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visd3stele · 3 years ago

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Self care for Sirius - gn reader

- I tried a gender neutral reader for the first time, how did I do? Man, I really hope it's not offensive or bad representation. Let me know if there is anything wrong here. Spread love 💛

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summary: when Sirius is in distress, reader helps

A/N: I really tried to.make it short. It didn't work. But I like it!

TW: light mention of bad home situation/ child abuse (seriuosly, blink and it's gone), reader on Sirius' lap, but nothing explicit or sexual

!This fic is not reviewed, might contain typos!

Spring Break. Y/n loved this time of the year. Not because the high hills of Scotland mountains lighten up with vibrant green and patches of flowers that fight through stone and rock. Not because they'd live in a castle just like they imagined when a little child: freely and burdened by no responsability. Not even because y/n's birthday, summer baby, was just around the corner. Y/n loved spring breaks for the peaceful silence that wrapped up Hogwarts into a crystal ball of fairytales come to life and magical childhood dreams. Never during the year was the castle school so empty. Kids always stayed behind even on Christmas and summer. But for some reason, the two weeks of free spring sooshed them all away.

Well, not exactly all, y/n had to admit. They had to share the long hallways, feasts that doesn't shriek in size compared to any other time of the year, Quidditch fields and a common room with no other but the marauders. Which would be fine, if not for y/n's growing crush on one of them. They knew those boys for six years already, been in so many troubles with the marauders, they can't remember how their room from home looks like, but knows the detention class like the back of their hand. Yet somehow, Cupid decided to tense his bowstring and point his golden tip arrow towards their heart.

"Oi, y/n, come're mate," James shouted from somewhere down below. Y/n was wandering aimlessly through the school, their feet bringing them to one of the open corridors, suspended in the air. And to the marauders, which they were not avoiding.

"Hurry, up, y/n! Merlin, one would say you're avoiding us, aye?" Peter's laugh made y/n roll their eyes, but sprinting towards them to dissamble his acusation.

"Of course not, Snitch brain. We're the only ones at Hogwarts, it'd be imposible to avoid you."

They hopped over the last three steps and landed in front of the boys who came to greet them. "What are you up to?" Y/n asked, though when their eyes scanned the trio, they realized something is wrong. "Where's Sirius?"

James looked down, lifting a hand to rearrange his glasses. As Sirius' best mate, more like brother to be honest, Potter would deffinitely know the most about y/n's crush. But it also means he won't talk. Peter would follow his lead, as always. Pettigrew went so far as to run past them, shouting he'll bring butter rolls for everyone.

Remus was the only one left to answer y/n's burning question. They didn't want to let the boys know how much they care about Sirius. How jealous they get because there are others closer to him than them. But y/n knew how much the marauders liked to go on adventures when there was no one to prank and even worse no one to witness it. And if Sirius Black missed the opportunity to do some mischief with his friends while one would say is impossible to get in trouble, meant whatever happened brought him down.

"Remus John Lupin, why is Sirius not here?"

"Sorry, y/n, but it's no' my story to tell. 'tis no worse than when he ran from home, but he's still no' feelin' himself."

Y/n pursed their lips. "Where is he?"

"Common room."

"Would id be okay if I go to him?"

This time it was James who answered, looking them up and down sternly as if deciding on what he should do. "Yes. Go. We'll be in the kitchen with Wormtail."

"Make sure we'll bring some rolls to you two soon." Remus said as the two boys departed.

Y/n's mind raced through every possibility they could imagine: his parents coming after him, the Ministry forcing him to go back to Grimmauld, his crazy cousin deciding to wipe out the blood traitor from more than just a tapstry. But Remus said it wasn't that bad. And they had to trust it to be the case, despite their worried, enamoured mind.

In the midst of all the chaos that was their brain, y/n glimpsed one hopeful thought. Why did the marauders left them alone with their mate? Of course, Remus implied they'd come to the Gryffindor common room soon, but James would have never dismissed a hurting Sirius. None of them would have. So why let them go to him?

Y/n shook their head, intenting to rid themself of the theories and daydreams of a fool in love before they hurt themself. Or worse, embarass themself in front of Sirius.

"Hi there, grouchy. 've heard someone sunk your ships. Well, second mate y/n y/l/n reporting to duty, sir. Ready to rebuilt the naval." They joked, but Sirius only sketched a smile that didn't reach his eyes. He was pacing when y/n opened the door, tossing one of his obsidian and silver rings from one hand to another. Y/n always wondered about that particular ring, shaped as a thick snake with its tail in its mouth. So uncharasteristic for roaring red and golden lion Sirius Orion Black. But as nor the boys, nor the girls brought it up, y/n put in on the list of things they weren't privy of in his life. A painfully long list.

"Can you sit with me on the couch or do you want to walk a path through Mcgonagalls carpet? I'm sure Minnie won't mind... too much. But still."

Sirius nodded, yet again too, well, serious for y/n's liking. As soon as he sat, y/n crossed their legs up in front of them and turned to face him. "So, wanna talk, or..."

Black straight locks, thin and dense, moved around Sirius' face when he shook it. Not in negation, y/n realized a few seconds after, but in tiredness. "My brother," the boy said so soft they could better hear the troubled ponding of his heart than his words. The wizard, unable to resist seated too much in his state, jumped up, sliping the ring back onto his finger. In its place, needing to work something with his hands, Sirius reached to trace a small two stars tatto on the right side of the base of his neck. So close to where his jugular pulsed with life and, currently, nerves.

Y/n waited patiently for their crush to continue speaking, willing themself to focus on Sirius' issue, not on his long, piano player fingers against his skin. They chastied themself when their mind begin to wonder how soft it really was, or how would those fingers, caressing up and down Sirius' neck, feel on their own.

"I left him, y/n." The raw, strangled cry took them by surprise. Y/n never understood the relation between the Black brothers: one as fierce and wild as a stray flame that could warm a group of campers or set a dangerous forest ablaze and the other as cold and calculated as the unforgiving ice, to heal burns or to swallow ships. They always thought the wizards only ties are their family, and since Sirius showed them the middle finger as adieu, y/n believed the siblings to ignore each other. Not that they'd talk much at Hogwarts before, anyway. But they were terribly wrong.

"I left him with - with those monsters! I knew nothing of Reggie the whole summer and didn't even try to reach out and now..." He trailed off, a horrified expression carved on his face.

"Sirius," y/n walked towards him. They placed an unsteady hand on his shoulder and squized once. "I'm not even sure you could've reach out. It'd've put both of you in a worse situation."

Sirius gulped and nodded, fully agreeing, though stubbornly believing there must have been something he could have done. Not a single tear fell from or dwell in his wide, stunning eyes. Yet the grey stood out due to red veins webbing on the white part and purple bruises from the lack of sleep. How long has he been like this?

Almost frentic, he turned to look at y/n, with a force that took them by surprise. "Reggie has the mark, y/n. He's fourteen and I left him to be mauled and manipulated by, by," but no word was strong or vile enough to express his feelings. And y/n understood that.

" 's okay, 's okay. 'twasn't your fault, you hear? Not yours. You're still a child, Sirius. There's nothing you could have done."

"No, no, there is. I didn't see it, but now I do. I could've..." but y/n cut them off, gently and firmly. "Great Godric! When did you sleep last?"

"If I'd've slept, I'd've missed thinking hours, y/n. I found so may ways I could have, should have, saved Reggie."

"Sirius. Stop! Listen to me, you'll go take a nap and we can talk more after."

"But..."

"No. Nap. Now!"

°•▪︎~▪︎•°

Sirius slept until lunch next day. He woke up famished, with normal looking eyes and seemingly refreshed. But he still wasn't himself. His mind still pondered obsessively over all the ways he failed his little brother and the solutions he should have found.

"D'you know what always helps me relax when I'm stressed over somethin'?" Y/n asked once the two of them got up from the table and made it back to Gryffindor tower. All alone.

Sirius humphed a reply, but gave them his whole attention.

"A self care routine. Wanna try?"

When Sirius shrugged, but made no attempt to dismiss the idea, y/n grinned - though a bit forcefully - and pushed Sirius on the couch. They returned seconds later, arms filled with brushes, pencils, little cubic bottles that read nail polish and face masks.

Y/n sat next to Sirius on the couch. "Ready?"

"To relax? No. But go on, let's try it."

"Hey, a well rested and calm mind is more helpful than panic."

And with that, they threaded their fingers through his hair, tieing it in a loose bun at the back of his head and plucked one of the masks to aplie it on Sirius' face.

"How does that feel?"

"Ticklish." He still wrinkled his face, eyebrows drawn together in concentration to inward conversations, but his voice became lighter with laughter. It may have been just his body reacting to the tickling sensation, but to y/n it was a good start.

"Alright, we keep that on for fifteen minutes. Can I paint your nails while we wait?"

"What color?"

"Your pick, obviously!" They tried to match their voice with the roll of their eyes. "I've got black, red and purple."

Sirius whistled mockingly. "Such a variety, y/n. How am I supposed to choose?"

"Shut up, Black." Y/n playfully scoffed. They weren't one for long nails and bright colors, nor for heavy make up. But it didn't mean they didn't enjoy the relaxing moments when their mind focused only on the brush sliding over their nail, or the eye pencil moving atop their lids.

Fifteen minutes later, Sirius' nails shone a dark shade of purple and he asked if he could paint y/n's too. After they took his face mask off, they gave him permission to play with the black nail polish on two of their fingers. He made a mess of their skin around the nails, but the color managed to dry, at last, and it didn't look half bad. Y/n beamed when they caught Sirius' shoulders slumping down from their tension.

While he was working on their finger, y/n allowed themself to indulge in a few moments of simping over the sixteen years wizard in front of them. His tongue stucked out as he tried - and failed - to color inside their nails' edges. Few strands of hair snaped out of their hair tie prison and cupped his face, shading his features until only his eyes glittered grey and happy. Sirius seemed to forget his worries, at least for the time being, and y/n couldn't have been more pleased with themself.

Sirius was blowing over their painted nails, wiping the color off their skin when y/n bowed their head as well, meaning to give some advice to the boy. It wasn't enough that his touch on their hands made their heart loose control, but the current proximity completely erased any coherent thought as well. So they just stood there, staring at no other than Sirius Casanova Black. The very wizard who turned all the heads when entering a room and had more hook ups than y/n bothered to remember anymore.

"What's next?" Sirius suddenly asked, raising his head a bit so that now, his and y/n's foreheads were almost touching. Y/n gulped. Breath caught in their throat and became irregular. "Uh, uhm," they gestured helplessly around the pile of stuff they brought in earlier.

To their relief, Sirius' curiosity got the best of him. He didn't seem to notice how flustered he made them, or y/n's awkward stumble over their words. He examinated with upmost attention the small mountain of things sprawled on the floor and picked one up.

"That's an eyeliner, right?" When they nodded, Sirius admited " 've always wanted to try one." He smirked up at y/n. "Help me?"

Getting a better grip of themself, they agreed, jumped on their feet and walked in front of Sirius. The problems was, if they towered over him to draw the black lines around his eyes, they'd shadow his face, making it impossible to work. So y/n tried something else. They knelt in font of Sirius. But now, they couldn't reach his face comfortably enough that their hands wouldn't shake. "D'you wanna try it yourself? I can guide you," they sighed defeated.

Sirius put on a thinking face, pretending to debate over their offer. "Know what, y/n?" He said eventually. "I have a better idea." And he scooped them up in his lap, their legs on each side of his hips.

