big brown eyes and wiggly nose will make her case for her.
“Awww” the blonde coos, booping him through the mesh, “don’t worry little guy, you aren’t going too far. You’ll be fine if your person stands for a little bit.”
“It’s not a little bit, it’s twelve hour trip to my next stop!”
A smile full of understated charm and triumph, “It’s thirteen to mine.”
“Aw beans.”
“......are you going to get out of my lap at any point?”
“No” Aubrey turns her head to look out the window, “this is a good seat, even if there’s someone in it. I’m staying.”
It’s not her finest moment, to be sure. But she’s tired and heartsick so she is staying in this seat, damn it. The other woman grumbles something and slumps back against the black seat.
They hit the next stop, but not enough people get off, so she stays in her mystery lady’s lap. Her seat(mate) pulls a baggie of granola from the pocket of her definitely-not-cute-at-all overalls and crunches it louder than necessary by her ear.
“Uh, your rabbit is trying to get out.”
Aubrey glances down to see the mesh front straining as Dr. Harris Bonkers attempts to reach the granola.
“Don’t beg, young man, it’s rude.”
“Can he have a piece?” She holds up a dried strawberry.
“Um, sure.” Aubrey watches as she unzips the top of the carrier and let’s the rabbit nibble the treat from her hand. Aubrey’s a little jealous.
They don’t say anything to each other, but the rabbit gets two more treats before they reach the next stop. The person who’s spent the whole trip asleep in the window seat next to them jerks awake and hurries off the bus. Aubrey scoots into it before anyone can dare challenge her.
They’ve just turned onto the highway when she says, “Thanks. For, um, for sharing your granola.”
“You’re welcome.”
“And I’m, um, I’m sorry for sitting on you.”
“Yeah that wasn’t great, but if someone was going to sit on me I’m glad it’s the cutest passenger on the bus.” She points at Dr. Harris Bonkers, but keeps her eyes on Aubrey.
“We’re both kinda tired. We had a show late last night and we’re nervous for the one tomorrow.”
“Show?”
“I’m a magician and he’s my assistant. I’m known as the Lady Flame” she snaps and finger-guns, setting off a flashpaper, “but you can call me Aubrey.”
“Ma’am, no smoking on the bus!”
“Sorry!” She calls to the driver.
“I’m Dani” the blond boops Dr. Harris Bonkers again, “whose this guy?”
“Dr. Harris Bonkers, PhD.”
“Nice to meet you, doctor.”
“Are, um, are you just traveling for fun?” She unzips the carrier enough for them both to pet him.
“Not really. I was running an, uh, an errand. I’ll be glad to get back to Kepler.” She fiddles with something in her pocket, “could I see more of your act?”
“I think that might get me thrown off the bus.”
“Don’t you have pictures?” Dani smiles.
“Oh duh, right, here, I even got someone to take some videos.” She scooches closer, Dani closing the remaining distance to rest their shoulders together. As they move through the videos, Dani is noticeably excited, even claps a few times. When Aubrey’s battery dies, they say “fuck” in sync.
“...want to play ‘I Spy?”
“Hell yeah.”
The next three hours pass in a flash, the two of them laughing and trading stories, all the while both cuddling closer to the window (to better play the game, of course).
They reach a travel hub, the driver informing everyone that they’ll leave in an hour on the dot. The two of them select a Dennys, since in Aubrey’s experience they tend to ignore her bringing in an eighteen pound rabbit.
She charges her phone while they eat, Dani getting corned beef hash, (“not as good as the one my friend makes back home”) while Aubrey has pancakes. She gets a little syrup on her cheek and nearly asks Dani to clean it off for her. With her tongue.
It’s dark when they get back to their seats, but the driver keeps the A.C cranked to the point that Aubrey is shivering. Dani pulls a shawl from her backpack, draping it around them both like a blanket as the trees become nothing more than vague shapes in the dark.
They talk about Aubrey’s tattoos, about the garden Dani has back home (“lots of veggies, you’d like that, wouldn’t you buddy?”). Last night starts catching up with Aubrey, yawns threatening to steal her attention from the way the light catches in Dani’s hair.
“Wanna see more videos?” That’s low energy flirtation, right?
“Of course.”
As she opens the videos, she hits an older album and an image of her and her mom fills the screen. She freezes, like the highbeams of the past are barrelling towards her and all she can do is watch.
“Aubrey?” Dani touches her cheek.
“Um, sorry.” She shoves the phone in the pocket of her jacket, “I, my, my mom died a little while ago. That was her. Um. I guess that was obvious. Sorry.”
Dani’s fingers find hers, interlacing them gently, “I’m so sorry, Aubrey. I...I get it. My family is, well I made some choices that mean I’ll never get to see them again. I, the reason I went on this trip was because I heard one of my brothers might have, uh, done the same thing. He hadn’t.” She sighs, “I don’t even know if they’re all still alive.”
“That sucks. This all. Fucking. Sucks.”
Dani nods, rests their heads together, “You know what doesn’t suck? Meeting you.”
“Pfffft” Aubrey smiles through her tears, hoping the joking noise will hide her blush.
Dani cups her cheeks, “I’m serious. Getting to know you feels like, like rounding a corner and seeing your house after years away. I, this is going to sound silly but please tell me you’re stopping in Kepler for a show?”
“I’m not but I, um, I guess I could still stop off there? If you really wanted me to.” Something about Dani’s smile, the warmth in her eyes, soothes her grief to sleep for now.
“I do, fireblossom, so much.”
Aubrey blushes, “Think you might be my first fan; no one else ever requests a show.”
Dani kisses her cheek, “I might even request one in private.”
“I could get into that” she yawns, “damn it, I don’t wanna sleep. I wanna keep flirting with you, cutie pie.”
Dani shifts their luggage, scoots sideways and guides Aubrey’s head down into her lap, “Get some rest, Aubrey. Just being able to look at you is enough for me.”
“Awww” Aubrey nestles against her stomach, “you’re so cute...just a...cutie...pie...zzz”
The last thing she feels is a kiss on the forehead and Dani tucking the shawl around her.
-----------------------------------------------
Aubrey does not want to get off this bus; Dani is cuddled up next to her, telling her about what kind of flowers she’d grow her, when he stops come up.
“Whelp….this is me.”
Dani helps her off the bus, passing her the carrier containing a sleeping Dr. Harris Bonkers. Then she smirks, “is your balance pretty good.”
“Yeah? Wh-mmphhoh” She holds tight as Dani nearly knocks her off her feet in a kiss. She tastes like the strawberry poptart they split for breakfast and is not making it any easier to say goodbye.
“Promise you’ll come see me in Kepler?’ Dani murmurs against her lips.
“Promise.”
A kiss on the nose, then a longer one on the mouth that makes Aubrey feel like she’s going to go up flashpaper. Then Dani is gone, off towards Kepler. A town Aubrey has no knowledge of and no idea how to navigate. And she didn’t get Dani’s last name.
“Fuck.” She says to the rabbit.
The rabbit simply snuffles in reply.
-------------------------------------
A few hours after her most catastrophic show to date and getting a gun pointed at her, Aubrey walks into Amnesty Lodge and finds a certain face, haloed with golden hair, waiting for her by the fireplace.
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suituuup · 3 years
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pieces - chapter eighteen
Five years ago, Chloe dropped off the face of the Earth. Beca sees her again in the most unexpected place.
ao3 link
*
Chloe couldn’t remember a time where she’d been happier. Just over a year ago, she found herself on the verge of giving up by letting the drugs and the emotional abuse consume her whole, and now… she felt at peace. 
Fulfilled. Brave. Loved. 
Beca and Marleigh were her whole world, and Chloe still had a hard time truly believing that this was her life, now. 
“The itsy bitsy spider, went up the water spout,” Chloe sang as her pointer and middle fingers walked up Marleigh’s stomach. “Down came the rain and whoop!” Her fingers disappeared. “Washed the spider out!” 
Marleigh giggled, her laughter Chloe’s new favorite sound. She was completely obsessed with her daughter and the new things she discovered every single day. Marleigh now slept through the nights and was otherwise a very chill baby, who loved cubes, ladyfingers, rolling over, and listening to Beca or Chloe sing. 
Chloe gasped when she heard the door open. “Who’s that?? Is that Auntie Beca?” 
Beca soon rounded the corner, grinning as she slung her messenger bag over her shoulder. “Hi! You’re still up!”
Marleigh cooed and flailed her arms towards Beca, who lifted her from the bed and held her close. Chloe had witnessed plenty of moments like these between the two, but they never failed to make her heart swell. 
“I was waiting until you got home to put her to bed,” Chloe murmured with a smile, knowing how much Beca loved to take part in Marleigh’s bedtime routine. “I already changed her diaper, if you wanna sing her to sleep?” 
Beca nodded, and Chloe stood up, pressing a few kisses to her daughter’s chubby cheek. 
“Goodnight, my love,” she murmured. 
While Beca put her down, Chloe changed for bed. Ever since they got together, Chloe had been sleeping in Beca’s room. They hadn’t gone much further than making-out so far, and Beca proved to be incredibly patient while Chloe found her footing again when it came to intimacy. 
Beca flopped down face first on the bed when she came back ten minutes later, drawing a giggle from Chloe as she slipped under the sheets. “You alright there?” 
Beca’s groan was muffled by the comforter. “M’tired. Picky artists suck.” 
Chloe smiled in sympathy as she reached out to knead Beca’s shoulder. “At least tomorrow is Saturday? You get to sleep in.” 
Beca rolled her head to the side. “Yeah.” She propped herself up on her elbows and craned her neck to brush a kiss to Chloe’s lips. “Hello.” 
“Hi there,” Chloe breathed out, giggling softly. She dipped back in for a longer kiss, and Beca hummed as she shifted to her side, her hand falling to Chloe’s hip. 
Their slow, exploratory liplock soon turned into something heavier, tongues dancing together and hands roaming under clothing. 
“Wanna slow down?” Beca asked as she laid on top of her, panting slightly.
Chloe shook her head and tugged her down into another hungry kiss. Her hips rolled against Beca’s, and Beca groaned against her mouth, her hand slipping under Chloe’s shirt to run up her side. 
Chloe wasn’t ready for her arousal to be chased away by a wave of panic. She tensed under Beca’s touch, memories she thought she’d gotten rid of flashing behind her eyes, and was pushing Beca away in the next beat.
“Sorry,” she whispered when she realized what she’d done. Embarrassment coated her cheeks with red, and she avoided Beca’s gaze as she sat up. “I’m sorry.” 
“Hey, no,” Beca murmured as she sat back on her heels. “It’s okay. You don’t need to apologize.” 
Chloe scratched at her forehead as she drew her knees to her chest. She could feel the craving for some coke rise within her, to make her forget about those nights. She pressed her palms to her eyes. “Fuck.” 
“Do you… wanna talk?” Beca asked after a few beats of silence. 
Chloe opened her eyes to find twin twinkles of worry staring back at her. She glanced back down to the comforter. “I think… I think I’m dragging some trauma from-- from the stuff that would happen at the club. With--with the customers.” 
Beca nodded slowly, reaching out to slide her hand into Chloe’s and squeezing. Chloe drew in a shaky inhale.
“I… I got used to my body being used in various ways, but never for my own pleasure,” she explained, looking down at their joined hands. “It was just pure sex, whatever the customer wanted me to do to them. Sometimes it was too rough, but I couldn’t say anything because I really needed the money,” she whispered, a sense of shame gripping her insides.
“And I think… that I blocked it all out at some point. It felt like my body didn’t belong to me anymore, and now…” She blinked back the tears pricking in her eyes. “I’m having a hard time reconnecting with it.” She thought it wouldn’t be a problem, as she had taken care of herself when her pregnancy hormones went wild, but being intimate with someone else was a lot different. “It’s not that I don’t trust you,” she said, eventually looking back up. “I do. It’s just... a me thing.”
Beca blinked back her own tears. “What I want the most is for things to feel good for you when we do take that step,” she murmured. “And if you need more time to get to that letting go point, then we’ll wait. And if you never reach it, then that’s okay, too. I don’t… need sex to be happy, you know? I’m already happier than I ever thought I’d be, thanks to you and MJ.” 
“You really mean that?” Chloe asked, quietly. “About the sex part?”
Beca nodded. “I do. I promise.” 
Chloe hoped she would feel comfortable having sex again at some point, but it felt incredibly reassuring to know Beca wouldn’t leave if she never did. 
“Thank you,” Chloe murmured, not surprised but still in awe of Beca’s love and patience for her. “I really don’t deserve you.” 
Beca smiled. “That’s weird, I was telling myself the same thing about you earlier today.” 
Chloe’s cheeks warmed, and her heart swelled in her chest. “I love you.” 
“I love you too, Chlo.” 
*
Spring warmed to summer. 
With Marleigh growing more and more curious about the world around her, they spent a lot of time outside, whenever the temperatures were bearable. Marleigh was obsessed with dogs, squealing every time she saw one and crawling after it in hopes of catching up before Chloe or Beca would snatch her back. 
She was already showing a mischievous side, and Chloe knew her toddler years were bound to be interesting. 
“Do you ever see yourself living elsewhere?” Chloe found herself asking one afternoon at the park. 
They laid on the blanket in the shade of a large oak tree, Marleigh having fallen asleep between them. The eight-month-old could sleep anywhere as long as she had her lovey. 
Beca glanced at her. “Elsewhere than New York, you mean? Or like, another country?” 
“Other than New York. Like, somewhere where we could have a garden, and maybe a dog. And where we don’t have to drive over an hour to find a forest.” 
Beca smiled as she folded an arm under her head. “I like the sound of that. I have the label to manage, but a lot of stuff can be done from home. So maybe somewhere within a two-hour drive from here so I can come down twice a week?” 
Chloe nodded. “Maybe after I’m done with college?” 
She was going back to vet school in a few months to get her vet tech training, and that would take her a year to complete before she could apply to jobs. 
“Sounds like a good plan, babe,” Beca said. “We could start looking in the new year?” 
Excitement swirled in Chloe’s stomach over the knowledge that Beca was on board, and she beamed. “Yeah?”
“Yeah,” Beca murmured. “Maybe somewhere around Poughkeepsie or Beacon? With four bedrooms and space to make an office or a studio?” 
“Four bedrooms?” Chloe asked, cocking an eyebrow as an amused smile tickled the corners of her lips. “How many kids do you see us having, exactly?” 
Beca chuckled. “Maybe three? If you want to, I mean. I’m also perfectly happy with our family as it is now.” 
Chloe’s heart felt fit to burst over Beca’s words. “I think three is a good number.”
They headed home around six and had dinner, then gave Marleigh a bath and read her a story before bedtime. Chloe stepped into the kitchen a bit after, where Beca was washing the dishes. 
She wrapped her arms around her waist, pressing a few kisses along the side of her neck. “Come to bed?” 
They hadn’t had sex since their talk but continued to explore through make-out sessions that gradually got more intense. Beca was incredible, always in sync with Chloe’s feelings and regularly checking that she was okay. Chloe could feel herself getting more and more comfortable with the idea of taking that step, and she was thinking she was ready to give it a try tonight. 
Beca hummed. “I’ll be right there.” 
Chloe was lying atop the covers when Beca rounded the corner, and she set her book aside, raising a curious eyebrow when Beca remained in the doorway, gazing at her with a look Chloe couldn’t identify. “What?” 
“You’re beautiful,” she murmured. 
Chloe felt her face warm-up, and she rolled her eyes softly. “Get over here, weirdo.” 
Beca laughed and stepped closer, climbing onto the mattress and crawling over Chloe. “Is that what you meant by here?” 
“Yes,” Chloe breathed out as she looped her arms around Beca’s neck and craned hers to brush her smiling lips against Beca’s. She bent her knees and wrapped her legs around Beca’s waist, a thrill of pleasure coursing through her as Beca’s hips met hers in a gentle roll. 
Chloe took the lead and deepened the kiss, skimming her tongue over Beca’s bottom lip. A moan spilled into the liplock as Beca answered with equal enthusiasm, one hand drifting down to rub her outer thigh. 
“I want this,” Chloe breathed out after a while, her lips kiss-swollen and her eyes darkened with lust. 
Beca kissed her softly. “Are you sure?” 
Chloe’s head bobbed up and down in a near desperate nod. “Yes.” 
“We can stop at any time,” Beca murmured. “Promise me you’ll say it if you’ve changed your mind?” 
Chloe reached up to cradle her cheek. “I promise.” She sat up and whipped her top over her head. Her body was different; she still had some lingering baby weight, but she considered herself too thin before the pregnancy, and she liked how she looked now. 
“Jesus,” Beca rasped as she took in the sight before her. 
Chloe couldn’t remember the last time someone had looked at her the way Beca was doing now, with so much love and desire it made her breathing hitch. 
Beca leaned in, re-attaching their lips together as her hand roamed up and down Chloe’s side in a featherlight touch, enticing goosebumps in its wake. Beca’s lips then traveled along the edge of Chloe’s jaw and down her neck in hot, open-mouthed kisses. A moan spilled past Chloe’s parted lips when she latched onto her pulse point, and her back arched off the bed, searching for some kind of relief where she needed it the most. 
Beca continued to explore, kissing her way down Chloe’s chest, towards her breasts. While her palm wrapped around the right one, she swirled her tongue around Chloe’s left nipple, drawing a gasp from Chloe. 
“Too sensitive?” Beca asked, lifting her head. 
“No, no,” Chloe assured her. “It’s-- it feels really good.” 
Smiling, Beca dipped back in and spent the next minute focused on her left breast until she noticed Chloe squirming underneath her. “Okay?” 
“Yeah, I just-- I might come if you keep going like that.” 
Beca puffed out a breath, her cheeks turning redder. “Can I touch you?” 
“Yeah,” Chloe said, then pushed a kiss to Beca’s lips, her whimper swallowed by Beca as she slipped her hand between Chloe’s legs and cupped her. Chloe broke the kiss to take a sharp inhale as Beca moved her fingers in a light stroking motion. 
“Okay?” She asked as she rested her forehead against Chloe’s. 
“Yes,” Chloe breathed, raking her teeth over her bottom lip. Her hips tilted towards the contact, seeking more pressure. Chloe stilled Beca’s hand after a handful of seconds and sat up to shimmy her underwear down her legs. “Better.” 
Beca smiled and placed her hand to its initial position, a moan surfacing from her throat as she felt Chloe’s slickness. “Can I-- I wanna taste you.” 
At a loss for words, Chloe could only nod, her breath growing shallow at Beca’s request. She watched as Beca slithered down, leaving kisses in her wake until she settled on her stomach between Chloe’s legs. She kissed her way along Chloe’s inner thigh, slowly but surely reaching her destination. 
“Oh,” Chloe let out at that first exploratory lap through her folds, propping herself on her elbows to get a better view. One set of fingers gripped a fistful of the sheets while the other tangled through Beca’s hair. A gasp followed soon after, any ounce of apprehension left in her dissipating. “Baby.” 
The groan Beca emitted against her sent a zap of pleasure down Chloe’s spine. Her fingers tightened around the sheets as Beca alternated between lapping at her and stimulating her clit with licks and flicks. Beca clearly knew what she was doing, using the right tempo and pressure to draw out Chloe’s pleasure and not bring her to that climax too quickly. 
Mewls and whimpers echoed against the walls as the coil grew tighter and tighter with each ticking minute. Chloe’s elbows gave out at some point as her body started shaking with her incoming orgasm. 
She knew it was going to hit her like a freight train, yet was taken aback by its power as she released a throaty cry. Her body spasmed with each wave of intense pleasure as she let herself go, Beca’s name tumbling past her lips in a sweet prayer. 
“Oh my god,” she breathed as she basked in the lingering haziness following her climax, attempting to regulate her breathing. 
Beca made her way back up, capturing Chloe’s lips in a deep kiss before flopping onto her side. “Are you okay?” She asked, running her fingertips along Chloe’s side.
Chloe hummed, smiling. “Mmm. Okay is definitely an understatement,” she murmured as she chased Beca’s lips for another kiss. Once she had regained feeling in all four limbs, Chloe rolled on top of her. “Your turn.”
Chloe wasn’t sure at what time they fell asleep, wrapped up around each other as they basked into their newfound connection. There was one thing she knew for sure, however, and it was that the future had never looked so bright. 
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gureishi · 3 years
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day 12: you are mine to keep warm
Here’s day 12 of the Human Again prompts. For the master list of all the ficlets, click here.
SaeyoungXReader, T, words: 1847.
・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・
There’s something wrong with you.
Saeyoung notices it right away when he wakes up in the morning (afternoon, really). You’ve already gotten out of bed, which makes sense—he was awake till very late working on a new robot design and you were asleep by the time he came to bed. When he comes into the living room, you’re dressed for work, staring at your phone with a blank expression on your face. When he kisses you on the forehead, you mumble a halfhearted greeting.
You leave for work late even though you’ve been dressed and ready to go for hours, and your kiss goodbye is cursory; you look almost annoyed to be kissing him at all.
He watches you pull out of the garage on the security cameras and wonders if he’s done something to make you sad.
He continues to dwell on it throughout the day. He goes back to his new design (it’s a little robot hippo that reminds you to drink water; Yoosung suggested he market it as the “hydration hippo,” which is one of the reasons he loves Yoosung). He’s unfocused, though; he keeps making silly mistakes and eventually he lays the hippo prototype aside.
Saeyoung thinks back to the night before, tries to remember if he did or said anything that could have hurt you. You had cooked dinner together; he’s sure he annoyed you while trying to help, but that’s not out of the ordinary, and you’d reassured him that his “help” was adorable if not actually useful. Then you’d gone out to the garden together; it’s early fall now, and snow-white buckwheat flowers are blooming all over, glittering among the darker pinks and purples of the other blossoms. You’d laid in his lap and read a book and he’d stroked your hair. Later you’d taken a bath and come to his office to kiss his goodnight.
Of course, there were little things—did it bother you that he stayed up so late working? He thought you didn’t mind it so much now that he was doing work he really loved (and that wasn’t likely to get him killed). Were you upset that you hadn’t gone anywhere or done anything particularly exciting that day? No, that wasn’t like you—you liked going out more than he did, but you liked to stay in, too—and you’d been going out so much more than before over the last few months. Was it the way he said goodnight—was there something in his voice that had made you anxious?
Saeran drifts into the office at one point, dirt on his face and gardening tools in his hand.
“Why are you staring into space? You look kind of dumb,” Saeran says.
Saeyoung smiles because, coming from Saeran, this is a term of endearment.
“Do you think she’s mad at me?” he asks, spinning around in his chair to face his brother. Saeran, of course, doesn’t have to ask who “she” is.
He shrugs. “I don’t know. Ask her.”
“Did she seem sad to you this morning?”
Saeran leans against the door frame. “She seemed a little down, I guess. She made her coffee really slowly.”
“Ugghhhh!” Saeyoung groans, spinning himself all the way around in his chair. “I can’t remember what I did to make her upset!”
Saeran chuckles. “Did it ever occur to you that she could just be having a bad day and it might have nothing to do with you?”
Saeyoung has, in fact, never thought of this.
“Really?” Suddenly, he feels a little bit better. Right. The whole world doesn’t revolve around you, Choi Saeyoung.
“Sometimes people just don’t feel good,” Saeran says slowly, as if speaking to a child. “There doesn’t have to be a reason.”
“Right!!” Saeyoung jumps out of his chair. Okay. This is something he can fix.
“Where are you going?” asks Saeran, sighing as Saeyoung sprints past him.
“I have an idea!” Saeyoung yells over his shoulder, running to the garage.
。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。
When you get home from work several hours later, he is waiting for you there.
You roll down the window of your car as you park it in its designated spot. “Saeyoung? What...are you doing?”
Saeyoung, perched on the hood of your favorite of his cars, beams at you. The inside of the car is lit up, glowing rainbow with fairy lights that he seems to have strung up on every available service.
“Babe, why is your car rainbow?” You put your own car in park and jump out, your bag over your shoulder. You still have that empty, weary look on your face that he noticed in the morning.
“You told me your dream car would look like a unicorn threw up in it. Hop in.”
You walk over a little apprehensively.
“Are we going somewhere...? I’m honestly just hungry and thirsty and I kind of want to lay under a blanket...”
“Done, done, and done.” He throws open the passenger door for you, and he’s relieved to hear you giggle when you see the inside. Not only is the car literally pulsing with every possible color of light, he’s also draped every seat and even the floor with fuzzy blankets. There are thermoses in the cup holder and an array of different kinds of snacks stacked up on the passenger seat.
“Did I miss something?” you ask hesitantly, eyeing the inside of the car (even Saeyoung admits that it looks a little insane). “Is it a holiday of some kind?”
