#Arthur is half sleep and hugging me tightly

[hobbitsetal]

I read an article* recently that examined Voddie Baucham’s theology of and general attitude toward parenting--the catchy “viper in a diaper” philosophy. It made me acutely aware that the longer we parent gently and the further we get from Reformed theology, the more grateful I am for my relationships with my son and my God, and the more strongly convicted I feel about never spanking.

I have concerns about parenting in general, certainly. Arthur is two, and is overall a sweet and amenable child. Overall, he listens pretty well: stops on walks when we call to him to wait, usually comes when we call his name, has learned to say “thank you” freely and is learning “please” and “help” as prompted. He’s empathetic, running to try to comfort any crying child he sees. We have only to express frustration to see him get upset in turn.

But will Cassian respond the same way? Probably not. While he kicks almost as much as his brother in the womb, and while he apparently has my knees and elbows, we know Cas is his own little person and will react differently to stimuli and challenges. And we, two and a half years into this adventure of parenting, have become different people and will meet certain of his behaviors differently than we met Arthur’s.

And, of course, we have the questions that only time can answer, of what will our boys be like as they grow older? How will they respond to our guidance when they are ten, teens, young adults?

Those are questions that God knows and we will learn in due time.

In the meantime, my son is not a viper in a diaper. He is an image-bearer of God, a tiny joy who loves snuggles and telling apples “bye-bye” as he throws them on the ground and who displays boundless and exhausting energy.

The doctrine of total depravity undermines, to me, our status as image-bearers of God. That image may be marred by sin, but it is not gone. Baucham and those who subscribe to similar theology treat children and the idea of original sin as if children are utter fools bent solely on their own sins, uninterested in doing the right thing unless their parents compel them to. And they discipline in accordance with that belief: they spank for nearly every infraction, they view children’s attitudes and responses as acts of wilful rebellion, they offer no quarter for the simple weaknesses of humanity.

They offer no grace. Ironic, for those who claim to hold to the tenets of grace.

I do not say this from an outside perspective. I was Reformed for a decade, and read theology extensively from within that worldview. As we continue evolving our beliefs, Alex and I have been rereading many books we once regarded highly, reading them now with a more critical eye and finding the flaws within them.

At the core, our entire worldview has shifted irreconcilably from the Reformed doctrines and the many foundational theologies assumed within it. We don’t hold to penal substitutionary atonement theory. We don’t hold a punitive view of justice. I’m not even sure we fully believe in original sin (a doctrine traceable to St. Augustine).

We believe more strongly in unconditional love. My behavior and my reactions shouldn’t be governed by my child’s behavior. When Arthur throws a tantrum because we told him no, when he melts down because he’s hangry or tired, my calling as his mother is to respond with the same patient love and care I give to him when he’s running to me to bestow hugs or kisses.

I believe that God displays unconditional love. No human is perfect. No human can ever hold perfect theology. So if I’m wrong in some of my beliefs, I believe ultimately it doesn’t matter. God sees my earnest desire to love well, to show love to others, my desire to hold to what is true and lovely and worthwhile. If I err in my behaviors and actions, God forgives and embraces, as I forgive and embrace my son.

I believe that God is love. The thread seen through the Bible is that He loves His people.

And if all of humanity is created in the image of God, are we not all His people?

That’s the point Jesus made with the parable of the Samaritan. That’s the point the apostle John makes in 1st John. And that is the point I hold before me in my dealings with my children.

As Christians, we are called to love, gentleness, kindness, compassion. We are told that love does not insist on its own way. How is hitting my child to enforce compliance in line with those teachings?

We are our children’s guides, shepherds, stewards. Shepherds don’t beat their sheep. And we do not beat our sons.

We seek to understand them. We know Arthur pretty well, and we can usually identify when his moods go south because he’s tired and needs to rest, or he needs food, or even when he’s being wild because he has no good outlet for his energy and needs to be allowed outside.

The parenting I grew up with, and was taught to parent with, would have me respond by teaching him that his needs are no excuse for poor behavior. I find that insensitive to a two year old’s situation. He’s still learning how to ask for help when he’s frustrated. How can I expect him to convey properly that he has ants in his little pants and desperately needs stimuli to entertain him? And why would I punish him for conveying, in his limited way, what he does want and need? He’s getting better at asking to go for walks. He will, with time, get better at regulating his emotions and not crying when he’s frustrated.

And he will get better as he sees us model these behaviors.

He learned “thank you” because we his parents say that frequently to each other. He’s learned to kiss and give hugs because we’re freely affectionate with him and each other. He’s learned empathy and compassion for others’ pain because we respond immediately to his crying.

Much of the parenting philosophy I grew up with decries “child-centered parenting,” from arranging social schedules around children’s nap times to adjusting our behaviors for their moods. But as I center my parenting around my son’s needs, I question that mindset deeply.

Arthur cannot help getting tired and hangry unless we help him manage his bodily needs. He cannot express to me, or even properly identify, when he becomes overwhelmed by big crowds and too much excitement. He just grows wild or starts freaking out over little things. It is our responsibility as his parents to recognize his weaknesses and his needs and to meet them.

It is our responsibility to consider his needs more important than our own. To love him as we love our own bodies. To do for him, the least of us, as we would care for God Himself. As Mary cared for God Himself.

As he grows older, his needs will shift and how we meet them will shift. As he develops, he’ll learn better to control his own responses, and we will begin to hold him responsible for his reactions to stimuli and how well he communicates to us and others what he needs. This is part of preparing him for life.

My mother told me, when I was a teenager, that hormonal shifts over the course of a month would affect my mood. I found that very helpful in checking my own reactions. Did I have a reason to be annoyed or was I PMSing? Should I be irritable or did I need rest? Checking my emotions and responses is a learned skill.

I cannot hold my son to standards I myself don’t adhere to. I’m not always cheerful or reasonable. Sometimes I respond to him in anger. Therefore, it is more incumbent on me to respond to my son’s anger with grace, and to teach him how to restore relationships in the aftermath of a relational injury.

We all must live with our humanity. And we must teach the littlest humans how to live with themselves and others with grace and love. If we respond to their needs by hitting them for expressing emotions or desires, what do we teach them but that they are inconvenient and should not express themselves?

And what do we teach them of the image of God, and of the God in Whose image we are made?

*tw for discussions of child abuse. The article itself is very good: https://www.csbvbristol.org.uk/2020/06/01/the-child-as-viper/

[pvrkacciosan]

Moment we share

Synopsis: Holding your child for the first time is the best feeling in the world, sharing the moment with others is even better.

Pairing: Charles Lelerc X fem!reader

Warnings: Fluff! (idk,)

Word count: 924

You were utterly exhausted but you didn't want to move, largely because your whole body was aching from labour and partly because you were so infatuated with the little baby in your arms, a genetic copy of you and Charles, that you couldn't bring yourself too move.

Being at home helped, your husband was a rock of solidarity in the moments when your body wouldn't yield to your commands.

"She's perfect" Charles was hugged into the side of your bed, contently watching your daughter. Rosa Leclerc was going be a force to be reckoned with.

You shifted, trying to ease the ache building in your muscles, Charles observed you quietly from where he now stood.

"Let me take her" he didn't want to force you into letting her go again so soon,

Much to his surprise you lifted the bundle of blankets up, Charles stepped closer securing his arms to support his daughter.

You bit back the smile as the worry line on his forehead appeared, stressing over the littlest of things,

"Is this right?" He looked to you for support, the knowledge tugged something inside the hollow of your chest.

"Yeah you're fine" His shoulders were almost rigid and it took Charles a few minutes to ease into a posture that look at least half way comfortable.

"She's looking at me" Charles whispers, his voice soft.

"Hi baby" he cooed, pulling the blanket back to see her face.

Rosa yawned and as you watched Charles you were almost convinced your husband was going to combust on the very ground on which he stood.

There was a soft knock for the door, before it was pushed forwards. The muttering of French coming from the women to the people behind her. Charles family had come to visit the new Leclerc.

Your family had already been in, having been here since the moment you were hit with contractions. A home birth was always a plan for you, his family had respected your time frame and had appeared not a second before you asked them to.

Charles's mum shuffled into the room, his brothers falling in after her, tumbling over one another to be the next to hold their niece.

Charles turns to meet their stares, Rosa tucked tightly into him.

"Oh my.." his Mum leaned closer to her son, being respectful enough to not grab for your daughter as your mother had earlier. Something which had initially annoyed both you and Charles.

Despite the infant, his mother came across to your bedside, allowing his brothers that access to watch Rosa.

"How are you my darling?" Charles mum has always been lovely with you from the moment he brought you home to meet her. You need that now. Since your own parents had not been as kind, her gentle voice was soothing in a way you had once upon hoped your own mother's to sound like.

"I'm sore, but I'm fine now that's she's here"

She passed her gaze back to her three sons, practically melting over your daughter, Arthur pandering over her little fingers which gripped around one of his.

She began to unpack a bag onto your bed,

"He loves her so much", Continuing to watch your fiance, you sighed in relief when you watched her unpack tubs of homemade foods, the smell wafted across to the men.

Arthur's head popped up, he wandered across,

"Hey Y/n, you feeling okay?"

He subtly reached for a small tub of soup, his mum was quick to slap at his hands,

"Hands off, they're not for you"

Arthur grumbled but settled down into the new armchair in the corner of your room.

The conversations went on, with Charles passing Rosa between his family, each cooing and taking this moment with her.

With every moment that passed you could feel yourself wanting to drift into the embrace of sleep, Charles swirling small circles into the skin of your shoulder with the pad of his thumb was only aiding in the effect of needed sleep.

Lorenzo was smiling, making faces at Rosa, the infant laying in your mother in law's arms. Snuggled in, despite Charles conversation with his mum and youngest brother.

Your eyes were drawing heavier by the second, Pascale noticed your state, her eyes softening, she sat upright, carefully keeping a hold of your daughter.

You tried to pry your eyes open, to ask if she needed anything, but Pascale simply smiled at you, before turning to her other two sons,

"Y/n is tired, let us take our leave now." There was no room for error in her words, Arthur looked about ready to protest, but one glance your way and he nodded.

Charles squeezed your shoulder softly rising from beside you to kiss your head and walk to his mum. Pascale handed her son his daughter,

"Get some rest, Y/n you deserve it we'll be downstairs if you need anything"

Once they left it was easy to slip into the drag of the warm duvet, changed out from the towels which had previously covered your body.

Just as you had begun to drift off once more, a vibrating notification came from your phone, reaching for it you switched it to see the photo Charles had sent you from the other room.

Rosa was snuggled up into Arthur's chest once more, sleep drawing her own eyes shut.

Charles messaged popped into the screen not a second later.

. Like mother like daughter.

You couldn't breath past the swell in your throat, it was moments like this that had you realizing just how much you loved Charles and the life you had both made together, to the life you would continue.

To every little moment you would share as a family. 

.

.

.

Taglist: @80sloverry @unofficial-journalist @celestialams @mirrorball-6 @love4lando @ironmaiden1313

[gracelaurie]

Falling into your ocean eyes 🌊 | Orm Marius x Fem!Reader

Part 7

Warning ⚠️ : really jealousy Orm, kinda angst.

A/N : idk if it's just me, but Patrick Wilson is getting more hot in his 50s 😋, he’s so fresh and yummy.

for the next part click here ➡️ masterlist

Y/N woke up in the morning with Orm hugging her body. They used a thick blanket, and surprisingly she heard Orm snoring in his sleep. It makes her smiling.

She really wanted to continue sleeping because it was very comfortable in her position now, still being hugged tightly by Orm. But when she wanted to close her eyes again, she heard a knock on the door.

Y/N heard the knocking on the door that didn't stop. “Hello? Y/N? Are you there?” said a man from in front of the door.

“Oh fuck.” She said with a quiet voice, “Yeah wait a minute!” She shouted, making Orm wake up from his sleep.

Y/N quickly kissed Orm’s lips and then smiling, “Don’t bother it. Just continue your sleep, Orm.”

“There's someone there...” Orm whispered, getting up from his bed. He’s shirtless and….sexy.

“Yes, let me see him.” said Y/N while wearing her night gown again and kissing Orm’s cheeks.

Y/N walked towards the door while rubbing her eyes. She opened the door and saw a guy who’s much younger than her, that guy was smiling at her with his brown eyes and messy hair.

“Hi, I know you don’t want to see me anymore, and I totally understand why, I’m sorry about what happened last time Y/N, I should’ve told you that I have this superpower thing, I just have to wait until the right time—“

The guy’s words stopped when he saw Orm walking towards the door wearing a white shirt that looked tight on his body. Orm looked at that guy with full of jealousy.

“Well I guess you are her new boyfriend...” said Barry Allen with a surprised expression but he still smilling, he held his pizza box nervously.

“Her future husband.” Orm said with a sharp gaze.

Y/N turned to Orm and glared, “Orm? Didn't we talk about this last night? You said you weren't ready for that and-"

“And I changed my mind." Orm grabbed Y/N's shoulder, “Is that food for us?" Orm raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, of course,” Barry said with a smile that had sadness in it, and gave them the pizza box.

“You know I'm actually here to tell you that I found the house that you’re talking about and the location is on the Northeast coast, I can take you there.” Barry said in a fast tone because he was nervous.

“No need to bother, we've got the house we meant.” Orm said with his eyes still sharp at Barry as if he wanted to finish him off right then and there.

“Orm!” Y/N snapped, “we need to see it. Besides, we just arrived at this hotel yesterday and haven't looked for a house yet.”

Y/N turned to Barry and said, “you can take us there, but i’m afraid it’s really far away.”

“I just saw it and it looks very good and suitable!” Barry said in a reassuring tone, “maybe it’s only 1 hour away”

“No need for that, we can go there ourselves without a tour guide,” said Orm in a sarcastic tone.

“Orm!" Y/N sighed, “this is for us…”

“You can teleport us to that place, we don’t need to bring this guy...” said Orm then turned to Barry, “thank you for the information, you can go now.”

“Orm! How can I take us there if I don’t even know what the place looks like?” Y/N made an annoyed face

“That’s not a reason, you bewitched my mind, entered my mind as if you really lived in Atlantis.” Orm answered.

“Wow, are you from Atlantis?" said Barry, who previously looked listless but now looked amazed. “You know Aquaman?”

“Who the fuck Aquaman?” Orm asked confusedly.

“That’s what surface people call Arthur.” Y/N answered.

“Oh, yeah, he’s my half-brother.” Orm replied in a lazy tone.

“Wow! That’s really impressive. I used to work with Aquaman when we wanted to defeat Darkseid. Before that we had talked a few times, maybe we talked a lot, but he never said anything about you. Oh or maybe he thinks that I'm not that close to him so he doesn't say much about his personal life.” said Barry very enthusiastically but it was clear that Orm really didn’t like him.

“I was the King of Atlantis at the time.” said Orm briefly, “now, my future wife and I need some private time…” Orm quickly closed the door.

when the door is completely closed. Orm walked to the bed and opened his clothes again, showing his very sexy six pack body with a pitiful face.

“So…. Is he your lover since I was in prison?” Orm asked in a very low voice.

“He was. I broke up with him 2 days before I met you. When I found out that your mother wanted us to get married.” Y/N said.

Orm tucked Y/N’s hair behind her ear, “how could you like a weird surface dwellers like him?" Orm said in a dismissive tone

"Well, he was nice to me, and he seemed cheerful. You could see from his cheerful personality, and that made me have a feelings for him.” She said, then Orm making a jealous face.

He said in a cold tone, “if you really love him why haven't you slept with him yet?"

Y/N laughed softly, "Because I wasn’t love him. I mean, I know I’m bad, but when I was dating him, deep inside my heart, I wanted to wait for you.”

“Is that true?” Orm said with those puppy eyes.

“It is,” Y/N smiled, she held Orm’s face and touch it gently, then said, “You have to believe me this time. We need Barry for this. After all, this is for our house, Orm. It's close to the beach... you can imagine, you have a house in Atlantis, and also on the surface…”

Orm looked at Y/N for a moment then said, “Okay, but don't get too close to him. We're going to get married.”

Y/N pressed the button on the hotel telephone then said, “Do you really want to get married or is it because you’re jealous?”

“I really want to marry you. I realized when I saw that silly guy’s face really want you, and that’s not because I’m jealous. I should have realized that other men out there would really want to have you completely if they saw you. I mean, you’re just so perfect.” Orm said with a smile in his face, and then he got up from his bed.

“Wait a minute.” Y/N said briefly to Orm, and then she said on the phone, “Barry, I'm sorry about Orm's behavior earlier... Orm and I have thought about your help and we are happy to go there, and we want you to take us there if you still can.”

Barry on the phone said, “Oh yes of course, with pleasure. After lunch, maybe I can—“

Orm knelt on one knee in front of Y/N who was sitting on the bed with the phone receiver, “Orm? what are you doing?” Y/N whispered

“Y/N will you marry me?” Orm’s words apparently reached Barry who was on the telephone line.

“Is he proposing to you? Sorry, I don’t want to interrupt." Barry said in a low tone, immediately hanging up the phone.

“Orm? What is this? You can propose to me later after I hang up the phone!”

“Is this wrong? Arthur said that the surface dweller’s way of proposing to their lover was this way?” Orm asked, confused and disappointed.

