#my dad comes home to this and we try to use the broom to get him out but no dice

[jackass-jones]

Fucked up how lizards’ tails work I wish they didn’t

[klilyr]

Jegulus raising Harry microfic: 640 words

“Um… dad?”

Regulus looked up from his paper to see a very nervous looking Harry fidgeting with his pajama sleeves, looking down at his slippers. He glanced over to James who was magically washing up their breakfast dishes.

“Which one of us are you talking to there, Haz?”

“Both. Or, uh, either, I guess…” Harry mumbled, still not meeting his eye.

Regulus was struck with how much the boy had grown over the past year. He would be heading back to Hogwarts in a few days, the Christmas break was rapidly coming to an end, and Regulus could hardly believe how fast the time had flown. He was dreading Harry’s upcoming departure, if he was being honest with himself, he loved having him home so much.

He would be fifteen before they both knew it.

James set the last of the plates back in the cupboard and came to sit beside Regulus, both looking at Harry with curiosity, wondering what it is that has him so nervous.

“We’re all ears, hamster,” James said, warmly.

“I think…” Harry started but trailed off quickly, his cheeks burning red and the two men exchanged another glance with each other, anxiety spiking.

“IthinkIlikeaboy,” Harry blurted out, so quickly, that it took a second for the actual words to register in Regulus’ brain.

“You think you like a boy?” James clarified, a smirk appearing on his handsome face.

“Yes.”

“Which boy?” Regulus asked, “Ron?”

“Merlin no! I mean, yes, obviously I like Ron, but not like that!” The shock of the question had, finally, made Harry raise his head to look at his dads in disbelief.

“Dean? Neville? Seamus?” James started listing off names, face twisted in thought and Regulus laughed. It was just like James to immediately name every single boy he could think of until he hit the right one.

“No! It’s none of them! It doesn’t matter who it is, I just wanted you to know,” Harry said exasperatedly, face still a deep shade of crimson.

“Thank you for telling us, mon cheri, we love you and we will be here if you have any questions, at any time,” Regulus said, pointedly looking at James.

“Cedric Diggory!” James yelled, triumphantly, “I knew he was distracting you during that Quidditch match we came to see! You can’t let cute boys take your mind off the game, kid.”

“Oh like you’re one to talk,” Regulus muttered under his breath, which earned him a playful slap to his shoulder.

“It’s not my fault you know how to handle a broom so well,” James muttered back which caused the teenager in front of them to groan loudly.

“It’s not Cedric! Merlin!” Harry’s head fell into his hands, “It’sdracomalfoy.”

“Dra… did I hear you right?” James gaped at his son before turning to Regulus, “did he just say Draco Malfoy?”

Regulus couldn’t respond, he was biting the inside of his cheek trying not to laugh and embarrass their son any further.

“Yes. I know he’s mean but I can’t stop thinking about him. He’s smart and he’s really good at flying and even when he calls me names, my heart starts beating really fast and he has lovely hair and when he’s thinking in class, he gets this little frown line between his eyebrows and…” Harry trails off again, very aware he’s just said too much, “anyway… I just thought you should know. Okay, I’m going to go over to Ron’s now.”

Harry rushed out of the room before either man could say anything and James turned to Regulus in disbelief.

“Draco Malfoy?” James stammered, horror painting his face, “that little ferret is horrible to him!”

Regulus just turned back to his paper, lifting it high enough to cover his grin.

“Ah Jamie, it seems history really does repeat itself, hmm?”

(written for @shoopsthereitis as part of a Xmas ss exchange. I adore you sar, I'm so pleased to be your friend xxx)

[yall-batman-fanfic]

In Another Life: Let Me Decide This Time | Bruce Wayne/Batman x OC!Magician [Part 6]

Synopsis: Years after Helena's birth, the mother and daughter have begun their life in a new city, while Bruce would occasionally visit them when he could, which is not frequent. In one of his visits, Bruce comes to a realization that the life he has now is not enough, but it might be too late when someone asks Vivian out on a date.

In Another Life [Part 1] | In Another Life [Part 2] | In Another Life [Part 3] | In Another Life [Part 4] | In Another Life [Part 5] | | In Another Life [Part 6]

“Alfred, you're a guest, go and spend time with your granddaughter,” Vivian took the plates from the man's hold and ushered him out of the kitchen. Alfred tried to argue but the enchanted broom blocked his path back to the sink, same goes with the spatula. He eventually admitted defeat but he didn't go without a drink in hand---Vivian handed him a glass of scotch to drink. 

Alone in the kitchen, Vivian let out a breath of relief to have that little space alone to cope with what she was facing now. How did her day suddenly turn out like this? She thought the day would end with a little talk with Helena about her father’s absence, not getting a surprise from Bruce after days of silence---she was even planning on leaving a long message on Bruce’s phone because of the silence. She knew the difficulties with being Batman, but…

She’s been working so hard to keep a good image of him to Helena, but he keeps breaking her heart like that.

Then there was the thing with Jenson. She hasn't even talked to him about his invitation.

“Everything okay?” Bruce entered the kitchen with some of the plates from the table.

Vivian took a breath before she faced him to get the plates. “Yeah, everything's fine.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah, why wouldn't it? What are they doing out there?” She started with the dishes.

“Damian and Alfred are showing her the gifts that Dick and the others got her. Even Superman has a gift for her.”

“You mean Clark Kent.”

Bruce remained silent.

“Bruce, come on. If I could figure out who Batman is with the cowl, I can figure out who Superman is. I met Clark a couple of times for interviews on some work I did for Metropolis,” she smiled teasingly at him. “Give him my thanks. Well, all of them.”

“Will do.”

“I can handle things here, go be with your daughter,” she said with an upbeat tone. Maybe she did that too much because even she cringed with what she sounded like.

“Viv.”

She hummed.

“Do you want us to leave?”

“What?” She turned to him.

“You're doing everything you can to avoid us.”

“I'm not trying to avoid you.”

“We both know you can just use magic to do that.”

“I'm glad you're here---all of you,” Vivian waved her hand and the dishes started to wash themselves and she wiped her hands with the towel that floated to her direction.

“If this is awkward for you, we can head to the hotel.”

“Helena wants you here. You have no idea how upset she was when you didn't call for days.” 

Bruce frowned. “I was caught offworld. I had no way of communication.”

“I know, and I understand, but she doesn't and she won't understand because she has no idea what Dad really does. She thought you were hurt or dead like before and she cried earlier.”

“She cried?” Bruce’s brows furrowed. “Why didn't you tell me?”

“I had no way of contacting you, Bruce… and we handled it.”

“By we, do you mean you and this Jenson she mentioned earlier?” He shouldn't be pissed, but he was. During dinner, Helena mentioned this Jenson would let her ride his bike and walk her and her mom home from her school. He even walked her to school this morning. And Bruce guessed too that Jenson was the man who ran after his daughter when they thought they were some stranger's car.

“Bruce, let's---stop, just stop.” Vivian sighed. “Let's not. It's your first night here, and I don't want Helena to hear us fighting--”

“Who says anything about fighting? We're just talking, Vivian.”

“Don't do this, Bruce. Let's just go out there and leave whatever this is here. Okay? Can we do that for her?”

“Fine,” he muttered. 

Leaving the kitchen, Bruce and Vivian made the best “everything's fine” face as they joined the others in the living room, but they doubted Damian and Alfred would fall for it. 

“Mum, look, Jason got me a doll from Japan!” Helena showed the doll.

“It looks beautiful, baby,” Vivian sat on the leather chair as Bruce joined Helena on the floor where she was opening the gifts.

“Have you opened my gift, Helena?” Bruce asked.

“Which one is it?” Helena looked around.

“This one,” Bruce pulled the box wrapped in black and gold.

Helena sat on her father's lap and started to unwrap the gift. A gasp left her lips as she pulled out a toy of her favorite superhero. She was glad to have that gift, but that wasn't just it, he also got her a special locket where inside it has the photo of when she was a newborn being held by her parents.

“So you can remember us,” said Bruce.

“I was so small,” Helena giggled.

“You were, I could hold you with my one hand.”

“Momma, look,” Helena showed her the locket.

“That's really beautiful,” Vivian smiled as the photo brought back that moment. She'd say it's the last happy moment they had as a family.

When it was time for bed, Helena begged Damian to sleepover in her room, and her brother agreed. He used a sleeping bag, and some cushions for the floor and made himself comfortable there. Alfred was forced to take the spare room after Bruce found him setting up the couch, the latter grabbed Alfred’s pillow and brought it to the room Vivian fixed for them. Once everyone was settled, Bruce went to say goodnight to his daughter who was more than happy to have her father around to tuck her in.

“You okay there, Damian?” Bruce asked his son who fluffed his pillow.

“Yeah,” he answered.

“I said he can sleep beside me,” said Helena.

“And I told you, we’d fall off the bed.”

“I won’t move around, I promise!” she pouted.

Bruce chuckled. “It’s time for bed, you still have school tomorrow.”

“We can tell them I was sick! They won’t know!”

From the doorway, Vivian peeked inside as Helena insisted she misses school tomorrow so she could be with her family. It was heartwarming to see Bruce there with her, if only he could do that every night for their daughter.

“Tomorrow’s a Friday, it’s the last day of the week. And we’re not leaving until Friday next week.”

Vivian’s brows shot up in that news. She never thought Batman would take that long of a leave from work. 

“You’ll stay here for a week?” Helena grinned.

���Yes. Promise. Go to sleep. Goodnight, Helena. I love you so much,” he kissed Helena’s nose and then her forehead.

“I love you too, Dad,” she replied, she then turned over in bed and saw her mother at the door. “Goodnight, Mum.”

Entering her daughter’s room, Vivian went to her side and whispered her goodnight and kissed her cheek. “I love you. May the Sandman give you sweet dreams tonight.”

“He always does,” Helena giggled and closed her eyes.

After she was sure Helena was asleep, Vivian and Bruce got up from her bed. The two check up on Damian, who told them: “I’m not a child who needs coddling,” which had Vivian laugh and tossed him another pillow to make his sleeping situation more comfortable. Leaving the room, Vivian took a breath as she faced Bruce.

“I set up the bed in the master bedroom for you, I’ll take the couch,” she said.

“What? No, I’ll take the couch,” said Bruce.

“Bruce, I insist.”

“Viv, this is your home… and I know how tired you are from work. Take the bed, I’ll be fine on the couch. I doubt I’ll even get some sleep anyway.”

“Time difference?”

“Habit.”

“Right… listen, about earlier, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said it that way. I know you’re doing your best for Helena given our situation… it’s just…”

“There are days when it’s hard, and knowing you, you don’t want our daughter to feel she’s less important.”

“Yeah.”

“It’s okay… I’m sorry too, for making Helena cry—for making you cry.”

“Who said anything about me crying?” Vivian crossed her arms over her chest and looked at him with a smirk. 

“Helena said you did.”

“I wasn’t crying—”

“Really?” He chuckled, he gestured for them to go down stairs to talk privately. Vivian went ahead while he followed.

“Get off our high-horse, Wayne. Not all women cry over you,” she joked.

“I’ll make sure to mention it to Gotham Gazette.”

Settling on the couch, the two of them opened the box of biscuits and shared it between them.

“Why the sudden visit? Where were you these past few days anyway?” Vivian asked.

“Offworld. It’s something that Clark and I had to do. There was no signal, and the mission was sensitive. What did you tell her when she asked why I can’t call?”

“That Dad is really busy at work because his work is helping people and keeping them safe… I think she’s starting to think Wayne Enterprises is the White House and you’re the President.”

They laughed.

“That would be a sight, and a bad call,” said Bruce.

“I don’t think so,” Vivian took a bite off the biscuit. “You’re probably the most fitting really, with all the shit that’s happening—have you seen the prices in the supermarket? It’s crazy.”

“What I do is not as close to what a world leader does, Viv.”

“On the contrary, Bats. It is. Of all the members of the Justice League, you are the only one who knows that what you do is not exactly in the good graces of the law. You understand the blurred lines in between. Not to mention you can make intergalactic negotiations, not to mention supernatural negotiations that secures our world's safety. You know the laws of every country, know more languages than I could count.”

“Maybe I should run to be Earth’s Ambassador.”

“And you care. You care not just for the people you save but also for the criminals you stop… I know there are those who tick you off but you keep giving them a chance to heal and to change. And despite what you do, you try to have the people believe that the system works. You believe in justice it can serve… others would call it delusional, I see it as an ideal.”

“The only problem is… no one wants Batman to sit in the Oval Office. People look up more to someone like Superman.”

“They’re idiots.”

“And I don’t like the spotlight.”

“Says the man who makes loud explosions on the news. You’re mysterious Bruce, but you’re not quiet,” she shrugged. “And, I’d vote for President Batman.”

Bruce chuckled. There was silence for a moment, both of them eating  a couple of biscuits before he spoke, “When I got back from the mission, the first thing I did was check the messages. Six missed calls from your phone, then there’s a voice mail… when I heard her voice I knew I hurt her. So I had myself patched up as quickly as Alfred can and we got on the plane to here. Maybe I should have called first but I wanted to make it up to her.”

“I understand… How bad are the injuries?”

“Not so much.”

“I saw you wincing whenever you picked her up, Bruce. Let me see.”

He sat up on the couch and turned his back to Vivian, and as soon as he removed his jacket, Vivian saw the bloodstain on his shirt. 

“Jesus,” she asked him to take off the shirt so she could see.

“I think I popped a stitch.”

“No shit.” The cut was deep and it stretched from his right shoulder all the way to the left side of his center back. “What got you this time?”

“A blade. It was strong enough to penetrate my armor.”

“Any deeper and they would have gotten your back.”

“Not the first time I’d have a back injury.”

“And nothing to joke about nor take lightly,” she muttered as she inspected the wound and the stitches. She went to get the first aid kit, then began removing the stitches, followed by cleaning the area. If she hurt him in the process, he hid it quite well. Once the wound was cleared, Vivian began the incantation to close the wound and heal it inside and out. The warmth of her magic was different from how it was before, it didn’t have that heat of power nor the pulse of life, this was warm and felt like flames dancing on his skin—not too hot to burn just the feeling. 

A sigh of relief came from his lips, and Bruce relaxed under her touch. He missed this. He missed her.

Once the wound was sealed, leaving a scar on his back, Vivian packed up her the kit and took his blood-stained clothes to the wash where her enchanted washing machine and other cleaning agents would clean it.

“Thanks,” he said.

“No problem,” she came back to his side. “Where were we before that healing session?”

“How are you, Viv?” 

Vivian pulled the throw pillow from under her and threw it at Bruce’s chest. “Fine, as always.”

He chuckled at her gesture and used it to cover up his naked top. “Work?”

She shrugged. “Uni’s okay, classes are good. My place in the museum is fun too, whenever I’m called for the weekend, Helena would come along and she’d sit at her corner where they have a couple of coloring books. She likes it there. Oh and I’m polishing my manuscript for my publicist.”

“Another book after six years.”

“Yeah, things are looking good since then.”

“Met anyone yet?”

“The only partner I have for the last six years is the little red-haired girl who absolutely loves pain au chocolat.”

“I highly doubt that. There has to be someone who asked you out.”

There was. Jenson did but she hasn’t given him an answer to it. She kept silent on that.

“What about you?” She asked. “I heard Bruce Wayne was spotted with a model in a gala. Anything serious?”

“You know the answer to that.”

“No, I don’t. That’s why I ask.”

“Vivian,” he reached out and held her hand. His thumb brushed over her fingers…

Vivian quickly got up from the couch. “I should head to bed. I gotta get up early tomorrow. Good night, Bruce.”

“Goodnight, Viv.”

She walked straight up to her bedroom and closed the door. Alone, she hit her forehead on the door and cursed herself.

~ * ~

Bruce woke to the sound of someone working in the kitchen. He had a feeling it was Vivian and Helena getting ready for the day, but when he went to investigate, he only saw Vivian, already dressed for work with her boots, skirt, blouse, and blazer, and was pouring her coffee to a small thermos while eating toast.

“Good morning,” he greeted.

“Shit, did I wake you? I’m so sorry,” said Vivian.

“It was the toaster.”

“In my defense, I forgot about the hulking man sleeping on my couch, and when I remembered I already pressed the button. I did try to stop it,” she sheepishly said. “Good morning, I guess.”

He smiled. “I’ll go wake up Helena.”

“No… you don’t have to—she can skip school today.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah. She can just go to school on Monday. I might say she has a fever until Tuesday.”

“Tuesday? That’s three school days.”

“Yeah, but she doesn’t get to have her Dad, her brother, and her grandfather around everyday. I got it covered.”

“Thank you, Viv. Are you heading to work now? Hold on, let me get changed, I'll drive you.”

“I got it. It’s closer than you think. And it’s my morning exercise.”

He looked at her footwear. “On heeled boots.”

“Did you know, women can do far better when on heels?” She joked. 

“I might recommend that to the team. But Viv, at least let me drive you today.”

“Helena will wake up in a couple of minutes, and I think she’ll be over the moon to see you here.”

“Aren’t you going to say goodbye to her?”

“I already did. So, I’m sure you know your way around here and the area… I gotta go! Bye!” Vivian ran to the door with her bag and coffee. “Helena, teach Dad how we do things around here!”

“Okay,” Helena yawned. She was sitting on the high step of the stairs. “Bye, Mummy.”

“Bye baby! Have fun!”

Silence came to the house as Vivian left. 

She didn’t even let him say goodbye, he thought.

“What’s for breakfast?” Damian asked as he joined his sister on the step. “Oh, and Vivian told Alfred he could visit the pub and the gym if he wanted to, so he left earlier today with a note. He said it’s his vacation.”

Right…

Bruce looked at his children who were watching him, waiting for his answer: “We’re eating out.”

~ * ~

One cup of coffee wasn't enough for today. Vivian realized that when she was halfway on her walk and she already finished her little thermos----and maybe just having toast was a bad idea too because her stomach was growling with hunger. As much as she didn't want to, she went straight to the first cafe she found along the way and went in to get her coffee and a sandwich. 

If only they served Irish coffee here, that would be better for the day she just had.

Maybe she should just have her coffee and breakfast here rather than eat and walk, she thought. She still got a couple of minutes, she can just go straight to her first class if she was running late. Yeah, she'll do that.

Taking the table outside of the cafe, Vivian sat down and took a deep breath. The entire night she couldn't sleep, she just laid in bed and thought about her daughter and the man sleeping on her couch. The man who infuriates her so much but makes it hard to hate him because of the good he's done. 

“Fuck,” Vivian groaned in frustration as ran her hand down her face.

“Good morning to you too.”

The voice had her jump. “Jenson,” she said as she came to the sight of the man with his bike. 

“Haven't gotten breakfast? What about Helena, where is she? Playing hookie, I imagine,” he sat down at the seat across her, his bike right beside him. 

“She's at home. She'll be sick until Tuesday.”

“Aw, how sad,” Jenson chuckled. “Fever?”

“Yeah, like really high fever, and a cold. Snot was flying everywhere.”

“You sure she'll be good by Wednesday? I think she'd be better off taking the week off.”

“I'm pretty sure she'll be good by then.”

“I guess, her Dad's there to take care of her.”

“Yeah. Did you order?”

“I did, I got it to go but I think I'll have it here instead. Still got time to kill. So, how was the little reunion? Is Bruce Wayne staying there?”

“Yeah, he is. He slept on the couch.”

He laughed. “You had billionaire Bruce Wayne sleep on the couch, that is something else. If you can get Bruce Wayne to sleep on the couch, I can only imagine what powers you have, Vivian Pryor.”

She laughed awkwardly. You have no idea, she thought. She started eating her sandwich to keep her from saying anything awkward. Jenson only watched, amused, to see her eat so “unladylike” in other people's standards.

His coffee arrived and Jenson thanked the server. “I hope things were alright last night.”

“Yeah, it was. Helena was so happy---I don't think I've ever seen her that happy. She even asked Damian---her step-brother---to sleep in her room. He used a sleeping back and slept on the floor.”

“How nice of him.”

“Dick said he's not so nice at home but I guess with Helena he's different.”

“Dick?”

“Grayson---he's Bruce's ward. The first kid he took in.”

“Ah. How many kids does he have?”

Vivian pictured that day in the hospital when she gave birth and remembered the faces that acme to visit. “Six. There were six of them who visit, and they would find the time to talk to Helena too.”

“Wow, six kids, well, seven now with Lena. I'm glad she's happy. How long will they be here?”

“Until Friday next week.”

“That long, huh.”

“Yeah, the weekend is coming so we might do something---the four of us---not sure, I haven't gotten the chance to ask for their plans.”

“There's a difference between forgetting to ask and avoiding them, Viv,” he teased.

“I'm not avoiding them.”

“Okay…”

“We should get going before we're late,” Vivian got up from her seat with her bag and coffee. She doesn't want to talk about  it more, is what she means.

“Hop on, I'll give us a ride,” said Jenson.

“What? Hey!” He took her coffee, poured it in her empty thermos and placed it on the basket in front of his bike, along with his bag and own coffee. “Hop on,” he gestured to the space behind him.

“We're not kids, you know,” she laughed.

“Just do it, Pryor. I promise, we'll get there with just minor cuts and bruises. If you don't believe me, I have a picture here of my brother who is bigger than you, riding that little seat on the back.”

Sighing in defeat, Vivian hopped on the little seat on the bag and held onto Jenson. “for the record, I doubt you brother wears heels when he does it, and he wasn't wearing a skirt.”

“You'll be fine,” Jenson handed her the helmet. Once it was secured on her head, he told her to hold on and he started pedaling. The ride to work was probably the funnest Vivian has ever had. She had complete faith in him that he wouldn't crash them into traffic, but that didn't mean her hold didn't go too tight. When they arrived at campus, Vivian hopped off and walked beside him, her hair was now all messed up from the helmet, no matter, she'll just tie it up for the day.

