#avery's proposal went something like this...

[teddybearsims]

i think we could last forever / i'm afraid that everything will disappear / just trust me

[whotfatemymenemen]

Something about the Fake Avery got me thinking.

Obviously, Derek has spent some time in minecraft between his recordings (i mean, literally the entire timespan between him writing the "At the crossroads, don't turn left" thing and december 31st must be. a lot.) We can see that he has a new book and quill that he has started writing in. Ergo, he was actively playing for who knows how long. This part isn't recorded

Meaning that there is, theoretically, a chance that the start of the recording isn't his first time exploring The King's Realm.

Think about it.

Derek must've been in the game for like, a month or something at this point. Possibly longer. While he does mention passing out, I do not think that someone who still needs food could pass out for a MONTH and stay alive (unless there is some King bs involved but I highly doubt that The King would choose to keep D3r alive, lmao.) And he writes his second book, which means he actively played and went around enough to aquire the materials for a book and quill. Meaning that he played. Actively.

(I actually took a look at SFAWTDE to see if he had the materials—and he doesn't! He only has two squid ink sacs, and that's about it.)

D3rlord3 says he wrote the book, uploaded the video, and then went back to those gates. Undeniably, he spent the past month in there.

I know that what I'm about to say is a bit of a stretch, but. What if. What if he had already explored some of The King's Realm, and THEN went back to the beginning when he realized Avery would follow him?

We know from the first entries of the second book he writes that he wasn't fully...sane when he first entered. He could've easily wandered around aimlessly for a while. The mountain puzzle isn't exactly the same level in terms of difficulty as, say, the lake puzzle. You could at the very least get past it if you had enough blocks to do so.

Being mentally unwell, I highly doubt he could focus on what Avery is up to at this point, so he might not have immediately went, "oh my god Avery is gonna do it oh no" and so might have focused on another agenda. Maybe focusing on getting better, maybe traveling The King's Realm.

While I don't think this is what happened, I wanted to say all this so that I could make a justification about something that bothered me:

Remember how I mentioned Fake Avery?

Fake Avery as a whole doesn't make sense as a trap to me, I'll be real. D3rlord3 knows all there is to know about Avery. This is, like, the worst way The King could have tried to divert D3r's attention.

So what if the Fake Avery trap was never meant for D3rlord?

Assuming that D3rlord3 had already travelled through this point, The King might've...done whatever he does to interact with the world and lay a trap for the next person who would cross the mountains. Maybe The King's Realm assumed that, D3rlord3, having already crossed the mountains, would move forward, so it just assumed the next player to move would be Avery.

In order for this to work, the Fake trap would have to be something more automated and adaptive. Obviously, Avery would immediately know that whatever is standing in front of him isn't him. So, I propose that the trap works like this:

Player crosses the mountains.

Send someone Player would trust, so that Player stops progressing beyond the mountains.

Fake!Player guides the Player to somewhere else.

I was then stuck thinking of why The King might use something like this on Avery (wouldn't it be better if he went further into It's Realm?) but then realized the answer might be super simple:

The King wanted to waste Avery's time, so that he could properly prepare himself for the merging.

We know that the King needed time to get himself together, so that he could merge with Avery. This is, probably the entire reason the church exists, and why The King didn't immediately merge with Avery upon his arrival.

The idea that The King wouldn't have multiple traps like this doesn't sit right with me. Cuz like. The vibes I got from this dude in SFAWDTE was that it enjoyed messing around with D3rlord3 and how paranoid he behaved. (Dunno if this is pop knowledge, but the grass block wasn't the only trap that was clearly set off. The block order in the dropper was wrong. I think the places of the glass and the wood planks were switched or something. This means that The King Knew that trap was there for it and decided to make it clear that it Knew. Being smart enough to place the blocks back in place, and it doesn't put them in the correct ones? That sounds like mocking to me. Here you tried to set a trap. Here, It figured it out, and set it up wrong. It knows that you know. It wants you to know that it knows you know.

There is a reason that "You can't outsmart it" line is in the book.)

The existence of this trap would mean that The King attempted to waste Avery's time more than once, and that makes more sense to me.

For many, many obvious reasons, a Fake D3rlord3 would have worked better than a Fake Avery. Avery doesn't know how D3rlord3 is supposed to behave. Avery is less paranoid than D3rlord3. Avery already looks up to D3rlord3. Avery would have followed a Fake D3rlord3 to wherever The Fake wanted to lead him. Tragic, but Avery would have fallen for the trap.

This would also mean that D3rlord3 saved Avery from falling into another trap.

[alwaysthefangirl]

Adventures in babysitting

pairings: general

warnings: none

words: 2k

AN: So this fic can be read as a standalone too but is actually continuation of Vacation in Italy. Contains no GR spoilers

Special mention: @clarissaweasley-10 (i gave it my best shot dude😭)

It started with a bet.

Well, technically it started with Jameson saying “How hard could it be to entertain two toddlers for a week?” in a tone that made Nash look like he was about to list thirty-two reasons why that sentence was the stupidest thing ever spoken.

By the time they’d arrived in Tuscany, the bet had been made official; because after only two days Xander had decided that ‘You guys are no fun.’ And ‘We should make it a challenge’

The challenge was derived to settle the debate of ‘Who was the best uncle’ to Hannah and Sarah.

The rules were simple: whoever kept the twins the happiest and alive for the next seven days without Libby or Nash stepping in would be crowned Best Uncle.

This had been a silent understanding between the three of them.

“We are just babysitting, Libby,” Jameson had explained when Libby had frowned upon their challenge.

“Like you know- Adventures in babysitting!” Xander declared.

“With a bit of competition,” Grayson went as close to the truth as he could.

And what were Hawthornes if not competitive?

------------------ ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

On day 4, they all decided to go visit the market place.

It had been a hot Thursday. The humid air clung to bare skin and the scorching heat was enough to burn something.

“How about we took them off your hands for the day?”

Libby had just entered the living room; holding Sarah’s hand with her left and Hannah’s with her right.

The twins were dressed in sundresses and strawberries hats. Libby had tied both of their hairs in pigtails.

Libby was startled at Jameson’s sudden proposal.

“That’s unfair!” Xander protested, “You get to take one twin.”

“Fine by me,” Jameson shrugged crouching low to the twin nearest him. He opened his arms wide for Hannah to run into them. She squealed as Jameson scooped her into his arms; twirling her around.

“You guys are awfully willing babysitters today,” Libby commented as Xander held Sarah’s hand.

“Just helping you guys, that’s all,” Jameson said smoothly.

------------------ ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

The market sat in the heart of a sun-warmed piazza, the kind of place where the cobblestones had been worn smooth by centuries of footsteps. The air carried this dizzying mix of smells, fresh basil, ripe peaches, sun-dried tomatoes, warm bread straight from the oven. Canvas awnings in sun-faded stripes shaded the stalls, fluttering lazily in the breeze.

“Call us if they start to get a bit handful,” Libby instructed as they all stood by the fountain.

“And if you can’t reach us, call them,” Nash added, jerking his head toward Lyra and Grayson. It was apparent that they were clearly considered ‘responsible adults.’

“You worry too much,” Max, who was adjusting her phone’s brightness against the sun, reassured, “They’ll be okay.”

