#(AND THEN THE PLUSH WAS ANNOUNCED AND WOULD HAVE BAT WINGS)

[heythereneighbor]

In light of a lore update this week and me being on vacation from tomorrow, I decided I would skip ahead and reveal the costumes for the boys.

Will anyone save Princess Barnaby from the vicious Wally-Dragon??

[flyingkiki]

A Very Merry Christmas (4/4)

We're ending this little series with a steamy little Christmas celebration for our favorite little birbs. Thank you all for following this series. I had a lot of fun writing this story.

Chapter Three of A Very Merry Christmas is here.

I'll focus on a few other TimRae projects and finishing a few other stories. Would you be interested in an AU?

Here's a steamy Christmas celebration, my loves!

~~~

Christmas dinner was a sin, really. It was the most delicious meal Raven ever had in her lifetime – Alfred truly did wonders in the kitchen. She still silently marveled at the normalcy of the Wayne family celebrating Christmas with a Christmas ham, creamy mashed potatoes, and array of vegetable dishes and sides, and a delirious amount of desserts. It felt strange to watch Bruce Wayne carve into the ham and gingerly place a rather large slice of ham on an annoyed Jason’s plate. The emotions in the room were strange – hurt still bubbled low and raw underneath the surface, but there was a level of protectiveness, forgiveness and care she could feel all at once with the family.

While everyone was still full and dutifully placing dishes into the dishwasher (“Alfie should not wash dishes, you little shits,”), Raven, Cass and Alfred carefully portioned off leftovers into containers for everyone to take home tomorrow.

The house smelled like Christmas as Cass steered her back into the sitting room where the large Christmas tree was bright and warm. If she blinked, Raven thought she was in an old Christmas movie as she watched Dick and Bruce settle a few more gifts under the Christmas tree. Their movements ruffled a few sprigs of the tree and Raven could smell the fresh scent of pine.

“Presents time,” Cass whispered into her ear and pushed her into the plush rug next to Tim, who easily caught Raven by the elbow and helped her settle in next to him. Cass pushed a plate stacked high with desserts into Raven’s hands, “Eat,” before bounding up to the couch to settle next to Bruce.

Raven stared at the gingerbread men and colorful thumbprint cookies warily before shooting Tim wry smile. “This is so much food,” she whispered to him, while watching Tim chuckle and pluck a colorful peanut butter Christmas cookie, his favorite, off her plate. Alfred had taught her how to make them, which thankfully turned out passable by Alfred’s standards. Tim didn’t seem to mind the burnt edges.

“We’re growing superheroes, we need our calories,” Tim said teasingly before quickly devouring the cookie.

Raven leaned into Tim, pressing into his side as they settled comfortably against each other. Curling her legs under her and feeling just a tiny bit drowsy from all the food, she carefully balanced the plate on her lap. “I don’t think I’ll fit into my uniform after all of this,” Raven breathed in resignation and took a careful bite out of a gingerbread Batman.

Tim made a dismissive sound and grabbed another peanut butter cookie while the rest of the family was busy pouring themselves glasses of eggnog and hot cocoa. “I definitely do not mind you out of your uniform,” he whispered discretely into her ear, earning a blush and exasperated eyeroll from Raven.

“Shut up,” she shoved Tim lightly, and she smiled at his amused chuckle as he plucked another cookie from her plate and crawled towards the large coffee table to grab them some hot eggnog. He carefully crawled back to her, half a cookie in his mouth, balancing two glass mugs of eggnog in his hands. Raven accepted the small glass mug and took a careful sit and immediately felt the warm rush of alcohol and spicy, creamy sweetness coat her tongue. Delicious.

“Okay, presents!” Dick announced after Alfred finally joined the family, not after depositing a large Christmas log on the table much to everyone’s delight. Bruce dove right in and began handing out slices.

Raven settled back and watched in a mixture of fascination and amusement as everyone eagerly handed out gifts. Bruce received a Green Lantern shirt from Jason, much to his chagrin. Damian received a new easel stand from Bruce. Jason got a new holster with tech upgrades from Tim. New ballet shoes for Cass from Dick. Alfred received some incredibly fancy pair of gloves from Damian. Dick chuckled in amusement at the Hufflepuff scarf he received from Cass (Both Dick and Cass seemed to have taken quite a liking towards Harry Potter).

There were more gifts that were passed around and opened and Raven took great pleasure to take in the domesticity of the scene in front of her. She ignored how her stomach leaped and warmed at the occasional ‘Thank You’ and the hug she received from Cass for the ballet tickets (“We can go together!”). She still was not entirely used to having this kind of doting attention directed towards her. This year she and Tim signed the tags of all the gifts for the rest of the Wayne brood with their names together. It was a surreal act, a first in their relationship (since last year they just kept to themselves), making this feeling of inclusion into this little bubble very real. She watched as Damian carefully unwrapped the silvery wrapper of their gift for him, her gaze briefly catching sight of the familiar tag she and Tim meticulously cut out and signed. She felt her heart leap briefly and marveled how a simple strip of paper could affect her.

They gifted Damian with leatherbound sketchpad and graphite pencils which Tim had carefully picked out for the younger boy. She watched as the corners of Damian’s lips curled slightly into a smile as he lifted the large sketchpad and inspected the lettering of Damian Wayne carefully pressed into the leather. She knew that Tim and Damian were not always at best terms, but Tim still was very thoughtful of his younger brother’s interests.

“Thank you, Raven, son,” Bruce smiled kindly over at the couple, holding up a large leather satchel. Tim had mentioned that Bruce needed a new bag for work, so he and Raven tried to find one and worked on customizing it with a few more hidden panels and locks.

“Welcome, B,” Tim beamed and quickly went through the codes and panels with the older man.

Raven was busy making plans with Cass to catch a performance at the New York City Ballet Company for their Spring season with the promise to use a portal to pick the younger woman up in Gotham. Tim returned and sat down next to her and gently pressed a small present into her lap.

“Oh,” Raven looked at the small red package in surprise. She caught Tim’s bemused smile and playfully rolled her eyes. “Wait, let me get yours,” she said and hurried towards the tree and grabbed the medium-sized gift. “Here,” she offered him a stern look. “Don’t shake it,”

“What is it?”

Raven settled next to him and placed her own gift into her lap, curiosity piquing slightly at what could be in the box. “Just open it,” she nudged him gently while watching his fingers pull at the ribbon and meticulously unwrap the giftwrap.

“Oh,” Tim pulled out a Sigma camera lens from the box. He blinked and stared at the new model, surprised at the gift. They briefly talked about getting new lenses for his camera a few months back, Tim was touched that she even remembered that conversation. “This isn’t even out on the market yet,” Tim marveled.

Raven shrugged and smiled mischievously. “I have my ways,”

Tim carefully returned the lens into its box. Leaning in he pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek. “Thanks, Rae,”

Raven hummed, a warm blush dusting her cheeks, and she ducked her head. Focusing on her gift, she unwrapped the gift carefully and stared curiously at the grey box. Carefully lifting the lid, a small smile spread across her lips as she stared at the little note she found on top of a pair of very fuzzy blue socks. ‘For your cold feet.’

She released a soft huff of laughter and pulled out the impossibly soft and fuzzy socks. She shot an amused look at Tim, who quickly returned hers with a familiar boyish grin of his own. Pushing aside the colorful box stuffing, she pulled out a portable mug heater and a beautiful kabuki mask from his last trip to Japan.

“Thanks, Tim,” she pressed a soft kiss onto his cheek.

“There’s one more,” Tim gentled nudged her shoulder, prompting her to look back into her gift box and rummage through colorful paper before fishing out a small velvet pouch. She cast Tim a curious glance, before turning back to the little pouch and carefully opening it. Turning it upside down, she knew it was jewelry when she felt the light weight of a chain slide down the pouch and drop into her hand. “Tim,” she breathed.

It was gold necklace with a little bird in flight pendant. The pendant looked delicate and finely made, Raven could see the details of feathers on the little bird’s outstretched wings. The little pendant slid down her palm as she shifted her hand in the warm light, the delicate weight of the necklace tickling her palm. She never really thought much of jewelry, but her heart warmed at the thoughtfulness of the gift.

“Do you like it?” Tim asked carefully, leaning into her space, and gaging her reaction. He knew that he shouldn’t be all too worried over her not liking the gift, he already knew that she appreciated small tokens and trinkets. Early on into the relationship Tim learned that Raven did not seem to care over expensive and lavish things, but she enjoyed simple treats and gifts from his business travels and missions. She did the same by bringing rocks or other strange trinkets from her off-earth missions. Yet the little golden necklace seemed to unwittingly rattle him just a little bit, he thought.

Raven smiled and nodded. “It’s pretty,” she mumbled, careful to keep the little conversation between them as the rest of the Bat family busied themselves with their own presents and conversations. Leaning into his space, she pressed a kiss to his cheek. “You shouldn’t have,”

“Well,” Tim chuckled and took the necklace out of her hand and gently pushed her shoulder to turn her around for him to put the necklace around her neck. “I would have wanted to get a bat pendant, but that would have been weird,”

Raven released a huff of laughter as she pushed her hair out of the way and allowed Tim to fasten the necklace around her neck. The little gold bird settled against her red reindeer sweater. Absently fingering the little pendant, before turning back to Tim to show him how it looked. She smiled as she watched him beam at her, blue eyes bright in mirth. He looked happy and content, bathed in the warm Christmas lights and wrapped up in his dorky Festivus Christmas sweater. Raven’s heart warmed at the sight, the Tim she met so many years ago was so different – much darker, and she enjoyed seeing this new light in him. Leaning in, she kissed Tim. “I love you, you dork,”

Tim hummed and offered a mumbled ‘I love you’ back before gathering her into his arms for a quick hug. Aware of others around them and the curious glances they shot their way, he released her and pressed a quick kiss to her temple before they settled next to each other. While Raven busied herself with Cass, Tim caught Bruce staring at them, his gaze warm and there was a small smile on the older man’s lips. Tim felt a little flustered at being watched but felt relieved to find himself in a better place with Bruce and the rest of the family. Offering the older man a small smile, Tim was glad that he and Raven decided to spend Christmas together with the family.

