Latest Posts by insomniactiefling - Page 2

M.L.Rio, “If We Were Villains.”

Why are British teenage girls so unhappy? Here’s the answer (Caitlin Moran, The Times, Sep 13 2024)

"The report, by the Children’s Society, found that British 15-year-old girls are the most unhappy in Europe.

British girls aged 10-15 are “significantly less happy” with their life, appearance, family and school than the average boy — and their happiness is still declining.

Boys’ life satisfaction, meanwhile, remains broadly stable. (…)

But I still didn’t have an “aha!” moment about why this so disproportionately affects girls until… I talked to some teenage girls.

It was at a party, and I went to vape with them on the patio. Because I take my nicotine like children do.

“Duh — it’s the boys,” one said when I brought it up, as all the others agreed.

“The boys?” I asked.

My last book, What About Men?, had been all about how much boys struggle these days: their loneliness; their suicide rates. I’d spent the past year feeling very sympathetic towards boys.

“Yeah, well, who do you think they’re taking out their unhappiness on? It’s us,” another girl said.

“One boy at school used to draw a picture every day of how ugly I was,” a third girl said. “Every day for two years.”

“They’ve all got ‘Rate The Girls’ polls on their WhatsApps,” the first said. “They mark you down for weight gain, haircuts, what you say.”

“But then, if you’re hot, it’s just as bad, in a different way, because they’ll be talking about how they want to f*** you.”

The girls discussed coping techniques. Bad news: none of them worked.

“The only way you can stop them is if you become ‘one of the boys’ and hang out with them. But then,” the second girl said with a sigh, “all the other girls call you a slut. Because you’ve gone over to the boys’ side.”

“Surely it’s not all the boys?” I said. “There must be some nice boys?”

“Oh, yeah,” one girl said. “But they keep their heads down. Because… well, look.”

She showed me the Instagram account of her friend. Under every picture she posted of herself — smiling in a new dress; with her dog — dozens of anonymous accounts had replied with the most rank abuse.

“Fat.” “Slut.” “You gonna try and kill yourself again, for attention?”

“They’re all boys from her school,” she said. “And look, this one boy tried to defend her.”

I saw a series of messages from a brave teenage boy, posting things like, “You’re all big men, leaving these replies under anonymous accounts.”

As I could see, this boy immediately became a target too. Mainly accusations that he was “white knighting” this girl: “You wanna f*** her, bro?”

“So,” I asked, “you don’t think it’s social media pressure to be beautiful, or the economy, that’s making girls so sad?”

“Well, yeah, them too,” the first girl said. “But, Monday-Friday, 9-3, I’m not on social media. I’m not… in the economy. I’m just with these boys. And no one talks about how horrible they are.”

I thought about another recent report, showing a 30 per cent ideological gap between Gen Z men, who are increasingly conservative, and Gen Z women, who are increasingly progressive.

I thought about Andrew Tate, who has nine million mostly young male followers — and faces human trafficking charges, which he denies.

And I thought: maybe these girls are on to something. Maybe more people need to vape with teenage girls and ask them for the school gossip."

Rook Questionnaire

inspired by @cassieuncaged's BG3 Character Development Questions but for Rook instead!

1: Where in the Thedas is your Rook from?

2: What is your character's alignment?

3: Race and subclass?

4: If your Rook was a companion, where would they be found?

5: What emotion did they usually pick?

6: What companion are you platonically close with?

7: Romantically close with?

8: Who are they suspicious of?

9: Does your Rook get along with their chosen Faction?

10: Are they proficient in playing any instruments?

11: Weapon of choice?

12: What is their orientation?

13: What are their thoughts on killing? Is it a necessary evil or do they enjoy it?

14: What hobbies does your Rook have?

15: What NPCs do they like? Which one's do they dislike?

16: Do they have a favorite creature in the Thedas?

17: Do they enjoy life as an adventurer?

18: What would your Rook be doing if they weren't recruited by Varric?

19: How do you think they'll meet their end?

20: Would they side with Solas or fight him?

21: What is your Rook's favorite ability?

22: What languages is your character fluent in?

23: What do they do after the absolute crisis?

24: Does your character believe in the afterlife?

25: What specialization best represents your Rook?

26: What animal best represents your Rook?

27: What was their life like before the events of Veilguard?

28: Is your character the de facto leader of the party? Or do they consider someone else to be the leader?

29: If you could choose a different faction for your Rook, which one would they have joined and why?

30: What's your favorite thing about your Rook?

anything for you mangs @rom3o

DRAGON AGE: THE VEILGUARD — COMPANIONS WEEK DAY 1 & 2

"i sure hope no elven deity breaks free from their prison in the fade and starts wreaking havoc on thedas"

the nefarious ghilan'nain:

the holy trinity: the father (fuck it we ball) the son (it is what it is) the holy spirit (to be cringe is to be free)

Navigation | my hyperfixations that I repost

Disclaimer: I dont own any of these, they are just cool !

Dragon Age

House of the Dragon

The Last Kingdom

Aesthetics | Original World State

Including: Origins to Inquisition

Kallian Tabris | City Elf Rogue (Assassin & Duelist)

Marian Hawke | Force & Spirit Mage

Jessamine Trevelyan-Rutherford | Knight Enchanter

"love is what makes us human" actually it's 'select all images with boat' but go off I guess

Out of Time // Part 1

Summary: It took you three separate instances to realise that maybe you just didn’t fit into the team of the BAU. Maybe you should be honest to yourself and just request another transfer. You loved the team, but you were unhappy, feeling left out and unneeded. Feeling like you did not belong.

Pairing: BAU!Team x Reader (platonic)

Warnings: feeling left out, feeling unneeded, being excluded, self worth issues

Part 2 / Part 3

----

It took you three separate instances to realise that maybe you just didn’t fit into the team of the BAU. Maybe your hope of finding your place within their dynamics had been for naught. Maybe you should be honest to yourself and just request another transfer. You loved the team, they were all wonderfully unique and brilliant people. You looked up to every single one of them and learned a lot from them as well. But you were unhappy, feeling left out and unneeded. Feeling like you did not belong.

------

One

It had been a hard case that the team had worked on solving for the past few days. It had been gruesome and they had all felt pretty useless in the first few days since they’d not found a single lead. It had been Spencer’s brilliant thinking that had saved the day earlier this morning, as well as several lives.

The rest of the day had been spent wrapping everything up at the local PD. Since they’d gotten the message that the flight back would only start the following morning, the mood had been pretty relaxed and the spirits had been high. Once back at the Hotel, you decided on taking a hot shower and changed into something comfortable before settling in for a relaxed evening. It had been a stressful week and you were glad for the chance to unwind before getting back to work tomorrow. Lying down in the surprisingly comfortable bed, you switched on the TV and zapped through the channels until you had found something you could stand watching. It took you only two hours to grow bored though, and you decided to take a nightly walk to clear your mind some more before going to bed.

Throwing on a jacket, you made your way out of the hotel and moved to stroll through some of the more livelier streets in the area. You passed bars and restaurants, the odd laundromat and corner store until you passed by a small Chinese restaurant. You would have just walked past it, like you had done with all the other restaurants, if you hadn’t heard a very familiar laugh and excited voices the moment the door opened and a couple stepped out. You peered through the large window into the brightly lit interior just to freeze at the view. Inside was sitting your entire team around a big, round table that was loaded with food and wine. They were all smiling and laughing, even Hotch. Spencer was trying to figure out how to use his chopsticks, while Rossi seemed to be commenting on it until JJ took pity on him and helped out with the good old hair tie trick.

Watching them, you couldn’t help but smile at the scene. They seemed content and happy, relaxed. Looking in from the outside, they looked like a slightly odd family. And you clearly weren’t part of it. Your smile dropped and you felt your shoulders hunch in defeat. They’d clearly planned this outing, but no one had invited you. You were fairly new to the team, had only been with them for four month. You had tried really hard to fit in, to befriend them, to find your place within their dynamic. It wasn’t easy. They’d worked together for so many years that they functioned as one. Everyone who joined them would have to struggle to find a place. And it wasn’t that they were rude or didn’t take you seriously. They were friendly and had greeted you openly, assuring you they were looking forward to working with you. It was just that they worked together so well, they sometimes seemed to forget you were there too.

Sighing to yourself, you brushed away the tears that had gathered in the corners of you eyes. You’d wanted to be part of the dynamic so badly, part of this weirdly imperfect perfect chosen family that worked together. You’d wanted to feel like you’d belong. Instead you felt more lonely than ever. Slowly stepping away from the window you sullenly made your way back to the Hotel. The next morning you greeted your colleagues with a smile, resolving to not let them notice that you’d stumbled upon their little get together last night. After all, maybe they just needed some more time to warm up to you. Maybe you just needed some more time to find your place.

And if anyone of them noticed that you were quieter than usual and your gaze held a sadness that wasn’t usually there, none of them said anything about it.

------

Two

It had been a rather slow week at the BAU. Not that it wasn’t welcome. It gave everyone the chance to catch up on their paperwork. Well, except for Reid who seemed to be ahead of them as always. It was rather monotonous and lead to more frequent coffee breaks and more chit chat within the bullpen.

Today you’d decided to make a little detour on your way to work and get their favourite drinks and bagels for everyone as a surprise. Stepping into the bullpen, you were surprised that everyone was being rather quiet. Emily was wearing shades inside and her hair seemed unbrushed. Morgan was sitting at his desk, head tipped back against his chair and eyes closed. Spencer was starring at the same side of his report without flipping the page. Taking a look at the offices upstairs you saw that Hotch was on the phone and looked like his usual stoic self. Rossi however had his lights dimmed considerably and seemed to be staring at the wall.

Placing your goods onto your desk, you grabbed the first few things and delivered them to their respective recipients. Hotch, still on the phone, gifted you with one of his rare smiles and nodded in thanks. Rossi playfully kissed your hand and dramatically declared you the hero of his day, making you giggle at his ridiculous display. JJ wasn’t in yet, so you placed her things on her desk for her to find. Derek gave you a salute as soon as he saw his coffee, forgoing words for chucking half the drink at once. Emily made grabby hands as soon as you moved towards her, smiling brilliantly at you as soon as she had food and caffeine in her hands. Spencer blinked at you in surprise, but smiled gently and muttered a quick thank you.

“Why do they all look like death warmed over?” you chuckle slightly, as you stepped into Garcia’s office to bring her her drink and a bagel.

“Oh, you’re the best Y/N, thanks! They’re all hungover. Had way too much to drink last night at the Club, well except for Bossman and Boy-Wonder of course. But Reid is an absolute lightweight, gets drunk on one cocktail. And Emily made him drink two. It was hilarious. Too bad you couldn’t make it!” Garcia seemed to be her usually peachy self, but she was wearing shades inside as well.

“Yeah, too bad. Sounds like a lot of fun”, you mutter, already on your way back to your desk. You hadn’t known anything about a Club night. Seems like you hadn’t been invited again. This time it hurt just a little more, knowing that none of them had thought to invite you while they must have known that you’d find out the next day when they were hungover. You felt like they were shoving in your face the fact that you didn’t belong. That they’d tolerate you at work, but you had no places in the team and in their lives beyond that. You felt like a fool for buying the drinks and the food. God, you must seem so desperate for their approval. At least Garcia seemed like she wouldn’t have minded having you there.

Feeling your eyes sting, you made a quick detour to the bathroom. You took a few minutes to breathe deeply and splash some water onto your face to hide the slight blotchiness from your tears. Taking another deep breath you moved back to your desk and tried to enjoy your coffee.

Trying to keep your emotions in check, you stayed silent most of the day. You didn’t join the coffee breaks or the chit chat, feeling like you weren’t really wanted there either way. You stayed silent when Derek weaseled some of his own paperwork into your pile to get off work earlier and when the other’s slowly finished their work for the day.

On your way back from the little kitchenette with yet another coffee, you noticed that you and Hotch were the only ones left. It was Friday evening and the team was off the rota for the weekend. A rare occurrence. You were sure that Hotch was wanting to go home to his son, but if the man was anything it was responsible. He was sure to finish the paperwork before he’d go.

