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forasecondtherewedwon · 7 months ago

Note

3 & 38 💕

Thank you, friend 💕 This prompt took my face in its hands and whispered, "Drunken late-night bus ride."

3) SHIP: Cressida x Eloise

38) SCANDAL: public drunkenness!

more Bridgerton-themed fic prompts

Happy Times We Had (And Yet the Times Were Sad)

Pairing: Cressida x Eloise Rating: M Word Count: 1729

Summary: Drunk on champagne and shining like two falling stars, Eloise and Cressida take the bus.

They rushed onto the bus, out of breath, and Eloise hoped it was the right bus. The lit-up number over the windscreen had seemed right as they’d dashed down the sidewalk, but it was only a blur in her memory as she snapped open her clutch and poked around for their fare.

The driver pitched the bus forward, which Eloise supposed was as much a mark of trust as a completely arseholish thing to do; he was assuming she could pay. The bus swung away from the curb to avoid a parked car and Cressida wrapped her arms around Eloise’s waist from behind, the pair of them swaying together. As soon as Eloise got their fares sorted, she took Cressida by the hand and led her, wobbling, down the aisle, collapsing into a pair of seats across from the rear door. She fumbled out an error-riddled text to Benedict, saying they were on their way home.

The pair of them glittered in their evening finery—dresses with little straps that crisscrossed their backs and sparkling eyeshadow fallout under their eyes. Their insobriety made the effect all the prettier. Eloise grinned lazily as she stared at Cressida, whose head rested back against the window, headlights and neon lights and stoplights sliding past outside, her perpetually too-tight blonde hair tugged loose to drape, like a third drunk, over her shoulder.

“D’you think he’ll be angry at me?” Cressida asked.

Eloise twisted until the pointy toes of their high heels knocked together. The large sequins on Cressida’s skirt would leave impressions in Eloise’s bare knees as she pressed against her.

“Who?”

Cressida sulked.

“My father.”

“Oh yes. Well,” Eloise reflected, patting her friend’s hand, “you did call him a pompous, uptight bastard. And you gave him the ol’ ‘fuck you’ gesture when we were on our way out.”

Cressida slumped a little in her seat, tilting her head.

“But d’you think he’ll be mad?”

“I think…” Eloise said slowly, because the thought was still forming and because she was drunk. “I think, if your father sat down with himself—”

“Mhmm.”

“—and really got to—got to know himself—”

“Mhmm.”

“—that maybe he would maybe see tha’ he is a pompous, uptight bastard,” Eloise concluded.

Cressida’s head swung loosely from side to side.

“That is never going to happen.”

“No, it doesn’ seem likely,” Eloise agreed. “Maybe if you hadn’ said it in front of all of ‘respectable society.’” Her air quotes were expansive.

“‘Respectable society’ can kiss my ‘Daisy by Marc Jacobs’-scented arse,” Cressida declared, yanking her shoes off and dropping them onto the floor of the bus.

Eloise laughed richly, leaning her head on Cressida’s shoulder. After a minute, she sighed. She could feel Cressida breathing. Turning her face just a little, Eloise inhaled. She could smell Cressida’s perfume, mixed with champagne sweetness and, gradually, the lingering scent of smoke that clung to Eloise, courtesy of the cigarette she’d smoked in the restaurant bathroom before they’d made their escape.

“You smell really nice,” Eloise observed.

“Thanks.”

The word sounded wet, so Eloise raised her head, and saw that Cressida was silently weeping. Eloise’s mouth fell open in panic. She was not good at this: emotion. She had never been a natural at comforting others, never the right-shaped shoulder to cry on. Her younger siblings had always gone to their mother for solace—failing that, to Daphne or Benedict (to be fair, so had Eloise). In this moment, with Cressida’s fat tears washing her bottom row of eyelashes of mascara, leaving them pale and clustered and vulnerable to the world, Eloise had never wanted to help so badly.

She touched Cressida’s cheek and gently shushed her, but it was obvious that Cressida was a deadly combination of too overwhelmed and too intoxicated to stop crying that easily.

“I’ve totally fucked my life,” Cressida sobbed.

And Eloise said, “No. No. No,” in various sympathetic tones, meaning each repetition with her whole heart.

“They’ll send me away!”

“They can’t. You’re not some child in boarding school, you’re at uni.”

But Cressida was shaking her head, adamant.

“They’ll send me away. They’ll make me live in Denmark. I got too good at Danish. I never should’ve declared a minor, but my father said a language would be good for—good for my business degree,” she wailed.

“You’re not going anywhere.” Eloise thought fast. “I’m going to hide you in my closet.” This thought had indeed come to her fast, but was perhaps not sound.

Cressida sniffed.

“In your closet?”

“Uh huh. I’ll protect you.”

Although her face was streaked with tears that glimmered pink and gold, Cressida smiled. She pulled Eloise’s hand onto her lap and held it.

“You sound about four years old,” she said.

Eloise smiled back and reached out to trace the shape of Cressida’s chin with her fingers.

“I dunno about that, but I think I’d melt if you called me ‘baby.’”

The bus rolled jarringly over a pothole, nearly flinging Eloise from her seat. She gripped the nearest pole and swiveled her head to look out the window. Well done, she thought to herself. Right bus after all.

“C’mon,” she said. “Le’s get off at the next one.”

She told Cressida not to forget her shoes, and they hobbled off with all the grace with which they’d made their ascent. The bus puffed hot air and pulled away. Cressida squinted at the buildings they faced from the sidewalk. Her heels dangled from her hand, her fingers hooked through the straps.

“Is this right?”

Eloise grabbed her by the shoulders and spun her around to look across the street.

“Oh. I know where we are,” Cressida announced. “You are protecting me.”

But Eloise felt a bit embarrassed about that, and the other thing she’d said, now that they were out in the warm evening air and the bus wasn’t lurching them along. They darted across the road. It wasn’t until they were on the other side, not a ten-minute walk from both of their houses, that she looked Cressida in the eye—and this was because Cressida grabbed her hand to stop her.

“This would all be awful without you,” she said.

Just for Eloise, there were streetlights like angels’ eyes that made Cressida’s hair glow and her dress shimmer and her eyes shine above the muck of her cried-off mascara, and the way she watched her was divinely tender and fearful, both.

Eloise kissed Cressida on the cheek; she wasn’t so tall without her shoes on, with her hair down. Eloise breathed her in, then stepped back.

Cressida wore an alarmed, animal expression, like something not used to human touch. But then she dropped her shoes—Eloise heard the clatter—and sunk her fingers into Eloise’s tangled hair. Eloise was breathing fast, but Cressida just leaned forward and pressed their foreheads together. Eloise’s eyes crossed as she watched Cressida’s close.

“Don’ go,” Cressida murmured.

“I-I’m not.”

Eloise was ashamed of the stammer, thinking she was making too much of this. She was always making too much of things, but this was worse than usual because it would hurt more. She’d thought, someplace between the restaurant and here, that it was time. She had misunderstood; Cressida was only drunk and morose, lonely and needy. Maybe she did see how Eloise needed her (it was different) and she was playing on that. She used to be that sort of mean girl. Eloise didn’t want to think her friend capable of such a personal cruelty though. She just doesn’t understand, Eloise told herself, staring at Cressida’s blurry, too-close face. She won’t feel me wrapped around her finger until I start cutting off her circulation.

“Don’ go,” she was still mumbling, shaking her head, their foreheads rubbing.

Somehow, Eloise’s heart felt heavier in pieces than it had a moment ago, whole. But she wouldn’t go. She couldn’t. Cressida meant too much to her. They were each other’s life raft in all this society bullshit and parental expectation. Anyway, she wasn’t about to leave her friend standing drunk and barefoot on the sidewalk.

Gentle, Eloise reached up to pull Cressida’s hands from her hair. Without warning, Cressida thrust her face forward and kissed Eloise on the mouth. Eloise blinked.

Now it would hurt, and this hurt would scar—when she had to maternally tuck Cressida’s hair behind her ears and say, That’s enough now, Cress. But before she could speak, Cressida said, “Baby.”

“What?” Eloise’s voice sounded choked.

And Cressida’s fingertips trailed up and down the sides of Eloise’s neck, and she traced the pendant that hung against her throat, and she pressed their faces together, and she said, “Baby,” and she kissed Eloise again.

