#amerrierworld

The ballroom had been lavishly decorated with candles and drapery. Each of the Lords had shown up dressed to the nines with a little entourage, and Alcina let you handpick staff and villagers to invite that you knew and trusted; friends, acquaintances, you named it, and they were there. 

Karl had accused Alcina of becoming soft with a human at her side. Alcina had smiled and blew a plume of cigarette smoke in his face, neither agreeing nor denying him. 

The truth was, she was much happier this way. You brought joy and delight to the castle. With the weather steadily warming at this time of year, you had even taken it upon yourself to take the daughters outside to blow off steam when they were restless and begging to kill some poor soul at work in the kitchens. 

At one point, they had managed to adopt a young Vârcolac wandering through the woods. You had no idea how, but the beastly canine was now their personal pet, as obedient as a lapdog and as murderous as the lycans. 

Sure, maiming and death still occurred occasionally, but hey, you weren’t a miracle-worker. Trespassers were still killed on sight, traitors and disobedience were awarded with limb-chopping or decapitation depending on the Lady’s mood, but you were quite proud to say that the Castle was much more welcoming, and more importantly, clean. 

You had revitalized Castle Dimitrescu, and had rejuvenated some of the humanity in the Dimitrescu family itself. Gosh, what an accomplishment. Though it didn’t happen overnight. There was enough blood spillage, shouting, skillful avoidance and trickery to last you a lifetime. But after all that, and after a wonderful new deal with the Duke to provide top-quality livestock for fresh blood and meat in the Castle, you felt you deserved a nice celebration. The farmers had agreed to tend to the Castle’s new livestock in exchange for peace. There was enough to feed everyone what they needed, and in return their families and friends were protected. Now, eating human was an occasional delicacy for Alcina and her daughters, and Alcina felt she enjoyed that a lot more than barbaric slaughter and tearing limbs without care. It felt like a luxury and a treat, though a little twisted.

The night you had convinced Alcina of your ways was when Dani, restless and out for blood, had held you with her blade at your throat, screaming obscenities and demanding her mother let her cut your throat so that you would stop meddling in their affairs. She called you a whore for sleeping with Alcina yet going behind their backs to change their way of life. Alcina nearly let her daughter kill you, thinking what’s one more? when three of the maids had burst from the kitchens and cellars, yanking Dani off of you. One lost a hand, another lost her head. Alcina stared in wonder as the women crowded you and declared they’d protect you, because none had shown such care to them in all their time at the Castle, despite being allowed to live. 

It had made Alcina long for love and loyalty again. Ruling with fear only got your so far, and she questioned if her morals were worth thinking about again. And what’s worse, you didn’t want the power over the staff that you had given yourself. You simply wanted things to be quiet and peaceful and good.

And then on the next day, when you made amends with Dani despite her threatening to kill you again by offering a fresh dish of raw meat and blood, Alcina realized she had been falling in love with you all along. 

Now, Alcina watched you from her throne-like seat, leisurely laid back with a fresh cigarette and a newly fitted cream dress adorned with subtle crystals, reminiscent of her jazz performances when she’d be decked out in sequins and dazzling pearls. She had a fur boa draped over her arms, and exuded the power of a rich matriarch. 

Alcina had never seen the grand ballroom like this in all her years under Miranda’s service. As a younger woman before the Cadou, yes, there were many lavish feasts like this. But since the world took a dark turn in this small part of Romania, there had not been this much laughter in a room for decades.

You were swinging from one dancing partner to another. The Duke had provided a lovely band to perform and you took every opportunity to dance with their music. Your shoes were tucked by Alcina’s seat after you complained about your toes hurting. Alcina had smiled and slipped them off for you, kissed your hand, and sent you on your way to the dance floor. You were dancing with the baker now, who had learned to make blood-infused bread specifically for the Castle, and mastered new pastry skills for your sweet tooth alone.

“Oh Mother, this feast is hard to resist,” Daniela groaned pathetically by her mother’s side, pushing her raw lamb around on her plate. “I remember a time when all these people would have been appetizers, dinner, dessert, and then some!”

“Calm now, Dani,” Alcina scolded lightly. “You’ve been doing so well. What is it now, four weeks?”

“Almost five,” she pouted. “Can’t I have a cheat day?”

“If you do, Y/N might be cross with you.”

“Not even one of the mean ones?” 