“We should take a family picture,” Dick announced, his Gryffindor scarf clashing terribly with his cat Christmas sweater. There was a loud cacophony of agreements and grumbles (“So many dramatics, dickface”) as Dick herded people to the small couch by the Christmas tree and had everyone settle around Bruce and Alfred.

Raven blinked, suddenly unsure where to place herself in the middle of people moving around the living room for the family picture. She awkwardly stood up and made a grab for Tim’s camera. “I’ll take the picture –”

“No!” Cass jumped to her knees and stopped Raven from picking up the camera from the table. “You sit with us,”

Raven felt heat rush to her cheeks at the invitation. “But I –”

“You’re one of us now,” Dick chirped from his perch on the couch’s armrest. His arm was slung over the back of the couch behind Alfred and he smiled warmly at Raven.

“Sit,” Tim mumbled warmly into her ear, gently pushing her lower back towards the couch. He easily caught on her sudden discomfort, catching the way her brows drew together in worry. Smiling gently, he gave her another gentle push before he took the camera and worked on setting up the tripod and timer.

“Come sit with us, Raven,” Bruce said while wrapping an arm around Damian next to him. Bruce easily caught her flustered glance and tilted his head towards the side where Cass had settled down next to the Christmas tree.

Raven tried to hide her surprise and embarrassment as she ducked her head and hurried to sit down next to Cass by the foot of the Christmas tree. You’re one of us now settled low in her stomach and surprisingly sent warm jolts up her spine – she had not expected that invitation. She felt Cass’ hand wrap around hers and she looked up at the younger woman in surprise. Cass offered her an encouraging smile and nudged her shoulder. Raven offered a small one in return as she allowed these new feelings to settle in.

“Hurry up, Timbers. Let’s get it done within this year’s Christmas maybe?” Jason’s annoyed voice drifted through the living room and Raven listened to Cass giggle next to her. “My hot eggnog is getting cold, and I’d like it warm, thank you very much.”

“Hold on, one sec,” Tim mumbled. He was busy tinkering with the camera settings, making sure that the lighting was perfect, and the exposure was just right. After making sure that everyone was in frame, Tim pulled out his camera remote. “Okay, got it.”

Hurrying towards Raven and Cass, Tim settled down on the floor next to Raven and gave her gentle smile. Wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her closer to his side, he squeezed her shoulder encouragingly. “Okay, everyone. On three, smile. One, two, three!”

“Wait now? Or on three? Or after?”

“On three, Dickface!”

“Boys!”

“Three!”

As the sounds of the camera shutter filled the room, Raven smiled and leaned into Tim. Whatever discomforts and flustered feelings she may have had early on, seemed to have slowly dissipated – like a weight she had been carrying on her shoulders had lifted. She belonged. Leaning into Tim more and feeling his arm just tighten a little bit more around her, Raven basked in the warmth of belonging.

The picture turned out great.

~

They all settled into their own rooms later that evening after everyone had their fill of eggnog, hot cocoa, and the Christmas Yule Log was miraculously eaten up. (“When you raise boys, leftovers are rare,” Bruce told Raven with a chuckle) A round of ‘Merry Christmas’ filled the living room followed by amusingly stiff yet warm hugs among the men (except for Alfred, who warmly hugged his brood) and a promise of Christmas leftovers for breakfast for everyone.

Raven and Tim silently shuffled back to their room carrying their gifts. Raven was surprised she even received gifts that evening considering that none of them even knew that she would be coming. The cashmere scarf from Alfred was beautiful (“I wasn’t sure who Master Tim would bring, but I would think every young woman would need a beautiful scarf”) and the Christmas-themed Batman sweater was funny (“We didn’t know who you were,” Dick shrugged apologetically). Bruce gifted her with a first edition Mark Twain book, undoubtedly pulled out of his personal library, but she loved it. (“You’re welcome to come and visit the library, or our home, anytime.”). Damian surprised both Tim and her when he silently offered them a thick rolled up paper before scurrying back to Bruce’s side and stuffing his face with cookies. When she and Tim unfurled the paper, they were surprised to see a beautifully drawn pencil drawing of both of them asleep and curled up into each other in one of the many sitting rooms of the house. It was beautiful.

Just as they carefully deposited all their gifts on Tim’s study table, Raven heard a little huff and scuffle by their door. Titus’ head peaked through the open door, obviously on his way to Damian’s room down the hall. The large dog whined, begging for Raven’s attention. Leaving Tim to change and get ready for bed, Raven released a soft chuckle and went over to the large dog.

“Hey boy,” she whispered and knelt to offer some scratches. Titus huffed loudly and promptly plopped down on the floor and rolled onto his back for some belly rubs. Raven eagerly complied, rubbing the dog’s soft fur.

Raven chuckled as Titus gave a low huff and whine as she scratched just the right spot. She heard Tim move in the background and slowly appear next to her, watching them in amusement. “Titus is going to miss you,” Tim chuckled while rubbing his face with a towel.

Raven hummed and she briefly looked up at Tim, noting that he had already changed for bed. Taking that it was her turn to get ready, she gave Titus one last pat on the belly and finally stood up. “I’ll miss him too, but not his sheer force of a dog,” she said with a small smile and stood up. They both watched Titus whine and get to his feet, watching Raven curiously. With a sneeze and a huff, he sat by their door. “Night, boy,” Raven gently patted the dog on his head before gently nudging Titus out the door and closing and locking it.

Pressing a kiss to Tim’s temple, she slowly shuffled off towards the bathroom to wash her hands and get ready for bed. She could hear Tim climb into bed and tinker with his phone as she heard the distinct tapping of keys, she was sure that Tim was busy checking emails and some work-related project from WE. She could feel the gentle push of his stress and it was a little surreal how well she knew Tim. While admittedly, there was still so much to learn from each other, Raven oddly caught herself surprised at how well they complemented each other despite the physical distance between them at times.

Despite her earlier hesitations of coming to meet Tim’s family officially, Raven was glad they made this trip. She understood his hurt a little bit better. She got a glimpse of how much he cared for his family, despite the tension that often bubbled low beneath the surface. She understood and saw Tim more, a rawness she was privileged to see, and her heart unconsciously warmed to have shared those moments with him.

Frank Sinatra’s ‘Have yourself a merry little Christmas’ crooned softly from the bedroom and Raven smiled. Feeling warm and full, Raven was glad she was here with Tim. She silently hoped for more of this. These quiet, raw, moments between them. Funny how she now found herself wanting this kind of raw intimacy.

After washing her face and brushing her teeth, Raven stripped down to her underwear – thankfully a matching lacy black pair. Not bothering to change just yet, she slipped out of the bathroom and leaned against the doorframe as she listened to Sinatra’s voice and watched Tim frown at his phone screen.

“I’m not sure Frank Sinatra will appreciate you frowning so furiously at his singing,” Raven teased, while playfully crossing her arms.

“There’s just a report –” Tim paused and openly stared at her figure, drinking in the black lace. “Oh,” He sat up, leaning against the headboard and watched her move towards the bed with piqued interest. “Hey,”

“Through the years we all will be together…”

Raven released a soft chuckle. “Hey,” she replied, lips curling every so lightly as she felt the familiar press of desire and attraction press against her. Drinking in his own boyish grin and the way his muscles rippled as he carefully placed his phone on the nightstand while not breaking eye contact with her had her own desires pool low in her stomach.

“Merry Christmas,” Tim said as Raven reached his side of the bed.

Raven hummed playfully. “Merry Christmas,” she replied and climbed into his lap, Tim’s hands immediately settling on her thighs as she sat down.

Tim grinned up at her boyishly and ran his hands up her thighs and over the swell of her hips. Fingers teasingly hooked into the sides of her lacy underwear and his lips curled further into a smile as he caught her amused stare. “May I unwrap my Christmas present?”

Raven released a thoughtful hum and ignored his fingers press into her hips. Leaning over him, she instead slipped her hands underneath his grey shirt and teasingly tugged it up his body while pressing a kiss to his neck. “I was hoping I could unwrap mine?” she mumbled into the underside of his chin as she pressed her body into him and felt his hands splay over her hips and butt. She tugged at his shirt once more and they fumbled to remove it while Raven lay over him.

They kissed languidly, both basking in a warm Christmas glow that settled low in their abdomens and left warm tingles up their bodies. Fingers were needy and gentle as they pressed into familiar curves and scars.

Raven felt nimble fingers run up her back and make quick work to unfasten her bra as she kissed him deeply. With a soft inhale, Raven sat up on Tim’s lap and allowed the garment the slide down her shoulders. Raven raised an eyebrow playfully as she caught Tim’s heated gaze, watching her remove her bra and drop in on the floor. For good measure, she teasingly rocked her hips into him as she felt his erection press against the apex of her own growing need.

Inhaling sharply at the steady rocking of her hips, Tim’s fingers dug into her hips and slowly slid up her waist for a steady trek up her chest. “Definitely the best Christmas, I must say,” Tim announced, hooded eyes eagerly drinking in Raven’s naked form.

Raven teasingly raised an eyebrow and ran her hands down his abdomen, watching in satisfaction as the muscles contracted in contact. She hooked her fingers into his sweatpants. “I still need to finish unwarp—”

Titus’ loud snuffling interrupted them as he sniffed the bottom of their bedroom door. Raven paused, lips lifted into an amused smile, and they both curiously watched as the silhouette of a large nose danced across the small crack at the bottom of their door. There was a low whine and a lot louder snuffling.

