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kingreywrites · 4 years ago

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The Smolder Tragedy

Fandom: Tangled

Word Count: 3314

Summary: A very concussed and very out of it Eugene Fitzherbert comes to a devastating conclusion about his smolder. His kidnappers are not all that sympathetic about it.

Note: that title is so corny god asgfdgh anyway, this is a self-indulgent hurt/comfort fic, but there’s quite a bit of hurt!! So be warned that there is talk of a concussion, some violence (because he’s kidnapped), and also a mention of spiked water (he’s mostly fine though but I’d rather be safe)

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Now that he was thinking about it, Eugene realised that the smolder never... truly worked on anyone. Well, when he was younger, adults tended to go easier on him if he made a somewhat cute face at them, and in the following years, doing it never hurt his chances with the people who were already attracted to him. But neither of these facts actually attested of the efficiency of the smolder in itself, and if Rapunzel was left particularly unimpressed, Eugene wasn't sure anyone had ever really swooned because of it.

Oh, the demon Rapunzel from the weird mirror dimension did swoon that one time. Was that a good sign, or a bad one?

"The hell are you talking about?" someone growled, entering the room loudly and making Eugene's headache worse, if that was even possible.

That guy was one of the reasons Eugene was thinking about his smolder's actual abilities - or lack thereof. Because see, if the smolder worked, which he was now doubting, he could simply use it on this guy, and that would make him swoon, and Eugene would use the distraction to get free from the chair he was tied on, and get out of here quickly. But Eugene didn't think the smolder would work. Not because Mr Beetle here (lovingly named after the bug which landed on his head during Eugene's kidnapping - he'll get to that part later) was immune to his charms, but because maybe... perhaps... the smolder had never been effective?

This was devastating news. Truth really was the heaviest burden a man could bear.

Beetle grabbed his hair and pulled his head back roughly, making Eugene see stars and forget, for a moment, the whole smolder dilemma. But then he was being yelled at things he could barely understand between the buzzing in his ears and the concussion he got earlier - without forgetting the stuff they made him drink that made his head all fuzzy and his thoughts completely muddled - and he couldn't help but wonder if he could smolder his way out of here. That'd be nice. It had been what, four days since they got their hands on him? Five? Eugene was bored now.

"If-," he coughed, feeling like the hoarse voice he could hear wasn't his own, "if I tried to seduce you, would you break my nose?"

Going by the way his head was slammed back again, Eugene took it as a yes. That was a shame, truly. He knew that his life was different today, that he had changed for the better and was now the Captain of Corona's Guard, so really, he didn't need the smolder - but he loved that silly little trick. It felt like discovering that Santa wasn't real all over again. Not that he ever believed in Santa, since the matrons didn't see fit to talk about that particular tradition when everyone knew that orphans wouldn't get Christmas gifts, but that's what Eugene thought it must feel like.

His head hurt a lot.

A big hand tipped his chin up, since he had been looking at his pants and the stains on them (would he be able to get the blood out?), and he realised that Beetle was trying to make him drink that weird stuff again. The one that made his head feel like it was floating above his shoulders, and made him feel warm in the most disgustingly sweaty way. Eugene hated it. So he kept his lips as tightly closed as he could, and trashed in the chair to make it more difficult on that goon.

This was becoming ridiculous. The fact that he even got kidnapped already hurt enough as it was - they got the best of him after a very exhausting day, and pointed a crossbow at his heart before hitting him so hard over the head he was pretty sure he stayed unconscious for a few hours straight... which Rapunzel would probably think was pretty concerning. For his part, he was more annoyed about the constant headache than anything. Mostly, he couldn't believe he got kidnapped.

He didn't even remember if anyone had seen him, and hoped no one had gotten hurt during the whole ordeal. In any case, he was pretty embarrassed and, to add insult to injury, they didn't even care about him. He was Captain of the Guard for god's sake, you'd think that would make him interesting enough, but no, they only wanted him to pressure the royal family.

Being used as leverage sucked. Thinking that they might hurt the people he loved by using him made him feel sick, even more than their weird drugged water did.

"If you keep being difficult you're gonna regret it," Beetle threatened, and Eugene would have told him that he was the one who would regret stuff soon, if he hadn't been also preoccupied with keeping his mouth shut. Which, ironically, was something people had asked of him a lot in his life, and that he had always refused to do - until someone tried to force him to keep it open. He never did like authority, after all. The matrons would always tell him that he was a troublemaker of the worst kind, and that someday, life would get back at him for the chaos he created. They were yet to be proved right about that one but-

Beetle punched him in the gut, making Eugene gasp and cough in pain, before his nose was pinched and he was forced to swallow the water, nearly choking on it.

"Rude," he noted weakly when it was over, his throat on fire as he heaved. Already, he could feel the fuzziness coming back with a vengeance, his vision blurring at the edges because of whatever mysterious compound they forced him to drink. He'd have to ask Varian about it. The kid would know, certainly, or would at least be excited to research it, and it was fun when Varian was excited. He still had that weird maniacal villain vibe mixed with his genuine and adorable love for sciency things, and that was an interesting combination to see in action.

The door to Eugene's cell was slammed shut and, in the dim light, he understood that he was alone once again. Beetle didn't even say goodbye. It was okay, though, because Eugene didn't think he could have answered without puking - the entire world was swimming in front of his eyes. Closing them only made everything even more unsteady, and now Eugene wondered if he could even try to do a good smolder in that state. He couldn’t feel his face.

His eyes were heavy, and it didn't take long before he passed out again.

------

Next time Eugene woke up, it was to the sound of yelling outside the door of his cell, loud and definitely not the kind of voices he wanted to hear. Maybe it was stupid, but each time he opened his eyes, he hoped to find Rapunzel here, ready to rescue him, but it hadn't happened… yet.

Trying to raise his head only awakened the ache in his neck and back from the terrible position he was in - he hated sleeping on chairs. Being homeless for a good part of his life had taught him that the bare ground was always preferable, but he didn't think he could argue about his sleeping conditions with his kidnappers. He pulled on the rope that was keeping his hands tied behind his back, and noticed that it was giving a little. If he could just-

"Your plan better work!" someone yelled, startling him - but it was still coming from behind the door. "You don't realise what we're risking with this!"

"Of course it'll work! Do you really think that the son-in-law of the King and the husband of the Princess is worthless? They're gonna listen to us because they'll want him back."

That was… touching, in a strange way. Not that Eugene enjoyed being taken for ransom, or whatever it was they wanted to do, but it did remind him that he had a family, and that they would fight to get him back. Rapunzel was probably worried out of her mind, right now, and this was enough to spur him into action again, because he didn't want to simply wait here for rescue like an idiot.

"What if they attack us?" the scared guy yelled again, as Eugene pulled on his bounds again, ignoring the sharp sting of the rope cutting into his skin, and his ever-present nausea. "What if- what if instead of paying, the guards find us and destroy our base?"

In Eugene's opinion, the guards weren't really the threat here - this guy didn't want to know what Rapunzel would do to him if she found them. The thought was enough to make him chuckle, which in turn made him realise that the weird water might still be having an effect on him, because he hadn't managed to keep himself quiet. Not great.

His fingers fumbled with the knot he could feel, trying to get it to loosen even more. Unfortunately, the door of his cell -more like a closet than a cell to be honest- was thrown open, and he had to act as innocent as possible.

Going by the glare he received, he was doing a poor job of it.

The new guy (he'd call him Martin, because he had a Martin face) seemed to enjoy kicking him around a bit more. The only silver lining was that he seemed intent on kicking his ribs, and consequently left his poor head alone. Still not the best, but Eugene would take it. He didn't have much choice anyway, since Martin decided to greet him with his fists today.

"Feeling better yet?" Eugene breathed when he thought it was over. He earned another kick for the trouble.

"You better hope they pay what we ask of them," Martin snarled, way too close for Eugene's comfort. "Because I can't say that I won't enjoy killing you if it comes to that."

"Aww, I'm touched, truly," was all Eugene could say, before a hand ended up around his throat, and he couldn't talk anymore. He vaguely heard Martin threatening him again, but honestly, the guy should realise that it was difficult to be afraid of him when Eugene was barely conscious enough to understand him.

It went down the same way as it always did, these days. Eugene was forced to drink that damned drugged water -it was getting more disgusting each time-, and he couldn't breathe, and the Martin guy said something about hurting Rapunzel, and if you think you're gonna be able to touch her you've got another thing coming you assho-

And Eugene lost consciousness. Again.

------

When he woke up again, Eugene couldn’t breathe. The world was loud, too loud, his vision was swimming and the room spinning under him, and he couldn't- it was as if his breaths were getting stuck in his ribcage, and was he still being choked, what-

"Hey, Eugene, it's okay, look at me-"

Dragging in air painfully, he opened his eyes to a slit, meeting the frantic and oh so green ones of- Rapunzel?

"Come on, it's okay, breathe with me," she said, voice low, and he listened to her - how could he not? For a moment, when it felt like he was still dangerously tethering on the edge of choking, he wondered if she was even real, or if it was all a dream conjured by the lack of oxygen. Then, she brushed his hair back, her palm warm and tangible on his cheek, and it felt real enough that he melted into it.

"That's it," she encouraged him gently, one hand resting lightly on his heaving chest. "That's it, breathe. I won't let them hurt you anymore."

He couldn't hold back a nervous chuckle at that, but going by the pinch of her eyebrows, that wasn't the right reaction. After a few seconds, when he finally felt like his lungs weren't about to explode, he tried to smile at her. It only seemed to worry her more.

Her fingers trailed along his jaw, tracing what he knew were dark bruises on his skin. She went higher, to his hair, and touched something that immediately made him flinch.

"Sorry, sorry, I-" she exclaimed quickly, pushing his hair away again. "I'm gonna get you out of here."

His perceptions were still blurred, as if he was underwater, but he could hear now the sounds of fighting and chaos coming from behind the door. Rescue. He was being rescued - Rapunzel was rescuing him. He knew she would do it.

"Well, I wish I had been a little quicker," Rapunzel said, her voice wobbly.

"You're just in time Sunshine," he whispered, his throat raw.

"Am I?"

He didn't like the self-deprecation in her tone, nor the worry that didn't seem able to leave her features, and he felt guilty for being the cause of it. If he hadn't been kidnapped-

"Eugene? Eugene, stay with me," Rapunzel asked, with an urgency that made him realise he had closed his eyes. Huh. He was dizzy. "I know, I'm sorry, just- I'm gonna free you, okay?"

He blinked, trying to look at her so she would stop sounding so… scared. She was fumbling with the ropes holding his left hand in place. There was the sound of an explosion outside, right as she got rid of the first one, and she threw an indecipherable look at the door.

He wanted… He wanted her to stop looking so sad. He didn't like it when she was sad. Could he do something about it? Well-

"The smolder doesn't work," he mumbled dejectedly. Rapunzel was taking care of his bound legs now, though he didn't remember her freeing his right hand. He moved it slowly, feeling as if the limb wasn't his own, and wondered how much the weird water was still affecting him.

"Weird water?" Rapunzel repeated. He wasn't sure how to not voice all his thoughts aloud, apparently, which he's sure his dad would find amusing.

Since Rapunzel was still looking at him, Eugene took a few seconds to remember her question and simply hummed, head swimming. That seemed to make her even more unhappy, and he could get disliking the water, but he didn't like when Rapunzel was unhappy. "Do you... think the smolder ever, uh... worked?" he asked, trying to distract her.

"I'm sure it did," she answered, in the same gentle tone she used on people she disagreed with.

"It- it never worked on you, though. And it wouldn't have worked on Beetle, or- or- Martin," he pressed. His tongue was heavy in his mouth, and now his feet were free but he really didn't have the energy to try and get up. He didn't want to puke on Rapunzel, too.

She didn't reply. Instead, she looped one of his arms around her neck, and braced her hand against his ribs. He winced, and she apologised quietly, but before he could try to argue that he didn't think he could do it, she made him stand up swiftly, grip tightening around him when his knees inevitably buckled. He closed his eyes tightly, ears ringing painfully and stomach churning, and he was grateful that he could count on Rapunzel to not let him fall on his face.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," she kept repeating, adjusting his weight to stop him from sliding down further. "I know it's hard, but I'll get you to safety, I promise, just hang on-"

Eugene could guess that he really didn't look great if she was that desperate to comfort him. To be fair, he didn't feel great either. He could barely follow her words, couldn't stand up on his own, and had to focus all his energy into not being sick as Rapunzel helped him walk. It clearly wasn't his best day.

He tried to regain his footing, so she didn't have to drag him with her, but his legs were shaky and he nearly fell again. He thought Rapunzel was going to toss him over her shoulder and run, which he knew she could do, and he also knew his body wouldn't appreciate as much as usual given his current dizziness, but that was exactly the moment Maximus arrived to the rescue. Or maybe they arrived to Maximus? There were more people around them, more noises and voices too, and Eugene couldn’t follow anything of what was happening. He thought he heard Lance, and felt another hand holding him up, but all he could focus on was Rapunzel being here, and Rapunzel talking to him, and calling his name, his one beacon of light when the pain in his head grew to be too much to bear.

He felt her hand in his, and realised that he had been laid down somewhere. He wanted to reassure her, but couldn’t do much more but feebly squeeze her fingers, hoping she would understand. And then, because he was tired and in pain, and because he knew that, now that she was here, he was going to be okay, Eugene passed out.

------

“You are evil,” Eugene moaned, hiding his face under his pillow while Rapunzel laughed innocently.

"What, I'm trying to help!" she smiled, coming to sit next to him on the bed. He felt the mattress dip under her weight, and took a peek at her, groaning again when he saw how smug she seemed. "I even made flyers and everything!"

She didn't seem to care about the annoyed look he threw her way, instead putting a bunch of papers in his hands. On it, his face, lips pursued and eyebrows raised, with the text asking the people of Corona to come test his “infamous smolder” by themselves. At this moment, Eugene would have preferred to have his old wanted posters thrown in his face - it would be way less embarrassing than… this.

“Come on Eugene, what better way to know for certain than to experiment? You seemed really bummed out about your smolder!”

“I wasn’t in my right mind,” he grumbled. “You can’t hold me accountable for my concussed ramblings!”

Her expression softened at that, and her hand came to caress his cheek, gently trailing up to the bandages still around his wound. Her touch was soft enough to not sting, and he couldn’t keep up his facade of annoyance when it was so obvious she simply wanted to make him laugh.

“I love you, you know?” he breathed, and she had a second to look pleasantly surprised before she leant down and kissed him.

“I love you too, Eugene,” she smiled fondly.

“You’re the only person I care to seduce anyway,” he laughed. “I guess I’ll have to live with the smolder being ineffective.”

“If that helps,” she murmured, climbing fully on the bed to lie down next to him, “I feel pretty seduced by you already.”

“Ah yeah?” he grinned. “Well, I’m pretty seduced by you too, Sunshine. You’re my hero after all,” he said, and though he had intended it as a joke, his tone was too earnest to be mistaken as anything but the truth. He could still see glimpses of guilt in Rapunzel’s expression, when he knew she had done everything in her power to find him as quickly as she could - he’d repeat it as much as she needed to finally see it too.

Rapunzel watched him, before cupping his cheek and bringing their lips together once again. He knew he would need to rest again soon, and that his constant headache would probably spike if he didn’t, but for now, he kissed her back, and it felt like everything was alright again. Because it was, in all the ways that mattered.

She saved him, and they were together - he wouldn’t ask for anything more.

#tangled #tangled the series #Eugene Fitzherbert #Rapunzel

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klance-fics · 4 years ago

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bestieeeee do you know any enemies to lovers fics ( been watching merlin and i realized i miss it )

bestie i found way too many i tried not to include ones i know you've read but I've prob added some you've read. they're also all under 25K. enjoy~~~

pepsicola

It starts like this: Lance looking up at the scoreboard only a few days into his Garrison training and muttering to himself, “What the hell kind of a name is Keith?”

Or, Keith and Lance fall in love. Eventually.

DAY 2: love // hate

A Touch of Christmas

Keith has never been particularly good with touch. He’s also slow to trust and even slower to open up. But it’s hard to remain on that path of solitude when you’re stuck in space fighting an alien empire with the same six people day in and day out, four of whom you depend on to keep you safe in a giant robot man made of giant robot lions.

Alternatively, Lance gradually gets Keith accustomed to the physical connection he hadn't realized he'd been craving for so long.

Take Me Away

“Sorry about that! Where were we?”

“I still don’t have anything written down for you.” Lance could hear the guy’s irritation through the phone, and felt himself bristle.

“Well well, someone’s testy! Spring has sprung, lighten up buddy.”

“It’s January, you managed to call 5 minutes before the end of my 8-hour shift, and I should have been home half an hour ago. Order something.”

// Takeout AU inspired by one too many 80s films. Lance is an astronomy student with a grudge, Keith works too many hours to deal with this shit.

forget me not

Keith and Lance are put into a simulation as punishment for insulting a king. There's only one way to get out, but they can't remember. In fact, they can't remember anything at all...

Of Friends and Rivals (And Lovers)

Lance McClain has a big family, and that means no one is really ever alone in a room at any point of time. This becomes unnatural for him to feel when he’s in space in a huge castle with barely any people. So, he tries to fill the hole in his heart by seeking out his teammates and lounging around them.

It strikes Keith odd one day when Lance begins hanging out with him instead of his other friends, and worst of all, it seems like Lance is caving in on himself without anyone noticing.

Or: 5 times Lance seeks out to hang out with a friend, and the one time he doesn’t.

sour beginnings, sweet endings

Keith’s a good noodle™ who just wants to watch a movie in an empty theater. He doesn’t deserve some motormouth asshole interrupting his peace and quiet. Or that guy dumping popcorn on his head. Or all his idiotic jokes. Or his kinda cute smile. Or the free packets of Sour Patch Kids. And he definitely doesn’t deserve the fact that he’s starting to enjoy his company…

i fall, i falter

“You’re Shirogane, right?” He asks, tilting his head with a curious look in his warm eyes. Keith nods, eyebrows furrowing.

“That’s what this says, yeah.” He replies, reaching up to fiddle with his nameplate, the cool metal almost a relief on his skin that suddenly feels overheated in Álvarez’s presence.

“No, I mean, you’re the Shirogane. Keith Shirogane?” Álvarez says, looking at Keith expectantly.

I'm waiting for the light of your supernova

Lance loves the idea of being literally written in the stars with another, but so far it hasn’t been the love story he’s dreamed of; the fated meeting, the instant and momentous connection.

A klance soulmate AU where each person is born with their soulmate's constellation on their skin, the marks changing colour as their bond grows.

Checkmate

It's when Keith sees his opponent, a boy with a bright smile and even brighter clothes, that he knows he's already lost.

Well, he'll win the match, but his heart? Yeah, that's lost for good.

Klance Chess Players AU

summer days, driftin' away

Lance works at the carnival, running a very rigged and quite unpopular bottle toss booth. Keith works at the much more playable Whack-a-Mole booth across from Lance. They have a rivalry, until Lance's truck stalls and suddenly Keith is some hotshot mechanic. Cue Lance's bisexual panic.

At the Bottom of the Ramp

Lance is usually the first person to befriend new rollerbladers at the skatepark; it's a small community, and he's a friendly guy.

But not this time. This new guy looks the epitome of edgy and unapproachable, and he's stealing all of Shiro's attention.

#klance #klance fic rec #vld lance #vld keith #lance mcclain #keith kogane #enemies to friends to lovers #enemies to lovers #rivals to friends to lovers #rivals to lovers #canon compliant #alternative universe #au modern #au college/university

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shy-violet-soul · 4 years ago

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Stuff You Should Be Reading - June/July 2020

Here we go, folks! Early summer’s beautiful batch of great reading. Enjoy!

Supernatural

When the Lights Go Out by @jawritter: this AU featuring Mobster!Dean Winchester x reader is off to a great start! Reader is in dire financial straits, & signs up to be a Sugar Baby on a website with a “no sex” understanding. She has no idea who her customer truly is - one of the most notorious mobsters out there. Can’t wait to read more!

The Honorary Winchester by @fictionalabyss: this is a sequel to this writer’s phenomenal series “The Arrangement”. Elizabeth’s only goal is to be a Winchester - her family is delighted to make that happen. This story has all the fluffy goodness of TFW with a wee one, and all the shenanigans that ensue.

My precious friend @pinknerdpanda has churned out some pure artistry. Reunited is a tale about Sam Winchester after he’s lost Dean. But his journey leads him to find something else very precious - someone! Wonderful angsty goodness!

Pros and Cons by @kittenofdoomage. This writing goddess never fails to deliver. This steamy but fluffy tale features very short reader living life with very tall Sam. LOVED it!

Baby Spoon by @deanwanddamons: Dean Winchester & his other half expecting a baby. Need I say more to tempt you with all the sweet fluff?!

The Depth of Ebony by @katymacsupernatural: TFW has captured a hell hound - but not all is at it seems. Can they discover the truth behind this tortured creature? This series is phenomenal, and I can’t wait to read more!

Marvel

Psuedo Princess by @shreddedparchment King Steven of Broklin has taken a new bride, one willing to sacrifice and serve for the good of the kingdom. The road to true love is rocky for these two - can they overcome the obstacles? Beautiful story!

Smoke and Ink by my gorgeous friend @thesassywallflower. This slightly AU features ofc Anne being asked by old childhood friend, Thor, to help him save Loki. Old tender feelings compete with a painful past between the two - will fates align to bring them together? I am HERE for this series!

The Little Spy by @buckysknifecollection features post-Raft-rescue Steve Rogers and company on the hunt for sanctuary. His friends are astonished at the refuge waiting for them - more specifically, for him. Precious story that I’d love to see more of!

All My Friends are Heathens by @sebseyesandbuckysthighs: we have been blessed with a ton of great AUs lately, and this one is fantastic. Vampire!Bucky Barnes has taken refuge with his friend, Shapeshifter!Steve Rogers, amid his group of ragtag creature friends. When a member of their ‘family’ returns home, Bucky finds himself enchanted. The skill employed here to build to the climax is so, so good. You’ll love this!

Black and Blue by @the-mighty-jellybean: **Trigger Warnings** Read those before reading! This powerful AU gives us Doctor!Steve Rogers crossing paths with a domestic abuse victim that he can’t get off his mind. Great, great story.

Not Your Forever by @navybrat817: Steve Rogers left you behind, breaking your heart. When he returns, how will you respond? How will he when he sees how you moved on? I really super duper hope that the writer writes more of this!!!

Dance of Destiny by @after-avenging-hours: I looooove soul mate fics! This one is so beautifully creative! You can feel when your soul mate is dancing. So why hasn’t Reader ever felt hers?

@angrythingstarlight: I just discovered this writer, and her RPF Chris Evans fics are GOLD! As the auntie to 4 kiddos, this writer had me wheezing with her very true-to-form kid repartees with Chris. “Imma steal your doggy” (dying!). A few of these fics center around Reader out with her two nieces that are conspiring to get her on a date with Chris. Or, according to her nieces, ‘Captain America’ and ‘Dodger’s daddy’.

The Pack by @sweater-daddiesdumbdork is another great AU giving us shifter/wolf Steve Rogers. When a lost omega stumbles into his pack’s lives, Alpha Steve & his wolf find themselves falling for her tail over teakettle. Be sure to also read the drabbles that go along with the series!

Glimmer by @kentuckybarnes: Bucky Barnes and Reader awaken with no memory of how they got there, why they are there, or even who they are. This writer keeps the momentum going with plenty of quips amid the stress of their situation. Can’t wait to read more!