Eloise kissed her back, sloppy and yearning, cataclysmic and sweet. Cressida wasn’t someone she could kiss and laugh about it the next day. She couldn’t enjoy these benefits and keep being just-friends. She couldn’t hook up with Cressida, have a fling with Cressida, eat Cressida out on a pristine bench in a private park after dark because her dad was the worst and she was somehow even prettier with swirls of cried-off makeup making her cheeks look like candy-coloured Italian marble. Eloise couldn’t do this and recover, but she did it. How could she not? She did it and she led Cressida through the gate of the private park with their fingers linked, and Eloise laid her back on the pristine bench and crouched to give her head while Cressida named all the constellations she could see, getting all of them wrong. Eloise did it, gambling that it wouldn’t seem ugly when they were sober. She did it, remembering the pressure of Cressida’s arms around her waist while she paid for the bus. How, how, how could she not?

And then Cressida curled into Eloise’s side and said, “You’re the only one who matters.”

And Eloise combed her fingers through that long blonde hair and said, “That isn’t true.”

And it could’ve ended there, but Cressida went to Eloise’s home because her house wasn’t one, and slept in a guest room, and, half-awake, lifted the sheet for Eloise when she turned up later on, a way to beckon her in because she was dithering in the doorway. They slept deeply.

Eloise, who had appointed herself protector, woke up to feel Cressida wrapped around her from behind.

#my writing #the Big Feelings fic #Bridgerton #Cressida x Eloise #Creloise #Bridgerton fic #Cressida Cowper #Eloise Bridgerton #Creloise fic

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grace-williams-xo · 7 months ago

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I can’t be the only one bothered that every Bridgerton engagement ring looks identical. Daphne, Kate, Penelope and Francesca all have a gold pearl cluster ring (all basically the same shape) and it is what keeps me up at night. How? Why? I have so many questions.

#bridgerton #bridgerton s3 #bridgerton spoilers #daphne bridgerton #kate sharma #kate bridgerton #penelope featherington #francesca bridgerton #saphne #kanthony #Polin

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filmorgue · 5 months ago

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Flint and Seth strolled into the main hall, where they spotted a cluster of students huddled together. Flint recognized the group from orientation and made his way through the throng to reach them.

D: Hey, there you are!

R: We were searching for you!

F: Funny, because I distinctly remember you two abandoning me. Traitors!

Laughter erupted, followed by their apologies.

R: Looks like you’ve made a new friend!

F: Indeed! This is Seth. Seth, meet the crew: Rhiannon, Daphne, Leona, Mack, and Xen.

S: Great to meet everyone! So, we’re all freshmen here?

D: Seems that way smirks.

F: So, did you all discover anything interesting today?

D: Not much. I hit the library and found some fascinating books about the magic realm, even for seers like me.

R: I chatted with a few teachers. I think I might dive into alchemy and poisons. A werewolf with sorcery skills? Call me a hybrid!

The group burst into laughter, and then Leona chimed in.

L: That sounds awesome! But I’m keen on joining some clubs. What do you think, Mack?

M: I suppose I could consider it.

X: While you all are busy with your clubs and learning, I’ll be focused on serious stuff. I want to become the ultimate duelist!

Mack crossed his arms and rolled his eyes, while the girls giggled. Just then, another bell rang, followed by someone clearing their throat.

H: Welcome to all freshmen and returning students. I trust that you find this initial orientation engaging as you embark on your semester here. For those of you who are returning, you are already familiar with the expectations, and I eagerly anticipate witnessing your achievements this year. However, I sincerely hope we do not encounter a recurrence of last year's incidents. The faculty and I will be monitoring the situation closely. Freshmen, you have been provided with a guide and a map detailing all Filmorgue facilities within the mortal realm. Additionally, your accommodation details and the courses you will be enrolled in this quarter are included.

Tomorrow is designated as a free day, so I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to finalize your course selections before classes commence. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact any headmaster. I wish you all the best for a successful year filled with exploration and learning.

A hush fell over the room, signaling that Mr. Hellstring had finished his speech, and soon a booklet materialized in everyone's hands. The audience began to murmur among themselves as some started to drift away. Flint glanced at the magical tome and realized that she was primarily enrolled in basic beginner courses. More like "So you wanna know magic 101" aspect not quite hands on. I guess being mortal you have to start the lowest of the low.

F: Not even one potion making course, lame

D: I think it's common for folks that can't...wield magic plus it's only the first quarter.

R: You have plenty of time to learn the more "difficult" stuff

F: Yeah yeah *rolls eye*

X: Alright I'm ready to check out this housing before all the good rooms are taken

Before he could take one step towards the door, two jerk powered through the crowd and bump into him causing him to fall on the ground

R: Hey watch where your going idiots!

?: Pfft, you're fault. Shouldn't have been in our way

Leona growled under her breath but Mack hold her back.

L: You losers could have also walked around us. There was plenty of room

?: Where's the fun in that?

They smirked before going on their way out the exit. Mack bend down to offered Xen his hand for help

M: You know when I said you'll get your comeuppance. This isn't what I had in mind

F: Are you okay Xen?

X: Pfft, of course I am. Jerks just caught me off guard

L: Well no school is completed without bullies. Ugh so high school

D: Everything was going so well

R: Let's not worried about those idiots, we should all start getting settle in while we still can

The group made their way towards the exit.

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

Chapter 7 "Comeuppance"

Rhiannon (@sadraccoon061), Leona & Mack The Starnes (@invisiblequeen), and Xen (@xstardustbatsx)

previous/next

#filmorgue #sims 4 story #sims 4 #ts4 #visual novel #other sims #chapter 7 #oc: flint

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project-sekai-facts · 1 year ago

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any chance you happen to have a list of flowers in everyones 1st year birthday cards?

i just got these off the wiki so apologies if any of this is wrong

Virtual Singer

Miku: sunflowers, gentians, hibiscus, chinese milk-vetch (on her dress)

Rin & Len: pansies, lady slipper orchid (on blazer)

Luka: grape hyacinth, sagebrush buttercups, society garlic flowers

MEIKO: egyptian star cluster, moss roses

KAITO: hyacinths, snowflake flowers

Leo/need

Ichika: geraniums, creeping zinnias (also some small flowers I couldn't identify)

Saki: dogwood flowers, white clovers

Honami: gerberas, chocolate cosmos, multiflora rose

Shiho: magnolias, violets (on her accessories)

MORE MORE JUMP!

Minori: daisy fleabanes, scotch broom, blue milkweed

Haruka: yellow cosmos, spider flowers

Airi: star jasmines

Shizuku: strawberry begonias, blossoms (the wiki said this was firethorn but imo it looks closer to some sort of blossom. the leaves aren't the right shape)

Vivid BAD SQUAD

Kohane: persian buttercup/ranunculus, iceland poppies

An: larkspur, tickseed

Akito: elatior begonias, lemon flowers

Toya: persian buttercup/ranunculus, yuzu flower (on blazer), pansies, wisteria (in the background)

WonderlandsxShowtime

Tsukasa: yellow tulips, persian violets, peonies

Emu: sea asters, skunkvine, chrysanthemum (ogiku style)

Nene: bougainvilleas/paperflowers, sunflowers, prairie gentians

Rui: common vervains/verbena, astrantia/great masterwort, hypericum erectum (a type of St John's Wort native to Japan, China and Korea. It doesn't have a common name)

25-ji, Nightcord de.

Kanade: crocuses, winter daphne

Mafuyu: cape marguerite, japanese rowan flowers, and i believe plumeria rubra

Ena: mountain laurels, baby blue eyes

Mizuki: bottle gourd flower, st john's wort, garden balsams. i'm not sure what the flower in their hair is, possibly some sort of lily?

the flowers are mostly the same on the second set of cards, though some are changed (notably Len who now has different flowers to Rin), and a few others gain or lose a flower or two. Tsukasa has fuchsias, An has paperflowers, airi i think has blossom and ena i think has yellow lupins now and that's as far as my flower knowledge goes.

