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#sorry I tripped over my words and pointed at a pigeon when it arrived on my window
plavi · 3 years
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Me: It’s time for a much needed slap of reality. To tell me what’s what!
Mentor: *is nothing but caring and understanding about my situation, gives me good guidance and suggestions how to better my work, as well as tells me I’m a hard-worker and everything will be all right*
Me: I don’t deserve you!!! 😭😭😭
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dailytatsu · 2 years
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Hello! I love your writing and I recently saw a post of yours about the reader being the God Of Chaos and I was wondering if you could make a part two with characters of your choice, if it’s not that much of a trouble! Remember to drink water and rest well <3
Tysm! I’m really happy to see that a lot of you enjoyed it, and being honest, chaos reader now have a special place in my heart lol
Then let’s write a second part! Hope everyone likes these as well! ( ✌︎'. ')✌︎
Thanks for the request!✨
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[II - HC] God of Chaos! Reader & Genshin Characters
Characters: Bennett, Tartaglia, Scaramouche, Ganyu, Chongyun
Gn! Reader
Sorry for any mistakes!
Request are open!
Genshin Masterlist
<- First part
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BENNETT
First of all, how dare u
This boy already has a chaotic life for you to arrive and making it worse.
But being honest, it wasn’t intentional, just like always.
Besides he’s a kid. The chaos of a kid + chaos of his bad luck, I mean- how were you not supposed to meet him?
That day was really strange, for the very first time the chaos wasn’t attracted by you, but you were attracted to chaos. Like a moth following a lantern on the street, something that you felt like you had to do, some kind of childish curiosity that guide your way to find Bennett in the middle of his adventure.
Poor boy was charging his pyro attack to max until a barrel exploded near him, he flew in the air waiting for a rough landing before his trajectory sent him where you were standing, still looking for the origin of that uneasy sensation of curiosity.
Luckily for him you could see his shadow just in time to react. You looked up because of the strange silhouette on the ground next to you and there he was, surrounded by a cloud of smoke and fire, with his screams getting louder and louder as he falls.
You trapped him in your arms, with the situation turning even more strange when the first thing he said was “nice catch!” with the bright smile of his.
Like if his hair on fire wasn’t a big deal.
It’s raining men ig
Before you could ask anything, a crowd of angry hilichurls appeared from the same direction where Bennett came at first.
The white haired boy jumped off from your arms and tried to grasp your hand to run away together, but instead you pulled him near and then behind you before rising your hand to the front, pointing the stampede of furious creatures about to reach you both.
Not even a leaf fell from a tree before the hilichurls stopped, all of them felt your presence immediately, the primitive sensation of danger that meant a silent threat. Following the message that another camp of them told long ago, ‘get away from that stranger’.
Bennett was surprised, kind of scared at least. He wasn’t sure about how to call that feeling.
Are you a beast tamer?! Maybe an adventurer that discovered a secret about hilichurl’s behavior! Wait- where are you going? Don’t leave him behind, the doubt won’t let him sleep tonight!
You explained to him that it was dangerous for both to be near each other (more dangerous for him than for you), still you needed to get away. To protect Bennett and the other adventurers that were exploring nearby.
But why? He was so excited about meeting someone who could react that fast and precise! Like the heroes in the legends!
Please show him your ways, he’s begging you, how can you be rude to Bennett? That literally illegal.
When he heard that there was a God of Chaos exploring all over Teyvat like an errant he connected two points (even if there wasn’t a single thing to connect in first place).
You’re like him!
Hello ?? You’re literally ?? the most qualified to be part of Benny’s Adventure Team ??
Negative plus negative is positive, isn’t it? Maybe if you roam near Bennett his bad luck can collide with your chaos to neutralize each other!
You told him that you were leaving after that short conversation, but in reality you just hide from his sights and followed him from behind.
That kid really put you on your nerves, running into danger without knowing. Was that what Zhongli have to deal with every time you visit Liyue?
The old man really deserves an apology.
You’re not doing this an habit, of course not! You’re the all mighty God of Chaos, the ultimate troublemaker! How was even possible to think about wanting to protect a human just because he has bad luck? That’s ridic-
“Watch out!” You had to abandoned your hiding spot to reach Bennett again, pulling him away from the place where a bunch of hunter’s traps were. “Barbatos, why all your children have to be like this?…” You whispered for yourself, actually waiting for a answer, maybe a little too much because you didn’t free Bennett. His feet were just barely touching the ground.
“Oh, it’s you! Hello again!”
Enough of babysitting, that’s it, both of you are heading back to Mondstadt. This boy is a danger for himself, who allowed him to be an adventurer in first place?
After abandoned him in front of the city’s bridge you turn back to the forest, believing that it was the end, even if in the process your chaos took the life of some pigeons nearby.
Next morning you were sleeping peacefully on the branches of a huge old tree, feeling the wind of your bard friend greeting you from the distance.
Then a storm started out of nowhere; your fault.
And almost immediately you heard a cheerful voice below you, calling your name like a lost child searching for their parents.
As Bennett climbs the tree to talk with you a lightning strikes near enough to make both of you jump because of the surprise, falling from the branch and meeting each other on the mud below.
“Sorry, my bad.” Bennett and you said at the same time, to later laugh because of that.
It seems that both are more alike than you would expect
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TARTAGLIA
How do I explain that this guy already knew about you-
As you may suspect, yes, his only reason of wanting to meet you was to fight you.
The first step for taking the thrones of gods is beating one of the youngest, isn’t it? It would be a good start, and you’d be also one of the best opponents he ever fought! The only thing still needed was a way to make you accept his challenge.
Tartaglia’s first try was by attacking you without hesitation, not even a warning, just shooting an arrow for behind and waiting for you to counter. And yes, that didn’t go as planned, the rope of his bow snapped even before aiming.
It wouldn’t be that easy, the distance is always boring for a fight, why not just attacking directly?
Because you learned from Morax that you must not hurt mortals; the reason of your trip was for appreciate the human’s life, to understand why you exist, to have a reason to not end with everything that crosses your path.
To convince yourself that you’re not only destruction.
But it was hard to stay calm if he constantly provokes you to fight back. Always dodging, always running away, always breaking his weapons.
Barely holding yourself to not to break his Vision at this point.
Dodging one of his attacks again you ended up on top of a nearby structure by the side of the road, watching him from above and begging for him to stop for once.
Tartaglia clicked his tongue in annoyance, you would escape again. He was as sick as you of that senseless hunt. Maybe was the stress what impede him to think wisely, because his next strategy was like a death wish.
The water blades disappeared from his hands and, for the first time, he had a casual talk with you. Smiling and waving his hands to look relaxed.
Then he mentioned the incident with Osial, a event that almost became a tragedy. And the only reason you knew about that was because Morax told you about it, about his contract and the reason why he left his position as an Archon the next time you visited him.
It was your fault, isn’t it?
“… what?”
"As you heard! The conditions for summoning Osial was ideal, bringing back a sealed god filled with hatred and hungry for destruction couldn't have been possible if you hadn't been around Liyue that day.” His hand lifted to pointing at you, also smiling as your expression turned into a concerned one. “Oh, our God of Chaos, you were successfully satiated as the catastrophe filled the ocean! Bring us back the destruction, because it's the only thing you ever knew!”
He was obviously just mocking you, but still Tartaglia managed to actually make you think about it.
Your fault. Your chaos.
And even with that, Rex Lapis didn’t seal you or tried to eradicated you like the burden that you are for every nation.
It’s just a matter of time before you destroy all humane existence when you get bored of your fantasy of not being a spirit of chaos.
An infinity of negative and dark thoughts began to fill your mind.
It was sad, it was so sad that the erosion already began to have an effect on you being so young. You were afraid, you were concerned, the stress ate you inside while you tried to convince yourself that it wasn’t like he said.
Your mind collapsed, and you left the wrath take the control for the first time in centuries.
A fight? That’s all he wanted? Easy, that’s easy, just kill him and everything will end. His annoying voice won’t torment you ever again, his words won’t hurt ever again.
It’s easy, so easy. Mortal life is so easy to end.
He’ll defeat the gods, he’ll take their thrones and will witness the world’s end in the final battle he planned since his first encounter with the traveler.
But that day Tartaglia noticed the difference between your strength, it wasn’t huge, neither significant enough. But you were stronger, and it’s well known that wrath and despair can provide extra energy when it’s needed.
The perception of time disappeared, the world did too. Nature, men creation, everything will succumb against chaos, existence itself will be reduce to ashes.
That’s why you exist, to make sure there’s not too much heroes trying to make the nations a boring place. You just need to accept it!
But…
‘There’s no other way?’
The question sparkle inside your mind, bringing you back out of nowhere. There’s a lot of irregularities in the ground nearby, the land was broke for something that impacted with an inhuman strength, even the structure where you step on top was gone, just the remain of a building was left.
And your hands were holding something bland and soft, the warm sensation on your palms and the strange movements caught your attention to look down. Your hands were strangling Tartaglia.
From the other side his hands were trying to remove yours, his strength was minimal, not even able of closing his fingers around your wrist.
A expression full of pain and regretting of his decisions, question by question filling his mind while the air became harder to get.
A broken bow, his Vision has been thrown away. Now it was a human versus a god.
You took a step back, afraid of what you were about to do. You have to stay calm and quiet forever? To prevent catastrophe, to bring peace to mortals? Who’s the one you have to blame for creating you? How you could think that coexisting with humans was possible? Even if you say that you don’t want to make any problems you would stay near them.
“Just… leave me alone.”
Was the last thing you said, a whisper that wanted to apologize for a whole eternity, a regret that couldn’t be forgot. And then you left that place, escaping one last time.
But wait for him, Tartaglia thought, he didn’t need your compassion.
Sooner or later he would have his revenge.
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SCARAMOUCHE
Finally! With Shogun Raiden’s gnosis on his possession and the all mighty hero of Mondstadt weakened there’s no way things can go wrong for him!
A little delay in his plans, but still a smile remained on his face. Kunikuzushi couldn’t wish for anything else right now.
But you already know what is going to happen next.
In this world exist Murphy’s Law?, because anything that could go wrong went wrong after he claim for victory. Even being far away of the factory it seemed that the karma reached him immediately.
He just got his guard down for a couple seconds, and then, whoshh. Now you see it, now you don’t. The gnosis disappeared from his pocket, not here, not there. The annoyance filled his chest and then a irritated growl came from his throat.
What in the world happened?
Scaramouche looked to a huge tree in front of him, and there you were. On your favorite place to sit, above from everyone else in a branch. Holding the gnosis as the board piece it looks like, playing throwing it up a little and then catching it again and again.
Who you think you are to act that carefree on his presence? If you wanted to die so bad then you could just have asked for it.
Even if he called you and made a question first you counter it with another one, what was he doing with that thing?
You were sick of those who defy the gods thanks to his ‘workmate’.
Scaramouche ordered you to give him the gnosis back, threats and insults came out from his mouth as a distraction; in reality, he was just ready to set the first hit from behind.
But something made him stop just in time when you talked again.
“I don’t care what you are planning, but if it involves the ones who I’m in debt with, you will surely fail.”
“Another clairvoyant? Hah, your type are more words than an actual subject matter, but I have to admit it, they’re also very skill to escape.”
“It was a warning.” You said, throwing again the gnosis, this time to his direction.
Scaramouche reacted in time to rise his arms but in midair something caught the chess-like piece before his fingers. Surprising him again and making the irritation event more unbearable.
It was a tanuki. The same that looked behind a second before running even deeper in the forest.
The chaos isn’t necessary a huge disaster; a little accident, an inconvenient, a failure, it depends time and place to be considered like a catastrophe.
Scaramouche had a killer gaze just for you in his face, in respond you smiled at him, then covered your mouth with both hands to fake surprise.
“What a shame! Better luck next time, gods defier.” Your laugh could be heard all over the woods, like a spectral echo that chased him his way to get back the gnosis.
He got it back after a few minutes of a stressful walk through the forest, found the tanuki dancing on a stone before disappearing again. When he got closer he found that piece, making sure it was the real one and not just another trick.
The following days he received endless reports of Fatui soldiers and entire camps being reduced to rubble aside lost or destroyed materials; it was a higher level sabotage done by who they said was someone of relatively young appearance in strange clothes, the one that enjoyed staring at them until something goes wrong.
Nobody could defeat them, not even get closer. And with that, Scaramouche knew they were talking about you.
Was that what you meant with “warning”? Who are you exactly? Not even holding a Vision, how could you… ?
A quick order was enough to deliver him a book full of ancient legends, part of the Fatui private collection. Texts that were lost and the world had forgotten, his only hope was that you weren't exactly mortal, and if that was the case they could take advantage of your nature.
Hah, he found you.
God of Chaos, a body sculptured by the blood and bodies of the ones who died in middle of the wars. At first they were just a being full of anger and affinity for taking the life of every living being on earth, until the same hand that created them gave them a human heart of their own. Made without any prior basis, without being the remains of the deceased. Something one of a kind, the mortal heart of a god.
When human emotions filled the vessel they were released into the world, to mourn over the spilled blood and to know how everything of their existence originates. Born from the red that stained the fields and being the bud that seemed withered, the same that now has the deepest roots ever found.
Hmm, that brings back some memories…
But hey, that vital energy could be useful.
Don’t be surprised if one day you wake up chained and feeling dizzy as Scaramouche drains your life. You know what? Just wait for it! Running away as you did with that idiot won’t work this time.
Every possibility can be foreseen, every inconvenience can be solved. And if you think that you’re an exception then you’re stupider than you look.
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GANYU
Bold of you assume that Zhongli didn’t introduce you to everyone the first time you travel to Liyue.
The difference between your meeting was that it had to be really short. Ganyu is always busy so you couldn’t know her better before her duty called for her again.
Obviously you heard a lot of stories of her childhood thanks to Cloud Retainer. The day she knew about it Ganyu avoided you, next week she apologized with you about it. It was very rude, please pardon her.
Such a big sister vibes ngl
An Adeptus working that hard to human’s matters. It was so cool to follow her from a significant distance to see how was her routine.
If you could only live that peacefully near humans without causing any problem! What a dream! The envy was killing you.
Ganyu didn’t mind about you stalking her, the feeling of a companion was always present and she also knew that you had to keep some distance from everybody to not cause any accident. She appreciated your consideration.
Until a soldier from the millelith arrested you for harassment, wait- you’re innocent! Don’t get closer, hold on! Hold on!
The handcuffs broke almost immediately, though.
When Ganyu resolved the misunderstanding she hold your hands to apologize again, it had to be really stressful to be aware of any chaos you could create accidentally.
What if you… wait for her on the surroundings of the city?
Please, she have a lot of work, don’t interrupt her, she’s begging you.
Ganyu thought you heard her request, but she knew that you were just hiding when a window opened out of nowhere and a lot of documents flew away in the room.
You appeared hanging upside down from the other side of the window, jumped down and entered to pick up the documents. You hand her over all the pages and then you leave through the space on the wall.
“… I’ll be in Huaguang Stone Forest… ”
“Thank you.”
Even though you both agreed that you would return to the stone forest, she couldn't help but feel guilty as the hours passed, did you feel like a nuisance? Maybe she should apologize. Again.
When another successful day at work ended, she realized that repeating the same words over and over was not the best way to show her regret. That’s why a better idea formed in his head as she approached the abode of the rest of Adeptus.
Ganyu found you being scolded by Mountain Shaper for unintentionally releasing the trespassing intruders along with other creatures from their amber prisons.
After rescuing you again, she was able to propose her idea to you. With a calm and charming voice she asked you if you would like to learn about Liyue's traditions from the human perspective.
Sure, Zhongli could tell you about the beginning of traditions and festivities, but the way to celebrate them and pay tribute to the Adeptus was something that only a person who had lived among mortals for years could explain to you.
Your eyes shone in gratitude but no words really came out of your lips, kind of embarrassed you said some nonsensical things and then another amber cracked when you brushed its surface.
Mountain Shaper kicked you out without thinking twice.
But hey! The next day your classes on Culture from the Mortal Perspective began! A quick but calm walk through Liyue that got spread when a bunch of kids recognized you.
How could they not remember the person who plays with them every time they get a chance?
Ganyu sat by the side of the road on an empty bench, watching you scamper the children who seemed happy at your mere presence. Like the occasional accidents of a child, the curious and outlandish nature cannot be controlled, only accepted.
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CHONGYUN
Don’t move! The future best exorcist in the world, Chongyun, will put an end to your legacy of misdeeds and pranks! No evil specter that causes bad luck will survive to-!
Just by lightly tapping with your fingertips you were able to break the seal of the talismans that surrounded you out of nowhere. Pushing back the boy who was convinced that he had beaten his yang.
how dare u interrupt him.
Another of Xingqiu’s pranks? Isn’t this going a little to far? He hadn’t learn about not believing everything his friend says smh.
Let’s just mess with him a little.
‘Measure your words, human. In the presence of the God of Chaos, the first thought that should run through your mortal instinct is to beg for your life, since those who dare to defy them will be punished and displayed as a trophy in the infinity of the abyss from which the catastrophe came out.’
You took a few steps closer to him, while Chongyun kept backing away. The scene was so dramatic that you had to stop when the boy summoned his sword.
Haha jk, nice to meet u.
It's nice to know that there are still such dedicated exorcists out there.
But wait-, so you're not an evil spirit? A God? Why is there a god causing accidents all over Liyue!? That makes no sense! If you think you can deceive him by pretending to be a deity then he shall punish you severely for disrespecting them!
After a detailed explanation of your identity, Chongyun's mood plummeted again due to another failure as an exorcist.
He sat silently on a rock and remained silent, his expression showed so well his disappointed that it made you feel like it was your fault.
Ohno, a sad human child, your weakness-
At the end you sat next to him to listen to what he had to say.
Did he really want to see a spirit so badly? Those things are horrible, wearing strange clothes and yelling all the time, buagh! The thought of it gives you chills. But there's nothing you can do, after all they are drawn to your chaos.
When you finished talking so indifferently about what you lived through from day to day, you looked back at Chongyun, finding his expressive eyes filled with astonishment and disbelief.
Are you a magnet of evil? Chaos and destruction? Demons and spirits alike appear wherever you go?
Then you stopped him, it wasn't something to take so lightly; there’s also the chaos of the butterfly effect, natural disasters, unforeseen events, influencing the mood of evil people, losing your favorite pair of socks-
But you attract spirits, right!? You have to help him! How can you say ‘no’ to that face?
The next day he took you to one of his commissions as an exorcist, a house that had numerous reports from its previous tenants. He stayed outside and asked you to come in first, obviously you refused, if your chaos broke something inside you would have more problems besides the ghosts of the house.
He insisted a little more, it worked. Now you were waiting to feel the presence of some spirit trying to attack you. You could feel it, their energy was spread throughout the building, but still there was no movement. Neither hostility, neither terror, just the presence of a soul.
When it was Chongyun's turn to enter you explained this to him, his yang was also easy to perceive, you could describe it as a blizzard in the middle of the storm. But despite this, that presence didn’t react to his energy, nothing changed.
Then you understand it, your energies neutralized each other. Your chaos and his yang ended in a stalemate that went nowhere.
“I was really hoping to see an actual spirit and not only stay still in the middle of the entrance… “
“Well, I can still curse you. Want to try?” Chongyun crossed his arms, annoyed for your jokes.
“Maybe I should exorcize you instead… ”
“Ohh, so the little exorcist wants a deity to be his personal dummy? Let’s make a pact then. Promise me your soul.”
“I-I thought you said you weren’t actually a demon!”
When you stroked his hair he couldn't help but think about how much he still had to learn, so much so that even the gods were taking pity on him.
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scoobysnack1107 · 4 years
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So grateful I was able to commission the incredible @rainbow-taishi again for another gorgeous RokuNami piece! As always, Jin did an absolutely amazing job! The colors and atmosphere are warm, the expressions soft, and the detailing exquisite 🥺💞 Thank you again Jin for making making my day and bringing a huge smile to my face 💖
For anyone interested, I wrote an accompanying story!
You can read it below or on ao3: Un Rendez-vous Romantique
(special thank you to @jysumrae for using her French skills to help me with the title 💖 )
                                       Un Rendez-vous Romantique
 Naminé checked the time on her gummi phone again. Five minutes before seven o’clock. Five minutes before Roxas was supposed to arrive at the bistro for their date. Their first date she reminded herself.
    All around her, tables were filled with laughing couples sharing colorful concoctions that were placed onto tables by waiters dressed in well-tailored suits. Naminé, dressed in her signature white dress and blue sandals, was the only one sitting alone.
    She couldn’t help but wonder how seriously he had taken the idea. He had been the one that asked her out with that boyish grin she was powerless to resist. But this was the first time they would be together like this. Unencumbered by heartless, the Organization, Diz. Tonight, it was just the two of them in the most romantic place in town.
    Unless…he stood her up.
    Naminé’s heart sunk, and as the people milling by the bistro cast her curious looks, she started feeling more and more self-conscious. Did they think he wasn’t coming?
    “Don’t worry, Naminé. Trust me, he’ll come.”
    Startled, Naminé looked up and found Sora offering her a comforting grin. He was dressed in a white chef’s uniform and tall toque that somehow managed to stay atop his spiky head of hair. In his hands, he was carrying a large, unopened box decorated with golden fleur de lis and something scribbled on top in black marker.
    “Sora? Why are you—” she trailed off, suddenly remembering that her friend had become an occasional helping hand at the restaurant during his travels. Though, admittedly, it was strange to think of Sora as a chef in a high-end bistro like this. “Thank you. I guess I’m just a little nervous.”
    In the distance, the bell of the clock tower tolled, signaling the passing of another hour. Seven o’clock.
    Sora had to be right.
    “Excuse me! Coming through!”
    Outside the bistro, some kind of commotion had started. The tram stopping in its track as a boy riding a black and white skateboard came racing through. A flock of pigeons wandering the bistro’s checkered plaza dispersed in a flurry of feathers, and one of the waiters nearly dropped a plate of ratatouille before said boy arrived in front of Naminé’s table with an apologetic smile.
    “I am so sorry, Naminé,” Roxas said, finally catching his breath, “I promise I didn’t forget. Really. I got caught up delivering letters again because Lea ‘sprained’ his ankle and couldn’t finish his half.” Roxas shook his head. Of all the days Lea felt it necessary to fake an injury.
    Naminé couldn’t help herself. She laughed, and the anxiety that had been chipping away at her nerves dissipated with the sound. “It’s fine, Roxas. I’m glad you were able to make it. I can’t say I expected that kind of entrance though.” Another laugh slipped past her lips when she noticed a stray feather in his hair.
    Roxas scratched the back of his head sheepishly. “I can’t say I really planned it that way.”
    Plucking the feather from the skater’s head unceremoniously, Sora handed his friend the box he was holding. “Well, now that you’re finally here, I’d say it’s time for you two love birds to enjoy your date with a little Tarte aux Fruits, courtesy of Little Chef and I!” Sora patted his toque affectionately, prompting a tiny gray mouse to peek out from beneath the hat before scurrying back inside with a squeak. “He’s a little shy,” Sora whispered.
    “He’s cute,” Naminé cooed.
    Roxas flipped open the lid of the box to examine the dessert. Inside the box was a round and colorful tart decorated with fresh strawberries, blueberries, kiwis, and peaches. “Sora, you know it’s just the two of us, right?” Usually, the bistro only served the desserts by slices. Not entire tartlets like this.
    Sora pushed the lid back down and pointed to the writing on top.
      Enjoy your date!
      - Sora and Little Chef
    “Yep! But you’re my friends and Little Chef insisted. It’s not like you can’t take the leftovers home. I’m sure Lea and Xion would eat a few slices for you.”
    Curious, Naminé stood up to peer inside the box too. Sora really was too sweet.  Everything about the dessert was handled with care, with each fruit arranged so precisely, Naminé could only imagine how long her friend had spent perfecting the delectable concoction. “Thank you, Sora. This is perfect, but you know, we’ll be saving you and Little Chef a slice too. It wouldn’t feel right for our chefs not to taste their own creation.”
    “Heh, guess not,” Sora agreed, scratching his cheek.
    “You can drop by the Old Mansion after work if you’d like,” Naminé suggested, “No one goes to bed early anyway, since it’s summer vacation.”
    “Yeah, and plus, you still owe me a rematch on Classic Kingdom Melee,” Roxas said with a competitive glint in his blue eyes.
    Sora chuckled and laced his hands behind his head. “So eager to get your butt handed to you again?”
    “I have Naminé’s good luck charm this time,” Roxas said confidently, “So, there’s no way I’m gonna lose again.”
    “We’ll see,” Sora said in a sing-song voice. The two boys jibed one another for another minute until Sora was called back into the kitchen by a short, portly chef with a silver whisk and a toque taller than him.
    Roxas set the box with the tart on the table and moved to pull Naminé’s chair out for her with a flourish. “Madame.”
    “How gentlemanly,” Naminé giggled as she took her seat.
   Taking the chair across from her, Roxas signaled over one of the waiters who promptly brought them two plates and utensils to slice their dessert. Naminé, her hands small and adept, cut them each a generous piece.
    The window behind them cast a warm golden glow and was embossed with the bistro’s name, Le Grand Bistrot, in neat gold lettering. Inside, the restaurant’s staff busied themselves, the sound of clattering dishes and whirring kitchen appliances blending with the soft instrumental tune floating from the speakers outside.
    Naminé spoke again first. “So, you and Hayner are entering the Struggle Tournament this year?”
    “We’re gonna win this year” Roxas boasted with a grin. He picked up his dessert but didn’t take a bite as sparks of excitement began to dance in his eyes. “We’ve been training every day since sign ups.”
    “Confident I see,” Naminé teased.
    “Always,” Roxas returned, his grin turning sly, “And besides, I’ve won the digital version once already. The real thing can’t be any harder.”
    Naminé conceded with a smile. “That is true.”
    As Roxas explained his new strategy for this year’s tournament, Naminé listened attentively, offering nods and questions at different intervals as she nibbled at her dessert. She liked seeing him so excited. After everything they had been through, happiness like this was well-deserved.
    “Promise to cheer me on?” Roxas asked. His gaze was intense now, making Naminé’s heart skip a beat.
    Naminé averted his eyes, playing with her hair as she answered shyly. “I’ll be in the front row the entire time.”
    “U-Uh, thanks” Roxas blushed at her words and drew his own gaze away. “But um…anyway,” Roxas coughed, “How about you? You mentioned buying some new paints the other day. Have you been able to try them out yet?”
    This time, it was Naminé’s face that lit up. She pressed her fingers together and tilted her head happily. “I have! I’ve been painting lots of landscapes with them, and I want to try portraits too.”
    “Is this your subtle way of asking me to be your model?” Roxas joked.
    “Mmm, maybe. Though, I’m not entirely sure you’d be able to stay still the entire time.”
    Roxas raised his eyebrows. “That sounds like a challenge.”
    “You really think you can sit still for more than an hour?” Naminé asked dubiously.
    “With the right kind of incentive.”
    Without hesitating, Naminé replied. “Sea salt ice cream?”
    “Bingo,” Roxas said and bit into his slice of the tart.
    Naminé didn’t try to conceal her laughter. Roxas really was predictable. And adorable.  “I think I can arrange that.”
    “Then, we have ourselves a deal!” Roxas held out a hand across the table, and Naminé shook it as if it was actually some kind of serious, contractual agreement.
    The two continued to talk, reminiscing over the new memories they had made in the real Twilight Town. Like the first time they had all gone to Sunset Hill for a meteor shower or when they took that impromptu trip to Radiant Garden because somehow Twilight Town had run out of sea salt ice cream. Granted, it had been a particularly hot day. But still…
    “I feel like summer vacation is too short,” Roxas complained, “and who thought it was a good idea to assign homework? We’re supposed to be on a break.”
    Naminé’s lips twitched knowingly. “You still haven’t started, have you?”
    “I tried, but the computer keeps crashing on me, so I can’t do any kind of research,” Roxas explained, pouting as he crossed his arms.
    “You and computers,” Naminé sighed, shaking her head, “What are you writing your report on?”
    “Not sure yet. Hayner, Pence, and Olette want to do something about the seven wonders, but that’s a little too déjà vu for me, you know?”
    Naminé tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Hmm, maybe you can do a report about the beach?”
    “The beach?” Roxas cocked his head curiously.
    “Yeah, like what kind of fish are in the ocean here or ways to keep our beaches clean,” Naminé continued. Roxas loved the beach. The first time they went, Roxas nearly tripped over himself running across the sand to get to the water, and he didn’t come out until it was time to leave.
    “Looks like we’re going to the beach this week then, huh?” Roxas asked with a coy grin.
    Naminé returned the smile.  “Looks like it.”
    By the time they were ready to leave, with their leftovers secured in a to-go bag, the last embers of the twilight sky above had faded, blanketing the sunset hues beneath a veil of stars. The night air was still, the bustle of the usually busy town subdued as most citizens retired to their homes to sleep.
    “I had a lot of fun tonight,” Naminé said, staring down at her feet bashfully.
    “Me too.” There was a brief silence that hung between them before Roxas added in a hesitant but hopeful voice. “Maybe we can do it again sometime?”
    “I would love that,” Naminé answered softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
    “Y-You know, there’s gonna be that new movie playing down at the theater this Friday. We could grab dinner here and then go see that?”
    “It’s a date!” Naminé agreed happily, and her heart soared.
    Roxas took her hand and intertwined their fingers. “It’s a date.”
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sassyduckqueen · 3 years
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Miraculous: Rise of Anatis Specials 2
Ok! I am issuing a spoiler warning as this is suppose to be set after season 3 and before season 4. However, I have tried to make so you lovely people can read it :D Anyway, I hope you peeps enjoy reading this. As a lot of you know, I'm not impressed with the New York special. There was a lot of cringy moments and honestly I felt like it was hyped up but didn't mean standards. Let's not get me started on the likes of Alya and Nino. I expected something on the lines of that with Alya as that's been her dynamic for most of season 2 and 3 but Nino, you disappoint me *shakes head in shame* anyway! There's none of that in here! Hope you peeps like it :D also I hope you like the chat names for Adrien, Kagami and Marinette. I'm especially proud of Dangernodel as it's a pun on Danger Noodle and Model. I laughed for about 5 minutes straight.
Edit: This is now the updated verison of the NY special
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Heroes Unite (New York Special)
"Since Paris doesn't want us, we go to the moon just like in my favorite book!!" Mr Pigeon declared as he stood on the Eiffel Tower as it headed to space. He looked down and narrowed his eyes as he noticed Anatis and Lady Noir hanging from the tower with Anatis' yoyo. Anatis was looking round trying to formulate a plan to defeat Mr Pigeon with his lucky charm. 
  "Annie, he won't be able to breath in space and neither will we," Lady Noir gasped as Anatis's luck vision lit up the book in Mr Pigeon's hand, a pigeon and the tower itself. He looked at his lucky charm, causing it to light up as Mr Pigeon made some terrible pun but he smirked."You have a plan right?!"
  "Of course I do, kitty," He replied, retracting his yoyo so they began to free fall. "We need to bring him back to earth before he hurts himself,"
  Lady Noir nodded and took out a triangle of cheese that was purple in color. At the same time, Anatis took out a macaroon that was the same colour. The two of them ate them and shouted out the words 'power up', transforming them into their flight suits. Like most of his special forms, his basic suit was the same but he had a helmet on over his face and his spots were a glowing blue. He also had blue detail on his mask, gloves and boots as well as a backpack on his back which gave him blue insect wings that glowed. Lady Noir had a similar base outfit to her normal design as well but she had more green detail across her outfit and also had a backpack on her back. She got bright green batlike wings and she had a helmet on her face too. Unlike Anatis though, who's hair stayed the same as his normal form, her hair became a glowing blue. The two sped off towards Mr Pigeon and the two.
  "What's the plan?" Lady Noir called out.
  "The akuma is in the book. I need you to destroy it as soon as he's distracted," Anatis yelled back, getting a nod of Lady Noir. He glided across to the tower and ran up it, throwing his yoyo round Mr Pigeon's hands. He used his lucky charm to secure it to the tower and scared the pigeons enough to cause them to fly. Using the coverage that the Pigeons provided, Lady Noir called on her power and grabbed the book, destroying it and releasing the akuma. Anatis freed his yoyo and caught it, purifying it and freeing it. He grabbed his lucky charm and threw it in the air. "Miraculous Ladybugs!!"
  The item burst into the magical swarm of bugs and spread around fixing everything. Lady Noir and Anatis landed on the tower as Mr Pigeon turned back to normal. Anatis picked up the book and placed it back in it's place. Lady Noir walked over to him and smiled.
  "Good job today, Annie," She grinned, making him look at her as he raised an eyebrow.
  "Isn't it my job to tell you that?" He asked in a playful manner. She giggled a little before gently nudging him.
  "You can still tell me that if you want," She grinned. He smiled before ruffling her hair, making her purr a little.
  "Good job today, Kitten," He smirked before his earrings beeped their first warning. He frowned and turned to her, taking out his yoyo. "Sorry, Kitten, I have to go. You still up for patrol tonight?"
  "Of course. Usual time and place?" She asked, getting a nod of him as her ring beeped. "Cool!"
  "See you there then," He replied, getting a nod of her before he left the office and dived off the tower, swinging off into the city. Lady Noir let out a little sigh as she watched him go before jumping off the tower and heading to a nearby alleyway. She dropped her transformation and caught Plagg. He let out a tired sigh but peaked up the moment she handed him a chunk of cheese. 
  "You're the best, Dollface," He grinned as he began to devour it. Marinette smiled sweetly before slipping him into her purse and began to run off. She had to return back to school since the akuma had been defeated but even then, Mr Pigeon wasn't considered a high threat to her or Anatis. They had come up with a code in case they needed to contact the other before they arrived. Code Grey was for weak akumas such as Mr Pigeon and was named after him. Code Black was for akumas on the same power level as the likes of Lady Wifi. Code Yellow was for akumatized miraculous holders, named after Queen Wasp. Though Chloe had come leaps and bounds since the incident. She was actually been nice but not because of got her any favors but just to be nice. Sure, she still wasn't perfect. She messed up but since becoming friends with Marinette and Luka, Chloe was working on been a better person and unlike most people, Luka was not afraid to tell her off. If she threatened to call her father, he countered with a threat to call the Captain, which worked every time. As for the next code, that is code silver and was for high powered akumas such as Party Crasher. The next code was Code Blue and it meant either Mayura or a sentimonster and their final code was Code Purple. That was only used if Hawkmoth himself made an appearance. They came up with the codes after heroes day as that was all unexpected and they wanted to be better prepared. Anatis had also started to train the temp heroes both in combat and in calming techniques. They needed to be in control of their emotions. Sometimes, him and Lady Noir spend a good hour of so meditating together during patrol. They would often go through the battles and try to work out how to prevent future triggers. Thanks to Alya, they had set up a page on the Ladyblog to help people work through their emotions in a healthy way. However, they still hadn't found a way to prevent Mr. Ramier from been akumatized. They tried a lot but he seemed to have different triggers that weren't necessarily related to pigeons. However, they would go through the battle tonight. Marinette slowly down a little as she saw a new Adrien poster, making her smile and take a picture of it before she opened her messages.
  Purrincess-Nettie: @Dangernodel Saw your latest poster. Love the new outfit in it
  Dangernodel: Thanks @Purrincess-Nettie. Though I always prefer your stuff
  Purrincess-Nettie: That's because I'm a genius when it comes to making clothes
  Dangernodel: #truth #preach
  Marinette giggled and shook her head before continuing to back to the school. She skipped over to Alya as the class began to head into the library. Chloe waved at her, making her smile and wave before she sat down next to Adrien and Nino. Alya sat down next to them and gently leaned on Nino's shoulder as Mr Damocles cleared his voice.
  "As you all know, this week coming is the french American friendship week. You all did wonderful on your projects and as a reward, we have arranged for a five day trip to New York. Now you will be expected to do some school work and experience school in New York but this will also serve as a reward so we will be visiting famous locations and there will be free time to enjoy what New York has to offer," He explained, making the students grin excitedly before he handed permission slips to Miss Bustier. "We have already arranged a place to stay and the flights are booked. We just need your parents' permission to say you can go. Miss Bustier is going to hand the slips to you. Your parents will need to sign them by this weekend. A letter detailing the trip is also attached. Yes, Marinette?"
  "Are we the only class to go?" She asked, making Mr Damocles smile.
  "No, Mrs Mendeleiev's class will also be going," He replied, making her smile. That meant Luka will be going as well, along with Marc and Aurora. "We've already given out their permission slips and were about to give your class yours but Mr Pigeon interrupted us,"
  At that, the whole class groaned in annoyance. Marinette took the permission as Adrien sighed, looking sad. However, Lila went to reject the permission slip as Miss Bustier handed one to Kim, who happened to be next to her.
  "Oh, I'm so sorry but I can't possibly go to due to my charity work," She lied but Mr Damocles cleared his throat.
  "Miss Rossi, we are aware that you are not allowed to go so please don't make up some story," He stated, making her frown. Marinette held back a smile. Lila didn't have as much power as she thought she had. She still hadn't been fully exposed yet but almost everyone took her stories with a grain of salt. Mr Damocles moved past her and handed slips out to the others as Lila continued to frown.
  "What but sir, I'm not ly-"
  "Expect you are, Lila," Marinette pointed out with the rest of the class nodding. Lila glared at them before huffing and folding her arms. She did actually want to go to New York but since she had been targeted by a number of akumas, her mother didn't want her to go too far from home. She had hoped to convince the class that she had to stay behind for a charity event so she could be the talk of the class but hardly anyone took her stories as fact anymore. Even Alya was taking her stories with a grain of salt. She huffed and crossed her arms as Marinette smirked at her before turning to Adrien. "Are you ok?"
  "My father isn't going to let me go," He sighed, looking down as Nino rubbed his back. Marinette frowned deeply before grinning at him and winking in a very Lady Noir style.
  "Leave that to me, Adrien. I'll convince him to let you come to New York," She grinned, making him sigh and shake his head, claiming it was no good. "Hey, you're my friend and I will not take no for answer. You know how stubborn I can be,"
  "Everyone knows that," Alya joked, making her laugh before looking at Adrien and giving him a reassuring smile. "However, she won't be alone in this,"
  "Damn right," Kim nodded, pointing to himself. "We're gonna help. Right, Alix?"
  "Getting Adrien's dad to let him go will be a piece of cake," She grinned as the rest of the class cheered.
  "Guys, I really appreciate it but this is my dad we're talking about," He stated but then he noticed the grin on Marinette's face.
  "Which is why we're bringing in the big guns," She smirked, already texting on her phone. Mr Damocles went to tell her off but she grinned. "Kagami is down with helping us convince your father to let you come with us. Chloe, you ready to help?"
  "Of course, I am," She grinned, making Marinette smile.
