#'is that why you tried to grow a moustache that week?'

[fazcinatingblog]

Wait since when does James wear a glove

[dilemmaontwolegs]

Not A Verstappen: Lights Out {7}

Pairing: Charles Leclerc x fem!driver!reader x Lando Norris Summary: A short skip over the winter break and into 2024 season.. Warnings: 18+ only, fluffies WC: 2k F1 Masterlist NAV: Sibling Rivalry One || Two || Three NAV: Gridlocked One || Two || Three || Four || Five || Six || Seven || Eight || Nine NAV: A New World One || Two || Three || Four || Five || Six || Seven || Eight || Nine || Ten NAV: Lights Out One || Two || Three || Four || Five || Six || 6.5 || Seven || SMAU || Eight

Christmas Eve 2023 - French Alps The air was still when you woke to a fresh dumping of snow on the mountain. The window provided a picture of tranquillity and the embers in the fire gave a peaceful glow to the dark wood walls. Charles had disappeared at dawn for a morning ski with Arthur and you squinted against the white glare to try and find them on the mountainside. 

You probably could have gone back to sleep if it wasn’t for the door crashing open and the sudden weight of a child on your legs. Penelope crawled up to the headboard with a squeal and jumped into your arms as Max just reached the bedroom door. 

“P, watch out for auntie’s tummy,” Max reminded. She now had to watch out for yours and Aunt Vicky’s tummy, since your sister had announced her pregnancy a few weeks ago. “Sorry, she slept the whole flight so she’s full of energy. I tried to get her to play with Luka but she wanted you.”

“That’s okay,” you said as she burrowed under the blankets and put her cold feet on Lando’s back. “Are you excited for Christmas?”

Penelope nodded eagerly while Lando slowly woke and you were grateful he was wearing a hideous pair of santa-themed pyjama pants. With even more children around for Christmas this year, everyone had taken to wearing pyjamas. It was good for moments like these, but bad for quick access when you were spooning in the night.

“Papa let me open some presents early!”

Max disappeared out of the room with a wave, heading back to his suite with Kelly down the hall. The small mountain retreat had been completely rented out for another combined family holiday and at the rate the Norris’, Leclerc’s and Verstappen’s were procreating, an entire resort would be needed to host you all next year. Your bet was on Max and Lorenzo becoming fathers next. 

“How exciting! And what did you get?”

Penelope held out her arm to show a mermaid inspired charm bracelet. “That’s beautiful!”

“It’s got Ariel!” she exclaimed, pointing to a red haired mermaid as she bounced excitedly. 

“Is that an earthquake?” Lando asked as he scooped the little girl up into a hug. “No, it’s little P. Why are you waking your favourite uncle up so early?”

“You’re not my favourite,” she said with a fit of giggles.

Lando hung his head and shook it with fake sadness. “Kids are brutal.”

“Kids are honest,” you corrected before kissing his pout away.

“Gross,” P said as she screwed up her face and started to climb off the bed to find ‘Maxie’. She did a sudden u-turn and scrambled across the bed to gently touch your stomach before leaning closer and whispering, “Bye-bye, baby. Love you.”

She was gone again, this time the door swinging shut as she left with no farewell for you or Lando. He let out a little chuckle as he pushed you back into the pillows and drifted down the bed, taking the blankets with him. 

“Hello, baby,” he murmured softly to the bump. At just more than half way along your bump could no longer be mistaken for overindulgence or bloating. “You are looking lovely and round this morning.”

“Wow, you really know how to sweet talk a lady,” you chuckled as you combed your fingers through his hair.

“Shh, I’m having a conversation with my daughter, no eavesdropping,” he warned with a smirk before brushing your shirt up and pressing a kiss to your skin before continuing his conversation. The moustache and shaped beard he was slowly but surely growing thicker tickled with each whispered word, the movement of his lips dragging the coarse hairs over your sensitive skin until goosebumps prickled. 

“I can’t wait to meet you,” he said with a smile as the door creaked open and Charles walked in with wind-kissed cheeks. “I just want to hurry up and hold you.”

“Patience, mon cher,” Charles said with a grin, depositing the second layer of cashmere he had worn under his ski jacket on the coat hook. “It’s only four more months.”

Lando groaned at the reminder before shifting on the bed to make space for Charles. 

“Anything you want to add this morning?” you asked. 

You reached for the hem of the shirt, ready to pull it down if it was a no when a knock had you freeze. No, it wasn’t a knock. The thud hadn’t come from outside, but inside. You dropped the shirt and stared at the jut of your hip, right where the skin went soft as it stretched up to your ribs. That soft tissue bulged ever so slightly as you felt the strange sensation of pressure and it drew a gasp that shocked your boyfriends.

“What? What is it?” Lando asked, his voice thick with concern. 

“Give me your hand,” you ordered, already reaching for one of each as you placed them on the spot. “Shhh, just shhh.”

You felt it again and Charles exhaled a shaky breath that ended in a joyous laugh before grabbing Lando’s hand and shifting it slightly. 

“Wha-”

“Shh,” you urged as Charles pressed a finger to his lips. The silence grew and everyone held their breath, waiting.

The air wooshed from Lando with an exclamation, “No fucking way!” His eyes grew wide and he stared at his palm as if the imprint of his daughter’s foot was permanently held on his skin. “Holy shit! She…she…kicked.” 

Charles wrapped an arm around Lando as their shimmering eyes met yours. Pure happiness saturated the room, spilling out into the hall as the door opened and Oliver appeared a little worried. “Everything okay? I thought I heard Lando screeching.”

“Everything’s perfect,” Lando grinned, ignoring the joke he had heard since hitting puberty. 

“She just started kicking,” Charles explained with an equally bright grin, while you danced your fingers along your side, trying to tickle her foot. 

“Core memory unlocked, huh?” Oliver laughed at his brother’s eagerness, remembering the first kicks with his own daughters. “Breakfast is ready when you are.”

“Thanks, we’ll be there soon,” Charles said as Oliver closed the door again.

“Do we have to?” Lando asked as he curled back down and stared at your stomach intently. “I could watch this all day.”

“You can stay but I am hungry, and she is now shy,” you teased as you pulled your shirt back into place and climbed out of bed. With a groan he followed you to the walk-in wardrobe, just like you knew he would. 

“Is the powder good?” Lando asked Charles while they changed into some casual day clothes perfect for the warm interior of the retreat.

“It’s perfect,” Charles all but moaned, it was hard to believe they were talking about snow but both of them loved to ski. “Arthur wants to head back out after lunch.”

Lando looked at you and you waved a hand. “Sheesh, babe, I’m not your keeper. You can go if you want.” 

Lando hated being away the most, not that Charles enjoyed it, but there wasn’t the same level of separation anxiety that Lando had. “I don’t want to leave you here on your own.”

“On my own?” you laughed and slipped your feet into some simple flats before heading to the door. As soon as it opened the cacophony of everyone congregating in the great room down the hall spilled into your room. “I couldn’t be on my own if I tried.”

yourusername

liked by pierregasly, maxvertappen1, maxfewtrell and 1,382,589 others yourusername This kid scored the gene pool the lottery. Merry Christmas from my family to yours.

Round One - Bahrain 2024 Fuel fumes drifted up from the pitlane to the balcony you stood upon as the start of the season's first race grew closer. It was strange to look down the entire length of billboards and see no new faces among the driver line up. Fernando still filled the garage beside Lance, but you held no resentment for your replacement. He was making the most out of an opportunity and it almost gave you hope that even after leaving Formula 1, maybe - just maybe - there was a way to get back in. 

Next year would be interesting with so many contracts up for renewal. It was a chance to see new faces on the grid, or perhaps some old faces returning if rumours were to be believed. You wouldn’t mind seeing Sebastian make a return. For the moment, everyone was still too busy talking about Lewis and his move to Ferrari to give much thought to the other shocks that might come with the disruption. The open seat at Mercedes was going to be sought after by every driver stuck in a midfield car. 

“You look deep in thought.”

You broke away from staring at the starting lights to accept a cup of herbal tea from your mother. “Just thinking about how the grid will look next year.”

“Gotta get through this one first,” she reminded. “Speaking of…it’s going to be hard having a newborn at home with those two away so much.”

“I know,” you sighed, resting your arms on the balcony rail as you blew the steam from the mug. The wall calendar at home was already marked with the first half of the season, all the nights Lando and Charles would be away circled in red ink. It had been collectively agreed that flying with a newborn wasn’t a great idea so you would only attend the races you could drive to until she was at least three months old. “This year’s calendar is fucking intense.”

“I want you to know you can call me day or night, sweetie, and I’ll be on the next plane.” She reached for your chin and turned you to face her as your throat clogged with emotion. “I don’t have to tell you how hard it is to do on your own, you saw it firsthand.”

“You’ve got your own life, I don’t want you to drop it all for me.”

She laughed softly and wrapped you in a careful hug. “You’re my daughter, you are my life, my granddaughter is too.”

“Thank you,” you sniffled and wiped your eyes, seeing the cameras in the pitlane pointed your way. “Gah, you made me cry. Now I’ll be on fucking Drive to Survive. I can already see the subtitles ‘Y/N crying as the season starts without her’. Wankers.”

Your mother narrowed her eyes at the camera and flipped them off, making you choke on a laugh. “So much maturity for a grandmother.”

“Yeah well I have been wanting to do that for a while, and I figure I can’t get you fired since you’re unemployed.”

You shared a grin and thought maybe you had more in common than you realised. You thought your fight came from Jos but now you saw a flash of it in her protectiveness and your chest warmed.

“I’m not unemployed, I’m a Lady of Leisure.” You laughed at the roll of her eyes before adding. “I might even get a Birkin for a push present to complete the initiation.”

“What the hell is a push present?”

“It’s a present a new mother gets for destroying her vagina pushing a baby out.”

It was her turn to choke on a laugh. “That’s a thing?”

“Apparently so.” 

“Does the baby not count as a gift?”

“Hmm, maybe you should go ask them?” you said as you jutted your head to the plethora of influencers walking around the grid taking selfies with everyone. She wrinkled her nose at the idea, quite content to stay out of the fray like you.

“No, thank you. Oh, there they are.”

You scanned the crowd and saw Max, Charles, and Lando walking out to the grid together, their heads huddled close as they tried to hear each other over the crowd. They made a beeline to the strips of red carpet and Max stood between the other two as they took their places for the national anthem.

“Looks like the podium lineup to me,” your mother whispered.

You chewed your lip and hoped the data from testing was as promising as it looked for McLaren and Ferrari. But you could never tell quite how much of it was real with the strategies and sandbagging. “I hope so, my boy’s need a good start this year.”

Click here for the next part.

[sapphirecherry]

spider headcanons!

adhd and unmedicated as all hell

secretly a bit of a nerd

aka he knows all the names of every plant and animal on pandora in english and na'vi and also knows their scientific names just for fun

definitely has a biology hyperfixation, but feels like ppl would think it's lame so he keeps it to himself

blue paint under his nails constantly

grows the underparts of his hair longer to imitate a queue

sits in areas like the tree of voices all the time, trying desperately to hear the voice of eywa

sometimes he hears whispers and it scares the shit out of him so bad he just books it

loves and i mean LOVES all things carbs and greasy. i'm talking pizza, burgers, chips the lot

really sweet with all the young na'vi kids like smiling and waving whenever he notices them staring

more than happy to answer all of their questions about him

"why is your skin so pink? and why is your hair that funny colour?" "well, you see, i'm from another planet" "a what?" "a planet. it's like another eywa'eveng, but way out in the sky!"

tries to move his ears like na'vi ears and swears one day he'll crack it

sometimes he notices a stray atokirina' following him in the forest

built his first bow from twigs to try and copy the omatikaya warriors he saw around hell's gate as he was growing up

jake noticed this and helped him build a proper one, teaching him how to make his own arrows too

him and lo'ak are locked in an intense prank war with norm and max records every one of their battles

he tried to learn spanish to be like his mum, but couldn't wrap his head around the gendered nouns

is a pro at braiding bc he has much smaller fingers and has done many of kiri's braids

tried to mount a pa'li once before realising his mistake and never trying again

similar to braiding he's extremely good at weaving and does it whenever he needs to calm down

constantly tracking mud and other shit through hell's gate which drives everyone crazy

breaks at least one exopack a week just from being careless and bumping it on shit

secretly tries to train himself to be able to breathe pandora's air and has passed out in the airlock more than a few times because of this

in denial that's he's probably not going to get much taller

draws sharpie moustaches on norm's avatar while he's not driving and giggles every time he hears him yell as he links in and notices

tried to sharpen his teeth when he was younger and now struggles to eat anything too cold or hot

[folkdances]

miles edgeworth gets glasses and it’s the single most horrible moment of his life. it’s just world-ending. kay tries to mitigate his despair and mostly in jest convinces him to have an in for a penny, in for a pound approach and hey, maybe you could try something new now? can you stop moping now? edgeworth thinks about this. some weeks later franziska waits impatiently at his door. hurry up miles edgeworth i do not have all day. edgeworth opens the door and he says listen don’t laugh okay. on his face is the worst, silliest moustache anyone has ever had. franziska laughs so hard she cries. she laughs so hard that she cannot look at his face without laughing so hard she cries again. years later phoenix wright asks him, did you ever try growing facial hair? and does not understand why he gets so cross. but franziska will know. she will never let him forget.

[lilacella]

Nightsky

Song recommendation: (this one is not very serious at all xD)

Chapter 2: By Merlins beard!

First Previous Next

"It is really not that hard! Just vanish it with Evanesco! It is one simple spell Remus!" Sirius threw himself back into his chair, crossing his arms in annoyance. They were sitting at their usual table at The Three Broomsticks, a supposed respite between Remus furious study sessions and Sirius had decided that just now was the right moment to scold Remus cleaning habits.

"I'm sorry I just forgot this morning...I don't get why it's such a big deal though. It is just some hair in the sink," Remus tried to defend himself.

"It looks nasty! Right Prongs?" Sirius turned to James for help. But James just shrugged.

"I don't think it is that bad."

"Well thanks mate," Sirius snapped.

"I will try to do it in the future, Sirius. I just have to shave every morning. You dont know what that's like."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Well you dont exactly have much facial hair to shave do you," Remus said with a smirk. Teasing Sirius was just a little too much fun sometimes.

"Excuse me? I do?! I just shave and then remove the remnants of it from the sink, unlike some other people on this table."

"Do they know that they sound like an old married couple?" Lily chuckled into James ear and he tried to suppress a grin. Sirius ignored her.

"If I wanted to I could grow an full beard in no time."

"Sure you could." Remus was still in teasing mood.

"Oh, you dont believe me? Fine, let's make a bet. Whoever has got the longes moustache at the end of the exam period wins." He stretched out his hand towards Remus. The other hesitated for a moment and then grabbed it with a sigh.

"Fine, I guess it won't hurt. If that makes you shut up about the hair."

"It won't." Remus surpressed a smile. Sirius was so bloody stubborn and he loved it.