After that they all went on their separate ways.

Lyra and Grayson had wandered off to the outdoor café with wrought-iron tables and lavender flowers.

Libby had been immediately drawn to a bakery that sold fresh focaccia and giant loaves of crusty bread. She and Nash disappeared into the vast bakery; and that left four adults and two kids alone by the fountain.

“May the best brother win,” Xander and Jameson said in unison, shaking hands and stalking into the opposite direction with their charges.

------------------ ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

Jameson led the charge like he was on a treasure hunt, weaving between stalls with Hannah on his back; clinging like a monkey.

“We are going to have so much fun, Hannah,” Jameson promised her, as they spotted a carousel.

“Your definition of fun better not involve a wine shop at ten a.m.” Avery murmured; her voice too low for Hannah to hear.

Jameson gave her a smirk and could feel her roll her eyes even though he couldn’t see them behind her oversized Dior sunglasses.

The carousel wasn’t a big one, just a ring of painted horses and carriages spinning lazily under a red-and-white canopy- but the way Hannah squealed upon seeing it up close was worth everything.

“Three rides,” Hannah announced as soon as they approached the operator, her little arms tightening around Jameson’s neck in case he tried to set her down.

“Three it is.”

The first ride had Hannah on a white horse with a golden bridle, giggling every time they spun past Jameson’s “documentary footage” on his phone. By the third, she’d migrated to the carriage, waving like a queen on parade while Jameson and Avery applauded dramatically.

After the rides, Jameson led them toward a stall marked ‘Gelateria Fior di Latte’

The gelato stall was tucked between a florist bursting with sunflowers and a man selling leather-bound journals. The air around it was sweet and cold in contrast to the heat of the piazza. Hannah’s eyes went wide as she scanned the rainbow of flavors: pistachio, hazelnut, lemon, strawberry, something neon blue that definitely wasn’t natural.

“One scoop or two?” Jameson asked, crouching down so they were eye-level.

“Three,” Hannah replied without hesitation. (an: everything’s 3/gr reference anyone?!?💀😭)

Jameson ruffled her hair, “That’s the spirit!”

While he was busy paying, Avery was wiping a smear of carousel dust off Hannah’s cheek with the edge of her sleeve. That’s when the old woman behind them in line, smiled, eyes darting from Jameson to Avery and Hannah.

“You have such a beautiful daughter,” the woman cooed, “Looks just like you two!”

Avery blinked. “Oh, she’s not-”

Jameson froze for half a second before regaining his composure,

“Thank you,” Jameson cut in smoothly, handing Hannah her cone like this was the most natural thing in the world.

The woman’s smile deepened. “Such a lovely family.” She reached out and patted Hannah’s head before shuffling off toward the sunflower stall.

Avery stood there, still mid-protest, lips parted. “You just- nevermind.” She took the lemon sorbet from him that he’d gotten for her without her even asking.

“I’m not going to start correcting every nice old woman in Italy,” Jameson explained when the woman out of an earshot, “And also- you were blushing.”

Avery was caught off guard and wouldn’t bumped her shoulder with his in reprimanding if not for the three-year-old girl walking in between them; humming to herself. To any stranger or passerby, they did look like a perfect family.

------------------ ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

Xander had Sarah’s small hand in his as they strolled in the opposite direction, Max trailing beside them with a straw hat that she was trying to put on without ruining her hairstyle.

“We’re going to find the coolest thing in this market,” Xander promised Sarah like he was about to uncover the lost city of Atlantis.

“Coolest like… shady black-market-cool? Or like ‘oh look, artisanal soap’ cool?” Max asked, adjusting the brim of her hat to block the sun.

“Coolest like… whatever wins me the title of Best Uncle,” Xander replied with a grin. “Which means we’re going big.”

They passed a stall selling colorful scarves, another with towers of candied nuts glittering in the light, and finally stopped in front of a booth with hand-painted marionettes dangling in neat rows. Sarah’s eyes widened as she pointed at one- a tiny wooden fox in a red waistcoat.

The puppet seller, a wiry man with a handlebar mustache, beamed. “Would the little signorina like to try?”

“Would the little signorina like to try?” Xander repeated with mock formality, crouching to meet Sarah’s gaze. She nodded solemnly, like this was a deeply important decision.

A few minutes later, Sarah was expertly making the fox bow and dance while Max filmed the whole thing on her phone.

By the time they left the marionette stand, Sarah was clutching her fox and skipping down the cobblestones. They stopped next at a candy stall, where bins overflowed with pastel taffy, jewel-bright gummies, and chocolate truffles dusted with cocoa. Xander knelt beside Sarah again.

“Pick one thing,” he said.

Sarah squinted at him. “Three.”

“Of course, it’s three,” Max muttered, snapping more pictures of Xander and Sarah like a professional paid cameraman.

They wandered past a stall with handmade wind chimes tinkling in the breeze. Sarah pointed at one shaped like tiny crescent moons and stars. The seller offered to let her tap it, and the delicate notes made her giggle like she’d just invented music. Xander immediately bought it, ignoring Max’s dreaded whisper, “Yeah, that’ll be fun on the plane ride home.”

By midday, they found themselves at a pottery table where kids could paint little clay cups. Xander rolled up his sleeves like he was about to paint the Sistine Chapel. Sarah’s ended up covered in rainbow polka dots, while Xander’s cup suspiciously resembled the Hawthorne crest.

“Not competitive at all,” Max teased, angling her phone for yet another picture. “Documentation of my inevitable victory,” Xander replied.

As the afternoon sun dipped lower, the air smelled more of roasted garlic and warm bread than peaches. The heat was giving way to a cooler breeze, and the piazza was glowing gold. From somewhere across the market, faint carousel music mixed with the chatter of shoppers.

Soon it was time to meet by the water fountain where they’d parted ways from.

------------------ ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

Jameson and Avery were already there when Xander, Max, and Sarah came into view. Hannah was perched on the fountain’s stone ledge, legs swinging, a tiny bouquet of sunflowers in one hand and the last bite of gelato clinging stubbornly to her other. Avery was trying (and failing) to clean her face with a napkin while Hannah twisted away, giggling.

“You look like you’ve been in a Disney montage,” Xander said as they approached.

“You look like you robbed a toy store,” Jameson shot back, eyeing Sarah’s marionette fox, a paper bag of candy, and a rainbow polka-dot clay cup stacked precariously in Max’s tote.

“She won it fair and square,” Xander said, patting Sarah’s head. “Through charm, skill, and my superior uncle-ing abilities.”

“Mm-hm,” Jameson hummed. “Hannah, tell them about the carousel.”

“It went round and round and round,” Hannah said, spinning in place until she nearly tipped into the fountain. Avery caught her arm without missing a beat.

“She also had three scoops of gelato,” Jameson added smugly.

Sarah’s eyes widened. “You had gelato?” she turned to Xander like he’d betrayed her on a molecular level.

Before Xander could defend himself and explain that they hadn’t seen any gelato stall on their way, Libby and Nash appeared from the bakery, Libby holding a paper bag and Nash carrying an entire loaf under one arm like it was a football. Lyra and Grayson trailed behind, hands wrapped around little white espresso cups.

“Looks like everyone survived,” Nash observed as they all gathered close.

