#24 K magic

[thedailyvio]

Day 249

[bnpd]

❝ LONG SHOT ! ❞

OFFICIAL 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓

❝ PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL PLAYER!GOJO SATORU X PHYSICAL THERAPIST!READER. ❞

SYNOPSIS: After an unexpected encounter with the infamous Gojo Satoru at a local convenience store at 3 A.M. You're given the opportunity to worm your way into his life, but not without a personal invitation from Gojo himself. One thing leads to another, and you're the first person they call when he gets a career-threatening injury, forcing both of you to spend day and night together, but not without some obstacles of course: your cousin.

FAN FIC WORD COUNT: 20K+

WARNING TAGS: Modern!AU, no cursed magic, small age gap, Gojo is 30-31, reader is 24-25, hurt/comfort, angst, SLOW-BURN, torn PCL injury (not gojover), gojo lore, alcohol, dumb/clueless gojo, self-assured reader, groveling, nameless reader, nameless cousin, playboy gojo (he has a reputation), SMUT 18+, oral, penetrative sex, hand jobs, blow jobs, nipple play, pussy eating, fingering, semi-public sex (locker room), vanilla/soft sex, make-up sex, tension, cum eating, squirting, semi-manhandling (consensual), hair pulling, vocal gojo (whimpers/groans/moans), prone-bone position, missionary, doggy, and standing up sex.

Based off the movie: Just Wright !

NAVIGATION ꩜

STATUS: Ongoing

001 — LONG SHOT : 8K.

↳ 05/02/2024.

002 — LONG SHOT : 7K

↳ 05/07/2024

003 — LONG SHOT : ?K

↳ TBA

004 — LONG SHOT : ?K

↳ TBA

TAGLIST : @luvwithau : @sugacor3 : @seajunie : @woahguy278 : @4townn : @miiyaaswrld : @forest4bee : @fadingpalacebonkpsychic : @usercpat : @rainzelenia : @bloopsstuff : @purplegemadventures : @cowsforkenji : @wateronlyhaha : @poet-dae : @fushitoru : @serenityfauna : @luna-v-roiya : @thvamour : @gojocupid : @julsssssss : @ssleepycenzi : @ri-sa20 : @3lliesrifle : @a-trashbag : @mjsnightmares : @forever-war : @en40p : @aishies-stuff : @allofffmypeaches : @laviefantasie : @ritsatoru : @ssleepycenzi : @roscpctals99 : @noyaskneepad : @dearneverland : @platrom : @jaegersity : @rjswrld : @semra4 : @loversjoy : @gojonegs : @uziwork : @sushiimara : @misspoptart05 : @sapphireandange : @honoredalone : @notmazikeen : @liannele9 : @chanelmalandro : @jotarohat : @fartm : @sunarinss : @ivy-vivii : @ioveartfilm : @goreedo11 : @manyno : @altyx : @cielhidalgo : @vestasrants : @deluluforcarlos55 : @fangirlingoverfanfic : @gojostit : @lialia3945 : @simp-plague : @fuckerenyaeger : @jaelahh : @rintcrous : @nvmlolo : @miabiaria : @lavender-hvze : @vixzat : @minidrake : @um-no-ok :

feel more than welcome to submit a request <3 ᥫ᭡ join my taglist:

©2024 bnpd. All rights reserved to the copyrights owner. Do not share, plagiarize, or translate.

[thebestofoneshots]

SERIES MASTERLIST

Gilded Constellations | (wolfstar x reader)

Summary: You meet Sirius and Regulus at a family vacation in the Caribbean, but things don't go as planned and you end up losing contact once the trip is over. Years later your family moves to England and you get accepted at Hogwarts where you finally meet Sirius once again, along with all of his friends. One of them with a mysterious secret, that you'll uncover as you embark on your own Hogwarts adventure. Mostly canon-compliant. This IS a wolfstar x reader fic, but it's incredibly slow burn. They won't start all dating each other until we're very deep into the story, but I promise the long wait will be worth it.

Read Gilded Constellations on AO3

Read the French Translation by @nagareboshi-chiyo

Paring: Sirius Black x Reader / Remus Lupin x reader / Wolfstar x reader

Chapter average: 5k - 6.5 k

Content: Smut in later chapters, Poly!Marauders, throuple, graphic descriptions of violence, MAJOR and minor character death (this is The Marauders Era guys, you know), jealousy, angst, pining, love triangle, LGBTQ+ themes, The Wizarding war 1.0, implied child abuse, possible proofreading errors, mental health struggles, hurt no comfort, hurt with comfort, period typical attitude, first war with Voldemort, canonical character's death, fluff, Requited Love, F/M/M, mostly canon-compliant.

Status: Ongoing (Weekly updates)

♡ Indicates SMUT

PLAYLIST

01 | Summer Breeze

02 | Escape

03 | Bitter Sweet Symphony

04 | Rainy Days and Mondays

05 | Good times

06 | Crazy Little Thing Called Love

07 | Peaceful Easy Feeling

08 I Fooled Around and Fell in Love

09 | The Fairy Feller's Master-Stroke

10 | Black Dog

11 | Do Ya

12 | You really got me

13 | Rebel, Rebel

14 | Maybe I’m Amazed

15 | No One Like You

Interlude (Q&A Event)

16 | Boogie Wonderland

17 | Tonight’s What It Means To Be Young

18 | Friends will be Friends

19 | Silver Bird

20 | Bad Moon Rising

21 | Fox on the Run

22 | Long Long Way From Home

23 | Hungry Eyes

24 | Peace of Mind

25 | I’ll get Even With You

26 | Hooked on a Feeling

27 | Can’t Take My Eyes Off You

28 | If You Want BIood, (You’ve Got It)

29 | With a Little Help From My Friends

30 | Bridge Over Troubled Water

31 | Strange Magic

32 | Come a Little Bit Closer

33 | More Than a Feeling

34 | You Belong to Me

35 | Chill of Desire

36 | Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy

37 | Gimme, Gimme, Gimme

38 | Let the Good Times Roll

39 | Running With the Pack

40 | Hot Stuff

41 | Urban Adventure

42 | Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

43 | Sympathy for the Devil

44 | No One But You

45 | Hold The Line

46 | Comfortably Numb

47 | Let Me Take You Home Tonight

48 | Dust in the Wind

49 | High Hopes

50 | Love the One You're With ♡

51 | Some Guys Have All The Luck ♡

52 | Twentieth Century Fox

53 | Too Much Love Will KiII You

54 | Sail Away Sweet Sister

55 | Noone Together

56 | Who Wants To Live Forever

57 | Play the Game

58 | Staying Power

59 | Break on Through

60 | Stone in Love

61 | Mr. Blue Sky

62 |

63 |

64 |

65 |

66 |

67 |

68 |

69 |

.

.

.

.

BONUS TRACKS:

Your Theories, The Note, The Costumes, Sirius and the Chimney, Sirius and Vix after the bad moon, Evans and Vixen, Remus and Vixen at the infirmary, Remus holding Sirius at DADA, Remus and Sirius’ height difference, the FOXSTAR picture, Art by @nineloseteeth, We're going French,

Leave a comment telling me if you want to join the tag list

A/N: Most Poly!Marauders fics are oneshots, where the relationship between characters is already established, and they're all happy and pleased with it. No issues, no drama, but I WANTED the drama. Couldn't find it, so I set myself up to write the story behind the stablished relationship. I wanted to know how they started dating each other, the jealousy, the will they won't they, because getting into a poly relationship can't be an easy task, and I wanted to explore that story. If you're interested: Welcome to Gilded Constellations!

[moon-tell-me]

Affection

"Our fingers dancing when they meet" - This side of paradise

The outsiders (separate) x GN reader

Warnings: bit of cursing, not proof read, nothing else??

SODAPOP CURTIS

DARRY CURTIS

He prolly needs a hug honestly

I doubt he gets them often

He's a wee bit touch starved

‼️All hugs and cuddles will be greatly appreciated‼️

He's not super big on pda

He'll have an arm around you, kiss you and stuff

But that's kinda it

He would def give the best kisses

Sharing a bed with him is alright..

He gives you enough space and he'll spoon you if you want

But

He snores

Like, really bad

So..

He loves affection

Mans would actually hold you 24/7 if he could

You wanna cuddle with him?

Don't even have to ask

He always knows what you want and when you want it

GUYS HES A MAGICAL GIRL??

NEW AU?

Sorry, got distracted

Anyways, he'll be big spoon, little spoon, your pillow, blanket, anything really

He also loves hand holding

Just link your fingers with his anytime, anywhere

He'll be the happiest boy on earth

Soda doesn't mind pda

He'll show you love anywhere

He actually kinda likes it cause it shows the other girls that he's taken..

He's one of the best greasers to (sfw) sleep with

He's used to sharing a bed with someone, and he is probably the biggest cuddler of the group

Plus he's like a human heater

So you won't get cold

PONYBOY CURTIS

He likes your affection.. a lot

Maybe not as much as the others, but he likes it

He's not really a touch starved person

Actually, I see him as being kinda touch adverse, Soda, Johnny, and you being exceptions

He'd probably prefer just reading with you over all the cuddling

Until he's tired atleast

Speaking of, he canonically gets nightmares, and having someone sleeping with him helps

Y'know what else helps?

Cuddling, that's what.

Just let him be your little spoon

Kid really deserves it

He definitely likes more subtle affection

Your leg touching his, stuff like that

He also really likes cheek kisses and you playing with his hair

When it comes to pda, it will only happen around Johnny

The others won't let him live it down

ALSO, out of everyone, he's the one that blushes the most

DALLAS WINSTON

He hates physical affection

At least, that's what he says

You know better though

You've noticed how he reacts when you hold his hand, or play with his hair

How he calms when you cup his cheek and give him a gentle kiss

If we're being completely honest here, he loves it

He loves every single bit of your affection

Just don't do anything more then a quick kiss in public

If he gets really jealous or possessive in public he'll initiate pda

I'm talking, arm around your shoulder, pulling you in his lap, full on making out with you

He's a very touch starved person

So in private he'll accept any and all tender touches

He'll still be an ass about it but y'know

If you do it while he's tired he'll actually shut up and enjoy it

Sharing a bed with him is probably nice

He's veryy cuddly when tired

Do what you will with that information

He will only be your little spoon if he's black out drunk

Otherwise he'll just serve as your personal pillow

JOHNNY CADE

In the beginning your gonna have to hold back on your physical affection

Because of how his parents treat him he's gotten used to touches being painful

You need to be very patient and careful

He'll get used to it though!

He's also extremely touch starved

So he will definitely enjoy it once he knows you won't hurt him

He's willing to be affectionate in public, as long as the other guys aren't around

Except Ponyboy, he doesn't mind too much around him

He loves cuddling

He's always super shy about it tho

Actually, he's always kinda shy about anything you do

Even if it's just eye contact

It's just so new to him

Please please please just kiss him out of nowhere

His reaction would be so fvcking cute

Give this boy the love he deserves

Let him sleep in your bed every time it gets too cold out

He needs a nice, warm, comforting place to sleep

He'd be very respectful about it

Just give him sweet kisses while you cuddle him

TWO-BIT MATHEWS

Probably the second most affectionate

Right behind Soda

He's not touch starved, he just really likes you

He doesn't care about pda

He doesn't care what others say

I think it's actually physically impossible for him to get embarrassed

So, do whatever the hell you want tbh

He's absolutely terrible to sleep with

He always sleeps in the starfish position, leaving you with no room

He's also a blanket hog

So uhh

Yeah

The only pro is that you can cuddle him

I bet he would give nice hugs and cuddles..

Overall, you can do pretty much whatever with him

He doesn't care that much

[lumizold]

H i s o i l l u

W e e k e n d

Saturday 24 of the Hisoillu weekend „ Theme: Present

Headcanon: Do you remember when Hisoka asked Illumi to shapeshift in himself to deceive the Phantom Troupe? I always imagined that Illumi showed his ability to shapeshift even without pins to Hisoka presenting it like it was a “magic trick”.

[People tend to forget/ignore that he can shape shift even without pins so here’s my headcanon about it]

[gracefully33]

📞Mercury In Houses/Signs

* BASED OFF MY INTERPRETATION

———————————————————————————

📲 Mercury represents our way of thinking, communication, k-12 education, social media, etc.

Mercury 1H/Aries: You could be an aggressive communicator like people could easily take offensive to your words because they feel like you’re being disrespectful. People could see you as someone who is very intellectual and intelligent, you could post yourself on social media a lot, you could over think a lot, etc.

Mercury 2H/Taurus: You could sing a lot, you could be soft spoken, you could’ve been very talkative in school, you could post singing covers on social media, etc.

Mercury 3H/Gemini: You could talk about your unpopular opinions on social media, you’ve could been known as the smartest person in your class or school, you could be very talkative, you could’ve been well known in your school, etc.

Mercury 4H/Cancer: You could be someone who comforts people with your words, your voice could remind someone of their parent, you could post videos with your family on social media, you could talk/think about your family a lot, etc.

Mercury 5H/Leo: You could talk about pop culture a lot, you could’ve went to a performing arts school, you could think only about yourself a lot/self centered, you could post acting skits on social media, etc.

Mercury 6H/Virgo: You could be very analytical & judgmental when you’re speaking, you could’ve been the kid always answering the questions in class, you could be consistent on social media, you could post daily vlogs on social media, etc.

Mercury 7H/Libra: You could probably come off as flirtatious when speaking, your partner could be very talkative, you could talk about makeup products on social media, in school you could’ve had a tight relationship w/ your teacher or classmates, you could play devils advocate a lot, etc.

Mercury 8H/Scorpio: You could have dark thoughts, you could talk about magic or 8H themes a lot, you could give financial advice a lot of social media, etc.

Mercury 9H/Sagittarius: You could’ve been an over achiever in school, you could talk about religion/beliefs a lot, you could post college advice on social media, etc.

Mercury 10H/Capricorn: You could be very business minded, you could talk about your career a lot, you could talk about your achievements 24/7, you could make business videos and post them, I have a feeling you could start random conversations with every stranger you come across😂, etc.

Mercury 11H/Aquarius: Your friends could be very talkative, you could talk about your dreams, you could think about your manifestation or 11H related topics, etc.

Mercury 12H/Pisces: In school you’ve been very shy or quiet, you could talk about your spiritual beliefs or conspiracy theories, you could post spiritual videos online, etc.

[depressed-simmer]

Sim Dump #27 - Infant, Toddler & Children

💖 💖 Thanks to all the creators that made this possible.

Zendaya: ClaiKim Sim, Lillka, peachyfaerie, Ebonix ,squea,RobertaPLobo,Camuflaje ,kikovanity , nessassims, Pixelunivairse , PlatinumLuxeSims, scandisim, Simkhira ,Simtographies , LYNXsimz Family, Jius, TPLP, Vintage Simmer, Screaming Mustard, and more.