#asks #cards #project sekai #you can probably be really delusional about the flower language in some of the cards. shippers have fun with that.#does it even count as delusional if it's something they put in the game? idk you guys have fun though

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dolls-self-ships · 1 year ago

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Two Birds One Storm

heyyyy this is my first fic in a while also it’s not finished yet this is only part one so it’s a quick read if you’re interested! <3 inspired by this prompt by otp-fanfic-ideas

“Oh my, would you look at that?”

Mac raised her head with a slight curious hum in her throat at the sound of her voice, she looked over to see her .. em.. friend, sitting by the window of her hut, which was being rapidly spotted with heavy raindrops, making an aggressive tap.. tap tap.. tap.. tap tap sound on the glass.

Mac felt startled, she could have sworn she calculated this weeks weather to a T, and all accounts showed nothing but sunshine, but sometimes Mother Nature had a way of being particularly unpredictable. Either that or she had miscalculated, but Mac would rather believe the first thing than the second one.

“Why, it’s just raining cats and dogs” Daphne tsked, still observing the grey sky and the cloudy mist that now covered the island.

“Oh aye” Mac agreed as she joined Daphne at the window, looking up to study the clouds herself. “And that great big one looks like a cumulonimbus. An et looks like there’s more rolling in fast as et is.”

Daphne looked at her, a little confused at first but trying her best to remember what kind of cloud that was. She had been getting used to Mac’s way of putting things into very technical terms, on top of her thick Scottish accent- of which both she found endlessly charming- and she would hate to make Mac repeat herself, as she often had to.

After a couple seconds, Daphne was almost certain she remembered. “That means uh.. thunder right?”

Mac smiled at her, and nodded in approval. She gave a little "mhm!" as in 'that's correct!'.

"I must say hen, you're catchin' on faster than Mr. Rhodes ever did. Yer a fast learner!" Mac praised her with an approving grin and a wink. Daphne felt a small sense of pride swell inside of her when Mac said that, partially because she liked the feeling of being better than Rocky at something, but also because she liked that Mac felt understood by her.

“Maybe because we spend so much time together" she giggled.

Mac felt a little bit of a rush from that, a warmth filled her cheeks as she nodded. "Aye, that too." She looked back out the window,

After a few moments of staring out into the rain, it slowly began to dawn on Daphne that her hut was all the way on the other side of town, and getting there would be like hell in just the rain alone, let along when the storm starts picking up. She gently cleared her throat and stammered "W-well, I-I should probably start headin' out now"

Mac was shocked, what on earth was she saying? She couldn't go out in this weather. "What? Now? I donnae think that's such a good idea, lass."

Daphne sighed "If I don't get goin' now I'm not gonna make it home" she said, shaking her head, "and I would hate to be a bother to you"

The rain started to pick up more, followed by a loud crash that startled the two. Both their heads turned quickly back to the window, and their eyes slowly travled upwards to see clusters of rain clouds, more and more packing in as if they all had a personal vendetta against this one specific chicken-housing island. They could see tiny flashes of light coming from between the cracks of plush looking grey forms in the sky, but it wasn't sunshine like one would hope, the flashes were erratic and white, the lightning had already begun to start up.

"Hen, I cannae let you go out in that, ye could ge'y knocked over by de wind, lost in all de fog, shrivel up like a wee raisin from all the rain, catch hypothermia-"

Daphne watched as Mac counted on her fingers all the possibilities she could face if she went outside at this time, in an effort to get her to stop, she placed her wings overtop of hers.

"Alright, alright, I get it, I just.." She paused, shifting in her seat and taking a breath “I just don’t wanna impose, that’s all”

Mac shook her head. “Even if that was, hen, there’s no wey that wee half-built bit wuld keep you warm enough in this.”

Daphne hummed, looking back outside as she saw the first bolt of lightening hit the water around the island. She wasn’t able to get out a response in time as Mac has already gotten up from her seat.

“Sit tight while I put de kettle on.”

As Mac left to the kitchen to get started, Daphne watched her with guilty eyes. She didn't know what it was, but everytime she was being waited on by someone, it always felt off. Wrong somehow. She hated making people go out of their way for her, she didn't like the feeling that she was causing trouble or making someone get up, even when it was a simple of a task as brewing tea. So, she quickly got up from her seat.

"Wait" She followed after her, Mac turned over her shoulder from where she stood, already at the counter with the kettle going, which had already begun to make its low steaming sound, a high pitched, barely audible 'phhhwwwwtttt' sound. Daphne came up beside her and plucked two tea bags from the little display Mac had placed on the kitchen top. Peppermint- Mac's favourite. "I'll get these for ya"

Mac smiled, holding out her hand to grab the two little bags. "Thanks hen" she said, reaching for them a bit further than she intended, and accidentally brushing her hand over Daphne fingertips.

phhhwwttt

Mac jolted, a gasp hitched in her throat. Her teeth clenched as she flinched her hand away, feeling that familiar warmth in her cheeks again. Her eyes flickered between her recoiled hand and Daphne’s face, hoping that she could read her expression just enough to predict what was going through her mind at that moment.

Ppppphhhwhwwttttt

Daphne wasn't all that suave either, she didn’t say a word, but her eyes spoke volumes. They wouldn't leave the spot on her hand that Mac accidentally touched, it was like she could still feel a ghost of what the sensation was like to have her feathertips brush hers. It was still warm. Still comfortable.

PPPPPHHHHWWWTTTTTTT

Her eyes darted back up to the maroon combed hen, who then turned away from her shyly and said in an awkward tone and held out her hand, palm up, instead for Daphne to place the bags in.

"Ah... sorry"

It was up until then that Daphne had completely forgotten about the tea.

“It’s alright…”

click

The water was ready.

#don’t feel pressured to read this lol I barely even read other peoples fics bc I’m lazy (I’m sorry)#I’m mostly just posting this for fun #even if ya just throw it a like I’ll appreciate it #self shipping #self ship #self ship community #self ships #self insert #self ship fanfiction #self insert fanfiction #self insert fic #chicken run #aardman #mac #lovebirds ♥️🐔

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quotation--marks · 4 months ago

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On either side of the road the country stretched interminably into space. No trees, no lanes, no cluster of cottages or hamlet, but mile upon mile of bleak moorland, dark and untraversed, rolling like a desert land to some unseen horizon. No human being could live in this wasted country, thought Mary, and remain like other people; the very children would be born twisted, like the blackened shrubs of broom, bent by the force of a wind that never ceased, blow as it would from east and west, from north and south. Their minds would be twisted, too, their thoughts evil, dwelling as they must amidst marshland and granite, harsh heather and crumbling stone.

Daphne du Maurier, Jamaica Inn

#jamaica inn #daphne du maurier #1936 #1930s #20th century #english literature #queue pierce my soul

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phantasoba · 2 years ago

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TIME LOOP

It was New Year's Eve, and the Grimm household was packed.

Granny Relda had decided to throw a new year's party and invite all of their friends, and most of them accepted the invite. So naturally, the house was full of laughing people and general merriment.

Puck reveled in the potential for chaos this gave him. With so many people crowding the space, he could pull a number of pranks flawlessly. And that was exactly what he did.

Unfortunately, the eldest of the Grimm sisters caught on before he finished setting up his fourth prank. It was going to be a glop grenade under the sofa cushions, but Sabrina snatched it away from him before he could add it to the mechanism.

"Really? These again?" She asked, disappointment evident in her tone. Puck grinned.

"Never gets old," he quipped, trying to grab it from her. She kept it out of his reach, her face scrunched up into a scowl. He definitely didn't think it was cute, not at all.

"Can't you be good for one night?" She grumbled, slipping through a cluster of princesses and tossing the weapon into the trash before disappearing once more into the crowd. He was almost sad to see her go.

Puck would mourn the carelessly discarded device later (it took him hours of work to make those things). But all was not lost. The fairy boy still had tons of tricks and plots up his sleeves, one of which would be a perfect way to get back at the eldest Grimm girl. While he slipped through the chatting people, he tripped over a foot that he hadn't seen. As he fell, he reached out for the owner of the foot, fully intending to bring them down with him.

He found himself grabbing at Sabrina's sleeve, pulling her on top of him as his back hit the table behind him. Whatever had been on the table fell to the floor and someone shouted in surprise.

Morgan Le Fey stood over them, her pretty face red with anger. "Look what you've done!" She fumed, pointing to the floor next to the knocked over table. The Wonder clock lay beside the two entangled teens, and one of the hands was bent in a way it clearly wasn't supposed to be. "Damage like this could be catastrophic."

