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sunkisseddaffodils · 3 years

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Johnlock Office workers AU where they work at the same same wedding planner business and Mike and Lestrade are trying to set them up by making them work on the same wedding but to make sure everything runs smoothly, Mike and Lestrade make them “act out” the wedding ceremony

Pairing: sherlock x john

Genre: fluff

Note: You can submit a request for a Sherlock fic by clicking on my profile <3

‘Matchmakers: Office Workers AU’

It was a quiet morning in the office of ‘Mycroft’s and Co. Wedding Organiser’s’, just before the workday had begun. Mycroft and Lestrade, who were very happily married, arrived ten minutes before 9:00 and set up their things in the main office. Lestrade looked at Mycroft, growing concerned as he could see that his husband was deep in thought as he was setting up for the day. Five minutes later and the workers came pouring in, clearly already wanting to head back home. Mycroft was checking through the list of the day’s clients when Greg tapped on his antique wooden desk.

‘Hiya sweetie, I know when you’re up to something and your face is plastered with guilt. So for christ’s sake, what are you up too?’

Mycroft was about to let him in on the plan when his brother, Sherlock and his flatmate, John, came barging in the office quarrelling loudly with each other. They continued to bicker as they slammed their stuff down on their desks, causing everyone to look over at them.

‘This is your fault, Sherlock!’

Sherlock looked appalled at John’s remark

‘What do you mean it’s my fault?’

‘You know full well, why’, John spat out.

Then he sighed in exasperation.

‘We wouldn’t have been this late to work if you didn’t spend five hundred hours in the bathroom’

Sherlock instantly had a rebuttal

‘We wouldn’t have been late if perhaps you could be bothered to wake up at the right time, ’

They proceeded to row like this for a further few minutes.

Meanwhile, back in the main office, Lestrade was ready to go sort them out when Mycroft pulled him back:

‘Greg, darling, I’ve got a plan to set up Sherlock and John, ’

Lestrade was uncertain about whether his husband was thinking straight.

‘Um honey, I don’t know if you’ve noticed, they’re arguing like an old married couple right now, ’

Mycroft looked pleased with himself as he responded:

‘Exactly! They’re pretty much a married couple already. They go everywhere together, they work together and they live together. All we need to do is to get them to realise their feelings for each other’

Lestrade realised there was not much he could do when Mycroft was scheming, but he made one last attempt to get him to see the issue in his plan.

‘Firstly, what do you mean ‘we’? Secondly, how the bloody hell are we gonna do that?’

Mycroft gestured for Lestrade to follow him and led him to Sherlock’s and John’s workspace. They had finally stopped squabbling to read their schedule for the day. Mycroft coughed to announce his arrival. The two looked up and immediately gulped when they realised they were about to get scolded for their late arrival.

‘Morning, boys. First, I’m just gonna ignore the fact that you two were late because we have a really big client today that we need to plan the perfect wedding for’

They both nodded in reply.

‘The mayor and his fiancé have called to enquire about us planning their wedding so we need to get this right. This could mean a big boost in our clientele’

Lestrade watched in confusion, really not knowing what the hell his husband was planning. Sherlock jumped in asking:

‘So you want me to clear my schedule and plan it then?

John rolled his eyes.

‘Excuse me, I think what your brother is saying is that I’m actually the one best for this job so I should clear my schedule for the day.’

Sherlock sneered at his flatmate as Mycroft began to reply

‘Not quite. I need both of you to work on it.’

Both of them jumped up in refusal.

‘Boys, calm down. This is a really big client so we need twice the manpower. I’ve sent you guys the email for the case, so get on with it’

Mycroft and Lestrade ran back to their office before they could get any more excuses.

The pair slumped back in their chairs, accepting their fate. Sherlock was slightly suspicious of his brother, he could sense he was acting strange. Since when did he get two people to work on cases? However, he brushed that aside and then both of them checked and scanned the email of the client’s names, email address and phone number. Instantly, they knew what they had to do. They hated to admit it, but they worked well together as a pair. Sherlock shouted over to John

‘I’ll call the mayor and see what he wants’

Before he could finish John cut in

‘And I’ll call the fiancé’.

Both of them spent the next half hour on the phone, collating information on the perfect wedding for the couple. After they finished, Sherlock got a whiteboard from the storage cupboard, rolling it into their work area to write down important details.

At the same time, they said

‘They want a traditional wedding’

Sherlock looked surprised.

‘Very good deductions, John.’

He continued to speak and started to write on the board.

‘I think we should look for stately homes, preferably within London as they don’t want to travel for too long’

John responded in agreement adding:

‘Definitely, we should also search for an old church in the same vicinity and the manor needs to be able to fit 100 guests.’

Sherlock also added:

‘I think they should have a classic, three-course, sit down meal’

‘Yes! And a pink and white floral arrangement on the tables’

They continued on like this, discussing their ideas, scribbling on the board everything they needed to complete. Sherlock googled stately home’s while John rang several catering companies. Sherlock discovered the prettiest stately home and signalled for John to come see. He rolled over on his desk chair to his colleague. The venue was a 17th-century Georgian mansion with an accompanying rose garden called Fenton House. The latter’s eyes widened in awe.

‘Bloody hell, it’s gorgeous. I wouldn’t mind getting married there myself’

Sherlock looked at John sadly at that comment.

John carried on.

‘And they can have the reception in the mansion and then have the photography session in the gardens.’

Sherlock and John worked late into the night, wholly engrossed in what they were doing. The time had just gone eight o’clock when Mycroft and Lestrade were packing up, ready to head home. As they were taking off, they noticed that Sherlock and John were still in the office. Lestrade noted to Mycroft:

‘Even though they both get on each other nerves, you can’t ignore the fact they both passionate about what they do. Maybe you’re right, Mikey, they’re perfect for each other’.

Mycroft kissed Greg on the cheek and they went home. The next few weeks were spent finalising details, and they had eventually completed the full schedule for the mayor’s wedding. First, the bride was to be taken to a charming old chapel in the west of London by horse and carriage where they would have their ceremony. A violinist would perform an elegant, romantic melody, written by Sherlock, as the bride walks up the aisle. After the couple is wed, they both travel to the Georgian estate by horse and carriage. When they arrive, they will have the photography session in the botanical rose garden. Then they would head into the manor where, in the ballroom, it would be spread with round tables with pink roses atop of them as the centrepieces. There would be the main table for the bride, groom, and their family. The other half of the ballroom would be left clear with only a white grand piano where the pianist accompanied with more violinists would play as the couple would have their first dance.

Sherlock sent the full details to the couple by email. Not too long afterwards Sherlock and John received a call confirming that they were delighted with Sherlock and John’s plan. A few months flew by and it was the day of the rehearsal for the wedding. Accordingly, the pair of them had to go look over and make sure all was in place for the wedding next week. Sherlock and John left their flat and headed to the church by cab. During the cab ride, John jokingly mentioned to Sherlock:

‘I kinda wish that I was having their wedding. It’s perfect’

Sherlock laughed.

‘Well, of course, it is, we were the one’s who planned it’.

John turned serious for a moment asking:

‘Sherlock, do you ever wanna get married?’

Sherlock was taken aback slightly as he never really had these conversations with John.

‘I don’t know, John. Maybe if it was with the right person’

‘Have you met that person yet?’, John boldly asked.

Before Sherlock could answer, they had reached the church. Sherlock was massively relieved. Lestrade for some reason was already there and ran up to them. Sherlock was puzzled as to why he was there but had no chance to think about it when he asked:

‘Sorry to do have to do this but the clients have requested that you rehearse the wedding ceremony for them’

Sherlock and John’s jaws dropped in shock.

‘Why on earth would they want us to do that?’, Sherlock proclaimed.

‘Umm, shouldn’t they be the ones to rehearse their wedding seeing as it is their wedding?’, John added.

Lestrade was sweating nervously but stated:

‘Look, mate, if that’s what the client wants, that’s what they’re getting. Maybe they just want to see their ceremony from an outsider’s perspective.’

Lestrade walked away to let them get ready for the rehearsal, ringing up his husband his mobile.

‘Good news, babes, they bought it, they’re gonna rehearse the wedding’.

Back at the church, Sherlock and John were getting ready for the rehearsal when the mayor and his fiancé came to greet them. The bride to be held up two black-tie suits and said:

‘Thanks so much for doing this. You don’t know how much this means. We got two suits prepared so we can really immerse ourselves in the wedding’.

Sherlock took the suits, smiling.

‘No problem, we want this to be perfect for you.’

They got dressed in separate rooms and John headed outside the church while Sherlock was the one was going to wait at the altar. Two minutes before the rehearsal was starting and suddenly John was feeling particularly anxious. Why was he feeling this way? It wasn’t like he was literally getting married to Sherlock. The same concerns were running through Sherlock’s head. The violinist commenced playing the exquisite melody and John began walking up the aisle. Sherlock’s heart skipped a beat when he saw his best friend on his way up to the altar. He looked so dapper in that tuxedo, and his blue eyes complimented the flower on his suit jacket so well. John glanced to Sherlock at the altar and he blushed. He had to concede it that his looks were impeccable and how he had always secretly wished to ruffle his curly hair. John reached the altar where he took Sherlock's hands. It seemed like the right thing to do at that moment. The mayor and his bride to be were in the front row of pews to observe the rehearsal. The priest then began the service:

‘Dearly beloved and honoured guests. We are gathered here today to join Thomas and Julie in the union of marriage.’

The priest continued:

‘This contract is not to be entered into lightly, but thoughtfully and seriously, and with a deep realization of its obligations and responsibilities’.

‘The bride and groom have each prepared vows which they will read now’.

There was a pause when Sherlock and John didn’t know whether they should do that part or not. Everyone was looking at them expectantly, clearly wanting them too.

John wiped his brow as he came up with his vows.

‘I have known you Sher- I mean Julie, for a long time and I mean it when I say this. Even though you may get on my nerves, I couldn’t think of anyone else I’d rather spend the rest of my days with.’

Sherlock’s heart was beating like crazy.

‘Thomas, you make me laugh, you make me think differently and you make me a better person. I wanna grow old with you.’

The priest saw that they were finished and continued:

‘Thomas, do you take Julie to be your wife? Do you promise to love, honour, cherish, and protect her, forsaking all others, and holding only unto her forevermore?’

Sherlock confirmed ‘I do’.

The priest now turned to John

‘Julie, do you take Thomas to be your husband?’

John also confirmed ‘I do’.

When they had finished, the mayor, Thomas, and his fiancé, Julie, walked up to them thanking them for the rehearsal, commenting on how magical it looked. After the church rehearsal, they rode to the stately home in a stunned silence. Both kept thinking if there was any truth in the words they said to each other. Could it really be they were both in love each this whole time? They feared finding out the answer. At the manor, they taste tested the dinner and the cake, and then they had finished the rehearsal. Thomas and Julie thanked them for their help and left to go home. The pianist and violinists were still practising the songs, so Sherlock pulled John onto the empty dance floor and said jokingly.

‘Well we have practised everything else, so might as well do the slow dance’

John giggled saying ‘why the hell not’

Sherlock gently placed his hands on John’s slim waist. John rested his head on Sherlock’s shoulder. Slowly, they began to twirl around. As they were spinning, Sherlock whispered into John’s ear.

‘Did you really mean what you said back in the church?’

John responded quietly.

‘Yes’

Sherlock stopped in his tracks.

‘I meant what I said too. So are you saying we should give this a shot?’

John replied.

‘I really think we should’.

Sherlock embraced John, giving him a gentle peck on the lips. The next week, the pair of them came into work and they couldn’t help but giving each little kisses and hugs throughout the day. Lestrade noticed, his mouth agape and he shouted to Mycroft.

‘Oh my god, your plan really worked!’

Mycroft chuckled

‘Of course, it did, I’m a genius’.

#Sherlock Holmes #sherlock #sherlock x john #john watson #sherlock BBC #sherlock and john #sherlock/john #sherlock fic #johnlock #johnlock fic #bbc sherlock #sherlock x #sherlock x you #sherlock x y/n #sherlock reader insert

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caughtinkorea · 3 years

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Chasing Pavements(Excerpts of 2019)

Korea drained me.

It took me on an emotional roller-coaster I never want to experience again. I promised myself I’d never purposely try to put myself through that again. I came back a moody mess trying to pick up the bitter pieces of shoulda, coulda, woulda... but ultimately glad it didn’t.

When I came back I didn’t really have time to chill. I was just thrust into the next thing. I immediately jumped into preparing for my brother’s wedding. Everything and everyone around me kept me occupied. There was no time to focus on the mess of the past. I was leaving the memories of Korea behind. The good, the bad, and the ugly. In the end it all became so ugly.... except one part. Bond, James Bond.

Bond was the sweet guy that showed up out of nowhere when I was just about to leave. Story of my life *rolls eyes*. Curious things started happening at the time that I met him that made me a bit paranoid. I still don’t know exactly what to make of him or how he fit into my life. If I could tell you the full story you would understand why I said my life is a sitcom/drama.

So when I left Korea I guess you could say that was our official parting ways. At least I thought. After the wedding I had made plans to visit New York to see some friends. While talking with Bond one day we found out we’d coincidentally be in NYC at the same time. It seemed fate was bringing us together again. What were the chances that he’d be on my side of the world, in the same area, at the same time?

I landed in NYC and it wouldn’t be my life if some type of drama didn’t ensue. SO, of course, it did. Right when I landed. I was left stranded in Time Square because of a male ego -_-. Not Bond’s but another person. It left a bad taste in my mouth.

But I made sure not to let it ruin my trip. I decided to go to my hotel to change game plans and recoup. I knew I wouldn’t be able to see Bond much because he was on a business trip. When he arrived in NYC he let me know and we found out we’d be staying really close. Just across the bridge from each other. Then I found out his trip would be cut short and he’d actually be going back to Korea a few days earlier than planned. The day we had planned to meet was the day he would be heading back. Things just didn’t want to go my way. He told me he’d be taking a stroll down Time Square that night. I was disappointed at how things were unfolding and in a moment of frustration I let it be known. He seemed to be taking too much time to reply back to me. I asked if he really considered us friends. He asked if I was drunk. He said it wasn’t usual of me to act this way. I told myself I wouldn’t take that stuff anymore(holding my tongue to my true feelings). I was back on American soil and pledged I wouldn’t bend like that again due to so called “cultural differences”. I had had enough of that. But unlike the other kguys I dated, rather than gaslight me he apologized. In fact, he was very sympathetic and apologetic. From that moment he was extra attentive and promised to do right by me.

Even though he was busy he said he’d make time to meet during his lunch break. Unfortunately I couldn’t do that. So he made every effort to try to meet at a more convenient time for me. I told him I’d be meeting up with a friend for dinner, but we could meet up afterwards since we’d be around the same area.

After dinner with my friend I headed to our meet up spot. I remembered his birthday would be the next day so I stopped by a deli to pick up a cupcake, candles, and a lighter. I hid it away in a bag. When I got to the spot I called him and he snuck out of his hotel to meet me. We walked around to find a coffee shop, but they were all closed. While walking he saw a fancy bar across the street so we decide to head there. We get in and he buys us drinks. We go and find a small table for 2 away from the bar so we could sit and talk. Our drinks arrive. We start catching up on the short time I’ve been away from Korea. I didn’t particularly like the bartender’s recommendation and I guess he saw it all over my face lol. He ordered me a different drink (which was much better). I noticed he seemed a bit solemn and low spirited all night. It was almost midnight now(11:59) so I took out the cupcake and candle. I lit the candle and when the clock struck 12 o’clock I exclaimed “Happy Birthday!”. His face completely lit up.

I really enjoyed seeing how happy it made him. His demeanor completely changed and did a 180. He didn’t realize I knew it was his birthday. He told me he was really touched by the gesture and now completely let his guard down.

We ate a few bites of the cupcake and then left to take a walk down Time Square. On our way there we passed a few guys shooting dice. One guy was trying to sell his mixtape to people around. He comes up to us and makes his pitch. I hand him a few bucks and he hands me his cd. He thanks me, compliments me, then lightly taps on Bond and tells him he’s a lucky guy. He then hurries off. I chuckle it off and hand Bond the cd. I tell him when he goes back to his room he should play it. You never know. It may be good. He says “And get a computer virus? Uh, no.” I’ll pass. lol We walk toward the main area and a taxi passing by gets a little too close to me for his comfort so he pulls me into him. What in the kdrama nonsense is going on here?! *plays ‘You Are My Destiny’ theme music* XD He asks if I’m alright. I say I’m fine. We walk over by the red steps and take a few pictures together. We kinda just take in all the sights and sounds. It was a good little break to just enjoy the essence of New York City and get away. We walk down a couple more streets and just joke around enjoying each others company. We’re walking to cross the street and I was so focused on what was ahead that I didn’t pay attention to what was on the ground. I took a couple steps and *squish*.... I stop in my tracks. He looks back and asks what’s wrong. I stutter out “I think I stepped in horse poop.” I was just hoping it wasn’t true. He looks at me, then down to my foot, then back over to my eyes. The crosswalk timer is winding down. I pick up my foot to reveal what it is. Yeah... it’s horse poop T_T.

He jokingly pinches his nose and teases me as we run across before the timer runs out. Me with that awkward limp run you do in order to not make the mess even messier. We make it to other side and he’s cracking up. I playfully pat him and say “You think this is funny?” I scrape the poop off on the curb and he jokes that I now need to go home and take a shower because I stink ¬_¬. We laugh it off together. Unfortunately he can’t stay out long and has to get back to his hotel. He wasn’t really supposed to be out but he came out for me.

He walks me over to the subway station and we stop at the entrance. He finally confesses he likes me. I’ve realized the feeling is mutual. We say our final goodbyes and give each other a hug. It’s a little longer than usual. When we stepped away slightly we paused and looked at each other.

You could cut the tension with a knife. It was that very obviously perfect timing for a kiss moment but we mutually decided against it. We blushed, looked down, and lightheartedly laughed it off. We said goodbye again. He waited for me to walk down the steps and when I was there we waved each other goodbye one more time.

We still talk from time to time though it’s been a while now. We would call each other and have hours long discussions. I appreciated that he was honest telling me how he felt. If he was offended or uneasy about something I said he’d let me know and vice versa. Then we’d find out it usually stemmed from misunderstandings. One of those days my sister passed by and heard him talk. Like I’ve said before, he has a really attractive semi British accent with a deep tone. She was so shocked when she heard it and said “Who is that?! OMG, his voice is deep!”.

I wish you could see the level of amazement in her voice and on her face when she said that. lol Anyway, I promised myself I would never date a kguy again. Too many of them are too TOXIC and too much of a headache. But I would have made an exception for him. He would have been the last one I gave a chance. For the time I interacted with him he seems almost perfect on paper. He is well traveled, educated (also went to school for a bit in England), good personality, has a good stable job, not from Seoul(originally), and he’s tall so he’d fit right in with the guys in my family (wouldn’t be angry at the fact he’d be the short one like that ex and his 188cm ass XD). Not that he was short, he just made an insecurity complex out of it where need not be *rolls eyes*. Bond is 191cm. Around the same height as my little brother who is actually the shortest boy in my family. My two older brothers are 203cm and 205cm. They’d probably still joke that he’s short but all in good fun. Also I really liked that I felt protected around him with him being in the special forces and his job and all... I seemed to find all the special forces guys ;). And he never gas lit me. Not once! Which was a really big thing that happened constantly when dating kguys. It became one of the most irksome things about them, but he never did it. In fact, he was only ever genuinely apologetic when misunderstandings came up. It made me appreciate him even more.

But alas, I guess we were ultimately just not meant to be. We live in two different worlds and on different continents now and I don’t do that. Neither does he. But he let me know when I come back to visit Korea I always have a place to stay <3.

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love-killed-the-superstar · 4 years

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i finally finished cass week!! its been lots of late nights but so much fun. thank you everyone whos been reading these. tonight i have some real good cassunzel/unknighted dream content for yall, so enjoy if that’s your thing

CASSANDRA APPRECIATION WEEK DAY 7 - FINALE

How is one supposed to feel, showing up at their girlfriend's wedding to somebody else?

Cassandra has been through the whole spectrum of emotions in the run up to it all. There's been joy, of course, and in abundance – these are her best friends, taking that next important step in their lives. While she... takes her own next step. Alone.

She has poured over detailed illustrations Rapunzel sent her in letters of the various wedding patterns she's considered. It's amazing how much input Cass has had in the whole thing, considering it isn't even her wedding, especially when also factoring in the distance between them. She's helped pick out the flavour of punch while hunched over a campfire on a cold night; she's backed up Rapunzel's desire to forego shoes, even in the royal cathedral, in her underthings while her clothes hung up to dry after she got caught in a flash flood.

Half the time it doesn't feel like her place, and she withholds her opinion. Or she'll write back something along the lines of 'you should ask your future husband, not me'. But then Rapunzel counters that with 'well, you're like my future wife, so your opinion is equally important'. And... well, that just leads to other emotions that are even harder for her to deal with.

The flip side of the coin is the disappointment she feels, knowing that Rapunzel can only marry one person and Eugene is the clear winner, in both the royal family's favour and the court of public opinion. After all, who would come to a wedding where the princess marries the very person that nearly destroyed the kingdom? Cassandra can't fault Rapunzel for making the choice to marry Eugene; he was in Rapunzel's life first, he's begrudgingly grown on the people of Corona despite his shady past, and during the mess that she caused he stepped up and took responsibility. He loves her. He'll do anything for her.

She's happy for them, really. But the whole situation still feeds back into this complex she's worked so hard to overcome these last couple years. Marriage just a... a ceremony, a piece of paper, a legal contract. A wedding is a big, over-dramatic party that she would never in a million years want to take part in anyway. And hasn't she always told herself, since she was an angry little kid rolling her eyes at the Day of Hearts' puppet show, that romance, matrimony, all that bullshit, is something she's never wanted for herself?

It's petty, plain and simple, to have such a sting of jealousy at the idea of Rapunzel and Eugene marrying. They deserve their happy ending! More than anybody! Cass will just... have to figure out a way to be okay with that. Chasing destiny on the open road is her happy ending anyway, and that's no life for a... what would she even be? Princess consort? Duchess?

...Fine. She doesn't need a title or status to be happy. So much of her identity has been clinging to words other people might use to describe her and it can only end if she wishes it so.

All the same – it would be nice, just for a day, if she could be Rapunzel's bride.

…

Cass doesn't mean to show up late to the ceremony, although she's sure that Lance will slide up and make some comment at the reception anyway. Maybe she just didn't want to get up that morning. Maybe it's because she stayed up late last night, camping out at the lagoon, thinking about the vows they took all those years ago. After all, wasn't that modelled after a private wedding, between the two rulers who bound their kingdoms together? A marriage that is recognised in Corona's history books? By extension, aren't her and Rapunzel already married, in their own way?

That should be enough.

By the time Fidella and Owl rouse her, their casual annoyance morphing into urgency as the sun rises higher in the sky, she already knows she won't make it on time. She won't even have time to change, after Rapunzel spent weeks pestering her for her clothing measurements to have an appropriate outfit tailored. Thankfully, Raps knows her well enough not to commission a dress.

Cass rides like she's never ridden before, determined to get there before the vows. What will Rapunzel and Eugene think of her if they look out to the pews and see she isn't there, after all she's done to convince them she's fine with it all? She promised herself, the moment she held the pale lilac wedding invitation in her hands six months prior, that she wouldn't ruin their big day for them. Even if she shows up with windswept hair and yesterday's travelling clothes on, she has to be there, cheering them on.

With her and Fidella's combined determination they make the journey from the lagoon to the castle walls in record time. Standing at the gate, she purses her lips in annoyance as Stan and Pete, in a frustrating display of competence, ask for proof of ID and her invitation.

“Stan, Pete, this is ridiculous. You know me. You've known me since I was a kid.”

“Sorry, Cassandra,” Stan says sagely, as she begrudgingly hands over her Corona citizen identification card. “Rules are rules, and this is a big day for the princess.”