“Thanks for that,” she said as she took her coffee from the basket.

“No problem. Same time next week? By the way, the fare is one quid.”

“One quid? fair enough.”

As the two walked inside the building, a couple of students and faculty members took note about their closeness, and the fact they shared a bike ride too. That wasn't all. A street back, just as they crossed the traffic, Bruce saw the entire thing from the car he was driving and couldn't believe it.

He wasn't expecting Vivian to be a passenger on a bike heading to work.

And he wasn't expecting to feel angry after seeing her hugging another man and laughing like that too.

~ * ~

“Last call for the bike ride home,” Jenson finished packing up his things and waited for Vivian who was just finishing up too.

“Seriously? I can walk home,” Vivian said. She's finished with packing and finally let her hair loose after having it tied up the whole day. 

“Now where's the fun in that?” 

The both of them walked out of the faculty office and were heading to the gate. Their college campus was located at the back of the whole university grounds, making it a longer walk than usual. Jenson's bike was parked right outside, just where the others parked their cars. As they crossed the gates, Jenson led Vivian to where the bikes were parked. 

“Now I feel like I really owe you,” she said.

“How about dinner? Your treat?” He joked.

“Still thinking about it.”

“Take your time, in the meantime I am earning my way to get that steak by peddling. Hop on!”

“Can't we just walk? My arse still hurts from sitting there.”

“Where's the fun in that? Don't you remember how fun it was riding the bike to work?”

“It was, and I'm considering getting one for me and Lena.”

“I could help you choose one. There's a shop not far from where you guys live, we can drop by and see.”

“I think it's best if Helena's there to choose,” Vivian accepted the helmet and was just about to hop on the back of Jenson's bike when they both heard the high-pitched and youthful voice calling out: “MUMMY!”

Vivian jumped off the bike and turned to look for where she heard her daughter, and to her surprise, Helena tackled her to an embrace. “Lena, hi!” Vivian held her daughter. “What are you doing here?”

“Dad said we were picking you up---surprise!” Helena held out her arms so she could be carried. Vivian lifted her daughter off the ground to  kiss her cheek, but the helmet bumped on her head. “Ow,” she laughed.

“I'm so sorry,” Vivian struggled to get the helmet off. Jenson was about to take it off for her until Bruce came, he smoothly went in front of her and unfastened the helmet, he even went so far as to fixing her hair. “Bruce, I wasn't expecting you.”

“That's the point of a surprise, Viv,” he chuckled. “Alfred prepared us dinner at the house, your father's there too.”

“Oh, I guess they finally took the drinks home… uh… Bruce, this is Jenson. We work together; Jenson, this is Bruce, Helena's father,” Vivian introduced the two men.

“I kind of figured it out, pleasure to meet you,” Jenson held out his hand.

“Likewise,” Bruce shook it with a strong grip.

“Hi Jenson!” Helena waved.

“Hey, Lena. I see you had fun today with your Dad.”

“I'm supposed to be sick.”

“Oh, don’t worry, I can only see a very sick child right now,” Jenson joked. “I better get going. I'll see you Monday, Viv.”

“See you Monday, Jenson---oh, your helmet,” Vivian took the thing from Bruce and placed it in the bike's basket.

“Thanks. Bye, Viv---Bruce,” he awkwardly nodded at Bruce's direction. “Bye Helena.”

“Bye, Jenson!” Helena waved back. She kept waving until he disappeared at the turn. “Mumma, I wanna show you all what Dad and Damian got me.”

“Please don't tell you got her the entire toy store,” Vivian sighed.

“Don't worry I didn't,” Bruce chuckled. “Come on, you can show your mom everything in the car.”

“Can we take the long way, Dad?”

“But Grandpa and Grandda are waiting at home, baby,” said Vivian.

“But I like the lights that way.”

“We can take that route, it'll give them more time to settle in,” Bruce reassured Vivian.

Heading to the car, they were met by Damian who was leaning against it while going through his phone. Helena wriggled out of her mother's hold and ran to her brother and tackled him to a hug. Damian unlocked the car and got her in the car seat.

“I'll drive,” said Damian, about to head to the driver's seat, but Bruce took the remote key from him and said: “No.”

He sighed and sat in the back where he was going to entertain his sister. Not that he minded.

“How was work?” Bruce asked as they settled inside. He went with the usual routine---checking the mirrors, seatbelts---before driving out of the parking slot.

“It was fine. Not much to do today but it felt longer than expected. How about you guys?”

“Damian took us to the zoo, then we went to the mall where he got me this!” Helena showed her the book. It was the one that they've been saving for a while now. “And Dad got me these!” She showed the black and yellow bumblebee tights and the bunny stuffed toy. “It's so cute!”

Vivian laughed. “Gosh! That's the same ones I had when I was little---the bunny too! that's so cute---where did you find it?” She asked Bruce.

“I have my ways,” he shrugged.

“Well that is just adorable, bumblebee,” Vivian said to her daughter. “I guess you all had fun.”

“We went to all the sights too! We went to…” Helena listed down everything they visited and did in those places, and not once did her smile falter. She was just happy that her father was there with her. “I wish you were there too Mum!”

“I wish I was too.”

“How about tomorrow? Dad said we're going to more museums and we'll visit the places that the Beatles sang! Please come tomorrow!”

“Sure, baby. I'll call in at the museum to tell them about it.”

Helena’s smile couldn’t get any bigger but it did, and it was the first time Vivian saw her daughter so happy. The entire ride home, all she could think about is how much Helena loved her father and his family, and how by Friday next week she’ll beg them to stay longer or indefinitely or go live with them. She’d cry and hug her father, hoping she’d be strong enough to keep him there and miss his flight, then when Bruce leaves it’ll be just them again and it would take days for Helena to recover and it’ll just be her to pick up the pieces.

Adam was the first person to greet them at the door, he first said hello to Helena who was delighted to see him, then Damian who he messed with his hair as a greeting, then Bruce who he shook hands with. 

“My baby girl,” Adam opened his arms to Vivian. “How are things?”

Vivian hugged her father and said, “All good. Just great.”

“Helena looks happy.”

“She does.”

Dinner went more smoothly than she imagined, and amusing. Helena dragged her chair from her usual spot beside her mother to sit beside her father, and placed her personal plate and utensils there too---then just as they thought she was done, she grabbed Vivian's hand and dragged her to her other side and told her to sit there so she could have both her parents beside her… and because her mom knows how she likes her steak cut. 

Laughter erupted at the table the entire time as they had dinner, and Bruce and Vivian were sure that was the first time they saw Damian smile like that too. By the end of dinner, Helena fell asleep on her seat with her head bobbing up and down as she tried to eat the piece of cake on the table.

“Okay, that's enough,” Vivian wiped the girl's face and put down the fork.

“I still awake,” Helena argued but failed. She dozed off again. 

“Time for bed. Dad, Alfred, no need, I got it covered,” she waved her hand and the dishes and table began to clean themselves. A bottle of scotch with two glasses even floated to Adam and Alfred to drink.

“I might not have a liver by the end of this trip,” said Alfred.

Vivian ended up just using a damp towel to clean up Helena and changed her to her pajamas. 

“She must be tired,” said Bruce as he came to Helena's bed and placed the stuffed bunny they got her. 

“She is. This is probably the happiest day of her life,” Vivian said and kissed her daughter's cheek, nose, and forehead then said, “Goodnight, baby girl. May the Sandman give you sweet dreams. I love you.”

“I love you too, Mummy,” Helena grumbled.

When it was Bruces turn, he placed a kiss on her head and said his goodnight.

“I love you too, Dad,” she said back, then she was snoring. 

Knowing she was knocked out, Vivian and Bruce left the room only to find Damian dragging the sleeping bag and pillows in. 

“You don't have to, Damian. Lena's fast asleep. You can take my bed,” said Vivian.

“I promised Helena I'll be here the entire trip. I don't mind,” he replied.

“Okay,” and to his surprise, she placed a kiss on the top of his head and whispered, “Goodnight… and thank you for loving her.”

“Of course, she's my sister,” Damian grumbled and walked in, closing the door after him. 

From down stairs, Vivian and Bruce heard Alfred and Adam calling out they were going for a walk in the night and said not to wait up either. 

“I guess you can sleep on a proper bed tonight,” Vivian told Bruce as they descended the steps. 

“I’ll stick with the couch.”

“I doubt Alfred will head home tonight. He'll bunk with my dad or they'll stay at the gym.”

“I prefer the couch.”

“I doubt your back likes it.”

“It's the best place I can be to keep watch.”

Vivian sat on the end of the couch. “This is a safe place, Bruce.”

“Old habits,” he sat at the other end of the couch. “Helena's not the only one with gifts,” he reached at the other side of the couch and pulled out the fancy looking paper bag.

“You didn't have to,” Vivian laughed as she accepted it.

“Open it.”

Reaching into the bag, Vivian pulled the item from inside and saw a pair of bumblebee tights, similar to her daughter's and the one she used to own. A laugh left her lips as Vivian said: “Oh gosh, this is adorable! And we're matching too! The production of these stopped. Honestly, Bruce, where did you get it?”

“I have my ways. Do you like it?” 

“I absolutely love it. If only I could wear it to work everyday.”

“You can wear them tomorrow when we go out…” he was going to say ‘go out as a family’ but he decided to leave it as that.

“I need to wash them first.”

“Then wear them anytime you want.”

Vivian blushed at the idea. “Yeah, that would be a very attractive sight. A mother and daughter wearing identical bumblebee tights.”

“What about to your date?”

“What date?” She asked, offhandedly as she saw another thing from inside the bag. 

“The one with Jenson.”

She froze at the mention of the name. The gifts were totally forgotten as she faced Bruce.

“Helena mentioned that he asked you out to dinner,” Bruce told her. “And I could see that you're fond of him, and he's nice to you both.” Not to mention he saw her hugging the man as they rode the bike to work.

“I don't…” she struggled in finding the words. She didn't realize Helena would hear that and remember nor tell Bruce about it. “I doubt it'll be a good first-date impression, you know.”

“Then he'd be stupid.”

“Would you have gone out with a woman wearing these tights on the first date?”

“Depends on the woman.”

“You're just saying that.”

“Viv, when did I lie?”

Omitting the truth wasn't exactly lying, right? If that were the case then Bruce never did lie to her. He kept things from her, and when she found out about those secrets he ran away. He even told her about Talia, Damian's mother, and Selina Kyle, Catwoman. There were no secrets, other than the secrets of his teammates that weren't his to tell. 

“Do you want me to go on that date?” She asked carefully.

“That's your decision to make, Viv. Not mine.”

“But do you?”

“VIv, we're not exactly exclusive---I love you but considering how things are---”

“Do you? Just answer the question, Bruce.”

For the first time, Bruce lied to her with one answer: “Yes.”

~ * ~

Jenson was in the middle of work in his father's shop when he got the call. It was a Sunday, and during those days he works with his dad fixing cars and doesn't expect any phonecalls other than from family---call it his mediation---so when his brother told him that someone was calling on his phone he said: “Leave it!”

“Looks important,” said his brother.

“If it's important they'll wait.”

“It's a girl.”

“You psychic now? How the hell do you know that it's a girl at the other end?” he scoffed.

“Because I doubt someone named their son Vivian, and if they did, they're fucking asses.”

“What---ow!” He hits his head at the chassy. “Give it!” 

“You said to leave it!”

“JUST GIVE IT!” Justice struggled to get out of the car, he wiped his hands on his pants before taking his phone from his brother and answered: “Viv, hi! Why are you calling?”

“HI Jenson… I wanted to ask about that shop you mentioned the other day that sells bikes,” she began.

Oh, maybe he shouldn't have had that upbeat tone. Who was he kidding? Helena's father was there, she won't consider that dinner invite.

“Getting a bike now?” He kicked his brother away as the man tried to listen in.

“Yeah---it’s Damian, her brother, wanted to get her one.”

“It's her brother buying the bike? How sweet of him.”

“He is and he saved up for it too.”

“Sure, I'll send you the address and you can tell Tony that I sent you there. He'll give you the best service there is and won't double the price. Just don't show your expensive watches.”

She laughed. “I'll keep that in mind, thanks. Also… there's something I also wanted to ask you.”

“Yeah?”

“About that dinner you mentioned---I was wondering if you're free next week, say Wednesday after work?”

“Yeah! Sure!” Jenson said too loudly, then he made sure to call out for his brother and father to hear, “Yeah, I'm free Wednesday for dinner,” so they don't fuck up his schedule. “Is there a dress code I should know?”

“Nothing fancy just… how about that place that Paul would always talk about? Where he and his wife would have dinner every anniversary. My treat.”

“That would be fantastic---and I'd pitch in--”

“You have done so much for us, let me handle it.”

“We'll talk about it then. See you, Viv.”

“Yeah, see you. Bye!”

Before she or he could end the call, he heard Helena call out: “Mummy, look it's the pub where the Beatles would sing! Let's go in!”

“Helena, I don't think we can go in there,” Vivian laughed.

“Please!”

“When you’re older, Lena,” he heard Bruce's voice. “Let's go to the other place instead, okay?”

He ended the call.

“So, you got a date aye?” Jenson's brother came back. “Who's the blind woman?”

“She's not blind and she's a coworker,” Jenson brushed past him.

“Anyone who goes out with you is fucking blind.”

“Shut up.”

Their father came and swatted his brother at the back of the head and had him get them some food. “Is this the one with the daughter?” His father asked him.

“Yeah, what about it?”

“And the father?’

“He's in town to visit.”

“I see… just don't get your hopes up, alright? Those things are complicated.”

“I know, Dad.”

~ * ~

Helena have only seen her mother wear that fancy black dress once and it was during an event in the museum. She watched her get ready from her mother's bed, fixing her hair, putting little make-up, just like right now, and then some accessories. Her mother was beautiful, and she loved her red hair so much. She was lucky to have her mother’ hair.

From the mirror, Vivian saw Helena watching her with awe, she smiled and said: “Better close that mouth, baby. You might catch a fly.”

Helena closed her mouth instantly, she then got down from the bed and went to her mother's side. “Dad said you're going out tonight because it's ‘Mummy's Night Off’,” she said.

“Oh, so that's what Dad told you.”

“Yes. Where are you going, Mum?”

“Just out with a friend,” Vivian finished her make up and took one last look at the mirror. “What do you think?”

“Pretty,” Helena said.

“Yeah?”

“Yes. Can you do the same for my hair?”

“I can do it tomorrow when you go to school.”

“You ready?” Bruce came to the master bedroom. “I can drive you, you know?” 

“Can we?” Helena turned to her mother, practically begging for her to say yes.

“No need, the place isn't’ that far. And you have homework,” Vivian reminded her daughter. Getting up from the seat, Vivian took her leather jacket from the bed only for it to be taken by Bruce and offered to help her put it on. “Thank you,” she said and puts it on with his help. 

“Call me if you need anything,” he whispered at her ear. If she hadn't worn her jacket, he would have noticed the goosebumps that crawled on her shoulder at the feeling on him close and the vibrations of his voice.

“I will. Thanks,” she cleared her throat. “I better get going. I promised Justine I'd meet him there.”

“Ashamed of us, Viv?” Bruce joked.

“Picture this, my date knocking on the door and my baby-daddy answering it… not a good start, yeah?” She laughed. 

“I get it. I got it covered here, have fun on your night off,” Bruce picked up Helena from the ground and walked her to the door. “Say goodbye to your Mom.”

“Bye, Mummy,” Helena blew a kiss.

“Bye! I love you!”

~ * ~

Vivian saw Jenson waiting outside the restaurant, she double checked her watch to see if she was late. She wasn't, in fact she was a few minutes early.

“Hey!” She greeted him.

“Hey, Viv,” he welcomed her with open arms. 

“Did you wait long?”

“ Wow, I thought you said we're just going out for dinner not a gala,” he took in the sight of her. “And no, I was just early. Nerves maybe? And seeing you now, I think I was right about being nervous.”

“It's just dinner, Jenson.”

“I guess. Let's go in then?”

“Yeah, let's go,” Vivian took the lead and spoke to the man behind the podium and said their reservations. They were brought inside. 

~ * ~

It was around ten in the evening and Helena had just fallen asleep. That was bad on his part since her bedtime should be eight or nine, he just lost track of time. After tucking her in, he went straight to the living room where he's been sleeping for the past few days, and took out his laptop and phone. He’s been keeping tabs with Nightwing on the state of things in Gotham. Turns out, with Batman's absence, Dick has taken the cowl to be a substitute Batman to remind Gotham that the Bat was still there. 

It was a good call to make, but not permanent too. 

People knew that wasn't Batman, so there was a small increase on crime in Gotham. He needed to get back, but as much as he wanted to go now he can't just leave. Not just because he needs to but because he wants to be here. With Helena and Vivian. For the past few days he has gotten the taste of what normal feels like, what happiness feels like and he doesn't want to let go just yet. 

Once Friday comes, he'll have to say goodbye to Vivian and Helena, and he'll leave Helena crying for him to stay. Just stay, she once told him when he was left to tuck her in bed while Vivian had to get something outside. Just stay and be with us, she begged him.

But he can't.

He can't just let go of that life. 

And he can't bring them to the dangers that come with it.

The sound of his phone ringing pulled Bruce from his reverie. It was Vivian.

“What's wrong?” He answered. “Where are you?” He was already getting up and getting the keys to the car.

“Everything’s fine, Bruce.”

He stopped on his tracks. “Then why call?”

She was hesitant but then said: “Can you come over? I’m at…” she gave the address.

“I'll be there in ten.”

Arriving at the location she said on foot, Bruce was surprised when he saw Vivian sitting on the bench ina playground. Alone. 

“Are you insane?” He walked up to her. “I know this isn't Gotham but that doesn't mean you can just be here in the dark. Alone, Viv.”

Vivian only smiled. “I wasn't alone. I got company…” she gestured to the seat beside her. “His name's Bob and he would come here with his kids until a car accident. He'd just hang out here because his kids would bring his grandchildren everyday to this place… and he's offered you the swing he was on.”

She meant the ghost.

He will never get used to that. Before he sat, Bruce took off his coat and placed it over her lap, it was a cold night and her dress was just until above her knees.

“What happened?” He asked her.

“It was fun. We went to this great restaurant and I had chicken and truffle pasta. He ordered the steak…” he kept silent but god he didn't want to hear this. He didn't want to know how great her date was and how great Jenson is, but for her sake he did. She needs to live her life. “I had fun, and he said we should do it again soon.”

He frowned. “And what did you say? I'm sure Adam can look after Helena while you go out.”

Vivian sighed. “I said… I told him that… I don't think there will be a next time.”

“Why? But you said you liked him.”

“I said, I had fun and I do like him, but not in the way he was interested in taking this further. He's a good friend.”

“I'm sure there's someone else.”

“You know, that's the thing… the entire time we were on that table, I kept telling myself, maybe it's just not how I thought it would be. Maybe it's just platonic. Maybe it'd be different with someone else. But it won't.”

“You don't know that. Viv, this is the first date you went to since the annulment.”

“And that's the thing,” she cynically laughed. “When I was on that table, I remembered exactly how it felt after seeing you again that night---or seeing the other version of you that night---I can't just---trust me, I have been trying to get rid of you from my head for so long now but I can't.” She got up from the bench and threw the coat at him. “God, I hate you! I hate you so much! Even after everything that's happened, even after five fucking years! Why can't I just stop thinking about---about them!”

Bruce got up and took her by her arms, hoping it would calm her down.

“Viv,” he began.

“Why is it they get to live together and be happy, and we have to… why does it always have to be what you say goes? How come they get to be one happy family with a daughter! I know they had another one---John told me when he visited their world and they just had one and they're happy! Believe me when I say I tried everything to move on---I even hated you, I hated you for this. For making our daughter cry. For making it hard for us. For making me feel like this,  but still… I can't… I…”

Bruce leaned down and pressed his forehead on hers. “Viv.”

“I hate you,” she cried. “God, I hate you… but you're a good man, a good father, and you're…”

Everything she wanted.

“Viv, I lied to you,” Bruce began, he wiped her tears away and had her look at him. “For the first time, I lied to you. I never wanted you to go on that date… and I never wanted you to move on.” He leaned down and kissed her lips, he kissed her deeply, showing her how much he missed her, how much he wanted her to only be his, and how much he loved her. Just as he was to pull away, Vivian gripped his shirt and pulled him back, she got on her toes so she could kiss him as fiercely as he did. He welcomed it too. 

He opened his mouth to let her tongue slip in his mouth and brush against his. He welcomed the taste of her in his mouth. His hold on her waist tightened as he pulled her close until she was pressing against her body.

She laughed when he did that and pulled away as she felt him against her crotch, hard and desperately in need of attention and release.

“I'm sorry,” he whispered.

“Don't be,” she kissed him again. “For once, Bruce… don't hide. Tell me what it is you really want.”

“I want you,” he grunted in agony as she pressed her body against his hardness. “God, I love you.”

“Then you can have me,” she kissed his lips. “I'm yours.”

“Take us home, Viv.”

And she did. 

A portal appeared and crossed them like a moving gate, and one moment they were outside in the cold, the next they were in her room in the house. The door closed, the lamp turned on. Bruce grabbed her face and kissed her again, angling her in a way he could kiss her properly. He devoured her like an animal hungry for his prey, and he was.

He has been eyeing her for years now and couldn't do anything to satisfy his need for her.

