[buns-write]

Just an aspiring writer who’s blessed and wants to give back!

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𝐛𝐮𝐧’𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬

Hot and fresh right from the oven

Beauty in the Unseen

[buns-write]

𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝑮𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑮𝒐𝒆𝒔

widow!Reader x Sidney Crosby, Reader x ex!Dr. Robby, Sidney Crosby x OC x OC (platonic), Dr. Robby x OC x OC (platonic) a/n; this is pretty OOC, and I do not know proper medicine practice, so this is based on what I read. I had an enjoyable time writing this, and I hope you have a wonderful time reading this! If this isn’t something you enjoy, feel free to scroll away :) 2.7k words

It was a slow afternoon for the Pitt, well as slow as an emergency department could be. Robby was in his station going through patient files and catching up with charts when Dana called out to him. 

“Incoming! Three minutes out, ten year old male, got body checked during practice—lost consciousness and woke up nauseous.”

Nodding his head in reply, Robby got moving to prepare for the patient. “Any trauma rooms open?”

“Trauma room 2 is open, just got it cleaned up after the vomit incident.”

“Whitaker, Jesse, with me.” Robby barked orders out, as both Jesse and Whitaker scurry behind Robby. Prepping Trauma 1, the tale-tale sign of an ambulance arriving greeted their ears as a gurney was pushed past the ambulance doors and a small-lanky body sat. waving the paramedics towards trauma 1, Robby makes his way when a figure nearly crushed into him in haste. Steadying the figure, Robby looked down and realized with dawning horror that the figure was none other than Max’s hockey coach—Coach Duke.

“Whoa, woah, easy there.”

“Dr.Robby!” The relief on Coach Duke’s face calmed his heart. “Thank goodness you're here! There was a big tumble during practice and Max got bodychecked by his teammates. He was out for a minute or so and when he came to, said that he felt nauseous and everything was blurry. Called the ambulance as soon as he hit the ice. Is he gonna be okay?”

“I need to go in and check on him,” Robby said slowly, “if you could call his mom to come here that would be wonderful. He needs a parental guardian with him right now.”

“Of course! Of course!” Coach Duke nodded his head vigorously. “Please, make sure he’s okay.”

Nodding towards Coach Duke, Robby turned away and headed into trauma 1, where Whitaker and Jesse were making sure Max was comfortable. Taking a deep breath, he stepped closer towards the bed, positioning himself in front of Max to get his attention.

“Hey there kid.”

Lifting his head towards the voice, a small hesitant smile appeared on Max’s face when he saw who it was. “Oh, Robby! Hello.” moving to nod his head in greeting but stopped when he realized it was a terrible idea as the room started to spin.

“Hey kid, heard you took a tumble on the ice?” Robby asked as he started on the procedures to check for concussions. Leaning closer and breathing in the smell of ice, metal, and rosemary—breath hitching at the scent of rosemary. Lifting a flashlight and asking Max to follow the light with his eyes, frowning slightly when Max’s pupils were slightly delayed.

“Yup,” Max replied cheerfully. “We were practicing defending when Matt lost his stance and started to flail like a baby giraffe on ice. Then he bumped into Devin and he went flying straight to me. The next thing I know is just looking up at the ceiling as everyone was huddling over me.”

“I see.” Robby nodded his head in understanding. “When your mom gets here we’re gonna get you a CT scan and hopefully be able to send you back home.”

“Mommy’s not here though. She’s in Cleveland with Mari—cause she’s got a figure skating competition today. In fact! What time is it? Because, if it’s after 3 she should be finished.”

Glancing at the watch on the wall, Robby could just about see that it read 15:45. Turning back to Max he relayed the time to him and watched as Max’s smile grew. Just as he was about to say something a knock sounded from the door, looking back Robby saw Dana motioning for him to get out. Nodding his head, he waved goodbye at Max, making sure Jesse was there to entertain him.

Stepping outside, Dana was quick to pull him towards the Nurse counter, where a gaggle of nurses and residents stood gossiping. A simple cough from Dana was enough to scatter the nurses and residents away like pigeons. Crossing his arms and standing in front of her, Robby gave a questioning look. Closing in, Dana whispered. “Apparently there’s a VIP currently in triage here for a certain ten year old boy.”

Furrowing his eyebrows in confusion, Robby was about to ask who when Sidney Crosby—THAT Sidney Crosby walked past the triage doors and made his way to the Nurse counter.

Raising his eyebrows as Sidney Crosby stops in front of him and casually holds his hands out. Starring blankly for a second before his body moved on its own and shook Sidney Crosby’s hands.

“Hello, I’m here for Max. Maxwell (L/N), his coach called me and said he has been admitted here?”

Smiling professionally, Dana nodded and gave directions to trauma 1 where Max was currently being monitored. Before turning to Robby with pity in her eyes as Robby starts to question what Sidney Crosby’s relationship with Max was. And more importantly, what his relationship with you was.

The woman who he let go, the one person who he had thought he could finally give a happy ending a go. The one woman whom he nearly proposed to, but panicked at the thought and started pushing away. Ruining it all in one go.

Snapping his head out of the spiral he was sure to happen and leaving for after shift, he turned towards the tab and booked Max’s CT scan. Making his way around the Pitt checking in on other patients. 

ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ♡ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ

Walking back towards pedes, where Max was moved after his CT scan, around the 1 hour and thirty minute mark. Glancing at the tab and humming when he saw that Max’s CT scan result had arrived.

Walking closer to pedes, he heard giggles and laughter flow out of the room. Peeking his head, he saw Max giggling as Sidney Crosby was doing some sort of storytelling, with hand movements and all. And from his knowledge of hockey, it was clearly a play-by-play story of a hockey match.

