#I miss going in the woods here with my bes friend in our nightgowns getting bugbites

[rosesnink]

Orc Encounters a Girl

Author's Notes

Last month, I started to talk to a beloved moot whom I've bonded over many things, and while talking decided to write a little something of her iconic MC Raya Parnassus. That's right, I'm talking about the equally iconic @erixadraws !! Getting to know you has been a treat, and I look forward talking to you more and gush about TFOA !! Hope you love this as much as I've loved writing them <3

English isn't my first language, so please forgive any typos or grammar mistakes

If we're moots/friends and you think our Blades MCs could get along, hmu!

If you want to read more of my Blades writings, check out my masterlist!

Likes are nice, but reblogs keeps a post alive!!

Summary: Brienne walks on the beach at night and meets a beautiful woman whom with she has more in common than one may guess

Word Count: 1.0k

Category: Female friendship, girls bonding, platonic ship

Rating: G-Rated

Book: Blades of Light and Shadow

Brienne, being an orc, had always heard legends of the great orc warriors that dominated the seas and were one with the elements of mother earth. Seeing the sea, a great part of her heritage, made her heartbeat go up, a sense of home and belonging that she hadn’t quite felt before.

The moment the group had gone to sleep, Brienne, still with her ivory nightgown on and her hair down, her onyx locks now messy and the funny tingle of the nightly wind on her bulging arms drove her all the way to the sea, to the beach to be exact. Taking off her shoes, she let her fingers dip into the sand, and she sighed, the feeling washing over her like the water licking the sand. Taking a few more steps towards the sea, she inhaled the salty essence, washing over her nostrils and hugging her soul, the mere presence of the sea calming her thoughts.

Then, she felt something bump into her. Brienne reached towards the thing, or more like the person, and caught her by the armpits, steadying her. She looked down, and saw a beautiful human of a remarkable beauty. She had black skin, dark hair and a regular outfit that she saw often in her village.

“Are you alright, miss?”

“Yes,” she had a sweet timbre, and smelled really nice “thank you. I’d hate to go back to the tavern all soggy.”

“I’m pretty sure you would’ve looked lovely nevertheless.” Brienne winked.

The woman smiled “I’m flattered, but I’m afraid my fancies aren’t very… female.”

Brienne chuckled “Understood. Still, I wanted to compliment you. The flirting is just a nice bonus.”

The smaller woman reached out her palm “Raya.”

The orc shook the soft hand that was offered “Brienne.”

They dropped their hands as they walked beside the moving water “What brings you here, Brienne?”

Brienne played with her wood ring “I’m searching for a loved one. He… he went missing.”

Raya looked at her as if she understood the feeling “I’m honestly here for the same reason. It is my first time here, away from home.”

“And where is home, Raya?”

Raya smiled fondly “Riverbend.”

Brienne chuckled “I’m from there too! How come have I not seen you? I don’t think I would’ve missed you.”

Raya teased “Something tells me you’d be harder to miss.”

“Because I’m a big, scary orc?” Brienne teased.

Raya pretended to look at her “Hmm, you look pretty harmless to me.”

“Maybe I’d lure you to my cave and eat you…”

Both women held each other’s gazes for a moment before bursting out laughing, the reflect of the moonlight shining on them both.

“But seriously, how did you end up on Riverbend? I thought all orcs lived in Flotilla, or at least near the sea.”

Brienne shrugged “Ah, well, I suppose my case is rare. All I have from my mother is her old dress and a ruby ring that I wear on special occasions.”

Raya squeezed her arm in compassion “I never knew my mother either. I was raised alongside a foster brother and a grumpy old farmer. What I learned, I learned it from the library and my brother.”

Brienne chuckled fondly “My brother is such a chatterbox. Always coming up with stories and grand tales. It’s… calming. He’s the reason I love reading and the arts. Somehow, he makes it beautiful. Growing up, people told me about those gigantic, ugly orcs that pillaged villages and harmed its citizens, and how lords from Whitetower came into the villages to search for slaves. I felt ugly, and out of place. Until my dear brother told me about this beautiful she-orc that seduced a high-ranking elf, giving him the pleasure no other of his species could achieve, and how she was courted by everyone. The next morning, my foster father brought me a special product for my face and a secret of his late wife that kept her hair silky, even in her illness, and the game changed. I realised that not all of us are pillaging villains or can only be slaves, and that whether orc, elf or human, we all have beauty and a purpose of our own.”

Raya took her hand and gave her a soft smile “Thank you for sharing that with me, Brienne. And to me, you’re really beautiful. I haven’t met many orcs, but you have this beauty that just draws light into any room. Those bullies were just jealous, and I’m glad that you didn’t listen to them.”

Brienne looked away, touched by the sincerity and sweetness of the woman beside her. As they walked in a comfortable silence, feeling the sand between their toes and the soft breeze of the night.

As the path came closer to the city, Raya turned around and asked her “What tavern are you staying in?”

“The Nagoni’s Ruby. Why?”

“That’s me too. I’ll walk you.”

As they walked, Brienne realised that she may not see Raya again. Rummaging through her pockets, until she found it. As they got to the door that separated the beds, Brienne took Raya’s hand and placed the token inside her hand. Raya looked at it: an elephant with a rose. Raya quirked her eyebrows, asking what it was “I love to do art with mud, and this is one of the first things I did. It seemed fit to give it to you.”

Raya smiled, and tiptoed to kiss Brienne’s cheek with a grateful smile “Thank you, dear Brienne. I shall always treasure it.”

Both women embraced and squeezed each other’s arms before going upstairs in different directions, wondering when they’d see each other again.

As Brienne walked to her bedroom, she caught a glimpse of Nia praying. She softly knocked and Nia looked up “Why are you up?”

“Couldn’t sleep. You?”

“I might’ve made a friend.”

Nia smiled softly “Tell me about them.”

“Her name is Raya, and she looks like one of those princesses who thought they were beggars in the books I’ve read…”

[babydoll-stuckingummo]

are you the year of the pig, babe?

[laora-inn]

Supernatural - Some speculations about the last 7 episodes of 15th season

Well, after 2 trailers, episodes descriptions on IMDB and some unfinished plot-lines of SPN story I’d like to share my own speculations. Some of them are definitely wrong. 

Destiel positive, happy end positive, don’t like - don’t read. 

Season 15 | Episode 14. Last Holiday

A filler - that’s how we anime fans call episodes which have no deal with the main plotline, though can contain some interesting moments and nuances. In “Supernatural” these episodes usually have no Cas in them. Sometimes they are very good... but mostly not. They are “just for fun”, and fans enjoy them, because they can be really funny. No angst.

Like this one - no angst, no Cas, a wood nymph who looks like Mary Poppins to me (or Mrs. Marple whatever). Some British origin of the character. 

That’s the episode which shots with Dean in purple nightgown are from (trailer short version).

I suppose the shot with Dean, Sam and Jack flying in the air could also be here from. But maybe not.

I don’t know where Cas may be. His absence should be explained to us in some way. In episode 10th he was missing because of talking to the angels. What’s now? Some preparations for the next Jack's trial? 

In this episode Dean should come closer to Jack’s forgiving.

Season 15 | Episode 15. Gimme Shelter

I have NO IDEA what this episode is about. Maybe the next trial for Jack? Or not?

I think the shot from the last trailer with Cas protecting Jack on the truck bed is from this episode. Also, some tortured person on the bed with the “lust” written above could be from it. 

And what about Sam and Dean? Where are they? 

I think they may have their own journey here, separate from Cas and Jack. Possibly the epic shots with them entering some building are this episode from. Possibly not. 

Season 15 | Episode 16. Drag Me Away (From You)

I don’t like this episode title. It looks like Destiel mocking to me - maybe, I just don’t have enough faith. I want to trust SPN writers but can’t. Somebody help me to believe, we all need that now! :)

THE ONLY episode in ALL THE SHOW except this one that had brackets in the title was 12x12, Stuck in the Middle (With You). Yahoo. 

Obviously, 12x12 was a parody to the Reservoir Dogs, a movie by Quentin Tarantino. Parody in a good sense of this word, but still. The plotline, the scenes (oh, this lunch scene from different points of view!), the scenes’ order, the roles, though changed - all of them. In case you didn’t watch Reservoir Dogs, just go and watch it, and then re-watch 12x12. You will understand. 

"Stuck in the Middle with You" is Stealers Wheel song which was in the OST of this Tarantino’s movie. This allusion should deal with boys’ and Mary relationship - because it’s her who betrayed them involuntarily, and now they are stuck in the middle with her. 

But somehow this episode title also deals with Destiel relationship. Maybe ‘cause that’s Cas who is dying, not Mary. Maybe ‘cause even on his deathbed he doesn’t confess something important - not about his betrayal, there was no one, but about his feelings. He says "I love you”, but then adds “I love all of you”, and Dean is literally stuck in the middle with Cas here. 

Back to the brackets in the episodes titles. Because of them I suppose that 12x12 and 15x16 could be connected. But how exactly?! That’s the question. I want them badly to be connected in Destiel way, but know too little. 

Back then I supposed that Dean could be dying in this episode and it would be his turn to confess something to Cas. But now I don’t know if there will be Cas in this episode at all, I just don’t have enough information. 

I hope he will. 

Btw, the words “Drag Me Away (From You)” are in Toto’s song “Africa”. And in case you didn’t know, in 2018 this song was used for half-an-hour Destiel video made by fan here. It covers ALL the Destiel moments then far. Link for this video is in Supernatural wiki, in the Destiel article. Half an hour, 10 repeats of the song, author’s comment: 

Along the way it stopped being funny and started getting insulting because this has been a literal decade (as of 2018 the vid features seasons 4-13) and the show has explored ALL of the tropes and yet and yet and yet...

I mean the fangirl shipper part of me also loves it. And then I get mad because I love it. I have a very complicated relationship with Supernatural but that's okay.

Have you heard the good news about Tragic Widow Dean?

TLDR: Have a supercut of all the DeanCas stuff set to Toto's Africa.

We can speculate a bit about this fact, but the truth is we know only about young Sam and Dean, who certainly will be in this episode. 

I think shots with Billie talking to Dean from the last trailer also belong to this episode, as well as shots with young Dean with Samulet, who is a ghost now. But these assumptions could be totally wrong. 

What circumstances will take us to the young Sam and Dean? Time travelling? Flashbacks? The parallel world?

Personally I think it will be the third option. Because how the hell young Dean can be a ghost in “our” universe? Unless it’s not Dean, though I doubt it. But if it’s not Dean, it can be a flashback, you know, with the young boys. Yep? 

We’ll wait and see.

I don’t think that Sam’s appreciative words to Dean refer to this episode. 

Also I don’t think Sam is going to sacrifice himself AGAIN (I’ve heard such an opinion). But maybe it’s my hope that makes me think in a wrong way.

Season 15 | Episode 17. Unity

I think some of Chuck’s shots are from this episode. Maybe the red lights in the bunker too. Maybe not. 

There also should be Amara and some angels. I saw Uriel in the cast! Maybe there also be some light lit on the all situation in Heaven now, when Jack made new angels. 

Some interaction between all of them + Sam, Dean, Cas and Jack should take place. Here the shot with sigil could be taken from. 

What side the angels will take? How it happened that Uriel is alive? Was he resurrected by Chuck or Amara? What plans does Amara have, how is she planning to deal with Chuck?

And what’s for Naomi? Will she come back or not? I think she won’t, not in this episode for sure, and I’m already disappointed ‘cause you know, she should be alive. Dumah said she is. For me Naomi is an important figure considering Destiel, and I think she’d be the best Heaven runner. 

All in all, in this episode should happen something that will make Cas happy. I suppose by the end of 15x17 or in the beginning of 15x18 they all will be sure that they have won the game, and Dean will forgive Jack for Mary.

The episode title may refer to angels’, Winchesters’ and Amara unity. 

Season 15 | Episode 18. Despair

Well, in Supernatural wiki I also saw “The Truth” title for this episode. 

Most of us are convinced that in this episode Cas will tell Dean about his deal with the Empty and will be taken by it. I believe the same. 

I think shot with Billie knocking with her hand rotten belongs to this episode. 

I have some doubts, but also think a shot with Dean leaning on Cas is from here. 

I’m sure that “You fought for this whole world” and Dean’s crying scene belong to this episode. ‘Cause you know. Despair. And the truth - about Cas’s deal and possibly about their fake win. 

Billie’s with her scythe and bunker intrusion symbols could also be from here (or from one the previous episodes ends, especially for Billie - as a cliffhanger). And it should be the case for Sam and Jack, I suppose. Because there is no other way for Dean and Cas to face Cas’s deal with just two of them. 

Destiel confession will be here, in more explicit form that it could be in 15x16, because there will be A TALK, but I don’t think we’ll see something real explicit. 

Maybe, Dean’ll say he loves Cas. Maybe not. I’m sure only about the fact that we’ll cry by the end of this episode. And that will be AN UGLY CRYING, just as Jensen said.

Well, maybe there will be a hint that Cas can be brought back, but I think it won’t. So prepare yourselves, my friends. 

Season 15 | Episode 19. Inherit the Earth

Here I think Sam’s appreciative words to Dean are taken from. They are definitely comforting. ‘Cause you know, Cas is dead, Chuck is alive. Possibly Cas was in his way and Chuck erased him by making him believe in their win.

I also think Dean’s crying words “this whole mission, saving the world” belong to this episode and will be in conversation with Sam. 

They still need to fight Chuck, and Jack is still alive. Here Michael will appear and helps. And there is one moment Sergey mentioned in 15x07, about the key to the Death’s library. He even described what it looks like! Cas heard that as well as Eileen. Well, if Cas is taken, then Eileen should return to the Winchesters, maybe with Sam and Jack, or just tell them about this key. 

I don’t know what they are going to do after. Open this library? How? Find how to kill God? Or not? Will they try to save Cas?

I think they will not talk about Cas’s saving. And he will be dead in this episode for sure.

Also I think they’ll deal with God in this episode, one way or another.

Season 15 | Episode 20. Carry On

This is a land of unlimited speculation!

I hope Dean’ll have Cas back by the end of episode. I think Cas’ll save himself from the Empty, ‘cause, you know, he has a big goal there. The Empty tortures all the dead angels and demons, as far as we know. It should be fixed - Cas’s already made a promise to Ruby. And we know that Cas has no problem with ruining something and messing it up - he is basically THE GREAT TRICKSTER of this show. 

Rebelling against Heaven and ruining angels’ plans? Check. Stopping Apocalypse? Check. Opening Purgatory? Check. Becoming a new God? Check. Bringing the Leviathans? Check. Casting all the angels out of Heaven and burning their wings? Check. Becoming human? Check. Becoming an angel by devouring other angels’ grace? Check. Getting an army of angels? Check. Giving up this army for one human? Check. Kidnapping angels’ prisoner? Check. Letting Lucifer in? Check. Helping “an abomination”, Devil’s son, to be born? Check. Annoying Empty so much that it brought him back to life? Check. Making a deal with the Empty? Check. 

It’s very dangerous to mess with Cas, you just don’t know what he could do for the greater good, and yep, in some way Dean was right when he said that Cas is “something that’s always going wrong”. So I think the Empty is in trouble here, not vice versa.  

Also, there is one more thing that bothers me. When Nick in 14th season was praying to Lucifer, he woke him up in the Empty. Theoretically, Lucifer can be awake by now. It could be a dead end, but still. Lucifer’s “true face” is similar to the Empty’s, sooo... 

I don’t know what to think about it and the fact that Nick could reach Lucifer and return him from the Empty, so let’s move on.  

I hope for the happy end for Sam (maybe with Eileen) and for all the hunters we know. They are family. 

NO MCD here! If someone’ll die - they shouldn’t be Sam, Dean or Cas. I don’t want to see Eileen’s death either. I don’t know what about Jack. I don’t want him to die, but he is 100% supernatural being, and I am not sure what it means for him to die. 

Monsters should stay, hunters should hunt them. We’ll see that the “family business” thrives.    

There should be an order on the all levels - in Heaven, Hell and on Earth. There should be the new Death - of they should return Billie. Rowena running the Hell would be perfect. Wonder if Naomi could run Heaven. Maybe it will be Chuck? If he will be redeemed. Or Michael. 

I don’t know what’s for the Empty and Amara. 

I don’t know what the end for Jack will be. I’d like he will be alive, but I just don’t know. He can’t be a human. That will be right thing for Cas, but not for Jack. 

I hope for Destiel endgame, as well as for Sam/Eileen. Cas should become a human, maybe, with some supernatural skills left.   

I doubt that we have proper scenes of these ships together or Cas’ humanity. Just hints. But they can be very obvious - especially if we’ll see Dean’s reaction to Cas’s returning. 

So, I hope to see them. 

But, as I said, it's a land of unlimited speculation. We’ll wait and see. 

What else should be resolved:

- Kevin can’t stay a ghost! It’s my main point here. He also can’t go to Hell. What will happen with him and in which episode? I don’t know. I just hope they won’t forget about him. 

- There is the shot with Bobby from? 15x20? He should be somewhere. 

- Also, there should be Charlie in this season unless something’s changed. Where is she?

- What are they going to do with alternative!Winchesters from 15x13? They will rest? They will make another HunterCorp? They will be gone?! Come on, something needs to be done with them! Of course, they are not so important here, so the writers can forget about them, but still, I’m interested.

What am I going to do:

I'm going to watch all the last episodes of the season. AND THEN, if there will be no happy end for the Winchester boys and Cas won’t be with them, I'm going to rebel. :) In every possible way - petitions, letters, actions etc. We are grown-up people here. We can fight for our rights, and it's my crucial right - to be happy about my favorite show ending. :) 

__________________

Feel free to ask me anything or to comment. My ask is working!

[harryspet]

A Wife’s Duty [2] h.s.

[Warnings] a f’d up fanfic based on the handmaid’s tale, commander x wife, harry styles x named oc, noncon spanking, abuse, verbal abuse

In which Harry establishes her place in his home.

check out my my #masterlist for part one!

Like, reblog and let me know what you think!

Part of her felt violated. Like Harry had reached into the darkest part of her mind. Of her soul. She thought she’d feel clean and rejuvenated with the Lord’s spirit after consummating her marriage with her husband. Instead, she felt dirty. Dirty for letting someone touch her in that way and dirty for feeling so much pleasure from it.

The next morning, Harry was not lying beside her. She debated continuing to lie in bed but the sun was already up and she didn’t yet know what would be expected of her here. She didn’t want to make a bad impression by rising too late. 

She found clothes waiting for her on the dresser, most likely laid out by Imogene. She carried them to the bathroom and as she glanced at herself, she noticed how disheveled she was. Her hair was a wild mess, her nightgown was riding all the way up, and bruises decorated her waist and thighs. Her neck was bright red and, as she lifted her gown, she noticed her neck was too. 

He might as well have given her tattoos. 

She frowned at herself. Had he really held her that hard? She wondered if she had left any marks on him.

Last night, Harry was an animal and she was the sacrificial lamb that was thrown into his cave. The moment was only awkward on her end and it made her wonder how many times he had done something like that with another girl. He had her first kiss and virginity. What did she have from him?

Ember showered and dressed in a cream-colored knee-length skirt and a pastel blue sweater. She wondered if it is a turtle neck was a coincidence. Either way, she was grateful because she didn’t feel like parading around her new home like a common whore. No matter how Harry treated her. 

In a pair of beige flats, she headed down the stairs, once again staring at that beautiful chandelier. 

The aroma of cooking breakfast filled the air and she followed it to where Harry showed her husband was in the dining room. At the head of the table sat her husband, eyes focused on the newspaper in front of him. There was a placement sad beside him so she assumed it was for her but, still, she stood in the entrance waiting for him to acknowledge her. 

It seemed he was already done with his breakfast, toast crumbs sitting on his plate and his coffee cup empty. He looked over his newspaper and his eyes raked over the girl in front of him. His wife. Newly deflowered, “Are you not hungry?” He asked, expectantly. 

She blushed. Gosh, it seemed like she couldn’t make any of the right moves with him. She walked over to the seat beside him and pulled out the chair before sitting down, “I’m sorry for being late,” She folded her napkin neatly on her lap. 

“I’m just early,” He spoke concisely as Imogen appeared to say good morning and to refill Harry’s cup of coffee. Ember smiled at the older woman and, despite how she felt like a new person from yesterday, the woman returned her warm smile. 

There was lots of food spread over the table, more than both of them could probably eat. She hoped it wasn’t going to waste. Still, she filled her plate and began to fill the hole in her stomach. 

“Alec is out back,” Imogene spoke to Harry who didn’t even lift his head from his newspaper, “It seems our new little filly is a bit of a handful. But she seems playful.”

“Tell him I’ll be out in a moment,” Imogene only nodded. 

Swallowing a piece of bacon, Ember looked to Harry, “A filly?”

“Yes,” He looked up to see she was still confused and sighed, “A baby horse. A girl.”

Ember’s eyes seemed to widen a bit, “You have a baby horse?” 

He began to fold his newspaper, “I have several horses. But you, Ember, have a baby horse,” She almost choked on her food. 

“I-I what?”

“A wedding present from my uncle. She was born three weeks ago,” Ember blinked, eyes wide. She smiled but part of her was scared of smiling. Smiling meant she was okay with this. Smiling meant she was accepting a future here, “I’m assuming you’re happy about it.”

Ember nodded, “Yes, of course. No one’s ever gotten me . . . anything before. Let alone a horse. I cannot wait to meet your uncle, he seems like a kind man.”

Harry didn’t comment on that and she couldn’t read his eyes for a sign of anything. He was really good at hiding things. 

“Who is Alec?” Ember asked next. 

Harry frowned before taking a sip of his coffee, “He tends to the land and the animals. You can meet him after breakfast. If you finish anytime soon,” With that, she stopped talking and finished the rest of her plate. 

+

Ember named her Blue. She wasn’t blue. She was blonde actually but she liked the name and neither Harry nor Alec protested it. She stood behind a tall white fence, watching Alec, as he played with the filly. She was still very wild, running away when she called him and biting at him when he got too close. 

Alec was handsome with reddish-brown hair, freckles that decorated his nose and a nice smile. He seemed like someone she might’ve been friends with if she hadn’t been shipped off to Haynes Girls Reformatory at such an early age. There were no boys there, she almost felt weird when Alec was so nice to her. 

Alec led the baby horse closer to us, “Here, you can pet her, Ember. I’ll put my hand down to show her it’s okay and then you can touch the same spot, okay?” She nodded eagerly. 

A quick glance at Harry showed he was hesitant but Ember was too excited to care. She reached over the fence to place a hand on the filly, right where Alec’s had been, and gave her a soft pat, “See, she likes you, you’ll be riding her in no time.”

“I can ride her?” She looked at Alec with a childlike wonder. 

“When she’s much older and trained. And after you’re trained too Ember,” Harry interjected. Her smile fell a little bit but she just continued to pet the horse. 

+

I didn’t seem like Harry wanted to stick around for much longer after that. He escorted her back to the house, she waved goodbye to Alec, and he went off to do whatever the Commander's did. She thought she should be more curious about what he does but, honestly, it was the last thing on her mind. 

She didn’t understand how the man could go from making her claim she was his to being cold and distant. She was more curious about the man beneath the mask of the Commander. 

She found a small library on the second floor, each wall covered in a giant oak bookcase and a comfortable seating area by the window. She simply picked a book, a classic one that would make her look smart in front of whatever posh people Harry associated with. She unleashed the tight bun her hair was in and relaxed. A hundred pages later and she was dozing off. 

She awoke to a car pulling in front of the home. Harry was back from the meeting with the guy on the phone from yesterday, she assumed. She was about to begin another hundred pages when a thunderous boom roared through the house, the slamming of a door.

Ember sat up from her spot, shutting her book slowly, before going to peak out the door. She can hear that downstairs Harry was yelling about something and Imogene was trying to calm him. He spoke some cursed words and Ember wondered how he could speak that way in front of such a nice woman. 

Ember left the room, tiptoeing downstairs so she could see what was going on. 

“What do they want from me, huh? To roll over like a dog! I sit on committees, I run campaigns, I go to their charity fundraisers, hell, I even got fucking married. And the comments keep coming. They won’t ever stop!”

“Harry, please, if you don’t go along with them-”

“I know, I know. Political suicide. It’s not what my mother would have wanted, I know. I fucking know-”

Ember rounded the corner into the kitchen, “You shouldn’t speak to her that way,” The words left Ember’s lips before she could stop them. His eyes narrowed her and even Imogene seemed to freeze. 

“What did you say?” Harry seemed to snarl, taking a step closer to her.

“I-I mean … I-I wanted to help. I understand that you’re angry, Harry-”

“Commander,” he interrupted with venom in his tone, “I’m your Commander. You will address me as such. You will not help because you know nothing. You will not even take a single breath unless I approve it. And you’ll return to your room without another word, Ember.” He wasn’t shouting anymore though she felt a pounding in her ears. What was she to do? He looked like he was going to explode at any moment. 

Her eyes began to well up with tears and she turned to walk away. She covered her mouth, trying to hold in a sob, as she hurried up the stairs.

+

Imogene was not the one who gave her the information that she was being summoned to Harry’s study. It was a younger servant, one who had a scar over her left eyes that told me that it was missing. She wondered who had been able to hurt a young girl in that way. 

His study was opposite the library and two giant dark wood doors separated it from the rest of the house. Ember knocked with a trembling hand and she heard him murmur to come inside. 

Ember slipped inside, her head so low that she couldn’t even take in the vast room. She felt her eyes on him and she shook even more. 

He sighed, “You think I’m a monster, don’t you?” It wasn’t really phrased as a question. 

“No, Commander,” she lied. 

“Imogene thinks I am. Half of one at least. She’s understanding of my moods. She raised me so she’s accustomed to it. My intention was not to disrespect her and she knows that “Ember was quiet. Maybe that kind smile she received from Imogene meant more than she originally thought. The woman probably knew there were bruises beneath my sweater, “If there’s one thing you need to know about me, Ember, is that I do care. A lot. Imogene and Alec were all I had. And now that you’re here, I assume we will get to that place too.”

He was pacing in front of her and her eyes were now on his black shoes, “I also care about my family and, this is the life they wanted for me, so I will respect that. I care about having a favorable view in the eyes of my constituents and fellow commanders. To do that I need to have control in my city but also in my own home. You have duties as my wife and one of them is to not overstep me.”

“I’m sorry,” Ember whispered, the words barely audible. 

“You will be,” He spoke as he grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at him, before dragging her over to a leather couch. He sat down before rustling her small body over his knee. He held her upper body down with his elbow as he lifted her skirt and lowered her panties, “You’ll make it worse if you squirm.”

Only five seconds later she had gone rigid as she realized she didn’t want things to get worse. 

His palm ran over her bare bottom as he said, “I could’ve used my belt,” she flinched, “And I could’ve made Imogene and Alec watch since their members of this household. Consider yourself lucky that I’m giving you a chance.”

She whimpered and he only hit her bottom hard, “Say thank you.”

“Thank you!” She rushed out before quickly adding, “Thank you, Commander.” 

“I’ll only give you ten if you can be a good girl and thank me for each one.”

She nodded quickly before saying, “I’ll be good, Commander.”

And then it really began. 