Sighing to yourself for the umpteenth time that day, you made your way up the stairs and gently knocked on the door. Hotch called you in immediately.

“Y/L/N, I thought you’d gone home already like everyone else.”

“Nah, didn’t have any plans for today and I wanted to get ahead of the paperwork.” Hotch nodded in understanding, glancing at his own pile. You followed his gaze and shook your head slightly.

“Are those reports that you have to fill in specifically or can either of us do those as well?” Hotch frowned slightly but confirmed that anyone of the team could work on them. You nodded gently and grabbed about half the pile. Hotch of course instantly protested and assured you that he had no problem filling them out on his own.

“I know. But I don’t have any plans and I’m sure Jack will be happy if you get home an hour or two earlier. And you as well”, you said softly while moving back out of his office and to your desk to not give him the chance to protest or argue any more.

An hour later you noticed Hotch getting ready to leave. On his way out he stopped at your desk, thanking you again for helping him out and reminding you not to stay too long. You just nodded and smiled, whishing him a nice weekend with Jack. As soon as he’d left, your shoulders slumped again. Well, even if they didn’t want you to be a part of their lives, you could at least make sure that you had some use for them. And if making sure that they get to leave work a bit earlier and spend time with their loved ones was it, then you wouldn’t complain. And if you grew even more quiet and distant towards the team, they never brought it up.

------

Three

It had been a coincidence that you’d even seen the picture. You’d gone to Garcia, wanting to get the information the team required for the case. The filter had still been running and you’d decided to stay the few minutes it would need to finish. She’d excitedly told you about a new dress she was planning on buying and grabbed her phone to show you.

The lockscreen was a picture of the entire team. Well, more like the entire team except for you. You’d disregarded it and would have assumed that it was an old one, if Spencer didn’t already sport his new haircut he had only gotten last week and if there hadn’t been a small scratch on Hotch’s temple, one that was currently still healing. The picture showed them all grinning at the camera, glasses of wine in hand and seemingly cracking up over something.

Well, there was no need to lie to yourself anymore. You weren’t really part of the team. They didn’t need you, they’d worked well before you’d joined and they still would once you’d left. And they didn’t seem to want you either. For one year you’d tried to find your footing, your own place within the team. You’d given it time. You’d known they were like family and would need time to adjust to someone new as well. They hadn’t though.

It wasn’t like they didn’t take you seriously or disregarded your ideas. Not at all, they always took into account what you thought and listened to what you had to say. Somehow though it didn’t feel like enough. You had wanted to be a part of this brilliant team for a long time now, and in a way you were. But not completely. You liked the work, liked helping people and catching the bad guys. You adored every single person on the team in their own way.

Hotch the stoic leader, who always seemed to be stern and so serious, but smiled at Reid’s antics and first bumped him when he looks sad because Derek didn’t. Who always made sure that his teams was alright, reassuring Garcia that she was exactly what the team needed and made small jokes to make her laugh and encouraged Derek to take on more leading responsibilities. Standing up to anyone who dared to threaten or criticise his team, being the first to puts his job on the line and repeatedly disregarded career prospects to stay with them. The person, who centred the team, who always listened and understood, identifying the input each of them had to offer, and formed it into a plan.

Rossi, who was the teams father figure, always listening to everyone and always having a fitting piece of advice to give. Who didn’t care about his fame and just wanted to help people, not hesitating to use his own resources. Who swore in Italian and could charm anyone if wanted, but deliberately choose not to. Who likes expensive things but never missed a chance to share them and who always had a snarky comment for any situation, bringing his famous spaghetti for lunch on a regular basis.

Derek with his nicknames and his flirting and his stupidly big heart, who just wanted to do right and was stupidly self-sacrificing. The man who started prank wars and tried to get out of doing paperwork and liked to challenge authority, but would never leave anyone hanging. Who demolished and remodelled houses and was the first to offer help in any situation, but not afraid to call anyone out on their bullshit.

Emily with her dark sense of humour and though exterior, who would do anything to protect the team and subtly checked in on everyone to see if they were alright. Who could kick anyone’s ass and didn’t hesitate to do so if she felt it warranted. Who felt so much more than she showed. The Emily that could beat Spencer at cards while being nearly as geeky as him. Who could face the most gruesome of cases without flinching and kept most of her life private.

Spencer with his brilliant mind and his awkward nature, who rambled on and on about any topic and tried to cheer people up with magic tricks. Who listened to people and tried his best to give advice and who was way braver and way stronger than he looked. Who always looked out for his colleagues and friends and tried to help anytime he could, even if he didn’t have a solution yet.

JJ the mother of the group, who was soft and gentle and always had an open ear and an open door, but could be fierce and hard if need be. Who tried to do right by everyone and nearly always succeeded in lightning the mood and making people smile. Who made tough decisions without blinking and stood up for them.

Garcia the colourful whirlwind of cheerfulness and happiness, who was a stark contrast to everything they saw in their job everyday. Garcia, who always had a witty comeback and saved their asses on a regular basis, never quite getting the recognition she deserved. The light in their dark and the glue that held the team together.

But it wasn’t enough. You had played with the thought for weeks now. And you had come to the conclusion that you felt like you didn’t fit within the team. You had no special talent or knowledge, no more than the other members of the team at least. You felt tolerated at work, included even. But seeing them functioning together so well, seeing the unshadowed joy and affections every time they interacted with each other, feeling left out in everything that didn’t directly pertain to a case – you couldn’t do it anymore. For over a year you’d tried your best, given your all just to not be enough, just to still not having a set place within the team. You would miss them terribly, even though you weren’t sure that they’d feel the same. But you refused to be miserable.

So, taking a deep breath and knocking on Hotch’s door once the case was over, you squared your shoulders, stepping in as soon as he answered and moved towards his desk while he asked what he could do for you.

“I want to request a transfer.”

------

Please keep in mind that I'm not a native speaker. Feel free to point out any mistakes.

nicolette reid

Nicolette Walker Reid

height: 5”11

born: october 12, 1981

lives in: quantico, virginia

born in: las vegas, nevada

education: three PhD’s in chemistry, engineering, sociology and two BAs in mathematics and psychology

previous school: CalTech

IQ: 187

current occupation: fbi agent for the bau unit

nicknames: nick, nicky, cole, nico, letty

personality: closed off, very sarcastic and seems cold to most people, can be very sassy most of the time, very intimidating and tends to never show any weakness

hobbies: drawing and painting, taking fighting classes, playing the piano and reading

likes: being at the beach, chocolate covered pretzels, learning how to use new weapons, anything leather

dislikes: sweet coffee, annoying people or overly talkative, her father, not wearing a leather jacket, heeled shoes

weaknesses: protectiveness of the ones she loves, can be too closed off at times, worries more about others than herself

parents: diana and william reid

siblings: spencer reid (younger twin brother.)

godchildren: jack hotchner

inspiration for this from @wintfleur so thank you my love for letting me do this! :)

Fight Club. Part four.

Aaron Hotchner x Male!Reader.

Part: One. Two. Three.

Summary: The team finally gets a lead on location but has to much damage to you already happened? Are they going to find you alive, will you survive the curl thing called life.

Warning: Dark fic. Blood, fighting, death, killing, abuse, kidnapping, swearing, drugs, unsub violence, angst, murder, criminal minds unsub violenceness. This whole fic series is just dark and strange the ask it self is amazing and may help you know if this is something you can handle. (Any other warnings let me know xx)

Words: 6.4k

A/N: I AM SO SORRY FOR THE DELAY. But hey here you go, part 5 will be posted in a few weeks and it will be the aboustel last part do enjoy this. Love y'all so much for the support and love.

Three more days go by, everyday there is a new livestream. You look worse and worse each time, the light in your eyes drifting away, the hope dying away. You have been forced to fight one more time, and it

ended the same way. You gave the poor boy mercy in the final moments of the fight only for him to end his life. You did everything you could to get him to stop but nothing you did made him turn the knife onto you, so you laid on the ground once more holding the young boy in your arms as he bleeded out. On the days you wouldn’t fight he would come in and take his anger out on you, trying out some new knives he had, your body is nothing but a meat sack covered in bruises and scars. You grew tired, no longer fighting against him, the sas has long left you as you wait for the impending end. 

~~~

Aaron paces the room as his mind spiralling, it's been over four days since they took you, and concentrating is getting harder with each minute passing. The team got a new lead this morning, Garcia, Reid and Morgan are sitting in the other room going through the geographic profile once more, while the rest of them map out what the next moves of the unsub could be. So far deadends keep being hit but new hope has been lit inside the team, everyone seems to be pushing through the fear of losing you, everyone but Aaron. The door flies open, making everyone's head shoot up as Morgan and Garcia stand there looking shocked. 

“We got the location, we got him” Garcia gasps breathless as she sprints into the room carrying her laptop, quickly followed by Morgan and Reid.

“What, you're sure?” JJ eyes brighten up, leaping into action.

“Positive, three hours south from here there's an abandoned underground gymnasium that has a huge pool, there's only two entrances into it” Garcia speaks quickly, Reid lays down the map, pointing it out.

“Also its a 7 hour drive from where they found (Y/n) many years ago, he could have ran from there” Reid adds.

“Let's go then” Hotch orders, and in a split second the team is sprinting out of the room.

~~~

Your energy is gone, you don’t care about staying alert anymore, when you're alone all you do is sleep. Your mind's way of escaping as your body works on healing itself. Someone yanks your head back, waking you up, a quiet noise of pain slips through your lips. 

“Morning sunshine” He laughs as he walks in front of you, his sickening smile is one thing you will never get used to. 

“What now?” sighing softly, as you stare up at him, as he kneels down staring at you with interest. 

“It's time for another fight sweetboy” His chuckles grow louder when you don't react. He’s done it, he’s broken you, there is no strength of fight left inside of you any more.

“Fine, where is he?” You groan softly as he unties your hands, giving you time to stretch, rubbing your sore wrist. 

“He’s coming” He smirks at you before removing your chair, and climbing out of the pool, setting up the camera and lights before the door opens.

“Ah Victor, you’re here” He grins at you as your face falls.

“Yes sir” A dark cold voice response, before walking closer making himself visible. He’s grown, he’s bigger than you now, a lot stronger by the looks of it too. His eyes are dead and when he glances at you, there is no look of recognition as he meets your eyes. The boy you once knew is gone, and that's your fault.

“Are you ready, Jupiter?” Ma’am giggles, your eyes glance at her, not even nothing beside Ryan before.

“I’m not fighting him” You shake your head at them.

“Making it easy for me” He smirks darkly at you before jumping down into the pool, his eyes never leaving yours. 

“Ryan you don’t have to do this” You try to reason with him, staying still.

“That's not my name” He hisses at you, his eyes narrowing. 

“It used to be, do you remember me?” You take a deep breath stepping forward.

“No, I don’t” He scoffs, he slams his eyes shut before reopening them with new rage.

“I bet you do, and you don’t want anything to do with those memories because I hurt you when I left you, Ryan” You speak calmly but firmly keeping eye contact with him.

“Bullcrap, I don’t fucking know you!” He snaps at you, his body lunging towards you, you dodge him. 

“Don’t hide from me” His smirk darkness as he watches your slow movements, focusing on your limp. 

“Why not, you're analysing me because I’m slow because I'm injured and that's the only way you can beat me” You smirk back at him, knowing his techniques, having discovered them together. 

“Oh I could beat your ass easily” He chuckles, advancing on you.

“Lies Ryan lies” You smile at him, watching as a small light appears in his eyes for two seconds. Two seconds of hope then suddenly, he’s got you. A few quick hits in your face and chest to disorientate you, blood drips from your mouth as he eases up for a moment and then you can hear his yells.

“I don’t know you, I don't know Ryan!” He screams as he goes back to using you as a punching bag. You manage to get your leg out, tripping him over as you gasp for air, climbing on top of him, doing your best to pin his arms down. 

“You do know Ryan, It's you, and I’m (Y/n), come on man we used to be best friends” You argue, watching as anger flares into his eyes.