**

Two weeks had passed and Remus had cultivated a pretty sightly moustache. It was starting to get into his mouth while eating and he thought he looked ridiculous, but that was not important, because he was winning. This might be his only opportunity to win something against Sirius and he could not let that chance slip. While his opponent did have some growth, it was merely a stubble. A pretty hot looking stubble that made Remus wonder what it felt like to brush over with his lips...an unwelcome distraction during this time of the year, when exams drew closer and Remus anxiety levels were at an all time high.

The last weeks of the term were spent in the usual whirlwind of exams, study sessions and the plotting of this years final prank. The last prank of the year had always been a special occasion for the marauders and kept Sirius and James busy while Peter and Remus desperately tried to cram the class contents of the past year into their heads. The only noticable difference this year was that they had been joined by Lily Evans and because Lily was sitting in the library, James was sitting in the library. And because James wss sitting in the library, Sirius was sitting in the library, showing only vague interest in the books strewn across the table and instead busying himself with shooting little paper balls in the hair of Severus Snape, who was sitting across them, facing away.

"How many do you think I can do before he notices?"

"I'd be disappointed if you couldn't at least do fifty." Sirius and James shared a mischievous look. Another paper ball whirred through the air before it hit Snapes head and got stuck in the greasy strands of his black hair. Lily looked up from her book, disgruntled.

"Can you stop that? It is really distracting."

Sirius rolled his eyes and sighed but put his wand down.

"What else am I supposed to do?"

"Study. How about that. This is a library after all," she replied sharply. Sirius snorted.

"Why should I? I already know all of that and the actually interesting stuff is locked away over there." He looked wistfully over to the forbidden section.

"Oh," Sirius eyes fluttered shortly before he regained his usual nonchalant demeanor. "You've really got her wrapped around your finger, huh? Prefect boy." Sirius smirked and grabbed the keys from Remus hands. The brief brushing of their fingers made Remus breath hitch a little. He watched Sirius saunter towards the forbidden section, not without casually pushing Snapes face down into his book in passing. He dragged his eyes away from Sirius figure and turned back to his book. He could feel Lily nudging him under the table, seeing her wiggling her eyebrowes from the corner of his eye. This had to end.

"I could get you some books from there if you want to. McGonnagall lend me the keys," Remus pitched in, dangeling the keys over the table. Sirius turned to him, a look in his eyes that Remus couldn't quite discern. It was almost soft.

**

The final exam came and went and finally, the final day of the challenge was upon them. Remus spend a little time in the morning to examine his moustache and was overall quite happy with it. He had almost reached two centimeters and was absolutely certain that Sirius did not. He had seen the pathetic stubble yesterday after all.

So you could imagine his surprise at the breakfast table, when he saw Sirius and James walking in, a thick layer of black hair covering the top lip of the former.

"What on earth?!"

"Wow, padfoot how did it grow so fast?" Peter admired.

"It is not real." Remus claimed.

"Of course it is! Here, touch it." Sirius leaned down to Remus offering his face. Remus heart did a complicated maneuver in his chest but he did not have time for this now. How had this happened? Sirius must have cheated! He gingerly pulled on one of the hairs. It was surprisingly soft. And definitely attached to Sirius face. He crossed his arms.

"What did you do? Is that a spell?"

"A potion," announced James proudly. One of my dads. We brewed it ourselves." He looked over to Lily, hoping to impress her with his potion expertise. Lily only raised an eyebrow.

"You brewed it youself? Oh my, whatever could go wrong with that."

"Relax Evans, it clearly worked, didn't it," Sirius said while sinking into the chair next to Remus, turning towards him. "Guess that means I won."

"You cheated!"

"We never said, how you have to grow the beard. Only to grow it." Remus huffed.

"I cannot belive you would be so...thats such a Slytherin thing to do." He immediately regretted his words when he saw the look on Sirius face.

"No that's not what I meant, I'm sorry," he quickly backpaddled. The hurt glimmer in Sirius eyes searing in his heart. "I just, it was just a little unfair." His voice was small now. He didn't mean to. Sirius let out a breath next to him.

" 's fine," he said toneless and started piling toast on his plate.

"Right." James slapped the table, trying to relieve the tension. "So who is exited for the final day of school? I wonder if anything interesting will happen today." He smirked. Lily sighed and put down her cup of tea.

"What will it be this year? Flooding the dungeouns? Tying ribbons on the whomping willow? Or vanishing all the doors again, locking everyone out of class?"

"I could imagine worse than the last one," said Peter. James shook his head and grinned brightly at Lily.

"Just you wait, it is a surprise."

They finished their breakfast and started to get up for class when Remus noticed something.

"Is it just me or did it get even longer?" he asked, pointing at Sirius moustache, which was now hanging down the corners of his mouth. Sirius reached up to touch it and James turned towards him to check.

"Oh yeah, looks like it did. Weird. It should have stopped after the first 20 minutes." Lily pressed her lips together, half annoyed half amused.

"I bet you got the potion wrong." James waved off her concern.

"Ah, I'm sure it will stop growing in a sec."

**

James was wheezing. Peter was giggeling. Remus and Lily tryed their hardest to keep a straight face and to not burst in to laughter as well. Prof. Hawthorne, their current DADA teacher, was the only one not amused.

"It is hardly against any dresscode, Professor. I am a wizard after all! You of all people should understand." Sirius twirled the right strand of his moustache around his finger. Silky black hair coiling around it multiple times.

"It is a distraction for the rest of the class!"

"And since when is it a students fault if others are distracted by their apperance? If my mere existence in your classroom serves as a sufficient distraction, maybe your teaching method is lacking." Prof. Hawthornes face turned red.

"Unbelievable! Out!" he yelled pointing towards the door. Demonstratively slow Sirius got up and gathered his things. When he had finished packing his back he turned to to Prof. Hawthorne.

"I will file a discrimination suit. You will be hearing from me," he stated, mockingly imitating his mothers voice. And, after dramatically flipping his moustache back over his shoulders he marched out of the classroom, slamming the door behind him.

Remus buried himself in his book, one hand over his mouth to muffly his laughter.

The rest of the day was spent in similar fashion. Sirius beard kept growing and growing, much to the entertainment of the other students and the dismay of the teachers. Sirius would amuse his classmates by empathically pushing the two tendrils behind his ears, whenever he had to read something out if his book and while he strode through the hallways, James and Peter walked behind him, carrying his moustache so it wouldn't drag on the floor.

The focus on Sirius luscious locks was briefly interrupted during lunch, by the excited and amazed calls of some students. Suddenly, the stone floors of the ground floor where covered in an ocean of pink and purple flowers. Lily gasped in awe.

"Irises and primroses. Your favorites." James smiled proudly and Sirius rolled his eyes, fondly smirking. Lily turned towards her boyfriend.

"That was the prank? You did that...for me? How do you even know what my favorite flowers are?"

"You mentioned it once in 2nd year during botany," James replied and sheepishly rubbed his neck. Lily shook her head smiling.

"You're a git, you know that?" She kissed his cheek. James grinned over both ears. Sirius groaned.

"Alright enough with the sap. Prongs, when you're done being lovey dovey I might have an idea for a prank that isn't unbearably cheesy."

"I like the sound of that," James perked up.

"I don't," Remus and Lily sighed at the same time. The two prefects exchanged defeated glaces.

"This is an awful idea," hissed Remus into Sirius ear. "What if he falls down?"

"He won't. He's got his broom with him, just in case," Sirius whispered back. They were standing on the astronomy tower, barely paying attention to their professors musings. It was late in the evening and you could already make out the waxing moon in the darkening sky. Remus winced at its sight. He was not looking forward to next week. Meanwhile Sirius tried to, as inconspicuously as possible, throw his moustache over the balustrade. Lily was watching them with concern.

"Are you not worried that he will pull you over the railing?" Remus asked, worries unstilled.

"Sticking spell," said Sirius and pointed at his feet. "Should keep me up here." Remus still wasn't convinced.

"What about your neck? James is quite heavy, I think you are underestimating how dangerous this is." Sirius smirked at him.

"Are you worried about me, Moony?" Sirius was just teasing but Remus could still feel his face flush.

"I just think this is stupid. And unnecessary."

"It will be hilarious. Trust me...Oh, there he is." Sirius waved down into the darkness below. Followed my a thumbs up towards James, who, many meters below them, was getting ready for his rapunzelesque ascend.

Sirius had in fact underestimated James weight and had to, still trying to remain innocuous, brace himself with his whole strength against the balustrade of the tower. Lily snorted a laugh which she quickly tried to pass off as a sneeze. Remus pressed his lips together, trying not to grin. As funny as this was, he stood by his point. Sirius seemd like he had to use equal parts of energy to keep himself from toppling over and to stop himself from bursting out into laughter. Remus had stepped closer, to obscure Sirius a little from the sight of the professor. He could hear his friend giggeling behind him.

"Remus," Sirius pressed out "I fear you might have been right about that one." Quietly laughing he pressed his forehead against Remus shoulder.

"How far until he's up?" Remus asked, trying to ignore the sensation elicited by Sirius touch. Sirius carefully turned his head to peer down.

"Almost done," he wispered. "Thankfully. My neck hurts." Sirius started chuckling again.

"Mr. Potter!"

"Sir!" James calls in answer as he clumbers over the railing onto the tower, Fists still tightly wrapped around Sirius moustache.

"What in the universe is this about?" The professor was absolutely unamused by the circumstances of James arrival. Remus and Lily fought tooth and nail to keep a straight face.

"You see, Sir, I happened to be a little late to class, absolutely my bad I apologize, and running up all these stairs would have taken ages. So my good friend Sirius here," he slapped Sirius shoulder "offered to help me out by giving me a lift." There was a short pause, before Sirius and James could not stand it any longer and burst out into fits of laughter. Lily turned her face away, to hide her laugh.

"This will have consequences! After class you two will report to your house teacher immediately!"

**

Professor McGonnagall looked at them tiredly.

"Mr. Potter. You climbed the astronomy tower using Mr. Blacks moustache as a rope," the corners of her mouth twitched. "Is that correct." Sirius and James nodded sheepishly.

"I have to say, I expected more if you at your age. You are both legal adults!" The two boys exchanged a look. Each of them trying not to laugh again.

"What is going on whith your beard anyway, Mr. Black?"

"Oh this old thing," Sirius nonchalantly threw his moustache around his neck like a scarf. "I find it quite fashionable. Don't you agree Professor?" Professor McGonnagall shook her head.

"It is not my job to judge my students fashion choices. And, considering this is the last day I will let you off with a warning. But this thing," she gestured at Sirius beard, "better be gone by tommorow, lest I overthink my decision. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Professor."

"Now off to your dorm. You've got a long trainride ahead of you tomorrow."

**

"I can't believe she just let you off like that."

"Hey! You should be happy for me! Also, this was hilarious. One of the best, non-magical ones we've pulled off so far."

Sirius and Remus where standing in the washroom getting ready for bed. Sirius had tied his moustache behind his head, so it wouldn't get in the way while brushing his teeth. He now opened the knot and looked wistfully at the strands that were pooling next to his feet.

"McGonnagall said I have to cut it off. Such a waste. We will never find out how long it would have gotten."

"I think it is good, that it's coming off. You could strangle yourself in your sleep with this."

Sirius chuckled. "Still concerned about me?" Remus rolled his eyes. Sirius turned towards him.

"Will you do me the honours? Since you won, I suppose..." Remus raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"I won?"

"Well, yeah. I mean this was fun and all but it technically was cheating. So, you won. Now will you free me of this beard or do I have to do everything by myself here?"

"Yes, wait." Remus quickly pulled out his wand, activating the shaving spell. "Hold still." He carefully moved his wand towards Sirius upper lip and began to shave. Absentmindedly his left hand wandered to Sirius chin, holding it to keep his head from moving. He realised too late, how close they were. Sirius looked at him with a gaze that Remus couldn't read. The ceiling lights reflected in his grey eyes, making them shimmer even more than usual. Remus could feel his soft skin under his fingertips, the warmth radiating off of him. If he leaned just a little closer, he could... He quickly pulled away. His heart beating hard in his chest. He cleared his throat.

"Happy?" Sirius slowly turned to the mirror.

"Yeah, thank you," he answered softly, turning back to Remus. They spent a minute too long, looking at each other, before Remus forced himself to turn away.

"I should...I should get rid of mine too. Now that this is over." He gestured at his own moustache and quickly shaved it of, sending a shower of short hair into the sink. Sirius scoffs and flicks his wand.

"Evanesco!" The cut off hair vanished from the sink and the ground. "See how easy that was?" Remus groans, relieved about the change of vibes.

"I'll do better next year, I promise."

[welightitup]

your wish is my command, so:

piarles prompt: charles noticing how much healthier and happier pierre looks in alpine ❤️💙

Hi Katie ❤️💙

Thank you for sending me this as a prompt on here - and for the corresponding gifs 🥰 They helped me stay focused, truly hehe. I hope this is kinda what you were looking for (I can't remember what we discussed really but I think this was the jist of it :P)

---

Winter break is meant to be the time where they can let go for a little while and just be themselves. They spend time with their friends and family, celebrate the holidays with loved ones, and fit in a bit of extreme training. At least in Charles and Pierre’s cases, even if one heads to the heat and the other to the cold.

But with winter testing only two weeks away, it's time for them to reluctantly get back into their regular training schedule. And that includes their diets, working out, and - as Charles stands in front of his bathroom mirror - grooming.

Not that it's essential in the grand scheme of things, but he likes a routine and it’s easier to follow something that pays off in the long run. Such as shaving off his winter stubble which will irritate the hell out of him once he’s pulled on his balaclava in the desert heat.

He’s taking the razor very carefully down his jawline when a pair of arms slip around his waist, warm and slightly damp from the shower.

“Why are you shaving?” Pierre asks, sounding almost offended.

“I have to. You know I get annoyed, and then you get annoyed that I’m annoyed,” Charles reminds him. It’s a predictable event; the sweat from the heat will irritate his skin, which will lead him to scratch endlessly at his face, leaving him with red marks and an eventual breakout of spots. Throughout it all, he will complain loudly about it to Pierre.

Who’s answer is always to “just shave”, in complete contrast to today.

“But you’re keeping the rest of it?” Pierre checks as he noses gently at Charles’ bare shoulder, droplets of water that had previously been clinging to his hair falling onto his dry skin and working its way down his chest until it meets the towel around his hips.

“For now,” Charles replies, huffing when he tries to tilt his head only to bump into Pierre’s. Knowing telling him to move would only keep him there longer, Charles sighs instead and lowers his arm to gaze at the reflection of the top of Pierre’s head in the mirror. “What about you?”

Pierre rubs his cheek playfully against Charles’ neck, the rough hair of his beard ticklish and eliciting a giggle out of him at the action. There will be a questionable mark there once he’s dressed, but given the nature of their relationship, Charles is sure this is probably the most innocent reason for it.

That is until Pierre starts to press kisses to the column of his neck before nuzzling in. Usually, the sweet gesture would warm Charles, but recently he has learnt that Pierre does it a moment before he carefully bites at his skin, nipping until the bruise forms within the beard - and the newly formed moustache - burn.

“Stop!” Charles tries to chastise, only to come out with a bubble of laughter instead. He feels Pierre laugh against his shoulder as he slowly retreats, keeping his lips pressed against Charles’ skin even as he peers up with his striking blue eyes to catch his own through the mirror.