One. “Thank you, Commander.”

...

Three. “Thank you, Commander.”

...

Seven. “T-Thank y-you, Commander.”

...

Ten. “Thank you, Commander! Please, please, please, stop!”

He sighed, lifting her underwear, before pulling the sobbing girl into his chest. She had nowhere to go, no other source of comfort so she held him tightly. 

She was convinced that he would have little problems from her seeing as she could barely handle ten from his hand. Threatening the belt would be very effective. 

He let the girl soak his white t-shirt with her tears as he ran a soothing hand down her back and fingers through her hair, “You’re mine, Ember, through good and bad behavior. In the end, I’m still going to be here,” Ember simply closed her eyes and welcomed the silence.

My request are open! Part 3 of this series is already posted!

[rainydaydream-gal18]

Steve Rogers x Reader: The Nutcracker (AU) Part 2

Log cabins came into view.  Steve led you to a particularly large on.  Despite being covered in snow, you could make out the word “inn” on the hanging sign out front.  Steve opened the door and stepped aside so you could trudge in first. 

   Warmth surrounded you as you entered, and you almost wanted to cry. There was a cozy fire in a stone fireplace just as you had imagined.  There were several vintage chairs with floral-patterned cloth perched around it.  A woman from behind the counter approached.

   “Hey, are you okay?” she asked, concern etched on her face.  She was wearing an old brown dress with a tan apron - sort of like a maid- and had a bonnet over her red hair.  Despite this garb, when you looked up at her face, you recognized her.  She looked over at your traveling companion.  

   “What did you do, Steve?”

   “Well, Nat, it’s a long story…” He sighed.  “The Mouse King found me, and there wasn’t much I could do to leave her out of it.  We were transported back to the Kingdom miles away from any shelter.”

   “Who is she anyway?” Natasha, also known by many as Black Widow, asked. She knelt down to help remove your icy slippers.

   “She lives in the Other Place.”

   “Wow, I know you were on the run, but I didn’t think you’d go that far,” Natasha said.  “Anyway,” she looked at you.  “You don’t have to worry.  You’re safe here.”

   “Thank you,” you replied with a smile.

   Natasha had a few other ladies who presumably worked at the inn run and fetch some dry clothes and some tea while she led you upstairs to a room where you could change.  Before long, you were given a cozy nightgown and shawl and a new pair of slippers.

   “Go ahead and make yourself comfortable by the fire,” Natasha told you. “Someone will be by with tea.”

   “Thank you so much,” you replied.  “Is there anything I can do?  To pay you back?”

   She cracked a smile.  “Pay us back? Absolutely not.  Anything for a friend of the rightful princ-”

   Suddenly, Steven coughed quite loudly.  You and Natasha looked at him, and he coughed again, but seemed to be giving Natasha a look.  You had no idea what was going on, but you elected to ignore it.

   You took a seat in one of the chairs near the fire.  There were no other guests around, probably since it was so late.  You were sort of glad to be able to enjoy the fire without weird stares.  Another woman wearing the same uniform as Natasha came over with a cup of tea.

   “Thank you,” you told her gratefully.  Oh my cannoli, she looked like Shield Agent Maria Hill.  

   “No problem,” she replied.

   The teacup was very charming with lovely flowers along the outside.  It was the ultimate cozy scene, and you could even glance out the window and see the blizzard roaring outside in the dark.

   Steve and Natasha were talking in hushed voices near the front counter.  A small part of you was curious about all the secrecy, but you figured this was Natasha Romanoff.  She wasn’t exactly Nick Fury, but you were sure her secrets have secrets.  The other part of you didn’t care at all; you just wanted sleep.  It had been quite a night.  You set the cup of tea down beside the chair and curled up with your blanket and shawl.

    “___________.”

   Someone was talking to you… But ugh, you were so tired.

   “____________, you have to get up.”  It was Steve.  You opened your eyes, blinking from the bright sunlight, and saw your nutcracker standing in front of you with one of his wooden hands on your shoulder.

   Oh, so none of that craziness last night was a dream after all.

   “What?” you yawned.  “What’s going on?”

   “The Mouse King and his minions are on their way.  They’ll be here any minute.  You and I need to hide.”  He took your hand and helped you to your feet.  “If he finds us here, we’ll be arrested on the spot.  And trust me, we do not want to be arrested by this guy.”

   “You don’t have to tell me twice.”  You yawned again.

   Natasha hurried over.  “We’ve got a place for you to hide.  If you’re quiet enough, they won’t find you.”

   “Thanks, Nat. I’m sorry about this…”

   “Shut your star-spangled mouth, Steve.  We’ll always be here for you no matter what.  Now, hurry up and hide.”  She pulled back the boards on the one wall to reveal a compartment.  It might be close quarters, but it would fit you and Steve.

   “Ladies first,” Steve said.  

   “Ever the gentleman,” you joked, climbing in.  You squeezed against the side as much as you could to make room for the nutcracker.  He got in, and Natasha put the boards back in place, leaving you in darkness.  “Well, this is cozy.”

   Despite the tense situation, Steve chuckled.  “Glad you’re enjoying yourself.”

   “Oh yes, it’s always been my dream to be squished in a secret compartment fearing for my life.”

   At that, Steve went quiet.

   “Hey,” you nudged him, to no avail since he was made of wood.  “It’s alright, really.”

   “No, it’s not,” he said.  “It seems wherever I go, I bring danger.  It’s why I ran away from the kingdom in the first place.  I went so far where I thought no one would find me.  But somehow after meeting you I ended up back here again.”

   “Oh, well, I’m sorry.”  His comment sort of stung.  It made you feel that you were the reason this happened.  You were just minding your own business at your grandparents’ house until he stumbled in your life!  “Why did you rescue me, then? If it was going to be a big problem?”

   “I didn’t mean it like that, __________.”

   “Well, it kind of sounded like it.”

   Steve grew quiet again, and you wondered if the two of you would speak again for a while.  This was quite a side of Captain America and his character…how troubled he was in his concern for others and how his actions affect them.

   “I rescued you for a few reasons,” he spoke up.  “One; because I couldn’t let the Mouse King hurt anyone. And two; there’s just something special about you.”

   You wanted to laugh.  “Me? Special?”

   “Yes,” Steve looked at you.  “Remember when your brother broke me?  When he told you he’d replace me, you said that you don’t give up on people just because they’re broken? That was the most beautiful thing I’ve heard.”

   Your cheeks grew warm.  “You heard all that?”

   Steve chuckled softly.  “Yes.”

   “All of it?”

   “Yep.  Apparently you think I’m hot?”

   “Oh my gosh…I wish I was invisible right now.”

   Just then, there was a sound of someone shushing you from the inn lobby. Most likely Natasha.  How convenient for you.

   “He’s here,” she said quietly.

   The front door flew open violently, and chitauri let out screeches as they entered.  The footsteps of the Mouse King were last to enter.

   “Greetings,” he said.  “Have any of you fine citizens seen a nutcracker and a woman come through here?”

   “No,” Natasha replied calmly.  “Nothing like that around here, unless you mean that nutcracker over on the shelf.”

   There was as sly chuckle.  “I suppose you think you’re very amusing.  Well, unfortunately, I am not in the gaming mood.  This is the town closest from where the nutcracker and girl were transported.  They’d have to be quite unintelligent not to have come here.”

   “Nutcrackers are made of wood.  I’m sure he was lacking a brain,” Natasha shot back.  “Because we haven’t seen anyone with that description. Right, Maria?”

   “That’s right.”

   It grew silent for a few, and then there was the sound of wood being broken. Glass shattered.  Books fell off a shelf.  

   The chitauri were tearing the place apart, probably looking for you and Steve.  You had to keep from crying out when a chitauri broke something near the secret compartment.  Steve could probably tell because he put an arm around you.  Fortunately, none of them found the compartment in the wall.

   In fact, it wasn’t too long after the chitauri searched upstairs that they left. The Mouse King bid the ladies good day and left the place a wreck.  Natasha opened up the boards so you and Steve could climb out shortly after.

   “That was messed up.”  You shook your head.  “I’m sorry about the inn, Natasha.”

   “It’s alright,” she commented with a smirk.  “It was getting pretty boring around here anyway.  I’m just glad The Mouse King didn’t recognize any of us.”

   “Recognize you?” you repeated.

   “Indeed,” a new voice joined the conversation.  There he was.  The big guy himself.  Nick Fury. “Things would have gotten….interesting, to say the least.”

   “Wait, what’s going on?” you asked.  “I feel like I’m missing something.”

   “___________, this is Fury,” Steve informed.  “He is Captain of the elite force known as Shield.  It’s his job, and all of these fine ladies and gentleman who you’ve seen around the inn, to guard the, uh Prince.”

   “Since the Mouse King took over, we had to go into hiding.  I became owner of this inn to help him go into hiding,” Fury explained, gesturing to Steve.  “And we provide assistance to anyone who resists the Mouse King’s rule.”

   “Wow, that’s just…wow.  I’m officially amazed.”  

   Fury folded his arms, turning to the nutcracker.  “So, your highne-”

   “Steve.”

   “Steve,” Fury echoed with a touch of sass.  “What brings you back to the Royal Garden Inn?”

   “Well, I had a run-in with the Mouse King.  __________ here helped me, and the Mouse King shrunk her down from her normal size.  I brought her here to find the Sugarplum Princess who will change her back, and maybe change me back from a nutcracker.”

   “The Sugarplum Princess?” Fury echoed, raising a brow.  To be completely honest, it was hilarious to hear Fury say that.   “The Sugarplum Princess is said to be a myth,” he continued, so serious.  You covered your mouth to stifle a laugh, and he looked at you with his one good eye.  “Something funny?”

   “No, Sir.  Please continue.”

   “Anyway, the Sugarplum Princess is a myth, but if she did exist, our records indicate she’d be on an island across the frozen lake.  It’s quite a journey.  Not to mention you are on the Mouse King’s ‘most wanted’ list.”

   “I know, but what choice do I have?” Steve questioned.  “__________ and I can’t stay like this forever.  She belongs at home with her family.  She can’t do that if she’s not even a foot tall in her world.”

   “Understood.”  Fury nodded. “We can give you some supplies, and I’ll send one of my best with you.  Romanoff?  You up for a mission to find some Sugarplum chick who may not exist?”

   Natasha shrugged.  “Sure thing.”

   “Then it’s settled.  Hill, make the preparations.”

   Maria nodded and hurried away.  

PART 3

[kitkatwinchester]

So...considering we’re on the home stretch of the greatest show of all time--a show that has been a huge part of my life for the last eight years--I figured now was probably a good time to start doing reactions and reviews. I’ve seen a lot of Tumblrs do this, and I want to join in on that.

So basically, I’m gonna start by just doing a bullet point list of reactions as I go. Fair warning, I get very excited and very into this show, so the list’ll probably be pretty long. But hopefully you enjoy it! And, even if you don’t, this gives me something to look back on years down the line. XD

Also, my mom is watching it with me, so I might include some of her reactions/our discussion in my list too!

And, because I can, at the end of all of it, I’ll give a much more concise review/reaction based on how I feel after the whole episode’s over. Because why not. XD

Enjoy my watching! XD <3

Oh we’re starting!

...did I miss the “then” title card?

Oh wait there it is.

Dude we’re going FAR back on this “then”. I wonder what that means?

My poor baby crying again. :(

DEAN’S APRON OH MY GOD I’M DEAD! XD XD <3 <3

“It was. In the 50s.” Point taken.

My poor baby. :( :( :( :(

Oh so killing Amara is officially a plan? Okay then.

“I’ve killed Hitler.” I can’t believe he’s still talking about that! XD

Actually I can believe he’s still talking about it, I take that back.

DEAN WITH THE MARIO BROTHERS OMG!!

Okay, I know this episode has something to do with them celebrating holidays because of a fairy or nymph or something like that, and this is already feeling like a light-hearted, fun, domestic Winchesters episode. I hope it stays that way. <3

Have you tried turning it back off and turning it on again? Hit reset.

HE READ MY MIND!

MEAT MAN!! XD XD

Ummm...okay then.

Also SCOOBY-DOO UNDIES!!! DEAN YOU DORK!! XD XD <3

In case you haven’t figured it out yet, Jack is my favorite and Dean is my second-favorite.

“Language!” “That’s it I’m getting my gun.” XD XD

I can already tell that so many of my reactions are probably just gonna be me quoting and then laughing. XD

They don’t seem very concerned? Shouldn’t random people not be able to get in?

This lady is such a mom omg.

Mrs. Butters? XD

Wood nymph. Got it.

“Shouldn’t you be in the woods somewhere? Nymphing?” XD XD (P.S. That was my mom’s favorite line in this episode. XD)

You what now?

Necessities of life?

Hmmm….I like her, but she weirds me out. Something is off.

Dean’s “oof that’s awkward” face. XD

“2020.” Hearing that year said out loud just feels...oof. Just oof.

Poor nymph…

Wait, haven’t we seen those symbols before? Maybe I’m making that up.

HA! “It’s kind of been one apocalypse after the other.” He’s not kidding.

OOOOH!! HERE COME THE HOLIDAYS!!!

WAIT WHAT IS THAT TELESCOPE THING?

WAIT WAIT WAIT WHAT??!! A MONSTER radar??!! Dude WHAT?! Man, they’ve needed something like that for YEARS!

Wait wait wait...relatively nearby….it’s not gonna ping because of Jack is it?? SHE’S NOT GONNA HURT JACK IS SHE??!!

Oh okay nevermind. Just a vamp nest.

Say what now?

We can...that just...umm...okay then??

“Heck...heck yeah.” XD XD XD

Yeah I’m with Sam on this one. She seems innocent, but, like…

Dean does have a point though.

But also things like this never last. It’s too good to be true.

MY BABY!!!

“She’s probably harmless, but just in case, watch yourself”?? Dean that was a terrible way to do that but okay.

Snickerdoodles. XD

My poor baby looks so lost. :(

I mean...Dean makes a good point there. But also the son of Satan is adorable and she’s suspicious. But anyways.

“Ignoring your trauma doesn’t make you healthy.” SOMEONE FINALLY SAID IT OMG!!! XD XD XD <3 <3 <3 <3

...Jack is hiding something? IS JACK HIDING SOMETHING?!

...do we know what Jack is hiding??

The only thing I can think of is that he knows about Cas’s deal with the empty, but he had a soul when that happened, and it wasn’t really eating at him then. Is it eating at him more now for some reason??

IS JACK HIDING SOMETHING??!!

Jesus christ this is gonna bother me…

Okay but when has that ever actually worked, Dean?

Awww….

I’m guessing they didn’t tell her he’s a nephilim? If they don’t really trust her--which they don’t--they shouldn’t. Is there a chance she knows already? I feel like she wouldn’t be acting like that if she did.

Vamps watching a movie with vamps. Classy. XD

...ew…

At least they’re drinking from bags instead of from humans I guess?

Nice slicing at the same time, boys.

Huh. Well. That was easy. Too easy?

CHRISTMAS! XD <3

THE TRAIN OMG!! XD XD <3 <3

Their faces. XD

HER DANCE!

Okay she’s kind of adorable not gonna lie.

“We are so keeping her.” XD XD

DEAN’S LITTLE EXCITED HANDS ON THE RAILING OMG I’M DEAD!! XD XD <3 <3 <3

If I can’t get adorable Jack right now, I’m okay with adorable Dean. XD <3 <3

Sam is still suspicious, but Dean is totally into it.

“Enjoy the world you’re fighting for.” That was really quick and so subtle, but d*mn that’s a good line.

MY BABY!!!!

HIIIII JACK!!! I MIIIIISSSSSED YOOOOOUUU!!! <3 <3 <3

Uh-oh. I don’t like the way she said “what are you”. DON’T YOU DARE TOUCH MY BABY!!!

“He’s a millennial.” XD XD

DEAN IN THAT NIGHTGOWN OMG!!! I know it was in the promo photos, but seeing it in the context of the episode is even funnier. XD

Sam’s gagging at his bro’s “down there” bits lol.

Oof. She is VERY absentminded by Jack and whatever he is. No likey.

...hmm. I still don’t trust her with Jack.

“Poppycock”???

HA!! “I’m worried about your cholesterol.”

And Sam and Jack’s little smiles at that omg. <3 <3 <3

“We got one!” IS THAT A HILLYWOOD PARODY REFERENCE/GHOSTBUSTER REFERENCE??!! Because IT FEELS LIKE ONE!!!

The way they’re running to their rooms to get ready omg.

And that cut to them being dressed and going.

LUNCHES!! XD

Their faces! XD

The cinematography in this episode is AWESOME. Go Serge Ladouceur (and yes, I looked that name up. XD)

No crusts. Blessed knives. “I just waxed it.” She IS a mom!

Wait no. Take Jack with you. I don’t trust her with him.

“What shall we do with you.” LEAVE HIM ALONE IS WHAT!

Oh. They’re doing dishes.

WAIT DON’T TELL HER THAT JACK!

...I don’t like the way she’s talking to him.

Oof. Mary. *gags*

Jack you’re adorable and I love you but please stop being so gullible and stop sharing so much personal information.

WAIT NO! I know you feel guilty, but DON’T TELL HER YOU KILLED HER!

...dangat.

...oh. That was actually super sweet, and honestly the EXACT thing Jack needed to hear. ...maybe she’s not so bad?

...wait what? She just...pulls those out of thin air?

Ha! Another hunt

THEIR FACES WITH THE LUNCHES! ESPECIALLY DEAN’S!! XD

Aww! Thanksgiving! <3

Where is Cas during all this? Talking to his angel friends I guess?

That finger gun at Sam omg.

It’s so EASY for them wow.

Halloween! Fitting given our current season.

Their little smiles awww!!

THE BEERS TOGETHER HOLY FRICK!!! IT’S JUST LIKE WHAT TEAM FREE WILL 2.0 DID WHEN JACK CAME BACK! AND what the boys and Mary and John did in Lebanon! NEVER GETS OLD!! I LOVE THIS FAMILY!! <3 <3

...I still don’t necessarily trust Mrs. Butters. BUT I LOVE SAM AND DEAN AND JACK!

Those faces for the lunches just get better and better.

GRENADE LAUNCHER!!

MJOLNIR OMG NO WAY!!! I CAN’T BELIEVE HE STILL HAS IT!!! THIS EPISODE HAS SO MANY EASTER EGGS OMG!!! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Also that is an AWESOME shot.

BIRTHDAY!! Awww… <3 <3

OOF. Poor Dean. XD

Jack’s laugh and then immediately being like “oop” and bringing his head down but still chuckling when Dean glares at him I CAN’T. XD XD

I LOVE THIS FAMILY!! <3 <3 <3

AWW!! She made extra for him!

Okay, I like her. But I’m still cautious.

Oh. THERE it is.

What’s she doing??

Jack’s got you lady.

My mom is wondering why she has to walk away to make another smoothie when before she was just producing them. I’m wondering if maybe she has to near the ingredients to whip it into a smoothie magically, but that seems weird...continuity error?

Get her, Jack. My smart boi. <3 <3

My Mom: “You better hurry it up there, Jack.”

Oh it’s evil Men of Letters dude. NOW I get why we went that far back.

Oh! AND the Thule. NOW I get why Dean mentioned killing Hitler again. Wow. Nice connections on this episode all around. Go writers.

...she did what now?

WTF??!!

HOLY FRICK!!!

HOLY S*** HOLY S*** HOLY S***!!!

Do NOT ask about tea or cookies after you just pulled sh** like that.

On a more positive note, the way Jack just said “son of a bitch” out of nowhere like that is so adorable because he, like, NEVER swears, but also that’s Dean’s saying and it just proves that he’s taking after his dads and just already growing up and AHHHH I LOVE HIM!!! <3 <3 <3 <3

Also Jack please go tell your dads what you found.

Okay so during the commercial break, my mom and I looked up wood nymphs and had this big discussion and here’s kind of what we came up with:

So we were trying to figure out if wood nymphs are supposedly evil, and we didn’t find much, but they do have super strength (which explains her ability to rip off that dude’s head…), and the ability to control wood and nature, which might explain why she can pull smoothies out of thin air.

So then we saw on the SPN Wiki page for this episode that part of the description mentions that the wood nymph would do anything for her family, and that makes me wonder if she has, like, ulterior motives to protect her wood nymph family? But also, she said the Men of Letters were her family, so that translates to Sam and Dean now, right? So theoretically, she wouldn’t hurt them, she’d be trying to protect them. Which means they should be fine, because she only hurts threats. But then my mom pointed out that maybe she considers Jack a threat and that’s a really good point, so now I’m worried all over again. She’s still acting weird with him, and even though I did like that little advice she gave about second chances, maybe it’s all an act? My mom thinks she, like, poisoned his sandwich or something with anti-nephilim juice in order to try to hurt him, but that was before she knew he was a nephilim, right? I don’t know. I think my mom makes a really good point. I hope my baby winds up being okay. :(

Okay. Back to the episode now. 

Ahhhhhhhh noooooo. Where are the boys when we need them?

Wait, DATE?? EILEEN??!!

No. He isn’t. Go away.

Sam look at yoooooooouuuu. <3

But also please take a moment to notice how uncomfortable your son is and ask him what’s wrong please and thank you. (And yes, I will keep saying son thank you very much.)

Ha! She wants him to get a haircut just like Dean does. The joke’s about Sam’s (and, by extension, Jared’s) hair will never not be funny.

Ha! “Language.”

YES!! EILEEN!!!

YES SAM!! GO GET YOUR GIRL!!

DEAN! XD

Okay the Sam and Eileen thing is adorable, and Sam and Dean’s banter is hilarious, but guys...look at your son please and thank you. :(

I’m so torn between wanting Sam to just be happy and enjoy himself and wanting him to help Jack ahhhhhh.

Sam can go on his date. I’m sure Dean can handle it.

Roses! Nice touch.

Ha! Dean with the supportive big bro action.

Such. A. Mom.

“Boys.”

Wait nooooooo.

Okay but Alex’s acting right there...tip top. So subtle. Jack is trying so hard to be sneaky and warn Dean about what he saw, and the way Alex is conveying pure panic but also showing how sneaky he’s being is AWESOME.

Also that little “sh*t” or “da**it” or whatever it was that he mouthed? Somehow so cute and makes me so worried at the same time.

“The Dean Cave”?? XD XD

Dean I am BEGGING YOU, please take a cursory glance at your son.

...da**it...

The subtitles say “suspenseful music plays” XD XD

Wait Jack noooo. Don’t go after her alone! Chase Dean instead!!

NOOO!! NOT IN THERE!!!

She’s totally gonna trap him in there.

...what?

She’s being so condescending shut the fudge up.

What? No.

Does he still not have a soul? Is that what he’s hiding? That wouldn’t make sense.

Oh wait. I get it now.

HE IS NOT!!! SHUT THE FUDGE UP LADY!!

LADY STOOOOOP! HE DOESN’T NEED YOUR SH**!! HE ALREADY FEELS GUILTY WOULD YOU QUIT IT??!! :’( :’( :’( :’(

HEY! NOT COOL!

I HOPE SOMEONE RIPS YOUR HEAD OFF B***H!!

They’re not. They know he won’t now.

SHUT UP LADY!!

HEY!!! STOP IT!!! LEAVE HIM ALONE!!!

TAKE HER DOWN JACK!!!

He IS family!

...ummm...what??

GOD DA**IT!!

...my mom literally just said “told you so” about the poisoning. ...which also explains why she walked away to make another smoothie, because she WANTED him to find the video, says my mom. And yes, my mom was right, AND I HATE IT!! SCREW YOU LADY!! LEAVE MY BABY ALONE!!

It IS safe you B**CH!!

HE’S NOT A MONSTER!!! :’( :’( :’(

DA**IT!! DEAN PLEASE DO SOMETHING!!

Ha! He’s so excited about the sandwich and it’s adorable.

But also save your son!!

...wait what?

She’s...she’s really just gonna out herself like that?

Ha! YES!

Aww...Dean’s so disappointed. :(

BUT! He’s sticking up for his son! Because even if he’s mad at him for everything that happened to Mary (but also get over it, because she sucked anyways, Dean XD), of course he’ll still protect him.

Ha! The way he just takes it away…

Aww...poor baby. :(

He’s so disappointed. He deserves better. I feel bad for him. :(

HE IS NOT! SHUSH!

Aww...looking at the sandwich, but making the right call.

AWW! He’s trying. Best of both worlds.

Take the deal, lady.

DA**IT!!!

SERIOUSLY?!

SERIOUSLY???!!!

Screw you, lady.

HEY! NOT FAIR!

He is NOTHING like his father, thank you very much!

Well...now what??

Oh thank god, Sam’s home. He’s smart. He’ll find a way to get them out.

Her calling him Samuel is both hilarious and annoying, somehow. I think it’s only annoying now because I hate her with what she just did to my boys. XD

OOOOF.

She gonna out herself again?

Sam’s face when she said that about good news and bad news. XD

I suppose the benefit of having a bad guy who thinks they’re doing the right thing is that she’s not trying to hide it. So hopefully, if she outs herself again, Sam can deal with it a little better than Dean did, knowing Dean was not very successful lol. Dean let his love of her food get in the way. XD

She DID out herself!

Ha! “You were always the smart one.”

YES! Good job, Sam. Starting off strong. <3

YES! GOOD JOB SAM!! Nice manipulation.

Ha!

Can’t believe she’s asking about the date.

Actually yes I can. XD

Wait, why don’t WE get to hear about the date? I WANNA HEAR ABOUT THE DATE DA**IT!

Well, DUH, Sam, you think they don’t know that?

Dean OMG!! XD XD

SUPPORTIVE BIG BRO!! XD XD

In Dean’s defense, he knew she’d wait for Sam, so...it’s not like they were REALLY in danger.

Do NOT try shooting her. Are you kidding me right now?

...really Sam? REALLY?! You’re going to try to SHOOT her?? You’ve seen what she can do, and you’re going to try to SHOOT her? She got the jump on JACK. POWERED UP Jack. Really? Call me crazy, but I feel like that’s not gonna work.

Yes. Yes he is. ...so much for Sam being the smart one.

I want to be mad at them for getting distracted by the holidays, but also I can’t exactly blame them given their childhoods, so…

Ha! The way they both react to the Boxing Day breakfast. Such brothers. XD

There ya go. Good plan. MUCH better than shooting her. Thank you boys.

WAIT WAIT WAIT!! Is this where we’re gonna get the “you sure this is gonna work” “let’s say yes” scene from the promo?? I THINK IT IS!! (Okay, so I MAY have watched that particular five second scene a million and one times because it had my boys in it, but I love them okay?? Sue me.)

Hey. Chill, Dean. Don’t yell at him.

Aww baby. :( :( :(

He doesn’t think you’re a monster. He’s just upset. :( 

...uh oh. This convo is gonna be bad, isn’t it? :( :(

:’( :’( :’( :’( :’(

WAIT! “For a while” YES! THAT’S A GOOD THING!!

Oh wait. “Still am a little bit.”

“Evil Mary Poppins” XD XD

AWWW!! SEE JACK?! He DOES love you!! <3 <3 <3 <3

OKAY NEVER MIND THAT CONVO WAS ACTUALLY REALLY GOOD!!! I need to break that down for a second.