“Wrong. We thrived.”

The “Best Uncle title” was still not given to anyone. Grayson announced judgment would be passed after his day with the twins. And just like that, it was clear — this wasn’t babysitting. It was blood sport.

To the three of them, this competition had more like taken the shape of something along the lines of ‘Adventure in babysitting’

tagging: @whatsamongus @charsoamerican @two-braincells-in-total @nonerrata-myarchives@anintellectualintellectual @off-to-the-r4ces @thecircularlibrary @thechildofshadows @balladofareader @littlemissmentallyunstable @hwqdbncxowasqebclo@shattered-glass-roses @runnningoutofink @reminiscentreader @xxrenee @lyrrrr @saythewordheiress @queenslovetoread @bookless-bookworm @leovaldiva

(lemme know if you wanna be added or removed)

AN: This isn't proofread. Might contain grammatical or logical errors.

[7975348473]

Drunk On Fluff

——————————————————— Ship: Lyrason (Lyra x Grayson)

Timeline: Post- The Grandest Game. I would recommend reading, The Proposal before this fic— but it's not necessary (like, at all.) ——————————————————

GRAYSON

Grayson wasn't the type to stay up late if not necessary.

But today, he couldn't help it.

Lyra had gone on a "Girls-Night-Out", and specifically told Grayson she'd be back very, very late.

And, if Grayson were a normal boyfriend, he probably would have been content with that reassurance and went to sleep. Unfortunately, nothing about Grayson Davenport Hawthorne was exceptionally normal.

He checked his phone for possibly the millionth time, for any updates on where she was.

That’s when his phone went off, Avery.

Grayson picked up, “Avery?”

“Grayson! Hi, um— Lyra is—” Avery cut herself off with a sudden laugh.

“Sorry, Lyra wants to talk to you.” Avery managed in between giggles.

One of Grayson’s dignified brows raised in response.

“GrayyyYyYYy~~”

That was Lyra. One hundred percent drunk.

Oh lord. Grayson bit back a smile.

“Yes, sweetheart? Is everything alright?” He asked, imagining the drunk look Lyra probably had on at the moment.

“mmMmhmM. Yes. I misshsh you thoughhhh can u come ower?” She slurred.

A smile broke out on Grayson’s face despite himself.

“I’m on my way.”

—————————————————————

GRAYSON

Grayson stepped out of the car, his gaze fell upon the group of girls standing outside the bar.

Avery and Libby each had one hand wrapped around Lyra’s waist as they laughed at Lyra’s drunk demeanor.

Gigi was silent— that’s what alcohol did to her, the opposite effect of coffee— Savannah stood to the side, her cheeks slightly flushed as she sent glares to Max who seemed to be going on and on as per usual.

Something about the chaotic yet comfortable scene made Grayson’s heart warm up.

He took a photo of them and then walked over.

“Grayyyyyy!! My ash hole is here, lemme go.” She greeted Grayson before throwing commands at the other two girls.

Libby and Avery giggled, handing Lyra over to him.

Grayson nodded in thanks as Lyra climbed on to his back and he turned to move.

“Gray!” Avery yelled, grabbing his attention. He turned back.

“Your girlfriend is a fucking delight.” Avery said. Libby smiled in agreement.

Grayson’s gaze travelled to the head which was leaning on his shoulder, “I know.”

The two walked away from the chaos, moving slowly towards the car.

“No!!” Lyra yelled suddenly.

Grayson froze.

“I don’t wanna go in ze car.” She stated, though it came off more as a command.

Ze car? Oh she’s high alright.

“Alright then, what do you want to do?” He asked, trying to force the amusement out of his tone.

Lyra wiggled around a bit on his back, signifying she wanted to be let down. He let her.

“Let’s go on a wok.” Lyra yelled triumphantly as she managed to maintain her balance on her own… for two seconds.

Grayson’s hand wrapped around her waist as she began to tilt over again.

“Alright, sweetheart. Just for a little bit though.” He replied.

Suddenly, Lyra sent him a vivid glare. Grayson was slightly taken aback.

She mumbled something under her breathe.

“What was that, sweetheart?” He pried. Lyra groaned and gave him a soft nudge to his stomach.

“How do u do that?!” She screeched. Grayson blinked at her— obviously confused.

“Do what?”

“Thattttttt~” Lyra whined, she took both of her arms and waved them around in some sort of dramatic display. Her cheeks were tinged red and eyes were shut tightly.

She looked adorable. Grayson smiled.

"Mind specifying, sweetheart?"

"That. See. You did it again." Lyra's hand travelled to her chest, landing right on top of her heart.

Grayson watched as she brought both of her hands to her heart, putting on an overly-dramatic expression as she twirled around in circles over and over again.

He chuckled.

"Sweetheart-"

"ITS THAT WORD!!" She paused mid-spin to point at Grayson, though her aim was off completely.

"Why does my heart dance whenever you call me thatttt~" Lyra whined again, stomping her feet as she stumbled her way over to Grayson again.

At this, Grayson couldn't help but grin, "Oh? Your heart races?"

Lyra nodded.

"Every. Single. Time?" He pried.

Lyra looked up to him and nodded again, pouting slightly as she did. It was Grayson's heart's turn to race this time.

Fuck she's adorable.

"It's not fair. I mean- you call me that every day, so why am I still so flustered about it??" She complained, wrapping her arms around Grayson's abdomen.

"I don't see why that's a problem," Grayson paused, thinking if he should proceed, "sweetheart."

Lyra hit him playfully and Grayson let out a laugh.

They both "wok-ed" onwards, Grayson recorded as Lyra ranted about her life and randomly broke out into her favorite dance choreos.

Unexpectedly, Lyra paused and gasped.

"Gray, Gray! Oi! Listen here." Grayson, too, stopped and looked at her- trying hard to get the smile off his face.

"You know how we watched that drama the other day?" Lyra asked a little too fast. Grayson's eye twitched.

"You mean the cheesy and excessively romantic one? Yes, I do." Grayson replied.

Lyra clapped her hands together and did some sort of jumpy thing as her eyes landed on a huge grass field they had stumbled upon.

"Okay. So you know how the leads run towards each other and hug at the end??" Lyra's eyes were glowing now. Grayson felt any resentment he had held towards the drama previously fade away.

"Yeah."

"I want to do that." She finished, looking up to him. Her eyes were alight with excitement. Grayson couldn't possibly say no to that expression.

"... Alright."

Lyra squealed as she took Grayson's hand and they ran across the field. Grayson temporarily forgot what they were doing, looking at her boundless happiness.

She looked absolutely free.

Lyra then let go of his hand and ran on further until they were about 8 feet apart.

"Are you readyyyy?!!" Lyra screamed, loud enough for half the neighborhood to hear.

Grayson grinned, matching her volume, "Born ready!!"

"Go!" Lyra yelled as she took off, Grayson couldn't help the small chuckle he let out as he ran towards her.

It was super cheesy. Lyra loved it, and Grayson loved her.

Grayson closed his eyes as he opened his arms— ready for Lyra to jump into them and for himself to spin her around.

Instead, he heard a loud thud.

Grayson opened his eyes and looked down to find Lyra, face down on the floor. As it turns out, Lyra was still extremely tipsy and had mis-aimed, running to Grayson's left instead of towards him directly.