Knocking on the door to announce his arrival, he made his way into the room, standing at the foot of the bed. “Robby!” Max called out. “Have you met Sidney yet? He’s here cause my mommy’s still on the way from Cleveland with Mari right now, she won first in the competition. He even skipped his meeting to accompany me.” Max bragged.

Feeling his heart squeeze at how proud Max was at Mari’s victory and Sidney Crosby skipping his meeting to sit next to him in the ED, twisted his heart in ways he did not want to think about right now. “Well, looks like everything's okay right now,” Robby cleared his throat. 

“Max does have a slight concussion, but everything else is in perfect condition. We’d like to keep you here for half an hour up to an hour just to make sure that the concussion doesn’t develop, but seeing as there is no bleeding whatsoever, you’ll probably be discharged before dinner time. Uhm, nurse Jesse here will brief you,” he paused looking at Sidney Crosby in a silent question of  “I assume you’re his guardian right now?”. 

To which he received a nod. “On how to take care of the concussion and what to look out for.”

Clapping his hands in front of him, Robby pressed his lips together and nodded. “Well, uhm…I’ll come back in 45 minutes to check up on you Max, and if everything is stable by then, we’ll get the discharge papers ready.”

Stepping out of the room, Robby rolled back his shoulders and sighed out his nose. Filing away the information of Sidney Crosby, being your son’s—Max’s emergency contact while you're away, for the time being. Stepping back into the head attending role he has to be in the Pitt. making his rounds and helping the residents who paged him for help.

ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ♡ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ

It was now 18:00, which means night shift should start to creep in and time for turnovers. As he stood in his station finishing up the charts he had forgotten about, loud hurried footsteps announced their way into the Pitt—followed by smaller but just as quick footsteps. Looking up Robby felt his heart stop.

There you were, after two years, you still looked just as beautiful as all that his mind could supply him. The scent of rosemary still followed everywhere you went. Breath hitched when he saw the concern written all over your face. Snapping out of his reverie, he made his way towards you and Marigold–who was wearing a glinting gold medal on her neck. His heart soared when he realized she had clearly won the competition.

ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ♡ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ

Hearing your name, you looked up and saw Robby standing there. Looking just the same as he did two years ago, except for maybe a few more silver hairs decorating his temple. Feeling Mari tug at your hand brought you back to the present. Right, you’re here for Max, not to see your ex.

“Dr.Robby,” you muster a small smile, “uhm..I got a call, Max is here?”

Hearing you say his name made him feel like he was on clouds, but the reminder of Max being here quickly brought him back down. Doing his best to keep it professional, he gave a polite smile and led you and Mari towards pedes. The closer he got, the clammier his hands felt, he knew it was stupid but he really did not want to know or see your whatever with Sidney Crosby,

Stopping in front of pedes, he held out hand sanitizers towards you both. Once your hands were sanitized, he stepped aside and gestured for you to open the door.

ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ♡ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ

Slowly opening the door to pedes, your heart was filled with joy at the sight. Max, who looked happy and full of energy—which you took as a sign of good health, and minimal injuries in sight. Sat on the bed next to him was Sidney, your Sidney. The one who skipped his afternoon meetings to accompany your son because you couldn’t be there right away. Who always showed up and stepped up, treating you as a queen and your children as prince and princess.

Both their heads snapped towards the door at the sound of it opening, big smiles grew on both their faces. “Mommy! You’re here!” Max shouted gidily. Gaze straying down to meet Mari, who was already making her way to her big brother with a clear goal in mind. Stopping in front of Sidney and lifting her hands for a boost up on the bed, which he gladly granted, she turned towards them both and proudly lifted her gold medal.

“Look!” Mari proudly exclaimed. “I got gold just as I said I would. So that means you have to keep your promise of ice cream and lego.” she said turning to Sidney.

“Mari, you got gold!” Max cheered, bringing Mari into a tight breath holding hug. “I knew you could do it. I never once doubted you.”

“Great job Mari,” Sidney held his hand up to high five Mari. “We'll go to the mall tomorrow and you can pick out your lego set, and we can have ice cream afterwards.”

“Can we have ice cream tonight?” Mari bargained. “Since Max isn’t feeling too well, can’t we have it tonight with movies and cuddles on the couch?” tilting her head like a little puppy. Sidney turned his head towards you waiting for your answer. At the nod you gave him, he grinned and turned back towards Max and Mari.

“Sure!” Sidney said standing up from the bed. Before the conversation could continue, Robby cut in.

“Well, Max is all good to go as long as you know what to watch out for because of his concussions. Any further nausea or memory loss, come straight back to the ER.” Robby quickly listed out. “The discharge papers are ready to be signed at the counter.”

Nodding your head, as you make your way outside Sidney quickly beats you to it. Patting your bum and telling you to stay with the kids, Max misses his mommy and Mari is one snack away from jumping all around. A fond exhale escaped your mouth as you watched Sidney leave to sign the discharge papers on your behalf. 

Turning around, you realize Robby had been watching every interaction closely. “Does he not need your insurance?” Robby questioned.

“Oh, Sidney?” you half-laughed like an inside joke only you knew was said, “he has a copy of our insurance cards in his wallet, in case anything like this were to happen.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah…oh.” An awkward laugh forced its way out of you at the way he was staring at you.

“So…boyfriend?” Robby asked casually. Snapping your head up to meet his gaze, which fell towards your hands that were playing with the engagement ring on your left hand.

“fiancee.”

“Oh, congrats.”

“Thanks.” The air between you both grew thicker and thicker, like smoke fogging a closed room. The only thing keeping it from suffocating you was Max’s and Mari’s giggles, clearing enjoying being together again.

Before either of you could say anything, Sidney returned with the discharge papers and a look of a man who realized you were uncomfortable and was ready to fight whoever made you feel that way. Turning towards him, you softly shook your head, telling Sidney that it was nothing. Sidney only nodded, clearly still a bit tense, but trusting you to do anything else.

