#A few apparitions wouldn't hurt me

[askglassanon]

Very. If you go without sleep for too long, you start to hallucinate. It's bad. -🐝

*Glass whines, laying her head on their shoulder and tapping once on* .. / -.. --- -. .----. - / .-.. .. -.- . / -.. .-. .. ..-. - .. -. --. / - …. .-. --- ..- --. ….

.- / ..-. . .-- / .- .--. .--. .- .-. .. - .. --- -. … / .-- --- ..- .-.. -.. -. .----. - / …. ..- .-. - / -- . - Glass

[hotchfiles]

second. damn your love.

pairing: james x fem!reader.

content warnings: james being kind of an ass, cheating on lily, lily will be probably shit talked (i luv her i'm very sorry !), mistress!reader, uhhh cursing, not totally AU but like... canon divergent i would say. probably hurt/no comfort unless i switch the ending but--

worth mentioning: reader insert with no use of names or “y/n”. paragraphs completely in italic are flashbacks. pro quidditch player!james. muggle born!reader.

word count: 2,2k

chapter 2

      For some reason unknown to you, it hadn't taken James as long as usual to give you any sign that he still remembered your existence after being with you. Surprisingly, on the same day after dropping you off at home and rushing to be with his girlfriend, he sent you a message through his patronus (much too recklessly as you lived in a majorly muggle neighbourhood), apologizing for what had happened.

      Normally, you would believe his words, and then become disappointed. However, after what happened, you didn't believe anything he said, you knew he wasn't sorry and you knew you probably wouldn't be seeing him for a while.

      All you felt like doing was laying down, still feeling completely shaken, disappointed, angry... Betrayed, and it took you a while to stop crying, you couldn't believe how easy it was to manipulate you, two days together and you actually started to think things were changing.

      Ingenuity or just the hard truth: It was easier to let yourself believe it.

      Luckily, or not, you still had your commitment to your responsibilities, if not your pride, you would try to maintain that instead, so the best decision was to get yourself together as best as you could the next day and go to work.

      Even though you lived mostly among muggles, a decision you had made long before graduating Hogwarts, you still ended up in a Ministry job, an obliviator. Not the most glamorous, and a lot of times you thought about getting a muggle job, but years went on and you got comfortable with it. Sometimes being able to forget is the best option there is.

      So got yourself together you did, the best as you could included showing up office ready and giving off the obvious energy that you did not want to be perturbed, especially after taking the tube half an hour later than you normally would, too loud, too full, it was probably one of the few times over the last years you wished you could just apparate in front of the right phone cabin. But an obliviator risking wizarding secrecy would be too much of an hypocrisy.

      You made sure you wouldn't be making any field work, taking the liberty to be shut in your office filling paperwork and crying, as any mature woman would if they were in your shoes: Exhausted from hating yourself because you knew you were an excellent witch, a strong-willed independent woman and still, every time James Potter smiled at you, you felt nothing but weakness.

      And there it was, the weakness as soon as you left the Ministry building and felt his gaze upon you, simply leaning against the wall, his arms crossed, his face completely relaxed.

      Your hands went straight to your eyes, reminding yourself of their appearance, you looked up at the sky for a few seconds and wondered if there was a god, because it didn't matter how much you begged either Merlin or Godric, you still didn't get one single moment of peace.

      "Were you crying?" he asked straight away, without even explaining why he was there. You shook your head denying it and found refuge for eyes on your feet. "You're a terrible liar."

      "I don't think you know me that well anymore," you sighed and tried your best to look at him firmly. "No car today?"

      "I don't indulge on those very often, apparition is still a thing, you know?" You tried your very best not to roll your eyes at the arrogance he displayed, favoring instead the idea that he had the car for the weekend to please you. "You ignored my patronus, I feel like you probably didn't even check your mail, my poor owl working over time for nothing, and you're the only witch I know who doesn't have a bloody fireplace. Kinda got worried that you were mad at me." His lips formed the pout you knew so well, and you had to bite you lips to prevent yourself from smiling.

      "Not having the fireplace goes hand in hand with the anti-apparition charm on my apartment." You shrugged, it was a way to avoid unwanted guests, so he pretended to be the upmost offended by that. You closed your eyes and took a deep breath, trying to concentrate on the reasons why you were angry with him. "We need to talk."

      "We can do that in your apartment. Let's talk there." He nodded, and you agreed. It wasn't something to discuss so close to where you worked, for sure. He offered his arm so you would apparate together and you ignored it completely, stretching your arm to the street to get a minicab to stop for you both.

      "I'm not risking magic exposure and being fired because you rarely indulge on cars, Potter." Weirdly enough he doesn't try to convince you otherwise, getting on the backseat with you.

      On the way he told you he had been waiting for you for at least forty minutes, which you weren't sure was even true, but on any other day you would've swooned over, but his true intentions showing up came to light so quickly, you couldn't. James kept touching your thigh with his right hand slowly, teasingly, and a pantsuit was never as helpful as then, because of it you could ignore his touches or at least pretend to ignore it.

      Despite the touches, James maintained a casual conversation with you, talking about trivialities from his day, like forgetting to take his vitamin supplement in the morning and running less that afternoon so he could get home in time to take a shower and pick you up. At least that was the term he used, even though you were in a cab.

      You enjoyed having conversations like that with him, knowing how his day had been and how he felt about the team, the training sessions... It brought a sense of normality, as if you were just an ordinary couple talking about everything or just friends talking about your lives. But at that moment, you couldn't enjoy it the way you normally would due to what still lingered on your mind from the previous night, not to mention the fact that the words coming out of his mouth sounded innocent, but his eyes and hands overflowed with nothing but.

      You felt like you were under torture, the rational part of your brain competing with your emotional part, which was shaken by any touch from James, any scraps of attention. You even felt relief when you arrived at your building, especially because there were other people in the elevator, preventing him from grabbing you there and making you forget everything you so wanted to tell him. But it didn't last long. As soon as you reached your floor, you were grabbed from behind, his hands firm on your waist while his lips roamed your neck.

      "James, we need to talk," you repeated what said before, freeing yourself from his arms and walking towards the door. You unlocked it with a silent charm and left the door open for him to enter next.

      "Talk about what?" You heard the question, but his tone showed no interest in talking. In fact, he pulls you by the arm and pushes you against the nearest wall, trapping you with his arms. you lost your breath for a few seconds due to the proximity. "We can talk later," James whispers in your ear, brushing his lips softly against yours, one of his hands touching your waist under your blouse. You almost lose it, but finds the strength to get out of his embrace and leave to the kitchen.

      "I want to talk about us," you said seriously, resolute in your decision to give him an ultimatum, tired of being the mistress, but you couldn't deny that after his teasing, you just wanted to wrap your legs around his waist and hear him say your name in between moans.

      "Brilliant, let's talk," James begins, slowly moving closer to you. "But we could just go to your room and enjoy our time in a more pleasurable way."

      You feel his hands again grabbing you around the waist, and his lips brushed lightly against your ear as he detailed all the other pleasurable things he could be doing to you.

      You give up, defeated, letting out a grunt and pulling him to you, starting a desperate kiss as he takes off your pantsuit and leads you stumbling back to your bed.

      It was late at night, almost two in the morning, when the noise woke you up, almost frightened as you had no idea what it could be at that time. your first instinct was to obviously grab your wand and go to the living room, ready to disarm or worse if it was an intruder, but you noticed that it someone knocking frantically on your door.

      "Who is it?" you asked loud and clear, assuming it was a stranger trying to pull some kind of scam, you've heard of cases like that happening around the muggle neighbourhoods, the knocking then stopped and you thought you had scared away whoever was there, but you were wrong.

      "It's me…" The voice was familiar, but you doubted it was who the voice reminded you of, so you waited for more before you decided or not to open it. "James." You froze and held you breath, but still denying mentally that it could be him.

      "James? Need to be more specific."

      "Don't remember me anymore?" It was him, surely. James Potter. You hadn't seen him since the turn of the previous year, but truthfully, you hadn't really spoken to him in years, you couldn't even imagine how in hell had he found your address. "Potter."

      "What you doing here?" You open the door, giving him the space he needed to enter and smelling the alcohol invading your apartment. "It's two in the morning."

      "Not sure…" He seemed a bit disoriented, obviously because of the alcohol, but he wasn't about to fall over drunk and you mentally thanked him for that. "Was in a pub having a few, but they closed…Kept thinking about you and here I am."

      A shiver ran through your whole body and you cussed yourself, it was pathetic how he could still cause such a thing so many years after your relationship, after your last kiss, unfortunately you had never really managed to forget him, but instead you hid him deep in your memories, that way you wouldn't have to deal with your true feelings for him when you saw each other at a mutual friend's house or anything of the sort.

      But still, you did to this day found yourself thinking about him at times, but that didn't help you understand why he would be there at such a time, or why he would be thinking about you when in fact the only reason you had left his life was because of him, because if he wasn't such a dick, you might still be in a relationship today, or at least be best friends like you used to be.

      "Know what…" Even though you haven't responded to anything he's said before, he sits down on your sofa awkwardly and you feel completely uncomfortable with the situation, crossing your arms, unable to move more than that. "I'm such a twat." James lets out a weak laugh of discontent. "Letting you go that day… Mum told me what happened, but I still didn't look for you." It was amazing how he could form sentences almost perfectly even though he stank of alcohol miles away.

      "James, what do you want?" you sigh, still not understanding anything that's going on. He simply gets up and walks towards you, making you instinctively move away until you reach the end of the line, one of the walls of the living room. "Potter?"

      "I want things between us to go back to normal." His perfume takes you over as he gets closer, replacing the smell of firewhiskey, and you try not to get dizzy. "Just want you." Panic is your first reaction as his lips come close to yours and you push him away.

      "You have a girlfriend." You look into his eyes, being as serious as possible without showing how tempted you were, making exaggerated gestures with your hands to show him how wrong it was.

      "Shh, forget it, just f'now. I'll fix it, swear I'll fix everything." You soften at his words and sigh, you're probably losing your mind but still you walk towards him with your arms open for a hug and he immediately finds himself taking the chance.

      "Missed you." Your voice nothing but a whisper and James nods in response, stroking your hair.

      The affectionate embrace evolves quickly into a quiet kiss that becomes more and more desperate and before you know it, you're both on the sofa, blending into one.

      You woke up the next day feeling partially satisfied, but guilt consumed you entirely, you had slept with a committed guy, what kind of woman were you? And not only that… What would James and you be from then on?

      "Bloody hell." And there you were, waking up after given in to James' charms again, just like the first time, just like every time after that, it was frustrating how much power he held over you, you couldn't take it anymore, you were done.

tag: @xcinnamonmalfoyx

[gravityfallsweirdgirl]

DARKWING IN: LA Llorona

In Darkwing's hideout, shrouded in shadows. The air is tense. Darkwing and Gosalyn face each other, the atmosphere thick with conflict.

"Gosalyn, this has to stop. You can't keep putting yourself in danger" darkwing says.

Gosalyn's voice was trembling with emotions, "I'm not a kid, Darkwing! I can help you. I want to help you!"

"It's not about what you want! I can't focus if I'm worried about you getting hurt"

"So, what? You're sending me away?"

"Yes. It's for your own good. You need to be safe" darkwing sighs heavily, looking away.

"I don't belong in an orphanage! I belong with you!" Gosayln says furiously.

"Not anymore" Darkwing was cold.

At the orphanage. The walls seem to close in, oppressive and unwelcoming. Mrs. Crumple, the cruel caregiver, a Cassowary glares at Gosalyn as she enters.

"Welcome to back, troublemaker. Follow the rules, and you might survive"

"I won't stay here long"

She was leaning in, her breath cold, "We'll see about that"

Over the past few days, after Drake aka Darkwing abandoned Gosalyn, she sneaks out of the orphanage, running through the dark forest.

She reaches a secluded lake, collapsing at the water's edge, sobbing.

"How could he do this to me?" Gosayln sobbed.

The water ripples, and a mist rises. But a A ghostly legend, figure shadow appears dark eyes staring from the reflection of the lake. A woman in a white dress.

a figure from Latin American folklore. According to legend, she is a ghostly apparition of a woman who roams near bodies of water, weeping for her lost children. The myth of a weeping women.

The legendary La Llorona, she emerges, her eyes filled with sorrow, she saw pain in gosayln

She slowly pulls out of the lake, her boney cold fingers touched gosayln shoulder.

"AH!" She gets startled, but too upset to care when she looks up at La Llorona who whispered to her.

"Who... who are you?"

La Llorona kneeling beside her, whispering, "what's wrong? My hero... he sent me away. He thinks I'm a burden. I thought he cared enough to adopt me but I guess I was wrong"

La Llorona gently brushes gosayln hair back whispering.

Gosayln smiles at her, "thank you for listening to me...what's that? You know what it's like...you had children of your own? What happened to them?....they died...oh I'm so sorry how did they died?....they were drowned, just be hard, you know I lost my grandfather to a bad man"

Over several more days, gosayln would always head back to The lakeside, to visit her new friend and mother figure.

After several nights later. Gosalyn sits by the water, speaking animatedly to La Llorona, who listens intently.

"And then I said, "You call that a trap? I've seen better from kindergarteners!.....I wish Darkwing could see that. Maybe then he wouldn't have sent me away. Thanks, La Llorona. You're the best friend I've had in a long time. What's that? I'm the daughter you wish you could have had. That's so sweet, well I guess I should get back now before Ms crumple gets mad and punished me again I swear she needs to stop being so mean, I wish someone would teach her a lesson"

But La Llorona is a dangerous ghost when it comes to children, at The orphanage. Mrs. Crumple is harsher than ever, berating Gosalyn as she scrubs the floor.

"You're not working fast enough, girl! Do you want to skip dinner again?"

"I'm going as fast as I can!"

Mrs. Crumple grabbing Gosalyn's arm roughly, "Don't you talk back to me! You'll learn your place soon enough"

It was raining outside when La Llorona saw how gosayln was being treated, she gets furious.

Later that night, by the lake. La Llorona steps out of the lake and heads to the orphanage when she sees Gosalyn.

As everyone heads to their room, gosayln saw La Llorona.

"La Llorona!" She whispered and hugs the ghost, "I'm so glad you're here, She's so mean, La Llorona. I don't know how much more I can take"

The next night, A dark, stormy night. The orphanage sits ominously against the backdrop of rolling thunder and flashes of lightning. Inside, Gosalyn lies in her bed, staring at the ceiling, the oppressive silence broken only by the occasional drip of rainwater through a crack in the roof.

"I can't stay here anymore... I have to leave"

Suddenly, a cold breeze sweeps through the room, extinguishing the single flickering candle by her bedside. The room plunges into darkness, and the temperature drops sharply. Gosalyn pulls her blanket tighter, eyes wide with fear.

La Llorona's Voice softly, echoing, "Gosalyn... niña..." Gosalyn sits up abruptly, heart pounding.

"La Llorona? Is that you?"

A misty figure materializes at the foot of her bed, La Llorona's sorrowful eyes glowing faintly in the dark.

The hallway outside Gosalyn's room. Mrs. Crumple walks down the darkened corridor, muttering to herself about the troublemaker she has to deal with. She hears a distant, haunting wail echoing through the halls.

"What now? Who's making that racket?"

The wail grows louder, more intense, reverberating off the walls. The air grows colder with each step she takes.

Then A gust of icy wind blasts through the corridor, knocking Mrs. Crumple off her feet. She scrambles to get up, panic setting in as she realizes she is not alone.

"Who's there? Show yourself!"

Darkwing's hideout. He's looking at news footage of the recent attack he thwarted, realizing Gosalyn's warnings were accurate.

"She was right. I've made a terrible mistake. I have to make things right" darkwing says to himself.

In Gosalyn's room. La Llorona stands beside Gosalyn, her spectral form now more defined, her expression one of determined anger.

The hallway. Mrs. Crumple stumbles to her feet, her breath visible in the cold air. Shadows move along the walls, and the wailing grows unbearably loud. Suddenly, La Llorona appears before her, her eyes burning with fury.

"What are you? Stay away from me!"

La Llorona raises her hand, and the shadows around Mrs. Crumple come to life, wrapping around her limbs, holding her in place. She struggles, but the grip tightens, making her scream in terror.

"Let me go! Please!" Ms crumple cried.

Gosayln hears Mrs. Crumple's screams echoing through the halls, fear gripping her heart. She stands at the door, hesitating.

"La Llorona, what are you doing?" Gosayln watched.

The shadows lift Mrs. Crumple into the air, her screams piercing the night. La Llorona steps closer, her face inches from Mrs. Crumple's.

A sudden explosion of force sends Mrs. Crumple crashing into a gas lamp, which topples over, igniting the curtains. Flames quickly spread through the hall, the heat intensifying.

The orphanage, now ablaze. Darkwing arrives, seeing the flames engulfing the building.

seeing the building engulfed in flames. He rushes in, calling out for Gosalyn.

"Gosalyn! Where are you?"

"Gosalyn! I'm coming!"

In Gosalyn's room. Smoke begins to fill the room, and Gosalyn coughs, trying to stay low. She gets scared and she hears Darkwing's voice faintly over the roar of the flames.

"Darkwing!"

"Gosayln!"

"DARKWING!"

He finally finds her but the building started to collapse splitting apart.

"Gosayln come on grab my hand" he reachers out for her but then....

Gosayln looks back as if someone was calling her, "gosayln what are doing come on"

But she leaves, "gosayln don't"

He jumps and he sees her looking up at someone, he ran and as some debris collapsed.

"Gosayln! I'm coming" desperately. He pushes through and He finds Gosalyn unconscious on the floor, the fire closing in around her. He grabs her and carries her out just as the building starts to collapse.

"Hold on, Gosalyn. I've got you"

Outside the orphanage. Darkwing carries Gosalyn out just as the building starts to collapse. They tumble onto the grass, gasping for air. Gosalyn loses consciousness as Darkwing holds her, tears streaming down his face.

The hospital. Drake sits by Gosalyn's bed, guilt and worry etched on his face.

"I'm so sorry, Gosalyn. I should have never sent you away"

Gosalyn stirs, her eyes opening slowly. But something is different. She stares blankly at Darkwing, not speaking.

"She's conscious, but... she seems different. We'll need to monitor her closely"

"I'll take care of her. I'm not leaving her side again"

"Gosalyn, I'm here for you. I'm going to adopt you officially. We're going to get through this together"

Gosalyn doesn't respond, her gaze unchanging. Darkwing embraces her, vowing to be the protector and father she needs, despite the eerie silence that now surrounds her.