“Nope!” Saeyoung chirps elusively. He waits for you to get in, but you just look at him. For a moment, he wonders if he’s gotten it all wrong. What if you do just want to be left alone? He swiftly decides that he knows you better than that.
He sweeps the pile of snacks onto the floor, takes one of the three blankets that are stacked on the seat, and gently drapes it over your shoulders. “Get in, princess.”
Still with some trepidation—but with a softer look in your eyes, too—you clamber into the extra-cushy seat. Saeyoung skips around to the other side and gets in; as he starts the engine, soft music filters out of the car’s (extremely good, if he does say so himself) speakers.
“This is...”
“It is a playlist I made today based on the music you’ve listened to the most in the past month, and no, I didn’t have to hack your phone to do it!”
He pulls out of the garage and feels your eyes on him.
“Is this car even legal?”
“Babe, is my existence even legal?” He winks at you and you roll your eyes—but he also sees your shoulders relax just a little bit. “It’s fine. There’s not going to be anybody out on the roads we’re taking.”
He’s relieved to see you tuck your legs up under you on the seat; he knows that the more comfortable you’re feeling in a situation, the more weirdly you’ll sit.
He passes the turnoff for the highway and pulls onto a dirt road. You sit quietly, but you do tear open one of the bags of chips he’s set out for you.
“Why are we doing this?” you ask again. He rolls down the windows a little and you perk up; he knows you love the feeling of cool night air on your face.
Saeyoung isn’t sure how to explain this part. Because I want to make you happy every minute of every day? Because I can’t bear seeing you sad?
“You seemed down this morning,” he says finally. “It’s okay if you don’t wanna tell me why. I just thought maybe I could help.”
You exhale loudly. “You noticed that?”
“Of course.” He notices everything about you.
“...sorry,” you say, after a moment. “I feel like I was kind of shitty to you this morning. There wasn’t a good reason for it.”
“You weren’t shitty,” he says quietly.
“No, I kinda was! Listen, it’s not like—there’s nothing wrong. I just. Do you ever wake up in the morning and feel like you want to curl up in a hole for the rest of your life?”
Saeyoung hums. “Yeah.”
“I can’t explain it. I just woke up today feeling like a slug.”
So Saeran was right after all. He usually is.
“You are the most beautiful slug in the universe,” he says. You crack a little smile at that.
“I’m a slug in a super weird car, that’s for sure.”
Saeyoung makes a turn onto a long, winding path, leading into the woods that surround the bunker (he picked it, originally, for this very reason.)
“Check the glove compartment,” he says, and you open it up and then burst out laughing for the first time that day.
“You put a bottle of wine in the glove compartment?”
“For you.” He winks. “There is also tea in these thermoses and I think there’s some juice boxes under the seat.
You’re still giggling. “This is so silly,” you say, through your laughter. “This is the lightest I’ve felt all day.”
Saeyoung turns the car onto an unmarked road and then pulls over.
“Hang on, princess.” He runs to the other side and opens the door for you. Between the two of you, you gather up an armful of snacks and drinks, and he drapes a few more blankets over his shoulder.
“I don’t know why I’m even asking, but where are we?” You curiously peer around at what seems to be a dark, deserted road.
“We’re here!” he says, pointlessly. He leads the way through the trees and it’s only a few minutes before you arrive at a little clearing. The trees are thinner here, and you can see the stars.
“Wow,” you gasp. Saeyoung lays out one of the blankets and unceremoniously deposits a pile of snacks on it.
“Sit,” he says. You do, and he wraps another of the blankets around your shoulders.
“This is so beautiful,” you say. “How did I never know this was here?”
Saeyoung stretches, marveling at the way the starlight catches your hair and eyes. He always thinks your eyes are beautiful, but right now they are positively glowing.
“I found this place one time when I was testing out some of the cars’...features,” he admits to you. “I was waiting to bring you here till the right moment.”
You lay down on the blanket and he lays down beside you; you readjust so your head is on his chest, tucked under his chin.
“Thanks,” you murmur. Your hair tickles his face, but he doesn’t mind. “You made my crappy day into a really good night.”
“That’s what I’m here for,” he says. You look at the stars and he watches the rising and falling of your chest as you breathe. “I would quite literally go to the ends of the universe for you. This is just some snacks and a field on the side of the road.”
You wriggle against him, getting more comfortable. “It’s everything I want,” you say.
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belovasangel · 4 years
Text
Come Back to Me
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Summary: Shawn missing big events leaves to beautiful memories and Christmas miracles
Pairing: Shawn x fem!Nurse!Reader
Warnings: swearing, light angst, fluff, flashback heavy, holiday feelings 
A/N: Yup. Surprise. Also flashbacks are in italics, per usual. Also I am not Canadian so I don’t know if y’all celebrate Remembrance Day. For the sake of this story, pretend that it’s the equivalent to Thanksgiving.
Shawn took your hand as you barreled down the sidewalk, laughs flying past you in the wind. Tonight had been a perfect date, something great to wrap the summer up, full of time alone with your favorite guy (and your favorite wine). He had been planning this for weeks now, and you can even remember him talking about this back in June when his tour had been announced. The pandemic put a damper on your two’s plans since March, but once the numbers started decreasing did he get calls from managers, and then... there was another world tour. You weren’t mad, music was his passion. Even though you two would be wrapped in each other’s arms after a lovely night, you could tell behind his eyes he longed to play the guitar for different cities. 
That’s why tonight was so important, because he started packing and planning, then he would leave on Wednesday for Prague. And of course, your job needed you in Toronto. While Canada hasn’t experienced any significantly alarming numbers, there were still cases rolling in. You insisted that Shawn goes on tour, so much that you had to pay for his first ticket yourself (he payed you back, though. He insisted). 
Shawn skidded to a stop, turning around and putting his hands on your shoulders. “Now promise me you’re gonna close your eyes, just for a few seconds.”
You huffed and shrugged your shoulders, “Shawn I’m out of breathe, you made me run in heels for about half a mile... Give me 5 minutes instead.” With a quick chuckle, he pecked your lips and turned you around. You heard his shuffling from those black boots he wears to rubble, then decided to look around. He somehow managed to find a quaint park, with a nice bubbling fountain and family’s scattered around. Dogs were running a lit in the distance, and the bustle of the city wasn’t nearly as booming as it usually is. This was nice.
“Okay, turn around.”
With a giggle, you turned around to see Shawn on one knee. Behind him was a tree strung with lights that were glowing, and underneath the tree was champagne and a radio playing your two’s song, Turning the Page (Yeah, we know it’s from Twilight, but that doesn’t stop it from being any less romantic). He was kneeled on a red and white picnic blanket, the typical one you’d see in catalogues for fall. On the blanket were rose petals scattered. 
“(Y/N) (Y/L/N), you have changed my life for the better. The moment you saw me in the E.R., and had to take care of my broken hand, I knew you were just as kind and gentle as you looked. Once you let me in, and take you on that shitty first date, I got to see the real you. The you that cries during every Disney movie, the you that would bring me breakfast in bed when I had a rough day, the you that would rescue a damn pigeon off the street because it looked sad. You are the most sincere, selfless, and intelligent woman I have ever had the pleasure of knowing, and I don’t want ever want to stop or slow down. You have become my life and my rock, I’m completely lost without you. I am utterly in love with you, (Y/N). I want us to have a family, I want to make an album for you, and everything in between. Will you please marry me?”
You shuddered awake, looking quickly at your blaring alarm from the end table. Picking it up and turning it off, the time read 4:25 A.M., signaling it was time to get ready for work. You got up, and went to open the blinds to your bedroom, watching the snow fall steadily. Slipping on your socks and bathrobe, you shuffled to the kitchen to get a cup of tea brewing before you hit the shower. 
Mornings like this weren’t incredibly tough anymore, once Shawn was gone on tour. He face-timed you once a week because of tour, sent you letters and packages from your favorite cities, and even had roses delivered on your birthday. And of course, he always said, “Lemme see it. I wanna see you wear that pretty ring. There it is, there she is, soon-to-be Mrs. Mendes.”
Slipping in the hot shower, you played some of his songs, some of your regular playlists, and when you were throwing on your outfit, your two’s song. You missed Shawn. He had missed your two’s favorite holiday, Halloween, where you two always did the cheesy couple costumes. He missed your birthday, but he sent his family in place. He missed Remembrance Day, because in Europe that wasn’t a thing. And tomorrow is Christmas, where he has no sign of coming home whatsoever. That’s fine, though, because you took the long shift at the hospital.
When the song came to an end, you threw on your coat and snow boots, grabbing all the food and equipment you would need for a 12-hour and began to head out. Shawn sent you his daily vlog and you watched that on the shuttle. Once that was over, you got to the hospital where you would forget about your slightly more aching heart. After work, the routine would basically go in reverse. Commute home, get back into your pajama’s, drink some tea, get dinner, and go to bed, where you would have a restless night in an empty bed.
“When do you think we should have the wedding?”
Shawn looked over, a piece of popcorn hanging onto his lip like a lifeline. His cheeks were flushed and he still looked a little sweaty from the show he just played at TD Garden. He knew you were doing the planning to keep yourself from descending into madness (well, not entirely, but you only brought it up when you really missed him). “I think we should do a summer/fall sort of wedding, like when the leaves are red but it isn’t freezing by 5, ya know?”
You hummed in agreement, a smile picking at the corners of your mouth. “I completely agree. Do you want it to be outdoors then, because of the leaves?”
Shawn took another few things of popcorn from the bag and popped them into his swollen lips, he always licked them when he was frustrated by how a show went, or just when his mind was reeling. “I think we should get married outdoors, and then have the reception indoors. Kind of like-”
“Twilight...”
You both looked at the screen and snorted, sending both of you into fits of hysteria. “Shawn, we really base our relationship off of those books, didn’t we?” He looked over, licking his lips once again. “Explain, babe. I get a little bit, but our whole relationship?”
You shuffled in the bed a little bit, “Hear me out, Shawn-y boy. We met when you were hurt and I had to save you, or more-so your career. Edward saved Bella from the car, right? Right. So, there’s that. Then that girl who you worked on the album with tried to get you on the few dates, but that was long after we were official. Boom, Jacob plot line. Then you leave me for your first tour, which I get 100%, so don’t be upset over that. But the girl you worked with saw you kind of sad and made it her mission to befriend you and then attempt to change your mind over me... And our song is the one from their wedding, and we want an outdoors-y wedding.....”
Shawn looked at the screen, then back to the popcorn leaking butter in his hands. “Damn. So you’re saying that I’m Bella?” You began to shake your head, cheeks turning red. “Maybe I meant that wrong, but-”
“No, no you’re saying I’m Bella. Does that mean I get to wear the dress? I cannot wait to get married with no emotions and then have the ugliest CGI baby in the history of cinematics. Aren’t you so excited for that, my love?”
“Absolutely thrilled.”
The alarm on your phone blared once again, pulling you from Shawn. You picked up the phone, getting a few “Merry Christmas” texts from family and friends. You assumed Shawn was out partying with his crew mates, plus it must’ve been a busy day altogether. Turning off the alarm and standing, you pulled on the slippers and followed your routine again. 
Once it got to 6:07, and still no text from Shawn, you decided to call him. Immediately, you were sent to voicemail. With a sigh, you waited for voicemail.
“Hey bubs, Merry Christmas! I miss you more than ever, it’s snowing here pretty rough. I know you’d probably go outside right about now and insist to make a snowman or some angels, so that might be a mission for me after work. Um, I wanted to let you know that I love you so much, and I hope you’re having fun on tour... The apartment isn’t the same without you here, especially around this time. You’re probably having fun with your friends and I don’t wanna intrude on that, so I’ll hang up. I love you Shawn, be careful. Stay safe, come back to me soon. Bye.”
Wiping the tear that fell down your cheek, you stepped outside your apartment, hopped into the elevator and began the commute to your shift. You got to work on record time, beginning your patient rounds and vitals, then celebrating with the coworkers. Working 6:30 AM-9:30 PM would be a tough one, but whatever to keep you under that roof. Plus, double-time because of the holiday.
Once it hit 9:30, you booked it out of the hospital and onto the shuttle. Your eyes were barely open as you saw the texts from Shawn.
(Shawn) 7:59 AM: Hey babe, I’m so sorry I didn’t answer your call! I can’t wait to see your face tonight, you still up for FaceTime?
(Shawn) 9:26 AM: I bet you’re busy, but I’m gonna be in a few conferences and doing press so I won’t be able to talk for a while. Love you!
(Shawn) 3:14 PM: (Y/N) I don’t think we can FaceTime tonight, I have to do something for a fan and it’s really important. I am so sorry.
(Shawn) 8:44 PM: Are you mad at me or are you still working?
(Shawn) 9:32 PM: Something is waiting for you at home, it’s your gift. I hope this can make up for the call!
You hopped out of the shuttle, heart feeling extra heavy as you walked into the apartment. The string lights and streamers along the walls were taunting you as the elevator brought you to your floor, and you tried to compose yourself until you would get inside. Stepping up to your door, you looked for the present, to no avail.
(Y/N) 9:45 PM: Shawn I don’t see a package
(Shawn) 9:45 PM: Mom must’ve brought it inside, I’m sure it’s there.
With a huff, you shoved the key into the door, and walked inside. Chucking your purse and coat onto the hooks, while flinging off your shoes, you composed yourself enough to look for the package. If he got it express-shipped it had to be good. Checking the kitchen was no luck, and the living room looked normal. 
(Shawn) 9:48 PM: Bedroom, babe
With a gasp, you quickly buzzed to the bedroom, and laid your hand on the door. You stopped, hesitant to what was behind the door. What if it isn’t him? Taking a deep breath, you dismissed the negative thought and opened.
The room was filled with lit tea lights, rose petals on the bed and the floor, and Shawn. He was standing there in that chunky-white knit sweater you loved, with flushed cheeks and watery eyes, holding a bouquet of flowers, and your favorite song playing softly in the background.
You gasped, running into his arms with a squeal and sob, him mimicking the sound. He held onto the small of your back, and one hand on the back of your neck, and you felt his tears falling onto your skin. “I missed you so much, (Y/N). You don’t even know.” He pulled back slightly pressing his lips to yours in a soft embrace.
After a minute of kissing, you pulled back. “Merry Christmas, Shawn.”
“Merry Christmas, (Y/N).”
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deripmaver · 3 years
Note
4 5 6 for ALL OF THE CaPri FANFICS
LKSJMDHGVLKSJ ALL OF THEM???
4: What’s your favorite line of dialogue? 5: What part was hardest to write? 6: What makes this fic special or different from all your other fics?
Ink On Paper (tongue fic) 4. lmfaoooooooo there isn't a whole lot of dialogue in this one oop-
Laurent nodded. The wax softened as he pressed his hand into it, erasing his previous message. Soft, warm, melting under his touch. He wrote again, I need someone who is not afraid to read out the insults I make towards the idiots at court. You have been fired, Damianos.
i guess it technically counts lmfao. i just wanted to show laurent post-trauma still able to make jokes and snipe at his husband so it wasnt all doom and gloom 5. i'm not sure exactly what "hardest to write" here means because like... a lot of these fic have serious gore or otherwise upsetting content, but both emotionally and actually writing wise i find that kind of thing actually pretty easy to write hahahaha. i think i got stuck with the chronology and the decision to make it non-linear made it flow a lot better. for the record writing laurent getting raped and then having his tongue cut out was actually very easy to write, i think i got it out in basically one go. #cancelme the more fucked up and intense the easier i find to nyoom through it 6. my first ever fic in the capri fandom!!!! hehehehhehehe <333333 Level Of Concern (plan B fic) 4.
Before Nicaise could say anything, Laurent spat, “Does he know you had your first heat?”
SURPRISE nic was the one who was pregnant the whole time!!!!!!! 5. this one i banged out REALLY quickly so i cant think of anything here 6. capri omegaverse!!!!!!! i wish there was more of this 🥺🥺🥺 Like Me (what if Auguste was also abused fic) 4. ******CW INCEST MENTION CW ABUSE MENTION******
“Your brother’s stuck his dick in every single member of your family,” Auguste spat out, laughing, crying, and so miserable he thought his heart would stop. His voice rose again, and he felt something burst from him as he screamed for the whole world to hear, “Did you know that? Did you, huh papa? Did he fuck you too?”
dude this line is so fucked up lmfao but i enjoyed writing it so much. actually this entire scene where auguste is having his breakdown was really intense to write and im really pleased with how it came out OR
Auguste grabbed him suddenly, looking up into his grief-stricken face desperately. “Please, Laurent,” he pleaded, voice breaking. “Please. Don’t let him end up like me.”
i felt entirely too clever with this line lmfao. i was like ~ooooohhhhh title drop~ im so dumb 5. i just remember this one like. dragged on for some time. i couldnt figure out what to do with it, how to get everything to coalesce around the final reveal about auguste 6. plot twist!!!!!!! plus auguste angst. i really enjoyed this one, i wrote it after watching the movie Spotlight which is one of my all time faves Softly, Gently 4.
“My King has been overexerting himself again, I presume?” Paschal sighed, shaking his head with a fond smile. “When have I ever done that?” Laurent cocked his head to the side, a wry smile on his face.
hehehehe sassy laurent my beloved <33333 5. honestly im just going to skip this one from now on lskjghmvlksjhglkvsjhdl i just get "stuck" sometimes without rhyme or reason and its usually on boring stuff, but then i cant remember later. the hardest part for me is when my dumb fucking adhd brain wont let me focus on writing but once i overcome that its usually pretty smooth sailing 6. horny omegaverse.................... my beloved............... giving men vaginas for horny reasons my beloved......................... Water of Life (birth fic)
“Do you want to hold him?” Erasmus breathed, eyes glassy. The baby cried, Erasmus bouncing him tenderly in those sunkissed arms. He looked apologetic. “Only for a moment, it’s not quite over yet.” A playful smile danced on Erasmus’ lips, and he brushed away a slick, damp curl from the wailing baby’s head. “A head this big, he certainly takes after Exalted.”
a cute, fun lil line in the sea of horrible angst lmfao ORRRRRR
Erasmus knelt before Damen, before Laurent. He said, “Exalted… Can you command his Highness to push?” Damen froze. “Do you mean…?” Erasmus nodded. “Alpha command.” Damen’s expression crumpled. He said, in a voice that shattered Erasmus’ heart, “I can’t. I can’t do that to him.” Erasmus licked his lips. “Exalted, in this state, he can’t push. His contractions are weaker. He’ll-” “I can’t,” Damen cried, clinging to Laurent’s limp body like a lifeline. “He’d… He’d never forgive me.”
damen is so sweet........ he loves laurent so much...... ORRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
He stopped at the doorframe, turning to face Laurent with tears in his eyes, and whispered, “How long does it take, your Highness?” Laurent, shocked enough to respond, hissed, “What?” “I still wake up in the middle of the night thinking of it,” Erasmus said, voice thick in his throat, tears burning at his eyes. “How long until it’s over?”
real sad hours if u up click like. i love erasmus and laurent bonding over their shared trauma <33333333333333333333 laurent and erasmus friendship propaganda 24-fucking-7 bay bee!!!!! 6. unironically this is one of my fav fic ive ever written skdljmfhgvlksjdhflmgkvjshldkjfghvmls call the midwife is one of my favorite shows and writing this made me look at birth as something visceral and possibly horrible and traumatic. i wanna write more fucked up birth scenes, SO MANY MORE. ridley scott knew what he was doing Sandalwood (erasmus/kallias my sweet boys i love u so much) 4.
“I do,” Erasmus breathes, ducking his head, flushed as though embarrassed. “In the gardens, the perfume from the orange trees all around us on those summer nights.” Kallias smiles behind him – Erasmus knows his body so intimately he can feel it in how Kallias’ posture changes, though he can’t see the soft turn of his lips. “The scent was so cloying I thought it would drive me mad. It made me want to kiss you senseless.” Erasmus laughs, breathlessly, imagining the warm heat of Kallias’ mouth against his. “Don’t blame that on the orange trees, dear one.”
beloved..................... im weeping.......... 6. these two make me fuckign CRY ON THE REG I LOVE THEM SO MUCH MY SWEET BOYS YOU DESERVE THE WORLD- Wisps of Smoke******************* (lauguste fic) 4. ***CW EXPLICIT INCEST*** (i mean....... obviously lmfao)
“Call me what I like,” Auguste growled against his ear. “You know what I like.” He did. Laurent did. He knew everything Auguste liked – the slow flick of Laurent’s tongue on the underside of his cock, that tender spot behind his earlobe, the way Laurent’s thighs looked straddled atop him like his horse – and this. “Brother,” Laurent gasped, desperate, “Brother, please, harder. Harder.”
i wanted the incest to be explicitly part of the kink here lmfaoooooo 6. hehehehehehehhehehehhehe lauguste................... i need to write more of u But I Love It (laurent is allergic to latex fic) 4.
“Laurent,” Auguste said, voice high in warning. Laurent braced himself, stiffening visibly. With what seemed to be monumental effort, Auguste continued, “You know, Laurent. I’m proud of you.”
IM A SOFT BITCH OK???????????????? auguste is PROUD of his baby bro for overcoming his sexual trauma and getting that fat dick 6. SLJHVDLMKJDHGVLK PEOPLE FUCKING LOVED THIS FIC i tried to be funny and i think it worked. plus some softe bits thrown in. i also kind of see lots of humor fic where its a no abuse au, but i wanted to write something comedic where the regent still. existed u kno????? anyways hahahahha i dont think i can write anything like this again but im glad y'all liked it Is It Cold In The Water (slice of life fic) 4.
Laurent opens his mouth to say something cheeky, but instead, what comes out is: “Do you think Aimeric had the right idea?” Damen is quiet for so long, gaze serious and framed with his long, dark lashes, that Laurent wonders if he’d spoken aloud at all – and when he’s sure he had, he realizes Damen had remembered Aimeric after all. When he speaks again, the sleep is gone from his voice. “Laurent,” Damen says carefully, as though approaching a spooked horse, “Is something wrong?”
🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺 soft,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, 6. ruby likes this fic lskjdvhmflgksfjdhmvglkjsdhflkvgmjhlekjfhdvlgskjfhv im a SIMP- The Devil's Got Nothing On Me (AIMERIC FIC LEGGOOOO) 4. there are lots of lil nuggets in here!!!!
Aimeric blinks, and all he can think is, you knew? He says, "I – I just." "I am a patient man," Guion breathes, "I support everyone in my household. Everyone. But Aimeric, you are truly testing my patience. Your mother came to me in tears, begging me to find you. Look at what you did to her! There was nothing I could say until we found you!" "I'm sorry," Aimeric whispers, looking at Loyse, "I'm-" "Look at me," Guion roars.
this conversation was inspired by a very miserable encounter with my boss lmfao. fuck that guy and fuck guion
The regent, blue eyes sparkling - and Aimeric has never thought eyes could look just like a summer sky until now - says to Guion but really to Aimeric, "I was thinking I could take little Aimeric riding tomorrow. Just the two of us." Loyse says, before Guion can speak, voice trembling with relief, "I think that's a wonderful idea, your Highness."
~dramatic irony~ lmfaoooooooooo. WE know of course that this is a bad thing, but it's always fun to have characters make bad choices that they have no idea are bad. i also did this briefly in "Like Me" with auguste's ex wife taking nicaise to church because she was so overwhelmed at home and he offered to help. of course, the regent is always happy to help out. evil evil evil
"-was worried it might be difficult for him." A soft, lilting laugh. The guards had said the regent was in the library, and then there is Guion, right there with him. Aimeric is suddenly angry, not sure why his father is with the regent, who is his and no one else's. The regent responds, "I daresay it's been perfectly easy. It seems you've done most of the work already."
i wanted to highlight the fact that it was aimeric's neglect that lead him to the regent in the first place. hence "youve done most of the work already" - guion by ignoring and neglecting aimeric created the perfect environment for the regent to sweep in and take advantage. like leaving food out btwn 40-140 F is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria LOL. the books touch on that but i wanted to make it explicit
He is so, so ashamed. It's unbearable, the thought of her kind eyes, the way she cried for him, the way he pushed her away. Before he'd left to join the prince's guard, she had taken his hand, kissed it, and said in a voice fragile as glass, "It's been such a long time since I've seen you smile like that," but in that moment he could think only of the regent's letter warm in his pocket.
6. honestly i know ive sounded super conceited this whole time but i kind of tear up whenever i read through the end of the fic lmfao. aimeric is just so fucking depressing as a character and i love that i really got to explore that in this fic. he really didnt have anyone, did he????? he's like a tragic greek character where you just watch him stumbling towards his inevitable end and it hurts the whole time. its even worse on the reread ANYWAYYYYYYY thats it. thanks so much for the ask anon!!!!!!! feel free to send me more!!!