“I don’t fucking know you” He snarls at you, and in one quick movement, he flips you both over, winding you. His hands wrap around your throat, pressing down hard as you struggle to breath, forgetting all your training. You try your hardest to find words to speak but nothing can get past your lips, soon everything starts growing darker. 

“Forgive you” You cough up, it's barely loud enough as you give up fighting. What is there to fight for anyway, no ones coming to save you anyway. Soon darkness overcomes you and you feel yourself floating.

~~~

It's cold, a cold feeling on your cheeks as fresh air fills your lungs. You gasp, your body shooting up, pushing the coldness away from you, blinking rapidly as your eyes adjust to the dark room. 

“(Y/n), (Y/n), It’s okay it’s just us, It’s JJ” A firm but calming voice calls to you, before something soft touches your shoulder. Your head spins around, your eyes landing on her, a weak smile crawls onto your face, before falling away.

“I..I'm dead aren’t I?” Yours words are barely audible as you stare at her, the new hope fading away. 

“No, you're alive, we got you” She smiles softly at you, rubbing your back gently.

“Y you came for me?” Your voice wobbles as tears start filling your eyes, a sob begging to escape.

“Of course we did kiddo” Another voice speaks beside you, moving your head slowly you spot Dave kneeling down beside you, wrapping his arm around you which you lean into.

“Th thank you” A sob leaves you as you reach a hand out to JJ, taking her hand in yours earning a soft sadden smile from her. 

“Always, we are family” She smiles at you before helping you up. You lean on them both for support, before your eyes scan the room, stopping on the body just a few feet from you.

“Ryan…” Your heart breaks as you stare at him, and the blood pooling underneath him.

“I’m sorry (Y/n)” Dave's soft voice pulls your attention to him and his guilt filled eyes. You can’t focus on that now, you just can’t, you give him a quick nod.

“Let's get the hell out of here” Gulping thickly as you let them lead you to the side of the pool, taking your time.

“Rossi, you got him?” A loud voice calls from the doorway before four agents make their way inside the room.

“Yeah Morgan we got him” Rossi calls back, beckoning him over. Morgan and Prentiss quickly make their way over, smiles of reliefs flooding their faces as their eyes set on you. 

“You are a site for sore eyes” Morgan chuckles softly, holding out a hand as you try to climb out, him and Prentiss grabbing your arm gently pulling you up. 

“Good to see you too, Morgan” Smiling weakly, leaning into him as Prentiss helps pull the other two up. His arm wraps around you as you use him for support, resting your head on his arm, earning a few back rubs from him. 

“Hey, your boss is calling for backup there's more kids than they thought” One of the swat agents speaks up, his hand on his comas. 

“Go, we’ll get him out of here” Rossi orders, nodding at Morgan and Prentiss. 

“I can get myself out, go help Hotch” You wince a little, pulling away from Morgan's support. 

“Not tonight (Y/n)” JJ smiles before wrapping her arm around you once more.

“We’ll see you on top” Prentiss smiles, squeezing your hand before following Morgan and the other agents out.

“You two should go help, I got this” You look down as you speak.

“No kiddo, we aren’t leaving you” Rossi smiles, before taking your arm, helping support you.

“We are never leaving you, ever” JJ chimes in, smiling sadly at you. You smile weakly at them before nodding.

“Then let's get the hell out of here” You declare, a small chuckle leaving you as you let them lead you out.

~~~

You never thought cold air would feel this good, you shiver uncontrollably as you sit on the back of the ambulance, watching your team and swat bring the boys up out of that hell. The normally empty field is filled with flashing lights from police cars and ambulances, your eyes scan the area as you wait for the two members of your team still yet to appear from down below. 

“We saved those boys, we saved them!” Her screeching voice causes your eyes to flash over, spotting her in the custody of Morgan. Your eyes meet his and they are filled with anger and hatred, he smiles forcefully at you. Followed behind them is the man you hate the most, he stays quite his eyes scanning the area, stopping once he sees you a gut twisting laugh escapes him as he stares daggers at you.

“You're a waste of talent boy, should have killed you when you were just a kid boy” He screams at you, making Rossi yanking him forwards, his eyes darkening on the man in front of him. You don’t take your eyes off them until you watch them get put in separate police cars and the doors slam closed and their screaming stops. You take a deep breath and the air tastes more clean, a smile pulls at your lips as your eyes meet Rossi, his are filled with sympathy as yours fill with hope. It's over, it's over for good. You turn back to watch the entrance, watching the last few agents walk out, Reid walks out carrying a young boy aged seven in his arms. Your heart breaks as you see the boy cling to Spencer, the tear stained face, but then your heart soars, leaping to your feet as Aaron finally appears. You don’t care about the pain radiating throughout your body as you push your body forward, not caring about the tears sliding down as you focus on him.

“Aaron” You scream out, and he stops spinning around to look at you, his face fills with relief as he walks towards you, faster than his body could take him.

“(Y/n)!” He exclaims, watching as you fall to your knees as you reach him, falling forward into his arms. He lowers you both to the ground gently, his arms wrapped around your body firmly as your body shakes with sobs.

“It's okay, I got you, you're safe now” He strokes your hair as he comforts you, holding you closely. He whispers words of comfort as you cry into his chest, he holds you for a long time allowing you to let it all out. 

You two sit there for a long time, even after all the tears have long dried. 

“Hey we need to get you checked out” Aaron whispers as he runs his hand over your back. 

“Stay with me?” Gulping thickly as you look up at him.

“Always” He smiles, kissing your forehead before taking your hand and pulling you up. “Always” He repeats as he leads you back to the ambulance where Emily and Rossi now wait. 

“You two going up to the hospital?” Emily smiles softly, she can’t help but feel relieved every single time she looks at you.

“Yeah” You nod, leaning into Aaron's arm wrapped around you finding comfort in his touch.

“Good, I texted Garcia she's on her way there now, she's worried about you” Rossi adds, smiling lovingly at you.

“What.. Penelopes here.. Why?” You look up at Aaron confused only to watch his face fall. 

“Because she cares for you, we all do it's why we are here” He smiles softly at you, before helping you into the ambulance, where the EMTs are waiting.

“Oh, right” You gulp a little, before sitting back down, your eyes staying on Aaron as he sits beside you.

~~~

Once you get to the hospital you don’t get time to have a break before you are wheeled straight into having x-rays and other tests. You are away from Aaron for hours, and it hurts they keep prodding you and questioning you, it's exhausting. Finally they take you to room, and you're alone, fear creeps into you as you wait for Aaron, your heart races faster every second you're alone. 

“”Oh my gosh, you're here” She squeals as she runs into the room, her eyes brightening up as she spots you, rushing towards your side being careful not to touch you.

“Penelope” You breathe out, fresh tears sprouting to your eyes as you see the queen of sunshine. “Gosh I missed you” You let out a small whimper as you reach for her hand, her eyes widen before quickly capturing your hand in hers.

“Oh my love, I’m right here” She smiles at you before sitting down, never letting your hand go.

“Where's Aar?” You whisper, feeling groggy from all the drugs.

“He’s talking to the doctor first, sweetie, but that brings us to something” She smiles cheekily at you. “WheN did you start calling him Aar?”

“Before he kissed me” You chuckle softly, closing your eyes as exhaustion starts taking over. You never saw Garcia's mouth fall open, her eyes almost falling out.

“Um Garcia everything okay?” Hotcha asks as he walks in worry filling him instantly.

“Uh yep everything is fine sir” She quickly collects herself, smiling softly as she stands up. “But I should let him rest, you staying here tonight Hotch?”

“I will” Hotch smiles as he notices you still gripping Penelope's hand tightly.

“He's warming up” Penelope comments, glancing down at your hand.

“That he is” He smiles more, moving to your side, sliding his hand over yours, so you can finally let Penelope go.

“So is that why you two kiss?” Penelope can’t hold it back anymore as she makes her way to the door. Hotch's head shot up, catching her knowing look, he can’t help but smile back. 

“Goodnight Penelope, keep that to yourself okay” 

“Got it boss” She giggles as she leaves. 

~~~

The next day goes by slowly, they keep taking you away for tests. Checking over your wounds and changing the bandages, it felt exhausting everyone kept asking you questions and dragging you away from Aaron. Why can’t they just let you rest, why can’t you just go home, all you want to do is go home and deal with the aftermath of this case. Finally the nurse wheels you back into your room, leaving you alone, you're not sure how long you have laid on your bed staring at the ceiling for. But the tears keep flooding your eyes as you realise the team now knows your deepest darkest secret, your job is in jeopardy and all you want is Aaron. Aaron to hold you, Aaron to tell you that everything will be okay, you know it's wrong to crave someone like this but you can’t help it. You aren’t ready to lose him, he won’t want you now that he knows how damaged you are, he won’t want you around his son now knowing what a cold blooded killer you used to be. You didn’t realise the machine beside you was beeping away until someone entered the room, making their way towards you urgently.

“(Y/n), you're okay” Aaron sits on the edge of your bed grabbing your hand, your eyes flash towards him. You're hyperventilating, gasping for air as you squeeze his hand, shaking your head as you try to speak.

“I can’t, can’t breath” You whimper softly, his eyes soften as he pulls you into his arms, rubbing your back gently.

“Listen to my heart beat darling, copy me okay” He speaks delicately, his voice as sweet as honey. “Deep breaths, in and hold for three seconds” He takes a deep breath, as you copy him. “And out” He blows out, smiling softly as you copy him. “Just like that darling, and again” He takes a deep breath, listening closely to you, falling silent as you work on your breathing. 

“Thank you” Breathing out slowly, as you glance up at him with a tear stained face.

“Don’t need to thank me” He smiles lightly at you, laying down on your bed, pulling you with him. To his surprise you don’t argue instead you cuddle up to him, entwinding your fingers with his. 

“Do you want to talk about it?” He murmurs, his free hand running through your hair.

“Yes, but not today” Sighing softly as you close your eyes, your mind finally feeling empty.

“That's okay, later then get some rest” He smiles a little as he takes in just how peaceful you look.

“Stay with me?” Your words mumble together as sleep takes you.

“Always” Hotch smiles, kisses your head softly. 

~~~

The doctors finally discharge you and give you permission to fly, so now you and Aaron are on your way to the jet where you're meeting the rest of the team. You haven’t seen anyone since they reduced you, you know they are going to have questions and alot of them, but you don’t want to answer them, you just can’t. You’re staring out the window, lost in thought while Aaron drives, he can’t help but keep glancing at you, worrying about what's going on inside your mind.

“You want to talk about it?” Aaron asks, his eyes focusing on the road.

“The team is going to have questions” Sighing as you rest your head on the window, watching the world go by.

“They will, but you don’t have to answer them tonight” He replies, before adding. “They will wait as long as you need”

“What about Chief Strauss?” Looking over at him, as the anxiety of her questing and debriefing fills you. 

“We will have to face that tomorrow morning” Aaron does everything in his power to keep his eyes on the road and not look at you, he doesn’t want to see that broken look in your eyes, because he knows if he does you two won’t make it to the jet. 

“We?” Your voice is lower, he can barely hear you but he does.

“Yes we, Im not letting you face her alone, whatever happens we will deal with it together” He gives you a small confident filled smile.

“Thank you” You return that smile lightly, but it doesn’t meet your eyes, other things playing on our mind.

“What else is going on inside your mind tonight?” 

“I…It’s nothing” Shaking your head as you look back outside.

“Whatever it is, I can help”

“Even if it's stupid?”

“Yes even then” Aaron chuckles softly, earning a small laugh from you. 

“I don’t want to be alone tonight, normally I love it but the thought of going back to my apartment tonight, it's unsettling…” You struggle to find the words, ending up playing with your fingers as you speak. His hand reaches out capturing your hand with his, a smile slipping onto your lips as his fingers linking in with yours.

“You can stay with me tonight, whenever you like to” Aaron's voice is soft as he pulls up to the runway.

“Thank you Aar”

~~~

The flight goes by quickly, you and Aaron get there before the rest of the team so you drag him to the couch, settling in and accidentally falling asleep with your head resting against Aaron's chest before the rest of the team arrives. You somehow woke up halfway through the flight, the rest of the team also asleep, Aaron deep asleep with his arm wrapped firmly around you. You can’t help but smile, feeling safe in his embrace as you scan the jet, seeing the team all spread out sleeping and a guilty feeling starts to eat at you. How could you ever think they would leave you there, how could you think that hiding your past from them was a smart idea when things started turning south feels wrong now. But that's behind you now, and it may seem silly but you feel so much closer with them all, and knowing that you have to answer all their questions is something you no longer dread. Smiling to yourself as you snuggle back down, falling back asleep in Aarons arms, knowing at one point you’ll have to deal with the way your heart throbs with his touch. 

