#I made magic for my kids and want to share magic and delight with you too

[zaynessbeloved]

It was always you (and us)

⟢ summary: You were always a trio—Caleb, Zayne, and you. Bound by childhood, laughter, and a quiet promise that none of you would ever be left behind. But things change. And somewhere between late-night study sessions and growing up, you start to realize your heart is pulling in a different direction. The three of you were supposed to stay the same. But you’re not kids anymore. And some feelings don’t stay quiet forever.

⟢ pairings: Zayne x reader, Caleb x reader

⟢ word count: 7.8k

⟢ a/n: This is my very first published fic, and honestly, I wrote it just for fun (and feelings) with my girl Elle. It started as a small idea that slowly turned into something a little bigger (currently at 22k haha and still in progress). This is the first chapter, enjoy!

Chapter 1

You were eight when you first met Zayne. 

It was a warm spring afternoon, the kind where time stretched endlessly, filled with the sound of laughter and the scent of blooming flowers. You were at the neighborhood park, caught up in a game of tag with your best friend, Caleb, when you noticed him. A boy, sitting alone beneath the big oak tree. A book in his hands, his gaze locked onto the pages, completely absorbed in whatever world existed between them. He sat apart from the other children, far from the laughter, the playful shouts, and the carefree energy of summer. And you were curious.

At first glance, he looked perfectly content being by himself. Didn’t he want to play? The question lingered in your mind as Caleb grabbed your wrist, dragging you back into the game with a teasing grin, cracking a joke that had you giggling. The boy by the tree faded into the background as you ran across the playground, lost in the warmth of the sun, the breeze tangling in your hair, and the joy of Caleb’s endless companionship.

But the next day, and the day after that, he was still there. Always by the tree. Always alone. It made you wonder. It made you a little sad. Did he not have any friends? Your young mind couldn’t understand why someone would choose to sit alone every day, buried in books instead of playing. You didn’t know then that it wasn’t his choice—that it wasn’t that he didn’t want to play, but that the other kids never invited him. That they had already decided he was different. You never had to think about things like that. Not when you had Caleb. He was always there—beside you, with you, a constant presence. You played together, studied together, did everything together. The two of you were inseparable, attached at the hip. Where Caleb was, you were too. It was never just you or Caleb. It was always the duo. 

As spring stretched on, you lost yourself in the playful atmosphere of endless sunny days and laughter. You loved birthdays, and when June 13th arrived—Caleb’s 10th birthday—you were absolutely ecstatic. You couldn’t sit still for even a second, dragging Caleb from one place to another, determined to make every moment special. You played games, shared ice cream, danced to his favorite songs, and let yourselves get completely lost in the moment.

Caleb always loved spending time with you, but his birthday was different. He loved it because you loved it—because it made you so excited. He let you open some of his presents just to hear your delighted giggles, watching as your happiness filled the air, warm and contagious. Looking back, your childhood was a blur of golden afternoons and endless laughter—days where time stretched endlessly, and every little thing felt like the biggest adventure. You and Caleb were inseparable, running barefoot through the grass, daring each other to climb trees, and turning even the most ordinary days into something magical. 

Summers meant racing bikes down the street until your legs ached, sticky fingers from melting popsicles, and late-night stargazing on your front porch, whispering about the future in voices laced with exhaustion. Winters meant snowball fights that ended with him tackling you into the snow, leaving you both breathless with laughter. Your mittens were always too big, and Caleb—ever the big brother figure—would tug them snugly onto your hands before rolling his eyes and calling you hopeless. But his voice was always fond, his teasing always gentle.

And in between those seasons, there was always Zayne. He was there—always sitting under that same tree, book in hand, silently observing. You didn’t understand him, not yet, but there was something about the way his eyes followed you and Caleb, something unreadable in his expression. One day, when autumn painted the leaves in shades of gold, you’d finally worked up the courage to approach him. Caleb, ever by your side, followed suit, though he wasn’t nearly as curious as you.

“What are you always reading?” you had asked, tilting your head at him.

Zayne had looked up, blinking as if pulled from another world. He hesitated, glancing between you and Caleb before finally mumbling, “Stories.” 

His voice was soft, quieter than you expected.

“What kind of stories?”

Zayne stared at you for a long moment before slowly turning the book around, showing you the pages. The words didn’t mean much to you at the time, but he let you and Caleb sit beside him that day, reading in silence. It was the first time the three of you ever shared a moment together. You didn’t know it then, but it wouldn’t be the last. 

The first time Zayne ever truly laughed in front of you, it caught you off guard. It was a late summer afternoon, the golden light filtering through the leaves as the three of you sat under the big oak tree. You had managed to coax Zayne into putting his book down—an achievement in itself—and convinced him to listen as you and Caleb attempted to build a tiny "house" out of sticks and leaves.

“See?” you grinned, placing one last twig on top. “It’s perfect.”

Caleb squinted at it, tilting his head. “Looks like a pile of sticks.”

“It’s a house,” you insisted.

“A sad, broken house,” Caleb countered, lips twitching. “It’s gonna fall apart if the wind so much as sneezes.”

You huffed and turned to Zayne. “What do you think?”

He had been silent up until now, sitting cross-legged beside you, watching. But then, to your surprise, the corner of his mouth lifted. Not quite a smile, but close.

“…It’s a pile of sticks,” he murmured.

Your jaw dropped. Caleb lost it. He threw his head back, laughing, and you couldn’t help but gape at Zayne, stunned.

“Wait—you’re taking his side?” you accused, pointing dramatically. 

Zayne shrugged, but there was something different this time. The smallest hint of amusement sparkled in his usually quiet eyes. Then, as Caleb continued to wheeze with laughter, Zayne made a sound. A small, barely-there chuckle. But it was real. And it was his. And for some reason, that tiny, fleeting laugh felt like the biggest victory in the world. From that day forward, you made it your mission to hear it again.

The first time Zayne willingly joined you and Caleb in a game, it happened so naturally you barely noticed it was happening at all. It was a chilly autumn afternoon, the leaves crunching underfoot as you and Caleb played a made-up game that involved jumping between patches of grass, pretending the ground was lava.

“You can’t step on the dirt!” you called, arms stretched for balance as you leaped from one patch to another.

Caleb scoffed. “Obviously.”

Zayne, who had been sitting on his usual spot under the tree, was watching. He always did. But today, something was different.

You paused mid-game, turning to him with a grin. “Come play!”

He blinked at you, then at Caleb, then back at you. His fingers curled slightly against the pages of his book.

“…I don’t know the rules,” he admitted after a long pause.

“That’s okay! You just can’t touch the dirt,” you explained, waving your arms excitedly.

For a moment, you thought he’d say no. But then—without a word—Zayne closed his book and stood up. And just like that, he was part of the game. He was surprisingly good at it, too.

Winter came, bringing with it a blanket of snow that turned the park into a world of white. You had made it your personal goal to get Zayne in a snowball fight.

“You can’t just sit under your tree forever,” you pouted, kicking at the snow near his boots.

“I don’t—”

Thud. A snowball hit the side of his coat. Zayne turned slowly, his expression unreadable as he looked at Caleb, who was already packing another snowball.

“You’re dead,” Zayne said flatly.

And then—to your utter shock—he bent down, gathered a handful of snow, and launched it straight at Caleb. The fight that followed was nothing short of legendary. You were laughing so hard your stomach ached, and when Zayne finally hit you with a snowball, you caught the briefest glimpse of something incredible— A smirk. Not just any smirk, but one laced with the tiniest hint of amusement. You were making progress. And it was so worth it.

Spring arrived with its gentle breezes and blooming flowers, and by now, you had fully decided that hearing Zayne laugh was your favorite thing in the world. It was rare, still. But you had your ways of getting it. Like the time you tripped over absolutely nothing while running to show him something, falling face-first into the grass.

“Are you okay?” Caleb had asked, trying to suppress his laughter.

You had grumbled into the dirt. And then—so quietly you almost missed it—you heard it. A small, breathy chuckle. When you lifted your head, Zayne was covering his mouth, shaking his head as if trying to stop himself from laughing.

You gasped dramatically, pointing. “You laughed!”

“No, I didn’t.”

“Yes, you did!”

Caleb looked between the two of you, then smirked. “I think we should make her trip more often.”

Zayne actually snorted at that. You were so winning.

And then—sometime in the summer, when the sun hung lazily in the sky and the air smelled of warm grass—you finally asked him. You didn’t mean to. It just slipped out.

“Why do you always sit by yourself?”

Zayne, who had been idly flipping through a book beside you, stilled. The silence stretched. For a second, you thought he wasn’t going to answer.

Then—without looking at you—he murmured, “They didn’t want to play with me.” 

Something ached in your chest.

“They—” You hesitated, brows furrowing. “The other kids?”

He didn’t nod. He didn’t shake his head. But he didn’t have to. You stared at him, processing his quiet confession, and suddenly, all those moments flashed in your mind—the way he always sat alone, the way the other kids never called for him, the way he had never been part of the laughter in the playground. That wasn’t his choice, and that realization made something burn inside you. Before you could even think about it, you reached out and wrapped your arms around him. Zayne tensed immediately, his body stiff against yours. But you didn’t let go.

“You can always play with us,” you said, your voice soft but firm. “Always.”

Slowly—so slowly it almost broke your heart—Zayne exhaled.

“…Okay.”

It was barely a whisper. But you heard it. And that was enough. 

At first, it was always you and Caleb. The duo, the inseparable pair. But then came Zayne, and slowly, without anyone realizing it, two became three.

It wasn’t immediate. It happened in the small, quiet moments—the times you would grab Zayne’s wrist and pull him into whatever game you and Caleb were playing, the times he stopped hesitating before sitting beside you under the tree, the times Caleb would roll his eyes but still wait for him to catch up. And before anyone could pinpoint exactly when it changed, it just did. You weren’t just a duo anymore, you were a trio.

The change didn’t bother Caleb. Not really. It was just… different. For as long as he could remember, it had been just the two of you—his best friend, his partner-in-crime, the only person who could keep up with him. And then one day, suddenly, there was someone else. Someone else you were laughing with. Someone else you were looking for whenever you got excited about something. And he didn’t know how that made him feel.

He never said anything about it. Never brought it up, never let it slip. Because, deep down, he liked Zayne too. Zayne was… different. He was quiet, but he listened. He was serious, but his humor was sharp when he let it out. And even though Caleb would never admit it, he liked the challenge of dragging Zayne into his chaos. So he didn’t hate it. He didn’t push Zayne away. But he felt it, that small, nagging feeling in his chest. 

If Zayne noticed the shift, he never said anything. Then again, Zayne rarely said much about anything. But his presence changed, he wasn’t just the quiet boy sitting under the tree anymore—he was there, fully part of everything you and Caleb did.  When you and Caleb raced each other? Zayne was suddenly in the race. When Caleb got too confident in his tree-climbing skills? Zayne was the one to raise an eyebrow and call him out. When you dragged Caleb into some ridiculous made-up adventure? Zayne was following—sometimes reluctantly, sometimes willingly, but always there. 

And, most importantly—when you needed him? He always showed up. Even if he didn’t understand why you cared so much, even if he was used to being on his own, even if a part of him still hesitated—he let you in. Because you never let him feel like he was an afterthought. You always made sure he belonged. 

One day, after spending hours outside, the three of you collapsed onto the grass, panting, exhausted from running.

“I win,” Caleb announced dramatically, throwing an arm over his forehead.

“You cheated,” you accused, poking his side.

Zayne, still catching his breath, smirked. “Yeah, you totally cheated.”

Caleb gasped, sitting up. “Excuse me?! Since when are you taking her side?”

“Since you cheated.”

“I—I did not!”

You giggled, rolling onto your stomach, resting your chin on your hands. The summer sun was setting, painting the sky in soft hues of pink and orange, and in that moment, you realized something. This felt… right. The three of you, together. Zayne wasn’t an outsider anymore. He wasn’t just the boy under the tree. He was your friend, and that? That was never going to change. 

Zayne was the first to go. The day he started high school, you and Caleb watched as he walked ahead of you, disappearing beyond the gates of a world you weren’t part of yet. It felt… weird. For the past few years, it had always been the three of you. And now, for the first time in what felt like forever, it was just you and Caleb again.

You kicked a rock as you walked to middle school, glancing at Caleb. “Think he’s gonna forget about us?”

Caleb snorted. “Doubt it. We’re too awesome for that.”

Still, the day felt different without him. But Zayne didn’t disappear. Even in high school, he still waited for you and Caleb after school, still walked home with you, still sat on the porch steps of your house when Caleb dragged you outside to play. The only difference now was that… he talked more. Not a lot. Not the way you and Caleb did. But enough.

Like when he offhandedly mentioned how boring his math class was. Or when he grumbled about an upperclassman being annoying. Or when he, for the first time ever, actually complained about homework—which shocked you both, considering he was the biggest bookworm of the three. Little things, but they mattered. Because it meant that, even though he was in high school now, he was still Zayne.

Caleb never remembered what life was like before he lived with you. He knew—logically—that there was a time before. A time when his parents’ voices filled the house, when their hands ruffled his hair, when they tucked him into bed at night. But that time had been brief. Too brief.And then they were gone. And suddenly, he wasn’t in that house anymore. Suddenly, he was standing in the doorway of a place that smelled different, with a lady who hugged him tight and spoke softly, and a little girl who blinked up at him with big, curious eyes. 