Cupcake Guy by @nacho-bucky: AU of soldier Bucky Barnes struggling to carve a post-war life for himself. Comforting memories prompt him to give baking a try, where he meets you. Will you help Bucky open his heart to hope for the future? Sugary sweet writing perfection!

Just us Two, also by @nacho-bucky: adorable fic that pits Sam Wilson against cute, quirky, stubborn, hangry you. LOVED!

Caught in the Fire by @dreamwritesimagines is another incredible AU where reader comes back into Mobster!Bucky’s life just when he needs her most. I’m behind on reading, but this writer never fails to impress.

@stargazingfangirl18 gives us a tenderly, beautifully written fic you can find HERE about a friend of the Avengers struggling with anxiety/panic attacks. Will she let her friends help her? ***Trigger Warnings*** discussion of anxiety, panic attacks.

The Weight by @sunriserose1023 Steve Rogers is hiding something. He has a good reason, but his struggle between duty and devotion may get him in trouble.

Solivagant by @captain-kelli: LOVED this story! Bucky Barnes is sent to what he thinks will be a frozen wasteland on a mission. Instead, he discovers more beauty than he can imagine.

Hello, Bird by @welldonebeca: there is not enough Clint Barton fics out there, and this two-part story is a great remedy for this. Sweet, fluffy fic featuring our favorite archer with his family.

Call of the Mountains by @floatingpetals: gorgeously creative AU! When reader is rescued from almost certain death, her saviour is so much more than meets the eye. What is the mysterious Bucky, Steve, and their little group hiding?

I Carry Your Heart With Me by @marvelcapsicle: another phenomenal soul mate fic FTW! In this one, soul mates can feel each other’s pain. But what happens when one of you can��t feel pain at all?

Finding Home by @promarvelfangirl: let me say now that I categorically do not like Hallmark movies. But this delightfully tender story leans into the trope so beautifully! Soldier!Steve Rogers receives a Christmas card while deployed overseas, and it becomes a lifeline for him. What happens when he meets the friendly, compassionate writer?

Sunset by @pinknerdpanda: sweetie, you did it again. Gorgeous, poetic writing about reader returned from the Snap to a world that left her behind. Beautiful!

Bring Him Light by @speechlessxx: AU giving us King Steven Rogers with a new bride. Scary stories are told about the cruel king. Can reader soften his heart? FYI - some chapters are tough reading due to themes. Well written story that I’m looking forward to future chapters!

The Taste of Blood by @the--sad--hatter: 3 words: I want more! This tantalizing AU will feature vampire!Bucky Barnes and reader. The first chapter gives us the reader who feels compelled to leave her life behind - again - as she flees an unknown-to-us danger.

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anarchist-billy · 4 years ago

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Do you have a list of fic recs for bottom Steve?

Hullo there!

I did not have one on hand, but did I spend the last thirty minutes throwing this together for you instead of working like a Real Adult? Yeah, I did.

Quick note: I haven’t read most of these, but I did try to pull a variety of fics both recent and old for you to peruse. All of the following fics are under 10k, so apologies if you wanted some longer reads. I tend to assume people want the smuts when they ask for these kinds of things more than long, plot-driven works. But I realize I could be wrong!

Anyway, enough rambling, on to the recs...

Just Ride by Sam_Haine

-1k

Billy likes fucking Steve in his Camaro. Steve likes getting fucked in Billy's car.

there's something about a sailor by gothyringwald

Billy gets Steve to leave the sailor hat on.

sweet to sour kind of thing by Rebldomakr

1.1k - This also features Demon!Billy

It's a full moon.

Lunch Break by fanfiction_fanfriction

1.7k

Lunch for the king of Hawkins wasn’t spent in the crowded cafeteria, the halls or even out of the grass. It was spent in his car, accompanied by his princess.

How to catch a Billy by User_name_330

1.9k

“Billy gasped, dropping the unlit cigarette, while taking in the sight before him.”

****

Billy thinks he’s saving a captured Steve, but maybe the trap was set for him instead.

you should see me in a crown by CeruleanHeart

Steve is the freshly crowned prom king of Hawkins High. Billy’s always dreamed of fucking royalty.

Harringrove Week of Love: Mirror Sex

Comfort and Fire by barneybuck

2k - No Summary

harringrove ft. daddy kink by orphan_account

2.2k

"Steve was at his living room table, trying to bullshit his way through algebra homework when he started hearing some noises come from his room. Billy was over, and Steve thought he was sleeping. In fact, he barged through Steve's door announcing that he hated his father and that he was gonna crash on Steve's bed.

Steve, not wanting to start an argument and not really minding either, agreed and let his boyfriend do what he pleased. "

Basically Steve finds Billy watching porn.

Turned Bitch by LazyBaker

2.3k - This one features Steve definitely taking something up the ass, but it’s not Billy’s dick... ;)

Steve’s rock bottom has a name—Billy Hargrove.

Holiday Filth by Faraheim

2.3k

What it says on the tin, pure filth and fluff.

You got a roommate, he’ll hear what we do by shootfortherarls

2.5k

“It’s only awkward if you’re fucking him too,”

Got Back by flippyspoon

3.1k

Billy loves his dummy thicc Steve.

A Very Harringrove Christmas by WhiteHawkHarringrove

3.7k

Billy thinks Christmas is all bullshit, maybe a certain brunet can change his mind.

Water Damage by Deep_South

The car door stands open between them. The rain is loud against the pavement, but Steve’s voice comes out surprisingly clear and steady when his eyes lock back onto Billy’s blue: “Get in.”

Billy hesitates, but he doesn't question it, just slides on in to the Beemer's front seat, dripping rainwater all over the leather. Steve can’t help but notice that Billy’s not wearing his jacket, just a white thermal so soaked down that Steve can see right through it. The cold water has made everything hard and the wet-cling shows it: the ridges of his pecs, the peaks of his nipples. Steve can’t help but notice that too.

I Just Can't Wait for Love (to Destroy Us) by theproblematicgay

4.6k

God, he hadn’t meant to. He hadn’t meant to hit him. Christ. Steve’s looking at him like he’d grown a second head, like he’d confessed his love for Satan, like- like Billy had yelled in his face and hit him, hurt him. Because he had. He’s looking at him like how Billy looks at his father.

When had he become this person? When had he become Hargrove again? To Steve of all people. Steve, who Billy was supposed to love like he’d said he did; who Billy had stayed in bed beside last night, realising belatedly how much he needed him to stay until he could live without him again. Steve, who had become so much more than Harrington whilst Billy had simply stayed the same.

Do you want chicken alfredo for dinner? by grabmyboner

4.7k

Steve sends Billy some dirty messages and gets punished for it.

“You’ll be good?” Billy asks, his voice so full of lust, “Reckon you could take my whole fist, baby? Without cumming? Think you could do that for me?”

And Steve, Steve does not think he can do that for Billy. Not one bit. But he looks down at Billy, with tear-stained cheeks and glassy eyes and nods slowly. Billy gives him a wolfish smile and presses a kiss to the head of his cock as a reward. Steve almost cums just from that.

Look What the Cat Dragged in by mAadMax

5.1k

His plans were: going to the Poison concert, enjoy himself and then go back to his house.

He wasn't expecting to run into Billy Hargrove after all these years...

Hand of God, Deliver Me by theproblematicgay

5.5k

God, he wanted it all. But what did Steve want? At this point, Billy was more than ready to follow him to fucking Arkansas and back. He doesn’t want to leave him behind, doesn’t want him to go anywhere without Billy, but Steve probably wants things too. Billy just doesn’t know what they are. Steve had nearly fucking died. Billy still couldn’t wrap his head around that. What if he had? What is Billy supposed to do when he is gone – when he decides he’s had enough, when he meets some girl, or that Nancy chick decides to come running back? Billy knows he’s still hung up on her, and he sees it every day that he could never be enough for him, just like how Harrington could never fill that void in him. How could he?

Or, Harrington’s gaggle of little shits are more perceptive than Billy would’ve ever guessed, ‘cause he’d thought he and Steve had at least been subtle about it.

Polaroids by avameow

6.9k

Steve had given Billy the camera the night before his trip back to California. It was Steves’ dads, a Christmas present from the year before - used once, then stuffed in the back of a cupboard somewhere. Billy had grinned, turning the camera over in his hands, before pointing the lens at Steve.

‘Don’t!’

Too late, the flash momentarily blinded Steve in his bedroom, lights dimmed. Billy had cackled, as the camera hummed and spilled out a photograph. Steve rolled his eyes and collapsed back onto the pillows.

‘I said not to waste the film.’ Steve whined. ‘I wanna see pictures of you, not me.’

Billy shook the picture in the air, letting it develop. ‘Who says this is for you?’

you are the sunlight in my growing by lostnoise

7.5k

"Now, we gotta rock-paper-scissors for the last cup of coffee.”

“Nah, you can take it,” Steve tells him, grabbing the mug of cereal from the counter to wolf down what small breakfast he can. “I gotta jet. Plus, you woke me up this morning. You earned it.”

Billy feels a little touched by the gesture, because they’re always competing for everything, even these days, even just for fun. But touched as he is, Billy refuses to ask any further and dumps the remainder of the pot into another cup.

(Five Mornings with Billy and Steve, + One Weekend of Mornings.)

And lastly, here are a few A/B/O fics featuring Omega!Steve -

bite me, but not too hard by hoppnhorn

3.8k

Steve debates whether or not he should spend his heat tranquilized.

All My Shitty Options by JulieBehrens (JulieCox)

4.6k

Overcompensating for something, Steve? Yeah a bit. Steve is an omega, but hell if he’s going to let anyone know about it. Then, of all people, Billy fucking Hargrove finds out. Steve finds his list of shitty options getting shorter and shittier all the time.

Carnal by mrharringtons

Steve goes into heat when Billy pulls up to school. Billy's the only one who can help him, or so Steve says.

Happy Reading!

#harringrove fic rec #harringrove #lemon

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lizardkingeliot · 4 years ago

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First Line Meme

Rules: List the first lines of your last 20 stories (if you have less than 20, just list them all). See if there are any patterns. Choose your favorite opening line, then tag 10 of your favorite authors!

tagged by @phoenix-ascended thank you!!!! 💖

Okay SO. I’m gonna cheat a little bit here. The first nine I’m going to post are all going to be from the first nine chapters of time cast a spell on you (but you won’t forget me) but to be fair the chapters are so long they each might as well be a story all their own lmao. ANYWAY. Here we go. I’ll post the first paragraph from each I guess, in order of chapter number obvs:

1. Quentin shook out the tension in his hands. He didn’t understand why it wasn’t getting any easier. For days on end he’d been trying to perfect the illumination spell the rest of his fellow First Years had nailed in a matter of hours. But no matter how he tried, Quentin couldn’t seem to make anything more than a spark.

2. Quentin waited until Eliot was asleep to slip out of bed and hastily tug his clothes back on. The illuminated screen of his phone told him it was just past 12am. Clutching his shoes to his chest, he opened the door as quietly as he could manage and tip-toed out into the hall, all but running to his room and clicking the lock shut firmly behind him.

3. Dry-mouthed and groggy, Quentin woke in Eliot’s bed alone. He groaned, groping around for his phone to check the time for a long moment before remembering he’d left it in his room. Quentin rubbed at his eyes, rolling over and up to his feet, muscles he didn’t even know existed screaming as he went. He picked his bathrobe up from the floor and pulled it on, then tottered down the hall to empty his bladder and brush his teeth and gulp down frantic handfuls of water from the bathroom sink.

4. Tuesday morning was hell. Quentin woke just before eleven, empty as a husk. Filthy, all used up. His thighs sticking together where Eliot’s come had dried there in the night. Quickly realizing he’d already missed his first class of the day, Quentin pressed his face into his pillow, pulled the covers up over his head, and surrendered to the blank comfort of late morning sleep.

5. Quentin couldn’t feel his face, or much of his body for that matter. Which was… fine. It was great. It was fucking phenomenal. As long as it meant he also couldn’t feel the sinkhole that had formed in the center of his chest. The one that had been there for days, weeks, months, fucking years. He couldn’t feel anything at all.

6. Quentin felt a lever turn inside his chest, the source of his magic eking out a spark. Enough at least to send a message to Julia back at Brakebills. One of those little enchanted paper airplanes they’d learned his first week in Practical Applications that he never could get to fly quite right. He scrawled his SOS on a cocktail napkin and watched it flutter away like the world’s saddest butterfly. The universe took pity on him. Quentin figured he was probably due. 7. Christmas morning was a lackluster affair.

Exchanging gift cards over coffee and devouring great mounds of Ted Coldwater’s Famous Ham and Eggs while still in their pajamas. After, Julia and Quentin lay on the living room floor and Skyped with James, his grandparents waving hello from Pennsylvania in the background. They opened the stack of impersonal and overly-extravagant gifts from Julia’s mother that had been delivered to the house the night before. Quentin received a pair of cashmere socks and a leather belt with a shiny silver buckle.

8. Quentin stood at the bathroom sink, watching his face shift in the steamy mirror glass. Stark naked save for the towel looped around his hips. Hair dripping in cool, fat beads down onto the planks of his shoulders. So clean he swore he could feel himself sparkling from the inside out.

9. Quentin tossed his phone down onto the floor and leaned back into Eliot’s heat. “It’s almost like you want my dad to know I’m faking sick so I can stay in and let you fuck me until I pass out.”

Some patterns I guess: I love how chapters 2-4 all open with Quentin in bed after hooking up with eliot but all with very different vibes. In chapter 2, he’s just experienced subspace for the first time without having any idea that’s what actually happened to him and he is having A Time. In chapter 3, they had a very intense hook-up the night before and Quentin is sneaking out again, but this time he fully plans on returning right after. And in chapter 4, we see the joy of their beginnings at Columbia contrasted hard with the misery of where Quentin is at Brakebills.

ALSO 2/3 of the chapters begin with Quentin’s name which feels right considering just how deep into his headspace we are in this fic.

Okay. Anyway. Moving on:

10. Eliot loved watching Quentin lose himself in a moment.

It could be anything really: mastering a brand new spell; savoring something decadent and sweet; fussing with his hair when he thought no one was looking; focusing very hard on making himself a cocktail and getting the ratios just right; ranting about his Fillory books; reading his Fillory books, to himself but especially aloud; reading anything; riding dick...

That last one held a particularly special place in Eliot’s heart.

(from but i would die for you in secret aka the one where eliot is pretty sure quentin is only using him for his dick. spoiler alert: he’s not they’re just idiots)

11. Teddy was turning six years old. There was nothing in the world he loved more than stories.

His favorite was a version of Lord of the Rings Quentin had cobbled together from memory. He must have told it to their son a hundred times before it occurred to Eliot he could contribute more to story time than ogling Quentin’s hands while he spoke, or popping in to suggest when the Balrog should actually be making an appearance, Quentin.

(from in a land far away aka the mosaic fic where eliot makes margo hand puppets for teddy)

12. The words came out of Quentin’s mouth without a single coherent thought behind them.

“I’m just about to catch a movie with my boyfriend!”

There, outside the coffee shop on Eighth Avenue, Quentin’s maybe-friend from high school whose name he couldn’t even remember shot him a wide-mouthed grin. “Oh, that’s wonderful!” she said. “Which movie? My wife Danielle and I don’t have any plans for the afternoon and we’d love to tag along. Isn’t that right sweetie?”

(from your name like a song (i sing to myself) aka the one where quentin’s memory is shit and he and eliot pretend to be boyfriends in a post-monster world)

13. Eliot dropped the last box onto the floor. “Daddy’s wardrobe is safe at last,” he said, lowering himself down into the gold chair with a sigh. “Though I can’t seem to shake the terrible feeling that Todd raided my closet at the Cottage before I could get to it all.”

Quentin surveyed the damage from his spot on the sofa: there were at least seven large packing boxes bursting at their seams scattered around the penthouse. “I don’t know how you would even be able to tell. I’m pretty sure one of those boxes is just vests.”

Eliot quirked a brow in his direction. “Some of us are cultivating an aesthetic, Quentin,” he said. “And I didn’t see you complaining when I let you dress me for dinner last night.”

Quentin couldn’t help but smile. “I wouldn’t call picking between two pre-approved ties dressing you, El.”

“I’m also counting the fact that you said my ass looked great in my new pants.”

(from the parentheses (all clicking shut behind you) aka the suspender porn fic)

14. The night Quentin Coldwater died, a brand new star appeared in the sky over Brakebills. A little brighter than Venus, it stayed fixed in the same position for weeks on end. Eliot hardly would have noticed such a thing if it hadn’t been for the way that it hummed. Or at least, that’s how it felt. A humming in his bones. An old, familiar presence. Margo thought that he’d gone mad with grief. Alice was the only one who could understand.

(from a myth of devotion aka the one where eliot is sorta icarus and quentin is sorta the sun)

15. It didn’t happen the way Eliot expected it to. He dropped the letter into the mailbox, and pain blossomed in his abdomen so brightly it was like he’d gone supernova.

And everything went dark.

(from by night, beloved, tie your heart to mine aka the one where eliot sends the letter)

16. Eliot stretched out over the mosaic, his shirt riding up just a little as he clicked a yellow tile into place, and Quentin’s pulse leapt in his neck once, twice. Three times. His breath hitched. It was becoming nearly impossible to focus. In the heat of the sun, watching the sweat soak Eliot’s shirt clean-through.

(from i won’t deny (all the things i would do) aka the one where quentin and eliot start hooking up three months into their life at the mosaic)

17. After they decided kissing on the mouth was okay, Quentin and Eliot wanted to do it all the time. In every corner of the penthouse (“If you don’t stop sucking face while I’m trying to eat my sandwich,” Kady said one afternoon, “I’m literally going to feed you to the Baba Yaga.”), outside coffee shops, in between bites at the sushi place in Chelsea that Eliot loved. Once, they went to see a movie they couldn’t even remember the name of just to make out for two blissful, uninterrupted hours in the dark.

(from and a song of praise upon your lips aka part three of the box of chocolates series where quentin and eliot are definitely dating and finally talk about their feelings)

18. Eliot startled awake to something sharp and pointed slamming into his shin. He opened his eyes, and the toe of Margo’s shoe made contact one last time. Pain seared up the side of his leg, and he winced. Jesus, she really did not realize her own strength sometimes. Or the strength of her Jimmy Choo’s.

(from that you may know (the secrets of your heart) aka part two of box of chocolates aka the one where hand stuff is still banging)

19. Eliot Waugh was High King in his blood, and somehow that felt right. When they first arrived in Fillory, Quentin assumed he would be the one to wear the crown. He’d dreamed of it most of his life after all. On the throne in Whitespire, a fleet of talking animals at his disposal, a noble quest waiting around every corner to ferry him away to the next grand, heart-stopping adventure. But when the blade bit into his palm and drew no blood, and Eliot’s came up red, it felt like the final piece of some perfect puzzle clicking into place.

(from and this is the map of my heart aka the one where quentin wants to marry eliot and they have some incredibly filthy sex before everything falls apart)

20. Eliot walked into the penthouse to an eerie quiet. He found Quentin sitting in the kitchen under a dim illumination spell, drinking a beer and poking at the screen of his phone.

“Hey,” Eliot said, setting his shopping bag down on the counter. “Where is everyone?”

Quentin sighed, rubbing at his eyes. He looked like he hadn’t slept in days. “Out. I don’t know.”

Eliot squinted at him. “You didn’t want to go with them?”

Quentin lifted his eyes, shot Eliot a look. “No.”

(from for love (if it finds you worthy) aka part one of the box of chocolates series)

And I have now been here doing this for so long I no longer have time to try and find anymore patterns lmao BUT I will be tagging: @thelucindac @akisazame @fishfingersandscarves @nellie-elizabeth @freneticfloetry @rubickk7 and anyone else who wants to play!

#the magicians #queliot #otp: proof of concept #myfic

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wildegreenlight · 5 years ago

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Ready to Believe

A/N: What better reason to come out of semi-retirement than the Birthday of our lovely ginger knight, our passionate sassy king, Ron Weasley!! This little plot bunny came to me earlier in the week and (apparently there are miracles in this world), I was able to finish it in time!!

Thanks to the fantabulous @trademarkblue for helping me polish this little nugget! As I told you earlier, the only thing I value more than your fic expertise is your friendship! Thanks as always to @callieskye for cheering me on and always being willing to read my ramblings! Love you both!!

If there is real magic out there, this may actually motivate me to finish my other WIPs!! (Not sure if anyone is “ready to believe” that!)

March 1, 1995

Even as the sentence was forming in his mind, before he opened his mouth to give it breath, he told himself to stop, to change the subject, to stuff his face with cake and move on. But it was his birthday, and if you can’t have a little fun on your birthday, then what’s the point?

“For someone so smart you sure can be thick sometimes, you know that?”

And just like that, they were in the middle of a row. To be perfectly honest, he wasn’t exactly sure how it had started. Ok, maybe he had an idea; it had been only a matter of time. Since their big blow up at Christmas, they had settled into an uncharacteristic period of peace. One that couldn’t hold forever.

“Thick? Because I don’t believe in some silly, childish��” she was waving her hands in that way that meant she was just warming up.

“ ‘snot silly or childish- it happens to be very real magic.”

“It happens to be absurd.”

Ron knew he should probably just let it go. There wasn’t any real chance that he would change her mind, or even if he did, she certainly would never admit it.

“You are the only person I know, the only person I could ever think of, that could attend an actual SCHOOL OF MAGIC and not believe in magic.”

“Of course I believe in REAL magic: spells and potions and charms, but wishes, birthday or otherwise, are not real- they don’t work!”

“They are and they do.”

As he leaned back on the opposite end of the sofa from her, hands behind his head, he wondered if there was any way that she could be enjoying this as much as he was. Maybe it was weird. It’s not like he enjoyed real fighting:not like the mess with the rat last year or how he was such an ass to Harry over the bleeding Goblet of Fuckedupedness. But this? This was like chess. Anticipating her moves, countering with his own.

“Well if that’s the case,” the twinkle in her eye made it obvious that she thought she had the winning move, “ why doesn’t everyone just wish for a fortune on their birthday?”

Well played, but not quite good enough.

“Doesn’t work like that.”

“Because it doesn’t work at all.”

“Does too, but there’s rules.” Hermione was smart, probably the smartest person he knew when it came to books, but she didn’t now loads of things about the Magical world because, well some things just aren’t written down. He knew it irritated her, and he had learned to not call her out on it, especially in front of other people. That was another thing about Hermione, she seemed real cocky about her abilities, but she was always secretly worried that she was an outsider.

“Such as?”

“First off, it can’t be a “thing” - like no brooms or galleons or toys. And no wishing for more wishes,” he ignored her exaggerated eye roll, ”or combining a bunch of stuff into one. You get one a year and only on your birthday.”

“And let me guess: you can’t tell anyone what your wish is or it won’t come true?”

“ ‘Course you can’t tell, that would ruin it.”

“Anything else? Or have you thoroughly enlightened me?”

“Just that you really have to want it,” he turned toward her then to add emphasis to his point, “like REALLY want it.”

“Obviously. And so there’s no way for you to really prove it to me because you, very conveniently,” she turned to face him challengingly, “can’t tell me about what your wish is.”

So there it was. She needed proof, but the only proof he could give her would negate the very thing he was trying to prove. It was rare, but in rows, just like in chess, when you aren’t checked, and you have no more legal moves, you end up with a draw. It wasn’t quite as satisfying as a straight-out win, but he suddenly knew how to make it even better.

“No one can prove to you what you’re not ready to believe.”

@@@@@@@

March 1, 1997

“Can anyone tell me what this is?”