Tim shot an annoyed-amused look at this door. “Go away, Titus. You’re killing our Kinky Christmas mood,” he said, which of course did not achieve anything with the silencing charm still in place in the room.

Raven chuckled. With a little spark of magic that danced through the crack, Titus released a loud huff, before scurrying away from their bedroom door. With purple eyes dancing in amusement, she turned back to an equally amused Tim. “We should get a pet,” she said, tilting her head to the side thoughtfully and she regarded Tim’s surprised expression.

Tim blinked, surprised at the announcement. Scooting further up against his pillows to sit up better, he dragged Raven closer to him on his lap. The pads of his fingers pressed into her waist. “A pet?” he repeated, curious at this sudden announcement.

“Yes, a pet. An animal,” Raven rolled her eyes and squeezed his left forearm playfully.

Tim paused, gaging where this was going. He watched Raven curiously, waiting for her to explain but she seemed to wait patiently wait for his reply. He blinked. “Uh, okay? But we’re rarely together as often as we’d like in one location. So maybe a,” Tim paused and drew his eyebrows together. “A fish?”

Raven released a soft huff of laughter. “I’m pretty sure a fish needs just as much care as any other animal,” Her gaze softened a little bit as she took in Tim’s curious look and the corners of her lips curled up. “You always said you’d like a cat and I thought we could get one together?”

Tim’s chest warmed at Raven’s explanation. She remembered their conversations of wanting to own a cat as a child but never having been able to. Tim smiled warmly up at Raven, as a rush of emotions spread across his chest. It was always so easy to remind himself why he loved Raven because of her simple acts of kindness and thoughtfulness. “I’d like that,” he said. Curious, he pressed on. “So, it moves around with us? A few months in Gotham and Jump at a time? How do we –”

“I could be more in Gotham,” Raven cut in, tilting her head thoughtfully as she looked down at him.

“Oh,” Tim breathed, as realization slowly dawned on him. A pet – something they’d share together, the feeling of permanence bubbled low underneath his skin and the thought left him just a little bit breathless. “More time in Gotham?” he repeated, sounding terribly like an old record, but he needed to confirm what he was hearing and what it meant.

The corner of Raven’s lips lifted slightly, and she shifted in his lap as Tim sat up fully to lean against the headboard. Fingers pressed into the dips of her waist, and she felt a blush spread across her cheeks and neck as she felt his warm press of emotions against her – want, love, happiness.

“Yeah,” she replied and absently traced an old scar along Tim’s right forearm. “I’ve been thinking of getting a degree at Gotham University, have a life more outside of the Titans,” she shrugged nonchalantly. “I’d still help where I can, but –” Raven blinked thoughtfully and stared at Tim. “I’d like to have a life as Rachel as well,”

Raven watched as a smile grew on Tim’s lips. She returned his smile, her own emotions a whirlwind in her chest as she thought of the different prospects of the future. “That’s an excellent plan,” breathed Tim, eyes shining and his grin wide with excitement and happiness.

“Yeah?” Raven asked, unconsciously tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. They occasionally talked of the future and their current arrangements, but her plans offered unspoken possibilities they both seemed eager to explore. “That is, if Batman is okay with having a half-demon resident in Gotham?”

“Fuck Batman,” Tim huffed and pressed forward to kiss Raven, muffling her bark of laughter. Pulling away from the kiss, he smiled “So, a cat?”

“We should look at shelters,”

In a rush of emotions, Tim kissed her again. The promise of so much more between them seemed to teasingly dance in front of them and he was eager to take what he could get. He felt Raven hum and melt into the kiss, leaning deeper into his embrace.

“I love you,” he breathed after finally pulling away and gently pressing another kiss to the corner of her lips. Basking in the joy of the moment and the unspoken promise of what lay ahead for them, a cat and so much more, Tim pulled away and carefully leaned towards his bedside table. “I have another Christmas gift,” he announced and with unusually clumsy fingers, he pulled the small item out of the bedside drawer.

Raven’s brows furrowed as she curiously watched Tim blindly fumble through the items in his drawer. She kept her balance on Tim’s lap, as he twisted and tried to keep his balance over the edge of his bed as he rummaged through the drawer. “Here,” Tim announced and turned back to her a little too quickly, eager to present to her what he pulled out of the depths of his drawer.

“What – oh!” Raven felt her heart stutter to a halt and her breath was knocked out of her lungs. She stared at the small black box in front of her with a wild mix of emotions. She blinked, wondering perhaps she was seeing things, but yes – the little black box was there. Her heart jumped into her throat. “Tim.”

Tim blinked at her tone and jumped as his own thoughts and stray emotions seemed to catch up with him. “It’s --- ah,” he breathed, and Tim was sure he could barely hear his own thoughts over how loud his heart was hammering in his chest. He shifted in bed, bringing Raven closer to him. Her eyes were wide, staring at the little box in his hand.

“It’s not an engagement ring,” Tim quickly explained, catching the panic and surprise that crossed her face. “I --- ah, yet.” He quickly added, heart beating like mad in his chest and he watched in relief as Raven released a soft huff of laughter and the confusion on her face disappeared.

He pressed the little box into her hands with a nervous laugh. “It’s not an engagement ring,” he repeated and offered her a small reassuring smile. “Yet – we didn’t talk about that. But --- yeah,” Tim wrapped her fingers around the small box and held her hands. “It’s just a ring I thought you might like,”

There was an inexplicable warmth that spread through Raven at the unspoken promise of something deeper. They had never really talked about how their future may look like – their work offering little stable foundation to a permanent future. But this tonight – these little promises and pictures of what may potentially be ahead of them painted a much clearer picture of the future for the two of them. It left Raven breathless. They were getting a cat, together, and they had this now – this little warm bubble they shared.

“Oh,” Raven opened the box and stared at the silver infinity knot ring perched in the velvet case.

“I thought you might like it,” Tim explained gently, taking in Raven’s surprised reaction. “I just – I like this, us, and everything we have together. It was a dangerous mission, but Lisbon and getting shot and getting paired with you was incredibly lucky for me – well, minus getting shot and losing a lot of blood, but,” Tim shrugged and watched as Raven chuckled softly. “I’m so lucky to be with you, and I honestly don’t think I deserve you or everything that you’ve given me. You’re the kindest, most loving person I know. The last year has been incredible and yeah --- I want more of this. These moments of us together, it’s been incredible. I love you, Rae,” Tim felt his stomach twist and he smiled gently at Raven. “I’d really like that cat with you,”

Raven laughed; eyes filled with unshed tears. “I love you too,” she breathed and dipped down for a deep kiss he eagerly responded to. There was a jumble of emotions that seemed to catch up on her – she honestly wasn’t quite sure if they were hers or Tim’s, but the feelings were pleasant, and she was in no rush to dissect them.

She pulled away when air became scarce and a deeper hunger pressed into her as their hips slowly rocked into each other and fingers pressed into the dips of her ribcage and brushed just under the swell of her breasts, a reminder of their nakedness. Sitting upright under Tim’s watchful gaze, she pulled the ring out of its box and slipped it onto her finger. It fit perfectly. Looking down at Tim’s face, she quirked her lips up teasingly. “Are you sure you didn’t just propose?”

Tim laughed and leaned forward to press a kiss onto her cheek, he felt her grin widen. “I want you to be my cat partner,” he teased and ran his hand down her bare back, enjoying how her warm skin felt against his hands. There was a little window that offered a little glimmer of being more than just cat parents that they both seemed to acknowledge but they did not bother to speak about – yet. “Besides,” he mumbled against the underside of her chin and teasingly ran his hand over her waist. “I’d rather propose somewhere else, not with a 200-pound dog standing guard outside our door and the rest of my family in the house,”

Tim flipped them over, Raven released a soft laugh as she was pressed into their bed and Tim hovered over her with a teasing smirk. Fingers teasingly hooked into the waistband of her underwear and he grinned boyishly at her, long hair falling into his eyes as they twinkled playfully. “And I’d like us to celebrate very loudly all over our apartment and not worry over nosy neighbors,” he said and playfully tugged at her panties. Pressing down for a breath-stealing kiss, Tim nipped at her lower lips and pulled his body flush against hers and gently started to tug her panties down. “For now, we celebrate us being cat parents. I’m going to unwrap my Christmas gift,”

“Yes,”

With a final tug, black lacy panties were thrown off their bed and Tim quickly dipped his head between her legs, tongue eagerly licking wet folds and burying into an addictive warmth. Raven gasped loudly, back arching off the bed, just as hot electricity shot through her body and desires pooled low in her abdomen.

“Tim!” she gasped, her thighs straining against his forearms as he pressed them wide open. Raven’s world seemed to turn into a blurry haze as heat just ignited her skin. Blindly grabbing the sheets to anchor herself and her reeling world, Raven buried her right hand into Tim’s hair and gave it a sharp tug as he hit a particular delicious note in his ministrations. Groaning, Raven felt her titter dangerously out of control.

Enjoying watching her coming undone, Tim continued with his careful ministrations of measured licking and strokes. Humming in delight as he felt her sharp tugs in his hair, he peered up at her and watched in satisfaction as continued to writhe in delight. Spreading her wider open and digging his fingers into her hips, Tim’s tongue buried deep within her and eagerly stoked a fire that made her sing.

Raven felt the world melt away as she felt herself quickly tumbling over the edge as Tim continued to stroke and suck, quickly sending her into oblivion. With a cry, Raven felt her body tumble over the edge. The world seemed to explode as she fell through the sky and her body roared at lick after lick after lick – continuously stoking flames and propelling her into the abyss.