Alcina scanned the crowd. Everyone was in good spirits and seemingly well-behaved. There was one guest however, that Alcina didn’t like. He was too much of a flirt and far too cocky for his own good. He had tried to charm you on the way in, much to your dismay and to the amusement and jealousy of Alcina. He was properly drunk, hanging by one of the tables with another glass in hand, and not even trying to hide the fact that he was eyeing a few of the maids passing by with plates and glasses, who seemed most uncomfortable. 

“Hmmm,” Alcina thoughtfully blew out a smoke ring. “Maybe that one. But don’t make a scene, Dani. And don’t make it obvious.”

Daniela giggled devilishly and poofed away in a herd of flies.

“Must you encourage her so, Mother?” Bela sighed from her seat at the table. Out of the three, she had been the most strong-willed, coming up with new enticing ways to eat raw meat and blood to keep their appetite up. Daniela, however, always had more of a taste for the hunt than the actual meal at the end, and that was even harder to resist. 

“We both know a cranky Daniela is much worse than a satisfied one,” Alcina hummed, sipping her glass of wine. 

“Perhaps she just needs a lover,” Cassandra interjected. “That should leave her satisfied enough.”

“And who do you suggest is mad enough to put up with our sister?” Bela scoffed, chucking a piece of veggie at Cassie’s face. She burst into a cloud of flies to avoid the impact, and the meagre carrot rolled around under the table. It was just for decoration anyway. 

The Lords each had a seat amongst the Dimitrescus. Donna had Angie perched on her lap, who was tittering away with nonsense and annoyance. The most intriguing guest was a curious masked individual that had come in quietly next to Donna. They appeared genderless, though being clothed in robes of deep, dark blue, and not speaking a word made it hard to decipher what kind of person Donna brought in by her side. Still, Alcina was pleased to see her sister had finally found a partner of some sorts. 

Karl had brought another monstrosity of an experiment that was much more behaved than the last one. It resembled something between a large dog and a small horse, and made no noise. You had made sure the half-mechanical creature was well looked after. Freshly oiled, and freshly fed. 

Sal, poor, lonely Sal, seemed much more in his spirits than usual. You had convinced him to take ownership of his own life, and find something to do besides pining over Miranda’s affections. With your care and attention, you had discovered how much of a romantic Salvatore Moreau actually was. He needed things to romanticize his life. So, to add onto your list of crazy, silly ideas, you helped him find a skincare routine, gifted him a modified typewriter that he could use with ease, and a pile of water-friendly toys to splash around with. 

Alcina had been flabbergasted at the sight of a happy, laughing Sal emerging from his water-filled home. He told them how he had finished another one of his short stories, and the exercise of chasing weights at the bottom of his lake had made him much more content. You had laughed and clapped excitedly for him. 

“I don’t know how you do it,” Alcina sighed that evening as you crawled into bed with her. “You have more positive hope in your pinky than I do in my whole body. What on earth possessed you to give Sal a moisturizer?”

“Hey, those waters aren’t the best for your skin you know,” you tutted. “Sometimes a little self-care goes a long way. Turns our a lot of his moping has to do with those sores and humps -- they’re apparently very painful. Aren't you glad he’s not whining for Miranda and begging for someone to love him now?”

Needless to say, they all loved you. And they were all thriving because of you.

That is why no one has told Miranda about you.

Alcina knew Miranda would find out about the party and that she had not been invited. She’d be in for a scolding of a lifetime, probably a bit of torture, but she knew she could handle Miranda on her own. That wouldn’t be the problem. This way, Miranda’s anger would only be pointed at her, and not you. Heaven forbid the priestess ever found out what hold you had over Alcina. You wouldn’t survive a second in her presence. She begged whatever gods or demons existed that Miranda would never find out about you.

Alcina felt another deep sense of dread fill her, and suddenly had the urge to drag your to her side and keep you close. Perhaps the party was too large. Perhaps not this many people should have come. Perhaps--

As if on cue, you appeared by her side. Face shining with a glowing layer of sweat from dancing, you took her cup of wine and took a deep swig -- the taste of blood no longer disgusted you. Alcina felt her worries melt away and smiled happily.

“Hello, darling,” she said softly, leaning down to greet you with a deep kiss. You giggled as she teasingly nipped at your bottom lip. “What happened to your dance with the baker?”

