THE LAST OF US PART II → 6/∞

always remember this!

Please Remember...

You are never as awkward as you think you are

You are never as annoying as you think you are

You are never as boring as you think you are

Your compliments are never as creepy as you think they are

You are way more wanted than you give yourself credit for

Chin up, everything’s going to be okay, okay?

“So, I know the two of you have been waiting for me to choose a best man,” Harry said. “Not really,” Hermione replied. “We know perfectly well it’s Ron.” “I will throw a fit if it’s not me,” Ron admitted. “Well, actually,” Harry started. (“Oh my god, he’s going to choose Neville. Hold me, Hermione,” Ron said.) “I was thinking…I want the both of you.” Ron grinned, then stopped, “Wait.”

“Me, too?” Hermione said with a tremble. 

“It should be the people who mean the most to the groom.” Harry murmured.  “There is no choosing between the two of you.” Harry hugged Hermione when she started to cry. “Also, I thought it’d be better to call you guys the ‘groom’s crew’? This men only thing sucks.” “That’s awful,” Ron grinned. “Malfoy’s okay with this?” Right on cue, the door burst open and Draco sauntered in, arms raised. He was followed by Pansy and Blaise. “Behold,” Draco sang. “My ‘groom’s bitches.’” “I hate weddings,” Blaise said.

Post-War Storm Epilogue: Reunion **spoilers for RQ4**

                                                   1 year later

The wind is chill on my skin as I step onto the runway at the edge of Archeon. It’s been a year since I was last in Norta, a year since I said goodbye to Cal. So much has changed since then.

I’ve come alone this time, leaving Farley with Clara and Kilorn with Cameron, even Davidson stayed behind in Montfort - all aware that this is a trip I need to take alone. My family are safe and happy, and as much as it pains me to leave them again I’ve known for some time that my path would lead me back here. At least this time around it’s by choice, and not as part of a cruel game.

Over the past year I’ve explored the world to the farthest reaches and back,  always keeping one eye on my former home, on Norta. The first broadcast we watched together; my family, Davidson, the Red Command and even Evangaline, huddled around to see the first glimpses of the new country. In the weeks following the battle the High Houses started to return. Silvers and reds were shown to be mixing, working together to build the new world with a fledgling government drawn from both bloods. Cal was elected temporarily as the first Premier of Norta amidst the fall-out, as the country sought to find a new equilibrium. Seeing his face, clear of pain but worn from rebuilding was a smart to my slowly healing wounds.

The next broadcast I saw came six months later. Away from Ascendant, away from my family, I watched as Cal was sworn in officially as Premier. A king no longer, but still a leader in his blood. The footage panned to Cal’s government, a collection of reds, silvers and new-bloods alike, all committed to upholding a better future. I didn’t watch the full broadcast, unwilling to see the marks of resistance still brewing amongst bitter silvers. I have to remind myself that for once, the good outweighs the bad, and with Cal at the head of government it will stay that way. Progress has been slow, but as Davidson would say, inches for miles.

I snap out of my memories, caught off guard by the light rain that has started to fall. My Montfort escorts lead the way to my transport and I find myself once again on my way to Whitefire.

***

The palace remains much the same; the marble polished and clean, free from the gore of a battle long since passed. The throne room however has been repurposed for government - the colours of House Calore have been removed, as have those of Marandus and Jacos. Much like in Ascendant, the colours that now line the walls are those of silver and red, interspersed in equal measure. A physical reminder of the unification of the bloods.

It’s here that I find him.

My breath catches as I watch him from the doorway. Cal seems much unchanged; his broad shoulders cloaked in a simple dark jacket with trousers to match, tucked into military grade boots. His hair is longer than I last saw it, long enough to start curling around his ears as it falls forward. I put a hand to my red earring, the one Cal gifted to me a lifetime ago, as the full weight of missing him crashes into me and I find it hard to breathe. In response my lightning crackles to life in my palm, and Cal’s head snaps up at the sound.