That convo was short and subtle and to the point, but it says SO much about Dean and Jack’s relationship.

First of all, the fact that Dean decided to be honest with Jack instead of continuing to pretend everything’s fine shows how much he really does care about Jack and how much he still trusts him and loves him. He doesn’t open up often, and I’m glad he finally did.

Second of all, he may have been blunt, but there was so much affection hidden in the way he addressed all of that. I mean, he tells Jack that he used to be really mad, and he still kind of is, but then he reminds him that just because they’re in a rough patch right now doesn’t mean he wants to lose him. Yes, Jack made a mistake, and yeah, Dean’s finding it hard to get over it, but Jack’s family through and through, and that means that, no matter what, Dean’s going to look out for him. It’s the same way he treats Cas and, more notably, the same way he treats Sam. He’s giving Jack the family treatment. And THAT is a BEAUTIFUL thing.

All of that said, between all of the OG Team Free Will, Dean’s relationship with Jack will always be my favorite (probably mostly because they’re my two favorite characters, but also because they’re amazing together), so this convo makes me so freaking happy. <3 <3 <3 <3

Sam you are being not very sneaky. 

SERIOUSLY SAM??!!

I take that back. Sam is not being smart about this. *eye roll*

UGGGGHHHHH.

WHERE IS CAS WHEN YOU NEED HIM?!

Actually quick side note, one that I’m adding now that I’ve finished the episode: not having Cas around TOTALLY makes sense. Explanation included in the review.

“Because you are my favorite.” XD XD XD 

She shouldn’t still be making me laugh, but dangat she’s too funny. XD

Wait noooo. No torture allowed.

I KNEW IT!! I TOLD YOU!! I CALLED IT!! SCENE FROM THE PROMO!! XD XD <3 <3 <3

I LOVE DEAN AND JACK SO MUCH!! <3 <3 <3

Ha! Fixing his hands.

YIKES!

...but did the cuffs break at least?

HA! She actually converted him to not swear.

I love how Dean makes a point of swearing extra loud after he realizes what he did. I love him. XD XD <3

Oh frick, that didn’t break the cuffs? Are you kidding me? Stupid powerful magic…

OOH! Dean’s got an idea!

THOSE LITTLE SMILES I LOVE THEM!! <3 <3 <3 <3

OH SHUT UP LADY! Are you still talking??

...okay so...trauma.

Please listen to Sam.

YES HE IS SHUSH!

Just because he has blood on his hands doesn’t mean he’s not a kid. Just saying.

Okay so I kind of feel bad for her knowing what she’s been through, but also that does not excuse her behavior. However, I will take back what I said about someone ripping her head off. I suppose that isn’t really necessary.

That said, someone please do something. :( :(

WOULD YOU QUIT IT WITH THE FINGERNAILS SUPERNATURAL??!! I STILL HAVEN’T GOTTEN OVER IT FROM THE CHRISTMAS EPISODE IN SEASON 3!!!

My mom and I are both turning away owwwwwww.

STOOOOOOOOOOP!!!

Jesus Christ lady!!

“Pain is just weakness leaving the body.” Dean what?! XD XD

HEY! Smart! Way to go you two!! <3 <3

And still helping his son up YES! <3 <3 <3

Okay that could not have been a more in character moment between Dean and Jack right there. Between the “not so bad” and the helping him up and the helping him walk down the hall and Jack just following him along and I just...I LOVE THEM OKAY!! <3 <3 <3

AHHH!! SHE TOOK OFF SO MANY FINGERNAILS JESUS!!

SHUT UP LADY!!

YES!

...Dean honey that was the reset button…

There’s no way that did the job. Too easy.

Problem not solved!! Problem DEFINITELY not solved!!

Creepy green eyes!!

Oh she looks maaaaad. That’s not good.

HEY!!! What happened to not hurting family??!!

LEAVE THEM ALONE!!

Which family??!! Cause YOU’RE the one destroying them!

No he won’t.

“You hurt him, you hurt us.” GREAT line!! YES SAM!! <3 <3 <3

Oooh!! He’s getting to her!! <3 <3

Oop. There’s our backstory. Mr. Cuthbert wouldn’t let her go back. Not that I’m surprised, given what he did to Dean all those years ago.

Yes. Yes he did.

YAY! Dean jumping in to save his son. <3

NICE! Good call, Dean! <3

THAT FACE!! Jack’s face!! <3 <3

YES!!!! YES!!! GOOD JOB BOYS!! <3 <3 <3

Awww….poor Mrs. Butters…

Okay now I feel really bad for her. And a little guilty that I called her a b***h. I’m still kind of mad at her, but...her motives make sense.

Hey yay! She healed him!

Wow, this nymph is POWERFUL. Now that she’s nice again, can we, like, actually keep her? Cause that’d be an awesome ally to have.

Aww...Jack being the one to voice their forgiveness. So pure, especially since she was after him all that time. <3

Awww….Dean wants her to stay. He’s so upset. XD

But he also gets it. :) <3

OMG!! That shot with all three of them looking at her and those sweet little smiles they give her as she’s talking about home. There was just so much...genuineness in that! I loved it! <3 <3

Jack being the voice again. <3

Okay, she looks hecka cute in that outfit.

Oof. That makes sense lol. It would be way too easy if it didn’t revert back.

...inter what now?

Oh shoot...that just proves Chuck destroyed all the worlds...lovely….

Awww!! <3 <3

Ha! Her little words of wisdom to them! To reiterate: SUCH. A. MOM. XD XD <3 <3

Sam and Dean’s smirks at each other when she tells them to do the same things they’ve been telling each other to do for years--eat your vegetables and cut your hair. XD

Awww….that little extra nose crinkle and smile at Jack when she tells him to save the world. <3

I also just realized that this breaks my theory that anyone who meets Jack instantly falls in love with him because of how adorable he is. Though, I guess she’s a little different given that extra little motivation to protect her family in the only way she knows how. Plus, trauma.

Oof. Bye bye extra magic.

Aww...this convo between Jack and Sam. <3 <3

Aww Jack… :( :(

You weren’t stupid, baby. You all fell for it. :(

Aww….he’s looking for faith from Sam.

And Sam just gave it to him. <3

I know the line seems desperate, and in a way, it is, but the way that Sam gave him a little smile shows that it’s more than that. They are desperate, and Jack is their only hope, but also, Sam knows Jack can handle it, because he does have faith in him. It’s a short convo, but it says so much.

That tin has a birthday cake for Jack, made by Dean. Calling it right now.

“He loves that apron.” XD <3 <3

I KNEW IT AND I LOVE IT OMG!!! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

THAT’S SO ADORABLE!!! And that is ONE HUNDRED PERCENT Dean’s way of telling Jack that he still loves him, and that he forgives him. <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

THEIR LITTLE SMILES!! <3 <3 <3

I’M SCREAMING!!! ALL OF THEIR SMILES AT EACH OTHER I FREAKING LOVE THIS FAMILY!!! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

I SERIOUSLY LOST ALL FUNCTIONALITY JUST NOW TO THE POINT WHERE I’M ADDING THIS COMMENT LATER BECAUSE AHHHH!!! <3 <3 <3 <3

AWESOME ending shot. It’s a great way to end a much more light-hearted episode while also setting us up perfectly for knowing that things are about to get heavy and serious. I bet whatever Jack wished for, it has something to do with taking on God.

Okay, so...those reactions were a lot longer than I was anticipating, and I want to apologize, but also, I did warn you. XD That said, review time!

I loved this episode! It was absolutely hilarious, but also sweet and touching. It mixed some crazy and fun moments with some of the most subtly emotional ones, both negative and positive. I absolutely loved all the Easter Eggs, and I loved watching the boys have a chance to celebrate holidays in a way that they never have before, especially with Jack. The facial expressions in this episode killed me. Between all of the little smiles and dorky excitement, I was laughing and smiling right along with the characters. Some stand-out moments/things for me: 

That convo between Dean and Jack. I already broke it down above, but seriously, I love how they did that. As a huge fan of Dean and Jack and their relationship, the way that those two interacted this episode was beautiful and really sets up the fact that they’re going to need to lean on each other for support as a whole family in the coming fight, and I loved that. <3 

Sam going on a date with Eileen! <3 Initially, I had a theory that Sam and Eileen would end up together at the end of all of this, but when she left a few episodes ago, I threw that idea out the window and it made me sad. So the fact that they went on a date and got to see each other again--even if we didn’t get to see it--makes me so happy and brings back my hope that they’ll end up being together. <3 That said, I am 100% going to write a fanfiction of that date, since Supernatural chose to keep it from us. XD

The acting really stood out to me in this one. Maybe it’s just because it’s been so long since I’ve seen them doing something new, but I honestly feel like J2 and Alex nailed it even more than usual. I mean, their facial expressions were seriously so amazing in this episode. Between the really dorky moments and the subtle emotional moments, I felt like their faces were always saying so much and I loved it. <3

One thing I want to address is the lack of Cas. I know a lot of people were upset that he wasn’t in it, especially since the boys were celebrating so many holidays with Jack, and while I agree that it would’ve been beautiful to have him there, it makes perfect sense that he wasn’t there based on the trajectory of the episode and everything that happened. For starters, if Cas had been there, the wood nymph business would’ve been solved INSTANTLY. Cas is always extra suspicious of people, so if she didn’t trust him because he was an angel, the odds of her getting the jump on him would’ve been slim. And yes, she did poison Jack with the smoothies, but, as this episode continued to point out, Jack is still a kid, so he’s still much more naive and gullible. Plus, he’s upset and guilty and confused and just generally vulnerable now that his soul is back, so it was easy for him to trust and be manipulated. But if Mrs. Butters had tried to do the same thing to Cas, (and I’m picturing that one scene with the milkshake in Peace of Mind here) there’s no way he would’ve fallen for it. More importantly, with how worried he is about Jack, he would’ve been really vigilant about the way she was talking to him and everything, and he probably would’ve caught the poisoning long before it could really hurt him. And you can argue that Sam and Dean probably should’ve picked up on it, which is true, however, even they admit that they get distracted in the fun of it all. While it would’ve been great to see Cas in on the festivities, he wouldn’t have been quite as distracted by it as the boys were, and with his vigilance, there’s no way any of them would ever have gotten hurt. He’d be watching Mrs. Butters like a hawk, and the second she did something suspicious, she’d be gone. That said, I can understand if people want to say that’s dumb, because if they didn’t want Cas to defeat the villain so easily, they shouldn’t have had a villain that could be so easily defeated by Cas, and I’m sure some people feel like that’s a stupid excuse. To which I also offer this. After seeing those convos between Dean and Jack and Sam and Jack, and knowing that the episode ends with the three of them celebrating Jack’s birthday, Cas’s absence makes even more sense: this episode wasn’t about him. I love Cas, but it didn’t need him. See, Cas already has an undying love for Jack. While Cas definitely saw Mary as family, he never had the same emotional connection to her that Sam and Dean did--for obvious reasons. But he definitely had--and still has--a very strong emotional connection to Jack. He’s always been the most involved in being Jack’s father--again, for obvious reasons. But even after the Mary incident, it was Cas who went to find him, who tried to help him, and who wanted to protect him. Cas always loved him and always trusted him, and he always will. But Sam and Dean lost a lot of trust for Jack after what happened to Mary...and this episode fixed that. Because Cas wasn’t around, it gave Jack a chance to prove himself to Sam and Dean again. Sam had already pretty much forgiven him, but Dean was definitely on the fence. He even says it. But the fact that Dean had that conversation with him and said everything he did proves that Dean still loves him, and it gave Jack the reassurance he needed that, while Dean is still mad, he doesn’t hate him, and he doesn’t think he’s a monster. And while Sam and Jack were on pretty good terms, Jack was still worried that Sam couldn’t trust him--that Sam didn’t have faith in him anymore. But when Sam tells him that he knows he can defeat God, Jack gets confirmation that Sam does still have faith in him. And after all of that, after celebrating all of those holidays together, and having both of those conversations, to then end that with Sam and Dean celebrating Jack’s birthday? That’s what this episode was about. Sure, it was a silly monster of the week episode. Sure, we got some adorable and hilarious moments. And sure, we got to see them celebrate things that they never got to celebrate in a real way before. But underlying all of that, we got to see Jack become part of Sam and Dean’s family again. We got to see them bond. And knowing that this is right before they all prepare to take on God--Jack needed that. The boys needed that. They needed to all trust each other again. And the fact that they celebrated his birthday at the end proves that they do. They’re a family again. They have each other’s backs. They trust each other. And they love each other. And as much as I love Cas, and as much as I would’ve loved to have seen him be a part of their holidays, he didn’t need to be. But those three did. And that’s why Cas wasn’t in the episode. So, frankly, full points to the writers for making that happen. While they gave us a fun episode, and they may have left out a fan favorite character, it created an underlying theme that’s really going to matter as we get into the big stuff of Season 15. And that’s awesome.

All in all, I thought this was a great episode, and I’m so glad that this is how we get to jump back into the season. Not only was this episode hilarious and fun, but it was also a great set-up for the coming battle and for all the hard and serious things that are bound to come in the next several episodes.

Rumor has it that this was the last “silly” episode of the show, and while that’s a sad thought to think about, it totally makes sense with what they did with the episode, and frankly, I think it’s a beautiful silly one to have ended on and a great way to lead into everything that’s coming next.

My Rating: 10/10

[butiaintgonnaloveem]

Presents and Prizes and Sweets and Surprises

Characters: Dean Winchester, Sam Winchester, Reader, Jack Kline, Mrs. Butters

Word Count: approx 1600

Warnings: Spoilers for episode “Last Holiday” and language

A/N: This is just my way of venting my frustration with the episode. I was going to do a kind of fix-it fic, but this turned more into a reader insert as concerned spectator kind of thing. No one edited this, so sorry for any errors. This is frustration and crack.

Poking holes, making fun, wishing they were doing better things with the last few episodes - you know, the fangirl business.

“There’s a what living here? And what does it have to do with your underwear?”

Dean rolls his eyes, “A wood nymph. She was folding them for me.”

“Since when do you fold your underwear?”

“Since Mrs. B. started doing it for me,” he shrugs.

Speak of the devil, or nymph - she scurries in from the hall.

Her eyes are wide as she looks you over, a disapproving scowl on her face.

“Dean, we do not bring lady guests into the Men of Letters bunker. Ms. Sands was an exception, but it should not be the rule.”

“Lady guests? I live here,” you glare as you over-enunciate each word.

Clearly caught off-guard, she splutters, unable to reply more than a few cut-off words as she looks helplessly at Dean. “A-a woman? IN the Men of Letters bunker?”

“Times have changed, lady. And I don’t know if you’re aware, but you are also a female.”

“I am a wood nymph,” she says haughtily, “Friend of the goddess Artemis, and not subject to the problems a woman may bring to this bunker.”

You start to move on her, but Dean steps in, gently keeping you back with a hand on your shoulder, “Okay, I think this could be going better. Mrs. B., she does live here. We don’t really subscribe to the whole ‘fairer sex’ thing. I was just getting ready to find you for introductions when you walked in. Now, I think we can all get along, right?”

He looks between you with a shit-eating grin as though he just solved the easiest riddle, even though he didn’t do shit. Mrs. B. stands there wringing her hands and staring at you with trepidation, while you eye her up, looking for any signs of malice.

“I know!” Dean says with all the excitement of a ten year-old, “Mrs. B. how about you bring out some of those butter cookies you whipped up earlier and we kick this off right?”

She turns to fulfill his request just as you answer, “No, thanks. I don’t mind fending for myself. In fact, I prefer it. Dean, can I speak with you? Alone?”

He shakes his head and looks at her apologetically. She just waves him off and leaves.

“What the hell?”

“Yeah!” you throw your hands up, “What the hell?! You need to tell me everything that happened since she showed up.”

Days pass. Once Dean had told you what happened to make Mrs. Doubtfire appear, you went to Sam, hoping for some reason unfortunately, it seemed to be a lost cause. Once she highlighted the monster radar, they were constantly on the run. A quick vampire nest here, a coven there. In between Dean nestled himself in his purple huggy nightgown and drowned himself not in alcohol, but in mashed potatoes and pie. She even had Jack drawn out of his new soul-based depression thanks to her smoothies.

_____

“Won’t you join us, dear?” her sickly sweet voice invites you as the guys line up pumpkins for carving. She wears a forced smile as she clasps her hands in front of her, still uncomfortable with your presence.

“Nope,” you pop with an obnoxious ‘p’ sound, “I’m super right here.” You wave your deli-bought sandwich in the air and look back to your laptop.

“C’mon!” Dean groans. He looks up from the face he’s drawing on the huge, out-of-season monstrosity. “Relax a little, Mrs. B is even gonna roast up some pumpkin seeds - salty and sweet!” He looks at her with an excited and expectant nod.

She looks back like a proud grandmother, “Of course, dear!” As though there were no other option, making your eyes roll into the back of your head.

“Like I said, I’m good. You guys enjoy your...whatever over there.”

They shrug and ignore you, laughing like children and throwing pumpkin goop at each other until she scolds them. Until now, Halloween was despised by Sam, and only an excuse for slutty costumes for Dean. Not that it hadn’t been tried. There were attempts at parties, birthdays, Christmas; Jody invited you all over plenty, especially after the mess with Mary. But no. Suddenly Stepford Granny appears and it’s all hands on deck for celebrations. Something wasn’t right, and for some stupid reason, the guys didn’t notice or care.

_____

Your research on wood nymphs doesn’t offer a whole lot, they are pretty rare. More kindly disposed toward men according to a source, which explains her reaction to you, and summoned to attend the gods on Olympus, which also explains her service kink apparently. Other than that, it was a whole lot of crap.

On occasion you find her in the library, staring wistfully at the photo of the Men of Letters who previously occupied the bunker, but once she notices your presence, she shakes herself from her reverie and starts puttering about, lamenting the state of things around her.

Dean is blissful. Sam had been reluctant, but even he seems to be walking around without his usual dark cloud. You want them to be happy, to have the memories others take for granted, but the way she side-eyes Jack, the way she passive-aggressively speaks about you even when you are in the room, it won’t stop nagging at you.

“What do you miss most about them?” you ask her one day after she sends the boys off with their crustless sandwiches.

“Oh, well, it’s hard to miss them much when they’ve just left,” she laughs, stiff with discomfort.

“Not Sam and Dean, I mean them,” you tip your head in the direction of the photo on the wall.

“Oh.” She takes a half step toward it, but stops. “It’s - they gave me purpose, a home, and a family.”

“What about your real family? The other nymphs?”

She straightens out her stupid, festive apron then, looking at you dead on, “Mr. Sinclair and those gentlemen were no less a real family to me than my natural brethren,” she pauses for a deep breath, then for a moment longer until a tight smile pulls across her lips. “Now, have you eaten? Are you sure I can’t get you...”

“No,” you cut her off for the millionth time she’s asked. 

“Well then, I best get back to work,” she mutters and wanders off.

_____

When you finally get the chance to corner Sam, he’s rushing while getting ready for his date and really only half-listening.

“And I just think that it’s really telling that Cuthbert Sinclair was the one to bring her on, I mean, he wasn’t always on the level with his magic and acquisitions and what the hell are you wearing?”

He turns around, smoothing down the brown sweater vest, “What? Mrs. Butters set it out for me. Said it makes me look dashing.” He smiles and shyly tips his head to the side, the way he does before giving his puppy eyes. All lost on you.

“You look like a sitcom dad. You’re just going out with Eileen, right?”

“Nothing wrong with looking your best.”

“Sure,” you agree with uncertainty, “But Sam, didn’t you look into this?”

“She was right about the first vamp case, she’s powered up the radar, and the bunker is on full blast, what’s wrong with that?”

“Because Sam! Magic also comes with a price, and when has a monster ever really been so thrilled to live in servitude? Or anyone for that matter? You think this is all out of the goodness of her heart?”

He looks at you, confused, “Yes?”

You throw your hands up, just as Sam checks his watch and curses under his breath before hastily leaving the room.

“What the fuck. Fine, you guys don’t care? I don’t care. I am fucking out of here.” No one stops you.

_____

Two days later, you’re called back to the bunker and very apologetic Winchesters, and cake.

“So she was a Nazi murder monster who also liked serving milk and cookies? Cool. Cool, cool. And Jack found this out? Jack?! I mean, no offense buddy, but Sam! You’re the lore genius! You’ve got this place set up with your own fucking Sammy decimal system, and you missed this!”

“I mean, if she was doping up all our food, like she was doing to Jack - “

“And you wondered why I didn’t want to eat her turkish delights! She had you guys running around with sack lunches like fricken four year-olds, all dopey smiles and rice krispy treats. I mean, I can’t believe you even knew how to spell ‘happy birthday’ all on your own and didn’t pull a Hagrid with how high you were flying on her nymph edibles!” You throw your hands up, nearly throwing your slice of birthday cake right off the plate, as Sam laughs.

“And you,” you point to him, “Mjolnir! Where did she pull that from? You weren’t thrown off with that? And don’t think I am letting you live down that sweater vest or birthday tiara. If all it took to make you guys so docile were a few parties and home-cooked meals and giving in to some praise kinks you seem to hae, then someone would have locked you both down already, it’s not like they haven’t tried. I cringed, you guys, cringed. My shoulders are still sore from it.  In fact, I think you guys really owe me for having to put up with watching all that crap go down. For being so right, right from the start.”

They both roll their eyes, Jack for his part just sits and smiles while eating his own birthday cake. Dean flicks his fingers in a ‘bring it on’ motion while pursing his lips in displeasure.

“I want a party. With drinks and store-bought cake with that really good frosting, and a banner that says ‘you were so right and we were so stupid and we’re sorry and we will do better next tim-’”

“Alright, Veruca we get it,” Dean groans.

“Just do better, and don’t forget my golden goose,” you smirk.

[missizzy]

Fic: Old Home, New Home(Critical Role, Vaxleth)

From the time they stepped out of the tree and into Zephrah, everything has been a rush of greetings and important conversations.  Vax has now been introduced to just about everyone his lover had known well in her youth, had his first good long conversation with her father, and learned a lot more about the general history, culture, and day to day life of the Air Ashari.  It was helping him get an idea of how he might best aid her as the man by her side, especially since there were a few people he met that he was very sure he was going to become good friends with.

The entire time, he and Keyleth had barely had time to talk to each other.  Today's not the only day where that's been too much the case.   Their final days in Whitestone, she spent most of her time badgering Percy, Cassandra, and the city's other leading figures for any advice they could give her and then reading every book in the library they recommended.  Vax, for his own part, prioritized spending time with Vex while he still could.  Even now, as he walks hand in hand with Keyleth to their new bedchamber, his mind dwells on his last sight of her face before the tree closed up.

But now, at last, the two of them are alone together again.  It feels a little strange as they enter the bedroom together, Keyleth looking around at a place that probably in her mind still belongs to her past.  She looks at him and smiles shyly.  "Hi."

"Hi," he agrees.  He takes in her tired face but clouded eyes.  "Ready to sleep?"  he asks.

She has to think about that one, and even after doing so, her best answer is, "Maybe after I change for it?"

Vax probably isn't as tired as her, but unlike Keyleth, he hasn't spent half a day being bombarded with dozens of different thoughts that all might keep a new Headmaster awake on her first night in Zephrah where she didn't have any immediate plans to immediate go off on some other daring deed.  What troubling things he does have to dwell on, missing Vex and the bidding of the Raven Queen still in his future, have settled down in his head, and while there may be nights they might keep him awake, he doesn't think this'll be one of them.

All the clothing he has Vax has brought with him, so he just has to open his pack and fish out his sleepwear.  Of course his taking his armor off is nothing new, since he's been constantly sleeping next to Keyleth.  But it's still a relief, especially now, when it reminds him that he's now free of the menace he was wearing it against, and even most of the other ones that have kept him looking over his shoulder for so long.  He feels more than just the weight of the armor fall off him.

Keyleth, meanwhile, has dug into her old drawers, and donned a nightgown that Vax assumes has just been sitting in them since she first left home.  She is now looking down at how it reaches only partway down her calves; it's obviously meant to reach her ankles.  "When did I get taller?" she wonders out loud.  "I though I'd finished growing already."

"Magic," Vax grins at her, and it might actually be true.   Although he hasn't grown out of anything recently, since pledging himself to the Raven Queen and accepting the powers she's given him, he's felt the magic inside him change him physically-it wouldn't be easy to explain, if anyone ever asked, exactly what has changed, but Vax knows and understands it, which is the important part.

Combined they're a little big for the bed, too, having to snuggle up together to fit.  That's not something either of them minds, though.  Vax slings her arm over Keyleth's chest and lays his head against his neck, the way he often does when they're tired out enough.  He focuses on making his breathing slow and steady, which ought to help her sleep.

He wakes some time later from a dream where by the time his eyes are fully open, he can only remember that it was a very unsettling one. Keyleth is exactly where she was, but she's murmuring in her sleep.   Vax catches the words, "dangerous," "people," and "Scanlan."

It takes a moment for him to remind himself that the two of them are completely safe, that there isn't even anything after them at the moment, as far as they know.  After that, as he gazes around the darkened chamber, he finds himself contemplating everywhere he'd slept in the past, from the hovel in which he lived the first ten years of his life to the grand bedrooms of Whitestone Castle.  None of them ever felt quite like Keyleth's childhood bedroom, not even her room in the Keep.

It's partly the design, of course.  Most rooms Vax has been in haven't had living plants incorporated into their structure.  In the darkness, he can just make out the various vines and even thin shrubs that had been expertly woven against or even into the walls.  For all he knows, the thatch that makes up the rest of the walls is also alive; he might ask Keyleth about that.

But it's also the decorations hanging from the window, little handmade beribboned boughs that were put together lopsided, and would probably have fallen apart if they hadn't been literally joined together by obvious magical means.  There's a doll on a table in the corner, not the fanciest thing, but still a finer one than the poorer half of Byroden would have seen.  The ceiling is decorated with more of the boughs, arranged to form a star, though the lines aren't completely straight.

In some ways, Vax knows, Keyleth actually had less of a childhood than he and Vex did, at least once she started training for her position.  He's not going to begrudge her what she did get.  But he's left very aware of how different his life has been, how for most of it, he never was in this kind of world, where both love and comfort could be easily had in the same place, where he never had to worry about what would become of him and those he cared for, where he'd neither had one accent mocked and bullied out of him nor had another make people look at him warily, grouping him with the snobs of Syngorn.  Where he and Vex had never had to prove themselves to be accepted.

How unlikely it should be, that he and Vex both should come to the places they're now both in.  In new homes they already love, consorts to those that rule them, Vex with her own title and role in hers, where they wouldn't have to worry when they woke each day how they were going to get by.

Had he ended up following a different goddess than the one he's pledged himself to, he would be giving thanks to her for this.  As it is, Vax silently instead asks the darkness to stay where it is for now, for tomorrow, for as long as it's willing to.  Let us both be happy, please, he pleads.  For her sake, if not mine.  She made no bargain with you; all she has done is love me, and she will have too long a way to go after me no matter what happens.  Be kind to her, please.

As if even his thoughts have stirred her, Keyleth murmurs, "That doesn't make sense..." and Vax pulls his head up as her eyes blink open, and while he can only see so much in the darkness, they seem to him to still be moving around too much.  "Vax?"