Jaden: ThisIsThem,Ebonix, SimLocker, BeckySims , CeceSims Xo, Complex Sims, KRYPTONITA, Littletodds, Mila Smith, Northern siberia winds, Onyx Sims, Passion Fashion, Pralinesims , RobertaPLobo, SEOULSOUL, sims3melancholic, Sims4 Boutique, and more.

Dashay: ClaiKim Sim, Ebonix, peachyfaerie, Simiracle, NitroPanic, GiuliettaSims,wrixie, squea, Studio K Creation,ARTE DELLA VITA,BADDDIESIMS, BAkalia,Bobur,Bukovka,Clarity Sims ,couquett, Darte77, Gawdly Games,Hardswae, Littletodds ,LYNXsimz Family, Onyx Sims, peachyfaerie ,Plbsims, PlumbobBreezy, Redhead Sims, Sims 4 Nexus, Sims4 Boutique, Simtographies, WisteriaSims, and more.

Chen: Northern siberia winds, Off-Line, Simulantity, Studio K Creation, amelylina, Bobur, busra-tr, Darte77, Katverse, McLayneSims, Mooncatcher's Corner aka MoonchildLovesTheNight, Plbsims, peachyfaerie, Simiracle, SimLocker, Sims4Boutique, Sims4goalz, Virtualmir's, WisteriaSims, and more

ALL Kids are using:  Kijiko, RemusSirion, DFJ, MAGIC BOT, Luumia, Miiko, obscurus-sims, marso, pirumxsim, bloodmoon, and WightSpider.

😍💖 Feel free to donate as a sign of appreciation or support. If you can't, liking this post also can boost my confidence. 😊

DOWNLOAD HERE (Public Access: 08/21/24)

@sssvitlanz 💝

[karlach-esmeray]

Welcome to the world little Jaheira Lae'heart Cliffgate

A baby was NOT in either Karlach or Esmeray's life plan. Then they met Fytz's baby after escaping Avernus a year after the netherbrain fight with a permanent fix for Karlach's engine. Each of them swooned at one another holding Fytz's child and the baby fever was inescapable.

After a few years of adventuring and putting down roots in Baldur's Gate's outer city, they accepted they wanted more family than their friends and 8 backyard chickens.

There were major problems to consider, however. Karlach couldn't carry a baby with her engine and Esmeray worried about somehow passing on her renounced bhaalspawn genes. Luckily, with a little intervention (some form of magic IVF?), Esmeray would be able to carry Karlach's biological child.

The baby is not biologically related to Esmeray though she did carry her for 9 months and nearly died during the traumatic home delivery. (Baby Jaheria's horns curve forward instead of back.)

Mama K and Grandma Jaheria were both there to help with the birth. Shadowheart (and Lae'zel) was also soon to arrive to save Esmeray from the excessive blood loss and tearing.

If you haven't gathered yet, they named their baby after the most important people in their (mutual) lives. Jaheira (after Grandma Jaheira) Lae'heart (after Lae'zel and Shadowheart) Cliffgate (after Karlach and of course her ever-beloved parents)

24 hours later, Esmeray is recovering on bedrest and Karlach is admiring the newest member of the Cliffgate household.

Taters

[bump1nthen1ght]

A Very Monstrous Kinktober: Day 24 (Sex Toys)

Kink: Sex Toys

Pairing: Male!Minotaur x Male!Reader

Other Kinks: Mutual Masturbation

Warnings: N/A

Word Count: 1136 words

Kinktober Masterlist

“It’s silicone, actually.” You squirt some lube into your palm, rubbing it into the hole of your fleshlight. “Medical grade, I’m pretty sure. That way it doesn’t react with your skin.”

“Humans are so inventive.” Marinos coos, inserting two fingers into the hole. A cute blush runs across his cheeks, but it seems his scientific curiosity has peaked more than anything. “Trying to simulate love-making, it’s very daring.”

The toy is small in Marinos hands, even though you bought the extra large. You had needed the specific measurements of his cock to order it, doubting the average fleshlight could take him whole. Still, it seems like a child's toy in his hands, especially with the way he examines it, poking and prodding.

It’s adorable, the fascination he has for human science, for human inventions. You’d have never guessed when you entered his labyrinth that the “beast” who guarded it would be so understanding, so curious. But you guess spending years trapped in a labyrinth with only books as company would do that to you.

“Well,” You dance your fingers down Marinos’ chest, delighting in the way he shivers at the contact, “You know what they say.” Marinos drifts his focus from the toy to your wandering hand, exhaling loudly when you slip under his loincloth, “Necessity is the mother of invention.”

Your fingers barely wrap around Marinos shaft, only half-hard yet massive in both girth and length. The toy is all but forgotten, your slick palm softly stroking up and down, rubbing a thumb across the bottom of his head.

You may be ready one day to take him inside you, with a little magical help and lots of practice, but for now, you're happy just to feel pleasure alongside him.

Marinos’ cock slips out between his loincloth, fully erect and weeping precum. His hands dig into the sheets, eyes blown wide watching your small hand jerk him off. There's a low whine in his chest when you detach, the whites of his eyes growing wide when you grab the toy and press it into his palms. With a wink, you fish your own cock out of your boxers, grabbing your personal fleshlight and giving yourself some quick jerks.

“C’mon, big boy. I wanna watch.”

Marinos nods, buzzing with excitement, panting as he watches you sheath yourself in your toy. You throw your head back into the pillows, biting your lip as the warmth of the silicone wraps around your cock.

With shaky, excited hands Marinos grabs his toy, freshly lubed up and lines his cock head. His throat bobs as he presses the fake lips to his head, a shuddering moan coming out between his teeth.

“By the gods.” Marinos pants, pushing the toy down and finally entering its embrace. His hips unconsciously jerk, desperate for more. “This is-”

“Good, huh?” You like your lips, pushing the toy down to your base, then dragging it up to your head. Lube and precum leave sticky tracks across your shaft. From a glance you can tell Marinos isn’t even halfway down yet, savoring in the unfamiliar, his legs shaking.

“Y-yes, its-” Marinos sighs again, watching his own cock be swallowed up by the fleshlight, “-it’s fantastic.”

You lean into Marinos sides, beginning to move the toy faster up and down your cock. It's nice, but watching Marinos stokes the fire in your belly harder; His whimpers and moans as he finally sinks into the base are pure erotica.

“You can move it, y’know.” You chuckle, playfully nudging your shoulder against Marinos. Your toy makes sticky sounds, thwapping against your balls. “Unless you're more of a cockwarming kind of guy. Guess this is how you’d find that out.”

That does get a laugh from Marinos, all baritone, even when broken up by his heavy breaths.

“I k-know-” Marinos pants, slowly lifting the toy up his cock, “But if this were you, I’d have to stay still. I don’t want to hurt you.”

Your heart swells; Gods, how cruel was it that such a sweet creature was kept locked up all these years? Marinos was much too good for those royals anyway.

“You lean up, surprising Marinos with a kiss. He meets it with his usual softness, not domineering or belligerent. Just..himself.

He’s pulled the fleshlight up to the tip, copying you and shoving it back down in one quick thrust. He shudders into your kiss, hips jerking upwards.

“If you want-” You mutter into his lips, “I could play with yours and you could play with mine.”

“Yes.” Marinos pants. “L-lets do that.”

You nod, detaching from the kiss, throwing your hand over Marinos’ waist and grabbing the toy. His palm gently wraps around yours, once again reminding you just how much bigger Marinos is than you. Your cock throbs.

You both start off gentle, trying to test each other's boundaries. But Marinos is quick to meet your gentle strokes, throwing his hips into the fleshlight, making the toy shudder. Encourage, you move it a bit faster, hearing Marinos heavy balls hit the toy.

He picks up speed as well, and your hips begin to move on their own. Your cock is aching from your prior teasing, only spurred on by Marinos harmonic moans and the way he fucks the toy. It conjures up images of how he could fuck you one day. The first time would be gentle, lots of lube and patience, most likely doggy. He’d ease into you, keeping his cock warm for a couple minutes, then gently snap into your backside. With his long arms, he could probably lean over and jerk you off at the same time.

But once you were ready, would he bounce you on his cock like this, grabbing you by the hips and using you like a cocksleeve? Leave you breathless as he fucks you open, balls hitting your ass, filling you with cum?

Your toy leaks lube and precum, your balls beginning to tighten as those fantasies nearly send you over the edge.

“I’m gonna cum.” Marinos grunts, his cock twitching enough to nearly shake the toy out of your grunts. “I'm so close.”

“Me too.” You pant, drool pooling in your mouth. You both speed up your pace, fisting the toys like desperate teenagers, more instinct than conscious thought. Marinos breathes through his nose, shaking his nose ring, and digs his hooves into the bed.

“Shit! Cumming!”

“Aaa-ah!~” You quickly release into the toy as you watch Marinos cum fills his to the brim. Streams of it spurt off the side, covering his thighs and your hand.

You both fall back into the bed, soft cocks still nestled in your toys. MArinos leans over and kisses your cheek.

“Thank you, love.”

[goblin-king-jay]

i recently rewatched all of the unsleeping city and am now onto unsleeping city chapter 2, and you know what

i used to think of cody as a joke, the dorky sword kid, but i forgot how absolutely fucking real he was

if i had been the person i wanted to be when i was a teenager, i would've ABSOLUTELY been a cringey overenthusiastic goth kid like cody walsh is.

i'm on episode 2, where pete turns the devil that cody sold his soul to (very quickly and willingly lmao) into a chest tattoo for him, and murph is like, "cody never smiles and so he's trying SO HARD not to smile right now". cody tries to be SO CHILL about the fact that he just found out less than 24 hours ago that MAGIC IS REAL and DEVILS ARE REAL and he meets these awesome fucking adults, one of whom takes the devil he sold his soul to (again, he offered his soul to this devil immediately) and turns it into a CHEST TATTOO with MAGIC.

I would be fucking LOSING MY GODDAMN MIND if that happened to me as a senior in high school. Cody, and Murph by extension, truly is all of us fuckin nerdy kids from high school who wanted to swing swords around and wear spiked collars and (bleem tim curry voice) CHAIN WALLETS and just like

IMAGINE if you were cody walsh!!! I would be vibrating out of my fucking SKIN by then. I would want to hug Pete and never let go.

"no one has ever been this happy. this is just fucking -- normal stuff --" for you guys, he probably meant to say, because he's so overwhelmed by these 2 grown-ups he just met who like, give a shit and want to know what his deal is and help him for some reason?!? they don't even want anything from him they just??? genuinely want to help him out of the fucking goodness of their hearts???

that would have turned me religious on the SPOT I would believe in magic and the power of friendship more than ANYONE like goddamn. I would be like k / dream / karen tanaka (the cutest fuckin name btw erika ishii ilu) like, trying to have a dark aesthetic but right below the surface i would be squealing like a fangirl in a puffy pink dress.

ANYWAY cody is trying to be SO CHILL around these badass adults who are very blasé and normal about this whole magic thing so he's trying to match their energy and be chill

and ally is laughing their ass off, loving murph pulling faces like he's trying so hard to not smile it's like his face is spasming, but then they get into character and take him SO seriously and when cody says thank you Pete is just like, "for sure man i got you."

i love ally so gd much for that, like. because now i can also see the situation from pete's perspective of this fucking edgelord kid who you just want to ruffle his hair or something but he's SO CHUFFED because MAGIC IS FUCKING REAL but he matches cody's energy and is just like for sure dude, we're very cool and chill about this because bros don't show emotion or whatever lmao. it's so cute I love them and can't wait to re-experience how their friendship evolves over the season.

anyway if you got this far thank you for reading, I wrote this while high and just felt screaming about cody walsh.

[estellardreams]

Spiritrune - Weird Route [Audio Edit]

Attacking everyone below!

@somemismatchedsocks

@emthimofnight

@6larosie9

@silvers-starrway

@ekaycheem

@einelitas

@yellowvixen

@polkychu

@zhampip

@totaleclipse573

@sonlc

Skaerial

Lunateaq

Attack info below for everyone

Nymph - Royal Wrath

A huge slash attack using the dark staff. 70% TP. Deals 355 damage.

Tulip - Cyber Corruption

Decimates enemies through blast using electric acid. 85% TP. Deals 575 damage.

Camellia - Blue Flame

Uses powerful blue flame towards enemy. 60% TP. Deals 400 damage.

Mallow - K Slash

Slashes in a lethal movement of amputation and decapitation. 90% TP. Deals 670 damage.

Rosemary - Chaos Curse

Forces magic instability on enemies. 70% TP.

Orion - Chaos Vein

Pulls pure chaos energy out of body and forms it into a weapon. 56% TP. Deals 120 damage.

Estelle - Rainbow Crash

Unleashes corrupted Harmony magic. 100% TP. Lethal.

Meredith - Ocean Core

Uses tainted water to pierce through enemies. 85% TP. Deals 800 damage.

Maria - Chaos Crash

Shifts form into supercharged rocket and pierces through enemies. 100% TP. Lethal.

Arthur - Dual Slash

Two slashes back to back. 55% TP. Deals 440 damage.

Naomi - Windstorm

Conjures up a tornado while serving as the conduit, tornado strength up to EF3. 90% TP. Lethal.

Rime - Snowgrave

Creates a snow blast that freezes enemies to death. 100% TP. Lethal.

Keira - Chaos Scythe

Charged up Scythe strike. 70% TP. Deals 600 damage.

Juice - Psychic Flash

Uses psychic magic to shatter the mind of the enemy. 100% TP. Lethal.

Stellar - Chaos Break

Snaps all powers in half for enemies but doubles power of allies in return. 90% TP.

Terios - Chaos Shard

Uses unstable chaos energy embedded into their body to attack. 100% TP. Lethal.

Sunshine - Flashbang

Blinds enemies. 45% TP.

Sakura - Poison Bloom

Uses pollen from flowers to poison enemies, depleting their hp. 24% TP. Deals 50 damage.

Kaiko - Flower Curse

Changes all plants in the vicinity to damage everyone around them, including allies and themselves. 40% TP. Deals 50 damage.

Azarael - Tsunami

Conjures up huge wave of water to crash onto enemies. 90% TP. Deals 900 damage.

Okay, doing mini "best strategy" mode here. Let's see…

So… Anyone below Keira on the list is a guilty character, while the group between her and Meredith is defiant. So keep defiants to a minimum and don't do any possible guilty characters. We also need to keep the weird routes below eight, because if we hit that limit we're entering hard mode so we're gonna try to avoid it.

Now… For starters, our best pick for special attacks is definitely Estelle, whom is our only lethal attacker who isn't a defiant or guilty.

It would also be wise to weird route Mallow as well, since she holds the other highest damage count besides Estelle in the stronger group.

That's two weird route characters… But what if they're downed? Also, they're on different teams. It's pretty much impossible to have both on the same team so for our other weird routes…

Rime and Meredith.

Let me explain: We still need to keep in mind our controllers aka those who are manipulated by the player that would be much better but pose an extra problem: Heavy resistance. There's a reason they're controllers due to a high amount of determination without being determination at all, which is why both Maria and Naomi aren't favorable to weird route despite how tempting two lethals are. Not to mention… They're both seafoam, leaving only Estelle as a Stardust weird route character.