The world came back around her slowly and the first thing she heard was her unsteady and rapid breathing. Her senses came back one of after another, her skin hot and sticking against the sheets despite the cold winter air that brushed over her legs. She lay spread eagle, all her limbs weak, and she gasped for breath as the heat within her belly still roared and her core throbbed deliciously.

“Fuck,” she breathed, blinking up at the old wooden ceiling and thanked the gods for their common sense of using a silencing charm.

“Hmm,” Tim made a humming sound of agreement from below and Raven lazily lolled her head in his direction to catch him still draped over her thighs and hips. He looked like the cat that ate all the cream – quite literally with the way his chin glistened. Raven blushed at the sight and her desires roared lowly for more. Nimble fingers danced over her heated flesh, dancing across her inner thighs and dangerously close to her throbbing core – teasing her with each stroke. Raven involuntarily bucked into him. Fuck.

“That was the best present to unwrap tonight,” mumbled Tim with a soft grin. He watched her sigh softly as he ran his hands up her waist. “Need to do one more thing before we move along,” he announced and quickly began kissing and nibbling on her hip bone.

“What are you doing?” Raven asked in between breaths as Tim nibbled and sucked on her hip bone, teeth scraping against heated flesh. She gasped as teeth dragged across her skin and she felt herself buck into him, cashing the delicious friction.

With a wet pop and a satisfied grin, Tim looked up at her, catching her blown blue eyes over her heaving chest. Tim felt his emotions hum in satisfaction, he loved watching her come undone and loose herself. “Just leaving a little mark to celebrate the occasion,” he said, eyes trailing back to her hip bone.

Raven’s brows furrowed together in confusion before releasing a soft huff of exasperated laughter as she saw the blossoming red bite mark on her skin – on her hip bone. “You didn’t,” she threw him an accusatory smile.

“Oh, I did,” Tim kissed her rib cage as he crawled up her body. Pressing a kiss to the side of her right breast, he dragged himself up her body and enjoyed the silky press of her skin against his. Pressing into her and enjoying the subtle roll of her hips against his own, he kissed the underside of jaw. “Thought it’d be a good touch to celebrate our Kinky Christmas,”

Tim had lost his sweats at some point earlier and Raven felt him brush against her inner thigh. Chasing the silky heat and his hot emotions, she laughed and wrapped her arms and round his shoulders, drawing him flush onto her. “You sap,” she whispered and caught his lips for a kiss. Feeling him brush against her, she whimpered softly and wrapped her left leg around his waist.

Tim rolled his hips against her teasingly, his cock brushing against her entrance and he released a breath he was holding in anticipation. Teasingly, he kissed the corner of her lips and smiled. “You like it, admit it,” he said while grabbing her leg around his waist and digging his fingers into her thigh. He grinned at the soft mewl and how their bodies rocked into each other.

“Yes,” She whispered, slowly loosing herself again. Her fingers danced over his shoulders and traced old scars. Rocking her hips against his and chasing the heat that was building up, Raven tapped his shoulder and hungrily brushed up against the silky skin of his cock. “But,” she whispered and her breathing stuttered as Tim started to kiss her neck and continued to teasingly rock into her. “I – I’d rather,” she mumbled, and she felt him nibble at the junction of her neck. “You fuck me into oblivion to celebrate our cat parenting future,”

Tim dragged his teeth along her pulse point and listened to her stuttered breathing. Allowing a fire to consume both of their desires, Tim promptly crawled over her and grinned down at her wolfishly. Rocking his hips into hers and brushing against her entrance teasingly, he spread her wider for him and pulled her in for long, bruising kiss. “Gladly,” he growled and all but impaled himself into her hot heat in one fluid motion.

“TIM!”

Much later, when they lay spent against each other and basked in the afterglow of lovemaking, they’d agree that this was perhaps the best Christmas they ever had – the promise of more Christmases together, as a cat family, seemed to glimmer teasingly.

[unlockthelore]

Pressure

Under good intentioned pestering, Lisa allows herself to be fussed over but she doesn’t hesitate to return the favor.

Lisa smiled softly as Paimon’s insistence for a celebratory dinner at Good Hunter’s echoed through the main hall, much to the chagrin of the on-duty knights. Hushed pleas for silence succeeded by Paimon’s snippy rebuttal were assuaged by a gentler, kinder voice belonging to the heroine of the hour.

There was a brief lull in silence as the pair’s resulting squabble grew fainter and hazy, leaving naught in its wake but the ticking pendulum clock and gentle humming from the pendant light’s bulbs.

Lisa lifted her arms, folding them loosely over her chest. Her awareness of the dull, annoying tingle in her fingertips persisted despite her best efforts to smother the prickling needlepoints beneath her gloves. The crystal’s crimson moire had been attractive in the beginning, but such knowledge wasn’t worth the incessant pain. Still, she did have her reservations of leaving such an artifact in the traveler’s hands, whether it proved dangerous to them or not.

Not out of a sense of distrust, Lisa reminded herself. The regret on Lumine’s face, stricken with guilt as she hurriedly pulled the crystal back to her, couldn’t escape Lisa’s notice. Such palpable remorse couldn’t be fabricated easily, and Lisa knew surely they could entrust this little cutie. All she could do was offer a bit of humor to alleviate the mood and wipe the concern from their faces but her unease held long after Lumine and Paimon departed.

While Lisa could admit it was amazing how someone so young could achieve feats grander than those twice her year, it was also quite disheartening. Stories of daring youths willfully throwing themselves to peril rarely ended happily. Through their efforts, selfless and kind, many were saved and those who regaled their deeds inspired others to follow suit. However, the romanticization of sacrifice hid its true weight, leaving those who carried the burden to suffer alone.

Or become deified as a caricature of who they truly were.

She could only hope that Lumine would be able to brave the incoming storm, literally and figuratively.

Lisa sighed and brushed her black-clad fingertips over the gold embroidery of her sleeves, picking lightly at invisible dust. The lapse in silence lingered long enough for the pendulum clock to toll. Her gaze lingered on the Acting Grandmaster perched near the window behind the polished desk, shoulders sloped toward the ground and hands loosely clasped at the wrist behind her back. Hardly the upright and focused posture one would expect from a soldier but with silvery-blue dustlight streaming through the windows, illuminating the golden accents in her hair — Jean seemed more mythological than personable.

Lisa could almost imagine this would be what the Dandelion Sea was, if they weren’t surrounded by carpets upon polished wooden floors and walls filled to their brims with texts. Separated by a plush red carpet emblazoned with the Knights of Favonius’ symbol - golden swords crossed at their blade silhouetted by wings and a shield.

Freedom at its finest. Yet, with the grilles’ silhouette criss-crossing over Jean’s face, Lisa wondered if this was freedom or a prison. She winced and shook her head, dispelling the thoughts as she caressed the railing’s smooth nobs, climbing up the steps. The book she’d abandoned for their earlier conversation left cold and wanting on the shelf near a ornate picture frame. Lisa scooped the book in her arms and held it to her chest, eyeing the photograph longingly.

A golden-haired girl winked back at her, her lips split in a grin and cheeks reddened likely from laughing if the smiling red-headed young man beside her was any indication. Their eyes twinkled with mirth as they shared a conspiratorial look just outside of one of the windmills. From the blue blur in the background, Lisa deduced Kaeya must have tripped before the photograph could be taken. Why else would Diluc allow himself to be immortalized with such obvious glee?

Simpler times, Lisa thought demurely, sparing a glance at the woman the girl had grown up to be. Strong and revered but suffering in silence. At the mercy of her thoughts as she was to the world around her, as well as the people she served. Concern coupled with pity but Lisa knew Jean needed neither. Not now when the weight of Mondstadt hung in the balance and the worse was yet to come. The people’s faith placed in a traveler from where, no one knew, and the Dandelion Knight attempting to stay strong despite the hollowing winds.

Lisa sighed. It’d be best not to let her melancholy get ahead of her. After all, such thoughts were increasingly troublesome. “Well, I believe that’s enough excitement for one librarian’s night,” she announced, descending the steps, careful not to step on the carpet’s gold trimming. “I think I’ll be taken my leave now.”

She scarcely turned to walk along the small strip between the raised floor and the carpet when Jean called out to her, “Ah, wait a moment, Lisa!”

It hadn’t occurred to Lisa how thick the air became between them with Jean’s thoughts until she spoke. Or perhaps, she hadn’t noticed how deep she was in her own. Achingly slow, she turned to face the source of the voice and internally sighed with relief as the dour expression was replaced with another. Whether this was better or not, Lisa wasn’t sure, but Jean was remarkably earnest and transparent with her concern. Guileless blue-grey eyes roved over Lisa but lingered somewhere below her chin. If not for the book she’d been cradling to her chest, Lisa might have teased about wandering eyes and temptation.

Still, she couldn’t help herself. “For you, Acting Grandmaster, I could spare a moment or two.”

Jean’s eyes widened, pink dusting her cheeks and Lisa could have sworn that the air around them had grown warmer. “Your hand…” Jean cleared her throat, simultaneously succeeding and failing to change the topic.

Lisa feigned a shocked gasp and shielded her parted lips with still-tingling fingers. She noticed how Jean’s gaze wandered to her hand and hid a smile behind her palm. “Oh, Jean as sweet as that is,” her eyelashes fluttered and she reveled in the slight confusion twisting Jean’s lips into a pinched frown. “I believe you should have a good night’s rest before you propose marriage. Who knows if you’ll regret it in the morning.”

Now, Lisa was sure the air was definitely warming between them and Jean’s pink-tinged cheeks darkening to a charming shade of scarlet was the cause. “Wait, wh— no! I was..” Jean scoffed, pitched as her rebuttals fell silent. A breath dragged in before she uttered in a firm, rushed enunciation. “When you touched the crystal, you said that it hurt.”