You had been four when he moved in. He had been five. He didn’t remember a lot from that time. Just small things. Like how, on the first night, he had been too scared to sleep. And how you had peeked into his room, a stuffed animal clutched in your little hands, and wordlessly climbed into the bed beside him.  You didn’t say anything. You didn’t ask if he was sad, or if he missed his parents, or if he was scared. You just curled up next to him, close enough that he could feel your warmth. And for the first time since his parents were gone, he didn’t feel so alone. Even if he hadn’t understood it back then, Caleb knew one thing. You were special. And he was never leaving your side. 

You were scared of thunderstorms.

The kind that shook the house, rattled the windows, and made the sky split open with jagged streaks of lightning. The kind that made you burrow under the covers, heart pounding, waiting for it to pass. And maybe that’s why, on nights when his nightmares took hold—when the weight of missing his parents became too heavy—he would creep into your room, pulling the blanket over himself without a word. 

Maybe he thought that if you were scared too, neither of you had to be alone. Your bed became his safe space, just as his presence became yours. By the time you were old enough to truly remember, it had already become a habit. Whenever the rain started pounding against the windows and thunder rolled through the sky, it was just understood—Caleb would slip into your bed, or you would crawl into his, until the storm passed. Neither of you ever talked about it, because neither of you needed to.

The treehouse was your world.

You and Caleb had built it together—or, well, mostly Caleb and your grandma’s neighbor, who happened to also be Zayne’s dad, while you helped with the “important” parts, like picking the fairy lights and carving little drawings into the wooden beams. It was your little escape.

Your names were scrawled into the wall in messy handwriting, surrounded by doodles and marks of all the summers you had spent there. There were blankets tossed over the wooden floor, fairy lights draped across the ceiling, and a stack of books that mostly belonged to Zayne now. The three of you had spent entire summers there—sneaking snacks inside, telling stories, and falling asleep under the soft glow of the lights. Some nights, Caleb and you slept there instead of inside—wrapped up in blankets, listening to the crickets sing. Zayne rarely stayed overnight, but sometimes, when the night was quiet and the sky was clear, he stayed just a little longer. 

Tonight was one of those nights. It was late. The fairy lights in the treehouse flickered softly, casting a warm glow over the walls, while the summer breeze filtered in through the open window. Caleb had basketball practice after school, and for once, it was just you and Zayne. He was leaning against the wall, flipping through one of his books, his dark hair falling slightly into his eyes. And then, before you even thought about the question, it just… slipped out.

“Have you ever kissed anyone?” 

Zayne froze. His fingers stilled on the page, his body going rigid—not dramatically, but enough for you to notice. You blinked at him expectantly, waiting.

“…No.”

The answer was simple. Direct. But there was something about the way he said it—something unreadable in his expression, like he wasn’t sure why you were asking.

You hummed, kicking your legs idly where you sat. “I don’t think I’d want my first kiss to be random. It should be with someone special, right?” 

Zayne’s gaze flickered to you then—just for a second, just long enough to feel like he was studying you. Then he looked away, flipping the page in his book.

“…Yeah.”

And for some reason, the moment lingered. The air inside the treehouse felt warm—not because of the summer night, but because of the conversation. Zayne had gone back to flipping through his book, but something about his posture felt… different. Like he wasn’t really reading anymore. You were still thinking about what you’d said. He finally looked up, really looked at you this time. Neither of you noticed when you started leaning in closer. It was slow, unintentional—just a shift in the space between you, an instinctive pull. Your faces weren’t far apart anymore. It wasn’t weird, not exactly. You weren’t even really thinking about it. You were just… there. Close enough that you could count the darker flecks in his hazel eyes, close enough to feel the quiet in-between the words. And then—

“Hey! You guys up there?”

Caleb’s loud, laughing voice shattered the moment, along with the distant thud of his shoes hitting the wooden steps as he climbed. You and Zayne jerked apart immediately. The space that had disappeared between you suddenly existed again, like a wall had been placed there, forcing you both back into place. Zayne cleared his throat, too quickly. You looked away, too fast.

Caleb swung himself inside, still slightly breathless from practice, tossing his basketball onto the floor with a smirk. “Did you guys start without me?”

You forced a laugh. “Obviously. You’re late.”

Zayne didn’t say anything, but his hand gripped the book a little tighter. And just like that, the moment—whatever it had been—was gone. Neither of you ever mentioned it again. 

It wasn’t fair.

For as long as you could remember, you and Caleb had always gone through everything together. School, summers, childhood—all of it. But now, things were different. Zayne had already been in high school for a year, and now Caleb was joining him, leaving you behind in middle school for one more endless year. You tried not to let it bother you. Tried. But the first morning of the new school year, standing at the sidewalk where you always met up, watching as both of them headed off in a different direction without you… Yeah. It stung. You kicked a rock with your shoe, crossing your arms.  

“Cheer up, Pipsqueak,” Caleb smirked, nudging your head playfully. “It’s just one year. You’ll survive.” 

You scowled up at him. “I hope you trip on the stairs.” 

He threw his head back with a dramatic gasp. “How dare you? After everything I’ve done for you?”

Zayne, standing a few steps away, rolled his eyes. “Don’t be an idiot, Caleb.”

“Oh? What, so you get to be mean to me, but she doesn’t?”

“Yes,” Zayne deadpanned.

You huffed, adjusting your backpack. “Whatever. Just don’t forget about me while you two are off having fun.”

The words were meant to be a joke, but for some reason, they didn’t feel like one. Neither of them said anything at first.

Then, Caleb slung an arm over your shoulder, grinning. “As if we could forget this little menace.”

Zayne didn’t say anything. But when Caleb let go and started walking ahead, Zayne lingered for a moment. His eyes flickered to you, thoughtful, unreadable.

“…See you later.”

And then he left, walking alongside Caleb, disappearing into the high school crowd. And just like that, they were gone.

Zayne never thought about things like this. Things like… whatever had happened that summer night in the treehouse. Because it wasn’t a thing. It wasn’t. And yet… Sometimes, when you spoke—when you tilted your head, or laughed a little too loudly, or smiled that particular way you did—he would remember. 

Not clearly. Not in a way that made sense. Just in flashes. The space between you, the way you leaned in, the way it didn’t feel strange at all. And you had forgotten. He knew you had. Because you never brought it up, never acted any differently. And Zayne… didn’t know why that irritated him. Didn’t know why he couldn’t forget, even when he wanted to.

Caleb was thriving in high school.

He was made for this kind of social environment—laughing with new people, jumping into clubs and activities like he had been waiting his whole life for them. And you? You felt… a little lost. Lunch breaks weren’t the same. Walks home weren’t the same. Caleb still texted you constantly, but it wasn’t like before. Because before, it had been a trio. And now, for most of the day, it was just you. But the worst part? Zayne wasn’t answering your texts as often. And maybe you were being dramatic, maybe you were just overthinking it, but for the first time in years…

You felt like you were losing something.

One evening, after a particularly bad day, Caleb showed up in your room.

“Alright, Pipsqueak,” he announced, flopping onto your bed like he owned it. “I hear you’re being emo. Explain.” 

You groaned, burying your face into your pillow. “Go away.”

“Nope.”

“You’re annoying.”

“Incorrect. I’m charming.”

Despite yourself, you let out a muffled laugh into the pillow.

Caleb poked your shoulder. “You know you’re not actually alone, right?”

You hesitated. “…It feels like it.”

He didn’t laugh this time.

Instead, he sat up, tilting his head at you, his voice unusually soft. “You still have me.”

You sighed, rolling onto your back, staring at the ceiling. “And Zayne?”

“…Zayne’s an idiot,” Caleb said, stretching out dramatically. “Don’t take it personally.”

You turned your head to look at him. “…But why does it feel like he’s avoiding me?”

Caleb blinked. Then shrugged. “Dunno. But whatever it is, you know he wouldn’t just ditch you, right?”

You didn’t answer. Not because you didn’t believe Caleb. But because, for the first time in years, you weren’t entirely sure.

Zayne wasn’t avoiding you. Not really. He still walked home with you and Caleb most days. Still sat at your kitchen table, half-listening to Caleb’s endless rambling while flipping through a book. Still showed up when you needed him. But something was… different. 

You felt it in the way his replies to your texts came slower than before. The way he didn’t linger as long after school. The way, sometimes, when you reached out—when you wanted to talk—he seemed like he was just out of reach. And it wasn’t like he was disappearing. But it also wasn’t like before.

If anyone was enjoying high school, it was Caleb. Because, of course, he was.  

“Did you see that shot?” Caleb grinned, spinning his basketball in his hands as you walked home together. “Full-court, perfect aim—Coach actually looked impressed this time.”

You rolled your eyes fondly. “You mean the shot you almost missed?”

Caleb gasped dramatically. “You wound me.”

You laughed, shaking your head. “I’m happy for you, though. You really love this, huh?”

Caleb’s face lit up in a way that made something warm bloom in your chest.

“Yeah,” he admitted, spinning the ball again. “Feels like I belong there, you know?”

And you did know. Because Caleb was the kind of person who needed to move, needed people, needed energy. Basketball gave him all of that.

You smiled at him. “You better not forget about me when you become a big basketball star.”

Caleb threw an arm around you, grinning. “Please. Like I’d ever forget my Pipsqueak.”

Zayne wasn’t at lunch again. You weren’t even surprised anymore. You sighed, resting your chin on your hand as Caleb shoveled food into his mouth across from you.

“Does he even eat anymore?” you muttered.

Caleb snorted. “Nah, he just absorbs knowledge and survives off of it.”

You huffed. “It’s not fun without him.”

Caleb gave you a look. “Pipsqueak. He’s taking college classes. You really think he has time to sit around and listen to me talk about basketball for an hour?”

You scowled. “I do.”

And maybe that was selfish. But… Zayne had always been there. And now? Now, he was in a world you couldn’t reach. A world of professors and college students, textbooks and assignments that weren’t high school-level anymore. And maybe you weren’t supposed to feel left behind, but you did. Just a little. The worst part? Zayne noticed.

One evening, as you sat on your porch, staring at your phone, debating whether or not to text him first—he showed up. Not Caleb. Not anyone else. Zayne. He stepped onto the porch, hands in his pockets, his expression unreadable.

“You good?” he asked, voice low, unreadable.

You blinked at him, caught off guard. “I—yeah. I’m fine.”

Zayne didn’t look convinced.

He leaned against the porch railing, watching you for a moment. Then, quietly, “You’re bad at lying.”

Your lips pressed together. “…Maybe.”

The silence stretched between you, filled only by the distant sound of cars passing by.

Then, without looking at you, Zayne murmured, “You know I’m still here, right?”

Your heart stuttered. Because he knew. You hadn’t even said anything, but he knew. And just like that, the ache in your chest wasn’t so heavy anymore. 

High school felt different. Not just because you were finally there, not just because you weren’t the one being left behind anymore—but because, after what felt like forever, things between you, Zayne, and Caleb started feeling right again. The first day had been overwhelming, with crowded hallways and unfamiliar faces, but before you could get too lost in it—

Caleb slung an arm around your shoulder, grinning. “Welcome to the big leagues, Pipsqueak.”

And just like that, everything felt normal again. You weren’t expecting to share any classes with either of them. But then, one day, there he was. Sitting by the window, leaning back in his chair, eyes half-lidded in boredom—Zayne.

You almost did a double take when you walked in and saw him sitting there. A class with him? This was so unfair. Because how were you supposed to focus when he sat there, barely paying attention, yet still somehow absorbing everything? You found yourself staring more than you should, watching the way he absentmindedly twirled a pen between his fingers, the way his jaw tensed slightly when he was thinking, the way he always knew the answer even when it seemed like he wasn’t listening. He probably noticed, but he never said anything. And for some reason, you couldn’t stop watching him. 

Caleb made it his mission to drag you and Zayne to every single game.

“You have no choice in the matter,” he had announced one day, spinning his basketball on his finger. “You two are my biggest fans. Right?”

Zayne, deadpan, “No.” 

You, grinning, “Obviously.”

And so, you went. At first, Zayne only tagged along because Caleb pestered him into it, but over time, something changed. The late-night games. The adrenaline-filled wins. The way you and Zayne would sit together in the stands, watching Caleb sprint across the court, laughing whenever he got too cocky. You didn’t realize how much you missed this. How much you missed him.

Zayne wasn’t nervous about the driving test. Not that he’d ever admit if he was. But still, something in him had tensed as he sat through it—hands gripping the wheel just a little too tight, jaw set a little too firm. And then, when he aced it, when the test was over and he had the license in his hand—

Caleb cheered first, throwing an arm around his shoulder. “Look at you, Mr. Responsible!”

You grinned, stepping closer. “I knew you’d pass.”

And before he could react, before he could even think about it— You pulled him into a hug. It wasn’t long, wasn’t dramatic. Just a quick, warm squeeze. But for some reason, Zayne froze. For some reason, when you pulled away, he felt the warmth lingering longer than it should. For some reason, as Caleb kept talking, Zayne wasn’t listening— Because he was thinking about you. And he wasn’t sure why. 

It was past midnight, and you couldn’t sleep. Not because you weren’t tired—but because Caleb was in your room, lying across your bed like he owned it, rambling about absolutely nothing.

“Dude,” you groaned, rolling onto your side, “go to sleep.” 