“Oh, he stubbed his toe. He needed to sit out for a second,” you pointed to where the baker was sitting at a table, who was rubbing his feet with a grimace on his face. 

Alcina chuckled deeply. “No one can keep up with you, can they?”

“Well, one person can,” you replied. “But she’s refusing to dance with me!” You tugged at the boa and she scooped you up to set you in her lap, back pressed against her chest as you surveyed the masses.

“Darling, I hardly have the grace of a dancer anymore. I would knock over at least five dancers in the process. You don’t want to dance with me.”

“What if they all sat down and it was just us?”

“Then I would mess up out of sheer panic,” Alcina grinned. “What if I stubbed your toes? Crushed them? I wouldn’t forgive myself.”

“Ugh, fine.” You turned your head up to look at her. “But you better make it up to me tonight.”

Alcina gave you a chaste kiss and then trailed her lips down your cheek to your neck, as a strong, possessive hand curled around your middle. “It’s a deal. You may live to regret that statement.”

“I doubt it,” you hummed softly, squirming as warmth filled your body at her lips caressing your skin. “Maybe we should just go to bed now.”

“And leave all the festivities?” She tutted. “Your guests will be disappointed.”

“Don’t act like you haven’t been thinking about it all night. You always do,” you huffed, your hand grasping Alcina’s. “I’ve been thinking about it too, you know.”

Her hand clutched you more tightly, and a low growl came from her throat just behind you. “Don’t tempt me, dear. I might strip you now and take you right here until you pass out. Wouldn’t that be a sight for them all?” 

The end of her sentence had dissolved into a low, hungry whisper. Possessive, demanding Alcina was always your favourite. You grinned, lifting her hand from your form and kissing along the knuckles. 

“Patience, my love. Before you know it, the night will be over.”

Suddenly, Daniela appeared in front of them, fresh blood dripping from her scythe and mouth, probably from the drunkard that Alcina had pointed out. You were about to scold her for going against her new diet, but her wide, panicked eyes caught both yours and Alcina’s attention first. The night was definitely over now.

You got this job expecting a bit of experience. Maybe some original designs, applying makeup yourself, collaborating... but you were stuck assisting and fetching coffee for those more experienced.

“I swear to God if I catch you dozing one more time-” the lady threatened, snapping again to get your attention. “Pass me that blush, now.”

You sighed. Eventually when the model was done, you were dismissed for a little break. You went to get a coffee and thought of Rose that was hiding somewhere. So you got two coffees instead. 

You dodged models, stylists and photographers left and right until you stumbled upon Rose Weil sitting crosslegged on the floor. Her mess of blonde hair could not go unnoticed anywhere.

She had been the one to interview you for the internship, and was incredibly kind to you. You were disappointed when you realized how little you actually had the chance to work with her so far.

But when you approached Rose with two hot cups of coffee in your hands you  realized she wasn’t alone. Two very stylish women were by her sides, seemingly trying to soothe her as you approached. The blonde caught you eye, because she was wearing a beautiful baby blue suit, and you thought she would have been amazing to walk down the catwalk in exactly that. 

The three looked up as you neared and you smiled shyly.

“Coffee, Miss Weil?” you asked, holding it out.

“Oh, Y/N,” she exclaimed, delighted to see you. “Oh, you’re such a sweet girl, but if I have anymore caffeine I might completely lose my mind right now.”

“No, no, of course. I was just wondering, I accidentally made two,” you lied hastily. You eyed the blonde and brunette that were hanging out with your boss. The two shared a mutual look, and you took a chance.

“Either of you want coffee? It’s got cream and a bit of vanilla.”

“Yeah, sure,” the blonde’s voice rumbled through your ears down your entire body. She stood up and accepted the cup, taking a languid gulp.

“Careful, it’s... hot.”

She grinned. The temperature didn’t seem to phase her.

“So, what do you say, Rose?” the brunette looked at your boss, who was still prodding with a spoon at her Nutella. 

“Yes, yes, of course. I haven’t got too many options, do I?”

You barely registered what they were talking about as the blonde smiled at you for a second.

“You do make a good cup of coffee,” she complimented you. You huffed out a laugh,

“Well, it’s all they really let me do around here.”

“You a fashion designer?”

“Uhm. Not quite. I’m just an intern here.”

“Oh my days, Y/N is a genius!” Rose interrupted from the floor. “So much potential. So much better than me. God, I wish this job deserved you.”