“Hmm, I think I’ll keep it,” Pierre eventually answers his question. Charles raises his eyebrows without thinking, surprised at his words. “What?”

“Nothing, nothing,” Charles quickly replies, schooling his features to look more neutral with a softer smile. 

It’s not that Charles has anything against the moustache that Pierre now sports, a new addition that Charles only got to see with his own two eyes after they had returned from their independent winter training. But rather the fact that Pierre has chosen to grow one now, the moment he is free of AlphaTauri and Red Bull, when he has failed to do so in the entire time they have known each other.

Which, Charles knows Pierre would deny if ever asked, he can now tell were directly related. It isn’t a secret how much of a toll driving for either team had taken on Pierre, physically and mentally. If it wasn’t the subpar car, then it was the borderline abusive treatment in the top team, and the absolute disregard to his health.

So, regardless of Charles’ personal thoughts about Pierre’s new found ability to grow even more hair, the reason behind it is what reassures him that moving to Alpine will benefit more than just Pierre’s career, and that’s enough reason for it to stay.

Well, that and the way Alpine and its owner and Team Principal seem to absolutely adore Pierre, and have put him at ease, making the transfer as seamless as possible. 

Not to mention the new personal coach who no longer keeps Pierre on the strictest diet Charles had ever seen, or insists on the horrid glucose monitor that had started endless fights between the two of them.

Shaking himself out of his thoughts to focus on the present instead, Charles shrugs instead and laughs when the movement unsettles Pierre from his position. “It’s just different, that’s all.”

“You like it though,” Pierre states confidently. Charles rolls his eyes even though his words do actually ring true.

“I like you,” Charles retorts, avoiding the question and further inflating his boyfriend’s ego. The internet has already done wonders for it as it is without him having to add to it. “The extra facial hair is just a bonus.”

“Uh-huh,” Pierre merely hums, smirking. He steps out from behind Charles and to his side, running a hand over his chin and tapping at his mouth dramatically for a second. “I like it. I’m going to keep it.”

“Okay. As long as you’re happy,” Charles tells him earnestly, because at the end of that day, that is all he ever wants for him.

“I am very happy. And I will be even happier once we go get some lunch,” Pierre tells him. The mere mention of food after the gym session they had had that morning is enough to set Charles’ stomach rumbling almost instantly.

Charles raises his razor once again, intent on finishing up with his shaving before he forgets and heads out with an asymmetrical look that will somehow end up on social media in seconds. 

“You still want to go to the café by Maman’s salon?” It’s a small shop with a limited menu, but they have been going there since they were kids who were rarely allowed to be left alone for more than 15 minutes at a time.

“Yes, always,” Pierre says before pressing a soft kiss to his already-shaven cheek.  “I am starving. Hurry up, okay?”

Grinning, Charles nods. “Okay. Two more minutes.”

---

It's barely hitting midnight but they’re already in bed, intent on adjusting their circadian rhythm to match their on-season schedules, and not stay up until 4am out partying. Or playing Call of Duty. Or having sex. 

They hadn’t had much of a busy day outside of their morning gym session and dinner with his family, which is likely the reason why Charles is still laying awake whilst Pierre has already succumbed to sleep. It is usually the other way around, with Pierre spending the time before bed catching up with his social media or text messages whereas Charles is asleep the minute his head hits the pillow.

At least it gives him the chance to take Pierre in as he sleeps; an opportunity he rarely gets.

Twisting into his side, Charles mirrors Pierre’s position so he can see him better. 

He looks peaceful, is the first thought that comes to Charles’ mind. Brow smooth, eyelids still, and the ghost of a smile curving at his lips. It is a far cry from the uneasy restlessness and nightmares Charles has witnessed over the years. The days of insomnia, the dark eye circles, and the endless number of fitful nights when sleep finally did come. 

Reaching out, Charles skims his fingertips over the side of Pierre’s face, just allowing the grown hairs to prickle at his touch. Pierre’s nose scrunches up adorably at the action, and Charles grins at the instant reaction. 

Trailing his finger down Pierre’s nose instead, he watches as it twitches slightly before smoothing out. He nuzzles gently into his pillow, lips parting in a soft sigh as he does so. 

Charles can’t help but to shift closer, moving his hand down as he minimises the space between them. Brushing over Pierre’s shoulder, Charles once again breathes a sigh of relief when his exploratory touch doesn’t find the foreign, plastic circle that had become a reluctantly familiar protrusion pressing into his palm whenever Charles had reached out for Pierre by the bicep. It had even gotten to the point where he would actively avoid grabbing at his upper arms, unknown as to which would be wearing the glucose monitor, and knowing he could never adjust his response to finding it quick enough for Pierre to not see. 

Subconsciously having started to dig his fingers into Pierre’s arm at the memory, gripping onto him as if to keep this version with him - the relaxed, happier, healthier version - even though there is no current threat to take him away from him, Charles isn’t surprised when Pierre starts to stir. 

“Shh, go back to sleep,” he murmurs, rubbing his hand along the length of his arm and eventually landing on his chest. He can feel rather than see Pierre inhale deeply; a sure sign that he is more on this side of awake than not. 

“Why are you feeling me up?” Pierre asks, slurring slightly with the fog of sleepiness, and yet still managing to insert a hint of humour to his words. 

Scowling though he is sure Pierre cannot make it out through his heavy blinks, Charles scoffs and shoves him in the chest. “I am not! Shut up and go back to sleep.”

“No, no. I’m awake now,” Pierre says, a smirk tugging at his lips when his eyes finally meet Charles’ in the dimness of the bedroom. “What were you doing?”

“Cuddling you,” Charles lies, making a show to grab at Pierre’s wrist to lift his arm and place it over his own waist to cover up. 

“Hmm, okay,” Pierre hums, unconvinced but playful. He leaves his arm where it now lays but allows his hand to wander slowly south until Charles raises an eyebrow at his obvious move.

“Now who’s feeling who up?” Charles asks dryly, huffing when Pierre merely uses the hand that is now resting on his ass to pull him further into him.

Pierre copies his actions and raises his own eyebrow at him. “You want me to stop? It doesn’t feel like you do,” he says pointedly before shifting his hips exaggeratedly to emphasise Charles’ natural bodily reaction to Pierre’s crudely sensuous touch.

Trying to bite back the smile that threatens to break out on his face, Charles settles for a glare that carries no heat whatsoever and only lasts for a couple of seconds before breaking. He’s never been able to resist Pierre’s advances, and especially not whilst he is smirking at him with one perfectly shaped eyebrow arched.

“I love you,” Charles says in between silent giggles, pressing his forehead against Pierre’s, who laughs softly at his confession.

“Wow, I haven’t even done anything yet,” Pierre teases, laughing harder when Charles groans and tries to roll away.

“You’re the worst, Pierre. I’m telling you I love you and you just laugh at me,” Charles grumbles half-heartedly, not even fighting Pierre when he keeps him in place.

“I love you, too,” Pierre replies placatingly, before adding, “And I always laugh at you.”

Sighing, Charles settles back into his pillow and observes Pierre closely. “You laugh a lot more nowadays,” he notes lightly.

Pierre nods, the smirk transforming into a gentle smile instead. “Things are a lot better now.”

“A lot lighter, yes? Freeing?” Charles checks.

“A lot brighter,” Pierre assures him with a gentle squeeze around the waist. 

Charles is under no impression that Pierre doesn't understand how much it means to him to see him do so much better now he has officially left Red Bull clutches. He doesn’t need to say the words for him to know how important of a factor the move to Alpine has been in the overall scheme of things.

“Good. It will be a good year for you, I can tell,” Charles informs Pierre, leaving no room for argument with his adamant tone. It brings out another bout of silent laughter from Pierre.

“You can, can you?” Pierre asks suggestively, shifting to lean up ever-so-slightly onto his elbow and hover over Charles. He slips a leg between Charles’, brushing his toes against the sole of his foot that makes him squirm more from the tickles than the intimate position they’re in. “Can you tell what’s going to happen to me now?”

“You will crawl under the covers and push me onto my back,” Charles states confidently even in his breathless voice.

“Sounds more like a demand than a prediction,” Pierre laughs but follows through nonetheless, using his weight to slowly roll Charles onto his back. “You’re right though. I am.”

Charles grins self-satisfyingly into the dark as Pierre crawls down his body and slowly disappears under the sheets, his own smirk stuck in place. 

“I’m always right,” Charles says smugly before all words are stolen out of his mouth by Pierre’s own skillful one.

[stevenbasic]

GITJ Post 313: The Tale of Queen Angie, p7

Her boobs are growing, and all her little friends? she seethed to herself as she marched down the sidewalk, headed to the shop she’d found online. She’s taller, she’s a fucking She-Hulk at the gym, she’s got some sort of weird-ass hypnotic perfume? she continued to rant, silently to herself, Fine. Two can play at that game.

Angie Wade was not accustomed to shopping in this part of town, the swankiest. But despite being a bit out of her element she held her head up high, strode confidently, some would say haughtily. She’d needed to make an appointment, in fact, to be let into this place she was headed to - ‘Merz Parfumerie’ - which was annoying but whatever. She’d be on time; she’d skipped out of the office an hour early to make sure.

She could feel her boobs jiggling in her too-small bra under her thin, faux-cashmere sweater as she walked. All the extra calories, along with the fenugreek, were starting to do some good, and maybe while she was downtown she’d look into a lingerie store. She’d finally gone up a cup size or two, she figured. Those fifteen pounds had to go somewhere besides my thighs. It was chilly, this early November afternoon, and her nipples were sensitive.

It annoyed her that she even had to be doing this. She’d tried to use AJ, her ex- and apparently some construction-monkey crew leader working on the office expansion, to get her what she wanted. She knew that there’d been adjustments made to the air circulation system in the building, that there was some sort of aromatherapy shit going on, something based on Melissa’s perfume. She knew it had something to do with how the other girls were growing, how spellbound the stupid doctor was by Melissa and her fucking jigglebunnies. Why was it not having any effect on her?!? Why couldn’t she tell him what to do and boss him around like everyone else was doing?!? It was fucking frustrating but she wasn’t about to sit back and just watch, let all these other girls become whatever they were becoming, especially after the elections let the whole fucking world know that there’d be new bosses in town pretty soon - all of them in smart skirts and high heels. She should be the one running that place, not that overgrown bimbo. So, she’d asked AJ to get some of the pure stuff, whatever it was that they were infusing the air filters in the office with, some weird super-strong chemical that smelled like Melissa’s perfume (so fucking weird, right?)…but he proved to be useless. He can’t even do that for me. 

Finally at her destination - she’d had to park a few blocks away, where parking was cheaper - she looked in through the dusky storefront windows of this high-end perfume shop. She squinted, trying to see inside, what she’d be dealing with, but couldn’t make much out. She rang the stupid doorbell and waited. 

A moment later a man answered the door - she was hoping for that. Angie tended to have better luck getting her way with guys than women. But by the way this guy wore that scarf around his neck she wasn’t too sure her normal methods of persuasion were going to be of much help here. Fine, money talks too. The company credit card that she’d been using over these past few weeks, and then surreptitiously hiding transactions for, was in her purse. Working in accounting was helpful. 

“You must be our four o’clock customer. Welcome to Merz Parfumerie,” the thin man with the squirrely little moustache said as he stepped aside, ushered Angie into the dark little shop. He looked her up and down, took note of her cheap shoes and heavy behind as she glanced around, perused, browsing the shelves of exotic perfumes collected from around the world. “Is there anything in particular I can interest you in?”

Angie turned towards him; he’d found his way behind the glass sales counter. She stepped up to him and placed her purse on it. “Yes, thanks. I’ve heard that you can make custom perfumes, is that right?”

“Yes, yes we can,” the man smiled, “a personalized fragrance can be tailored just for you. We have a perfumologist from Grasse, perfume capital of France, who can craft whatever scent you’d like, for any occasion. It’s a wonderful idea. Would it be for you, or is this a gift?”

Perfumologist? Angie scoffed, silently, That’s a thing? “It would be for me, for sure,” she answered, “and I have a particular thing I want...”

At that, Angie unsnapped her purse and - pulling out some gum wrappers and her lipstick, putting a tampon on the counter - removed the three N-95 masks she’d squirreled away, snagged from the exam room earlier this morning. Damn, her whole purse was going to smell like Melissa, now. 

The sales guy watched with cocked brow as she presented the masks to him, placed them on the countertop. His trained nose immediately picked up the scent of them. It was strong. 

“These masks have been, like, soaked in some chemical, some perfume,” Angie began, “I want you to try to duplicate it, but make it…more like me. I want it even more intense.”

As Angie talked the man, with delicate, tentative fingers, lifted one mask from the three and passed it in an arc below his nose. It was not like anything he’d ever smelled before. Feminine, organic, beautiful in its own way. But it wasn’t a perfume, that he could tell. 

“I want to wear it,” Angie continued, “I want to smell powerful. I want people to smell my strength, I want them to gag on it.” She watched the man take another breath of the alluring scent from the surgical mask, considering. “Can you do that for me?”

========================================

[survey--s]

580.

Have you ever had any article of clothing tailored? What for? Yeah, my wedding dress needed bringing in at the waist and I think she altered the length slightly too. Do you watch Degrassi? If so, what do you think about it? Nope. I've never seen it air over here. Do you welcome people back when they say they have returned? I mean, sometimes? It depends where they've gone and whether I'm happy about them being back lol. What are two foods you think taste good with whipped cream? Strawberries, pancakes. How long would it take you to walk to the nearest fire hydrant?  I think there's one at the end of the road but honestly it's not really something I've ever thought about. Do you own anything that has the words or picture of ‘moustache’?  Nope. I never really understood that trend.

When you see a feather on the ground, do you ever pick it up?  No, especially not at the moment with bird flu around. Are you able to play the harmonica? Do you ever want to take lessons?  Nope and nope. I tried playing one once and hated the idea of it, it felt really unhygienic lol. If you eat it, what is your favorite way to eat beef?  Rare steak please, with garlic butter, skinny fries, mushrooms and onion rings. Now I want a steak dinner lol. How would you feel marrying the man you love who has already a son? I wouldn't ever date anyone with a kid again, let alone get to the stage of marriage. I have no desire to have kids and certainly wouldn't want to have to deal with raising someone else's lol. Have you ever played Roller Coaster Tycoon? What did you think of it?  Nope. I got the cheap knock-off version which was called Theme Park World lol. I quite liked it actually but it was really basic. Can you relate hens and roosters to females and males? Why or why not?  I don't really get what you're asking tbh. What foods go good with radishes?  None. Radishes are just disgusting lol. When you are chopping onions, does it really affect your eyes personally?  Not really. They get a bit watery but I wear glasses anyway so it's not really a huge problem. I buy pre-chopped onions these days anyway. How long can you hold your breath for? Is there anyone who is better?  I have no idea, but I'm sure there is. When was the last time you had a pet goldfish? What was its name?  I've never had a pet fish of any kind. My cousins had tropical fish when I was growing up though and I always thought they were cool. Would you rather have a loaf of bread or meat loaf right now?  Meatloaf. I haven't had that for YEARS. Are you insecure about your height? What made you think this way?  Nope. Do you enjoy mayonnaise with French fries? Why or why not?  I love mayonnaise with fries. What are the oldest pair of pants you still wear? How old are they? I have some that I've owned since I was a student lol, so 10-15 years. Did your last significant other have a huge temper? Hmmm, not really? He gets easily irritated but he rarely actually gets angry. He does have ADHD though which is unmedicated and I guess that's all part of it. What was the topic discussed in the last meeting you attended? I don't really need to attend meetings? What is your opinion on Indonesia? Would you ever travel there? How about Syria? Would you ever travel there? Why or why not? I'd visit Indonesia but I'd never go to Syria for obvious reasons. What are the three events this year you are looking forward to?  Having two weeks off in a fortnight, going to Manchester to see The Ocean at the End of the Lane and my Christmas beach ride.