“(Y/n) wake up” His voice is soft as he rubs your arm, trying to get you to wake up. Grumbling softly as your eyes slowly open, groaning quietly as your eyes adjust to the lighting, the jet is so bright but soon your eyes fall on Aaron, smiling sleepily at him.

“Hi” Yawning softly as you sit up, stretching a little. 

“Sleep well there?” Derek smirks, sitting opposite you there. 

“Like a peach” Chuckling softly as you see the team sitting opposite you.

“Sorry, we are about to land” Aaron smiles apologetically as you stiff back another yawn.

“Its fine”

“Here, It's also time for your meds” JJ adds, passing you over a bottle of water and your pills.

“Oh right, thanks JJ” You smile politely before taking them, swallowing down the pills and the water. You can feel the team's eyes on you, and the guilty feeling re enters you, slowly you pull the bottle away meeting the eyes of your team.

“Look I know you guys have questions—” You start, suddenly feeling defensive.

“We just want to know if you're okay?” Emily speaks, her eyes filled with concern that when you realise they don’t care about what you did, their looks are ones full of worry and concern a new feeling fills your chest. A small smile filled with love and affection fills your face as you think over your answer. 

“Honestly no I'm not, I got a lot of healing to do a lot of things to work through, but give me time and I’ll be okay” You lean into Aaron as you answer, smiling a little.

“If you ever need anything, we are right here okay” Morgan smiles kindly at you.

“Just give me time and patience” You smile back at him, enjoying the way Aaron rubs your back in comfort.

“We can do that,” Rossi nods, giving you a light smile.

“Are you going to be okay at home, I know you don’t have a bed and its not good for you to rest up only on a couch” Reid adds in, staring at you with concern.

“You don’t have a bed?” JJ eyes almost fall out, giving you her best mum look, causing you to feel sheepish.

“Um no but i’ll be fine”

“Bullshoot, you will stay with me. I have a spare room” Garcia speaks up staring at you firmly, daring you to argue with her.

“Um I appreciate that, but I don’t need to”

“You are not sleeping on a couch” Emily shakes her head. “Its either my place or pens so pick”

“Look I appreciate it but I already have a place to stay” You smile shyly at them.

“Wait you have other friends” Morgan gasps dramatically. “Who?”

“Me” Aaron laughs at the shocked faces of the team, everyone but Rossi and Garcia. 

“Huh, fine, can't argue with bossman then” Garcia smirks, looking away.

“That's settled then” Aaron smiles, before picking up his phone. “It's Strauss, she says we get the next few days off” Aaron smiles as his team cheers quietly. 

“Does that mean we did a great job, or are we in trouble?” Rossi jokes, turning to Aaron.

“Both” Aaron half jokes, glancing down at you, feeling you tenses up. 

~~~

ONE MONTH LATER.

You hadn’t seen the team since they all had dinner at Dave's house a few days after they got you back. It was a small celebration, you opened up them just a little bit, you all grew closer that night. Sadly the day you got back you were suspended pending an investigation, you talked with Strauss and she told you there wasn’t much she could do, because it was all out of her hands, but it didn’t matter to you because you had a plan. Today you finally found out what the decision is, and so after your meeting you head down to the BAU floor. Yes the team is out of town on a case, but luckily they are on their way home tonight and Dave is throwing another dinner tonight to celebrate the good news of yours. So you make your way to the one person you can’t wait to see anyway, because four weeks without seeing her beautiful smile is too long, you knock lightly on her door. 

“Come in” She calls out, her voice full of happiness.

“Good afternoon Penelope” You smile as you push her door open, she gasps while spinning around in her chair, smiling up at you with excitement. 

“It's youuu, you have come to see me” She exclaims, grinning up at you, climbing to her feet, holding out her hand for a small high five. It's your guys' small ways of saying hey, but instead you dismiss her hand, and pull her into a small hug.

“I missed you” Smiling softly as you feel her freeze only for her to quickly hug you back giving you a small squeeze. Penelope swears her face is going to fall off with how much she is smiling right now, she never imagined you would ever give her a hug and she can’t help but enjoy it. Closing her eyes as she soaks it in, holding herself back with the way she wants to squeeze you tightly. 

“You're hugging me” She giggles, dancing just a little before you pull away, a big smile across your own face.

“That was okay, right?” Your smile falters a little as you double check with her.

“You can hug me whenever you like my love” She grins more. “But um what brought that on?”

“Well I want to be less scared of physical touch so I thought what better way to start working on it to give in and give a hug to someone I’ve been dying to” You shrug your shoulder, trying to act like its no big deal as your body tingles with the feeling of someone's else touch.

“That's a big step, I'm proud of you” Penelope smiles more at you, her heart soaring at the look of the new you. She knows she only saw you two weeks ago but you have changed even the energy around you. You cut your hair, it's more short now, and you look like you glow, there's a shine behind your eyes. You’re clearly sleeping more and eating regularly, looking after yourself is finally starting to sink in for you and she couldn’t be more proud. 

“Thanks pen” Smiling back at her.

“So how did your meeting go?” she sits back down, as you grab her spare seat.

“It went really well, I can’t wait to tell everyone tonight at Dave's” You smile, enjoying her presents, soon you two just start catching up on everything that has been happening.

~~~

A soft knock on the door indicates that Aaron is here, smiling as you grab your phone making your way towards the door, opening it quickly glad to see both your boys there.

“Hi (Y/n)” Jack grins up at you, you can’t help but smile back as you bend down to give him a quick hug.

“Hey kiddo, oh I’ve missed you”

“You saw him the other day” Aaron teases as you pull away, smirking as you turn to him.

“What, is that your way of saying you didn’t miss me, Hotchner?” Smirking lightly as you tease him, enjoying the way he pulls you into a hug.

“Never” He chuckles softly, kissing your cheek lightly, sliding his hand into yours as he pulls away.

“Lets gooo, I wanna see Henry” Jack giggles as he leads you both down the hallway. You can’t help but laugh at him, he definitely does have his Dad's patience. 

“We coming Jack” Smiling over at Aaron as you follow the boy closely.

“So the meeting with Strauss, how did it go?” Aaron asks you, glancing at you, his concern with how quiet you have been this afternoon growing. You were meant to text him, but he never heard from you.

“It went great, I’m no longer under investigation and i’m all clear to return” You smile slides away as you reach the car, Jack gets in leaving you two outside to talk freely.

“Are you still doing what we talked about?” Aaron speaks softly, his hand rubbing your arm softly as you lean against the car.

“I think It’s time Aaron, it's just going to be hard” You can’t help but sigh heavily as you lean into his touch. 

“I know, but you need to do what's best for you and I will be right here beside you every step of the way” Aaron declares, smiling lovingly at you.

“I know, thank you and I mean it Aaron. You have been my rock the past few weeks” Smiling up at him.

“It's the least I can do, you need to know how much I care for you” Aaron smiles as he slides his hand gently on to your cheek, cupping your face gently as you lean in giving him a quick kiss.