“Besides, we need to be on the lookout for shapeshifters,” Pete adds on, holding her invitation to the light to search for the subtly printed Corona emblem on the paper. “It's a recent thing we've been told to watch out for. A couple years ago there was an incident at the goodwill festival, see.”

“Pete, that was also me,” Cass says flatly.

“Never can be too careful,” he sighs, shaking his head. “Captain's orders and all. We good here, Stan?”

“Yup, everything looks legitimate. Welcome back to Corona, Cassandra!” Stan says, reverting back to his cheerful disposition.

“I am going to kill Eugene for this. Figuratively, of course.”

Stan motions for the gates to open, and as they do, a narrow stream of what looks to be wine rushes past Fidella's hooves. She moves aside slightly, snorting a little in confusion.

“Eww,” mutters Pete, exchanging a confused look with Stan before clearing his throat. “Well, you'd better hurry to the wedding if you don't want to miss the vows!”

“Yeah. Thanks.” Cass wrinkles her nose a little at the trail of wine leading across the bridge, eyes widening as it becomes apparent that there is much more where that came from. As the gates swing shut once again, Cass wonders to herself what the fuck they have just walked into.

The whole kingdom looks to be a mess. There are lanterns flying everywhere, and between them there are doves. Passing through the lower town, it looks like there's been some sort of roof collapse at the old tar works, and the stream of wine gradually becomes a shallow river. Fidella does her best to step around the mess, but it's nearly impossible; even the houses lining the street have been doused. At this rate, the reception will be an extremely sober affair.

Cass picks her way through the winding streets leading up to the palace, passing by a few torn up carts selling imitation merchandise of Rapunzel's wedding attire. She can't help but scoff at the broken shoe cart. As if Raps would wear shoes, even to her own wedding.

The crowd, all dressed in their Sunday bests, look shaken to their cores when she finally reaches the courtyard. The tables that were laid out for the reception are overturned, there is soup everywhere, and no one knows quite what to do with themselves.

She approaches a guard, looking flustered as he tries to set a nearby table upright, and asks, “Uh, what happened here?”

“Some – some horse burst through in a frenzy,” he explains, shaking like a leaf. “It, uh, from a distance it kinda looked like Maximus.”

Cassandra's brow furrows. “Is everything okay?”

“There are no reports of a disturbance in the throne room,” the guard continues. “But as you can see, the decorations have all been tarnished.”

“Yeah, I can see that. Look, I won't keep you, I just need access to the throne room. I have an invitation here, signed by the princess...”

After an excruciating second ID check (she was seriously going to maim Eugene for introducing this ridiculous 'shapeshifter' check) Cass is granted access to the venue, and figuring it's probably best not to draw attention to her tardiness, she slips in through one of the side entrances, with its door propped open to let in some cool air on such a hot day.

Cass hops down from Fidella's back, scratching the side of her head affectionately as Owl swoops down to take her place. He hoots at her curiously.

“Yeah, I don't know what the fuck just went down either,” Cass whispers. “I'm sure we'll find out later. For now, let's just not make a scene?”

Fate has other plans, however. She makes it barely two steps past the doorway before almost being bowled over by a runaway eight-tier wedding cake.

“Woah!” she gasps, stepping out of the way just in time to avoid getting a face full of cake. She reaches around, gripping the sides of the trolley to try and keep it from rolling all the way outside. Fidella steps in to help, blocking the exit with her body, and Cass heaves a sigh of relief as the trolley grinds to a halt, the cake wobbling precariously for several painful seconds before stabilising. Owl hoots in victory and Cass exhales loudly.

“Oh thank god. That could have been a disaster.”

“...Hey, where's the cake?” a voice, unmistakably Eugene's, calls from beyond the edge of the corridor. Cass cringes. So much for quietly watching from the sidelines.

Steeling herself, she slips around the back of the trolley and with some effort, pushes it around the corner and into the throne room. There's an audible ripple of uncertainty through the pews, as the confused guests mutter to one another about why some windswept vagrant is wheeling out a cake that was already in position at the beginning of the ceremony. There's a hoot of laughter (definitely Lance) at Cassandra's dishevelled appearance, a sharp “is that Cassandra?” from three rows away (her dad's voice, for sure), and a few giggles she's guessing are coming from Kiera and Catalina's direction. She can't even bear to look at the king and queen.

Instead, she sees two figures in white. Eugene, looking proud as can be in his very expensive wedding garb that he bragged about to her in several letters... and Rapunzel, face framed by the soft lace veil behind her, looking so beautiful Cass could cry. Her surprise melts into pure glee, and if it weren't for the colossal cake in between, Cass knows Raps would be launching herself at her right then and there, present company be damned.

She passes Max and Pascal and almost chokes. That would explain the sorry state of the tar works' roof, at least. From somewhere behind, she hears Fidella stifle a snort of laughter.

“Well well well,” Eugene says, with a click of the tongue and a lopsided grin. “If it isn't our favourite little gatecrasher.”

It's his teasing, strangely enough, that helps her to find her voice in front of all these people. “Well geez, somebody had to stop this cake from rolling down the hill.”

…

The wedding reception ends up being less of a party and more of a clean-up operation after Max and Pascal's prior mischief, but when the venue has been tidied up and the main courses have been served, Cass slips away right as the king stands up to give a tearful toast. If she times it right she can change into the outfit Rapunzel has had tailored for her and return before the speech is concluded, no problem.

At this point, her room is basically an empty shell with a bed and a wardrobe, so it takes no time to lay out her new outfit ready. Glancing around the empty husk of a room while she starts to undress, Cass wonders when exactly Corona stopped feeling like her home. Maybe about the time she realised it was the people, not the place, that she gravitated back to time and time again?

The new suit doesn't look all too different to Eugene's, minus his father's sash. It's white, with similar detailing, and even some of the same gold accents on the collar. Cass blanches a little the longer she stares at it. God, she's going to look like she's trying to steal his thunder. On his fucking wedding day.

“Why did I let you do this, Raps?” she groans. She can't deny once wearing it, however, that it makes her look really good.

She stares at her reflection in the mirror on her closet door, trying for a smile. This whole situation feels bizarre, and she still can't stop thinking about how stunning Rapunzel looks in her wedding dress.

I wish she was marrying me instead.

The admission, even inside her head, is enough to make her growl in frustration, slap her forehead.

“Enough,” she grits out. “You are going to go out there and be supportive and happy for them because this is their day and you love them so much. Enough throwing yourself a pity party, Cass.”

With nothing else to say to herself, she ties back her hair, shaggier from her foregoing a haircut in quite some time, neatly plaiting it and securing it with a short piece of string from her satchel. Pulling a pair of white gloves on to tie the whole outfit together, she glares at her reflection for a few seconds to compose herself before heading back towards the venue.

“Looking dapper, Cass,” Lance mutters in greeting as she slides up beside him, trying to pretend that she hadn't slipped out in the middle of the king's big speech. He glances over at Eugene, sat beside Rapunzel at the front table reserved for the royals, and then back to her again. “Tell me, which one of you is the groom again?”

“Don't you dare draw anyone's attention to this, Lance. Raps has no idea how petty this makes me look to onlookers.”

He bursts out laughing, which quickly dissolves into a fake cough to deter the few people who turn to stare at him disapprovingly. “Haha, hmm. Uh, you know that was definitely intentional on her part, right? She wants you to feel included.”

“Included? I just feel like I'm third-wheeling a wedding.”

“Isn't that exactly what's happening?”

She groans quietly, before bursting into polite applause as the king embraces Rapunzel tightly and then raises his glass, before taking his seat. Edmund rises, and she can already see Eugene looking nervous at the weird shit he's about to start spouting to the unsuspecting audience.

“I came back here to support them, not to upstage Eugene at the after party.” She chews her lip. “Maybe I should change. D'you think I should change?”

“Look, Cass, Eugene knew about the matching suits ahead of time. If he had a problem with it he would have said something, believe me.” Lance grins and shakes his head. “I was just messing with you before about the third wheel stuff. You're their equal, don't you get that? This might as well be your day too.”

Cass pinches the bridge of her nose. “Don't say this stuff to me, Lance, or I'll seriously start feeling depressed. I need a drink. Is there any booze left, or is it all out on the street?”

“Unless they're planning on breaking out the communion wine, I think we're out of luck.”

“Damn it. Maybe I should just hide in the bathroom for the next six hours.”

As the toasts conclude, Rapunzel and Eugene are called to the dance floor for the first wedding dance. The orchestra rise as Arianna removes the train from Rapunzel's hair, and she and Eugene make their way to the centre of the venue with their hands clasped. Rapunzel's eyes search in the crowd as she walks, finally locking in on Cass as the conductor motions for the band to play.

“I love you,” Rapunzel mouths, and Cass weakly nods before losing Rapunzel's attention to the sweep of the music and the arms of her new husband.

…

“Cass!”

Rapunzel finds her on the steps, having put some distance between her and the rest of the party about an hour ago. After a couple hours of shit-talking bad dancers with Lance from the sidelines, catching up briefly with her father, and downing about a third of the punch bowl in an attempt to avoid conversations with people, Cassandra is all partied out.

Rapunzel's hair is mussed from hours of relentless dancing as she patters down the steps and flops down beside her, uncaring if the dust from foot traffic leaves a mark on the fabric.

“Hey, newlywed. You having a good time?”

“Of course! Oh, Cass, aren't the orchestra just wonderful? They play the classics, for my parents, but the upbeat stuff was a great surprise! When I'm queen, we'll dance like this at every function, mark my words!” The gleam in her eyes only brightens as she adds, “Besides... I keep stopping mid-step and thinking, I'm married now. I get to spend the rest of my life with Eugene. Isn't that just – just wonderful?”

“It is.” Cass offers her the warmest smile she can muster. “I'm so happy for you, Raps, really. You and Fitzherbert are going to have a great life.”

“All three of us are.” Rapunzel scoots closer and rests her head against Cassandra's shoulder. If only time could stop right now, Cass wishes silently, she wouldn't ask for anything ever again. “Cass, you are both my future. It's been so hard to find time to be with you today, and it's driving me crazy! You deserved to be up there with us today, you know?”

“But Corona law doesn't allow it,” Cass says softly, as if saying the words delicately will shelter her heart from fully feeling the weight of them. Rapunzel swallows and nods.

“Mhm. Yeah, it... it doesn't.”

She reaches for Cassandra's hands and squeezes them in her own. Cass can feel Rapunzel's wedding band dig slightly into her index finger, and tears spring to her eyes.

“Well,” she forces herself to say, “it's okay. If you had to marry either one of us, it should be Eugene. He's the more stable presence in your life, after all. He can help you keep this place afloat, while I – while I'm off travelling.”

“Let's not talk about this,” Rapunzel whispers, a pleading tone creeping in. “This... this should be a happy day for us, Cass! The start of something new!”

“You're right. Raps, this is a happy day. And – and I mean it, Rapunzel, I am so happy for you both. My best friends get to be happy together forever. Why wouldn't I be?”

She stands up quickly and holds her hand out, pulling Rapunzel to her feet. Rapunzel stares at her for a heartbeat, face clouded with some emotion too tumultuous to unpack in this moment, before reaching over and wiping a tear away as it spills over from Cass's eyes.

“I know you are.” Her face softens into a smile. “Hey, dance with me? Please?”

“I don't know, Raps...”

“Just one dance?” she asks, biting her lip. “I'm about ready to turn in, but... it wouldn't feel right if I didn't share at least one dance with the woman I love the most.”

“That's sweet of you. How will the man you love the most feel if I take the last dance?” Cass asks, quirking an eyebrow as Rapunzel begins tugging her up the steps by her wrist. “And your father, for that matter?”

“Oh, Eugene won't mind, silly,” Rapunzel laughs airily, marching them both towards the centre of the dance floor as other party-goers begin to stare. “And my father isn't dancing with you, I am.”

There are some whispers as they begin to dance slowly, stepping in time to a waltz; it's more of an open secret than anything, the way Rapunzel and Cassandra are with each other, but it still feels pretty brazen all the same. Cass is a bit rusty on her feet, having gone years since she last danced ballroom-style, but as she stares lovingly at Rapunzel's face, counting the smattering of freckles on her nose and seeing her own flustered face in Rapunzel's eyes, she realises it doesn't really matter. The steps are bullshit; everything is, except the hand clasped in hers and the other curled around the back of her neck.

Out of the corner of her eye Cass spies Lance, grin a mile wide, offering his hand out to Eugene. They start their own dance, a little clumsier, a little more comical than their own. Rapunzel giggles as they waltz past, Lance almost knocking into them as they spin.

“See? Eugene and Lance can make their own fun.”

Cass smiles back, exhaling slowly. There are still a few people watching with rapt interest: Queen Arianna, looking misty-eyed; Cassandra's father, fidgeting a little, his anxieties no doubt feeding off of the nervousness in Cass's own body language; a little girl she doesn't even know, clad in a waistcoat and pants, looking like she's seeing someone who mirrors herself for the first time. But as interest in their dance begins to wane, so do her fears.

“Dancing still isn't really my thing,” she confesses, as they begin to slow down. “It feels... awkward.”

“Oh.” Rapunzel pouts. “But, you know, gotta try everything once?”

“Of course. I can stand it if I'm with you.” She leans in to press a kiss to Rapunzel's forehead, but thinks better of it, leaning back again. “I, uh... yeah, it might be time for me to turn in, Raps.”

Rapunzel's smile fades a little in disappointment, but she nods. “Yeah. It's about time for us to leave too, so...”

“You're leaving tonight?”

“Yeah. No time like the present, right?” Rapunzel winds her arm around Cassandra's, clinging on as she calls over the din of the music. “Eugene! Are you ready?”

“Sunshine, I'll be right with you,” he calls back, in the midst of being dipped by Lance. Once he's back on his feet and says his goodbyes in a bone-crushing hug, he joins the two of them as they make their way to the edge of the dance floor.

“Is... is it okay for us to just leave like this?” Cass asks suspiciously. “You two don't need to make some kind of big announcement, or anything?”

“...Nah,” Eugene says after a long pause, exchanging a look with Rapunzel. “We can let the king and queen deal with that, right? Besides, the ship won't wait forever.”

Before Cass can protest further, Eugene slides up to the other side of her and links his arm in hers, and the two effectively march her down the steps and towards the docks.

“This is lovely and all, but I can't help the feeling that you two are kidnapping me,” she points out, as the three of them march on in silence.

“What! No! We – we just think you should see the boat! It's really gorgeous, and there's apparently an ice sculpture on board,” Rapunzel gabbles, starting to wax poetic in her ear as Eugene stands on the other side of her, equally enthusiastic.

“And get this – they didn't screw up my nose this time!! That's a huge deal, you absolutely cannot miss it-”

This weird pimping of the boat continues as they follow the path down to the harbour, greeting a few puzzled guards on the way as they tag along for protection. Cass can't shake the feeling that something extremely weird is going on. Eugene and Rapunzel have been shooting her odd looks all day, and she thought it was because her complicated feelings were obvious to everyone around her, but as they get closer and the ship comes into view, it definitely feels like there's a bigger story than that.

The boat is beautiful – the wood is dyed a deep cherry red, and the sails are the same rich purple as the Coronan flag, complete with the golden sun crest. On board, true to their words, is an ice sculpture, but as she strains her eyes, the sculpture depicting the happy couple looks suspiciously like a happy throuple, instead.

“Raps... Eugene... what exactly is going on here?”

“Oh, you'll see,” Eugene says under his breath, while Rapunzel giggles gleefully and gives no further answer.

Trunks of their belongings are already being loaded onto the ship when they arrive, and Cass notices a familiar satchel and carry on pack nestled beside one of Rapunzel's cases.

“Are – are those my things? Guys, what is going on?”

Finally, the two of them release her arms and she takes a step back, eyes darting all over as she tries to comprehend what the fuck is happening right now.

“Cassandra,” Rapunzel begins, clasping her hands together joyfully, “we're boarding the ship for our honeymoon, and... we were hoping you would like to come with us.”

She stares. “...But why?”

“Why?” Eugene scoffs. “Why indeed, Cass, let me think. You're our best friend, you're in a relationship with my wife – something as intimate as a honeymoon doesn't just happen with two out of three when it comes to us, you understand?”

“But – but this wedding isn't for us, it's for you,” splutters Cass, still wondering if she knocked her head at some point and woke up in a parallel universe, where things like a honeymoon for three were commonplace. He rolls his eyes, hard.

“Cass, look at us. We're wearing the same freaking suit. You do the math.”

“And we had our own wedding dance,” Rapunzel chimes in. “Even if you didn't really like it.”

“All right, just... stop, okay? Give me a minute to think.” Cass is starting to feel dizzy. “I – I know you both love me – in different ways,” she adds sharply, as Eugene opens his mouth. “But this is... pretty crazy. Even for us. I mean, people will talk about this, guys.”

Rapunzel and Eugene exchange amused glances. “Cass, everyone who knows us knows, and everyone who doesn't have a pretty good guess about what goes on between us three,” Rapunzel says slowly. “You don't have to worry about that anymore, do you understand?”

“It's different now!” Cassandra protests, shaking her head in pure, unfiltered amazement. “You two are married now and it's – adulterous. Probably. Maybe even treasonous? God, my head hurts.”

“So it's not a cut and dry situation, that's fine!” Eugene throws up his hands in exasperation. “But damn it, Cass, you're acting like this is the end of days. If you stuck around more than a few days at a time, you'd realise that the people of Corona really don't care as much as you think they do.”

Cass opens and closes her mouth a few times, unsure of where to even start with protesting everything they've been saying to her. She loses the train of thought anyway once she lays eyes on Rapunzel, with a desperate look in her eyes as she watches Cass, fidgeting with her hands.

“Cass,” she says quietly, taking a tentative step forward, “we can't force you to come with us, but we would really like you to. So we can right this – this rigid law that stops us all from being happy.”

“...Okay, now you've definitely lost me.”

Rapunzel makes a frustrated noise in her throat, running her fingers back through her hair and resting both hands on the back of her neck, like she so often does when she's trying to think.

“Cassandra – once we are outside of Coronan waters, the laws don't apply anymore.”

“...And?”

Eugene half-laughs, half-coughs, and Rapunzel shoots him a pointed look before continuing more gently, “And, when we're out at sea, certain... marriage laws... don't apply either.”

She bites her lip, hoping this will be enough to get the gears turning in Cassandra's head, but she stares on blankly.

“Oh, for christ's sake!” Eugene slaps his forehead and pulls Cass along to stand beside Rapunzel, staring them both down with folded arms. “Cass, I don't know how many times we have to spell it out for you, but this has always been your wedding day too. If you want it to be, anyway.”

The words finally seem to hit home, and she stares between them with eyes as wide as a deer being stalked.

“What?” she squeaks.

“Cassandra, I have wanted to marry the both of you for as long as this has even been a conversation,” Rapunzel explains, and her voice shakes a little with her next words. “Of course this is crazy, everything we do together is crazy! And, Cass? If you don't want to get on the boat and do this... I'll accept that. But – but I hope, after all that we've been through together, that you want to be my wife as much as I want to be yours.”

Time moves slowly as the weight of these words sink in, and Cass glances between Eugene, who is beginning to look emotional just in the presence of this proposal, and Rapunzel, laying her heart on the line just to show Cass how much she matters.

“You'd really do that? For me?”

“With you,” Rapunzel corrects, mouth splitting into a grin as her eyes gloss over with tears. “Cass, I would sail to the ends of the Earth if it meant I could marry you when we get there.”

“Oh god,” Eugene says in a hushed voice. He turns away, hand over his eyes. “You're both killing me here.”

“Can it, Fitzherbert,” Cass says on instinct, before a laugh bubbles up from her throat. “Raps, I – what do I even say to that?!”

“Say yes already, oh my god!”

“Eugene!” Rapunzel shakes her head, giggling helplessly. “Sorry, proposals get to him.”

Cass gives a watery laugh. “I'll bet. What's he going to do when we actually get married, huh?”

Rapunzel blinks a few times, then gasps in delight. “So it's a yes?!”

All Cass can do is nod before Rapunzel throws herself at her, hugging her tight enough to choke. Even with all the oxygen being squeezed from her lungs, Cass feels like she can breathe for the first time all day.

There's the sound of a throat being cleared behind them, and they turn to see a guard looking a little awkward to interrupt.

“Excuse me. Um... the smaller bags, should we load them on the ship, or...?”

“Yes, you should,” Cass says, barely able to contain her cheer. “Wherever these two go, I'm going with them.”

The guard shrugs, quickly turning back to the remaining luggage, and Cass cups Rapunzel's jaw, pressing a quick kiss to her lips before hiding her face in the top of Rapunzel's hair.

“Aww, don't be shy! I loved that!” Rapunzel giggles, pulling her in closer. “I loved that so much. Wherever we go, you're coming too. Yep... that's going in my journal for sure.”

“No,” groans Cass, still giggling despite herself. “Please, no record of anything sappy I say ever again.”

“Too late. See, you should know by now, Cass. Everything mushy we ever say will be immortalised in our wife's notebooks for the rest of our lives,” Eugene sighs, slinging an arm around her. Cass nods, keeping close as they steer her towards the boarding plank.

Our wife. It feels too fucking good to be real.

“This isn't a dream, right?” she asks suddenly, as they're halfway up the plank. “This is really happening?”

“Of course it's real, art can't imitate life!” scoffs Eugene, looking a little offended. “This face can't simply be replicated in dreams, Cassandra.”

“No one is saying anything about your face, Eugene,” Rapunzel sighs, shaking her head fondly.

“You know what, Fitzherbert? You've got a point. If this were a dream your nose would be a totally different shape, for a start.”

“I don't get it! How hard can it be to draw somebody's nose in accurate proportion to their face?!”

As they take their first steps onto the boat and the plank is removed, they turn to see a few familiar faces have gathered. The parents have come to wave their children off, in a quiet moment of finality before the next chapter begins. Arianna waves to them, her aura simply overflowing with joy, Frederic watches on with a stiffer wave, clearly still coming to grips with what's about to happen once the boat leaves Corona. Edmund, stood off to the side, is loudly asking Hamuel why their good friend is tagging along for the journey.

A little further back, Cassandra's father watches on. Upon first glance, she freezes; Rapunzel's arm is still holding her in close, and she nods towards him, trying for a smile. He nods back, slowly at first, before raising his arms to wave.

He is called over by Arianna and sheepishly joins her, his eyes never fully leaving Cass as he does so. Overwhelmed, she glances down at Rapunzel, who is leaning with her head against her shoulder, still beaming and waving at her parents.

“My father knew about this, then?” she asks quietly. Rapunzel shrugs, a shy smile on her face.

“I know we don't need it, but I wanted his blessing. I wanted him to know that you're loved, and you're gonna live a long life and be okay.”

The regal trill of trumpets fill the air, as the small cluster of guards on the dock stand to attention. A few words are read from a prepared scroll, carried away by the ocean breeze before Cass can hear, and then suddenly they're moving. The faces of their parents are growing smaller, the stretch of ocean growing larger, and Cass exhales shakily before turning to Rapunzel and Eugene.

“I think I'm going to puke,” she confesses.

“What?!” squeaks Rapunzel, alarmed.

“Well, now would be a terrible time to tell us you get seasick,” Eugene jokes, clapping her on the back. “Seriously though. You okay?”

“I'm fine. I just... realised how much of what was said happened in front of all those strangers. And then our parents. God, I'm gonna jump.”

“Yeah, no jumping,” Eugene says firmly, tugging her away from the boat's edge by her shoulders. “How long until we're out of Coronan waters.”

“Less than an hour.” The tremors are back in Rapunzel's voice again.

“And there are... aha! Three hours until the clock strikes midnight. You're in luck, ladies. If we play our cards right, this day will go down in history as both our anniversaries. How's that sound, huh?”

“Sounds like everything I've dreamed of,” Rapunzel sighs, melting against Cass. “Doesn't it feel good just to be here and not having to hide it?”

“I mean, we're embarking with a very small crew for a private ceremony outside of Coronan waters,” Cass points out. “Feels pretty hidden to me.”

Rapunzel pouts. “Ah, you're right.”