[mimi-ya]

orbit ~ shanks x reader

2,800 words | f!body | nsfw

summary: you circle each other with the dial as proof (compass points towards soulmate)

a/n: @dibi-learns-to-draw thank you for the amazing prompt! this fit shanks so well!

masterlist | soulmate event

“It’s broken.”

“It’s not broken!” Shanks argues, ripping his arm from Buggy’s hand.

“Then why does it spin so much?” Buggy asks smugly, arms crossed over his chest.

“I- that doesn’t mean it’s broken!” Shanks almost stomps his foot in frustration.

Before the two can continue their bickering, a deep voice interrupts, “What’s going on here?”

“Captain!” They say in unison as Rogers appears from behind the mast.

“Sure seems to be a lot of talking for a deck that still needs scrubbing.” He twirls his moustache, “What’s the hold up?”

“Shanks has a broke compass!” Buggy points.

“No I don’t!” This time Shanks does stomp his foot, fuming with anger.

“Ah.” Rogers says, “Well, let’s see it.” He holds out his hand.

Shanks frowns before offering up his arm. Rogers takes a moment, inspecting the moving arrow before throwing his head back with a laugh.

“What is it!” Shanks demands.

“It’s not broken boy! Your soulmate is a pirate!”

“Pirate?”

“How would you know that?” Buggy pulls on Shanks arm trying to get a good look again.

“Think about it.” Rogers flicks the boys on their forehead, “If they were living in one of the Blues, the arrow would always point the same way. But it moves, eh?”

“It was pointing south a week ago.” Shanks adds thoughtfully.

“There you have it! They’re traveling the Grand Line like you!”

“Pfft!” Buggy rolls his eyes, “Marines travel the Grand Line, maybe they’re a marine!”

Shanks can’t hold back at that point and tackles Buggy onto the deck, “They’re not a marine!”

Rogers erupts in laughter again, leaving the boys to tussle on their own.

No. Shanks’s soulmate had to be a pirate.

.

And pirate you were.

Born and raised on a ship until you left to find a crew of your own.

You never gave much thought to the compass on your arm. There was only room for one love in your life and it was freedom.

No way in hell you were going to let some random tie you down because of a little dial on your wrist, and if they couldn’t understand that then they shouldn’t be your soulmate at all.

You had seen it happen many times growing up. Crew members jumping ship to stay behind on an island because they finally found their match, some even joining up with the search as their sole purpose.

What bullshit.

The Grand Line is no place for a fairytale love story.

It’s for adventure, for exploration, to find riches and challenges.

Kind of like the battle you’re in right now.

“Shit.” You wipe the blood trickling from your mouth.

“Ready to give up?” The red-haired pirate asks.

A feral grin stretches on your face, “As if! Like I’m going to surrender to a pirate still wet behind the ears!”

He straightens with a frown, “Hey! I was scrubbing decks before I could walk!”

You swing your sword at his neck and he’s barely able to jump back just in time, “Think that makes you special?” You grunt, blocking his attack with your blade.

“No, but I could tell you all the things that do.” He waggles his eyebrows with a teasing grin.

Is he.. is he flirting with you?

With renewed energy you charge at him with everything you’ve got, tackling the pirate to the ground. Only when your sword is poised at his throat do you let the victorious smile overtake you.

“Alright, alright.” He drops his sword and raises his placating hands, “I know when I’ve lost.”

“You should have known from the moment you tried to invade my ship.”

“Invade?” The pirate cocks his head, “No, no! You’ve got it all wrong!”

Your face screws up into a snarl, “Don’t tell me your crew was lookin’ for a party.”

“Well now that you mention it.” That cocky grin returns, “Whaddya say? I’m sure my men are just as beat as yours.”

A quick glance around your deck shows almost that. Pirates from both crews panting heavily with exhaustion.

“C’mon!” The red haired pirate whines under you, “We’ll even provide the booze.”

You scoff, “You better have enough.”

And you tell yourself the swooping in your stomach when his face lights up is definitely from the ship rocking against the waves.

.

He’s starring.

Hasn’t stopped the entire night ever since both crews anchored on the deserted island. Eyes tracking every step you take, like he might lose you if he looks away.

It’s unsettling, but not unpleasant.

“There something on my face?” You plop down on the log beside him, “Or is my ass that great?”

Shanks smirks, “A gentleman would never comment on a lady’s backside before a first date.”

“And are you a gentleman?” You raise a brow.

“Depends.” His eyes roam from your eyes down to your feet and back up, “Is this a first date?”

A grin spreads across your face and you abruptly stand to your feet, “I think I need to rotate my helmsman of their watch.”

“Oh.” Shanks’s face falls and you can’t help but roll your eyes, trailing a hand over his shoulder so he gets the idea.

Hurrying back to your cabin is easy, ignoring the catcalls from your crew is another thing as you flick each of them off.

And barely anytime at all has passed before there’s a knock on the door. Swinging it open you find Shanks leaning against the frame with a boyish smile.

“Was surprised you were able to find me.” You step aside so he can enter.

“Not hard when I have a little trick up my sleeve.”

“And what’s that?” You tease.

For the first time since meeting earlier that day Shanks looks slightly nervous as he wordlessly reaches for your hand. You let him and he pushes back your sleeve to reveal the little compass embedded in your wrist.

The arrow is pointed straight ahead.

Shanks’s hand trails up your arm, side stepping around you as his fingers brush against your neck, a slight shiver running down your spine. You can’t see, but you feel his breath near your ear as he presses himself to your back.

Doesn’t matter anyway. Your eyes are glued to the little dial is spinning to follow him.

“Does that answer your question?” He murmurs.

“You knew?”

“I didn’t follow your ship for nothin’.”

You turn around, watching as your dial moves with you, until you’re face to face with Shanks.

With your soulmate.

“You’re nothin’ like I’d imagine you be.”

Your eyes narrow, missing the breathlessness of his words, as you cross your arms and spit, “And what’s that supposed to mean?”

“Thought you’d be a marine.”

The surprised laugh that bubbles in your throat breaks the tension, “What? Well, I’m sorry to disappoint.”

“Nah.” He smiles, falling back onto your bed like his legs couldn’t hold him any longer, “I’m pretty happy with how it turned out.”

For as long as you had told yourself you wouldn’t let your soulmate affect you, wouldn’t let them steal you away from your dreams. You’re starting to realize that was easier said than done, especially before getting a look at him lounging on your bed like he belonged there.

“I’m not going to be your wife or something.” You snap, trying to ground yourself.

He leans forward, “I’m married to the sea as it is.”

You take a step forward, knees brushing against his as he subtly makes room for you to stand between them, “And I’m definitely not going to join your crew.”

Shanks’s hands tentatively settle on your hips, “I don’t think the Red Haired Pirates would be able to handle ya anyway.”

You nod, pleased to hear that he sees you for who you are, “Well, I’m glad we got that cleared up.” Your hands rest on his shoulders.

“Real glad.” Shanks agrees, craning his neck to look at you, “Now,” He begins, fingers sneaking around to your backside, “If I remember correctly you wanted to hear my thoughts about that ass of- ouf!” He doesn’t finish as you give him a good shove so he’s laying flat on his back.

Straddling his hips, you seat yourself in his lap, “How about you save those comments until after you get to see it?”

“Yes ma’am.” Shanks nods his head, blood rushing to his groin when he feels you roll your hips, “Holy shit.” He groans, a hand flying to cover his face, “You really are my soulmate.”

“C’mon now.” You pull away his hand, and he realizes you’ve already lost your shirt, “Don’t tell me you’re one of those prudes who likes it in the dark.”

With a feral grin Shanks grabs your wrists, bucking you off his lap until he’s the one leaning over you, “Only if I can get these tits tattooed behind my eyelids.” His hands grab at your breasts, thumbs rolling over your nipples ad pulling out a loud moan, “Because fuck, there isn’t a treasure in the world that’ll compare.”

Your fingers dig into his hair, bringing him in for a wet and sinful kiss, tongues moving against each other while his hands play at your chest.

“Didn’t know you were a poet, too.” You mumble against his lips with a smile.

He lets out a breathless laugh, pulling back to rip off his shirt and it’s then that you spot the compass on his arm. Even having seen thousands in your life doesn’t prepare you for the feeling of finally seeing one that’s pointed directly at you.

“You look at this often?” You ask, fingers tracing the circle.

“Enough to wonder why the hell you were sailin’ circles around me.”

“You’re one to talk! I swear mine was pointed straight into the sky once! Thought you were dead until it was pointing West the next week.”

Shanks raises a brow, “You never hear of Sky Island?”

You slap his chest, “You’re so full of shit.”

“Really!” He laughs, “Got a map back on my ship, I’ll lend it to you ya.”

“What’s the cost?”

“For my soulmate?” He brushes his lips against yours, “Just a kiss.”

“Not a very good pirate.” You mumble, ignoring the flutter at the way he casually calls you his soulmate.

He pulls back, shifting to his knees, reaching for his belt, “Good enough at lots of other things to make up for it.”

“Go on then.” You wave your hand, devouring the sight as he lowers his pants. Thick and scared legs that you would love to grind down on until you’re a panting and sweaty mess. And nestled between the two is his hardened length, already dripping from the head.

“May I?” His hands reach for your pants and you’re too transfixed to do anything beside nod, already imagining how deliciously he’s going to stretch you out.

You’re enough lost in your daydreams that you miss when his fingers brush at your soaked center, almost snapping your legs shut if he weren’t there to hold them back.

“Rearing for me, eh?”

You smirk, reaching for his hand to press it firmly against your cunt, “A good fight gets me going.”

A devious smirk pulls at his lips, “Then what are you waiting for?”

The challenge in his voice sets you off, scrambling from your spot on the bed to collide against him.

And Shanks meets you to it, his arms wrapping around legs to pull them behind his back as he grinds his cock through your folds.

But you’re not one to be beat and you plant your hands against his shoulders, using the leverage to raise yourself and come down on his cock, taking him deep in one swoop.

“Fuck.” Shanks chokes, not expecting the immense pleasure so immediate.

“C’mon.” You whine, dragging your hips upward as his cock slides against your tight walls, “That the best you got?”

Shanks meets your triumphant stare, and there’s nothing he wants more than to wipe it off your face. With a growl, he tackles you backward, hips firmly planted between your thighs as he pulls back and thrusts deep inside.

“Oh god!” You cry, nails clawing into his back as he begins a ruthless pace.

“Just Shanks,” he pants, “is fine.”

Your surprised laughter turns into a wanton moan because no one has ever made you feel this good. No one has alighted every nerve ending like he is, with every push of his hips he pulls more and more pleasure from you.

Shanks buries his face into the crook of your neck, feeling his end coming on much sooner than he would have liked, but you fit so perfectly around his cock.

“Tell me what you need.” He groans, nipping at neck.

“I- fuck.” How did he even hit that spot? “I- I want to be on top.”

Shanks reels back, a wild grin on his face, “Yeah?”

You nod your head, “Mhmm.” And Shanks quickly flips you, hands gripping into your hips as he helps you move along.

Not that you need it as you slam down onto him over and over, your own hand sneaking down to rub at your clit.

“Fuck.” Shanks throws his head back, “Fuck, that’s hot.”

“Oh!” You cry, feeling his cock swell as he grounds his feet into the mattress, “Sh- Shanks!”

“That’s it.” Shanks hisses, quickly sitting up and capturing in your mouth, almost choking on his tongue as it explores every inch, “Cum for me.” He says harshly, hand coming down on your ass cheek.

“Ah!” The squeak rips from your throat as you jolt forward in his lap, and he does it again, the pain mixing with the pleasure of your hand that’s trapped between bodies on your over sensitive clit.

He can feel you clenching around him, the slaps of your skin sounding wetter and wetter with each thrust until you finally tense up and then your body snaps.

You’re sure even those back on shore can hear the sounds you make and Shanks can’t get enough of them. Working you into overdrive as he doesn’t slow down through your orgasm, building your higher and higher until you swear you’re coming again.

It gets to be too much and you wriggle your hands out, pushing him flat against the bed with his hair fanned out on the pillow beneath him.

And the sight of you heaving and gasping in pleasure is finally what sends him over. He’s never seen something so gorgeous, something he wants to engrain into his memory so he can carry it with him for the rest of his life.

“Shit.” You groan, finally falling to side, his softening cock slipping out of you.

You peek an eye open and see Shanks grinning stupidly towards the ceiling, “What?” The smile in your voice evident.

“I think I just became a man.” He looks towards you, his heart skipping a beat when you snort.

He catches your hand when you try to swat at his chest, pressing a gentle kiss right above the compass in your arm. And lips move higher, and higher, and-

.

The two crews stay docked at the island for almost a week.

Your crew insists there’s so much to explore and his say they’re just happy the captain is finally getting some.

It’s only when the winds tell of an approaching storm do you realize it’s time to move on.

“Where’s next for you?” Shanks leans against the rail of your ship, not too far from where you had him pinned and a knife pressed against his throat a week ago.

You look over shoulder with a smile, “I hear there’s an island in the sky I might have to check out. You?”

“Headin’ East.” He says, “Would have been there already if somethin’ hadn’t taken me off our path.”

“My apologies.” You roll your eyes.

Shanks wraps a hand around your waist, pulling you flush against his body, “Tis the life of a pirate, never know where the sea will take ya.”

“Hmm.” Your arms rest on his shoulders, “Suppose that’s the beauty of it.”

He looks straight into your eyes, “And it sure is beautiful.”

You feel flutters in your stomach, trying to look away and mumble, “You’re a sap.”

But he catches your chin, and inches his face closer to yours, “Will I see you again?”

Your hand slithers down to grab his, arms pressed against one another, “You know how to find me.”

Shanks can’t hold back, and he presses his lips towards yours in one last passionate kiss. His hands tracing the curves of your body as if he hasn’t already mapped every inch. And you nearly knock the strawhat right off his head had it not been tied around his neck when your fingers sink into his fiery hair.

He knows this isn’t the last time he’ll see you. Couldn’t be. Not when he’s got your compass embedded into his arm.

And he doesn’t plan on losing that anytime soon.

[writingdotcoffee]

#243: Write the Worst Story You Can

Let's face it. Your inner critic is probably an asshole. Every time you come up with an idea, they slam it down right away. Something's always off, too cheesy, too predictable, not good enough.