“I appreciate it, now come on we need to go see our team” Smiling as you pull away from him, biting your lip as you climb into the car.

~~~

“You made it” JJ squeals softly as you walk in, you’re trailing behind Aaron and Jack. Jack is quick to run outside where Henry and half the team is. 

“I did” Smiling lighty you walk over to her, Emily and Reid. 

“How have you been?” Reid asks, smiling a little.

“I’m okay, so over resting all the damn time” Laughing softly, your heart melting with the comfort of being surrounded by your family. 

“I remember that feeling, but you have to look after yourself” Emily gives you a stern look before sipping on her drink.

“Im trying” You reason, biting back a groan.

“We know, but we also know you” JJ smiles, a motherly look in her eyes.

“How did your meeting go today anyway, when are you coming back?” Emily presses on to her burning question, the one thing everyone tonight has been dying to now.

“Can we just wait until everyone is around, I don’t feel like repeating myself a million times” Forcing out  a chuckle as you watch the hope and excitement fade out of your three friends eyes.

“That bad huh?” JJ sighs, turning to the others.

“No, no it's not bad” You smile, glancing behind you at the incoming footsteps.

“Here, you don't have a drink yet” Rossi speaks from behind you, turning around smiling up at the man.

“Thanks Rossi” Taking it from him taking a deep breath as your fingers brush over his, glancing up you spot the rest of the team making their way over.  

“So (Y/n), when are you getting your ass back” Derek grins up at you, Penelope and Aaron following him over. 

“That's a complicated question” Sipping on your drink as you go over your answer, grateful to have Aaron coming to stand beside you. You can do anything with him beside you.

“What does that mean?” Penelope's eyes widen, fear entering her at the thought of her family breaking up.

“Look if Erin is giving you a hard time I will talk to her” Rossi automatically defends you, everyone's mind racing.

“No, Strauss isn’t the bad guy here, in fact she has been extremely helpful” Taking a deep breath before you continue. “I’m no longer under investigation, in face I’m welcome to return but I don’t want to, It’s my turn to move on, and look I know I owe you all so much for coming to my rescue, but I can’t do this job anymore I want to do something different with my life now” Your words come out filled with regret and guilt, your eyes full of sorrow as you talk, meeting everyone in your team's eyes. You have never felt closer and further away from them as you do right now, today is the start of a new beginning. 

“You’re leaving us?” Garica's eyes tears up, her heart racing.

“Look, we understand why you want to leave, but is there anything we can say to make you stay?” Emily looks hopelessly at you, but a small proud smile pulls at her lips. 

“Nothing, but hey I’m still going to be working at the FBI just not with the BAU anymore” You sigh, the feeling of sadness squishing your heart.

“I hope you know this doesn’t get you out of team nights still” Derek smiles at you, he knows how hard this decision was for you to make. 

“Oh I know” Laughing softly.

“So what are you going to be doing instead?” Rossi smiles at you, a lovingly proud look in his eyes. 

“I'm going to be the new FBI forensic scientist, so you guys will still have to work with me occasionally” Smiling at them, joy refilling the room.

“Oh, you’re taking over for Mary?” Garcia's face fills with excitement of course, she’s the one who works closely with that team more than the others.

“I am, so you guys can’t get rid of me that easily” The room fills with laughter once more.

“So that means you’re still coming to team nights right?” Reid asks. “You can’t just leave us all”

“Of course I will, plus” Smiling up at Aaron, catching his eyes his own smile grows as he gets the hint, his arm automatically wrapping around your waist as you lean into him. “Plus as your unit chiefs boyfriend I’ll be around more often” Pulling your eyes away from Aaron you glance around at the rest of the team, everyone's faces seem to be a mix of happiness and shock.

“Oh finally” Rossi cheers, laughing at the shocked looks around him.

“Wait, wait what” Morgan's open mouth slowly turns into a grin. “Seriously, you two thats awesome”

“Oh I knew there was something going on, I told you Emily” JJ smirks at Emily, who shakes her head smiling.

“Congrats you two” Emily smiles.

“That's so great, I'm happy for you both,” Reid smiles.

“Um Penelope, you're awfully quiet” You smile over at her, meeting her mischief filled eyes.

“I have been dying for you two too finally admit, I mean after you told me you kissed him months ago I have been waiting” She squeals.

“Wait, I told you, what, when?” Your eyes widen as you rack your brain trying to think.

“At the hospital when you were all drowsy from the medication” Aaron smirks down at you.  

“And you didn’t tell me this, traitor” Smirking at him teasingly as you kiss his cheek, earning a bunch of awws and laughs fill the room as Aaron blushes deeply, which he returns with a stern glare at you. 

The night slowly moves on, all full of laughter and chatter as the team all catches up and demands all the gossip on you and Aaron's relationship. Which you don’t mind at all talking about, happily opening up with your team. The only family you will ever only need by your side.

Tagging thoes that seem interesed or asked: @xweirdo101x @alecmores @yn-addams @winter-world @xdark-acadamiax @rexspersonalhell @hunterispunk @sammy-4103 @222244445555 @spiritzofthedead @sweetnothingsvulnerability @hepbaestus @bunbunbl0gs @mrblue-kai

Happy to untag or tag people let me know.

A/B/O - Cherik x Reader

Really good :)

Disenchanted

The third part of the a/b/o au Cherik x reader fic! This part involves the three of them being oh so very awkward around each other, coming to terms with the fact that things have changed, and R having so many doubts about themselves and about the relationship the three of them have. Charles and Erik talk to some people to understand R better and... a happy ending, perhaps.

It has been a year, but I recently got some lovely comments regarding this fic so I couldn't help myself. There may be some loose ends in this chapter, but that's cause I'm holding some stuff back for the epilogue :) Enjoy!

Masterlist/ Prev Part/ Epilogue

“You think they’ll come back, beta?” Lorna asked as she brought over a mug of tea over to you.

“They’d better.” Darwin muttered out, taking the mug from her and handing it over to you. “You were brave to reach out to them like that when it should have been Erik doing that.”

“That was the… bluebell scented one?”

“Yes.” You answered Remy’s question fondly as you rubbed at the mark on your neck. “I know Erik, Darwin. He wasn’t going to let go of his bitterness and pride soon. He’d mellow out in time, but we don’t have that time.”

“I dunno if I like them.” Peter said, munching on a twinky he somehow suddenly had. You wondered if you had a stash of them at home. You probably didn’t, but you were certain that one of the pups did. “But they’re your bondeds, so I guess I can’t really say anything.”

You furrowed your eyebrows at the silver-haired pup.

‘Do they feel off to you?’

‘It’s not that. It’s just…’ It wasn’t often that Peter’s mind had a lull. And that concerned you. A lot. You straightened your back. ‘They seem too invested in arguing with each other and- don’t get me wrong- I can tell that they both love you, but it kinda feels like you’re a little lower on their priority list.’

You hummed noncommittedly and beckoned for the younger omega to sit next to you on the sofa. With a whoosh of wind and the soft scent of snowdrops wrapping around you, you felt a warm weight settle against you.

You thought that yourself. Both your bondeds were stubborn and prideful, even if Charles would deny it. The future versions of them you had seen in- through?- Logan’s mind were more mellow. Simultaneously sharp and rounded. You wondered though. Was their mellowness and their overall softness towards you due to your death in their timeline? Without that regret, would they still… love you?

“It doesn’t matter if they’re our beta’s bondeds.” Remy said, as he moved to settled at your other. “We were with them longer. I doubt the two of them are the highest on their priority list.” His pink-red eyes regarded you. “Right, cher?”

You rolled your eyes fondly at the younger alpha and released your scent to wrap around him when you smelt the tinge of uncertainty in the Juniper scent he had around himself.

“Remy’s right.” You made a soft ‘oof’ sound when Lorna all but collapsed on top of Peter, and when her legs draped across your lap. You haphazardly handed Darwin your mug before you could spill the beverage all over the younger members of your pack. “I’m a little on the fence about both of them and where I stand with them. I know that I want to try and fix-” you paused momentarily, trying to figure out the best way to phrase things.

“The absolute clusterfuck that it your relationship with then?” Peter suggested.

“The messy divorce?” Darwin added.

“We weren’t even courting-”

“But they bit you, and you bit them?” Lorna asked, eyebrow arching as she looked utterly unimpressed. You could feel- by skimming at her surface thoughts- that she was unimpressed by them. “And then they abandoned you?”

“We were young, stressed, and we connected well.” Memories of the time back at the Xavier estate came back to you, and for the first time since Cuba, you embraced them wholeheartedly. “And we really weren’t expecting to bond, not really.”

Darwin made a disbelieving sound, making you and the others look at him.

“That’s what you think. We had a betting pool going on. About when the three of you would get together. Raven won, of course.”

“Of course she did. She knows Charles more than anyone else.” You sighed. “And as for the abandonment part- It was a mutual thing, I think. And looking back on it, Charles was the one to be abandoned twice over. Once from Erik, and the second from me.”

“Technically speaking though, you did initiate courting by giving them the charms,” Peter mused.

You shook your head.

“It doesn’t count. I’m a beta, and betas can’t initiate a courting ritual.”

You knew that that wasn’t a definite truth. You had done some research into courting rituals and habits of betas before the funding got pulled out. Before you were offered a job from Moira that changed your life. But the research out there said that betas couldn’t properly court an alpha or an omega so that was what you would tell the younger ones.

Darwin looked at you with a ‘look’ that you had be on the receiving end very often. It was a look that was a mixture of exasperation and disbelief-

You waved your hand. This was a problem for you and your bondeds to solve and not for the pups to think about. You were, however, very endeared by their concern.

“Don’t worry about it. All of you. What you should be worried about is whether or not you would like to attend Xavier’s school for gifted youngsters.”

~ ♥~

Erik would be lying if he said that he wanted to stop Mystique from killing Trask. He would be lying if he said that he didn’t enjoy seeing the fear in the man’s eyes as his blue skinned fellow mutant had her gun on him.

But Charles wanted her to stop. Erik didn’t doubt for a second that the reason the alpha wanted her to stop was because he didn’t want her to become a cold-hearted murderer.

“Raven-”

“Don’t, Charles.” Her eyes were on the human, and Erik could feel the metal of the trigger being pushed lightly. “You don’t know what he’s planning. You don’t know what he’s done.”

“We know, Raven-”

This conversation was going nowhere. Charles was too lenient with Mystique and Mystique got too stubborn and bitter with Charles. And as Charles was currently incapable of doing anything, and the mutant from the future wasn’t familiar with the Mystique standing in front of them.

He coolly regarded Trask and stretched out his hand. The gun flew out of her hand and clattered onto the floor.

“Erik!” Her voice was furious. And her natural scent of chocolate turned deeply bitter. “Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten what they’ve done to Emma. To Azazel.”

“Both of whom are still alive.” Erik was speaking to her, but his eyes were trained onto Trask. The man was too dangerous to walk free. If Charles had his mutation, he could have made the man forget them. Forget everything, but unfortunately, that was impossible. “And so are they.”

Though general, Erik knew that Mystique knew who he was referring to. Her eyes snapped away from Trask to look at him. Her gaze flickered to Charles, and although years had passed since she had followed Erik away from her brother, she still looked at him for reassurance.

His own gaze followed hers, and Erik watched as Charles nodded.

“No. They died. With Darwin.”

“They faked their death. Raven, they’re going to come back.”

Erik twisted his hand and commanded for a strip of metal to wrap around Trask, securing him in place whilst Charles and Mystique conversed for longer. His other hand was in his pocket, where the charm you gave him was in. The pad of his thumb brushed against the warm metal.

He had promised you that he wouldn’t come back alone. He had promised that he wouldn’t betray Charles. The inner instinct within him stirred for the first time since he had attended your funeral. His inner omega wanted to please you. Wanted to please Charles too.

A laugh tore through the air, and the scent of something chemical spread through the room. Erik schooled his features to not make his displeasure and discomfort apparent. He twisted his hand once more to cover the man’s mouth with the metal.

“Why did they fake their death then?”

“We all thought they were human, and you remember our hatred for humans.” Mystique nodded at Erik’s words. “They thought that they had no place amongst us. But-”

“Their mutation manifested after they fled.” Charles continued, and Erik couldn’t find it in himself to be annoyed by it. “They can tell us more when we get back to them.” The alpha stared at Trask. “After we do something about him. Logan, would you mind knocking him out?”

Erik paused and took the time to scent the air. Charles’ scent- a mixture of leather and old books- was more potent. Clearer. A hand grasped at his forearm and Erik was quick to shift himself closer to his alpha bonded.

‘Erik?’

Whatever drug that his old friend had taken must be wearing off.

“Charles? Erik, what’s wrong with him?”

‘It’s alright, old friend. I have you.’

“Nothing we can’t fix, Raven.” Charles leaned heavily onto him, and Erik immediately wrapped his arm around the other man’s waist. “Let me just-”

The alpha pressed two fingers to his temple and closed his eyes. In an instant, Trask crumbled in front of them.

Erik didn’t know how the charm of yours worked, but the only ones that could hear his thoughts were his bondeds so he would make an attempt to reach you. The charm you had gifted him was well made. It referenced something intimate that he shared with you. He could let his inner omega admit it. He had missed you dearly. Just like he had missed Charles.

The short time he had spent with you and Charles was more memorable than anything that had happened in the decade afterwards.