“You know... I think it's better this way. I wouldn't want it to be some public affair anyway,” Cass says quickly. “But yeah, this still feels like I'm in some sort of fever dream.”

“Want me to pinch you to be sure?”

“If you pinch me I will kill you. And hey, what was all this about a shapeshifter check at the gates, huh, Fitzherbert? I missed your wedding vows just so you could mess with me?!”

“Oh, that. I thought it would be funny!”

The ship sails off, disappearing into the evening sky, and even as she's bickering with Eugene and being held back by an exasperated Rapunzel, Cass can't help believing that this might be the start of her own happily ever after, after all.

#cassandra appreciation week #cassandra week #tangled the series #tts #cassunzel #unknighted dream #tts cassandra #rapunzel #eugene fitzherbert

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north-texas-madhatter · 3 years

Text

Uncertain: That’s no deer my wife whispered…

As I listened intently peering off into the dark forest I told my wife, “It’s out there, it hasn’t left” She and the kids got up as we heard a twig snap. “Get the kids and get in the cabin”, I quietly whispered as I grabbed the shotgun from the trunk. I knew it was watching us, in the dark, maybe just as scared as I was – or maybe not.

Our family loves to travel and the more unusual the place the better. We love cabins and nature and beautiful back roads, lakes and forest. It was a cool crisp morning and we were loading up the car for another adventure. Don’t forget to put on some deodorant my wife reminds me, my daughter had complained that Papa David was kinda stinky. Which is true, I am a stinky smelly man and unfortunately for her she sits behind me in the backseat when we travel. “I will smell like roses”, I replied as I loaded the cooler of snacks with an assortment of drinks careful to put it equally in reach of all family members.

I was rummaging around in the garage trying to find all the items I had put on my trip list. The smell of moldy tarps, dust and an old bike tube hanging off a rack as I shuffled things back and forth. “I really need to organize this better” I thought to myself. Finally laying on the garage floor before me were, flashlights, medical kits, an assortment of fire starters, lanterns, two way radios, and an old box of shotgun shells that I had brought out from the house. I did a quick review of the list I had made the night before and checked off all the items but one. The shotgun. I didn’t like leaving anything like that just laying around.

The kids packed their backpacks with who knows what, some Go Fish and Old Maid card games were stuffed in the side pockets and the iPad’s fully charged for those moments where my wife and I would like to have a conversation without interruption. You parents know what I mean.

“What about Stella?” the kids asked. I had made sure to find lodgings that allowed pets so I said she is going with us. Stella had been sitting on her carpet anxiously watching us pack the car and, as if to know what I had said, began wagging her tail gleefully running back and forth to the door.

All packed up, everyone in the car, doors checked, thermo nuclear alarm system set, we began to back out of the driveway. “Oh wait!” I forgot something. Everyone letting out a sigh. Just like my parents when we would leave for our trans America trips, my dad would pull in and out of the driveway six times before we could finally depart. Turning off the alarm and unlocking all the doors I retrieved a large shotgun from the safe and walked back to the car checking it before placing it carefully in the trunk.

Off we go! And the kids yelled yay! immediately asking for their iPads. Our destination this time is a little town on the Caddo Lake called Uncertain. But we were in no hurry to get there as plenty of back wood roads were ahead of us.

Leaving the Dallas city limits always brings a sigh of relief, like escaping some kind of urban restraints. There is a Buccee’s ahead but I turn the car onto highway 80 heading through Terrell and then after a quick driving tour of a few historical neighborhoods we are headed out into the countryside.

“Look a tank!” the kids yelled. Small towns often have war relics as a showpiece for their local VFW’s (Veteran’s of Foreign Wars) which are like a club house for military service men and women to get together and have a drink, socialize or even hold events such as weddings or parties. We pulled into the parking lot and the kids ran toward the tank and a large caliber cannon. “Watch for snakes!” was the usual call out we made but it was cold enough that there were probably none around.

I hobbled over to the edge of a tank putting my hand on the corner to hold myself up. A car wreck and later a fall off an H post on our ranch years ago had left my back in a mess and driving takes its toll if I don’t stop and move around. As I stood there the kids climbed all over the tank turret and I could smell engine grease that must have been in this machine since WW2. Our mini-dachshund bounced over the grass fighting the leash my wife held tightly. An elderly couple emerged from one of the doors in the VFW and waved. I could see USS something written on the old man’s hat with a silhouette of a battleship. He reminded me of my grandfather who fought in the war. His white wavy hair, reading a newspaper. As a child I would sneak up and thump it and he would pretend to get up for a chase. After a brief break we yelled for the kids to get down and dust off as we all piled back in the car and headed on down the road.

My favorite thing to do is put in a destination on Google Maps and then pick all the different routes that will prevent me from merging onto a highway because highways are the enemy when it comes to adventure. You miss so much when you fly down a road at 70 plus mph. The orange, yellow and red leaves become a blur, the smell of the sweet pine needle lost in the soot of the diesel trucks. Give me the backroads, the curve of her body, the gentle sway of her hair. The dips, the hills, the smooth mirror like surface of the lake meeting the sky. Lazy fishing boats, their lines cast toward the setting sun.

It’s getting dark now as we roll into Jefferson, the sun’s rays beam through the magnolia trees and New Orleans styled patios. Porch lights dot the neighborhoods and a train can be heard rumbling on the tracks just outside of town, as we catch glimpses of the red blinking of the sentries through the dirty glass windows of vacant row houses.

For those of you unfamiliar with Jefferson. It is a unique Texas, town sitting in the shadow of Caddo Lake it was once a Texas port for steamboats arriving by way of the Mississippi and Red Rivers. The town is steeped in New Orleans styled architecture. Many goods and services were brought by paddleboat to the town from the coastal city and as with many towns of those times they had stories of hauntings. In fact Jefferson is home to one of the most haunted hotels in America, the towns namesake, The Jefferson Hotel. You can imagine the gas lamps flickering as a ghostly figure stands in the doorway. There is an old train car permanently stationed across the street and we release the kids to stretch their legs as we take a peak at the old hotel and adjacent coach car.

No offense to the paranormal enthusiasts but I have never been much of a believer in the other worldly but I do try to keep an open mind. Nevertheless, the whole town had a kind of creepy vibe at this time of day and there was this almost damp deathly smell as a light mist encroached on the lattice worked streets from the nearby swamps.

It was at this moment that I heard something. It was distant, like a low howl almost just outside of human hearing. I can’t quite explain it but though barely discernable it was not of the norm I would expect from the usual town and surrounding forest noises, but it demanded to be noticed if only subconsciously. “Did you hear that?” I asked my wife “Hear what?” she replied and I as quickly dismissed it to have been just some slight synaptic misunderstanding.

We drove around town for another half hour looking at all the beautiful old homes, brick streets and the docking area where paddleboats once delivered handlebar mustached men and parasol carrying ladies to horse drawn carriages idly standing by while French perfume fragrances purchased in the Big Easy filled the air.

Leaving Jefferson, Polk Street took us through the Big Cypress Bayou. Our surroundings were changing, Spanish moss was hanging from the trees now and I knew our cabin was not much farther away. We decided to take a slight detour and drive through Caddo Lake State Park. We giggled at the sign, Learn How to Survive Like a Sasquatch. And we noted all the wildlife, deer, birds and though we probably would not see any, alligator that live in this eco-system we had arrived to. The road then became darker, swamp waters came right up to the edge on both sides, the lake was up and we had entered a watery world that was quite foreign to us. In fact, we heard that the town was called Uncertain because when the lake floods no one is certain the town is still there.

It is small and looks like something out of a Stephen King novel. There is a short main street with a sundry of cabins anywhere from a mere shack to homes on stilts. There it is! Caddo Lake Cabins, just on the corner of Bois D Arc and Cypress Drive. There were two cabins side by side and ours was the larger with a screened in porch with the back of it to the forest and swamps. A stone throw away was Taylor Island which you would never know it was an island since the road extended to a dead end there. Fishing camps lined the edge and the smell of fish and beer filled the air.

“There’s a golf cart!”, the kids yelled. “Can we drive it!” Not tonight, it’s too dark and we need to get everything inside.

What we didn’t know is how ready we would be to leave…

The cabin was beautiful! It was very clean and had everything we needed. The screened porch overlooking the forest was a favorite for our dog Stella who incessantly sniffed the air. The cabin had a fresh cut wood and coffee smell to it as my wife opened the bag of black coffee grounds left by the owners for us to enjoy during our morning cup of joe. Outside we could hear owls hooting to one another and frogs serenading the cool crisp night as we brought in all our items for the stay. Blankies, stuffed animals, backpacks spilling open onto the bed as our kids claimed their living quarters. We couldn’t believe we had found such a wonderful place for such a reasonable price.

After unloading our gear and goodies we took a quick drive around town. It was eerily quiet, “They roll up the carpet early around these parts”, I said aloud. We could see yellow bulbs glowing behind closed curtains in the small cabins and homes up and down Cypress Drive, the main street of town. We caught glimpses of the moonlight reflecting off the bayou just beyond the cottages at the waters edge. “I hear they filmed parts of Universal Soldier and some swamp monster movie near here”, I said as the occupants of the car peered out the window. A few bumps in the road and we stopped short of a boat ramp leading into the lake. We sat there for a moment, next to us was a covered marina with little Jon Boats bobbing up and down, we could hear a dog barking off in the distance. “Well that’s it for this town”, I said. “Let’s head back and get some rest so we can get an early start tomorrow.” We had plans for the next day to drive into Louisiana and see where Bonnie and Clyde met their end at the hands of Frank Hamer and local law enforcement and to possibly explore a very unusual area that I had found while researching our trip on Google Maps.

My wife and I laid in bed, it was close to 11pm and after talking about the trip and our plans for the next day we began to drift off to sleep. Suddenly the night was split open as an extremely loud air horn blasted. “What the Hell is that!” I jumped up out of bed and ran to the window. It sounded as if a train might drive right through the cabin! Looking out the window I could only see night. There were no headlights, no trains or trucks – nothing. Just the echo of the loud piercing horn fading into the forest. My wife walking back to bed after checking on the kids asked, “What do you think that was all about?” “I don’t know but I didn’t see any train tracks that close to us.” “It was almost like it was to scare something away or sounded as a warning.” The odd thing was no one was coming out of their dwellings to check out the mysterious sound. It was accepted as a normal occurrence it seemed. It set me on edge but I finally fell into an uneasy sleep.

The next morning we opened the bag of coffee grounds and my wife walked out onto the porch handing me a fresh mug with steam rising from it. I never really liked coffee until I married my wife and now it is so nice when we can just sit and talk between sips of the black stuff. The kids were still asleep and Stella sniffed around the edges of the porch. “Something must have come close last night, she seems really curious”, my wife pointed out. Stella was really picking up on a scent near the screen door. “Maybe she needs a restroom break” as my wife went off to retrieve the harness and leash.

Stella pulled hard at the leash. She is never like this, usually just sniffing and stopping and then sniffing some more before finally answering to the call of nature but this time she strained at the end of the leash. My wife looked back at me as Stella pulled her across the lawn toward the woods behind the cabin. She is onto something. Maybe a deer? She growled but then after a moment retreated back to the cabin managing a tinkle on the way. We didn’t think much of it and knew that being surrounded by nature and forest there was bound to be some curious creatures lurking about.

After breakfast we all jumped in the car and headed out. Fishermen were already making their way into the bayou, wisps of smoke from their engines lazily floating across the water. There was a slight mist to the morning air and everything was damp from the night fog that the sun now began to burn through. The smell of eggs and bacon filled our noses as the town began its slow start to the day. After a bumpy drive through town, we turned onto a smooth black top road heading toward Louisiana. Shortly down the road we arrived to a small town named Karnack, it looked very run down but “This is where Lady Bird Johnson grew up” I exclaimed, no one in the car knew who that was so I explained that she was the First Lady and wife of President Lyndon B. Johnson. She is responsible for the beautification of our Texas Highways and for the seeding of the wildflowers and bluebonnets we see along the roadsides in the Spring. Her husband, LBJ, is responsible for The Grasslands we enjoy having our campfires at, not far from our hometown of Denton.

The air had an acrid smell to it and we could see large gates that led into the vast forested area I had seen on Google Maps. It looked like there had been a large town there once with roads crisscrossing one another in an organized grid with streets called 4th Street, Avenue C, 59th and Starr Ranch Road. Structures could still be seen peeking out behind the forest.

“Hey guys!” that is where we will explore later if we have time on our way back. We were very excited and off we went!

It didn’t seem long before we pulled under the overhang of the Horseshoe Casino. My wife and son walked in just to take a look while my daughter stayed behind with me. From the car I could see the beautiful chandelier that hung over the lobby. Many times, I had walked underneath it with my dad as we arrived for games of Black Jack while sitting on the banks of The Red River in Bossier City. There is some obscure law that I still don’t quite understand, where as long as the casino is on or over the Red River it is allowed to operate. The hotel, restaurants and parking areas can be on land but the games of chance themselves had to be over the rivers muddy red water. This is accomplished by river boat or barge permanently docked and anchored with vast poles that allow the casino to move up or down depending on the rivers height and water flow.

Shreveport was on the West side of the river and Bossier City on the East side. I had to laugh when I saw a Pipes Emporium on “Stoner” Avenue. Though I do not partake in the herbage myself I have been in my share of head shops, they sell the best incense, and the irony was not lost on me by the name of the street. By the way they don’t like it when you ask for a bong, they want you to call it by its legal name, a water pipe. Though they are technically the same thing and no difference to those visiting Pipes Emporium on Stoner for all their smoke shop needs.

Barksdale Air Force Base was to our left now and we could see war planes sitting idly on the tarmac. We headed back into the forested roads of Louisiana. An hour later and a vacant road would find us in front of one of America’s most notorious landmarks. The location where the famous outlaw couple, Bonnie & Clyde, were dispatched. One could almost smell the gun powder as Frank Hamer and his posse laid in wait raining down a wall of bullets onto the unsuspecting duo. An informant had tipped off Frank and his group of law men that they would be travelling on that road and a trap was set. The friend turned snitch pretended to be broken down on the side of the road and as Bonnie and Clyde slowed their car to assist, they were gunned down leaving their car peppered with holes and their limp bodies slumped in the car.

There are several cars claiming to be the famous death wagon. One is at Whiskey Pete’s Hotel and Casino in Primm, Nevada and another, not far from Dallas, owned by a little known body shop in Gunter, Texas. My son and I have seen it and it looks as real as any car shot full of holes would look sans the blood and other gore.

After finishing our visit to the markers that commemorated the death of the outlaws while praising the men who made it happen, we turned back out onto the road. A rusty colored pickup whizzed by startling me as I had grown accustomed to the lack of vehicular traffic in this area of backwoods LA. With the tires throwing some gravel behind us we were back on the blacktop making a circle around to the highway that would take us toward our temporary home back in the town of Uncertain but not before at least one last adventure to end the day with…

We passed through the gates, they weren’t like the gates at the State Parks we were accustomed to visiting. These looked a bit more foreboding. A small building was on our right that I imagine served as a visitor’s center. There was not a soul around. The town of Karnack was just behind us as we drove on down the road. I could hear the tires passing through bits of loose asphalt. The whole place seemed to be a maze of roads separated by tall pine trees. Here and there we could catch a glimpse of concrete structures long fallen out of use. It gave me an uneasy feeling like we were not supposed to be there. But what was eerie was that it was so quiet. I heard few if any birds. No other persons or wildlife was in the park. The streets were named as if it were a bustling downtown metropolis but nothing much was to be seen except for the stately conifers that surrounded us. It reminded me of that scene out of The Shining where the boy is being chased through a labyrinth. Except there was no snow and no deranged lunatic chasing us, at least none that we saw.

Driving on we were amazed at how large this place was, it was more than a Nature Preserve and we would run into road after road that would have barriers or warning signs that the road was off limits. We finally found the Starr Ranch Road that led us to the edge of Rag Island and a lonely boat launch. Here there was another structure, more welcoming. It looked like something that might be used for family gatherings and was screened in to protect guests from the swarms of mosquitoes that I am sure inhabited these areas in the summertime. We jumped out and the kids threw rocks into the water nearby. The Cypress Trees were beautiful, one of my favorite trees. My wife found an internet connection and we looked up the area that we were in. It was the Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Once home to the Longhorn Army Ammunition Plant. That explains all those little buildings. It was part of an 8,493 acre facility that once produced dynamite, 393,000,000 pounds of it during World War II. It was also a super fund site for all the chemicals that were still present in the soil. “Uh, kids put down those rocks and don’t stir up the dust” I quickly told them. Lead and mercury was still being found in some of the areas and a large compound fence ran along the perimeter of the entire plant. It was sprawling to say the least and with good reason, two in fact. One to help prevent an enemy bombing run from destroying the entire operation and to prevent an errant accident from killing everyone in sight. A rail system helped connect the different parts of the plant delivering the product as it was developed to other areas for assembly. Things like this fascinate me. It is a dark part of history, the entire location was set aside for one purpose and one purpose only, to kill as many people as possible and at that time to kill Nazi Germans. But National Wildlife Refuge makes it sound much more appealing for today’s visitors, just don’t drink the water – or play in the sand or expect to see much wildlife.

It took a while to get back to the main road. The GPS was on the blink because we were pretty remote but after a few wrong turns we made a right and we were headed back out the gates, which made much more sense now.

Everyone’s stomach was beginning to grumble, and it wasn’t long before we arrived back in Uncertain. My wife asked what we should do for dinner and I told her that I had heard of a good fish place that wasn’t too far from the cabin. I could really use a Fried Shrimp Po Boy right now and the kids really wanted some Calamari, if it were available. It was evening and it would be dark soon. A few people were stirring about while we drove back through town but things looked like they were beginning to button up. “Can I go with you Papa David?” my daughter asked. I said sure. My wife and son decided that they would stay behind and get a fire going in the fire ring just outside the cabin. So I left them the axe as my daughter and I jumped in the car.

We arrived at The RiverBend Restaurant which was up on stilts and I slowly climbed the stairs as my daughter ran up the ramp ahead of me. The drive had done a number on my back and I was paying for it now. Holding the door for me I gave my girl a hug and told her to, “stay close”. We ordered take out and it wasn’t long before two bags of great smelling seafood were sitting on the counter for the taking. It was hard not to help ourselves to the appetizers but out of politeness, on my daughters’ part, we managed to get back to the cabin only eating a few fries.

Pulling up into the gravel drive we opened the car doors to the sweet smell of pine wood smoke. The sun was going down quickly behind the swampy forest and rays of light were playfully dancing between the trees. My wife took the food inside for plating as I sat down next to the warm fire. “Did you start this?” I asked my son. “Yes and I cut most of the wood too!” My wife soon came out with all the food and handed each of us a plate. I stuck a hush puppie in one of the small tubs of butter and swirled it around, the pickled tomatoes were next in line for a tasting. Finally finishing the Po Boy and everyone filled on some of the best calamari we have had, either because it was really that good or we were just that hungry.

Filled and happy we sat listening to the fire crackle with pops here and there as the small pockets of resin would catch to the fire. Stella was in my arms and quite content as she had sneaked a few pieces of scraps from the meal.

Then it happened.

Stella’s hair bristled and stood straight up on the back of her neck. She had this low treacherous growl that I had never heard her make before. I quickly held her tight as not to allow her to launch herself into the inky night. She was staring down the road toward Taylor Island. Something was moving slowly off to the left of the road. I could just barely see a dark figure. I thought it might be a fisherman or someone who had a few drinks but the left of the road was swamp, so it didn’t make much sense why someone would be walking through the muck. I could barely make out the silhouette but could see it was larger than your normal average man. It was gone in an instant, disappearing into the darkness.

“Shhhhh…” “Listen” my wife quietly spoke.

Not less that 50 feet from us was the edge of the woods. The closest trees illuminated by the orange flames of our fire. I could hear it. “What is it?”, my wife asked in a voice so quiet I could barely hear her question. We both knew this was not a typical woodland creature or bunny rabbit. It sounded huge! And this was not a forest that one could easily navigate. It was filled with briars, an old barbed wire fence, swamps and decaying logs laying all around ready to trip the ill prepared.

“It’s, its… yes. It’s definitely on two feet” my wife said. We both tried to imagine the size and dimensions of this unwelcome visitor that was coming way to close for our comfort. “Are you sure?” Could it be a deer, I quietly mouthed as both our children, our dog and each of us squinting our eyes as if that could give us super human vision. My son was mid swing with the axe frozen in his stance. “Put the axe down behind the tree” I told him. I didn’t want a mishap. He laid it down out of the way and moved over toward his sister and momma. It had stopped for a moment but now to my horror it was closer, we could hear it walking through a small creek not that far off into the woods. It stopped just short of walking into our field of vision. We sat there for what felt like an eternity not quite certain what to do.

That’s no deer my wife whisperered…

“Lock the door” I quietly shouted as I raised the butt of the gun up to my shoulder. I positioned myself just beyond the fire leaning up against the back of a tree. “Who’s out there?”, I shouted. “Who are you and what do you want?” I spoke as the frost of my breath spilled out onto the night.

Silence… we stood there for maybe 10 or 15 minutes. I listened straining to hear anything, breathing, footsteps, a voice, even a heart beating but the only one I could hear was mine.

Oh my God. It sounded like a thousand trumpeters accompanied by a chorus of a thousand more angry elephants. But it wasn’t coming from in front of me. It was coming from beyond where our dog Stella had first been ready to attack. A twig snapped and then the large beast ran through the woods at a speed so fast it was inhuman, I am not saying that it seemed inhuman – I am telling you it was not human. And it was not like anything else I had ever heard. Running full sprint it ran toward the sound, splashing through the swamp. PEOPLE CANNOT POSSIBLY RUN THIS WAY! I thought to myself. I followed it with my gun, my finger feathering the trigger. I hurt, I hurt all over. The blood was ripping through my veins at lightning speed. I knew whatever this thing was if it were to get to me it was big enough to rip me to pieces and the only thing between me and it was a shotgun slug and my poor aim.

But then it was gone. I could hear it splashing off through the swamps until it was no more.

I threw open the door, my eyes wide, letting out a few expletives that I had to explain to our children not to repeat.

“Did you see it, did you SEE it!!!” my wife exclaimed. “No but I heard it” we all did. And then came the realization.

“Honey – there is only one way out for those things”, I said. “The direction they headed - it’s a dead end.”

A bead of sweat began to slide down the ice-cold beer glass I had sitting in front of me. My friend by the same name placed it there enticing me to continue with my story. David was an old friend I had recently reconnected with. We met when I first started riding motorcycles years back. He has a quick smile with a thin but muscular frame and the kind of rugged weathered look of a man who had done real work and become wise during hard times. I would often drop by his house and watch him tinker with different motorcycle parts on his work bench in the evenings.

David now leaned back in his chair, one hand casually on the arm of a steel wire patio chair while taking a sip of beer with the other. He and I both had given up sport bikes but found we shared an enjoyment in kayaking. He was an avid fisherman and a relatively new but informed convert to the world of cryptozoology due to more than one experience that he had in the North Texas area. One of the events not far from where we sat now.

“So then what happened?” David said with a spark of interest in his eye…

Well we wanted to leave, I will tell you that! My wife said load the car but I said “Hell no! I’m not going back out there with those things running about.” I believe I had a convincing argument that we were better inside with a gun than running back and forth to the car in the dark. But I still wasn’t sure what it was. I was still in the mindset that it might be a common animal to the area, possibly a black bear? I had heard that there had been a bear sighting north of the area but much farther north than would allow for the excuse of a chance encounter. I grabbed my phone, connected to the WiFi and started searching Google for bear sightings in the area. As I scrolled through the listings the word Sasquatch caught my eye. I found nothing that convinced me that there were bears near us but finding an article of two young ladies sighting a beast run in front of their car headlights caused me to let out an audible gasp. “What, what did you find?” my wife asked. I looked at the location of the sighting and then pulled up Google Maps. “Oh Holy Hell!” I blurted out. My wife was becoming a little annoyed now. “What did you find!” – There have been apparently Big Foot sightings less than a quarter mile from our cabin, several of them. Also, whatever it was seemed to have an intelligence that a bear doesn’t exhibit to my knowledge. We both would normally laugh at anyone mentioning Big Foot encounters, waiving it off as a few beers too many or a highly imaginative mind. But it was looking more and more like we had just joined the Yeti Club ourselves. But why were they behind our cabin we wondered. There had to be a reason they were venturing so close.