Puck sat up quickly, pushing an annoyed looking Sabrina off of him. She hit his shoulder and pointed to the fallen clock.

"Look what you did! I bet you're proud of yourself." She huffed. Puck scowled at her.

"None of this would've happened if you didn't trip me!" He fired back.

"Trip you? I never tripped you." Sabrina shouted, getting up and dusting herself off. They had gained the attention of many of the partygoers, who were watching the scene with either surprise or disappointment. Granny Relda looked at the scene with a sigh.

"Lieblings, what happened this time?" she asked, offering Puck a hand which he swatted away as he got up on his own. Sabrina explained what happened, starting with her disposing the glop grenade. Relda nodded and turned to apologize to Morgan.

Puck and Sabrina glared at each other, one with her arms crossed over her chest and the other with his hands buried in the pockets of his ratty green hoodie. Daphne, the younger of the sisters Grimm, ran up to Sabrina. The little girl's hair was pulled into her usual messy pigtails, but a glittery headband with plastic numbers was also shoved on top.

"It's almost midnight!" She cheered. Upon looking at the nearest clock (aside from the busted wonder clock), they could see she was right. Jacob Grimm was the one to start the countdown, the rest of the guests soon joining in.

"Ten!"

"Nine!"

"Eight!"

"Seven!"

"Six!"

"Five!"

"Four!"

"Three!"

"Two!"

"One-"

Puck was sitting by his bedroom door, listening to the Grimms set up the house for the New Year's party. He had been hiding in his room for fear of getting asked to help with the preparations.

But that wasn't right... The New Year's party had already happened, hadn't it? Last he remembered they had just finished the countdown. So what was he doing here?

The boy fairy threw his door open and flew into the hall. He ran into Daphne first, the little girl still wearing her glittery headband. "Hey Marshmallow," he greeted, landing on the floor softly. He was about to ask about the party, when Veronica Grimm appeared.

"Daphne, you're not supposed to wear the headband until tonight." she reprimanded her daughter. Then she rounded on Puck. "Aren't you supposed to be helping set up? The party's gonna start soon, we need all the help we can get."

Puck made a gagging sound. "Sorry mama Grimm, no can do. It's against my policy as a villain and certified slacker to engage in 'work'." he explained, his transparent pink wings popping out of his back and lifting him off the ground. As he turned around, a peeved Sabrina slammed her door open and stomped out of her room. Her brow furrowed when she saw Puck.

"You're not supposed to be out here yet." she muttered, grabbing him by the arm and dragging him to her room. Once inside, she shut the door and glared at him.

"I know you can't keep your hands off of me, but this is a bit extreme." Puck commented, a crooked smirk pulling at his lips. Sabrina's ears went red, and she punched him in the shoulder.

"This is all your fault!" she grumbled. Puck cocked an eyebrow at this.

"Ya gotta be more specific, Grimm. There's a lot of vile things that I'm responsible for."

"How many times have you lived through the New Year's party?" she demanded, poking him in the chest. As much as he wanted to deny the weird reset and pretend that she was going crazy, he wanted answers as much as she did. So he told her everything he remembered, being sure to insult her while explaining. Sabrina was quiet for a moment.

"So, after breaking the Wonder clock, we were sent twelve hours into the past." she said thoughtfully.

"How do you know that it was twelve hours?" Puck asked, catching himself before revealing how amazed he was at her detective skills. Sabrina gave him a disappointed look.

"I looked at a clock, gasbag." she deadpanned. Then added "and the original use of the clock was to send people back twelve hours anyway." Puck laughed, but he wasn't sure what he found entertaining. Maybe it was the way Sabrina downplayed her own brilliance, but there was no way he would ever admit it.

"So, what now? Are we just stuck in a loop?" He asked. Sabrina shrugged.

"If the clock got reset too, then we just need to make sure it doesn't get broken again. Besides that, we can just enjoy the party as normal."

Puck liked to see Sabrina so sure of her planning capabilities, which was something that didn't happen often (another thing he would never admit to).

The rest of the day went the same way it did before the time loop, up until the party, that is. Puck and Sabrina had agreed to regroup and watch over the clock in turns, hopefully keeping attention off of them and their mission. However, this meant that Sabrina had forbade Puck from pulling any pranks, which he reluctantly agreed to.

("Besides," she had told him. "if we don't fix this, no one will remember them anyway.")

They made it to the countdown without incident, and just as they reached the last twenty seconds, Puck threw his arm around Sabrina's shoulder with a grin.

"We did it," he laughed. In truth, he wanted to hug her, but this was as far as he would allow himself to go. "I can almost see us being a great team, dogface." Sabrina gave him a playful glare and tried to duck out from under his arm.

"Eleven!"

"In your dreams, stinkpot."

"Ten!"

Sabrina tried to take a step back, hoping no one would notice how red her face probably was, and tripped over her own feet.

"Nine!"

She fell backward, Puck noticed too late.

"Eight!"

Her back made contact with the small table with the wonder clock resting on it, Puck was reaching out to catch her.

"Seven!"

Sabrina was in pain, Puck leaned over her.

"Six!"

The wonder clock lay next to them, one of its hands snapped clean off.

"Five!"

"Are you okay, Grimm?" Puck asked.

"Four!"

Sabrina didn't give a verbal answer, only nodded with a wince.

"Three!"

"We're gonna have to do this again, huh?" she groaned.

"Two!"

"Yep. But at least I'm stuck with you, and not some insufferable troll." Puck commented.

"One!"

"Even if you look like one." He added quickly. But he was too late, as he was already back in his bedroom, listening to the Grimm family set up for the party that he had already attended twice. He cringed at himself, knowing full well that all she heard was the compliment portion of his statement.

Despite the warmth he felt gather at his face, he pushed his door open and made a beeline for Sabrina's door, throwing it open as soon as he reached it. Inside he found Sabrina and Daphne sitting on their bed, Daphne sitting behind her sister with a hairbrush.

"Alright slimeball, we need a different approach." he declared, ignoring how Sabrina glared at him and Daphne's look of confusion. He couldn't quite bring himself to look at Sabrina, but if he had, he would've seen her bright red face and the angry scowl that he had grown to love.

"Yeah, we got so close last time." she grumbled.

"Yeah, until you tripped over your big feet." Puck grinned.

"What are you two talking about? Did you finally confess or something?" Daphne teased, though her eyes still sparkled with ill-hidden curiosity. "You two should kiss at midnight!" she cheered. Sabrina twisted her body around so she could hit her sister across the head (lightly of course). Puck on the other hand, was howling with laughter.

"Is that really a thing?" he asked, pretending to wipe a tear from his eye. "Kissing at midnight?" Daphne nodded and explained the tradition. This totally didn't give the young king of Faerie any ideas regarding the hot headed blonde he had grown to appreciate.

"Anyway," Sabrina huffed. "We need a new plan." She and Puck shared a look, making the little girl whine at them, demanding them to let her in on whatever secret they were hiding. Once they were done explaining, she wrinkled up her nose, seemingly more confused than before.

"Why don't you just ask Morgan to leave the clock in another room or something?" she asked. Sabrina was dumbfounded, how had she not thought of that? Puck, however, just laughed at Sabrina's expression.

"I thought you were supposed to be the smart one, Grimm!" he teased.

"I am the smart one!" she fumed. "I just haven't slept for the past twenty or so hours!"

"Excuses," Puck waved his hand dismissively. "sleep is for the weak."

Now equipped with Daphne's seemingly obvious plan, the trio went about the rest of the day the same way they had the other two times they had done, Puck hiding out in his room while the sisters helped set up. Once guests started arriving, all three stayed by the door to wait for Morgan to arrive. When she did, they explained their dilemma to her, and she allowed them to move the clock to a safer place than a rickety side table.

The rest of the party was a blur. Then the familiar countdown began, and all of the guests gathered around the small TV to count down with it.

"Ten!"

Puck looked around. Sabrina wasn't too far away from where he was standing.

"Nine!"

He thought about the silly little tradition that Daphne had brought up.

"Eight!"

He thought about how this was the last time they would have to attend this party.

"Seven!"

He wondered if Sabrina would punch him if he kissed her again.