Grayson bent down to check on her, muffling a laugh, "Sweetheart, are you alright?" He asked, though he already knew she was.

Lyra sat up, her eyes were glassy and she looked just about ready to cry. Grayson was taken aback for the second time that day.

"Noooo I messed uppppp!!" She cried, sounding downright broken. Grayson immediately brought her head to his chest, calming her down.

"Shhh, it's okay. We can try again—" Lyra cut him off.

"We can't Gray. You only get one chance at the running-into-each- other's-arms thingy and I messed it up." She sniffled and Grayson's heart wavered.

He thought about how to console her.

"Well, I think chocolate could make this better?" He said and Lyra jolted her head up, looking at him with wide eyes.

If she keeps doing that, I'm going to die of a heart attack.

"YES PLEASE!" She screeched, a smile plastered on her face. Grayson laughed, yet again.

Grayson and Lyra "wok-ed" on over to the market area, which was mainly closed due to the late hour. That's when they spotted an old man closing his humble shop.

Choco Santa

Grayson knew to take an opportunity when he saw one, the couple strode towards the old man.

"Excuse me, kind sir?" Grayson said. The man turned his gaze to him.

"Sorry, boy. But we're closed." He said with finality, not giving them a chance to ask. Grayson, though, was not one to be denied his wishes.

Lyra spoke up, "Mr.Guy. Can't you just let us buy oneeeee choco packet?? Pleaseeee~" She tried.

The man looked at the more-than-half-drunk girl and let out a chuckle, his features softening, "Sorry young girl, but we have to pay for the extra usage of electricity." He replied.

Grayson took to doing what Hawthornes were quite good at, "How much does the electricity bill cost you?" He asked while fixing his cuffs, a show of power.

The man blinked once, "Uh... well, about 500 dollars."

Grayson nodded, "I'll triple it."

Silence.

"What?!" The shopkeeper and Lyra yelled at the same time.

Grayson shot the man a look that said 'you heard me,' and pulled out 1,500 bucks.

The man's eyes were as wide as saucers as he took the money and hastily opened up his shop again. Lyra fumed at Grayson until her gaze landed on the, literal, chocolate haven.

Lyra let out a tiny awed gasp as she ran down each aisle, her expression turning more and more delirious with each new flavor she saw.

Grayson ended up buying all the chocolates in the store. The shopkeeper now, too, looked like he was in heaven.

That's when Lyra squealed, "OH MY GOODNESS— A CHOCOLATE FOUNTAIN TOO?!"

Grayson turned to see Lyra staring at the chocolate fountain, her mouth left slightly open. He chuckled, despite himself.

"Please go ahead and taste some! It's on the house!" The old-man said, smiling. Lyra didn't hesitate.

Grayson watched her with gentle eyes as she made a satisfied 'mmm' sound after every sip. Lyra didn't let herself get too comfortable very often, a result of her trauma. So seeing her so carefree and childlike made Grayson's heart pick up pace.

Calm down, Gray. You're going to die at this rate.

Eventually the couple made their exit with Lyra licking her lips, carrying 5 chocolate bags and Grayson holding 10 bags.

Lyra came to an abrupt stop. Grayson followed suit, looking at her curiously. She turned towards a bench on they're side and placed all her bags on them before turning to Grayson.

Grayson looked at the bags and then back at her, raising a brow in question.

Lyra deigned him with a singular command, "Put your bags down."

Grayson did just that.

The moment Grayson turned towards her again, Lyra flung herself at him.

Grayson was taken aback for the third time that day. He quickly wrapped his hands around her waist and they were kissing.

All love, passion and chocolate.

"You're the best." Lyra said as they broke apart, her head coming to rest on his shoulder.

Grayson smiled, "Only for you."

Lyra looked up to meet his eyes, "I love you." She said, her gaze unwavering as she did. Grayson's eyes softened.

"I love you too," a pause, "sweetheart."

Lyra really laughed then and if Grayson could have bottled the sound and got drunk on it every night, he would have. It terrified him, he relished in it.

They continued their 'wok' down the, now completely empty, streets. It was nearing 2 AM.

Grayson glanced at Lyra, her cheeks were flushed less from being drunk and more due to the chilly wind. She squinted her eyes as she tried to walk in a straight line, fully focused on the task.

Grayson's heart sped up, watching his sweetheart.

Yep. I'm dead, aren't I? Grayson bit back a smile.

They eventually reached a view-point, which gave an exceptional scenery of the entire city. Lyra ran over to the railings and gazed down, looking at the vast beauty covered in darkness.

Grayson wrapped a careful arm around her shoulders, keeping her steady as they watched in silence.

"Listen up people of the world!!" Lyra screamed suddenly with no warning. Grayson looked at her, taken aback for the fourth time that day.

"Grayson Davenport Hawthorne is mine, not yours!!" Grayson's eyes widened at that declaration.

"So I'd better not log onto Instagram or something and see you all making up absolute bullshit about him being your husband or your baby girl!!!" she paused to catch her breathe, "he's mine fuckers!!! Back off and dream on!!!!" Lyra cackled as a cherry on top.

Grayson was grinning like an idiot now. Lyra's very slight jealousy had seeped through while she was drunk, he was beyond amused at this point.

"So Grayson Davenport Hawthorne!!" Lyra yelled at him, though she was still looking towards the city.

Grayson suppressed his laugh, "Yes, sweetheart?!" He tried matching her energy.

"WILL YOU MARRY ME?!"

Grayson's breathe caught, and then he laughed. Really laughed, throwing his head back with his eyes tightly shut. His blonde hair flew back, glowing in the moonlight.

Lyra sent him a glare, "OI! I'M BEING SERIOUS RIGHT NOW!!"

Grayson forced himself to stop laughing, though he couldn't rid himself of his toothy grin, "Of course, Lyra Kane. I'd love to marry you."

"I CAN'T HEAR YOU?!" Lyra screamed at the top of her lungs, obviously holding back a grin of her own. Grayson laughed again.

"YES. LYRA KANE, I WOULD LOVE TO TAKE YOUR HAND IN MARRIAGE!!!" Grayson screamed the loudest he ever had, possibly competing with Xander.

Lyra's face changed into one of pure happiness, looking like a teenage girl who was finally dating her long time crush. That only made Grayson want to laugh more. He felt butterflies fly around in his stomach as he pulled Lyra to him, bringing her impossibly closer.

Lyra snuggled into his chest.

They stayed like that for a long moment, with nothing but their own presences and the night sky as a witness.

"I have," Lyra paused, yawning as her eyes fluttered shut, "I have no idea what I did to deserve you."

Grayson's hand was in her hair, slowly lulling her to sleep as he played with it. He didn't reply then, knowing she'd be too tired to listen.

I don't know what I did to deserve you either, Lyra.

——————————————————————

LYRA

Lyra woke up to a splitting headache.

Fucking hell. She thought, annoyed at the terrible start to the morning.

She forced her eyes open, squinting as the rays of light fell on her face, Lyra made a mental note to get darker curtains. That's when her gaze fell on the blonde boy laying beside her.

Grayson had one hand draped over her waist and the other underneath her head, she stared at the face she knew all so well but never got tired of.