"Kiki?" he whispers.  "Bad dream?"

"Not bad, exactly," she sighs.  "At least....not like the nightmares I've had in the past.  Nothing was trying to kill us, or even do things like possess us or torture us or nasty things like that."

Vax thinks back to nights in the woods with Vex, and the dreams they'd dealt with then, of all the snubs and trouble they'd suffered in Syngorn lurking in their minds.  There'd been dreams of their mother's death, too, and certain dreams Vex wouldn't talk about in the weeks after Trinket joined them; Vax can guess what those there about now.   But even when they'd slept out in the wild with only themselves and a bear cub to protect them, it was what they'd left behind that haunted them more.

He wonders what kind of dreams he'll be having when they've been here a few months.  Or what dreams she'll be having.

For now, he murmurs,  "Just because the challenges we'll be facing now don't involve us risking our lives doesn't mean it's not okay to be anxious about them.  I mean, right now, my main immediate worry is how your people are going to perceive me, and that terrifies me.  And when I genuinely haven't cared about strangers' opinions of me for most of my life.  That's not anything near what I know you've got to be worrying about right now-except that one of my biggest worries about it is how I'm going to reflect on you, because I know I'm not exactly the ideal consort for a leader, and I don't even have the kind of useful skills Vex does..."

"Vax!"  Keyleth cuts him off, dismayed.  The interruption makes Vax fully aware of what's just spilled out of him, as well as the thoughts he hadn't even been consciously aware of before he voiced them.  When Keyleth pauses, maybe reconsiders her immediate reaction to his words, he himself takes a moment, and finds himself feeling the need to add, "I think it's because I really do like your people, more than I've liked most."

"Well," that makes Keyleth smile, "that makes you far more suited for being my consort than anyone who doesn't feel that way, right?"

"True," he says, "and I know you won't even make demands of me, but I think you know I'll need to do anything I can think of to make myself useful.  Even if it's just spending however many hours it takes to talk you past your nerves and build up your confidence."

"And I don't think anyone's better at that.  You're doing a pretty good job right now."

"I wouldn't mind doing it all night," Vax tells her.  It's a tempting thought, in fact, to just stay like this for the rest of the night, talking the hours away until dawn.  He decides right then they will have nights like that in the future, maybe before mornings when they can sleep in a little.

But tomorrow's not one of those mornings, and they've both had it impressed on them that she and probably him as well will have to be fully there mentally.  So Keyleth, with clear reluctance, replies,   "Thanks, but we need to sleep a little more tonight if we can.  We drifted off once already, right?"

"Right," he says.  "But if you want to talk about your dream, surely we can take a few minutes."

Maybe in the end, they remain awake a little longer than they should.  Keyleth can't remember more than the basic outline of her dream, and even when prompted she can't remember Scanlan being in it at all.  But even the mention of his name brings forward pain and regret they both confess to there, and more words pass between them after that about general insecurities and the future.

Although when Keyleth says, "You might get the most attention at the upcoming midsummer festival, when the people around me won't have more important things to pay attention to," Vax has to grin and say, "I think that might be fun.  Before Vex and I left Byroden, we did pick up a thing or two about our town's seasonal festivals.  I'll tell you a bit about those if we have some time tomorrow."

"Tell the others, too," she says.  "At least some of them must be interested, I think."

Well, if she says so, Vax fully intends to.

[cocos-cocoapuffsarenotforsale]

His Little Witch~~Part 3

MASTERLIST

PART 2

Main Pairing: Tom Riddle x Reader

Background Pairings: Harry Potter x Ginny Weasley, Ron Weasley x Hermione Granger, Luna Lovegood x Neville Longbottom, James Potter x Lily Potter, Draco Malfoy x Pansy Parkinson

Tags: Possessive Tom Riddle, Soulmates, AU, CANON DIVERGENCE, Minister of Magic Tom Riddle, Out of Character Tom Riddle, nice Tom Riddle, Dumbledore and Tom get along, sane Tom Riddle

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“Morning Little Witch,” you hear a smooth voice whisper. You open your eyes slowly still exhausted from all the craziness yesterday of meeting your soulmate.

“Morning Tommy,” you whisper, shutting your eyes and rolling over to go back to sleep.

“Oh no, you don’t Little Witch. We have a lot to do today. Up you get!” He teases smacking your ass sharply as he chuckles.

“Hey! What was that for?” You ask slightly annoyed. God, you were still tired.

“To wake you up. Let’s go get some breakfast in you before we start our day.” He says pulling you up and scooping you back up into his arms.

“Tom stop it, I’m too heavy for you to carry.” You try to protest but he hushes your worries.

“You are perfect. You are not too heavy at all Little Witch.” He replies as he carries you towards the kitchen where you hear a familiar voice.

“Miss Y/L/N!!! Oh Miss Y/L/N!! Dobby has missed you so much!” Your old friend Dobby the house-elf greets you excitedly.

“I believe you remember Dobby the house-elf your friend Harry freed from the Malfoy home a few years ago,” Tom says with a big smile on his face. As he sets you back into your feet.

“Of course! How are you Dobby?” You ask the elf with a big smile.

“Oh, most wonderful Miss. As you know I’ve been working at Hogwarts the last few years but last night Miss Granger and Professor Dumbledore introduces me to Master Riddle here and he offered Dobby a paid position Miss! A paid position! In the Minister of Magic’s home! Oh, the other house-elves were most jealous of Dobby! But thankfully Master Riddle was kind enough to offer Winky a position as well! You are most lucky to be his soulmate, Miss!” Dobby explains before ushering you into the kitchen and showing you all of your breakfast options.

“Thank you so much, Dobby! I’m so glad to have a familiar face in my new home!” You exclaim once he has finished presenting the breakfast options. You throw your arms around the small elf.

“Oh, Miss!” Dobby exclaims, wiping tears from his eyes. It sends an ache through your heart to remember he had probably never been given this much affection.

“Thank you, Dobby. If you could excuse us please Y/n and I have important matters to discuss.” Tom asks Dobby politely once the two of you break apart. Dobby nods and is gone in a snap.

“So what are we doing today?” You inquire as you take a bite of your fruit.

“Well, first things first we are going to your loft to pack up anything you have there and to cancel your lease, seeing as I am the Minister of Magic it should be quick and easy. Then we will go back to Hogwarts as I have to be there this evening to welcome the students and staff members from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons as well as the Bulgarian and French Ministers. Before the welcoming ceremony, we will retrieve your belongings and discuss our plans with Dumbledore. Then we will come home.” He gives you a quick rundown of the day as the two of you finish eating. He transfigures your nightgown into a casual dress with a sweater, leggings, and boots. Then he changes his clothes and holds out his arm ready to apparate the two of you to Diagon Alley. You brace yourself before taking hold of his arm and disappearing from the manor.

When you open your eyes the two of you are in the middle of Diagon Alley. Tom leads you in the direction of your apartment. While you wonder for a fleeting moment how on Earth he knows where your loft is? You remember that this is Tom Riddle you are talking about and somehow Tom always knew everything.

Once you reach your apartment Tom goes to meet the landlord while you start packing up your things. There honestly wasn’t much there, just some spare clothes and blankets and a few pictures and keepsakes. Most of your things you brought with you to Hogwarts and kept in a bag with an undetectable extension charm on it. You were all packed by the time Tom returned with a chewy grin covering his face.

“I take it it went well?” You ask arching an eyebrow at him.

“Oh yes, it’s all taken care of. Being the Minister does have its advantages you know.” He teases as he points his wand at your bags making them disappear. “They will be waiting for ya at the manor. Ready to go to Hogwarts?” He asks, offering you his arm, which you take without hesitation.

Next thing you know you are back in your dorm room at Hogwarts. Being that it is breakfast time the room is deserted except for a fluffy white dog staring up at you.

“Boo!” You exclaim. You hold out your arms for him while you kneel down. He jumps into your arms immediately and begins licking your face happily.

“Oh, baby I’m so sorry I left you. I promise I won’t do it ever again! But guess what?” Boo cocks his head waiting to hear your news. “I found him! I found my soulmate!” You yell happily, Boo wags his tail and gives you one last big lick on the cheek.

“So this is the famous Boo huh? How old is he?” Tom asks getting down to pet him which Boo happily accepts, even going so far as to roll into his back to ask for a belly rub which Tom gladly answers.

“He’s about a year and a half-ish. He found me the night my parents died. I took a walk around the woods and there he was. Dumbledore checked him out and discovered he was my familiar. Dumbledore told me that familiars live at least as long as their masters. Occasionally they live longer but most of the time they die right after their masters. I’m just glad I won’t have to be without him ever.” You explain giving Boo a good ear scratch.

“We better pack the rest of your things,” he says, “and Boo’s too of course.” He adds seeing the unhappy look on your dog’s face. You, with the help of Tom, quickly pack up all your things (using your magic of course) and Boo’s stuff before exiting the dormitory. The common room is just as deserted as the dorm was. Tom leads you towards Dumbledore’s office, with Boo trailing behind.

“Pixie Puffs,” Tom says to the stone gargoyle. It twists revealing a staircase leading up to Dumbledore’s office.

“Albus?” Tom asks, knocking on the door.

“Come in,” Dumbledore replies in his usual deep voice.

“Ah Tom, Miss Y/L/N, to what do I owe this pleasure?” He asks with a slight smile hiding under his bushy beard.

“We would like to discuss Y/n’s educational arrangements for the remainder of the year. The two of us have reached a compromise that we hope you will find agreeable.” Tom explains, Dumbledore nods for Tom to continue.

“Y/n will still attend lessons at Hogwarts however she will be living at my manor and will floo powder to Hogwarts in the morning and return home after the afternoon lessons are complete. Does this sound doable for you?” He asks though you are fairly certain once Tom decides something it is pretty much a fact that it will happen.

“Miss Y/L/N is this agreeable to you?” Dumbledore asks, turning to you.

“Yes, this was actually my idea.” You reply.

“Then I see no reason not to allow it. Anything else?” He asks curiously.

“Actually yes, we also will need Y/n to have two Aurors with her during the day. It’s just a precautionary measure but I’m sure you understand. The soulmate of the Minister of Magic needs protection after all.” Tom explains.

“Of course, that should be just fine. Which Aurors were you thinking?” Dumbledore agrees without hesitation.

“James Potter and Sirius Black. They are the best and most trustworthy Aurors I know.” Tom says Dumbledore nods in agreement.

“That’s about it I suppose. How long do we have until Durmstrang and Beauxbatons arrive?” Tom inquires.

“About half an hour, but we could head down to the courtyard now just in case they are early,” Dumbledore suggests. Tom nods and takes your hand as the two of you follow Dumbledore down to the courtyard. Boo followed you excited to see what you were doing.

Most of the students and professors were already waiting in the courtyard when the four of you got there. Everyone was staring at you and you tried to hide behind Tom, you hated being the center of attention. You see your friends staring at you in shock and Hermione tries to motion you over. You knew they were going to grill you about it sooner or later so you figured you might as well get it over with. When you go to walk towards them however a steely grip on your hand keeps you in place.

“Where do you think you’re going Little Witch?” Tom asks you with a steely gaze.

“I was gonna go talk to my friends quick. They are really confused. I’ll be back in a couple of minutes.” You promise, Tom relents but he doesn’t look happy about it. You walk over to your friends still feeling Tom’s harsh gaze on you.

“What the hell is going on?!” Hermione asks as she launches herself into you, wrapping her arms around your neck.

“I meet my soulmate!” You reply with a giggle. Hermione shoots you a glare clearly wanting more information.

“Tom Riddle the Minister of Magic is your soulmate?” She asks for clarification.

“Yes. Oh ‘Mione he’s wonderful! And Dobby is working at his manor! And Winky!” You exclaim.

“Y/n has he been treating you ok?” Ginny asks hesitantly.

“Of course he has. Why?” You were slightly confused.

“Well, he’s known to be a very, ummm…ruthless and cold person,” Ginny explains hesitantly.

“I thought you guys liked him?” You were confused, all of your friends had always spoken so highly of him.

“As a minister he’s wonderful. But as a soulmate…” Ron trails off.

“He’s been nothing but loving and sweet. What have you lot heard?” You were curious to know about your soulmate and his reputation.

“Well, he’s ruthless when he was becoming an Auror he learned all kinds are dark magic. He used it against the dark wizards he hunted so it was ok but he was pretty hardcore. And he hasn’t got a family and he’s never had any personal relationships, at least not any that people have ever known about. He may use his dark side for good but we don’t know what he’s like in his personal life…” Ron explains scratching his neck, he refuses to meet your eyes.

“We just wanted to make sure he’s treating you well,” Luna reassures you, sensing your distress.

“You’re our friend Y/n/n, we just wanted to make sure you were ok,” Harry says.

“I’m ok guys. Better than ok, I found my soulmate!” You exclaim clapping your hands together.

“So I take it you went to his place last night?” Hermione asks with a quirk of her eyebrows.

“Yeah…” you reply, feeling your cheeks heat up. “I’m going to be living there from now on.” 

“What about Hogwarts?!” Hermione asks, distressed.

“I’ll be flooing in every day during the week for lessons and then returning to the manor after my lessons are done for the day.” You explain giving her a quick side squeeze to make her feel better.

“Oh, that’s brilliant Y/n! We expected you to leave Hogwarts.” Ginny says.

“Why?” You were curious as to why they would think you would drop out.

“Well, you are the Minister’s mate. I figured he would homeschool you. I mean it’s dangerous to be his mate. People will want to use you to get to him. It’s probably easier to keep you safe that way.” Ginny explains.

“Well he wanted to but we compromised on having two Aurors with me for lessons and then returning me home. Your dad is one of them, Harry and Sirius.” You explain, Harry smirked at this, knowing his dad and godfather would have to sit through Hogwarts’ lessons again made him laugh.

“The minister compromised?” Neville inquires, shocked. “He’s never done that before. He doesn’t compromise on anything.”

“Really?”

“Really. He’s been in office for almost a decade and never once has he backed down or compromised a deal. It’s part of the reason everyone loves him.” Hermione explains.

TOM POV

I let Y/n go to her friends but I never take my eyes off her. I’ve only been with her a day and already I feel extraordinarily possessive and protective over her.

“Already have you wrapped around her finger eh Tom?” Dumbledore asks with that familiar twinkle in his eyes.

“From the moment I laid eyes on her.” 

“I must say I was surprised you decided to allow her to continue her studies here at Hogwarts. I had assumed you would prefer her to stay at the manor and have tutors come to her.” 

“I most certainly would have preferred it. However, she wanted to continue here, with her friends.” I explain clenching my hands into fists. I was really not happy with this arrangement, anything could happen to her here.

“So you compromised?” Dumbledore inquires, he had that knowing look on his face, the one where he knows something no one else does.

“Unfortunately.”

“Tom, it’s ok to admit she affects you.”

“No, it’s not. I can’t have her hurt because of me. I will do anything to ensure her safety.” I vow before walking over to my girl.

YOUR POV

“Little Witch.” You hear a smooth, deep voice say. You turn around and smack into a hard chest. Tom. Strong arms wrap around you to steady you and a deep baritone chuckle vibrates through his chest.

“Hey.” You say breathlessly.

“Come Little Witch. Our guests are arriving.” He explains. He nods at your friends before pulling you towards the professors to welcome the guests.

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PART 4

[mimiswitchywrites]

Not A Burden: Chapter 5

TW: SH references, attempted s****de and references, child/s***al a**se references (not graphic but enough that could be triggering). Vague r**e scene at the end.

Master list or read on AO3

2.2k words

If you want to be tagged for updates, message me or comment!

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Lancelot sat on the cot with Miriam (at an appropriate distance, of course) as she ate her soup. She had been in Camelot for a week, most of that time spent sleeping. She would eat and drink some water whenever she woke, and then Gaius would give her a sleeping draught and she would fall into another restless slumber. She was bored of it and Lancelot could tell. If the way she took her time between mouthfuls and asked questions about anything she could think of wasn’t a clear enough sign, the way she exclaimed “I can’t fucking do this anymore” certainly was.

Over the days she had been in the physician’s chambers, the two had talked a lot. She enjoyed his stories of adventures past, and he enjoyed the sarcastic comments she would butt in with. She rarely talked about herself still, and that frustrated him though he did his best to hide this fact. He could understand not wanting to talk about events that brought pain and, if what little he did know of her was anything to go by, most of her life brought her pain.

And so, he decided to help her create new memories that didn’t affect her in such a manner. How he would go about that was still yet to be discovered, but he was determined.

“I have a proposition, if you care to hear it, My Lady?”

The way he referred to her like that still brought a smile to her face. She turned to him, trying to figure out the proposition from the look in his eyes. “We are going to raid the royal vaults?”

He laughed, shaking his head. “You wish to cut replace all of the king’s clothes with common fabric, so he is itching for days?” He laughed harder at this, wondering how long she had been thinking of that one.

“What a cruel woman you are, must I arrest you for scheming against the crown?” She giggled at this – a sweet, melodic sound – and leant against Lancelot’s shoulder, putting her bowl down on the bed. His cheeks warmed and he looked to the wall opposite him, hoping she wouldn’t notice. She didn’t, too caught up in listening to his breathing.

“What was your idea?” She looked up at him and he turned back to her. There was a mischievous glint in his eyes.

--

As night fell and the castle grew quiet, Miriam sat up. She had rejected Gaius’ offer of another sleeping draught, declaring that she felt she could sleep on her own for now. It was a lie, but a necessary one. Gwen had lent her two of her older nightgowns on the day she arrived – her dress being soaked in blood, sweat and a little bit of vomit. She pulled the light blue gown off, checking Gaius still slept first, and shimmied her way into the moss green one. It was slightly thicker and had a small amount of floral embroidery on it that Gwen had done when she was bored one week. Miri smiled at the thought. She took one of the blankets from the bed and wrapped it around her shoulders as she tied her boots.

Her heart was beating fast at the prospect of sneaking out. She didn’t know her way around the castle as she was unconscious on her way through it the first time, but Lancelot had explained the path to her. She took a deep breath, smoothing her dress and fluffing her hair slightly, and made her way through the door. It creaked lightly behind her and Gaius’ snoring hitched momentarily but resumed soon after. Safely out of the chambers, all that was left was to navigate a large, heavily guarded castle that she wasn’t supposed to be exploring. How hard could it be?

Very, it seemed.

After what felt like an hour (but was likely only ten minutes) Miri found herself looking out into the courtyard with no idea how to get down there. The moon lit it softly, along with torches glowing through the lower windows. She could see a figure that she could only assume was Lancelot, waiting for her. She considered calling for him but quickly disregarded the thought: it wasn’t worth waking those in the rooms near her, just so she could have a midnight picnic with a friend.

Deep in contemplation, Miriam didn’t notice a new figure sneak up on her. It had been watching her from the end of the corridor for some time now and, deciding that she wasn’t going to move, it approached.

Mimicking her stance (arms resting on the railing, weight on the one leg as the other rocked on its toes), Arthur looked out. He could see The Rising Sun from here, and a few of its drunken patrons stumbling home to the lower town. They stood in silence, Miriam glancing over at him briefly before looking back down at the courtyard below.

Taking a calming breath and saying ‘fuck it’ to himself in as much of a kingly manner as one can, Arthur did something odd. Arthur apologised.

Kind of.

“I am glad to see you are well enough to leave your room.” She made no sign that she heard him and so he looked over to her and started again. “I have been thinking about our last encounter and talked it through with Sir Leon. He is one of my most trusted knights and friends and he suggested – that is to say, I thought it best that – I talk to you. I regret the way things went.”

She turned to him, glaring but with little passion behind it. “How heartfelt of you sire, I truly feel your remorse.” Her words were laced with sarcasm. It didn’t sit well with Arthur, was that not heartfelt?Being Uther’s son meant apologising was not something he had much practice of, he thought he had done a pretty decent job. Time for a second attempt.

“I am unsure what stories Lancelot and Merlin have told you but there is a growing trend of incidents in those woods. All too often we find people hurt and we take them here, to safety, and they exploit that. I have trusted people, and, in turn, they have hurt those I care for.” Her eyes softened as she listened to him. He stared ahead, refusing to make eye contact as he made himself more vulnerable than he had in some time. He didn’t appreciate the way a lump grew in his throat.

“My father was put under an enchantment by a troll trying to take his throne, a woman that I thought I was in love with tried to drown me, Merlin—” his voice cracked, Miriam pretended she hadn’t heard it “has been poisoned, ambushed, burnt and shot at. The knights too, but at least they signed up for that.” He took a deep breath, watching the way she processed the information. “I couldn’t let you do the same thing. I couldn’t stand by and watch you hurt them as others have. When I followed you, you were completely gone and I worried that maybe, maybe you had magic. While my views on that are not what they once were, it made me…” He faded out, not able to finish the sentence.

She stood straighter and gently placed her hand on top of his, giving it a gentle squeeze.

“I understand. My reaction was not as it should have been either.”

“You don’t need to justify yourself, Miriam. While my experiences of your situation are few and far between, I can’t imagine you were thrilled to find people attempting to heal you. Your reaction to my wielding a sword at you was appropriate, it is okay.” She took her hand back, wiping away a rogue tear as subtly as she could.

“Now, I believe you have a lucky gentleman down there expecting you. Is there a reason you have left him waiting so long?” She let out a sudden laugh, wet with held-back tears and explained her situation. He bit back a laugh of his own and graciously offered her an arm. Hesitantly taking it, they made their way through corridors and spiral staircases until they were down at the large stone entrance steps as she had been days before. Letting go of Arthurs arm, she gave him a slight curtsy, and skipped down the last of the steps.

He watched her go, a smile forming on his face as he shook his head at her retreating figure. He was glad to be on the path to resolution with her. She seemed like a good person and he was glad that she was making Lancelot happy: the man had been down since discovering his affections for Guinevere were one sided, but Miriam was pulling him back if the smile on his face in training the previous day was anything to go by.

--

Lancelot was getting worried. After he and Miriam had talked through their plan earlier that morning, he had set off to put it into action. He made sure he wasn’t needed on patrol that evening and then went about gathering what was needed for a perfect picnic. First, he went to Guinevere’s to borrow one of her baskets (this was a short and awkward visit) and then he visited Juliana – a laundrette that Gwaine had been in a somewhat relationship with from Samhain to the Solstice – and asked for a sheet for them to sit on. After hearing what he needed it for, she also gave him some napkins and candles that she had spare. He made a note to show his thanks with some flowers and maybe some bread from the market when he returned everything the next day.

His final stop was to the kitchens. He had put this off for as long as he could, not wanting to see Cook unless he truly had to, but the time had finally come. He waited until she ducked out for her break and then made his way in. He started with the bread, taking a sad looking loaf from the back of the tray, knowing Cook was likely to throw that one to the dogs anyway. Next, he took a few slices of meat (it was Thursday which meant pork), and a small bunch of grapes that looked like they were on a plate waiting to go to Arthur. He won’t miss them. His final stop, a rushed one as he was sure he could hear approaching footsteps, was at the desserts. He took two sticky rolls and a small raison loaf that was falling apart.

Feast ready, he returned to his chambers to get dressed into something nicer and wait until the twelfth bell.

As he waited in the courtyard, he played over the instructions he gave her. He was sure he had made it clear how to get from the physician’s rooms, through the west wing and down the main steps. Maybe she had changed her mind, or worse, fallen ill again. Watching her growing so pale and hot, drenched in her own sweat, made Lancelot’s heart ache. He had got attached to the girl impossibly fast and seeing her in such a state brought him more pain than he could imagine.

He began to pace. Should I go and search for her? Maybe she’s gotten lost or stumbled and hurt herself? This led to another anxious spiral, not only at the idea of her being hurt but also for how he would explain such a thing to Gaius. His head would be on a spike in seconds, he was sure of it.

Heart racing faster than the King’s steed, lip thoroughly chewed, he settled on a plan. He would wait five minutes and then go in search of her. Just as he finished the third round, he heard the gentle patter of boots on the cobbles. He looked up and saw Miriam and, curiously, another figure that looked a lot like Arthur, who stood at the top of the stairs.

She made her way closer, and he took in her appearance. She wore a familiar green gown which looked scandalously similar to sleep clothes (he blushed at the thought). Her pale skin was tinged red from the cold which led to the chivalrous knight pulling off his leather coat to give to her when she reached him.

Miriam, looking over her shoulder to give Arthur a small wave, tripped over a raised stone. With arms tangled in blanket, she could do nothing to slow her quick and likely painful decent. But no crash came. Instead, she found herself wrapped in Lancelot’s arms as he pulled her close, steadying her.

“It’s nice to finally see your face as you lean against my chest, my lady.” Her face flooded with embarrassment and she did her best to stutter out her thanks. Her hands had landed flat against his chest, his grasping her waist. She looked up at him, their eyes locking. She blushed again and began to take a few steps back, wrapping her arms around herself. He let her go, smile plastered on his face and twinkle in his eye.

He lifted the basket which had been placed on the ground next to him as he waited, “Shall we?”. She nodded, took his arm, and walked in pace with him as they made their way through the castle grounds.

[spnreactions]

Alright! Let’s get started! 

This is actually copied and pasted from my main blog, where I posted this last night. From here on out, though, I’ll be posting them on here first and then re-blogging them on my main blog, because I can. 

And, fair warning, I get very excited and very into this show, so the reactions list will probably be pretty long. XD 

And now, without further ado, let’s watch 15x14: Last Holiday. <3 <3 

Oh we’re starting!

...did I miss the “then” title card?

Oh wait there it is.

Dude we’re going FAR back on this “then”. I wonder what that means?

My poor baby crying again. :(

DEAN’S APRON OH MY GOD I’M DEAD! XD XD <3 <3

“It was. In the 50s.” Point taken.

My poor baby. :( :( :( :(

Oh so killing Amara is officially a plan? Okay then.

“I’ve killed Hitler.” I can’t believe he’s still talking about that! XD

Actually I can believe he’s still talking about it, I take that back.

DEAN WITH THE MARIO BROTHERS OMG!!

Okay, I know this episode has something to do with them celebrating holidays because of a fairy or nymph or something like that, and this is already feeling like a light-hearted, fun, domestic Winchesters episode. I hope it stays that way. <3

Have you tried turning it back off and turning it on again? Hit reset.

HE READ MY MIND!

MEAT MAN!! XD XD

Ummm...okay then.

Also SCOOBY-DOO UNDIES!!! DEAN YOU DORK!! XD XD <3

In case you haven’t figured it out yet, Jack is my favorite and Dean is my second-favorite.

“Language!” “That’s it I’m getting my gun.” XD XD

I can already tell that so many of my reactions are probably just gonna be me quoting and then laughing. XD

They don’t seem very concerned? Shouldn’t random people not be able to get in?

This lady is such a mom omg.

Mrs. Butters? XD

Wood nymph. Got it.

“Shouldn’t you be in the woods somewhere? Nymphing?” XD XD (P.S. That was my mom’s favorite line in this episode. XD)

You what now?

Necessities of life?

Hmmm….I like her, but she weirds me out. Something is off.

Dean’s “oof that’s awkward” face. XD

“2020.” Hearing that year said out loud just feels...oof. Just oof.

Poor nymph…

Wait, haven’t we seen those symbols before? Maybe I’m making that up.