“I can’t,” Caleb whined, stretching dramatically. “I’ve got too much energy.”

You shoved a pillow at his face. “Then go do push-ups or something.” 

He gasped, snatching the pillow away. “Rude.”

You sighed, staring at the ceiling. “What do you wanna do, then?”

Caleb sat up suddenly, eyes lighting up. “Zayne has his license now.”

You blinked. “Okay?”

Caleb grinned.

“Let’s wake his ass up and make him drive us to get snacks.”

Sneaking out of the house was easy. Finding a rock small enough to throw at Zayne’s window? That took a second.

“Not that one,” you whispered as Caleb picked up a suspiciously large rock. 

He scoffed. “Relax, I wasn’t gonna break his window. Probably.”

Rolling your eyes, you grabbed a tiny pebble and chucked it. Tap. Silence. Then— The window creaked open, and Zayne’s very unimpressed face appeared.

“…Why.” 

Caleb grinned. “Late-night snack run.”

Zayne blinked slowly, then rubbed his face. “…You’re idiots.”

You put your hands together, pleading. “Please?”

Zayne exhaled, long and suffering. Then, finally—

“…Get in the car.” 

Fifteen minutes later, you were in Zayne’s car, heading to the store. And because life was unfair, you had been bullied into sitting in the backseat. 

Caleb smirked at you through the mirror. “Sorry, Pipsqueak. Seniority rules.”

You scowled, kicking the back of his seat. “I hate you.”

“Love you too.”

You crossed your arms, grumbling. But then, your eyes flickered to the rearview mirror. Zayne wasn’t looking at the road. He was looking at you. It was brief—so brief you almost missed it. But his gaze met yours for just a second before he looked away, his fingers tightening slightly on the wheel. And for some reason, your stomach flipped.

Grocery stores at 1 AM felt different. Everything was too quiet, too empty—except for you three, laughing as you grabbed way too many snacks.

“Put the Oreos back,” Zayne sighed, rubbing his temple.

“No,” Caleb and you said at the same time. 

Zayne exhaled. “Why do I even try?” 

You convinced Zayne to stay longer and join you and Caleb for the snacks. Or, well—Caleb did, but you definitely helped. So now, the three of you were curled up on your bed, laptop open, blankets everywhere.You were in the middle.Which was fine. Totally fine. Except Zayne’s arm was really close. And at some point, beneath the blanket—Your pinky brushed against his. You froze. He didn’t move. And then—slowly, barely noticeable—his pinky almost intertwined with yours. Not completely. Just enough to feel it. Just enough to make your heart pound. And then—

Caleb shifted beside you, muttering in his sleep. The moment shattered. Zayne pulled his hand away. You stared at the screen, pretending like nothing happened. Neither of you said a word. But you felt it. And so did he. 

Studying with Caleb and Zayne was a gamble. Because one of them took it too seriously – Zayne, and the other one barely took it seriously at all – Caleb.

“I don’t need to study,” Caleb announced one night, stretching his arms behind his head. “I absorb knowledge through pure, natural talent.”

Zayne didn’t even look up from his textbook. “That explains your grades.”

You snorted, while Caleb gasped dramatically. “Excuse me? I’ll have you know I’m a scholar!”

“You misspelled your own name on a quiz last week,” you reminded him. 

Caleb scowled. “...That’s not important.”

Zayne sighed, flipping a page. “You’re actually hopeless.”

But still, despite the chaos, you always ended up spending hours together—Zayne dragging Caleb through assignments, Caleb making you both laugh until your stomach hurt, and you somehow keeping the peace between them. And in those quiet moments, when Caleb finally passed out with his head on his books and Zayne was still scribbling notes in the dim glow of the desk lamp—you realized something. You liked this.

The three of you, together. 

“Absolutely not.”

“Come on, Zayne,” you whined, dramatically throwing yourself onto Caleb’s bed.

Caleb smirked. “Yeah, what’s the problem? You scared?”

Zayne gave him the flattest look imaginable. “Of what?”

“I dunno. Sleepovers. Fun. Emotions.” 

Zayne sighed. “I just—”

“Dude.” Caleb clapped a hand on his shoulder. “You’ve literally known us your entire life. Just stay. One night won’t kill you.” 

Zayne hesitated. Then, after what felt like forever—

“…Fine.”

You and Caleb immediately high-fived in victory.

Zayne groaned. “I hate both of you.”

Caleb grinned. “Love you too, buddy.”

It was way too late when the three of you finally crashed onto the bed, blankets and pillows everywhere, laptop propped up playing a movie no one was actually paying attention to. Caleb had long since passed out, one arm hanging off the bed, breathing deep and even. You, however, were still awake. And so was Zayne. The laptop screen flickered softly, casting faint light across the room. You turned your head slightly, finding him lying beside you, eyes still open, staring at the ceiling.

“You’re not sleeping?” you whispered.

Zayne exhaled through his nose. “I don’t sleep much.”

You hummed in understanding, shifting under the blanket. “Do you regret staying over?”

He was quiet for a moment. Then, his voice—low, but honest—

“…No.”

Something in your chest warmed. And in the silence that followed, neither of you said anything else, but somehow, nothing needed to be said. 

Spring had always been your favorite time of year. The air was warmer, the days stretched longer, and everything felt alive. But this year, something felt different. Not in a way you could explain—not in a way you could name—but in the small things. Like how Zayne’s eyes lingered on you longer than before. Or how, sometimes, when you laughed a little too loudly, his jaw would tense like he was trying to ignore something. Or how he always looked away first. Not that you noticed. 

Not that he understood. But it was there. Somewhere. 

The buzz around school had been nonstop. Whispers of an upcoming beach party floated through the hallways, carried by excited voices and knowing smirks. Someone’s older sibling had planned it—a night of bonfires, music, and, supposedly, sneaked-in alcohol. It was all anyone could talk about.

“A bonfire on the beach?” Caleb had said, throwing an arm around your shoulder, wiggling his eyebrows. “C’mon, Pipsqueak, we have to go.”

You raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t there going to be alcohol?”

Caleb grinned. “Probably. But that’s part of the fun.”

You rolled your eyes. “We’re minors.”

“Technically, only you and I are minors.” He pointed at Zayne. “He’s practically an adult.”

Zayne, who had been leaning against the lockers, arms crossed, immediately shook his head. “No.”

Caleb gasped dramatically. “We haven’t even asked yet.”

Zayne sighed. “You don’t need to.”

“But—”

“No.”

Caleb turned to you with a look. “Help me.”

You smirked. “C’mon, Zayne. It’ll be fun.”

Zayne didn’t even look at you. “Still no.”

“Think about it,” Caleb pressed, grinning. “Bonfire, the ocean, people sneaking in drinks, questionable life choices.”

“That’s exactly why I’m saying no.”

“Okay, but imagine—”

“I’d rather not.”

You sighed, clasping your hands together. “Please?”

Zayne hesitated. And for a moment—just a moment—he glanced at you. You smiled at him. Something shifted in his expression.

“…Fine,” he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.

Caleb fist-pumped the air. “Victory!”

You grinned. “Took you long enough.”

Zayne exhaled, shaking his head. “I hate both of you.”

Caleb slung an arm around him. “Yeah, yeah, we love you too.”  

But Zayne wasn’t looking at Caleb. He was looking at you. And for some reason, he didn’t know why that mattered.

The bonfire flickered against the night sky, casting golden light over the shifting sand and the chaos of high schoolers experiencing their first taste of reckless freedom. Loud music blasted from a portable speaker, blending into the sounds of crashing waves. Some people were dancing barefoot in the sand, others were sitting on old blankets, laughing, talking, shouting over the music. And then, of course, there were the red plastic cups. Which definitely held the sneaked-in alcohol.

“This is insane,” Caleb breathed, looking around, eyes lit with excitement. “Our first real party.”

You couldn’t help but smile. “It’s kinda cool, right?”

Caleb grinned. “Are you kidding? It’s legendary.”

Zayne, standing slightly behind you both, crossed his arms, deadpan.

“…It’s a nightmare.”

You turned to Zayne, stifling a laugh. He looked so out of place. His arms were crossed, his usual brooding expression even more intense, his eyes scanning the chaos like he was already planning an escape.

“I hate it here,” he muttered.

Caleb slung an arm around him. “C’mon, lighten up, grandpa. We’re here now—might as well make the most of it.”

Zayne scowled. “You forced me to come.”

Caleb ignored him.

Somehow—someway—Caleb got his hands on drinks. You didn’t even question how.

“Here,” he said, shoving a red cup into your hands.

You blinked. “Wait—”

“Bottoms up!” Caleb downed his drink immediately, tipping his head back without hesitation.

You sniffed yours hesitantly. The smell of alcohol hit you instantly.

“…I don’t know if I should—”

“Pipsqueak,” Caleb cut in, grinning, “I’ll literally never let you live it down if you chicken out.”

You scowled. “You’re so annoying.”

But—fine. You tipped the cup and took a sip. It burned.

You coughed. “What the hell?”

Caleb laughed. “Not so bad, huh?”

You glared at him. “It tastes like actual poison.”

Then, almost as if it was fate, you turned to Zayne. He was watching you, arms still crossed, expression unreadable.

“…No,” he said flatly.

Caleb gasped dramatically. “You haven’t even heard what I was gonna say!”

“You were going to tell me to drink that,” Zayne said, eyeing the cup Caleb was now shoving toward him.

Caleb grinned. “And?”

“No.”

“C’mon, just one sip.”

“I hate you.”

“That’s fair, but—”

“Fine.”

And just like that, Zayne grabbed the cup and took a single, slow sip. You and Caleb watched intensely. He swallowed. Expression unreadable. Then, after a long pause—

“…This is disgusting.”

You burst into laughter. After the drinks, the atmosphere felt different. Looser. Warmer. The bonfire crackled, sending embers into the dark sky. The waves lapped against the shore, a gentle hum beneath the music. And then—Caleb grabbed your hand.

“Let’s dance.”

You blinked. “What?”

“Dance with me!”

You hesitated, but only for a second before laughing and letting him pull you into the crowd. The sand shifted beneath your feet as you moved to the beat of the music, Caleb spinning you dramatically, making you laugh even harder. It was easy. Carefree. And Zayne was watching.

Standing just outside the crowd, eyes slightly narrowed, his jaw set, his fingers twitching like he wasn’t sure why he was even paying attention. And then—for the first time— He saw it. The way your hair had grown longer, the way you carried yourself, the way your laugh sounded different now. For the first time, you didn’t just look like his childhood friend anymore. You looked like a teenager. Slowly growing into a beautiful young lady. And maybe he would’ve brushed it off. Maybe he would’ve ignored it completely.

But when he glanced at Caleb— Caleb was watching too. Noticing too. And for some reason, that realization made something unsettle in Zayne’s chest. He turned away before he could think about it too much. But the thought lingered. 

Caleb was in his element. You were giggling breathlessly, twirling under his arm, the music thrumming beneath your feet as the sand shifted with every movement. But Zayne? Zayne was standing there, arms crossed, watching with his usual broody expression, very much not dancing. You caught sight of him just as Caleb spun you again, your heart pounding with the rush of movement and laughter. And in that carefree, giddy moment— You grabbed his wrist. Zayne stiffened immediately.

“No,” he said flatly.

“Yes,” you grinned, tugging him forward. “C’mon.”

“I don’t—”

“You have to dance with me at least once.”

He exhaled sharply, already regretting his life choices. “You’re impossible.”

“And yet, here you are.” 

And somehow, someway— You won.

At first, he barely moved. You and Caleb did most of the work, laughing as you tried to get him to at least step to the beat. But then—You laughed. Not just any laugh. That carefree, childlike giggle—the kind that had always been impossible to ignore. And for some reason— Zayne sighed. And gave in. It wasn’t much. Just a shift in his stance, a half-smirk as Caleb exaggerated his movements, a barely-there sway in time with the music. But it was something. And it felt… nice. The three of you, laughing under the night sky, the bonfire flickering in the background, the waves crashing in the distance. Like nothing had changed. Like everything was exactly the way it was meant to be.

Later, after the music had died down a little, the three of you collapsed around the bonfire, warm from the heat of the flames and the lingering buzz of the night.

You were leaning against Caleb’s shoulder, eyes flickering between the flames and the dark ocean beyond. “What do you think we’ll be doing in ten years?”

Caleb hummed thoughtfully. “Hopefully not flipping burgers.”

You laughed. “That’s a low bar.”

He grinned. “Hey, I have goals, okay?”

You turned to Zayne. “What about you?”

Zayne, who had been idly staring at the fire, barely hesitated before answering.

“Medicine.” 

You blinked. “Yeah?”

“Yeah,” he said simply. “Cardiac surgery.” 

Caleb whistled. “Damn. So you’re gonna be, like, the best surgeon ever?”

“That’s the plan.”

You smiled softly. “That’s really cool, Zayne.”

His eyes flickered to you for just a second. Then he looked away. “…Thanks.”

Caleb stretched, grinning. “I, for one, will be flying fighter jets.” 

You and Zayne turned to him.

“…Fighter jets?” you repeated.

“Yep.”

Zayne raised an eyebrow. “You barely passed physics last semester.” 

Caleb rolled his eyes. “I have other skills, okay? I love planes. And I will fly them.”

You laughed. “So, you’re gonna be in the sky, Zayne’s gonna be in an operating room… and me?”