The lakeside. La Llorona watches from the shadows as Darkwing finalizes the adoption process. Her ghostly form flickers with rage.

"He thinks he can take you from me? No. You are mine, niña. I will get you back, no matter the cost"

In that hospital room, later that night. Gosalyn lies in bed, her eyes flickering with a ghostly light. La Llorona's voice echoes faintly in the room.

Gosalyn's expression remains blank, but a single tear falls, hinting at the internal struggle within her. Darkwing watches over her, unaware of the spirit that now resides within his daughter.

[muzaktomyears]

A few weeks before my earth-shattering discovery Dot was also to have her happy world turned upside down. On the night in question we were going about our business in our rooms as usual. Dot had just washed her hair and looked like something from outer space, with her hair in rollers and (God only knows why) she was dressed in a tatty old sweater and a pair of her mother's bloomers. Nobody was around to see the apparition so all was well and we'd had a few giggles about 'if they could only see us now'. We were both happy and relaxed when there was a knock on the door. The one and only Paul had arrived unexpectedly. Dot was absolutely horror-struck. There was nothing she could do about the way she looked. The pair of them rushed off into the privacy of Dot's room and all went very quiet. I was beginning to wonder if they were still alive when the door to Dot's room was opened and closed very quietly followed by the sound of footsteps speedily running down the stairs and the front door slamming fit to shake the foundations of the house. I was wondering what the hell was going on when Dot virtually collapsed into my room in hysterics. Crying and moaning like a wounded animal, her face blotchy, the so-carefully-applied rollers haphazardly falling out, strands of tear-wet hair in straggles around her crumpled little pixie face, and still wearing her mother's bloomers. Poor little defenceless Dot. She wouldn't harm a fly but had been hurt so much that she couldn't even tell me without renewed convulsions and outbursts of uncontrollable crying. As it happened she didn't need to tell me anything. Only one thing would have one that to Dot and that was Paul giving her the push. With the adulation of their fans came such a varied choice of submissive dolly-bird groupies willing to do anything for their new-found idols. A temptation Paul found hard to resist. After all he was a hot-blooded young rocker with a world full of beautiful women just waiting to be discovered by him. He was too young to settle down; he wanted desperately to be foot-loose and fancy-free and I suppose he let Dot down very gently under the circumstances. The trouble was that Dot honestly believed at the time that it was because of the way she looked on that fateful night.

A Twist of Lennon, Cynthia Lennon (1978)

[casspurrjoybell-29]

Healing Ties - Chapter 44 - Part 2

*Warning Adult Content*

There was a shimmer in the air and as Noel looked up, Kit materialised at the bottom of the porch steps, Izzy lurking behind them in panther form.

"You," Noel exclaimed, pushing partway up before his old body forced him to sit back down.

"Kit," Kit said.

"Kit? I thought..."

"Well, we all know you can't trust what was in that file. Call me Kit, Noel."

Noel nodded.

"I'll call you Kit. But... how?"

"It's time to let go, Noel. Time to forgive yourself."

"How can I? You were kids."

Kit made way up the porch steps and stopped in front of Noel.

"So were you. You were only a few years older than we were."

"I had a choice, you know. I volunteered to go with them."

"We know. There's nothing about this that you know and we don't."

"Then how can you forgive me?"

"Because I'm glad you were there. For my sake, anyway. I wouldn't wish seeing what you saw on anybody. But for me... for me, when that man was hurting me, I looked around and I saw faces of men who were uncomfortable with what was happening but who still believed it was the right thing. And then I saw you. Horrified, frozen with fear. I knew I was going to die and that it wouldn't be quick, that Izzy was probably already dead but the fact that someone was there with me, caring... it mattered, Noel."

Noel sniffed and dropped his head, nodding.

"I just wish..."

"It's okay, Noel. We're okay. It's time for you to be okay, too."

Noel looked up, meeting Kit's eyes.

"How?"

"I'll help you," Kit said. "Just sit back and shut your eyes."

Noel obeyed.

"I want you to think about everything we've seen together. The most beautiful, amazing things. Go back to those places in your mind and this time, experience them without that weight on your chest."

Noel let out a shaky, surprised exhale, a wavering smile curving his lips.

"Thank you."

"You can rest now. It's okay."

The apparitions of Kit and Izzy faded away.

Cookie picked the frog up, hugged it against her chest and then she lay completely still.

It was late afternoon by the time Cookie hauled herself up and hefted the frog.

Noel was still asleep or... maybe not asleep.

Cookie picked the hat up off his head, put the frog in its place and then put the hat back down on top of it before laying back down at his feet.

Afternoon turned into evening and evening into night, the progression of time only clear from the changing of the light because neither Cookie nor Noel moved.

Finally, at the first light of dawn, a glowing figure appeared and slunk its way down the street.

Cookie dragged herself to her feet to greet it.

As the Fae made its way up the porch stairs, Cookie made her way down them, stopping to sit at the bottom of them well out of the way.

The Fae hovered around Noel and the frog as though investigating and then there was a blinding flash of light.

When the light faded, a short statured, chubby figure sat in Noel's place.

It wore Noel's hat atop its large, frog-like head.

As the Fae slunk away, Cookie sat still for a long moment as though regarding the creature before she turned and strode away down the street.

The street sloped downwards, and up ahead a large body of water could be seen.

An ocean, perhaps? Yes. Maybe.

Cookie made her way down onto a sandy beach.

A little girl in a dress that was barely more than rags crouched on some rocks, peering into a pool of water.

Cookie sat not far away for several minutes as the girl poked her fingers into the water and splashed about.

When she finally looked up and spotted Cookie, she jumped.

"You scared me."

Cookie chittered.

"Why can't I hear you in my head?"

Cookie was silent, still.

Her mouth hung slightly open.

"I don't like that."

Cookie stood and started heading back up the beach in the direction she'd come.

"Hey, wait," the girl called out as she hurried after her.

"I didn't say to go away."

Cookie didn't stop but she did slow down just slightly so that the girl could catch up.

"I think I might stay here," the girl said.

"I always wanted to live by the sea."

She looked at Cookie as though seeking feedback but of course Cookie said nothing.

"I think I need to be in one place. I want to try it. I've been walking and walking and I don't even know how long for. I don't want to be lost anymore and you can't be lost if you have a home."

They reached the street and Cookie began leading the way up it.

"Do you have a home? A family? I used to have a family but I don't think I do anymore. I don't think they're still mine even if they're still alive. I... can I tell you something?"

Cookie gave no sign of response.

"I don't think I'm me anymore. But that's why I need a home. I don't think you can have a home and not be someone."

Cookie reached the porch steps and began making her way up them.

"Oh," the little girl had stopped at the bottom of the stairs and was staring up at the frog man.

"Okay. I understand. You have to go?"

Cookie chittered.

"And he's going to stay here with me."

The girl smiled.

"Yes. Okay. I don't think you can have a friend and not be someone."

The vision faded and this time as it did, darkness replaced it and Fanner could feel the ground against his back, could feel his friends' hands gripped in his.

Slowly, he blinked open his eyes.

They were back in the woods.

Kit stood before them or at least appeared to.

"Any final questions?"

"I'm so sorry about what happened to you," Fanner said as he sat up along with the others.

Kit smiled.

"That's not a question."

"I know but..."

"It was two lifetimes ago and this last one's been a long lifetime. We don't need you to feel sad for us. We don't even feel sad for us anymore."

"The girl, at the end there..." Yore said.

Kit's eyebrows lifted as they smiled again.

"A familiar face?"

"More than one."

"All stories begin somewhere. Not that that was the beginning of hers."

"That's where we're headed now. Will you come with us? See some old friends again?"

"We'll be there. Now, if that's all, we're tired. I'm just going to..."

Kit took a couple of steps back and mid-yawn, disappeared.

For a long moment they all just stayed there, sitting on the ground in silence as they contemplated all they'd just learnt, Cookie ruining the solemnity of the moment a little as she continued to devour every berry within her reach.

"We were taught about history but..." Duran shook his head.

"We were taught that humans were always above those born from the Fae's magic," Fanner said.

"Izzy wasn't treated well but it didn't seem like that was the way things had always been. At least not to that degree."

"A war of hate is what tore this world apart," Yore said.

"I didn't really know what it had been like myself but I did know humans started the aggression. They wiped my kind out where they could but we travel in packs and taking out a full pack of werewolves is no easy feat."

"Do you hate them?" Duran asked.

"Humans?" Yore shook his head.

"I used to. Or, well. I don't know about hate but I had a lot of assumptions about them. Then I got to know some and I realised that they're no more or less capable of evil than anyone else. And why should they be? They're the clay the Fae used to make us. To make so many things. They wouldn't have drawn from something that was inherently bad."

"The humans you know seemed nice," Fanner admitted.

"Though... I am glad I can happily be with you instead. That my magic works in such a way that I'm not drawn to them in any special way like other mages are."

Yore offered him a smile.

"I'm a little selfishly glad of it, too."

Duran watched as Cookie squeezed a fistful of berries until juice dripped into her mouth.

"I'm not sure I would give it up if I could. Is that bad?"

"Well, you can't give it up, so... I suppose not?" Fanner said.

"It's not worth worrying about right now, anyway," Yore said, his head turning and his gaze fixing up stream.

"Harrison is coming back. Rest and eat some berries while I make a fire to cook the rabbit and when we're done eating we'll keep walking."

[casspurrjoybell-30]

Bonding with the Enemy - Chapter 29

*Warning Adult Content*

Holly

Many things went through Darren's head that night.

He wasn't sure how he felt about what happened or if he should even take Jasper's confession seriously.

The man was grieving and had tried to use Darren to distract himself, which made the rogue feel strangely awful.

At the time, Darren admitted that he felt a little bit happy when Jasper was declaring his love but now that he knew it was out of desperation, he found himself disappointed.

'Did he want Jasper to love him?' 

That was a very serious question that he simply could not answer.

After all these years, Darren had convinced himself that he didn't need anyone else to care about him because he could do that all by himself.

He still believed that actually but it wouldn't hurt to know at least one other person did too.

He had thought that Sophie cared a little, though now he wasn't so sure.

As for his Uncle, well, he wasn't as close to the guy as people thought.

They only lived together, with Darren helping pay the rent.

The man did offer advice every now and then but the two just didn't reach that level of comradery that people expected, mostly because he quickly realized that his uncle had a tendency to close himself off from people, including his own nephew.

Jasper had fallen asleep about an hour or two into his breakdown and the rogue didn't have the heart to move him, so the two slept like that all night.

Come morning, Darren awoke to find Jasper missing.

He checked his phone and found that he had slept in, so he assumed that the Alpha had snuck off to work. 

Not wanting to think too much about it, the rogue quickly got dressed and wondered what he was going to do today.

Opening the bedroom door, he was startled to find Holly's apparition on the other side.

The little girl looked paler than before and she was shivering worse than ever.

"Holly? What is it? What's wrong?" he tried to coax her into speaking and kneeled down.

"Tell me where you are?"

Her teeth chattered dangerously and she pointed downstairs as tears began to stream down her face before backing up and fading away.

Curious about what she was trying to say, Darren ran to the living room, but found nothing.

As a matter of fact, it appeared that he was alone in the house.

This in itself was odd since that meant he was technically breaking pack rules right now but then again, with Jasper being the new Alpha, he probably decided to be lenient about it.

That or there was someone hiding around here and he didn't know it. 

Just to be sure, he wandered around for a bit before stumbling across Mary and Liam's bedroom.

Yes, it was rude to dig through a dead man's things but Darren felt like there may be a clue or two in there about Liam's mysterious 'lead'.

Entering, he found the room to be twice the size of the one he was sharing with Jasper.

There was a large, four poster queen sized bed with a dark brown comforter and a bear rug on the ground.

He also took note of the two deer heads hanging on the wall.

Over all, it looked more like a mancave than a married couple's room.

He opened a few drawers, searching for something, anything that would give him a clue about what Liam's lead might have been and at the bottom of one of the drawers, his hand brushed against something.

Pulling it out, he found what appeared to be a plain leather bracelet. 

Why was this hidden in a drawer though?

From the looks of it, this was nothing special and certainly not something that could get mixed up with the laundry?

Darren decided to search the drawer even more before realizing it mostly comprised of women's lacy underwear.

He wasn't entirely grossed out until he pulled out a thong.

This caused him to drop everything and pretend he saw nothing.

Despite how stoic the man was, apparently Liam and Mary were into some kinky shit.

Blushing, he turned his attention towards the night stand where he spotted a pile of unopened mail, most of which were bills.

Some were mortgage bills, some were electric bills and some were credit card statements.

It was illegal to read someone else's mail, plus it was all unopened so it'd be obvious if he opened it himself, so he set the mail back down.

The only thing that did stand out was the mortgage bill.

From Darren's understanding, the Alpha's house was always handed down free of charge to the next Alpha in line, so they shouldn't have any mortgages on the house.

Not unless they had a summer home somewhere that they were paying off or maybe a house they planned to retire to when Jasper took over.

Taking note of the address on the bill, he went back downstairs where he spotted something outside.

Walking up to the window, he realized it was Holly's apparition standing near the border of the woods.

Beside her was the figure of the woman who had shared a vision with him earlier.

Darren immediately dropped everything and ran out back, only to find that they both had disappeared.

He took a few steps towards where they once stood, taking note of how overcast the sky looked and considered turning around before he was caught in a downpour. 

"What are you doing?" came an irritatingly familiar voice.

With a groan, Darren turned to find Beth guarding the house.

"Damn. Has no one dropped a house on you yet?"

The Beta glared back.

"Get back inside. Rogues are not allowed to wander around alone."

He eyed the burly woman, fully aware of how intimidating her piercings made her look but he refused to be ordered around by her.

"I saw Holly," He explained.

"You talking about her ghost again?"

"Projection," Darren corrected.

"She's not dead but that might not be the case for long. She looked worse than yesterday and I think..." he stopped mid sentence when he noticed the girl had reappeared, just a little further into the woods.

Distractedly, he started heading towards her, only to have Beth yank him back.

"What are you doing?"

"Let go," he snapped at her.

"She's here, I need to talk to her."

"How do I know you're not lying?"

"Bitch. I'm trying to help," he desperately gestured towards the woods.

"She's trying to show me something. So either come with or be useless because I swear to God if you stop me and she dies, I'm blaming you."

Beth looked like she was ready to break his neck but luckily paused to reconsider.

Then, she closed her eyes and sighed as though she were about to do something stupid.

"Fine, I'll go with. But if you try anything funny, I'll only drag most of you back, you hear me?"

"Fine," Darren let the threat slide and he hurried over towards the shivering Holly.

She looked up at him with big doe eyes, then pointed off to the side.

"What is it?" Darren asked.

"What are you trying to show me?"

The little girl opened her mouth, only to have a stream of water come pouring out.

Then she disappeared again.

Darren's immediate theory was that the little girl was drowning somewhere and that was why she finally approached him. 

He glanced down at the damp grass, realizing that it had most likely rained a little during the night and the sky looked like it wasn't done yet.

So wherever Holly was, he felt that more rain would only make things worse for her.

He pointed where Holly indicated.

"What's over there?"

"Nothing."

That wasn't quite the answer he had hoped for but it wouldn't stop him from checking it out anyways.

Ripping off his shirt, Darren began shifting right in front of the Beta.

He didn't wait for her to respond and instead dove into the forest, stripping extra articles of clothes along the way.

He wished it were the full moon.

That way he'd have been able to shift more quickly.

Unfortunately that wasn't the case and he took nearly fifteen minutes to finally get on all fours.

Beth hurried behind him, though she didn't shift herself and was picking up each piece of clothing that the rogue left behind.

The whole ordeal slowed him down quite a bit but the point was to use his heightened sense of smell, which he could only obtain in his wolf form.

Not that he didn't already have that ability, it was just better when he shifted.

Unfortunately the recent rain had washed away all scents, making it impossible for him to pick up on anything.

He still tried though, right up until he spotted Holly pointing towards the distance. 

Sprinting ahead, he heard Beth yell after him as she tried to keep up but Darren didn't have time to wait for her. 

Dodging fallen branches, he sped up every time the girl reappeared in front of him.

He was glad that Jared wasn't currently hovering over Holly, though that may be due to the fact that she didn't have much life left for him to leech off.

They were practically at the pack border by the time Holly stopped.

She was shivering in a field near the remnants of an old water tower.

The walls were rusted and the metal beams that once held it up were doubled over and broken.

Pointing towards it, she backed up and faded through one of the walls.

"Where are you, you bastard," Beth burst out of the trees angrily.

The rogue glanced back at her and grunted, letting her know he wasn't trying to run off.

Then he trotted closer to the tower.

The walls didn't have any holes in them but there was a rusty old ladder leading up towards a hatch near the top.

A gust of wind brought Holly's scent, alerting Darren to the fact that she was nearby. 

He shifted back and grabbed his cloths from the Beta. 

"Now where are you going?" Beth snorted as Darren dressed himself. 

Instead of answering, he began climbing the ladder, then turned and gestured for her to follow, knowing that she was unable to catch Holly's scent. 

The roof wasn't very stable.

As a matter of fact, there were quite a few holes rusted into it and the hatch that was meant as the main entry was fused shut. 

Beth followed close by, then gasped.

"Jesus. Is that Holly?"

Peering into the darkness, Darren could see an unconscious form laying in the shallow water below.

Thanks to the rain, it looked like the water level had risen to her nose.

Any higher and the unconscious girl could drown.

Beth quickly pulled out a phone to call Kenny but Darren didn't think they could wait for the man to show.

It was beginning to rain again, so he had to act fast.

Without thinking, he jumped into the biggest hole and hit the bottom hard, just barely missing the little girl's body and twisting his ankle.

He let out a short yelp before trying to stand. 

Ignoring the pain, he went to see how Holly was doing. 

The girl was so cold to the touch that he had to reassure himself that she was still alive.

From the looks of it, she must have climbed up the ladder to hide, then fallen through one of the holes. 

"I got her," he called as he lifted the little girl out of the water.

Since the hatch was fused shut, he had no way to climb out, so all he could do was wait for help to arrive.

The rain started to come down harder, making the roof slippery for the Beta.

At one point, Beth's leg fell through a spot of rust and she struggled to keep herself from falling.