  "Trust us, Adrien. We're getting you to New York,"
  "Thanks, Marinette," He grinned before looking at the rest of the class, apart from Lila. "Thank you all of you,"
  "Now that's been sorted," Mr Damocles stated. "Miss Bustier won't be able to join us due to medical problems but Mrs Mendeleiev will be substituting for her,"
  Instantly, the class groaned but Mr Damocles hushed them.
  "Now we need those slips in as soon as possible so please remember to get your parents to sign them," He explained, just as the bell rang. The class got up and left the room, heading to the locker room. Marinette grabbed her bag and skipped outside to meet Kagami. They needed a plan to get Mr Agreste to let Adrien go to New York. She hummed to herself as she sat on the bench, texting Kagami to meet her there before sending a text to her parents. A few seconds later, her mother buzzed back with permission. All she needed to do now was to get them to sign the slip.
  "Mari!!" A voice called out, making her look over. Luka waved as he walked over, making her smile and jump to her feet. She threw herself at him, causing him to laugh as he caught her. "You ok? Your heartsong is so loud and exciting,"
  "We're going to New York!!" She grinned, making him laugh. "Please tell me you're gonna be going right?!"
  "Of course. I've always wanted to visit," He smiled, holding her waist. He quickly realized and blushed, moving his hands. "You're able to go right?"
  "Yep," She grinned before frowning a little. "But I'm meeting Kagami to try and work out how to get Adrien's dad to let him go. Wanna join us? We're making a plan,"
  "No plan, Marinette," Kagami stated as she walked over before nodding at Luka. "We head to Agreste Manor now and we don't take no for an answer,"
  "Uh... no plan?" She gasped, not expecting that but Luka gave her a gentle smile. "You know what! Yeah, let's go!!"
  "That's the spirit," He smiled before looking at them. "Still want me to come along?"
"Damn right, you're my emotional support musician," Marinette grinned, grabbing his hand and dragging him off. Instantly, his face flushed, causing Kagami to rise an eyebrow and follow them. She took her phone and began to text as she followed them.
  DragonQueen: @Dangernodel heading to yours to take down your father. Also does Luka like Marinette? I think they would make a cute couple
  Dangernodel: @DragonQueen I believe he does but seems to lack the confidence to tell her. I think he believes he's not good enough for her #lies #lukanette4ever
  DragonQueen: Should we try to set them up together?
  Dangernodel: I wouldn't set them up. That could backfire and hurt both of them in the long run but encouraging them could help. No to been pushy but yes to suggesting romantic things to them
  DragonQueen: I see. We don't directly interfere but we encourage from the sidelines
  Dangernodel: Exactly. Great minds think alike, my dragon
  DragonQueen: Oh stop it, you danger noodle
  "Kagami!! Come on!!" Marinette shouted, causing her to look up and join them. Luka's face was bright red but he was holding Marinette's hand and she seemed quite happy to do so. Nodding as she walked over, she reminded herself. Encourage from the sidelines. Enough to help but not to hinder. 
  (***)
  "So that's why you should let Adrien go to New York!" Marinette gasped as she came to the end of her speech. Luka was staring at her with amazement, Kagami was nodding and Mr Agreste had his classic stony glare across his face. Marinette swallowed as she looked at him. He didn't looked convinced at all. Marinette couldn't help the thoughts that flooded her mind as she realized Mr Agreste was probably going to say no. Adrien would be so sad because he wouldn't be able to go to New York with his friends or his girlfriend. She went to add more to her argument but Mr Agreste held up his hand, silencing her. She nervously bit her lip as he glared down at her.
  "Young lady, I -"
  "We won't leave here until you agree to let Adrien go!!" Marinette declared with an expression of pure determination. "He deserves to go on this trip!!"
  "Then it's a good thing that I've decided to let Adrien to go along with his classmates," Mr Agreste declared, making the three teenagers blinked as he smiled in a way that made them a little uneasy but the three of them just thought it was because he never smiled.
  "You... have?" Luka asked as Marinette blinked.
  "You three have... convinced me," He stated, smiling in that weird way. "Clearly, the three of you are good friends to my son. Now if you excuse me, I have to attend to some new designs,"
  "R-right," Marinette nodded before smiling. "Thank you, Mr Agreste,"
  He nodded before turning on his heel and walking off. The three of them walked out, still a little shell shocked by the fact that he was letting Adrien go to New York with them. The first one to smile was Kagami though, followed by both Luka and Marinette.
  "We did it," She declared as they walked over to the rest of Marinette's class. Instantly, they began to cheer as they were happy with the outcome. Kagami turned to Marinette and smiled. "I shall inform Adrien of our victory against his father and tell him of your noble deeds,"
  "I mean it wasn't really noble... he deserved to come along with the rest of us and now we can all hang out in New York!!" Marinette grinned, excitedly before turning to Luka. "I'm so glad your class gets to come along as well, Luka! We're gonna have so much fun together!! Oooh we can have hotdogs!!"
  "I can't wait for it either, Mari," Luka smiled. "I've always wanted to see New York..."
  "Oooh! We should do a sleep over on the night before we leave! Then we can get to the coach together!" She grinned, making him smile.
  "That sounds great," He grinned, gently ruffling her hair. "Bakery or the boat?"
  "How about the bakery? We can get some croissants for breakfast," She suggested, making him smile before Juleka cleared her throat, causing them to look at her. Rose was grinning as well.
  "That actually works perfectly because me and Juleka were going to stay over mine," She declared before looking at Marinette. "Plus Luka can help you wake up on time since we all know you're terrible at getting up in the morning,"
  "Hey!! That's not true!!" Marinette gasped as Juleka snored with laughter as she attempted to chase Rose. Unfortunately, she failed to see a loose stone in front of her and tripped over, flailing her arms as she began to fall but before she could hit the ground, Luka caught her.
  "You ok?" He asked with concern as her face turned bright red. She stood up straight and rubbed the back of her head as she smiled nervously.
  "I'm good," She nodded, looking at him before she smiled shyly. "Thank you,"
  "No problem, Mari," He smiled before rubbing his own neck. "Anyway... I better head off. I have a shift to do tonight,"
  "I didn't know you were working tonight," Juleka mumbled, crossing her arms but Luka shrugged.
  "Took on an extra shift," He replied, unlocking his bike. He put on his helmet and turned to everyone. "I'll see you guys later,"
  "Bye, Luka," Marinette smiled as he waved before he cycled off. She let a gentle sigh as she watched him go but jumped when Alya placed her arm around her shoulders.
  "Girl, you have it so bad," She grinned, making Marinette blush as the rest of the class sniggered a little. 
  "You should see Luka," Juleka mumbled. "The love struck fool is head over heels for our favorite baker girl,"
  "Luka... likes me?" Marinette asked but when she thought about it, it did make sense. Luka had wrote songs for her, always complimented her and of course, he had told her that she was the song in his head. She blushed as she remembered the words he said to her when Kitty Section performed at the Kidz plus studio but of course, she had been getting over Adrien then but now... well, now her and Adrien were best friends. He felt her brother and acted like it too but Luka... Luka was amazing. So amazing that she honestly thought he was out of her league and she loved her friendship with him. She felt like she could just be herself and he never thought of her in a bad way. He believed her when Lila returned and stood up for her when she began to bully Marinette again. He supported her and encouraged her but he only liked her as a friend. Besides, he had probably moved on from her. After all, until recently she was tore between him and Adrien. "I mean sure, he likes me. I'm his friend..."
  "Girl, that boy likes you as way more then a friend!" Alya gasped with the rest of the girls nodding.
  "Even I can see how smitten he is with you," Chloe added in, smiling a little. "It's ridiculous. Utterly ridiculous,"
  "But so romantic too!!" Rose gushed, holding her hands together.
  "I would say it is clear how Luka feels about you, Marinette," Kagami piped in, remembering Adrien's advice. Encourage but don't pressure. Help but never hinder. "Maybe you could use the trip to New York to express your feelings to him. Statically speaking, New York is the second most romantic city in the world. The first obviously been Paris,"
  "I d-don't know..." Marinette gasped as a blush came on her cheeks. "What if he actually just likes me as a friend and I ruin our friendship by telling him that I'm in love with him?! What if he rejects me?! Oh, no! He'll hate me and refuse to hang out with me again!!"
  "According to my calculations, there is a 94 % chance that Luka will accept your confession and return your feelings," Max piped in. "There is a 6% chance that he only views you as a friend and 0% chance that he'll reject your confession and end up hating you. I believe it is impossible for Luka to hate anyone, expect XY and Bob Roth but we all know why that is the case,"
  "And Hawkmoth," Alix pointed out. 
  "Yeah but everyone hates Hawkmoth," Kim countered, making everyone nod before turning to Marinette. "Anyway, I'm sure that Luka likes you as way more then a friend. He'll be a doofus not to. Ondine totally agrees too,"
  "Thanks, Kim," Marinette smiled as they walked down the street and towards the bakery. "Alright. I'm gonna head inside. I can't wait to go to New York with everyone,"
  "See you tomorrow, girl," Alya waved as she walked off with Nino. Juleka and Rose said their goodbyes and headed off with Ivan and Mylene. Gradually, the rest of the class waved goodbye and Marinette headed into the apartment. She climbed the stairs and headed into the kitchen, gently kissing Sabine on the cheek before she sat down and began to discuss the school trip with her parents. They were happy for her to go as it was a great opportunity to see the US and it was a reward with the school. They sighed the permission slip and she placed it in her bag, ready for school tomorrow before she ate her dinner. "Actually... would I be able to have Luka round the night before I go to New York? Both of our classes are going and we figured we could do a sleepover so we can both get the coach together,"
  "Well, he'll have to sleep in the spare room but I see no issue with having Luka around," Her mother smiled as her father looked like he was able to explode with excitement. Luka and Marinette had been growing a lot closer and it was clear to him that they had feelings for each other. Been the romantic that he was, he had already attempted to invite Luka to brunch and he fully approved of the boy. He was also so respectful and came across as a kind and gentle soul. "Tom, are you ok with Luka staying over?"
  "Yes! Why don't we have brunch-"
  "Papa, we can't," Marinette gasped, going bright red. "L-Luka isn't interested in me in that way and besides we'll have a plane to catch,"
  "But sweetie-"
  "Papa, we don't want another weredad incident," She stated, crossing her arms. Her father had accidentally walked in her talking with Anatis and jumped to conclusions. He had invited him to a romantic brunch but Anatis had rejected it. He tried to explain that he was just trying to check on Marinette after an akuma had destroyed her room and that he couldn't date her as a superhero. Because of that, he had to rejected Marinette and Tom got akumatized over it. Tom sighed but nodded in agreement. "Good. Now I have home work to do then I'm off to bed. Good night,"
  "Good night, sweetie,"
  ~Meanwhile~
  Luka couldn't help but smile and hum to himself as he cycled down the street. Tikki was sat in his basket, smiling a little as he came to the liberty. His shift had gone well and had been a little short but he wasn't complaining. He took the extra shift so he had decent spending money in New York. He parked his bike and locked it up before Tikki flew up and landed on his shoulder.
  "You're in a really good mood, Luka," She grinned as he headed downstairs. The Captain was out at the studio and Juleka was on a date with Rose so she wouldn't be back til later, which he was glad about. He did not need her to tease him about liking Marinette. 
  "I'm excited, Tikki," He smiled. "I get to go to New York with Marinette and the rest of our friends,"
  "New York?" Tikki gasped. "But who's going to look after Paris?"
  "I already have a plan for that," He smiled, gesturing towards a black and red guitar case. "I'm sure Master Fu will be fine with Kaalki coming to New York with us. I'll also keep an eye with the akuma app. The moment it gets alert-"
  "You'll use the horse miraculous to teleport there, take down the akuma and return to New York," Tikki gasped, grinning. "Very creative,"
  "Well, I do have the goddess of creation as my friend," He smiled, making her giggle. "Anyway, Luka Couffaine will be in New York but Anatis will be in Paris as far as everyone else is concerned,"
  “Well, we better head to Master Fu to ask him for the Horse miraculous,”
  “That’s where we’re going,”
  ~Later that Night~
  Lady Noir grinned as she ran across the rooftops of Paris and jumped across to the meeting spot. There was nothing like the feeling of the wind in her hair as she raced across the roofs. She used her baton to fling herself across the rooftops before rolling on the roof and standing up. She looked around and found that Anatis wasn't here yet. Letting out a little sigh, she sat down on the edge of the roof and smiled as she looked out at the Eiffel tower. It would be weird not been in Paris or meeting Anatis for patrol but she had to be in New York and honestly, she was looking really forward to it, especially with the fact that she will be with Luka. The sound of a yoyo jolted her out of her thoughts, causing her to look and smile as Anatis landed on the roof. 
  "Hey, kitten," He smiled, walking over to her and sitting down.
  "Hey, Annie," She smiled, stretching. "I have some news for you,"
  "Oh?" He asked, looking at her. She nervously bit her lip. Instantly, he felt worried. "Are you ok?"
  "Oh, yeah, I'm fine... look I'm be going away for a few days," She stated, making him look at her as she pressed her fingers together. Instantly, she felt guilty as she realized he would be alone in Paris. "I'm sorry. I didn't think it through. You'll be alone to protect Paris... I'll just cancel-"
  "There's no way am I let you cancel," He grinned, gently nudging her arm with his. "You go and enjoy your trip. As far as I'm concerned, you've earnt it so don't worry about me ok? I can handle a few days without you,"
  "So you're not mad?" Lady Noir asked, making him frown a little. "Or disappointed?"
  "Of course not," He smiled, scratching her ears. She began to purr and nuzzle his hand like an actual cat. "You're allowed to have fun, kitty and if I get really desperate, I can literally phone you and get your location then borrow the horse miraculous from Master Fu and come get you,"
  "Good point," She smiled, feeling a little dumb that she forgot that but Anatis laughed a little, making her smile. "So shall we discuss Mr Pigeon?"
  "Oh kwami. I'm not sure I want to," He gasped, shaking his head as he smirked. "51 times! How is a guy obsessed with pigeons our most akumatized villain?"
  "Tell me about it," She giggled before the two of them began to do really bad impressions of him before laughing. She gently leaned on him as the two of them looked at the Eiffel tower. "At least, he's not very threatening,"
  "True," He replied before looking at her. "So how long you away for?"
  "Five days," She replied, looking at him. "You sure you'll be ok?"
  "I'll be fine," He grinned, placing his hands behind his head. "It will be a breeze,"
  "Ooh, someone's confident," She teased, making him grin before jumping up. "Wanna race to the Louvre? Loser has to buy ice cream!"
  "You're on," He declared, jumping before the two of them ran off into the night.
  ~The Night Before the Flight~
  Marinette laughed as Luka caught a piece of popcorn in his mouth, grinning as he chewed on the piece of candy. He grabbed a piece and threw it towards her. She attempted to catch it but failed, causing him to crack up with laughter along with her before she threw a piece of popcorn at him. It landed in his hair, making her giggle even more. He laughed as well before the two of them flopped down in the beanbags and looked up at her skylight. They had been spending the evening playing video games and watching films but Luka started the popcorn thing by catching one in his mouth and Marinette wanted to see if he could catch one if she threw it.
  "Hey, Mari,"
  "Hmm?"
  "Thanks for having me around," He smiled, turning to look at her. She grinned and turned to face him. He moved and leaned on his arm. "Are you looking forward to New York?"
  "Yeah, I'm not sure how I'm gonna sleep to be honest," She grinned, clearly excited. She was practically vibrating with excitement. "Are you?"
  "Excited? Yeah," He grinned before flopping back down on the beanbags and placing his hands under his head. "It's been a while since I've been on a plane though. In fact, the last time was when I was a kid. We went to go visit my grandpa for his birthday,"
  "Really? Where does he live?"
  "Scotland," Luka grinned. "Right in the highlands too but he's a grumpy old pirate... Scotland is beautiful though,"
  "I bet," She grinned. "I'd love to go to China at some point,"
  "China? That would be exciting,"
  "It really would. Oh, I could go visit my uncle Cheng," She grinned before yawning. Luka yawned as well but before he could get up, she moved and rested on him, making him blush.
  "Aren't I suppose to be staying in the guest room?" He asked as he poked her gently. She looked at him before smiling in a cheeky manner before she snuggled against him. 
  "Yeah but you're comfy," She mumbled, sleepily. He grabbed his phone and set his alarm on it before placing it down. He started to hum gently as he ran his fingers through her hair. Within a few minutes, he could hear light snoring as Marinette had fallen asleep. He smiled gently as he looked at her.
  "Cute," He muttered before closing his own eyes. He fell asleep almost straight away, holding Marinette as he did. Neither of them realized that her parents check in on her and took a photo of the two slumbering teens, cooing over how cute they looked. Once they had disappeared back downstairs, Tikki flew out and pulled a blanket over Luka and Marinette before snuggling back into his hoodie. Plagg, on the other hand, was already napping and dreaming of the American cheeses he would be trying when they got there.
  ~Next Morning~
  "Ah!! We're gonna be so late!!" Marinette gasped as the two of them rushed out of the bakery. Luka was carrying their suitcases and Marinette had their croissants in her hands. For once though, she had been able to get up on time. Luka had helped with that as he often got up early anyway, usually to practice his guitar or his martial arts but this morning, he had woken her up almost as soon as he was awake too. Her father, however, tried to make them breakfast and attempted to get them to stay. Thanks to her mother though, they had managed to escape and were on route to the school. Marinette took out her phone and called Alya. "Hi! We're nearly there. You haven't set off yet?"
  "Not yet, girl but Mrs Mendeleiev is getting impatient," Alya replied as they ran across the road. "Hold up... I think I see you. Mrs Mendeleiev, Mr Damocles!! Luka and Marinette are here!!"
  "Just in time," Luka smiled as they rushed over to the bus driver. "Sorry for been late, sir,"
  "You're just in the time," He smiled, helping them place their suitcases in the luggage area. Luka thanked him and helped Marinette onto the coach. She grinned and took her seat next to Alya as he sat down next to Aurora. 
  "That was cutting it close, Luka," Aurora grinned as the bus driver got on and began to drive. Luka couldn't help but smile as he was super excited. He had the horse miraculous on him and Tikki was happily curled up in his pocket. His phone was set to alert him the moment a live new report or an akuma alert went off and he was going to be spending five days in New York with his friends and of course, Marinette. Not that she was more important then everyone else. Aurora grinned as she gently poked his cheek, causing him to look at her with a raised eyebrow. "Sooo... you told her yet?"
  "Told who what?" He asked as he glanced over to Marinette. She was happily chatting to Alya but grinned and waved when she saw Luka looking in her direction. He blushed a little but waved back.
  "That you're in love with Marinette," Aurora gasped in a hushed whisper, making him look at her with surprise. She giggled a little at his expression.
  "That obvious huh?" He asked sheepishly before sighing. "I haven't told her because she's still hung up on Adrien and I don't want to pressure her or make her feel uncomfortable,"
  "Oh, you are too much, Luka Couffaine," Aurora grinned before looking at Marinette. "But I don't think she's... uh... "hung up" on Adrien anymore. Hey, you should totally use New York to confess your love for her,"
  "Well, I kind of already told her my feelings but she hasn't returned them..."
  "Well, maybe that's because she thinks they had an expiry date so she thinks you're no longer interested," Aurora pointed out, making Luka think before gently nudging him. "But at the end of the day, it's down to you. I'll still be your best friend and help you regardless of your choice,"
  "Thanks, Aurora," He smiled.
  "Though... I might steal her away at this rate!!" She grinned, making him pretend gasp.
  "You wouldn't?!"
  ~Meanwhile, on the other side of the bus~
  "Soooo anything interest happen between you and Luka last night?" Alya asked, wiggling her eyebrows. Marinette laughed and gently shoved her, shaking her head. "Come on, girl! Give me the deets,"
  "It was just a normal sleepover, Alya," She smiled, looking over at him. He was talking to Aurora and glanced over to her. She smiled and waved at him, causing him to smile back shyly and wave back before she turned back to Alya. "We gamed, watched a movie, threw popcorn at each other... Luka is really good at catching popcorn with his mouth... and then we went to bed. He was suppose to be staying in the guest room but I kind of fell asleep on him,"
  "So he stayed in the same room as you?!" Rose gushed, making Marinette jump. "Oooh!! So romantic!!"
  "Nooo... it's just what friends do..." She gasped, blushing. Now that she thought about it, it really was romantic and it felt so nice been in Luka's arms and falling to sleep while he hummed softly and played with her hair.
  "Sure," Alya grinned before smiling. "So did you just fall asleep on him?"
  "Well... we were talking beforehand and he was humming and playing with my hair," She mumbled, making the girls go aww. She blushed even more. "W-We're just friends... right?"
  "Maybe but do you want to be more?" Alya asked, making Marinette gasp and look away shyly. Alya frowned a little before deciding to change the subject. "So what's the first thing everyone wants to do in New York? I really wanna see if I can meet Majestia,"
  "Majestia?" Marinette asked, looking at her best friend with a confused look. "Isn't that the superhero from the comic you read?"
  "It is!" Alya gasped, nodding. "But like the miraculous comics, it's based on a real life superhero. Majestia and her sidekick, Uncanny Valley, protect New York, along with Knightowl and his sidekick, Sparrow. In fact, there's a whole super group called United Heroes! If I can, I would love to get an interview with one of them for my blog!!"
  "But isn't your blog about Anatis and Lady Noir?" Rose asked, confused but Alya smiled.
  "Not for that one. I have a lesser known blog called Heroes-Unite. Of course, it's no where near as populate as the Ladyblog but still," She mumbled, blushing a little as the class gasped and looked it up. With minutes, they were all following it. "Anyway, what do you guys want to do?"
  "Me and Juleka want to go to the museums!" Rose grinned, happily before everyone began to tell them what they wanted to do before they all looked at Marinette, who blinked and smiled.
  "Well, other then get hotdogs and hang out with everyone... I really want to take photos of New York. I think I can get some inspiring ones and hopefully I'll be able to make some new pieces based on it,"
  "Aww!! That's gonna be amazing!!" Rose gushed, getting a nod of Juleka.
  "I can't wait to see how it comes out,"
  ~At the Airport~
  "So Marinette seems to think Luka isn't interested in her?" Kagami muttered as she stroked Adrien's hair. His head was in her lap as they were waiting to board the plane.
  "And Luka thinks that Marinette isn't interested in him and that she's too good for him," Adrien sighed as Alya nodded before he sat up. He looked over at where Luka and Marinette were. They were smiling as they chatted, clearly comfortable in each other's company. Nothing like how she was around him. "They would make such a good couple,"
  "I agree," Kagami muttered.
  "We could try and set them up on a date," Nino suggested but Adrien shook his head.
  "If it's to happen, it has to be a natural progression. We can't interfere directly,"
  "But we can encourage," Kagami smiled. "The blueberries deserve to be happy,"
  "Ok, everyone!! The plane is boarding now!!" Mrs Mendeleiev declared, getting everyone to bring to board. Luka smiled and helped Marinette with her case as they looked for their seats.
  "Where are you sat?" Marinette asked, looking up at him.
  "B31," He replied, looking at her.
  "B32! Luka, we sat together!!" She grinned as they walked onto the plane. He smiled as they found their seats. Marinette attempted to lift her suitcase but almost dropped it until he caught it and helped her put it away. She blushed and rubbed her neck. "Thanks, Luka,"
  "No worries, Mari," He smiled, putting his own away before the two of them sat down. Marinette, however, was playing with her hands and looking around. "You ok?"
  "I... I'm really nervous..." She gasped. "Is it hot? It feels hot,"
  "Hang on," He muttered, standing up and turning on the air conditioning. Marinette felt herself cool down as he sat back down before he faced her. "Better?"
  "Much,"
  "Is that your first time flying?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. Her song was all jittery and nervous. She blushed and nodded as the captain began to talk. "Don't worry. Flying's really fun and I'll be right here next to you,"
  "Thanks, Luka," Marinette smiled, feeling a lot better as the captain began to talk, going through the safety protocols. She did up her seatbelt and smiled nervously as the plane began to move. Luka gave her a reassuring smile and held out his hand. Shyly smiling, she took it as the plane began to speed up. It suddenly jolted, making her squeeze his hand and close her eyes but then it went smooth again. Slowly, she opened her eyes and saw Luka smiling at her.
  "We're in the air now," He muttered before flicking through the films with his free hand. "Wanna watch Miraculous: The Movie?"
  "Sure," She smiled. He smiled back and pressed play, keeping his hand in hers as they watched the film. Marinette ended up leaning against him and gradually she felt asleep as the plane flew. When she next opened her eyes, she found a blanket over her but the seat next to her empty. She yawned and looked around, noticing everyone else was asleep but she couldn't see Luka. She carefully got up and made her way past the rest of the passengers. Alya and Nino were sleeping next to each other. Rose and Juleka were curled up in each other's arms while Mylene and Ivan snoozed near them. Marc had his head resting on Nathaniel's shoulder and Adrien was leaning against Kagami. Marinette smiled gently before she noticed someone stood at the rear of the plan. She frowned a little but realized it was Luka. He was stood on his own, looking outside the window. She blushed a little as he kind of reminded her of Anatis and how he would stand looking out from her balcony. She walked over and cleared her throat, making him look at her. "You ok?"
  "Yeah... I just wanted to look out of the window..." He smiled, looking back. "It's like a whole different world up here. I like how we're sailing in a sea of clouds,"
  "Yeah?" She asked before looking over. The sun was slowly rising so the clouds appeared in a golden light. Marinette couldn't help the soft gasp that escaped her lips as she glanced outside. It was so beautiful. She felt a sense of calm wash over her as she stood next to Luka and just looked outside. "It's really beautiful,"
  "Yeah," He smiled. "I might write a song about it,"
  "I should make a dress based on it," She grinned, making him smile before she gasped and pointed as a flock of birds flew by. He chuckled and smiled gently as she continued to look. 
  "I'm glad I can share this with you," He muttered, causing her to ask if he said something. He shook his head and looked back out of the window. He glanced down as Tikki gently poked his leg before grinning up at him and mouthed 'tell her'. Luka bit his lip and looked at her. He could tell her that he loved her. The sunrise was really romantic and everyone was asleep so she wouldn't be embarrassed. "Marinette, I ha-"
  Before he could completely his sentence, the plane jolted causing the two of them to be slammed against the floor. Luka gasped and helped Marinette to her feet, making sure she wasn't hurt. The two of them looked outside as a blue man in an orange jumpsuit landed on the wing of the plane but before either could react, he placed his hands on the plane and caused the engine to stop working, causing the plane to go lob-sided and an alert to go off. Luka groaned as his back hit the side of the plane before he looked at Marinette who was stuck against the other side of the window.
  "Are you ok?" He called out, making her look at him.
  "Y-yeah... bit scared though," She replied.
  "Don't worry, sweethearts," A female voice suddenly said, making them look to the side. A girl with three eyes was looking in the window. She was smiling as she looked at them. "We have the situation under control. Dear passengers, united heroes are here to protect you,"
  In the distance, they both heard Alya gasp and squeal with excitement. 
  "Uncanny valley!!" She gasped. "The first superhero made with artificial intelligence! She was built by Majestia... which means...!"
  Both Marinette and Luka looked at each other as Alya squealed but to their surprise, the plane stopped tilting and actually became upright again. As soon as they're feet were on the ground, Luka grabbed Marinette's hand and rushed back over their seats.
  "Are you hurt?" He asked, concern in his face.
  "No, I'm ok," She gasped, looking just as concerned. "Are you?"
  "I'm fine,"
  "Wow, Majestia in person!!" Alya gasped, making them look over at her. "So cool!"
  "Well... at least, Alya's excited?" Luka mumbled as she looked out the window. He rose an eyebrow as Mr Damocles rushed to the bathroom but an explosion outside caught his attention. He quickly got up and looked out a window as a man dressed like an owl landed on the wing with a side kick. Alya confirmed that it was in the Knightowl and Luka found himself impressed as he captured the thief quickly. He watched as the three eyed girl fixed the engine, allowing a blonde woman who he guessed was Majestia to fly up as the plane was fully functional now. She flew over to the window with the three eyed girl and smiled.
  "I'd like to welcome you to the united states and enjoy your stay," Majestia stated as she waved at them before flying off with the thief and the rest of the heroes. Almost instantly, Alya began to fangirl but Luka returned to his seat and turned to Marinette. 
  "You sure you're ok?"
  "Well... that was a bit scary but american superheroes... how cool is that?"
  "It is pretty cool," He smiled, nodding. Fortunately, the rest of the flight was normal and uneventful. They landed with no trouble and got their luggage almost straight away. Once in the airport, the classes were put onto another coach to drive them to the location they would be staying at. Marinette was sat back with Alya while Luka was sat with Aurora, who was happily chatting away about the heroes and the thief who apparently was called Techno pirate but she soon stopped talking and frowned as Luka sighed.
  "You ok, guitar boi?" She asked, making him look at her.
  "Yeah... I just... I tried to tell her but that thief turned up..." He sighed. "Why is it every time I try to tell her my feelings something goes wrong?"
  "Hey, that's not the case. It was just bad timing on Techno pirate's end, not yours," She grinned before gently nudging him. "Besides, your luck will line up. Everyone knows you're the luckiest kid in school so just pluck up some courage and tell her,"
  "Thanks, Aurora," He muttered, looking over at Marinette as she took in New York with glee and awe. His eyes softened as he looked at her. She looked beautiful as she smiled and pointed out things to Alya.
  ~Meanwhile~
  "The little croissants are en route," Sparrow declared in the earpiece as Uncanny Valley flew towards the building's roof. She landed on the roof and turned into her human form. In it, she wore a cute gray skirt with tights and a pink faded t-shirt with three stars on it. Her hair had transformed into dark curls which she wore loose and she had ballet pumps on.
  "Good, don't leave them," Knightowl ordered as the bus came to a stop. Sparrow fired their grapple gun and pulled themselves onto the roof as well before turning into their civilian form. She wore a faded blue jeans with a top that was styled similar to a baseball shirt. It was red on the arms and the main part of it was white but it had a yellow sun in the middle of it. Her hair was tied into two braids tied with leather binds. She grabbed her skateboard and head to join Uncanny Valley downstairs as the french kids came in. 
  "Two of them are missing," Valley stated, looking around before she noticed them at the door. Marinette was attempting to get her suitcase in while trying to get the door to open. Luka was trying to get her to let him help so she could open the door. "There they are,"
  She placed her hand on the door switch and used her powers to cause it to open. However, Marinette ended up tripping and falling over her suitcase. Luka rushed over and helped up as it got the attentions of some of the other teenagers in there. A guy in gray pants, yellow shirt and a dark green jacket walked over and helped them.
  "You guys alright?" He asked, getting a nod of Marinette as Luka helped her collect the things that fell out of her suitcase. She gave him a bashful smile as he handed them back to her. "Hey, nice hair dude,"
  "Thanks," Luka muttered, helping Marinette to her feet before turning to Mason. "I'm Luka. This is Marinette. We're from Dupont high in Paris,"
  "Dude, you're the French kids everyone's been talking about," He grinned, shaking Luka's hand. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Mason by the way. I'm here with my class too. We're from Armstrong High in Queens,"
  "Cool," Luka smiled as Sparrow joined Uncanny Valley. She rolled her eyes as she looked at them.
  "Urg!! Babysitting some tourists!" She groaned, placing her skateboard down and sitting down as she crossed her arms. "Don't they have something better for us to do?"
  "Those two are made from each other," Valley stated as she sat down on the edge of the sofa, causing Sparrow to groan as she looked at Luka and Marinette.
  "Seriously, Aeon, not again!"
  "But I'm programmed to help people, Jess," She replied, a little confused by Jess's reaction. Jess gently placed her hand on her shoulder and smiled.
  "Just stop meddling with people's private lives," She suggested, causing Aeon to frown a little before she nodded.
  "You're right," She smiled. "Let's just follow the orders and protect the tourists,"
  Both girls looked up as Mrs Mendeleiev clapped her hands, getting her class's attention.
  "Listen up, students. You will go to your rooms by groups of four. Everyone, come take your artillery," She ordered, causing the students to come up to her and grab them. Once all of the students had their papers, she narrowed her eyes. "And when I come up in two and half minutes, you better be in your rooms with the lights out,"
  A few of the class moaned and protested as they began to head towards the rooms but Mason leaned over.
  "Hey, blueberries," He whispered, getting Marinette and Luka's attention. "We're throwing a little party on the roof if you're interested. Hang with us but be quiet ok?"
  He smiled and looked over at Sabrina before winking at her then walking off. She went bright red as Alya walked over. 
  "I think there's an American boy who would like to see you there, Sabrina," She grinned as Marinette nodded. She smiled shyly and looked at her feet a little.
  "You... you think so?" She asked as Chloe walked over.
  "It's obvious," She declared. "And he would be totally ridiculous not to like you. Anyway, come on. We're sharing a room,"
  "All of us?" Marinette asked as they headed to their rooms. Luka smiled at her as he walked with Nino, Adrien and Ivan. She waved at him, getting a wave back before they all headed into their room. She closed the door and turned to the other girls. "Ok, what's the plan?"
  "Waiting til Mendeleiev has gone to her room then we're sneaking to the roof," Alya declared, getting a nod of the other two before she grinned at her phone. "The boys are down for it as well,"
  "As are the rest of Kitty Section and the art kids," Marinette grinned as her phone vibrated.
  "Kim and Max are planning to join us too as well as the weather girls and Kagami," Chloe confirmed as Sabrina listened to the door. As soon as they heard the door to Mrs Mendeleiev's room close, they all sneaked out and began to head to the roof. 
  "What's that noise?!" Mrs Mendeleiev suddenly shouted, causing the students to gasp and dive into random rooms. Marinette took a deep breathe as she heard the teacher come out before she went back in. She looked to the side, expecting to be alone and squeaked a little as someone was leaning against the door too. She calmed down as she realized it was Luka, who looked a little startled too before he smiled and rubbed the back of his neck.
  "Sorry, Mari. I didn't mean to scare you," He muttered before they both noticed they had wondered in someone else's room. The two girls were sat on the bed. One of them glared them while the other looked excited to see them. "Oh, we're so sorry. We were just trying to get to the roof but our teacher heard us..."
  "Uh... hi... I'm Marinette and this is my boy- I mean friend! Uh... Luka... this is my Luka... I mean Luka... just Luka.." She gasped as he waved. The excited girl leaned over and smiled.
  "See... they're made for each other," She attempted to whisper but both Marinette and Luka heard her. Marinette went bright red and started to mumble while Luka went completely silent and a little red as well.
  "I think you broke them," The other girl stated, rolling her eyes. "I'm Jess and this is my sister, Aeon. Anyway, if you want to get to the roof without getting caught, you can take the stairs outside,"
  "Thanks," Marinette grinned before grabbing Luka's hand which knocked him out of his trance.
  "Uh... t-thanks..." He stuttered, making Marinette look at him. He honestly looked like he was about to hyperventilate but he gave her a soft smile. "Withdrawal..."
  "Ah, yeah. You couldn't bring her with you," She muttered, making the two girls raise an eyebrow as Marinette opened the window. "Maybe someone will let you borrow theirs,"
  "Borrow? Withdrawal?" Jess questioned as she looked at them. "Are you... ok?"
  "Oh, Luka's a musician and music helps him... how did you put it?"
  "Music is often simpler then words," He muttered, blushing a little. "I use it talk I guess..."
  "Hmm..." Jess muttered before getting up and grabbing an acoustic guitar before shoving it in his hands. She then grabbed a second one. "Well, let's head to the roof and hear your music. Come on, Aeon,"
  "Yay!!" She grinned, jumping up as Marinette climbed out the window. Luka thanked Jess, putting the guitar on his back before he followed Marinette with the other two behind them. 
  "Wow," Marinette gasped as they got onto the roof. It was lit up with fairy-lights and almost all of the students were there, talking and just hanging. Luka stood next to her and smiled, looking around as well. Alya and Nino were getting selfies with some of the students, the rest of Kitty section were sat with other musicians, playing music and singing. Kim was doing press ups against another kid with a few kids filming. Max was explaining Markov to others as Alix talked to a girl with bright green hair. Kagami was showing off her fencing skills and Adrien was talking in Chinese. Aurora and Mireille were chatting with other students too. Chloe and Sabrina were chatting with Mason and his friend. Jess and Aeon came over.
  "Alright, music boi, let's see what you can do," Jess declared before she sat down and began to play an upbeat song which caused people to begin to dance. Luka closed his eyes and listened before opening them again. He looked around and smiled as his luck vision highlighted Ivan, Rose, a girl with a tambourine and a few other instruments. He walked over and whispered something to Ivan, who grinned and nodded before telling Rose and the tambourine girl then he grabbed the other instrument. He gave Juleka a flute and handed Adrien a ukulele before walking back over as Jess rose an eyebrow. "What are you doing?"
  "What I do best," He smiled before sitting down and closing his eyes before tapping his hand against the guitar. Ivan began to play and gradually the others joined in. Luka kept his eyes closed as he took it in before he began to play. The whole song was so upbeat and full of energy that it made people want to dance and clap in time with it. Jess couldn't help but smile as Luka skillfully played a melody that no one had ever heard before joining in. Aeon grinned and began dancing as the tempo got faster and faster. Luka smiled and glanced up at Marinette who was laughing and dancing with Alya and Chloe. He smiled and continued playing before the song gradually came to a natural stop, causing the students to clap and whistle.
  "What was that song, dude?" Mason asked as Jess nodded. "Did you write it?"
  "Uh... I just play what I feel... had to get the rest involved though since there's some many songs out here tonight," Luka muttered, making them raise an eyebrow but Marinette walked over and smiled.
  "Luka can hear the songs in people's hearts," She explained. "What he just played is what he heard in the hearts of everyone here,"
  "Whoa," Mason gasped as Luka smiled before he began to play a solo tune. Gradually, the others joined in again but the music came to a stop as something appeared in the sky. Luka stood up as Marinette stared into the sky. Adrien dropped the ukulele as Kagami stared with wide eyes as a flying machine came towards them. It was red and orange in color and a man with a matching suit seemed to be flying it.
  "What is that?" Luka gasped as the rest of the classes surrounded them. Mason laughed and wrapped his arm around his shoulder.
  "That is Hotdog Dan!" He yelled out as it landed. A parasol popped out as it turned into a food van, revealing the man inside. He had an orange and red mask on and was dressed as a superhero. His hair resembled flames and he was grinning. 
  "Hey, hey, hey. Hotdog Dan is here to get in the mood!" He declared, taking out his blades and began to serve up hotdogs. The students rushed over in a swarm and began to get his hotdogs. Adrien grabbed Kagami's hand and rushed over as Rose ran over to buy one for her and Juleka. "I'm the hero of Picnics and tasty food!"