“That's not what I meant. You did it perfectly. It’s just that you sounded very rushed and you did it when I was calling Barry!” She said in a slightly annoyed tone, "marriage is not a joke.”

“I certainly know that marriage is not a joke. I am an Atlantean, I am a member of the kingdom, I know how important it is in moments like this, and I’m sure with you, I am not just be playing around. I just—“

“Jealous? Yeah I know that,” she said, “you know, marrying you is something I’ve been waiting for, Orm. I know that when the time comes I will marry you, but if you marry me in this way, I can’t accept it yet." She said and then quickly get out of bed and left Orm who was still kneeling on one leg while holding his mother's sparkling engagement ring.

[koolkat9]

Royal Red Bros Week 2024 - Day 6

@royalredbrosweek

Prompt: Getting in Trouble || Drunkenness

Rating: T

Relationship: England + Canada (implied FACE Family)

Word Count: 595

Read on AO3

One Call Away

“Arthur…”

Matthew’s small voice called across the line.

Arthur rubbed the sleep from his eyes, looking over at the clock that read 3:00 AM. “What is it, Matthew?” Arthur mumbled tiredly.

“I-I…I don’t…I mean…It was just…Please come get me…”

Matthew had always been skittish, stumbling over his words, especially when he was nervous, but this time it was different. More frantic, words running into each other.

Heart-pumping adrenaline, Arthur bolted up and ran to the door. “It’s okay. It’s okay. I’m coming to get you."

Fumbling with his coat and not even bothering to have his shoes fully on by the time he was out the door, he took off in the car towards the ‘friend’s’ house Matthew was supposed to be staying at.

When he arrived, he spotted Matthew at the front steps curled up, body shaking.

Parking the car, he carefully approached, taking a seat next to the trembling boy. Arthur immediately recognized the scent of alcohol. He tapped Matthew’s shoulder.

Matthew jumped revealing a red blotchy face, cheeks soaked.

“I’m sorry,” he blubbered, curling back into himself. “I didn’t think I drunk that much…I-I…”

Arthur wrapped an arm around him and gently pulled the teen against his side. Matthew broke down sobbing, face pressed into Arthur’s shoulder, gripping tightly on Arthur’s coat. Arthur rubbed his shoulder, holding him for however long Matthew needed.

When Matthew finally quieted, Arthur guided him to the car, and they set off for home. Most of the drive was quiet until Matthew finally started sobering up.

“Please don’t tell Papa,” he squeaked. “I swear it was just a few drinks…I don’t know why I reacted like–”

“Relax,” Arthur assured him, “I wasn’t going to tell him. And I trust you.”

It was quiet again. No music playing, only the engine of the car thrumming.

“You know?" Arthur started, "I used to get into a lot worse at sixteen. Never will forget my first bad drug trip. Wasn’t my last one either. Don’t suggest it. But…I didn’t have anyone to call like you did tonight. No one to turn to. I hope I never find you and Alfred in those kinds of situations, but…what I’m trying to get at is that I want you to call me when you’re scared like this, even if you made a mistake.”

Matthew didn’t say anything, forehead pressed against the window. Arthur gave him a side glance, keeping his attention more on the road. He assumed Matthew had fallen asleep.

When they finally arrived home and Arthur was getting out of the car, Matthew grabbed his arm.

“What is it?” Arthur asked.

Matthew’s eyes were wet with tears again. “Thank you…dad,” he sniffled.

“Oh love…” Arthur couldn’t help but grin. Matthew had seemed so hostile at the beginning when Arthur first started dating his father, and though by the wedding they had come to have a somewhat friendly relationship, he hadn’t thought Matthew would ever see him as a dad.

Though giving a hug in the car was awkward, Arthur couldn’t help but wrap his arm around Matthew in a half hug, kissing his temple. When they finally got out of the car, Matthew gave him a proper one, squeezing him tightly.

“I love you,” Matthew whispered into Arthur’s shoulder.

“I love you too Matthew. And I’ll always be there for you.”

Matthew started to cry quietly again, and Arthur couldn’t help but smile fondly. Some water to help sober him up and then bed, he noted. With a pat on Matthew’s back, Arthur pulled away and guided Matthew into the house.

[vulcanscully]

send me ficlet/drabble requests for any of my fandoms

merthur for @whatthefuckbenj!

It's been centuries since Arthur Pendragon experienced the throes of a fight, the grit of swordplay, the intricacies of battle choreography.

But he knows a pattern when he sees one.

It's in the way Merlin squeezes his fingers too tightly before kissing him goodbye every morning.

In the way he lays a hand over the left side of Arthur's chest for minutes at a time when they're tangled in the sheets and breathing in sweat and moonlight and each other.

And in the way Merlin is always awake when Arthur falls asleep, a book propped on his chest; and peering at him dotingly the next morning when Arthur opens his eyes to start the day. "Christ, Merlin! Do you have any idea how unsettling that is?" "Oh, please. You love the attention." "..." "I'll take your silence as confirmation. Eggs or porridge for breakfast?"

And how every day since Arthur's return over a month ago, since an eons-old sense of self draped itself over his consciousness like a worn quilt to remind him who he was and who he is, Merlin has appeared more and more exhausted.

They're still fitting into each other's lives again. This time last year, Arthur was the heir to a publishing company. Now? The Once and Future King. It's not exactly the smoothest pill to swallow.

But Merlin's always right there, hand outstretched for him to hold, and Arthur always takes it. Because he has a second chance now, and he's not going to waste it.

"Do you ever get any sleep?" he asks one day, attempting to be casual. "I seem to recall my incompetent manservant napping on the job constantly. Can't imagine you've changed that much."

Merlin rolls his eyes and grins, though it falls a little flat. Arthur memorized that smile long ago and long enough that he could see when Merlin was bluffing. "Always misremembering things. To be fair, you're getting on in years, sire; it's to be expected ..."

"Tch. Like you're any spring chicken--"

"I'm the springiest, your majesty. Been told I'm quite delicious."

"Delic--by whom?"

"Wouldn't you like to know."

"Merlin!"

Then the banter starts, and the half-issue they're dancing around is all but forgotten.

Tonight, though, Arthur awakens to the sounds of rolling thunder and the hitched sobs of Merlin Emrys.

"Merlin? W--" Arthur attempts to sit up but there's Merlin's hand, pressing him gently into the mattress, fingers digging into the bare flesh over his heart.

Merlin has managed to wrap himself around Arthur like some kind of tree-hugging forest creature, inhaling shaky breaths that make Arthur's stomach ache a little despite his annoyance at the ungodly hour of--he cranes his neck to regard the bedside table--2:37 AM.

"Merlin," he tries again, this time throwing a sleep-heavy arm around his shoulders, "What is it?"

And Merlin does what he does best: ramble. "Sorry. I-I fell asleep and I didn't. I didn't mean to. So I was just checking that you ..." He tilts his head up a bit, saying into the crook of Arthur's neck: "Weren't gone."

"Merlin." This time Arthur forces himself up onto his elbows, taking Merlin with him, who brings his hand up from Arthur's chest to the pulse point on his neck. Arthur places his hand over Merlin's, takes note of the tremble. "I'm here. I've been here. What--"

"It's fine," Merlin cuts him off quickly, wiping at his eyes and chuckling in a way that doesn't reach the crinkles in his eyes. "Sorry, erm. I'm just tired, is all."

Arthur pinches the bridge of his nose and asks, practically sick with already knowing the answer: "You're not sleeping, are you?"

Merlin shrugs and smiles sloppily, and Arthur wants to wring his neck and kiss him in equal measure. "Define 'sleeping.'"

"I knew it!" Arthur sits up fully, and Merlin yelps and falls back onto his own propped-up pillow. Arthur takes the opportunity to half-pin him down, bracing him on either side. "You can't survive on no sleep, you bloody lunatic. Just because you've got magic doesn't mean you're immune to basic needs."

"Aw." Merlin winks up at him in the dark, eyes red and puffy, an oxymoron. "I knew you cared."

"Don't do that," Arthur snaps, and Merlin frowns. "Don't distract me, Merlin. Talk to me."

Now there's a twinkle of amusement in Merlin's age-old eyes. "You and I weren't much for talking, Arthur," he practically whispers, and though his blue eyes are trained on Arthur, the latter knows he's somewhere else in his memory. "Back when."

"Yeah, well." A clap of thunder echoes through the bedroom. Arthur lifts a hand to card his fingers through Merlin's sleep-tousled dark hair. "Things are different now."

And those big blue eyes fill with tears again as Merlin chokes out, "Are they? Because I..." His eyes flutter closed, lashes beaded with tears. "I keep thinking I'll wake up and this will all be ... " He trails off, looking at Arthur again, reaching up to cup his face in his hand. "I can't go to sleep, Arthur. I can't."

And Arthur prods, because while he has Merlin like this, in the vulnerability of the dark and the rain, he has to know: "Why not?"

Merlin shrugs, looking away. "I have to make sure you stay. That you're safe." Without words, Arthur understands the rest: That you're alive.

Of course. How could Arthur have been so daft? His heart sinks watching the man in front of him, all bags under his beautiful eyes, sunken skin shielding his tired bones. It's been like this for weeks, since Arthur's memories came flooding back, because Merlin, even in his wisdom, his centuries of experience and knowledge, can't predict what Arthur's return means.

And that uncertainty is driving him mad.

"Merlin--"

"I couldn't protect you before, Arthur," Merlin interjects, choking on his tears, and Arthur, the King of Camelot, is powerless against this--the emotions of the man who watched him die. "With Mordred and ... and I couldn't save you in time--"

"Oi." Arthur puts a finger to Merlin's lips. Those cupid's-bow lips, the ones he's captured every inch of in his mind, the ones that form the shape of Arthur's name so beautifully. "I'm here. You understand?" The tone rising in his throat is familiar and new at once--like giving a command. But no. Never an order, not anymore, not in this life. But an assurance.

"I'm not going anywhere," he repeats firmly, and Merlin's looking up at him wildly, as if he's some sort of apparition that will disappear like in one of the spells he can cast with a mutter of a syllable. "I like to think I have a say in it this time around, hm?"

A memory flashes in front of his eyes: Just hold me. Please.

It had been all Arthur wanted in his last moments. A familiar embrace from the person he loved. He figures he can offer that in return to the person who's always held him up.

So he sits back, up against the headboard, and opens his arms. "Come here."

Merlin needs no convincing--he burrows himself into Arthur, and Arthur wraps his arms around him, rocking him gently, back and forth, back and forth.

"Shh," he murmurs into his hair, kissing the top of his head. "I'm here. It's all right ..."

"You came back," Merlin sobs, frantically running his hands up and down Arthur's chest, his torso, his arms, wherever he can reach.

Arthur smiles a little, crooking his finger under Merlin's chin to lift his head, kissing his temple, his nose. "You knew I would, idiot." He keeps his voice level despite Merlin's wrecked expression, waits for Merlin's breathing to slow, to match his own as he settles against Arthur's chest.

"It's been so long," Merlin whispers after a while, pressing a kiss to Arthur's collarbone. "So long. I waited."

"I know," Arthur replies thickly, staring straight ahead at the rain-slick window pane to keep his own tears from flowing. And because he's not sure what else to say: "I'm sorry."

"Don't have to be sorry," mutters Merlin, gazing up at him. "Just stay."

"I made my way back to you after all this time, didn't I?" Arthur brushes a few stray tears from Merlin's face. "That ought to count for something."

Merlin sniffles, brow furrowed in that I'm-Thinking-Very-Seriously sort of way that Arthur finds so endearing, the wheels of his mind turning. "It must be for a reason. And I could ... I could lose you again, if I can't protect you--"

"Hey." Arthur shakes his head, determined to stop the spiral before it starts this time. "It's different now. It'll be different. We'll figure it out." He shrugs. "We can protect each other. Ever think of it that way?"

Merlin answers with a kiss--salty with tears--and Arthur sighs into it despite himself, taking in the taste of him he'll never tire of.

Then Merlin says, lovingly, nose pressed to Arthur's: "Occasionally you're less of a prat than I expect you to be."

"Oh, look who's back in top form." Arthur rolls his eyes and theatrically throws his head back against the headboard. "Can we go to sleep now?"

"Mm, yeah." Merlin sighs, snuggling into Arthur's side and throwing an arm around his middle. "You're a nightmare when you don't get your beauty rest."

Arthur pinches his arm and playfully nudges him off to his side of the bed. "Arse."

"I learned from the best--ow!"

"It was just a pillow, relax."

"Well since you threw it at me, it's mine now. So thoughtful of you, my lord. I'm going to enjoy sleeping with all this cushioning--"

"Dammit, Merlin, give it back; you know I have to sleep with--"

"Three pillows. Two for the head, one for under the arm." Merlin winks, shoving the pillow into Arthur's chest. "Some things stayed the same."

"I suppose they did," Arthur replies, and his heart sings the thing that will never change in a thousand years: I love you.

They sleep long into Sunday, limbs entwined.

When Arthur wakes up, Merlin is peacefully snoring beside him.

(And he's stolen back the pillow.)

[things-can-be-seen-here]

The worst bet ever [Face family fanfic]

Random FrUk because I was bored: Your prompt: Arthur staying up half the night to finish a game with Francis.

----

It started out as a bet with their youngest, Alfred. That boy was really testing his parents ever since he started walking. 

But that was back then. Now, Alfred was 14 and thought he was the king of the world. He asked for everything he saw, and when he didn't get it, he just took it anyway.

Arthur was at his wit's end. And Francis just as much. They tried everything, but couldn't find a way to make Alfred do his chores, listen, study... anything!

When Alfred turned 12 he asked for a PS4 console. Back then, Francis gave him a goal, Arthur kept using it as a warning every time Alfred said "No!" to anything they asked him... and in the end, Alfred persuaded them. Ever since then, it was harder and harder to get the boy to do anything. Alfred was always glued to the console. All. The. Damn. Time. "Francis," Arthur growled, "this is the fifth night. Just give up already..." The whine didn't even seem to get through his husband. So he went to stand in front of the TV, frowning.

"Come on. Bed time. You have work tomorrow and I want to cuddle." Francis looked up and frowned back at Arthur: "Not now. I need to finish this." Arthur had to admit, he was offended by that. He even went as far as to ask for cuddles and all Francis said was 'not now' ?! How dare he?! "Excuse me. Not now?! Francis, this is ridiculous! You're a grown ass man and you spend all night playing that stupid game? And for what! I bet you even forget what you asked of Alfred!" Francis lost another round and groaned: "It's not about that anymore. It's about the principle. My pride is at stake at this point! I am not going to sleep until I either pass out, my alarm rings or I win." Francis' word seemed final and Arthur gave up. He rolled his eyes and walked off to the kitchen.  Francis was so incredibly stupid. Betting Alfred that he can beat his high score was ridiculous. Francis never played the game and Alfred... well it was all he ever did. Making two cups of tea, he walked back, sitting down next to Francis.  He still thought Francis was insane for doing this, but... he was his husband and he wanted to support him. (Okay, that was a lie. He just wanted to be near him.) "Jump now," he muttered, putting a blanket over their legs."

"You should wait or you get hit..." he hummed, stretching and sipping on his drink.

"See, I told you," he yawned when Francis didn't listen and died. "See, I told you," Francis mocked, "how the hell do you know what I'm supposed to do?!" Arthur shrugged.

"Last week I was doing crosswords when Alfred was playing. I got so mesmerized by how deep he was in the game, I couldn't stop watching. Some of it stuck with me, I guess. Climb up now, don't go down..." In similar fashion, Arthur guided Francis through places he remembered and lied his head on Francis' shoulder. Neither of them noticed that the sun had come out and the doors around the house started opening.

Matthew was the first one to come out, noticing his parents and coming to cuddle with them with a giggle. He tried to cuddle Francis, but the man was glued to the TV, his eyes big. "Daddy... what's papa doing?" Matthew asked, finding his place in Arthur's lap. "Papa went insane..." he mumbled and shook his head, "why are you up?" "Cuz our alarm went off..." Alfred yawned from the doors and watched Francis, "go up now!" Francis, thinking it was Arthur, jumped and... died. He stood up, ready to curse, when the screen light up. NEW HIGSCORE "Yes! Yes yes yes!" he yelled and grabbed Matthew, hugging him tightly.

Turning to Alfred, he smirked: "I won! I won and you lost the bet! Now go and... do the thing!" he said smugly. Alfred rolled his eyes with another yawn: "Sure. I'll clean my room when I get back from school."

Francis' jaw fell. "Is that... why I spend three nights up to beat that stupid game?!"

Alfred left and Matthew ran after him with a giggle. Arthur stood up and folded the blanket, shaking his head. "You're such a fool, Francis..."

[inkbloodpages]

Whoops, my hand slipped…

“It’s been three days, Gaius. Three days! I’m not just going to keep sitting idly by while my- while the crown prince of Camelot dies in his sleep! I am supposed to be the greatest sorcerer to ever live, I know I can fix him Gaius. I don’t care about the consequences, I am not losing him.”

“I understand your feelings, Merlin, but you mustn’t let them cloud your judgement. What will the townsfolk think when all their loved ones have died of some mysterious plague, while their prince makes a recovery? They’ll suspect magic, or some cure hidden away for only the nobility.”