"Shit," she grunted, pulling her leg back up.

Darren caught the scent of blood and noticed a few drops falling into the water below.

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah, just hang on a little longer. Help is on the way," she called down, then after a moment, she continued.

"Hey. Sorry for being an ass about all this."

"Holy shit," Darren scoffed.

"Did you just say the 'S' word?"

"Don't start with me." 

"In case you haven't noticed, I start whatever I want, whenever I want. Thank you very much."

She gave a weak laugh in response.

For a while, all they heard was the pounding of the rain as it came down in curtains but then they heard shouts in the distance and the Beta called out, drawing the group's attention.

Sure enough, Jasper and Kenny arrived along with an entire search party. 

After that, it didn't take long for the officers to get Darren and Holly out.

Once they did, they immediately handed Darren a spare poncho while the EMT's strapped the unconscious Holly to a stretcher.

"Darren," Jasper appeared after the rogue was finished being examined.

Unfortunately, due to the weather, they couldn't get a helicopter in to fly Holly to the hospital, so they'd have to walk to the nearest road before she could be put on an ambulance.

Darren's chest tightened at the sight of the man and before he could think of what to say, Jasper stepped closer and hugged him tightly.

"I can't leave you alone for even a day, can I?"

Pulling away, he refused to look the Alpha in the eye.

Not after that corny fake confession earlier.

But Jasper wouldn't allow that and clutched him tighter while drawing his head back to get a proper look at the rogue.

"I'm sorry for yesterday," he started.

"I'm sorry for this morning too. I didn't mean to... I just...."

Darren listened to man flounder.

"What?" the rogue challenged.

"You just wanted to do what? Use me as a distraction?"

"No," Jasper immediately denied it.

"It wasn't like that. Honest, I really meant what I said,"

Suddenly, the Alpha snapped his mouth shut and blushed back at Darren, who likewise was staring wide eyed at the man, unsure if he had heard right.

Luckily their awkward staring contest was broken when Kenny stepped up and cleared his throat, giving Darren an excuse to push the larger man away.

"Hey," the Beta greeted him somewhat nervously.

The rogue guessed that the man had been shooed off by the paramedics so they could properly transport his daughter, otherwise Darren had fully expected the man not to leave her side.

Kenny scratched the back of his neck.

"Beth told me what happened and... well I wanted to say thanks. So... thank you, for saving my daughter."

Due to his distaste for the man, Darren was about to say he didn't do it for him but was cut off by an abrupt sneeze.

Jasper patted his shoulder.

"How about we head back before we all catch colds?"

"Okay," Darren nodded towards Kenny to let him know he at least acknowledge what he said.

As the group found their way back through the woods, Darren spotted the spirt of that strange woman standing near a tree.

She watched the group trudge through the rain, then shifted into a deer and dashed off.

Surprised, Darren stopped in his tracks and watched as the animal ran off into the foliage.

The oddest part was that as soon as she shifted, the deer became solid, as though it were a living creature.

For the first time, he wondered if what he saw was even a ghost at all... 

[firebrnd]

Frozen in movement, she looked at Laura with big eyes. Has the girl been staying here for the last couple days or . . . even weeks? Bonnie thought she must have been some kid exploring the haunted house but she remembered Lauras words a few minutes prior. ❛ Make it quick, I really want to leave ! ❜ Interacting with ghosts or spirits wasn't new to Bonnie. It happened all the time. The voices, the sudden apparitions, furniture shaking or moving, . . . But she has never felt so uncomfortable before.

As soon as Laura disappeared from her sight, she let out a shaky breath. ❛ It's okay, we are leaving. She is only getting her things, promise ! ❜  Spoken words with a trembling voice into a silent room. It was a way to calm and comfort herself, talking to the spirit. It couldn't have been Bonnies ritual since she didn't even started yet. What else could be the trigger, though?

The last burning candle started flickering, the temperature dropped suddenly and Bonnie started freezing again. She realized she could see her breath just as soon as the last candle was blown out. Voices whispered words she couldn't understand. ❛ Laura ? ! ❜ Her own voice now trembling again, she tried to navigate herself out of the room to reach the front door.

The anger was palpable. A poltergeist? Or maybe even an inhuman spirit? Bonnie heard loud knocks and creaks but Laura was nowhere to be seen. Leaving the woman all by herself in here wasn't something Bonnie would do, even though she considered leaving the house on her own. Before she could reach the steps, something grabbed her by her hair and dragged the witch outside. ❛ Don't touch me ! ❜ Bonnie yelled, still being dragged. Her book and the jar she carried, were torn from her tight grip. She felt helpless, frightened and wished herself back to the party once again. The book was torn in front of her eyes, page after page . . . till it dropped to the ground. Was it over?

A tight grip around her neck knocked the wind out of her. Unable to breath she started to feel panic crawling under her skin. Defending herself without being able to speak a spell was impossible. The spirit must be aware that she wasn't able to defend herself without a voice. Tears welled up in her amber eyes, her lips wide opened to catch a breath. Bonnie tried to defend herself with arms and legs but how was she supposed to get rid of the grip if it wasn't something she could actually see or touch?

It felt like minutes, tears streaming down her face and dropping off her chin. If she wouldn't catch a breath in the next seconds, she'd pass out for sure. Bonnie hadn't even noticed that she had been pulled further and further away from the house. Was Laura okay?

As suddenly as the choking started, it ended. She immediately sucked air into her lungs, while her throat burned terribly. Lost in the woods, with no one to be seen and all by herself, Bonnie considered leaving the property behind. However, her guilty conscience and concern for the woman were greater. A cracking branch to her right startled Bonnie, but unable to speak since her throat still hurt and her heart still racing, she just shoot a look in the direction. Relief flooded through her when she saw Laura. Choking down her tears, she tried to regain enough strength to stand up. ❛ Are you okay ? ❜ her voice was a terrible croak, but true concern was written on her face.

Even ⠀though ⠀Laura ⠀didn't⠀ necessarily ⠀believe⠀ in ⠀ghosts⠀, ⠀the⠀ rapid ⠀cold⠀ temperature⠀ filling⠀ the ⠀room⠀ suddenly ⠀was⠀ undeniably ⠀there⠀. ⠀She ⠀could ⠀feel ⠀the ⠀cold ⠀shivers ⠀running ⠀down⠀ her ⠀neck⠀, ⠀could⠀feel⠀ it ⠀⠀like ⠀a⠀ hand ⠀reaching ⠀out ⠀for⠀ her ⠀and⠀ wrapping⠀ itself ⠀around ⠀her ⠀⠀like⠀ a ⠀coat⠀.⠀ Freezing⠀. ⠀Her⠀ hands⠀ grew ⠀colder⠀. ⠀With⠀ a⠀ frown⠀ she⠀ tried ⠀to ⠀look ⠀around⠀, ⠀to see ⠀anything ⠀— ⠀or ⠀anyone⠀ for⠀ that ⠀matter⠀. ⠀But ⠀there⠀ was ⠀nothing⠀. ⠀The ⠀candle⠀ flickering⠀, ⠀threatening⠀ ⠀to⠀ be ⠀blown ⠀out ⠀any ⠀second ⠀now ⠀too⠀. ⠀She⠀ could ⠀tell⠀ Bonnie ⠀believed⠀ in ⠀what ⠀she ⠀said⠀. ⠀There⠀ was ⠀another ⠀presence ⠀here⠀. ⠀One ⠀not⠀ fully ⠀human⠀. ⠀Perhaps⠀ it ⠀used ⠀to ⠀be ⠀once⠀. ⠀But ⠀Laura ⠀wouldn't ⠀know⠀. ⠀She⠀ could ⠀hear ⠀the ⠀impatience⠀ in⠀ Bonnie's ⠀voice⠀, ⠀almost ⠀begging ⠀her ⠀now⠀ to⠀ come⠀ and⠀ to⠀ leave ⠀this ⠀house ⠀with ⠀her⠀. ⠀

⠀❛ ⠀Wait⠀.... ⠀I ⠀need⠀ to ⠀grab ⠀my ⠀things⠀! ⠀❜ ⠀, ⠀she⠀ insisted ⠀and ⠀before⠀ Bonnie ⠀could ⠀even ⠀react⠀ to⠀ it⠀ or ⠀keep⠀ her ⠀from⠀ doing⠀ so⠀, ⠀Laura ⠀—⠀ in ⠀that ⠀darkness ⠀—⠀ stumbled ⠀the ⠀stairs ⠀up⠀ to⠀ head ⠀to⠀ the ⠀room ⠀where⠀ she ⠀had ⠀been⠀ staying ⠀in ⠀for⠀ the⠀ past ⠀days⠀.

There ⠀weren't ⠀ any ⠀abnormalities ⠀during ⠀ these ⠀days ⠀ and ⠀ she ⠀believes ⠀ the ⠀deity ⠀, ⠀spirit ⠀ or ⠀ whatever ⠀ it ⠀was ⠀lurking ⠀here ⠀, ⠀ might've ⠀ been ⠀ triggered ⠀by ⠀the ⠀book ⠀or ⠀herbs ⠀ downstairs ⠀. ⠀But ⠀she ⠀wouldn't ⠀know ⠀. ⠀It ⠀ was ⠀ simply ⠀ a ⠀ gut ⠀ feeling ⠀.

Now ⠀with ⠀ barely ⠀any ⠀ light ⠀but ⠀the ⠀ moon ⠀ shining ⠀ through ⠀ the ⠀dusty ⠀ windows ⠀, ⠀she's ⠀grabbing ⠀for ⠀her ⠀belongings ⠀which ⠀consisted ⠀of ⠀ nothing ⠀more ⠀than ⠀ a ⠀ full ⠀backpack ⠀.

It ⠀was ⠀freezing ⠀cold ⠀the ⠀closer ⠀she ⠀got ⠀ inside ⠀the ⠀room ⠀. ⠀ As ⠀ if ⠀the ⠀ windows ⠀ stood ⠀open ⠀ in ⠀the ⠀middle ⠀ of ⠀the ⠀deepest ⠀ winter ⠀days ⠀ and ⠀ a ⠀storm ⠀ blew ⠀the ⠀chilly ⠀temperatures ⠀inside ⠀. ⠀Over ⠀ and ⠀over ⠀ again ⠀. ⠀The ⠀presence ⠀must ⠀ have ⠀ followed ⠀ her ⠀. ⠀Behind ⠀her ⠀another ⠀creaking ⠀sound ⠀from ⠀the ⠀floor ⠀. ⠀She ⠀tried ⠀ not ⠀ to ⠀give ⠀ it ⠀much ⠀ thought ⠀, ⠀deciding ⠀ to ⠀simply ⠀get ⠀ back ⠀down ⠀and ⠀ outside ⠀ of ⠀this ⠀house ⠀when ⠀she ⠀took ⠀ one ⠀ step ⠀, ⠀and ⠀another ⠀.

Suddenly ⠀she ⠀could ⠀ hear ⠀doors ⠀slamming ⠀ shut ⠀ downstairs ⠀. ⠀With ⠀no ⠀hesitation ⠀ she ⠀jumped ⠀from ⠀the ⠀last ⠀ remaining ⠀stairs ⠀. ⠀ The ⠀ last ⠀candle ⠀was ⠀blown ⠀ out ⠀ by ⠀now ⠀as ⠀well ⠀and ⠀there ⠀ was ⠀nothing ⠀but ⠀darkness ⠀surrounding ⠀ her ⠀ and ⠀. . . ⠀❛ ⠀Bonnie ⠀? ❜ ⠀

Her ⠀ eyes ⠀ couldn't ⠀ spot ⠀ her⠀ . ⠀ The⠀ door ⠀ was ⠀ open⠀ just ⠀ moments⠀ ago ⠀ when ⠀ Bonnie⠀ was ⠀ ready⠀ to⠀ leave⠀ this ⠀ house⠀ . ⠀ Maybe ⠀ she ⠀ already⠀ did⠀ . ⠀ Maybe⠀ she ⠀ was ⠀ gone ⠀ already⠀ . ⠀ She ⠀ couldn't ⠀ hear ⠀ nor⠀ see ⠀ the⠀ stranger⠀ . ⠀ BAM ! ⠀ BAM ! ⠀ BAM !⠀ A ⠀ knocking⠀ ,⠀ loud⠀ and⠀ clear ⠀ from⠀ outside⠀ , ⠀ then ⠀ from⠀ upstairs⠀ . ⠀ It ⠀ was ⠀ her ⠀ cue ⠀ to⠀ leave⠀ now⠀ . ⠀ But⠀ as ⠀ she⠀ reached⠀ for ⠀ the ⠀ doorknob⠀ , ⠀ the⠀ door ⠀ wouldn't⠀ open⠀ .⠀ ❛ ⠀You ⠀there ⠀?⠀❜⠀ , ⠀ Laura ⠀ shouts ⠀ but⠀ takes ⠀ matters⠀ into ⠀ her⠀ own⠀ hands⠀ as ⠀ she's ⠀ extends ⠀ her ⠀ metallic⠀ claws ⠀ from ⠀ between⠀ her⠀ fingers ⠀ once ⠀ more⠀ . ⠀ This⠀ time ⠀ to ⠀ try ⠀ and ⠀ kick⠀ and⠀ slash⠀ the⠀ door⠀ in ⠀ with ⠀ a⠀ growling ⠀ sound ⠀ when ⠀ suddenly⠀ , ⠀ the⠀ door ⠀ jumps ⠀ open ⠀ and ⠀ she's ⠀ stumbling⠀ forward⠀ , ⠀ not ⠀ having⠀ expected⠀ for ⠀ the ⠀ door ⠀ to ⠀ give⠀ in ⠀ so ⠀ easily⠀ .⠀ Her ⠀ gaze ⠀ instantly ⠀ falls⠀ on⠀ the ⠀ spread ⠀ out ⠀ and⠀ open ⠀ book ⠀ she⠀ knew ⠀ belonged⠀ to⠀ Bonnie⠀ , ⠀ with⠀ pages⠀ torn ⠀ and ⠀ ripped ⠀ apart now⠀ . ⠀ She ⠀ could ⠀ still ⠀ make ⠀ out ⠀ her ⠀ scent ⠀ . ⠀ She⠀ was ⠀ nearby⠀ ,⠀ of⠀ that ⠀ Laura⠀ was ⠀ certain⠀ . . .

[nanamikentoseyebags]

A fall to oblivion

When do these walls cease to clench me in their grip? Can they allow me to breathe? When do I stop living in a daze? Can feelings return?

pairing: suguru geto x gn!reader

content: just imagine that pivotal moment that happened to geto in the shower, but there was a person who could offer that much-needed support, tons of angst, hurt, comfort? swear words here and there, tiny bit of fluff if you squint

a/n: i don't even know what to say lol. just my rescuer complex is acting up again, hope you enjoy <3

“When does it all stop? When does the screaming die down? Can it be silenced forever? When does sanity come back? Can clarity of thought be restored? When does that weight fall off the shoulders? Can only resignation remain? When does that soul-shattering emptiness disappear? Can it be replaced with meaning to keep on going? When do these walls cease to clench me in their grip? Can they allow me to breathe? When do I stop living in a daze? Can feelings return?”

These were the thoughts that were swirling violently in Suguru's mind whilst he futilely tried to shut his mind off. Endless streams of water hit him mercilessly in the face, and then rushed down his naked body, washing away all the sanguinary red reminders of the previous day on their way. Somewhere deep within himself, he hoped that water would cleanse him of all his sins, and drown out all the things he had done. Yet it seemed to him that it was he who was drowning under the burden of the wrong decisions he had made and the weight of dead bodies that were stretching out their cyanotic hands towards him. Trembling, bruised hands of people whose lives he could not save.

“What is 'rightness'? And who decides that? What is the point of all this trying of saving people when you know from the very beginning that you can't save everyone? Why does someone decide who is worthy of salvation and who is not? What is this world where people rejoice in other people's deaths for? What is this world where there is no room for regret and honesty for? Is there no room for me? Or is there no room for them? What's the point of these super powers when they leave you super weak and super vulnerable? Just to be a toy in the hands of others?”

Suguru leaned forward, both hands resting on the cold tiles, trying to find some sort of balance. The weightless streams of water flowing down his sturdy figure felt like an immeasurable weight of the heaven landing on his shoulders, pressing him to the ground with unbelievable force and making it impossible even to stand up straight. His fingertips unconsciously traveled across the damp surface, groping the slightest unevenness beneath them, sending signals to his clouded mind and convincing him that he was still there. His black, blurry eyes were fixed on one spot, almost never blinking. His chest heaved frantically with each of his convulsive breaths.

He was wrestling with his own thoughts, almost losing a battle, unaware that your small figure had appeared in the doorway of your bathroom a couple of minutes ago. Struggling to stay on his feet, he failed to notice how you, stripped of your clothes, quietly approached him from behind, gently wrapping your arms around his torso. Geto only flinched slightly at the sensation of your hot palms on his icy skin, yet his gaze remained fixed on the wall.

"Is everything all right?" was more of a rhetorical question that echoed off the walls of the half-dark bathroom. A question that left no hope of an answer, but one that so desperately wanted to escape your lips. He just exhaled heavily, squeezing his eyes shut, trying to ward off the frightening apparition, somewhere in the back of his mind, hoping you wouldn't notice. But you did, of course you did, just as you'd noticed every little change in his behavior in the past few days. Your arms wrapped around him a little tighter, as your lips touched his silky skin just where his shoulder blades met.

"Guru," the love-soaked name coming from your lips used to always make his heart flutter, now it pierced his body with a thousand sharp needles poisoned by sorrow, "if you don't want to talk, that's fine, just give me a chance to be around, okay?"

Suguru stayed still for a few moments, carefully weighting your words, before his hand came over yours, squeezing lightly, letting you know that he, despite all the things the little voices were treacherously whispering to him in his head, appreciated your presence. You let out a sigh of relief, intertwining your fingers with his, reassuringly kissing his shoulder. Your fingertips gently caressed his hand as you clung to him tighter; trying to give him all the warmth and all the faith you had. You stood like that for a few more minutes, in the quietude that was broken only by the sound of water cascading down your naked bodies. Geto was the first to cut the lingering silence with his sharp yet quiet words, having gathered the remaining strength but not lifting his head.