‘I agree with you, old friend.’

‘We spent such a short time together, and yet…’

It was your voice, ringing in his mind.

‘We couldn’t move past it.’ Charles continued as he rested his cheek onto Erik’s shoulder. ‘Ignore it, suppress it, distract ourselves from it-’

The marks on his neck flared. It wasn’t the throbbing pain that had haunted him every night. It was… gentler. A renewal of the bond.

‘It didn’t break,’ Erik thought.

“Let’s get out of here.” Mystique said, slipping next to Charles and helping him stay standing. She kicked Trask as she passed him. “Before whatever security forces come for us.”

~ ♥~

Charles fiddled with the charm you had gifted him. He could feel your mind within it. It was weaker than your real mind, of course, but it was close enough. He could connect to you through it.

It was a well-made thing. Smooth to the touch and in the shape of a manta ray. He knew why his was of this shape. He remembered the ambiance of the aquarium where he truly connected to you. He remembered the blue glow of the place and the distinct lack of other minds to distract him.

He couldn’t feel his legs. But he could feel the buzzing of minds within the plane. Erik’s, Hank’s, and yours. Raven had wanted to come, but Charles had tasked her with keeping an eye on Trask. If any governmental authority came to make enquiries… she could handle it. He trusted her to handle it.

Logan had gone off on his own, the future version of himself having been ejected from the past version of his body. Charles could only hope that that meant the dystopian future would not come to fruition.

“It’s your move, Charles.”

Ah. Yes. The game of chess he was playing with Erik.

He moved his knight across the board.

Your mind weighed at the back of his own, and Charles assumed that you did the same to the others you had gifted your charms to. He was simply able to feel you better, with him being a telepath himself. The best way he could explain the feeling was- it was like his mind was being embraced.

His inner alpha was the calmest and happiest since the past decade, and he could feel it just yearning to purr and tuck his bondeds into a bed and curl up between them. His inner alpha was done with licking its wounds and now wanted to keep both you and Erik in the safe boundaries of its territory.

‘I truly am sorry, Charles.’

‘I know, Erik.’

Charles had wanted to hold onto his spite. His grief. The pain of being abandoned and in a state that made him all too vulnerable. But now that he was sober and in the presence of one of his bondeds… he couldn’t. He had spent more time away from them than with them, and heavens above, he had missed them.

“Will you leave again?” he asked as he watched the bluebell scented omega slid his bishop across the board. And he was pleasantly surprised at the way Erik immediately shook his head.

“No, old friend. I’ve got too much to lose now, and I highly doubt that you’d stop me from doing what I want to do.”

Charles huffed out a short laugh and shook his head.

“And I doubt that you’d do anything that crosses the line.” Charles paused and squinted slightly at Erik, who gave him a sharp smile. “You’d tell me before at the least.”

“You’d make me stop before I do anything.”

Charles shook his head. Erik blocked him too well. Besides, he would never take away his bondeds’ autonomy away from them.

“You’d ask and I’d concede, old friend. That’s how it’s always been.”

“Has it?” Charles arched an eyebrow at his omegan bonded. “I remember Cuba very differently.”

“After Cuba. When I came to you.” Ah yes. Charles remembered it clearly. Erik on his knees, dripping in regret and grief as he begged for forgiveness. He half-remembered telling Erik to leave. “If you told me to stay, I would have.”

Charles didn’t quite believe him. The plane dipped slightly.

Erik looked at him, and tapped his temple lightly, silently giving explicit permission for Charles to look into his mind. Voluntarily.

Charles mimicked the omega’s movements and pressed his finger against his own temple.

The flurry of thoughts that hit him made him take in a startled breath. Erik’s mind had always been beautiful to him. But now? Now it was breath-taking. And he was telling the truth. Charles couldn’t explain in words how he knew, but he could feel it.

“Oh, Erik…”

Charles reached to grab at Erik’s hand, feeling the calluses gracing his fingers. He squeezed gently.

“We’re almost there.”

Hank’s voice pulled both him and Erik away from the rather intimate moment they were having, and Charles was not proud to say that he had completely forgotten the Hank could hear them both. And from the frown tugging at Erik’s lips he could tell that he too had forgotten the presence of the younger omega.

It would be more fruitful to continue this conversation with you here, anyway.

~ ♥~

“We could still keep this house, cher.”

You shook your head as you watched Remy shuffle a deck of cards. Darwin stood next to you, the younger alpha’s mossy natural scent tinted with a sense of sorrow. You reached to pat at his back.

This little cottage had been his home as much as it had been yours. It was the first stable place the two of you could call home since the two of you had fled the American continents. And it had been a place that you welcomed Remy and Lorna into. A place that Peter somehow stumbled to when in his time of need.

“It won’t be safe anymore.” You said, a little sadly. “Our scents are too potent here, and if someone found it and linked it to us…”

“Yeah, I get it.”

“Are you sure your… bonded would let us stay where he lives?” Lorna asked as she placed her cheek onto your shoulder.

“Yes, pup. I’m very sure. Charles wouldn’t turn away a mutant in need of a place to stay.” You reached your other hand out to gently brush at her hair. “I’ll come with you too, remember? So don’t worry about it, Lorna.”

“Do you think they’d let me stay too? I’m pretty sure they would, cause I did get one of them out of prison, but you can never be too sure with them.” He nestled next to Darwin and sighed. “I dropped by the estate a couple of days ago and it looks alright. A little worn but it’s very, very big.”

You felt a gentle tug at your mind.

“You’re always welcome to stay, Peter.”

You twisted your head and offered the men coming towards your little group a small smile.

Your eyes, of course, lingered at the wheelchair that Charles was sitting on. Guilt blossomed at the base of your chest. You weren’t surprised to see that the mobility aid was floating above the forest floor slightly.

You raised an eyebrow at Erik, who simply responded with a sharp, knowing smile.

“Why are you all outside?” Hank asked.

“We’re saying goodbye to the house, my dude.” Peter said, suddenly appearing next to Remy with his arms filled with suitcases. “Too much evidence here. And I don’t think we’ll be coming back here, like, ever.”

“Ever?” Erik echoed as he looked at you.

“The main reason why we stayed here was because of the mutation I manifested. Being around people and metal constantly is… hard.”

You would tuck away the fact that you went nearly catatonic during the year or so after the incident at Cuba. But you had completely forgotten that Charles could read your mind just as easily as you could read his.

He said your name.

“Later.” You said, rubbing your temples tiredly. “When we get back to America.”

It was a shame. This place was where Lorna and Peter made their nests. And those nests were the first ones you had been given the permission to enter. It had taken both of them a while to make them, and you had thanked god for your expertise in secondary genders.

‘Shall I, beta?’

‘Go ahead, Remy. The quicker we do this, the less it’ll hurt.’

The juniper-scented alpha flicked his wrists and a couple of cards- all imbued with explosive energy- shot towards the house, and you watched as the place collapsed on top of itself.

There was no going back now.

You cleared your throat and turned to your bondeds and Hank. You made your way over to them, and even without looking back, you knew that the pups and Darwin were following close behind you.

You stopped in front of Charles and offered him a hesitant smile.

‘I need you to help me, Charles.’

‘Anything.’

‘My mental walls aren’t good. At all.’ At your confession, Charles smiled as he gave you an encouraging nod. ‘Could you help me keep all the voices out until we get back to your estate?’

‘Of course.’

“Thank you.”

Erik offered you his hand, palm up, and you were just about to place your hand onto his, but…

The near unnoticeable scent of Lily-of-the-valley invaded your senses and you felt a pair of arms wrap around your waist.

“No.” Lorna said, and you stifled the urge to roll your eyes at the younger omega’s hiss. “I’ll bite you.”

The scent of juniper mixed with Lorna’s and you felt your alpha pup rest his chin onto your shoulder. You sighed when you saw Erik’s eyes sharpen and narrow at the pink-eyed mutant you had invited into your life nearly a decade ago. Your omegan bonded gave you a look.

“I don’t control them.” Was your response to him. “Unless we’re in a dire situation.”

“Leave beta alone, you two.” Darwin was your saving grace, as he grabbed them by the sleeves to tug them off of you. “Their relationship with their bondeds is more complicated than you think.”

Well. That was the understatement of the decade. And you still had no idea what the three of you had with each other.

~ ♥~

You fiddled with the charms of your bracelet as you walked about the estate. You were absentmindedly brushing against the surface of your little group, making sure that they were all content with being here.

Darwin slipped into the estate with a familiarity that reflected his previous time here, and you could feel that he was glad in some way to be back. Peter’s thoughts were quick and curious, and as he had some experience with both of your bondeds, you didn’t worry too much about him. Remy went with the flow often, and although there was a hint of apprehension lingering in his mind, you could tell that he wasn’t too worried.

You worried about Lorna, though. She was fiercely cautious and wary of everyone that wasn’t part of the group you had acquired, and you worried that she would be needlessly tense here.

It appeared as though Lorna took after Erik more than Peter did.

‘What?’

You winced. You had completely forgotten that you weren’t the only telepath here.

‘Don’t ask, Charles.’

‘What do you mean, don’t ask? How could I not?’ A pause. ‘Does Erik know?’

‘No. Lorna and Peter are also oblivious to it, and I’m not planning on telling them any time soon.’ You followed the faint chocolate-y scent that Raven often left behind. ‘It’s not my secret to reveal. And it might be better for all of them this way.’

‘Beta-’

Your inner instinct startled at the way Charles referred to you. Maybe it was expecting bitterness to tint the title. Maybe it wasn’t really expecting to be referred to in such a… commanding tone.

His tone softened as he said your name in your mind instead.

‘Can we shelf this conversation for later, Charles?’ You rubbed the bridge of your nose tiredly. ‘I have to go see Raven, and we have to figure out what to do with Trask. We also have to have that conversation.’

About the bond, the fact that the three of you were bondeds, and how the whole dynamic would work.

‘If that’s what you want.’

‘Thanks, Charles.’

The telepathic conversation ended there, and just in time too, as Raven rounded the corner in her natural blue form, her arms crossed as she regarded you with a coolness you hadn’t even seen from her when you first met her.

You instinctively bared your throat at her, slipping into the role of a beta far too easily when the discontent scent of an alpha hit you. This was Raven, the girl who had hugged you and demanded that Charles take you with them to the estate after Shaw’s attack at the compound, but this was also Mystique, who had spent a decade following the radical ideals of the mutant Brotherhood.

It was similar to how you weren’t the soft-spoken beta professional a decade ago. How you weren’t as… innocent as you were back then.

You didn’t know how to speak to her.

It was a silent standstill, and you didn’t dare to touch her mind. She had shields far stronger than yours up anyway, considering her longer experience being around a telepath.

The chocolate scent sweetened slightly as she relaxed her posture.

“So, you’re a mutant?”

You smiled and allowed the tension to seep away from your body. You nodded.

“I think I had the gene, but that specific criteria had to be met to trigger it.”

“Bonding?”

“To other mutants, yes. But Hank’s planning on running some tests to figure out what’s really happened.”

She reached to grasp at your shoulder, and her yellow eyes gazed into your own deeply. Her fingers dug into your flesh, but you didn’t find the sensation to be uncomfortable or painful. It was simply a reminder- to you or to herself, you didn’t know- that you were here with her.

“I heard what happened from Charles and Hank.” She offered you a smile, just like she had done so a decade ago. “Thank you.”

You smiled back at her.

“We may not have parted in the best of ways, but I consider you a friend, Raven. I couldn’t let you be used and experimented on.”

“You aren’t a friend, beta.” You flinched at her words, opening your mouth to retract your previous sentence, but Raven shot you a look which made you close your mouth quickly. “You’re bonded to Charles- you’re practically family.”

The knot that you didn’t know you had resting within your ribcage loosened. You laughed lightly and removed her hand from your shoulder to hold it in your own.

“Do you want to come and watch as I have a word with Trask, alpha?”

Her smile turned sharp and downright dangerous.

“It would be my pleasure, beta.”

~ ♥~

Charles looked a little absentminded. Erik noted the vacant look in his eyes and the way he startled when he placed his hand onto the other man’s shoulder. When Erik asked, he simply shook his head and smiled at him.

You had been wound up the whole plane trip back to Charles’ estate. Quiet, and fretting about the young… pups. Erik didn’t know what he felt, when he could smell their scents on you more than his and Charles’.

Was it regret or was it jealousy?

“You’re just in time for the show.”

Mystique’s words were rather excited, and that successfully pulled him out of whatever thoughts his inner omega was pushing into his consciousness.

“What show, Raven?”

Erik opted to release his control over Charles’ wheelchair as he walked closer to the one-way glass that allowed the three of them to see you sitting in front of Trask, your back against them.

Mystique didn’t answer Charles, and instead pressed a button, a sharp grin gracing her features.

“-you. You’re the one our security cameras captured. The mutant with so many powers.”

Through the cracking of the speakers, Erik could hear you hum softly.

“Alloy bullets were a nice touch, weren’t they?” The human asked, so vindictive despite the situation he was in. “How many times were you shot with them, beta?”

At the clearly condescending tone of your secondary gender, Charles snarled. Which was rather surprising. Erik hissed lowly and grit his teeth together.