As Robby watched you and Sidney interact with Max and Mari, his heart squeezed painfully tight. He watched how your entire body softened and relaxed just with Sidney being there. Like it knew unconsciously that as long as Sidney was there, you were safe and protected.

Stepping aside as Sidney passed by, carrying both Max and Mari alongside Max’s dufflebag, making his way to the exit of the hospital. You lingered behind, your and Mari’s bag on your shoulder—which you had insisted on for a few minutes before Sidney relented, facing Robby.

Steading himself for whatever you were about to say to him, he crossed his arms, hands silently gripping at his sides. “I’m not angry at you.” You bluntly said. “Sure I was heartbroken, but I think deep down we both knew that we weren’t it for each other. I’m not saying I fully understand nor was I happy when you ghosted me out of nowhere, but I think no matter how painful it was, it was healthier than staying.”

“I..I still care for you.” Robby quietly admitted.

“I know, but I could see that sometimes your eyes were sad when you were watching my children and I. I can’t be the one to tell you how to love or what's right and wrong, but I could tell that your heart was slowly slipping away from me.” sighing you took in a deep breath. “Anywho, I want to thank you, even if it was only for a year or so, being with you taught me things that my marriage didn’t, and it has helped me grow to become a better mom and person. So thank you.”

Turning to catch up with Sidney and the kids, who were waiting for you by the exit, robby stopped and asked you a question. “Are you happy with him? Does he make you happy?”

A smile made its way up your face at the thought of Sidney, of how he treated you, how he loved your kids, how he was the person you could see forever with. You nodded. “Yes. yes he does make me very happy.”

With unshed tears in his eyes, Robby smiled bitterly as you continued on your way towards the exit where your family stood waiting. The scent of rosemary lingering where you stood as Sidney’s voice echoed as he asked Mari if she enjoyed her competition and if there were any suggestions for dinner, at which Max’s voice interrupted. Your laughter being the last thing he heard as the doors closed.

A deep soul exhausting sigh escaped him, pressing his lips together and blinking away the tears, as he hears a nurse and resident call him for help. It was back to work now. The hospital, the Pitt, needed their chief attending. His breakdown can wait for after the shift, on the rooftop. Rolling his shoulders back, he hastens his way to the next emergency, letting the scent of rosemary go for the last time.

[glitchedoutpxie]

How to use Em Dash (—) and Semi Colon ( ; )

Since the ai accusations are still being thrown around, here's how i personally like to use these GASP ai telltales. 🦄✨

Em Dashes (—)

To emphasize a shift / action / thought.

They're accusing us—actually accusing us—of using AI.

To add drama.

They dismissed our skills as AI—didn't even think twice, the dimwits—and believed they were onto something.

To insert a sudden thought. Surely they wouldn't do that to us—would they?

To interrupt someone's speech. "Hey, please don't say that. I honed my craft through years of blood and tears—" "Shut up, prompter."

To interrupt someone's thoughts / insert a sudden event.

We're going to get those kudos. We're going to get those reblogs—

A chronically online Steve commented, “it sounds like ai, idk.”

Semi Colons ( ; )

To join two closely related independent sentences / connect ideas.

Not only ChatGPT is capable of correct punctuation; who do you think it learned from in the first place?

Ultimate pro tip: use them whenever the fudge you want. You don't owe anyone your creative process. 🌈

[harleyquillao3]

I’m in this photo and I don’t like it 😂😭

[fellshish]

feeling guilty over not working on your fic is so silly if you think about like why are you stressing over the hobby you do in your free time for fun lol wip not whip

[scribeherself]

if you're sitting on a fanfic idea because you think it's "too weird" or "too niche" I need you to understand something: the internet is VAST and FULL of people with your exact brand of weird. that crackship that makes sense only to you? there are at least 50 people who will read it and go "oh my god FINALLY." but even if there were ZERO? you still deserve to write the thing that makes your brain light up.

[strangergraphics]

ao3 headers & dividers requested by anonymous:

please like and credit if you use, reblogs are appreciated! thank you! 💕

[diviniyae]

rhinestone dividers

credit not needed. recoloring welcomed. feel free to edit as you need!

[pxrce-lain]

⎯ ׅ ‌꒰۪۪ ᩧ decor line dividers 𑣲 like & reblog

[luna-azzurra]

Real thing that changed how i write: I started asking "what does this character think is wrong with them" and separately "what is actually wrong with them." Those two things are almost never the same. She thinks she's too much. She's actually terrified of being too little. He thinks he's bad at commitment. He's actually just never met someone he trusted enough. The gap between their diagnosis of themselves and the real thing, that's your character arc right there. you don't have to explain it. just write both.

[luna-azzurra]

Please stop starting your scenes with the weather. Not because it's a rule. Because you are doing it to avoid starting with the actual thing. You know what the scene is about. You know what's at stake. You are describing clouds because you're nervous. I understand. I did it too. But the reader doesn't need the clouds. They need the thing. Start with the thing. You can always add the clouds later if they're actually doing something. They are usually not doing anything.

[luna-azzurra]

If you're a new writer and you're asking yourself "is this too personal, is this too much, will people think this is weird" that feeling is the exact location of your actual voice. The stuff that makes you want to close the laptop is the stuff nobody else could write. The safe version is always worse. Always. I have never once read something and thought "this would have been better if it was a little less honest." go further. It's always go further.

[luna-azzurra]

A non-writer asked me "but where do you get your ideas" and i genuinely did not know how to explain that it's not a place. it's not a website. it's not a folder. it's that i was on the bus and a woman was holding a paper bag very carefully and something about the way she held it made me need to know what was inside and then i needed to know why she was sad about it and then there was a whole person and then there was a whole story and the bus had already stopped and i missed my stop. that's where.