You paused. The realization hit you mid-sentence.

“…I have no idea.” 

They both turned to you.

“You’ll figure it out,” Caleb said confidently.

Zayne nodded once. “You don’t have to know yet.”

You exhaled, staring at the fire. “I guess.”

And for some reason, at that moment—It felt like time was slipping too fast. Like this—the three of you, sitting together under the stars, laughing, dreaming about the future—Wouldn’t last forever. But maybe, for now, that was okay. Because tonight, everything was exactly where it should be. 

© zaynessbeloved 2025

.ᐟ✧ THIS IS MY ONLY ACCOUNT. I WILL ONLY POST HERE AND ON MY AO3.

.ᐟ✧ translations or reposts of my work on tumblr, ao3, or other sites ARE NOT permitted. please do not ask. do not reuse my blogpost headers, dividers, or layouts. these are original designs of my own. thank you!

[bartywinter]

paper · @black-brothers-microfic · bartylus · word count: 672 · cw: mcd

“Your classmates are not your friends, they are your opponents. You must be the greatest,” Mother told him as she straightened his white linen shirt, which had become wrinkled on the way to school. “Always remember you belong to the Noble House of Black.”

Regulus had initially been thrilled to have the opportunity to make friends. He had imagined himself sharing his hobbies with boys his own age, laughing together in the dining hall and playing football on the fresh school lawn. He had dreamed of having a friendship like Sirius and James had, of being so close with someone that no words were needed to understand each other.

Nevertheless, Regulus pushed past his own desires and burned his mother's words into his head. Satisfying his parents was more important than making friends —or should he say 'convenient'? After all, he was terrified of getting the same punishments Sirius received for his rebelliousness.

Consequently, Regulus sat alone in class and ate by himself at mealtimes and watched his classmates in sorrow from across the dining table. During recess, he would hide in the library and sometimes in the bathroom, where he would cry silently for his longing to be with the other kids. He had always looked forward to Hogwarts, but now he just wanted to leave and never come back.

What's more, there was one boy in his class who made him uncomfortable. Regulus had caught him staring at him on several occasions, and the odd thing was the boy didn't even avert his gaze, but either stuck out his tongue or smirked at him. Luckily, the boy hadn't tried to talk to him. He wouldn't have known what to say. He wasn't allowed to socialise.

Regulus unconsciously began to watch him secretly as well. He learned that the boy's name was Barty and his father worked at the Ministry of Magic. He also soon noticed he was always accompanied by another boy in their class called Evan. Both were frequently in detention for pulling pranks on other houses' students. They were the kind of company his parents probably detested. He had to focus on his studies and not on silly pranks.

“It must be done in pairs.” Groans and shouts of delight were heard in equal measure as the History of Magic teacher explained the procedure for the upcoming assignment. “You must hand it in by next Friday. I will not accept any paper after the deadline.”

Regulus glared at his classmates as they paired off. He couldn't ignore the knot that had formed in his stomach. Maybe he could do the task individually, he could go to the professor's office and explain to him he didn't have a partner–.

“You have a partner?”

Regulus looked at whoever had addressed him and immediately became uneasy. It was Barty.

“No,” he said flatly and looked away, embarrassed he had been obliged to give such a ridiculously predictable answer.

“Well, now you've got one.”

Regulus dared to meet his eyes again, which were sparkling with excitement. His lips had curved into a wide grin too.

“Do you want to be my partner?” He shyly clutched the book he held in his hands.

Barty shrugged his shoulders.

“You don't want to?”

Your classmates are not your friends.

I'm sorry, Mother.

“Yes, I do.” He smiled for the first time in two weeks.

“Good!” Barty exclaimed and held out a hand as he smiled warmly at him, showing his sharp teeth. “My name is Barty.”

I already know your name, you idiot.

He squeezed Barty's hand softly.

“Regulus.”

It is said that you are shown an overview of your life seconds before you die, and Regulus proved that to be a lie when he recalled his first conversation with Barty prior to drowning in the deep waters of the lake. Although, it somehow made sense —he hadn't been shown his entire life, but the beginning of it. His life began the moment he met Barty, and how happy he was to die that way too.

[shatcey]

Only at night (Licht). Summary

I wanna express my endless gratitude to those who actually do real translations. It is extremely difficult work. On this event: @.otomehoneyybearr: Kagari @.caffedrine (summary): Chevalier I wanna thank @candied-boys for sharing the video. It's a wonderful story, and I'm very grateful for the opportunity to read it.

Just a little warning. Due to a very unlucky incident, I did not have the opportunity to read the last chapter of this story (it's my fault Mimi, mine). But… previous experience tells me that the last chapter usually contains mostly spicy scene with lots of sweet confessions. Most likely, it was the same here. But… we won't know until we read it ourselves, right? So I'm very much looking forward to this event on the EN server. I really liked the story!

Licht and Belle are sitting on the bench and enjoying company each other. Belle bought a muffins and offered it to Licht.

Oh, no, baby-bird! You're so cute!!! Cute baby-bird Licht!!!

They chat cutely, complimenting each other and kissing in the process. A little girl runs up to them and interrupts their date. Nowadays children have no idea when they shouldn't bother adults.

Licht asks if this is her acquaintance. Belle confirms. This is a girl who often came to the reading sessions.

The girl told them that she was looking for a magical animal. She heard from another child that he had actually seen one of them.

After the girl left them, Belle fell into thought. She can't stop thinking about this magical animal. She knows a kid who said he saw it, and he's not the type to lie. And maybe it's a real magical animal after all.

A unicorn? Right? It must be a unicorn!!!

Licht immediately understood what Belle was worried about. If children know that magical animals only appear at night, they can run away at night to look for them. And it's not safe.

You are so reliable (crying of adoration)

Belle said that the fact that Licht was going on patrol was very encouraging. But she had a request. She wanted to go with him. She felt guilty about getting the children interested in magical animals. And she could talk to them if they met them (which baby Licht wasn't particually good at). Her determination to go no matter what made him very happy. So he agreed to take her with him.

At night

They patrolled the night streets. Belle stumbled and almost fell, but Licht catched her and offered to hold hands. He looked like he would cry if she refused, so she happily agreed.

Holding hands, they continue to patrol in search of children. They don't seem to be there. But Belle worries that if the rumors continue, some children may still go looking for them at night. So it would be better if they found what started the rumors.

Licht asked Belle about magical animals, and she explains that they only exist in fairy tales.

Belle agrees that she is excited.

I played with words a lot in this part, so it's not very accurate. I didn't like the original text, so… I took liberties.

Belle feels bad about her sudden excitement. They are on duty, after all. And Licht assures her that he feels the same way. It's because she's with him. And when she's having fun, he's having fun as well.

I somehow missed this part earlier, but they'll talk about it later. That magical creatures, if you spot them, will grant your wish.

They went to the market. And Belle noted again that this place seemed completely different. Licht added that they don't sell muffins at night. Honey, are you already suffering from sugar deficiency? And Belle said that they had a rare opportunity to look at the goods up close. The crowd of people doesn't allow them to do this. I wonder what they meant by that? Are there any glass display cases here? But there are only open stalls in the picture. I don't think the sellers left their goods there.

So… There is Tanzanite cloth on the display… and Belle was absolutely delighted… It is so beautiful and mysterious. She offer to Light to look at it, but hey… he preferred to look at her excited face. Cute.

They mentioned Tanzanite… So it must be a unicorn, right? My logic is impeccable.

They entered a dark alley. Fortunately, there were no children there either. Belle felt relieved… This is a very dangerous place, especially at night.

Licht noted that she was probably thirsty after all these walks. And he pointed to some shady place that works at night.

How??? There are no disposable cups at this time. Are you going to bring her a regular cup… outside? And the seller of this shady place allows you to do this? It's a shady place! By definition. They work at night. So… they either sell something other than tea (alcohol or very… unique herbs), or… they have other additional work (criminal). Otherwise, they will have no income. I have suspicions.

Of course, she liked the tea, because he knows her taste so well. They exchange compliments, and Belle even blushes. They rest a little on a bench… Then they go to the bookstore. There are no children either. Belle thinks it's a good thing, but they still haven't figured out where the rumors start.

Only the square left. They went there, and Belle thought again how different this place was from what it had been during the day. There are no children here either. She heard a sound… it's very quiet, but it's there. These are birds. Belle said she had never seen them before…

Licht said that they gather at this place quite often, so it's probably their favorite place. Well… it's a fountain… they like to drink or bathe, or both.

Belle said she thought about it all the time while on patrol, Licht knows a lot about night streets. He replied that there was a time when he preferred to spend time on deserted and dark streets.

Licht came closer to the birds with the lamp in his hand and lowered it silently. When the light fell on the birds, a huge shadow appeared on the nearest wall. And so they found their magical animals.

How can he be so cute? No, really, it's criminal!!!

Of course, she wasn't upset about it, she was having so much fun. He as well have fun. So "another unforgettable night remained in her memory."

They returned to his room. Belle wondered if she should tell the children what magical animals really are. She doesn't want to ruin their dreams… Licht asked how these animals are described in the book. "They hide so that no one can find them".

You are so smart! (crying of adoration the second)

Belle agrees that this way the children won't lose faith in magic, but they will stop looking for animals. But Belle feels a little guilty for her lies. Licht replies that maybe it's not a lie. Because...

(discovery music is playing)

...

Unfortunately we don't know what exactly he wanted because I don't have a 4ch of this event. But… I have a feeling it's the same as Belle's. Those two are very similar.

I'm extremely happy about this event. It's absolutely adorable and naive (I still can't get over that shady place and the ease with which Licht gave his beloved fiance that… very suspicious drink). But it makes me smile a lot. Licht is cute… his very existence is already adorable… and their interactions with Belle are still just sweet. But not too much, not to the point of toothache. And I expect there to be a very hot scene in the last chapter. So… as I said at the beginning… I'm really looking forward to this event on the EN server.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

🔝 𝕊𝕋𝔸ℝ𝕋 ℙ𝔸𝔾𝔼 🔝

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[skyloftian-nutcase]

@luna-loveboop I’ve had this sitting in my drafts for a while and wasn’t sure when to publish it, but since you’re not feeling well I figured I’d share it so you have something to read/distract you ❤️ I hope you feel better soon, lovely ❤️ Enjoy Link and Hemisi somewhere around ten years after the Imprisoning War dealing with a crisis in the Gerudo Desert .

Link wasn’t sure he’d ever been this mortified in his life. And, given his life experiences, that truly was saying something.

“Oh come on,” Hemisi said while rolling her eyes. “Don’t tell me you can’t.”

“I can’t!” Link insisted, voice nearly cracking like it used to when he was a young teenager. “I can only take the form of someone I know pretty well.”

“You’ve never even tried?” The Gerudo chief questioned, disbelief heavy in her tone.

“I haven’t really used this spell in a long time, Misi.”

“You haven’t used it to sneak out of that castle?” Hemisi laughed. “Come on, now!”

Link’s flustered energy died down a little, and he waved a dismissive hand. “No. I haven’t.”

“Why not?” His dear friend asked, cheeks flushed with mischief and cheer just like when they were kids. “I know you’re not that straight-laced. Remember all the times we snuck out and around the castle?”

Link mirrored her smile, though his was smaller. “I remember. I remember that one time when it was raining and we almost died climbing the slippery stone walls.”

Hemisi barked out an even more delighted laugh, clapping her hands. “That was the best! But see, there’s no way you’ve never done it since you got married! You told me when I first found out you could use shapeshifting magic that you did it sometimes to sneak around Castle Town.”

Link’s smile began to fade. “That was a long time ago, Hemisi. The spell requires a lot of energy.”

“Oh, don’t even start by saying you’re old!” Hemisi snorted.

“Even when I used it to sneak around the city, I didn’t do it often because it took a lot of energy,” Link insisted.

“Okay, but usage and practice makes that easier,” Hemisi noted.

“Not by much.”

“You used it during the war to sneak into an enemy camp and assassinate the general,” Hemisi pointed out. “At which point you had to outrun an entire legion of Gerudo soldiers. Don’t tell me you can’t do it because it takes too much energy.”

Link was floundering trying to avoid the issue, and it was starting to irritate him. “I was younger back then, Hemisi. I’m telling you, I haven’t had that kind of energy since the war.”

Hemisi’s smile finally fell from her face, and it made Link’s chest clench. Her amber eyes pierced his, searching, and he squirmed.

“What the hell did they do to you?” She whispered, brow furrowing in genuine concern. “What did she do to you?”

Link sighed tiredly, not wanting to discuss this. “This isn’t Zelda’s fault.”

“You always defend her,” his friend snapped.

“She’s my wife!” Link fired back, agitated. “She is my wife, the mother to my children whom I adore, and my queen. And at one point she was my friend too.”

“If she’s your friend then why the hell didn’t she see what was happening to you?!” Hemisi argued.

“Because I wouldn’t let her!” Link yelled.

The tent filled with thick tension, both combatants breathing heavily. Hemisi’s dark expression shifted a little, fear and concern glittering in her eyes.

Link shook his head, trying to reel himself in. “You keep trying to direct your hurt and anger at her when it doesn’t belong there. I’m the one you should hate. I’m the one who was engaged to you and said yes to her proposal anyway.”