Slughorn made a flourish and the slightly petulant students crowded forward. Ron stared into the cauldron- its surface was shiny and swirly like one the giant lollies at Honeydukes. It looked so similar in fact, that he was surprised that its fragrance was anything but sugary. To be honest, the scent was hard to describe , but more than familiar. There was a woodish smell like the worn lines of a broomstick after a fly, or the tickle of dusty shavings in his Dad’s shed. And that? That was a warm, wool smell-like a Christmas jumper-one that’s been worn- with a hint of almond shampoo and a bit of ink stain on the sleeve…

Bloody hell!! He knew that smell! It was the old jumper that he’d let Hermione use last year! She’d argued with him at first, but he knew she was just as cold as she was stubborn, so he made her take it. When she’d returned it the next day, he’d lied to himself about being too lazy to clean it - lied to himself about the sudden broom-drop feeling in his gut when he imagined it wrapped around her, covering her; it was almost like he was wrapped around her. He’d lied to himself about how much he loved keeping it in his trunk, relishing how its smell seeped into the rest of his clothes. He’d lied to himself about so many things. Why had it taken him so long to see the truth?

“Oh Ron, no one can prove to you what you aren’t ready to believe,” Hermione touched his shoulder gently, offering him a sad little smile before walking past him out of the classroom.

He turned to follow her, but the whole scene disappeared. There was nothing but darkness. He tried to call for her through the blue-black void, but for some reason he couldn't make a sound. Suddenly he felt like he was choking; he couldn’t catch his breath. Panic. Heart. Pounding. Panic. Flailing. Falling. Panic. He had to get to her, had to tell her, before it was too late

His back hit the ground, hard, dislodging what felt like a bludger from his throat. It was still dark and he had no idea where he might be, yet all he could think of was how to find her.

Whispers. Faint. Far away. Harry? Slughorn? Had he fainted in the middle of the lesson? Had the cauldron been poisonous?

Hermione had been close to it-was she safe? Where was she? Why had she walked away?

Wait...it wasn’t like that. The swirly potion was...months ago. She had...he had...cocked it all up. If he found her, would she listen to him? Would she even look at him?

Too late. Too late. Too late.

Whispers. Again. Louder. Closer. Harry? Was that...it couldn’t be... Hermione? He had to get to her somehow. It just couldn’t be too late, he wouldn’t let it be.

He tried again to call to her, and this time his desperate plea found a way, crawling through his throat on rusty spurs.

“Er-my-nee”

@@@

The light was so dim, that for a few confused minutes he wasn’t entirely sure that he had woken up. As his eyes adjusted a bit, he was able to put together the fact that he was lying, more like sitting to be honest, in a hospital wing bed. His head hurt too much to try and piece together the series of events that had ended with him in such a position, but he was curious as to how hurt he actually was.

Afraid to move too much, Ron risked turning his sore neck gingerly to the right ok, my head’s still attached and to the left what is that? Better yet, who is that? Someone was currently resting their head on the side of his bed. Someone’s curls were in such a state that they were practically spilling into his lap. He didn’t need an OWL in Divination to figure out who it was, but he just couldn’t believe what he saw. Maybe I’m still out.

Truth be told, ever since Christmas he’d been having increasingly vivid dreams about Hermione. It was not unusual for him to wake up in his four-poster sweaty, confused, and disappointed. He reached his hand out and gently brushed his fingers through her disheveled mane. She sure felt real. He inhaled deeply: almonds, wool, ink. He was so relieved he could’ve cried!

Quite suddenly she jerked her head up from the mattress and he took his hand away like a toddler caught with his hand in the biscuits. He was sure he must look a fright, but, despite the fact that her eyes were as wild as her curls and her face was blotchy with tears, she was the most beautiful sight he could imagine.

“Hey,” he cringed at his voice, apparently I’ve been gargling with nails.

“You’re...you’re awake.” A brilliant smile danced across her face, but quickly disappeared, leaving her expression apprehensive.

“Think so.”

“Oh..sorry. Did I wake you? I shouldn’t...I should go...sorry,” she scrambled to her feet.

Sorry?! No! He couldn’t, wouldn’t let her go, not now!

“Wait!” He reached out and grabbed her wrist. “Please, don’t go...I...I want you to stay.”

“You do?”

“ ‘Course I do.”

How could she doubt that? Oh, yeah...why shouldn’t she doubt it...doubt me?

“Alright, I’ll stay...for a bit. I just don’t want to keep you from resting. Are you sure you’re ok? Do you need anything?”

Just you...probably too soon to say that, right?

“Some water would be great.”

She immediately began to fill a glass from the pitcher on his bedside table.

“And.” he added, noticing the flush that began to show in her cheeks as she turned back to him, “maybe you could tell me…”

“Tell you what?”

If you’re as nervous as I am.

“What happened?” As he took the glass of water from her, their fingers brushed together. He held his breath, urging the moment to linger.

“You were...poisoned; Harry saved you,” her voice broke and she pulled her hand away to wipe at her eyes. “Do you remember anything?”

“Not much...I think it’s my birthday...or was...not sure how long I was out.”

“I think it still is, technically.”

“Ok...well, that’s good”

“Sorry.”

“For?”

“I didn’t get you anything,” she sat down again, looking very tired and very sad.

“Didn’t really expect you to,” he swallowed the last of the water and tried to steady his resolve, “I know I’ve been a real prat...and I want you to know that I...well..I shouldn’t have been.”

“No...it was me...I’ve been horrid to you and I...well I...and then you almost,” she was crying in earnest now and it didn’t make him feel vindicated like he had imagined it might, it just made him want to comfort her.

“We were both not so great...but that doesn’t mean we can’t fix it, yeah?”

She smiled a tentative little smile that made his heart clinch in a way that was probably not entirely good for his current medical condition.

“Yeah...that sounds good.”

He knew that he owed her more, owed himself more, but it wasn’t time yet. Maybe he was a coward; he didn’t want to push his luck, not when he had her here, actually looking at him and talking to him and seemingly glad to do so. For now he would have to be satisfied with old patterns: smooth it over with a little humor.

“Brilliant! Now if you tell me you have some biscuits on ya, it will be a perfect birthday after all!”

She laughed and shook her head God I’ve missed that sound!

“If only I had a cake, you would still have,” she glanced at the clock, “three minutes to make your birthday wish.”

“Cake would be nice, but I already made my wish this morning.”

“Really?”

“Yup.” Before I even opened my gifts...been planning it for weeks.

“I know it’s crazy of me to ask, but what did you wish for?” As she leaned closer, he was intoxicated by her: the way the dim light twinkled in her eyes, the way her hair looked like a frizzy halo.

“Hermione! You know that is entirely against the rules!”

“Of course, how silly of me!” And that eye roll...how have I lived without that? “Can I at least ask if it came true?”

“Yes.” Definitely got my wish.

“Yes, I can ask, or yes, it came true?”

She had to know, didn’t she? It always seemed to him that he had been beyond obvious, but the last few months had made him think otherwise. There was only one thing he had wanted, and he had gotten it. Not quite how he had pictured it this morning, but wishes could be funny like that.

“It so came true,” he tried to communicate every bit of what he could not say in the look they shared. “I know I may not be able to prove it to you...yet, but I will.”

“If I’m ready to believe?”

“It’s alright...I can believe enough for both of us until then.”

#hp #happy birthday ron weasley #ron weasley #hermione granger #romione #gof #hbp #ready to believe #my fic #sorry it has been sooooo long

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jlalafics · 5 years ago

Text

“Santa Baby”-a Christmas Everlark Fic

I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry! I know this took long, but it’s like 32 pages...

Anyway, enjoy and Happy Holidays!

Summary:

“I’m giving you till Christmas Eve to get this all out of your system,” his father told him. “Come Christmas, you will marry the South Pole Princess.”

Not if he could help it.

Christmas Eve, he repeated resolutely.

He had till Christmas Eve to find his true love.

Fluffing it up for the Holiday season. Everlark AU.

Santa Baby

December 1st

“Peeta…” There was knock at the door. “Are you awake?”

He groaned at the familiar call of Haymitch, Head Elf and his steward, and pulled his fur comforter over his head.

It didn’t deter the man from entering the room, tray in hands. “I know you’re not sleeping, Peeta.” Haymitch placed the tray on the side table before going to the velvet curtains and pulling the cord to let the light into the room. “Now, get up before I get one of the guys in Delivery to drag you out.”

Peeta shot up in his bed, grimacing as the stark white light hit his vision.

“There is no way they could do it.” He reached for the mug of hot chocolate on the tray and took a long sip, sighing in relief at the taste of freshly brewed cocoa. “They don’t have the manpower.”

“But they have the reindeer,” Haymitch pointed out as he reached into the silver armoire to take out a red robe, trimmed with white. He walked over to Peeta, as the young man stood, and helped him into it before moving the slippers by his bedside next to his feet. “You know they have nothing to do before Christmas and love nothing but a good game of ‘Chase the North Pole Prince’.”

“Tell me why I keep you around.” Peeta reached for the tray of Christmas cookies, picking out his favorite shape—the star—and taking a bite. “We barely tolerate each other.”

“Because Santa—or as he’s better known as your Dad—assigned me this grand job,” Haymitch replied wryly. He went to Peeta, placing a hand on each shoulder. “And because, believe it or not, I want the best for you.”

Peeta nodded, his smile affectionate, as he held out the plate of cookies to Haymitch.

“Why don’t you have a cookie while we go over my schedule for today?”

Haymitch reached over, mussing Peeta’s golden head affectionately.

“That’s my boy.”

++++++

Dressed in a grey cable knit sweater and snow-white pants, Peeta walked down the grand staircase of the North Pole Palace. Effie, his mother’s assistant and Haymitch’s better half, beamed at him from the bottom of the steps.

“Hello Peeta!” she chirped at him. “Today is a big, big, big day!”

He leaned down and kissed her cheek. Effie was like a second mother to him and always snuck him snacks whenever his Dad tried to put his foot down.

“Isn’t it always a big, big, big day whenever December comes around?”

“No, Peeta! Don’t you remember? Tonight is the Winter Ceremony!” Effie gushed. “

Peeta stopped in his tracks as the ball of dread fell to his stomach; he hated ceremonies. “Oh…that.”

“I had your suit pressed and your crown polished...” Effie fidgeted with his sweater distractedly, brushing a bit of lint off before going to his hair and trying to fix the cowlick. “…should we add a cape? I always thought capes look so dashing and I think Clove will really like it.”

“Clove?”

“The South Pole Princess, of course!” Effie raised a brow at him. “Honestly, Peeta! You’re twenty-two years old—the prime age for marrying! Tonight, you will meet your bride! Surely, you’ve known about this arrangement.”

“Where are my mother and father?” he demanded.

“Having breakfast, of course,” Effie informed him. “But—”

Peeta marched off towards the dining hall, not even waiting for the doormen to let him enter.

“Mom! Dad!”

His parents turned to him, bright smiles on their faces.

“Peeta!” His mother stood, her bright red dress swaying with her. She gave him a kiss on his cheek. “Are you joining us for breakfast?”

“No, but I would like to know why no one mentioned this whole bride issue!” he burst out.

“Peeta.” He turned to his father. “Have a seat.”

While Father Christmas was known to be a cheerful and jolly sort of man to outsiders, Peeta knew him as a more stoic kind of character. Santa Claus, Ruler of the North Pole, was a fair and just King, but Peeta knew better than to mess with him.

His mother led him to the seat next to hers and took his hand.

“We’ve had this treaty since your grandfather was in power,” his father explained. “It was promised that, in order to maintain peace between the North and South Poles, we would unite the kingdom if a male and female heir were born. In my case, Coriolanus was born around the same time that I was, and no other heirs came.”

“So now it falls on me and this girl—”

“Clove,” his mother interrupted.

“So, it falls on me and Clove to marry?” he said incredulously. “Why did you never mention this before?”

His parents eyed one another, communicating silently, before turning back to him.

“Peeta, you know that we love you,” his father started. “However, you haven’t been the most responsible person.”

“Why would you think that?”

“You’ve never bothered to learn about the family business.” His father looked to him warily. “You’ve quit almost everything you’ve started.”

“You said almost everything,” Peeta pointed out. “So, I have committed to at least one thing.”

“You can’t run a kingdom on baking alone,” his father responded. “And, when you take over as the reigning Santa, you’ll be eating the cookies, not making them.” The man patted his stomach heartily. “The love for baking will fade because you will have more responsibility—and you will need someone by your side to help you take care of our kingdom and the children of the world. We are all counting on you.”

Peeta settled back in his chair; the weight of his father’s words resting on his shoulders.

“Give Clove a chance, my dear,” his mother said soothingly. “You never know. Love might come.”

Peeta nodded before standing from his seat. “I’ll be ready for this evening.”

He walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.

“Did you have to be so hard on him, Nick?”

“Jess, you know that he has to grow up sooner or later.”

They adored their son, but he had grown up with tinsel-covered eyes.

“But marriage?” Jessica countered. “He is too young.”

“I was the same age when I met you,” Nick said, his gaze going to the flaxen-haired woman with her luminous blue eyes. They met at an ice cream parlor in Connecticut; he had come in for a business meeting with a local toymaker and stopped in for a tin roof sundae.

When their eyes met over the cherry top sundae, that had been it.

He was goner.

There was a cough and they turned to see Effie at the doorway.

“Ma’am, Mother Nature has arrived for your meeting,” she informed Jessica.

“Oh yes, Patina had some concerns over the recent fires going on.” Jessica stood from her seat and pressed a kissed just above her husband’s beard. “Peeta is smarter and stronger than we think. Give him a chance. He may surprise you.”

“I am a lucky man to have you,” Nick said tenderly.

Jessica chuckled. “I’m just lucky that I made one hell of a sundae.”

++++++

From the balcony of his bedroom, Peeta looked out upon his kingdom, the Christmas lights illuminating every house in the North Pole. He loved this time of year; the way the snow covered the rooftops and glistened when the moon hit them just right.

Pride swelled at the kingdom before him. This was his legacy—to rule over this small piece of land and eventually reign over it as King and Santa Claus when the time came. He welcomed it, contrary to whatever his parents thought. What he didn’t enjoy was having every choice made for him.

Especially the choice of who he would be spending his life with.

“Peeta?” Haymitch approached. “You all set?”

He straightened and turned to the man.

Stopping in front of him, Haymitch looked Peeta over. He had obediently put on the white cutaway tailcoat, turndown collar shirt, and white pants. The red sash crossed diagonally across his suit was customary for formal occasions such as these.

“You look good, son,” his steward said proudly. “However, there is just one more thing.”

They walked back into the bedroom where there, on his dresser, sat his crown. It was a sight to behold and every time Peeta saw it, it took his breath away. Made of white gold, the circlet had seven peaks, for each continent, and was decorated with pearls, amethysts, topaz, and alexandrite. The front was adorned with a large blue tourmaline—representing his family’s trademark eye color.

“Allow me,” Haymitch said and Peeta walked to the mirror resting in the corner. Carefully, the man placed it atop his head and stepped back to let Peeta look at his reflection. “You look like a King.”

“Thank you,” he responded hollowly. “You’re a true friend, Haymitch.”

The man noted his downcast countenance. "‘Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown’."

“Somehow, Shakespeare saw into the future and wrote about me,” Peeta retorted with a thin laugh. “I am not, by any means, ready.”

“But you will do what’s necessary for your kingdom,” Haymitch told him. “I know you.”

Peeta sighed heavily. “You know me too well.” He straightened himself in the mirror, resoluteness in his reflection. “Let’s do this.”

++++++

“His royal highness, King Coriolanus, and her royal highness, Princess Clove, of the South Pole,” the announcer called out.

Peeta steeled himself as he stood right of his father’s throne. Behind him, Haymitch remained as his royal steward. His mother stood to his father’s left, dressed elegantly in a red gown and matching mantle lined with white fur with Effie behind her. His father, sitting front and center, was dressed in a red military-esque suit, his own mantle draped on his shoulders.

He looked at the girl walking towards him, her hand resting on her father’s arm. Clove was dark-haired, the color of her locks similar to the black of raven feathers and her eyes were cool blue. She was beyond pale and her expression was tight, her red lips paling from the tautness of her mouth.

King Coriolanus shared his daughter’s cool eyes and expression, his dark suit made his pale skin and white hair stand out.

Stopping in front of the dais, the father bowed while the daughter curtsied gracefully.

“Welcome.” His father stood up and walked to the duo. “My wife, Jessica.” His mother joined them and curtsied elegantly, her smile lighting up her face. “And, my son, Peeta.”

Peeta walked forward, bowing and as he rose, he looked to Clove. She offered a nod before looking to her father in approval.

His father coughed, pulling out of his stupor.

“Oh—” Peeta looked to Clove, holding out his hand to her. “May I have this dance?”

She didn’t answer, only nodding once more, and taking his hand.

They made their way to the center of the room as the music began and Peeta wrapped an arm around her waist as he began to lead her in a customary waltz.

“So…” he began. “What do you like to do?”

“What do you like to do?” Clove responded, her lips rising in a smile. However, it didn’t quite reach her eyes and the blank expression in her eyes made his insides go cold.

“I like to bake and draw.”

Besides baking, Peeta could spend hours at his canvas. It was the one thing that calmed him when royal life got too much.

“Then I will like that too,” she said simply.

He tried again. “And, what about your favorite color? Mine is orange, actually more like a sunset orange.”

“Then that’s my favorite, too.”

This was going to be a long night.

++++++

Later that night, Peeta stood in the palace’s study, spinning the globe that his father often used. It automatically added new cities and boroughs whenever they were established. When he was young, he would spin it and close his eyes, pressing his finger to stop it and look to see which destination his finger landed on.

Bordeaux…Peru…Manila…Seattle…

All places that his little fingers had pointed to.

All the places he would never go as Peeta—but one day as Santa Claus.

“Do you remember that game that you used to play?”

Peeta looked up at his father’s voice and the man smiled gently at him.

“I was just thinking about that right now,” he replied. “All the places that I had found…that I won’t be able to see unless it’s in working capacity.”

“Maybe not,” Nick said.

Peeta met his eyes. “What?”

“I’ve had a talk with your mother, and she thinks that you might need a break,” his father continued. “And I…agreed.”

He straightened up at his words. “I don’t understand.”

“I love you, Peeta.” Nick put an arm around him. “And, I just want you to be happy.” His father spun the globe. “Close your eyes and point.”

Eagerly Peeta followed his instruction, closing his eyes before stopping the globe.

“Interesting choice,” his father replied as Peeta opened his eyes to look at his pick. “No snow, but full of Christmas spirit.”

Peeta looked at him in confusion. “What are you saying?”

“Obviously, you have some wanderlust, Peeta. I’m giving you till Christmas Eve to get this all out of your system,” Nick told him. “However, come Christmas, you will marry the South Pole Princess.”

Not if he could help it.

Peeta beamed at the man. “Thanks Dad.”

Christmas Eve, he repeated resolutely.

He had till Christmas Eve to find his true love.

But could he find it—Peeta looked at his choice once more—in Panem?

++++++

December 7th

“Here we are!” Peeta eagerly reached into the pocket of his navy peacoat to pull out the set of keys that his mother had placed into his hand before bidding him goodbye. “My first apartment!”

“Our first apartment,” Haymitch grumbled as he dragged his bag with him. He looked around the beige hallway full of wooden doors. “No offense, but this is kind of a shithole.”

Peeta turned to him aghast. “Haymitch, you cursed!”

“Yes, I cursed,” the man replied simply. “Your father caps it in the North Pole, but the cap was lifted once we left so get all the shits, fucks, and damns out while you can.”

“Will do,” he said cheerily.

Turning the lock and opening the door, Peeta stepped into the apartment, placing his bag on the ground as he looked around. It was, like the hallway, beige with a few stains on the far wall and on the hardwood floor. In the sitting area sat a well-loved couch and coffee table. The kitchen was to his left and he went to the fridge, a seafoam green number, and opened it.

“There’s no food in here!”

“Well, you wanted the real-world experience so like any real person, you’re going to have to get a real job,” Haymitch explained. “Your father will take care of the rent for this dump, but food and other necessities will be up to you.” He looked around disdainfully. “Man, I miss the palace—and I miss my wife.” Reaching into his jean pocket, Haymitch took out his phone. “Glad I got this little thing with me—”

“You got a phone?” Peeta grabbed out of the man’s grasp, his eyes widening as he read the message that Effie had sent. “Whoa—do you really talk to each other like that?”

“It’s called sexting, Peeta—and please respect our privacy.” Haymitch responded to the message quickly. “I’ll take this room.” He headed to the opposite side of the kitchen. “It’s next to the bathroom and I’m going to need a lot of cold showers. Good night Peeta!”

“Night Haymitch!”

After the door closed, Peeta went to the windows across and looked out at the street below him. It was empty, saved for the few cars that whizzed by and the person walking their dog across the street.

They were on the third floor of an apartment building in decent part of the city. Panem was a thriving metropolis on the West Coast of the United States; its population like San Francisco or Seattle.

In a city like this, he was sure that his girl was out there.

He just had to figure how to find her.

His stomach suddenly growled.

Better yet, Peeta had to find a job

++++++

December 9th

“More coffee?”

“Yes, please,” Haymitch said to the woman as he cut into his pancake. “This is delicious, Mags.”

Mags’ Diner was two doors down from their apartment building. Peeta’s father had provided Haymitch with some cash to keep them going until Peeta found work. After complaining about stomach pains, Haymitch suggested they look for food before they came across the diner.

“Thank you, darlin’!” The woman beamed and then looked to Peeta. “And, how’s your breakfast, love?”

“It’s delicious!” Peeta speared his waffle, enjoying the crispness of it and the soak of maple syrup. “But, how did you come up with the concept of chicken and waffles?”

“I didn’t come up with it,” Mags told him with a laugh.

“Then who did?”

“You’re going to have Google it or something,” the woman told him.

Peeta looked to her in confusion. “Google?”

“Mags, where he’s from, there’s limited amount of technology,” Haymitch explained. “So, you’ll have to go a little slow with this one.”

The bell of the door jingled as someone came in.

“MAGS! COFFEE PLEASE!”

Peeta turned to see a dark-haired woman in a bright green dress and candy cane style stockings stomp to the table next to them. Atop her dark wavy hair was a bright green pointy hat with a bell on the end of it. The only thing out of place about her outfit were the clunky boots on her feet.

Haymitch looked the girl over and snorted. “That is so not what we wear.”

“That’s supposed to be an elf outfit?” Peeta asked incredulously.

“That’s how these outsiders see us,” Haymitch growled into his coffee.

Elves usually wore whatever they wanted, unless you were a servant at the palace and then they were attired in more business casual clothing. Haymitch usually wore a white button down and black slacks while Effie had free reign as long as her clothing was workplace appropriate. Also, unlike what outsiders believe, elves were the same height as regular humans, the only distinguishing trait being the pointed ears.

His father had changed Haymitch’s to regular lobes before they departed.

“Another day at the shop, Katniss?” Mags asked as she placed a mug on the woman’s table.

“Yes, except Gale quit!” She took a sip and moaned loudly. “Oh, that’s the good shit…”

Her exclamation sent a shot of excitement through Peeta’s body.

Not to mention, it twitched and stiffened at her moan.

Mags tutted. “So, you’re one elf short?”

“Yes,” Katniss said. “Annie and Finnick usually do the evening shift so we’re okay there, but we need an assistant to help Santa with the kids during the day. Prim won’t be on break from school until a week before Christmas and Mom is manning the registers.”

She let out a groan of frustration.

“This is why I hate Christmas.”