Whenever she would pull away for air, he would meet her halfway just to keep their lips together. His hands dug to her waist and rubbed her body, trailing up to her sides, to her breast, cupping on in his hands. He pulled down her dress, almost ripping it, just so he could hold her breast in his hand. She wasn't wearing any bra, just a tape to hide her nippes. He took it off. His lips trailed down to her neck and kept descending as his hand rubbed her breast and perked up nipples.

“Bruce,” she moaned his name over and over until his mouth came to her breast. 

As he pleasured her in such a way, like an animal having his meal, Vivian managed to snake her hand between them, she undid his pants with one hand and snuck her hand inside where she cups his hard cock. She strokes him slowly, earning a groan deep from his throat and finally his attention as he looks at her with lustful eyes.

Bruce held her hand, stopping her.

“What's wrong?” She asked.

He pulled her hand out of his trousers and kissed her wrist. No words, Bruce pulled off her jacket and lets it fall to the ground, he asked her to turn around so he could unzip the dress. Moving her hair away, he carefully pulled down the zipper, revealing the black lace underwear she wore. He asked her to turn around again, and this time, he took off his shirt and knelt before her. 

He kissed her belly, then he went to her thigh and as he did he pulled down her underwear. As soon as it was gone, his tongue ran between her folds, circling her clit slowly. A loud  and desperate moan left her lips, Vivian had to bite her hand to keep quiet. They weren't exactly alone in the house. 

Fingers gripped up the back of her thighs until she was sure it would leave a bruise. His hands sunk into her flesh, squeezing them at the same time he sucked her click in his mouth in a way that made the knot on her stomach turn like never before.

A high pitched moan left her lips as he slipped his tongue inside, his nose brushing against her clit. She was a wreck. He must have felt her knees were about to give in because the next thing she knew, Bruce had her laying on the bed without him leaving his spot. He'd placed a leg over his shoulder so he could have more, if there was even more to give and for him to get. 

Her hand sunk into his hair for something to hold on to, earning a satisfied groan from his throat that had the monarch of butterflies in her stomach multiply even more. One of his hands moved from her thighs to her breast where he squeezed on in his hand. Vivian held that hand.

She opened her eyes to see what he was doing, and the moment she saw his eyes it was over. 

His pace increased as he added a finger in his pace, and then another, moving in and out  perfectly coordinated with his tongue. The feeling kept on building, her hand tugged harder on his hair as Vivian cried out a whimper. “Bruce, I'm going to---”

She didn’t even get the words out as her body spasmed and moaned his name loudly, everything throbbed as she tightened around him, stars and a hot white light flooded her vision as pleasure and heat flooded her entire body.

Removing his fingers and mouth, Bruce leaned back so he can look up at me and see his work. Bruce went back to her, hovering over her and kissed her lips, now it was full of care and love. Their kiss threw lustful as it prolonged, and as it did, he and Vivian were taking off his trousers and underwear, having it down wasn't enough, they had to completely remove it until they were skin to skin. Nothing in between them. 

Bruce settled himself between her legs, lines himself up, the anticipation killing them. Taking her lips again, he sank into her. Both of them broke the kiss as moans left their lips. Everything was just intense---the pain, the pleasure. She could feel all of him inside her, the veins of his cock, how it throbbed, and where the head pressed against that G-spot. 

“Fuck,” she panted.

“Viv, you're so good,” he groaned. He pulled back his hips and snapped them forward, the sound of skin slapping echoed in the room. She didn't even have to tell him to go harder and faster as his pace picked up---hitting that same spot over and over that had her clawing on his back and biting his shoulder to keep her screaming his name. 

“I'm close,” he groaned.

Her legs wrapped around his waist and she pulled him into her more. His hold on her thighs turned to strong grips where he would get leverage to pull her down to him as he thrusted into her.

“Bruce…”

His forehead fell to hers, noses brushing, their lips clasped whenever they could. 

“Bruce---fuck---”

Her entire body spasmed, tightened, and melted all at once. He almost collapsed on her if he hadn’t hold on to the bedframe. She could feel him throb and jerk inside her as ropes and ropes of his cum came. 

But it wasn't over.

As he pulled out, the sight of her sex dripping with their cum made him groan as his cock turned hard again. 

Vivian sat up and pulled him to kiss. “How do you want me, Wayne?”

To answer her question, he laid down beside her and said: “Ride me.”

She got on top of him, straddling his hips. She was careful as she leaned down and kissed his lips before aligning herself to him and slowly sank down. A groan left his lips and his hands found her hips leading her in a certain motion that focused on her getting more friction, and more for her pleasure than his own. But that wasn't enough for her. 

She found leverage on his chest and Vivian moved her hips and down—

“Shit---Viv---Like that, just like that—”

Vivian kept the pace. The way his hands held her showed her how he wanted it. He wanted her to fall around his cock and take him in whole. He wanted to be deep. 

Her pace slowly decreased and Bruce took lead and had her go forward and back on him, earning moans from her. She was close to screaming his name with how he was telling her to ride him.

“I think…”

“Let go,” he grunted.

Stars came to her vision as Vivian had another climax.

Her body couldn't take more but it wasn't over.

He hasn't finished.

He had her lay down but this time lying on her belly, so she could rest, then he went behind her and lower until she could feel his cock pressing against her folds again. A whimper left her lips and Bruce silenced those whimpers with kisses and kisses then he pushed in.

“God, Bruce,” she hid her face in her pillow as he kept a steady pace. Their position was letting him hit a G-spot she didn't even know was there, the new sensation had her clawing on her bed and would have ripped the beddings if he hadn't held her hand and gripped it tight.

“Right there,” she gasped.

Bruce sat up, he picked up her waist and started thrusting faster and deeper. He was close, he could feel it, and he knew she could feel it too, and the way she clenched around him only hastened his release.

He came with a powerful groan, his hips deep in her and ropes and ropes of his release coated her inside, just as she did again. Bruce collapsed over her body, his cock still buried inside. He didn't want to pull out.

“I love you,” he whispered and kissed her back. “God, I love you.”

“I love you too,” she kissed his knuckles. “So much… so don't ever say you want me to move on and date someone else.”

He chuckled. “I promise, I won't. I don't think I can take it if you do. God, I love you, Viv.”

He sat up a bit with Vivian following him, she turned her head slightly and welcomed the kiss he was initiating, and with that kiss, she felt him going in and out in a steady rhythm. 

The night was far from over. Tonight, they were going to make up for all the things they've missed, and for the “I love yous” they never got to say for the past five years.

~ * ~

It was a Thursday, which means Helena had school, normally Vivian would be up early—since she had work—but for that morning she was sound asleep, tired and sore, but this was the best damn sleep she’s had for so long. And maybe it was the feeling of Bruce pulling her to his embrace that made it feel so good. But then again, it was a Thursday and there was school, so she shouldn’t be surprised when Helena came into her room still wearing her pajamas, and then poking her cheek.

The second poke had Vivian wake up and the sight of her daughter standing there and looking at her with a cheesy smile had her jump awake. 

Helena saw them.

Helena could see her and Bruce sleeping in the same bed, and to make things worse their clothes were all over the floor.

“Mummy, it’s time for school,” she said.

“Bruce,” she tried to get his arm off her but he only pulled her even more closer to him. “Bruce!”

He protested.

“Can I join you and Dad there?” Bruce shot up awake, but Helena was already on the bed and jumped on them both. “Morning, Dad!” 

“Helena,” Bruce grunted as the girl landed right at his back. 

“Did you and Mum make up now?” Helena asked.

“Helena, let’s go downstairs,” Vivian pulled for her robe where she tossed it yesterday morning and put it on before getting out of bed. Once clothed, she picked up her daughter off Bruce and walked her out of the room, giving Bruce the time to get up and get dressed. But when she came back after asking Alfred if he could look after Helena for the morning, she could still see him in bed and looking at her, and his arm stretched to where she was earlier.

“Come back to bed,” he requested.

“Our daughter has school.”

“Let Alfred and Damian do it.”

“And work?”

“Call in sick. Please.”

She was already planning to call in sick for the day because she doubted she could work at all after last night. She still felt sore but that feeling was overpowered by… no words can even describe it. Vivian returned to bed but instead of lying beside him, she straddled his lap and leaned down to kiss his lips.

“Morning,” she whispered.

“Good morning,” he kissed her again. When it wasn’t enough, Bruce pulled her back down and kissed her even more and more until he had them flipped over so he had her caged between him and the bed with nowhere to go but to his lips.

~ * ~

Alfred and Damian had to drive Helena to school. When Bruce told the old butler about the request, he wasn't so surprised considering the noise he heard from the other room last night. Helena had no quarrels when he announced he'll be the one to drop her off, she was actually excited about it but she did ask where her parents were, and she almost went into the master bedroom hoping to say goodbye to her parents until Damian saw and distracted her from doing so. He also heard the noises and wasn't happy about it, and he was even more unhappy when he heard them again before they left.

At Helena's school, Alfred could have just waited there and have Damian walk Helena inside but he parked the car and held his granddaughter's hand as they walked in the building, with Damian walking a few steps behind them. 

“Grandpa.”

“Yes, Ms. Helena?”

“Does this mean Mum and Dad aren't fighting anymore?”

“Now why on earth would you think they were fighting at all?”

“Because… because my friends say their parents would always sleep in the same bed but when they fight their Dads sleep on the couch. Dad would always sleep on the couch but this morning I saw him in Mummy's bed!”

Damian choked on his drink and a couple of teachers who were around paused on their work when they heard.

“You saw?” Damian said.

Helena nodded. “He was there with Mummy and they were sleeping really, really close.”

A couple of teachers started to giggle.

“My dear, your parents were never fighting. They were just, well…” how was Alfred going to explain about the complicated situation between Bruce and Vivian to a five-year-old? He himself can't even grasp the stubbornness of Bruce when it comes to loving Vivian!

“We're here now!” Helena pointed to her classroom.

Thank God, Alfred thought.

“My who's this, Helena?” Her preschool teacher asked.

“He's my Grandpa!”

“Alfred Pennyworth, Ma'am,” Alfred held out his hand to shake. 

The woman took it. “Grandfather? But I thought Bruce Wayne's…”

“He's family,” Damian stated. “He's our grandfather.”

“I see. Well, it's nice to meet Helena's other grandparent, it's always just been Adam. Helena, say goodbye to your grandfather and your brother, time to go in.”

Helena opened her arms as she faced Alfred, and the old butler knelt down to welcome her embrace. “Bye, Grandpa,” she whispered.

“Goodbye, Ms. Helena.”

When it was Damian's turn, her brother was already kneeling down and lets her hug him. “See you later, Helena,” he said.

“See you later, Damian!” 

After that she ran inside and took her seat.

“What do you teach her at this age?” Damian asked the teacher before she went in too.

“Uh… there's reading and writing, maths, shapes and colors…”

He clicked his tongue. “When I was five, I was already solving algebraic equations, not counting sheep.”

Alfred could only sigh and apologize for the young man's attitude.

~ * ~

They got out of bed near noon, and Bruce decided to take them out for lunch at one of the cafes. Vivian joked if he was asking her out on a date when he suggested it and without missing a beat, he said, “Yes, I am.” 

As they had lunch, Bruce couldn't keep his eyes off of Vivian; it was the same when they walked around in town, arm in arm or holding hands, he can't take his eyes off her nor stop smiling. In the middle of their walk, he suddenly stopped and pulled Vivian to him. He still held her one hand and the other caressed her cheek, and he whispered, “I love you,” then leaned down for a kiss. 

It was a honeymoon phase, as Vivian called it, and she was right because the moment they went home they knew they needed to talk about it. About what would happen next. There was an argument about how things would be now that they know they don't want either of them dating other people, they wanted things exclusive between them, and they want to make this family work--not just for them but for Helena too. Then there was the issue of Helena catching them sleeping on the same bed and thinking everything was going to be alright now. Mum and Dad aren't fighting and they can be together.

But in the end, Bruce's argument won.

He can't live with himself if something happened to them in Gotham.

He didn't even win, Vivian just ended up quiet and listened to his reason.

Right before they were to pick up Helena, Alfred and Damian came back and handed him the keys to the car. The drive was quiet.

Unable to take the tension, Bruce reached out and held Vivian's hand and said, “We'll be fine, Viv. I promise.”

~ * ~

Friday came. Their flight wasn't until midnight, which gave them time to still see Helena before they left. Bruce and Vivian again picked her up from school, the girl was all laughs and smiles, which only broke her parents hearts because she's totally forgotten that her father was going back to Gotham today and she won't get to see him as much as she would want to. It will make their goodbye even more painful.

When they went inside the house, Helena's smile disappears when she saw her grandfather and her brother all dressed up with their bags packed.

“What?” was all she said.

“Helena,” Bruce kneeled beside her. “We need to go back now.”

Tears were already falling from her eyes. “No… please no… but you and Mummy are… but you both made up now!” She cried.

Vivian couldn't find the courage to speak as she felt she'd end up crying too if she did. 

“Helena, your mother and I were never fighting. It's just how things are,” Bruce tried to explain.

“But it doesn't have to be! Stay here—please, stay!” She hugged her father tight. “I don't want you to go. I want you to stay here with us!”

“Helena, baby,” Vivian sniffled. She knelt down too and tried to pry the girl off her father. “It's just like before. Okay? We can still call Dad and the others everyday. Didn't you say that's the best thing that happens in your day?”

“But I want Dad here with us!” Helena cried. “Please don't go!”

“Helena, I'm sorry,” he whispered. “But I need to go.”

She shook her head. “Then marry Mum! Marry her and we can all stay here! That's what other parents do. They get married so they can be together, right? Then marry Mummy!”

Bruce could only look at Vivian. He brought his daughter to an embrace and tried to hush her cries, when they turned to whimpers, he placed a kiss on her forehead then said, “I love you, Helena. I will always love you. Viv.”

Vivian took Helena from him and held her as the girl tried to fight off and go to her father. She eventually picked her up and said she was going to take her to her bedroom, so she doesn't have to endure seeing them leave. Alfred could only pat the girl's head as a goodbye, the same goes with Damian.

Once inside Helena's room, Vivian hugged her daughter tight and let her cry. This time, Vivian couldn't keep the tears from falling and she too cried with her.

“Everything will be okay, Lena,” she sobbed. “We'll be fine.”

“I want Dad here,” Helena cried.

“I know, love. I know.”

~ * ~

Helena didn't speak to her father for days.

She refused to.

Vivian could only tell Bruce to give her time. She was hurt afterall. 

So he did. He gave their daughter time to heal, but he always called, hoping she would come to the phone and he could hear her voice.

~ Two Months Later ~

“School is going to end this week,” Helena told Bruce.

“That fast?” Bruce smiled as he watched his daughter on the monitor of the Batcomputer looking bigger than she was from two weeks ago. He had to keep the camera off on his end as he wore his uniform for patrol. 

“Dad?”

“Yes, my love?”

“Will you come over for the break?” 

He can't. He was needed by the League for a mission and he wasn't sure when he'd get back. “I can't promise you I will this month. But I'll try.”

She was disappointed but kept the smile. “Okay.”

Since their goodbye, Helena wasn't the same girl who would beg him to come over or do things with her. She was more reserved now, quieter, and she learned how to fake her smile. He did that to her. The very reason he decided to keep her and Vivian away was to keep them safe but he broke her.

“Where's your Mom, Lena?” 

“She's in the toilet for a while now.”

He chuckled. “Does she have a tummy ache?”

“No, but…” Helena took the phone with her as she walked to the bathroom. “Mum, Dad's asking for you… is everything alright?”

“Yeah, yeah,” he heard Vivian sniffle. “Everything is fine. Here, let me talk to your Dad.”

The phone was passed over and they were now in the bathroom for some reason, luckily Vivian was dressed but she looked like was crying.

“Everything okay?” Bruce asked.

“Yeah, everything is fine,” Vivian said. “I was just… I was cleaning and the chemicals were a bit strong.”

She was lying, but he decided not to pry as Helena was also in the room.

“How are you?” He asked.

“Great, all good. Fan-fucking-tastic.”

Helena giggled. “Fuck.”

“Don't say that word,” Vivian told their daughter.

“You said it first, and Grandda always says it, and Aunt Liv would say it all the time, especially when we're looking for parking spaces. And our neighbors always says it too.”

“Yeah… everything is fine, Bruce.”

“Can we talk?” Alone, he meant.

“Okay. Lena, your Dad and I need to talk alone now.”

“Can't I stay here with you?”

“It's adult stuff, baby. Now go play in your room.”

“Okay… what's this thing?”

“No, don't! That's very unsanitary…” He heard the faucet turned on and Helena washing her hands. Once she was finished, Helena left and Vivian closed the door. She stayed in the bathroom.

“You can turn on your camera now,” Vivian told him.

He did and she saw him standing there wearing his uniform for patrol. “Hi,” he said.

“Hey. Off to work?”

“There's a mission I need to go to, I might not be able to call you both as frequently as I'd like. League business.”

“We understand, and when do you come back?” 

“I don't know. Viv.”

“Yes?”

“I know things are hard but… if there is anything you need, I'm here to listen. I will listen and I will do everything I can to…”

“I know.”

“I love you.”

She smiled sadly, “I love you too, Batman.”

~ Two Weeks Later ~

The mission took about a month to finish, he even thought he wasn't going to come back home. But he did. As soon as he came to the Cave, Bruce asked Alfred to call to have the plane prepared, he was going to Liverpool and see Vivian and Helena. 

“But, sir, you just got back!” said Alfred. “I highly advise you to stay and rest first.”

“I can rest during the flight.”

“But, sir,” he was following Bruce through the clock, “You have guests in the manor.”

Bruce paused and cursed under his breath. He was still wearing his uniform. “Keep them in the living room, Alfred. I'll change.” He left without even asking who, it didn't matter, he wasn't planning on keeping them there. He needs to go see his daughter and his love.

 Dressed in more appropriate clothes, Bruce walked to the living room with his usual mask as Bruce Wayne and greeted his visitors, “Sorry about the wait, I wasn't expecting the company…” 

His visitors…

“Dad!” Helena ran to him, though in shock, Bruce instinctively caught her in his arms. “I missed you!”

“Helena?” He said. His gaze turned to the woman standing beside Alfred. “Vivian. When did you…”

“Yesterday,” she answered. “But you weren't here. Alfred had us stay over instead of going to a hotel.”

“I will not have you and Ms. Helena stay in a hotel!” said Alfred.

“Dad,” Helena had him look at her. “Are you happy we're here?”

Was he happy? To answer her question, Bruce pressed his forehead against hers and brushed their noses together. It made her giggle and hold his face so she could do it also.

“I'm more than happy,” Bruce reached out to Vivian and pulled her to an embrace. “I have my girls with me.” And for the first time, Helena saw as her mother and father kissed each other, but that was short lived because Vivian covered her eyes.

“Mum!” Helena whined.

“One second,” Bruce teased her and kissed Vivian again. “I didn't think how happy I'd be to see you here. Both of you.”

“You deserve to be happy, Bruce.”

You deserve to be happy. Those were the same words as the other Vivian said to him years ago before she and her family left to get back home. At that moment, Bruce saw himself just as happy as the other world version of him was when he was reunited with his Vivian and his boys. He can only imagine how happy that Bruce was now that he and his Vivian were given a second chance.

“Dad, stop staring at Mum,” Helena poked his cheek. “I want to see your house. It's so big!”

Chuckling, Bruce set his daughter down and promised they'll have a tour, but before he went to be dragged away, he turned to Vivian and kissed her deeply again.

“Bruce, go,” Vivian giggled. “Our daughter's waiting for you.”

He was forced to let go of her but not for long. After he got Helena to sit on his shoulders, he took Vivian's hand and they went on a tour around the Manor.

“It's about time you learn something about your family here. You are a Wayne after all, Helena.”

~ * ~

“Must be jet lag,” Vivian said as they placed Helena in bed. The girl fell asleep while they were looking through old photos. Bruce carried her to the room right near his own and tucked her in.

“Probably,” Bruce placed a kiss on his daughter's forehead. “Come with me,” he told Vivian.

“Aren't you tired? You haven't slept at all since you came back, and we took your time to rest.”

“Please,” he held her hand, caressing it.

“What about Helena?”

“She’s safe here, and she’s too tired to wake up in the middle of her sleep,” he pulled her to him and wrapped his arms around her body. “Please. Stay with me tonight.”

“Okay, Bruce.”

Once the door closed in the master bedroom, Bruce pinned Vivian against the door with a fierce kiss, if Helena and Alfred were not there he would have done the same the moment he saw her in his home. He might have taken her on that couch too or the desk. He would do everything and anything to her just to show how much he missed her. 

“Bruce,” she lightly pushed him back.

“What? You don’t want to…”

She laughed. “Of course I want to but there’s something we need to talk about first, and it’s important.”

He took her hands and kissed her knuckles and said, “Okay.”

She asked him to sit down for it, which had him worry just a little—why would she ask him to even sit down for the talk? Then he saw how her hands trembled and as she tried to start she was having trouble with trying to find the words to say it, and tears were already building up in her eyes.

“Viv,” he reached to wipe away the tear that fell. “You don’t have to be afraid. I don’t want you to be afraid. Tell me, what’s wrong?”

She took a breath. “There’s a reason why we came here—aside from it’s Helena’s school break and I thought why not surprise you with a visit, and she’s been upset since you guys left…” 

“Vivian, it’s not just for Helena isn’t it?”

“It’s not. I want to see you. God, I want to see you and talk to you—not through a screen or a call—I want to hold you and feel that vibration whenever you’d talk, and just feel you—especially when… when I give you some shocking news.”

“What is it?” 

Reaching into her pocket, Vivian pulled out a small ziplock bag that coiled around the object inside. She held it for a while, looking at it with an intense gaze, thinking if she was going to give it to him or what could possibly happen, and then she did. Bruce took it, he had to uncoil the layers of plastic before he could see what it was.