At least with Rime and Meredith it's balanced 2 v 2, and four characters is plenty to spare the rest. Not to mention, although some are connected trying to weird route them requires other characters (ex. Stellar and Camellia) which would affect BOTH characters. This runs the risk of losing a base powerful character while only making the middling strength character a bit stronger and deadlier.

With these teams in mind… Our most efficient team match-ups are:

For seafoam: Maria, Mallow, Meredith. Maria is, despite being warrior class, pretty much a tank. Mallow is the main attacker, while Meredith is both a reliable healer and heavy hitter.

For stardust: Arthur, Rime, Estelle. Arthur is the usual knight class, Rime is our warrior, and Estelle the Mage. Pretty balanced by party standards but in terms of power we now have two LETHAL LEVEL attacks on this end. This is incredibly busted, too.

(Yes you can switch out who you want in the fight. It's a mechanic in the game. It's also a free turn and you can do it as many times as you want. BUT if whoever you're swapping with took damage, that damage will carry over to whoever you swapped them with.)

But anyway… What would everyone else do for their parties? I'm curious!

[the-pen-pot]

Merthur Fic Ideas & WiPs

So I have a Merlin fic ideas page over on Patreon but obviously I can't link direct to that from AO3. So I'm popping one on here so you all know what's incoming/in the works/rattling around in my brain.

Coming to AO3 September 29th 2024

The Water and the Wilds:

'Magic is as much part of nature as the earth, sea and sky. Other sorcerers who sought out the circle found that their power developed certain affinities. Their abilities became tied to the cycle of the year. There would be one season at which their power was at its peak and another where it lay almost dormant. They became more closely connected to the natural ebb and flow of the world.'

'But?'

'But they were not Emrys. His strength is beyond anything in living memory, and the heights he could reach are, as yet, unknown.' Aglain spread his hands, his shoulders rolling in a graceful shrug. 'I can only tell you that the Tir Na Lei means no harm. Three is the number: the ritual is set. The circle will not call on Emrys again.'

______

In a Camelot where Arthur is king and magic is permitted once more, Merlin's power begins to change. Can he and Arthur overcome the challenges thrown their way, or will their relationship be forever changed by the ordeal?

(Approx 50 k in length, rated E)

If you want to read what else is in-progress, check out below!

Works In Progress

(All drafts are currently available over on Patreon - first chapter free to read. The rest are available to patrons in the $5 tier and up. They WILL become available on AO3 eventually. See bio or pinned post for link if you're interested ♥)

King and Court - 24 chapters currently drafted and available on Patreon - this one will begin updating on AO3 next as it's the one I've written most of.

Summary: Loneliness is an insidious thing. When Merlin looks at Arthur, he sees not just a prince waiting for his time to rule, but a young man struggling to find his place in the world, with little help from anyone else.

The truth is, Arthur needs more than the friendship Merlin can offer. He needs people he can trust: men and women who will become his court and his confidants, and if he is going to survive to take the throne and lead Camelot into its golden age, he needs them sooner rather than later.

Finding loopholes in Uther’s laws is no easy feat. Court life is a dangerous game, but it’s one Merlin has every intention of winning so that Arthur can have knights of his choosing by his side.

And then there is the matter of his magic…

(In my head this is basically entitled *~shenanigans, love and a golden age~*. Canon divergent AU)

Love Is Never Lost - 11 chapters currently drafted and available on Patreon.

Summary: Uther Pendragon has never approved of Arthur’s friendship with Merlin. There had been disappointed sighs and whispered warnings, but Arthur had never thought it would come to this: scars on Merlin’s back and a manservant made hollow and thin by cruelty.

Yet Uther’s efforts to drive a wedge between them instead bring Merlin’s greatest secret to light, and once the wound of secrecy has been purged, their healing brings them closer together than ever before.

Much to Uther Pendragon’s horror.

When Merlin disappears, Arthur is left questioning the true honour of the crown and the value of a kingdom forever stained by his father’s tyranny. Will he answer the call of duty, or will he sacrifice everything to chase the cries of his heart?

Tags will include: magic reveal, corporal punishment, slavery themes (and all that may imply), missing presumed dead, good Morgana, Arthur's POV, slow burn, dreamwalking, happily ever after eventually plus whatever else shows up as I write these!

Sigh No More - 7 chapters drafted on Patreon. This fic is my beloved. My baby. I'm obsessed. Fantasy Age-Of-Sail AU

Summary: Prince Arthur Pendragon, Captain of the Llamrei, would far rather spend his days patrolling Camelot's Waters than assume his place on the throne. Yet when he finds the wreckage of a vast ship and one lone survivor on board, nothing can prepare him for the path his life will lead.

Nor the demands his heart will make.

Hiraeth Ideas

Additions to the Hiraeth universe ideas : Just some little bulletpoints to remind me about things I would love to add to the Hiraeth verse once it's actually done.

Gwaine vs. a lemon

Merlin gets flu (my biologist heart wants to explore Merlin's immune system vs. Camelot germs plus no modern drugs. Excellent hurt/comfort opportunity - not that Hiraeth really needs more of that.)

Merlin "tormenting" Arthur via the bond (Explicit,  definitely)

Merlin shows Arthur (and others?) modern London.

The knights of Camelot at the zoo (sort of)

Maps/globes/celestial bodies knowledge

💀 Agravaine 💀

The one with the eclipse (some king and his sorcerer are trying to show off said sorcerer's power. There just so happens to be an eclipse.They know what it is so Merlin cannot claim credit, but he totally fucks with them anyway.)

Non-Hiraeth ideas

Magic Reveal Via Time-Travel  (Added June 2024)

Merlin and the knights get themselves into some kind of dire situation. Merlin, in a panic and realising he's not strong or knowledgable enough to save them, pretty much demands that the universe in general sends someone who can help.

What actually happens is he gets flung five years into the future, and his future self (who is more capable, among other things) takes his place. He sorts out the dire situation, whatever it may be, and that leaves Arthur and the others with future!Merlin, who is not only very magically capable but 100% their Merlin with lots more confidence, as irreverent as ever, and unmistakably thrumming with magic. They can all feel it, because Merlin makes no effort to hide.

More to the point future!Merlin remembers this from the other side, when he was younger and the same thing happened. He knows this is when the others find out about his magic, and he is able to answer their questions and emotional responses calmly and rationally, because he already knows Arthur isn't going to kill him or hate him or anything.

(Quite the opposite, in fact, since he's having to hide the fact that Arthur's ring is currently gleaming on his finger. He is grateful, at least, that he wasn't a. Pulled naked out of the bath for this magical meeting or b. wearing his crown, which would have been hard to explain without breaking Arthur's tiny brain.)

Meanwhile, young!Merlin is in Camelot, five years in the future, and Arthur and the others are a bit older, a (very little bit) wiser, and are also doing a brilliant job of calming him down and letting him know everything will be all right. And actually showing him the golden age they achieve -- that it's not impossible and out of reach.

Possibly a long four parter from young!Merlin, young!Arthur, older!Merlin and older!Arthur's points of view. Assuming I can write it without being confusing 🤣

Merlin's Voice - possibly a bit dark

My desire to put Merlin inhurt/comfort situations knows no bounds, but this one actually stems from the fact that Merlin doesn't remember the hug after he's been missing in Servant of Two masters and I'm weak for Arthur being a worried angsty little lamb about his missing manservant.

I'd probably go AU and make Morgana good, with Merlin's magic being known, and just have Morgause basically taking Morgana's place, except she and Agravaine are trying to get information about Camelot's weaknesses, and who better to lean on than Arthur's idiot manservant.

Cue Merlin being missing for days, Arthur panicking, Agravaine being dismissive as usual, and Morgause growing increasingly frustrated at the fact that she cannot get anything of note out of Merlin.

In the end, she tries a spell to force him to speak, except that Merlin is so fiercely determined not to betray Camelot and Arthur that his own magic takes the spell and twists it, forging it into a spell of silence instead.

Morgause gets cruel in her frustration, but eventually, Merlin manages to escape and head back for Camelot. It's no easy journey, and more to the point, the spell silencing him will not come off. No matter how hard he tries. He was so determined not to say anything that his magic went overboard in an effort to meet his intent.

I want to write that hug so Merlin remembers it. I want to have Arthur initially teasing about the silence but getting increasinlgy distressed by it. I want the realisation that Merlin is so incredibly expressive that the others rarely need him to write what he wants to say, they can get the gist of it from just a look.

It's one of those ones with ~vibes~  I want to explore, but I have no idea how it ends.

The "Back To The Start" One

So I made this post on Tumblr and it did numbers (I was thinking 4 people would "hell yes" me, not 2000 +)

"Not me sitting here thinking about writing a fic where we start with Arthur dying in Merlin's arms after Camlaan and it's all tragedy and then the magic rises and they both end up back at that first day, in the marketplace, Merlin with "How long have you been training to be a prat, my lord?" dying on his lips as they stare at each other, fascinated, horrified, so fucking relieved because they both remember ALL of it and none of it's happened yet and this time they can maybe make it to a different, better ending.

And they can do it together."

BUT TO EXPAND

I want to explore how Arthur and Merlin would interact with each other having lived in one another's pockets for ten years, only to be sent right back to the beginning, while retaining everything they are to each other. Merlin's magic newly revealed from the confession by the lakeside. The two of them standing there with every mistake in their future rather than their past and realising that maybe "two sides of the same coin" means "you need to work together, dumbass".

I want the two of them shocked by how young the other is. How different Camelot seems from what they're used to. How harsh Uther looks now that they know it can be different (though not as different as it should be, Arthur realises.) I want them correcting their mistakes (and each other's mistakes) and taking all that they know of each other and rebuilding their relationship (all their relationships, actually) on that honesty.

And the others don't remember. Morgana is still Morgana, still struggling, but still hoping to be saved. Mordred's just a boy.  Lancelot never sacrificed himself and it's so clear in Arthur's eyes that Gwen loved them both but that she loved Lancelot first and in a different way.

The knights end up at Camelot earlier simply because Arthur and Merlin set out to find them earlier. 

("We need Gwaine." "Do we? Really?" "Yes, you great prat. Come on.")

And so much more.

The "Fake Favourite" One 

This is basically me having a desperate urge to write all the political whatevers of Arthur taking Merlin as a favourite, smashed together with a fake dating AU.

Basic premise is simple: in an effort to avoid the latest princess eyeing up his hand for marriage (and with Uther's blessing, because it suits him for now to put off marrying Arthur to someone) Arthur decides that he will pretend Merlin is his lover and favourite. They spend all their time together anyway, and half the court rumour already appears to think they sleep together, so it will hardly be any change to either of them.

Except all Arthur has to do is say the words to make it happen, but there's a lot more to being a favourite than that. Merlin can't continue to serve him, and then there's the whole situation of a new wardrobe (which Merlin and his magic both fight against) the political wheeling and dealing that comes with a servant being elevated in status, not to mention the subtle ways in which the court first tries to manipulate Merlin, and then is manipulated by him in turn (for the good of Camelot)

What starts out as Arthur aggressively but jokingly courting Merlin (because Merlin said he was bad at it) ends up much closer to *actual* courting.

And no, Merlin cannot sleep in the antechamber, because the chambermaids will notice they're not sharing a bed.

(This basically would end up being a story about Merlin no longer being a servant but becoming a valued member of the court almost by accident (but being very good at it) and the two fools falling helplessly in love with each other while they pretend to be lovers.)

Morgana, Gwen and the knights would be placing ridiculous bets and generally watching it all with disbelieving horror and delight because only these two idiots could make falling in love so complicated.

The "Stuck In Close Quarters" One 

Merlin and Arthur trapped underground in VERY close proximity (like lying on top of each other) and running out of air and Merlin’s magic is too weak (thanks to a battle maybe) to get them out but he can replenish the air but there is no way Arthur won’t notice.

Cue a magic reveal in close quarters and love confessions.

The Horn of Cathbad one

Merlin dies and due to some glitchiness with his magic, he doesn’t immediately come back. Instead, Arthur, in the freshness of his grief, reaches for magic.

He uses the Horn of Cathbhad to see Merlin again, knowing that if he summons Merlin’s ghost and looks back, then Merlin will stay. (Maybe Gaius warns him - but he doesn’t take it as a warning, but a blessing.)

And Merlin answers, and Arthur doesn’t dismiss his ghost. There are ghostly shenanigans and while it’s not the same as having his friend back, it helps. He doesn’t really have to grieve.

Except that Merlin’s spirit starts to become restless and angry, and it reaches the point where Merlin is *begging* Arthur to let him go. He doesn’t know about his immortality but something is pulling at him.

And Arthur finds the strength to let him go and it’s like losing him all over again.

And then, of course, Merlin comes back ❤️

Blind Merlin One

Arthur and co. suspect Merlin has magic but haven't spoken of it to him yet. While out on patrol, Merlin takes a curse meant for Arthur, one that effectively blinds him until "you see the truth". Arthur thinks it's about the magic and it dredges all that out into the open, but the curse doesn't leave. Merlin quickly adapts to using magic to "see" (in a manner of speaking) and keeps his eyes covered to hide their glow.

Of course, Arthur's threatened about Merlin's vulnerability and baffled about the curse etc. It turns out that the truth they need to see is how they feel for each other. Angst/hurt/comfort/fluff because I can.

Omegaverse One (Maybe a series? Sort of tempted to try out some MPreg)

Well off my normal beaten path, but I keep what-iffing it so I'm writing it down here (and will totally draw on some of the mechanics and plot points of Gilded Cage)

Not all magic users are Omegas, but all Omegas have magic, which means Merlin has more than one secret to keep, and he keeps it well. It "helps" that when he presented in Ealdor, one of the Alphas in the village attacked and bit him, forming enough of a bond to stabilise his biochemistry before he managed to escape. It was that incident that pushed him and Hunith into making him go to Camelot.

Merlin successfully hides what he is for years, thinking he's safe, but the Alpha who bit him never stops looking for him. The Alpha eventually tracks him down, threatens Merlin etc., but gets killed in a tavern brawl before he can make good on his threats. That, in turn, breaks the bond that's been keeping Merlin stable and able to pass, in general, as a beta.

Cue it all going a little bit to hell because Arthur thought he knew everything about Merlin and it turns out he really didn't, and now his irritating and attractive beta manservant who always smelled good is an irritating, attractive, sorcerous omega manservant who smells amazing... etc.

(and maybe this one sounded a lot better in my head? There's a whole heap of nuance I'm not putting down - but it's a possible future Merlin fic.)

Different curse fic

A sorcerer curses Arthur with magic in order to make the Pendragon heir everything that the king hates. He wants to see if he is a hypocrite who will spare his sorcerous son, or a tyrant who will damn the ties of blood and execute him.

Cue Arthur frantically trying to hide the fact that he has magic from everyone, including Merlin, except that's fantastically unsuccessful because Merlin has magic, knows magic, *is* magic.