You giggled nervously at her comments, flattered but a bit worried, because Rose did look a little like she was on the verge of a mental breakdown.

“Well, maybe Y/N would be interested in helping you out on this job?” the blonde suggested. The way she said your name was intoxicating. She had a slight Australian lilt that made you swoon.

“Not part of the plan.” The brunette shot a sharp look at her friend, who shrugged.

“Plans change, Debs. What’s one more?”

The brunette -Debs?- rolled her eyes, moreso at the blonde than at you. “Alright, fine.”

The blonde grinned at you, sipping more coffee, before offering a handshake. Her fingers were entirely bejewelled with gorgeous rings. You shook it as firmly as you dared.

“I’m Lou, by the way. So, if you’re up for joining the team... Why don’t we talk about it over... more coffee? On me this time.”

“Very smooth, Lou.”

“Shut up Deb.” Lou angled herself to fully focus on you and block Deb out of your vision, much to your amusement. “Coffee?”

“Yeah,” you said without hesitation. “Let’s.”

-

The coffee date was a lovely date, all discussion about crime aside. You were easily swept up with the Ocean team, whether it was because of the promised money, or the sultry blonde sitting across from you. 

For the date she wore a vest with a deep neckline and a littering of necklaces dipping into the cleavage. You tried your very very best not to look too often. 

“I’ve never been to the Met, actually. Should be fun,” you shrugged after her careful question to join the group. You sipped your hot drink from a mug that sat comfortably and heavily in your hand. There was rain rumbling on the New York streets outside. 

“You’re the first to call it fun,” Lou grinned. “Remember, it’s a job too.”

You lowered your voice to reply, “look, whether or not it’s illegal, it’ll still be loads more fun than my current job. I fetch coffees and clean makeup brushes for a bunch of stuck-up artists.”

Lou chuckled, drinking her black coffee. You learned she didn’t usually enjoy things in her coffee, which made the fact that she accepted your cheap coffee offer from when you met even better. 

“This is perfect movie weather, don’t you think?” you commented, watching the soft rain outside. 

“I suppose so. I’m rather disappointed actually.”

“Why?”

“Well, I had been hoping to take you on a romantic bike ride around the city, maybe even the parks. That’s not very plausible when it’s raining.”

You giggled, “We could recreate that scene from the Notebook?”

“God, no,” Lou groaned, smiling stupidly. “I’ll definitely catch a cold in this.”

“Wanna catch a movie with me, then?”

Lou eyed you for a moment, and you felt something warm spread inside your chest just from the way she looked at you.

“I’ll do you one better. Come over and we’ll watch a movie at my place instead. It’ll be free and I’ll make us popcorn that’s better than cinema popcorn.”

You tapped your chin in feigned thought. “That’s a bold claim.”

“There’ll be alcohol.”

“Alright, you’ve convinced me.”

The both of you laughed as you left the cafe, hurrying to a cab in the downpour.

Lou helped squeeze water out of your hair in the cab, and you took the chance to lean back into her hold. She chuckled deeply and let you sink into her side, her arm draping over your shoulder on the way home.

There was an unspoken familiarity between the two of you since you had met. You had texted consistently, asking questions and slowly getting to know each other. A small part of you was worried that you didn’t quite know her- criminals tended to be secretive, didn’t they?

But you really didn’t have a worry. It had been lovely, and romantic, and stupidly adorable thus far. 

Once you reached the front door of here place, Lou struggled a little with the keys from the rain in both your faces.

“So is this actually your place, or are we breaking in right now?” you said when she led you inside.

“Oh, haha, very funny.” 

The loft was spacious, much to your delight. You asked to use her washroom, and you were able to distinguish that this was in fact Lou’s home, from the amount of short eyeliner pencils and mascaras filling the bathroom drawers. 

When you came back, kernels were popping away in the microwave, and the Notebook was ready to play on the TV. You chortled at the sight, hurrying over to the couch and flopping down on it.

“Can I have some space on my own couch, please?” Lou grinned, settling in next to you. She sat a few inches from you, probably trying to give you some personal space or something. But you reached over to the popcorn bowl that she was holding, and after eating a mouthful, you cuddled up to her side, one hand permanently in the bowl. 

At some point that evening her arm draped over your shoulder again, and you wrapped your arms around her waist. The movie kept playing, but you could only focus on her torso rising up and down with every breath underneath your ear. 