The more you let your inner critic into your writing life, the more difficult it'll be. It can grow into a real problem that makes you stop writing altogether.

Creativity is about taking risks, trying things that nobody tried before and combining things in ways that may either blow people's minds or make them call you a weirdo.

When you take risks, there will be a lot of mistakes. These may be obvious in retrospect, but they absolutely aren't obvious when you're in the process of making them.

Conversely, you most likely have no idea that what you're working on will go on to become a masterpiece.

While you can never shut your inner critic off completely, there are ways to work around them and make progress regardless. Here's an exercise that will help you stop judging every idea as soon as you have it.

Write the Worst Story You Can

We all want our writing to be perfect. But since our judgement of what is good and what isn't is so poor while we're at work, why not turn our pursuit of perfection on its head?

Instead of writing the best story you can, write the worst one. Instead of endlessly agonising about various plot decisions, just go with the worst idea and see what happens.

Would it be terrible if your character had a moustache and only one leg? Great! Let's go with that. This story is supposed to suck anyway, so who cares?

Instead of agonising about your protagonist's eye colour for three weeks, you'll actually make progress.

Removing the pressure to write the best story you can frees you up to write faster and experiment more. Any time you can’t decide where to take the story next, go with the worst idea that you have. There will be mistakes. Some stories will be pretty bad, but others will turn out all right.

Make More Mistakes

In fact, you should be proud of all the terrible stories that you write. There's a lesson in every single one, even if you're writing terrible stories on purpose.

All this practice, the hours you spend writing will lift your baseline. Pretty soon, even your worst ideas will be miles better than the best ideas of those that think and plot and follow all the best practices but never actually finish anything.

About the Author

Hi, I’m Radek 👋. I’m a writer, software engineer and the founder of Writing Analytics — an editor and writing tracker designed to help you beat writer’s block and create a sustainable writing routine.

I publish a post like this every week. Want to know when the next one comes out? Sign up for my email list below to get it right in your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE

(I won’t spam you or pass your email to a third party. You can unsubscribe at any time.)

Past Editions

#242: The Art of Writing a Scene, April 2022

#241: The Writing Process, April 2022

#240: The Physics of Writing, April 2022

#239: Writing for Fun and Profit, March 2022

#238: Should You Write a Novel?, March 2022

[sunnysviolin]

any chance we could get some trans!hero hcs? feelin particularly dysphoric today 😓

Damn nonnie that sucks :/// I’m 10+k deep in a BNHA WIP one shot right now, but I clawed myself out when I saw this in my inbox because dysphoria sucks and maybe this will make you feel a lil bit better!! Just remember, no one decides who you are but you, and no matter how your brain might be feeling, you are you and that’s so awesome!! My DMs are also always open if you need to talk (assuming you’re still awake when I post this) Also some of these aren’t me projecting...no not at all. TW: needles (I’ll put a secondary TW if you want to read the top part)

Hero’s mother is more upset about his name change than the fact that he’s transgender. Her child is her child and she will love whoever that ends up being, but the name she gave her child was chosen with care. It was a name she had wanted to give to her daughter from when she was just five years old. 

She eventually made it Sally’s middle name, and even though her husband was worried about what Hero would think, he seemed happy when he heard from his mom what she had chosen. Hero doesn’t hate his birth name, it just isn’t his. He’s more than happy to let his baby sister have it. 

Hero really wants to grow facial hair. At thirteen or fourteen he starts to check to see if maybe he has any, and Mari loves to tease him for it. She draws a fake moustache on him at one of their sleepovers, and the kids all howl with laughter when they see it. Hero is a little annoyed when he figures out why they’re all laughing at him, but then he gets into it. he takes the top hat that sits on the chest at the end of Sunny’s bed and talks in a British accent for the rest of the day. The kids dub him “Fancy Hero” and demand that Mari help them to find their own “fancy” outfits. 

Speaking of sleepovers, Mari’s parents are...unsure of what to do about the kids sleepovers once Hero comes out to everyone. They hadn’t had a problem when it was Mari and Aurora but now the rules had to be..different. Didn’t they? 

Mari pitched a fit the first time they tried to say she and Hero couldn’t share a bed anymore. They had shared since they were toddlers, and Basil and Sunny shared all the time, so what was wrong? Since they didn’t have a good answer, she won that argument and they were allowed to continue their little traditions. 

TW NEEDLES STARTS HERE 

When Hero starts taking testosterone he isn’t as happy as he wants to be. He should be ecstatic, it should be one of the best moments of his life. After almost a decade of trying to figure out who he is and what that means finally he can start to feel like every other guy. Except he isn’t that happy, because of one tiny little thing. 

Hero is afraid of needles. 

He isn’t afraid of giving shots, he learned that when he volunteered to help give flu shots at the retirement home near his college, but something is so different when it comes to getting them. When he was little he had to have both of his parents there to help him get his immunizations, and even when he was getting his vaccinations for college his dad had to come be in the room with him. Now he’s supposed to give himself an injection every week. 

He manages to do it for a few weeks before it becomes too much and he just...stops. It sets off his brain into a bit of a downward spiral and he wants to just man up and deal with the issue, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s still terrifying. 

I honestly think Hero might eventually stop for awhile. He is a little bit self conscious of stopping, because his parents don’t really understand what that means. He doesn’t stop being a guy just because he’s stopping T, it just didn’t work out for him. They’re trying to be understanding and open, but they still don’t get it. Kel as always is really supporting, and even offers to help Hero with his shots if he wants, but that wouldn’t work during the school year. 

Then his doctor introduces testosterone gel to him. It’s every day, but it’s just a gel he puts on his shoulders instead of sticking himself every week, and he’s ecstatic. 

[fific7]

Even His Name - Part 1

Sirius Black x OC

Summary: Friends forever? Maybe. Maybe not.

Warnings: Swearing, alcohol, slight consent issues, 18+ please due to NSFW content including unprotected* sex. The age of consent in the UK is 16, sorry if that’s not in line with the laws in your own country/state.

*Irl, please don’t go wild in the country without protection.

A/N: Looking at this photo, I can kinda see why Ben Barnes got fancast as Sirius Black. This story is non-canon and takes place in my imaginary HP AU with OC, Celeste (meaning celestial or heavenly).

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

Sirius Black. Even his name was beautiful.

She watched his tall, lean figure approaching as she sat & relaxed against one of the shady trees beside the lake.

She drank in every last detail before he got too close, before her out-and-out staring was noticeable to him.

The lazily slouching but graceful walk, his long legs eating up the distance between them.

The pale, porcelain-like skin, the aristocratic cheekbones, the trendy light scruff of moustache with matching scruff along his jawline, the full sensuous lips, the famed long black wavy hair. And of course, those hypnotic grey eyes, ringed by long dark lashes. Those eyes could change like mercury, from silver to dark pewter within a heartbeat.

As he got got closer, her eyes almost totally closed, but she wasn’t dozing off, it was a ruse to disguise her intense staring. Her eyes continued to eat him up like he was a very large chocolate eclair.

It was Saturday, so no school uniform. Trademark bad-boy attire, then. Her heart sped up at the sight of the scuffed leather biker jacket, the Led Zeppelin t-shirt, distressed jeans & leather work boots. Not properly laced up... of course.

All in black, a living embodiment of his name.

She heaved a long sigh, letting it escape without thought, and her eyes closed fully.

She was aware of a shadow blocking the sunlight falling on her closed eyelids. The sound of somebody settling themselves down next to her, still partly casting a shadow onto her.

Her eyes opened a sliver, and her head rolled to the side towards him of its own accord.

“What’s the big sigh for, Celeste?” in his deep, slightly hoarse, breathy voice. The voice which sent a thousand female hearts beating like drums.

“Sirius.” She sighed again, her eyes opening slowly. “You’re blocking my sun.”

He grinned, chuckling. He gestured to his body with one hand, “This ... masterpiece... of a man joins you for a pleasant interlude by the lake, and all you can say is that I’m blocking your rays?!”

“Yeah.”

He chuckled again. “Ah c’mon, you know you love me.”

She rolled her head back to its original position. “Keep telling yourself that.”

“And maybe it’ll come true?” he smirked.

“When hell freezes over.”

He leant over, placing his head on her shoulder as he did so, puppy dog eyes in play, complete with pouted bottom lip.

“Now, you know that isn’t true. You’re desperate to get me into the sack.”

“But, Sirius,” she said innocently, “there wouldn’t be enough room in the bed for me, what with you and your massive ego already in it.”

His head shot back, his unmistakable & glorious barking laugh issuing forth & attracting the attention of every female within earshot.

“You’re hysterical,” he continued laughing, more quietly. “No, I’m Celeste,” she smirked, throwing her version of his favourite line back at him.

He groaned, “You’d use my own comeback against me? Really?”

“Every time,” she nodded.

He was grinning back at her, when she was suddenly aware of another shadow falling across her. She frowned involuntarily, looking up to see who it was. A tall Ravenclaw girl stood there, confidently smirking down at Sirius. She didn’t spare his current companion even a glance.

“Hi,” she smiled brightly at him. “Thought you’d maybe like to take a walk with me, Siri?” giving him a suggestive sideways look, all the while twirling a strand of her long brown hair round a finger.

Celeste rolled her eyes, smirking & tutting loudly. She muttered, “Pathetic,” under her breath & began to gather her books, getting ready to ‘exit stage left’.

Sirius looked over at her, smiling and laying his hand on her arm, stilling her movement.

He looked up at the other girl. “Sorry, love,” he said with a grin, “spending some one-on-one time with my best girl here.”

She still didn’t look at his ‘best girl’. “Well, why don’t I just join you here while you do that, and then we can go for a walk by ourselves afterwards?”

Sirius looked down, and Celeste knew what was coming next. He’d given her his polite brush-off, now here came the not-so-polite one.

“Didn’t you hear what I just said? I’m here with Celeste,” he said, voice harsh, glaring back up at her.

She stopped twirling that lock of hair, recoiling from his glare & tone. “Well, you know, I just thought...”

“You just thought wrong then, didn’t you! Now, run along dear, off you go.” Voice cold, eyes narrowed.

She turned on her heel and scuttled back to her little band of giggling friends. Something told Celeste that her friends wouldn’t be all that sympathetic. If there was one thing almost guaranteed to break up friendship groups, it was who did, or didn’t have, Sirius’ attention.

Celeste laughed, “Lordy, I don’t know how you put up with all that fangirling.... ‘Siri’.” she imitated the girl in a high-pitched tone. “They make me ashamed to be a woman. Don’t they have any self-respect?!”

Sirius laughed, “But Cel, they’re just rightfully worshipping ... this!” Again, one hand gesturing up & down the length of his body.

“What.. a skinny boy?” she questioned, looking him up & down, “Really? What’s the attraction then?” she laughed.

He’d sat up straight as she’d been speaking, faux offended. “Celeste! How could you? Firstly, I am a man, not a boy.”

“Sirius, you’re sixteen. You.. are.. a.. boy!”

“Nah, nah, nah! I.. am.. a.. man!” dramatically emulating her slow delivery before continuing, “And I’m nearly seventeen. Secondly, I am not skinny. I’m tall and athletic.”

“Skinny.”

“Athletic!”

She laughed. “You don’t even play Quidditch any more. So where do you get this ‘athleticism’ from? Running away from Filch and the prefects after a prank?!”

“Thank you for answering your own question!” he said, laughing back at her.

He again leant towards her, eyes boring into hers, changing to dark & stormy mode, lips so close that she felt the little huffs of his breath on her own lips as he spoke.

“Don’t fight it, Cel. Just give in and admit you want me! We’ll head to my dorm right now and spend the entire night together, having hot, sensual, sheet-tangling sex!”

She burst out laughing, turning away momentarily, eager to break the close proximity to him. “The gods love a trier, Sirius. Pity I don’t.” She looked back at him, “And no doubt one of your fangirls is already curled up under your quilt, just waiting on the god that is Sirius Black to arrive and rock her world!!”

“My bed is exclusively reserved for you.”

“OK... curled up in her bed then, waiting on Mr I Never Stay The Night to arrive.”

“You pierce my heart!”

“Sirius, you may be one of my closest friends, but I can honestly say that you, within just the last few weeks, have become a total man-whore. And a barely legal one at that.”

“Celeste!! Just bloody well admit you want me.”

“Can’t that huge ego of yours handle the fact that there’s at least one girl in this school who doesn’t drop her panties the second you look at her?!” her laughter pealed out over the surrounding area, catching the attention of and sparking the venomous jealousy of the Sirius Fangirls’ Club.

He also burst out laughing, inciting the Fangirls even more.

“Ah.... Cel, my ego is perpetually the size of a peanut whenever you’re around.” Innocence personified, wide grey eyes gazed at her. “It never gets the chance to grow any bigger.”

Then the trademark smirk appeared. “Unlike a certain other part of my anatomy.” One eyebrow quirked up at her, long fingers slinking down onto his jeans zip. She couldn’t stop her eyes following them. His lips slid upwards into a pleased grin.

“Urggghhh!” she groaned, closing her eyes briefly before starting to pack up her stuff. “On that note, I’m off!”

“Awww, don’t go! This was just about to get interesting. You almost agreed to give me a quick blowjob!”

She stood up, brushing grass off her denim cutoffs and slipping on her low wedge sandals. Sirius raked his eyes up and down her figure as she did so.

She leant back down to him, knowing full well that he was getting an eyeful down her tastefully low-cut frilly top. She had on a translucent lacy bra, and she heard his breath catch as soon as he spotted it.

Putting her lips right next to his ear, she said, “Firstly, I don’t give blowjobs to sixteen-year-old skinny boys.” She huffed out a breath onto his earlobe, “And secondly, even if I did, it would.. not.. just be a quickie, darling.”

She pulled back and stood up straight, looking down at Sirius. A deep pink blush was spreading up from his neck over the entirety of his handsome face, his mouth hung slightly open and his eyes were wide, a glazed look in them.

She grinned, starting to walk away, “Have fun with the fangirls, Sirius!”

He was still staring after her when the first wave of girlies washed over him, clamouring for his attention in various tried, tested and (to him, at that moment) very tedious ways.

They were all to be disappointed. Sirius swatted them off like they were so many irritating mosquitoes, stretching out & lying on his back with his hands crossed under his head, staring up into the blue of the early autumn sky, deep in thought.

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

She leisurely strolled back to the castle, sniggering to herself at how easy it had been to wind Sirius up into a tight spring.

Her smirk dropped somewhat though, when she contemplated the bigger picture. What a shitshow.

She was slap-bang in the middle of the biggest cliché the fates had ever created. Best friend really fancies best friend, but won’t admit it in case it either doesn’t work out and/or ruins the friendship. Yeah... that old chestnut.

Sighing, she made her way to the Gryffindor common room, spotting Lily and Mary on their favourite corner sofa. She plopped herself down next to them, instantly becoming enmeshed in the girlie gossip which was currently in progress.

However her mind drifted to the beginning of that school year, their sixth, when she and Sirius had met up again after the summer holidays on the Hogwarts Express. She’d been frankly amazed at the change in him after such a short time.