Then you've got Merlin desperately trying to hide the fact that Arthur had magic from the court while concealing that *he* has magic from Arthur. He very small and tired and stressed about it.

But the upshot is that Arthur has a better understanding of magic - how it is not, in itself, bad or corrupt - and because his magic has no chill and absolutely adores Merlin it acts as the pivotal point that brings out all their secrets (and desire)

The Lancelot and a dead body one -probably shortish.

This is more a scene that anything, but I keep thinking of how to expand it a bit better (I did a text chat thing on tumblr about this plot bunny I need to write it one day)

Arthur and all the knights are in an antechamber off the armoury after an evening training session. The door is ajar. They hear Lancelot come in and Gwaine's about to call out to him when Merlin stumbles through the door.

'I need your help burying a body!'

And Lancelot doesn't squawk or demand answers but just says, in a "so done with this shit" voice: 'Again?'

Meanwhile Arthur and the others are like "What the hell?" and follow Merlin and Lancelot out towards the border of the Darkling Woods where there is a huge and very dead monster just.... lying there.

Then we have Merlin making desperate and really bad excuses, which Arthur would be more willing to pretend he believed if Merlin wasn't bloodied and swaying where he stood and also had flowers blooming around his feet, because Merlin used a lot of magic to take this thing down and it's kind of leaking a bit.

And then we go on from there with the knights spending all night trying to dig a big enough hole and asking questions and all that, and Merlin being too tired and beaten up to really put them off - and then I end it somehow. (I did say this was just a scene!)

[the-forest-library]

2024 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge

A book with the word "leap" in the title

A bildungsroman

A book about a 24-year-old

A book about a writer

A book about K-pop

A book about pirates

A book about women's sports and/or by a woman athlete

A book by a blind or visually impaired author

A book by a deaf or hard-of-hearing author

A book by a self-published author

A book from a genre you typically avoid

A book from an animal's POV

A book originally published under a pen name

A book recommended by a bookseller

A book recommended by a librarian

A book set 24 years before you were born

A book set in a travel destination on your bucket list

A book set in space

A book set in the future

A book set in the snow

A book that came out in a year that ends with "24"

A book that centers on video games

A book that features dragons

A book that takes place over the course of 24 hours

A book that was published 24 years ago

A book that was turned into a musical

A book where someone dies in the first chapter

A book with a main character who's 42 years old

A book with a neurodivergent main character

A book with a one-word title you had to look up in a dictionary

A book with a title that is a complete sentence

A book with an enemies-to-lovers plot

A book with an unreliable narrator

A book with at least three POVs

A book with magical realism

A book written by an incarcerated or formerly incarcerated person

A book written during NaNoWriMo

A cozy fantasy book

A fiction book by a trans or nonbinary author

A horror book by a BIPOC author

A memoir that explores queerness

A nonfiction book about Indigenous people

A second-chance romance

An autobiography by a woman in rock 'n' roll

An LGBTQ+ romance novel

Advanced Prompts

A book in which a character sleeps for more than 24 hours

A book with 24 letters in the title

A collection of at least 24 poems

The 24th book of an author

A book that starts with the letter "X"

[thebestofoneshots]

Gilded Constellations | wolfstar x reader

Series Masterlist | Previous episode

Pairing: Wolfstar x Reader Word Count: 7.6 K Warnings: none Prompt: A dangerous night approaches as you and Lily  go out to find the ingredients for your Potions project. This IS a wolfstar x reader fic, but it's incredibly slow burn. They won't start all dating each other until we're very deep into the story, but I promise the long wait will be worth it.

Chapter 10: Black Dog

September 24, 1976 - Friday 11:00 pm

As you walked outside of the portrait and onto the halls you realised how much lonelier the school looked like at night. Of course, you’d been out at night on your first night, back then you’d been hanging out with Remus and James and Peter, but right now, being just you and Lily, it all felt bigger, darker. So you decided to fill the emptiness with a conversation.

“So…. You and James?” You said with a raised eyebrow. 

“There is no me and James,” Lily replied. 

“Aw, come on.” You nudged her again “You can trust me.” 

She drew in a deep breath “It’s just that… James Potter is– he’s infuriating!” She told you. “With all his pranks and charm and his constant flirting and–“

“–and you liked it when you kissed him, didn’t you?” You asked, she instantly turned red, you smiled “and there’s nothing wrong with that. Who knows? You may discover other things about James, things that make you forgive those you dislike.” 

She frowned, genuinely thinking about it “Well, I guess objectively… I mean… He’s pretty good-looking.” 

You agreed “and he’s funny as well. And… best part–” you made a dramatic pause “–he’s madly in love with you.” 

She shook her head in disbelief, with a smile plastered on her face anyway. But then she decided to turn things around “What about you and Sirius?” 

You snapped your head towards her “What’s with me and Sirius?” 

“Well, after that summer he met you he was all mopy for months. He told me a lot of things about you, you couldn’t even get him to shut up. And then he started going out with girls and dumping them shortly after. I think he was trying to get his mind off you,” she said “and… I don’t know, he said you were the one to kiss him first, which is why assumed you liked him.” 

“I did.” 

“Did?” 

You sighed “It’s hard not to fall for Sirius Black,” you said, “he’s exceptionally charming, not to mention beautiful.” 

Lily shrugged “If you like the prince-y type.” 

“Well,” you said with a frown “I am weak like that, can’t help but like beautiful people,” you said dramatically “And he’s so playful, and when he gets riled up, he looks adorable too, it’s fun to tease him.” 

“So you still like him,” Lily replied, matter of factly. 

“Well even if I did, last time I acted upon my feelings things didn’t end well. I was heartbroken, and I thought he had completely forgotten about me. All that’s in the past obviously, and I know he didn’t mean to ghost me, but I… It’s just that… It took time to get over him.” 

Lily nodded, she knew just how complicated Sirius could be “Personally, I think if he likes you, and you like him, you should just start dating.” 

You laughed at that “Look who’s talking.” 

“I mean… You and Sirius would make a fantastic couple.” 

“Yeah, you and Potter would make beautiful babies,” you retorted.

She lightly hit you with the back of her hand, “Enough boy talk.” 

You laughed, it was so easy to see Lily’s newfound feeling for James, you just loved to tease her, she’d get red and flustered and she was adorable. And objectively speaking, as she had said herself, you really did think she and James would make a wonderful pair. 

Fifteen minutes later you were already on the doors that lead outside. You looked up, the moon was already in the sky, looking majestic as ever, stars shining brightly. The wind was blowing your hair and robes, so you took a deep breath of the crisp night air and smiled

Hogwarts at night carried an even more magical air to it than it did in the mornings. You were walking behind Lily when you heard a distant howl that made you shiver, your hair flowing still, strong wind blowing towards the distant trees. “Did you hear that?”  You asked her, walking closer, it was the same type of howl that haunted your dreams.

“Heard what?” Lily asked, playing dumb. She knew what it was, she had figured Remus was a werewolf a couple of years back, and she asked him about it when he seemed ready to tell her, they had a really nice conversation that day, it was probably around the time they became really close.  

“The creepy howl?” You said with a frown, was it possible it was all in your head, maybe something about the book Nina gave you had permeated your head enough to cause mild hallucinations, maybe it was sleep deprivation. All though, you didn’t really feel like you were much sleep-deprived. 

She shook her head, and you continued walking beside her. Once you were in the greenhouses you both grabbed some gardening tools and walked towards the fluxweed. You grabbed a small shovel and started to carefully dig around the roots, to avoid hurting them, while Lily gently pulled the plant from the top, and lit up the area with her wand. Eventually, you put on a pair of gloves and started digging with your own hands. You heard another howl, this one was sharper and not as deep as the first, it also sounded a lot closer. 

“You surely heard that one, didn’t you?” You asked, a chill running through your spine, the hairs from your arm standing on end. 

Lily couldn’t deny it, it had been very obvious, and if she did, you may start thinking you were crazy yourself. So she did the most logical thing she could, and lied. “Must be Fang, Hagrid’s dog.” 

“A dog? So loud?” You asked. 

“You should see him,” she replied, not wanting to get deeper into the lie. 

You nodded and continued to pull the fluxweed together. “Who’s Hagrid, by the way?” 

“Oh that’s right, we should probably introduce you to him. I guess you didn’t come on the boats like the first years. He’s the gamekeeper, you’d like him.” 

You finally managed to dig out all the roots, Lily grabbed the plant and carefully placed it on a satchel she’d brought. You then went for the second plant. A couple of minutes later you were done. And the two of you smiled satisfied, walking towards the closet and leaving all the tools carefully in their place. 

You heard another howl, the deeper one this time. The two howls could not possibly be from the same animal. But you realised you sounded paranoid, so you decided to drop the subject and avoid mentioning them anymore.  

Once you were done the two of you started walking back to the common room, as you crossed the long stone hall that led you back to the castle you saw something move, it was back in the forbidden forest. You turned, trying to see what was happening better, but the wind was making your hair get in the way, you only managed to see 3 dark figures, running very, very fast through the edges of the forest. Those night vision glasses that you considered designing for your magical theory class, seemed like they would be awfully useful now, maybe you could make more than one of the things you’d thought of originally. 

Lily looked at you nervously, she could tell the boys were trying to keep Moony in check by the way some of the shadows pushed onto the others. Something was happening, and she knew it was best to get back to the common room as soon as possible. So she grabbed your arm lightly and pulled you from the window’s arch, “Come on, I’m kind of getting cold.” 

“But Lily, didn’t you see those figures?” You asked her as you let her guide you towards the castle. 

“It must be the centaurs from the forbidden forest,” she said, as casually as she could, picking up the peace regardless “Sometimes they come out of their hiding spots to talk to Hagrid.” 

“Really?” You asked, not sounding too convinced. 

“Yeah, totally,” Lily said, basically dragging you through the big doors. 

Once inside the castle, the two of you walked back to the dorms. And after setting your fluxweed on a little string to dry, the two of you went to your respective beds. 

That night the nightmares came again, you running from the wolf, the howls, the dark tunnel. It was even worse than before, it felt so real that when you woke up you were drenched in sweat. Your light cotton shirt felt soggy and gross. You took a deep breath and looked at the bright green clock on the wall, it was 4am but you sure as hell did not want to go back to sleep. So you went into your shared bathroom and cast a silencing spell, as not to wake the girls up. 

You started running a hot bath for yourself. Perhaps that would help you relax from the nightmare. And you remembered you had a bath potion somewhere in your bags. Something that was meant to be relaxing, so you cast a footstep-silencing charm too and went out to get it. As you were rummaging through your bag Mary woke up, and saw you there, which made her frown “You ok love?” She whispered. 

You nodded “Just having a hard time sleeping,” you whispered back. She didn’t seem convinced but decided to give you some space, she knew you’d ask for help should you need it. 

Once you had your potion, you gave her a small smile and entered the bathroom again. The water was already halfway filling the tub and you lightly poured half of the potion on it, turning the bath water a light blue colour, it shimmered and smelled like the sea. You closed your eyes and delighted in the already calming smell. You played with the water and after a couple of minutes peeled off your sweat-drenched clothes and submerged in the tub.  As you continued to toy with the water you felt your ring slip off. You fished for it lazily and set it near the sink. As you relaxed in the bath, you dozed off, waking up as some soft dawn rays hit your face directly from the small window. You woke up with a gasp, you had fallen asleep, but… there had been no nightmares. You wondered what time it was, you had to be ready for flying, so you got out as quickly as possible, unplugging the bath with a wave of your wand, not even bothering to check the time. Once outside you started putting on some thick clothes for the cold morning ahead. 

Marlene had gone into the bathroom shortly after, and just as you grabbed your broom, she called for you “Hey, (Y/N)!” She said, “You forgot this.” She handed over your ring. 

“Oh, thanks!” You said to her and smiled. Before waving goodbye and running out. By the time you were down at the common room, it was already 6:00. You always flew at 5:30 on Saturdays, so when you saw neither Sirius nor James, you assumed they had gone off without you so you walked outside. 

“Good morning (Y/N)! Going alone today?” Asked the lady from the portrait. 

You turned to her with a frown “Haven’t the boys left already?”

“Hmm…” she said “I’m not sure, I don’t think I’ve seen them since yesterday actually.” 

“Yesterday?” 

She nodded “Have you seen them, Charles?” She asked to another painting. 

“Not at all,” said the tall wizard in the painting as he poured a bit of potion into a vase. 

“Perhaps they’re out doing their pranks,” said the lady as you looked at her, still frowning. 

“Yeah, probably,” you agreed, still frowning. You'd guess James would have told you he wasn’t going to fly this morning, maybe they forgot, or maybe their prank was so top secret he couldn’t. You waved the portraits goodbye and walked towards the courtyard with your broom in hand. 

From there you took off and started flying around the castle until you saw a big black dog, lying near the entrance of the forbidden forest. You looked at it with concern, and flew towards it, hovering a few metres above. The dog looked dazed like it was fighting between consciousness and sleep. It had a light cut over his shoulder, and there was a lot of bIood surrounding him, but it didn’t look like his own. You took a deep breath, you had to help him. This dog may be Fang, Hagrid’s dog, the one Lily told you about yesterday, and you wouldn’t want anyone’s dog to be lying there unconscious, but you also knew you had to be cautious, The dog was so big it could easily bite your hand off. 

So, after some quick thinking, you decided to slowly, and steadily land, a little far from the dog, you let your broom fall on the ground, as you carefully walked towards the creature. The dog itself was stunning, it had dark thick fur, and  stunning light blue eyes. “Hey buddy,” you said, trying not to sound as nervous as you were. “I’m here to help all right, please don’t bite me.” 

The dog seemed to look at you lazily for a second, fixing his gaze on your face, before letting his face fall to the ground again, tired. Well, he wasn’t going to bite you, that was good. You finally leaned in close enough to touch it, and you carefully placed your hand over his head. He was cold, very cold, he might have been lying there for a while. You quickly took off your sweater and placed it over him. It was the same thick sweater Sirius’ had altered the colour off weeks ago. 

“You must have had a pretty rough night, eh?” You told him softly, digging on the ground lightly in front of his snout, doing it slowly, so as not to scare him “aguamenti,” you said, filling the little hole you dug with water for the dog to drink “Where you the one howling so desperately?” You said, as you grabbed a handkerchief from your pocket and dipped it in some water to clean his wound. The dog flinched as you placed the cloth on his open gush, but it didn’t become aggressive. 

You didn’t know much about caring for hurt animals, but you remembered reading somewhere that calendula was good for open wounds and decided to test your luck “Accio Calendula?” a small plant with orange flowers came flying towards your face, you managed to catch it with your hands and quickly started pulling the petals from the small flowers. You then used some nearby rocks to grind the petals, adding a bit of water to turn the mixture into a paste. There wasn’t much of it, but you figured it would be enough. “All right Fang,” you said “This may or may not hurt like hell. Please don’t bite my face off if it does, m’kay?”