Y/n's face resembled a cartoon's one. Eyes comically wide, face unusually red and if one looked closely, heart shaped butterflies circled their head. "Is everything okay, y/n?" Sirius teased, but when they didn't answer, he asked seriously "Is it not... sorry, should've make sure beofore..." he tried to lower them on the couch.

"No!" They shouted. Then clasped their hands over their mouth bashfully. "I mean, no, it's... this is good. I like it."

The wizard smiled, not a mischivious grin or a teasing smirk, but a genuine content smile. That made y/n laugh breathlessly. Wetting their lips, they traced the outline of Sirius' eyes with the thin tip of the eyeliner.

The moment felt more magical than any spring break they've lived so far. More like a fairytale than wandering around the castle on their own, pretending to dance at balls at midnight and fight the wretched at night. Until...

"What on Merlin's dirty socks?" Y/n and Sirius jumped apart, startled. "Is that make up, mate?"

"Y/n's cure for stress."

"What is it, Potter? Wanna be next?" They smirked, not even annoyed he ruined their monent. Now, y/n believed there might be more to come.

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webestyard · 1 year ago

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Immerse yourself in the enchanting holiday spirit with the Best

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#Best Castle Rock Christmas Lights

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jobean12-blog · 4 years ago

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Playtime

Pairing: Bucky x reader (Dad!bucky au)

Word Count: 1,112

Summary: You’re spending the night at Bucky’s and you two need some playtime but someone has other ideas...

Author’s Note: Thank you for this lovely request sweets! And thank you for your kind words, I’m really happy you’re enjoying them! I would never ignore you! I have some requests I’m still working through so I’m always so thankful for everyone’s kindness and patience! Inspiration strikes in all different ways and at different times! Dad!bucky is a love of mine so I hope you like this! Thanks again! Thank you all for reading and much love always! ❤❤❤

Warnings: Sweet, soft fluff filled love with a sprinkle of spice! ;) Dad!bucky <3

Bucky watches as you lay on the floor in his living room, carefully choosing the next block for the princess castle you’re building with his daughter. “Oh, good choice y/n! That one will look pretty.” Sam’s smile is permanent as the two of you play together, her sweet 4-year-old voice full of happiness, “I think we should make the tower real high!”

You agree enthusiastically and start to stack the blocks higher and higher. She squeals in excitement when you pick her up so she can reach and place more blocks on top. “What do you think Sam? Tall enough? Her chubby finger taps her chin, “hmmm. Let’s ask daddy!” You put her down and she runs into the kitchen, pulling on Bucky’s sweats, “daddy, please come see our castle.”

Bucky dries his hands and picks her up, resting her on his hip, “of course baby. Let’s go!” When he sees the castle, he makes sure to get overly excited and fawn over how beautiful it is. “It’s perfect!” Sam claps and kneels back down to look for more blocks. Bucky’s arm slides around your waist and he pulls you into his side, “I love seeing you two play together. She really loves this time with you.”

Your blush is hard to hide so you dip your head into his chest, circling your arms around his middle, “I do too Buck. Thanks.” As soon as Sam catches you two in an embrace she rushes over and wedges herself between your legs, hugging tight to as many as she can hold. “I want hugs too!” Bucky chuckles and kneels down, the three of you know squeezing each other tightly.

Once bath time and reading are finished you help Sam into bed and tuck her in, kissing her cheek before she and Bucky have their special nighttime routine. Bucky walks back into the bedroom and shuts the door before nearly launching himself onto the bed. “I’ve been waiting for this all day. No offense to Sam.” You purr against his lips, running your fingertips over the hard muscles of his back, “oh me too, especially after all your teasing this morning.”

Bucky has the audacity to laugh and you smack his ass, “it’s not funny. Interrupted or not you can’t leave a girl like that all day.” His large and warm hand slips under your shirt, “let me make it up to you then.” He’s just about to pull your shirt over your head when you hear the shrill voice of Sam from the other side of the door, “Daddy, I can’t find teddy.”

Bucky’s head drops to your shoulder and he groans before trailing several kisses along your neck and standing, “I’m coming sweetheart.” He shuffles to the door and opens it, slipping through and closing it behind him. Only a few minutes pass before the door opens again and he walks in with a devilish smirk, “now where were we?”

You part your legs so his large frame can settle between them and help him out of his shirt, yours following just a second later. His lips make their way down to the soft skin of your stomach and just when he reaches the waistband of your leggings you hear Sam call for you. “Shit!” Bucky grumbles, pausing and looking up at you. “Give her a minute. Maybe if we don’t answer she will get the hint.”

It’s hard not to laugh and you quickly cover your mouth, whispering, “she’s 4 babe!” Bucky hovers between your legs, placing open mouth kisses over the thin fabric of your leggings, “I can’t wait to get these off you.” Your laughter quickly turns into a moan when his mouth brushes against your most sensitive parts and you take a fistful of his hair in your hand, tugging him closer. He growls against you, hooking his thumbs into your leggings and slowly peeling them down.

“Daddyyyyyyy! Y/n! I can’t sleep!” Your head drops back to the pillow and Bucky sighs, pushing himself up and walking toward the door. “Wait Buck! I have an idea!” You stand up, throwing his shirt over your head and pulling up your leggings, “do you have Christmas lights handy?” He gives you a weird look but says, “yeaaaaa. Why?” Giving him a quick kiss and a wink, you reply with, “just get them and meet me in Sam’s room!”

He smacks your ass on the way out and you screech, making a bee line for her room and shutting the door quietly. “Hi baby. Can’t sleep huh?” Sam’s bottom lip trembles and you rush to her bed, tucking her under your arm and lightly brushing your fingers over her scalp. “You know what I do when I can’t sleep?” She looks up at you with big blue eyes that match her dad’s and you nearly melt, “what?”

You don’t say anything and stand up, gently pulling her from the bed and grabbing the pillows and blankets. “I make a fort!” She watches in silence while you carefully build a cozy space of soft pillows and warm blankets with just enough room for her to cuddle in. Bucky arrives just as you finish and holds up the lights. “Wow, that’s some fort!”

Sam jumps up and down, throwing herself at you in a flying hug, “thank you y/n! It’s perfect.” You give her a mischievous smile, “we aren’t done yet. Watch this!” You take the string of white lights from Bucky and plug them in by her dresser, carefully winding them along her wall using whatever is available. When you’re done her room is aglow with the soft twinkle of the lights and Bucky is standing there looking delighted.

“What do you think?” Sam can barely contain her happiness as she climbs into her fort and curls up. “It’s the best fort EVER! Thank you!.” You give her cheek a soft kiss and start to head out, but she quietly calls for you, “what is it baby?” Fiddling with the ears of her teddy she asks, “can you tell me a story? Just one. Before I fall asleep.” You happily agree and sit down by the bed, launching into a story about a princess who lived among the stars.

By the time you finish Sam is fast asleep and Bucky’s eyes have glazed over with love, “you’re amazing. You know that.” He’s seated in the rocking chair at the far corner of the room and you saunter over, standing between his legs. “I know. Hopefully now she’ll sleep through the night.” He pulls you down into his lap, “I hope so, because I literally can’t wait to get my hands on you.”

@addikted-2-dopamine @bugsbucky @breezy1415 @buckys-henley @bisousbucky @buckstaybucky @book-dragon-13 @chuuulip @eurynome827 @hiddles-rose @hailmary-yramliah @hawksmagnolia @harrysthiccthighss @ikaris-whore @godofplumsandthunder @jeremyrennerfanxxxx123 @jhangelface0523 @jewels2876 @loricameback @lorilane33 @lokilvrr @littledarlinhavefaithinme @littleredstarfish @lookiamtrying @marvelandotherfandomimagines @marvelgirl7 @nano--raptor @pinkdiamond1016 @randomfandompenguin @jamesbarnesappreciationclub @tuiccim @this-kitten-is-smitten @the-wayward-robot @yansi1923 @saiyanprincessswanie

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yandere-daydreams · 4 years ago

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Twelve Days of Christmas - Day Ten

Prompt: By The Fireplace.

Pairing: Yandere!Diavolo/Reader (Obey Me).

TW: Kidnapping, Imprisonment, Physical Abuse, Mentions of Self-Mutilation, Implied Non-Con, Slight Infantilization, and Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms.

The fire’s always lit, in Diavolo’s chambers.

With the perpetual darkness of the Devildom and how little demons rely on sleep, there’s never a reason to put it out. Underneath miles of stone, in a world incased by cold rock and soil, warmth and light are a precious resources, ones even the Prince himself seems to hold dear. It’s burning when he wakes you up, already dressed and smiling by the time you relented the sudden chill of consciousness, and when you go to bed, sore and exhausted and too weak to push him away, it’s still there, an eerie constant you can’t quite bring yourself to appreciate. It grows dimmer, but it never goes out. It flares brighter than it should be able to with such little kindling, but it never runs out of fuel.

It shouldn’t bother you, but there’s little about the life Diavolo provides that doesn’t.

You thought it was an illusion, at the start of your captivity. It wouldn’t have been the first you’d seen Diavolo use, even if he wasn’t usually as fond of magic as his talent for it might suggest. He prefers more physical methods, shackles when you try to lash out, gags when you say something he doesn’t like, and chains on the few occasions you genuinely attempt to escape and get farther than the castle’s walls before he or Barbatos can drag you back. There’s never a punishment, but it might’ve been better if there was. That way, you’d be able to bleed out your anger, you’d be able to tell yourself not to fight back because fighting back would only make things worse. When he holds you in his arms, clicking his tongue and going on about how sweet he could be if you’d only behave, it’s hard to justify doing anything except ensuring yourself another night spent in that dark, dank dungeon and another faceless guard to trail after you, on the few occasions he’s feeling merciful enough to let you wander.

But, that didn’t eliminate the possibility. Boredom only fed your curiosity, gave you the time to search for things to prod the flames with, to find new ways of disrupting the few aspects of your life you were capable of impacting. Paper didn’t light, regardless of how many books you destroyed in your efforts, and there wasn’t a fire poker, an iron rod, nothing Diavolo thought you could’ve used to hurt yourself or him, not that you were naïve enough to try anything so blatant. Once, you might’ve let frustration get the best of you. It’d just been so tempting, and you’d been staving off the urge for weeks, at that point. It didn’t help that Diavolo was so determined not to let you get hurt, so adamant that anything his favorite human touched had to be soft and smooth and toothless. Part of you wanted it to hurt. Part of you was looking forward to the fact that it probably would. That part of you seemed to make itself rather scarce, though, when it actually did.

There’s a grate over the fireplace, now, and Diavolo still likes to dig his nails into the scar your curiosity saw fit to leave on your right hand, whenever you say you don’t need him.

You’d like to think it’s better, now that you know the hearth is real. You’re not free, and the awareness hasn’t done anything to help you escape your captor, but it’s nice to know the smoke isn’t just a figment of your imagination whenever it clouds the air, that the reason your vision’s clouding over and your eyes are tearing up might not just be because of the heavy hands around your neck, the sting of another puncture wound on your chest, the idle threats Diavolo likes to whisper when he’s in bad mood.

It’s nice to know it’s real, but the smoke does get overwhelming, when you let it. It’s the most noticeable when he’s around, when you’re not allowed to retreat to all the little corners and hiding places that let you block out the constant heat, the soft, insufferable sounds of burning wood caving in and crumbling under its own weight. He enjoys being close to you. Some days, he’ll catch you by the wrist, insisting that you perch yourself on the corner of his desk as he reviews the needs of his kingdom, commenting on the input of his advisors or news from the Celestial Realm, never asking you to answer questions you can barely understand. On others, his approach is more transparent, and you’re pulled into his lap, made to run your fingers through his hair and comfort him, even if the soothing words he’s taught you to say taste bitter on your tongue. During times like that, the smoke’s almost suffocating, only getting more thick and more smothering every time he lets out a sound that isn’t utterly, entirely pleased. He’s said it before, that he’s doing this for your safety, not his happiness, but you know better than to believe him, by now. Even if he always makes sure to kiss over the bruises, when he’s done.