“I don’t care.”

Merlin walks away, slamming the door behind him and barely resisting the urge to lock Gaius inside his room. He rushes to Arthur, half-collapsing onto his bed. His legs have grown week from reading instead of sleeping, but it doesn’t matter because he doesn’t want to spend his time anywhere but here.

“I will find a way to heal you, Arthur. I don’t care what it does to me or the kingdom, all I know is that my purpose is saving you. And I will fulfill that purpose. Until it kills me.” Merlin takes a deep breath, bracing himself on his knees, and places his hands on Arthur’s chest. He doesn't bother with incantations, he has no idea what he’d say. Instead, he feels. Feels love and anger and sadness, everything that means Arthur. He sees the first time they met, he sees every adventure they’s been on, he sees him alive and vibrant and full of life. And he pushes it all into Arthur’s chest.

Then he immediately collapses om top of him, arms prickly and numb like he’d been in the cold too long. His brain is a fog, and he’s only moderately aware of the words tumbling out of his mouth. “Please, Arthur. I need you, Arthur. You are my life, Arthur. Please. Please. Come back, come back to me Arthur.”

It feels like years before the man beneath him stirs. His eyes fly open, and Merlin regains all control of his body at once, leaping up to join Arthur on the little bed, hugging him. A wayward tear falls from his eye when Arthur hugs him back, weak arms holding him as tightly as they can. He looks up to say something, but all words are knocked out of him by Arthur’s intense stare. Before Merlin even thinks to be scared, Arthur is pulling him into a kiss. Merlin feels like fireworks are going off, and he’s sure he distantly heard something explode. But that doesn't matter right now. What matters is him and Arthur and how right their lips feel together.

When one of them finally pulls away, Arthur’s smile wavers. “You, uh, you have magic?”

Merlin feels as though a needle pierced his heart. He sits up, “Yes. But I use it for you. Only ever for you, Arthur. Everything I do is for the safety of you. And sometimes Camelot, but you are always my priority. And I have never hesitated to kill anyone who uses magic for darker means, I-”

He is cut off by Arthur’s hand over his mouth. “We can talk about this later. I- I understand why you didn't tell me. For now, just get back down here so I can kiss you again.”

*just think about the most general scenario - not what you write or draw or read more about. just what pops into your head. general idea.

[xxsycamore]

Hi! Can I ask for Arthur x MC with the prompt for December 14th

The holidays may be gone but I still have requests to finish! Managed to make this about Christmas but not on Christmas, somehow. Hope you like it! Thank you for your patience 💗

Naughty suits you better [ Arthur x MC SMUT ]

Rating: E

Word count:  1,348

Tags:  Alcohol mention; Established Relationship; Vaginal Sex; Lap Sex; Creampie; Alcohol; Teasing

Check my masterlist here! You can also find all my works on AO3 under user xsycamore.  In my profile you can find my Ko-fi if you would like to support me!

Part of ‘Tis the Season for Smut 2.0 Content Creation Challenge, hosted by @voltage-vixen  [DAY 1] [DAY 2] [DAY 3] [DAY 4] [DAY 5] [DAY 6] [DAY 7] [DAY 8] [DAY 9] [DAY 10] [DAY 11] [DAY 12] [DAY 13]

DAY 14 - “Why sit on Santa’s lap when you can sit on mine?”

MC's brows furrow as sleep releases its strong grip on her; the realm of dreams slipping away from her mind too soon for her liking. The sheets feel so soft and warm wrapped around her, same as her boyfriend - who lies in a rather random position, she slowly becomes more aware of. Suddenly more and more things start making sense as she recalls the events of last night.

MC giggles as she strokes her boyfriend's messy hair, not minding at all the soreness he left her as a gift. Nor the trail of love marks down her nape that she is yet to see in the mirror, simply can recall the pain-pleasure of. Nor all the items of clothing lying on the floor and making a path all the way towards the bed, she examines as she raises up to a sitting position.

Stretching out her arms above her head with a yawn, she carefully nudges Arthur to the side without waking him up. Tip-toeing her way to the closet, she can’t help but pay attention to the way late afterglow seeps through her whole body, that familiar feeling of having been fucked good. It makes her miss him. She shoots a look at the bed just in time to see her boyfriend grunting and turning to his other side, facing her. His eyes are still closed, but she knows how little it takes for him to notice her absence, resulting in a sleepy pursuit of patting the bed to find her. Once it proves to be futile, a single blue eye would blink open to search for clues.

"Good morning."

MC is first to great, holding his gaze as she reaches in the closet for her bathrobe, unashamed of the fact that she is in full nakedness for his eyes.

Arthur smirks, rolling on his back and shamelessly admiring her naked form through half-lidded eyes.

"Morning, darling. Heading to the bath? Should I invite myself?"

MC wonders if she should be surprised at how quickly Arthur's mind goes to places despite being asleep just a second ago. She prolongs her humming, as if hesitating to the thought of him joining her, all on purpose.

Arthur is soon out of bed, not bothering to put on anything either, way too eager to come behind her and wrap her into a very touchy hug. He places kisses all over her collarbone, and her cheeks, and everything he can reach from behind, while she tries to retrieve some of the discarded clothes of last night. Arthur quietly promises to take care of all of the mess for her later, mentioning something about tiring her out too much last night. Which leads to stray conversations about the party they went to and the day as a whole - all while MC steals every other word from Arthur with an illicit kiss.

"Has anyone ever told you that you're a very naughty girl, Mrs. Doyle?"

Arthur barely needs to try and make his voice sound seductive when whispering those words to her. In that husky tone of his, still marred with sleep, he calls her the one thing she melts to be called. Of course it works.

"I don't know, I didn't get the chance to sit on Santa's lap this Christmas. Maybe he would've told me."

There is a tang of laughter in what rumbles in Arthur's throat, but soon it's gone - a pair of hands wrap tightly around MC's waist, tugging her backwards all the way to the bed. Arthur lets her fall backwards in the safe fall of his embrace, on his lap, as he sits on the edge of the bed.

"Why sit on Santa's lap when you can sit on mine instead?"

The gasp leaving her lips soon merges with another, smaller one, a silent acknowledgment of his morning wood that lightly pokes her underside. Their nakedness is suddenly very convenient, and the bath can wait.

Arthur has a point; no other seat at all in the whole world could compare to what this one entails, and naughtiness actually works in her favor when it comes to it. So she doesn't hesitate to lift herself just a little bit on her toes, legs falling from each side of his lap, delicate fingers wrapping around his length to stroke it once, twice, and guide it against her glistening pussy.

Arthur entertainers the thought that part of this sweet wetness that coats his cock could as well be…leftovers from last night. Through the curtain of a pleasant alcohol haze, he remembers the sight of her leaking pussy moments after stuffing it full of his cum.

It makes him miss it. A little nudge and MC complies with his silent plea to finally descent over his cock and take it inside. Both lovers moan at the connection of their bodies. He gladly takes it from there, locking her hands behind her back and rocking her back and forth. The tight, hot slide of his length inside her is heavenly enough to drive him crazy, pace not slow and teasing but fast and merciless, longing to drag her along in the depths of it.

"Say my name, luv. Say who makes you feel so good first thing in the morning."

MC whines as his pace picks up and wet slapping noises fill the room, her own noises mixing in them. It should be enough of an answer for her boyfriend, but knowing him, he'll be dying to hear his name slip from her lips. And she indulges him, turned on on her own at the sound of the syllables falling from her mouth because of how utterly his she feels in that moment.

"ARTHUR!! Ahhh- Arthur, please-"

He mutters something in the back of her neck, unable to hold back much longer as he feels almost there. One of his hands snakes its way to her front and between her widely spread legs, finding her mound and rubbing on it in time with his thrusts. His deep blue eyes fall shut, eager to lose himself in the moment together with her as soon as the tale-tell noises of her culmination get to his ears.

MC's orgasm comes intensely, much like a lightning striking through her core, legs buckling as Arthur's fingers try their hardest to chase after her quivering form; each harsh and direct brush against her clit sending her in another tremor.

Arthur's breath comes out heavily, halting for a moment as if forgetting to breath, all concentrated on her pleasure. Until his own orgasm peaks, evoked by witnessing how damned sexy she is, thoroughly fucked like that. He falls backwards in bed, taking her along with him to rest on his torso as he holds her legs raised and spread as he keeps thrusting from beneath. It doesn't take long for him to come undone like that, hips bucking as he bottoms out in her core.

MC moans out as she feels rope after rope of his hot cum coating her insides, feeling weightless and used in the best way, legs held open for her love to thrust freely in her.

In the next moment her legs are gently put down, Arthur's warm hands caressing over her forms before wrapping around her middle and settling there for a much-needed post-sex cuddle. Not feeling like moving at all, not even to roll on his side, Arthur whispers sweet praises in her ear.

"You know luv, I call you a good girl but you keep proving the opposite. The year's just began and you're already making it into the naughty list, aren't you a little vixen?"

"Mmhm… I wouldn't have it any other way."

Arthur laughs hoarsely. His girl didn't use to be as open and needy when they first starting dating, he worries about what he has created.

Oh, but, this means that now they're likely to be on the same page about doing at least one more round before heading for the bath. Arthur knew it was a mistake to even attempt to leave bed so early this morning.

Taglist: @arsnovacadenza @ale-teodora @kimi00twin @leonardoism @otomelady  @privilegedpancake @g-kleran  @thehappycat123 @pumpumnnnp  @thesirenwashere @theuwuisunreal @ravenarld @kyokirigiri-22 @kimmy-banana @devonares  @animeworldsposts @randomanimatedhusbandoseeker @galaxyprison @trishtori @sadshaxk @starshards26  @pro-cat-stination @acethephoenix256 @ikevamp-shrine-2 @nad-zeta  @crystal13unny @keen19thcenturygoatsstudent @lordsister @ikemen-banshou  @ikemenlover24 @themysticalbeing @canaria-blackwell @otome-scribbles @rhodolitesrose @fun-ghoul-neela @salty-fed-up-bitch  @coornn @cilokgoang​ @kpop-and-otome @queen-dahlia @kisara-16 @chaosangel767 @ikemenlibrary @queengiuliettafirstlady  @aurora-morning @aquagirl1978​ @ichigostellaglynn let me know if you want to be tagged/untagged!

[fruitcoops]

Ok so what sbout remus/sirius being too sick to go to an away game so the other one has to go alone, and then tons of facetime conversations and "get well soon" videos from the team?

This is related to this fic about Remus and Finn bonding over terrible reporters--hope you enjoy! SW credit goes to @lumosinlove, and the Loops/ Talker bonding is for @lee-1012!

TW for illness

“You don’t look so good.” Remus frowned as he held the inside of his wrist against Sirius’ forehead. “And you definitely have a fever.”

“Non.” Sirius sat up on his elbows with a groan, then almost immediately flopped back down.

“Yes.” He leaned back on his heels and checked the clock—they had two hours before they had to be at the airport. “Baby, I don’t think you should—”

“ ‘m going.”

“It’s not a good—”

“Gotta go. Games.” Sirius cracked one glassy eye open. “Two weeks away. I’ll take the first couple days off.”

Remus sighed through his nose and brushed his sweaty hair out of his eyes. “You shouldn’t go on the plane if you’re sick. Not just for your sake, but for the rest of us. We don’t need everyone to come down with this.”

He received a halfhearted glare in response, but Sirius finally huffed and curled on his side to nuzzle against his thigh. “I’m gonna miss you.”

“I’ll miss you, too, baby,” Remus said quietly, bending to kiss his temple. They hadn’t been apart for that long since before he was a player, nearly a year prior. Hell, he had never played a game without Sirius, let alone two weeks’ worth. “Lily will check on you, okay?”

Sirius mumbled an incoherent response and cuddled closer when he began combing his fingers through his hair. The second alarm beeped, loud against the quiet of their bedroom; time to go, he thought ruefully. Sirius touched his knee as he started to stand. “Love you. Be safe.”

“Love you more.”

“Love you most.”

“Go back to sleep,” Remus said as his heart clenched. “I’ll let Coach know what happened, but you’ve got to rest and take care of yourself. Hydrate or die-drate, yeah?”

“Yeah. Love you.”

“Sleep,” he repeated, kissing his forehead once more before hauling himself out of bed and tucking the covers around Sirius’ shoulders. “I’ll be back before you know it.”

------------------------

The clouds were a soft, pastel pink around them as the sun rose—Sirius’ favorite. If his phone was correct, Lily would be there soon to let Hattie out and make sure Sirius wasn’t pushing himself too hard. The thought brought Remus a bit of relief, but not enough to quell his concern.

Talker poked his forearm, snapping him from his reverie. “What’s going on?”

“Just worrying.”

“About Cap?”

Remus waved a hand vaguely. “And Hattie, and Lily, and whether he’s got a cold or something worse. Feels weird being here without him.”

Talker hummed his agreement and offered one of his earbuds. “Want to listen to half of Bohemian Rhapsody with me? It’ll give you five minutes and 55 seconds of relative peace.”

“It’s too quiet,” James groaned just before he pressed ‘play’.

Across the aisle, Remus saw Kasey roll his eyes. “Your husband is sick, dude, not dead. He doesn’t talk to you on planes anyway.”

“It’s the principle of the thing, Bliz.”

“Oh my god,” Kasey muttered under his breath, securing his headphones tightly over his ears.

James let his head flop to the side with a baleful look. “Loops, you’re on my side, right?”

“I’ve got you, buddy,” he assured him. Talker stifled a laugh, and the opening chords began as more clouds rolled past. Remus let himself drift with them, taking deep breaths to soothe his worries; Sirius would be fine. He had the sniffles, or at worst the flu, and he would be join them for the second week in top form. There was nothing to worry about.

---------------------------------

“He’s got pneumonia,” Lily sighed.

“He what?”

“A mild case, but the doctor said it would take a week of antibiotics and rest before he’s close to a hundred percent. No hockey for about a month, too.”

Remus stared at the wall of his empty hotel room, lost for words. “Well, fuck.”

“Yeah.”

“Fuck.”

“Pretty m—absolutely not, go lay down.” There was a rustling noise and two grumbling voices. “Sorry about that.”

“Will you put me on speaker real quick?” Remus asked, pinching the bridge of his nose until he heard a faint click. “Sirius? You there?”

“Yes! I miss you, and I was just going to tell you that it’s really not that—”

“Please sit your ass down. Lily, if he tries to fuck around and find out exactly how nasty pneumonia is, you have full permission to sit on him. I miss you too, love,” he added after a short pause.

“He’s blowing you a kiss,” Lily informed him. “Oh, and he’s giving me the puppy eyes.”

“Resist if you can. Love you both. Give Hattie lots of cuddles from me.”

“We will,” she promised.

The second the call ended, Remus groaned aloud and thumped his head against the wall before padding down the hall. Just my fucking luck. The door swung open after the second knock; Arthur’s face fell. “How bad is it?”

“Mild pneumonia.”

“Fuck.”

“Yep. Doctor said he’d be out for a month.”

Arthur rubbed his eyes and nodded, motioning Remus back towards his own room. “Get some rest, then. I’ll let everyone know in the morning. Any idea how he got it?”

“Not a clue.”

“Thanks for the update, Loops. Sleep tight.”

“I will,” Remus lied as he headed back for a sleepless night between cold sheets.

----------------------------

Lily sent updates every few hours; most reported that Sirius was sleeping well and looking better with each passing day, but Remus couldn’t help but feel overwhelmingly guilty. If something happened while he was hundreds of miles away, he would never forgive himself. He had sworn in front of their closest friends and family to be there in sickness and in health—what kind of husband ditches their partner for one of a million roadies?

This one. He stabbed a piece of broccoli and shoved it in his mouth. And then he goes and makes an idiot of himself for the world to see.

The interview was supposed to be easy, but he couldn’t let it roll off anymore. Not when he couldn’t answer their questions even when he wanted to, not when he was states away from the love of his life while he was sick, not when he felt helpless and shoved aside in every current aspect of his life.

“So.” The chair next to him creaked as Talker planted his full weight in it and set his plate decisively on the table.

“What.”

“Oh, pissy Loops. Haven’t seen you in a while. Talked to Cap yet?”

“Yeah.” Another piece of broccoli fell victim to his frustration.

“How’s he sound?”

“Better.”

“Sweet.” Talker continued to munch away on his dinner. “Anyone ever told you that you have the general disposition of a wet cat when you’re upset?”

Remus tried and failed to keep down a smile. “I seem to recall you bringing it up on occasion, yes.”

His dark eyes softened and he bumped their elbows together. “He’ll be okay.”

“I know.”

“Really, Loops. Cap’s going to be just fine. Lily doesn’t sugar-coat this kind of stuff, and he’s a tough guy. Mild pneumonia doesn’t stand a chance. Besides, we’ve only got four days left and we need you to kick some ass out there.”

If Remus was a little more emotionally vulnerable, he would’ve burst into tears. Instead, he settled for leaning his temple against Talker’s with a quiet ‘thanks’ and allowed himself to be pulled into a side hug. Across the dining hall, Finn shot him a thumbs-up and a wink. “Love you, man.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever,” Talker teased. “The internet is already coming to your aid, you know.”

“About…?”