[luna-azzurra]

Genuinely think the most underrated skill in writing is knowing when a scene is done. not perfect. done. there's a version of every scene that keeps going because you're scared to leave it, scared it wasn't enough, scared the next scene is harder. so you keep adding. one more line. one more beat. one more little moment. and the scene dies from it. it needed to end three paragraphs ago and you just kept talking because you didn't want to face what came next. same as real life actually.

[yuzusorbet]

P&G Interview (1 June 2016) What figure skating taught me– “Bonds of Family"

~A blessing to be “Hanyu family’s Yuzuru”~ From the time I was in elementary school, whether for skating or daily life, my family gave me self-sacrificing support and I can never thank them enough. Especially my parents who brought me up with the direction of “No matter how much you love skating, we want you to know the world outside of skating”. Even when I became an adult, even when I got the gold medal(s), that has not changed. To my parents and sister, I am still the same as before, eldest son and youngest child of the Hanyu family. And I also want to be “the son of these parents”, I always feel that this is such a blessing.

~Family’s words become strength~ Especially at times when I am feeling troubled, I clearly feel the blessing of family. I know what I should do but I just cannot act on it. At those times, a word or advice from my family becomes a switch, and many times it is an impetus for things becoming better. Particularly from my mum who is always close to me, her words are special. This is what others would say too (about their own mothers), not just me. Mother, how many months she cherished me in her belly, gave birth to me after a hard time, always together with me since I was a baby, because of that, there are things she understands. Those words and thoughts have weight and go straight in, and echo deeply within.

~Each member has a different personality~ The 4 people in the Hanyu family all have different blood types. Not sure if it’s due to that, all our personalities are different. Strong-willed me sometimes get into a trivial argument with Mum, my serious sister will go “maa-maa” [t/n. like “now, now” to calm things down] and tries to mediate, Dad will be watching with “today, whose side should I take to settle this matter”;  it’s often this pattern. (laughs)  Because our personalities are different, we recognise that and accept one another, unity is not a problem. Being all different, I think we are a very well-balanced family.

~Dad~ Dad stays in Sendai because of work, so usually he is not with me, but what he has decided stands firm. His presence has that kind of weight. He is like the spiritual pillar supporting the Hanyu family. Long time back, I used to get yelled at, but now, he watches over me and advises me calmly.

~Mum~ Mum is most often with me, and I can tell her anything. Good things, bad things, whatever my thoughts, I just say it out to her honestly. There are also things I don’t say because it will make her worry, but Mum still knows it. In recent years, it is Mum’s role to give me the chiding.

~Big Sister~ Sister is gentle and loving, and always thinking with me from my position. Being a sister, there are things she understands with a different view point from my parents. As children, we also understand each other’s feelings towards our parents.  My relationship with my sister basically has not changed from the time I was 4.  She is still my ‘oneechan’ who spoils me. [*pronounced 'oh-nay-chan’ meaning big sister]

~With family~ During (skate) season, Mum and I are in Canada, so there is very little time that the 4 of us can be together. I really look forward to spending time in my family home. When I return home after a long period, Dad and Sister dotes on me like I’m a little kid. Skating is not mentioned much; we get excited about topics on TV or we enjoy games together. Sometimes we have silly arguments. (laughs) Home is a place where I can return to “plain” [t/n. or base or origin]. It is very comforting.

An interesting bit: 

Q: 21 year-old Hanyu-senshu, are there times when you drink alcohol with your family?

When I turned 20 and I returned to Sendai, for celebrating "Coming of Age”, I drank sake for the first time, together with my grandfather and male cousin(s). Then later, Dad also joined in and everyone drank, but my speech started to slur. Sake is nice but I think it does not suit my constitution. As an athlete, not being able to drink alcohol, it’s just right. (laughs)

-translated by me; source: P&G myrepi

[thelingodingo]

Haikyuu Miyagi Dialect

So I mentioned in my Inarizaki's Dialect post that Karasuno (and the other Miyagi schools) would actually speak in the Tohoku dialect (technically). They don't really speak in the dialect (they speak the standard dialect since they live in a suburb of Sendai, which is big enough and close enough to the Kanto region (tokyo)), but theres a few lines in which some characters do use a little bit of dialect. So here are some examples that I can think of:

disclaimer - im too lazy to properly rewatch the show so im going off memory, therefore i cant guarantee 1000000% accuracy

Sugawara, Terushima, Hinata, Oikawa, Asahi, and Iwaizumi seem to have the most noticeable Tohoku dialects from what I remember hearing??

Suga (and Terushima?) especially ends his sentences with "-yarube", "-dabe", "-be" quite often which is very miyagi of him, he definitely has the strongest dialect out of all of them.

A specific example from Asahi is him saying 俺は昨日残るって言ったべよ! (ore wa kino nokoru tte ittabeyo).

I also remember Iwaizumi saying バレーはコートに６人だべや! (bare wa koto ni roku nin dabe ya).

Hinata says 昼飯食うべ (hirumeshi kuu be) along with other tohoku-like sentences

and I think Daichi once says 一回聞いとくべ (ikkai kii toku be)

I also remember reading somewhere that "boke" (often used by Kageyama and Iwaizumi) is reminiscent of the Tohoku dialect but im honestly not too sure....?

OoOOOooOO i just remembered a specific dialectal word that Oikawa once uses towards Kageyama is おがったね (ogattane). he uses the verb おがる (ogaru) which means "to grow up" in tohoku dialect.