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rons-hermiones · 3 years
Text
Come Find Me
Come Find Me
by rons-hermiones
Summary: Unplanned, Hermione is forced to spend Christmas at the Burrow due to her grandmother falling very ill. After being ignored by Hermione for weeks, Ron is determined to show her how much she means to him. Just before he gets the chance to tell her, Bellatrix Lestrange shows up with other plans for Hermione. Can Ron get to her before it's too late? (Ron/Hermione Half-Blood Prince AU)
Rating: M for language & dark themes in later chapters.
Chapter Ten
Christmas came quicker then anyone had expected. 
Soon after his talk with Harry yesterday, his mother had walked in on Ron attempting to tackle Bill to the ground, but she soon stopped it and they all ate dinner. 
Hermione was absent for the meal. Ginny said she was pretty worried about the lack of response from her parents so she was going to write again. Thankfully, Molly didn’t push, understanding she needed her space. 
When breakfast came the next day, there was no pressure for them to eat as a whole, the same for lunch. The reason being, is that his mother forced a few of them to see great Aunt Muriel before dinner. 
Ron hadn’t been one the fortunate ones to get out of it. 
Harry and Hermione had no pressure to go for obvious reasons. Anyway, it was for the best knowing how Muriel was. Fred and George decided to open the shop just for the morning in hopes to get last minute buyers and Charlie somehow convinced his mother and the twins to go. 
So just after one o’clock, Ron, Ginny, Fleur, Bill, and his parents apparated back to the Burrow. 
“Merry Christmas dears! We had gone before you woke.” Mrs. Weasley quickly clambered into Harry, pulling him into a bear hug. 
“Merry Christmas.” He said back embracing her, “thanks for having me.” 
“Always dear, always.” She tells him with a kiss on the top of his dark hair. Then Molly whips around and grabs for Hermione, making her drop that book, “and you too Hermione, Merry Christmas.” 
“Happy Christmas Mrs. Weasley, thank you for putting up with me.” She whispered hoping Ron wouldn’t hear. 
She pulled away and kept her at arm's length, brushing some curls from her face, “nonsense Hermione, you’re family and we’re here for you.” 
Soon the brunette's eyes gloss over as Molly pulls away telling them she needs to start on dinner. 
With quick well wishes to Harry and Hermione everyone vacated the room, save for Ron. This being the first time the three of them have been alone together. 
“Happy Christmas Harry,” he turns to the witch wearing an uncertain expression, “Hermione.” He says softer.
Harry stands for a moment, a little unsure of what exactly is about to happen. 
“Happy Christmas Ron.” There’s a soothing quality to her voice, something he hasn’t heard in months. 
They just stare for a few moments before Harry feels the need to break it up, “um you too Ron. Hermione, did you still want Hedwig?” 
She shakes her head, breaking their gaze, “please.” The brunette admonishes lightly. 
“Why do you need Hedwig?” He blurts out before he can help himself. 
She answers nonetheless, “to write to my parents. I haven’t heard from them, but I wanted to wish them a Merry Christmas.” The bushy haired witch replied, lips in a thin line. 
“Oh I’m sorry.” He replied soundly. 
Briefly remembering her conversation with Fleur, she eyed him, trying to get a read. He did seem sincere. 
“It’s okay.” She tries to give him a smile but it falters. 
He notices the attempt and can’t help but beam in return, his chest feels like it’s on fire. 
Seeing this as a good sign, he pushes his luck, “hey I was hoping that-” Ron begins nervously. 
“Here she is!” Harry comes down with Hedwig on his arm, interrupting them. 
“Ronnie, come grab this for me! I can’t reach!” His Mum yells as soon as Harry enters. 
He looks to her apologetically, letting her know he wants to stay. 
And shockingly, she seems to understand, “it’s okay Ron, tell me later.” Hermione said voice both quiet and soft. 
At this he smiled again, liking the fact there was a promise for later. 
...
Dinner, though delicious, went by very fast. With eleven people scarfing down a lovely meal and the promise with gifts after, everyone ate rather quickly. 
Normally the Weasley’s opened presents in the morning, but because of the impromptu trip to Muriel’s they decided to follow up dinner with gifts. 
So far everything had gone off without a hitch. 
Everyone enjoyed the gifts from Hermione. Mr.Weasley had been marveling at the alarm clock for the past twenty minutes as the Muggleborn finished explaining batteries best she could. 
Same goes for Harry, who was able to finally give back the family, dousing them in some of the best Wizarding products. This earned a scolding, yet grateful look from Molly herself. 
Now it was time for Mrs.Weasley to pass out gifts. She always made sure everyone opened them one at a time, in order to revel in their smiles. 
“Here Fleur, this ones for you dear.” Molly says softly, pushing a wrapped present in her hand. 
“You shouldn’t have!” The blonde exclaims a bit breathless at the gesture. 
Mrs.Weasley tuts, “nonsense dear, you’re family now.” 
With watery eyes, she ripped open the paper to reveal a soft jumper. Unfolding it, she held it up to see what it was. At the sight she squealed. 
Fleur turned around the navy blue thing to reveal a large periwinkle ‘F’ sewn onto it. She knew what these meant to her fiancé’s family. 
“Wicked Fleur, we’re twins!” Fred announced holding up his own jumper, a dark green with an orange ‘F’. 
“Hey!” George exclaimed, feigning hurt. 
“Oui Fred! Des Jumeaux!” She said excitedly. 
“Oh that’s just so precious,” Molly gushes, “I have to get a picture.” She’s up and scrambling for her camera. 
“Mum!” Bill exclaims, embarrassed. 
Fleur however is ecstatic, standing up and pulling the thing over her head proudly. 
Hermione couldn’t help but beam at the sight. The first genuine smile she’s felt in a while. She’s so glad Fleur is finally feeling at home here. Since their talk that day she can’t help but appreciate the woman even more. 
“Hey,” a voice low in her ear breaks Hermione’s revere, “I got you something.” 
She turns to find Ron leaning over, blush on his cheeks. 
“Oh.” Is all she manages to say, pretty shocked. She clears her throat, “I uh, I got you something too.” 
“You did?” He asks, surprised. 
“Yeah,” she begins sheepishly, “well it was before...” 
“Right.” The ginger says stiffly, not allowing himself to indulge in such a thing for too long. 
“I do still want you to have it though.” The witch feels the quick need to assure him at the shift in his tone. It’s mad she’s so worried over the littlest things about him, while he’s got her a wreck. 
“Alright well how about we go to the garden, yeah? Away from everyone.” He suggested bravely. 
She contemplates this. Being alone with Ron feels a little dangerous as of late. “I don’t know...” Hermione says after a minute. 
“Please,” he pouts a little, “believe it or not Hermione, I want to do something nice for you.” He tells her with conviction. 
She sighs, unable to turn away those blue eyes, “okay.” The brunette agrees defeatedly. 
A grin works its way onto Ron’s face as he soon pulls a parcel from behind a nearby chair, like he planned it. 
“I reckon we should slip out while they’re distracted.” They peer over to find Fred and Fleur smiling for Molly as Bill looks thoroughly embarrassed. 
So caught up at the scene in front of her, she doesn’t respond, worrying Ron. “What I mean is that I just don’t want anyone to say anything to make you uncomfortable, or I guess that-” he rambles on. 
Easing him, Hermione cuts him off, “I understand Ron, I just need to get it from my trunk.” 
He nods in understanding. The pair stand up and part ways. Hermione to Ginny’s room and Ron to the garden. 
On his way out he runs into Lupin, who practically interrogates him as to where he’s going. His former professor has been nothing but paranoid as of late, thankfully, Tonks eases the man just in time for Ron to slip away. He just hopes Hermione doesn’t have a similar problem. 
And for once, luck appears to be on Ron’s side, as he watches her emerge from the kitchen door just a few minutes later, now donned in a baggy blue jumper to fight off the cold. 
“Hi.” The brunette announces, nervously picking at the ribbon tied snugly around his gift. 
“Hey.” He replies, incredibly soft. 
They just stare at each other for a few minutes, taking one another in. 
When the gaze becomes too heavy, the redhead clears his throat, “wanna go over there? I know how much you like it.” Ron points to an old bendy oak tree just meters away. 
Hermione blushes at this and is more than thankful Ron can’t see as much in the moonlight. Slowly and silently they work their way there. 
“You go first.” He says a bit flustered. 
Nodding, she pushes the present into his arms. As he takes it, he can’t help but note how heavy it is, curious, he eyes her. 
“Well go on.” She teases lightly, he’s missed this from her. 
Eager, he tears open the orange paper and sloppily unties the golden ribbon. 
The first thing that catches his eye is the engraving on top: ‘Property of Ron Weasley’, this beckons him on as he slides off the wooden top to reveal a shiny new wizarding chess set. And sitting on the board, is a small card. 
‘Something to call yours, Happy Christmas Ron. 
Love, Hermione.’ 
He’s not sure how many times he reads it. It must’ve been a while because Hermione eventually breaks him from the daze. 
Love, Hermione. 
“I just thought well, it’s silly, but once in fourth year you told me that you’d never had anything to call your own. You probably don't even remember it now but I-” she rambles, taking his silence as discomfort from the gift and note. 
Love, Hermione. 
“No, I remember,” Ron is soon to assure, “I remember it perfectly well, you uh, you’d told me that you were mine. Just mine.” His ears glow pink, he doesn’t know why he said it. 
And Hermione, she doesn’t know what to say back. Well, she knows what she wants to say, but not what Ron wants to hear. 
But for Ron, in all honesty, a call back to such a special moment for him coupled with the way she signed that card, well it awoke something in him. It wasn’t quiet confidence, more like courage. 
“Look Hermione, there are so many things I want to,” he pauses, “no that I need to tell you, that you deserve to know.” A shaky breath pushes past his lips as he runs a hand through his shaggy hair, “Merlin, I dunno where to start, I guess maybe with-” 
Crack. 
They jumped, Ron’s gift for her, that he had been holding, toppled onto the grass. 
“What was that?” Hermione asks suddenly startled, hand reaching into her waistband for her wand. 
Sensing her unease, he’s quick to calm her, despite his racing heart, “I’m sure it’s just Lupin and Tonks leaving, yeah?” He offers. 
Slowly, she nods, relaxing the grip on her wand. 
Taking another deep breath, he starts to go on again, “look, as I was saying, I just wanted to-” 
Crack.
Suddenly the sound of sloshing water filled the cold air. 
“Ron, I really think we should go make sure everything’s alright.” Her voice was shaking. 
He nodded in understanding, lightly grasping her hand and pulling her back toward the house. Merlin, he was ready to curse whoever the hell interrupted him this time. 
As they approached they found the entirety of the Weasley’s, plus Lupin, Tonks, Fleur, and Harry, with their wands drawn. 
At the sight of Ron and Hermione, all wands were pointed to them. This made the ginger nudge Hermione behind him, her hand still in his. 
“It’s just us.” He announces. 
All wands are lowered. They seem to think the noise came from the pair. 
“But we heard it too. It sounded like apparition.” Hermione soon clears up, putting everyone on edge again. 
Then, as if a product of everyone’s nightmares a shrill cackle fills the air. 
“I killed Sirius Black!” The familiar voice of Bellatrix Lestrange sings from nearby. 
“It’s her.” Harry whispers gruffly. 
“Harry don’t.” Lupin warns fiercely, grabbing at the chosen one's hoodie. 
He seems to respond to this and stays rooted. After all, Sirius was Lupin’s friend too. 
Another set of heavy footsteps crunches atop dead leaves as a low growl permeates the already tense air. 
Ron’s grip on Hermione’s hand only strengthens, as they use their free ones to draw their wands. 
“What do we do?” Ginny stage whispers to the group. 
“Go inside.” Arthur tells his daughter. 
“Dad,” the younger girl goes to protest. 
Her words die in her throat as a shadow makes its way out of the tall grass into the open space around them. 
“Merry Christmas!” Bellatrix shouts in mock cheer and she stands in the open space. 
Hermione can’t help but shutter. She hasn’t seen this mad woman since the Department of Mysteries, since she killed Sirius. But she has dreamt about her. About how she beckoned Dolohov to curse her, the laugh that escaped her as he did. 
“Now let’s see what we have here,” she smiles sickeningly as Fenrir Greyback joins her side, “Greyback I do believe you’re already acquainted with some of these folk, but let me remind you.” 
Hermione swears she sees Lupin tense at the sight of the vicious werewolf. At his creator. Bill is wearing a similar expression. 
“Well if it isn’t my niece!” She says looking to Tonks, “there we have Sirius Black’s best friend, you know him, don’t you Greyback?” She pauses as the werewolf licks his lips, “oh and of course, Sirius Black’s godson! Hi there Potter.” The curly haired witch grins. 
Harry lifts his wand higher, ready to curse her. This does nothing but elicits a cackle from the mad woman. 
“Stupid boy, now where was I? Oh, well, anyone with red hair, now that’s a blood traitor. They go by the name ‘Weasley’ these days.” 
Molly tightens the grip on her wand. 
“What the hell do you want?” Tonks is the one who dares to ask, being most familiar with Bellatrix. 
She ignores her, “ah wait, I almost missed that one.” 
Her dark eyes land on Hermione’s terrified ones. 
“Surprised you’re still kicking around. Thought Dolohov got rid of such filth last spring. No matter, Greyback does filthy blood satisfy you?” She teases, making Hermione shiver. 
Ron’s grip on her, if possible, got tighter, as he raised his wand. Ready to use a more damaging spell then ‘eats slugs’. 
The larger man licked his lips, “Mudblood is usually sweeter.” He claims. 
And not even caring if they were two death eaters, Ron spoke up, “you leave her the hell alone.” He all but growled, tone rivaling Greyback himself. 
“Oh!” She squealed excitedly, “brave boy you got here Arthur! I remember this one well from the Ministry too. Not surprised he cares for such a thing. Look at the lot of you!” 
“Ron.” Hermione warned as he started to step forward. 
“Enough chit chat, incendio!” The witch exclaimed, expelling a ring of fire around the group. 
Then, she begins skipping away, “I killed Sirius Black. I killed Sirius Black.” Her ear splitting voice echoed through the air. 
“Don’t,” Hermione and Ron hear Lupin warn as he grasps at Harry, but it’s too late, he’s running through a small opening in the flames. 
“Harry no!” Hermione yells to the Boy-Who-Lived. 
Running on nothing but adrenaline, worry, and instinct, in one swift motion she pulls away from Ron and races after him. 
“Hermione!” He calls out moving to grasp at her again. She’s too quick, escaping into the tall grass. 
Frantically, he peers between his family and the small opening flickers to a close in the fire. Giving them one last look, he makes his decision. 
“Ronnie don’t.” Bill says weakly. 
“I’m sorry.” Is all Ron says before he’s trampling his way through the hot flames.
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fyregrayfong · 3 years
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In These Arms | Chapter 2: Resolution
Artwork by: @tinaducain​
          Standing on the dock you look up the long incline and sigh then make your way up the Island. After a while you decided to bend a raised square platform from beneath you and use it as a lift. You get to the Temple much faster and bend the platform back to place. The first person you see is Bumi sitting on a bench in the gardens. “Hey there Bumi” you walk over to him and wave. “y/n, hey!” he pulls up his half knitted sweater “How’s it looking?” he smiles brightly. You look down at the knitted sweater and give him your best smile “It’s cute. I’m sure Bum-Ju will love it!”.  You smile as you keep walking until you feel a little rumbling of feet approaching and you ground yourself wincing. Meelo and Ikki run and tackle your legs “y/n! Are you staying here? Wanna play with us? How’s Republic City?” Ikki jumps tugging on your hand while Meelo airbends himself up and piggybacks on your shoulders. “Woah guys, slow down” you laugh as you calm Ikki “Hi Ikki… Meelo. No,but sure we can play, The city is doing okay.” Ikki and Meelo grab your hands and lead you down to the gardens. For about a couple hours you spend talking and sending Ikki and Meelo in the air by launching them with columns of earth. Korra and Bolin join in after a while and Bolin thought it would be a good idea to build a small maze for the kids to run through so the three of you built a rock maze for Ikki and Meelo. “Alright you kids ready? Whoever wins gets Korra’s dessert!” you smile at Ikki and Meelo “Hey!” you hear Korra yell out “I didn’t agree to that!” you shoot her a look and she frowns folding her arms “Fine”. You look over at Bolin and shoot him a thumbs up as he starts the countdown and the kids run off. You walk over to Korra and stand beside her “You know you’re allowed to get more dessert” you laugh.
           Tenzin walks up to the scene and looks curious about the game “Well at least they’re not causing a mess around the island” he comments. “y/n, nice to see you. I was wondering if you could accompany me for a walk” you look over at Korra and Bolin before looking at Tenzin “Sure, Tenzin” you wave at the group and follow Tenzin. “I hear you’ve been promoted to Captain. Congratulations” he smiles and you blush slightly “Thanks, but it’s just a title. I’m still y/n. Though it’s nice to be recognized for the work I’ve put into the force.” You smile sheepishly. A moment of silence eases between the two of you as you reach the wooden pavilion, the both of you look out and enjoy the scenery, “I never got the chance to thank you for accompanying my siblings and I in rescuing Jinora”. You shake your head slightly and put your hands up “You don’t have to thank me. Jinora was in trouble. I would have done it no questions asked.” You give him a gentle smile causing Tenzin to sigh and nod giving in “Still it is nice to give thanks for someone’s actions.” You nod understanding “I understand, I…no problem. Anytime you need help. I’m here”.
           Tenzin glances at your direction before slowly walking into the pavillon “I also wanted to talk to you about what happened in the spirit world…” he spoke tentatively with a gentle expression on his face. “Sure, what about it?”
“How much do you remember from The Fog? It’s perfectly fine if you’re uncomfortable talking about it…” he looks out at the scenery not wanting to cause any discomfort to you. Your gaze goes to the ground as your eyebrows furrow “Um…just remember seeing my dad…making comments about the past…” you tried to not say as much details. “If this is something you don’t want to talk about I understand, forgive me for intruding” he turns to face you. “Did something happen in The Fog with me?” you ask softly as you turn away from Tenzin as he gives you a nod. “You referred to me as your father and mentioned that it wasn’t worth it…” a sharp inhale fills your lungs as you look up to the scenery in front of the both of you as you grip the railing closing your eyes. “Before The Fog I had this preconceived notion that I was the cause of my parent’s death. Everything went downhill when I got into an altercation with some schoolboys that left me scarred on my left bicep and shoulder blade.” You cuff up your sleeve to show Tenzin the burn mark on your bicep before putting the cuff down then sigh as Tenzin keeps quiet, listening to your story. “My dad passed then my mom followed shortly after, my two sisters and I were split up between our guardians. I was set to stay and live in Ba Sing Se, but…”
“You didn’t want to live in a place that was a constant reminder of what you’ve lost…” Tenzin finished your sentence causing you to glance his way before nodding slowly and looking down,
“Yeah, I left and traveled the world. I guess trying to fill whatever I was missing. It wasn’t until after The Fog I spoke to my sister who told me the truth about what happened with my parents. They were just trying to move us into the middle ring to some place safer, but he got infected by an untreated cut and passed away. My mom couldn’t handle the grief and passed from a broken heart. I’ve been trying to come to terms with it and find some closure.”      
A silence settles between the two of you before Tenzin speaks up “I’m sorry for the life you’ve been dealt. Not many people can endure and rise above like you have done. I am glad that you have found resolution from your past. Mediation could help you further in finding enlightenment and clarity. If you wish to have some guidance Kya can also be of assistance, she’s a meditation instructor.” Tenzin puts a hand on your shoulder and your eyes well up, tears forming “That sounds nice, thank you, Tenzin”.
“Of course, You’re always welcomed to visit the island, y/n”. You felt that the good thing about Korra coming to the Republic is since her entrance. Everyone has formed somewhat of a dysfunctional family with our airbending family, the 'Gaang' kids, Team Avatar, Lin still needs some convincing . . . and now you.
“I appreciate it, Tenzin. I should go actually, I need to get ready for work.” You smile as you wave Tenzin goodbye and head down to the dock to return to the city.
*
Word got around that president Raiko wanted to hold a press conference regarding the rising tensions on the spirit vines covering the city. A large portion of the city has been taken over by vines, apartment buildings, shops, and even City Hall. You’ve taken your post to stand behind Raiko’s side next to a column as he tries his best to answer the reporter’s questions. A male reporter raises his hand and begins, “Mr. President, are you concerned that your approval ratings are now nearly as low as the Avatar's? Have you seen today's headline? It says, "Raik-Oh-No. Polls pan, Prez plans!"
A grimace appears on the president as he listens to the reporter, getting irritated before composing himself, “I'm not concerned with snappy put-downs in the press. I'm facing this calamity just like every other citizen. There's a tree growing right through my office. You think I'm not doing everything I can to get rid of it?”
It just so happened to be the moment that Korra flies down on her glider and walks over towards the podium. The reporters start their wave of questions towards Korra and the president,
“A few questions, please!”
“Avatar Korra! Do you regret the way you handled the Unalaq crisis?”
“Why are you forcing the integration of spirits in Republic City? “
Korra tries to ease the reporters and places a hand on her chest, “Listen, I've been trying everything I can think of to get rid of these vines, but-“
“Why can't you fix this?”
“Are the vines here to stay?”
“Is this part of your New World Order?”
Korra tries her best to keep up but gets annoyed and speaks up “Look! Harmonic Convergence was just a couple weeks ago. I just need a little more time to get everything back to normal.” Raiko speaks up suddenly relieved the fault isn’t targeted towards him “The Avatar has put us all in a very difficult position, but my administration- “
Korra confused by Raiko’s sudden finger pointing and irritably interrupts -
“Oh! I'm sorry. Did I put you in a difficult position by fighting the giant force of Pure Evil that was going to destroy the whole World?” she grabs Raiko by the chin “Maybe your administration” she moves his chin up and down slightly “Could've handled that!” Raiko and Korra glare angrily at each other. You wince watching the scene putting your hand down as you cover your face embarrassed for the both of them. Not in front of the reporters, they’re going to have a field day with this you think to yourself.  You step up as Lin separates Korra and Raiko apart. You put your hand on Korra’s back and bring her aside as Lin speaks to the reporters “That's all! No more questions!” The President storms back into City Hall and Lin gives Korra a look, “That…. could have gone better but it could’ve gone worse….” You try to put Korra at ease and you’re glad to see Asami walking up the steps. “I should get back” you wave at Asami and head back to the other officers working the remainder of the night at the station while Lin stayed with Raiko on security detail with the spirit vines.
*
You check the clock on your desk with a groan, rubbing your eyes as you stand up and grab your jacket to head out. Closing the door, you walk out the office and head down the hallway. There’s a shuffle behind a desk and you stop dead on your tracks as you peer over and see Mako. You purse your lips as you slowly walk around the desk and give Mako a slight nudge with your foot “Mako?” you speak softly causing Mako to jump in his sleeping bag. “Oh y/n it’s you” he breathes out as he calms down. “Again? This is the third night now. What the flame-o are you doing here?” you ask as you take a seat on the chair at the desk nearby, “I’ve been sleeping at the station…” he smooths out his sleeping bag, “Yeah I get that but why? Tenzin offered you and Bolin a place at the island…” your comment causes Mako to shrug “It’s weird...besides I’ll be closer to work” - he comments as he sits on his sleeping bag and you nod “If you make it weird then it will be…” you sigh then push yourself up and push the chair under the chair “Yeah okay…well goodnight. Don’t bust too many triads tonight. Leave some for the rest of us.” You give him a smile before glancing up at Lin’s door and see her light still on then look back at Mako as he lays back down. You pull out your wallet and take a couple of yuans out and leave it with a note
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“You probably don’t need this, but make sure yogurt yourself fed. Chief wouldn’t be happy if her best detective gets sick.” - y/n
Sliding both through the crack of his desk drawer,  before heading to Lin's apartment.
           After getting done with your night routine you’ve been lying in bed waiting for Lin to come home. Sleep starts to take over and you doze off after an hour you get woken up by a door opening from the bathroom and Lin in her robe, “You’re home” you murmur as you sit up a bit and turn the lamp on from the nightstand.  “Sorry I didn’t mean to wake you” Lin spoke as she brushed her hair and took her robe off, setting it on her chair and walking to the bed in her pajamas. “Nonsense, I was waiting for you” you smile as you watch her. Lin lays down beside you and you open your arms to her. She creeps into your arms and lays her head on your shoulder as you share a kiss before running your hand down her arm. Both of you settle down and hold each other close enjoying the peace and quiet, “So Mako is staying at the station again” you whisper while you rub the curve of Lin’s back.
“Seems like it. I’ve left him so food once” she grumbles
“Wonder how long he’ll last before he wishes to be on a bed. His back will hate him” you grimace thinking about the times you slept on a floor or ground.