Lisa tucked a knuckle beneath her chin and hummed, letting her gaze fall to the potted plants by the door or the pins and notes attached to the map. “I see, you’re worried about me.”

“O-Of course I am,” Jean sputtered, her voice low and wistful as she muttered, “Why do you sound so surprised?”

Lisa could practically feel the hurt rolling off her words and batted them aside, ignoring the guilt squeezing her chest. “Not surprised at all,” she said gently, glancing around the room. “Just.. analyzing.”

Papers flecked with ink were messily across the conference table, a stack held down beneath an adorably decorate teapot and cup. Books stacked horizontally on shelves and on the floors near their lower cupboards annoyed and confused Lisa at the same time. When was the last time Jean cleaned in here?

With how often she was working and on the move, Lisa doubted there was time for neatening her things. Yet, considering how thorough Jean was with even her work station’s neatness - perhaps it was cause for concern.

Lisa could feel Jean’s gaze, cutting as the wind, attempting to slip through cracks and chinks in her armor to no avail. Eventually, Lisa relented with a sigh. “I can’t quite describe the pain, but I doubt there was a wound inflicted. Nothing to inspect, really…” She trailed off. Jean’s eyes dimmed at the dismissal and her hand, perched upon the edge of her desk, tightened ever so slightly around its trim.

After a moment, Lisa relented once more. “Though,” she began, blatanty ignoring the twitch and hopeful look Jean gave her as she strode over to one of the sofas. “I suppose it doesn’t hurt to be thorough.”

She sat down, fully aware of the steady gaze as she fiddled with her dress then situated herself against the pillows. A brow arched at the deep blue blanket tossed over the couch’s left arm. The pillows seemed squashed and a connection slowly made itself known as Jean sat down on the other end.

Barbatos guide me, has she been sleeping in her office?

Crossed between upset and exasperated, Lisa remained silent as Jean beckoned for her hand. Only stopping a second from impatiently laying it in her own when she remembered the wound was skin-deep not on the layers of her gloves. Taking a moment to inch her fingers free, she thought on Jean picking at the couch’s upholstery and fidgeting as she waited. It was increasingly difficult to be crossed with her when she was so earnestly worried.

Finally, the glove slipped free from Lisa’s hand and she bestowed it to Jean, palm ward up. The knight descended upon inspecting her with the graveness of a life-threatening wound. Agitation’s final simmering quelled as Jean’s gloves brushed from palm to fingertip, only inciting the faintest of prickling when she applied pressure. Lisa must have given away a pained response because cooling relief seeped beneath her skin and chased away the fiery prickling. Her heart fluttered as Jean delicately traced the creases on her palms. Tingling remained where her fingers laid, a hollow sensation remaining long after they fell away.

“You seem fine,” Jean sighed, seeming pleased with herself, a smile resting on her lips reminding Lisa sorely of the girl.

Lisa curled her fingers around Jean’s gloved ones, a giggle bubbling up. “Why, thank you,” she preened. “That’s quite the compliment coming from you.”

“Lisa…” Jean’s brow twitched and the pink flush returned, prominent as they were bathed in the pale moonlight.

“Although I must say,” Lisa continued as if she heard nothing, her still-gloved hand stretched out, fingers grazing the underside of Jean’s jaw. “You are seeming a little pale. Are you sleeping well?”

Muscle flexed in Jean’s jaw as her eyelids fell, golden eyelashes barely obscuring stormy depths. Lisa ignored the shiver rolling down her spine and thumbed at the clenched muscle, rubbing slow circles.

“Well enough,” Jean said. She turned her head, inadvertently bringing her cheek to rest at the crook of Lisa’s forefinger.

Lisa tapped her cheek lightly, wondering if Jean’s skin would be as soft and soothing as her winds. Faint circles wearily tightening their grasp beneath Jean’s eyes dispelling the thought. “By your standards or that of the average young woman?” Lisa inquired, nonchalant and taunting.

Jean scoffed, her grasp on Lisa’s hand tightened then loosened as if she’d been electrocuted and with how charged the air was, she might as well have been.

“Weren’t you the one who said I wasn’t average?” Jean asked, pulling her hand away and Lisa sorely missed the light touch. Her knuckles knocking against the book in her lap with a light thud.

“Yes,” Lisa began, savoring a fleeting touch along Jean’s jaw as the woman pulled back from her grasp. Fond exasperation disquieting her calm as she watched Jean rise and amble over to her desk. “Nevertheless, I don’t recall saying you were invincible either.”

Her fingers curled around her book’s spine while Jean hovered dangerously close to the armchair. “Dandelions are quite delicate, you know.”

Jean paused with one hand set on the chair’s pointed rail, a rigidity to her shoulders despite the weariness in her sigh, “I’m not a dandelion, Lisa.”

Lisa smiled sadly. She disagreed in every way. Jean was beautiful, she inspired hope and care, she was delicate although her being wouldn’t give away such a thought — and if one strong breeze came her way, she may be gone. Lisa prayed to the Anemo Gods, to Barbatos, that she would never have to see that day.

“No, you are not,” Lisa said as she stood. “Dandelion Knight.”

Jean’s shoulders tensed and Lisa knew once the words came free, there was no taking them back. Perhaps the gales were still covering Jean’s eyes and she couldn’t see the folly in her own good intention but Lisa could.

“I know the situation with Stormterror is weighing heavily on your mind…” Lisa said to her as she slipped on her glove. “But perhaps you would be better suited to tackle it and the Fatui’s ambassadors, if you had a break.”

Jean’s hold on the chair tightened and Lisa could hear the wood creaking but she stood and approached carefully. The faint trembling in Jean’s shoulders matching her own heart’s ache.

“You would also set a better example for our newly appointed Honorary Knight,” Lisa pointed out. “A girl barely grown, armed with a sword and wits, sails through blue skies on wings of freedom laden with the hopes of many…”

It was like a fairy tale. One that would end with the hopes and joys of many answered, and the hero standing on top. But between the lines, the secrets were told and Lisa was always thorough in her research.

“I wonder who that reminds me of…”

“Your point’s been made,” Jean said tersely, her trembling stilled as Lisa curled her fingers around her shoulder in a light hold. She knew if Jean wanted, she could shrug her off and dismiss her but the knight did neither. Her blue-grey eyes, dull and longing, as Lisa gleaned them over Jean’s shoulder.

All she could do was offer a smile and ease her hand down the length of billowing white sleeves, her fingers curled along ones clad in black gloves.“Then for tonight..” Lisa breathed in the words, whispering them softly to Jean’s waiting ears. “You are dismissed, Acting Grandmaster.” Bitterness tinged Lisa’s smile and she nodded, holding Jean’s hand loosely. “So shall we be off, Jean?”

She received her answer in a gentle squeeze around her fingers.

[the-shadow-of-atlantis]

Movies and Storms

Summary: This was a request from @thespacebuns where the power goes out at the cave and the team figures out what to do. Also took a HC from @tarasxmarkovs regarding Kaldur and storms.

Tagging: @tarasxmarkovs @thespacebuns @melyaliz @coffee-randomness @speedypan @gobydana

A/N Willow aka Maia belongs to @royslittleharper

Read Earlier Parts Here

The team was lounging in the living room area an old action movie playing on the tv. Annabella came from the kitchen carrying a large bowl of her special candy popcorn. Carefully she climbed over the couch and wedged herself between Superboy and Kaldur.

“Popcorn?” Annabella whispered as she offered the bowl to the two.

Superboy raised an eyebrow, glancing at the mess of toppings he shook his head and looked back at the tv. Annabella shrugged and offered it to Kaldur who looked at it hesitantly but took a handful. He nodded in approval once he ate some and Annabella smiled as she ate her own mouthful.

A storm was rolling in the thunder from It occasionally cutting through their little huddle and echoed in the cave. Annabella felt tension come off Kaldur ever time a clap of thunder would come through.

“Is it appropriate for you to be watching this?” Kaldur whispered as a bad guy got shot in the head.

“Yup.” Annabella mumbled but figured Kaldur was trying to distract himself. “The gore is alright but I have to close my eyes if there’s any sex scenes.”

“Is there any in this?” Kaldur asked suddenly horrified.

“No, this one is strictly action.” Annabella said trying not to giggle.

The Zeta Tube suddenly announced the arrival of someone and Annabella gasped. She almost knocked down her bowl of popcorn but Superboy caught it and softly grumbled. A girl came in wearing a simple blue hoodie and black tights her hair an electric blue color.

“Willow!” Annabella shouted as she jumped on the newcomer.

“Hey, what’s with the glasses?” Willow asked.

“Secret identity, dads orders, only way I can hang here.”

“Well that’s lame. So I can’t call you-”

“You gotta call her Bells.” Dick cut her off as he paused the movie.

“Eh close enough.” Willow shrugged.

“Where the hell have you been? Haven’t seen you since the hall of justice tour.” Wally asked.

“Visiting family.” Willow said as she walked in still carrying Annabella on her back. “But Ollie’s been keeping me updated and well now I’m back.”

“Cool!” Annabella said hopping off. “Guess the only ones you really need to meet is M’gann or wait have you two met yet? I know I was gone for a week or two and I’ve only gotten some details.”

Annabella shot a look at her brother and Wally who simply poked their tongues out at her.

“Briefly I think. Hi M’gann.” Willow said.

“Nice to see you again.” M’gann said waving from her place on the recliner.

“Oh okay and well you remember Superboy.” Annabella said nodding towards him.

“Sup.” Superboy said handing Annabella back her popcorn as she sat back in her place.

Willow nodded at him as she sat cross legged on the floor nudging Dick over with her leg.

The movie had barely began playing again when a large crack of thunder boomed through the cave and the tv went dark taking away the teams only source of light. Annabella felt Kaldur tense and she placed a hand on his arm hoping to ground him.