HA! “It’s kind of been one apocalypse after the other.” He’s not kidding.

OOOOH!! HERE COME THE HOLIDAYS!!!

WAIT WHAT IS THAT TELESCOPE THING?

WAIT WAIT WAIT WHAT??!! A MONSTER radar??!! Dude WHAT?! Man, they’ve needed something like that for YEARS!

Wait wait wait...relatively nearby….it’s not gonna ping because of Jack is it?? SHE’S NOT GONNA HURT JACK IS SHE??!!

Oh okay nevermind. Just a vamp nest.

Say what now?

We can...that just...umm...okay then??

“Heck...heck yeah.” XD XD XD

Yeah I’m with Sam on this one. She seems innocent, but, like…

Dean does have a point though.

But also things like this never last. It’s too good to be true.

MY BABY!!!

“She’s probably harmless, but just in case, watch yourself”?? Dean that was a terrible way to do that but okay.

Snickerdoodles. XD

My poor baby looks so lost. :(

I mean...Dean makes a good point there. But also the son of Satan is adorable and she’s suspicious. But anyways.

“Ignoring your trauma doesn’t make you healthy.” SOMEONE FINALLY SAID IT OMG!!! XD XD XD <3 <3 <3 <3

...Jack is hiding something? IS JACK HIDING SOMETHING?!

...do we know what Jack is hiding??

The only thing I can think of is that he knows about Cas’s deal with the empty, but he had a soul when that happened, and it wasn’t really eating at him then. Is it eating at him more now for some reason??

IS JACK HIDING SOMETHING??!!

Jesus christ this is gonna bother me…

Okay but when has that ever actually worked, Dean?

Awww….

I’m guessing they didn’t tell her he’s a nephilim? If they don’t really trust her--which they don’t--they shouldn’t. Is there a chance she knows already? I feel like she wouldn’t be acting like that if she did.

Vamps watching a movie with vamps. Classy. XD

...ew…

At least they’re drinking from bags instead of from humans I guess?

Nice slicing at the same time, boys.

Huh. Well. That was easy. Too easy?

CHRISTMAS! XD <3

THE TRAIN OMG!! XD XD <3 <3

Their faces. XD

HER DANCE!

Okay she’s kind of adorable not gonna lie.

“We are so keeping her.” XD XD

DEAN’S LITTLE EXCITED HANDS ON THE RAILING OMG I’M DEAD!! XD XD <3 <3 <3

If I can’t get adorable Jack right now, I’m okay with adorable Dean. XD <3 <3

Sam is still suspicious, but Dean is totally into it.

“Enjoy the world you’re fighting for.” That was really quick and so subtle, but d*mn that’s a good line.

MY BABY!!!!

HIIIII JACK!!! I MIIIIISSSSSED YOOOOOUUU!!! <3 <3 <3

Uh-oh. I don’t like the way she said “what are you”. DON’T YOU DARE TOUCH MY BABY!!!

“He’s a millennial.” XD XD

DEAN IN THAT NIGHTGOWN OMG!!! I know it was in the promo photos, but seeing it in the context of the episode is even funnier. XD

Sam’s gagging at his bro’s “down there” bits lol.

Oof. She is VERY absentminded by Jack and whatever he is. No likey.

...hmm. I still don’t trust her with Jack.

“Poppycock”???

HA!! “I’m worried about your cholesterol.”

And Sam and Jack’s little smiles at that omg. <3 <3 <3

“We got one!” IS THAT A HILLYWOOD PARODY REFERENCE/GHOSTBUSTER REFERENCE??!! Because IT FEELS LIKE ONE!!!

The way they’re running to their rooms to get ready omg.

And that cut to them being dressed and going.

LUNCHES!! XD

Their faces! XD

The cinematography in this episode is AWESOME. Go Serge Ladouceur (and yes, I looked that name up. XD)

No crusts. Blessed knives. “I just waxed it.” She IS a mom!

Wait no. Take Jack with you. I don’t trust her with him.

“What shall we do with you.” LEAVE HIM ALONE IS WHAT!

Oh. They’re doing dishes.

WAIT DON’T TELL HER THAT JACK!

...I don’t like the way she’s talking to him.

Oof. Mary. *gags*

Jack you’re adorable and I love you but please stop being so gullible and stop sharing so much personal information.

WAIT NO! I know you feel guilty, but DON’T TELL HER YOU KILLED HER!

...dangat.

...oh. That was actually super sweet, and honestly the EXACT thing Jack needed to hear. ...maybe she’s not so bad?

...wait what? She just...pulls those out of thin air?

Ha! Another hunt

THEIR FACES WITH THE LUNCHES! ESPECIALLY DEAN’S!! XD

Aww! Thanksgiving! <3

Where is Cas during all this? Talking to his angel friends I guess?

That finger gun at Sam omg.

It’s so EASY for them wow.

Halloween! Fitting given our current season.

Their little smiles awww!!

THE BEERS TOGETHER HOLY FRICK!!! IT’S JUST LIKE WHAT TEAM FREE WILL 2.0 DID WHEN JACK CAME BACK! AND what the boys and Mary and John did in Lebanon! NEVER GETS OLD!! I LOVE THIS FAMILY!! <3 <3

...I still don’t necessarily trust Mrs. Butters. BUT I LOVE SAM AND DEAN AND JACK!

Those faces for the lunches just get better and better.

GRENADE LAUNCHER!!

MJOLNIR OMG NO WAY!!! I CAN’T BELIEVE HE STILL HAS IT!!! THIS EPISODE HAS SO MANY EASTER EGGS OMG!!! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Also that is an AWESOME shot.

BIRTHDAY!! Awww… <3 <3

OOF. Poor Dean. XD

Jack’s laugh and then immediately being like “oop” and bringing his head down but still chuckling when Dean glares at him I CAN’T. XD XD

I LOVE THIS FAMILY!! <3 <3 <3

AWW!! She made extra for him!

Okay, I like her. But I’m still cautious.

Oh. THERE it is.

What’s she doing??

Jack’s got you lady.

My mom is wondering why she has to walk away to make another smoothie when before she was just producing them. I’m wondering if maybe she has to near the ingredients to whip it into a smoothie magically, but that seems weird...continuity error?

Get her, Jack. My smart boi. <3 <3

My Mom: “You better hurry it up there, Jack.”

Oh it’s evil Men of Letters dude. NOW I get why we went that far back.

Oh! AND the Thule. NOW I get why Dean mentioned killing Hitler again. Wow. Nice connections on this episode all around. Go writers.

...she did what now?

WTF??!!

HOLY FRICK!!!

HOLY S*** HOLY S*** HOLY S***!!!

Do NOT ask about tea or cookies after you just pulled sh** like that.

On a more positive note, the way Jack just said “son of a bitch” out of nowhere like that is so adorable because he, like, NEVER swears, but also that’s Dean’s saying and it just proves that he’s taking after his dads and just already growing up and AHHHH I LOVE HIM!!! <3 <3 <3 <3

Also Jack please go tell your dads what you found.

Okay so during the commercial break, my mom and I looked up wood nymphs and had this big discussion and here’s kind of what we came up with:

So we were trying to figure out if wood nymphs are supposedly evil, and we didn’t find much, but they do have super strength (which explains her ability to rip off that dude’s head…), and the ability to control wood and nature, which might explain why she can pull smoothies out of thin air.

So then we saw on the SPN Wiki page for this episode that part of the description mentions that the wood nymph would do anything for her family, and that makes me wonder if she has, like, ulterior motives to protect her wood nymph family? But also, she said the Men of Letters were her family, so that translates to Sam and Dean now, right? So theoretically, she wouldn’t hurt them, she’d be trying to protect them. Which means they should be fine, because she only hurts threats. But then my mom pointed out that maybe she considers Jack a threat and that’s a really good point, so now I’m worried all over again. She’s still acting weird with him, and even though I did like that little advice she gave about second chances, maybe it’s all an act? My mom thinks she, like, poisoned his sandwich or something with anti-nephilim juice in order to try to hurt him, but that was before she knew he was a nephilim, right? I don’t know. I think my mom makes a really good point. I hope my baby winds up being okay. :(

Okay. Back to the episode now.

Ahhhhhhhh noooooo. Where are the boys when we need them?

Wait, DATE?? EILEEN??!!

No. He isn’t. Go away.

Sam look at yoooooooouuuu. <3

But also please take a moment to notice how uncomfortable your son is and ask him what’s wrong please and thank you. (And yes, I will keep saying son thank you very much.)

Ha! She wants him to get a haircut just like Dean does. The joke’s about Sam’s (and, by extension, Jared’s) hair will never not be funny.

Ha! “Language.”

YES!! EILEEN!!!

YES SAM!! GO GET YOUR GIRL!!

DEAN! XD

Okay the Sam and Eileen thing is adorable, and Sam and Dean’s banter is hilarious, but guys...look at your son please and thank you. :(

I’m so torn between wanting Sam to just be happy and enjoy himself and wanting him to help Jack ahhhhhh.

Sam can go on his date. I’m sure Dean can handle it.

Roses! Nice touch.

Ha! Dean with the supportive big bro action.

Such. A. Mom.

“Boys.”

Wait nooooooo.

Okay but Alex’s acting right there...tip top. So subtle. Jack is trying so hard to be sneaky and warn Dean about what he saw, and the way Alex is conveying pure panic but also showing how sneaky he’s being is AWESOME.

Also that little “sh*t” or “da**it” or whatever it was that he mouthed? Somehow so cute and makes me so worried at the same time.

“The Dean Cave”?? XD XD

Dean I am BEGGING YOU, please take a cursory glance at your son.

...da**it...

The subtitles say “suspenseful music plays” XD XD

Wait Jack noooo. Don’t go after her alone! Chase Dean instead!!

NOOO!! NOT IN THERE!!!

She’s totally gonna trap him in there.

...what?

She’s being so condescending shut the fudge up.

What? No.

Does he still not have a soul? Is that what he’s hiding? That wouldn’t make sense.

Oh wait. I get it now.

HE IS NOT!!! SHUT THE FUDGE UP LADY!!

LADY STOOOOOP! HE DOESN’T NEED YOUR SH**!! HE ALREADY FEELS GUILTY WOULD YOU QUIT IT??!! :’( :’( :’( :’(

HEY! NOT COOL!

I HOPE SOMEONE RIPS YOUR HEAD OFF B***H!!

They’re not. They know he won’t now.

SHUT UP LADY!!

HEY!!! STOP IT!!! LEAVE HIM ALONE!!!

TAKE HER DOWN JACK!!!

He IS family!

...ummm...what??

GOD DA**IT!!

...my mom literally just said “told you so” about the poisoning. ...which also explains why she walked away to make another smoothie, because she WANTED him to find the video, says my mom. And yes, my mom was right, AND I HATE IT!! SCREW YOU LADY!! LEAVE MY BABY ALONE!!

It IS safe you B**CH!!

HE’S NOT A MONSTER!!! :’( :’( :’(

DA**IT!! DEAN PLEASE DO SOMETHING!!

Ha! He’s so excited about the sandwich and it’s adorable.

But also save your son!!

...wait what?

She’s...she’s really just gonna out herself like that?

Ha! YES!

Aww...Dean’s so disappointed. :(

BUT! He’s sticking up for his son! Because even if he’s mad at him for everything that happened to Mary (but also get over it, because she sucked anyways, Dean XD), of course he’ll still protect him.

Ha! The way he just takes it away…

Aww...poor baby. :(

He’s so disappointed. He deserves better. I feel bad for him. :(

HE IS NOT! SHUSH!

Aww...looking at the sandwich, but making the right call.

AWW! He’s trying. Best of both worlds.

Take the deal, lady.

DA**IT!!!

SERIOUSLY?!

SERIOUSLY???!!!

Screw you, lady.

HEY! NOT FAIR!

He is NOTHING like his father, thank you very much!

Well...now what??

Oh thank god, Sam’s home. He’s smart. He’ll find a way to get them out.

Her calling him Samuel is both hilarious and annoying, somehow. I think it’s only annoying now because I hate her with what she just did to my boys. XD

OOOOF.

She gonna out herself again?

Sam’s face when she said that about good news and bad news. XD

I suppose the benefit of having a bad guy who thinks they’re doing the right thing is that she’s not trying to hide it. So hopefully, if she outs herself again, Sam can deal with it a little better than Dean did, knowing Dean was not very successful lol. Dean let his love of her food get in the way. XD

She DID out herself!

Ha! “You were always the smart one.”

YES! Good job, Sam. Starting off strong. <3

YES! GOOD JOB SAM!! Nice manipulation.

Ha!

Can’t believe she’s asking about the date.

Actually yes I can. XD

Wait, why don’t WE get to hear about the date? I WANNA HEAR ABOUT THE DATE DA**IT!

Well, DUH, Sam, you think they don’t know that?

Dean OMG!! XD XD

SUPPORTIVE BIG BRO!! XD XD

In Dean’s defense, he knew she’d wait for Sam, so...it’s not like they were REALLY in danger.

Do NOT try shooting her. Are you kidding me right now?

...really Sam? REALLY?! You’re going to try to SHOOT her?? You’ve seen what she can do, and you’re going to try to SHOOT her? She got the jump on JACK. POWERED UP Jack. Really? Call me crazy, but I feel like that’s not gonna work.

Yes. Yes he is. ...so much for Sam being the smart one.

I want to be mad at them for getting distracted by the holidays, but also I can’t exactly blame them given their childhoods, so…

Ha! The way they both react to the Boxing Day breakfast. Such brothers. XD

There ya go. Good plan. MUCH better than shooting her. Thank you boys.

WAIT WAIT WAIT!! Is this where we’re gonna get the “you sure this is gonna work” “let’s say yes” scene from the promo?? I THINK IT IS!! (Okay, so I MAY have watched that particular five second scene a million and one times because it had my boys in it, but I love them okay?? Sue me.)

Hey. Chill, Dean. Don’t yell at him.

Aww baby. :( :( :(

He doesn’t think you’re a monster. He’s just upset. :(

...uh oh. This convo is gonna be bad, isn’t it? :( :(

:’( :’( :’( :’( :’(

WAIT! “For a while” YES! THAT’S A GOOD THING!!

Oh wait. “Still am a little bit.”

“Evil Mary Poppins” XD XD

AWWW!! SEE JACK?! He DOES love you!! <3 <3 <3 <3

OKAY NEVER MIND THAT CONVO WAS ACTUALLY REALLY GOOD!!! I need to break that down for a second.

That convo was short and subtle and to the point, but it says SO much about Dean and Jack’s relationship.

First of all, the fact that Dean decided to be honest with Jack instead of continuing to pretend everything’s fine shows how much he really does care about Jack and how much he still trusts him and loves him. He doesn’t open up often, and I’m glad he finally did.

Second of all, he may have been blunt, but there was so much affection hidden in the way he addressed all of that. I mean, he tells Jack that he used to be really mad, and he still kind of is, but then he reminds him that just because they’re in a rough patch right now doesn’t mean he wants to lose him. Yes, Jack made a mistake, and yeah, Dean’s finding it hard to get over it, but Jack’s family through and through, and that means that, no matter what, Dean’s going to look out for him. It’s the same way he treats Cas and, more notably, the same way he treats Sam. He’s giving Jack the family treatment. And THAT is a BEAUTIFUL thing.

All of that said, between all of the OG Team Free Will, Dean’s relationship with Jack will always be my favorite (probably mostly because they’re my two favorite characters, but also because they’re amazing together), so this convo makes me so freaking happy. <3 <3 <3 <3

Sam you are being not very sneaky.

SERIOUSLY SAM??!!

I take that back. Sam is not being smart about this. *eye roll*

UGGGGHHHHH.

WHERE IS CAS WHEN YOU NEED HIM?!

Actually quick side note, one that I’m adding now that I’ve finished the episode: not having Cas around TOTALLY makes sense. Explanation included in the review.

“Because you are my favorite.” XD XD XD

She shouldn’t still be making me laugh, but dangat she’s too funny. XD

Wait noooo. No torture allowed.

I KNEW IT!! I TOLD YOU!! I CALLED IT!! SCENE FROM THE PROMO!! XD XD <3 <3 <3

I LOVE DEAN AND JACK SO MUCH!! <3 <3 <3

Ha! Fixing his hands.

YIKES!

...but did the cuffs break at least?

HA! She actually converted him to not swear.

I love how Dean makes a point of swearing extra loud after he realizes what he did. I love him. XD XD <3

Oh frick, that didn’t break the cuffs? Are you kidding me? Stupid powerful magic…

OOH! Dean’s got an idea!

THOSE LITTLE SMILES I LOVE THEM!! <3 <3 <3 <3

OH SHUT UP LADY! Are you still talking??

...okay so...trauma.

Please listen to Sam.

YES HE IS SHUSH!

Just because he has blood on his hands doesn’t mean he’s not a kid. Just saying.

Okay so I kind of feel bad for her knowing what she’s been through, but also that does not excuse her behavior. However, I will take back what I said about someone ripping her head off. I suppose that isn’t really necessary.

That said, someone please do something. :( :(

WOULD YOU QUIT IT WITH THE FINGERNAILS SUPERNATURAL??!! I STILL HAVEN’T GOTTEN OVER IT FROM THE CHRISTMAS EPISODE IN SEASON 3!!!

My mom and I are both turning away owwwwwww.

STOOOOOOOOOOP!!!

Jesus Christ lady!!

“Pain is just weakness leaving the body.” Dean what?! XD XD

HEY! Smart! Way to go you two!! <3 <3

And still helping his son up YES! <3 <3 <3

Okay that could not have been a more in character moment between Dean and Jack right there. Between the “not so bad” and the helping him up and the helping him walk down the hall and Jack just following him along and I just...I LOVE THEM OKAY!! <3 <3 <3

AHHH!! SHE TOOK OFF SO MANY FINGERNAILS JESUS!!

SHUT UP LADY!!

YES!

...Dean honey that was the reset button…

There’s no way that did the job. Too easy.

Problem not solved!! Problem DEFINITELY not solved!!

Creepy green eyes!!

Oh she looks maaaaad. That’s not good.

HEY!!! What happened to not hurting family??!!

LEAVE THEM ALONE!!

Which family??!! Cause YOU’RE the one destroying them!

No he won’t.

“You hurt him, you hurt us.” GREAT line!! YES SAM!! <3 <3 <3

Oooh!! He’s getting to her!! <3 <3

Oop. There’s our backstory. Mr. Cuthbert wouldn’t let her go back. Not that I’m surprised, given what he did to Dean all those years ago.

Yes. Yes he did.

YAY! Dean jumping in to save his son. <3

NICE! Good call, Dean! <3

THAT FACE!! Jack’s face!! <3 <3

YES!!!! YES!!! GOOD JOB BOYS!! <3 <3 <3

Awww….poor Mrs. Butters…

Okay now I feel really bad for her. And a little guilty that I called her a b***h. I’m still kind of mad at her, but...her motives make sense.

Hey yay! She healed him!

Wow, this nymph is POWERFUL. Now that she’s nice again, can we, like, actually keep her? Cause that’d be an awesome ally to have.

Aww...Jack being the one to voice their forgiveness. So pure, especially since she was after him all that time. <3

Awww….Dean wants her to stay. He’s so upset. XD

But he also gets it. :) <3

OMG!! That shot with all three of them looking at her and those sweet little smiles they give her as she’s talking about home. There was just so much...genuineness in that! I loved it! <3 <3

Jack being the voice again. <3

Okay, she looks hecka cute in that outfit.

Oof. That makes sense lol. It would be way too easy if it didn’t revert back.

...inter what now?

Oh shoot...that just proves Chuck destroyed all the worlds...lovely….

Awww!! <3 <3

Ha! Her little words of wisdom to them! To reiterate: SUCH. A. MOM. XD XD <3 <3

Sam and Dean’s smirks at each other when she tells them to do the same things they’ve been telling each other to do for years--eat your vegetables and cut your hair. XD

Awww….that little extra nose crinkle and smile at Jack when she tells him to save the world. <3

I also just realized that this breaks my theory that anyone who meets Jack instantly falls in love with him because of how adorable he is. Though, I guess she’s a little different given that extra little motivation to protect her family in the only way she knows how. Plus, trauma.

Oof. Bye bye extra magic.

Aww...this convo between Jack and Sam. <3 <3

Aww Jack… :( :(

You weren’t stupid, baby. You all fell for it. :(

Aww….he’s looking for faith from Sam.

And Sam just gave it to him. <3

I know the line seems desperate, and in a way, it is, but the way that Sam gave him a little smile shows that it’s more than that. They are desperate, and Jack is their only hope, but also, Sam knows Jack can handle it, because he does have faith in him. It’s a short convo, but it says so much.

That tin has a birthday cake for Jack, made by Dean. Calling it right now.

“He loves that apron.” XD <3 <3

I KNEW IT AND I LOVE IT OMG!!! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

THAT’S SO ADORABLE!!! And that is ONE HUNDRED PERCENT Dean’s way of telling Jack that he still loves him, and that he forgives him. <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

THEIR LITTLE SMILES!! <3 <3 <3

I’M SCREAMING!!! ALL OF THEIR SMILES AT EACH OTHER I FREAKING LOVE THIS FAMILY!!! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

I SERIOUSLY LOST ALL FUNCTIONALITY JUST NOW TO THE POINT WHERE I’M ADDING THIS COMMENT LATER BECAUSE AHHHH!!! <3 <3 <3 <3

AWESOME ending shot. It’s a great way to end a much more light-hearted episode while also setting us up perfectly for knowing that things are about to get heavy and serious. I bet whatever Jack wished for, it has something to do with taking on God.

Okay, so...those reactions were a lot longer than I was anticipating, and I want to apologize, but also, I did warn you. XD That said, review time!

I loved this episode! It was absolutely hilarious, but also sweet and touching. It mixed some crazy and fun moments with some of the most subtly emotional ones, both negative and positive. I absolutely loved all the Easter Eggs, and I loved watching the boys have a chance to celebrate holidays in a way that they never have before, especially with Jack. The facial expressions in this episode killed me. Between all of the little smiles and dorky excitement, I was laughing and smiling right along with the characters. Some stand-out moments/things for me:

That convo between Dean and Jack. I already broke it down above, but seriously, I love how they did that. As a huge fan of Dean and Jack and their relationship, the way that those two interacted this episode was beautiful and really sets up the fact that they’re going to need to lean on each other for support as a whole family in the coming fight, and I loved that. <3

Sam going on a date with Eileen! <3 Initially, I had a theory that Sam and Eileen would end up together at the end of all of this, but when she left a few episodes ago, I threw that idea out the window and it made me sad. So the fact that they went on a date and got to see each other again--even if we didn’t get to see it--makes me so happy and brings back my hope that they’ll end up being together. <3 That said, I am 100% going to write a fanfiction of that date, since Supernatural chose to keep it from us. XD

The acting really stood out to me in this one. Maybe it’s just because it’s been so long since I’ve seen them doing something new, but I honestly feel like J2 and Alex nailed it even more than usual. I mean, their facial expressions were seriously so amazing in this episode. Between the really dorky moments and the subtle emotional moments, I felt like their faces were always saying so much and I loved it. <3

One thing I want to address is the lack of Cas. I know a lot of people were upset that he wasn’t in it, especially since the boys were celebrating so many holidays with Jack, and while I agree that it would’ve been beautiful to have him there, it makes perfect sense that he wasn’t there based on the trajectory of the episode and everything that happened. For starters, if Cas had been there, the wood nymph business would’ve been solved INSTANTLY. Cas is always extra suspicious of people, so if she didn’t trust him because he was an angel, the odds of her getting the jump on him would’ve been slim. And yes, she did poison Jack with the smoothies, but, as this episode continued to point out, Jack is still a kid, so he’s still much more naive and gullible. Plus, he’s upset and guilty and confused and just generally vulnerable now that his soul is back, so it was easy for him to trust and be manipulated. But if Mrs. Butters had tried to do the same thing to Cas, (and I’m picturing that one scene with the milkshake in Peace of Mind here) there’s no way he would’ve fallen for it. More importantly, with how worried he is about Jack, he would’ve been really vigilant about the way she was talking to him and everything, and he probably would’ve caught the poisoning long before it could really hurt him. And you can argue that Sam and Dean probably should’ve picked up on it, which is true, however, even they admit that they get distracted in the fun of it all. While it would’ve been great to see Cas in on the festivities, he wouldn’t have been quite as distracted by it as the boys were, and with his vigilance, there’s no way any of them would ever have gotten hurt. He’d be watching Mrs. Butters like a hawk, and the second she did something suspicious, she’d be gone. That said, I can understand if people want to say that’s dumb, because if they didn’t want Cas to defeat the villain so easily, they shouldn’t have had a villain that could be so easily defeated by Cas, and I’m sure some people feel like that’s a stupid excuse. To which I also offer this.  After seeing those convos between Dean and Jack and Sam and Jack, and knowing that the episode ends with the three of them celebrating Jack’s birthday, Cas’s absence makes even more sense: this episode wasn’t about him. I love Cas, but it didn’t need him. See, Cas already has an undying love for Jack. While Cas definitely saw Mary as family, he never had the same emotional connection to her that Sam and Dean did--for obvious reasons. But he definitely had--and still has--a very strong emotional connection to Jack. He’s always been the most involved in being Jack’s father--again, for obvious reasons. But even after the Mary incident, it was Cas who went to find him, who tried to help him, and who wanted to protect him. Cas always loved him and always trusted him, and he always will. But Sam and Dean lost a lot of trust for Jack after what happened to Mary...and this episode fixed that. Because Cas wasn’t around, it gave Jack a chance to prove himself to Sam and Dean again. Sam had already pretty much forgiven him, but Dean was definitely on the fence. He even says it. But the fact that Dean had that conversation with him and said everything he did proves that Dean still loves him, and it gave Jack the reassurance he needed that, while Dean is still mad, he doesn’t hate him, and he doesn’t think he’s a monster. And while Sam and Jack were on pretty good terms, Jack was still worried that Sam couldn’t trust him--that Sam didn’t have faith in him anymore. But when Sam tells him that he knows he can defeat God, Jack gets confirmation that Sam does still have faith in him. And after all of that, after celebrating all of those holidays together, and having both of those conversations, to then end that with Sam and Dean celebrating Jack’s birthday? That’s what this episode was about. Sure, it was a silly monster of the week episode. Sure, we got some adorable and hilarious moments. And sure, we got to see them celebrate things that they never got to celebrate in a real way before. But underlying all of that, we got to see Jack become part of Sam and Dean’s family again. We got to see them bond. And knowing that this is right before they all prepare to take on God--Jack needed that. The boys needed that. They needed to all trust each other again. And the fact that they celebrated his birthday at the end proves that they do. They’re a family again. They have each other’s backs. They trust each other. And they love each other. And as much as I love Cas, and as much as I would’ve loved to have seen him be a part of their holidays, he didn’t need to be. But those three did. And that’s why Cas wasn’t in the episode. So, frankly, full points to the writers for making that happen. While they gave us a fun episode, and they may have left out a fan favorite character, it created an underlying theme that’s really going to matter as we get into the big stuff of Season 15. And that’s awesome.