Her hands travelled to his face, gently tracing his features as if committing them to memory. That's when he opened his eyes, his gaze meeting hers almost instantly.

His eyes always looked closer to sky blue in the morning. The type of shade she could drown in.

"Morning asshole." She whispered, preserving the comfort of the quiet.

Grayson smiled, a slow and soft kind, "Do you remember what happened last night?" He asked softly, moving closer.

Both of Grayson's hands now rested on Lyra's waist as he rested his head on her chest, Lyra smiled.

"No. Well, not exactly. I just remember getting really, really drunk." She said, taking in the scent of his hair. She felt Grayson smile against her chest.

"What?" Lyra asked.

"Sweetheart." Grayson replied. It was totally random, but her heart still skipped a beat, the way it did whenever he called her that.

"Oh, so you really do get flustered."

Lyra blushed. Hard. She pushed his face away from her chest, understanding now that he had been listening to her heartbeat.

"H-how did you know?!" She half-yelled, trying to get herself to stop blushing.

Grayson smirked, "Let's just say you were chaotic last night and told me a lot of things."

Lyra cringed as Grayson moved closer again. He was definitely the golden retriever in their relationship.

They layed in silence as some of Lyra's memories resurfaced, "Good god. Do not tell me you spent more than 1,000 dollars. On chocolate."

Grayson looked up at her, giving her a small smile.

She groaned, "Gray?! A thousand dollars?? On chocolate?? For heaven's sake-"

"A thousand dollars to keep you happy." Grayson cut Lyra off, her breathe hitched.

How does he always have the right words to make me shut up?

"You made quite a declaration, by the way." Grayson spoke, his tone teasing.

Lyra sent him a cautious look, "And what was that?"

"Well, you screamed out to the world at 2AM that Grayson Davenport Hawthorne was yours and yours only and that the fangirls should, and I quote, fuck off."

Lyra was dumbfounded, "W-what?!" She screeched, turning red yet again. Grayson supported himself with his elbow as he looked to her.

"And not just that, you then proposed to me." He said.

Lyra's eyes widened, "I did what?!"

Grayson laughed, "You proposed to me. And I said yes."

Lyra raised a brow, "Grayson, we're literally engaged? You proposed to me a week ago??"

"Well you seemed to have forgotten that, because you proposed to me again." He said, chuckling as Lyra nudged him away out of pure embarrassment.

Her heart sped up, though she wasn't sure whether it was because of Grayson's relentless teasing or knowing that, if she had proposed first, Grayson would still have said yes.

Butterflies flew around in her stomach at the thought.

Grayson stared at Lyra as she tried to get her racing heart to calm down. A smile rested on his face.

"This headache is killing me." Lyra said, finally, trying to get herself distracted from all the embarrassment of last night. Grayson's expression immediately deteriorated.

"I'll go get the medicine." He said, moving to get up. Lyra grabbed his hand. That's not what she had wanted.

"No." She said, Grayson raised a brow.

"Just stay. For now. Please." Lyra said, slightly flustered. She needed that medicine, desperately, but she wanted Grayson more at the moment.

Grayson assessed her, before smiling, "You need it, sweetheart. I'll be back in a minute." He reasoned.

Lyra knew he was right, so she reluctantly let him go.

She waited for him, sitting up on the bed and massaging her head slowly, her eyebrows furrowed from the pain.

That's when Grayson's phone went off, Lyra looked and saw a notification from the firm.

Can't they let him rest? It's literally 8 in the morning?? She thought, glaring holes into the phone.

That's when she noticed the background.

She grabbed the phone and swiped the notification, getting it out of the way so she could see the image clearly. Her breathe caught.

Grayson's background was the photo of a girl. A beautiful girl with flowing brown hair and deep amber eyes. She stood, leaning against the railing as she smiled downwards— the girl looked free, happy. The moon and the stars only seemed to amplify the beauty of the setting.

That's... me?

Lyra knew she was beautiful, hell she had been told that more times than she could count. But this photo was different, it made her look ethereal.

As if she was some other-worldly angel, fallen from grace.

Grayson entered the room, he circled the bed— placing the medicine and water to the side. He gazed down at his phone and grinned.

"It's beautiful." Lyra said, her voice sounded breathless.

Grayson took her chin gently, prying it upwards. Their eyes met, blue and amber— them.

"No, Lyra Kane. You are beautiful."

————————————————————— OKAYYYYYYY?? NOT HALF BAD- I'M SO HAPPY WITH THE DRUNK PROPOSING SCENE, IT'S SO CUTE LMFAO (here I stand, complimenting my own writing). Butttt its also a tribute to all those haters on Pinterest who were jealous of our girl (like pls get a life 😭✋✨) ALSO THE KANEJ REFERENCE, if u realized, ur amazing <3 Alt Titles: Grayson being taken aback by a drunk Lyra. Drunkard Lyra and her Obedient Mate. I pray you enjoyed! <3 @lyrakanefanatic @inkstainsonmyfingertips @alwaysthefangirl @talahs-reading-library @diamondrattherevenge @me-h1m

—————————————————————

[riddles-n-games]

The Averyjameson problem (iykyk)

WARNING: READ ONLY IF YOU WANT TO BE SPOILED; OTHERWISE DON'T.

As a major Averyjameson fan, I have made it quite well known for the past few years that something has been off to me about Avery and Jamie as characters and their romance since the og series ended. The epilogue of this final book quite clearly illustrates the ultimate evidence of that. While I do believe the two of them being certain about the other has remained fairly consistent and in character for their respective arcs, that feels undermined by this topsy turvy revelation.

Let's start with the first obvious problem; the proposal. Assuming it's right after she recovers from the you know what event then are we supposed to assume that Jameson's immediate reaction is to propose after nearly losing her??? As much as I am certain Avery would be flattered, you can't convince me that she wouldn't feel that it's rather sudden especially after the convo they had in TNIP regarding the promise ring. I think the real reaction she would have would be as others have stated, declining it, shocked, wanting Jamie to reevaluate and realize how traumatized both of them have been and genuinely need therapy. Side note, I think that was one of the first things that never made sense to me as to how come we never seem to address Avery's own trauma either and how for a more level-headed person like her, we didn't see her going to therapy. It was a missed opportunity even in the og series. Whatever the case, it would make sense to me that she would decline and say later. On Jamie's end, I think even despite this boy being more traumatized than ever, he'd be more sensible than propose. He loves Avery with his whole heart and I think that is clear as day; there's no way he doesn't want to be her husband, we know as much. But still, I genuinely don't think that even his impulsive brain would scream propose after that kind of thing. More believable to me would be that he's going to be more protective and glued to her side, sure.

Next, comes the wedding. To hear how quickly they got hitched is just nuts to me because a) this doesn't match up to previous goals set, b) they were going at a steady pace, and c) this doesn't align with their arcs. I'm pro marriage and as much as I wanted for Avery and Jamie to get married at some point, the expectation for me would have been that the epilogue in that case would have been set some years later (mid to late twenties). No, instead it's months after the twins are born (crazy, I know). What happened to Avery's plans of majoring in actuarial science at UConn and Jamie's in going to Yale? Those things were never addressed since their only mention in the TFG epilogue. Glad we got to see them traveling even though TNIP was ruined for me because Avery was just not sounding very much like herself and of course because Alice had to ruin it (why couldn't you be a proper granny???). Anyways, the only way I'd see Jamie and Avery getting married this early is if they got drunk and it was a Vegas wedding on spring break. What I think would happen likely in reality when they felt more ready to wed, I could see an elopement for just themselves and then a family wedding or just a regular wedding because Avery might give in to that.