“Um shouldn’t the back up generator have kicked in by now?” Annabella asked realizing that the storm must’ve taken out the power.

“Yeah weird.” Dick said.

“Figures I show up and break the cave.” Willow sighed.

“Well if the power is out then someone has to save all the ice cream from the fridge.” Annabella said.

“I’m on ice cream duty.” Willow called out.

“Um won't she crash into something?” M’gann asked.

“Nah she's got this.” Annabella said placing her popcorn on the floor. “But someone should check on Red Tornado.”

“I am here.” Red Tornado announced.

“Jesus!” It was Annabella’s turn to tense and nearly jumped on top of Kaldur.

“Ha! Now you know how it feels.” Wally cried out and Annabella glared at him and threw her shoe.

“Ow.” He mumbled.

“Children.” Red Tornado warned. “The storm seems to have cut out our power. Our zeta tubes and communication seem to be down as well.”

Annabella pulled out her phone and frowned. “Yeah no signal. Guess we’re all stuck here.”

“I will investigate why the generators aren’t working. Kid Flash, Robin, come with me. The rest of you stay here.” Red Tornado informed then looked around. “Where is Willow? I thought the cave announced her arrival.”

A muffled shout came from the kitchen.

“She’s saving the ice cream.” Annabella interpreted.

“Very well.” Red Tornado said as he walked away with Dick and Wally.

Annabella sighed as she turned the flash light on her phone and shined it around.

“Well if all else fails we can build a fort and watch something on my laptop.” Annabella said.

“Eh I’m going to my room.” Superboy said as he got up.

“Red said to stay here.” Annabella said as she grabbed her bowl and ate some popcorn.

Superboy sighed and sat back down.

“Good news I saved the ice cream.” Willow said coming back into the living room.

“But there’s two tubs of ice cream in there.” M’gann said.

“Correction there was two tubs of ice cream in there.” Willow said.

“How?” Kaldur asked.

“Probably better you don't ask.” Annabella said and held up her bowl to Willow. “Popcorn?”

“Ohh nice.” Willow said taking a handful.

“Well for some reason the back up generators have zero energy, not even fuel.” Wally said coming back in.

“I will try to see if I can get some form of communication back on. In the meantime stay together the cave is essentially in lock down mode but be on the lookout for any possible intruders.” Red Tornado informed.

“Alright well who’s up for a Disney movie? Because that’s all I got on my laptop.” Annabella said.

“Anything except Snow White.” Willow said.

“I have Hercules.” Annabella said as she got up and nudged Kaldurs leg with her foot. “Come with me?

Kaldur must’ve nodded but he stood up and followed Annabella.

“I never realized this but I guess they don't have storms in Atlantis do they?” Annabella said as she shined the light on the doors making sure they’d find the right one.

“Not like the ones you’d experience here.” Kaldur said.

“By that you mean the thunder right.” Annabella said as she found her door and opened it. “You’re scared of it aren’t you.”

Kaldur didn’t say anything as they walked in and annabella began digging through her backpack. “It's alright. I used to be scared of them too.”

“What helped you get over them?” Kaldur asked.

“Well I always had my dad that I could just sneak into his room and sleep or my brother. But on the nights where its just me I have these two.” She produced two small figures.

One was a purple bat with the fabric on its wings resembling star constellations. That other was a sea green dragon with shiny colored wings. She handed him the purple bat.

“You can have him to comfort you for tonight. But do guard him with your life he’s my oldest friend.” She said this with a smile but her voice sounded so serious Kaldur had no doubt she might actually do him some harm.

Kaldur looked down at the small figure and gently took it. Its fabric was soft and Kaldur could tell it was old yet the stitching looked new this was definitely a treasured item.

“Are you sure?” He asked.

“Yeah I got this one anyways.” Annabella said holding up the plush dragon. “Now come on let’s go finish up this movie night.”

Back in the living room they placed Annabella’s laptop on the coffee table and gathered blankets and pillows to make a makeshift giant bed. Annabella was sandwiched between Wally and Kaldur sharing the remaining of her popcorn.

“This movie isn’t even accurate to the legend.” Superboy after the opening sequence passed.

“No one ever said it was an accurate depiction.” Annabella said getting a handful of her popcorn. “But it has amazing music.”

Superboy simply grunted.

“Also shush.” Willow whispered.

Kaldur smiled softly as he grabbed some popcorn. He was actually enjoying the movie it was definitely a lot better than the other one they had been watching. And soon the storm was no longer bothering him like it had been earlier.

When the movie finished everyone was dozing off. Annabella shut off her laptop and fixed herself so that her stuffed dragon was perfectly tucked under her arm. She smiled softly at him.

“See storms aren’t so bad when you have a friend.” She whispered before closing her eyes.

Soon everyone’s soft snores filled the cave as they all fell asleep.

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[royal-despair]

Seojun was hellbent to a massive degree, but if he didn’t survive now, all hope would be lost.

sketch done by @allyssinian ! Line and color done by @talentlessartblog​ ! Mastermind Monologue written by @tsoi-sauce​

“...” 

 Shambolic. That was the word that would come to the survivors of Queen Rose when asked what this trip turned out to be like. Execrable. That was the word to describe every single death that had taken place in the airship that they set sail on. Jarring. That was the word to describe just what the atmosphere in the room felt like in each trial they faced together. 

Neverending. That’s how this killing game felt to the remaining seven survivors, including Seojun Tsoi. 

His eyes couldn’t meet the rest of his peers.  How was he going to break this truth to people that he had grown to be friends with? Would people really want to know the truth?  The hard, cold truth of it all?  But it was no use lying to them.  After all, the truth is what they had deserved, right? 

 The blonde felt his hands move up to his magenta hairpins. With shaking fingers he unclipped the pins from his dyed locks, the accessories quietly falling into his hands.  His hair falls once more, just like in the observatory.  Only this time, the tables have turned. 

 The room was dead silent.   He pocketed the accessories into his leather jacket, and his eyes gazed up to the skies above him.  His hands tightly gripped the podium.  His haunting gaze was torn away from the rest of his peers, and as he scowled to the heavens above, he knew that one thing was for certain.

Seojun was hellbent to a massive degree, but if he didn’t survive now, all hope would be lost.

“...I’ve got nowhere else to run from here, do I?”  The question came out as rhetorical as he gritted his teeth.  He wanted to bite his lip; he wanted to deny the truth, knowing it would cause everyone to feel the terror that he was reliving right now.  However, he also knew that he couldn’t hide anymore.  His foot lightly stomped into the ground, grinding itself into the glass floor below.

“...Damn it.  Damn it, I didn’t want it to have to be like this.  It shouldn’t have turned out this way...It shouldn’t have been like this…”  Seojun ran a hand through his hair, feeling the imminent stress getting to him as the silence around him slowly grew.  The voices in his head were buzzing, demanding to just get this all over with. 

 “...”  The silence continued for a moment as everyone watched with horror at the Internet Troll’s movements, words, and facial expressions.

“There’s no use, is there?  I don’t have any place to hide now.  It....looks like I have to explain myself to you, explain who the hell…what  the hell I am. ”  His hands were still shaking; no matter what he tried, he just couldn’t stop the dreadful fear rising up in his chest.  However, he knew that this would come from the moment the Steampunk Designer was stabbed in the neck.  It was just a matter of execution.

This was it:  do, or die.

“I’ll start by introducing myself, once more.”  He faced those around him along with stands with crossed out profiles of those no longer here.  “My name is Seojun Tsoi, and I am the one who controlled Akomi.  I am the one who announced the killing game to all of you...and, yes, I am the one who stabbed Etheldred Himura, the Super High School Level Steampunk Designer.”

He crossed his arms, hiding his hands from the distraught faces of his peers.  His eyes flickered to Runa, a pang of sorrow seeping deep into his chest.  God, even with this reveal, the monster they see was still hauntingly recognizable.  He was a hypocrite...But, he was a hypocrite with a cause under his name. 

“However, I’m not ending my confession there.”  His body turns to the owl plushie on her throne, a look of absolute hatred entering those aqua marine irises.  “Because you guys need to know everything that I know.”  Seojun’s hand then flung out towards Torimi with a slant in both of his eyes.  “And before you even think about stopping me, guess what?! Tough shit!  You broke your end of the deal, so now, I get to break mine.”

“With that out of the way, I’m going to give you some background, so take a seat for five minutes, because you’re about to hear nothing but the god damn facts.”

“Once upon a time, I was accepted into Hope’s Peak Academy under the title of the Super High School Level Internet Troll.  That in itself was never a lie, as horrendously stupid as it sounds.  The next thing I know, I was trapped on a ship with seventeen other kids my age, with no recollection of how I got there, or why I was there.  It wasn’t on an airship either - rather, it was an actual boat.  I can remember it clearly; that fucking anteroom was on the same ship.”

“It was in that very room where I saw them. A half white, half scaley green plush named Gekumi... and Torimi herself.  We all learned that we were forced to kill each other for various causes, with the same rules we have here.  Motives and all, with all of the heartache packed into a punch.  Of course, I chose to not feel these things for a good while.  I chose to be someone that would provide as a guiding light for the damned.”

He let a forced chuckle pass his lips, running a hand through his hair.  “After all, back then, I made it a known habit to shut out my negative emotions for good.  Who would want to know the pitiful feelings of a classmate, when they were all going through the same thing?  That was my thought process.  The rules in my first killing game were the same.  The first two motives passed as they did. Victims. Investigations. Trials. Killers. Execution. Rinse. Wash. Repeat.” 