All in all, I thought this was a great episode, and I’m so glad that this is how we get to jump back into the season. Not only was this episode hilarious and fun, but it was also a great set-up for the coming battle and for all the hard and serious things that are bound to come in the next several episodes.

Rumor has it that this was the last “silly” episode of the show, and while that’s a sad thought to think about, it totally makes sense with what they did with the episode, and frankly, I think it’s a beautiful silly one to have ended on and a great way to lead into everything that’s coming next.

My Rating: 10/10

[threadofdestiny]

The opportunities we may take

(The Picture was a comission I odered from a friend. Check her out -> Fantasiamind_art) 

SinbadxOC

Soulmate AU

Part 11

Praise our glorious king

---Sindria's castle---

The first thing that came to her mind when Salome woke up the next morning, was that she hadn't slept as deeply the past few days as she had the previous night. She couldn't remember when she got so tired that she actually fell asleep yesterday, but she had been able to sleep until after the sun raised over the horizon. Accordingly, she felt far more relaxed today, than all the previous days combined. She would probably have slept some more if she hadn't heard the dull voices of people discussing something she couldn`t comprehend through her door. This made her slowly regain consciousness, but not enough for her to start to worry about the sounds outside her room.

With a sigh she snuggled deeper into her blanket, breathing in the smell of sea salt and oriental spices, still not ready to wake up completely. The smell lulled her in so perfectly, like it was made for her to get relaxed in an instant, when she was surrounded by it. Thinking nothing of it, she slowly drifted back to sleep after she managed to block out the sounds outside her room. However, this relaxation did not last long because Salome's eyes opened in surprise, when she felt a muscular arm suddenly wrap around her slim waist, before her body was pulled against a hard, well-toned chest afterwards. Startled she looked into the mans sleeping face, realizing that it was the king of sindria that snuggled her against his body. He was lying on her own pillow, a few centimeters away from her. She gasped in surprise when she realized that it was his smell that had lulled her in. Blushing, she glanced over his relaxed features, completely perplexed that the King of Sindria was lying next to her in her new bed. If her heart hadn't started beating wildly beforehand, it would certainly have done so at this point at it's latest.  Long forgotten was the tiredness that had been in Salome's limbs until a few moments ago, now pondering over various thoughts which flooded her mind. Why was Sinbad lying next to her? Hadn't he planned to go back to his own room? Had she fallen asleep before he had left the room? Why couldn't she remember?  At some point in the night Sinbad must have slipped under her covers because his legs were entwined with hers, keeping her from being able to move away from him. But if she was being honest, she wasn't sure if she wanted to move away from him either way. His closeness made her feel incredibly secure, but at the same time also at least as nervous, because she had never been in such an intimate embrace with another person, who wasn´t a family member. In the end it strangely felt like she belonged there in the security of his arms. Was it because of the bond they shared? Just how strong was it actually?

When Sinbad ran his hand over her spine, her breath caught again. Her body reacted with an incredibly strong shiver that ran down her back, while it also ensured that the fine hairs on her skin rose up all over her frame at the same time. Swallowing, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, hoping to calm her heartbeat. Footsteps and soft cursing could be heard outside her room, but the farther the people went away from it, the quieter their voices got. Salome was to distracted to notice what was happening outside of her chambers. She watched him carefully when she felt Sinbad start to stir next to her. Alarmed and with heated cheeks, she observed him how he slowly opened his eyes, before his pupils turned to the young woman, a little disoriented. They watched each other in silence for a few moments, until she suddenly felt his hand dig into the fabric of her nightgown, grasping her firmly for a moment. Shuddering again, Salome winced and sat up abruptly, slowly pushing the man's hand off of her torso. "What are you doing here, Sinbad?" Asked the young woman, while she nervously pulled the blanket up over her chest. When she discovered that Sinbad's torso was naked, by stealing her blanked from him, she blushed even more. Sinbad cleared his throat as he ran his hand through his messy hair and looked apologetically at the dark-haired woman. "I must have fallen asleep. My appologies!" He replied, yawning, before giving her a careful smile. For some reason, a satisfied expression spread across his features after he looked at the young woman for a moment. Salome, however, was too bewildered by the fact that the man next to her was mostly bare, asking herself how he undressed himself, if he had fallen asleep by acident. But before she could ask him, he took the opportunity to speek up: “I'm glad that you look much more rested this morning. I have to admit that I helped a little...”, the King of Sindria admitted and guiltily stroking the ring on his right hand. Forgetting her previous train of thought, the young woman's gaze wandered to Zepar's vessel when she realized why she had suddenly become so tired yesterday. Sinbad had told her what his Djinns could do on the ship a few days ago, but she hadn't expected Zepar to be that powerful. She hadn't even noticed that the man had used his sound djinn on her.

Salome observed how the Rukh fluttering around Zepar's ring, chirping happily, while she pondered over her revelation about the subject. After a short moment the young woman began to nod slowly. "I see ..." she murmured as she raised her eyes again, to give the man a questioning look: "But why?" "I saw that you have hardly slept in the past few days and wanted to help out. Are you angry with me?” Sinbad asked carefully, while watching her closely. Salome was silent for a moment, thinking about his question, before she slowly shook her head: "No ... I don't think so. After all, you meant well...", she started to answer, but paused briefly when she heard Sinbad exhale quietly before she continued:"But, I would be glad if you didn't do things like that without my consent!“, she added in a calm but firm voice.

Sinbad nodded in acceptance before he sank back into the pillow and smiled mischievously at her. "I haven't slept so well in a long time! There is nothing better than waking up next to a pretty lady.”, He cheekily tried to change the subject, whereupon Salome had to laugh, shaking her head at his antics. With a smile she pulled her legs up to her body before wrapping her arms around her knees. With a sigh, she put her head on her arms and looked down at the man next to her. "Now at least I have a clue why Yamraiha had warned me about you. You don't even have the decency to stay fully clothed, let alone leave my bed when I fell asleep.” The young girl chided before swinging her blanket over his head to cover him jokingly, while she tried to hide her blush. "How am I supposed to think that you fell asleep by accident, if you had the time to undress yourself?" Continued Salome while she watched with a smile as the man pulled the blanket from his head, to look up at her with a pouting expression, "It wasn't like that. I really do fell asleep by accident. I have a habit of undressing myself in my sleep. I'm doing it subconsciously, I swear!” Sinbad explained as he sat up again, letting the blanked pool over his lap. She was aware that her cheeks were still red due to his nakedness, but she tried not to show how impressed she was by it. Salome raised her eyebrows doubtfully, but couldn't help smiling when she saw that he was trying to convince her of his statements with a puppy-eyed look.

Outside her room, the swearing and hurried steps became louder again, this time managing to alert Salome and Sinbad. Now that Salome had heard the noises in her full consciousness, she recognized the voice of the king's consultant, who seemed to be looking for the king himself. Immediately Salome glanced at Sinbad, who was already began to climb out of her bed, cursing silently and hurrying to gather his things together. Salome also got up to help him when it knocked against her door. "Miss Salome? Are you already awake?” Came Ja'far's dulled voice through the wood.

"Y-yes. O-one moment, please!“, she answered hastily while she pressed Sinbad's turban and his necklaces in his arms, before she led him towards the balcony. Just before he let himself be pushed out of her room, Sinbad turned around to whisper softly to the young woman: "May I come back tonight?" Surprised, Salome paused briefly and looked up at the young king in disbelief . "You want to come back to me tonight? You do know that's not very respectable, do you?" Salome asked in a low voice, shaking her head, before speaking again after glancing at her door in panic:" But this is really not the right time to discuss something like that!", she added and began to push him out of her room again.

Sinbad stepped outside and took a careful look over the balcony to make sure no one could see them from their position before turning back to Salome:"Actually, I don't really care. I want to spend more time alone with you!”, He replied quietly, grabbing her arm to keep her from turning away.

"Please?" he added in a low whisper. Salome looked up at the purple-haired man, not knowing how to react. Should she let him? She had allowed it last night, but should she allow him to do so again? What if people noticed and interpreted something wrong? But is there something to interpret in their behavior at all? What should she interpret in his request?

"Miss Salome, is everything alright? I am sorry to disturb you, but it's quite urgent!” Echoed Ja'far's voice from the hallway as he knocked again. Flinching, she looked over her shoulder in panic. Her heart was pounding wildly against her chest as she hastily searched for her voice to answer.

"Just another moment, please!" She called hurriedly as she looked up at Sinbad again and bit her lip nervously. Sinbad looked at her and waited to see if she agreed or not. Not bothering that his consultant urged to open the door to her room. Nodding hesitantly, she chewed on her lower lip before pulling her wrist out of his loosening hand.

"All right, you can come back tonight. But you should really go now!”, She whispered before turning around and closing the balcony doors behind her without another word. She hurried to the door to open it a crack. Out of breath and with flushed cheeks, she greeted a rather stressed Ja'far. His pale skin was also flushed, but not out of shame, but from walking around in a haste. Clearing his throat, Ja'far studied the young woman's appearance discreetly without appearing suggestive. There was something disparaging in his gaze, as if he knew very well that she had something to hide. However, he tried to hide it with an apologetic smile when, shortly afterwards, he started to say a gentle greeting: “My apologies, Miss Salome. I hope I have not woken you up, but I have to ask you whether you have heard of his Majesty this morning because he is not to be found at the moment."

Swallowing, Salome considered how best to answer him without embarrassing herself. Not that she was fundamentally uncomfortable that Sinbad had been in her room a short time ago, but he was the king and was known for being a womanizer. She didn't want people in this castle to get the wrong impression of her. But should she really be lying about it? Did she have to be ashamed that Sinbad had been with her? They didn't do something indecent after all. Pondering over the subject, she peered over Ja'far's shoulder to see if there was anyone else nearby, but she could only see a few guards a little further away who were patrolling the hallways. "I'm sorry. He's not here, sir!”, she dodged cautiously, hoping to get away by dancing around the subject without having to lie. Ja'far frowned for a moment as he adjusted his keffiyeh. At the very moment when the advisor wanted to start a new question, Sinbad appeared at the end of the corridor and greeted his friend from afar, as if he hadn't slipped out of her room before.

"Ahh, good morning Ja'far. I was wondering if you were already looking for me!“, The king greeted his friend calmly as he ran his hand through his purple hair. Turning away from Salome, the king's adviser looked up at Sinbad with flashing eyes as he accused him with a finger: "Where have you been?" “Oh, I've done a little exercise and now I wanted to freshen up for the day.”, Sinbad lied without blinking an eye and topped it all off by greeting Salome with a curt nod, as if he wanted to wish her a good morning. The young woman almost started to laugh, becouse the situation seemed so absurd to her, but she caught herself quickly enough and cleared her throat for a moment before speaking up:“Well ... well, I would go back into my room to freshen up, if I am no longer needed.” Immediately, Ja'far's aggressive stance changed as he turned to her and bowed slightly.

"Of course, Miss Salome. Please excuse the disturbance!“, the ash-blonde man apologized before nodding one last time to say goodbye. Glad to have gotten off lightly, Salome closed the door before turning around with a sigh, leaning her weight against the sturdy wood for a few seconds.

After that, a small smile stole on her lips until she finally started to laugh softly. This place was bursting with vitality. It was really hard not to be comfortable in Sindria. Inspired by this thought, Salome went deeper into her rooms until she came to a stop in front of her bed with the aim of turning to the chest that stowed her clothes. Smiling as she opened the chest to pull out one of her robes, she wondered how to spend the day. Maybe she should ask Malik if he would like to explore the city with her?

When Salome thoughtfully closed the lid, she caught sight of something golden that flashed between her blankets. Curiously, she dropped her thoughts for a moment while the young woman came closer to the sheets in surprise to pull out a golden sword, which turned out to be Baal's vessel. She immediately remembered how Sinbad had put the sword between them and apparently accidentally left it there. With a smile, she stroked the symbol of the eight-pointed star that shone on the sword scabbard as she approached the window of her balcony doors to take a look outside.

For a moment she watched the people outside the castle walls decorating the streets with various garlands, indicating that the maharajan was near.

"Hmm, maybe I get the opportunity to bring you back to your king, baal!"

.

.

.

It seemed that Sinbad and Salome had slept through the regular time for breakfast, so it was no wonder that Ja'far had searched in an angry haze for his king. After all, a king certainly had a lot of tasks to do. Salome, who had no urgent tasks yet, had made her way to the dining room, hoping to get something to eat without having to make more work for the staff. On the way there she had met Masrur, who had led her to the kitchen, after she told him about her plans, where he went to steal a few little snacks, before sitting down with her in one of the gardens.

It was pleasant to be in Masrur's presence. The younger teenager had a very calm personality, He may did not speak much, but was incredibly friendly and helpful. It was easy to sit next to him and to enjoy the silence. Despite this, Salome had used the time together to learn from him what Sinbad's and his general's daily routine would look like today, before taking a few hours to work on her Djinn control. There she had learned that the king and his generals would be courting in the afternoon to hear the concerns of Sindria's residents. She had spent some time thinking about whether to take Sinbad's sword to the throne room in between or later, but no matter how she turned  the thoughts in her head, it seemed too sensational or inappropriate. But since hearing about the upcoming event, the Rukh seemed to be convinced that she should also be there. So she decided to ask Masrur if the court would be a public event and if she could actually attend to it. So it happened that a few hours later she actually found herself in the throne room, where she had settled on the edge of the room next to an open balcony door, on a chaise lounge, to watch the king and his generals work from background. Malik had accompanied her in silence and sat down next to her with a book in his hands. His appearance had caused quite a stir among the residents of Sindria when they entered the hall, but Malik seemed to put it off with his calm manner while skilfully ignoring the looks and whispers.

Her brother's head was lowered toward his reading material most of the time, while his eyes were still covered by his mask. Only in more interesting cases did he temporarily raise his head, indicating that he was following the conversation for the moment. Salome, however, sometimes found it difficult to follow the discussions of the generals, since the Rukh repeatedly responded to the requests and questions of the people and shared their knowledge with the young woman. Rubbing her temples, Salome watched her brother raise his head again when two traders emerged from the crowd.

One accused the other of having spoiled his wine to destroy his business. His counterpart denied this and tried to explain that the accuser wanted to harm him, but the latter put one piece of evidence after the other and thus invalidated the statements made by the accused merchant.

Frowning, Salome listened to the rukh, her eyes on the two men before she turned to her brother, shaking her head in denial. "The accuser is lying!" She whispered in shock as she clenched her fingers in dismay in her lap. Malik turned to his sister in surprise before buzzing thoughtfully.

"Hmmm, then you should inform the king.", he replied calmly before turning back to the arguing traders. Pondering how best to share this information with Sinbad without causing a sensation, she looked at the King of Sindria with a thoughtful expression. She heard the other trader vehemently deny that he had done anything, but unfortunately all the evidence seemed to speak against him, which is why the generals began to think about the punishments he would face for his crimes. Sinbad sat leaning against his throne the whole time, thoughtfully rubbing his chin, while keeping his silence. Panic spread through Salome, at the thought that the man would be wrongly accused, which is why she eventually threw away any discomfort to cause a stir, and stood up abruptly to quickly reach the pedestal on which the king and his generals lingered. Surprised, Sinbad looked to the side when he noticed in his peripheral corner that someone was hurrying towards the rows of seats of the Sindrian leadership. A low murmur broke out in the crowd as the young woman fell into a deep curtsey before the first step of the pedestal, while respectfully lowering her head for a brief moment. Perplexed, the generals began to remain silent as they watched Sinbad look down at the young woman, who slowly raised her eyes again, silently asking for allowance to come closer. Blushing, Salome felt the soft murmur spread in the hall and now all eyes seemed to lay upon her. The two traders also stared at her in shock, but she tried to ignore all of this to concentrate only on the king, who reached out for her and indicated that she was allowed to approach him. To late to turn back now, the young woman immediately got up and climbed the stairs just to lower herself on the floor next to his throne, before she locked her gaze with the king.

"I am sorry!" She whispered quietly as he leaned over and shook his head smiling to indicate that she didn't have to apologize.

"What can I do for you, my dear?" He asked casually, as if they weren't surrounded by innumerable prying eyes at this moment.

"The trader who accuses the other is lying...", she whispered so quietly that only he and maybe Ja'far and Masrur, who were both sitting next to the king, could have heard her voice. Realization flashed in Sinbad's eyes as a mischievous grin crept onto his lips as he leaned closer to Salome. "Did the rukh told to you that?", he asked surprisingly satisfied, as if he had already known. Salome nodded cautiously as she watched Sinbad cast a triumphant look at Ja'far, who then nodded, before turning to Yamraiha to whisper something in her ear. Sinbad, as casual as before, leaned back in his throne, grabbing the young woman's hand to stop her from going away, while he turned his attention  gravely back to the two traders. Salome discreetly tried to pull her hand out of his grasp, which Sinbad prevented without blinking, so she had no choice but to kneel next to him for the time being.

What was he doing? Why didn't he let her go? Confused and at the same time incredibly embarrassed, she looked up at Sinbad questioningly, but he didn't pay attention to her.

The two gentlemen bowed immediately, when they noticed that their king's attention was on them again.

"Well, you, Mr. Yasir, accuse Mr. Fahad of destroying a large part of your wine supply a few days ago by putting some of his herbs in the wine barrels, making them inedible?"

"Yes, your majesty!", The merchant named Yasir lied quite credibly, lifting up a cloth with the local herbs to reaffirm his statement. Fahad, the herb-trader shook his head desperately, when Sinbad suddenly turned to Yamraiha, who stood up eagerly and cleared her throat: “Now the evidence clearly speaks against Mr. Fahad. Everything that Mr. Yasir had said had refuted your statements...“, the young magician began, halting in front of the steps that lead from the pedestal. The poor herb-trader looked to the side, in a lost manner, before Yamraiha started to continue her speech:“Nevertheless, we would like to play it safe and would perform a ritual that can show us exactly what had happened. It can be used to identify whether or not you are actually the culprit.”

"WHAT? Why this all of a sudden? He has already been found guilty! Everything is already completely plausible?!”, snapped the wine merchant, while the herb-trader suddenly began to look more hopeful.

"To perform the ritual, I only need a small amount of blood from both of you. A cut in the finger is all it takes.", she explained way to motivated, while she walked towards Fahad, who was already willing to come to give her the sample, while he murmured in relief:"Of course, Lady Yamraiha!"

"I refuse to allow myself to be part of such magic tricks. The evidence has been completely clear. This is not necessary!”,  complained the angry wine-merchant with a reddening head, while he impulsively throwing his hands in the air. Suddenly it seemed as if sweat was forming on the man's forehead, when Sinbad addressed him with a serious look:“Well, what is needed is up to me and not you. If you have nothing to hide, such a test shouldn't be a problem!"

The wine merchant hesitated, taking a step back as his gaze shifted wildly between the other trader, his king and Yamraiha, until his eyes finally landed on Salome, who was still kneeling on the ground next to Sinbad. Angrily, he pointed his finger at the young woman before he started cursing furiously: “This woman whispered this to you, right? How could she have known that? Nobody saw us doing it! WITCH!"

Flinching, Salome's eyes widened as she looked with a puzzled expression at the wine merchant. The man immediately fell silent when Sinbad rose dangerously slow from his throne, pulling Salome to her feet as well.

"This young lady didn't tell me anything I didn't know already, Mr. Yasir!" Sinbad said firmly. Surprised, Salomes head snapped in Sinbad's direction, completely shocked to hear these words from his mouth. The king, however, did not pay attention to Salome at that moment, while he waved to his guards casually. "Take this man away!" Sinbad said sturdily, before turning to the herb merchant: "You have been cleared! I will order men to determine what exactly lies behind this story.”

Overwhelmed by the turn of events, most of the community remained silent. Only a few whispered softly to their neighbor, not understanding how the tides could have turned so quickly.

The herb-trader nodded immediately after bowing several times to thank his king:“Thank you from the bottom of my heart, your majesty. Thank you very much!", The man repeated again and again before turning his gaze to Salome, thanking her too:"I would also like to thank you, as well. You too were convinced of my innocence, milady!“, he breathed.

Salome was about to tell him that it was not worth mentioning, when Sinbad spoke again, adressing the people who were present: “My loyal friends. Let me seize the moment and introduce you to the latest addition to our ranks!” Tense silence spread across the room as they waited for their king to continue speaking. An uneasy feeling spread through Salome when she noticed how the rukh started to flutter wildly around them. When she realized what Sinbad was up to, she turned to him, to shook her head with wide eyes. The rukh were telling her, what he was going to do and she wasn't sure if she was ready for what to come.

"No ..." she breathed, but Sinbad, who honored his title as the man who shaped destiny according to his needs, calmly ignored the young woman protests, as he laid his hands gently but firmly on her shoulders, to turn her body to his citizens. “Many people from Sindria originally come from the fallen island of Dalmasca. Some of you are probably standing here in front of us. We look back with sadness in our hearts at the tragedy that occurred seven years ago and commemorate the sacrifices that each of you had to make. But today I can proudly announce to you here and now that the holy Solomon has blessed us! The lady of the rukh has returned! Please greet her with me, Lady Salome!”

Speechlessly, she looked at the partly shocked, partly uncomprehending expressions in the crowd, before she turned her head over her shoulder to stare at the King of Sindria. Sinbad however, looked down upon his people with triumph in his eyes. A loud murmur broke out in the ranks of the people when suddenly an old lady came out and pointed at the young girl with a trembling hand: "I knew it. I recognized you immediately when you entered the room, but I didn't want to trust my old eyes. The prophetess has returned and is now standing with our chosen king!"

Salome's heart was racing, when she turned her head back to the crowd, looking at the old hag as she watched other people emerge from the crowd. Loud emotional murmurs and praises gradually filled the huge hall. "The lady of the rukh!" "Is she really the prophetess?" The people who didn't come from Dalmasca looked around in confusion and watched the spectacle that was taking place in front of them. Some of the ignorant asked former citizens of Dalmasca what was happening at the moment when suddenly some magicians working under the guidance of Yamraiha broke from the masses and fell on their knees in front of the platform. An older magician, who was in the middle of the group, pulled out a gold amulet with an eight-pointed star under the collar of his robe, while his younger companions imitated him.

"Praise our King Sinbad! He was most blessed by Solomon himself who sended his beloved prophetess back to this earth!" Exclaimed the oldest magician, who seems to be a former priest of Solomons temple, before his colleagues and the other former citizens of Dalmasca agreed:"Praise King Sinbad. Praise Solomon. Praise the Lady of the Rukh. Cheers to the glorious Sindria!" Speechless, Salome pressed her hands to her chest as she let her gaze wander over the numerous people when her gaze fell on Malik, who was just as shocked and speechless at the turn of events. A tremendous number of Rukh gathered around Sinbad and Salome as if Solomon himself wanted to celebrate with them, but Salome was too overwhelmed to think clearly. Did the Rukh know that this was going to happen? Looking for answers that the Rukh did not want to give her, she turned back to Sinbad, who smiled smugly at her. It was then that she remembered that he had announced that he knew the wine merchant had been lying. Had he actually known that she would try to help the other man? Did he realize that the rukh would tell her about the lie? Was he just waiting for the right moment to drop this revelation? A look in his satisfied, golden eyes, was all she needed to get the answer to her last questions. Yes, the reader of the waves had clearly expected this and deliberately took the opportunity to bind her and the former citizens of Dalmasca further to him. The only question she couldn't answer was: why did he saw to take such a step?

[frenchy-and-the-sea]

ALEX AND ZEPHYR PLEASE

THANK YOU, BLESS YOU.

Alex

what they smell like

NOT. FANTASTIC, IF WE’RE BEING REAL HERE. But given the chance to bathe and clean up a little, she smells a bit like her soap, a bit like… sap, I guess? That sort of sweet musty earth sort of thing. 

what their favorite smells in the world are

Brewed coffee - specifically the way Tahir makes it - and the smell of citrus. If it reminds her a bit of Adelina, she swears that’s not the only reason.

what pajamas they wear/what they wear to sleep in

Given a choice and a comfortable temperature, she strips to underclothes, or leaves her breeches on and loses just her shirt. In fact, she likely does the same in cold temperatures and just piles on blankets. Her shirt and jerkin get tucked up in that mess to keep them warm so she doesn’t have to face the cold in the morning without them.

my favorite ship (if applicable) and a cute hc about them

Alex and Adelinaaaa, naturally. Fun fact: the very first time Adelina meets Alex’s step-brother, she immediately tells him to call her aunt, and Alex decides right then and there that she wants Ade around for the rest of her life. It’s not necessarily the first time she’s felt that sentiment, but it’s the first time it registers as a clear, coherent thought for her.

my favorite friendship (if applicable) and a cute hc about them

I mean, favorite?? Has to be Alex and Tahir. As for a headcanon; when Alex was teaching Tahir to read and write, she gave him some of her favorite plays to practice reading English with. It was a not-so-subtle way to get someone else to know some of her favorite stories, although she would NEVER admit it. It’s okay though; Tahir knew exactly what she was up to, and made sure to tell her which ones he enjoyed and why. He’s a delight like that.

a song that reminds me of them

Sinking Man by Of Monsters and Men. It’s very much the worst and saddest parts of her, but something about the sound of it just reminds me of Alex so much.

what animal i think they would be if they were an animal

I dunno about what she’d BE exactly, but her daemon is a sooty tern! They’re solitary seabirds that, when coming together with others like them, end up making a lot of goddamn noise, which is Alex exactly, I’m afraid lmao. 

what position they sleep in

On her back, hands folded on her stomach, like a plank of wood. Most other positions will end up with her thrown out of her hammock, so she learned to be a back sleeper realllllly early.

their favorite drink

Coffee, with lots of cream and a little sugar. Coffee is a delicacy that she rarely can afford, so she savors it when it’s available.

a gift i would give them if i could

I already gave her Ade, what more could you want?

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

Zephyr

what they smell like

She has an herbal soap that smells like gardenias and lavender, so if she’s lucky? That. Otherwise, like road dirt and sweat because Failbhe is more comfortable staying in the woods.

what their favorite smells in the world are

Sage and really black tea, freshly cleaned linens and, weirdly, campfire smoke. Zephyr has a very strong affinity for natural scents despite being a bit of a stuffy noble type.

what pajamas they wear/what they wear to sleep in

Normally she falls asleep wearing whatever she manages to stumble to bed in, but she does have an entire array of fine silk nightgowns that she (secretly) misses. 

my favorite ship (if applicable) and a cute hc about them

I mean….it’s a long way from happening, but I definitely ship her with the party’s cleric, Mira. And it’s not a CUTE headcanon necessarily, but at the current stage in the campaign, if someone showed interest in Mira romantically, Zephyr would 100% complain to the party druid about how ineffectual they are and that if Mira is going to get with someone, it oughta be someone worth it, not THAT loser, ugh.

my favorite friendship (if applicable) and a cute hc about them

HAHAHA Zephyr having friends! (But seriously, it’s our mute faun druid, Failbhe. It’s Failbhe, and my cute hc is that Zephyr would like to come up with some hand signals that they can use to communicate silently so it’s not always just Failbe scribbling furiously is his book to talk back.)(And if some of them are the simple ones that she used to use with her master? Well, no one has to know.)

a song that reminds me of them

It’s a Trip! By Joywave. Zephyr is a drunken master monk, and the haphazard jumble of this song fits into her playlist as chronicling the time she spent deciding what to do with her life after her master left. For a long while, it was a lot of sneaking out of the estate and getting trashed just to get through the day. 

what animal i think they would be if they were an animal

A very fluffy white housecat who will not hesitate to claw your entire hand off for petting her one (1) more time than she would like. That, or a bluejay who will straight up fight a falcon because fuck you is why.

what position they sleep in

Sprawled out across the mattress on her back or curled into a tiny ball on her side, depending on how much she had to drink the day before.

their favorite drink

Elderflower wine, though she’ll drink just about anything once. She’s also fond of brandy.

a gift i would give them if i could

Some manners.