Ukai once uses いずそうな (izusouna) which is also part of miyagi dialect

basically, you can assume that sentences ending with "-be" in haikyuu are miyagi dialect

(this is a completely different anime but in jujutsu kaisen Itadori actually uses some tohoku dialect closer to the beginning of the story which I thought was also interesting)

[buns-write]

Beauty in the Unseen pt.5 (end)

requested by: @bjh0204

Spring arrived with all the flowers and bees. Fluttering birds arriving from their migration to warmer weather. As the season changed, so did Belle’s life. One moment she was with her family, the next she was held prisoner in the castle and now, she was friends with all the staff and their masters. Especially the temperamental crown prince, Beast. Who was currently fondly watching as his brother taught Belle all he knew about magic and its properties. Their lessons have overtaken the library.

Belle sat on the sofa by the windows, hunched over the table with stacks upon stacks of books all about alchemy and magical properties–with the few loose papers scattered around. Across from her was Prince Bruin who leaned forward pointing and explaining things as he demonstrated each property and new ways to produce the magic.

A knock interrupts the peaceful breath that had accompassed the library. “Your highness, mademoiselle,” the muffled voice of Lumiere echoed. “We have brought tea and pastries, may we come in?”

Lifting their heads in sync–just as meerkats, they made eye contact and nodded sagely. Receiving their approval, Beast called for Lumiere and the staff to come in.

Gently the library door opens with the faintest of creek, Lumiere’s body stepped into view, behind him was Mrs. Potts and chip, pushing a cart filled with pastries and sandwiches alongside a pot of tea. “Master!” Lumiere stammered. “We did not realize you would be joining his highness and mademoiselle for their afternoon tea. I shall go right away and prepare a cup for you.” Lumiere nodded and swiftly made his way out of the library.

They all watched him leave, as Mrs. Potts made her way to the table where Belle and Prince Bruin—who were quickly clearing the desk— sat. Chippy follows behind her mother, trying to match her pace. Arriving at the tables, Mrs. Potts made quick work to fix up the table and set the afternoon tea ready for all three of them. Placing the tired-server filled with pastries and sandwiches, the cup of sugar and milk followed. Lastly the pot of tea alongside the cups and saucers (Lumiere having returned and quietly slipping the third cup and saucer onto the cart.)

“Here you go, dear, should you need anything just ring the bell.” Mrs. Potts bowed and walked back, leading Chippy to make her way out of the library, as a few server penguins stood outside the door ready for any orders.

Once the door was closed, Beast made his way towards the sofa. Gesturing his brother to move and make space for him, who promptly ignored his elder brother and instead started to pick at the sandwiches. Witnessing the scene, Belle moved over to one side and patted the cushion next to her.

Beast froze for a moment longer before shyly making his way to sit next to Belle, who had already turned back towards the papers Prince Bruin had shown her of the artifacts his mother had made. Spacing out as he watched his younger brother show off all the things his mother did, drinking the tea that was hurriedly prepared. Snapping out of his thoughts when he heard Belle sigh.

“Are you alright Belle?” Prince Bruin asked.

“I am.” Belle hurriedly answered. Prince Bruin gazed suspiciously at Belle, clearly not believing it. Another, much bigger, sigh left Belle once she realized he would not stop his questions. “I miss my family. It’s been a few months and I can’t imagine how much my younger brothers have grown.” Belle admitted.

Beast’s heart twinged when he heard her soft, frightened answer. As he was about to comfort Belle, his younger brother beat him to it. “Oh, that’s easy.” Prince Bruin said casually.

Snapping her head and looking right at Prince Bruin, Belle felt hope blossom in her chest. “Easy?”

“Of course!” Bruin said readily, twisting to face the backrest of the sofa, he leaned his body down and fished something from the pile of things behind the sofa. “Aha!” He straightened back up and turned back over to look at Belle, leaning over the table, holding a hand mirror. “I was going to show this to you next week, once we had gotten to this portion of alchemy, however I think you need it now.”

Gently accepting the hand mirror from Prince Bruin, Belle gripped the handle with one hand behind the mirror portion of it. Turning and flipping it around, she couldn’t see anything of significance that would indicate how the mirror would help her with missing her family, aside from the roses carved on the silver frame.

Seeing her confusion, Prince Bruin only chuckled and gently guided the mirror to face her. “You need only to think of the person you want to see the most. Imagine them in your mind, and with all your heart wish to see them. The mirror will show them as they are right now.”

“Ok.” Belle nodded in understanding. Blinking a couple of times and taking a deep breath before she closed her eyes, furrowing her brows in concentration, doing her best to imagine her father and younger brothers. 1 second pass, then 2, then 3, nothing but the silence of the library sounded. Just as she was about to open her eyes, Belle the familiar giggle of her younger brothers. Opening her eyes she eagerly took in her younger brothers’ forms, alongside her father’s.

They seemed to be in her father’s workshop, surrounded by all the trinkets he made. He was holding a windmill, and as he turned the key on the side, it opened up to an image of their family when her mother was still alive. Dressed in her typical rose embroidered cream dress, holding one of her younger brothers in her arms as Belle stood close by, with her father holding her other younger brother. It was a replica of the day after her brothers were born, she remembered it so clearly. Her heart yearned for her family. They were grieving her, her father’s face full of regret.

Watching Belle’s eyes shine with tears, Prince Bruin gently soothed her. “You can keep it. I think you will have the most use with it.”

“Oh I possibly couldn't!" Belle disagreed. “It was your mother’s creation, I wouldn’t want to take that away from you.”

“It wasn’t her creation,” Prince Bruin said. “It was a gift from one of her friends, do you remember? The ones I told you about in my lab. Spring gave it to her—that’s why it’s decorated with roses and not marigolds as my mother would have. ” Watching Belle nod in agreement, Prince Bruin turned back to the pastries as he side-eyed his elder brother, who was useless in comforting her.

“That’s today's lesson done, take the next day off, just rest your mind.” Prince Bruin announced once they had finished their afternoon tea. Belle nodded, standing up and excusing herself. Once the door closed, Prince Bruin turned to Beast and gave him the most ‘are you serious’ stare. “She was about to cry. Why didn’t you comfort her?”