His gaze finds me immediately, smoldering bronze in surprise and trepidation. Cal straightens, seemingly searching for the right thing to say and coming up with nothing. “Hi”, I say quietly, never averting my gaze. A startled chuckle bursts from him, “Hi” he says in return.

I suddenly feel awkward. What if he didn’t wait for me? What if this year apart has changed everything? Cal steps forward as I make to step back, reading the questions in my eyes before I can voice them. “Mare”, his voice is soft and pleading, serving as a balm to my nerves. My lighting crackles once more as the heat in the room slowly rises, and I step towards him. With that one step it’s as if a spell has lifted and we rush towards eachother, desperate to close the space between us.

Cal pulls me into his embrace, his body warm and as strong as I remember. My arms lock around his neck as he lifts me, holding me so tightly it feels as though we could become one from sheer determination alone. I draw back to look at him, tracing his cheekbones with one hand before settling it along his jaw, cupping his ear softly. Cal shudders beneath me, the raw emotion roiling in his eyes as he studies my face as if memorizing it, likely checking for any new scars, ever the soldier. Cal clears his throat as he sets me back down, although doesn’t release the circle of his arms, keeping me close, safe within his cocoon of warmth.

“I’ve missed you.” Cal chokes out. “Everyday, I’ve missed you. Every storm I’ve hoped to see a streak of purple. Everywhere I turn I think I see you.” Cal’s breathing is heavy as his eyes bore into mine, afraid to look away even for a moment. “Is this real? Are you really here?” Cal swallows audibly, waiting for me to speak with bated breath.

I try to sound nonchalant and fail spectacularly, my voice wobbling when I reply, “It’s real. I’m here.” Cal’s body trembles against mine, his growing smile threatening to crack my heart wide open as I continue, my voice betraying me once more, “I’m never saying farewell to you again” I whisper, tears leaking from the corner of my eyes, tracking quickly down my cheeks. The temperature in the room spikes, my body curled in delicious heat as Cal burns. He leans towards me, tentatively kissing away the tears running down my cheeks one at a time, his lips feather light on my damp skin, before drawing back to look at me once more.

“Are you going to kiss me properly or have I got to do everything myself?” I tease half-seriously. Cal’s deep laugh shakes through my body, through my soul, stitching together all my broken pieces, filling my heart with such happiness I feel as though it might burst. “There’s my Mare” Cal chuckles, sobered once more by the sight of my smile, before drawing me flush against him and closing his mouth over mine.

***

The wounds still exist. The betrayals and deceits lie between us as they always have, but they are no longer obstacles. The path that brought us here was treacherous, fraught with sorrow and death, but it has forged us into the people we have become, and are still becoming. My physical brand remains, as real as the emotional scars left behind by Maven in both of us, but the time spent apart has allowed us to grieve and find peace in our own way.

Nothing stands between us anymore. With hearts slowly mending we have only hope for a new world and a better life for all bloods. Our choice is simple and made without hesitation; on this day, and every day from now, we will choose eachother.

———–

Phew, I hope you guys like this! This is my first attempt at writing any sort of fic, let along posting it. I finished War Storm yesterday and couldn’t bear the way it ended, so wanted to continue the epilogue with this. I needed to see Mare and Cal reunited, ok!

Anyway, I’d love to hear any thoughts on this! Is this how you saw things ending up? I need someone to fangirl with, pls and thanks.

Caitlyn just learned what the boy's name was from Vi defusing their confrontation. She then said "Ekko, it's wrong what's been done to you" instantly using his name to humanize him while also acknowledging how he's been treated unfairly by her people.

She continues with "you'd be well within your rights to keep it. I couldn't blame you" fully understanding where he's coming from with his suggestion and letting him know she's not judging him.

She then addresses the risks, aware of how Piltover would react to such technology being used to this effect and how it wouldn't stop the cycle of violence, which subsequently highlights what she's worried about. Instead, she sees how to make this beneficial for everyone and to potentially restore peace, or at least some of it.

And of course, she finishes off her speech with this

(@lena-luthor)

Healing. She recognizes the pain, the despair and how this city's been damaged. "More than I ever realized" is obviously in reference to Vi and what she's shown her. Vi gets it.