[koreanboyswriting]

The X Pt. 4

Genre: Gang/Mafia AU - Angstyyy and Fluffy af

Parts: 1 | 2 | 3

Words: 6.2k

Pairing: Wonho x Reader x Shownu (feat. Hyungwon, Kihyun, and Changkyun)

✨ Notes: I miss Wonho every fucking day, and I will continue to write for him and about him, I hope you guys respect this. It’s ot7 till I die bitches. Also had to end it with Kihyun, happy birthday to the cutest little hamster who lights up my life. ✨

Things get more serious for you with Wonho, but you still can’t shake Shownu. Will he fall for you or expose you to everyone?

Wonho was holding Shownu by the back of his suit jacket, and Shownu looked murderous. Shownu jumped to his feet quickly and shook his arms forward ripping the back of his jacket out of Wonho’s hands and grabbed the front of his shirt.

“Do not touch me.” Shownu growled lowly into Wonho’s face.

Wonho grabbed Shownu’s hands and pulled them from his shirt slowly, his eyes steel.

“I’ll do whatever I want when you’re attacking my girl.”

“Your girl?” Shownu practically whispered.

Wonho stepped closer to Shownu, so they were nose to nose, Shownu’s fist was clenched and you jumped out of your seat. You scrambled out of the car, your dress scrunching up your thighs as your heels skidded on the wet tar.

“Hey, hey, hey, guys, please.” You got in between them and pushed on their chests until they reluctantly separated.

“Shownu wasn’t attacking me, okay?” You said looking into Wonho’s eyes and he just sighed and relaxed his fists. “Now you should apologize to Shownu.” Wonho looked affronted and surprised that you would have the audacity to talk down to him like a mother, but the realization overruled your comment and he apologized.

“It’s whatever,” Shownu said quietly and left, holding one of Wonho’s shoulders for a second before he slipped back into the limo and it sped off into the nighttime traffic.

You sighed and hugged yourself in the cold air that was prickling your arms now that you were out of the warm limo’s embrace. Wonho put a hand on your back and guided you inside, the door man silently holding open the overlarge door. The pair of you stayed quiet as Wonho guided you upstairs to your apartment, once you were inside and set your clutch, the iPhone box, and your shoes down you looked at Wonho unsure of what to say, the words ”my girl” still ringing in your head.

“Look, I’m sorry. I don’t own you, and I shouldn’t have behaved that way, you don’t have to explain anything to me, we’re not together you don’t owe me anything. And yeah, I just-- I don’t know what came over me…” Wonho trailed off looking at his hands as you walked over and enveloped him in a hug.

He just held you as you laid your head on his shoulder. Wonho just always said the right things as if he could read the thoughts that passed through your eyes. He gave what you wanted when you wanted it and nothing when you didn’t. You never had to second guess what he was thinking because he would let you know, unlike others. It felt easy with him but for some reason Shownu was like a shadow trailing you, attached to you for some reason, always in the dark.

Wonho picked you up and cradled you in his arms as soon as you were starting to think you could fall asleep there and took you to your room. He set you down on your bed and walked into your closet, coming out with a little black nightgown in his hands. You pulled it over your head and pulled off the straps of the dress you were wearing and shimmied it down your legs as Wonho walked to the bathroom. The navy dress hit the floor and you sat up and crossed your legs as Wonho returned with a makeup wipe in his hands. You smiled gratefully at him and he winked and left again as you wiped all the makeup off your face, the scent of vanilla lingering from the wipe. You tossed it into the bin by the door as Wonho returned again with a hair brush in his hand. He leaned against the bed and looked at you, asking “may I?” with his eyes, you nodded, and he climbed into bed with you. You turned around so you were facing the headboard and pulled a pillow into your lap as he started to comb through your hair. You sighed and relaxed your shoulders.

“Are you okay?” Wonho asked quietly.

You licked your lips and shrugged, “I don’t know, I just feel confused. I never expected any of this to happen. I really didn’t. And now I feel bad, because I incited one thing and not the other and I feel like I brought it on myself.”

“Shhh… Never feel like any of this is your fault. I know who Shownu really is. He likes to project the idea of the lone wolf, but he really relies on us and I know our bond is unbreakable. So, he might be upset right now, but we’ll move on like we always do. As for what happened between you guys tonight, like I said, I don’t need to know in fact, I don’t want to. Your life is your life, you don’t owe me anything,” Wonho said simply as if it was common sense.

You turned around and looked into Wonho’s soft brown eyes and said, “It was nothing, I promise you.” Wonho smiled and you pressed a light kiss onto his lips and Wonho circled his arms around you and pulled you close peppering kisses all over your face till you laughed and you both laid in your bed together holding each other and talking until you fell asleep, trying to believe yourself that Shownu was nothing, but then again Wonho was supposed to be nothing too.

***

When you woke up the next morning Wonho was gone, all that remained of the muscular cuddle-y man was a note on your pillow that said, “I had a good time last night, x.” You smiled to yourself and rolled over to place the note on the side table. You picked up your new iPhone that sat there and rolled it in your hands. It was a huge upgrade from the simple one you had before. There was a message waiting when you lifted it up to your face. Shownu had texted you that you would be working at the Indigo Flower that night because they needed the help after losing a server. You texted back “ok” and waited with the messaging app open for a minute to see if he would respond. The read receipt came up and that was all you received.

You walked around the apartment admiring the beauty of it in the light of day. The floors were cold and a deep rich colored hard wood, and the wall opposite the kitchen was exposed brick with a large floor to ceiling window right in the middle that looked out onto the street below. The whole apartment was eclectic and beautiful and was fashionable yet cozy and you could tell that someone had outfitted it and picked every piece with love and care.

You made yourself a simple breakfast with what was in the kitchen and sat down at the table eating in silence occasionally scrolling through your phone. The silence was deafening, and it was the first time you really felt alone. You had been surrounded by people almost every moment since you had arrived, and it had been a nice buffer to not really think about what you were supposed to be doing and what was actually going in your life before you had left. You were married to the job. You didn’t have any friends besides your fellow officers and the last time you had a relationship was in high school before the academy. And now here you were surrounded by two beautiful men trying to figure out what the hell you were supposed to be doing and who was actually at fault here. Your fork slipped off the table and that’s when you realized you had been daydreaming as you were thinking about all the problems in your life.

You picked up your dishes and rested them in the sink silently promising yourself that you would do them later as you jumped into your bed pulling the covers up to your chin turning on the tv and letting your mind wander. After all, you were supposed to be staying under the radar and you couldn’t remember the last time you had most of your day off.

***

You must have fallen asleep because you woke up to loud gunshots. You jumped off the bed resting into your fighting stance when you heard more gunshots and realized it was just coming from the crime show that was on the tv. You laughed at your stupid self and rubbed your eyes roughly. Looking at the clock on the side table you realized it was almost time for work, so you went over to the bathroom and got cleaned up. As you pulled your brush through your hair you thought about how Wonho had done it last night. Then you brushed your hands over your cheeks thinking about the kisses that he peppered across your face, and it felt nice to feel like this, giddy and warm at the thought of someone’s touch. But you had a job to do, and this was beyond unprofessional. Or maybe it wasn’t, maybe it was necessary to get the information you need. Or maybe you were just a stupid girl who would open your legs for anyone who treated you decent, desperate for love. You went with the last one, being self-deprecating made you feel better for all the indulgence you were allowing yourself to partake in.

You decided to walk once you got outside and felt the chilly breeze on your face, it felt like a wakeup call. The sky was darkening, and the lights were beginning to glow from the store windows ad signs, and you reminded yourself that a man was killed not too long ago from a place not too far from where you were heading to work. You shoved your hands in the pockets of the luxurious coat you found in the closet and put your head down as you walked the mile and a half to the Indigo Flower. You assured yourself as you walked that tonight would be the night for less talking and more listening. There had to be answers somewhere. Someone knows something and you were going to found out who it is.

When you saw the large neon sign of the Indigo Flower in your periphery, you hopped around the puddles in the street to you got to the other sidewalk and rushed in. A cute young boy was at the podium this time and he smiled cutely at you, before waving, and you noticed all the silver rings he wore on each hand.

“How can I help you this evening ma’am,” he said, an accent lilting his tone, one that you couldn’t place, it sounded somewhere in between a soft British accent mixed with American.

“Oh no,” you shook off your coat and hung it over your left arm and reached out to shake his hand. “I’m Lydia, I started here the other night, I’ve also been working at the club, Shownu told me to come here tonight though.”

“Oh, you’re Lydia,” the boy shook your hand and adjusted his wire framed round glasses. “I’m Shownu’s little brother Changkyun.

You smiled and tried to hide your excitement that you clicked together another piece in the puzzle that is Shownu. Changkyun started talking to you about the restaurant and wondering out loud what you would be doing tonight when Hyungwon sauntered up to the front. He looked beautiful in a silk black shirt that was tucked into crisp black slacks with platform loafers. He looked easy and casual and walked with grace. You smiled easily at him and he winked back playfully.

“Lydia, come with me. Changkyun go find those menu inserts I told you to do an hour ago, I need a hundred more,” Changkyun rolled his eyes and smirked at you before leaving the podium.

You walked in line with Hyungwon glancing around the restaurant, noticing how busy it was for the first time.

“How are you with serving?” Hyungwon asked as soon as you made it through the swinging kitchen doors.

“I’m pretty good, served at a diner for two years of high school. I’ll never forget the muscle memory of holding a tray over my shoulder,” you said with a laugh.

Hyungwon smiled. “Great, here’s your shirt and apron go change, and ask Changkyun which section needs more coverage.”

You nodded and opened your mouth to ask another question but Hyungwon had already turned on his heel and was shouting at a cook that he plated the noodles wrong.

You shrugged, walked to the staff bathroom in the back and changed quickly putting on the button up that had a small indigo flower embroidered over the right chest pocket area. You tied the apron securely, smoothed your hair back into a ponytail and walked out. Servers zoomed around you with quick efficiency and you walked past a rack full of supplies. You snagged a notepad and pen and shoved them into your apron and grabbed a tray as you passed a stack. When you walked back out, Changkyun was sitting a group of giggling girls who were throwing him flirty looks, you laughed to yourself as he winked to them and walked away.

You both met at the podium at the same time and you cracked up laughing before you could help yourself and Changkyun shoved your shoulder. “Sorry Casanova, don’t want to ruin the game you got going there,” you said between laughs, holding your hands up in surrender.

Changkyun rolled his eyes. “Let’s just find what section you need to work in miss.”

He pulled a seating chart up on the iPad that was propped up on the podium. Every table was either green, or red, and had server’s names attached to groups of four or five tables. One server in the back had eight and all of them were red which Changkyun said meant they were occupied. He cut the servers section in half and typed your name into the computer, so half of them were now yours.

“Ok, those tables are yours now, those are the ones next to the large flower painting in the back room. Just let Gia know as soon as I seat someone at those next, they’re yours.”

You nodded and ran the table numbers over and over again in your head. As you walked into the back. The petite girl you assumed was Gia was zipping between the tables. Her face slightly pink and her ponytail falling loose from where it was likely perched at the top of her head.

You waved at her and she came speed walking over, “What’s up? What do you need?” She asked visibly harried.

“Nothing, I’m here to help you, I’m taking the left half of your section as soon as the tables leave. Do you need help with anything?”

She tucked her hair behind her ear and grabbed my shoulder, “Oh thank god, you can take table 422 right now if you want it, I’ve only taken their drink orders. And can you get 421’s food.” She rummaged through her apron pulling out her pad and rifling through it till she found the one with 421 scribbled across the top.

“Here,” she tore it off and handed it to you, “you’re an angel thanks.” And then she was off zipping back to another table.

You went and got the food first dropping it off for the hungry looking recipients who thanked you and tucked in. You greeted the last table and feigned knowledge about the entrees suggesting ones that were more expensive, so you’d get a bigger tip, just like you used at the diner. You succeeded and scribbled down their requests and took it to the back.

The rest of the night flowed as easily as it began. As Gia got less stressed, she helped you more and gave you pointers while you talked at the cash registers. Before you knew it, it was already 12 a.m. and the restaurant was empty. Changkyun was acting suave for Gia as he wiped down a table, she wasn’t having it, she just laughed and threw her rag at him. The rest of the servers had already left, except for a couple who were cleaning in the back with the cooks and Hyungwon sat at one of the booths, his feet propped up next him as he counted money and typed numbers into a large old-school calculator that printed out receipts from the top.

You walked into the back to grab more cleaning solution and two of the cooks were dancing to mariachi music and shaking their hips as they tossed the contents of their pans. You laughed and looked around at the other three servers that were back there and asked them why they were still cooking.

“Oh, it’s for family dinner. We’re adding some new things to menu, I think. Once were done cleaning, we’ll all eat in the dining area,” said a pretty tall girl who’s name you didn’t know.

You nodded and smiled and walked out to get the last row of tables while Gia was sweeping and Changkyun was still wiping tables. When you guys were all done you flopped down at one of the big tables in the center dining area and the chefs came out with the other servers. They put pans upon pans at the table and your stomach rumbled with hunger. Hyungwon joined all the wait and kitchen staff at the table and everyone was eating soundly when Shownu strided in. His dress shoes softly clacking on the marble floors.

He sat himself without a word and started pulling the food towards him. He began eating and one of the cooks started talking to him, waving his hands animatedly and pointing at the food. Everyone else was talking on acting as if they had never stopped to see Shownu come in. You could feel his eyes on you as you ate, but you were determined not to make eye contact. Hyungwon filled up your wine glass further and you smiled and drank it gratefully. It felt like his eye were burning a hole into the side of your head, but you looked right at Changkyun and forced yourself to listen to what he was saying.

“I mean I could have asked for their numbers if I wanted to, but I didn’t. It’s all about balance,” he said with a smirk. Hyungwon just rolled his eyes and chuckled.

“So, how’s the restaurant doing?” You asked Hyungwon.

“We’re doing good. We definitely don’t make as much money as the club, but we do well. We have a steady client base.” He said as he picked at a stray string on his shirt cuff.

You nodded trying to find other topics in your head to discuss, but you felt the ability to small talk had suddenly flew from your head. Perhaps it had landed where Shownu was because all you could think about was him, and whether or not he was onto you, because his stare said more than his mouth ever did. Before you could speak again Hyungwon did.

“So, Kihyun told me about what you did at the meeting the other night, that was amazing. Good thinking.” Hyungwon said quietly, smiling at you with his eyes.

You drained your glass and Changkyun filled it back up this time.

You laughed, “Jeez, you guys trying to get me drunk?!”

Changkyun laughed, “Better you than me and we need to finish this bottle somehow.”

You rolled your eyes and sipped your red anyway. Slowly as the wine filled your system, you got less anxious about Shownu watching you, and then forgot about him entirely as you enjoyed the company of Changkyun, Hyungwon, and Gia.

“And then, once Shownu realized that it was me who stole his bear stickers and not Wonho, who he had been chasing around the yard for 30 MINUTES, he tried to beat me up and Wonho wrestled him to the ground till he gave up.” Changkyun said between laughs, his eyes watering.

Hyungwon was clutching his stomach as he brushed at his eyes. Gia was holding her napkin over her face which was so red you didn’t even know that that was a shade that existed. Shownu came up behind Changkyun and put his hands on his shoulders, squeezing them till Changkyun wiggled out of his grasp.

“Hey now, let’s not tell all the family stories next thing I know you’ll be talking about the tattoo I have on my ass.” Shownu said quietly.

Gia burst and snorted so hard it renewed everyone’s laughs again, even Shownu started laughing, and it was nice to see openness to his eyes.

You looked down at the table and realized it was empty, one of the servers came back in and took the rest of the plates off the table. Once everyone had calmed down, Gia picked up her purse and her coat and told everyone she needed to go home and relieve her husband of baby duties. We all told her to get home safe. Next to go was Hyungwon, he grabbed Shownu’s shoulder and whispered something in his ear before he picked up his receipt book and calculator and winked at you on the way out. You started to get up, not wanting to be left alone with Shownu, but when you stood you stumbled dizzily. Changkyun jumped up and caught your elbow and you laughed standing upright.

“I’m fine, sorry. I probably need to get home now too.” You tried not to look too flustered as you looked around for your purse. You noticed it in the booth where Hyungwon had been counting checks earlier and walked over to it, losing your balance twice.

“Why don’t you go home Changkyun, I’ll drive her home.” Shownu said behind you quietly.

“I don’t think I should drive though,” said Changkyun swaying where he stood.

“You don’t have to. Alex is outside in your car,” said Shownu.

“Oh, okay…” Changkyun grabbed his phone off the table, looked at Shownu weirdly and waved at you before he walked out.

“You know I can get home myself,” you said quietly trying not to show that you were leaning on the table for support.

“I didn’t say that you couldn’t. I said I’m taking you home.” Shownu said while walking towards you.

You swallowed thickly and kept your hands clutched on your purse. Shownu just prowled towards you and grabbed your wrist and steered you towards the door. He hit the lights, and pulled you outside grabbing some keys from his pocket and locking the door quickly. You looked around and noticed the long limo parked on the curb that was polished so perfectly it reflected the Indigo Flower sign like a mirror. As you had assumed it was for you. The driver got out and opened the door and once again Shownu steered you towards the car.

You yanked your arm out his grasp as soon as you sat down. “Don’t grab me like that, I’m an adult not a child,” you said your voice cold.

Shownu didn’t say anything, he just looked at you for a second and closed the door behind him. As soon as it clicked shut you were off. You sat back and put on your seatbelt. You glanced up at Shownu again and he was staring straight ahead. You rubbed your wrist, it didn’t hurt, just bothered you more than anything. Like Wonho said, neither of them owned you, so you weren’t about to let Shownu act like he did.

“Sorry,” Shownu said barely audible.

Then he rolled up the partition and the driver did not seem to notice. You swallowed again and fidgeted closer to the window. It was a silent car ride and when the limo stopped you looked out the window to a beautiful neighborhood of sky-scraping glass buildings, almost like an apartment neighborhood for millionaires.

“Where are we,” you asked Shownu. “This isn’t my place.”

“I know that. It’s mine.” He said looking at you directly for the first time.

You sighed, “Look, Shownu. I’m tired, can we talk about yesterday later? I don’t have the energy right now.”

“No, we need to talk now. You’re going to come up whether you like it or not.” Shownu growled.

You looked over at him and his eyes were a dark abyss. A new look you hadn’t seen before.

“Shownu, please. I just want to go to sleep,” you pleaded.

“And you will one way or another, after we talk. Now get out of the car before I have you removed from it,” said Shownu.

You looked at him confused, but he had already opened his door. You unbuckled your seatbelt and followed suit trying to stay calm. Shownu was already at the door, so you quickly shuffled over and followed him into the building. The lobby was all marble, glass, and maroon accents. Like a chic modern take on a hunter’s lodge, only less wood. It felt sterile, you weren’t sure if you liked it or not. There was an elevator attendant and once he saw Shownu he bowed his head and clicked the floor button without Shownu having to say a word.

You glanced at the buttons and realized without surprise that you were going all the way up to the 40th floor. Of course, Shownu had the penthouse.

When the doors opened, the view looked out to a pristine bachelor pad. Black sleek couches, a wood and glass coffee table, fur carpet. White and gold accented kitchen, an all glass table with what looked like an antique Persian rug underneath. It was almost perfect, but it had the feeling of not being lived in. Shownu walked to the kitchen and pointed towards the dining table.

“Sit down,” he almost whispered.

“Excuse me?” You asked.

“Lydia, you fucking heard me, sit down.” He growled.

He was onto you. He had to be. But what had exposed you? Had he followed you that night you saw Detective Cooper? No. He couldn’t have, he was just as worried as Wonho was. But then again maybe he was acting, he’s not the first person in this room to tell a lie. If you were going to get through this, you were going to have to be convincing as hell. You watched Shownu’s broad shoulders as he turned from you and opened up a random drawer. There was a key code at the top, he punched in the numbers so fast you couldn’t see what it was. When the drawer cover slid back there was black Glock 21 sitting in the drawer, a wad of hundreds, and you realized with horror, your pocketknife you had thought you lost.

He held it up it his hand and left the drawer wide open, almost like a warning. “Do you know what this is?” He said incredibly quiet.

“Yes, it’s a pocketknife,” you said trying to be nonchalant, though your buzz was fading rapidly.

“Do you know what kind of pocketknife it is,” said Shownu.

You tried to look bewildered, “Shownu, what’s going on?”

He flicked it open with ease and you jumped a little, “It’s a police grade knife. Do you know where they sell these?” He asked his voice at a steady level now.

“No, Shownu, I don’t,” you said evenly, trying to sound a little annoyed.

Shownu walked closer flipping the knife in his hand. “They only sell these well-balanced knives at two stores in New York City. Do you know where they sell police equipment in New York City Lydia?”

Shownu was standing right in front of you, just arms-length away now. “Shownu, I don’t understand why you are asking me these questions!” You shouted looking flustered.

“DON’T FUCKING LIE TO ME!” Shownu shouted slamming the knife down so hard on the table the entire thing quaked. You pressed yourself into the back of your chair, frozen to it.

“Minhyuk found this little knife in the dressing room at the club. You were the only one staying there, and it was never there before you were.” Shownu stepped closer closing the gap so you had to look straight up at him. “And the special things about these knives is that they have a serial number on them so that cops can track them between each other if they get lost. And that’s why they are specially made and only sold at two police outfitting stores in New York City.”

“Now, I could take this to any store, and persuade the salesclerk to let me know which badge number is associated with this serial number on this knife, and he would tell me. But here I am giving you a chance to prove me wrong. So, am I Lydia? Am I wrong? Is there a reason you have a police knife as cocaine seller, because you’re the cleanest cocaine addict I’ve ever seen. It’s almost like you never were one.” Shownu finished and set the knife down every so gently on the glass tabletop.

Your eyes started watering and you didn’t try to stop it you left yourself breath through it as if you were and right when you could have reigned it in you let it loose and started lightly crying, enough to be believable, but you didn’t want it to be over the top, you needed to sell this.

“Back when I was 16 my older brother graduated the police academy and entered the force. They put him on special victims, which is rape, pedophilia, kidnapping, child crimes, you know the works, all the terrible shit.” You paused and sniffled, Shownu stood in front of you still, though he took a step back and his gaze was still steely.

“He worked really hard. He loved catching the bad guys and putting them away and he was good at it. After about a year there my brother was getting pretty run down, apparently it was common knowledge that nobody lasted much longer than a year in special victims, so my brothers time was running out.

“He wasn’t excited about work anymore. He was always tired, and he didn’t want to talk about anything that happened at work. Then one day he was on a case trying to crack a pedophile ring, they were kidnapping young girls and trading them between each other, and every time they thought they had a concrete number of people, it just kept getting bigger.

“My brother worked on the case nonstop. And then they cracked it, they hacked into their site and got the email addresses and billing addresses for all the members of their creepy little club and found where they would be trading little girls that night. They assembled a team and were very well prepared to go in. My brother being one of the lead detectives obviously made sure he was a part of it even though he hadn’t been sleeping much as he worked on the case.”

Shownu, who sensed your dip in tone sat down, his eyes still concealing every feeling.

You took in a deep breath and continued, “Well the creeps got scared as soon as the police stormed into the old factory and they started grabbing their kids and running. A couple of them had guns and were firing shots at random. My brother cornered one into a room that split off the main floor, and he told him to freeze, and he did. He was holding a little girl by her wrist and she looked horrible, my brother said she couldn’t have been more than 6.

“My brother told him that he could go if he just let the girl go because he knew they had the place surrounded and he would get caught anyway. The guy made a move that he thought was going to endanger the girl, so he tried to shoot him, but he was so tired and the girl was so scared she just froze as her captor jumped behind her. My brother killed that little girl. It wasn’t his fault, at least he didn’t mean to, it just all happened so fast.” You sobbed a little harder, not faking it this time.

“And no one blamed him, the guy was armed and there had been reasonable danger, he was cleared, but it never left him. He eventually retired early, but no one did anything! He wasn’t fine and you could see it! I tried to get therapy included in his benefits, but they wouldn’t allow it, and he just faded away from me. I tried to check up on him, but I didn’t have the time to do that every day, and the one day I couldn’t he shot himself in the head in his garage.”

You rubbed your eyes roughly and sniffled, “No one cared, they wanted him to be fine, so they pretended he was fine. They killed him, the police did that to him,” you said harshly.

“That’s his knife, I keep it with me as a reminder of how fucked the system is. I hate them, I hate everything they ever did to him. It’s their fault,” you tried to stop crying, rubbing at every tear that fell.

“I started doing drugs after that. I got clean after I realized that my boyfriend was trying to control me with it. I’ve been clean for months now. I don’t want it anymore, I just want to be me again,” you said softly.

Before Shownu could say anything, you grabbed the knife off of his table, flicked the blade close, and got up. Shownu was still staring at you, though his eyes weren’t as hard.

“I assume we’re done here right?” You shoved the knife into your pocket and walked towards the doors rubbing at your eyes with the sleeve of your jacket.

You had just opened the door when Shownu grabbed your wrist again. You tugged your hand roughly out of his grasp.

“I told you not to grab me like that,” you growled.

Shownu pushed the door closed and pulled you into a hug, almost picking you up, his hands firm around your waist. You instinctively wrapped your hands around his neck lightly. You had hoped he would let go after a second, but he just buried his face into your shoulder and gripped you tighter. You relaxed and held him closer resting your head onto his shoulder and before you knew it you were crying, really crying. Big heaving sobs racked your body and you pulled Shownu closer to you as you sobbed freely onto his shoulder. He just clutched you tightly and when your feet were about to give out from standing, he scooped you into his arms and carried you to his bedroom. He deposited you onto his bed and walked over to his dresser and pulled out a t-shirt and handed it to you.

You looked at it and smiled softly but handed it back to him. “Thanks Shownu, but I should go home.”

“No, just stay,” he said barely whispering.

You wanted to protest, but you also didn’t want to be alone. You never talked about your brother, you barely even talked to your parents about him anymore. You all pretended like it didn’t happen.

You tugged the shirt over your head and unbuttoned the work shirt you were wearing as Shownu walked towards his restroom. You shimmied out of your pants and looked around the room. The walls were a dark navy and all the decorations were white. Sheer curtains, leather armchairs and wood furnishings, it was effortlessly comfy, you already felt yourself getting sleepy. Shownu walked back in the room shirtless and you fought the urge to suck in a breath. You just pulled the covers quickly over your body and sequestered yourself to the left side of it.

“No cuddling,” you said softly and shoved a pillow against your back, like a makeshift wall.