"I can't do this anymore..." The five words that forced their way out of his lips fired five shots precisely into your chest, into the place where your heart once beat. His hand released yours, finding its place on the wall once again. You shuddered at the harshness of his movement and the sudden feeling of emptiness in your fingers. Hundreds of assumptions rose and fell in your head, with each one getting darker and more unsettling: “Is this the end of us? Just like that? Without any premises?” You didn't know what exactly caused such a change in him but whatever it was, you deserved to know the truth and to hear it from him.

Despite the excruciating pain that was expanding with tremendous speed throughout your entire body, starting with your bleeding heart, you found the courage not to let go of his shivering body, but instead, leaving another tender kiss on his shoulder blade, as you spoke softly.

"Whatever it is, Guru, we can get through it together. I don't know what thoughts are troubling you right now or what exactly happened to bring us to this point, but we can try to make it right."

He hated it. He hated how each note in your voice was filled with regret and pity. He hated that no one in this world seemed to understand what was going on. He hated the fact that he wouldn't let you know. Anger mingled with fatigue. A rancorous mixture of both was seething in his bones, threatening to burst forth and burn every bridge it could reach. But that little common sense he had left convinced him that you didn't deserve to be treated this way. After all, you were not to blame for anything. It was a simple mishap that led you to him.

"There's nothing to fix, Y/n, it's way too late. Everything we believed in-...everything I believed in, it's all ruined. It all makes no sense." His hoarse voice was like the rustling of autumn leaves, echoing through the entire space. He sounded as if he hadn't spoken to anyone in a long time. Which wasn't a lie, for lately a few phrases during the day were the most you could get out of him.

"This girl that we-...that I couldn't keep safe was just a teenager. A girl with her own dreams. A girl who wanted to stay with us and would have, if it hadn't been for my blunder...And those people," he clenched his hands into fists, gritting his teeth, "th-...they were so damn excited. They were laughing, making faces, pointing their fingers at her dead body like...like they were a pack of monkeys in a fucking zoo." He spat out every word as if they were eating him up from the inside.

"So what is the point of keeping protecting the weak when they find satisfaction in the death of others? What is the point of experiencing pain by swallowing these fucking curses, so they can escape the pain? What's the fucking point?" His voice broke into a scream, and his fists slammed into the wall. You flinched, unlocking your arms and instinctively taking a couple of steps back.

Surugu turned to face you, his fist still resting on the spot where it had landed a few seconds before. Your eyes flicked frightenedly from his hand to his distorted grimace of pain. After following your gaze, he chuckled bitterly, unclenching his fist and standing up straight, as much as his exhausted body would let him.

"What if they deserve it? What if all these people deserve to be cursed?” he continued, “what if this is their punishment for all the shit they do? What if we don't have to save them? What is the point of this pretentious nobility, Y/n? I no longer know what is right and what is wrong. I don't know who's right anymore." He could not look in your direction, afraid of your reaction as he stood there in front of you, exposing not just his scarred body, but also his tortured soul.

You took a step toward him, cautiously holding out your hand. His words knocked the ground out from under your feet, simultaneously messing up your thoughts and somehow putting everything in its place.

"It's not like that. You and I both know it isn't," another small tentative step in his direction, "the world is not divided into black and white. There are nasty people everywhere: among ordinary people as well as among sorcerers, but it doesn't depend on what we are, it depends on who we are. You saved so many people who no longer had hope, and you were able to give it back. "You finally took his hand again, gently stroking his knuckles.

"I don't know, Y/n. I tried so hard to do what everyone thought was right that now I feel like it was the only thing I did wrong."

"You never did anything wrong, Guru. I know you feel baffled by all these things, and that's okay. We'll figure it out and get to the other side, trust me. I’ll never give up on you."

Suguru lifted his head, now looking directly into your eyes for the first time in a while. His drained face was even paler, as the bags under his eyes could be seen from afar. But in spite of that, he looked like a frightened little boy lost in a supermarket, trying to find his mother. A boy who grew up way too young and was lost in the maelstrom of life.

He could not believe how such a young and delicate person could have so much strength, so much wisdom, and so much love inside. Your words enveloped his being with inviting warmth. Closing the distance between you, his arms wrapped around your small frame. Almost bent in half, he nuzzled into your neck, hoping that your scent and the feeling of your skin under his fingertips would bring him peace. Your arms encircled his torso, letting his entire weight rest against you, as you stroked his back gently, feeling his tense muscles and choked sobs under your palms.

And for the first time in his life, he allowed himself to be weak. He allowed himself to cry out loud, burying his nose in your neck while your hands lovingly ran through his hair. He allowed himself to share that weight for two, to take that much-needed breath.

It was then, when you held him closer to you and quietly whispered words of love into the crown of his head, that you realized that if you had to carry him on your shoulders through an endlessly long, dark tunnel, you would do it. You would both find that strength to reach the light. You would be strong in his moments of weakness, so that like a bright dragonfly he would soon soar into the sky again, gleaming with his huge wings in the sun.

thank you so much for reading <3

tagging some of my dearest moots: @shamelessperfectionhideout @afortoru @vagabond-umlaut @mitsuyeaah @luckimoon @strawberrystepmom @daisynik7 @sugies @sin-and-punishment

[poroimagines]

Hey can i get sum irelia and sett hcs?

Hello dear anon! First I would like to apologize to everyone for the delay, I'm going through a chronic procrastination crisis, however, I want to continue doing what makes me happy, which is writing and seeing people read my work.

Well... As you didn't ask for anything very specific, I gave myself the freedom to do it my way, I hope you like it!

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Sumarry: Sett and Irelia (separately) fluff hcs (a little bit of reader apparition)

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Sett, the Boss

The boss is quite intimidating, that is unquestionable, everyone has a certain fear coming from his presence and this makes him proud of himself, increasing his ego with each passing day. But he's not as intimidating as they think he is. He has some secrets he wouldn't want any living soul to discover. Embarrassing secrets, however... Cute.

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Sett loves to cuddle behind the ears, just like animals, this is part of his vastaya side. He might even purr a few times if he's comfortable with it.

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His injuries after battles in his arena are often severe, but he doesn't care at all, as long as you is taking care of him, you can tell he would even hurt himself on purpose for these moments to happen.

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Irelia, the Blade Dancer

Irelia is very serious and convinced with her goals of protecting her people from any threat. She can appear to be cold at times, but... Like any human she has her sweet side that she can't hide from you, no matter how much she tries.

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Everyone knows that she loved to dance before it became an obligation before the wars in Ionia, there are rare moments when she stops and has fun, but in some cases she dances with the person she loves the most, not caring when you misses or is very clumsy, that is one of the few diversions of her day, seeing your face smile beside hers.

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The pressure of so many people to trust her blindly it's so much on her shoulder that Irelia often isolates herself, she has to be firm and hold out until the last twirl of her blades. But the times when she needed to isolate herself, she felt comfortable cuddling with you, that was what she needed to get all her strength back.

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[agoodfictitle-shadowban]

The Price You Pay - Part 3

Wanda Maximoff x f!reader

[TPYP Masterlist]

Word Count: 2.8k

Summary: Life as a college student isn’t always easy, so when the opportunity to make some money by pretending to date your best friend’s sister arise, you decide to take it.

Tags: fake dating, paid dating, jealousy, possessiveness, Pietro’s bestie, darkish!wanda, no Avengers, bad life decisions, college!au, angst, hurt/comfort, fluff, divorced!parents, Vision is kind of a dick, other mcu characters apparition, no proofreading (lemme know if im missing something)

Warnings: Bad language, alcohol consumption, some violence, smuttyfruity (so, 18+, minors dni, dom!Wanda, bratty!reader, dub con touching, will add warnings when we get to it)

A/n: sooo my sister's cat that im supposed to keep has fled, so if i disappear you'll know why

Tag List: @red1culous @sayah13 @princess-kennys-rats @marrymemcgrath

Opening your eyes the next day was the worst mistake of your life, your brain pulsating against your cranium like a monkey trying to escape its cage by banging a wrench on the iron bars. You winced, but still looked around. You noticed the glass of water with Advils next to you and took it without a second thought to drink it, thanking your past self for its foresight. Wait… you frowned. Did you? You retraced your steps at the end of the night and then it clicked. It must have been Wanda.

Wanda… everything from yesterday suddenly came back to you and you blinked. All the small touches, the various kisses, and what you accidentally heard too. The way she made sure you wouldn't talk was etched in your brain, too. It all made you want to disappear in your bed again for the day. This was certainly the best way to face everything.

But then you opened an eye to look at the now empty glass of water. Whatever happened she was nice enough to take care of you until you were safely home and even make sure you'd have a vaguely nice morning, which meant you were probably okay. Which was good, because she still had to give you your hoodie back. And pay you. And that was already going to be awkward enough without adding another layer to it.

Now, it meant that you had to contact her. You extended your hand and grabbed your phone that was in your jeans pocket and took a quick look. You had a few texts from Pietro sending you memes - you took the time to react - and to your surprise you already had a message from Wanda.

[01:13 am - Wanda] Hope you sleep well and your hangover isn't too bad tomorrow. Send me a message when you wake up.

You rolled on your back to look at the message better. She must have sent it when she got home or around that time, so it at least gave you an idea of when you yourself arrived. Now you just had to answer.

[11:37 am - Y/n (neighbor)] Only woke up. Thx for the water. Wanna meet today?

You looked at your phone for a few seconds, seeing the sent sign next to the message before you decided to get up. You were in dire need of a shower, and a breakfast. When you came out of the shower you noticed that she had already answered you.

[11:41 am - Wanda] Did you drink it all? What time works for you?

[11:55 am - Y/n (neighbor)] Yeah, I did, it was a life saver. In 30min? 

This time you were downstairs, preparing some food for yourself when she answered.

[11:58 am - Wanda] I'll be there

You looked at your toast and eggs and stretched, leaving her on read since the time had been agreed upon. It took you fifteen more minutes to eat and brush your teeth so you would be ready for when she showed up. That was a good opportunity to check on your socials until the doorbell rang and you got up to go get it.

Wanda looked as fresh as a flower, like she never even got to a party yesterday, and you felt out of place with your sweatpants and sports bra since the temperatures were already going high today. Until something got your attention. She was actually wearing your hoodie - she even had rolled up the sleeves, allowing you to see her numerous bracelets on her wrists and rings on her fingers. You blinked a few times when you noticed, and as she did the last time she was at your door, she came in without waiting to be invited. You didn't even think to protest, simply letting her in. She took an envelope out of the pocket of the hoodie and handed it to you.

"Here, for yesterday," she said with a very calm voice. Very awkwardly you took it, not really knowing what to do with it now that you had it. "You can count if you want."

"No, I trust you," you blurted out nervously. Why did you have to be such a wreck? "Thanks." You eyed your hoodie, and she must have noticed because she smirked.

"Was that all?" She asked teasingly, taking a step your way, her hand chasing a loose hair on your collarbone before she flattened her palm against your shoulder. "Or was there something else you wanted to tell me?"

You nervously played with your fingers, deciding to quickly hide them in your pockets to stop. It didn't help that she traced some small circles against your skin. "Um. Can I get back my hoodie." She cocked her other eyebrow. "Please."

"That's what I like to hear." Her fingers went up your neck, light as feathers, and you knew there was a line of goosebump where she touched you. She wanted to play some more with you, suggest that you were the one to take it off, but she knew it would be pushing you too much for now. So she stopped touching you, and she took off the hoodie to put it on your shoulders.

That's when you realized it smelled like her now. Lilac, rose, and sandalwood. You wondered if it was on purpose, but there was no way. It was probably just because it was in her room or something.

"Thanks," you said, quickly. "Maybe next time if you need to borrow something you can just ask, or something." It was a simple joke but the way she smirked told you there was something she found amusing that you didn't quite get.

"I'll think about it." She took a step towards the door at that moment, and you followed her with your gaze. Before she could move too far she turned to you again. "If I ever need you again, I'll let you know."

"I might want to renegotiate my rates after the third time." This time she laughed and shook her head, licking her lips before she answered.

"If you do as good a job as yesterday I'll make sure to reward you accordingly." Something was telling you she might be talking about something else than money, and your imagination ran wild with images from yesterday.

She disappeared from the house and you blinked a few times before you regained your focus on reality.

*

Running was a good way to clear your mind, but it wasn't so good when you were trying to keep up with Pietro. He was running circles around you while each breath you took felt like torture. Lucky for you, you were almost done making your way around the neighborhood, and you could see his house standing right next to yours. You assembled the meagre energy that was left in you and made one last sprint before you completely stopped once you reached his door, simply collapsing on the march in front of it.

"Hey, that wasn't so bad, was it, Y/n?"

"That was hell," you answered, taking the bottle he was extending towards you to take a big swing. Then you proceeded to throw some more water on your face.

"That's payback for when you had me swim five kilometers the other day."

"That was for your own good," you protested. "Plus it's not my fault if you took my remark as a challenge."

"How is 'I bet you can't keep up with me' not a challenge?"

He had a point, and just as you were about to answer masterfully, the window next to the door opened and Wanda's head popped here.

"I'm trying to read, do you have to be so noisy, both of you?" Her glare stopped on you longer than it should have, taking note of your general appearance after you exercised.

"What? we're not doing anything wrong, are we?" You asked with a shit eating grin. "Or is talking illegal now?"

Something dark crossed her eyes, and you almost missed it. You wondered what it was, and if it had anything to do with what you heard the other day, or if she was just pissed. More likely, it was the second one.

"Pietro, get your bestfriend under control, or she's not allowed inside ever again."

He laughed at that, and you snorted. "Like anyone could ever control Y/n."

Wanda narrowed her eyes at that, in the same way Pietro did whenever he was issued a challenge, but she said nothing and simply closed the window. Probably to get back to reading.

"Alright, I'm going to shower and change. Still up for food and a game after?"

"Yeah, yeah. See you in a few minutes."

You stood up and walked to your home, your calves on fire, but you managed to arrive. This time you opted for a nice short and a sleeveless top when you came out of the shower, and finally joined the Maximoff household. Once inside, you joined Pietro on the couch and you started playing as you waited for the food. Wanda was nowhere to be seen, and you guessed she probably chose to go read upstairs knowing you would be playing in the living room. It took some time for the pizzas to show up, and when they did, Pietro turned to you.

"I'm gonna go grab them, you think you can get Wanda to join us?"

You nodded at that, getting up and stretching as you stood up to get upstairs. You had enough sleepovers to know where Wanda's room was, so you were quick to stand in front of her door. But, as you stood there, you swore you could hear her voice coming in hushed moans from the other side. Her voice. Saying your name. At this point, you just wanted so many different things, your brain - and body - pulling you in so many different directions. You wanted to stay there and listen, wetness growing between your legs unto your panties, and you wanted to flee, act like you heard nothing and leave all this behind you. A small voice also whispered so you would open the door, maybe just a crack, to see what exactly was going on in the room. In the end, you chose to be sensible, and you simply knocked on the door.

"Food has arrived Wanda," you announced through the door and all noise ceased on the other side.

"I'll be there in a minute," she answered, and you were certain you could hear the heavy breathlessness in her voice.

You had done what was required of you, now you could go back downstairs and act like nothing ever happened. Except it did, and the way your underwear felt was the witness of what you heard. You sighed; you were going to be so uncomfortable for the rest of the night.

You walked in the living room and sat back on the couch where Pietro was waiting for you with the food. "Took you long enough," he remarked.

"It took a bit for your sister to answer," you deflected. And speaking of the Devil, she joined you, a small paid cover around the shoulders.

"I fell asleep." She sat between you and Pietro, instead of taking the free couch. For a second you considered changing sides but thought it might look suspicious, so you stayed where you were. "Pizza again?"

You rolled your eyes. "If you're not happy with that, you can always cook."

The offhand comment got her attention, and she tilted her head at you. The way her gaze burned onto you made you want to apologize, but you stayed strong. You focused on the tv where you had resumed playing with Pietro. She hated that she had to let it slide for now, so instead she decided to grab the tv controller and change the input.

"Oh, come on, Wan!" Pietro complained. "We're playing!"

"And I want to watch something while I eat."

As usual with his sister, he let it go rather fast, and soon enough the three of you were watching one of her favourite sitcoms. During this time she started to expand her territory on the couch, and you found yourself closer with her than you were when she first joined, her plaid now covering her legs and yours. It felt nice in the air conditioned room considering the shorts you were wearing, so you didn't bother getting it off you, and in retrospect you realized it might have been a mistake, because you quickly felt Wanda's hand on your thigh.

At first, you thought you had imagined it. It was just a brush of the finger, just a mistake that still made you go straight in your seat. But quickly it happened again to form a caress on your skin, something that was definitely deliberate, and you didn't know what to do. So you did nothing. You let her continue, let her fingertips explore your exposed skin under the plaid, and prayed Pietro wouldn't see the way you tensed. Luckily, for now, he was on his phone.

But Wanda got bolder at your lack of reaction. Her fingers became her whole hand, and the exploration became more involved, prying open your legs so she could put her hand inside your thigh. Warmth spread inside you like a wildfire and you pinched your lips to avoid making any noise that could signal what was going on. Not that you had any idea of what it actually was, because what the hell was Wanda thinking right now?

You glanced at her to try and understand, but her eyes were focused on the screen in front of her like nothing was happening. Whatever game she was playing, she knew how to hide it, but you decided it was enough of it when her pinky started hiking up under your shorts. This was too much, you had to stop her before she went too far, no matter how good it was and how much you just wanted to see how far she was going to go. You were right next to Pietro, for fuck's sake!

So you put your hand on hers and tried to move it away. You placed it back on her own leg, and hoped it was where it would end, but as soon as you retreated, she was back where she was before - just not exactly as far. You decided to let her have it, especially when your best friend took the tv controller at the end of the show's episode to switch back to your game.

"Sorry Wan, dinner is done, it's our time again."

"It's fine," she answered as you grabbed your controller, "it's also fun to watch you play."

At her words, her hand slipped back between your thighs and you thought about dying on the spot. There was no way you would be able to focus with her hand there, going up and down, playing with the hem of your shorts and making it ride up, and up, but with the game going on you also couldn't do anything against it, not without Pietro noticing something. That wasn't even talking about your soaked underwear, or the fact that you could barely hold the controller and focus on the screen.

Your salvation came in the form of a call your best friend had to take.

"Ah, shit, sorry, I'll be back in a sec."