“The beds on the island are hard anyways”
“Don’t know how they sleep on them” You both laugh softly “How long will it take for Mako to push past this awkward phase?”
“Hmm?”
“Well since Mako and Korra broke up he’s been weird around her. Even more since Korra and Asami have been hanging out. I get they’re exes and it could be weird but they’re still friends.”
“Not my problem so I don’t care. They can figure it out on their own” She mumbles against your chest as she dozes off to sleep.
You’re right” you rub her back softly as you dip your head down and give her another kiss before dozing off to sleep.
*
“I understand that you have meetings with president Raiko over the spirit vines and approving the new zoning areas, but if you could swing by for a couple minutes and give some words at the academy from their Chief.” You pass Lin your reports, the new week's patrol schedule, and the update on the arrest books. Lin looks over your work “You made sure everything is up to date?.” Lin puts on her glasses and your lips curl up trying to hide your smile. You always thought she looked cute with her glasses on.
“Yes, the arrest book is set. I personally made sure”
“What about the—”
“Chief!” Mako bursts into Lin’s office interrupting your meeting. “Mako what have I told you about bursting into my office!” she barks out at Mako. “I know but you’re not going to believe it. I ran into an airbender.”
You let out a laugh “You sure it wasn’t Tenzin or air kids?”
“No! It's a random person here in the city! I witnessed it personally.” He walked in more inside the office as he looked as you and Lin shared a glance.
“What do you mean?” Lin looks at Mako
“I got a call early in the morning and when I got to the scene I got knocked down by a door being knocked off its hinges by a powerful gust wind.” Mako reported his findings and your mouth drops “Could it be possible?” you mutter.
“I’m not sure how but we should tell Tenzin immediately” Lin puts down her glasses and gets up.
*
Approaching the temple you notice everyone is already outside watching Bumi punch the air and you have a slight amused  and confused face deciding to play with him as you dodge an attack “Woah watch out Bumi, it almost got me” you quipped. Lin walks to Tenzin and turns around to continue looking at Bumi “Invisible spirit monster attack?”
“Lin! You won't believe this. Bumi just started airbending.” Tenzin looks at Lin
“What?!” you comment as your eyebrows raise. Mako and Lin have similar facial expressions and the three of you look at each other then turn to face Tenzin.  
“I'm afraid he's not the only one. “ Lin comments as Tenzin, Korra, and Asami simultaneously react “What?”
Mako joins in “I got a call last night about a guy who just started airbending out of nowhere.”
Tenzin walks up to the three of you “You mean there's another one? Where is he now?”
Mako slightly blushes as he rubs his neck “He... blew a door down on me and got away. We've got an all-points bulletin out on him right now.”
The three of you start to walk off while Mako gets pulled back by Korra “We'll help you look for him. Where should we start?” Mako gets nervous and rubs his neck again and gets awkward “Oh, well, you know, you should... You should leave it to the police. It's... police business, you know. It's, um... official.” Lin and you are standing behind Mako while Tenzin, Asami, and Korra look at Mako incredulously. There is a large amount of awkward tension in the air and it seems like Tenzin, Lin, and you all have the same idea and slide away from the scene and leave the exes on their own. You slightly lean over at Lin “Well that was exciting…Let’s talk to Bumi maybe we can get some more information to help find the other guy” you whisper and Lin nods “Good idea” you subconsciously put your hand on the small of her back and guide her towards the siblings but Lin stiffens and quickly reaches back to swiping your hand away. “Oh sorry” you drop your hand and walk ahead, approaching Bumi who was standing with Kya “So you’re an airbender now, cool congrats” you smile
“Explain to us how this happened exactly” Lin folds her arms as she catches up.
“Bum-Ju and I had a little fight. I made him this sweater, --oh I finished the sweater—“he pulls the sweater out from his jacket pocket and shows you and Lin, you nod at his work politely “And he didn't seem to like it. And I'll admit it might need work, but it was my first attempt at knitting. So I was a little hurt.”
“Get to the point, Bumi” Lin rolls her eyes and groans
“Right! I was climbing a tree that was on the edge of a cliff when the branch snapped, and I started to fall. I was screaming when all of a sudden I started airbending, preventing my fall…well I still fell down hard and it still hurt but it was amazing!” Bumi exclaims as he tries to airbend but to no avail.
You exhale deeply “Well nothing like falling to your almost death to bring out hidden bending powers” you chuckle a bit
“But how is this all possible? Airbending developing randomly out of nowhere” Lin questions the group
“Maybe it’s a result of Harmonic Convergence? The world is balancing out by creating more airbenders.” You try to think of a possible reason.
“That’s possible…I think” Kya folds her arms and thinks of your hypothesis
“Well I guess Kya can’t mother you about not having special non-bending powers” Lin mutters as she gives Kya a smirk causing a laugh out of Bumi while Kya gives Lin a scowl “I do not mother!”
“You do too! You’re just like mom!” Bumi interjects with his sister. “Oh forgive me for looking out for you Bumi! I don’t want you to get hurt or worse, killed!” Kya huffs as she turns pursing her lips.
“Well now with airbending he’s less likely to get hurt though the chances are never zero” you suck in air through your teeth as you rub the back of your neck.
“Mako’s done let’s go” Lin walks away and heads towards the dock
“We’ll be on the lookout for any new airbenders” you look at the siblings before waving goodbye “Hey Asami are you heading back? We can give you a ride” you call out to Asami.
“Thanks but, I’m actually going to hang out with Korra” Asami smiles and waves at you as you nod and join Lin and Mako to the boat.
*
“Is it possible that new airbenders are popping up in the city?” Mako asks the two of you.
“It sure seems that way” Lin comments as you drive the group back across Yue Bay.
“This is a good thing. More airbenders in the world….” you speak up as you look at the city in front of you. A world with more airbenders. It seems like the world is helping Tenzin out and also creating balance.
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artificialqueens · 3 years
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Tree House Kisses, Chapter 43 (Adorney) - Scorpio and Veronica
A/N: Click here for previous chapters here on AQ or here if you’d rather read on AO3. xoxo!
And thank you again to our wonderful betas: @saiphl, @sillylittlecandycane
Chapter Summary: It’s finally the night of senior prom!! It starts out great...but will it end in disaster? (Spoiler alert: yes)
Chapter 43: I Just Wanna Dance
There were a million things Courtney loved about being in the The Scarlet Pimpernel--finally getting a chance to play a lead role in a musical, the songs themselves, the beautiful costumes they’d borrowed from a nearby university’s theatre company, the warm encouragement from Mrs. Maguire, watching her friends and castmates shine, when her dad surprised her by showing up for one of the weekend shows with a bouquet of pink roses…
But her favorite thing of all was being onstage with Adore. It was the first time they’d had multiple scenes together since playing Annie and Miss Hannigan in 5th grade, and for Courtney, it made the experience a million times better.
Closing night was bittersweet. In some ways, Courtney wished that it would never end. But she was excited for prom and graduation, their Mexico road trip and their first apartment. So even though it was a little bit sad, she didn’t cling to it. Instead, she focused on the excitement she felt about everything to come, and really tried to live in the moment, committing every single second to memory.
In the garden scene with Adore, she noticed the little wisps of hair around her face that were lit up by the bright stage lights, the way her hazel eyes gleamed, and when she leaned toward her, it was the closest they’d ever come to actually kissing in this scene. All Courtney wanted was to surrender, to just close her eyes, let their lips touch, but she fought it, finally pushing Adore away like she was supposed to at the last possible second, heart pounding, feeling a bit light-headed while she watched her sing. Really listening to the lyrics for what felt like the first time.
“Marguerite, don't forget I know who you are. We were cut from the same surly star, like two jewels in the sky, sharing fire. Where's the girl, so alive and still aching for more? We had dreams that were worth dying for. We were caught in the eye of a storm! Come again!”
Adore grabbed her hands, spinning her in a circle, and a lump formed in Courtney’s throat.
“Let the girl in your heart tumble free. Bring your renegade heart home to me. In the dark of the morning, I'll warm you, I'll rouse you . . .”
As they slowly stopped turning in a circle, Courtney swallowed hard, the dizziness getting to her, stomach in knots, and it was if Adore could sense it. She pulled her in by the waist, singing the last verse softly, directly to her. And something happened for the first time that Courtney couldn’t explain--a single tear began to slip down her cheek.
“Where's the girl? Is she gazing at me with surprise? Do I still see that blaze in her eyes? Am I dreaming or is she beside me . . . now . . .?”
The music slowly faded out, and Courtney knew that Adore was waiting for her next line, her eyes soft and expectant. She knew that she had to get it out; this was the script, and she couldn’t change it no matter how much she wanted to. So she mustered up all of her strength, squaring her shoulders and speaking, firmly and hoarsely.
“No. Get out.”
Adore’s eyes went cold as she turned and left the stage, and for a second Courtney really did think that she was going to fall, to faint or throw up or something else entirely unexpected. She knew she only had about three seconds before Willam and Gia entered, so she quickly swiped the tear from her cheek and took a deep breath, pushing down the terrible feeling that something had broken inside of her, something she wouldn’t ever be able to fix.
-
“Hey…”
Courtney whirled around as Adore touched her shoulder, a startled look on her face that softened when she saw Adore.
“Oh, hi.”
“Are you alright?” Adore asked. She’d noticed the tears while they were onstage, and had a feeling that it was more than just acting.
“Yeah, sorry, it’s...I guess just that this is the last time we’re gonna be doing the show. Kinda silly.” She wiped her eyes, looking a bit embarrassed.
Adore smiled softly, pulling her in for a hug. “Nah, I know how you feel.”
Courtney squeezed her back tightly. “Thanks, Dory. I love you.”
“Me too, babe.”
-
“You girls are just so gorgeous and grown-up,” Bonnie said, sniffling a little as she snapped photo after photo.
It was finally the night of their senior prom, and as a treat, Bonnie and Karen had gotten together and treated the girls to a little spa day: mani pedis - the fancy kind with paraffin wax and massages and rhinestone embellishments, lunch at their favorite café, and professional hair styling. Courtney had gone for a glamorous updo studded with tiny red roses, Adore for a half-up style with criss-crossing fishtail braids, and Tati for smooth finger-waves that made her look like an old-time movie star. Afterwards, they’d all headed back to Adore’s house to do their makeup and get dressed.
To Adore’s relief, Courtney hadn’t brought up her weird objections to Tati being her date, and she was friendly as can be to Tati just like usual, gossiping about their classmates, giggling, having a grand old time.
Adore was very pleased with the outfit she’d ended up with: an amazing thrift store find, a short, square-necked black lace dress, very bruja, and she’d paired it with studded black boots, fishnets, and the leather choker that Courtney’d gotten her for her birthday last year. Tati looked amazing as always, her skin-tight hot pink minidress really pushing the dress code limits, but the color so fun that she’d probably be fine.
And then there was Courtney. Adore was surprised when she’d chosen it, the sleek white two-piece so unlike her: no sparkly embellishments or flouncy girliness--just a simple, spaghetti-strapped, open-backed top and long slitted skirt that made her early summer tan glow. When she first put it on, Adore had to look away for a moment, so as not to get choked up about how beautiful she was. Then of course, she completed the look with sparkly silver star accessories, red stones in her necklace matching the roses in her hair. Before they’d headed downstairs for photos, Adore gestured to her charm bracelet, the rose-gold obviously not fitting the color theme of her ensemble.
“That doesn’t really match,” she noted, and Courtney bit her lip, meeting Adore’s eyes with a look that made her insides twist.
“I don’t care.”
Now, in Courtney’s backyard, they posed for the dozens of pictures that Karen and Bonnie insisted on. First all the girls separately, then together, then Adore and Tati, who were still posing when Roy finally rounded the corner in his white tux. The second Adore caught sight of his red pocket square she burst out laughing, unable to help herself.
“Thanks, Delano, exactly the reaction I was hoping for,” he said.
“No, it’s cause your pocket square is...Courtney, I fucking knew that you’d do that shit again!” Adore laughed, and Courtney just shrugged, accepting first a kiss on the cheek and then the wrist corsage with the requested red roses.
“I never denied it!” Courtney said. She reached out and adjusted Roy’s lapels, grinning. “I think he looks perfect.”
“Thank you, babe, and you’re beautiful,” Roy said, before ruining the moment by turning and blowing a raspberry in Adore’s direction.
“That’s mature.”
“Adore, please pull it together for two more shots!” Bonnie interrupted, and Adore put her arm back around Tati’s waist.
Courtney and Roy were next, followed by group shots, and then Karen insisted on a couple with Courtney and Adore.
Adore swallowed, letting Courtney take her hand and lean a head on her shoulder, feeling slightly awkward.
“It’s kind of funny, don’t you think?” Courtney asked, between shots.
“What?”
Courtney gestured to their outfits. “Black and white.”
“Oh yeah. Very fitting, huh?” Adore said.
Courtney gazed up at her, a starry-eyed smile on her face, and Adore could feel herself melting right back to the place she’d insisted she’d never go again as the camera flashed.
“Mom! I wasn’t ready!”
“It was cute!” Karen defended herself.
“Do you think we should call Pearl and ask when-”
“Limo has arrived, bitcheeeeeees!” screeched a voice, and everyone turned to see Willam at the gate, along with Trinity, Pearl, Fame and Violet, who all came bounding in, dressed to the nines.
Courtney squealed happily, clapping her hands. After about ten or twenty more pictures of the whole group, Bonnie and Karen finally dismissed them, letting them pile into the limo, laughing and screaming happily, music blasting.
Adore was the last one to go, turning to give her mother one last little wave, pretending not to notice the tears shining in her eyes as she called, “Bye Ma! Don’t wait up!”
-
The hotel ballroom where their prom was held was the fanciest place Adore had ever been. After looking up at the huge crystal chandelier over the dance floor, Adore turned to Tati with a look of confusion and asked, “Oh my god...is our school bougie?”
Tati laughed, pulling her onto the dance floor with the rest of their group. The DJ was surprisingly good, and they twirled and laughed, dancing for hours before Tati finally admitted that her feet were killing her and she needed a break.
“Ugh, same,” said Pearl.
“This is why you wusses should have worn more comfortable shoes,” Adore proclaimed, modeling her combat boots as they trooped over to grab some punch and sit down.
“Not everyone can pull that off, dear,” Tati told her.
“Or you can just do what Trinity did,” Pearl said, gesturing to her prom date, platform sandals kicked off to the side of the dance floor, her bright yellow dress hiked up with her hands as she, Courtney and Willam shook it to Shakira’s ‘Hips Don’t Lie,’ Roy awkwardly joining in with decidedly less enthusiasm than the others.
“Still think my solution’s better,” said Adore, settling down at the table with a glass of sugary punch.
They relaxed for a few minutes, chatting and giggling, before they were joined by first Violet, then Fame, then Bob, who came bounding over with April to hype up the afterparty.
“You guys are going, right? It’s gonna be amazing!” he exclaimed, and Violet shook her head in disbelief.
“You really think a school-sanctioned afterparty will be that much fun?” she asked.
“I’m telling you! Everyone says it’s the best part of the night.”
“Really? I would think the best part of the night is how sexy your girlfriend looks,” said Pearl, sending a wink in April’s direction, making her giggle and preen.
“Okay, yes, she does, but also...after the afterparty, there’s a pancake breakfast. So, come on...”
“Robert! Hello young man! Lookin’ slick!” Roy called, walking over to give Bob a hug and slap on the back. He looked a bit sweaty and disheveled, and it made Adore chuckle.
“Courtney’s giving you a real workout, huh?” she teased.
“That girl wouldn’t leave a dance floor if you paid her,” Roy answered with a sigh, dragging a chair over from a nearby table to sit heavily. “Luckily, Willam and Trinity have much higher endurance than me, so-”
“Guess again!” Trinity exclaimed, as she flopped into Pearl’s lap. “I’m fucking exhausted.”
“Aww, you guys all abandoned the blue-eyed devils,” Bob said, gesturing to Courtney and Willam on the dance floor, making April crack up.
“They’re fine,” Roy said, leaning back in the chair, eyes closing.
Adore looked over at the dance floor, watching them while everyone chatted. When the song ended, to her surprise, Courtney made her way over to the group too.
“Whoa, maybe she’s actually tired! Did someone slip you some Benadryl, Court?”
Turned out, she was only there to ask Adore to come back onto the dance floor.
“Will you come dance with me?” she cajoled, reaching out her hand, a soft and hopeful look in her eyes.
“Uh…” Adore knew this was a bad idea. As much as she tried not to, told herself not to, she’d already spent too much of the evening with one eye on Courtney with Roy, fixated on the way they laughed and flirted and touched each other--it was like regressing two years, and she just wasn’t in the right headspace to confront her feelings.
“Please?” Courtney touched Adore’s lace-covered wrist, adding with a twinkle, “I’ll be your best friend...”
Adore had to chuckle at that, standing up with a resigned sigh. “Good one, bitch.”
Courtney beamed at her, leading her to the dance floor. Of course, it was some slow, schmaltzy pop ballad. And of course, Courtney’s arms immediately went around her neck, pulling her close. Head resting on her shoulder.
Adore didn’t know where to put her hands. Courtney’s skimpy top left so much of her back exposed, she could feel herself panicking before finally letting them settle on her hips. Even then, it was impossible to avoid her waist, her thumbs grazing the soft bare skin a few times before she tried tucking them into her palms.
“I love you, Dory,” Courtney murmured, and Adore gulped.
“Love you too.”
Adore tried to get her heart to settle, tried to stop the churning in her stomach, the song dragging on for what felt like an eternity while she sweated and held back her tears. When it finally ended, she broke away immediately, mumbling about how she needed a cigarette, and bolted from the dance floor.
-
Courtney watched Adore go, misty-eyed, wondering why she always ran away just when it felt like they were getting closer, and couldn’t help the dejected feeling inside, stomach twisting with regret.
“Punch?”
Courtney turned around to see Roy, holding out a cup of red punch for her. Of course he was. He was always there: dependent, steadfast, the one person in her life that she could always count on. The guilt Courtney felt would be crushing if she didn’t love him so much.
She slid her arms around his waist, pulling him close, asking, “How did I end up with the best boyfriend in the world?”
Roy sighed, setting the cup on a nearby table and wrapping her into a hug, resting his chin on top of her head.
“Just lucky, I guess.” After a few moments, he ventured softly, “Do you wanna dance some more?”
“Yes,” Courtney said, arms tightening around him even more. “Yes, I really fucking do.”
-
“There you are…” Tati said, when she finally found Adore in the hotel courtyard, sitting against a stucco wall, smoking a cigarette. “You alright?”
She settled in beside her, maneuvering the best she could so as not to let her dress ride up around her hips. This didn’t feel like a conversation where it would be productive to have her underwear showing.
“Just fucking peachy.” Adore took a long drag.
“Yeah. Listen, I-”
“I really don’t want any advice right now,” Adore said, and Tati immediately closed her mouth.
“Ooookay,” she breathed, realizing that now wasn’t the right time to say what she had to say.
“Sorry. It’s just, my head is all-”
“Nah, I get it.” Tati patted her fishnet-covered thigh.
“Thanks.”
They sat in silence for a few moments, Adore’s head leaning back on the wall, Tati watching the smoke curling up into the midnight sky.
“Can I ask you a question, though?”
“I guess.” Adore’s voice was tired and hoarse, so Tati tried to phrase it as gently and tactfully as possible.
“What’s the worst thing that could happen? If you, like, told her?”
Adore took a long drag of her cigarette, pondering the answer before saying, “I could die. I could literally die.”
“Alright.” Tati said, stretching her legs out in front of her. She wasn’t inclined to push it, adding a simple, “Just seems like something to think about.”
After a few more moments of tense silence, Adore sniffled, and Tati realized that she was crying.
“I should get out of here,” she said, stabbing the cigarette out on the pavement, using her lacy sleeve to wipe her eyes.
“Do you want me to go with you?”
“No. It’s prom. Stay and have fun,” Adore said, and Tati was overcome with sympathy, wished there was something she could do to make her feel better--or at least, enough better to have a carefree and fun night like they all deserved. It had started out so well, and Tati still wasn’t sure where it’d gone wrong.
“Adore, come on, you can-”
“I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
“Okay,” Tati said, staying on the ground while Adore got up, resigned to just let her have her feelings, realizing that there really was nothing she could do in that moment.
-
“Yeah, I know! There’s just something off about his face!” Violet laughed, following Trinity out of the bathroom, still talking about an idiot jock who’d tried to feel her up on the dance floor.
“I think it would be an okay face if he wasn't such a jerk,” Trinity said.
“Okay face is probably the best he can hope for,” Violet agreed. “But don’t you think he-”
Violet stopped short, abdomen twisting when she spotted Fame, in the same location they’d left her outside the restrooms, looking beautiful as ever in her full, floor-length gown covered in a large-scale blue flower print. Only she wasn’t alone. There was a blonde girl chatting with her...a blonde girl in a short, sparkly pink dress who was acting awfully familiar, a hand on Fame’s bare upper arm, flashing a bright white smile.
“Who the hell are you?” Violet asked, and the girl turned to her, blinking her brown eyes slowly.
“Excuse me?”
���I said-” Violet began, but Fame jumped in.
“You know what? We should talk later,” she told the girl, mouthing ‘sorry’ in an annoyingly obvious way, clearly not caring that Violet could see her. Or maybe doing it specifically for Violet’s benefit. Violet’s nails dug into her palms at the thought.
“Alright. Later then. Can’t wait to hang out again,” the girl said, leaning forward and pressing a kiss to Fame’s cheek before sauntering away with a victorious smirk.
“Who the fuck was that?” Violet asked, and Fame turned to her with crossed arms and a crosser expression.
“Hey, I think I hear...something...uh…” Trinity stammered out, backing away so as not to get caught up in the drama, calling out to an imaginary person, “What? Oh, you need-okay, coming!”
She turned and ran back towards the ballroom, leaving Fame and Violet alone.
“Well?” Violet asked, her tone still hostile, but how else was she supposed to be right now?
Fame let out a long sigh, asking, “Why are you so difficult?” She began to walk away, but Violet reached for her, fingers closing around her wrist and tugging her back.
“Fame. Who was that?”
“She’s just a girl I know from working at the bakery,” Fame said, eyes closing as if the conversation was too exhausting for words. “She graduated last year, but I guess she’s here with a friend, so-”
“No. I mean, why were you flirting with her? I thought tonight was about us.”
“Vi…” Fame finally looked into her eyes, blue eyes a bit sad, shaking her head. “Why do you always have to do this?”
“Do what?” Violet could feel herself growing more and more agitated, more and more uneasy, the ground shifting beneath her.
“Talk about us, like that. You’re my best friend. You know how much I love you. But not...not like that.”
Violet didn’t like where this conversation was going, not one bit. She bit back her anger, her impatience, her jealousy, and made her voice as soft and calm as possible.
“But you agreed to be my date. You came here with me-”
“As friends.”
“I don’t get it!” Violet exploded. “You finally broke up with Patrick, officially, and-”
“This is not about Patrick!” Fame exclaimed, exasperation all over her face. “It never was. I guess it was easy to use him as an excuse, but...I just don’t think of you that way.”
Bitterness swirled in Violet’s chest, and before she could stop herself, she spit out, “But you think of that random slut that way?” She gestured angrly in the direction of the blonde, the girl who it seemed had single-handedly managed to ruin her night. “And what did she mean by ‘again’?”
“I...we kind of...hooked up last year,” Fame admitted. “When Patrick and I were on a break, after-”
“You hooked up with a girl and you didn’t tell me? What the fuck?” Violet said, anger and confusion combining, the whole thing like hands wrapped around her throat, making her eyes water and her chest constrict.
“Well, I wasn’t sure how you’d react. I guess I was wrong, since you’re being so understanding.”
“Fuck you,” Violet spat out, turning and walking away.
“Violet, wait!”
Violet stopped walking, but she didn’t turn. She couldn’t bear to look at Fame’s face right now, not when tears were burning in her eyes, threatening to spill over any second.
“Look, I’m sorry! Okay? I guess I just...I didn’t want to say anything that would risk hurting you. Because I don’t want to lose you as a friend. I do love you-”
At that, Violet whirled back around, those angry tears streaking hotly down her cheeks.
“No you don’t,” she said. “You never have. God, I’m so stupid.”
“Vi-”
“Enjoy your prom,” she choked out, before breaking away and rushing towards the lobby. She had no idea where she was going, but she knew that she couldn’t go back into that ballroom, with those people. Not like this.
-
Adore trudged slowly through the parking lot, wondering where she should even go. This part of town was mostly new--lots of pointless high-end stores, yuppie restaurants, hipster bars.