But my main point is, we know that these two are ambitious and in the same way we see Lyra and Gray returning to college, the same should have been for Avery and Jamie. JLB robbed them of that and this is part of the huge disconnect between who we knew Averyjameson to be in TIG to TFG and what she did to their arcs in TBH to TGB and I HATE IT. TGG was never meant to be their story, they should have been in the backdrop. The more they got involved in the storyline, the more their character arcs regressed and down the drain went everything that this author built up in the first three books which were their foundation. If I'm being completely honest, that goes for just about everything set up in the og trilogy but that's not the point here. The Avery and Jameson we should have ended with and the ones we have instead are like two different sets of people.

I really wish we ended at TFG because at the very least, we got to imagine what the years ahead would be like for them and believe that they healed and got better. To find out that there has been no such thing happening, makes me extremely sad because what a waste of pages for both them as mains and those that should have been the focus in the first place. It makes me enraged that after what felt like a time of acceptance of Jamie as both Avery's choice and as more of a complex character with deeper values than we thought when TFG was released, TBH onward basically undid all that. There was more hatred because he was taking Gray's spotlight and being an a**hole which rightfully is criticized. Blatantly, that was a turn off for me to continue reading the series because no one was getting just character development, even though Jameson is my favorite Hawthorne. All I saw was that Jameson still didn't know what he was doing, extremely codependent on Avery and basically being the person he was when we met him in TIG, quite ironically. Where the h*ll did the development go???? And not to mention, Avery just being kidnapped over and over, reduced to a distressed damsel, WHUT?

I just, I'm tired. So bone deep tired when I relive the nonsense. Again, to everyone with the highest hopes for this last book, I hope you can still find a way to enjoy it. But I don't think you will; the pretty covers are deceptive and hence our favorite proverb, never judge a book by its cover. Anyways, those are my two cents.

[japril12]

Day 19: First Snow

"Look! Mommy, I can catch snowflakes on my tongue!"

Harriet bounded across the previously lush park, its green now coated with a pristine white blanket of fresh snow. All bundled up in her coat, woolly hat and scarf with gloves to match, her excitable leaps and uncoordinated steps amongst the fluffy phenomena were closely tracked by her parents.

"I can see that!" April called back, cupping her leather-gloved hand around her mouth. "Stay where we can see you, okay."

"Okay, Mommy!" Harriet jumped so forcefully that a few dark curls sprang free from her hat.

April smiled as she watched her daughter jump into a mini snow drift and start throwing snow in the air. After fumbling for her phone in her brown leather gloves, she snapped a few quick photos for the album. She couldn't remember the last time she scrap booked, but with them all settled into the Boston scene, and how quickly Harriet was growing up, April didn't want to miss a single minute of it.

The scene reminded her of her when it had snowed so heavily that no traffic could come into town, and their farmland was covered for miles. She remembered lying on her back and making snow angels with her mother and sisters since the local school was closed.

It never snowed like this in Seattle, and when it did, the powder never clung to the ground long enough to do anything fun with it. When Jackson suggested moving here earlier this spring, she didn't expect to embrace the changes as much as she did. However, with the much-needed work they were doing with the Avery Foundation and how quickly Harriet had settled in, April knew it was the right choice.

"Bad news," Jackson approached with an easy grin and his black beanie pulled low down on his forehead. "They were out of hot chocolates, but I did manage to snag the last pastry if you're interested in splitting it with me."

Something about the crisp air made the cinnamon and sugar smell sweeter, and April could hardly resist.

"Yes, please." April extended her hand as he ripped the pastry in half and handed it to her.

They walked away from the kiosk and closer to the green to lean on the icy railing and watch Harriet more closely.

"Looks like she found a friend." Jackson pointed to the left of them.

Harriet was now running around with another little girl, her black pigtails poked out on either side of her thick, red hoodie.

"Does that wherever she goes," April smiled proudly and took a healthy bite of the sweet treat. She brushed her mouth for crumbs before speaking. "So I went back over the Fillerman report last night, and I believe we can help with their community outreach proposal. That specialist, Dr Arnold, told me they can fly out later this month. "

"Great. I'll call Doreen in the morning."

Her head tilted in curiosity. "You're not going back into the office?"

"No. I closed up early. More than half of us are working from home today because of the weather," Jackson chuckled and gestured over to Harriet. "Besides, I did not want to miss her first snow day."

April laughed as she watched him finish off his food. "It did not take me much convincing from her to bring her out today. I'm glad she has this."

He nodded and drew his arm around her back, smoothly tucking her into his side between him and the railing. "Me too."

Even all bundled up in their fine, long coats, they felt the warmth radiating from their bodies. April rested her head on his chest, and he stroked the small of her back as they watched Harriet. "I think we should tell her. Tonight."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I think it's time, and I don't want to keep it from her anymore." April turned around in his arms. "She almost caught you sneaking out the other week."

"Hey, I got outta there as fast as possible, didn't I?" Jackson laughed and snuck a peek at Harriet as if she could be listening and not hurling snowballs at her new friend. "Your words. Which reminds me, did you find my socks?"

April smirked. "Downstairs. Under the ottoman."

"Damn. Okay, tonight," Jackson nodded and leaned in when she stroked his stubble. "I'll come back to the brownstone with you both."

"We'll have dinner as a family," April agreed, growing to love the way that sounded coming from her lips.

Jackson smiled. "I'll cook."

Her brow arched in challenge, but he didn't flinch. "You'll cook?"

"Uh, yeah. You both love my pasta, and I already know my way around your kitchen," Jackson replied smugly and squeezed her waist.

"Daddy, daddy!" Harriet squealed, and they turned around to see her bounding towards them. "Greta wants to have a snowball fight. Us against her parents. Can we?"

They barely glanced at each other before helping one another over the railing and started to make snowballs.

[mellowwillowy]

Shady Bastards DOL AU

You, Bailey, and Eden were raised in the same orphanage.

You, Bailey, Eden, Briar, and Darryl went to the same high school. Judging from Vrel's Q&A answer, Bailey was bullied back then in a sense. I'd like to think he was bullied when his morals were still high until it dropped to 5 where he started to fight back and be on the bully side now.

Bailey was rated 9/10 in willingness to go for their crush, the reason why he didn't profess his love for reader was because it was not a reasonable environment to love reader. Nonetheless, both reader and him gave each other their virginities. For reader, it was because they trusted and loved Bailey the most while Bailey just... yknow, had a crush on reader and saw no loss at all in this arrangement. It was an adolescent rush...! A proper hand-holding, unlike the old times, a proper tongue kiss unlike the old times' peck, a handjob, oral, and finally, the deed.

As for Eden, there wasn't any sexual intercourse happening but Eden knew you two did the deed.

Not much was known about Briar (or maybe because I haven't found and read his QnAs...) but Briar was almost like your girl's girl best friend with how much you always went to him to ramble and vent. Bailey would never understand half of what you were talking about and that was the exact reason you went to Briar instead!