Peeta and Haymitch simultaneously gasped.

Katniss’ eyes shot up, meeting his immediately, and Peeta felt his jaw drop at the sight of her.

The woman was beautiful.

Her hair was ebony with waves that tumbled down against her shoulders and framed her delicate heart-shaped face. She was olive-skinned with rose lips that tightened at the sight of him.

Oh, but it was her eyes that captured him.

Smoky and almond-shaped, they were framed by thick lashes and as she glared at him, he could see the fire in them.

Peeta was a goner.

It was as if the heavens opened up and snowed down every shimmer of light that it could afford around her. Music filled his ears and it seemed like all his favorite Christmas carols combined into a symphony. If they had been outside, Peeta was sure that she would have been surrounded by woodland creatures.

“What the fuck are you staring at?”

Haymitch leaned over. “I think she’s talking to you.”

Peeta broke from his reverie and beamed at her.

“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to stare,” he began. “I’m sorry you’re having bad day.”

Katniss softened at his words. “Thanks.” She took a sip of her coffee. “What’s your name?”

“Peeta…Mellark.” He stopped himself from saying Kringle, instead giving her the last name that, according to his father, belonged to their ancestors.

“Peeta…” Peeta shifted because it stiffened at the sound of his name on her lips. “…that’s a weird one.” She finally gave him a smile—which was brilliantly white and lit up her beautiful face. “Katniss Everdeen.”

“That’s also a weird one,” Haymitch remarked.

“Your name is beautiful,” Peeta assured her with a smile.

She nodded at the man next to him. “Is that your Dad?”

“No, this is my ste…roommate, Haymitch.” Haymitch nodded at her before going back to his breakfast. “We live in the apartment building, two doors down from here.”

“Did you guys meet on Craigslist or something?” Katniss raised a brow at the pair. “He looks way old to be your roommate. I’d lock my door at night if I were you.”

“Hey girlie!” Haymitch barked. “I’m not the one wearing a cheap polyester joke of an elf costume!”

Peeta placed a hand on the man’s shoulder to calm him; his steward immediately retreated.

“What Haymitch means to say is that elves probably don’t wear that kind of outfit.”

Katniss shrugged. “Well, the kids love it and that’s what is important.”

Peeta was already halfway in love with her.

She looked down at her phone resting on the table. “Shit—I’m late!” Standing, Katniss reached into a pocket hidden in her skirt and threw a few bills down on the table surface. “Gotta go, Mags!” Her eyes went to Peeta and she smiled. “My family owns a toy store a few blocks down. It’s called Everdeen Toys. Come check us out if you want.”

“We will,” he promised.

With that, Katniss left with a flounce of her skirt that revealed her stockings were thigh-highs, and—that her underwear matched her outfit.

Haymitch smirked knowingly. “Do you need a cold shower?”

“I found her, Haymitch.” He grinned at the man. “She is the girl I’m going to marry!”

++++++

“Are you insane?” Haymitch yelled as they entered their apartment. “Is this the whole reason why you’ve come here? To find another wife?”

“Yes!” Peeta retorted. “I can’t marry Clove. She isn’t my true love. I felt it in my bones.”

“Your father will never allow it,” Haymitch intoned.

Peeta stood before Haymitch. “Would you have settled for anyone less than Effie?”

His steward stiffened at his words and shook his head vehemently. “Never.”

“Because she’s your true love,” Peeta told him. “And I won’t settle for anyone less than Katniss.”

They went silent at his declaration, their breaths harsh after their argument.

“Fuck tradition then.”

Peeta looked up the man’s words and Haymitch smirked.

“Yeah! Fu…fuck tradition!” Peeta grimaced. “That was a lot harder to say than I thought.” He quickly embraced the man. “Will you help me with her? I don’t know anything about courting rituals of the outside world.”

“I don’t know anything about them, either,” Haymitch replied. “I mean, courting Effie meant presenting her father with the nicest handwoven gift basket. I had splinters for days after—but it was worth it.” He patted Peeta’s shoulder. “How about we check out her store tomorrow?”

“Great idea!” Peeta jumped in excitement.

“Also—” Haymitch looked around. “We should probably go shopping for some furniture today. I don’t fancy sleeping on the couch next to you again. This morning, I woke up with you drooling on my shoulder!” He reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. “Your Dad gave me this thing—” He presented Peeta with a small plastic rectangle. “He called it a credit card. I’m guessing he wants me to use it for furniture. Also, your mother made me a list of things that we should get.”

Magically, he pulled a long list from his other pocket.

Peeta picked the bit of the list that had fallen to the ground to look it over. “What’s a laptop?”

“I have no idea, but today we’ll have to find a place called…Ikea.”

++++++

Everdeen Toys turned out to be five blocks down from their apartment building. However, after a good night’s sleep in their new beds (they had practically bought out Ikea) and a hearty breakfast at Mags’, the walk was quite refreshing.

Peeta practically skipped towards the place. He could not wait to see Katniss again.

“I read up on courting in the outsider world on our laptop. They call it dating,” Haymitch told him.

“Dating?”

“Well, it’s a sort of meeting where you get to know one another,” the man explained. “You do different activities, like going to a restaurant or the movies. Sometimes, one person will have a date suggestion and sometimes the other person will have one. It’s a way to gauge whether or not you’re compatible.”

“So, I should ask Katniss on a date,” Peeta mused. “I’m sure it will be fine. You’ll be there to make sure that I mess up—”

“Peeta, you go on the date alone,” Haymitch informed him. “Just you and Katniss. There are no chaperones. Didn’t your parents ever explain any of this to you?”

“No. They’re both busy people, you know that,” Peeta responded.

“You never got a talk? About what happens between a man and a woman?”

Peeta shook his head. “I’m sure I’ll figure it out.”

Thank goodness for Peeta’s optimism; Haymitch could only hope that when it came to intimate matters, Katniss would be a good teacher.

“We’re here!”

The Everdeen store was a brick and mortar building with a large display window. It was obviously very popular as children crowded the outside of the store looking over the Lego display depicting the North Pole. Inside, the place was packed full of people as they looked over the various toy displays.

“Not a bad display,” Haymitch said. The children turned to him curiously. “However, our bakery is actually closer to the ice-skating rink. Also, there’s no hot chocolate stand…and where’s the palace?”

“There’s a palace?” A little girl with a bright pink jacket asked.

“Of course, there’s a palace!” Haymitch looked down at the girl in disbelief. “I work there!”

The girl stepped back just as her mother placed an arm around her shoulders to lead her away.

“Stay away from strangers, Katie!” the woman said as they rushed away.

“You try to be nice to people,” Haymitch muttered.

“Let’s go in,” Peeta told him. “We can check out the new merchandise and let Effie know how everything is selling.”

Together, they stepped into the crowded store. The shelves were fully stocked though messy because of the high volume of customers. A golden-haired woman manned the single cash register, placing several toys into a shopping bag.

“Welcome to Everdeen Toys.” A young girl was suddenly standing in front of Peeta and Haymitch, giving them a bright smile. “My name is Rue. Can I help you find anything?”

“I was wondering where your newer toys were,” Haymitch started. “And he—” He placed a hand on Peeta’s shoulder. “—is looking for Katniss Everdeen.”

“New merchandise is in the first aisle,” Rue informed them before offering a bright smile to Peeta. “And, Katniss is helping out Santa—you wouldn’t happen to be Peeta, would you?”

Peeta almost burst in happiness. “Did she mention me?”

Rue giggled as she led him over to where Katniss was. “She was telling Prim, her sister, about the cute boy with the weird name while we were switching shifts.” They stopped at a line and Rue waved her hand out. “There she is.”

“Thanks Rue,” Peeta said. “I’ll put in a good word for you with Santa.”

“Right…” Rue chuckled. “Let him know I need a raise.”

“That or that keyboard that you’ve been eyeing at the music store near your house,” he replied.

The girl’s eyes widened. “How did you know?”

“I told you I know Santa.”

++++++

“Peeta!” He whipped around to find Katniss in front of him. “You came!”

“You invited me.” His eyes remained on hers. “You look pretty.”

“I look like crap,” she replied. “I didn’t shower and my hair’s a mess…”

Peeta reached for the tip of the braid she wore. “I like your hair—anyway you wear it.”

Katniss blushed at his words. “So, this is our store. How do you like it?”

“It’s great.” He looked around at the families. “And, it looks like you’re really popular.”

“Christmas is our best time,” she informed him. “We’re fighting against the chain stores but, because of Dad playing Santa, we’ve become very popular. The line is always out the door…and unfortunately like you heard, our other elf quit on us. So I’m up to my knees in kids, not that I mind though.”

The idea suddenly came to him. “Hire me.”

“What?”

“I’ve been looking for a temporary job,” he explained. “And, we could really use some money for food and other necessities.”

“It doesn’t pay much,” Katniss told him. “Much lower than what another store might give a seasonal employee.”

“It doesn’t matter.” Peeta met her eyes. “What does matter is that I get to hang out with you…and maybe we can go get food tonight?”

“You’re a weirdo.” However, her mouth widened in a brilliant pretty grin. “But in a good way. I’ll talk to my Dad about the job and we can go celebrate later. I’m off at seven.”

“Hey Peeta!” He turned to find Haymitch heading towards him. “We have to go. I have a phone meeting with Effie—about the new merchandise.”

“Okay.” Peeta looked to Katniss. “I’ll see you at seven.”

“Looking forward to it.” She suddenly reached forward and gave him a hug, her face flaming when she pulled away. “See you later, Peeta.”

Katniss disappeared into the crowd before he could react.

Haymitch looked between him and the direction that Katniss had run off to.

“What the hell did I miss?”

++++++

Deciding on a black knit sweater and jeans that, according to the saleswoman, ‘made his ass look like you could bounce quarters off it’, Peeta stepped into the living room.

“How do I look?”

Haymitch closed the laptop and looked him over before nodding in approval.

“It’s a far cry from your usual garb, but I like it,” he told Peeta. “Don’t forget to bring a coat and scarf. It’s nippy out there. Also, just in case Katniss gets cold, you’ll have something to drape over her shoulders.”

“This is my first date.” Peeta sat next to the man anxiously. “Should I let her pick the place to eat? Where do I put my hands when we’re walking together? How do I know that I’m not boring her?”

“Both of you decide on where to eat,” Haymitch told him. “Keep your hands to yourself unless she reaches over. You’ll know by the look in her eyes. Boredom can’t be hidden.” He coughed awkwardly. “There are a few things that I would like to talk to you about before you leave.”

“Sure.”

“Other than hand-holding, there’s also the possibility of other physical gestures happening,” Haymitch started, his face going scarlet. “First, if it all goes well, there could be kissing.”

“I know what a kiss is,” Peeta replied easily. “I see my parents kiss all the time.”

“Yeah…” Haymitch yanked at the collar of his shirt. “But those kisses are usually on the cheek or closed-mouthed—”

Peeta leaned towards the man in interest. “There are open-mouthed kisses?”

“Yes and uh…most of the time, your tongue is involved,” his steward said. “Also, sometimes things will progress during a date and then you could end up having…sex.”

“Sex.” Peeta thought back of some of the books that he had read on animal mating. However, most of the mating that he had heard about was purely for procreation purposes. “And, you do this as an expression of affection and not procreation?”

Haymitch wondered if it was the right thing to have kept Peeta so sheltered at the North Pole. His social skills were lacking since elves and his parents were about the only people that he had ever communicated with.

“Sometimes. Most of the time, it’s to feel pleasure.”

Peeta cocked a brow. “I don’t understand.”

“A lot of the times, outsiders have sex with people that they don’t have feelings for,” Haymitch said. “A lot of the time, they do have feelings and a lot of times, it is in order to have children.” Opening a drawer, he pulled a box with the profile of a helmeted man. “Sometimes, you don’t want to have children, but want to have sex and so you use one of these—”

He took the box and looked it over. “And, these…Trojan condoms will help?”

“Among other things. Anyway, I’d like you to read the instructions and remember to have one with you,” the man said. “But most importantly, never assume that sex will happen and both you and the other person have to want to do it. If either of you say no, then the other person must respect that.”

Peeta nodded. “I think we won’t be doing any of that tonight…sex sounds very complicated.”

“It often is.” Haymitch gave him a smile. “Now that I have freaked you out, you better get going.”

Getting to his feet, Peeta put on some brown boots and then his navy peacoat from the coatrack next to the door. He then took the red scarf that was also hanging and wrapped it around his neck.

“I’ll see you later,” Peeta called out. “Thanks for the talk.”

After the boy left, Haymitch let out a breath.

He really needed a drink.

++++++

“So, where are you from?” Katniss asked as they began to eat their respective entrees.

They had decided on a small Italian restaurant about a block up from Everdeen Toys. Actually, it was more like Katniss suggested and he agreed. He had never had Italian food as back home they usually served whatever was local—mostly fish and the occasional deer meat which would only be if his father or mother made a trip down to another region.

“Up north,” Peeta replied as he looked at the plate of spaghetti and meat sauce. “It’s pretty remote.” Picking up the fork, he attempted to scoop some spaghetti, but it kept on slipping off. “There’s not really anything but my family’s home…and factory.”

Katniss watched him struggle. “Have you never had pasta?” Shamefully, he shook his head. “Allow me.” Taking her spoon in one hand and her fork in the other, she showed him how to gather the pasta before bringing the tip of the fork to the spoon so that she could wind the pasta around the fork. “Voila! You can now eat your spaghetti.”

“You’re amazing,” he told her, gazing into her dark eyes under the candlelight.

“It’s just spaghetti.”

“No, it’s you.” Katniss colored at his assurance. “I know I don’t know a lot of things.” Peeta internally followed her instructions on getting pasta around his fork. “I’ve spent most of my life learning about my family’s business and I never bothered to learn about anything else.”

“Like Italian food and from what it seems…social media?” Katniss bowed her head in embarrassment. “I tried to Google you and got nothing. No Facebook…or Twitter…or LinkedIn. Are you a ghost or something?”

Peeta laughed. He loved that she could make him laugh. He loved her sarcastic humor and her patience with him.

“I’m real,” he promised. “We just live a different life up there. Things are simpler.”

“I like that,” Katniss replied. “Sometimes I feel like we’re all disconnected from one another as new technology comes along. I mean it’s convenient when you need to order takeout or make sure someone isn’t a serial killer. Other times, it can make you feel isolated even in a room full of people.”

“Do you think that you could live somewhere simpler?” He took a sip of his water. “Like…up north?”

Katniss snorted. “Are you asking me to come live with you?”

“Not yet,” he retorted.

“Very smooth, Peeta,” she replied with a small smile. “Though you know nothing about me—so you could just as easily take you offer back.”

“Well, you don’t know me much either.” He easily wove the spaghetti around the fork. “Once I see what I want, I make it my mission to get it.”

Katniss’ rich skin bloomed with color. “I look forward to seeing that.”

They went quiet, lost in their own thoughts, savoring the electricity between them.

“Katniss?”

She looked up. “Yes?”

“What is Google?” he asked. “It’s like the second time I’ve heard that word.”

Katniss burst into laughter. “I have so much to teach you.”

He gazed at her lovely face, lit up in the candlelight.

“I can’t wait.”

++++++

December 15th

“Peeta, are you ready?” There was a knock at the door. “I’m coming in, so you better not be naked!”

“I don’t think Katniss would mind though,” came the higher pitched voice of Prim, Katniss’ sister.

Katniss carefully opened the door and stepped in as he turned around.

“Do I look okay?” he asked anxiously. “This is my first real job and I want to make sure that I don’t muck it up.”

Seth, Katniss’ father, was more than happy to give him the seasonal job as Santa’s elf. He handed Peeta the uniform, telling him that it had been dry cleaned before sending him into the back room to dress.

The candy pants were a little tight, but the bright green top with red accents was loose and hit just above the knee.

However, the shoes were just plain silly. It was a known fact that elves wore steel-toe boots because of the weather and job hazards. His father was a stickler for safety.

Katniss stepped back to look him over from head—she lingered in the middle—to toe.

“Uh…” Her cheeks were pink. “You look perfect, but don’t forget the hat.” She went to the nearby table, retrieving a green hat with the bell at its end. Going to Peeta, Katniss placed it on his head, adjusting it to fit. “There. You are now probably attired to assist Santa.”

“Your Dad is a very nice man,” Peeta told her.

“I like him.” Katniss smoothed the shoulders of his top. “Are you close to your father?”

“We get along,” Peeta said. “He thinks that I have no follow through in the things that he considers important for our business.”

She furrowed her brow as she adjusted his hat. “What do you really want to do?”

“I like to bake,” he admitted. “Though maybe I enjoy it so much that I can’t really make it a job.”

“They don’t have bakeries up north?”

“They do, but my family would never have it—me becoming a baker, I mean.” Peeta watched as she distractedly fussed over him. He stopped her by lifting her chin to meet his eyes. “And you—what is it that you want?”

“I don’t know,” she said softly. “I guess I just want time to be able to figure it out.”

“Something tells me that whatever you do—” Peeta felt the heat rise between them. “—you will succeed. It’s not in you to fail.”

“Thank you for having faith in me.”

Their first dinner they did not kiss; it seemed that neither of them felt ready to take it there.

But now, in this small back room of Everdeen Toys, the need to press his mouth to hers was undeniable.

Then, Katniss leaned into him and it was inevitable.

Their mouths brushed gently but he felt that stone hot heat rush through his body. He wanted more…needed more.

“Again?” Katniss questioned breathlessly, she pressed herself closer against him.

“Yes,” he told her.

Pulling her close, Peeta leaned down—

There was a knock on the door.

“Are you guys ready?” Prim called out.

“Shit!” Katniss hissed at the interruption. She looked towards the door. “We’re coming out!”

Prim giggled but they heard her walk away.

Katniss turned to him. “Sorry. I know you don’t curse.”

“No, that was exactly what I wanted to say,” Peeta told her and she laughed. “Let’s go.”

++++++

Mr. Everdeen was perfect as Santa Claus. He was a tall, broad man with what he proudly called his very own stomach padding. The children gravitated towards him, revealing their wishes to the jolly man without worry. The line was constant, and it was obvious that Everdeen Toys was the place for Christmas shopping.

Peeta’s job was to keep the line of children organized while Katniss manned the camera. He enjoyed watching the excitement of the children and it made him think of the role that he would someday have. Would he be a Santa like Mr. Everdeen or proud and stoic like his father?

“Excuse me.”

Peeta looked down to find a young girl staring up at him—in a wheelchair. It was crowded and loud, so he leaned down.

“Hello. What’s your name?” he asked her.

“Natasha,” she told him. Her bright blue eyes were the same shade as his mother’s and underneath the headscarf, he could see a bit of gold peeking out.

“What can I help you with, sweetheart?”

“How long do you think it will take to see Santa?” she asked politely.

The woman guiding the chair touched his arm, getting his attention.

“I’m her nurse,” she explained. “She’s recovering from a round of chemotherapy but really wanted to see Santa. I didn’t realize it would be so crowded here and I have to get her back home soon.”

Peeta looked down at the girl, realizing how pale she looked and how she had no eyebrows—but despite all of this, her eyes were still beautifully bright.

The world of the outsiders seems so cruel to bring such a sickness to someone so young.

“Do you think I could carry her over?” he asked her nurse.

The woman looked anxious, but her eyes went to Natasha and she nodded decisively.

“Just be careful.” The nurse locked the chair and put a wrap around the girl’s shoulders. She instructed Peeta on how to pick her up, showing him how to scoop her up from underarms and knees.

“Stay close to me,” Peeta said as they made their way to the front of the line. “What are you going to ask Santa for?”

“A day off for Mommy and Daddy, books for my big brother Peter,” Natasha told him.

“Nothing for yourself?”

“I have enough because they all made sure I did,” she replied simply.

He felt his throat thicken as they stopped in front of Santa.

Mr. Everdeen looked to them, his eyes softening seeing the little girl in Peeta’s arms.

“And, who is this lovely girl?” he asked.

“Santa, this is Natasha. She was a very good girl this year,” Peeta informed him as he carefully sat Natasha in Mr. Everdeen’s lap. “I’ll be here when you’re done, Natasha.”

Peeta stepped back to give them privacy and watched as the little girl’s face lit up at the sight of Santa.

Watching this made him realize the impact that his father’s role had on the children of the world—a role that would eventually be his. Santa gave children hope in a world where day by day magic and whimsy disappeared; he knew from recent reports that most people did not believe in Santa. Year by year, the age of disbelieving grew lower.

He hoped that when his time came that he could change this.

As Peeta carried Natasha back, his gaze went to Katniss and he found her looking back at him—something warm and molted in her stare.

He didn’t know what it meant, but the flutter in his stomach made him want to find out.

++++++

“You did good today, Peeta,” Seth told him, later that evening. He had already clocked out for the day and Mr. Everdeen was on his break. “Natasha was really sweet. She didn’t even ask for anything for herself.”

“I know,” he replied. “Books for her brother and a day off for her parents. Her nurse told me that she just left the hospital and her parents work to keep up with the bills.”

“Wish we could do something for them,” Mr. Everdeen mused.

“Maybe you could send some books to her brother? Or, some presents to her and for any other kids in the hospital?” Something inside ached to think that there were more children like Natasha that were in the hospital; who knew how long they would be there. “It can’t be great to be in the hospital during the holidays.”

“You’re quite the philanthropist, Peeta.” Seth stood up. “I’ll have Mrs. Everdeen contact the hospital and see what they might need or want. Also, I think she may have called a taxi for Natasha and her nurse, so she might remember their address.” He patted Peeta on the back. “Go home and get some rest. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Peeta nodded. “Good night, sir.”

The man smiled at him. “I thought I told you to call me Seth.”

“Sorry si…Seth,” Peeta replied. “Have a good rest of the night.”

Peeta closed the door behind him and he reached for his coat on the nearby rack. Haymitch had gone grocery shopping during the day and he hoped that when he got home there would be something edible.

There was another knock at the door and Peeta turned as Katniss stepped inside the room.

Peeta gave her a smile. “Hi.”

Katniss didn’t reply, instead she crossed the room towards him.

Reaching, her hands went to his cheeks and she pressed her mouth to his.

This kiss was different from the first one. During that first kiss, he wanted more—but he was not quite sure what that was.

This kiss was more.

It was encompassing—his world turning—and he walked blindly into it, not afraid because she guided him with her hands and her tongue. He tasted sweetness as her tongue swept into his mouth and her teeth nipped his bottom lip.

Peeta groaned and at first didn’t recognize that the low growl came out of him. That sound of hunger…and need…and want was born from this kiss—from her. He pulled her closer to him, one hand in her hair and the other on the small of her back.

Katniss responded eagerly, pressing her front to his so he could feel the curve of her.

And, Peeta suddenly understood how complex it was to be an outsider; how sex could be complicated because it was so intermingled with other feelings.

However, for him, it was simple.

Yes, he wanted Katniss…fuck…he wanted her.

But, Peeta loved her more—and that overrode any other feeling, mentally and physically.

They pulled apart, gasping and mussed, their foreheads pressed together.

“What are you thinking?” she asked shakily.

I’m in love with you…I want to spend the rest of my life with you…I want to kiss you every day just like this…

This torrent of words were at the edge of his lips.

“I was thinking…that was my first real kiss,” he told her breathlessly.

Katniss looked into his eyes. “It was mine, too.”

He smiled softly, his hand reaching to her cheek as his thumb brushed over lips.

“I’m sure that many boys have wanted to kiss you.”

She trembled at his touch.

“Yes. There were boys that kissed me…but they never made me feel this…like every kiss before this one was a lie…like there is nothing left after it.”