From awkward, gawky schoolboy to man-god in the space of a couple of months.

She learned from him that he’d run away from Grimmauld Place at the beginning of the holidays and was now living at the Potters’. She was very glad to hear that, knowing what he’d gone through at the hands of his parents. He certainly seemed to be thriving there, having apparently sprouted quite a bit over the summer.

Everything about him suddenly seemed long & slim. Long legs and arms, with big hands and big feet to match. Long slim fingers. Long slim feet & toes which she stared at, fascinated, every time she caught a glimpse of them.

She’d instantly known that their friendship would change in future. She’d never thought of Sirius as anything except a little schoolboy buddy, but over the summer he’d emerged from his post-pubescent chrysalis as a hot, sexy teenager with shoulder-length hair, designer stubble and attitude with a capital A.

He’d always attracted a fair bit of female attention over the years. He’d never really acted on it though, too caught up in Marauders mischief to care.

But holy hell...now? All the girlies were going to go batshit crazy over him.

He’d also - right there on the train no less! - boxed her into a corner and immediately started flirting up a storm, which had mildly terrified her. This was the guy who, only two months before, had been a kind of surrogate brother figure in her life for the previous 5 years.

Now he was making sexual innuendoes and inviting her into his bed every five minutes. She just couldn’t figure out his agenda.

As predicted, at the start of term, the Hogwarts female population - irrespective of year - quickly lined up behind Sirius and adoringly dogged his every footstep. As did a fair proportion of the male population, it has to be said.

Sirius quickly accepted his new-found godlike status & revelled in it. Flirting his way around school and through classes and meals. Getting caught in broom closets, empty classrooms and corridors, snogging for Britain.

It was only 4 weeks into the new term and she already found it all mildly disgusting. Hence she’d decided to knock the flirtatious idiot back down a peg or two every chance she got.

However, his flirting behaviour with her hadn’t dialled back at all, if anything it had increased, and this is what she was pondering on.

Her name was suddenly yelled right into her face. Lily was staring at her as if she was an alien.

“Uh, sorry - what?”

“We’ve been waiting on you to answer Mary’s question, for like, 15 minutes.”

“Oh shut up! I just zoned out for a minute or two.”

Mary sniggered, “And no prizes for guessing who the subject matter of said zoning out was!!”

She sighed. “OK, OK, alright - yes - it was Sirius.”

Scoffing noises from her friends.

“Look - I just can’t get my head round the way he’s still behaving towards me. Flirting & shit.”

She shook her head, and continued, “This was my annoying little ‘school brother’ 3 months ago! So he’s either had a brain meltdown and actually fancies me, or else he’s practicing all that crap on me to then use on his fan girls! And let’s be honest, one reason’s as bad as the other!”

They both exchanged significant looks, grinning at each other.

She huffed, “What’s wrong now?! I’ve just told you what’s on my mind!”

“Can you, hand on heart, swear you don’t fancy the pants off Sirius?” asked Lily.

“Look, I can see why girls find him attractive, yeah. But you’re forgetting that for five years, he was...”

“Yeah, yeah,” interrupted Mary, rolling her eyes, “..your surrogate little brother.”

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

@omgrachwrites

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

[stylesberries]

Masterlist

Last Updated: 07/07/21

Thank you guys so much for all the love that you’re giving my writings. It makes me so happy to know that they’re people who enjoy reading things I write. I will be definitely adding to this masterlist, so this is not all you’ll get from me ;) - Hamida

♥ - indicates fluff

✪ - indicates smut

☹ - indicates angst

Bundle Of Love ♥

Harry reflecting upon his love for Y/N.

Despite the fact that you’ve only been dating for a couple of months, he still knew you better than he knew himself. Every stir and every little sound you made in your sleep. To everyone before him they were just stirs and sounds, but for him they had a meaning. He never lets them slip without noticing. He watches your every move carefully to make sure that he makes you the happiest he possibly can and even if that is the case, he still does everything possible to make sure you’re even happier.

Call Me H ✪ ♥

You both walk straight to Harry’s hotel room because you can’t keep hands off of each other anymore. (Is a logical continuation to Stay With Me, but can be read separately.)

“You’re very sweet, Harry. There is just one problem.”

Your eyes become a bottomless well and Harry feels himself drowning in its waters. The curiosity grows in him when he hears mystery in the way the words leave your mouth.

“What problem?” He whispers innocently, his eyes darting at you.

“I really want to fuck you.”

City Lights ♥

Harry asks you a very important question as you drive through the streets of Rome.

The hand wrapped around your side, carefully going in circles, the repeating motions slowly soothing your anxiety.

Harry lowered his head and his lips touched the top of your ears. The warm breath created vibrations against your skin and sent a charge of electricity through your body.

I really love you.

Daddy ✪

Harry wins a Grammy. You weren’t able to be there. Or were you?

“Aren’t you coming in?” Harry asked Jeff as he exited the car, his hand wrapped under his new Grammy.

“I’m not. Enjoy the night, man. You deserve it.” Jeff spoke weirdly as he closed the door behind Harry and waved at him with a suspicious smile on his face.

“Enjoy my night? Don’t you want to come in and drink with me a bit befo-” Harry spoke as he watched the car with Jeff in it drive off.

Egocentric ♥ ☹

Memories of a fight with Harry overflow you, as you wander around the house and end up playing Fine Line on vinyl.

As the first few seconds of the song echoed through the room, I found myself being dragged into a different atmosphere. The one my mental state wouldn’t let me go in without crying.

All of the insecurities and doubts, that I have been overflown with, came over me and dragged me down with them.

Fireflies ♥

Harry has been acting weird for a couple of weeks, but when y/n finally finds out the truth, it’s far from what she assumed.

“Harry, what’s behind your back?” You asked straightforwardly.

He looked uncomfortable and seemed to have been taken aback by your question.

“It’s um-” He brought his hands forward. They held a black folder visibly full of papers. “It’s m’folder with song ideas.” He seemed unsure of the statement himself, but you put the blame on the fact, that he was left dumbfounded by your actions. What was that about though?

Flower Field ♥

Harry accidentally breaks his favorite guitar, which makes it an obvious choice of a present for his upcoming birthday.

“Is it small enough for me to carry it around?” Harry tried his best to guess what exactly you were getting him. He’d been like this since the early morning when you wouldn’t tell him what you’ve gotten for him.

“It’s not small, but you can carry it around.” It was the first question, for which your answer wasn’t exactly a “no”, so Harry smiled, thinking he’s finally onto something. The party took place in a closed down restaurant that you all would go to once in a while. There weren’t many guests. Just the closest friends. “Knowing Harry, it’s probably hundreds of people.” You thought.

Full Of You ✪

It’s your birthday and Harry has an idea of a birthday present.

Your thoughts were interrupted by Harry’s hold tightening around your body and his face snuggling into the crook of your neck. You whined, fighting for a couple more well-earned minutes of sleep.

“Nopies, bunny. Don’t whine at me. We have a long day ahead of us.” Harry excitedly informs you and lets his hands snake over your sides. Your boyfriend moves his mouth over to your ear and whispers this time. “It’s my love’s birthday today.”

Gucci Jumpsuit ♥

Harry pampering Y/N despite her attempts to stop him.

“They have the heels you love. The black ones, you know? They have those in pastel colours. Wouldn’t y’love that?”

“Harr-” I tried to say something in between his Ted Talk on why exactly I have to try those shoes he is talking about.

“And we could look for jeans f’you. You wanted wide leg jeans, remember?” He continued, without pausing even for a second.

Heat ✪

Your boi’s too vanilla for your liking. He refuted that tho.

As he filled you, even more tears started flowing. Your vision turned blurry and your head felt light. All you could feel was the stretch you craved so badly.

“Daddy, please fuck me.” Words leaving your mouth without a single thought in your head. You didn’t care that you’ve never got to ask him if he was actually into such things before, acting purely on instinct. All you wanted was to be filled. All you needed was the sensation of being penetrated by the man you loved.

Love On Tour ♥ ✪

Your parents are coming to meet him but you chose to keep it a secret.

“He deserves to know.” You thought. He was going to meet them today anyways. “He won’t have time to get too nervous, right?” You kept debating on whether or not you should tell him the truth.

Your brows furrowed and your lips were pressed tight together. Harry took a look down at you, and his brows creased as well.

My Princess ✪

You tag along with Harry to his Vogue shoot. The dress is definitely a turn on.

“Ah, please,” Harry whined, letting you wrap your arm around his waist holding him from running away from your wet tongue.

“Please what, baby?” You teased him further, running your nails against the wet trace along his spine.

“Please, touch me.” He begged, pushing his back against your chest in hopes that your arm would move a little lower and touch his crotch even though he knew how much you hated it when he wasn’t patient.

Rainbow Cardigan ♥ ✪

Harry loses his favorite cardigan. You learn how to knit. (Based on the JW Anderson cardigan knitting trend.)

“I cannot lose it. I can’t. What if it’s lost forever? How could I let it out of my sight?” The sight of him so genuinely saddened by the situation made you let out a sigh. You were full of compassion and understanding, trying to remember the last time you saw the poor cardigan. Failing to do so, you turned to your crushed boyfriend and tried to get information out of him.

Right Choice ✪

Harry has a moustache now and you want to get it sticky.

“I’m all for it, so it’s up to you.” Harry nodded and started applying the shaving cream onto his cheeks.

“Just know that you have to eat me out whenever you’re done here because I’m dripping.”

Shattered Glass ☹

You feel overwhelmed by intrusive thoughts and memories of traumatic events. Glass is shattered.

“Hm?” You let your eyes fall on his gentle and almost all-knowing expression.

“I said I know what you’re doing. You’re letting things get to you. I know you can’t stop the flow of thoughts but at least let me know what’s bothering you so I can try to help.” He spoke softly and chose every next word with care as he knew that if he picked the wrong words you would close off even more.

Stay With Me ♥

You meet Harry and fall in love to the art and architecture of Rome.

“You looked very passionate and I would love it if we could sit and discuss it maybe? I know it sounds weird coming from a stranger-” He paused.

“You bet, crazy man.” You thought to yourself and giggled softly, realizing that the possibility that this ball of nerves is a human trafficker is close to zero.

Vegan Cupcakes ☹

You and Harry have been quarantined together and he needs space.

Spending most of the spring together didn’t feel as suffocating for Harry as summer did. Your classes were over and you didn’t take a summer semester, so your time fully revolved around him. Which he liked.

In the beginning.

Until you clung on him like a koala for days and made him cuddle you all the time, which he enjoyed a lot until it became a routine. Harry couldn’t even tell you how he felt because it would hurt your feelings, so he didn’t say anything at all, keeping it all to himself.

Wooden Floor ☹ ♥

Reuniting with Harry after being apart during the quarantine made you realize something.

When I met Harry, and we started dating, I promised myself to give him space and not suffocate him with my love, for I was scared, that he would leave me like everyone before him did.

I had never been loved so much. I had never experienced what I gave people myself. The endless love and loyalty. Harry gave me his all, and I started feeling bad for not showing all of the love I had for him, and yet I still feared losing him because of my obsessive nature.

I sat at the kitchen table and scrolled through our texts with Harry.

© all right belong to stylesberries. do not repost or modify.

[moralesispunk]

Chapter One - Leaping the Wall

Gif credit @padfootwantsatummyrub​

Masterlist / Next chapter

Summary: You have never struggled with playing the role of a Princess before, walking with your head held high and able to talk to anyone placed in front of you. However, as you walk into the Great Hall and your eyes fall upon a mysterious guard you find yourself forgetting how to do both.

Warnings: none but this (along with the rest of my blog) is 18+

Words count: 3.8k (a shorter chapter to start with!)

A/N: a few of you on the Pero tag from the last fic asked to be moved across to this new fic but if you would like removed just let me know!

The King's hall was the grandest of all the rooms in the castle. Not only was it the largest, fit for balls that could host every lord and lady, baker and blacksmith, farmer and priest in the land, it was also decorated with the shiniest of golds and richest of reds.

With every step you took towards the the platform at the back wall, your shoes clicked loudly from echoing around the room. Your father was sat on the large throne, well suited to the chair that loomed over the rest of the room, sitting tall and confident as he gazed down at you and your brothers.

You had practiced your walk in this room since taking your first steps while your father gave advice to the people of the kingdom. You would come here at least once a week as a young girl, walking the length of the room over and over again as your Lady-in-waiting called to tilt your chin higher and hold your shoulders back further.

You had never understood why your father had wasted so many breaths on telling you that one of the most important things a Princess had to learn was a commanding walk; rolling your eyes as he told your Lady-in-waiting to have you practice another hour. It wasn’t until this very moment when you caught the attention of one of the guards that you were glad for all the hours spent holding your head high. You could feel his eyes on you more than any other in the room, as though his gaze sent a warmth straight to your chest. No matter how hard you forced your eyes to stay forward on your father you could not stop your head from turning towards the guard as he stood behind the throne.

He was a tall man with a chest covered in metal chainlink armour and legs hidden by dark leather trousers. He was the most intimidating man your eyes had ever seen, his hand resting on a sword by his side and eyes following your every movement. His eyes were dark, darker than the jet black hair that covered his head and was scattered across his face in a full moustache and stubble around his jaw. However, his most prominent feature was not his dark eyes or wicked scowl or even his nose that seemed to be carved from the very same stone that built the castle walls but the scar that ran down his left eye. It was a pale pink, weathered and no longer a fresh scar, but it still stood out against his tanned skin.

You almost lost your footing as you kept your eyes on his, the rise and fall of his chest the only proof that he was in fact a man and not a statue of a brave warrior.

When you reached the front of the throne you stopped and forced your eyes towards your father, bending one leg behind the other before you gently curtsied. Awaiting the wave of his hand you felt your breathing get heavier as your head was bent towards the ground, feeling the guard's eyes still on you and burying holes into the back of your neck. You father called your name and you stood back up, taking all your energy to force your eyes towards your father.

"Richard, Robert, you too," he called to your little brothers, although you were not sure you could still call them that as they stood much taller than you did now, "I wish for you to meet my new guards in light of the growing threat against Scotiae. William Garin of Ireland and Pero Tovar of Spain."

Pero.

The Irishman, William, bowed his head to you and your brothers before offering a playful wink and smile as he did so. The Spaniard did not move, his eyes staying on you as your father's hand waved towards him during the introductions.

"Should you have any worries about your protection, you can go to them. Richard, Robert, you are free to go, I have something to talk to your sister about in private." 

Your brothers bowed again, a politeness only used in the presence of others. Behind closed doors your family differed from many other Royal families, especially since your mother had passed. You would hug and tell one another you loved each other. Your father would also let you sit in on your brother’s sword and archery lessons and made them go to your ballroom dancing lessons. He told you that as the eldest you had to know just as much as the men who ran the other Kingdoms and he would smirk at the reaction of whatever Lord was quickly shot down by your quick wit or battle tactics when they dared question them. 

The other guards, minus Pero and William, left the room with your brothers. Once the large wooden doors at the front of the hall finally closed your shoulders relaxed and you ran up towards the stage.

"Papa," you quietly cheered as he stood and hugged you in his arms, "how was the hunt?" you asked as you pulled away.