The rain kept pouring as the sun wet down outside. When the movie finally neared the end, Lou whispered, as if she was going to interrupt the film,

“Do you need to be anywhere tonight? Or would you like to stay?”

The question startled you. You lifted your head to look at the blonde, her hand immediately coming to cradle your face, as if on instinct. 

“Wanna get rid of me?”

“No, actually. On the contrary... I don’t think I want you to leave.”

You looked incredulously at her. “You already want to U-haul? That’s a bit stereotypical don’t you think?”

“Oh, bugger, you know that’s not what I meant,” she grumbled. You grinned at her adorable little frown, leaning forward and putting one hand on her chest and brushing your lips over her chin.

“I know what you meant,” you hummed, before your lips met. 

Lou slowly responded to the kiss, her breath deepening. She wound her hands around you and pulled you into her lap. Ryan Gosling said something romantic in the background, but you hardly noticed because her fingers pressed against your back to nudge you closer. 

When you pulled away, her face was flushed and her blue eyes were blown.

“I gotta say it now, darling. You’ve somehow turned my life upside down very, very quickly. You might be stuck with me.”

The unspoken familiarity grew even more, and you couldn’t help but agree with her before kissing her again.

“I don’t wanna mess up,” Lou muttered against your mouth. You tenderly traced her cheekbone down to her jawline.

“I don’t either. So I think we’ll be alright,” you replied sheepishly. “I’m not gonna run off as soon as the Met’s been robbed, I promise.”

“Oh, well thanks for now putting that idea into my head,” Lou huffed in response. You giggled and kissed her chin again, then her jaw, then her neck. She sank back into the cushions, pulling you even closer.

At one point you lost track of where you were going with your kisses and settled into the warmth she was exuding instead. You clung onto her and buried your face in her neck, nearly falling asleep.

“You’re missing the ending,” she whispered, hand raking through your hair. 

“Don’t need it,” you replied, hands gripping her vest. “I’ve got everything I need here.”

You looked over and saw a brunette making eye contact with you. She sent you a bright smile, and toasted you with her glass. There was a small party of women sitting by the window with her, a few of them eyeing your interaction with the brunette. A blonde next to her nudged her with her elbow.

Then your own friends that you were with whistled and nudged you as well once you had all seen what the lady looks like. You took a sip of the freshly delivered drink, feeling the burn of alcohol and a sweet aftertaste. It was quite delicious, honestly.

You turned back to the brunette who looked at you expectantly, and you smiled and nodded, with a toast of the drink. She winked back, and then the both of you focused back on your respective friend groups, feeling giddiness crowd your emotions from the fleeting glance you had just shared.

-

“Hey, doll. You nearly forgot your purse.”

You looked to see the smokey-eyed brunette standing behind you, with your purse in her hand. You must have left it at your bar seat when you got up to leave to meet your friends at the door.

“Oh,” you frowned, the alcohol you already had making you a bit drowsy. “Thanks.”

You checked everything in your purse, confident that nothing was missing, and all your change was still there. The brunette hadn’t moved from her spot.

“What, do you want a reward or something?” you asked. She smirked a little.

“No, I’ve already got one.”

“Oh, yeah? What’s that then?”

“An excuse to talk to you.”

Well alright, you weren’t expecting that. You allowed yourself to look the woman up and down as you thought about your reply. She was dressed very stylishly, with long brown hair that curled and fell in all the right places. Her nails were short, which was a very welcomed discovery. 

“Okay then, now you have the chance to talk to me,” you said, alcohol making you bolder than usual. “What do you have to say?”

She fully grinned this time and looked back around the bar as she spoke, “I would ask you to join me for a drink but I think you’ve already had your fill. How about some late take-out instead? On me.”

You contemplated, before saying, “I’d take the chance to go out with a hot stranger any day if I wasn’t a bit too drunk right now. Sorry.”

“Fair enough,” she replied. Then, “You think I’m hot?”

Oh, crap. Did you say that?

“Hmm.. I suppose I get very honest when I’m tipsy,” you answered. She chuckled this time, and you felt warm, and not because of the alcohol in your blood. 

“Yes, quite. Should I call you a cab?”

“No, thanks. I’ve got my friends here, and one of them is the DD. We’re headed to a small party, if you’d like to come?”

She quirked an eyebrow, not expecting another offer from your end. She looked at the front doors, where your gaggle of friends were eyeing you and whispering with gleeful smirks on their faces.