“Not only have those asshole reporters become a new meme, you’ve also got a shit ton of people bringing up past mistreatment of athletes in the press room. You’re the face of a revolution, Loops.”

“I’ve been the face of too many revolutions for one person,” he groused, not even bothering to duck out of the way when Talker ruffled his hair.

“Well, one more won’t kill you.”

---------------------------------------

Remus’ heart raced as he stepped off the plane. The logical part of him knew that Sirius would be waiting outside the security gate, but everything else screamed to see him now, now, right now so he could be sure he was alright. At least he had sounded healthier on the phone the night before—Remus wasn’t sure what he would do otherwise.

“Deep breaths,” James reminded him as they walked toward the baggage claim. “I’m sure he’s—”

An excited shout broke through the thick crowds. Remus’ heart skipped a beat, and then he was running, racing through the people that parted for him as his vision tunneled. His carry-on hit the ground with a low thud that he hardly heard as Sirius lifted him straight off the ground and held him tight.

“I love you,” Remus said immediately, locking his ankles around Sirius’ lower back and squeezing his eyes shut. “Are you okay?”

In lieu of a response, Sirius pulled back and kissed him, cradling one side of his face in his warm, warm hand. Two weeks may as well have been an eternity. He broke away after a moment, searching his face for any signs of illness or pain. “I’m fine,” Sirius said softly, as if he could read his mind. “I promise. A little tired and sore, but there’s no lasting damage.”

“Don’t do that again,” Remus said into the side of his neck as he hugged him close. He smelled like home. “Not when I have to leave.”

Sirius’ arms were steady around his back. “I won’t.”

“I’m going to grill you on everything as soon as we get home.”

“I know.”

“But right now, I’m just going to hug you because I missed you and I worried myself into a hole, like, every night.”

He could feel Sirius’ smile against his shoulder. “I know.”

[helliontherapscallion]

Sweet and Sour (Adrenaline Junkie Part 14)

Part 1     Part 2     Part 3     Part 4     Part 5     Part 6     Part 7     Part 8     Part 9     Part 10     Part 11     Part 12     Part 13     Part 15     Part 16     Part 17

Spotify Playlist (collaborative)

Warnings: swearing, descriptions of blood, talks of hypothetically dying, bones/teeth 

Word Count: 2,392

(A/N): the next part is currently in the works and probably will be out by tomorrow/late at night tonight 

The days ticked closer and closer until you had only mere hours left until your scheduled departure for the cave. With each passing day, you became more anxious and paranoid, your prosthetic wing constantly malfunctioning until you programmed it to respond solely to your conscious movement and not the random twitching of your muscles. It took you a bit to get used to, but you quickly got the hang of it. It felt closer to having an actual wing on your back again, but not exactly. Nothing beat the feeling of the wind resisting against both wings at the same time. 

You doubted if Philza knew anything, but you did know that he suspected something. He knew you like the back of his hand and vice versa. You both knew each other all too well, he raised you and you spent most of your time with him growing up after all. 

Currently, you are obsessively reading over your will and the book you wrote for Arthur full of redstoning advice and what you’ve learned over the years. After rereading your letters to your family and your will, you decided that this is exactly how you wanted everything to turn out if you ended up not surviving this. Which, the chances of you actually surviving this was slim to none. 

However, you remained hopeful as there were several unknown variables in the equation. How big this thing was, its age, and most importantly what the cave currently looked like. It’s been multiple years and there might’ve been more erosion over the years altering the surface of the stone. From what you remembered, the ceilings were at least a hundred feet tall, so you had plenty of room to hover above it when needed. You had no clue if the ledge was still there, but if it was the being most definitely could snatch you up. You were going to have to be careful. Besides, you had a son you had to live for. You were going to get out of there alive. For Arthur. For Philza. For Wilbur. For Tommy. For Technoblade.

You reread your plans. Plan A consisted of you sneaking in (making sure this time to keep your wings close to your body), planting TNT, and setting it off with a lever as far away from the deepest part of the cave as you could. Plan B, if Plan A failed and the Warden noticed your presence, was to use the portable TNT launcher while flying as high as you could. If that failed, then you were kind of screwed. Plan C consisted of dropping everything and running for your life. You’d admit, they weren’t the most well thought out plans, but it was all you could think of.

You made sure your wing was secured on your back correctly with a full movement test before you slung your bag onto your back stocked full of redstone and TNT and put your portable TNT launcher into the holster on your hip. 

You took a deep breath and gathered your papers before you took one last look at your old workshop. You made sure to scrub it clean of redstone residue and re-sorted the blueprints so that everything was easier to find in the filing cabinets. You were sure that your… unique method of not sorting anything and just knowing where everything was would be very annoying to attempt to sort through. Even Arthur couldn’t figure out your sorting system and he was the smartest kid you knew. 

Oh Arthur… He was probably sleeping right now. Or at least you hoped he would be; it was midnight. With light footing, you walked up the stairs to the second floor and straight to Wilbur’s old room. Your little boy was sleeping peacefully burrowed underneath the covers. You could hear his soft snores exiting his mouth. 

You smiled lightly and walked over to him, sitting on the edge of the bed and pulling back the covers to see his face. His mouth was parted slightly with a small amount of drool coming out of the corner of his mouth. You reached out to stroke his curly copper hair and smiled wider at the sight of his nose scrunching slightly before he relaxed with a small smile on his face. You leaned down to place a lingering kiss on his forehead before you covered him back up again and started to quietly walk out of the room. 

“Ren?” That was what he started calling you after he gave you the magnets. It was short for ‘parent’. You froze and felt your body warm up at his sleepy tone. You turned around and watched as he rubbed at his eye with the back of his hand and yawned. “Hey Artie, go back to sleep buddy.” You walked over to him and gently pushed him back into the pillows. He nodded and grabbed your sleeve. 

“Can you get me a glass of water please?” He sounded so out of it. “Of course, buddy.” You grabbed your bag and slung it back over your shoulder. You quietly went downstairs and filled up a glass with water. You sat it on the counter and pulled out your papers and the hefty book you had written from your bag. You spread them all out on the dining room table where Philza was sure to see it in the morning. You hopefully should be back before the time he usually woke up so you could just grab them and trash them when you get back.

Before you got back to Arthur’s room, you shed your bag and TNT launcher by the front door. You didn’t know if he saw them before, but he definitely didn’t need to see them now. Inside, Arthur was propped up on his chin desperately fighting against sleep. You walked over to him and gave him his water, scolding him lightly when he didn’t fully sit up so he wouldn’t choke. When he was satisfied, he put the water on the nightstand and laid back down. He looked up at you with sleep dazed eyes, “where are you going?”

You froze and sat on his bed, “I’m not going anywhere, I’m right here.” He scrunched up his nose and stared at you in annoyance, “no you aren’t, you’re going somewhere.”

You stared at him before you sighed, “I’m just going… to get more redstone. I just need a bit more to finish what I’m working on. I won’t be gone for long, I promise.”

“Can- can you stay here? At least until I fall back asleep?”

“Of course, my little fledgling.”

He looked up at you timidly, “will you always be with me?”

You rubbed your hand up and down his arm soothingly, “I’ll never leave you. Even if I’m away, you’ll always have a piece of me with you,” you grabbed your feather he kept on his nightstand and handed it to him. It was one of your primary feathers you lost in one of your last molts in the house before you left for L’manberg that you found between your bed and your wall. It was an impressive size being about a foot long, but your wings have long since grown bigger alongside your body’s growth. You were about to throw it away one day after doing a deep clean of your old room, but the boy was amazed by the patterns and the size of the feather. So you, being the caring parent you were, gave it to him. Since then, you’ve found him on several instances holding the feather to his chest in his sleep. 

He took the feather and ran his fingers along the vane and stem. You could see him tearing up slightly, so you leaned down and pulled him into a tight hug. “I’ll always be with you, my little fledgling.” You pulled back after placing a kiss on his forehead and ran your fingers through his curly mop of hair soothingly. You softly sang the song Philza would hum to you as a kid and watched as he drifted off to sleep. 

“Love you Ren,” he slurred out before he was completely out. You softly smiled at his sleeping form, “I love you too, Artie. I love you too.” You sat there for a bit absorbing his every facial feature and felt pride and warmth erupt within you. Arthur Fox was your son, your pride and joy. He certainly had a bright future ahead of him. Sighing, you remembered the task ahead of you. You needed to leave soon. 

Reluctantly, you left the room and started to make your way downstairs. “Did he have a nightmare?” A sleepy quiet voice asked from behind you. You jumped and whipped around with your hand flying to the empty holster on your hip before you relaxed seeing Philza there. He looked like he just crawled out of bed, his blond hair stuck up in multiple places and his blue eyes hazy. 

You put a hand over your heart, “Ender Dad don’t do that, you scared the shit outta me. But yeah, he had a nightmare but he’s fine now.” He tiredly hummed, walking over to you and pulling you into an unexpected hug. “You’re a good parent for him. I’m so proud of you for adapting to the responsibility that adopting a kid takes.” You hugged him back tightly and wrapped your wings around him, careful of keeping the metal one barely pressed against him. You both stood there in the middle of the hallway enjoying each other’s presence before you heard him yawn and felt him pull back. You retracted your wings and stepped back. 

“Why’re you still dressed?” 

Shit, “oh, I was just finishing up something in my workshop.”

He deadpanned at you, “you know how I feel about you staying up this late, even if you’re an adult-”

“‘Even if I’m an adult it’s not healthy to constantly stay up this late’ I know, Dad. I’m almost done, I’ll be in bed in like half an hour tops.” He stared at you for a bit before he nodded and started to walk back to his room, “alright, I trust you. I’m going back to bed and I want you to do the same in a bit. Goodnight, (y/n). Love ya.”

“Love you too, Dad.” You waited until you heard the bed creak before you went back downstairs. You grabbed your stuff before you quietly opened the door and checked to see if there were any mobs around. Luckily for you, the nearest mob was only a single 

enderman. With that, you spread your wings and took off into the clear night sky. The weather was perfect for flying. It would’ve been a pleasant night flight if it weren’t for the current circumstances gnawing and nagging at you in the forefront of your mind.

You lowered yourself to the ground upon getting closer to the cave’s entrance and glided into it landing a ways into the cave to avoid any mobs. The ores around you were plentiful, the occasional glimmering of redstone cutting through the darkness. Old burnt out torches hung from the walls was the only indicator that there were previously other people in the cave prior to now. You could only imagine how Arthur looked at the ores with amazement and curiosity. 

As you ventured deeper, you could feel anxiety gripping at your chest and remembered how innocently and naively you craved exploration two and a half years ago. You shuddered as you wondered if the beast still had your feathers and bones scattered about. The torch in your hands sent flickering light onto the dark cave walls casting all sorts of shadows. You pushed onwards through the inky depths of the cave. Deeper yet deeper you walked placing torches wherever you went. 

Eventually, you arrived at the wide opening of the cave. From where you stood, the opening of the cave was massive making you feel miniscule. Even if you were to fully expand your wings to the side, your seven and a half foot wingspan still wouldn’t come close to touching the sides of the opening. The torch in your hand hardly cut through the abyss of the cave, so you made quick work of placing them around the area so you had a clear view of your surroundings. 

The cave was as you remembered it, but if you looked close enough, there were plenty of stalactites and stalagmites that weren’t there before. You could see faint dark brown stains on the walls and floors in scattered places, the stains of the miners that did not come back. The stench of rot, mildew, and decay emanated from deep parts of the cave, becoming almost unbearable in certain points where you couldn’t find anything out of place. Occasionally, you found cracked and broken shards of bone around some of the bloodstains. You even found a tooth and clumps of auburn hair. You shuddered as you remembered how Arthur told you that Hugh had dark ginger hair.

You have only found one of your feathers so far. It was trapped between a fissure in the wall. Crusted old blood decorated and clumped together some parts of the vane. You moved on to examine different parts of the cave. Sculk blocks littered the floor randomly, the tentacles calmly moving about. Soft squelching noises sounded from them; if you held your torch close to one of them, a soft shine could be seen. It was probably slimey. 

If you stopped to listen past the crackling of the fire, you couldn’t hear anything. Besides a slight squelching noise that you suspected was from the sculk blocks and the sound of water droplets dripping, there was nothing. Good, you still could place the TNT. Plan A: commence. 

You made quick work of placing sticks of dynamite between the nooks and crannies of rocks firmly and scattered the TNT along the vast expanse of the cave. Connecting the redstone was tricky though with the amount of TNT placed, but you eventually got everything connected to one and made work of making a trail to the outside. Just as you got started on trailing the redstone towards the mouth of the cave a few hundred feet away, the torches started to flicker. 

It’s here.

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[randomfandomimagine]

I Love You Too (Barry Allen x Reader)

Characters: Barry Allen, Bruce Wayne, Arthur Curry, Clark Kent, Diana Prince, Victor Stone

Fandom: Justice League (Snyder) / DC

Tags: Angst with a happy ending, fluff, hurt / comfort, no spoilers

Warnings: Slight angst

Word Count: 2,1k words

Summary: Barry must make a great sacrifice, but Y/N wants to tell him something before he does. Unable to tell him, Y/N deals with the result of Barry’s sacrifice and wonders whether or not he reciprocated those feelings.

A/N: To no one’s surprise, I fell in love with Ezra’s Barry when I watched the Snyder Cut (he’s just so cute!), so here’s a ficlet based on an idea I had when watching the movie. Enjoy, and give this some love, please!!

Link: AO3

GIF CREDIT

Barry Allen x Gender Neutral Reader

Your world had turned upside down in just a second. Not too long ago, you were joking and laughing with Barry, playfully pushing each other. You had been having fun together like you had known each other all your lives despite having met for the first time a few days ago. You had been there to comfort each other during that insane and frightening mission, like you could read each other’s minds and recognized how scary it was for the other and how much you needed that comfort.

And now…

The others’ voices became but a muffled mumble to your whistling ears. The sudden weight that had settled in your stomach made you nauseous as you turned to them.

“What…?” You asked Bruce in a daze, even if you had heard him loud and clear.

“Are you serious?” Arthur muttered, staring at him as well.

“That would kill him!” You reply in outrage, turning to Barry. The speedster didn’t say anything, only reciprocating your gaze with a neutral expression that you knew hid his fear.

“It’s the only way...” Bruce looked down, clenching his jaw.

A loud silence hung over the group. None of you broke it until Barry himself spoke up. Much to your horror, it was to agree with Bruce’s plan.

“I’ll do it” He replied, bearing a grin on his lips but heaviness in his dark eyes.

“Barry...” You began, knowing him well enough to realize he would not hesitate to do the right thing. He would not hesitate to sacrifice himself to save the world.

“It’ll be okay” Barry smiled at you, even if you could tell it was a fake one.

“Wait, no! I have to...” You reached out to hold on to him, but he was already gone. “Tell you how I feel...”

You closed your hands into fists so tight that your nails painfully digged in your palms. A hand gently squeezed your arm, so you looked up to Diana. She showed you a friendly yet sad smile.

“He knows, Y/N” Were her only words, which didn’t bring you as much comfort as any of you’d hoped.

Contradictory feelings created a lump in your throat. You knew he had to do it, and you knew Victor needed his help. It was selfish of you to not want Barry to do it. You wanted him to, to fix everything, but… you didn’t want to lose him. Tears reached your eyes, so you averted your gaze from your friends. Arthur sighed in resignation next to you. Bruce swore under his breath. You knew Victor would try to come up with a different plan if he wasn’t inside. If Clark wasn’t so focused on keeping Steppenwolf busy, you know he would have some objections himself.

Just when you felt the tears started rolling down your cheeks, a sudden presence made you jump up in startle. Before you could even turn around, you felt something against your cheek. By the time you met face to face with Barry, you had realized what graced your cheek were his lips.

“Be right back” He muttered, even though his voice cracked.

“No, you won’t” You saddly replied, staring into his eyes. “Barry, I...”

He lingered for just a moment before running off. A sob escaped your throat. None of you spoke, and that awful silence was making your heart race. A blue streak illuminated the surroundings as Barry caught speed.

Diana suddenly held your hand, so tightly that you could almost read her thoughts as she made them so palpable. You squeezed back, joining her in what you assumed were mental prayers for Barry to make it back alive.

“C’mon, kid...” Arthur whispered, barely loud enough for you to hear.

The atmosphere became strange around you as Barry reached maximum speed. You grimaced, waiting for the inevitable. Chaos ensued for a moment when Barry managed to achieve his mission, creating a loud commotion that created enough energy to save the day. A pause lasting only a second followed. It was the longest second of your entire life.

The breath hitched in your throat when the electric blue streak passed before your eyes and stopped just a few meters away from the group. You gulped when it dissipated and a reddish blur became a familiar figure. The silence had returned, albeit awed this once.

“I made it” Barry gulped, heaving something between a chuckle and an exhalation. A second after, his eyes rolled into his head and he was limply falling to the ground.

“Barry!” You let go of Diana’s hand and ran to help him, faster than any of them. “Barry, no!!“

You threw yourself to the ground with such force that you scraped your knees. That pain was nothing compared to the one that held your heart ransom. You repeatedly called his name, desperately shaking him. No response. Trembling from head to toe, you then went to hurriedly take his helmet off. The sweaty dark hair stuck to his forehead. His eyes were closed. He looked terribly pale. When you held his face in your hands, he still didn’t move.