After taking a deep breath you grabbed the paste with your finger and placed it right over the dog’s wound. The dog growled, protesting, but did not attempt to move away from you. Once you were done, you wiped the stickiness of your fingers on the grass. And the dog nudged your hand, softly moving his head beneath it. Did he want you to pet him?

You complied, running your fingers through his head, scratching near his ear carefully, he seemed at ease. At some point the dog placed his entire head over your lap, enjoying the way your hands ran up and down his fur. When he looked better, you nudged him slightly “Don’t you think we should go to your owner? I’m sure Hagrid’s worried about his dog missing.” Instead of standing excitedly at the mention of his owner, the dog sank deeper into your lap, nudging you with his head, so you didn’t stop petting him. “All right, big boy,” you said, “I suppose we can stay here a bit longer.” 

As you lay in the grass with the dog, you started feeling your stomach rumble. It must already be breakfast time, you thought, and then wondered if the dog was feeling the same way “Aren’t you hungry?” You asked him, as if he could understand. And the dog, the bIoody dog, nodded! You were shocked, it must have been a coincidence, or maybe Hagrid’s dog was magical somehow. “Well then buddy, I’ll go get the two of us something to eat all right. I’ll be quick, I promise.” You said, carefully standing up and running towards your broom. 

Once you landed back at the courtyard you ran towards the kitchen and you bumped into James, who looked dishevelled and tired “Sorry!” You said as you saw him “You ok?” You asked with a frown “I… kind of expected to see you in the morning.” 

James nodded “Sorry about that, we had a long night.” He told you, and shook his nose a little “Were you with Sirius?” 

You shrugged at the question, “No, I… haven't seen him since yesterday,” you answered honestly, but James could smell Sirius on you. “I guessed you’d be with him.” 

“Yeah,” he said with a nod “We were together, but… uh– we lost him at some point, I was hoping he’d gotten back to the common room.” 

“Was the prank successful at least?” You asked kindly. 

James looked at you with a frown and raised his eyebrows when he realised what was going on, you thought they’d been out planning a prank, so he nodded “We… had some mishaps.” 

“I’m really sorry to hear that,” you said, placing an understanding hand on his shoulders “Anyway…” the sense of urgency was strong, and you had to go back to check on the dog “I’ve got to run, I’m trying to bring some food for Fang, he was badly hurt, I found him while flying.” 

“Fang?” James asked with a frown. 

You nodded, already a few metres away from him “Hagrid’s dog!” You clarified, running towards the kitchens. 

“Hagrid’s dog?!” 

“Big black dog, stunning specimen, a little threatening from afar?” You said last. 

“Oh… Fang… right.” James said. So, you had been with Sirius after all, you just didn’t know it. 

Once you got to the kitchens you spotted Nimbletwist and you politely asked her for something with meat on it. She nodded and quickly wrapped some food up for you. 

“Thank you,” you said kindly “You’ve always been willing to help me.” 

“It’s ma’ pleasure to help ye’ Master (Y/N),” she said with a smile, as she handed it over. 

Once you held it secure, you ran towards the courtyard again, grabbing onto your broom, which you’d left lying on a corner there, you took off and quickly flew towards the place you’d found Fang, but he was gone. You walked around the place in which you’d found him, even walking a few steps inside the forest, but the dog was nowhere to be seen. Assuming he’d been feeling better, you took a deep breath and flew back to the castle. 

You walked towards your room and changed into your uniform quickly. Sliding on Remus’ thick sweater to keep you warm, since you were almost shivering from flying so fast, and Fang had kept your sweater. 

Once you were downstairs you found almost everyone already having breakfast. Sirius was sitting next to James, hair messy and looking as worn out as his friend. They really must have had a wild night, you thought. Peter was there too, he didn’t look as tired as the boys, but he did look mortified, and a little exhausted, like he’d been running all night, it made you wonder what kind of prank they had been planning to all look so depleted. 

You finished eating as fast as you could, since you knew you had Apparition in like 15 minutes and Professor Dumbledore did not like it when people were late. Especially since it was the only class he taught. It was barely your second class, so it was all theory, inside the castle. Everyone in your friend group had taken the class, knowing full well how useful it could be, so you all walked together to the classroom that you unfortunately shared with Slytherins. 

As you walked in, and class started you leaned towards Peter, “Where’s Remus?” You asked him.

“He’s not feeling good, he was hurt last night,” he whispered back, “he decided to skip the class, he’s at the infirmary.” 

You looked at Peter surprised, he said it with such ease, like it was something that happened all the time, which was actually true, even if last night had been harder on the boys. But you, having met Remus for only a couple of weeks, did not expect him to just get randomly hurt and skip classes, especially since you’d seen how much he cared about them. Even you had skipped a class or two, and he’d been the one to pass you the notes. So you decided you’d return the favour, copying the majority of what Dumbledore was explaining in class, as neatly and orderly as you could. 

After Apparition, you had four hours of care for magical creatures. You spent the first half of the class learning all about the nifflers before being taken into a room full of them. Professor Kettleburn had asked the MCZ (Magical Creatures Zoo) to borrow them for a month, and the students would be in charge of their care; naturally, everyone was fascinated with them. As you played with one of them, you started drawing him, letting another one play with your left hand. The scoundrel was carefully working his way to remove your ring when you noticed. 

“Hey little guy!” You reprimanded “Not that, here…” You took out a golden coin from your purse, “take this one instead.” The little niffler seemed pretty satisfied. Once you were done you went to the kitchens for the second time in the day and asked Nimbletwist if she could get you some chocolate. She nodded, and a few minutes later showed up with 10 bars. You laughed at the excess but thanked her before placing them in the pockets of your robe. They might be useful later on, anyway. 

As you ran through the halls you spotted Alexander Wood, and stopped, you had been hoping to find him. “Hey Alex!” You told him with a smile. “Mind helping me duplicate my notes real quick?” You asked him kindly. 

He nodded “I can teach you the spell if you want to, I’ve got the book right now in fact…” 

You smiled “I’d love that… but- I’m sort of on my way to see my friend, he didn’t go to classes because he was feeling bad and… I wanted to help him with my notes since he always lends me his.” 

Alex nodded and walked with you “Then I won’t take much more of your time,” he said as you handed over your papers and he duplicated them with ease “By the way, will you come to Hogsmeade tonight? I heard Marlene and Holden are coming.” 

“I… probably,” you told him with a smile “I’ll see you then, maybe?” 

He nodded in response, and you waved goodbye to him “Thank you for the papers!” 

“My pleasure,” he said before continuing his path.

That’s when you walked towards the infirmary, knocking on the door quietly in case anyone was sleeping. Madam Pomfrey was there “Is there something wrong darling?” She asked you with concern. 

You shook your head “Can I uh… I’m actually here to see a friend.” 

“Remus?” You nodded, and she let you in. “Poor boy, I gave him a drought for pain, he won’t stay awake for much longer, so you better hurry.” 

“Thank you,” you said with a smile and walked towards the area she had pointed out. When you opened the curtain you were shocked. Remus was shirtless, his entire chest bandaged as if he had a massive gash underneath it, “Rem?” You asked worried “What the hell happened last night? The boys already look like shit, but you look like you’ve been run over by a truck.” 

“(Y/N)? Is… is that you?” He asked, distraught. 

You nodded and sat down beside him “Of course silly! I Brought you some chocolate.” You said pulling out a bar, and opening it up for him “Have you eaten anything? Do you want me to get you something to eat?” 

He shook his head, he was more sleep than awake, but he grabbed the chocolate bar and munched on it “Why are you here?” He asked. 

You were taken aback by that, “because I’m your friend? Peter said you were feeling bad, I’m actually surprised the boys aren’t here too.” 

“Last night was… they must be feeling pretty bad too.” 

“They looked rough,” you agreed, and leaned in closer to him, trying to identify how bad his wound was. He looked paler than normal, like he had lost a lot of bIood. “Rem… are you sure you’re ok?” 

“I heal fast,” he said as he gave another bite of his chocolate “and Madam Pomfrey knows how to take care of me too.” 

You leaned in on the bed, letting your arms fall next to his and resting your head on top of them. He flinched when your silver ring brushed over his skin, but you had quickly accommodated it closer to your face than his arm. Remus was already close to falling asleep “I brought you my notes, so you don’t miss any of what we did today,” you said “Apparition was just theory but, we also got to meet some nifflers.”

“Did you?” 

“Yeah, baby nifflers,” you said with a smile “They’re adorable.” 

“Bet.” 

“You know…” you said, tracing circles around your own arm with your fingers, “I had a rough night last night too.” Remus hummed in response, “Not like you, not at all… but… I had the worst nightmare I’ve had in my life, it was so vivid I didn’t want to go back to bed.” 

“‘m sorry,” he mumbled. You made a gesture to move away from the bed and back into your chair but he placed a hand over your arm “Don’t… you smell nice.” 

You chuckled at that “I must smell of sweat and wet dog,” you said “I found Hagrid’s dog outside, and helped him, he looked like he too had had a pretty bad night. He had a gash on his shoulder and I was running around between the kitchens and the dog, freezing since I gave it my sweater,” Remus looked at you with worry, what if Moony had hurt Fang? “He’s very pretty, isn't he?” 

“Fang?” He asked with a frown, incredulity dripping from his tone. He certainly wouldn’t use pretty to describe the dog. 

“Yeah, so big and those bright blue eyes,” you said “I’ve never seen a prettier dog in my life.” 

Sirius. You hadn’t helped Fang, you’d helped Sirius. Remus wondered what on earth had made you assume Sirius was Fang. He wondered too if Sirius had heard you call him Fang when you helped him, he would definitely tease him about it when he was feeling better. 

“You smell nice anyway,” he said. You smelled like Sirius, and you smelled like you at the same time. Remus might not know why he felt that way, but he knew one thing for certain: he didn’t want you to pull away, he could smell that mixture of scents for the rest of his life and he’d be at peace. Maybe it was a wolf thing, he didn’t care, he was also so drunk on painkillers that he wasn’t at all thinking properly. 

At some point he placed his fingers over your head and started playing with your hair, you delighted in the feeling of his fingers running over your scalp. You were glad you’d found such an amazing friend in him, so caring and compassionate. He was hurt so bad, and yet, he’d decided to comfort you as much as you comforted him. With Remus’ fingers running through your scalp, you dozed off again. When you woke up, it was already dark outside, and your stomach was rumbling, you hadn’t properly eaten at all that day. Madam Pomfrey was looking at you from the curtains with a smile. 

“You make him feel at ease,” She told you, “He rarely stays long with me nowadays,” she said with a bit of longing in her voice. You frowned, was it common for him to go to the infirmary? “All right love,” Madam Pomfrey said with a soft smile “I’ll take care of him, off you go.” 

You looked at her and nodded, finally standing up and walking towards the exit “Actually…” you said turning towards her “Is– Is there anything I can take to prevent nightmares?” 

She bit her lip and nodded “It depends on the type of nightmares you’ve got, but I can give you an anxiety-reducing potion… do you think that could help?” 

You shrugged, you didn’t think the nightmares were anxiety-induced but you nodded “I’d like that.” 

“If it doesn’t get better, just come back to me love, I’m sure we can figure something out together.”

You nodded at her with a smile, thanking her as she handed you the small vial. It was the same droplet vial that Remus and you used on your fireworms. Shit, the fireworms! Remus had asked you to feed the fireworms, you thought as you ran out towards the passages, speeding through the dark as fast as you could. If you were too late, they could literally explode, you had to be there on time. When you reached the little nook where you’d left them you finally relaxed. They were both fine, so you took out some food from your pockets and left it on their makeshift feeding plate. 

Thankfully Remus had asked you to feed them since yesterday. You might have forgotten about it all together with the hectic day you had. 

Hold up, Remus had asked you to feed them yesterday. Almost as if he’d known he’d be feeling bad the next morning, but how was that possible? Was he expecting something to go wrong while he was planning the prank? Then why would he go ahead with it anyway? Or maybe he was just thinking ahead, taking into consideration how complicated the prank was, and decided to make sure the fireworms would be all right. Yeah, that made a lot more sense. 

Remus was clever, he knew the prank was dangerous and decided to have a contingency plan. That was the most plausible explanation. And as the Occam’s Razor principle would say, the explanation that requires the least assumptions is usually correct. Remus was not some kind of divination master, he was just really good at thinking ahead. There was a reason he was a Prefect after all. The teachers probably knew how forehanded he was, and that’s how he’d gotten the little badge. 

Once you’d settled your thoughts, you walked back to the common room. Passing by the kitchens for the third time that day to get yourself a decent snack. Nimbletwist was more than thrilled to see you and asked you about your day as you asked her about hers. You told her all about the crazy day you’d had and she made sure to prepare you the biggest sandwich you’d seen in your entire life. 

“Ye must nourish yourself properly if ye be wishin’ to carry on with yer castle adventures master (Y/N).” 

“I wouldn’t call them adventures, maybe mishaps,” you said with a smile but Nibletwist shook her head.

"Me's been keepin' me eyes on ya," she squeaked, her voice full of concern. "Since the day ya arrived 'ere, ya was wearin' sadness on yer face, lookin' all tired and such. But now, oh me goodness, there's a gleam of mischief in yer peepers! Ya's all brimmin' with excitement, even if ya be wearin' the exhaustion on ya. No doubts 'bout it, ya's livin' through a grand adventure, ya is!" She said finally, handing you over your massive sandwich. 

You smiled at her “Thank you, Nimbletwist,” you told her with a smile. And she waved goodbye to you before disappearing. You stood there, maybe she was right, you were genuinely happy about being in Hogwarts, it was fun, and you’d made so many amazing friends already. So you smiled to yourself as you walked towards the common room. Greeting the lady of the portrait as you went inside. 

James was sitting on the single couch, “Hey (Y/N)!” He greeted “Didn’t you go to Hogsmeade?” 

You gasped, suddenly remembering Alex had told you a lot of your friends were actually going earlier that day. You looked at the clock, It was already 7:00 pm, they were all probably on their way back. Since they had to be at the castle before 9. 

“I… totally forgot about it,” You said plopping out in the double coach next to Sirius. 

“She was with Remus,” Sirius said simply. 

“Yeah I…” you agreed, but then snapped your head towards your friend “How do you know?” 

You smelled like medicinal herbs, chocolate and werewolf. A little of himself too, ever so faintly at this point. But Sirius couldn’t give you that as an answer, so he made something up quickly “Peter said he told you Remus was feeling bad.” 

You nodded “I guess yesterday’s prank didn’t go as planned.” 

“Certainly not,” James replied, rolling his shoulders back, as if he was trying to ease some tension on them.

“Pitty,” you said, finally leaning towards the table to grab a slice of your sandwich. “I was excited to see what kind of prank you made. I’ve heard a lot about your pranks, and the rain on the first day was fun.” 

“Thanks!” Said James proudly “It was actually my idea.” 

“But I perfected the spell,” added Sirius. 

“Moony helped you a lot…” 

“Naturally, he’s brilliant!”

“Do you boys want some of my sandwich?” You offered “I wanted something to eat, but after telling Nimbletwist I had skipped almost all of my meals she gave me this monstrosity.” 