“Hey! Where the fuck are you going?” demanded a voice, and Adore smiled to herself, turning around to find Violet, face streaked in tears, stomping from the hotel angrily.
Adore chuckled sadly. “You look like I feel.”
“Well you look like shit,” Violet countered.
“Okay, so I guess I look like I feel too.”
“God fucking damn it, why can’t we just have one night where we’re like, normal teenagers?” Violet exclaimed, face turned upwards, and Adore shook her head.
“I dunno.”
“Where were you going, anyway?”
“I honestly don’t know. Just...anywhere but here.”
“Same.” Violet took her hand. “I think there’s a diner a few blocks away that’ll be open. Come on.”
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darkfairy-tales · 3 years
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Inception - Chapter Ten
Description: As an omega, Hongjoong was always treated wrongly in his pack. So when he is forced to be with an alpha who wasn't his mate he runs away. With little to no idea on where to go. With a small hope of finding his mate.
Character: ATEEZ, EXO, THEBOYZ, etc
Pairing: Ateez x Hongjoong, Hongjoong centric
Warning: Mentions of blood, violence, etc
"W-wait so we are going to be dads?" Wooyoung had screamed when Hongjoong had told them the news. Everyone was happy. Yunho had teared up at the end but it was out of happiness. Mingi who got overly excited had literally called everyone he knew to share the happy news. "Do you think we can be good dads?" San asked a bit nervous. "Of course." Hongjoong says as his hand pats his tummy. "Now you need to eat a lot for the pups too. And rest. We will protect you." Jongho says feeling giddy making Hongjoong chuckle nodding his head. They had spent the whole day they cooing over the pregnant omega.
When it was time for the omega to take a nap San had picked him up, carrying him upstairs to his room. He puts the omega down on the bed gently. "Cuddle me Sannie." Hongjoong said with a small pout when the alpha tried to walk away. San grins as he gets on the bed laying down beside Hongjoong and pulling the omega closer to him. "Hyung I wanna mark you one day." San says as he closes his eyes breathing in the scent of his mate. "You can. When the time is right Sannie." Hongjoong says as he bask in the alpha's warmth. "I love you hyung " San says with a gentle voice as he rubs his nose against the omega's neck scenting him making Hongjoong croons at the feeling. He falls asleep taking pleasure in the way the younger alpha scent marked him.
The next day~
"Hwa! I am going outside. For a stroll." Hongjoong says. He had woken up with a great mood and he wanted to take a stroll. "Take someone with you baby." Seonghwa says from where he was, in the kitchen. "No. I wanna be alone Hwa. I will be fine." He says. Seonghwa comes out looking unsure. "If you say so. But don't stray away too far. You know what to do if you need one of us. Use the pack link and call one of us." He says placing a kiss on the omega's forehead. "Okay. Love you alpha." Hongjoong croons as he leans up to peck Seonghwa. Without wasting another second he turns around and walks out as he heads towards the forest. "Hmm it has been so long since I came out like this alone." Hongjoong says giggling to himself. He looks around to see if there was anyone. After he was sure that no one was there he took his clothes off and set them down beside a tree properly and quickly shifts into his wolf form. His bones cracking and shifting as his body changes into that of a wolf. He huffs as he goes further and runs around playing by himself. He runs after the butterfly and after the small rabbits. Just chasing them around but not exactly trying to hunt them down. After a while he got a bit tired as he laid down on the ground thinking of taking a nap maybe.
Just as he was about to close his eyes he heard the sound of a twig snapping. He stood up quickly. Standing alert. His ears sticking up trying to pick up any small movement. Another sound of twig snapping was heard and he growls willing himself to sound as threatening as possible. For a while no more sound came but suddenly a wolf jumped out from his left. Hongjoong quickly turns towards the unknown wolf. 'A beta.' he registers as he growls backing away. He didn't wanted to fight which might possible put his unborn pups at risk but if the situation calls for it then he would. The beta wolf growls as he stalks towards Hongjoong snarling. It tries to lunge forward swinging his claws towards Hongjoong but fortunately he dodges easily. The beta wolf looked agitated as it tries to attack Hongjoong again with his claws. At last it lunged forward. It's wolf form pinning Hongjoong's wolf form down. The beta wolf tried to bite down on Hongjoong but the omega was strong enough to not let the beta to do so. He swipes his claws right at the beta's face catching the beta off guard. Taking the advantage of that Hongjoong turns their positions standing over the beta as he bites down on the beta's neck making it howl in pain. Though the beta pushes him off quickly and biting down on Hongjoong'e hind legs making him yelp in pain as the wound starts bleeding. The beta pulls away growling at him with a warning look.
It pushes Hongjoong down with his front legs as it prepares to snap Hongjoong'd neck between his jaws but stills. He pulls away. Almost looking surprised. He looks at Hongjoong from head to toe. The omega just whines. He didn't wanted to fight more. He didn't liked the thought of putting his unborn pups at risk by fighting more. The beta huffs as it eyes the omega's belly. 'He is carrying pups. I can't do this.' the beta thinks to himself. With a last look at the omega the beta runs away. Hongjoong doesn't know what to think as he whimpers at the pain from the bite wound he had on his hind legs. He tries to stand back up but whimpers at the pain it gave him causing him to fall back down. He breathes heavily. "Help... S-sannie." He whines. He needs his alphas. His pups. He had to made sure his pups were okay. He regretted going out. He should have brought one of his alphas with him. Only if he had listened to Seonghwa. Black dots his vision as he loses consciousness slowly. The anxiety and exhaustion causing him to faint.
In the pack house~
San was in the bed lazing around when he suddenly started feeling uneasy. 'Help... S-sannie.' He heard Hongjoong's voice in his mind. He springs up on the bed fully alert. His mate needs him. Danger. Hongjoong. The pups. It was all he could think. He quickly runs out of the room and to downstairs where everyone was. "HYUNG! Joongie!" He yells surprising the other. "San what's wrong!" Seonghwa asks as he stands up. "H-He linked me. Help. He needs help." San says with panicked look. They don't waste a second as all of them run out towards the forest. Trying to track Hongjoong's scent. It was easy to do so. But what scared them was the smell of blood. Hongjoong's blood. Seonghwa bristles feeling anger and fear as he runs faster. The alphas gasp when they see Hongjoong's wolf form laying on the group. A bite wound on his hind legs. "Fuck fuck! Joongie. Baby." Seonghwa calls out as he kneels down beside Hongjoong's wolf form trying to wake the omega up. "He is.. he is okay but he had been attacked. His hind legs had been bitten. Fuck why didn't I felt the intruders." Seonghwa curses at himself. He should have been on alert. "Scent blockers." Mingi says. "Yunho take Joongie back. Mingi, Wooyoung, Jongho you three are gonna come with me and check out if the intruder is still here. The scent blockers had seemed to wear off. There is a faint scent of beta." Seonghwa says. Yunho, San and Yeosang went back to the pack house with Yunho carrying the omega's wolf form. While Seonghwa, Mingi, Wooyoung and Jongho as planned stayed back for a look out.
Lee Seungwoo's POV
I sat in front of window looking out at the beautiful view of my garden. Such a beautiful day. Only if he was with me. My omega. I smirked at the thought. He will be mine for sure. He was mine from the start. There was a knock on the door breaking my train of thoughts. "Come on." I said. Minsoo, one of my trusted beta, comes in. "Alpha." He says giving me a bow. I just nod. "Did you see him? How is he? Did you get him?" I asked. Minsoo gulps making me narrow my eyes at him. "Yes alpha. I met him but..." He trails off making me feel agitated. "But what Minsoo? You know I had it when people keeps me waiting." I said with a warning tone. "He is pregnant alpha." He says. I froze shocked at his words. Then came the anger. I growls as throw the nearest thing there was on the ground. An hour glass. "What the fuck do you mean pregnant?! He is mine! How dare he fucking mate those alpha?!" I screamed. Minsoo whimpers as he steps back a bit.
"I t-tried to take him with me alpha. B-but the alphas were there and I had to run." Minsoo says. "I am going to take him. I will rip those pups out and kill him. I will claim him as mine! I will make him carry my pup." I growled. "Get out of my face." I snarled. Minsoo quickly walks out closing the door behind him. I clench my fist. I will get him. No matter what. He will be mine. The power will be mine. As it is supposed to me. "Just you wait Kim Hongjoong. Just wait. I will come to you." I whispered to myself as I smiled like a maniac. I would do anything to have him and the powers.
Minsoo's POV
I ran out of the alpha's room. I had lied to him. Lied to my alpha. I could have taken the omega. His mates weren't there but I couldn't. I feel disgusted. What had I done? I had attacked an omega. A pregnant one nonetheless. What have this pack made me? I felt like a monster. But what could I have done? I had no choice. Even if I knew everything was wrong I couldn't have gone against my alpha. He would have kill me. Or worst he would kill my mate. "Minnie." A sweet voice calls me. I turn out and see my mate. She smiles at me as he approaches me. I breath out looking at her. I couldn't have her killed. Everything I was doing was for her safety. I gulped down the guilt as I smiled back to my mate. She hugs me but pulls away. "You... Smell like another omega." She says. Displeasure clear on her face. "I-It's nothing Jeonsu." I said with a shaky voice. She looks at me narrowing her eyes. "Did the alpha gave you another horrible task again?" She asked with a sharp tone. I look down ashamed. I couldn't lie to my mate. "Minsoo why... Why do you keep doing this? Please just.. let's just run away." Jeonsu says as tears appears in her eyes. "I am sorry Jeonsu I am so sorry. I am sorry. I swear I didn't.. I didn't hurt anyone.. at least not that badly. I.. he was pregnant and it made me think of you. Our pup. I couldn't do it. I couldn't hurt him." I rambled feeling distraught as I glanced at the small baby bump my mate had. Jeonsu sighs as she hugs me. "It's okay Minsoo.. just.. promise me. Promise me that we will run away one day. I can't let our pups live in this horrible pack." She mumbled with a sad voice. It broke my heart. My mate. My jeonsu didn't deserved this life. Her words made me have an idea. But it scared me. It was a risk but if it meant my pups and Jeonsu was going to be safe then I was willing to go through the plan that was in my head. "I promise Jeonsu. I promise." I said as I hugged her. Hopefully I can make some things right. Hopefully.
Inception Masterlist
Hello guys!! Sorry for not posting for a while. But some festivals came up one after another and I got very busy. Especially with classes and assignments. I also hadn't been feeling great mentally. But I am back hehe!
I hope you enjoyed this chapter! I love you all. Thank you for all the support you guys have given me. Don't forget to like and reblog this chapter. Thank you again. Stay tuned for the next chapter. Buiii~
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alwaysswifts · 4 years
Note
What are some of your fave lyrics in all of Taylor’s songs?
I don’t know what I want so don’t ask me cause I’m still trying to figure it out
he said the way my blue eyes shined turned those Georgia stars to shame that night I said that’s a lie 
so watch me strike a match on all my wasted time
when I’m with anybody else it’s so hard to be myself and only you can tell
did I say something way to honest made you run and hide like a scared little boy 
in this moment now capture it remember it   
cause I’m not your princess this ain’t a fairytale I'm gonna find someone someday who might actually treat me well
every little bump in the road I tried to swerve 
could’ve loved you all my life if you hadn't left me waiting in the cold
I know you were on my side even when I was wrong and I love you for giving me your eyes
In your life you’ll do things greater than dating the boy on the football team
braced myself for the goodbye cause that’s all I’ve ever known then you took me by surprise YOU SAID I’LL NEVER LEAVE YOU ALONE 
give me something that’ll haunt me when you’re not around 
you gave me roses and I left them there to die
some day I’ll be living in a big old city 
is it killing you like it’s killing me?
memorize what it sounded like when you dad gets home
I just realized everything I have is someday gonna be gone 
I’m wonderstruck, blushing all the way home
time turns flames to embers you’ll have new Septembers 
you can plan for a change in weather and time but I never planned on you changing your mind
if you have children some day when they point to the pictures please tell them my name 
life makes love look hard
just twin fire signs, four blue eyes
we learn to live with the pain, mosaic broken hearts
I never saw you coming and I’ll never be the same
remembering him comes in flashbacks and echoes 
nothing safe is worth the drive 
I might be okay but I’m not fine at all 
it reminds you of innocence and it smells like me
you almost ran the red cause you were looking over at me 
we’re happy, free, confused, and lonely in the best way
it’s been occurring to me I’d like to hang out with you for my whole life
darling it was good never looking down
I don’t wanna dance if I’m not dancing with you
time is taking its sweet time erasing you
good girls hopefully they’ll be and long they will wait
in the angel city chasing fortune and fame
and they still tell the legend of how you disappeared how you took the money and your dignity and got the hell out they say you bought a bunch of land somewhere chose the rose garden over Madison square 
your eyes look like coming home 
don’t you dream impossible things?
you pull my chair out and help me in but you don’t know how nice that is but I do
and for the first time what’s past is past 
what do you say when tears are streaming down your face in front of everyone you know?
this is falling for you when you are worlds away 
the lights are so bright but they never blind me
grab your passport and my hand I can make the bad guys good for a weekend
I get drunk on jealously
boys only want love if it’s torture
I got that red lip classic thing that you like
I got that good girl faith and a tight little skirt 
the rest of the world was black and white but we were in screaming color
the monsters turned out to be just trees
people like me are gone forever when you say goodbye 
someday when you leave me I’ll bet these memories follow you around
red lips and rosy cheeks say you’ll me again even if it’s just in your wildest dreams 
he’s so bad but he does it so well 
you’ll see me in hindsight tangled up with you all night burning it down
pictures in frames of kisses on cheeks
been losing grip on sinking ships you showed up just in time 
when you’re young you just run but you come back to what you need 
and whispers turned to talking and talking turned to screams 
when the butterflies turned to dust they covered my whole room
it’s all fun and games til somebody loses their mind
and in the end in wonderland we both went mad
small talk, he drives, coffee at midnight
and you understand now why they lost their minds and fought the wars and why I’ve spent my whole life trying to put it into words  
it’s poker he can’t see it in my face but I’m about to play my ace
we cry tears of mascara in the bathroom honey life is just a classroom
heart break is the national anthem we sing it proudly 
we need love but all we want is danger 
every day is like a battle but every night with us is like a dream
younger than my exes but he act like such a man so
and he can be my jailer Burton to this Taylor
it’s like your eyes are liquor it’s like your body is gold 
you and me we got big reputations 
I bury hatchets but I keep maps of where I put em 
I swear I don't love the drama, it loves me!
if a man talks shit then I owe him nothing
but if he drops my name then I owe him nothing and if he spends my change then he had it coming
they’re burning all the witches even if you’re not one so light me up
 I once was poison ivy but now I’m your daisy 
I’ve been breaking hearts a long time and toying with them older guys just playthings for me to lose 
handsome you’re a mansion with a view 
are you ever dreaming of me
maybe I got mine you’ll all get yours
I got stronger I got harder in the nick of time 
caught up in the moment, lipstick on your face
you know I’m not a bad girl but I do bad things with you 
scratches down your back now
you should take it as a compliment that I got drunk and made fun of the way you talk 
you’ve ruined my life by not being mine
I knew it from the first old-fashioned we were cursed 
a circus ain’t a love story and now we’re both sorry
we were jet-set Bonnie and Clyde 
PUT THE MONEY IN THE BAG AND I STOLE THE KEYS THAT WAS THE LAST TIME YOU EVER SAW ME 
I’m perfectly fine, I live on my own, I made up my mind, I’m better off being alone
we rule the kingdom inside my room
is this the end of all the endings?? my broken bones are mending with all these nights we’re spending
say you fancy me not fancy stuff 
darling, you had turned my bed into a sacred oasis 
I'm a mess but I’m the mess that you wanted
I could've spent forever with your hands in my pockets 
only bought this dress so you could take it off
 I woke up just in time now I wake up by your side 
even in my worst times you could see the best of me
everyone swimming in a champagne sea
feeling so Gatsby for that whole year 
 here’s a toast to my real friends they don’t care about the he said she said 
I know I make the same mistakes every time, bridges burn, I never learn, at least I did one thing right 
nobody’s heard from me for months, I’m doing better than I ever was
my baby's fit like a daydream
I want to wear his initial on a chain round my neck chain round my neck not because he owns me but cause he really knows me WHICH IS MORE THAN THEY CAN SAY
you don’t need to save me, but would you run away with me?
don’t read the last page but I stay 
candle wax and polaroids on the hardwood floor, you and me forevermore 
I want your midnights but I’ll be cleaning up bottles with you on new year’s day
I thought that it would kill me but it didn’t
literally every single lyric in cruel summer
Ladies and gentlemen, will you please stand with every guitar string scar on my hand, I take this magnetic force of a man to be my lover
My heart's been borrowed and yours has been blue all’s well that ends well to end up with you
Swear to be overdramatic and true to my lover
if I was a man I’d be the man 
They'd say I played the field before I found someone to commit to and that would be okay for me to do
IF I WAS OUT FLASHING MY DOLLARS I’D BE A BITCH NOT A BALLER 
I never grew up it’s getting so old
And all of my heroes die all alone help me hold onto you
All the king's horses, all the king's men couldn’t put me together again
I am an architect, I'm drawing up the plans
I think he knows he better lock it down or I won't stick around cause good ones never wait
He's so obsessed with me, and boy I understand 
Lyrical smile, indigo eyes, hand on my thigh
The whole school is rolling fake dice you play stupid games, you win stupid prizes
It's you and me there's nothing like this miss Americana and the heartbreak prince 
voted most likely to run away with you
Went home and tried to stalk you on the internet now I've read all of the books beside your bed
I hate accidents except when we went from friends to this
I'm with you even if it makes me blue
Honey, without all the exes, fights, and flaws we wouldn't be standing here so tall
Wrap your arms around me, baby boy
We were a fresh page on the desk filling in the blanks as we go
baby, I get mystified by how this city screams your name
Back when we were card sharks playing games I thought you were leading me on
Sacred new beginnings that became my religion, listen
But if the story's over, why am I still writing pages?
Our country, guess it was a lawless land
but something happened I heard him laughing I saw the dimples first and then I heard the accent
He likes my American smile like a child when our eyes meet darling I fancy you
Babes, don't threaten me with a good time
Took me back to Highgate, met all of his best mates
I enjoy walking SoHo, drinking in the afternoon
you make the best of a bad deal
What am I supposed to do if there's no you
I know delusion when I see it in the mirror
We were stupid to jump in the ocean separating us remember how I'd fly to you?
I'm New York City, I still do it for you, babe
I know heaven's a thing, I go there when you touch me, honey hell is when I fight with you
We all know now, we all got crowns
Fighting with a true love is boxing with no gloves
This ultraviolet morning light below tells me this love is worth the fight
Tell me that I'm all you want even when I break your heart
Why'd I have to break what I love so much
there's a lot of lame guys out there
Light pink sky up on the roof sun sinks down no curfew
Have my back yeah, everyday feels like home stay in bed the whole weekend
Maybe you ran with the wolves and refused to settle down maybe I've stormed out of every single room in this town
threw out our cloaks and our daggers because it's morning now It's brighter now
I've been sleeping so long in a twenty-year dark night and now I see daylight
I once believed love would be burning red but it's golden like daylight 
back and forth from New York sneaking in your bed
*ALL OF FOLKLORE* 
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Text
Gardens #2 (1/6/2021)
Click here if you’re like “What the heck is this about?”
Two chats today because I forgot to post one yesterday!
Angel @sluttyspiderpolkacock catches up with Madame @usedhearts after his abrupt arrival from Hell. He talks to her about his hopes to get away from Valentino and she offers support.
Madame
The gardens had drawn her away from the beach-- as much as she loved the sea, she missed this. She missed life, growing and sprawling, curated into beauty.
Madame sat at the fountain, her tentacles trailing in the water as she admired the plants. It was different from how she remembered Earth's flora, but it was flora all the same, and she loved it.
She adjusted her top, still in her bikini but with an added sarong around her hips, and leaned to smell a flower. "It's so lovely here," She muttered to herself.
Angel
" Big Mama, ya up here, too? " It was easy to see her, towering over the bushes and gracing the flowering vines from the trees, despite being seated. Angel's own willowy form almost could've passed for a foxtail.
He wove through her tentacles to come see her. " Valera's e'ry bit the butterfly, ain't they? " Arms in a welcoming spread, he flashed her a bright smile. " It's good t' see ya ~ "
Madame
Her head turned when she heard him and her face brightened into a beaming smile.
"Oh, Angel, darlin'! I'm so glad t' see ya, c'mere 'n give Mama a hug." A tentacle caught him around the waist to pull him into her arms, too excited to let him walk the rest of the way to her. She wrapped her arms around him and smooched the side of his face.
"Thought you'd be at that shindig with Big V. How'd you sneak away, sweetheart?" She held his face gently in one hand, gently stroking his cheek with her thumb.
Angel
Angel smiled sweetly, giddy and the smallest bit shy with her affections but welcoming them with a tight hug in all his arms.
" I just got m'self a lil break, no biggie! They'll survive wit'out me just fine! They got Babygirl Paps an' the fluff girls takin' care a e'ryone. It's time the newbies got a chance t' shine, don't'cha think? "
His smile grew wide with an affectionate lean of his cheek. She was hitting JUST the spot and he was becoming PUTTY in her hands.
Madame
"Yeah, suppose yer right about that-- them new girls gotta learn sometime!" She laughed, taking one of Angel's hands and gently guiding him to sit next to her.
"Well, c'mon then, take a seat, get off ya gams, and tell me everythin'. How're ya, shug? How ya been likin' this whole palace we got to explore? Pretty schnazzy if ya ask me." She winked and very, very gently poked him with her elbow-- didn't want to hurt him, after all.
Angel
He almost fell off balance as her hand left his cheek and led him to his seat.
" I ain't seen e'rythin', but it's pretty fuckin' nice, " he said simply with a dip of his fingers into the fountain ( for no particular reason whatsoever ) , " I been workin' my ass into the ground all season. Everyday a huge fuckin' clusterfuck a shoots an' appointments... " Angel gave a roll of all his eyes as he mocked the tone of Valentino's voice.
" _Gotta churn out that fresh content, Angel Cakes ~ Camera ain't gonna eye - fuck itself, Angie Baby ~ If I don't see a chicken supreme in my office in five I'm gonna throw a BITCH FIT... SUMMER._ 'Cause y'know, he don't like me doin' the food runs. "
Madame
Her eyes roll at the Valentino impression. Yeah, that sounded like him. Madame shook her head, her large hand wrapping around Angel, rubbing his back.
"Course he don't want ya doin' the food runs-- fuckin' idiot thinks if he starves his workers, they'll look better when all it really does is make 'em give subpar work. How ya gonna entertain a John if ya really wanna just eat his burger insteada his dick?" She laughed, her head shaking again.
"Angel, darlin', he ever send ya out ta run an errand, come to me 'n I'll get a meal in ya. My babes ain't gonna starve on my watch-- can't rightly let 'em, breaks my poor Southern heart." She looked off into the distance and closed her eyes, wiping away a pretend tear.
Angel
Angel giggled and covered his mouth with a sly aversion of his eyes. " Y'know... sometimes dick be temptin'... " A snort, and his arms wildly fanned.
" I didn' even GAIN THAT MUCH! " he continued, " I ain't e'en said nothin' about livin' up the hotel and downin' everythin' Alastor whips like a fuckin, GARBAGE DISPOSAL, NO! I just go to Cherri's, post ONE picture, ONE TIME, of the CUTEST FUCKIN' DONUT...! "
Oh he was full on venting, now. He held up a finger and dug through his fluff a hot second. " An' he sends me THIS! " There he had it, The Book. " What kin'a palooka e'en uses these anymore?? Ya THINK he'd fuckin', hire a nutritionist or some shit who moonlights as a hitman, or some shit. He HAS the FUCKIN' MONEY! I KNOW! 'CAUSE I'M OUT THERE MAKIN' IT FA 'IM! "
He then collapsed into Madame's chest, still muttering but full tuckered out, arms limp. " _I'ma fuckin' kill 'im..._ " **Did he say that out loud?**
Madame
Madame listened to everything, watched every flail of arms, intently. Poor boy. It was a tough gig, being Valentino's prized pet. She honestly thought she'd taught him better, but he was always on about how he already knew the business, knew how to handle people. Obvsiously not, with how Angel was going on.
Her arms wrap around him when he falls forward-- a chest this big had many uses, pillows being one of the best in her opinion. Madame gathered him close, going so far as to pick him up and cradle him against her chest.
"Aww, honeybunch. I know just how ya feelin'. Valentino....well, he's an asshole. Head so far up his ass he eatin' his own shit fer breakfast." She shook her head, rocking Angel a bit, like one would a child who'd had a nightmare. She hums softly, an old lullaby her mother used to sing, way back when. She kept that up for a few moments before falling silent. The silence hung between them before she spoke, voice low.