I pulled up Google Maps. I am not a hunter myself, but I understand success is greater when one knows where the animal is coming from and where it is going and finding the trail it travels. I would think even Big Foot would move with a purpose and be a creature of habit. Just up the road, between our cabin and the location where the young women had their sighting, was a trail that ended at the asphalt. Tracing it back it went deep into an old growth forest. I can understand why Sasquatch would want to avoid walking down the side of a road but why would they be cutting behind our cabin?

Just then, we could see some lights from a car moving slowly down the road. It pulled off to the side, and as if it sighted something, sped off and left town! “Well that’s not good.” I said aloud. “They are making their way through the woods back to the trail” I guessed. Looking at Taylor Island it suddenly became clear to me. “Honey, I got it!” “They were going out for dinner” Look here… There were a row of cabins dotting the shore along the bayou, all of them fishing cabins. And what do fisherman do at the end of the day? Clean the fish and throw the scraps in the garbage. Our furry friends were cutting behind our cabins hoping to quietly make their way to their meals, undetected through the woods and swamp. The smell of our fish dinner earlier may have given one of them pause to investigate. The other calling out when their dinner date fell behind. “I wonder if there is a dating app for Yeti’s”, we laughed.

But it was still a reach. I am a skeptic and a person of science. I must see it to believe it and so far, I really had not seen anything. I had a hypothesis but no hard evidence, as is the case with many of these encounters.

David was now leaning in closer. A slightly buzzed college girl bumped our table as she and her friends passed by. The beers sloshed and she put her hand on David apologizing “I am soooo sorry”. We smiled, we were two older guys hanging out at a college bar, mainly because the beer was cheap but David had become a favorite of the establishment. The bartenders knew his drink, girls and guys would walk over and say hello and introduce their friends saying, “This is David” as if he was the Godfather of Fry Street. I was amongst royalty, I laughed. But he does have this charm about him that makes you feel, important and it seemed we had much in common besides just our name.

That night would be our last night in Uncertain, my wife and I laid with one eye open. The kids were tucked away and sleeping soundly but I kept the gun close and double checked all the window and door locks, as if a Yeti is going to bother with a doorknob or window latch. The names are interchangeable, Sasquatch, Yeti, Big Foot, Big Fluffy Fur Ball. One in the same to me. I would call it a friend if it shared its beer. But it appeared that they really didn’t want anything more to do with us than we did with them. They moved quietly through the forest, even in the moonlight they were still too camouflaged to be seen. Anything moving through those woods would have to have thick fur or hair and as it was, we could only see a few feet into the abyss. Miles and miles of forest and swamp only interrupted by an occasional thin dark ribbon of road. I wanted to see them, I wanted to know if they were real but did I really? It would possibly drive me mad.

Looking at David he asked, “So do you believe?” “Well”, I said “I am still a little skeptical but I am more of a believer now than I was before” He looked at me excitedly as if he wanted to tell me something that had been on his chest. “I don’t tell too many people this anymore but…” David leaned back in his chair, took a drink of his beer and his expression changed to one of seriousness as he said, “I had an experience myself not far from here, where Clear Creek meets the Trinity River on the edge of town”

David and I met years ago when I first started riding sport bikes. I had started on a small Ninja 250 and on my first evening in the parking lot of Mack Park Apartments had thrown the bike in the air by popping the clutch too soon. I held on for dear life and rode that bike like it was a bucking bronco. It was three days before I worked up enough courage to get back on it. Then one evening I managed to drive it to Fry Street. I pulled up in front of a local bar and grill called Cool Beans. David was there and asked me how I liked the bike, possibly sensing that I was still a greenhorn and having chicken strips on my tires, a sport bike term meaning that I had not leaned enough into turns to scuff the sides. Some seasoned riders would not even ride with you if you had chicken strips because you were likely to panic and cause an accident. But David is one of the coolest, most laid-back guys I know and always willing to help someone out.

After a burger and finishing off his drink David said, “Come on – Let’s go, I am going to teach you a few things” We jumped on our bikes and I followed him to a parking lot on the north edge of town called Stonehill Center. I followed him around the parking lot and imitated his moves. Cutting too sharp would cause me almost to fall and I soon learned by giving it a little more gas and leaning into the turn I had much more control of the bike. David slowed his bike and I pulled up beside him, his bike sounded like a beast and he now yelled over it saying, “I think you are ready for something a little more fun!” I followed him out of the parking lot and turned to the right. We then launched into what he called the twisties. The sharp turns that go up and over and then down and around the 288 overpass at I35. He would be two twisties ahead of me and have to slow his ride for me to catch up but I was getting the hang of it. I learned the art of counter steering and leaning low while giving the bike more gas so that it would do all the work while navigating the turns with more speed.

David now leaned toward me, the beer nearly knocking over as he grabbed it with an almost unnatural speed. “Listen, people don’t take me that seriously when I tell them about my encounter, but you seem to understand better than most” David said, now with a slightly wilder look in his eyes. He went on to tell me his story. He had been scoping out a fishing spot not far from the Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center just outside of Denton. It had rained the night before, a light cloud of fog still hung over the valley as he trudged through the mud with his fishing gear in tow. Then he noticed something strange, footprints. These were larger than your average human footprint and did not have the defining indention of the arch. They were more blocked and wider, almost padded looking. Like my experience, seeing a Sasquatch was really not on his mind as he walked along with the tracks. What was curious was why would anyone be barefoot this far out in a creek that might have an errant piece of glass or sharp stone. The tracks looked fresh and then suddenly veered off to the left up an embankment and into the woods. Standing there wondering how anyone would want to venture into a remote area and barefoot off a path was beyond him. Then he realized he was not alone. A noise in the distance caught his attention. He heard a thud, then another, then a loud crack as if a large branch had been snapped in half. Whatever was in the woods with him was now striking the side of a tree with the branch obviously trying to scare him off. I asked him, “How close were you to the Trinity?” “Not far at all” he replied. “What did you do?” I excitedly said. I could see he was still somewhat shaken just discussing the event. “Well, honestly, I was terrified being alone in the woods with something that could snap large branches, I left as fast as I could!” he said nervously.

As with many encounters, it happens quickly and is an assault on the senses as you become very aware that you may be in danger. Your sight, hearing, reasoning all seems heightened but so is your fear, as adrenaline courses through your body. Psychologists call this a fight or flight response as your brain tries to figure out whether you are in immediate danger and should fight off your attacker or whether you can escape your assailant and run to safety. Police Officers know this as “adrenaline dump” that they try to fight off so that it does not impair their judgement leading to success or tragedy when dealing with dangerous situations. In this case, David made the right decision by leaving the area but, much like my own event, he had an overwhelming curiosity. We would return to look for more footprints after a rain but finding nothing but baby wild pig hoof prints, we decided the mother hog was more a threat than any Yeti. Funny how he picked me, a slow, broken backed friend over others. Maybe it is true – you don’t have to run fast just faster than the slowest guy.

I would later read about a possible sighting called the pecan creek monster that was spotted by some kids in Denton near a wooded area. It upset the town so much that they launched a search team that found nothing. There have been other events along the greenbelt near Denton where kayakers hauling their kayaks around a raft of river logs would stumble across large tracks, much like what David had described. But no story was more convincing than the one I would hear from a water treatment worker while researching Clear Creek for kayaking. And his story helps put together some of the pieces as why these things are so often encountered near bodies of water and their clever methods for obtaining a free meal.

I poured over the maps following the long slivers of silver that were the creeks and water ways of Denton County. The two kayaks hanging in our garage longed to be sitting in water. I also love taking our kids creek walking. But before touching the water I want to know where it comes from. In some cases, we have found beautiful streams of clear water to be outflows from local sewage plants. It is treated but who wants to swim, wade or kayak in that! Clear Creek is no exception.

The headwaters of Clear Creek start in Montague County not far from St, Jo Texas once called Head of Elm. There is a lot of history here. Not far away Outlaw Nancy Hill was hung on Denton Creek. Belle Starr, Sam Bass, Jesse James and The Younger Gang all roamed these hills and a town of frontier men and women were scalped alive and killed by Indians where remnants of the ghost town still stand to this day. The Chisholm and Butterfield Stagecoach Trails also crisscross in the fields now occupied by barbed wire and grazing cattle.

Now I looked for all the water crossings, bridges, natural outcroppings. I squinted to see strainers where trees had fallen across the creek becoming a hazard to the lone kayaker. Much like the author of a favorite book of mine, Goodbye to a River, I wanted to know the history of the land my river would take me through. The souls that had walked here before me that had caressed her hills and valleys and lived off her fertile soil.

In my quest to know more I spoke with Fish and Game Wardens and eventually a man who oversaw the a nearby Waste Water Treatment Plant. I had been told that there were a couple of instances where sewage had flowed into Clear Creek but that millions of dollars had been spent updating the facilities. I asked him if he was concerned at all about the water quality. He told me that he lived on Clear Creek and he fishes the creek all the time, in fact he has trotlines that he tends, and his family frequently eats the fish they catch. It was convincing but finding where the inflow was at Ranger Branch, a creek that dumped into Clear Creek, I decided that anything farther up was safe as safe can be and this is where I would find the most enjoyment in water activities free from pee water.

We were just about to hang up when I asked him, “Doesn’t Clear Creek run into the Trinity?” He replied, “Yes it does, it runs through the Nature Center and connects just on the other side, we used to fish there”. With this I could not help but to gleefully ask him, “So, have you ever experienced anything unusual there?” This question was met with a long pause from an otherwise vocal man. “What exactly do you mean by unusual?” he finally replied.

The tone of the conversation changed as he told me that he hadn’t made a lot of talk about it in a long time. “We fished that area a lot when we were younger and before the greenbelt trail was cut through for joggers and cyclists.” He went on to explain how he and two other friends had gone as far as they could by pickup bouncing over fields and through washes to where they would disembark grabbing fishing poles and a cooler to hopefully keep the catch of the night. Still rubbing their eyes from the dust, they set off toward their destination. It was there a whirlpool would form during spring floods that would carve out a large hole where many fish would congregate. This is the place my friend David had been in search of when he had his encounter.

“It was late, maybe two in the morning, maybe three…” His voice becoming more ominous. “We had a pretty good haul and were just about to call it a night when suddenly we heard a crashing noise coming through the woods on the other side of the river.” he said as I held the receiver closer to my ear and adjusted the volume to high. “It was loud and it sounded big but it wasn’t a deer or a pig, it sounded taller, like it was running full sprint -- on two feet” I was almost incredulous at how similar his description was to my families own encounter and the one that my friend David had described. “It was running straight towards us but then suddenly, as if it knew we were there, veered off to the right and went upriver.”

“What did you do?”, I excitedly asked.

“We sat there, we didn’t even talk to each other we were so quiet listening for it” “It was scary but at least it was on the other side of the river” his voice said through some slight static on the phone. “Then we heard a splash and to our terror it swam across the river and that is when we knew we were really up shit creek!” (pun intended; cause well you know)

“We were terrified, whatever it was, it made it’s way down toward us through the woods and then just stopped.” He paused for a moment as if the memory of the event was almost too much for him. Me, on the other hand, I was on pins and needles. “What then?” I asked. “It was watching us, we couldn’t see it but we knew it was just standing there in the woods and it was larger than any of us – we got the Hell out of there, we even left the cooler behind full of fish.” “Whatever that SOB thing was got a belly full that night on our dime, that’s for sure!”

“People think I am crazy when I tell this story, so I just stopped telling it” His voice, a traitor, as it gave up his shaken nerves. “They are smart, and they are out there… you just won’t see them.”

About once every week or two after the kids go to sleep and my wife settles on the couch to watch a favorite show I go for a drive. It’s 30 minutes to the bend in the road that brings me closest to where our furry friend might be. I sit quietly listening, the familiar click click click as I load my .45 Single Action Colt, setting it beside me just in case a possible encounter becomes more than a fishing trip. Greeted by fireflies and the usual chilled mist the river bottoms bring, I drive slowly to the dead end where I always wonder whose land it might be. Then on back to home… I want to believe because it is so intriguing but other than a few hogs moving close to the road to give me a quick doubletake I am left with more questions than answers. But then, as it happens with everything you search for, I saw something I can’t take back. A glimpse but it was just enough.

I was still interested in finding a location for an easy put-in for kayaking the upper Clear Creek. Pouring over online maps I realized just how few places there are to access and enjoy our waterways. Most of the creeks and rivers pass through private land. Many may be navigable legally but getting to them without trespassing is another thing. One must then find and visit the few bridges that may pass over the waterway and a lot are difficult to get a kayak to, either because they are high cliffs or covered in poison ivy, trees, thickets and briar or the access is blocked by barbed wire or no trespassing signs that are debatable since it is a roadway easement.

I found several bridges I wanted to check out and I asked my son if he wanted to go. He had been on his technology and a drive with his dad would be a good break from the screen time that had consumed all his Saturday morning. So, we jumped in the car and I punched in the coordinates on the digital map.

I had not driven these backroads before and was glad to find a new place to explore. Texas is amazing for the change of scenery that can be found with just a few turns and twists in the road. Coming over a hill we looked out over the vast rolling plains of North Texas. A slight haze was settled over the prairies and I could see for miles and miles. Traveling the one lane roads were my favorite way to get away from the hustle and bustle of town. Except for an old dusty pickup squeaking by us, we seemed to be the only ones in the area. We arrived at the first bridge and we peered over the edges looking down on the pristine waters of Clear Creek. Being native to Texas, I have become accustomed to muddy creek waters and lakes, a mystery to what laid beneath. But this creek in many areas had a white sandy bottom that helped filter the water as it ran through its valleys. Little wavy sand dune looking structures could be seen just beneath the shimmering waters and fish darted here and there somehow aware of our presence, looking for a place to hide. I was excited to see a USGS water flow measuring device, which meant I could look it up online to find the best time to kayak based on the current flow rate. But I was disheartened to see a raft of debris on either side of a steep slope which would make it difficult to traverse with a kayak. It could be done but I was looking to find that one sweet spot to easily slide my kayak in across the sands and a safe place off road to park.

After throwing a few rocks and a few yells to check for an echo, my son and I loaded back into the car driving off the blacktop onto the gravel road. Around a corner we saw an old abandoned frontier looking home that must have been there for over one hundred years. Very little was back in this area but the gravel road looked to be used by a few ranchers tending to their cattle. We were looking for the end of the road where we thought there might be access to a bend in the creek. On the map we could see the road narrow and looking overgrown but ending at the waters edge. With the gravel clicking beneath our tires and the sound of cicadas all around we could smell the creek and the vegetation in the valley. Fresh cut grass filled the air and the sound of a lawn mower could be heard just ahead. We rolled to a stop at a gate with a big red sign that said No Trespassing. To the right of us was a log home and an older man who now cut the gas to his mower as he walked our way. He had a curious look in his eye and his skin had a leathered appearance from all the sun that he had seen while bailing hay in the fields above. “What ya’ll looking for?”, he said as he spat on the ground. “Well we are just taking a country drive and trying to find an easy way to Clear Creek”, I said with a kind of questioning nod towards the gate ahead. He spat again and said that was once a way to Clear Creek but the bridge washed out many years ago and the land was now owned and private. I told him I understood but before I could say anything else, he started coming closer to the car. I could see the butt of a gun sticking out of his pocket and as I smiled I slowly and quietly placed my hand on the 10mm Springfield that was tucked away just inside my door, but my son was between us and it was not an ideal situation for a shootout if things went raw.

He put his hand on the top of the car and squatted down a little looking at me with a squint in his eye. “We don’t get many people this far back” “In fact I haven’t seen a stranger in quite a while” he said as I now imagined this was going to end somewhere between The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Deliverance. “Well God finds angels amongst the forgotten” I replied, which caught him off guard a bit. He stood up and smiled as he turned back toward his mower. Waving us off as he walked, he said something peculiar “Ya’ll be careful on that creek” and then he pulled the cord and the mower turned over on the first try. I was impressed with his stature for a man his age, obviously hard work had left him in better shape than most who retire in those golden years.

We turned the car around and went on back down the road that we came. The frontier home made sense, as it stood on land that had probably been in the old man’s family for years, possibly at or before the formation of Texas. We were now back on the black top when I noticed a small trail that I had not seen on our first passing. Just before the bridge I could see where the grass had been laid down. It was getting close to dark and the suns cap was just now resting at the edge of the fields. The cicadas had quieted, and I thought I would take one more look before we headed back home. “Stay in the car, I won’t be but just a minute” I told my son as I stepped out.

Walking up to the concrete railing I put my hand on the dusty side. The fish had not seen me this time and I could just barely make out their outlines in the water. But something felt different. There was a slight smell beyond the usual humid vegetation and earthy aromas. It didn’t quite stink but it was rather unpleasant. Suddenly the wind picked up just as it does before a front comes through. The dust from the bridge was swept into my left eye and I yelled back at my son to roll up the car windows as I poured some water from my water bottle to nurse it. Before he could get his window up we could hear a noise in the woods. It sounded like something cracking. I was thinking possibly a tree limb was about to come down from the sudden high winds. But as I wiped the water from my eyes, I could see the smaller trees that grow along the banks parting. “Papa David, what was that?” my son yelled. “Nothing son, don’t get out of the car --- stay in the car!” I looked further down the bank and could see something moving quickly through the bushes and trees, throwing them aside. It was dark now, but I thought I could see patches of brown hair but then it stopped and quickly turned. I saw an eye, just the eye through a mass of vegetation and shadows. It looked at me and for that moment, I understood. This was a creature with intelligence. It stood there and then as quickly turned away melting into the forest and then the all too familiar splashing of a creature with two feet running. The memory of our encounter at Uncertain came back to me but this time I was more curious than scared. But my son was with me and I could not take any risks. Driving slowly by the fresh trail I felt more like I had interrupted someone’s fishing rather than having an actual encounter with a terrifying beast, in fact, maybe the beast that was so terrifying was actual me.

I heard the phone vibrate on the nightstand, I grabbed it and thumbed in the pass code after the facial recognition failed, probably because it wasn’t used to my face without a beard.

It was my friend David; I had texted him and asked him how his trip to Colorado had been. He was now in town drinking with some local cowboys and I could just imagine his easy laugh as he listened to their stories and shared a few of his own. The subject would come around to fishing, which is one of the great American pass times, especially in the mountain towns. Jokingly, I wrote him “Any squatches?” and now I stared at the screen as the text popped up “Got surrounded…”

David had gone to Colorado in search of the Golden Trout but had lucked out on the six lakes he had visited. However, one of the lakes was quite remote. He had driven off-road as far as his 4x4 could take him and parked it. Then throwing his gear on his back and securing his Sig he headed out on foot toward a destination with no trail. Hiking several miles through the forest he could see through the trees, the waters of Golden Lake. After setting his gear down where he would spend the night, he decided to wet a hook as he cast his line. To David fishing is not just an excuse for a beer and a bobber but an art form. He is a true fisherman, a hunter, willing to go further to find his prey. There is something primordial about catching and eating a fish. It is what sustained the earliest humans and allowed us to travel over large distances by creeks and rivers that are the veins of this great land. A good fishing spot is coveted by the fisherman and is often a carefully guarded secret to maintain one’s connection of self with nature, absent of interruption.

Now, as David explained, in digital format, he had just gotten back to camp and started a fire when he heard a knock in the woods, the same as before during his encounter on Clear Creek. He listened, everything in the forest that far out is crisp and clear. There is no other noise pollution such as highway sounds and the constant buzz of city life. It is just you, the wind and whatever that stirs in the darkness.

He sat there crouching; his ear cocked to one side as he stoked the fire prepping for an evening’s meal. And then another one! Closer this time but too the East of camp, where the other one had been across the lake to the North. This was not just a coincidental limb falling, it was intentional. He sat motionless, alone and miles from any civilization. I asked him what he did then? He wrote back, “I was terrified!” “There was no trail to this lake, I should have known better”, he admitted. I asked him if there was any way it could have been a bear, but he said that there was a third knock to the West of camp and it appeared that they were either communicating or trying to scare him. He decided that there was nothing he could do and was resolved to make dinner, build the fire higher and keep his Sig close but out of sight. His lacking in aggressive posturing is what he believes may have saved him. “So will you go back?” I asked him. “Not alone” I took this as a possible invitation to a Sasquatch hunt to be considered for later.

Now, I sit in my car with the windows down, a thud from a small branch landing on the roof of my SUV startles me as I listen to the night sound of distant howls trumpeting. If you ask me if I believe in Sasquatch I will flash you a slight smile and tell you that I am Uncertain. But what I am certain of, is that at the end of this road that I am parked, sits one of the scariest abandoned houses I have ever seen. And that might be the making of a story for another time… [The End]

Uncertain Video: https://youtu.be/Toi4b6zzbkA

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peace-coast-island · 4 years

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Diary of a Junebug

The Ethereal Gates of Wisdom

These past few days have been a bit of an unusual adventure. It’s one of those things I’ve been putting off for a while until the opportunity’s right. Traveling to the Ethereal Gates of Wisdom is no easy feat so it’s important to have a strategy on how to get there without getting lost.

According to Jamie, most people give up halfway because it takes too long to get there. That’s why they said only those who truly seek answers are the ones who make it to the Gates. Jamie gave me the key years ago and since then that adventure has been sitting on the back burner until a couple days ago.

The reason why I finally decided to visit the Gates is for Daisy Jane. Now that she’s been living at the campsite for a couple weeks, she’s been doing a lot of soul searching and reevaluation. The past year hasn’t been good to her so I’m glad that she’s finally found a light at the end of a long and seemingly endless tunnel.

A change of scenery can do wonders for your mind, especially if you’ve been stagnating for a while. That’s why Daisy Jane left Rosevine - because the place she once called home was suffocating her instead of letting her bloom and grow.. That’s how I felt too, as well as other friends like Emmaline, Minnie, and Robin.

It’s not that we don’t like Rosevine, it’s just that we outgrew our little hometown. Our roots are still in Rosevine, but we’ve branched out to other places. Like flowers on a tree, we are carried away by the wind, floating and fluttering as we find our way in this vast universe. Some take root, others continue to fly freely.

Ever since Daisy Jane joined me at the camp, she’s been on a creative roll. For the past several months she was suffering the absolute worst art block along with a bunch of other problems that wore her down. After leaving home, she traveled for a bit before settling in Neptunia. The village, while it was nice, didn’t do much for her. So that’s why I suggested she move in the cabin and since then she’s made it her home.

For a while Daisy Jane has been considering opening a shop where she sells handmade crafts and stationery. I think she’s the kind of person who can pull that off because not only she’s super artsy, but she’s also organized and has the self discipline to run her own business. Unfortunately her family’s the main reason why she hasn’t started a shop yet as they don’t think it’s viable. As long as she was living under the same roof as them and not working a “real” job with income, an online business was out of the question.

Now that she’s out on her own with no parents or siblings to hound her as well as having her own space and income, Daisy Jane feels like she’s in the right headspace to design products for her potential shop. She’s been on a roll designing sticker sheets, which will be her main thing before branching out to other products like notebooks and enamel pins. Since she loves drawing florals and ephemera, Daisy Jane plans to call her store Happy Floral Mail, which I think is very fitting.

I’m not being biased, I would definitely buy Daisy Jane’s stickers. After all, she’s one of many artists I find inspiration from so why wouldn’t I want to support her?

Apparently a while ago Daisy Jane told her sister about her ideas regarding opening a shop as Mae’s in college studying digital media so she’s an expert on various programs. Mae’s a smart kid who means well but sometimes she can be a bit too much.

Basically if Daisy Jane decided to co-run her shop with Mae, it would have failed before it even launched. The biggest issue would be creative differences because they’re basically opposites in terms of everything. It’s like telling an artist who likes to draw flowers that they have to draw cars because that’s what’s trending and if you disagree then you’re being ungrateful because you obviously don’t know what you’re talking about.