“Y/N...” Arthur miserably said as he approached the two of you. The pained word brought a sob to your throat. You knew what he meant when he called your name like that. Barry was gone.

Bruce kneeled by your side. Diana stood on her foot, hovering behind you.

“He’s alive” Bruce suddenly uttered, causing your heart to race. For the first time since you joined the team, it was a good sign.

“He’s alive?!”

“He’s alive...”

_

Your eyes closed, but you didn’t give in to sleep. He needed you.

Thoughts plagued your mind, so many and so varied that your head hurt. You were mad at him for being so reckless. But proud that he didn’t hesitate to save everyone. At the same time, you were sad that he had exerted himself like that, if only because of how dangerous it was. And you were worried about his health. Your temples throbbed.

“You haven’t moved in two days” Clark’s sudden voice scared you. Nonetheless, you didn’t have the strength to flinch. “Get some rest, Y/N”

“No, I have to stay here with him” You watched Barry as he slept peacefully in his bed, hooked to the machine that tracked his vitals. Fortunately, it kept beeping with his heartbeat.

“We’ll tell you if he wakes up”

“I’ll be here when he does”

Returning to focus on Barry, you squeezed his hand. You had been holding on to it for so long that your hands had seemed to fuse together. It had been your only comfort these days. You had to keep reminding yourself that he was still alive.

“You’ll get sick too” Clark lingered on his gentle tone, empathizing with you and being worried himself despite not really knowing Barry like you did.

But he could tell. Anyone could tell Barry had a heart of gold. That he was kind and warm. Still, Clark didn’t know. He didn’t know how much Barry made you laugh. Not him not anyone knew how much you treasured his reassuring presence next to you as you fought to save the world. How much you appreciated his light-hearted jokes and efforts to relief the tension. No one knew how especial Barry was to you.

No, you refused to get up from that chair. You only stared at Barry still, mentally begging for him to wake up like you could will that thought into existence. Your throat began to hurt from how fiercely you fought the tears. Seeing your resolve, your friend shook you a little.

“Y/N, you...” Judging by Clark’s tone, you saw a soft reprimand coming. You were too tired to put up with one, no matter how well-intentioned it was.

“No, Clark!” You stood up, something you didn’t do in days. “I... I…”

You had moved so quickly that you got a headrush. Clark held you by the arm when you wobbled, but you angrily swatted him away.

“I’m not leaving him! I need to be with him, because...” Your confident and loud voice grew lower and sadder. “If I’m not…”

Clark’s own eyes looked watery. He frowned and nodded his head, silently providing you with the understanding you so badly needed. It didn’t help with the burden of guilt and remorse that filled your chest, though.

The beeping of the machine filled the stillness, followed by a different sound.

“Can you... keep it down?” A groggy voice muttered. “I’m trying to sleep”

You and Clark gasped at thet same time, quickly turning to your friend lying on the bed. Barry’s eyes were open, even if heavy with weakness, as he slowly turned his head in your direction.

“You slept for two days, buddy” Clark grinned, fondly looking at him.

“That’s a long nap” Barry smiled, tiredly closing his eyes.

“You’re so stupid!” You softly punched him in the arm, forcing him to look back at you.

“Ow” He barely had the strength to reach out to hold the spot. “Easy, I’m convalescent”

“You scared me half to death!”

Barry’s prior small smile vanished in favor of a concerned frown when he got a good look at you.

“You look exhausted…”

“We kept telling Y/N to get some rest” Clark piped up, looking from one to the other.

“And I kept telling you I wasn’t going to leave him!” In response to your reply, Clark only smiled fondly. Shaking his head a little, he scooped you into his arms and carefully laid you down on Barry’s bed next to him.

“There, you can look after each other now” He carefully patted Barry’s arm. “Everyone’s happy”

You barely paid any attention to Clark anymore as he muttered he was going to tell the others that Barry was awake. Instead, you were far too busy tightly hugging Barry and hoping you weren’t hurting him. When the door closed, signaling Clark’s departure, you were nuzzling Barry’s shoulder.

“Wow, hey” He chuckled, playfully patting your back. “Missed me, I see”

“Shut up”

“Were you worried?”

“Was I worried”

“Yeah”

“If you pull something like that ever again, you better believe I won’t need your speed to catch up to you and kill you myself, Barry Allen!”

Barry weakly laughed at the stupid line you had just said. Realizing the silliness of it yourself, you joined him in his chuckles.

“I love you too” Barry playfully replied, bearing a joking grin.

Your eyebrows arched in surprise, and then he gawked at you.

“N-No... I didn’t mean...” Barry corrected himself. “I didn’t mean I love you as a... It was a joke! I-I mean, it’s not that I don’t love you, but... but... uh..."

When everything stilled, however, you realized how truly close you two were lying down together. There was barely enough room in that small bed to fit the two of you even as you were on your sides. Being so close to him, you wonderred how you hadn't realized how beautiful his eyes were before. You took his face in your hands, chuckling again. His lips suffocated your laughter as well as his babbling when they connected with yours. It was a slow and delicate kiss, nearly a peck. You both were still very tired, and that wonderful exchange made you so calm that you felt your eyes close both in exhaustion and happiness.

When the kiss ended, you both lingered in that closeness. Barry tenderly pressed his forehead against yours, leaning into your touch. Your hands were still on his face while his had clumsily found their way to the small of your back.

“Thanks for looking after me” He whispered, dedicating you a tired smile.

“Thanks for coming back to me” As you said it, you wondered if the smitten way he was looking at you was the same way you were looking at him without realizing.

“I told you I would” Barry reached out to press his hand against yours, caressing your skin with his thumb.

You melted in a loving embrace, and everything was alright with the world again. As you rested against his chest, Barry’s heartbeat under your ear brought you peace. Linger in the hug, that you wished you could stretch out forever, you gazed into each other’s eyes.

“How about we actually listen to our friends and get some rest?” You mumbled, slowly reaching out to hold his hand.

“That sounds great” Barry intertwined his fingers with you, smiling wide.

Finally feeling like you could relax after days of being on edge, you fully lied down with him. Barry was beaming, his smile never faltering as you got comfortable beside him. Your hands were linked together like they had been for days now. This time he squeezed yours back. You felt the slumber take you as you groggily repeated the words he had said to you first. I love you too.

Tag list: @call-me-harley-quinn / @wonderlandfandomkingdom / @locke-writes / @emmacata / @galactic-magick​ // If you want to be added or taken off the tag list for these fandoms or characters, send me an ask!! 

[gremlinbehaviour]

leon + anybody you want, and 7? (don't stress about answering this if you don't have time)

This prompt was "Nightmare? It's okay, we all get those." And while I didn't have time at the time it was sent, I kept it around, so here you are!

There was darkness and pain and Morgana asked the ever present question, the answer to which she'd been trying to torture out of him for hours: where was Arthur?

Elyan woke with a scream. His neck burned with the phantom pain of the nathair's bite. He heaved for breath, struggling not to panic. It was hard in the dark room, which felt so much like the blackness the venom had brought on. The blindness had faded as Gaius tended him, much like how his eyes adjusted to the dimness now. He winced as the door swung open without warning and flooded his room with light.

"Elyan?" The intruder queried. He recognized it as Leon more by voice than sight, as he couldn't see in the brightness yet. When he did take a brief peek, he caught a glimpse of torchlight and the shine of metal. The man had rushed in with weapons in both hands, ready to defend his friend with both sword and flame. "What's wrong? What happened?"

"Nothing," he replied, instantly embarrassed. He pulled his legs up to his chest and leaned his head down against them to hide his face, wrapping his arms around his shins. "I'm sorry I woke you."

"I was already up," Leon replied, his voice losing its edge of alarm and shifting to sympathetic instead. "Couldn't sleep." There was a clink as he set his sword down and the light moved as he took the torch over to the hanger on the wall. Elyan felt the bed dip as his old friend sat down beside him, giving him a second of warning before a hand was placed comfortingly on his shoulder with an arm settling around his back in a half hug. "Nightmare?" He nodded against his knees. "It's okay. We all get those."

"You- you do too?" Elyan asked, sniffling and finally looking up.

"Yep. Mine are about that stupid goddamn dragon, or Arthur being killed, or Gwen being hurt, or any number of things."

"You dream about my sister but not me?" Elyan teased.

"Well, you're not the queen, so you're not such a target, and I know you can defend yourself."

"I couldn't this time."

"Because you gave up your freedom for your king. She never would have taken you in a fair fight. But even if she did, we would always come get you out."

Feeling very much like a little kid again, running from the bullies into the protective arms of his older friend, Elyan turned and hugged Leon fiercely, pressing his face into his chest. To his great comfort, the other knight wrapped his arms around his back and squeezed him tightly. The links of his chainmail dug into the skin of his cheek, but he couldn’t bring himself to care. Leon didn’t say anything, just held Elyan tight until his nightmare faded from memory and he was able to calm down while safely held in his arms

[jamilelucato]

Your Embrace

Pairing: Fred Weasley x reader

Requests:

1. @witchglow​ hey love! congratulations on your followers! 🥺💗 can i request fred weasley x reader on which they are on the grimmauld place is not have beds for all so they have to share the bed, then they end up hugging or something like and the other day they wait and are super embarrassed, but in the end the two admit that they can share the bed whenever they want (im sorry if it got confused 😿) thank u, stay safe 💗😼💖

2. @whizbangs-78​ congrats on 1.5k followers!!! could i request a fred weasley x reader with the one bed trope pleaseee??? thank youuu c: also if you're requests for this are closed feel free to ignore thank youu c: congrats on the milestone, again!!

A/N: since the requests were very similar, I decided to combine both of them, hope you two like it! again, I can’t seem to write short fics.

Send a request! ||  Harry Potter Masterlist ||  Musical Hogwarts Series

It was late in the night when Professor McGonagall fetched you and all of the Weasleys to go to Dumbledore so you could all take a Portkey back to Grimmauld Place. The Professor said something had happened with Arthur Weasley; so all of his children, you and Harry were taken away from Hogwarts. 

It wasn’t the protocol getting you to travel too, but since you were awake when Professor McGonagall showed up in a hurry and told you to fetch Ginny, you managed to convince McGonagall that you would’ve to come with the Weasleys.

When finally there, nobody was able to stay still. 

Fred and George were desperately trying to convince someone to take them to St. Mungo’s, even though Sirius repeated that it was not the smartest thing to do. The best was waiting inside of the House of Black even if it was not easy.

You noticed Fred and George weren’t going to let Sirius have a moment of peace — if there could be one at this point — so you requested a tour around the place since it was your first time there.

Reluctantly, Fred and George walked you around the house.

“He’s gonna be alright, come on; you both know it,” you said while walking through some sort of music room — it had a piano at least. “Your dad’s tough.”

George sighed but remained in silence. It was Fred that spoke.

“You can’t be sure of that. ”

You sat down in the piano, running your fingers carelessly over the musical instrument. Thankfully, the sound that came of that wasn’t loud.

“I can’t, you’re right,” you lamented, gulping.

Fred and George stared at themselves — they were in opposite corners of the room — and then they looked down at you in the piano stool.

“Sorry I was rude,” gasped Fred, stepping closer to you.

He was already taller than you, but with you sitting, the difference started to actually hurt your neck.

You shrugged in response. Fred knew you weren’t mad at him, he didn’t need to hear you say it. However, for just a second, he gazed down at you, locked in your eyes. Those moments were happening with more frequency, and that kinda worried him. He was sure he was being too obvious, and you would soon realize you saw him as more than just friends.

But you were too worried about your own obviousness towards fancying Fred to notice he liked you as well.

George looked around the room, trying really hard to not make a sound and interrupt the moment. He knew how much his twin fancied you. He suspected you desired Fred too, but he wasn’t sure yet.

You fake coughed, totally ruining the moment on purpose. Gosh, if Fred finds out I like him, he’ll never talk to me again, you thought, turning to face the piano.

“Do you guys know how to play?” you asked, running your fingers over it once again.

Fred and George exchanged looks before bursting in laughter.

“Do you take us for pianists?” George asked back before laughing again.

You should have paid more attention — they seriously didn’t look like musicians. Even so, you three squizzed yourselves in the one stool and attempted to produce music. Each of the twins sat in one of your sides, and you had to concentrate a lot to act normal with Fred’s proximity. You two were practically breathing the same air. 

George’s here too, you freak, you thought, biting your inner cheek.

At ten past five in the morning, after a dozen attempts to play Für Elise — you three couldn’t even pass the third note —, Mrs Weasley stopped by the house.

As soon as Fred and George heard the doo, they jumped out of the stool.

“ ‘S gotta be mum,” said Fred. All the calm he had gained with playing the piano with you disappeared.

“Let’s see her,” said George and they walked away of the music room without waiting for you.

You sighed, closing the piano fallboard before getting up and heading out. 

Of course, you were worried about their father, but you were also very, very tired. They were sleeping when the Professor fetched them, but you had been wide awake by the fireplace trying to finish a book you were desperate to know the end. Now, you couldn’t care less.

When you got to the kitchen, Ginny, Harry, Ron, Fred and George were around Mrs Wealsey, analyzing every word she had to say.

“We can all go and see him later,” she finished saying. It was probably a phrase that had started before you got downstairs, but there was no need to hear more — if they could go see him, it meant he’d be alright.

Fred turned his face around, looking for you, and when he found your eyes, he pressed his lips together tightly. It was his way of saying he was sorry again because you actually turned out to be correct.

“Oh, y/N, my dear, I didn’t know you were here too,” said Mrs Weasley, interrupting your discreet moment with Fred.

“Yeah,” you said, having no idea of what to say beyond that. It was weird and unexpected your presence there. Not even Hermione was there, and she was always around Ron.

You didn’t spend much time with the whole Weasley family; just Hogwarts time with Fred and George. Sometimes, you’d share trips to Hogsmeade with Ginny, but that was it.

“The more, the merrier!” said Sirius, getting up from his chair with a tender smile.

“Sure hope you think that, Sirius, ‘cause we might stay for Christmas,” said Mrs Weasley, clenching her jaw.

Sirius chuckled. “If you promise to cook.”

“Of course!” smiled Mrs Weasley, and Ginny giggled in the back.

Breakfast was served, and it was weird eating it before having slept, but nobody seemed to care. It wasn’t as good as Hogwarts’ feasts, but you didn’t mind. The fact that you were actually there — headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix, organization you only heard Fred and George mention — made the details unimportant.

“You five should sleep after eating,” said Mrs Weasley, who was up behind the chairs where Fred and George were sitting. “We can visit your dad later.”

Fred seemed about to protest when his mom touched his shoulder softly, but it was a clear warning for her son to not complain, and so, Fred shut.

Harry joined some minutes later, after a long conversation with Sirius Black — who was, to you, an honour to meet. You knew that, although the Ministry was painting him as a villain, he could only be pure of heart, so much Harry spoke well of the man.

“Fred, honey, would you mind sharing your bed with George?” asked Mrs Wealsey when she noticed that her boys had finish eating. “There won’t be an extra bed for y/N, I’m afraid.”

Fred snorted, annoyed, and said: “Mum, George can’t sleep still; you know how much he moves around!”

George didn’t even bother being offended — he knew his twin was telling the truth.

Mrs Weasley puckered her forehead, thinking an alternative through. Ginny couldn’t share the bed with you — the youngest Weasley had already gotten upstairs to her bed and was probably deep sleeping right now. Ron was never pleased with sharing, and she would never bother Harry, who was being a dear just help Arthur Weasley being rescued.

“I suppose you and y/N could share it then,” said Mrs Weasley, noticing that was her only option left. She concluded you and Fred would be too tired to try anything under her nose. She was only half right about that, though. “Take my bed that is bigger in the other room, and I take your single.”

George sighed with the thought of sleeping in the same room with his mom like a toddler.

You and Fred, on the other hand, couldn’t stand to look at each other. Every time you tried, you would feel your cheeks turning red, and you would look away.

However, neither of you complained to Mrs Weasley about it, scared to lose an opportunity to be closer to each other. After helping with the dishes, you both headed, side by side, to the mentioned room.

Fred cleared his throat as you lay with your bellies up, taking extreme care not to touch each other.

“Thanks for earlier, with the music and all. It was a great distraction,” Fred said, turning just enough to see your face.

Oh, how gorgeous she is! he thought.

Your hair loose over the pillow, his big hands rested over his abdomen, your faces blushed with the closeness... 

You turned to face Fred before replying. “My mum used to play me songs in our guitar back through the first war,” you said, biting your inside cheek, suddenly embarrassed fo sharing such a personal memory. 

Fred knew that your father had died in the first war, you two had talked about it before. But it was never something that caused you pain — you were much too young when he died. It was the days when growing up, seeing the neighbours’ kids with their fathers and you having only your mom — that was when it started hurting. And that was when your mom started playing music to calm you.

“I find it quite relaxing,” you said.

“I sure was relaxed with you,” Fred said before blushing, ashamed with his unexpected confession. 

You gulped, unsure of what to say or do. You decided it was best to remain silent because Fred probably felt relaxed with all of his friends.