  "Usually, he teams up with Ketchup Boy and Mustard Girl but it looks like he's patrolling solo tonight," Jess explained before she glanced over. "You might want to hurry if you want to try one of his magic hotdogs though. They sell out in minutes,"
  "Magic... hotdogs?" Marinette gasped as she looked over. A boy with red hair took a bit into her hotdog and then to her surprise, he blew out a bit of fire that resembled a dragon. A blonde girl took a bite of hers, which caused her skin to turn a glowing blue. She laughed along with her friends. Rose ate hers and literally lifted Ivan above her head while Juleka's hotdog allowed her to change her hair color into anything she wanted. Adrien literally gave him cat ears while Kagami gained a bit super speed. Another girl had a fire breathing one, allowing her to create a dragon from fire and Sabrina's gave her long hair with flowers into it, similar to Rapunzel. Marinette's eyes went huge with excitement before she turned to Luka. "We have to try those!!"
  She didn't wait for an answer before she grabbed his hand and rushed over to Hotdog Dan as Alya and Nino walked over too. Hotdog Dan frowned as he saw the four of them.
  "Sorry, guys, I only have two hotdogs left for the four of you," He frowned, disappointed but Nino shook his head and took out his cash.
  "No worries, dude. My girl and I can take one," He smiled, buying them before he handed one to Marinette. "You can take the other. My treat,"
  He winked and pushed Marinette's hand away as she went to give Nino a bit of money for the hotdog before Alya handed him half of theirs.
  "Thanks, babe," He smiled as Marinette turned to Luka.
  "Here, you should have it. I can get a hotdog later," She smiled, offering it to him but Luka smiled softly. He picked it up and broke it half. She blinked as he handed her the other half. "Are you sure?"
  "Yeah. There's no way I'm letting you miss out on these ones," He smiled, causing her to blush and smile back as she took the hotdog half. The two of them smiled as they bit into them. Almost instantly, they began to float up into the air. Marinette gasped and flailed around but Luka grabbed her hand as he gasped, surprised at the fact they were floating. Nino and Alya were laughing at their reactions but apparently, their hotdog had the effect of helium. Jess and Aeon couldn't help but laugh as Marinette gasped as she looked down.
  "You were right," She mumbled, looking at Aeon and getting Alya's attention. "Those two are made for each other,"
  "Oh, with those two, things aren't that simple," She explained in a high pitched voice which made both girls give her a questioning look. "Luka has been in love with Marinette for like... forever but Marinette had a huge crush on Adrien. However, she realized that she also had a huge crush on Luka but she wasn't sure how to deal with but then Adrien started to date Kagami and Marinette decided to let him go and move on from her crush on him. She still has feelings for Luka but thinks he only thinks of her as a friend and Luka thinks she's still hung over Adrien. Also they both think each other deserves better then themselves and that's not even including Marinette's crush on our local superhero Anatis,"
  "Whoa... that's complicated," Jess nodded as Marinette began to relax. She spun upside down and grinned at Luka, who laughed a little too much that he floated away slightly. Marinette gasped and grabbed his hand, pulling him back to her. They both blushed as they looked into each other’s eyes, not realizing how close they were. Jess grinned as she looked at them then at her guitar. "Hey, squeaky,"
  "The name's Alya but... yes?"
  "Alya... cool... do they have a favorite song?" Jess asked as Adrien walked over. He took out his phone and showed her a song on his phone.
  "They danced together at Chloe's party to that," He explained, getting a nod of Jess who began to play it. Luka gasped as he heard it. He looked down and saw everyone had started dancing to it as Jess played the song. He looked back at Marinette who was looking at the moon before she looked at him and smiled.
  "We danced to this at Chloe's party," She mumbled, playing with her hands. "It's actually one of my favorite memories despite that akuma. I got to make macaroons with you..."
  "It's one of my favorite memories too," He admitted, blushing a little before looking at her. The moonlight illuminated her, giving her an ethereal sort of glow. Her hair seemed a little bright then usual and she looked happy. Luka gently took her hand in his, making her look at him as he smiled. "Would... would you like to dance again?"
  "Yeah... I would," She smiled, placing her spare hand on his shoulder. He smiled back and placed his hand on her waist as they began to dance. He spun her around, causing her to giggle before he pulled her closer to him. She carefully placed her arms around his neck and leaned into him. She couldn't help but smile happily as he held her close. She closed her eyes as they gently spun round in the air. Gradually, the effect of the magic hotdog began to wear off. Marinette gasped in fear, scared that they would just suddenly fall but Luka gave her a reassuring smile as they slowly descended from the sky. Gradually, their feet touched the ground but instead of separating, Marinette just smiled and leaned against him as the song continued to play. Luka smiled and closed his eyes as they couldn't to sway and move to the music, leaving the two of them in their own little bubble as Adrien and Kagami joined Nino and Alya. Kagami smiled as they watched them.
  "They appear to be making progress," She stated, getting a nod of Adrien.
  "I'm happy for them," He smiled as his cat ears twitched. "Luka helps ground Marinette but she helps him come out of his shell,"
  "So he's pretty shy then?" Jess asked, getting a nod of the four.
  "Yeah, he only recently started to go to school. He use to be home educated but after some time, he decided to join the school," Alya nodded as Rose gushed over them and Juleka just smiled. "I think shyness kind of runs in the family,"
  "Oh?" Jess asked, looking at her.
  "Well, Juleka is his sister. He's only older by her then a year so he's in the year above us but she's super shy too," Alya replied, nodding towards her. "I often forget they are Couffaines,"
  "Couffaines?"
  "It's their name and believe me when I say, they may be shy but Chaos is in their blood," She chuckled, making pretty much everyone smile or laugh. "I think that's why Rose and Marinette are drawn to them. They're pretty chaotic themselves. Marinette can be really clumsy and Rose... well, she is energy incarnate,"
  "Sound like my kind of people," Jess grinned as Aeon nodded excitedly.
  "You should meet the captain," Adrien grinned, making them look at him with confused expression. "The captain is the head of the Couffaine family. She is literally like a real life pirate. Ah what is it she says?"
  "From Chaos comes creativity," Ivan piped up as he walked over with Mylene. "Marinette's parents are really cool as well,"
  "Yeah, they run the best bakery in all of Paris," Adrien grinned as Jess listened. "The croissants are amazing,"
  "Awesome," She smiled. "So what about you? What's your family like?"
  "Oh... well... um..." Adrien muttered, suddenly looking sad. Kagami frowned and took his hand before turning to Jess.
  "His family is a sensitive subject," She stated in her usual manner. "Could we change the subject?"
  "Yeah, of course," Jess answered, nodding before she grinned. "Why don't you tell us about this Anatis dude you mentioned? You said he was a local superhero? Can you tell us about him?"
  "Yes, we would love to know more," Aeon agreed as Alya practically shook with excitement. "Like does he work alone? Or-"
  "He has a partner!" She gasped, taking out her phone and showing them pictures. "Anatis and Lady Noir! They're such badass and so nice too!! There's other heroes too!! Culpeo, Abellie and Leatherback are part of his inner circle but there's others too like Ryuko and Aspik!!”
  "And we've lost her," Adrien smiled as he glanced back over at Marinette and Luka. They were still dancing and Luka had his eyes closed. Marinette caught Adrien looking and grinned at him as he gave her a thumbs up before closing her eyes and continued to dance. 
  ~The Next Day~
  "Soo how was your dance with Luka last night?" Alya asked as her and Marinette got off the bus. Marinette had been sighing happily all morning but neither girl had a chance to talk. After the party last night, they were all really tired so they went to bed pretty quickly and this morning, they had breakfast with everyone. Alya knew better to talk to Marinette about Luka when he was in ear shot. 
  "It was so romantic, Alya," She smiled, almost walking into something. She shook her head and turned back to Alya, who had gone quiet. "Do you- Alya?"
  "Oh my gosh!!" She gasped, pointing to a teacher. "That teacher over there!! That's Dean Gate aka Doorman. He has the ability to transform any door into a teleportation passage! Oh, that is soo cool! Superheroes don't necessarily need to hide their true identity here!! Amazing!!! Ah, I have to ask him for a quote for my blog!!"
  With that, she walked away as Marinette smiled. Luka noticed and walked over.
  "Alya seems excited," He mumbled, getting a nod of Marinette as Alya talked to Mr Gate.
  "Apparently, that teacher is a superhero called Doorman but his identity is public knowledge,"
  "Really?" He asked, imagining what his life would be like if everyone knew he was Anatis. Marinette nodded. "How strange but I guess he doesn't have an insane miraculous user trying to steal his miraculous,"
  "Yeah, that's true," She nodded, subconsciously stroking her ring before turning to him. "Shall we go inside?"
  "Yeah," He smiled as they walked in, following the other students. Seeing Jess and Aeon there, Luka smiled and waved at them as they walked inside the area. Mr Gate clapped his hands and asked them to follow him as they walked through the museum. Luka couldn't help but look around as they checked out the displays. They made their way over to the special display that had been put up for the French American friendship week. The class came to a stop in front of the display as Mr Gate gestured to it.
  "This is the famous saber of the marquis Lafayette," He explained, pointing towards it before he pointed towards a necklace. "And here is the necklace he presented to George Washington as a symbol of friendship between the French and the American people,"
  Luka glanced over at it and suddenly, it was like a pulse when through his mind, causing him to groan and grip his head. His mind was pounding and he stepped back.
  "Mr Couffaine?" Mr Gate asked, concerned as Marinette gasped, gently placing her hand on his arm. "Are you ok?"
  "Y-Yeah... I just have a headache... I'm fine.." He gasped, looking up. As soon as he saw the necklace again, another pulse hit him and another like a wave, causing him to groan and stumble back as images began to flash through his mind. "C-Can... I get some fresh air?"
  "Yes, of course," He nodded, causing Luka to rush out of the building. Marinette came with him and made sure he was ok. Once he was outside, he pounding headache disappeared, allowing him to breathe in. He assured that he was fine and that it was just a headache before sending her back inside. As soon as she was gone, Tikki flew out of his pocket.
  "Are you ok?" She asked, concerned. He nodded and took out his bottle of water, taking a slip. "What happened?"
  "I'm not sure," He muttered, looking at her. "I just... It felt like... I was getting hit by something... like some sort of energy and there were... images flashing in my mind. Tikki, it felt like magic,"
  "That's strange," She mumbled, frowning. "Think you'd be ok to go back inside so we can look at it?"
  "Sure," He nodded, getting up. She flew into his pocket and he headed back in. He headed back into the room where the display was, noting it was empty. He walked over but groaned again as the pulse hit him again. Tikki flew out and moved over to it, looking at it as Luka gripped his head. "T-Tikki,"
  "Luka!!" She gasped as he fell to the ground. "Luka?!"
  Flashes of the marquis and the necklace flashed through his mind as he gripped his head. His eyes began to change silver as he continued to see them before he started to make sense of them. He saw the Marque talking to a small creature he recognized as a kwami and saw how he used the power to help liberate people. Gradually, the images disappeared and he carefully sat up, scoping up Tikki. 
  "Are you ok?" She asked, placing her paw on his face.
  "Yeah... I think it's a miraculous," He whispered, making her gasp and look at it but before he could explain more, his phone vibrated. He took it out and saw it was an akuma alert. He got up and ran over to a pillar to hide behind. He took out the sunglasses that were the horse miraculous and put them on, allowing Kaaiki to manifest as they changed into normal glasses.
  "Hello, Master Luka," She stated in a bored manner. "You know the words,"
  "Kaaiki, full gallop," He declared, causing her to be sucked into the glasses, transforming him into Appalo. With his transformation complete, he made a circle movement with his hand, creating a ring of energy around his wrist before he threw across the room as he focused on the Eiffel tower. "Voyage!!"
  The ring transformed into a portal which he stepped through bringing him into Paris. It disappeared straight away as he looked down and frowned as the destruction the akuma had been making.
  "Kaaiki, Dismount," He muttered, catching the kwami and give her a baby carrot as Tikki flew out. He turned to the two kwami. "Tikki, spots on!"
  A red light engulfed him, turning him into Anatis before he looked at Kaaiki. She finished the carrot and gave him a nod. He took off the glasses and placed them in his yoyo before diving off the tower and swinging off into the city, following the trail of destruction. He landed on a nearby building as Robustus literally destroyed another.
  "Robustus?" He whispered, frowning as that didn't make sense. Robustus was Max's Robot Markov but they were in New York with the rest of the class so how the hell did he get akumatized in Paris? Frowning to himself, he threw his yoyo in the air and called for a lucky charm. He frowned as he caught a length of rope before looking around. Robustus himself lit up then the rope and then a man on the street who was looking at the monster in shock. Knowing what to do, he swung down and used the rope to tied up the robot before landing in front of the man. His luck vision zoomed in on the man's watch and he frowned as he realized it was discolored.
  "I... I didn't... I don't know how it appeared," The man gasped in shock, making Anatis frown. "I was just feeling low and then the next thing I know that thing appeared,"
  "Can I borrow your watch?" He asked, causing the man to shake and nod but he suddenly tried to punch Anatis, causing him to grab his arm and take off the watch before he crushed it in his hand. To his surprise, it wasn't an akuma that escaped but an amok. He caught it with his yoyo before grabbing the ropes and throwing them up in the air. "Miraculous Ladybugs!"
  The swarm fixed everything and the man looked confused as Anatis bid him farewell before he threw his yoyo and swung off. Once on the rooftops away from the scene, he opened his yoyo and took out the feather, examining it. 
  "Mayura..." He muttered, looking at it with a frown. "But why...."
  His yoyo vibrated, making him open it and click on the notification. It was a live steam on the ladyblog, showing a bright blue villain with four tentacle like arms fighting uncanny valley and Sparrow in the museum. He frowned as he wasn't sure why it was on the Ladyblog but it seemed the villain was similar to Techno Pirate but more powerful. He frowned to himself but then Lady Noir suddenly appeared on screen, throwing her baton towards the villain. However, he knocked it back and grabbed her with one of his tentacle before slamming her into a wall. Doorman appeared on screen, calling for Sparrow, Uncanny Valley and Lady Noir to get through one of his teleportation portal but Techno Pirate grabbed Valley with one of his arms and declared her powers his before throwing her against the wall. He then destroyed Doorman's door and repeatedly fired at them with a move similar to her third eye. Sparrow attempted to jump at him but was caught and throw into a different room. Lady Noir rushed in to help him as Doorman rushed over to Alya, who was still filming.
  "You need to get out of here," He declared, causing the live stream to cut off. Anatis frowned to himself and activated the dimension pocket in his yoyo. He took out the horse miraculous and put them on, allowing Kaaiki to manifest again.
  "Kaaiki," He declared, holding out one of his hands before he held out the other. "Tikki... unify,"
  He held his hands together, changing his spots to white as he merged the miraculous. His boots gained wing like details and his gloves got a white strip on them. His mask transformed into speed googles with darkened lens and he gained the horse shoe on his back. He drew the circle with his hand before opening the portal. He walked through and frowned as he stepped into the museum, just as Tikki manifested turning him into his normal horse outfit. He reached into his pocket and took out a cookie for her. She grinned and took it as he leaned down and touched the dust. Using his horse vision, he looked around for anything to stand out but to his surprise, he found the Doorman under an airplane model. He rushed over and lifted it off him before checking his pulse. Luckily, he was alive. He groaned and blinked as he saw him.
  "W-Who..." He gasped in pain. "A-Are you?"
  "I'm Appalo," He explained as he helped him to his feet. He glanced around and saw no one else in there so he helped Doorman out of the museum and to where the staff were. One of them rushed over and took Doorman off him as Tikki finished her cookie. He took out his communication device and opened it up, tracking where Lady Noir was. Apparently, she was on the New York times building which appeared to be on the other side of New York. A beep made him frown before he looked to Tikki.
  "Tikki, you charged?" He asked, making her nod. "Alright. Tikki, Kaaiki unify,"
  He turned back into his merged form, making a few people gasp before Kaaiki appeared, turning him back into Anatis. He took off his glasses and placed them into his yoyo before he took out a purple macaroon. Doorman rose an eyebrow as he ate it.
  "Power up," He muttered, transforming into his Asteroid form before he turned to the stunned hero. "Doorman, get in contact with Majestia and let her know Techno pirate has escaped and is at the New Times building,"
  "W-Will do," He nodded, getting a nod of Asteroid. "But... what are you going to do?"
  "Help the heroes fighting him," He replied before he broke into a run. He threw his yoyo up and pulled himself into the air before flying off as fast as he can. He reached the New York Times tower, just as Techno pirate grabbed Lady Noir with one of his arms. Uncanny Valley was laid on the floor but she was broken. It appeared that Techno pirate had ripped in half. Sparrow was trapped in one of his other arms but appeared to be unconscious and Lady Noir was struggling as he tightened his arm around her. She gasped in pain as he heard a crunch as if something had broken.
  "Say goodbye to your new friend, kitty cat," Pirate laughed before he dropped the unconscious Sparrow off the building. Lady Noir cried out and struggled even more but Pirate just laughed. Asteroid narrowed his eyes before diving down pass Pirate. "What was that?!"
  He caught Sparrow and flew back up before landing on the roof.
  "Spots off," He declared, changing into his normal form as he placed Sparrow down next to Valley. Pirate turned to him as Lady Noir gasped. "Hey! Big and ugly! Why don't you pick on someone you're on size?!"
  "Annie!!" She gasped in relief. Anatis took out his yoyo and threw it up.
  "Lucky charm!!" He yelled out but Pirate grabbed him around the waist. He grabbed the lucky charm in time and used it to blast a puff of air into Pirate's eyes, distracting him for a few seconds. He wrapped his yoyo around the ariel on the roof and Lady Noir used her baton and cataclysm to escape but it only damaged his arms. The two of them jumped across the roof, spinning their weapons as Pirate blasted them with Valley's power but before he could do any more damage, Majestia appeared and punched him, sending him flying throughout different buildings. Lady Noir groaned as she held her ribs, hissing a little. Anatis turned to her and cupped her face. "Are you ok?"
  "I think he crushed my ribs but..." She looked over at Sparrow and Uncanny Valley, causing Majestia to look over. She let out a cry of despair and rushed over, crying as she held the upper body of Uncanny Valley. They heard the sound of a grapple hook as Knightowl appeared and stopped as he looked at the scene before he rushed over to Sparrow. He held the child in his arms before looking angrily at the two french heroes.
  "What did you two do?!" He snarled, making Lady Noir glare at him.
  "It wasn't us! It was Techno Pirate!" She argued. "In fact, Sparrow would be dead if Annie hadn't turned up! He saved him from been splatted on the ground! Ah!"
  She gasped and gripped her ribs, making Anatis frown. He looked over at the scene before he took out the bike pump.
  "Oh, what are you going to do? Fix it with a magical bike pump?!" Knightowl mocked.
  "Exactly that," Anatis replied before throwing it up in the air. "Miraculous Ladybugs!!"
  The bike pump burst into the magical swarm, which spread around New York, fixing all the damage before it swarmed around Lady Noir, Sparrow and Uncanny Valley. When it disappeared, Sparrow sat up and looked around. Uncanny Valley was repaired and opened her eyes, smiling as she saw her mother.
  "Rebooting," She muttered as Anatis turned to Lady Noir, who was no longer in pain and completely fixed. 
  "Oh! Man, I love that feeling," She gasped as Majestia turned to Anatis.
  "Thank you but... why are you in New York?" She asked, confused. Lady Noir gasped, panicked but Anatis stepped up.
  "We were following a lead regarding Hawk Moth's identity. I suspected it might have been someone who had connections to New York and Paris..." He muttered, making the hero nod. However, Knightowl was angry as he stormed over.
  "You two are dangerous!" He declared, causing Anatis to step in front of Lady Noir protectively. Sparrow, however, rushed in front of them too. "I suspect that Techno pirate had his power increased because of you!"
  "No, they were j-" Sparrow tried to argue.
  "So are you! You disobeyed and didn't call it in!" He growled before turning to Lady Noir and Anatis. "I don't care why you're here but I'm ordering you to revert to your civilian identities and hand me the source of your power! You'll get it back when you leave. We don't not need amateur heroes running around,"
  "Firstly, you're super rude, do you know that?!" Anatis growled back, causing Knightowl to act surprised. Lady Noir smirked as she realized no one had ever spoke to him in that before. "And secondly, your protege tried their damn best and deserves a better mentor then you! And finally, don't you dare blame us for something that a villain did!!"
  "Why you!?!" Knightowl growled before pointing at Anatis. "You liste-"
  "No, you listen!" He growled. "Me and my partner are not to blame for a villain's actions and neither is your protege! In fact, they tried their damn hardest and probably didn't have a way to contact you but instead of giving them the benefit of the doubt and actually listening to what they have to say, you just assume that their actions were based on childish decisions without even knowing the full facts and to add insult to injury, you actually have the nerve to try and order me about!"
  "Young man-," Majestia started.
  "Anatis! My name is Anatis since neither of you bothered to ask," He declared, making Sparrow, Lady Noir and Uncanny Valley hold back giggles. Sparrow leaned over to Lady Noir.
  "Is he always this sassy?"
  "Oh yeah. You should have seen him when he ripped into the style queen," She whispered, causing Valley to gasp.
  "The Style Queen? As in Audrey Bourgeois?" She gasped, making Lady Noir nod. Both of the New York heroes looked at him with awe. "Wow... he's so cool,"
  "Oh yeah," Lady Noir grinned as Anatis continued to argue with Knightowl.
  "Why you!" Knightowl growled but Majestia placed her hand on his shoulder.
  "Anatis, I understand the frustration but you're not in Paris and you two are extremely dangerous," She stated, making them look at her. She looked to Lady Noir. "I don't know exactly what your power is but I saw what you did to Techno Pirate's arms and you... your power could be used to create danger-"
  "The lucky charm doesn't work that way," Anatis argued, taking a step back as Knightowl growled and stepped forward.
  "I understand but you need to surrender the source of your power," Majestia nodded. Lady Noir looked at him and she could see he wasn't going to win this argument. "We will return it to you before you go home,"
  "That's all great and all," He muttered, looking around as Lady Noir stepped back with him, hissing a little. His luck vision highlighted an air vent. "But we can't trust you. Sorry, not sorry!"
  He used his yoyo to hit the vent, causing it to smoke before he grabbed her hand and jumped off the building. The two landed on the ground and rushed over to the nearest manhole. He opened it and jumped inside with her, following. He heard Knightowl shout at them and follow but he didn't follow them into the sewers. They climbed down the ladder and as soon as they were on the ground, Lady Noir threw her arms around him.
  "I'm so sorry!" She gasped. "I got you in trouble and-"
  "Hey, it's ok," He smiled, cupping her face. "I'm just glad I was able to get there in time... are you sure you're ok, kitten?"
  "I'm fine," She sniffed, nuzzling her hand. "My ribs don't hurt anymore... but why are you here in New York? I thought you were protecting Paris,"
  "I was but... something wasn't right," He muttered, taking out the feather from his yoyo as they walked through the sewer.
  "An amok?" She asked, frowning. "But you took care of it right?"
  "Yeah but it was Robustus," He muttered, making her frown. "But Markov isn't in Paris. I checked to see if he and Max were. Not just that and it was a sentimonster created by some random dude. It seems that it was meant to look like an akuma,"
  "That's... odd..." She muttered, handing him back the feather. "But how did you know I was in New York?"
  "I saw the Ladyblog live stream and used the horse miraculous to get her then located you with my yoyo," He replied, getting a nod of her. "I'm glad I got here on time,"
  "Me too," She mumbled. "According to Sparrow, Techno Pirate was... enhanced somehow,"
  "Hmm," He muttered, frowning before looking at her. "You should head back onto the surface,"
  "What are you going to do?" She asked, worry on her face.
  "I'm gonna follow a lead in the museum. There's something I need to check," He muttered, getting a nod of her. She turned to leave but suddenly hugged him again. He smiled and hugged back before she walked off. Once out of view, he heard her transform back before she ran off. He took out his yoyo and found an exit that led to the museum. He ran towards it and detransformed, catching Tikki before he gave her a cookie and went to climb out of the sewers. He stumbled a little and groaned, making Tikki look at him with concern. "I'm ok, Tikki but I won't be able to use the Horse Miraculous for a while,"
  "Here," She mumbled, breaking her cookie in half and handed him a bit. "I know you need a lot more then just half of a cookie but it should help,"
  "Thank you," He smiled, taking it and gently patting her head with his finger. He quickly ate it then climbed out of the sewers. He rushed over to the museum but frowned as he saw police and another superhero. He recognized them as Snowflake. He walked over and gently tapped her on the shoulder.
  "Yes?" She asked, looking at him.
  "Could you tell me what happened?" He asked. "Why are the police here?"
  "Oh, the saber of the marquis Lafayette, along with the falcon talon necklace was stolen by Techno Pirate but I'm not sure I understand why he wanted them," She mused, making him frown. "Hey, aren't you one of those french kids? I'll get Doorman to bring you back to the dorms! Hey, Doorman!"
  Before Doorman could come over, Luka turned and bolted as fast as he could out of there. He jumped a little as thunder sounded and rain began to fall heavily, soaking him within minutes. He found a place to hide and took Tikki out of his pocket.
  "That miraculous is missing," He stated, causing her to frown. "But I don't understand. Why did Techno pirate go after it and the saber? How did he get increased power? What's the connection?"
  "Well, what do we know?" She asked, making him think.
  "Techno pirate got increased power, stole the saber and the necklace and then disappeared again..." He muttered before his thoughts drifted to Paris and the amok. Why was there an amok made to look like an akuma? What was he missing? What was the connection and why was Mayura active instead of Hawkmoth? Wasn't he able to akumatize someone? Of course, he could. Plenty of dark feelings in Paris so why use Mayura? And why Robustus? He knew it couldn't be Marvok because he was here in New York... but of course, the rest of Paris wouldn't know that. They would just think it was the usual akuma attack but why go through all of this trouble to make an amok look like an akuma? It's almost like... his eyes widen in realization. Hawkmoth wasn't in Paris. He must be in New York and after that miraculous, which means Techno Pirate was akumatized. "Oh no,"
  "Luka?" Tikki gasped, causing him to look at her.
  "Hawkmoth is in New York," He gasped, making her look at him with shock. "We have to warn someone,"
  ~Meanwhile at the Lafayette building~
  "Luka Couffaine?" Mrs Mendeleiev asked as she looked around the room.
  "He's not here," Juleka muttered, frowning. Worry was clear in her eyes as she had no idea where her brother was nor was he answering his phone. The last she had seen him was at the museum when he went out for some fresh air due to his headache.
  "Neither is Marinette," Rose gasped as Alya tried to get through to her as well. She looked at Juleka with worry. "You don't think that horrible villain got them?"
  "I hope not," She mumbled as Jess and Aeon walked in with two women. One was blonde and dressed in green and the other had dark hair and dressed all in black. They seemed to be annoyed with the two girls.
  "You had one mission," The woman in black growled, making Juleka frown as she noticed. "To keep an eye on the French Students,"
  "We did and that's how we discovered Marinette and Luka are in love with each other. We tried to help but Luka got sick and we were interrupted by that supervillain. I still don't understand how he got-"
  "It doesn't matter! You failed and disobeyed orders!"
  "Barb, darling," The blonde woman stated, stroking her wife's face.
  "Mother, I don't understand," Aeon stated, making the two women frown. "You always say that all that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good people do nothing. What did I do wrong?"
  "My dear, by trying to help the french students, you ended placing them and yourselves in danger," The blonde woman explained as the woman in dark facepalmed. "Doing good doesn't necessarily mean fighting,"
  "Yeah... well maybe we were just trying to help since you know it's our job!" Jess declared, glaring at them. "We're not babysitting... we're super heroines!"
  "Superheroes! Who's mission was to keep an eye on the French students and you failed it!" Barb shouted, making Jess and Aeon look down. "You're forbidden to join in with the hunt for Techno Pirate. You're clearly not ready to leave the nest,"
  "Uh! How I am suppose to be ready when you never let me spread my wings?!"
  "No prohibits Anatis and Lady Noir,"
  "And we almost lost you because of that,"
  "No! We're almost lost her because of Techno Pirate!" Jess shouted, making both adults look at her in shock before she turned to Barb. "Anatis is right! You are rude and you're blaming us for Techno Pirate's actions!"
  "Jess, my word is final," Barb growled before turning on her heel. "Come on, Olympia. We're expected,"
  With that, the two of them walked out of the building, leaving Jess and Aeon alone. Jess sighed, defeated as the news came on. Walking over to the rest of the group, they saw it was the president, explaining that they would be postponing the French American week celebrations until Techno Pirate was captured. Majestia stepped forward, stating that she supported their decision and that it would be too dangerous to have any mass gathering. She asked everyone to keep safe while they would be patrolling the city. Alya sighed softly as the heroes talked on the screen before looking out of the window. She gasped and rushed outside as Marinette walked over to the stairs. 
  "Marinette!! Are you ok?!" She gasped as the rest of the class came out. Marinette looked up and gave them a small smile as Alya ran down the stairs and hugged her. "You're not hurt, are you?"
  "Oh... no... I'm ok," She smiled as she looked up at the rest of the class as they gushed over her, happy that she was ok. However, she looked around at them, trying to see where Luka was. Her eyes widen as she realized he wasn't there. "Where's Luka?"
  "He was with you right?" Juleka asked as Marinette frowned.
  "N-No... he went out of the museum because of his headache but then that villain attacked. I only got away because Sparrow rescued me but I didn't see Luka..." She gasped, taking out her phone. It was low battery but she didn't care. She dialed his number and held it to her ear but to her dismay, it went straight to voicemail. "I... I have to find him!!"
  "Marinette!" Alya shouted as she turned on her heel and broke into a run, heading in the direction of the museum. She didn't understand. He should have answered his phone. The museum was fixed thanks to Anatis but why wasn't Luka answering his phone?! She grabbed a bike and began to cycle as fast as she could to the museum but missed a turning, causing her bike to fall and crash. She weakly looked up but couldn't see Luka anywhere.
  "Luka..." She whispered, looking down. "Where are you?"
  ~Meanwhile in Times Square~
  "There they are," Luka gasped as he saw the heroes. He began to walk towards them but stopped when he saw Techno Pirate walking in the middle of the street. He frowned and ducked behind a dumpster to observe the screen. Techno Pirate was holding up his hands as he walked but weirdly enough, he looked different. His skin was completely black with white lines that resembled a mother board across it. His uniform had turned to a light brown color and he had wings that matched it's theme. He also had a break on his nose. Luka rose an eyebrow as he kept hidden.
  "I wanna surrender!!" He shouted, making Luka frown. "I never wanted to stop the french American celebrations from happening!! If I have to lose my freedom for everyone else to celebrate theirs then fine... I surrender!!"
  He spun around, looking as Luka narrowed his eyes. Something didn't feel right. If he was akumatized then why was he surrendering? What could this achieve? He looked around and noticed that the heroes were gathering around the pirate.
  "Put me in jail!!" The pirate wailed, making him frown even more. Especially when the heroes began to surround the villain. Luka carefully stood up from his hiding place and began to back away. All of his gut was telling him something was very wrong.
  "Don't be scared. I genuinely want nothing more then your freedom," The pirate stated as he looked at the heroes, like he wanted them to be there. He suddenly threw out his arms as eternal arrows appeared. "Liberation!"
  The arrows threw out, hitting each of the heroes as Luka ducked behind the dumpster again, causing one to miss him by inches. He let out a sigh but then he heard the sound of buildings been crushed. He jumped up as Knightowl swung past.
  "Can't park properly huh?!" He shouted, throwing a grenade under a car, causing it to blow up high in the sky. He jumped back as guns literally appeared out of the dumpsters and the manholes then Doorman ran past him, trying to decide where to go. Luka frowned and moved from his hiding place to another, peaking out. He frowned deeply as he saw all of the heroes basically doing whatever they wanted. Techno Pirate was stood in the middle of it, grinning as he looked around until a purple mask appeared over his eyes. He nodded and touched a lamp post, which glowed purple before all of the screens suddenly turned on causing Luka to gasp as it showed Hawkmoth on it. 
  "Anatis, Lady Noir... I'm in New York too," He stated, smirking evilly. "If you don't want the party ruined, you have no choice but to surrender your miraculous,"
  "Tikki, spots on!!" He declared, standing up and transforming into Anatis. He threw his yoyo up to the nearest building and pulled himself onto it, dodging the guns that fired at him before using his yoyo to destroy them. He ran across the roof and jumped off it, swinging off into the city as fast as he could. He needed to find Sparrow and Uncanny Valley as he noticed they weren't there, meaning they weren't effected by whatever Techno Pirate did. He also needed to find Lady Noir as he would need her help too. He swung across the buildings until he noticed someone walking in the rain as if they were looking for someone.
  "Luka?!" They called out, causing his eyes to widen as he realized it was Marinette. He dived down and landed near her, making her gasp. "A-Anatis? Wh-What are you doing in New York? Have you seen Luka?!"
  "Luka's fine, Marinette," He smiled, trying to reassure her. She let out a sigh of relief. "But it's not safe to be out on the streets. Hawkmoth is active in New York right now and his akuma has somehow effected the heroes, making them... well... do what they want,"
  "So they've gone... crazy?" She gasped, looking frightened. He sighed and nodded. "Oh no,"
  "Yeah... I need to find Sparrow, Uncanny Valley and Lady Noir. They're the only heroes who haven't been effected by this," He sighed before smiling. "Anyway, let's get you to a safe place. Are you staying in a hotel?"
  "The Lafayette building is where we're staying," She mumbled, gasping as he pulled her close to him.
  "I'll drop you off on the roof then. Hold on," He smiled, making her blush as she held onto him tightly. He threw his yoyo and pulled her up into the air, rushing through it as he swung through the city. Marinette gasped as she held onto him, feeling a little bit of fear as she did. It was different to swinging through Paris. The buildings were much higher and it was colder too but she didn't have much time to think as they landed on the Lafayette building. Anatis gently pulled away from her and gave her a smile. "Head inside and stay safe, Marinette,"
  "Wait!" She gasped as he went to jump. He turned to her and she blushed. "B-Be careful, Anatis,"
  "I will," He smiled before jumping off the building and swinging off. Once gone, Plagg flew out of her purse as she frowned.
  "Annie needs some help," She stated but jumped as Uncanny Valley literally landed in front of her. She quickly snatched Plagg from the air, hiding him behind her back.
  "Marinette Dupain-Cheng, Hawkmoth is in New York and we need Lady Noir," She gasped, making Marinette panic.
  "Lady Noir?! Wh-Who's that?!"
  "Lady Noir, your suit's quantum masking is designing to confuse human minds," She stated, turning in Aeon and causing Marinette to gasp in surprise. "But I am not human. Without you, we have no chance of contacting Anatis and I think we will need both of your to defeat Miraclonizer,"
  "Miraclonizer?" Marinette asked. "Do you mean Techno Pirate?"
  "Yes, he's been akumatized which means-"
  "Hawkmoth's in New York. I know. Anatis informed me," She mumbled before letting go of Plagg and turning to him but to her surprise, Uncanny Valley didn't blink or even look at him. "Uh... Plagg? Is she ok?"
  "Oh, yeah. She's fine. She just can't see me because she's a robot," He grinned, pulling a funny face at Valley's confused expression. "Anyway, what are we waiting for? Bug boy's gonna need a hand,"
  "Good point," She grinned, holding out her hand. "Plagg, Claws Out!"
  A green light enveloped her and she transformed in Lady Noir. She took out her baton and instantly called Anatis. He answered straight away.
  "Kitten, Hawk Moth-"
  "Is in New York. Yeah, I know. Uncanny Valley told me," She declared, getting a nod of him. "Where are you? We'll come and meet you,"
  "Excellent. Me and Sparrow are hidden by the dumpsters near the empire state building," He stated, nodding. "Try and stay low. The heroes have gone crazy and are attacking almost everything so please be careful,"
  "I will. See you soon, Bug a boo," She grinned, making him blush before hanging up. She turned to Uncanny Valley. "Alright, let's go and meet Annie,"
  "Sounds like a plan," She smiled before the two of them headed to the empire state building. It took a bit longer then they expected but they managed to move past the heroes without getting attacked. As soon as they found the dumpsters, Anatis grabbed them and pulled them into the alleyway before making sure they weren't followed. Sparrow rushed over to Uncanny Valley as Anatis checked over Lady Noir, making sure she hadn't been hurt. She blushed a little as Valley gasped and muttered something to herself before Anatis moved over to them. He knelt down as Lady Noir joined him. "So what's the plan, Annie?"
  "Incoming message from Hawkmoth," Uncanny Valley stated before projecting the video. Anatis frowned as he watched Hawkmoth declared that they had five minutes to surrender their miraculous or he'll start world war 3. "This is not good. We have no heroes available to help us. They have all been controlled by Miraclonizer,"
  "Not controlled," Anatis muttered, making everyone look at him as he took out his yoyo and showed them a picture of Miraclonizer before he zoomed in and pointed to the necklace around his neck.. "His new look is from that. Judging by his look and his power, it's a miraculous that represents freedom or something on the lines of that,"
  "What do you mean?" Sparrow asked, making him sigh. "And how do you know that?"
  "I was there when he took out the heroes. He used the term Liberation and next thing we know the heroes have gone crazy but when you think about it, what they are doing kind of makes sense. Majestia is trying new things with her powers because she's been freed from her fear,"
  "That explains the moon," Sparrow nodded. "But Knight Owl?"
  "Taking justice to the extreme? Easy, he's been freed from moral code. Similar case with Doorman and the rest," Anatis explained. "And it's definitely a miraculous. That I'm certain about but if we have a chance to save the world from Hawkmoth and his world war 3 plan, we're gonna need to free the heroes. In turn, they can help us,"
  "I take it you have a plan?" Uncanny Valley asked, making Anatis and Lady Noir look at each other. 
  "The plan is to reclaim that miraculous,"
  "Well, that's all good but we can't get anywhere near him,"
  "Well, that's because we need a lucky charm, right Annie?" Lady Noir grinned before he threw up his yoyo and summoned his lucky charm. He caught the key ring of Lady Liberty before frowning. Sparrow pointed to it.
  "That's your plan?" They asked, clearly not impressed as Anatis looked around to see how to use it.
  "We're suppose to beat the most powerful heroes with a key-chain?" Valley asked innocently before blinking. "Interesting,"
  "Yeah, that's the plan or at least it will be once I know how to use it," He muttered, looking down at it. Uncanny projected Miraclonizer again to check on the count down, causing Anatis to look up at her before looking back at the key chain. "Of course... Valley, can you show me the blue prints of the statue of liberty? I need to see how it was built,"
  "Sure," She grinned, projecting the blue prints. Anatis studied it before gasping and pointing to it.
  "Look, there's a ladder leading up to the torch platform. We can use that to get to Miraclonizer undetected," He declared, getting a nod of everyone.
  "We could use the horse miraculous to get in there," Lady Noir suggested but Anatis shook his head, making her frown.