“That’s a lot of pressure from a kiss,” he replied.

Katniss laughed, her arms weaving around his neck. “I thrive under pressure.”

++++++

“You look like you’re floating,” Haymitch said as he stepped into the living room.

Peeta joined the man on the couch. “She kissed me.”

His steward smiled at him. “And, from what I can tell, it was a good one.” The smile fell from Haymitch’s lips. “You know that this is not going to work. You’re supposed to marry someone else in a few weeks.”

“No,” Peeta said simply. “That’s just not going to happen. I want to rule one day, and I want to be Santa—but I know I won’t be the kind of King that our people need or the Santa that children need without her.”

“Are you willing to give it all up for her?” Haymitch questioned. “Everything that you’ve ever known?”

“I thought you were on my side.”

“I am but I also know that you’re an adult and part of being an adult is confronting hard decisions.” Haymitch looked to him worriedly. “I don’t want you to regret your choices—whatever those might be.”

“I also know that becoming a grown-up means making sacrifices,” Peeta said. “And I am willing to make them, except when it comes to Katniss. She is one thing that I won’t sacrifice.” He stood abruptly. “I’m going to bed. I have to work tomorrow. Good night.”

Peeta walked through the door of his bedroom, closing it soundlessly behind him.

Haymitch looked to the open laptop, moving his finger along the trackpad, to reveal Effie at the screen.

“You heard all of that?”

Effie nodded. “Oh dear…you know that we’ll have to tell his father.”

“Do we really need to, Eff?” Haymitch ran a hand through his hair. “The boy is going to have to make some difficult choices soon enough.” He met his wife’s eyes. “How ironclad is this treaty?”

“I’m not entirely sure,” she said, biting her lip. “Beside keeping peace between the North and South, I know a lot of it has to do with contracts with our international toy companies and our suppliers. The South Pole are the ones who export to those companies. I haven’t had a thorough read of it, but I know the Queen would know more.”

“Find out what you can,” he pleaded. “Let him have this for now, Effie.”

“Why is this so important to you?” Effie asked.

“Because seeing him so happy and confident makes me see the kind of ruler that he’s going to be,” Haymitch told her. “He is going to be the King that the North Pole for the foreseeable future. The world is changing and if Santa is not changing with it, then there’s no reason for children to believe in him.” He took a deep breath. “And, because I love the boy like he’s my own.”

Effie swallowed back her tears.

“I understand. We were both there the day he was born. We’ve witnessed all his firsts. Hard not to think of him in that light.”

Haymitch nodded, suddenly overcome. “I’m turning in. I love you, Effie.”

“I love you, too,” she replied softly. “Hey—do you think that she’s good for him?”

He thought for a moment before giving her an almost imperceptible nod.

“I know Peeta will be a good king, but with her by his side, he will be a great king. One for the books.”

“Okay,” she said. “I will try to get a copy of the treaty and look for any loopholes. Sleep well.”

Haymitch closed the laptop, standing up to go to bed.

He knew, however, that sleep would not come.

++++++

December 19th

“What do you want to do?” Peeta asked as he and Katniss lay in a field of the local park, staring up at the cloud-peppered sky. “Besides working as an elf?”

Katniss turned to him, a gentle smile on her face.

“No one has ever really asked me that,” she said. “Something that helps people. I really liked bringing those toys to the kids in the hospital. I like seeing them smile.”

The Everdeens had gone all out, tracking down Natasha and providing her brother, who was 12, with a basketful of books and giving her parents a gift card for a meal delivery service. They both couldn’t leave the children, and compromised with a date night in. They then went to the children’s ward of Panem Hospital, bringing toys and a visit from Santa.

“You have a giving heart.” Pushing himself up on his elbows, Peeta leaned towards her to place a kiss on her lips to which she hummed in contentment. “I knew it the day we met. You told me and Haymitch that you didn’t care how stupid you looked in your costume because what mattered was that the kids loved it.”

“I know it’s silly to play a fictional being, but the excitement on their faces…we only get that excitement for a moment in time,” Katniss told him. “And if I can make that moment last a little bit longer, then I’m going to. There’s too much bad shit in the world and we all need a little belief in magic.”

“Couldn’t agree more,” he replied.

Her hand reached to his face. “Once this job is over, what’s next for the Great Peeta Mellark?”

Katniss spoke lightly, but Peeta could see the worry in her eyes.

A wave of guilt hit him. For days, the thought of telling her who he really was plagued his thoughts. In-between that, Peeta found himself falling deeper in love with her. He hoped that she felt the same. They had never said the words, but at times it felt like the words weren’t necessary.

He could feel it in her touch and in the lithe of her voice when she said his name.

There was also the thought that he was getting closer to his return date—and he had no solution for when it came to telling his parents about Katniss.

Sitting up, Peeta nervously cleared his throat. “Katniss…I have to tell you something.”

She shot up immediately, sensing the seriousness in his tone. “Go ahead. I’m listening.”

“I’m…I’m the son of—”

“Excuse me?” They turned to find a little girl next to them. Her gaze went to Peeta. “I’ve been very good this year.”

He smiled at her. “I know you have.”

“If it’s not too late to ask, I would like a new crib for my dolly,” she asked politely.

Peeta winked at her. “I’ll be sure to bring it up to the proper people.”

The girl hopped excitedly. “Thank you!” She rushed off, joining her parents on the sidewalk of the park.

“Kids just gravitate towards you,” Katniss remarked with an amused grin. “Even at the hospital, you had just as many kids as Santa coming around you.”

Peeta wondered how he could get her to understand that the pull of the Santa gene was what caused children to come to him; it became stronger the closer it got to Christmas.

He shrugged. “I’m an empath of sorts, I guess.”

Katniss laughed, giving him a small push before leaning against him, her head going to his shoulder.

“Okay, empath. Tell me what I’m feeling.”

“You’re thinking that you’re in love with me,” he started. “That you want to spend the rest of your life with me…that you’ve known since the moment that we met that I was it for you.” Peeta looked to her, letting out an awkward cough. “Did I get it right?”

She went quiet for a moment before responding in what was almost a whisper, “Something like that.”

“Good.” His arm went around her shoulders and Peeta kissed the top of her hair. “Me, too.”

Katniss sighed, pressing closer. “I meant all of that.”

“Do you want to have dinner at my place tomorrow?” he suddenly asked. “There’s something I want to discuss with you.”

“Sounds serious,” she remarked. “I’ll come by after work and you can dazzle me with your cooking skills. If they’re anything like your kissing skills, then I’m in for a treat.”

“You think I’m a good kisser?” he teased.

“I didn’t say that.” Katniss suddenly pushed him down, pinning him with her chest. “So, convince me.”

His hand reached to the nape of her neck to join their lips, ready to prove himself.

++++++

December 20th

“Katniss…when I told you I was from up north…I meant the North Pole—no!” Peeta climbed the flight of stairs leading to his apartment, his arms stacked with grocery bags as he attempted to find the right words. “Katniss…my family’s business is actually a workshop…Santa’s workshop…oh fuck…”

He was treading a fine line; she would either think he was insane, or he was a liar.

Neither was a good thing.

Shuffling with his keys, Peeta opened the front door, placing one bag down before entering with the rest.

“Peeta!”

He looked up, his mouth going dry. “Mom?”

His mother rushed towards him, embracing him happily. He wrapped his arms around her as he met his father’s penetrating gaze. Next to him stood Effie, who was looking down at her feet and an equally shamefaced Haymitch.

“What are you doing here?” he asked.

“We’ve come to take you home,” his father said.

Peeta gently pulled away from his mother. “I’m not ready to leave. It’s too soon.”

“I know, but that was until I found Effie reading through this—” His father held up a scroll. “Care to explain why she was looking at our treaty with the South Pole?”

Haymitch looked to him. “I’m sorry, Peeta. We tried.”

Peeta nodded before meeting his father square in the eyes. “It was my fault. I asked them to.”

“Why would you do such a thing?” his mother asked.

“Because…I can’t—I won’t marry Clove.” Peeta straightened up. “I’ve met someone else.” He looked between his parents. “And, she is everything and more to me—”

“That wasn’t the agreement, Peeta,” his father thundered. “You are here to get whatever it is out of your system and then you are supposed to marry Clove.”

“I know, but things change! I changed!” he burst out. “I left unsure of myself…unsure about everything. However, here—and with Katniss—I am myself. Here, I am more than just your son and more than just a prince.”

“And, did you tell her?” his father countered.

“No.” Peeta took a breath, steeling his anger. “I was going to tell her tonight.”

“Tell me what?”

He whipped around as Katniss walked into the living room, wearing a beautiful dress in her favorite color—dark green. She approached them all carefully, giving Peeta a small smile in greeting before looking to the new additions in the apartment.

Peeta took her hand, leading her to his side.

“Katniss, next to Haymitch is Effie, his wife,” he began. The woman looked up, greeting Katniss with a smile and nod. “And, these are my parents, Nicholas and Jessica, King and Queen of the North Pole.”

Peeta said the last statement in a rush. However, Katniss caught his words immediately.

“But there are no monarchies in the North Pole. It’s unhabitable,” she reasoned.

“Maybe to the unseen eye, my dear,” Jessica told Katniss with a gentle smile.

Katniss turned to Peeta, her eyes wide. “Well, if your parents are King and Queen, then that makes you…”

“Prince.” He walked over to her. “Also, my last name isn’t Mellark, it’s Kringle.”

“As in—” She put a hand to her mouth.

“As in Kris Kringle, who was my great grandfather,” he finished. “I wanted to tell you—”

“You lied to me.” Katniss looked to him, hurt in her eyes. “And now, you’re telling me that…” She looked at the people behind him, her stare lingering just a little longer on his father’s white beard and red velvet suit.

When she met Peeta’s eyes once more, her own were filled.

He reached for her. “Katniss—”

“Stop.” Her mouth trembled. “If you wanted to stop seeing me, you didn’t have to create this elaborate ruse—”

“It isn’t one—”

“I have to go.” Katniss’ said, her voice breaking.

She rushed out before he could get a word in.

“Leave her,” his father intoned.

“No.” Peeta turned back to him. “In the North Pole, you might be king, but here you are just my father. As your son and as an adult, I’m going to find her and beg her to take me back. Here, your ruling does not apply.”

At that, Peeta walked out.

++++++

Peeta immediately rushed in the direction of Everdeen Toys. The streets were a little more crowded this week as the shopping days for Christmas were winding down. He jumped in his spot trying to look for her amongst the people walking along.

He spotted her two blocks down. “Katniss!”

She turned around and shook her head before walking away.

Peeta ran, dodging people to get to her. He finally caught up to her, reaching for her hand.

“Stay away, Peeta!” Katniss whipped around, her face stained with tears. “You lied to me! You created this fantastical story and brought your roommate…and your parents into it—”

“I’m not lying to you!” He placed his hands on her shoulders to steady her. “Why do you think that children gravitate towards me? I have the Santa gene inside me, and it heightens before Christmas.”

Her jaw dropped. “The Santa gene? You’re telling me that besides being the so-called Prince of the North Pole, that you are Santa—”

“I’m not Santa…not yet,” he said. “I’m sure you saw my father. He is the reigning Santa.”

“And, Haymitch?” Katniss scoffed bitterly. “Is he your bodyguard?”

“No, he’s my steward and Head Elf,” Peeta told her. “But that’s not the point. I was going to tell you tonight. And then my parents showed up, and now everything is a mess. Please…say something.”

“Where do I fit into all of this?” she asked in a thick voice.

“You fit right here.” Peeta took her hand placing it to his chest. “I am in love with you, Katniss Everdeen. I have been since the first moment I saw you—in that ridiculous costume and black boots. Since then, my heart has been yours. I want to be with you…always.”

“You’re a prince.” Katniss blinked, tears trailing down her cheeks. “It would never work…and I’m not part of that world. I don’t belong there.”

“Do you want me to abdicate?” Peeta looked around, raising his hands. “I renounce my throne—”

“No!” Katniss yanked his arms down. She closed her eyes for a moment. “I can’t…”

“Don’t give up on us, Katniss.” He felt the wetness of his tears on his own face as he took her hands, pressing kisses to her knuckles. “Without you, the throne and becoming Santa mean nothing if you’re not by my side.”

“But it means so much to the children of the world and I am just one person who happened to fall in love with the future Santa Claus. I would never ask you to choose between us,” Katniss whispered brokenly. Shakily, she raised his hand, pressing a kiss to his knuckles. “I’m sorry.”

Pulling back, she turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd.

++++++

His steps felt heavy as he climbed the stairway leading to his apartment.

As Peeta walked in, he found his parents along with Haymitch and Effie on the couch; cups of coffee on the table. When they saw him, they all jumped to their feet.

“Where is Katniss?” his mother asked, worry in her gaze.

Every part of him felt hollow, the tears having long dried during his walk back after wandering the city. He was drained, every bit of him aching for Katniss.

“I’m going to pack.” His voice sounded hoarse. “Then we can go.”

Peeta turned to go to his room, closing the door quietly behind him.

As the door clicked shut, Jessica turned to her husband. “Why does this treaty need to be followed?”

“It’s tradition,” Nick argued. “I can’t very well change years of history and custom for one woman.”

“Even if she is the right woman?” Haymitch questioned Nick as he stood. “I apologize, your majesty, but I do question a treaty that causes such unhappiness to your son.”

“Remember where your loyalties lie, Haymitch,” Nick warned.

“My loyalty is always and will be to your son,” Haymitch replied. “Since the day he was born, I vowed to protect him, even at the cost of my life—and even my job.”

“You will not be going anywhere, Haymitch,” Jessica told him. “That is my final word.”

“Thank you, your majesty.” Haymitch bowed to the queen. “I will pack my things.”

“I’ll help,” Effie said, rushing to her husband’s side, and closing the door behind her.

“Treaties can be revoked, Nick,” Jessica said.

“How?” Nick asked, his expression somber as the look on Peeta’s face flashed in his mind—so empty.

His wife crossed her arms, raising her nose at him.

“You are Santa, aren’t you?”

++++++

December 22nd

Haymitch stepped into Peeta’s bedroom, panic setting in finding his bed empty. However, it dissipated seeing the door to the balcony opened. Walking over, he found his charge out on the balcony looking up at the sky in front of him, shoulders hunched and without seeing his face, Haymitch knew that Peeta had cried.

He knew a broken man when he saw one.

Joining Peeta, he looked out for a moment before turning to look at him. He hadn’t sleep; there were dark circles under his eyes and his skin looked sallow, nor had he shaved as there was the beginning of a beard along his jaw.

“Nice night,” Haymitch said, breaking the silence.

“Yes,” Peeta responded, his voice rough.

“Your father left for an errand—to the South Pole,” he informed him.

“Probably making more plans for my wedding.” Peeta laughed bitterly. “This horrible sham of a wedding. Don’t worry, I will be there. I have no choice.”

“I do worry, Peeta,” Haymich suddenly said. “I have never seen you this…”

“Broken? Resigned?” Peeta responded. “I lost Katniss and in two days, she will be out of my life forever.” He took in a sharp breath. “Except for one day, when I am Santa and I find myself going into a home where I see her picture—and her new family. Where I will see photos of her wedding and will be surrounded in the life that she and some man have created. A life that could’ve been mine.”

“Oh Peeta…I wish there was something I could do to stop the hurt.” Haymitch put an arm around him, and he felt the quaking of Peeta’s sobs against his chest. “I wish I could say that life is fair—but it isn’t.”

“When does this pain go away?” Peeta asked and Haymitch remembered when he was just a little boy and would get into scrapes. He could easily seal the wound with just a bandage—but what could he do now when the cut was internal? “I feel like I don’t belong anywhere anymore. Not here, not in Panem. The only place I felt like I belonged was with her.”

“You don’t have to go through with the wedding—”

“She left because she didn’t want me to have to choose her over the children of the world—the select few who still believe, anyway,” Peeta explained. “It’s not in Katniss to choose us over the greater good. I love her even more for that. Even if it’s killing me to not be with her, I can respect her for caring for these children.”

There was nothing left for Haymitch to say.

Well, maybe just one thing.

“She would have made a remarkable queen.”

They went back to looking up at the starry sky.

++++++

December 23rd

Peeta couldn’t sleep.

He wandered the halls of the palace, listening to the quietness and wishing that he could silence his mind. However, when he tried to sleep, Katniss’ face would be behind his closed eyes. It made him ached to think that she was out there, just a ride away.

There was still time for him to run, but he knew himself enough to know that for the sake of his kingdom, he would go through with this wedding. His mother had informed him that Clove and Snow had arrived just this evening; he had been too ‘indisposed’ to greet them.

It wasn’t Clove’s fault that he couldn’t love her, that he had found love in a beautiful, dark-haired girl with a bright laugh and sarcasm running through her veins. He would try his hardest to respect Clove and if children came, he would love them to the fullest.

However, there would always be a small part, buried deep within his heart, that would belong to Katniss.

He found himself in the castle’s study, going to the globe that had first brought him to Panem.

Peeta spun the globe, closing his eyes, and picked his destination.

“What did you get?”

He opened his eyes to find his father in front of him.

Peeta looked at the globe. “Syracuse.”

“I usually decide on my beginning destination through the globe,” Nick said. “But you’ve gone and done the job for me.”

Peeta nodded, attempting a smile but failing miserably.

“I have been speaking to Haymitch and he was telling me about your time in Panem.” His father went to the set of chairs in front of the roaring fireplace. Peeta followed as they took their seats in the chairs across from one another. “He told me how you retained a job, learned how to manage your money and your apartment.”

“It was a wonderful part of my life that I’ll always remember,” Peeta replied softly.

“You’ve shown so much growth,” his father told him. “I’m proud of you.”

He looked up in surprise. “You are?”

“Haymitch told me about the young girl at your job; how you helped her and her family as well as the other children in Panem Hospital.” His father smiled. “You have a gift for giving—the trait that makes Santa. You’ve made me remember how it was when I first started. I was so ready to take on the world and make it better.” He shook his head sadly. “I’m afraid a lot has changed since then.”

“The world is changing, Dad,” Peeta said as he remembered what Haymitch once said to him. “Santa has to change with it. Children have a lot more serious things happening to them, things that sometimes toys can’t fix—like sickness or starvation. We have to help them, not just on Christmas, but when they really need a miracle.”

His father sat back in contemplation.

After a moment, he looked to Peeta.

“Maybe we can sit down one day and talk about some non-Christmas work that we can do,” His father suggested. “A new project of sorts. I know a few elves have asked about taking on more and your mother is always on the look out for ways to help.”

“That sounds good,” Peeta replied.

It was the first time in a long time that he and his father had really talked and it felt…nice.

“Also—” Nick cleared his throat. “I was thinking that tomorrow night, you might want to come with me…on my ride.”

Peeta tried to hide his shock. “You want me to help with delivering?”

“Yes. You’re more than ready to learn how it goes,” his father told him.

“Thanks Dad.” He smiled at the thought of being part of something so magnanimous. “I would love to assist you.”

“So…did you really wear an elf costume?”

Peeta laughed, feeling lighter than he had in days.

“Yes. It was silly, but it made the children happy to see it.”

“Tell me more about this costume and what you had to do,” his father asked.

Jessica smiled from her spot behind the door of the study as she watched them talk, her son finally looking better than he had in days.

Tonight, she decided, to let Nick back into their bedroom.

++++++

The Great Hall had been transformed into a winter wonderland, iridescent sugar snowflakes falling from the high ceiling where a frosted chandelier watched over, grand and proud. Flowers of white bedecked the room, blooming before the eyes of the amazed guests.

At the front of the room sat the King and Queen on crystal thrones; the King in a suit of white and his crown atop his head while the queen wore crystal blue, her own delicate crown resting along gold waves. As always, Effie stood at her queen’s side, wearing a silver gown with a matching silver hairpiece.

Haymitch took his place, next to Peeta, who waited at the end of the aisle for Clove to arrive.

Dressed in a white tuxedo, with the customary red sash across, and his crown atop his head, many found the Prince of the North Pole a handsome groom.

If only he would smile.

The orchestra started playing what was Clove’s favorite Christmas song, Oh Come All Ye Faithful, a surprise to Peeta as she told him that she had no favorite songs during their one dance.

He stared straight ahead, feeling his whole body going rigid at the thought that he would be married to someone in just a few moments—someone who was not Katniss.

“She’s almost here,” Haymitch told him. “You’ll have to help her step up and pull her veil over.”

Peeta nodded just as her hand appeared before him; he took it, leading her up the step to where their high priest stood to begin the ceremony.

He turned to her, the layered veil covering her face and reached to pull the veil back.

Peeta almost fell in shock at the sight before him.

For standing in front of him was Katniss.

“What is going on?” he asked.

His father stepped forward, resting a hand on his arm.

“I negotiated with the South Pole King. We were to lose a majority of our main toy making companies if this wedding didn’t take place. However, I negotiated for them to take only half, giving them the more profitable demographic of children to make toys for to increase their profit and aid them in giving more of their people jobs. In turn, the King agreed to break the treaty. They came to show their support in maintaining peace between the North and South Poles.”

His father nodded over to the front row of chairs where Coriolanus and Clove were. The King bowed his head and Clove nodded with a smile before looking to a tall blond man to her other side.

“Not to mention, Clove had her own views on a forced marriage,” Nick said. His father looked to Katniss, giving her a gentle smile. “And after speaking to Katniss and her family, I found myself quite charmed and happy to have her as my daughter-in-law.”

The King returned to his throne, taking his wife’s hand and giving it a squeeze.

“Is this real?” Peeta asked the woman before him.

“It better be,” Katniss responded, her rose colored lips widening into a grin. “Because this dress was a bitch to get on!”

He stepped back to take her in.

The off-the-shoulder ballgown was icy white with snowflake designed beading along the skirt and lace at its sweetheart bodice. The long sleeves were tulle with the same snowflake beading sewn along the arms. Her hair was pulled back in a full high bun where the long sweeping veil had been pinned, along with one of his mother’s tiaras.

“I can understand how uncomfortable it could be,” he replied. “The train alone is probably about five pounds.” Peeta took her hands. “Do you really want this? You’ll be giving up a lot for me.”

“What are you talking about? I am gaining a chance to do something great; to help the children of the world as your wife,” Katniss said. “And my family understands. They wouldn’t be here if they didn’t.” She looked to where her parents and Prim stood, smiling at them. “Plus, if it means that I spend the rest of my life with you, what could be greater?”

Peeta cleared his throat. “Then I should probably do this.” He got down on one knee. “Katniss Everdeen, I love you. Will you take me, the man who you know as Peeta Mellark, to be your husband and stand beside me as my queen?”

Katniss nodded, tears falling onto her cheeks. “Yes.” He stood and pulled her into his embrace. “I love you—Peeta Mellark…Peeta Kringle…Santa Claus—all of you.”

Their lips met as wild applause broke in the hall.

Effie joined her husband as she wiped her eyes. “I’m so happy for Peeta.”

Haymitch looked to the couple, fully deep in their kiss, and wondered how long it would be before there was an announcement about an impending heir.

His guess was spring.

He leaned towards his wife.

“I’m really glad I gave him that sex talk.”

++++++

“Where’s your first stop?” Katniss asked as she zipped up his jacket.

“Syracuse,” Peeta replied. “My pick.” He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her lips. “I really hate to leave you on our first night as man and wife.”

“It’s just one night—” Katniss assured him. “—albeit an important one. But once you get home, we can have an important night of our own.”

“Looking forward to it.” Their lips met in a full kiss, not caring that around them a team of elves prepped Santa’s cart with his bag of toys. They pulled apart, foreheads resting together. “Thank you for marrying me, Mrs. Kringle.”