Briar lost his virginities earlier than anyone in the gang so he was the one who taught you how to kiss better directly, better not let Bailey see it unless you wanted him to throw hands at Briar. If only you had a more sentimental attraction for Briar, you were most likely to give all your first to him instead of Bailey. Compared to Bailey who was unskilled in kissing, Briar had this addicting pull and push when his tongue swirled with yours. It wasn't considered cheating when you and Bailey were never an item to begin with and Briar was pleased with this relationship.

Briar loved to dress you up as he had the best taste in fashion if compared to Bailey and Eden. It was thanks to Briar that you were noticed by Avery in the cafe. Briar knew what Avery was and had nothing against the arrangement he was about to propose to you. Briar's smile for Avery never reached his eyes but it was as though he had been given a green light as he left you with Avery alone (he still hung around the park just in case things went South. This town was never safe and he didn't know Avery's nature that well yet.)

Given your condition and his incapability to help you, he could only ensure your arrangement with Avery went smoothly as it would ensure you a week free from stress and beating from your caretaker. Briar could help you do your hair and perhaps a makeup in accordance with Avery's taste, dressing you up to be the most beautiful for his many dates and wishing you the best.

Miraculously enough, Avery was never enraged by you or even hurt you in any way. He would not force any sexual intercourse from you if you showed no hint of expecting one (in which Briar forgot to mention that sugar arrangement mostly consisted of sex). Avery would have forced it on you any time soon but he couldn't bring himself to. You were a delicacy in his eyes that he didn't want to taint and the money rolling in did not decrease at all.

"It was almost like a compensated dating!" you told Bailey as you shared your allowance with him to help cover the rent. Bailey wished he could make you stop but he understood why Briar even let you do it in the first place. He hated how he could not vocalize his dislikes just because it would only get you in trouble.

And it was indeed troublesome when you and Avery had an extraordinary date at the horse riding school. It was a mere coincidence that Remy was there fooling around with Wren on their horses. What caught his eyes was how he could feel something glowing from his peripheral vision and by the time he noticed you, he deduced it was coming from your white attire. He could see how it was not the best attire for horse riding and motioned one of the workers to lend you the horse riding attire.

Remy decided to lend it to you in person because he was curious to see your face closer and god did his breath hitch when he saw how pretty you look like up close. Avery seemed proud to notice the flustered boy as he snaked his hand to your waist, showing off to him that you were his date. The two of them knew each other from school and university though they didn't know that much, Avery knew Remy was a hot shot with all the shady rumors circulating him regarding his ongoing construction of an underground farm.

Just before you left the horse riding school, Remy managed to find a chance to talk with you out of Avery's earshot.

"I'd be delighted to see you come here again. I'll be your coach for free if you are willing to see me again. Are you not interested in learning more about how to ride a horse properly to visit the moor or anywhere in which a vehicle couldn't access?" and curiosity did get the best out of you. You went there at the weekend and started bonding with Remy who fell for your beauty before it spiraled into genuine crush. Bailey noticed that there were soon two different expensive cars parked in front of the orphanage to pick you up but said nothing. Both he and Briar managed to pry an answer out of you and learned about Remy though.

Regarding Darryl, Landry, and Niki, they were all your adorable juniors in school. Darryl often hung around with you when Bailey was away because he was scared of him (Bailey had started to present himself as a delinquent to thwart the bullying). Landry on the other hand seemed to be on a good term with Bailey though they never really talked to each other unless you were there while Niki was just an oddball who liked to snap candid pictures of you, reminding you of that smart kid Harper.

Avery who sniffed your relationship with Remy decided to have another date in the horse riding school with Remy coaching. Avery was feeling ill-mannered when he purposely mentioned the fact that Remy was once bullied in high school while feigning sympathy. Remy felt like whipping Avery with his crop until he realized instead of being humiliated in front of you, you were worried for him.

"You were bullied a lot? Does it scar you? I have a friend who was bullied and changed drastically just to protect himself so it saddened me to see him in you... he's now a delinquent because of them bullies!"

Remy was baffled as he found it hard to connect the dots until he skillfully wove an answer that ended up degrading Bailey instead. Remy had sniffed about this close friend of yours since childhood and wasn't really accepting of the fact that he had to be considered the same as a street rat. As for Avery's blatant remarks... he supposed he'd let it slide for now though he had for sure remembered it.

Unfortunately, this whole ordeal didn't last long as it was short-lived the moment your caretaker was called to identify your swollen floating body in the forest lake. You were found dead mysteriously after being announced missing for at least a month. Despite all the men Remy had deployed to tear the whole town down for you, Eden roaming around the forest and even coming back and forth in the forest lake, Bailey's desperation to even travel down the sewer, the Juniors who were still in school hastily spreading missing person pamphlet and Briar even going as far to meet one of the brothel ringleaders for a hint; you were never found. Not even a whiff of your scent.

Your funeral was held properly thanks to Avery and Remy's interference instead of being handled by your caretaker. Solid mahogany casket imported by Remy from outside the town, a rather spacious land for you to be buried in and always guarded to be safe from the monsters that might vandalize or even do anything to your body and a fight that broke out as the casket was lowered down.

Bailey couldn't hold it in anymore and punched the dazed-out Remy. The older man fell on his bum, cheek stinging from the impact. Eden immediately held Bailey back while Avery and Harper rushed to Remy's side. Bailey blamed Remy for your mysterious disappearance and death, finger pointed at Remy as he choked on his sobs. It had almost been forever since he last cried. The last time was when you, Eden, and he were in the loft, terrified.

The usual smart, pompous Remy lost his composure and couldn't retaliate against his punch, opting to tremble in confusion and shock at the fact that your body was found in such an ugly way. Completely different from how beautiful you once were. Swollen, soulless eyes and curled-up skin. There were no external wounds, not even a hint that you slipped and fell into the lake as they deduced.

There were traces of alcohol, drugs, and hallucinogens in you and the authorities deduced your death as an accident where you accidentally slipped from your track and drowned. Your body wasn't found by Eden because it was still down the lake by lord knew what they spouted. Remy who had enough of their bullshit sent one of them to the ER.

"You could have prevented it! God knows what, maybe send your men to keep an eye on her even if she wasn't willing of it, shoot the killer's thousand bullets, and drag her away from the forest. You could, you could, you fucking could!"

Remy remained petrified. He knew the town was no safe place. Everyone knew that. That was the only reason stopping Bailey from acknowledging his wish to perhaps seek you out and confess his love, taking the relationship into another step and marrying you. But he didn't because you were in no environment suited for love. He could only remain overly protective of you for as much as he could.

And he should have.

"... I... don't... know." Remy choked on his sobs, palms digging into his face, "I don't fucking know! This whole town can just go to hell for all I know!"

Remy stood up and walked to your grave, shovel in his hand he announced boldly, "I will fucking find a way. I will tear down this whole town just for them to come back to life, blood, and flesh, nails, and teeth, I will make sure they will return to us."

Avery was never someone interested in shallow cult but he didn't show any distaste at all, the same went to Briar.