It was a pregnancy test.

“I found out weeks ago,” Vivian’s voice cracked. “And I… I didn’t want to tell you about it through the phone—”

“You found out during our last call… when you were in the bathroom. That’s why you looked like you were crying,” he pieced everything together as he looked at the results of the test that showed it was positive. “And you didn’t tell me either because I was offworld for two weeks.”

“Good job, Detective,” she laughed but more tears fell. 

“Do you want to…”

“No, no! I want this, Bruce. I want this but I can’t do it alone again,” this time she couldn’t stop the tears from falling. “I don’t want to do it alone. I know that I had my Dad with me, and Oli and Liv, and you were there supporting us but it wasn’t the same. If I’m going to have this baby I don’t want to do it alone anymore. I want the father of my kid there with me. I want the man that I love with me and we get to share all of those moments together.

“When Helena crawled the first time, walked the first time, when she spoke her first word, it was just me and I was happy and sad at the same time because you weren’t there to experience it. To feel what I felt when she did all of that. So, Bruce, do you want this?”

“But Vivian, after hearing what you want—”

“Just answer the damn question: do you want another kid?”

“With you? Always,” he got up and cupped her cheeks and wiped her tears. “If I were as selfish as the other version of me, I would have you all here so I could be with you and we can raise Helena together, and we can raise this baby together. But I love you all too much to bring you to this hell.”

Vivian shook her head. “It’s not hell, Bruce. Trust me. I’ve seen it, I’ve walked it. This is the closest to paradise that I’ll ever experience.”

“It’s too dangerous.”

“Bruce, if I survived Hell, I can survive Gotham,” she laughed. “You said you don’t want to be selfish like the other Bruce Wayne. But seeing how he has this happy life, then I guess I’ll take something from the other Vivian Pryor’s book. I’ll be the selfish one here. I want to stay here with you, Bruce. I want Helena and I to stay here with you so we can be this crazy family that makes it work. I want to be here with you. 

“Please, don’t send us away. I’ll carry half of your burden if you let me.”

“It’s a heavy burden.”

“Hey Bats, we’re kind of the same with that. I just don’t make a living out of it. I chuck it down in Hell.”

He chuckled. “It would mean opening old wounds, Viv. The press won’t let it slide.”

“I can take it. Five years of paparazzi following me around, I’ve learned a few things on how to get them off my ass.”

“And Helena?”

“I’ll protect her, Bruce. How do you think the press hasn’t gotten a clear shot of Helena. No one knows what she looks like.”

“You placed a spell on our daughter?”

“She’s safe, and I kept her safe.”

“And what about you? What about your career?”

“Did you know, GU has been trying to get me back? And I can start working in art galleries.”

“You had it all figured out.”

“Knowing you? I know I had to seal every possible hole I have just to prove to you that we can be happy and safe here with you.”

“What about Helena’s school?”

“It’s the school break, we got time to have her settled here and in Gotham Academy, and when you ask about bullies, I want you to know that Olivia has been teaching her how to fight and I once saw her beat up a boy in the park when he was pulling her hair. She knocked his tooth out.”

“He must be happy, the tooth fairy will visit early,” Bruce smirked.

Vivian winced, “Yeah, and then Helena told him that there’s no such thing as a tooth fairy and if there was his tooth won’t even be worth a penny.”

“Jesus,” Bruce sighed. “Why did I not see that?”

“She’s all adorable when you’re around but when it’s just the two of us, she’s a Scouse… So what do you think?”

“And if I don’t agree with it are you going to…”

“I’ll keep the baby but for our sake, this has to end. You can still be their father but after seeing how Helena reacted to seeing us together and then you leaving, this between us has to end.”

“I understand… I’ve given my whole life for Gotham, for my code, my vow… for once, I want to be selfish too.” He went to his bedside table, rummaging through the drawer’s content. When he came back to her, Bruce got down on one knee and held out a ruby ring. “Marry me.”

~ Many Months Later ~

There was a knock on the door. Even from all the way in the living room, Helena heard it and ran before Alfred could even get to the stairs. She had to get on her toes just to reach the knob and welcomed the newcomers with a pout and said: “You’re late.”

Dick laughed sheepishly, “Happy birthday?”

“I came from the airport,” Jason shrugged.

“Which one?” Helena asked.

“The one where I don’t have to go through immigration so I could bring this to you,” he pulled out a gift from his jacket pocket. “It’s a Matryoshka doll. Got it from Russia.”

Helena grinned when she received the gift and she giggled upon opening the first layer of the doll and saw another one inside. “It’s so cool!”

“Happy birthday, kid,” Jason said. “Forgiven?”

“Yes!” 

Before Dick could walk in, Jason picked up the little girl and strolled inside the manor. He greeted Alfred and Tim who were there to see the newcomers, and went straight to the living room where everyone was at. Arriving there, they were met by the sight of Cassandra, Barbara, Stephanie, Duke, and Kate eating cake; Damian sitting there at the couch beside a heavily pregnant Vivian.

“Mum, Jay and Dick are here!” Helena said.

“Finally, we thought you both weren’t going to show up,” Vivian got up from the couch with Damian’s help and welcomed the two young men with an embrace. 

“Couldn’t miss this,” Dick said.

“I promised this one I’ll be here,” Jason put down Helena and let her show Cassandra the Matryoshka doll he got her. “Where’s Bruce?”

“He’s getting the cake.”

“That’s not cake?” Dick pointed at the ones Duke and the others were eating.

“No, that’s just my shitty cake,” said Kate. 

“But it’s good!” Helena told her aunt.

“I know.”

From the kitchen, Bruce came out bringing the cake that had six candles, ready for Helena to blow. He placed it on the table and called for his daughter to stand on the chair so she could see it. 

“Happy birthday, Helena,” he said to her.

“Thanks, Dad,” Helena kissed his cheek.

“What’s your wish, baby?” Vivian asked.

“My wish… I want a baby brother!”

Oh.

Vivian and Bruce glanced at each other. They got the gender months ago and they learned that they were having another girl but they decided not to tell anyone just yet, but seeing their reaction everyone, but Helena, knew the gender and were snickering.

“And what if it’s a girl?” Kate asked.

She shrugged. “It’s okay.”

“Well, we are going to love them, okay? Boy or girl,” Vivian said.

“I promise. But I still hope he’ll be a boy,” Helena rubbed her mother’s pregnant belly.

“Why do you want a baby brother?” Stephanie asked.

“Because girls are hard!” Helena sighed. “Why do you think my friends are all boys?”

“Your friends are all boys?” Bruce asked.

“Uh-huh! Girls are so hard, they make everything hard.”

“But you're a girl,” Jason pointed out. “And British—like the fancy British-girl.”

“Am not!”

“Okay, let’s just blow out the candles before it melts all over the cake,” Vivian told her daughter.

Helena took a deep breath and blew out the candles.

~ * ~

The party ended when it was time for Vivian and Bruce to take Helena out to the dog shelter for their birthday present. Upon heading to the dog shelter, Helena jumped off her car seat and dragged Damian inside where they were accommodated by the staff to see all the dogs. Vivian and Bruce followed after them, arm in arm. Just as they went in, they came across a person they never thought they’d see again.

“Vivian?”

“Adrian,” Vivian said. “I… I wasn’t expecting you to be back in Gotham.”

“Yeah but I found a… the boys and I moved back after a while.”

“The boys, how are they?”

“They’re okay. Actually, Beck is now a teenager and he actually works here part-time.”

“He does?” Vivian smiled at the memory of the boys. “And Jonah?”

“He’s grown and we’re here to get him a dog… he’s inside looking around. What about you two? I see you’re…” he gestured to her pregnant belly. “I see you’re back indefinitely. And I heard about the wedding. Congrats.”

“Thanks,” Vivian’s hold on Bruce’s hand tightened a bit. “And you?”

“Yeah, I’m seeing someone… what are you both doing here?”

“It’s…” 

“It’s Helena’s birthday,” Bruce answered for her. “We promised we’d get her a dog this year.”

“Helena—your daughter—the baby,” Adrian’s gaze turned to Vivian. “Was she the little girl with the red hair?”

“Yeah, that’s her.”

Adrian chuckled. “She looks a lot like you, Viv… She’s beautiful, Viv.”

“Thank you, Adrian,” Vivian said. 

“Hey, Dad, found the one!” Jonah came out with the dog he wanted to adopt. With him was his older brother, Beck. 

“That’s great, sport! Gave him a name already?” Adrian came to 

“Yeah… Vivian?” Jonah finally saw Vivian. 

“Hi Jonah. Hi Beck, you’re both so big now,” Vivian smiled at the sight of them. 

“Hi, Viv. Mr. Wayne,” Beck greeted but it felt like he was just doing it out of courtesy. “I’m gonna get Jonah the dog and you guys can head out.”

“Yeah… I gotta go with them,” Adrian told Vivian and Bruce and left with his sons.

Just as they went to the counter, Helena came out with the puppy she liked and was carrying it in her arms.

“Mum, Dad, look!” Helena giggled when the puppy licked her cheek. “He’s so cute!”

“Helena let the dogs come to her and she wanted to get everyone of them,” said Damian. “I told her she can only take one.”

“Wow, that is great self-control on your part too,” Vivian messed with his hair, remembering how Damian is also an animal lover. “Good job.”

“I’m going to name him Winston,” Helena told her father.

“So he’s a gentleman dog, huh?” Bruce mused.

“He is. He’s so cute!”

When it was their turn for the paperwork, Bruce handled the transaction, seeing how Vivian felt awkward to face her ex-husband and the boys. When Beck asked about the dog’s name, Helena answered with her usually cheerful voice

“What do you say, Helena?” Vivian told her daughter.

“Thank you!” Helena told Beck.

“No problem,” Beck smiled. “Have a nice day.”

“You too!” 

As Helena walked out of the shelter with Damian, Vivian was called back by Beck. “Yes?” She asked.

“I just wanted to say… sorry for all those things I said then.”

“Beck it wasn’t—you were hurt and it was my fault.”

“I know… but looking at it now I was a little shit when I said those things.”

“Forgiven,” Vivian smiled. 

“Forgiven… and Helena’s really sweet too. She looks like you.”

“Thank you, Beck. I’ll see you around.”

“Yeah, I guess, maybe when your next baby comes and asks for a dog too.”

Vivian laughed. “Yeah, maybe.”

“Vivian?” Jonah walked up to her and brought her to a hug. “We miss you.”

“I miss you too,” Vivian hugged him. “Maybe one day we could all meet up again and you can get to know Helena?”

“I’d like that.”

“Okay, sport, let’s go,” Adrian pulled Jonah from Vivian. “Mrs. Wayne needs to head home, it’s her daughter’s birthday.” He said it as a reminder on who Vivian was now. “Bye, Viv.”

“Bye.”

Getting in the car, Vivian let out the breath she didn’t know she was holding the entire time. 

“You okay?” Bruce asked her, holding her hand.

“Yeah, I am. I just wasn’t expecting to see them again.”

“What did he say to you?”

“Forgiveness,” she shrugged.

“I’m happy for you, Viv,” Bruce kissed her knuckles. “Let’s go home.”

“Please, before you get dog piss on your upholstery.”

“His name is Winston!” Helena told her mother.

“Churchill? Are you going through my things again?”

“Maybe.”

Bruce chuckled. “Looks like we’ll have an academic in the family again.” 

He drove out of the parking lot and to the road heading home. In the middle of the drive, Helena and Damian were already making plans to train Winston and his own dog, Titus, and have them do tricks. Arriving at the manor, Helena and Damian were the first to get out with Winston, but before Vivian could, Bruce asked her to stay there for a moment.

“Why?” She asked.

“Because I doubt I’ll get to do this,” he leaned in and kissed her. “That day in my office was wrong, I know that, but I won’t ever call it a mistake. It was the first time in a long time when I felt alive again, if that didn’t happen we wouldn’t have had Helena… and I have no regrets, especially now with the family we have. These past few months have been the happiest I’ve ever been.”

“They’re my happiest too,” Vivian smiled. “I love you, Bruce.”

“I love you, Viv.”

[goldenlionprince]

Join me in the christmas story procrastination mode!

💡 what's a fun idea you had that you didn't have time to get to? 🏅 what are you most proud of accomplishing? 🪅 brag about any project you want to! tell us why we should be reading it RIGHT NOW!!! 🎁 hype up one of your writing buds! what of theirs did you enjoy this year? 💞 HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

story procrastination 🙌🙌🙌 thank you!!! 🫶

💡 what's a fun idea you had that you didn't have time to get to?

the jilypad serial killer AU where, in a world where the ministy has fallen in the first war, just like it does in the second, and the members of the order have to go into hiding, James, Sirius and Lily pick off Death Eaters one by one as a payback for doing the same to the order. just unhinged murderers leaving bloody smiley faces on the crime scene (so very fun xD sorry)

there is also the vampire!Sirius and vampire!Lily trying to nibble at wizard-living-in-the-woods-cottagecore-style!James

🏅 what are you most proud of accomplishing?

that I managed to write stories for all the days of @prongsfootweekarchive and @jilypadweek! it's been a while since I have written anything at all so getting back into it AND managing all I wanted to do was kind of nice

🪅 brag about any project you want to! tell us why we should be reading it RIGHT NOW!!!

taking this to brag about the Christmas story I should be editing (I know it's not posted yet but there is a snippet)

7k of Prongsfoot at 29/30, waking up on the morning of Christmas Eve after a drunken night spent together and deciding why not keep this up for the Holidays? No one has to be alone, win-win.

Be prepated for Holiday cuteness, fuff and love, James' parents being alive and well, Peter being a (rat)dad of two so Prongsfoot uncle cuteness is a thing, everyone is a little shit, there is a Christmas market and a happy ending!

Ho Ho Ho (Bring A Bottle of Booze) will come on Monday, December 23rd to an AO3 near you!

🎁 hype up one of your writing buds! what of theirs did you enjoy this year?

There were SO MANY good stories. I'm in awe of all of your talent out there but here are a few that come to mind at the top of my head:

Prongsfoot:

of romance and locker rooms by @gracelesslady23 what's not to love about Sirius and James making out in a broom closet and realizing feelings?

Nightingale by @groundzero-v fighting Death Eaters and cleaning up battle wounds, you say 👀I'm here for that, always

Sip Happens by @eastwindmlk bartender Sirius is hot, okay? I get James. I really, really get him. He's one lucky guy, really, getting a kiss out of him

Journey by @lovelymasks Sirius coming back home after being away for a long time for Doctors Without Borders (smart, capable, selfless Sirius, hello my darling). James' ‘Major W. Anker’ sign at the airport pick up will always be my favourite

Professor Black by @mycupofrum delicious age gap AU done so very right

Jilypad:

A Midnight's Change by @jmagnabo92 Sirius thinks James and Lily might eventually tire of their friends with benefits situation. they very much won't. happy new year!

two for devine, three for magic by @eastwindmlk What can I say, I just love Sirius staying with the Potters. Also never will be over Moody telling them to practice safe sex

In the middle by @mycupofrum James and Sirius getting over a treesome that got a little too insense my getting even more intense is just everything (more prongsfoot centric)

Like slow cooking a lobster by @padfootastic Half dead first time parents James and Lily are hilarious. I love how it's not perfect and smooth sailing for them and how much Sirius fits into their little family and helps and I can't wait (I will wait patently forever) for the next chapter

💞 HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Thank you!🥰 I hope you have one as well!

[darksturnioloqueen]

TreeHouse Chapter 11

"Matty wants to see you in his room."

Summary: Matt gets angry.

"Anger is like hot blood rushing through your veins."

⚠️This Fic Series will NOT be for people with triggers. This Fic Series will have very descriptive moments of abuse.⚠️

Please Read At Your Own Risk.

⚠︎Trigger Warning: ABUSE, getting hit with a kitchen broom, begging for help, not getting help, mentions of pain, evading questions, smacked in the face, wishing for a better mother?, fear, panic, feelings of going to die, ABUSE, yelling, shoving, slamming head by hair, pushed to floor, being kicked, blood, bruising, more kicking, threats to kill, being stomped on, more kicking, spitting blood, mentions of throwing up, kicked in the face, pool of blood, bloody shoe prints, can't breathe, ABUSE, wanting to die, left alone in shower, throwing up on self in shower, passing out. ⚠︎

Chris' POV:

She said she wouldn't let it go; honestly, I didn't want her to. But I knew the things she didn't. I knew if Matt found out I even talked to her, I would probably die. I thought about death often. Not in the sense I wanted to die necessarily but more so in the sense if it happened, I wouldn't be surprised anymore. I decided to walk home instead of taking the bus to help avoid Sienna—my Nessie.

I remember everything about her now. I accidentally trauma-blocked her. Leaving her behind, not knowing I wasn't going to see her for years, was the worst thing to ever happen to me. Worse than any beating I have ever taken. I remember that evening clearly. We got home, and Mom was livid that Father allowed me to go over there. She punished me by hitting me with the kitchen broom over and over. I begged our dad to help me, but I think that was his breaking point. He stopped being my father that day.

Since then, everyone in the house has treated me this way. I was alone. I lost everything. I held onto Nessie for a while. I imagined us playing together in the treehouse often. Sometimes, when Matt would use me as his personal punching bag, I would picture her doe eyes lighting up when I did something silly. She was my anchor until I forgot her. No matter how hard I try, I can't pinpoint the exact moment I forgot; I just did.

I was coming up to her house. I walked a little slower, secretly hoping she would see me and stop me. It's not that I didn't want to talk to her or be friends again. I didn't want the assaults that I knew would come with her friendship.

"Chris!" I looked up and saw her walking to the gate. I felt a sense of relief. "Can we talk?" She asked. I knew I didn't have much time to talk, but I wanted to. I needed to hear her voice.

"Not long, okay?" I just needed to be home at a decent time so no one got suspicious of my absence. She opened the gate, and I passed through. I followed her to the treehouse. For some reason, coming here during the day felt different. It felt heavier. She climbed up without issues. I tried my best not to show the pain in my arm, but I still winced enough for her to notice.

"What happened to your arm?"

"We can talk, but not about that." I was stern. She had to know not to press the issue.

"Okay." Her voice was soft and a little broken. I looked around the treehouse. Nothing had changed.

"It looks the exact same," I told her.

"I haven't been in here in years." She was also looking around like it was brand new.

"Why?" I asked.

"You left, and it just reminded me of you too much." I felt my words lumping in my throat. I wanted to tell her everything. I needed her to know it wasn't my choice to leave her behind. I never would have. But I couldn't. If this was still the same kind-hearted, strong-willed Nessie, I knew she would try to help, and it would just make it worse. I avoided looking at her.

"I'm sorry," I muttered. I could feel her eyes on me, but I couldn't bring myself to look up at her.

"Are you guys brothers?" She asked again. I felt the lump in my throat dissipate into tears. I needed to leave.

"I have to get home." I lied. Nothing pleased me more than not being at home.

"Chris, you can tell me." She reached for me and grabbed my hand, which made my skin crawl. I lurched away from the unwanted contact. She looked hurt.

"I have to get home," I said, starting to climb down. She followed me, as I expected.

"Chris, what happened to you?" She pleaded for an answer I couldn't give her no matter how badly I wanted to. I kept walking. Eventually, I heard her footsteps stop following behind me. I didn't dare look back at her. I felt like I already knew what she looked like. I made it to our house. On the outside, it was well-kept and looked nice. You'd never guess the hell that happened inside of it.

"What took you so long to get home?" Mother was right by the door in seconds.

"I wal -" She smacked my face. I looked down at the floor.

"I didn't say you could talk." Her threat didn't make sense since she asked me a question. I nodded, still not looking up. Part of me didn't like looking at her face. She was my mother, but her disdain for my presence distorted how she looked at me. I wanted to envision a mother who loved and cared for me just like Matt and Nick. She smacked the side of my head again for nothing. "Matty wants to see you in his room." Her words made my blood cold. I felt a jolt of fear sting through my body. I lifted my head to look at her now. "Fucking go." She pushed me towards the hallway leading to their rooms and my old one. I sulked slowly, knowing nothing about this was going to end well. I stood outside his bedroom door shaking. My whole body already felt light, and my head was full of air, ready to pop. I knocked, knowing I had no choice but to.

"Get in here." Nothing about his tone was calm. I could tell he was already mad about something. I stepped into the room. "Shut the fucking door." He was standing in the middle of his room with his arms folded. I quietly shut the door. I noticed Nick's absence, which meant this would be very personal. "Drop your bag." I knew I had to do everything I was told to do because if I didn't, then I would just get punished by Mom. I dropped the bag on the floor with a thud. "Why were you talking to Si today?" I was going to die. My eyes widened, realizing he had seen her chasing me around at some point.

"She talked to me." I tried to explain.

"Why the fuck did you talk to Sienna?" Matt's voice boomed, and I whimpered at the sudden volume change. I knew it didn't matter what I said. He wouldn't care.

"I used to know her," I told the truth.

"Well, you don't fucking know her anymore." He walked up to me and slammed my back against his door. "Got it?" Before I could respond, he grabbed my uncut, shaggy hair and started slamming my hand back into the wooden frame. "I asked you a question." He hissed.

"Yes, Matt. I won't -" He threw me to the ground. I turned over to see him walking over to me. He reared his foot back and kicked me right in the stomach. I curled up. This was it. He kicked me again and again. I felt the sole of his shoes kissing my blood vessels until they popped, creating purple splotches.