There was nothing left to be said, and Fred really needed to sleep if he wanted to see his father later, so you returned to your first position — facing the ceiling. You never knew, but, without your eyes staring deep into his, he was finally able to fall asleep.

On the other hand, it took you a couple more minutes to travel to the dreamland. Knowing that Fred was closer than ever before made you feel more awake than if you had slept all day. Of course, that was just a false sensation your subconscious tricked you with — soon, you were sleeping too.

“Come on, love birds! Mum wants us to come now!” yelled a voice, pulling the blankets away from you.

“Be more gentle, George,” advised another voice.

“Come on, you two!” shouted the male voice again.

It toom you a couple of seconds to finally open your eyes and take a glimpse of who owned the voices that were disturbing the most peaceful nap you had ever gotten.

Ginny stared at you with a wan smile while George held in one of his hands the cosy blanket that was once over you. But their faces were hiding something, and it was just when George smirked to you that you decided to sit up.

Fred was thinking of doing the exact same thing as you, but he was having more trouble with it since you were practically all over him.

Yeah, that’s right.

The cosiness and warmness didn’t come from the blanket — it came from Fred Weasley.

He was still laying with his belly up, but over his abdomen, you had arranged yourself, in some sort of embrace or hug. So, obviously, you blushed right away — your whole face redder than the Weasleys’ hair.

Fred was blushing too, but since you had hidden your face over your pillow — the exact one you clearly didn’t use to sleep — you weren’t able to see.

“Get out,” he muttered with grinding teeth. George pretended to be angry and walked away, tossing the blanket over the bed with no caution. Ginny took one last glimpse around before whispering for you two to not be late.

Fred sighed before taking the pillow over your head.

“They’re gone,” he said with a sad smile.

“I’m sorry for... well, wherever was that. I probably am a sleepwalker or something; I swear I didn’t place myself over your chest on purpose,” you said, biting your lip and facing him with hope in your eyes — hope that he would believe you were not a maniac.

Fred wished you had done that on purpose because that had been the most comfortable he had ever felt in a bed.

“Don’t worry about it. Sorry about my siblings,” he said, finally getting up. “I’m gonna see my mum and make sure we’re going to St. Mungo’s too.”

“We?” you echoed the word out loud, but he had already left the room, and so, he didn’t hear.

You were planning on going with the Weasleys, sure, but you didn’t know they wanted you there as well. Well, at least Fred did.

You gave Fred a few minutes to get downstairs before you. When you got there, everybody seemed to be waiting just for you.

“Sorry for not waking you up earlier, dear. You both looked so relaxed,” said Mrs Weasley, stepping towards you. She held you by your shoulders. “I prepared both of you sandwiches, so you can eat faster.”

She let your shoulders go and grabbed one sandwich over the table — the second one was already half-eaten by Fred Weasley in the other corner of the kitchen. You were too embarrassed thinking that even Molly saw you hugging Fred in your sleep to say something other than thank you.

“Your trunks are here too,” the woman mentioned, with a small smile. Fred finished his sandwich, so you hurried to finish yours. “Tonks? Mad-Eye?”

With Mrs Weasley calling, both of the mentioned walked in the kitchen and Ginny rushed to Tonks, hugging her tightly.

“Nymphadora?” you asked, almost choking on the last bite. The short pink hair was the essential clue for you to connect the surname to the person. You just didn’t call Tonks Tonks, it was a childish habit, but it was unforgettable.

“Don’t call me...! Hey, it’s you!” exclaimed Tonks, as soon as Ginny freed her and ran to your side, hugging you. “You grew up, Merlin!”

You let out a hearty laugh while struggling to breath. Tonks finally freed you, but still stayed by your side. You knew each other because you were neighbours for a while, and often your mother alone could not take care of you — Nymphadora always offered (for a sickle a day) to babysit.

If it was up for you and Tonks, you’d have stayed the day talking, but Mrs Weasley kindly reminded there was a place you needed to be. 

The trip to St.Mungo’s was, to say the least, embarrassing. Every time Fred would lock eyes with you, your cheeks would turn red, and it felt like everyone knew how you too slept. Together, tightly, legs intertwine... Yeah, you had to fight yourself to not remember those things.

Thankfully, you and Tonks got a minute to talk when the family walked in with Harry to see Arthur Weasley. She told you everything about her job and how she liked to now be a part of the Order. “Sure Dumbledore will ask you to join when you come of age,” she even mentioned with a nudge of shoulders. 

The Weasleys trooped back into the corridor. Tonks glanced at you, but she already knew you weren’t going to come in, so she went in with Mad-Eye and closed the door behind them. Fred raised his eyebrows towards you — he wasn’t seriously expecting you had something to talk with his father, right? — but then George suggested to listen behind the door, and everybody was distracted for a moment.

After that espionage, Harry Potter started acting odd as ever, but definitely not more than you and Fred. Ginny and George would look from Fred to you, and then they would giggle. Somehow, that was making matters worse.

Back at the headquarters, things still weren’t easy.

“Ginny, would you mind sleeping with y/N?” whispered Mrs Weasley in what she hoped was a tone you wouldn’t hear, but you did. You stepped away as quickly as you had stepped in, and turned around, desperately trying not to overhear that conversation.

So Fred asked to not sleep with you again. That was presumable but still unpleasant. 

Ron asked for your help to decorate the house for Christmas, and you accepted gladly, hoping the task would take your mind out of Fred.

Ron was worried about Harry — he seemed to think whatever Harry heard Mad-Eye talk upset him. You agreed and added that Ron should just give Harry some time, without pushing him.

Ginny joined to help, and as soon as Ron went to the back to get a stair, Ginny rushed to your side and elbowed you.

“So, don’t know if you heard, but I told mum I wouldn’t sleep with you,” she said with a smile.

You almost dropped the ornament in your hand.

“Sorry?”

“So you can sleep with Fred again, duh!” she kept the smile on.

“Hm, Ginny, I’m pretty sure your brother doesn’t want that to happen again,” you said, avoiding to look at her happy face. “He asked your mum to change the place I was sleeping in.”

“What? No, y/N! Where did you get that idea? Mum’s the one trying to part you too,” Ginny laughed at your ridiculousness. “She thinks you two are secretly dating and she can’t let ‘Fred make her a grandma so early’.’’

Your eyes widened as you slowly turned to face Ginny, but first making sure no other Weasley was around.

“Her words, not mine,” added Ginny quickly and she burst into laughter staring at your silly face.

“Good Lord. I hope you corrected her about my relationship with Fred,” you sighed, pressing a hand over your heart. “I completely forgot she had gotten a glimpse at us this morning,” you whispered, just to yourself really.

“Why would I correct her? He wants you, you want him. Just a matter of time ’til she’s right” said Ginny and she started running away from you because the face you made was positively scary.

When decorations were up, and Christmas spirit was finally in the house, it was already time for bed again. Fred and George had gotten upstairs before you because you pretended to be really interested in Mrs Weasley’s knitting. The truth was you didn’t want to face Fred again.

You sighed, giving up in your fight. You should face Fred once and for all. Speak the truth, walk away and sleep in the couch downstairs.

But when you got into the room, and you saw his face, you just froze. He was laying on the bed with his belly up and his eyes closed — for a moment, you thought he was sleeping, but then his breathing wouldn’t be completely unregulated.

“Fred?” your voice was too high, and you ended up scaring him. He jumped up, sitting down immediately. “Sorry,” you muttered, sitting down in front of him.

You both breathed hard. Fred seemed to want to say something, but you would never know because you interrupted his half-open mouth with yours.

You kissed him in a rashed and inexperience way, after all, he didn’t expect that. And, honestly, neither did you.

Fred suspected that either you would ignore him forever and pretend that the nap shared in an embrace never happened or that you would hit him and kick him out of the room. Feeling your lips on his was a more fanciful idea than any he has ever had.

It took Fred a little while to get rid of the shock, but when he realized that you were kissing him because you wanted to, he gave in, pulling you by your waist and sitting you over his lap. He smirked in the middle of the kiss, causing you to let a slight giggle out. Your hands went from his cheekbone to his hair, and you played with it with pleasure.

“If I knew the way to your heart was napping with you, I’d have done it sooner,” Fred whispered, breathing hard when your lips were away from his.

You smiled, “you got to my heart way before you slept with me, Fred Weasley.”

He squeezed your waist, pushing you away just enough so he could see your face. You blushed when your eyes met.

“Good to know that,” he smiled too. “ ‘Cause I’ve been thinking all day that you were ignoring me, that you hated me... ”

“I thought you were ignoring me!”

You two giggled at your stupidy.

“Sorry for kissing you out of nowhere,” you sighed, slowly placing your hands on his shoulders.

“You are welcomed to do it anytime you want,” he said, looking down to your lap still over his.

“Like now?” you smirked too. “Because I feel we lost too much time sleeping today...”

“Y/N, I’ve been thinking exactly the same thing,” he susurrated and smirked, pulling you closer to his chest and kissing you harder than before.

And this time was just perfect.

__

Bonus:

“So how was last night?” Ginny asked as soon as you steeped in the kitchen the next morning.

You could have stayed in bed curled in Fred forever — you sure wanted to— but you knew that if Mrs Weasley had any more reason to believe you and Fred were together, nights in the same bed would be over.

And so, doing the things you did last night would be way harder to achieve.

“What you mean?” you asked, grabbing a mug of hot cocoa.

“Please,” Ginny rolled her eyes. “See that look in my brother’s face? Last time I saw him that happy was when he got a new broom.”

You turned your face insignificantly to see Fred, who was sitting at the end of the table, eating some sort of bread with Geoge right next to him.

You frowned slightly to Ginny, who rolled her eyes more time.

“Good Merlin, I won’t be able to be two meters near you two, will I?”

You giggled and tried to hide your smile with the mug. Fred heard the sound of your laugh and instantly turned to your direction. His eyes wandered your whole face, and he fixed them in your mouth. He licked his lips before smiling and blink, and then he turned to his twin as if he was paying attention to George all along.

When your heart started beating again, the rest of the Weasleys and Sirius Black had gotten to the kitchen too.

“Where’s Harry?” Ginny asked Ron, but he shrugged. Harry was going through his own problems. “Well, anyway, pay up, will you, Ronniekins.”

“What?” he looked at Ginny, “wait, what?” he looked at you. “Couldn’t have waited one more night, could you?”

Ginny smiled when Ron tossed her a sickle.

“You guys placed a bet over Fred and me?” you whispered to the red-haired girl.

“Sure I did, and I won,” Ginny smiled while you rolled your eyes. “If it makes you feel any better, Fred lost. He said you would never like him back.”

Your eyes went from Ginny to Fred across the table, and for a minute while you looked at him, you forgot his entire family was there, and you sighed like a girl in love. Well, that was what you were anyway.

When you and Fred finally got time alone, you gave him a sickle.

“You should never have bet against us,” you said, placing the coin in his hand.

“Never doing that again,” he promised with a soft smile before pulling you close one more kiss.

[levithestripper]

Hey Uncle Arthur?

✩ warnings: red dead redemption 2 spoilers, slight angst. ✩

✩ a/n: me and leech were talking about jack & arthur's relationship, and this is what came of it. Wilbur is Arthur's horse btw! ✩

✩ taglist: @mallr4ts @reddeadrevolutionn @leech-in-a-peach @floup-doodles @mesangelique ✩

When Jack finds out that Arthur is sick, he runs over to him with a book that Hosea bought him. Arthur is sitting on his bedroll, flipping through his journal when Jack comes over. He moves to let the boy sit on his lap, comfortably resting against his chest.

"Hi, Uncle Arthur!! I brought a book to read to you! Uncle Hosea taught me how to read a few pages of it before we moved again. Momma reads to me when I'm not feeling well, so I thought I'd read to you to make you feel better quicker!" Jack looked up at Arthur with a sweet grin on his face, giggling when he got a smile in return. He opened the book and started to slowly read to him, every so often sounding out a word he didn't know. When he'd find a longer phrase that he couldn't figure out, Arthur helps him out by sounding it out with him, repeating it until Jack got the hang of it.

It was a sweet sight for sure, Uncle Arthur and little Jack sitting in the run-down bunk bed in Lakay, reading fairy tales and folk stories together until it got dark. The girls across the room were watching them with big smiles, loving how cute they looked together. Dutch even got his act together and snuck a peek at them, his heart melting at the sight of his son and grandson.

When Abigail came around to get Jack ready for bed, he begged her to let him have a sleepover with Arthur. She let him only after Arthur promised not to let him stay up too late. When it was time for bed, Jack insisted that Arthur puts on pajamas too so they can match.

Jack obviously favored Arthur compared to everyone else in camp, other than Abigail of course. He was the cool uncle, the fun uncle. Arthur is the one that takes him fishing, teaches him how to ride a horse and how to take care of that horse. He's attached to him at the hip, always wanting to do chores with him and do everything Arthur's doing too.

"Hey Uncle Arthur, when you feel better, can you take me fishing again? Only after you stop coughing though since Momma says you need to rest to get better!" Jack piped up, turning around on his lap so he could look at him easier.

"Of course, Jacky. I'll be better in no time," he paused to cough into his elbow, turning his head away to ensure he doesn't cough on Jack, "I'll be better in no time so we can go fishing. Heard there was a rare fish 'round here that's just beggin' us to catch it." That made Jack grin excitedly, giggling. "We can take out ol' Wilbur and ride out to the river by our old camp and catch as many fish as we can carry. How's that sound?"

Jack grinned wider, hugging Arthur's middle tightly. His arms were too short to wrap all the way around him, so instead, he squeezed him the best he could. "We're gonna catch the tastiest fish, right Uncle Arthur?"

"That's right, Jacky. You'll make your Momma so proud of you, growing up into a strong man that can take care of her when she's older." He smiled down at him softly, running a hand over Jack's short, choppily cut hair.

Arthur could feel his heart melting or it was cracking in half, he couldn't tell. He knew he'd never get better. He wanted to get better for Jack so he could go fishing with him again and see him grow up. He knew that John would someday grow into a good father role for the boy, but he wanted to be around in case he didn't.

"Uncle Arthur, could you tell me a story before I go to sleep?" Jack asked softly, looking over at him from the other side of Arthur's little 'room'.

He thought for a moment before nodding. He told a story about when the gang was just the three of them, Dutch, Hosea, and himself. Jack always seemed to enjoy those, 'specially since they all seemed like a western fiction book. It seemed so outlandish that the gang could run from place to place like that, given how many people they had now. Arthur made them sound so fantastical and amazing, it sounded like they came from an entirely different world. Which in a way it did.

Eventually, Jack fell asleep listening to him talk, holding his little wooden horse toy to his chest. Arthur draped a couple of blankets over him, watching him sleep before falling asleep himself.

[violetarks]

Let Her In

Anime: My Hero Academia

Character: Bakugou Katsuki

Summary: He seems too busy to spend time with, but he assures you he still loves her. One night is all it takes for Y/N to finally realise that maybe she didn't have a space in Bakugou's life.

Song: Naked — James Arthur

Part One | Part Two | Part Three

"I have to stay late at work tomorrow."

Y/N blinked once at the dishes she was putting away before relaxing her shoulders. "You do?" She mumbled, grabbing the next plate from Bakugou's hands to dry it, "Until when?"

"Probably late, 11 at most." He replied, turning off the tap and shaking his wet hands in the sink.

"You've been having late night shifts for the past week, Katsuki." She pointed out, closing the cabinet and staring at her hands. They were so cold. Nothing could warm them up but one thing.

Bakugou turned to her and replied, wiping his hands to dry them, "I know, but those fucking villains won't let up." He rubbed the back of his neck to release the tension in his muscles, "Trust me, when I have time, I'll be here as much as I can."

Y/N lived in her own apartment, thanks to Jirou and Mina who lived together in the apartment across from her. Bakugou lived only 30 minutes away, which made it easy for him to come over for dinner or to sleep over.

It used to be very, very frequent.

At the moment, Bakugou had been held up at his agency. Y/N knew that her boyfriend was one of the top Pro Heroes who scared off the villains, but she missed him. The first few months were amazing, filled with nothing but happiness and laughs. But it was quiet now.

"Right." Y/N said, moving to clean up the rest of the kitchen, avoiding his gaze, "You can head off, I'll clean up the rest of this."

Bakugou glanced at her, watching as she moved around. She was occupying herself so she doesn't have to keep talking about he's going to miss out date night tomorrow. Bakugou knew it was date night. He tried his hardest to decrease the amount of work he had to do for today, he knew that Y/N was getting lonely. But crime never rests.

"I'll sleep over tonight." He said, pushing in the chairs into the table. He saw how she peeked a look up to him. "I'll wake up earlier to leave for work."

Y/N only nodded, finishing up the chore before Bakugou went into her room. He had spares of clothes in her room that he'd change into for times like these. More often than not, he'd come over to hers instead of Y/N going to Bakugou's. She didn't mind since she had everything she ever wanted. Her home, her boyfriend, everything.

She was as close as she could be to Bakugou. As she could be.

They had kissed, hugged, held hands and even made out multiple times. It's been four months. But there was a road block.

Y/N slipped into the bed after seeing Bakugou already beginning to doze off. He came home late because of hero work, and would work late tomorrow because of hero work. He was most definitely tired and Y/N didn't want him to be more of that. So she faced the other way after kissing the top of Bakugou's forehead, wishing him a good sleep.