"Six!"

He wondered if he would mind being punched again.

"Five!"

It wouldn't be pleasant, but he could bear it.

"Four!"

His wings popped out of his back and began to flutter.

"Three!"

"Hey Grimm!" he called to her.

"Two!"

She turned to face him, confusion on her face.

"One!"

He swooped over, kissing her quickly. This time, they didn't reset to twelve hours earlier. This time, Puck could hear Daphne squeal with excitement and see her bite her palm. This time, Puck was there when Sabrina lightly slapped his cheek, her face red but grinning.

This time, they had made it to the new year.

#puckabrina #puck goodfellow #daphne grimm #sabrina grimm #morgan le fay #sisters grimm #the sisters grimm #sisters grimm mb #happy new year #Time loop #This took me three hours lmao #writers #my writing #fanfic #writers on tumblr #writeblr #queen of sneaks #trickster king

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ochoislas · 1 year ago

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EL JARDÍN

¡Qué vanamente obcécanse los hombres codiciando el laurel, el roble o palma, para ver sus trabajos incesantes coronar una yerba, un árbol solo, que con el corto ruedo de su sombra vitupera, discreto, sus fatigas; cuando árboles y flores todos trenzan la tupida guirnalda del reposo!

¡En tal lugar te hallé, preclara Paz, con Inocencia, que es tu amada hermana! Errado largo tiempo yo os buscaba en negocioso trato de las gentes. Si acaso brotan vuestras sacras matas, sólo podrán medrar entre estas plantas. ¡Cuán incivil ya me pareces, Mundo, ante esta deleitosa soledad!

Jamás nácar ni grana se mostraron como este dulce y regalado verde. Tiernos amantes, cual su llama fieros, árboles hieren con el caro nombre. ¡Qué mal conocen, ay, ni se percatan que éstos ofuscan la beldad que ansían! Claros troncos, si vuestra piel llagara, otro nombre que el vuestro no se viera.

Una vez enfriados los Afectos encuentra aquí el Amor digno retiro. Dioses, que tras mortal belleza corren, dan fin a su carrera frente a un árbol. Apolo persiguó de modo a Dafne por tal que de un laurel tomara forma. Y Pan tras de Siringa se apresura, no tanto por ser ninfa cuanto caña.

¡Qué portentosa vida es la que llevo! Manzanas en sazón sobre mí llueven; los copiosos racimos de la viña de suyo prensan en mi boca el vino; la nectarina, el pérsico escogido, a mi mano se tienden por sí solos; tropezando en melones, a mi paso, preso en lazo de flores, caigo en grama.

La Mente en tanto, de menguados gustos, al retiro se aparta de su dicha —la Mente, ponto donde cada especie su inmediata semblanza al punto encuentra, y crea, empero, trascendiendo tales, tantos mundo ajenos, tantos mares—, aniquilando todo lo plasmado en un verde pensar en sombras verdes.

Aquí, ya al pie de la fontana lábil, ya en la cepa musgosa de un frutal, de sí arrojando su terreno velo, mi alma por la enramada se destila: como un pájaro allá se posa y canta, se aguza luego, y peina alas de plata; y, en tanto se apareja al vasto vuelo, cambiantes de la luz copia en sus plumas.

Tal fue una vez aquel feliz estado cuando el hombre pisó sin más consorte; ¡tras un lugar tan puro y tan sabroso qué otro sufragio ya pudiera hallarse! Mas trascendía la mortal fortuna vagar por el vergel en solitario: se adunaran allá dos paraísos en morar paraíso y sin compaña.

Qué diestro el jardinero así trazó con flor y yerba este cuadrante nuevo, en donde un sol benigno de la altura discurre por zodíaco fragante; y la industriosa abeja en sus afanes, al par de nos, va computando el tiempo. Y es que tan dulces y salubres horas, ¿cómo, sin yerba y flor, fueran contadas?

THE GARDEN

How vainly men themselves amaze To win the Palm, the Oke, or Bayes; And their uncessant Labours see Crown'd from some single Herb or Tree, Whose short and narrow verged Shade Does prudently their Toyles upbraid; While all Flow'rs and all Trees do close To weave the Garlands of repose.

Fair Quiet, have I found thee here, And Innocence thy Sister dear! Mistaken long, I sought you then In busie Companies of Men. Your sacred Plants, if here below, Only among the Plants will grow. Society is all but rude, To this delicious Solitude.

No white nor red was ever seen So am'rous as this lovely green. Fond Lovers, cruel as their Flame, Cut in these Trees their Mistress name. Little, Alas, they know, or heed, How far these Beauties Hers exceed! Fair Trees! where s'eer your barkes I wound, No Name shall but your own be found.

When we have run our Passions heat, Love hither makes his best retreat. The Gods, that mortal Beauty chase, Still in a Tree did end their race. Apollo hunted Daphne so, Only that She might Laurel grow. And Pan did after Syrinx speed, Not as a Nymph, but for a Reed.

What wond'rous Life in this I lead! Ripe Apples drop about my head; The Luscious Clusters of the Vine Upon my Mouth do crush their Wine; The Nectaren, and curious Peach, Into my hands themselves do reach; Stumbling on Melons, as I pass, Insnar'd with Flow'rs, I fall on Grass.

Mean while the Mind, from pleasure less, Withdraws into its happiness: The Mind, that Ocean where each kind Does streight its own resemblance find; Yet it creates, transcending these, Far other Worlds, and other Seas; Annihilating all that's made To a green Thought in a green Shade.

Here at the Fountains sliding foot, Or at some Fruit-trees mossy root, Casting the Bodies Vest aside, My Soul into the boughs does glide: There like a Bird it sits, and sings, Then whets, and combs its silver Wings; And, till prepar'd for longer flight, Waves in its Plumes the various Light.

Such was that happy Garden-state, While Man there walk'd without a Mate: After a Place so pure, and sweet, What other Help could yet be meet! But 'twas beyond a Mortal's share To wander solitary there: Two Paradises 'twere in one To live in Paradise alone.

How well the skilful Gardner drew Of flow'rs and herbes this Dial new; Where from above the milder Sun Does through a fragrant Zodiack run; And, as it works, th' industrious Bee Computes its time as well as we. How could such sweet and wholsome Hours Be reckon'd but with herbs and flow'rs!

Andrew Marvell

#Andrew Marvell #literatura inglesa #poesía metafísica #vanidad #retiro #pasiones #absorción #paraíso #soledad #alma #tiempo #di-versiones©ochoislas

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acacia-may · 2 years ago

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A Family Where There Once Was None

Description: In the future, the Black Bulls gather together at the beach with their families causing Asta to reflect on his life’s journey and the family he found along the way.

Rating: G

Warnings: Mentions Pregnancy, A character accidentally gets hit in the head

Fandom: Black Clover

Genre: Black Bulls Squad as Family; Domestic Fluff

Relationships: The Black Bulls Squad as Family is main focus. There is some Asta/Noelle, and Asta, Noelle & Their Children. There are a few hints at Grey/Gauche and Rill/Charmy. (Henry/My OC is also briefly mentioned). The rest is left intentionally ambiguous so choose your own adventure.

Characters: Asta (POV Character), Noelle Silva, Liebe, Charmy Pappitson, Vanessa Enoteca, Finral Roulacase, Finesse Calmreich, Yami Sukehiro, Zora Ideale, Nacht Faust, Gauche Adlai, Grey, The Black Bulls Family, Lorelei (Swallow) Legolant (OC), and the Children: (Katsu, Marceline, Tirion, Lia, Kalon, Narah, Asa, Toshi, Mira, Summer, Daphne, Rye, Anni, Altan, Licita, and Kai).

Word Count: 4905

Link to original post on AO3. Please do not repost to another site.

This story was written for Black Bulls Month Day 3: Found Family. I checked with the organiser and got the greenlight for this idea so hopefully what I've written still fits the prompt. I honestly can't believe I actually got this finished in time! 😅

Story Below the Cut! Thank you for reading!