Sirius shook his head, but James nodded, leaning in to grab the half you’d left on the cloth. “Why didn’t you go to the great hall instead?” 

“It was dark outside, I thought it was already like 9 or something, I accidentally took a nap when I was with Rem, lost track of time,” you said before giving a bite of your sandwich. 

“You went to visit him, and napped?” Sirius teased with a raised eyebrow.

You finished munching on it quickly. “Well, technically we both fell asleep, he was pretty dumbed out with painkiller draughts.” 

“Do you mind?” Sirius asked, after letting his head fall over your lap and placing his boots over the armrest. You gave him a look, eyebrows raised. 

“You always ask after you’ve done it.” 

He shrugged “It’s just to be polite, I’m sure you don’t,” he said,  giving you that utterly charming grin of his. I really am weak to beauty, you thought as you stared at Sirius’ sprawled hair over your lap, lashes thick as he looked at you with his smug little expression. 

You shook your head lightly and rolled your eyes. James, from his side, was too focused on the sandwich to notice the way Sirius and you were staring at each other. “Dude,” he said as he finished his first bite. “That elf loves you, this sandwich is killer!” 

You nodded in agreement, “It’s really good, right? I think she’s really nice. Our house elf isn’t nearly as nice.” 

“And you never met Kreacher,” Sirius said “He hates me with all his guts.”

James nodded, he’d visited Sirius in his house once, after the second year break, and Kreacher was definitely something. “He’s awful! Thankfully Sirius won’t have to live with him again.” 

“Is he leaving?” You asked casually. 

“No. I did.” Sirius responded. Your eyes widened, jaw dropping at the same time.

“You left home?” 

“He moved in with me,” said James with a smug smile. 

You smiled brightly “That’s amazing!” You said “I mean… I’m glad you’re finally free of your parents.” 

Sirius chuckled lightly at your excitement. Only people that’d met his parents had a similar one, “I’m happy I got rid of them too, unfortunately now, I have to deal with this bloke,” he joked, pointing at James. 

“Shut up Pads, you love me!” Replied James while he shot a small cushion towards Sirius’ legs since his face was still on your lap, and he didn’t want to throw your sandwich. 

They both laughed, and you were delighted by the soft sounds. James, Sirius, Remus and Peter, really had the kind of friendship you could only dream of. 

You took another bite of your sandwich and remembered you still had chocolate in your pockets, so you took it out and hovered it over Sirius’ face “Want some?” You asked.  

He nodded and motioned to grab for it, but you pulled it up slightly, out of his grasp, just to tease him “Hey!” He complained. 

“What?” You asked, playing dumb.

He narrowed his eyes at you and went to grab for it again. You pulled it just the same “What are you playing?” 

“Me? Nothing, you’ve got slippery fingers.” 

“Slippery fingers my ass,” he said. He went to grab for it again and you pulled it upwards one last time “Come on (Y/N)! I’m not a dog!” He said. 

James straight up laughed at that, and you looked at him with a smile “See? Even your best friends think you’re like a Puppy!” You laughed for a bit, and then opened the chocolate, holding a small block to his mouth, he took a bite from it, looking rather displeased “Good boy!” You praised, causing James to burst into a fit of laughter, Sirius almost choked on the piece he was eating. 

“Hold up!” You said in a completely serious tone, and looked at James preoccupied, who somehow managed to stop his laughs to pay attention “Aren’t dogs supposed to be… allergic to chocolate?” 

James looked at you with surprise, breaking quickly into a smile and even more laughs, you were absolutely hilarious, it was as if  you had a hidden talent to tease Sirius. And you didn’t even actually know he was a dog, you just teased him about it because of the nickname you’d given him years ago. Sirius on the other hand, took the chance to pull the chocolate bar off your hands and started munching on it while looking at you with apprehension, half expecting you to take it from him again, but you didn’t. 

“Want some?” You asked as you pulled out another bar and waved it in the air for James to see, he nodded, and you threw it at him. 

“Ah, so James can have the chocolate without any teasing then?” Sirius asked, a little miffed. 

You shrugged “James doesn’t lay on my lap without asking for permission like others.” 

“Yeah well, James’s stuck up!” 

You laughed “Look who’s talking!” 

Sirius took that as a personal challenge, running his tongue through his cheeks before asking “Are you by any chance… ticklish?”

Your smile was gone in an instant, you looked at him with worry “No.” You said in a warning tone. 

Sirius’ smile grew bigger “Sure? I just thought I’d show you how stuck up I am.” 

“Not funny Sirius,” you said “James?!” You added looking at your friend pleadingly, you were aware once something was set on Sirius’ mind, there was no way of stopping him.

James just raised his hands up in surrender. The motherfucker wouldn’t intervene. “James,” you pleaded again, as Sirius’ grin grew. 

“You’ve been teasing him all night,” James said with a shrug “I’m afraid I cannot intercede for you.” 

You looked at him with despair before you felt Sirius tickling hands on the tender side of your stomach, a burst of laughter erupted from your lips. You were extremely ticklish. “Sirius,” you pleaded in between laughter “please!” His smile widened in response to your begging, his eyes cherishing the sight of your laughter. You looked lovely like that. Another peal of laughter escaped, your breath quickening as the tickling persisted. Sirius shifted sitting up from your lap to gain better access, he was standing even closer to you than before “Sirius!” You exclaimed once more, laughing still, you were sure tears were running down your cheeks already. 

When he didn’t stop you tried grabbing onto his hand and tickling him, but you barely managed to graze him before he quickly grabbed onto your arm with one of his hands to hold you still. You tried to use your other arm, but it was useless, Sirius was stronger. You wouldn’t get out of it with strength. So as you continued laughing you started trying to find another way and quickly realised he had one leg bent on the sofa and the other he was using for support, so you extended your leg and used the back of your shin to bend his knee over, pushing him back at the same time. But Sirius was still grabbing onto you so he ended up pulling you along, the two of you ended up on the floor. James looked up from the book he’d grabbed and when he figured everyone was fine he went back to it. Not bothering to give a second glance, Sirius could have his fun.

You used your arm to pull yourself up, grazing over Sirius’ shoulder, causing him to wince, but you assumed that had been from the fall. You stared at him catching your breath for a second, Sirius looked so pretty with his hair sprawled out over the floor that it took all your will not to kiss him right there and then, but you managed and rolled to the side, pushing the centre table slightly as you did. 

“Truce!” You exhaled. “Please Sirius I need to– I need to breathe.” 

Sirius turned to you for a second, a smug smile on his face, how was it possible that you were even prettier than when he met you? Shaking his thoughts, he looked up again, noticing for the first time the starry night on the ceiling and seeing the shooting star close to his constellation. He wondered when those stars had appeared. He was also breathing heavily when he said “Take back what you said about me being stuck up!”

You laughed incredulously “You’re right Sirius, you’re not stuck up,” you said as you stood up “You’re just a little pretentious,” you smiled, before running off to your room. 

Sirius had tried to stand up to catch you, but the roughness of last night had taken a toll on him, his arm still hurt when he finally laid back on the couch. 

“When are you planning to admit to yourself that you like her?” James asked, still looking at the book.

Sirius sighed, closing his eyes “I know I do. But I doubt she likes me still.” 

“That’s a lot of crap.” 

Sirius shook his head with a smile, deciding to change the subject “How’re you feeling? I’m pretty sure Moons was hard to push around when I was knocked out.” 

“A little sore,” James replied, allowing Sirius to change the subject, for today. “I had to gore him, there was a lot of bIood and he woke up with a huge gush. Peter and I had to drag him back before Madam Pomfrey arrived. You?”

“Just a small cut, he clawed at me accidentally. Any idea why he was so aggressive?” 

James shook his head “We asked him, he had no clue, just a vague idea of having the urge to run to the greenhouses.” 

“The greenhouses? Is that where he was trying to go?” James nodded, even if Sirius wasn’t looking. “It was rough, hopefully next full moon won’t be as harsh.” 

“Yeah, we wouldn’t want (Y/N) to find Fang hurt again.” 

“Ughhh…” Sirius complained, “You know about that?” 

“At first I thought you’d snogged her,” James replied “She stank off you.” 

“I don’t stink!” 

“Off-topic. We have a more important question: Why the hell did she assume you were Fang?” 

Sirius shrugged, “She just called me that when she found me.” 

“We must be more careful, she may end up connecting the dots, especially since she gave us the animagus recipe.” 

Sirius incorporated quickly, snapping his head to James “You said you’d found them in the restricted section!” 

“Oh right…. In September that year I received a letter, it wasn’t signed but I connected the dots when she was back here and mentioned you’d never replied to any of her letters. Anyway, it was from her, she sent the parchment.” 

“So you’re saying I could’ve contacted her through you, all these years?” 

James seemed to think about it “I suppose it would’ve been possible… but to be honest, I just assumed it had been Regulus.” 

“Reg?” Sirius asked with a frown. 

James nodded “You didn’t talk to him at all that summer, he wrote me several times, asking me to put him in contact with you, to give you notes or something, you always rejected anything that came from him, so I assumed he just didn’t want it to be evident he’d be the one to get it, so you’d actually take it.”

Sirius sighed loudly, Reg and him had taken very different paths, and Reg had stopped trying to contact him “What a miserable family.” 

James gave his friend a pitying look, thankfully Sirius would not have to go back to them. He was free now. Free to do whatever he wanted for the rest of his life, “You’re with us now, we’re your family.” 

Sirius smiled, James was right, you, The Marauders, Lily, and the rest of his friends, they were his family.

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Basic Training Chapter 7

Mad love to my alpha @whositmcwhatsit seriously your editing and feedback make this so much better. Also love and special thanks to my lovely elvis coven, @vintageshanny @ellie-24 @be-my-ally @peskybedtime @from-memphis-with-love @missmaywemeetagain @powerofelvis @be-my-ally @shakerattlescroll @lookingforrainbows and to @ab4eva for her sweetness, you were the only person to ask me about Bess on tumblr between now and the last chapter and I was like oh, I guess someone is still reading this. Which is good. Because I am still writing it. ;)

Thanks to everyone who reads this, shares, reblogs, leaves a comment or whatever. I write for myself, but I publish for community, and I don't think I could write with out your support and friendship.

Summary: Bess resigns to get over Elvis and move on, but he has other plans.

Warnings: Not much, depictions of mental illness/delusion.

WC: 6.5 K

If you need to catch up Chapter Six: Guided Missiles or the masterlist here Basic Training

Click here if you prefer to read on A03

Chapter 7: The Minefield

12:15 p.m., Friday,  April 24th, 1958

Commissioned Officer’s Mess

Army Intelligence Training Unit, Fort Hood, TX

“I thought you were applying to law school?”

Bess let her straw drop out of her mouth to meet James’ concerned stare across the mahogany table.

“Um, I changed my mind.” Her eyes dropped back to her chocolate egg cream and she paused for a moment. The sound of glasses clinking and hushed conversations reverberated through the Army Intelligence officer’s club. “I kinda dropped the ball on writing my sample essay. And,ugh, I haven't been able to focus at all on studying for the entrance exam.” Bess trailed her shoe anxiously across the burgundy carpet, she hated admitting that she had given up on lawyer school. “It’s just temporary, a temporary pause.  No, for now, I think a year or two working for the state department is the best next step. I’ve always wanted to spend time in Europe..”

“But Helsinki, Bess?” James reached over to comfort her with a hand squeeze, but she pulled loose and went back to eating her pot roast lunch.

“Finland is a stepping stone.I could be working in Berlin next summer. And Helsinki has a lot of international action. It’s right next to St. Petersburg.”

“This sudden need to go to the coldest burg in Europe wouldn’t have anything to do with a certain tall, dark soldier who’s been doing extra laps around the barracks every day, would it?”

Bess lifted her thick, white cotton napkin to obscure the blush spreading up her cheeks. “I saw that he’s had extra PT, I’ve been wondering what happened.”

“Oh? I thought for sure that was all you and your front office connections, getting back at Presley — “

“Jameson, I would never abuse my position in the Front Office for revenge. You know how basic training is. Drill sergeants use any excuse to tear you apart just so they can build you back up again. He probably was late to inspection, or maybe he tried to protest extra push ups, and now it’s marathon time everyday til he’s learned his lesson.”

“Hmmm, must be. Though I don’t feel even the teensiest twinge of sympathy for him after that stunt he pulled on you? Think it would look suspicious if he got run over by a jeep? In his barracks?” James winked at Bess/

“Ha, just say you made a wrong turn.” Bess chuckled, but her smile quickly faded into a sigh.

She speared a potato with her fork, looking at it as if it had the answer to life’s secrets like a magic eight ball. Maybe all she needed to do was turn potato over and around until it revealed her fate. Sadly, no messages turned up, and she laid it back on her plate. 

“Thing is, I knew he had other girlfriends. I just wished he’d called and canceled our plans instead of leaving me hanging to find out another way. The most humiliating way.”

“Maybe he couldn’t get away to call? Or forgot your number? Have you seen him at all?”

Bess shook her head, sipping her drink again. “Uh uh. But I’ve been avoiding him. What am I supposed to say? It hurt my feelings that you put the kibosh on our night together for a pajama party with one of your steady girlfriends?“ Her eyes met James. “But, uh, he knows my number, though. He called that Monday, after she left town. And several other times.”

“What did he say?”

“I don’t know, I have Kay on switchboard duty. She has strict instructions to inform male callers that I’m not home.”

“You oughta talk to him, honey, let him have it.”

“I’d rather not, I  - I, it was, uh. The whole thing felt so icky, I never want to feel that way again. It took me back to last summer and Be. Except, this time, I’m the other woman and I know all about his girlfriend back in Memphis.” Bess put down her fork, unable to eat anymore.  “I think my picker is broken, James. I’m destined to be alone.”

“But are you supposed to be alone in Helsinki?”

“I’m actually excited to be single in Helsinki.” James raised his eyebrows. “What? The city is is pretty hip!They just hosted the Olympics. Lots of people live there from all over the world. After Berlin, it is one of the top hubs for working with the Ruskies.”

“Ok, ok, I get it, you hussy, you’ll probably be able to play patty cake with an assortment of good looking European men. I just can’t believe you are abandoning me, it’s so selfish. I’m almost ready to swear I’ll never buy another Presley record.”

“I’m not leaving because of him!” Bess huffed at the way James arched his eyebrow higher and straightened her napkin over her skirt. Aggressively. “I swear, how many times do I have to tell you, he’s just helped me get the perspective I needed. The straw that broke the camel’s back. I gotta get out of this place before I wind up like Mabel.”

 James sniffed as he motioned to the waiter. “Mabel seems happy, could be worse.”

“Yeah, well, I’m not. But you might be out of here before me. I only just sent in my application materials, you know how these civilian posts can be. If I make the first cut, I still have to do a round of phone interviews,an in-person one, a thorough background check. Why, I probably won’t head out until the summer. If I get it.”

James quirked his mouth and whistled when they stood to leave and shook his head.