“A couple of times. Nothing too serious though. I was worth more alive, weren’t I?” You shifted your torso slightly. “I saw your files, Trask. I know what you wanted to do with my genes.”

The displeased sounds grew louder, and Erik wasn’t quite sure if that was because of the sound ripping from his throat or Charles’. Maybe even Raven’s.

“A shame. We could have figured out how to apply that gene of yours to other people. Give them power beyond the limits of humanity. You could have been a pioneer.”

‘Breathe, Erik.’

Erik noticed that the metal of the room started to curve and crumple. He took in a deep breath and released his hand, which had unconsciously formed a fist.

You sighed.

“I’m not here to talk to you about what could have beens. Nor am I here to indulge you in your delusional ideas.” You leaned forwards, and Erik watched as the metal within the room started to vibrate. “I’m here to convince you to confess your crimes. To give up your research.”

“How would you do that? The moment I am inevitably released from this place, I will be asking for more funding to eradicate your kind. You did kidnap me, after all.”

“I can make you.”

Charles inhaled sharply, and Erik knew instantly that he didn’t approve.

But Erik did.

“A simple thought planted here, a mental nudge there…” Erik couldn’t see your face, but the morphing of Trask’s smug expression into something of fear made him feel… delighted. “And you’d go to the authorities yourself to confess your sins.”

Erik glanced at Charles and saw that his old friend had his fingers pressed against his temple, his eyes closed and eyebrows furrowed.

“Charles?”

“Hush, Erik. I’m concentrating. It’s been a while since I’ve properly used this aspect of my abilities.”

He looked at Mystique for confirmation that Charles was doing what he thought the other man was doing. She simply shrugged at him.

“Charles isn’t the naïve fool you make him to be, Erik.” She tilted her chin up to refer to said man. “He’s still pack alpha.” Whilst Erik was aware of that fact, it was an entirely different experience, seeing one of his bondeds’ eyes shift golden. “He was worse when we were younger.”

“And you’ll forget everything about us too,” you said as you waved your hand slightly.

And before he knew it, Trask’s face slammed onto the table. You sighed and stood up, stumbling slightly when you took a step. Erik extended a hand and had the metal chair move closer to you.

“Didn’t they say that their abilities are direct imitations of ours?” Erik asked, more to himself than anything.

“For making people forget things and vague orders targeting many minds, they’re very adept. But targeted control and persuasion requires… more experience. More precision.” Charles looked up at him, and Erik noted that his eyes were still golden. “They couldn’t have convinced Trask alone, and neither could I.”

“Trask won’t be an issue anymore?”

“He won’t hurt us. Not now, and certainly not in the future.”

“That doesn’t mean the danger’s gone, though.” You said, and Erik was quick to move by your side. His hand curling around your waist as he truly breathed in your scent. He dipped his face to press it against your shoulder, his inner omega surfacing with the need to smother you in his scent. Your hand reached up to caress his cheek. “Trask’s only… one of the heads of a hydra. There’ll always be something that poses a danger to you.”

“To us.”

“…Right.” You regarded Mystique with an expression that he couldn’t interpret. “To us.”

~ ♥~

A couple of weeks had passed, and despite your promise to talk to your bondeds about things, you found yourself avoiding them for some strange reason. You wanted to talk to them properly. You wanted to grab the promises of comfort and love that the alpha and the omega were clearly offering you.

But your inner instinct clearly wasn’t willing to cooperate with your logical side.

As the school had reopened, students came back and thus the younger pups you had taken under your wing were interacting and forming friendships with other students their age. You didn’t seek them out though, fully knowing that they needed this.

You yourself offered your experience as an expert in secondary gender studies and Charles was all too happy to have you work at the school as a counsellor of a sort. Considering the fact that there was a much higher percentage of alphas and omegas in the mutant population.

You looked at the mirror in your room- the same one you had a decade ago, preserved just the way you had left it before the crisis in Cuba- and sighed.

“What’s wrong with you?” You asked yourself, knowing that your reflection wouldn’t answer. “You missed them, didn’t you? You want to be with them. That’s why you gave them the charms.”

There was something wrong with you. You weren’t normal, not by human standards, not by mutant ones, and certainly not by betan ones.

You felt a graze at your mind, and reflexively, you brought a wall up. You knew that Charles could break through them easily, but this was your way of warning him to not prod at them.

You tore your eyes away from the mirror and found your way over to your desk. Looking at piles of papers of research that you had set aside a long, long time ago. When you were more interested in making the lives of betas easier. To get the rest of the world to see that betas were needed in a pack. That they benefited from pack bonds. That no harm came to the bonded of a beta if a mating bond did form.

You laughed lightly and shoved those papers away. That was the goal of a you that was younger and more hopeful. A you that had dreams and ambitions to change the world.

Not you now, who was doubtful of the beliefs the past you had held.

~ ♥~

“Here’s the thing, Lehnsherr.” Erik turned his attention to where the voice of the fellow metallokinetic who had walked up to him after the last of the afternoon lessons ended, twirling a charm around in the palm of her hand. “You don’t know them.”

His inner omega- coiled and tense from the way it picked up your deliberate avoidance of both him and Charles- made him snarl, but she didn’t flinch. She instead leaned against the wall near him and grinned.

Erik wasn’t quite sure what made her talk to him, considering the actively hostile demeanour she exhibited towards him ever since that charged reunion with you.

“Elaborate.”

“I know them.” Erik knew this, and he had inferred that Lorna in particular was fiercely cautious of anyone that came near you. Which rubbed him the wrong way. “And there’s a couple of things that you either don’t know-” her expression shifted into something colder- “or you know and are ignoring it. For your sake, I hope it’s the former.”

“They don’t think of themselves to be a mutant, but they don’t think that they’re human either.”

Erik tilted his head. But you were a mutant now. That’s all that mattered. You were like him and Charles.

As if she had telepathic abilities of her own, she rolled her eyes and pocketed the charm before crossing her arms.

“I’ve heard of the Cuban crisis. I’ve heard of how you felt- or feel- about non-mutants. It was mainly from them though.”

“What is it that you want to tell me, Lorna?”

“They probably think that you’re only willing to reinitiate the bond only because they turned out to be a mutant. Not because you actually like them.”

His blunt question was answered with an equally blunt answer. But you wouldn’t really think that.    

Would you?

Your scent was as comforting and soft as before, and you hadn’t voiced anything. You avoided both him and Charles, but when you did interact with them, you acted like you had always acted. Teasing, indulging, but firm when it was needed.

He opted to stay silent, not wanting his more personal life to be exposed to a student. Not even one that you were personally invested in. She wasn’t deterred by his silence.

“You confused them, and I don’t think you made anything clear to them.”

“Lorna!”

“That’s just some food for thought. Remy’s calling me, so I’ll leave you with that.”

Erik couldn’t do anything but watch as the green haired omega disappeared from his view.

~ ♥~

“What’s your diagnosis, doc?”

“Beta, you’re a doctor too.” Hank was bluer and furrier than you remembered, but the citrussy scent of oranges remained the same. He flicked through the papers on the clipboard as you rolled your sleeve back down. “You do have the X-gene, and it looks to be very similar to the gene of a copycat’s.”

“A copycat’s?”

Hank nodded, his eyes still on the report in his hands.

“There was an older mutant that could mimic the mutations of others. It wasn’t anything permanent, but his genes had some characteristics that yours show.” He looked up at you. “But unlike his, yours is more stable.”

“So my hypothesis is correct?” You asked, opening a hand to silently ask for the report. The omega handed it to you. “The bonds did change me. Or… they triggered something to kick start it.”

“That seems to be the case.”

You wondered if the gene would have been triggered by any bond or if it had to be triggered by a bond- or bonds- with those with the X-gene.

Your hand grazed at the mark on your neck as you absentmindedly read through the graphs and words on the pieces of paper.

“He missed you, you know.”

“…I gathered.”

“No. You don’t know, beta.” Your eyes immediately landed on Hank when you heard the edge in his tone. When you smelt the chemical burn of bleach overtake the orange. “You really don’t.”

“The… perceived death of a bonded is bound to impact anyone.” Your words sounded clinical, even to yourself. You paused, trying to gather your thoughts, but Hank gestured for you to continue. “It’s just- I didn’t think it’d impact him that much. Or for that long.”

“You’re one of his bondeds.”

Thank God Charles and Raven were out for a talk at a university today. You really didn’t want him to listen in on this.

“He’s an alpha. And his omegan bonded was well and alive. Albeit estranged.”

“Do you think Charles cares about secondary genders?”

You pursed your lips. The alpha was the first one you spoke to about your insecurities about being a part of the ‘group’. And he had been the one to coax you into joining the ‘pack activities’.   

At your silence, Hank sighed.

“I read your work. I rummaged through the cabinets of journals and read your articles that had been filed away and rejected. And I think you were onto something.”

“Those were written by a me that wasn’t bonded.” You were being defensive. You knew you were being defensive. You loved Erik and Charles. You really did. But… you couldn’t help but feel the disconnect between yourself and the two of them. At times, you felt like you were an intruder of a sort. “Sorry. It’s just… I don’t think that my previous research really matters anymore. The pack dynamics between alphas and omegas is something that betas can’t really interfere with.”

“Do you really think that?”

“I don’t know, Hank.” You placed the clipboard onto the table of the lab. “I don’t really know anything anymore.”

“Charles and I are pack. So’s Raven.” A clawed hand gingerly grasped at yours. “And so are you. It doesn’t matter what your secondary gender is. I considered you pack the moment you saved Darwin.”

You noted the absence of Erik, but you understood why. And if you were honest with yourself, you didn’t blame him.

“Thanks, omega.”

“You’re very welcome, beta.”

~ ♥~

“I didn’t get to say this before, but you look like a completely different person when you’re not high.”

“Hello to you too, Peter.”

Charles greeted the young omega who appeared in his office in a flurry of silver and the scent of snowdrops quickly surrounded the room. The younger mutant waved at him from where he sat and fiddled with something on the desk.

Peter’s thoughts were hard to interpret. They went by so quickly and very fleetingly, and he didn’t understand how you were able to communicate with the silver-haired mutant through his mind.

Said omega tilted his head at Charles, a rare serious look crossing his features. In these moments, Charles was truly hit with the fact that, yes, this really was Erik’s son.

“You see, I was speaking to Lorna and Remy and Darwin last night ‘cause we worried about our beta, y’know?” Charles took in a sharp breath. He was aware of your avoidance of him and Erik, and he was well aware of your warnings for him to stay out of your thoughts. But was he being inattentive? “It’s not your fault, Professor. We just pick up on their tendencies better.”

“…I see.”

His inner alpha whimpered at the mere thought of his failure at not being someone his loved ones could depend on. At the fact that he was unable to provide and protect.

Peter scratched the back of his neck as he scented the air.

“You see, Professor… They may not be an alpha, but they were always our pack leader. Even if they don’t really think so. They never really depended on us and we always came to them when something went wrong. I think they just got used to that.”

“They shouldn’t have. Darwin should have taken up the role of pack alpha.”

Peter snorted and shook his head.

“Darwin barely knows how omegas work, Professor. When I went to heat, he asked if a quote unquote service needed to be called. Beta slapped the back of his head and put me on the bed instead. Cuddling does wonders, did you know?” Peter had placed down the object he was fiddling with and was instead tapping his finger on the wooden desk. “It was just a theory they had, but turns out sex isn’t required in heats and ruts.”

Charles’ mind flickered to the articles you had written during your time as a researcher.

“Anyway. Our beta’s confused, I think. They’re the only beta in the school so that might have something to do with it too. They kind of uprooted their life to come here, y’know? And they probably feel a little out of their depth. I think that you and Erik should probably do some pack activities for them to join in with. Make a nest, and cuddle or something.”

Peter was… surprisingly perceptive. And as if the young omega knew what he was thinking, he grinned.

“I’m fast, Professor. My mind works quickly and so does my eyes. I pick up on things about as quickly as I can run. It just doesn’t show with school work.” He stood up. “Just consider what I just said, yeah?”

“I will.”

“We’re planning on going to get some nesting materials in a couple of weeks’ time. Me and Lorna need some new stuff and Remy, Darwin, and our beta’s going to join us. So… if you’d like to join, you can. Maybe Erik too?”

Charles smiled at the offer.

“I’ll ask him. Thank you for offering that to me, Peter.”

“I want beta to be happy. That’s all.”

And just as quickly as he appeared into Charles’ office, he disappeared.

~ ♥~

“Erik. Charles.” You greeted your two bondeds that strolled into your office as you closed the file you were looking at. You smiled at them and gestured at the area in across your desk. “What brings you here?”

“We need to have that talk,” Charles said, rolling his wheelchair next to where Erik took a seat.

Ah. Yes. The conversation your inner instinct was trying to avoid. You urged your unease to settle and nodded instead.

“I bonded with you before your mutation manifested.” Erik said, icy blue eyes holding your gaze with a heat that you didn’t really expect. “When I thought you were human. You having a mutation doesn’t change that.”

You fidgeted with the charms of your bracelet.