So it’s that, plus the fact that Mae can be weirdly controlling and nosy at times. Like she’s strangely obsessed with who Daisy Jane keeps in contact with. Apparently if Daisy Jane isn’t constantly video chatting or talking on the phone or talking about socializing with someone, then she doesn’t have friends according to Mae logic. I get that Mae’s the kind of person who talks about everything - even when it’s not in her place - but she really needs to learn how to let people be.

Another thing about Mae which is pretty recent is how she sees most of Daisy Jane’s friends like me and Emmaline. Once upon a time Mae used to look up to Emmaline because she thought she was cool as she was always going on magical adventures. Now she kinda looks down on Emmaline because she doesn’t meet her definition of success. As in Emmaline never went to school so she has no degrees as well as no job or career (freelancing and odd jobs don’t count) so in Mae’s eyes, Emmaline’s a layabout.

Having grown up with Emmaline, calling her a layabout is such a misunderstanding. Being half elemental, Emmaline’s upbringing is far from ordinary. She spent her whole childhood and adolescence trying to bring her two worlds together, often putting herself in a position no one should be forced in and although she helped a lot of people, it had a detrimental effect on her mental health. Considering how Emmaline pretty much spent a good part of her life playing either peacemaker, therapist, fleeing war criminal, and diplomat - and is now finally finding footing by traveling the universe and enjoying life - to call her a layabout is an insult.

And yes, this is in response to a vague post Mae made in regards to not being on Emmaline and Minnie’s guest list for their wedding. Daisy Jane shared it to us and we all rolled our eyes collectively because yikes Mae. Like first of all, it wasn’t anything personal, it’s just that the wedding will take place while she’s studying abroad so there’s no way she was going to make it. Also, Emmaline and Minnie aren’t as close to her as they are to Daisy Jane so there’s really no reason why she should be offended at not being invited.

I’m curious as to what Mae would vague about me when she finds out where Daisy Jane’s been living. Don’t get me wrong, Mae’s a very capable girl who’s gonna be super successful but she really needs to get off her high horse. It’s understandable that she has a chip on her shoulder that pushes her to be hard working but as she’s gotten older she seems to have fallen into the mindset that if you’re not working your ass off, then you’re not worthy.

Anyway, now that Daisy Jane’s found her footing in terms of her creative spark returning and getting away from those holding her back, she feels like she’s ready to take a leap of faith. She says she still has a long way to go before opening a shop but the timing feels right. That’s why I decided to take her to the Gates - to give her the extra push she needs to bring herself one step closer to making her dream a reality.

First, we headed to the Witches Woods to retrieve the ruby key, which will lead us to a portal. Since it’s not too far from Camellia, Theda tagged along to guide us through the woods as she’s somewhat familiar with certain parts of it. The trails can be long and confusing so it’s good to have a navigator help us out.

The deeper in the woods we go, the more dangerous it gets. The trees act as a defense system so if you’re not careful, you might get pelted by poison fruit or clawed by sharp branches. Plus there’s hostile creatures to watch out for as well, especially the giant spiders that usually come out of nowhere. Despite the seemingly harsh environment, the witches we came across are friendly and some were able to help point us in the right direction when the trees played tricks on us.

After the woods came the Floating Freeway, a well known highway for traveling through dimensions. There, Celinda joined in on the adventure as she can easily weave in and out of places easily with her powers. With her help, navigating the crowded freeway will take about half the time.

From there, we headed to the Scattering Skies where we have to travel by magic carpet. It’s a rough ride as the winds are unpredictable so it’s important to have a pilot who’s just as reckless - meaning Celinda. And there’s also swinging swords with sharp edges floating freely about so we gotta worry about that too. Getting through the Skies and retrieving the jade key in one piece is no easy feat so if that isn’t enough to discourage you from going to the Gates, then that says a lot about your character in my opinion.

At the crossing, the jade key led us to another portal, taking us to the Floundering Forests, where we met up with Lenie. She and her parents have been exploring the forest for the past few weeks so they’re somewhat familiar with the trails. Lenie always wanted to see the Gates so it was the perfect opportunity!

The thing about the Floundering Forests is that we need to arm ourselves with magic wands. Some areas have been overtaken by city folks who want to build factories so they’ll attack anything that moves. They’re also not the kind of people you want to get on the wrong side of so a basic sleep spell will do the trick to slip past them. Also, this forest tends to play tricks on you too so it’s important to keep track of where you’re going.

After finding the carnelian key, we headed to the Layering Lagoon, navigating by submarine piloted by Lenie. Through there, we locate the ruins of Castellana, which will lead us to the Gates. Lenie drove the sub, Celinda and I distracted lagoon monsters, Theda helped navigate, and Daisy Jane supervised everyone.

It really takes a team to get to the Gates of Ethereal Wisdom! There’s no way anyone can make it on a solo adventure, especially when confronting the currents and inhabitants of the Layering Lagoon.

By my calculations, it took us about three days - starting from Witches Woods - to get to the Gates. If Theda, Celinda, and Lenie hadn’t tagged along I guess it’ll take me and Daisy Jane at least twice as long. It was a long trip, but it was totally worth it!

Stepping into the Ethereal Gates of Wisdom is like walking straight into a void. First you feel like you’re falling, then slowly you realize that you’re actually floating. You feel weightless like a leaf in the wind, floating freely without a care in the world. For a second I forgot that I had a physical form - and that was a trippy experience. A bit disoriented, very much exhilarated, small and alone yet wide and full - all of it crashing in on you.

I still can’t put into words how exactly I feel after stepping out of the Gates. I feel certain yet uncertain at the same time - like I have a better idea of what I want but I also realize how little I actually know about things. Something’s changed, that I know for sure, but whatever it is, I can’t quite put my finger on it yet.

#animal crossing #animal crossing pocket camp #Diary of a Junebug #headcanon ramble

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blookmallow · 4 years

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hhhoooooughh got in too deep with the dark brotherhood and things got fuckin wild

sometimes you set out with good intentions and intend to be a good person but then you end up becoming a serial killer and (probably) the most wanted assassin in all of skyrim. sometimes it be like that

SO much happened.... part 1: an assassination plot gets worse, and The Cicero Incident

---

oh. oh dear

this is so horrible and ive gone too far into this questline to back out now lmao what have i done to myself

I GUESS I’M GONNA GO RUIN A WEDDING

i have... passing familiarity with vittoria but i dont Really know her/have an opinion on her, though i suppose that’s. uh. not the point here

i love this kid

hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

it took me a couple tries to do this without getting caught (im very determined to keep up my reputation/avoid having a bounty out on me for as long as i possibly can) but i finally managed it (careful sneaking around/hiding behind columns/etc in the parapet where gabriella left arrows and stuff for me)

and since nobody saw me do it, i was able to just. walk right into the middle of the chaos. talk to anyone i wanted. take my fuckin time strolling right out

veezara still showed up to protect me and killed a penitus occulatus agent for some reason (could be that he was the only one who saw me and veezara killed the only witness for me, in which case, owe u one, buddy) but like. that was it

i can just. take th

THIS IS HORRIBLE LMAO I JUST STOLE ALL THE BRIDE’S WEDDING CLOTHES AND CAN JUST LIKE. WALK AROUND WEARING THEM. AND NOBODY SAYS SHIT

i mean... im assuming nobody would actually notice anyway, i didnt wear this out in town, but like, i could do that

i also stole the other guy’s armor and it looks sick as hell

i can summon the ghost of one of the previous brotherhood members to fight with me now and he talks to me/comments on things around us and its GREAT i love him im going to take him on a tour of skyrim one of these days

he sticks around until you summon something else or he gets defeated so presumably if we dont run into a dragon or something he’d probably stay for a pretty long time

he also gives me excellent advice from time to time

so anyway then i had a mission where i was supposed to kill some important general’s son and plant false evidence on him so they’d think he was plotting against the emperor and not realize our Actual plot against the emperor

but i was supposed to kill the guy in one of the major cities, not on the roads between them, so my initial plan was to just follow him until he got to one, right

however, this apparently causes him to get suspicious and change his course (I think. either that or he just Broke)

so he was wandering off into the middle of nowhere and eventually INTO THE FUCKING OCEAN

EXCUSE ME! SIR! WHAT ARE YOU DOING

HEY. GAIUS. WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING

i figured that mess out eventually and then there was. uh. An Incident, with cicero

NO I WILL ABSOLUTELY FUCKING NOT

i was fully prepared to just fucking sprint across the entire continent after him (to protect him from arnbjorn, who already went after him,) (and yes i could probably just have fast traveled there but listen. sometimes u gotta be dramatic) however

SHADOW SWAMP HORSE!!!!!!!!!!

YEAH!!!!!!

YEA H!!!!!!

legit thought arnbjorn was dead until i got close enough to talk to him and ngl i kinda hoped he was

you stay the fuck outta this, wolf boy, dont you DARE

these wrong answers though,

O SHIT nice of cicero to. leave me some matching clothes,

they’re not His Clothes bc he’s. obviously still wearing them so i have no idea why these are here but Mine Now

gorgeous. lmao i didnt keep the hat on (i found a better use for that later) but i do legit like the jester clothes

i wear pretty much exclusively the least practical armor available to me for the sake of looking good but im managing with it so far :’) i dont like heavy armor anyway i have a bad enough time managing my inventory as it is

anyway

i found like 40 skulls in here but was also very upset and worried so just like

[me sobbing while frantically shoving skulls in my pockets] CICEROooo COME BACK TO ME

NO NO BABY NO I WOULD NEVER HURT YOU

i mean like......... honestly you can’t really blame him for snapping, i dont think veezara specifically deserved it, but. everyone was constantly mocking him and talking down to him. yeah he’s got a weird jester thing going on but most of that’s because he’s gone half mad, he’s Not Well but he’s taking his position as the Keeper incredibly seriously, he’s doing his job, he’s doing exactly what he’s supposed to do and he’s doing it very well

but everyone else is constantly disrespecting him and the night mother, AND ULTIMATELY HE WAS FUCKING RIGHT TO DISTRUST ASTRID, AS I FOUND OUT LATER, so like. if you all weren’t so fucking rude to him, maybe we wouldn’t be here, huh,

[sobbing] please.... please take it

(he wouldn’t take it but i left it anyway so i could at least Pretend he did)

i was SO WORRIED ABOUT HIM but i couldn’t DO anything other than just. leave him be

arnbjorn made it back and this is, i think, the only time he ever spoke to me with any kind of respect

i told everyone cicero was dead and they believed me, i was for some time absolutely terrified that i might’ve still been right

i went back to check on him later and couldn’t find him ANYWHERE, my potion was still there and there was a fuck of a lot more blood here than there was before which is incredibly alarming

but: no body, no blood trails, no sign of anything being dragged away, which seemed to imply he had some severe bleeding but eventually stopped the bleeding and was apparently able to walk away without trailing blood and get far enough away that i couldn’t find him, which is probably looking too far into it, but i was desperate, :’ )

arnbjorn’s blood is still splattered outside the sanctuary to this day, also, which is. kind of upsetting

#lucy plays skyrim

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echoes-of-the-clockwork · 5 years

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Book Two: Famine (Prompto x Reader) Chapter Fourteen

It felt like hours had passed by the time all the daemons were slain. Everyone was breathing heavily as they regained their bearings and rested for a short while. Prompt dispelled his handgun and decided to give the unconscious (Y/n) a piggyback ride-making it easier for him to carry her. "I need a nap..." He sighed as he adjusted the girl on his back and cupped the back of her knees to keep her from falling off. Her arms hang limp around his neck, swaying back and forth with every step he took.

"We've all extended past our limits," Ignis huffed.

"All except for one of us," Gladio sighed, glancing at War.

"I just so happen to keep watch over the most dangerous monsters in all of existence. High stamina is a requirement for the job," the redhead responded while glancing towards her sister. "But the Horsemen still have their limits regardless of our immortality. Our special abilities take tolls on our bodies. Famine used hers to save all your asses. You should thank her when she awakens."

"Hold on a sec-" War vanished before the shield could finish his sentence. He stared at the spot where she once stood with an irritated expression. "Can't stay still for a damn minute..."

"We've gotta find Noct. Maybe he's found the Crystal by now," Prompto stated.

"Yes, let's," Ignis said.

Upon exiting the central elevator, the group followed a metal catwalk to the Crystal. When they saw no sign of Noctis, they were confused and frightened. Seeing the chancellor made the feeling all the more terrifying.

Ardyn turns to them, gestures nonchalantly at the Crystal and begins to walk away. Gladio swings his sword through the man's head, releasing a puff of dark smoke from where the blade strikes. Ardyn falls back a little, but maintains his balance and holds onto his hat to keep it from falling off his head.

The imperial chancellor gazed at Prompto, noticing the unconscious Horseman on his back. He coolly saunters over, but the blonde boy reacts quickly. He places (Y/n) down and stands in front of her protectively with his pistol drawn. He shoots Ardyn before he can take more than a couple of steps, releasing another puff of dark smoke and hurling his body onto the floor. The velvet-haired man's hat rolls away and lays still for several seconds before his hand suddenly reaches down to collect it and place it back on his head.

Once more unharmed, Ardyn is again standing. He bows with a smirk in Prompto and (Y/n)'s direction but then turns to Ignis. He smiles at the tactician, revealing corrupted daemonic features as he does so, but they go unnoticed by the advisor as his eyesight was no more. Ardyn walks away, leaving the four boys unharmed but devastated.

<------------<<<<<<<<<<<

A few days have passed since Noctis was absorbed into the Crystal. Gladio and Ignis went their separate ways in order to provide aid. With the nights lasting longer and sunlight was becoming scarce, the people around Lucis would need all the help they could get.

Prompto and (Y/n) currently sat at a booth in Takka's Pit Stop located in Hammerhead. The two had taken up many hunts since Noctis' disappearance to not only earn the necessary gil in order to survive but to clear their heads.

During their hunts, Famine would search for any signs of the Gashadokuro. Unfortunately, she couldn't even find a slither of anything that could help her locate the target.

"(Y/n)?" He calls out softly to her. "Are you okay? You're kinda spacing out."

She blinked a few times and didn't realize she had been staring down at the table. "Sorry, Prom. Just lost in thought, I guess."

"It's about that monster, isn't it?"

Famine nodded with a soft sigh. "I can't believe I let it escape. The thing isn't exactly small. You'd think we'd find it by now or hear a report about it, but nothing. It's almost as if it were a part of my imagination."

Prompto reaches across the table and takes her hands in his, stroking his thumbs across her knuckles. "It's only been a few days, (Y/n). We'll find it."

"Guess I'm becoming impatient," she exhaled, staring at their linked hands. She leaned forward in her seat, her (e/c) eyes traveling up to his own lapis ones. "Enough about me. How're you holding up? You've been kinda quiet since we escaped Gralea."

"I just really miss Noct. He's my best friend. I really hope he comes back soon."

"I hope so, too, sweetheart. It's heartbreaking to see you like this." She gave his hands a gentle squeeze.

"I'm just glad you're here with me. When we left the Crown City to take Noct to Altissia for the wedding, I never thought I'd fall in love let alone meet someone who likes my stupid jokes."

"Eighty years ago, when I first became a Horseman, I thought it was the worst thing in all of existence. Not only had I been resurrected and forced to become immortal, I thought I had lost all of my humanity." She smiled and entwined their fingers together like ribbons. "I was wrong. I mean, it took quite a while, but I'm glad to be wrong."

Prompto smiled jubilantly at her words and brought their entwined hands up, placing a kiss on the back of each of her hands. "I love you, (Y/n). I know I say that a lot, but I still feel like it's not enough."

The girl giggled with a glistening smile. "You have said it a lot, but I never get tired of hearing it. I love you, too, Prompto. I never received love from my parents. Now, I actually get to experience it. It's... warm, gentle, and slightly intoxicating. I never knew it felt so amazing."

Prompto went to respond, but the sound of the bell hanging over the entrance to the diner caught both their attentions. Glancing toward the door, they saw Pestilence alongside Ignis.

"What brings you here, sis?" Famine inquired as the two made their way over to their table.

"I was hoping you two would be able to help us. There's an herb I need to obtain and it only grows atop the Rock of Ravatogh. It's the last ingredient I need to complete the elixir," Pestilence replied.

"Wanna go, Prompto?" The blonde Horseman glanced towards the love of her life.

"You betcha! We could use a change of scenery after all the hunts in Leide." The blonde boy got to his feet and tugged (Y/n) out of the diner alongside Ignis and Pestilence.

They walked around the building and a little ways from Hammerhead in order to avoid prying eyes. The Horsemen summoned their steeds-Limos and Erra-and hopped on. Pestilence helped Ignis onto her horse while Famine did the same for Prompto.

"This'll be quite a long ride," the snowy-haired girl stated. "But we should arrive before nightfall."

The two horses took off and the ride to the Rock of Ravatogh commenced.

Along the way, Prompto and Ignis chatted about what they had been doing since arriving back in Lucis. According to the advisor, Pestilence had been accompanying him on his missions around the Duscae and Cleigne regions.

"This elixir you're making, what does it all do?" Prompto curiously questioned.

"Well," the lilac-eyed girl started. "It's an ancient curative known for curing blindness. I've actually decided to combine it with another elixir to make sure it's potent and will also heal the scars. It's been a difficult road, but I will finally have the final ingredient once we get this flower."

"That is so like you," Famine giggled. "Always combining recipes you know will already work on their own."

"What can I say? If it isn't broken, don't fix this. In this case, if it isn't broken, make it stronger."

<----------<<<<<<<<<<

"We're here," Pestilence announces as they reached the base of the volcano.

"The familiar scent of brimstone," Ignis said as he dismounted Erra.

"You've been here before?" (Y/n) questions, eyes bouncing between the advisor and Prompto.

"We went all the way to the top." The blonde boy hopped off Limos with a huff. "There's a royal tomb here. We kinda had no choice."

"Guess this'll be your second trek to the top of the volcano, then," the white-haired girl grinned. "Because the flower is located at the peak."

Prompto remembered their first trip up the Rock of Ravatogh. It was treacherous and by the next morning, his entire body was sore. "Ugh..." His shoulders slumped forward as he followed the Horsemen and Ignis up the path.

They had encountered very few monsters on the way up. When the path began to slope, Famine and Prompto were surprised how easy Ignis was able to maneuver up the path without the need for a cane or a helping hand.

Once on level ground, Prompto expressed his surprise. "Wow, Iggy. I can't believe you're blind."

"Did you, uh..." (Y/n) glanced toward her sister. "Have some help conquering your blindness these past few days?"

"To a certain extent-yes," Ignis responded. "Pestilence has provided me with guidance."

"Just a little bit," the white-haired Horseman said.

"Nonsense," Ignis rebuttals. "You've aided me immensely, Pestilence."

"Glad to hear it," Prompto smiled.

At the peak, the two reached Owlyss Haven. They glanced down at the large nesting sight below, wondering where the Zu had flown off during the approaching darkness.

"It should be around here somewhere..." Pestilence murmured, scanning the large area below. Her eyes narrowed, looking for any hint of bright red against the gray backdrop. When her eyes landed on something in the far corner, she gasped. "Over there!"

"Let's go get that flower," (Y/n) said.

The four descended down the narrow side-path, treading carefully across the jagged stone beneath their feet. They dropped into the Zu's nest and noticed the eggs still had yet to hatch. "I don't know if I should be happy those are still here or not..." Prompto confesses.

"There's already one too many Zus. We don't need four more flying around," Famine responded.

Pestilence ran over to the flower once they jumped out of the enormous nest. She sat on her knees beside the beautiful plant and gently picked it. "All I need to do is crush the spores with the other ingredients and voila!" She careful placed the flower in her pocket and went to rejoin the others, only to be stopped by a low, haunting roar. Turning on her heels slowly, her lilac eyes widened at the sight of the creature that suddenly manifested behind her. "The Gashadokuro..."

"There you are, you ugly bastard!" She heard (Y/n) snarl. From where she stood, Pestilence saw her sister attacking the large monster with the Sword of Judgement. She managed to get a few powerful strikes in before it smacked her and her body sailed through the air.

The blonde Horseman growled as she pushed her body off the ground and charged at the Gashadokuro. Combining lightning with fire, she plunged her blade into the monster's leg and shattered it.

The monster's jaw unhinged and released a deafening howl of pain before dragging its body across the ground and away from the angered girl. (Y/n) gripped her sword tightly, blazing eyes burning a hole into the creature's torso. "What's the matter? Can't walk anymore? Aw, what a shame." When she saw the familiar signs of the creature disappearing, she gasped. "No!"

She tried to drive her blade into the Gashadokuro to keep it from vanishing, but she was too late. Her blade slipped from her hand, dissipating before it clanked against the stone. She sunk to her knees, eyes void of emotion. She stared at the spot where the monster once was with a lifeless expression. Hanging her head, she screamed internally at her failure.

Prompto cautiously approached the girl and kneeled beside her. He reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, (Y/n), it's okay. Don't get hung up on this thing."

Famine lifted her head and looked at him. "It's my target, Prompto. If I don't kill it soon, innocent people will die! I-I can't let that happen!"

Pestilence walks over to her sister and sits on her knees in front of her. "Prompto's right, (Y/n). The Gashadokuro has erratic and unpredictable behavior. It's your job to kill it, but don't linger on the negatives. Focus on what you have accomplished in your previous battle with the creature."

"Yeah!" Prompto cheered. "You did wound it pretty bad in the Keep. I know you'll get it next time."

(Y/n) felt relaxed at his reassurance. She released all her tension with a sigh and smiled at the sharpshooter. "Thank you, Prompto." Then, she directed the smile toward her sister. "You, too, Pestilence."

"Can't have my goddess feeling down," he smirked giddily. "If she's bummed, I am, too!"

Pestilence smiled at the exchange and stood up. "Let's head to Lestallum. It's becoming dark and the daemons will be coming out to play."

"It would be wise," Ignis spoke up.

Prompto took (Y/n)'s hand and hoisted her up onto her feet. "At least going down will be easier than climbing up."

Famine nodded in agreement. "Definitely."

<----------<<<<<<<<<<<

In the safety of Lestallum, Pestilence immediately got to work creating the elixir to heal Ignis' scars and return his eyesight. Prompto and (Y/n) wandered around the town, noticing how they were preparing for the longer nights. They found themselves by the bridge leading to the power plant, staring at the beautiful shards that remained of the Meteor.

The golden-haired girl leaned against the railing and peered down. "It's so amazing how much this world has changed in a hundred years. In a good way, I mean. It's become more beautiful, too."

"I think that's only because of you," Prompto flirts.

"Oh, please," she scoffed. "One person cannot make a world more beautiful."

"They definitely can!" He protests. "You did it the second you came here! I've got proof!" He held out his camera and turned it on, flipping through the various of photos he had taken on his journey.

"I swear," she beams. "I don't deserve you. How did I get so lucky?"

"I ask myself the same question every day." He placed the camera down on a wooden crate beside him and took (Y/n)'s hand, spinning her around so she was now facing him. He didn't waste any time and pulled her into a passionate, deep kiss.

(Y/n)'s hands gravitated toward his face while Prompto's moved to wind around her waist in order to pull her closer until there was no space left between them.

As the kiss continued, the couple was glad to know they were in one of the quieter spots in Lestallum and no one disturbed them. Their bodies were also hidden by wooden crates, which made their privacy better and the possibility of people interrupting their blissful moment highly unlikely.

Unfortunately, they didn't take in the thought of one of the other Horseman interrupting them. Pestilence had found them and giggled, causing the couple to stiffen in each other's embrace. She teased them a little before telling them the good news. "Ignis' sight will return in a few days."

#final fantasy xv #final fantasy xv x reader #ffxv #prompto x reader #prompto argentum

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surveys-at-your-service · 5 years

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Survey #183

“clothes trailing from the back door to the bedroom, and i don’t even know your name.”