“Seems like such a waste to store all your resources behind a desk. Should be out, serving our country at USO shows.”

Bess slapped James shoulder, then straightened his jacket, smoothing her hand over his medals.

“Jameson, stop. Do you talk to the debutantes back in Rhode Island like this? You know, half the officers in here are probably my father’s spies. Keep whistling at me like that, they’ll convince him we’re an item.” She grabbed her purse and put her gloves back on. “Besides, I am not exactly the type who likes performing or attention.:

He looked her over once again, making an exaggerated show of appreciation for the way that Bess’ smart tweed pencil skirt hugged her hips.

“Oh, but that’s what makes you such a knockout, Bessie Girl. Why don’t we get married, huh? We could travel the world together, life would never be boring. We’d have great looking, smart kids.”

Bess put her finger to James’ lips, looking into the hazel eyes that glimmered below his perfectly coiffed honey blonde hair.

“I wish I could. I can’t marry someone I don’t love, not in the way I love you anyway.It’s no good, we’d end up ruining our friendship.”

James slid his arm through Bess’ as he led them out of the officer’s club. “I suppose you’re right, Schwartz, but if you ever get desperate and want to be married to a dashing officer who’d never leave you for another woman, the offer stands.”

“This is no time to be getting married, Jameson. I’m sure you’ll want to enjoy the local flavor in Heidelberg.”

“Hmm, yeah, no matter the gene pool, it’s gotta be better than this dump.”

Bess smoothed her hair once they were outside and turned to James. He looked so handsome in his dashing officer’s uniform, cap under his arm. He was probably the best looking, wealthiest man to ever propose to her, even in jest. She really would miss him once they left Fort Hood. Bess gripped James arm tighter before they parted, and smiled.

“No kidding, I can’t wait to put Fort Hood and Elvis and everything in my rear view mirror. Get a fresh start in gorgeous, romantic Helsinki-town, city of dreams.”

“I thought that was Paris?”

“Nope, pretty sure it’s Helsinki.  Though I understand why you’re confused, Helsinki is the Paris of the Baltic Sea.”

“No one calls it that.”

“Sure they do, I’m starting it now.”

James smiled, fixing his uniform cap back on his head. “Ha, ok. Well, as they say in Helsinki, au revoir.”

*********************************************

Bess’ fresh start suddenly seemed a million miles away when she glimpsed Elvis Presley running round the base. It had only taken a few minutes after she got into her father’s Oldsmobile before she recognized Elvis’ tall, perspiring figure jogging around the circular track behind the PX. There he was, in his sweat-soaked tee-shirt, dog tags jingling over his chest, running towards them in the dusk of sunset. 

It struck her for a moment how odd it was for the drill sergeants to have him do laps out here on the road near the gate instead of closer to the 37th tank division. They must be making a public example of him, she thought, having him do laps out here as people drive past on a main road out of the base. 

It was working, he looked absolutely miserable and exhausted. The cold grimace he had fixed on his face pulled on Bess’ heartstrings, and she felt a compulsory urge to go comfort him. But then she remembered why she’d cut him loose, and nodded to herself, reaffirming how wise she was protecting herself from further heartache. It wasn’t easy. 

She got so captivated watching him take off his cap and wipe his forehead as they got closer, that she suddenly realized he was about to run by her car and had to quickly duck down flat against the bench seat to avoid being seen.

“Ilsa, whatever are you doing?”

Bess popped up with a squeak, looking over her shoulder at Elvis’ figure running away behind them, then stuttered to her father. “I, um, I dropped my lipstick on the floor is all, Papa.” 

Dinner was pleasant enough. Mama served tuna noodle casserole and followed it with a cherry cream cheese jello mold. It was comforting to Bess to think these were recipes any other family on the block might be eating tonight. Though she doubted whether the other mothers were wearing a matching red dress and explaining the deep meaning behind the color red, and how powerful color it is, one that can provide all the strength and nourishment they needed. Bess did concede that cherry Jell-O tasted like what she thought the color red might taste like. 

And if a lecture on the spiritual nature of red Jell-o was the most occult Mama got tonight, then tonight was a good night. 

After eating, Bess changed into a more comfortable, simple light blue house dress, and was trying to calculate how long it had been since Mama had one of her episodes as she walked downstairs, when she heard Kay on the phone.

“Well, no Rex, I guess I’m not doing anything. Well, sure, gee whiz, yeah, I know a few friends who’d flip their lids at the chance. You bet, meet you there at 8!”

Bess turned the corner at the bottom of the landing, and gripped the polished circular handrail as Kay spun around with a wide, beaming grin. Her sister halted suddenly and tripped forward with a gasp when she caught Bess’s stare.

“Was that Elvis’ bunk mate, Rex?”

Kay gulped. “Mhmmm, I did like you told me, and said you - you weren’t home.”

Bess crossed her arms. “So what, now you’re going out with them?”

“Well, I - he - I heard Elvis tell him to invite me and any other friends to meet them at the movie theatre on post. It’s, it’s, not a date, it’s a group-like thing.”

Bess took a deep sigh. Miles Davis wafted out from behind the closed door of their father’s office at the back of the house, and she could hear her mother doing the dishes. Bess had come down to help clean up, and had planned to spend her Friday evening at home. She thought she might read or watch TV, play a game of gin rummy with Mama. Anything to take her mind off of Elvis. And now here her sister was, running out to go meet him!

“I cannot believe he invited you out.”

“And why is that? You’re not the only charming, good looking girl around here, Bess.”

“That’s not what I was saying, Kay. What kind of guy invites out the sister of a girl - a girl - a girl he’d been riding around with? You aren’t seriously thinking of going? What about Dickie?”

“It’s not like that. Cuz,  - it’s - it’s not a date. Why, they’re getting a gang together. Rex said I should bring some other girls. I’m about to call Carol and Tracy. If you think I’m gonna deprive them of the chance to meet Elvis Presley, you got another thing coming. Why, you always keep him all to yourself.” Kay huffed, and put her hands on her hips. “It’s not a date. You could come if you wanted, you know.”

Bess squeezed her hands into tight fists, squelching her sudden intense desire to slap her sister.

“You know exactly why I won’t be doing that, I told you how things went with him and you are smart enough to know he is probably doing this to upset me. And you’re helping him! My own sister. Kay Brutus Schwartz.”

Kay’s face fell, and she met Bess in the middle of the hallway. “It’s not like that at all. Please don’t be mad, Bess, but me and my friends, we have all his albums. You can’t hold it against me for wanting to go. It’s not like I asked, he - ” 

Bess brushed Kay’s hand from her shoulder and stomped off in a huff, her anger powered her through an incredibly fast cleaning session in the kitchen.

Mama dried the last plate Bess handed her, then put her arms around Bess at the sink. “See, Bessie baby, all that red Jell-o gave you the energy and focus you needed. I’ll get you some red silk underwear for your new job, I saw some in the Montgomery Ward catalog. Or were they red flannel long johns? Well, you’ll need both in Helsinki.” 

*********************************************

Bess had frowned as Kay traipsed out the door to meet her friends when Carol pulled up in her mother’s yellow DeSoto. At first she took her book upstairs and sat at the window, watching for Kay’s return around 10 p.m. 

By 10:30, she had moved to the porch, where she sat up on the bench hugging her knees and trying to read while she waited to catch her sister and pump her for information outside where their parents wouldn’t hear them. 

Yawning, she was just straightening the bows on her white house slippers when she turned to see a car pulling up in front of the house. But this was not Carol’s mother’s yellow DeSoto. It was a white Cadillac. And she made the mistake of looking up long enough to note the row of guys in the back seat and make eye contact with Elvis as he parked.

Fuck, Bess muttered to herself staring back into her book, unable to focus her eyes on any of the words. In her periphery, she watched Elvis jump out and race around the front of his car, loosely putting his arm around a giddy, smiling Kay as he walked her up the path to the front porch. 

Bess took a deep breath, accepting that there was nothing she could do, that she was stuck out here with her hair in a messy bun wearing a house dress and slippers. So, she braced herself and stood to confront the most famous man in the world. 

The cool night air was no comfort to the heated temper rising in her chest as Elvis walked up the stairs in front of her, his fingers now spread over Kay’s shoulder. His eyes narrowed, and a smirk played over his face.

“Hellooooo there Bess, ain’t you sweet, coming out here to greet me.”

“Hmmmm.” Bess nodded, curtly, exhaling at Kay’s sheepish grin.

“Well, I enjoyed our date tonight, Kitty Kat, didju?” He gave Kay’s shoulder a rub and Kay laughed nervously at his nickname, glancing back at Bess as she untangled herself from Elvis’ grip.

“Oh, well, it was a gas to meet you and the whole gang,” Kay made a show of waving at the car, “Tell Rex thanks for the Coke and candy.”

Elvis ran his hand through his hair.“Uh, well, I wudda bought you all the Cokes you wanted, I just -”

Bess interrupted him. “Let me guess, you forgot your wallet?”

 “Yeah, guess that’s happened before.” Elvis chuckled. 

“Ahem, Kitty Kat is it?” Bess raised her eyes at her sister. “Probably time you were in bed, little girl. I have a few words I need to have with your date, here.”

Kay coughed and avoided Bess’ intense look of death as she thanked Elvis for a fun night. He grabbed her hand, making eye contact with Bess over Kay’s shoulder and he hugged her sister and gave her a soft peck on the cheek. Kay hung in his embrace for several beats, then scuttled away to leave Elvis with Bess’s cool stare

“You have some nerve.”

Elvis took a step toward her, “Aw, Bess, now see, when you act like this it makes me think you still like me.”

“Is that ri-ight?” Her voice wavered as he took a step toward her with his shoulders back, head forward, rubbing the back of his neck. She stumbled back a few steps, distracted by the way his eyes pierced her from under his eyebrows.

“See, you actin’ like ya jealous, honey. But you ain’t playin’ fair.“

“Really. I don’t play fair?”

“Uh uh.” Now he was hovering over her, backing her into the front of the house, his lower lip hanging open as he leaned over her. “You play hot one day, then cool the next. Won’t take my calls, but now ya jealous. Playin’ games s’what it is, and I can’t stand chicks who play games.”

“Ha!” Bess had meant her declaration to be a lot more forceful than how it came out as a muffled breath into the dark, red fisherman’s sweater Elvis was wearing. Of course! Of course his sweater was red. It sucked all Bess’ strength right out of her. And her resolve. She tried for dear life to hang on to the painful embarrassment that had punched her in the gut when she met Anita.

“You’re - you’re - you had - you’re the one who -”

Elvis’ hand was at her waist, and his thumb pressed over her belly button.

“Sshhh. I know, I missed our date.”

Bess mumbled toward her shoes. “Well, I wouldn’t call a party in a cheap motel room a date by any me-“

Elvis’ pursed his lips in a grin as he brought his other hand to Bess’ cheek, his eyes gleaming as she shivered in him. He tilted her chin to meet his eyes. Bess tried to shake him off, but couldn’t, she was spellbound by the pair of dark blue eyes above her. 

She reminded herself that there was an audience of grown men watching them from his back seat. Then she thought she saw the curtain at the front window ripple and realized Kay was probably leaning against the wall inside, spying on them. She thought about how Elvis had invited her sister out, at the very least to get her attention, or at worst, to make her jealous. She thought about how she had sworn to her best friend hours ago that she never wanted to see Elvis Presley again. She tried to grasp at all these things and more as Elvis stepped closer to her, and shifted his arm over her against the wall. But suddenly thinking was very difficult. Elvis’ thumb circled the button at the waist of her cotton house dress.

“OK, ok,well, when you say it like that, sounds awful. Definitely weren’t no date. Still, Kitty Kat told me how upset you’ve been. And I know I shudda called you.” Elvis took a deep breath, and coughed. “ And, well, that gal came down and surprised the hell outta me, is what happened. I didn’t invite her, now that’s the god’s honest truth. But, well, put me in an awful bind and I couldn’t get away to call you. Wudda much rather spent the weekend with you, Moo Moo.”

His breath was warm on her neck, and the way he murmured her nickname was like a sultry saxophone solo. Bess closed her eyes as it rolled over her body, giving her goosebumps. His whisper was full of vulnerable need and Bess couldn’t believe that she actually felt bad for him, as if she were to blame for everything.

“I - I - I’m sorry.”

“Nah, honey, I reckon, if I’m honest with ma self,  you have every right to be sore at me. But you havta give a man the chance to defend hisself. Tell me now, don’t a man deserve a chance to splain?”

There was his thumb, gliding over the front of her stomach, rubbing back and forth.

“Really, I wasn’t trying to play games.”

“I know, Moo Moo. I know’d you weren’t really like that, else I wouldn’t be here.” He leaned in, pressing his open lips to the corner of her jaw, soft and delicate as he continued his whispers. “Though I don’t know if I could stay away even if you were the devil, baby. Ain’t been able to stop thinking about you.” His mouth was warm on her neck. “You, and only you.”

His touch sent a wave of feverish heat through her body, and Bess didn’t care if he was lying, all she knew was that she would willingly go back to his motel room with him right now in her flimsy white house slippers and all. However, before she could make that suggestion, she heard the front door open and she jumped up instantly, pushing Elvis away at the sight of her father’s silhouette in the dim porch light.

“Elizabeth, it’s cold out tonight. Why don’t you invite your guest inside?”

Bess swallowed hard, glancing up at Elvis, whose cool demeanor and friendly smile belied the fingers she could see tapping against his thigh through his pocket. She looked out at the car, then up at the dark sky, shaking her head to herself.

“ Hi Papa, this is, uh - ”

Elvis stood up straight and jerked his hand out as he strode to shake her father’s hand.

“Uh, good evening, Sir, I’m Elvis, Elvis Presley.”

“Yes, I’ve been expecting to meet you for some time now.” Bess’ mouth dropped open. Before she could find the words to protest, her father was putting his arm around Elvis and guiding him inside. “I understand you and Ilsa have been spending a lot of time together, jah?”

*********************************************

“Can I pour you a whiskey?” The table lamp flickered as Bess’ father walked by, his calm words trailed behind him on his way to the bar. 

Elvis sat at the edge of the couch patting his hand to a silent rhythm and then bouncing up again to pace over to the hi-fi set.

“Naw, jus a Pepsi - or a Big Red, honey.” Bess glared at him as he looked up at her from where he perched in front of the record player. “Bessie. I mean, Eliz-a-bess.”

Bess frowned as Elvis popped open the concealed door in the sound system’s speakers and proceeded to rifle through her father’s LP collection. Her father arched his eyebrow, muttering in German that the boy seemed to know his way around and feel quite at home, jah? Bess was asking Rex and Lamar what they wanted when Mama floated into the living room, swaying the skirt of her red dress back and forth, a dreamy look in her face. Bess froze, looking around the room, then scuttling over to her mother and latching her arm around Mama’s waist, whispering in her ear.

“Mama - Hi Mama, I thought you went upstairs to relax?”

The boys all stood up as Mama patted Bess on the shoulder. “Bess, you’re making the lamps all buzzy, stop buzzing around and introduce me to your friends.”