  "I won't be any good in the battle against Miraclonizer if I use it again," He admitted, making her frown but she nodded in understanding. However, Sparrow and Uncanny blinked and looked at them.
  "Why doesn't Lady Noir just use it?" Sparrow asked but Anatis shook his head.
  "The horse miraculous isn't compatible with the cat miraculous," He explained, making the two frown. "As for me, it takes a lot of energy to use it and I've already used it to get here. If I use it again, I won't have the strength to fight Miraclonizer. We have to find an different way,"
  "Ok so what does the horse miraculous do?" Sparrow asked, making the two heroes look at them.
  "Teleportation but you have to know exactly where you're going and right now we can only use it once," Anatis explained, making Sparrow nod before the two of them looked at each as an idea popped into their heads. They both said Doorman at the same time, causing Lady Noir and Uncanny Valley to look at them with confusion.
  "Doorman can turn any door into a teleportal," Sparrow stated, getting a nod of Anatis. "With his ability, we can get into the tower unnoticed,"
  "But Doorman only uses his power to sate his own curiosity now," Uncanny Valley pointed out. "He'll never agree to help us,"
  "And we have no idea where he is," Lady Noir pointed out before she snapped her fingers. "But we could lure him to us. He mentioned that he's always wanted to find out what's in the safe in the statue of liberty but the key is in the Eiffel tower,"
  "Of course! Use his own curiosity against him. Great thinking, Kitten," Anatis grinned, scratching her ears which made her purr before he began to look around. His luck vision lit up a box and some news papers. He grabbed them and shoved them into Sparrow's hand. "Make a gift wrap for this  please,"
  "Uh... right," Sparrow nodded before doing as told. Anatis looked around and a door lit up.
  "Uncanny Valley, would you be able to unlock that door?" He asked, getting a nod of her. She rushed over and unlocked before he opened it to check it. Both Sparrow and Valley turned into the normal forms, revealing them to be Jess and Aeon. Lady Noir rose an eyebrow and Anatis just shrugged his shoulders before the two of them pushed two of the dumpsters by the sides of the door. Jess turned back into Sparrow and Aeon turned into Uncanny Valley as they placed the package down. "Head to Liberty Island. We'll meet you there,"
  "Ok... be careful," Sparrow stated as they ran off before Valley grabbed her and flew off. Lady Noir looked up from her hiding place.
  "So Sparrow's a girl huh?" She grinned, making Anatis shake his head. "Didn't see that coming. Why do you think she disguises herself as a boy? Not that's an issue... I'm just curious,"
  "Curiosity killed the cat, Kitten," Anatis stated, ducking down as the door opened. Lady Noir did the same thing as Doorman poked his head out.
  "Kids?" He questioned before seeing the box. He rushed over and opened it. "We know how fascinating you think keys are so we hope you like this one. Signed Jess and Aeon..."
  He looked at the key chain before jumping excitedly.
  "Of course!" He exclaimed, rushing over to the door. He closed it and reopened it. "That's where I should have started,"
  He disappeared into it, leaving it open. Anatis and Lady Noir followed through but kept out of sight as he searched the office of the Eiffel Tower. He gasped and held up an old looking key. He attached it to the key chain then rushed back over to the door and closed it before reopening it again. He ran out, allowing Anatis and Lady Noir to follow. They tackled him down and Anatis tried him up with his belt before reclaiming the key chain. The two of them ran upstairs as fast as they could as they only had a few seconds left. He burst through the door and jumped onto Miraclonizer, grabbing the miraculous. 
  "I'll take that thanks!" He declared, ripping off him and pushing him off the tower. He turned back into Techlonizer as he fell but landed on his four arms as Anatis turned to Sparrow and threw the necklace. "Sparrow!!"
  She caught it and landed on the ground, sliding down a staircase before jumping and landing. She put the necklace on and the kwami manifested before it turned around and faced her. They looked like a little falcon.
  "Hello, fledgling. To call off my power, just say cool down and to transform say Liiri, wings of liberty," The little creature informed before she took off her Sparrow costume.
  "Liiri, wings of Liberty!" She declared, causing Liiri to get sucked into the necklace before she created a mask that resembled a falcon's beak. She felt magic spread down her arms creating her outfit. It was a brown body suit with yellow and black boots and a black belt. A gray under-jack that resembled tail feathers appeared before a brown jack with tassels on the arms manifested. Her hands got covered with black gloves, completing her transformation into Falcon. Taking a deep breath, she held her hands out. "Cool down,"
  She felt instantly the power of the Falcon miraculous subside before she rushed over to where Anatis and Lady Noir were. They were fighting Techlonizer, trying to get the controls for the nuke off him. He laughed and turned to them.
  "Give me your miraculous!!" 
  "Never!" Anatis declared but gasped as Techlonizer pressed the button, causing the nuke to blast off. Falcon gasped as Anatis narrowed his eyes, a very dark expression coming on his face before he charged at him and began to fight him even more, gaining the upper hand. He wrapped his yoyo around him, allowing Lady Noir to dive at him as she summoned her power. She slammed her hand onto his cuffs, causing them to rust and break then a purple butterfly escaped from them and Techlonizer become Techno Pirate again. A second rope appeared around him as Knightowl appeared, allowing Anatis to remove his. He threw out his yoyo and captured the butterfly as the heroes watched. He then opened his yoyo and freed a now white butterfly before taking the keychain and throwing it up in the air. "Miraculous Ladybugs!!"
  The key chain burst into the magical swarm and flew through the city, fixing all the damage as Majestia landed on the ground, next to Knight Owl who was watching with slight awe. Both hadn't really been paying attention when he used the power before but now they did. Anatis turned to Majestia with a worried expression.
  "Do you stop the Nuke?" He asked. Majestia nodded, causing him to let out a relieved sigh.
  "I threw it into the sun," She explained, making him smile before turning to Techno Pirate. "Now to deal with him,"
  She took out a phone and made call. Within minutes, a police van turned up and took Techno pirate away, despite his confusion. Falcon walked over to Anatis, looking sad as she looked down and went to take off the necklace but he stopped her and smiled.
  "I think you should keep it," He smiled, making her gasp in surprise.
  "Really?!" She grinned.
  "Yes," He nodded as Lady Noir moved next to him. "I know you'll use it for good. Also if you ever need our help again or vice versa, we can contact each other,"
  He took out his yoyo and showed her that a new contact under the Alias Falcon had been added. She squealed and hugged him, making him laugh before she pulled away and hugged Lady Noir as well. 
  "Thank you!!" She smiled before frowning and looking to Knightowl. "But I disobeyed again, meaning I'll never get my weapons back, will I?"
  "With that miraculous, you won't need them," Knight Owl replied before looking down. "And I was wrong. About all of you. My little sparrow was ready to become a fearsome falcon,"
  "Ahh!! Thank you, Mum!!" She declared, making Anatis and Lady Noir look at each other before they both shrugged as she pulled away. "I mean-"
  "It's fine. Besides, it doesn't matter anywhere. With that outfit, people will know that Sparrow is female and that the original Knightowl is long gone," Knight owl explained before taking off her helmet. "Maybe it's a sign that the time has come to embrace who we really are,"
  "And even though it worries us, the only way for us to let you grow is for us to let you take chances," Majestia stated, gently pressing her head against Knightowl's before they both looked to Anatis and Lady Noir. "Thank you for inspiring them,"
  "And please forgive us for misjudging you," Knightowl added in. "You two have a wonderful relationship and I was wrong to doubt you. You're welcome in New York and I hope we get to meet again but on better terms,"
  "Thank you," Anatis smiled before holding out his fist. Lady Noir placed hers against his as the two of them looked at Uncanny Valley and Falcon before the two of them grinned and added theirs next to theirs. "Pound it?"
  "Pound it," The three girls grinned as he smiled before Lady Noir turned around to Uncanny as she rubbed the back of her neck. Anatis rose an eyebrow as she only did that when she was nervous.
  "About my secret identity..." She mumbled, making Anatis stare at her in shock. "You'll erase it right?"
  "Of course. I understand that your secret identity is extremely important to you so as your friend, I promise I'll erase both yours and Anatis' secret identity as soon as we say goodbye," 
  "Wait what?!" Anatis gasped, shocked. "How do you... know that?!"
  "Your suit has quantum masking but that is designed to confuse human minds. Since I am not human, I can see who you really are," She smiled, causing Anatis to look at her with worry. "Don't worry. I haven't told anyone and I'll delete the information,"
  "Please do. Not even Lady Noir knows who I am nor do I know her identity," He gasped before Lady Noir gently elbowed him.
  "Relax, Annie," She grinned. "She'll delete the info and she hasn't told anyone. It'll be fine,"
  "R-Right... I suppose I better get going... I should return to Paris," He nodded but Lady Noir frowned and grabbed his hand, making him look at her.
  "Couldn't you stay for a little bit?" She asked, making him frown.
  "I wish I could, Kitten but chances are Hawkmoth is probably going to go straight to Paris after this defeat and who knows when Mayura will attack again," He sighed, getting a nod off her. He smiled and gently kissed her cheek, making her blush. "Don't worry. We'll have a full catch up when you're back. I want to hear about the rest of your trip,"
  "O-ok," She nodded, blushing as his earrings beeped. He saluted before throwing his yoyo and disappearing. Lady Noir sighed gently as she watched him leave before turning to the others. "Well, this kitty better disappear. Bye!!"
  She ran off and disappeared as Uncanny Valley grinned.
  "Those two are made for each other," She grinned, making Falcon roll her eyes.
  "You said that about Luka and Marinette as well," She stated before grinning. "Come on, Matchmaker. We better get back,"
  ~Time Skip~
  "Hey," Luka stated as he walked over to Marinette. She gasped and threw herself at him. He caught her and smiled as he hugged her back before he pulled away. "I'm really sorry I didn't answer my phone. I was kind of trapped until Anatis turned up,"
  "It's ok. I'm just glad you're ok," She grinned, hugging him again. "I'll have to make Anatis some special cookies for rescuing you,"
  "Hey, Luka! Marinette!" Jess called out, making them look at her. The Falcon Miraculous was around her neck and she seemed more free in a way. "Hotdog Dan's about to come by. You two should get up to the roof if you want to get some again,"
  "Thanks, Jess!" Marinette called out before grabbing Luka's hand. "Come on! I'll buy us some!!"
  "Are you sure?" He gasped as she pulled him up to the roof. "I don't mind getting them for us,"
  "My treat, Luka!" She grinned as he landed. She ran over and ordered two. Hotdog Dan grinned and gave her two before serving others. Marinette handed Luka one and took a bit in hers, grinning as it allowed her to create fireworks. Luka laughed and took a bit of his, causing him to glow bright green. The two of them laughed before sitting down and watch the rest of the students. Luka smiled as he watched them but blushed a little as Marinette gently placed her hand on top of his, making him smile a little. "I'm glad we got to come here, even if there were some crazy moments,"
  "Me too, Marinette,"
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lightpudding · 4 years
Text
Sharing a Bed (WalLance)
Another one from @thatotherrpmeme prompt list, this time Walter, Lance and a little misunderstanding! I’m pretty groggy today, I hope it’s not obvious here.
Lance was complaining all the way up in the lift. He couldn't believe all the apartments in the hotel were booked and they were left only with a regular room. Walter didn't see a problem. The fact that they were staying in such an expensive hotel itself was enough fun for him.
They were in New York, on a small business trip. Only one night, then moving on to another city. That's why Walter couldn't understand why Lance wanted the apartment so badly, they wouldn't spend much time in it anyway. Walter thought that two person room was totally enough. Still, the way Lance huffed and puffed and grumbled was kinda cute and amusing.
"Come on Lance, it's not like the bed's different in a cheaper room," smirked Walter. Lance shook his head.
"'S not my point here," he hummed. Then put a card to an electric lock and opened the door.
The room wasn't as bad as Lance seemed to make it. It was pretty generic, with a small balcony, television, desk, wardrobe and-
"W-wait," stuttered Walter and checked a door inside the room, but it was leading only to a toilet.
"Oh," chuckled Lance, setting his bag on the desk.
"They were supposed to give us two person room!"
“Well, it kinda is.”
“It’s not what I mean!”
There was a big, king sized bed in the middle of the room. And no other bed around. Not even a couch. Just one bed. Walter felt like he was a main character of some bad fanfiction on Wattpad.
Lance stretched and put hands over his hips. It seemed like their roles switched immediately.
“You know, it’s not a big deal. But if you want I can go ask them for different room.”
He was right. It was not a big deal. They hugged and cuddled and even slept together already (while Lance was a pigeon though). It should not make Walter as flustered as it did. And it should not make him react in the way he did.
“No, no, you’re right. It’s not a big deal. Sorry.” Walter dropped his own bag on the floor. He noticed Lance looking at him weirdly, but the older man looked away quickly. Walter just shrugged it off.
There was not really much to do around. It was late already, they had their dinner before arriving to the hotel and also had to wake up pretty early. So they got into the bed pretty quickly.
Walter got to shower first and when Lance finished his own shower he was already in bed, faking sleep. He didn’t really want to witness Lance getting on by his side. Okay, it wasn’t the whole truth, he did want to witness it but not in those circumstances.
Which really felt like shitty Wattpad scenario.
Lance settled down under the cover with a happy hum and turned the light off. Walter, with his back turned toward Lance, could feel him wiggling around for a moment to find the best position, before stilling. After few minutes Walter realized Lance is asleep.
Walter felt a little jealous. He felt like he was the most awake man on the earth right now. His heart was thumping, his cheeks were hot and he was too stiff to even dream about falling asleep right now.
It took him a long, long time to realize that this appreciation, the high respect Walter felt toward Lance was something more than just a platonic feeling. A lot more to be honest. Walter knew that many people in the agency crushed on Lance and it was something normal, but he never considered himself falling for the spy. Honestly, when he thought about it, he never really crushed on anyone. Maybe some actors, but never a person from his environment. And the way Lance made him feel… Walter was sure no actor could do that to him.
Lost in his thoughts, Walter didn’t notice when Lance moved in his sleep and hugged Walter from behind. Only then the younger man jerked slightly, his face going even more red. He was going to die from embarrassment, he was sure of that-
“Walter.”
Walter choked, hearing the voice over his ear, feeling the breath on his hair and cheek. He didn’t dare to even twitch, he didn’t dare to make any more sound. Was Lance asleep? Was he dreaming about Walter? What was happening?
His questions were soon answered.
“Walter, I know you’re not asleep.” That made the younger man yelp. Lance chuckled behind him. “What’s up with you? Usually you’re the clingy one.”
Walter bit his lower lip. He couldn’t keep it up, he felt so, so bad lying to Lance like that. Lance probably thought that this situation is fully innocent and platonic while for Walter… let’s say he couldn’t stop thinking about the body that was pressed to his back.
“Sorry,” he whispered.
“Huh? Why?”
“I… I need to talk with you.”
Lance was silent for a moment before moving back a little. Walter looked behind himself and saw the outline of Lance’s body, reaching to turn on the light, and quickly stopped him.
“Wait, no, leave it. The light.” It would be way easier if Walter didn’t have to see Lance’s face.
Lance made a pause and settled down on the bed again. “So? What’s going on?”
Before answering Walter turned himself on his back. He started fidgeting a little under the cover. He wasn’t really sure how should he start or what should he say. I have a crush on you seemed silly, and even if he didn’t mind silly on daily basis, he wanted to be serious right now. But… I love you… I’m in love with you, Lance…
The simple thought of saying that out loud, with the intention he had in his mind, immediately made Walter cover his face and groan.
“Hey, really, what’s going on?” Lance sounded worried. Awesome. Now Walter made him worried. He had to say something, anything, quick.
“It’s not easy to say,” he blurted out through his hands. Before he could add anything or have a gay breakdown in his mind he felt a big hand over his own two.
“Walter,” Lance sounded soft. Delicate. It gave Walter goosebumps. “You can say anything to me. I won’t laugh or get angry and I will stay you partner. We’re a team.”
It made Walter groan again but he moved hands from his face, over his chest. Lance’s hand moved along, still laying over Walter’s own. Walter looked toward where Lance was laying, probably lifting himself on his elbow and bit his lip again.
“I’m- I think I, uh, I fell in love with you.”
The words left Walter’s lips surprisingly easy. Once he started talking they just flew out and hung in the air between him and Lance. Only a few second into the silence, after it was said, Walter felt a slight panic. He didn’t think it through. It could have destroy their team, Lance could not want to work with him anymore-
Walter didn’t even know if Lance was into men!
Before his panic could blow Lance spoke, and he sounded a little confused.
“Walter?”
“Uh, hmm?”
“Weren’t you aware that we’re… dating?”
This time it took Walter a moment to answer. He jerked up, lifting himself up on his elbows as well.
“What?!”
“I was sure we decided on it already? Like, we were on a date last week. I even called it a date!”
For another moment Walter was thinking about the dinner they went to last week. It was a fancy restaurant, yeah, and Lance looked especially good, true, and the waiter winked at him when he was taking the order but-
Oh my god it was really a date!
Walter fell on the pillow with a groan, again covering his face. Lance laughed a little before moving a little closer to the younger man again.
“That actually explains some stuff,” he hummed.
“I just- ugh! How did this happen?!”
“Probably we misunderstood each other-”
“How long are we dating?”
Lance snorted. “I guess we didn’t really date, since you didn’t know about it. But hey, I’m happy the feeling’s mutual.”
Walter felt the blush crawling over his neck. He was slowly understanding the meaning of this situation. The fact Lance thought they were dating. The thing he just said-
Walter snorted and without a warning tossed his hands around Lance’s neck. It obviously surprised the older man, he gasped and fell over Walter’s body.
“Does it mean we can hold hands now?” asked the younger man. Lance chuckled, towering over him, not wanting to crush him.
“It means we can do even more baby.”
The big, cheerful smile didn’t vanish from Walter’s face when their lips met in a kiss.
237 notes · View notes
tiramisiyu · 3 years
Text
【未定事件簿】 Tears of Themis: “Romantic Rail Getaway” Zuo Ran Route, Day 3
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Translation Masterlist | Themis Event Masterlist
Zuo Ran Route: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5
Videos, where applicable, are hyperlinked on the headings in the post.
See under cut!
Part 1 – Kelosi Plaza – “Ruminating Over Kelosi City”
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Kelosi City
According to everyone, Kelosi City was Rumbaliya’s famous capital of cuisine.
Many local specialty restaurants were scattered here, with the scent of food filling every part of the city.
Zuo Ran considerately looked for a travel guide to introduce us to Kelosi City.
With the travel guide’s patient, enthusiastic explanations, this capital of cuisine developed a detailed form in my heart.
Travel Guide: Ah, esteemed guests, welcome to Kelosi City.
Travel Guide: This is the Cuisine Arc opened in the romantic and artistic Rumbaliya, the islands that control the tastebuds and spirit!
MC: (An introduction method that’s full of artisticness… this must be one of the special characteristics of Kelosi City.)
MC: Mister Guide, could you give us a more detailed introduction?
Travel Guide: Of course, my esteemed guests.
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INTERROGATION START
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Special Attractions
MC: Could you give us a detailed recommendation of some special attractions here?
Travel Guide: Yes, I sincerely recommend you two to go see the Cuisine Museum and the Green-Shaded Castle.
Travel Guide: Those are our landmark attractions in Kelosi City.
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Cuisine Museum
MC: The Cuisine Museum?
Travel Guide: Oh, that’s a museum that displays all sorts of cuisine-themed information.
Travel Guide: In the museum, the two of you can get a more detailed understanding of the developmental history of the Capital of Cuisine, Kelosi City.
MC: Is that so… I bet that when checking out the museum, it’ll be easy to get hungry.
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Green-Shaded Castle
MC: What kind of place is the Green-Shaded Castle?
Travel Guide: The Green-Shaded Castle is a castle that’s been surrounded by green radish and flowers. Visitors have said that that place is as beautiful as a fairytale paradise.
Travel Guide: Esteemed guests, I highly recommend the two of you go there to see.
Travel Guide: Not only can you taste fantastical foods in the castle, but you can also enjoy an aristocratic service.
MC: (An aristocratic service and fantastical foods?)
MC: (What would those feel like? I’m suddenly feeling curious!)
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Popular Foods
MC: Could you recommend the most popular foods here for us?
Travel Guide: The three major delicacies of Kelosi City, cheese mushroom vol-au-vents, pigeon meat pie, and beet lobsters.
Travel Guide: If you haven’t tried these three dishes, then you haven’t truly come to Kelosi City.
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Cheese Mushroom Vol-au-Vents
MC: I kind of want to try cheese mushroom vol-au-vents.
Travel Guide: Esteemed lady, you truly do have taste.
Travel Guide: Cheese mushroom vol-au-vents mixes cheese with fresh mushrooms to make a special sauce, which is then stuffed into puff pastry and baked into a delicacy.
Travel Guide: Anyone who has tasted it will indulge in the richness of the cheese and the deliciousness of the mushrooms, to the point of being unable to free themselves.
MC: (That intense? Then I have to try it later!)
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Pigeon Meat Pie
Zuo Ran: I’ve heard of pigeon meat pie before. This is a famous traditional dish of Rumbaliya.
Travel Guide: Mister, you’re right. I personally believe that this dish is the best for representing Rumbaliya’s local flavor!
Travel Guide: From the outside, it doesn’t look that different from typical savoury pies, but the meat filling is made from fresh, tender minced pigeon meat.
Travel Guide: When the taste of pigeon and the crispy savoury pie blend together, it becomes an incomparably enjoyable dish.
MC: (Whoa… I feel like this will definitely be delicious!)
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Beet Lobster
MC: Is the beet lobster dish made from cooking the beets and lobster together?
Travel Guide: Esteemed lady, you are underestimating this dish too much. Kelosi City’s beet lobster dish is not this simple.
Travel Guide: For this dish, you must select the most tender beets, mince them, then add them into different seafoods including oysters and clams to simmer them into a sauce.
Travel Guide: When the seafood beet sauce is paired with the butter-fried lobster and taken to the table…
Travel Guide: The umami tastes of the seafood sauce and lobster work together, blending beautifully. Now this is the best taste.
MC: (Wow, I want to taste the beet lobster right now!)
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INTERROGATION END
Travel Guide: Esteemed guests, feel free to ask anything else you want to know about.
MC: There’s nothing else – we now basically know what we need to, thank you.
Travel Guide: No problem, it’s my pleasure to answer your questions.
--
After bidding farewell to the travel guide, I turned on my phone and opened the trip map, looking up the locations of the attractions that the travel guide had mentioned.
MC: Hm… the Cuisine Museum and the Green-Shaded Castle seem to be in the same block…
MC: Lawyer Zuo, we can check out both places together later!
Zuo Ran: Sure. After seeing the museum, we can look for a place to eat… after, we can go to the Green-Shaded Castle.
MC: Okay, that’s perfect timing for tasting the dishes that the trip guide recommended!
 Part 2 – Cuisine Museum
[Gameplay]
 Part 3 – Green-Shaded Castle
[Gameplay]
 Part 4 – Kelosi Gourmet Area – “Restaurant Crisis”
MC: What exactly does the “fried air” mentioned in the info packet taste like…
After walking out of the Cuisine Museum, I was still discussing with Zuo Ran about the fun, creative cuisines that we had just seen in the museum.
MC: Fried moss, giant anglerfish braised noodles, lobster cuttlefish stew… I feel like they’re very particular dishes.
Zuo Ran: I found a local specialty restaurant…
Zuo Ran: The main hit at that restaurant is recreating the dishes at the museum while balancing the classic dishes of Rumbaliya.
MC: Lawyer Zuo, let’s go to that restaurant then?
My eager voice piqued a smile in Zuo Ran’s eyes.
Zuo Ran: Sure, I’ll call a cab.
--
Local Specialty Restaurant
Very soon, we arrived at the specialty restaurant Zuo Ran mentioned.
This restaurant was clean and organized, and the prices could be called fair.
Thus, we simply ordered some more local recommended dishes, experiencing the sumptuous happiness of cuisine.
However, this happiness ended right when we were paying the bill…
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MC: No way, why are they making us pay this much money?! Boss, did you get it wrong?
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Restaurant Boss: I’m willing to swear to God that the prices I’ve calculated are correct.
Zuo Ran: The unit prices on the receipt don’t match with the prices on the menu.
Restaurant Boss: What’s indicated on the menu is only the prices of the dishes themselves…
Restaurant Boss: But, please understand that there are also service fees, materials costs, processing costs, and so on that need to be added on in calculation.
MC: These additional costs were not explained in advance. We will not pay them!
Restaurant Boss: Oh! My God, I’m willing to guarantee that each cost charged by our restaurant is reasonable.
MC: Is the individual calculation of service fees, materials costs, and processing costs also reasonable?
Restaurant Boss: I really can’t believe that you’d actually bring up such a foolish question.
Restaurant Boss: If they are not calculated individually, how could we provide a more considerate service for guests?
MC: You’re obviously collecting fees at random and tricking customers!
[Gameplay]
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Zuo Ran: We have already called the police. I recommend you keep your excuses just now for the police.
Restaurant Boss: Ugh, goddammit! Why can’t I get through with you?
The restaurant boss clearly couldn’t refute what I’d said, but he still remained stubbornly unreasonable.
Restaurant Boss: Hurry and pay up, then get out of my restaurant!
Restaurant Boss: If you stay in my restaurant for one more minute, I don’t know what I’ll end up doing.
--
Thusly, we were roughly chased outside by the boss.
Good thing the police came in time. Only then did the chaos stop.
After mediation, the restaurant boss was willing to collect payment based on the prices on the menu. Only with this did Zuo Ran and I manage to accept the results.
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MC: … That restaurant boss went overboard!
MC: (If we were in Stellis City, I would definitely sue him into bankruptcy!)
Zuo Ran: I’m sorry, I didn’t think that restaurant would be like this…
He had just spoken, the sharp voice of a woman interjected from the roadside.
???: Look at these pitiful foreigners. Only you would go eat at those sorts of places.
The meaning behind these words was obvious. I couldn’t resist walking up to chat with her.
MC: May I ask, what were you… just talking about?
Local Resident: Ugh, a pitiful foreigner would actually ask this sort of question. I’m willing to bet that you haven’t come to Rumbaliya before.
MC: … It is indeed our first time here.
Local Resident: So what you’ve experienced is very typical – just as ordinary as the taste of the apple juice that Aunt Susanna makes next door to me.
MC: (This description…)
MC: My apologies, could you tell me about this in more detail?
Local Resident: Oh! I really can’t believe that you really don’t know nothing at all.
Local Resident: Alright then, I’ll tell you both out of the goodness of my heart.
--
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INTERROGATION START
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Problem with Local Specialty Restaurants
MC: Do… only foreign visitors patronize that restaurant?
Local Resident: That restaurant was a very popular major restaurant ten years ago.
Local Resident: Sadly… after foreign visitors like you started coming more and more, the restaurant prices became more and more expensive.
Local Resident: Heavens, God knows that I used to like their pigeon meat pie the best.
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Past Prices
MC: Which also means… the prices at this restaurant used to be very normal?
Local Resident: Oh, of course. I really miss those old days.
Local Resident: In the past, the prices at this restaurant were cheap and the dishes delicious, and there weren’t any of these random service fees at all.
MC: (For real? This restaurant used to be so conscientious?)
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Restaurant Boss
Zuo Ran: Has the boss of this restaurant changed before?
MC: (Makes sense… if the restaurant boss changed, it is indeed possible for prices to rise.)
Local Resident: I swear to God that the boss of this restaurant has never changed before.
Local Resident: Ugh, that fellow is pretty much like this because of greed, and only increased the prices because he wanted to make more money.
Local Resident: There are lots of visitors who don’t mind spending more, so these kinds of people end up succeeding.
Local Resident: What’s even more awful is how those bosses will directly raise the price, doubling the prices and selling them to foreign visitors.
Local Resident: The hearts of those detestable guys are as black as the soup in cuttlefish braised noodles!
MC: …
MC: (Though I don’t want to admit it, it looks like we really were tricked this time…)
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INTERROGATION END
 Local Resident: Oh God, I got held up for so long with you…
Local Resident: My beloved Randy is still waiting for me to taste his apple pie.
Though I didn’t know who Randy was, it was obvious that this lady didn’t want to chat anymore with us about this.
MC: My apologies, we won’t hold you up anymore.
After hastily ending the conversation, Zuo Ran and I strolled along the bustling Kelosi Local Customs Road.
Unintentionally matching each other, we sunk into silence, feeling like there was something stifled in our hearts…
Heavy and gloomy, making us lose our desire to sightsee.
 Part 5 – Kelosi Local Customs Road
[Gameplay]
 Part 6 – Scenic Location Complication
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Kelosi City Block
MC: …
The sky was gradually darkening, and the bustling, lively city was also gradually being dyed in the colours of quietude.
Only my depressed mood kept turning over and over, unconnected to this peace.
That restaurant boss’s unreasonable attitude kept appearing before my eyes.
--
[Flashback]
MC: These extra costs you’re talking about are all unreasonable. We will not pay them!
Restaurant Boss: Oh! My God, I’m willing to guarantee that each cost charged by our restaurant is reasonable.
MC: Is the individual calculation of service fees, materials costs, and processing costs also reasonable?
Restaurant Boss: I really can’t believe that you’d actually bring up such a foolish question.
Restaurant Boss: If they are not calculated individually, how could we provide a more considerate service for guests?
MC: You’re obviously collecting fees at random and tricking customers!
Zuo Ran: We have already called the police. I recommend you keep your excuses just now for the police.
Restaurant Boss: Oh, goddammit! Why can’t I get through with you?
The restaurant boss clearly couldn’t refute what I’d said, but he still remained stubbornly unreasonable.
Restaurant Boss: Hurry and pay up, then get out of my restaurant!
Restaurant Boss: If you stay in my restaurant for one more minute, I don’t know what I’ll end up doing.
[Flashback end]
--
Thinking about the restaurant boss’s attitude, arrogant despite being in the wrong as he shooed Zuo Ran and I out of the restaurant, I felt a headache.
Even worse, what happened after we left the restaurant told us that reality was far crueler than we had imagined.
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MC: I thought that tricking guests was an outlier case, rather than being common.
Zuo Ran: It takes more than one cold day for ice to freeze three inches thick.
Zuo Ran: For the restaurant boss to be able to say these things, it indicates that he has long been used to using these despicable methods to trick foreign visitors.
MC: Yeah, those locals who chatted with us also said…
MC: “Some bosses will directly raise the price, doubling the prices and selling them to foreign visitors, who don’t know better anyways.”
MC: “That boss is comparably alright. There are even worse ones” – things like that…
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Zuo Ran: Rumbaliya is a popular tourist destination and there’s significant traveler movement. Those who have been taken advantage of, yet don’t want to trouble others, will often choose to bear it in silence.
Zuo Ran: Those crooked businesses focus on this, and thus can act unscrupulously…
Zuo Ran: In addition, there are places where regulatory authorities haven’t done enough. Over time, these cases intensify more and more.
MC: I can’t just leave it alone like this! I’ll definitely expose these unreasonable random fee collection cases and stop these vile actions.
MC: Otherwise, every tourist who comes to Rumbaliya will run into what we encountered today!
The more I spoke, the angrier I got, my tone inevitably taking on an impatient mood.
Zuo Ran reached over and held my hand. That moment, some sort of feeling was transferred to me, from the warmth of his palm and through the fingers.
I suddenly stopped speaking, feeling like my heart had been immersed in a clear spring.
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Zuo Ran: I understand what you are feeling. Your anger is not only because of what happened today; it’s also because you’re even more worried that something like this will keep happening…
Zuo Ran: And more people will be like us and encounter unfair treatment like this.
Zuo Ran: Don’t worry, I’ll help you.
Each one of Zuo Ran’s words were thorns that stuck in my throat.
He was like a clear spring soaking me. There was nothing I could hold back before him, and he could see through each one of my thoughts.
MC: … Lawyer Zuo, let’s think up of a way to collect evidence and solve this issue together.
Zuo Ran: Mhmm, let’s do it together.
Zuo Ran: Although… no need to be rush too much. We should think of a method slowly.
Zuo Ran: I’ve already sealed up today’s restaurant receipt as evidence.
Zuo Ran: Tomorrow, the train will arrive at James River station. As we sightsee, we can keep our eyes open for similar cases.
MC: Mhmm, as soon as we run into similar situations, we’ll retain the evidence!
Zuo Ran: Excellent. Our evidence will become a stepping stone to knock down the random fee collection cases.
The warmth transferred by his palm became warmer, like it was giving me a source of encouraging and confident power.
It irrepressibly gave rise to a belief – as long as I was with Zuo Ran, then anything I did would be successful.
That’s right, it must be this way.
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mischiefandspirits · 4 years
Text
Doppelgänger (5/?)
Previously on Doppelgänger ~ Masterlist ~ Next time on Doppelgänger
Danny, Sam, and Tucker were just 14 when they took a look inside the portal Danny’s parents had built. From there, everything changed. They woke up with white hair, green skin, and powers they could learn to control. They were hybrids, halfas.
They were the hero Doppelgänger.
{Fright Night}
“So a trio of ghosts need to create a haunted house room,” Danny said, smirking at his partners as he dropped down on his bed.
“Think we could just stick Audrey II in there and call it a day?” Tucker asked and sat backwards on the desk chair.
Sam shrugged and sat next to Danny so she could put his head in her lap. “If I stopped pruning her, she should be big enough to give someone a scare by then. I don’t think just one thing will cut it though.”
“We could bring in some more plants for you to move around and have it be a haunted jungle,” Tucker said.
“Oh, so Danny makes a stupid bet and I have to do all the work.”
“Hey, I’m the one who gave Twoey sentience and unless you force her with your powers, she only listens to me. I think that counts for something,” Danny pointed out.
“You know, what is it with you and the non-sapient ghosts and ecto-beings?” Tucker asked. “Twoey, Cujo, those will-o'-wisp blob things that follow you around when we’re in the zone. You’d think Sam would be the one they're attracted to with her nature thing.”
Danny hummed and pressed into Sam’s hand so she’d start carding her fingers through his hair. “Well, like I said, I brought Twoey to life, so maybe she imprinted on me. And Cujo might just be able to sense that you guys hate dogs.”
“We don’t hate dogs. They're just loud and annoying,” Sam said.
“And Cujo is literally as demonic as his namesake,” Tucker added.
“He’s a good boy and this is why he doesn’t like you.”
“He trashed a lab for a toy!” Tucker said.
“And they put him down. Fair's fair.”
“Can’t disagree with you there,” Sam said with narrowed eyes. She’d launched quite the internet scandal when she’d dug up why, exactly, the old kennels she’d found the toy in were abandoned. “Back to the matter at hand though, you still haven’t explained the blobs.”
Danny blushed. “I, uh, might feed them chips sometimes when they show up while I’m cleaning the lab.”
There was a moment of silence before both his partners started snickering.
“Don’t feed the wildlife, Danny,” Sam said mockingly.
“All this time, they’ve been the ghost equivalent of pigeons.”
“Not pigeons! They're actually really sweet. Like… hummingbirds!”
“Sure, dude.”
“Whatever you say, Danny.”
“Can we just get back on topic? Sam, you’re goth, shouldn’t that make you our resident creepy person. What would go good with a living jungle and a literal man-eating plant?”
Sam patted his cheek condescendingly, but leaned back to plot. “I had something else planned, but if you guys insist on the jungle idea…”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“This has to beat whatever Dash has,” Danny said as the trio looked over the room.
Audrey II’s pot had been attached to the ceiling so her stalks could hang down, dripping -- thankfully only harmful to ectoplasm -- acid. Once the haunted house was open, she’d been instructed to snap at anyone who came near. She luckily didn’t like the taste of humans so there wasn’t any worry about her going overboard.
Sam had brought in some crawling vines and tropical plants to cover the walls and floor so she could have them tug at or trip people as they moved through the room and make it harder for people to find their way through.
Danny’s herd of blobs were drifting around the makeshift jungle, making soft lights flicker through the semi-darkness.
Tucker had set up electric field generators to give the room an eerie feeling.
The pièce de résistance, however…
“Did you get it set up?” Sam asked.
“Try it out,” Danny said.
The boys watched as she walked over to an archway on one side of the room. She walked through it, only to come out an archway on the opposite side a second later.
“Yes!” Tucker cheered, high-fiving Danny. “Thank you, Space Fold!”
Sam tested out all the other archways to be sure they had a similar effect then came over to join the boys. “Congratulations, you’ve built a cartoon hallway.”
“You’re just mad you didn’t think of it,” Danny said and she ruffled his hair.
“Well, my work here is done. Now if you’ll excuse me,” Tucker grabbed the empty pumpkin-shaped candy bucket waiting by the door, “I’m a little late to start scamming some free candy.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Danny flinched when Sam pinched him for squirming.
“I’m almost done, you big baby.”
“Sorry if I’m a little creeped out by you sticking sharp things very close to my eyes.”
“Just be glad you don’t need contacts. There, perfect.”
Danny smiled when Sam held up a mirror. His hair was covered by a long, braided black wig that a crown of thorns sat atop. His face had been given a slight green tint while his lips were a deep forest. His smile showed off fangs that were just as long and sharp as their ghost form’s and prosthetic ears gave him the same points. Dark makeup made his eyes look sunken, which highlighted his eyes when he let the red of his ghost form glow through. His hands had been given claw-like fake nails before being dipped into blood-red paint while he’d been dressed in black and dark green princely clothes. It all came together to make him look like a ghastly elfin prince.
He stood up and turned to Sam. “Thanks, Sam. This is great.”
She frowned and shook her head. “No, more brooding.”
“I really don-”
She pointed a finger in his face. “You wanted my help. This is me helping. More brooding. Imagine all the light draining from your soul.”
Danny pushed her hand away. “You’re just using this as an excuse to make me goth for a night.”
“Only for a night, but yeah. It’s a good look on you. Now brood or I’ll leave and you can do without my plants.”
Danny rolled his eyes, then tried to channel his angstiest self.
Christmas Danny.
Sam blinked at his scowl. “Wow, I didn’t think you could even get that dark. You’re usually our resident prep.”
Jingle Bells. Gingerbread. SANTA.
Danny shoved it all down, but the scowl only lessened slightly. “That’s because your family always goes away for the holidays.”
Sam looked confused, but didn’t get a chance to ask before they heard footsteps approaching. She transformed, saying, “Showtime. Maybe lose the anger a little.”
“I’ll try.”
She disappeared and all the plants except Audrey II started to sway and glow slightly. They seemed to thicken, making it impossible to see more than a few feet into the room.
Danny shooed the flytrap’s stalks up towards the roof. “Alright, Twoey, just like we practiced. Remember, be a good girl and you get a nice big bottle of ectoplasm as a treat.”
One of the lobes nuzzled him then they all retreated into the darkness Tucker had carefully maneuvered the lights to create on the ceiling.