It’s the worst, when he’s like that. His fingers digging into your hips, the meat of your thigh, his lips on yours and his teeth embedded in your collarbone, his usual care nowhere to be seen. You can try to focus on the mural painted across his ceiling, on your own frantic heartbeat, on anything but the man in front of you, but the smoke makes it difficult, always finding a way to wrap around your lungs and tighten whenever you manage to forget it’s there. It’s hard to breath. It’s hard to do anything but suffocate until you’re light-headed and dizzy and Diavolo decides you’ve probably had enough, or you’re crying hard enough to make the decision for him. It gets better, after that. There’s usually a bath, enough steam to clear the air, and he lets you hide your face, laughing while you cling to him, too scared to let go. Usually, he’ll comment on the change in your demeanor, make a joke about how easily you crack with a little affection, but you try to hope he’ll be kind enough not to, next time.

The fire’s still burning, by the time he carries you to bed. It’s the only time you don’t mind it, that gentle glow, the way it makes it just a little harder to see Diavolo’s face as he tells you how easily humans are worn down by even a gentle touch. Sometimes he goes on and sometimes he doesn’t, but that’s always when you stop paying attention, fading into the crackling he treats like background noise. It’s comforting, but at the same time, it’s agonizing. It’s only hurt you, it’ll never do anything besides hurt you, but at the same time, you can’t imagine going without that discomfort.

You hate it. Of course you hate it. You need to hate it.

But, at the same time, you don’t know what you’d do if it ever burnt out.

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missbrunettebarbie · 3 years ago

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All the Barbie protagonists I know -from best to worst

I feel like starting with a disclaimer that this is just my opinion, which should be implied. Anyway, this list took forever because I kept switching them. Look I am bad at picking favourites. The top 3 is actually pretty interchangable.

1. Eden Starling (Barbie in a Christmas Carol) - I love her with all my heart and then some. I love her design, her backstory, her personality, how unique she is from every other Barbie on the list. (Whoever came up with Barbie as Scrroge is a genius that deserves an Oscar) The fact that I relate to her in some aspects makes her even more loveable in my eyes. Also I think she deserves #1 spot because out of all the characters on this list she's the one I sorted before even rewatching her movie -and the rewatch confirmed the sorting. She's that memorable!

2. Princess Annika (Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus) - I love her too: her determination,her cleverness, her bravery, her justified anger. The "Destroy Wenlock!" speech alone guaranteed her a place in top 3. The fact that she doesn't back down even in the face of impossible odds - or maybe especially because the odds are impossible, her relationship with Aiden and with Brietta and her passion for ice-skating make her a very interesting character. Annika is a powerhouse and her entire journey is *chef's kiss*.

3. Merliah Summers (Barbie in a Mermaid Tale 1&2) - I think what I love about Merliah is that she put herself first, in both movies. Her first priority was her career as a surfer and only later did she come to accept her role as a mermaid princess. Her relationship with her mother is also great, I love them when they get along and I also love them when they don't - probably my favourite mother-daughter relationship from all the Barbie movies. Merliah's initial skepticism, her putside the box thinking and her competitive streak are delightful. Also her and Kylie might my favourite ship in the Barbieverse.

4. Blair Willows (Barbie Princess Charm School) - A Barbie with actual money problems?! Of course I was soft for Blair from the very begining. Her dedication and love to her adoptive family made her an instant fave. I loved that once Dean Privet helped her with her lessons she did her damn best to graduate from the school. She had her clothes torn, was accused of theft and looked in a safe, yet nothing stopped her.

5. Mariposa (Barbie: Mariposa) - I always had a soft spot for her as a kid. Her desire for adventure -for escape- the way she felt like she didn't quite fit in, her love for books, the somehow-anti-social attitude made her a perfectly relatable character in little!me's eyes. The way she refused to believe the rumors and the stereotypes in the second movie makes her even better. I loved her friendship with Catania and her romance with Carlos was cute too. Also her design might be my second favourite after Eden's.

6. Ro/Princess Rosella (Barbie as The Island Princess) - This movie is a goddamn masterpiece and Ro is a huge part of why. First I cannot help but be impressed by how adaptable she is: not only did she survive on a deserted island for ten years, she thrived. And then she had the courage to leave the only home she knew to go with Antonio and find answers about who she is. My heart ')). Then there is the fact that she risled her own freedom to help save the animals or how she was ready to step back and let Antonio do his duty and marry Luciana despite the fact that she loved him. And the ending wjere she finds her mother and starts singing the lullaby? It is what had cemented my love for this film and this character.

7. Corrine (Barbie in the three Musketeers) - In a lot of ways I find her and Merliah very similar -they both have goals they want to achieve and are somehow selfish because of it in the begining- but I think Corrine is a much kinder person: remember when she got that violin bow for one of the girls as a way to apologize? It felt like such a character establishing moment. I love that she took no shit for anyone, even the prince, and never faltered for one second in her desire to be a musketeer.

8. Princess Genevieve (Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses) - In a lot of ways she reminds me of Blair as she's a quieter personality but forceful in her own way. The way she always stood up for her younger sisters, her love for dancing, her relationship with her father and the fact that she was so heart-eyes when it came to Derek -seriously I don't think any other Babrie was so smitten with her LI from the very first moment- made sure she'll have a place in top 10. The only reason why she's not higher is because I love the others more.

9. Princess Annelisse (Barbie as Princess and the Pauper) - I think my favourite thing about Annelisse is that she completely understood her duties as a princess and was ready to sacrifice her personal happiness for her people. I also really like how she never shied from using her royal status- even if it didn't really work- or how she still tried to help the other taylor with the work when she was thought to be Erica, pity she had zero skill. Her relationship with her mom is my second favourite after Merliah-Calissa. Also collecting rocks is such an unique hobby AND she's a cat girl. Of course I love her.

10. Erika (Barbie as Princess and the Pauper) - Another cat girl! And so snippy and unafraid to be herself. Her dynamic with Annelisse is gold: Erika had all the reasons to despise Annelisse but instead clearly ~bonded with her from the very first moment and went along with an insane plan just to help her. Not to mention, she's the first Barbie who explicitly said "I am gonna fulfill my dreams and have the guy I love; what's this nonsense about choosing only one?" and I have to appreciate her for it.

11. Rapunzel (Barbie as Rapunzel) - The fact alone that she is best friends with a dragon gives her major points in my books. Her love of painting and the way she used it as a literal way of escape? Go, girl! The fact that she refused to let Stefan tell her his name just to make sure Gothel won't find out? Impressive and so spiteful! And the disgust in her voice when she realized Gothel had kept her prisoner for years because her father hadn't married her? Perfect.

12. Kristyn Farraday (Barbie in the Pink Shoes) - I really liked her enthusiasm for getting to actually be the characters she didn't even get to dance in the real world, the way her mind immediately internalized the rules of the fairytale-esque world despite how insane it was and how she refused to conform to the rules. I see the movie as an exploration of Kristyn's creepling fear of failure and the pressure she felt as a proffesional ballet dancer and seeing her come out triumphant on her own terms felt really good.

13. Actress!Barbie (Fashion Fairytale and Fairy Secret) - Probably the most three-dimensional of the "real" Barbies. I think what I like most at her is her determination to save Ken in the second movie. What can I say, I love a Barbie-in-shining-armour. I also like that she knew when to step back and let others do their jobs - in fact she doesn't so much in the first movie, just motivates people. If I had to pick a Barbie to have as a friend, I think she'll be my first choice. She seems like a good listener and someone who knows how to solve problems.

14. Elina (Barbie: Fairytopia 1&2&3) - She is an interesting character and one whose stories I do like, but something never clicked for me when it comes to Elina. Buut, this doesn't mean I don't appreciate her desire to save everyone or how she never drowned in self-pity when she was the only fairy without wings.

15. Clara (Barbie in the Nutcracker)- Clara doesn't get the chance to do much, but I love the glimpses of her intelligence we see (how she figured out the Nutcracker is Eric) or how she longs for adventure and excitment.

16. Thumbelina (Barbie present Thumbelina) - I like that she's an inventor and that she is ready to use Mackena to save her home, but overall I found her unimpressive.

17. Liana (Barbie and the Diamond Castle) - I always had a grudge on her as a child on Alexa's behalf. I always felt like Liana dragged her down. This being said, Liana is still a super smart cookie and very devoted to her friends so she avoids being even lower on the list.

18. Princess Lumina (Barbie: Pearl Princess) - The most memorable things about her are how she loooved having a job and how she refused to condemn the woman that may have raised her but had also kidnapped her from her family. Now both these traits should make her an intriguing character, unfortunately the movie is pretty boring and it never taps into Lumina's potential.

19. Princess Alexa (Barbie and the Secret Door) - Look I relate to her: Lover of books? Check. Desire to escape your life full of rules? Check. Not good with people? Check. But Alexa's development was so weird, the movie was very boring and felt like it had no trajectory and it affected the protagonist a lot.

20. Odette (Barbie in Swan Lake) - She just...doesn't do much. I wish we have seen her more involved in her own story. Not to mention I really didn't understand why she was so afraid of being in the spotlight or how being turned into a swan helped her get over it.

21. Starlight!Barbie (Barbie: Star Light Adventures) - I think my opinion of her -and the whole movie- can be summed up in the world "meh". There is simply no spark of life here.

22. Teen!Barbie (Barbie Diaries) - I have such an overwhelming repulsion towards "unpopular" girls wanting the be popular. Especially since I cannot see what exactly is holding Babrie back from being happy? She seems to have everything (great friends, nice life, good grades and music talent!), but doesn't care about any of it. Not to mention, she's the only Barbie who has to settle for a guy that was pining for her while she only saw him as a friend and I resent that.

#barbieverse #my thoughts #god this was waay to hard #but also fun!

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helnjk · 4 years ago

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Crazier - F.W.

Fred Weasley x fem!reader

This was written for @vivianweasley ‘s 400 writing challenge! I used the song Crazier (by Taylor Swift) from the Hannah Montana movie hihi. Congrats on the milestone lovely ❤️ I hope you enjoy 🧚🏼‍♀️

Word count: 2.6k

Warnings: just fluff! and wedding vibes 💗

A/N: ok but this song is ADORABLE ! it makes me so giddy when I listen to it (& i did, A LOT, especially in the process of writing this)

Flashbacks are italicized

---

Feels like I'm falling and I'm lost in your eyes

There was something special about a war time wedding.

The atmosphere surrounding the Burrow seemed to glow in the morning light. The gentle breeze rustled the surrounding fields and the sun was just peaking across the horizon. Champagne colored rays burst from between the clouds littered in the sky, providing warmth for anyone who found themselves outside. Despite the early hour, the residents (and guests) of the Weasley household were already up, busying themselves with tasks that Molly had assigned them.

You found yourself still wrapped in your fluffy dressing gown, nursing a warm cup of tea in your hands as you directed Fred and George. You three were in charge of making sure the flowers, arches, and chairs were all ready for the upcoming ceremony. A smile couldn’t help but inch its way onto your face as you watched Fred jokingly shove George and cause him to lose his footing for a moment.

The soft laugh that escaped your lips caught his attention and your eyes locked. Brown eyes glimmered with mischief and adoration met yours and you couldn’t help the fluttering of butterflies in your stomach.