Katniss grinned. “I’m going to have to get used to that.” She cupped his cheek. “Go get ‘em, Santa.”

With one more kiss, Peeta joined his father in the sleigh and the man gave him a jolly smile.

“You ready, Peeta?”

He turned back once more to where Katniss stood along with his mother. Behind them, Haymitch and Effie had arrived with the rest of the team to watch their departure.

Peeta was more than ready, because he had someone to come home to.

He looked to his father. “Let’s go.”

FIN.

Thank you for reading. As always, questions are welcome—especially since I don’t have notes.

From my family to yours, Happy Holidays.

-JLaLa

#Santa Baby #Everlark Fanfiction #Everlark #holiday!Everlark #One-shot #It's hella long

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officialthiamlibrary · 5 years ago

Text

2019 THIAM REVERSE BIG BANG MASTERLIST

Below is the masterlist of all of the creations by the amazing artists and writers for the Thiam Reverse Big Bang… four months of fantastic work, preparation, organization and collaboration between the creators are in this list, and we’ll never stop shouting about how thankful we are to everyone who participated this year for the work that you’ve put in to these!!

Some of those participating were even creating for other events (including our Halloween event) in between this one… and they still have these fantastic works ready to show everyone... so PLEASE show them some love for their hard work by commenting, reblogging, and giving likes/kudos/comments where you can! <3

All fics are arranged by the date each collaboration was scheduled for posting, titles for both each artwork and fic will take you to each individual creators post.

Special Thanks to @manonisamelon for creating this event’s roundup banner!

16 December 2019

The Price of Freedom + Artwork 1, 2

Author: @volsungar-the-mighty Artist: @moondrunkmonster56

[41k Words | Rated: M | No Warnings]

When the McCall pack find out that Mason is the Beast of Gevaudan, the Dread Doctors plans go awry, and Theo is left in the firing line. He goes on the run, only to be captured and paralyzed by them before he gets too far.

Liam, a Fallen Angel turned demon, is convinced to leave hell for the first time since his Fall. When he comes across Theo, paralysed, wounded, and about to be tortured and punished by the Dread Doctors, he offer's the Chimera a deal.

Theo's freedom, in exchange for his soul. But something goes wrong when Liam makes the deal a reality, and he becomes stuck on Earth with Theo.

And thats when the fun begins.

~~~

Making The Pieces Fit + Fic Aesthetic , Thiam’s Story Aesthetic , Aesthetic for Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4,

Author: @bookwyrm07 Artist: @manonisamelon

[7.5k Words | Rated: Teen and Up | No Warnings]

When Theo was hired to rob a bank he knew he could do it, but now that two of his crew have taken themselves out his only option left is to get help from his ex.

~~~~~

17 December 2019

Eyes Unclouded + Artwork 1, 2

Author: @wolfenboyb Artist: @marauders-mess

[6.5k Words | Rated: General Audiences | No Warnings]

Inspired by Princess Mononoke... Theo leaves his remove village after it is attacked by a mysterious dark god. Cursed, he ventures out into the world to discover the source of unbalance in the land. He discovers a wolf prince at war with an encroaching town of humans making iron out of sand and destroying the sacred forest. As tensions rise, Theo must find a way to end the conflict and protect the one he loves

Archive Tags: AU | Inspired by Princess Mononoke

Those Who Wait + Artwork 1, Aesthetic 1, 2 , 3

Author: @lovelylittlegrim Artist: @tabbytabbytabby

[6.5k Words | Rated: Explicit | No Warnings]

Theo finally gets what he's always wanted.

Like The Trembling Heart Of A Captive Bird + Artwork 1, 2 , 3

Author: @impalachick Artist: @osirismind

[9.5k Words | Rated: Explicit | Warnings: Underage]

Liam is head boy for the Juniors at Beacon Hills Preparatory Academy, and Senior Theo Raeken gets in trouble a lot. They don't exactly get along.

Everything changes when Gerard Argent shows up. Liam finds out that the supernatural seniors are to be drafted and sent to Vietnam on Gerard’s orders. Liam is determined to keep the pack safe and is surprised when Theo agrees to help. When they work together, Liam realizes there is much more to Theo Raeken then the bad boy stereotype implies.

*The underage tag is checked because in this story, Liam is 17 (and Theo is 18). There is discussion about the Vietnam War Draft Lottery and the drafting process, and the pack seniors face the stress of possibly getting drafted.

~~~~~

18 December 2019

All The Broken Pieces (you chose to love) + Artwork 1, 2

Author: @flyde Artist: @marauders-mess

[22k Words | Rated: Mature | No Warnings]

Life fell to pieces, not suddenly, not violently, but slowly. Softly, the broken parts were caught. Safely, they were held. Lovingly, they were protected, although they could never be put back together.

Or: a childhood friends to tragic lovers AU

The Strangeness In You Is The Strangeness In Me + Artwork 1, Artwork 2, Artwork 3

Author: @eneiryu Artist: @18-sweet-poisoned-heart

[28k Words | Rated: Teen and Up | No Warnings]

Theo’s life is never boring, considering where he works, but he’d have to say that his job doesn’t truly get exciting until the day that their entire station gets taken hostage by the Fae King of Northern California, pissed off that Theo arrested his murderous little protégé prince.

(Not) Dying For Brew + Artwork

Author: @nabawrites Artist: @snaeken

[7k Words | Rated: Teen and Up | No Warnings]

Liam graduated from college, and now he’s back in Beacon Hills. He didn’t expect to run into Theo again, especially not in a coffee shop. It stirs up some old feelings he hadn’t ever really forgotten about…

~~~~~

19 December 2019

When the Day Met Night + Artwork

Author: @imjustafangirl-nobodylovesme Artist: @lightfiretomypaperwings

[8.2k Words | Rated: Teen | No Warnings]

The day finally arrives where Theo is told he's officially joining the family business. He's not happy to hear the news. Life under his father's thumb is a nightmare come true.

On his last day of freedom, he meets Liam Dunbar, a human ray of sunshine that changes everything.

Archive Tags: Original Genderfluid Character | Organized Crime | Mob Boss's son Theo | Photographer Liam | Theo and Tara hate their lives

Saw the shadow of the valley but the shadow was mine + Artwork

Author: @eneiryu Artist: @colder-bones

[17.3k Words | Rating: Mature | No Warnings]

No one ever trusts Theo, but then again: they’re not supposed to. It’s Liam they never see coming.

Archive Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence | Dread Doctor Spy!Liam

Caput Mortuum + Artwork

Author: @imjustafangirl-nobodylovesme Artist: @moondrunkmonster56

[16.3k Words | Rating: Teen | No Warnings]

Liam had pretty much resigned himself to never leaving his home, but then HE moved in. Or

The one where Liam is a ghost (but not really) and Theo buys the house he haunts (but not really).

~~~~~

20 December 2019

Melting The Ice + Artwork

Author: @extrasteps Artist: @snaeken

[30k Words | Rated: Mature | No Warnings]

Liam's entire world is shaken up when Scott McCall, the captain of the Los Angeles Rams and Liam's mentor at the club, unexpectedly asks to be traded to the Dallas Stars. As Liam struggles to deal with this in both his personal and professional life, his teammate and friend, Theo Raeken, is there to help him in any way he can.

Archive Tags: Ice Hockey AU | Liam doesn't handle his ied very well | Scott is a prick (sorry) | First Kiss

The Memory + Artwork 1, 2

Author: @tabbytabbytabby Artist: @lovelylittlegrim

[5k Words | Rated: Teen and Up | No Warnings]

When Theo's away and can't reach Liam he gets worried. Especially when neither Liam's parents nor Mason will give him answers. When he gets back to Beacon Hills he's able to quickly find Liam. The only problem is, Liam has no idea who he is.

Be Free With Me + Video

Author: @ethereal--jeonghan Artist: @underthegallowws

[20k Words | Rated: Mature | Graphic Depictions Of Violence]

After being recaptured and dragged back to Eichen House, the place he's been running from for years, Theo vows to do whatever he can to escape instead he finds himself being drawn towards Liam, someone who was deemed as a 'high-level threat' within Eichen.

~~~~~

21 December 2019

You Just Need To See The Signs (Quite Literally) + Artwork

Author: @marauders-mess Artist: @wolfenboyb

[9.5k Words | Rated: Teen and Up | No Warnings]

Liam is used to not notice most things.

Like when Mason gets a new shirt or his mom gets a new haircut.

The usual, y'know.

But not noticing he got a boyfriend is kind of a new level, even for him.

Blue + Artwork

Author: @flyde Artist: @li0nh34rt

[10k Words | Rated: Teen and Up | No Warnings]

Every werewolf has a soulmate.

Every werewolf has a soulmate, and this is how it happens: On every day you spend on earth, the stars move a little closer together above your head until they form a line - the curve of a closed eye that will one day open to look upon you. From that day on, you will have someone to watch over you in life and death, and you will never feel complete without the soul that the eye belongs to.

But what if your soulmate's eye opens to reveal something you didn't expect?

You've Got Nothing Left To Lose (I Have Even Less Than You) + Artwork

Author: @snaeken Artist: @theraeken

[3.5k Words | Rated: Mature | Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death]

After everything that’s happened in Beacon Hills, Theo really shouldn’t be surprised soulmates exist. He just never thought he would have one of his own.

(Still to be completed, word count below is as of 1st chapter)