She stared at the wall for a good majority of the first hour. Until Bakugou shifted and wrapped his arms around her from behind, mumbling something about being warm. Y/N relaxed a little, feeling her eyes drop a few times. She sighed out softly.

"I love you, Katsuki."

Bakugou didn't speak. He was asleep, of course he wouldn't reply. But Y/N felt her heart ache at how easily she could say it and mean it, and how he hadn't yet. Six months, that was long enough, right? He tells her how lovely and beautiful she was. He loved her. Right. Right?

"You don't have to be scared, Katsuki." She told him, drawing lines of his warm skin, "You can say it back."

She was encouraging him. She wanted to hear him say it so badly. For reassurance that he loved her, at all. If he couldn't do that, then she shouldn't care.

She was giving her all to him, doing everything she could to assure Bakugou that she loved him so much. Bakugou would smile with a roll of his eyes before kissing her over and over again. But that was only half of what Y/N would give him.

Y/N sighed again, wiping her eyes before turning around and circling her arms around his waist, digging her face into his chest. It didn't take long for her to go to sleep, her thoughts finally leaving her alone.

Bakugou brushed his fingers through her hair gently, blinking slowly in the dark as she kissed the top of her head.

He can't.

A Few Days Later . . .

"Get out."

Bakugou's glare softened into just a gaze.

"Wh—... What?" He mumbled out, gruff voice smoothing out for a moment.

"Get. Out." Y/N repeats, pointing to the door of her apartment.

Bakugou stood there, stunned by the sight of his amazing girlfriend. Y/N was standing there in her astonishing dress that she had picked out when Bakugou told her to 'doll up' for a date night tonight.

She was waiting for three hours, remembering that Bakugou told her to meet at the restaurant. She got all pretty, excited that he was going out with her for the first time this month. The first hour was fine, maybe there was traffic or he needed to be patched up. The second hour was when she started blowing up his phone. The third hour was when she felt embarrassed from the waitor asking if she wanted the check, which she took and paid for herself. She made it home five hours after she left.

Bakugou was in her apartment, changed into more comfortable clothing than his hero costume. It was obvious that he had gotten into a fight with the scratches on his cheek. But when he looked over to see her walking through the door, he perked up and complimented her.

She cursed at him, taking off her shoes before wiping her face in the mirror.

That lead to this part of the story.

Bakugou was explaining how he just doesn't have enough time and Y/N was saying how he could've at least texted her first. Bakugou rolled his eyes and Y/N rose her voice. Bakugou said that the world didn't revolve around her and Y/N said that he needed to learn how to give people a chance to get closer to him.

Bakugou scoffed and said there was no point since he knew nobody would be staying that long.

Y/N went silent for a moment as it processed through her mind.

She knew how he acted in public, like he was a lone wolf. This doesn't mean that he went out to other people and said he was single. No, he would never. He just wanted to show everyone that he was independent and wouldn't let anyone in. Y/N knew first hand by the way he was keeping it from her.

But she would've never thought that he didn't want to depend on her. Or let her in.

So she didn't see a point in him still being here.

"Why?" Bakugou said, gripping his sleeves tightly, "Why do you want me to leave?"

Y/N was tearing up. They weren't falling. The tears were puling up in the corners of her eyes. She was shaking and her legs would give out at any moment.

"Because I've given you everything I can and you..." She sighed, using her palm to wipe an eye, "You've given me nothing, Katsuki. You just... You don't think about me as much as I think about you. We're not as important to each other as we thought. And I don't know if we'll ever be."

Bakugou furrowed his brows. He walked closer to her and reached out to hold onto her shoulders. "That's not true and you fucking know it—" He said, voice hard and solid as his face shook with fear, "You know how much I care about you, Y/N, nobody means as much to me as you do."

"But not enough to tell me you love me." She spoke, tilting her head at him, "Katsuki, you need to leave. I can't... I can't keep doing this with you."

Bakugou was hyperventilating. If it weren't for the circumstances of the situation, Y/N would've taken him into her arms and assure him that she loved him deeply. But Y/N was the one who needed him now.

"Give me one more chance, I promise." Bakugou said, pulling her into a gigantic hug and not letting her slip away, "I won't fuck up this time, I swear. I can't lose you Y/N, please."

Y/N bit her lip. She then clenched her jaw.

"Say you love me, Katsuki." She told him, hands against his arms, "Just do that. Please. That's all I ask."

He opened his mouth to say it. He had the words circling his mouth. It was on the tip of his tongue, he just needed to use his voice to say it out loud. Damn it, if he didn't soon them he would lose her.

"Fuck."

Y/N frowned, pulling away from Bakugou. "You need to learn to let me in, Katsuki. Without that, I don't think we can be together." She states, standing back from Bakugou's figure, "Maybe when that happens, I'll come back to you and I'll tell you that I love you again."

Bakugou held his breath as she stared blankly at him. She stood at the sink, leaning back against it once he stepped back from her.

She wasn't going to run into his arms and say that she loved him anymore.

"So what do I do with all my things?" Bakugou asks, glaring at the floor. Stupid voice. Why couldn't he just say those three words? Why did he have to lose Y/N because of that?

"I'll ask Mina and Jirou to drop it off at yours." She stated, still staring at him. She wanted to see how he'd react. Not because she was excited or looking forward to it. But because Bakugou could be unpredictable and sometimes he'd make an outburst. She was cautious. "I'll give everything back."

"Just the clothes I use." Bakugou says, taking the keys off of the table in front of him, "You can keep everything else."

Y/N thought that he must be saying this to be nice. To make sure they ended this on the best terms. Maybe he didn't want things to be rocky between them so their friends wouldn't have to choose sides. She understood and just nodded her head.

But Bakugou told her to keep it all because he didn't want things to officially end here.

He was determined to come back to her and love her again just like he did, perhaps even more. He wouldn't leave Y/N here without proving how much she meant to him. Bakugou needed her. Bakugou wanted her. Bakugou had her. Right there.

Y/N didn't fit into his life, that's how she felt. Bakugou tried to make it happen and he would still try. He had everything in the palm of his hands and he let it go, slowly.

"I'll come back to you." Bakugou said, placing her apartment key copy he had onto the table. He held her copy of his house key in his own hands. "You have my word. I'm not leaving you here. I'll be back for you."

Y/N could see how ambitious he was. He was truly going to try and break down his walls in order to get her back. Y/N didn't know whether that was a good thing or bad thing. Bakugou had his hero work to focus on as well as keeping himself in fit shape for it. In retrospect, Bakugou wouldn't have much time to spend with her. But he wanted to try harder, even though he did so already.

She tilted her head with a gentle smile on her face. Bakugou widened his eyes at her.

"You're crying." He said. A warning, that she was revealing more of how she felt than he intended. He knew she was strong. "Y/N..."

"I'll be waiting for you."

Bakugou gazed at her expression, still smiling and closed eyes. She didn't seem as hurt as she did before, when they were screaming and arguing like crazy. For sure, Mina and Jirou heard. But it was quiet. A good kind of quiet.

Y/N sighed out, shrugging her shoulders, "I... I really hoped it wouldn't come to this. But maybe if we have some time to focus on different things, we can make it back to each other."

Bakugou nodded his head once before warily taking steps towards her. He hesitantly wrapped his arms around her shoulders, resting his head against hers. He felt her arms go around his waist and clutch onto the back of his hoodie. She leaned into him.

Y/N was warm now.

"I love you." She spoke, tears drenching his clothes as she dug her head into his shoulder, "I'll be here when you're ready, Katsuki. Just... please don't be too long."

Bakugou kissed the side of her head, closing his eyes and biting the inside of his cheek gently. "If you miss me too much, you can just watch the news. Like you always do." He chuckled, trying to cover up the fact that he was crying too now, "I'll be busting those villains' asses, just wait. And... I'll have you back."

She smiled more, pulling away and leaving him to walk towards the exit. He grabbed his keys, wallet and phone before opening the door.

"See you later, Y/N."

"You too, Katsuki."

He stepped through the door and turned around to close it. When he looked up to her for the last time, Bakugou noticed her playing with her fingers. A habit she had picked up when he couldn't hold her hand. He wouldn't be doing that for a while.

A quick glance for satisfaction before he closed the door behind him.

That sign that she hadn't given up on him completely. That little sign was enough to make him believe he still had a chance.

Bakugou was glad she hadn't taken off the engagement ring.

[moral-turpitudes]

Trust Issues:

Trigger Warnings: Lil bit of /implied/ Smut, Fluff, Angst, Fighting, Swearing, Blood, basically everything that makes the Peaky Blinders the Peaky Blinders.

Word Count: A lot...5,447 (I’ll be adding it to the masterlist under requested fics because it’s long as hell lmao)

Characters: Finn Shelby x Female!Reader

Request: “Hey can you make one with Finn where they dating for some time but the Shelby family doesn't know much about her/her family so they don't trust her but them she receves a black hand and Luca goes after her trying to get her to betray the family and she pretends to agree just to tell them a Luca is up to and just how her relashionship becomes better with then and how Finn just love her more and more. angst/fluff maybe smut idk”

Requested by: Anon

Summary: Y/N worries Finn’s family won’t trust her, but she gains it in an unexpected way.

“I’ve told you a hundred times Finn, your family doesn’t like me! It’s no secret.” Y/N stated, pacing around her room that Finn ventured to almost every night.

“They do too! They’re just...horrible at trusting people really. That’s all.” He said, stopping her from frantically pacing by placing his arms around her when she got close to him.

“Let me go!” She yelled, giggling as he picked her up and placed her on the bed. 

He hovered over her like so many nights before, kissing her neck as she whimpered quietly in her barren apartment. His hands trailing down to her hips as she pulled him closer, their movements slowly breaking her out of her worries.

“When you-“ Y/N began, but was interrupted by Finn kissing her passionately.

“Stop worrying. We’re seeing them tomorrow whether you want to or not. They know how important you are to me, they just haven’t gotten to know you that well yet.” He said, continuing his actions as she moaned into his lips as his hands traveled further down.

Later that night, they lied there tangled in each other’s arms. Breathing ragged as they came down from their high.

“Can you believe we’ve been dating for a year, love?” He asked, looking up at the aging ceiling.

“Dating in secret for 6 months, dating in public for the other 6, it doesn’t feel like a year.” She said tersely.

Finn sighed as she spoke, preparing himself for another mini-lecture.

“My family can be a bit much Y/N, I’m sorry I kept you a secret from them for so long. There’s just...a lot of things about them that are-“ He started before Y/N interrupted him.

“Dangerous. I know.” She said sighing as she cuddled into his chest.

“Yeah. You’re not on their bad side, but it’s easy to get there, so I just wanted to keep you safe. Those 6 months were some of the scariest of my life so far. I just didn’t want you to get hurt.” He said, kissing the top of your head.

She turned to him, not saying a word as she looked into his eyes. They were so bright and full of hope despite the things he’s seen, making her wonder how long it would be until they turned cold and sinister like his brothers.

“I love you, Finn. I really do.” She said, pecking him on the lips before lying back down to sleep.

“I know.” He said, settling down beside her, hoping tomorrow would go well.

The next morning, the mail man came by dropping off various letters, waking them from their slumber as he banged on the door.

Finn shot up, looking to see Y/N still asleep as he went to see who it was.

He grabbed his hand gun after he put on his pants, and quietly walked to the door.

“Hello sir! Good morning. Here’s the mail for Miss Y/L/N.” He said cheerfully.

“Thank you.” He said, his nerves calming as he tucked the gun in his pocket, out of sight of the man.

As he waved the man off and closed the door, he heard his girlfriend’s footsteps lightly coming down the stairs.

“Finn? Who was that? Is everything okay?” She asked, pulling her robe around her nude body tightly.

“Yeah, just the mail.” He said, running his hands through the mass of hair on his head. He hadn’t told her the terrible news yet, but he figured bringing her to the family meeting would suffice.

He watched as she rummaged through various letters from her loved ones in London, knowing she’d probably spend hours writing back as she missed them terribly. Her job at a children’s charity office had forced her to move out to Small Heath after all.

As he watched, he saw her pick up a small letter that had intricate writing on it.

Y/N’s brow furrowed as she didn’t recognize the persons handwriting.

And when she opened it, she only grew more confused as she stared at the black handprint stamped on the white paper.

“What’s this?” She asked, raising it up to him. He crossed the room in a flash and tugged the letter from her hand.

“We have to go.” He said quickly, angrily.

“Finn, wait! We have to get dressed are you mad?!” She yelled, panicking internally.

Finn stopped near the front door and pinched the bridge of his nose in annoyance, realizing he almost went to a family meeting half dressed, and leaving his girlfriend to meet them in a robe.

“Right. Ok, we have to be quick. C’mon.” He said leading her back upstairs so they could change.

Once done, they ran down the stairs, Y/N grabbing the letter and shoving it in her pocket as they went out the door.

Meanwhile at the shop, Tommy paced and checked his pocket watch as the family waited for Finn, knowing he’d probably bring his girlfriend in with him.

“So you’re telling me this fucking black hand is from the Changretta’s, Tom?” John asked, his face flushing with anger as he slammed the letter on his desk.

“Yes. They’re here and they’re taunting us. But I can’t talk about that until everyone’s here alright?”

“Oi he’s probably just fucking his, girlfriend they’ll be here soon. She has no ties to us besides Finn. They wouldn’t go after him or her, he’s not as involved.” Arthur said.

“Not yet. I know how he works. He’s going to try to run this family into the ground if we let him.” Tommy said, lighting a cigarette as the shop doors flew open, Finn practically dragging Y/N through the lobby and into the room.

“What the fuck is this Tommy! Why’s he coming for her eh?” He said grabbing the letter from her hand roughly and tossing it on his desk.

“Finn, Y/N...nice of you to join us. Everyone sit down.” He said walking in front of his desk and leaning against it.

“Why is he coming for her? Can we trust her?” Linda asked, earning a cold look from Finn.

“Shut it Linda. Yes you can trust her for gods sake, leave the poor girl alone.” Ada said.

“Since I got this letter personally may I speak? Or do I have to be pregnant or married to one of you to do so?” Y/N remarked snidely, annoyed at Linda’s assumptions. Polly smirked as she sipped her tea nervously. Tommy raised an eyebrow and nodded for her to continue, not expecting her to join in on things so quickly.

The room fell silent as she clutched Finns hand nervously.

“I know I’m not liked around here. You have no reason to like me and I’m not going to beg for anyone’s approval, but I want you to know you can trust me. I love Finn, and I’d never put him and your family in harms way, and to my knowledge he wouldn’t do so either. I can’t even begin to tell you how I got that letter, but before you call me out again, Linda. I’d like to ease some of your all’s suspicions.” She said, shifting in her seat.

“I’ve met you all a fair amount of times in the last 6 months. During that time I’ve had to readjust to a new job and move away from my family who are in London, and they have no ties to whatever the hell’s going on, therefore they don’t have ties to me either. I swear you can trust me.” She said, feeling her heart rate sky rocketing.

“Do you know about Luca Changretta?” Tommy asked, rubbing a cigarette along his lip before lighting it and taking a drag.

“No. I’ve never heard that name in my life.” She stated.

“Well, I’ve called you all here today because that is one of the men who sent us all black hands. Everyone got one, and that means he knows where we live, he most likely knows where we are at all times.” Tommy said.

“I’m going to have eyes on you until this is over, but I need you all to promise me something.” He said, putting out his cigarette in the tray on his desk.

“Promise what Thomas?” Polly asked, putting her tea down and crossing her arms.

“If you see anything suspicious, you tell me. I don’t care if it’s a false alarm, you tell me and don’t mutter any of this to a single soul.” He said, glaring at everyone as they sat before him.

“John, Arthur, Finn, Isiah. Get ready, grab your guns and your caps. Ladies you stay here, only go out for break. Polly, keep the legal business running, we can’t have someone slipping under our noses.” He said checking his bullets and putting on his coat.

“Will you be setting men up at our houses?” Esme asked.

“Yes. Mine too, don’t worry they’ve been briefed already.” He said, walking out the door.

Finn stood up reluctantly and pulled Y/N in for a hug and she placed a quick peck on his lips before he left, putting his cap on his head and grabbing a gun.

“Now, we have to work ladies. Y/N you’re staying here. You’ll have to call in today.” Polly said, grabbing papers off Tommy’s desk.

“Okay. I can help if needed, I’ve done secretary work before.” She said.

Polly looked at her for a moment and studied her before answering.

“Alright, there’s a desk near mine that’s been empty, I think the poor girl quit but hasn’t handed in her letter of resignation. You’ll take her desk for today, I’ll give you papers to sign with the company name.” She ordered.

“Okay, thank you Polly.” Y/N said quietly, sitting down at the rather large desk. The girl must’ve quit because the desk was empty and she found no personal items there, not even a photograph.

Polly came strolling over with a handful of documents pointing at the various places to sign and explaining some of the forms to her.

“Thank you, Polly.” She said giving her a small smile.

Y/N began signing, using it as a way to take her mind off of Finn and his brothers whereabouts.

Polly and Ada discussed some other work, and Linda filed some papers while Esme typed documents up, they all worked together nicely but there was a visible underlying tension between them and Linda. And if Y/N had a bad list, she knew she was first on it.