Shownu chuckled and put his hands up in surrender before he climbed into the bed. You stared at the wall for a minute listening to Shownu’s breathing, and right when you felt like you could fall asleep Shownu extended over his hand and grabbed yours lightly, rubbing circles into the back of your hand, it was exactly what you needed, and you fell asleep instantly, feeling strangely safe.

***

When you woke in the morning the only person in the bed was you. You sat up and stretched looking around the room in the daylight, it looked just as pretty. It felt like it glowed even with the dark walls. You slid out of the bed and heard a voice in the next room. The door was left open a little and you tiptoed in unsure of what was going on. You couldn’t see anyone in the kitchen, so you opened the door more and there was Kihyun sitting at the desk that was next to the large window that took up the entire back wall. His feet were propped up on the desk and he had just hung up on his phone call and was looking directly at you.

“Well, you’re someone I was definitely not expecting to see.”

[twohearts-hs]

‘Alpha lll’ - Shawn Mendes Werewolf AU

Words: 3.5k

Pairing: Alpha!Shawn Mendes & Alpha!(Y/N) (Y/L/N)

Warnings: Swearing 

Summary: She was a runaway from the biggest, deadliest pack in the country, little does he know. All he knows is she is an alpha, and she wants to get to Lake Erie. Yet, that may be stopped after he finds out about her and what their potential relationship will be. If she accepts this, it may end with her biggest fear…another pack war.

|| Masterlist in bio || 

-

She woke up to the gentle kisses of someone. Her eyes fluttered gently and she came to the realisation of where she is. A gentle smile adorned her, as she felt Shawn’s hands against her scalp as he played with her hair and laid kisses across her shoulder.

“You’re cute,” she muttered, morning voice all groggy, but still beautiful to him.

“Just admiring the mark I made on you, pup,” he mumbled into her bedhead, and she just hummed. 

His arm was wrapped tightly around her as she was against his bare body; heat being shared between them. That moment they have yet to come to the realisation of what stress laid upon their day, but simply it was two mates drowning in a moment of love together. It was picture perfect. 

She moved gently, trying to turn her body out of being the small spoon to look at her love’s eyes. He loosened his grip and allowed her to face him, and instantly he was met with her lips.

“What are we going to do about Matt?” he groaned, moment ruined between them. Shawn just wanted to soak all the good until he has to deal with the bad.

“I’m just going to meet him by the river and hope he doesn’t want to fight,” she choked on thin air and looked at him with widened eyes. 

“Babe, I don’t think you know what you’re doing?” he pulled away, offended by his mate’s statement. 

“I darn know how to run a bloody pack. This isn’t my first rodeo,” she rolled her eyes, getting up from the bed, her naked body coming to view. He smirked from the bed, hand behind his head as he watched her.

She turned around and raised her eyebrows, “This is me being mad at you, don’t gawk you asshole,” she muttered, walking to the shower.

-

Y/N came downstairs, a hum coming from her mouth as she entered the kitchen, ignoring the crowd of boys in the living room. But, she stopped in tracks for a moment, there was a new smell.

“Who has an omega here?” she sneered, turning on the balls of her feet as she walked to the living room with her cup of coffee. 

Y/N stood in front of the boys in just a robe, a silky, short robe, revealing a little too much, but she didn’t care. She looked up and saw a female, “Who the fuck are you?” she muttered. Geoff glared at her and she glared back.

“Y/N, this is Maisie. She used to be part of our pack,” Geoff muttered. 

“Hi, Maisie,” she said, taking a sip of her espresso. She heard the heavy steps of her love behind her.

“Hey, pup, have you seen-” Shawn stopped in his tracks and looked at the wet girl in front of him, a towel wrapped around her.

“Maisie,” he muttered.

Maisie looked up, mascara running down her cheeks from her hazel eyes as her lip whimpers, “Shawnie.”

Y/N looked between the two, the helpless girl and her shirtless mate, “Can someone explain what the fuck is happening here?” Shawn pushed past her and went straight to the omega. He wrapped his broad arms around her and gently helped her up and taking her upstairs to aid her and take her away from the chaos of the pack downstairs. Y/N stood there, not knowing what was happening.

“Ex-girlfriend,” Brian whispered into her ear as he walked by.

-

Shawn sat Maisie down on his bed, walking around the room and gathering clothes.

“What happened?” he asked, grabbing his mate’s clothes to lend to the girl.

“They came,” she muttered.

“Who?” Shawn looked at her, yet she couldn’t meet his eyes.

“She’s your mate? Shawn, she’s such a bitc-”

“Don’t talk about her...who came?” He used his alpha voice him, no love, just controlling and stern. Maisie shook her head.

“What happened between us, peaches?” Shawn rolled his eyes, grabbing his shirt and placing it on. He couldn’t bear this. His ex-girlfriend walking in his home as though nothing happened between them.

“Don’t,” he snapped, “you cheated on me. Now, before I kick you out-”

“She’s an alpha!” Maisie yelled, throwing the towel off and grabbing the clothes to change. Shawn turned away, not wanting to see her naked body.

“Was it a new pack of wolves, a black one…” he asked from behind, Maisie replied. “Thanks, get dressed and come downstairs,” Shawn muttered, walking out of his room and going downstairs.

-

Y/N was in the kitchen raising her eyebrows when her boyfriend came into view. She took a sip of her coffee and walked away, heading for the woods. Shawn huffed and followed her. She was walking outside in the shortest and thinnest robe he has ever seen. He would admit that his love was indeed the embodiment of a sex goddess, but it was cold outside. 

“Kitten…” he tried, “let me explain,” she kept walking and stopped at the beginning end of the stairs into their home.

“Ex-girlfriend, really Shawn?” she scoffed.

“Y/N…” 

“I don’t care, but you need to tell me this stuff. I told you about Matt,” she inquired. Shawn began walking towards her, rubbing her arms as she held the mug to her lips.

“I know and I love you so, so much and I am so thankful to have you in my life,” he whispered, placing a kiss on her lips and all the tension disappeared.

-

As Shawn said, Maisie was in “shock” - Y/N rolled her eyes at that - therefore she had to stay a few days. Y/N despised that woman, she was your typical omega that ran off her hormones and the people around her, constantly needing attention and a wicked sex drive; she could smell it a mile away. Everyone knew she was close to heat, but it just drove Y/N crazy with the pack’s reactions; Shawn was even on it.

Therefore, by day three Y/N had to put her foot in. Shawn was being distant, the pack was giving her the stink eye and Maisie, she made the alpha’s blood boil. 

One thing about alphas is that they are extremely possessive of what is theirs. Therefore, when someone comes in and tries to take over, they must be looking for a fight. Y/N was done with this girl. She was just too omega for her if that makes sense, meaning, they were driven by the pheromones of the male species.

Y/N sat in their bed, a silky, thin nightgown covered her body as she watched her lover walk around the room, slowly removing his clothes. He was so at peace, gently taking the fabric off his toned body, as he smiled because his mind was in its own little world. Y/N loved moments like this, the silence but love shared between them.

“What are you looking at, pup?” he asked, shirtless and with joggers on. She smiled, taking the blanket off her and slowly crawling down the bed to be in front of him.

He leaned down, still too tall and kissed her as he wrapped his arms around him. She pulled away and smiled, “What are we going to do about Matt and the attack he did in the town next door?” Shawn huffed.

“You know how to ruin the mood, so I am going to ignore you and make love to my mate,” he mumbled, grabbing her by the butt, spinning them around and threw her on the bed, lying on top of her. 

-

Sweat covered their body as Y/N traced little circles on his stomach. Post sex hair and little chatter shared between them. He thumbed her bare hip as she played with his little chest hair.

“I love you so much,” he muttered as she looked up. 

“I truly love you too,” she muttered, kissing him quickly. “Maisie-”

“Please, pup, not this, she’s in shock,” he told her, rolling his back in annoyance. Y/N pulled away, grabbing the sheet and covering herself.

“What the fuck, Shawn? She’s your ex, you lost your virginity to her, you fell in love with her. Do you see me opening my arms up for Matt?” Shawn kept his gaze on the ceiling, refusing to look in her eyes.

“That’s a different scenario, Y/N,” he groaned.

“I can’t do this,” she whispered with anger, getting up and grabbing her nightgown off the floor.

Shawn sat up watching her, “What are you doing?” she rolled her eyes, opening the door.

“What does it look like?” she snapped and closed the door behind her. Shawn threw his body back with a huff as he heard Y/N’s voice from outside the door.

“Before you ask, he’s being a little bitch,” she told Geoff and walked downstairs, still fuming.

She was absolutely done with this. Maisie is driving her insane, Shawn is driving her insane and with all that, there’s a pack war that is going to happen soon. Stress was quite high for the little alpha, but she was an alpha and she knew best. She needed to do an action.

Therefore, she walked out, grabbed her coat and walked somewhere where she knew she’d be accepted and respected.

-

Y/N walked to the woods, following a scent that she remembers all so well. The breeze hit her and goosebumps went up her arms, after all, she was in just a nightgown.

“He hurt you, didn’t he?” she heard the all similar voice. She smiled, turning around and spotted her past lover.

“Jamie,” she looked at the man she had an affair with from such a young stage. Memories flooded her brain from the man. They couldn’t be together due to social status. He was his father’s best warrior, only two years older than her.

“Matt told me about your mate,” he stepped towards her, wrapping a jacket of bear fur around her. “I could smell you walking here, so I grabbed a spare,” she smiled, wrapping her arms around him.

“Fuck I miss you,” she whispered into the blonde’s ear. 

Jamie and her were best friends at a young age. He was the person she always looked up to and eventually like any cliché, they fell in love and they hid their love until she kissed him on the cheek told him of her plans of running. 

“So, mates exist?” she pulled away from the Viking looking man; blonde hair shaved on the sides and a little blonde ponytail, strong jaw and little stubble, paired with fur coats and clothes, truly rustic.

“I think so,” she muttered, he wrapped his arm around her as they walked through the woods as Jamie told her he had beer and blankets at his tent. It was simply two old friends seeing each other after a long time, quite innocent.

Their night was good, sitting across from one another with blankets wrapped around each other while getting drunk with cheap beer as they devour themselves in chatter.

“Shawn is really good to me, after Matt and dad, I deserve him,” she told him, hiccupping and laughing.

“You deserve it. I’m history, we’re history. He’s your mate and I was there when he fought with Matt and you two will have beautiful pups,” he told her.

“Thank you, if we have pups. He’ll probably be done with me next month. We are both alphas and it’ll probably not work because of the imbalance of hormones,” she told him.

“I doubt it, now tell me this trek you did around Canada.”

-

Shawn fell asleep. He refused to feel apologetic from him and his mate’s little fight. He was just being a caring alpha and Y/N was totally overreacting. He reckoned it was jealousy or the need of attention, so he shrugged it off. Maisie went through something tough and he is just being a nice person.

Morning woke him. A groan left his lips as the sun came to his eyes. He reached over, thinking that his love would be laid beside him, but came to a petite body, smaller than Y/N...an omega body. Shawn instantly sat up, rubbing his hazel eyes as he looked next to him.

“What the fuck…” he whispered, looking at the girl next to him. Why the hell is Maisie next to him?

She stirred a little, a little huff left her lips, but otherwise undisturbed. Shawn looked at the girl, not knowing what to say, therefore he took his tattooed hand and touched her shoulder softly.

“Shawnie…” she mumbled, turning her body around. This was the fine line with Maisie.

“Maisie, what the fuck are you doing in my bed?” he spat, shaking his head.

Maisie turned around and looked at him, “I had a nightmare, Shawnie. I’m just doing what we use to-”

“I’m practically married, I am mated. I am mated and you can’t come into my bed when my wife is not there. We aren’t together, fuck, she was right,” he muttered, running his fingers through his hair.

“Shawnie…” she sat up, placing her manicured hand on his cheek, which Shawn swatted off.

“Get out, don’t come back. You’ve overstayed your welcome, Maisie,” he growled, showing his fangs.

Yet, she wasn’t having it, “Shawnie, remember what I said about your anger-”

“Get the fuck out of my house, bitch,” he growled again, eyes flashing.

Maisie laughed, getting up and heading to the door, leaning against the frame and stated, “She’ll never stay with you. She’s a wilding. She’ll have your pups, but she’ll take your pack and kill you. That cult she comes from, they don’t believe in mates, it’s all an act. She doesn’t love you, Strongfires can’t love,” she told him.

“You don’t know us,” Shawn argued.

“I do know Strongfires, I was married to one before, remember? That’s how you and I fell in love,” she finalised, closing the door behind her.

Shawn took a breath and yelled. He growled and threw the lamp next to him, rubbing his face with his hands as he expressed his anger.

He headed downstairs after a while. He sat and watched as the door opened and closed revealing a hungover alpha.

“Maisie just left, aren’t you worried?” she told him with a daze in her voice.

“Yes, I kicked her out. You were right, pup, she was just using me and I didn’t realise until it was too late,” he began, following her into the kitchen. Y/N hummed turning around and almost falling, alcohol still in her system. “Where were you last night?” he laughed.

“That’s a funny story,” she replied, yet she never told him.

-

The politics lasted months. The meeting never happened and every couple of weeks there is an attack on something. It could be the famous red paint on doors or ransacking the villages, but it angered Y/N, as Shawn did nothing.

In terms, he thought he was doing something, trying to make a treaty, but Y/N had a different idea. She was raised to do action while Shawn was trained to be smart with his actions. There were two sides to an alpha, a violent one and a smart one, it was easy to figure out who was what.

Therefore Y/N was done with the stolen kisses at night and the lack of effort and change in the morning to deal with Matt. Y/N was done with this life.

Shawn loved his routines. In his eyes, a good pack runs on a structured system and a routine based life. So, like every morning at eight, he’d do a perimeter check around his land with some of the betas. It was too early for Y/N, therefore she rarely came, but not that moment.

Like any morning, a kiss on the head and lips are shared between them as Shawn focuses at such a blessed beauty in his life and leaves for the morning check. Y/N was awake, as he always wakes her from her slumber from the movement in their bed. 

A little groan escapes her lips as Shawn moved some hair from her eyes, “You’re awake?” he mumbled. Y/N nodded, kissing his lips with her eyes closed still. “Do you want to come?” he sat down, placing his tattooed hand on the covers that were covering her. She shook her head and Shawn smiled, waving and saying a small ‘bye’. Then there was a sound of the door closing.

Y/N got up the minute the smell of her mate was gone. She couldn’t be caught in the act, therefore she had to be wise.

-

“You’re early,” she looked up from her spot on the log, seeing the male warrior in front of her. 

“You’re late,” she mumbled, getting up. “Jamie, I mean it, no funny business. I have a mate, this is going to be professional,” she muttered, pulling away from his embrace. 

“Of course, my queen,” she glared at him.

“You haven’t called me that in years,” he raised his eyebrows. 

“Well, aren’t you planning to murder Matt in order to take his place?” she gave him a look. “Also,” he mumbled as he stepped closer, “you are the next in line after your father,” he placed his muddy finger in her hair, twirling it, “you have always been my queen, your highness,” he whispered in her ear.

Y/N stepped away, “Shawn,” she mumbled. “Now, what’s the plan?”

“I have men.”

-

Shawn knew something happened. He could feel it deep in his soul, an ache, yet it wasn’t a pain, therefore he was just antsy to get home from his check. He knew it was his mate, something happened to her. Was it fear, pain, excitement? It was an odd feeling, one he never had at all. 

Y/N sat looking at herself in the mirror, she’d never thought this would happen. They were safe, always safe, but she knew she was pregnant. She could feel it in her stomach, moving. They were safe, during his rut and hers and yet she may be pregnant. The foggy mirror stood in front of her as she looked at it, taking breaths as she controlled her anxiety over this situation. She may be a mother nine months from now, no longer a warrior or a potential queen...a mother. Y/N didn’t know if she liked that thought.

Looking down, a towel wrapped around her as she just took a shower. She looked, two bold lines were there.

“I’m pregnant,” she muttered, still looking at the lines. 

She moved eventually to be sitting on the toilet. Hair a mess due to the shower and a towel wrapped tightly. Her hands still gripped the tiny plastic stick, her whole life flashing, but she had no idea what to say or do. She just met with Jamie to take back her clan and now she was pregnant. 

Shawn came to the bedroom, knowing her routine. He looked at her sitting in the ensuite, holding something. His back leant against the frame and just watched. She didn’t move.

“What’s that?” he mumbled, taking his hands out of his pockets and making his way to her. 

She stuffed it under her and looked at her mate. “Nothing,” she mumbled, smiling. Shawn raised his eyebrows.

“Pup?” he began, bending down, hands on her knees, “I know you’re pregnant, your smell has changed; known for days. I just waited for you to tell me,” he told her, looking at her eyes. She just stared, not knowing how to take in this information. “I am here, pup, always am,” he muttered, as he looked in her eyes, yet she hasn’t looked into his.

Y/N got up, pushing Shawn’s hands off of her and headed out, as Shawn followed. 

“Y/N,” he called, following her, but she was determined to just leave. She walked faster, heading past the boys in the kitchen and into the words. Her feet began to quicken as she ran, the woods flew past her as tears clouded her eyes.

She wasn’t fit to be a mother, far from it. She was a broken being with daddy issues, not a mother; she could never be a mum. Y/N truly believed she wasn’t fit for it. 

In her mind, she had no idea how long she was running, but her feet became weak and her run died to a slow stumble. Emotions flooded her body as she collapsed 

Shawn grabbed her, pulling the limp body into him, holding her as tears flooded. 

“I did something bad,” she mumbled into his shoulder, but he didn’t question it, letting her to just cry.

“Shh, my love,” he mumbled into her ear, kissing her head and rubbing her back, as she cried in the middle of the forest. 

She pulled away, looking at the man she loves so much, “I did something.”

Shawn rubbed her shoulders, “Growing a baby isn’t a bad thing,” he told her. She nodded.

She really wanted to tell him, tell him the whole rebellion she began, but he was too blinded. The alpha was too blinded by emotions, the first rule of the Strongfire clan, don’t let emotions get in the way. Shawn isn’t a good alpha.

-

Tag list - DM, Inbox, etc. to be added/removed :)

@alinashawn @mendesnecessary @claredolphinbear24 @notunlimited @ashwarren32 @harrysahottie @i-am-bisexual-and-a-girl @purple-cream-cheese @iimagineloves @particularlymendes @lilya-petrichor @laggyphone @winchesterwife27 @neverlandqueen15 @kissme-hs @mutuallynotmutual @why-are-all-the-teens-gay @min-amani @a-classy-asian @bandsandanimefreak @kiwisbitch @harryismyhome1 

[fredsweaslies]

the gardens that grow between us | chapter six

● word count: 1707

● new fic index

AS THE PAIR OF GIRLS BEGAN TO GET COMFORTABLE WITH THEIR NEW LIFE AT SCHOOL,  the first Hogsmeade weekend quickly approached. Just before the term started, Paloma and Dolores could barely contain their excitement when their parents signed the permission slips to allow the girls to leave school grounds. That morning, the girls couldn't wait to wear something other than their robes and busted out their best casual attire. They headed out with Draco, shivering at the sight of the dementors that stood guard in front of the castle.

"Where do you want to go first?" Dolores asked Draco, "I am not going around Hogsmede with you two." He said disgustingly.

"Scared we'll embarrass you, Malfoy?" Paloma said in a British accent, mocking him.

"I would rather be skinned alive than find out what you two find fun in Hogsmede." He scoffed, the two girls putting on a fake expression of shock.

"That is no way to talk to your future wife!" Dolores joked, gasping and clutching her heart.

When they entered the crowded village, they couldn't keep their eyes off of the cute novelty shops that never seemed to end. In this, Draco disappeared. The girls decided to start their trip off with an ice cream shop near the entrance of the village.

As they stood in line at the kitsch ice cream parlor, they bantered about all the different flavors on the menu.

"Do you think it's any different from ice cream in America?" Dolores asked, their eyes still glued at the menu. "For these prices, I sure hope so." The two giggled. Just then, the boy in front of them turned around. It was Oliver Wood. Paloma straightened up.

"I thought I recognized that voice." He cooed, flashing Paloma a smile.

"Hey, Oliver." As confident as Paloma was in every other aspect of her life when it came to boys she became as shy as any other girl.

"I recommend the strawberry and peanut flavor, it's what I always get." He recommended kindly. Paloma couldn't stop herself from meeting his gaze.

"Sounds great." She said meekly. As he placed his order, Dolores quietly teased Paloma by fluttering her eyelashes and mouthing "Oh Oliver!"

When he reached the register, he told the cashier that he would be paying for Paloma and Dolores' orders as well.

"Oh - Oliver you don't have to." Paloma intercepted, but he was already handing over his coins to the cashier.

"No, I insist." He said confidently, "Thanks, Oliver." Dolores commented sweetly, "I like him." She mouthed.

"Hey - Paloma..." Oliver called, who was now in the middle of the shop, stopping as he was about to leave. Paloma started attentively.

"I was wondering, if you're not busy next weekend, would you like to go on a date?"

Paloma swore she was going to faint.

"Of - of course. Yes, I would love to." She nodded eagerly and clutched her ice cream cup tightly.

"Perfect, I'll see you then." He smiled before heading out the door and meeting his friends that were waiting outside the shop.

"No fucking way." Dolores exclaimed. Paloma sighed and couldn't stop smiling.

The two sat down at the table that was right in front of the shop window.

"I can't believe that you already have a date with one of the hottest guys at Hogwarts," Dolores said amazedly, "A guy can't even look my way in the halls."

"Are you kidding? What's that red-heads name again? The one who's friends with Hermione?" Paloma pondered, shoveling a spoonful of ice cream into her mouth.

"Ron? What about him?" Dolores started to turn pink.

"Oh, you know what, he's totally in puppy-love with you."

"I haven't even spoken a word to him."

"Yeah, but guys are dumb, that won't stop them from having a crush on you. I see the way he stares at you," Paloma continued, "The other day when we were at breakfast and when we walked past their table he spilled his pumpkin juice all over his sweater when he saw you."

"You're crazy."

"Hey, just some food for thought. Not my fault you're oblivious," with ice cream still in her mouth, she added "don't you think he's cute?"

Dolores stayed quiet, "I knew it." Paloma laughed.

"I'm too nervous to talk to him, and from the looks of it he is too."

"Aren't you study buddies with Hermione now? Just ask her to set you guys up."

"No, she's not like that. I'm better off starting things off organically."

"Up to you," Paloma continued, "does he have any brothers?"

"Yeah, Hermione mentioned that he has these twin brothers on the Quidditch team, and I think another one who's a prefect for Gryffindor, why?"

"While at practice the other day there were these cute red-head twins on Gryffindor, I just figured."

"No way, you're trying to get with the entire Gryffindor Quidditch team." Dolores laughed.

"Hey, we just got here, a girl can't have options?" The two snickered and finished their ice cream. When they opened the door of the parlor to leave, Paloma bumped harshly into Pansy Perkins.

"Watch it." Pansy taunted. Behind her were two Slytherin girls who towered over Paloma and Dolores.

"What is your deal?" Dolores demanded, crossing her arms, "Jealous because of Draco?"

This sent Pansy to grow bright red from anger, "You better pipe down, Lola." The two Slytherin girls behind her laughed at her remark.

"Move." Paloma demanded. Pansy and her cronies were blocking the girls from leaving.

"Make me."

"Don't say I didn't warn you." Paloma sniggered, pulling out her wand and throwing it up against Pansy's throat. Pansy retreated into the arms of her friends behind her.

"Excuse me!" Interrupted a voice, Professor McGonagall marched up to the group of girls.

"Detention, Miss Martinez," Paloma's face turned pink as Pansy and her friends giggled quietly behind McGonagall. "Off to the castle, all of you." She ordered, all the girls groaned and were sent on the walk of shame back to Hogwarts.

★

Even with the excitement during their first Halloween feast, that was no match to Paloma's disappointment in herself over her first detention. She stopped every step of the way that night after leaving her things in their room. She was sent to the great hall and dreaded finding out what she would have to do as a punishment.

When she entered the hall, only one person was sitting at a table in the empty space. One of the red-headed twins from Gryffindor. His head whipped up at her, his stunned expression greeting her. She smiled shyly and sat across from him at what would be the Gryffindor table.

"Hi." She greeted.

"Hello." He was still shocked to see her. Before Paloma could say anything else, she heard incoming footsteps.

"You two," Sprang Professor McGonagall, who was dressed in what seemed to be a black nightgown, "Your task tonight is to clean the silverware from today's meals, without magic." They both groaned as she waved her wand and sent the silverware from a nearby table to the table they were sat at.

"I will be back in an hour." She alerted. She quietly walked away and shut the huge wooden doors behind her.

The red-headed boy let out a sigh and began to pick up the silverware and scrubber.

"So, I take you're Paloma?" He said, she was shocked he knew her name.

"Yeah, how do you know?" She asked.

"You American students are all anyone has been talking about." He laughed, scrubbing a spoon, "I'm Fred." Paloma nodded.

"You have a twin? Or am I going insane?" This made him chuckle, "Yeah, that's George." Paloma nodded again and started to focus on wiping the cups with a damp towel.

"What brings you here?" He asked.

"Put a wand up to Pansy Parkinson's throat." Fred roared with laughter and slammed his palm down on the table, causing the silverware to rattle. "What about you?" She asked.

"Put firecrackers in the Ravenclaw toilets, a poor first year is officially scarred for life." The two tried to stifle laughs from the horrible prank, "You know, you're not as cruel and demeaning as others in your house."

"So I've heard." She giggled, passing a fork to him to scrub.

"I hear you've gotten mighty cozy to Wood." He raised an eyebrow at her.

"Oh god." She laughed.

"How do I know you're not just interested in him so you can gain all our secrets?" Fred prodded.

"Don't worry, I'll still go hard on him during our matches." She shot a smile up at Fred who was staring attentively up at her.

The two spent the hour laughing and giggling as Fred recounted his many pranks with George, and Paloma told him all about the embarrassing things she had caught Draco doing during their youth. Whenever there was a lull in the conversation from their focus on scrubbing and polishing the utensils, Paloma would look up and Fred and catch him staring at her. He would immediately shoot his eyes down to the cup he was cleaning to avoid being noticed. But Paloma surely took notice and simpered to herself while she wiped down the silverware. Suddenly, Professor McGonagall burst through the doors.

"Weasley, Martinez." She called, sounding slightly frantic. The two students looked up at her concerned, "There's been an incident up in the Gryffindor common room. You two can stop for now, we're sending students to sleep in here tonight."

Paloma got chills as she stood up from the table, standing arm to arm with Fred who towered over her.

"What do you think happened?" Paloma asked innocently, watching students from all four houses pile into the great hall. Everyone was still in their nightgowns and pajamas. Fred shrugged. As the Slytherins made their way in, Dolores hurried over to Paloma.

"Sirius Black tore up the painting in front of Gryffindor's common room!" Dolores exclaimed, panicked. "What?" Paloma and Fred said at the same time.

"I'll catch you later, Paloma." Fred said, rushing over to his brothers George and Ron as soon as they made it inside.

The two girls found Draco, who was chuckling to himself over the frenzy that was happening in the great hall.

◀︎ chapter five ☆ chapter seven ▶︎