"Sienna is fucking my girl." He was carelessly aiming his kick but ensured his white shoes made contact with my body. I started coughing and groaning from the fire rising inside me. "If I see you talk to her again -" He kicked my mouth. My head lurched back from the decisive blow. I felt warm liquid start oozing. "I will fucking kill you." He screamed. I'm sure everyone in the house heard him. I knew it would be the worst whenever Nick wasn't involved with Matt's special attention towards me. He kicked my face again, and I felt the blood splatter like a flicked paintbrush. He kept going, stomping on me every once in a while when he felt like really putting the pain on me. I was feeling sick to my stomach. I felt like I was going to throw up from the immense pain. "I better not see you talk to her ever again." Matt gave me one last kick to the face. He left his room to go somewhere. I lay on the floor with my tiny blood pool and splatters. His blood stained shoes left red foot prints leading out the door.

I wanted to cry, but no tears came out. I couldn't breathe, and for the first time since ever being treated this way, I wanted to die. I lay in his room, uncomfortable, fearing his return. The door opened, and I couldn't even move to look and see who it was. I was picked up and dragged down the hall with my feet sliding against the floor. I was tossed in the tub with all my clothes still on. The water was turned on, and I was left alone. I felt something bubbling inside me, and I let it out of my mouth. The bile burned coming up. There were red blood streaks mixed in. The water immediately started washing it away. As soon as I felt myself catching my breath, my eyes became too heavy to keep open.

[darkhorse-javert]

I wish you'd write a fic where Sam Stewart unexpectedly inherits a small fortune from one of her vicar uncles. It's post-war and there is no Adam Wainwright to contend with, just Andrew Foyle and Sam, the improbable heiress...

(Okay, this bit is really a prologue to the main idea you asked for, but it currently won't grow any bigger, and no -one is saying what they mean, so here you go. Sorry about which uncle I chose..)

Summer 1945

It's a shape on the bench, slightly cowed and slumped in spite of the bright weather. Then the glint of the sunlight on distinctly coppery hair.  Sam? She's not the only red-head in Hastings but…

He keeps walking, drawing closer to the figure. And yes, he knows that profile, now staring out to sea, now turning her gaze down to something on her lap.

“Sam?”

He calls her name, enough to be heard but not, he hopes, to attract other attention from the people on the green.

She jerks, glances around rapidly, and spots him. There are tears streaked on her face, an utter bewilderment as well.

He closes the gap, perches on the other end of the bench to her. She can get up and leave if she wants, he's not close enough to stop her, not that he would. The black band of mourning is stark on her coat arm. He sits quiet for a few steady heartbeats

“Dad told me about your Uncle Aubrey… I'm sorry, he said you two were close.” another time I would have taken her hand, but you lost that years ago fool.

“Thank you.” She says, a soft choked rasp. Her gloved hands clutch at something, folding it and pressing it into one hand, pinching it tight. “I'm all at sixes and sevens, to be honest Andrew.” She stares out at the sea, We, my Family all get through the war alive somehow, despite the fact its’ mostly boys and North  Africa and the South coast , and then this…” She shakes her head hard once, falls silent, 

the breeze blustering and a gull or two yarping somewhere on the updrafts. 

Then Sam spits out,“It’s not fair, it’s not sodding Fair.”

Sam swearing, or nearly swearing at least. “No…” he says softly, "it's not. It’s not fair at all.” It feels like far too little in answer. He tries not to look at her, hears more than sees her swallow back more emotions. Just when everything’s trying to settle down into this new normal and everyone involved in the European war is trying to find their feet again, the world goes and rips the rug out from under her again. He glances up at the sky, Not cricket, oh Dominus, not cricket at all - not to Sam, nor to Reverend Stewart’s congregation; many coming home wanting familiarity and having to deal with a new man and the inevitable New Broom he brings.

Sam sighs beside him, and when he looks she’s wearing a rueful apologetic expression

“Sorry I’m being a wet blanket.” 

“You’re not, not by miles - I know, for a fact, that I’ve been worse to you.” I got sour, not just rightfully sad. God - I can’t imagine what it would be like to suddenly lose Uncle Charles about now, just as the War’s over.

There’s a rustle, her pressing whatever is in her hand tighter still. I’m not going to ask, it’s her business, certainly not mine.

Sam keeps speaking softly, “ I thought the funeral would help, saying goodbye, acknowledging that he’s in the care of God taking comfort from that, and how many people came, how many people he meant something to.” She shrugs. “It did, a bit, I suppose. It was part of it, a structure, a marker if not an ending. And then this came from Uncle Aubrey’s solicitor.” She holds out her hand, a folded paper within it, raising her eyes, weeping again, to meet his, “Apart from some charitable bequests, anything of his personal effects anyone in the family wants, a few special gifts of objects, he’s left everything to me. Not split it between all of us cousins, not just a portion of a family division. All of it.”

“Ah.” ‘How much is it?’ floats across his mind, No you idiot, that’s crass, and you sound like the worst sort of fortune hunter. He yanks his gaze away from Sam, from the papers, scanning over the grass and the steep bank of Hastings. “Including the recipe for that Greengage Wine Dad now keeps in the medicine box, labeled ‘Crisis Emergency disinfectant'?”

Behind him Sam gives a squeaky chuckle, “He left that out, unless it’s tucked into one of his books somewhere.”

“You know Dad would always be happy to be a listening, responsible, grown-up ear, if you need it. Certainly better than me.” I can barely organise myself, let’s be honest, much less any kind of inheritance. Dad would tell you how hopeless I was with money at Oxford. And it must be money, at least part of it, I think, the way she phrased that ‘All’

Sam humms in her throat, a thinking noise, “I’ll remember that.” Another sigh, “I knew he was my favourite Uncle, and I knew he had a soft spot for me, and he didn’t have children of his own to leave it too, but…” she trails off into silence again.

“Mmm.” He hasn’t got a clue what to say, if there’s even anything appropriate to say to that. Sam’s in some sort of shock, maybe, but it doesn’t seem to be the shock that a cup of tea - or whiskey - would solve. She shouldn’t be confiding all this to me, either, I certainly don’t deserve it.

He almost feels Sam give herself a shake and come back together, briskly changing the subject, “How was it in London, did you find anything?”

London, “It’s a mess Sam, it really is, don’t think I’d realised how hard it had been hit, in my passing visits through” Broken houses, half walls, rows with piles of rubble in the middle where a building had once been. “And no, they didn’t have a position they thought I fitted in the bank.” He sets his hands on his legs “So I’m back here for the time being.”

“Do you think you’ll go again?”

“Honestly - no, I don’t think so.” The ruins, the destruction, the open marks of the war “I don’t think it’s for me, the city. I’ll have a good look around this neck of the woods first, something’s bound to turn up.” He can’t help a rueful twitch of his head. “Well, I hope it does.”

“Seek and ye shall find.” Sam quotes, then her voice suddenly cracks, and he springs to his feet as she rises abruptly, “Thank you, Andrew,” she speaks almost too quickly, I’ll remember what you said, about your father for a listening ear.” She nods, tries for a weak smile, and turns away sharply, walking at pace which isn’t quite a run off West Hill and into the town.

He can only watch her go, Oh Sam - I wish I could help. I wish i hadn’t muffed it all so badly back then, that I was still close enough with you to let me help, somehow.

[thecallofthecrow]

Last Ritual in This House

So I did a closing ritual for this home. I won't be leaving for another couple of weeks, but I want to carefully pack my altar up and make sure it (Safely) arrives where I'm going. Invoke and Present were An Morrigan (She finds it funny when I use Her official name), Brigid (oft debated to be An Morrigan's daughter, but I "had tea with her" before the ritual), and Rhiannon, though is not yet nightfall.

Rhiannon was invoked (but not angry) early because I didn't think I'd have time to do the ritual in Her domain due to having my night time meds and sleepy time melatonin herbal tea mix right before the ritual, so we had to make due, and I think She understands.

So now that that's out of the way, what was the ritual like?

Well, a lot of prayers, mostly not for myself aside from a couple. This was mainly a ritual asking for good energies to be sent the way of my family and friends due to various issues going on in their lives. I even had a couple of prayers for people who didn't ask. I cared less about myself and more about the people in my lives, including my partner who is stuck between a rock and a hard place familially. She is at the center of family drama on her father and mother's sides, who are separated. It is very hard on her, and she asked me, despite being rather averse to religion in general (and thinks this Paganism stuff is kinda weird) she said, "I'll take whatever I can get."

So I asked the Phantom Queen to give her a win. The Morrigan understands how serious I am about my partner and how much I want to manifest a victory for her. What happens now is left up to fate.

However, there's the added problem of "my partner's mom is pissed I'm gonna be there while she's there" and that will also mean my Altar has to be hidden cuz uh...

HER MOTHER HAPPENS TO BE A FUCKING PRESPETARIAN MINISTER AND DOESN'T KNOW I'M A PAGAN OR SHE'D HATE ME MORE THAN I'M PRETTY SURE SHE ALREADY DOES.

Goddess above. What the fuck, man? It feels like every time anyone in her family comes to play ball they get uncomfortable or outright hostile and I'm forced back into the broom closet while they're present or shit will get worse. Her Dad's cool though. He provided a lot of my current altar.

So, I don't know what I'll have to pay the price for my requests. I don't know if it'll be magickal energy or if it'll be something greater. Sometimes I request stuff and nothing gets requested back. But I've been in this long enough to know nothing comes free. I may have to make some sort of sacrifice in order for my manifestations to come through, and the people they're for may have to go through the dirt and grab the manifestations themselves, accepting them.

We'll see.

Either way, I opened the door for Rhiannon and I to strengthen our bond, since we keep each other at arm's length. I also got a weird thank you from Brigid after tea but I'll get into that later.

And An Morrigan, the Crow Mama's words?

"Good job kid."

I think I'm done trying to channel tonight but I might not get a choice. Only time will tell.

POST NOTE:

Tea Time with Brigid went well. It's mildly cold today, uncommon for a nice spring day but oh well. I drank my sleepy herbal tea and fed the birds. They'll need the food for the cold night. After tea time, I got an odd and very direct and crystal clear "Thank you" in my mind before radio silence.

I may have Tea Time with Rhiannon in the DARK tomorrow if I wake up on time. I guess we'll see? I hate waking up at 4 or 5 in the morning, especially on days I have therapy, but if it gets our bond strengthened, honestly I'll take the lack of sleep.

More updates tomorrow, and maybe one more depending on if I do a tarot drawing to end the night.

Kuro.

[braveclementine]

Chapter 9

Warnings: None, Readers under 18 can read this book. It is solely fluff- nothing sexual

Copyright: I do not own any Wizarding World characters that J.K. Rowling wrote. I do however own Elizabeth Kane (main character) and Trang Nyguen (best friend). There should be no use of these two names without my permission. I also do not condone any copying of this.

𝕴 𝖜𝖗𝖔𝖙𝖊 𝖆 letter to dad the next morning:

Dear Dad, I was wondering with the Christmas holidays coming up, if you want me to come back home. I know full moon is December 21, but I would hate for you to be alone during the holidays. I won't come back if you would rather I stay here. Totally up to you, I don't mind either option. Also, I've been trying to find out who Nicholas Flamel is. I know I've heard the name before but I can't remember who he is. I know he is famous for something. . . a little help please! Oh yeah, Harry's the seeker for the Gryffindor team. They made an exception for him and he's really good. He probably got the ability from James. Anyways, his broom was acting up in mid-air during the game, like it was trying to buck him off. Both Professor Snape and Professor Quirrell looked like they were trying to jinx him, but I think one was muttering a counter-jinx or else I believe he wouldn't have stay on the broom as long as he did if both of them had been trying to curse him, right? Hermione, Ron, and Harry all think that Snape was trying to kill Harry. None of them saw Quirrell. I don't think it was Snape, because I think it's Quirrell. What do you think? Lots of love, Elizabeth

I stopped by the Great Hall and picked up some bacon in a napkin for Sadie, and made my way up to the Owlery. Fred Weasley joined me mid-way there, twirling a letter between two of his fingers.

"Sup Liz." He said, falling in stride with me.

"Hey Fred, where's George?" They were almost always together.

"Still sleeping. Lazy ass." Fred said, making an exaggerated face. "Why, did you want to see him rather than me?"

I laughed, feeling lighter than I had since the game yesterday. "No, you two are just never apart. Also, good game yesterday. I'm glad you and George were trying to save Harry too."

Fred nodded, distant for a moment. Then he came back to the present. "Wonder how his broom did that anyways." Then he smirked and said, "We're a bunch of heroes, aren't we?"

I rolled my eyes and punched him in the arm, not commenting on the possible why's or possible how's on Harry's broom.

We started climbing the steps to the owlery. Fred was making jokes and I laughed at all of them. In the owlery, he went over to another owl and sent off a letter, while I tied Dad's letter to Sadie's leg. I fed her a piece of bacon, letting her eat out of my hand. "Safe flight." I murmured softly and she flew out into the early dawn.

I turned to face Fred and noticed, at that moment, a large snowy owl sitting up in the rafters. Peering at her a little closer, I realized that it was the same snowy owl that I had seen in Diagon Alley. The one that I had wanted but felt I should leave for someone else to get. Hedwig, Harry's owl. I smiled, reaching up, and fed her my last piece of bacon. She hooted softly in thanks. Maybe she remembered me, maybe she just liked the bacon. Either way, I knew she had been meant for a good home. I was suddenly glad I hadn't bought her.

Fred and I walked back down and went out separate ways. I found myself wandering, since it was a free period, and I found myself back near the corridor with the Mirror of Erised. I hesitated, looking at the closed door, and then found myself walking towards it.

I said I would never come back here again, I thought, trying to make myself turn around. My feet continued towards the door and I opened it, slipped inside, and closed it again. I dropped my bag down by the door, turned, and froze

Professor Snape had been standing in front of the mirror. At my noisy entrance, he'd turned to face me, a guarded look on his face.

"S-sorry." I stuttered, reaching down to pick up my bag and leave. "I didn't know anyone would be in here."

"Come here." Professor Snape commanded in a soft voice. I didn't dare disobey.

I left my bag where it was and trailed over to where he was standing, apprehensive. He didn't look angry. He looked away from me and back in the mirror. His eyes were sad and full of longing.

"You see Lily Potter." I blurted out before I could stop myself. "With James and Harry. All of them alive."

Professor Snape looked at me quickly, angrily, and possibly a little frightened. "How did you know that?" He asked, sharply. He'd probably never told a single person what he saw in the mirror.

I hesitated. I decided on the truth. Dad had always said that the truth was the best option. "I see a lot of things, in my head, I mean." I started out hesitantly and then realized that I probably sounded crazy and tried to clarify. "Mostly things of the future, but sometimes random things of the past." I blushed red, adding, "I see a lot of things about you."

"Like what?" Snape asked, no longer looking at me, nor at the mirror.

I thought about it carefully. "Before Lily died, you used to see yourself getting married to her, at least in the Mirror." As I spoke it, I saw the vision again. The one where Lily had brown eyes. That was the thing though. . . mum didn't have brown eyes- she had green eyes. "Or. . ." I voiced aloud.

"Or what?" Snape asked.

"Or maybe it wasn't mum after all." I whispered under my breath. I had brown eyes. I looked like mum. But it wasn't possible. No one knew I existed, he couldn't possibly have seen me in the mirror. He had to have seen Lily.

"What did you say?" Snape asked, looking down. He didn't appear confused, but he didn't seem to have heard me anyways.

"Nothing." I said quickly. There was no way I was voicing that option aloud. After all, it had been a slightly hazy vision and I couldn't marry a Professor. It had to be mum. "But I know that you're trying to stop Quirrell from getting past the three-headed dog. That's how you got bitten on Halloween night. The dogs guarding the stone."

The stone? Of course, the Sorcerer's stone. That was what Nicholas Flamel was famous for. He had created the one and only Sorcerer's stone. Looking into the future quickly, I saw that Hermione would figure it out and tell Harry and Ron anyways.

"You shouldn't know about that." Snape said sharply. "Just like-" He cut off, turning away.

I shrugged though now I felt as though I was in trouble. "There's a lot of stuff I shouldn't know. I know what Dumbledore sees when he looks in the mirror, what Harry sees, that Quirrell was the one trying to curse Harry off his broom, that next year will be a dangerous year though I'm sure of the exact danger. I can't help it. I don't know why I have these visions." I hesitated again. "you're the only one I've told." Dad had told me not to tell anyone. I hadn't even told Hermione. Why was I spilling all my secrets to Professor Snape?

We stood in silence for a moment and then he moved over. Putting a hand on my shoulder he asked, "What do you see when you look into the mirror?"

I stood in front of the mirror, but it was different from the last time. Now, in addition to mum, dad, Lupin, Sirius, and Harry- there was also Professor Dumbledore, Professor Snape, Lavender Brown, a small boy with a camera, Uncle Moody, Fred, Cedric Diggory, another Professor- I think the one who taught Muggle studies- a woman with bright pink hair, and a small house-elf with green eyes. It was the strangest thing ever and I didn't know why they were there. I didn't even know half the people in the mirror.

I noticed that Professor Snape was closest to me, besides Lupin, and that our hands were just touching briefly, by our fingers. The mirror unsettled me. These were the most random people ever. I wasn't even friends with Lavender, what was she doing in here? Surely, not all of these people were people I wanted to know.

So I lied. "I see myself creating a cure for werewolves." I whispered softly. "I see myself curing my dad." Then I slipped out from under his hand and ran back towards the door, grabbing my bag.

He said nothing as I left the room, standing where I had stood, and looking into the eyes of my dead mum.

Or so I thought.

.❤️.

𝕯𝖆𝖉'𝖘 𝖑𝖊𝖙𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝖈𝖆𝖒𝖊 back four days later.

Dear Elizabeth, I would love if you came back for the holidays. That is, if you don't mind me being gone on the 21st. Your grandfather is going to come over and visit with us from the 20th to New Years so you won't have to worry about being alone on the 21st. I don't know what to make of Harry's broom acting like that. It could've been either Professor though I'm inclined to say it most likely wasn't Severus. I can't believe that he would harm Lily's son, even with his hatred for James. I can't believe either Professor would have attempted that. Was Dumbledore in the crowd? It was a risky move, whichever Professor (if it was a Professor) did it. Nicholas Flamel is the famous alchemist who created the sorcerers' stone. That's the stone that creates base metals into gold and also the Elixir of life. I'd love to have that stone (mostly joking). Write back soon if you do plan on coming home for Christmas. All my love, Dad

Writing back, I said I would be coming home for Christmas, which made me start wondering about what to get Dad, Trang, Hermione, Ron, Fred, Hagrid and Harry for Christmas. I might as well throw George in there so there was no bias.

In the end, the gifts were quite simple. I got Fred and George fireworks from the joke shop in Hogsmeade. I also gave Fred an extra gift of Fizzing Wizzbees. I got Ron a box of sugar quills. I got Hagrid a book on Dragon care, a knowing smile on my face when I bought that one.

For Harry, I bought a large plastic container of sherbet levitation balls. For Hermione, I bought a bunch of children wizarding books for her. I decided I would wait until I was back home to buy Dad and Trang's gifts.

.❤️.

𝕺𝖓 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖘𝖊𝖈𝖔𝖓𝖉 to last day before break, I walked towards the Great Hall, and saw Hagrid carrying a large Christmas tree, still slightly snow-frosted. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were walking behind him. I ran to catch up, my bag banging against my hip.

"I hate them both. Malfoy and Snape." Harry was saying, scowling. Reaching into my visions I saw that moments before, Snape had taken house points from Gryffindor because of Malfoy. Past-event visions were much easier to twist and shape now that I had a rough hang on them.

"Come on, cheer up, it's nearly Christmas." Hagrid was saying, "Oh hello there Elizabeth."

"Hi Hagrid." I said, looking around.

The hall looked wonderful. Holly and mistletoe were plastered to the walls and hung from the ceiling. There were twelve large Christmas trees, so big I was surprised that even Hagrid had been able to carry them in. They were decorated with baubles, candles, holly, candy canes, and icicles. Magic and decorating truly went together.

"How many days you got left until yer holidays?" Hagrid asked, setting the last tree down in the corner.

"Just one." Hermione replied, "And that reminds me- Harry, Elizabeth, Ron, we've got half an hour before lunch, we should be in the library."

I discretely rolled my eyes while Ron said slowly, "Oh yeah, you're right."

"The library?" Hagrid asked, following us out of Great hall into the bustling corridor. "Just before the holidays? Bit keen, aren't yeh?"

If I'd been alone, I would've said yes. I used the Christmas, Easter, and Summer holidays as time to catch up on my Muggle school studies in addition to my magical studies. But I wasn't alone and I was still a little self-conscious about the fact that I was doing Muggle homework.

"Oh, we're not working." Harry said in a bright voice. I grinned, and then hid my smile, feeling just a little bad for Hagrid cause he probably felt terrible for spilling the name. "Ever since you mentioned Nicolas Flamel we've been trying to find out who he is."

"Yer what?" Hagrid sounded appalled and ashamed, and my sympathy increased tenfold. "Listen here- I've told yeh- drop it. It's nothin' to you what that dog's guardin'".

"We just want to know who Nicolas Flamel is, that's all." Hermione said innocently.

I know, I know, I could've told them. But I'd gotten good at this futuristic vision thing by now. They could figure it out on their own without me, and there was a specific timeline of when they needed to figure out certain things. I could tell them, just not at this exact moment. After Christmas break I could. Harry needed to try out the invisibility cloak first.

"Unless you'd like to tell us and save us the trouble?" Harry asked innocently. He was very good at the innocent look. "We must've been through hundreds of books already and we can't find him anywhere- just give us a hint- I know I've read his name somewhere."

"I'm sayin' nothin'" said Hagrid flatly.

"Just have to find out for ourselves then." Ron said. They left for the library, but I stayed behind with Hagrid, telling Hermione I'd catch up with them in a moment. Hagrid looked after them, disgruntled and anxious.