“I don’t know, Erik. Would you have been so accepting of the me now- after the faked death and the deception- if I remained human? I was pushed away from your thoughts the moment the missiles targeted you.” You curled up on yourself a little. “Did you really miss me? Or did you just miss me when my mutation came to light?”

You watched as your omegan bonded’s expression twisted into something hurt.

“Liebling-” you recalled the older, alternative version of the metallokinetic who called you that- “I missed you, mutation or not. I have… wronged both you and Charles in the past-”

His eyes flickered to Charles, who was simply listening with a calm demeanour. Erik didn’t continue, but you could feel that his thoughts were bare for both you and Charles to read. You felt the longing. The hope. And the general affection he held.

“Beta.” Charles started, when Erik pulled his walls up once more. “You belong here. With me. With Erik.”

You were taken aback at the blunt manner in which the alpha phrased the sentence. You blinked owlishly at the telepath, who offered you a small smile.

“I know we never established a pack, but you do have a place in it. A very important place.” You felt Charles graze at the surface of your mind, and this time, you let him in. “Where would we be without your attentiveness and your moderating capabilities?”

Your inner instincts stopped telling you to avoid them now. And you reeled at the sudden change of your instincts. It wanted you to purr now. To drown yourself in their scents. Was this what it was looking for? Acceptance from your bondeds and an acknowledgement of the pain you had been in?

You swallowed.

“I didn’t want to hurt either of you. I never expected that my… death would impact both of you to this degree. I’m sorry.” You fiddled with the charms again. “I shouldn’t have made conclusions for myself.”

The purr that rumbled from Charles made you relax. It was a warm, happy sound that made you smile. And when you listened more carefully, you could hear the lower purr coming from Erik too.

And it wasn’t long before your own purr joined them, leading to the cacophony of delighted purring echoing within the walls.

This was a tentative start, but a start nonetheless.

~ ♥~

Erik simply watched as the young omegas you had picked up fleeted about the store, touching at fabrics and stuffed toys and making faces. Peter and Lorna often came back to where he and his bondeds were to ask you for your opinion, which you gave readily.

“Why don’t you go find some things too, Erik?”

He shook his head at your suggestion. Nesting was not something he did.

“Come now, dear.” Charles’ tone was filled with mirth and amusement, and that made Erik shoot the alpha a glare. “Let’s at least take a look at things.”

“I agree with the Professor.” The younger, juniper scented alpha butted in, taking the handle of the cart from you. “Me and Darwin can monitor the younger omegas.”

“But Remy-”

“Go on, cher. Have some bonding time with your mates.”

You reluctantly let the boy take the cart from you and instead placed your hands on Charles’ wheelchair.

“May I, Charles?”

“Always, love.” His old friend turned his head to look up at him. “Where shall we go first, Erik?”

He really didn’t know. But at your coaxing look and the gentle nudging at his mind, Erik reluctantly walked towards a shelf of things that pulled up his inner omega.

~ ♥~

Charles had to admit that watching Erik rummage through blankets and pillows was something that endeared him greatly. The disapproving glare he would give some things and the satisfied hum he would vocalise when he found something he liked made his inner alpha thrum with satisfaction.

He felt your hand at the back of his neck, and he tilted his head back lightly to lean more heavily into your touch.

“He’s very… cute, don’t you think?”

“He is indeed. I think it’s more of Erik’s inner omega than himself, but I’m glad he’s indulging it.” Charles said, smiling when you grabbed at a random plush on the shelf to dump it on his lap. “Is this one for you, love?”

“From the things gathered in Erik’s arms right now, I don’t think he’ll pick up any plushies. But I like them and I think I can endear him to this one.”

Charles looked at the rather large shark plushie on his lap and smiled. Erik would be endeared to anything you picked, regardless of his own preferences. He would also be endeared to anything Charles himself picked, so he too, picked up a plush from the shelf.

“I don’t think he’d mind too much, love.”

~ ♥~

Although you had officially been in a courtship with Charles and Erik for around a month now, there was still a degree of dancing about the three of you were doing. Affections that were cautious and careful. Touches that were more fleeting than anything.

The outing today to the nesting materials shop changed something, and you had telepathically thanked Remy for his interference. The younger alpha took your gratitude with flourish and had teased you, saying that you now owed him a favour.

You had expected to part with Erik and Charles after the outing so that your omegan bonded could set up his nest on his own, but to your utter surprise, the man ushered both you and Charles into Charles’ bedroom and threw the materials on his bed.

So that was how you ended up here, bundled in the arms of your bondeds, wrapped up in the soft scent of bluebells as well as the warm scent of leather and old books. Your neck throbbing from the fresh bond marks your beloved mates gave you once again.

You reached a hand to cradle Charles’ cheek and purred softly at the sight of the blue-eyed alpha nuzzling at your palm.

Pressed at your back, you felt Erik dip his face into the crook of your neck as his hold on your waist tightened.

It had taken a decade, but you were back here. In the presence of your beloved bondeds in the place that started it all.

headcanoning war vet/night elf adaia with the line "[Adaia] wanted [Tabris] more than anything. It’s sad she never got to see you all grown up." and "Valendrian and [Duncan] have known each other for almost twenty years… since the time I tried to recruit your mother, in fact." [...] "I never made the offer. Valendrian convinced me that it was better for her to remain here with her family. As there was no Blight and thus no immediate need for recruits, I deferred to his wishes." really adds severe psychic damage of adaia simply wanting a peaceful life with her family after the war and im shattering like glass

the description of adaia's boots has me in its grip..

some mothers knit booties for their unborn babes. adaia, who was much more practical, made leather boots adorned with patterns of vines.

I saw a template similar to this one (though unfortunately with unknown credit to the original) floating around. I wanted to do it too, but I wanted to do it with a more expansive version.

Feel free to fill it out yourself as we collectively anticipate the release of The Veilguard!

designed a few empires tarot cards for the battleship exchange! they were a lot of fun to draw, i loved doing the relaxed painterly sketches so much.

when the elves find out about galadriel allying with adar

-ˋˏ .·:·. ⊱ 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐘 𝐃𝐀𝐘𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐕𝐄𝐈𝐋𝐆𝐔𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐛𝐲 @pavus — day one: 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞.

— 𝐈𝐑𝐔𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐄 𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐕𝐀𝐑 . 𝐕𝐄𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐈 𝐃𝐄 𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐀 . 𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐀 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐄.

𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐃𝐀𝐒. 𝐄𝐍𝐉𝐎𝐘 𝐈𝐓 𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐄 𝐈𝐓 𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐒.

— 𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 (mutuals can opt in/out via 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 <3):

@loriane-elmuerto, @carrionsflower, @auricfog, @girliefailure, @sunsofdawn

@risingsh0t, @griffin-wood, @lilywatt, @full---ofstarlight, @grapecaseschoices

@tommyarashikage, @shadowsofrose, @shadowglens, @weisshaupts, @queennymeria

@deadrlngers, @d-esmond, @courtana, @gothimp, @wlwaerith

@unholymilf, @aezyrraeshh, @socially-awkward-skeleton, @shellibisshe, @florbelles

@celticwoman, @neonshrike, @cloudofbutterflies92, @adelaidedrubman, @carlosoliveiraa

@pinkfey, @spookyrares, @yharnams, @aceghosts, @confidentandgood

@theelderhazelnut, @leviiackrman, @ellierenae, @anoras, @lavampira

@dialdrunk, @full---ofstarlight, @imogenkol

TOLKIENVERSE ↳ High Queen of the Noldor — Antariel

She was born as Cîneth to Lord Taethon and Lady Almanis of the Sindar, and raised in the great Kingdom of Doriath. She was a quiet yet happy child but she later grew sorrowful and fearful in nature, plagued by dark foresight and dreams. 

After the Second Kinslaying in Doriath, she fled to the Mouth of Sirion with the survivors of the massacre, having lost her father and brother to the Noldor. However, during the War of the Wrath, many Elves banded together, regardless of old differences and she encountered the High King of the Noldor, Erenion Gil-Galad. Overcoming animosity, she grew to love the Noldorin King and he took her to wife in the Year 95 of the Second Age — and bestowed the Quenya name, Antariel, on her.

Antariel remained Gil-Galad’s wife and queen for the entirety of the second Age, until his death, three thousand years later, at the hands of Sauron. She was known for her political intellect and compassionate nature, yet she often seen as a mournful figure but she only confided her dark dreams to her husband. After Gil-Galad’s death, she remained a mentor to Elrond in the beginning of the Third Age but grief overcame her and she faded away in the Year 398 T.A. 

So Solas' orb and the anchor is symbolic of his heart? Am I understanding that correctly?

Well, if that's true, he gave it to Corypheus. Romantic.

But then pre-Inky comes along and messes everything up and then essentially becomes the home of his heart/the anchor. Or at least a piece of it.

If you romance him, he names Lavellan his heart. However reluctantly.

Then at the end of the game his orb/heart is literally broken.

So there's that.

PSA: Paypal on some more shady shit

-

tag an artist save a life etc

i need him carnally

there’s something so beautiful about the wolf/halla symbolism of Solavellan. the game is constantly beating us over the head that wolves are considered Dalish guardians. not only does Solas watch over the Inquisitor when they’re unconscious after closing the first major rift, he fights with them, dines with them. a romanced Solas continues to watch over the Inquisitor when they sleep long after he breaks off the relationship. they have an unbreakable bond and there’s just something remarkably beautiful and heartbreaking about that 😭 I love them so much. I’ll never not be over them

I’m not a classicist, but I suspect one of the reasons so many of the Greek gods are portrayed so unflatteringly was less because they were seen as villains than because they represented their domains.  Of course Zeus sometimes misuses his power, that’s what a king does.  Of course Artemis’s wrath is wild and painful, that’s what nature can be.  Of course Hades snatched away a young girl from her mother’s arms, that’s what death does.  This is one of the reasons callout posts for some gods comparing them negatively to ‘nicer’ gods are kind of missing the point.

i think it’s easy to only think of mages when we look at the mortalitasi but the mourn watch has elite non-mages too. here are some descriptions of mourn watch aligned items that we’ve seen in the gameplay videos, which i think speak to where a non-mage mourn watch rook might be coming from

Enchanted Longblade, a sabre: “Imbued with necrotic energy through carefully managed rituals in the Grand Necropolis, this blade is deadly in the right (or wrong) hands.”

Cryptwood Bow, a shortbow: “This bow is crafted from the ancient death-touched trees that grow deep in the crypts of the Grand Necropolis.”

Duelist’s Blade, a rapier: “This razor-sharp blade, plucked from an ancient hoard, is surrounded by a deeply menacing aura.”

Necropolis Defender, a targe shield: “The elite guards who stand watch at the gates of the Grand Necropolis use these shields to guard against both the living and the dead.”

The Iron Cast, heavy armour: “This armour’s vividly sculpted musculature is a testament to Nevarra’s unrivalled knowledge of anatomy.”

I'm quite set on playing an Antivan Crow Rook first but I have some loose thoughts about a Mourn Watch Rook, just because of how metal that backstory is

they/them - who cares about gender among the undead?

very pale, greyish complexion, they've barely ever poked their nose out from the tombs; pretty much look half-dead already

have a very good sense of direction in the Necropolis, much better than anyone else, rarely gets lost

serves a kind of keyholder role - has keys to a bunch of crypts, tombs, corridors and passages

no one is 100% sure where all these keys come from

knows exactly what key goes where and how to get to the lock from anywhere in the Necropolis

has a lot of love and sympathy for the undead

absolutely hated leaving the Necropolis and aches to get back; is pissed off at their superiors for making them leave their only home because of a bunch of snotty nobles

a rogue?

a nerd

not fully up to date with what's going on outside of the Necropolis (but has all the tea about what's going on inside) and with other nation's cultures and customs

their last name Ingellvar comes from the name on the tomb they were found in - the Mourn Watch actually looked into this family after finding them but the Ingellvars died out centuries ago and there are no traces of any descendants; the name stuck with them though

Actually, I think Solas has been doing that Trespasser epilogue slide thing where he lurks in Lavellan's dreams for ages.

But WHAT IF the "Dwarves can't dream" is a Titan thing that just blocks out dreaming like that anti-indoctrination barrier thing from Mass Effect?

PICTURE THIS:

Doom Upon All The World, Solas leaves, Lavellan is still off doing Inquisitorial things, with Solas lurking in her dreams like she was a news anchor and he glued to the TV.

Then she goes off to do The Descent DLC things, moves sufficiently far enough underground and she's just gone.

Solas can't find her in dreams, but bc he's off doing Dread Wolf Stuff In Secret (TM), he doesn't even hear the Inquisitor visiting the Deep Roads even down the grapevine.

So he just thinks she's fucking died somewhere, in the dark and wet and lonely and scared where nobody will even think to find her body because it just does not fucking occur to him she would go so deep underground for (as far as he knows) funsies.

Bonus points if during Jaws of Hakkon, when he can find her dreams again, instead of just lurking he does the fade-walking-dream equivalent of shaking her by the shoulders like WHAT IN THE SWEET HELLS WERE YOU THINKING JUST FIGHTING A TITAN I WAS RIGHT THERE [stalking u in ur dreams uwu]

Idk i just thing it would be good angst.