"Magnificent," he sighed, sitting back in his throne while holding your hand as you stood in front of him, "the butchers seemed happy with the catch, we should only need another one before Winter comes."

"Good. So, you had something you wanted to talk to me about?"

"Yes," he sighed, his free hand reaching up to squeeze his nose between his eyes for a moment, "I am not getting any younger, this hunt proved far more difficult than any I have been on before. I do not want to leave you without a husband."

"Papa," you sighed, letting go of his hand and turning to face out into the hall so to avoid his gaze, "I do not want to be set up with some Lord I have never met who only wishes to marry me to rule this land. I want to marry for love, like you and Mother."

"Not everyone can be as lucky as we were, you are getting older and-"

"And what? A Lord will not want to marry me in another year? In five? I am not that old Papa," you rolled your eyes as you turned back to face him.

"Older than most other unmarried woman in this land," he pointed out.

"Yes but I am fortunate in that I do not need to marry for stability. I wish everyone could marry for love but if I am one of the lucky few who has that luxury would it not be foolish of me not to take that chance," you raised you eyebrows towards him.

You could not ignore the way the William was clearly enjoying the back and forth between you and your father as his eyes flashed between you both. You sent a wink his way and earned a chuckle in response before your eyes moved over to Pero. His face was not as light, the scowl still covering his face as he watched the conversation and it only hardened when he noticed the wink you sent his partner.

"Mr Garin, would you not agree with your King," your father looked over his shoulder.

"I certainly would not disagree with him, Your Highness," he bowed his head slightly, "but to marry for love, well… that is a luxury I would not pass up either."

Pero shot William a look you could not quite make out as William stood back to his position and you looked at your father.

"Give me one year, Papa, and then we can discuss again," you said, making a point of not promising anything more than revisiting this conversation.

"You are just like your mother," your father laughed before standing and bringing you into another hug, "I won’t be at dinner tonight, just you and your brothers."

"Of course Papa," you hugged back before walking back down to the main floor, "goodbye Mr Garin, Mr Tovar," you nodded back to the two men before walking off the platform.

As you walked out of the hall, the back of your neck burned as though a candle was being held near the skin. You tried to keep your head up and back straight but you could not stop the way your knees felt weaker with every step. You wished to find out more about the new, mysterious guard who had so little to say.

As you pushed the heavy wooden door open, you heard it knock against something followed by two muffled groans.

"Could you two be any more nosy," you put your hands out to help them both back to their feet.

"Father is worried you are going to become a spinster," Richard joked as he stood up fully.

"If I were you I would be worried that as soon as I am married he will be working on setting you two up next," you started walking down the hall.

"Well, we still have at least a year to worry about that, let's hope you manage to get someone to fall in love with you by then," your youngest brother Robert teased and you punched his arm, "More pressing, the two new guards? Perfect opportunity for a sneak out tonight," he rubbed his arm.

"You in?" Richard turned to you.

"Do I ever say no?" you laughed before the three of you reached the split in the hall.

You headed down to your quarters, your mind drifting back to Pero as you walked through the long hall. There was something about him but you weren't quite sure what. His friend - or partner - seemed friendly, objectively attractive and a little flirty, but Pero. He was border-line rude, rough around the edges, stared straight into your soul without so much as blinking, but you could not stop the attraction to him. There was something tying you to him from the moment you walked into the hall.

As you walked into your chamber, your lady-in-waiting Maria was filling your bath with hot water from the pot over the fire. Your chamber was lighter than all the other rooms in the castle, most of them covered in deep reds and purples. However, as you were scared of the dark when a little girl your father had your walls painted white, having the gold mirrors and wooden furniture as decoration letting the moon light up the room more.

"I heard your father has two new guards?" Maria's voice called from the fire.

"News travels fast," you laughed as you sat on the edge of your bed.

"Handsome?"

"One is definitely your type, from Ireland I think my father said," you giggled and lay back on the bed, letting your legs dangle off the side.

"An Irishman," she sighed, reaching for your hands and helping you stand to untie the back of your dress and corset, "and the other?"

"He's- he’s-"

"You're blushing!" she turned you to face her.

"I am not," you gasped as you stepped out of your skirts, "he was very handsome. Intimidating and has a scar down one eye," you traced over your own eye to show Maria where it was, "but very-"

"Handsome, you said" she laughed, helping you in to the bath.

The water splashed over the edge as your sank your body down to the bottom, letting the water that was borderline too hot wash over your skin. You closed your eyes for a moment, sighing as the warmth enveloped you as it washed the day away. 

"Enough about the new guards. My brothers are planning to sneak out and go to the Inn tonight, will you join?" you leaned your arms on the side of the tub to look up at Maria.

"I heard the sailors have docked for the night," Maria tilted your head back and poured the water over your hair, running her fingers through your locks to untangle any knots.

"So, that is a..?" you trailed off.

"Yes!" she laughed and your shoulders shook.

"My father is retiring to his chambers early. We can leave as soon as the sun sets," you closed your eyes and began to drag a soap soaked cloth over your body.

After looking our your clothes, finding a white and grey dress that came to your mid-calf and tying your hair back in a cloth, you sighed as you sat on your bed to slip your feet into thick socks and boots. You knew you were lucky, the colourful wardrobe in the corner of the room one that many women dreamed of owning. It was full of dresses in all colours - from bright blues to deep purples, dark greens to rich reds. As you sat on the edge of the bed in clothes much plainer and more comfortable, you let your body stretch out without the usual restriction you suffered.

"So much easier to sit and breathe without the tightest corset on," you sighed.

"Oh the pain of a princess," Maria laughed and pulled you to your feet, "where are your brother's eating tonight?"

"Probably stealing from the kitchen before it reaches my father's chambers," you steered Maria out of your room and towards the kitchen, knowing you were going in the right direction when you heard your brother's laughs and the shouts from Mrs Berry the cook who was no doubt chasing them around the kitchen.

"Aren't you a bit old to be acting like this," you said as you opened the doors to the kitchen.

"Mrs Berry loves it," Richard replied, hopping up on the counter with a bowl of stew in his hand.

"Keeps her entertained," Robert finished, jumping up next to him.

"You're lucky I love you kids. There are two more bowls up there, and if you wash them once you're finished I won't tell your father I seen you," Mrs Berry winked at you.

"Thank you," the four of you called back as she carried a tray out of the kitchen, full of food most likely for your father.

"So, did she tell you about the new guards," Richard turned to Maria.

"Yes, she told me a little about the Irish one and a lot about the Spaniard," Maria laughed as she spooned some stew into her mouth, making you roll your eyes.

"William and Pero," you corrected her.

"I wouldn't mind being caught sneaking out by William but I think Pero would stab me," Robert laughed.

"Are we done now?" you interrupted, pulling a cloak over your dress as you walked to the back door, ignoring the teasing that came from behind you as you walked into the cool Autumn eve.

Sneaking out was easiest through the kitchen, the walls not as guarded at this side of the castle to make it easy for the staff to come and go. You and your brothers learned this in your early years of sneaking out, getting caught many a time trying to run behind a cart through the main gates before quickly being dragged back in by the ears. Outside the kitchen, there was only a small wall to climb before you reached the streets of the Kingdom. 

Richard and Robert helped you and Maria over, letting you stand on their bent knees before swinging your legs over, before pulling themselves up to follow once you were safely down on the other side. You held the cloak that bit tighter around you as you weaved through the streets towards the Inn, the wind whistling down the narrow streets. Maria ran up beside you and linked your arms as Robert and Richard followed closely.

"Wonder if the sailors are there yet," her eyes lit up as the Inn came into sight.

"Sounds like it," you laughed as the shouting and singing poured into the street when the Inn door opened ahead.

You ran up to catch the door before it closed again and were glad to spot a free table near the back. You and Maria moved through the busy floor, apologising for every drink you almost knocked or toe you stepped on, while your brother's went to the bar. With the many bodies and candles to light the room it was a lot warmer in here than in the cold streets and so you quickly shrugged the cloak off your shoulders, taking Maria's as well and hanging them up on the hooks behind you.

While waiting on your brother's to bring back some drinks, you and Maria scanned the room looking at the visitors to the city. Your eyes landed on two bodies in the corner, wearing much darker clothes than the rest of the sailors. You squirmed in your seat to get a better look and soon noticed the familiar scar that ran down one of the men's faces.

"Shit," you hissed, turning your face away from them.

"What?"

"William and Pero, my father's new guards, at the bar," you explained.

Maria sat up taller in her seat, searching for them as you cowered lower.

"The blonde one is my type," she laughed, turning back to you.

You noticed your brothers walking back to the table and quickly pulled them down to the two other seats facing away from William and Pero.

"Wha-"

"Your father's guards," Maria explained, nodding towards the bar.

"Just our luck," Richard sighed handing the beers to you and Maria.

The four of you decided to stay, hoping they wouldn’t see you amongst the busy bar. After a few sips of beer, the others were soon forgetting about your father's guards and their laughs began to grow louder and louder, rivalling the many sailors in the room. You couldn't quite concentrate on their conversation as Robert and Richard bickered about which one of them the barmaid had been flirting with. Instead, your mind wandered back to Pero at the bar with your eyes looking up to search for him every other second.

He sat scowling at the bar and you began to wonder whether his face knew how to make any other expression. Every so often, William laughed and patted Pero on the back and he would roll his eyes before taking another drink. You watched as his Adam's Apple bobbed when he swallowed, finding your mouth getting dry and reaching for your own drink every time he did.

When you looked up at him this time, his head had already started to turn to look around the room. You couldn’t move your gaze away quick enough before his eyes landed on you. You were stuck, unable to peel your eyes away from his as you held your breath, waiting to see who would move first.

Pero did, but not before letting his eyes stare deep into yours without so much as blinking for a moment that went on forever while the buzz of the bar seemed to grow silent. He quickly stood from the bar, walking through the crowd while being followed by a questioning William before stopping in front of your table. His face was still covered in a scowl as he placed his beer on the table between your brothers.

"Shit," Richard breathed, looking up at Pero and William.

"Oh," William laughed, noticing why Pero had stood so suddenly from the bar, "sneaking out?" he pulled a chair round to sit next to Maria, grabbing another for Pero to sit by his other side… which was also happened to be by your side.

The four of you gave each other questioning glances for a moment, wondering why instead of throwing you and Maria over their shoulders and grabbing Robert and Richard with their free hand before bustling you back to the castle, the two guards had now joined you at the table. Before you could silently question any further, William introduced himself and Pero to Maria, Pero only giving a grunt and nod in her direction before looking back around the room.

The conversation went back to normal, you along with your brothers and Maria thankful that neither of the men had decided to drag you back to the castle just yet. The only ones not joining in the conversation were you and Pero. He didn't seem like the talking type and so appeared at peace sitting back and letting his eyes roam around the room but your voice had been lost, unable to even think about talking as you could feel the heat coming from him as your arms almost touched with how close your chairs were.

As you tried to steady your suddenly very shaky hands while reaching for your glass, a sailor wandered up to your table, stinking of ale and bumping into tables and chairs as he went. He tried for your attention as he placed a hand over yours and leaned down to whisper something in your ear that you didn't quite catch as you were too busy trying to ignore him. Pero looked around, his eyes catching yours again and noticing how you shuddered away from the sailor's touch.

"I think you should stop bothering the lady," Pero's voice was quiet but commanding as his eyes moved to the man next to you.

It was the first time you had heard his voice and even though it was harsh as he spat his words to the sailor, you were hanging off every word, wanting to hear him talk more to listen to the beauty he carried in each word.

"She doesn't have a problem with it, do you?" the man nudged your shoulder and you pulled away.

"You think that because she is too polite to say otherwise. I will only say it one more time, stop bothering the lady," Pero hissed.

The sailor pulled back, raising his hands in surrender as he walked away from the table. You watched him leave before turning to thank Pero but his head was already back facing straight ahead.

Not much later, Robert's head was nodding to sleep as he tried to finish the beer in his hand while Richard and Maria were talking far too loud for being in such a crowded space. You winced every time the barmaid turned her head towards your table, the last thing you wanted was to be thrown out and your father to put you and your brothers on night watch to stop from sneaking out again.

"How about we head back?" William said noticing your look, standing and grabbing your and Maria's coats from the hooks behind you.

"No," Maria moaned but still standing to let William place the cloak over her shoulders.

You let William move round the table and place a cloak over your own shoulders, thanking him with a nod before noticing how he looked at Pero while sending a wink your way. While Pero stood back and watched, his scowl looking that bit harsher now, as William managed to wrangle your two little brothers out of the Inn. The cold air whistled into the room as William opened the door, carting your brothers and Maria out before you and Pero walked behind the rest.

You tried to keep your head down and avoid Pero's eyes that were constantly moving back to you as you prayed that he wouldn’t tell your father about finding you tonight. Looked up, you found Maria leaning into William's side with their arms locked as she told a story about her mother loud enough for all the houses on the street to hear. You smiled and wrapped your cloak around you tighter but suddenly your foot caught on the uneven cobbles and you tripped forward. You couldn't unwrap your arms quick enough and so closed your eyes preparing to hit the hard concrete but the fall never came. Two strong hands were wrapped around your waist and held you from the ground, keeping you steady for a moment before lifting you back to full height.

No one else had noticed your trip, the group a lot further ahead as you opened your eyes with Pero was staring back at you, the scowl still firmly on his face as he looked down at you to make sure you hadn't been hurt.

"I-I," your words failed you again as you stared up at him and he rolled his eyes before letting you go.

"Be careful, Princesa," he tutted before marching on again.

It took you a moment to get your feet moving and as you waited you watched him get closer to joining the group. When he reached William you managed to find your voice, whispering a thank you into the air and hoping the wind would carry it far enough for him to hear. Just as you put your first foot forward, Pero’s head began to turn to look over his shoulder. His eyes caught yours and you swore they were lighter than before.

There were crinkles by the side of his eye and a dimple on his cheek next to where his lips had turned up to a small smile, but just as quick as it was there it was gone as he turned back to look at the street ahead.

//

Permanent tag // @phoenixhalliwell @asta-lily @hb8301 @princess76179 @sarahjkl82-blog @spideysimpossiblegirl @blackmarketmummy

Pero tag // @bonktime @justpedropascal @coldlilheart @shadowolf993 @stylelovechild @frostsoldier @idreamofboobear @artsymaddie @ajeff855 @strangelittlenobody @elegantduckturtle @roxypeanut @shedobeclownin

[incandescentlywarm]

The Moustachioed Hero Complex

Even though it's been almost two weeks since Din showed Luke his face, (voluntarily, not just when he told his son goodbye) Like still feels like he's not allowed to look at it. So when he walks in the fresher and sees Din shaving his overgrown beard, he casts his eyes away quickly. Din, a keen observe notices. "You don't have to worry any more." He drawls, shaving his cheek.

"I know, but it still feels wrong almost. After over 2 years of not seeing you, I still can't believe it." The moustached man grins and winks at his husband. Luke smiles and sits on the closed toilet. "You're not going to shave everything are you?"

"Why? Do you think I should?" Din considers his face closer in the mirror. "I've had at least the moustache for... I don't even know how long. Maybe it's time for a change." Din grabs the small comb and brushes it down.