She sighed as she blew through the papers, yearning for a break and deciding to call in for the day at her regular job.

“Hello this is Y/N Y/L/N. I’m calling in today, I have some personal matters to attend to.....alright....thank you Mrs. Johnson. I’ll be in tomorrow....goodbye.” She said, hearing the disappointment in her bosses voice as she spoke.

“Did you call in?” Polly asked, overhearing your phone call.

“Yes. My boss wasn’t too happy but it’s not something I can control really.” She said.

“Next time I wouldn’t deal in absolutes my dear.” Polly said, combing through papers.

“What do you mean?” Y/N asked, finishing the forms on her desk.

“I know we haven’t known you for long but one thing you should know about the Shelby’s my dear is that we try not to make promises or make definite plans with others.” She said.

“So you’re saying I probably won’t be coming into work tomorrow either?” Y/N asked, anxiety filling her mind as she thought of Finn being hurt.

“Yes. You never know with this fucking family.” She said lighting a cigarette.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” She said, excusing herself as she went towards the front door.

“Where are you going?” Polly asked.

“I just need some space. I’ll be right outside.” She said, she was about to promise that too but she heeded Polly’s words. They made sense but she couldn’t shake the sense of dread out of her bones.

As she leant against the cold brick building, she heard the door open as Ada walked out and stood near her.

“Did you come out here to see if I was lying?” Y/N asked.

“That and I wanted to apologize for Linda. She’s...difficult.” She said, lighting a cigarette for herself.

Y/N scoffed and lit one of her own, looking around nervously, scanning the streets for anything suspicious.

“They wouldn’t hang out right near the shop unless they want to be shot on sight.” Ada said.

“Can’t risk anything though eh?” Y/N said, taking another drag from her cigarette.

Ava smirked and nodded as she looked out at the dark, black-tinged buildings in front of them.

“We do like you, you know...we just can’t trust people very often in this business.” She said, looking at Y/N.

Y/N smiled as she stared at the brunette Shelby, her eyes less scarred by everything, kind of like Finn’s.

“Finn said that too. I’m relieved to hear that, I know it’s not easy welcoming in new people.” She said.

Ada nodded and patted Y/N’s shoulder before going back inside, leaving her out in the open.

Suddenly, a man walked near her looking just slightly out of place against the tattered clothes of the townspeople. He was tall, lean, and had a black hat on, making her tense up as he drew closer.

“Hello miss. Ya know where I can find a bar ‘round here?” He asked, looking around him quickly as he spoke, a toothpick sticking out of his mouth on the verge of falling with each word.

“No, sorry sir. Have a good day.” She said glancing at the tattoo on his neck.

“You work here?” He asked, walking closer to her.

She backed up until her back hit the wall, leaving her nowhere to go.

“No. May I ask your name? Not many men stop me on the streets and I’d like to know.” She asked, her heart racing as she tried to remain calm.

“You don’t belong on the streets sweetheart. You could join me though, I have some business I’m taking care of here, but when I’m done I can help you ya know.” He said leaning his palm against the wall, he was so close she could smell his cologne.

“That sounds suspicious you know. I’m not stupid.” She said, trying to walk towards the door of a nearby unmarked building, trying to get him away from the entrance to the shop.

He grabbed her wrist tightly as she went to yell, clasping his hand hard over her mouth and nose with a wet cloth. One whiff of the stuff and she was out, blackness overtaking her vision.

When she woke up she was in an alley, her clothes were ripped and her hands were tied to a pipe along a brick wall.

“What did you do to me?” She asked, scared of the answer.

“Nothing sweetheart, just wanted to take you somewhere more quiet, you seemed like a rowdy one.” He said, closing in around her and cutting her hands loose.

“Now, I’m going to ask you a question again. You have to answer honestly or I’ll take you right here in this alley.” He said.

“Okay.” She said sternly, trying to calm her nerves.

“What’s your name?” He asked.

“I asked you that earlier but you never told me.” She spat as he gripped her wrists tightly.

“My name is Y/N Y/L/N.” She said.

“I thought so. Mr. Shelby really needs to beef up his security around there don’t ya think?” He asked.

“Yes.” She said as he chuckled.

“You didn’t answer my question you know.” She stated, looking at his gun in its holster.

“Oh my bad sunshine. The names Luca. Luca Changretta. Wish we coulda met under better circumstances. I didn’t know Finn had such a fine woman.” He said.

“How do you know me?” She asked.

“I know all my enemies names. Ya gotta keep em’ closer than ya friends, you know the saying.” He said.

“I know you’re scared, but I just have one proposition for ya.” He continued, his eyes boring a hole into hers.

“What is it? To join your shitty hat club?” She asked, annoyed she got into this situation.

“Now that wasn’t nice miss Y/L/N. I’ll have to get ya for that one. Such a shame.” He said, flicking his switchblade out with one hand and gripping both your wrists with the other.

“If ya scream I’ll end ya.” He said. She blinked back tears as she forced her mouth shut, bracing for the pain of the blades edge coming for her face.

“You tend to run that pretty mouth of yours so let me help you with that.” He said inching the blade closer to her lips. She breathed heavily through her nose as she thought of anything to get her out of this situation.

She quickly brought her knee up, hitting him in the groin and making him groan in pain as he moved away from her, allowing her to run a couple of feet ahead of him.

“You can’t out-run a gun sweetheart.” He said, standing there with a pained look on his face as he clicked the gun, the bullets ready to fire in a split second.

“Walk back here and listen to my plan princess. I’ll let you go home after we talk.” He said.

Shaking, she reluctantly walked back to him, the alley feeling as if it was closing in on her every second.

“What?” She said, crossing her arms over her chest.

“You’re going to help me. I’m gonna send my men to Tommy’s warehouse and you’re gonna tell Tommy to meet them there with his brothers in tow...and you’re gonna blow it up. We’ve planted the bombs but you’ll push the button.” He said, a evil smirk hinting at his lips.

“You’re mad.” She said, attempting to walk away from him before he slammed her to the wall, cutting her cheek with the switchblade in the process.

“If you stand me up or tell them about the bombs, I’ll kill ya, and then I’ll kill your little boyfriend. I’m already after the rest of them. You can’t beat me sweetheart, I’ve been tracking you and Finn for days.” He said.

She touched her cheek silently as she cried, nodding along with his words as he brought her in for a hug.

“Good girl. Now, go home or back to whatever you were doing. Don’t forget ya job later, be at the wear house at 7.” He said before walking off.

Y/N smirked as the blood ran down her cheek. He wasn’t that smart, and it was the perfect way to earn the Shelby’s trust, now that their lives depended on it.

She glanced at her watch and realized she’d been out for longer than she should’ve. Knowing Tommy and the family would probably kill her themselves once she got back.

As she walked through the alley she realized she was right down the street.

“Stupid bastard, couldn’t even take me to a discreet location.” She scoffed, walking quickly to the doors and going in, walking straight to Tommy’s office. She could hear Finn yelling and Polly arguing with Ada, and the rest of the family quarreling back and forth as she walked in, not bothering to knock.

Everyone stopped to look at her as she walked straight to Finn, tears welling up in her eyes as he pulled her into his arms.

“Where the hell did you go love? You know he told you to stay here...” he said as she cried into his shirt.

“I know. I only went outside the shop. I’m sorry.” She said wiping the blood off her face with her hand and wincing at the cut.

“Where’d you get cut then aye? You weren’t at the shop when we got back. Fucking explain that Y/N.” Tommy said walking over to her as she sat down.

“That’s why I came back here. I was just getting some air outside, Polly and Ada both know that. Then a man came up to me, asking me if I worked there and if I knew where the bar was. I said no of course. Then as I tried to head the opposite way, just to lead him away from the shop, he fucking grabbed me...” She said, struggling to catch her breath as tears streamed down her face. Finn knelt beside her, holding her hand.

“That’s not all. Who was it?” Tommy demanded, the others stood around, tension in their features as they waited for her to speak.

“Luca Changretta.” She said, Finn’s eyes went dark, a look of anger settling over his features.

Tommy and Finn got up quickly, Tommy checking the guns and Finn pulling on his cap. Meanwhile John and Arthur gathered their machine guns.

“Wait! Please...” Y/N yelled, making them all stop and turn to her.

“Don’t go. Please don’t go. He-he told me he’d kill me if I told you about his plans but I don’t fucking care. If there’s a time to trust me then it’s right now because if you go after him you’ll all die.” She said, sitting back in the chair as she felt faint.

“What are you talking about Y/N?” Finn said, checking his gun as he stood near her.

“He said that he wanted me to meet him at the wear house at 7, that’s where you all were going, correct?” She asked, looking at Tommy.

“Yes.” He said.

“Don’t fucking go. He wanted me to be the one to push the button. Tommy he’s laced the warehouse with bombs. He wanted me to betray Finn. He wanted me to betray your family, but I couldn’t do it. I-“ she said, tears streaming down her face once again as Finn knelt down and pulled her into him, resting his head atop hers.

“What do we do then aye Tom?” John asked. His trigger finger growing impatient as he clutched the gun in his hands.

“We wait him out. When he sees we’re not there he’ll go after her, but he’ll come here. If he was confident enough to come here in broad daylight he’ll come here at night in a heartbeat. We’re waiting him out.” He said.

“Polly, Ada, Y/N, Linda, Esme. You go to the room in there, close the blinds.” He said, pointing to the door in his office that led to a smaller area where Lizzie usually worked. Luckily she was at home with the children, so she wouldn’t have to deal with the chaos.

The women went into the office and sat in various seats, closing the door behind them and waited quietly, all except Y/N.

“Did you hear what I said?” Tommy asked, his voice thick with anger.

“Yes. But I have a feeling he wants to see me, maybe I can-“ She started to say before Finn took her hand and led her to the office.

“You’re not staying out here. The Changretta’s take their plans seriously and he’ll be pissed when he finds out you betrayed him. Stay in there until it’s clear.” He said giving her a long hug and brushing his hand lightly over her cut.

“We’ll get them, I-“ He started to say before she cut him off with a kiss.

“Don’t promise anything. Just go.” She said, going into the office and shutting the door behind her.

Polly quietly gave her a hand gun as she came in, putting a finger to her lips as she did so.

“I’ve never shot one what are you doing?” Y/N asked.

“You may need it. Just point and shoot.” She said.

“Why me?” She asked, her hands shaking as she held the foreign object.

“You just helped the family. We trust you, and consider this your first day.” Polly said.

“Wait I still work-“ she started, Polly cutting her off.

“I’ve made arrangements for you. You’re safer with us. Besides...” she said lighting a cigarette.

“We pay better than those blokes at the charity office.” She said.

“You called my boss? When I left?” Y/N asked.

“Yes. Now do you accept or not?” She asked, finally looking at Y/N with a look more so of approval than suspicion.

“I will if we make it out of this alive.” Y/N said. Checking her watch to see the clock ticking down to 7pm.

“Finn.” Tommy said, pulling his little brother close to him.

“You’ll be answering the door. Don’t say a word, just lead them here in my office.” He said.

John, Arthur, and Isiah stood at varying points around the room, guns ready to ambush them if needed.

Tommy checked his machine gun as he saw Polly closing the blinds and shutting the lights of.

“Isiah turn the rest of the lights off in the shop, I only want mine on.” He said and Isiah stepped out to do as told, coming back a few minutes later and deciding to help protect Polly and then from inside the small office.

Finn looked anxiously at the clock as he stood near the front door. It was 15 past 7, and knowing the Changretta’s, they rented the fastest cars they could manage to get there.

A loud knock sounded on the door not long after, causing Tommy to look up from his pocket watch, a feeling washing over him similar to the moment right before The Battle of the Somme.

“Hello Finn. Show me and my men where Tommy is and this whole thing can be over. I promise you that.” He said. Finn just looked at him and led him to his office acting as if only Tommy was there.

He knocked twice waiting for his answer.

“Tommy, Mr. Changretta is here.” He said, waiting for his response.

“Send him in.” Tommy said. Finn came in and quickly stood in front of the door where the women were, reaching for the gun in his coat.

Luca and 3 men walked in, looking Arthur and John up and down as they sized everyone up with their eyes. His lips curling into a sinister smile as the toothpick stuck out of his mouth.

“I have a bone to pick with Finn’s girlfriend. She stood me up...broke my heart really. I could’ve made her night if she woulda let me.” He said, watching as Finn’s face turned into a mask of anger. He’d never been one to keep his facial expressions in check.

“I’m sorry that happened, we were none the wiser, we were going to the warehouse just now.” Tommy said, staring blankly.

“If you didn’t know about her then you would’ve been at the warehouse like we planned.” Luca said.

“Correct. But she didn’t return. We don’t know where she’s gone so that pushed us back.” He lied.

“She’s as smart as she is beautiful, and I told her to go home but I know she came here. I’ll kill her, you’ll see.” He said, walking towards the door to go look around.

“Why else are you here Changretta? You could be out finding Y/N yourself but instead you’re here. My brothers and I were just about to go deal with this business before heading home.” He said, John yawned as if on cue as he rocked back on his heels impatiently.

“If you’re not going to tell me then I’ll have to find her myself.” He said stepping towards Finn.

“Aren’t you here because you wanted to kill the family? Not just Y/N? You served us all a black hand after all.” Finn questioned, pointing his gun at Luca’s chest.

He smirked and turned towards Tommy as he nodded at his men, clearly not afraid of Finn’s gun. The three men lunged for Arthur as John cocked his gun, aiming at one of the men and shooting him in the head.

Tommy went towards one of the others who almost tackled John as Luca taunted Finn against the door.

Arthur tackled the first man down, wrestling the gun out of his hand as a bullet grazed his shoulder, Linda silently cringed in the other room at the sound of her husband in pain.

“You really thought you could take us down?” Finn yelled over the noise, shoving Luca back with the gun.

“I can, and you’ll be glad you’re dead if I tell you what I’d do to her-“ He started to say before Finn landed a punch to his face, sending him back a couple feet.

“You talk too much.” He said, going towards Luca again.

Luca smirked as Finn looked to the side briefly to see Tommy pulling a gun at the man he’d tackled. With one shot the second man was down, leaving John wrestling down the last one.

Tommy quickly ran to where Finn was and hit Luca in the back of the head with the butt of his gun, causing him to fall back against his desk, blood dotting various papers as he fell.

“Finn, go help John.” He said, before punching Luca in the face once again.

Finn shakily held the gun as he aimed at the man who was now landing punch’s to his brothers face, and shot, the sound of his body hitting the ground still causing a shiver down his spine despite him killing before.

As he stood there he heard a muffled cry coming from inside the room as he knew Y/N was watching through the cracks of the blinds, but was soon snapped back to reality as Tommy yelled out in pain.

Luca lowered his gun as he saw Tommy fall back, clutching his arm tightly.

He raised it at Finn, the blood dripping down his face and clouding his eyes as he aimed for the young blinder.

But suddenly the door opened, and Y/N came out pointing her hand gun at Luca, a tear rolling down her cheek as she did so.

“Get back Y/N. Go.” Finn said as he tried to shield her as Luca raised the gun up more, on the verge of shooting.

A shot rang out from behind Finn as Luca’s head rocked back at the impact, his body going limp as the bullet passed through his skull.

It was eerily silent after that. Finn’s ears rang as did hers as he realized he would’ve been dead if she had listened to him when he told her to go back.

Finn quickly took the gun from her and Tommy crawled over Luca’s body to check the pulse, smirking as he looked up at Y/N.

“Nice shot. How’d you get the gun?” He asked, walking towards her.

“Polly gave it to me. Told me to point and shoot.” She said, wiping a tear from her eye.

“Alright.” He said, walking over to the door and telling the others they could come out.

John and Arthur got to dragging the bodies out back, while Polly and the other women tiptoed over the blood and back to the lobby.

Finn followed them out and left Y/N standing there for a bit, staring at the blood coating Tommy’s floor.

“It feels weird the first time killing someone, you’ll get used to it.” He said, tying a tourniquet on his arm before going to clean some of the blood off his desk.

“Um...Polly said something about this being my first day. Am I to work for you now? I-I don’t know what I’d do.” She said pulling her tattered coat around herself.

“Yes. You can start tomorrow actually. Take the empty desk out there.” He said, referring to the one she worked at earlier in the day.

She nodded and walked towards the door, her hands shaking from the days events.

“Oh and Y/N?” Tommy said, grabbing a cloth from a drawer.

“If it makes things any better, I trust you just as much as Finn does. You’ll fit in here, just go easy on him eh?” He said, a small smirk playing at his usually stoic lips.

“I’ll try.” She said smirking and closing the door behind her.

“Y/N you ready to go home?” Finn called out over everyone talking. She looked around at what would be her new work, and ultimately her new family. Linda was cleaning Arthur’s arm, and John and Esme were making out on her desk. Meanwhile Polly and Ada were tidying up the place.

“Yeah.” She sighed, walking to him and putting her arm around his waist as he led her out into the cool night air.

“Does that cut hurt?” He asked, once in the car.

“Yeah, but I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about me.” She said, giving him a kiss before they drove off to her apartment. It was only mere hours ago that she was struggling to earn his family’s trust, and now she had it, and she knew she had to keep it no matter what.

Finn Shelby Tag List:

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