“Dad! Dad! Come see my sandcastle!” Licita’s bare feet made a trail of excited footprints as she ran straight for Asta. Beaming, he scooped his daughter up in his arms causing her to giggle before she grabbed his hand and dragged him off towards the town of sandcastles she and several of her Black Bulls cousins had been building with their Uncle Rill. Judging by the ice cream smeared all over her face, Rill’s daughter Anni had seemingly been distracted from her own sandcastle by snacks leaving her dad to finish it on his own—not that he seemed to mind much since he didn’t even notice Asta wave at him as he walked by. Captain Yami’s son, Katsu, and Lia Roulacase seemed to be equally caught up in their work and, if Asta had to guess, some sort of competition to see whose sandcastle would be the biggest—though they did both find the time to quickly wave back at him. On the other side of their sandcastles, Liebe, in what Noelle affectionately referred to as his “cutesy form,” was smoothing the wall of a much smaller and less elaborate structure.

“This one is mine,” said Licita excitedly—her little blonde pigtails bobbing as she talked.

Asta beamed at her. “It’s beautiful!”

“I’ll show you around, Dad!” Licita’s eyes sparkled with pride as she dragged Asta around the sand structure. She pointed to a cluster of shells stuck into one of the mounds of sand. “That’s the door. Narah helped me find seashells to make it. Narah didn’t make a sandcastle, but she was helping build mine before she went to get more seashells.”

Asta’s smile widened. Narah Roulacase had inherited her father’s kind heart and had always been particularly attached to Licita seeing her more as a little sister than just a little cousin. “That’s really nice of her.”

“Narah is really nice. I like her a lot. I like all my cousins!” Licita prattled excitedly with a smile that seemed to fill her tiny face. “Did you see Lia and Katsu’s sandcastles? They’re really big!”

“Yes, I saw them when we came over,” chuckled Asta. “But your sandcastle is really big too, Licita, and I love all the windows!”

“Uncle Liebe made those. I’m making this sandcastle for him to stay in, and I want to be big enough. Can you help us, Dad?”

“Sure,” said Asta as he reached for a nearby shovel. He couldn’t help but chuckle a little as he glanced over at Liebe who had returned to work—carving another window in the sand. Asta knew that if he had even jokingly suggested making a sandcastle for Liebe, Liebe probably would’ve crossed his arms and scowled at him, but he had such a soft spot for his niece that these days he could be caught building sandcastles, having tea parties, playing dress up, and doing a wide variety of other things, Asta could have never imagined Liebe doing before Licita was born. Asta wondered if it was perhaps how much his daughter took after him and her namesake that caused Liebe to be so attached to her or perhaps it was all the ways she was like Noelle—her smile, the way her nose wrinkled when she laughed, how her shoulders stiffened and she fidgeted when she was nervous. Liebe and Noelle had bonded so much over the years, and she had once confided in him that Liebe, despite only being her brother-in-law, felt as much like her brother as Nozel, possibly even more so.

At the thought of his brother-in-law, Asta glanced towards the ocean where Nozel was standing at the water’s edge holding onto the hands of his young daughter, Acier, who giggled as the water crashed against her feet in tiny little waves. It had been Asta’s idea to invite him and his family along with them to Racque—after talking it over with Noelle, of course—and he liked to think Nozel was grateful to be there, even if he did look a bit exhausted, probably from chasing his twin boys up and down the beach earlier.

Asta was at least pleased to see that he looked happier to be there than Langris, who Finral had invited along for, Asta presumed, much the same reason that he and Noelle had invited Nozel and who had unfortunately, despite ample amounts of sunscreen, gotten horribly burned on their first day. Asta chuckled a bit to himself remembering how Vanessa had teased him for looking like a beached lobster at dinner the previous evening, but immediately felt sorry for it. Despite still being a bit red, Langris seemed to be doing alright now—collecting seashells with his son and his niece not a few yards away from the sandcastle village. Asta wondered if Narah was collecting seashells for her older sister’s sandcastle too or just Licita’s.

It warmed Asta’s heart to see everyone together again. He was sure that most of his former squad mates must have felt the same way since they had all jumped at Vanessa’s idea for everyone to meet at the beach in Racque that summer. Asta and Noelle had been some of the first to commit to the idea and had been planning the trip for months. Of course, that had been before Noelle had found out she was expecting their third child—or the ’tie breaker’ as Luck liked to refer to the baby—and despite Asta’s reassurances that they wouldn’t have to go if it was going to be too much for her, his wife, in that strong, determined way of hers, had insisted that they keep their vacation plans. She had already had two children, she had reasoned, so she knew what she was dealing with, and Asta trusted her judgment. Still, that didn’t change the fact that he was a bit worried about her being in the heat and bright sun for so long when she was so heavily pregnant. He was sure he wasn’t alone in this type of concern seeing as he and Noelle weren’t the only ones expecting—even if their baby was due the soonest.

Asta glanced over at the cabana Henry had set up which Zora had nicknamed “the nest” with a sort of affection on account of all the new or expectant mothers congregating there. Noelle was lounging there now, positively in stitches over Henry’s wife, Lorelei, balancing a tower of seashells on the wide curve of her abdomen. She was due a month after Noelle and had recently knitted a set of matching booties for her baby and theirs since she was determined that they should grow up to be friends. Finesse, who was giggling behind her hand, had also been given a set of booties as she was due nearly two months later and was sporting quite the bump of her own which was a source of much stress, worry, and fussing for everyone, her husband and brother-in-law especially, given her often delicate health. Not an hour ago, Vanessa had told them all to calm down and stop worrying for what had to be the fifteenth time that day, but she too had been keeping a watchful eye on her. She had been looking out for Lorelei and Noelle too, which Asta appreciated. He was sure that Henry did as well especially while his attention was focused on watching his boys splashing around in the shallow water.

It seemed that Vanessa’s strong maternal streak, which Asta had always admired, had only intensified when she had children. Even now, she was helping Charmy pass out water and snacks to the other ladies despite the fact that she could probably benefit from some rest and relaxation of her own considering the fact that she too was, as she called it, “unexpectedly expecting” and seemed to be at that uncomfortably round stage of pregnancy, though she swore she wasn’t nearly as far along as she looked. Still her little one would be also arriving this year along with the rest of the new Black Bulls cousins, and her baby’s matching set of Lorelei’s booties appeared to still be a work in progress—attached to some temporarily forgotten knitting needles. It brought the brightest smile to Asta’s face. He couldn’t wait for all the children to get to grow up together.

He was also glad to see Noelle in such bright spirits, despite being a little bit squished given the wide curve in her belly and the two little boys who were currently leaning on her like a pillow that is. Almos Silva, the elder of Nozel’s twins whom Asta had affectionately nicknamed ‘Al’ much to his father’s chagrin when the nickname had stuck, was particularly fond of his Aunt Noelle and had fallen asleep leaning against her side at nearly every family gathering Asta could think of. This time, however, he had company, as Kai, Asta and Noelle’s two-year-old son, had curled up next to his mother and fallen asleep on her other side with a half-eaten and now melting popsicle in his hand. Asta couldn’t help but laugh a bit as he watched Noelle chuckle at her attempts to fan herself without upsetting her sleeping son and nephew.

His laughter must’ve startled her as she turned towards him with a slight shrug and playful roll of her eyes. Asta beamed at her before turning back to his daughter.

“I’m going to check on your mom real quick. I’ll be right back.”

Licita smiled and nodded. “Tell her about my sandcastle, okay?”

Asta beamed and nodded at her before making his way towards Noelle. Even by the time, he had walked over to the umbrella, Charmy and Vanessa were still busy handing out large glasses of water with festive umbrella straws to the group.

“Here,” Charmy said handing him one. “Drink up. We don’t want anybody getting dehydrated. Take Noelle’s too.”

“Thanks, Charmy!” said Asta as she handed him another cup with a different coloured straw, before she turned to Grey whose hands were currently full, rocking her daughter, Mira, to sleep. Amira Adlai was the first girl in a long line of boys and a generally fussy baby, but she looked so peaceful now as she slept. Charmy gave Grey an understanding nod and thoughtfully placed her cup next to her on a small folding table as Asta took a seat next to his wife and sleeping son and nephew.

He rubbed her back gently with his free hand. “You doing okay, Noelle? Do you want to go back to the hotel and rest?”

“I’m fine,” she assured him with a slight smile.

“At least let me take, Kai,” he said reaching out to scoop up his son. Kai stirred but quickly nestled into Asta’s shoulder and drifted back off to sleep. “Well, someone needs a nap,” Asta chuckled affectionately ruffling his fingers gently through his son’s silvery hair.