“Oi! Be nice to your brother, Fred!” You called out as George once again lost his balance, “We don’t want him losing any other body part!”

“Don’t be silly, Y/N.” He retorted, pretending to look like he wasn’t about to send a jelly-legs jinx his brother’s way, “He’s a big boy, he can handle it!”

You made your way towards the boys who couldn’t stop roughhousing with each other now, “Well regardless, we’ve got to get the flowers and arches up and perfect before your mother comes and has a right fit!”

Slightly amused at how much you reminded them of their mother in that moment, the twins stopped horsing around and actually got their wands out to be as efficient as possible. You were able to get back to peacefully sipping on your tea and telling them where they should put certain flowers and which arch belonged where.

The sun was fully risen when the three of you finished, standing side by side admiring your handiwork.

“Great job team!” George announces, patting both you and Fred on the shoulder before turning on his heel, “I’m gonna go check and see if mom’s made some food! I’m starving!”

Before you could follow him, Fred’s arm wrapped around your waist and pulled you from behind. Your back connected with his chest in a huff, and he placed his head on your shoulder, “Yes, Freddie?” You giggled.

“Nothing love,” He kissed the side of your neck, “Just love you, is all.”

Your heart fluttered at the simple words and you practically melted in his arms, “Where’d that come from?”

“The whole atmosphere of today, of the wedding, I dunno” He hummed, “It just made me think of seeing you walk down the aisle in a white dress in the future.”

Turning around in his grasp and wrapping your arms around his neck, your eyes met and it was the most genuine and sincere you had ever seen Fred look. It made your heart stutter and butterflies fill your stomach.

“You’re such a sap, Fred Weasley,” There was no malice in your voice, just adoration for the wonderful man in front of you.

“Only for you darling.”

Bill and Fleur’s wedding was nothing short of magical.

The moment the blushing bride walked down the aisle, the crowd seemed to freeze in awe of her beauty. But nothing could compare to how she glowed the moment she reached the arms of her loving husband.

As the newlyweds shared a loving kiss, your eyes locked with Fred’s and you were struck with the image of him in his best dress robes, pulling you in for a sweet kiss just like the one happening in front of you. When the redhead sent you a cheeky wink from across the room, you had no doubt in your mind that you wanted to marry him one day.

You couldn’t help but reminisce on the years past and how your relationship with the cheeky mischief maker developed.

I watched from a distance as you made life your own

Laughs rang through the crowded hallway as the Weasley twins rushed to get away from Filch. You rolled your eyes at their antics, but a small smirk graced your lips. Being yearmates and housemates with the rambunctious pair for four years now had allowed you to grow used to their mischievous pranks and their witty ideas.

“Oi, watch it Weasley!” You teased, turning to face the boys who nearly knocked you over in their rush to get away from the cranky caretaker.

“Sorry, Y/L/N!” One of them yelled over his shoulder, before the pair of them rounded the corner and disappeared from view.

Despite being in the same year and house as the twins, that was usually the most interaction you would have with them. Nothing against them, but you had your own group of friends and they had theirs. As much as you admired their mischief and wit, that wasn’t really your thing. You preferred to keep to yourself or your little group of friends, not fading into the shadows but not exactly stepping into the spotlight either.

When you were accidentally on the receiving end of their pranks meant for Snape, though, the twins forced themselves into your life.

You were sat on one of the beds in the hospital wing, waiting while Madam Pomfrey puttered around looking for some bruise cream and muttering under her breath about how dangerous the twins could be. You hid your smile behind your hand, it honestly wasn’t all that bad, you just had a bruise on your cheek and one on your shoulder. They were both sore and aching, but you knew it could be fixed in no time.

Before the mediwitch could apply any salve to your exposed shoulder, the twins burst into the hospital wing.

“Y/N!” One of them, you thought maybe George, yelled.

“Oh Merlin, we’re so sorry!” The other twin said as they reached you.

Madam Pomfrey began to protest the twins’ presence, but you were quick to reply, “It’s fine you guys. Madam Pomfrey’s just about to fix me up and I’ll be good as new!”

The rest of the week, the twins didn’t leave you alone. Constantly opening doors and pulling out chairs for you, the pair of them weaseled their way into your daily routine. You could feel them wriggling their way into your heart too, and you knew that there was no going back now.

Every sky was your own kind of blue

And I wanted to know how that would feel

“Y/N?” You turned around to the source of the voice only to be face to face with none other than Fred Weasley.

“Fred,” You breathed, hitching the books in your arms a little higher and tighter, “What’s up? Do you need something?”

The castle was decorated beautifully for the Christmas hols, and more importantly to impress the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang guests you were hosting that year, but you were in a bit of a rush and you couldn’t really stop and chat. The professors had made sure to assign as much schoolwork as possible before the break began, which meant you were scrambling to finish everything on time.

You noticed Fred rock back on his heels and shove his hands in the pockets of his robes, “Are you alright?” You asked.

“Huh? Oh yeah, I’m brilliant really,” He muttered, his eyes shifting around and his ears tinging pink ever so slightly.

“O-kay,” You said, “Sorry, Fred but I’m rushing to get some coursework finished. I’ll talk to you later, yeah?”

“Yeah, of course.” He mumbled as you turned on your heel and rushed away. His shoulders slumped slightly, “Bloody idiot, couldn’t get a word out of your mouth…”

Unknown to you, Fred walked all the way back to the common room muttering under his breath. The Yule Ball was coming up and the only person he wanted to take was you, he just needed to buck up enough courage to actually ask you. Every time he tried, though, he clammed up and nothing could come out of his mouth.

When you climbed through the portrait hole a while later, he was still sat on one of the couches, staring at the fireplace and brainstorming ideas of how he could gather up some of his Gryffindor courage and ask you a simple question. He actually made it a point to write down a few of them on some parchment, but most of them were crossed out.

Sonorus charm during breakfast

Sending her a letter (? possible)

Ask Hermione to ask her for me

He hadn’t noticed that you came in, so when you plopped down on the couch beside him, he almost jumped out of his seat. He looked right suspicious to you, trying to shove the piece of parchment he was holding back into the pocket of his robes. Knowing the kind of mischief he could cause you, you did what any other sane person would do.

“Accio parchment.” You said, pointing your wand at his robes. The paper flew out and into your open palm.

“No, Y/N-” He protested, but you stood up quickly and got out of his grabbing reach.

“What’s this Fred? Haven’t gotten any good ideas to ask someone to the Yule Ball?” You teased after skimming over his messy notes.

At that moment he thanked Merlin and Morgana that he hadn’t actually written down your name. Still, his ears and neck were pink and he could feel his face grow hot as you read over the dumb ideas he wrote down.

“That’s none of your business, don’t you think?” He mumbled, taking the parchment out of your hands and sticking it back safely in his pocket.

“Oh alright,” You smiled, “Just teasing!”

He nodded quickly then proceeded to make his way to the staircase, wanting to just curl up in bed and scream into his pillow. Something stopped him, though. He paused right at the doorway and turned to face you slowly.

“Y/N?” He said.

“Yeah, Fred?” You asked, busy trying to smooth down the disheveled uniform and hair that came from running away from him so quickly a few minutes before. You weren’t paying as much attention to the redhead as you should’ve, adjusting the strap of your bag on your shoulder.

“Do you want to go to the Yule Ball with me?”

His question rang through the empty common room and made you pause what you were doing.

“Sorry, what?” You asked, turning to look at him.

“Erm, I asked if you wanted to go to the Yule Ball with me,” He mumbled, rocking back on his heels.

A slow smile spread across your face, “Of course! I’d love to.”

“Great!” He nearly yelled, “Great, yeah. I can’t wait!”

You stood at the top of the staircase, your gown swishing gently as you made your way to where the rest of the students were waiting. Fred’s hair could easily be spotted above the crowd, so you weaved your way through to him.

When his eyes found yours the world seemed to stop. Blood rushed to his ears and his breath came out in short puffs. His vision seemed to tunnel and the only thing he could see was you. You looked absolutely stunning.

“Wow,” He breathed once you reached him, “I think I’ve just died and gone to heaven. You look phenomenal, Y/N.”

Your heart stuttered at the compliment, “Thanks, Fred. You look great too.”

Fred was nothing short of the perfect date. He held your waist as the two of you entered the Great Hall, held your seat out for you as you reached your table, and took your hand to lead you to the dance floor when it was time for the waltz. The both of you weren’t great dancers, but you stumbled and giggled through the whole thing with smiles on your faces.

When the two of you grew tired of dancing, he gently whispered in your ear, “D’you wanna get out of here?”

“Sure,” You smiled.

In a moment of bravery, you took his hand in yours as the two of you walked leisurely through the snow filled grounds. Heart still beating in your chest, you stole a glance in his direction. To your surprise, he wore a goofy smile on his face and his ears were slightly tinged pink. Instead of letting go, he squeezed your hand and led you to an empty bench.

You sat in peaceful silence for a few minutes, taking in the gorgeous decorations made for the ball, but after a while you asked “Knut for your thoughts?”

Fred turned to face you slightly and let out a small puff of breath, “I’ve actually wanted to talk to you about something.”

Your brows furrowed in concern, “What’s up?”

“I fancy the hell out of you, Y/N.” He breathed nervously, tucking a piece of hair behind his ear and staring at the ground.

“Oh Fred, I really fancy you too.” You grinned giddily, a small laugh leaving your lips.

His eyes widened at your statement and his grin seemed to match yours, “What’s so funny then?”

“Nothing,” You shrugged, snaking your arms around his neck, “I’ve just fancied you for so long, I just didn’t think you’d actually feel the same for me.”

Instead of replying, Fred swooped down and pressed a searing kiss on your lips. You gasped slightly, not expecting his lips to be on yours, but soon you melted into his touch. His arms wrapped around your waist before the two of you broke apart.

“That answer your question?” He breathed, going back in to peck your lips again and again until you were giggling and playfully slapping him on the chest.

“You’re really something else, Weasley.”

You lift my feet off the ground

You spin me around

You make me crazier crazier

“D’you wanna get out of here?” A familiar voice asked in your ear as strong arms wrapped around your waist.

“Now where have I heard that before?” You teased, placing a soft peck on Fred’s lips.

The wedding reception was in full swing now, a crowd of redheads filling the tent. You were standing to the side, taking in just how much happiness this event sparked in your life and in so many others’. It was as if the world stopped to celebrate the love that Bill and Fleur clearly felt for each other.

Without answering you, Fred merely took your hand in his and led you out into the dusk. The breeze cooling down your slightly warm skin.

“Care for a dance?” He grinned at you, holding out his hand when you two had reached a relatively empty area in the surrounding field.

“I thought you’d never ask,” You joked, taking his hand and putting your other one on his shoulder.

Gently, the two of you swayed together as the sun finally set beyond the horizon and as the first few stars appeared above you. No music was playing, nor was it needed, as you were wrapped around the love of your life.

He sighed contentedly, “When all this is over and we’ve won the war, I’m going to marry you.”

“Good,” You said confidently, “Because I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Fred Weasley.”

#vivianweasley400wc #Fred Weasley #Fred Weasley imagine #Fred Weasley imagines #Fred Weasley fic #Fred Weasley fics #Fred Weasley x reader #Fred Weasley x y/n

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peiperpotts · 3 years ago

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December Writing Challenge

so I decided to write short drabbles for each day of December. I don’t know how I will focus through it for 31 days, but I will try my best, okay? you are welcome to suggest pairings.

Day 1 - Holiday

Heinrich zu Sayn-Wittgenstein/Cecily Edwards

do I need to say NSFW

Cecily could smell the resin of the freshly cut pine in her nose, mixing with the tangerine scented candles and cinnamon cookies placed on an exquisite silver tray.