"Yeah, no problem," you answered, not without difficulty to keep your voice steady. Once he was out of the room, you took off the plaid from your legs and Wanda's hand, taking some distance from her. "What the fuck are you doing?!" You whisper-yelled at her.

"Me? I'm just having a bit of fun. Don't you like it?" She tilted her head with a small smile, looking perfectly calm and collected.

"That's not the point," you hissed. "Pietro is right there, and we're not– we're not like that."

She hummed, looking you up and down. You weren't ready yet, but she'd get there, eventually. If it weren't for this pesky call, she would already have gotten away with a lot more than she did, so you were on your way to her.

"Alright," she gave up and rolled her eyes, before she leaned closer, her voice hitting the lower range. "But don't tell me you didn't like it as much as I did. Your eyes are begging for more."

And you knew she was probably right. For all your protestations, the simple caresses she gave you lit you up and high, and in other circumstances you would certainly have buckled under her. But not like that.

She smiled, satisfied, when you failed to contradict her and she stood up from the couch.

"I'm going to bed. I'll see you soon, Y/n."

And with that she disappeared from the room. The rest of the night was uneventful, but when you got home later on, you noticed your hoodie hanging on your desk chair.

With a fair bit of hesitation, you grabbed it and smelled it briefly. Now that you were alone in your room, the idea of Wanda with her hand between your thighs sounded heavenly.

[babymetaldoll]

"The Sean Hotchner effect" (Spencer Reid / Reader)

My gif 😉

Requested: Yes

Summary: Spencer is jealous 'cos reader (and the rest of the female team) thinks Hotchner's younger brother is hot.

Warnings: Cursing

Category: Fluff

Word count: 4,5K

A/N: I can' believe I actually wrote a fic! I've been so busy taking care of my grandparents I've just been updating DIWK, 'cos those chapters were long written and edited. Hope you all enjoy this little story, I'll bring you a more next week, hopefully! send you all my love!! be safe babes!

Masterlist

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Working at the BAU, the team was used to seeing the worst of human behavior. Murder scenes, abuse, psychopath, you name it.

That's why seeing the apparition that walked into the bullpen that morning was such a big shock for us, the team's females.

- "What are you doing out of your bunker?"- Elle asked Penelope, who was standing next to my desk. I whipped my head, surprised to see Garcia there, out of the blue, not even looking at us. Instead, her eyes were fixated on someone who wasn't Derek.

- "I was on my way to file the things that I... file?"- Garcia made a pause as Elle and I slowly turned and looked at the guy our tech analyst couldn't stop staring at.

He was gorgeous. Tall, blonde, perfect smile. The kind of guy that could definitely get every girl's attention. We didn't get many of those at the BAU that often, except, of course, for Dr. Spencer Reid. My best friend was hands down the hottest agent in the whole FBI, and I enjoyed having him near. But this guy was completely different.

- "Who is that?"- Elle asked and stood by our side.

- "The Future Mr. Garcia,"- Penelope whispered as the tall young man walked over us and cut us one flirtatious smile. I couldn't help it and returned the smile.

- "Hi"- I smiled and waved- "How can I help you?"

- "Hey. I'm..."

- "Sean!"- Derek Worst time ever Morgan ruined the whole moment as he walked over and took that hot guy away from us. Now at least we knew his name was Sean.

- "You must be looking for your brother."- Morgan said and tapped on his back.

- "Yeah."

- "Right this way"- and that's how that apparition was gone from our lives and directed straight to... Aaron Hotchner's office?

- "Brother as in?"- Elle asked and turned to us, confused- "That's Hotch's brother?!"

- "Maybe Hotch is adopted,"- Garcia whispered, not taking her eyes from Sean until he disappeared behind the door.

- "I feel scammed. We didn't get the hot brother"- I sighed and shook my head- "Well, I might have never solved a case with that smile around the bullpen"- Elle and Penelope giggled, but someone coughed behind my back, and immediately, I knew who he was.

- "Who are you guys talking about?"

Spence Walter Reid was standing right behind my back, and the look in his eyes wasn't as sweet and friendly as I was already used to. He was upset. I just didn't know why.

- "No one"- I lied and looked away.

- "Who were you all staring at?"- Reid asked. I quickly returned to my desk (right in front of his), grabbed a few files, and pretended to be working.

- "Aaron's brother"- Elle explained- "Apparently, we got the wrong Hotchner."

- "Sean?"- Spencer frowned and looked at us- "He just got into Georgetown law school. Maybe he came to pick up his brother to celebrate."

- "Who is gonna celebrate?"- JJ walked over, holding a bunch of folders, and looked at us.

- "Hotch and my future husband"- Garcia sighed and kept looking over at Aaron's door.

- "Sean, Hotch's brother is here, and believe me, he looks nothing like his brother."

Elle smiled and moved a chair across from her desk to make sure she had the best seat in the room to see Sean when he walked out. I shook my head as Elle winked at me.

- "Stop pretending you didn't see him, (Y/N). You were the one who talked to him."

I swear, I could feel Spencer's eyes on me, burning my skin. I slowly turned around and looked at him with a small, innocent smile. But all I got in return was a stern look.

- "I just... wanted to... help him"- I tried to excuse myself, but Elle laughed, and Garcia followed.

- "Sure, babe. He looked like he was hopelessly lost in the BAU. He needed your help to find his brother."- I don't know why Elle was acting like that, but she made sure Spencer would be even more upset than he already was.

- "Stop it! I just asked if he needed any help."

- "Oh! and you would have given him a hand with anything he needed, wouldn't you?"- Elle chuckled and winked again.

- "Oh sweet Jesus, I would. All he has to do is ask, and he..."- Penelope got carried away in second, and she only paused her words when Hotch's door slammed open, and we all looked at Sean storming out of the office.

- "That's Hotch's brother?"- JJ asked, surprised. Elle nodded and literally bit her lips as she stared at him, walking over. Penelope barely even blinked, and I made my best not to make eye contact with him. Instead, I looked at Reid. And he locked eyes in mine, but again, his look was cold.

- "I don't see it"- JJ stared at Sean as he clearly argued with Hotch. I stayed still, sitting behind my desk, looking at the files.

- "You know what?! Don't profile me, Aaron!"- Sean yelled, and I could only imagine Penelope's crush growing bigger with each word that came from his mouth.

- "Now I see it!"- JJ followed Sean with her eyes as he rushed out of the BAU.

- "I hate to see you leave, but I love to watch you walk away."- Penelope whispered, and we all giggled.

- "Do you think Hotch is hiding that ass?"- Elle asked, and I couldn't hold the laughter.

- "I didn't want to think of that!"

- "Oh please!! (Y/N) stop being such a goodie-goodie!!"- Elle smacked my arm and shook her head- "You stared at his ass. Deal with it. You are single! You don't have to pretend you don't see a hot guy when you see one."

- "I saw him. He was cute. I'm just... not... that... affected...."

- "You don't have to pretend,"- Spencer said suddenly and raised an eyebrow- "Your body language indicates that you are nervous. You are blinking rapidly, our pupils are dilated, and you've been bouncing your knees since you sat down. Obviously, Hotch's brother affected you."

I opened my mouth to answer, but Hotch himself interrupted us and announced we had a case. Spencer just kept his eyes on mine for a few more seconds before walking away quickly to the conference room.

- "Looks like pretty boy is jealous,"- Elle teased and stood up too- "I don't know why if he ain't your boyfriend."

- "I know he ain't my boyfriend, and I'm sure he is not jealous. You are all just acting like school girls around a hot guy."- I tried to argue as I stood up and followed them to the conference room.

- "Oh honey, when you see a guy like that, you just can't help it."- Garcia smiled and sighed- "He was the sugar that got me going for the rest of the day."

- "It's only nine am."- JJ added, and Garcia just sighed.

- "That's how good it was."

The case was in Terra Mesa, New Mexico. A clearly angry Hotch announced wheels up in thirty, and we all headed back to our desk to gather our things.

- "Hey, I brought you back your copy of The Illustrated Man"- I walked to Spencer and handed him over his book- "Maybe after the case, we can get a coffee and talk about it."

- "Maybe not"- he grabbed it from my hands and put it on his satchel.

- "Why not?"

- "I don't feel like it."- Spencer avoided looking at me. He just closed his bag and walked away from me.

- "Hey! What did I do?"- I asked him and followed him, but he didn't even look at me.

- "Spencer, I'm talking to you!"

- "And as you can notice, I don't wanna talk to you."

His answer stopped me in my tracks and left me speechless. Spencer got into the elevator and pushed the button to close the door as fast as possible.

He had never acted like that with me. He had never talked to me like that. Shit! He had never been an asshole with me before. I had seen Reid being a jerk with people when he is mad, but he had never been like that with me. And all that just 'cos me, and the girls were a little unprofessional?

Apparently, Spencer was furious with me because during the whole investigation, he kept avoiding me. Of course, it didn't help that Hotch paired me with Reid and Morgan to talk to a young girl who had been abducted from the crime scene.

- "So, pretty girl, I saw you yesterday. Your eyes were shining when you talked to Sean"- Morgan started teasing me the second we got into the SUV.

- "I don't know what you are talking about."- I whispered and looked outside.

- "Oh please, you, Garcia, JJ, even Elle, the four girls were drooling over Hotchner's younger brother."

- "That's not true"- I denied right away- "We were all surprised. I had no idea Hotch had a brother."

And Spencer just snorted at my words.

- "What?"- I turned around and looked at him. He was sitting at the back seat, alone, arms crossed on his chest, avoiding eye contact.

- "Maybe you should stop talking about Hotch's hot brother and focus on the case."- his voice was cold and distant. I tried to read him, but all I could see was anger.

- "Ok, kid."- Morgan chuckled and shook his head - "No need to get all defensive."

- "I'm not defensive. I'm just saying we have to solve a case. People are dead, and you are still rambling about how hot Hotchner's brother is. We are not a fucking gossip show. Enough with it already."

I widened my eyes as I stared at him, bitter and angry. Not really a good combo. Spencer is one passive-aggressive asshole when he is mad, and you don't want to deal with him under those circumstances. Believe me.

But Derek just laughed and continued driving. He winked at me and pretended Spencer hadn't said anything hurtful or even evil. But, to be honest, Morgan looked composed and even amused. In fact, I'm pretty sure he was actually enjoying that awkward ride.

I wish I could tell you that was all Spencer did that day, but no. He actually exceeded himself in the art of being an asshole.

- "We are looking for a cult leader."- Reid started giving the profile to the police department- "Typically men between the age of 25 and 35"- he made a pause and looked at me.

- "What?"- I whispered, thinking maybe he wanted me to continue talking.

- "Nothing. I thought you were going to start giggling or sighing."- Elle and Morgan looked surprised as Gideon frowned, not getting Reid's comment.

- "Over a sociopath underachiever with an extremely abusive childhood?"- I asked him, as I continued describing the profile- "Why would I?"

- "I don't know."- he shrugged and continued walking around the office -"I thought after yesterday, it was going to be your usual behavior around men that age."

- "Reid"- Hotch's voice was cold and severe. Spencer looked at him and turned around to find an empty seat. Aaron continued giving the profile, and I turned to my best friend, enraged. I wasn't going to tolerate that passive-aggressive attitude.

- "Fuck you."- I mouthed and stared straight into his eyes.

Avoiding and ignoring Reid was a challenging task to achieve. Hotch was nice and wise enough to keep us apart for the rest of the day, but that didn't stop him from staring. And his eyes burned my skin each time we were together in the same room.

I made my best effort and avoided looking at him the whole time. But I felt him staring. And though I was honestly mad at him now, a part of me just wondered what on earth was he so upset about?

I found out the whole truth later that night, back at the hotel. I was already in bed, trying to forget about the case, 'cos it had already been solved, and we were supposed to go back home early the following day.

I was alone, 'cos my roommate Elle was in the hotel bar with JJ and Morgan. I didn't feel like going. I just wanted my pajamas and do nothing.

Fine, that's not what I wanted to do. I wanted to be with Reid, talking about The Illustrated man, or any other book, drinking coffee, making jokes, laughing.

But he was mad at me, and now I was mad at him too, which meant things weren't going to be smooth between us in a long while. We had only fought once before until that day. It happened when we first became friends, and we argued over some random Star Wars fact. He didn't admit he was wrong, and when I showed him I was right, he got all defensive and refused to talk to me for a whole week.

Of course, this time, it was going to be a hundred times worse.

I debated whether I should or shouldn't call Reid and yell at him when I heard someone knocking on my door. Of course, I thought it was Elle, so I dragged my weary body from the bed, arguing I had explicitly told her she had to bring her key when she left the room.

But no. It wasn't Elle. In the hall, looking like shit, I found Doctor Spencer Walter Reid.

It wasn't a good sign the way my heart skipped a beat the second I saw him. It didn't get any better when the two of us just stared at each other in silence for a moment, and I felt my whole body tremble only by his presence. I couldn't control it even if I wanted to. I loved him, and it was getting too hard to hide.

- "What are you doing here?"- I made sure my voice was as upset as possible and even made an extra effort to furrow my brows as I stared into his eyes. His look had softened, and you could tell he was nervous. He scratched his hair and fixed his nerdy glasses before speaking.

- "I needed... I wanted... I want to talk to you."- Spencer finally said and sighed, looking at me.

- "Why would I want to talk to you after you humiliated me in front of the whole police department?"

I spat each word and tried to slam the door on his face, but he stopped me before succeeding.

- "Wait, please, (Y/N)"- he pushed the door open and followed me inside the room.

- "Get out, Reid!"- I argued immediately, but he didn't listen. He actually closed the door behind his back and stood behind me. I refused to look at him, 'cos I knew what would happen if I did: I would forgive him too quickly.

- "(Y/N), I'm so sorry. I know I was an asshole. I didn't mean it. I was completely out of place."

Spencer literally vomited his speech in less than three seconds and stayed wordless and silent afterward. I crossed my arms on my chest and stayed still. I really didn't want to talk to him.

- "I'm sorry"- his voice was now a tiny whisper that somehow got inside my heart, melting the fortress I kept building against him.

- "Why did you do it?"- I asked the most straightforward question, but he didn't answer. Spencer stayed quiet for at least two minutes. So I turned around and faced him. His eyes were red, and he was fighting the tears back.

- "Why did you humiliate me, Spencer?"

- "I didn't mean to."

- "So? I don't care what you meant. You did it anyway. You fucking humiliated me in front of the team and in front of the whole police office, and why? 'Cos you were mad at me for being unprofessional? Excuse me, but I think what you did lacked more professionalism than anything I had ever done."

I knew it was a mistake. I knew I didn't have to look at Spencer while I spoke. But I couldn't stop myself. I didn't want to cry either, but I was already too upset and way too tired, so the tears started falling down my cheeks. And his followed quickly.

- "I'm so sorry,"- he repeated and bit his lips, staring at me.

- "Why did you do it, Spencer?"- I asked him again, 'cos I still didn't know why he had hurt me so deeply.

- "I was wrong..."

- "Why did you do it?"

I asked for the third time, and my eyes got lost in his. Spencer was holding his breath and debating himself. I could almost hear his thoughts, 'cos it was clear he was overthinking everything going on inside his head.

But he didn't say anything. Spencer just wiped off a few tears that rolled down his cheeks and shook his head. The silence in the room was overwhelming, and all I managed to do was to sigh, disappointed and broken-hearted, and walk to the door and open it. I only wanted him to leave, but he didn't even move. He just looked at me, clenching his jaw, fighting the tears back.

- "I did it because I am in love with you."

Spencer whispered in the most anticlimactic way possible. I frowned, confused, as he didn't even move. I stared at his gestures, his face blood-red in a weird mix of embarrassment and anger.

- "I love you so much it's driving me insane, (Y/N). I've been trying to tell you how I feel for weeks, but I just..."- he ran his hands through his hair, openly frustrated with his own way to deal with the situation, as I just stayed still, trying to understand what was going on.

- "I know it was stupid, and I wish I could do it differently, but I didn't know what to do. But then I saw you looking at Sean, and I knew you would never look at me the same way, 'cos I know I'm not..."

There was no bigger force in the universe than the one that moved my body unconsciously against Spencer. I grabbed his face with both hands and planted a kiss on his lips to shut him up. I didn't even think about what I was doing. I just did it 'cos I didn't want to listen to his rambling anymore. For once, probably for the very first time ever since we met, I wanted to shut Spencer Reid up. And the best way I could do that was kissing him until my lips felt numb.

I didn't even let him hesitate. He jumped as soon as I touched him, but he didn't reject me at all. Instead, he wide opened his eyes and stared at me as I winked at him, deepening the kiss.

Spencer's hands slowly found their way to my waist and held me closer to him. His lips were soft and warm, moving carefully along with mine, and as he relaxed into the kiss, the better it got.

I had wasted so much time (mostly at work, bored, avoiding paperwork) fantasizing about kissing Spencer. How his lips would feel and taste. If he would make any noise, if he'd be rough or soft... and now there I was, getting all the answers I ever needed.

My heartbeat faster when I opened my eyes and saw him, deep concentrated into the endless kiss. My hands played with his hair, and I felt him hum, pleased with my movements. I couldn't help myself and smiled, not stopping the kiss.

- "What?"- Spencer asked, but his lips didn't move from mine. Neither of us wanted to stop.

- "Nothing,"- I whispered and shook my head softly- "I just like kissing you."

- "I like kissing you too,"- he answered and moved his hands from my waist to my cheeks and held my face. His hands were so big I could feel him covering most of my cheek. He made me feel secure, safe. Loved. All that only from cupping my face.

- "I love you."- Spencer whispered and opened his eyes. I looked at him and sighed, trying to keep myself together, when all I really wanted was to yell and jump and act like a teenager in love.

- "Me too."

That was all I managed to answer, though I knew he deserved better. He deserved to know how much I loved him, how crazy I was over everything he did. Everything he was. But I couldn't tell him that, not at that minute at least. That night I couldn't really speak much because all I wanted to do was to kiss him. I wanted to kiss Spencer Reid until my lips burned.

But he didn't let me fulfill my dream. As soon as he heard me, he stopped the kiss and stayed very, very still.

- "What happened?"- I panicked, I don't know why- "Did I overstep..."

- "You love me?"- he interrupted me, and his eyes filled with tears. Happy tears. His smile was soft and warm as he stared at me, waiting for an answer.

- "I do,"- I murmured and blushed. Was it too late to blush? Maybe, but I couldn't help it. Not when he was looking at me like that. Like I was the most beautiful woman on earth. No. Like I was the only woman on earth for him.