Asta thought Kai must be exhausted from playing around in the water with him and his uncles. Though Asta had ducked out about an hour ago, from what he could tell, Magna and Luck were still engaged in an intense splash fight with several nieces and nephews, and every few minutes or so, “Asa, stop turning into me!” or “Kalon, get down from there!” would echo across the beach followed by Asa Adlai, transformed into one of the Silvas, giggling at having drenched Uncle Magna again with borrowed water magic, Rye Boismortier complaining that he was starving before painting up a popsicle or an ice cream cone for himself, or little Summer Legolant running up the beach hand and hand with Daphne Agrippa excitedly exclaiming that she had found yet another hermit crab for the growing collection of “friends” that Gordon was keeping a watchful eye on in a nearby tide pool. In other words, the same kind of fun chaos the Black Bulls had enjoyed back in the day—just with a few more, younger members. That reminded him…

“Oh, Licita wanted me to tell you that she’s building a sandcastle for Liebe. I think she wants you to come see it when she’s done. As long as you’re up for it.”

Noelle tilted her head at him with an almost bantering exasperation. “Bakasta…”

Asta’s mouth twitched into a smile at the nickname which his wife only used in an affectionate and, generally, playfully annoyed way these days. “Sorry. I know. I just want to make sure you and the baby are okay,” he said as he pressed his hand to her stomach.

“Don’t worry. We’re taking good care of her,” reassured Vanessa with a kind smile. “And I swear Nozel has been over here every five minutes to make sure she’s drinking enough water.”

Noelle rolled her eyes and sighed. Asta knew that her only reservation about inviting Nozel along was that he would probably be fussing over her constantly, and, naturally, being Nozel, he was. “I told him I’m fine,” she huffed. “He’s such a worrier.”

“I think that it’s sweet that he cares about you so much,” said Finesse in her soft and gentle way.

Vanessa laughed. “Of course, you would say that,” she teased, and a pale rose filled Finesse’s cheeks.

“I like when he brings his daughter over. She’s so cute,” gushed Charmy. “All those Silva babies with their big, pretty eyes!” She turned to Noelle and Asta with a bright smile. “Who do you think this one will take after?”

Asta and Noelle looked at each other thoughtfully. Their third little one was a tie breaker in this way as well since Licita looked more like Asta and Kai looked more like Noelle. He shrugged. “Dunno. What do you think, Noelle?”

Noelle’s brow furrowed. “Guess we’ll just have to wait and see…” she conceded with a sigh.

“Just don’t mention it around Zora or Magna or they’ll start a betting pool again,” joked Vanessa with a wink.

“Where is Zora anyway?” asked Charmy.

“He said something about going with Finral to go pick up some watermelon,” replied Vanessa with a shrug.

Charmy frowned. “We have enough food already.”

“I think it’s for a game,” chimed Grey quietly enough that she wouldn’t wake the sleeping baby.

As if on cue, Finral and Zora suddenly appeared through a shimmery portal.

“Hey, we got watermelon!” Zora yelled at the chaotic group of kids still playing in the water with Luck and Magna. Finral, however, turned to the cabana with a weary sigh.

“Sorry about that. Did we miss anything?” Everyone seated under the cabana shook their heads. ��Good. Zora was very insistent about getting everyone together for some watermelon splitting but couldn’t find any watermelon so I told him I’d portal him to the market to pick some up. He’s a very slow shopper though…”

“He was probably just stalling so he could get a break from all the chaos around here,” laughed Vanessa.

Finral shrugged but chuckled, “Yeah probably. I think he picked up every single watermelon they had, and—” He paused holding up a hand to the group. “Hold on just a second…”

In an instant, he had pulled his son, Kalon, gently through a portal. Kalon’s brow furrowed confusedly, but he beamed at him. “Thanks, Dad!”

“Please be careful, Kalon. How did you even get up there?”

Kalon, however, didn’t seem to hear him as his attention had turned to Asta and Noelle. “Oh hi, Uncle Asta. You and Aunt Noelle are still married right?”

“What?” Noelle’s confused exclamation caused her sleeping son and nephew to stir, but they swiftly drifted back off again as Asta double-checked that ring on his left hand, just to be sure.

“Yeah, we’re still married and very happy.”

“Oh good! I’m glad!” Kalon’s smile widened, and he turned to glance over his shoulder exclaiming, “Tirion, don’t worry! Uncle Asta and Aunt Noelle are still married so it’s okay!”

Reaching the edge of the cabana after, Asta presumed, running after Kalon, a particularly flushed Tirion ran a hand through his already messy pink hair before rubbing his hand across the back of his neck. “Thank goodness. I was really worried for a minute,” he sighed in relief before being pulled into a hug by his mother, Vanessa. It seemed to visibly calm him, and his face softened to a gentle smile.

“Kalon, what did you do?” asked Noelle with a stern but affectionate sigh.

“Nothing,” he insisted before he noticed his father’s pointed tilt of his head at him and fidgeted a little. “Well not nothing, but nothing bad…”

“Kalon, we talked about this, remember?” Finral said—his voice kind but a bit weary. “No time traveling when we’re on vacation.”

“Sorry, Dad. It was an accident. But don’t worry, I didn’t break any of the rules on the list—I don’t think but I don’t know because I didn’t have it with me because I didn’t want it to get wet and I’m not supposed to time travel on vacation.” Kalon nodded empathically with a bright, cheerful smile. “I was just checking with Uncle Asta to be sure, and everything is okay. I don’t think anything could break up Uncle Asta and Aunt Noelle. Young Aunt Noelle really, really likes him. I can tell.”

Asta stifled a bit of chuckle at the faint blush of pink that filled Noelle’s cheeks even after all these years.

“I’m sure, your Uncle Asta really liked her too,” suggested Finral, and Kalon nodded.

“He’s just more sneaky about it.”

Vanessa and Charmy could scarcely contain their laughter, and even Grey chuckled quietly to herself, always careful of the sleeping baby in her arms. Noelle glared at them with an almost playful roll-of-her eyes, though she did give a genuinely grateful nod to Finesse who was kind enough not to have laughed though she gave Kalon a gentle smile and pat on the head.

“Please be careful, Kalon,” she said, and Kalon nodded.

“I will—Ooh popsicles! Can I have one Aunt Charmy?”

Charmy shrugged but motioned to one of her sheep to bring Kalon a popsicle. “Do you want one tool, Tirion?” she asked. He smiled and nodded.

“Yes, please.”

When Kalon and Tirion had both run off with their popsicles, Finral wearily took a seat in an empty chair next to Grey and turned apologetically to Asta and Noelle. “Sorry about that. He’s still learning how to use his magic. I don’t think he has messed anything up too badly yet…” His voice trailed as his brow furrowed. “But I guess we wouldn’t really know if he had, right? Since the future would be different…?” He rubbed his temples. “I don’t know…”

Asta shrugged. He didn’t know either and thinking about it too much made his head hurt, but he smiled and reassured Finral, “Don’t worry. I’m sure it’s fine. Besides Noelle and I are pretty solid”—he smiled brightly at his wife—“I don’t think he could break us up.”

“You should worry more about your own relationship” said Noelle with a frown. “If he messes that up, he'll make himself not exist.”

Finral sighed. “That’s what keeps me up at night…”

“I wouldn’t worry about that,” chimed Charmy with a shake of her head. “If she was going to settle for you once, she’d definitely do it again.”

Noelle snorted a laugh, and Finesse gasped, covering her mouth with her hand while Vanessa scolded, “Charmy!” She huffed but rolled her eyes with an almost playful affection before turning to Finral, “Don’t listen to her. You’ve got nothing to worry about.”

“And you should take advantage of the time you have to catch up on some sleep,” teased Lorelei Legolant. “You’ll have a baby keeping you up all night pretty soon.”

“The baby’s keeping me up now,” sighed Finral wearily, running his hand through his hair. “Not to mention all the nieces and nephews…”

“I wish you wouldn’t worry so much, especially about us,” Finesse said.

Vanessa comfortingly patted his arm. “You worry too much. It’s not going to help and will only end up hurting you, you know? You’re going to make yourself sick.”