Everyone doubted Remy was bluffing. He was serious. Dead serious with this whole occultism and sacrifice, donning the silver antlered mask proudly as yet another dead body disposed into the sewer, guts consumed by the ignorant higher-ups and ringleaders.

Remy's underground farm finished shortly after you were dead and he focused on producing milk from humans, trafficking them every now and then. Briar was appointed as one of the underground brothel ringleaders and finally owned an establishment. The brothel in Harvest Street.

Bailey who had long been destined to a life of crime due to anxiety of living in this town grew to be the next monstrous caretaker who dedicated his life to the children's potential. Eden secluded himself further in the forest as a hunter. Avery didn't change much but he was much more visible with temperament, getting physical with all his dates when things didn't go as planned.

Harper worked together with Remy, trying to achieve the same goal despite having two different methods of approaching it. Niki became a photographer and owned a studio. Darryl almost failed all his classes by the end of the school year because of Leighton and your death but he managed to own an establishment after years. Landry became even more distant and drowned himself in the world of criminals.

Bailey had always disliked the people involved with you but after the incident, his hatred for Remy materialized even more. As much as they did work together sometimes, the displeasure and tension was visible between them. The two of them were then on the same par of criminality level.

Bailey also blamed Quinn who wasn’t a mayor back then for your death and managed to secure blackmail material, putting the higher-level criminal under his thumb.

Everyone had been shaped to be living in crime, steeling their feet in their position to protect themselves from the town's looming threat. To not be the next body lowered into the ground. To not have the same fate as you did, ironically enough.

It proved really well judging by how wary Avery was toward Bailey, to finally acknowledge and fear the once pitiful orphan. Bailey’s end goal required him to obtain a ridiculous amount of money and he did so by extorting and selling orphans.

—

Bailey thought his eyes were playing tricks. That you were just another hallucination from the amount of liquor he had earlier in his flat before checking the orphanage out again. That the you drenched in rain, trembling from cold and horror was just an illusion.

Maybe it wasn't you, just someone who looked almost like you and he was fooled by the alcohol elevating your appearance, his hand immediately went to rub his chest where a tattooed name of yours lay.

But it was really you, choking on your sobs and begging for help.

"Please help me, there were people trying to assault me!"

Maybe Remy really did have a point for once. Maybe those dumb cults really had a point. For now, however, he'd like to shield you from the other bastards prying eyes. Feigning the gentle smile he usually had to fool people, his hand snaked to your waist dangerously intimate, "This is no place for us to talk, do come inside and change into one of the spare clothes I have."

[atlasdoe]

Could you elaborate on Juliette and Edmund's relationship? I would love to hear more details about them and your thoughts in general. They seem such an interesting couple and tragic as well (but we're in the marauders fandom so it's expected🥹)

PS: I adore your fem!Wilkes hc and I started to get into the f/m Wilvery thanks to you so kudos for that💝

HELLO!!!!

AHHH EDMUND AND JULIETTE MY BELOVEDS

so here's how i see their relationship playing out

They met on their first day at Hogwarts and became friends. The group was Edmund, Juliette and Bruce for a while and then eventually they befriended Severus and then Aurora and Charity.

Edmund has been head over heels for Juliette since they first met but doesn't really say anything at first because "ew girls"

In my headcanons Juliette was originally the person who Sirius was supposed to marry before he was disowned and despite Sirius being in Gryffindor and wanting nothing to do with her, Juliette still held onto hope that he would "see sense" and they'd be married eventually. (She didn't actually like him. She just wanted the name and money that came with the arrangement and thought he was attractive)

After Sirius ran away Walburga then promises her youngest son Regulus to one of the Wilkes sisters (Juliette has four sisters, she's the middle child) but she never says which one exactly.

All of the Wilkes sisters were raised with the idea that the best thing they could do was marry above them and elevate their own class so getting to marry a Black was like the Olympics for them and Regulus had all five sisters fighting for him.

(Again, none of them actually liked Regulus. In fact, none of them ever spoke to him about this either, they didn't care what he wanted.)

To put herself above her sisters Juliette even started sleeping with Evan Rosier. They had an agreement that Evan would put in a good word for her with Regulus (just incase the decision was up to him) while Juliette would get Evan into her circle of friends (Voldemorts next generation)

The plan worked and Juliette got the news that she was going to marry Regulus but when she told Edmund he wasn't happy. Edmund thought "fuck it" and gave this whole romantic speech about how Juliette should marry him instead.

He proposed then and there, and when he was done Juliette asked if he 1) had asked for her parents permission and 2) had a ring. When his answer to those were both "no" she told him to talk to her parents, buy her a ring and ask again, but in the meantime she wouldn't mind being his girlfriend.

(and y'all this bit is SO IMPORTANT to me cause Juliette did not give a rats arse about any of those things when it came to the Black brothers. So long as she had the name and the key to the vault she was happy. But Juliette knew what love was. She knew that she loved Edmund but just never considered it because she was too focused on what her parents had wanted for her. EVEN THO THE AVERY FAMILY IS JUST AS GOOD AS THE BLACKS SHE NEVER THOUGHT THAT LOVE WAS ACTUALLY IN THE CARDS FOR HER. So she accepted the friendship and went to something doable. BUT WITH EDMUND SHE WANTS TO DO IT RIGHT. SHE WANTS THE ROMANCE AND FRIENDSHIP AND BIG WEDDING AND WAITING UNTIL THEIR MARRIAGE TO HAVE SEX. SHE WANTS THE TRADITIONAL LOVE WITH HIM BECAUSE SHE DOESNT WANT IT TO BE SCREWED UP)

Anywayssss they get together and are together for their seventh year and throughout the war. They both join the Death Eaters with Bruce and Severus and Evan and everything's great........

UNTIL

During the was in 1980 Juliette gets put onto a mission last minuet with a few other Death Eaters (one of these being Evan) It ended up being an ambush as Aurors were already waiting for them. Both Juliette and Evan were killed while resisting arrest.

Edmund moves to Germany after the war while Severus begins teaching and Bruce is sent to Azkaban. While in Germany he begins plotting and by the second war he's ready.

In 1997, while Voldemort has taken over the Ministry, Edmund, Bruce and Severus are on their own mission to kill every muggleborn they went to school with. Because why should they get to live when Juliette couldn't? Their kills include Olivia Gleaves and Iola Hillicker who they were in the same year as and George Coutas, who was Juliettes ex.

The worst of these casualties, was their once best friend Charity Burbage. During his years in Germany, Edmund put two and two together and realised that there was no way for the Aurors to know what they were doing unless someone was telling them. And who just so happened to now be working for Dumbledore after the war, escaping Azkaban altogether? Severus Snape.

Severus gave Dumbledore the information that led to Juliettes death as his first test of trust back in 1980. Severus didn't know that Juliette would be there, she wasn't supposed to be, but Edmund wouldn't hear it, and as revenge he kidnapped Charity and gave her to Voldemort

It's all very depressing and Edmund was eventually killed during the battle of Hogwarts. So on the bright side at least he finally got reunited with Juliette (and trust me she would've found his revenge arc so hot)

that's the overall story, i have other (happier) headcanons of them while they were together and their friendship before but this post is getting very long so i'll leave that for another post

THANK YOU SM FOR THE ASK AND YOUR KIND WORDS!! I'm so happy you love them as I do <3