Bess sighed and then froze when Elvis walked over and took her mother’s hand, kissing the top.

“Evening, ma’am, I’m Elvis, Elvis Presley, s’a pleasure to meet you, I can see where your daughters get their good looks from, if you don’t mind me saying so.”

Mama giggled and blushed. “Ha, well, you are charming. The faeries told me Bessie had a new beau, but they didn’t say he was handsome.” Bess’ face went white as she tried to guide her mother to the big orange leather chair in the corner, but Mama swatted her hands away. “Bess, I said to quit fussin’. Go get our guests something to drink.”

Every cell in Bess’ body was on high alert, and she rubbed at her throat trying quell the nauseous, tight feeling that now plagued her stomach. Bess had not brought Ben, her former fiancee, home to meet her family until he had asked her to marry him. At that point, they had already been going steady for two months, she had trusted Ben completely and had given him a thorough debriefing on Mama and the family dynamics. She had known Elvis a month. ANd spent the last two weeks hating him.

Elvis returned her mother’s hand and flashed Bess a warm, crooked reassuring smile. Rex and Lamar gathered next to him making their awkward introductions, before Papa walked over and offered Mama his hand, tilting his head at Kay. 

“Come sit with me, Emily, let the boys relax. Katherine, you get the drinks.”

Bess followed Kay into the hall. “I’ll get it, Kay, I -uh - I was gonna make Mama a special cup of tea - “

“I got it, I know how to do it. You go back in there.” Kay winked, and left Bess to sigh as she took a deep breath and resigned herself to face whatever was waiting for her in the living room.

Elvis sat on the edge of the couch trying to stop his knee from bopping up and down with the palm of his hand, already in conversation with Bess’ father.

“Jah, I started off in the German division, but now I oversee all intelligence training.”

Elvis’ eyes widened and he seemed grateful to see Bess walk back into the room and hit Lamar to clear the seat next to him on the couch. Bess shook her head and sat at the piano bench, trying to think of how to change the subject.

“Papa, I imagine the boys are tired after a long week and - “

“Oh Bessie, don’t send them away!” Mama waved her off as she got up and happily plopped into the clear spot next to Lamar, shooting Bess a playful frown. “You never bring friends over any more, it’s a breath of fresh air having young people over. Want any leftover tuna noodle casserole?”

A momentary grimace passed over Elvis’ face as he declined, and Bess' father coughed.

“Too bad we don’t have any meatloaf, perhaps zat would have suited you better.”

“Actually, mister, I’m bout plumb fed up with meatloaf, EP’s been ordering - “ Lamar stopped talking at the sight of Elvis’ eyebrow, arched in warning. 

“Well, Bess makes a great meatloaf, you boys will have to come back for dinner sometime. I’ll get her to cook it up for you.” Mama bowed her head with certainty as she spoke, turning Elvis’ hand over in her lap as if to read his fortune. “Elvis, such an unusual name. What does it mean?”

“Ugh, well, ma’am.” Elvis scooted back against the arm rest, turning in to face Bess’ mother more directly. “I have been told it means someone who is uh, very wise.” He winked over at Bess as she rolled her eyes. Kay returned, and she bounced up to assist in handing out the drinks. 

“I’ve never heard the name Elvis before tonight, is it common where you’re from?”

Lamar gasped. “You never heard ‘a Elvis?”

“No, why, should I? Do you all work with Henry in Intel?” 

Elvis shook his head. “No, no ma’am, Rexadus here and I, well, we’re new recruits, and Lamar right here is jus’ a ole friend of mine, visiting.”

Mama smiled big. “Oh, well, if you think I would have heard of you from Bess, you have another thing coming. She’s a sphinx, that one, never tells me anything about anything.I have to get all my gossip from the wind.”

“Elvis is a famous performer, mama. They’re surprised you’ve never heard of him because he is on the radio. And the movies.”

“Oh, is that true? Would I know any of your music?”

Just then, the phone in Papa’s office began to ring and he stood up to excuse himself, muttering in German that he would hardly call it music. Bess exhaled a chuckle at the curious look on Elvis’ face. 

“I’m guessing that weren’t a rousin’ endorsement from ya daddy,huh ?”

She shook her head, and Mama clucked.

“Oh, Henry didn’t get enough red food tonight, don’t mind him. You know, you’re not the first song and dance man I’ve met. When I was a girl - “

“-I met Eddie Cantor when he sang at Zeyde’s theatre on Coney Island.” Bess and Kay exclaimed in unison with a grin.

Bess relaxed as the room filled with warm laughter and she almost felt like they were a normal family, teasing and chiding each other as they entertained guests.

“Oy, well, it’s true, you boys have heard of Eddie Cantor, haven’t you?” Mama grinned at their nods, and took it as her cue to keep talking between sips of tea. “Well, I was just a kid when he was first making it big in New York. And my father had this vaudeville theater, and we met all sorts of acts working their way up the circuit. Baby Rose Marie, Bert WIlliams, Jimmy Durante, and, of course, a lot of nobodies trying to be somebodies. Eddie was probably the most successful guy to come through our place. Boy, was he handsome! Tall, dark hair, those big gorgeous eyes, like two rounds of chocolate.”

“Mama, zey ton nisht veln tsu hern vegn deyn shule meydl krashiz.”

“Oh, Bess thinks I shouldn’t share these things. She thinks I’m an old lady, that I don’t have blood pulsing in my veins. But I’ve always appreciated a good looking man.” Mama patted Elvis' knee. “Still do.” Then all of a sudden she swayed into Elvis' shoulder, her eyelids fluttering before she slumped on his shoulder.

“Ma’am? Ya ok? I’ve had girls swoon before, though they usually heard a me.”

Bess jumped up and looked over at her sister. “How much did you put in her tea, Kay?”

“Just a tablespoon.”

“It’s supposed to be a teaspoon!” Bess growled through clenched teeth as she felt her mother’s pulse, and tried to unfurl her mother’s arm from around Elvis’ shoulder.

“I’ll take her up - “

“Aw, honey - s’ok, want me to - “

“ - Well, it was an easy mistake.” Kay hovered behind Bess, and stomped her foot.

Mama’s eyelids fluttered back open for a moment and she looked up into Elvis' face. “You know, you have a beautiful aura, Alvis, I can tell you are a good person - Bess, if you don’t marry him, I will.” 

Bess gulped, and looked at Kay. “Help me get her up the stairs?”

Before they could do anything, Elvis lifted Mama and nodded at Bess. “Jus lead the way, ‘k Bess honey? Boys, y’all go on out to the car, and we’ll get outta ya hair ‘fore you say lickety splickety.” 

Lamar sighed with relief and could not get through the hallway fast enough, almost knocking the telephone off the little desk as he passed. Rex, however, hung back, gathering up the bottles of pop and taking them to the kitchen behind Kay, looking back to nod at Elvis in a silent offer to help. Elvis shook his head and followed Bess up the stairs.

“Alright, now, Mrs. Schwartz, ma’am, ya gonna be snug as a bug in a rug, jus you wait.”

Elvis set Mama down in her bed carefully, gently taking her hands and placing them at her sides. Mama opened her eyes and trailed her fingers over the sharp edge of Elvis' crew cut, smiling dreamily as she asked “Almond” if he would marry her.

“Ya so sweet and beautiful, I would, I would  if I could, ma’am.”

Tears welled up behind Bess’ eyes as she watched the tender way Elvis kissed her mother’s cheek and squeezed her hand before she passed out. They exchanged a long look, and Bess blushed.

“I’m sorry you had to see all this, I’m so embarrassed. You didn’t have to stay and help me - “

Elvis rubbed her shoulder. “Honey, I wanted to help, I like helping folks. Ain’t nuthin to be shamed of. Really Moo Moo, wouldn’t be here if I didn’t want to. An getting to spend my night with the prettiest lil gal in town, why, that’s just the icing on the cake.” His face scrunched into a big grin as he held her, and bess nodded into the comfy wook of his red sweater.

Elvis stood in the doorway, watching curiously as Bess took off her mother’s shoes and tucked her under the large, homemade victory quilt that they had sewn from old clothes during the war. It was the only blanket Mama would sleep with, and for Bess, it evoked that time in her childhood when Papa was overseas doing things he couldn’t talk about and Mama was the strongest woman she could imagine. 

Now, as she looked down at her mother and smoothed hair out of her face, it was Mama who resembled a little girl, finally relaxed and at ease as she started to snore. Her sleeping face free from the cares and mysteries of the world. Bess kissed her mother on the forehead, and turned to find Elvis waiting for her in the doorway. His blue eyes seemed to penetrate her soul, as his thumb rubbed the side of her shoulder.

“Holdin’ it all together, ain’t ya Moo Moo. I see you. I really do.” 

Bess shuddered at his touch, wiping the side of her eyes.

“I, um, I. Well, you caught us on a bad night, Almond.”

He chuckled, drawing her into his arms and kissing the top of her forehead.

“Nah, ain’t nothing bad about anything.” The sides of his crinkled as he smirked. “Almond, huh. maybe ya mama there is on to sumpin. Might sell more records and movie tickets if I changed my name to Almond instead. Tell you what, wudda made it harder for the Army to find me.”

“Yes.” She took his hand and led him back down the stairs.”Though you would have missed out on your freel vacation here at beautiful Fort Hood.” 

They were back on her porch, and Elvis was clasping her hand tight. He looked out at the darkness, and at his car on the street, then over the garden, before turning back to hover over Bess, hands resting at her waist.

“Wudda missed out on meeting you, honey. Ya my silver lining. Tonight, being here with you, I know it now for certain that fate brought us together.”

Bess turned her head to listen to the crickets, wondering if they had any advice on how to defy fate. Especially when fate distracted you from all common sense by nuzzling your forehead. 

“Elvis - I - “

His lips were at her ear as he drew her closer. “Aw, Moo Moo, I cain’t bear to think I made you cry. I mean it.” His thumbs rolled up and down Bess’ sides. ”I promise, ain’t ever let that happen again. I swear. Cuz I need ya, honey, been thinking ‘bout you all the time.”

Bess couldn’t resist the way his eyes lit up with hopeful vulnerability, it made her feel like she was the one who had wronged him by withdrawing her company from him. 

“I  - I think about you too.” She cupped his cheek. “I’ve seen you doing laps every evening, are you doing okay?”

Elvis huffed and pinched her side. “Oh, yeah, you know me. Every morning, those drill sergeants find a reason to be cross at me, makin’ me do extra PT. But ain’t nothin I can’t handle.”

Bess nodded. Then Elvis’ hands tightened all the way around her, constricting her so tight she almost couldn’t breath, before parting with a soft, chaste farewell kiss and a vague promise to call her the next day.

Bess was humming to herself as she turned off the porch light and locked the door behind her, stopping short when she saw her father come out of his office.

“Everything ok, Papa?’

“Jah, jah. That was just the secure line, a call from D.C.” He straightened his sweater, coughing as he took in the dim quiet of their house. “Ze hound dog has run off, I take it?”

“He’s not so bad, you know.” Bess shifted and looked at her feet, unable to stop the smile at the corner of her mouth. “The drill sergeants have really had it out for him this last week. He’s been running extra PT and they put him on latrine duty. Must have pissed off the wrong person.”

Bess stopped talking, noticing that her father’s face had soured into a tight grimace. She had probably been right not to tell her parents that she had been seeing Elvis. This would be tough, now there was nothing she could do now.

“Jah, that boy did piss off the wrong person. Me. You would be wise to cut your ties with him, Elizabeth, he does not respect women. And you have a bright future ahead of you. I might expect Katherine to be dazzled by this flash of Memphis. But you are too smart for all that. I would hate to see you lose focus on your goals to run around with a boy who brings his hoochie coochie girlfriends to town and flaunts them in your face.” 

Bess was silent as her father pursed his lips, nodding, then said good night. She listened to the sound of his footsteps as he walked up stairs, her mind racing as she tried to figure out how he had found out about Elvis. About the debacle with Anita. About all of it. 

The disappointment she had seen in her father’s eyes crushed her, and Bess tossed and turned in her bed all night trying to figure out how she could make him understand that she could have fun and still go after her goals. It was the thought of Elvis’ long thumbs caressing her body that finally calmed her down. The memory of his touch was like her own personal dose of benzodiazepine, it made her forget all her problems and give herself over to the sandman.

********************************************************************

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Original Masterlist

I hope you are enjoying these stories Enjoy the Kermit Clip! 💖

Started: 7-29-22 Updated: 9-27-24

Story count: 62

❀Stories❀:

(*** Means it is a requested story)

Ryan Gosling✧

ONE SHOTS

Officer K

Heart of Gold

Driver

Get Away Driver

unworthy goodbyes

Sebastian Wilder

La vie en Rose

Sierra Six/Court Gentry

Double Trouble ***

Turning Tides ***

Rematch ***

Prince Charming ***

Protection Squad ***

Homework Problems ***

Polaroid

The Spy Next Door ***

Jealous Reader ***

SONG INSPIRED

Sierra Six/ Court Gentry

Loved *** (You Are Loved by Taylor Swift)

SMUT

Sierra Six/Court Gentry

Far Away

All you had to do was ask

Shy Boy ***

Ethan Hunt✧

ONE SHOTS

Promises

Reckoning ***

Lazy Saturdays ***

Falling in Love in France ***

Complete ***

Fallowing Along

Guard Dog ***

Daryl Dixon✧

ONE SHOT

Jealousy ***

Prisoner and Savior

Sunshine Optimist

"I Know"

Savior

Over the Years

Rainy Night Kisses

Y'all Didn't Know? ***

Gates

Angel ***

Helmets and Leather Jackets ***

DRABBLE

Keep Her Safe

SMUT

The Hearts Want

After

Henry Cavil ✧

ONE SHOTS

Geralt Of Rivera

Sleepovers

Wounds and Kisses ***

Preference ***

Clark Kent / Superman

Photo Worthy

MARVEL:

Wanda✧

ONE SHOT

Magnets

Love Knot

I Knew you in another life

Bucky✧

ONE SHOT

Car Troubles

The Book

SONG INSPIRED

Pickin Boys (Slim Pickings by Sabrina Carpenter )

Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield)✧

ONE SHOT

Skyscraper

OTHER: Bruce Wayne✧

ONE SHOT

The Love of a Bat

No More Secrets

Geralt✧

ONE SHOT

Sleepovers

Wounds and Kisses ***

Preference? ***

Jeffry Dean Morgan✧

Negan

ONE-SHOTS

Prisoner and Savior

To Love and Trust

SERIES:

Love Lost

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3?

John Winchester

ONE SHOT

Hunt

Dean Winchester✧

DRABBLES

Deans Playlist

ONE-SHOTS

Fezco✧

ONE SHOT

Anger and Love ***

You Did a Bad Thing Twice ***

Theseus Scamander ✧

SMUT

Magic Hands ***

JJ Maybank✧

ONE SHOT

Bruises

Alicent Hightower✧

ONE SHOT

From the Castle Walls