It was a pleasant smell—it brought to her mind to her family - just in the morning before Christmas, all in their nightgowns dressing up the tree her father brought from Oxford street, the sun shining in through the windows to bathe the room in warmth.

It brought back happy memories.

‘Do you like it?’ Heinrich asks, his gaze a thousand masked question.

‘It’s very... big.’

Taking up an entire corner of the living room of the Schwarzenau manor right next to the blazing fireplace. The hunting manor still served as Heinz’s headquarters after their return from Switzerland - still their own little island of peace.

It’s the first Christmas after the death of the heir of the Wittgenstein family and without Heinrich Wittgenstein and his wife spending the holidays with their inlaws in the Berleburg castle.

Not like Cece was too eager to ignore the look of contempt in her mother in law’s eyes, but she could endure it.

For Heinz.

She would.

‘My family only used to have one small one that we can fit on a table.’ Cece says, running a hand through his arm out of habit, only to settle a palm on his beloved face. ‘Until the cat knocked it over during midnight mass.’

‘If your christmas tree can be knocked over by a cat, then it deserves to be knocked over by a cat.’

‘Hey! Not everyone is this... extravagant.’ She keeps a pause, gathering courage to continue. ‘Maybe we could visit your family today...?’

The warm bright light from the chandelier plays off the snow-white tips of his hair, darkening to deep gold the more it travels down his head. His eyes were dark as a panel of stained glass.

They focused on hers with a placid sort of contentment, but she could not see what lurked behind them, and that scared her. His mouth was an impassive line.

‘No.’ His answer is automatic, bordering nonchalant.

‘Why not?’

‘Because you’re my family.’

He fucked her again that morning.

His cock cleaved between her soft petals, thrusting between her quivering thighs in the harsh morning sunlight. In the hall, between the living room and their bedroom, he took her again - just like their first time together.

Cece writhed against the bright wallpaper, relishing in the soft kisses he pressed against her neck. Low moans erupted from her throat.

She was pressed against the wall—her legs spread and propped up on his slender waist, which despite its slightness, was as hard as a rock. He held her effortlessly, biceps tightening under her thighs as he thrust into her.

The sun streamed in behind the velvet curtained windows.

She could feel Heinrich’s breaths come in fast, chest thudding with adrenaline and pleasure even as he kept his voice silent. A man could not deny his arousal, not even a prince, who prided himself on his composure. His climax escaped his lips in a low moan.

Her back arched in pleasure as he ejaculated into her thin body, the stream of white liquid hitting the opening of her womb. She tilted her head back, her body spasming in unconscious relief as his thumb pressed against her clit, sending a final wave of ecstasy through her body. Her head swam and her mouth gaped, to be sealed onto his in a passionate kiss. His waist gave another thrust, then relaxed.

Cecily slumped against him, head lolling into his shoulder.

‘Frohe Weihnachten, Cecilia.’

She can only nod back, words of a confession stuck in her throat.

#you ask i write you regret i laugh #actually no one asked for this but i need a distraction rn so I write

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wallwriterstuff · 4 years ago

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Found Family ||Demetri Volturi x Female!Reader||

Part 2 found here: Baby’s First Christmas

Warnings: Anxiety and panic, mentions of child endangerment

Words: 7565

Summary: A request for @kpopgirlbtssvt

There are things Demetri never thought he could have, things he had never dreamed would be within his grasp ever again. He has plenty of experience with newborns…just not your kind of newborn.

He was absolutely perfect. You couldn’t imagine anyone better for you than Jeremy. He had always been the sweet kind, the kind that complimented you when he held doors open and gave you his jacket when you were cold, the kind that paid for one date if you got the next. He was a hit with your parents and your friends. You were just so sure about him, more sure than you’d ever been about any of the other idiots you dated throughout university. That was why you were confident it was going to be okay when you missed your period that month, because this baby was Jeremy’s and he was your perfect match, your partner for life, so wasn’t it time to start living it? You’d told him the same night your first pregnancy test came back positive.

You’d never seen a man pack so fast.

Everything that was his in your shared apartment was gone and with no one to fill the space you had been forced to move home. Moving home meant telling your parents you were pregnant and that your baby daddy had run off into the wind, and that had gone down about as well as sticking a fox in a henhouse would. For the past eleven months it had been constant snubs, snide little remarks and complete overreaction to everything you did from your parents. How were you supposed to learn how to be a mother if your own constantly hovered and took over at the slightest perception something was wrong? Your daughter had been in this world for two months and she had most likely been held by your parents more than she had you. The timing of your friend’s sudden job offer was perfect for you.

She had planned a holiday in one of the more scenic cities of Italy, shutterbug that she was, but the job required her to move across your home city post haste. With her holiday deposit on the line, everything had been transferred into your name and the ticket dropped off at your doorstep. Your parents had done their best to convince you to stay of course.

You’re not ready to go on a holiday alone with her.

What’ll happen when she gets fussy on the plane hmm? You think she won’t? How will you handle all the people looking at you then?

We still help you with night feeds, how are you going to do that on your own?

You ignored every single one of their pleas and got yourself and your daughter out of there. The moment the heat and the sunshine and invaded your senses you knew you had made the right decision. Lyra wasn’t sure what to make of the sunglasses you put on her little face, and more often than not she pulled off the wide brimmed hat on her head, which left you in a very cyclical routine of putting hats and glasses on whenever they came off. There was lots of green space in Volterra, and so many beautiful alleyways hiding quaint little shops to wonder about in. Your spending money was limited but it didn’t mean you didn’t splurge on a few treats. Your favourite place by far though had to be the fountain in the centre of the square.

Though it was often bustling in the daytime, come the evenings it was calmer and quieter, cooler to. Laying back in the crook of your arm, Lyra seemed to find the splashing sounds of water and the way the light reflected off of it absolutely fascinating. If you had had a full day she sometimes napped, but when she was awake her little eyes were wide with wonder and she looked between you and the water a lot, trying to communicate with you exactly what she thought about it. You pandered to her of course, rocking her gently as you had a one-sided conversation about how beautiful Volterra was. If you didn’t have responsibilities back at home you could happily see yourself adapting to this slower pace of life. As it was, this small dose of peace in your newfound haven was all you would get, so you decided to make the most of it.

It was one of your last days in the city when you were approached by her. She was Aphrodite incarnate you were sure, statuesque with flawless skin shrouded in shadow, yet her hair couldn’t hide from the sun. No, it caught the beams and threw them back at the world with a dazzling amount of shine that left you utterly awed as she approached you. She looked down at Lyra, plush lips pulling into a smile and revealing perfectly white, straight teeth.

“Buon pomeriggio, hai bisogno di assistenza?” she asked. Her voice was like honey, sweet and smooth, trickling through your consciousness until all other noise simply faded away. You blinked yourself out of your stupor, your brain scrambling to try and translate what little Italian you had picked up over the past week you had been staying here. You could hazard a guess at the last word, and you knew the greeting well enough, but you weren’t sure about the rest.

“I’m sorry, erm, I don’t know that much Italian, Er…erm… non capisco?” you tried. Her laughter was as sweet as angel song, as feather light on your ears as a lover’s whisper.

“I see. I asked if you need assistance. Are you perhaps waiting for someone?” she questioned. Her accent was thick but oddly out of place, seemingly a mix of many different accents mingled into one. It wasn’t unpleasant to listen to however.

“Oh, no we’re okay thank you.” You smiled up at her, squinting slightly in the harsh sunlight. Her head tilted, glossy waves of caramel falling like satin over her shoulder, one strand slipping over the next in a gorgeous waterfall that left you more mesmerised than even her voice could.

“Then perhaps I might interest you in a tour of Castello Volterra? It’s so hot out here, the ancient stone will keep you cool and give you chance to take many more marvellous pictures.” Her head turned, a silent indicator that your camera had taken her interest. Your cheeks flushed pink – how much more obviously a tourist could you be? Lyra had yet to stir in your arms and you glanced down towards her, biting your lip. She’d been asleep for quite a while now and had been safely in the shade of her hat, but a cooler indoor climate would probably do her some good.

“How much?” you asked, cautious of spending your remaining money. She trilled a laugh.

“I’m looking to make up numbers, some turiste dropped out and I have spaces spare.” She waved you off with ease and, well, who were you to look a gift horse in the mouth? It never occurred to you in that moment that you hadn’t even caught her name or asked for a badge; the woman was enigmatic and honestly you were more than a little enamoured so her name seemed quite irrelevant as you hurried to gather your things and walk after her. You left Lyra’s buggy at the front desk with the secretary, your daughter finally stirring some and grumpily making her displeasure known with quiet half-cries and a pouty lip. The rocking movement as you walked and the strange décor of the place was slowly drawing her attention, your hand patting her back while your free one held your camera aloft.

When you had been told you were going to tour a castle you had expected more opulent decoration, tapestries and chandeliers, maybe some plush carpets. At first you had seen what you expected, a grand library decorated in deep reds and blacks with a stain in varnished wooden flooring that came with a ghostly story of blood spilled within medieval walls. You were thrilled, your eyes magnetised to your tour guide as much as they were too any painting or gilded book cover. It wasn’t until Lyra began to fuss and take up more of your attention that you started to notice how…odd, the place felt. The stone walls did little to keep heat in and compared to the outside the castle itself was freezing. Lyra had nestled into her shawl, sharing body heat with you, but you were starting to feel goosebumps pebble your flesh now.

It was not just cold but dark too. Very little natural light entered the castle’s rooms, and on the odd occasion you found a square patch of sunlight streaming through admittedly pretty windows, your tour guide avoided it with effortless grace. The further into the castle you went, the colder, darker and less extravagant it got. Bare stone walls were embellished with little decoration and the warmth in your guide’s voice was now gone, her pace hurried and heels clacking off the stone as though she was impatient to get you to the end of this tour for some reason. You struggled to keep up and quickly fell behind, Lyra’s fussing growing worse as she too started to feel the chill in the air and odd atmosphere. Her wriggling grew more intense and you had to lower your camera to tighten your grip on your daughter, hushing her gently when she began to snuffle, huffing breaths through her nose.

They were signals you knew well. With the nappy bag over your shoulder, you slowed your pace and started to rummage through the contents of the large satchel, producing a cloth for Lyra and settling it beneath her chin as you pulled her upright somewhat, pausing in the corridor to readjust your grip on her lest you drop her. A soft cry escaped her, face scrunching in the build up to something louder when you felt the ominous presence behind you. Turning around you were face to face with a man at least a head taller than you were, dressed entirely in black with dark dreadlocks hanging over his shoulders. He radiated something dangerous, made every instinct in your body scream at you to turn and leave him be. Lyra seemingly sensed it to, letting out a wail on demand. In the brief moment where you turned your head to look at her you swore a flash of dark red, the same kind of colour as wine, caught your eye. It wouldn’t have been so strange to you if that flash of wine hadn’t appeared quite high up, at eye level, say.

Lyra was far more important though, her cries cutting off into a gurgle as she spit up just as you had expected her to. The warm vomit splashed onto the cloth, dribbling down as you scrambled to catch it and wipe her mouth. Her screaming grew louder at that, the horrible smell of bile and acid reaching your nose and making it scrunch.

“Keep moving.” The man’s voice was deep. It rumbled in his chest and shook you to your core.

“Is there a bathroom up ahead? Somewhere I can clean her up?” you asked.

“Keep moving.” He repeated, closing in on you with slow, deliberate steps that set your nerves jangling. Holding Lyra closer to your chest you clasped the back of her head tenderly, bouncing and rocking her to try get her to calm. Your daughter was here in your arms, unsettled and in need of your comfort. You had to be calm for her, even if your heart was racing in your chest.