But, Beast ignored his question as his mind was stuck on one detail. What did Bruin mean when he said his mother–step mother, was given a gift from another sorceress? Now, Beast knew his step mother—and consequently his younger brother, were sorceresses as were most of her ‘old’ friends too. Does that mean that the sorceress who cursed their entire castle was related somehow? He knows that sorceresses were a dying breed, when he tried to find one to tutor Bruin and lift their curse, there were none left.

His train of thought was broken when Prince Bruin coughed loudly once more. Stiffly looking up and seeing his expectant gaze, something in Beast shifted and quickly he muttered out a ‘I've got things to do, have dinner without me’ making his way to his chambers and the king’s private study in the East Wing.

Prince Bruin was left utterly baffled in the library all alone. Looking at where his brother had left, he had the sinking feeling something was going to happen, and prayed it would be hope.

•••

It’s been a few days now since the library and the mirror was gifted to her. Belle lay on her bed watching the ceiling before sighing as she turned towards the mirror on her bed side table. Propping herself up with her elbows, she reached towards and grabbed the mirror. Laying down now on her side as she watched the mirror shimmer and show the image of her family in their living room, her younger brothers were mid-storytelling and her father holding the figures of both her and her mother.

Gently caressing the image, Belle propped it against one of the pillows and tried to sleep. Her mind was racing with thoughts and conflicting feelings. On one hand, she was grateful by the kindness everyone had shown, and she thinks too, that she may come to love Beast some day. However, on the other hand, she missed her family so so much. All she wanted to do was hug them and feel their embrace. A groan left her lips as she tossed and turned, standing up when she realized she couldn’t sleep.

She did not even know if Beast returned her feelings. Especially with how he acted the past few days, missing all their usual dinners together. She understood that breakfast and lunch couldn’t be helped, but dinner was the time he had spared for their daily dinners with Prince Bruin too. Right now all Belle could feel was confusion. At least the magic and alchemy lessons were going well.

It was so interesting learning all about it, and what it could do. Peeking through the window, she stared at the stars. Fiddling with the silver locket on her neck, she whispered a quiet wish. “Oh dear stars, tell me what to do. I’m so confused right now.”

Turning around after a few seconds of silence she climbed back into her bed, missing the way the stars twinkled and winked in the wake of her wish.

•••

It was the next morning, a few hours before lunch when she received an invitation for a ball held for her upcoming birthday. Giggling in joy, Belle quickly called upon the help of Madame Gardebro, who was more than delighted to help her find the perfect dress for the ball.

Her room was a flurry of dresses and shouts of ‘No!’ ‘Absolutely not!’ ‘Again!’ all afternoon. Forgoing to have lunch in her room instead of joining Beast and Prince Bruin. Who, unbeknownst to Belle, were also having their own fight with garments to find the right outfit for the ball.

Strewn all across the furniture were different colored long trousers and waistcoats decorated with fine embroidery. It was as if the spring blooms arrived in their dressing room. Prince Bruin was off to one side buried under a pile of waistcoats of various shades but all embroidered with roses. Beast was rummaging through his wardrobe trying to pick the perfect outfit for the ball tonight. Everything had to be perfect if he wanted any chance of breaking this wretched curse. He had to succeed, he couldn't live with the guilt any longer.

Soon the chime of the grandfather clock echoed all around the castle. Followed by a knock on their dressing room door and one one Belle’s private room door. Cogsworth and Lumiere’s, respectively, announced through the door. “Your highnesses/Dear Mademoiselle, it is time for the ball.”

Waiting alone in the ballroom, he took the time to appreciate the decor and effort all the staff had put into it. But it was to be expected, after all this would be the first ball hosted in the castle since the curse was placed. Because how could you host a ball when all of the subjects of your kingdom forgot your existence?

Walking through the ballroom was a feeling Prince Bruin thought he’d never feel again. He was too young to join most of the balls their parents hosted when they were alive, then when they had passed, he was in too much grief and worry to join and enjoy the fun of a ball. Especially when he saw the type of group that had surrounded his elder brother.

He was glad that he could enjoy once more a ball, with high hopes of hosting more in the future, maybe once the curse had been broken.

As he was musing, he heard the sound of the door, up on the staircase, swing open. Turning his head, he was mesmerized. There, Belle stood in a yellow evening gown with red roses embroidered and decorated all around the dress. With the embroideries focused on the trims and edges, while the beautiful faux roses were placed carefully around the dress. It was definitely a dress fit for a spring time ball. On her neck was a silver locket, one that she had since the beginning of her stay here, now that he realized once he noticed it.

Silently he was screaming at his brother when he saw Belle’s giddy smile drop slightly when she only saw him in the ballroom waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs. What was he doing right now? What was so important that he had told him to go first? OH NO, did I leave that out? No…I’m sure I placed it in the drawer with all of the Queen’s personal jewelries. He wouldn’t look there, it makes him cry, should be safe.

During Prince Bruin’s internal panic, Belle made her way down the staircase and approached Prince Bruin. Who realized and offered his arm to her, a sheepish smile on his face in reply to her obvious question of where his brother was. He heard Lumiere and Cogsworth arguing behind the doors about the ‘missing’ crown prince as Mrs. Potts calmed them down.

Walking around the ballroom, Belle and Prince Bruin made casual conversations, before it inevitably turned into talks of magic and alchemy. A gentle peace flowed through the room as they waited for Beast to make his appearance. And soon their wish came true, only it came in harsh angry stomps and a loud roar as the door banged open.

“BRUIN!” Beast roared out. The sound echoed all throughout the castle, causing everyone to freeze and surprise and terror. “YOU KNEW! YOU KNEW YET YOU’VE NEVER TOLD ME!” Beast huffed angrily facing Bruin down. “Were you ever going to tell me this?” he asked, pointing to a piece of paper in his right hand. A piece of paper Prince Bruin knew very well, a piece of paper he had been meaning to burn but forgot too.