“Link,” Hemisi spoke his name surprisingly quietly, in spite of how her eyes hardened in determination. “I don’t hate Zelda. I haven’t for ages. You know that from your visit to me all those years ago. And you keep trying to make all of this your fault when it isn’t. But I—you can’t expect me not to worry, the way you talk, the way you act sometimes—”

“I’m doing better,” Link cut in gently, putting a hand to her cheek and stroking it tenderly. “I promise I’m doing better.”

The pair was silent a moment, Link trying to will all his love and reassurance into her through his eyes and gentle touch. Hemisi cupped his hand with her own, holding it to her face a moment longer, not breaking eye contact. Then she sighed, gently pulling it away from her.

Trying to get back to the original dilemma and close this painful subject, Link said, “This still doesn’t solve your current problem, though. I can’t sneak into that camp with my magic—”

Hemisi bounced back into her mischief easily, graciously taking the olive branch Link had offered. She raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms. “Hold on, now, you said you cannot use your magic to take a made up form, but what about tweaking one you know well?”

Link bit his cheek, the tidal wave of emotions from earlier disappearing in lieu of sheer, utter desperation. “I… I might…”

Hemisi’s eyebrow rose even higher as mischief twinkled in her eyes. “Might be able to?”

Link groaned. “Misi, this is humiliating, don’t make me do this!”

“Oh, stop being so dramatic!” Hemisi cackled. “Look, I need that intel and they know what me and my officers look like!”

“Then let me sneak in as a shadow, like a true Sheikah!” Link insisted exasperatedly. “I don’t have to disguise myself as a Gerudo!”

“You did it during the last war!”

“As Merovar.” Link threw his hands in the air, cheeks flushed, flustered. “I didn’t disguise myself as a woman!”

Hemisi snapped her fingers. “I got it. Zelda. Make yourself look like her, just make her look Gerudo.”

Link sighed heavily, running out of excuses. He hadn’t been exaggerating when he’d said it drains him; he’d had stamina elixirs during the war to help him maintain the spell for long periods. But… he’d try. Reluctantly.

Closing his eyes, he concentrated, letting magic warm his muscles, feeling it spread through his entire body. He focused on the image of Zelda, hair red instead of brown, skin baked in the sun, golden brown and glowing, clothes mirroring Hemisi’s war attire from when they were teenagers. And then he snapped his palms together, feeling the magic intensify in a rush.

The pull of magical fatigue hit him immediately, but he could feel the effect of the spell as well. He felt different.

Scrunching his face, he slowly opened his eyes to see Hemisi looking ecstatic.

“I take it that it worked,” he grumbled. Oh Hylia above, his voice.

His friend burst out laughing. “Honestly I’m kinda jealous, you’re hot!”

“Just kill me,” he groaned, making the Gerudo chief wheeze even more. Curious, he looked down. Well. He certainly got the anatomy right.

A thought popped in his head, an ingrained curiosity, and, well, he had to….

Hemisi nearly doubled over. “Quit copping a feel on yourself, Link!”

“What?” He fired back, cheeks flushing as he started to laugh too. “I had to at least touch them once!”

“I don’t believe for one second that you’ve never felt Zelda’s breasts.”

“Of course I have!” He said, heart rate skyrocketing as he crossed his arms defensively.

Oh. That felt weird. They got in the way!

“Oh my goddesses,” Hemisi wheezed. “You know what, we’re going through with this mission, just for entertainment purposes.”

Link finally released the spell, sagging in relief and exhaustion, glaring at her grumpily. “I hate you.”

[clangenrising]

Month 14 - Newleaf

Prev | First | Next

“It’s almost time,” Fogkit muttered to herself. She enjoyed muttering, especially if there was no one there to listen. It made her feel like she was five steps ahead. And today, she was. She had spent all week making spells out of prey scraps and mud and moth wings and such in preparation for today. 

Last night, Goldenstar had told her and Slatekit that they would be apprenticed at dawn. She had risen early to groom her fur and scatter feathers around the camp for good luck. Now she sat hunched in the dark, hidden in the grass near the nursery, waiting for dawn. The sky was starting to turn a soft, pretty pink.

A few cats were up and about, likely waiting just like she was. She watched as Floodpaw slank out of the apprentices’ den and arched his back in a long, lanky curve, and she brightened. She bolted for him and slipped underneath him to poke her head out between his forelegs so she could look up at him. 

He jumped and said, “Yikes, kid! What are you doing up so early?”

“Um, I’m gonna be apprenticed,” Fogkit rolled her eyes. “Duh!” He rolled his eyes in return and sat down on top of her. She squealed in delight and thrashed wildly. 

“Huh,” he said, “where did Fogkit go?” 

“I’m here!” she screamed, kicking with all her might. He winced but stayed where he was. 

“Fogkit?” he called. “Oh, Fogkit! Man, that’s a shame. She’s gonna miss her ceremony.”

“No!” she giggled. “No, I can’t!” She rolled onto her back as best she could and kicked hard with both legs. Floodpaw gave a grunt of pain and tumbled off of her immediately. She laughed and sprang on him where he lay curled in a pained ball. 

“Take that!” she declared, swiping at his ears. 

The apprentice simply wheezed, “Good kick…” 

Fogkit laughed and sat down to smooth out her fur again. Floodpaw was so much fun. Sparrowpaw and Barleypaw poked their heads out of the den and Fogkit waved her tail at them with a chipper smile. 

“Everything alright out here?” Sparrowpaw asked, raising a brow. 

“Yep!” she purred. 

“Mhm,” groaned Floodpaw. 

Barleypaw laughed and sat down next to her brother to purr against his side. “She must have got you pretty good.”

“Only ‘cause he sat on me,” Fogkit said. 

“Oh, then I guess he deserved it,” Sparrowpaw smirked. 

“Go hug a badger,” grumbled Floodpaw, finally managing to uncurl his body. 

“Fogkit!” Slatekit’s voice squeaked from across the camp. Fogkit turned to smile at her sister and waved her over. Slatekit hesitated but crossed the distance to huddle beside her. 

“Hey!” Fogkit said, “You excited?”

“Mm,” Slatekit whimpered in lieu of an answer. 

“You’ll do great,” Barleypaw said. “I was super nervous at my ceremony too but it’s really not that scary.” Slatekit whimpered again.

“It’s okay,” Fogkit said confidently. “I’ve been doing spells all week to make sure we get the best mentors.” 

“Spells?” Sparrowpaw blinked in surprise. 

“Yeah!” Fogkit brightened. “Mystique told us all about how wild cats do magic spells to help their friends and curse their enemies. She didn’t know how to do them but I figured it out, I think.” 

“Is that so?” Barleypaw seemed apprehensive. Floodpaw laughed. 

Slatekit nodded. “Yeah, she said that wild cats are magic. We’re wild cats, right?” 

“That is what the city calls Clan cats, yes,” said Sparrowpaw, “but-” 

“Yeah!” Fogkit said, eager to share with them. “Magic is easy, you just have to get the right stuff and then think really hard about what you want to happen and sometimes put the stuff in a special place or something! I can show you guys sometime.” 

“I’m good,” snorted Floodpaw.

“Maybe…” Barleypaw laughed awkwardly. “We’ve got to train for our final assessments though.” 

“Oh, yeah,” Fogkit frowned. “You’re not gonna be in the apprentice den with us for very long…”

“Yeah,” said Sparrowpaw, “but you’ll be warriors before you know it. Time flies like that.” 

Goldenstar’s voice rang out through the camp. “Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Stoneperch for a Clan meeting!”

“It’s happening!” squealed Fogkit, bouncing on her toes. Slatekit whined nervously. 

“Come on, lets go sit closer,” Barleypaw said, wrapping her tail over Slatekit’s shoulders. The group of them moved in to join the other cats who trickled out of their dens and settled in a semicircle around the Stoneperch. Goldenstar sat atop the stone, her fur glowing under the creeping light of dawn. Fogkit kneaded the ground in anticipation. 

“Today,” Goldenstar began, “we name two apprentices who have been waiting eagerly for this moment. Fogkit, Slatekit, you have reached the age of six moons and that means it’s time for you to start your training towards becoming warriors. From this day on, until you receive your warrior names, you will be known as Fogpaw and Slatepaw.” Everyone cheered, chorusing their new names. Slatepaw blushed and tried to stand up tall. Fogpaw didn’t stop looking at Goldenstar. She wasn’t going to be satisfied until she heard who her mentor would be. 

“Slatepaw,” said Goldenstar, “for your mentor, I have chosen someone who has proven himself to be a kind and gentle mentor in the past. I entrust your training to Pantherhaze and hope that you will be able to rely on him when times are tough.” 

Pantherhaze stepped out of the crowd, smiling softly. Slatepaw swallowed and stepped up to meet him. Fogpaw could see her trembling as they touched noses. He whispered something to her and she nodded. Fogpaw was happy with the pair. It seemed her spell had paid off. 

“Fogpaw,” Goldenstar’s voice brought her back to attention. “Your mentor will be Scorchplume.” Fogpaw’s jaw fell open in surprise. She hadn’t realized that was an option. “Scorchplume, while this is your first apprentice, I am confident you will be able to teach Fogpaw how to excel at any pursuit she puts her mind to.” 

Scorchplume swished her big, ginger tail up over her back and strode into the circle to meet Fogpaw. Fogpaw was frozen for a moment, unsure. Was this really what her magic had decided was the best mentor for her? 

She glanced around at the other cats, the ones without apprentices. Branchbark, Aldertail, and Ospreymask all sat together near the edge. Ospreymask looked especially disappointed. Fogpaw realized that she wouldn’t want any of them to be her teacher. She looked back at Scorchplume who had raised her brows expectantly and tried to see through her expression to her aura. Scorchplume was bold and sharp and pretty. She was the only cat to have gone to the city and come back safely. Yes, Fogpaw decided, this was the perfect mentor for her. 

Grinning, Fogpaw stepped up and presented her nose for Scorchplume to touch with her own. The warrior gave an amused humm and did so. The touch sent an electric shock through Fogpaw’s nose and she recoiled to rub at it with her paw. Scorchplume wrinkled her nose at the sensation. That had to mean something, right? 

“We’re tied now,” she mumbled to Scorchplume, “you and me.” 

“Really, now?” Scorch whispered back. 

“With that, our meeting is concluded,” Goldenstar said. “Congratulations, Fogpaw and Slatepaw!” Another round of cheering went up for the both of them. Fogpaw looked around the circle and felt tears swelling within her. All of their will, all of their passion, was behind her now, driving her forward. She could almost feel StarClan’s presence on her back. I promise, Mama, she vowed, imagining spellwork being woven into every word, I’m going to become the best warrior there is. I’ll make you proud.

UPDATES: - Fogkit and Slatekit are made apprentices. Fogpaw is apprenticed to Scorchplume! Slatepaw is apprenticed to Pantherhaze!

[my-rose-tinted-glasses]

Question (because i'm curious and because i love enabling friends' hyperfixation): what is Tengu no Daidokoro? Why do you like it? What are you hoping for in a s2?

Also, should i watch it?

I adore Koisenu Futari and i have other similar queer-people-in-their-daily-life Japanese shows on my watch list (i loved my dining table and i have Kinou nani Tabeta and Tsukuritai Onna to Tabetai Onna waiting) that i just know i will love once i have the time to watch it!

Is Tengu no Daidokoro anything like it?

Thank you so much for this ask cause it gives me the opportunity to share my love for this show and also maybe make other people want to check it out.

Before anything else. This is not a queer show. All those shows you mentioned are some of my favourite shows, as you can see by my choice of pfp I adore Koisenu Futari as well. Kinou Nani Tabeta and Tsukutabe are magic and I really hope you get to them because they are so amazing. But Tengu is not that. It's an absolute gem and I adore it.

Now. Why do I love it? Why I am excited like it's christmas morning and I still believe in santa? So many reasons...

-IT'S GORGEOUS (if I hadn't binged this ,I would've giffed every frame)

I mean the greens are just incredible. All the colours in these show are actually. The change in the colours is amazing as well. My delusional brain will believe that this second season was made specifically so that me and @colourme-feral could once again lose our minds over THE GREENS.

-It's about two brothers. (I love stories around family)

Motoi (older brother played by Komagine Kiita) and On. A city 14 year old who comes to stay at his older brother's house in a rural area. They are estranged and have little in common. On is the perfect representation of 'kids these days...' (I know I'm getting old when this is what comes to mind), completely hates the idea of being away from the city and technology and internet (I related). Motoi is at home here, he's very quiet and calm. I love them. I love this relationship. I love how it grows and I can't wait to see where they go next.

-The food. (I love food)

Motoi has his own vegetable garden and he makes everything from there or other local sources. Just like the shows you mentioned in your ask, the food is a major ingredient to this story. It's the thing that brings these brothers together as well. the scene in the above gif is one of my favourites because of that. Not gonna give you spoilers.

-The dog. but also...

this is where the show takes a different turn than you'd expect. although not really because it's in the synopses, but if you only knew this show from gifs and this post you would not see this one coming. There's a supernatural element to this show. For starters that cute dog you see there, he talks. He's a talking dog!!! And he is delightful. but also this

(Can we just stop for a second and appreciate how beautiful Kiita is? I barely recognized him in 25 ji.) So yeah it's in the show's name, Tengu's Kitchen. Tengu's are a legendary creature from japanese folklore and the brothers are descendants of them. (more info here about that if you're curious).