Archive Tags: Soulmates | Time Loop | Temporary Character Death

~~~~~

22 December 2019

Darkened Skies + Poster, Aesthetic for the fic, Theo aesthetic, Liam aesthetic, Liam with his dragon tattoo, Theo with his dragon tattoo, Theo and his dragon

Author: @lightfiretomypaperwings Artist: @manonisamelon

[3k Words | Rated: Teen and Up | No Warnings]

In a world where black dragons are a sign of evil, Theo Raeken was automatically an outcast. Coupled with a tragedy from his childhood that he was responsible for, it was easy to understand why everyone was afraid of him. But not Liam Dunbar, the friend from childhood that Theo hasn’t seen since the fire that claimed his family.

Archive Tags: Dragons | alternative universe

I don’t suffer from my sanity, I enjoy every minute of it + Artwork

Author: @lightfiretomypaperwings Artist: @moondrunkmonster56

[8.4k | Rated: Teen | No Warnings]

When Theo Raeken became the new therapist at Eichen House, he didn’t expect a collection of secrets. His high priority patient, Liam Dunbar, won’t speak a word to him during their sessions. But when Theo uncovers a stash of notes from a previous doctor, he finds more questions than answers.

Archive Tags: Eichen | Echo House | insane asylum | Secrets | Alternate Universe

Your heart or mine (we’re running out of time) + Artwork

Author: @lightfiretomypaperwings Artist: @snaeken

[3.8k | Rated Teen | No Warnings]

Theo Raeken knows it’s a long shot. Finding the heart of immortality feels like an impossible task, but it’s an adventure he has to pursue if he wants to survive. He doesn’t expect to meet Liam Dunbar along the way, a man with a record of violence that wants the heart just as badly. When circumstances force them to work together, Theo discovers there’s a whole lot more to Liam than his mercenary past. Can these two manage to get along on their quest or will they tear each other apart?

Archive Tags: Treasure Hunt | some steampunk vibes | Enemies to Friends to Lovers | Angst | Alternate Universe

And that’s it! Thanks again for a great event and we will see you all at the next one ;P

OTL Team

#thiam #thiamrbb19 #teen wolf #theo raeken #liam dunbar #officialthiamlibrary

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67-chevy-baby · 5 years ago

Text

Remedy

Pairing - Jared x Reader

Tags - Slight angst, FLUFFFFFF, language, and I think that’s it.

Word Count - 2,664

Beta - @winecatsandpizza

Fic Aesthetic - Yours truly

The Song I Chose - Off My Mind by Radio Company

Written for - @saxxxology’s Vol 1 Writing Challenge

A/N - So, I couldn’t find much about Jared’s sister. I don’t think she’s married, but just so y’all know I made up Trent, Max, and Macee. Also, there may be a part 2 to this. It’s my first Jared fic, and I’m not sure I write him well. At any rate, I hope y’all enjoy it, and I especially hope you like this Saxxy. I really tried to make this good. :)

To say you’d become a failure to your parents was an understatement.

From the moment you dropped out of college to pursue your real dream, they’d cut all ties with you. Honestly, it didn’t come as a surprise considering all they seemed to care about was what they wanted you to succeed in. If it didn’t benefit them, then they weren’t interested.

Finally realizing their true intentions was the straw that broke the camel’s back. You packed what little belongings you had and left for Texas, leaving your home-town in Ohio behind in the rearview mirror. The beat-to-hell car you inherited lasted you until the outskirts of Dallas, so you decided to hole up in a hotel with the last bit of savings you had.

After checking in and grabbing some snacks from the vending machine in the lobby, you headed to your room and splayed out on the bed. You scrolled through local jobs as you munched on a Snickers bar. Nothing really jumped out at you, but this wasn’t a time in your life where it was rational to be picky. If you were going to pursue becoming a singer, then you needed some cash to get you started.

Nothing really piqued your interest around Dallas, so you decided to span your search further. After an hour of sifting through different job opportunities, you finally came across one that caught your eye.

Full-Time Nanny in Avery Ranch Start Date: Mid-January 2020 Children ages: 5 and 2 months Hours/Rate: M-F 7:30am-5pm - $18/hr Serious Inquiries Only: (512)586-2463

Other than singing, babysitting your sister’s kids was something else you thoroughly enjoyed. Her husband had cheated on her, and they divorced soon after so you became a constant in their lives. Not that you weren’t before, but since you were a full-time student at the time you often watched them during your off time.

Before you could talk yourself out of it, you called the number and waited. By the third ring, you were starting to get discouraged but then a woman’s cheerful voice answered.

“Hello?”

Talking on the phone was never a strong suit of yours. Especially not knowing who was on the other end, it always gave you anxiety. Taking a deep breath, you stammered out a response.

“Um, h-hi. My name’s Y/N and I saw your add about the Nanny position. I’d like to apply if it’s still available.”

You heard the woman clear her throat and some rustling before she came back on the line.

“Hi, Y/N! My name's Megan. Yes, the position is still available! Can you come over tomorrow at noon? My husband and I would like to meet over coffee to get to know you a bit better before we introduce you to the children.”

Well, you weren’t expecting that, but the desperate situation you were in won over the butterflies fluttering against your abdomen.

“Y-Yeah! I can do that!”

The warmth in the woman’s response was evident and it eased any doubts you had bouncing around in your head.

“Great! We’ll see you tomorrow, Y/N. I’ll text you the address and feel free to wear something comfortable. Lord knows with two kids I won't be wearing my best dress."

You bid her goodbye and sighed into your pillow. Despite uprooting your life merely a day ago, things were starting to come together, and for once, you couldn't be happier.

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

Jared sighed as he walked through the airport. Another season of Supernatural wrapped and he was finally on his home turf again. The familiarity of the Texas air nipped his bare skin as he headed for the awaiting taxi. Tonight, he'd rest up and then tomorrow he'd go and see his siblings.

The ride to his studio apartment was short, but it allowed him to send a few texts and emails anyway. He tipped the cab driver generously and took the elevator up to his floor.

His apartment wasn't much, but it was enough for him. The entry area was small, bearing a hook on the wall to hang his keys, a closet for his coat and shoes, and a couple of light switches. Just off to the left was the living room. He had a black leather sectional and a nice entertainment center where he could watch the latest Cowboys game comfortably. The kitchen wasn't enormous, but he didn't need it to be. It had everything he needed and all the appliances were new enough. His bedroom was just the way he left it, his king-size bed unmade and his laundry in the basket by the bathroom door.

Jared tossed his suitcase on the bed and padded to the kitchen for a beer. He'd start laundry tomorrow. It wasn't like he had anyone to impress or anything. Ever since Supernatural gained its popularity, he'd shied away from serious relationships because he barely had time for himself let alone a significant other. Settling into the couch, he flipped through the channels before stopping on the movie Die Hard, one of his favorite Christmas movies. Before he knew it, he'd dozed off, his hard work and jet lag finally catching up to him.

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

You groaned and shut off your alarm. How was it already 6 AM? Forcing yourself to emerge from your warm blanket cocoon, you padded to the bathroom praying a hot shower would wake you up. Mornings were far from your favorite thing, and if you were going to meet with your potential employer then you needed to be somewhat presentable.

Once you were dressed and had some sustenance, you wore a simple pair of jeans and a comfortable top. Your hair fell neatly at your shoulders and once you applied a small amount of makeup, you looked less like a zombie than you imagined. Remembering to grab your card key, you slid on your flats and headed to the address that Megan had texted you.

The drive was nearly three hours, but you didn't mind. It allowed you to decompress and listen to your favorite Spotify playlist. Luckily, the rental car you managed to get had Bluetooth, otherwise you'd have to deal with the local stations.

Finally, you pulled into the driveway and allowed yourself to take a few deep breaths. The house was pretty big, two-story with a two-car garage. The yard was well kept and you could see the faint outlines of playground equipment down the street. Overall, it looked to be a nice, quiet neighborhood.

Crisp air fanned your face as you walked to the front door. A couple knocks later you were face to face with a sweet-looking young woman. She smiled warmly at you before inviting you inside.

"Hi! You must be Y/N. It's so good to meet you."

Smiling back at her, you shook her hand and then noticed a taller figure walk up behind her. He nodded at you and wrapped his arm around his wife’s waist.

“I’m her husband, Trent. Please come in and make yourself comfortable.”

You followed them inside and gasped as they led you into what had to be their living room. Your eyes wandered and marveled at how cozy and elegant everything looked. Not that it mattered to you, but you couldn’t help but think this couple had a lot of money.

“You have a beautiful home, Mr. and Mrs. …”

It only just hit you that you didn’t know their last name. Megan brought you a cup of some wonderful smelling coffee and sat down on the love seat across from you.

“Stevenson. Our last name is Stevenson. Thank you for your kind words. We moved here a little over a year ago so I could be closer to my niece.”

You nodded and moaned happily at the taste of the coffee. This was one of the many things you enjoyed in life, a nice hot cup of coffee.

“Oh, does your family live close? That’s always nice, having family that lives close by. I used to watch my older sister’s kids all the time while she worked. They’re in school full-time now, so that’s why I decided to move here to hopefully pursue my dream.”

It amazed you that you felt this comfortable around the Stevenson’s so quickly. Normally, your anxiety would get the better of you and it’d be like pulling teeth to get you to share personal things about your life. Megan nodded and scooted over to allow room for Trent to sit by her.

“Yes, one of my older brother’s lives about fifteen minutes from here. He’s not home often though due to his job. He’s an actor and really only gets time off during the summer and the holidays. My other older brother lives about forty-five minutes from here. He’s an Orthopedic surgeon.”

“Wow.” You breathed. “That’s really awesome! I have always wanted to be a singer, but my love of kids made me want to wait a little longer to try and become successful at it. I probably would have had kids of my own by now if I was fortunate in the relationship department. I seem to always find the ones who are either already married or live in their Mom’s basement.” The three of you shared a laugh and you watched as Trent scrolled through his phone.

“This is our son, Max. He just turned five about a month ago, and in his lap is our two-month-old daughter Macee.”

You looked at them both in awe. “They’re beautiful! Max sure looks like he loves Macee a lot.” Just as you handed Trent his phone back, a small voice sounded from the foot of the stairs.

“Mommy? I can’t sweep…”

The three of you looked to see little Max standing with his teddy bear and rubbing his eyes. Megan opened her arms and set him on her lap, pressing her lips to his forehead.

“Hey, baby. You can sit with Mommy while we talk to miss Y/N.”

Your ears perked up at her words. Was she giving you the job? Both her and Trent shared a look and you could tell they were having a wordless conversation. Finally, Megan turned and gave you an excited smile.

“Y/N, if you’re up for it, Trent and I would love to have you as our Nanny. You seem very attentive and dependable. We have a spare room that you can stay in for the time being, and you’ll have your own bathroom.”

“Thank you both so much! I can’t wait to work with you and get to know your adorable children. When would you like me to start?”

Megan gave you a folder with a few papers in it to go over.

“These are just a few more things about us and the kids that I want you to know. You can bring your things over tomorrow night and then on Monday you can start.”

You bid Trent and Megan goodbye and headed back to your hotel. It was as if a weight had been lifted off your shoulders. You’d only been here a short time and you had a place to stay and a job. Now all you needed to get was a car and you’d better off than you were before you started your journey.

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

The sound of his phone’s text tone woke Jared from his slumber. He typed a quick response to his sister and stretched his tired muscles. After taking a quick shower and getting dressed he grabbed his wallet and keys before heading out the door.

His sister said to be at her house in a couple of hours, but he didn’t see the harm in getting there early. It would give him time to play with Max and Macee for a little while. The drive there wasn’t very long, and soon he was walking up the sidewalk to their front door.

He let himself in and could saw his sister in the back yard playing with the kids. Before he could head through the house out the back door, something caught his attention. A sweet melodic voice flowed through the upstairs hallway that made his heartbeat quicken. He moved so he could see better and caught sight of the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. She had long brown hair that waved a bit at the ends, was probably about five foot one, and her voice was mesmerizing.

He watched as she cleaned the kids’ playroom, her hips shimmying to the music she was listening to. It was then that he recognized the song she was singing. It was one of the songs from Jensen’s new album! Standing in the foyer, he let himself listen to you a bit longer.

Oh, and how do I get you off my mind

With you back in my bed

How do I get you off my mind

Can’t have you living in my head

You can only stay awake so long

While deciding what is true

I lean in for a kiss upon your shoulder

Realize it wouldn’t do, not with you

So, how do I get you off my mind

With you back in my bed

How do I get you off my mind

Can’t have you living in my head

Unbeknownst to him, his sister was watching him watch her, the biggest smirk on her face knowing that you had caught her brother’s eye.

“Her name’s Y/N, and she’s Trent and I’s nanny.”

Jared whirled around to meet his sister’s knowing gaze. He knew he’d been caught staring and was sure he was blushing furiously.

“That’s ah… I’m uh… glad you found someone suitable for the kids, Meg. I bet she’s great.”

“Uh-huh… I haven’t seen you look at someone like that since… well, since ever really. You like her.”

“What?! That’s… I mean… I don’t even know her. I just… her singing was um… really good!”

By now, you had finished cleaning the playroom and was prepared to relieve Megan so she could go out with her family. You heard her talking to someone and you assumed it was Trent.

“Hey, Megan! I finished cleaning the pla-”

Your words were caught in your throat as you looked down into the foyer. There, standing mere feet from you was your celebrity crush since you saw him on Gilmore Girls. Jared Padalecki. It took only a moment for things to click in your brain and you deduced that he and Megan were siblings.

“Y/N, this is one of my older brother’s Jared, Jared this is Y/N.”

“H-Hi…” You squeaked. He gave you a boyish grin and you forgot how to breathe. “I’m uh… just going to get a few things from my room…”

Once you were behind the closed door, you let out a shaky breath. How in the fuck did you manage to get a job at Jared Padalecki’s sister’s house?! Taking a deep breath you grabbed the Tonka set you bought Max and headed downstairs to the great room to play with him and Macee. Jared was in the kitchen with Megan, and you were lucky enough to be immensely distracted by Max to hear what they were saying.

“I’m telling you Jare, you should ask her out! I give her weekends off, and I don’t think she knows anyone here but us. I think it would be nice to show her around.”

Jared rubbed the back of his neck nervously. “I don’t know Megan… I just met he-”

“Oh cut the crap, Jared. You can make all the excuses you want, but you and I both know you like her. C’mon! Take a chance! She’s cute and you’re single. If you keep waiting around for the right person, then who knows how long you’ll be waiting?”

Jared contemplated his sister’s words as he eyed you through the kitchen. Who was he kidding? Megan was right. He sighed and swallowed thickly as he headed into the Great room.

“Here goes nothing…”

#saxxxology vol 1 writing challenge #jared padalecki x reader #jared x reader #'pala writes

74 notes · View notes

robronfic · 5 years ago

Text

80+ robron fics to celebrate fic writer appreciation day!

thank you to every single one of you who write for our much loved ship! you’re all incredible and we appreciate you every single day! here’s some of our favourites over the years:

aus:

~ multi-chapter ~

asking the moon to stay by bugmadoo/@josephtate

(all his life prince robert had known that one day he would have to follow in his father's footsteps and become king of emmerdale. what he never expected was that he would have a secret love affair with the court's mechanic aaron dingle. royalty au. complete. 32k.)

we'll always have the moon by notforonesecond/@notforonesecond

(while working through his deployment for the british army, aaron dingle unsuspectingly meets the love of his life at a bar one night in the form of robert sugden. navigating through war, love, heartbreak, and tears they build their relationship, communicating through handwritten letters. cut after they've built a life and a family together, is aaron willing to sacrifice it all for his country? army au. complete. 87k.)

the hardest science by jentacular

(robert sugden has had aaron livesy erased from his memory. please never mention their relationship to him again.thank you. fantasy au. complete. 230k.)

cause we're lovers, and that is a fact by dinglesugdendinglesugden/@prettyboysugden

(the 1980's- a time of music, love and pride. robert and aaron have to hide their relationship, but will something tear them apart? 80′s au. complete. 17k.)

from the moment we touched by lovesnarf/@snarfettelove

(needing to let off some steam after a stressful day at work, robert (a ruthless businessman) picks up a prostitute on his way back to his penthouse apartment. but one night with aaron isn’t enough and robert’s got a hell of a week coming up; he offers aaron the opportunity of a lifetime - stay (and get paid) for the whole week. aaron can’t resist, and robert’s pretty fit after all, so he agrees to the deal. they just aren’t supposed to let feelings get in the way of their ‘arrangement’. pretty woman au. complete. 42k.)

fickle fortune by robron_til_the_end/@robron-til-the-end

(robert sugden moves back to emmerdale after ten years away, now rich and famous. he wants to reconnect with his sister and his home, but finds himself hung up on a certain mechanic instead. fame au. complete. 90k.)

sounds of silence by some_mad_lunge/@some-mad-lunge

(DCI robert sugden has spent the better part of a year chasing a serial killer he cannot identify. PI aaron dingle has just cracked a 15 year cold case and is fighting his instant fame. thrown together, they form a partnership that leads thlm closer to finally solving the mystery. and to each other. police au. complete. 33k.)

you really got me bad by escapingreality51/@escapingreality51

(robert loses his job and is forced to get a roommate. however, when aaron dingle rocks up on his doorstep, robert's ability to say no quickly disappears. roomates au. complete. 12k.)

the primary colours by littlelooneyluna/@littlelooneyluna

(robert’s job is to track down a fugitive, becoming a school teacher in the process just so happens to be the case this time around. police au. complete. 143k.)

the journey by tenpercentbatteryremaining

(aaron and robert meet on the eurostar from paris to london. and then again on the train from london to leeds. and then again on the bus from leeds to emmerdale. and then finally... alternative meeting au. complete. 7k.)

i'm so glad it was you by supercali/@nooneelsecomesclose17

(aaron’s morning routine is pretty set in stone. get up, make a brew and sit on the windowsill overlooking hotten high street, while checking his phone for messages. his day was always better when there was one waiting for him. he couldn’t tap the screen fast enough when he saw the icon, sipping at his tea while he waited for the app to decide if it would load or not. finally it opens and he sets his mug down beside him. you’ve got mail au. complete. 16k.)

take my sins by sugdensquad

(robert is an ambitious businessman, an insomniac… and lonely. aaron is a desperate, broken young man… who is also a prostitute. when they crash into each other - literally - one night, their lives are sent spiralling. but they both have baggage, and the past has a funny way of showing up at the worst possible moments. Will they manage to cling to each other, or be torn apart for good? prostituation au. complete. 311k.)

finding home by dirtylittlegreasemonkey/@memorieswarm

(it's the end of 2010. almost a year before, after a long relationship with victoria sugden, aaron came out. their relationship had dissolved into an awkward state and then she discovered his internet history and everything made sense. his acceptance of it, after much confusion, anger and upset, was aided by the support of her and best friend adam. aaron's starting to think about the future and his sexuality but victoria is driving everyone crazy with her excitement of one thing - her brother robert is returning home after more than five years away. when robert crosses paths with aaron, the attraction and antagonism is immediate, but it's not long before aaron finds out robert's biggest secret and that might just change everything between them. teenage au. complete. 58k.)

southpaw by hissingmiseries/@turnerkanes

(an au where aaron's a southpaw boxer who gets dragged into the world of illegal backstreet fights, all gloves and testosterone, where he meets a collection of fellow boxers, a ruthless trainer, an anxious medic and a pretty little businessman. sports au. complete. 40k.)

rumours by imaginentertain/@beautifulhigh

(robert is a divinus, or a “div” if you’re feeling particularly cruel. people who are functionally immortal: they can die through severe accidents or illnesses, or something immediate. people with the ability to heal, to understand a person better than they know themselves, and who are rumoured to love so deeply that they will literally love you forever. robert hasn’t told anyone who he is, only telling aaron after the car crash and their engagement, giving him the choice about whether he wants to live his life with a man who won’t ever grow old, who isn’t anything close to normal and secure. not all the rumours are good ones though, and for every high there’s a low. immortal au. complete. 105k.)

unsinkable by sweetly_disposed

(aaron dingle is all alone in the world. with all his possessions strapped to his back and no family, money, or job prospects to speak of, he is lost, searching for something new, somewhere to call his own. robert sugden has it all: the money, the job, the fiancée, the bright future set out ahead of him, and yet he is stuck, confined to his class with his father breathing down his neck. fate steers them together, entwining their paths en route to a brand new world. titanic au. complete. 25k.)

and might had fallen to sands and fire by matan4il/@matan4il

(aaron is a hebrew gladiator whose daily routine of training and fighting is changed by the arrival of a unit of roman soldiers. historical au. complete. 44k.)

one last night on this earth (can you teach me how the heart works?) by dingletragedy/@dingletragedy

(the thing is, robert is bloody gorgeous and aaron is, well, he’s aaron. with one final overview of robert's face, aaron sighs loudly and locks his phone, leaving robert’s profile just sitting there, waiting for someone else to take the chance aaron just threw away. tinder au. complete. 22k.)

reiteration by otherworldliness

(robert sugden falls asleep in august 2017 as a broken man rapidly loosing everything he loves. he awakes in august 2014 with more knowledge and hindsight than any man should, but more importantly - hope. time travel au. complete. 69k.)

inevitable by raelee514/@raelee514

(robert and aaron have a deal. It's simple. it's casual. their sure adding fake dating for christmas won't complicate anything. fake dating au. complete. 25k.)

need you now by turquoiseterrier/@turquoiseterrier

(the night aaron lashed out and hit sandra was the night his stepmother left, taking her daughter with her and leaving aaron alone with the increasingly abusive gordon. years later, with aaron feeling trapped and desolate, gordon hires a local decorator to spruce the house up ready for sale could the blond painter be aaron's light in the darkness? alternative meeting au. complete 101k.)

from dales to islands by whataboutsugden

(robert sugden has been on the island for 3 weeks and is happy in his couple, but when new boy aaron dingle enters the villa with his best friend adam, he finds himself conflicted and has to decide what, and who it is, he really wants. love island au. complete. 42k.)

met a boy in a bar, went to his hotel room by diary

(aaron and robert meet in a bar. alternative meeting. complete. 36k.)

this new sun by veryveryverytemporarily/@veryveryverytemporarily

(aaron is a celtic warrior who finds robertus jacobus, a roman legionary, still hanging onto life after battle. he takes him back to his clan’s village and nurses him until he’s well again. when feelings develop between the two men, will they be able to stay together, and if not now, when? period au. complete. 27k.)

the man for the job by montecarlos/@robin-frijns

(robert sugden has just become prime minister. it falls to agent aaron dingle to make sure he doesn't cause too much trouble. bodyguard au. complete. 18k.)

jungle love by sugden_in_a_beanie/@sugdeninabeanie

(the boys in the jungle. i’m a celebrity au. complete. 34k.)

~ wip ~

white blank page by their_dark_materials/@rustandruin

(aaron’s a semi-closeted music journalist for a regional newspaper. robert is the newly hired out-and-proud sex and relationship columnist he hates. but when they’re forced to work together, aaron realises that irritation quickly turns into attraction. can he overcome his past and find the strength to choose his future? co-workers au. wip. 99+k.)

put a bullet in me by toxica939/@vcktoxica

(“you don't look like a science geek,” the guy – robert – calls out, moving across the room. he's as graceful as the girls are and lightening quick. aaron's spent his life getting ribbed on by army boys and putting bullets through anything with eyes like this kid. a lifetime of fronting. he's not gonna turn into some little pussy now just because his knee's shot. “you don't talk like you were made in a test tube,” he shoots back. zombie apocolypse au. wip. 43+k.)

this time imperfect by lifeinabubbleIblew/@jonny-versace

(two lifelong best friends come to terms with their changing relationship, unaware they're soon to be torn apart. teenages au. wip. 7k+)

i’ll love you always by danielle97

(after aaron wakes up from a car accident, robert finds that there are some gaps in his fiancés memory… mainly that he can’t remember anything about robert or their life together. au. wip. 125+k)

game, set and match by hauntedbydesign

(aaron dingle and robert sugden are both british tennis players desperately looking to kickstart their troubled careers by competing in the next grand slam on the calendar - wimbledon. but can they find the success they crave on the grass courts of sw19, when their worlds collide and attraction is thrown into the mix? tennis au. wip. 70k+)

oneshots:

ticket to anywhere by perksofbeingaiko/@strongboyfriends

(sixteen years old is dull in ways that movies and television never want to admit, and every minute felt like a countdown until he could escape. But life didn’t work like that. at least, not for robert. aaron couldn’t possibly be the one to change that. could he? teenager au. onehsot. 42k.)

safe in your hands by wafflesofdoom/@capseycartwright

(robert sugden arrives home to emmerdale in a whirlwind of magic and arrogance, determined to become head of the sugden family. aaron doesn't exactly expect robert to make him feel the way he does from the moment he arrives, curious, and excited - and magicial.after years of letting his magic go dormant and unused, aaron is swept up in the wonderful world of robert the great and powerful. (magic au. one shot. 14k)

oh, you're so precious, you're a fucking delinquent by robbosugden/@calhighway

(aaron is a reckless delinquent who always turns to his best friend of four years whenever he gets himself into trouble. teenagers au. oneshot. 3k.)

sunflower seeds by littlelooneyluna/@littlelooneyluna

(liv is seb’s babysitter, when work gets in the way aaron is forced to step in and save the day, then he falls hard. alterative meeting au. oneshot. 20k.)

a different language by thisissirius/@sapphicsugden

(“he can’t hear you,” vic says, touching aaron’s arm. aaron frowns. “what?” “robert,” she says, gesturing at the blond standing by the bar. "he’s deaf, and he doesn’t wear his hearing aid.” deaf au. oneshot. 6k.)

nine facts by thesnowyswan/@thesnowyswan

(aaron loses his memory and this is his journey of (re)discovery. amnesia au. oneshot. 5k.)

cider and mince pies by sugdenlovesdingle/@sugdenlovesdingle

(as far as christmas traditions go, robert and aaron make their own. teenagers au. oneshot. 3k.)

double shot vanilla latte by wafflesofdoom/@capseycartwright

(robert had owned the grind for over two years now, buying himself a coffee shop out of his divorce settlement and turning it into one of leeds’ busiest cafes. but he’d never had a customer quite like aaron. coffee shop au. oneshot. 8k.)

two night stand by imgoingcrazy/@robertisbisexual

(aaron’s been single for months and, after a bad night out, is convinced by his friends that a no strings one night stand is exactly what he needs. only casual sex is a lot harder than aaron remembers - especially when your date is a prick - and when forces conspire against him aaron finds himself trapped with robert a second night. alternative meeting au. oneshot. 26k.)

constellations by withoutwords/@thefancyspin

(robert had always stayed with them on his summer holidays, inseparable. friends to lovers au. oneshot. 3k.)

so at ease in the midnight sky by aarobron/@aarobron

(aaron finds the dingle's travelling circus at 16, just after he runs away from gordon, and spends his days helping out with odd jobs. what he doesn't expect to find is a best friend in the shape of vic's older brother, robert. they grow closer, as a double act on the trapeze and as friends, but he keeps his feelings quiet until gordon shows up and flips everything they know upside down. circus au. oneshot. 53k.)

teen idle by astoria

(robert sugden is beautiful, popular at school and always seems to have a girl on his arm. so why is he getting closer to aaron dingle? high school au. oneshot. 5k.)

december came, something changed. by vicbartons/@vicbartons

(to aaron, setting his best friend up with the girl of his dreams had seemed like a worthy enough cause to team up with his least favourite co-worker for. and how hard could it really be to hijack the office secret santa? but then again, when had one of robert sugden's schemes ever worked out the way he planned? co-workers au. oneshot. 13k.)

maneuver one into place by murderousdeer/@robertjacobsugdens

(robert helped lawrence build a legitimate business empire from the ashes of his criminal enterprises. that is, until robert made one tiny, irrelevant mistake and the whites kicked him to the curb. planning his revenge, robert went in the only place where he could assemble a team to get back what was rightfully his. he wasn’t expecting old feelings and wounds to resurface quite so strongly. especially not when it came to his master thief, aaron dingle. ocean's 11 au. oneshot. 57k.)

what is watered, grows by laramie

(a gentle story about being happy with what you have even when you want more, and then getting more and being happy with that too. gardener au. onehsot. 11k.)

faculty lounge by illgetmerope/@illgetmerope

(aaron and robert meet over coffee and tea in the faculty lounge. a story of their romance through chats and mugs. teachers au. oneshot. 4k.)

baby, it's cold outside by small_bump/@victoriasugden

(anything can happen on christmas eve, even a mircale. robert's kind of banking on it. alternative meeting au. oneshot. 6k.)

trouble by design by saltyplaydough/@spamela-hamderson

(aaron's yorkshire's most unprofessional cop and robert's a criminal in love. police/criminals au. oneshot. 1k.)

the first by zoeteniets/@iwillsendapostcard

(first dates au where aaron and robert are paired together on the programme. reality show au. oneshot. 3k.)

canon / canon divergent:

~ multi-chapter ~

iceberg by miss_whimsy/@misswhimsy

(robert attends counselling to try to help with his depression and guilt. canon divergent. complete. 18k.)

birthdays and surprises by daily_scenarios/@susieskinner93

(since he's been told that seb was miserably the whole day on his birthday, robert thought of a plan to reunite his two favorite people in the world....via video call. canon. complete. 2k.)

can't you see my love? by loveislove87/@scottt190

(robert and aaron are starting to drift apart, losing focus on what's truly important, when an accident threatens to challenge them and maybe remind them both of what matters. canon divergent. complete. 13k.)

i wonder by thisdamndesire/@thisdamndesire

(hazel is back in the uk and is working as an art teacher in london. she needs to be active on facebook for the first time and curiosity gets the better of her. canon divergent. complete. 10k.)

whenever i let my guard down by whiplash

(in the aftermath of the accident, aaron’s surprised to find that he’s the strong one. or, aaron might be the one who’s a bit broken, but robert’s the one who actually breaks down. canon. complete. 4k.)

a little too soon by dirtylittlegreasemonkey9384

(they're together. they're happy. all is well, except it isn't, because aaron still wakes up in the night with terrifying flashbacks of that night at the lodge, no matter how much he wishes he didn't. canon divergent. complete. 25k.)

a foil character's tale by itfeeislikehome/@bigemmerdalefan

(alex and mike witness robert and aaron's relationship in all it's wonderous glory. canon divergent. complete. 2k.)

~ oneshots ~

so many nights like this by lily_rizzy