"If'in you did kill him, I wouldn't blame ya, honey. There'd be no love lost between me'n him. I'd support ya claim to that throne, if'n you wanted it. In Hell, ya learn ta balance the cruelty with the kindness, and if ya can't find that balance, well, then, ya deserve to reap what ya sow. And Valentino's sewn a whole lotta hate down there. Karma's a bitch, even for the dead, and all I'd say would be 'good riddance'. You deserve so much more'n him, 'n so much more'n he gives ya. Yer the star and you deserve to be treated like one."
A tentacle scooted under his chin, tilting his head up so she could look at his face.
"You remember Mama's in ya corner, alright, Angel? I'm rootin' for ya. And my arms and doors're always open for ya."
Angel
His eyes blew wide and cornerless, staring not at Madame but at a far off, intangible point behind her. It never really occured to him just how impactful erasing Valentino's existence from Hell would _be._ All he found himself stuck on was getting it _done,_ losing himself in the possession of madness and the mindsets of cornered prey whenever he acted.
Angel didn't want to inherit the empire. Having the responsibility of so many souls under his care wasn't something he ever thought suited him. Protecting his peers on the streets was one thing, so was taking demons of all walks of life temporarily under his wing until they could fly on their own. _Management_ was another. Keeping souls in _line_ was another. He always thought himself the soldier, the weapon, the right hand, the poster boy of the wall supporting his image. An _Overlord_ of his own right...? The closest he'd come to it was before he partnered with him, fresh into demonhood, throwing his power and whims wherever he wished...
_But claiming Valentino's head would **do** that to him, wouldn't it?_ He'd inherit his power, his enemies, new enemies out of his allies... Angel's head began to spin. This was the nature of Hell. _Endless tiers of suffering._ All he wanted was his freedom... _How much was too high a price to pay...?_ He'd be fighting Valentino's battles _long_ after he was gone...
" That was, uh... " he said in an uncharacteristically small voice, " ... a fig're a speech... He's good t' me... really... " Angel bit his lip, eyes meeting her now that he'd processed all she had to say to him. Madame and Valentino sure had _history..._ and if Angel learned anything from his partnership with him... _it must've ROTTED to the very CORE._ They had this in common and he could feel it in her voice.
He trusted her. He knew he could. But maybe he didn't have to use it... not QUITE yet...
A warm, genuine smile bloomed over his face and he took her hands. " I will, " he promised with a binding kiss between her aligned pointer fingers, " Ya have my word, I love ya club an' what'cha doin' wit' it... I'll... " _Meet you in the middle._ " I'll... come aroun' some more. Maybe a performance or two would make 'im nervous enough t' give me next holiday off, ah? "
Angel laughed, knowing that chance was slimmer than his waistline after routine removals of his floating ribs. It _would_ be _nice_ not to have to work Valentine's Day...
" Thanks... fa hearin' me out... " he said sweetly, subtly off the edge of a choke, " The grind don't stop, an' it gets pretty fuckin'... MUCH... "
Madame
"That's right, baby, the grind don't stop, but Mama's here for you." Her tentacles moved around, and she used them to cradle Angel instead of her arms, freeing them up to hold one of his set of hands.
"Now, you listen to Mama, alright? I know Big V better'n anyone around. Raised him in Hell myself, and he shames me every day, the way he acts. I know his temper, his vices, I know it all, Angel. And darlin'? He ain't never treated no one right since the moment he landed ass over tea kettle in Hell. Probably long 'fore that too, considerin' he landed in Hell in the first place. I know the sorts a things he tries to pull..."
She took a deep breath, and leaned down, her tentacles lifting Angel higher. She pressed her forehead to his, and took his face in her hands, her voice lowering as her throat tightened.
"Next time he tries anythin'-- _anythin' at all_-- you come to me, Angel. I know yer a big boy, I know you can handle yerself, but it breaks my heart to know you're there with him, every day. It honestly truly does. Bein' Val's favorite is a hard life, or unlife, I suppose, but just know Mama's got ya back. I'd sooner slap that grin off his face and grind that stupid hat a his inta the dust than see ya hurtin' cause a him. I know it can be hard to accept help, but I do want ya ta know that it's there, if'n ya need to accept it, alright?"
She sniffled as she straightened up, using both her hands and tentacles to hold him close. "You're my boy, Angel, I love ya like my own. We ain't blood, but what's blood ever done for anyone? We better'n blood, we're family, got it?"
Angel
_Oh the tears._ They were coming. She already knew what he was keeping safely lodged in his throat. It saved him from having to admit ANYTHING while making it crystal clear to him that she had just what he needed, and was willing to give it to him.
But for NOTHING in return...? Angel closed his eyes and nuzzled into her forehead as the tears beaded off the long length of his lashes. Behind his eyes were the memories branded into his skull, words insisting that there was no such THING as the sentiments he found himself faced with. _With every sanction, there was a CATCH. With every favor, a FEE to be repaid twice over._
He fought them with the help of her every word.
" G... got it, " he choked, " I got it. I won't let'cha down... " A small sniffle. Angel's emotions flowed, but they were soothed and much more contained than they were when he was alone. It was becoming clearer and clearer now that he was in the company of trust.
He found traction in her tentacles and allowed her to support him, the tight pressure of the coils feeling more like safety than constriction. Perhaps, he really could survive post extermination Hell...
" I, uh... " Angel swallowed thickly. " ... Blew the top floor window... b'fore I took off... I dunno if any angels got in, but... he 'ad t' deal wit' 'em... "
Madame
She lifted a hand to wipe away a couple tears before they could fall-- she was wearing waterproof make up, as she always did, thank fuck. Madame pressed a kiss to his forehead, and held him.
Until he said that. She blinked and looked down at him, shock clear on her face for the moment or two it took her to process what he said. And then she burst out laughing. Her entire body shook with it, loud cackles that rose into the air.
"Oh fuck, oh god, Angel! Baby, you're a fuckin' riot! Did ya really? Just broke through the damn window? Damn, shug, ya know how ta make an exit!" She laughed again, Angel pressed against her chest.
"Oh, honey, ya ain't hurt, are ya? No scratches, gashes? I mean, ya looked tip top when ya walked up, but that fur a yours hides a lot. Anything ya need Mama ta look at?"
Angel
He chuckled sheepishly with a comical bump along the waves of her laughter. Despite how afraid he initially was to return, it must've been HILARIOUS from Madame's point of view. It eased him some.
" Nah, nah! I'm fine! I think...? Uh... " Angel did a quick survey of himself. Valera might've brushed out the last of the glass from his fluff already. Enough of the alcohol wore off for him to have felt any stinging by now ( he was PRETTY sure. )
" Yeah! I think I'm good, thanks ~ " he assured, " I take color real easy so if I'm bleedin' , it SHOWS. BRIGHT an' hot pink ~ " He took a little too much pride in that.
Madame
"Oh, fancy Mister Pink Blood over here," She said, still giggling a bit. "Mine's blue, if'n you were wonderin'."
Madame took a deep breath, rocking him in her arms again, just on instinct.
"God, I'd pay a million bucks ta have seen the look on Valentino's face when ya did that. Serves him right. An Angel lead the angels to him!" She started laughing again, devolving into softer giggles after a few moments.
"How's everthin' else, though? Ya feelin' alright? Ya body's fine, but wanna make sure my boy's doin' good."
Angel
" It shows up pretty in pictures, is all ~ " he said casually, " Bloodplay photosets always turn out real good. " He then casually reclined along a tentacle and drew idle circles in the fountain to watch the calming ripples.
" Think... e'rythin's ok... " he mused, " Just really needed not t' work the Extermination pa'ty an' just... chill out some. " He scrutinized his own reflection in the water for clues. Not much else came to his mind from the massive shadow his immediate issues casted over them.
Madame
"Alright, if that's it...." She trailed off, two of her tentacles peeling off to plop into the fountain as she leaned back.
"Y'know I hadn't even seen the ocean since I was a young'n? Hadn't swam in it fer longer'n that, too. I'm....so thankful to Valera fer invitin' me. Not only do I get to not worry about the Extermination-- at least as much, but I get to enjoy somethin' I missed fer so, so long."
She gave Angel a squeeze. "And now my boy's here'n safe 'n sound. Nothin' better to relax an ol' ladies' heart."
Madame smiled down at him. "Everythin' will be fine, Angel. We may be in Hell mosta the time, but this right here?" She gestured to the plants around them. "This all is proof that we ain't always there. Even in our hearts'n minds, when we there physically, we aren't always in Hell. There's a sayin': Hell is other people. But I think Heaven can be, too. If ya got the right people around..."
Angel
Angel wrinkled his nose. " Heaven's a load a bullshit. All of it, " he said cynically, " Ya condemned, ya condemned. Ain't no POINT in tryn'a make nice wit' the fuckin' feathery DOUCHEBAG brigade lookin' t' ERASE US e'ery fuckin' YEAR. " The words came from his gut. He wasn't hiding any hidden hopes or dreams. " Ya really think a place that commits annual fuckin' genocide a sinner's where it's at? A thing to LOOK FOR IN PEOPLE? It's a fuckin' fairytail, the fuckin' shit they tell us t' be believin' about Heaven, _**Mamina...**_ "
The last endearment rolled off his tongue like a plea. _ Don't try t' sell me anythin' I'm never gonna have..._ " Ya know I fuckin' - RAN, from the party. I ran from the fuckin' studio too. Hotel ain't gonna save me wit' their redemption prayers. Just... gonna put a lil' pause on the sufferin' awhile. Like 'ere. It's just a break. After this, it's Hellhole Sweet Hellhole all over again 'til the next time we're at our wit's en'. That's all there is, that's I got. " Angel sat up from his recline so he could look Madame in the face. " ... E'en if I got you. I don't mean it like anythin' ya do don't matter, but... y'know... " He sprawled his hands defeatedly as his words failed him, and his face fell into a bittersweet anguish. It seemed some things were completely beyond even his imagination.
Madame
Her face only softened as he spoke, and her heart ached for him. Oh, this poor thing, tossed about by life and then by Hell, it was no wonder to her that he was so cynical.
"Angel, darlin'," She said, after he finished his rant, her hands moving to ever so gently hold his face between them. Madame let out a long, slow sigh, staring into his eyes with the sweetest, most motherly expression she could.
"Call me an optimist, but I'd like to think that livin' over a century in Hell has taught me one thing: even Hell can have some sweetness. Sure, we all sinners'n demons down here-- or there, but that don't mean there ain't still decent folk who'd treat ya right down there. That Princess for one, she's a good egg, startin' up that Hotel may not get the results she's lookin' for, but it can help. She wants to change things, and I don't blame her.
"Hell is Hell, it's true. Heaven ain't no picnic either, but I think ya missed my point, shug-- When I say that Heaven can be other people, I ain't meanin' the feathery bastards that come down ta kill us every year, or even the fuckin' cunts that live up in them clouds and send 'em down. I'm meanin' the _concept_ what ya learned in Sunday school. What Heaven is _supposed_ to be. It's supposed to be a place where ya surrounded by people that love you and that ya love too. And if we can find those kinds of people, even in Hell? Well, that's a bit of a miracle in my books.
"So no, Hell ain't never gonna be Heaven and thank fuck fer that, cause I think Heaven's prolly borin' as shit compared to the fun we can have in Hell. I'd rather run a cabaret in Hell than lay around bored as sin in Heaven any day. But what I'm tryin' to say is that, if ya got good people around ya, then things'll get better. Hell, honestly, ain't been no different from life up above, fer me. Ya gotta make the most of what ya got, honeybunch."
She pressed a kiss to his face, her lips covering half of it when she did. "That make sense, darlin'?"
Angel
" Yeah. Total sense. " Angel deadpanned into the rosebush behind her. " First rule t' makin' it in Hell's bein' an Overlord or the fuckin' Princess, " he replied caustically. It didn't seem like she was going to understand or stop lecturing until he relented one way or another. But if Madame was Hell bent on teaching him something, he had to let her know he wasn't a CHILD that could be sold far off dreams when he was preoccupied with spending his every waking moment surviving the present.
" I _know_ there's sweetness in Hell. Dealin' sugar's my JOB. Makin' the most outta the scrap I got doesn't give me time ta KID. " He got up and started pacing the pavement, cigarette in his teeth and a light in his claws. " First thin's first, get outta Big V's horseshit. If it don't kill me, THEN I can see what I can do about gettin' a fuckin' life preached to me by a sister who fuckin' rapped my ass every Sunday. " A puff of red hearts whisked into the sky. He couldn't bring himself to buy a thing she said past offering to help him if he needed a place to be. The crystal clear promise of security was the only thing that made sense to him and as he was, he had no place for faith.
Madame
Her expression didn't change, even when Angel got up and started pacing. It was alright-- he wasn't ready, in his heart, to hear what she said, and that was okay.
"It's good to have priorities, shug. Glad ya got that shit figured out. I don't mean to preach, just speakin' my own truth, Angel. If ya don't wanna hear it, well, then, I'll shut my yapper 'n we can just enjoy the respite we get here, yeah?" She took a deep breath and swirled a hand through the water.
"Just want ya t'be happy, sweetheart. Like any Mama would. Just cause we in Hell doesn't change my heart."
Angel
" I appreciate what ya sayin', Big Mama, " he sighed through curls of crimson escaping from the valleys of pointed teeth, " It just ain' it fa me. I 'ad to lie, scrap, and _fuck_ m'way to where I am now. I don't... _got_ the means t' be thinkin' a what it'd be like to not have to. I don't 'ave the POWER - I mean, maybe, I _USED TO,_ but... "
Angel looked around. He couldn't imagine littering the pristine garden with his ash, so he kept the butt on hand. " ... I gave it away. Fa this. Fa... " _He could say this to her, right?_ " ... Fa HIM. Before... it all got to 'is head an' before I knew it, I wasn' it anymore. He was chasin' more an' more power, the kind I gave up. So it's gonna... _TAKE..._ s'more lyin', fuckin', an' scrappin' before I get anywhere else. Until he could look me in the fuckin' eye an' SEE... how BAD. He fucked. Up. "
Madame
She nodded along with him, knowing those words well, knowing that feeling. "I getcha, baby, I getcha. Don't need to explain none to me about shit like that. I understand, babydoll, I do."
Madame reached over, gently taking his hand in hers, drawing him back to sit next to her again. "Ya got a smoke ta spare, Angel? Mama's got a cravin'."
She let out a sigh, and glanced out over the garden. "If'n ya need to talk about it though, I'll listen, Angel. No one'd understand better'n me, yeah? I know Vee better'n anyone cept maybe you 'n possibly the other two Vees. So ya need to vent? Just rant ya head off? I can listen. I know how much that can help sometimes."
Angel
" That - ... That's it, " he said calmly, starting to feel more comfortable in the stimulants soothing his system, " Ye... yeah, I... " Angel procured his case and flipped it open for her to browse, allowing his head to lean against her shoulder. The light off the pink crystal seqins sparkled in the water.
" He's... gonna pay. An' I'm gonna collect. That's all I got an' all that matters. Until I do that, ain't nothin' in the shithole that's gonna be up fa my takin'. " He put out his cigarette on the empty side of the case and fixed himself another. That could do for now. " _C'est la CAZZO vie._ "
Madame
Madame looked over his selection and took one. She waited until he lit his next and leaned in to light hers off it. She took a long drag, blowing the smoke out-- no shapes like Valentino's, just a cloud, the way she preferred it.
"Sure is, Angel, sure is. I'll be there ta have ya back, though." She ruffled his hair affectionately. "Mama's in ya corner, and don't forget it."
Angel
_That_ was the reassurance he needed, something concrete he could trust in. " Never, " he affirmed sternly as if his voice wrote a contract in the smoke, " I got that, ain't much I couldn't do. " Snapping the case closed, he lounged against her and looked up into the sky, redless save for the dissipating shapes they blew. For the moment, he really felt like he'd be ok.
Madame
Her hand moved to the back of his head, giving him some gentle scritches as she held him close.
"Got any ideas fer an act ya'd wanna do at the cabaret? Anythin' ya wanna do that ya hadn't got to before?"
Angel
" Zorita 'ad some shit goin' on, " he said immediately through brightened eyes, " Dunno if I could really pull it OFF, but the SHOWS were real fuckin'... _choice ~_ "
His arms then got animated, slicing and molding the air around his thoughts as he brainstormed.
" I got chances to try a lotta thin's, but only the one time it'd take fa Big V t' decide it wasn't worth gettin' me into when the pole was just as good an easier t' maintain. If I got back to anythin'... I think I'd wanna do the ring... "
Madame
"The ring, eh?" She smirked, giving a nod. "That's a fun one, fer sure. What about the ribbons? He ever let ya do those? The things soma the girls can do...."
Angel
" Ribbons? The ones on the sticks? " He racked his head through the years. " Huh... no... I don't think so... Unless the prop's somethin' I'm wearin' an' can throw, he thought it a waste a time. I tried t' pitch 'im the idea a dancin' wit' 'em in nude if I could keep a trailin' ribbon over my junk the whole time, but he didn' believe me, " he explained, snickering, " I could TOTALLY pull it off if he gave me the time! _His loss ~_ "
Madame
"No, no, the ones hangin' from the ceilin'! It's like the ring but, y'know, big ol' ribbons a cloth. Some circus level shit, but damn, if it ain't pretty." She laughed, shrugging.
"Think ya'd look real pretty danglin' up high from all a them."
Angel
He blew a raspberry, a storm of popping hearts spraying over the fountain. _Can't take that image back NOW -_
" Oh, silks, yeah, I TOTALLY knew what ya were talkin' about, " he said between giggles, " Yeah, I done those once or twice. It came pretty easy, I dunno, an' it was lotta fun, but y'know Big V... "
Angel then put a pair of free hands to his head to mimic feelers. " _They wanna see ya ASS, Angel Cakes,_ " he mocked.
Madame
Madame laughed, shaking her head. "Fuck, ya got that down, don'tcha?" She shrugged.
"Valentino's always been shortsighted about these things. If ya _always_ give em what they want, then there ain't no reason fer them to be tantalized! Can't give 'em all a it up front, ya gotta _tease~_" She gave her chest a little shake and winked at Angel.
"But acourse you know what I'm talkin' 'bout, don'tcha, Angel?"
Angel
" Probably more than HE DOES, " he joked with a mirroring preen of his own chest, " He's all about that fast money, but he ain't got NO. IDEA. How far ya can stretch the bucks. LEMME TELL YA! "
Angel excitedly straddled the edge of the fountain to face her. " The LONGER ya can edge a John, the more he's gonna give ya. Physically, emotionally, all of it. Big V deadass for - fuckin' - GOT that there's more t' hustlin' than _wham, bam, thank you ma'am_ - 'in it out. Time he trade in those goofy fuckin 'eart shades fa dollar signs, ya'd THINK! "
Madame
"Oh, I know, honeybunch, I _know_. It's all about the tease! All about the tantalizin'. Give 'em just enough to keep 'em comin' back fer more 'n more!" She laughed, winking at him.
"Big V's lost sight a that, he's too preoccupied with shittin' out content fer Vox that he fergot the biggest money maker in th' game." Her smile turned sly as she looked at Angel.
"But I never fergot that. That's why I lasted this long, and why I'll keep lastin'."
Angel
" Time's up, ah? He sells fuckin' Voot Floops fa $666 an they taste like FUCKIN' ASS! I WOULD KNOW! " he joked as he toyed with his case, " Ain't nothin' in 'em either, just THE emptiest shit there is t' be eatin'. Fa like a week? Month? Fuck I know, but it was all we 'ad in the studio breakroom an' I swear ta FUCK I always en'ed up HUNGRIER than before I ATE 'EM. "
He then opened up his case and started rolling some more cigarettes. " Wonder when someone's gonna tell 'im his new boyfrien's fuckin' _STUPID..._ " A sly smile. " He ain't got nothin' on ya, yeah? Could _you_ get away with it? " Angel chuckled, " Not too 'arshly, though! I ain't about t' be feelin' bad fa his new squeeze... unless... _he's got a cravin' fa spider..._ "
Madame
She snorted. "I _could_ but don't mean I _would_. I ain't about ta stir that pot like that-- besides, ya _know_ I'm a good ol' Southern Lady, and we have better ways a sayin' shit like that ta the point were people ain't even know we talkin' shit."
She placed a hand on her chest and batted her lashes. Madame deepened her accent as she spoke again. "Well bless yer heart! I ain't ever seen a bug quite as cute! Yer as adorable as a bee's wing!" She started laughing.
Angel
Angel echoed her laughter with intermittent snorts. " Ain't no gay bitches got time fa that. Our petty, impatient asses WANT ya knowin' when we're takin' ya fa a DRAG, " he joked with a wink. _Pun intended._
" That's the master plan, though ~ " he sang with a quick drag of his tongue over the end of a fresh cigarette before slipping it into the case, " Fuck 'im. Fuck 'is boyfriend. THEN fuck over 'is whole ass life. Shit ~ "
Madame
"Sounds like a plan, shug. Sounds like a plan, indeed." She chuckled. "Just know I can't take _direct_ action in ruinin' Big V's shit. I'll support ya, but I can't get involved with my own tentacles-- plus, I mean, Val'd smell that a mile off, so's best I keep to the background, fer all our sakes. It he breaks our deal first, then I'd have free reign to help ya more directly, though."
Angel
" Yeah yeah, ya don't gotta, " he assured, " I ain't plannin' on involvin' or takin' no one down wit' me. Promise. No one better take this from me, either, but... What, kin'a deal ya got goin' wit' 'im? "
Madame
"Ain't nothin' fancy, basic sorta non-interference thing. I don't mess with his business directly, he don't mess with mine. Mostly keeps us outta each other's hair-- but poachin' talent is fair game, which is why I can offer ya protection 'n such." She smirked and winked again.
Angel
" _Nice_ loopholin' ~ " he sang, " No wonder ya been sittin' pretty all this time, Big Mama. Save a spot fa me an' I'll be the prettiest throne candy anyone's e'er seen ~ "
Madame
"Deal Makers gotta get those loops on lock, baby boy, and I wouldn'ta lasted this long if I weren't a damn good Deal Maker." She giggled again.
"Ever since ya started up with Big V, I had a spot primed 'n ready for ya. Knew ya were a star, baby."
Angel
" HA! " Angel gave a short, small burst of slightly embarassed laughter. " Spotlight's where I belong, Mama ~ Chargin' me rent in m'own house oughta be a _crime ~_ "
Madame
"Ain't that true, babe, ain't it true!" She laughed again. "Ya belong in it."
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sweeethinny · 4 years
Text
Reputation - End Game (Chapter 2)
Hello, another chapter, and again I am talking about how much fun it was to write this. Remembering that the chapters do not necessarily follow an order. Hope you like it!
AO3 
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I wanna be your end game I wanna be your first string
''Are you alright?’’ Harry was leaning against the back doorframe, arms and legs crossed, assessing Ginny's every move as if he wanted to take a picture in his mind so he would never forget it.
She didn't blame him, she had imagined him for the past year, just to make things with the Carrows less… intense.
''Yes and you?'' They were alone for the first time in weeks. With Ron and Hermione going to travel to Australia, their brothers going home (George continued at The Burrow, but he had gone with his father somewhere) and her mother who didn't seem to want to spend much time there when everything was quiet, it was just her and Harry. And it could become dangerous, eventually.
''The same as always ... want help?’’ He followed her movements, looking too much at analysis that Ginny was cutting vegetables for dinner, going to her side.
''No, thanks'' Anger bubbled up in her stomach, and she wanted to yell at him, about how he could disappear, appear (almost die!) And now act as if nothing has ever happened.
''Gin''
I wanna be your A-Team I wanna be your end game, end game
''What, Harry? My mom will really fight if I don't-- ''
''--I missed you. Every day'' As she didn't cut a finger off her, Ginny would never know ''And I wanted to say that before but ... er ... it never seemed the right time'' Harry looked bewildered, still too thin for her mother to stop to force him to repeat the dish twice at every meal, with cut hair (Molly did a great job) and a thin beard growing from his chin, making him more attractive than Ginny had ever seen. But she bet that it was also because of all the time away.
''It was a little complicated for me too'' Her heart beat loudly, with unhappy memories of the past year flooding mind, her voice coming out a little too sarcastically
"That's why I ... Shit Ginny, I didn't want any of that shit to happen to you"
''Well, we don't have the best reputation with the world of darkness, do we? You and I had some experiences with You-Know-Who that, by themselves, already make us be hated.'' Shrugged, not thinking she could tell that The Carrows loved hearing about the gossip about their relationship.