-The three of them.

I adore them. I don't want to say more so you'll just have to watch it.

-the setting (did I mention it's gorgeous?)

I know I've mentioned the visuals but it's not just that. it's the scenery and the rhythm and the music (I love the ost of this show) and the everything. Look I watch shows for a bunch of different reasons. This one, I watch it, or rewatch it as the case may be, for my soul. It's beautiful, it's soothing, it's touching, and I feel better after watching it. I really can't explain it any other way.

There are more things I could say honestly but this is already so much longer than I intended. But it's 10 episodes of 30 minutes and as with a lot of jdramas, an incredible human @aoinousagi has fansubbed it for our viewing plesure. here is the link to their post.

These are just some of the reasons I love it and can't wait to watch more. I never expected it but this day is better because of that announcement alone. I'm so happy. I will do rewatch soon, and probaly gif more of it so maybe more people will want to check it out.

@yannig thank you so much for this question. Sorry if it's a bit of a incoherent mess but I'm really excited and having trouble putting it into words. And I know there are a lot of shows to watch and not enough time to watch them all, so of course no pressure, but if you're ever in the mood for something that is wholesome and beautiful I do recommend it highly.

[kit-williams]

War wife

@bispecsual here you go your space wolves

I think I'm getting the hang of doing x reader (still not my favorite as I'd prefer to make OCs but hey its an exercise in just writing)

Not 100% happy with this but happy enough

Tw: Yandere behavior & Plot

"Why hello Captain Arkyn." You cooed up at the space marine Captain as he always made a beeline to you. The now dubbed 'work wife' as the space wolves under him have openly said 'Where is Captain Arkyn's wifey?'

"Hello elskling." The timber of his voice seemed to shake the air around him as his voice dipped an octave in his greeting. "How is my aspiring Captain doing." He picked you up and just easily buried his face into the crook of your neck and you could hear the deep inhale. It was hard to stop the blush that danced over your cheeks... the butterflies that fluttered in your gut... oh you were a hardened veteran of 3 battlefields you shouldn't be getting all flustered but it was an Angel of the Emperor!

You wrapped your arms around the man and you let out the sigh as his hands felt so tender on you even in his power armor. "Come now Arkyn I'm very far off from being a captain and you shouldn't be all affectionate with the kids around." She spoke and could hear him snicker.

"The kids are fine I'm certain my boys are focused on other things then what daddy is doing right now." Arkyn growled out showing those enlarged canines of his. He drank in her groan of embarrassment but he could smell what he was saying was doing to her. A heady smell... not sweet it was salty... but thick like a musk... it was distinctively yours and he was addicted to it. "I'm feeling quite thirsty elskling."

You let out a shuttering breath as you could practically hear the lapping noise. This was the second battlefield you've met Captain Arkyn on and you two had left off on a good note. Well you survived that first note and even if it had been nearly a decade since that first encounter.... Captain Arkyn treated it as no time had passed at all. "Arkyn..." is all you manage to say on a shaky exhale.

Oh but for Arkyn time had passed and it drove him mad. For the Space Wolves it was a horribly kept secret that they indulged in the finer things in life... and they didn't leave it at just mead... they enjoyed their women too. For those with mates it's always a scent that drives them to pick their next mate... a smell that all the pretty little mortals all share in common regardless of if they can give the Brother children or not. Oh yes another horribly kept Fenrisian secret as half of the serfs and a quarter of the brothers were just offspring of other space wolves.

Arkyn just thought your scent was a fluke. You were a happy little thing... a tenacious little vixen... a courageous elskling. And he had driven himself mad at the fact he let you get away. He had spent 3652 days in his bed alone without you!!!! Oh he fixed that once he found out you were there. You looked older... it hurt him that he missed three thousand days of yours... three thousand days you could have been smiling at him... having his pups... thousands of days of laughter... tears... hopes and fears... sighs of delight and sighs of being fed up with his antics. Something in him snapped when he saw you again.

You... you just kept on surviving with your little misfit band that seemed to kept swapping in and out of members. You were thankful for Arkyn being here after the last of your original friends died in your arms. And here you thought Arkyn just wanted to relive the magical moments from back in the day but you were so thankful that he was there to hold onto you. And he always had a knack of holding onto you.

"RICO!" You screamed as you watched the man turn to mist as Arkyn's massive hand wrapped around your chest as he grabbed you and ran toward the Land Speeder. "They're all dead... they're all dead!" You screamed as you shot back at the damn heretics!

Thank the God Emperor for your helmet as when Arkyn jumped into the Speeder your head all but smashed into the armored chest. "Hang on!" He howled at you as all that was keeping you from flying off of the Speeder was his arm.

His mind was racing just like the Land Speeder was as bolters exploded out of the barrels. But a part of him was howling with laughter as it couldn't have lined up better! He really had to thank his Brothers for helping him. Oh yes he was a fool for letting her go the first time but they were here to help!

"Arkyn where are we going?!" You connect to his private vox line as you realize you're not heading back to camp and are seeing more space wolves and space marines around.

"To meet up with the rest of the Vlka Fenryka and let them know what has occurred."

"Alright when do you think I'll be heading back to the guard outpost?" That seemed to be said as he patched you to the rest of the wolves with him. It went silent for a beat before they all started to laugh.

"Oh she's a funny one Captain!"

"Oh when do I go back?" One said in a mocking tone as they laughed harder at the look on your face.

"Arkyn!" You looked up at the expressionless mask unaware of the enamored look on the man's face as his hand just moves so gently over what he can without crushing you. "Arkyn what are they talking about!?"

"Oh it seems yer man is tongue tied."

"The past ten years lassie... you're all that he could talk about."

You leaned away suddenly feeling very trapped and afraid as they speak like what is about to happen is just normal. But the fact you couldn't see their faces just made this a bit more horrifying.

"Really I don't know how he could have fucked you and let you go. It's like what I did with my little wifey. I fucked her so good that she didn't even realize that I snatched her up. "

"I've got a little husband this time around..." You hear one of them start but you soon only focus on the sound of breathing coming over the vox and realize it's Arkyn's breathing and the sound of chops being licked.

"You let Rico die...." Is all you could get out.

"He was too close to you elskling." Arkyn said as if it was the most logical thing.

You would often like to say that you were a fighter. You would fight against anything until the bitter end but you just shut down as you barely listened to the Fenrisian though you had a feeling it was about you. And when you woke up next... you'd be in Arkyn's room with a pretty new collar.

[hatter-and-dodo-in-wonderland]

Jervis please rant about Alice in Wonderland I genuinely want to hear you talk

I’m also really into Alice in Wonderland, I’ve been collecting Alice in Wonderland books since I was 16

Ah something interesting is coming!

Well, you should know a lot then about this wonderful story! How's your collection going?

"Alice in Wonderland"... A story about a child falling into an insane, marvelous world that can be interpreted in so many ways.

About interpretation, I want to share mine:

When my father first told me this story, I was a kid obviously, this tale was just as funny and delightful as ever. The spirit of imagination, the magical and enchanted world, talking animals, notable characters all animated by an acute madness are awesome.

Once I was a teen with more knowledge about my world around, I figured out some allusions, some hidden messages (the roses paint in red can show periods, as the changing sizes when Alice eats mushrooms).

Then as an open minded adult, you see there's also a critical side of the English kingdom (Queen of Hearts and the rest of the deck) authority and also understand more what makes the characters so mad. Also how it talks about a girl growing in the Victorian area and questions about identity with the most kid-friendly looking story.

This book is a masterpiece, that's for sure! The Wonderland, despite having a tyrant instead of a queen, is a beautiful place of mysteries and discovers.

This was one of the little things that made me love Alice in Wonderland so much.

[dutifullynuttywitch]

Pancake mornings

Blades of Light and Shadow 2

Pairing: Mal Volari X f!mc (Autumn Nightbloom)

Rating: Teen

Word count: 650

Art by the wonderful @artbyainna on IG

Summary: Mal tries his hand at making Heroes of Morella pancakes ... and Autumn considers more legitimate career choices for her handsome rogue.

Autumn awakens to the sweet smell of pancakes and peals of laughter coming up from the kitchen two floors below. She smiles at the novelty of normalcy. Something she never thought she’d have again.

Of course, there was still work to do. She and her friends continued to travel the newly merged realm to help the communities rebuild and fight off all manner of shadow beasts and fantastic creatures. But there were also moments of calm in-between, which she relished. She spent most of those weeks with Mal at the orphanage, making time to catch up with Nia, visiting friends, and Kade, when he wasn’t off to Zaradun with Cherta. Though she kept her room at the Palace, a standing invitation by King Arlan for the Saviour of the Realm, Autumn had pretty much moved into Mal’s cozy attic room.

She slips out of bed and quickly dresses, making her way downstairs towards the joyful ruckus.

“Morning, kit!” Mal calls out from the stove, flipping pancakes dangerously high into the air, to the delight of a dozen beaming kids gathered around.

“Morning, handsome.” She sidles next to him and places a soft kiss on his cheek. “Whatcha cooking up?”

“I call these my Heroes of Morella pancakes!” He proudly declares, to squeals of excited laughter from several kids.

She looks at a growing pile of deformed – faces? Some with elongated ears, others with points resembling horns, others just formless masses – and snorts. “Well, these certainly won’t win you any talent contests. Though I’ll give you points for originality, your magnificence.”

“Hey! I’d like to see you try to do better.” He mock-pouts.

“Sure thing. Watch and learn.” She smirks and grabs a ladle, dropping a dollop of batter onto the hot pan. She concentrates her magic, shaping the sizzling pancake into a perfect nesper shape.

“Oh, come on! That’s cheating!” Mal splutters, scandalized.

“And since when are you concerned about cheating, my handsome scoundrel?” She smirks mischievously, starting a new pile with her perfectly shaped pancakes.

"Since I'm not the one doing it!"

“I want Autumn’s pancakes! They’re so pretty.” “Me too!” “Me too!” The kids clutter around the counter, ooh-ing and ah-ing at Autumn’s growing pile of perfectly shaped heroes and nespers.

Mal huffs vexedly but relents with a magnanimous bow, “You seem to have won this battle, my fair lady.”

“oh, but you had the brilliant idea, so I say we share in the spoils of victory this time.” She sneaks a quick kiss, a promise of more to come.

He grins at her cockily, pressing himself against her back and whispering in her ear “That, I can get behind.”

“Mal!” She bats at him, eyes wide, and distracts herself with plating batches of pancakes for the anxiously waiting children.

Soon, the kids are settled around the dining table, munching away at their hero pancakes in a boisterous cacophony of talks and laughter. Autumn slips back to the kitchen and into Mal’s arms, hugging him lightly. He returns the embrace, sighing contentedly.

“Any plans today?”

“Well, I’ve gotten word that our dear friend Lord Thurgood 'procured' a sword from a temple from the shadow realm. Apparently, it’s got some engravings that may or may not predate the Elven civilization.” He catches her scandalized look and adds on quickly “… for research purposes! It’s rumored to have magical properties… I’m sure Nia and elf boy would love to examine it.”

“And once they’re done researching…”

“Weeeeell… it’ll be worth a pretty penny.”

“Mal! Do I have to remind you how your last heist in Thurgood manor nearly ended in disaster?”

“Eh! I'd say it ended pretty good, considering I made it out with the statue and … made out with you.” He smirks devilishly, stealing a heated kiss.

Autumn sighs, biting her lower lip to hide an amused smile. “You know, Mal, as a hero of the realm, you should really think about other more legitimate avenues of employment.”

“… Such as…?”

“I mean you’re a pretty good cook, when you’re not trying to get creative with your pancakes.”

“I have to be, since you’re so godawful at it!” He smirks, tempering the criticism with a loving kiss.

“Well, I can’t be good at everything. But you could work at the bakery with Vivi.”

“Hmm… kneading dough all day, kind of like this…?” He grabs her waist, bringing her flush against him and lowers his hands to massage her backside, earning a soft moan.

"Well you are very good with your hands..." she trails off, kissing lightly down his neck.

"I love my sister and Vivi, don't get me wrong, kit, but I doubt they'd enjoy seeing me everyday."

"Well you're great with a weapon - for fighting!" she quickly specifies, growing scarlet at his suggestive leer. "You could join the Whitetower guards."

"Autumn, my love, the king may have absolved me of my past crimes, but I can promise you the Whitetower guards remember me very well, and we're not exactly on the friendliest of terms... any other brilliant ideas, kit?"

She looks up at him, pondering, then sighs.

"Okay your magnificence, at what time are we headed over to Thurgood Manor tonight?"

Mal flashes her a dazzling grin, draping an arm across her shoulders as he walks her into the dining room.

"Well, see, I was thinking we could sneak in right at the change of guard..."

Autumn smiles to herself. Normalcy, with just a dash of danger and adventure. This, to her, was perfection.

[karskilledme]

Late Night Visits Pt.2 Kars x Reader

Link to part one(NSFW) if you haven't read it. A long time ago someone said I should make a part two. I'm trying to write again so here it is. Reader and Kars renegotiate their 'agreement' into something much more suitable for two lovers.

Warnings: Cigarette mentions, mentions of sex but no actual sex, not proofread.