The stranger leaned forward, so much so that her perfume filled your senses and wisps of brown hair brushed your face,

“A bit early to go introducing me to your friends, don’t you think?”

You barked out a laugh as she pulled back again. “Oh, you wish. None of them would probably remember you by the time the hangover hits.”

She looked down at her phone for a moment and then back at you, as if she was waiting to put in her own passcode.

“What’s your code, honey?”

You frowned. Your code? But... wait. 

She was holding your phone, having nicked it from your pocket when she was so close.

“Hey!”

“Just wanna make sure you have my number. Don’t worry, I don’t steal from people I like.”

“Is that a compliment?”

“Well, I said I liked you, didn’t I?”

You wordlessly put in your code for her, and she added herself to your contacts list as Hot Stranger. She smiled successfully as she handed you your phone, but a slight blush had creeped up on her cheeks.

“Careful with that. You never know who might steal it.”

You grinned and had a fleeting thought if she meant your phone or your heart. You pushed the sickeningly romantic thought away and quickly waved goodbye before hurrying back to your entourage.

-

Turns out Debbie was an unwavering flirt, in the beginning. She always managed to catch you off guard, and didn’t hesitate to compliment you when she felt like it. 

“You know other people would think you’re being way too forward, you know?”

“Does it bother you, doll?”

You sheepishly shook your head. You liked the devotion and attention, honestly. Who wouldn't? Debbie was incredible to you. On dates, through text and, yes, in bed as well. 

It all seemed like paradise. 

And then there was a shift. The expected but dreaded shift in any relationship.

One night, the both of you were put to the test. There was a knock on your door, and you grumbled under your breath, preparing to yell at whoever was stupid enough to show up at your place. It was super late, you had been busy, and if anything else came up now you’d blow your top off.

“Hey?” Debbie said, her chipper expression fading away at your stormy gaze when you opened the door. 

“Oh, it’s you,” you said, turning around and leaving the door open without another word. Startled, Debbie carefully stepped inside, watching you disappear into the kitchen.

“Why are you here?”

Debbie scoffed a little, “do you not want me here all of a sudden? How flattering.”

“No, of course not,” you grumbled as you grabbed a bottle of wine. Debbie came to stand just outside the kitchen, watching you as she took off her coat. 

“What’s the matter?”

“Nothing.”

“Hey, now. Don’t lie to me.”

“Don’t worry about it,” you snapped. “Have some alcohol and just leave it, okay?”

You lifted one of the wine glasses to your mouth and were prepared to drink a mouthful. Then a firm hand gripped the base of it and pulled it down, spilling a bit of wine down your hand and on the kitchen floor.

Debbie’s eyes were glittering dangerously at you, and you relented in letting here take the glass away. She set it down on the counter.

“Don’t I even get a hello?”

Your eyes cast down to the floor and you muttered an apology. Debbie grasped your hand and squeezed your fingers reassuringly. 

“What’s the matter?” she asked again. Your shoulders slumped this time, and you glanced at your intertwined hands.

“I’ve had a shit day,” you grumbled. You hadn’t encountered a bad mood like this with your girlfriend yet, and in the back of your mind you worried about her reaction. “I’m exhausted but I can’t sleep properly. There’s so much crap to do. It’s been so busy and I hate it.”

Debbie nodded slowly as you talked on for a bit about the things that were irritating you and how annoyed you were by everything. She noticed the bags under your eyes and the firmness of your upper lip.

“Have you eaten?” she asked after you had finished. You half-shrugged. You had some take-out, that counts right? The last full meal you had was when she took you to that restaurant last weekend. 

She tutted at your non verbal response. The next few moments she rummaged through your fridge and whatever food you had lying around. 

Almost immediately after there was a plate of food under your nose.

“I didn’t know you knew how to cook,” you commented.

“You learn to fend for yourself,” she replied, grabbing your wine glass from earlier and taking a swig.

“Hey, that was mine.” She blew you a kiss. It calmed you somewhat.

“Want me to stay the night?” she asked as she cleaned up your kitchen and washed the dishes. This was the first time that she asked, because usually she would stay the night regardless of anything else.

“Do you not want to?” you asked, interpreting her question as uncertainty on her end.

“What? No, of course not, baby. I’m asking because I want to make sure you want me around.”

“Of course I want you around. I always want you around,” you confessed. 