Caitlyn is not only demonstrating her empathy here, but also her public speaking skills as well as her ability to advocate for people if needed. She truly showed what Vi meant with "she's not your enemy" and did more with her words than what was expected of her to prove.

Your people wouldn't have to hide anymore.

What she said is such a beautiful thing. I'm not surprised Vi went from "I guess I trust her now" to fully embracing her on the bridge after that and being scared for her life minutes later. She realized just how special she is in this moment.

It was that powerful of a speech. It was the polar opposite of what Vi believes, understandably, of enforcers. Caitlyn knows the reality of their lives now and she's willing to speak up for them - to act.

Oh look, I found a summary of the entire Harry Potter series:

this is the one thing i need in my life other than good grades

Any ideas for efficient breaks between study sessions?

I’m a pro at this;

For a 5 minutes breaks;

Clean your desk. This is very important because you would want to have a clean space when you want to return to studying. It’ll also help you focus more.

Grab a healthy snack. Carrots and nuts are my favorite snacks tbh. 

refill your bottle of water.

Solve a rubix cube (if you know how to solve it)

Check your email or messages, but make sure you don’t spend more than 5 minutes. Just reply to the important ones.

Make yourself a cup of tea or coffee.

For 10-15 minutes breaks;

Prepare some oatmeal! I love oatmeal and I always have some during my break. It’s very nutritious and it wakes you up frankly.

Have a shower. Sometimes when I’m sleepy, I just take a short shower, usually moderately cold, maybe even warm, and change into fresh clothes. That boosts my level of concentration AND makes me feel amazing.

Tidy your room. This is a nice way to control the mess and it sets you in a better mood, knowing that everything is in place and neat. 

Call a friend! You sometimes need to chat with someone that makes you feel happy.

Watch a youtube video (preferably motivational). This is what I do most of the time. It really gives me a boost of motivation and kind of reminds me why I’m doing what I’m doing. Why I shouldn’t stop.

Exercise; some yoga sequences, crunches, squats, ANYTHING REALLY! Maybe practice your splits or bridge. I don’t know, just MOVE your body. I frankly dance. I just place some music and start to choreograph to it. Or I also practice my kicks for karate (trying to get them higher than usual). Just do any kind of exercise that moves your body.

For 20-40 minutes breaks;

POWER NAP YAASSS. If you feel too tired, just sleep. Tell someone to wake you up in 20 minutes or so. but don’t exceed the 40 minutes or else you would wake up tired rather than energized. Tbh, a 20 minutes power nap is the best option.

Read a chapter from your favorite book. Just one chapter yeah?

Prepare lunch, or dinner. I honestly just go heat up my food and eat it, or maybe actually prepare some (noodles bruh). and then I watch something while I’m eating, like a part of that musical I’ve been wanting to watch (Heathers is what I’m currently watching).

Prepare next week’s spread. I tend to do that during the weekends.

Skincare! Since I have rosacea (it sucks), I use this time to wash my face, apply a face mask, then wash my face AGAIN then put some serum to regenerate the skin. Not only is this good for my skin, but it also makes me more relaxed.

Go outside! go to the library, the coffee shop, the grocery store, the park. ANYTHING. You need fresh air. 

For 1-2 hours break; 

THIS IS THE MOST YOU CAN GET.

Watch a movie. Preferably something that doesn’t have sequels. 

Watch an episode or two from your favorite show. if the episode is for 1 hour or more (Sherlock or GOT) you probably should watch one episode.

Go out. Have lunch with a friend, or by yourself (quality time aye)

Go shopping!

Write. I have a two hours break every Saturday and Sunday to write.

Clean up your closet. You probably have many shirts and pants that don’t fit you anymore, so why not give them to someone that actually needs them?

This is what I can think of at the moment. Hope they’re useful!

And remember to actually be productive for you to take a break yeah?

I Got You Harry/Draco After watching the last two installments of Harry Potter films, I wanted to make some Draco fanart. It’s nice to revisit my old fandom. Photo ref.