“This is why she likes us. We spoil her,” a voice whispered in his ear.
“I don’t… I only spoil her a little.”
Sam chuckled and he felt her drift off.
“Mr. Fenton, it’s time,” William Lancer said as he arrived at the door to the room Daniel had taken. It was painted with toxic green glowing runes and vines as well as the words, The Kingdom of Thorns.
The door creaked open slowly to reveal Daniel standing a few feet away.
Automatic door, nice touch, William noted. The boy was also in a more elaborate costume than Dashiell’s. His contacts were actually a bit disconcerting with how the light made them appear to glow. It wasn’t helped either that the normally cheerful, if downtrodden, boy had on a scowl that looked rather resentful and fell.
The boy gave a graceful bow. In an empty voice, he announced, “Welcome. May your stay be eternal.”
A shiver went up William’s spine. The boy’s voice sounded off. Echoey-perhaps, except it didn’t sound like Daniel’s voice echoing back. More like multiple someones were whispering his words alongside him. Some sort of speaker setup, maybe? But the teacher swore the voices were coming from Daniel.
Pushing down the emotions, William pointed to the door. “I hope that’s not permanent.”
“What?” The eerie expression and voice were gone in a blink. “Oh, yes. I mean no, it’s not permanent. It’s just a little ectoplasm from my parent’s lab. I have the dissolving agent.”
That… was not as comforting as Daniel seemed to think it should be. “Is that safe?”
“Yeah, sure. Pure ectoplasm is harmless to humans in small doses. You could eat the amount on there and still be perfectly fine. It’s the charged stuff that’s dangerous.”
Still not as comforting as the boy’s smile made it out to be. “Right. Shall we begin?”
Daniel gave a toothy -- fangy? -- grin and stepped to the side, gesturing William forward.
The door slammed closed once the teacher started walking, not close enough to hit, but enough that he could feel the breeze of it passing on the back of his neck. He glanced back and was surprised to see vines covering the door. He made note of it.
“You’re free to roam, but I would stick to the path,” Daniel said as William passed him, his show voice back on and just as creepy as the first time. “And I wouldn’t recommend eating anything. Or being eaten.”
William glanced back, only to see the boy was gone. But he had just heard him right behind him.
He shook his head and continued forward.
So far the room itself didn’t look particularly scary. It mostly looked like a poorly lit and abandoned greenhouse without the glass walls and ceiling. Though there was the odd lights flying about, like fireflies the size of softballs. The plants almost seemed to be moving as well, like in the wind though William couldn’t feel anything, and he swore they were glowing a bit. Some sort of paint?
“You didn’t put anything harmful on these plants, right?”
“Of course not,” whispered something in his ear and he jerked away. He looked around, but couldn’t see anything.
“No, they’re Sam’s. She’d kill me if I hurt her plants,” came Daniel’s normal voice from somewhere across the room.
“G-Good.”
“Are you alright, Mr. Lancer? You’re not lost are you?”
“No, Mr. Fenton.” He shook himself. He must have been hearing things. He took a step forward and immediately felt like he’d stepped into something, or through something. He rubbed his arms as goosebumps began to crawl up them. He made a note and quickly moved on.
After a few moments more of the random goosebumps and the feeling of vines or leaves brushing him despite being sure he wasn’t getting close to any of the plants, he reached an archway. The teacher frowned and he pulled aside the curtain to look in. He swore the passage was supposed to lead directly into the next room, but instead he found a short hallway. It appeared to be a pitch-black void littered in stars that went on forever, but directly ahead, perhaps two feet in, was another doorway with a curtain. Some sort of mirror trick?
He made another note and walked carefully through the hall. Perhaps it was the star pattern, but he almost felt weightless as he passed through. He pulled the curtain aside… and found himself in the room he’d started in? But that was impossible! And yet, the windows were on the archway’s left, just as they had been for the arch he’d come from. The chandelier hanging above, original to the house though Daniel had wrapped it in vines, was also the same one that had been in the previous room. He must have curved around, except he was sure he’d gone in a straight line.
“Something wrong, Mr. Lancer?”
The teacher jumped and spun around to find Daniel standing right next to him, staring up at him through half-lidded eyes. His head was tilted almost unnaturally to the side and he was giving his usual smile, though the sharp fangs made it feel like he was baring his teeth instead. Some of the flying lights were perched on his crown, but their shapes were indistinct which made it appear the crown was alight with swirling green flames.
“Just-just taking in your creativity, Mr. Fenton. I wish you would put such effort into your schoolwork.”
His grin grew and his eyes glowed brighter. “What can I say, I guess I have an affinity for all things ghostly and dead.” He turned on his heel and disappeared into the foliage. “I’ll leave you to it.”
If William was shaking as he moved through the room, there was no one around to tell. He kept a careful eye out, but even still it felt like more plants were brushing against him and he was in a constant state of goosebumps. Then, just as he reached the center of the room, a hand grabbed his shoulder.
He shrieked and spun around, dropping his clipboard in the process. There was no one there. He looked all around him, but couldn’t find any sign of a person.
Something creaked above him.
He slowly looked up and saw something moving in the shadows, multiple long necks and wide heads with gaping maws.
“Mr. Lancer?”
“The Iliad and the Odyssey!” William shouted, looking down to see Daniel standing right in front of him, looking worried.
Aside from his glowing crown, none of his showman’s grace was on him anymore. Not even in his voice as he glanced down and said, “Oh, you dropped your stuff.”
William’s eyes widened as he spotted the three long stalks that had lowered down from the ceiling, each carrying the heads of a horror-movie approximation of a venus flytrap. The flat lobes were all around a foot long and would have looked normal, if not huge, except for the toxic green acid dripping from their centers.
At the same time that Daniel leaned down, one of them shot forward to strike like a snake, its jaws closing around the space his head had been not a moment before. They all darted back to the ceiling as Daniel stood up, appearing his normal awkward and helpful self.
He held out William’s pen and clipboard. “Here you go.”
The teacher’s hands were shaking as he took his things from his student.
Daniel rubbed the back of his neck. “Sorry, I guess we might have gone a little overboard. Was it the halls? I can take those out.”
Something grabbed William’s ankle. “No! No, it was wonderful. Leave it as is. I just remembered I have somewhere to be.”
“So… does that mean…”
“Yes, Mr. Fenton. You win. Now how do I get out of here?”
Daniel pointed to the side.
There was a straight path to the door that most definitely had not been there before.
William shook the vine off his leg and walked quickly out of the open door.
Danny threw his hands up and cheered as soon as the door shut behind Lancer. He turned and gave Sam a high-five. “That was great! He didn’t even stay long enough to see Twoey in action.”
“We’re an oblivious idiot,” she said as she turned visible.
“What do you mean?”
She plucked off one of the blob ghosts nuzzling his head and shook her own. “Nevermind. Come on, we’ve got a few new ideas from that test run.”
“Cool.”
“By the way, that line about eating ectoplasm. We haven’t actually done that, right?”
“Well, not on purpose, but you’ve seen my house. Sometimes a bit of ectoplasm ends up in the food.”
“We’re never eating at our house again.”
“Hey, it’s okay. I never let you guys stay for dinner when my parents or I cook and Jazz sterilizes everything so she never gets ectoplasm in anything.”
“Never again.”
“And besides, we’re ghosts now. Ghost food is made of ecto-”
Sam put her hand over his mouth. “Never.”
He nodded. Once she’d removed her hand and floated off, he muttered, “It’s not even bad as long as the food doesn’t come to life. Just kind of citrusy.”
“We’re going to throw up!”
13 notes · View notes
harrysgems · 4 years
Text
Before Dawn - Part 1
Leah was walking down the street, frustrated and, once again, mad at her brother. The little prick took the car, again. He’d known she would need it this afternoon to pick up their grandma, and he could have perfectly walked to work.
“I’m gonna fucking kill him,” she muttered, feeling the urge to kick something rise to unexpected levels.
Then, she felt something hit her shoulder. Her eyes opened wide as she refused to look.
Please, don’t let it be a pigeon’s… she wouldn’t even dare finish that thought. She finally gathered the courage to take a look at her jacket and, to her relief, it was just a big droplet of water. Probably from one the multiple trees that adorned this street. Only then she became aware of the tapping of the raindrops against the pavement.
“Come on!” she complained, “You gotta be fucking kidding me.”
She pulled her hood over her head and walked faster as she kept her gaze to the floor. The last thing she needed was to trip over something she couldn’t see because her glasses were full of tiny raindrops.
Oh, how she missed the coast of Italy! The weather was warmer over there, and it definitely didn’t rain this much. Why, of course, this was England; the land of humidity and non-stopping rain.
Her mind was elsewhere, roaming her memories of that adorable Italian village, reason why she didn’t see the six feet tall man walking in front of her. At least, not until she collided with his broad back.
“Ouch!” the man groaned.
“Ouch!” she echoed.
“What the hell?”
She lifted her head to get a proper look of him just as he turned around.
“Harry?” she shrieked.
He narrowed his eyes, still upset about the incident, before he actually recognized her.
“Leah?” he asked.
“What are you doing here?” the question left her lips before she could even process the words.
“I could ask the same question,” he chuckled, “Long time no see.”
“Yeah, it feels like ages since we last saw each other,” she smiled sheepishly.
“Seems life’s treating you well,” he jerked his head toward her Italian boots and bag.
“I can’t complain,” she shrugged, “One of my books got published and now I live in a lovely village in the coast of Italy,” she explained, returning the smile he’d just given her, “What about you? I saw you released a new album.”
“Yeah, I did, didn’t I?” he tried to hide how proud he was of his new project, but he just couldn’t, “Have you gotten around to listen to it yet?”
“I’m sorry,” she grimaced, “With Luca and Thor, and Christmas around the corner, I haven’t got much time to spare.”
“Oh, you’ve got a boyfriend,” Harry commented, trying to keep it causal despite feeling a stab of… what was that? Jealousy? Why would he be jealous of Luca? He should be happy for his friend. If they could even consider themselves as friends anymore.
“Oh, no, no, no!” Leah quickly denied, “I wish,” she laughed awkwardly, “Luca is my editor,” she clarified.
“Oh,” Harry mouthed, “So who’s Thor?” he frowned, remembering the name she’d just dropped a few seconds ago and now realizing there was nothing Italian about it.
“My puppy,” Leah smiled wider than she’d ever done whilst revealing that piece of information.
“You’ve got yourself a puppy?” Harry asked, genuinely surprised.
“Mm-hmm,” she confirmed, “A friend of mine found out her dog was pregnant. She couldn’t keep all the puppies, so she asked a few friends if we could keep them. I really didn’t plan to actually adopt one. You know me, I love pups but I’ve never had one at home because my mom’s not very into pets and I was afraid I’d mess up. But when he looked at me with those puppy eyes… Well, I couldn’t say no.”
“And how’s he?”
“He’s the most adorable pup ever,” she said, proudly, “Although we have to work on the biting bit, I’m running out of slippers,” she frowned before they both laughed softly at that last comment.
Harry took a second to finally observe her. She was beaming, even beneath the cold rainy English weather. Her brunet hair was tied in a loose braid, and she still had a light tan to her skin, probably from enjoying the warm sun of the Italian coast. Her face was almost make-up free, except for the light mascara she was wearing. Her cheeks were already rosy due to the cold air, just like the tip of her nose.
He noticed how shiny her lips were; he, then, remembered how obsessed she was with lip balm back in the day. Some things never change, he guessed.
Leah wondered what was going through Harry’s mind. He’d been quiet for longer than expected, but he’d always been one to speak really slowly, so she didn’t think twice about it. The beanie he wore covered most of his hair, although a few curls escaped from its grip. She’d always loved Harry’s curls, even more so when his hair was way longer than it was now.
“How old’s your pup?”
The question startled her. She’d become awestruck remembering how soft those curls felt between her fingertips.
“Four months old,” she answered, still lingering to that memory.
“He’s still such a baby,” Harry blinked twice in awe.
“Yeah, that’s why it is so hard to teach him,” she laughed softly again, “He’s so cute it’s difficult to tell him off.”
“Can I meet him?”
Leah was surprised by Harry’s question. He sure had better things to do than meeting her new baby. Even more after so long they’d spent without even sharing a word with each other.
“Yeah, sure,” she found herself answering before actually think it through.
“Did you bring him here with you?”
She nodded before she added:
“I wasn’t going to leave him alone in Italy. Or with Luca, for that matter,” she grimaced again.
“Is it that bad?” he chuckled.
“He’d have probably tried to put him in a tutu.”
“Oh, poor thing.”
“Yeah, I’m not letting Thor anywhere near Lucca. He may be Italian and have good taste in fashion, but no way is he gonna dress my dog.”
They both laughed at that and afterwards a comfortable silence fell upon the two of them.
“It was nice seeing you, Harry.”
“It was really nice to see you too, Leah.”
“Guess I’ll see you around,” she smiled at him.
“Of course, you still need to introduce me to Thor!” he smiled back at her.
And despite not seeing much due to the raindrops sliding down her glasses and the fact that she was running late to pick her grandma up, the urge to kill his brother had magically gone away. Now she only wanted to smack the back of his neck for being so irresponsible.
                                        ┅┅━━━━━━━ ۵ ━━━━━━━┅┅
Leah had been fighting the need to write down everything that crossed her mind. The memories mixed all together and threatened her to become emotionally attached to them once again, after how long it took her to get over those moments.
Hence, when she arrived back home and her grandma was finally sitting on the armchair, she sneaked into her room before anyone else saw her, with her pup right behind her.
“Hello gorgeous!” she called him.
The pup leaned his head to the side, observing her. To be fair, she couldn’t blame him if he ever thought she was crazy. She picked him up from the floor and helped him onto her bed. The pup found his way onto her lap, where he rested peacefully, snuggling his head against her tummy for attention from time to time.
“Ya really like to be pampered, don’t ya, little boy?” she whispered to him whilst scratching the fur behind his ears.
Thor merely rested his head against his paws and closed his eyes, enjoying the feeling of his human giving him the attention he deserved.
“You’re the prettiest thing to ever exist,” she whispered to him again, still scratching his black fur.
After Harry Styles, the voice in her head was loud and clear. And undoubtedly not welcome. She frowned and stopped the movement of her hand, wondering why her subconscious was playing with her like that. The pup lifted his tiny head and snuggled her hand, asking for attention.
“If you weren’t so adorable you wouldn’t get away with everything you want,” she muttered.
The tiny pup yawned and she thought her heart would melt at any given moment because he was way too endearing to be real.
“We’ll have to work on that,” she pointed her index finger at Thor, but he decided it was a good idea to smell it and lick the tip of her finger, “Stop!” she laughed as the pup licked her again, “You’re tickling me,” she kept laughing.
Thor happily barked as his tail wiggled from side to side. He was happy when his human did those strange noises.
                                        ┅┅━━━━━━━ ۵ ━━━━━━━┅┅
It was already late in the night, or early in the morning, Leah couldn’t quite tell. She knew she wouldn’t be able to sleep until she poured all of her thoughts and feelings out, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to go down that memory lane.
Despite her initial reluctance, she took her laptop and sat back in her bead. Thor was sleeping beside her and the only sound that could be heard was his even breathing. She smiled broadly. God, how she loved this pup.
She took a deep breath and opened her Notepad. That overwhelming feeling took over her again; she had so much to tell, but she didn’t even know where to begin. How do you summarize years and years and express them in words? Well, she should’ve known; it was no less than her job. But there was an added difficulty when the story to tell was hers.
She began typing the first thing that came to her mind and, after a while, her fingers flew through the keyboard with a mind of their own.
Every word carried emotion, and every sentence pulled out a new memory. Before she knew, she was going down that road again.
                                        ┅┅━━━━━━━ ۵ ━━━━━━━┅┅
Harry still couldn’t believe he’d actually seen Leah today. Of course, if he’d even tried to keep in touch, he would’ve known she’d be in town. But he’d been too busy, and she hadn’t tried to reach him either. At least, that was what he’d been telling himself all this time to make himself feel better. Truth was, he regretted every single time he would’ve liked to text her and he didn’t.
They’d known each other for so long, and yet he’d let her slip through his fingers. He knew she’d always considered him her best friend, reason why he didn’t even dare to begin to think how lonely she must’ve felt these past few years.
But he wouldn’t apologize to her, because that would be admitting he was sorry… And he hadn’t done anything wrong. Things just… cooled down. Besides, it was probably too late, anyway.
He turned around in his bed for the hundredth time tonight. Who was he trying to fool? He’d played with her, so many years ago. He’d been such a dick, and there was no way she could forgive him for what he did.
Finally giving up on getting to sleep, Harry took his phone from his bedside table and scrolled through his gallery. He should probably delete some of the pictures in there; there were too many of them, but he felt so attached to those pictures because of the memories they brought back to life…
He found several pictures of teenage Leah partying with his teenage self. They sure knew how to have a good time. A sad smile pulled up on his lips when he saw the picture of that night, right before he made the biggest mistake of his life.
Leah had always told him how she wanted to become a writer, and she sure had talent. Even back then, she always had this habit of thanking him whenever he helped her, no matter whether it was a big favour or just listening to her rant about something. And she did so by writing letters. Well, they weren’t actually letters, because she sent them as a text message, but they were long and emotional enough to make him tear up.
Harry smiled as he remembered that one time they were hanging out at a party, and she was hammered and so, so upset. He was upset too for some reason he’d completely forgotten, and she gave him the most emotional, beautiful, realistic speech no one had ever given him. She obviously didn’t remember anything the following day, but he did.
He believed that was the night everything changed.
He’d always walked her home but, from that night on, he’d treasured those moments when they were alone in the early morning, right before dawn; just the two of them, no rush, walking beside one another in a comfortable silence or laughing about something that had happened at some point in the night. And even after hours of dancing, sweating and drinking, she looked beautiful.
He wondered if she’d gone down this memory lane too, after running into him this morning. Would she think of the same memories he did? Would she even want to think about the moments they’d shared at all?
Another memory hit him as he kept scrolling down the pictures of his gallery. The white dress.
That was a night to remember; at least the tiny bits they could put up together. It was summer and she was wearing that flowy white dress, way too short to bring her home to mother, but damn if she didn’t look sexy in it. They were waiting for someone and he decided to sat down on the stairs, tired of standing up and not moving at all. Two other friends did the same, and no space was left to sit down, so she just clinged to his neck and sat on his lap, a smile on her face asking if it bothered him. Harry limited his answer to wrapping his arms around her waist.
He loved how she always tangled her fingers in his hair, massaging his scalp and tugging softly at his curls. All of them were probably being too loud, laughing too much, because while he was almost falling asleep beneath the touch of her fingers on his hair, he felt drops of water wetting them. Apparently, a pissed off neighbour decided it was a good idea to water the teenagers sitting under his balcony.
She squealed and jumped off of his lap, running away from the water. He followed her shortly after and joined her away from the angry neighbour. It was only then they burst into laughter and left that place.
He didn’t know why, that night he couldn’t keep his hands off her body. Maybe he was being selfish, but he’d just broken things up with Hannah, and he longed for this kind of contact. She hadn’t complained at all, though. The only thing Leah did, was smile sheepishly every time Harry brushed her hair away from her face and brought it behind her ear.
Until they went outside the club and back to the street so their friends could smoke. The night breeze was cool for summer, and he could see her shiver. He wrapped his arms around her once more, bringing her closer to his body, trying to warm her up a little bit while their friends finished their cigarette. She hugged him by the waist and rested her head on his chest. When he asked whether she was cold, the drunk, I’m-no-longer-shy version of Leah told him her ass was cold. Fuck. What was he supposed to do? He was drunk too.
Without actually thinking it twice, his hands flew to her ass and he tried to warm it up, rubbing it. It didn’t seem such a bad idea at the moment, after all, she laughed and thanked him.
Later that night, he remembered, he offered to walk her home again, just like he did every single time they hung out together. Funny story? Both of them were so wasted they ended up walking in the opposite direction until they reached a park across town. She’d tried to warn him several times throughout their walk, but she kept saying her orientation sucked so she just trusted him, because his was better. Well, when drunk, apparently not.
They sat down on the floor, laughing at the stupid situation. They would have to unwalk what they did and then keep going until they reached her house. Leah rested her head against Harry’s shoulder, her whole body shaking from laughter, and they fell back on the floor. She was on top of him, sort of, still laughing uncontrollably. He couldn’t stop laughing either and at some point, before they’d fallen down, he’d hugged her to protect her from hitting the floor.
It was in that moment she raised her head to stare into his green eyes, her face so close to his. She’d tried her best to hold her laugh back, but she couldn’t manage to do so as she told him how hungry she was. He cracked up again, joining her laughter, because he was too, hungry. And as he helped her up, he realised, not only of food.
                                         ┅┅━━━━━━━ ۵ ━━━━━━━┅┅
Tears were already streaming down Leah’s face as she typed her last words. She hadn’t allowed herself to dive deeper into those memories because she knew that, as much as she’d love to be her teenage self again, that was not going to happen. Just like things were never going to be as they were back then.
She wiped away a tear, the memory of that night they got lost to finally sat down on a park floor across town in the early morning still vivid in her mind.
They finally found a place to eat breakfast on their way back home. He’d walked her to her front door, as he’d always done, and she desperately wanted him to come inside with her. But he just said goodbye to her, with a kiss on her forehead, as he used to do, and left.
The worst memory of them all wasn’t that at all; the one that she couldn’t let go of, no matter how much it hurt every time she went back there.
They were supposed to meet with a friend who was leaving to live abroad. Same old: go to the pub, have a beer, laugh a bit, go back home. Leah had been ready for a long time now, because Alice, their friend, was always running late.
He’d texted Harry, and he’d told her he was with his mom and some other family members at a pub near his place. Next thing she knew, Anne texted her to join them. She’d always been a lovely woman and, despite Harry was still annoyed that they texted each other, he couldn’t hide it amused him.
They didn’t stay long at the pub, though. Alice called she was heading toward their meeting place, so they headed out too; one of Harry’s younger family members coming along with them. She had to admit it was a fun night.
As expected, Harry walked everyone home and, since him and Leah were the ones that lived closer from each other, they did the whole tour until it was only the two of them, as it had always been.
They barely chatted on their way home; they were both exhausted and cold. Leah’s mind, though, worked at a hundredth miles per hour. She’d been feeling this… pull, toward him, for longer than she’d like to admit and she knew she would regret it if she didn’t do something about it.
Harry was quiet too. He was lost in his own thoughts, and lots of them included Leah, but she didn’t know that in that moment; and she never would.
She tried to bring a topic out, whatever, but she needed to talk to him about something or she would go mad. She was beginning to overthink everything and she knew that never ended well for her.
When they reached her house, instead of leaving straight away, they chatted for a few more minutes. It was cold, but neither seem to bother. Before leaving, as he always did, Harry wrapped his arms around her body and pulled her in for a hug. She rested her head against his chest and sighed. They were completely alone in the street, and she knew she could trust him like she could trust no other. Yet, she was scared and confused and didn’t really know what to do with the bundle of emotions that lived inside her for months now.
It was only then that Leah realised she was still being held by Harry. This time, he’d lingered for longer than he used to, as if he refused to let go. She moved slightly away, their arms still around each other’s, and looked up at him, at those green eyes that trapped her every single time, and felt that pull again. Every bone in her body asked her to kiss him. But she wasn’t brave enough.
She didn’t have to, though. To her surprise, Harry lowered his lips to hers. The kiss took her completely by surprise, reason why she blinked twice before closing her eyes and kissing him back.
When he said goodbye that night, he did it with a kiss on her lips, instead of her forehead.
                                                    ┅┅━━━━━━━ ۵ ━━━━━━━┅┅
Harry had been tossing and turning for hours. He wanted to text her, but at the same time he was afraid to do so. She’d been so much braver than he’d ever be. Not just because of everything she’d been through, but because she really had the courage to do the things that matter.
He looked through their texts, looking for the one he knew by heart, but refused to delete because it was proof that she ever loved him.
He knew Leah had always had a way with words but even now he could tell how nervous and scared she was when she sent him that text message.
“I still don’t know if I’ll be brave enough to hit the send button once I finish typing this, but here it goes anyway. I don’t know the reason why you kissed me today, and I don’t want to jump to conclusions, but I can’t hide this from you anymore, Harry,” he whispered in the darkness of his room, “I really, really like you. I think I’m falling for you and it scares me to death. Above all because you know I consider you my best friend, and I don’t want to lose you. I’m scared that telling you this might affect our friendship if you don’t feel the same way, but you know I trust you like no other and… who was I supposed to tell if it weren’t you? You know that if it wasn’t you the one I like, Harry, I would’ve told you straight away.”
He paused, taking a deep breath before resuming the message.
“I’m so confused, and I’ve been so confused for a while now. You’re one of the most important people I’ve had in my life. You were there for me when you didn’t even know what was going on, because you knew something was wrong so you decided to offer your shoulder to cry on and ask no questions. I still remember that smile you gave me when you told me ‘when you’re ready’. You’ve really been a constant in my life for the past few years, my pillar, along with Alice. You two are the only people who know the shit that’s been going down in my life these past few months. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love you, I’ve already told you a billion times. Just, this time, it means a little bit more than all the others; but I don’t want things to change between us whatever your answer is. I can’t afford to lose you.”
Harry just needed to scroll down a little bit more to see his answer, to reread again, the way he’d rejected her. He damn sure was stupid. And he damn sure didn’t deserve her. He tried his best, he tried to have a lot of tact when he said he couldn’t feel the same way. And it was true, or so he thought in that moment. He’d offered her the space she might have needed, because he knew what it was like to fall for someone who couldn’t feel the same way about you; but he also promised her their relationship would not change. And yet, with time, it did.
26 notes · View notes
vadersmom1 · 4 years
Text
What, Like it's Hard?
https://archiveofourown.org/works/21599779
“Help me pick out what to wear!” Tony calls Pepper and Jan, vibrating with excitement. “I… I think he’s proposing tonight!”
“Oh my gosh, Tony! I’m on my way!” Jan squeals. “Pepper, be ready in two minutes!”
They spend 2 hours picking out the perfect outfit. Ty pulls up. As he gets out, Tony walks out the door. “Hi sweetheart.” Tony kisses him on the cheek.
“Snookums.” 
Once the Bugatti pulls away, Jan squeals, pulling Pepper into a tight hug. “Oh my gosh! I’m soo excited!!!”
Pepper, the more reserved one, smiles brightly. “Why can I see the three exclamation points after that?”
Jan flips her hair. “Skills.”
Tony and Ty enjoy a nice salmon dinner with roasted potatoes and fried calamari. Right before dessert comes out, Ty takes Tony’s hand. “Snooks, can we talk?” 
Excited, Tony nods eagerly. “Sure Ty!”
“Snooks, we have to break up.”
“OF COU- wait, what? Ty? Why?”
“I am transferring to MIT. I’m going to be running Viastone soon, and I need someone serious and useful by my side, not a party animal. I’m sure you see my side.”
“Ty, you can’t be serious. I love you! I thought you were going to propose!” The restaurant grows silent as Tony’s eyes fill with tears. 
“Tony… errr… can we not do this here?” Ty shifts uncomfortably.
“Why? You thought this was a great place to break up, why can’t we talk here?”
Ty signal for the check and quickly pays, pulling Tony out after him. The ride home is uncomfortably silent, but Tony doesn’t trust his voice enough to speak.
Ty gets out to walk him to the door, but Tony hops out. Ty grabs his elbow. “Snookums. You know I still love you. I just can’t be with you.”
Tony ignores him as he walks into the house. Pepper and Jam are still here! Jan has a bottle of champagne to open, but seeing his face, she sets it on the table and wraps him in a hug. “Oh baby. What happened?”
“H-he broke up with me!” Tony sobs. “He s-says he needs someone useful and serious.” 
“He’s neither useful nor serious. He’s wrong, Tones. He’s a jerk. Take his words with a grain of salt.” 
Tony wipes his eyes. “No. He’s right. He has to run a business after his dad dies. He doesn’t need someone like me causing more problems from bad press. So I’m not going to do that anymore. I’m going to serious up. I’m going to transfer to MIT.”
“Tony, you don’t have to prove anything to him.” 
“I don’t,  but I want to be with him. He loves me, you know. He’s just making the best choice for himself. But if he sees I can be serious and useful, he'll take me back.” 
+++++++++
Howard Stark laughs when Tony tells him he is planning on transferring to MIT. “You think you'll get in? Hilarious.” 
Undeterred, Tony makes a call to the Dean, who advises he should send over his information as they may have a few openings. 
After a few weeks of held breath, Tony gets a letter with his transferal acceptance. Jan and Pepper are happy for him, but they think he’s making a mistake.
He flies to Massachusetts, deliriously happy. 
Checking into MIT, he learns he has a roommate – one James Rhodes. Rhodes is in Philadelphia on break so he wouldn’t meet him for another week or so, so Tony sets up his stuff in the room. Tomorrow’s the first day of class! He memorizes the schedule and hall map. Everything is falling into place. Now, to find Ty… Tony drifts off to sleep dreaming about the next day.
Heading down the hall for Lecture Hall 3C, Tony runs into Ty. “Hi Ty!” He says brightly.
Ty almost trips over himself. “Tony? What are doing here?”
“I got into MIT. I’m going to show you I can be serious and helpful in…”
“Ahem.” A beautiful woman cuts Tony off, wrapping her arm around Ty’s back. “Hi love.” She addresses Ty. “Who’s this?”
“Snookums, meet Tony. Tony, this is my girlfriend, Rumiko Fujikawa.”
Snookums?? That was Ty's pet name for TONY! He smiles through the pain. “Nice to meet you. I was heading to class.” He straightens his back and walks past them. 
The first week of class,  Tony is depressed. He knows his stuff, but he's just not into it. Ty moved on,  apparently. Nevertheless, Tony presses on. One little thing won’t bring him down when he is determined. 
He stops past a parts store after class and chats with the man behind the counter. A young army vet who lost his arm in Afghanistan, the man could seem to overly threatening to some, but Tony’s sunny personality wins him over.
Tony buys a few new parts for a project while they talk. The door opens and the man stands ramrod straight. It’s just the delivery guy. “What’s up, buttercup?”
James, the vet, grumbles. “Nothing. Pigeon.”
Tony must look so confused because the delivery guy laughs. “He’s just mad because I was Air Force, and he was Army.” 
“I see.” 
“Sign here and I’ll be out of your hair.”
James signs while saying, “Screw you.” After the delivery guy leaves, he releases his tension. “That’s Sam.”
“He’s cute.” Tony grins.
“Shaddup. Is that everything?” James shoots back good-naturedly.
+++++++++
James Rhodes is tired. His flight was delayed and the cab he took got stuck in traffic. Upon arriving, the dean tells him he has a roommate, some rich transfer kid from UCLA. Daddy probably paid his way on his whim. He knows he shouldn’t judge, but he had to work hard to get a scholarship here, and there’s just so many people who waste it. 
Rhodes unlocks the door to his dorm. There’s… machinery… everywhere. This new kid’s a mess. He groans internally. Bewildered, he looks around searching for… where’s my charger? He finds it on the other side of the room from where he had left it. He quickly unpacks and settles into bed. When he wakes up and goes to class the next morning, he realizes he hasn’t seen his new roommate yet. Oh well. Not his problem. He might be better off not ever seeing him.
Engineering class is definitely his favorite even though Professor Ross is a jerk. A little bit racist, VERY homophobic, and with a power complex, it is very hard to get anywhere with him. His TA, Bruce, is a very mild-mannered man. How he puts up with Ross all the time is beyond Rhodes. 
When he gets to the classroom, there’s a boy in his usual seat. Wow, he is adorable – his glasses are almost bigger than his face! However, he’s in Rhodes' seat. “Excuse me? This is my seat.” He stands beside his desk. The boy looks up with big doe eyes.
“I sat here all week, and you weren’t here. It doesn’t seem like your seat to me.” He replies. 
Rhodes wants to yell and scream, but he’s better than that. He simply just sighs and finds a new seat, one with a much worse view of the board, but, hey, a great view of the new guy!
Ross walks in and asks a question. Rhodes raises his hand and answers. The new guy scoffs. “Are you kidding? That’s not true.” Of course, Ross asks for his opinion. The new guy goes on a long spiel of the ways Rhodes was wrong. The funny thing about this was, he had basically recited the chapter. This new guy just told the book it was wrong! And his points were accurate! Who is this guy? Rhodes is caught between admiring the guy and hating his guts. 
Class goes on the same way, this new guy and he were arguing back and forth, the rest of the class enjoying the ride. 
The day is over and Tony is tired. He wants to get back to his dorm and work on BUTTERFINGERS a little more. He also has to finish JARVIS' code. He hopes he can use that as his project. Oh, his roommate is supposed to be back today! Tony curses himself because he forgot to clean up. He runs the rest of the way to his dorm. Unlocking the door, he finds the cute guy from Engineering sitting at the desk. The guy stands up. “You? Not youhoohoo.” He groans.
Great. Just one letdown after another. Tony smiles. “I’m sorry. I lost track of time and forgot that you would be back today. I’ll clean up everything. I’m Tony Stark.” He reaches out his hand to shake. 
His roomie warily takes it. “James Rhodes.”
“James. Aw, there’s already another James here. Can I call you Rhodey? I’m calling you Rhodey. What are your classes? Mine are…” He rattles off all his classes. He knows he's rambling but he can’t seem to stop.
+++++++++++++
Does this guy ever shut up? Rhodes thinks. And he thinks he can just call me Rhodey because he knows another James.
He ignores Tony for the first couple weeks, only talking to him when needed. Rhodey starts to notice a few things about the guy, though. He rarely sleeps, he doesn’t eat enough, he talks to himself, and he loves to build things. 
One night, he overhears Tony talking to “Pepper?” – probably another nickname.“Pep. It’s not doing too great. Ty, he doesn’t talk to me. He’s got this Rumiko chick with him at all times, and she scares the crap out of me. I don’t know, I just thought he’d still want me if I went to this school, too. And I paid attention in school and tried.” His voice cracks. “Uh huh. Mmhmm. Yea, I know Pep.” He sniffs. “I miss you guys so much! Yea. There’s a few people. Steve and Nat are great. Yea, there’s a guy at the parts shop. I think, yea that’s James, I think he’s in love with the UPS guy. I’m gonna set that up. Oh Rhodey?” Rhodes stretches his ears to listen as Tony’s voice drops. “I don’t know if he’s here or not. I think he’s really cool! He’s an engineer and in the ROTC program. I don’t think he likes me much though. He won’t talk to me. Maybe I should stop talking so much. Pep, I know. But just because you like me like this doesn’t mean most people do. Ok, thanks Pep. I love you too. Tell Wasp I said hi and that she better call when she has a chance. I already left 4 voicemails.” 
He walks out of his room to see Rhodes at the table. “Oh, hi.” He fumbles with his phone. “How-how long where you out here?”
“Just came in.” Rhodes lies to see Tony’s reaction. 
He visibly relaxes. “Oh ok. You just… startled me.”
Rhodes tries to be nice to Tony after hearing this. He will make dinner and give Tony a plate when he’s on a work binge and forgets to eat. They throw ideas off of each other when experimenting for Engineering. Tony tells him about Pepper and Jan (Wasp) from Malibu. He tells him about Ty, and Rumiko, and even about James and Sam. Rhodey gets used to his nickname and end up telling Tony about his family in Philadelphia. 
Tony is very tactile. He loves so much, even if the person doesn’t love him back. Rhodey can’t believe he disliked the guy in the first place. One night in January, a blizzard held them inside their dorm. They marathoned all the Star Wars movies. Tony loves Luke while Rhodey is a huge Anakin fan. When Tony cuddles up to him, he glances timidly at Rhodey. Rhodey doesn’t react-it just feels right. Oops… he’s falling for Tony… and hard.
+++++++++++++
Rhodey’s actually being nice to him now! Tony is happy. They worked on BUTTERFINGERS together. Rhodey is great cook – his mom, too. Tony’s had many cookies that she sent up. He’s Tony’s best friend at MIT.
Tony has made several other friends. Natasha is a drama student, Steve’s in for art. Bruce, Ross's TA, is someone who can keep up with Tony’s racing brain. He’s actually interested in Tony’s project. 
James Barnes, the parts store worker, is a hoot. Tony feels bad for him, though. He was in a bad relationship that totally screwed him over, and he can’t do anything about it. Now, he really likes Sam, but he doesn’t know how to approach him. He also is convinced no one could love him (compliments of his ex) so he will not ask Sam out. Tony is determined to set them up.
James-“My name's Bucky, kid.”-'s ex is a rich man on the good side of town. Tony wants to get back at him for Bucky. Against Bucky’s knowledge, he sends a package to this Alexander Pierce. One that’s rigged to blow when opened. Two days later, when Tony is in the shop, the man comes in, furious… and with no eyebrows. 
“Barnes! I am going to kill you! I have a date tonight with a hot heiress, and you ruined it!”
Doing his best to keep from laughing, Bucky says. “Alex. I have no idea what you're talking about. What happened?”
“You know.”
“Don’t you think that if I wanted to get back at you, I’d have done it 6 months ago? I’m over it and you.”
“You’re going to regret this.” Pierce storms out of the shop. Tony bursts out laughing.
Bucky falls off his chair. “That’s freakin hilarious, but who would’ve done that?” 
“Twould be me.” Tony raises his hand. 
“I can’t believe you! Why would you…?”
“To show you he’s a big bowl of jerk. And you should not worry about what he says.” 
Bucky gives him a side hug. “You’re alright, ya know?”
Sam walks in with a package. “What’s so funny?”
“We-ahh- well, it’s none of your business!” Bucky yells, turning to Tony and cringing so Sam couldn’t see him.
“Ok… sorry I asked.” Sam grins.
“No, it’s ok. I just sent a little bomb to his ex. It was hilarious and well-deserved. He just came in spluttering like a walrus.” Tony says easily.
“Non-lethal?”
“Nope. It killed him. Deserved it. He was a jerk to our dear Buck.”
“Ok. Deserved indeed. Bucky doesn’t need jerks.” Tony can SEE the hearts in his eyes. This needs to happen.
Sam leaves and Bucky sighs. “ I am in love with him. But he’s way out of my league.”
“Lies. You just need to catch his attention. Skinny jeans - put those thighs and that butt to good use. Wear a man-bun to show those cheekbones. Bucky, you’re HOT.” Bucky blushes but follows his advice.
++++++++++++++
Bruce asks a few of the top Engineering students to join a special club headed by Ross and himself. Tony, Rhodey, Ty, and Rumiko are all members. They have to create something to present at a science fair. 
Ross is demanding and demeaning. Nothing Tony or Rumiko says goes at all. She stops past Tony’s dorm one night. “Hi. Can I come in?”
Good thing Rhodey’s not here. He’d say no. “Yea sure! We only have one couch, though.”