 “The third motive?  They held our loved ones captive, just like our first one.”  He grips onto his podium tighter, gritting his teeth.  “Imagine that.  Imagine your sister being in there twice.  Your sister, who had saved you from yourself, being held captive by strangers, and the only way to get her out of there was to kill someone that you had barely known at all!”  He squeezed his eyes tightly together, letting those tears fall at long last.

“Wouldn’t you do the same as I did?! Wouldn’t you kill someone that everyone despised on that ship to save your sister?!” 

“...Ae-Joung...Ae-Joung saved my life.  It’s only fair I would do the same, right?  I...ended up taking the bait.  I killed someone.  I ended up killing that damned Antonio.  Always the aggressive one around the shipmates...Hell, he killed someone just before I did.  He killed Hitomi, and it seemed like her boyfriend was the one who killed that bastard, you know?  Because I didn’t tell the truth...Because of that...everyone…”

“Everyone voted for the wrong person.”

“Their screams.  I can still remember all of their screams of terror, their pleas for help, their wails of despair.  The eleven survivors were all executed at the same time.  Gekumi was suddenly no more, too.   I had the first hand experience of experiencing hell...no, Hell would have been a more merciful fate.  I should have been the one to be executed.  I should have died in their place.”

One look at this man would tell you enough:  He was a broken man.  He was someone who had been through hell and back, and it really did a toll on his mind.  Even so, he still continued on with his story.

“But because I didn’t, I have the responsibility of reminding you of this.  Torimi is the same person who orchestrated my game.  Whoever is behind Torimi is the one who orchestrated this game, my game, the sixth killing game, the game before that...Do you see the big picture here?  Whoever is behind Torimi is the one that is planning all of these killing games!”

Slowly but surely, his voice rose up, more and more, his anger building as he spoke.  Seojun wanted to be able to get this story, his story, their story across to all of them.  Dmitri, Runa, Josefina, Takuma, Chiyo, Leon...They all deserve to know, didn’t they?

“...After everyone was executed, Torimi came up to me, and congratulated me on winning the game.  She explained to me that Gekumi was controlled by one of the other executed students.  Then, she gave me an offer.  She gave me the choice to come back home to my family, or to have the honor of being her second mastermind in the next game.  The first option was the one I would’ve chosen right off the bat, but then I realized something.”

“If I chose to leave this ship for good, who knows how many other games would’ve commenced under her damn wing?  If I didn’t take this offer up right now, countless upon countless amounts of lives would suffer from the same fate.  People around the world…”  He puts a hand over his chest for a moment.  “People like us would be put in the same situation that we’re all in if I didn’t side with Torimi for the time being.  If I didn’t find out who was behind her, and take them down with my own bare hands, who knows how many more lives would be lost?  How many more lives would be put through the same torment?”

“So, I told her that if I were to take the second option, that I had a special request.  I wanted the person behind Torimi to play in the killing game with me.   She- They ended up agreeing, surprisingly enough.  That was the answer that I needed.  Thus, I took it.  I took the offer of being a co-mastermind, so I can put an end to this endless cycle once and for all.  This lead to me here… on The Queen Rose.  I was introduced to my own little mascot, Akomi.”

“I’ll say this now - I didn’t choose the option for him to talk like that.  Torimi wanted this mother and son gimmick, which was traumatizing for me, and she knew that.  She believed that she could overpower me just because of this, just because she’s the one who brought me to this corner that I’ve been backed into.  I’ll let you know now - she was wrong.”

“...I know this doesn’t excuse me from anything I’ve done.”  He suddenly murmurs, glancing to the side for a moment.  Tears continued to fall from Seojun’s eyes, streaming down his cheeks.

“I know I’m still at fault for all of this.  For all of the deaths here, and trust me, there are days where I regret taking this position.  Cici...Izaya...They deserved someone better than me.  They all deserved…You all deserve someone better than a monster like me.  Because it’s true; I can bet what you’re thinking.  That I’m the cause of the deaths of our friends.  That I must think this is all a joke.  That I’m such a hypocrite.  But I’ll let you all know this:”

“Nothing that I felt towards any of you was a lie.”

“I may have lied about not being involved in this mess, yes.  I may have lied about being someone you could rely on, and for that, I’m sorry.  I don’t have enough words that I can say that can express how fucking horrible I feel right now.  But that doesn’t mean that I didn’t care for each and every one of you. No memories that were made between all of us was just a ‘part of the plan’ to me - to me, they all meant something.  I meant everything, that I swear to you. Fuck, if I could, I would trade my life with anyone that has died in this place.”  Except Townsworth.  Good on you, Petra.

His eyes met with everyone around him, and when they looked into his eyes, they saw something different. There was a fire in his eyes now, some sort of spark of determination that was set alight.

“You can do...whatever you want to me, after we manage to get out of this joint.  You can beat me down, damn me to hell...hell, you can kill me if you have the mercy in your body.  But, please, for the love of god...Work with me, just a little longer.  Help me accomplish my mission:  to find out whoever is behind Torimi, and bring them down once and for all.  To put a stop to all of this madness.  Please help me…”

“Help me to not let their deaths be in vain.”

[courtorderedcake]

@captainswanbigbang & @captxinswans present:

RIPTIDE by @courtorderedcake Beta’d by the wonderful @ultraluckycatnd

An Enchanted Forest AU where the dark one was never released into the world in a vessel, thus causing a massive shift in timelines. The ogre wars have ravaged kingdoms, untold destruction spanning continents, rulers displaced. Even as the wars sputter to ash, the safest place to be is at sea, and that’s not very safe at all - as Emma and Killian find out, fates intertwined against all odds.

Rated: E/X - heavy content : warnings of assault, rape, noncon, just everything, I feel like the rating says enough. It’s something.

WARNING: READER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.

Read on Ao3 HERE .

 Chapter XIII : Spyglass; An Epilogue

Thomas Harriot is known to have turned a spyglass on the Moon, though with only three powers, he was unable to correctly discern neither crater nor mountain. Such a feat would require five to six powers, or higher.

-The History of the Spyglass

Time passes and tongues wag to fill quiet spaces.

The captain of the Gilded Wing, in his wisdom, decided piracy was not for him. With his bonny bride and an assortment of ex-privateers, they become a well respected merchant vessel and tradeship. Some said it was his charming and silver tongued demeanor, while others swore he was the gruffest man they ever traded with. Either way, his coffers were that of a king. If anyone asked about the haggard blonde and dark haired man with one hand juggling two wide eyed babes, they received no answers. Silence was a deafening warning.

The Jolly Roger is rumored to have sank in a battle with the Gilded Wing, the reckless captain duo of pirate lovers, Hook and Swan, finally finding a watery grave; together even in death.

Sightings of a glowing ship flying their flag are whispered among slave ships and crooked pirates who deal in innocent blood. It appears out of a dense fog, a ghostly enchantress with blonde hair whipping in the wind with her eternal love at her side, coat flapping and hook raised. Demons who leave no survivors except those bound in chains or held in a brig. Ghosts who steal back treasure that was taken wrongfully.

Or, as Emma calls it, 'date night’.

More children join the twins on the timbers of The Wing. Snow unexpectedly going into labor with her son Leo six months after the twins are born. Luckily, Whale and Tink had decided to stay on. David loses his mind with worry at not being prepared, but Snow breezes through the delivery right into motherhood.

“I didn't even get morning sickness, and I really didn't gain much weight. I'm lucky I didn't do anything crazy, or my labor might have been earlier and rougher,” Snow confides in Emma, as they nursed together in the sunshine of the deck. Leo latches easily, Snow smiling serenely. Emma has a foot in her face and both of her beloved children have fistfuls of her hair.

“Well, aren't you special,” Emma grumbled.

Maggie watches their twins with joy, bouncing them on her knees and singing to them while letting them eat as much pie as their small hands can grab. She quilts them beautiful blankets and knitted toys. Her shy husband even makes wooden toys for them, and does small magic tricks. Emma realizes that the shy bearded man is the tallest dwarf she’s ever seen slightly too late, and he laughs it off without worry. “i used to get grumpy about that sort of thing, but up here? I’m dreamy,” Leroy tells her, and he comes out of his shell completely.

Some of the crew leaves, as is expected when things change. They say goodbye to Rory and Phillip first, as the call comes that they can return for the throne of their homeland. Rory starts to send letters to them with her full name, Aurora, detailing palace life and asking for advice on policy. Emma finds it dreadfully boring, but David, Killian and Snow have vigorous debates on the shaping of the country.

Graham and Ruby leave to start a pack in unclaimed territory of the Enchanted Forest, gathering lone wolves and setting up rules that soon become a permanent structure. While there is still an ogre problem, the pack is strong and faces the danger head on.

Mal and Z return to the dragon lands together, slipping away quietly and without much notice. Killian can only laugh as he watches two dragons on the horizon disappear into the sunset.

Graham and Ruby return to say hello now and then when The Wing docks in The Enchanted Forest. Eventually, they rejoin the crew, the risk of Ogre attack while Ruby raises their litter of three beautiful boys deemed too dangerous by Graham. Hunter, Willow, and Forrest all have the same dark brown shock of hair, heavily taking after their father. To Graham, his small pack is everything, and Ruby feels the same; they'll forego the change to raise their young with no regrets. Emma happily brews them a Lunar Stasis draught, and they fall into the routine easily, Ruby complaining about constantly having a babe to her breast while the other women nod and bounce her other triplets.

Mal and Z do not visit. Instead, they extend an invite to show off their egg. The entire crew doesn't know what will be inside, until they get a bans stating, ‘It’s a girl! (Dragon, but currently unable to transform). Please welcome Lily.’

Snow notes the design is lovely, irregardless of the strangeness of the message.

Regina and Robin welcome a beautiful dark haired girl around the time the twins see eighteen months, and a once hardened Regina softens completely. They name her for a powerful enchantress in another realm, Lucinda, or Lucy for short.