Debbie helped in tidying up your place, which mostly just consisted of her doing the work and you sitting at the table, still numb. She eventually pulled you up to your feet to get you in pj’s and then to crash immediately on the couch, curled around you. 

“You can turn on the tv if you need some white noise,” she suggested. It was a good idea, but the bright lights were distracting you from sleeping. So instead you turned over and burrowed into Debbie’s hold, her skin warm and soft. Now it really was paradise.

in case any links don’t work, all fics are under their fandom tags and the tag: #merry writes

CAROL - featuring Carol/you (4), Carol/Therese (19)

HAUNTING OF BLY MANOR - featuring Dani/Jamie (1)

HARRY POTTER - featuring Marauders (1)

THE HOBBIT - featuring Galadriel/you (4), Thorin/you (2), Bofur/you (1), Fili/you (3), Galadriel/Celeborn (1)

MARVEL - featuring Hela/you (12)

NIGHTMARE ALLEY - featuring Lilith/you (1)

OCEAN’S 8 - featuring Lou/you (17), Tammy/you (3), Daphne/you (3), Lou/Debbie/you (7), Debbie/you (2)

RESIDENT EVIL: VILLAGE - featuring Alcina Dimitrescu/you (9), Karl Heisenberg/you (1)

STAR WARS - featuring Obi-Wan/you (1)

Gloomy candles were dripping wax all over the table and you straightened out your napkin over your lap as you took a seat with Karl beside you. Mother Miranda sat at the head of the table, with Alcina and Donna at her sides, followed by Karl and Sal. You sat in between Karl and Alcina, probably in hopes of keeping them from clawing at each other’s throats. 

“Where are your daughters tonight, Alcina?” Mother Miranda asked. Alcina took a swig of her wine glass. She wasn’t wearing her hat for once.

“They are either hunting or down in the cellar creating the finest wines as we speak, Mother,” Alcina responded. You felt Karl roll his eyes next to you.

“Pity, they’re at least more entertaining than you lot,” he grumbled. You squeezed his knee under the table. Behave.

“And you, Heisenberg?” Alcina replied. “Where are you disgusting, decrepit lycans tonight then, hm? Perhaps those dogs can entertain you where your own family apparently can’t.”

“Family my ass,” Karl snapped, nearly lunging out of his chair. You pressed a hand to his chest as he neared and got him to relax a little.

At that point the doors opened with servants lined up with trays of food, and the familiar stench of half-raw and half-rotten ‘delicacies’ reached your nose. 

Donna and yourself seemed to be the only ones who enjoyed fully-cooked meals. But you never dared to eat any of her offerings for fear of potential flowery poison accidentally entering your system.

 Karl was a bit of daring one; rare meat on the verge of raw was his preferred choice. Sal was obvious; raw fish piled high that he ate like a dog ate from a bowl. Alcina had meat, raw and bloody, but was polite enough to use her fork and knife. Mostly for show, no doubt. She didn’t want Miranda to think less of her.

Karl bit aggressively in his meal, nearly crunching the bone between his teeth. The whole table was a bit of a ghastly sight every time you ate together. Blood, meat, bones, eyes, fish carcasses. You couldn’t quite remember how you ended up tolerating it so much, but here you were.

Karl had nearly declined Miranda’s offer for dinner and spat on the crow that had delivered the message, if it weren’t for your hands grasping his at the last second.

“We’d be delighted,” you had said to the bird, who promptly flew out of the factory.

“You can’t keep insulting and ignoring them all, Karl,” you told him right after. “They’re just like you. They’re all you have.”

“We’ll see about that,” he had growled. “There’s bound to be a catch.”

Now at dinner, you chewed slowly through your cooked venison, watching Sal struggle to eat normally with his mutated form that prevented him from comfortably eating at the table. 

“Music, anyone?” you asked. Donna nodded, and Angie cheered with her shrilly voice. She had been uncharacteristically quiet until now, you hardly noticed her on Donna’s lap.

You walked over to Alcina’s gramophone. All the records were jazz, some being her own recordings. You put on an instrumental track, hoping it would liven the mood a bit. Jazz music always helped Alcina become a bit more relaxed, which hopefully would prevent any brawls later.

“I have a task for you, children,” Miranda finally said, her voice cutting through the air. Your heart dropped, knowing Karl wasn’t going to like this.