Rumiko sits down, and they sit awkwardly in silence. “You know, Ross doesn’t like us.”
“Yea, I’m gay and you’re female.” Tony replies.
BUTTERFINGERS rolls up, beeping happily. Rumiko smiles. “Oh my gosh! It’s so cute! A robot.”
“Yea his name's BUTTERFINGERS. I think he likes you. Here.” He hands her a ball. “Throw it. He loves fetch.” 
When she leaves, Rumiko touches his arm. “I’m sorry I was such a crappy person. Can we be friends?” 
“Sure! See you in class tomorrow?”
Rhodey is skeptical when Tony tells him. “She’s probably just using you.”
“I want to give her a chance.” He says brightly.
Class is the same the next day, but Tony brings in plans. He’s going to miniaturize the arc reactor. Ross laughs at him, but Bruce looks at the plans and believes it’s possible. This is what they’re going to do for the science fair, and if it works, Tony will go places. Ross starts taking his advice over Ty’s. He sounds like he respects his decisions. 
After two months, Tony finishes the final touches. The device starts to glow with energy. It powers all the lights in the room. It’s finally ready for the science fair. 
+++++++++++
Ross calls Tony into his office one day. “You know, if all goes well, I may ask you to lead a group I run with me. We tour the country teaching science to groups.”
Tony is interested in this so he sits to talk more. Ross stands up to pour them glasses of Scotch. “You know, you’re VERY attractive for a man.” He runs his index finger and thumb over Tony’s beard and cheekbone. 
“What are you doing?” Tony leans away.
“Oh, come on. You’re a party boy from LA. You’re as easy as they come. Do you really think you’re smart enough to be in this club?” Tony jumps up, disgusted, and runs out of the room.
He finds Rhodey in the dorm. Crying, he tells Rhodey what happened. Rhodey is furious. “You need to report him. You are the reason we’re still IN this competition.”
There’s a knock at the door. It’s Rumiko. “I thought we were both discriminated against! We were both trying our hardest to get in this! And you have to go and screw the teacher.” She accuses.
“Rumi.” “Don’t call me that.” “Rumiko. I didn’t… I didn’t do anything. I should’ve punched him in the face. I ran out instead. I wouldn’t touch that old codger even if it was the only way I could pass.”
She looks at him warily. “Then why were you in his office?”
“He offered me a job that I’m definitely NOT going to take now.” Tony fumes. “We can get him unseated. I just need you as my witness. Let’s go to the Dean.”
Ross is fired, and Bruce takes his place. Tony’s team wins the science fair. Ty comes over after the fair and asks to talk. “Tones. I made a huge mistake. I didn’t think you could be serious, but I was wrong. I dumped Rumi. Will you take me back? I’m on my knees.” 
“Ty. You know I came all this way for you, but I realize now that it wasn’t for you. It was for me to see that I don’t need or want you. I made so many friends here that I don’t regret coming, but I’m done chasing after you. Bye.”
+++++++++
Rhodey can’t believe his ears. Ty is asking Tony to come back! After all that! He can’t hear what Tony said, but he hopes he rejects him. Rhodey will not be able to bear the pain of seeing Tony with Ty. Tony walks back in the room, and Rhodey asks. “What did he want?”
“To get back together.”
“And?”
“Are you kidding me? The guy’s an idiot. Never gonna happen again. Thank you Rhodey.”
“For what? I didn’t do anything.” 
Tony hugs him. “You made me realize that I can do so much better than him. I love you Rhodey.”
Does that mean…? “I love you, too, Tones.” A moment of crackling charged air. Rhodey leans down and kisses Tony, who surges up to kiss him back. They take it to Rhodey’s room so BUTTERFINGERS can’t watch. It would feel weird if he could.
++++++++++++
“He told you he dumped me? I dumped HIS butt. Figures. I don’t know what I saw in him. And you KNOW his dad paid his way.” Rumiko rants. 
Tony cuddles up to Rhodey and laughs. “I thought as much. I’m glad you saw the light like me. I’m going to introduce you to my friends, Pepper and Jan. You’d love them.” 
Bucky and Sam visit a few days later. “I followed your advice. He definitely noticed.” Bucky rambles. “I want to thank you for all your help and for listening to my rants. You helped me see that I am capable of being loved.” 
When they all leave, Tony hears JARVIS' disembodied voice. “They all love you, Sir. I am very happy to know you.”
Tony used love and happiness to draw people in and never let them go. 
@rocknrollonthat45
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vagabonds-art · 4 years
Text
History at the Gap
Characters: Kebechet (My guardian), Saint-14, Osiris, Lord Shaxx
Word Count: 1,691
Summary: Kebe is given a broken weapon frame as a reward from the Sundial. Saint tells her were to go to fix it. Neither of them really saw Osiris butting in nor Shaxx for that matter. 
A/N: Most of the dialogue is straight from the mission, there are potions I added to tie it all together <3
Read on Ao3 HERE
A jaunt through the Sundial was nothing special. The group of five random Guardians Kebechet ran across helped her get the job done easy enough. However, what was special about this run was the fact, the Hunter received the shattered frame of a very old gun.
“A timelost weapon?” Demon asked, the small ghost materializing at her shoulder.
This weapon, if it could be called that, was one she had never seen before. For a moment, Kebechet had thought to take the frame to Shaxx, see if he knew anything on how to rebuild it. Then again, the Titan was busy running the Crucible. There was always Saint-14. A smile flashed on the Hunter’s face as she set her ship to take her back to the Tower’s hangar. It would be foolish to forego the opportunity to sit with her uncle.
She thought so at least.
Being dropped into the work space, Kebcehet hit the ground running. Her boots carrying over to the exo at the back of the hangar. His back had been to her as he sprinkled seeds down for the dozen or so pigeons that flocked at his feet. He was humming some old tune when Kebechet tapped at his shoulder.
He turned quickly, “Hunter! I almost did not see you. You’re so small, this is good makes you harder target.”
“Uncle Saint,” Kebechet laughed pulling off her helm. “It’s me.”
“Little bird,” the Titan beamed pulling the Hunter close in a tight hug.  “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“Demon and I just got done in the Sundial,” she explained, her ghost dropping the broken frame in her hands. “Papa gave us this as a... Reward? I think it was a mistake but maybe you know what it’s supposed to be.”
Saint took the gun in hand, studying it for a brief moment. “This is a piece of our history,” he said at last. “But it is destroyed.”
“Think we could fix it up?” Demon asked hovering over the weapon.
“It is possible, there could be fragments of this weapon out in the EDZ.” Saint handed the gun back, describing the pieces Kebechet would need to hunt for in the field. Reminding her to be discreet in her search, “I’ve been made aware the area is now a stage for Shaxx’s Crucible. Even if it isn’t in use today, best to keep your head low to avoid trouble.”
“You say that like I’m not small and easy to miss,” the Hunter smirked putting her helm back on.
“A little bird is as big as an eagle in a clear sky.”
“It’ll be fine,” Kebechet promised. “In and out.”
With that Guardian and Ghost were back in their ship, taking the quick jump to the lone Crucible map. She landed just as easy as it was to get there. Looking around, she realized this was--
“Welcome to Twilight Gap,” Saint said into her coms. “The place where humanity nearly died.”
“Kebechet?” Osiris spoke next, his tone of light surprise. “There are no Crucible matches scheduled for the Gap today.”
“So much for being discreet,” the hunter muttered under her breath.
“Osiris! How did you know we were here?” Saint asked while Kebechet began her search. Starting at the boulders she landed by.
There was a brief pause before the Warlock answered, “I saw her arrive.”
“You’re spying on her!?” the Titan accused, a bit too loudly.
“Uncle Saint,” Kebechet called from where she knelt beside the broken body of a forgotten Redjack. “This is supposed to be secret. The whole Tower’s gonna know if you keep shouting.”
“To clarify, I watch all Guardians of stature,” Osiris spoke, a factual tone to his voice. “And I have the right.”
“Don’t you think it’s a little creepy?” the Hunter asked tucking a piece she had found into the frame. “I get I’m your kid and all, but y’know…”
“Know what?”
“You could have told me!” Kebchet huffed walking into the old shipping building. “I’m not the most coordinated Guardian.”
“What makes you say this?” Saint asked curiously.
“I may have fell a few times in the last couple of days.”
“Little bird, there is no harm in a small stumble,” the Titan calmly replied. “All of us have fallen in our lives.”
“She tripped over a rock and fell off a cliff.” Osiris chuckled.
“You did see it!!” Kebechet shouted stomping her boot on the grated floor she stood on. The old metal gave way, dropping her to the lower level of the building. She lay flat on her back for a moment, glaring through her visor at the hole above her. “Say one word about this, I’ll kill both of you.”
Silence followed her threat. “Demon…” she called sitting up, spotting another Redjack.
“Sorry,” the ghost answered after Kebechet found another piece. “We... “ he paused trying hard not to laugh. “We had to mute ourselves.”
“Of course you did,” she sighed exploring the lower half of the building.
A short time had passed and Kebechet had found a few more parts to the weapon. She stood next to the cannon that would fire off every now and then, putting the pieces into the gun. She turned to look out at the wilderness, a breathtaking sight to anyone who took the time to see it.
“The battle against the Fallen that took place here,” Saint sighed. “It made Titan’s famous… And not in a good way.”
“You say that like the Warlocks and Hunters sat on their hands,” the third Guardian interjected defensively.
“Get off this line Osiris, I’m showing Kebe something very important.”
“Make me.”
At this, Kebechet and Saint laughed. “You would not survive that,” the Titan promised. “But… you make me laugh. You can stay.”
Looking around what appeared to be an old gandila, the Hunter found her sixth piece. As her eyes scanned the area for any more Redjacks, Saint spoke once more.
“The fabled Gjallarhorns of legend were constructed from the armor of Guardians who died here,” there was a heavy weight to the Titan’s words. Kebechet could almost feel his pain as she looked down at the fallen Redjack before her. “Final deaths... all of them.”
“What happened here wasn’t your fault,” Osiris commented with a softer tone than either Guardian was used to. “Or mine.”
“We would have lost if not for Shaxx’s last stand,” Saint reasoned. “With Nkechi and Abdi and Truce. Lui Fang. Ana. They all believed in him.”
“He’s more stubborn than you,” Osiris added, Kebechet thought she detected the hint of a smile in his voice.
“I have never known him to give up, ever,” Saint replied with a small chuckle. “Ah...He’s taught me a lot.”
“Have you thought of catching up with him?” the Hunter asked shuffling through another set of remains. “He’s always around and easy to find.”
“I will soon, little bird,” Saint promised. “I have many questions to ask of him.”
“I’m sure he’d be happy to answer them,” she smiled putting the pieces to the gun. There were still two more components missing. Part of Kebechet almost didn’t want to find them. This was fun for her, it was the closest she would get to having her family whole again. Which was why she almost groaned finding another Redjack leaning against a set of stairs.
“Kebechet,” Saint called in the comms.
The Hunter paused, ready to listen to what he had to say.
“To think when we met, you were this small scrawny thing, I could lift you with my pinky. Watching you grow and learn as you have, I should have known you’d be the Guardian to save me. Whether you wanted it or not, you’ve become the best of us. Hm... or close to it. Without you, there would be no Saint-14, the battle of Twilight Gap might have been lost.”
The Hunter smiled once more, looking out to the Traveler from where she stood. Though in her mind’s eye she wasn’t looking at the Great Machine itself, rather the people under it. For the first time in a while, she allowed herself to reflect on all that happened. From rebirth to here, it’s been one helluva ride.
The moment could have been considered perfect, that was until….
“Saint,” Osiris called next. “Your ego knows no bounds.”
“And you have a fat head, Warlock.”
Kebechet laughed at this, a full fit of mirth in her throat to the point she had to hold her sides. The way it all happened, the quick quips, it was just something she had to take in. “Now there’s a sound I haven’t heard in ages,” Saint commented.
“She laughs all the time,” Osiris sighed.
“Not like this she doesn’t,” the Titan started to laugh as well.
“Never change,” the Hunter giggled stepping into an open shipping container. There was the  last body of a Redjack. Shifting through a few parts, Kebechet found the last piece she needed. Sliding it into place on the frame, the gun flashed with a small amount of light becoming the Devil’s Ruin.
She admired it, looking it over and aiming down the sight, nearly dropping it as she jumped. “What’s all this?” Shaxx boomed in the comms. “Guardian! There are no sanctioned matches at Twilight Gap right now.”
“That’s exactly what I was saying.”
“Osiris?” Shaxx replied.
“Warlord Shaxx, as I live and breath.”
“Saint-14? I thought you were dead.”
“Brother,” the other Titan spoke seriously. “I’ve always hated you.”
The two then broke out into laughter over the comms. When they had finished, Osiris spoke up, “They’ll be a this for a while, Kebechet. Feel free to move about the universe, I’m sure you have better things to do than listen to this.”
He couldn’t have been more wrong.
“Shaxx,” Saint began. “The Crucible, what have you done with it?”
As the other Titan answered Kebechet sauntered over to a cliff edge that overlooked the city. Sitting herself down she reached into one of the pouches on her belt, pulling out a small bag of trail mix. There was no way she was going to miss this conversation.
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paellaplease · 4 years
Text
Firebird | Chap.4
Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7
Chapter 4: Seeker 
Look for the truth where the past has buried it.
*
  After exchanging a few more words with Kamori about her extended stay, the meeting concluded. Maiya bowed politely, bidding the two Ritos goodbye. Before she left, Kamori stopped her at the door, pressing an envelope to her hand. “Follow the address in this letter, my dear. The innkeeper there will take care of the rest. Winds be fair to you, hoo.” 
Maiya returned his smile, touched at his grandfatherly kindness. Her eyes briefly lingered on Revali's burnt feather before she turned away, the guilt she felt at indirectly hurting him still caught in her throat. 
She avoided Talako’s wary gaze as she stepped out of the hut, not wasting any time in making a hasty exit. One foot after another, careful not to trip, she descended the many village stairs. 
The young Enchanter released the breath she was holding as she cleared two levels. “So that happened,” She said aloud. The anxiety was creeping back in. Her heart felt like a butcher’s mallet. Thump! Thump! Thump! If her chest was a piece of meat, it would be well tenderised by now.
First order of business. She needed paper and a messenger pigeon-person-thing...Whatever they used in this village. Chief Kamori already assured her that a missive would be sent to her mentor’s private letter box first thing tomorrow morning explaining the whole situation. However, she knew that she needed to write to her mentor separately. Relaying whatever she can in great detail was of utmost importance if she wanted even a smidgen of a chance of surviving the Sheikah’s ire.  
Calm...calm. I am calm. 
Teacher was going to kill her!
Round and down she went, lost in her thoughts but aware enough to dodge around a yellow Rito child that was playing tag along the railing. Opening the note, she followed the address written at the top in Kamori’s cursive. That’s a lot of levels down . Nodding to herself, she increased her walking speed, making her way towards her accomodations for the next few weeks. 
The inn was located only a floor above the village’s main entrance, making it one of the first things travellers would see when they arrived. Like most structures situated around Valoo’s Spire, a flat platform jutted out from its doors, connecting the main arterial staircase to the wooden, circular, double-story building that was Rito Village’s one and only inn.
The building exterior was painted a deep red, with white curtains billowing from its many open windows. Planter boxes were hung up along the railings of the second floor, pink daphnes and other winter blooms peeking from their containers. 
Another staircase, though this time shorter and much more narrow with steps worn from years of use, ran flush along the inn’s side. Maiya theorised that it supposedly gave customers a means of accessing their rooms without having to pass through the reception area. That said, she was unpleasantly surprised to find that whilst most rooms were situated at the building’s second floor, the inn still offered beds on the first. In its lobby. 
...
What?
Eyebrow raised at the arrangement, Maiya tiptoed past sleeping travellers and made her way to the front desk. Tourist season must be in full swing, with most of the beds filled and a small sign above the front desk announcing a limited vacancy. A customer’s snores echoed from the corner. 
This is, um, unpleasant. She thought. But arguably not as bad as when Uncle Rohan had to crash at the forge after he and Teacher had too much to drink. Maiya grimaced at the memory. That Goron blacksmith’s snores were loud enough to wake Death Mountain...but I still wouldn’t complain if this place offers earbuds.
A burgundy Rito with a short side braid and golden hooped earrings smiled sunnily as she approached. “Welcome to Swallow’s Roost,” she whispered. 
Maiya mumbled a shy ‘hello’ back. She set her pack down and fished out her identification papers and coin purse. A leaf flew out of her open wallet. Oh damn. It was then that the Hylian realised, with much embarrassment, just how filthy she was from weeks of travel. The quick wash at the stables that morning took care of most of the grime, but her travel pack was still covered in mud and leaves. From the moment she entered the inn, she was already tracking dirt on the massive blue circular rug that covered most of the wooden flooring. 
I am the queen of good first impressions. 
“I would like to book one of your beds until the Winter Solstice, please.” Maiya said, glancing at an open bed warily, noting the thin divider between it and the traveller sleeping a few steps away. 
“Not a problem, but you won’t be placed in any of the ones down here, that is, unless you really want to,” The innkeeper said. She giggled at Maiya’s confused expression. “My apologies, let me clarify. These beds are reserved for single day travellers.”
From out of nowhere, the innkeeper pulled out a graph. It was framed, hitting the table with a dull thud . She grabbed a piece of charcoal to the side and pointed to a random line. “See here?” Maiya nodded, not sure what she was seeing. “We noticed that many visitors of our village have been on the road for quite a while and simply needed a place to rest for a few hours. By implementing this we’ve Roost Boosted our business by 15%!” The Rito grinned proudly. “It’s our solution for the short-stay traveller without breaking the bank!”
Not one to be rude, Maiya replied. “That makes sense.” So I’m not sleeping in the lobby? Nice.
The innkeeper didn’t even try to hold back an amused laugh at Maiya’s expression. “Ha! Relieved now, aren’t you? You’re adorable. My name is Cheska by the way, owner of this lovely establishment. I’m guessing you’re also on the search for a warm bath and a good meal?”
“And the softest bed you got,” Maiya said, recalling the difficult evening she had the night before.
“You’re at the right place, have you heard of our world famous Rito down-beds? Of course you have. Let’s sort you out!”
 The room was sparsely decorated in a cosy sort of way. The place was free of knick-knacks or paintings, and it soon became obvious that everything there was there for a purpose. 
On the right was a double bed and a wooden chest sitting at its foot- open, unlocked and empty. Opposite this, to the far left of the room, was a small fireplace. Stocked with logs, it was ready to be lit to ward against the later evening chill. 
Maiya pulled the cloth door further, stepping over the threshold. On the wall directly across from her was a window. The surrounding waters of Lake Totori and the leafy green Tabantha forests were visible from within its four corners. To Maiya's relief a writing desk was positioned beneath it, paper, inkwell and quill already supplied. Her mentor wouldn't have to wait too long for a response. 
The place felt untouched, as if frozen in time since the last tenant vacated. She liked it. It smelt like honey and sage. 
“Forgive us for the dust,” she heard Cheska say. The Rito swiped a few feathers on the top of the window sill, frowning at the dirt that came off it. “It has been a while since anyone’s set foot into this room. Would have offered one of our vacant newer ones too, but Chief Kamori suggested in the note that you could stay here.” 
“Where’s the original owner?” Maiya asked. 
“They left many years ago, when I was just a chick. Mama was the innkeeper at that time as I was still too young to learn the ropes.” Cheska tilted her head, earrings glinting. “I can’t really remember their face, but my ma described them as always a bit intense. 'Too many eggs in one basket makes a person go crazy, Ches!’ She would say. Whatever that means.” The Rito wiped her wing on her apron. “Wonder if that’s why they left, huh?” 
Maiya racked her brain for something to say, “Uh…”
“Anywho! Communal baths are a Spire floor up. Complimentary soap from the front desk will be handed out if you remember to cheer 'Swallows Roost Boost!' Oh! And clap twice. Don't forget that. That's very important."
She felt a headache creeping up. "Is it really?"
"Nope." Cheska grinned. "But it’d still be a good idea to have a wash before you knock-out for the day. Sorry to say it, hylianlla , but you stink!"
 The young Enchanter worked quickly to acclimate herself to her new surroundings. Whilst this was the first time she’d travelled so far outside Akkala, she knew it would be smart to be curious and observant. Everyone had their patterns, and the Ritos were no exception to this. Much like it did with enchanting, figuring out how things worked early around these parts was going to do her a lot of good in the long run. And not making a fool of herself by missing simple social cues was always a plus. 
Day one was when Maiya realised that Rito Village rose before the sun. The smell of freshly baked bread and the sounds of haggling at the markets began as early as the crack of dawn. Sitting on the railing just outside her room and picking apart her mandarin, she also found that some fruits tasted better here. 
She swung her feet. The cool mountain breeze and view were enough to brave the drop, and she surprisingly found herself at relative peace as she finished her meagre breakfast. It was a big change from earlier that morning. 
Maiya had awoken before first light, bleary eyed from another nightmare she couldn’t quite remember. Walking outside to catch her breath, she spotted a squadron of warrior Ritos flying overhead in the early twilight. She’d nearly called out and waved to them, doubtful that they would hear her anyway, but thought better of it when she caught the familiar sight of blue amongst their ranks.
The Hylian exhaled, tilting her face to the warming sunlight. Watching the sky now, about three hours afterwards, she saw a dull orange Rito depart from one of the upper floors, flying in the same direction towards the mountains. She wondered if they were a warrior too.
She bit into her fruit, chewing somberly. A warrior. She was supposed to find a worthy warrior. But how could she now when the dagger rejects one of the best fighters this village could offer? 
Perhaps I have to look harder. 
Maiya closed her eyes, the rune on her hand aching. "Where do I even start?"
On the list of tasks to complete whilst she was here, another began to weigh heavily on her mind. She remembered that Teacher said this was her opportunity to gather more information for her studies. Where books on Ancient Weaponry were limited, tomes on Enchanting were extremely rare. Most were burned, buried or lost to time when the Sheikah were subdued 10,000 years ago. 
Enduring information survived in bits and pieces, some being handed down by word-of-mouth through stories and secrets. Whilst this worked to protect knowledge, it made finding consistent techniques difficult. And with all known Enchanters aside from her and Teacher either lost, dead, or in hiding, finding instruction beyond her mentor’s library and her mentor herself felt almost impossible.
Feeling hopeless, Maiya stared at the new glove which covered her left hand, lifting it so that the eye-shaped scar underneath would be at level with her own. The rune was quieter today. She turned her hand, examining the neat seams at its sides and the small tufts of feathers which cushioned her palm. The fit was perfect. She wondered how much study and practice it would take to make something this good. 
A memory of one of her Teacher’s lectures came to mind. 
“Most Enchanters encountered in legend are Sheikah, however this does not mean that they are the only beings with an aptitude to enchant. ” Her mentor’s voice echoed in her head. She could visualise the moment easily, see the tall woman in a dark hood pace the room, her long pendant of a weeping eye lightly swinging.
“In fact, were it not for the Goron People in Eldin and the teachings they kept of their late-Enchanters, I would have never fully mastered the flame for my first weapon. Hence, I would have never become Enchanter were it not for me seeking their guidance. We are nothing without the teachings of others.”
“I am nothing without the teachings of others.” Maiya repeated, words eaten up by the cloudless sky. 
All of Teacher’s old books said that the Hebra Highlands were the original birthplace of ice enchantments. Rito Village, with its close proximity and history of keeping physical records, was her best bet in finding actual information regarding Ice Enchanting or even runes if she were lucky. She needed something , whether it be a book or an old myth. Anything to lead her in the right direction for her research. And she had no idea where to start.
Questions, questions…
“Why so glum, hylianlla? ” 
“Shit!” Maiya jumped, dropping her fruit, she tipped forward, body seconds from falling into the waters below.
“Woops! Hold on there.” A wing reached to grab the collar of her jacket, pulling her backwards.
The young woman fell onto the wooden decking behind her. She groaned, rubbing her back as she rolled and stood up gingerly. Familiar burgundy feathers, braids, and now silver triangular earrings met her gaze. “Good morning Cheska, nice earrings. Please don’t do that again.”
The Rito looked slightly apologetic, tossing her mop’s handle from one wing to another. “I’m sorry for that, you see I was just cleaning out the room next door- terrible stuff really, the man left a smell that you can’t just scrub out- when I saw you sitting here all sad looking and lonesome.” She looked a bit bashful. “I was going to leave you to your thoughts, but then you said something ominous out loud and my curiosity got the best of me.”
Note to self, don’t repeat Teacher’s top ten quotes in public. 
Cheska continued, “Were you thinking hard? I don’t think you blinked once. You looked like you were trying to set something on fire with your eyes.”
Maiya laughed dryly. “Would you believe me if I said you were not the first one to tell me this?” 
The Rito’s curious teal eyes seemed to gleam even brighter. Those apparently were the wrong words to say if she wanted the feathered woman to leave. If she didn’t before, Maiya well and truly had Cheska’s attention now. 
The innkeeper placed the mop she was holding to the side, and with a flap of her wings was over the railing and seated next to Maiya as if she’d been there the whole time. “Alright! What ails you on this fine morning, little traveller?”
Maiya sighed. Might as well . “Is there a place here that stores information?” 
“Depends,” Cheska said, holding up three feathers, lowering them with each suggestion as she ticked off a mental checklist. “Fifth floor we have a library for general stuff. Cookbooks, numeracy and literacy texts, some basic readings on science. The elders use it as a resource in the syllabus for the young’uns.” 
“If you want some political and business advice, or a long winded talk on our current economics, then ask Chief Kamori how his day is going. Don’t get me wrong, I love our fearless leader, but he needs to get out more.” 
“How about old information? Like old history?” Maiya tried. 
“Old history, huh?” Cheska went quiet for a moment, looking at the final feather she held up. “Then you should definitely see Honoka in the Archives. She knows heaps about old teachings. More than anyone else in our little llaqta. Got a whole collection on dead languages and legends not even Old Man Yieni would tell- not that he does much storytelling anymore but I digress!” 
Sounds promising . Maiya smiled. “I think that’s it, Cheska.” 
“Is it really? Oh, I’m happy to have helped. It’s the fourth level from the top by the way! Might be a difficult climb, for a Hylian I mean. A lot of stairs. Don’t get too winded on your way up. Take your time.” She pushed off the railing, flapping her wings and hovering in the air. “You don’t owe me anything by the way. Just maybe let me know if you find something interesting. Actually, definitely let me know if you find something interesting.” 
“You’ll be one of the first,” Maiya said, pushing off from the railing she was leaning on. “Thank you, Cheska. For the help and the directions.” 
“Not to worry, Miss Maiya!” She did a somersault in the air, and dipped down past her sight. A few seconds later she resurfaced, picking up her mop and buckets with her talons. “Oops forgot these! The things a girl would do to get some good gossip around here. Good luck, hylianlla! You’ll need it! ”
Maiya took Cheska’s advice, ascending the spire whilst taking time to enjoy the village with a more wakeful and less anxious mind than the one she had yesterday. A range of colourful shops and little wooden houses were found on every level. It was refreshing to see how open everything was. Doors were mostly long pieces of cloth, rolled up to air out the home and let the wind in. Children ran to and fro, some who were old enough to fly zipping around the clotheslines. There was so much laughter in the air. Their elders sat and gossiped on the front porch, a few leaning out their windows or resting in their rocking chairs. 
It was loud, full of energy, and Maiya loved it. 
There’s an antique store on this level. The pottery is so beautifully shaped! Are those little clay wings?
A jewellry shop. The fine details are so exquisite! I wonder how they got the metal to bend like that without snapping?
A tavern! I’ve never been to a tavern before! 
Distracted by the sights, it took her an extra few minutes to reach her destination.
Meeting the Head-- and only-- Archivist of Rito Village, Master Honoka, was, well for lack of a better word, interesting. A security gate behind the main cloth door rattled and shook as the Rito Elder unlocked it, pulling it back in a single motion. She peered at Maiya through the thick glasses which rested at the top of her beak, cautiously taking in the appearance of the small human woman who awkwardly stood at her doorway. Even whilst leaning on an ornate silver cane, the Rito stood three heads taller, practically towering over her. “Unfortunately, we don’t take walk-ins,” the old woman said. Her voice was intelligent, educated, and extremely tired. 
“I’m not here to sight-see,” Maiya said. “Are you...are you the Archivist?” She shuffled in place, willing herself not to stare at her shoes. “If so, nice to meet you. Do you have any texts on arcane weaponry? Something that mentions blue-energy, or ice magic?” 
Master Honoka expression softened, but her grip on the gate did not waver. “I’m sorry, hylianlla , but the Archives do not welcome tourists anymore. If you wanted to know how to make ice arrows however, I suggest you see the bowyer a level down. Though don’t get his shop mixed up with the blacksmith’s, that bird is a gruff one. Now have a good day.” She shuffled back, pulling the gate to shut her out.
Her rune flashed. “Wait!” Maiya said, unsheathing the flame dagger. Its orange gleam was as bright as ever, catching the morning light. Her hands shook minutely as she presented it in front of her in a nervous hurry. 
Perhaps shoving a knife with little explanation in front of an elderly lady was a bad idea, she thought. Honoka’s eyes widened, a small gasp escaping her beak. She gripped her cane tightly. Maiya’s gloved hand warmed. She panicked, wondering if it was going to hit her. However, as the Elder advanced, her eyes caught the light of the red flame, feeling the radiant heat which ran under the metal of the dagger. The rito stopped, eyes widening in recognition. “Enkantada,” Honoka whispered. 
In an instant, the door was pushed back. Maiya jumped as a wing wrapped around her wrist, quickly pulling her into the hut. 
Immediately, the familiar smell of dust and books filled her senses. Maiya blinked, looking up. All around her, covering the walls and reaching the ceiling, were shelves upon shelves of precious books. 
The collection was massive . 
Maiya gasped. A part of her, the giddy childlike excitement at discovering something new, jumped for joy. It’s like she was standing in the middle of a perfect storm. Some books were hardbound, the titles on many of their spines in languages she’d never heard of before. Others were nothing but just paper and twine, on the verge of falling apart and standing on their last legs. She saw books with paper backs, and books wrapped in animal skins. The top of her banada felt warm, with beams of white, dusty daylight shining from the oculus above her. 
Someone cleared their throat. Maiya whirled around. The elderly rito stood only a few steps away, cane outstretched. The metal stick nudged at the arm which held the dagger, lifting it up higher to the dusty light that filtered in from the glass ceiling. 
“Who are you?” Honoka said, cautious yet not unkind. She reached for a dial at the side of her glasses, turning it. The lenses on her spectacles moved and folded into a focal point, magnifying her vision. She leaned forward, examining the dagger with a critical eye. “An Enchanter? I can’t believe it. I thought there was only one of you left.”
Maiya’s shoulders sank, sinking the dagger back into its sheath. “Two now, actually. I was only given the title a few weeks ago. I’m sorry for the confusion.” 
“It’s no trouble, dear,” Honoka said. “I apologise as well, we’ve had an issue the past few months with thieves. The Yiga Clan have been pretending to be travelling scholars looking for precious, old books in our collection. We’ve lost many in the past month and I didn’t want to take the risk.”
“That sounds terrible.” 
“It is,” Honoka said, looking close to tears. She sniffed, squaring her shoulders. “Nevermind that. What brings you here, Young Enchanter? 
“I’m learning how to enchant Ice Weapons. Someone told me that you’re a collector of old knowledge.”
“I’m a historian and archivist, enkantada. Not an antiquarian. However, yes, I believe I might have something along those lines.  And who was this Rito that directed you here?”
“The innkeeper.”
Master Honoka sighed, taking her glasses off and rubbing her head. “Of course it was Cheska. That girl never has the sense to not stick her beak where it doesn’t belong, especially if she can get a story out of it.”
“Do you know her?”
The old rito hobbled to the middle of the room, cane glinting in the early afternoon light. “She’s my niece.” She tapped her cane to the ground, giving the floor two experimental wacks.
Maiya stood to the side, not quite sure what was going on anymore. “Uh...what are you doing?”
The Archivist raised her cane over the floor once again, stabbing its end into a barely noticeable hole in the planks. She twisted the cane and stepped back, lifting up a long piece of floorboard. It came away easily, nailed-in less tight in comparison to the others. 
Underneath there seemed to be a deep gap in the floor, holding what looked like four mysterious rectangular stacks. 
Maiya bent down to get a better look. The inside was dusty, probably from having not seen the light of day in several years. As she moved closer, she realised that the stacks she saw were actually books, all faded and leather bound. 
“Many years ago,” Honoka said, looking down at the cobweb covered tomes. “I was asked to burn these. Me, being the stubborn woman I was back then, followed my heart and decided to hide them instead.” 
“Why?” 
“Knowledge is never supposed to be destroyed,” she said, looking at Maiya seriously. “We should not fear mistakes nor the things we don’t fully understand. If we did, then we would never learn from our shortcomings and continue making regretful decisions.” She turned away, walking towards a back room. “I will be in my study, the tomes are free for you to peruse. Let me know if you don’t understand anything, I have a few cipher guides you might find useful.”
“Thank you, oh wait!” Maiya couldn't help her curiosity. “Who asked you to burn them all those years ago?” 
Honoka paused before she closed the door. Her back was turned, the intricate weaving and patterns of her multicoloured shawl contrasting with the pale peach-almost white of her feathers. 
“It was the King of Hyrule, young Enchanter.”
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boogiewrites · 6 years
Text
Choking On Sapphires 17
Title & Song:  No. 1 Party Anthem
Characters: Alfie Solomons x Genevieve (OFC)
Word Count: 4700+
Summary: Genevieve is a force to be reckoned with. An intelligent, independent and brutal businesswoman. She’s been intrigued by Alfie since she met him. But where will she draw the line between business and pleasure now that they are working so closely together? Growing more comfortable with each other, will Gen showing her true self work to her advantage or be her undoing?
A/N: Every chapter of this story will have a song to work as the title and as a soundtrack. Chapter song is No. 1 Party Anthem bu Arctic Monkeys. The songs give a good background to the stories and have some further insight into the characters. Positive feedback is MUCH appreciated! Reblogs, likes and comments feed this artists beast to write more!
Part 1: Thieves & Kings.- Pt. 2 Conquest - Pt. 3 Nail In My Coffin - Pt. 4 - 60 Feet Tall Pt. 5 I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor Pt. 6 Stop The World Pt 7 Making A Fool Of You Pt 8 L'Amour et la violence Pt 9 Play With Fire Pt 10 Black Treacle Pt 11 These Stones Will Shout Pt 12 Fireside Pt 13 Trouble Pt 14 Tighten Up Pt 15 Sympathy For The Devil Pt 16 Don’t Speak Pt 18 She’s Thunderstorms
My Masterlist.
Tags! Let me know if you’d like to be added or dropped! Thanks!
@fangirlfreakingout @jaegeeeeer @cosettewinchester​ @lookuptheskyisfalling-blog @brianaisasongbird @cry5t4l-w4rri0r​ @iliveonchocolateandnetflix​ @jess2464 @hardygal69​ @thegarrisonpublichouse @a-flock-of-angry-pigeons​ @pootle @negansdirtygirl22 @musingsby-night 
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Alfie?" you call out, walking down the hall towards his study.
"In 'ere!" he calls out as you move through the doorway."I know that tone, what do you want, Genny?" he says, his eyes moved up to meet you as you stepped closer, his head still down.
You give a small pout in defeat, shrugging and sitting on the desk, facing him on his side just to his right. "Do you like the opera, Alfie?" you ask, your face towards him, your eyes on the window behind him.
"Is this a loaded question?" he asks bluntly, looking at you over his glasses.
"There's one this weekend I want to see and I don't have any friends here who like the opera and I don't want to go alone." you explain, your posture slumped.
"And?" he says,  holding his ear closer to you waiting for where he came into this plan.
"And if you like the opera I was hoping you would go with me." you state plainly.
"Is this how you ask men out on dates?" he teases you with a glance.
"If I were asking you out on a date, believe me, you'd know Solomons," you say patronizingly. "I said friends, didn't I?"
"Oh? We still friends?" he chides, his eyes looking to your crossed arms and legs, referring to your closed off body language.
"Don't be daft, we've BEEN friends." you smack the back of your hand against his arm. "It's Saturday night in London," you say with a sigh. "Romeo et Juliette. I can get us a box if you want to go." you state with upturned palms.
"Oh, you payin', eh? You are taking this girl out for a nice night innit ya?" he says with a chuckle.
"If you could stop giving me shit and give me an answer that would be much appreciated." you lightly scold, crossing your arms back and groaning. "Otherwise I'll have to take Claire and she's miserable company since she hates these sorts of things." you shake your head in defeat.
"Eh," he says scrunching up his face and humming. "I've not been to the opera in ages," he says, narrowing his eyes at you as if he's still considering his words. "Of course I'll go with ya," he says very obviously. "I'll get the tickets, you just get dressed up and we'll be good as gold, yeah?" he says, holding his glasses in his hand, moving them in your direction. His eyebrows are up and his face holds a warm glance laced with condescendence that expressed itself in his tone. "Can't have ya goin' 'n gettin' cross on me now, luv.?" he says patting your hand that rests on the desk.
"Like pulling teeth with you," you say, you lean down over him, your hands on his shoulders. "Thank you, you complete ninny." you say warmly as you kiss the top of his head. You make your way around the desk.
"Why don't you use this as an excuse to wear that long sapphire necklace you've been keepin' locked up, eh?" he suggests, as soon as he'd placed in back into the drawer he instantly regretted not having you try it on first.
"Would that be a bit much?" you ask, your voice aloof, turning to face him.
"Did I hear Genevieve Greene ask if something would be "a bit much'?" he says with a scoff. "And here I was, thinking I was gonna show you off at my club but clearly you aren't the woman I thought you were." he says with a shrug an exaggerated frown.
"When did you get a club, Alfie?" you say approaching the desk with quick steps, your hands now resting on top of it.
"Had it awhile, Gen, I've just kept my involvement quiet because I thought it best for keeping the place the same." he says in a lower voice.
You stand looking over his head, in thought for a moment. "Do I get to drink for free if I show up with the boss?" you say with a cheeky grin.
"You show up with me you can do whatever the fuck ya want, luv." he says with a rumbling chuckle as he looks up at you over his glasses. ----------------------------- The door to your bedroom is open and so is the door to your wing. You hear Alfie calling for you from the front lobby, barking rushed commands at you. You're not actually running behind but he seems to just enjoy giving you a hard time. He's looking out of the window by the door.
Claire brings out your fur shawl to Alfie before she heads out for the night herself. He throws it over his shoulder to hold it. "You are taking her to see Romeo and Juliet?" she says with a smirk, her hands on her waist.
"More like I was guilt tripped and I'm making the best of it." he says with a slow laugh.