- "I'm so sorry..."

But I really didn't want to listen to his apology. I had already forgiven him. All I wanted was to kiss him again. And again.

I crushed my lips against his, and this time, I felt him smiling into the kiss. I wrapped my arms around his neck, and he locked his around my waist. We were so close I could feel the warmth of his body as he relaxed a little more, and his fingers started caressing the small on my back.

- "Come here."

I took a few steps back, and he followed, keeping as close to me as possible. Finally, I dragged him to my bed, and he laid by my side. Our legs were intertwined as we melted on that mattress, just kissing.

I honestly never imagined I would kiss Spencer. Maybe that's why I enjoyed it and tasted him (and the moment) in slow motion. He sighed and smiled as his lips and tongue played with mine. One of his hands held my waist as the other played with my hair.

It was heaven. I didn't imagine anything better than being on that bed kissing Spencer Reid. He whispered he loved me again, and I sighed. For a second, it felt I was in a dream.

- "Ok, mama, get out of that.... WHOO!"- Derek, JJ, and Elle stormed into the door and caught Spencer and I kissing on the bed. I felt like a teenager all over again.

- "What the..."- Elle asked was holding the key in her hands, eyes wide opened, in shock.

- "My man!"- Morgan was about to start clapping when JJ grabbed him and Elle's arm.

- "The guys need some privacy. Come on, let's go. You can sleep in my room, Elle"- JJ smiled and closed the door behind her back, but less than a second later, Derek walked in again.

- "Smile to Garcia!"- Derek waved, holding his phone. Spencer closed his eyes and covered his face, embarrassed as I grabbed a pillow and threw it over him.

- "Get the fuck out of my room!"- I shouted, and JJ had to pull Morgan's sleeve to get him out of there. Once the door was closed (again), we waited a few seconds in case Derek tried to interrupt us one more time. But he didn't. Spencer's cheeks were burning red, and he looked so embarrassed it was too sweet. So I leaned over him and kissed the tip of his nose.

- "Hi,"- I whispered and smiled. Reid chuckled and moved closer to me, reaching my lips.

- "Hi."- I sighed, strangely relieved to feel his lips on mine again. I was like my body had already gotten used to kissing him and wanted to do nothing else from that moment on.

- "Hi,"- I repeated and smiled.

- "Hi,"- Reid said again and wrapped his arms around me, moving me until I was sitting on his lap. Life was perfect.

- "I'm so glad Hotch's brother came to visit. He should come more often,"- I murmured and giggled. Spencer frowned and shook his head.

- "I think we are good."- he answered and narrowed his eyes.

- "If he hadn't come, you wouldn't have gotten so jealous, and we wouldn't be kissing right now."- I added, and rubbed his lips with mines, just to make a point. Spencer smiled and fully kissed me.

- "I will send him a muffin basket to George town, then."

- "That's very thoughtful. I love that about you."

- "I love everything about you,"- Spencer whispered and sighed, staring into my eyes.

- "Does this mean we are dating?"- I had to ask. Spencer wide opened his eyes and didn't move for a few seconds -"I'm just asking 'cos you said you loved m and I love you, and if you love and I love you, I'm pretty sure dating would the logical thing to do. But if you don't want to, I would totally understand. I mean, maybe I am assuming..."- Spencer's lips against mine ended with my senseless rambling, and he chuckled into the kiss.

- "What?"- I asked him but didn't move my lips from his. Already that might have become my favorite way to talk to him.

- "You are adorable when you ramble."

- "Shut up"- and Spencer smiled

- "Would you be my girlfriend?"- he simply asked and rested his forehead against mine as he stared at me. I smiled and sighed, pretending to be considering my options. I didn't have any. I wanted to be his.

- "Yes,"- I whispered and kissed him one more time- "I would love to, just promise me you will never be a passive-aggressive jerk with me."

- "Never"- Spencer kissed me, and his hands held me tighter- "I'm so sorry."

- "Just kiss me a few more times so I can properly forgive you"- Reid smiled and crushed his lips against mines.

- "Anything for you."

**

Spencer taglist

@calm-and-doctor

General Taglist

@spenxerslut @ash19871962 @all-tings-diego

[phoebe-delia]

hullo phoebe, how about the antagonist took you hostage, and i'm a mess, i've been beaten, badly injured trying to get them to release you, i can barely stand and i'm bleeding, but it doesn't matter, you're safe, and you're back in my arms, and i don't care about anything but getting to feel your lips on mine once more for the kissing prompt ! :]

Hello lovely!! @darkharryjames, thank you so much for sending this in. It would be my pleasure to write this for you. I'm going to go against my instinct, which is to write Harry as the one doing the saving; I think I'm going to go with Draco here. Hope you enjoy!

cw: semi-serious injury, but it'll be okay! hurt/comfort, blood

Draco stumbled into the dungeon, wincing and clutching the side of his blood-soaked robes. But it didn't matter, nothing did except for finding—

A voice, gruff with disuse, grunted from a darkened corner, with two green eyes shining like a beacon. "I'm over here."

Draco rushed over, casting a hasty Lumos and kneeling down in front of Harry, who was chained to the wall and the floor. Draco set his glowing wand on the stone floor next to him. "Harry," he breathed, "Are you alright? Are you injured?"

"Just a few scrapes, an infection at worst, maybe. But Draco, you're bleeding—"

Draco shook his head. "I'll be fine. Let me just get you out of those." He picked up his wand, severing the chains around Harry's ankles and resting them back on the floor. He moved to Harry's wrists, gently soothing the distressed skin.

When Harry was freed, he moved to stand, but Draco stopped him with a soft hand, leaning in closer so their breaths mingled.

"Draco, what are you doing?" Harry asked, his eyebrows knit. "You're hurt, we have to take you to Mungos and report back to Robards."

"It can wait," he mumbled. "But there's something I have to do first—if you'll let me."

Harry blushed. "You can do whatever it is when you're healed. 'M not going anywhere."

"Please," Draco whispered. "I've spent the last few weeks imagining what I'd do when I finally found you, and I promised myself that, if you let me, I wouldn't waste any more time wishing I'd known what it was like to kiss you." He reached up and brushed the sweaty fringe from Harry's forehead.

Harry nodded, the corner of his mouth lifting into a small smile. Draco leaned in and kissed him, slow and easy, memorizing every brush of tongues, every nip of lips, every light gasp. He let it drown out the pain in his side, the panic that had seized him for weeks, the pounding of his heart against his ribs.

They pulled apart, and Draco rested their foreheads together. When Harry opened his mouth to speak, Draco stopped him with a gentle finger to his lips. "Please just—before you tell me you'd rather be friends, let me just have this for a moment more." He closed his eyes, taking a shuttered breath through the lump that rose in his throat.

Suddenly, He felt warm hands on his shoulders, rubbing soothingly over his dirtied, torn robes. "Draco, if I was going to let you down easy, I wouldn't have let you kiss me."

Draco's eyes snapped open in shock. Harry was grinning, amusement dancing in his eyes. "I want you too, you dolt. I have since we were first partnered."

"Really?" Draco breathed.

"Yes, and I can guarantee I will still want to be with you outside of this dungeon. And in St. Mungos while you receive urgent medical care. And I can't properly show you how much I want to be with you until you're fully healed, so can we get the fuck out of here?"

Draco chuckled, wincing when the movement caused a sharp pain in his side. He picked up his wand and stood, gingerly, and allowed Harry to get to his feet. He laced their fingers together, leaning on Harry's shoulder and handing him his wand. He felt lips press into his neck as the Apparition pulled them away.

_

send me a prompt from this list!

[amazingmaeve]

I’m so sorry - Hermione granger

Harry Potter Masterlist

Summary: Y/N Malfoy twin sister to Draco Malfoy and daughter of Narcissa Malfoy and Lucius Malfoy. Y/N and Hermione are in love but she had to break up with Hermione to protect her from Voldemort. Now she finally stands up while she’s being torture by her aunt.

Pairing: Hermione Granger x FemaleMalfoy!reader

Warnings: Torture, Angst, Spoiler

AN: I just had this idea and wanted to writes before I forgot it.

Word Count: 1588

Y/N Malfoy was thought to be as cruel as her family. That's what everyone thinks and thought. She didn't really bully anyone but had something against mudbloods since her parents said they were bad.

When Y/N met Hermione Granger she was quite rude. Y/N was taught to not be nice to Mudbloods and she knew Hermione Granger was one.

One night on the Astronomy tower Y/N ran into Hermione Granger. It was their fifth year and Y/N was sad she's always been sad.

Her parents mostly Lucius had always chastise her for being to soft. That she should be more like Draco. That made her angry and sad.

Y/N was sad because no matter what she did it would never please her parents.

Y/N was also angry at herself for not being more like Draco. Less emotional. Even though she was a Slytherin Y/N had cared more. She always felt bad when she said mean things. Or when Draco did it. Y/N just wished she could be more strong.

"Oh it's you," Y/N snapped out of her face to see Hermione standing there. Y/N was quick to wipe the tears away. "Wait are you crying," Hermione questions Y/N could almost sense some concern.

"Go head make fun of me Granger," Y/N sniffles drying her eyes making them more red.

"Unlike I don't make fun of people," Hermione states going sit next to Y/N. "Are you okay," She asks putting her books down.

"Obviously not," Y/N not putting her head in her hands trying to make her head ache go away.

"Sorry stupid question," Hermione cringes. "So you want to talk about it I'm a good listener," She gives her a half of a smile.

Y/N sighs she's never really had anyone to talk to so it's weird to her.

"Well first my parents think I'm to emotional and should be like my twin. And second of all I think I should be less emotional," Y/N lets out a few tears. "See I'm too emotional," She lets out a chuckle.

"It's okay to be emotional," Hermione corrects her starting to feel bad for her. Y/N had barely talked to Hermione only when she had introduced herself.

Y/N had wanted to apologize but didn't want her parents to hate her even more.

“Why are you being so nice to me I've been nothing but rude to you," Y/N questions feeling her heart race and butterflies in her stomach.

"I believe you are a good person just brought up with a bad influence," Hermione smiles at her and puts her hand on hers Y/N smiles back.

From that day on Y/N and Hermione always met at the astronomy tower. She always set her smiles when no one was looking.

Y/N could feel herself falling for the smart and beautiful girl.

Then one night as they were talking and laughing about her days, then Hermione kissed her on the lips.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean-," Hermione was about to apologize when Y/N had brought her hand to Hermiones cheek and kissed her again.

She moved her lips along with hers. When they broke away Y/N let out a nervous chuckle putting her hand on her.

From then on Y/N and Hermione would sneak around with giggles and kisses.

Whenever Y/N needed a shoulder to cry on Hermione would always be there for her reassuring that it was ok to be different.

And when Hermione needed to talk about fights with Ron and Harry Y/N would be there for each other.

It's been about a year that this has been going and they're almost done with their sixth year. Y/N had just found out that Professor Snape had killed professed Dumbledore.

Y/N then figured out her brother had the mark. And that's when it clicked why he had been distant. Y/N and Draco were somewhat close but they drifted when she got with Hermione.

Y/N was scared that her brother found out and told her mom. But it wouldn't be as bad as if her dad had known. But Hermione reassured her that nothing was wrong and oh how wrong Hermione was.

And know she had to break up with Hermione because her mother found out through Draco. Y/N was so scared that they would hurt Hermione she had to break up with her.

"Y/N what's wrong I was worried about when I couldn't find you," Hermione rushes over to Y/N worried that she had gotten hurt.

"I'm sorry," Y/N sobs.

"Why what's wrong love," Hermione asks brushing the tears away with her thumbs as her hands wrapped around her cheeks.

"We can't be together anymore," Y/N whispers.

"What why," Hermione asks confusion spreads on her cheek.

"My family found out," Y/N's lips tremble as tears cascade down her cheeks feeling heartbreak.

"Oh," Hermione lets out a breath.

"It's better you don't be with me I don't want you to get hurt," Y/N's body's tremble as she sobs. "I'm sorry please don't hate me," Y/N whimpers.

"Shh love I don't hate you," Hermione shushes her. "We will meet again and I know we'll end up together," Hermione lets some tears fall. She leans forward and kisses her one last time before leaving.

Y/N sadly smiles at Hermione leaves as tears keep on falling and falling.

And finally here we are at the Malfoy Manor with Draco and Y/N by their parents sides.

Her eyes widen as the Golden Trio was dragged into the room. Y/N felt her heart stop and her body coming to a halt.

"Oh my god," Y/N whispers.

She blocks out everything even when her aunt goes on a rant about a sword one of the guys have.

Of course her aunt almost murders the guys wanting to get the sword.

Draco drags Y/N out as her aunt mutters something about girl talk with Hermione and dragged the two boys down to the dungeon.

Hermiones scream snap her out of her daze. She felt her stomach twirl with anxiety and anger. The anger driven towards her aunt.

When Draco is looking away Y/N runs away to go to the room where her aunt is torturing Hermione.

"Stop," Y/N screams as she grabs her wand and points it at Bellatrix. Her eyes were burning with rage.

Bellatrix's eyes snap up to her nieces.

"And what are you going to do about my dearest niece," Bellatrix smirks knowing that Y/N was to weak to do anything.

"Stupefy," Y/N shout pointed her wand at Bellatrix who goes flying

As she gets flown across the room she runs across the room to Hermione where tears are rolling down her cheeks.

She helps Hermione stand up and pulls her behind so that her crazy aunt doesn't do anything.

"Don't even think about doing anything," Y/N snaps at her aunt who got up pretty fast who puts up her wand with a smirk on her face.

"Or what," Bellatrix cackles.

As she was about to speak her parents enter the room with Draco by her side.

"Y/N don't do anything stupid," Lucius snaps at his daughter who has had enough of her family.

"No I've had enough of this, from you, my family who's supposed to support me," Y/N snaps as tears roll down her cheek.

"Y/N sweetheart calm down," Narcissa softly told her daughter not wanting thing to go out of hand.

Y/N scoffs a little but was interrupted again when Harry and Ron entered the room and started casting spells to get Hermione out.

But what she didn't feel her aunt grab Hermione from behind her.

"STOP,"Bellatrix yells Y/N turns around to see her want and against Hermiones chin. Tears come down Hermione's cheeks.

Bellatrix goes on a rant and as Y/N pulls out her want the chandelier cascades down on Bellatrix.

Y/N runs to Hermione to make sure she’s.

“Minoe you ok,” Y/N softly asks as she grabs her hands.

As Hermione was about to speak but was interrupted by Ron.

“Hermione come let’s go,” Ron rushes.

“I’m not leaving without her,” Hermione says grabbing her hand pulling her along.

She sees the disappointed look on her families face as they all stand together and Y/N hands intertwines with Hermiones’. Hermione squeezes Y/N hand reassuring her.

Dobby the house elf that used to work for her family makes a huge speak which she smiles at. Y/N was one of the only Malfoy’s that cared about him.

They finally do the Apparition to make them leave the manor but not before Bellatrix throws a knife going with them.

They reappear somewhere else as Hermione clings on to Y/N.

“Thanks god you’re ok,” Y/N whispers as she kissed Hermione. She kisses back wrapping her arm around Y/N’s waist.

After they break apart she notices that Dobby has a knife in his stomach.

“No,” Y/N whispers as Dobby stumbles into Harry’s arm. Harry wants to do something Y/N sees but knows there’s nothing that can happen.

Y/N lets more tears fall as Dobby takes his last breath. Hermione hugs her as she cries on her shoulder.

She got out of her families house but ended in a tragedy.

[fitzs-trained-monkey]

Chapter Three: If We Have Each Other.

~When the world's not perfect When the world's not kind If we have each other then we'll both be fine. I will be your brother and I'll hold your hand. You should know I'll be there for you. I will always be there for you~

"Dude, we are in some serious jelly," I proclaimed as I paced around the small perimeter of the tree house.

"And that jam!" Isaac added from where he remained sitting at the table.

"Tight spot."

"Indeed!"

"Up a tree!" I supplied.

"Lost in the grass!" He offered. I swung around, shaking my finger at him.

"I'll tell ya what's grass, our- AAH FRACKLES!"  I had stepped on a stray nail in one of the floorboards. Hobbling my way back into my chair, I thunked my head against the table.

"But look at the bright side." Isaac leaned back in his chair. "Seeing as how our grand-theft-hairbrush is going viral and all, there is still a chance that me flipping the camera off could become a meme!" He pointed out. Slowly, I raised my head to stare at him.

"Are you kidding me right now?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.

"Consider it, Marty! All it took was five years being dead and now I'm finally fulfilling my life-long dream! If I'd known it was this easy, I would have killed myself a long time ago and spared me all that drama and emotional damage," Isaac smirked. I shook my head, my gaze drifted back to the Vader figure and snow globe sitting side-by-side on the shelf.

"Please don't talk like that Isaac," I sighed. Isaac's face fell.

"Sorry, I-I wasn't thinking," He apologized. I nodded.

"It's okay." It wasn't, but what more could be said when you didn't want to speak?

"Hey," Isaac spoke softly, ducking his head to get me to look at him, "Even if things go sour, I'm gonna be here for you. Just like I promised. Through thick and thin, remember?"

"Through thick and thin."

Smiling weakly, I repeated our life long mantra. I took a deep breath and focused back in on the problem.

"Alright, man. We gotta figure out a game plan. That video is gonna bring every hunter and their mom up here to ice our, or my, gluteus maximus. And if they know about the minimart then they know about the hospital. So, what's our play?"

"Well, I say you use your Sweet-Talkin' thing and talk any o'those alcoholic weirdos out of it," Isaac suggested. I shook my head.

"Isaac, you know how much I hate doing that."

Although it was a tempting idea, that wasn't something I wanted to mess with. If you start playing with the dark things, the dark things start playing with you. That wasn't a concept I liked, but Isaac would never understand that.

"I'm just saying it’s an option! And an easy one at that," Isaac pushed. I glared at him.

"I'm not doing that."

"It might come to it, Marty. I'm just saying as a plan C it-"

"The answer is no! Moving on." My tone killed and buried the subject. Isaac raised his hands in surrender.

"Fine. But misinformation is still our strongest tool. We should use it. Tell anybody who asks that it was all done on a computer," He conceded.