Big reputation, big reputation Ooh, you and me, we got big reputations, ah And you heard about me Ooh, I got some big enemies
''Sorry'' Harry and she looked at each other, he looked even more disconcerted, his eyes so sad that the green had a gray background that Ginny really wanted to take off by herself ''For not being there for you'' They were close, too close for her to be able to think of something coherent, to think of something that was not a reminder of how she missed his kisses, or how he played with her hair, barely realizing that he was doing it
''You had to save the wizarding world'' She shrugged again, biting her cheek
''This whole noble and stupid thing, I know'' Harry laughed, a small light seeming to rise inside him
''People loved talking about us ... You don't know the things we did. It's ashamed of anyone'' She let her barriers go down. Seeing Harry there, alive, seemed to matter more than the conflicting feelings. Maybe later she would scream and take all that anger and fear out of her, but now, he seemed much more attractive than all that drama.
Big reputation, big reputation Ooh, you and me would be a big conversation Ah, and I heard about you Ooh, You like the bad ones, too 
Ginny could only pay attention to how she missed that idiot, that characteristic smell of him, his green eyes ... his completely.
Harry was the only one who understood her, who understood Tom and all the shit that came with him, who knew what it was like to be haunted. He was the only one who could make her anger dissolve and make room for that longing that consumed her for all months, the only one who managed to make her feel alive again, even if she did nothing. Just having Harry there was a lot.
''I thought about you''
''You already said something like that'' Joked, wanting to break that tension
''No'' Ah, that little smile ... ''I had to sacrifice myself. I needed to do this. And when I got there ... II thought about you ... before I died ''
You so dope, don't overdose I'm so stoked, I need a toast We do the most I'm in the Ghost like I'm whippin' a boat I got a reputation girl, that don't precede me I'm one call away, whenever you need me
What did you say after that?
Harry smiled sadly, running his fingers over her cheek as if to remember what the contact was like, getting even closer, keeping his green eyes locked on her. Ginny almost asked if he felt as ... alive, as she did.
''You were the best thing that happened to me, Gin. By far. And I don't even know if I deserved it.''
''Are you going to tell me you love me? Because if it is, stop this self-sabotage first. You deserve as much as anyone else to be happy. In fact, by my calculations, it is what it deserves to be the most.'' She didn't know where all that courage had come from, but it was Harry who was there, that boy who seemed to mess with her whole system and break all the walls that she built daily to protect herself
''I love you'' He laughed, looking much more sincere than the embarrassed laugh he gave whenever someone came to congratulate him on winning the war ''I wish I could have protected you better '' His thumb ran across a thin scar on her cheek, which she barely remembered when won
''I don't need to'' She reminded him, biting her cheek to keep from stupid tears. It was one of those moments when she felt too vulnerable, naked in front of a crowd.
''But I wanted. I would easily die for you, Gin. ''
I'm in a G5 Come to the A side I got a bad boy persona that's what they like You love it I love it too 'cause you my type You hold me down and I protect you with my life
''I prefer you alive'' She said, fiddling with his black sweatshirt as if wanted to find a way out, Harry seemed to swallow all the air around them ''Is it better you know? The dynamics of dating a ghost, it must suck'' Hearing his laughter was like a prize. If she could, she would do more
''And our dynamics?'' The boy blushed like a tomato, in that timid and chivalrous way that only The Chosen One could do ''I mean-'' Cleared his throat ''If you have someone else .. ''
''I'm dating, Harry'' His face paled, his mouth opening in a small O, his eyes seeming to turn that green / gray. Ginny held back her laugh, her sadomasochistic self being fed with that ''I never stopped, in fact'' Consciousness realized to hit like a punch, the color coming back into his beautiful face. ''I wouldn't let you be single around. Not when a lot of girls wanted to be The Chosen One'' She rolled her eyes
I don't wanna touch you  Just another ex-love  I don't wanna miss you  Like the other girls do
''Jealous, Gin? I thought you were better than that'' The redhead lifted her chin, looking at him defiantly
'’Never, Potter. I know my place'' Harry finally put his other hand on her waist, sticking to their bodies like an old memory of the beautiful times in the gardens of Hogwarts ''I don't know if it was clear that I love you too'' She smiled, taking her hands to his face, feeling the chill run through her body when the roughness of his beard touched her fingers
''I missed you'' Their faces slowly approached, as if to enjoy the feeling of euphoria that preceded them, and Ginny felt completely alive when her lips touched him. It was still sweet, gentle, and overpowering.
Their tongues touched as if it were the first time, gradually getting to know the territory, but soon seeming to remember each other. He squeezed her waist and pulled her even closer, as possible, as she lifted her hands to that soft, cut (but still rebel) hair, scraping her nails into his hairy crown as she remembered he liked it, listening to him growl throat, as if confirming.
''I want to do it right this time'' he whispered close to her lips, as if it were their secret, only theirs. ''If you don't mind being The Chosen One'' He joked making her laugh, finally opening her eyes to see him staring at her, with those long, dark lashes casting a shadow on the emerald green pupil. ''Or being a reason for gossip'' Harry had the courage to feel ashamed
I don't wanna hurt you (I just wanna be) Drinkin' on a beach with (You all over me) I know what they all say (I know what they all say) But I ain't tryna play
''I don't care, I already told you ... But explain yourself'' Ginny hugged the boy's neck, standing on tiptoe a little to look at him better, barely remembering the vegetables that should be cut
''You know'' He shrugged, blushing again ''Not just making out under a tree ... these things''
''Ah, but I liked that'' He laughed, lifting her up and taking her to the table, placing her sitting there, his callused and bruised hands on her thigh, causing chills
"You will return?" Ginny nodded, already knowing she would be alone again. But this time, not because he was on a suicide mission 
''I'm going to take the Auror test'' He commented, looking strange ''They'll love making this a big deal''
"Yes, but I really don't care, Harry. It'll be fun to see the things they'll come up with.'' She pulled the strings on her sweatshirt, bringing him closer, before closing her legs around his narrow hips ''If you promise me you won't run away and leave me back. .. ''
''I promise'' His smile was big, and it looked totally real. "But what if I invite you one day ..?"
''To run away? Of course I will ''
Knew her when I was young Reconnected when we were little bit older Both sprung, I got issues and chips on both of my shoulders Reputation precedes me, in rumors I'm knee deep The truth is it's easier to ignore it, believe me
Harry kissed her again, this time much more hungry and hurried than before, his fingers firmly on her waist, seeming to want to dig holes in there, reminding her a lot of times when they weren't so calm in the castle grounds. Their tongues dueled in that way that made her transcend to some distance that only the two lived
Her hips jutted forward, brushing against him with a promise of something, whimpering as his thighs tightened further.
Ginny almost smiled until she teared her face when she felt him nudge her in the thigh, a magnificent reminder that she was still messing with him
Harry groaned in her mouth, biting her lip and spreading her hips as if she burned. Always a gentleman
Even when we'd argue, we don't do it for long And you understand the good and bad, end up in the song For all your beautiful traits, and the way you do it with ease For all my flaws, paranoia, and insecurities
''Sorry ... er .. for that'' His face contorted in a mixture of pain and confusion, his eyes looking like flames
''Don't apologize for getting hard'' She gave him another kiss, letting him stay a little distant ''I like to know that I move with you'' Ginny moved closer to Harry's ear, feeling confident enough to whisper; '' If you could see how you do this to me too ... ''
''Don't be mean, Weasley'' Harry closed his eyes, his thick voice tickling her neck, before walking away as if he could breathe properly. ''Shouldn't you finish your work with the vegetables? I don't know if your mother would like to see you talking this bullshit.'' Ginny laughed, happy to finally have him back there, to return everything as normal as possible. She had missed it more than she imagined.
''She would say I'm corrupting the innocent Harry Potter'' She raised her red eyebrow as if expected the contradiction
''I can tell you already did this when you were strolling naked in my dreams'' And for the first time since Harry left on his mission, Ginny laughed, throwing her head back and all, her chest swelling with happiness.
I've made mistakes, and made some choices that's hard to deny After the storm, something was born on the fourth of July I've passed days without fun, this endgame is the one With four words on the tip of my tongue, I'll never say
Some years later...
"Did you see what they said about us?" Ginny threw the newspaper on the table, a little irritated, a little laughing
''About you ... '' He cleared his throat, making a strong accent ''Is it taking too long to give the Chosen One an heir? '' Harry raised an eyebrow, smiling from the corner and seeming to find a lot of fun in everything
''Yes. That cow still had the pleasure of saying that you are screwing me. What does she know? Was she at our window for our last few fucks, making sure we're using contraceptives? '' He shrugged, cutting a slice of cake and taking it to the plate
''Maybe she knew you came to live with me'' It was true, Ginny had been there (with all her things) for a couple of months, but since leaving Hogwarts, she had been spending more time there than anywhere else. The difference was that now, there were no excuses about 'be without clean clothes' to be able to walk around naked or in his shirts.
''Someone should give her a good black eye to look after ''
''Luv, I don't think punching Rita is good for your reputation'' She shrugged, sipping her tea
''Well, at least she'll have reason to call me crazy'' Harry laughed, looking happy even though it was snowing like never before and it was less than eight in the morning. He had been smiling a lot more since they got it right.
''I don't know what would become of me without you, Gin'' Smiling, the redhead blinked and threw a red tentacle backwards, lifting her chin proudly
''Nothing'' She stood up, going meticulously to his lap, placing each leg on one side of his hips, playing with black hair and enjoying feeling the strong arms around her ''You talk about me, but on page 14 to a huge news about 'Harry Potter and the fight in the Aurors' '' The man shrugged, licking his sugar-stained lips and looking at her as if he were still the most precious thing he had ever seen. But much more man and sure of himself, than with 16/17 years.
''What can I do? Drama haunts me ''
I hit you like bang We tried to forget it, but we just couldn't And I bury hatchets but I keep maps of where I put 'em Reputation precedes me, they told you I'm crazy I swear I don't love the drama, it loves me
''I'm sure you do'' She kissed him passionately, delighting in the sweet taste in his mouth, and in all that tremor she felt when her boyfriend's hands squeezed her, bringing her closer, and seeming to guarantee that Once she felt it in all its glory ''You're going to be late'' Harry caught her lips again, running a hand on her back, squeezing the back of her neck so she could stay there
''I think they will thank you for not having me for an hour .. That asshole Baxter says so'' Leaving him just to see his face, Ginny stared at him, green eyes still burning with lust, his mouth it was a little red from making out, and there was that little scar next to her left eye, almost imperceptible, but that she had noticed
''Why did you fight with him? In addition to him being a complete idiot, of course’’ Harry exhaled, adjusting his glasses before returning his hand to her waist
''Because I'm not going to work with someone who looks like a Neanderthal'' Ginny laughed, amused at the way he pretended to be tough ''Now please stop talking about him, and come over here '' Before she could get her order , he pushed her away "Ah, what Rita said .. "
'' ..I don't care'' The wizarding world seemed to love talking about them, and about possible marriages, and betrayals, and babies. As always, Harry and Ginny were great reasons for gossip. ''Fuck her. In fact, if she's around, we'll give her one more reason to comment on our sex.''
And I can't let you go, your hand prints on my soul It's like your eyes are liquor, it's like your body is gold
The boyfriend looked on fire, his eyes darkening, while that smug smile appeared on his handsome face. She was spoiling him too much.
"Ginny .."
'' .. Skip the romanticism, I'm excited Potter, just do your job'' The man laughed, holding her face and smiling from ear to ear
"Marry me, Gin"
''Alright'' Harry looked surprised, almost as if he had been shocked or punched, still keeping her face in his hands, but moving away a little further
''I'm serious'' He took a black box out of his pocket ''I've been going through this for a week''
You've been calling my bluff on all my usual tricks So here's the truth from my red lips
Ginny didn't know what to say. She had been thinking about many things to do with Harry, since she was 10 years old fantasizing about a great and perfect love, so at 15 when the thing seemed real, everything fell apart, and at 16, when they came back, she just wanted to live in the present, not caring about the years to come, not even if he would order one day.
The ring in the box was delicate, a diamond cut at the top, not as flashy as the one Percy had given Audrey, but perfect for her, much more than she could ever imagine
"Oh ... that's what .."
'' ..Yes, the rat saw me with that woman because we were choosing the ring for you. Julia was very helpful, more than Hermione and Ron together '' Her eyes prickled, her throat closing in emotion ''Er .. do you still accept?'' They finally looked at each other, Harry looking minimally scared and shy, the that made a tear come down lonely. She hated it when she saw him doubting the love that people could have for him.
''Don't be stupid, of course I do'' When her laugh sounded nervous, she calmed down, accompanying him ''It's beautiful. Perfect'' Her hand was shaking, not unlike Harry's, now that he put the ring on her finger as if it were born to be there, fitting like a glove ''I love you'' Guaranteed ''Suck this Rita, it seems like someone is no longer being rolled up!'' Her fiance - FIANCE !!! -  laughed, seeming to explode with happiness, lifting her in his lap and placing her sitting on the table, smiling like a predatory wolf
''Well, Mrs Potter'' Ginny winced when his mouth strolled around her neck, his head falling back in order to guarantee full light to him, his beard causing delicious chills ''We need to celebrate properly''
'' You're going to be late '' She had the presence of mind to say, moaning when she felt a hand massaging her breast
''I dont care''
I wanna be your first string I wanna be your A Team I wanna be your endgame
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theacadominique · 3 years
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LINK TO PLAYLIST.
In 1975, 17-year-old Mexican student, Juan García Madero, joins a gang of poets that refer to themselves as the second generation of the Visceral Realist literary movement. After three members witness a murder and go on the run, everyone in the collective suddenly disappears from Mexico City’s poetry scene. Who settles down and gets married? Who dies alone? Who runs off to another continent? Who gets swallowed up in a political revolution? And who comes looking for them in the decades to come?
THE SAVAGE DETECTIVES: A predominantly Spanish and English playlist (with some Portuguese) based on the book written by Roberto Bolaño. Imagine you’re stressing out on a road trip because someone wants you and you girlfriend dead, and you just met the driver two months ago and he’s more interested in finding his literary idol than your safety. Also, you can’t stop yearning for your ex.
Vive La Vida (Life Is For Living) // Santana English translation: “In this world there is so much anger. Our lives are in danger, we are all living in fear. We’ve got to stop the tears!”
This Love // Maroon 5 “Keep playing love like it was a game, pretending to feel the same then turn around and leave again.”
Mi primer millon // Bacilos English translation: “I’ll do whatever it takes to become famous, to live an artist’s life, to live on songs, to sell illusions that break ten thousand hearts.”
La Camisa Negra // Juanes English translation: “Today I know that you do not want me anymore, and this is what hurts me most.”
Malagueña Salerosa // Chingon English translation: “If for being poor you look down on me, I agree, you are right... I don’t offer you riches. I offer you my heart.”
La Descarada // Reyli Barba English translation: “She hardly has anything, but likes the expensive life. I like her and I know how much she loves me. I know she dreams about me, but she wakes up in another bed.”
La Tortura // Shakira English translation: “Oh, my love, it hurts me so much that you left without telling me where you were going. Oh, my love, it was torture losing you.”
Welcome to the Black Parade // My Chemical Romance “We’ll carry on, and though you’re dead and gone, believe me, your memory will carry on.”
Beggin’ // Carlos Bauete “Walked away, won me then. But easy come and easy go, and it would end.”
Colgando en tus manos // Carlos Baute English translation: “Your sixth sense dreams of me. I know that soon we’ll be together... I know that soon I will cross your path.”
Tus Ojos No Me Ven // Joey Montana English translation: “I have so much love to give, I want to give you my whole life. You are just a girl in the world to him. To me, you are my whole world.”
Corre // Jesse & Joy English translation: “You look at me differently. You hug me and I don’t feel your warmth anymore.”
Anna Sun // WALK THE MOON “Live my life without station wagon rides, fumbling around the back. Not one seat belt on! Wait for summertime, coming up for air, now it’s all a wash.”
Everybody Talks // Neon Trees “Hey honey, you could be my drug, you could be my new prescription! Too much could be an overdose.”
Death to My Hometown // Bruce Springsteen “Now get yourself a song to sing and sing it ‘til you’re done! Sing it hard and sing it well! Send the robber barons straight to hell, the greedy thieves who came around and ate the flesh of everything they found, whose crimes have gone unpunished now, who walk the streets as free men now!”
My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light Em Up) // Fall Out Boy “I’m in the details with the devil, so now the world can never get me on my level. I just got to get you out of the cage, I’m a young lover’s rage! Gonna need a spark to ignite.”
Vivir Mi Vida // Marc Anthony English translation: “I’m gonna live in the moment to understand fate. I’m gonna listen in silence to find the way.”
Jackie and Wilson // Hozier “Lord it'd be great to find a place we could escape sometime, me and my Isis growing black irises in the sunshine. Every version of me dead and buried in the yard outside, sit back and watch the world go by.”
Everywhere I Go (Kings and Queens) // New Politics “You know this life it can be hectic. Now, it might seem like a death wish, being so young and fucking reckless.”
Tear in My Heart // Twenty One Pilots “The songs on the radio are okay, but my taste in music is your face! And it takes a song to come around, to show you how.”
Death of a Bachelor // Panic! At The Disco “When you think of me am I the best you've ever had? Share one more drink with me, smile even though you're sad.”
La Mala Y La Buena // Alex Sensation English translation: “How ironic is this love! When it's prohibited it’s much better. Let's escape to have fun for awhile, and maybe the four of us can still be happy?”
Ay Mi Dios // IAmChino English translation: “You want to come back, but it is not possible to forget. You broke my heart without compassion! You played with my feelings and my love!”
Bad Things // Machine Gun Kelly “Let me paint the picture: couch by the kitchen, nothin' but your heels on, losin' our religion. You're my pretty little vixen, and I'm the voice inside your head that keeps telling you to listen to all the bad things I say.”
Getaway Car // Taylor Swift “While he was runnin' after us I was screamin', "Go, go, go!" But with three of us, honey, it's a side show, and a circus ain't a love story. And now we're both sorry.”
Flower Lane // Funbearable “It's been three years since you left and I’ve still not come to terms with it. You pushed the blame and you ran away to a place one thousand miles away.”
Sunflower // Post Malone “I know you're scared of the unknown. You don't wanna be alone. I know I always come and go, but it's out of my control.”
Me Quedare Contigo // Pitbull English translation: “I'm not a gardener but I can take care of you like a flower. I am not perfect but with you I am the best. Don't leave me alone without your kisses, please.”
Te Duele // Gente de Zona English translation: “They tell me they saw you walking alone, asking the Moon to give you comfort. That as much as you try, you no longer fall in love because you have a hard time to start all over.”
Bola Rebola // Tropkillaz English translation: “Do what I want, it don't matter what you say! Low downtown, oh la la la ay! Wind up my waist, so they know that I don't play. If you ain't movin', then you're standin' in my way.”
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galadrieljones · 4 years
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As You Were (Chapter 5)
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Fandom: The Last of Us | Pairing: Joel x OC | Content: Fix-it | Rating: Mature
Masterpost
When Joel and Ellie take a wrong turn on their journey from Pittsburgh to Wyoming, they find themselves lost in, what feels like a time warp: a beautiful place with a dark and dangerous secret. While there, they meet Cici and Noah, a mother and son fighting tirelessly for survival, and who have recently endured a terrible tragedy on their family farm. Amidst their joint desire to find hope for the future, the two groups decide set out west together, changing the course of the story (as we know it), and the very course of their lives.
This is an AU, starting after the events of the Summer chapter in the first game, and extending into the timeline of the second game. Joel lives.
Chapter 5: Living Room Jam Session
"There are a million ways we should have died before today, and a million ways we can die before tomorrow. But we fight, for every second we get to spend with each other. Whether it's two minutes, or two days, we don't give that up. I don't wanna give that up."
That night, Cici went out to the circuit breaker next to the shed, and she switched on the electric fence. It worked after all.
“It’ll use up a lot of fuel,” she said to Joel. “But we can’t risk it.”
The farm was peaceful. Almost like nothing had ever happened. A couple cows had escaped, earlier that day. Joel had offered to help wrangle them, but Noah said don’t bother. “We can’t feed them anyway." He shrugged. He slaughtered a cow in the early evening. He showed Joel how to clean and butcher the meat, and how to salt and cure it for longer term use. They had steaks for dinner that night, prepared this time with a few potatoes, seasoned with dill from the garden, which was picked almost clean.
Joel was beginning to gather that their time on that farm was coming to a rapid conclusion. They couldn’t stay there, not much longer. If there were spores in the tributaries, that meant they could get into the water table, too. Cici and Noah knew this. They had been making four hour drives to the Fox River in Fon du Lac for several months now, bringing back water sourced from Green Bay. They said this was how they were able to trade for their fuel for the generators, from the Amish on the other side of the hill—making long drives to clean water. Even with the rain, they could no longer water their crops or sustain their livestock, and the Infected were becoming more of a threat every day. They had a lot of reserves, but it was only a matter of time before they ran out of food, or worse. Like Cici had said, him and Ellie showing up like they had, it was almost happenstance.
“I can get you your fuel tomorrow,” said Cici. They were still outside, leaning against a tree, looking at the circuit breaker. “You made good on your bargain. Thank you, Joel.”
Joel had got a big old cut on his forehead from the events down at the trench. She had patched it up for him with alcohol and gauze. Hadn’t made a fuss, just did it. “Cici, I know we ain’t known each other that long, but I ain’t leaving you and Noah here to deal with this all by yourselves.”
“You don’t owe us anything.”
“I know that,” said Joel. “And trust me, I been wrestling with it myself. But it don’t change anything.”
Cici straightened up off the tree and looked around. Her hair was down now, kind of tangly and windswept. Noah and Ellie were inside the house. “Noah said he told you about LaCrosse.”
Joel looked down at the grass as if to count the moonlit blades. “He didn’t go into a lot of detail,” he said. “But yes, he gave me the gist. Said your husband, he died in a fire. I’m sorry, Cici. I truly am.”
She just shrugged her shoulders. “We never got to find out, what’s been going on,” she said, blinking back tears. “We couldn’t stay, after it happened, and then we couldn’t go back.”
“Noah wants me to come with him,” said Joel. “Back. To LaCrosse. He asked me after dinner.”
“There’s no point,” she said. “There’s nothing we can do. Even if you find the source of the problem, the farm is too far gone to save.”
“I think it’s more about closure,” said Joel. “He didn’t say as much, but I get it. I told him I’d go. I hope I ain’t crossing any lines in doing so.”
She closed her eyes.
“Me and him are gonna head up tomorrow,” he went on. “I figure, the sooner the better. Shouldn’t take more than a couple days. I was gonna ask if you wanted to come with us, or if you'd be okay staying here, with Ellie. I don’t want to take her, because she’s just a kid, and she’s been through enough, and I don’t know what the hell we’re getting into up there, but I won’t leave her here alone.”
“It’s okay,” said Cici. She didn’t even try to argue. “I’ll stay. I don’t—I can’t go back there anyway.”
“Do y’all have anywhere to go?” said Joel. “I mean, aside from this farm? Noah mentioned family down in Moline. The I-80 runs right through there. I don’t know what we’ll find, but we could take you.”
Cici shook her head slowly, staring at the earth. “My sister-in-law was trying to get back there like six months ago. She said she’d come back for us, if it was all clear, but we never heard from her again.”
“I heard about some turf wars going on in the Quad Cities,” said Joel. “Just warning you. It was the kind of place too small for a QZ, but it was too big and too isolated to try and save. The military all but abandoned it. Now that was years ago. Things could have changed. Either way, it’s right on the Mississippi, so if your little problem extends into Illinois and Iowa, it probably ain’t gonna be pretty. But we can try.”
She took a deep breath, and she opened and closed her fists a couple times. She had little bones. She was small, but she wasn’t a weakling. “I wanna think about it.”
“Okay.”
“Let’s go inside,” she said, pulling herself together. She had this way of tucking her hair behind her ears. It was like hitting a reset button or something. Truth be told, he was a little confounded by Cici. Not in a bad way. He just found it very hard to predict her, despite her seeming steadfastness, as a woman. “Ellie and Noah are into the vinyls," she went on. "Who knows what they’ve got playing in there.”
“You guys got a ton of records,” said Joel as they headed back to the porch in the moonlit grass. “What is it with that? You just collectors or something?”
“My husband was,” she said. “William. He used to say that if the apocalypse ever came, at least we’d still be able to listen to music.”
“Well, he was right,” said Joel.
The seemed to comfort her. He saw her almost smile, out the corner of his eye.
“What’s this band called again?” said Ellie. She was sitting on her knees on the floor, in the middle of a big old pile of records. Noah was on the floor nearby, sifting through the pile one-by-one. It had been a long time since he’d really taken inventory, since before his dad died.