"She doesn't leave one with much of a choice when it comes to what she wants, does she?" she says with the tone of teasing in her voice. "Don't let her drink too much before she watches the show." she suggests, moving towards the door and pulling on a hat.
"Why?" he asks, his head tilting back to show his concern.
"Gen connects with art in an emotional way," she says quietly. "She's more inclined to believe in romance when it's in the form of art as opposed to real life." she shakes her head, it leans against the edge of the opened door with a sigh. "So her emotional connection to romance performances, particularly tragic ones, will break her heart." she smiles warmly as she speaks, leaning away from the door. "So if she's drunk she might turn into a melancholy mess on you." she laughs.
"Thanks for the warnin'." he says, thankful Claire seemed to be warming up to him.
"Well as we both know she's a handful. I don't want her to make a fool of herself because I'll have to deal with the consequences," she admits with a grin. "She looks like some sort of fallen angel tonight, Mr. Solomons." she pauses, giving him a mischievous grin. "If you aren't careful, you'll be the one getting your heart broken tonight instead." the same grin still in place upon her face as she gives him a nod and she heads out the door.
He clears his throat, being left alone in the room. His brow furrows in thought at Claire's words. His eyes wander the room, he knew you'd look beautiful, you always did. Perhaps she was just trying to mess with his head, she seemed like the type. He was also surprised to hear of your view on romance, his lip juts out slightly at the passing thought. He knew you loved art but didn't know that in all your hopelessly romantic words you'd spilled about things you loved, that that's where the feelings stopped. He thought you seemed like the physical embodiment of romantic notions, soft and surprising, mysterious with an underlying threat of pain. He wonders who hurt you in such a way and if it was repairable. He corrects his posture and moves the lace curtain away from the window to look out at the setting sun.
"Genevieve, what am I supposed to tell the boys when they ask why I'm late? Sorry, the Lady was takin' her sweet time gettin' ready 'an I had to wait for her. They can't know I'm waitin' 'round on you, Gen, don't make me look bad darlin'." he's lamenting out the window, seemingly just to hear himself speak and you're standing in the lobby and he's not even noticed you've arrived.
You're pulling on the black opera length gloves onto your arms as he looks over to you.
"Fuckin' 'ell." he groans softly, his eyebrows shooting up slowly as his bottom lip hangs slack, exposing his bottom row of teeth. Claire was right to have warned him.
"You told me to dress up," you say in defense of his out of character silence. "So I did." you say, holding your arms out. You're wearing a black, floor-length gown. The top is made of layers of stretching fabric, gathered at the waist, the bottom blooms out just slightly over the swell of your hips in more black layers of chiffon and tulle panels, giving a peak of your legs if you dared to do such a thing. The diamond linked chain ran down the center of your chest, the sapphire pendant hitting just between your breasts. The dress was low cut to perfectly outline the necklace, the lowest point directly below the pendant, the sides cut close so you weren't entirely falling out of your dress. Aggie had deemed showing the inner lines of your breasts too much. Claire had surprisingly approved. On anyone else, the dress wouldn't have looked so suggestive, but because of the size of your chest, these cuts always came across as more scandalous. But you only had to consider your own opinion and you looked stunning and felt generous to the eyes of public tonight.
His head is shaking back and forth as he walks towards you. "I can't take you to the club lookin' like this now can I?" he says, his arm extending out towards you. "You show up lookin' like this and make every other woman feel inferior and they won't come back after taking a hit to their self-esteem like that, yeah?" he teases, standing with outstretched arms in adoration. You pat his cheek, covered in the beard you'd missed, thickened out again and plush under your gloved fingers. "O that I were a glove upon that hand." he coos at you, his hand moving to cover yours on his face.
"Ay me, Alfie." your upper lip shows your front teeth, your tongue peeking out just slightly after you rolled out the words in a deep tone. Your voice is scolding but completely overshadowed in an absolutely feminine display of amusement, including you touching your hair as you spoke. "You can stop using that mouth in such a way right now." you say in a sound that could almost be described as a giggle.
"Nah," he says in a gruff sound, shaking his head down at you. He could tell his words had caught you off guard. He drops his hand from yours to move across your hip to the small of your back as he leans in and kisses your cheek. In the close moments, the heat of him willing your eyes to close, you note how divine he smells. "You look absolutely stunning, sweetheart." he purrs in a way that gives you goosebumps as he pulls away.
"So nice of you to notice," you graciously accept his praise. You reach up to smooth out the collar on his jacket. "You look terribly handsome, don't you?" He gets a good look at you up close, your face surrounded by long hanging pieces of hair, the top half pulled away from your face. Your lashes are long and dark but your lids otherwise bare. A strong brow sets your face with an equally severe dark red lip. "I know to lose your wardrobe had to be difficult but I am loving these new suits," you say, dusting off the sleeve of his black jacket. Your hand trails down his arm to his hand where you inspect his rings. "Still have the one I got you, I see," you smirk. "Of course I do, you have exceptional taste, Gen." he speaks softly at you, voice praising you as you work his fingers with yours, his hand looking huge between yours. He's amused by your focused eyes and the ease with which you touched your bare skin to his.
"I love this one. Is it obsidian?" you ask, you twist a ring on his finger, a huge black stone set in gold.
"It is." he nods proudly at you, he had been so relieved to find that you weren't just blessed with good taste in jewels but also had a substantial knowledge of them.
"I love Obsidian," you whisper, letting his hand go, your fingers start to dig through your purse.
"Forged from the fires of hell much like yourself, eh?" he playfully suggests. You let out a hum of agreement, fluffing the fur around your shoulders. You look up and nod with a cheeky smile he's relieved to see holds no sadness at his suggestion. "Especially in this tonight, luv." his voice is low and suggestive and you love his gravel tone when he sees you like this. "If I may ask, what does a succubus do with a man's soul after she takes it?" he lets out a big laugh as you playfully shove his shoulder.
You take out a sweet and pop it into your mouth. "I use them to become increasingly powerful," you say slowly, your voice deep and rich. "So I can bewitch more and more powerful men each time, taking down each empire as I travel through time," you say with an animated shake of your head, your arms out and moving dramatically. You say it as if it were obvious, as you walk towards the door. "That old chestnut." You offer him a candy and he gives you a judgemental look but takes it and pops it into his mouth.
"You ever thought of writin' instead of paintin'?" he inquires, watching your lips pucker as you suck on the candy in thought as he pulls back the door, you feel the heat of his hand on your back as you take your time in your heels down the stone steps to the waiting car. His hand holding your elbow out of courtesy as your hold up your long dress.
"I have. But I much prefer to paint. Writing uses up too much of my brain and painting helps me relax. Well," you huff out a laugh as you walk. "When it's going well it does." you say with a smirk.
"So your hobbies purposes are to relax?" he asks, you give a casual nod.
"In our line of work I find it critical to have hobbies that can level me out. Without my outlets I can be pushed to behave much like a little girl in a tiara," you say with an amused hum of a laugh at your example. "I'm an adorable pout but don't get near me because I don't know what I want but I do know I love to scream and cry for ANY reason." you laugh at your self-deprecating humor.
"Little girl in a tiara." he shakes his head with a mischievous grin. "Would you hit me if I said that was a perfect description of your tantrums."
You give his arm a light smack. "Is takin' the piss out of me your hobby?" you ask loudly, your eyes rolling as you adjust your dress.
"You said it not me, dinnit ya sweetheart?" his appearance is entirely smug and it doesn't seem to fade for the duration of the car ride. ----------- From the moment he takes your hand to help you out of the car, you don't go without feeling the heat of it on you until you've slid into a booth. He moves you with the gentle suggestion of his hand against your back. It wouldn't have felt so important if your back hadn't been exposed from the cut of your dress. Everyone knows him. Everyone greets him with respect filled nods and he hands out his thanks for coming to them all. When asked who you are, he lets you answer. The only thing he speaks on behalf of you on is saying you were both old friends when asked how you knew each other. You share a glance and the sentiment behind the words as he waits for you to settle into your seat when a man comes up behind him. "You have a moment, Mr. Solomons?"
"No. I don't." he says, only giving the man a glance. You don't hide the smirk on your face from the pleasing feeling of being held in importance.
"It's important business, sir." the man says quietly but with a pleading tone.
"So's this, yeah?" he says, finally turning to him. He sighs after the shorter man just continues to insist. He groans and turns to lean into you, still seated on the edge of the seat of the curved booth. "I'm going to go tell these boys to fuck off, right luv?" he grumbles, his hand resting on your shoulder for a moment. "I'll be right back. Don't go nowhere now." he says with a wink, adjusting his jacket but the collar. He disappears into a hallway and you wait. ------------ He isn't gone long, enough time for you to be brought a drink and have a man who is of no interest to you sit on the other side of the booth. Alfie comes swaying out of the room, clearly miffed as his lip has disappeared under his mustache.
He can tell you're not enjoying yourself as he stomps towards you, his stance wide as he glares down at the man speaking to you. "Excuse you?" he says, that power you remember from the first night you met him hitting you like waves on the shore. You smile up at him first, then shift your eyes to the man who has just stopped speaking to you. "Ya wanna tell me why ya in my club, sittin' in my booth talkin' to my friends, mate?" he asks, shifting his weight on his feet.
"I'm sorry Mr. Solomons, I didn't know." he says, with no real respect behind the words, shooting you a dirty glance before slinking away.
"Right." he groans out, his eyes watching the man as he moves away. "He weren't bothering you was he?" he asks, a finger pointed in his direction, a single eyebrow raised.
"No." you say dismissing the idea with a swipe of your hand.
"Good," he says with a nod, moving towards you. "Scoot on in now." he says, shooing you farther into the booth and you do as requested.
"Don't want you having to deal with other men when ya out with me. Least I can do to let ya enjoy yerself. Ya deal with that enough wif work." he grumbles out.
"You're being sweet again Alfie, watch yourself." you say in a low warning tone, but delivered with a warm smile.
"Shall I ruin the illusion?" he gives an entirely naughty look before glancing around the room and leaning back in towards you. "Your tits tonight, woman, holy hell." your mouth opens in a fully playful scoff and your eyes narrow at him. "You sure you didn't need Claire here tonight to wrangle in that crackin' set?" you kick him under the table.
"Alright. Not so sweet now." you say with a dismissive look, rolling your eyes, still laughing.
"Because I'd be more than willing to help ya out wif that if ya-" you reach down to grab his hand, bending his fingers back towards his arm with a smile and he grunts and frowns at you. "Some fun you are." he says in that gritty tone, now being delivered with a pout.
You look down at his hand before it retreats. You see the roughed up knuckles that weren't there when you left home. You shoot him a knowing glance and he realizes what you've deciphered. "Guess it was urgent business." you infer with a quiet voice.
"It weren't nothin'." he says ending the line of discussion with a more somber look.
You don't even want to pry, you just enjoy the thought of his ability to go from punishing someone just a few rooms away and back to you with his usual charm so smoothly.
"What made you want to buy a club?" you inquire, sipping your drink after a few moments of silence.
"Well, it's money innit?" he says with a half smile.
"You didn't strike me as the type to want a club, but I've been wrong before." you say with a slight shrug.
"It's got its perks. Buying one that's already successful, 'ats how ya do it, yeah? Mix some high end, some low end. Get ya booze 'an music 'n everyone's drunk on the idea of possibility and danger and my product. Makes for willing pockets." he nods. "What about you? You'd be a good owner, floatin' about 'an gettin' all the attention." he gives you one of those more charming smiles he used to disarm you when he would push your buttons with his words.
"I thought about it but it's not for me." you dismiss with a crinkle of your nose. "I'd like to own an art gallery though." you say with little hesitation, he can tell you've thought about this before.
"Ah well that would suit you better wouldn't it?" he nods in agreement.
"Better for hiding money, one would assume," you say casually. "When I'm asked how I make so much money, I can say you can't price art, the viewer is called to pay what the art demands," you say with dramatic flair as if you're delivering the line to this imaginary inquisitor. "Set the price to what you need it to be in the books." you shrug and give a definitive sweep of your hand.
"You always been so good at talkin' your way out of situations?" he says with a teasing tone.
"Does it matter?" you ask, a smile to match his tone. "Have you always been so good at spinning those pretty words, Solomons?" you retort.
"Yes. I have." he says with that charming delivery that makes you want to believe anything he says. You hope he found your charm as disarming as you did his from time to time. ---------------------------------- You settle into your box overlooking the stage. The seats were great, it wasn't where you'd sat the last time you'd been here but you think you'd prefer it over it anyway. You're snuggled into the plush velvet, benched, curtained box. High half walls form a  barrier between you and the other audience members. You're mostly hidden as you both sink into the surprisingly cozy space. As you pop another sweet and take out your theater binoculars, you take in the grand three-tiered room. Everything washed in a warm tone from the lights reflections of the gold columns and filigree.
"Have you been here before?" he asks, his knees resting on his elbows, eyes moving over the crowd below.
"I've been here twice previously. My Freddie has come to visit me since I've moved and he's taken me out."
"And who is this Freddie and why is he yours?"  he prys, his delivery remaining casual.
"Freddie Weber is a designer and dear friend of mine from Germany."
"How you know him?"
"He's from Berlin and that's where we met when I lived there."
"Lived in Berlin, did ya now?"
"Yeah, before Paris. When I was still very green and pushing myself entirely too far in my pursuit of life's pleasures in my expression of rebelliousness." you hum in amusement at the thought of who you were then. So much could change in such few years. You were at the point in your life now where you were hoping the few years wouldn't bring as much change. You were now seeking out stability for the first time in your life and you still had mixed feelings about your mature approach to the future. "Freddie was around for this wild period and being the indulgent one himself, and that, in addition to fashion and being attracted to men in common we became fast friends." You knew the real answer he was looking for was whether you were sleeping with Freddie. And the question to anyone who knew the man would elicit a booming laugh.
"So even wilder than you are now?" he teases, side-eyeing you with a smug half-smile.
"Alfie, darling, I am a nun compared to who I used to be." you say with an overly charming, rolling, laugh, your hand on his knee out of habitual charm. You continue laughing at yourself, both your hands back in your own lap as the house lights lower.
He leans in closer to you, whispering. "I'll be askin' you about them wild days later. Ya not off the hook after sayin' all that." You smile but don't look away from the stage, patting his knee.
"Only if I get some of your wild stories." you hold out your free hand, the other holding the binoculars, to him to shake and he lets out a chuckle at you and shakes. "Now shush, you'll make me miss it." you whisper. He retracts his chin at your bossy tendencies as he lets a hint of a smirk stay on his face as he side-eyes you. As the curtain rises it illuminates your face with the swell of the violins. It holds no tension, set so delicately indifferently with your eyes shining and giving away your emotions. At some point, something on the stage pulls his eyes from you. His attention is drawn back to you acts later when you lower your binoculars. He wasn't sure if your lip was trembling or if you were reciting all the words as they were said, but your face was wet with tears regardless. He doesn't even try to stop the small smile that appears on his face watching you giving yourself over to these feelings. It didn't seem like something you did very often, showing your true emotions on your face in such a raw way. He felt as if he was seeing something he shouldn't, and that made it that much harder to look away. As the final scenes play out, on occasion you'd gulp and let out a tiny little, broken gasp as more tears fell.
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(Statue of Lady Of Sorrows, Franciso Romero Zafra)
He offers you his handkerchief, not saying a word and you let out a tiny huff of a laugh. He knows it's meant for him from the fleeting smile the passes your lips as you take it from him, and with your other hand, take his and pull it towards you. He moves closer, taking his hand away and you let out a grunt, turning to face him to see where he'd went. His hand rests behind you on the seat, he offers you his other hand and you look at it quickly and take it as you dab your face with the other. Both your hands hold his, clasped in your lap, as you watch the stage intensely, your brows and eyes in constant minuscule movements. You let out a ragged sigh at the deaths, while he's watching the stage from behind your head, over your shoulder. He turns to see you one last time as your fingers squeeze into his hand. He knew your nails would leave small red half-crescent moons on his skin but he couldn't bring himself to care. Your lashes flutter, dark and wet over slightly flushed cheeks, gleaming with still wet trails of tears. The emotion from your heavy exhales as you look up for a moment, closing your eyes before returning them to the stage with a shaky inhale.
You catch him looking at you, turning to face him as he pulls his hand from the grip you still held on it. You expect him to make fun of you. That was the reaction you were accustomed to at this point. But instead, the house lights still low, the stage still covered, he reaches out and wipes away your tears. One side with his thumb, the other the back of his hand.
"I know. It's devastatin' innit, luv?" he says in such a sweet and gentle way it makes your eyelashes flutter in surprise. You nod and swallow. You could swoon at the words in your state, but a sigh escapes instead. You couldn't help but have a fleeting notion that he wasn't talking about the play.
You turn back and blot your face again as the lights come up. He loses the company of the weeping angel he'd grown so hypnotized by as you clear your throat and he watches that heartbreak fade away from your eyes.
Pt 18 She’s Thunderstorms
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hillywooddestiel · 6 years
Text
The Retreat- Chapter 3
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Characters: Ceo!Bucky x Reader
Warnings: lil bit of language, angst
Word Count: 1.2k
Series Description: Y/N Y/L/N: determined business woman, sought after by most businesses, creative visionary for advertising. She has it all. Or so she thinks. Life has a way of kicking you sideways when you least expect it, want it or are in anyway prepared for it. Numerous times. How can Y/N remain from cracking under the pressure when her career isn’t the only thing on the line and everything isn’t all that it seems?
A/N: I missed an upload I’m so sorry! I was busy yesterday evening so I got home late and completely forgot. But I’m here now with chapter 3 so all is good! If you would like to follow me on Wattpad and read this story as an OC it’s Hillywooddestiel (same as here) xx Series Masterlist  Marvel Masterlist
Story:
My whole body feels numb. Like an out of body experience where I’m just watching what happens through someone else’s eyes. Did I really eat all that ice cream? When did I become such a cliché? I can see India everywhere in the apartment despite the fact that she completely cleared the place of her belongings: she’s sat on the island in the kitchen watching me cook breakfast for the two of us, she’s fast asleep on the couch with an open book resting on her chest waiting for me to come home, she’s in the shower singing along to the radio without a care in the world, she’s… she’s… she’s gone. And what am I left with? Nothing, absolutely nothing! No explanation, no justification, nothing!
I hate it.
Despite everything, I manage to pack my own suitcase for the trip without breaking down into tears more than five times. There’s not one but two bottles of wine tucked underneath my t shirts and another of tequila wrapped up in a hoodie. You know, for emergencies. Wanda arrives shortly after 9 at my apartment, immediately squeezing me with a hug until I have to tap her and remind her I need to breathe.
“You doing okay?”
“Honestly, no. But I couldn’t let you bunk alone all week now, could I?” I joke but she can see right through me and my appearance of holding it together.
“Y/N/N , you don’t have to pretend to be fine for other people! If you don’t want to come, I’m sure they’ll understand.” Wanda smiles weakly, searching to make eye contact.
“No, I don’t think it’d do me any good sitting around alone all week. A holiday will be good. Fresh air and all that.”
“Okay… Well we haven’t got all day so, let’s get on that open road!”
Wanda grabs one of my bags to speed up our descent of the stairs and leads the way to her car parked out front. The sun is glaring on the windows so I don’t notice the extra passenger at first.
“Oh, are we giving Pietro a ride too?”
“Of course! We share the car, it’d be rude to make him take the train.” She shrugs. I pause in my tracks, giving her a funny look. How long has she been keeping this secret from me? “He’s my brother, Ava. Stop giving me that face.” Wanda doesn’t have to turn to know I’m frowning at her.
“That makes more sense…”
“Hey Y/N! Scarlet made me let you ride shotgun so, you’re in the front.” Pietro huffs, checking his phone for messages.
“Scarlet?” I turn to Wanda add she starts the ignition.
“Oh, it’s his silly nickname for me. I dyed my hair red at the start of college so he started calling me Scarlet. He dyed his gray so feel free to call him Quicksilver.”
“Please don’t!” Pietro whines, kicking his legs up onto the two empty seats beside him.
“Hey! Seatbelt please.” Wanda scolds him from the front seat while her brother grumbles some more. Well this should be a fun car ride.
“So tell me do you wanna go? Where it’s covered in all the colored lights. Where the runaways are running the night. Impossible comes true, it’s taking over you. Oh, this is the greatest show!” Wanda and I belt out the chorus with passion, nearly drowning out the stereo completely whilst Pietro turns up his own music higher to try and ignore us. We’ve been on the road for nearly 6 hours now, having stopped for an hour for lunch at a roadside diner, and all I can see out of the windows is fields, farms and forests-we must be nearly there by now.
“Can you guys please stop! I’m gonna be deaf by the end of this.” I take pity on the poor man and turn down the music, reaching for my phone out of my pocket. 14:56.
“What’s the name of the place again?”
“Err… Atlas Forest Park. ” Wanda answers sarcastically as though it should be obvious. I start to scroll through my phone, looking at search results when she nudges me harshly.
“What?! Oh.” We’re here. In front of the car, clear as day, is a freaking huge wooden sign with Atlas Forest Park written in red paint. I guess the holiday begins now.
Wanda shouts after me for the fifth time in as many minutes.
“I’m coming!” I lie, double knotting my shoes and spraying myself head to toe in insect repellent before finally stepping out of the cabin door.
“Finally! I was beginning to think you’d never be ready.” Wanda laughs, leading the way to the forest path with a skip in her step. Ah to be young and carefree! Meanwhile, I’m far behind, dragging my feet along the gravel still feeling sorry for myself- as of yet the fresh air is not making me feel better.
There are a lot of trees here: they’re all packed together tightly either side of the winding downward slope creating an illusion of a much later time of day. Birds jump from branch to branch in the overhead canopy, catching my eye every once in a while. Their song is quite pleasant, quiet and peaceful and not at all irritating unlike the pigeons I’m used to. I’ll admit, this place is aesthetically pleasing. But pretty foliage will never distract me from the aching empty feeling in my chest that hasn’t left since a certain cowardly bitch provided the relationship equivalent to a punch in the gut. Calling her creative names briefly helps me to feel better. Punching the wall works best though my knuckles disagree. This sucks!
“Alright, every one’s finally here! Let’s get right into it! We’ve already taken all of your names and assigned you partners and teams for the week. You’ll complete all of the assault courses, challenges and exercises with your teammates to earn points and the team with the most points by the end of the week will win a prize. Is everyone ready?” the very overly excited camp leader tries to get us all excited, clapping her hands together for effect. Most people look happy to be here, especially Wanda with her neon pink sweatband around her head, but there are a few who look to be like me- thoroughly miserable and wishing they were somewhere else. Most understandably, Barnes has a face that could turn milk sour with a tense demeanor.
“Listen up y'all! We’re gonna read out the list now so get ready to find your partners!” Wow, very Texan. And it’s almost like this guy is taking to children. Still, we all listen as he reels off the list, people drifting around the small crowd to find their assigned teammate. Nat gets paired with Steve who gives Barnes a sorry look before going to collect a pair of colourful tabards from a blue waterbutt. Wanda’s is called along with Vis, whom the camp staff have no hesitation about his name, and she looks me like I’m some wounded puppy before joining him, choosing a fetching set of red and blue striped vests. Still the pairing up continues, the crowd thinning to only a handful of people, to only two people.
“And last, but by no means least, Y/N is in a pair with James!” Fuck!
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edgy-fluffball · 6 years
Text
A Trip Down Memory Lane
I really wanted to post a birthday fic and now it’s almost midnight over here. Better late than never, I guess. The whole ordeal can be found on ao3, as well.
If you work with stubborn people long enough, they are bound to rub off on you. The same applies to people you went through hardships with. Therefore, it was only reasonable that the three men who met up at one particular Central Park bench, spent hours bickering and playfully insulting each other. Passers-by threw them scandalised looks every time they roared out in laughter after having been told a saucy joke. They were landmarks of some sort – High Schoolers greeted them on their way home, some stopped to talk to them for a while; the men were happy to share their stories of days long gone. Mothers who pushed their kids around in prams were allowed to vent to them and at least once a day one of the men ended up calming down a crying child by pulling faces and rocking them. Busy business people almost jogging past them in their hurry to get from one place to another were ridiculed with the most spiteful imitations and comments imaginable, at least as long as they seemed to take themselves too seriously to share a brief smile with them.
Once in a while, someone comes along who recognises them.
They are mostly vets, people like them, albeit a little younger, it seems. The exhibition in D.C. put them back into the spotlight for a few moments. They got to leave their homes and families for the grand opening, the remaining few, praised by those who will never know what they gained, lost and gained again. Their pictures had been on the news, first their enlistment pics, then the new footage of three ninety year olds cutting a red ribbon, one of them leaning on the others, his eyes wet.
After that, there are questions from the school kids passing their bench on sunny days. Most questions are about the war, the Captain and his heroic deeds, the kids still idolise him. Too much, they’d say if asked.
Man, do they enjoy ruining the Captain’s perfect image in their eyes.
No embarrassing story is left untouched, no silly comment, no mishap remains untold. They tell the High Schoolers about how he blushed whenever one of the French waitresses flirted with him, that he never knew how to respond. They tell the Middle Schoolers that Captain America has a mouth not to be reckoned with, a potty mouth worthy of every soap ration they got. They recall all the times the Sarge threatened to wash the curse words off his tongue and their eyes glint. They boast in front of kindergarten and elementary school kids about how Cap needed them as much as his shield. Some of the parents ask questions as well: has Captain Rogers contacted them after he woke up? They get quiet after that question because no, he hasn’t.
‘How should he, he must’ve thought everybody gone,’ Monty says, ‘They are, to be fair. We’re the ones to stubborn to die.’
‘You’ve seen him on the news, straight back into the whole fighting business,’ Dum Dum adds, ‘He’s got worlds to save and other people to impress.’
He goes by Mr Dugan now, most of the time. His moustache is grey and his hands shake, but his voice is still deep and booming. He sings, sometimes, songs of longing and absence, and a few people stop at their bench. They listen to him whenever he does sing. It makes Morita emotional, his eyes well up as he joins in, voice husky with age, his eyes still twinkling long after finishing the song. And then there’s Monty who’s gone blind after his seventieth year. The tactician has Dugan and Morita pick him up from his care home and his smile is still brilliant and beaming when he hears them come in.
Sometimes, Morita’s youngest takes them to the park instead of them having to take the subway. He works in Queens as a High School principal, but he doesn’t leave out any opportunity to witness his father getting roasted by his oldest friends. And they never allow a chance elapse.
Their time in the park makes them happy. Dum Dum and Morita describe people to Monty, pointing out whatever seems important to them. Not everybody takes kindly to being called out by an old man exclaiming they walk with a stick up their backside.
Except, Dum Dum doesn’t say backside.
But then again, they are ninety and Monty’s not just blind, but hard of hearing, too. Should’ve been Dernier, they joke, but they buried their Demolitions Specialist in the Nineties. Sometimes, all protecting them from angry pedestrians and joggers is the fact that they are ninety, and you don’t attack ninety year olds. Then again, Dum Dum may be ninety and walking with a cane, but he still works out every day.
‘Who knows when it might come in handy,’ he says.
When it would come in handy, he is in hospital. He tells Monty and Morita that he got mugged when they first visit, too embarrassed to confess that he slipped in the bathroom. He watches the news on the TV in his hospital room though, he sees the helicarriers over D.C. He hears that Hydra had been there, through all those years. The nurses have to calm him down because he has seen the Captain fall, and he is crying hot, angry tears when Monty and Morita arrive. He keeps repeating that their Steve fell like his Bucky did and he wasn’t there to help, again. He struggles to breathe, lungs filled with hasty gasps that leave him feeling like he’s drowning. Again, he says, like Steve.
The last Howling Commandos sit together and talk, Morita gets his son to show them the news report again and again on YouTube. They watch Steve fall and swear to visit him, to tell him they are alive.
They never do because it is too hard, the news segment tricks them into remembering things that never happened as it is. They set aside the computer and switch off the TV when Morita has to blink away tears because he thinks he sees the Sarge looking down on Steve falling into the Potomac. No, they don’t turn up at Avengers Tower or the Compound Howard’s son installs somewhere else in the country.
Instead, they visit their girl. Peggy doesn’t remember them most of the time and cries, if she does. But Dum Dum sings to her and Monty makes her a cup of tea, exactly how she likes it. Afterwards, they walk back to Central Park and sit on their bench in silence. No one can capture how to deal with Peggy Carter crying because she can’t remember.
The questions start again, after the Triscelion is shut down completely and pronounced in danger of collapsing. Did you ever work for or with Secret Services? Have you seen the footage of Cap falling from that helicarrier-thing? Do you know if the Avengers are okay? And then, as everything seemingly reverts back to normal, they mourn their girl, kids ask about the war again, take photos of the three men on their bench or ask them to pass back a stray ball. At some point, Dum Dum starts narrating joggers again, making up stories to each person passing them to entertain Monty who starts asking stupid questions otherwise.
‘There’s a boy running around here…he’s passed us for the fifth time, he’ll just drop dead at some point. He’s got stamina, I’ll give him that. Wearing an army sweater.’
‘Leave him alone then, Dum Dum,’ Morita kicks him, ‘he looks decent. A nice boy. He’s probably just avoiding the masses in the streets or the pilgrimages towards the best firework-watching spots.’
The young man passes them for the sixth time, slower now. He is walking more than running, drenched in sweat because it’s warm enough to boil an egg on a car. Morita applauds him as he approaches.
‘Well done, son,’ his eager eyes follow the athlete as he goes to pick up his water bottle which he had left in the sparse shadow of a nearby tree, ‘Do you want to rest for a moment?’
‘Thank you, sir.’
As he comes closer, Dum Dum deciphers the badge on his shirt, ‘Pararescue, huh?’
‘Yessir,’ the man smiles and salutes lazily, ‘Been out a few years now, though.’
‘Us, too,’ Monty jokes and moves to make some space for the newcomer.
‘Please don’t, I’m good.’
‘Son, you just went for a run in this heat – you sit.’
The young man laughs and Dum Dum likes him even more for that. He obviously has a sense of humour, not unlike their own. It’s easy to laugh, now that they have survived so much, they laugh about small details in a bigger picture more than about satires, wise jokes or clever high society humour that Peggy would have enjoyed. It’s the old man insisting on a place to sit for the younger, fuck politeness and conventions, that cracks them up. You learn to enjoy everything, once you have fought for as little as the will to stay alive. Someone, probably Gabe or Dernier, had said they all were simply too stubborn to die. They were proven wrong, of course, when Barnes dies, and then Rogers went down after them. Their Captain, however, proved them right again, because by God, no man is as stubborn as Steven Rogers. Of course he had to survive. They see it as their duty to live, now that no one but them is left.
Dum Dum sighs, deep enough to make Monty turn. He is glad the Brit can’t see him, sometimes. He knows he’s tearing up again. Thank God for Morita who distracts their young companion, discussing something off the news with him. Dum Dum wipes his eyes. He feels Monty’s hand on his arm, squeezing, reassuring him. When he has composed himself again, he can listen to Morita speaking of Europe. The war. Of course, they don’t have many other topics to talk to strangers about.
‘May I take a photo of you?’ The young man has his phone at the ready, ‘I’m sorry, this must be weird. I can explain-‘
‘Happens more often than you’d think,’ Monty grins, ‘People think we are something we having been in a long time.’
‘That’s not – I really…It’s just…I have this competition with a pal of mine. My codename in the force was somewhat bird-related. He sends me pics of pigeons all the time, asking if they are related to me. Which led to me responding with pics of…seniors. He’s a bit older than me, it’d silly. But then again, nothing can top three World War Two vets, right?’
This has Dum Dum belting out a laugh. He remembers Barnes’ pointing at any random red squirrel they came across, asking if he had no shame to ignore his grandmother like this or whether he’d like a moment with his sister. Dum Dum had taken him into a headlock every time until Barnes called for the Captain to come rescue him. He smiles, the memory feeling just out of reach for him to hold onto. It happens more and more often with every day.
‘Man, he’s going to freak out. He’ll kill me, and his boyfriend will assist him,’ the young man seems to catch himself a moment later, eying them warily.
Monty laughs, ‘Is he contemplating whether we are homophobic assholes?’
‘Definitely,’ Morita pats the young man on the shoulder, ‘Don’t worry, son. We’re as liberal as can be. Hell, our own commanding officer was gay…’
Dum Dum rolls his eyes, he has to finish off the implication before Morita can spill the beans, ‘They thought they were sneaky…we knew after a week. Us, we were privates, a brigadier, a corporal – but the Captain and the Sarge thought they were being secretive. They snuck off into the woods whenever we weren’t looking. We told them, eventually. Never saw ears turn as pink…’
Monty elbows him, they keep it tame these days.
‘Your commander and his right-hand man?’ The young man sounds baffled.
Before they can reply anything, the phone in his hand goes off. The ringtone is somewhat familiar to them, it’s the song of the ice queen-movie Dum Dum’s great-granddaughter likes so much. Everything is Frozen now, it used to be something bad, Dum Dum thinks, remembering dark nights without a fire somewhere in Europe.
The young man answers the phone with a grin, but he doesn’t get a single word in. There is shouting from the other end, one or two voices, Dum Dum’s hearing-aids don’t pick up too much. Then, the call is ended abruptly.
Their new friend hasn’t said anything and seems confused, ‘He told me to stay put. Right here. And to not let you leave. Said something about him and his boyfriend coming here.’
Morita huffs out a laugh. They know what happens now. Someone has been more attentive than him in their history lessons, recognised them in the picture and is on their way to get another photo or an autograph.
‘I’m sorry for anything he might say. He doesn’t really have a brain-to-mouth-filter,’ the young man says, ‘he’s probably going to kill me right here, in front of you.’
‘Having friends with no filter is fun,’ Monty laughs, ‘it’s amusing.’
He eyes Dum Dum but again, Dum Dum’s mind drifts off. It does that, sometimes, transports him back in time, shows him painful, happy memories. He remembers Barnes, once the relationship was out in the open. They have heard enough to make them blush, Dernier pretended not to understand English for a week, maybe even more, after Barnes began to talk about Rogers in detail. Luckily for him, Barnes believed him because of a defusing mishap that had happened earlier. Everybody else had gotten first-hand reports about Stevie in the sack.
‘It’s fun until he overshares,’ the young man sighs, ‘Anyway, since we are seemingly waiting for two crazy persons…well, they may be faster than you’d think.’
His eyes focussed on something located behind the bench, ‘Well, here we go.’
There is a whirl, something silvery-metallic rushes past them and launches itself at the young man who has stopped smiling. It takes Dum Dum a moment to process what is happening, he exchanges a look with Morita. Their eyes and minds aren’t as quick as they used to be but it’s enough to notice the newcomer’s metal arm.
‘Holy shit,’ Morita breathes out, his eyes wide, ‘Monty, I’m going to say something you won’t believe – and you are not allowed to hit me for it, okay?’
He clears his throat. For a moment, Dum Dum thinks he’s choked up.
‘Monty – Barnes is alive and seemingly well. He’s currently choking our young jogger with his metal arm.’
Of course Monty hits him, Dum Dum wants to share the sentiment, but something keeps him from it. Instead, he focuses on the two men wrestling a few steps from them.
‘I draw a fucking line at snapping fucking pictures of people looking remotely like the Howlies, Sam Wilson! What the fuck would you do that for? We were about to cut the cake and Steve had to turn away! You made him fucking cry.’
Dum Dum’s head is spinning. He is over ninety years old and he sees things, memories and reality overlap in front of his eyes, leading him to believe in ghosts. Sarge, Bucky Barnes, looking little older than the day he fell from the train trying to catch the monster that had experimented on him, stands right in front of him. His hair is longer, down to his shoulders, his jaw is sharper and he actually has a metal arm.
‘You see him too, Morita?’ he rasps out, clutching Monty’s hand, ‘I’ll be damned, but I think he’s real!’
Monty sucks in a breath, ‘You’re telling me that I’m not hearing voices? I mean, nothing sounds as sweet as the Sarge shellac somebody but it’s too good to be true.’
‘Only one way to find out,’ Dum Dum says and reaches for his cane, ‘Oi, Sarge! Leave the man alone!’
He tries to stand up but his knees don’t want to hold his weight up. Within seconds, the man who looks like Barnes is there and helps him up, fingers closed around his arm. Dum Dum doesn’t waste time once he sees his face clearly. It is him, no doubt. He pulls him into his arms, noticing that he’s shorter than him now, stooping and age-worn by the time he has spent without them. He feels the sob in his throat, leans into Barnes and claws at his shirt, feeling the proof of his existence under his shaking fingers.
‘You asshole are alive? How?’ Morita is there, leading Monty’s hands to feel Barnes’ face.
Barnes looks up in surprise as careful fingers explore his features, takes in the Brit’s unseeing eyes and leans into the touch in response. It is the imprint of a gesture they first experienced during the war, Dum Dum remembers how they huddled together around a camp fire, somewhere in France. Bucky had suffered from nightmares after Zola’s lab and all of them had assured him of their presence and company.
It had been a lot of touching and grounding each other.
‘It’s you,’ Monty whispers, voice breaking, ‘Sarge-‘
‘Bucky,’ his voice is softer than it has ever been, ‘I get to be just Bucky now.’
‘Well, Bucky,’ Dum Dum says, ‘you’re certainly as ugly as ever.’
‘There’s only so much seventy years on ice can improve. It’s not plastic surgery, Dugan,’ another voice intercepts their happy reunion, ‘at least that’s what I’ve been told.’
For a moment, Dum Dum believes he’s died and gone to heaven. Bucky smiles at him with a trace of sadness in his eyes, sadness because they have missed out on so much, but then he retreats a few steps and is welcomed back in a tight embrace. It is more intimate than any hug the old men could caress with. No one can hug the Sarge like this – Dum Dum is determined to call him by his title and rank in his head – because there he stands, brightly shining in the midday sun, as tall and broad as he ever was.
Captain Steve Rogers, too, hasn’t changed, Dum Dum thinks and wipes his eyes. There they both are, standing in front of the three old soldiers, their old pals, bathed in sunlight. Monty and Morita hug him, too, they start asking questions because they need to know everything. It seems too much, the circumstances of Bucky’s survival, the how and why needs to be thoroughly discussed and they act like they are running out of time. Dum Dum sees the jogger stand close by, showing a pleased smile.
‘So, which one are you?’ he asks, nodding in the vague direction of the horrible monument Howard’s son built for his team. Like father, like son.
‘The Falcon, sir,’ he answers, ‘I should have recognised you, the moustache really does give it away, in hind-sight. Thank you, by the way. Indirectly, you are the reason for a breakthrough development. Barnes hasn’t left the Tower ever since he came back to Steve. The picture I took and sent to him got him out of a lethargic condition, Steve was the only one who could get through to him.’
Dum Dum looks over to where Bucky seems to curl into Steve. A man of his size looking almost frail in the arms of the man he loved – Dum Dum frowns.