"Hagrid, it's going to be okay. They're not going to find anything until way after Christmas." I said. I shifted the books in my arms. I wanted to get out to the greenhouse before lunch and check up on my plant before leaving for the holidays. I needed a good grade on this project.

"You seem sure about that," Hagrid grunted, walking through the castle with me. I wrapped myself in my jacket and scarf as we exited the castle.

"I am." I said firmly, putting my books into my side bag. "You shouldn't worry about them, they-we- can handle ourselves."

Hagrid stroked his beard and was quiet for a moment, the only sound was our boots tramping on the freshly fallen snow. "Perhaps, but Harry has already had enough trouble, he doesn't need ter get mixed up in this."

"The stone will be safe whether or not Harry and them find out about it." I said, reassuring Hagrid.

Hagrid gave a start. "You know?"

"Hagrid, I know quite a bit." I said, exasperated, but felt my insides squirming guiltily. "I knew who Nicolas Flamel was a long time ago. I just haven't told them yet because now isn't the right time for them to know, if you get what I mean. There's a time for everything, and now isn't it."

Hagrid looked troubled when I left him. I felt relieved. Professor Sprout was the only other person in the greenhouse, checking out everyone else's plants. She beamed at me as I shrugged out of my robes, setting them on a hook near the entrance with my bookbag.

"Miss Kane! Come to check up on your plant, have you?" She asked, making another note on her clipboard.

I nodded, walking over to where my dandelions were growing. "I just hope they're doing well."

"It's one of the best plants in here." She said. "Along with Miss Grangers and Mr Longbottoms."

"Neville's doing well." I grinned.

She nodded. "It's his best subject, or so I'm told."

I checked out my plant, having to grab a step-stool to reach the counter. It did seem to be blossoming beautifully. I checked the drainage and the roots, feeling the soil with my bare finger. Everything seemed to be in perfect condition and there really was nothing else left for me to do to the plant.

"What are you going to be doing for Christmas?" Professor Sprout asked, stopping over a flower that was doing quite poorly and frowning at it, scribbling furiously on the clipboard. I wondered who's plant it was and hoped it was Dracos'.

"I'm going home to my dad's." I said, pulling off a stray, somewhat dead leaf from my plant. "It'll be just us for Christmas, although he mentioned that his dad may come over. I hope so, I haven't seen my grandfather in a couple of years."

She smiled, noting a dead leaf on someone's plant. She tsked, and wrote something down on her clipboard.

"Professor, is there anything else I can do to learn more?" I asked cautiously. I'd asked McGonagall and Snape for extra lessons of course but they'd both turned me down and I didn't want to be turned down by a third teacher.

She looked up at me, slightly amused, slightly confused. "You know you're doing much more than anyone else is doing. Not just in this class I've heard. Professor Flitwick says that you've been getting private lessons from him, and Professor McGonagall said that you asked the same of her. If anything, I'd concentrate on that Astronomy grade of yours from what I hear."

I sighed, disappointed. "Astronomy, Autonomy."

Professor Sprout looked only amused now. "Every magical class is just as important as the other."

I sighed again, knowing that the information was important whether or not I liked it. "I know. I just wish I could find it as interesting as my other classes." I hesitated and then asked, "There really isn't anything else I can do?"

Professor Sprout looked at me for a long moment, a rare, serious look on her face. Then, she handed me the clipboard she'd been using to grade the students. "Here, you can help me grade other students. . . as long as you're fair, of course. Perhaps you could be a PA."

I was pleased. Most students couldn't become Professor Assistants until fifth year.

.❤️.

𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖓𝖊𝖝𝖙 𝖉𝖆𝖞 I left with Hermione to board the Hogwarts Express. We sat in a compartment with Susan Bones and talked about what we were going to do over the holiday. Both of them voiced opinions on what I should get my Dad and Muggle girlfriend for Christmas.

When the Trolley witch came along, I realized that I could send Trang candy. Of course, I'd have to be careful to send her something that wasn't magical. Sugar quills that looked like real quills and she could suck on them all day in class. Of course, in America, they probably used ballpoint pens but still, she was a Brit.

Dad was waiting for me at the station, looking a bit ill. There were about a week or so left before the 21st so I wasn't all that surprised. He almost always looked ill, just in different degrees.

He hugged me tightly. "Ah, I've missed you a lot Elizabeth."

"Me too dad." I said, squeezing him tightly. I felt like I was ten again, just a kid, and not someone who seemed to have the fate of the world on her shoulders. Cause after all, if Quirrell got that stone. . . well who knew what would happen. . .but probably nothing good. I couldn't imagine him taking it for himself, he was to much of a coward. So he must be stealing it for someone more important than him, more powerful, someone who could protect him, right? I just hoped it wasn't Voldemort. . .

Dad decided on side-along apparition to get home quickly. I found it a bit nauseating, but was pleased to be home. Sadie was already here, waiting in my bedroom. I'd told her to stay at the house when she delivered my message to dad.

I spent the rest of the day cleaning up my bedroom. Having not lived in it for a few months, everything had collected dust.

The day after that, I got up early and wrote a note to dad telling him that I had gone to Diagon Alley to look for Christmas presents. I took the floo network and was in Diagon Alley in no time. I searched the shops, looking for anything that stood out for dad and even for Trang- sometimes there were innocent things that were fascinating, but also simple.

Finally, for dad, I found a handsome locket. It wasn't a girly necklace in the shape of a heart or anything like that. It was made of old bronze, but had lost value because of the tarnish- it wasn't goblin made. It was circular shaped and hollow on the inside, tines in place for pictures. It was as big as an American Half-dollar. I paid 37 Galleons and pocketed it.

I had no idea what to get Trang. Sending her just candy seemed to be a bit of a horrible thing to do. I wanted to give her something that she could keep. I went to Flourish and Blotts to see if they had any interesting books that didn't have moving pictures in it.

A majority of books did, but finally I decided to send her a copy of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Considering even in the Muggle world, fantastic beasts were something of the known, though mystical. And the drawings in here were watercolor and they rarely moved. Hopefully, Trang didn't look to closely and if she did. . .well I was sure I could explain it. After all, technology advanced all the time, right?

I visited the broom shop, looking through brooms again. I hesitated at the Nimbus 2000. It was 300 Galleons, more money than I had ever spent in my life. I had the money, I had nearly 10,000 Galleons in my vault yet. . .

I turned away and walked out of the shop. I restated my deal in my head. If I made Hufflepuff Quidditch team next year, then I would buy the broom. Plus, by that time, the price would drop to 220 Galleons and save me money. (That wasn't a futuristic vision- that was just economical math).

Back home, I wrapped Trang's gifts and set them aside. I would send Sadie off with them later today. Or could I? Maybe I'd have to send them through Muggle packages. Could Sadie make a trip over the sea?

I got a moving photo of me from Dad's study, duplicated it, and transfigured it so that it would fit the circular shape of the locket. I fitted it in and stuck it with a permanent sticking charm on the back because I wasn't sure the tines would be strong enough to hold it. On the other side, I placed a lock of my hair. It was something signature in the Wizarding world. I put a thin wrap of plastic over it, using the sticking charm again. I closed the locket, placing it in an ornate box and wrapping it.

I felt my own locket bouncing against my chest and I pulled it out and opened it. Mum and dad smiled up at me, and baby Harry waved his small fist, looking up into mum's face. I smiled and stared at the pictures for a long time until I heard dad come in the room. I snapped it closed and stood up quickly. I shoved the wrapped box into the closet.

Grandfather came a day early and dad left the house the afternoon of the 20th for the forest.

.❤️.

𝕮𝖍𝖗𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖒𝖆𝖘 𝕯𝖆𝖞 𝖈𝖆𝖒𝖊 and I woke up early. I crept down the stairs so I didn't wake dad or grandfather.

There were more presents under the tree than I was used to, and there was also a large something with a blanket over it. Noises were coming from it- moving noises- and I was quite tempted to look under it. I refrained myself from looking in case it was a magical creature. I'd much rather have dad around if something went wrong.

I cooked breakfast instead- for the adults at least. I was quite content with eating only candy, cookies, and sweets today. I made cheesy scrambled eggs (because that was how Grandfather liked them) and then two separate sunny side up eggs for Dad (his favorite). Then there was bacon and sausage links. I put a pot of water on the stove to boil for tea.

Dad and grandfather woke up around nine. Well, actually, I got impatient and woke them up. Most of the presents were for me, though Dad did like his locket. (Or at least he said he did but he was a horrible liar, so I was quite content he was telling the truth). I didn't expect him to wear it either because it wasn't that great of a gift, but he slipped it around his neck when I wasn't looking and tucked it under his robes. Grandfather had gotten him new work robes and also some books, though I wasn't entirely sure what they were on.

Hermione had given me some of her favorite Muggle history books along with a couple of fiction ones too. She'd given me a new book called The Awakening: Volume I. It was about a girl named Elena Gilbert and two brothers Stefan and Damon Salvatore. It had vampires, witches, and werewolves in it and I couldn't wait to read it. Plus, looking at the characters on the cover. . . Damon was hot.

Ron and George had both gotten me Chocolate Frogs. Unfortunately, I didn't get any new cards to add to my collection. However, it did put my number of Helga Hufflepuff cards to an even 46.

From Hagrid, I got a carved statuette in the shape of a rabbit. It was standing on its hind legs, both ears pointed upwards. It was adorable and I was incredibly happy that Hagrid had taken the time to make it for me. I put it up on a partly empty shelf in my bedroom above my dresser.

Fred had sent me a box of sour gummies from Honey Dukes, along with a small woven bracelet with small bands on it that were meant for separate charms. It came with a broom charm. I put it on right away.

Trang had sent me a rather large box with a divider down the middle. On one side, she had sent me a bunch of books that she had found in America, including the same copy of the Vampire Diary book that Hermione had sent me. Luckily, that was the only duplicate. On the other side was a bunch of different American sweets that I had never heard before. Zotz, Mega Warheads, Tear Jerkers, Sour jacks, pop rocks, a container with a singular mega jawbreaker, DinoSour Eggs, and something called an astro pop. I could only assume that they weren't dangerous because they were Muggle candy.

Harry had also given me a book and also different patterned bookmarks, which I hadn't expected but rather liked. Most of them were Quidditch designed and all in Hufflepuff colors except for one which was in Gryffindor colors. The book was also on Quidditch.

I finally set those aside, leaving two presents from dad, and one present from grandfather. Neither of those included whatever was under the blanket.

The first thing from dad was a small box. Undoing the wrapping paper, I opened it and saw that it was a small bracelet. It was made of small linked chains, possibly of silver. There was a small moon charm on it and I grinned. My fingers fumbled with the clasp but I managed to get it on my wrist right next to Fred's bracelet.

"Thanks Dad." I said, grinning up at him.

He chuckled. "You haven't even opened the better present."

I reached under the tree and pulled out a longer package. I felt it in my hands and looked up at dad in shock. "A broomstick?"

He simply smiled.

I tore off the wrapping paper and there was the Nimbus 2000 that I had been looking at in the store only six days ago. "But-why- how- I mean- this" I stuttered over my words, trying to express my gratitude, while also expressing my worry over the money.

"I thought it was about time that you had a proper broom." Dad said. "I know you're worried about the money, but don't worry about it, okay?"

I jumped up, ran over, and hugged him tightly, unable to express my thanks in words properly.

"You will make the team next year, right?" Grandfather joked. "Would be a shame if you didn't make it."

I nodded multiple times, still speechless.

Grandfather's gift was a necklace. It had been grandmother's at one point and he wanted me to have it. Since I was already wearing everyone's jewelry, I slipped it on as well. It came to rest a couple of inches above my belly button, but it had been designed to be longer. There was a sapphire at the bottom of it and the chain was silver.

I pointed to the blanket apprehensively. "What's under there?"

Both Lupin and Lyall laughed. "Go ahead and take a look." Grandfather said with a grin.

I approached it slowly, unsure what sort of creature was going to leap up at me. There were multiple different magical creatures that could be kept as pets, but I already had Sadie. Oh, perhaps it was a crup puppy? Those were incredibly cute. Or a Kneazle kit?

I pulled the blanket off and it took me a moment to realize what I was seeing. I fell to my knees, opened the cage door, and pulled out the adorable little bunny that was sitting in it. I squealed with delight as I held it on my shoulder ,and it licked my ear, pushing its soft tiny nose against my cheek. I nearly fainted with happiness, joy, and enthusiasm. As it was, I squealed.

"Thank you Grandfather, thank you so much." I said. I ran back over to the couch and sat between them.

"Well you're very welcome sweetheart." He said, putting an arm around my shoulder.

"And thank you dad." I said, unable to stop smiling. "This has really been one of the best Christmas I've ever had." I beamed up at him.

The rest of the day went well. The bunny ran around as I cooked Christmas dinner which was ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, pickled beets, black olives, banana peppers, pumpkin pie, apple cider, and grape cider. Grandfather was impressed by how well I was doing in the kitchen, even though I was only eleven. I overheard them talking in the breakfast room.

"She's taught herself to cook ever since she was seven." Lupin said quietly. I obviously wasn't supposed overhear. "She would bring home cookbooks and look for ingredients, or ask me to take her to the store so she could get them and then she'd make it. I'm ashamed to admit that I thought she was going to burn the house down, at first, but she's really gotten excellent at it. She's the smartest girl I know. I actually got a complimentary letter from Professor Sprout saying she's one of her most dedicated students. I don't know what Elizabeth's doing up at Hogwarts, but I'd say she's excelling indeed."

Professor Sprout had actually done that? I wondered if Professor McGonagall had sent one to Hermione's parents. Then again, Professor McGonagall and Professor Sprout were very different. Professor Sprout had probably sent out several letters to student's parents.

At that moment, a vision came out of nowhere. Harry had gotten Dad's invisibility cloak. I dived deeper into the vision, in order to see what dad's cloak had looked like. Harry was trying it on in front of Ron. Everything but his head disappeared. I wished, at that moment, that I had something of dad's or mum's.

Then, I immediately felt ashamed of myself, and wrenched out of the vision. How could I think like that? After everything Lupin had done for me! After the incredibly expensive gift that he'd given me today. And he was willing to do everything for me. How could I be so ungrateful?

I carefully placed the wooden spoon that I was using to mix the mashed potatoes down on the counter. I quickly turned everything off on the stove and put lids over the food so the heat would stay in. I hurried past dad and grandfather so that I could get upstairs to the bathroom.

"Elizabeth?" Dad asked, concerned as I passed.

I didn't turn around and just said, "bathroom" as normally as possible. I raced up the stairs and hurried into the bathroom.

I stared at myself in the mirror as though the word selfish would be printed across my forehead in capital letters. I observed myself. I no longer wore my glasses, and I could now see the resemblance I had to mum. My brown hair had more red tints and my face was starting to shape like hers. The brown eyes were the only difference, the difference between the two of us looking nearly identical.

"I'm selfish." I whispered aloud. I sounded much younger than I wanted to. "I can't be selfish anymore." Never again, would I wish for anything. I would make the most out of everything. That stupid mirror!

There was a knock at the door. "Elizabeth?" Dad asked in concern. "Are you alright?"

I opened the door. "Yeah, I just had a vision." I said.

His brow creased in concern. "About what?"

I hesitated and then said, "Well I saw what Harry had gotten for Christmas. Dumbledore gave him James's old invisibility cloak. I had a momentary fleeting wish that I had something of mums' or James' and immediately felt horrible because you've already given me so much that I shouldn't be wishing for anything else. Especially the broom! I love the broom! How could I be so selfish and want more?"

Dad stared at me for a second and then, to my shock and slight horror, he burst out laughing. "Elizabeth, you're young! You're supposed to be selfish and want more than you have. It's natural. Especially those who grow up without a lot of money, it's natural to want something every once in a while."

I shook my head, feeling frustrated and slightly abashed. Was Dad saying it was alright to be selfish? "I don't want to be selfish. I really am satisfied with what I have. I swear, it was just a fleeting thought."

Dad laughed aloud again and that was the end of the conversation. I felt much better as I went downstairs to finish off dinner. If he was laughing, then there really wasn't anything to worry about.

It was dark and cold after dinner, but I still took the broomstick out with dad to a nearby clearing in the woods nearby that was empty and had good tree coverage. I took off on the broomstick, feeling the wind on the my face, stinging my eyes. It was freezing, but I was exhilarated. We didn't stay long though, and we headed back to the house for dessert and I played with the bunny rabbit.

He was a lion-lop (lionhead x English lop mix) rabbit with white and gray coloring. He had lots of baby fur around his face and on his butt, covering his tail. I called him Sushi which was an adorable name. Eventually, I thought, I'm going to get him a girl rabbit so they could mate and play. And I'll name her. . . well what color would she be? If she's brown it'll be cinnamon. If she's black she'll be. . . chocolate. No? What good food is black cause chocolates brown. . .Licorice? Coffee? Ink Pasta? Hmm. . . I just won't get a black rabbit. A white rabbit's easy though- Marshmallow, rice, cracker, or vanilla. Probably Rice. Rice and Sushi.'

Grandfather left for his home on New Year's Day and I spent quality time with Daddy and Sushi. Sadie came back with a letter from Trang, asking how I had managed to get such a wonderfully trained owl, and also thank you for the presents. I had forgotten to send the presents by Muggle post, but Trang's letter didn't seem to care much, only finding the situation amusing, and her host parents thought it was amazing and asked if all Brits did that for Christmas.

Dad and I talked about my visions and what we thought some of them might mean. I confessed that I knew Harry, Ron, and Hermione were going to go after the stone if Dumbledore left Hogwarts, and I knew that he would eventually, though I didn't know when. I also confessed that I was torn between going with them and telling an adult.

Dad didn't say much on it, only saying that James would've gone, and Lily would've told a teacher.

"Either way, you'll be doing as your parents would've done and I know that matters a lot to you." He said kindly but I wondered if he felt sad on a deeper level.

"What would you have done?" I asked. "Or really, what would you do?"

"Does my opinion matter that much to you?" He asked lightly. I climbed up off the floor where I was playing with Sushi and curled up next to him on the couch, resting my head on his shoulder. His arm went around my shoulder.

"Your opinion means the world to me." I whispered.

"Follow your heart, I think. I'm not entirely sure what I would do if I was in your position. I suppose I would've gone, I think, James definitely could've gotten me to go. But ultimately, the choice is up to you. If there's a bad outcome, you need to tell a teacher. Only you know how the situation is going to play out."

"Hagrid's going to get a dragon." I said, changing the subject. "That ought to be interesting, he'll want us to help raise it."

Dad shuddered with horror so we didn't talk about my visions any more after that. Then eventually it was time to go back to Hogwarts and I went, leaving my broomstick and Sushi behind. I brought nearly everything else with me except for a couple books that I couldn't fit into my trunk.

"I'll see you when school ends." Dad said, kissing my cheek good-bye. I returned the kiss. "But please, stay safe, and stay hidden in the crowds. I'd hate to think about any other alternatives where you're not safe."

I think that was his way of saying what he thought. He was telling me not to go on that adventure with Harry.

But would I listen when the time came?

⬅️➡️

[pbandjesse]

Me and James are at Jess's house! None of us are tired but we have to wake up at 5 to go to the airport so we are going to try our best to get some sleep.

Today was a restful day. Like I did my best to not make myself crazy. I slept in even! I actually wanted to keep sleeping past 930 but I knew it would actually make me feel worse so I slowly worked on waking up.

Dad had texted me not long before I woke up so I asked if I could call him at 10. And when I did I put him on speaker so I could continue to lay there. But it was so nice to talk to him. He told me a story about when he first bought my childhood home and how he got hurt. I didn't know that! They told him he would never work construction again, but we know now that he got better. But that must have been so scary for him.

He wished me and Jess a good time on our trip and we said goodbye. And I finally actually got up.

I decided to take a shower and shave my legs. Which we never have enough hot water for. But I made it work. I did not wash my hair so I will have to do that Sunday night. At the hotel. Which is not my favorite thing but it fine. I got dressed and felt really cool. This was a good look.

I spent the morning cleaning a bit. It was more organizing then like swiffering and wiping things. I made the bed. And shook out the rugs. And then rolled them up to pack them away. I had leftover Indian food for breakfast with tortilla chips. And I watched some videos. I packed a few more boxes and took down all my miniatures from my wall of house frames. I could not take down the houses because our drill is at the house. So that will have to be done later but I made great progress and it felt good.

I sat down to catch up on all my knitting. Which took about an hour. I just watched a video and did all the attachments and I am very pleased with January so far. I'll finish this month and start the next next weekend after we are back.

Once I was done I put on some shoes to walk to Walgreens. I got some gum and a cliff bar and a new nail file. I wandered around and hugged the stuffed animals. And then walked home. I found a really cute basket in the alley that I took home and packed all my 2005 and 2012 furbies in with my mom furby robots. It was a good time. Felt really productive.

I went through my packing for Disney again. I wrote down every item in an inventory. And double and triple checked that I wasn't missing anything. And there were things so could have added for sure. But I really wanted to be streamlined, so I can have room for any souvenirs, and so I wouldn't have to carry to much. And I think I did an excellent job. I feel like this might be the best packing I've done since me and Jess's road trip.

By the late afternoon I just wanted to lay in bed with sweetp. He was being very very needy. I was filing my nails and he was biting the file and being a menace. But I would get up to sweep the studio because after I moved the rugs I discovered how much junk was under the rugs and dirt and pins and junk. So I went to borrow the broom from the hallway and discovered I had some packages. Amazing.

After is wept I opened my packages and it was some house stuff. The window clings. Some contact paper. Things like that. I also got a new hair clip that looks like a bird and a little bow ring that I think it so darling. Like a little reminder on your finger.