He picked up the vinyl, examined it front and back. “The Wallflowers.”
“The Wallflowers?” said Ellie. “Weird name, but I like it.”
“Do you know what a wallflower is?”
“Uh,” said Ellie, “like a flower that…grows out of the wall?”
Noah was amused. “It’s a metaphor. It’s like, somebody who stands on the sidelines. They don’t really get in on the action.”
“Oh, that makes sense,” said Ellie.
“The singer for this band is Bob Dylan’s son.”
“Neat,” said Ellie. “Who’s Bob Dylan again?”
Noah started going through a stack on his left, where he kept the sixties stuff. “This guy,” he said.
“Ah,” said Ellie. “The Blowing in the Wind guy. Very cool.”
“Did you guys ever listen to music in the QZ?”
“Yeah,” said Ellie, “but we didn’t have records. And everything I wanted, I had to steal or trade for with my ration cards. It was like, music or food sometimes. I had a walkman though, so I would just listen to tapes.”
“Do you still have it?”
“No,” said Ellie. “It broke like a thousand miles ago.”
“Bummer,” said Noah.
“Pretty much.”
They listened to the song. It was called “Josephine.” I know you’ve been sad. I know I’ve been bad. But if you’d let me, I’d make you ribbons from a paper bag.
“What do you think this song is about?” said Ellie.
Noah thought about it, looking up at the ceiling. “I think it’s like, the end of a relationship,” he said. “The guy messed up, but he doesn’t feel like he’s good enough for Josephine anyway. He’s apologizing, and he knows he can’t get her back, but he still loves her. That’s what I get from it, but it sounds dumb as hell when I say it out loud.”
Ellie examined the sleeve. It was just a whole bunch of yellow stars on a black background. “It’s not dumb,” she said. “It’s just really sad. Why doesn’t he think he’s good enough?”
“I don’t know,” said Noah. “Why does anyone think anything?”
Ellie thought this was kind of funny. “Good point.”
“Let’s try this one,” said Noah.
He took the Wallflowers record off the platter, put a new record on.
“What’s this?” said Ellie. “Lightning Bolt. Pearl Jam? I think I’ve actually heard of these guys.”
“This one’s got a story behind it. You want to hear?”
Ellie straightened right up. “Hell yeah.”
“Okay,” said Noah, looking down at the sleeve. It was like this big, red eye, full of white lightning bolt decals. “So apparently like, this album was supposed to be released a few weeks after the day the outbreak officially hit in 2013. It got pushed back like everything else, and then the stores all closed and it just like, never happened. My dad had really been looking forward to it, so like six weeks after shit went dark, him and some guys went to a Best Buy up in Madison and looted all these unreleased vinyls from the warehouse.”
“Holy shit,” said Ellie. “That’s fucking awesome.”
“I know. He said he had to get by military guys and everything.”
“Dude, your dad was a total badass,” said Ellie. “You should be proud.”
At first Noah got quiet. Ellie hadn’t thought anything of it. She’d never had a dad, or a mom, or anyone to be proud of like that. She just thought it was so unbelievably rad that he had a story like this to tell other people, about his dad. Eventually, Noah smiled. She smiled along with him. He said, “There’s one song on here I like a lot.”
“Play it,” she said. “As long as it’s not about people breaking up. Because that shit sucks.”
“It’s not,” said Noah.
He set down the needle, and together, they listened.
The song was slow and beautiful, thought Ellie, but it grew. Piano—crisp and clean and rushing as the river—gave way to a man’s voice and the guitar, big as a boat. She sat without talking. She tucked her hands in her lap and looked down at her wrists. She closed her eyes and tried hard to let the music overwhelm her. It was hard for Ellie to let things overwhelm her. She wore heavy armor. She would make a joke. She would roll her eyes.
But this was different than the other song, thought Ellie. It was sad, maybe sentimental, but it was a good kind of sentimental. All the missing crooked hearts, they may die, but in us they live on. I believe. I believe 'cause I can see. Our future days. Days of you and me. It was strong, and it seemed to be about trying. Like, trying to be better, through the eyes of someone else. Loving, and being loved, even when it’s hard. You have to try. It put her back in time, almost to another universe, but she hammered it away. She liked this song much better than the last song. She wished to live inside the music.
When it ended, she looked at Noah, who was looking at the ceiling again, leaning back on his hands and listening, with intent. The song had filled the house with a purifying energy and brought it down, made it simple. The bad things that had happened that day, they were clean.
“That one was awesome,” said Ellie.
“Are you okay?” said Noah. He seemed like he was half-joking, but sort of earnest. It was enough joking to make her smile, but not too earnest to freak her out.
“Oh,” said Ellie, looking down at her shoe laces. “I’m fine. I just—these songs sort of remind me of someone I once knew. In another life I guess.”
Noah waited what seemed like a long time before he spoke again. He was mulling it over, with his elbows now resting on his knees. Then he said, “I get that.”
They played the song again. Then, they couldn’t take it anymore. They took it off and put on some emo shit by a band called Coldplay. It was kind of terrible, they agreed, but they listened anyway, as it was like a dream.
A little while later, Joel and Cici came back inside. Joel held the door for her and once they were in the living room, raised his eyebrows and made fun of the Coldplay.
“You guys okay in here?” he said. “Sounds like you made a wrong turn somewhere.”
“Oh, we’re great, Joel,” said Ellie. “You guys are seriously missing out on our jam session.”
“Ha,” said Cici.
Joel stretched and got real big, and then he leaned against the kitchen table. He seemed kind of faded, thought Ellie. He had that cut on his eye. He seemed very tired. “It’s been a long day,” he said. “I think I’m ready to head up. You wanna come Ellie, or you fixing to stay awake a while longer?”
Ellie got up and wiped her hands on her jeans. They’d gotten kind of dusty from handling all the vinyls. “I’ll come up,” she said. “I’m pretty wiped.”
“I’ll have breakfast ready early,” said Cici.
“Sounds fine,” said Joel.
“See you guys in the morning,” said Noah. He glanced up at Ellie then, as if thankful for something.
When they got upstairs, Ellie went to look in the mirror on the bureau and she took down her ponytail. Her hair felt like a rat’s nest. She started to brush it out, aggressively.
“Where’d you get that hair brush?” said Joel, taking his shoes off.
“Cici let me borrow it,” she said.
“Right,” said Joel. He put his face in his hands then, scrubbed them down his cheeks. “Ellie—"
She stopped mid-brush, turned around. “Noah told me about LaCrosse,” she said. “I wanna come.”
Joel took a deep breath, as this had caught him by surprise. “Ellie, no.”
“Well what the fuck?” she said. She set down the brush on the bureau, hard. “Why the hell not?”
He just took to staring at her. She wasn’t actually that mad, he thought, she just seemed genuine in her confusion. “Because,” he said. “I got no idea what we’re walking into up there.”
“Oh, but you did in Pittsburgh, when you drove us straight into a fucking trap?”
“That is beside the point.”
“How, Joel?” said Ellie. “Noah is only four years older than me. I can hold my own.”
“Those are four critical years, Ellie,” said Joel. He was trying not to raise his voice. “And honestly, it don’t matter whether you can hold your own, because this thing going on in, it ain’t about you. It ain’t about me neither. You understand? It’s about Noah atoning with his dad’s death. He needs help, and he asked me, and I am providing that for him.”
“I can help,” said Ellie.
“I know you two get along,” said Joel. “But you're helping most by staying put.”
“What about Cici? She doesn’t wanna go?”
Joel waved her off, started rubbing his eyes with his thumb and forefinger. “No,” he said. “Cici’s made her peace. Or what’s left of it.”
“She doesn’t seem…at peace.”
“I didn’t say she was at peace. I just said she’s made her peace.” Ellie seemed to understand this, and now, he could tell she was just scared, of being left behind. “Look, Ellie,” he said, shaking his head. “You can’t come. That’s the end of this conversation. But we’ll only be gone a couple nights. You got Cici with you. She might seem quiet, but I think she's pretty hardcore, and you two got the electric fence. Me and Noah, we’ll be okay.”
“I know,” said Ellie, like she was defending herself. She had flipped open her switch blade, was studying the tip. “I know.”
“We good then?” said Joel.
She hesitated, but then she closed up the knife and flopped back onto the bed. “Fine,” she said.
He was relieved.
“But then you better fucking bring something back for me.”
This surprised him. He gave her a look. “Bring something back?” he said. “Like a souvenir?”
“Yeah,” she said. “A souvenir.”
“A souvenir from LaCrosse?”
“You heard me.”
Joel tugged the covers back, was getting ready to crawl beneath. The day had become a heavy weight, all of it resting right on his eye lids. He was glad it was all okay. “All right,” he said, yawning. “I’ll see what I can find.”
“Good,” she said.
“Now get some goddam sleep.”
“Ay ay, cap’n.”
A few minutes went by. Joel was about ready to get under the covers for good when Ellie said, “I gotta pee.”
He looked at her. “Now?”
“I’ll be fine.”
“Okay,” he said. “Okay. Just—just be quick.”
“You think I wanna take my time peeing in that thing? Outhouses are like the one bad thing about this place. Other than the whole, contaminated-water part, I guess.”
Joel took a breath, told her he would leave his lamp on. “Just hurry, and turn the lamp down when you get back.”
“I will,” she said.
Ellie went pee in the outhouse and did her best not to make any sounds. When she got out, she didn't feel tired, so she went over and stood by the river like a detour. She did not plan on staying long. She just looked at it, right down into it, and then it blinked back at her like the little bitch it was, bubbling deceptively in the moonlight. She  suddenly hated that something so innocent could also be so deadly, and so fucking sad. The night was cooling down but it was still humid. She switched open her knife and wiped the sweat from her forehead on the back of her hand. She switched her knife closed again, then open again. She tried thinking about anything else, but that stupid Pearl Jam song had awakened something inside her.
“I haven’t seen you in…in I don’t know how long,” she said.
"Forty-five days?” said Riley. She was nervous. “Well, forty-six. Technically. Wanna know what I’ve been up to?”
The rain outside was like a drum. Ellie didn’t care. “All this time,” she said. “I thought you were dead.”
Riley felt everything, but just like everybody else in the whole wide world, she couldn’t show it. “Yeah,” she said. And she took off the dog tag. “Here. Look.”
“God fucking dammit,” said Ellie. She was on her knees now, overcome by something, and she stabbed the knife into the river bank. “Stupid fucking bullshit. Fuck you.” She stabbed it again, and then she felt like a complete dumbass, put it away. She thought about crying but she stared back at the river instead. “Go away,” she said.
“Ellie?” said someone. It was Cici, she was calling out to her from the porch. It must have been too long. “Ellie, you okay?”
“Shit,” said Ellie. "I'm okay." She got up, frantic, and her knees were all wet from the river bank. “I'm okay. I'm coming."
"Just checking," said Cici.
When she got back up to their room, Joel was under the covers. The lamp was dim. He lie very still, on his side, facing the wall, and she stood watching him for a second to see if he'd roll over and scold her or something. But he seemed like he was sleeping, and she was relieved. She didn't know why she cared, but she did. So she turned down the lamp right away and tried to be as quiet as she could so as not to disturb him. She took off her shoes and set them down silently, one by one. Then she took her jeans off, too, hung them over the bedpost to dry. She only had the one pair. She got under the covers and pulled them up to her chin, trying to sink into the mattress, forcing her brain to shut the fuck up. Please. For once, just shut the fuck up. But then,
“'Night, Ellie,” said Joel. He had not moved, by the dim light of the moon coming through the window.
She was near on startled. His voice was really deep and it always filled the room no matter how quiet. “Oh, shit,” she said. “Sorry, Joel."
"That's okay," he said.
"‘Night, Joel.”
Days of you and me.
***
On the record player: “Josephine” by The Wallflowers, “Future Days” by Pearl Jam, “The Scientist” by Coldplay
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j-hawthorn · 3 years
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Hollow Halls of the Rabbit-Hearted King: Chapter 2
(Read on AO3 here!)
A. Z. Fell looked down at his notebook. It sat open on his knees, the empty pages glaring up at him. There were indents on the pages, faint overlapping letters. Writing he was sure he didn’t do because those pages were missing. Torn paper clung to the stitched spine. Fell would never tear pages out of a notebook. Not one with such a pretty cover. No. Someone must have taken it when he slept. He pressed himself closer into his alcove, sore leg out stretched.
When had he last slept? The days here seemed to stretch further and further. He must have slept, because you can only go so long without it and the corners of his mind felt faded like he’d woken from midday nap. Fell closed his eyes, brow furrowing. He’d been in this alcove for...an hour? Maybe four?
Had he been there for days?
The shadows around him didn’t lengthen, no extra light broke through cracks. Nothing around him changed.
His throat was dry. Fell sighed. He needed water and the only place he knew for sure he’d find it was back in the glade with...that creature. He needed to ingratiate himself to them. Surely they weren’t without heart? Someone who tended such a garden could not be so cruel as to deny him water? He just needed a way to get their favour.
Digging through his satchel, Fell pulled out a small pot of ink and a metal nibbed pen. Setting the pot on a stone beside him, he dipped the pen and began writing. He was careful not to smudge the ink. He took pride in his penmanship.
Carefully, Fell stood, bracing himself against the wall.
He limped back through the cold halls until sunlight and warmth and sweet, sweet air found him once more. He didn't need to know where to go, something inside pulled him towards the glade. Fell got the feeling that he could wander for 100 years in this maze of a ruin, and yet he would always be able to find his way back. It was innate.
He stopped at the opening in the wall. The jagged and dark stones and brick a stark contrast to the blooms of verdant glade beyond. Fell gathered rocks, and wincing with every step. He arranged them in a semi-circle facing into the space. And in the center was his notebook. Two small stones held the pages open to his note, his offering. He hurried back into the hallway, his back flat against the wall. Now all he had to do was wait.
It wasn't long until he heard the dull "whomp" of wings and a body landing. Stones clattered. Fell held his breath.
‘Hello?’ The creature called. ‘You bastards adding littering to your list of crimes, then?’
Fell peered around the corner and gave a small wave. ‘Uh, h-hello. It was me.’
They held the notebook close to their face, brows scrunched in concentration. ‘What is it?’ they asked, turning the book upside down. ‘Did you draw something?’
‘I wrote a note...?’ Fell’s heart dropped. He hadn’t meant to make an assumption but it’d never occurred to him that they wouldn’t be able to read. Fell couldn’t afford to offend them. He stepped into the light, hands clasped in front of himself, ‘Do you...or rather can you...uh...I wrote it for you.’
‘Oh. What does it say?’
Fell bit his lip, ‘I was requesting aid. You see, I don’t know where else to find water or food. And, well, the strangest thing happened you see, after I took the pear -’
‘Stole it-’
‘...Oh, I am sorry about that. The pear, you see, it rotted as soon as I was free, or rather, once I was further in the ruin.’
The creature nodded, lip curling, ‘Yeah.’ They tossed the book back to him, then bent down with a groan. They rummaged in the undergrowth for a moment before straightening up, one hand rubbing their knee. In the other they held a thick branch.
'Joints ain't what they used to be,' They chucked. The creature held out the branch, 'Here. Use this, give that leg of yours a break, yeah?'
Fell blinked, taking the branch with a shaking hand. There was a notch in the wood for his hand, the whole thing fitting under his arm perfectly. 'Thank you,' he said. 'That's very kind of you-'
The creature clicked their tongue and curled their lip, waving a hand, 'Nah, don't go on about it. Just can't have you lopping about in my garden and taking another tumble. C'mon, I'll show you where to get some water.'
A. Z. Fell, with the aid of his crutch, followed the creature. They lead him down a dirt path. The further the pair walked, the more intoxicating the air became. A. Z. Fell’s whole body yearned for the sweetness all the bright fruits and plants promised. His throat constricted in the anticipation of cool, fresh water.
The creature pushed aside tall grass. They had led him to a camp. Fell stopped on the edge with a small gasp. He realised they must have some form of shelter, but this was not what he was expecting.
A small creek bubbled pleasantly, water sparkling in the dappled light. Underneath a drooping willow tree was a nest. There was no other word for it. Large and mostly circular, the bedding was made from moss, twigs and what looked like moulted feathers. After his time on the cold stone floor, Fell had to admit it looked extremely cozy. There was a small circle of stones, burnt wood in the center. Next to the nest were wooden boxes, the tops of jars just visible.
The creature rolled a large rock over, and patted it, ‘There. If you wanna have a sit.’ They strode over to one of the boxes, picked up a small jar. Squatting by the creek edge as Fell carefully lowered himself onto the stone, they filled the jar with water.
Fell had to restrain himself not to snatch it from their hands when they brought it over. Clutching the jar in both hands he drank. Great, gulps of water filled his belly, droplets rolling down his chin.
The creature sat on the edge of their nest and chuckled, ‘Nothing better than that, right?’
‘Oh, do pardon me,’ Fell blushed, wiping his mouth with the back of his sleeve. ‘I swear, I normally have more manners than this.’
‘Ach, don’t worry,’ They waved a hand. ‘Who needs manners in a place like this.’ Fell drummed his fingertips along the glass. ‘Where is this place?’
The creature frowned, head cocked to one side. Their long hair fell down one shoulder, those golden eyes searching Fell’s face. ‘You’re having a laugh, aren’t you?’
‘A what?’
‘A laugh! Pulling my leg! Taking the mickey!’ They leaned forward, arms braced on their knees, golden eyes ablaze. ‘What do you mean where is this place? You got yourself here, you tell me.’
Turning to look at the bubbling creek, Fell’s heart sunk, ‘I don’t...I don’t really recall how exactly I got here. I was walking through a forest and was in dire need of shelter. And well...I came upon this ruin and in turn came upon your glade -’
‘And then here you are.’
‘...And here I am.’
The creature seemed content with that and sat back, all fire in those strange eyes gone. Up close, Fell could see their freckles that dotted over their shoulders. He would see the subtle patterns on their feathers, their large, and quite beautiful, wings, tucked neatly behind them. The black feathers glimmered faintly in the light, a hint of deeper colours peeking through.
‘What’s you name?’ They asked.
‘...Fell. I think. A. Z. Fell. And yourself?’
They plucked a feather from the nest, turning it over in lithe fingers, ‘Crowley.’
‘Oh, because of your wings?’
Crowley frowned, head cocked, ‘You what?’
Fell blinked, ‘You’re wings? They're black, like a...a crow? So you’re “Crowie”?’
They watched him for a split second, then snorted with laughter, ‘The fucks a crow? It’s just my name. Picked it myself,’ They seemed to puff up at that, pride showing through. ‘Names are very important.’
‘Yes,’ Fell said, his mind turning to the cover of his notebook, to the stamped initials. It felt like he was trying to look at himself through a fogged mirror. The letters A and Z floated in and out of focus, their meaning lost. He shook his head, ‘Yes. Names are, indeed, very important...’
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A bunch of lines from random songs off one of my music playlists. Feel free to edit and change to your heart’s content for your muses’ own diction and pronouns, etc.
" I'll use you as a warning sign. " " If you talk enough sense then you'll lose your mind. " " But I missed you more than I thought I would. " " I found love where it wasn't supposed to be-- right in front of me. " " Talk some sense to me. " " I love this world, and I don't want to leave it. " " I want to be the man who lives forever. " " I ain't ever going to die, and I want you to come. " " They say we're all born to die, but I never believed it. " " Come here, pretty please. " " Can you tell me where I am? " " I'm lost, and the shadows keep on changing. " " I'm haunted by the lives that I have loved. " " Haunted by the promises I have made, and others I have broken. " " I'll always need you. " " I'll always love you, and I will always miss you. " " Come here. No, I won't say please. " " One more look at the ghost before I make it leave. " " Boy, I'm trying to show you where I'm at. " " Hey, pretty, don't you wanna take a ride with me through my world? " " Hey, pretty, don't you wanna kick and slide through my world? " " I have a mind full of wicked designs. " " I can't forget I am a sole architect. " " I built the shadows here. I built the growl in the voice I fear. " " Hey, now, can't you feel me longing? " " Do you get the gist of the song now? " " I saw the part of you that only when you're older you will see too. " " It's like you told me-- go forward slowly. It's not a race to the end. " " You look like yourself, but you're somebody else only it ain't on the surface. " " You were the better part of every bit of beating heart that I had. " " I couldn't believe that you were gone. " " You talk like yourself-- no, I hear someone else. " " You're making me nervous. " " It doesn't matter what I say as long as I sing with inflections that makes you feel like I'm conveying some inner truth or vast reflection. But I've said nothing so far, and I can keep it up as long as it takes. " " There is something amiss. I am being insincere. " " In fact, I don't mean any of this. Still my confession draws you near. " " I ain't telling you no lies. " " Make a desperate move or else you'll win. " " So desperately I sing to thee of love, sure, but also rage and hate and pain and fear of self. " " I wanna bust all your balloons. " " I wanna burn all your cities to the ground. " " I have a prayer to pray. That's really all this was. " " And when I'm feeling stuck and need a buck, I don't rely on luck because the hook brings you back. " " Someone sang your name today, and a stranger saw me crumble. " " Can you please kindly take away the misery? " " Wrap me up to go away. " " I need to forget you. Don't want to, but I need to let you go. " " The devil bent my ear today about his magical elixir that would make the sorrow go away. Help me forget that I met you. Give me-- I'll take a dozen, please." " The more you take, the more you need. " " Why don't you come over here? " " Come and see me through the night. " " If you choose the world to see just leave your heart in Tennessee. " " Plain, plain Tennessee me, living just a mile away. I'm nothing special, but I can hold you. " " If you want to, you can stay. " " Let me love you all my life. " " You can take a live wire into the bath with you for a feeling you can't find. " " You can entertain your childhood friends with a tour of the bedroom. " " Tie my right hand to the Bible. " " Surprise you to find that I'm laughing? " " You thought that you'd find me in tears. " " Well, you may be king for the moment, but I am a queen, understand? And I've got your pawns and your bishops and castles all inside the palm of my hand. " " Now I have taken control. " " This is beginning to feel good, watching you squirm in your shoes. " " You thought you could keep me from loving. " " While you were busy destroying my life, what was half in me has become whole. " " All those things you taught me to fear-- I've got them in my garden now, and you're not welcome here. " " Come a little bit closer. Let me look at you. " " I gave you the benefit of the doubt, it's true, but keep in mind my darling-- not every saint is a fool! " " Mother, don't worry, I've got some money I saved for the weekend. " " Mother, remember the blink of an eye when I breathed through your body? " " So may the sunrise bring hope where it once was forgotten. " " Mother, I lost it, all the fear of the Lord I was given. " " Mother, don't worry, I've got a coat and some friends on the corner. " " Sons are like birds, flying always over the mountain. " " I know the rain like the clouds know the sky. " " I write the names of the rocks and the trees. " " I tried to warn you when you were a child. I told you not to get lost in the wild. " " I taught you melodies, poems, and rhymes. " " Success is a song of the heart, not a song of your bed. " " And we all still die. " " What will you leave behind? " " I called your name 'til the fever broke. " " An awful noise filled the air. I heard a scream in the woods somewhere. " " A woman's voice-- I quickly ran into the trees with empty hands. " " His bone exposed. His hind was lame. I raised a stone to end his pain. What caused the wound. How large the teeth? " " I found something in the woods somewhere. " " You know better, babe, than to look at it like that. " " Don't let it in with no intention to keep it. " " You know better, babe, than to smile at me like that. " " I know who I am when I'm alone. I'm something else when I see you. " " Honey, don't feed me, I will come back. " " I've known the warmth of your doorways. Through the cold, I'll find my way back to you. " " Oh, please, give me mercy no more. That's a kindness you can't afford. " " Maybe I could be the one they adore. " " I'm an educated virgin. " " Cupid, don't draw back your bow. " " I'll never be your valentine. " " God only knows that I've tried. " " Let me in, let me drown, or learn how to swim. Just don't leave me at the window. " " Sleepwalker, take this knife. You may see someone tonight. " " I'm in your movie, and everyone looks sad. " " Now sleepwalking was my life. It's only a matter of time until I learn to open up my eyes when I'm dead asleep dreaming. " " Trying to make ends meet. You're a slave to money, then you die. " " I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down. " " I'm a million different people from one day to the next. " " I need to hear some sounds that recognize the pain in me, yeah. " " Infinity has many faces. I see them all tonight in you. " " Hey, hello, a joy to finally meet you. " " Should you choose to react like an imbecile, you in turn will be treated so. " " Yes, we're being condescending. Yes, that means we're talking down to you. " " You speak like someone who has never been smacked in the fucking mouth. That's okay, we have the remedy. " " You speak like someone who has never been knocked the fuck on out. But we have your remedy. " " If the devil danced in empty pockets, he'd have a ball in mine. "
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