"NO!" Luke practically shouts it. The bounty hunter cuts his eyes.

"You feel strongly about this I see."

Luke rubs his hands over his face sheepishly and tries to hide. His secret is basically out now. "Uh yeah well you could say I have a type."

Din grins and turns slowly "Oh really now? A type! Okay I have to know the details now." Luke is growing red with more embarrassment.

"Ugh no, it's fine. I just uh like your facial hair is all. No type. No need to worry about me looking at other men."

Din's forehead crinkles, "Oh I'm not worried about that at all. We're stuck together for life baby." His barefoot taps Luke's booted foot. "Seriously though. Is it just the moustache?"

Luke sighs and tilts his head to look up at his husband. "Well kind of... And the dark hair. And the hero complex." Din just looks at him mischievously. "Go on." The Jedi mumbles "myfirstboyfriendhaddarkhairandamoustchetoookay."

Din has been around Luke long enough to be able to translate the jedi's mumbles, and laughs, "No way! You never told me!"

"Well it never came up!" Luke says, exasperated. "And besides I only saw your face ages ago and for like a minute and I tried to forget it out of respect even though I never really did because wow you're gorgeous and then I didn't actually see your face until like a week or so ago and I didn't want you to think I was thinking about Biggs when I was making love with you so yeah." Luke snapped his mouth shut after his word vomit concluded.

"Biggs, huh?" Din grins and leans down and kisses his forehead, getting shaving cream in the blond hair. "It's okay cyar'ika. I love learning about Luke before he became a Jedi. It's adorable. And I'll keep the moustache. Not because of Biggs, although I do want to hear about your first boyfriend more. But because I know you like how it tickles when we kiss."

Luke blushes and buried his head into Din's bare stomach. "I love you." Din chuckles, "I know."

[imagine-a-life-like-this]

Travel To My Heart (K.SJ)

Warnings : mentions of cheating, a failing relationship, talk about a club

Word Count : 3030

Synopsis : she only meant to travel for a month and find herself before returning to her boyfriend, but instead she left for 6 months and fell in love with another man.

“My travel buddy, I’ll help you find yourself; I promise.” He smiled, holding his pinky out towards me. I linked my pinky with his, smiling back.

           “I’ll help you have a breath of fresh air; I promise.”

           “I have to work late.” Namjoon gave me a quick kiss goodbye, leaving without another word. I looked through all the pictures I took on my vacation, most of them being of the handsome man I met on the plane. The man who made me realize just how wrong my relationship with Namjoon is. When I left, I wanted to work everything out, fix the things that were wrong and come out stronger than before. But meeting Kim Seokjin changed everything.

           “I figured you’d be hungry after your nap.” My eyes were wide as I scanned all the dishes set out on the table of our Airbnb.

           “You made all of this?” I asked, looking over to Jin as I took a seat across from him. He nodded sheepishly as he scratched the back of his neck. “I don’t even know where to start, everything looks delicious.” I exclaimed as I grabbed the chopsticks next to my bowl of rice.

           “Try this.” He said, taking some food with his chopsticks and placing on top of my rice. I smiled at him as I took it in my own chopsticks and placed it in my mouth, practically moaning at how good it tasted.

           “This is the best thing I’ve ever eaten.” I could see the blush rising to his cheeks at the compliment. He tried to hide it and dig into the food himself, but I noticed it and couldn’t help but smile at the affect I had on him. “You’ve got to cook more often during this trip.”

           “Deal.”

           I’m not sure exactly when it happened. When my feelings began to shift from platonic to romantic; maybe they were never platonic to begin with. All I knew is one morning I woke up in the same bed as him, the sun shining in through the window, illuminating his face, and I couldn’t help but to think about how handsome he was. His eyes had soon fluttered open, and a part of me believed he could hear the pounding of my heart and woke up. He smiled when he saw I was staring at him, and it took everything in me not to kiss him right in that moment. I had a boyfriend waiting for me back home.

           A smart person would have decided to end their trip then, go back home and reconcile with their significant other, but I stayed. I stayed for another 2 months with the man I was slowly falling for. I stayed and made memories that would last me a lifetime. Memories of laughter and smiles. Memories of waves crashing on the beach and hot chocolate moustaches.

           I swear I only meant to leave for a month to find who I am without Namjoon, our relationship starting in junior high and lasting all the way into adulthood. I swear I only meant to discover myself and return to his side, happy and in love. But instead I left for 6 months and fell in love with another man.

           All the arguments and silent treatments started to have no effect on me. I no longer longed for the way things used to be, back when we first fell in love. Instead I longed for the man I walked away from. I longed for the late-night drives, singing at the top of our lungs completely out of tune. I longed for the lazy days in bed, watching dumb movies on his laptop with an array of snacks surrounding us. I longed for mornings waking up to his face and knowing everything was okay. I longed for Kim Seokjin.

           “What are you making?” I asked, taking a seat on one of the barstools at the island. Jin looked up from the bowl he was mixing ingredients in for only a second before going back to what he was doing.

           “Brownies.” He answered simply with a smile on his face. “Want to help?” I perked up and quickly jumped off the stool and rushed to his side, ready to help. “You can start mixing the dry ingredients into that bowl.” He told me, pointing at a bowl on the counter, surrounded by bags of ingredients.

           “Oops.” I said after only a couple minutes. Jin stopped what he was doing to see what I had somehow messed up on. When I turned to face him, he immediately burst into laughter, seeing me covered in flour. I pouted as I grabbed another handful and threw it at him. “It’s not so funny now, is it?” I teased.

           “Oh you did it now, princess.” He smirked, and that’s how the food fight began. The entire kitchen, ourselves included, was covered in different ingredients meant to make brownies. The brownies never got made, but we sat on the floor, our backs up against the wall, and we laughed. We laughed until there was tears in our eyes and pains in our stomachs. We laughed until we couldn’t laugh anymore, and then I rested my head on his shoulder, and he rested his head on top of mine.

           Namjoon came home late like he said he would, but it didn’t bother me like it used to. It didn’t matter to me if he was actually at work, or if he had met someone else. I almost didn’t notice the smell of perfume that I didn’t own. Our relationship was over a long time ago, but neither one of us wanted to let go. We worked so hard to get to where we are. We’d fought through so much to just let it all go.

           But it was time to let go. Which is why all my things were packed into suitcases and boxes. Which is why Yoongi was outside in his truck, waiting for me to say goodbye. “I guess this is for the best.” He said, taking in how empty the house looks. I wanted to cry, to have some kind of reaction to the end of 13-year long relationship. But I felt nothing. I was numb.

           “It is.” I answered, picking up a couple bags and heading out to put them in my best friend’s truck. Both Yoongi and Namjoon helped pack everything up. And as Yoongi got back into the driver’s seat, Namjoon and I stood in front of the door, saying our final goodbyes.

           “I guess this is goodbye.” I nodded, looking down at our feet before looking up at him again.

           “I hope you have a good life, Joon.”

           “I hope you do too, Y/N.” And with that, I got into Yoongi’s truck and Namjoon went into our, his, house.

           “How do you feel?” Yoongi asked as we pulled away, driving to his place that he was kind enough to let me crash at until I could get my own.

           “Good.” I smiled and looked over at him. “I feel good.”

           “Want to go to the aquarium?” Jin asked as we ate breakfast. My eyes went wide as I nodded as fast as I could. He chuckled, shaking his head at my enthusiasm, before clearing the table. “I’ll clean up, go get ready and we can head out.” I tried to protest, saying I should clean up since he cooked, but he wouldn’t have it. “I want to spoil you today.” He smiled, pushing me out of the kitchen. And he did.

           It was my first time at the aquarium, and I ran around like a little kid, pointing out all the fishes. I watched as Jin took pictures of me, saying something about how pretty I looked when I was excited. We got a couple strangers to take pretty pictures of the two of us as well. But Jin took the most pictures when we went to the area where we could touch different animals. I pet the stingrays and the starfish. I held on to every fact the instructor told us.

           I’m sure I talked Jin’s ear off for an hour when we went to dinner afterwards. But he just sat and stared as I went on and on, a smile on my face. He showed me some of the pictures he took, and I whined at how bad I looked. But he told me I was pretty in all of them.

           We got ice cream after dinner and walked around as the sun set on the horizon. “Thank you.” I said, throwing away my empty ice cream cup and sliding my hand into his.

           “Anything for you, princess.”

           I wanted to reach out to him, tell him things are over with Namjoon, tell him I love him. But I had no way how. Namjoon made me delete his number when I got home. We agreed to work things out, so he deleted the number of the girl he was seeing when I was gone, and I deleted Jin’s. A fresh start as Namjoon put it.

           Yoongi asked me if I wanted to just stay with him. He said his apartment felt more like home with me around and my stuff cluttering his shelves. It seemed more lived in, and he liked that feeling. He was gone a lot, working at the studio, or performing at some club. “It’s nice to come home and having it not feel so empty.” He told me, and so I stayed.

           Now that I was single, Yoongi would drag me to his performances. Namjoon and I went to a couple when Yoongi first started out, wanting to support his dream. But as our relationship got rocky and fights were more frequent, we stopped. I couldn’t help but smile when I saw how large the crowd was, nearly tripling the amount when he first began.

           “I’m so proud of you.” I beamed at him as he got ready to go onstage. He tried to fight the smile and keep his reputation as cold-hearted Agust D, but he’s never been able to keep that façade around me.

           “Are you going to stay back here?” He asked as someone told him he was on in 5 minutes.

           “I want the full experience; it’s been too long. Besides, I saw the guys right at the front. I’ll join them.” He nodded and I took my leave, meeting the friends he introduced me to a few weeks prior in the front row.

           “Hey Y/N!” Jimin exclaimed, pulling me in for a hug. I greeted all of them, excited to see my best friend on stage again.

           “You’ve come so far!” I exclaimed as the 6 of us walked down the block to a 24/7 diner for a celebratory dinner. “Like seriously, Yoongs, you were incredible. You were meant to be on stage!”

           “Oh shut up.” Yoongi said, but I could see the rose colour dusting his cheeks and the smile he was trying to hide.

           “The effect you have on Yoongi hyung is incredible.” Jungkook joked, playfully bumping Yoongi with his shoulder. I linked my arm through Yoongi’s as we walked, something I used to do when we were growing up, before Namjoon and I started dating.

           “I missed this.” I thought out loud, and the others just looked at Yoongi and I with small smiles dancing across their lips. We walked the rest of the way in silence, but that didn’t last long before the younger boys burst into stories of dumb decisions they’ve made. Hoseok and Yoongi joined in with some of their stories, and I just listened to all of them, hanging on to every word they all said, laughing along with them. And all I could think is that Jin would absolutely love them.

           Jin would join in with some of his own stories, making all of them laugh. He would critique the food as if he was a famous food critic, putting on a performance as he did it, accent, and all. He would join in the teasing of the other boys, but then make sure everyone had enough to eat before we left.

           Yes, Jin would get along well with my new friends and my best friend. He would make it seem like we’ve known each other for years. He would make all of us wonder how this hasn’t been the way it’s always been. Because everything would fall perfectly into place like this is the way it should have been.

           I wish I didn’t choose Namjoon over Seokjin all those months ago.

           One afternoon when Yoongi was at the studio, I decided to walk around, maybe find a quiet place to read and just get out of the apartment. I packed my book into my purse and put in my earbuds before leaving, bopping my head along to the music playing.

           I checked out a couple stores as I wandered before stumbling across a small café. Looking through the window, it seemed almost empty, but it was practically calling to me. A bell dinged when I opened the door, catching the attention of the barista behind the counter. I took in the rustic décor and smiled at the familiar scent of coffee. “Just an iced latte please, to stay.” I ordered, smiling softly at the teenager behind the counter.

           As I waited for my drink, I looked around, taking in the whole café. There were a few customers scattered about, some chit-chatting, some working. As I scanned over the tables, my eyes stopped on a familiar face, my heart skipping a beat. An entire beat. It’s like fate called out to me this warm afternoon and placed me here at the exact time Kim Seokjin would be here.

            I grabbed my finished drink, the book I was planning to read forgotten at the bottom of my purse, and confidently walked up to the man I’ve missed every single day since we returned from vacation. “Mind if I sit?” I asked, pointing at the empty chair across from him. He looked up from his laptop, eyes widening when he saw me standing in front of him.

           “Please do.” He smiled, closing his laptop, and putting it into his bag. Silence settled around us after I sat down, neither one of us knew what to say. I knew what I wanted to tell him, but I didn’t know where to start, or if he even wanted to hear my excuses for leaving him at the airport, walking away hand in hand with Namjoon. “How’ve you been?” He settled on small talk. But it’s better than nothing. It’s better than silence.

           “Good. I’ve been really good.” I smiled. “How’ve you been?”

           “Good.” The silence settled again. I hated how awkward things were. It was never like this between us, not even when we met on the plane, agreeing to travel around together.

           “Namjoon and I broke up.” I finally said. “Our relationship had been over for a while, I think. We both fell out of love but didn’t want to make the move to leave.” I continued, fiddling with my cup of coffee, the ice slowly melting and watering it down.

           “How do you feel about that?”

           “Honestly, relieved.” He let out a small chuckle.

           “You look great, like you’ve truly found yourself.” I looked down at what I was wearing. An outfit I never dared to wear when I was with Namjoon. I grew up with him, matured with him. And it seemed like we turned into each other, becoming one single person instead of separate identities in one relationship.

           “You helped a lot. But I think finally ending things and moving out was the final straw.” I didn’t let the silence settle around us again. Instead I jumped in and told him about Yoongi and his performances. I told him about Hoseok and Jimin and Taehyung and Jungkook. I told him about all the antics they get up to and the adventures they’ve dragged me out on. I’ve done so many things I never dreamed of doing when I was with Namjoon, and I felt truly happy.

           But I stared ahead at the man I fell in love with in a foreign country, and he smiled softly as he listened to me talk about my new friends, and I knew I could be happier.

           He told me all the things he’s done since we got back. How he doesn’t put as much pressure on himself at work. All the new ideas he’s come up with that have been huge successes for his business and thanked me for helping him get out of his head.

           And I watched him talk, a small smile on my face. He seemed relaxed and happy. Things seemed to just fall back into place with us as we talked for hours, our previous plans long forgotten in each other’s company.

           It’s like we travelled back in time, back to a different country, sightseeing and getting lost but not caring. But instead we were in our home country, walking around under the stars since the café closed. Soon we were standing outside the apartment building I now lived in, but I didn’t want to say goodbye. “I want to see you again, Jin.” I said before he could turn to leave. “Namjoon made me delete your number.” I told him as I handed him my phone, an empty contact open for him to add in his number for a second time.

           “Anything for my princess.” He smiled, handing my phone back to me, his number saved once again. “I hope to see you soon.” I nodded and he left.

           I swear I only meant to leave for one month, find myself and return to Namjoon’s side and love him like I used to. Instead, I left for six months and fell in love with the perfect man.

           He meant to leave and get a breath of fresh air, travel the world, and get new ideas for his business. And while we travelled the world together, making memories that would last a lifetime, he travelled into my heart and made a home.