Would you ever become a fan of a team you hate to please your spouse? Lol no. Can you handle scary movies? Easily. How often do you get a new purse…and for guys a new wallet? Not often at all. What is the most money that you have ever spent on getting your nails done? This doesn't apply to me, I don't get them done. Once a cheater, always a cheater? No, but I wouldn't date someone who ever did. What word describes your last relationship? Verification, I suppose? I learned I love him just platonically. Do you sneak into movie theaters? No. You can make one person fall eternally in love with you, who do you choose? I don't want to *make* anyone do that. Is there ever a happily ever after? Yeah, but sadly not for everyone. Did you believe there were monsters in your closet or under your bed? Not terribly, but the closet could make me nervous. Do you like guys with beards? It depends on the guy. What annoys you most of the same sex? This isn't generalizing, I think we can all agree girls have a greater tendency to be short in arguments or if we're just in a bad mood. Do you have a fake I.D.? No. Would you ever travel to Africa? I already wanna go. Would you date someone 5 years older than you? Yeah. Does it bother you when girls make duck faces? It doesn't bother me, I just think it looks dumb. Have you ever been fingered? Yeah. Have you ever been to California? Did you like it? Never gone. What do you do the most when you are online? Watch YT, RP, browse dA, surveys... Do you like to dance? If so, what is your favorite move? I do, but there's no way I could survive dance classes in my current shape. Fave move, idk. When was the last time you got a haircut? Few days before going to Sara's in October. I need another. Does it matter to you if your boyfriend/girlfriend drinks? YUP. I won't date you if it's any more than very rarely. Honestly, if you wanted to get laid right now, could you? No. what is your favorite font? Of the "normal" ones, Garamond. Would you make a good movie critic? Noooo. I'm not very criticizing of movies, honestly. Do you like deviled eggs? Omfg NO. I fucking abhor egg yolk in any form. What is your favorite Horror movie? Either of the Blair Witch Project movies. What career are you most interested in? Paleontologist. Have you ever seen a rooster? Welcome to the South, buckaroo. What’s your favorite sweetheart name (baby, honey, angel, dumpling) "Love" or "sweetheart." Has a little kid ever fallen asleep on your lap before? Yes. Have you ever thrown a grenade? No. Have you ever owned a rocking horse? Maybe? Who was the last person you took a picture with? Sara. What’s your favorite kind of float? (coke, root beer) Coke. Have you ever seriously mourned the death of a pet? Like extremely seriously, not really, I think? Shadow was hard, but I don't believe it was too serious. I saw him dying days before it happened. Can you surf/boogie board? No. Medals, ribbons, or trophies? (or just plain cash?) I'll take the money. If any of your friends had really bad body odor, would you tell them? No. Would you ever try anal? If you have, were you always keen to try it? NO NO NO IT GROSSES ME OUT SO MUCH. What age do you want to live until? Maybe like, at least 70. If all jobs paid the same, what would you be doing? Photography. If you heard your best friend’s significant other was cheating on them, would you tell them? Even if you couldn’t prove it? No shit, but I'd be sure to include I only heard it. What is the story behind your pet’s name? Teddy: reminded us of a teddy bear. Bentley: idk. Roman: thought it sounded regal, like cats. Venus: beautiful, her color is similar to the planet. Mitsu: I gave all my rats "m" names. Kaiju: I'd wanted an iguana named after a huge lizard creature forever. What’s something that you once liked, but now hate? Country music. If you were to get engaged, what’s your dream engagement ring? Rose gold something. If you discovered you were pregnant at this point in time, would you keep it or abort it? Why? If out of my own carelessness, I'd keep it but adopt it out. If in any other way, idk. If my life was at risk, yes, and I'd really have to consider if it'd be too traumatic for me with how I feel about pregnancy. What is the last thing you googled? I forgot. Throughout your life, what was your favorite birthday and why? Idk. If everyone was required to make a YouTube channel, what would your content be like? Um... I suppose chill let's plays, no camera? I'd want to hide my identity 'cuz I ain't even risking popularity. How far away do you live from the closest mall? 15-ish minutes? Why do you dislike/hate the person you most dislike/hate? I don't hate anyone I personally know, but I most dislike Colleen for a novel of reason. Are you disrespectful to a lot of people? Definitely not. Do you like the color pink? Pink is everything. On Facebook, do you have people listed as your siblings who aren’t really your siblings? Haven't in a long time. Doesn’t it annoy you when couples post things to each other’s wall on Facebook that are all mushy and gross and NO ONE CARES? No, fuck off. Let people express love of each other. You SHOULD care to some degree that a couple lives in love. What was the last song you had on repeat? "Black Wedding" by In This Moment ft. Rob Halford. Are you drifting away from your best friend? Absolutely not. Would you feel hurt if your last ex was in a relationship? No, I'd be super happy for him. Are you currently wanting any piercings? Always. Do you have trouble sleeping when it’s storming? Nooo, bring it on. What language do you want to learn how to speak? German. Have you ever jumped off a high dive into a pool? No. Did you ever watch Lilo & Stitch as a child? I was obsessed. Have you ever been to one of the great lakes? No, flew past one to Sara's, though. Do you have light posts on your street? No. How about sidewalks? No. What is one food combination you enjoy that others might think is weird? Waffles/pancakes with peanut butter. How do you tend to feel when the year is ending? Hopeful for new beginnings, dreading the ending, etc? I don't feel anything about it. There's nothing truly special about it. What bad habit have you had the longest? What about a good habit? Picking at my nails; manners. Is there anything you do that you are ashamed of? What about proud? Download music; treat animals with the respect they deserve. What is one compliment you find particularly meaningful? What about an insult you find particularly devastating? Calling me kind; calling me weak or that I'll go nowhere. Have you ever had a lucid dream? Share it, if you wish? No. Do you find sleep paralysis to be scary or not so much? Never experienced it, but it sounds absolutely horrifying. Do you have any truly unpopular opinions? If so, share one? Sure. Hormone treatment is an awful idea. What would you say is your biggest accomplishment from the past year? Uhhhhh. I suppose making big progress stretching past my comfort zone. When was the last time you went through a major life change/event? I think me coming out last year was a pretty big event, especially as it led to an incredible relationship. How many places have you lived throughout your life, and which one was your favorite? Four, and as far as location, #3. Overall happiness in the home, #2. Without saying names, what is something you wish you could say to someone? "Look who was wrong." Do you have any typing quirks, or do you prefer to type ‘properly’? I think I use the wrong shift key for a certain letter... but idk off the top of my head. Who do you judge more harshly - others or yourself? Myself. What is the most difficult thing you have ever had to accept? Jason no longer loved me. What is something you do to help yourself feel better on a bad day? Watch some of my fave YT vids. Who or what in life has taught you the most about love? The breakup. Other than in a plane, what’s the highest elevation you’ve experienced? Have you ever had altitude sickness? Driving on a mountain, and no. If you had all the artistic ability you needed, what kinds of things would you most like to draw? MY OCS. Or just meerkats in general, but with macabre scenes. What’s a song that you’re ashamed to say you like? "Bitches" by Hollywood Undead, for one. Ever had sex in a public place? No. Do you do something about it when your stomach hurts, or just let it be? I take medicine. I handle stomachaches very poorly. Do you ever have binges that last for hours, watching YouTube videos? Um?????? Every day????????????????? Do you believe sex should be mandatory in an ongoing dating relationship? No. How do you feel about smoking weed? I've gotten more and more "whatever" about it, but I'm still not a huge fan of the idea. We already complain about cigs and cancer, why legalize something with more carcinogens? Medicinally tho, I'm for it. What foods can you absolutely not eat? Beans are a big 'ole fuck no. Kisses on the cheek or the neck? Depends on the mood. List four things about your facial appearance: I have a real obvious dimple on my left cheek. I have two prominent scars on my chin from when I fainted directly onto it. My eyes are gray/greenish blue. I've been told a lot I have long eyelashes but I don't wanna get up and go to a mirror to verify. List four things about your general appearance: I have dry skin, mY LEG HAIR IS FUCKING PITCH BLACK AND I HATE IT, the nail on my left ring finger is slightly deformed, and I have really thick hair. It’s getting pretty cold now, isn’t it? Do you have the heating on? Yes. Do you like hot, cold, or lukewarm showers? Kinda hot, normally. What are you favorite color eyes? Sapphire or light blue. Do you have long arm hair? Not really. Does your family put up Christmas lights? Yes. Favorite holiday? Halloween. Any bands you used to like and are now embarrassing to you? Not off the top of my head... but there's probs some. Have you ever taken part in a threesome? No. Have you told your parents all of your secrets from when you were a teen? No. When was the last time you built a sandcastle? Forever ago. Do you care about gun laws? Yes. How does alcohol affect you? I become more talkative and outgoing, and I get a warm sensation in my stomach. I don't know if my face still flushes. What color is your toothpaste? Blue. Have you ever inhaled helium? Shit, have I? What is your favorite kind of pasta? Normal noodles. Do you keep up-to-date with current news and events? Noooot at all. Did the one person who hurt you the most in your life apologize? Yes, but I don't really feel he meant it. Who is the worst driver you know? How about the best driver? Jason; Mom, easily. Honestly, have you ever said a racist joke? I actually don't believe so. Are you comfortable hanging out with your friend’s boyfriends/girlfriends? I can't really relate to this, but it wouldn't bother me. Where were you when you got your first period? I'd just gotten home from school. Are you more attracted to men or women? Ohhhh that's hard. Romantically, easily women, but sexually, uh... idrk. If you had to choose a stripper name, what would it be? huh True or False: Everything happens for a reason. False. Who was the last person to really hurt you? Mom. What was the main subject of your last telephone conversation? I was locked outside of my house and needed Mom to come home to help. When drinking hard alcohol do you take shots more or make mixed drinks? I can't handle hard alcohol period. What is one song you listen to that you’re sure not many people do? Off the top of my head, I love "Abenteuerland" by Pur. Have you ever woken up next to someone after a night of drinking? No. Does your mail go to a P.O Box or to a mailbox at your house? A mailbox. Who was the last person from your high school graduating class you saw? Uhhh most likely Colleen. Do you enjoy kissing? Ye. What about making out? Yeah. Where are you most ticklish? DON'T FUCKIN TOUCH MY FEET. Have you ever been to an arena concert? No. Do you plan on having both your parents at your wedding? Yes. Has a friend ever really hurt you and you never told them? Maybe? Have you ever stayed on a ride at a theme park to ride it again? No. Where do you want to raise your children? I'm not having kids, but hypothetically, in nature. Are you afraid that if you do have children they will turn out like you? No. Have you ever slow danced to a song you didn’t know? No. Has someone ever dedicated a song to you? Yes. Do you like to have your hair pulled? I'm indifferent. Definitely don't do it hard. Do you work any holidays? N/A What is a quality someone might not assume you have? Apparently from being told, when I'm forced into talking, I don't seem shy??? I don't see it. When you are in a group that is overwhelmingly male, how noticeable is it to you? Does it make you feel any differently than being in a group that is mixed or predominantly female? It's noticeable to me, and I'm likely to be more anxious. Especially if I'm not with someone else. I'd feel safer with females. Do you have a makeup item or style trick that you feel improves your look significantly and that you feel like you couldn’t go without now that you have it? I feel eyeliner makes me look far better above anything else, but I like, never wear makeup period. Did you have to “unlearn” any expectations or wrong ideas, particularly about romance, that you gained as a child either from media you consumed or from people around you (e.g., fairy tale endings, or that dramatic relationships are healthy, etc.)? Happy endings, that if you tried hard enough, love always prevailed. Are there any bands or artists that you were really into at one point but that you never listen to anymore, not even to reminisce? Ummm not that I recall? What are some wedding trends that you really dislike? If you can’t think of anything, have you ever seen something at a wedding that made you cringe? Ummm idk. Is there something that happened in high school that you’re still salty about (e.g., a bully getting credit for your work)? Nah, not that I can think of. When someone hurts your feelings or offends you are you more likely to lash out at them, quietly withdraw, or something else? Withdraw, but become pretty short and/or sarcastic. Do you read reddit? If so, how often and what subreddits do you like? No. Do you listen to any podcasts? How do you listen to them? No. Does your skin bruise easily? Do you have any bruises right now? What from? Yes, and no. What’s your boss’s first name? Do you call him/her by that name? N/A Who was the last person you played a video game with? I played Pokemon with my niece and nephew. :') They loved it and I was a V PROUD aunt. Last game you played at an arcade? Who even knows. Last funeral you attended? Uhhhh. I don't remember. I want to say for my old babysitter, but that doesn't sound accurate... I swear I've been to one after. What was your favorite nursery rhyme as a child? Does the little piggy one count cuz I LOVED THAT SHIT with my mom. Who was your childhood hero? Steve Irwin. He's still a hero to me. What is your favorite cousin’s first name? I don't have a fave. What was the name of your first stuffed animal? Oh BOY, I couldn't tell you. It was a little bunny holding a polka-dot blanket. What was your least favorite food as a child? Idk. Where did your mother and father meet for the first time? At work. What is your oldest sibling’s middle name? I've no clue. What was your favorite place to visit as a child? THE ZOO BITCH TAKE ME AWAY Have you ever stayed in a cheap motel? No, I'm too much of a paranoid germaphobe to. What about a 5 star hotel? I highly doubt it. Have you ever gotten a massage? Not professionally. Have you ever given a massage? Yeah. Have you ever been to Disneyland or Disney World? The latter. What is the last gift you received and from who? A snake keychain Sara made. :') What are you currently dressed in? Skull pj pants with an Umbreon tank. Are you listening to any music right now? If so, what are you listening to? "Not The American Average" by Asking Alexandria slaps.

#survey #quiz #questions #random

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hikikomori-kuma · 6 years

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[USUK] Right Place

As a thank you! for the 100+ followers of this blog! Thank you very much! Here is an unbeta-ed, flangst (fluffy + angst), kinda “eh?” fic I made months ago. It’s really long but I do hope you won’t get sick of it. Without further ado. Dozo!

PS. Correct me if you see errors!

Edit: Thanks to @chibiblogerchan for correcting me about their child’s name. :)

He watched as Alfred attempt to dance with Tino on the dance floor. He awkwardly sway on the upbeat music but the goofy smile on his face make up for it. Other dancers are on the dance floor but Arthur decided to stay on their table and watch from the sidelines.

He took a sip from his water - he’s restraining from alcohol for now, he reminded himself - as he scanned the room filled with happy people and even happier new couple. Tino and Arthur had been friends since their university years and even after years of short contacts and brief updates in life events and changes, it was very darling of Tino to invite him to his wedding. The omega met a quiet Swedish named Berwald and now, they are bonded - married even.

He remembered the day that Tino invited him for tea and with his sweet and comforting scent telling him his happiness, he showed his beautiful engagement ring to Arthur. His eyes shining with glee that matched the diamond on it and the usually quiet Fin had been talkative with how Berwald came up with his proposal.

With the reminder of ring, he looked at his own finger. Still pale like the rest of his skin and still untouched with metal on it. He wondered what it felt like to have a cool metal against his skin. Would it be cold to touch or will it share his warmth like it’s a part of his body?

He snapped out of his reverie before anyone nearby guest question his change of scent.

He looked up again to hear that the music has finished with a loud final beat and a round of applause and cheers filled the room. Arthur was one of the more polite one to clap his hands.

Tino and Berwald announced for their guests to continue dancing as they went back to their seats and watch their guest and be merry with each other. Some guest went to congratulate them on their table.

Another song was started by the live band, now accompanied by a Spanish singer and serenading the whole reception area. He saw that Alfred bouncing back to their table, panting, sweating and still smiling from his previous activity. He knew that the alpha would likely pull out his seat and talk to him animatedly thus he smiled at the other quickly before dodging his eyes to look for his glass but he did not expect it when the other stood in front of him and raised his hand.

“Sweetheart, come on. Let’s dance!” He smiled gently to Arthur, one that reminded him of knights on white horses often mentioned in happy ever afters - not that Alfred’s unlike one. He looked at him with wide eyes, shocked by the invitation and hand frozen half way to his mouth. Not to mention the crippling hot feeling of his cheeks. He did not seems to function for a long time that Alfred took the initiative to pick his glass, set it down on the table and grab his hand to pull him on the dance floor.

He felt hesitant yet he complied, keeping up with Alfred but with a distance as they went to the dance floor. Choosing a space near the centre and starting on a close dance position. Alfred grabbed his hand and put a hand on his waist - which shocked him for a moment - before pulling him closer to the alpha’s body.

He looked at the alpha, to his unkempt styled hair to match his suit and bowtie. He looked quite dashing, even with the glasses that made him more friendly. He grinned at Arthur as he hummed on the familiar love song the singer’s currently singing in the background.

He looked at Alfred’s blue eyes - such kind blues like its owner. They said that eyes are the windows of the soul and every time he look at Alfred’s, he knew that they are the purest and kindest. Just like Alfred.

He met this alpha, this man, when he was only an intern and Alfred was a graduating student of Engineering. He would never admit it loud enough or to anyone that the day Alfred spilt his coffee on his table while attempting - and failing - to balance his sleep deprived self was the day that instead of being spiteful to the other rather he fell in love with the man. Instantly! He noted himself. Even with his ruined documents and pants, the alpha made amends by taking out the omega for a night out. Arthur both surprised Alfred and himself for agreeing and one date became two, three, until he forgot to even count the casual visits to cafes and restaurants or movie viewing or even the taking turns of ordinary house visits just to cuddle on the couch.

He had dreams, Alfred also had his - which are always bigger than his, he would always tell Arthur his dreams whenever they watch home movies bundled in warm blankets and picking on a bowl of popcorn and occasionally throwing them at each other - but one ill-timed unprotected heat came and he felt like he failed both of them.

Alfred went to visit him on his home as usual, just to learn from the two red lines that soon - after nine months - he’ll become a father. Arthur knew that he’s not yet ready, he himself was not ready to be a mother yet but the frenzy of having a mate during heat blurred the possibilities of this unplanned future. He saw as Alfred’s bag slowly hit the ground, its thus making a single sound on the quiet room, making him wince, before he was engulfed into a big, apologetic hug.

“I’m sorry.” Alfred chanted into his ears, kissing his ears, cheek, forehead, neck, really anywhere he could reach just to ask to be forgiven.

He felt like crying, he cried many times before - on the bathroom when he saw the blasted positive result, the possibility to be fired on his currently acquired job, the disownment of his own family, rejection of Alfred and don’t even make him think of having an abortion. All those negative thoughts weigh him down and now, now, he felt bad to even letting Alfred catch onto it.

They embraced for a long moment, just standing there and letting the world go round as he felt at fault for ruining both of their dreams.

Arthur dared not to tell Alfred what he has in mind, now that he’s pregnant. He has to mask his scent for work to avoid conflict and he knew that Alfred just got his job and still has student loans to pay. Everything felt unprepared especially when one night, while eating Chinese delivery on Arthur’s couch - nowadays, he felt compelled just to sit and eat and be done with it - Alfred announced something he never thought he’d hear on the alpha’s lips.

“I’m introducing you to my parents.” He said before he started to gobble up again on his fried noodles. Arthur just looked at him with shock.

“We have to make it official, right?” Ah, yes. Yes. To save them faces. To avoid more conflicts and problems in the future.

He just nodded. Resigned to the thought that Alfred need to do that because he just needed to.

He tried cooking, making dessert for Alfred’s parents but he ended up buying a cake from the local bake shop. Alfred tried to comfort him, telling him that everything would be ‘just fine’ but Arthur haven’t been fine for weeks now - he would never said that to Alfred.

He tried to smile more during the night. They started with dinner, with casual talk of 'what’s going on’ to Alfred’s life and the casual talk of whats thrown at Arthur. He remembered being nervous but the 'Joneses’ were always understanding and welcoming. After the dinner, Alfred sat the five of them - including his beta brother Matthew - on the family room and announced his bond with Arthur. His mother has been happy, her initial reaction was to gasp and reach for her son as she congratulate his son with hugs and kisses and Arthur to this life achievement. He cleared his throat and made another announcement.

“Well, there’s another thing I wanted to announce. Arthur is pregnant.” It sounded clinical, too formal, too stiff but another booming joy came to the room. His father pat him on the back with unshed tears and Matthew quietly congratulated Arthur as he offered a quiet smile to the beta.

Everyone’s talking but all Arthur wanted that night was to go home to his flat and curl to his bed as quickly as he can but Alfred’s parents decided - forced - them to stay the night just to be safe. He chose to have a private quarters at the family’s guest room while Alfred on his own room.

He did not know what pushed him to woke up on the wee hours of the next day that he walked down the stairs to go to the kitchen just to hear muffled voices. He stopped by the wall - he did not mean to eavesdrop but the familiar voices of Alfred and his parents has been clear as he listened.

“You still haven’t finished paying up your student loan, dear.” He heard his mother with the voice of concern.

“Yes mom, I know that.” Alfred sounded exhausted but Arthur never heard him like that whenever he visits him.

“Son, are you sure about this?” His father asked the young alpha, like a man to man talk.

There is a long paused before he heard a sigh - one of exhaustion, defeat, forced. Arthur would like to listen more but he knew that the more he hear about this, the more he’ll be hurting. He went back to his room, forcing himself to sleep but he felt empty whenever he close his eyes.

The next day, he felt more tired than ever as he moved around the house with robotic-like manner. Alfred’s parents bid them goodbye with the same enthusiasm as the night before but Arthur felt like they just did it in front of him. He even received an embrace that he weakly returned.

As he head back on his room, after hours of travel and Alfred back to his own apartment, he just stared at darkness while he contemplated on what Alfred would have said that night. His thoughts wondered on 'Alfred being forced to the role of a father simply because he impregnated him’, 'he wanted to save face’ and the worst monster 'he’s just going with the flow and just plainly did not love Arthur at all’ That last one hurt the most.

He became quieter than usual, felt more defeated to the forces he knew he had been weak against at the first place.

They made the bonding official as Alfred bit him on the shoulder and scented him off with his own scent. His alpha looked at him with such tenderness that Arthur felt conflicted; waking his inner demons and making it fight against each other. That he saw no other way to escape this, to just accept the consequence of their rash action. He wanted to tell Alfred to stop, to voice his thoughts, his hesitancy but invisible force stopped him. Choking his words and preventing them from spilling until he felt tears bead his eyes. They ended up tangled in each other’s arms as they shared warmth on his nest that night but he remembered staring at the dark walls, feeling the sting on his heart much more painful than the bleeding and throbbing fresh mark on his skin.

The people from his work place had been ecstatic with his bond as they fawn on him like birds flocking on seeds. They were very happy especially Feliciano who went on advising him on pregnancy tips.

He would be surrounded by the happy betas and cooing omegas but at home, he would be lonely on his flat and staring at the ceiling while he felt his stomach grew bigger by the days. It would only took a few months before Alfred will leave him, that’s for sure and Arthur just training himself for that.

He never called Alfred for help. He still can function like a normal human being, he reasoned - assured himself, but Alfred would always follow and assist him whenever he visited on the weekends or on his early out from his job. He would send him food and sometimes call to check on him. He never asked for his assistance yet Alfred was always willing to offer his help until he went overboard by completely moving in to Arthur’s apartment.

It was all of the sudden. Completely out of blue. It seemed that his life filled with such surprises. Alfred had his boxes outside his flat on a weekday as he waited for Arthur to return from work and asked him to let him in. With all the boxes and mess on the hallway, how could Arthur deny him refuge.

They awkwardly manoeuvred the boxes inside, well, Alfred did as he pointed to where he could place his packed stuff. That night had been very awkward as Alfred unpacked for his necessities while they remained quiet inside the flat. Bedtime that night even more as the alpha took the couch and bid him a shy goodbye. As he closed his door, he released a breathe he never knew he hold.

Morning came as the smell of breakfast reached his nose and he quietly but quickly excused himself in the bathroom. Making sure to lock the door before he gag and hurl out some rather non existing vomit.

He freshen up before walking out of the room, a frowning Alfred looking at him as he put down a plate of breakfast on his table.

“Are you okay?” Of course he can smell that he’s not but he still asked anyway. He just nodded and settled on making his tea and nibble on his toast for breakfast.