“I need to see to my daughter.” Your voice was firm and left little room to argue, but he didn’t stop moving towards you. Heart leaping into your throat you took a step back, shaking your head and struggling to calm Lyra as you tried to remain firm and not give anymore ground. Your heart raced, a hot flush overcoming you as anxiety made itself present in a sudden, nauseous wave. Why wasn’t he stopping? Why wouldn’t he listen? Couldn’t he see your daughter needed your care? See he was scaring you?

“Keep moving and you can see to her then.” His voice wasn’t comforting in any way and it was difficult to believe a man so intense. He was twice your size and built well, very capable of man-handling you if he so chose to. You had tried to avoid looking, tried to play it off as a trick of the light, but when you looked into his eyes it was plain as day that you had been correct. His irises were the colour of rich red wine, and to your astonishment they only seemed to darken as they stared back into yours with such intensity your thundering heart was all you could hear for a moment. There was no ring around the colourful part of his eye. Nothing indicated that he was wearing contact lenses, but he couldn’t have had red eyes could he? It wasn’t possible…

“I think I better leave. Where’s the exit?” you asked shakily. Something was wrong here, wrong wrong wrong. The corridor was long, not a single door in sight. You could navigate the hallways again right? There had to be an exit somewhere close. Lyra was only growing more unsettled, screaming now at the top of her lungs. People were whispering behind you and the man was growing ever more annoyed, shooting your daughter a disgusted glare as if she had physically offended him with the noise. You instinctively held her as close to you as possible, turning slightly to shield her from him.

“Keep. Moving.” He ground out.

“My daughter isn’t well, we just need to leave! There has to be an exit near here!” you snapped. It was more fear than anything else that had made you snap, desperation more so than anger, but the man seemed to take it as such. He seemed to inflate somehow, shoulders squaring and lips pulling back over his teeth as he stalked ever closer when a pale hand intervened, gripping his arm. Given the way the man flinched, you guessed the newcomers grip was hard. Head snapping to the left, you turned to try and convince our saviour to help you, only to freeze at the sight of apple red eyes. They were the same red eyes, just different shades. He inhaled sharply as he locked eyes with you, his expression somewhat distant for a minute as you tried to make sense of the sudden and inexplicable relief. It was small, barely made a dent in your anxiety in the grand scheme of things, but it lessened some of your nauseous gut feeling to simply lay eyes on this man even if he was clearly a part of this strange tour company.

“Is the little one alright?” he asked. His voice was smooth and rich, the deep bass reverberating through your head. He had the kind of voice you could listen to all day, the kind you could envision being good for audiobooks. Lyra was still screaming in your arms, her wailing echoing back to you off the walls. You bounced her again, rocking her side to side with a shake of your head.

“No, no I need to take her back to the hotel, please, tell me where I can find the exit?” you were almost pleading with him at this point. He nodded slowly, his gaze strangely intense, unwavering and unblinking. On one hand you didn’t mind it; you liked the way he looked at you actually, with a hint of wonder and trepidation, as if you were the thing in the room to marvel at and the expensive paintings on the wall weren’t worthy of a second glance. Given the general atmosphere of unease that you had picked up on now however, his stare also left you feeling minorly uncomfortable. He held a hand out towards you, his arm open and separating you from the man with the dreadlocks.

“Allow me to escort you to a quieter room so you might tend to her needs.” He said. You swallowed thickly, itching to agree despite barely knowing him or his intentions towards you and Lyra. It felt safe, like his waiting embrace was something you could depend on. Getting you away from the strange man had to be your new priority, but could you really trust a stranger?

“Demetri, what are you doing?” your tour guide was back, her musical voice distracting you somewhat from the beautiful man before you. He was made with the finest of nature’s ingredients you were sure, with high cheekbones and a jawline that could have cut steel. His hair was the most beautiful shade of chestnut brown, his stature tall and lean, posture exuding confidence and grace. His smile was dazzlingly white and so very comforting as he ever so gently guided you towards him.

“Escorting the young lady to a room where she might see to her daughter. I will join you momentarily for the…conclusion, of the tour.” He seemed to choose his words carefully and despite how much more on edge that made you, you still stepped into him with a nod. Your eyes were drawn back to your tour guide again, unable to stray too long as her gaze turned somewhat dangerous.

“The child will be cared for as always.” Her voice was like wind chimes and you unknowingly leaned closer to hear it. The man, Demetri, immediately pulled you back and began to lead you down the hall.

“Indeed, by her mother.” He spoke as though she was still stood right beside him, yet you were sure she shouldn’t have heard anything given she was already four steps behind you both. His pace was quick, only slowing when he realised you were struggling to keep up. You could see the way his jaw clenched as Lyra screamed and you tried to shush her again, swallowing past the lump in your throat as your clawed fingers held tight to your baby.

“Where are we going? Surely there’s a bathroom or something near-“

“Somewhere we will not be disturbed, can you soothe her?” he asked, looking at your daughter with a grimace. You stumbled over your own feet a little.

“I – I’m trying.” Your stammered. He gave a terse little nod, eyes flitting about as he led you down a maze of corridors. By the time you emerged at the top of a flight of stairs you had no clue what way was up and what way was down. Perhaps that was what he had intended. Demetri quickly pushed his way past a heavy looking door made of dark, expensive looking wood; surprise flooded you, and it melted into horror as quickly as it came. A bed, you were looking at an extravagant, four poster bed, a room with a desk and a bookcase and a fireplace. This was a bedroom. Why would he bring you to a bedroom? Was it his? You shouldn’t have followed him. Tears welled in your eyes as you imagined all the horrible ways this once nice trip could turn out, and when Demetri caught sight of them he quickly shut the door with the most pained expression you’d ever seen on a man.

“I mean you no harm, truly, but there are things I am not at liberty to explain right now that you cannot conceive of. Use whatever you require from my bathroom to tend to your daughter but do not leave this room. I beg of you.” The urgency in his voice shook you to the core and your tears spiled over. His room? Why was it so imperative you not leave? What was wrong with this place that it was so dangerous to you you couldn’t leave this strange man’s room? His finger was as cold as marble and just as hard when he wiped the wetness from beneath your eye. You recoiled with a soft whimper.

“Please, just let me-“

“Stay, here. Please tesoro…Per il mio bene.” His finger delicately trailed your jawline before he was gone, the door closed behind him. It was like you had blinked and missed him. Lyra was quieting a little in your arms, though still crying she seemingly had run out of energy, not bawling anymore. You slowly sank to your knees, fresh tears springing to your eyes. You had doomed you both. What kind of irresponsible mother followed a strange man to his bedroom? Rocking back and forth, you shakily stroked the soft tufts of hair on her head, trembling and praying to a God you hadn’t really believed in before now that somehow, you would be okay.

With a quiet sniffle, you wiped your eyes hastily with your hand. Your daughter needed you to be strong right now, so even as you crumbled inside you pushed to your feet and paced towards the large bed, setting the pillows up in such a way Lyra would be securely confined away from the edges of the mattress. With quick, practiced movements, you cleaned her face with a baby wipe and changed her pretty little dress into a loose top and shorts combo, one you had packed for occasions just like this. Lyra wriggled, not enjoying the changing procedure and reaching for you. Maybe she was just as perturbed by the situation to, wanting your embrace, your comfort.

“It’s okay, we’re going to be okay, we’ll be alright baby.” You whispered shakily. You could make no such promise. Time seemed to drag by slowly, seconds feeling like eternity dripping by through the thin neck of an hourglass. Lyra had calmed after a few minutes of you rubbing her tummy, now enjoying the feel of the soft sheets maybe and being in fresh clothes, and her big eyes watched you as you paced beside the bed. It took a long time for you to pause, your mind coming to the shocking and horrific realisation that just because this Demetri fellow had told you not to leave, it didn’t mean you couldn’t.

Dashing to the door, you pushed down on the handle. Relief swept through you when it went all the way, the door clicking open, and with a soft gasp you raced back to the bed to collect your daughter. Her bag was of little consequence, though your purse and phone were so you pocketed these as you picked her up, cursing your old school phone and it’s poor battery life. With Lyra swaddled to your chest again in her shawl, lips smacking and a serious little frown on her face, you turned back towards the door only to find it closing behind the one man you didn’t want to see.

Your heart sank.

“You stayed.” He sounded surprised.

I didn’t mean to you thought hopelessly. Shaky hands came up to hold your baby girl again, Lyra sensing your obvious anxiety and beginning to shift again restlessly. She tried to turn her head, find the source of the noise, but you wouldn’t let her. Whatever he was about to do to her, you silently vowed your daughter wouldn’t see. You would suffer in silence, your lips pressed together in a firm line and your will caging your voice if only so Lyra wouldn’t suffer with you. Demetri held his hands up in front of him but the gesture was meaningless and empty – his eyes were now a vivid ruby red. The brightness of his irises frightened you. Deep down, you doubted he had simply gotten his irises retattooed in the time since he’d separated from you.

“I did, I did everything you asked, now please let us go.” You tried to keep your voice steady but the slightest warble gave away your fear. Demetri’s expression twisted into regret, an ugly expression his godly face somehow made it impossible to look away from, like you were the one who needed to comfort him, as though he was the one suffering and you weren’t.

“Next time you ask me something please, try to make it something it is within my power to do.” He said softly. Tears welled in your eyes, one spilling down your cheek.

“Okay,” you swallowed, “Then whatever you can do, are going to do, please don’t make my daughter watch. She’s so young, please-“you choked, cutting yourself off with a sharp inhale as you tried desperately to hold in the sob building in your throat. Lyra let out a noise of discontent and you immediately loosened your grip. Demetri shook his head.

“Nothing is going to happen to you tesoro. My oath was true, I mean you no harm,” he promised, pausing slightly as his eyes flitted to Lyra, “Neither of you…how old is she?” his question caught you off-guard. It was such a mundane thing to ask, given he’d more or less kidnapped you from a tour group to steal you away to his bedroom it seemed out of place almost in the conversation. You swallowed.

“That’s of no concern to you!” you snapped, turning to shield Lyra from his view some. He winced slightly, stepping closer to you.

“Will you let me explain?” he questioned, “The things I wish to tell you, need you to know, are not easy to digest, but perhaps if you know them you might yet change your opinion of me.” He ventured. His voice was casual, as though he was discussing the weather with you and was not trying to beguile you into trusting him. In truth, part of you already did, and that part had made you lean towards him ever so slightly, your ears so focused on the sound of his voice your eyes hadn’t noticed how close he was until he was mere feet away. You backed up immediately, scolding yourself for being distracted by the honeyed words of a pretty man; last time that had happened you had ended up pregnant in your childhood bedroom while your parents lectured you about condoms for three hours.

“And why would my opinion matter to you?” you demanded, cringing when your back hit stone. A window to your right gave you a beautiful view of a garden, a garden with high walls and vibrant flowers and…a disco ball? No…no wait that was…a man? You were sure the outline of a man was quite literally glowing in the sunlight, his skin reflecting the warm rays and turning them into the most beautiful diamonds that scattered along the wall he stood by. As if he sensed your eyes the bulky figure turned his head, and though his features were too far away for you to make them out you were certain he was looking at you.

“There are things in this world you dismiss as fictious but should know are very much real, tesoro.” Demetri’s voice was soft by your ear and you jumped violently, whirling around to face him. His skin did the very same thing. He stood before you, an Adonis carved straight from marble that shone bright in pure light, his room lit up by rainbows that bounced off of the prism of his skin. You reached your hand out without thinking, pure instinct driving you to both fear and question this beautiful man. When your thumb came back glitter free, your stomach churned in silent horror. There was no make up, no illusion of any sort you could see or imagine, so how was it possible he could literally shine?