Words: 738 (A shorty)

Minors DNI

It had only been two days between Kars sniffing out my feelings for him and his next visit. The night started off like many before it, with a cigarette and hot, needy, sex. What was different was that he didn’t leave right after. When all was said and done, he’d usually slink away into the night but this time he stayed. He had said things would need to be renegotiated but half of me believed that was just to appease me. It seems I was wrong and that’s not something I’m disappointed about.

Kars didn’t redon his loincloth as he usually did. Instead, he put on a pair of shorts I’d once gotten him and gracefully laid down next to me on my smaller than needed bed. It did the job just fine when we were on top of each other but now that we were laying towards each other, it seemed much more pitiful. 

Kars looped a strand of my hair in his fingers and hummed. He seemed to ponder for a moment. The anticipation of what he might say practically ate me alive and I’m sure he could sense it. Finally, he spoke. “About our agreement. It seems that I too have developed some kind of feeling for you. You’re a silly thing but I do like you and I especially like your company.” He paused, dropping the strand of hair and turning to look at me more intently now. “I suggest that we make it official and you become my mate.” I stared at him in disbelief for a moment, taking my time to process what he’d just said. His way of talking was so formal and different compared to the likes of modern humans but it was charming in a way. His use of the word mate was the only hang-up I just couldn’t seem to move past. 

“Mate?” I began. “I’m very happy that you have feelings for me… I guess I’m just a little confused about the whole mate part. Are you wanting to have kids… like now?” 

Kars grinned with an airy chuckle and cast his head back softly before returning his gaze. “Mate is what Pillarmen typically call their partners. You humans use all kinds of silly terms to lighten the weight of the word. And there is no rush on kids, of course, I do have quite a lot of time on my hands to get to that.” 

I smiled softly with a chuckle at the beautiful man before me and his unique mannerisms. I sighed, not in exasperation but rather in delight or contentment. “Well then mates it is!” I giggled out, squeezing his bicep. 

Kars moved, softer than usual, from beside me to cage atop me with one hand on either side of me. His hair tickled me ever so softly as he peered down at me and I at him. It felt magical basking in this feeling of closeness we now openly shared. He leaned down closer, his breath tickling my lips causing my heart to erupt in flutter. It was silly really, considering what we had just done moments ago but a kiss on the lips was what I had dreamed of for many nights and now it was so close, he was so close. His lips pressed ever so softly to mine, soft and plush like a velvet pillow. I kissed back with all the emotion I could convey though I doubt my lips were nearly as soft and nice as his. He pulled back and leaned his forehead in close, the bodies of his horns rubbing softly against my skin. This intimacy felt so warm and unreal. I never knew the mean and supposedly awful side of Kars but I also have never known this sweet and tender side that I was seeing now. Unreal was the word for it. He pulled away with a look of contentment, different from his usual look of cockiness.

“It’s a pillarman tradition to rub horns with your new mate. Considering you don’t have any I made do with your human forehead.” He said leaning up to kneel above me. I scoffed with a smile. “You sure know how to ruin a cute moment with your human-shmuman talk. Well, I thought it was sweet and if I had horns I surely would have reciprocated.”

Kars gazed at me mischievously. “You’re lucky I like you (Y/n).”

[cho-aaacho]

(Flufftober 2023) Kidfic/Petfic

Main Masterlist I Archive of Our Own

Flufftober 2023 Masterlist I Prompts List

Tags : Fluff, Romantic Fluff, Fluff and Humor, Teacher Leon Kennedy, Kindergarten, Kindergarten Teacher Leon Kennedy, Flufftober 2023, Reader is genderless

(Flufftober 2023 Day 8)

The golden strings of sunshine caressed his hair, casting a golden glow upon him. His gaze drifted to the wall adorned with photographs of joyful children. Oh, it's been a while, he said to himself while scanning the photographs.

When he peeked into the garden, he saw those children running happily from side to side. Their innocent laughter mingled with the symphony of birdsong, alluring the whole room and serenading Leon's senses in the morning.

Leon reached the whiteboard, adorned with cute animal drawings and stickmen. All of the stickmen are delightfully colored in blue and red with crayons. He recognized the figures; they were him.

He's been a teacher at this kindergarten for almost a year. With a gentle gesture, a heartwarming smile, and a knack for connecting with the children through the magic of words, he effortlessly endeared himself and quickly became the favorite of all.

"Good morning, Mr. Kennedy."

He has prolonged eye contact with you as you draw nearer to him, making a close connection between you and him. Your gaze traversed his face, trying to find those gentle blue orbs of his.

"You..."

He returns your smile by playfully poking the cute, rosy cheek of the little one nestled in your embrace. The child is giggling at Leon's playful gestures, and as a reward, he offers Leon a few colorful block toys, a broken crayon, and a tiny bug from his mini bag.

Leon, puzzled by his gift, gave the kid a gentle smile and made him run away to his friends. After that, Leon's eyes swiftly reached yours. "Yes, I have a good flashback collection on my mind about this kindergarten."

You nodded as your attention swiftly turned to the squirming caterpillars cradled in Leon's palm. "You're everyone's favorite here, Mr. Kennedy. Even the headmistress likes you, haha."

He laughed playfully and almost lost his lung, and he put the caterpillars in the mini aquarium. "Really? I thought you were everyone's favorite. You teach me everything about the kids. You know, I was raised alone with my mom, and I don't have siblings. Kids are aliens to me."

As you gently shut your eyes, the caressing of sunlight envelops you, and the warmth becomes delightful, especially when you share a room with Leon. You offer him a mini-milk carton.

"So... do you have something good to share?" he asks.

A playful chuckle escaped your mouth and floated the rooms with your childishness, you stated. "You know, Mr. Kennedy. Sometimes teachers need a good vacation, and... maybe you want to join me for a picnic?"

His eyes widen in disbelief. You swear to God that his expression mesmerizes you. He's so cute. Too cute. How can he become this cute? "A picnic, you say? I would love that!"

"Perfect," you declare with a twinkle in your eyes, your spirits soaring like birds taking flight. "Then, we decide tomorrow at 10!"

[alexanderlightweight]

I'm in love with your Lilith is Alecs mother AU!

Do you mind sharing anymore of this fic?

What are your thoughts/head cannon for this universe?

Thank you for all or your hard work and for sharing your work with us!

here is some more from desecration of souls which is mama!lilith obsessively raising her kid

i hope you enjoy and i'm glad you like it <3

lumine

-

“Alec,” Maryse calls like she has for the last fifteen minutes and for a moment, she thinks she sees him but then the shadows move and he’s not there, just another empty corner. It’s with annoyance that Maryse walks away, her heels clicking and tapping, and she tries not to let her anger get the best of her, or her worry.

It would be one thing if this rarely happened, but Alec is a strange and silent child, who listens obediently but who watches more closely and quietly that Maryse thought a child could. It was useful, at first, when Maryse needed to spend as much time on Valentine’s orders as possible.  But here, in New York, now that she’s from under Valentine’s thumb and struggling to regain honor for the name she wears, she has time to be a mother and she hates how hard it is.

Alec is more difficult to find than a shape-shifting demon, sticking close to the shadows and rarely smiles. Oh, he’ll smile to himself and sometimes he’ll play with Izzy and Maryse will see hints of the child he is, but more and more those moments are lost to her. The smile gone before she looks and Alec’s eyes are cold as they watch her, as if she’s unfamiliar and a threat.

It’s unnerving, to be looked at by her own heir and Maryse ignores the whispers of her own instincts telling her that something is wrong and pushes him harder, speaks to him more firmly when she does see him.

And Alec never complains, he never starts fight or argues with her, but he never stops watching her and for some reason, it scares Maryse more.

—

Alec struggles to bring the flowers together in a crown and he pouts when it falls apart.

“Mama, your crown broke.” He complains to the darkness of his room, secure in the knowledge that his mother is always listening to him, always watching him.

In an instant, a body made of willowy shadows forms and shifting shadows cup his face. Alec tilts his head up and smiles at the faceless shadows that make up his real mother and he sighs as her possessive magic covers him in a soul-deep hug.

“My sweet little prince, always so good for me.” Mama croons and her hands pet through his hair and Alec sighs in delight, leaning into the touch with an eagerness that he only shows around his mother. 

“Mama, I miss you.” He admits it and instead of scolding him, his mother makes a sound as if she’s been lanced and the darkness of her form pulls him even closer to the darkness.

“Precious child, I miss you. So very much, my little prince. It won’t be forever though, I’m still here. When you are older, we’ll find a way.” Mama reminds him and Alec nods and clutches the shifting sands of her dress and wishes that he could just be swept away by his mama.

“Love you mama.” He promises, because he does and there is no one in the entire world that he loves as much as his mother.

—

“Mama, I don’t want to marry a girl when I grow up.” Alec tells her, his nose wrinkled as he’s going over a book of runes. Lilith has been helpfully reminding him of some that have been lost to time and Lilith pauses at this change in subject.

“You don’t ever need to get married.” Lilith says, because she hardly needs Alec thinking he needs to go out and get engaged at a young age like others of his kind.

“I don’t want to marry a girl.” Alec repeats and he’s watching her with something suspicious in his eyes.

“Good.” Lilith says, when she finally realizes what he means. She’ll be the only woman of actual importance in her son’s life and considering Lilith has had to share him with Maryse and Isabelle. “I’ll find you a decent warlock or seelie, when you’re old enough.” She adds, because that should give her a few centuries to properly coddle Alec once she has him away from his mortal ties.

Alec doesn’t seem concerned that she’s making decisions for him and Lilith settles, content in the knowledge that she is an amazing mother and doing a much better job than that bitch, Maryse.

[rosiesdisneydrama]

Hidden Butterfly Random Notes

Since I've revealed that I've been writing this au, I've realised I have WAY TOO MANY random notes stored in my docs. So I'm gonna share some here to (hopefully) keep myself from going into long tangents in the story.

What can I say? I've had lots of fun world-building things bubbling in my brain that I'm honestly Not Sure if they'll be story-relevant. Therefore, to Tumblr they go!

~ I wrote the start/first chapter the way I did because I had a bunch of pre-series worldbuilding I wanted to do, but I just couldn't get myself to actually sit down and write them out. So I did it as a bunch of time-line snapshots to let myself get to the meat of the story without being as worried about spending too much time on the little details.

Some parts may get revisited in later chapters (from Izuku reminiscing or introducing characters that got mentioned), and I'm saving the finer details for then. Or telling people about them here.

~ I implied it, but I'm also going to say it outright here, too. Thanks to Sango-sensei's self-defense classes, Izuku is fully capable of defending himself. He's learned a lot about disabling attackers, breaking loose from being grappled, and using make-shift items to escape if you're being attacked/caught in a minor disaster.

Sango-sensei's classes are based on some karate classes I took as a kid. A class with a firm focus on self-defense over competing. Which includes a lot of (honestly kind of vicious) moves and cheap strikes to end the fight as fast as possible in order to keep safe.

((I didn't learn until later, while describing my lessons to someone else, that it wasn't normal in karate to break a grapple by wrenching the attacker forward via the arm they grabbed with, slamming your knee into their gut to get them to double over, and then slamming your elbow into the back of their neck. So- yeah.))

Basically, Izuku is a brutal fighter who has 0 qualms about fighting dirty.

~ Izuku dotes SO MUCH on Nooroo. He figured out that his friend had been in the hands of villains and now works very hard to let Nooroo feel safe and cared for.

I also made the choice that Nooroo's favorite treats are sliced fruits/berries. And smoothies.

So now Izuku keeps some with him all the time. Some in a bento and some in one of those hot/cold lunch bags. So there's always a treat for Nooroo even on days when Izuku doesn't plan on using the miraculous.

~ Nooroo is delighted/proud that Izuku plans to use his powers to help the new, modern world instead of harming it or trying to find/steal the other Miraculous. Nooroo misses the other Kwami but keeps being just- SO PROUD whenever Izuku figures out new ways to use the butterfly to help/protect people.

Izuku uses the butterfly in a way more reminiscent of the Villain Dad AU by @bigfatbreak instead of how Lila or Gabriel does. (Gathering info/digging up dirt on others instead of making champions.) He then funnels that information to various heroes in the area.

Since Izuku and he have good memories, it's easy to relay information to heroes without needing to write it down in the interim.

They try to keep everything that they do write down hidden and scrawled out in code. To preserve as much secrecy as they can before they pass the information off to heroes.

~ Izuku's magic is basically self-taught, with a lot of supplementing from what Nooroo knows about magic. Izuku's bedroom has a shelf dedicated to various books on magic he's dug up over the years. He tries to focus on stuff that's about actual, traditional magic and not just the new-age commercialized ideas of what magic "should" be.

Nooroo tries to help where he can, talking about traditional magic and folktales he's seen and learned over the years. Giving as many ideas as he can and then helping Izuku try them to see what, you know, actually works with what Izuku can do.

And if he slips in some of the stuff he remembers about healing/magic from the Miraculous Spellbook, well... It's not like there's anyone around who can call him out.

~ Izu's Vigilante name comes from the Sasakia Charonda, better known as the Japanese Emperor or the Great Purple Emperor, a species of butterfly native to Japan.

He uses the name to match his purple butterfly theme, but tries to avoid using the common name. He thought it sounded too pretentious/self-aggrandising. Using part of the Latin name felt more comfortable, and it was more interesting than just calling himself "butterfly" in his native tongue.