I had some Mac and cheese and chilled with sweetp until around 330. And then I decided to get some snails out of the frog tanks, something I have let fall by the wayside. And then refill the water and feed everyone. Because then it was time to go. I said goodbye to Sweetp and told him I would be back in less then a week. And then I was off.

I struggled to the car a bit. But mostly because things kept falling out of my pocket. But I was able to collect everything and things were okay. And then I was off to the museum to meet James.

I would come inside after rearranging my bags in the backseat in the parking lot. James ran out the door to point at me and we were both smiling and laughing so big. I hung out inside with them and other Jesse for a little bit. Talking about wedding venue prices and how James wants the crane to get big googly eyes to become a new mascot for the museum. Which I think is a great idea.

We had to leave though. And after a quick stop for fries and nuggets at McDonald's we were off. And it was a nice ride. We had a nice conversation about life and names we like and being together. It was really good.

We made one more stop at a rest stop. Where I looked at the claw machines but did not play. And then pretty quickly we were at Jess's!!

I was really excited to see her. And quickly we were all piling in her car to go get Thai food for dinner.

This place was a hole in the wall but the food was great. We had some very silly conversations about our childhood meals and things we like or don't like and there were lots of laughs and it was just really lovely. Two nights this week I got to have dinner with my favorite people. I'm so lucky.

We got back here and I tried to help Jess with her packing. But she wants to bring three pairs of sneakers so there was only so much I could do to help consolidate. I think in the end we did a pretty good job. And we were able to get two pieces of outerwear cut from the suitcase and that freed up a bit of space. Jess said she hated me that I was only bringing my one fleece. But my black fleece has been all I want to wear since I got it so I just lucked out!! I didn't even bring a sweatshirt, figuring I will buy one in Disney probably. It's not my fault she wanted to bring a fleece, a crew neck, two cardigans, a zip up hoodie, a rain coat, and a denim jacket! She wanted to be prepared for every weather. I decided to just love with the consequences of bringing just this one.

We would do what we could though. And after switching some of my trading pins to her lanyard and moving a few things around I feel like we are ready and will have to do very little in the morning. Excellent.

That whole time James was in the couch working on editing their podcast. It was nice to have their energy there. I am going to miss them being there this week!!! It will be very hard being away for so long.

We would all start getting ready for bed. Against our wills. But James is winding down now. Despite an annoying cough they keep having at night. And I am ready to try and sleep too. I am going to go grab my water from the other room and turn off the light. I hope I can get some sleep.

Tomorrow we will fly to Florida in the morning and spend the day at Disney springs and exploring our hotel/resort. I'm very excited. I am going into this with an open mind and open heart and just going to lean into every experience I can. I think it's going to be wonderful.

I hope you all sleep well tonight. Wish us luck and safe travels! Tomorrow I will be writing from Disney World! Goodnight!

[ellowynthenotking]

Dec 21

Dear Dad,

Despite the fact that I've barely been able to help or do anything more than sit around, one of the priestesses at the temple must have felt bad for me because she let me do some of the dusting that needs doing.

So the temple is pretty small, apparently tiny from what I understand, so most of the alters and stuff are in rooms about the size of broom closets with little doors that close behind people. Some of the closets, as a result, are not opened for months, so they get pretty dusty. 

So, I got to go around on the topmost floor, which is mainly filled with gods and goddesses of the sky and light, and are also up like 8 flights of stairs, and dust everything so the alters would be clean for the festivities. 

The priestess I talked to said that this festival was one of the few nearly universally practiced. It's pretty similar across the continent. 

The first evening will be mostly people drinking, dancing, and festivalling through the night, eating various festival foods, and then, in the darkest depth of the night, watching the play about the origin of the world and deities. From there, the little ones are put to bed, and there's even more festivaling and people leaving offerings on the various alters. Most will be left on the altar of the patron god of this city, but people hoping for specific things, love, success, etc., will leave their sacrifices on the alters of the deities who are most likely to provide for them. 

I don't know if there's a god of portals, but I've got a couple days to look for them and see if they'll help us. 

The second day is all about the different other gods. Then more festivities and sacrifices. Then, the third day is about this area, the fourth is about whatever god is the patron here, and the fifth and final night is about the temple and city itself. Then, more festivities, with the morning of the fifth day all about praying to the gods and resting. 

Then, clean up for however long that takes. So that's going to be pretty neat. I mean, I'm not going to drink, so I'll probably have a harder time sleeping those nights, but I doubt anyone will bother me if I want to sleep in. 

So there I was, making sure that I was carefully dusting everything because just because I don't really believe in these gods doesn't mean I'm going to risk messing up the alters. When I found Zunair in one of the somewhat cleaner ones. 

I wasn't expecting him, mostly cause I thought he was over at the bard hall or working a corner or something. 

I think I startled him as much as he startled me because we both jumped, and he yelled at me a little. He had his instrument, a small stack of papers, and what I'm pretty sure was my spare pen. 

I asked him what he was doing there, and he said he was trying to come up with a new song. He thought it might be a good thing to give up, a sacrifice. I asked him if he thought a sacrifice would help us get home, and he said it couldn't hurt for us to try. We'd seen some weird, amazing, really out-there stuff, and we knew someone was magically healing people. It seemed related to the temples, so maybe it was gods or other beings like gods. Maybe they'd answer our prayers even though there were sure to be so many other people praying. 

I hid myself away with him in the room. Zunair's obsession with music wasn't something I hadn't heard from him or for him before, and I was curious. I asked him about it, and I figured it would be something he was just picking up, something passing like the magic for me, something to do here that could make a little money if he was half decent at it. 

Zunair told me about his mom. His mother used to play and sing to him when he was little, and Zunair wanted to learn to play, too. He told me about her incredible singing voice and how she'd bring any room alive with music. He'd learned how to play a little bit from here while growing up, but when he tried to pick up her guitar after she passed, he thought his father was going to have an aneurysm. 

He didn't, and Zunair hadn't tried again. The pain of that interaction, the memory of his mom playing, had been too much for a long time. 

But here, he missed his mom, and this was something he could do to remember her that wasn't hurting anyone and wouldn't make his dad cry.

And here, and now, where he wasn't home, and he still missed his mom, and where he wasn't home and just had to be here, more or less alone with the pain he felt and the loneliness, he could try it again. So he was. 

It makes sense to me now why the other Bard Hall let him in so easily then and why he was putting so much of himself and his focus into it now. He needs something to focus on, just like I did, do. His just happens to be music.

I hugged him and told him I'd help cover with the others if he wanted help at the apartment. It's nice for him to do, and he has been getting a lot better. 

I dusted around him and left him to keep working on the song. I'm sure it'll be something. I can't say good. I really don't think it will be, but it'll be from the heart, and I think that'll make it good enough. 

And maybe the gods will appreciate something new and made from the heart. 

Thankfully, there weren't any other surprises while dusting. But it was still so exhausting that I napped for a little while, waiting for Riley to finish whatever her tasks for the day were. 

Reese gave me a piggyback on the way to the apartment, which is probably for the best because I'm not sure I would have been able to make my way up the stairs. There aren't many, but it would have been too many for me. 

This weakness is just the worst. 

I hate it.

I don't think much else worth talking about happened. Grace helped clean up the pools on the bottom floor of the temple, and Zunair told me he was much closer to being done with his song, which is also great. 

Overall, it was a good day, and I got to hang out with Zunair and get to know him a little better, which was a surprise and a pleasant one at that. 

Good night, Dad. I hope you're sleeping okay and that you haven't had to spend too much of the time I've been gone on cases. Or maybe you have, so you're not too worried about me.

Love, Jack

Read the rest here: 

Or read more by this author here: 

[sunblister16]

Hey y'all. Here's a little something that I wrote up for my AU, Paving Our Way, when a friend struck me with some inspiration. Just a quick little oneshot, and it's a ship fic, so I hope you enjoy.

Mallow was quietly humming to herself as she and Tsareena swept the floor of the Pallet House’s seating area, the last of its patrons gone for the evening. Delia was back in the kitchen cleaning the dirty pots, pans, and tableware after the day.

It was truly a wonder that the poor woman had managed this place by herself for so many years, all while raising Ash. It was regrettably familiar to Mallow, though not quite the same as what her situation with her father and brother had been like.

She was just about finished when she heard the front door open, and silhouetted in the doorframe was Ash himself, wearing a pair of plain blue jeans, black shirt and red vest, which was unzipped today. His normally spiky hair was drooping and looked damp; he must've just come from a swim with their girlfriend Lana.

“Hey Mallow,” he said in greeting. He stepped further into the restaurant and closed the door behind him.

“Hey Ash,” she returned. Tsareena chirped a welcome as well, and from the back they could hear the water stop running for a moment.

“Ash? Is that you?” Delia called from the kitchen before poking her head around. Mimey followed suit, waving a silent hello to his long-time ward.

“Yeah Mom, it's me,” her son responded. He waved back to Mimey, who returned to his duties shortly thereafter.

She smiled warmly at him, then looked at the Grass type, “Oh, Tsareena, could you help us in the kitchen for a moment?”

“Tsa,” the Fruit Pokemon said, leaning her broom against a nearby table and trotting into the kitchen, following the eldest Ketchum as she vanished behind the wall as well. Ash and Mallow were left alone on the main floor.

“Busy day?” Ash queried. He'd stuck his right hand in his pocket.

Mallow leaned lightly against the broom, placing both hands atop the wooden handle. “Yeah, the lunch rush was especially hectic today,” she remarked, remembering how she and Delia had barely been able to keep up with orders. They'd been especially popular ever since Mallow added some of her recipes to the menu.

She did enjoy it, though. Not running the place effectively by herself, having Delia and Mimey to help her, and of course Tsareena, made all the difference in keeping her from getting overworked. Delia paid her extremely generously, too, against Mallow's pleas; she adamantly refused to reduce her wage by a cent.

Truthfully, being away from her dad and brother, and living with Delia and Ash the past few months, was enough on its own.

Ash glanced at the broom, then said, “I can take over from here.”

“No it's alright, we're almost done. Shouldn't be but maybe ten more minutes, then we can head home,” Mallow assured.

Ash stepped forward and politely pried the wooden staff from her hands. “I wasn't asking,” he said firmly but gently, giving her a look she was starting to become familiar with: a look that said ‘you're putting too much on yourself again, Mallow.’

The green-haired Alolan relented, opting to lean against the high-top counter. She clasped her hands together, fingers interlaced, and said, “Thanks… I'm sorry.”

She was trying to do better. She had moved here with Ash and Delia specifically for this. But breaking a habit she had kept up for nearly a decade was hard. She was so used to taking care of everything herself she often forgot she had other people that she could depend on now.

“It's okay. I get it,” Ash told her, smiling reassuringly. He took his hand from his pocket, something inside, and placed it on the table before stepping away to go sweep. It was a Poke Ball, its red upper dome gleaming in the evening light sneaking through the windows.

A moment passed where they were both quiet except for the swiffing sound of the broom against the floor.

“It's for you, by the way,” Ash remarked.

“Huh?”

“The Poke Ball. It's for you,” he repeated, and looked at her out of the corner of his eye with a smile before turning around to keep working.

Mallow reached for the ball and picked it up, feeling its weight in her hands. She turned it over, then pressed the button to call out its contents.

A blue beam of light cast itself onto the closest table, and a moment later an Applin materialized from it. “Appl!” it said cheerily as it caught sight of its new Trainer.

Mallow quietly gasped, and rushed forward to pick up the Apple Core Pokemon, “Oh my gosh, an Applin?! That's so thoughtful of you, Ash!” Her mind raced with the possibilities her new partner would grant her; its ability, Ripen, would do wonders for the berries she uses in her recipes. And if the apple it lives in is sweet, evolving it into an Appletun, the sweet nectar on its skin would be one more ingredient she could use.

Mallow gently stroked the tips of the Applin’s eyestalks, which it seemed to enjoy quite a bit. “You know, I heard that in Galar, catching an Applin and giving it to someone you love means you'll be together forever; almost like the Luvdisc legend. It's kind of romantic, isn't it?”

She looked up at Ash, smiling widely, to see him still quietly sweeping. His gaze was focused on the floor; then a moment later he stopped and glanced up at her with a small smile, and a light blush forming on his face.

Mallow's smile faded as the realization hit her, and her own cheeks grew warm. She looked down at the Applin again, who looked back curiously but with eyes that felt like they knew what was happening. They peered into Mallow's own eyes and saw right through her.

She thought back on all the times the two of them had shared since they met. She remembered taking him by the hand and leading him into the Pokemon School the first day they'd met; helping him gather the ingredients for Olivia's trial; she and him looking for the Yellow Nectar for her Alolan Stew; and countless other times while they'd gone to school together.

She thought about when he'd first started dating Lana, and they both urged her to leave the restaurant and take better care of herself; Ash especially had insisted she move in with Delia, and stayed by her side to help her adjust to her new life in Kanto. The support he had shown her in the past few months–no, the past couple of years.

The Alolan’s eyes fell half-lidded, and her smile reformed, this time smaller and more tender. She realized in that moment that she loved him too, and had loved him for quite a long time.

It was funny how such a simple gesture could reveal so much.

She languidly made her way across the room, still looking down and avoiding the tables and chairs. “Well,” she spoke slowly, “In case you weren't aware… the other part is that the person who you gave the Applin to is meant to give you one in return. To solidify the bond between you.”

She stopped next to Ash, and raised her gaze. “I don't have an Applin for you,” she said; then closed her eyes and leaned forward, lightly pressing her lips to his cheek. The contact left a tingly sensation as she pulled away slightly and whispered to him, “but I want to be together with you forever, too.”

Ash’s left hand had fallen loosely to his side when he stopped sweeping, so Mallow twined her fingers between his and held his hand tightly; he squeezed back. They stared into each other's eyes; hazelnut and forest green hues locking in a silent display of fierce passion and devotion.

The Applin, still cradled in Mallow's arm, looked at her first, then at Ash, then back again before joyfully rocking back and forth making cheery warbling noises in celebration.

And crowded behind the wall of the kitchen closest to the doors were Tsareena, her eyes shining with happy tears; Mimey, who stood proudly at Delia's side; and Delia herself, hands clasped over her chest and a smile on her face as two of her favorite people joined their lives together.

Today had been an eventful one at the Pallet House, indeed.

[jaywalkerss]

Look at these two.

Couple of Hive Harrys.

Let's have fun with them.

It must be dangerous being a Pollen Jock.

Yeah. Once a bear pinned me against a mushroom!

He had a paw on my throat, and with the other, he was slapping me!

Oh, my!

I never thought I'd knock him out.

What were you doing during this?

Trying to alert the authorities.

I can autograph that.

A little gusty out there today, wasn't it, comrades?

Yeah. Gusty.

We're hitting a sunflower patch six miles from here tomorrow.

Six miles, huh?

Barry!

A puddle jump for us, but maybe you're not up for it.

Maybe I am.

You are not!

We're going 0900 at J-Gate.

What do you think, buzzy-boy? Are you bee enough?

I might be. It all depends on what 0900 means.

Hey, Honex!

Dad, you surprised me.

You decide what you're interested in?

Well, there's a lot of choices.

But you only get one.

Do you ever get bored doing the same job every day?

Son, let me tell you about stirring.

You grab that stick, and you just move it around, and you stir it around.

You get yourself into a rhythm. It's a beautiful thing.

You know, Dad, the more I think about it,

maybe the honey field just isn't right for me.

You were thinking of what, making balloon animals?

That's a bad job for a guy with a stinger.

Janet, your son's not sure he wants to go into honey!

Barry, you are so funny sometimes.

I'm not trying to be funny.

You're not funny! You're going into honey. Our son, the stirrer!

You're gonna be a stirrer?

No one's listening to me!

Wait till you see the sticks I have.

I could say anything right now. I'm gonna get an ant tattoo!

Let's open some honey and celebrate!

Maybe I'll pierce my thorax. Shave my antennae.

Shack up with a grasshopper. Get a gold tooth and call everybody "dawg"!

I'm so proud.

We're starting work today!

Today's the day.

Oome on! All the good jobs will be gone.

Yeah, right.

Pollen counting, stunt bee, pouring, stirrer, front desk, hair removal…

Is it still available?

Hang on. Two left!

One of them's yours! Congratulations! Step to the side.

What'd you get?

Picking crud out. Stellar!

Wow!

Oouple of newbies?

Yes, sir! Our first day! We are ready!

Make your choice.

You want to go first?

No, you go.

Oh, my. What's available?

Restroom attendant's open, not for the reason you think.

Any chance of getting the Krelman?

Sure, you're on.

I'm sorry, the Krelman just closed out.

Wax monkey's always open.

The Krelman opened up again.

What happened?

A bee died. Makes an opening. See? He's dead. Another dead one.

Deady. Deadified. Two more dead.

Dead from the neck up. Dead from the neck down. That's life!

Oh, this is so hard!

Heating, cooling, stunt bee, pourer, stirrer,

humming, inspector number seven, lint coordinator, stripe supervisor,

mite wrangler. Barry, what do you think I should… Barry?

Barry!

All right, we've got the sunflower patch in quadrant nine…

What happened to you? Where are you?

I'm going out.

Out? Out where?

Out there.

Oh, no!

I have to, before I go to work for the rest of my life.

You're gonna die! You're crazy! Hello?

Another call coming in.

If anyone's feeling brave, there's a Korean deli on 83rd

that gets their roses today.

Hey, guys.

Look at that.

Isn't that the kid we saw yesterday?

Hold it, son, flight deck's restricted.

It's OK, Lou. We're gonna take him up.

Really? Feeling lucky, are you?

Sign here, here. Just initial that.

Thank you.

OK.

You got a rain advisory today,

and as you all know, bees cannot fly in rain.

So be careful. As always, watch your brooms,

hockey sticks, dogs, birds, bears and bats.

Also, I got a couple of reports of root beer being poured on us.

Murphy's in a home because of it, babbling like a cicada!

That's awful.

And a reminder for you rookies,

bee law number one, absolutely no talking to humans!

All right, launch positions!

Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz! Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz! Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz!

Black and yellow!

Hello!

You ready for this, hot shot?

Yeah. Yeah, bring it on.

Wind, check.

Antennae, check.

Nectar pack, check.

Wings, check.

Stinger, check.

Scared out of my shorts, check.

OK, ladies,

let's move it out!

Pound those petunias, you striped stem-suckers!

All of you, drain those flowers!

Wow! I'm out!

I can't believe I'm out!

So blue.

I feel so fast and free!

Box kite!

Wow!

Flowers!

This is Blue Leader. We have roses visual.

Bring it around 30 degrees and hold.

Roses!

30 degrees, roger. Bringing it around.

Stand to the side, kid. It's got a bit of a kick.

That is one nectar collector!

Ever see pollination up close?

No, sir.

I pick up some pollen here, sprinkle it over here. Maybe a dash over there,

a pinch on that one. See that? It's a little bit of magic.

That's amazing. Why do we do that?

That's pollen power. More pollen, more flowers, more nectar, more honey for us.

Cool.

I'm picking up a lot of bright yellow. Oould be daisies. Don't we need those?

Copy that visual.

Wait. One of these flowers seems to be on the move.

Say again? You're reporting a moving flower?

Affirmative.

That was on the line!

This is the coolest. What is it?

I don't know, but I'm loving this color.

It smells good. Not like a flower, but I like it.

Yeah, fuzzy.

Chemical-y.

Careful, guys. It's a little grabby.

My sweet lord of bees!

Candy-brain, get off there!

Problem!

Guys!

This could be bad.

Affirmative.

Very close.

Gonna hurt.

Mama's little boy.

the ENTIRETY of it??? seriously??

[dollsonmain]

It feels kind of shitty to even think it but I might see if I can get this full time over-night job at the Sheetz because they're not only offering full time but benefits. The reason that feels bad is it would be leaving a "small" business (it's actually under an umbrella of businesses owned by the manager's dad) for a corporate business and corporate businesses tend to bulldoze small, locally owned businesses in general.

But it might be for the best.

Today... c&p from an email I sent to Scott

I was dreading today because it's delivery day and that meant I had the pleasure of having to run off every, single vendor because they all want to show up as early as possible and deal with their questions and irritation because the delivery time changed.

The Coke vendor asked me why and I told him what she'd told me, which was that it was an HOA issue. Then his boss called her and she got onto me saying it's NOT an HOA issue, stop telling people that, it's just store policy.

So either she lied about the HOA thing or she lied about it not being an HOA thing.

That made me mad because that's not my job to talk to the vendors like that, that's management-level stuff, or at least I think it is. Maybe I'm wrong.

So the day goes on and she leaves.

I saw a roach, smashed it, and almost started crying because it wasn't doing anything WRONG it was just in the wrong place, and just because I saw it, it died. There's also a mouse in the back room that I saw running around and lots of traps. When I went into the room to get the broom a trap snapped and I was worried I'd have to deal with a dead mouse, or worse, a NOT-dead, grievously injured mouse but it had escaped. That almost made me cry, too.

The vendors come back later. I'm supposed to text her as soon as I see the trucks but that's difficult when they pull in while I'm tending to a line of customers. Some of them were mad at me but it's not my fault, most of them were nice about it.

She calls me while I'm trying to check in the Coke guy, which is difficult because I don't know how to read his ticket whereas all the beer/wine/grocery tickets are really easy to read, but that guy's pretty patient with me and I appreciate that, and tells me to go change all the gas prices and the sign. Of course, at the same time, there are customers.

So I go do that and recheck one of the prices with her because it doesn't make sense to me that the cheap gas is 3.13 and the regular 3.55 (they are literally the same gas and stored in the same tank), but she says yes, that's right.