“What are you?” you whispered. Demetri’s eyes never left yours, his gaze soft and somewhat sad, as if he already knew you wouldn’t like the answer.

“Vampire.” His reply was simple, yet it set off a chain reaction in your head. Every instinct that had screamed at you to run before was now screaming that it had been right and you should run again, but your rational mind scoffed and forced those feelings down even as you tried to put more distance between you both. Vampires weren’t real, and so far he had kept true to his word. Demetri had yet to hurt you, though he seemed plenty ready to lie to your face.

“They aren’t real.” You denied.

“Because my coven made you believe so,” Demetri countered, following you with slow, cautious steps, “Look at me. What man do you know of that has skin like mine? What man has these eyes? Your body knows Tesoro, it’s been telling you all along that I am wrong, has tried warning you that there are differences between us your brain cannot put a name to.”

“Stay away from us!” you warned. He froze in place, letting you put as much distance as you could between you both. With your back to the wall you stared him down, afraid to move for fear he would to. Within a blink he was in front of you, and you were falling to your knees, like he had almost anticipated your obvious collapsed. With the way your knees were knocking together it shouldn’t have been surprising really. He had moved so fast and with such startling efficiency you were left completely in awe of the smooth series of actions that led him to catch not only you, but Lyra as well. She squealed in delight, the first time you’d ever heard her make such a noise, while you could only stare with wide eyes at the man who had yet to take his arm from around your waist. He was busy watching Lyra with his own wide eyes.

“Take her,” he whispered, giving you a little nudge to get you upright, “Take her now, please, before I drop her!” he insisted. You hurriedly made a cradle and accepted your daughter back into your embrace, somewhat spellbound. Demetri had moved faster than any human could, had horrifically red eyes and skin that literally glowed…yet a baby had undone him? There was literal panic written all over his face the minute his arm had curled around your daughter and he looked quite relieved you had her now. You could only stare at him as he carefully guided you back towards the bed. Once Lyra was settled back between the pillows again you sat and listened to every tale he wished to tell you, your mind spinning.

He spoke of where he had come from and how he came to be, your mind reeling as he told you of a far off, sunny land where the Gods had ruled his life before he was given life anew. He spoke of Aro and Marcus and Caius, and the war with Romanians that had ended the slavery of your kind and sparked the dawn of an era of secrecy. He chuckled as you tentatively listed off myth after myth, taking great delight in your obvious amusement that he had been the one to circulate the rumour vampires were weakened by garlic simply because he didn’t like the way it smelled. As impossible as it all seemed, you believed him. Demetri had maintained a respectable distance from you at all times, looking more relaxed and at ease the longer you spoke. Not a toe out of line.

The cadence of his voice had lulled Lyra to sleep, your own nerves soothed by the rhythmic rise and fall as he told his stories with the kind of expertise only extensive practice could bring. The wonder couldn’t last however, not when you remembered there were other people beyond the door to his room.

“Our tour guide…” you trailed off, shifting uncomfortably. Demetri looked regretful.

“Less a tour guide and more a fisherwoman. Heidi is like me, as is the man who dared try to confront you in the corridor.” His eyes narrowed a bit, the memory clearly unpleasant to him. You swallowed, your heart skittering in your chest.

“A fisherwoman?” you questioned, your voice weak. Demetri observed you carefully, looking reluctant to speak now. You were by no means stupid; you had a fairly good idea what he had meant but you wanted to hear him say it. He seemed impossibly perfect and as silly as it sounded, hearing him admitting to this one great flaw might actually soothe some of your own insecurities you were struggling with by just being near him. You were still losing a baby fat after all and the stretch marks…well your skin was not as unblemished as his.

“I think you know.” He said finally. You exhaled in a rush, fingers curling into the fabric of your skirt so tightly your knuckles turned white.

“She’s not even a year old,” you whispered, “My daughter isn’t even a year old, and you were going to…she brought us here to…” you couldn’t even finish your sentence, squeezing your eyes closed as you thought of the rest of the people in your tour group and the fate they must have endured. There was an elderly couple, Americans you thought, talking of how their history loving granddaughter would adore the pictures they were taking about the place. A young couple of Indian origin you guessed who were speaking their native tongue as they walked arm in arm, their gazes adoring as they stared at each other, a honeymoon couple perhaps whispering sweet nothings and fantasising about the life they were embarking on together.

“We would not have laid a hand on her,” Demetri swore, his voice somewhat cross, “We are not monsters, tesoro. Your child would have been taken to the authorities and given a good home.”

“Without me. You would have killed me and let my daughter grow up, without me.” Your voice was rising in pitch now and you pushed to your feet as the hysteria began to rise once more. Demetri shook his head.

“I would have done no such thing!” he snapped, losing his temper with you for the first time since you’d met. You took a hesitant step backward, afraid now you knew what he could really do but reluctant to leave him so near Lyra. Lyra…so small and vulnerable and still utterly asleep. He took a breath, running a hand through his hair.

“Why not? Why would you save us?” you couldn’t wrap your head around it. Your tour group had met a grisly end so why hadn’t you? Why had you been spared this fate? Why did he favour you? Demetri looked saddened again, his entire expression crestfallen, like a puppy who’d been scolded for being too close to the Christmas tree.

“I had hoped you would feel it, that you would know, at least on some superficial level.” He seemed to be speaking to himself, distracted by watching Lyra’s chest rise and fall as her mouth moved, eyelids fluttering. It was your favourite expression on her, the one she wore when she dreamed. For a moment Demetri looked wistful, as though he was watching something he desperately wanted but was out of his reach from a distance too great to cross.

“Feel what?” you groaned, your exasperation now obvious. It was difficult to be afraid now he’d told you everything. It didn’t make sense for him to spare you just to kill you now, especially not now he’d divulged what you guessed was a great secret to you. What exactly did he expect you to feel that you hadn’t already? The whole afternoon had been a roller coaster that left you thoroughly exhausted; fear, anxiety, awe, disbelief, scepticism and more had all been prevalent in your heart today and you weren’t sure how much more it could take.

“The mate pull,” Demetri said finally, tearing his eyes away from Lyra to look up at you, “My kind, we feel so much more deeply than humans do. Some people appeal to us so much it sets a bond. Fate has a hand to play in this to of course, making a pair so compatible that neither can deny the other was made for them.” You stomach dropped, mouth forming a perfect ‘O’. Without thinking your hand whipped up to slap him, your hand almost breaking on impact with his cheek. His head barely moved, though he did blink a bit in shock, something you had yet to see him do despite the time you spent together. The sharp sound woke Lyra up and she let out an abrupt, piercing cry, startled and upset while you hopped up to shake your hand out with a curse.

Demetri looked absolutely flabbergasted, his head turning between you and your daughter as if trying to figure out which one of you to approach first. His hand reached for Lyra, his lips protruding in the perfect pout as he tried to shush her.

“Keep your hands off of her you pervert!” you cried, hurrying forward to scoop her up and taking a few steps back from him. There was no fear anymore, just pure rage. It boiled in your veins and curdled in your stomach, the intense disgust you felt towards him unparalleled by anything else.

“I beg your pardon?”

“You heard me! I don’t care what you are or what your world’s rules are but in mine, you keep your ancient ass hands off of my infant daughter!” you warned. Demetri paused, his eyes widening slightly before he recoiled from you with an obvious shudder.

“You think I – no! Gods no tesoro! Your daughter is not – I do not – it was you! I meant you!” he hurried to amend himself as your glare grew more vicious, and the simple confession made your mind fritz. There was nothing for a moment, a blissful few seconds of pure silence in your head, no frantic thoughts or feelings, just pure nothingness as you tried to comprehend what this gorgeous stranger was telling you.

“You…what?”

“I meant you, tesoro. The moment I laid eyes on you I was sure…do you truly not feel it?” Demetri asked, hesitantly stepping closer. You let him this time, swallowing thickly.

“What should I be feeling? Beyond confusion, there’s…there’s a lot of confusion.” You mumbled, cheeks flushing in embarrassment. His lips pulled into the slightest smile, but it quickly disappeared when Lyra let out another piercing cry. Neither of you had seen to her yet and you quickly set to work making sure she could see and hear you as you rocked her, patting her bottom as you swayed side to side. As she began to quieten down once more, looking confused and tired and grumpy with you for the long day you had turned out to be having, Demetri very hesitantly moved closer to you both again.

“Perhaps you feel curiosity, a desire to know me better. You may feel something when I am close to you, that tries to keep you near to me. There are many things you might feel, I could not possibly guess all of them as we all react differently to the mate pull, but I know I feel it quite acutely when I look at you.” He confessed freely, his eyes fixed on Lyra’s head. He lifted his hand, pausing to look at you for permission as his fingers neared her head. You glanced between them, finding Lyra looking at him with big eyes, no doubt confused as to why his eyes were a vivid shade of red while yours were a bright Y/E/C. If Demetri had proven anything to you so far it was that he really meant to uphold his oath, he wasn’t going to hurt either of you.

When you nodded, he ever so gently began to stroke her hair like he was touching the most precious and delicate of diamonds. Maybe it was this so-called mate pull, maybe it wasn’t, but your heart almost burst in that moment as you watched him share such a tender moment with Lyra, a moment her own father couldn’t even be bothered with. He looked absolutely enraptured with her, murmuring soft things in Italian you couldn’t hope to understand with the faintest wisp of a smile.

“Would you like to hold her?” you asked. The thought had escaped your mouth before you could fully process it and it made Demetri pause, his expression twisting quickly into concern.

“I better not, I fear I might hurt her.” he frowned. Lyra’s lips smacked, a slight huff escaping her – she clearly didn’t enjoy not holding his attention.

“I think she might hurt you if you don’t. It’s easy, I’ll show you.” You encouraged. Demetri was still shaking his head when you expertly jostled your daughter in one crooked arm and used the other to start moving his.

“Tesoro I think that I shouldn’t-“

“So long as you remember to support her head it’ll be okay, she’s only two months old, the support is key for her right now.” You explained, already handing him Lyra. There was no hesitation there, not anymore, you knew he wouldn’t hurt either of you. Demetri let out a small, panicked huff as he tried to settle his arms somewhat, relax into letting Lyra fit there. She looked thoroughly perplexed for a moment as he did his best to adjust his grip, head turning to you as if to say ‘what’s with this amateur Mom?’ before she lifted a tiny hand to place it against his chest, snuggling down into the cradle of his arm.

“Is this okay?” he asked. You nodded, unable to fight back your smile. He was adorably flustered, something you were surprised the suave vampire could be. All wide-eyed with awe you had to wonder if this was the first time he’d ever held a baby before. He stood still as stone, afraid to jostle her it seemed as they had an intense stare off. Lyra was the first to break it, a wide yawn splitting her face as her blinks grew longer. You watched her fall right asleep in his arms, slowly perching yourself on the edge of his bed to contemplate everything this meant. Demetri was a vampire, something out of your wildest imaginings, maybe a nightmare even. He had been going to feed on your tour group, on . He had been going to feed on your tour group, on you, but some supposed bond between you had made him save your life instead. Now, he held your daughter like she was precious gold in his hands, whispering sweet nothings to her in a language you couldn’t understand with eyes as doting as any father’s should be.

Did he already see himself that way? The thought made you mildly uncomfortable. He had a lot to prove to you before you’d even consider giving him the title of boyfriend, never mind father. It clicked suddenly, the realisation that your heart had already decided and was waiting for your brain too catch up. Demetri had captured your attention in more ways than one and his world sounded…fascinating.