“Of course,” your lover snarled, hand slapping the table. “There’s always something you need from us, isn’t there? Family dinner never happens without you having something to demand from us like we’re your petty slaves.”

“I don’t know where the attitude is coming from, Karl, but remember your place,” Miranda replied coolly. “Without me you wouldn’t be here.”

You sat down quickly next to Karl and put your hand over his before he hurled a knife at Miranda.

“What do you need, Mother?” Sal asked, voice groggy and slurring. You could hardly understand him half the time.

“I need more patients to continue our experiments. There is nothing happening with the specimens we have now. I must accelerate our trials and gain sufficient data for my work.”

“You mean the village,” Donna said softly, hugging Angie.

“Yes, my child.”

“You can’t be serious,” Karl replied. “The village? You might think without you there’d be no us. But without them, there’d be no you.”

“Mother, ignore him,” Alcina said. “I simply worry about how your intentions will be received. They may fight back.”

“Not if there aren’t any left.”

A cold shock ran through your body. You knew which experiments Miranda meant, you had seen them being conducted plenty of times at Karl’s side. But the village had many people you cared for. Other humans that you liked to visit, that even Karl had grown fond of.

“What will you do with an empty town?” Karl said. “What about food, supplies? You can’t do all that by yourself.”

“By the time the town is empty, I will have succeeded. And then I won’t be by myself,” Miranda snapped.

“It’s a huge undertaking, Mother,” Alcina said softly.

“Which is why I need the help of my children.”

“If you think I’ll stoop so low to become your henchman, you’ve got it wrong-”

“Enough.” Miranda rose from her spot, eyes glittering menacingly at Karl. “After everything, this is the least I ask of you four. Unless you’d like to offer your lovely companion here for my needs- your Mother’s needs, I suggest you be silent and do as I ask.”

You gulped, this time grasping Karl’s hand not to soothe him, but to steel your fears. Of course you weren’t a favourite of Miranda. You didn’t doubt that if given the chance she’d cut you up and feed you to the rest of her experiments. But it also meant you were a soft spot for Karl, and if she threatened you, Karl would be powerless to say no. It would be him and you against the rest of them, and though he would survive no problem, you’d suffer greatly.

Karl shoved his sunglasses onto his face and grabbed your arm, hauling you out of your seat.

“We’re leaving.”

“I expect you to obey, Karl. Or there will be consequences.”

Karl didn’t look back, nearly bruising your wrist with his grip. You glanced back and saw Donna, ever the sweetheart but still terrifyingly creepy, waving goodbye at you timidly. Alcina’s face was unreadable, but Miranda was glaring daggers into your heart. The sound of a crow’s cry had become your number one fear at night. 

“You shouldn’t have left like that,” you whispered as the two of you got outside. It was cold, and you shivered, squeezing his hand. “Karl.”

He spun around and grabbed your arms, pulling you close to kiss you hard. His facial hair scratched your chin and you let out a squeak of surprise. His hand wound around your body to squeeze you close. He smelled of metal and leather and sweat.

Your hands ran up the back of his neck to grab the greasy locks from under his hat. You had told him to bathe before dinner, but he had refused, of course.

“She doesn't get to talk about you like that,” he growled after pulling away, pulling his sunglasses off so he could look you in the eyes. “They don’t get to have you.”

“They won’t,” you assured him in a hushed tone. “But you have to be on their side. If you become a threat to them... we’re both goners. Please, Karl. They’re not all bad.”

He knew you meant Donna and her timid demeanour. Sal and his hopeless romantic dreams. Alcina and her motherly love for her maniacal girls. They had their moments of humanity, and you’re reminded of what their so-called Mother had taken from them.

“Just Miranda,” Karl spat. “I wish I were free, darling. And you- I wish you could be safe.”

“I am safe,” you hugged him close, kissing his cheek, then his chin. “When I’m with you.”

His roughened hands wrapped you up and you felt his body slowly relax. 

“Let’s go to Luiza’s house,” you suggested. “I’m sure there’s a party happening there again. We can get some warm cider- maybe some leftovers?”

“Are you still hungry, love?”

“Eating at your family’s dinner table is not the most appetizing, I’ll say that.”

Karl sighed, knowing it was true. 

“They’ve got the worst table manners.”

You barked out a laugh at that. Karl pressed a kiss to your cheek before you made your way off the castle grounds, into the bustling and welcoming village.