[rainbow-nerdss]

Chocolate, Frosting, and a little bit of magic

Written for @augustwritingchallenge day 14: Wizards and Witches Buddie, 1.5k Read it on AO3

Buck's eyes snapped to the door as his charm alerted him to a new customer. A man and his child walked into the bakery, and Buck's eyes widened.

The child led the way to the display case, while his father looked around in a surprised sort of amazement. 

The charm over the door wasn't the only enchantment Buck had over this place. Many of them were simply to make his life easier—alerting him to a new customer, reminding him of his regular's names, calculating change for him, or keeping the pastries fresh for longer. 

Others were a precaution, to keep himself and his customers safe.

There was one charm which kept certain people out, blocked the doorway and wouldn't let them enter, imbued with memories to recognise the people in question before they could cross the threshold. That one had been difficult to weave, but Buck was proud of it. It made this place a home, ensured Maddie and others could feel safe here. 

Another safety charm disguised the front of the store, so those without magic would see a dusty, run down little place, while those with the touch saw it for what it was — yellow shutters, cakes baked with love, imbued with small magics and painstakingly decorated by hand. 

Buck didn't discriminate in who he served, as long as they meant no harm, but it was rare to see a mundane person in here, and that meant Buck's regulars were able to feel more comfortable being open with their magic.

This man, though—Buck knew right away he had no magic. The child, on the other hand… Buck could see something in there. A spark of light, magic. 

Buck stepped out from the back room.

"Morning! I'm Buck, what can I get you?"

The child grinned at him. "I'm Chris, this is my dad Eddie. He said he'd get me any cake I want for my birthday!"

Buck grinned at Chris, then gave the father —Eddie—a softer smile. 

"A birthday cake? Well, that calls for something special!" Buck's charm whispered to him. "Let me guess… You're turning nine?"

Christopher beamed, and Buck felt the magic, pure light, pure joy. This kid was powerful, and his dad had no clue.

Buck showed off his range of birthday cakes, and while Chris deliberated, Eddie spoke to Buck.

"This place," he said. "From the outside, it looked… different."

Buck nodded. He didn't have any hard and fast rules about what he shared with people like Eddie. Some people refused to even talk to them, mostly out of gear for how they might react, fed by negative experiences.

Buck, though… he'd been hurt by enough of his fellow magic users to know it didn't matter how much power someone yielded. If they were a good person, they'd be good. If they were bad, well…

He had a feeling Eddie was good.

"It's magic," he whispered. 

Eddie snorted. "Sure, right."

Ah, Buck thought. One of those.

He inhaled, then blew a gentle breath onto Eddie's forehead, who backed away. "What was—"

"Go look from outside again," he said. Eddie scoffed, took Christopher's hand, and then they left.

Eddie called back an hour later to order the chocolate fudge sundae cake, to be collected in a week for Chris's birthday.

The next time Buck's charm alerted him to Eddie and Chris's presence, he didn't need them. He heard Chris before the door even opened.

"Dad, it looked like that last week! I swear it did!"

Buck looked up to see the pair of them, Chris as bright as ever, Eddie frowning even deeper. 

"I told you it was magic," Buck called over to them. 

Eddie was hesitant.

"Really? Magic is real?!" Chris was delighted, rushing across the small shop over to Buck.

"Of course it is!" Buck crouched down so he was on eye level with Chris. "Try this," he whispered, holding out a small cookie.

Chris looked to Eddie for confirmation that he was allowed to taste it.

"Free sample, for the birthday boy!" Buck clarified, and Eddie gestured for Chris to go ahead.

When Chris ate the cookie, he nodded to show his appreciation, then began to float roughly an inch above the ground. He laughed out loud, a joyful little squeal.

"Dad, look!" He called.

Eddie just stared. "Are you holding him?" He asked. Buck stepped away, hands open and empty. Eddie approached Chris, searched around him for ropes or a platform.

"That's… impossible," Eddie said, finally. 

"If you say so," Buck shrugged, going back behind the counter to retrieve the cake. When he got back, Chris had finished the cookie and was back on solid ground. 

"Can I have another one, Buck? Please?'

Buck glanced at Eddie and saw the answer in his expression. "Sorry, bud. I think one is enough for now. Wanna see your cake?"

He set the box down and let Chris peek in. 

"Is this one magic, too?" He asked.

Buck pursed his lips. "Wanna know a secret?" He asked. Chris nodded so enthusiastically Buck almost worried he'd lose his balance. "All my cakes are magic. This one has a charm that makes it feel like you're eating a real ice-cream sundae, all cold and melty in your mouth!"

Eddie warned Chris not to eat any before they got it home for the party, then gestured that he was ready to pay. Buck took him to the register and rang him up.

"Look, I get you don't believe in this stuff, but…"

"It's not that, Buck. My Abuela has charms of her own, you know?"

Buck raised an eyebrow. He hadn't expected that, honestly. "Does she?"

"Yeah. She moved back to Texas recently, but she always said Chris had potential."

"He does. I can see it in him," Buck chimed in, and Eddie's look of surprise was worth the brief panic he'd overstepped.

"Yeah. She makes these tamales, and when you eat them it's like…"

"Like a warm hug from someone you haven't seen in a long time," Buck finished, recognition clicking.

Eddie's mouth dropped open. "How—"

"Isabel was a regular here," Buck explained. "I was sad when she said she was moving. I used to trade these for her tamales once a week." Buck pointed to his éclairs, the ones piped full of cream imbued with a pain-easing charm. "She liked them for her arthritis."

Eddie blinked rapidly, like he was fighting tears staring at the display. "She gave me those once," he said. "When I was hurt on the job."

"Ah, so you're the firefighter grandson she spoke about so much?" Buck checked, though he'd figured that out as soon as Eddie mentioned the tamales.

Eddie nodded, bashful. "She talk your ear off about us?" He asked.

"Something like that," Buck said. He thought of all those times she spoke about her Eddito, telling him to just say the word and she'd be happy to set them up. "She never mentioned me?"

Eddie made an apologetic face. "Only magical friend she spoke about was someone called Evan," he said.

Buck laughed, gesturing at himself. "I kept telling her not to call me that! Evan Buckley, but I'm Buck to everyone—except grandmas, I guess."

Eddie's cheeks turned pink, and Buck figured Isabel must have been saying the same things to Eddie.

"Daad!" Chris called, and Eddie turned to look at his kid. "I know I can't have another cookie, but could Buck come do magic at my party?"

Eddie, to Buck's surprise, turned back to Buck, waiting for his response.

"I don't really have anything for a birthday party, sorry buddy." If he'd had more warning, he could have whipped something up, but those kinds of things took preparation.

Chris didn't seem phased. "Oh well, you can come anyway if you want!" 

Eddie made a face, but it was more thoughtful than a firm no. "You're more than welcome, if you're free later today. Abuela's planning to face-time at some point."

And that solidified it for Buck. He was agreeing before he even thought it through. 

"I close up here at four, is that okay?" He asked.

"Yesss!" Chris cheered, dancing on the spot.

"Here," Eddie grabbed a napkin and a pen, and scribbled something on it. "Our address," he explained, handing it over. "And my number — just in case."

Buck stared at it, then tucked it away in his pocket. "Thanks, Eddie."

Eddie turned to go, picking up the cake and putting his other hand on Chris's back to lead him out.

"Oh, Eddie?" Buck called. Eddie looked over his shoulder. "I'm not sure what Isabel said about me, but… if it's anything like what she told me about you… I wouldn't mind giving it a try."

Eddie's blush confirmed it had been exactly what he thought.

"I—" Eddie stammered. "We can talk about that after the party, okay?"

"Talk about what, dad?" Chris asked, and Buck laughed to himself as Eddie stumbled walking out the door at Chris's question.

Buck made a note to send Isabel a thank you package of all her favorite treats. A little preservation charm on the box, and they should make it to Texas without much difficulty.

He closed up shop early that day, ushering the few remaining regulars out. He had a party to get to.

[triscribeaucollection]

Hi! For the writing asks: ✨ and 🌷?

Hi Crystal! Your timing is perfect, and I'm gonna combine these to ramble about my topic of the evening: Justice League Unlimited plays Wolfen and Warlocks

✨ - newest wip / 🌷 - writing achievement you want to brag about

Some of the stone elementals charged forward to throw punches. Others cracked and split the ground, making it harder to approach them by foot. The biggest one, guarding the portal, created a ring of spikes to better protect it.

And Clark’s friends proved exactly why an RPG was the best choice for them to play, rather than a card or board game.

Wally annoyed different targets into following him into range of Diana’s fists. John pinned others in place for Shayera to strike and destroy. Clark and J’onn cast magical shields and restored health points, keeping everyone else moving, and when Bruce’s fairy reached the others to share what he’d learned about the portal’s crystal power source, the seven of them formed up seamlessly to go after it.

Even better, they all clearly had fun doing so.

And *I* had *immense* fun writing this nonsense, okay?

Picking out races, abilities, and stats for each of the seven, figuring out how to balance them against one another through the game encounter, picking the exact worst possible moment for Bruce roll a 1 and almost hit Wally's character instead of the final boss, which he is absolutely never going to live down, that's gonna become the running joke for however many chapters this thing goes:

Flash: "You missed! He was three feet in front of you, how could you miss-!"

Batman: "Shut. Up."

Flash: =D

But of course I've already determined how I'm going to have more fun with it, by bringing in Zatanna to play Storymaster so Clark isn't pulling double duty. And she gets invested, my dudes, full on spooky voice reading the intro blurbs, using magic to make a veil of mist around her spot at the table, bringing the map and character tokens to life for a bit of flair, so on and so forth

There will be other superheroes who get interested. Further interactions in twos and threes as the game spreads through the League. Robin hears about all this and pesters Batman to teach him to play, and between the two of them at home it basically turns into an extra training exercise, Bruce making use of the 'solve a mystery' aspect woven into most pre-made campaigns to teach Tim some more detective skills (this being the DCAU and not comics continuity)

I might even have Alfred insist on hosting one night, just so he gets to lay eyes on Bruce opening up his walls bit with friends- sorry, *cough*, colleagues. Tim will of course get to join in, and does NOT hesitate to grab the "You Missed!" joke and run with it like the little gremlin he deserves to be. Dick and Babs will be beyond delighted when he lets it slip to them as well >:D

And this is like. Full circle, for me. Rather emotional, when I think about it.

Few years back I was writing a scene for a story in a whole other fandom, and decided the kid main character and his best friend needed to be distracted from ongoing misfortune in the form of a new adult friend teaching them to play a D&D knockoff game. I didn't want to use *actual* Dungeons and Dragons, because where's the fun in that, but I felt I needed some actual Thing to use as reference rather than purely winging it. And thus, Wolfen and Warlocks was born.

Now, rather than making things up as I went along for that fic, I've got the Actual Game to reference, or at least all the materials meant for the first edition of it. Not put together or published, yet, but that's only because I'm still beta testing with the help of various friends - including @yogurtbear242, Player The First who gave the best reactions to unexpected developments and was an all around good sport despite not ever having played a tabletop rpg before, in-person or online:

(Everybody salute Bear for being a wonderful crash test dummy)

And now! I get to put the Justice League's founding members through the same shenanigans!!

Self-indulgence *and* self-promotion at it's finest x)

[mosneakers]

Erwin: ... So yeah. That's why they call themselves the "Mother In Red Association." It's some pretty wild stuff, Robs. It might be a little early to call this, but I think they might just be sitting on a landmine of monumental information.

Robin: Wow, Bella Goth, though? That'd be a pretty big deal if they uncover that one! I'm gonna do some digging of my own. I need to know more about this mysterious organization. Erwin: As long as it's not too stressful for ya. I know there's a lot going on in your life right now. Your mom and grandma uprooting the whole family to Henford-on-Bagley, of all places, to start an animal sanctuary.

Robin: How could I forget? The real Henford-on-Bagley. Not my fictional made up one. What if they're there, you know?[Whispers] My Strange-Grey characters? Can you imagine if my family came across them one day? I could... I could get my magic taken from me!

Erwin: Hey, hey! don't worry about that. If they are there, I'm sure they don't want to be found either. And you wrote them to be clever, so clever they'll be.

Robin: [Sigh of relief] I guess you're right. The point is, I could use this whole M.I.R.A. distraction to help get my mind off everything. Thanks for sharing this with me, babe. [Smiles warmly]

Erwin: No, thanks for letting me share. There was just so much information, I had to tell someone. It'll be nice to go down another rabbithole with you again, kid. [Returns smile] Robin: [Laughs] Well hopefully this one won't end up the same way the last one did.

Erwin: It won't be that- oh shoot! It's almost 3 AM here, and my burner phone is about to die. I should get going. Astro is probably freaking out. Plus I have to work in the morning. The Curio shop won't run itself! I love you Robin. Talk to you tomorrow, k?

[Undead High noises coming from the background of the Sparrow home theatre]

Robin: Love you too Erwin! [Click]

The game allows Robin to accept the new personality trait "Loyal"

Erwin punches in the security code to the Old Penelope front entrance where he's greeted with a burst of excitement from his beloved pup, Astro. Astro jumps and yelps in delight, unable to contain his excitement. Erwin crouches down on the floor and returns his love with pets and cuddles.

Erwin watches his feet carefully, making sure not to trip over Astro on his descent down the stairs. He was so focused on not falling, that it took him a while to notice Coni at the bottom of the stairs, waiting nervously for him.

Erwin: ...Coni?