“What if you stop feeling this pull? Are we in danger then?” you asked finally. Demetri seemed to struggle to tear his eyes from Lyra for a moment, but when his eyes met your’s they were flooded with sincerity.

“Vampires mate for life tesoro…even if I wished to fall for another in the midst of an argument perhaps, I physically no longer have the capacity to. It is you and only you who was made for me.” He vowed, moving at a snail’s pace to carefully sit himself beside you.

“We’re a bit of a package deal.” You pointed out. Demetri nodded.

“It was not expected, that I might find my mate with a child, but I confess I find myself in awe of her. Two months, did you say?” he questioned, glancing briefly at you. You nodded.

“Yeah, yeah two months old.”

“So she will not stay this small for much longer?” he sounded almost sad and you giggled slightly.

“Believe me, the sooner she sleeps through the better.” You lifted your hand to gently run a fingertip down her cheek.

“If you stayed I have no need for sleep, I could see to her in the night with some guidance, but I know I cannot ask that of you.” He sighed. You swallowed, the nerves fluttering in your gut. He was already asking you to move in with him? You wanted to see a red flag but you couldn’t. Demetri clearly wanted to look after you both. Why shouldn’t you let him?

“My parents would go mad.” You agreed hesitantly. Demetri chuckled.

“I shall have to win them over then. A child complicates matters, buys us more time to figure out exactly how we might proceed. She is a blessing, tesoro.” He promised you. Your brows pulled low together.

“What does Tesoro mean?” you asked.

“Ah, it means darling…I may have neglected to get your name.” he admitted bashfully. Your eyes widened, mind replaying all the time you’d spent with him that afternoon. He wasn’t wrong, you hadn’t introduced yourself once.

“It’s Y/N. Y/N L/N. That there, is little miss Lyra.” You told him. Demetri sighed.

“A beautiful name for a beautiful pair…her father must be missing her, no?” he was clearly hesitant to ask and you didn’t blame him. You couldn’t imagine how difficult it would be to just…walk into someone’s life, knowing they were made for you and find they already had a child that wasn’t yours. Come to think of it could vampires even have children? You had so much to learn…

“He left the minute he found out I was pregnant…you’ve spent more time with her than he ever has.” You informed him, the bitterness in your voice obvious. Demetri looked upset by that but you didn’t question or comment on it. With slow, careful movements, he gently began to rock her. You doubted he would relinquish her to your grasp anytime soon.

“He is a fool…but I’m not.” He whispered. You smiled slightly, a strange warmth filling your gut. Who’d have thought you’d find your very own Prince Charming while touring a castle?

#twilight #twilight fanfiction #demetri volturi #demetri volturi x reader #female reader #volturi #heidi volturi #newborn #fluff #so much fluff #you could make a build-a-bear factory with it #single mom reader

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hops-hunny · 4 years ago

Text

Love Lines

Pairing: Severus Snape x Divination Professor! Reader

Pronouns: She/Her

Word Count: 1.8k

Summary: Severus was the moon, (Y/N) was the sun and when they came together, they made a beautiful eclipse.

A/N: I got this idea from a thought that came in my head after imagining someone reading the palmistry on Snape's hand and saying “this line means you’re in love with me”. It was supposed to be shorter but I got really into it.

Severus Snape had had it up to here with the new divination professor. She was bright, cheery, and loud and in his opinion, extremely annoying. Every time she'd walk into a room, he couldn't take his eyes off of her....which he found to be quite bothersome. While hearing her name was enough to ruin his day, the rest of the castle couldn't get enough of the young professor. But, who could blame them? She was the type of professor who made learning fun, the type to stay after class if you had questions, the type to let you out of a lesson early just because it was a nice day outside. She wasn’t just adored students, but her fellow professors as well.

When she’d walk into the great hall, everyone’s eyes would light up as bright as Christmas lights. Everyone except Severus that is. He tried his best to ignore the flutter in his chest when she’d smile at him. He convinced himself the warmth in his cheeks when she’d throw her head back in laughter was just a mere change in temperature in the room. He told himself the scent of her vanilla and cream fragrance as she walked by was much too sweet for his liking. But, he was no fool. He couldn’t keep lying to himself about what his heart, his soul wanted. That’s why he tried to distance himself from her, avoiding her whenever humanly possible. But he was no match to her efforts. She always found a way to flock to him, like a moth to a flame.

He found himself pondering these things as he wandered through the forest. He had been out from the castle gathering ingredients needed for tomorrow’s potion. He crossed another item off his list as he placed it into his basket. In reality, he wasn’t very low on the ingredients listed. In fact, he had plenty of them. However this is what he usually did when he found himself having free time. Leaving the castle to avoid her as much as possible. Although he didn’t know, today was in fact, not one of those days.

“Severus! Hey Severus! Wait up!” he turned around to see her running to catch up with him. She had a basket of her own which had a blanket hanging out the side, as she pushed her round glasses up her face. Her attempts were quite futile considering they kept slipping down. Her wild (h/l) (h/c) dancing around in the wind around her. Her sweater draped over the slopes of her shoulders, much too big for her and the same could be said about her jeans. He couldn’t help but find her beautiful, dirt covered shoes and all. When she finally caught up to him, she gave him a wide grin.

“Ah yes, Professor (L/n). Always a pleasure to see you.” He retorted, sarcasm dripping from his words. If it was obvious, it didn’t seem to phase her much at all. ”Is there a reason you’ve charged at me like a fool in the middle of the forest as the sun sets? Shouldn’t you be in the castle by now?” He added on, turning away from her as he continued to walk seemingly unphased by her presence.

“Well I’m not sure if you keep up with the moon cycles but tonight’s a full moon! I always head to a spot I found during my first week here. However, the sun is still out currently and while usually I’d just go and wait, I decided I’d join you in whatever you’re doing! Maybe I could be of some help? I won’t be much trouble, I swear to Merlin!” She finished what she was saying with a warm smile. Severus looked her up and down before sighing and continued to walk which Professor (L/n) took as a sign to follow.

The next hour or so was interesting to say the least. (Y/n) practically skipped next to the man as she followed him through the forest. Every once and a while she’d peek over his shoulder to view his list, finding the next thing needed pointing it out to him before he found it. At some point Severus muttered something along the lines of ‘damn hufflepuffs’ but Miss (L/n) simply didn’t hear him(or chose not to respond).

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Finally, as the sun finally started to retire and the moon awoke, his list was complete. He turned to the professor, and quickly tried to bid her goodbye. ”Well Miss (L/n) this has been a rather...interesting time. But, it appears my list is complete so I bid you farewell. Enjoy your moon or whatever it is you seemed so eager to get to.” He said as he began to walk off.

“Wait, uh, Severus! Why don’t you join me? I know you’re quite a busy man but if you could find the time I was hoping you would like to view it with me? I think you may enjoy it!” She said hesitantly. ‘Why would she be hoping for me to join her? Don’t get your hopes up Severus, we know where that led to last time.’ He found himself thinking. His face took on a scowl as the silence grew. It was quite awkward as she rocked back and forth on her heels, looking up at him awaiting his response. He realized this and let out an exasperated sigh before giving her a simple nod. That was more than enough for her. She grinned at him, intertwining her free hand with his as she led the way.

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“Oh it’s such a lovely night for this! The sky is so clear. And the stars, oh the stars. I wish I could see this every night, it’s quite breathtaking.” She began to lay the blanket out over the grass. She walked close to the ledge of where they were, looking down at the small pond there. The frogs croaked their song as the crickets played alongside them. It was all quite beautiful. He found himself in thought again. In all his years at Hogwarts, how come he had never come across it? That was the thing he loved about her the most, no matter where she went she left a little piece of wonder and beauty trailing behind her.

She continued to take things out of her basket, placing them on the blanket. She took out two silk cushion-like pillows, along with a thermos. She sat on the pillow before patting the other one as she opened the thermos, pouring the liquid into two porcelain tea cups. He sat down on the other cushion rather stiffly, stealing glances of her out the corner of her eye as he pretended to be gazing at the moon. A warm cup being placed in his hands brought him out of his thoughts. He took a sip, chuckling softly. Hot chocolate. Such a childish drink yet it suited her perfectly. They sat in silence for a bit, the only thing that could be heard was nature’s symphony and the soft hum of the small vintage radio she had sat up.

“You know, I’ve always been interested in the moon and stars. When I was a little girl I’d sit there every night outside of my family’s cottage fascinated by them. When I got a bit older I was fascinated to learn about how they correlate with our existence. How we think, how we act, how we love. I think that’s what made me get into divination in the first place.” She turned to face him as she spoke, her eyes filled with pure adoration for her craft. It reminded him of when he first started to teach potions. He smiled contently, listening to her talk about divination. She was so expressive when she spoke, waving her hands around wildly, her body dancing gracefully. At some point he had to take the cup from her hands because she was spilling bits of coco on herself. That’s when she grabbed his hands. “You know, palmistry is one of my favorite forms of divination because of the endless combinations of lines and marks. Each person's hands tell a different story.” she analyzed the lines of his hands as she spoke, bringing them closer to her face. As she stroked and traced the different lines on his hands he spoke.

“Is that so? I’ll admit, divination was never my best subject. Do tell what’s present.” He said as he gave her his other hand as well. Despite always being a bit skeptical of divination, after hearing her speak so passionately, so sumptuous of the subject was slowly nestling a place in his heart beside hers. He watched as she bit her lip slightly as she gathered her thoughts.

“I apologize if I’m over stepping but this line,” she said tracing the line as she spoke, “Indicates that you will have a lot of struggles during your life. Especially when it comes to loving others. And this one here indicates you’re a lot more sensitive than you let on to be, you care deeply even when you don’t show it.” She smiled after that one, locking eyes with him. The ambiance had clearly shifted in the air. It was more of a somber, bittersweet feeling than before. To lighten the mood, she followed up with a bit of a joke. Or, so she thought it was. “And this one here means you’re in love with me.” she said, trying to remain with a straight face. (y/n) thought he’d give her one of his usual Severus responses. Oh how wrong she was.

“It appears divination is a lot more accurate than I once thought it to be.” He said, holding her hands back as he stroked her small calloused ones with his thumb. He looked up to be met with a wide set of eyes and a look of shock. He felt her hands warm up in his own as she took a dry swallow.

“I’m sorry Severus, am I hearing you correctly? Perhaps I’ve misunderstood you.” she said barely above a whisper. A quiet tone for Miss (L/n) was very uncommon in any situation. Instead of answering verbally, the raven hair man reached up removing the young woman’s glasses. He pulled her closer causing her to fall into his chest. He reached down, tilting her head up oh so delicately as if she’d fall apart if he moved even a tad bit rougher. They both mutually began to inch their lips closer together, eyes closing softly. Their lips danced a delicate and affectionate waltz that tasted of the hot chocolate they had moments ago. He wrapped his arms around her waist, settling his hands at the base of her spine. Her own hands held his face stroking his cheek lightly, his coldness meeting her warmness. They both pulled away from the kiss, resting their foreheads against each other.

He held her close for the remainder of their time together, his cloak wrapped around them both. Neither he or her uttered a word but that was the special thing about that night, neither one needed to in order to convey the deep and immense amount of appreciation they had for one another. Perhaps she was onto something, the moon and stars could not only tell about how we love, but help reveal who we loved as well.

#snape x reader #severus snape #severus snape x y/n #snape x you #professor snape #harry potter imagines #harry potter #harry potter x reader #severus x reader #severus snape x reader

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