Snow and David welcome a blonde tufted girl to the world soon after Regina’s daughter is born and Leo turns one, David immediately finding himself wrapped around his daughter's finger. They name her Ruth after his and Emma's mother. Leo is insanely jealous, but makes do by going through a shrieking stage.

Merida and Fa finally get married, the ceremony a complete hodgepodge of both of their cultures that somehow not only works, but works well. Plaid tartan and silk floral prints drape a verdant forest glade, a bamboo archway placed where they exchange vows. There's a tea ceremony followed by knotting their hands in a complex golden rope. The reception is visited by Merida’s estranged brothers, who finally accept she is not after their claim to the throne.

Emma dreams, or more appropriately, has nightmares of a dark castle that crumbles and rots. Something slithers and its claws click and scrape on the moss covered stones. A man calls out, his eyes burning behind brown irises, blood on his hands as he feeds a golden monstrosity. Willing herself to wake up, they look at her and she swears the scaled creature smiles, not a man but a beast, next to another pretender of a lost boy in the guise of a man and warlock. The warlock looks at her hungrily, a predatory gleam in his eyes as he surveys her body. The creature only glares. Together they are a golden eyed man who chases her in the recurrent night terror. Somehow she knows they are a portent of doom, but the dreams fade fast as she wakes up thrashing, soothed by Killian.

Smee's lap is a source of argument amongst the rowdy lot of toddlers, especially as he reads stories aloud. He always has a knack for getting a hold of rare items - and by rare items, he means sugary sweets that have been the bane of his old captain’s existence. Luckily, these days, the Captain is a dear friend and his Missus is in on Smee's trade. The Twins lead the pack at two years old, Emma and Killian no longer running ragged but instead, thriving in a new sort of chaos.

Killian still hooks yarn together, darning socks and making less lumpy blankets for anyone who needs them, and constantly making socks for little feet. With a little finesse, he’s able to make a few rudimentary stuffed toys, until suddenly he has made an assortment of soft toys. Esper is fond of a jellyfish the color of lilacs, while Ian chooses a shark, making roaring noises that rattle the timbers of the deck. Leo chooses a lion, his father beaming, Ruth clinging to a plush ginger kitten. Lucy chooses a frog with a giggle, Killian’s handiwork clear as the frog has a curled tongue in its mouth. It becomes a tradition for him to make something for new crew, and he frequently gets requests.

Jefferson and August finally decide to be more than just an occasional fling that happens more than just occasionally. They depart after the space becomes crowded and August expresses interest in traveling down many different rabbit holes. They are only seen on big holidays, bringing the most ridiculous gifts from their travels. Killian eventually bans any gift that makes ‘extravagant and unnecessary noise’ after a teapot given to Esper keeps singing off tune and nonsensical nursery songs at all hours.

After a particularly intense night of freeing slaves, Fa finds a small wide eyed girl clinging to her belts. Merida is immediately in love with the ginger haired child with stormy gray eyes, and no one bats an eye when suddenly, a young, wild haired girl is leading the pack of children across the decks. Not given a name, Fa coaxes her to choose one whenever she is ready, her quiet voice soothing as she stroked the girl's hair. Fa tells her stories, and Merida tells her tall tales and myths. She eventually chooses the name Rowan for its strength, just like her mothers.

Rory and Phillip send word from their kingdom that they have a daughter, naming her Rose. The crew attends the announcement ceremony, happily greeting their long time friends: Jasmine and Aladdin, now rulers of Agrabah; Tiana and Naveen, happily avoiding royalty in their restaurant; the vibrant ex-mermaid Ariel and an ecstatic Eric. Esperanza takes to Ariel, who despite being in what Emma refers to as 'the 200 months pregnant stage’, keeps her two and a half year daughter entertained. Ian, like his father or mother (depending on the day and who you asked), made trouble by slipping a tray of pastries under a skirted table, sharing his loot with his cousins, and inducing a glorious sugar crash.

In the brief moment of peace, Emma and Killian disappeared into one of the quieter roped off parts of the palace.

“We have to -” Killian's mouth met hers, demanding and hungry, intimacy not in short supply but not frequent either, always having to be carefully planned. Spontaneous escapes like this were rare if not unheard of. “Be quick,” Emma moaned as he nipped at her collar bone, hiking up her skirts.

“Bloody hell, I don't want to be quick,” he murmured against her throat, licking a trail to her ear. “I'd love to taste you, mark you -”

“For now.” She palmed him through his trousers and he hissed. “This. I need to feel you inside me.”

Another crash of their lips, her hands finding his belt as he pushed her against a wall, fingers pumping inside her wetness until he was freed. Moaning into his mouth as he thrust into her in a smooth motion, Killian grabbed her leg to pin her tightly between the wall and his body.

While it was fast and hard, it was also passionate. Emma clawed at him and they moaned together, savoring the heat that sparked every time they connected. They came together, each other's names sweet in their mouths. Sneaking back to their seats, only David narrowed his eyes with a shake of his head. Killian gave him a cocky nod and a wink.

Will and Belle had almost given up trying, but finally welcomed a tiny baby girl into the world. They named her Victoria, and Will finally got his comeuppance for teasing his fellows about crying when their children were born. He sobbed, holding his baby for the first time, her small hands making his look so large. Belle lay sick after they birth for several weeks, Will reading to her and rocking their babe as the crew took care of her, the day she wa finally able to come up on the sunshine of the deck with her small baby girl celebrated.

Whale gave in to Tink’s demands, accepting a steady stipend paid for him to stay on board to provide care for the children he delivered and their mothers. His bedside manner did not improve but deckside, Uncle Vic was a delight to as many children he could chase as they pretended he was a monster.

The Gilded Wing was alive with activity and noise from dawn until dusk, tired parents staying up when they had the energy to make conversation or nodding at each other in shifts as they groggily bounced or rocked children back to sleep in time with the ocean’s sway.

Emma found herself on deck more often than not. Esperanza was still a sickly child who needed the fresh night air. The Twins were almost three, talking non-stop and inquisitively taking in the world. It was exhausting. Luckily, Ian slept like the dead, his wild running throughout the day leading to a blessedly quiet wind down. Esper fought sleep, longing for starlight and the moon, Emma whispering constellations gently in her dark hair until Killian joined them on deck or she joined him in their bed.

Laying a finally sleeping Esper down in her bunk above Ian's, Emma made her way through the quiet corridor, slipping into bed and her waiting husband's arms.

“I love you,” he murmured in her ear, and when her answer didn't come in return, he cracked open an eye. “Love?”

“When was the last time I bled?” she whispered, facing away from him.

“I figured two weeks ago; you were moodier than usual and I let you be.” Killian replied drowsily. Her hand guided his to her stomach, a familiar swell against his palm jerking him awake. “Emma?”

“I didn't put the pieces together until a week ago. I should be just about four months along or so, maybe five. That’d be Rose's announcement ceremony. I haven't felt kicking yet -” Rolling her towards him, he captured her lips in his, grinning.

“You are a marvel, Swan. A bloody marvel. I love you so much. How do you feel? You're so small, I wouldn't have guessed...” Kissing her breathless, she pulled back laughing.

“Thank the Gods above and below, I believe there's only one this time. I'm fine. Tired, but fine.” Killian pressed a kiss to her forehead, blue eyes dancing as he looked down at her.

“Are you sure you can't make it two or three? David's lot is catching up to us, and if we get a nice lead -”

“Oh, shut up.” Smacking his chest and ignoring the salacious eyebrow wiggle he gives her, she doesn't ignore the steady beating of his heart as it lulls her to sleep.

Emma's second labor is easy, a chubby girl who is absolutely determined to prove her lungs work well. The name is long planned in advance; his mother’s name. Alice. She is fair haired and light eyed, a lighter shade of blue than Killian's own when they finally finish their change.

Liam's eyes, Killian tells Emma in the quiet still of the night. A reminder that even in all of this love, there are still scars and quiet pain they all share. Her arms around his neck is a soothing balm; each of them having a source of relief from old nightmares. Emma finally relents, and they spend some time in the small cabin on the cliffs he owns. She finds it’s not as terrible as she imagined and enjoys the quiet, or swinging on the creaky porch watching their children play. Not enough to give up the sea, or the ship, but enough to take reprieve when things get to be too much.

Killian reminds her that they’re old, but not that old. He reminds her frequently, until she tells him that she has suspicions that his reminders have ended in a well intentioned accident. Emma feels the movements earlier this time, hasn’t been as sick as her first pregnancy, but it’s still rough. Killian sits through a delivery that feels so much like when he almost lost her, so much strain and struggle, but Emma beams at him when it’s done.

“William?” she whispers softly, tucked into Killian’s side. He’s holding their last child and crying with her, arms wrapped around them both in the quiet before the rest of their children wake.

“William,” Killian agrees, pressing kisses on her sweaty forehead, making Emma chuckle. “Liam for short.” Her head lolls, exhaustion setting in although she fights it and the pain she's in with a grimace. When she shifts in the bed, Killian watches her with an ache in his chest as she swallows back whimpers and curses.

There’s no question about how close to leaving him she came again as her screams echo in his head, but Killian changes bloody sheets, and tells her after he’s sent their children off to play on deck that he loves her more than anything - That the thought of not having her sends him reeling. Pressing soft kisses to her pallid forehead, he cried into her hair, holding her tightly. Regina visits later with a potion that ends any worry for them, which thrills Killian even if it means his wild oats have ended their run.

Their children grow, and Piracy loses its appeal all together as raising them turns out to be much more terrifying and complicated than anticipated. Emma and Killian barely survive, the world around them changing rapidly, threats rising and danger around every corner.

Why wouldn’t it change, when someone finally let in a golden crocodile to their soul with open arms?

But that’s a story for a different time.