(lottie fowler was a horrible receptionist.Working the reception at the hotten spa hotel was not the career she had envisioned for herself when she had accepted her place studying business at leeds uni. by 22, she had pictured that she would already be climbing the corporate ladder to bigger (paychecks) and better things. and yet, she currently had no feet on the corporate ladder despite finishing her degree with a respectable 2:1, and was currently stuck in a career she would have shuddered at, age 18.- or the story of robert and aaron, told from the point of view of a hotel receptionist. canon. oneshot. 5k.)

ice swans and dry-cleaning by persiflager/@persiflager

(“so,” says the twat. “aaron livesy, married. never thought I’d see the day.” canon divergent. oneshot. 6k.)

separation never suited us by wellyfullofale/@wellyfullofale

(robert’s been away from emmerdale for almost a year, but vic has persuaded him to return for his 40th birthday party. he hasn’t seen or spoken to his husband since he left the village after convincing himself that aaron had moved on following an argument that they were both too stubborn to move past. he returns with hope that aaron might still love him the same way that he still loves aaron, but when he finds his husband is seeing someone new, is all hope now lost after a year apart? or will they find that, actually, a kind of love like theirs isn’t ever over? canon divergent. oneshot. 33k.)

daniel in the den (felled in the night) by sunsetmog

everything he felt was trapped in his chest, clamouring to get out, desperate to tear itself out from underneath his skin. or: aaron shows up on robert's doorstep in the middle of the night. canon. oneshot. 2k.)

tonight, they sleep by auselysium

(robert takes aaron to the seashore to get him away from emmerdale and the dark secrets he has confided in him. his intentions, for once, are completely noble. but then, aaron knocks on his door in the middle of the night. canon. oneshot. 1k.)

wanting makes the world go round by electrumqueen

("he slept on the sofa." or; robert sugden is a lying liar who lies. canon. oneshot. 3k.)

old wounds stitched anew by theprincessed/@theprincessed

(robert is rushed to hospital whilst out on a morning run. post-recovery, aaron makes him feel better. eventually. canon. oneshot. 6k.)

a line has time in it, your heart needs to heal by amarelavita/@luststricken

("this ‘all yours? you did this?" aaron said, as robert caught him lightly turning pages of a sketchbook, the most recent one, the one that contained a lot of himself in it. he soon reached those pages, the first one was of the back of his torso in bed from one of their many hotel escapades, he wouldn’t be able to tell which one, but robert knew. canon divergent. oneshot. 2k.)

mumble and sigh by couldaughter

(“careful,” aaron said, a fond smile on his face. “people might start thinking you’ve gone soft.” “you won’t tell anyone, will you? i’ve got an image to maintain.” canon. oneshot. 4k.)

who's this man that's holding your hand by reinacadeea/@reinacadeea

(in a not-very-distant future, robert wakes up with amnesia and like the good sister she is, victoria tries to help him remember. canon divergent. oneshot. 1k.)

he belongs to me by dvs/@dvswraatins

(robert wakes up after a three year coma just in time to ruin aaron's marriage. future canon. oneshot. 16k.)

you used to dream about fires by sophwrites/@elshopper

(sometimes you’ve got to lose people, so that they can find their way back to you. or: robert and aaron were having the best second wedding day ever, until they weren’t. canon divergent. oneshot. 7k.)

i signed it with love from me to you by sugdensrobert/@sugdenssrobert

(he had found it by accident, didn’t even know it existed. or, robert finds a piece of paper with some very special words on it. canon. oneshot. 2k.)

not for anything by dinglehorton/@thompsonconnors

(robert's not sure what he's done wrong this time in her eyes, but he's willing to bet that she's jumped to conclusions and has already begun to blame him for this whole mess. he's distracted though by the pressing need to go back to the lake and retrieve the ring so aaron has something to wake up to. so he goes, despite her pleading for him to stay with those damn eyes that look so similar to her brother's when he's upset. canon. oneshot. 3k.)

three hundred and ffity-plus by dreamember/@robertsugdn

(it’s probably why he feels so on edge as the date approaches. he’s just waiting for the other shoe to drop, for him to lose robert just like he lost jackson and ed. canon. oneshot. 6k.)

do not disturb by anythingbutplatonic/@robertssvgden

(it’s a very slow day at the office. aaron and robert find an unorthodox way of keeping themselves occupied. canon. oneshot. 1k.)

sweet dreams (are made of this) by kayceecruz/@kayceecruz

(after a tragic accident, robert’s left in a coma. while his loved ones fight to keep him alive, robert sinks into a world of dreams. when he wakes up, he is confused about what life is real and all he wants is to have his husband by his side. canon divergent. oneshot. 24k.)

you can be found by thepackwantsthed

(instead of getting married to chrissie, robert runs away with aaron. they come back to emmerdale eight years later, with each other and a family of their own. canon divergent. oneshot. 5k.)

all over again by miss_romance_lover/@golaulau

(after an accident, aaron suffers short term memory loss. he knows robert, but he doesn't remember the happy life they've been building together. is love really enough to overcome the uncontrollable? canon divergent. oneshot. 4k.)

use our eyes, throw our hands overboard by lesfemmesdangereuse/@lesbiennesdangereuses

(it was a saturday night, liv on baby duty and aaron and robert were going to a house party. canon. oneshot. 4k.)

this heart had its beating, this heart has its bruises by storiesthatmakeus

(when aaron joins robert on a business trip to london, he learns more about his husband’s past away from emmerdale and falls even deeper in love with him as a result. canon divergent. oneshot. 7k.)

tooth and nail by craystiel

(robert fights for his place in aaron’s life, as mistrust and miscommunication dares to tear them apart. canon divergent. oneshot. 5k.)

misconceptions by itswheremydemonshide10

(five times the dingles expected the worst of robert – and the one time none of them did. canon divergent. oneshot. 5k.)

#this took ALL DAY!!!!!#i am so so sorry if i missed anyone!#robron #fic rec

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countryshitposts · 5 years ago

Text

the vulnerability of immortality

Here's a filler fic that'd probably keep you guys waiting until i finally post that Asian Christmas party fic and German Empire getting pummeled

Österreich did not exist... but then he started existing.

Austria can remember the feeling of not existing at first, a cosmic entity watching a cataclysmic event in the far future. It was being displayed by the galaxies beyond him, his body as light as a star that tries not to shine as bright as the milky way that he was born in. He doesn't even have a name at first, he doesn't exist, after all. He can watch the planes all he wants without the feeling of crushing mortality pressing him into the solid grounds. He never even knows what ground feels like. He is nothing but a watcher, a silent one who has no personality nor voice in the whole galaxy. He sits, and he watches, looking at the visions with no feelings, numb yet wanting to die. He looks at the visions he is being shown, and he feels something; longing. Longing for the inevitable, he unconsciously touches the visions, full of nameless people that were either cemented into history or erased from it.

He regrets it.

He doesn't regret it.

Then he feels light absorb him, consume him and his non-existent mouth urges to scream, and so he does; he lets out a sound he has never heard from his silent self before, feeling his numbness turning into pain as he feels his cosmic body enter something else. The feeling of flesh attaches to his body like glue paste, as he feels himself seeing everything with bright new colors, entertaining yet painful to watch, only used to the astronomical purples and white blinkering dots resembling the stars, knowing if he approaches them they will becoming, big, bright, bold stars.

And his transformation stops, a flip from a switch as he is brought to a woman. He can move, he can see the world he had only seen from the visions that someone from beyond had sent him, to cope with him not existing. He was in a bundle, tightly wrapped like he would fall off, and die as he hits the floors.

Then, his memories start to drain, from the beginning of time when the big bang was - mistakenly - made, hot gases fughting, the great mother Earth forming in the volcanic hell that used to be the planet, the rains, the Ancient Sumerians and their inventing of wheels, the Macedonian Empire, the Toltecs, Mayans, the unexpected Mongol Empire conquering Eurasia through the means of horseback, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and its blazing glory, the Sick Man of Europe, Red China, and the End of the World, Earth becoming sickly and turning everything into ashes.

All of what he had seen- visions, the past, the vague present, the incoming future bombarding in time, all slips from his vision, like it was nothing and a switch off from his mind.

Before his seemingly uneventful birth, he didn't exist, watching everything as a nebulous cosmic entity.

Now he exists and he must live through it all, vision-less.

I am Austria, a voice inside him says, and I exist.

The children aren't like him

He knows just by how much they fear him

They don't invite him to play with him

Not like he cared

He prefers to read the bible

They pray using their rosaries to the God above

Something inside Austria tells him he's beyond God

His mother meets her end with a sickness

Something he cannot remember

He watches his mother go without a hint of sadness

Now he is all alone

Life in the streets is hard enough

Somehow he is still healthy despite dirty living conditions

He steals

He begs

He needs

Austria meets His Majesty

The second next best thing compared to the Roman Empire

He sits on his throne

Two black pairs of wings in all his glory

On a throne of gold

His stern face looking straight at Austria

He is the Holy Roman Empire

Life as a peasant-turned-prince isn't easy

His adoptive brothers loathe him

The castle servants gossip of him being a spawn of Satan

But Holy Roman Empire lets him stay no matter what

He loves him

He hates Prussia

Holy Roman Empire encourages him to follow his heart

He becomes a pastor

Shortlived

So he takes an interest in composing and playing musical intruments

Forever

Österreich gives his betrothed a bouquet of flowers

He says he matches her eyes

He's filled with so much love

Nothing lasts forever

He hears the arranged marriage

He drops his copy of the bible

He runs to the palace where his love resides

She's not there

Her father tortures him

By giving him an invite to Korona and Lieutvos' wedding

He stands there on the isle, cross-armed and scowling

He bites his lip, trying not to cry as his true love and a barbarian kiss

He's not going to cry

He focuses on his studies more

Focuses on politics more

But he cannot seem to shake off Korona's smiling face

He looks towards his abandoned poems and compositions for Korona

He hides them in his chest with a mighty shut

Even then he knows all words and tunes by heart

Prussia is grinding at his gears

So is his father

He takes an interest in a brand new style of art from the French lands

It helps his broken heart

It helps him heal

Unlike his music

He hears rumors

Rumors of Korona and Lieutvos' marriage being unhappy

Korona is afraid of that dirty pagan

Looks like he still has a chance to win her heart after all

He approaches her one day when Lieutvos was talking to the Holy Roman Empire

"Let's run away together" he says with hope in his eyes

Korona sheepishly looks away, patting her belly

"I am bearing a child" she says her voice barely a whisper

His smile fades as hope inside of him shatters

He feels the weight of loneliness crush him to dirt

He tells his servants nor family to never enter his room

He is mourning

For what

For the death of his love

He and Prussia fight more each day

That kingdom from afar is getting too close to the outer territories of his duchy

He plays music to let off some steam

He did not even mention her name once

Holy Roman Empire is turning to a figurehead

Österreich is God

God is Österreich

He is holy in every way

He attends Korona's baby's baptism

He is named Poland after his grandfather

He cannot look Korona in the eye

He hates Lieutvos every second he is here

The child has his mother and father's striking features

He can feel his world turning blurry for a second

He spends his time away from his land

To fight wars

A war he needs to fight for his father

Who's too gluttonous to leave the throne

He can see his pair of dark wings having the slightest tinge of white

The sign of becoming old

He wonders why an immortal being is becoming old each passing day

Will he become old

How dare that damned man insult the church

How dare he post such insults in a door

How dare he question his father's rule

Prussia is objecting

He is objecting too

But he can't help but somewhat agree with the man who defames the church

Lutheranism and Reformation spreads through the entire continent like a ravaging wildfire

Even the Discovery isn't as intense as this

War was coming to his doorstep

Holy Roman Empire finally gets up from his throne

Some of his feathers falls as he stands in all his glory

The old empire is an examplary fighter

He and Prussia see eye to eye in the dissonance

France wishes for Burgundy

He defends his territory

He beats and bests the kingdom at every turn

He has become powerful in his own right

He marches to Rome

To become the rightful king of the Romans

He is the true Rome

Not Russia

Not even the Holy Roman Empire

That Kingdom of Hungary is threatening his power

Hungary wishes for peace

He is suspicious

He wakes the first day to find him invading his land

How dare he

That is not his

He gains more land and power

Hungary is a distant yet close problem now

He allies and forms bonds

He plans to take Britanny

France takes it first

Schweiz is a stubborn woman

Fighting for her independence with a fury

At first Österreich and his family laugh at her

But she is serious

And she got what she wants in the end

He admires her feistiness

He, Preußen and Russia wish for more land

They target the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth

Something inside him tells him the once love of his life will never forgive him for this

Once love of his life

Now turned to dust

They make plans

He has second thoughts

Korona's eyes give him a look of betrayal

He hesitates

Then he remembered that she isn't his anymore

She's in love with someone else now

Not him

He has no more second thoughts after this

He feels pleasure rise into him as he slits Lieutvos' throat

He hears Korona's cries, calling him a traitor

He laughs, and so do the others

Yet after he murdered the former love of his life

He starts to weep

Why is he weeping

He can't even read anything without squinting

The Holy Roman Empire drops dead

His last feathers are nothing but pure white

No more of his black feather

He cannot feel sadness despite the fact he has shown him kindness

No more of the empire

A new era begins

Rhineland gives him a baby boy bundled up in blankets

Österreich says he has no use of his child

But Rhineland pleads with him to care for the boy

He does as a friend

He's unaware of the pain and suffering he will go through

Over the years

He clutches Confederation's hand

Still warm

His tears are flooding his eyes as their warm drops pitter patter on his skin

He has a smile on his face, a smile to encourage Confederation he can still live

"I will die" Confederation says hushed

"No you will not" Österreich manages to say "You will live"

Confederation smiles at his father warmly "I forgive you"

His hand goes limp, eyes closed, body temperature becoming cold

Österreich's forced smile drops like Confederation's lifeline

He holds his body

The boy whom had warmed his heart as a son

He cries in choked sobs

Then he screams

He screams and shouts and cries

Why didn't the doctors save this innocent boy

Why did he have to leave him alone

He goes blind

Yet he still hears him singing

Austria and Hungary waltz in the moonlight, away from observing eyes

"This is wrong" Österreich says as his body dips lower

"But you do not care" Hungary replies

And then they kiss

He can feel another love sparkle through the night

There is nothing wrong with this

This is heaven

This is hell

Being fused to your love can take some time to adjust

Yet they love each other

But they're not close to each other

They're not even beside each other

He will get used to it

Of course Hungary stopped loving him

What did he expect

He can feel his heart setting to stone once again

Hungary leaves him after the fall of their empire

He breaks mirrors that show his sad and pathetic self

Glass ends up over his face

He can't try to make out what's right and wrong anymore

He's alone again

All he can see are blurry shapes

He plays the violin

He sings old melodies lost in time never sharing them

He sees the world burn like a distant memory

Österreich tries to cope with his detoriating power

By singing through it all

Ghosts appear before him, mocking at him for the way he has turned out

He chokes

Österreich stands with Reich

Once a young, naïve and nice boy has corrupted and snapped

He wanted to blame his father

But he can't help but blame he himself

He helps with his plans and tactics

Helps him in the battlefield

Helps him with everything

He needs to become powerful again

At what cost?

The war is over

Deutschland is divided

He can see their faces but never makes their details out

The world has gone too blurry for him

He looks at his hands

Now only good for playing instruments

He clenches his fists and punches a mirror

It breaks

His hands hurt

He forgot how to live

Schweiz came to him in such a manner

He has to stop for a breath

Österreich can feel himself getting pulled by Schweiz

But he trusts his instincts

Österreich likes the man before him

Their kiss lights up his life

He has to wear glasses now

What a humiliating defeat

It seems he cannot shoot a gun properly anymore

He throws away all firearms and weapons, save for those he has treasured so greatly

He doesn't feel the slightest bit of regret

He is finally free

He has finally matured and moved on

He can hear him singing

Österreich goes from door to door, searching for the culprit of the voice

It is echoing in his house, a melody he has heard of many times

He opens a door, and another, and another

But he isn't there

Why will he be

He is gone and dead

Yet his ghost still lingers

Laughing at him

Österreich screams, it echoes through the house, wanting the voice to stop singing and give him peace

Silence

Then he starts singing once again until Österreich has broken down to tears

He swears he can hear them

The voices whispering towards him as he makes his way through the halls

They grow louder

And louder

They scream at Österreich, vowing to never forget what he has done to them

He does not scream nor react feeling numb

He doesn't remember what it feels like to live

Deutschland pours him a drink, delighted smile and all

Österreich clinks his glass with him as well

Everyone's having so much fun

He smiles as he takes a sip of his beer

He doesn't remember having this much fun with people

Everyone is so lively

He doesn't remember being that lively

Everyone is living and breathinng unlike those gross voices he keeps hearing

Dr. Österreich finally learns how to live.

#mine #writing #countryhumans #countryhumans austria #countryhumans prussia #countryhumans holy roman empire #countryhumans germany #countryhumans switzerland #countryhumans hungary

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smolbeandrabbles · 5 years ago

Text

Glow - Danny Rayburn x Reader (Bloodline)

☃❄!Holiday Fic 2!☃❄

I STG every time I see GIFs of him I’m like “Let me write for you some more...”

Author’s Note: Hello! Welcome to the second Holiday fic! So, spoilers, Danny is getting two... Because I realise that whenever I write him I always automatically go back to the familiarity of my 10 part series. Rather than, y’know, giving him another reader.

So whilst my friend and I called me out on it, we came up with this plot! Glow ~ Brett Eldredge I’m officially pulling out all the original songs rather than Holiday classics... I’m sorry! 🤣🤣 Disclaimer: Lyrics not mine / Bloodline characters not mine / So - This is basically made up of throwing random questions at Midwesterner’s and some stuff I did when I spent Christmas with family in Chicago...! Premise: On a trip back to your parents, and the Christmas alcohol run, you figure Danny needs to learn about Midwest weather the hard way... Words: 2524 Warnings: Swearing / Drinking

This fire is nice But so are your eyes They twinkle when you smile Ain't felt this warm in a while That northern star Shines straight from your heart Pour on the bourbon it's gettin' late Let's melt all the frost on the window pane Let's never let this moment slip away Just stay, just stay You look good in the light of my Christmas tree You and the mistletoe and me You are my sunshine over a field of snow And I love to watch you glow Come on, just glow Come on and glow, just glow

---

The initial idea wasn’t really to have it pan out like this. You and Danny were going to have a fairly quiet Christmas - at least, that’s what you’d talked about. Maybe see Nolan, maybe go out to his restaurant... but you knew you weren’t going to see his family. Only, a few weeks before Christmas that plan went up in smoke, because when your parents invited you back home, and you said you wanted to stay with your boyfriend, they had simply said bring him too!

Your first thought was you might still get away with not going (not that you didn’t want to see your family of course. But you knew Danny needed you as much here), was that Danny wouldn’t warm to the idea at all and would rather stay home. Not the case. “Oh? Really!” “Yeah that’s what they said...” “That’d be nice-! I mean; you’re from all the way Midwest - I’ve obviously done a little moving from the Keys to here... but... I’ve never been out of State..! This will be nice!” You raised an eyebrow at him; “...You do realise that it’s gonna be freezing. Right? Snow, ice... you name it. You sure you can handle it?! Being a Florida native!!?” “I can handle it.” Danny gave a not of assurance “You ever seen snow and ice!?” He laughed; “Yeah-! You know we get freak weather down here.” “Storms and hurricanes are not blizzards and below freezing.” But Danny insisted; “I got this!” “Geeez... you better have a winter coat, and a good scarf and gloves!! And I still think you should be prepared to eat your words!!”

***

And so he did. Although Danny was prepared to put on a brave face about it when it was cold but dry, not a speck of white in sight, and refused to complain even though it was obvious he wasn’t exactly enjoying it. “Missing your Florida heat-!?” You couldn’t help but tease him “Nah-! It’s just Winter Sun!!” You let that one go. Fairly certainly that Midwesterners would call a trip to Florida ‘Winter Sun’… wait, was that the joke?

He got on with your parents and siblings just fine, which is exactly what you wanted, thinking on his family - but Danny never made himself hard to get on with. Just hard to get to know... There was a lot deep within that he carried everywhere he went; and Danny liked to hide this with a (mostly) positive outlook. Although, that fared better in his usual sunshine. Of course, once he’d volunteered his services for cooking, the more culinary skilled in your family jumped on that; and you knew Danny was going to spend the majority of Christmas Day showing off. Ah, I’m just a chef – He tried to play it down, with a beaming smile, but you obviously weren’t falling for it. Yes, try head of one of the best restaurants in Miami. And that wasn’t just your opinion.

But then it snowed. And whilst he could look at it with a kind of childish wonder falling outside your window, and the way the sun sparkled upon it - when your mom asked you to walk down the road and stock up on alcohol, that was when reality set in. Because half way down the road - as if he wasn’t already complaining - the snow started falling again. It was light and not too bad for you; you were comfortable in a light jacket, you did have a scarf; but it was cotton instead of wool and looked like something you might be able to accessorise with in summer. Danny wasn’t. “How are you anywhere NEAR warm!” “I told you it was going to be freezing!” He jabbed a finger at you, pulling his hat down further over his ears, “You clearly don’t count this as freezing!” You wound your arms around his and put up your umbrella to catch the snow, and stop it falling on your already moody and cold Florida Boy. “I just think you run a little hotter down there.” That at least picked up his smirk and he nudged you; “Damn right.” You nudged him back; “Manners! Or I’ll shove you in it! Then you’ll know what cold really is…” “If you f**king dare-!” Danny had you laughing again; at how red his cheeks were, and his nose. “You look cold.” “Thanks! I am!!!” He buried his face in his scarf and huddled his body, in order to make best of his own warmth, putting his hands into his pockets. “Poor baby...” “It’s not funny! I’m suffering!” “Just seems like someone didn’t listen!” “I listened! I’m prepared! We don’t have to walk this!”

True enough, you could have had a warm cozy 5 minute car ride... “Well, now you can tell all your friends you’ve had the authentic Midwestern winter experience, including being outside on a walk in snow... you may exaggerate in depth... and didn’t die!” He grumbled again, “I could well die by the time we’ve finished!” You tsk’d him “Don’t be such a drama queen!” “And you’re expecting me to carry liquor back-!” “Would be helpful - will also warm you up...” you turned back to him with a grin “and we can’t very well drink and drive...”

You kept walking, but he slowed down, dragging his feet and trudging on purpose to really hit home with you how “difficult” this was for him. “...That’s not getting you there any faster!” “Well, where the f**k is this place!!?” You pointed ahead of you, “Just on that corner! Hey! You could run! That would warm you up!” Instead of saying a variant, and probably much less polite version, of screw you Danny opted to shove you instead. To his own peril, because it was a little too hard, and you ended up on the ground, in the snow.

He was laughing hard right away, which you supposed stopped him from grumbling but it also distorted his apology somewhat; “Sh-shit! I’m sorry!!!” You took about 5 full seconds to look up at him and react - “—oh! You are so dead!!!” “No! No! No!” He shrunk back - but too late as you grasped at the snow around you and threw it - “Stop!!” No way in hell you were about to stop though; as you scrambled to your feet and shook the snow from your clothing “Danny!!!” It was a whine. “Well I told you-!” You threw another lump of snow at him, he didn’t tell you anything, if he’d quit being such a drama queen you’d be there and back by now - “Stop! Dammit!!” “Oh no-! You full on deserve it-!”

And so, even though he was bitterly cold. The two of you wound up in a snow ball fight. The actual purpose of this walk soon forgotten. You were lucky no one else was around with the amount of yelling and laughing that was going on. Volume button clearly on max. Eventually your cold - and getting colder - boyfriend bent forward with his hands on his knees, exhausted. He took deep breaths after nearly every word, “That’s enough... I’m done... oh god...” You folded your arms, and teased him, ready to proclaim your victory; “Thought it might warm you up!” Danny held up his hand, “Maybe, a little. But, you’ve worn me out.” “Ahhh-! This must be the second most fun way to do that...” You couldn’t help your grin He ended up bending lower as he laughed “oh... god! Don’t! It hurts!” You approached him slowly, with a triumphant swagger to your step; “Do you give, Florida boy? Do I win?” “I didn’t say that.” “Do I win!?” You’d give him one more chance to give the right answer. He straightened “No.”

That was also his mistake, because the next thing Danny knew you’d wrestled him to another bent position and ice was sliding nicely down the back of his shirt. “No! NO!!” He almost shrieked, “F**k! Y/N!! Oh god!” “There. That ought to perk you up!” “Oh GOD!! Get it out!!” “Tell me I win and I’ll consider it!” “AH!!!!” It was certainly amusing to watch him twist his body to shake it out of his shirt quickly, to no avail. “Danny.” “I give, I give!!!” He flailed around trying to remove the ice himself - and by the time you’d got him to hold still to find it, it had pretty much melted.

“I hate you.” He was once again huddled up, looking sorry for himself, as you both continued your walk. You were still smiling, replaying his helpless shrieks in your head; “I love you too. It’ll be warm inside you’ll dry off in no time!” “Then we gotta go back!” “At which point the alcohol will warm us-!” You patted his chest; “Danny we got this covered!!”

In fact you spent a good hour perusing the shelves of the store, and he seemed to perk up a bit. Danny wasn’t a wine connoisseur himself, but you knew he knew how to pair dishes and wines. And as he selected them, equally enjoyed telling you how all the flavours were going to work. Then got to laugh at you going a little mad with the mixers. “Whiskey-!” “I knew you’d drag me down here!” “Hush...” He traced his fingers over the shelves, musing over the bottles “What, are you gonna top shelf me?” “If they have it...” “This better be the one you rave about.” He stopped with a smirk, and turned back to you, fingers on the bottle; “It’s gonna blow your mind.”

Funnier still was the cashiers face when he saw all the alcohol, and you had to swear it was for your whole family to last all of Christmas and New Year. And to top that, when he politely asked for your ID and turned to Danny; Your partners face was a picture; “You’re KIDDING-!?” You eyed him; “Tell me you have it.” The look he gave you was murder, “Have you seen my face-!?” The cashier laughed; “If you have it, it wouldn’t go amiss sir...” Danny scoffed and handed it over, “I know you’re gonna try to make me feel good about looking under 21. I’m still insulted...” “That seems to be in order!” He grinned and handed it back to Danny who was still grumbling.

You were staring intently at his face as you left the store; “Fancy getting ID’d in your 40s...” “Clearly my youthful good looks-!” “Amen.” He nudged you at your sarcasm; “Hey! We don’t need a repeat of earlier with all these bottles!” “Oh, I think we do! This time ice is going down your shirt!” “Oh I have no doubt you’ll get revenge..!” You smirked gently “Damn f**kin’ right!”

** By the time you got back the sky has cleared up. But Danny once again looked cold and worse for wear - so you set the fire going and bundled him in blankets on the sofa with a scarf. (After changing his shirt, of course). “Too early to pour whiskey?” “I wouldn’t say so...” You snuggled up with him but he was still grumbling away; “If I get a cold cuz of you-!” “Oh-! It’s just woe and suffering always with you, ain’t it Danny Rayburn.” “Yes. Actually. Especially with you...” You fell silent as to the mock seriousness of his tone. “Geez I’m kidding-!” He wound his arms around you and kissed you gently “.... I love you. I wouldn’t change this for anything.” You pretended to huff; “Just checking!” Danny pulled you further to him and placed his head to yours, “You never should need to check though... should you? I would hope you knew.” “Danny...” Your voice was tender, because the last thing you wanted to do was lead him down that road, especially at this time of year; “I do... I do know.”

You shared a gentle, sweet kiss, before you were interrupted. By a sneeze. “Oh shit!” You hoped you hadn’t spoken too soon. “If this is a cold! It’s on you!” “At least whiskey is medicinal!” You grinned, but he didn’t find it all that funny. “A cold for Christmas! Perfect!” “I think you’re overreacting to one sneeze Daniel Rayburn; I was way less dressed than you.” “You didn’t have ice stuck down your shirt!!” “Okay fair, I take the blame for that.” He huddled further into the blankets and you really did hope that it wasn’t a proper cold setting in. Or you would never hear the end of it. You sat and cuddled and continued to talk quietly, you running your hands through his hair and giving him soft kisses every so often.

The next interruption was on behalf of your parents. Looking from you, not really all that bothered with the fire or blanket, to Danny, blankets and pillows and still wrapped in a scarf and as close to the fire as he could get himself on the couch, and sighed. Typical all they had asked for was an alcohol run. “What have you done to him!” Both of you looked up and you held up your hands defensively - “Nothing!” “Ha!! Nothing!!” He laughed “Sounds like something!” “It was a snow ball fight, no big.” “She fights dirty!” You gasped and nudged him hard; “I was raised right!” “Ah, well you’re a fighter, I knew that one already...” Your parents both gasped in mock horror at the attitude of their daughter; “Y/N!” “Oh come on! He needs to get used to the Midwest!” “Gently!” “What-!? No! Throw him out in the snow and leave him there for a few hours!” You laughed, “Then he’ll be a natural! That’s the only way you learn!” Danny narrowed his eyes as you, folding his arms; “Learned that the Miami hard way, did you?” You turned back to him, “You should ask the past me and her sunburn that.” He sucked his breath between his teeth; “Ow! Yeah I feel ya!”

Your parents brought you back to the real conversation; “How’s the alcohol looking!” “Good! Think we cleared the store!” Danny raised his glass “Thank you! Both of you-! And Danny, you don’t have to put up with her..!” “Oh!” He smiled “I rather believe she puts up with me... she’s no trouble.” He grinned, with a little wink; “Well... maybe a bit of trouble!”

Your parents left you to it after that, and eventually his warmth and being cuddled here with him and blankets and the fire got the better of both of you. So when they returned a little bit later to call you both for dinner, you were both lying tangled in each other’s arms on the couch. Danny’s around you; protective, and yours arms around him; comforting... “Do we wake them?” “No... leave them to it...” “They’re good together don’t you think?” “Good for each other. I would say. It’s nice to see!” “Maybe she could have introduced him to the snow a little nicer.” “Ah... I think... if we know anything... Danny didn’t mind one bit!”

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🌨 2 down, 4 to go! 🌨 But still happy to take on any requests! 😊

#Bloodline #Danny Rayburn #Danny Rayburn x Reader #(I don't use x reader tags enough...!!)#Basically I just want the image of Danny huddled in winter clothes. Thank you.#94 #Ben Mendelsohn #Linzi Writes #She doesn't even really look like Lili in my mind... I don't know who she is...#Glow by Brett Eldredge is a tune!#A cheesy T U N E but a TUNE.#The ID thing actually happened to my friend. That's real.#For the record I get ID'd for absolutely everything so that makes no sense!#my paragraphing in this fic is wild!#He's STILL the Mendo with the not-Mendo face

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