Moving through the house had been a messy affair, they moved around as if they would be stung if they get too close to each other. They fumbled on who will be using the bathroom first, Alfred scrabbled to look at his day clothes as he still hasn’t unpacked - not to mention where he would put his things as Arthur’s flat had been a one bedroom-one bathroom type and the lingering quietness inside the flat. Arthur decided to call in sick which he did not do often as he looked at Alfred struggle to make himself proper before going off.

Bidding the alpha off to work was something he usually see at the perfect domesticated life of an omega but when Alfred said that he’ll be off to work, he just nod in affirmation and waved a small unsure goodbye.

He had an impromptu day off, thus he had to make the most of it, right? He started off by cleaning the house, which was a struggle with all the boxes and hiding some of his stuff to make more space inside the flat. A few hours and he was set to go to even more impromptu check up to his doctor.

Alfred knocked - that’s sensible since he’s the one who just moved in 24 hours ago - into a cleaner house and to a more clinical scent of Arthur. He internally wrinkled his nose as the omega opened to door for him to go inside. He’s been removing his shoes when the omega spoke. He cleared his throat before forming his sentence. “I think we ought to have a talk after dinner.” Then he went back to the kitchen where apparently he forgot the stove’s been in high level and burnt his cooking a little.

Alfred offered his help to clean the dished in which Arthur was grateful and when everything’s done, it is time for their talk.

Arthur patted the couch space for Alfred to seat on, leaving a relatively good distance between them. Not too close for bonded mates but not too far to seem distant. Alfred listened to Arthur as he spoke, a bit nervous but stay still.

“Since you’re here - and your stuff had been loitering around,” If there’s anything that did not change to Arthur, it’s the sarcastic side comment. “I think you should unpack and set your things.” Alfred looked at him, happy to be received inside Arthur’s home.

“Including your personal stuff, I think I can share my bedroom for your personal belongings.” He said in a small voice but he squeaked as Alfred gently tackled him on the couch and embraced him, burying his face on the omega’s neck to express his gratitude, wanting to smell his mate, to know his happiness and gratitude. He felt him sniffed deeply, smelling the same clinical scent from before. He patted the younger in the back, asking for time out but with a small kiss on the forehead.

The little gesture took him by surprise since they had been dancing around each other ever since his pregnancy. Things had been feeling rather cold as Arthur assumed it is going and this took him off-guard. He guided Alfred on his unpacking but made it very clear that Alfred still sleep on the couch.

Every morning, Arthur would wake up early to make sure that he would patch his mark with a rather expensive scent concealing patch before Alfred woke up. Yes, he did just that, sometimes even watching Alfred sleep for a few moments before he make his morning tea.

Slowly, they felt into something more relax, more comforting, more domesticated state of affairs. They would wake up, greet each other good morning, prepare for work to come home later with Alfred talking about his day, cook dinner before they retire to bed with murmured goodbyes.

They had jobs, which paid them for their expenses. Yes, they had talks about sharing bills but when Arthur, one day, struggled to button his shirt on the belly part, Alfred went home giving him a bag with a few shirts inside fit for his growing belly.

“Y-you don’t have to, Alfred.” His grip on the green shirt tighter than he supposed to. Alfred just grinned as him as he flopped on the couch/bed to went to the omega’s side.

“Nah. It’s okay, I got extra payment for working overtime and since I live at your apartment I think it’s just right to give you something in return.”

“But..” He’s still hesitant but Alfred looked at him reassuringly.

“Oh… I suppose, um- thank you, for all of these.” Putting back the shirt inside the bag since Alfred thought it’s a smart move to remove all the price tags before handling it to Arthur.

“Besides, it’s my child too, so, yeah.” He sounded happy, proud even but that sounded very different to Arthur’s view. Tasted bad to his senses that would surely reach his scent and emit his feeling. He internally thanked the patches but Alfred looked at him with concern.

“Hey, Artie? You okay?” That nickname. Since when did that became something Alfred associated on calling Arthur? He never knew.

“Artie?” Another one.

“Arthur?” He put a hand on his shoulder that startled the omega.

“Y-yes?” Damn. He was caught spacing off.

“You okay?”

“Ah, yes. Rather tired.” He picked up the bag then stood up, a bit slowly as he find balance. “Thank you again for these, Alfred. I really appreciate it. I’d like to talk to you more but I’m quite sleepy, so let’s call it a night, hm?” He offered a small smile. “Good night, Alfred.”

“Good night, Artie.” Alfred reached out for his hand, pressed it before letting it go.

Morning come, he was hesitant to wear the new shirt but his other clothes did not fit like it and when he walked out of his room, Alfred greeted him with a cheery smile.

“Good morning! They look good on you.” He stared at Arthur a bit longer, appreciating the new shirt on his mate then to his small baby bump, making the omega uncomfortable as he stood in the middle of the room before he could nod and proceed to breakfast.

It’s embarrassing to admit that the clothes Alfred bought are very comfortable, making him wear it in repeat for weeks until the alpha bought him a few more until he told Alfred that he’s happy enough with his new shirts.

Over the next few weeks, they grew closer. Sometimes eating out for lunch, walk on the park but Arthur’s secret was when they went shopping for the baby.

Alfred had been enthusiastic, holding his hand as he was pulled on the crib section to look at the selection. Since they did not have a room for the baby in the house, they chose to buy a small crib added with few baby clothes and other necessities for the child to come. Arthur may have thought that it’s safe to say that he’d been anticipating for the baby to come now that Alfred’s with him.

Life’s starting to get good, it seems when one late afternoon and one trip to grocery led him to see Alfred sleeping on his bed, glasses still on his face and his shirt fresh from what he had seen Arthur before leaving. He quietly moved to the kitchen, stacking their food supply before going to his bedroom. Contemplating if he should wake the alpha up or not because he himself is weary. A brief internal battle and he chose the latter, slowly sitting on his bed and settling himself on the space that still unoccupied by the younger. He made himself steady before braving to look at his companion. Looking at the youthful face with golden hair but weigh down by work and an child expectancy. He dared, slowly, to reach for his cheek to know if it’s warm - he’s right - and rested his palm on it. Feeling bolder by this rare happening, he slowly stroked his thumb under his eye. Touching the bags under it, soothing the darkening skin as if it will be gone in a few. Oh, what will he do when this man left his life. Arthur thought to himself as he studied the sleeping man. It’s comforting as it aches to be with this man but he let the former win when he finally closed his eyes and took slumber.

The omega woke up, the room dark as the hours passed, to feel securely in the arms of the alpha. Spooned and feeling the ticklish breathe of Alfred. He pretended to be asleep for a few more minutes, just a few more to indulge to this feeling. Then on, Alfred tend to sleep on his bed and Arthur found that he don’t mind at all.

The remaining month of pregnancy has been bliss until it finally came.

“Darling?” He himself had finally called Alfred other than his name. He put a hand on his back, holding back a groan of pain as he tried to walk to the living room where the other busied himself with a laptop.

“Yeah?”

“I think I’m having contractions already.” He soothed his back. Alfred stood up to look at him.

“Really?! God, I- wait,” He went to Arthur and let him sit. “I’m getting the bags okay?” He kissed his forehead, sweat starting to bead. “Be back in a minute.”

The deliverance, to say, was an agony but Alfred had been there to hold his hand as he threatened him in every word he could muster at the moment but one cry from their child made it all worth it. He hold their son - a precious little boy, a very darling creature to Arthur’s eyes - kissed his small but grappling hand and showed him to Alfred.

Walking home with a new addition to the family made the flat more alive, more colourful even when William cried in the middle of the night, leaving them sleepless to function for the next day.

They never had time for each other as the baby occupied most of their time and gruelling twelve months and adjustment period came to William’s first birthday.

It’s been a small and private celebration as two people sang to their children 'happy birthday’ on their kitchen and blow his cake and kissed him on the cheek. They shared home cooked meals as Arthur tried to feed his little William while Alfred complimented him on his cooking. Taking a picture of them three, as a family had been hard but as Alfred settled the camera on the kitchen counter and pressed the timer, he pulled Arthur by the waist, pressing their son on the middle of them and smiled like there is no tomorrow.

He should be in back in heat in a few months but he knew life would be difficult now that he has a child and a job he had to resign from to focus on his son thus he relied on suppressants. He would secretly took one and hid it from the most impossible places Alfred would likely look for something.

It’s been hard, yes, but he kept going because he felt, knew that he’s in the high time of his life when Alfred told him something.

“They wanted to reassign me to a different site.” He’d been feeding William and even tasting a few bits of it when he said that. He hummed to tell that he’s listening.

“They say they’ll give me a pay raise but I refused it.” That stopped Arthur from feeding his son.

“Why?” It’s an opportunity and the alpha refused it.

“Arthur, I don’t want to be away from my family.” He frowned as he stopped from eating and looked at Arthur like deer in the headlights. “Will’s still small and I know that you’re always tired from taking care of him.” Alfred did not emphasize more, it was more than enough for him to know.

He’s holding back Alfred. Still holding him back.

He quieted after that, feeding William and cleaning up his child. He became quieter after that, keeping his mouth shut and his head low whenever Alfred talked to him. Eventually nodding if asked. He felt resigned but he kept his focused on their child lest his deep dark thoughts eat him away again.

One night, as he took a quick nap after successfully making having William sleep, he felt an arm around his waist then enveloped with warmth.

“Hey…” He felt breathe ghost on his nape.

“…Alfred?” He did not turn around.

“Are you mad at me?” He tried to inhale his scent but he got nothing.

“…No.” I’m mad at myself.

“I’m still sorry…"He was tugged nearer the alpha. The only sound was their breathe before Alfred spoke again. "I love you.”

It’s very rare that they exchange endearments like that and those made Arthur’s heart stop. “I love you so much. You and William.”

Stop. Arthur felt guiltier by the minute and when he couldn’t take it, he turned around and hid on his chest. Barely catching the smell of his mate.

“I’m so sorry Alfred.” Alfred just caress his back, reassuring him that everything’s alright.

Second birthday was decided to be celebrated on Alfred’s parents house. With some relatives and friends from Alfred’s side and a few from Arthur’s who looked ecstatic being invited. It felt like an holiday with all the food prepared, balloons, cutely wrapped presents and even silly birthday hats that Arthur tolerated wearing because his son looked so happy giggling with his father.

He went to the kitchen to fill up the pasta bowl as everyone seems to love Feliciano’s special sauce. Alfred’s mother had been busy with the muffins. Some of the noise in the living room reaching the kitchen.

“You okay, dear?” The alpha’s mother asked as she aligned the muffins in a flat tray.

“Ah, yes, everything’s fine here. Thank you for asking.” He smiled to the woman.

“No, I mean, are you okay?” Alfred’s mother leaned on the counter, looking at him.

“Yeah, I mean, yes. Is something wrong?” He did not understand this sudden inquiry.

“Have you gone into heat yet?” He involuntarily shuddered as he felt his cheek redden with embarrassment.

“W-why?” He put down the pasta ladle as he started to shake.

“Honey, I can’t smell Alfred on you and I can barely smell your scent.” Her mother smiled with concern.

How should he answer that? Clearly telling that suppressing his heat to lessen being a burden to Alfred won’t be a good answer. He cleared his throat.

“Maybe it’s just the party that overwhelmed my scent. There are a lot of people here today after all.” He tried to smile but it quivers at the ends.

“Oh, that might be it.” She picked up the tray but before she went out of the kitchen he looked back at the omega.

“But once you had, be sure to be satisfied, yeah?” She said with a wink that made Arthur blush even more.

Alfred’s mother kept on dropping hints.

“Here Arthur, eat this. It’ll make you feel more… energized!”

“Alfred! Give your mate some love!”

“I’ll leave you two to have some private time now.”

“I heard that there’s this good herbal drink that could fasten the coming of heat. You should give it a try Arthur!”

She would always say that while cooing on her grandson, while in the kitchen washing the dishes or even in the dinner table on their weekend visit.

“Alfred dear, do you have any plans on having another child again?” The alpha visibly choked on his food, tried pumping on his chest as he grabbed for his glass. Arthur looked in shock with what his mother had said while their son just giggled with her grandmother.

After some time, Alfred caught his breath again before replying. “Mom! That’s embarrassing!” He looked at Arthur as he muttered a 'sorry’ to which he nodded to.

“But why? I always loved to have a big family! If I were given a choice, I’ll have another of my own but that’s a different story.” She said, swinging her spoon as she explained. “Besides, omegas are only fertile for a certain number of years.” She chewed on her meat.

“Martha…” Alfred’s father tried to stop her.

“Right Arthur? That’s why you and Al should start on planning on your next child! Look at how lovely William is! I’m one hundred percent sure that your next child would be beautiful, don’t you think, George? Oh, I ca-” Martha kept on babbling but Arthur blocked it all off and now blanked with something akin to white noise as his mind’s voice spoke for him.

Can’t they see that I’m already a burden to Alfred? The one holding him back from pursuing his big dreams. That now, he’s stuck with a child and now, they want another?

It continued that even Alfred asked about it too. He had been cradling a sleeping William on his arms when Alfred sat on the couch.

“Hey Artie, when’s your next heat?” He sounded shy when he asked. He stopped swaying William.

“Why?"His voice small.

"Well, y'know, Mom’s been bugging me about it and I thought, maybe we could…try?”

No. No. No. God, please, no.

“You’re okay with that, right?” They never had this talk, or Arthur ever expected them.

“I don’t know…” He whispered.

“What’s that, Artie?"Alfred leaned on his personal space.

"I don’t know when” He tried to look relaxed, “but let’s just see when time comes. Is it okay?”

The alpha looked ecstatic with the idea that Arthur could not help but feel somewhat happy but more of dread.

Months passed and the heat talked forgotten, it being a weekend and Arthur’s busy with his home-based work and typing on his laptop when some flatten medicine boxes, a few empty pill bottles and some unused concealing patches had been laid down - well, it felt like it was thrown on the coffee table and in a very angry way.

Who would have thought that Alfred would rummaged to every corner of the house just to fix the leak under the kitchen sink.

“What are those?” The alpha asked, his teeth gritting together with the strong emotions he’s emitting. It reached Arthur’s senses but with the medication, he can barely smell his rage.

“Those are-” He looked at the forlorn glossy paper with the written medicinal name of suppressants. He gulped. “medicine.”

“Yes, I know that! Are those yours?” His voice sounded accusatory making Arthur internally winced. After the long sullen silence with Alfred impatiently being patient Arthur seemingly stuck on the couch like it take root on his being, he slowly nod his head.

“Why the fuck do you have those?!” He shouted again, pointed at the offending medicine and patches like it is cursed. Arthur flinched on his seat as he never heard Alfred became this furious. Another silence.

“Well? Are you gonna answer my fucking question or not?” And with curses too.

He swallowed the knot stuck on his throat before finding his voice. “T-they’re-” It cracked. Damn it. “-for my heat.” He fiddled with his sleeve. “They suppress my heat.”

“Is these the reason why I can’t smell you? Why you don’t go through heat?!” Alfred pulled at his hair. Arthur dared not looked at him. “Why are you doing this?!” He sounded rather upset than angry, questioning what went wrong.

Arthur can feel his eyes burn with unshed tears as he kept his head low, like the carpet has become the most interesting thing in the world.

“Arthur?”

No.

“Hey, Arthur?”

Still no.

“Arthur! Fucking look at me!”

“No!”

“What?!”

Arthur fisted his hands, his inner demons now voicing their thoughts louder. It makes his ears right, blocking Alfred’s apparent shouting.

Tell him.

Fight him.

He’ll leave you anyway.

You’re nothing to him.

You’re just a hindrance.

Say it out loud!

Do it!

“Arthur, why are you ignoring me?!”

That’s the final straw.

“Because I don’t want to be a baggage more that I already am to you already!” He looked up, glaring with threatening tears. He feel dizzy with the sudden movement and the intensity of the feeling he’s procuring.

“Arth-”

“I know you have big dreams, Alfred. I know! And you starting a family in such an early age could stop you from ever achieving them! If it wasn’t for me, you could have been in a better place now! With a better job and not stuck with me!” He panted. “I know it’s all my fault. I’m sorry Alfred.” He bowed his head as silence filled the room. The ringing on his ears gradually fading with the replacement of the loud pounding of his heart.

“A-Arthur, I-” Alfred finally spoke but he was cut short by the sound of baby crying from the baby room. Arthur hurriedly stand up and ran to the baby room. Attending to their crying son as if he felt that sooner or later, his family would be broken. And that would be Arthur’s fall again. Arthur gently lifted William as he cradled and gently rocked the child.

Minutes turned to hours, Arthur had forgotten how long he’d been holding William and how his tears dry and eyes swelling. It’s near dinner time and when he opened the door of the baby room, the living room was empty. Alfred left hours ago, that fact did not surprise Arthur.

He realized that without Alfred’s loud laughter, his cooing to William and even the eventual overdramatic singing the apartment is quiet.

Ignoring the stillness of the once happy apartment, the omega focused on taking care of their son.

It’s on the dead of the night that a sound finally heard. The slow opening of the front door and light footsteps woke Arthur, looking at William gently sleeping on his bed. He stood up from his recliner, covering himself with a small blanket and looking for whoever opened the door.

As soon as he’s out of William’s room, his attention went into their room. With the door left open - as they always do ever since William was born - and saw Alfred lying sideways from his side of the bed. His soft slipper clad feet gentle above the carpet as he slowly walked inside, clutching his blanket with his hands and slowly approach his side of the bed. Alfred’s bad was facing him and with a deep breath in and out, he dipped onto the bed and lay.

He knew Alfred is awake by the small hitching of breath. He scoot closer, to the alpha’s side and buried his face onto the other’s back.

“I’m sorry.” Muffled but still audible.

He’d been thinking this through hours ago, while he tend on William and doing other house chores.

“I’m sorry for being selfish, for being insensitive and not understanding your way of looking into things.” He suppressed a sniffle. “But I still regret being the one who dragged away from your dreams. I’m sorry that you are stuck in this situation and I am nothing but dead weight.” He clutched an hand on his shirt. “I respect you and your decision and if you decided to leave us, I will not blame it you. I’ll blame myself for it. I know that I’m unworthy of someone like you and I apologi-”

Alfred suddenly shifted, now facing Arthur with a mix of concern and anger on his face. “You are not unworthy!” His lips formed in a tight frown. He put his arm around Arthur’s waist, pulling him closer. “You! You are not unworthy, Arthur! Don’t you ever say that to me or to yourself!” His eyes glossy as he touched the omega’s face. “Will you hear my side now, sweetheart?”

Why does Alfred has to call him that?! He asked himself but he just nodded.

“I am the selfish one. While you regret this, I don’t. I’ll admit that it was difficult when you handed me that positive result but as the days gone by, I slowly fall into the mindset of having a family with you. I’m working hard because of you and William, because I’m happy to be with you both.” He stroked Arthur’s cheek, momentarily staring at the glistening green eyes before continuing. “I’m sorry if I got angry with you. It’s just, I was overwhelmed by the fact that you’re blocking your heats. I don’t want you to have complications. You know I’ll take care of you, right?” He saw Arthur’s tears finally pour, one after another. His sobs quiet as he clutched on the sheets and cry his heart out. Alfred kissed his forehead, pulling away to wipe the flowing tears away from his lover’s cheek. “It’s okay to cry but it’s better if you share your worries with me. I’m here for you Arthur and will always be.” He nuzzled Arthur’s hair. “I love you so much, please know that.”

The omega has been crying ever since, his worries perishing through tears and replaced by clarity and assurance from this alpha - his alpha. His voice left him throughout Alfred’s speech and all he could is sob and let his tears fall. His heart even ache with the alpha’s declaration of love. He blindly cupped other’s cheek and he looked him in the eye. “I promise to be better from now on. I love you too, Alfred. Very much.” Yes, he loved this man with all his heart that he’s willing to sacrifice just for the man to be happy. He’s so willing even if it means to give him up and be out of the picture just to see this wonderful man smiling.

Alfred smiled at him, gentle and affectionate with his glistening blue eyes. “I’m glad.” He pulled Arthur until their lips met into a sweet kiss.

Things do not magically get fixed overnight. They both knew it. Baby steps. As Arthur woke up entangled with Alfred and sharing warmth underneath a blanket, he decided that baby steps should start that day. He got rid of his heat suppressant pills together with the other rubbish outside. He even visited his doctor - one after a long time! - despite being scolded for the possibility of drug overdose, the appointment went well. The doctor explained that he needed to flush out the medicine from his body and eventually will start to have heat again. The prospective of heat made the omega blush in which the doctor humoured with a good hearty laugh.

He started to learn new recipes too, cooking for his family even with the usual burning-of-the-meal incidents and teasing from Alfred.

While Alfred got more affectionate towards Arthur. Kissing the omega whenever he got the chance, causing the other to swat him. He would bring him small gift, Arthur insisted on not buying him any gift but Alfred could be hard headed most of the time and bring him flowers, box of cheap chocolates, even a tin can of tea. Arthur would tell him not to spent him money on him but instead to their child but the positive glow on the omega’s face is something Alfred would not replace with anything. They are slowly and gradually getting closer.

One night, Alfred came home without his son’s usual running to meet his dad instead he went home to discover Arthur curled up on their bed. He slowly went to his omega’s side.

“Hey, honey.” He was answered with a groan. Arthur’s face sweaty and red and he’s slightly panting. Alfred felt his forehead, the skin warm against his palm. “Where’s William?”

The other opened his eyes to look hazily at him. “He’s with Matthew. I think I’m coming down with a flu, I can’t risk him getting sick because of me.” He winced as he tried to stood up. Alfred noticed that he’s wearing an old shirt of his, in any day he would tease the omega about it but seeing him in this state now, he only felt more concern by the second. “I’ll just re-heat dinner.” But he was stopped by a hand on his shoulder.

“Arthur, you’re clearly sick.” He looked at the other’s flushed state. “Just,” he sighed “just stay here, okay? I’ll do it myself. Do you want dinner?” Arthur shook his head and with a quick kiss on the forehead, the alpha went to the kitchen and have himself some homemade meal.

Turns out Arthur’s started in his heat - one after two years since - as he looked at the omega trying to built a nest on the carpeted floor of their bedroom. He now stripped himself of his pants as he drag more pillows to make his nest softer. He looked at the other as he settled himself in the centre of it and cover himself with a blanket.

“A-arthur?” He asked with worry.

“A-alfred,” Tears on the brim of those green eyes. “I’m scared.” He’s mind’s fuzzy and the overwhelming heat makes him uncomfortable. He cautiously went to the nest, keeping a distance between him and the scared omega. “I-I’m here, Arthur.” He sat down. “If you’ll have me.” The other slowly nodded. Their child stayed with Matthew for two more days after that.

After his heat, his scent slowly got back. It started out small, noticed only when Alfred nuzzle at the back of his neck. The sweet smell of rain and tea and morning dew getting stronger every time Arthur get embarrassed or surprised with Alfred’s antics.

Even his co-workers noticed the health glow that he seems to 'radiate’. Teasing and cooing at him every time they see Arthur.

Now, five years together with William staying over too Matthew’s who’s very fond of his uncle and them attending Tino and Berwald’s wedding, it’s safe to say that everything’s going steady.

They bid farewell to the newlyweds, with Alfred nudging Berwald with a cheeky grin and a wink to which the other silently blush. Arthur embraced Tino for the last time, congratulating them and wishing them good luck.

“Come on, stop it Al. We need to pick up William.” He hold the other’s hand. He’s not into PDA but the atmosphere had been nice and loving that he can’t help it.

“Ah, yes. Hey, Ber! Don’t forget what I told you, okay?” He laughed one last time before Arthur tugged him away.

They are waiting for the red light to turn green when Alfred suggested something. “Hey, Artie, you think we can take a little detour?”

Arthur looked from his side of the window. “Hm? Going to McDonalds?” When he did not get a response, he shrugged. “Okay.”

But fast food restaurant became a playground from a nearby park.

“Alfred, what are we doing here?” He followed Alfred as the alpha get out and run to the swing sets.