“I know. But really—how are all of you? Can I get anyone anything? Noelle is there—?”

“Asta is taking very good care of Noelle and he and Nozel have cornered the market on worrying about her,” interrupted Vanessa. “Honestly, they’re about as fussy over her as you and Langris are over Finesse.”

Finral sighed. “I really am sorry about that…”

“Here, sit down and drink this,” said Charmy, handing him some water with a colorful straw. “You look awful.”

“Thanks Charmy,” he muttered sarcastically before running his hand through his hair.

“You look tired,” Vanessa corrected. “Did you sleep at all last night?”

Finral sighed and rubbed the back of his neck with a yawn. “Around 2:30, Kalon completely kicked me out of bed—literally. I couldn’t get back to sleep after that.”

“It’s probably karma,” quipped Charmy.

Vanessa rolled her eyes before she patted Finral’s back. “Maybe you should go take a nap. There’s plenty of adults around to keep an eye on the kids.”

“I don’t need—” His protest was cut off by a yawn, and Vanessa blinked at him.

“Please, Finral,” sighed Finesse, and he shrugged his shoulders and conceded.

“Alright, but only if you’re sure it’s not too much trouble.”

With a smile, Vanessa waved her hand at him. “We’ve got this. I mean, we’ve been here all day without any emergencies or injuries.”

“You jinxed it, Vanessa!” huffed Noelle as their long-retired captain made his way up the beach holding his crying daughter, Marceline.

“Charmy, you got any ice back there?” he called as he neared the cabana.

“What happened to her?” asked Noelle in concern, gasping, Asta could only presume at the big, purple bump on her forehead.

“Toshi accidentally hit her in the head when he was trying to split the watermelon.”

Sure enough, there was Gauche running up to the cabana holding a shaking, rattling teacup and saucer which Asta supposed would probably seem very odd to anyone who didn’t know that Toshi Adlai had a bad habit of turning into inanimate objects whenever he got stressed or upset. “Is Marceline okay?” asked Gauche, handing Grey the tea cup as she handed him baby Mira in exchange.

“She’ll be fine,” grunted Yami, taking a towel and a block of ice from Charmy and pressing it to his daughter’s forehead. He turned to Marceline who stared at him with teary blue eyes. “You’re okay,” he reassured her. Marceline sniffled but nodded.

“Is Toshi okay?” asked Asta turning to Grey who shrugged her shoulders as the teacup rattled in her hands.

“Everyone knows it was an accident,” said Gauche shaking his head as he rocked the baby. “You don’t have to get all upset about it.”

“I didn’t…mean to…Dad…” cried a particularly weepy Toshi Adlai as he transformed back into a little boy caught in a hug by his mother. “Marceline, I’m so sorry!”

Crossing her tiny arms, Marceline wrinkled her nose and frowned at him. “You’re a moron.”

Most of Asta’s companions began to stifle laughs, and even the former Captain Yami struggled to hold back a grin as he grunted, “That wasn’t nice.”

“But you say it all the time, Dad…” Marceline argued causing most of her aunts and uncles to burst out laughing. Before Yami could scramble to salvage the situation, Toshi started to cry harder.

“No. No, Toshi, it’s okay,” soothed Grey patting his head comfortingly, before he turned into a butter dish. “Gauche!” she called turning to her husband in concern.

Gauche, however, just let out a long weary sigh. “Just leave him. He’ll be fine.”

“Is Marceline, okay?” interjected Nacht as he appeared in the doorway to the cabana with Zora who practically beamed as he turned to Gauche.

“Your son’s got one hell of an arm.”

“Swear jar.” Nacht frowned, holding up the colorfully decorated swear jar Gordon had made. Huffing, Zora dug through his pocket for some spare Yul and dropped two coins into the jar. Despite this only being the second day of their trip, it sounded pretty full to Asta.

“What are we going to do with the swear jar money when it’s full?” asked Zora with a bitter shake of his head.

“We could buy a cake,” Charmy suggested.

Noelle’s eyes narrowed. “It’s supposed to be a punishment.”

“Okay well, you can buy me a cake and watch me eat it.” Charmy hummed thoughtfully, and Noelle huffed.

“What if we gave it to charity?” asked Asta. “To an orphanage maybe?”

“Good idea, Asta.” Finral smiled at him but yawned and tiredly rubbed his eyes. “Sorry…”

“You still need that nap,” said Vanessa with a light, good-natured chuckle.

Finral sighed. “Eh, I’ll sleep when the kids are grown up and out of the house.”

“That’s gonna be awhile,” said Yami dryly as Charmy and Zora didn’t even try to hide her snickering. Before anyone could protest, however, Licita came running up the beach with a somewhat panicked Liebe in tow, now at his full height trying to catch up with her

“Mama! Mama! Mama!” she yelled, excitedly grabbing Noelle’s hand and pulling her towards the door. “My sandcastle is done! Come see! Come see!”

“Okay. Okay. Just a second,” said Noelle with a smile. Asta knew that Noelle would have probably been the first to admit it was getting harder and harder for her to get around quickly now that she was nearing the end of her pregnancy so he offered her his arm. “Thanks,” she mumbled as she stood up from her seat with a glance towards Al to see if she had accidentally woken him. Asta stifled a chuckle. His nephew really could sleep through anything and had barely stirred despite all the commotion. Kai, however, was beginning to fidget and yawned before Asta laid him down on the chair and Noelle tucked him in gently with a nearby beach towel asking if their friends wouldn’t mind keeping an eye on him for a minute.

With Asta’s hand in one hand and Noelle’s in the other, Licita led her mother and father towards the sandcastle village. Katsu and Lia were still hard at work on theirs, and Anni and Rill appeared to be making a moat or trench of some kind.

“This is mine, Mama!” said Licita triumphantly as she began pointing out her sandcastle. “It’s really for Uncle Liebe, but it has rooms for everybody! You and Dad and me and Kai, but all the aunts and uncles too and the cousins can all play together right here.” She pointed to one of the mounds of sand. “And there’s a big kitchen for Aunt Charmy and Anni and Rye, and this is where Uncle Gordon and Uncle Gauche and Aunt Nene can show me and Narah and Genevieve how to do crafts. And over here we can play hide and seek with Toshi and Kalon and Summer and Uncle Finral and Aunt Grey. And there’s lots of shelves with books for Uncle Nozel to read to me and Al and Adler and Acier. And there’s a really big yard where Uncle Magna and Uncle Luck and Uncle Zora can show us how to play really fun games. And here’s a fireplace where Uncle Yami can tell us all stories if Katsu and Hana and Marceline ask him to. It’s big enough for the whole family! Do you like it?” Licita turned back towards them with the brightest, beaming smile, but her little brow furrowed as she tilted her head in concern. “What’s the matter, Mama?”

Asta turned to Noelle to find her wiping glistening tears from the corners of her eyes. She sniffled but reassured Licita, “Nothing. It’s okay. I’m just”—her face softened into a gentle smile—“really happy.” Asta took her hand and gave it an affectionate squeeze. He knew without the look she gave him that the tears were mainly a result of the pregnancy wreaking havoc on her mood, but he also knew what it meant to her to see their daughter’s sandcastle, thoughtfully made big enough for her whole family, a family that, at Licita’s age, Noelle could have only dreamed of. How much it meant to her to know that Licita would get to grow up surrounded by a whole group of people who loved her and would have everything that Noelle never got to have before joining up with the Black Bulls.

“I love it!” said Noelle as she scooped up a giggling Licita in her arms.

“Do you want to help me build more of it, Mama?”

Noelle beamed at her. “Of course. Maybe a nice nest for your Aunt Secre, hm?”

As Licita cheerfully prattled about Aunt Secre’s nest, Asta watched as Noelle glanced from the sandcastle, to the cabana filled with cheerful chattering and laughter of their former squad mates, to all of the happy children, their beloved nieces and nephews, running up the beach or splashing around in the water. She smiled, and as she turned to look at him now, no words were needed. He understood—knew Noelle must feel it too, that warm, safe feeling as if everything that had come before, all the sadness, loneliness and pain of the past was just a distant memory now. They were finally home.

#blackbullsmonth2023 #the black bulls as family #black clover fanfiction #just happy to have actually managed to finish this on time #astelle #greyche #rillmy

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