As promised - a tiny little "epilogue" now that everything is said and done. It's in two parts. Part 1 is Grace's first school essay, and Part 2 is a list of just SOME of the music that's directly inspired the way I write Mika and Kurda's relationsip as well as a tiny snippet of lyrics that have stuck with me in regards to them. I've been listening to a LOT of music lately and I've always loved pairing it with fics. In this case, not every chapter worked for that so I just stuck them all here for my own enjoyment more than anything else.
For the last time, enjoy!
First Semester Assignment
Miss Arlington's First Grade Class
Topic: "About My Life"
Submitted by Grace Arra Smahlt-Ver Leth
What is your name?
My name is Grace but a lot of people call me Gracie. I like both. My full name is Grace Arra Smahlt-Ver Leth but it is very long so it's ok if you just call me Grace.
Describe your home:
I live in a big house made of stone in the middle of a forest. There are no other houses nearby but I don't mind because I sometimes see a deer when I walk outside. There is snow there for a lot of the year and I like to play in it. I also like running and reading and singing and drawing and painting.
Share something about yourself that is special or unique:
I think I am a little different from some of kids because I have 2 dads instead of 1 dad and 1 mom. But that is ok and it is not a weird or bad thing. My dads said there are lots of kids in the world who have 2 dads or 2 moms. Or some have just 1 mom and no dad. Or 1 dad and no mom. And that is ok as long as they have someone who loves them. But some kids have no moms and no dads and that makes me feel sad. I used to be sad because I didn't have a mom but I do have an Auntie Arra and she taught my dads how to braid my hair so they could be good at it. My daddy chose my middle name because of her. Both of my dads are the best because they love me so much and we always have the most fun together. They both have important jobs and they work hard every day but they still make a lot of time for me. Sometimes they have to go away for work trips but if they both go at the same time then I get to go with Papa Paris or Grampa Seba and they let me do fun things like pet animals or go exploring. Grampa Seba helped me find my pet tarantula Lovely. I wanted to bring Lovely to school but my dads said no. Sometimes I also get babysat by my Uncle Arrow. He is my daddy's best friend. I hope I have a best friend like him some day. Uncle Arrow started teaching me how to fight last summer and so far I am good at it. My dad doesn't want me to fight at all but my daddy says it is good because it can help keep me safe when I get older. But he always makes me promise I will not use it to hurt other people on purpose and I think I will keep my promise.
Do you like school so far? What is your favorite part?
So far I think I like school a lot because I feel like I have a big family and that makes me like I am back at home. My favourite part is the fish in the pond and also my new friends like Talia, Abigail, and Kathleen. We laugh and play a lot and I think we will be best friends forever like Daddy and Uncle Arrow. Sometimes I miss my dads and my big family but I know they are always thinking about me and hoping I have fun and learn a lot. And so far I am doing both of those things so I know they will be very proud of me. My dad said it's good if you miss something because that means you have something that is worth missing. I think that means the reason I miss my family so much because they are so great and I am lucky to have them.
The end.
Bonus:
Roxy's Mika-Kurda Playlist
1 - This Is Us / Jimmie Carter Noah Cyrus
"All I really know is love ain't simple / It finds you all alone when you're unassembled"
2 - Magic In The Hamptons / Social House
"You know where I go when we're dancing / Handshakes in The Hamptons and gettin' drunk in the mansions with you"
3 - The Story / Brandi Carlisle
"And all of my friends who think that I'm blessed / They don't know my head is a mess / No, they don't know who I really am / And they don't know what / I've been through like you do"
4 - Endgame / Taylor Swift
"For all your beautiful traits, and the way you do it with ease / For all my flaws, paranoia, and insecurities"
5 - Song # 3 / Stone Sour
"I have gone beyond my years / I've wasted half my life / But I found it all in you / Did I save you? / 'Cause I know you saved me too"
6 - Slow Burn / Kacey Musgraves
"Good in a glass, good on green / Good when you're putting your hands all over me / I'm alright with a slow burn / Taking my time, let the world turn / I'm gonna do it my way, it'll be alright / If we burn it down and it takes all night"
7 - The Bones / Maren Morris
"We're in the homestretch of the hard times / We took a hard left, but we're alright / Yeah, life sure can try to put love through it, but / We built this right, so nothing's ever gonna move it"
8 - Dress / Taylor Swift
"Our secret moments in your crowded room / They've got no idea about me and you / There is an indentation in the shape of you / Made your mark on me, a golden tattoo"
9 - Sunflower / Post Malone Swae Lee
"Wish I could be there for ya / Give me a reason to / Oh, every time I'm walkin' out / I can hear you tellin' me to turn around"
10 - Cross Me / Ed Sheeran
"I really need all you to understand / That nobody's coming close / And I don't ever wanna run around / I spent my youth jumping in and out / But you know I'm fuckin' lovin' now"
11 - Call It What You Want / Taylor Swift
"At least I did one thing right / I did one thing right / I'm laughing with my lover, making forts under covers / Trust him like a brother, yeah, you know I did one thing right"
12 - Nothin' Like You / Dan Shay
"Nothin' like you / Shades on spinning in a summer rain / Dancing when there ain't no music / Just the right kind of crazy, baby / Something about you"
13 - Superman / Taylor Swift
"Tall dark and Superman / He puts papers in his briefcase and drives away / To save the world or go to work / It's the same thing to me / Hes got his mothers eyes, his fathers ambition / I wonder if he knows how much that I miss him / I hang on every word you say"
14 - Fire Away / Chris Stapleton
"Fire away / Take your best shot / Show me what you got / Honey, I'm not afraid / Rear back and take aim / And fire away"
15 - Army / Lady Antebellum
"She [he] can hold my dreams right there in her[his] pocket / And shoot down fear with her[his] other hand / She's [he's] a parachute, bulletproof, oh / And she's[he's] the softest place to land"
18 - It's Nice To Have A Friend / Taylor Swift
"Call my bluff, I call you "babe" / Have my back, yeah, everyday / Feels like home, stay in bed / The whole weekend / It's nice to have a friend"
That's all there is, guys! Thank you for reading with me. Thank you for loving Mika and Kurda with me as they slowly get things figured out. If memory serves me correctly - THIS IS THE FIRST NON-TVF STORY I'VE PROPERLY FINISHED IN ALL MY 13 YEARS OF WRITING. (Hahaha fuck my life). But I'm so glad I did it. This was so fun, I love these characters so SO much.
One very final note: Darren Shan, if you're reading this my good Sir, I would like to buy rights for the characters of Mika Ver Leth, Arrow, and Kurda Smahlt from you. Hit up my DMs and we can talk. :)))
See you guys on the other side - sequel will be up within a couple days! First chapter just needs some minor tweaks and we'll be ready to go.
Cheers, love, and good health! And once again, THANK YOU!
- Roxy