“Your majesty.” Alfred did an overdramatic bow to present Arthur the swing. The omega chuckled to the alpha’s gesture. “What’s up with you today?” But he did sit and braced himself to the metal chains. “Thank you very much.” He posh-ed up his accent. “Will you push the swing for me?”

“Gladly.” Alfred went behind and started to push the swing, slowly at first until he’s swing fully. He yelped at first but it erupted to giggles as the cold air of the night hit his face. The swing gradually slowed down and when Arthur decided that stopped, he looked around to see that Alfred was gone.

“Alfred?” He stood up, looking from left to right. “Alfred?” Alfred would not be that mean to left him alone here, right? The car’s still parked to where they left it. He continued to look around started to get scared when someone called him from behind.

“Arthur, I’m here.” He hurriedly looked back to see Alfred holding a tulip he clearly picked from the park and even though it has such a rich and vibrant red colour, it would not deter Arthur from scolding him.

“You git! Don’t just go- what are you doing?!” His eyes widen as Alfred kneel on one knee, pressing his suit trousers onto the grass. “You’re ruing your suit! Get up!”

“Please accept this,” he looked at the flower in confusion, “this flower.” He tried to smile encouragingly.

“Alfred, I know that you picked that from the park’s garden. You shouldn’t do that.” He shook his head.

“Then I’m not standing up until you accept this!” He understand that Alfred tried to be romantic but he’s such a man-child.

Arthur rolled his eyes before approaching the other. “I’m accepting this just because if I don’t you’ll be kneeling there for a long time and not that I care! I just worry about your trouser’s state-” Alfred gave an hesitant smile before handing the tip of the tulip’s stem. Cold touched Arthur skin. He looked to see something put around the stem. “What i-” He gasped when he saw what it is.

“Will you marry me?” Alfred said, looking hopeful and nervous at the same time.

“Stand up, you git.” He said as he felt his cheeks start to burn.

“I-is that a no?” Alfred stood up, not bothering to shook his trousers off the grass.

“Just stand up. Please.” He patted himself internally for keeping his voice from cracking.

“Artie, I-” Cold lips met his as Arthur wrapped his arms around Alfred’s shoulders. Bringing him down to his height as pressed a kiss onto the other’s lips, effectively shutting him up. It is rare for them to be pressing kisses to each other’s lips outside of his heat, kisses on the forehead and cheek or even on the neck they did but lip kisses are rare enough for the both of them.

Recovering from his momentary shock, Alfred wrapped his arms around the omega’s waist. Arthur pulled away to cover his burning cheeks onto the alpha’s cheek as Alfred inhaled his sweet happy scent.

“Yes.”

“What Artie?”

“I said 'yes’.”

Arthur yelped as he was lifted on the ground and twisted around. He clutched on Alfred’s shoulders and being mindful of the tulip with a ring around it.

“Put me down this instant!” He heard his - his - alpha laugh as he was put down.

“Do you really?” He searched the other’s face, waiting for that smile to bloom into a full one.

“Don’t make me kiss you again just to tell you, you git.” He did smile fully now.

“I don’t think I’ll mind that, actually.”

“Why not put this on my finger before sealing the deal?” The flower bobbed its head.

“I don’t mind that either.” Alfred stole a quick kiss before grabbing the stem and fishing out the ring from it.

He pushed it onto Arthur’s finger, the cold metal touching his skin slowly getting warm under.

It glinted under the streetlights and then and there that Arthur decided that he could get used to it. Now it’s his turn to surprise the alpha.

“Alfred, I think the new addition to our family is very happy too.” He grabbed the alpha’s hand and placed it on his stomach. He watched as the other’s eyes widened with glee and smile broke out even more than he thought possible.

“Wha- really?! Oh my God! Arthur, really?!” He picked up the other again, this time more gentle due to the new discovery before placing a sweet kiss on the omega’s lips. Arthur happily reciprocated, drowning in happiness and love.

He was put down but the kissing only deepen as hands entangled on hair and bodies Eager to be closer to one another while Alfred pepper his face with kisses.

“A-al” Arthur was the one to pull away as he panted and looked around the empty playground. His cheeks red as he looked at the dazed expression of Alfred. “We still need to pick up William.”

“I think William can stay the night over at Mattie’s."He nuzzled Arthur’s cheek. "I wanna express my love for you, tonight.” His voice sultry and for the omega’s ears only.

He swatted the alpha on the chest but he has a small smile on his face. “Then, let’s head home. I’m starting to freeze my arse out here.”

“Oh, honey, it won’t be long until its warmed up again.~” The bespectacled man wiggled his brows suggestively but the omega only laughed at him while dragging him back to their car.

It’s then and there that he realized that his life has fallen into place long time ago, he just need to open his eyes to see it clearly.

-END-

#usuk #aph #my writings #been so long #rusting #fluuf #angst #omegaverse yo #as a thank you for the followers

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wolfieonatypewriter · 7 years

Text

Bayojeanne Week 5 - Alternate Universe

Word count: 4200

Summary: AU where Rosa and the former Elder die during the Clan Wars and the Jeanne and Bayo inherit the throne and the Left Eye. Set 30 years after the Clan Wars, at the onset of the Witch Hunts.

A/N: Boy oh boy did this one run the heck away from me! Clocking in at 4.2 k words, its kinda a behemoth. Enjoy!

The heavy wooden doors to her office slammed open and a harried young witch skid past the antechamber and almost into her meticulously messy desk.

Jeanne did not bother to look up from her parchment, knowing full well that Tzipora needed at least a minute to catch her breath. She was their fastest courier by a long stretch and while Jeanne fully appreciated her service, the young girl sounded and moved like a stampede of draft horses.

She had heard her climbing up the stairs a long while before she barreled through the doors in a flurry of huffing breaths and sweat.

“Elder, el-” Her heavy intakes of air kept cutting off what seemed to be an important message she wanted to hear in full, all at once.

“Take your time, Tzipora, I doubt the message will expire in the time it takes for you to catch your breath.”

Nodding, the girl bent down and leaned on her thighs with a heave that left her somewhat concerned she was going to throw up on her nice rug.

“The Left Eye has returned, mistress, and she requests you meet her without delay.” Jeanne’s eyes turned hard and the courier straightened her back in response. If she was asking her to meet up when she hadn’t even crossed the valley into Vigrid proper then she could only bring grave news.

“Tell my wife to meet me by the waterfall grove, I’ll be waiting.” Tzipora looked at her with a measure of uncertainty, unsure if that was all the information she was required to carry.

Jeanne, with a long practiced patience she had acquired through her decades of teaching and ruling, leveled a smooth reply towards her even though her anxiety was twisting itself into harsh knots. “Go, Cereza will know what to do with that information worry not.”

She bobbed her head up and down with vigor, her black hair shaking about and she spun around like Jubileus herself was on her heels. In the antechamber, a purple and golden leopard materialized into existence that knocked the priceless coat hanger her sisters across the Atlantic had gifted to her on her last trip.

Rubbing her forehead in frustration, the esteemed Elder of the Umbra Witches sat down her report on the relief efforts coming from the imperial centers in Ubinu. The witches hailing from Edo were among their most affluent members but they had been quick to coordinate and assist in a large part of the rebuilding efforts post Clan Wars.

Much was still to be done and now, she was sure to be on the cusp of receiving news that she would not like to hear.

With a resolute sigh, she fished Angel Slayer from its lofty perch on the wall and walked out of her inner sanctum.

“Impeccably late as always, Cereza” She commented when she heard the rustle of foliage from behind her comfortable seat on the sandy bank of the waterfall.

“I’ve heard it called fashionably late, dearest, I much prefer that.”

Cereza sat down next to her and offered her a small smile that didn’t quite reach the expressive blue eyes with bags Jeanne hadn’t seen so dark or so pronounced since the wars.

Since the fateful day the previous Left Eye of Darkness had sacrificed herself to stop a storm of summoned Auditio from crashing into the youth halls. Rosa had died to protect the future of those who had denied her a present and the Umbra hadn’t deserved her. And most of all, Cereza hadn't deserved to see it.

“I’m not going to like this, am I?”

She set her mouth in a grim line and shook her head, stretching her left hand towards Jeanne.

The other witch quickly entwined her hand with Cereza’s and even after all of these years, the glimpse of the simple gold band made her heart lighter. They had fought harder than most for the right to be together, to be accepted as the Elder and as the Left Eye of Darkness and to be able to ride off together into the sunset.

However, in joy forever after resided in children’s tales and reality rarely matched up with such a fanciful notion.

“There’s something brewing that’s bigger than the Clan Wars ever were. I’ve chased after reports and local leaders, they are all saying the same thing and they all stand by it.”

Witches missing, smaller compounds raided and attacks too deliberate to be random. It wasn’t the first time such things had crossed her desk and Jeanne had sent the person best suited to find out what was happening.

Now she had. Fuck.

“What is your take on it?” She demanded, immediately regretting the bite in her words but to her luck her wife took it in stride, a routine honed by nearly half a century of companionship.

“I’ve not a singular doubt about it, there is a disturbance so large looming on the horizon the treasured left eye feels like it’s going to burn right out of my skull.” Said eye obliged their conversation by pulsing with a near blinding intensity and Cereza flinched like she’d been stabbed. “There it is, if you had any doubts.”

Banging her hand over her eye socket like she was trying to keep no more than an ornery headache at bay, she continued.

“Beyond that, the scope is massive. Humans have been spurred into a frenzy, nothing has gone dark yet but we’ve suffered loses.” She had received those reports with a heavy heart as well. Two girls had gone missing in the kingdom of Joseon and at least five torture devices had been found scattered around Mu'a. Enough for concerns but not enough for certainty, their relationship with mortals had always been respectful coldness at best but things were changing. “Small, for now. But I know, deep in my bones it's a giant wave travelling towards the coast.”

It was certainly not the Lumen working against them but then the question remained. Why now and how were humans all over the world getting the same idea?

Cereza's impressions were more or less always spot on and if she was worried like this, then it meant they could not afford to stand idle.

“We have to call the Umbra to the ancient grounds and ready ourselves to go to war”

Cereza frowned and twisted her torso to look at her wife straight on. “You cannot go to war with all of the world, Jeanne, it’s folly.”

She punched the sand in frustration and growled, primal and loud. Her beast within was a thin breadth away from her skin and for a moment she entertained the thought of freeing herself into the mindlessness of her beast form. “All of the world has already gone to war on us! What do you want me to do? Continue with diplomatic overtures that have been consistently failing for the 30 years I’ve been the Elder?”

She glared right back with righteous fury, teeth bared in a show of frustrated, spinless aggression. “To delay action is to let our sisters be murdered and I will not stand for that as long as I draw breath.”

They stared at each other, gazes hard and closed off. It wasn’t usual that they disagreed on diplomatic matters, they were a terrifyingly united and powerful front and, as such, were routinely accused of less than savory political associations. If Cereza was being honest, she didn’t disagree with Jeanne, at least not entirely.

There was something wrong, something utterly and unstoppably vicious was looming on the horizon and Cereza had every singular feeling attuned to wrong about this. This wasn’t just a temporary hiccup, there was a balance shifting that was akin to the rumble of snow before a deadly avalanche.

She bit her lower lip in worry and yielded to Jeanne, looking away for a moment. The Left Eye bit like a bolt of thunder and lit her iris with an otherworldly red glow, making Jeanne’s easily provoked temper melt away in caring concern.

“Be careful, please. The Clan Wars were too close, for all of us. How many times did you evade death by sheer, dumb luck?”

Too many times to count. “I can’t lose you Jeanne. To either war, politics or just to your own bull-headed protective instinct. Tread lightly and treat this as if Jubileus themself is trying to come down for a not so friendly conversation.”

Silence descended like an oppressive blanket, cloying all other feelings in a haze of fear. The sun was starting to set on their little meeting spot, the secluded beach at the base of a small waterfall. It was an ancient haunt of theirs when they could not been seen with each other and running away to kiss was still a vital requirement.

In the grand span of an Umbran lifetime, it had been yesterday but Jeanne felt their wedding, an event so extravagant and elaborate it had installed a party that had lasted half of a month, had been an insurmountable time ago.

Were the years of strife taking such a toll on her? They had inherited a broken world and it was up to them to patch it as best as they could but did that really mean all good things were eroding away and she was powerless to stop them?

Cereza was staring off into the streaming water with a slightly pinched face, most likely trying to fight off the lancing pain in her head or digesting what had to be done.

Getting up, she settled herself behind Cereza, entwining their legs and letting her lean back into her front.

She poked the side of her neck which caused her to look back a bit before removing the neck and shoulder portion of her Umbran formal. Jeanne yanked her gloves off and rolled the dense muscles in her hands with precise yet soothing motions, causing her to draw out a long, low moan.

“Cereza, can I ask you something?” At this point, she was essentially letting the weight of her upper body rest on Jeanne's strong hands and she managed a nod.

“If it's for my hand in matrimony, you are quite late. I fear I am taken, darling.” she replied, wiggling her left hand and the nondescript gold band with it. Jeanne chuckled, exhausted and high strung still but just getting something out of her put a smile on her face.

“Do you regret”, she paused, taken with a sudden hesitation her public and political persona never, ever showed. “Do you regret not having any daughters?”

Cereza stilled, suddenly going back to supporting her own weight with her torso and she nearly backtracked all of her words.

It wasn't as if they hadn't, Sheba willing, centuries to have a whole legion of kids to dote on but there was something inside her chest that triggered an uncomfortable sense of finality. And she knew Cereza had to be feeling that times a hundred, her tuning to the finer workings of the Trinity was unparalleled.

“I don't know… there was never a right time for it, was there? I suppose that people find ways to make time but our situation has been so uncertain. A little girl would most likely grow up with us lurking on the edges of her life.”

They had discussed children, of course, several times over the years and they had both agreed that the number one condition was that she would grow up with both of them there, present and accounted for. Such a time had never quite come to pass.

“Though I think that some version of us, out there in the great existence of things, has managed such a thing and they are probably very happy about it.”

To anyone else and from anyone else, it would have sounded like an empty comfort. However, Jeanne found herself smiling at those unlikely words. If Cereza, the powerful Left Eye Of Creation, thought so, then she would entertain the notion.

“Though, we did get close a couple of times.” Jeanne remarked, kissing along her broad shoulders with the occasional stop for a teasing bite. Cereza leaned back again, melting into her caresses.

Not due to any will on their part, mind, but such things were bound to happen with two magical powerhouses. All that was needed was a strong full moon, physiological processes that bypassed magic control and a pinch of the literal dark powers of the god of their realm made Umbra.

For something that usually needed a concerted effort and a more or less complex ritual, they had accidentally started (and more than started…) it enough times to know it was easier than it looked.

Cereza moved her head to the side to give her better access, moaning softly at the nips that were turning harder. “It's the new moon now, I think we are more or less in the clear.”

She got up and turned to Jeanne, hips cocking with a swagger she often used to great effect. “I think we could have some fun, before the sky crashes on our heads.”

Jeanne blinked and looked around at the thick forest around them, stopping to look back at her wife. She was staring at her like she was good enough to eat and there they were.

Alone.

Responsibilities, chores, work were leagues away on Luna.

She laughed, clear and loud like she was still a young, unworried princess and Cereza winked at her. “How about you join me?”

She started walking backwards into the water, her formal disappearing with each step.

Jeanne got up, intent on stopping her from pulling one of her usual stunts like getting buck naked and swimming where certainly other young witches were lurking about. “This isn't nearly as secluded as you think it is!”

Cereza reached forward and pulled her close, continuing her walk towards the crystalline pond. “Pretend we are twenty.” She kissed her, long and unhurriedly and Jeanne had not realized how starving she was for this, for a break. “And that for tonight, it's just you and me.”

The water was warm like the encroaching Iberian night around them and they had progressed far enough it was level with their ribs.

Cereza's formal was long gone, instead she exposed her tan skin and well defined muscles to the relative darkness of the new moon. Jeanne found herself slowly calling her own robe out of existence as her breaths grew heavier at the sight before her.

“I think...I think there are still Umbran matters you haven't been taught, Cereza.”

The witch in question grinned at her successful gambit and at the returning shine in Jeanne's beautiful eyes, letting her mouth be taken with an intensity she too had been longing for far longer than she had realized.

If any other Umbra was watching, well they’d show them how it was done.

Jeanne had never believed she’d see the day where an Auditio flew directly from Laguna not encased in shimmering peacock feathers but in their full, unchained and monstrous glory.

As Fortitudo ripped the clocktower to pieces, taking one of the most precious symbols of Umbran power with it, she desperately wished she had remained ignorant.

It had been like an earthquake, a terrible stillness that had given way to an upset so large they hadn't even managed to scramble a counter-offensive.

And now came the insurmountable wave that would wash away the remains of the Umbran.

72 hours since the first report landed on her desk. First Mēxihco-Tenōchtitlan, then Marka, Samarkand, Vijayanagara, followed by all of their other compounds, enclaves and communities far and wide.

In less than a week, the ancient and powerful network of the Umbra Witches had been reduced to nothing. Jeanne didn't know if there was anyone left alive outside of Crescent Valley but having read the news of swift calamity that the reports had transmitted...

She didn't hold much faith.

Angels poured from every corner of Luna, a defile so great she hardly believed she was bearing witness to it and she knew the humans were just barely being held at bay by their fortifications. Every single battle had been lost and now the axe was about to swing one final time.

The chaos was unsalvageable and her sisters had since decided unilaterally, as was expected by a Clan of strong willed and independent individuals, that Luna was their home and all but ordered her to let them choose to defend it.

“So be it.” She had declared to a forum of bedraggled witches all trying to talk over each other. “Then we fight to write in the annals of history that when Paradiso descended on us.” It had probably been her last rousing speech, all things considered.

“The Umbra Witches fought to the last for their home!” She had pulled her sabre from its sheath, raising it as high as she could and the crowd had erupted in cheers and gunshots.

She would have usually considered it hollow populism, barren of solutions and nothing more than empty words but this was their last stand. The least she could do was given them all a poetic ending.

The density of Laguna was becoming impossible to navigate the further she progressed into the compound but she, herself, was now on a single minded mission to find Cereza in the middle of all the chaos.

The children and those who could not fight had left Luna at the first sign of trouble but Sheba knew what their fate had been. Had she sent them all like lambs to slaughter or had she afforded them the chance to hide.

An Affinity jumped up from the growing mass of flames and angels and had nearly torn off her head and she forced herself to focus on the now rather then her mounting regrets. She had to get to Cereza, nothing else mattered.

After all was said and done, the Elder lived to protect her Clan and that meant being the highest protector of the Left Eye. She had done all she could for her sisters, for her friends and acolytes and students. Now it was time to undertake her ultimate responsibility.

Where could she be...they had separated after the clock exploded but Cereza had to be in the compound proper still. Wrangling away from fights, she kept to the edges of the hallowed grounds and ghosted through long forgotten passages she and Cereza had explored in their youth.

Jeanne managed to drag her way near the throne room with no new clues as to where she could be when a bright light shone through the heavy doors. She kicked them open with a bang and her heart sighed in flooding relief.

Cereza looked like a vengeful demon as a mass of bullets and summons accosted the two pairs of Gracious and Glorious that had clearly been sent after her.

The ground was littered with corpses and the commotion beyond the gate of rabid humans was nearly deafening but Jeanne pressed on.

No doubt that she was keeping them at bay but they were wearing her down enough her exertion was noticed. Before they had time to realize she had entered, she summoned Madama Styx right into the fray.

Cereza looked at her in clear surprise but also renewed purpose as she joined up with Jeanne in a deadly battle formation perfected through decades of fights.

Her most beloved was tired and hurt and Jeanne was as well but they soon strangled the First Sphere Angels back to Paradiso.

Panting harshly, Cereza looked at her with worried eyes. “Jeanne...Jeanne! Are you ok, why are you here?!”

“I'm here for you, I'm here to keep you safe.” Jeanne responded and she opened her mouth to protest but she grabbed her face and kissed her, tasting the soot and sweat on her lips but effectively cutting her off. “ Don't argue, it's my duty as the Elder and as your wife to keep you safe.”

Cereza chafed under the protection, under her immense importance, under the need for every Umbra from here to the literal moon to keep her safe. “And as your wife, it's my duty to keep you safe!”

Jeanne shook her head and opened her mouth to disagree right back but she was forced to swallow some of her own medicine when Cereza planted a searing kissing on her lips. “Besides that, I know why they are here now and what the moon’s blessing they want.”

She frowned despite the tangible relief at having found Cereza more or less safe and sound. And then it hit her like a ton of rocks.

“They want the Left Eye! They want you…”

Cereza nodded, grinding her teeth together. Her sisters were dead because of her, because the feathered fucks wanted to use her for something.

“Those people out there are collaterals! They are fodder for Laguna to throw at-”

The crowd outside roared louder than ever before and a loud bang sounded against the sturdy outer door. Jeanne cursed loudly and steeled herself. Their time was running out and running out fast.

“Cereza, I l-”

“Jeanne, listen to me! They want the Left Eye to resurrect Jubileus! We have to stop them, stop this madness, do something!”

At her words, she halted and stared at Cereza with abject surprise.

The Festival of Resurrection, that's what the angels wanted and consequently why they seemed bent on retrieving her beloved Cereza.

Frenzied humans would be inside within the day and she was sure they’d never leave anyone alive. Mankind was a feeble rod but even weak sticks could be unbreakable given enough numbers.

“Yes, we do.” She accepted what she needed to do with an uncharacteristic calm, like the world had been blanketed in silence and only the correct path remained dead ahead.

Cereza cocked her head at her and frowned. “What has gotten into you?”

She was still for a long moment, trying to commit to memory her truest friend, her lover, her wife, her Umbran gem. Fate hadn't been kind to them, right from the start but they had managed their place in the grand scheme of things.

“Jeanne? You’re worrying me, we’re running out of time. We need to do something.”

Jeanne approached her slowly, steps reverent and deliberate. Cereza stayed in place, worry increasing with each clack of the gun heels on the ancient stone floor and, finally, a gloved hand cupped her face softly.

“Cereza, there is nothing to be done but make sure they won’t find you.” It sounded sensible, reasonable.

And utterly fucking wrong.

“What?! If you think you’re going to squirrel me away in some...what, some far off hole somewhere or shove me in stasis while all of my sisters, all of my world collapses again”, she roared at Jeanne’s calm demeanour and small, resigned smile. “You are dead wrong!”

The crashing of a battering ram intensified for a moment and they both looked in it’s direction. How long did they still have?

“Our treasured Left Eye…” She broke her placid composure, her voice laden with regret and a bitter finality that was impossible to hide as she got close enough to touch their foreheads.“My treasured Left eye shall never fall into the hands of another.”

The gem in the middle of Cereza’s watch glowed like fire in the faint light of the room, a symbol of commitment among their people, as good as any modern ring. It was a powerful charm, a rare stone that became more powerful the longer it was in contact with the witch.

It was sacrosanct and to taint it, a sacrilege.

“Jeanne n-”

The dagger was upon the charm with the strength of a bullet and her world turned to black.

FATHER

The feathered flock was dealt with, leaving a mess of gore behind that mingled with the remains of whoever had woken her up and had swiftly been torn to pieces by her previous attackers.

A young child was knocked out nearby, she picked him up and was relieved to not see any injuries.

She looked around but there were no clues to be found, to her location, identity or even purpose. A sort of structure peeked from behind the trees.Well, that direction was as good as any.

She walked.

“Someone left something for your here, Bayonetta.”

The small plastic bag clinked on the counter and she picked it up, curiosity getting the better of her. After all, who would find Rodin and leave something for her to fetch?

“A couple of years topside and you’ve already admirers asking for your hand.” The sound of the ice slushing inside the shaker accompanied his joke as she inspected the small parcel closer.

A ring. Gold and worn, it looked positively ancient in Rodin’s shitty overhead lights. She frowned and turned her gaze to the mysterious proprietor, whose only response was a nearly imperceptible smirk.

Whoever had put the band on her left hand, had just handed her its pair.

#Bayonetta #Bayojeanneweek #Bayojeanne Week

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