“I—I–I,” Prince Bruin stammered, panic clawing right through his chest and choking his throat.

“I see. That’s how it is.” Beast chuckled cruelly, in a low snarl that frightened all the staff for Prince Bruin’s safety. “You like her. Don’t you? That’s why you kept it a secret. You couldn’t risk the chance for the curse to break.”

“Hold on, let’s take a breather for a few minutes.” Belle barged in between the fighting princes. “Clearly secrets were kept, but let’s not—”

“QUITE!” Beast shouted at Belle, who flinched back in response. “You’re no better than him or your mother, especially your mother.”

“My mother?” Belle furrowed her brows, tilting her face.

 “Oh, did he not tell you what your mother did?” Beast snarkily questioned.

“Stop! Just stop.” Prince Bruin pushed his elder brother away from Belle, standing in front of her. “She doesn’t know. I never told anyone nor was I planning to, until the curse was gone. When, hopefully, you were of better mind. I was not planning to keep it a secret forever. And of course I care for her. She reminds me of my mother.”

Beast, who had slightly cooled down, was no longer angry at his younger brother. Although the betrayal stung he could understand his brother’s thought process, but Belle. His race could not handle looking at her the same way. All he could see now in her was the witch who tricked him and cursed him and his castle to be beast—forgotton by their own subjects and left alone for years upon years.

The eyes that once made his blush like a young boy, now only fueled his anger. Her now lips that he imagined kissing, now made him want to claw her face. Her brown hair that he once thought silently to himself reminded him of the soft autumn nights spent cuddling his mother, now only reminded him of the evil sorceress who tricked him with her ugly appearance only to turn into a beautiful sorceress! This all made him want to kill Belle, nevermind break the curse. He mused if perhaps killing the offspring off said sorceress was a better solution to break the curse.

“What secret are you both talking about?” Belle frustratedly stomped her foot on the ground.

Turning to look at his younger brother, Beast gave him a smug look that said, ‘you want to tell her or me?’ letting out a heavy sigh, Prince Bruin gently looked at Belle, although his eyes were full of guilt.

“Belle, whilst we were studying, I found out some surprising information. That your mother was in fact the Rose Sorceress.”

“No,” Belle denied, hands on her head shaking side to side. “No, no way. That can’t be true! She–she was good! She was lovely and kind and wonderful, she was a fairy!” Belle screamed, turning to look at Prince Bruin and Beast, then turning to look at the staff who had silently made their way into the ballroom hearing their screams.

“Belle—” Prince Bruin tried to calm her down but felt Belle pull away.

“No! No! No! The Rose Sorceress was the bad guy, the one who cursed you all! That can’t be my mother!” Belle shouted. It was only Chippy's whimper that snapped Belle out of her breakdown. She saw all of the staff close to the door huddled together; there was Lumiere, Cogsworth, Plumette, Mrs. Potts, Chippy, Madame Garderobe, chef Bouche, Mastro Cadenza, and even Footstool. Taking a step towards them, her heart broke even more when she saw the fear in their eyes.

Turning back towards the two princes, her heart broke even further. Beast stood there angry and smug, like he was happy to have shattered the very foundation of her world. Prince Bruin beside him looks guilty and his eyes full of pity for her. Pity? For her? She did not need their pity or fear or smugness. 

The more she stood there, face in her hands having a mental breakdown, the more she could feel all the sorrow and embarrassment turn to rage.If they wanted to fear her, she’d give them something to fear. She’d take that smug smile off of the Beast’s face and show Bruin that she was not one who needed pity. She wasn’t fragile or made of glass that needed to be protected. She’d show them all.

Looking up to face the Beast and Bruin, she gave them a saccharine smile. Unease filled both the princes and the staff who felt the room turn a few degrees colder.

Turning around, Belle made her way towards the grand doors leading outside. Pulling it open she calmly stepped outside as if the past few minutes had never happened. Cautiously Beast, Prince Bruin, and the staff followed her outside. A few paces behind her as she made her way to the rose garden—where in the center was a fountain carved with roses and creeping vines all around the rim.

Belle stood in front of the fountain, staring affectionately at the water as she remembered a fairytale her mother used to always tell her. “The little fairy would help everyone, but sometimes, when the fairy is in danger, the little fairy knows how to protect herself. 

All she needed was a fountain carved with roses, a silver locket, and a flower with thorns. Dipping the locket into the fountain and pricking her finger on the thorn, all she had to do was hold it tightly and make her wish. 

Sometimes the little fairy also uses the flower once the wish is done, she’d blow the flower and out the magic would come. Doing whatever the little fairy wished it would.”

Following as the little fairy had done, Belle plucked a rose from the bushes, took off her silver locket. It was her mother’s first gift for her, the only thing she couldn't bear to sell when they had needed the money. Something she had always worn under her dresses. Dipping the locket in the fountain, then pricking her finger on the rose’s thorn, she clutched the locket to her chest and wished. Wished with all her might that all the inhabitants of the castle would feel how she felt.

Prince Bruin, well-versed in magic and alchemy, realised what Belle was planning to do and tried to stop her, only for the vines from the bushes to creep up and trap him in its hold. “Bruin!”

“Oh, stop with the shouting." Belle faced them, holding the rose and locket in her hands. Walking towards Bruin who was still trapped, and gave him a smile. “It’s okay, it won’t hurt.”

Placing the locket on Bruin’s neck, everyone watched as the vines unfurled and rose petals engulfed him, when the petals died down all that was left in Bruin’s place was a brown horse. Eyes dazed and blank, but when he…it? Shook its head it turned to Belle and affectionately nuzzled her neck. “Bruin?” “Prince…Bruin? Your highness?!”