"Alright, that's plan A. What's plan B?"  Isaac's face twisted in thought. I let him do any and all planning when it came to telling a lie because he was so much better at making it convincing than I was. Isaac was the king of spouting believable bull crap. In fact, he would have made and excellent demon. That guy could probably get an angel to sell its soul for a box of holy doughnuts. When the idea hit Isaac's brain, I could almost see a light bulb light up above his head. He leaned forward, exited.

"Okay, I got it. We make up some BS story about a gay black dude who got chopped up by the ferry or something and the hospital wouldn't help him because all the doctors were racist homophobes, and it was the 50's." He nodded at me very seriously. Like I said, Isaac was king.

"That's is the worst, most ridiculous and stupid story I have ever heard," I told him. Isaac's nodding grew more excited. "It's perfect. They'll buy every word. Just one thing though, what about the mini-mart?" I pointed out.

Isaac opened his mouth before closing it again. Then he opened it. Then he closed it. Open. Closed. Open. Closed. This happened several more times before he finally came up with something good.

"So, our gay black guy was also a nice hobo dude and after he died he started stealing crap to give to his hobo buddies." Isaac gave me a thumbs up. I nodded.

"Okay, sounds good, sounds good. How do we explain me?" I splayed my hands. Isaac huffed and rolled his eyes, leaning back again and tucking his hands behind his head.

"Well, that’s easy. The camera never even caught a glimpse of your face, so you're his anonymous theft buddy slash item distributer!" He explained. I grinned at my fantastic phantasmal co-conspirator.

"Excellent, and of course nobody knows who the thief is. Especially not, innocent little me!" I chuckled at his brilliance.

"Exactly!" Isaac smirked.

"It's perfect! Except one last thing. We're gonna need some eyes and ears in on this. Someone to alert us when someone fishy comes lurking about," I said. Isaac nodded seriously.

"You're right. But who can we trust around here?" He asked. I could feel the smile split across my face.

"I can think of only one man for this job. A man as trustworthy as he is slimy. A man scrubbed clean by his own filth. A man so wonderful, words do him no justice!" I declared dramatically. Isaac was confused for a moment before realization dawned. His face fell.

"Please tell me you're not thinking what I think you're thinking."

"I think I am." I grinned. Isaac just sighed.

"Marty, no."

"Marty, yes!"

- 45 minutes later-

"Yo! Danny, my man! How's life?" I called out. Dan-the-Dope-Man looked up from...whatever it was he was doing outside Copper Harbor's one and only pharmacy. The pharmacy which he, in fact, owned. Honestly, I didn't want to know exactly what he had been doing behind the pile of cardboard boxes that were stacked up against the moldy brick. I figured it was better if I didn't. Dan smiled a grin that was missing two teeth.

"Marty! My worst customer and only friend! Life's good!" He greeted me, kicking a few of the boxes over to hide whatever suspicious activity it was that he had been up to. He winked and walked over to me, pushing his absolutely disgusting blond hair out of his face. "But, you know, business is betta'," He concluded.

I could never tell how tall Dan was, in this form especially. See, Dan-the-Dope-Man was a shapeshifter, though of course, no one else in the town knew that. That's how he was the owner of the pharmacy as well as a drug dealer. His other form, Jonathan De’ Santos, was the tall, 40-year-old, honest-looking Hawaiian man that ran the pharmacy. In this form, however, Dan was a somewhere-in-the-upper-five-foot-range Caucasian guy from Brooklyn with a thing against bathing. He said that the grungy, sewer-rat look was better for his side business. I wasn't sure how much of that I bought, but then again, who's gonna buy drugs from the guy who's supposed to make sure you don't destroy yourself with them.

"I bet it is!" I said, taking a step back when he reached me because, like I said, the guy had a thing against hygiene.

"This is a terrible, terrible idea," Isaac muttered, leaning on the wall to my left. I couldn't reply to him because although Dan knew what I was he didn't know about Isaac. So all I could do was give him a rude gesture behind my back. He saw it and stuck his tongue out at me.

"What can I do fo' ya, Marty?" Dan always pronounced my name as 'Mawty' at least in this form as it had a Brooklyn accent.

"Well, o' Danny boy, I have some rather bad news to deliver," I continued, "There might be some hunters coming to town soon."

Dan frowned; his eyes narrowed at me as he folded his arms over his chest.

"Well, that ain't good. Whatt'id ya do, Marty?" He asked. Sometimes Dan could be like my older brother, even if he didn't realize it.

"Woah, woah, woah! Who said I did anything?!" I defended. Dan just raised an eyebrow.

"You're always showin' off and ya know it," He said simply.

"He's right, you know," Isaac interjected. I wished I could tell him to shut his eidolic cake hole. It wouldn't have made much of a difference if I could, as he would still have continued talking, but the principle remained the same. Isaac was annoying. He needed to shut his mouth now and again. But I couldn't say that right now because he was a flipping ghost and ghosts are invisible. Mostly.

Ignoring Isaac, I opened my mouth to try to argue with Dan but quickly closed it again when found that I couldn't, because he was absolutely right. Now, I couldn’t admit that to him because Isaac was right here and that would be saying that he was right about something, and that was a thing I would never hear the end of.

"In regards," I started again.

"You'd just say 'regardless'," Isaac chimed in. I had to physically bite my tongue to keep from screaming at him to shut up.

"Regardless," I corrected. Isaac chuckled. I really needed to get myself some iron gauntlets or something so I could give his apparitional arse an involuntary appendectomy. Or just an iron ring so I could punch him in the face.

"Regardless, it wasn't me. This time. It was some attention seeking moron with a computer. That combined with my little hospital trips and you get something fishy looking." I finally managed to finish my sentence without Isaac chiming in.

"Well then ya betta' keep ya head down, Marty. I don' wan' ya gettin hurt." A dark look crossed over Dan's usually upbeat face. "Or worse," He finished.

"I know Danny, which is why I need you to do something for me," I said. Isaac sighed and face palmed but I ignored it.

"What?" Dan asked.

"I need you to watch out for any newcomers asking weird questions. I've got a plan if any hunters get too close to us, I just need to know who and where they are," I told him.

See, the pharmacy, the mini-mart, the bar, and the barber shop all sat across from each other at a four way intersection. Thus, Dan would have an excellent view of any hunter's first two targets. The origin of the supernatural activity, in this case the mini-mart, and the bar. He would be the perfect spy. Dan looked at me strangely.

"Say, Marty, you ain't plannin' on gankin' any a' dose' suckas' now are ya?" He asked, caution evident in his voice. I sighed, shaking my head internally. This was just another downside of being what I was. Everybody thinks you're a murderer. Though I knew I was far from innocent, I had never killed anyone. At least, anyone who didn't deserve it.

"Come on, Danny. In all the time you've known me, have I ever, er, ganked anyone?" I asked him, spreading my hands as if to catch the obvious answer.

"Well, no. But people can change," Dan pointed out. I rolled my eyes.

"Dan, I'm not gonna kill anyone. There, ya happy?" I said, only mildly aggravated. Isaac decided it was time to speak up again.

"You may not. But I will. If it comes to that. I won't let anybody hurt you, Marty. Not again. Not when I can do something about it."

I knew he was saying this now so I wouldn't be able to argue with him. Then I would forget and if he did kill someone Isaac would say he'd said he would. I ground my teeth together and reminded myself that it wasn't going to come to that. I wouldn't let it.

Meanwhile, Dan thought about what I'd spoken aloud.

"Yeah okay, but if anybody comes sniffin' I'm skippin', kay?" He agreed. I nodded.

"Okay, take care of yourself, Danny."

"You too, Marty." I smiled at him and began to walk away. Isaac pushed himself off the wall and trudged behind me, complaining loudly.

"Make sure you take care of yourself too, Issac! I'd hate myself if anything happened to you, Isaac! I wouldn't be able to survive without you, Isaac! Thanks Marty, your friendship means everything to me!" He said, sarcasm dripping from his voice. "Ugh! Why do I even bother?"

I smirked giving him the sign for 'I love you' behind my back.

"Aw shut up!"

But I knew he was smiling.

~So, I'm thankful for my sister even though sometimes we fight When high school wasn't easy, she's the reason I survived. I know she'd never leave me and I hate to see her cry. I just wanna tell her that I'm always by her side. I just wanna tell her that...

The worlds not perfect, but it’s not that bad. If we've got each other and that’s all we have I will be your brother and I'll hold your hand You should know I'll be there for you When the world's not perfect When the world's not kind If we have each other then we'll both be fine I will be your brother and I'll hold your hand You should know I'll be there for you.

I will always be there for you.~

Lyrics from: If We Have Each Other by Alec Benjamin

[kazuhasluv]

Tsukasa-Kun

I may or may not have posted this in the past, but just in case, I'm posting it again

Disclaimer! I wrote this before I read the manga about Yashiro's lifespan! So please don't be mad!

(I'm still on break, I just feel sad without leaving a story to y'all

pairing: Tsukasa x Reader

Warning/s: None

Taglist: @trish-chan @imchiiii @wisteliazen @daikonsenpai @bloodredruby @dacr-owo @oikawasnonexistentcake @quackeydoodles

Role: Your role is a new student at Kamome Gakuen Academy, to befriend and find out what mysteries lurk in these walls.

Special Abilities: Like Yashiro Nene, you aren't an exorcist but you can see supernaturals and apparitions.

You walk up to the school, meeting a girl with daikon legs which are pretty cute in your opinion.

"Hello! You must be [Name]! Im Yashiro Nene! Nice to meet you!", the girl greeted.

"Nice to meet you as well Yashiro-San!", you said as walking inside with her.

~ ♤

After a long day of classes, Nene invites you to stay with her since she wants to show you something.

You two go up to the rooftop to see Hanako-Kun, sitting there waiting for you two.

"Hanako-Kun!!", she exclaimed.

"Yashiro!", the boy started, then looks at you, "Who is she?"

"She's [Name]-Chan! A new student!", Yashiro explained.

Hanako floats to you to examine you further, to see no intentions of hurting them, especially Yashiro.

You 3 decide to sit down and talk about something, until a black fog appeared.

It was Hanako-Kun's brother.

As he went closer to you 3, you stepped infront of them to protect them.

Then, Tsukasa stops infront of you.

You get scared, wondering what could possibly happen?

Tsukasa touches your hair, then your cheeks, then your skirt until you slap his hand.

"Haven't you heard of being a gentleman?", you exclaimed, while Yashiro and Hanako are behind you confused.

Tsukasa smiles at you and disappears.

"[Name]-Chan are you okay?", Yashiro would ask.

"Yeah, I'm fine", you say.

You walked down the stairs of the rooftop to see a broadcasting room. It looked neat, so you decided to go inside, until...

"She's the girl I've been telling you!," a boy exclaimed.

Ah sh*t

Tsukasa and his group were there.

All of them would look at you.

"Kon'nichiwa?", you say; scared.

Sakura stands up and walks to you, "So you must be [Name]. I'm Nanamine Sakura, nice to meet you."

They all seem nice, you thought.

Mitsuba then exclaims, "I'm cuter than her though!"

Natsuhiko then laughs.

You couldn't do anything else but laugh aswell.

"Come in," Sakura says.

You walk in to see a simple but awesome broadcasting room.

There were no other seats except... for next to Tsukasa.

You sit beside Tsukasa and look the other way to not create eye contact.

"Hello! Im Tsukasa! Amane's younger brother!", he exclaims.

You still wouldn't look at him because you were embarrassed.

"Oi, Tsukasa, leave the girl alone", Natsuhiko says.

Tsukasa would look at Natsuhiko, "But she's pretty!"

You heard this and decided to shout, "Nanida yo?!"

Tsukasa would then smile and say, "You looked~"

You got out of your seat and walked to the door. "Gomenasai, but I have to leave," you said and ran away, flustered.

While running, you bump into Kou Minamoto.

"GAH! G-Gomenasai!", you said.

"There's nothing to be sorry about," Kou said helping you up.

"K-Kou M-Minamoto?!," you exclaimed, shocked.

"Mhm! And you must be Senpai's new friend!", he says, but Senpai was referring to Yashiro.

You nod in embarrassment and walked past him, head down.

You were about to go to the school's front doors, until you saw a classroom all dark, even though it was only 5pm.

You hesitated to go in until it pulled you in.

You screamed and shouted for help, but no help came, until...

The room suddenly got darker, until you realize it was black fog.

"Ts-Tsukasa-Kun?", you say.

You open your eyes to see yourself in Tsukasa's arms.

Tsukasa then placed you down gently on a safe place then fought the darkness or whatever the heck was that.

The room then got its light back, and Tsukasa rushed over to you.

"[Name]-Chan, are you okay!?", he asks. He asks a lot more safety questions and then hugs you.

"N-Nani...?", you stuttered, he didn't hug you in the broadcasting room, and definitely not at the rooftop, so it was quite startling.

"Ts-Tsukasa-Kun?", you said.

"See! I told you Tsukasa cares for her!", Mitsuba says out of the blue.

"Oi Mitsuba!", Kou said while covering his mouth.

Tsukasa then looks at the 3 (Natsuhiko was there) and gives a deadly stare. The 3 then walk away.

You, however, were crying. You were traumatized. It was because an apparition nearly took your life.

"See wasn't that f- [Name]-Chan?", Tsukasa said, noticing you crying.

"What happened?", he asks.

You rub your eyes and say, "I-Its nothing!"

Tsukasa then notices a bruise on your arm.

"YOUR ARM!!", he exclaims.

You look at it and say, "Tsukasa-Kun, it's nothing! It'll be healed in a few weeks or so!"

Tsukasa looked sad, "But I want to heal it!"

You then hesitantly agree.

He then does some ritual which you dont understand.

"Tsukasa-Kun-" you started but then the bruise was gone.

"Harigato!" you said while hugging Tsukasa.

The following days you would stay with Nene, Hanako, Kou and Mitsuba, which then Tsukasa would appear often, because he's the only guy you were waiting for.

One afternoon, Nene asks you, "You've been staying late now often, why is that?"

You smiled and say "I'm waiting for the person I like."

Mitsuba then butts in and says "It's Tsukasa isn't it? HA! I knew it!"

Hanako shocked as ever asks you, "YOU LIKE TSUKASA!?!"

The whole group then starts to annoy you until you suddenly blurt out, "YES" and covered your mouth.

Hanako then faints, Mitsuba happily eats his donut, and Yashiro and Kou create a secret plan with Mitsuba while he's eating his donut.

Tsukasa then appears and back hugs you.

"[Name]-Chan!!", he says.

Mitsuba, Hanako, Yashiro and Kou then exclaim, "[Name]-CHAN LIKES YOU!"

You blush, until your face was as red as a tomato.

"Is that so?" Tsukasa said smiriking.

Oh no, not the smirk, you thought.

"[Name]-Chan is that trueee????!" Tsukasa says.

"Yes, it is. Now stop hugging me, my back hurts," you say, but he wont stop hugging you.

The following days were like that: adventures, Tsukasa sneaking out of the broadcasting room to see you, rOoFtOp DaTeS wItH tHe GaNg, more adventures, just adventures mostly.

Until it was the week before summer break.

You walk up to Nene, and say, "Nene-Chan, summer break is next week and we can't just leave Tsukasa, Mitsuba and Hanako there all alone"

Yashiro then says, "Well, we could stay there for the whole summer. I mean, we could like clean the school and then visit them after."

A great idea indeed Yashiro.

The summer was fun, until Nene was asked to be Hanako's girlfriend (im literally crying hElP-)

You then got less time to hang out with them since they did cute boyfriend and girlfriend things most of the time.

You got lonely, well not unless Mitsuba teases you to Tsukasa then you got someone to chase.

Until a week before summer break ended, Tsukasa asked you out like what Hanako did to Nene.

You reported the news asap to Hanako, Nene and Mitsuba (And Kou aswell lmfao) and they said Tsukasa was all planning it ever since Hanako asked Nene out.

Viola! You got your rat *cOfF* ghost boy, but you grew up still in love with him, even though he's out of reach.

No I'm not going to sleep what are you talking about

[soopersara]

Day 6: Found

Read it on FFN | AO3

@zutaraweek

When Sokka comes up with an idea to get rid of Joo Dee, Katara finds herself in the Lower Ring of Ba Sing Se with a tea server she did not expect to meet.

Toph was right about Ba Sing Se. This place was really the worst. It wasn't that Katara didn't enjoy having a soft bed and ample food and an allowance from the royal treasury-that was all nice. The cleanliness and manners that Toph railed so hard against didn't bother Katara either. But Ba Sing Se had Joo Dee. And Joo Dee was terrible.

No matter where they went, Joo Dee managed to be two steps behind them all the way, smiling that creepy, unflappable smile, and scaring away anyone they tried to speak to. It was bad enough when they approached that shady-looking ostrich horse dealer and he slammed the door in their faces. That made sense. He acted like he had something to hide even before he saw Joo Dee. But when a pastry shop turned them away at the sight of Joo Dee's unnaturally wide smile, they had all had enough.

It was Sokka's idea to turn it into a game. There were four of them and only one of Joo Dee-logically, if they were to split up, Joo Dee could only ruin the day for one of them.

Since Sokka was the only nonbender, they agreed to give him one advantage—while Katara, Aang, and Toph could use their bending however they saw fit ("Without getting arrested, guys," Katara cautioned them. "You lose if Joo Dee catches you or if you get arrested"), only Sokka was allowed to wear Earth Kingdom clothes. If Katara or Aang could conjure fog to hide in, and Toph could choose to hide underground, it was only fair that Sokka be able to blend into a crowd.

So when they left the house the next morning, Sokka wearing a nondescript green tunic and Toph in one of Katara's spare Water Tribe dresses, Joo Dee looked surprised—or as close to surprised as she could possibly look without breaking her smile. They let themselves be escorted as far as the first busy street before Sokka gave Katara, then Aang a pointed look and nudged Toph with his elbow.

"Remember, the game ends at sunset," he whispered. "Ready? On three. One—" he glanced back to make sure Joo Dee wasn't too close. "—two, three. Run!"

Katara summoned a dense fog from the nearest fountain and broke into a sprint. She didn't really know where she was going—Sokka had spent most of last night plotting routes through the city and strategizing, but she preferred to improvise. So she ran west, smirking when she heard Joo Dee calling after them. Not yelling, though. Joo Dee wouldn't yell, that would be undignified and unsuited to the refined atmosphere of the Upper Ring.