‘What happened to him must’ve been horrible,’ Morita says quietly, ’I’m just glad he’s found the Captain again. They really are inseparable.’
Which is when Dum Dum remembers something Barnes had yelled earlier, something that comes back to him so prominently that he needs to thrust past his old pals. Because they had agreed to leave the park soon, to get back to Morita’s in time for dinner. Because the city is hell, more than usually on this day. Fireworks, picnics and parades, Dum Dum remembers.
‘It’s your birthday,’ he blurts out and examined the Captain’s face.
The blush gave him away. So Barnes had been right, they really had been celebrating back in the tower when the Falcon had interrupted them. It explains Barnes’ reaction. Morita and Monty realise it, too. Their 4th July park time has been interrupted by the man whose birthday had made them laugh when they first heard about it.
The Captain nods, still silent. He tries to shrink next to Barnes but he doesn’t succeed. Dum Dum remembers it all, it is as if the floodgates have been opened. He remembers singing in French bistros, dark pubs in England and Peggy’s lipstick staining Steve’s skin. A day earlier he would have said she kissed him to congratulate him, now he knows that Barnes nicked her lipstick for a play the Howlies put on for their Captain. He remembers Barnes and Dernier in stockings and ill-fitting skirts and the laugh bubbles up inside his throat. He wheezes, tries to calm his friends who seem to worry about him. The only way to let them know is to point at Barnes, and at his lips, mimicking the motion of putting on red pigment.
Steve is the first one to grasp it and his laughter is forceful enough to bend him in half. He clasps Dum Dum’s shoulder and they sink back onto the bench, crying for joy, howling and pointing at Barnes who seems too baffled to realise what is happening.
It takes them a few moments to calm down. Once they can breathe again they sit with their arms around each other’s shoulders. The Captain grins up at Barnes who still can’t follow but seems relieved to see his boyfriend back to almost normal.
‘Thank you,’ Steve turns to the Falcon, ‘honestly, Sam. That must have been the best birthday present possible. You found mine and Bucky’s oldest friends. This is…just amazing.’
They end up in the Stark monstrosity by the time the fireworks explode across the sky, standing in front of a window front with any Avenger in the country that night. Howard’s son seems starstruck for about a fracture of a second when he actually gets to meet the men who fought with Steve during the war and who helped his godmother and father afterwards, and asks them all enough questions to fill a whole day. Dum Dum and Monty promise to answer them all. Morita is too busy trying to call his son to let him know just where he is spending his evening.
An hour later, the three old men have sat down on one of the comfy couches. Neither of them will be able to get up out of them without help but they accept the risk willingly. Across from them, curled into each other, are the Captain and his Bucky. They whisper into each other’s ears, fingers comb through hair and there is a smile, hiding in the corner of the Sarge’s mouth.
It is a beginning, they all tell each other, now they will see each other regularly. They will talk, savour every minute they still have. Although, Monty informs them, he intends to live to onehundredandfifty.
‘Too stubborn to die,’ Bucky mumbles and cuddles into Steve’s side, he is being fed with birthday cake and he seems content. He has even apologized to Sam, the Falcon, for attacking him over what turned out to be a picture of the real Howling Commandoes.
So much has happened, so much they have to talk about. In fact, so much has happened that no one speaks about it, really. They simply don’t know where to start.
They will have enough time to figure out how to start, Dum Dum thinks as he takes the first step into a future where the remaining Howling Commandos are reunited with their leaders and New York City celebrates. Bucky still clings to Steve, they are holding hands, fingers weaving into each other – and yet, he offers his other arm, the metal one, to Monty who leans onto it readily when they eventually end up on one couch, sharing birthday memories from over seventy years ago. Dum Dum smiles. The Avengers listen to stories of stolen alcohol – ‘Borrowed,’ Monty insists – of self-made gifts and vouchers over an extra blanket during long winter nights.
They make new memories that night, with proper cake, gifts and Steve and Bucky not having to hide. Dum Dum has to wipe his eyes again.
Somehow, it all works out perfectly.
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jakewriteshere-blog · 6 years
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Terminal
Terminal
 Walking into the Franklin airport felt like walking into a prison cell. My trip hadn’t gone as planned, and now all I wanted to do was escape. I was leaving completely empty handed. Worse, I had less than what I brought with me. When I arrived, I had hope, and now I had nothing but a cold, powerless need to get back home and sleep for as long as I could.
I could tell it was a small airport before I walked in, but once inside, the grey building pummeled me with cramped inadequacy. It reminded me more of a dusty photo of a post office and I was having trouble believing planes flew from this place. The walls were pulped, yellowed newspaper. The carpet a miasma of dark, unknowable patches rolling between stains, decades of wear, and layers of dirt. The ceiling was too low for comfort, and gave off just enough pallid waiting room light to showcase the front desk. Confusion crept into me as I wondered how I didn’t notice any of this when I got here two days ago. But I decided that must mean my mood was to blame. It was just an old airport.
I got my boarding pass using the fewest words possible, and moved through the lonely security checkpoint like a ghost. Maybe I was too out of it to register the inconvenience, or maybe they saw my slack, gritty face and decided I wasn’t worth the trouble. I can’t remember exactly. I do remember walking down a gloomy hallway to one of only two gates, and slumping myself onto the cushion of a black chair. I sighed through every hole in my head, and all the breath I’d been holding for two days poured out of me until my bones and muscles were nothing but old Chinese leftovers. I waited.
 The first sign I had that something was wrong was the clock on the empty slate wall on the north side of the gate. The row of chairs I was sitting in faced the blank wall from twenty feet away. As I sat, I was gazing to my left out the window, watching for my plane to show up. But all I could see was a watery blur of rain, fog, tarmac, and black trees in the distance. After a few long minutes of this I glanced up to the analog clock on the wall, which read 5:00. I was too early, but I had nothing left in Franklin, so waiting here all night seemed like the only option. But as I stared at the clock, I noticed that the minute hand wasn’t moving. I looked around me. There was no one at the boarding counter, and none of the other passengers had come as early as I did. I heard what I thought was a vacuum in the distance, but couldn’t see anyone. I felt alone enough to stand up, walk to the wall, and get a better look at the clock.
It wasn’t my imagination or impatience. This thing wasn’t a watched pot. I could see the red second hand tick steadily around the face. I counted. It ticked. And after what I was sure was sixty ticks, it made a circle around the face. But the minute hand hadn’t budged from its place between the twelve’s one and two. I rubbed my eyes hard with both hands, holding my breath, until colors swam behind the lids, the way I do when I’m exhausted. When I opened them again and vision made its way back, I took my phone from my pocket, pressing the side button to turn on its screen. Nothing. It was dead.
 I sat back down. My flight didn’t leave for another two hours, so I had a long wait ahead of me, and it would feel that much longer without at least the incremental reward of seeing the minutes fall away. I looked to my right, to see another blank stone wall. But it wasn’t blank exactly. In middle of the wall, about three feet up from the carpet, was a crime scene of three layers.
The top layer was a wide “X” made of yellow caution tape. Underneath that was a black stain, dried now, and I could only guess it was tar. The deepest layer was a cracked puncture into the wall itself. I thought maybe some large equipment crashed and left a stain of whatever it was handling. God, this place was a shit hole.
I wasn’t hungry, and the smell of the place – like ash trays and pigeon feathers – wasn’t changing that. But I was bored, and I thought I could wander to the little shop between gates to find some trail mix. I was acutely aware that this failed trip had cost me the last of my savings, but when you had almost nothing left to lose, that last little scrap just got in the way. Maybe I’d see another clock on the way. As I walked back down the dimly lit hallway to shop, I could hear the vacuum sound getting louder.
The walk down there felt longer now, so I must have been getting restless. I reached the end, and the vacuum that I still didn’t see anywhere was so loud at that point that I couldn’t hear myself think. It wasn’t moving or oscillating; just an abrasive, steady flat line. The shop clerk was a short, round woman with a long black braid who didn’t look up from a magazine when I approached with a dust-covered bag of raisins and peanuts. The vacuum felt like it was riding behind my eyes now, and I couldn’t hear what she said. But I paid, I think, and bolted away from the sound. The third trip down that hallway was the longest yet. The hairs on my neck were yelling that the vacuum was following me, but the sound was becoming blessedly quieter again. When I felt ready, I looked back, and saw nothing. I forgot to look for a working clock.
 There was another passenger waiting at my gate when I got back, and I was embarrassed about how relieved I felt to be alone with another stranger. He was a very old white man wearing a blue parka and a black baseball cap. His head was down and I suspected he was napping with the ease that can only come after so many decades. I took my same seat in front of the clock, and opened the bag of nuts. They smelled and tasted like stale air, so I set them down on the seat to my right. I sighed again, and closed my eyes dejectedly. I wouldn’t say that I nodded off, but I was carried away on an unpleasant train of thought that held my attention for what seemed like several minutes.
 “Can I have some?” The voice was mild and female, and in normal circumstances my heart wouldn’t’ve had any reason to clench itself into a fistful of needles. I just wasn’t expecting it. I opened my eyes hoping my half-asleep panic hadn’t been noticeable. She had tan skin caked with make-up, her bony face framed by curly brown hair. She was probably average looking, but she wore a pair of those big black glasses they make you wear after eye surgery, and they covered too much to be able to tell. I think I was still dazed and groggy, because she smiled and pointed at the bag of nuts to remind me of what was happening.
“Sorry, of course.” I tried to sound natural, and handed her the bag. I noticed then that she was wearing a white collared shirt and navy blue vest. Her gold name tag said “Heather”, and I hoped her arrival meant that I’d killed more time than I thought, and the plane would be here soon.
“Can you tell me what time it is?”
           She was chewing so she didn’t answer right away. I couldn’t remember her actually taking out and eating any peanuts. She just stared down at me, smiling and chewing, until I got so uncomfortable I had to turn and glance out the window. Finally, she swallowed so loud that I looked back. “Sorry. No watch”. She set the bag back on the seat, and walked very slowly over to her podium near the exit door. Heather’s unsteady march must have been due to her impaired vision, but it made me shiver.
 I stood and walked over to the window. It was darker now at least, so I felt a little better. A little closer. All I could see now was a black cascade, with glittering orange lights drowning on the runway. And then something occurred to me, and I knew how paranoid it sounded but I couldn’t make it go away.
I hadn’t seen anyone’s eyes since I walked into this airport.  
           The man at the ticket counter had thick black eye brows, and he kept his attention aimed down at the tiny computer screen, never looking up from the green glow. The shop clerk had her face buried in her magazine, eyes hidden behind blue shadowed lids. I looked back out at the old passenger, and his face was still hidden underneath the brim of his cap. And Heather had those black glasses. I understood this was a dumb coincidence, a result of the quiet, casual atmosphere of a rainy night in the middle of nowhere. But I was too exhausted to listen to that. My forehead sunk onto the cold glass, and I pleaded silently with the rain to wash my plane to shore. “Please”, I thought. “I hate it here. Let me leave.”  
            And then I heard the vacuum coming.
I walked back along the row of seats and peered down the hallway. There was no one coming. But it was getting louder. I glanced to the man in the blue parka, and he was still somehow dozing, despite that tearing drone. I considered, in my frantic pawing for an explanation, that a jet was passing over the building. I was sure it was in here with me though. It sounded so close. If it was a jet engine, then it wasn’t above me. It was all around me. Blue Parka must be dead. I glanced to Heather and she was staring at me from her podium, teeth bared. I blinked and convinced myself weakly that it was a smile.  But I couldn’t fight this panic. The rain. The sleepy, dead company. Those snarling teeth. The noise. I thought I could hear the red second hand of the broken clock behind me tick away in laughter that pierced even the rushing torrential vacuum.
            All at once, the room fell silent, Heather dropped her vicious expression, and reached for something under the podium. She held it to her mouth, and without seeing her lips move, I heard her voice in my head. “Flight 111 will be arriving shortly at Gate Two.” And then, “Can I have some?” She put the little microphone back, but I thought I could still hear her, chewing stale peanuts. It could have been the rain. Still breathing heavy, I shuffled to the window, and almost wept when I saw the little white lights in the distance. My approaching escape. After an eternity they began to descend.
           I turned back to the room with watery eyes and a stronger heart. Nothing here could hurt me anymore. The clock still said 5:00, but it was time to leave. The black, sticky fracture in the wall was wet and dripping now from behind the yellow tape, but I didn’t care, because I was getting out. I walked confidently through the rows of seats. Blue Parka had risen miraculously, and was already heading out the door. I took my boarding pass from my jacket pocket, and offered it shakily but defiantly to Heather. She drew an “X” with yellow highlighter, and handed it back. I snatched it, carefully avoiding contact with her skin, threw open the door, and strode into the rain.
           The plane was easily the smallest I’d ever flown on. There was no flight attendant, and nineteen empty seats. Blue Parka had taken the very last seat on the right, and was once again sleeping with his head hanging down. I took a seat on the left in the third row. I sighed again, so content and beaten at the same time that I almost blacked out. The boarding ramp raised itself and sealed shut. The plane lurched forward, engines buzzing. We rose. And as the nose climbed up, and the storm shook me back and forth, I began to relax an inch at a time. Wherever I had been, it was over. The problem was I had never been good at sales, even though it was the only job I'd ever had. I couldn't sell used cars, as I'd learned in my twenties. I couldn't sell vitamins, as I'd learned in my thirties. I couldn't sell a glass of water to the purchasing manager of Franklin Steel Works if he'd been on fire. And I wasn't selling myself on the idea that everything would be ok when I landed. Nothing would be ok. I blew my last shot. My last dollar. As soon as my phone was charged, the collectors and the landlord would continue to call. Until they cut off my service. There was a comical stack of bills and notices piled on the kitchen counter. If my key still worked. And deep down I knew that I didn't have enough blood to pay the rent.
I'd been happy to leave Franklin, but I didn't want to land. And those were my only choices.
I shut my eyes tight.
            When I woke up, I was surprised to find we were already landing. The flight was almost three hours, and it must have been the longest, deepest sleep I’d ever had sitting up. The plane touched down, and I saw out the tiny round window beside me that it was raining at home too. It made the whole trip seem like just a bad dream. The cabin door was shut, and the ramp lowered to let me off. Blue Parka was still napping, but I left his wake up call to the pilots. I was leaving now. I raised my jacket over my head to shield myself from the rain and ran inside.
            Inside.
Inside this airport, my airport, was a room just like the one I’d left. Rows of black seats to my left. An empty podium to my right. My chest was pounding, and I felt blood and air play tug-of-war in my neck. I ran past the chairs to the far wall. Behind an “X” made of yellow tape, was a black stain and a shattered crack in the slate. The clock on the adjoining wall said it was 5:00. The second hand wasn’t even bothering to tick now. I spun around and saw my bag of trail mix sitting on the seat where Heather left it. It was empty now.
           The door to the tarmac opened and Blue Parka walked in. He ambled over to the seat he was resting in before, and sat back down. I had do something. I had to break this. To wake up. To get out. But I didn’t know how. I took a step toward the old man, thinking he might know something. Maybe the weather forced the flight to turn around. Maybe he’d spoken to the pilot before he got off. But halfway to his seat, I heard the vacuum coming. After a few more paces, it was loud enough that I’d have to shout now. “Hey!” I called. “Excuse me!” He gave no response, just a steady rise and fall of his blue parka, chin resting on his chest. I tried to call again but the roar was so pervasive I couldn’t hear myself. It stopped suddenly when the door opened again, and “Heather” walked in, taking up her post at the podium. She wasn’t wet.
           I hated being within arm’s reach of her. But I had to do something, so I trudged what was the longest, hardest ten feet I’ve ever faced to stand in front of her, and I asked, “Where are we?”
           “Franklin”, she replied, smiling from below her pitch black glasses.
           “Why did we come back?” My voice cracked a little, and I knew she noticed, because her ears pricked up.
           “I’m sorry, sir. We apologize for the inconvenience. There will be a slight delay due to the weather. Flight 111 will be departing shortly, I promise.”
           “You’re sure? It will actually depart this time? We won’t just keep going in circles?” I didn’t crack that time, thank the angels.
           “Yes sir, very soon now.”
            I couldn’t think of anything else to do, so I went to sit in my seat in front of the clock, and wait. I couldn’t get my head around any of this, so I just clung to my desperate need to leave, and hoped that horrible thing in the black glasses wasn’t lying to me. I was about to get on Flight 111 for the second time, and I was also very close to going crazy. Some strange impulse took me, and reached into a pocket for a pen. I thought, just to be safe, I’d put a mark on my hand. If this happened again, if they landed me in Franklin, in hell, again, I’d put another mark on my hand. I had to have something to mark the passage of time. I uncapped the pen and raised the back of my left hand.
           There was a row of dashes in blue ink running from my middle knuckle to my watch. Eight of them.
The pen fell. I scrambled into my other pocket for my boarding pass. It was covered in yellow “X” marks, red circles, and green checks. I couldn’t even make out the words anymore. I shut my eyes and pushed my palms into the sockets until I could hear soft squishing, trying to think, to remember. I tried to think about how long I’d been in Franklin. What day it was. But I was so tired. I needed to sleep so badly.
           “Flight 111 now boarding at Gate Two” I heard Heather say into the microphone. I showed her my blotched, unreadable ticket, and felt warm tears running down my cheeks. But I wasn’t crying. I had a leak, and I was taking on water. She held it, cocked her head at an angle, and stood there staring at me.
           “How many,” I choked, and pressed on. “How many times have I boarded this plane?” It was an insane question.
           “Not to worry sir. There’s no more delay. The weather is clear for take-off now.” But that wasn’t true. I could hear the rain trying to bury us.
           “Where?” I couldn’t control my volume, and I knew this sort of thing got you placed on the no-fly list, but it had been a long trip, and I wanted it to end. “Tell me where this fucking flight is taking me!”
           “Flight 111 will land in Franklin at 10:00 PM eastern standard time, sir.” She wasn’t smiling now but I was sure she was enjoying this.
           “Show me your eyes!” I grabbed wildly at her glasses and knocked them off. We were both caught off guard by it, and I stepped back slowly, trying to blink my disbelief away. Heather bent down to pick them up. As soon as she put them back on, I’d forgotten what she looked like. I kept backing away though, knowing only that I was terrified. I knew that I wasn’t safe in here, and that I’d never be safe again. I couldn’t remember what exactly I had seen on Heather’s face behind those glasses.
But I knew that they weren’t eyes.
“Please. Please just let me leave here”.
           She pointed behind me. I turned toward the far wall, and the yellow “X” was gone. I walked over to it. Where the tape and stain and crack had been, there was only a faded white spot on the wall about waist high, as if something had been hanging there for years and then disappeared. I knelt down.
           “You made such a mess.” Heather spoke into the microphone. “They brought in an industrial carpet cleaner the size of a riding lawnmower. It took days to get the stain out.” My cheeks were dry now, because I was empty. “You can’t leave on the plane.” I felt her hot breath on my neck and heard her crunching in my ear. But her voice still came from over the speaker. “If you want out, you have to leave the same way you came.”
           My grief settled in my shoulders. My heart spasmed and my lungs heaved under a mountain of bills I wouldn’t pay, phone calls I’d never return, days I’d never live. Inside my head was a key. Behind the wall was door. And I had to unlock it. There was another exit. I took all the pressure, all the need, and drove my head into the wall as hard as I could. I heard something break, but I couldn’t quite tell which one cracked first. I didn’t care. I crashed my head into the wall again and again. I felt blood running hot and free down my face. Finally. 
I found a way out. 
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the-jade-cross · 3 years
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The Lannister Wolf - Part 1 Chapter 8
“Keep your feet moving,” Jaime called.
Evelyn and Jaime were watching Tommen and Podrick spar together. They had arrived in King’s Landing the day before and it had been several weeks since the incident with Nymeria and Lady. Since then, Evelyn has come back to the tent earlier and she would talk with Jaime for a while before they would both fall asleep, Jaime holding her in his sleep.
Tommen obeyed his uncle and began to move his feet more, making it easier for him to block a strike or strike his own. Evelyn smiled at the boy and leant her head against Jaime’s shoulder as she sat with him on the steps near the courtyard.
Jaime didn’t move but a huge grin lit up his face and he found it difficult to pay attention to his nephew. However, it was short lived for Myrcella’s voice caught Evelyn’s attention.
“Evelyn!” The girl cried, rushing toward her, “look what I found!” Evelyn got up and walked over to the girl who was holding out her cupped hands to Evelyn. The girl looked down and saw that Myrcella had found a baby bird. It was fully feathered and probably fledged but looked injured.
“Poor thing,” Myrcella said, “Her mother was dead… a racoon found her.” Evelyn nodded and took the bird into her hands, “He isn’t hurt bad. Just a bruised wing. Get him comfortable, make sure he is warm and can get to water.”
“What about food?” Myrcella asked, “What if he wont eat?” The girl was right. Birds usually didn’t eat the things that people gave them, so she thought, “crumble some dry bread for him. If he doesn’t eat it, let me know. I might have something.” Myrcella nodded and took the bird carefully in her hands before Evelyn was called again.
“Evie!” Tommen yelled, “Come spar with me!” Evelyn smiled. After Tommen had heard Arya call her Evie, he had asked if he could call her that as well and the girl had allowed it. It reminded her of Rickon and Bran and honestly, she found herself liking it. The girl headed over to the courtyard and Podrick held out the blunted practice sword to her. Evelyn took it and swung it a few times, testing the balance.
While she was spinning it in her hand, Tommen made a shot at her, but Evelyn lifted the sword and blacked it without even flinching. A smirk appeared on her face before she pushed against the blow, pushing Tommen back.
“So that’s how you’re going to play huh?” Evelyn made a side swipe at Tommen, but he managed to block it before Evelyn laid another blow on his other side, Tommen just barely blocking that one. Podrick, Jaime and Tyrion were watching the two lay blows with amused looks on their faces.
Tommen laid a downward upper body blow on Evelyn and with Tommen standing about the same height as Evelyn, if not slightly taller, it looked like Tommen had the upper hand. Evelyn however smiled and lifted her right arm up to block the blow, using her arm to stop the sword by pressing her arm against the flat of the blade and used her left hand to point the sword at Tommen’s neck.
“I think I win,” she smirked.
Tommen’s mouth was hanging so low he would have caught flies, but Evelyn stepped back and ruffled his hair playfully with a chuckle before returning the sword to Podrick. She headed off back toward her room in search of Myrcella when she felt someone grab her hand and pull her off in another direction. Evelyn was surprised but relieved when she saw that it was Jaime who was almost dragging her toward the pigeon aviary.
When they got inside, Jaime closed the door and turned to look at her, his eyes slightly confused and excited while he seemed at a loss for words.
“Where did you learn that move?” he asked in a shaky voice.
Evelyn wasn’t expecting that but answered all the same, “I learnt it when I was a child from a traveling knight. I met him at a small town a few miles from Winterfell almost ten years ago. He gave me my first sword and taught me that move. He said it was…” The girl never got to finish for Jaime interrupted then and finished what she was going to say, “It was for the better of the world that someone who wanted the good for people should know how to fight for the good.” Evelyn stared at him with wide amber eyes and her mouth slightly agape, “How did you know?” Jaime smiled but didn’t answer. He just looked at her…. calm blue eyes…. A soft smile…. Then Evelyn saw it. That earnest look…. she had seen it before…. Ten years ago.
Flashback 10 years prior:
Evelyn and Robb were looking for Jon. They had come to the town to get some cowhides and hatchet handles by order of their father. Ned gave them the freedom to visit the town on small errands to give them freedom, a sense of responsibility and of freedom.
“Where is he?” Robb insisted, shifting the armful of hatchet handles in his arms. “It was just five handles. Where could he have gone?” Evelyn stopped and turned around in the middle of the street, looking for any sign of the boy, “What happened last time we came here? Remember?” Robb thought a moment before nodding, “Right…. he got into a fight. He said he wouldn’t again though.” “Well that doesn’t mean that he isn’t in a fight…. He might have not started this one,” the girl pointed out, pushing her unruly black hair out of her eyes.
Almost as if by magic, the twins became aware of the sound of shouts and groans coming from a nearby alley. The two didn’t waste any time rushing over and sure enough, there was their brother. Jon was on the ground… again with three boys towering over him and laying heavy kicks all over his body.
“Hey!” Evelyn yelled, jumping forward and grabbing the collar of one boy, “Get away from my brother!” With that she threw the boy aside so hard that he tripped and fell over. She then tripped the next one by swinging her legs out and pulling his legs out from under him before throwing herself against the last boy.
“Hey, you vixen get off me!” the boy yelled.
The other two boys had regained themselves and had begun to approach the girl, but Robb dropped his bundle and jumped at one, pinning him to the wall.
“Don’t you touch my sister,” he growled.
Jon was still on the ground and the third boy was going for Evelyn when a hand appeared out of nowhere and grabbed his collar, lifting him off the ground as if he weighed nothing.
“Don’t you know it’s not chivalrous to attack a lady?” a man’s voice asked.
Evelyn froze just as she was about to punch the boy and turned to look at the speaker. It was a young man… a knight who looked to be in his early twenties. Evelyn had to admit that he was rather good looking with sun blond straight hair that partially fell in his face when he tilted his head forward, sky blue eyes and a cocky smirk. He was clean shave with sharp features, defined jaw and straight nose.
The stranger reached over and grabbed the other boy from Robb’s grip before looking them both in the eyes, “Why don’t you run along home? Hm?”
The two boys nodded vigorously before running out of the alley. The knight turned to Evelyn and smiled. He approached the girl and held out his hand to her.
“I think you got the message through little lady.” Evelyn took his hand as he pulled her to her feet and the boy she had been totally ran off without hesitation. Evelyn rushed over to Jon and carefully helped him up before gingerly touching his bruised eye and bloody lip.
“Oh Jon, not again. How do you always find trouble when we leave you alone?” Evelyn asked him, reaching into her bag for a balm to put on his lip.
Jon shook his lip as Evelyn applied the clear balm to his busted lip, “I’m sorry Evie. They were just being mean.” “Then ignore them,” Robb observed.
“I did,” Jon retorted. “But there were three of them and only one of me.” Evelyn nodded before handing him a compress to put on his eye which would help with the bruising and the swelling, “It was self-defense Jon. It wasn’t your fault. I should not have left you alone.” “You cannot always take care of me Evie,” Jon pointed out. “I have to be able to be on my own without getting hurt.” “And that will be the day when this world is a better place Jon,” Evelyn pointed out, closing up her bag. “At least for now, stay close to me.” Jon nodded, smiling sheepishly at his sister. Evelyn smiled back at him before turning to look at the knight who had been watching the scene with an amused smile on his face, one hand on his sword hilt.
Evelyn left her brothers and approached the man before curtsying rather clumsily, “Thank you for helping my brother Ser.” The knight smiled before crouching down to her level. Evelyn felt her face heat up. She might have only been seven, going on eight and rather petite for her age but she had to admit that the man was rather good looking and even though he was young for a knight, he seemed to be very talented.
“You know how to handle yourself little Lady,” he said with a smirk, “Do you enjoy beating up bullies?” “They aren’t bullies unless they are doing something, they shouldn’t Ser,” Evelyn replied strongly with her head held high with confidence. “Otherwise they are not bullies. I only beat up bullies.” The soldier smirked before reaching to his belt and drawing something out. It was a small sword, probably only about two feet long and rather thin and light. He had considered giving it to Joffrey but on his way back he had realized that a sword was the last thing his little nephew needed and was planning on keeping it for something else.
“Here,” he said, holding it out to her.
Evelyn took the sword slowly and carefully and the knight realized that she was not daunted by the weight and obviously knew how to hold it correctly.
“Have you ever used a sword before?” he asked.
The girl shook her head as she looked at him with wide amber eyes.
The man smiled, “I’m glad. It is not for the faint of heart. This is blunt so you won’t be able to cut anyone, but you can use it to knock someone if they try to hurt you. Just don’t go cracking sculls okay?”
Evelyn nodded vigorously with a huge smile on her face, “Thank you ser!” The man smiled before shifting on his feet, “Here, draw it out. I want to show you something.” Evelyn obeyed and drew the little sword out, placing the sheath against the wall of the alley. The man, still crouching, reached out and adjusted her hands on the hilt till they were situated and then held her hands in one while he moved her feet to a stronger stance.
“Always have a strong stance,” he told her. “That way people cannot push you over so easily. Now, if someone goes for your head, block it with one arm,” he said, holding her left arm up and showing her how to block one of his arms.
“Now with your sword arm, you can get them while they’re distracted,” he said, grabbing her right hand and poking the tip against his chest to show her.
Evelyn’s eyes widened and she quickly drew the sword back away from the knight’s chest, afraid she had hurt him. She rushed forward and touched his chest where the sword had touched him but relaxed when she saw not even a scratch. The knight chuckled, smirking down at her.
Evelyn felt her cheeks heat up before she ducked her head to hide her blush, “Thank you ser….” “Of course little lady,” he said. “My name is Jaime.”
The little girl walked over to him and using his knee as a boost, she reached up and planted a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you, Ser Jaime.”
End of Flashback:
“You had better wipe that smirk off your face before I decide to forget all about that,” Evelyn remarked, glaring at her husband who had his arms crossed triumphantly, a cocky grin on his face.
Jaime shrugged, “It’s cute.”
“It’s embarrassing!” Evelyn cried, throwing her arms up in the air, “And you are not helping!” “Really?” Jaime inquired, “What part is embarrassing? You beating that kid up or your form of thanks.” Evelyn turned back to Jaime, her eyes flashing in warning. Jaime lifted his hands in innocence.
“It’s embarrassing that I allowed my seven-year-old self to be enchanted by a golden-haired knight with sky blue eyes and handsome smirk.” Jaime’s eyebrows shot up and his grin seemed to grow if that was possible, “you know what color my eyes are?”
“Naturally!” Evelyn cried, still not realizing that the things she was saying were things she would really say unless she was so angry, she was ranting blindly. “You never like to sleep in cotton because it’s itchy, you’re right-handed and hate fighting with your left hand, you never drink wine at breakfast or lunch, you only snore at night if you fall asleep before ten and your shirts are size 8.” [I know nothing about men’s clothes and sizes so I just made it up. Imagine that it’s Game of Thrones measurements;)]
Evelyn froze in her ranting, having realized that she basically told Jaime everything she would never ever tell him. She looked over at him to see that he had the cockiest smirk on his face, “You know my shirt size?” “We…. well….” Evelyn stuttered. “y…you know… I…. I help f…. fold your c…clothes… a….and….”
Jaime’s smile softened before he relieved her of her embarrassment, “It’s okay, I happen to know that you call out to your first pet rabbit in your sleep.” Evelyn’s eyes widened in shock, “Freaks?” “He had a name?” Jaime inquired, “You just called it ‘my bunny’.”
“Oh!” Evelyn groaned, burying her face in her hands, “This is so embarrassing!”
Jaime smiled and wrapped the girl in a hug from behind, pressing his nose into her hair and taking in a deep breath, inhaling her scent.
“You also hug your pillow in your sleep,” Jaime pointed out with a flash of mischief in his eyes.
“I do not!” Evelyn retorted.
“Apparently you think it’s me,” Jaime observed, “Cause you whisper my name when you hug it. Now, unless the pillow happens to be named Jaime too and is enough to make you smile, then you have dreams about….” “Oh you’re so going to get it!” Evelyn roared, tearing out of his arms before charging at him.
Jaime laughed before bolting out of the aviary, Evelyn hot on his heels.
Little did they know that a pair of blue eyes was watching them from a window on a higher level.
****
Jaime smiled as he watched Evelyn run up and down the beach with Lady and Zinzi on her heels. The two wolves would run past her whenever she came to a stop and would tumble and roll together, obviously having no brakes. Evelyn would laugh and crouch down to their level, letting them come and rub their noses against her before she would run back to Jaime.
“Enjoying yourself?” Jaime asked, smiling as Evelyn sprinted over back to him, her cheeks flushed from running but a huge smile on her face and her amber eyes shining.
“It’s so beautiful,” she told him, spinning around, admiring the ocean, “I had never seen the ocean until we came here.” “Seriously?” Jaime inquired, his eyes widening, “And I thought I needed to see the world.”
Evelyn playfully socked his arm, “Hey!” Jaime chuckled before wrapping her in a hug from behind and inhaled her scent, “Are you happy here?” Evelyn hugged his arms to her chest and turned her head to look at him sideways, “Why? Is something wrong?” “No…” Jaime admitted, taking her hands in his, “It’s just that what you told Jon about the evil of the world…. And how you’re afraid of the power have…. I just… I don’t want you to be unhappy with me.”
Evelyn gently pulled away from Jaime before turning to face him and taking his hands, nestled them beneath her chin, “Yes I’m happy.” She slowly lifted her eyes to see the widest grin on Jaime’s face which caused her to laugh. He looked like a little schoolboy looking at her with wide, happy eyes.
Chuckling, the girl released his hands before running off toward the water and going ankle deep. Zinzi and Lady followed her, barking and splashing in the water. Jaime laughed at the sight before he cut himself off. There was something… eerie. There was not a noise other than Evelyn and the wolves in the water and that was what was worrying him. It was too quiet…. But something was causing his hair to stand up on the back of his neck and the chills to hit his spine…. Something was wrong.
Jaime carefully wrapped his hand around the hilt of his sword and removed it slightly from the sheath. Did he imagine things, or did he hear footsteps?
“Evelyn!” Jaime called, forcing his voice to not sound alarmed.
The girl didn’t hear him for the waves were crashing too loudly and the wolves were still barking. Jaime glanced over his shoulder and squinted his eyes. He was sure he saw something reflect the sunlight.
“EVELYN!” he yelled, sprinting toward the girl who had begun to come out of the water.
Evelyn looked up and saw Jaime sprinting at her faster than she had ever seen him run.
“Get down!” He yelled.
The girl couldn’t register what he was saying for his voice was muffled. “What’s wrong?” She didn’t get a reply except Jaime wrapping his arms around her and almost knocking her over…. Then his body became a dead weight.
“Jaime?” she whispered, realizing that he was leaning greatly on her and not standing up, “Jaime!” The man’s body slipped from her arms and splashed into the shallow water…. The water turning red.
“JAIME!” Evelyn screamed, dropping to her knees in the water and turning him onto his stomach… there was an arrow in his back! “ZINZI! LADY! Get him!” The wolves didn’t need further commands, having already charged out of the water and leapt into the thicket.
“Jaime,” Evelyn cried, carefully pulling the arrow out before turning him onto his back, cradling his upper body in her lap, “Jaime, stay with me! Stay with me please!” She didn’t realize tears were falling till they began to triple between her lips and off her chin, “Jaime….” “EVELYN!” A voice yelled from the shore, causing the girl to look up.
Tyrion, Ned and Podrick were sprinting in his direction, Lady hot on their heels having alerted them to the situation.
Ned reached Evelyn first and was about to ask her if she was already when he saw the tears pouring down his daughter’s face and how she was clutching Jaime’s limp head in her lap.
“What happened?” He asked, pulling Jaime out of her lap.
“No! Don’t touch him!” She cried, about to tear Jaime out of Ned’s arms when Podrick and Tyrion gently held her back. “He got shot in the back!” “It’s alright Evelyn,” Tyrion told her, patting her shoulder, “We will take care of him. My brother is a hard one. Little can kill him.” Evelyn quickly wiped her eyes and sniffled before getting to her feet, finding that they were turning to jelly but shaking it off. She couldn’t faint or collapse now. She needed to make sure Jaime was going to be okay.
“Come on,” Tyrion said, taking her hand and leading her out of the water after Ned, “we need to get him to the physician.” Evelyn was about to comply when she froze in her tracks, her face going deathly pale, “He…. He never knew….” Tyrion looked up at her puzzled when he saw that her lip was trembling, “I never told him….”
******** (2 days later)
Ned woke from his dead sleep, hearing a knock at the door. Rising from his bed, he found Sansa and Arya standing there, both dressed in their nightgowns with shawls around their shoulders.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“It’s Evelyn,” Sansa explained.
“She won’t sleep or eat,” Arya added. “It’s like when Bran got hurt…. She won’t even speak.” Ned nodded before grabbing his jacket and following his two daughters. When they came upon the hallway where Jaime and Evelyn’s room was, he found Evelyn sitting outside the room. She was staring at the other side of the hall… listless with tears slowly trickling down her cheeks…. Silent sobs.
“Evelyn child,” Ned said, rushing to her side and taking her hand, “You need to rest sweetheart. You cannot help him if you are…” “Don’t say it,” Evelyn replied coldly. “Just don’t…. if you do…. That’s just what he said about Bran….” “Well he was right,” Ned remarked, wrapping her in a hug, cradling her head against his shoulder. “I know you want to be there for him, but you’ll collapse if you don’t take care of yourself and you will not be able to be there for him.” “If I sleep, I won’t be there for him either,” Evelyn pointed out stubbornly.
Ned sighed and mentally cursed himself for letting his stubbornness rub off on his children.
Suddenly, the door of the room opened, and the physician finally exited. Evelyn jumped to her feet, wiping her face dry with her sleeve.
“Is he alright?” she asked.
“The extraction went well,” the physician replied. “There was some shrapnel from the arrowhead, but we got it all. Luckily it was not poisoned. It will take two or three weeks for his wound to fully heal… and his wrist will heal in a few days.”
“His wrist?” both Ned and Evelyn asked.
“The arrow grazed his wrist on its way,” the physician explained. “It’s nothing major but it almost touched the bone.” “Thank you,” Evelyn whispered, her voice breaking. “May I see him?” The physician nodded before stepping to the side and holding the door open for her. Evelyn slowly slipped into the room and approached the bed so slowly that Ned thought she was going to collapse.
Jaime was lying on his stomach, his shirt gone with bandages covering his back. His forehead was sweating and his hair a mess. His face was slightly soiled…. His cheeks sunken and his eyes closed. Those beautiful sky-blue eyes were closed….
Evelyn sat down on the edge of the bed and carefully took his bandaged hand in both of hers, bringing it up to her mouth and gently kissing it, “I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “This is my fault. If I hadn’t acted so childish and oblivious you might be awake right now…. Not dying…”
The girl could not finish what she was going to say for the door flew open and Cersei burst in, Tyrion and Tywin hot on her heels.
“Get away from him minx!” Cersei yelled, about to yank the girl away from Jaime but Tywin grabbed her wrist and Tyrion spoke up.
“Cersei! She has every right to be here. Probably more so than we do.”
Cersei glared at her brother and wrenched out of her father’s grip, “It’s her fault that Jaime is even here!” “That is enough Cersei,” Tywin snapped, causing the girl to finally shut up. “Give your condolences then let us leave Jaime in the hands of his wife.” Cersei tossed her head before shooting Evelyn a death glare. When they finally left, Evelyn drifted off to sleep, lying next to Jaime with his injured hand tucked against her chest and tears seeping from her eyes. Needless to say, she did not get a lot of sleep that night.
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