“Oh, this is only fair, no?” Belle naked coyly. “You took away my dear Philippe, it’s only fair to get another one in return. What shall I call him? Bruin? Noir? No, I suppose Philippe the second is good enough.”

When the Beast tried to take a step towards her, Belle merely lifted a finger, as if scolding a young child. “Nu uh, no, no,” laughing,  she continued. “Did you think I wouldn't know? When the rose tinted glasses fell off my face, I realized that I never saw him again at any point during my stay here with you. Nor did I hear any horses in the castle grounds. I know my dear Philippe would never leave me, then I remembered how you once, during my stay in your prison remarked that horse meat tasted as delicious as beef. It didn’t take long to put the two together.”

“Now that that is done with, what to do with you?” Belle taunted. Walking closer like a predator stalking its prey. “I’ve got just the idea.”

Frightened, all the staff tried to run, but were all captured by the vines and held in place. Smirking towards the Beast, she waved the rose in her hand. “For you, who hated becoming a beast, what better way than to immortalize you forever as one? Yes, a statue would do you wonders.”

Smiling sweetly, Belle waved her hand on top of the rose a few times, then turned towards the Beast and blew at the rose. Glittering rose petals started to rain down from the sky covering everyone, save Belle and Philippe the second. The Beast’s face turned quickly from rage into one of horror when he realized he couldn’t move. Slowly as he watched all his staff, his family, turn to stone panic crept up.

“Ah! Yes, yes, I forgot. There are rules, a curse must come with a way to break it. So listen closely, Beast.” Belle sneered. “Turned to stone you shall be, forever a Beast unless a lady of pure heart and love comes to love you, then shall the stone melt and a Beast you shall be once more.”

Belle watched as all the staff turned to stone, fear frozen in their faces. But it was a pleasure like no other as she watched the Beast become encased in stone, fear blooming in his eyes as he watched stone creep up his legs and slowly his arms. Starring at his hands, he turned to Belle trying to reach her to trap her in stone too. But alas, her magic was too strong, now the Beast had one hand reaching towards her and the other palms up.

Looking lazily at everyone, Belle crept closer towards the Beast’s statue. Standing right in front of his face, she lightly caressed his face. “Why so serious? HA!Ha!HA!” she cackled to herself, pleased with the joke. Moving towards the castle, she went to find a saddle for Philippe the second, whilst she explored more rooms in the castle, taking any jewelry and gold she found. It wasn’t long before two saddle bags were filled. Including a small travel bag she found and stuffed with clothes for her brothers and father.

After tacking Phillipe the second, she made her way once more to the kitchen to grab some food and walked out the castle. Climbing up on Philippe the second, she made her way out the castle grounds with bags and bags of gold and jewelry, and the magic mirror peeking out from the saddle bag. Humming joyfully thinking of how happy her family would be. How they would no longer have to live in poverty anymore, that they would be back to living richly once more.

Singing echoed in the forest as Belle made her way back home, the magic of the first curse wiping her memory of the castle and what she had done. All she remembered and figured, was that whatever held her let her go with riches to spare and a new horse after Philippe fell prey to wolves.

•••

And so centuries passed, villages and kingdoms rose and fell, the castle sat in its lonesome untouched by time. Just beyond the dark forest that shields the castle, grew a village to a town, then soon, it crumbled as more and more towering cities grew, leaving the castle all alone untouched and always forgotten by the people it once hosted. Left to the peripherals of people’s mind as they wondered what lies beyond the Dark Forest. While hope was lost to the statue inhabitants, it seemed fate was not quite done with them just yet.

For, in the soulless soundless castle, the grandfather clock—that last chimed when the ball was held, now chimed once more. Its haunting ticks echo throughout the castle far and wide beyond the Dark Forest, alerting a cloaked figure who had come in search of stories. Stories of old, stories of magic, stories that lay beyond people’s memories.

Lifting her head towards the sound, she tilted her head in confusion. For as far as she knew, there shouldn’t be anything within the Dark Forest. As she finished braiding her brown hair, she made her way through the Dark Forest, almost as if hypnotized by the sound. She walked through the eerie woods, arms wrapped around her torso, hugging the maroon cloak a little tighter. 

Upon reaching a clearing, the girl stopped in her tracks. The view in front of her amazed her: there was a castle! It was timeless and well preserved, exactly something you would see in a history book. In its front was a gate, made of wrought iron and carved roses, left wide open with twisting vines all around.

With a cautious step, she made her way inside, past the castle gates. 

Walking around, she wandered through the castle grounds, in awe as she found her way to the rose gardens. It was quite a sight, around 100 or so stone statues of various animals—both land and sea—covered the garden. 

And in its center was a statue of some sort of beast, one she didn’t recognize from any books or stories. It closely resembled what would have appeared in fairytales—one of charming princes turned savage animal, only true love’s magic would save them.

Turning away from the stone statues, she observed the rose flowers which were blooming in abundance, even though winter’s touch was still felt. Walking closer, she realized the roses were glimmering. Reaching up, she plucked one of the roses and admired her find. Bringing it up for a sniff, she found that it was the sweetest smelling rose she had ever smelled. A satisfied breath left her as she enjoyed the scent. A smile grew on her lips as an idea sprung up in her mind. Turning around, she walked back to the stone statue of the beast and placed the rose on his outstretched hand. “A rose for a prince.” her voice giggles playfully, as she fades further into the quiet rose garden. Laughing to herself, she continues to make her way to the castle, her curiosity unbound. Behind her, a pair of stone eyes rolled, staring at her fading figure. A glimpse of hope. A scrap of anger. An idea of revenge. The stone eyes looked at her, staring until he could no longer see her.

@buns-write ,2025 please do not copy and/or repost however, gladly reblog or hearts are super welcome :)