She ran until she could no longer hear Joo Dee's voice, shrill with agitation, then ran further, until her lungs protested and her knees felt wobbly. Slowing to a walk, she turned down a street lined with fancy shops. A whole day without Joo Dee. This would be nice. Of course, it would be more fun if she weren't alone, but a day without that creepy smile and those wide, expressionless eyes constantly hovering over her shoulder was more than worth it.

Katara wandered into a clothing shop, then a shop that seemed to specialize in utterly impractical silk slippers. The kind that Toph and her mother wore in Gaoling—the kind that were too delicate to be worn outside. Katara wrinkled her nose. She didn't hate shopping, but she didn't have Sokka's enthusiasm for it. Especially when she was alone.

She meandered down one quiet street after another, farther and farther from the center of the Upper Ring. The Middle Ring felt more comfortable to her—it always had. But today, she had no interest in stopping. She hadn't had much chance to explore the Lower Ring, and today, armed with her waterskins and unhindered by Joo Dee, seemed like the perfect opportunity.

It was nearly midday when Katara realized she was hungry. The taverns in the Lower Ring looked a little shady for her tastes—if Sokka were here, he'd scold her for even considering going in alone. Truthfully, he might scold her for coming to the Lower Ring in the first place, but that didn't bother her. The drunken shouts from inside the taverns were another matter entirely. Luckily, there was a tea shop on the corner—a sleepy little place, not exactly quaint or charming, but it seemed quiet. Quiet suited her today.

She chose a table in the corner where she could look out the window and settled in.

"Welcome to the Pao Family Tea House," a weary-sounding voice said. "My name is Lee, and—"

Katara looked at the server and froze. And he froze. And for what seemed like a very long time, she stared into the very surprised golden eyes of Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation.

He recovered from the surprise first and spun toward the kitchen. "Uncle!"

Jaw hanging open, Katara turned slowly, eyes trailing after Zuko as he retreated behind the counter. Sure enough, there was his uncle, round and pleasant-faced as ever. And Zuko. Prince Zuko. In a teashop. In the Lower Ring of Ba Sing Se. In an apron. She wasn't sure what part of the image was strangest to her.

She pinched her arm, and it hurt. Not dreaming, then. Maybe this wasn't a dream, though. Maybe she had hit her head or something and it was a hallucination. Yeah. That made sense. Or at least more sense than—whatever this was.

Zuko was staring at her like she was a Foggy Swamp apparition as he whispered to his uncle in a voice that carried clear across the room. Katara snapped her gaping jaw shut. That was Zuko, all right. And spirits, he really needed to learn how to keep his voice down if he ever wanted to keep a secret. He was worse than Sokka, and that was saying a lot.

"What am I supposed to do?" Zuko hissed. His uncle mumbled something in reply. "No. No, Uncle. Absolutely not. No!" The old man glanced in Katara's direction and waggled his bushy gray eyebrows. "Uncle, I'm not serving her tea! For all we know, she's here to—" Zuko cut himself off and flushed a deep shade of red.

The old man clasped Zuko's shoulder and went off into a low, rumbling lecture that Katara couldn't understand from her seat. From time to time, Zuko glanced her direction, then turned back to his uncle, shamefaced. What was that about? It almost made Zuko seem—normal.

At last the lecture ended, and the old man patted Zuko's shoulder with an affectionate smile. Zuko made a show of throwing himself over the counter so his head thumped lightly against the wood and let out a prolonged groan. His uncle poked him in the side and offered an order pad. Zuko rolled his head to the side and glared up at his uncle for a second, then grumbled a string of wildly creative curses and snatched the order pad out of the old man's hand.

"Welcome to the Pao Family Tea House," Zuko began before he was even halfway to her table. The look on his face might have been an attempt at forcing a smile, but he just looked constipated. "My name is Lee—"

"You have to be kidding me," Katara interrupted.

Zuko's ears reddened. Or ear—it was difficult to see whether the scarred one changed color or not. "My name is Lee," he tried again, voice taut enough to crack. "And I will be your server today."

"What are you doing?"

His shoulders visibly tensed, and he held up his order pad as if it were a shield. "My job." He tried to smile and managed to look nauseated this time. Katara couldn't decide if that was better or worse than his constipated face. "Our special today is—"

She shook her head. "That's not what I meant. Why are you here?"

He threw his hands up. "I just am, okay?"

"And you work in a teashop?" Katara asked, still unable to fully wrap her mind around the concept.

"No, I just think the apron makes me look cool." He crossed his arms. "Are you going to order anything, or can I throw you out?"

Across the room, Zuko's uncle looked up. "Nephew," he warned.

Zuko stared up at the ceiling and gave a long sigh. "I mean," he said through clenched teeth, "What can I get for you today?"

A second of silence passed before Katara remembered why she had come in the first place. Lunch. Right. She was hungry. "Uh—do you have food here? Not just tea?"

"We have a small selection of fruit pastries." The reply came automatically, as if he'd repeated those exact words hundreds of times before. Zuko looked briefly startled by his own answer but settled back into an expression of annoyance.

"Okay." Fruit pastries weren't an ideal lunch, but it had to be better than braving the taverns. "I like everything but papaya."

"Papaya's all we have," Zuko snapped.

Okay, that response was far too quick. Katara glanced back toward Zuko's uncle.

"Nephew, I believe you misunderstood me earlier," the old man called across to them. "Papaya is the only thing we're out of."

Katara found herself smiling in triumph. "In that case, I would like a peach tart. Please. And a cup of tea."

Zuko grumbled, but he scribbled her order down—which probably wasn't necessary, considering the fact that the rest of the shop was empty—and stomped off to fetch her food.

He dropped the plate in front of her and thumped her teacup down. He folded his arms again. "Will there be anything else?"

Katara frowned up at him. "Actually, yes." She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. "I want to know the truth. What are you doing here?"

"I, uh—" He ran a hand through his hair. The motion made it stick out in several directions at once, but she had to admit that it still looked better than that stupid bald ponytail thing he used to have. "Excuse me, I have to get back to work."

"Take your time, Nephew," the old man said brightly as he bustled to clear the dishes and crumbs off the counter. "See? All cleaned up. And our busy time isn't for a few hours yet."

Zuko's mouth opened and closed a few times, and Katara smirked. "Sounds to me like you've got time to answer my question."

He glared at her.

"What are you doing in Ba Sing Se?"

"I—" He let out a puff of air. "I can't talk about it."

"Why?"

"Because—" He fidgeted with the edge of his apron. "People can't know where I'm from."

Her first impulse was to jump up and yell, Ha! I knew you were here to do something evil! But he didn't look like he was plotting anything. He just looked—embarrassed. And frustrated. And maybe a little bit frightened. And—it was stupid, but Katara wanted to hear what he had to say. She leaned back. "Well, there's nobody else here, and I already know where you're from. So your secret's out. I could go to the Dai Li right now and turn you in—"

His eyes widened, and the color drained from his face.

"Or," she continued, "I could stay here and eat my lunch while you tell me the truth."

He clenched his jaw and looked down. "What, so you can turn me in as soon as you leave?" Surprisingly, there wasn't any anger in his voice. Just weariness and defeat.

She shrugged. "Your chances are a lot better if you explain. Why are you here?"

Zuko rubbed the back of his neck. "My sister is insane. Next question."

"Are you just going to keep standing there? You're making me nervous."

With a sigh, Zuko glanced back at his uncle, but he pulled out the chair across from her and perched on the edge, ready to bolt out of his seat at any time. Okay, this really wasn't any better than his hovering. It should be impossible for a person to be that awkward.

"Happy now?" he asked.

Katara frowned. "Not really." She tore off a bit of the tart and popped it into her mouth. It tasted better than she'd expected. Actually, it was good. Really good. She tried not to let it show. "So—are you still looking for Aang?"

Zuko scrunched up his nose. "What's an Aang?"

She paused, mid-chew. "Seriously?"

"What? I've never heard of—" Realization washed over his face. "Oh. Is that—" He looked around and leaned forward to mouth the last few words, —the Avatar's name?

Katara flicked a few crumbs at him. "You have to be kidding."

"Hey!" He brushed the crumbs off of his apron, scowling. "Excuse me for having other things to worry about."

Rolling her eyes, Katara shook her head. "Yeah, well we had plenty to worry about too, and I still managed to learn your name." She took a sip of her tea. "Answer the question. Are you still hunting Aang or not?"

"I don't know." Zuko scratched at a stain on the tabletop. His good eyebrow crept downward, and his voice lowered. "I don't know if it even makes a difference anymore."

"What is that supposed to mean?" She crossed her arms. "It makes a difference to me if you're going to show up someday and try to kidnap my friend."

"No! I can't go home without the—without Aang, but I don't know if that would be enough anymore." He stared at the table. "My father sent my sister to bring me back, but I got the impression that she wasn't too concerned about keeping me in one piece for the trip. And she always does what my father expects of her, so—"

Katara almost shuddered at the memory of the fight back in that abandoned village. Azula was practically unstoppable. Maybe the fight would have gone differently if Katara's water supply hadn't been dangerously low, if they hadn't all been sleep-deprived, but she didn't savor the idea of meeting the princess again. "I'm glad you and your uncle are okay." Zuko looked up at her in surprise. "I mean—" she faltered. "He got hurt pretty badly, and I would have healed him. We never could have won that fight without the two of you. I would have helped if you'd let me."

His mouth hung open a fraction as he studied her, his golden eyes peering deep into hers, searching. For what, she wasn't certain. Katara felt her face heat and she hastily shoved a too-large piece of the tart into her mouth. She wasn't blushing. Zuko's lips parted a little wider—no. She wasn't looking at his mouth either. His awkwardness must just be contagious.

"Why are you here?" he asked after a pause. "You're travelling with—" He waved a hand, apparently unable to decide whether to say Aang or the Avatar. "Doesn't that basically put you in the Earth King's lap?"

"Gross." Katara wrinkled her nose.

"No, not like—" he sighed and rubbed his forehead with the heel of his hand. "Aren't you staying in the palace or something?"

She shook her head. "A house in the Upper Ring. We've been trying to get a meeting with the Earth King, but they won't let us anywhere near the palace." She stopped herself. She was dangerously close to revealing Sokka's plans for the eclipse. She shouldn't be telling Zuko things like this, but it was just too easy to keep talking.

"So why are you in the Lower Ring? I'm sure the teashops are a lot nicer where you live."

Okay, now she was blushing. "We were playing a game."

It was Zuko's turn to gape. "A game? What kind of game is it?"

"Ditch Joo Dee. It was my brother's idea."

He nodded slowly, looking as confused as ever. "And Joo Dee is?"

"The creepy lady who follows us around to make sure we don't cause trouble." Katara ran her finger around the rim of her teacup. "We split up so she couldn't ruin the day for all of us."

Zuko nodded as if he understood. He probably did, Katara realized. He was royalty. The Fire Nation might be different than Ba Sing Se, but if anyone there had to deal with overbearing glorified babysitters like Joo Dee, it was probably the crown prince. But before he could respond, his stomach growled loudly and he flushed, crossing his arms over his stomach.

"Impressive," Katara said, smiling.

Zuko scowled. "Shut up." He turned his face away, but not before she caught him glancing at her plate. He stared deliberately out the window and she saw him swallow.

"When was the last time you ate?" She didn't really mean to say it aloud, but now that she was paying attention, she couldn't help but notice how lean his face had become.

"This morning," he snapped.

From the corner of her eye, Katara saw the old man shake his head, and she raised an eyebrow at Zuko.

"Fine. Last night. I overslept this morning." His scowl remained fixed on his face and he turned his attention to the stain on the table again.

Or you deliberately slept in because there wasn't enough food for breakfast. She and Sokka had done the same a few times on their trip across the Earth Kingdom. They were older than Aang and Toph—it was their responsibility to take care of the younger kids. Most of the time, that meant the two of them doing most of the work to set up camp, Sokka hunting and fishing for their meals, and Katara doing the cooking and the washing. Toph rarely contributed more than her own earth tent, and Aang tried to help, he really did, but he had a tendency to wander off and play with Momo midway through chores. But there had been a few times when there was only enough rice left to feed Aang and only enough meat for Toph—it was just easier if she and Sokka pretended to sleep through breakfast so the other two could help themselves to the leftovers.

She frowned down at her plate. "You know—I think I'd like to try another kind of tart." She heard Zuko let out an irritated sigh. "Do you have anything with mango or cherry?"

He ran a hand down the side of his face as he stood. "Yes," he grumbled.

Katara smiled and Zuko's uncle gave her a curious look as she carefully cut off the untouched half of her peach tart. She tried to rearrange her expression into something like neutrality before Zuko returned with the second plate. She wasn't sure if she succeeded or not, but Zuko didn't seem to notice.

"Will that be all?" His voice was tight again and he refused to meet her eyes.

"Not quite." She sliced the second pastry in half and divided it so that she had the mostly-eaten half of the peach tart and half of the cherry tart on one plate and an untouched half of each on the other.

Zuko's brow furrowed. "What are you doing?"

Katara slid the second plate across the table and gave a crooked smile. "I said I wanted to try another kind. I didn't say I could eat all of this on my own."

A closed-off look came over his face. "Don't."

"Don't what?" She took a bite.

He ran a hand through his hair. "Don't—act like we're friends." He shifted uncomfortably.

Katara looked up, studying him. There was that defeat in his eyes again, though he was clearly trying to hide it. She rested her elbows on the table. "Why not?" The words came out almost as a challenge.

Zuko frowned, but his uncle cleared his throat. Zuko glanced back at the old man, then took a deep breath and eased back into the seat across from her.

It was strange, and for a while, Zuko sat stiff on the edge of his chair, answering in monosyllables. But one sarcastic remark made Katara smile, and Zuko relaxed a little. Talking to him was easy. And comfortable. And natural. And it was weird, but Zuko listened to her talk, unsmiling and gaze steady, and that felt nice too. Even if he didn't smile, even if that guarded look didn't quite disappear from this face, his eyes were warm.

She found herself wondering if she should ask again—Are you still chasing Aang? Can I trust you not to hurt him? Because she wanted to trust Zuko. It would be easy. If he had really given up on the idea, maybe she could stop acting like they were friends. Maybe they could be friends.

He said something that made her laugh—When did Zuko develop a sense of humor?—and a small smile flashed across his face. It was fleeting, gone as quickly as it had appeared, but for the instant it was there, his eyes lit up and Katara's stomach fluttered. Okay, so he had a nice smile. But Katara wasn't blushing, and a little stomach flip didn't mean anything. It was just—surprise, probably. Zuko smiled so seldom that a little surprise was only natural.

There was a commotion outside and they both started, turning toward the window.

A woman's voice, shrill and piercing, rang through the street, and Katara groaned. "That's Joo Dee." She dropped her face into her hands so that her elbows thumped on the table. "Sokka's never going to let me hear the end of this. I lost the game."

Zuko peered out through the blinds a second longer. "No, you didn't."

Katara raised her head enough to see him smile. A real, proper smile this time. Her stomach went wild with butterflies, and Zuko grabbed her by the hand.

"Come on," he whispered, pulling her out of her seat.

Trotting to keep up with his long stride, Katara hissed, "What are we doing?"

He led her back behind the counter, past his uncle, who shot them an amused smile, and pulled a serving cart out from under the counter. "Hiding." He pointed at the open space where the cart used to be.

Katara gave him a skeptical look, but then Joo Dee's voice came nearer and there were footsteps just outside the door. Taking a deep breath, she ducked under the counter and pulled her knees to her chest. Zuko crouched to make sure she was hidden, and the front door opened. Before Zuko could stand back up, his uncle shoved him out of sight and pushed the serving cart in front of their hiding place.

"Good afternoon my dear lady, and welcome to the Pao Family Tea House."

The loud greeting masked both Zuko's grunt and Katara's surprised squeak as his face collided with her shoulder. Zuko jerked back as quickly as possible, his head thumping against the counter in his haste. He winced, and Katara pressed a finger to her lips.

Sorry, he mouthed, face flushing scarlet. Bracing his hands against the sides of the little compartment, he pushed himself off to the side.

It's okay, she mouthed in reply and squeezed farther into the corner to make room for him.

"What may I do for you on this lovely day?" The old man clattered around over them, noisier than necessary, sounding pleased with himself. "We have an exquisite selection of teas from all regions of the Earth Kingdom—" He went on, chattering about a rare oolong that was rumored to be a favorite of the great King Bumi of Omashu.

Katara tried to ignore the heat gathering in her cheeks while Zuko's face hovered only inches away from hers. The space under the counter was scarcely large enough for both of them, and she could feel the gentle warmth radiating off him as he tried to twist himself around to sit. When he finally succeeded, she let out a small breath of relief. Their shoulders were wedged uncomfortably tight, and their hands were nearly touching, but at least now she could look away and pretend that her heart wasn't racing, that his piercing golden gaze wasn't making her stomach do strange fluttery things.

"Excuse me," Joo Dee interrupted. "I am sure that your shop is the pride of Ba Sing Se, but I have no time for tea. Four of the Earth King's young guests have gone missing. I believe that one of them may have come into your shop."

"Oh dear." The old man made a thoughtful noise.

"I believe either Lady Toph Beifong or Master Katara of the Water Tribe was seen heading this way," Joo Dee pressed.

"Mmmm." The old man stopped his clattering. "May I ask what these young ladies look like?"

Katara tensed. He couldn't. It would be bad enough losing the game, but being caught hiding under a teashop counter with Zuko would be downright humiliating, to say nothing of the danger for Zuko. She didn't want to see him caught. It felt strange, but she cared. If Katara was caught, it would be embarrassing. She would have to face teasing and questions from Sokka and the others, but Zuko—he could be arrested. Or worse. She started to squirm forward as Joo Dee described her and Toph.

Zuko's hand landed on her arm and he shook his head. Wait, he mouthed.

"I'm afraid I haven't seen any young ladies wearing blue today," the old man said. "Business has been very slow."

"Perhaps they changed their clothes?" Joo Dee demanded. There was a pause, then Joo Dee added, "If business has been slow, what is this?"

Oops. They'd left their plates at the table. Zuko's eyes widened, and Katara pressed her hands over her mouth.

"The scoundrel!" There was an edge of amusement in the old man's voice despite his apparent effort to sound serious. "I apologize, my good lady. It seems a customer left without paying."

"I shall alert the patrol on your behalf."

"Oh, don't trouble yourself," the old man answered jovially. "I know the young man well. Rest assured, I will have a very stern conversation with the boy's uncle."