I have vendor paperwork in one hand, customers at the counter, can't do customers with the fuel manager page up and have to set the sign NOW, can't use the other register at all, very hectic and I admit it does not take much to overwhelm me. That's very frustrating for me that I short-circuit so easily. It makes life harder than it needs to be.

Right as I'm about to leave she comes up and says "What is the gas price? And what is the sign price?" and we argued a bit because I had set the sign to the prices she'd told me. But then she was like "What prices have you been setting THIS WHOLE TIME and then you set something different this time??? If people think we're selling gas at $3.55/gal they're not going to stop in! I can't have you getting confused! You're hurting our business!"

Yeah, that was my mistake. Too much was going on at once and I got confused. I was sad about it because I feel like I'm ALWAYS in trouble at work and I'm going to get fired for it. Making stupid mistakes like that always gets me down, too.

I cannot control my confusion and that's also frustrating for me.

But then I was mad again because there wouldn't have been the opportunity for me to make that mistake if she'd stayed in the store and set the gas prices herself, which she should be doing, because she's the manager, and there should never NOT be a manager on-site when the store is open.

And then it was hot on the walk home and I was grumpy.

Time is crawling today and I don’t appreciate it because it’s my only long day this week.

[omgrachwrites]

My Oh My (Mattheo Riddle)

Mattheo Riddle x Potter!Reader

Request: Do you do song based requests? I was hoping for a Matthew Riddle x potter!Reader based on the song My oh my and/or Shameless from Camila Cabello. You are so good at writing that tension in between characters that shouldn't be together but want to break that forbidden love trope lol - anon

Warnings: fluff, swearing, mentions of sex, wolfstar being adorable

A/N: I hope this is okay anon! Hope you guys all enjoy, I love you all! xxx

You crept along the silent corridors, hoping to Merlin that you wouldn’t get caught by a ghost, or Mrs Norris for that matter. You would have stolen the Invisibility Cloak if Harry wouldn’t miss its absence, you did always have to remind him that your dad had told you to share it but he wouldn’t listen.

It was well past midnight so it wasn’t likely that anybody was going to be in the Common Room. You grinned as you recalled your earlier activities and your knees almost weakened.

They say he likes a good time (My, oh my) He comes alive at midnight (Every night)

You whispered the password, apologising to The Fat Lady for waking her up and you crept through the portrait hole.

“Where have you been?” a quiet voice came from beside the fireplace making you jump.

“Fuck, Harry!” you swore at your older brother and sighed as he waited for you to answer his question, “I couldn’t sleep so I went for a walk,” the lie rolled of your tongue so easily that it surprised you.

Harry nodded, your answer seemed to satisfy him, “I’m sorry, Y/N,” he sighed as he pushed his glasses up his nose, “Hermione woke up and you weren’t there so she panicked. Then, I panicked,” he chuckled, “I was just about to come and look for you.”

Guilt twisted in your stomach as you smiled weakly at Harry, “you don’t have to worry about me Harry, I promise. I’m gonna go up to bed, night Harry.”

“Night, Y/N,” he smiled as you went up to bed. You went to bed feeling like the worst person in the world.

The morning dawned bright and early, and you were walking a little bit behind your friends as you all walked down to the carriages. You were still feeling guilty about the night before so you were keeping your distance. You felt a cold hand wrap around your wrist and you were pulled into the nearest broom cupboard.

“What the fuck?!” you yelped, rolling your eyes when you came face to face with the cocky Slytherin. The same Slytherin that you had shared the previous night with.

My mama doesn't trust him (My, oh my) He's only here for one thing But (so am I) Yeah

A little bit older A black leather jacket A bad reputation Insatiable habits

“Hello, darling,” he grinned, his hands coming up to grip your waist, “I wanted to see you before we all go home for the summer.”

“Well, you’ve seen me, Mattheo,” you laughed as he rolled his eyes, “people will get suspicious if we’re in here for much longer.”

“You will write to me this summer, won’t you?”

You cupped his cheek, trailing your fingers across the scar that he’d received from duelling, “I’ll try,” you promised.

He nodded at your answer before leaning in to kiss you, you kissed him back gently, your fingers digging through his curls. As he pulled away he bit his lip and looked away from your face, “I like you, y’know.”

You laughed at the flush that spread across his cheeks, “I like you too.”

Your friends weren’t that far ahead so it didn’t take long for you to catch up with them, “are you alright, Y/N?” Ron asked.

“Yeah, all good,” you nodded, slightly out of breath, laughing when he slung an arm over your shoulders.

It was a couple of weeks into summer when you walked into the kitchen and heard Harry whining to your mum, “why do me and Y/N have to come though?”

“Oh no, where are we going?”

Your mum looked at you with a sigh as if talking to Harry exhausted her, you knew the feeling, “we’re going to The Three Broomsticks for dinner tonight.”

“What, why?”

“Because,” Lily rolled her eyes, “Sirius wants us to meet his new partner.”

“What’s the point in that when they’re just gonna break up in a couple of months?” since your mum and dad had been in school Sirius held a torch for Remus, but he’d never said anything. Sirius’ relationships barely lasted 6 months.

“That’s exactly what I said,” your dad laughed as he walked into the kitchen.

Lily sighed but you could tell that she was trying not to laugh, “don’t encourage them, James.”

When you and your family arrived at The Three Broomsticks you noticed Sirius and Remus sitting at the table. There was no one else there and they looked pretty nervous, “do you think…?” you trailed off, looking at Harry.

Harry shook his head, “nah, they definitely would have told us by now,” you nodded but you knew first hand that that wasn’t always the case.

As you walked over to the table, Sirius smiled up at you all in greeting and you sat down, “so, everyone knows Remus, obviously,” he laughed and Remus offered everyone a little wave like you hadn’t known him for all your life.

“Does this mean that you guys are together?” Harry asked what everyone else was thinking and when Sirius nodded, your heart leapt for joy. Two people who you loved more than anything had finally found each other, you couldn’t think of anything better.

Your mum and dad whooped, “yes! Wolfstar is real!”

Remus laughed, looking relieved that everyone was taking this so well, “what the hell is Wolfstar?”

Lily flushed as she looked at James, “it was our ship name for you in school, we’re so glad that you guys are together!”

Sirius grinned, “thanks guys!”

“First round is on me,” James grinned, “come on, Y/N, you can help me.”

“Oh, dad!” you whined as you followed him to the bar.

You didn’t notice the bartender until he came to take your order, “what can I get for you?”

You froze when you realised it was Mattheo behind the bar, he stared at you in turn, his blue eyes widening. Your dad put the order in and when he wasn’t paying attention, you leaned over the bar to speak to Mattheo.

“What the hell are you doing here?”

He shrugged as he poured the pints, “thought I’d keep myself busy,” he hissed, “since the only person I want to speak to won’t reply to my letters.”

You bit your lip, you really did feel bad about that one, it had been a jam packed summer already, you hardly had any time to write secret little love letters, “Theo…” you trailed off as your dad paid for the drinks and Mattheo shook his head at you.

As Remus explained how Sirius finally had the guts to tell him how he felt, you couldn’t help but watch the handsome boy behind the bar as he walked from customer to customer with cat like grace. He grinned at a little old woman and spent a lot of time speaking with her, you wished you could hear what he was saying. You liked him like this, it always seemed as though he had to put up a front in school, you wished he could be himself but you supposed you couldn’t blame him, considering who his father was.

Unfortunately, you weren’t as subtle as you thought because your mum saw you looking at him, “who’s that behind the bar?”

“A boy from school,” you muttered, taking a sip of your Butterbeer.

“He’s Mattheo Riddle. Voldemort’s son,” Harry blurted out.

“Harry!” you hissed.

Lily scowled as she eyed him curiously over her wine glass, “he looks like trouble, I hope you’re staying away from him, Y/N.”

“Of course mum.”

When you spotted Mattheo going outside, you made excuses about how you wanted to get some fresh air as you followed him out. You found him leaning against the wall, lighting a cigarette, “those things will kill you, y’know,” you giggled.

“Among other things,” he blew out some smoke, not looking at you.

“Theo,” you sighed walking towards him, “I’m sorry that I haven’t been writing to you.”

Mattheo sighed as he looked at you, touching your cheek, “I understand, you have to protect yourself.”

“I’m not trying to protect myself, I’m trying to protect you! Do you what my parents would do to you if they found out about us? Not to mention my brother.”

Mattheo smirked at you, his blue eyes surprisingly bright in the dark of the night, “trying to protect me huh?” he grinned when you nodded, “I lied by the way, when I told you that I liked you. I meant to say that I really like you,” he flushed and you marvelled at how something like this could embarrass him, after all you would together in The Room of Requirement.

“I really like you too.”

Mattheo flicked away his cigarette as he tucked a strand of hair behind your ear as he leaned in to kiss you. You sighed against his lips, tasting the mint of his gum and the smoke from his cigarette, it was an intoxicating taste.

He was onto me, one look and I couldn't breathe Yeah, I said, "If you kiss me I might let it happen"

I swear on my life that I've been a good girl Tonight, I don't wanna be her

He pulled away from you slightly, resting his forehead against yours, “a forbidden, secret romance is actually pretty sexy, Y/N,” he smirked.

“You’re such a prick,” you laughed as you pulled him in for another kiss.

[eldritcmor]

Hey look! It's incorrect quotes time

Storm: Graves had an unfortunate come to Jesus meeting

Graves: you pushed me down the stairs

Storm: you didn't get to meet Jesus

--

Someone: *uses Storm's full name*

Storm: *running and hiding cause oh shit*

Price: wait your telling me that's all I had to do.

--

Soap: I feel unsafe.

Storm: *hands soap a knife*

Gaz: well now I feel unsafe

Storm: *hands Gaz a knife*

Price: *just opens his mouth to speak*

Storm: *hands him a knife* can't feel unsafe with a knife in hand.

--

Ghost: *watching storm book it away from the los vaqueros base with like half the base chasing them* what did they do?

Gaz: something stupid

Storm: *after replacing all hot sauce with ghost pepper sauce* shit shit shit

--

Ghost: Have you guys seen Storm?

Gaz, Price, Soap: nope

Ghost: okay then *walks away*

Storm 5 minutes later: *drops from the ceiling only to get full on body slammed by ghost*

--

Storm: *driving down the highway and sees a cop. Starts speeding up*

Price: kid! What are you doing, kid?!

Storm: having a little fun *is racing a cop*

--

Storm: *Dancing around the kitchen, shirtless, with the broom. Like it's a rave while music blasts from their phone*

Price: *walking in to get a midnight coffee* kid, what the fuck?

Storm: *who hasn't stopped dancing* what? It's this or be alone with my thoughts while the bread bakes.

--

Ghost: *after witnessing storm have a panic attack* do you...want a hug?

Storm: you and I both know that will be uncomfortable as hell. I would like a fight.

Price: *walks in on them beating the crap out of each other.*

--

Graves: now we play the most dangerous game!

Storm: cattle prod tag!

Graves: the fuck is that.

--

Storm: *part of a drag show as a drag king at a club*

König: *recognizing them and taking vid*

Storm: *definitely trying to swipe his phone* delete it delete it

König: *has already sent the video to soap*

--

Storm: I wanna fight, do you wanna fight?

Ghost: I wouldn't mind one.

Storm: good. 2am the Denny's parking lot. Don't tell dad.

Ghost: you mean price.

Storm: yeah, dad.

-- Gaz: my name is nuuugget and I'm a big fat chiiiicken. Dammit. Soap: *trying not to laugh* Storm got you singing it -- Laswell: *Uses storm's full legal name to reprimand them* Storm: *immediately* yes ma'am, no ma'am, no it wont happen again ma'am. Price: Holy shit, the kid can be respectful. -- Storm: *Staring down another eldritch kid from their home town* The eldritch: Field Storm: Trees *Both nod and simply move on* soap: *fully expecting a fight* what? -- Storm: *picking up a screwdriver and throwing it so hard it sticks out from the doorframe out of anger* Ghost: but can you do it with a knife? Soap: Please don't encourage them -- Alejandro: *watching storm haul a full rack of cow ribs towards the base's kitchen* Should I be concerned? Price: *glancing up from the paperwork for the next op* Oh, not at all. Storm is benched due to some shenanigans. Your men will eat like kings. Alejandro: why? Price: because and I quote. "If I cant stab you in the ribs, I can still make a rack of ribs to stab" They stress cook. It's great.

[midnightmoonytales]

𝕊𝕝𝕚𝕡𝕡𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕥𝕙𝕣𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙 𝕞𝕪 𝕗𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕖𝕣𝕤 𝔽.𝕎

Wolfstar!daughter x Fred Weasley

A/n: AU where everyone lives and VoldyMoldy is nonexistent. The song wont start until a little down the line. I've listening to the same song on repeat for three hours because if I changed songs I wouldn't have gotten it done. Also no shame to Snape I love him T^T also, this is dedicated to my Tumblr bestie @ghostofscarley who I hoped had an amazing day. Love you ghost

Summary: Watching his little girl grow up had to one of his favorite things to see, but also one of the saddest. Every pivotal moment of her life flashing through his mind, even to this one now.

1.7K Words

*Not edited*

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"Come on pup, you can do it." Sirius motioned towards himself. "Come to papa, pup." You, staring up at him from beside the arm chair, Remus was currently sitting in. Watching his lover and you from above his book. Slowly inching one leg into the air, only to slam it back down, babbling nonsense. Turning to stare up at Remus, grabbing a handful of his trousers in your small hand.

Remus chuckling under his breath, seeing the hope in Sirius eyes disappear as their child grabbed onto him. "Go to him little one, papa calling you." Ushering you to turn around and face Sirius.

Finally facing him, looking at him questionably before showing the gummiest smile to him as he opened his arms. "I know you can do it pup, papa wants some love from his favorite girl." One leg after the other, you finally reaching him. Scooping you up in his arms, swinging you around in the air. "There's my little pup, you walked just like a big girl. I'm so proud of you"

The sound of a camera going off alerting Sirius, pulling you back down into his chest. Turning around to see Remus holding a camera, smiling. " It was too precious not to capture." Remus spoke finally, leaving the room so he can dip the photo into the developer.

<><><>

The first time Sirius ever mentioned getting you a broom to Remus, he was instantly shut down. Remus stating you were too young and that it was too dangerous. Given thar After months, and months, and moths later Remus finally got on board. "She cannot go higher than we can reach, understood?" Remus sternly said, Sirius just shacking his head. The only thought in his head, him showing off to James that you are already learning how to fly.

Later that day, making his way down to Diagon Alley to get you a broom so you could start practicing right away. But not forgetting the groceries Remus told him to get along the way. "I'm home!" he shouted across the house, slamming the door shut with his foot.

Carrying everything in his arms, excited to show you, you're surprise. The sounds of multiple feet pattering across the floor board of the house. Remus shouts flowing across the hall where he chased you down, hair brush in hand. Sirius chuckling, as you took refuge in his arms. A wicked grin appearing on his face. "Who wants to open their gift!" Sirius asked you, reaching towards the counter to show you a long, paper wrapped present sitting in front of you.

Shouts of I do, I do, I do, spilling out of your mouth as you slashed your way out of his arms. Remus giving up on trying to do your hair. Swiftly pulling it into a ponytail as you tore the wrapping paper apart. "Can I go fly it now Papa, Dad?" You're pleading eyes, pulling at Sirius heart strings.

"After dinner, than all of us can go out there together." Remus butted in, knowing his lover would give in. With a huff you agreed, deciding that you rather have both parents there to watch you.

Sirius waited patiently for you to eat, watching as you spread your food around your plate to make it seem you ate more than you did. Knowing that he did the same thing once upon a time. Gathering all the dirty dishes aa Remus ushered you to eat a few more bites.

Finally after getting you to eat a few more pieces, the three of you ushering outside. Them explaining, step-by-step, slowly. "Look! Look! I'm doing it! Papa, Dad look!" You exclaimed, slightly loosing balance as you rose into the air. Both their hands going under your broom in the event that you fall. Leveling back out evenly, they left you rise higher. Sirius smiling as he watched you from the ground.

"Hogwarts better watch out, a new little star making their way into town." Sirius joked, the feeling proud of the angel in front of him.

<><><>

The feeling that I'm loosing her forever, and without really entering her world, I'm glad whenever I can share her laughter that funny little girl.

The feeling that I'm losing her forever, and without really entering her world, I'm glad whenever I can share her laughter that funny little girl, I try to capture every minute , the feeling in it, slipping through my feelings.

The sounds of people rushing throughout the house in an early-morning rush. Books floating throughout the air. Dishes from the previously eaten breakfast sitting in the sink. After the sheer amount of chaos that ensured that morning, you made your way to Platform 9 3/4.

Turning to your parents, giving them an anxious smile. Sirius and Remus told you many of their adventures when they went to Hogwarts, from snape to the Marauders map, which you totally didn't have in mind to steal from Filch's office. That's the same time you learned who filch was and how he was a buzzkill.

Sirius giving you once last pat before he pulled you close. Embracing you, "don't forget about me y' hear, you're still my little pup." Laughing as you pulled away.

"I'll be okay papa! I'll write you all the time." You say, going to give Remus a hug too before departing.

And that's what you did, every Saturday you sent your parents a letter. When Sirius found out that you were sorted into Slytherin he was livid, stating that the sorting hat was wrong. Remus talking some sense into him, and how not all Slytherin is wrong. For example, their little pup being the definition of a good Slytherin.

Eventually, you went to being like her parents. Snapes worst nightmare, when he learned there was a Lupin-Black he thought he was going insane. It was safe to say, you were each others worst nightmare.

They also learned that you were best friends with the Weasley twins, eventually the three of you were so close the Weasley started attending the annual summer feast.

<><><>

Sleep in our eyes, I let precious time go by then when she's gone, there's that odd melancholy feeling and a sense of wonderful and a sense of guilt I cant dent, what happened to the wonderful adventures the places I had planned for us to go.

It was just the crack of dawn, Sirius and you sitting in the kitchen where you, the Potters, and the Weasleys were all staying. No a creature in sight, nor the sound of others. It was the summer before sixth year, everyone going down to the cabin we have on the beach for a week.

It was an excuse for parents to relax and spill gossip with each other as their kids hanged out. Usually off playing quidditch for the millionth time or swimming in the salty ocean. Like clockwork you and Sirius were sitting at the table looking at photos from previous summers while talking about how school was.

Sirius listening as you boasted about becoming Slytherins captain and how it was definitely hard with Harry keen eye, but it wasn't impossible. Along with all the mischief the twins and you had gotten into and how you all turned snapes hair bright pink.

Around an hour later, the sound of a pair of feet coming down the stairs alerted Sirius. A mop of red hair making it way into the kitchen with an strangled g' morning through a yawn. Watching you lighten up when you see Fred, snuggling into his side as he gives you your usual quick morning hug.

"Do you remember we put those nasty smelling bugs inside the teacher lounge back in fifth year?" You asked, looking up a Fred smiling, eye hazy as if remembering the moment.

" We got detention for a week for it! I still say it was worth it though." Fred commented back laughing. Not loud enough to wake everyone else up. The two engrossed in memories, Sirius sitting back watching the two children be blindless to falling for each other. The not to subtle glances and small squeezes and you lean into him laughing.

Smiling sadly as he watched his little girl grow. No longer only needing just your fathers, sharing your love with another one. Even if you don't know it just yet. That's how the rest of the trip was, watching you enjoy yourself and find comfort in another. Hating that he had to share you, but not intervening.

<><><>

Do I really see what's in her mind? Each time I think I'm close to knowing, She keeps on growing, Slipping through my fingers all the time, Sometimes I wish that I could freeze the picture and save it from the funny tricks of time,

Standing outside the door, Sirius pulling himself together. Barley being able to grasp the fact that his little girl is getting married. And after getting married its kid- "You okay? Remus nudged him, questionably looking at him from the side. Nodding his head and taking a breath.

"Just trying to grasp the fact that our little girl isn't so...little," He spoke melancholily. Holding his husbands hand. "I am too, I am too..." Remus squeezed his hand before opening the door to Ginny's room where you were getting ready.

"Papa! Dad!" Turning around from the mirror to look at your parents. The first time they got to see you in your dress. "Don't cry your gonna make me cry and Hermione worked really hard on this makeup" You said, pulling a tissue to your water line so you don't ruin your makeup.

"You're absolutely stunning pup," Sirius spoke out, spinning you around to see the whole dress. "He going to be blown away." It was getting closer to the start of the wedding. You couldn't believe it, after 4 years of dating Fred asked both of your parents if he could marry you. Them agreeing along with an extensive amounts of death threats if he ever you. And today was actually the day. Bill and Fleur got married five months back and it was now Fred's and yours turn. The sound of Mrs. Weasley.

Everyone making their way downstairs to find their seats outside, taking a deep breath. " I'm ready." Latching both your arms into theirs, you made your way downstairs and to the start of the isle. Anxious to walk down the Isle, but soon calming down seeing your teary eyed lover standing down at the end. Unwrapping both of your parents slipping a kiss on both of their cheeks, "I love you," mouthed quietly to both of them as they sit down.

Sirius and Remus watching their not so little girl slipping from their fingers.

<><><><>

OMG I'M DONE HEHE. I'VE BEEN SITTING HERE FOR 5 HOURS MY BACK IS ABSOLUTELY DEAD. I'M PEACEFULLY GOING TO CRASH! I HOPE YOU ALL ENJOYED AND HAVE AN AMAZING REST OF YOUR DAY. BE AWARE IM POSTING THIS WITHOUT EVEN READING IT BC I JUST WANT IT OUT AND AFTER I SLEEP AND HELP CLEAN TOMORROW ILL GO AND CLEAN IT UP - Yours Truly Grimmie